bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress behaviours buffer macaques from aggression
Authors: Whitehouse Jamie , Micheletta Jérôme , Waller Bridget M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPrimates (including humans) scratch when stressed. So far, such scratching has been seen as a by-product of physiological processes associated with stress, and attributed proximate, regulatory function. However, it is possible that others could use this relationship between scratching and stress as an indication of the animal’s stress state, and thus scratching could potentially have social function. As a test of this theory, we measured the production of, and social responses to scratching in a group of free-ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Firstly, we found that the likelihood of scratching was greater around periods of heightened social stress, such as being in proximity to high-ranking individuals, or non-friends. Secondly, when macaques scratched, subsequent interactions were less likely to be aggressive and more likely to be affiliative. Potential attackers may avoid attacking stressed individuals as stressed individuals could behave unpredictably or be weakened by their state of stress (rendering aggression risky and/or unnecessary). Observable stress behaviour could therefore have additional adaptive value by reducing the potential for escalated aggression, benefiting both senders and receivers by facilitating social cohesion. This basic ability to recognise stress in others could also be an important component in the evolution of social cognition such as empathy.
ECG features and methods for automatic classification of ventricular premature and ischemic heartbeats: A comprehensive experimental study
Authors: Maršánová Lucie , Ronzhina Marina , Smíšek Radovan , Vítek Martin , Němcová Andrea , Smital Lukas , Nováková Marie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAccurate detection of cardiac pathological events is an important part of electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluation and subsequent correct treatment of the patient. The paper introduces the results of a complex study, where various aspects of automatic classification of various heartbeat types have been addressed. Particularly, non-ischemic, ischemic (of two different grades) and subsequent ventricular premature beats were classified in this combination for the first time. ECGs recorded in rabbit isolated hearts under non-ischemic and ischemic conditions were used for analysis. Various morphological and spectral features (both commonly used and newly proposed) as well as classification models were tested on the same data set. It was found that: a) morphological features are generally more suitable than spectral ones; b) successful results (accuracy up to 98.3% and 96.2% for morphological and spectral features, respectively) can be achieved using features calculated without time-consuming delineation of QRS-T segment; c) use of reduced number of features (3 to 14 features) for model training allows achieving similar or even better performance as compared to the whole feature sets (10 to 29 features); d) k-nearest neighbours and support vector machine seem to be the most appropriate models (accuracy up to 98.6% and 93.5%, respectively).
Molecular details of secretory phospholipase A2 from flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) provide insight into its structure and function
Authors: Gupta Payal , Dash Prasanta K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSecretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) are low molecular weight proteins (12–18 kDa) involved in a suite of plant cellular processes imparting growth and development. With myriad roles in physiological and biochemical processes in plants, detailed analysis of sPLA2 in flax/linseed is meagre. The present work, first in flax, embodies cloning, expression, purification and molecular characterisation of two distinct sPLA2s (I and II) from flax. PLA2 activity of the cloned sPLA2s were biochemically assayed authenticating them as bona fide phospholipase A2. Physiochemical properties of both the sPLA2s revealed they are thermostable proteins requiring di-valent cations for optimum activity.While, structural analysis of both the proteins revealed deviations in the amino acid sequence at C- & N-terminal regions; hydropathic study revealed LusPLA2I as a hydrophobic protein and LusPLA2II as a hydrophilic protein. Structural analysis of flax sPLA2s revealed that secondary structure of both the proteins are dominated by α-helix followed by random coils. Modular superimposition of LusPLA2 isoforms with rice sPLA2 confirmed monomeric structural preservation among plant phospholipase A2 and provided insight into structure of folded flax sPLA2s.
Probing microwave fields and enabling in-situ experiments in a transmission electron microscope
Authors: Goncalves F. J. T. , Paterson G. W. , McGrouther D. , Drysdale T. , Togawa Y. , Schmool D. S. , Stamps R. L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA technique is presented whereby the performance of a microwave device is evaluated by mapping local field distributions using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (L-TEM). We demonstrate the method by measuring the polarisation state of the electromagnetic fields produced by a microstrip waveguide as a function of its gigahertz operating frequency. The forward and backward propagating electromagnetic fields produced by the waveguide, in a specimen-free experiment, exert Lorentz forces on the propagating electron beam. Importantly, in addition to the mapping of dynamic fields, this novel method allows detection of effects of microwave fields on specimens, such as observing ferromagnetic materials at resonance.
5-methoxytryptophan protects MSCs from stress induced premature senescence by upregulating FoxO3a and mTOR
Authors: Chang Tzu-Ching , Hsu Min-Fen , Shih Chiu-Yueh , Wu Kenneth K. 
Published: September 2017

Abstract5-methoxytryptophan (5-MTP) is a newly discovered tryptophan metabolite which controls stress-induced inflammatory signals. To determine whether 5-MTP protects against stress-induced mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) senescence, we incubated bone marrow-derived MSC (BM-MSC) in high-glucose medium or regular medium for 2 weeks followed by addiction of 5-MTP (10 μM) or vehicle for 48 h. 5-MTP reduced p16 and p21 expression, senescence-associated β-Gal (SA-β-Gal) and IL-6 secretion and increased BrdU incorporation. 5-MTP exerted a similar effect on BM-MSC senescence induced by a sublethal concentration of H2O2. 5-MTP enhanced FoxO3a expression and increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in HG BM-MSCs. Silencing of FoxO3a with siRNA abrogated 5-MTP-mediated reduction of SA-β-Gal and IL-6 secretion but not p21 or p16. Since mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in cellular senescence, we determined whether 5-MTP influences mTOR expression. Our data reveal that mTOR protein level was depressed in HG-MSC which was rescued by 5-MTP. Rapamycin abrogated 5-MTP-mediated suppression of p16, p21, SA-β-Gal and IL-6 and rise of BrdU incorporation. Our findings suggest that 5-MTP protects MSCs against stress-induced senescence via FoxO3a and mTOR upregulation and has potential to improve cell expansion for cell therapy.
Investigating the Relationship between Cerebrospinal Fluid and Magnetic Induction Phase Shift in Rabbit Intracerebral hematoma expansion Monitoring by MRI
Authors: Chen Mingsheng , Yan Qingguang , Sun Jian , Jin Gui , Qin Mingxin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn a prior study of intracerebral hemorrhage monitoring using magnetic induction phase shift (MIPS), we found that MIPS signal changes occurred prior to those seen with intracranial pressure. However, the characteristic MIPS alert is not yet fully explained. Combining the brain physiology and MIPS theory, we propose that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be the primary factor that leads to hematoma expansion being alerted by MIPS earlier than with intracranial pressure monitoring. This paper investigates the relationship between CSF and MIPS in monitoring of rabbit intracerebral hemorrhage models, which is based on the MIPS measurements data, the quantified data on CSF from medical images and the amount of injected blood in the rabbit intracerebral hemorrhage model. In the investigated results, a R value of 0.792 with a significance of 0.019 is observed between the MIPS and CSF, which is closer than MIPS and injected blood. Before the reversal point of MIPS, CSF is the leading factor in MIPS signal changing in an early hematoma expansion stage. Under CSF compensation, CSF reduction compensates for hematoma expansion in the brain to keep intracranial pressure stable. MIPS decrease results from the reducing CSF volume. This enables MIPS to detect hematoma expansion earlier than intracranial pressure.
Designing functionality in perovskite thin films using ion implantation techniques: Assessment and insights from first-principles calculations
Authors: Sharma Vinit , Herklotz Andreas , Ward Thomas Zac , Reboredo Fernando A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent experimental findings have demonstrated that low doses of low energy helium ions can be used to tailor the structural and electronic properties of single crystal films. These initial studies have shown that changes to lattice expansion were proposed to be the direct result of chemical pressure originating predominantly from the implanted He applying chemical pressure at interstitial sites. However, the influence of possible secondary knock-on damage arising from the He atoms transferring energy to the lattice through nuclear-nuclear collision with the crystal lattice remains largely unaddressed. Here, we study SrRuO3 to provide a comprehensive examination of the impact of common defects on structural and electronic properties. We found that, while interstitial He can modify the properties, a dose significantly larger than those reported in experimental studies would be required. Our study suggests that true origin of the observed changes is from combination of secondary defects created during He implantation. Of particular importance, we observe that different defect types can generate greatly varied local electronic structures and that the formation energies and migration energy barriers vary by defect type. Thus, we may have identified a new method of selectively inducing controlled defect complexes into single crystal materials.
Molecular insights into photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in Jatropha curcas grown under elevated CO2 using transcriptome sequencing and assembly
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Sreeharsha Rachapudi Venkata , Mudalkar Shalini , Sarashetti Prasad M. , Reddy Attipalli Ramachandra 
Published: September 2017

AbstractJatropha curcas L. (Family – Euphorbiaceae) is a perennial tree of special interest due to its potential as a biofuel plant with high carbon sequestration. In this study, physiological investigations coupled with transcriptomics in relation to photosynthesis were evaluated in Jatropha grown under ambient (395 ppm) and elevated (550 ppm) CO2 atmosphere. Morphophysiological analysis revealed that Jatropha sustained enhanced photosynthesis during its growth under elevated CO2 for one year which might be linked to improved CO2 assimilation physiology and enhanced sink activity. We sequenced and analyzed the leaf transcriptome of Jatropha after one year of growth in both conditions using Illumina HiSeq platform. After optimized assembly, a total of 69,581 unigenes were generated. The differential gene expression (DGE) analysis revealed 3013 transcripts differentially regulated in elevated CO2 conditions. The photosynthesis regulatory genes were analysed for temporal expression patterns at four different growth phases which highlighted probable events contributing to enhanced growth and photosynthetic capacity including increased reducing power, starch synthesis and sucrose mobilization under elevated CO2. Overall, our data on physiological and transcriptomic analyses suggest an optimal resource allocation to the available and developing sink organs thereby sustaining improved photosynthetic rates during long-term growth of Jatropha under CO2 enriched environment.
The behaviour of stacking fault energy upon interstitial alloying
Authors: Lee Jee-Yong , Koo Yang Mo , Lu Song , Vitos Levente , Kwon Se Kyun 
Published: September 2017

AbstractStacking fault energy is one of key parameters for understanding the mechanical properties of face-centered cubic materials. It is well known that the plastic deformation mechanism is closely related to the size of stacking fault energy. Although alloying is a conventional method to modify the physical parameter, the underlying microscopic mechanisms are not yet clearly established. Here, we propose a simple model for determining the effect of interstitial alloying on the stacking fault energy. We derive a volumetric behaviour of stacking fault energy from the harmonic approximation to the energy-lattice curve and relate it to the contents of interstitials. The stacking fault energy is found to change linearly with the interstitial content in the usual low concentration domain. This is in good agreement with previously reported experimental and theoretical data.
High-Capacitance Hybrid Supercapacitor Based on Multi-Colored Fluorescent Carbon-Dots
Authors: Genc Rukan , Alas Melis Ozge , Harputlu Ersan , Repp Sergej , Kremer Nora , Castellano Mike , Colak Suleyman Gokhan , Ocakoglu Kasim , Erdem Emre 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMulti-colored, water soluble fluorescent carbon nanodots (C-Dots) with quantum yield changing from 4.6 to 18.3% were synthesized in multi-gram using dated cola beverage through a simple thermal synthesis method and implemented as conductive and ion donating supercapacitor component. Various properties of C-Dots, including size, crystal structure, morphology and surface properties along with their Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra were analyzed and compared by means of their fluorescence and electronic properties. α-Manganese Oxide-Polypyrrole (PPy) nanorods decorated with C-Dots were further conducted as anode materials in a supercapacitor. Reduced graphene oxide was used as cathode along with the dicationic bis-imidazolium based ionic liquid in order to enhance the charge transfer and wetting capacity of electrode surfaces. For this purpose, we used octyl-bis(3-methylimidazolium)diiodide (C8H16BImI) synthesized by N-alkylation reaction as liquid ionic membrane electrolyte. Paramagnetic resonance and impedance spectroscopy have been undertaken in order to understand the origin of the performance of hybrid capacitor in more depth. In particular, we obtained high capacitance value (C = 17.3 μF/cm2) which is exceptionally related not only the quality of synthesis but also the choice of electrode and electrolyte materials. Moreover, each component used in the construction of the hybrid supercapacitor is also played a key role to achieve high capacitance value.
Streptococcus salivarius MS-oral-D6 promotes gingival re-epithelialization in vitro through a secreted serine protease
Authors: Fernandez-Gutierrez Marcela M. , Roosjen Peter P. J. , Ultee Eveline , Agelink Maarten , Vervoort Jacques J. M. , Keijser Bart , Wells Jerry M. , Kleerebezem Michiel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGingival re-epithelialization represents an essential phase of oral wound healing in which epithelial integrity is re-establish. We developed an automated high-throughput re-epithelialization kinetic model, using the gingival epithelial cell line Ca9–22. The model was employed to screen 39 lactic acid bacteria, predominantly including oral isolates, for their capacity to accelerate gingival re-epithelialization. This screen identified several strains of Streptococcus salivarius that stimulated re-epithelialization. Further analysis revealed that S. salivarius strain MS-oral-D6 significantly promoted re-epithelialization through a secreted proteinaceous compound and subsequent experiments identified a secreted serine protease as the most likely candidate to be involved in re-epithelialization stimulation. The identification of bacteria or their products that stimulate gingival wound repair may inspire novel strategies for the maintenance of oral health.
Rigidly connected multispecific artificial binders with adjustable geometries
Authors: Wu Yufan , Batyuk Alexander , Honegger Annemarie , Brandl Fabian , Mittl Peer R. E. , Plückthun Andreas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMultivalent binding proteins can gain biological activities beyond what is inherent in the individual binders, by bringing together different target molecules, restricting their conformational flexibility or changing their subcellular localization. In this study, we demonstrate a method to build up rigid multivalent and multispecific scaffolds by exploiting the modular nature of a repeat protein scaffold and avoiding flexible linkers. We use DARPins (Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins), synthetic binding proteins based on the Ankyrin-repeat protein scaffold, as binding units. Their ease of in vitro selection, high production yield and stability make them ideal specificity-conferring building blocks for the design of more complex constructs. C- and N-terminal DARPin capping repeats were re-designed to be joined by a shared helix in such a way that rigid connector modules are formed. This allows us to join two or more DARPins in predefined geometries without compromising their binding affinities and specificities. Nine connector modules with distinct geometries were designed; for eight of these we were able to confirm the structure by X-ray crystallography, while only one did not crystallize. The bispecific constructs were all able to bind both target proteins simultaneously.
The sinking of the El Faro: predicting real world rogue waves during Hurricane Joaquin
Authors: Fedele Francesco , Lugni Claudio , Chawla Arun 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe present a study on the prediction of rogue waves during the 1-hour sea state of Hurricane Joaquin when the Merchant Vessel El Faro sank east of the Bahamas on October 1, 2015. High-resolution hindcast of hurricane-generated sea states and wave simulations are combined with novel probabilistic models to quantify the likelihood of rogue wave conditions. The data suggests that the El Faro vessel was drifting at an average speed of approximately 2.5 m/s prior to its sinking. As a result, we estimated that the probability that El Faro encounters a rogue wave whose crest height exceeds 14 meters while drifting over a time interval of 10 (50) minutes is ~1/400 (1/130). The largest simulated wave is generated by the constructive interference of elementary spectral components (linear dispersive focusing) enhanced by bound nonlinearities. Not surprisingly then, its characteristics are quite similar to those displayed by the Andrea, Draupner and Killard rogue waves.
Hypo-hydroxymethylation of rRNA genes in the precocious Eriocheir sinensis testes revealed using hMeDIP-seq
Authors: Li Genliang , Qian Hui 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPrecocious puberty is a common phenomenon in crab breeding that seriously reduces the economic benefits for crab farmers. To address this problem, this study aimed to explore the potential functions of both methylation and hydroxymethylation of testis rRNA genes with respect to precocious puberty in Eriocheir sinensis. The results showed that the rRNA genes in normally developing testes of E. sinensis had low levels of methylation and high levels of hydroxymethylation; however, although methylation levels were similar, the level of hydroxymethylation in precocious testes was lower than normal. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in the hydroxymethylation of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes were found between precocious and normal testes. Our results suggested that both the 18S and 28S rRNA genes, which are normally downregulated by hypo-hydroxymethylation, might be involved in the process of precocious puberty. Our results also implied that hydroxymethylation of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes might be used as an important epigenetic molecular marker to evaluate economically significant potential for growth and breeding in this species.
Identification of prognostic genes through expression differentiation during metastatic process in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: An Ning , Yang Xue 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCancer is a highly complicated biological process due to large scale heterogeneity. Identification of differentially expressed genes between normal and cancer samples is widely utilized in the discovery of prognostic factors. In this study, based on RNA sequencing data of lung adenocarcinoma, we focused on the expression differentiation during confined (with neither lymph node invasion nor distant metastasis) primary tumors and lymphnode (with only lymph node invasion but not distant metastasis) primary tumors. The result indicated that differentially expressed genes during confined-lymphnode transition were more closely related to patient’s overall survival comparing with those identified from normal-cancer transition. With the aid of public curated biological network, we successfully retrieved the biggest connected module composed of 135 genes, of which the expression was significantly associated with patient’s overall survival, confirmed by 9 independent microarray datasets.
First record of an Icacinaceae Miers fossil flower from Le Quesnoy (Ypresian, France) amber
Authors: Del Rio Cédric , Haevermans Thomas , De Franceschi Dario 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFlowers embedded in amber are rare. Only about 70 flowers or inflorescences have been described among which only one lamiid is known. Nevertheless, these fossils are important to our understanding of evolutionary process and past diversity due to the exceptional preservation of fragile structures not normally preserved. In this work, a new flower named Icacinanthium tainiaphorum sp. nov. from Le Quesnoy (Houdancourt, Oise, France) is described. Our phylogenetic analysis with extant species suggests that the affinity of this flower lies with the family Icacinaceae, close to Natsiatum or Hosiea. The fossil shows a combination of features unknown in extant Icacinaceae and we thus propose the description of a new fossil genus. It reveals a previously unknown diversity in the family and demonstrates the complementarity of different types of fossil preservation for a better understanding of past floral diversity.
Positive feedback of the amphiregulin-EGFR-ERK pathway mediates PM2.5 from wood smoke-induced MUC5AC expression in epithelial cells
Authors: Huang Lingmei , Pu Jinding , He Fang , Liao Baoling , Hao Binwei , Hong Wei , Ye Xiuqin , Chen Jinglong , Zhao Jun , Liu Sha , Xu Juan , Li Bing , Ran Pixin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBiomass fuel smoke is thought to contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is characterized by mucous cell metaplasia and enhanced mucus secretion. We investigated the effect of particulate matter (PM) with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) from wood smoke (WSPM2.5) on the expression of the most prominent secreted mucin, MUC5AC. Wood smoke was able to induce MUC5AC expression in the rat respiratory tract after 3 months of exposure. WSPM2.5 could induce MUC5AC production in both primary human airway epithelial cells and the NCI-H292 cell line. This induction process was mediated by activation of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling through an EGFR ligand-dependent mechanism. Amphiregulin (AR) was identified as the major ligand responsible for EGFR-ERK signaling activation and MUC5AC expression. In turn, EGFR-ERK pathway activation was found to contribute to the de novo synthesis of AR. This positive feedback loop might play an important role in a sustained mucus hypersecretion response.