bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurophysiological mechanisms of interval timing dissociate inattentive and combined ADHD subtypes
Authors: Bluschke Annet , Schuster Jacqueline , Roessner Veit , Beste Christian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIt is far from conclusive what distinguishes the inattentive (ADD) and the combined (ADHD-C) subtype of ADHD on the neuronal level. Theoretical considerations suggest that especially interval timing processes may dissociate these subtypes from each other. Combining high-density EEG recordings with source localization analyses, we examine whether there are ADHD-subtype specific modulations of neurophysiological processes subserving interval timing in matched groups of ADD (n = 16), ADHD-C (n = 16) and controls (n = 16). Patients with ADD and ADHD-C show deficits in interval timing, which was correlated with the degree of inattention in ADD patients. Compared to healthy controls, patients with ADHD-C display a somewhat weaker, yet consistent response preparation process (contingent negative variation, CNV). In patients with ADD, the early CNV is interrupted, indicating an oscillatory disruption of the interval timing process. This is associated with activations in the supplemental motor areas and the middle frontal gyrus. Patients with ADD display adequate feedback learning mechanisms (feedback-related negativity, FRN), which is not the case in patients with ADHD-C. The results suggest that altered pacemaker-accumulation processes in medial frontal structures distinguish the ADD from the ADHD-C subtype. Particularly in patients with ADD phasic interruptions of preparatory neurophysiological processes are evident, making this a possible diagnostic feature.
On the Defect Structure of Biaxial Nematic Droplets
Authors: Chiccoli C. , Evangelista L. R. , Pasini P. , Skačej G. , Teixeira de Souza R. , Zannoni C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe present a detailed Monte Carlo study of the effects of molecular biaxiality on the defect created at the centre of a nematic droplet with radial anchoring at the surface. We have studied a lattice model based on a dispersive potential for biaxial mesogens [Luckhurst et al., Mol. Phys. 30, 1345 (1975)] to investigate how increasing the biaxiality influences the molecular organisation inside the confined system. The results are compared with those obtained from a continuum theory approach. We find from both approaches that the defect core size increases by increasing the molecular biaxiality, hinting at a non universal behaviour previously not reported.
The risk of cognitive impairment associated with hearing function in older adults: a pooled analysis of data from eleven studies
Authors: Yuan Jing , Sun Yu , Sang Shuping , Pham Jessica Huynh , Kong Wei-Jia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImpaired hearing and cognition are disabling conditions among older adults. Research has presented inconsistent conclusions regarding hearing impairment posing a risk for cognitive impairment. We aimed to assess this from published evidence via searching PubMed and Embase, from the inception of the databases indexed to December 2, 2016. For those high-quality studies retrieved, relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to estimate the risk of cognitive impairment. Eleven cohort studies were included in the present study. Pooled results found that elderly people with disabled peripheral and central hearing function had a higher risk of cognitive impairment (for moderate/severe peripheral hearing impairment: RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04–1.59 during a follow-up ≤6 years. RR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13–2.20 during a follow-up >6 years; for severe central hearing impairment, RR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.19–8.69) compared to those with normal hearing function. We also recorded a dose-response trend for cognitive impairment as hearing thresholds rose. No evident bias from potential confounding factors was found with one exception: the length for clinical follow-up. Although results are preliminary because qualifying studies were few, statistical findings were consistent with older people identified as having greater levels of hearing loss, having a corresponding higher risk of cognitive impairment.
Molecular identification, transcript expression, and functional deorphanization of the adipokinetic hormone/corazonin-related peptide receptor in the disease vector, Aedes aegypti
Authors: Wahedi Azizia , Paluzzi Jean-Paul 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe recently discovered adipokinetic hormone/corazonin-related peptide (ACP) is an insect neuropeptide structurally intermediate between corazonin (CRZ) and adipokinetic (AKH) hormones, which all demonstrate homology to the vertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). To date, the function of the ACP signaling system remains unclear. In the present study, we molecularly identified the complete open reading frame encoding the Aedes aegypti ACP receptor (ACPR), which spans nine exons and undergoes alternative splicing giving rise to three transcript variants. Only a single variant, AedaeACPR-I, yielding a deduced 577 residue protein, contains all seven transmembrane domains characteristic of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors. Functional deorphanization of AedaeACPR-I using a heterologous cell culture-based system revealed highly-selective and dose-dependent receptor activation by AedaeACP (EC50 = 10.25 nM). Analysis of the AedaeACPR-I and AedaeACP transcript levels in all post-embryonic developmental stages using quantitative RT-PCR identified enrichment of both transcripts after adult eclosion. Tissue-specific expression profiling in adult mosquitoes reveals expression of the AedaeACPR-I receptor transcript in the central nervous system, including significant enrichment within the abdominal ganglia. Further, the AedaeACP transcript is prominently detected within the brain and thoracic ganglia. Collectively, these results indicate a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter role for ACP and suggest this neuropeptide may function in regulation of post-ecdysis activities.
Objective Assessment of Patient Inhaler User Technique Using an Audio-Based Classification Approach
Authors: Taylor Terence E. , Zigel Yaniv , Egan Clarice , Hughes Fintan , Costello Richard W. , Reilly Richard B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMany patients make critical user technique errors when using pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) which reduce the clinical efficacy of respiratory medication. Such critical errors include poor actuation coordination (poor timing of medication release during inhalation) and inhaling too fast (peak inspiratory flow rate over 90 L/min). Here, we present a novel audio-based method that objectively assesses patient pMDI user technique. The Inhaler Compliance Assessment device was employed to record inhaler audio signals from 62 respiratory patients as they used a pMDI with an In-Check Flo-Tone device attached to the inhaler mouthpiece. Using a quadratic discriminant analysis approach, the audio-based method generated a total frame-by-frame accuracy of 88.2% in classifying sound events (actuation, inhalation and exhalation). The audio-based method estimated the peak inspiratory flow rate and volume of inhalations with an accuracy of 88.2% and 83.94% respectively. It was detected that 89% of patients made at least one critical user technique error even after tuition from an expert clinical reviewer. This method provides a more clinically accurate assessment of patient inhaler user technique than standard checklist methods.
Electron irradiation induced amorphous SiO2 formation at metal oxide/Si interface at room temperature; electron beam writing on interfaces
Authors: Gurbán S. , Petrik P. , Serényi M. , Sulyok A , Menyhárd M. , Baradács E. , Parditka B. , Cserháti C. , Langer G. A. , Erdélyi Z. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAl2O3 (5 nm)/Si (bulk) sample was subjected to irradiation of 5 keV electrons at room temperature, in a vacuum chamber (pressure 1 × 10−9 mbar) and formation of amorphous SiO2 around the interface was observed. The oxygen for the silicon dioxide growth was provided by the electron bombardment induced bond breaking in Al2O3 and the subsequent production of neutral and/or charged oxygen. The amorphous SiO2 rich layer has grown into the Al2O3 layer showing that oxygen as well as silicon transport occurred during irradiation at room temperature. We propose that both transports are mediated by local electric field and charged and/or uncharged defects created by the electron irradiation. The direct modification of metal oxide/silicon interface by electron-beam irradiation is a promising method of accomplishing direct write electron-beam lithography at buried interfaces.
A conserved motif within cox 2 allows broad detection of economically important fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Jiang Fan , Liang Liang , Li Zhihong , Yu Yanxue , Wang Jun , Wu Yuping , Zhu Shuifang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus and Rhagoletis in the family Tephritidae order Diptera are economically important, worldwide distributed and cause damage to a large number of commercially produced fruits and vegetables. China had regulated these five genera as quarantine pests, including the species Carpomya vesuviana. An accurate molecular method not depending on morphology able to detect all the quarantine fruit flies simultaneously is required for quarantine monitoring. This study contributes a comparative analysis of 146 mitochondrial genomes of Diptera species and found variable sites at the mt DNA cox2 gene only conserved in economically important fruit flies species. Degenerate primers (TephFdeg/TephR) were designed specific for the economically important fruit flies. A 603 bp fragment was amplified after testing each of the 40 selected representative species belonging to each economically important Tephritid genera, no diagnostic fragments were detected/amplified in any of the other Tephritidae and Diptera species examined. PCR sensitivity assays demonstrated the limit of detection of targeted DNA was 0.1 ng/μl. This work contributes an innovative approach for detecting all reported economically important fruit flies in a single-step PCR specific for reported fruit fly species of quarantine concern in China.
Phenome of pearl quality traits in the mollusc transplant model Pinctada margaritifera
Authors: Ky Chin-Long , Quillien Virgile , Broustal Floriane , Soyez Claude , Devaux Dominique 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe bivalve Pinctada margaritifera exhibits three main transplant phenotypes derived from the donor (from which a mantle graft tissue, the saibo, is excised), the recipient (into which the saibo is implanted with a nucleus, leading to the formation of a pearl sac “chimera”) and the cultured pearls themselves. This first phenome study on the species derived from a large experimental graft. Transplant phenotype was assessed at three scales: 1) macro, pearl size, colour, grade, 2) micro, pearl surface microstructure, and 3) molecular, biomineralisation gene expression level in saibo and pearl sac tissues. From donor to pearl, the phenome revealed fine variations of quality traits dependent on the position on the mantle where the saibo was cut, whose variation could overlap with inter-individual donor phenotype differences. A single donor phenotype could therefore produce multiple pearl phenotypes at the scale of the saibo position, mirroring its original activity at the mantle position level and the colour and shape of the shell. This phenome study provides essential information on phenotypic trait architecture enabling us to explore and explain the main biological functions and pave the way for a phenomic project on P. margaritifera that could benefit the pearl industry.
The effects of scaling on age, sex and size relationships in Red-legged Partridges
Authors: Nadal Jesús , Ponz Carolina , Margalida Antoni 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWild birds differ in size according to their age and sex, adult birds being larger than juveniles. In the galliforms, males are larger than females, in contrast to some groups, such as the raptors, in which the females are larger. Size generally influences the rank hierarchy within a group of birds, although the age, sex, temperament and behaviour of an individual may override its size related rank order. The scaled size of birds according to age and sex affects their physiology and behaviour. Precise details of body-size differences by age and sex are poorly known in most partridge species. We measured 13,814 wild partridges in a homogenous population over 14 years of study to evaluate size differences within a uniform habitat and population management regime. We show that wild Red-legged Partridges have scaled mass, and body- and wing-lengths consistent with age/sex classes. Power functions between mass and body-length (as a proxy for walking efficiency), and between mass and wing-length (for flight efficiency) differ between juvenile females and males, and adult females and males. We discuss these findings and their physiological, behavioural and ecological implications.
Spatiotemporal summation and correlation mimicked in a four-emitter light-induced artificial synapse
Authors: Shi Zheng , Zhang Shuai , Yuan Jialei , Zhu Bingcheng , Jiang Yuan , Shen Xiangfei , Wang Yongjin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the brain, each postsynaptic neuron interconnects many presynaptic neurons and performs functions that are related to summation and recognition as well as correlation. Based on a convolution operation and nonlinear distortion function, we propose a mathematical model to explore the elementary synaptic mechanism. A four-emitter light-induced artificial synapse is implemented on an III-nitride-on-silicon platform to validate the device concept for emulating the synaptic behaviors of a biological synapse with multiple presynaptic inputs. In addition to a progressive increase in the amplitude of successive spatiotemporal excitatory postsynaptic voltages, the differences in the stimulations are remembered for signal recognition. When repetitive stimulations are simultaneously applied and last over a long period of time, resonant spatiotemporal correlation occurs because an association is formed between the presynaptic stimulations. Four resonant spatiotemporal correlations of each triple-stimulation combination are experimentally demonstrated and agree well with the simulation results. The repetitive stimulation combinations with prime number-based periods inherently exhibit the maximum capacity of resonant spatiotemporal correlation. Our work offers a new approach to building artificial synapse networks.
Contraction of T cell richness in lung cancer brain metastases
Authors: Mansfield Aaron S. , Ren Hongzheng , Sutor Shari , Sarangi Vivekananda , Nair Asha , Davila Jaime , Elsbernd Laura R. , Udell Julia B. , Dronca Roxana S. , Park Sean , Markovic Svetomir N. , Sun Zhifu , Halling Kevin C. , Nevala Wendy K. , Aubry Marie Christine , Dong Haidong , Jen Jin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractVery little is known about how the adaptive immune system responds to clonal evolution and tumor heterogeneity in non-small cell lung cancer. We profiled the T-cell receptor β complementarity determining region 3 in 20 patients with fully resected non-small cell lung cancer primary lesions and paired brain metastases. We characterized the richness, abundance and overlap of T cell clones between pairs, in addition to the tumor mutation burden and predicted neoantigens. We found a significant contraction in the number of unique T cell clones in brain metastases compared to paired primary cancers. The vast majority of T cell clones were specific to a single lesion, and there was minimal overlap in T cell clones between paired lesions. Despite the contraction in the number of T cell clones, brain metastases had higher non-synonymous mutation burdens than primary lesions. Our results suggest that there is greater richness of T cell clones in primary lung cancers than their paired metastases despite the higher mutation burden observed in metastatic lesions. These results may have implications for immunotherapy.
Structural and mechanistic divergence of the small (p)ppGpp synthetases RelP and RelQ
Authors: Steinchen Wieland , Vogt Marian S. , Altegoer Florian , Giammarinaro Pietro I. , Horvatek Petra , Wolz Christiane , Bange Gert 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe nutritional alarmones ppGpp and pppGpp (collectively: (p)ppGpp) are nucleotide-based second messengers enabling bacteria to respond to environmental and stress conditions. Several bacterial species contain two highly homologous (p)ppGpp synthetases named RelP (SAS2, YwaC) and RelQ (SAS1, YjbM). It is established that RelQ forms homotetramers that are subject to positive allosteric regulation by pppGpp, but structural and mechanistic insights into RelP lack behind. Here we present a structural and mechanistic characterization of RelP. In stark contrast to RelQ, RelP is not allosterically regulated by pppGpp and displays a different enzyme kinetic behavior. This discrepancy is evoked by different conformational properties of the guanosine-substrate binding site (G-Loop) of both proteins. Our study shows how minor structural divergences between close homologues result in new functional features during the course of molecular evolution.
A missense mutation in TRAPPC6A leads to build-up of the protein, in patients with a neurodevelopmental syndrome and dysmorphic features
Authors: Mohamoud Hussein Sheikh , Ahmed Saleem , Jelani Musharraf , Alrayes Nuha , Childs Kay , Vadgama Nirmal , Almramhi Mona Mohammad , Al-Aama Jumana Yousuf , Goodbourn Steve , Nasir Jamal 
Published: January 2018

AbstractChildhood onset clinical syndromes involving intellectual disability and dysmorphic features, such as polydactyly, suggest common developmental pathways link seemingly unrelated phenotypes. We identified a consanguineous family of Saudi origin with varying complex features including intellectual disability, speech delay, facial dysmorphism and polydactyly. Combining, microarray based comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) to identify regions of homozygosity, with exome sequencing, led to the identification of homozygous mutations in five candidate genes (RSPH6A,ANKK1,AMOTL1,ALKBH8,TRAPPC6A), all of which appear to be pathogenic as predicted by Proven, SIFT and PolyPhen2 and segregate perfectly with the disease phenotype. We therefore looked for differences in expression levels of each protein in HEK293 cells, expressing either the wild-type or mutant full-length cDNA construct. Unexpectedly, wild-type TRAPPC6A appeared to be unstable, but addition of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 stabilised its expression. Mutations have previously been reported in several members of the TRAPP complex of proteins, including TRAPPC2, TRAPPC9 and TRAPPC11, resulting in disorders involving skeletal abnormalities, intellectual disability, speech impairment and developmental delay. TRAPPC6A joins a growing list of proteins belonging to the TRAPP complex, implicated in clinical syndromes with neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
Saline Accelerates Oxime Reaction with Aldehyde and Keto Substrates at Physiological pH
Authors: Wang Shujiang , Nawale Ganesh N. , Kadekar Sandeep , Oommen Oommen P. , Jena Naresh K. , Chakraborty Sudip , Hilborn Jöns , Varghese Oommen P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe have discovered a simple and versatile reaction condition for oxime mediated bioconjugation reaction that could be adapted for both aldehyde and keto substrates. We found that saline accelerated the oxime kinetics in a concentration-dependent manner under physiological conditions. The reaction mechanism is validated by computational studies, and the versatility of the reaction is demonstrated by cell-surface labeling experiments. Saline offers an efficient and non-toxic catalytic option for performing the bioorthogonal-coupling reaction of biomolecules at the physiological pH. This saline mediated bioconjugation reaction represents the most biofriendly, mild and versatile approach for conjugating sensitive biomolecules and does not require any extensive purification step.
Transient voltage stresses in MMC–HVDC links – impulse analysis and novel proposals for synthetic laboratory generation
Authors: Freye Claudius , Wenig Simon , Goertz Max , Leibfried Thomas , Jenau Frank 
Published: January 2018

To evaluate and optimise insulation coordination concepts for state of the art high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, appropriate test voltage shapes are required for laboratory imitation of occurring stresses. While especially transient voltages in the monopolar modular multilevel converter (MMC)–HVDC links show an extensive deviation from commonly applied switching impulse shapes, this study focusses on the analysis of over‐voltages subsequent to direct current pole to ground faults. Additionally, novel methods for synthetic laboratory test voltage generation are proposed. Based on simulated transients occurring during fault scenarios in different symmetrical monopolar ±320 kV MMC–HVDC schemes, curve fitting, and related analysis techniques are used in order to compare simulated over‐voltages with standard test voltage shapes. Moreover, these techniques further allow the identification of novel relevant impulse characteristics. Subsequently, design considerations for the generation of non‐standard impulses based on single‐stage circuits are derived and discussed. Those synthetically generated voltages may, later on, provide the basis for future investigations on related dielectric effects caused by those non‐normative over‐voltages.
Research and application of UHV power transmission in China
Authors: Shu Yinbiao , Chen Weijiang 
Published: January 2018

The power demand increases rapidly in China; however, the areas of huge power demands are of longdistance from most areas of abundant energy resource in the country. Therefore,China put in great effort to develop ultrahigh voltage (UHV) power transmissionsystems to optimise its energy allocation. This includes (i) systematicallydeveloping key technologies such as overvoltage suppression, external insulationdesign, and electromagnetic environment control, and (ii) developing keyequipment such as UHV alternative current (UHVAC) transformers, circuitbreakers, and series compensated equipment, and UHV direct current (UHVDC)converter transformers, smoothing reactors, converter valves, and DCtransmission control and protection systems. Eight AC UHV projects and 11 DC UHVprojects have been built in China, which play an important role in the optimalallocation of energy. Plus there are one more UHVAC and three more UHVDCtransmission projects in construction, while UHVAC gas‐insulated lines will beapplied in the UHVAC line crossover the Yangtze River and the ±1100 kV UHVDCpower transmission technology is in development. Here, the development andapplication of UHV power transmission technologies in China are described, somemain challenges the UHV projects encountered are discussed, and experiencesobtained from the operation of UHV systems are introduced. It is concluded thatChina obtained mature experience in developing, constructing, and operating UHVsystems and successfully realised long‐distance, large‐capacity powertransmission, and the UHV power transmission technology has become an importantmeasure for energy allocation in large areas.