bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide analyses of self-reported empathy: correlations with autism, schizophrenia, and anorexia nervosa
Authors: Warrier Varun , Toro Roberto , Chakrabarti Bhismadev ,   the iPSYCH-Broad autism group, Børglum Anders D , Grove Jakob ,   the 23andMe Research Team, Hinds David A. , Bourgeron Thomas , Baron-Cohen Simon 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEmpathy is the ability to recognize and respond to the emotional states of other individuals. It is an important psychological process that facilitates navigating social interactions and maintaining relationships, which are important for well-being. Several psychological studies have identified difficulties in both self-report and performance-based measures of empathy in a range of psychiatric conditions. To date, no study has systematically investigated the genetic architecture of empathy using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Here we report the results of the largest GWAS of empathy to date using a well-validated self-report measure of empathy, the Empathy Quotient (EQ), in 46,861 research participants from 23andMe, Inc. We identify 11 suggestive loci (P < 1 × 10−6), though none were significant at P < 2.5 × 10−8 after correcting for multiple testing. The most significant SNP was identified in the non-stratified analysis (rs4882760; P = 4.29 × 10−8), and is an intronic SNP in TMEM132C. The EQ had a modest but significant narrow-sense heritability (0.11 ± 0.014; P = 1.7 × 10−14). As predicted, based on earlier work, we confirmed a significant female advantage on the EQ (P < 2 × 10−16, Cohen’s d = 0.65). We identified similar SNP heritability and high genetic correlation between the sexes. Also, as predicted, we identified a significant negative genetic correlation between autism and the EQ (rg = −0.27 ± 0.07, P = 1.63 × 10−4). We also identified a significant positive genetic correlation between the EQ and risk for schizophrenia (rg = 0.19 ± 0.04; P = 1.36 × 10−5), risk for anorexia nervosa (rg = 0.32 ± 0.09; P = 6 × 10−4), and extraversion (rg = 0.45 ± 0.08; 5.7 × 10−8). This is the first GWAS of self-reported empathy. The results suggest that the genetic variations associated with empathy also play a role in psychiatric conditions and psychological traits.
A chiral selectivity relaxed paralog of DTD for proofreading tRNA mischarging in Animalia
Authors: Kuncha Santosh Kumar , Mazeed Mohd , Singh Raghvendra , Kattula Bhavita , Routh Satya Brata , Sankaranarayanan Rajan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractD-aminoacyl-tRNA deacylase (DTD), a bacterial/eukaryotic trans-editing factor, removes d-amino acids mischarged on tRNAs and achiral glycine mischarged on tRNAAla. An invariant cross-subunit Gly-cisPro motif forms the mechanistic basis of l-amino acid rejection from the catalytic site. Here, we present the identification of a DTD variant, named ATD (Animalia-specific tRNA deacylase), that harbors a Gly-transPro motif. The cis-to-trans switch causes a “gain of function” through L-chiral selectivity in ATD resulting in the clearing of l-alanine mischarged on tRNAThr(G4•U69) by eukaryotic AlaRS. The proofreading activity of ATD is conserved across diverse classes of phylum Chordata. Animalia genomes enriched in tRNAThr(G4•U69) genes are in strict association with the presence of ATD, underlining the mandatory requirement of a dedicated factor to proofread tRNA misaminoacylation. The study highlights the emergence of ATD during genome expansion as a key event associated with the evolution of Animalia.
A ligand-specific blockade of the integrin Mac-1 selectively targets pathologic inflammation while maintaining protective host-defense
Authors: Wolf Dennis , Anto-Michel Nathaly , Blankenbach Hermann , Wiedemann Ansgar , Buscher Konrad , Hohmann Jan David , Lim Bock , Bäuml Marina , Marki Alex , Mauler Maximilian , Duerschmied Daniel , Fan Zhichao , Winkels Holger , Sidler Daniel , Diehl Philipp , Zajonc Dirk M , Hilgendorf Ingo , Stachon Peter , Marchini Timoteo , Willecke Florian , Schell Maximilian , Sommer Björn , von zur Muhlen Constantin , Reinöhl Jochen , Gerhardt Teresa , Plow Edward F. , Yakubenko Valentin , Libby Peter , Bode Christoph , Ley Klaus , Peter Karlheinz , Zirlik Andreas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntegrin-based therapeutics have garnered considerable interest in the medical treatment of inflammation. Integrins mediate the fast recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils to the site of inflammation, but are also required for host defense, limiting their therapeutic use. Here, we report a novel monoclonal antibody, anti-M7, that specifically blocks the interaction of the integrin Mac-1 with its pro-inflammatory ligand CD40L, while not interfering with alternative ligands. Anti-M7 selectively reduces leukocyte recruitment in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, conventional anti-Mac-1 therapy is not specific and blocks a broad repertoire of integrin functionality, inhibits phagocytosis, promotes apoptosis, and fuels a cytokine storm in vivo. Whereas conventional anti-integrin therapy potentiates bacterial sepsis, bacteremia, and mortality, a ligand-specific intervention with anti-M7 is protective. These findings deepen our understanding of ligand-specific integrin functions and open a path for a new field of ligand-targeted anti-integrin therapy to prevent inflammatory conditions.
Samarium hexaboride is a trivial surface conductor
Authors: Hlawenka P. , Siemensmeyer K. , Weschke E. , Varykhalov A. , Sánchez-Barriga J. , Shitsevalova N. Y. , Dukhnenko A. V. , Filipov V. B. , Gabáni S. , Flachbart K. , Rader O. , Rienks E. D. L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSmB6 is predicted to be the first member of the intersection of topological insulators and Kondo insulators, strongly correlated materials in which the Fermi level lies in the gap of a many-body resonance that forms by hybridization between localized and itinerant states. While robust, surface-only conductivity at low temperature and the observation of surface states at the expected high symmetry points appear to confirm this prediction, we find both surface states at the (100) surface to be topologically trivial. We find the $${\bar{\varGamma }}$$

Γ

̄

state to appear Rashba split and explain the prominent $$\bar X$$

X

̄

state by a surface shift of the many-body resonance. We propose that the latter mechanism, which applies to several crystal terminations, can explain the unusual surface conductivity. While additional, as yet unobserved topological surface states cannot be excluded, our results show that a firm connection between the two material classes is still outstanding.
A general soft-enveloping strategy in the templating synthesis of mesoporous metal nanostructures
Authors: Fang Jixiang , Zhang Lingling , Li Jiang , Lu Lu , Ma Chuansheng , Cheng Shaodong , Li Zhiyuan , Xiong Qihua , You Hongjun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMetal species have a relatively high mobility inside mesoporous silica; thus, it is difficult to introduce the metal precursors into silica mesopores and suppress the migration of metal species during a reduction process. Therefore, until now, the controlled growth of metal nanocrystals in a confined space, i.e., mesoporous channels, has been very challenging. Here, by using a soft-enveloping reaction at the interfaces of the solid, liquid, and solution phases, we successfully control the growth of metallic nanocrystals inside a mesoporous silica template. Diverse monodispersed nanostructures with well-defined sizes and shapes, including Ag nanowires, 3D mesoporous Au, AuAg alloys, Pt networks, and Au nanoparticle superlattices are successfully obtained. The 3D mesoporous AuAg networks exhibit enhanced catalytic activities in an electrochemical methanol oxidation reaction. The current soft-enveloping synthetic strategy offers a robust approach to synthesize diverse mesoporous metal nanostructures that can be utilized in catalysis, optics, and biomedicine applications.
Selective control of fcc and hcp crystal structures in Au–Ru solid-solution alloy nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Quan , Kusada Kohei , Wu Dongshuang , Yamamoto Tomokazu , Toriyama Takaaki , Matsumura Syo , Kawaguchi Shogo , Kubota Yoshiki , Kitagawa Hiroshi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBinary solid-solution alloys generally adopt one of three principal crystal lattices—body-centred cubic (bcc), hexagonal close-packed (hcp) or face-centred cubic (fcc) structures—in which the structure is dominated by constituent elements and compositions. Therefore, it is a significant challenge to selectively control the crystal structure in alloys with a certain composition. Here, we propose an approach for the selective control of the crystal structure in solid-solution alloys by using a chemical reduction method. By precisely tuning the reduction speed of the metal precursors, we selectively control the crystal structure of alloy nanoparticles, and are able to selectively synthesize fcc and hcp AuRu3alloy nanoparticles at ambient conditions. This approach enables us to design alloy nanomaterials with the desired crystal structures to create innovative chemical and physical properties.
Selenide-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated tetrahydronaphthalenes by merging desymmetrization and trifluoromethylthiolation
Authors: Luo Jie , Cao Qingxiang , Cao Xiaohui , Zhao Xiaodan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTrifluoromethylthiolated molecules are an important class of biologically active compounds and potential drug candidates. Because of the lack of efficient synthetic methods, catalytic enantioselective construction of these molecules is rare and remains a challenge. To expand this field, we herein disclose a bifunctional selenide-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of various chiral trifluoromethylthiolated tetrahydronaphthalenes bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter with gem-diaryl-tethered alkenes and alkynes by merging desymmetrization and trifluoromethylthiolation strategy. The products are obtained in high yields with excellent enantio- and diastereo-selectivities. This method can be applied to the desymmetrization and sulfenylation of diols as well. Computational studies reveal that selenide can activate the electrophilic reagent better than sulfide, confirming the higher efficiency of selenide catalysis in these reactions. On the basis of the theoretical calculations, an acid-derived anion-binding interaction is suggested to exist in the whole pathway and accounts for the observed high selectivities.
Diesel engine performance and emissions with fuels derived from waste tyres
Authors: Verma Puneet , Zare Ali , Jafari Mohammad , Bodisco Timothy A. , Rainey Thomas , Ristovski Zoran D. , Brown Richard J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe disposal of waste rubber and scrap tyres is a significant issue globally; disposal into stockpiles and landfill poses a serious threat to the environment, in addition to creating ecological problems. Fuel production from tyre waste could form part of the solution to this global issue. Therefore, this paper studies the potential of fuels derived from waste tyres as alternatives to diesel. Production methods and the influence of reactor operating parameters (such as reactor temperature and catalyst type) on oil yield are outlined. These have a major effect on the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engines when using tyre derived fuels. In general, tyre derived fuels increase the brake specific fuel consumption and decrease the brake thermal efficiency. The majority of studies indicate that NOx emissions increase with waste tyre derived fuels; however, a few studies have reported the opposite trend. A similar increasing trend has been observed for CO and CO2 emissions. Although most studies reported an increase in HC emission owing to lower cetane number and higher density, some studies have reported reduced HC emissions. It has been found that the higher aromatic content in such fuels can lead to increased particulate matter emissions.
The Energy Landscape of Neurophysiological Activity Implicit in Brain Network Structure
Authors: Gu Shi , Cieslak Matthew , Baird Benjamin , Muldoon Sarah F. , Grafton Scott T. , Pasqualetti Fabio , Bassett Danielle S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA critical mystery in neuroscience lies in determining how anatomical structure impacts the complex functional dynamics of the brain. How does large-scale brain circuitry constrain states of neuronal activity and transitions between those states? We address these questions using a maximum entropy model of brain dynamics informed by white matter tractography. We demonstrate that the most probable brain states – characterized by minimal energy – display common activation profiles across brain areas: local spatially-contiguous sets of brain regions reminiscent of cognitive systems are co-activated frequently. The predicted activation rate of these systems is highly correlated with the observed activation rate measured in a separate resting state fMRI data set, validating the utility of the maximum entropy model in describing neurophysiological dynamics. This approach also offers a formal notion of the energy of activity within a system, and the energy of activity shared between systems. We observe that within- and between-system energies cleanly separate cognitive systems into distinct categories, optimized for differential contributions to integrated versus segregated function. These results support the notion that energetic and structural constraints circumscribe brain dynamics, offering insights into the roles that cognitive systems play in driving whole-brain activation patterns.
Involvement of PKA/DARPP-32/PP1α and β- arrestin/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Cadmium-Induced DA-D2 Receptor-Mediated Motor Dysfunctions: Protective Role of Quercetin
Authors: Gupta Richa , Shukla Rajendra K. , Pandey Ankita , Sharma Tanuj , Dhuriya Yogesh K. , Srivastava Pranay , Singh Manjul P. , Siddiqi Mohammad Imran , Pant Aditya B. , Khanna Vinay K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGiven increasing risk of cadmium-induced neurotoxicity, the study was conducted to delineate the molecular mechanisms associated with cadmium-induced motor dysfunctions and identify targets that govern dopaminergic signaling in the brain involving in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. Selective decrease in dopamine (DA)-D2 receptors on cadmium exposure was evident which affected the post-synaptic PKA/DARPP-32/PP1α and β-arrestin/Akt/GSK-3β signaling concurrently in rat corpus striatum and PC12 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of PKA and Akt in vitro demonstrates that both pathways are independently modulated by DA-D2 receptors and associated with cadmium-induced motor deficits. Ultrastructural changes in the corpus striatum demonstrated neuronal degeneration and loss of synapse on cadmium exposure. Further, molecular docking provided interesting evidence that decrease in DA-D2 receptors may be due to direct binding of cadmium at the competitive site of dopamine on DA-D2 receptors. Treatment with quercetin resulted in the alleviation of cadmium-induced behavioral and neurochemical alterations. This is the first report demonstrating that cadmium-induced motor deficits are associated with alteration in postsynaptic dopaminergic signaling due to a decrease in DA-D2 receptors in the corpus striatum. The results further demonstrate that quercetin has the potential to alleviate cadmium-induced dopaminergic dysfunctions.
The Charging Events in Contact-Separation Electrification
Authors: Musa Umar G. , Cezan S. Doruk , Baytekin Bilge , Baytekin H. Tarik 
Published: January 2018

AbstractContact electrification (CE)—charging of surfaces that are contacted and separated, is a common phenomenon, however it is not completely understood yet. Recent studies using surface imaging techniques and chemical analysis revealed a ‘spatial’ bipolar distribution of charges at the nano dimension, which made a paradigm shift in the field. However, such analyses can only provide information about the charges that remained on the surface after the separation, providing limited information about the actual course of the CE event. Tapping common polymers and metal surfaces to each other and detecting the electrical potential produced on these surfaces ‘in-situ’ in individual events of contact and separation, we show that, charges are generated and transferred between the surfaces in both events; the measured potential is bipolar in contact and unipolar in separation. We show, the ‘contact-charges’ on the surfaces are indeed the net charges that results after the separation process, and a large contribution to tribocharge harvesting comes, in fact, from the electrostatic induction resulting from the generated CE charges. Our results refine the mechanism of CE providing information for rethinking the conventional ranking of materials’ charging abilities, charge harvesting, and charge prevention.
Transcriptome of Porcine PBMCs over Two Generations Reveals Key Genes and Pathways Associated with Variable Antibody Responses post PRRSV Vaccination
Authors: Yang Ting , Zhang Fengxia , Zhai Liwei , He Weiyong , Tan Zhen , Sun Yangyang , Wang Yuan , Liu Lei , Ning Chao , Zhou Weiliang , Ao Hong , Wang Chuduan , Yu Ying 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a virus susceptible to antibody dependent enhancement, causing reproductive failures in sows and preweaning mortality of piglets. Modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines are used to control PRRS in swine herds. However, immunized sows and piglets often generate variable antibody levels. This study aimed to detect significant genes and pathways involved in antibody responsiveness of pregnant sows and their offspring post-PRRSV vaccination. RNA sequencing was conducted on peripheral blood-mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which were isolated from pregnant sows and their piglets with high (HA), median (MA), and low (LA) PRRS antibody levels following vaccination. 401 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in three comparisons (HA versus MA, HA versus LA, and MA versus LA) of sow PBMCs. Two novel pathways (complement and coagulation cascade pathway; and epithelial cell signaling in H. pylori infection pathway) revealed by DEGs in HA versus LA and MA versus LA were involved in chemotactic and proinflammatory responses. TNF-α, CCL4, and NFKBIA genes displayed the same expression trends in subsequent generation post-PRRS-MLV vaccination. Findings of the study suggest that two pathways and TNF-α, CCL4, and NFKBIA could be considered as key pathways and potential candidate genes for PRRSV vaccine responsiveness, respectively.
In silico clinical trials for pediatric orphan diseases
Authors: Carlier A. , Vasilevich A. , Marechal M. , de Boer J. , Geris L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTo date poor treatment options are available for patients with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT), a pediatric orphan disease. In this study we have performed anin silicoclinical trial on 200 virtual subjects, generated from a previously established model of murine bone regeneration, to tackle the challenges associated with the small, pediatric patient population. Each virtual subject was simulated to receive no treatment and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) treatment. We have shown that the degree of severity of CPT is significantly reduced with BMP treatment, although the effect is highly subject-specific. Using machine learning techniques we were also able to stratify the virtual subject population in adverse responders, non-responders, responders and asymptomatic. In summary, this study shows the potential ofin silicomedicine technologies as well as their implications for other orphan diseases.
Female dispersion and sex ratios interact in the evolution of mating behavior: a computational model
Authors: Gomes B. V. , Guimarães D. M. , Szczupak D. , Neves K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe evolution of mating strategies is not well understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the variation in mating strategies, with varying levels of support. Specifically, female dispersion, adult sex ratio and mate guarding have been proposed as drivers of the evolution of monogamous strategies. In this study, we used an agent-based model (ABM) to examine how different mating behaviors evolve in a population under different conditions related to these putative drivers, looking to understand the interaction between them. We found an interaction among different factors in the evolution of social monogamy, and their impact is in this order: adult sex ratio (ASR), female dispersion and extra-pair copulation. Thus, when the adult sex ratio is male-biased, monogamous strategies are strongly favored. However, this is only the case if mate guarding is fully efficient, i.e., if there is no extra-pair copulation. On the other hand, in scenarios where the population is female-biased, or mate guarding is not efficient, we find that polygamous strategies are favored but proportionally to the dispersion of females. These results confirm previous findings regarding mate guarding and sex ratios, while also showing how female dispersion enters the dynamics.
B-site ordering and strain-induced phase transition in double-perovskite La2NiMnO6 films
Authors: Wu Sheng-Qiang , Cheng Sheng , Lu Lu , Liu Ming , Jin Xiao-Wei , Cheng Shao-Dong , Mi Shao-Bo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe magnetic and electrical properties of complex oxide thin films are closely related to the phase stability and cation ordering, which demands that we understand the process-structure-property relationships microscopically in functional materials research. Here we study multiferroic thin films of double-perovskite La2NiMnO6 epitaxially grown on SrTiO3, KTaO3, LaAlO3 and DyScO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The effect of epitaxial strains imposed by the substrate on the microstructural properties of La2NiMnO6 has been systematically investigated by means of advanced electron microscopy. It is found that La2NiMnO6 films under tensile strain exhibit a monoclinic structure, while under compressive strain the crystal structure of La2NiMnO6 films is rhombohedral. In addition, by optimizing the film deposition conditions a long-range ordering of B-site cations in La2NiMnO6 films has been obtained in both monoclinic and rhombohedral phases. Our results not only provide a strategy for tailoring phase stability by strain engineering, but also shed light on tuning B-site ordering by controlling film growth temperature in double-perovskite La2NiMnO6 films.
Molecular mechanisms of detection and discrimination of dynamic signals
Authors: Antunes G. , Roque A. C. , Simoes-de-Souza F. M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMany molecules decode not only the concentration of cellular signals, but also their temporal dynamics. However, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie the detection and discrimination of dynamic signals. We used computational modelling of the interaction of a ligand with multiple targets to investigate how kinetic and thermodynamic parameters regulate their capabilities to respond to dynamic signals. Our results demonstrated that the detection and discrimination of temporal features of signal inputs occur for reactions proceeding outside mass-action equilibrium. For these reactions, thermodynamic parameters such as affinity do not predict their outcomes. Additionally, we showed that, at non-equilibrium, the association rate constants determine the amount of product formed in reversible reactions. In contrast, the dissociation rate constants regulate the time interval required for reversible reactions to achieve equilibrium and, consequently, control their ability to detect and discriminate dynamic features of cellular signals.