bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progress and challenges for understanding the function of cortical microcircuits in auditory processing
Authors: Blackwell Jennifer M. , Geffen Maria N. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAn important outstanding question in auditory neuroscience is to identify the mechanisms by which specific motifs within inter-connected neural circuits affect auditory processing and, ultimately, behavior. In the auditory cortex, a combination of large-scale electrophysiological recordings and concurrent optogenetic manipulations are improving our understanding of the role of inhibitory–excitatory interactions. At the same time, computational approaches have grown to incorporate diverse neuronal types and connectivity patterns. However, we are still far from understanding how cortical microcircuits encode and transmit information about complex acoustic scenes. In this review, we focus on recent results identifying the special function of different cortical neurons in the auditory cortex and discuss a computational framework for future work that incorporates ideas from network science and network dynamics toward the coding of complex auditory scenes.
Evidence for causal top-down frontal contributions to predictive processes in speech perception
Authors: Cope Thomas E. , Sohoglu E. , Sedley W. , Patterson K. , Jones P. S. , Wiggins J. , Dawson C. , Grube M. , Carlyon R. P. , Griffiths T. D. , Davis Matthew H. , Rowe James B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPerception relies on the integration of sensory information and prior expectations. Here we show that selective neurodegeneration of human frontal speech regions results in delayed reconciliation of predictions in temporal cortex. These temporal regions were not atrophic, displayed normal evoked magnetic and electrical power, and preserved neural sensitivity to manipulations of sensory detail. Frontal neurodegeneration does not prevent the perceptual effects of contextual information; instead, prior expectations are applied inflexibly. The precision of predictions correlates with beta power, in line with theoretical models of the neural instantiation of predictive coding. Fronto-temporal interactions are enhanced while participants reconcile prior predictions with degraded sensory signals. Excessively precise predictions can explain several challenging phenomena in frontal aphasias, including agrammatism and subjective difficulties with speech perception. This work demonstrates that higher-level frontal mechanisms for cognitive and behavioural flexibility make a causal functional contribution to the hierarchical generative models underlying speech perception.
High-resolution adaptive optical imaging within thick scattering media using closed-loop accumulation of single scattering
Authors: Kang Sungsam , Kang Pilsung , Jeong Seungwon , Kwon Yongwoo , Yang Taeseok D. , Hong Jin Hee , Kim Moonseok , Song Kyung–Deok , Park Jin Hyoung , Lee Jun Ho , Kim Myoung Joon , Kim Ki Hean , Choi Wonshik 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThick biological tissues give rise to not only the multiple scattering of incoming light waves, but also the aberrations of remaining signal waves. The challenge for existing optical microscopy methods to overcome both problems simultaneously has limited sub-micron spatial resolution imaging to shallow depths. Here we present an optical coherence imaging method that can identify aberrations of waves incident to and reflected from the samples separately, and eliminate such aberrations even in the presence of multiple light scattering. The proposed method records the time-gated complex-field maps of backscattered waves over various illumination channels, and performs a closed-loop optimization of signal waves for both forward and phase-conjugation processes. We demonstrated the enhancement of the Strehl ratio by more than 500 times, an order of magnitude or more improvement over conventional adaptive optics, and achieved a spatial resolution of 600 nm up to an imaging depth of seven scattering mean free paths.
A 1-phytase type III effector interferes with plant hormone signaling
Authors: Blüher Doreen , Laha Debabrata , Thieme Sabine , Hofer Alexandre , Eschen-Lippold Lennart , Masch Antonia , Balcke Gerd , Pavlovic Igor , Nagel Oliver , Schonsky Antje , Hinkelmann Rahel , Wörner Jakob , Parvin Nargis , Greiner Ralf , Weber Stefan , Tissier Alain , Schutkowski Mike , Lee Justin , Jessen Henning , Schaaf Gabriel , Bonas Ulla 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMost Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria inject type III effector (T3E) proteins into plant cells to manipulate signaling pathways to the pathogen’s benefit. In resistant plants, specialized immune receptors recognize single T3Es or their biochemical activities, thus halting pathogen ingress. However, molecular function and mode of recognition for most T3Es remains elusive. Here, we show that the Xanthomonas T3E XopH possesses phytase activity, i.e., dephosphorylates phytate (myo-inositol-hexakisphosphate, InsP6), the major phosphate storage compound in plants, which is also involved in pathogen defense. A combination of biochemical approaches, including a new NMR-based method to discriminate inositol polyphosphate enantiomers, identifies XopH as a naturally occurring 1-phytase that dephosphorylates InsP6 at C1. Infection of Nicotiana benthamiana and pepper by Xanthomonas results in a XopH-dependent conversion of InsP6 to InsP5. 1-phytase activity is required for XopH-mediated immunity of plants carrying the Bs7 resistance gene, and for induction of jasmonate- and ethylene-responsive genes in N. benthamiana.
Designing flows to resolve human and environmental water needs in a dam-regulated river
Authors: Chen William , Olden Julian D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNavigating trade-offs between meeting societal water needs and supporting functioning ecosystems is integral to river management policy. Emerging frameworks provide the opportunity to consider multiple river uses explicitly, but balancing multiple priorities remains challenging. Here we quantify relationships between hydrologic regimes and the abundance of multiple native and nonnative fish species over 18 years in a large, dryland river basin in southwestern United States. These models were incorporated into a multi-objective optimization framework to design dam operation releases that balance human water needs with the dual conservation targets of benefiting native fishes while disadvantaging nonnative fishes. Predicted designer flow prescriptions indicate significant opportunities to favor native over nonnative fishes while rarely, if ever, encroaching on human water needs. The predicted benefits surpass those generated by natural flow mimicry, and were retained across periods of heightened drought. We provide a quantitative illustration of theoretical predictions that designer flows can offer multiple ecological and societal benefits in human-altered rivers.
Telluriding monolayer MoS2 and WS2 via alkali metal scooter
Authors: Yun Seok Joon , Han Gang Hee , Kim Hyun , Duong Dinh Loc , Shin Bong Gyu , Zhao Jiong , Vu Quoc An , Lee Jubok , Lee Seung Mi , Lee Young Hee 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe conversion of chalcogen atoms to other types in transition metal dichalcogenides has significant advantages for tuning bandgaps and constructing in-plane heterojunctions; however, difficulty arises from the conversion of sulfur or selenium to tellurium atoms owing to the low decomposition temperature of tellurides. Here, we propose the use of sodium for converting monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) to molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) under Te-rich vapors. Sodium easily anchors tellurium and reduces the exchange barrier energy by scooting the tellurium to replace sulfur. The conversion was initiated at the edges and grain boundaries of MoS2, followed by complete conversion in the entire region. By controlling sodium concentration and reaction temperature of monolayer MoS2, we tailored various phases such as semiconducting 2H-MoTe2, metallic 1T′-MoTe2, and 2H-MoS2−x
Te
x
alloys. This concept was further extended to WS2. A high valley polarization of ~37% in circularly polarized photoluminescence was obtained in the monolayer WS2−x
Te
x
alloy at room temperature.
Tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation via ANT1-dependent mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Guo Wenjie , Liu Wen , Chen Zhen , Gu Yanhong , Peng Shuang , Shen Lihong , Shen Yan , Wang Xingqi , Feng Gen-Sheng , Sun Yang , Xu Qiang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAberrant activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has an important function in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Although many components and mediators of inflammasome activation have been identified, how NLRP3 inflammasome is regulated to prevent excessive inflammation is unclear. Here we show NLRP3 inflammasome stimulators trigger Src homology-2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) translocation to the mitochondria, to interact with and dephosphorylate adenine nucleotide translocase 1 (ANT1), a central molecule controlling mitochondrial permeability transition. This mechanism prevents collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and the subsequent release of mitochondrial DNA and reactive oxygen species, thus preventing hyperactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Ablation or inhibition of SHP2 in macrophages causes intensified NLRP3 activation, overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, and increased sensitivity to peritonitis. Collectively, our data highlight that, by inhibiting ANT1 and mitochondrial dysfunction, SHP2 orchestrates an intrinsic regulatory loop to limit excessive NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Electric-field control of ferromagnetism through oxygen ion gating
Authors: Li Hao-Bo , Lu Nianpeng , Zhang Qinghua , Wang Yujia , Feng Deqiang , Chen Tianzhe , Yang Shuzhen , Duan Zheng , Li Zhuolu , Shi Yujun , Wang Weichao , Wang Wei-Hua , Jin Kui , Liu Hui , Ma Jing , Gu Lin , Nan Cewen , Yu Pu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractElectric-field-driven oxygen ion evolution in the metal/oxide heterostructures emerges as an effective approach to achieve the electric-field control of ferromagnetism. However, the involved redox reaction of the metal layer typically requires extended operation time and elevated temperature condition, which greatly hinders its practical applications. Here, we achieve reversible sub-millisecond and room-temperature electric-field control of ferromagnetism in the Co layer of a Co/SrCoO2.5 system accompanied by bipolar resistance switching. In contrast to the previously reported redox reaction scenario, the oxygen ion evolution occurs only within the SrCoO2.5 layer, which serves as an oxygen ion gating layer, leading to modulation of the interfacial oxygen stoichiometry and magnetic state. This work identifies a simple and effective pathway to realize the electric-field control of ferromagnetism at room temperature, and may lead to applications that take advantage of both the resistance switching and magnetoelectric coupling.
Nanoparticle conjugates of a highly potent toxin enhance safety and circumvent platinum resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Qi Ruogu , Wang Yongheng , Bruno Peter M. , Xiao Haihua , Yu Yingjie , Li Ting , Lauffer Sam , Wei Wei , Chen Qixian , Kang Xiang , Song Haiqin , Yang Xi , Huang Xing , Detappe Alexandre , Matulonis Ursula , Pepin David , Hemann Michael T. , Birrer Michael J. , Ghoroghchian P. Peter 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAdvanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancers are amongst the most difficult to treat tumors and have proven to be refractory to most cytotoxic, molecularly targeted, or immunotherapeutic approaches. Here, we report that nanoparticle-drug conjugates (NDCs) of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) significantly increase loading on a per-vehicle basis as compared to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Their intraperitoneal administration enabled triggered release of the active MMAE toxin to inhibit tumor growth and to extend animal survival to >90 days in a cell-line xenograft model of disseminated ovarian cancer. In a patient-derived xenograft model of advanced-stage and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, an MMAE-based NDC doubled the duration of tumor growth inhibition as compared to cisplatin. NDCs of highly potent toxins thus introduce a translatable platform that may be exploited to maximize the safety and efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapies, combining the best features of ADCs with those of nanoparticle-based therapeutics.
Protective efficacy of influenza group 2 hemagglutinin stem-fragment immunogen vaccines
Authors: Sutton Troy C. , Chakraborty Saborni , Mallajosyula Vamsee V. A. , Lamirande Elaine W. , Ganti Ketaki , Bock Kevin W. , Moore Ian N. , Varadarajan Raghavan , Subbarao Kanta 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe stem of the influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) is highly conserved and represents an attractive target for a universal influenza vaccine. The 18 HA subtypes of influenza A are phylogenetically divided into two groups, and while protection with group 1 HA stem vaccines has been demonstrated in animal models, studies on group 2 stem vaccines are limited. Thus, we engineered group 2 HA stem-immunogen (SI) vaccines targeting the epitope for the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody CR9114 and evaluated vaccine efficacy in mice and ferrets. Immunization induced antibodies that bound to recombinant HA protein and viral particles, and competed with CR9114 for binding to the HA stem. Mice vaccinated with H3 and H7-SI were protected from lethal homologous challenge with X-79 (H3N2) or A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), and displayed moderate heterologous protection. In ferrets, H7-SI vaccination did not significantly reduce weight loss or nasal wash titers after robust 107 TCID50 H7N9 virus challenge. Epitope mapping revealed ferrets developed lower titers of antibodies that bound a narrow range of HA stem epitopes compared to mice, and this likely explains the lower efficacy in ferrets. Collectively, these findings indicate that while group 2 SI vaccines show promise, their immunogenicity and efficacy are reduced in larger outbred species, and will have to be enhanced for successful translation to a universal vaccine.
BCAT1 is a New MR Imaging-related Biomarker for Prognosis Prediction in IDH1-wildtype Glioblastoma Patients
Authors: Cho Hye Rim , Jeon Hyejin , Park Chul-Kee , Park Sung-Hye , Kang Koung Mi , Choi Seung Hong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIsocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) has found to be accompanied with increased expression of branched-chain amino acid trasaminase1 (BCAT1), which is associated with tumor growth and disease progression. In this retrospective study, quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot were performed with GBM patient tissues to evaluate the BCAT1 level. Quantitative MR imaging parameters were evaluated from DSC perfusion imaging, DWI, contrast-enhanced T1WI and FLAIR imaging using a 3T MR scanner. The level of BCAT1 was significantly higher in IDH1-wildtype patients than in IDH1-mutant patients obtained in immunohistochemistry and western blot. The BCAT1 level was significantly correlated with the mean and 95th percentile-normalized CBV as well as the mean ADC based on FLAIR images. In addition, the 95th percentile-normalized CBV from CE T1WI also had a significant correlation with the BCAT1 level. Moreover, the median PFS in patients with BCAT1 expression <100 was longer than in those with BCAT1 expression ≥100. Taken together, we found that a high BCAT1 level is correlated with high CBV and a low ADC value as well as the poor prognosis of BCAT1 expression is related to the aggressive nature of GBM.
Computational and biological profile of boronic acids for the detection of bacterial serine- and metallo-β-lactamases
Authors: Santucci Matteo , Spyrakis Francesca , Cross Simon , Quotadamo Antonio , Farina Davide , Tondi Donatella , De Luca Filomena , Docquier Jean-Denis , Prieto Ana Isabel , Ibacache Claudia , Blázquez Jesús , Venturelli Alberto , Cruciani Gabriele , Costi Maria Paola 
Published: December 2017

Abstractβ-Lactamases (BLs) able to hydrolyze β-lactam antibiotics and more importantly the last resort carbapenems, represent a major mechanism of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria showing multi-drug or extensively drug resistant phenotypes. The early detection of BLs responsible of resistant infections is challenging: approaches aiming at the identification of new BLs inhibitors (BLI) can thus serve as the basis for the development of highly needed diagnostic tools. Starting from benzo-[b]-thiophene-2-boronic acid (BZB), a nanomolar inhibitor of AmpC β-lactamase (K
i
= 27 nM), we have identified and characterized a set of BZB analogues able to inhibit clinically-relevant β-lactamases, including AmpC, Extended-Spectrum BLs (ESBL), KPC- and OXA-type carbapenemases and metallo-β-lactamases (MBL). A multiligand set of boronic acid (BA) β-lactamase inhibitors was obtained using covalent molecular modeling, synthetic chemistry, enzyme kinetics and antibacterial susceptibility testing. Data confirmed the possibility to discriminate between clinically-relevant β-lactamases on the basis of their inhibition profile. Interestingly, this work also allowed the identification of potent KPC-2 and NDM-1 inhibitors able to potentiate the activity of cefotaxime (CTX) and ceftazidime (CAZ) against resistant clinical isolates (MIC reduction, 32-fold). Our results open the way to the potential use of our set of compounds as a diagnostic tool for the sensitive detection of clinically-relevant β-lactamases.
Fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance of chimeric antigen receptor T cell biodistribution in murine cancer model
Authors: Chapelin Fanny , Gao Shang , Okada Hideho , Weber Thomas G. , Messer Karen , Ahrens Eric T. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDiscovery of effective cell therapies against cancer can be accelerated by the adaptation of tools to rapidly quantitate cell biodistribution and survival after delivery. Here, we describe the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) ‘cytometry’ to quantify the biodistribution of immunotherapeutic T cells in intact tissue samples. In this study, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells expressing EGFRvIII targeting transgene were labeled with a perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion ex vivo and infused into immunocompromised mice bearing subcutaneous human U87 glioblastomas expressing EGFRvIII and luciferase. Intact organs were harvested at day 2, 7 and 14 for whole-sample fluorine-19 (19F) NMR to quantitatively measure the presence of PFC-labeled CAR T cells, followed by histological validation. NMR measurements showed greater CAR T cell homing and persistence in the tumors and spleen compared to untransduced T cells. Tumor growth was monitored with bioluminescence imaging, showing that CAR T cell treatment resulted in significant tumor regression compared to untransduced T cells. Overall, 19F NMR cytometry is a rapid and quantitative method to evaluate cell biodistribution, tumor homing, and fate in preclinical studies.
Scattering of Ultra-relativistic Electrons in the Van Allen Radiation Belts Accounting for Hot Plasma Effects
Authors: Cao Xing , Shprits Yuri Y. , Ni Binbin , Zhelavskaya Irina S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractElectron flux in the Earth’s outer radiation belt is highly variable due to a delicate balance between competing acceleration and loss processes. It has been long recognized that Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves may play a crucial role in the loss of radiation belt electrons. Previous theoretical studies proposed that EMIC waves may account for the loss of the relativistic electron population. However, recent observations showed that while EMIC waves are responsible for the significant loss of ultra-relativistic electrons, the relativistic electron population is almost unaffected. In this study, we provide a theoretical explanation for this discrepancy between previous theoretical studies and recent observations. We demonstrate that EMIC waves mainly contribute to the loss of ultra-relativistic electrons. This study significantly improves the current understanding of the electron dynamics in the Earth’s radiation belt and also can help us understand the radiation environments of the exoplanets and outer planets.
Deformation and dynamic response of abdominal aortic aneurysm sealing
Authors: Argani L. P. , Torella F. , Fisher R. K. , McWilliams R. G. , Wall M. L. , Movchan A. B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEndovascular sealing is a new technique for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Commercially available in Europe since 2013, it takes a revolutionary approach to aneurysm repair through minimally invasive techniques. Although aneurysm sealing may be thought as more stable than conventional endovascular stent graft repairs, post-implantation movement of the endoprosthesis has been described, potentially leading to late complications. The paper presents for the first time a model, which explains the nature of forces, in static and dynamic regimes, acting on sealed abdominal aortic aneurysms, with references to real case studies. It is shown that elastic deformation of the aorta and of the endoprosthesis induced by static forces and vibrations during daily activities can potentially promote undesired movements of the endovascular sealing structure.
sEMG-assisted inverse modelling of 3D lip movement: a feasibility study towards person-specific modelling
Authors: Eskes Merijn , Balm Alfons J. M. , van Alphen Maarten J. A. , Smeele Ludi E. , Stavness Ian , van der Heijden Ferdinand 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe propose a surface-electromyographic (sEMG) assisted inverse-modelling (IM) approach for a biomechanical model of the face to obtain realistic person-specific muscle activations (MA) by tracking movements as well as innervation trajectories. We obtained sEMG data of facial muscles and 3D positions of lip markers in six volunteers and, using a generic finite element (FE) face model in ArtiSynth, performed inverse static optimisation with and without sEMG tracking on both simulation data and experimental data. IM with simulated data and experimental data without sEMG data showed good correlations of tracked positions (0.93 and 0.67) and poor correlations of MA (0.27 and 0.20). When utilising the sEMG-assisted IM approach, MA correlations increased drastically (0.83 and 0.59) without sacrificing performance in position correlations (0.92 and 0.70). RMS errors show similar trends with an error of 0.15 in MA and of 1.10 mm in position. Therefore, we conclude that we were able to demonstrate the feasibility of an sEMG-assisted inverse modelling algorithm for the perioral region. This approach may help to solve the ambiguity problem in inverse modelling and may be useful, for instance, in future applications for preoperatively predicting treatment-related function loss.