bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Consecutive Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes Using the Gamma‐ray Burst Monitor
Authors: Stanbro M. , Briggs M. S. , Roberts O. J. , Cramer E. S. , Cummer S. A. , Grove J. E.
Published: October 2018

The Fermi Gamma‐ray Burst Monitor (GBM) has detected terrestrial gamma‐ray flash (TGF) pulses and TGF pairs with separations from submilliseconds to several minutes. Enhancements in the TGF rate are reobserved on successive orbits. We report on the distribution of TGF pulse separations observed with Fermi GBM. Additionally, a detailed analysis is performed on TGFs that have temporal associations within 3.5 ms with radio atmospheric signals (sferics) from the World Wide Lightning Location Network or the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network. Sferics are typically associated with lightning discharges, but the relativistic runaway electron avalanche process, according to models, should also produce radio emissions. The separations times between TGFs show a gap from 10 ms to 1 s that we interpret as showing differing origins for the separations below 10 ms and those above 1 s. Analysis of paired TGFs with separation time ≥1 s reveals 51 pairs with a sferic association with both members. The majority of these pairs have members originating from separate cells in thunderstorm systems, but 10 pairs have geolocations consistent with originating from the same cell. The minimum separation time of pairs from the same cell is 10 s, with an average separation time of 56 s. This leads to implications on TGF generation models and the recharge time of the large‐scale electric field at the source of the production of the TGF. This separation time would result in a constraint on the recharge time of the large‐scale electric field before an additional TGF can be produced.
Characterizing Complex Surface Ruptures in the 2013 Mw 7.7 Balochistan Earthquake Using Three‐Dimensional Displacements
Authors: Zhou Yu , Parsons Barry E. , Walker Richard Thomas
Published: October 2018

We use satellite‐derived high‐resolution topography and orthoimages, namely, preearthquake Advanced Land Observing Satellite World 3‐D data and postearthquake Pleiades data, to retrieve 3‐D displacements in the 2013 Balochistan, Pakistan, earthquake. Previous studies of this earthquake have revealed many complex rupture patterns, such as off‐fault deformation (near‐field strike‐slip displacements smaller than the far field) and inelastic surface deformation (horizontal shortening on the surface significantly larger than that from simple elastic model). In this paper, we reanalyze the complexities of surface ruptures in a systematic way using the newly derived 3‐D displacements. In doing so, we made use of the vertical component of the curl and the horizontal divergence of the displacement field. By comparing the off‐fault deformation and curl field along the rupture, we found that curl is a good measure of the width of the deformation zone. The curl width ratio (CWR)—the ratio of the basic resolution of the curl field and curl width—was used to quantify the degree of surface slip localization. When CWR ≥ 0.9, there is no or very little off‐fault deformation, whereas when CWR ≤ 0.6, surface deformation is almost 100% distributed. The distributed deformation observed is controlled by both the fault geometry and local material types. Despite the overall strike slip with some thrusting, the divergence shows localized extension or enhanced shortening in the near field due to fault geometric variations at a spatial scale of tens to hundreds of meters, consistent with the 3‐D displacements and geological interpretations.
The Great Slave Lake PyroCb of 5 August 2014: Observations, Simulations, Comparisons With Regular Convection, and Impact on UTLS Water Vapor
Authors: Kablick G. , Fromm M. , Miller S. , Partain P. , Peterson D. , Lee S. , Zhang Y. , Lambert A. , Li Z.
Published: October 2018

This study analyzes a pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) that formed near Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada on 5 August 2014 using multiple satellite‐ and ground‐based data sets, meteorological reanalysis, and a cloud‐resolving model. Passive and active polar‐orbiting instruments and geostationary imagery detail the intense updraft column during the several hours‐long convective stage and capture the entire pyroCb life cycle. CloudSat radar reflectivity profiles and local soundings show the pyroCb cloud base was ≥1 km above the lifting condensation level. Comparisons with profiles through meteorological convection in the same region reaffirm previous evidence for delayed droplet growth within pyroconvective updrafts. The pyroCb penetrated the tropopause, reaching at least 14 km (θ≃ 380 K), and the detrained cirrus/smoke plume was tracked over the following 2 weeks using lagrangian trajectories, the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization and Microwave Limb Sounder. Microwave Limb Sounder ice water content and water vapor mixing ratio (WVMR) observations in the aging plume show ice sublimation occurred in the stratosphere, producing individual WVMR anomalies up to +5 ppmv and plume‐averaged anomalies up to +2 ppmv. Reanalysis indicates the pyroCb formed in favorable convective conditions, but we show the fire itself triggered convection because meteorological triggers were not colocated during initiation. Cloud‐resolving model simulations confirm this result when controlled for surface fluxes, initial thermodynamics, and aerosol loading. Sensitivity tests show surface heat flux is dominant in determining overall pyroCb intensity, but aerosols and moisture inflow can effect small changes in updraft velocity, anvil ice concentration, and detrained WVMR.
Joint Dependence Between River Water Temperature, Air Temperature, and Discharge in the Yangtze River: The Role of the Three Gorges Dam
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Chen Xiaohong , Liu Feng , Lin Kairong , He Yanhu , Cai Huayang
Published: October 2018

The water temperature of rivers is of considerable significance to freshwater ecosystems and human water use. In contrast to traditional regression models or other deterministic statistical models, we present a probabilistic approach to examine the joint dependence structures of water‐air temperature and water temperature‐discharge in the Yangtze River. Such dependence structures were built based on bivariate probabilistic models with well‐fitted marginal distributions of each variable. To investigate the stability of the dependence structures and the effects of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), three stations (i.e., Cuntan, Yichang, and Datong) located in different sections of the river were involved in comparison between two periods, that is, pre‐TGD (1975–1987) and post‐TGD (2003–2014) periods (the dam began operating in 2003). Our results indicate that at the three stations the joint occurrence probabilities of the air‐water temperature events (e.g., the compound extreme events) tend to be lower for the second period. The dependence structures of water temperature and river discharge were stable between the two periods at the upstream station. For the downstream station relatively close to the TGD (Yichang station), a clear disturbance was observed in the dependence structures of water temperature‐discharge. In addition, relying on the established bivariate and trivariate dependence models, we further assessed the risk of different water temperature events under individual and coupled extreme conditions of air temperature and discharge. The trivariate model also revealed substantial changes in the probabilistic difference between the pre‐TGD and post‐TGD periods at Yichang station, indicating the impact from the TGD.
Multiyear Ground‐Based Measurements of Aerosol Optical Properties and Direct Radiative Effect Over Different Surface Types in Northeastern China
Authors: Zhao Hujia , Che Huizheng , Xia Xiangao , Wang Yaqiang , Wang Hong , Wang Peng , Ma Yanjun , Yang Hongbin , Liu Yuche , Wang Yangfeng , Gui Ke , Sun Tianze , Zheng Yu , Zhang Xiaoye
Published: October 2018

Aerosol microphysical and optical properties as well as aerosol direct radiative effect (ADRE) were measured at a few ground sites to investigate aerosol optical‐radiative characteristics in northeastern China. Bimodal size distributions showed a dominance of fine mode particles at Shenyang, a megacity, and more impacts from larger particles at Fushun and Dalian, industrial and coastal sites, respectively. High aerosol optical depths at 440 nm in July (0.67–1.25) were ascribed to hygroscopic effects or cloud processing. Single scattering albedos at 440 nm show strong to moderate absorption at the urban and industrial sites (0.84–0.86) and weaker absorption at the coastal and rural sites (0.92–0.94). The single scattering albedo wavelength dependence implied influences of dust at the urban, industrial, and coastal regions (shorter wavelengths) and biomass emissions at the rural site (longer wavelengths). Absorptive aerosol optical depths at the urban and industrial sites were ~2.5 and 3.7 times higher than at the coastal and rural sites. Large negative ADREs at the bottom of the atmosphere at the urban and industrial sites implied strong surface cooling and the larger ADREs at the top of the atmosphere at the coastal site indicated more cooling of the Earth‐atmosphere system. The main aerosol types at the urban and industrial sites were mixed absorbing particles, while weakly‐absorbing fine mode particles dominated the coastal and rural sites. This study provides new information on the aerosol distributions and potential regional climate effects of aerosols in northeastern China.
Evaluating Climate Sensitivity to CO2 Across Earth's History
Authors: Wolf E. T. , Haqq‐Misra J. , Toon O. B.
Published: October 2018

CO2‐driven changes to climate have occurred during many epochs of Earth's history when the solar insolation, atmospheric CO2 concentration, and surface temperature of the planet were all significantly different than today. Each of these aspects affects the implied radiative forcings, climate feedbacks, and resultant changes in global mean surface temperature. Here we use a three‐dimensional climate system model to study the effects of increasing CO2 on Earth's climate, across many orders of magnitude of variation, and under solar inputs relevant for paleo, present, and future Earth scenarios. We find that the change in global mean surface temperature from doubling CO2 (i.e., the equilibrium climate sensitivity) may vary between 2.6 and 21.6 K over the course of Earth's history. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the adjusted radiative forcing from doubling CO2 increases at high concentrations up to about 1.5 bars partial pressure, generally resulting in larger changes in the surface temperature. We also find that the cloud albedo feedback causes an abrupt transition in climate for warming atmospheres that depends both on the mean surface temperature and the total solar insolation. Climate sensitivity to atmospheric CO2 has probably varied considerably across Earth's history.
Metabolite sensing and signaling in cell metabolism
Authors: Wang Yi-Ping , Lei Qun-Ying
Published: October 2018

Metabolite sensing is one of the most fundamental biological processes. During evolution, multilayered mechanisms developed to sense fluctuations in a wide spectrum of metabolites, including nutrients, to coordinate cellular metabolism and biological networks. To date, AMPK and mTOR signaling are among the best-understood metabolite-sensing and signaling pathways. Here, we propose a sensor-transducer-effector model to describe known mechanisms of metabolite sensing and signaling. We define a metabolite sensor by its specificity, dynamicity, and functionality. We group the actions of metabolite sensing into three different modes: metabolite sensor-mediated signaling, metabolite-sensing module, and sensing by conjugating. With these modes of action, we provide a systematic view of how cells sense sugars, lipids, amino acids, and metabolic intermediates. In the future perspective, we suggest a systematic screen of metabolite-sensing macromolecules, high-throughput discovery of biomacromolecule-metabolite interactomes, and functional metabolomics to advance our knowledge of metabolite sensing and signaling. Most importantly, targeting metabolite sensing holds great promise in therapeutic intervention of metabolic diseases and in improving healthy aging.
Reduction spheroids preserve a uranium isotope record of the ancient deep continental biosphere
Authors: McMahon Sean , Hood Ashleigh v. S. , Parnell John , Bowden Stephen
Published: October 2018

Life on Earth extends to several kilometres below the land surface and seafloor. This deep biosphere is second only to plants in its total biomass, is metabolically active and diverse, and is likely to have played critical roles over geological time in the evolution of microbial diversity, diagenetic processes and biogeochemical cycles. However, these roles are obscured by a paucity of fossil and geochemical evidence. Here we apply the recently developed uranium-isotope proxy for biological uranium reduction to reduction spheroids in continental rocks (red beds). Although these common palaeo-redox features have previously been suggested to reflect deep bacterial activity, unequivocal evidence for biogenicity has been lacking. Our analyses reveal that the uranium present in reduction spheroids is isotopically heavy, which is most parsimoniously explained as a signal of ancient bacterial uranium reduction, revealing a compelling record of Earth’s deep biosphere.
Dietary tuna hydrolysate modulates growth performance, immune response, intestinal morphology and resistance to Streptococcus iniae in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer
Authors: Siddik Muhammad A. B. , Howieson Janet , Partridge Gavin J. , Fotedar Ravi , Gholipourkanani Hosna
Published: October 2018

This study investigated the effects of tuna hydrolysate (TH) inclusion in fishmeal (FM) based diets on the growth performance, innate immune response, intestinal health and resistance to Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were prepared with TH, replacing FM at levels of 0% (control) 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, and fed fish to apparent satiation three times daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 5% and 10% TH had significantly higher final body weight and specific growth rate than the control. A significant reduction in blood glucose was found in fish fed 10%, 15% and 20% TH compared to those in the control whereas none of the other measured blood and serum indices were influenced by TH inclusion. Histological observation revealed a significant enhancement in goblet cell numbers in distal intestine of fish fed 5 to 10% TH in the diet. Moreover, fish fed 10% TH exhibited the highest resistance against Streptococcus iniae infection during a bacterial challenge trial. These findings therefore demonstrate that the replacement of 5 to 10% FM with TH improves growth, immune response, intestinal health and disease resistance in juvenile barramundi.
How algorithmic popularity bias hinders or promotes quality
Authors: Ciampaglia Giovanni Luca , Nematzadeh Azadeh , Menczer Filippo , Flammini Alessandro
Published: October 2018

Algorithms that favor popular items are used to help us select among many choices, from top-ranked search engine results to highly-cited scientific papers. The goal of these algorithms is to identify high-quality items such as reliable news, credible information sources, and important discoveries–in short, high-quality content should rank at the top. Prior work has shown that choosing what is popular may amplify random fluctuations and lead to sub-optimal rankings. Nonetheless, it is often assumed that recommending what is popular will help high-quality content “bubble up” in practice. Here we identify the conditions in which popularity may be a viable proxy for quality content by studying a simple model of a cultural market endowed with an intrinsic notion of quality. A parameter representing the cognitive cost of exploration controls the trade-off between quality and popularity. Below and above a critical exploration cost, popularity bias is more likely to hinder quality. But we find a narrow intermediate regime of user attention where an optimal balance exists: choosing what is popular can help promote high-quality items to the top. These findings clarify the effects of algorithmic popularity bias on quality outcomes, and may inform the design of more principled mechanisms for techno-social cultural markets.
Variable training but not sleep improves consolidation of motor adaptation
Authors: Thürer Benjamin , Weber Frederik D. , Born Jan , Stein Thorsten
Published: October 2018

How motor memory consolidates still remains elusive. Consolidation of motor skills has been shown to depend on periods of sleep. Conversely, motor adaptation during tasks not dependent on the hippocampus may not depend on sleep. Some research suggests that the training schedule affects the sleep dependency of motor adaptation tasks. Here, we investigated whether sleep differentially affects memory consolidation that depends on the training schedule. Healthy men were trained with their dominant, right hand on a force-field adaptation task and re-tested after an 11-h consolidation period involving overnight sleep (Sleep) or daytime wakefulness (Wake). Retesting included a transfer test of the non-dominant hand. Half of the subjects in each group adapted to different force-field magnitudes during training with low inter-trial force variability (Sleep-Blocked; Wake-Blocked), and the other half were trained with a high-variability schedule (Sleep-Random; Wake-Random). EEG was recorded during task execution and overnight polysomnography. Consolidation was comparable between Wake and Sleep groups, although performance changes over sleep correlated with sleep spindles nesting in slow-wave upstates. Higher training variability improved retest performance, including transfer learning, and these improvements correlated with higher alpha power in contralateral parietal areas. These enhanced consolidation effects might be fostered by feedback rather than feedforward mechanisms.
Genome-informed diagnostics for specific and rapid detection of Pectobacterium species using recombinase polymerase amplification coupled with a lateral flow device
Authors: Ahmed Firas A. , Larrea-Sarmiento Adriana , Alvarez Anne M. , Arif Mohammad
Published: October 2018

Pectobacterium species cause serious bacterial soft rot diseases worldwide on economically important fruit and vegetable crops including tomato and potato. Accurate and simple methods are essential for rapid pathogen identification and timely management of the diseases. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with a lateral flow device (LFD) was developed for specific detection of Pectobacterium sp. directly from infected plant materials with no need for DNA isolation. The specificity of RPA-LFD was tested with 26 Pectobacterium sp. strains and 12 non-Pectobacterium species and no false positive or false negative outcomes were observed. RPA primers and probe for host control were also developed to detect the host genome for enhanced reliability and accuracy of the developed assay. The detection limit of 10 fg was obtained with both sensitivity and spiked sensitivity assays. No inhibitory effects were observed on the RPA assay when targets (pathogen and host) were directly detected from infected potato and tomato sap. The developed RPA assay has numerous applications from routine diagnostics at point-of-care, biosecurity, surveillance and disease management to epidemiological studies. In addition, this tool can also be used to discover reservoir hosts for Pectobacterium species.
The infection of Harmonia axyridis by a parasitic nematode is mediated by entomopathogenic bacteria and triggers sex-specific host immune responses
Authors: Gegner Tobias , Carrau Tessa , Vilcinskas Andreas , Lee Kwang-Zin
Published: October 2018

The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis is native to Asia but has been introduced into many countries as a biological control agent. It is now considered an invasive pest, threatening the biodiversity of native ladybirds globally, in part because of its superior immune system. H. axyridis is infected and killed by the parasitic nematode Parasitylenchus bifurcatus, which could therefore be developed as a biological strategy to counter the spread of this insect pest. However, effective control requires an understanding of the tripartite relationship between H. axyridis, P. bifurcatus and their potential bacterial mutualists. Here we describe the isolation of two species of nematode-associated bacteria (Serratia marcescens and Providencia rettgeri) which were highly virulent against H. axyridis in survival experiments. In addition, contact between the nematodes and beetles led to the sex-specific modulation of multiple host immunity-related genes after 24 and 48 h, with many genes encoding antimicrobial peptides rapidly and stably repressed in females whereas the same genes were initially induced in males before suppression at the later time point. These data provide evidence that the female immune system responds much more strongly to the nematodes and provokes, in turn, a more robust invasion strategy involving the bacterial mutualists.
An atypical RNA silencing suppression strategy provides a snapshot of the evolution of sweet potato-infecting potyviruses
Authors: Rodamilans Bernardo , Valli Adrián , Mingot Ares , San León David , López-Moya Juan José , García Juan Antonio
Published: October 2018

Plant viruses usually encode proteins with RNA silencing suppression (RSS) activity to counteract plant defenses. In Potyvirus, the largest genus in the family Potyviridae, this role is taken over by the multifunctional HCPro, also involved in aphid transmission, polyprotein processing and virion formation. Recently, the large P1 of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) was characterized finding an extra ORF produced after polymerase slippage, which originates the product P1N-PISPO. Transient expression assays showed that SPFMV P1 and P1N-PISPO presented RSS activity, while HCPro did not. In this work, we analyze possible differences between HCPro of SPFMV and other potyviruses, testing HCPro RSS activity in a transient expression assay, and using a Plum pox virus-based system to test the ability of SPFMV P1N-PISPO and HCPro to serve as RNA silencing suppressors in the context of a viral infection. Our results indicate that not only P1 and P1N-PISPO, but also HCPro display RSS activity when expressed in a suitable context, stressing the importance of the selected experimental system for testing anti-silencing capacity of proteins. The presence of multiple viral silencing suppressors in SPFMV adds complexity to an already intricate RSS system, and provides insight into the hypothetical evolution of sweet potato-infecting potyvirids.
Plasma-based multi-reforming for Gas-To-Liquid: tuning the plasma chemistry towards methanol
Authors: Snoeckx Ramses , Wang Weizong , Zhang Xuming , Cha Min Suk , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: October 2018

Because of its unique properties, plasma technology has gained much prominence in the microelectronics industry. Recently, environmental and energy applications of plasmas have gained a lot of attention. In this area, the focus is on converting CO2 and reforming hydrocarbons, with the goal of developing an efficient single-step ‘gas-to-liquid’ (GTL) process. Here we show that applying tri-reforming principles to plasma—further called ‘plasma-based multi-reforming’—allows us to better control the plasma chemistry and thus the formed products. To demonstrate this, we used chemical kinetics calculations supported by experiments and reveal that better control of the plasma chemistry can be achieved by adding O2 or H2O to a mixture containing CH4 and CO2 (diluted in N2). Moreover, by adding O2 and H2O simultaneously, we can tune the plasma chemistry even further, improving the conversions, thermal efficiency and methanol yield. Unlike thermocatalytic reforming, plasma-based reforming is capable of producing methanol in a single step; and compared with traditional plasma-based dry reforming, plasma-based multi-reforming increases the methanol yield by more than seven times and the thermal efficiency by 49%, as revealed by our model calculations. Thus, we believe that by using plasma-based multi-reforming, ‘gas-to-liquid’ conversion may be made efficient and scalable.
The Relations between 3-year Changes in Physical Fitness and Academic Performance in Nationally Representative Sample of Junior High School Students
Authors: Hsieh Shu-Shih , Tsai Jia-Ren , Chang Shao-Hsi , Cheng Chih-Fu , Sung Yao-Ting , Hung Tsung-Min
Published: October 2018

The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between different components of physical fitness across 3 years of junior high school with academic performance assessed at the end of the period. Two nationwide representative datasets were used. The first was the physical fitness profile assessed at the beginning of each of the three school years. The second contained the scores on a standardized test administered at the end of the third year. All data were standardized by calculating percentile rank (PR). Students were classified as “High-fit” if their fitness scores ≧ top 25% PR on the age- and sex-adjusted norms. All other students were classified as “not high-fit”. The relationships between fitness and exam performance were tested adjusting for sex, body mass index, and level of urbanization. Students who were in the high-fit group in both years 1 and 3 academically outperformed those who were outside this classification during both assessments. The degree of outperformance was greatest for those who were aerobically fit, followed by those who were high-fit in terms of muscular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility, respectively. It is therefore concluded that the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance in Taiwanese junior high school students is strongest in the case of aerobic fitness.
Relative frequency of inherited retinal dystrophies in Brazil
Authors: Motta Fabiana Louise , Martin Renan Paulo , Filippelli-Silva Rafael , Salles Mariana Vallim , Sallum Juliana Maria Ferraz
Published: October 2018

Among the Brazilian population, the frequency rates of inherited retinal dystrophies and their causative genes are underreported. To increase the knowledge about these dystrophies in our population, we retrospectively studied the medical records of 1,246 Brazilian patients with hereditary retinopathies during 20 years of specialized outpatient clinic care. Of these patients, 559 had undergone at least one genetic test. In this cohort, the most prevalent dystrophies were non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (35%), Stargardt disease (21%), Leber congenital amaurosis (9%), and syndromic inherited retinal dystrophies (12%). Most patients had never undergone genetic testing (55%), and among the individuals with molecular test results, 28.4% had negative or inconclusive results compared to 71.6% with a conclusive molecular diagnosis. ABCA4 was the most frequent disease-causing gene, accounting for 20% of the positive cases. Pathogenic variants also occurred frequently in the CEP290, USH2A, CRB1, RPGR, and CHM genes. The relative frequency rates of different inherited retinal dystrophies in Brazil are similar to those found globally. Although mutations in more than 250 genes lead to hereditary retinopathies, only 66 genes were responsible for 70% of the cases, which indicated that smaller and cheaper gene panels can be just as effective and provide more affordable solutions for implementation by the Brazilian public health system.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Evaluating polymicrobial immune responses in patients suffering from tick-borne diseases
Authors: Garg Kunal , Meriläinen Leena , Franz Ole , Pirttinen Heidi , Quevedo-Diaz Marco , Croucher Stephen , Gilbert Leona
Published: October 2018

There is insufficient evidence to support screening of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) related microbes alongside Borrelia in patients suffering from TBD. To evaluate the involvement of multiple microbial immune responses in patients experiencing TBD we utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four hundred and thirty-two human serum samples organized into seven categories followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention two-tier Lyme disease (LD) diagnosis guidelines and Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. All patient categories were tested for their immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) responses against 20 microbes associated with TBD. Our findings recognize that microbial infections in patients suffering from TBDs do not follow the one microbe, one disease Germ Theory as 65% of the TBD patients produce immune responses to various microbes. We have established a causal association between TBD patients and TBD associated co-infections and essential opportunistic microbes following Bradford Hill’s criteria. This study indicated an 85% probability that a randomly selected TBD patient will respond to Borrelia and other related TBD microbes rather than to Borrelia alone. A paradigm shift is required in current healthcare policies to diagnose TBD so that patients can get tested and treated even for opportunistic infections.
Importance of family history of diabetes in computing a diabetes risk score in Korean prediabetic population
Authors: Ustulin Morena , Rhee Sang Youl , Chon Suk , Ahn Kyu Keung , Lim Ji Eun , Oh Bermseok , Kim Sung-Hoon , Baik Sei Hyun , Park Yongsoo , Nam Moon Suk , Lee Kwan Woo , Kim Young Seol , Woo Jeong-Taek
Published: October 2018

Prediabetic subjects represent a vulnerable population, requiring special care to reduce the risk of diabetes onset. We developed and validated a diabetes risk score for prediabetic subjects using the Korea National Diabetes Program (KNDP) cohort. Subjects included in the multicenter and prospective cohort (n = 1162) had high diabetes risk at baseline (2005) and were followed until 2012. Survival analysis was performed to analyze the prospective cohort over time, and the bootstrap method was used to validate our model. We confirmed our findings in an external cohort. A diabetes risk score was calculated and the cut-off defined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Age, body mass index, total cholesterol, and family history of diabetes were associated with diabetes. The model performed well after correction for optimism (Cadj = 0.735). A risk score was defined with a cut-off of ≥5 that maximized sensitivity (72%) and specificity (62%), with an area under the curve of 0.73. Prediabetic subjects with a family history of diabetes had a higher probability of diabetes (risk score = 5) irrespective of other variables; this result was confirmed in the external cohort. Hence, prediabetic subjects with a family history of diabetes have a higher probability of developing diabetes, regardless of other clinical factors.
Open grid model of Australia’s National Electricity Market allowing backtesting against historic data
Authors: Xenophon Aleksis , Hill David
Published: October 2018

Rising electricity prices, concerns regarding system security, and emissions reduction are central to an energy policy debate under way in Australia. To better evaluate mechanisms that seek to address the nexus of engineering, economic, and environmental challenges facing the country’s electricity system, we have constructed network and generator datasets describing the operation of Australia’s largest transmission network. These data have been collated using open-source software, and are available under an open license. They include the geospatial locations of network elements, and have been designed to interface with a public database maintained by the Australian Energy Market Operator. This interface allows historic data, such as generator dispatch and regional load signals, to be integrated with market models. Interactive network maps, independent datasets, and power-flow models have been used to assess the completeness and functionality of the derived datasets. In the context of Australia, these data can be used to examine geospatial and temporal impacts of power injections from renewables. More generally, they allow market models to be benchmarked against realised outcomes.
Combining tensile testing and structural analysis at the single collagen fibril level
Authors: Quigley Andrew S. , Bancelin Stéphane , Deska-Gauthier Dylan , Légaré François , Veres Samuel P. , Kreplak Laurent
Published: October 2018

Tensile testing to failure followed by imaging is a simple way of studying the structure-function relationship of connective tissues such as skin, tendon, and ligament. However, interpretation of these datasets is complex due to the hierarchical structures of the tissues spanning six or more orders of magnitude in length scale. Here we present a dataset obtained through the same scheme at the single collagen fibril level, the fundamental tensile element of load-bearing tissues. Tensile testing was performed on fibrils extracted from two types of bovine tendons, adsorbed on a glass surface and glued at both ends. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to pull fibrils to failure in bowstring geometry. The broken fibrils were then imaged by AFM for morphological characterization, by second harmonic generation microscopy to assess changes to molecular packing, and by fluorescence microscopy after incubation with a peptide probe that binds specifically to denatured collagen molecules. This dataset linking stress-strain curves to post-failure molecular changes is useful for researchers modelling or designing functional protein materials.
A large-scale dataset of in vivo pharmacology assay results
Authors: Hunter Fiona M. I. , L. Atkinson Francis , Bento A. Patrícia , Bosc Nicolas , Gaulton Anna , Hersey Anne , Leach Andrew R.
Published: October 2018

ChEMBL is a large-scale, open-access drug discovery resource containing bioactivity information primarily extracted from scientific literature. A substantial dataset of more than 135,000 in vivo assays has been collated as a key resource of animal models for translational medicine within drug discovery. To improve the utility of the in vivo data, an extensive data curation task has been undertaken that allows the assays to be grouped by animal disease model or phenotypic endpoint. The dataset contains previously unavailable information about compounds or drugs tested in animal models and, in conjunction with assay data on protein targets or cell- or tissue- based systems, allows the investigation of the effects of compounds at differing levels of biological complexity. Equally, it enables researchers to identify compounds that have been investigated for a group of disease-, pharmacology- or toxicity-relevant assays.
Ultrasensitive and simple fluorescence biosensor for detection of the mecA gene of Staphylococcus aureus by using an exonuclease III-assisted cascade signal amplification strategy
Authors: Li Qiong , Zhou Danhua , Pan Jiafeng , Liu Zhi , Chen Junhua
Published: October 2018

An ultrasensitive biosensor was developed for the detection of the mecA gene of Staphylococcus aureus based on the Exo III and G-quadruplex.
Plutonium coordination and redox chemistry with the CyMe4-BTPhen polydentate N-donor extractant ligand
Authors: Reilly Sean D. , Su Jing , Keith Jason M. , Yang Ping , Batista Enrique R. , Gaunt Andrew J. , Harwood Laurence M. , Hudson Michael J. , Lewis Frank W. , Scott Brian L. , Sharrad Clint A. , Whittaker Daniel M.
Published: October 2018

Complexation of Pu(iv) with the actinide extractant CyMe4-BTPhen (2,9-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline) was studied experimentally and by computational analysis.
Asymmetric synthesis of Rauhut–Currier-type esters via Mukaiyama–Michael reaction to acylphosphonates under bifunctional catalysis
Authors: Laina-Martín Víctor , del Río-Rodríguez Roberto , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Fernández-Salas Jose A. , Alemán José
Published: October 2018

A highly enantioselective organocatalytic Mukaiyama–Michael reaction of silyloxy dienes and α,β-unsaturated acyl phosphonates under bifunctional organocatalysis is presented.
Reactive molecular dynamics simulation of thermal decomposition for nano-aluminized explosives
Authors: Mei Zheng , An Qi , Zhao Feng-Qi , Xu Si-Yu , Ju Xue-Hai
Published: October 2018

The catalytic effect of nano-Al particles on thermal decomposition of RDX, reducing the onset temperature of generating H2O and CO2(ΔTo< 0).
Nature and strength of chalcogen–π bonds
Authors: Bortoli Marco , Ahmad Shah Masood , Hamlin Trevor A. , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Orian Laura
Published: October 2018

We have analyzed the chalcogen–π bonding mechanism in a systematic series of model systems through Kohn–Sham molecular orbital theory and a quantitative energy decomposition scheme.
Highly selective PdZn/ZnO catalysts for the methanol steam reforming reaction
Authors: Nowicka Ewa , Althahban Sultan M. , Luo Yuan , Kriegel René , Shaw Greg , Morgan David J. , He Qian , Watanabe Masashi , Armbrüster Marc , Kiely Christopher J. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: October 2018

Catalysts were prepared by impregnation-based method involving excess Cl− anion addition to the metal chloride precursors which resulted in improved mixing of metals and led to formation of highly ordered PdZn alloys responsible for high catalytic selectivity.
Chiral hybrid materials based on pyrrolidine building units to perform asymmetric Michael additions with high stereocontrol
Authors: Llopis Sebastián , García Teresa , Cantín Ángel , Velty Alexandra , Díaz Urbano , Corma Avelino
Published: October 2018

A chiral mesoporous hybrid material, containing inserted bis-silylated pyrrolidine building fragments in the framework, for enantioselective Michael addition with high stereocontrol.
Spatial separation of dual-cocatalysts on bismuth vanadate for selective aerobic oxidation of benzylalcohols to benzaldehydes under visible light irradiation
Authors: Jin Xu , Li Rengui , Zhao Yue , Liu Xiaodan , Wang Xiaoqi , Jiao Hang , Li Jianming
Published: October 2018

Efficient converting of alcohols to aldehydes under visible light can be achieved on BiVO4 crystals with spatial separation of dual-cocatalysts.
Investigation of dioxygen activation by copper(ii)–iminate/aminate complexes
Authors: Papanikolaou Michael G. , Hadjithoma Sofia , Chatzikypraiou Dimitra S. , Papaioannou Dionysios , Drouza Chryssoula , Tsipis Athanassios C. , Miras Haralampos N. , Keramidas Anastasios D. , Kabanos Themistoklis A.
Published: October 2018

CuII amidate/iminate complexes activate dioxygen by a ligated to CuII, –HCN– moiety.
A mononuclear five-coordinate Co(ii) single molecule magnet with a spin crossover between the S = 1/2 and 3/2 states
Authors: Chen Lei , Song Jingbo , Zhao Wen , Yi Gangji , Zhou Zhikuan , Yuan Aihua , Song You , Wang Zhenxing , Ouyang Zhong-Wen
Published: October 2018

A mononuclear cobalt(ii) complex with square pyramidal geometry displays a spin transition with a small hysteresis loop and slow magnetic relaxation.
Single-ion magnetic anisotropy in a vacant octahedral Co(ii) complex
Authors: Mondal Amit Kumar , Jover Jesús , Ruiz Eliseo , Konar Sanjit
Published: October 2018

An experimental and theoretical investigation of magnetic anisotropy and single-ion magnetic behavior in the first example of a vacant octahedral Co(ii) complex.
Development of selective, fluorescent cannabinoid type 2 receptor ligands based on a 1,8-naphthyridin-2-(1H)-one-3-carboxamide scaffold
Authors: Cooper Anna G. , Oyagawa Caitlin R. M. , Manning Jamie J. , Singh Sameek , Hook Sarah , Grimsey Natasha L. , Glass Michelle , Tyndall Joel D. A. , Vernall Andrea J.
Published: October 2018

High affinity, cannabinoid type 2 receptor selective ligand.
Fabrication of supramolecular hyperbranched polyamidoamine–dextran conjugates and their self-assembly in the presence of EGCG
Authors: Hu Bingshen , Pei Fanfan , Sun Xiaoyi , Liang Yuqing , He Zhiyong , Zhang Lili , Li Juan
Published: October 2018

A supramolecular hyperbranched conjugate, HPAM–Dex, was prepared and it could self-assemble into size-controllable micelles in the presence of EGCG.
A Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade C–H functionalization/cyclization reaction of salicylaldehydes with diazomalonates for the synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives
Authors: Xu Guo-Dong , Huang Zhi-Zhen
Published: October 2018

A cascade C–H functionalization/cyclization reaction of salicylaldehydes with α-diazomalonates has been developed for the synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives under rhodium(iii) catalysis.
Design of softened polystyrene for crack- and contamination-free large-area graphene transfer
Authors: Nasir Tuqeer , Kim Bum Jun , Kim Kwan-Woo , Lee Sang Hoon , Lim Hyung Kyu , Lee Dong Kyu , Jeong Byung Joo , Kim Hak Chul , Yu Hak Ki , Choi Jae-Young
Published: October 2018

The fundamental issues related to the formation of mechanical cracks and the chemical residue during the transfer process of large-area CVD graphene by polymeric carrier-films are addressed in this work.
Near-field digital holography: a tool for plasmon phase imaging
Authors: Dvořák Petr , Kvapil Michal , Bouchal Petr , Édes Zoltán , Šamořil Tomáš , Hrtoň Martin , Ligmajer Filip , Křápek Vlastimil , Šikola Tomáš
Published: October 2018

The knowledge of the phase distribution of the near electromagnetic field has become very important for many applications.
A simple preparation method of carbon dots by weak power bathroom lamp irradiation and their application for nimesulide detection and bioimaging
Authors: Song Jinping , Ma Qi , Liang Xiaomin , Zhang Sufang , Shen Lazhen , Guo Yong , Feng Feng
Published: October 2018

This work reported the simple preparation method of carbon dots using weak power bathroom lamp irradiation, and explored their potential application in cell imaging and as a fluorescent sensor for the determination of nimesulide.
EPR steering of polar molecules in pendular states and their dynamics under intrinsic decoherence
Authors: Zhang Zuo-Yuan , Wei Daxiu , Hu Zhengfeng , Liu Jin-Ming
Published: October 2018

The EPR steering of two coupled polar molecules in pendular states is investigated and their dynamics under intrinsic decoherence are analyzed.
Polydimethylsiloxane/aluminum oxide composites prepared by spatial confining forced network assembly for heat conduction and dissipation
Authors: Si Wuyan , He Xiaoxiang , Huang Yao , Gao Xiaolong , Zheng Xiuting , Zheng Xupeng , Leng Chong , Su Fengchun , Wu Daming
Published: October 2018

Constructing a compacted network in polymer matrices is an important method to improve the thermal conductivity (TC) of polymer composites.
Color-tunable photoluminescence and energy transfer of (Tb1−xMnx)3Al2(Al1−xSix)3O12:Ce3+ solid solutions for white light emitting diodes
Authors: Lang Tianchun , Han Tao , Zhao Cong , Cao Shixiu , Fang Shuangqiang , Li Shuai , Zhao Lei , Korepanov Vladimir I. , Yakovlev Alexey N.
Published: October 2018

(Tb1−xMnx)3Al2(Al1−xSix)3O12:Ce3+ solid solution phosphors were synthesized by introducing the isostructural Mn3Al2(SiO4)3 (MAS) into Tb3Al5O12:Ce3+ (TbAG).
Synthesis, stabilization and applications of 2-dimensional 1T metallic MoS2
Authors: Shi Shangli , Sun Zhuxing , Hu Yun Hang
Published: October 2018

The current state-of-the-art of the synthesis, stabilization and applications of metallic 1T-phase MoS2: how it comes and where to go.
Active site engineering by surface sulfurization for a highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction: a case study of Co3O4 electrocatalysts
Authors: Pan Ying , Ren Hangjuan , Du Haiwei , Cao Fuyang , Jiang Yifeng , Du Haojin , Chu Dewei
Published: October 2018

Enhanced catalytic activity of Co3O4@CoSx through surface sulfurization.
Highly efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells with two-dimensional ZnSe deposited using a thermal evaporator for electron collection
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Coşkun Hikmet , Isikgor Furkan H. , Bichen Li , Khan Nawazish A. , Ouyang Jianyong
Published: October 2018

ZnSe deposited using a normal thermal evaporator can be used as an efficient and stable electron collection layer for perovskite solar cells.
Palladium single atoms supported by interwoven carbon nanotube and manganese oxide nanowire networks for enhanced electrocatalysis
Authors: Xiang Weikai , Zhao Yonghui , Jiang Zheng , Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Hao , Sun Yu , Ning Zhijun , Du Fuping , Gao Peng , Qian Jing , Kato Kenichi , Yamauchi Miho , Sun Yuhan
Published: October 2018

The synergy between Pd atoms, CNT and MnO2 gives rises to significantly enhanced activity, selectivity and stability of Pd/MnO2–CNT for oxygen electrocatalysis. The assembled rechargeable metal air battery delivered high performance with enhanced cycling stability.
Water-induced poly(vinyl alcohol)/carbon quantum dot nanocomposites with tunable shape recovery performance and fluorescence
Authors: Wang Wu , Lai Hua , Cheng Zhongjun , Kang Hongjun , Wang Yongzhen , Zhang Haiyang , Wang Jingfeng , Liu Yuyan
Published: October 2018

Water-induced poly(vinyl alcohol)/carbon quantum dot nanocomposites were prepared, which show tunable shape recovery performance and fluorescence.
The influence of tetraphenylethylene moieties on the emissive properties of dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones
Authors: Sadowski Bartłomiej , Su Shih-Hao , Lin Ta-Chun , Lohrey Trevor D. , Deperasińska Irena , Chou Pi-Tai , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: October 2018

Tetraphenylethylene moieties conjugated with a dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione core neither quench emission in solution nor do they lead to the recovery of fluorescence in the solid-state.
All solution-processed red organic light-emitting diode based on a new thermally cross-linked heteroleptic Ir(iii) complex
Authors: Cho Woosum , Reddy Saripally Sudhaker , Kim Junyoung , Cho Young-Rae , Jin Sung-Ho
Published: October 2018

A novel cross-linkable red iridium(iii) complex and electron transport material were designed and synthesized. The newly cross-linkable red Ir(iii) complex was successfully thermally cross-linked with a cross-linkable host in the emitting layer (EML). After cross-linking, the EML was not damaged by organic solvents.
Photoinduced multi-directional deformation of azobenzene molecular crystals
Authors: Hao Yunhui , Huang Shuai , Guo Yanmei , Zhou Lina , Hao Hongxun , Barrett Christopher J. , Yu Haifeng
Published: October 2018

Photoinduced multi-directional deformation of azobenzene molecular crystals enabled by photoisomerization and photothermal effects.
MiR-199a-3p inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes via suppressing retinoblastoma 1
Authors: Wangyang Yufan , Yi Linhong , Wang Tao , Feng Yanbo , Liu Guangwang , Li Dongya , Zheng Xin
Published: October 2018

Background Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) that line the intimal synovium play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). miR-199a-3p is a highly conserved miRNA that has been shown to regulate a variety of growth behaviors in diverse cell types. However, the role of miR-199a-3p in RA-FLS is still unknown. Methods Here, we presented the first experimental evidence showing that miR-199a-3p was a critical regulator of RA-FLS function. Results miR-199a-3p expression was significantly reduced in RA-FLS compared with normal FLS. Ectopic expression of miR-199a-3p significantly inhibited RA-FLS proliferation and induced apoptosis, which was demonstrated by an increase in caspase-3 activity and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Our bioinformatics analysis identified Retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene to be a direct target of miR-199a-3p. In RA-FLS, miR-199a-3p directly targetted the 3′-UTR of RB1 mRNA and suppressed endogenous RB1 expression, whereas miR-199a-3p-resistant variant of RB1 was not affected. Silencing RB1 decreased cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in RA-FLS, an effect comparable with miR-199a-3p overexpression. Enforced expression of RB1 partially restored cell proliferation and attenuated apoptosis in miR-199a-3p-overexpressing RA-FLSs. Conclusion In summary, miR-199a-3p is down-regulated in RA-FLS, and miR-199a-3p inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in RA-FLS, partially via targetting RB1. The miR-199a-3p/RB1 pathway may represent a new therapeutic target for RA.