bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Turbulence‐Resolving Numerical Investigation of Wave‐Supported Gravity Flows
Authors: Yue Liangyi , Cheng Zhen , Hsu Tian‐Jian
Published: February 2020

Wave‐supported gravity flows (WSGFs) have been identified as a key process driving the offshore delivery of fine sediment across continental shelves. However, our understanding on the various factors controlling the maximum sediment load and the resulting gravity current speed remains incomplete. We adopt a new turbulence‐resolving numerical model for fine sediment transport to investigate the formation, evolution, and termination of WSGFs. We consider the simplest scenario in which fine sediments are supported by the wave‐induced fluid turbulence at a low critical shear stress of erosion over a flat sloping bed. Under the energetic wave condition reported on the Northern California Coast with a shelf slope of 0.005, simulation results show that WSGFs are transitionally turbulent and that the sediment concentration cannot exceed 30 kg/m
(g/L) due to the attenuation of turbulence by the sediment‐induced stable density stratification. Wave direction is found to be important in the resulting gravity current intensity. When waves are in cross‐shelf direction, the downslope current has a maximum velocity of 1.2 cm/s, which increases to 2.1 cm/s when waves propagate in the along‐shelf direction. Further analysis on the wave‐averaged momentum balance confirms that when waves are parallel to the slope (cross‐shelf) direction, the more intense wave‐current interaction results in larger wave‐averaged Reynolds shear stress and thus in a smaller current speed. Findings from this study suggest that the more intense cross‐shelf gravity current observed in the field may be caused by additional processes, which may enhance the sediment‐carrying capacity of flow, such as the ambient current or bedforms.
The megabiota are disproportionately important for biosphere functioning
Authors: Enquist Brian J. , Abraham Andrew J. , Harfoot Michael B. J. , Malhi Yadvinder , Doughty Christopher E.
Published: February 2020

A prominent signal of the Anthropocene is the extinction and population reduction of the megabiota—the largest animals and plants on the planet. However, we lack a predictive framework for the sensitivity of megabiota during times of rapid global change and how they impact the functioning of ecosystems and the biosphere. Here, we extend metabolic scaling theory and use global simulation models to demonstrate that (i) megabiota are more prone to extinction due to human land use, hunting, and climate change; (ii) loss of megabiota has a negative impact on ecosystem metabolism and functioning; and (iii) their reduction has and will continue to significantly decrease biosphere functioning. Global simulations show that continued loss of large animals alone could lead to a 44%, 18% and 92% reduction in terrestrial heterotrophic biomass, metabolism, and fertility respectively. Our findings suggest that policies that emphasize the promotion of large trees and animals will have disproportionate impact on biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and climate mitigation.
Compartmentalized microbes and co-cultures in hydrogels for on-demand bioproduction and preservation
Authors: Johnston Trevor G. , Yuan Shuo-Fu , Wagner James M. , Yi Xiunan , Saha Abhijit , Smith Patrick , Nelson Alshakim , Alper Hal S.
Published: February 2020

Most mono- and co-culture bioprocess applications rely on large-scale suspension fermentation technologies that are not easily portable, reusable, or suitable for on-demand production. Here, we describe a hydrogel system for harnessing the bioactivity of embedded microbes for on-demand small molecule and peptide production in microbial mono-culture and consortia. This platform bypasses the challenges of engineering a multi-organism consortia by utilizing a temperature-responsive, shear-thinning hydrogel to compartmentalize organisms into polymeric hydrogels that control the final consortium composition and dynamics without the need for synthetic control of mutualism. We demonstrate that these hydrogels provide protection from preservation techniques (including lyophilization) and can sustain metabolic function for over 1 year of repeated use. This approach was utilized for the production of four chemical compounds, a peptide antibiotic, and carbohydrate catabolism by using either mono-cultures or co-cultures. The printed microbe-laden hydrogel constructs’ efficiency in repeated production phases, both pre- and post-preservation, outperforms liquid culture.
Multicomponent molecular memory
Authors: Arcadia Christopher E. , Kennedy Eamonn , Geiser Joseph , Dombroski Amanda , Oakley Kady , Chen Shui-Ling , Sprague Leonard , Ozmen Mustafa , Sello Jason , Weber Peter M. , Reda Sherief , Rose Christopher , Kim Eunsuk , Rubenstein Brenda M. , Rosenstein Jacob K.
Published: February 2020

Multicomponent reactions enable the synthesis of large molecular libraries from relatively few inputs. This scalability has led to the broad adoption of these reactions by the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we employ the four-component Ugi reaction to demonstrate that multicomponent reactions can provide a basis for large-scale molecular data storage. Using this combinatorial chemistry we encode more than 1.8 million bits of art historical images, including a Cubist drawing by Picasso. Digital data is written using robotically synthesized libraries of Ugi products, and the files are read back using mass spectrometry. We combine sparse mixture mapping with supervised learning to achieve bit error rates as low as 0.11% for single reads, without library purification. In addition to improved scaling of non-biological molecular data storage, these demonstrations offer an information-centric perspective on the high-throughput synthesis and screening of small-molecule libraries.
TbD1 deletion as a driver of the evolutionary success of modern epidemic Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages
Authors: Bottai Daria , Frigui Wafa , Sayes Fadel , Di Luca Mariagrazia , Spadoni Dalila , Pawlik Alexandre , Zoppo Marina , Orgeur Mickael , Khanna Varun , Hardy David , Mangenot Sophie , Barbe Valerie , Medigue Claudine , Ma Laurence , Bouchier Christiane , Tavanti Arianna , Larrouy-Maumus Gerald , Brosch Roland
Published: February 2020

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains are classified into different phylogenetic lineages (L), three of which (L2/L3/L4) emerged from a common progenitor after the loss of the MmpS6/MmpL6-encoding Mtb-specific deletion 1 region (TbD1). These TbD1-deleted “modern” lineages are responsible for globally-spread tuberculosis epidemics, whereas TbD1-intact “ancestral” lineages tend to be restricted to specific geographical areas, such as South India and South East Asia (L1) or East Africa (L7). By constructing and characterizing a panel of recombinant TbD1-knock-in and knock-out strains and comparison with clinical isolates, here we show that deletion of TbD1 confers to Mtb a significant increase in resistance to oxidative stress and hypoxia, which correlates with enhanced virulence in selected cellular, guinea pig and C3HeB/FeJ mouse infection models, the latter two mirroring in part the development of hypoxic granulomas in human disease progression. Our results suggest that loss of TbD1 at the origin of the L2/L3/L4 Mtb lineages was a key driver for their global epidemic spread and outstanding evolutionary success.
Direct electrical stimulation of the premotor cortex shuts down awareness of voluntary actions
Authors: Fornia Luca , Puglisi Guglielmo , Leonetti Antonella , Bello Lorenzo , Berti Anna , Cerri Gabriella , Garbarini Francesca
Published: February 2020

A challenge for neuroscience is to understand the conscious and unconscious processes underlying construction of willed actions. We investigated the neural substrate of human motor awareness during awake brain surgery. In a first experiment, awake patients performed a voluntary hand motor task and verbally monitored their real-time performance, while different brain areas were transiently impaired by direct electrical stimulation (DES). In a second experiment, awake patients retrospectively reported their motor performance after DES. Based on anatomo-clinical evidence from motor awareness disorders following brain damage, the premotor cortex (PMC) was selected as a target area and the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) as a control area. In both experiments, DES on both PMC and S1 interrupted movement execution, but only DES on PMC dramatically altered the patients’ motor awareness, making them unconscious of the motor arrest. These findings endorse PMC as a crucial hub in the anatomo-functional network of human motor awareness.
Spaceflight and simulated microgravity conditions increase virulence of Serratia marcescens in the Drosophila melanogaster infection model
Authors: Gilbert Rachel , Torres Medaya , Clemens Rachel , Hateley Shannon , Hosamani Ravikumar , Wade William , Bhattacharya Sharmila
Published: February 2020

While it has been shown that astronauts suffer immune disorders after spaceflight, the underlying causes are still poorly understood and there are many variables to consider when investigating the immune system in a complex environment. Additionally, there is growing evidence that suggests that not only is the immune system being altered, but the pathogens that infect the host are significantly influenced by spaceflight and ground-based spaceflight conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that Serratia marcescens (strain Db11) was significantly more lethal to Drosophila melanogaster after growth on the International Space Station than ground-based controls, but the increased virulence phenotype of S. marcescens did not persist after the bacterial cultures were passaged on the ground. Increased virulence was also observed in bacteria that were grown in simulated microgravity conditions on the ground using the rotating wall vessel. Increased virulence of the space-flown bacteria was similar in magnitude between wild-type flies and those that were mutants for the well-characterized immune pathways Imd and Toll, suggesting that changes to the host immune system after infection are likely not a major factor contributing towards increased susceptibility of ground-reared flies infected with space-flown bacteria. Characterization of the bacteria shows that at later timepoints spaceflight bacteria grew at a greater rate than ground controls in vitro, and in the host. These results suggest complex physiological changes occurring in pathogenic bacteria in space environments, and there may be novel mechanisms mediating these physiological effects that need to be characterized.
Projecting an ultra-strongly-coupled system in a non-energy-eigenbasis with a driven nonlinear resonator
Authors: Endo Suguru , Matsuzaki Yuichiro , Kakuyanagi Kosuke , Saito Shiro , Lambert Neill , Nori Franco
Published: February 2020

We explore the problem of projecting the ground-state of an ultra-strong-coupled circuit-QED system into a non-energy-eigenstate. As a measurement apparatus we consider a nonlinear driven resonator. We find that the post-measurement state of the nonlinear resonator exhibits a large correlation with the post-measurement state of the ultra-strongly coupled system even when the coupling between measurement device and system is much smaller than the energy scales of the system itself. While the projection is imperfect, we argue that because of the strong nonlinear response of the resonator it works in a practical regime where a linear measurement apparatus would fail.
Temporal variation in nutrient requirements of tea (Camellia sinensis) in China based on QUEFTS analysis
Authors: Tang Sheng , Liu Yanling , Zheng Nan , Li Yu , Ma Qingxu , Xiao Han , Zhou Xuan , Xu Xinpeng , Jiang Taiming , He Ping , Wu Lianghuan
Published: February 2020

Fertilisation datasets collected from field experiments (n = 21) in tea-producing areas from 2016 to 2018 were used to build a quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model to estimate nutrient uptake of tea plants, and to investigate relationships between tea yield and nutrient accumulation. The production of 1000 kg spring tea (based on one bud with two young expanding leaves) required 12.2 kg nitrogen (N), 1.2 kg phosphorus (P), and 3.9 kg potassium (K), and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IEs) for N, P, and K were 82.0, 833.3, and 256.4 kg kg−1. To produce 1000 kg summer tea, 9.1 kg N, 0.8 kg P, and 3.1 kg K were required, and the corresponding IEs for N, P, and K were 109.9, 1250.0, and 322.6 kg kg−1. For autumn tea, 8.8 kg N, 1.0 kg P, and 3.2 kg K were required to produce 1000 kg tea, and the corresponding IEs for N, P, and K were 113.6, 1000.0, and 312.5 kg kg−1. Field validation experiments performed in 2019 suggested that the QUEFTS model can appropriately estimate nutrient uptake of tea plants at a certain yield and contribute to developing a fertiliser recommendation strategy for tea production.
Author Correction: Helicity dependent diffraction by angular momentum transfer
Authors: Deepa S. , Bhargava Ram B. S. , Senthilkumaran P.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: The Interplay between Incipient Species and Social Polymorphism in the Desert Ant Cataglyphis
Authors: Reiner Brodetzki Tali , Inbar Shani , Cohen Pnina , Aron Serge , Privman Eyal , Hefetz Abraham
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A CRISPR/Cas13-based approach demonstrates biological relevance of vlinc class of long non-coding RNAs in anticancer drug response
Authors: Xu Dongyang , Cai Ye , Tang Lu , Han Xueer , Gao Fan , Cao Huifen , Qi Fei , Kapranov Philipp
Published: February 2020

Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs represent a fascinating class of transcripts that remains highly controversial mainly due to ambiguity surrounding overall biological relevance of these RNAs. Multitude of reverse genetics studies showing functionality of lncRNAs are unfortunately based on assays that are either plagued by non-specific effects and/or cannot unambiguously assign observed phenotypes to the transcript per se. Here, we show application of the novel CRISPR/Cas13 RNA knockdown system that has superior specificity compared to other transcript-targeting knockdown methods like RNAi. We applied this method to a novel widespread subclass of nuclear lncRNAs — very long intergenic non-coding (vlinc) RNAs — in a high-throughput phenotypic assay based on survival challenge in response to anticancer drug treatments. We used multiple layers of controls including mismatch control for each targeting gRNA to ensure uncovering true phenotype-transcript relationships. We found evidence supporting importance for cellular survival for up to 60% of the tested protein-coding mRNAs and, importantly, 64% of vlincRNAs. Overall, this study demonstrates utility of CRISPR/Cas13 as a highly sensitive and specific tool for reverse genetics study of both protein-coding genes and lncRNAs. Furthermore, importantly, this approach provides evidence supporting biological significance of the latter transcripts in anticancer drug response.
Author Correction: Foraging activity of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) off the east coast of New Zealand
Authors: Giorli Giacomo , Goetz Kimberly T.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Sphingolipid serum profiling in vitamin D deficient and dyslipidemic obese dimorphic adults
Authors: Al-Daghri Nasser M. , Torretta Enrica , Barbacini Pietro , Asare Hannah , Ricci Cristian , Capitanio Daniele , Guerini Franca Rosa , Sabico Shaun B. , Alokail Majed S. , Clerici Mario , Gelfi Cecilia
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Continuation of tropical Pacific Ocean temperature trend may weaken extreme El Niño and its linkage to the Southern Annular Mode
Authors: Lim Eun-Pa , Hendon Harry H. , Hope Pandora , Chung Christine , Delage Francois , Mcphaden Michael J.
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The condensed tannins of Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana Pierre): A molecular structure and thermal stability study
Authors: Engozogho Anris Starlin Péguy , Bi Athomo Arsène Bikoro , Safou Tchiama Rodrigue , Santiago-Medina Francisco José , Cabaret Thomas , Pizzi Antonio , Charrier Bertrand
Published: February 2020

In order to promote convenient strategies for the valorization ofAucoumea klaineanaPierre (Okoume) plywood and sawmill wastes industry in the fields of adhesives and composites, the total phenolic content of Okoume bark, sapwood and heartwood was measured. The molecular structure of tannins extracted from the bark was determined by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight (Maldi-ToF) mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The total phenolic content displayed significant difference (p = 0.001) between the bark, sapwood and heartwood which decreased as follows: 6 ± 0.4, 2 ± 0.8 and 0.7 ± 0.1% respectively. The pro-anthocyanidins content was also significantly different (p = 0.01) among the three wood wastes, and the bark was the richest in condensed tannins (4.2 ± 0.4%) compared to the sapwood (0.5 ± 0.1%) and heartwood (0.2 ± 0.2%). Liquid chromatography coupled mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) and Maldi-ToF analysis of the bark showed for the first time that Okoume condensed tannins are fisetinidin, gallocatechin and trihydroxyflavan based monomers and complex polymers obtained with glycosylated units. No free catechin or robitinidin units were detected, whereas distinctive dihydroxy or trihydroxyflavan-3-benzoate dimers were observed in the investigated condensed tannin extracts. FTIR analysis showed the occurrence of glucan- and mannan-like sugars in the condensed tannins, and Maldi-ToF highlighted that these sugars should account for ten glycosylated units chemically bonded with two fisetinidins and one gallocatechin trimer. The condensation of these polyphenols with formaldehyde led to Stiasny numbers of 83.3, 73.3 and 53.3% for the bark, sapwood and heartwood, respectively.
Development of Magnetic Probe for Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Laparoscopic Navigation for Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Kuwahata Akihiro , Tanaka Ryo , Matsuda Sachiko , Amada En , Irino Tomoyuki , Mayanagi Shuhei , Chikaki Shinichi , Saito Itsuro , Tanabe Norio , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Takeuchi Hiroya , Kitagawa Yuko , Kusakabe Moriaki , Sekino Masaki
Published: February 2020

New laparoscopic sentinel lymph node navigation using a dedicated magnetic probe and magnetic nanoparticle tracer for gastric cancer patients allows minimally invasive surgeries. By identifying the sentinel lymph nodes containing magnetic nanoparticles, patients can avoid excessive lymph node extraction without nuclear facilities and radiation exposure. This paper describes the development of the laparoscopic magnetic probe, ACDC-probe, for laparoscopic sentinel lymph node identification utilizing the nonlinear response of the magnetic nanoparticles magnetized by an alternating magnetic field with a static magnetic field. For highly sensitive detection, the ratio of static to alternating magnetic fields was optimized to approximately 5. The longitudinal detection length was approximately 10 mm for 140 μg of iron, and the detectable amount of iron was approximately 280 ng at a distance of 1 mm. To demonstrate the feasibility of laparoscopic detection using the ACDC-probe and magnetic tracers, an experiment was performed on a wild swine. The gastric sentinel lymph node was clearly identified during laparoscopic navigation. These results suggest that the newly developed ACDC-probe is useful for laparoscopic sentinel lymph node detection and this magnetic technique appears to be a promising method for future sentinel lymph node navigation of gastric cancer patients.
In vitro examination of starch digestibility of Saba banana [Musa ‘saba’(Musa acuminata × Musa balbisiana)]: impact of maturity and physical properties of digesta
Authors: Reginio Florencio Collado , Ketnawa Sunantha , Ogawa Yukiharu
Published: February 2020

The digestibility of starch in Saba banana as affected by maturity and physical properties of digesta was investigated. Five maturity stages were identified based on peel color index which also showed significant differences in physicochemical properties and starch granule morphology. The effect of physical properties of digesta was evaluated by monitoring the viscosity throughout the simulated digestion process and comparing two different physical structures of banana: (1) unhomogenized cut samples which have intact tissue structure and (2) homogenized slurry representing disrupted cellular structure. During ripening process, a decrease in starch content was noted with a concomitant formation of sugars and increasing concentration of acids. Green unripe stages showed the highest rate of starch hydrolysis in both physical structures and a decreasing trend was observed as ripening proceeded. The high digesta viscosity values of ripe stages was found to have an inhibitory effect on starch hydrolysis. Similarly, the differences in physical structure of food affected the digestive enzymes efficiency in breaking down starch. These results suggested that the physicochemical changes accompanying maturation and the physical properties (i.e. high viscosity and presence of intact cell structure) of food could significantly impact the rate of starch digestion.
Comparisons between end-effector and exoskeleton rehabilitation robots regarding upper extremity function among chronic stroke patients with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment
Authors: Lee Stephanie Hyeyoung , Park Gyulee , Cho Duk Youn , Kim Ha Yeon , Lee Ji-Yeong , Kim Suyoung , Park Si-Bog , Shin Joon-Ho
Published: February 2020

End-effector (EE) and exoskeleton (Exo) robots have not been directly compared previously. The present study aimed to directly compare EE and Exo robots in chronic stroke patients with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment. This single-blinded, randomised controlled trial included 38 patients with stroke who were admitted to the rehabilitation hospital. The patients were equally divided into EE and Exo groups. Baseline characteristics, including sex, age, stroke type, brain lesion side (left/right), stroke duration, Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA)–Upper Extremity score, and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) score, were assessed. Additionally, impairment level (FMA, motor status score), activity (WMFT), and participation (stroke impact scale [SIS]) were evaluated. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. After the intervention, improvements were significantly better in the EE group with regard to activity and participation (WMFT–Functional ability rating scale, WMFT–Time, and SIS–Participation). There was no intervention-related adverse event. The EE robot intervention is better than the Exo robot intervention with regard to activity and participation among chronic stroke patients with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment. Further research is needed to confirm this novel finding.
TNF-α increases breast cancer stem-like cells through up-regulating TAZ expression via the non-canonical NF-κB pathway
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Lu Xiaoqing , Shi Peiguo , Yang Guangxi , Zhou Zhongmei , Li Wei , Mao Xiaoyun , Jiang Dewei , Chen Ceshi
Published: February 2020

Breast cancer patients often suffer from disease relapse and metastasis due to the presence of breast cancer stem-like cells (BCSCs). Numerous studies have reported that high levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), promote BCSCs. However, the mechanism by which TNF-α promotes BCSCs is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that TNF-α up-regulates TAZ, a transcriptional co-activator promoting BCSC self-renewal capacity in human breast cancer cell lines. Depletion of TAZ abrogated the increase in BCSCs mediated by TNF-α. TAZ is induced by TNF-α through the non-canonical NF-κB pathway, and our findings suggest that TAZ plays a crucial role in inflammatory factor–promoted breast cancer stemness and could serve as a promising therapeutic target.
Interaction exposure effects of multiple disturbances: plant population resilience to ungulate grazing is reduced by creation of canopy gaps
Authors: Shinoda Yushin , Akasaka Munemitsu
Published: February 2020

The impact of multiple disturbances on populations could be synergistic or antagonistic via disturbance interaction and are considered to be provoked by alternation of the impact of an ecosystem disturbance due to the effect of a preceding disturbance. The impact of a focal disturbance can also change when a preceding disturbance alters the proportion of individuals in a population exposed to these disturbances (i.e., interaction exposure effects), although this effect has not been addressed to date. Herein, we propose and test interaction exposure effects by elucidating disturbance interactions between canopy gap formation and ungulate grazing. Based on a vegetation and seed bank survey conducted on an island in Hokkaido, northern Japan, we examined whether canopy openness changes the impact of ungulate grazing on the occurrence probability of palatable plant species through the facilitation of germination. Species occurrence in the seed bank significantly decreased with increasing canopy openness under the presence of grazing; however, it slightly increased under the absence of grazing, suggesting that gap creation, which facilitates germination, exposes the seed bank to ungulate grazing. Because disturbances of various types often modify the habitat structure, these proposed disturbance interactions are expected to operate within various ecosystems and taxa.
Risk factors of silent allograft fibrosis 10 years post-pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Ha Sang Yun , Lee Sanghoon , Kim Jong Man , Choi Gyu-Seong , Joh Jae-Won , Lee Suk-Koo
Published: February 2020

This study analyzed factors related to allograft fibrosis in clinically stable pediatric liver transplantation patients. Pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation from January 1997 to January 2008 and further underwent 10-year protocol biopsies were examined. Grades of inflammation and fibrosis were classified based on Banff criteria and the Liver Allograft Scoring (LAF) system, respectively. Risk factors for fibrosis were analyzed using logistic regression. Sixty-six patients with no clinical signs of chronic liver disease were included. Forty-one patients out of 66 (62.1%) had certain stage of allograft fibrosis. More than five events with aminotransferase >50 U/L was a risk factor for a LAF score 1–2 portal fibrosis (OR = 3.156, CI 1.059–9.410, P = 0.039). More than five events with aminotransferase >100 U/L was a risk factor for LAF score 2 portal fibrosis (OR = 13.978, CI 2.025–97.460, P = 0.007) and LAF score 1–2 sinusoidal fibrosis (OR = 4.897, CI 1.167–20.548, P = 0.030). Positive autoantibody (OR = 3.298, CI 1.039–10.473, P = 0.043) and gamma-glutamyl transferase  60 U/L (OR = 6.201, CI 1.096–35.097, P = 0.039) were related to sinusoidal fibrosis with LAF score of 1–2 and 2, respectively. Experience of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease was related to LAF score 1–2 portal fibrosis (OR = 7.371, CI 1.320–41,170, P = 0.023) and LAF score 1–2 centrolobular fibrosis (OR = 8.822, CI = 1.378–56.455, P = 0.022). Our results indicate that liver fibrosis is common in patients with no clinical signs of graft deterioration and repeated elevation of aminotransferases, positive autoantibodies, elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase and experience of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease are suspicious signs for fibrosis.
Study of Structural stability and formation mechanisms in DSPC and DPSM liposomes: A coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Hashemzadeh H. , Javadi H. , Darvishi M. H.
Published: February 2020

Liposomes or biological vesicles can be created from cholesterol, phospholipid, and water. Their stability is affected by their phospholipid composition which can influence disease treatment and drug delivery efficacy. In this study, the effect of phospholipid type on the formation and stability of liposomes using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations is investigated. For this purpose, the simulation study of the DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and DPSM (Egg sphingomyelin) lipids were considered. All simulations were carried out using the Gromacs software and Martini force field 2.2. Energy minimization (3000 steps) model, equilibrium at constant volume to adjust the temperature at 400 Kelvin and equilibrium at constant pressure to adjust the pressure, at atmospheric pressure (1 bar) have been validated. Microsecond simulations, as well as formation analysis including density, radial distribution function, and solvent accessible surface area, demonstrated spherical nanodisc structures for the DPSM and DSPC liposomes. The results revealed that due to the cylindrical geometric structure and small-size head group, the DSPC lipid maintained its perfectly spherical structure. However, the DPSM lipid showed a conical geometric structure with larger head group than other lipids, which allows the liposome to form a micelle structure. Although the DSPC and DPSM lipids used in the laboratory tests exhibit liposome and micelle behaviors, the simulation results revealed their nanodisc structures. Energy analysis including overall energy, Van der Waals interaction energy, and electrostatic interaction energy showed that DPSM liposome is more stable than DSPC liposome.
Bioconversion of rice straw agro-residues by Lentinula edodes and evaluation of non-volatile taste compounds in mushrooms
Authors: Gao Shuangshuang , Huang Zhicheng , Feng Xi , Bian Yinbing , Huang Wen , Liu Ying
Published: February 2020

Rice straw was substituted for sawdust at five different ratios of 0, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% (Control, RS20, RS40, RS60 and RS80, respectively) to obtain five kinds of Lentinula edodes. The effects of adding cropped rice straw to substrate formulas on the proximate composition and non-volatile taste compounds in mushrooms were investigated. The control group had the highest level of MY and BE among the five formulations. The protein levels in mushrooms decreased with the addition of rice straw and the ash levels increased. We found that trehalose, mannitol, and arabitol were the main soluble sugars in the five kinds of mushrooms. The contents of total free amino acids varied from 16.29 to 24.59 mg/g and the highest level of free amino acids was found in mushrooms cultivated from RS20 and RS40. Moreover, the addition of rice straw improved the contents of monosodium glutamate (MSG)-like amino acids in mushrooms. The 5′-Nucleotide levels ranged from 1.66 to 4.48 mg/g and equivalent umami concentration (EUC) value increased with the addition of rice straw. Our results suggest that rice straw is a potential substitute for sawdust to cultivate L. edodes with more non-volatile taste compounds.
Reciprocal association between depression and peptic ulcers: Two longitudinal follow-up studies using a national sample cohort
Authors: Kim So Young , Min Chanyang , Oh Dong Jun , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: February 2020

This study was aimed to explore the bidirectional association between depression and peptic ulcers. The ≥20-year-old participants of the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2002 to 2013 were included in the study. In study I, 30,306 depression patients were 1:4 matched with 121,224 control I participants. In study II, 127,590 peptic ulcer patients were 1:1 matched with 127,590 control II participants. The stratified Cox-proportional hazards models were used to analyse the hazard ratio (HR) of depression for peptic ulcers (study I) and of peptic ulcers for depression (study II). A total of 8.9% (2,703/ 30,306) of depression patients and 7.3% (8,896/ 121,224) of patients in the control I group had peptic ulcers (P < 0.001). The depression group had an adjusted HR for peptic ulcers that was 1.14-fold higher than that of the control I group (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.09–1.19, P < 0.001). A total of 6.4% (8,144/ 127,590) of peptic ulcer patients and 3.5% (4,515/127,590) of patients in the control II group had depression (P < 0.001). The peptic ulcer group had an adjusted HR for depression that was 1.68-fold higher than that of the control II group (95% CI = 1.62–1.74, P < 0.001). Depression and peptic ulcers exhibited a bidirectional relationship.
Active spatial control of terahertz plasmons in graphene
Authors: Tu Ngoc Han , Yoshioka Katsumasa , Sasaki Satoshi , Takamura Makoto , Muraki Koji , Kumada Norio
Published: February 2020

Graphene offers the possibility for actively controlling plasmon confinement and propagation by tailoring its spatial conductivity. However, implementation of this concept has been hampered because it is difficult to control the conductivity pattern without disturbing the electromagnetic environment of graphene plasmons. Here we demonstrate full electrical control of plasmon reflection/transmission in graphene at electronic boundaries induced by a transparent patterned zinc oxide gate, which is designed to minimize the electromagnetic coupling to graphene in the terahertz range. This approach enables plasmons to be confined to desired regions. Our approach might be applied to various types of plasmonic devices, paving the way for implementing a programmable plasmonic circuit.
Design of a multifunctional polar metal via first-principles high-throughput structure screening
Authors: Fang Yue-Wen , Chen Hanghui
Published: February 2020

Intrinsic polar metals are rare, especially in oxides, because free electrons screen electric fields in a metal and eliminate the internal dipoles that are needed to break inversion symmetry. Here we use first-principles high-throughput structure screening to predict a new polar metal in bulk and thin film forms. After screening more than 1000 different crystal structures, we find that ordered BiPbTi2O6 can crystallize in three polar and metallic structures, which can be transformed between via pressure or strain. In a heterostructure of layered BiPbTi2O6 and PbTiO3, multiple states with different relative orientations of BiPbTi2O6 polar displacements, and PbTiO3 polarization, can be stabilized. At room temperature, the interfacial coupling enables electric fields to first switch PbTiO3 polarization and subsequently drive 180° change of BiPbTi2O6 polar displacements. At low temperatures, the heterostructure provides a tunable tunnelling barrier and might be used in multi-state memory devices.
Hydrodynamic inflation of ring polymers under shear
Authors: Liebetreu Maximilian , Likos Christos N.
Published: February 2020

Hydrodynamic interactions can dramatically influence the dynamics of fully flexible, ring-shaped polymers in ways unknown for any other polymer architecture or topology. Tumbling under shear is a common dynamic pattern of motion for all polymer architectures. Here we show the existence of a shear-induced inflation phase exclusive to ring polymers, the onset of which depends on the ring’s contour length. This is accompanied by a strong suppression of tumbling, which resumes at even higher shear rates. The ring swells in the vorticity direction, and the horseshoe regions on the stretched and swollen ring are effectively locked in place relative to its center-of-mass. Furthermore, knots tied onto such rings can serve as additional ‘stabilisation anchors'. Under strong shear, the knotted section remains well-localised while tank-treading from one horseshoe region to the other in sudden bursts. We find knotted polymers of high contour length behave very similarly to unknotted rings of the same contour length.
Electrospun nanofibers: a promising horizon toward the detection and treatment of cancer
Authors: Asghari Sahar , Rezaei Zahra , Mahmoudifard Matin
Published: February 2020

Potential application of electrospun nanofibrous membranes in cancer detection and treatment.
Enzyme-based paper test for detection of lactose in illicit drugs
Authors: Zinna Jessica , Lockwood Tracy-Lynn E. , Lieberman Marya
Published: February 2020

A three-enzyme system incorporated into a paper analytical device can semi-quantitatively detect lactose at concentrations as low as 5% in illicit drug mixtures.
A new conceptual model of pesticide transfers from agricultural land to surface waters with a specific focus on metaldehyde
Authors: Whelan M. J. , Ramos A. , Villa R. , Guymer I. , Jefferson B. , Rayner M.
Published: February 2020

Pesticide losses from agricultural land to water can result in the environmental deterioration of receiving systems.
Phenothiazine and amide-ornamented novel nitrogen heterocyclic hybrids: synthesis, biological and molecular docking studies
Authors: Sivaramakarthikeyan Ramar , Karuppasamy Ayyanar , Iniyaval Shunmugam , Padmavathy Krishnaraj , Lim Wei-Meng , Mai Chun-Wai , Ramalingan Chennan
Published: February 2020

The synthesis of phenothiazine and amide-ornamented nitrogen heterocycles (25–34) has been accomplished utilizing a multi-step synthetic protocol and the structures have been established based on physical and spectral techniques.
Electrospinning-based construction of porous Mn3O4/CNFs as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Ye , Song Yan , Wang He , Yu Wensheng , Wang Jinxian , Dong Xiangting , Liu Guixia , Ma Qianli
Published: February 2020

Porous one-dimensional Mn3O4/CNFs composites are fabricated and used as anode materials for Li-ion batteries; they exhibit excellent electrochemical performance.
Investigating the influence of solvent quality on RAFT-mediated PISA of sulfonate-functional diblock copolymer nanoparticles
Authors: Wen Shang-Pin , Saunders Jack G. , Fielding Lee A.
Published: February 2020

Solvent quality has a marked impact on the assembly of sulfonate-functional diblock copolymer nanoparticles prepared by PISA.
Fabrication of redox-active polyoxometalate-based ionic crystals onto single-walled carbon nanotubes as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Iqbal Bushra , Jia Xueying , Hu Hanbin , He Lei , Chen Wei , Song Yu-Fei
Published: February 2020

Polyoxometalate-based ionic crystals were fabricated onto single-walled carbon nanotubes as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability.
Highly active Ce, Y, La-modified Cu/SiO2 catalysts for hydrogenation of methyl acetate to ethanol
Authors: Ren Zhiheng , Younis Muhammad Naeem , Li Chunshan , Li Zengxi , Yang Xiangui , Wang Gongying
Published: February 2020

Highly active and stable La-modified Cu/SiO2 catalysts were fabricated for the vapor-phase hydrogenation of methyl acetate to ethanol.
CuAAC-ensembled 1,2,3-triazole-linked isosteres as pharmacophores in drug discovery: review
Authors: Rani Alisha , Singh Gurjaspreet , Singh Akshpreet , Maqbool Ubair , Kaur Gurpreet , Singh Jandeep
Published: February 2020

The review lays emphasis on the significance of 1,2,3-triazoles synthesizedviaCuAAC reaction having potential to act as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tuberculosis, anti-diabetic, and anti-Alzheimer drugs.
Fabrication of local micro-contacts to silicon solar cells by dewetting of ultrathin polymer films
Authors: Chen Chih-Yao , Yang Jyun-Hao , Lin Tzu-Yu , Ma Hao-Yuan , Chen I-Chen
Published: February 2020

A local contact patterning technique based on dewetting of ultrathin polystyrene films for fabrication of Si PERC solar cells.
A combined spectroscopic and ab initio study of the transmetalation of a polyphenol as a potential purification strategy for food additives
Authors: Maji Tuhin Kumar , Bagchi Damayanti , Pan Nivedita , Sayqal Ali , Morad Moataz , Ahmed Saleh A. , Karmakar Debjani , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: February 2020

A transmetalation mechanism for the removal of toxic Hg from a Hg–curcumin complex and the detection of the separated free Hg ions using the SPR band quenching of Ag-nanoparticles is shown.
A near-infrared fluorescent probe based on a novel rectilinearly π-extended rhodamine derivative and its applications
Authors: Gong Jin , Liu Chang , Jiao Xiaojie , He Song , Zhao Liancheng , Zeng Xianshun
Published: February 2020

A novel NIR fluorescent probe RQNA based on a π-extended rhodamine derivative RQN for the specific detection of mitochondrial Cu2+ has been synthesized.
Orange-emitting N-doped carbon dots as fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode probes for nitrite detection and cellular imaging
Authors: Jia Jing , Lu Wenjing , Li Lin , Gao Yifang , Jiao Yuan , Han Hui , Dong Chuan , Shuang Shaomin
Published: February 2020

Novel orange-emitting N-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were prepared as fluorescent and colorimetric dual-mode probes for sensing nitrite (NO2−).
Defect modification engineering on a laminar MoS2 film for optimizing thermoelectric properties
Authors: Ding Wenjun , Li Xia , Jiang Fengxing , Liu Peng , Liu Peipei , Zhu Shuai , Zhang Ge , Liu Congcong , Xu Jingkun
Published: February 2020

A high carrier mobility and high Seebeck coefficient laminar MoS2–Cu film was obtained via effective defect modification.
A terpyridine-modified chrysene derivative as an electron transporter to improve the lifetime in phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Owada Tsukasa , Sasabe Hisahiro , Sukegawa Yoshihito , Watanabe Taiki , Maruyama Tomohiro , Watanabe Yuichiro , Yokoyama Daisuke , Kido Junji
Published: February 2020

A terpyridine-end-capped chrysene shows superior electron-transport ability with high operation stability in organic light-emitting devices. A green phosphorescent device exhibited a long operation lifetime of 19 000 h at 1000 cd m−2.
In situ growth of ultra-smooth or super-rough thin films by suppression of vertical or horizontal growth of surface mounds
Authors: Hu Chaoquan , Cai Jize , Li Yuankai , Bi Chaobin , Gu Zhiqing , Zhu Jiaqi , Zang Jianfeng , Zheng Weitao
Published: February 2020

A new method and mechanism were explored for in situ growth of ultra-smooth/super-rough thin films with unique surface properties.
An amorphous carbon nitride/NiO/CoN-based composite: a highly efficient nonprecious electrode for supercapacitors and the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Yang Huifang , Guo Haoran , Pang Kanglei , Fan Peidong , Li Xinpan , Ren Wenlu , Song Rui
Published: February 2020

Due to their features of low cost, good corrosion resistance and environmental friendliness, transition metal oxides/nitrides are among the most promising materials for energy storage and conversion.
The mechanism of promoter-induced zeolite nanosheet crystallization under hydrothermal and microwave irradiation conditions
Authors: Naranov Evgeny R. , Sadovnikov Alexey A. , Vatsouro Ivan M. , Maximov Anton L.
Published: February 2020

The mechanism of MFI zeolite nanosheet formation was established under accelerated conditions using perchlorate ions and fresh zeolite seeds as promoters.
Identification of preferentially exposed crystal facets by X-ray diffraction
Authors: Zhang Liping , Gonçalves Alexandre A. S. , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: February 2020

Intensification of X-ray diffraction peaks can be used to get information about doping, presence of vacancies, anisotropic nanostructures, or preferred orientation of crystals with largely exposed facets.
All-trans retinoic acid reduces the transcriptional regulation of intestinal sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporter gene (Npt2b)
Authors: Masuda Masashi , Yamamoto Hironori , Takei Yuichiro , Nakahashi Otoki , Adachi Yuichiro , Ohnishi Kohta , Ohminami Hirokazu , Yamanaka-Okumura Hisami , Sakaue Hiroshi , Miyazaki Makoto , Takeda Eiji , Taketani Yutaka
Published: February 2020

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis is regulated by intestinal absorption via type II sodium-dependent co-transporter (Npt2b) and by renal reabsorption via Npt2a and Npt2c. Although we previously reported that vitamin A-deficient (VAD) rats had increased urine Pi excretion through the decreased renal expression of Npt2a and Npt2c, the effect of vitamin A on the intestinal Npt2b expression remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a metabolite of vitamin A, on the Pi absorption and the Npt2b expression in the intestine of VAD rats, as well as and the underlying molecular mechanisms. In VAD rats, the intestinal Pi uptake activity and the expression of Npt2b were increased, but were reduced by the administration of ATRA. The transcriptional activity of reporter plasmid containing the promoter region of the rat Npt2b gene was reduced by ATRA in NIH3T3 cells overexpressing retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). On the other hand, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP) induced transcriptional activity of the Npt2b gene. Knockdown of the C/EBP gene and a mutation analysis of the C/EBP responsible element in the Npt2b gene promoter indicated that C/EBP plays a pivotal role in the regulation of Npt2b gene transcriptional activity by ATRA. EMSA revealed that the RAR/RXR complex inhibits binding of C/EBP to Npt2b gene promoter. Together, these results suggest that ATRA may reduce the intestinal Pi uptake by preventing C/EBP activation of the intestinal Npt2b gene.
Comprehensive analysis of long noncoding RNA and mRNA in five colorectal cancer tissues and five normal tissues
Authors: Zhou Zhen-Xu , Chen Xiao-Ming , Zhang Yu-Qi , Peng Liu , Xue Xiang-Yang , Li Guo-Xin
Published: February 2020

The present study investigated the role of abnormally expressed mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We used lncRNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptome (mRNA and lncRNA) of five pairs of CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The total expression of mRNAs and lncRNAs in each sample was determined using the R package and the gene expression was calculated using normalized FPKM. The structural features and expression of all detected lncRNAs were compared with those of mRNAs. Differentially expressed mRNAs were selected to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The functional analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs was performed by analyzing the GO and KEGG enrichment of predicted cis-regulated target genes. A total of 18.2 × 108 reads were obtained by sequencing, in which the clean reads reached ≥ 94.67%, with a total of 245.2 G bases. The number of mRNAs and lncRNAs differentially expressed in CRC tissues and normal tissues were 113 and 6, respectively. Further predictive analysis of target genes of lncRNAs revealed that six lncRNA genes had potential cis-regulatory effects on 13 differentially expressed mRNA genes and co-expressed with 53 mRNAs. Up-regulated CTD-2256P15.4 and RP11-229P13.23 were the most important lncRNAs in these CRC tissues and involved in cell proliferation and pathway in cancer. In conclusion, our study provides evidence regarding the mRNA and lncRNA transcription in CRC tissues, as well as new insights into the lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in the development of CRC.