bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The on-and-off dynamics of thiophene on a nickel cluster enables efficient hydrodesulfurization and excellent stability at high temperatures
Authors: Cheng Xinglian , Chai Xiaoqi , Hu Weigang , Li Shenggang , Zhu Yan
Published: February 2019

A thiolate-stabilized Ni cluster can catalyze the efficient hydrodesulfurization of thiophene under relatively harsh reaction conditions.
21.7% efficiency achieved in planar n–i–p perovskite solar cells via interface engineering with water-soluble 2D TiS2
Authors: Huang Peng , Chen Qiaoyun , Zhang Kaicheng , Yuan Ligang , Zhou Yi , Song Bo , Li Yongfang
Published: February 2019

In planar n–i–p perovskite solar cells (Pero-SCs), interfacial engineering plays a critically important role in charge extraction and transportation, and hence influences the photovoltaic performances.
Two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite field-effect transistors with polymers as bottom-gate dielectrics
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Huaye , Zhu Lijie , Qin Liang , Wang Yue , Hu Yufeng , Lou Zhidong , Hou Yanbing , Teng Feng
Published: February 2019

High-performance bottom-gate 2D-layered (PEA)2SnI4 field-effect transistors have been fabricated using PVA/CL-PVP as gate dielectric layers.
Correction: Synthesis of a dimeric phosphine-stabilized phosphidogermanium(i)–amidogermanium(ii) derivative
Authors: Bin Ismail Muhammad Luthfi , So Cheuk-Wai
Published: February 2019

Correction for ‘Synthesis of a dimeric phosphine-stabilized phosphidogermanium(i)–amidogermanium(ii) derivative’ by Muhammad Luthfi Bin Ismail et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c8cc09454c.
Excitation of singlet–triplet coherences in pairs of nearly-equivalent spins
Authors: Sheberstov Kirill F. , Kiryutin Alexey S. , Bengs Christian , Hill-Cousins Joseph T. , Brown Lynda J. , Brown Richard C. D. , Pileio Giuseppe , Levitt Malcolm H. , Yurkovskaya Alexandra V. , Ivanov Konstantin L.
Published: February 2019

We present approaches for an efficient excitation of singlet–triplet coherences in pairs of nearly-equivalent spins.
Gold nanoparticle densely packed micro/nanowire-based pressure sensors for human motion monitoring and physiological signal detection
Authors: Li Shun-Xin , Xia Hong , Xu Yi-Shi , Lv Chao , Wang Gong , Dai Yun-Zhi , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: February 2019

Gold nanoparticles were assembled into highly aligned micro/nanowires for flexible pressure sensors.
Stearoyl-appended pendant amino acid-based hyperbranched polymers for selective gelation of oil from oil/water mixtures
Authors: Nandi Mridula , Banerjee Soham , De Priyadarsi
Published: February 2019

Stearic acid-appended pendant amino acid-based poly(methacrylate) hyperbranched polymers were developed for the phase-selective organogelation of crude oil from a binary mixture of oil/water.
A hierarchical oxygen vacancy-rich WO3 with “nanowire-array-on-nanosheet-array” structure for highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Diao Jinxiang , Yuan Wenyu , Qiu Yu , Cheng Laifei , Guo Xiaohui
Published: February 2019

Hierarchical vertical WO3 nanowire arrays on vertical WO3 nanosheet arrays with rich oxygen vacancies were synthesized via a simple and facile method, and the outstanding OER performance which is superior to that of most reported state-of-the-art catalysts was reported for the first time.
An acoustic strategy for gold nanoparticle loading in platelets as biomimetic multifunctional carriers
Authors: Liu Taotao , Li Mingxi , Tang Jian , Li Jing , Zhou Yue , Liu Yang , Yang Fang , Gu Ning
Published: February 2019

An acoustic strategy was developed to non-invasively load gold nanoparticles into intra-platelets as biomimetic probes for photoacoustic imaging.
Extended tetrathiafulvalenes with polycyclic aromatic cores
Authors: Hammerich Ole , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: February 2019

This review covers the synthesis and properties of extended tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs) with polycyclic aromatic cores.
Diaryl ketone-based hole-transporting materials for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhu Linna , Xu Jing , Shan Yahan , Zhong Cheng , Tang Xiaosheng , Long Dan , Zhang Yongping , Wu Fei
Published: February 2019

For the first time, dipyridyl ketone and benzophenone were used as the core structure to synthesize new hole transport materials.
Association between ADIPOQ gene variants and knee osteoarthritis in a Chinese population
Authors: Shang Houlai , Hao Yuedong , Hu Wenhao , Hu Xiaohui , Jin Qing
Published: February 2019

A study from Thailand showed no significant association between the adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene rs1501299 polymorphism and knee osteoarthritis (OA) risk. To investigate this association in a Chinese population, we conducted this case–control study involving 372 knee OA patients and 453 controls. Genotyping via standard PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) showed that TT genotype (TT vs. GG: adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.70 (1.01–2.86)) or T allele (T vs. G: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.26 (1.02–1.56)) of ADIPOQ gene rs1501299 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of knee OA. Significant associations were also observed in subgroups ≥55 years (TT vs. GG: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.21 (1.00–4.86)) and body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 (TT+GT vs. GG: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.53 (1.03–2.29)), but not in the subgroup analysis of sex. In conclusion, the ADIPOQ gene rs1501299 polymorphism intensifies the risk of knee OA in this Chinese Han population. Nevertheless, further studies with larger sample sizes in other populations are warranted to verify this finding.
The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey
Authors: Traulsen I. , Schwope A. D. , Lamer G. , Ballet J. , Carrera F. , Coriat M. , Freyberg M. J. , Michel L. , Motch C. , Rosen S. R. , Webb N. , Ceballos M. T. , Koliopanos F. , Kurpas J. , Page M. J. , Watson M. G.
Published: February 2019

Context. XMM-Newton has observed the X-ray sky since early 2000. The XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre Consortium has published catalogues of X-ray and ultraviolet sources found serendipitously in the individual observations. This series is now augmented by a catalogue dedicated to X-ray sources detected in spatially overlapping XMM-Newton observations.

Aims. The aim of this catalogue is to explore repeatedly observed sky regions. It thus makes use of the long(er) effective exposure time per sky area and offers the opportunity to investigate long-term flux variability directly through the source-detection process.

Methods. A new standardised strategy for simultaneous source detection on multiple observations was introduced, including an adaptive-smoothing method to describe the image background. It was coded as a new task within the XMM-Newton Science Analysis System and used to compile a catalogue of sources from 434 stacks comprising 1789 overlapping XMM-Newton observations that entered the 3XMM-DR7 catalogue, have a low background and full-frame readout of all EPIC cameras.

Results. The first stacked catalogue is called 3XMM-DR7s. It contains 71 951 unique sources with positions and parameters such as fluxes, hardness ratios, quality estimates, and information on inter-observation variability, directly derived from a simultaneous fit. Source parameters are calculated for the stack and for each contributing observation. About 15% of the sources are new with respect to 3XMM-DR7. Through stacked source detection, the parameters of repeatedly observed sources are determined with higher accuracy than in the individual observations. The method is more sensitive to faint sources and tends to produce fewer spurious detections.

Conclusions. With this first stacked catalogue we demonstrate the feasibility and benefit of the approach. It supplements the large data base of XMM-Newton detections with additional, in particular faint, sources and adds variability information. In the future, the catalogue will be expanded to larger samples and continued within the series of serendipitous XMM-Newton source catalogues.
Tidal deformability and other global parameters of compact stars with strong phase transitions
Authors: Sieniawska M. , Turczański W. , Bejger M. , Zdunik J. L.
Published: February 2019

Context. Using parametric equations of state (relativistic polytropes and a simple quark bag model) to model dense-matter phase transitions, we study global, measurable astrophysical parameters of compact stars such as their allowed radii and tidal deformabilities. We also investigate the influence of stiffness of matter before the onset of the phase transitions on the parameters of the possible exotic dense phase.

Aims. The aim of our study is to compare the parameter space of the dense matter equation of state permitting phase transitions to a sub-space compatible with current observational constraints such as the maximum observable mass, tidal deformabilities of neutron star mergers, radii of configurations before the onset of the phase transition, and to give predictions for future observations.

Methods. We studied solutions of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations for a flexible set of parametric equations of state, constructed using a realistic description of neutron-star crust (up to the nuclear saturation density), and relativistic polytropes connected by a density-jump phase transition to a simple bag model description of deconfined quark matter.

Results. In order to be consistent with recent observations of massive neutron stars, a compact star with a strong high-mass phase transition cannot have a radius smaller than 12 km in the range of masses 1.2 − 1.6 M⊙. We also compare tidal deformabilities of stars with weak and strong phase transitions with the results of the GW170817 neutron star merger. Specifically, we study characteristic phase transition features in the Λ1 − Λ2 relation, and estimate the deviations of our results from the approximate formulæ for Λ∼ − R (M1) and Λ-compactness proposed in the literature. We find constraints on the hybrid equations of state to produce stable neutron stars on the twin branch. For the exemplary equations of state most of the high-mass twins occur for the minimum values of the density jump λ = 1.33 − 1.54; corresponding values of the square of the speed of sound are α = 0.7 − 0.37. We compare results with observations of gravitational waves and with the theoretical causal limit and find that the minimum radius of a twin branch is between 9.5 and 10.5 km, and depends on the phase transition baryon density. For these solutions the phase transition occurs below 0.56 fm−3.
A Sino-German λ6 cm polarisation survey of the Galactic plane
Authors: Gao X. Y. , Reich P. , Hou L. G. , Reich W. , Han J. L.
Published: February 2019

Context. Large-scale radio continuum surveys provide data to get insights into the physical properties of radio sources. H II regions are prominent radio sources produced by thermal emission of ionised gas around young massive stars.

Aims. We identify and analyse H II regions in the Sino-German λ6 cm polarisation survey of the Galactic plane.

Methods. Objects with flat radio continuum spectra together with infrared and/or Hα emission were identified as H II regions. For H II regions with small apparent sizes, we cross-matched the λ6 cm small-diameter source catalogue with the radio H II region catalogue compiled by Paladini and the infrared H II region catalogue based on the WISE data. Effelsberg λ21 cm and λ11 cm continuum survey data were used to determine source spectra. High angular resolution data from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey and the NRAO VLA Sky Survey were used to solve the confusion when low angular resolution observations were not sufficient. Extended H II regions were identified by eye by overlaying the Paladini and the WISE H II regions onto the λ6 cm survey images for coincidences. The TT-plot method was employed for spectral index verification.

Results. A total of 401 H II regions were identified and their flux densities were determined with the Sino-German λ6 cm survey data. In the surveyed area, 76 pairs of sources are found to be duplicated in the Paladini H II region catalogue, mainly due to the non-distinction of previous observations with different angular resolutions and 78 objects in their catalogue are misclassified as H II regions, being actually planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, or extragalactic sources that have steep spectra. More than 30 H II regions and H II region candidates from our λ6 cm survey data, especially extended ones, do not have counterparts in the WISE H II region catalogue, of which 9 are identified for the first time. Our results imply that some more Galactic H II regions still await to be discovered and the combination of multi-domain observations is important for H II region identification. Based on the newly derived radio continuum spectra and the evidence of infrared emission, the previously identified SNRs G11.1−1.0, G20.4+0.1 and G16.4−0.5 are believed to be H II regions.
Full inversion of solar relativistic electron events measured by the Helios spacecraft
Authors: Pacheco D. , Agueda N. , Aran A. , Heber B. , Lario D.
Published: February 2019

Context. The Parker Solar Probe and the incoming Solar Orbiter mission will provide measurements of solar energetic particle (SEP) events at close heliocentric distances from the Sun. Up to present, the largest data set of SEP events in the inner heliosphere are the observations by the two Helios spacecraft.

Aims. We re-visit a sample of 15 solar relativistic electron events measured by the Helios mission with the goal of better characterising the injection histories of solar energetic particles and their interplanetary transport conditions at heliocentric distances <1 AU.

Methods. The measurements provided by the E6 instrument on board Helios provide us with the electron directional distributions in eight different sectors that we use to infer the detailed evolution of the electron pitch-angle distributions. The results of a Monte Carlo interplanetary transport model, combined with a full inversion procedure, were used to fit the observed directional intensities in the 300–800 keV nominal energy channel. Unlike previous studies, we have considered both the energy and angular responses of the detector. This method allowed us to infer the electron release time profile at the source and determine the electron interplanetary transport conditions.

Results. We discuss the duration of the release time profiles and the values of the radial mean free path, and compare them with the values reported previously in the literature using earlier approaches. Five of the events show short injection histories (<30 min) at the Sun and ten events show long-lasting (>30 min) injections. The values of mean free path range from 0.02 AU to 0.27 AU.

Conclusions. The inferred injection histories match with the radio and soft X-ray emissions found in literature. We find no dependence of the radial mean free path on the radial distance. In addition, we find no apparent relation between the strength of interplanetary scattering and the size of the solar particle release.
Dark matter–baryon scaling relations from Einasto halo fits to SPARC galaxy rotation curves
Authors: Ghari Amir , Famaey Benoit , Laporte Chervin , Haghi Hosein
Published: February 2019

Dark matter–baryon scaling relations in galaxies are important in order to constrain galaxy formation models. Here, we provide a modern quantitative assessment of these relations by modelling the rotation curves of galaxies from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) database with the Einasto dark halo model. We focus in particular on the comparison between the original SPARC parameters, with constant mass-to-light ratios for bulges and discs, and the parameters for which galaxies follow the tightest radial acceleration relation. We show that fits are improved in the second case, and that the pure halo scaling relations also become tighter. We report that the density at the radius where the slope is −2 is strongly anti-correlated to this radius and to the Einasto index. The latter is close to unity for a large number of galaxies, indicative of large cores. In terms of dark matter–baryon scalings, we focus on relations between the core properties and the extent of the baryonic component, which are relevant to the cusp-core transformation process. We report a positive correlation between the core size of halos with small Einasto index and the stellar disc scale-length, and between the averaged dark matter density within 2 kpc and the baryon-induced rotational velocity at that radius. This finding is related to the consequence of the radial acceleration relation on the diversity of rotation curve shapes, quantified by the rotational velocity at 2 kpc. While a tight radial acceleration relation slightly decreases the observed diversity compared to the original SPARC parameters, the diversity of baryon-induced accelerations at 2 kpc is sufficient to induce a large diversity, incompatible with current hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy formation, while maintaining a tight radial acceleration relation.
IFU investigation of possible Lyman continuum escape from Mrk 71/NGC 2366
Authors: Micheva Genoveva , Christian Herenz Edmund , Roth Martin M. , Östlin Göran , Girichidis Philipp
Published: February 2019

Context. Mrk 71/NGC 2366 is the closest green pea (GP) analog and candidate Lyman Continuum (LyC) emitter. Recently, 11 LyC-leaking GPs have been detected through direct observations of the ionizing continuum, making this the most abundant class of confirmed LyC-emitters at any redshift. High resolution, multiwavelength studies of GPs can lead to an understanding of the method(s), through which LyC escapes from these galaxies.

Aims. The proximity of Mrk 71/NCG 2366 offers unprecedented detail on the inner workings of a GP analog, and enables us to identify the mechanisms of LyC escape.

Methods. We used 5825–7650 Å integral field unit PMAS observations to study the kinematics and physical conditions in Mrk 71. An electron density map was obtained from the [S II] ratio. A fortuitous second order contamination by the [O II] λ3727 doublet enabled the construction of an electron temperature map. Resolved maps of sound speed, thermal broadening, “true” velocity dispersion, and Mach number were obtained and compared to the high resolution magnetohydrodynamic SImulating the LifeCycle of molecular Clouds (SILCC) simulations.

Results. Two regions of increased velocity dispersion indicative of outflows are detected to the north and south of the super star cluster, knot B, with redshifted and blueshifted velocities, respectively. We confirm the presence of a faint broad kinematical component, which is seemingly decoupled from the outflow regions, and is fainter and narrower than previously reported in the literature. Within uncertainties, the low- and high-ionization gasses move together. Outside of the core of Mrk 71, an increase in Mach numbers is detected, implying a decrease in gas density. Simulations suggest this drop in density can be as high as ∼4 dex, down to almost optically thin levels, which would imply a nonzero LyC escape fraction along the outflows even when assuming all of the detected H I gas is located in front of Mrk 71 in the line of sight.

Conclusions. Our results strongly indicate that kinematical feedback is an important ingredient for LyC leakage in GPs.
Synthesis of 3H-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline by Sequential I2-Promoted Cyclization/Staudinger/Aza-Wittig/Dehydroaromatization Reaction
Authors: Ren Zhilin , He Ping , Zou Fakai , Pei Fei , Wang Liping , Cheng Xiaohong , Sun Yang , Wu Jing
Published: February 2019

A facile synthetic approach to access of 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline derivatives has been achieved by a sequential I2-promoted cyclization/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/dehydroaromatization reaction. The targeted products were received in moderate to good yields (62–81%). The broad substrate scope and easy availability of the starting materials make this method a valuable tool for generating 3H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]quinoline products.
Altered neural odometry in the vertical dimension
Authors: Casali Giulio , Bush Daniel , Jeffery Kate
Published: February 2019

Entorhinal grid cells integrate sensory and self-motion inputs to provide a spatial metric of a characteristic scale. One function of this metric may be to help localize the firing fields of hippocampal place cells during formation and use of the hippocampal spatial representation (“cognitive map”). Of theoretical importance is the question of how this metric, and the resulting map, is configured in 3D space. We find here that when the body plane is vertical as rats climb a wall, grid cells produce stable, almost-circular grid-cell firing fields. This contrasts with previous findings when the body was aligned horizontally during vertical exploration, suggesting a role for the body plane in orienting the plane of the grid cell map. However, in the present experiment, the fields on the wall were fewer and larger, suggesting an altered or absent odometric (distance-measuring) process. Several physiological indices of running speed in the entorhinal cortex showed reduced gain, which may explain the enlarged grid pattern. Hippocampal place fields were found to be sparser but unchanged in size/shape. Together, these observations suggest that the orientation and scale of the grid cell map, at least on a surface, are determined by an interaction between egocentric information (the body plane) and allocentric information (the gravity axis). This may be mediated by the different sensory or locomotor information available on a vertical surface and means that the resulting map has different properties on a vertical plane than a horizontal plane (i.e., is anisotropic).
Emergence of analogy from relation learning
Authors: Lu Hongjing , Wu Ying Nian , Holyoak Keith J.
Published: February 2019

Significance

The ability to learn and make inferences based on relations is central to intelligence, underlying the distinctively human ability to reason by analogy across dissimilar situations. We have developed a computational model demonstrating that abstract relations, such as synonymy and antonymy, can be learned efficiently from semantic feature vectors for individual words and can be used to solve simple verbal analogy problems with close to human-level accuracy. The approach illustrates the potential synergy between deep learning from “big data” and supervised learning from “small data.” Core properties of high-level intelligence can emerge from relatively simple computations coupled with rich semantics. The model illustrates how operations on nonrelational inputs can give rise to protosymbolic relational representations.
Nanometer-accuracy distance measurements between fluorophores at the single-molecule level
Authors: Niekamp Stefan , Sung Jongmin , Huynh Walter , Bhabha Gira , Vale Ronald D. , Stuurman Nico
Published: February 2019

Light microscopy is a powerful tool for probing the conformations of molecular machines at the single-molecule level. Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer can measure intramolecular distance changes of single molecules in the range of 2 to 8 nm. However, current superresolution measurements become error-prone below 25 nm. Thus, new single-molecule methods are needed for measuring distances in the 8- to 25-nm range. Here, we describe methods that utilize information about localization and imaging errors to measure distances between two different color fluorophores with ∼1-nm accuracy at distances >2 nm. These techniques can be implemented in high throughput using a standard total internal reflection fluorescence microscope and open-source software. We applied our two-color localization method to uncover an unexpected ∼4-nm nucleotide-dependent conformational change in the coiled-coil “stalk” of the motor protein dynein. We anticipate that these methods will be useful for high-accuracy distance measurements of single molecules over a wide range of length scales.
Quantum experiments and graphs II: Quantum interference, computation, and state generation
Authors: Gu Xuemei , Erhard Manuel , Zeilinger Anton , Krenn Mario
Published: February 2019

Significance

Graph theory can be used to model and explain different phenomena from physics. In this paper, we show that one can interpret quantum experiments composed of linear optics and probabilistic sources with graph theory. The important understanding is that complex weights in the graph naturally describe the quantum interference. That point of view leads to several results: We uncover a yet unexplored type of multiphoton quantum interference. It can be used to solve questions that are intractable on a classical computer. Also, the connection points toward a general restriction on creating certain classes of quantum states. In general, it gives another perspective on a mature photonic technology and will be significant for future designs of such experiments.
Structural basis for activity of TRIC counter-ion channels in calcium release
Authors: Wang Xiao-hui , Su Min , Gao Feng , Xie Wenjun , Zeng Yang , Li De-lin , Liu Xue-lei , Zhao Hong , Qin Li , Li Fei , Liu Qun , Clarke Oliver B. , Lam Sin Man , Shui Guang-hou , Hendrickson Wayne A. , Chen Yu-hang
Published: February 2019

Trimeric intracellular cation (TRIC) channels are thought to provide counter-ion currents that facilitate the active release of Ca
2+
from intracellular stores. TRIC activity is controlled by voltage and Ca
2+
modulation, but underlying mechanisms have remained unknown. Here we describe high-resolution crystal structures of vertebrate TRIC-A and TRIC-B channels, both in Ca
2+
-bound and Ca
2+
-free states, and we analyze conductance properties in structure-inspired mutagenesis experiments. The TRIC channels are symmetric trimers, wherein we find a pore in each protomer that is gated by a highly conserved lysine residue. In the resting state, Ca
2+
binding at the luminal surface of TRIC-A, on its threefold axis, stabilizes lysine blockage of the pores. During active Ca
2+
release, luminal Ca
2+
depletion removes inhibition to permit the lysine-bearing and voltage-sensing helix to move in response to consequent membrane hyperpolarization. Diacylglycerol is found at interprotomer interfaces, suggesting a role in metabolic control.
Motor neuron disease-associated loss of nuclear TDP-43 is linked to DNA double-strand break repair defects
Authors: Mitra Joy , Guerrero Erika N. , Hegde Pavana M. , Liachko Nicole F. , Wang Haibo , Vasquez Velmarini , Gao Junling , Pandey Arvind , Taylor J. Paul , Kraemer Brian C. , Wu Ping , Boldogh Istvan , Garruto Ralph M. , Mitra Sankar , Rao K. S. , Hegde Muralidhar L.
Published: February 2019

Significance

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating, motor neuron degenerative disease without any cure to date. About 95% of ALS patients feature abnormalities in the RNA/DNA binding protein TDP-43, involving its nucleus-cytoplasmic mislocalization in spinal motor neurons. How TDP-43 pathology triggers neuronal apoptosis remains unclear. Here, we report that TDP-43 participates in the DNA damage response and its nuclear clearance in motor neurons causes DNA double-strand break repair defects in ALS. Our findings uncover a link between TDP-43 pathology and impaired DNA repair, and suggest potential avenues for DNA repair-targeted therapies for TDP-43–ALS.
Deep elastic strain engineering of bandgap through machine learning
Authors: Shi Zhe , Tsymbalov Evgenii , Dao Ming , Suresh Subra , Shapeev Alexander , Li Ju
Published: February 2019

Significance

Deforming a material to a large extent without inelastic relaxation can result in unprecedented properties. However, the optimal deformation state is buried within the vast continua of choices available in the strain space. Here we advance a unique and powerful strategy to circumvent conventional trial-and-error methods, and adopt artificial intelligence techniques for rationally designing the most energy-efficient pathway to achieve a desirable material property such as the electronic bandgap. The broad framework for tailoring any target figure of merit, for any material using machine learning, opens up opportunities to adapt elastic strain engineering of properties and performance in devices and systems in a controllable and efficient manner, for potential applications in microelectronics, optoelectronics, photonics, and energy technologies.
Processability and mechanical properties of surface-modified glass-fibres/phthalonitrile composite and Al–Li alloy fibre-metal-laminates
Authors: Medjahed Aboubakr , Derradji Mehdi , Zegaoui Abdeldjalil , Wu Ruizhi , Li Bingcheng
Published: February 2019

In this study, newly developed fibre-metal laminates (Al-LiFMLs) were prepared by a lay-up process of a high-performance surface-modified glass fibres/phthalonitrile (GFs/PN) composite and Al–Li alloy. The results showed that varying the composite considerably affected the tensile properties of the Al-LiFMLs, as well as exhibiting enhancements over the properties of both the individual Al–Li alloys and GFs/PN composite constituents. For instance, when the number of composite layers varied from 6 to 14, the ultimate tensile strength of the Al-LiFMLs increased from 315 to 611 MPa. It was revealed that the failure mode displayed a more ductile behaviour (up to 20%) for all the developed Al-LiFMLs affected by the ductile fracture mode of the Al–Li alloy.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Evolution towards minimum ovule size? Ovule size variations and the relative sizes of ovules to seeds
Authors: Itagaki Tomoyuki , Mochizuki Jun , Aoyagi Blue Yuta , Ito Masaya , Sakai Satoki
Published: February 2019

Background and Aims

Is there selection minimizing the costs of ovule production? Such selection should lead to a smaller ovule size in relation to seed size and, at the same time, smaller variation in ovule size within plants, the latter because the minimum structures and resources for functioning of ovules should be the same among ovules. Additionally, within species, ovule size should not depend on the plant’s resource status.

Methods

To confirm these predictions, we examined ovule and seed production for a variety of species.

Key Results

Among the 27 species studied, we found a significant negative dependence of the species mean of the coefficient of variation for plant ovule size on the ratio of the mean species seed size/mean species ovule size. Thus, the smaller the ovule size as compared with seed size, the smaller the degree of variation in ovule size. Among the 49 species studied, only two species showed significant positive dependence of mean ovule size on plant size. Although larger plants should have greater resources for ovule production, selection has not enhanced the production of large ovules in most species.

Conclusions

These results suggest that there is selection minimizing the costs of ovule production.
Transnational Literacies as Social Remittances: The Role of Language Ideologies in Shaping Migrants’ Online Literacies
Authors: Capstick Tony
Published: February 2019

It is now twenty years since the term ‘social remittances’ was taken up to capture the notion that migration involves the circulation of ideas, practices, identities, and social capital between destination and origin countries, in addition to the more tangible circulation of money. In a similar vein, a social theory of literacy sees practices not as observable units of behaviour but rather as social processes which connect people. To identify how literacy practices can be seen as social remittances, I identify how Usman, the key respondent in this study, goes about describing his first six months in the UK by tracing the meaning-making trajectories in our interviews together. I then explore the language and literacy choices that his family and friends make on Facebook as they remit ideas, beliefs, and practices in their transnational literacies. I examine how these practices are shaped by beliefs about language. The article seeks to understand the relationship between migrants’ literacy practices before and after their migrations and how these practices remit ideas and beliefs which maintain transnational migration.
eBDIMS server: protein transition pathways with ensemble analysis in 2D-motion spaces
Authors: Orellana Laura , Gustavsson Johan , Bergh Cathrine , Yoluk Ozge , Lindahl Erik
Published: February 2019

Understanding how proteins transition between different conformers, and how conformers relate to each other in terms of structure and function, is not trivial. Here, we present an online tool for transition pathway generation between two protein conformations using Elastic Network Driven Brownian Dynamics Importance Sampling, a coarse-grained simulation algorithm, which spontaneously predicts transition intermediates trapped experimentally. In addition to path-generation, the server provides an interactive 2D-motion landscape graphical representation of the transitions or any additional conformers to explore their structural relationships.

Availability and implementation

eBDIMS is available online: http://ebdims.biophysics.se/ or as standalone software: https://github.com/laura-orellana/eBDIMS, https://github.com/cabergh/eBDIMS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Using association signal annotations to boost similarity network fusion
Authors: Ruan Peifeng , Wang Ya , Shen Ronglai , Wang Shuang
Published: February 2019

Motivation

Recent technology developments have made it possible to generate various kinds of omics data, which provides opportunities to better solve problems such as disease subtyping or disease mapping using more comprehensive omics data jointly. Among many developed data-integration methods, the similarity network fusion (SNF) method has shown a great potential to identify new disease subtypes through separating similar subjects using multi-omics data. SNF effectively fuses similarity networks with pairwise patient similarity measures from different types of omics data into one fused network using both shared and complementary information across multiple types of omics data.

Results

In this article, we proposed an association-signal-annotation boosted similarity network fusion (ab-SNF) method, adding feature-level association signal annotations as weights aiming to up-weight signal features and down-weight noise features when constructing subject similarity networks to boost the performance in disease subtyping. In various simulation studies, the proposed ab-SNF outperforms the original SNF approach without weights. Most importantly, the improvement in the subtyping performance due to association-signal-annotation weights is amplified in the integration process. Applications to somatic mutation data, DNA methylation data and gene expression data of three cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas project suggest that the proposed ab-SNF method consistently identifies new subtypes in each cancer that more accurately predict patient survival and are more biologically meaningful.

Availability and implementation

The R package abSNF is freely available for downloading from https://github.com/pfruan/abSNF.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Niche conservatism predominates in adaptive radiation: comparing the diversification of Hawaiian arthropods using ecological niche modelling
Authors: Hiller Anna E , Koo Michelle S , Goodman Kari R , Shaw Kerry L , O’Grady Patrick M , Gillespie Rosemary G
Published: February 2019

The role of the environmental niche in fostering ecological divergence during adaptive radiation remains enigmatic. In this study, we examine the interplay between environmental niche divergence and conservatism in the context of adaptive radiation on oceanic islands, by characterizing the niche breadth of four Hawaiian arthropod radiations: Tetragnatha spiders (Tetragnathidae Latreille, 1804), Laupala crickets (Gryllidae Otte, 1994), a clade of Drosophila flies (Drosophilidae Fallén, 1823) and Nesosydne planthoppers (Delphacidae Kirkaldy, 1907). We assembled occurrence datasets for the four lineages, modelled their distributions and quantified niche overlap. All four groups occupy the islands in distinct ways, highlighting the contrasting axes of diversification for different lineages. Laupala and Nesosydne have opposite environmental niche extents (broad and narrow, respectively), whereas Tetragnatha and Drosophila share relatively intermediate tolerances. Temperature constrains the distributions of all four radiations. Tests of phylogenetic signal suggest that, for Tetragnatha and Drosophila, closely related species exhibit similar environmental niches; thus, diversification is associated with niche conservatism. Sister species comparisons also show that populations often retain similar environmental tolerances, although exceptions do occur. Results imply that diversification does not occur through ecological speciation; instead, adaptive radiation occurs largely within a single environment.
‘So, Why Am I Here?’ Ambiguous Practices of Protection, Treatment and Punishment in Danish Secure Institutions for Youth
Authors: Henriksen Ann-Karina , Prieur Annick
Published: February 2019

This article explores how a nexus of punishment, treatment and protection creates unique mechanisms of control in secure institutions for young people. It is based on a study in Danish secure institutions, which accommodate young people confined on legal and welfare grounds. In these hybrid institutions, protection, treatment and punishment merge in ambiguous and contradictory practices that are experienced as unjust or even harmful by the young people and possibly breach the UN Convention of the Child. These practices are explored through a Foucauldian theorization highlighting the disciplinary practices unique to the confinement of minors. The article contributes to wider debates on the treatment–punishment nexus, Nordic exceptionalism and criminal justice for youth in an era of neoliberal penal-welfarism.
Understanding the Differential Effects of Land Uses On Crime: An Examination Across Philadelphia Neighbourhoods
Authors: Wo James C
Published: February 2019

Although criminology presumes that the physical structural qualities of neighbourhoods have important consequences for crime, there is a dearth of research to test the effects of different land uses on crime rates. Using data on a sample of Philadelphia census blocks, I compute the percentage of the block area classified into seven land use categories, and I use Poisson models to test the localized and broader spatial impact of each of these land uses on crime, controlling for key sociodemographic characteristics. The results show that to effectively understand the interplay between physical structure and crime rates, researchers should disaggregate nonresidential land uses, account for the surrounding environment in which neighbourhoods are situated and analyse a specific form of moderation.
Prevalence of Chagas Disease Among Family Members of Previously Diagnosed Patients in Los Angeles, California
Authors: Hernandez Salvador , Forsyth Colin J , Flores Carmen A , Meymandi Sheba K
Published: February 2019

Chagas disease (CD) in the United States is severely underdiagnosed, due to an absence of systematic screening as part of routine healthcare. We screened 189 relatives of 86 existing patients and found a CD prevalence of 7.4%. Screening close relatives of previously diagnosed individuals can effectively identify new CD cases.
The Impact of Improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene on Oral Rotavirus Vaccine Immunogenicity in Zimbabwean Infants: Substudy of a Cluster-randomized Trial
Authors: Church James A , Rukobo Sandra , Govha Margaret , Lee Benjamin , Carmolli Marya P , Chasekwa Bernard , Ntozini Robert , Mutasa Kuda , McNeal Monica M , Majo Florence D , Tavengwa Naume V , Moulton Lawrence H , Humphrey Jean H , Kirkpatrick Beth D , Prendergast Andrew J
Published: February 2019

Background

Oral vaccines have lower efficacy in developing compared to developed countries. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) may contribute to reduced oral vaccine immunogenicity.

Methods

We conducted a cluster-randomized 2 × 2 factorial trial in rural Zimbabwe. Pregnant women and their infants were eligible if they lived in clusters randomized to (1) standard of care (52 clusters); (2) improved infant feeding (53 clusters); (3) WASH: ventilated improved pit latrine, 2 hand-washing stations, liquid soap, chlorine, infant play space, and hygiene counseling (53 clusters); or (4) feeding plus WASH (53 clusters). This substudy compared oral rotavirus vaccine (RVV) seroconversion (primary outcome), and seropositivity and geometric mean titer (GMT) (secondary outcomes), in WASH vs non-WASH infants by intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

We included 801 infants with documented RVV receipt and postvaccine titer measurements (329 from 84 WASH clusters; 472 from 102 non-WASH clusters); 328 infants with prevaccination titers were included in the primary outcome. Thirty-three of 109 (30.3%) infants in the WASH group seroconverted following rotavirus vaccination, compared to 43 of 219 (19.6%) in the non-WASH group (absolute difference, 10.6% [95% confidence interval {CI}, .54%–20.7%]; P = .031). In the WASH vs non-WASH groups, 90 of 329 (27.4%) vs 107 of 472 (22.7%) were seropositive postvaccination (absolute difference, 4.7% [95% CI, –1.4% to 10.8%]; P = .130), and antirotavirus GMT was 18.4 (95% CI, 15.6–21.7) U/mL vs 14.9 (95% CI, 13.2–16.8) U/mL (P = .072).

Conclusions

Improvements in household WASH led to modest but significant increases in seroconversion to RVV in rural Zimbabwean infants.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01824940.
A Dose-finding Study of a Wild-type Influenza A(H3N2) Virus in a Healthy Volunteer Human Challenge Model
Authors: Han Alison , Czajkowski Lindsay M , Donaldson Amanda , Baus Holly Ann , Reed Susan M , Athota Rani S , Bristol Tyler , Rosas Luz Angela , Cervantes-Medina Adriana , Taubenberger Jeffery K , Memoli Matthew J
Published: February 2019

Background

The development of vaccines and therapeutics has relied on healthy volunteer influenza challenge studies. A validated human infection model with wild-type A(H1N1)pdm09 was reported previously. Our objective was to characterize a wild-type influenza A/Bethesda/MM1/H3N2 challenge virus in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Participants received a single dose of a cell-based, reverse-genetics, Good Manufacturing Practices–produced wild-type influenza A(H3N2)2011 virus intranasally and were isolated at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center for ≥9 days. Dose escalation was performed from 104 to 107 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose). Viral shedding and clinical disease were evaluated daily.

Results

Of 37 participants challenged, 16 (43%) had viral shedding and 27 (73%) developed symptoms, with 12 (32%) participants experiencing mild to moderate influenza disease (MMID), defined as shedding and symptoms. Only participants receiving 106 and 107 TCID50 experienced MMID at 44% and 40%, respectively. Symptom severity peaked on day 3, whereas most viral shedding occurred 1–2 days after challenge. Only 10 (29%) participants had a ≥4-fold rise in hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer after challenge.

Conclusions

The A/Bethesda/MM1/H3N2 challenge virus safely induced MMID in healthy volunteers, but caused less MMID than the A(H1N1)pdm09 challenge virus even at the highest dose. There was less detection of shedding though the incidence of symptoms was similar to A(H1N1)pdm09. Fewer serum anti-hemagglutinin (HA) antibody responses with less MMID indicate that preexisting immunity factors other than anti-HA antibody may limit shedding in healthy volunteers. This A/Bethesda/MM1/H3N2 challenge virus can be utilized in future studies to further explore pathogenesis and immunity and to evaluate vaccine candidates.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02594189
Changes in Otitis Media Episodes and Pressure Equalization Tube Insertions Among Young Children Following Introduction of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: A Birth Cohort–based Study
Authors: Wiese Andrew D , Huang Xiang , Yu Chang , Mitchel Edward F , Kyaw Moe H , Griffin Marie R , Grijalva Carlos G
Published: February 2019

Background

The impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) introduction on the occurrence of first and subsequent otitis media (OM) episodes in early childhood is unclear. We compared the risk of OM episodes among children age <2 years before and after PCV13 introduction, accounting for the dependence between OM episodes.

Methods

We identified consecutive annual (July–June) cohorts of Tennessee Medicaid–enrolled children (2006–2014) from birth through age 2 years. We identified OM episodes using coded diagnoses (we classified diagnoses <21 days apart as the same episode). We modeled adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for OM comparing 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)–era (2006–2010) and PCV13-era (2011–2014) birth cohorts, accounting for risk factors and dependence between first and subsequent episodes. Secondary analyses examined pressure equalization tube (PET) insertions and compared the risk of recurrent OM (≥3 episodes in 6 months or ≥4 episodes in 12 months) between PCV7- and PCV13-era birth cohorts.

Results

We observed 618 968 OM episodes and 24 875 PET insertions among 368 063 children. OM and PET insertion rates increased during the PCV7 years and declined after PCV13 introduction. OM and PET insertion risks were lower in the 2013–2014 cohort compared with the 2009–2010 cohort (aHRs [95% confidence interval], 0.92 [.91–.93] and 0.76 [.72–.80], respectively). PCV13 introduction was associated with declines in the risk of first, subsequent, and recurrent OM.

Conclusions

The transition from PCV7 to PCV13 was associated with a decline of OM among children aged <2 years due to a reduction in the risk of both the first and subsequent OM episodes.
High-risk Human Papilloma Virus Testing Improves Diagnostic Performance to Predict Moderate- to High-grade Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in Low-to-Absent Cytological Abnormalities
Authors: Viciana Pompeyo , Milanés-Guisado Yusnelkis , Fontillón María , Domínguez Castaño Ana , Sotomayor César , Espinosa Nuria , López-Cortés Luis F , Neukam Karin
Published: February 2019

Background

Screening methods for anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) are suboptimal. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of a composite endpoint comprising anal liquid-based cytology (aLBC) and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing to predict histological high-grade SILs (hHSILs).

Methods

From the SeVIHanal cohort, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who had an aLBC with concomitant HR-HPV testing were included. hHSILs were determined by high-resolution anoscopy (HRA)–guided biopsy.

Results

A total of 705 visits obtained from 426 patients were included. The prevalence of HR-HPV among aLBC results were 51.9% (133/215) normal, 87.9% (20/232) low-grade SILs (LSILs), and 90.9% (149/164) high-grade SILs; P (linear association) < .001. Low prevalence of hHSILs was only observed for the composite aLBC/HR-HPV testing endpoint “normal/noHR-HPV” (10%) and “LSIL/noHR-HPV” (4%). The prognostic values (95% confidence interval) for HR-HPV to predict hHSILs in normal cytology were positive predictive value (PPV), 29.3% (25.6%–33.3%); negative predictive value (NPV), 90.2% (82.8%–94.7%); sensitivity, 83% (69.2%–92.4%); and specificity, 44.1% (36.4%–51.9%). Corresponding figures for cytologic LSILs were PPV, 39.2% (37.4%–41.1%); NPV, 96.4% (78.9%–99.5%); sensitivity, 98.8% (93.3%–99.9%); and specificity, 17.9% (12.1%–24.9%). A positive interaction and a synergistic effect for the composite endpoint were observed (relative excess risk = 1.50, attributable proportion of histological results to interaction = 0.17, synergy index = 1.24).

Conclusions

HRA should not be indicated in the setting of LSILs/noHR-HPV following aLBC-based screening. In contrast, HIV-infected MSM with normal aLBC/HR-HPV infection should be considered for HRA.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03713229.