bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chebyshev’s bias for analyticL-functions
Authors: DEVIN LUCILE
Published: March 2019

We discuss the generalizations of the concept of Chebyshev’s bias from two perspectives. First, we give a general framework for the study of prime number races and Chebyshev’s bias attached to generalL-functions satisfying natural analytic hypotheses. This extends the cases previously considered by several authors and involving, among others, DirichletL-functions and Hasse–WeilL-functions of elliptic curves overQ. This also applies to new Chebyshev’s bias phenomena that were beyond the reach of the previously known cases. In addition, we weaken the required hypotheses such as GRH or linear independence properties of zeros ofL-functions. In particular, we establish the existence of the logarithmic density of the set$ \{x \ge 2:\sum\nolimits_{p \le x} {\lambda _f}(p) \ge 0\}$for coefficients (λf(p)) of generalL-functions conditionally on a much weaker hypothesis than was previously known.
EFFECTS OF US QUANTITATIVE EASING ON LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIES
Authors: Carrera César , Ramírez-rondán Nelson R.
Published: March 2019

Most emerging economies have been affected to some degree by the Fed’s quantitative easing (QE) policies. This paper assesses the impact of these measures in terms of key macroeconomic variables for four inflation-targeting small open economies in Latin America. We identify a QE policy shock in a structural vector autoregressive with block exogeneity and a mixture of zero and sign restrictions. Overall, we find that these QE policies have significant effects on financial variables such as the exchange rate, and these effects are larger with respect to those in output and prices. Furthermore, the effects vary across countries, and these are more significant in Chile and Mexico than in Peru and Colombia.
GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM FEEDBACK REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS OF LABOR TAXES
Authors: Yum Minchul
Published: March 2019

A higher labor tax rate increases the equilibrium real interest rate and reduces the equilibrium wage in a heterogeneous-agent model with endogenous savings and indivisible labor supply decisions. I show that these general equilibrium (GE) adjustments, in particular of the real interest rate, reinforce the negative employment impact of higher labor taxes. However, the representative-agent version of the model, which generates similar aggregate employment responses to labor tax changes, implies that GE feedback is neutral. The cross-country panel data reveal that the negative association between labor tax rates and the extensive margin labor supply is significantly and robustly weaker in small open economies where the interest rate is less tightly linked to domestic circumstances. This empirical evidence supports the transmission mechanism of labor tax changes for employment in the heterogeneous-agent model.
Dietary changes during the Great Recession in Portugal: comparing the 2005/2006 and the 2014 health surveys
Authors: Alves Ricardo , Perelman Julian
Published: March 2019

Objective

We aimed at analysing changes in consumption of selected food groups in the Portuguese population before and after the Great Recession, which hit the country between 2008 and 2013.

Design

We used pooled cross-sectional data from the Portuguese National Health Interview Surveys of 2005/2006 and 2014. We modelled the probability of consumption of soup, fish, meat, potatoes/rice/pasta, bread, legumes, fruit, vegetables and sweets/desserts, as a function of the year, controlling for age, sex and education, using logistic regressions. Then, we stratified the analysis by age group and education level. Analyses were adjusted for survey weights.

Setting

Portugal (2005/2006 to 2014).

Participants

Adults (n43273) aged 25–79 years.

Results

From 2005/2006 to 2014, there was a significantly lower consumption of fish, soup, fruit and vegetables. Conversely, the consumption of legumes and sweets/desserts was significantly higher in 2014. The changes in the selected food groups were consistent across most education levels. Among people aged 65 years or above, there were no significant changes in most foods, except an increase in the consumption of legumes and sweets/desserts. In contrast, people aged 25–39 and 40–64 years significantly decreased their intakes of fish and soup and increased their consumption of sweets/desserts.

Conclusions

The consistent results across education levels suggest that changes in dietary habits are not linked to the economic downturn. By contrast, our findings suggest a shift away from foods commonly linked to the Mediterranean diet, particularly among younger people.
Intermediate‐Depth Earthquakes Controlled by Incoming Plate Hydration Along Bending‐Related Faults
Authors: Boneh Yuval , Schottenfels Emily , Kwong Kevin , van Zelst Iris , Tong Xinyue , Eimer Melody , Miller Meghan S. , Moresi Louis , Warren Jessica M. , Wiens Douglas A. , Billen Magali , Naliboff John , Zhan Zhongwen
Published: March 2019

Intermediate‐depth earthquakes (focal depths 70–300 km) are enigmatic with respect to their nucleation and rupture mechanism and the properties controlling their spatial distribution. Several recent studies have shown a link between intermediate‐depth earthquakes and the thermal‐petrological path of subducting slabs in relation to the stability field of hydrous minerals. Here we investigate whether the structural characteristics of incoming plates can be correlated with the intermediate‐depth seismicity rate. We quantify the structural characteristics of 17 incoming plates by estimating the maximum fault throw of bending‐related faults. Maximum fault throw exhibits a statistically significant correlation with the seismicity rate. We suggest that the correlation between fault throw and intermediate‐depth seismicity rate indicates the role of hydration of the incoming plate, with larger faults reflecting increased damage, greater fluid circulation, and thus more extensive slab hydration.
Exploring Tracer Information and Model Framework Trade‐Offs to Improve Estimation of Stream Transient Storage Processes
Authors: Kelleher Christa , Ward Adam , Knapp J. L. A. , Blaen P. J. , Kurz M. J. , Drummond J. D. , Zarnetske J. P. , Hannah D. M. , Mendoza‐Lera C. , Schmadel N. M. , Datry T. , Lewandowski J. , Milner A. M. , Krause S.
Published: March 2019

Novel observation techniques (e.g., smart tracers) for characterizing coupled hydrological and biogeochemical processes are improving understanding of stream network transport and transformation dynamics. In turn, these observations are thought to enable increasingly sophisticated representations within transient storage models (TSMs). However, TSM parameter estimation is prone to issues with insensitivity and equifinality, which grow as parameters are added to model formulations. Currently, it is unclear whether (or not) observations from different tracers may lead to greater process inference and reduced parameter uncertainty in the context of TSM. Herein, we aim to unravel the role of in‐stream processes alongside metabolically active (MATS) and inactive storage zones (MITS) using variable TSM formulations. Models with one (1SZ) and two storage zones (2SZ) and with and without reactivity were applied to simulate conservative and smart tracer observations obtained experimentally for two reaches with differing morphologies. As we show, smart tracers are unsurprisingly superior to conservative tracers when it comes to partitioning MITS and MATS. However, when transient storage is lumped within a 1SZ formulation, little improvement in parameter uncertainty is gained by using a smart tracer, suggesting the addition of observations should scale with model complexity. Importantly, our work identifies several inconsistencies and open questions related to reconciling time scales of tracer observation with conceptual processes (parameters) estimated within TSM. Approaching TSM with multiple models and tracer observations may be key to gaining improved insight into transient storage simulation as well as advancing feedback loops between models and observations within hydrologic science.
Variation of Ice Nucleating Particles in the European Arctic Over the Last Centuries
Authors: Hartmann M. , Blunier T. , Brügger S.O. , Schmale J. , Schwikowski M. , Vogel A. , Wex H. , Stratmann F.
Published: March 2019

The historical development of ice nucleating particle concentrations (NINP) is still unknown. Here, we present for the first time NINP from the past 500 years at two Arctic sites derived from ice core samples. The samples originate from the EUROCORE ice core (Summit, Central Greenland) and from the Lomo09 ice core (Lomonosovfonna, Svalbard). No long‐term trend is obvious in the measured samples, and the overall range of NINP is comparable to present‐day observations. We observe that the short‐term variations in NINP is larger than the long‐term variability, but neither anthropogenic pollution nor volcanic eruptions seem to have influenced NINP in the measured temperature range. Shape and onset temperature of several INP spectra suggest that INP of biogenic origin contributed to the Arctic INP population throughout the past.
Existence of multiple critical cooling rates which generate different types of monolithic metallic glass
Authors: Schawe Jürgen E. K. , Löffler Jörg F.
Published: March 2019

Via fast differential scanning calorimetry using an Au-based glass as an example, we show that metallic glasses should be classified into two types of amorphous/monolithic glass. The first type, termed self-doped glass (SDG), forms quenched-in nuclei or nucleation precursors upon cooling, whereas in the so-called chemically homogeneous glass (CHG) no quenched-in structures are found. For the Au-based glass investigated, the critical cooling and heating rates for the SDG are 500 K s−1 and 20,000 K s−1, respectively; for the CHG they are 4000 K s−1 and 6000 K s−1. The similarity in the critical rates for CHG, so far not reported in literature, and CHG’s tendency towards stochastic nucleation underline the novelty of this glass state. Identifying different types of metallic glass, as is possible by advanced chip calorimetry, and comparing them with molecular and polymeric systems may help to elaborate a more generalized glass theory and improve metallic glass processing.
Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 couples mechanical cues and lipid metabolism
Authors: Bertolio Rebecca , Napoletano Francesco , Mano Miguel , Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Fantuz Marco , Zannini Alessandro , Bicciato Silvio , Sorrentino Giovanni , Del Sal Giannino
Published: March 2019

Sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate lipid biosynthesis and adipogenesis by controlling the expression of several enzymes required for cholesterol, fatty acid, triacylglycerol and phospholipid synthesis. In vertebrates, SREBP activation is mainly controlled by a complex and well-characterized feedback mechanism mediated by cholesterol, a crucial bio-product of the SREBP-activated mevalonate pathway. In this work, we identified acto-myosin contractility and mechanical forces imposed by the extracellular matrix (ECM) as SREBP1 regulators. SREBP1 control by mechanical cues depends on geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, another key bio-product of the mevalonate pathway, and impacts on stem cell fate in mouse and on fat storage in Drosophila. Mechanistically, we show that activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by ECM stiffening and geranylgeranylated RhoA-dependent acto-myosin contraction inhibits SREBP1 activation. Our results unveil an unpredicted and evolutionary conserved role of SREBP1 in rewiring cell metabolism in response to mechanical cues.
Meta-analysis shows positive effects of plant diversity on microbial biomass and respiration
Authors: Chen Chen , Chen Han Y. H. , Chen Xinli , Huang Zhiqun
Published: March 2019

Soil microorganisms are key to biological diversity and many ecosystem processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the current alarming loss of plant diversity, it is unclear how plant species diversity affects soil microorganisms. By conducting a global meta-analysis with paired observations of plant mixtures and monocultures from 106 studies, we show that microbial biomass, bacterial biomass, fungal biomass, fungi:bacteria ratio, and microbial respiration increase, while Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria ratio decrease in response to plant mixtures. The increases in microbial biomass and respiration are more pronounced in older and more diverse mixtures. The effects of plant mixtures on all microbial attributes are consistent across ecosystem types including natural forests, planted forests, planted grasslands, croplands, and planted containers. Our study underlines strong relationships between plant diversity and soil microorganisms across global terrestrial ecosystems and suggests the importance of plant diversity in maintaining belowground ecosystem functioning.
Chiral DNA sequences as commutable controls for clinical genomics
Authors: Deveson Ira W. , Madala Bindu Swapna , Blackburn James , Barker Chris , Wong Ted , Barton Kirston M. , Smith Martin A. , Watkins D. Neil , Mercer Tim R.
Published: March 2019

Chirality is a property describing any object that is inequivalent to its mirror image. Due to its 5′–3′ directionality, a DNA sequence is distinct from a mirrored sequence arranged in reverse nucleotide-order, and is therefore chiral. A given sequence and its opposing chiral partner sequence share many properties, such as nucleotide composition and sequence entropy. Here we demonstrate that chiral DNA sequence pairs also perform equivalently during molecular and bioinformatic techniques that underpin genetic analysis, including PCR amplification, hybridization, whole-genome, target-enriched and nanopore sequencing, sequence alignment and variant detection. Given these shared properties, synthetic DNA sequences mirroring clinically relevant or analytically challenging regions of the human genome are ideal controls for clinical genomics. The addition of synthetic chiral sequences (sequins) to patient tumor samples can prevent false-positive and false-negative mutation detection to improve diagnosis. Accordingly, we propose that sequins can fulfill the need for commutable internal controls in precision medicine.
Dissecting heterogeneity in malignant pleural mesothelioma through histo-molecular gradients for clinical applications
Authors: Blum Yuna , Meiller Clément , Quetel Lisa , Elarouci Nabila , Ayadi Mira , Tashtanbaeva Danisa , Armenoult Lucile , Montagne François , Tranchant Robin , Renier Annie , de Koning Leanne , Copin Marie-Christine , Hofman Paul , Hofman Véronique , Porte Henri , Le Pimpec-Barthes Françoise , Zucman-Rossi Jessica , Jaurand Marie-Claude , de Reyniès Aurélien , Jean Didier
Published: March 2019

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is recognized as heterogeneous based both on histology and molecular profiling. Histology addresses inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity in MPM and describes three major types: epithelioid, sarcomatoid and biphasic, a combination of the former two types. Molecular profiling studies have not addressed intra-tumor heterogeneity in MPM to date. Here, we use a deconvolution approach and show that molecular gradients shed new light on the intra-tumor heterogeneity of MPM, leading to a reconsideration of MPM molecular classifications. We show that each tumor can be decomposed as a combination of epithelioid-like and sarcomatoid-like components whose proportions are highly associated with the prognosis. Moreover, we show that this more subtle way of characterizing MPM heterogeneity provides a better understanding of the underlying oncogenic pathways and the related epigenetic regulation and immune and stromal contexts. We discuss the implications of these findings for guiding therapeutic strategies, particularly immunotherapies and targeted therapies.
Photon acceleration and tunable broadband harmonics generation in nonlinear time-dependent metasurfaces
Authors: Shcherbakov Maxim R. , Werner Kevin , Fan Zhiyuan , Talisa Noah , Chowdhury Enam , Shvets Gennady
Published: March 2019

Time-dependent nonlinear media, such as rapidly generated plasmas produced via laser ionization of gases, can increase the energy of individual laser photons and generate tunable high-order harmonic pulses. This phenomenon, known as photon acceleration, has traditionally required extreme-intensity laser pulses and macroscopic propagation lengths. Here, we report on a novel nonlinear material—an ultrathin semiconductor metasurface—that exhibits efficient photon acceleration at low intensities. We observe a signature nonlinear manifestation of photon acceleration: third-harmonic generation of near-infrared photons with tunable frequencies reaching up to ≈3.1ω. A simple time-dependent coupled-mode theory, found to be in good agreement with experimental results, is utilized to predict a new path towards nonlinear radiation sources that combine resonant upconversion with broadband operation.
Fluorescent Biocompatible Platinum-Porphyrin–Doped Polymeric Hybrid Particles for Oxygen and Glucose Biosensing
Authors: Pandey Gaurav , Chaudhari Rashmi , Joshi Bhavana , Choudhary Sandeep , Kaur Jaspreet , Joshi Abhijeet
Published: March 2019

Near infrared (NIR) fluorophores like Pt-porphyrin along with analyte specific enzymes require co-encapsulation in biocompatible and biodegradable carriers in order to be transformed into implantable biosensors for efficient and continuous monitoring of analytes in patients. The main objective of this research is to develop natural, biodegradable, biocompatible and a novel co-encapsulated system of Pt-porphyrin encapsulated polymeric nanoparticle and nano-micro hybrid carriers. A sequential emulsification-solvent evaporation and an air driven atomization technique was used for developing above matrices and testing them for fluorescence based oxygen and glucose biosensing. The results indicate Pt-porphyrin can be efficiently encapsulated in Poly-lactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles and PLA-alginate nano-micro particles with sizes ~450 nm and 10 µm, respectively. Biosensing studies have showed a linear fluorescent response in oxygen concentrations ranging from of 0–6 mM (R2 = 0.992). The Oxygen sensitivity was transformed into a linear response of glucose catalytic reaction in the range of 0–10 mM (R2 = 0.968) with a response time of 4 minutes and a stability over 15 days. We believe that the investigated NIR fluorophores like Pt-Porphyrin based nano/nano-micro hybrid carrier systems are novel means of developing biocompatible biodegradable carriers for developing implantable glucose biosensors which can efficiently manage glucose levels in diabetes.
Distribution and neuronal circuit of spexin 1/2 neurons in the zebrafish CNS
Authors: Kim Eunmi , Jeong Inyoung , Chung Ah-Young , Kim Suhyun , Kwon Seung-Hae , Seong Jae Young , Park Hae-Chul
Published: March 2019

Spexin (SPX) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that is widely expressed in mammalian brain and peripheral tissue. In teleost, SPX1 is mainly expressed in the brain and ovary, and is involved in reproduction and food intake. A second form of SPX, SPX2, was recently identified in chick, Xenopus, and zebrafish. The expression pattern and roles of SPX2 are unknown. SPX (spx1) is highly expressed in the vertebrate brain, but its distribution, circuits, and interactions with its putative receptor are unknown. Here, we observed expression of spx1 in the midbrain and hindbrain, and spx2 in the hypothalamic preoptic area using in situ RNA hybridization in zebrafish. Analysis of transgenic reporter zebrafish revealed that hindbrain SPX1 neurons are PAX2+ inhibitory interneurons and project to the spinal cord, where they interact with galanin receptor 2b (GALR2b) neurons, suggesting that hindbrain SPX1 neurons are reticulospinal neurons. spx1 mRNA and SPX1 reporter expression were observed in dorsal habenula (dHb). SPX1 neurons in the dHb project to the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN), where GALR2a and GALR2b expression was also observed, suggesting that habenula SPX1 neurons may interact with GALR2a/2b in the IPN.
Dysfunction of the ubiquitin ligase E3A Ube3A/E6-AP contributes to synaptic pathology in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Olabarria Markel , Pasini Silvia , Corona Carlo , Robador Pablo , Song Cheng , Patel Hardik , Lefort Roger
Published: March 2019

Synaptic dysfunction and synapse loss are prominent features in Alzheimer’s disease. Members of the Rho-family of guanosine triphosphatases, specifically RhoA, and the synaptic protein Arc are implicated in these pathogenic processes. They share a common regulatory molecule, the E3 ligase Ube3A/E6-AP. Here, we show that Ube3A is reduced in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, Tg2576 mouse, which overexpresses human APP695 carrying the Swedish mutation, and accumulates Aβ in the brain. Depletion of Ube3A precedes the age-dependent behavioral deficits and loss of dendritic spines in these mice, and results from a decrease in solubility following phosphorylation by c-Abl, after Aβ exposure. Loss of Ube3A triggers the accumulation of Arc and Ephexin-5, driving internalization of GluR1, and activation of RhoA, respectively, culminating in pruning of synapses, which is blocked by restoring Ube3A. Taken together, our results place Ube3A as a critical player in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, and as a potential therapeutic target.
Activated cofilin exacerbates tau pathology by impairing tau-mediated microtubule dynamics
Authors: Woo Jung-A. A. , Liu Tian , Fang Cenxiao C. , Cazzaro Sara , Kee Teresa , LePochat Patrick , Yrigoin Ksenia , Penn Courtney , Zhao Xingyu , Wang Xinming , Liggett Stephen B. , Kang David E.
Published: March 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. While the accumulation of Aβ is pivotal to the etiology of AD, both the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and the F-actin severing protein cofilin are necessary for the deleterious effects of Aβ. However, the molecular link between tau and cofilin remains unclear. In this study, we found that cofilin competes with tau for direct microtubule binding in vitro, in cells, and in vivo, which inhibits tau-induced microtubule assembly. Genetic reduction ofcofilinmitigates tauopathy and synaptic defects in Tau-P301S mice and movement deficits in tau transgenicC. elegans. The pathogenic effects of cofilin are selectively mediated by activated cofilin, as active but not inactive cofilin selectively interacts with tubulin, destabilizes microtubules, and promotes tauopathy. These results therefore indicate that activated cofilin plays an essential intermediary role in neurotoxic signaling that promotes tauopathy.
Rapid extraction, discrimination and quantification of thermally unstable isomeric acteoside and isoacteoside in natural products by online extraction-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Tong Chaoying , Xu Jinju , Fu Qiachi , Long Ruiqing , Peng Sheng , Shi Shuyun
Published: March 2019

Rapid extraction and quantification of isomers in natural products by OLE-QTOF-MS/MS.
Cleavage of carbon–carbon bonds by radical reactions
Authors: Sivaguru Paramasivam , Wang Zikun , Zanoni Giuseppe , Bi Xihe
Published: March 2019

This review provides insights into thein situgenerated radicals triggered carbon–carbon bond cleavage reactions.
In situ formation of a bifunctional interlayer enabled by a conversion reaction to initiatively prevent lithium dendrites in a garnet solid electrolyte
Authors: Fu Jiamin , Yu Pengfei , Zhang Nian , Ren GuoXi , Zheng Shun , Huang Wencheng , Long Xinghui , Li Hong , Liu Xiaosong
Published: March 2019

Conversion reaction enables Li/garnet interface to construct a kinetically stable interfacial layer for the homogeneous ions transport in all-solid-batteries.
Unraveling the complexity of complex mixtures by combining high-resolution pharmacological, analytical and spectroscopic techniques: antidiabetic constituents in Chinese medicinal plants
Authors: Zhao Yong , Kongstad Kenneth Thermann , Liu Yueqiu , He Chenghua , Staerk Dan
Published: March 2019

In the present study, fourty medicinal plant samples collected in China were tested for inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).
Direct reductive coupling of nitroarenes and alcohols catalysed by Co–N–C/CNT@AC
Authors: Liu Di , Yang Ping , Zhang Hao , Liu Minjie , Zhang Wenfei , Xu Dongmei , Gao Jun
Published: March 2019

Imines and amines were synthesized on Co–N–C/CNT@AC by the coupling of nitroarenes and alcohols under base- and solvent-free conditions.
Toxicities and beneficial protection of H2S donors based on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Authors: Zhang Jinlong , Zhang Qiuping , Wang Yanni , Li Jili , Bai Zhongjie , Zhao Quanyi , Wang Zhen , He Dian , Zhang Jingke , Chen Yonglin
Published: March 2019

Based on our previous study, the H2S donors based on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were further evaluated including the following aspects: animal blood and urine analyses, liver and kidney toxicities, gastrointestinal protection, anti-hypertension, and myocardial protection.
Two isopolytungstate compounds based on rare [W6O22]8−and [H2W12O42]10−fragments captured by premade copper(ii) complexes
Authors: Ying Jun , Chen Ya-Guang , Wang Xiu-Yan
Published: March 2019

By utilizing the premade copper complexes two rare isopolytungstate [W6O22]8−and [H2W12O42]10−based compounds were constructed under hydrothermal and ambient conditions, respectively.
Superresolution stimulated Raman scattering microscopy using 2-ENZ nano-composites
Authors: Kharintsev Sergey S. , Kharitonov Anton V. , Alekseev Alexander M. , Kazarian Sergei G.
Published: March 2019

Beating the diffraction limit in far-field optical imaging becomes possible due to stimulated Raman scattering in percolated metal–dielectric nanocomposites.
Neglected sulfur(vi) pharmacophores in drug discovery: exploration of novel chemical space by the interplay of drug design and method development
Authors: Lücking U.
Published: March 2019

The key learnings of the utilization of sulfoximines, sulfondiimines and sulfonimidamides in drug discovery at Bayer AG are shared.
Antibody-modified reduced graphene oxide film for circulating tumor cell detection in early-stage prostate cancer patients
Authors: Wang Binshuai , Song Yimeng , Ge Liyuan , Zhang Shudong , Ma Lulin
Published: March 2019

We report the fabrication of an antibody-modified reduced graphene oxide film, which can be used to efficiently detect CTCs in PCa patients with PSA levels of 4–10 ng mL−1.
Indication of a twist-grain-boundary-twist-bend phase of flexible core bent-shape chiral dimers
Authors: Murachver Matthew T. , Nemati Ahlam , Salamończyk Mirosław , Bullock Carson , Sabata Zachary , Rahmani Haumed , Vorobiova Tetiana , Izadnegahdar Alain , Salili Seyyed Muhammad , Norman Victoria , Zhu Chenhui , Hegmann Torsten , Sprunt Samuel N. , Gleeson James T. , Jakli Antal I.
Published: March 2019

Studies indicate the formation of a twist-grain boundary type phase in chiral doped dimers between their nematic and twist-bend nematic phases.
Boosting electrocatalytic N2 reduction by MnO2 with oxygen vacancies
Authors: Zhang Ling , Xie Xiao-Ying , Wang Huanbo , Ji Lei , Zhang Ya , Chen Hongyu , Li Tingshuai , Luo Yonglan , Cui Ganglong , Sun Xuping
Published: March 2019

MnO2 with oxygen vacancies nanoarray on Ti mesh (MnOx/TM) is active for N2-to-NH3 conversion, achieving a large NH3 yield of 1.63 × 10−10 mol cm−2 s−1 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 11.40% in 0.1 M Na2SO4.
In situ synthesis of a Fe3S4/MIL-53(Fe) hybrid catalyst for an efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Huang Dan-Dan , Li Shuang , Wu Ya-Pan , Wei Jun-Hua , Yi Jing-Wei , Ma Hai-Meng , Zhang Qi-Chun , Liu Yun-Ling , Li Dong-Sheng
Published: March 2019

By modulating the Fe3S4/MIL-53(Fe) ratio with a controlled partial sulfurization strategy, the Fe3S4(52.1 wt%)/MIL-53 hybrid catalyst with an ideal hierarchical nanostructure and composition exhibited high HER activity.
PVIM–Co5POM/MNC composite as a flexible electrode for the ultrasensitive and highly selective non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of cholesterol
Authors: Thakur Neha , Kumar Mukesh , Das Adhikary Subhasis , Mandal Debaprasad , Nagaiah Tharamani C.
Published: March 2019

A novel electrochemical sensor was developed based on poly(ionic liquid) [PVIM]–cobalt polyoxometalate (Co5POM) supported on carbonaceous materials for the highly selective and ultrasensitive non-enzymatic detection of cholesterol.
Pencil graphite core for pattern recognition applications
Authors: Nicoliche Caroline Yumi Nakiri , Costa Gabriel Floriano , Gobbi Angelo Luiz , Shimizu Flavio Makoto , Lima Renato Sousa
Published: March 2019

A new concept of pattern sensors based on ready-to-use sensing probes has been designed towards low-cost and rapid sample recognition applications.
Heavily donor-doped, optically translucent ferroelectric barium titanate ceramics through defect chemical engineering
Authors: Pithan Christian , Katsu Hayato , Waser Rainer
Published: March 2019

The possibility of preparing translucent ferroelectric heavily donor-doped BaTiO3 ceramics rich in TiO2 has been demonstrated by conventional ceramic processing based on the synthesis via the solid state route and on subsequent sintering and annealing at high levels of oxygen partial pressure.
Ionized water confined in graphene nanochannels
Authors: de Aquino Belisa R. H. , Ghorbanfekr-Kalashami H. , Neek-Amal M. , Peeters F. M.
Published: March 2019

When confined between graphene layers, water in the presence of additional hydronium and hydroxide ions exhibits distinct properties such as ion layering structure determined by the channel size, disruption of the ion solvation shell, and slower ion recombination rate as compared to bulk water.
A unified mechanism for ice and water electrical conductivity from direct current to terahertz
Authors: Artemov Vasily G.
Published: March 2019

Knowledge of the electrical properties of liquid and solid water is extremely important for a detailed understanding of their structures.
Sodium bismuth dichalcogenides: candidates for ferroelectric high-mobility semiconductors for multifunctional applications
Authors: Zhong Tingting , Pan Minghu , Gao Guoying , Fu Huahua , Wu Menghao , Liu Jun-Ming
Published: March 2019

We demonstrate that sodium bismuth dichalcogenides can be ferroelectric with large polarizations, moderate bandgaps and high electron-mobility.
Actinyl cation–cation interactions in the gas phase: an accurate thermochemical study
Authors: Feng Rulin , Glendening Eric D. , Peterson Kirk A.
Published: March 2019

Accurate coupled cluster calculations of actinyl cation–cation interactions suggest significant gas phase kinetic stabilities that correlate well with known species in condensed phases.
Theoretical assessment of wettability on silane coatings: from hydrophilic to hydrophobic
Authors: Huang Haiming , Wang Weiliang , Wang Liming
Published: March 2019

The potential distribution and work function of a graphene surface modified by various types of silanes are investigated by first principles quantum mechanical calculations to establish its surface hydrophobicity hierarchy.
A double rollover cycloplatinated(ii) skeleton: a versatile platform for tuning emission by chelating and non-chelating ancillary ligand systems
Authors: Paziresh Sareh , Babadi Aghakhanpour Reza , Fuertes Sara , Sicilia Violeta , Niroomand Hosseini Fatemeh , Nabavizadeh S. Masoud
Published: March 2019

A series of luminescent double rollover cycloplatinated(ii) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Some chelating and non-chelating ancillary ligands were employed to construct the structures.
Transmetallation of bis(6-diphenylphosphinoxy-acenapth-5-yl)mercury with tin tetrachloride, antimony trichloride and bismuth trichloride
Authors: Olaru Marian , Krupke Sandra , Lork Enno , Mebs Stefan , Beckmann Jens
Published: March 2019

The synthesis and structure of well-defined arylelement chlorides RSnCl4, RSnCl3·THF, RSbCl2, RSbCl2·THF and RBiCl2 is reported (R = 6-diphenylphosphinoxy-acenapth-5-yl).
Metal-dependent photocatalytic activity and magnetic behaviour of a series of 3D Co–Ni metal organic frameworks
Authors: Shao Zhichao , Han Xiao , Liu Yeye , Xu Wenjuan , Wu Qiong , Xie Qiong , Zhao Yujie , Hou Hongwei
Published: March 2019

Mixed-metal systems in MOFs modulate their photocatalytic activity and magnetic behavior, which may open a new avenue for the preparation of functional materials with adjustable magnetic behaviors.
Strecker reactions with hexacyanoferrates as non-toxic cyanide sources
Authors: Grundke Caroline , Opatz Till
Published: March 2019

An eco-friendly one-pot protocol for the Strecker three-component reaction using potassium hexacyanoferrates as a non-toxic cyanide source has been developed.
Nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres functionalized by 9,10-phenanthrenequinone molecules as a high-performance electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Yang Yuying , Wang Xiaotong , Zhou Yi , Zhang Xinyuan , Qiang Lulu , Wang Qian , Hu Zhongai
Published: March 2019

9,10-Phenanthrenequinone as a novel organic electrochemically active material for supercapacitors has been non-covalently functionalized onto N-doped hollow carbon spheres.
New dmso–ruthenium catalysts bearing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for the ring-opening metathesis of norbornene
Authors: Cruz Thais R. , Silva Rodolpho A. N. , Machado Antonio E. H. , Lima-Neto Benedito S. , Goi Beatriz E. , P. Carvalho Valdemiro
Published: March 2019

New dimethyl sulfoxide ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing aryl-substituted NHC ligands as pre-catalysts for ROMP of norbornene.
LCST behavior controlled by size-matching selectivity from low molecular weight monomer systems
Authors: Luo Zheng , Deng Yan , Li Xing , Zhang Qiao , Wu Jianfeng , Qi Zhenhui , Jin Lin , Dong Shengyi
Published: March 2019

LCST behavior was controlled by crown ether–cation recognition motifsviasize-matching selectivity.
Facile synthesis of Co–Fe–B–P nanochains as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water-splitting
Authors: Wu Zexing , Nie Dazong , Song Min , Jiao Tiantian , Fu Gengtao , Liu Xien
Published: March 2019

Phosphorous-doped Co–Fe–B nanochains are rationally synthesized as an efficient and novel bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water-splitting.
A facile synthesis of pH stimuli biocompatible block copolymer poly(methacrylic acid)-block-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) utilizing switchable RAFT agents
Authors: Pan Xiangyu , Guo Xiaofeng , Choi Bonnie , Feng Anchao , Wei Xiaohu , Thang San H.
Published: March 2019

Synthesis of block copolymer PMAA-b-PNVP utilizing switchable RAFT agents and its self-assembly.
Discovery of human TyrRS inhibitors by structure-based virtual screening, structural optimization, and bioassays
Authors: Huang Shenzhen , Wang Xiang , Lin Guifeng , Cheng Jie , Chen Xiuli , Sun Weining , Xiang Rong , Yu Yamei , Li Linli , Yang Shengyong
Published: March 2019

A small molecule with potent activity diverts human Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) to the nucleus for protection against DNA damage.
Deterministic growth of a sodium metal anode on a pre-patterned current collector for highly rechargeable seawater batteries
Authors: Jung Jaeho , Hwang Dae Yeon , Kristanto Imanuel , Kwak Sang Kyu , Kang Seok Ju
Published: March 2019

Deterministic growth of Na metal for highly rechargeable seawater batteries.
Dual modulation of crystallinity and macro-/microstructures of 3D printed porous titanium implants to enhance stability and osseointegration
Authors: Song Ping , Hu Cheng , Pei Xuan , Sun Jianxun , Sun Huan , Wu Lina , Jiang Qing , Fan Hongyuan , Yang Bangcheng , Zhou Changchun , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: March 2019

The macro architecture and micro surface topological morphology of implants play essential roles in bone tissue regeneration.
Relationship between microRNA-27a and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer and its mechanism in gastric cancer cell growth and metastasis
Authors: Xu Chunlei , Cheng Hong , Li Na , Zhou Ning , Tang Xushan
Published: March 2019

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between microRNA-27a (miR-27a) and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC) and its mechanism in the growth and metastasis of GC cells.

Methods: The expression of miR-27a in serum of 74 GC patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Clinical value and prognosis of miR-27a expression in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in GC were evaluated. Besides, GC cells with low miR-27a expression were transfected with miR-27a mimics, and cells with high miR-27a expression were transfected with miR-27a inhibitors and secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) siRNA. A series of experiments were applied for the determination of cell viability, invasion and migration of GC cells.

Results: After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the expression of miR-27a in serum of GC patients decreased significantly. Additionally, the expression of miR-27a in GC cell line was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa cell line. Meanwhile, after down-regulating the expression of miR-27a in GC cells, the mRNA and protein expression of SFRP1 increased, the proliferation rate of cells slowed down, and the ability of invasion and migration decreased. Furthermore, combined with low expression of miR-27a and SFRP1, the proliferation rate of GC cells increased and the ability of invasion and migration increased.

Conclusion: Collectively, our study highlights that the high expression of miR-27a indicates the poor efficacy and prognosis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in GC patients. Down-regulation of miR-27a can inhibit the growth and metastasis of GC cells via up-regulation of SFRP1.
Endothelial-to-haematopoietic transition: an update on the process of making blood
Authors: Ottersbach Katrin
Published: March 2019

The first definitive blood cells during embryogenesis are derived from endothelial cells in a highly conserved process known as endothelial-to-haematopoietic transition (EHT). This conversion involves activation of a haematopoietic transcriptional programme in a subset of endothelial cells in the major vasculature of the embryo, followed by major morphological changes that result in transitioning cells rounding up, breaking the tight junctions to neighbouring endothelial cells and adopting a haematopoietic fate. The whole process is co-ordinated by a complex interplay of key transcription factors and signalling pathways, with additional input from surrounding tissues. Diverse model systems, including mouse, chick and zebrafish embryos as well as differentiation of pluripotent cells in vitro, have contributed to the elucidation of the details of the EHT, which was greatly accelerated in recent years by sophisticated live imaging techniques and advances in transcriptional profiling, such as single-cell RNA-Seq. A detailed knowledge of these developmental events is required in order to be able to apply it to the generation of haematopoietic stem cells from pluripotent stem cells in vitro — an achievement which is of obvious clinical importance. The aim of this review is to summarise the latest findings and describe how these may have contributed towards achieving this goal.
Glioblastoma heterogeneity and the tumour microenvironment: implications for preclinical research and development of new treatments
Authors: Perrin Sally L. , Samuel Michael S. , Koszyca Barbara , Brown Michael P. , Ebert Lisa M. , Oksdath Mariana , Gomez Guillermo A.
Published: March 2019

Glioblastoma is the deadliest form of brain cancer. Aside from inadequate treatment options, one of the main reasons glioblastoma is so lethal is the rapid growth of tumour cells coupled with continuous cell invasion into surrounding healthy brain tissue. Significant intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity associated with differences in the corresponding tumour microenvironments contributes greatly to glioblastoma progression. Within this tumour microenvironment, the extracellular matrix profoundly influences the way cancer cells become invasive, and changes to extracellular (pH and oxygen levels) and metabolic (glucose and lactate) components support glioblastoma growth. Furthermore, studies on clinical samples have revealed that the tumour microenvironment is highly immunosuppressive which contributes to failure in immunotherapy treatments. Although technically possible, many components of the tumour microenvironment have not yet been the focus of glioblastoma therapies, despite growing evidence of its importance to glioblastoma malignancy. Here, we review recent progress in the characterisation of the glioblastoma tumour microenvironment and the sources of tumour heterogeneity in human clinical material. We also discuss the latest advances in technologies for personalised and in vitro preclinical studies using brain organoid models to better model glioblastoma and its interactions with the surrounding healthy brain tissue, which may play an essential role in developing new and more personalised treatments for this aggressive type of cancer.
United colours of chromatin? Developmental genome organisation in flies
Authors: Delandre Caroline , Marshall Owen J.
Published: March 2019

The organisation of DNA into differing forms of packaging, or chromatin, controls many of the cell fate decisions during development. Although early studies focused on individual forms of chromatin, in the last decade more holistic studies have attempted to determine a complete picture of the different forms of chromatin present within a cell. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, the study of chromatin states has been aided by the use of complementary and cell-type-specific techniques that profile the marks that recruit chromatin protein binding or the proteins themselves. Although many questions remain unanswered, a clearer picture of how different chromatin states affect development is now emerging, with more unusual chromatin states such as Black chromatin playing key roles. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding chromatin biology in flies.
The role of the 12(S)-HETE/GPR31/12-HETER axis in cancer and ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Napolitano Monica
Published: March 2019

The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large superfamily of seven transmembrane-spanning receptors that are activated by several classes of ligands, including bioactive lipids. GPCRs are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of human diseases, as they finely regulate a wide array of cellular functions. In this minireview, we summarized what is currently known about the G protein-coupled receptor GPR31/12-HETER. We highlighted, in particular, its structural similarity with human homologs, the biological functions of its recognized ligand 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), an arachidonic acid metabolite, and the role that GPR31/12-HETER-mediated signals play in cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis, and in liver ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury. Recent studies shed light and interest on the 12(S)-HETE/GPR31/12-HETER-activated signaling pathways and functions. The full spectrum of GPR31/12-HETER-mediated biological functions has yet to be characterized. Further studies are needed to identify other potential ligands, i.e. other than 12(S)-HETE. Another important remaining question is whether the multiple 12(S)-HETE-induced biological activities, including its role in diabetes, neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and platelet function, occur via GPR31/12-HETER and/or involve the activation of other receptor molecules and pathways.
Unraveling the multiplex folding of nucleosome chains in higher order chromatin
Authors: Grigoryev Sergei A. , Schubert Michael
Published: March 2019

The DNA of eukaryotic chromatin and chromosomes is repeatedly supercoiled around histone octamers forming ‘beads-on-a-string’ chains of nucleosomes. The extent of nucleosome chain folding and DNA accessibility vary between different functional and epigenetic states of nuclear chromatin and change dramatically upon cell differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms that direct 3D folding of the nucleosome chain in vivo are still enigmatic. Recent advances in cell imaging and chromosome capture techniques have radically challenged the established paradigm of regular and hierarchical chromatin fibers by highlighting irregular chromatin organization and the importance of the nuclear skeletal structures hoisting the nucleosome chains. Here, we argue that, by analyzing individual structural elements of the nucleosome chain – nucleosome spacing, linker DNA conformations, internucleosomal interactions, and nucleosome chain flexibility – and integrating these elements in multiplex 3D structural models, we can predict the features of the multiplex chromatin folding assemblies underlying distinct developmental and epigenetic states in living cells. Furthermore, partial disassembly of the nuclear structures suspending chromatin fibers may reveal the intrinsic mechanisms of nucleosome chain folding. These mechanisms and structures are expected to provide molecular cues to modify chromatin structure and functions related to developmental and disease processes.
Explicit Bayesian treatment of unknown foreground contaminations in galaxy surveys
Authors: Porqueres Natalia , Kodi Ramanah Doogesh , Jasche Jens , Lavaux Guilhem
Published: March 2019

The treatment of unknown foreground contaminations will be one of the major challenges for galaxy clustering analyses of coming decadal surveys. These data contaminations introduce erroneous large-scale effects in recovered power spectra and inferred dark matter density fields. In this work, we present an effective solution to this problem in the form of a robust likelihood designed to account for effects due to unknown foreground and target contaminations. Conceptually, this robust likelihood marginalizes over the unknown large-scale contamination amplitudes. We showcase the effectiveness of this novel likelihood via an application to a mock SDSS-III data set subject to dust extinction contamination. In order to illustrate the performance of our proposed likelihood, we infer the underlying dark-matter density field and reconstruct the matter power spectrum, being maximally agnostic about the foregrounds. The results are compared to those of an analysis with a standard Poissonian likelihood, as typically used in modern large-scale structure analyses. While the standard Poissonian analysis yields excessive power for large-scale modes and introduces an overall bias in the power spectrum, our likelihood provides unbiased estimates of the matter power spectrum over the entire range of Fourier modes considered in this work. Further, we demonstrate that our approach accurately accounts for and corrects the effects of unknown foreground contaminations when inferring three-dimensional density fields. Robust likelihood approaches, as presented in this work, will be crucial to control unknown systematic error and maximize the outcome of the decadal surveys.