bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gentlemen regulators: landlord/tenant conflict and the making of moral economy in early nineteenth-century Ireland
Authors: Dunne Terry
Published: April 2020

The central contention of this article is that early nineteenth-century Irish landlords were constrained in their ability to control their estates by the prospect of peasant resistance. The apex of that resistance took the form of what are generically known as whiteboy movements, and this article examines the impact of one particular such movement, the Whitefeet, active in the East Midlands and South-East in the early 1830s. The article argues that two forms of landlord versus tenant conflicts can be identified: an absolute form, in which landlords (or sublettingrentierscalled middlemen) behaved as if they had absolute rights over their properties and were the victims of retaliatory violence; and a negotiated form, in which landlords (or their agents) proceeded in a more restrained, and piecemeal fashion, and compromised in the face of opposition. The fact that the magistracy, at least in some instances, condemned the practitioners of absolute conflict would suggest that more measured approaches were the socially accepted norm, precisely because of the potential for retaliatory violence. The article will conclude with a discussion framing the foregoing in terms of moral economy. It will be argued that the balance between landlord power and tenant resistance created a grudging acceptance of respective rights.
Monoamniotic twin pregnancy following the transfer of a single blastocyst resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection of a single oocyte: a case report
Authors: Sciorio Romualdo , Esteves Sandro C. , Alahmad Motaz , Angelaki Elisavet , Al-Azemi Naser
Published: April 2020

In this report we present an unusual case of a couple who achieved a twin pregnancy by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with a single immature oocyte retrieved. The oocyte was at metaphase I at 39 h post human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration, which is our standard ICSI time. Extended culture allowed the extrusion of the polar body, and sperm injection was performed at 43 h post-trigger. The fertilized egg underwent embryo biopsy on day 3 and preimplantation genetic assessment for three chromosomes (X, Y and 21). The embryo remained in culture until day 5. Later, the biopsy results reported a transferable embryo, which was replaced to the uterine cavity at blastocyst stage. Pregnancy test gave a positive β-hCG result, and the 6 weeks’ scan, performed to confirm the fetal heart, revealed the presence of one amniotic sac and two fetal heartbeats, which currently have been so far eventless and smooth, ongoing at 18 weeks of gestation.
Germination ecology of hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) and its implications for weed management
Authors: Loura Deepak , Sahil  , Florentine Singarayer , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: April 2020

Hairy fleabane [Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist] is a problematic weed in Australian no-till cropping systems. Consequently, a study was conducted to examine the effect of temperature, light, salt stress, osmotic stress, burial depth, and sorghum crop residue on germination and emergence in two populations (C and W: collected from chick pea [Cicer arietinum L.] and wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] fields, respectively) of C. bonariensis. Both populations were able to germinate over a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures (15/5 to 35/25 C); however, the C population had optimum (and similar) germination over the range of 20/10 and 30/20 C, while the W population showed maximum germination at 25/15 C. A negative relationship was observed between osmotic potential and germination, with 31% and 14% germination of the C and W populations at −0.6 MPa, respectively. These observations suggest that population C was more tolerant to higher osmotic potentials than population W. Seeds of both populations germinated when exposed to a wide range of sodium chloride levels (NaCl, 0 to 200 mM); however, beyond 200 mM NaCl, no germination was observed in either population. Maximum germination of the C (70%) and W (41%) populations was observed on the soil surface with no emergence from a burial depth of 1 cm. The application of sorghum residue at an amount of 6,000 kg ha−1 reduced emergence of the C and W populations by 55% and 58%, respectively, compared with the no-residue treatment. Knowledge gained from this study suggests that the following strategies could be used for more efficacious management of C. bonariensis: (1) a shallow-tillage operation to bury weed seeds in conventional tillage systems, and (2) retention of sorghum residue on the soil surface in no-till systems.
Influence of He++and Shock Geometry on Interplanetary Shocks in the Solar Wind: 2D Hybrid Simulations
Authors: Preisser L. , Blanco‐Cano X. , Trotta D. , Burgess D. , Kajdič P.
Published: April 2020

After protons, alpha particles (He++) are the most important ion species in the solar wind, constituting typically about 5% of the total ion number density. Due to their different charge‐to‐mass ratio, protons and He++particles are accelerated differently when they cross the electrostatic potential in a collisionless shock. This behavior can produce changes in the velocity distribution function (VDF) for both species generating anisotropy in the temperature, which is considered to be the energy source for various phenomena such as ion cyclotron and mirror mode waves. How these changes in temperature anisotropy and shock structure depend on the percentage of He++particles and the geometry of the shock is not completely understood. In this paper, we have performed various 2D local hybrid simulations (particle ions, massless fluid electrons) with similar characteristics (e.g., Mach number) to interplanetary shocks for both quasi‐parallel and quasi‐perpendicular geometries self‐consistently including different percentages of He++particles. We have found changes in the shock transition behavior as well as in the temperature anisotropy as functions of both the shock geometry and He++particle abundance: The change of the initialθBnleads to variations of the efficiency with which particles can escape to the upstream region facilitating or not the formation of compressive structures in the magnetic field that will produce increments in perpendicular temperature. The regions where both temperature anisotropy and compressive fluctuations appear tend to be more extended and reach higher values as the He++content in the simulations increases.
Effects of Groundwater Pumping on Ground Surface Temperature: A Regional Modeling Study in the North China Plain
Authors: Yang Chen , Li Hong‐Yi , Fang Yilin , Cui Chixiao , Wang Tianye , Zheng Chunmiao , Leung L. Ruby , Maxwell Reed M. , Zhang You‐Kuan , Yang Xiaofan
Published: April 2020

Overexploitation of groundwater (GW) in the North China Plain (NCP) since the 1960s has many environmental consequences. However, mechanistic understanding of this perturbation remains limited, particularly at the regional scale. In this study, the coupled ParFlow.CLM model representing subsurface and land surface processes and their interactions was applied in the NCP at high spatiotemporal resolutions. The model was validated using the water and energy fluxes reported in previous studies and from the JRA‐55 reanalysis. Numerical experiments were designed to examine the impacts of GW pumping and irrigation on the ground surface temperature (GST). Results show significant effects of GW pumping on GST in the NCP. Generally, the subsurface acts as a buffer to temporal variations in heat fluxes at the land surface, but long‐term pumping can gradually weaken this buffer, leading to increases in the spatiotemporal variability of GST, as exemplified by hotter summers and colder winters. Considering that changes of water table depth (WTD) can significantly affect land surface heat fluxes when WTD ranges roughly between 0.01 and 10 m, the 0.5‐m/yr increase of WTD simulated by the model due to pumping can continue to increase the regional averaged WTD and hence, perturb GST for about 20 years after GW pumping began in the NCP, before WTD exceeds 10 m. The variations of GST are expected to increase faster initially and gradually slow down due to the nonlinear behaviors of GST with WTD. The findings from this study in the NCP may also have implications for other regions with GW depletion.
Predictive Capabilities and Limitations of Stream Interaction Region Observations at Different Solar Longitudes
Authors: Allen R. C. , Ho G. C. , Jian L. K. , Mason G. M. , Vines S. K. , Lario D.
Published: April 2020

Advanced warning of a stream interaction region (SIR) or corotating interaction region (CIR) impinging upon the magnetosphere of Earth is important for space weather forecasting, due to the ability of SIRs/CIRs to trigger geomagnetic storms and affect ionospheric composition and winds. However, a focused investigation of the likelihood that either an L5 monitor or Earth‐trailing “string‐of‐pearl” constellation of satellites would be able to serve as an effective warning buoy for SIRs/CIRs that will affect the near‐Earth space environment has yet to be extensively performed. Through comparing 10 years of SIRs/CIRs observed at L1 and at STEREO, we have investigated the probability of sequentially detecting SIRs/CIRs at two locations as a function of the difference in heliospheric longitude and latitudinal separation between the two spacecraft. By examining the probability of repeat detection of SIRs/CIRs using variable separation distances between two observing points, we explore the utility of an Earth‐trailing monitor for SIR/CIR predictability (i.e., 74.6% of SIRs observed at L5 reach L1 within ±3 days of rigid corotation). While the probability of predicting the occurrence of SIRs/CIRs at another spacecraft decreases with longitudinal separation, there is no significant dependence on latitude. The primary source of error in reliably predicting the arrival time of an SIR/CIR is uncertainty in the rotational speed of the structure. While an L5 monitor would be an advancement in our operational warning ability, an Earth‐trailing “string‐of‐pearls” constellation utilizing multiple point of measurements would engender much more certainty in predicting the arrival time of SIRs/CIRs.
How Will Climate Change Affect Arctic Stream Slime?
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: April 2020

Rising temperatures and thawing permafrost will change nutrient concentrations in Arctic waterways, which will influence the growth of biogeochemically important biofilms.
Pleiotropic tumor suppressor functions of WWOX antagonize metastasis
Authors: Khawaled Saleh , Nigita Giovanni , Distefano Rosario , Oster Sara , Suh Sung-Suk , Smith Yoav , Khalaileh Abed , Peng Yong , Croce Carlo M. , Geiger Tamar , Seewaldt Victoria L. , Aqeilan Rami I.
Published: April 2020

Tumor progression and metastasis are the major causes of death among cancer associated mortality. Metastatic cells acquire features of migration and invasion and usually undergo epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Acquirement of these various hallmarks rely on different cellular pathways, including TGF-β and Wnt signaling. Recently, we reported that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) acts as a tumor suppressor and has anti-metastatic activities involving regulation of several key microRNAs (miRNAs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we report that WWOX restoration in highly metastatic MDA-MB435S cancer cells alters mRNA expression profiles; further, WWOX interacts with various proteins to exert its tumor suppressor function. Careful alignment and analysis of gene and miRNA expression in these cells revealed profound changes in cellular pathways mediating adhesion, invasion and motility. We further demonstrate that WWOX, through regulation of miR-146a levels, regulates SMAD3, which is a member of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Moreover, proteomic analysis of WWOX partners revealed regulation of the Wnt-signaling activation through physical interaction with Disheveled. Altogether, these findings underscore a significant role for WWOX in antagonizing metastasis, further highlighting its role and therapeutic potential in suppressing tumor progression.
Efficacy of locally-available cleaning methods in removing biofilms from taps and surfaces of household water storage containers
Authors: String Gabrielle , Domini Marta , Mirindi Patrick , Brodsky Hayes Klemm , Kamal Yarmina , Tatro Tyler , Johnston Miranda , Badr Hanaa , Lantagne Daniele
Published: April 2020

Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms attached to surfaces that can (re)contaminate water by releasing microorganisms. We grew E. coli biofilms on household taps and on storage container coupons, and cleaned them with locally-available agents (bleach, boiled water, soapy water, vinegar) and methods (flowing, scrubbing, or soaking taps; soaking and wiping container coupons). After cleaning, we enumerated surface E. coli and imaged biofilms using epifluorescence microscopy. Biofilms were removed from taps when: soaking assembled for five minutes (bleach, boiled water); and, scrubbing and soaking unassembled for five minutes (bleach, boiled water, vinegar). Only soaking methods removed E. coli from container coupons. To remove biofilms, we recommend soaking assembled taps in boiled water for five minutes. No recommendation for cleaning containers emerged as soaking storage containers is impractical. Results are consistent with biofilm research, and highlight the need for technical research to develop realistic cleaning recommendations for water storage containers in households.
The effects of slit-pore geometry on capacitive properties: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Biagooi Morad , Nedaaee Oskoee SeyedEhsan
Published: April 2020

Ionic-liquids (IL) inside conductive porous media can be used to make electrical energy storage units. Many parameters such as the shape of the pores and the type of IL affect the storage performance. In this work, a simple IL model inside two geometrically different slit-pores is simulated and their capacitive properties are measured. The pores were of finite length, one of them was linear and the other had a convex extra space in the center. The molecular dynamics simulations are done for two, qualitatively, low and high molarities. The pores have been simulated for both initially filled or empty conditions. Differential capacitance, induced charge density, and IL dynamics are calculated for all of the systems.
Direct comparison of size-dependent versus EpCAM-dependent CTC enrichment at the gene expression and DNA methylation level in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zavridou Martha , Mastoraki Sophia , Strati Areti , Koutsodontis George , Klinakis Apostolos , Psyrri Amanda , Lianidou Evi
Published: April 2020

We directly compared two different approaches used for Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) isolation, a size-dependent microfluidic system versus an EpCAM-dependent positive selection for downstream molecular characterization of CTC both at the gene expression and DNA methylation level in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). A size-dependent microfluidic device (Parsortix, ANGLE) and an EpCAM-dependent positive immune-magnetic isolation procedure were applied in parallel, using 10 mL PB from 50 HNSCC patients and 18 healthy donors. Total RNA was isolated from enriched CTCs and RT-qPCR was used to study the expression levels of CK-19, PD-L1, EGFR, TWIST1, CDH2 and B2M (reference gene). Real time methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to study the methylation status of RASSF1A and MLL3 genes. In identical blood draws, the label-free size-dependent CTC-isolation system was superior in terms of sensitivity when compared to the EpCAM-dependent CTC enrichment, since a significantly higher percentage of identical PB samples was found positive at the gene expression and DNA methylation level, while the specificity was not affected. Our results indicate that future studies focused on the evaluation of clinical utility of CTC molecular characterization in HNSCC should be based on size-dependent enrichment approaches.
Dietary countermeasure mitigates simulated spaceflight-induced osteopenia in mice
Authors: Steczina Sonette , Tahimic Candice G. T. , Pendleton Megan , M’Saad Ons , Lowe Moniece , Alwood Joshua S. , Halloran Bernard P. , Globus Ruth K. , Schreurs Ann-Sofie
Published: April 2020

Spaceflight is a unique environment that includes at least two factors which can negatively impact skeletal health: microgravity and ionizing radiation. We have previously shown that a diet supplemented with dried plum powder (DP) prevented radiation-induced bone loss in mice. In this study, we investigated the capacity of the DP diet to prevent bone loss in mice following exposure to simulated spaceflight, combining microgravity (by hindlimb unloading) and radiation exposure. The DP diet was effective at preventing most decrements in bone micro-architectural and mechanical properties due to hindlimb unloading alone and simulated spaceflight. Furthermore, we show that the DP diet can protect osteoprogenitors from impairments resulting from simulated microgravity. Based on our findings, a dietary supplementation with DP could be an effective countermeasure against the skeletal deficits observed in astronauts during spaceflight.
Rhythms of Transcription in Field-Grown Sugarcane Are Highly Organ Specific
Authors: Dantas Luíza Lane de Barros , Almeida-Jesus Felipe Marcelo , de Lima Natalia Oliveira , Alves-Lima Cícero , Nishiyama-Jr Milton Yutaka , Carneiro Monalisa Sampaio , Souza Glaucia Mendes , Hotta Carlos Takeshi
Published: April 2020

Circadian clocks improve plant fitness in a rhythmic environment. As each cell has its own circadian clock, we hypothesized that sets of cells with different functions would have distinct rhythmic behaviour. To test this, we investigated whether different organs in field-grown sugarcane follow the same rhythms in transcription. We assayed the transcriptomes of three organs during a day: leaf, a source organ; internodes 1 and 2, sink organs focused on cell division and elongation; and internode 5, a sink organ focused on sucrose storage. The leaf had twice as many rhythmic transcripts (>68%) as internodes, and the rhythmic transcriptomes of the internodes were more like each other than to those of the leaves. Among the transcripts expressed in all organs, only 7.4% showed the same rhythmic pattern. Surprisingly, the central oscillators of these organs — the networks that generate circadian rhythms — had similar dynamics, albeit with different amplitudes. The differences in rhythmic transcriptomes probably arise from amplitude differences in tissue-specific circadian clocks and different sensitivities to environmental cues, highlighted by the sampling under field conditions. The vast differences suggest that we must study tissue-specific circadian clocks in order to understand how the circadian clock increases the fitness of the whole plant.
Associations between self-reported sleep characteristics and incident mild cognitive impairment: The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Cohort Study
Authors: Brachem Christian , Winkler Angela , Tebrügge Sarah , Weimar Christian , Erbel Raimund , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Stang Andreas , Dragano Nico , Moebus Susanne , Kowall Bernd , Jokisch Martha
Published: April 2020

Associations of sleep characteristics with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been examined in cross-sectional, but rarely in longitudinal studies. Incident MCI and sleep characteristics were assessed in 1,890 participants of the first and second follow-up of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, a population-based cohort study in Germany (age at first follow-up 50−80 years, mean follow-up 5.2 years). MCI was assessed with extensive cognitive tests. Sleep questionnaires including PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were used to assess sleep quality, sleep disturbances, time asleep, and time in bed. Relative risks (RR) of developing MCI when exposed to sleep characteristics were assessed in regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.12−1.82, fully adjusted, reference: PSQI ≤ 5) and difficulties initiating sleep (almost nightly versus never) (RR = 1.40, 0.94−2.08) were associated with incident MCI. For time in bed, the risk of MCI was increased for ≤ 5 hours (RR = 2.86, 1.24─6.60, reference:7 to <8 hours). In this longitudinal study with older participants, MCI risk was increased in persons with poor sleep quality, difficulties initiating sleep, and short time in bed.
Decreased Serum EGF in First-episode and Chronic Schizophrenia Patients: Negative Correlation with Psychopathology
Authors: Zhang Xiaobin , Xiao Wenhuan , Chen KuanYu , Zhao Yaqin , Ye Fei , Tang Xiaowei , Du Xiangdong
Published: April 2020

Previous studies have demonstrated that neurotrophic factors may play a critical role in the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown whether serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in schizophrenia are similar to those observed in the case of other neurotrophic factors. Therefore, we compared serum EGF concentrations in first-episode drug-naive (FEP) patients and medicated chronic schizophrenic patients with healthy controls in order to explore whether EGF levels are related to psychopathological symptoms. We measured the serum levels of EGF in 78 first-episode medication-naive schizophrenia patients, 76 medicated chronic schizophrenic patients, and 75 healthy controls using the sandwich ELISA method. Disease severity were measured using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Serum EGF levels showed a significant decrease in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Serum EGF levels in FEP patients are indistinguishable from chronic cases. EGF levels were related to PANSS general symptom subscales in both FEP never-medicated and medicated patients. It is interesting that serum EGF levels were negatively correlated with the PANSS cognitive subscales, with the exception of the patients with chronic schizophrenia. Our preliminary results indicated that EGF may play a role in this illness and that it could be used as a potential biomarker of disease severity. Moreover, EGF may be associated with cognitive subscales of PANSS in FEP patients. Future studies should investigate the relationship between EGF and cognitive function as measured using standardized neuropsychological assessments to identify potential biomarkers related with cognition.
Bio-assisted synthesized Pd nanoparticles supported on ionic liquid decorated magnetic halloysite: an efficient catalyst for degradation of dyes
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Mohammadi Pourya , Heravi Majid
Published: April 2020

Using natural materials, i.e. halloysite nanoclay that is a biocompatible naturally occurring clay and Heracleum persicum extract that can serve as a green reducing agent, a novel magnetic catalyst, Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd, has been designed and fabricated. To prepare the catalyst, halloysite was first magnetized (magnetic particles with mean diameter of 13.06 ± 3.1 nm) and then surface functionalized with melamine, 1,4 dibromobutane and triethanolamine to provide ionic liquid on the halloysite surface (5 wt%). The latter was then used as a support to immobilize Pd nanoparticles that were reduced by Heracleum persicum extract. The characterization of the catalyst established that the loading of Pd in Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd was very low (0.93 wt%) and its specific surface area was 63 m2g−1. Moreover, the catalyst showed magnetic property (Ms = 19.75 emu g−1) and could be magnetically separated from the reaction. The catalytic performance of the magnetic catalyst for reductive degradation of methyl orange and rhodamine B in the presence of NaBH4 in aqueous media was investigated. The activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy for the reduction of methyl orange were estimated as 42.02 kJ mol−1, 39.40 kJ mol−1, and −139.06 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. These values for rhodamine B were calculated as 39.97 kJ mol−1, 34.33 kJ mol−1, and −155.18 Jmol−1K−1, respectively. Notably, Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd could be reused for eight reaction runs with negligible loss of the catalytic activity (~3%) and Pd leaching (0.01 wt% of the initial loading).
Whitish daytime radiative cooling using diffuse reflection of non-resonant silica nanoshells
Authors: Suichi Takahiro , Ishikawa Atsushi , Tanaka Takuo , Hayashi Yasuhiko , Tsuruta Kenji
Published: April 2020

Daytime radiative cooling offers efficient passive cooling of objects by tailoring their spectral responses, holding great promise for green photonics applications. A specular reflector has been utilized in cooling devices to minimize sunlight absorption, but such a glaring surface is visually less appealing, thus undesirable for public use. Here, by exploiting strong diffuse reflection of silica nanoshells in a polymer matrix, daytime radiative cooling below the ambient temperature is experimentally demonstrated, while showing whitish color under sunlight. The cooling device consists of a poly(methyl methacrylate) layer with randomly distributed silica nanoshells and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer on an Ag mirror. The non-resonant nanoshells exhibit uniform diffuse reflection over the solar spectrum, while fully transparent for a selective thermal radiation from the underneath PDMS layer. In the temperature measurement under the sunlight irradiation, the device shows 2.3 °C cooler than the ambient, which is comparable to or even better than the conventional device without the nanoshells. Our approach provides a simple yet powerful nanophotonic structure for realizing a scalable and practical daytime radiative cooling device without a glaring reflective surface.
Biological behavior exploration of a paclitaxel-eluting poly-l-lactide-coated Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy intestinal stent in vivo
Authors: Wang Zhanhui , Sun Zongbin , Han Baowei , Zheng Qiuxia , Liu Shaopeng , Zhang Bingbing , Duan Tinghe
Published: April 2020

Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy stents coated with MAO/PLLA/paclitaxel coating were implanted into the New Zealand rabbits intestine to investigate the biocompatibility and degradation behavior.
Competitive hydrogen bonding in supramolecular polymerizations of tribenzylbenzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides
Authors: Mabesoone Mathijs F. J. , Kardas Sinan , Soria-Carrera Héctor , Barberá Joaquín , de la Fuente Jesús M. , Palmans Anja R. A. , Fossépré Mathieu , Surin Mathieu , Martín-Rapún Rafael
Published: April 2020

By combining experiments and molecular modelling we elucidate the role of competitive hydrogen bonding on the supramolecular behavior of tris(alkoxybenzyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides.
A MOF-derived CuCo(O)@ carbon–nitrogen framework as an efficient synergistic catalyst for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Authors: Yuan Yao , Chen Xiaoyu , Zhang Xing , Wang Zumin , Yu Ranbo
Published: April 2020

A CuCo(O)-embedded nitrogen-enriched porous carbon framework catalyst derived from doped metal–organic frameworks for efficient hydrolysis of ammonia borane.
Reaction-diffusion model as framework for understanding the role of riboflavin in “eye defence” formulations
Authors: Di Nezza Francesca , Caruso Ciro , Costagliola Ciro , Ambrosone Luigi
Published: April 2020

Analysis of UV-visible spectra, performed on commercial riboflavin-based eye drops, showed that absorbance is a saturating function of vitamin concentration.
Effects of deterioration and mildewing on the quality of wheat seeds with different moisture contents during storage
Authors: Wang Ruolan , Liu Lulu , Guo Yapeng , He Xin , Lu Qian
Published: April 2020

Deterioration and mildewing caused by moisture of wheat seeds are serious problems that should be addressed for safe storage.
Efficient removal of Cu(ii) from aqueous systems using enhanced quantum yield nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots
Authors: Issa Mohammed Abdullah , Abidin Zurina Z. , Pudza Musa Y. , Zentou Hamid
Published: April 2020

Low value waste resources have been converted into value-added luminescence carbon dots for copper adsorption from contaminated water.
Three-dimensional flower-like nickel phyllosilicates for CO2methanation: enhanced catalytic activity and high stability
Authors: Zhang Tengfei , Tian Zhiwei , Liu Qing
Published: April 2020

A group of MCF-derived nickel phyllosilicates were designed and synthesized by a hydrothermal method for enhanced CO2methanation.
Association of distinct type 1 bone morphogenetic protein receptors with different molecular pathways and survival outcomes in neuroblastoma
Authors: Alshangiti Amnah M. , Wyatt Sean L. , McCarthy Erin , Collins Louise M. , Hegarty Shane V. , Sullivan Aideen M. , O’Keeffe Gerard W.
Published: April 2020

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a paediatric cancer that arises in the sympathetic nervous system. Patients with stage 4 tumours have poor outcomes and 20% of high-risk cases have MYCN amplification. The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play roles in sympathetic neuritogenesis, by signalling through bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR)2 and either BMPR1A or BMPR1B. Alterations in BMPR2 expression have been reported in NB; it is unknown if the expression of BMPR1A or BMPR1B is altered. We report lower BMPR2 and BMPR1B, and higher BMPR1A, expression in stage 4 and in MYCN-amplified NB. Kaplan–Meier plots showed that high BMPR2 or BMPR1B expression was linked to better survival, while high BMPR1A was linked to worse survival. Gene ontology enrichment and pathway analyses revealed that BMPR2 and BMPR1B co-expressed genes were enriched in those associated with NB differentiation. BMPR1A co-expressed genes were enriched in those associated with cell proliferation. Moreover, the correlation between BMPR2 and BMPR1A was strengthened, while the correlation between BMPR2 and BMPR1B was lost, in MYCN-amplified NB. This suggested that differentiation should decrease BMPR1A and increase BMPR1B expression. In agreement, nerve growth factor treatment of cultured sympathetic neurons decreased Bmpr1a expression and increased Bmpr1b expression. Overexpression of dominant negative BMPR1B, treatment with a BMPR1B inhibitor and treatment with GDF5, which signals via BMPR1B, showed that BMPR1B signalling is required for optimal neuritogenesis in NB cells, suggesting that loss of BMPR1B may alter neuritogenesis. The present study shows that expression of distinct BMPRs is associated with different survival outcomes in NB.
Update on the Treatment of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients
with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2
Authors: Ilanchezhian Maran , Khan Sophia , Okafor Christian , Glod John , Del Rivero Jaydira
Published: April 2020

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine cancer that accounts
for 1–2% of thyroid cancers in the United States (U.S.). While
most cases are sporadic, 25% of MTC cases are hereditary. These
hereditary cases occur in the setting of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A
(MEN2A) or 2B (MEN2B) driven by mutations in the Rearranged during
Transfection RET proto-oncogene. This article discusses hereditary MTC
in the setting of MEN2 and the treatment options available for it. The first
line treatment for this disease is typically a total thyroidectomy and tyrosine
kinase inhibitors. Two tyrosine kinase inhibitors, vandetanib and cabozantinib,
have been approved for treatment of advanced MTC, but options beyond those are
limited. However, several promising treatments are being studied, which are
discussed in this review.
Biomimetic Elastin-Like Polypeptides as Materials for the Activation of Mechanophoric Catalysts
Authors: Funtan Sebastian , Funtan Anne , Paschke Reinhard , Binder Wolfgang H.
Published: April 2020

Elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) are well known for their elastic and thermoresponsive behaviors. Their elasticity originates from the formation of a β-spiral which is the consequence of stacking type-II β-turns, formed from individual VPGVG pentapeptide units. Here, the synthesis of ELPs of varying chain lengths [VPGVG, (VPGVG)2, and (VPGVG)4] and their coupling to a mechanoresponsive catalyst are reported. The attached ELP chains can act as “molecular springs,” allowing for an efficient uptake and transmission of an applied force to the mechanophoric bond. This leads to stress-induced activation of the mechanophoric catalyst, in turn transforming mechanical energy into a “click” reaction. Secondary structure analysis via IR and CD spectroscopy revealed that the β–spiral formation of the ELP is not affected by the coupling process and the β–spiral is still intact in the mechanocatalyst after the coupling. Mechanochemical activation of the synthesized catalysts by an external applied force, studied via ultrasonication, showed conversions of the copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide “click” reaction (CuAAC) up to 5.6% with an increasing chain length of the peptide, proving the potential to incorporate this chemistry into biomaterial engineering.
The Eriochilus dilatatus (Orchidaceae) complex in Western Australia: subspecies taxonomy is not supported by consistent differences in morphology or distribution
Authors: Brundrett Mark C. , Hammer Timothy A.
Published: April 2020

A detailed study of taxonomic features of the Eriochilus dilatatus (Orchidaceae) complex (white bunny orchids) in Western Australia found that there were no consistent differences among most subspecies when herbarium specimens or living plants were compared. These subspecies were originally segregated primarily by differences in leaf size and shape and the number of flowers produced, but a critical examination of herbarium specimens found that these features were highly inconsistent within taxa. These features were also found to be highly variable over time and space within populations of living plants. The distribution patterns, habitat preferences and flowering times of these taxa were found to overlap, even for subspecies brevifolius and orientalis, which occupy the northern and eastern limits of the distribution of this species. Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. magnus and subsp. multiflorus were shown to be synonyms of subsp. dilatatus, whereas subsp. undulatus and subsp. orientalis are synonymised under subsp. brevifolius. As a result of this study, the two recognised subspecies are subsp. dilatatus and subsp. brevifolius, which can be readily separated by plant height, flower numbers and leaf morphology, except for a few intermediate plants where ranges overlap. New keys and descriptions to these taxa are provided. The reasons for previous taxonomic confusion in this group and in many other Western Australian orchids are discussed and research approaches to resolve these issues are suggested.
Two new species and a new record of Crepidotus (Agaricomycetes) from India
Authors: Manoj Kumar A. , Aime M. Catherine , Vrinda K. B. , Pradeep C. K.
Published: April 2020

During ongoing studies of the mycoflora of Kerala State, India, three species of Crepidotus, namely, C. exilis A.M.Kumar & C.K.Pradeep sp. nov., C. globisporus A.M.Kumar & C.K.Pradeep sp. nov. and C. croceotinctus Peck, were discovered. These species are described and illustrated. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on maximum-likelihood analyses of nuclear ribosomal large subunit rDNA sequences are provided.
Frailty markers comprise blood metabolites involved in antioxidation, cognition, and mobility
Authors: Kameda Masahiro , Teruya Takayuki , Yanagida Mitsuhiro , Kondoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2020

As human society ages globally, age-related disorders are becoming increasingly common. Due to decreasing physiological reserves and increasing organ system dysfunction associated with age, frailty affects many elderly people, compromising their ability to cope with acute stressors. Frail elderly people commonly manifest complex clinical symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, hypomobility, and impaired daily activity, the metabolic basis of which remains poorly understood. We applied untargeted, comprehensive LC-MS metabolomic analysis to human blood from 19 frail and nonfrail elderly patients who were clinically evaluated using the Edmonton Frail Scale, the MoCA-J for cognition, and the TUG for mobility. Among 131 metabolites assayed, we identified 22 markers for frailty, cognition, and hypomobility, most of which were abundant in blood. Frailty markers included 5 of 6 markers specifically related to cognition and 6 of 12 markers associated with hypomobility. These overlapping sets of markers included metabolites related to antioxidation, muscle or nitrogen metabolism, and amino acids, most of which are decreased in frail elderly people. Five frailty-related metabolites that decreased—1,5-anhydroglucitol, acetyl-carnosine, ophthalmic acid, leucine, and isoleucine—have been previously reported as markers of aging, providing a metabolic link between human aging and frailty. Our findings clearly indicate that metabolite profiles efficiently distinguish frailty from nonfrailty. Importantly, the antioxidant ergothioneine, which decreases in frailty, is neuroprotective. Oxidative stress resulting from diminished antioxidant levels could be a key vulnerability for the pathogenesis of frailty, exacerbating illnesses related to human aging.
(Re)shaping the constructional network
Authors: Gyselinck Emmeline
Published: April 2020

This paper takes a dynamic perspective on
constructional networks by investigating which factors play a role
in the architecture of the network and how its internal structure
may be reorganized over time. It starts from the idea that the
network hierarchy is constantly being reconfigured: new
generalizations may give rise to new subschemas, and existing
subschemas can move up to a higher level or, conversely, subschemas
may marginalize and eventually disappear completely. Such network
shifts typically involve changes in schematicity (viz. the level of
abstractness) and/or productivity (viz. the extensibility of the
(sub)schema). An ideal candidate to investigate these productivity
shifts and internal reorganizations is the Dutch intensifying fake
reflexive resultative construction. In present-day Dutch, the
network of this construction displays an intriguing combination of
subschemas at different levels of abstraction, displaying varying
degrees of productivity, as well as conventionalized or even
fossilized micro-constructions. Tracing back the recent history of
this construction, the paper aims to show how mechanisms like
schematization and conventionalization work together in creating the
constructicon’s network structure, and how certain constructional
changes can be (re)interpreted as shifts within the constructional
network. It will be discussed what new insights can be gained from
such a network approach and which further steps may be taken to
further flesh out the theory on constructional networks.
L2 learning and the frequency and quality of written
languaging
Authors: Ishikawa Masako , Révész Andrea
Published: April 2020

The study investigated the effects of
written languaging (WL) on second language (L2) learning and
the extent to which the frequency and quality of WL are
related to L2 development. It employed a
pretest-posttest-delayed posttest design, with participants
assigned to a +WL, −WL and control group. The treatment
involved the completion of an individual written dictogloss
task, after which the +WL had the opportunity to engage in
WL. The −WL only did the task. We found a beneficial impact
of WL on L2 development overall, and positive links between
L2 learning and the frequency and quality of WL.
Effects of written languaging in response to direct and
indirect corrective feedback on developing writing
accuracy
Authors: Moradian Mahmood Reza , Hossein-Nasab Mojgan , Miri Mowla
Published: April 2020

This study examined effects of written
corrective feedback (WCF) followed by languaging on
grammatical accuracy in new writing tasks. Two homogeneous
EFL (English as a foreign language) classes were randomly
assigned to direct (n = 15) and indirect
(n = 15) feedback groups. After
receiving feedback, participants languaged about the reasons
for the errors in their writing. Their written explanations
were coded as written languaging episodes (WLEs). Results
revealed that the indirect group generated more unexplained
WLEs than the direct group. However, both groups made
significant gains in accuracy from the pre-test to the
post-test with no significant differences observed between
the two groups.
Exploring the mediating role of emotions expressed in L2
written languaging in ESL learner text revisions
Authors: Simard Daphnée , Zuniga Michael
Published: April 2020

Little is known about the relationship
between second language use and written languaging (e.g.,
Ishikawa &
Suzuki, 2016; Suzuki, 2012). The few studies that have
investigated the question highlight difficulties in
understanding how to correct errors following written
corrective feedback (e.g., Simard, Guénette, & Bergeron,
2015; Suzuki,
2012). Following the broaden-and-build theory,
(Fredrickson,
2001), we hypothesized that emotions expressed in
the written languaging of high school ESL learners
(n = 42) produced immediately after
receiving their corrected text would be related to text
revision successfulness (i.e., correct revision of an
incorrect form). Our results show that emotions expressed in
the written languaging are not only associated with error
rates but also positive emotions predict higher rates of
successful revision.
Blunders and (un)intentional offence in Shakespeare
Authors: Kizelbach Urszula
Published: April 2020

Neither literary nor linguistic investigations seem
to offer a clear pragmatic description of blunder. Blunders in social
communication are popularly associated with gaffes, which are incidental
offences that could have been avoided if the speaker had foreseen their
offensive or perplexing consequences. It has been claimed (Wierzbicka 2003) that errors and
blunders are mostly committed when speakers venture into “unsafe territory”
(2003: 283), which makes it
easier to make a serious mistake or to embarrass the interlocutor by not
taking enough care or not thinking enough. Blunders in Early Modern
literature, however, have never been pragmatically analysed even though they
form a distinctive linguistic feature of some Shakespearean characters’
speech. This chapter analyses the linguistic behaviour of two comedy
characters from Shakespeare’s plays, Mistress Quickly and Falstaff, with
special emphasis on the effects of their blunders and how blunders affect
both the speaker and the hearer. The aim of the chapter is twofold. First, I
try to provide a pragmatic definition of blunder in relation to speech act
theory and intentionality and explain how blunders are pragmatically
different from gaffes. Next, I describe the perlocutionary effects of
blunders based on the examples of Shakespeare characters’ speech and
demonstrate how blunders can be employed as a means of literary
characterisation.
“This Demon Anger”
Authors: Kukorelly Erzsi
Published: April 2020

This chapter examines the representation and
correction of anger in conduct books written for young women in
eighteenth-century Britain. An introductory section places the admonition
against anger in the context of John Locke’s and Lord Shaftesbury’s
discussions of, respectively, rational conduct and polite sociability. Then,
I succinctly identify ideal womanly conduct as emanating from three main
sources: self-control in body and mind, obedience coupled with rationality,
and a consciousness of the world that produces self-consciousness and an
attendant desire to conform to social rules. Anger is then shown to break
with all three of these: an angry woman no longer controls her body and her
mind; she is both disobedient and irrational; and she disregards the
constant and critical gaze of society, thus risking loss of reputation.
Ultimately, anger hinders young women in what was their main objective,
attracting the best possible husband.
Synthesis of solvent-free conductive and flexible cellulose–carbon nanohorn sheets and their application as a water vapor sensor
Authors: Paneer Selvam Karthik , Nakagawa Tomohiro , Marui Tatsuki , Inoue Hirotaka , Nishikawa Takeshi , Hayashi Yasuhiko
Published: April 2020

Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are mixed with cellulose to make freestanding thin-film conductive sheets. CNHs, at different ratios (5, 10, 25, 50 wt%), form composites with cellulose (hydroxyethylcellulose). Freestanding cellulose–carbon nanohorn (CCN) sheets were fabricated using a 100 μm-thick metal bar coater. Surfactants or any other chemical treatments to tailor the surface properties of CNHs were avoided to obtain composite sheets from pristine CNHs and cellulose. Utilizing the hygroscopic property of hydroxyethylcellulose and the electrical conductivity of CNHs paved a path to perform this experiment. The synthesis technique is simple, and the fabrication and drying of the sheets were effortless. As the loading concentration of CNH increased, the resistance, flexibility, and strength of the CCN composite sheets decreased. The maximum loading concentration possible to obtain a freestanding CCN sheet is 50 wt%. The resistance of the maximum loading concentration of CNH was 53 kΩ. The response of the CCN sheets to water vapor was 4 s and recover time was 13 s, and it is feasible to obtain a response for different concentrations of water vapor. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, resistance measurement, tensile strength measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the mechanical, morphological, electrical, and chemical properties of the CCN sheets.
Synthesis and characterization of novel transition metal complexes with L-Proline and their catalytic activity evaluation towards cyclohexane oxidation
Authors: Alrufaydi Zahrah A , Ahmed S Merajuddin , Mubarak Ahmed T
Published: April 2020

Some of first row transition metals [M = Mn (II), Fe (II) and Co (II)] complexed with L-proline amino acid were synthesized by thermal heating and characterized by FT-IR, UV–visible spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM. The characterization data showed that the metal ions were bonded through N- and O-donor atoms of the amino acid. The metals-L-proline complexes exist in mixed particle sizes of amorphous and agglomerated nature. The prepared complexes were investigated to catalyze the liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexane in the presence of TBHP as an oxidant. Iron-proline complex was found to be an excellent catalyst with high selectivity towards K/A oil under the optimized reaction conditions.
Tunable circular dichroism of chiral metamaterial based on phase transition of vanadium dioxide (VO2)
Authors: Gao Fan , Zhu Junwen , Ma Hongfeng , Li Kexue , Yuan Peicheng , Yan Bo
Published: April 2020

The circular dichroism effect characterized by different optical responses between left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized lights is widely applied for biological monitoring, analytical chemistry, and plasmonic sensing. Despite the fact that circular dichroisms are achieved by many conventional chiral and anisotropic metamaterials, dynamic and efficient modulation of circular dichroisms is still challenging. In this paper, we demonstrate a VO2 embedded metamaterial enabling tunable chirality by taking advantages of the VO2 phase transitions between insulators and metals. Specifically, by changing the laser power and the irradiated position on the metamaterial, the VO2 phase transition takes place at the irradiated region and induces a tunable circular dichroism effect. This work provides a strategy for the active control and modulation of circular polarizations, which pays the way for applications in terahertz and microwave regions.