bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crustal Radial Anisotropy and Linkage to Geodynamic Processes: A Study Based on Seismic Ambient Noise in Southern Madagascar
Authors: Dreiling Jennifer , Tilmann Frederik , Yuan Xiaohui , Giese Jörg , Rindraharisaona Elisa J. , Rümpker Georg , Wysession Michael E.
Published: June 2018

We determined radial anisotropy in the crust of southern Madagascar from the differences between the speeds of vertically and horizontally polarized shear waves (VSV and VSH), which we derived from Rayleigh and Love wave dispersion determined from seismic ambient noise correlations. The amalgamated Precambrian units in the east and the Phanerozoic Morondava basin in the west of southern Madagascar were shaped by different geodynamic processes. The crystalline basement was strongly deformed and metamorphosed to varying degrees during the assembly of Gondwana in the Pan‐African Orogeny, whereas the Morondava basin was completed with the separation of Africa and Madagascar. The different developments are reflected in first‐order differences in the radial anisotropy patterns. In the Precambrian domains, positive anisotropy (VSVVSH) sandwiched in between. The upper crustal anisotropy may reflect shallowly dipping layering within the Archean and adjacent imbricated nappe stacks, whereas the lower crustal anisotropy likely represents fossilized crustal flow during the postorogenic or synorogenic collapse of the Pan‐African Orogen. The negative anisotropy layer may have preserved vertically oriented large shear zones of late Pan‐African age. Within the Morondava basin, negative anisotropy in the uppermost ∼5 km could have been generated by steep normal faults, jointing, and magmatic dike intrusions. The deeper sediments and underlying crustal basement are characterized by positive anisotropy. This is consistent with horizontal bedding in the sediments and with fabric alignment in the basement created by extension during the basin formation.
Glacier Energy and Mass Balance in the Inland Tibetan Plateau: Seasonal and Interannual Variability in Relation to Atmospheric Changes
Authors: Li Shenghai , Yao Tandong , Yang Wei , Yu Wusheng , Zhu Meilin
Published: June 2018

The Tibetan glaciers are greatly affected by the circulations of the westerlies and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM), but the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this project, we investigated the surface energy and mass balance of the Qiangtang No.1 Glacier in the inland Tibetan Plateau. Combining 4‐year mass balance and meteorological records near the equilibrium line altitude with an energy‐based mass balance model, we found that the meteorological conditions, which determined the glacier surface ablation and mass accumulation, are critically linked to changes in the intensity of the westerlies and the ISM. The 4‐year mass balance comparisons demonstrated that the enhancement of the ISM in June and July, especially June, greatly increases the mass accumulation but inhibits the glacial ablation in the melt season, shifting the mass balance in a positive direction. Moreover, the occurrence of the westerlies enhancement interrupts the dominance of the ISM in the melt season. The intensified westerlies in the early melt season (June) could not only reduce the mass accumulation but also enhance the mass loss in the following months. In addition, the enhancement of the westerlies in the main melt season (July) could also greatly influence the local meteorological conditions, with lower temperatures and humidity but higher wind speeds. Such meteorological changes significantly reduce glacial ablation because more energy is consumed by sublimation and/or evaporation, rather than surface melting. These findings will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying glacier changes and their relationships with the westerlies and the ISM in the inland Tibetan Plateau.
Decelerating Autumn CO2 Release With Warming Induced by Attenuated Temperature Dependence of Respiration in Northern Ecosystems
Authors: Liu Dan , Piao Shilong , Wang Tao , Wang Xuhui , Wang Xiaoyi , Ding Jinzhi , Ciais Philippe , Peñuelas Josep , Janssens Ivan
Published: June 2018

Feedbacks from the carbon cycle in boreal and arctic ecosystems can significantly affect climate change, but the effects of climate change on the high‐latitude carbon cycle during the dormant period remain uncertain. By analyzing the long‐term atmospheric CO2 concentration record from Point Barrow in Alaska, we show that warming significantly boosts net CO2 release in autumn over the period 1974–2014. But this warming‐stimulated effect has been attenuated since 1997. This deceleration of net CO2 release with warming is ascribed to the attenuation in respiration response to temperature rather than changing relationship between temperature and productivity or changes in atmospheric transport, fossil fuel emissions, or air‐sea CO2 exchanges. The attenuated respiration response is likely due to decoupling between temperature and plant‐derived carbon inputs to soil for decomposition. Contrary to previous suggestions, warming no longer results in a higher autumn net CO2 release.
Direct Visualization of Individual Aromatic Compound Structures in Low Molecular Weight Marine Dissolved Organic Carbon
Authors: Fatayer Shadi , Coppola Alysha I. , Schulz Fabian , Walker Brett D. , Broek Taylor A. , Meyer Gerhard , Druffel Ellen R. M. , McCarthy Matthew , Gross Leo
Published: June 2018

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the largest pool of exchangeable organic carbon in the ocean. However, less than 10% of DOC has been molecularly characterized in the deep ocean to understand DOC's recalcitrance. Here we analyze the radiocarbon (14C) depleted, and presumably refractory, low molecular weight (LMW) DOC from the North Central Pacific using atomic force microscopy to produce the first atomic‐resolution images of individual LMW DOC molecules. We evaluate surface and deep LMW DOC chemical structures in the context of their relative persistence and recalcitrance. Atomic force microscopy resolved planar structures with features similar to polycyclic aromatic compounds and carboxylic‐rich alicyclic structures with less than five aromatic carbon rings. These compounds comprise 8% and 20% of the measurable molecules investigated in the surface and deep, respectively. Resolving the structures of individual DOC molecules represents a step forward in molecular characterization of DOC and in understanding its long‐term stability.
Internal Erosion Controls Failure and Runout of Loose Granular Deposits: Evidence From Flume Tests and Implications for Postseismic Slope Healing
Authors: Hu Wei , Scaringi Gianvito , Xu Qiang , Huang Runqiu
Published: June 2018

Landslides in granular soils can be highly hazardous when exhibiting flow‐like behavior. The extensive mass wasting associated with the 2008 Mw = 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake (China) left several cubic kilometers of loose granular material deposited along steep slopes and in low‐order channels. Rainfall‐triggered remobilization of these deposits evolved often into catastrophic flow‐like landslides. Ten years after the earthquake, most of the deposits are still in place but landslide rates have decreased significantly. Internal erosion‐induced grain coarsening is one possible process producing this decrease. Through experiments on loose artificial slopes we demonstrate the major role of the internally erodible small grains in triggering failure and fluidization and producing grain coarsening. Under the same hydraulic boundary, if the erodible fraction is removed or reduced, the loose deposits remain stable or fail without fluidizing. Our results provide an experimental evidence to the patterns of sediment export and debris flows observed in nature after a strong earthquake.
Limits on Dione's Activity Using Cassini/CIRS Data
Authors: Howett Carly J. A. , Spencer John R. , Hurford Terry , Verbiscer Anne , Segura Marcia
Published: June 2018

We use nighttime Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) data to look for discrete regions of elevated nighttime temperatures indicative of endogenic activity on Dione's surface. This is achieved by producing low latitude and midlatitude (less than 60°) maps of Dione's nighttime surface temperature, derived from 10 to 1,100‐cm−1 CIRS data. The surface temperatures observed do not show evidence of any small discrete regions of elevated nighttime temperatures and are comparable to temperatures predicted by a passive thermophysical model of Dione's surface. Thus, we conclude that no evidence for activity exists on Dione at midlatitude to low latitude. Using the derived surface temperature maps, we set upper limits for the temperature at which a 50‐, 100‐, or 200‐km2 hot spot would remain undetected by this study. We find the mean temperature of such a hot spot would be 117.1 ± 47.2 K (−249 F), 104.8 ± 27.7 K (−272 F), and 95.4 ± 19.5 K (−288 F) for a 50‐, 100‐, and 200‐km2 hot spot, respectively, corresponding to endogenic emission of 1.07, 0.68, and 0.47 GW.
A Robust Increase of the Intraseasonal Periodic Behavior of the Precipitation and Eddy Kinetic Energy in a Warming Climate
Authors: Wang Lei , Lu Jian , Kuang Zhiming
Published: June 2018

Precipitation and storm track activity in the Southern Hemisphere feature a remarkable 20 to 30‐day periodicity known as baroclinic annular mode. In climate model projections following the representative concentration pathway 8.5 scenario, this work finds a robust increase of intraseasonal variability of the precipitation and density‐weighted eddy kinetic energy at the 20–30 day frequency range by 25% and 20%, respectively, in austral summer toward the end of the century, despite small changes in seasonal‐mean quantities at corresponding latitudes. These results suggest that a warming climate can feature a stronger dynamical organization of the 20–30 day periodicity by the moist baroclinic waves. For austral winter, the weak 20–30 day periodicity in the current climate becomes a prominent mode of quasiperiodic variability toward the end of the century in these model projections. This work identifies both the increase of diabatic heating and the enhancements of the waveguide effects as candidate mechanisms.
Electromagnetic Thermal Noise in Upper‐Hybrid Frequency Range
Authors: Yoon Peter H. , Hwang Junga , López Rodrigo A. , Kim Sunjung , Lee Jaejin
Published: June 2018

The inner magnetosphere including the radiation belt and ring current environment is replete with high‐frequency fluctuations with peak intensity occurring near upper‐hybrid frequency and/or multiple harmonic electron cyclotron frequencies above and below the upper‐hybrid frequency. Past and contemporary spacecraft missions, including the Van Allen Probes, were designed to detect the electric field spectrum only for these high‐frequency fluctuations. Making use of the recently formulated generalized theory of electromagnetic spontaneous emission in thermal magnetized plasmas, it is shown that upper‐hybrid/multiple harmonic electron cyclotron emissions are characterized by a significant magnetic field component, even in the high‐frequency regime. Such a prediction may potentially be tested by upcoming spacecraft missions including the Solar Probe Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe. The present finding may also have a potentially significant ramification for the broader astrophysical contexts.
Excitation of Plasma Irregularities in the F Region of the Ionosphere by Powerful HF Radio Waves of X‐Polarization
Authors: Borisov N. , Honary F. , Li H.
Published: June 2018

We discuss theoretically the excitation of artificial plasma irregularities in the auroral ionosphere by high‐frequency X‐mode radio wave. This is done via a two‐step process. As a first step we adopt the thermal self‐focusing instability excited in the F region of the ionosphere under the action of a strong high‐frequency (HF) radio wave. This instability causes the formation of perturbations of the electron temperature and plasma concentration across the magnetic field. In addition, the plasma becomes depleted in the regions of the electron temperature enhancements and vice versa, since the gradients of plasma concentration and the electron temperature have opposite signs. In such conditions the temperature gradient instability comes into play. As a second step we consider plasma and electron temperature inhomogeneities that appear due to this instability to be responsible for the generation of irregularities with transverse sizes smaller than the typical scales of the self‐focusing instability. Alternative mechanisms such as excitation of the gradient‐drift and the current‐convective instabilities, which are often attributed to the generation of plasma irregularities in the F region and can contribute to the formation of artificial irregularities in the case of X‐mode heating, are also discussed.
Seismic Ground Roll Absorption and Reemission by Sand Dunes
Authors: Arran M. I. , Vriend N. M. , Muyzert E.
Published: June 2018

Ground roll is a significant source of noise in land seismic data, with crossline scattered ground roll particularly difficult to suppress. This noise arises from surface heterogeneities lateral to the receiver spread, and in desert regions sand dunes are a major contributor. However, the nature of this noise is poorly understood, preventing the design of more effective data acquisition or processing techniques. Here we present numerical simulations demonstrating that a barchan sand dune acts as a resonator, absorbing energy from ground roll and reemitting it over an extensive period of time. We derive and validate a mathematical framework that quantitatively describes the properties of the emitted waves and demonstrate that wave amplitude is estimable from easily measurable bulk properties of the dune. Having identified regions in time, space, and frequency space at which noise will be more significant, we propose reducing dune‐scattered noise through careful survey design and data processing. In particular, we predict that seismic noise will be lower upwind of barchan dunes, and at frequencies far from a resonant frequency 2cS/H, for dune height H and typical seismic velocity within the dune cS. This work is especially relevant to seismic acquisition in the vicinity of a dune field, where scattered noise appears incoherent and difficulties arise with alternative approaches to noise suppression.
Microstructural Control of Physical Properties During Deformation of Porous Limestone
Authors: Brantut Nicolas , Baker Madeline , Hansen Lars N. , Baud Patrick
Published: June 2018

We performed triaxial deformation experiments in Purbeck limestone (13.8% average porosity) across the brittle‐ductile transition and monitored the evolution of permeability and wave velocities as a function of strain. In the brittle regime, the rock yields in dilation. In the ductile regime, the rock first yields in compaction and then undergoes net dilation at some critical level of strain. The permeability increases after failure in the brittle regime and decreases with increasing compaction in the ductile regime. The wave velocities decrease with increasing strain, and the material becomes transversely isotropic. At axial strains of the order of 5%, the anisotropy parameters (from Thomsen, 1986) are around ε ≈ −0.2 and δ ≈ decrease with increasing axial strain beyond the yield point−0.3. Under hydrostatic conditions, the rock also yields in compaction. The hydrostatic yield point is not marked by any significant drop or increase in wave velocity during loading, but wave velocities decrease (and therefore crack density increases) significantly upon unloading. In all our tests, the permeability change is proportional to the initial porosity change until the point of net dilation is reached. The strain at that point also acts as a scaling factor for the relative drop in P and S wave velocities during deformation. All our experimental data point to a disconnection between the evolution of permeability, porosity, and wave velocities during deformation in the ductile regime: permeability is controlled by a fraction of the micropore network, while wave velocities are mostly influenced by microcracks that do not contribute significantly to either the total rock porosity or fluid flow properties.
Structural Control on Downdip Locking Extent of the Himalayan Megathrust
Authors: Lindsey Eric O. , Almeida Rafael , Mallick Rishav , Hubbard Judith , Bradley Kyle , Tsang Louisa L. H. , Liu Yixiang , Burgmann Roland , Hill Emma M.
Published: June 2018

Geologic reconstructions of the Main Himalayan Thrust in Nepal show a laterally extensive midcrustal ramp, hypothesized to form the downdip boundary of interseismic locking. Using a recent compilation of interseismic GPS velocities and a simplified model of fault coupling, we estimate the width of coupling across Nepal using a series of two‐dimensional transects. We find that the downdip width of fault coupling increases smoothly from 70 to 90 km in eastern Nepal to 100–110 km in central Nepal, then narrows again in western Nepal. The inferred coupling transition is closely aligned with geologic reconstructions of the base of the midcrustal ramp in central and eastern Nepal, but in western Nepal, the data suggest that the location is intermediate between two proposed ramp locations. The result for western Nepal implies either an anomalous coupling transition that occurs along a shallowly dipping portion of the fault or that both ramps may be partially coupled and that a proposed crustal‐scale duplexing process may be active during the interseismic period. We also find that the models require a convergence rate of 15.5 ± 2 mm/year throughout Nepal, reducing the geodetic moment accumulation rate by up to 30% compared with earlier models, partially resolving an inferred discrepancy between geodetic and paleoseismic estimates of moment release across the Himalaya.
Bias and Sensitivity of Boundary Layer Clouds and Surface Radiative Fluxes in MERRA‐2 and Airborne Observations Over the Beaufort Sea During the ARISE Campaign
Authors: Segal Rozenhaimer Michal , Barton Neil , Redemann Jens , Schmidt Sebastian , LeBlanc Samuel , Anderson Bruce , Winstead Edward , Corr Chelsea A. , Moore Richard , Thornhill K. Lee , Cullather Richard I.
Published: June 2018

The representation of Arctic surface radiative fluxes in atmospheric models and reanalyses is integral to understanding relevant physical processes, yet testing of these models is confounded by a scarcity of in situ observations of near‐surface atmospheric state profiles, cloud vertical structure, cloud phase, and surface properties. Here, airborne measurements obtained from the Arctic Radiation IceBridge Sea&Ice Experiment (ARISE) during fall 2014 are compared with concurrent products from the Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA‐2). Both data sets are then used as input to a radiative transfer model to produce surface radiative fluxes over multiple locations in the Beaufort Sea under the various conditions observed during ARISE. The sensitivity of the simulated fluxes is assessed and compared between these two data sets. Then, the relative contribution of atmospheric state, boundary layer clouds, and their properties to the sensitivity of the simulated surface fluxes is assessed. In our comparisons with ARISE observations we found that MERRA‐2 has a warm temperature bias near the surface and it underestimates near‐surface clouds and cloud liquid and ice water content. These prevail over both open water and sea ice surfaces. Our sensitivity analysis showed that boundary layer cloud vertical structure and water content account for more than 70% of the difference between MERRA‐2 and the radiative fluxes calculated from airborne observations and that differences in boundary layer atmospheric state parameters contribute about 10–20% to the positive bias in the longwave surface flux.
Diagnosing Physical Mechanisms Leading to Pure Heat Waves Versus Pure Tropical Nights Over the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Hong Jin‐Sil , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Seo Kyong‐Hwan
Published: June 2018

This study analyzes differences in the mechanisms leading to anomalously high‐temperature weather events, such as heat waves and tropical nights, in Korea. We identify pure heat wave and pure tropical night events during the period from 1979 to 2016. Based on composite analyses for each case, we identify different mechanisms leading to pure heat waves and pure tropical nights. The structures including low‐level atmospheric circulations, specific humidity, wind, and the atmospheric stability are quite different between pure heat waves and pure tropical nights. Pure heat waves occur under barotropic‐like atmospheric conditions, with a stable low layer and dry air due to anomalous easterly winds over the Korean Peninsula. In contrast, pure tropical nights occur under baroclinic‐like atmospheric conditions, with warm, humid air advected by southwesterly winds. These results indicate that above‐normal levels of incoming shortwave radiation combined with adiabatic warming contribute to pure heat waves, whereas pure tropical nights are associated with above‐normal longwave radiation and/or warm advection over the Korean Peninsula. This implies that different physical factors must be considered for accurate, regional‐scale predictions of heat waves and tropical night events.
Selective manipulation of electronically excited states through strong light–matter interactions
Authors: Stranius Kati , Hertzog Manuel , Börjesson Karl
Published: June 2018

Strong coupling between light and matter leads to the spontaneous formation of hybrid light–matter states, having different energies than the uncoupled states. This opens up for new ways of modifying the energy landscape of molecules without changing their atoms or structure. Heavy metal-free organic light emitting diodes (OLED) use reversed intersystem crossing (RISC) to harvest light from excited triplet states. This is a slow process, thus increasing the rate of RISC could potentially enhance OLED performance. Here we demonstrate selective coupling of the excited singlet state of Erythrosine B without perturbing the energy level of a nearby triplet state. The coupling reduces the triplet–singlet energy gap, leading to a four-time enhancement of the triplet decay rate, most likely due to an enhanced rate of RISC. Furthermore, we anticipate that strong coupling can be used to create energy-inverted molecular systems having a singlet ground and lowest excited state.
Model-based identification of TNFα-induced IKKβ-mediated and IκBα-mediated regulation of NFκB signal transduction as a tool to quantify the impact of drug-induced liver injury compounds
Authors: Oppelt Angela , Kaschek Daniel , Huppelschoten Suzanna , Sison-Young Rowena , Zhang Fang , Buck-Wiese Marie , Herrmann Franziska , Malkusch Sebastian , Krüger Carmen L. , Meub Mara , Merkt Benjamin , Zimmermann Lea , Schofield Amy , Jones Robert P. , Malik Hassan , Schilling Marcel , Heilemann Mike , van de Water Bob , Goldring Christopher E. , Park B. Kevin , Timmer Jens , Klingmüller Ursula
Published: June 2018

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become a major problem for patients and for clinicians, academics and the pharmaceutical industry. To date, existing hepatotoxicity test systems are only poorly predictive and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. One of the factors known to amplify hepatotoxicity is the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), especially due to its synergy with commonly used drugs such as diclofenac. However, the exact mechanism of how diclofenac in combination with TNFα induces liver injury remains elusive. Here, we combined time-resolved immunoblotting and live-cell imaging data of HepG2 cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) with dynamic pathway modeling using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) to describe the complex structure of TNFα-induced NFκB signal transduction and integrated the perturbations of the pathway caused by diclofenac. The resulting mathematical model was used to systematically identify parameters affected by diclofenac. These analyses showed that more than one regulatory module of TNFα-induced NFκB signal transduction is affected by diclofenac, suggesting that hepatotoxicity is the integrated consequence of multiple changes in hepatocytes and that multiple factors define toxicity thresholds. Applying our mathematical modeling approach to other DILI-causing compounds representing different putative DILI mechanism classes enabled us to quantify their impact on pathway activation, highlighting the potential of the dynamic pathway model as a quantitative tool for the analysis of DILI compounds.
Survival Comparisons Between Early Male and Female Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Wang Kang , Wang Qiu-Juan , Xiong Yong-Fu , Shi Yang , Yang Wen-Jing , Zhang Xiang , Li Hong-Yuan
Published: June 2018

We aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) and standardized mortality rate (SMR) of the male breast cancer (MBC) with female breast cancer (FBC) after propensity score matching. Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), the early breast cancer patients (T1–2N0–2M0) were extracted from 1998–2007. This study included 1,111 and 2,151 patients with early MBC and FBC, respectively, whose clinicopathological characteristics were well balanced. At a mean follow-up time of 97 months, 10-year OS rate was 58.3% in the MBC group and 68.7% in the FBC (log-rank test, P < 0.001; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29 to 1.64). Adjusted HR for OS between MBC and FBC were revealed from propensity score matched-multivariable Cox proportional hazards models (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.35 to 1.73). Similar adjusted SMRs between MBC and FBC ((SMR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.83,2.14) for FBC and (SMR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.88–2.28) for MBC) were observed. The nomogram was constructed for FBC, and predicted probabilities were generally good (C-index = 0.71), whose area under curve is higher than TNM stage classification (0.74 vs 0.62). OS was significantly decreased among early MBC patients compared with FBC, but similar SMRs and its trends by age groups were observed between MBC and FBC except for young patients.
Fabrication and thermal properties of tetradecanol/graphene aerogel form-stable composite phase change materials
Authors: Mu Boyuan , Li Min
Published: June 2018

In this study, tetradecanol/graphene aerogel form-stable composite phase change materials were prepared by physical absorption. Two kinds of graphene aerogels were prepared using vitamin C and ethylenediamine to enhance the thermal conductivity of tetradecanol and prevent its leakage during phase transition. The form-stable composite phase change material exhibited excellent thermal energy storage capacity. The latent heat of the tetradecanol/graphene aerogel composite phase change materials with 5 wt.% graphene aerogel was similar to the theoretical latent heat of pure tetradecanol. The thermal conductivity of the tetradecanol/graphene aerogel composite phase change material improved gradually as the graphene aerogel content increased. The prepared tetradecanol/graphene aerogel composite phase change materials exhibited good thermal reliability and thermal stability, and no chemical reaction occurred between tetradecanol and the graphene aerogel. In addition, the latent heat and thermal conductivity of the tetradecanol/ethylenediamine-graphene aerogel composites were higher than those of tetradecanol/vitamin C-graphene aerogel composites, and the flexible shape of the ethylenediamine-graphene aerogel is suitable for application of the tetradecanol/ethylenediamine-graphene aerogel composite.
NMR studies of excluded volume interactions in peptide dendrimers
Authors: Sheveleva Nadezhda N. , Markelov Denis A. , Vovk Mikhail A. , Mikhailova Maria E. , Tarasenko Irina I. , Neelov Igor M. , Lähderanta Erkki
Published: June 2018

Peptide dendrimers are good candidates for diverse biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and low toxicity. The local orientational mobility of groups with different radial localization inside dendrimers is important characteristic for drug and gene delivery, synthesis of nanoparticles, and other specific purposes. In this paper we focus on the validation of two theoretical assumptions for dendrimers: (i) independence of NMR relaxations on excluded volume effects and (ii) similarity of mobilities of side and terminal segments of dendrimers. For this purpose we study 1H NMR spin-lattice relaxation time, T1H, of two similar peptide dendrimers of the second generation, with and without side fragments in their inner segments. Temperature dependences of 1/T1H in the temperature range from 283 to 343 K were measured for inner and terminal groups of the dendrimers dissolved in deuterated water. We have shown that the 1/T1H temperature dependences of inner groups for both dendrimers (with and without side fragments) practically coincide despite different densities of atoms inside these dendrimers. This result confirms the first theoretical assumption. The second assumption is confirmed by the 1/T1H temperature dependences of terminal groups which are similar for both dendrimers.
Electrochemical properties of novel FeV2O4 as an anode for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Maggay Irish Valerie B. , De Juan Lyn Marie Z. , Lu Jeng-Shin , Nguyen Mai Thanh , Yonezawa Tetsu , Chan Ting-Shan , Liu Wei-Ren
Published: June 2018

Spinel based transition metal oxide – FeV2O4 is applied as a novel anode for sodium-ion battery. The electrochemical tests indicate that FeV2O4 is generally controlled by pseudo-capacitive process. Using cost-effective and eco-friendly aqueous based binders, Sodium-Carboxymethylcellulose/Styrene butadiene rubber, a highly stable capacity of ~97 mAh∙g−1 is obtained after 200 cycles. This is attributed to the strong hydrogen bonding of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups indicating superior binding with the active material and current collector which is confirmed by the ex-situ cross-section images of the electrode. Meanwhile, only ~27 mAh∙g−1 is provided by the electrode using poly(vinylidene difluoride) due to severe detachment of the electrode material from the Cu foil after 200 cycles. The obtained results provide an insight into the possible applications of FeV2O4 as an anode material and the use of water-based binders to obtain highly stable electrochemical tests for sodium-ion battery.
Enhanced non-Markovian behavior in quantum walks with Markovian disorder
Authors: Kumar N. Pradeep , Banerjee Subhashish , Chandrashekar C. M.
Published: June 2018

Non-Markovian quantum effects are typically observed in systems interacting with structured reservoirs. Discrete-time quantum walks are prime example of such systems in which, quantum memory arises due to the controlled interaction between the coin and position degrees of freedom. Here we show that the information backflow that quantifies memory effects can be enhanced when the particle is subjected to uncorrelated static or dynamic disorder. The presence of disorder in the system leads to localization effects in 1-dimensional quantum walks. We shown that it is possible to infer about the nature of localization in position space by monitoring the information backflow in the reduced system. Further, we study other useful properties of quantum walk such as entanglement, interference and its connection to quantum non-Markovianity.
Establishment of a novel mouse xenograft model of human uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Suzuki Yusuke , Ii Masaaki , Saito Takashi , Terai Yoshito , Tabata Yasuhiko , Ohmichi Masahide , Asahi Michio
Published: June 2018

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign tumour in women, and an appropriate animal model for leiomyoma would be useful for exploring new therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we have been challenged to develop a new simple mouse model for human leiomyoma. Leiomyoma tissues were harvested from myomas resected by different surgical procedures with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment and were subcutaneously implanted into BALB/c nude mice with an estradiol/progesterone-releasing pellet. The implanted leiomyoma tissues that were obtained from the marginal site of large myomas resected by abdominal myomectomy with GnRHa treatment exhibited sufficient tumour growth in the transplanted mice. The leiomyomas that were treated with GnRHa highly expressed the estrogen/progesterone receptor genes, insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and embryonic smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMemb), which suggests that these factors are critical in the establishment of a mouse model of growing leiomyoma. As a result, this model will be useful for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Heterogeneity of interactions of microbial communities in regions of Taihu Lake with different nutrient loadings: A network analysis
Authors: Cao Xinyi , Zhao Dayong , Xu Huimin , Huang Rui , Zeng Jin , Yu Zhongbo
Published: June 2018

To investigate the differences in the interactions of microbial communities in two regions in Taihu Lake with different nutrient loadings [Meiliang Bay (MLB) and Xukou Bay (XKB)], water samples were collected and both intra- and inter-kingdom microbial community interactions were examined with network analysis. It is demonstrated that all of the bacterioplankton, microeukaryotes and inter-kingdom communities networks in Taihu Lake were non-random. For the networks of bacterioplankton and inter-kingdom community in XKB, higher clustering coefficient and average degree but lower average path length indexes were observed, indicating the nodes in XKB were more clustered and closely connected with plenty edges than those of MLB. The bacterioplankton and inter-kingdom networks were considerably larger and more complex with more module hubs and connectors in XKB compared with those of MLB, whereas the microeukaryotes networks were comparable and had no module hubs or connectors in the two lake zones. The phyla of Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Planctomycetes maintained greater cooperation with other phyla in XKB, rather than competition. The relationships between microbial communities and environmental factors in MLB were weaker. Compared with the microbial community networks of XKB, less modules in networks of MLB were significantly correlated with total phosphorous and total nitrogen.
Familial hypercholesterolemia in very young myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Sha , Zhang Hui-Wen , Guo Yuan-Lin , Wu Na-Qiong , Zhu Cheng-Gang , Zhao Xi , Sun Di , Gao Xiong-Yi , Gao Ying , Zhang Yan , Qing Ping , Li Xiao-Lin , Sun Jing , Liu Geng , Dong Qian , Xu Rui-Xia , Cui Chuan-Jue , Li Jian-Jun
Published: June 2018

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common causes of premature myocardial infarction (MI). However, The patterns of FH remained unrecognized in clinical care, especially in very young patients (VYPs, ≤35 years) with MI. The present study enrolled a total of 1,093 VYPs (≤35 years) presenting a first MI. Clinical diagnosis of FH was made using Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. Coronary severity was assessed by Gensini score (GS). Patients were followed for a median of 40-months with cardiac death, stroke, MI, post-discharge revascularization or unstable angina as primary endpoints. The detected rates of definite/probable FH were 6.5%. The prevalence reached up to 10.3% in patients ≤25 years. The FH had similar levels of comorbidities but was younger, more likely to be very high risk (VHR) and had higher GS (p < 0.05) than unlikely FH. Notably, the FH on prior lipid-lowering medication presented a lower GS compared to those untreated. Differences in event rates were similar in FH as unlikely FH (11.8% vs. 8.1%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.35 [0.64–2.86], p = 0.434) but patients on treatment improved outcome (6.5% vs. 10.5%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.35[0.13–0.95], p = 0.039). The early identification and treatment might be critical to reduce cardiovascular risk in VYPs with MI.
Calcium leaching behavior of cementitious materials in hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Yang Huashan , Che Yujun , Leng Faguang
Published: June 2018

The calcium leaching behavior of cement paste and silica fume modified calcium hydroxide paste, exposed to hydrochloric acid solution, is reported in this paper. The kinetic of degradation was assessed by the changes of pH of hydrochloric acid solution with time. The changes of compressive strength of specimens in hydrochloric acid with time were tested. Hydration products of leached specimens were also analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TG), and atomic force microscope (AFM). Tests results show that there is a dynamic equilibrium in the supply and consumption of calcium hydroxide in hydrochloric acid solution, which govern the stability of hydration products such as calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). The decrease of compressive strength indicates that C-S-H are decomposed due to the lower concentration of calcium hydroxide in the pore solution than the equilibrium concentration of the hydration products. Furthermore, the hydration of unhydrated clinker delayed the decomposition of C-S-H in hydrochloric acid solution due to the increase of calcium hydroxide in pore solution of cementitious materials.
Linkage disequilibrium in Brazilian Santa Inês breed, Ovis aries
Authors: Alvarenga Amanda Botelho , Rovadoscki Gregori Alberto , Petrini Juliana , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Morota Gota , Spangler Matthew L. , Pinto Luís Fernando Batista , Carvalho Gleidson Giordano Pinto , Mourão Gerson Barreto
Published: June 2018

For genomic selection to be successful, there must be sufficient linkage disequilibrium between the markers and the causal mutations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the extent of LD in ovine using the Santa Inês breed and to infer the minimum number of markers required to reach reasonable prediction accuracy. In total, 38,168 SNPs and 395 samples were used. The mean LD between adjacent marker pairs measured by r2 and |D′| were 0.166 and 0.617, respectively. LD values between adjacent marker pairs ranged from 0.135 to 0.194 and from 0.568 to 0.650 for r2 for |D′| across all chromosomes. The average r2 between all pairwise SNPs on each chromosome was 0.018. SNPs separated by between 0.10 to 0.20 Mb had an estimated average r2 equal to 0.1033. The identified haplotype blocks consisted of 2 to 21 markers. Moreover, estimates of average coefficients of inbreeding and effective population size were 0.04 and 96, respectively. LD estimated in this study was lower than that reported in other species and was characterized by short haplotype blocks. Our results suggest that the use of a higher density SNP panel is recommended for the implementation of genomic selection in the Santa Inês breed.
Characterization of ladybird Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata transcriptomes across various life stages
Authors: Zhang Qi-Lin , Wang Feng , Guo Jun , Deng Xian-Yu , Chen Jun-Yuan , Lin Lian-Bing
Published: June 2018

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a vegetable pest that has spread worldwide. It belongs to the Coccinellidae family, whose members exhibit remarkable diversity, both in terms of their diets and the colored spots that appear on the elytra in the adult stage. Transcriptomic data from H. vigintioctopunctata at different life stages would be useful for further investigating the genetic basis of this dietary diversity and the formation of the colored spots in ladybird beetles, as well as revealing the population dynamics of H. vigintioctopunctata, which could be useful in pest control. Here, we generated a comprehensive RNA-seq data set (a total of ~24 Gb of clean data) for H. vigintioctopunctata by sequencing samples collected at different life stages. We characterized the transcriptomes of each of the four life stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult) and generated a high-coverage pool by combining all the RNA-seq reads. Furthermore, we identified a catalog of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. This represents the first study to collect transcriptome data from all life stages of a ladybird beetle.
Correction: Corrigendum: Ecosystem experiment reveals benefits of natural and simulated beaver dams to a threatened population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Bouwes Nicolaas , Weber Nicholas , Jordan Chris E. , Saunders W. Carl , Tattam Ian A. , Volk Carol , Wheaton Joseph M. , Pollock Michael M.
Published: June 2018

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 28581; published online: 04 July 2016; updated: 05 June 2018 This Article contains an error, where Supplementary Information Figure 6 is a duplicate of Supplementary Information Figure 7. The correct Supplementary Information Figure 6 appears below as Fig. 1.
Charged porous organic frameworks bearing heteroatoms with enhanced isosteric enthalpies of gas adsorption
Authors: Xing Guolong , Yan Tingting , Das Saikat , Ye Ling , Ye Kaiqi
Published: June 2018

Charged porous organic frameworks bearing heteroatoms which synthesized via Yamamoto-type Ullmann coupling reaction exhibit high isosteric enthalpies of gas adsorption.
Raman imaging of heme metabolismin situin macrophages and Kupffer cells
Authors: Dybas J. , Grosicki M. , Baranska M. , Marzec K. M.
Published: June 2018

Herein, we provide the Raman imaging results for different stages of erythrophagocytosis of senescent red blood cells executed by isolated murine primary Kupffer cells and a murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7).
Ligand-displacement-based two-photon fluorogenic probe for visualizing mercapto biomolecules in live cells, Drosophila brains and zebrafish
Authors: Zhao Yanfei , Ni Yun , Wang Liulin , Xu Chenchen , Xin Chenqi , Zhang Chengwu , Zhang Gaobin , Xie Xiaoji , Li Lin , Huang Wei
Published: June 2018

We report the Fe(iii)-based complex TPFeS which acts as a novel ligand-displacement-based TP fluorogenic probe for the rapid detection of mercapto biomolecules both in vitro and in live cell/tissue/in vivo imaging.
Redox-sensitive dendrimersomes assembled from amphiphilic Janus dendrimers for siRNA delivery
Authors: Du Xiao-Jiao , Wang Ze-Yu , Wang Yu-Cai
Published: June 2018

A cationic redox-sensitive Janus dendrimer (ssJD) that self-assembles into redox-sensitive dendrimersomes (RSDs) to complex with siRNA can readily deliver siRNA into tumor cells, and then rapidly release siRNA in a reductive environment to down-regulate a targeted gene.
X-ray structural, functional and computational studies of the O2-sensitive E. coli hydrogenase-1 C19G variant reveal an unusual [4Fe–4S] cluster
Authors: Volbeda A. , Mouesca J. M. , Darnault C. , Roessler M. M. , Parkin A. , Armstrong F. A. , Fontecilla-Camps J. C.
Published: June 2018

A combined experimental and computational study of an O2-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase mutated proximal FeS cluster with possible applications to similar problems.
In vivo imaging of hepatocellular nitric oxide using a hepatocyte-targeting fluorescent sensor
Authors: Zhang Peisheng , Tian Yong , Liu Hui , Ren Junyu , Wang Hong , Zeng Rongjin , Long Yunfei , Chen Jian
Published: June 2018

A hepatocyte-targeting fluorescent NO sensor has been fabricated with good water solubility, excellent selectivity, and high sensitivity (∼1.62 nM).
Direct visualization of diffuse unoccupied molecular orbitals at a rubrene/graphite interface
Authors: Yamada Takashi , Kinoshita Mariko , Araragi Kento , Watanabe Yu , Ueba Takahiro , Kato Hiroyuki S. , Munakata Toshiaki
Published: June 2018

Using a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic imaging techniques, localized and delocalized unoccupied states are visualized at the molecular level.
Ab initio theory of noble gas atoms in bcc transition metals
Authors: Jiang Chao , Zhang Yongfeng , Gao Yipeng , Gan Jian
Published: June 2018

Systematic ab initio calculations based on density functional theory have been performed to gain fundamental understanding of the interactions between noble gas atoms (He, Ne, Ar and Kr) and bcc transition metals in groups 5B (V, Nb and Ta), 6B (Cr, Mo and W) and 8B (Fe).
Cost-effective promoter-doped Cu-based bimetallic catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of C2H2 to C2H4: the effect of the promoter on selectivity and activity
Authors: Zhang Riguang , Zhao Bo , He Leilei , Wang Anjie , Wang Baojun
Published: June 2018

Different metal promoter M-modified Cu catalysts have been employed to fully investigate the selective hydrogenation of C2H2 using density functional theory calculations together with microkinetic modeling.
Interactions between H-bonded [CuII3(μ3-OH)] triangles; a combined magnetic susceptibility and EPR study
Authors: Mathivathanan Logesh , Boudalis Athanassios K. , Turek Philippe , Pissas Michael , Sanakis Yiannis , Raptis Raphael G.
Published: June 2018

X-band EPR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility studies elucidate the magnetic exchange scheme within a triangular CuII3(μ3-OH) complex and the intermolecular dipolar interactions between two H-bonded CuII3(μ3-OH) units.
Magnetic properties of nanoparticles as a function of their spatial distribution on liposomes and cells
Authors: Fortes Brollo Maria Eugenia , Hernández Flores Patricia , Gutiérrez Lucía , Johansson Christer , Barber Domingo Francisco , Morales María del Puerto
Published: June 2018

The aggregation processes of magnetic nanoparticles in biosystems are analysed by comparing the magnetic properties of three systems with different spatial distributions of the nanoparticles.
Vibrational quantum graphs and their application to the quantum dynamics of CH5+
Authors: Fábri Csaba , Császár Attila G.
Published: June 2018

The first application of quantum-graph theory to molecular vibrations helps understand the low-energy vibrational quantum dynamics of CH5+.
Pillararene-based self-assembled amphiphiles
Authors: Zhang Huacheng , Liu Zhaona , Zhao Yanli
Published: June 2018

Recent advancements in pillararene-based self-assembled amphiphiles are highlighted and discussed in this review.
Externally controlled atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Pan Xiangcheng , Fantin Marco , Yuan Fang , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: June 2018

ATRP can be externally controlled by electrical current, light, mechanical forces and various chemical reducing agents. The mechanistic aspects and preparation of polymers with complex functional architectures and their applications are critically reviewed.
Three ligand-originated MOF isomers: the positional effect of the methyl group on structures and selective C2H2/CH4 and CO2/CH4 adsorption properties
Authors: He Minghui , Wang Yao , Gao Xiaoxia , Li Saidan , He Yabing
Published: June 2018

The positional effect of the methyl group on structures and gas adsorption properties was explored in a copper-based MOF platform constructed from bent diisophthalate ligands bearing the methyl group at different positions.
Tuning the spin crossover behavior of the polyanion [(H2O)6Fe3(μ-L)6]6–: the case of the cesium salt
Authors: Moneo-Corcuera Andrea , Nieto-Castro David , Sáenz de Pipaón Cristina , Gómez Verónica , Maldonado-Illescas Pilar , Galan-Mascaros Jose Ramon
Published: June 2018

Cation exchange transforms the gradual spin transition of the trimer [(H2O)6Fe3(μ-L)6]6– into an abrupt transition with a wide hysteresis above room temperature.
Air and moisture stable covalently-bonded tin(ii) coordination polymers
Authors: de Lima G. M. , Walton R. I. , Clarkson G. J. , Bitzer R. S. , Ardisson J. D.
Published: June 2018

Compounds(1)–(4)display 1D, 2D or 3D coordination networks, in which the Sn(ii) cations exhibit distorted disphenoidal geometries due to the stereochemically active electron lone pairs.
Spatial variation in the atmospheric deposition of perfluoroalkyl acids: source elucidation through analysis of isomer patterns
Authors: Johansson Jana H. , Shi Yali , Salter Matthew , Cousins Ian T.
Published: June 2018

Perfluorooctanoic acid present in the atmosphere stems from both telomer and electrochemical fluorination manufacturing.
Emerging investigator series: determination of biphasic core–shell droplet properties using aerosol optical tweezers
Authors: Gorkowski Kyle , Donahue Neil M. , Sullivan Ryan C.
Published: June 2018

Algorithm to fit whispering gallery modes retrieves biphasic properties.
Properties of Feshbach and “shape”-resonances in ozone and their role in recombination reactions and anomalous isotope effects
Authors: Teplukhin Alexander , Babikov Dmitri
Published: June 2018

Three reaction pathways for formation of symmetric and asymmetric isotopologues of ozone.