bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid of Graphene based on quaternary Cu2ZnNiSe4 –WO3 Nanorods for Counter Electrode in Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Application
Authors: Oh Won Chun , Cho Kwang Youn , Jung Chong Hun , Areerob Yonrapach
Published: March 2020

A novel nanohybrid of graphene-based Cu2ZnNiSe4 with WO3 nanorods (G-CZNS@W) was successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method to use as a counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The characterization technique confirmed the structural and morphologies of the G-CZNS@W nanohybrid, which could show rapid electrons transfer pathway through the WO3 nanorods. Moreover, the as-fabricated G-CZNS@W nanohybrid exhibited synergetic effect between G-CZNS and a WO3 nanorod, which could affect the electrocatalytic activity towards triiodide reaction. The nanohybrid exhibits an excellent photovoltaic performance of 12.16%, which is higher than that of the standard Pt electrode under the same conditions. The G-CZNS@W nanohybrid material as CE thus offers a promising low-cost Pt-free counter electrode for DSSC.
Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty should not be selected as the primary option for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients
Authors: Huang Jincheng , Shi Yanxin , Pan Weiyu , Wang Zhen , Dong Yonghui , Bai Yu , Wang Aiguo , Zhao Yongqiang , Zheng Jia , Lian Hongkai
Published: March 2020

Intertrochanteric fractures (ITFs) in the elderly are still a big challenge for clinical doctors. Although proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BPH) are selected by most of the orthopaedic surgeons for elderly ITFs patients, there is still no consensus on the superiority of PFNA and BPH for ITFs in elderly. In this study, we hypothesized that BPH should not be selected as the primary option for ITFs in elderly patients, and analyzed clinical data of 202 elderly ITFs patients aged 80 years or more treated with PFNA (Group A) and BPH (Group B) to compare the early outcome of PFNA and BPH for ITFs in elderly patients aged 80 years or more. We found that operation time and blood loss during surgery in group A are less than in Group B. Time of weight bearing after operation in Group A is longer than in Group B. Incidence of complications 2 weeks after operation in Group A is 9.29% less than 25.81% in Group B (χ2 = 9.539, p = 0.002). Mortality rates 12 months after operation in Group A is 11.43% similar with 19.35% in Group B (χ2 = 2.261, p = 0.133). Harris Hip Score 12 months after operation in Group A is 68.00 ± 29.11 points similar with 65.73 ± 33.29 points in Group B (t = 0.490, p = 0.625). Therefore, for elderly ITFs patients aged 80 years or more, BPH should not be selected as the primary option for ITFs in elderly patients.
Delineating elastic properties of kinesin linker and their sensitivity to point mutations
Authors: Świątek Michał , Gudowska-Nowak Ewa
Published: March 2020

We analyze free energy estimators from simulation trials mimicking single-molecule pulling experiments on a neck linker of a kinesin motor. For that purpose, we have performed a version of steered molecular dynamics (SMD) calculations. The sample trajectories have been analyzed to derive distribution of work done on the system. In order to induce stretching of the linker, we have applied a constant pulling force to the molecule and allowed for a subsequent relaxation of its structure. The use of fluctuation relations (FR) relevant to non-equilibrium systems subject to thermal fluctuations allows us to assess the difference in free energy between stretched and relaxed conformations. To further understand effects of potential mutations on elastic properties of the linker, we have performed similar in silico studies on a structure formed of a polyalanine sequence (Ala-only) and on three other structures, created by substituting selected types of amino acid residues in the linker’s sequence with alanine (Ala) ones. The results of SMD simulations indicate a crucial role played by the Asparagine (Asn) and Lysine (Lys) residues in controlling stretching and relaxation properties of the linker domain of the motor.
Selectivity of the botanical compounds to the pollinators Apis mellifera and Trigona hyalinata (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: da Silva Isabel Moreira , Zanuncio José Cola , Brügger Bruno Pandelo , Soares Marcus Alvarenga , Zanuncio Antônio José Vinha , Wilcken Carlos Frederico , Tavares Wagner de Souza , Serrão José Eduardo , Sediyama Carlos Sigueyuki
Published: March 2020

The toxicity of essential oils that can be used in insect pest management to pollinators needs further studies. Apis mellifera Linnaeus and Trigona hyalinata (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foragers were exposed by three pathways to ginger, mint, oregano and thyme essential oils to provide their LC50, LD50 and LC90, LD90. Oregano and thyme were more toxic through contact and topically for A. mellifera while the toxicity of mint and ginger was lower. Trigona hyalinata was more tolerant to the essential oils than A. mellifera. In the walking test, the area was treated (totally or partially) with sub-doses (LC50) obtained via contact. The area fully treated with oregano reduced the distance traveled and the movement speed increased the number of stops by A. mellifera. Similar results were observed for T. hyalinata with oregano and thyme oils. Apis mellifera showed irritability remaining shorter time in the area partially treated with ginger, mint and thyme essential oils while T. hyalinata had similar behavior with ginger and thyme. Essential oils did not repel A. mellifera or T. hyalinata, but those of ginger, mint and thyme reduced the time spent by A. mellifera in areas treated with sublethal doses. Oregano and thyme essential oils reduced the survival, mainly, of A. mellifera, while ginger and mint were selective for both pollinators.
Integrating sol-gel and carbon dots chemistry for the fabrication of fluorescent hybrid organic-inorganic films
Authors: Mura Stefania , Ludmerczki Róbert , Stagi Luigi , Garroni Sebastiano , Carbonaro Carlo Maria , Ricci Pier Carlo , Casula Maria Francesca , Malfatti Luca , Innocenzi Plinio
Published: March 2020

Highly fluorescent blue and green-emitting carbon dots have been designed to be integrated into sol-gel processing of hybrid organic-inorganic materials through surface modification with an organosilane, 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The carbon dots have been synthesised using citric acid and urea as precursors; the intense fluorescence exhibited by the nanoparticles, among the highest reported in the scientific literature, has been stabilised against quenching by APTES. When the modification is carried out in an aqueous solution, it leads to the formation of silica around the C-dots and an increase of luminescence, but also to the formation of large clusters which do not allow the deposition of optically transparent films. On the contrary, when the C-dots are modified in ethanol, the APTES improves the stability in the precursor sol even if any passivating thin silica shell does not form. Hybrid films containing APTES-functionalized C-dots are transparent with no traces of C-dots aggregation and show an intense luminescence in the blue and green range.
Specific and segregated changes to the functional connectome evoked by the processing of emotional faces: A task-based connectome study
Authors: Markett Sebastian , Jawinski Philippe , Kirsch Peter , Gerchen Martin F.
Published: March 2020

The functional connectome is organized into several separable intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) that are thought to be the building blocks of the mind. However, it is currently not well understood how these networks are engaged by emotionally salient information, and how such engagement fits into emotion theories. The current study assessed how ICNs respond during the processing of angry and fearful faces in a large sample (N = 843) and examined how connectivity changes relate to the ICNs. All ICNs were modulated by emotional faces and showed functional interactions, a finding which is in line with the “theory of constructed emotions” that assumes that basic emotion do not arise from separable ICNs but from their interplay. We further identified a set of brain regions whose connectivity changes during the tasks suggest a special role as “affective hubs” in the brain. While hubs were located in all ICNs, we observed high selectivity for the amygdala within the subcortical network, a finding which also fits into “primary emotion” theory. The topology of hubs corresponded closely to a set of brain regions that has been implicated in anxiety disorders, pointing towards a clinical relevance of the present findings. The present data are the most comprehensive mapping of connectome-wide changes in functionally connectivity evoked by an affective processing task thus far and support two competing views on how emotions are represented in the brain, suggesting that the connectome paradigm might help with unifying the two ideas.
Eye contact boosts the reflexive component of overt gaze following
Authors: Dalmaso Mario , Alessi Giada , Castelli Luigi , Galfano Giovanni
Published: March 2020

Establishing eye contact with an individual can subsequently lead to a stronger gaze-mediated orienting effect. However, studies exploring this phenomenon have, so far, only assessed manual responses and focused on covert attention – namely, without eye movements. Here, in two experiments, we explored for the first time whether eye contact can also impact on overt attention in an oculomotor task. This approach has two main advantages, in that it relies on more sensitive, online measures of attention allocation and it better mimics real life settings. Participants performed leftwards and rightwards eye movements in response to a central cue. Furthermore, a task-irrelevant central face established – or not – eye contact with the participant, and then averted its gaze either leftwards or rightwards. Hence, eye movement direction was either congruent or incongruent with that of the gaze stimulus. In both experiments, a gaze following behaviour emerged – specifically, smaller saccadic latencies and a greater accuracy emerged on congruent than on incongruent trials – but its magnitude was not modulated by eye contact. However, in Experiment 2 – in which the different eye contact conditions were presented intermixed rather than blocked, thus making eye contact contextually salient – eye contact led to an overall decrement of saccadic latencies and enhanced the reflexive component of gaze following. Taken together, these results provide novel evidence indicating that eye contact can impact on both eye movements programming and overt gaze following mechanisms, at least when eye contact is made contextually salient.
Usefulness of melatonin as complementary to chemotherapeutic agents at different stages of the angiogenic process
Authors: González-González Alicia , González Alicia , Rueda Noemi , Alonso-González Carolina , Menéndez Javier Menéndez , Martínez-Campa Carlos , Mitola Stefania , Cos Samuel
Published: March 2020

Chemotherapeutics are sometimes administered with drugs, like antiangiogenic compounds, to increase their effectiveness. Melatonin exerts antitumoral actions through antiangiogenic actions. We studied if melatonin regulates the response of HUVECs to chemotherapeutics (docetaxel and vinorelbine). The inhibition that these agents exert on some of the processes involved in angiogenesis, such as, cell proliferation, migratory capacity or vessel formation, was enhanced by melatonin. Regarding to estrogen biosynthesis, melatonin impeded the negative effect of vinorelbine, by decreasing the activity and expression of aromatase and sulfatase. Docetaxel and vinorelbine increased the expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-3, ANG1 and/or ANG-2 and melatonin inhibited these actions. Besides, melatonin prevented the positive actions that docetaxel exerts on the expression of other factors related to angiogenesis like JAG1, ANPEP, IGF-1, CXCL6, AKT1, ERK1, ERK2, MMP14 and NOS3 and neutralized the stimulating actions of vinorelbine on the expression of FIGF, FGFR3, CXCL6, CCL2, ERK1, ERK2, AKT1, NOS3 and MMP14. In CAM assay melatonin inhibited new vascularization in combination with chemotherapeutics. Melatonin further enhanced the chemotherapeutics-induced inhibition of p-AKT and p-ERK and neutralized the chemotherapeutics-caused stimulatory effect on HUVECs permeability by modifying the distribution of VE cadherin. Our results confirm that melatonin blocks proangiogenic and potentiates antiangiogenic effects induced by docetaxel and vinorelbine enhancing their antitumor effectiveness.
Double power-law viscoelastic relaxation of living cells encodes motility trends
Authors: de Sousa J. S. , Freire R. S. , Sousa F. D. , Radmacher M. , Silva A. F. B. , Ramos M. V. , Monteiro-Moreira A. C. O. , Mesquita F. P. , Moraes M. E. A. , Montenegro R. C. , Oliveira C. L. N.
Published: March 2020

Living cells are constantly exchanging momentum with their surroundings. So far, there is no consensus regarding how cells respond to such external stimuli, although it reveals much about their internal structures, motility as well as the emergence of disorders. Here, we report that twelve cell lines, ranging from healthy fibroblasts to cancer cells, hold a ubiquitous double power-law viscoelastic relaxation compatible with the fractional Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model. Atomic Force Microscopy measurements in time domain were employed to determine the mechanical parameters, namely, the fast and slow relaxation exponents, the crossover timescale between power law regimes, and the cell stiffness. These cell-dependent quantities show strong correlation with their collective migration and invasiveness properties. Beyond that, the crossover timescale sets the fastest timescale for cells to perform their biological functions.
Development of an experimental method of systematically estimating protein expression limits in HEK293 cells
Authors: Mori Yoshihiro , Yoshida Yuki , Satoh Ayano , Moriya Hisao
Published: March 2020

Protein overexpression sometimes causes cellular defects, although the underlying mechanism is still unknown. A protein’s expression limit, which triggers cellular defects, is a useful indication of the underlying mechanism. In this study, we developed an experimental method of estimating the expression limits of target proteins in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 by measuring the proteins’ expression levels in cells that survived after the high-copy introduction of plasmid DNA by which the proteins were expressed under a strong cytomegalovirus promoter. The expression limits of nonfluorescent target proteins were indirectly estimated by measuring the levels of green fluorescent protein (GFP) connected to the target proteins with the self-cleaving sequence P2A. The expression limit of a model GFP was ~5.0% of the total protein, and sustained GFP overexpression caused cell death. The expression limits of GFPs with mitochondria-targeting signals and endoplasmic reticulum localization signals were 1.6% and 0.38%, respectively. The expression limits of four proteins involved in vesicular trafficking were far lower compared to a red fluorescent protein. The protein expression limit estimation method developed will be valuable for defining toxic proteins and consequences of protein overexpression.
Facile generation of giant unilamellar vesicles using polyacrylamide gels
Authors: Parigoris Eric , Dunkelmann Daniel L. , Murphy Allan , Wili Nino , Kaech Andres , Dumrese Claudia , Jimenez-Rojo Noemi , Silvan Unai
Published: March 2020

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are model cell-sized systems that have broad applications including drug delivery, analysis of membrane biophysics, and synthetic reconstitution of cellular machineries. Although numerous methods for the generation of free-floating GUVs have been established over the past few decades, only a fraction have successfully produced uniform vesicle populations both from charged lipids and in buffers of physiological ionic strength. In the method described here, we generate large numbers of free-floating GUVs through the rehydration of lipid films deposited on soft polyacrylamide (PAA) gels. We show that this technique produces high GUV concentrations for a range of lipid types, including charged ones, independently of the ionic strength of the buffer used. We demonstrate that the gentle hydration of PAA gels results in predominantly unilamellar vesicles, which is in contrast to comparable methods analyzed in this work. Unilamellarity is a defining feature of GUVs and the generation of uniform populations is key for many downstream applications. The PAA method is widely applicable and can be easily implemented with commonly utilized laboratory reagents, making it an appealing platform for the study of membrane biophysics.
Ground state and collective excitations of a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate in a bubble trap
Authors: Diniz Pedro C. , Oliveira Eduardo A. B. , Lima Aristeu R. P. , Henn Emanuel A. L.
Published: March 2020

We consider the ground state and the collective excitations of dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates in a bubble trap, i.e., a shell-shaped spherically symmetric confining potential. By means of an appropriate Gaussian ansatz, we determine the ground-state properties in the case where the particles interact by means of both the isotropic and short-range contact and the anisotropic and long-range dipole-dipole potential in the thin-shell limit. Moreover, with the ground state at hand, we employ the sum-rule approach to study the monopole, the two-, the three-dimensional quadrupole as well as the dipole modes. We find situations in which neither the virial nor Kohn’s theorem can be applied. On top of that, we demonstrate the existence of anisotropic particle density profiles, which are absent in the case with repulsive contact interaction only. These significant deviations from what one would typically expect are then traced back to both the anisotropic nature of the dipolar interaction and the novel topology introduced by the bubble trap.
Area-specific economic status should be regarded as a vital factor affecting the occurrence, development and outcome of cervical cancer
Authors: Li Zichao , Wu Haozhi , Yi Xiaowei , Tian Fangyu , Zhang Xiyang , Zhou Haikun , Liu Biqing , Lu Zhenhua , Wang Jing , Jiang Dongbo , Shang Lei , Yang Kun
Published: March 2020

For patients with cervical cancer, despite the incidence and mortality rates have been declining in recent years, due to its huge population base, cervical cancer has always been a serious public health problem. Our research placed emphasis on the indices greatly associated with overall area-specific social economic status, making up for the defects of traditional research which only pay attention to the situation of some specific disease or patients’ individual social status. A total of 39160 women identified cervical cancer were concluded in our study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 Program data between 1980 and 2014. With improving the area-specific social economic factors in recent years, the occurrence and prognosis of cervical cancer showed different variation patterns respectively. Some states like California and Georgia for their better economic status and more healthcare investment by local medical institution, population there showed a lower prevalence, incidence, more timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and better prognosis. According to our study, we aimed to give a scientific interpretation on how the area-specific social economic factors affect the disease situation at the macro level and help local medical institution make advisable decisions for controlling cervical cancer.
Ginkgolic acid inhibits fusion of enveloped viruses
Authors: Borenstein Ronen , Hanson Barbara A. , Markosyan Ruben M. , Gallo Elisa S. , Narasipura Srinivas D. , Bhutta Maimoona , Shechter Oren , Lurain Nell S. , Cohen Fredric S. , Al-Harthi Lena , Nicholson Daniel A.
Published: March 2020

Ginkgolic acids (GA) are alkylphenol constituents of the leaves and fruits of Ginkgo biloba. GA has shown pleiotropic effects in vitro, including: antitumor effects through inhibition of lipogenesis; decreased expression of invasion associated proteins through AMPK activation; and potential rescue of amyloid-β (Aβ) induced synaptic impairment. GA was also reported to have activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Several mechanisms for this activity have been suggested including: SUMOylation inhibition; blocking formation of the E1-SUMO intermediate; inhibition of fatty acid synthase; non-specific SIRT inhibition; and activation of protein phosphatase type-2C. Here we report that GA inhibits Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by inhibition of both fusion and viral protein synthesis. Additionally, we report that GA inhibits human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genome replication and Zika virus (ZIKV) infection of normal human astrocytes (NHA). We show a broad spectrum of fusion inhibition by GA of all three classes of fusion proteins including HIV, Ebola virus (EBOV), influenza A virus (IAV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV). In addition, we show inhibition of a non-enveloped adenovirus. Our experiments suggest that GA inhibits virion entry by blocking the initial fusion event. Data showing inhibition of HSV-1 and CMV replication, when GA is administered post-infection, suggest a possible secondary mechanism targeting protein and DNA synthesis. Thus, in light of the strong effect of GA on viral infection, even after the infection begins, it may potentially be used to treat acute infections (e.g. Coronavirus, EBOV, ZIKV, IAV and measles), and also topically for the successful treatment of active lesions (e.g. HSV-1, HSV-2 and varicella-zoster virus (VZV)).
Responses of corals to chronic turbidity
Authors: Jones Ross , Giofre Natalie , Luter Heidi M. , Neoh Tze Loon , Fisher Rebecca , Duckworth Alan
Published: March 2020

Dredging increases suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs), causing elevated water turbidity (cloudiness) and light attenuation. Close to dredging, low light periods can extend over many days, affecting phototrophic epibenthic organisms like corals. To improve the ability to predict and manage dredging impacts, we tested the response of corals to an extended period of elevated turbidity using an automated sediment dosing system that precisely controlled SSCs and adjusted light availability accordingly. Replicates of four common species of corals encompassing different morphologies were exposed to turbidity treatments of 0–100 mg L−1 SSC, corresponding to daily light integrals of 12.6 to 0 mol quanta m−2 d−1, over a period of ∼7 weeks. Symbiotic dinoflagellate density and algal pigment concentration, photosynthetic yields, lipid concentrations and ratios and growth varied among the turbidity treatments, with corals exhibiting photoacclimation within low turbidity treatments. A range of physiological responses were observed within the high turbidity treatments (low light), including bleaching and changes in lipid levels and ratios. Most corals, except P. damicornis, were capable of adjusting to a turbidity treatment involving a mean light level of 2.3 mol photons m−2 d−1 in conjunction with a SSC of 10 mg L−1 over the 7 week period.
Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of cellular response to a woven and electrospun polydioxanone (PDO) and polycaprolactone (PCL) patch for tendon repair
Authors: Rashid Mustafa , Dudhia Jayesh , Dakin Stephanie G. , Snelling Sarah J. B. , De Godoy Roberta , Mouthuy Pierre-Alexis , Smith Roger K. W. , Morrey Mark , Carr Andrew J.
Published: March 2020

We investigated endogenous tissue response to a woven and electrospun polydioxanone (PDO) and polycaprolactone (PCL) patch intended for tendon repair. A sheep tendon injury model characterised by a natural history of consistent failure of healing was chosen to assess the biological potential of woven and aligned electrospun fibres to induce a reparative response. Patches were implanted into 8 female adult English Mule sheep. Significant infiltration of tendon fibroblasts was observed within the electrospun component of the patch but not within the woven component. The cellular infiltrate into the electrospun fibres was accompanied by an extensive network of new blood vessel formation. Tendon fibroblasts were the most abundant scaffold-populating cell type. CD45+, CD4+ and CD14+ cells were also present, with few foreign body giant cells. There were no local or systemic signs of excessive inflammation with normal hematology and serology for inflammatory markers three months after scaffold implantation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that an endogenous healing response can be safely induced in tendon by means of biophysical cues using a woven and electrospun patch.
The Transcription Factor-microRNA Regulatory Network during hESC-chondrogenesis
Authors: Griffiths Rosie , Woods Steven , Cheng Aixin , Wang Ping , Griffiths-Jones Sam , Ronshaugen Matthew , Kimber Susan J.
Published: March 2020

Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offer a promising therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis (OA). The unlimited source of cells capable of differentiating to chondrocytes has potential for repairing damaged cartilage or to generate disease models via gene editing. However their use is limited by the efficiency of chondrogenic differentiation. An improved understanding of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of chondrogenesis will enable us to improve hESC chondrogenic differentiation protocols. Small RNA-seq and whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on distinct stages of hESC-directed chondrogenesis. This revealed significant changes in the expression of several microRNAs including upregulation of known cartilage associated microRNAs and those transcribed from the Hox complexes, and the downregulation of pluripotency associated microRNAs. Integration of miRomes and transcriptomes generated during hESC-directed chondrogenesis identified key functionally related clusters of co-expressed microRNAs and protein coding genes, associated with pluripotency, primitive streak, limb development and extracellular matrix. Analysis identified regulators of hESC-directed chondrogenesis such as miR-29c-3p with 10 of its established targets identified as co-regulated ‘ECM organisation’ genes and miR-22-3p which is highly co-expressed with ECM genes and may regulate these genes indirectly by targeting the chondrogenic regulators SP1 and HDAC4. We identified several upregulated transcription factors including HOXA9/A10/D13 involved in limb patterning and RELA, JUN and NFAT5, which have targets enriched with ECM associated genes. We have developed an unbiased approach for integrating transcriptome and miRome using protein-protein interactions, transcription factor regulation and miRNA target interactions and identified key regulatory networks prominent in hESC chondrogenesis.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of Pancreas Volume Measurements Using MRI
Authors: Williams Jonathan M. , Hilmes Melissa A. , Archer Branch , Dulaney Aidan , Du Liping , Kang Hakmook , Russell William E. , Powers Alvin C. , Moore Daniel J. , Virostko John
Published: March 2020

Reduced pancreas volume, as measured by non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is observed in individuals with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) and declines over the first year after diagnosis. In this study, we determined the repeatability and inter-reader reproducibility of pancreas volume measurements by MRI. Test-retest scans in individuals with or without T1D (n = 16) had an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.985 (95% CI 0.961 to 0.995) for pancreas volume. Independent pancreas outlines by two board-certified radiologists (n = 30) yielded an ICC of 0.945 (95% CI 0.889 to 0.973). The mean Dice coefficient, a measurement of the degree of overlap between pancreas regions of interest between the two readers, was 0.77. Prandial state did not influence pancreatic measurements, as stomach volume did not correlate with pancreas volume. These data demonstrate that MRI measurements of pancreas volume between two readers are repeatable and reproducible with ICCs that correspond to excellent clinical significance (ICC > 0.9), are not related to changes in stomach volume, and could be a useful tool for clinical investigation of diabetes and other pancreas pathologies.
Glacier algae foster ice-albedo feedback in the European Alps
Authors: Di Mauro B. , Garzonio R. , Baccolo G. , Franzetti A. , Pittino F. , Leoni B. , Remias D. , Colombo R. , Rossini M.
Published: March 2020

The melting of glaciers and ice sheets is nowadays considered a symbol of climate change. Many complex mechanisms are involved in the melting of ice, and, among these processes, surface darkening due to organic material on bare ice has recently received attention from the scientific community. The presence of microbes on glaciers has been shown to decrease the albedo of ice and promote melting. Despite several studies from the Himalaya, Greenland, Andes, and Alaska, no quantitative studies have yet been conducted in the European Alps. In this paper, we made use of DNA sequencing, microscopy and field spectroscopy to describe the nature of glacier algae found at a glacier (Vadret da Morteratsch) of the European Alps and to evaluate their effect on the ice-albedo feedback. Among different algal species identified in the samples, we found a remarkable abundance of Ancylonema nordenskioeldii, a species that has never previously been quantitatively documented in the Alps and that dominates algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Our results show that, at the end of the ablation season, the concentration of Ancylonema nordenskioeldii on the glacier surface is higher than that of other algal species (i.e. Mesotaenium berggrenii). Using field spectroscopy data, we identified a significant correlation between a reflectance ratio (750 nm/650 nm) and the algae concentration. This reflectance ratio could be useful for future mapping of glacier algae from remote sensing data exploiting band 6 (740 nm) and band 4 (665 nm) of the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) on board Sentinel-2 satellite. Here we show that the biological darkening of glaciers (i.e. the bioalbedo feedback) is also occurring in the European Alps, and thus it is a global process that must be taken into account when considering the positive feedback mechanisms related to glacier melting.
A magnetic sensor using a 2D van der Waals ferromagnetic material
Authors: Jimenez Valery Ortiz , Kalappattil Vijaysankar , Eggers Tatiana , Bonilla Manuel , Kolekar Sadhu , Huy Pham Thanh , Batzill Matthias , Phan Manh-Huong
Published: March 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnetic materials are emerging as promising candidates for applications in ultra-compact spintronic nanodevices, nanosensors, and information storage. Our recent discovery of the strong room temperature ferromagnetism in single layers of VSe2 grown on graphite or MoS2 substrate has opened new opportunities to explore these ultrathin magnets for such applications. In this paper, we present a new type of magnetic sensor that utilizes the single layer VSe2 film as a highly sensitive magnetic core. The sensor relies in changes in resonance frequency of the LC circuit composed of a soft ferromagnetic microwire coil that contains the ferromagnetic VSe2 film subject to applied DC magnetic fields. We define sensitivity as the slope of the characteristic curve of our sensor, df0/dH, where f0 is the resonance frequency and H is the external magnetic field. The sensitivity of the sensor reaches a large value of 16 × 106 Hz/Oe, making it a potential candidate for a wide range of magnetic sensing applications.
Pollution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in the sediments of Jazmurian playa in southeast Iran
Authors: Shirani Mahboube , Afzali Keramat Nezhad , Jahan Sayka , Strezov Vladimir , Soleimani-Sardo Mojtaba
Published: March 2020

Jazmurian playa was an ephemeral lake with a large catchment in southeast Iran, which dried up over the last 10 years as a result of prolonged drought. As the lake was recipient of incoming industrial water with trace metals deposited to the sediment, the dust is the cause of environmental concern of the region and requires evaluation and better management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental and ecological pollution of Jazmurian playa. Hence, 24 collected surface sedimentary samples were analyzed with ICP-OES. The environmental pollution indices including degree of contamination (Cd), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk (PER) were determined. The study revealed moderately to strongly pollution levels of Pb, Ni and Al, while Dy, Pb, Y, Yb, Sm, Te, U, Cu, Mn, Sc represented moderate pollution. The EF values indicated four sites were highly enriched with Dy, Pb and Ni. The PER results showed high risk for four sites and considerable risk for others. Cluster analysis illustrated interconnection between the contaminants and the sites with major pollution at six sites. Obviously, climate change has considerable complex environmental impacts through transformation of local water and sediment pollution problem.
Baleen whale acoustic presence and behaviour at a Mid-Atlantic migratory habitat, the Azores Archipelago
Authors: Romagosa Miriam , Baumgartner Mark , Cascão Irma , Lammers Marc O. , Marques Tiago A. , Santos Ricardo S. , Silva Mónica A.
Published: March 2020

The identification of important areas during the annual life cycle of migratory animals, such as baleen whales, is vital for their conservation. In boreal springtime, fin and blue whales feed in the Azores on their way to northern latitudes while sei whales migrate through the archipelago with only occasional feeding. Little is known about their autumn or winter presence or their acoustic behaviour in temperate migratory habitats. This study used a 5-year acoustic data set collected by autonomous recorders in the Azores that were processed and analysed using an automated call detection and classification system. Fin and blue whales were acoustically present in the archipelago from autumn to spring with marked seasonal differences in the use of different call types. Diel patterns of calling activity were only found for fin whales with more calls during the day than night. Sei whales showed a bimodal distribution of acoustic presence in spring and autumn, corresponding to their expected migration patterns. Diel differences in sei whale calling varied with season and location. This work highlights the importance of the Azores as a migratory and wintering habitat for three species of baleen whales and provides novel information on their acoustic behaviour in a mid-Atlantic region.
Genome-wide impacts of alien chromatin introgression on wheat gene transcriptions
Authors: Dong Zhenjie , Ma Chao , Tian Xiubin , Zhu Changtao , Wang Gang , Lv Yuanfeng , Friebe Bernd , Li Huanhuan , Liu Wenxuan
Published: March 2020

Agronomic characteristics and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in hexaploid wheat can be drastically improved through wheat-alien introgression. However, the transcriptional level interactions of introduced alien genes in the wheat genetic background is rarely investigated. In this study, we report the genome-wide impacts of introgressed chromosomes derived from Ae. longissima on gene transcriptions of the wheat landrace Chinese Spring. RNA-seq analyses demonstrated 5.37% and 4.30% of the genes were significantly differentially expressed (DEGs) in CS-Ae. longissima disomic 3Sl#2(3B) substitution line TA3575 and disomic 6Sl#3 addition line TA7548, respectively when compared to CS. In addition, 561 DEGs, including 413 up-regulated and 148 down-regulated or not transcribed genes, were simultaneously impacted by introgressed chromosomes 3Sl#2 and 6Sl#3, which accounts for 41.25% of the DEGs in TA3575 and 38.79% in TA7548. Seventeen DEGs, annotated as R genes, were shared by both introgression lines carrying chromosomes 3Sl#2 and 6Sl#3, which confer resistance to powdery mildew. This study will benefit the understanding of the wheat gene responses as result of alien gene(s) or chromosome intogression and the plant defense response initiated by powdery mildew resistance genes in chromosomes 3Sl#2 and 6Sl#3.
Using the interfacial barrier effects of p–n junction on electrochemistry for detection of phosphate
Authors: Ding Yu , Zhao Minggang , Yu Jiatuo , Zhang Xiaomin , Li Zhengming , Li Hui
Published: March 2020

The electrochemical response to phosphate was produced by the induced change of the interfacial barrier of the NiO/ZnO p–n junction foam.
Field testing of an onsite sanitation system on apartment building blackwater using biological treatment and electrochemical disinfection
Authors: Varigala Siva Kumar , Hegarty-Craver Meghan , Krishnaswamy Srinivas , Madhavan Prakash , Basil Milan , Rosario Praveen , Raj Antony , Barani Viswa , Cid Clement A. , Grego Sonia , Luettgen Michael
Published: March 2020

Demonstration of an electrochemical toilet wastewater treatment and disinfection technology at the scale of an apartment building and translation of the system into a commercial product.
Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acidversusα-linolenic acid supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chen Hengying , Deng Guifang , Zhou Quan , Chu Xinwei , Su Mengyang , Wei Yuanhuan , Li Liping , Zhang Zheqing
Published: March 2020

Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) made direct comparisons between EPA/DHAversusALA on improving cardiovascular risk factors and have reached inconsistent findings.
Ultrasensitive sensors based on aluminum oxide-protected reduced graphene oxide for phosphate ion detection in real water
Authors: Zhou Guihua , Jin Bing , Wang Yale , Dong Qianqian , Maity Arnab , Chang Jingbo , Ren Ren , Pu Haihui , Sui Xiaoyu , Mao Shun , Chen Junhong
Published: March 2020

A real-time FET sensor was demonstrated for detecting aqueous phosphate ions through molecular engineering of surface passivation and selective probes.
High throughput screening of M3C2 MXenes for efficient CO2 reduction conversion into hydrocarbon fuels
Authors: Xiao Yi , Zhang Weibin
Published: March 2020

The electrocatalytic reduction conversion of CO2 to produce methane (CH4) as a fuel has attracted intensive attention for renewable energy.
Ultrasonic-promoted enzymatic preparation, identification and multi-active studies of nature-identical phenolic acid glycerol derivatives
Authors: Sun Teng , Zhang Haiping , Dong Zhe , Liu Zengshe , Zheng Mingming
Published: March 2020

A group of rare nature-identical phenolic acid glycerol derivatives was enzymatically prepared and identified, and showed much better antioxidant and antimicrobial activities than the corresponding phenolic acids.
Enzymatic approach to cascade synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes in pure water
Authors: Fu Yajie , Lu Zeping , Fang Ke , He Xinyi , Xu Huajin , Hu Yi
Published: March 2020

TLIM: lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus immobilized on particle silica gel.
Fabrication of mechanically resistant superhydrophobic synthetic suede materials
Authors: Luo Xiang-Dong , Xue Chao-Hua , Wei Ren-Xuan , Wang Wei-Hao , Du Mi-Mi , Huang Meng-Chen , Li Hui-Gui
Published: March 2020

Functionalization of synthetic suede materials with excellent superhydrophobicity can expand their application ranges.
Flexible high dielectric thin films based on cellulose nanofibrils and acid oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Tao Jie , Cao Shun-an
Published: March 2020

The acid oxidized MWCNTs have excellent dispersity in CNF, resulting in outstanding dielectric properties of the flexible CNF/o-MWCNT nanocomposite films.
Sodium caseinate as a particulate emulsifier for making indefinitely recycled pH-responsive emulsions
Authors: Xi Yongkang , Liu Bo , Jiang Hang , Yin Shouwei , Ngai To , Yang Xiaoquan
Published: March 2020

An unprecedented pH-responsive emulsion is shaped by utilizing pure sodium caseinate (NaCas) as the sole emulsifier for recyclable interfacial catalysis. This emulsion could be reversibly switched on and off over 100 cycles.
Synthesis of orthogonally reactive multilayered microcapsules
Authors: Borbora Angana , Manna Uttam
Published: March 2020

An orthogonally chemically reactive microcapsule is derived from a single polymer following a layer-by-layer-deposition process, where a 1,4 conjugate addition reaction provided a basis for sequential deposition of a chemically reactive nanocomplex.
Solvent-dependent supramolecular self-assembly of boron cage pillared metal–organic frameworks for selective gas separation
Authors: Zhang Yuanbin , Wang Lingyao , Hu Jianbo , Duttwyler Simon , Cui Xili , Xing Huabin
Published: March 2020

A family of microporous boron cage pillared supramolecular metal–organic frameworks are synthesized with the self-assembly behavior controlled by solvents. Interpenetrated BSF-4 is potential for highly selective C2H2/C2H4 and C2H2/CO2 separation.
Effect of the supramolecular interactions on the nanostructure of halloysite/biopolymer hybrids: a comprehensive study by SANS, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and electric birefringence
Authors: Cavallaro Giuseppe , Chiappisi Leonardo , Gradzielski Michael , Lazzara Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

Supramolecular interactions affect the nanostructure of composites based on halloysite nanotubes and differently charged biopolymers.
Capturing spatially resolved kinetic data and coking of Ga–Pt supported catalytically active liquid metal solutions during propane dehydrogenationin situ
Authors: Wolf Moritz , Raman Narayanan , Taccardi Nicola , Horn Raimund , Haumann Marco , Wasserscheid Peter
Published: March 2020

Spatially resolved kinetic data of gallium–platinum SCALMS was captured while elucidating the effect of carrier material on coke formation.
White luminescent single-crystalline chlorinated graphene quantum dots
Authors: Li Weitao , Guo Huazhang , Li Gao , Chi Zhen , Chen Hailong , Wang Liang , Liu Yijian , Chen Keng , Le Mengying , Han Yu , Yin Luqiao , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan Pulickel M , Weng Yuxiang , Wu Minghong
Published: March 2020

A new class of white luminescent materials, white-light-emitting graphene quantum dots (WGQDs), have attracted increasing attention because of their unique features and potential applications.
Synthesis of β-lactams via diastereoselective, intramolecular Kinugasa reactions
Authors: Popik Oskar , Grzeszczyk Barbara , Staszewska-Krajewska Olga , Furman Bartłomiej , Chmielewski Marek
Published: March 2020

Intramolecular Kinugasa reactions on in situ generated carbohydrate-derived alkynylnitrones are described. Subsequent transformations of cycloadducts followed by epimerization at the C-4 carbon atom led to trans-substituted azetidinones with high stereoselectivity.
Dual-mode response behavior of a graphene oxide implanted energetic system under different thermal stimuli
Authors: Liu Jie , Yan Tao , Li Yaru , Ren Hui , Wang Qian , Guan Fayang , Jiao Qingjie
Published: March 2020

Under two different thermal stimuli loading methods, GO embodied dual-mode response behavior in B/KNO3 mixtures.
Facile access to diverse all-carbon quaternary center containing spirobicycles by exploring a tandem Castro–Stephens coupling/acyloxy shift/cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence
Authors: Zhang Ye , Zheng Tian-Lu , Cheng Fu , Dai Kun-Long , Zhang Kun , Ma Ai-Jun , Zhang Fu-Min , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Wang Shao-Hua , Tu Yong-Qiang
Published: March 2020

An efficient construction of spirocyclo[4.5]decane derivatives is developed via a Castro–Stephens coupling/1,3-acyloxy shift/cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence.
Facilitating the reduction of V–O bonds on VOx/ZrO2 catalysts for non-oxidative propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Xie Yufei , Luo Ran , Sun Guodong , Chen Sai , Zhao Zhi-Jian , Mu Rentao , Gong Jinlong
Published: March 2020

Low coordinated VOx species on ZrO2 with more reduced V–O bonds leads to improved catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation.
Enhanced dielectric performance in flexible MWCNT/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene)-based nanocomposites by designing a tri-layered structure
Authors: Chen Jie , Wang Yifei , Dong Jiufeng , Niu Yujuan , Chen Weixing , Wang Hong
Published: March 2020

Tri-layered films are capable of excellent capacitive stability over straight bending (i.e. 20 000 cycles) and winding (i.e. 120 hours) tests.
Offline mobile diagnosis system for citrus pests and diseases using deep compression neural network
Authors: You Jie , Lee Joonwhoan
Published: March 2020

This study presents an offline mobile diagnosis system for citrus pests and diseases by compression convolutional neural network. Recently, with the growth of labelled data, the deep neural network incites the revolutionary change with a quantum leap in various fields. Benefiting from the backpropagation method, the proper network structure can automatically extract high‐level representations and find corresponding labels. The authors made use of the advantages of the deep neural network to design an android application, which can be installed in any stand‐alone devices to instantaneously identify the citrus pests and diseases. The proposed diagnosis system has three characteristics: low cost, low latency and high accuracy. These characteristics contribute to make the professional offline prediction for avoiding further economic loss caused by disease spreading. In order to validate the proposed system, the authors conducted thorough evaluations on two data sets, ‘citrus pests and diseases’, CIFAR, which show the superiority of the proposed approach in terms of the accuracy and the number of model parameters.
La théorie ondulatoire de fresnel a-t-elle tué les rayons ? Comment réconcilier les rayons et les ondes
Authors: Alonso Miguel
Published: March 2020

Il y a 200 ans, Fresnel a fourni des bases mathématiques au modèle ondulatoire de la lumière, capables de prédire même des phénomènes aussi surprenants à l’époque que la tache d'Arago. Donc, naïvement, on aurait pu penser que cette formalisation mettrait le dernier clou dans le cercueil du modèle précédent, celui de rayons. Cependant, les cours d’optique continuent à couvrir l’optique de rayons, et la plupart des logiciels pour la conception des systèmes imageurs sont basés sur ce simple et ancien modèle. Le modèle de rayons s’est donc révélé étonnamment résilient, et s’il est utilisé correctement, il est même capable de capturer de nombreux effets considérés souvent comme intrinsèquement ondulatoires.