bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A semisynthetic borrelidin analogue BN-3b exerts potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans through ROS-mediated oxidative damage
Authors: Su Hao , Hu Caijuan , Cao Bixuan , Qu Xiaodan , Guan Peipei , Mu Yu , Han Li , Huang Xueshi
Published: March 2020

In the process of investigating the antifungal structure-activity relationships (SAR) of borrelidin and discovering antifungal leads, a semisynthetic borrelidin analogue, BN-3b with antifungal activity against Candida albicans, was achieved. In this study, we found that oxidative damage induced by endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the antifungal activity of BN-3b. Further investigation indicated that BN-3b stimulated ROS accumulation, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio. Moreover, BN-3b decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP generation. Ultrastructure analysis revealed that BN-3b severely damaged the cell membrane of C. albicans. Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that virulence factors of C. albicans SAPs, PLB1, PLB2, HWP1, ALSs, and LIPs were all down-regulated after BN-3b exposure. We also found that BN-3b markedly inhibited the hyphal formation of C. albicans. In addition, in vivo studies revealed that BN-3b significantly prolonged survival and decreased fungal burden in mouse model of disseminated candidiasis.
Investigating the role of BCAR4 in ovarian physiology and female fertility by genome editing in rabbit
Authors: Peyny Maud , Jarrier-Gaillard Peggy , Boulanger Laurent , Daniel Nathalie , Lavillatte Sébastien , Cadoret Véronique , Papillier Pascal , Monniaux Danielle , Peynot Nathalie , Duranthon Véronique , Jolivet Geneviève , Dalbies-Tran Rozenn
Published: March 2020

Breast Cancer Anti-estrogen Resistance 4 (BCAR4) was previously characterised in bovine species as a gene preferentially expressed in oocytes, whose inhibition is detrimental to in vitro embryo development. But its role in oogenesis, folliculogenesis and globally fertility in vivo remains unknown. Because the gene is not conserved in mice, rabbits were chosen for investigation of BCAR4 expression and function in vivo. BCAR4 displayed preferential expression in the ovary compared to somatic organs, and within the ovarian follicle in the oocyte compared to somatic cells. The transcript was detected in follicles as early as the preantral stage. Abundance decreased throughout embryo development until the blastocyst stage. A lineage of genome-edited rabbits was produced; BCAR4 expression was abolished in follicles from homozygous animals. Females of wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous genotypes were examined for ovarian physiology and reproductive parameters. Follicle growth and the number of ovulations in response to hormonal stimulation were not significantly different between genotypes. Following insemination, homozygous females displayed a significantly lower delivery rate than their heterozygous counterparts (22 ± 7% vs 71 ± 11% (mean ± SEM)), while prolificacy was 1.8 ± 0.7 vs 6.0 ± 1.4 kittens per insemination. In conclusion, BCAR4 is not essential for follicular growth and ovulation but it contributes to optimal fertility in rabbits.
Silicon reduces the iron uptake in rice and induces iron homeostasis related genes
Authors: Becker Martin , Ngo Ngoc Sang , Schenk Manfred Karl Adolf
Published: March 2020

Gramineous plants take up silicon (Si) that enhances the formation of exodermal Casparian bands (CBs) in the roots of rice (Oryza sativaL.). Furthermore, it is known that Si supply reduces the concentration of Fe in rice shoots. We hypothesized that the Si-enhanced CB formation in the exodermis reduces in the flux of Fe in the apoplast and the uptake of Fe loaded deoxymugineic acid. Thus, the effect of silicic acid supply at varied Fe concentrations and Fe forms was investigated in nutrient solution. The Fe concentrations in the shoot and apoplastic Fe concentrations in the root were determined and an Affymetrix GeneChip experiment was carried out together with qRT-PCR measurements for observation of transcriptomic reactions. Additionally, the Fe uptake of an overexpression mutant of OsABCG25with an enhanced exodermal CB formation was investigated. The application of silicic acid reduced the Fe concentrations in shoot DM independently of the supplied Fe concentration and Fe form. As a reaction to the Fe shortage, the full cascade of Fe-homeostasis-related genes in the roots was upregulated. Silicic acid supply also decreased the apoplastic Fe concentrations in roots. In addition, an overexpression mutant of OsABCG25with an enhanced CB formation showed a reduced uptake of Fe in excess Fe conditions. The results suggest that the Si-induced CB formation in the exodermis hampers the flux of Fe into the apoplast of the cortex and, thus, Fe uptake of rice grown in nutrient solution which is reflected in the upregulation of Fe homeostasis-related genes.
Climatic and edaphic controls over tropical forest diversity and vegetation carbon storage
Authors: Hofhansl Florian , Chacón-Madrigal Eduardo , Fuchslueger Lucia , Jenking Daniel , Morera-Beita Albert , Plutzar Christoph , Silla Fernando , Andersen Kelly M. , Buchs David M. , Dullinger Stefan , Fiedler Konrad , Franklin Oskar , Hietz Peter , Huber Werner , Quesada Carlos A. , Rammig Anja , Schrodt Franziska , Vincent Andrea G. , Weissenhofer Anton , Wanek Wolfgang
Published: March 2020

Tropical rainforests harbor exceptionally high biodiversity and store large amounts of carbon in vegetation biomass. However, regional variation in plant species richness and vegetation carbon stock can be substantial, and may be related to the heterogeneity of topoedaphic properties. Therefore, aboveground vegetation carbon storage typically differs between geographic forest regions in association with the locally dominant plant functional group. A better understanding of the underlying factors controlling tropical forest diversity and vegetation carbon storage could be critical for predicting tropical carbon sink strength in response to projected climate change. Based on regionally replicated 1-ha forest inventory plots established in a region of high geomorphological heterogeneity we investigated how climatic and edaphic factors affect tropical forest diversity and vegetation carbon storage. Plant species richness (of all living stems >10 cm in diameter) ranged from 69 to 127 ha−1 and vegetation carbon storage ranged from 114 to 200 t ha−1. While plant species richness was controlled by climate and soil water availability, vegetation carbon storage was strongly related to wood density and soil phosphorus availability. Results suggest that local heterogeneity in resource availability and plant functional composition should be considered to improve projections of tropical forest ecosystem functioning under future scenarios.
Migratory dendritic cells in skin-draining lymph nodes have nickel-binding capabilities
Authors: Kuroishi Toshinobu , Bando Kanan , Bakti Reiska Kumala , Ouchi Gaku , Tanaka Yukinori , Sugawara Shunji
Published: March 2020

Nickel (Ni) is the most frequent metal allergen and induces Th1-dependent type-IV allergies. In local skin, epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and/or dermal dendritic cells (DCs) uptake antigens and migrate to draining lymph nodes (LNs). However, the subsets of antigen-presenting cells that contribute to Ni presentation have not yet been identified. In this study, we analyzed the Ni-binding capabilities of murine DCs using fluorescent metal indicator Newport Green. Elicitation of Ni allergy was assessed after intradermal (i.d.) injection of Ni-treated DCs into ear pinnae of Ni-sensitized mice. The Ni-binding capabilities of MHC class IIhi CD11cint migratory DCs were significantly stronger than those of MHC class IIint CD11chi resident DCs and CD11cint PDCA1+ MHC class IIint B220+ plasmacytoid DCs. Migratory DCs in skin-draining and mandibular LNs showed significantly stronger Ni-binding capabilities than those in mesenteric and medial iliac LNs. An i.d. injection of IL-1β induced the activation of LCs and dermal DCs with strong Ni-binding capabilities. Ni-binding LCs were detected in draining LNs after i.d. challenge with IL-1β and Ni. Moreover, an i.d. injection of Ni-treated DCs purified from skin-draining LNs elicited Ni-allergic inflammation. These results demonstrated that migratory DCs in skin-draining LNs have strong Ni-binding capabilities and elicit Ni allergy.
Development of a MALDI-TOF MS-based screening panel for accelerated differential detection of carbapenemases in Enterobacterales using the direct-on-target microdroplet growth assay
Authors: Correa-Martínez Carlos L. , Idelevich Evgeny A. , Sparbier Katrin , Kuczius Thorsten , Kostrzewa Markus , Becker Karsten
Published: March 2020

Carbapenemase-producing bacteria are a growing issue worldwide. Most phenotypic detection methods are culture-based, requiring long incubation times. We present a phenotypic screening panel for detection of carbapenem non-susceptibility and differentiation of carbapenemase classes and AmpC, the MALDI-TOF MS-based direct-on-target microdroplet growth assay (DOT-MGA). It was validated on 7 reference strains and 20 challenge Enterobacterales isolates. Broth microdilution (BMD) and combination disk test (CDT) were also performed, as well as PCR as reference method. The panel based on the synergy between meropenem and carbapenemase inhibitors, determined by incubating these substances with bacterial suspension on a MALDI-TOF MS target and subsequently assessing bacterial growth on the target’s spots by MS. After 4 hours of incubation, DOT-MGA correctly identified KPC, MBL and OXA (100% agreement with PCR). Detection of AmpC coincided with BMD and CDT but agreement with PCR was low, not ruling out false negative PCR results. DOT-MGA delivered more accurate results than BMD and CDT in a significantly shorter time, allowing for detection of carbapenem non-susceptibility, MIC determination and carbapenemase differentiation in one step.
Milk yield, milk composition, and milk metabolomics of dairy goats intramammary-challenged with lipopolysaccharide under heat stress conditions
Authors: Salama Ahmed A. K. , Contreras-Jodar Alexandra , Love Samantha , Mehaba Nabil , Such Xavier , Caja Gerardo
Published: March 2020

Heat stress and mastitis are major economic issues in dairy production. The objective was to test whether goat’s mammary gland immune response to E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could be conditioned by heat stress (HS). Changes in milk composition and milk metabolomics were evaluated after the administration of LPS in mammary glands of dairy goats under thermal-neutral (TN; n = 4; 15 to 20 °C; 40 to 45% humidity) or HS (n = 4; 35 °C day, 28 °C night; 40% humidity) conditions. Milk metabolomics were evaluated using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and multivariate analyses were carried out. Heat stress reduced feed intake and milk yield by 28 and 21%, respectively. Mammary treatment with LPS resulted in febrile response that was detectable in TN goats, but was masked by elevated body temperature due to heat load in HS goats. Additionally, LPS increased milk protein and decreased milk lactose, with more marked changes in HS goats. The recruitment of somatic cells in milk after LPS treatment was delayed by HS. Milk metabolomics revealed that citrate increased by HS, whereas choline, phosphocholine, N-acetylcarbohydrates, lactate, and ß-hydroxybutyrate could be considered as putative markers of inflammation with different pattern according to the ambient temperature (i.e. TN vs. HS). In conclusion, changes in milk somatic cells and milk metabolomics indicated that heat stress affected the mammary immune response to simulated infection, which could make dairy animals more vulnerable to mastitis.
Novel B cell-dependent multiple sclerosis model using extracellular domains of myelin proteolipid protein
Authors: Boyden Alexander W. , Brate Ashley A. , Karandikar Nitin J.
Published: March 2020

Therapeutic success of B cell-targeting approaches in multiple sclerosis (MS) has intensified research into the pathogenic and regulatory roles these cells play in demyelinating disease. Dissecting the function of B cells in the MS mouse model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is largely confined to induction with either the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein epitope MOG35–55or the full-length recombinant human MOG protein, the latter representing the most-used B cell-dependent EAE model. There is a clear need to investigate B cell function in additional myelin antigen contexts. Unlike MOG35–55, where lack of B cells yields more severe disease, we show here that the immunodominant myelin proteolipid protein epitope (PLP178–191) elicited identical EAE in WT and μMT mice, suggesting an absence of B cell engagement by this peptide. We hypothesized that a longer PLP antigen may better engage B cells and designed a peptide encompassing the extracellular domains (ECD) of PLP. We demonstrate here that PLPECD-immunized B cell-deficient mice failed to exhibit EAE. In contrast, PLPECDinduced EAE not only in WT mice, but in B cell-sufficient mice incapable of secreting antibodies, suggesting a predominant antigen presentation role. These results establish a novel, efficient B cell-dependent EAE model.
Recombinant expression, characterization, and quantification in human cancer cell lines of the Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma-characteristic NPM-ALK fusion protein
Authors: Kourentzi Katerina , Crum Mary , Patil Ujwal , Prebisch Ana , Chavan Dimple , Vu Binh , Zeng Zihua , Litvinov Dmitri , Zu Youli , Willson Richard C.
Published: March 2020

Systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an aggressive T-cell lymphoma most commonly seen in children and young adults. The majority of pediatric ALCLs are associated with the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation which fuses the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene with the Nucleophosmin (NPM) gene. The NPM-ALK fusion protein is a constitutively-active tyrosine kinase, and plays a major role in tumor pathogenesis. In an effort to advance novel diagnostic approaches and the understanding of the function of this fusion protein in cancer cells, we expressed inE. coli,purified and characterized human NPM-ALK fusion protein to be used as a standard for estimating expression levels in cultured human ALCL cells, a key tool in ALCL pathobiology research. We estimated that NPM-ALK fusion protein is expressed at substantial levels in both Karpas 299 and SU-DHL-1 cells (ca. 4–6 million molecules or 0.5–0.7 pg protein per cell; based on ourin-housedeveloped NPM-ALK ELISA; LOD of 40 pM) as compared to the ubiquitous β-actin protein (ca. 64 million molecules or 4.5 pg per lymphocyte). We also compared NPM-ALK/ β-actin ratios determined by ELISA to those independently determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis and showed that the two methods are in good agreement.
Neural dynamics of grip and goal integration during the processing of others’ actions with objects: An ERP study
Authors: Decroix Jérémy , Roger Clémence , Kalénine Solène
Published: March 2020

Recent behavioural evidence suggests that when processing others’ actions, motor acts and goal-related information both contribute to action recognition. Yet the neuronal mechanisms underlying the dynamic integration of the two action dimensions remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the ERP components underlying the processing and integration of grip and goal-related information. The electrophysiological activity of 28 adults was recorded during the processing of object-directed action photographs (e.g., writing with pencil) containing either grip violations (e.g. upright pencil grasped with atypical-grip), goal violations (e.g., upside-down pencil grasped with typical-grip), both grip and goal violations (e.g., upside-down pencil grasped with atypical-grip), or no violations. Participants judged whether actions were overall typical or not according to object typical use. Brain activity was sensitive to the congruency between grip and goal information on the N400, reflecting the semantic integration between the two dimensions. On earlier components, brain activity was affected by grip and goal typicality independently. Critically, goal typicality but not grip typicality affected brain activity on the N300, supporting an earlier role of goal-related representations in action recognition. Findings provide new insights on the neural temporal dynamics of the integration of motor acts and goal-related information during the processing of others’ actions.
Identifying Sex of Neonate Turtles with Temperature-dependent Sex Determination via Small Blood Samples
Authors: Tezak Boris , Sifuentes-Romero Itzel , Milton Sarah , Wyneken Jeanette
Published: March 2020

Temperature-dependent sex determination, present in most turtle species, is a mechanism that uses temperature to direct the sex of the embryo. The rapid increase of global temperatures highlights the need for a clear assessment of how sex ratios of organisms with TSD are affected. In turtles with TSD, quantifying primary sex ratios is challenging because they lack external dimorphism and heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Here we describe a new technique used to identify sex in neonate turtles of two TSD species, a freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta) and a marine turtle (Caretta caretta) via analysis of small blood samples. We used an immunoassay approach to test samples for the presence of several proteins known to play an important role in sex differentiation. Our results show that Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) can be reliably detected in blood samples from neonate male turtles but not females and can be used as a sex-specific marker. Verification of sex via histology or laparoscopy revealed that this method was 100% reliable for identifying sex in both T. scripta and C. caretta 1–2 day-old hatchlings and 90% reliable for identifying sex in 83–177 day-old (120–160 g) loggerhead juveniles. The method described here is minimally invasive, and for the first time, greatly enhances our ability to measure neonate turtle sex ratios at population levels across nesting sites worldwide, a crucial step in assessing the impact of climate change on imperiled turtle species.
Tumor fitness, immune exhaustion and clinical outcomes: impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Bubie Adrian , Gonzalez-Kozlova Edgar , Akers Nicholas , Villanueva Augusto , Losic Bojan
Published: March 2020

Recently proposed tumor fitness measures, based on profiling neoepitopes for reactive viral epitope similarity, have been proposed to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and small-cell lung cancer. Here we applied these checkpoint based fitness measures to the matched checkpoint treatment naive Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) samples where cytolytic activity (CYT) imparts a known survival benefit. We observed no significant survival predictive power beyond that of overall patient tumor mutation burden, and furthermore, found no association between checkpoint based fitness and tumor T-cell infiltration, cytolytic activity, and abundance (tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, TIL, burden). In addition, we investigated the key assumption of viral epitope similarity driving immune response in the hepatitis B virally infected liver cancer TCGA cohort, and uncovered suggestive evidence that tumor neoepitopes actually dominate viral epitopes in putative immunogenicity and plausibly drive immune response and recruitment.
Long-term follow-up of 453 patients with pelvic organ prolapse who underwent transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy with Veronikis ligature carrier
Authors: Wu Chin-Jui , Chang Wen-Chun , Huang Kuan-Ju , Hsieh Yun-Chiao , Wei Lin-Hung , Sheu Bor-Ching
Published: March 2020

Sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) is one of the most utilized surgeries in the management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We conducted a large-series study of SSLF in a tertiary center by an experienced urogynecologic team. The 453 women with POP who underwent SSLF at National Taiwan University Hospital in the period from 2002 to 2015 are reviewed. All patients received unilateral SSLF with Veronikis ligature carrier. Concomitant anterior colporrhaphy was performed in 75.3% of the cases and posterior colporrhaphy in 78.6%. The mean operation time was 92.3 ± 31.5 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 92.3 ± 91.4 ml. The objective cure rate was 82.5%, and 79 (17.5%) patients recurred. The Kaplan-Meier recurrence-free analysis showed a steep decline during the first postoperative year, and the yearly number of recurrent patients decreased as the follow-up period proceeded. A comparison of the site of recurrence found that anterior compartment prolapse was the most common with 57 cases (12.6%). Paravaginal repair is frequently implemented in the management of recurrent anterior prolapse. In conclusion, SSLF provides excellent support to the apex compartment, and our long-term results show that the anterior compartment is the most commonly encountered type of POP recurrence.
A flow cytometry-based analysis to establish a cell cycle synchronization protocol for Saccharum spp.
Authors: Yang Shan , Zeng Kai , Luo Ling , Qian Wang , Wang Zhiqiang , Doležel Jaroslav , Zhang Muqing , Gao Xiangxiong , Deng Zuhu
Published: March 2020

Modern sugarcane is an unusually complex heteroploid crop, and its genome comprises two or three subgenomes. To reduce the complexity of sugarcane genome research, the ploidy level and number of chromosomes can be reduced using flow chromosome sorting. However, a cell cycle synchronization (CCS) protocol for Saccharum spp. is needed that maximizes the accumulation of metaphase chromosomes. For flow cytometry analysis in this study, we optimized the lysis buffer, hydroxyurea(HU) concentration, HU treatment time and recovery time for sugarcane. We determined the mitotic index by microscopic observation and calculation. We found that WPB buffer was superior to other buffers for preparation of sugarcane nuclei suspensions. The optimal HU treatment was 2 mM for 18 h at 25 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C. Higher recovery treatment temperatures were associated with shorter recovery times (3.5 h, 2.5 h and 1.5 h at 25 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C, respectively). The optimal conditions for treatment with the inhibitor of microtubule polymerization, amiprophos-methyl (APM), were 2.5 μM for 3 h at 25 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C. Meanwhile, preliminary screening of CCS protocols for Badila were used for some main species of genus Saccharum at 25 °C, 28 °C and 30 °C, which showed that the average mitotic index decreased from 25 °C to 30 °C. The optimal sugarcane CCS protocol that yielded a mitotic index of >50% in sugarcane root tips was: 2 mM HU for 18 h, 0.1 X Hoagland’s Solution without HU for 3.5 h, and 2.5 μM APM for 3.0 h at 25 °C. The CCS protocol defined in this study should accelerate the development of genomic research and cytobiology research in sugarcane.
Author Correction: Enzymatic activity of a recombinant β-1,4-endoglucanase from the Cotton Boll Weevil (Anthonomus grandis) aiming second generation ethanol production
Authors: Ibarra Liz Nathalia , Alves Ana Elizabeth Oliveira de Araújo , Antonino José Dijair , Prado Guilherme Souza , Pinto Clidia Eduarda Moreira , Soccol Carlos Ricardo , de Vasconcelos Érico Augusto Rosas , Grossi-de-Sa Maria Fátima
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Type-2 Diabetics Reduces Spatial Variation of Microbiome Based on Extracellular Vesicles from Gut Microbes across Human Body
Authors: Nah Geumkyung , Park Sang-Cheol , Kim Kangjin , Kim Sungmin , Park Jaehyun , Lee Sanghun , Won Sungho
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Artificial-intelligence-driven scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Krull A. , Hirsch P. , Rother C. , Schiffrin A. , Krull C.
Published: March 2020

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has revolutionized the fields of materials, nano-science, chemistry, and biology, by enabling mapping of surface properties and surface manipulation with atomic precision. However, these achievements require constant human supervision; fully automated SPM has not been accomplished yet. Here we demonstrate an artificial intelligence framework based on machine learning for autonomous SPM operation (DeepSPM). DeepSPM includes an algorithmic search of good sample regions, a convolutional neural network to assess the quality of acquired images, and a deep reinforcement learning agent to reliably condition the state of the probe. DeepSPM is able to acquire and classify data continuously in multi-day scanning tunneling microscopy experiments, managing the probe quality in response to varying experimental conditions. Our approach paves the way for advanced methods hardly feasible by human operation (e.g., large dataset acquisition and SPM-based nanolithography). DeepSPM can be generalized to most SPM techniques, with the source code publicly available.
Fast determination of five chiral antipsychotic drugs using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Mu , Chiu Tai-Chia , Chen Szu-Hua
Published: March 2020

This study developed a new method for the extraction, clean up, chiral separation, and determination of five pairs of phenothiazine drugs using ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with capillary electrophoresis.
A suspended graphene-based optical interferometric surface stress sensor for selective biomolecular detection
Authors: Kidane Shin , Ishida Hayato , Sawada Kazuaki , Takahashi Kazuhiro
Published: March 2020

Chemically functionalized suspended graphene with a cavity-sealing structure selectively detects biomolecules using nanomechanical deflection associated with molecular adsorption.
Structure and orientation effects in the coalescence of Au clusters
Authors: Nelli Diana , Rossi Giulia , Wang Zhiwei , Palmer Richard E. , Ferrando Riccardo
Published: March 2020

The structure of coalescing aggregates keeps memory of the initial shapes and mutual orientation of the initially colliding clusters because of complex kinetic trapping phenomena.
Effects of catalyst droplets on wire growth and the resulting branched structures during VLS growth
Authors: Song Miao , Zhang Youtian , Chun Jaehun , Hu Shenyang , Tang Ming , Li Dongsheng
Published: March 2020

Kinetically controlling the branch density by varying the experimental parameters, such as temperature.
New insights into catalysis for Heck reactions with fine supported Pd particles
Authors: Huang Lin , Wang Zhan , Tan Jozel
Published: March 2020

The catalytic activity over supported Pd particles is dependent on the concentration of soluble active Pd species. The correlation that the smaller the size of supported Pd particles, the higher the catalytic activity is confirmed.
Design and development of 3D printed catalytically-active stirrers for chemical synthesis
Authors: Penny Matthew R. , Hilton Stephen T.
Published: March 2020

In a novel approach, 3D-printed pTsOH containing stirrer beads have been used to catalyse the Mannich reaction.
Human nail bed extracellular matrix facilitates bone regenerationviamacrophage polarization mediated by the JAK2/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Yu Yaling , Cui Haomin , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Demin , Yin Jun , Wen Gen , Chai Yimin
Published: March 2020

Decellularized nail bed scaffolds (dNB) derived from amputated patients polarize macrophages towards M2 phenotype through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thus inducing osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs to facilitate calvarial defect healing.
Liquid crystals from shape-persistent porphyrin stars with intrinsic free space
Authors: Ghosh Tapas , Gerbig Lisa , Lambov Martin , Dechant Moritz , Lehmann Matthias
Published: March 2020

Shape-persistent porphyrin star mesogens form thin oriented films of columnar liquid crystal and soft crystal phases as a function of the conjugated arm scaffold.
A medical adhesive used in a wet environment by blending tannic acid and silk fibroin
Authors: Gao Xijie , Dai Qiyuan , Yao Longtao , Dong Hua , Li Qingtao , Cao Xiaodong
Published: March 2020

A medical adhesive called TASK based on polyphenol-gel systems was developed and showed wet-adhesive, stretchable, self-healing and restorable properties.
Carbon deposits during catalytic combustion of toluene on Pd–Pt-based catalysts
Authors: Yang Yu , Wang Gang , Zheng Peng , Dang Falu , Han Jiannian
Published: March 2020

Carbon is easily deposited on a catalyst during the catalytic combustion of toluene, resulting in catalyst deactivation.
Gold-catalyzed domino cyclization enabling construction of diverse fused azaspiro tetracyclic scaffolds: a cascade catalysis mechanism due to a substrate and counterion
Authors: Li Yunhe , Zhao Xiang
Published: March 2020

The detailed mechanism and origins of gold-catalyzed domino cyclization to diverse fused azaspiro tetracyclic scaffolds by cooperative dual catalysis and cascade catalysis are systematically studied.
Synthesis of silicon carbide nanocrystals and multilayer graphitic carbon by femtosecond laser irradiation of polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Hayashi Shuichiro , Morosawa Fumiya , Terakawa Mitsuhiro
Published: March 2020

Micro- and nano-scale investigation of the modified regions of native polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by femtosecond-laser irradiation revealed the formation of silicon carbide nanocrystals and multilayer graphitic carbon.
Synthesis of monodisperse rod-shaped silica particles through biotemplating of surface-functionalized bacteria
Authors: Ping Hang , Poudel Lokendra , Xie Hao , Fang Weijian , Zou Zhaoyong , Zhai Pengcheng , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Fratzl Peter , Wang Weimin , Wang Hao , O'Reilly Padraic , Ching Wai-Yim , Fu Zhengyi
Published: March 2020

A biotemplating principle was adopted to display silaffin-derived proteins on the surface ofEscherichia colifor producing monodisperse rod-shaped silica.
Boosting the photocatalytic CO2 reduction of metal–organic frameworks by encapsulating carbon dots
Authors: Li Shumin , Ji Kang , Zhang Meng , He Cangshuang , Wang Jin , Li Zhengquan
Published: March 2020

Small carbon dots as cocatalysts were loaded in MOF particles for CO2 reduction and their location effect was explored.
Electrochemical synthesis of titanium nitride nanoparticles onto titanium foil for electrochemical supercapacitors with ultrafast charge/discharge
Authors: Ansari Sajid Ali , Khan Nazmul Abedin , Hasan Zubair , Shaikh A. A. , Ferdousi Farhana K. , Barai Hasi Rani , Lopa Nasrin Siraj , Rahman Md. Mahbubur
Published: March 2020

A simple and low-cost electrochemical strategy is presented to construct TiN nanoparticles onto Ti foil for high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors with ultrafast charge/discharge capacity.
The phosphatase-like activity of zirconium oxide nanoparticles and their application in near-infrared intracellular imaging
Authors: Hu Xilu , Huang Ting , Liao Hong , Hu Lianzhe , Wang Min
Published: March 2020

The phosphatase-like activity of ZrO2 nanoparticles is reported, which has found applications in intracellular imaging.
Tumor microenvironment and NIR laser dual-responsive release of berberine 9-O-pyrazole alkyl derivative loaded in graphene oxide nanosheets for chemo-photothermal synergetic cancer therapy
Authors: Du Peifang , Yan Jianhua , Long Shuo , Xiong Hongjie , Wen Nachuan , Cai Shundong , Wang Yirong , Peng Dongming , Liu Zhenbao , Liu Yanfei
Published: March 2020

Stimuli-responsive release of berberine 9-O-pyrazole alkyl derivative loaded in AS1411-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets for chemo-photothermal synergetic therapy of cancer.
Understanding the enhancement and temperature-dependency of the self-healing and electromechanical properties of dielectric elastomers containing mixed pendant polar groups
Authors: Ellingford Christopher , Wemyss Alan M. , Zhang Runan , Prokes Ivan , Pickford Tom , Bowen Chris , Coveney Vincent A. , Wan Chaoying
Published: March 2020

New insights on the impact of the hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions on the temperature-dependencies of the self-healing and electromechanical properties of the dielectric elastomers.
Green solvents for organic thin-film transistor processing
Authors: Ho Dongil , Lee Jeongyeon , Park Sangyun , Park Yonghan , Cho Kwanghee , Campana Filippo , Lanari Daniela , Facchetti Antonio , Seo SungYong , Kim Choongik , Marrocchi Assunta , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: March 2020

A wide range of green solvents are explored to process TIPS-PEN (6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene), and several other p- and n-type organic semiconductors for their potential generality in fabricating organic thin-film transistors.
Crystal structure and luminescence properties of lead-free metal halides (C6H5CH2NH3)3MBr6 (M = Bi and Sb)
Authors: Chen Da , Dai Fulong , Hao Shiqiang , Zhou Guojun , Liu Quanlin , Wolverton Christopher , Zhao Jing , Xia Zhiguo
Published: March 2020

Two new hybrid metal halides (PMA)3BiBr6 and (PMA)3SbBr6 are obtained, and upon light excitation both exhibit broadband emission.
RNA-seq reveals the circular RNA and miRNA expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wen Jianting , Liu Jian , Zhang Pingheng , Jiang Hui , Xin Ling , Wan Lei , Sun Yue , Huang Dan , Sun Yanqiu , Long Yan , Zhang Ying , Bao Bingxi , Sun Guanghan
Published: March 2020

Objective: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a significant class of molecules involved in a wide range of diverse biological functions that are abnormally expressed in many types of diseases. The present study aimed to determine the circRNAs specifically expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to identify their possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods: To identify the circRNAs specifically expressed in RA, we started by sequencing the of PBMCs circRNA and microRNAs (miRNAs) from a RA group (n = 3) and a control group (n = 3). We constructed a network of differentially expressed circRNAs and miRNAs. Then, we selected differentially expressed circRNAs in PBMCs from 10 RA patients relative to 10 age- and sex-matched controls using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Spearman’s correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation of circRNAs with biochemical measurements.

Results: A total of 165 circRNAs and 63 miRNAs were differently expressed between RA patients and healthy people according to RNA-seq, including 109 circRNAs that were significantly up-regulated and 56 circRNAs that were down-regulated among the RA patients. RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that the expression levels of hsa_circ_0001200, hsa_circ_0001566, hsa_circ_0003972, and hsa_circ_0008360 were consistent with the results from the sequencing analysis. Then, we found that there were significant correlations between the circRNAs and disease severity.

Conclusion: Generally, these results suggest that expression of hsa_circ_0001200, hsa_circ_0001566, hsa_circ_0003972, and hsa_circ_0008360 in PBMCs from RA patients may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of RA, and these circRNAs may influence the occurrence and development of RA.
Measuring Lexical Diversity for Discourse Analysis in Aphasia: Moving-Average Type–Token Ratio and Word Information Measure
Authors: Cunningham Kevin T. , Haley Katarina L.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of two automated indices of lexical diversity, the Moving-Average Type–Token Ratio (MATTR) and the Word Information Measure (WIM), in predicting aphasia diagnosis and responding to differences in severity and aphasia subtype.

Method

Transcripts of a single discourse task were analyzed for 478 speakers, 225 of whom had aphasia per an aphasia battery. We calculated the MATTR and the WIM for each participant. We compared the group means among speakers with aphasia, neurotypical controls, and left-hemisphere stroke survivors with mild aphasia not detected by an aphasia battery. We examined whether each measure distinguished levels of aphasia severity and subtypes of aphasia. We used each measure to classify aphasia versus neurotypical control and compared the areas under the curve.

Results

The WIM and the MATTR differentiated among people with aphasia, neurotypical controls, and people with mild aphasia. Both measures demonstrated moderately high predictive accuracy in classifying aphasia. The WIM demonstrated greater sensitivity to aphasia severity and subtype compared to the MATTR.

Conclusions

The WIM and the MATTR are promising measures that quantify lexical diversity in different and complementary ways. The WIM may be more useful for quantifying the effect of treatment or disease progression, whereas the MATTR may be more useful for discriminating discourse produced by people with very mild aphasia from discourse produced by neurotypical controls. Further validation is required.
Structured Literacy Intervention for Students With Dyslexia: Focus on Growing Morphological Skills
Authors: Fallon Karen A. , Katz Lauren A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Structured literacy
(SL) is an umbrella term used by the International Dyslexia Association that refers to evidence-based instructional approaches that incorporate all aspects of spoken language into the teaching of reading, spelling, and writing (
International Dyslexia Association, 2016
). SL has gained prominence in the field of reading but is less familiar to speech-language pathologists. This tutorial seeks to describe SL with specific attention to the morphological component. Using current research literature combined with descriptions of specific therapeutic practices, this tutorial offers research-informed, clinical strategies for facilitating the development of morphological skills in students with spoken and written language impairments including dyslexia.

Method

In this tutorial, the authors focus on the research literature and clinical applications related to the topics of (a) spoken and written language impairments, including dyslexia; (b) SL intervention; (c) intervention in the areas of morphological awareness and analysis; and (d) the promotion of academic success in students who struggle with language and literacy.

Conclusions

SL
is a term used to unify and describe evidence-based principles and components that should be included in all effective reading and writing instructions. Among other linguistic skills, morphology holds a prominent place in SL. It is critical that speech-language pathologists become familiar with SL and the evidence-based practices for growing these students' morphological awareness skills in order to promote language and literacy success.
Discovery of an unknown conduction mechanism in insulating polymers
Authors: Montanari Gian Carlo , Seri Paolo , Dissado Leonard A.
Published: March 2020

Polymer dielectrics are widely used in electrical and electronic apparatus and devices because of their capability to insulate conductors, withstand high fields and suffer negligible conductive losses. Their near‐to‐zero conductivity has been explained in terms of long‐accepted theories of electronic and ionic transport that lead to the accumulation of local net charge regions at high electric fields. Here the authors describe a previously unknown conduction mechanism consisting of small bipolar ultra‐fast charge pulses crossing the polymer with the mobility, as large as, 4 to 5 orders of magnitude greater than that of the previously known. The authors show that this motion is a consequence of molecular relaxation processes triggered by the electric field locally enhanced by the pulses themselves. Pulse accumulation at the electrodes increases interface field and thus contributes substantially towards premature failure in insulating dielectrics in DC fields.
Identification of liquefaction disaster in Jondul Rawang, Padang City West Sumatra
Authors: Dewi Arman Utami , Imani Rafki , Sari Afrilda , Purba Widiawati
Published: March 2020

Liquefaction is a condition of continuous soil mass deformation at residual stress due to increasing pore water pressure that results in effective stress reduced. This study was conducted to identify the potential hazards of liquefaction in the Jondul Rawang area in Padang City. This study is to observe the soil contour and characteristics. Primary data obtained by observing the soil contour, soil characteristics, and the form of buildings, etc. Whilst, secondary data obtained from the related documents as supporting data. The results concluded that the Jondul Rawang area is potentially liquefaction area where the soil contours and characteristics could be classified as peat soil and lied in the swamps. Furthermore, if the rainfall intensity increase then flooding occurred. Then as consequences, there were many residential houses and other buildings around the area turning into tilted and drowned due to the degradation of soil bearing capacity. Therefore, requiring disaster management efforts against the threat of liquefaction in that area, both in terms of the drainage system due to flooding and overall repairs for the sewerage could work well.
Mapping the river drought-indices in west Sumatra
Authors: Mera Mas , Amri Afdhal , Yelni Novita Sari , Ostari Feska
Published: March 2020

The smallest magnitudes from a series of daily average-streamflows every month are selected to form a new series of data called a series of monthly minima from daily averagestreamflows or then just simply called the monthly minimum-streamflows. The present study uses these monthly minimum-streamflows to determine a drought index in terms of duration and deficit streamflows of successive drought in every watershed in West Sumatra Province. Both terms of drought index are determined by using the theory of runs with a 5-year average-period. So far, we successfully collect series of the daily average-streamflows for 19 watersheds with a minimum length of 20 years. The resulting indices are then mapped using the geographical information system ArcGIS. The drought indices are expressed in 4 levels of drought: normal (green), mild (blue), moderate (yellow) and severe (red). The study results show that the river or watershed with the longest droughtduration is Batang Anai, i.e. 33 months (severe level), with a cumulative deficit-streamflows of 143.26 m3/s. The river with the shortest drought-duration is Batang Siat, i.e. 11 months (mild level), with a cumulative deficit-streamflows of 44.64 m3/s. The average drought-duration for all corresponding rivers is 20 months (mild level) with a cumulative deficit-streamflows of 131.57 m3/s.
Evaluation of resilient modulus and unconfined compressive strength of subgrade
Authors: Hastari Agustina Dian , Zainorabidin Adnan
Published: March 2020

Subgrade soil is the important material as the foundation for supporting the pavement layers and the repeated load of vehicle traffic. To characterize the stiffness and strength behavior of subgrade due to traffic loading in structural pavement design can be determined by resilient modulus and unconfined compressive strength test. In this study, laboratory test of resilient modulus and unconfined compressive strength used to investigate (1) the effect of moisture content of the changes of stiffness and strength characteristics, (2) the correlation between the resilient modulus and elasticity modulus. The soil sample prepared at five type of compacted soils, at the dry side (OMC-20%OMC and OMC-10%OMC), OMC and at the wet side (OMC+10%OMC and OMC+20%OMC) . The result shows the moisture content has a significant effect on cohesive soil, the resilient modulus, modulus elasticity and stress value increase with the increase of moisture content until reaching the optimum moisture content (OMC) and then decrease with the increase of moisture content on the wet side of OMC point. By comparing both resilient modulus and unconfined compressive strength result from ANOVA statistics analysis can be concluded that there is no difference in stiffness between resilient modulus and modulus elasticity methods.
Toward a community resilience framework for disaster risk management. a case study: landslide Cisolok in Sukabumi 2018 and Sunda strait tsunami in Pandeglang 2018
Authors: Shalih Osmar , Setiadi Hafid , Nurlambang Triarko , Sumadio Widyawati
Published: March 2020

Along with the increase in large and medium-scale disasters in the world, including in Indonesia, in the last decade, many theories and practices have developed in terms of measuring and improving disaster resilience. This study discusses the conceptual model of community-level disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. Using a basic conceptual model for spatial protection to geological hazard, research examines the role of community resilience in reducing risk by using social dimensions. To explore the conceptual model of spatial resilience at the community scale, case studies conducted in two disaster events, are (1) communities affected by landslides in Cisolok, Sukabumi District on 31 December, 2018 and (2) Sunda Strait tsunami in Pandeglang tourism area on 22 December, 2018. Research suggests that the importance of social capital in terms of forming community resilience is related to disaster risk reduction. Social network, social experience, social knowledge and belief systems, contribute to increasing resilience and disaster risk reduction. The results of this study are the importance of building social capital and spatial resilience of communities in reducing disaster risk.
Surabaya earthquake hazard soil assessment
Authors: Syaifuddin Firman , Widodo Amien , Warnana Dwa Desa
Published: March 2020

The vulnerability of land in an area to earthquake ground motions is one of the factors causing damage caused by the earthquakes. The city of Surabaya, which is crossed by two active fault segments, needs an assessment to reduce the risk of being affected by an earthquake that might occur. The aims of this study are (1) to find out the distribution of Seismic Site Classes, (20 to know the distribution of the value of Seismic Amplification, and (3) to know the potential of liquefaction in the city of Surabaya. Surabaya city, which is geologically dominated by alluvium deposits, consists of soft soil (SE) and medium (SD) sites based on N-SPT30 and Vs30 data. The level of soil amplification against earthquakes ranging from 1 to 4. This occurs because the physical properties of the Surabaya City soil layer are dominated by alluvium deposits. Regions with more than 2 amplification values are located around the coastline on the North and East coasts of Surabaya City. Based on the potential liquefaction index value, Surabaya City is included in the region with a high potential for liquefaction with a potential liquefaction index value of more than 5.
Disaster mitigation in the aviation field through careful parking area planning
Authors: Azhari Ari
Published: March 2020

Aviation safety which is also related to security is closely dependent on the pavement at the airport, on the runway, taxiway and in the apron area. In 2017 some damage to the pavement of the runway at Halim Perdana Kusuma airport was a concern to national flight safety. To avoid similar incidents, care is needed in pavement designs in critical areas of the airport, including in the aircraft parking area. This study describes an analysis of the pavement layer used in an aircraft parking area. The pavement layer used was analysed for time of construction and in operation. The surface layer was rigid pavement. The parameters used in the analysis are taken from globally accepted requirements for airports. The study was conducted by analyzing the ability of the pavement system to withstand the aircraft load including while maneuvering and stopping. The results of the study will inform efforts to improve the safety of the aviation industry from the aspect of apron design.