bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Partial Coupling Method to Isolate the Roles of the Atmosphere and Ocean in Coupled Climate Simulations
Authors: Garuba Oluwayemi A. , Rasch Philip J.
Published: September 2020

This study describes the formulation and application of a partial coupling method that disentangles the coupling between the atmosphere and ocean and isolates the atmosphere‐ and ocean‐driven components of the coupled climate interactions. In contrast to strategies using stand‐alone simulations with prescribed atmosphere or ocean states, the climate components in the partially coupled method remain coupled, but the impact of ocean circulation changes is removed from the air‐sea interaction using temperature‐like tracers. The partially coupled simulation thereby suppresses the ocean‐driven interaction and isolates an atmosphere‐driven interaction only. The ocean‐driven component can be inferred by comparing climate response in the partially coupled simulation with that of a standard fully coupled one. The partial coupling approach is applied to decompose the fully coupled climate response to CO2 quadrupling into atmosphere‐ and ocean‐driven components. The linearity of the decomposition is validated by simulating the ocean‐driven response using another complimentary partially coupled simulation forced only with the atmosphere‐driven anomalous surface fluxes. A comparison of the two partially coupled simulations with the fully coupled simulation indicates that the sum of the atmosphere‐ and ocean‐driven components accurately describes the fully coupled response. The decomposition identifies several robust atmosphere‐ and ocean‐driven features of the global warming and provides new insights into the impacts of atmospheric feedbacks on the Atlantic overturning circulation and sea ice response to CO2 increase.
Ocean Ammonia Outgassing: Modulation by CO2 and Anthropogenic Nitrogen Deposition
Authors: Paulot Fabien , Stock Charles , John Jasmin G. , Zadeh Niki , Horowitz Larry W.
Published: September 2020

The imprint of anthropogenic activities on the marine nitrogen (N) cycle remains challenging to represent in global models, in part because of uncertainties regarding the source of marine N to the atmosphere. While N inputs of terrestrial origin present a truly external perturbation, a significant fraction of N deposition over the ocean arises from oceanic ammonia (NH3) outgassing that is subsequently deposited in other ocean regions. Here, we describe advances in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's (GFDL) Earth System Model 4 (ESM4.1) aimed at improving the representation of the exchange of N between atmosphere and ocean and its response to changes in ocean acidity and N deposition. We find that the simulated present‐day NH3 outgassing (3.1 TgN yr−1) is 7% lower than under preindustrial conditions, which reflects the compensating effects of increasing CO2 (−16%) and N enrichment of ocean waters (+9%). This change is spatially heterogeneous, with decreases in the open ocean (−13%) and increases in coastal regions (+15%) dominated by coastal N enrichment. The ocean outgassing of ammonia is shown to increase the transport of N from N‐rich to N‐poor ocean regions, where carbon export at 100 m increases by 0.5%. The implications of the strong response of NH3 ocean outgassing to CO2 for the budget of NH3 in the remote marine atmosphere and its imprint in ice cores are discussed.
Permeability Hysteresis From Microchannels Opening During Dissolution/Reprecipitation Cycle
Authors: Lesueur Martin , Poulet Thomas , Veveakis Manolis
Published: September 2020

Permeability is a critical parameter for geological resources characterization. Its evolution with respect to porosity is particularly interesting and many research initiatives focus on deriving such relationships, to understand some hydraulic impacts of microstructure alteration. Permeability evolution from chemical reactions, for instance, can become complex as flow channels may open during rock dissolution. In this contribution, we show that this phenomenon can lead to irregular porosity‐permeability curves and permeability hysteresis after reprecipitation. Current approaches describing permeability as a simple function of porosity can therefore not capture this behavior, and we advocate instead the use of dynamic modeling for such scenarios. We demonstrate our approach by modeling a dissolution/precipitation cycle for a unit cell pore channel and quantify the process at larger scale on three different rock samples, whose microstructures are reconstructed from segmented micro‐Computerised Tomography scans.
Solar Tides in the Middle and Upper Atmosphere of Mars
Authors: Forbes Jeffrey M. , Zhang Xiaoli , Forget Francois , Millour Ehouarn , Kleinböhl Armin
Published: September 2020

Solar tides are responsible for much of the spatial‐temporal variability of Mars' upper atmosphere (100–∼200 km). However, the tidal spectrum, its latitude versus Ls variability, and its vertical evolution remain uncertain. In this paper, Mars Climate Sounder temperature measurements at 76 km above Mars' areoid are used to construct a multiyear latitude versus Ls climatology of the tidal spectrum. The most important spectral components include the solar‐synchronous (“migrating”) components DW1, SW2, and the solar‐asynchronous (“nonmigrating”) tides DE3, DE2, DE1, SE1, S0, and SW1. The Mars Climate Database (MCD), which provides predictions from the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique Global Climate Model, captures particularly well the amplitudes and key structural features of the solar‐asynchronous tides at 76 km that furthermore underly the large longitudinal structures in density that are observed between 100 and 200 km. Height‐latitude and latitude‐Ls structures of MCD density perturbations are therefore examined between 76 and 172 km and interpreted in terms of mean wind and dissipation effects. In particular, due to the smaller radius and more intense zonal‐mean zonal winds at Mars compared to Earth, Doppler‐shift effects are significantly exaggerated compared to Earth. Evidence is also provided for nonnegligible contributions to density variability from stationary planetary waves which arise from tide‐tide nonlinear interactions. It is moreover shown that MCD captures the salient amplitude and phase characteristics of the ∼±30–60% longitudinal density perturbations measured by the Mars Global Surveyor accelerometer. This, and the excellent MCD‐MCS agreement at 76 km, lends credibility to the ability of MCD to provide new insights into thermosphere density variability at Mars due to vertical coupling by solar tides.
PLCɛ maintains the functionality of AR signaling in prostate cancer via an autophagy-dependent mechanism
Authors: Quan Zhen , Li Ting , Xia Yang , Liu Jiayu , Du Zhongbo , Luo Chunli , He Yunfeng , Wu Xiaohou
Published: September 2020

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is a major driver of prostate cancer (CaP). Although most therapies targeting AR are initially effective in CaP patients, drug resistance is inevitable, mainly because of the inappropriate re-activation of AR pathway. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that phospholipase C epsilon (PLCɛ) was highly expressed in CaP samples, and was closely associated with AR signaling activities. PLCɛ depletion triggered enhanced autophagic activities via AMPK/ULK1 pathway, causing autophagy-mediated AR degradation and inhibition of AR nuclear translocation. This subsequently reduced AR signals in CaP and inhibited AR-driven cell migration/invasion. Furthermore, a positive correlation between PLCɛ and AR signaling activity was also observed in bicalutamide-resistant CaP samples and in AR-antagonist-resistant CaP cell models. PLCɛ depletion resulted in the failure to establish AR-antagonist-resistant CaP cell lines, and hindered the metastatic prowess of already established ones. These findings suggest that PLCɛ-mediated autophagic activity alteration is indispensible for the functionality of AR signaling and for CaP development.
Publisher Correction: Hydrophobic gating in BK channels
Authors: Jia Zhiguang , Yazdani Mahdieh , Zhang Guohui , Cui Jianmin , Chen Jianhan
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Definition of Fiducial Points in the Normal Seismocardiogram
Authors: Sørensen Kasper , Schmidt Samuel E. , Jensen Ask S. , Søgaard Peter , Struijk Johannes J.
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
MicroRNA-107 enhances radiosensitivity by suppressing granulin in PC-3 prostate cancer cells
Authors: Lo Hua-Cheng , Hsu Jia-Hao , Lai Liang-Chuan , Tsai Mong-Hsun , Chuang Eric Y.
Published: September 2020

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Radiotherapy is often applied for the treatment, but radioresistance is a challenge in some patients. MicroRNAs have been reported to be involved in the DNA damage response induced by ionizing radiation and recent studies have reported microRNA-mediated radiosensitivity. In the present study, we found microRNA-107 (miR-107) enhanced radiosensitivity by regulating granulin (GRN) in prostate cancer (PC-3) cells. MiR-107 was downregulated and GRN was upregulated in response to ionizing radiation in PC-3 cells. Overexpression of miR-107 and knockdown of GRN promoted the sensitivity of PC3 cells to ionizing radiation. By rescue experiments of GRN, we revealed that radiosensitivity enhanced by miR-107 can be attenuated by GRN overexpression in PC-3 cells. Furthermore, we showed miR-107 enhanced radiation-induced G1/S phase arrest and G2/M phase transit, and identify delayed apoptosis by suppressing p21 and phosphorylation of CHK2. Collectively, these results highlight an unrecognized mechanism of miR-107-mediated GRN regulation in response to ionizing radiation and may advance therapeutic strategies for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Comparison of small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering for studying cortical bone nanostructure
Authors: Törnquist Elin , Gentile Luigi , Prévost Sylvain , Diaz Ana , Olsson Ulf , Isaksson Hanna
Published: September 2020

In this study, we present a combined small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) study of the nanoscale structure of cortical bone specimens from three different species. The variation of the scattering cross section of elements across the periodic table is very different for neutrons and X-rays. For X-rays, it is proportional to the electron density while for neutrons it varies irregularly with the atomic number. Hence, combining the two techniques on the same specimens allows for a more detailed interpretation of the scattering patterns as compared to a single-contrast experiment. The current study was performed on bovine, porcine and ovine specimens, obtained in two perpendicular directions with respect to the main axis of the bone (longitudinal and radial) in order to maximise the understanding of the nanostructural organisation. The specimens were also imaged with high resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), yielding tissue mineral density and microstructural orientation as reference. We show that the SANS and SAXS patterns from the same specimen are effectively identical, suggesting that these bone specimens can be approximated as a two-component composite material. Hence, the observed small-angle scattering results mainly from the mineral-collagen contrast, apart from minor features associated with the internal collagen structure.
A Body Shape Index (ABSI) achieves better mortality risk stratification than alternative indices of abdominal obesity: results from a large European cohort
Authors: Christakoudi Sofia , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Muller David C. , Freisling Heinz , Weiderpass Elisabete , Overvad Kim , Söderberg Stefan , Häggström Christel , Pischon Tobias , Dahm Christina C. , Zhang Jie , Tjønneland Anne , Halkjær Jytte , MacDonald Conor , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Mancini Francesca Romana , Kühn Tilman , Kaaks Rudolf , Schulze Matthias B. , Trichopoulou Antonia , Karakatsani Anna , Peppa Eleni , Masala Giovanna , Pala Valeria , Panico Salvatore , Tumino Rosario , Sacerdote Carlotta , Quirós J. Ramón , Agudo Antonio , Sánchez Maria-Jose , Cirera Lluís , Barricarte-Gurrea Aurelio , Amiano Pilar , Memarian Ensieh , Sonestedt Emily , Bueno-de-Mesquita Bas , May Anne M. , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nicholas J. , Tong Tammy Y. N. , Huybrechts Inge , Noh Hwayoung , Aglago Elom K. , Ellingjord-Dale Merete , Ward Heather A. , Aune Dagfinn , Riboli Elio
Published: September 2020

Abdominal and general adiposity are independently associated with mortality, but there is no consensus on how best to assess abdominal adiposity. We compared the ability of alternative waist indices to complement body mass index (BMI) when assessing all-cause mortality. We used data from 352,985 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for other risk factors. During a mean follow-up of 16.1 years, 38,178 participants died. Combining in one model BMI and a strongly correlated waist index altered the association patterns with mortality, to a predominantly negative association for BMI and a stronger positive association for the waist index, while combining BMI with the uncorrelated A Body Shape Index (ABSI) preserved the association patterns. Sex-specific cohort-wide quartiles of waist indices correlated with BMI could not separate high-risk from low-risk individuals within underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) categories, while the highest quartile of ABSI separated 18–39% of the individuals within each BMI category, which had 22–55% higher risk of death. In conclusion, only a waist index independent of BMI by design, such as ABSI, complements BMI and enables efficient risk stratification, which could facilitate personalisation of screening, treatment and monitoring.
An approach for the measurement of the bulk temperature of single crystal diamond using an X-ray free electron laser
Authors: Descamps A. , Ofori-Okai B. K. , Appel K. , Cerantola V. , Comley A. , Eggert J. H. , Fletcher L. B. , Gericke D. O. , Göde S. , Humphries O. , Karnbach O. , Lazicki A. , Loetzsch R. , McGonegle D. , Palmer C. A. J. , Plueckthun C. , Preston T. R. , Redmer R. , Senesky D. G. , Strohm C. , Uschmann I. , White T. G. , Wollenweber L. , Monaco G. , Wark J. S. , Hastings J. B. , Zastrau U. , Gregori G. , Glenzer S. H. , McBride E. E.
Published: September 2020

We present a method to determine the bulk temperature of a single crystal diamond sample at an X-Ray free electron laser using inelastic X-ray scattering. The experiment was performed at the high energy density instrument at the European XFEL GmbH, Germany. The technique, based on inelastic X-ray scattering and the principle of detailed balance, was demonstrated to give accurate temperature measurements, within $$8\%$$

8
%

for both room temperature diamond and heated diamond to 500 K. Here, the temperature was increased in a controlled way using a resistive heater to test theoretical predictions of the scaling of the signal with temperature. The method was tested by validating the energy of the phonon modes with previous measurements made at room temperature using inelastic X-ray scattering and neutron scattering techniques. This technique could be used to determine the bulk temperature in transient systems with a temporal resolution of 50 fs and for which accurate measurements of thermodynamic properties are vital to build accurate equation of state and transport models.
Coloured random graphs explain the structure and dynamics of cross-linked polymer networks
Authors: Schamboeck Verena , Iedema Piet D. , Kryven Ivan
Published: September 2020

Step-growth and chain-growth are two major families of chemical reactions that result in polymer networks with drastically different physical properties, often referred to as hyper-branched and cross-linked networks. In contrast to step-growth polymerisation, chain-growth forms networks that are history-dependent. Such networks are defined not just by the degree distribution, but also by their entire formation history, which entails a modelling and conceptual challenges. We show that the structure of chain-growth polymer networks corresponds to an edge-coloured random graph with a defined multivariate degree distribution, where the colour labels represent the formation times of chemical bonds. The theory quantifies and explains the gelation in free-radical polymerisation of cross-linked polymers and predicts conditions when history dependance has the most significant effect on the global properties of a polymer network. As such, the edge colouring is identified as the key driver behind the difference in the physical properties of step-growth and chain-growth networks. We expect that this findings will stimulate usage of network science tools for discovery and design of cross-linked polymers.
Transcriptomic analysis of a Clostridium thermocellum strain engineered to utilize xylose: responses to xylose versus cellobiose feeding
Authors: Tafur Rangel Albert E. , Croft Trevor , González Barrios Andrés Fernando , Reyes Luis H. , Maness Pin-Ching , Chou Katherine J.
Published: September 2020

Clostridium (Ruminiclostridium) thermocellum is recognized for its ability to ferment cellulosic biomass directly, but it cannot naturally grow on xylose. Recently, C. thermocellum (KJC335) was engineered to utilize xylose through expressing a heterologous xylose catabolizing pathway. Here, we compared KJC335′s transcriptomic responses to xylose versus cellobiose as the primary carbon source and assessed how the bacteria adapted to utilize xylose. Our analyses revealed 417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with log2 fold change (FC) >|1| and 106 highly DEGs (log2 FC >|2|). Among the DEGs, two putative sugar transporters, cbpC and cbpD, were up-regulated, suggesting their contribution to xylose transport and assimilation. Moreover, the up-regulation of specific transketolase genes (tktAB) suggests the importance of this enzyme for xylose metabolism. Results also showed remarkable up-regulation of chemotaxis and motility associated genes responding to xylose feeding, as well as widely varying gene expression in those encoding cellulosomal enzymes. For the down-regulated genes, several were categorized in gene ontology terms oxidation–reduction processes, ATP binding and ATPase activity, and integral components of the membrane. This study informs potentially critical, enabling mechanisms to realize the conceptually attractive Next-Generation Consolidated BioProcessing approach where a single species is sufficient for the co-fermentation of cellulose and hemicellulose.
Metformin decreases bacterial trimethylamine production and trimethylamine N-oxide levels in db/db mice
Authors: Kuka Janis , Videja Melita , Makrecka-Kuka Marina , Liepins Janis , Grinberga Solveiga , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Vilks Karlis , Liepinsh Edgars , Dambrova Maija
Published: September 2020

The current study aimed to explore whether metformin, the most widely prescribed oral medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, alters plasma levels of cardiometabolic disease-related metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes. TMAO plasma concentration was up to 13.2-fold higher in db/db mice when compared to control mice, while in db/db mice fed choline-enriched diet, that mimics meat and dairy product intake, TMAO plasma level was increased 16.8-times. Metformin (250 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased TMAO concentration by up to twofold in both standard and choline-supplemented diet-fed db/db mice plasma. In vitro, metformin significantly decreased the bacterial production rate of trimethylamine (TMA), the precursor of TMAO, from choline up to 3.25-fold in K. pneumoniae and up to 26-fold in P. Mirabilis, while significantly slowing the growth of P. Mirabilis only. Metformin did not affect the expression of genes encoding subunits of bacterial choline-TMA-lyase microcompartment, the activity of the enzyme itself and choline uptake, suggesting that more complex regulation beyond the choline-TMA-lyase is present. To conclude, the TMAO decreasing effect of metformin could be an additional mechanism behind the clinically observed cardiovascular benefits of the drug.
Development of muscle atrophy and loss of function in a Gulf-War illness model: underlying mechanisms
Authors: Ramirez-Sanchez Israel , Navarrete-Yañez Viridiana , Garate-Carrillo Alejandra , Loredo Maria , Lira-Romero Esmeralda , Estrada-Mena Javier , Campeau Anaamika , Gonzalez David , Carrillo-Terrazas Marvic , Moreno-Ulloa Aldo , Ceballos Guillermo , Villarreal Francisco
Published: September 2020

Gulf War illness (GWI) afflicts military personnel who served during the Persian Gulf War and is notable for cognitive deficits, depression, muscle pain, weakness, intolerance to exercise, and fatigue. Suspect causal agents include the chemicals pyridostigmine (PB), permetrim (PM) and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) used as protectants against insects and nerve gases. No pre-clinical studies have explored the effects on skeletal muscle (SkM). Young male rats were provided PB, PM and DEET at equivalent human doses and physical restraint (to induce stress) for 3 weeks followed a 3-week recovery. GWI gastrocnemius weight was ~ 35% lower versus controls, which correlated with decreases in myofiber area, limb strength, and treadmill time/distance. In GWI rats, SkM fiber type relative abundance changed towards slow type I. Muscle wasting pathway proteins were upregulated while those that promote growth decreased as did mitochondrial endpoints and muscle ATP levels. Proteomic analysis of SkM also documented unique alterations in mitochondrial and metabolic pathways. Thus, exposure to GWI chemicals/stress adversely impacts key metabolic pathways leading to muscle atrophy and loss of function. These changes may account for GWI Veterans symptoms.
Testing for context-dependent effects of prenatal thyroid hormones on offspring survival and physiology: an experimental temperature manipulation
Authors: Hsu Bin-Yan , Sarraude Tom , Cossin-Sevrin Nina , Crombecque Mélanie , Stier Antoine , Ruuskanen Suvi
Published: September 2020

Maternal effects via hormonal transfer from the mother to the offspring provide a tool to translate environmental cues to the offspring. Experimental manipulations of maternally transferred hormones have yielded increasingly contradictory results, which may be explained by differential effects of hormones under different environmental contexts. Yet context-dependent effects have rarely been experimentally tested. We therefore studied whether maternally transferred thyroid hormones (THs) exert context-dependent effects on offspring survival and physiology by manipulating both egg TH levels and post-hatching nest temperature in wild pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) using a full factorial design. We found no clear evidence for context-dependent effects of prenatal THs related to postnatal temperature on growth, survival and potential underlying physiological responses (plasma TH levels, oxidative stress and mitochondrial density). We conclude that future studies should test for other key environmental conditions, such as food availability, to understand potential context-dependent effects of maternally transmitted hormones on offspring, and their role in adapting to changing environments.
High-throughput GPU layered decoder of quasi-cyclic multi-edge type low density parity check codes in continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Xiaofang , Li Yong , Xu Bingjie , Ma Li , Yang Jie , Huang Wei
Published: September 2020

The decoding throughput during post-processing is one of the major bottlenecks that occur in a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system. In this paper, we propose a layered decoder to decode quasi-cyclic multi-edge type LDPC (QC-MET-LDPC) codes using a graphics processing unit (GPU) in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems. As described herein, we optimize the storage methods related to the parity check matrix, merge the sub-matrices which are unrelated, and decode multiple codewords in parallel on the GPU. Simulation results demonstrate that the average decoding speed of LDPC codes with three typical code rates, i.e., 0.1, 0.05 and 0.02, is up to 64.11 Mbits/s, 48.65 Mbits/s and 39.51 Mbits/s, respectively, when decoding 128 codewords of length $${10}^{{6}}$$

10

6

simultaneously without early termination.
Reconstruction of the respiratory signal through ECG and wrist accelerometer data
Authors: Leube Julian , Zschocke Johannes , Kluge Maria , Pelikan Luise , Graf Antonia , Glos Martin , Müller Alexander , Bartsch Ronny P. , Penzel Thomas , Kantelhardt Jan W.
Published: September 2020

Respiratory rate and changes in respiratory activity provide important markers of health and fitness. Assessing the breathing signal without direct respiratory sensors can be very helpful in large cohort studies and for screening purposes. In this paper, we demonstrate that long-term nocturnal acceleration measurements from the wrist yield significantly better respiration proxies than four standard approaches of ECG (electrocardiogram) derived respiration. We validate our approach by comparison with flow-derived respiration as standard reference signal, studying the full-night data of 223 subjects in a clinical sleep laboratory. Specifically, we find that phase synchronization indices between respiration proxies and the flow signal are large for five suggested acceleration-derived proxies with $$\gamma = 0.55 \pm 0.13$$

γ
=
0.55
±
0.13

for males and $$0.58 \pm 0.14$$

0.58
±
0.14

for females (means ± standard deviations), while ECG-derived proxies yield only $$\gamma = 0.36 \pm 0.16$$

γ
=
0.36
±
0.16

for males and $$0.39 \pm 0.14$$

0.39
±
0.14

for females. Similarly, respiratory rates can be determined more precisely by wrist-worn acceleration devices compared with a derivation from the ECG. As limitation we must mention that acceleration-derived respiration proxies are only available during episodes of non-physical activity (especially during sleep).
Comparison of three different bioleaching systems for Li recovery from lepidolite
Authors: Sedlakova-Kadukova J. , Marcincakova R. , Luptakova A. , Vojtko M. , Fujda M. , Pristas P.
Published: September 2020

Three different biological systems, the consortium of autotrophic bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, heterotrophic fungus Aspergillus niger and heterotrophic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, were investigated for lithium extraction from lepidolite. The bacterial consortium was the most effective, 11 mg l−1 of Li was dissolved in the absence of nutrients within 336 days. Fungal and yeast bioleaching was faster (40 days), however, with lower extraction efficiency. Bioaccumulation represented a main process of Li extraction by R. mucilaginosa and A. niger, with 92 and 77% of total extracted Li accumulated in the biomass, respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis for bioleaching residue indicated changes caused by microorganisms, however, with differences between bacterial leaching and bioleaching by fungi or yeasts. The final bioleaching yields for bacterial consortium, A. niger and R. mucilaginosa were 8.8%, 0.2% and 1.1%, respectively. Two-step bioleaching using heterotrophic organisms followed by autotrophic bioleaching could lead to the increase of the process kinetics and efficiency. Bioaccumulation of Li offers strong advantage in Li extraction from solution.
Heart rate acceleration at relative workloads during treadmill and overground running for tracking exercise performance during functional overreaching
Authors: Bellenger Clint R. , Thomson Rebecca L. , Robertson Eileen Y. , Davison Kade , Nelson Maximillian J. , Karavirta Laura , Buckley Jonathan D.
Published: September 2020

Maximal rate of heart rate (HR) increase (rHRI) as a measure of HR acceleration during the transition from rest to exercise, or during an increase in workload, tracks exercise performance. rHRI assessed at relative rather than absolute workloads may track performance better, and a field test would increase applicability. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of rHRI assessed at individualised relative workloads during treadmill and overground running for tracking exercise performance. Treadmill running performance (5 km time trial; 5TTT) and rHRI were assessed in 11 male runners following 1 week of light training (LT), 2 weeks of heavy training (HT) and a 10-day taper (T). rHRI was the first derivative maximum of a sigmoidal curve fit to HR data collected during 5 min of treadmill running at 65% peak HR (rHRI65%), and subsequent transition to 85% peak HR (rHRI85%). Participants ran at the same speeds overground, paced by a foot-mounted accelerometer. Time to complete 5TTT likely increased following HT (ES = 0.14 ± 0.03), and almost certainly decreased following T (ES = − 0.30 ± 0.07). Treadmill and field rHRI65% likely increased after HT in comparison to LT (ES ≤ 0.48 ± 0.32), and was unchanged at T. Treadmill and field rHRI85% was unchanged at HT in comparison to LT, and likely decreased at T in comparison to LT (ES ≤ − 0.55 ± 0.50). 5TTT was not correlated with treadmill or field rHRI65% or rHRI85%. rHRI65% was highly correlated between treadmill and field tests across LT, HT and T (r ≥ 0.63), but correlations for rHRI85% were trivial to moderate (r ≤ 0.42). rHRI assessed at relative exercise intensities does not track performance. rHRI assessed during the transition from rest to running overground and on a treadmill at the same running speed were highly correlated, suggesting that rHRI can be validly assessed under field conditions at 65% of peak HR.
Low-cost green recyclable biomaterial for energy-dependent electrical switching and intact biofilm with antibacterial properties
Authors: Irshad Muhammad Sultan , Arshad Naila , Ahmed Iftikhar , Abbasi Misbah Sehar , Idrees Muhammad , Ahmad Shafiq , Sharaf Mohamed , Asghar Muhammad Sohail , Zaindin Mazen
Published: September 2020

A highly cost-effective recycled biomaterial extracted from lime peel has been made biocompatible and has been coated on a commercial fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate of glass using the spin coating method. Structural, morphologic, electronic, and antibacterial measurements were thoroughly characterized as a green biomaterial thin film using X-rays (XRD), PL, FTIR, Raman, SEM, HRTEM, AFM, I–V, and antibacterial diffusion techniques. The comprehensive analysis of structures of recyclable waste in the form of lime peel extract (LPE) as thin films showed the crystalline cellulose structure that corresponds to the lattice fringe (0.342 nm) exposed by HRTEM. The K+1 interstitial active sites or vacancies in LPE/FTO thin films are confirmed by the PL spectra that show important evidence about conduction mechanisms, and hence facilitates Ag+1 ion migration from the top to the bottom electrode. The AFM investigations revealed the minor surface roughness (169.61 nm) of the LPE/FTO film, which controls the current leakage that is associated with surface defects. The designed memory cell (Ag/LPE/FTO) exhibits stable, reproducible electrical switching under low operational voltage and is equipped with excellent retention over 5 × 103 s. Furthermore, owing to presence of flavonoids and their superior antioxidant nature, lime peel extract powder shows tremendous antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains.
A deep learning approach for facility patient attendance prediction based on medical booking data
Authors: Piccialli Francesco , Cuomo Salvatore , Crisci Danilo , Prezioso Edoardo , Mei Gang
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, data-driven methodologies based on the clinical history of patients represent a promising research field in which personalized and intelligent healthcare systems can be opportunely designed and developed. In this perspective, Machine Learning (ML) algorithms can be efficiently adopted to deploy smart services to enhance the overall quality of healthcare systems. In this work, starting from an in-depth analysis of a data set composed of millions of medical booking records collected from the public healthcare organization in the region of Campania, Italy, we have developed a predictive model to extract useful knowledge on patients, medical staff, and related healthcare structures. In more detail, the main contribution is to suggest a Deep Learning (DL) methodology able to predict the access of a patient in one or more medical facilities of a fixed set in the immediate future, the subsequent 2 months. A structured Temporal Convolutional Neural Network (TCNN) is designed to extract temporal patterns from the administrative medical history of a patient. The experiment shows the goodness of the designed methodology. Finally, this work represents a novel application of a TCNN model to a multi-label classification problem not linked to text categorization or image recognition.
Analysis of factors influencing tropical lower stratospheric water vapor during 1980–2017
Authors: Lu Jinpeng , Xie Fei , Sun Cheng , Luo Jiali , Cai Qifa , Zhang Jiankai , Li Juan , Tian Hongying
Published: September 2020

Tropical cold point tropopause temperature (CPT) anomalies determine lower stratospheric water vapor (LSWV) variations, leading to a high correlation between variations in tropical average CPT and changes in tropical average LSWV. However, this high correlation is only found in winter and spring. This work revisits the factors controlling LSWV variations using observations and simulations over the past ~40 years. It is found that the first and second empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes of tropical CPT variations together explain the tropical average LSWV changes much better than the tropical average CPT variations. The high correlation between the first and second EOF modes of tropical CPT variations and tropical average LSWV changes holds in all four seasons. A further analysis shows that the first and second EOF modes of tropical CPT variations are related to canonical El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity and sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the central Pacific Ocean, respectively. ENSO Modoki is also an important factor that affects LSWV variations by influencing the vertical velocity at the tropopause. The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) affects the CPT, and is the third process modulating the LSWV changes. The simulations also support the results.
Efficient and stable degradation of chlorobenzene over a porous iron–manganese oxide supported ruthenium catalyst
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Yu , Qin Linbo , Zhao Bo , Guo Limin , Han Jun
Published: September 2020

Oxalate pyrolysis and subsequent wet impregnation are facile and effective for loading Ru nanoparticles in the mesopores of Fe–Mn oxides, which leads to a dramatic enhancement in their catalytic reactivity for chlorobenzene combustion.
Group 13 metal doped Cu/ZnO catalysts from phase pure precursors via an isomorphous substitution route: mechanistic insights into promotional effects for syngas hydrogenation to methanol
Authors: Narkhede Nilesh , Zheng Huayan , Zhang Huacheng , Zhang Guoqiang , Li Zhong
Published: September 2020

An efficient route for promoter incorporation into a single phase zM precursor has been demonstrated, which enables the maximum utilization of the promotional action for methanol synthesis.
Visible-light-driven photo-enhanced zinc–air batteries using synergistic effect of different types of MnO2 nanostructures
Authors: Mathur Ankita , Kaushik Ravinder , Halder Aditi
Published: September 2020

Solar light enhanced the charge generation which leads to better O redox reactions.
Microbial genetic potential for xenobiotic metabolism increases with depth during biofiltration
Authors: Li Dong , Sharp Jonathan O. , Drewes Jörg E.
Published: August 2020

Microbial genetic potential for the biotransformation of xenobiotics and antibiotic resistance increases with depth during biofiltration.
Comparison of fluorene, silafluorene and carbazole as linkers in perylene monoimide based non-fullerene acceptors
Authors: Weber Stefan , Hofinger Jakob , Rath Thomas , Reinfelds Matiss , Pfeifer David , Borisov Sergey M. , Fürk Peter , Amenitsch Heinz , Scharber Markus C. , Trimmel Gregor
Published: September 2020

Perylene monoimide based non-fullerene acceptors with fluorene, silafluorene and carbazole as linkers were synthesized and compared regarding their structural, optical, electronic and photovoltaic properties.
Robust hydrophobic veova10-based colloidal photonic crystals towards fluorescence enhancement of quantum dots
Authors: Yu Xiao-Qing , Zhu Zhijie , Wu Xingjiang , Li Ge , Cheng Rui , Qing Ren-Kun , Li Qing , Chen Su
Published: August 2020

A one-step strategy is developed for the first time to fabricate hydrophobic veova10-based photonic crystals towards the fluorescence enhancement of QDs.
Amperometric galectin-3 immunosensor-based gold nanoparticle-functionalized graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets and core–shell Ti-MOF@COFs composites
Authors: Yola Mehmet Lütfi , Atar Necip
Published: September 2020

Antigen galectin-3 (GL-3), a member of β-galactoside proteins indicates cardiac fibrosis and is a significant biomarker for monitoring heart failure risk and death risk.
Two-layer stacked multi-arm junction tiles and nanostructures assembled with small circular DNA molecules serving as scaffolds
Authors: Wang Yu , Ge Wei , Lu Biao , Zhu Jun-Jie , Xiao Shou-Jun
Published: September 2020

Two-layer stacked multi-arm junction motifs, nanocages, and perfect 2D rhombus lattices carrying beautiful top 4-point stars are achieved.
Solar driven renewable energy storage using rhenium disulfide nanostructure based rechargeable supercapacitors
Authors: Pazhamalai Parthiban , Krishnamoorthy Karthikeyan , Mariappan Vimal Kumar , Sathyaseelan Arunprasath , Kim Sang-Jae
Published: September 2020

Two-dimensional ReS2 nanostructures as an electrode for energy storage devices can be charged using solar cells which can efficiently power electronic devices for a long time, improving its effectiveness for the development of backup energy systems.
Recent progress in porphyrin- and phthalocyanine-containing perovskite solar cells
Authors: Matsuo Yutaka , Ogumi Keisuke , Jeon Il , Wang Huan , Nakagawa Takafumi
Published: September 2020

In this review, we summarize the application of porphyrins and phthalocyanines in perovskite solar cells to date.
Experimental investigation on the evolution of structure and mechanical properties of basalt induced by microwave irradiation
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Zhu Hongliang , Zhou Xin , Nie Aiguo
Published: September 2020

Demand is growing for explosive-free and high efficiency rock breakage systems for mining, petroleum and civil engineering applications.
Quality characteristics of infusion and health consequences: a comparative study between orthodox and CTC green teas
Authors: Deka Himangshu , Barman Tupu , Sarmah Podma Pollov , Devi Arundhuti , Tamuly Pradip , Paul Ranjit Kumar , Karak Tanmoy
Published: September 2020

This study compares the effects of two green tea processing techniques,viz.orthodox and CTC (curl, tear and crush) on the quality parameters and sensory profiles under the geographical and climatic conditions of Assam, India.
Correction: Droplet microfluidics: fundamentals and its advanced applications
Authors: Sohrabi Somayeh , Kassir Nour , Keshavarz Moraveji Mostafa
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Droplet microfluidics: fundamentals and its advanced applications’ by Somayeh Sohrabi et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 27560–27574, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA04566G.
Pulsed electric fields induce modulation of protein liquid–liquid phase separation
Authors: Wang Mengying , Falke Sven , Schubert Robin , Lorenzen Kristina , Cheng Qing-di , Exner Christian , Brognaro Hévila , Mudogo Célestin Nzanzu , Betzel Christian
Published: September 2020

Pulsed electric fields induce modulation of growth kinetics and structural properties of protein liquid dense clusters.
Osteogenesis regulation of mesenchymal stem cellsviaautophagy induced by silica–titanium composite surfaces with different mechanical moduli
Authors: Chen Maowen , Hu Yan , Hou Yanhua , Li Menghuan , Chen Maohua , Tan Lu , Mu Caiyun , Tao Bailong , Luo Zhong , Cai Kaiyong
Published: September 2020

The high surface elastic modulus of the titanium (Ti) implant is one of the critical factors causing poor osteointegration between the implant surface and surrounding bone tissue.
Tuneable peptide cross-linked nanogels for enzyme-triggered protein delivery
Authors: Massi Lucia , Najer Adrian , Chapman Robert , Spicer Christopher D. , Nele Valeria , Che Junyi , Booth Marsilea A. , Doutch James J. , Stevens Molly M.
Published: September 2020

A tuneable peptide-crosslinked, temperature-sensitive nanogel platform for protein delivery in response to MMP-7, which is overexpressed in many pathologies, is presented.
Construction of triple non-covalent interaction-based ultra-strong self-healing polymeric gels via frontal polymerization
Authors: Liu Ji-Dong , Du Xiang-Yun , Wang Cai-Feng , Li Qing , Chen Su
Published: August 2020

Robust and self-healing polymeric gels based on triple non-covalent interactions have been constructed for generation of a new self-healing thermoresponsive smart window.
Impact of p-type doping on charge transport in blade-coated small-molecule:polymer blend transistors
Authors: Basu Aniruddha , Niazi Muhammad Rizwan , Scaccabarozzi Alberto D. , Faber Hendrik , Fei Zuping , Anjum Dalaver H , Paterson Alexandra F. , Boltalina Olga , Heeney Martin , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: September 2020

Blade-coating is used to fabricate high hole mobility organic transistors based on a p-doped small-molecule:polymer blend semiconductor.
Porous CoNi nanoalloy@N-doped carbon nanotube composite clusters with ultra-strong microwave absorption at a low filler loading
Authors: Cheng Jin-Bo , Yuan Wen-Jie , Zhang Ai-Ning , Zhao Hai-Bo , Wang Yu-Zhong
Published: September 2020

This paper reports porous microwave absorber with ultra-strong absorption (−64.5 dB) at low filler loadings (10 wt%) which is fabricated via a simle and green method.
Methoxy-substituted bis-tridentate iridium(iii) phosphors and fabrication of blue organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Tai Wun-Shan , Hsu Ling-Yang , Hung Wen-Yi , Chen Yi-Yang , Ko Chang-Lun , Zhou Xiuwen , Yuan Yi , Jen Alex K.-Y. , Chi Yun
Published: September 2020

Both monoanionic dicarbene pincer chelate and dianionic azole-pyridine-carbazole cyclometalate were successfully employed in the preparation of respective bis-tridentate Ir(iii) metal complexes (Cz6–9) in moderate yields.
AKT2 regulates development and metabolic homeostasis via AMPK-depedent pathway in skeletal muscle
Authors: Chen Miao , Ji Caoyu , Yang Qingchen , Gao Shuya , Peng Yue , Li Zhe , Gao Xingyu , Li Yaoting , Jiang Nan , Zhang Yubin , Bian Xiaohong , Chen Caiping , Zhang Kaidi , Sanchis Daniel , Yan Fangrong , Ye Junmei
Published: September 2020

Skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of glucose disposal in the body. Insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle accounts for 85–90% of the impairment of total glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the mechanism remains controversial. The present study aims to investigate whether AKT2 deficiency causes deficits in skeletal muscle development and metabolism, we analyzed the expression of molecules related to skeletal muscle development, glucose uptake and metabolism in mice of 3- and 8-months old. We found that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) A (MEF2A) expression were down-regulated in AKT2 knockout (KO) mice, which can be inverted by AMPK activation. We also observed reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abundance and reduced expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in the skeletal muscle of AKT2 KO mice, which was prevented by AMPK activation. Moreover, AKT2 KO mice exhibited impaired AMPK signaling in response to insulin stimulation compared with WT mice. Our study establishes a new and important function of AKT2 in regulating skeletal muscle development and glucose metabolism via AMPK-dependent signaling.
Parameter-Specific Morphing Reveals Contributions of Timbre and Fundamental Frequency Cues to the Perception of Voice Gender and Age in Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Skuk Verena G. , Kirchen Louisa , Oberhoffner Tobias , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Dobel Christian , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Using naturalistic synthesized speech, we determined the relative importance of acoustic cues in voice gender and age perception in cochlear implant (CI) users.

Method

We investigated 28 CI users' abilities to utilize fundamental frequency (F0) and timbre in perceiving voice gender (Experiment 1) and vocal age (Experiment 2). Parameter-specific voice morphing was used to selectively control acoustic cues (F0; time; timbre, i.e., formant frequencies, spectral-level information, and aperiodicity, as defined in TANDEM-STRAIGHT) in voice stimuli. Individual differences in CI users' performance were quantified via deviations from the mean performance of 19 normal-hearing (NH) listeners.

Results

CI users' gender perception seemed exclusively based on F0, whereas NH listeners efficiently used timbre. For age perception, timbre was more informative than F0 for both groups, with minor contributions of temporal cues. While a few CI users performed comparable to NH listeners overall, others were at chance. Separate analyses confirmed that even high-performing CI users classified gender almost exclusively based on F0. While high performers could discriminate age in male and female voices, low performers were close to chance overall but used F0 as a misleading cue to age (classifying female voices as young and male voices as old). Satisfaction with CI generally correlated with performance in age perception.

Conclusions

We confirmed that CI users' gender classification is mainly based on F0. However, high performers could make reasonable usage of timbre cues in age perception. Overall, parameter-specific morphing can serve to objectively assess individual profiles of CI users' abilities to perceive nonverbal social-communicative vocal signals.
Low‐cost bus seating information technology system
Authors: Murdan Anshu Prakash , Bucktowar Vicky , Oree Vishwamitra , Enoch Marcus P.
Published: September 2020

Public transport operators often struggle to provide a reliable and efficient transport service. A lack of comprehensive real‐time operational data is often cited as a major cause for this state of things. In this study, the authors report on the design, implementation and testing of an Internet of Things‐based system, named Bus Seating Information Technology system, which dynamically determines vehicle occupancy while the bus is in service. It uses an array of sensors for detecting events in the vehicle: infrared sensors ascertain whether passengers are entering or leaving the bus; force‐sensitive resistors facilitate seat‐occupancy detection; a Global Positioning System shield in conjunction with a Raspberry Pi microcomputer enables real‐time tracking of the bus; and a USB camera connected to the same Raspberry Pi assist in cross‐checking and validating the preceding information. The data collected is uploaded to an online IoT platform (thinger.io), through 3G or 4G if available, and can be visualised via an android app as well as through a desktop computer user interface. The planned functions of the system were tested in a 20‐seater bus. Results showed that the system can track the vehicle location, as well as vehicle occupancy in real‐time in most cases.