bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-resolution seismic tomography of Long Beach, CA using machine learning
Authors: Bianco Michael J. , Gerstoft Peter , Olsen Kim B. , Lin Fan-Chi
Published: October 2019

We use a machine learning-based tomography method to obtain high-resolution subsurface geophysical structure in Long Beach, CA, from seismic noise recorded on a “large-N” array with 5204 geophones (~13.5 million travel times). This method, called locally sparse travel time tomography (LST) uses unsupervised machine learning to exploit the dense sampling obtained by ambient noise processing on large arrays. Dense sampling permits the LST method to learn directly from the data a dictionary of local, or small-scale, geophysical features. The features are the small scale patterns of Earth structure most relevant to the given tomographic imaging scenario. Using LST, we obtain a high-resolution 1 Hz Rayleigh wave phase speed map of Long Beach. Among the geophysical features shown in the map, the important Silverado aquifer is well isolated relative to previous surface wave tomography studies. Our results show promise for LST in obtaining detailed geophysical structure in travel time tomography studies.
Concatenation of 14-3-3 with partner phosphoproteins as a tool to study their interaction
Authors: Tugaeva Kristina V. , Kalacheva Daria I. , Cooley Richard B. , Strelkov Sergei V. , Sluchanko Nikolai N.
Published: October 2019

Regulatory 14-3-3 proteins interact with a plethora of phosphorylated partner proteins, however 14-3-3 complexes feature intrinsically disordered regions and often a transient type of interactions making structural studies difficult. Here we engineer and examine a chimera of human 14-3-3 tethered to a nearly complete partner HSPB6 which is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). HSPB6 includes a long disordered N-terminal domain (NTD), a phosphorylation motif around Ser16, and a core α-crystallin domain (ACD) responsible for dimerisation. The chosen design enables an unstrained binding of pSer16 in each 1433 subunit and secures the correct 2:2 stoichiometry. Differential scanning calorimetry, limited proteolysis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) support the proper folding of both the 14-3-3 and ACD dimers within the chimera, and indicate that the chimera retains the overall architecture of the native complex of 14-3-3 and phosphorylated HSPB6 that has recently been resolved using crystallography. At the same time, the SAXS data highlight the weakness of the secondary interface between the ACD dimer and the C-terminal lobe of 14-3-3 observed in the crystal structure. Applied to other 14-3-3 complexes, the chimeric approach may help probe the stability and specificity of secondary interfaces for targeting them with small molecules in the future.
Hidden Markov models reveal temporal patterns and sex differences in killer whale behavior
Authors: Tennessen Jennifer B. , Holt Marla M. , Ward Eric J. , Hanson M. Bradley , Emmons Candice K. , Giles Deborah A. , Hogan Jeffrey T.
Published: October 2019

Behavioral data can be important for effective management of endangered marine predators, but can be challenging to obtain. We utilized suction cup-attached biologging tags equipped with stereo hydrophones, triaxial accelerometers, triaxial magnetometers, pressure and temperature sensors, to characterize the subsurface behavior of an endangered population of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Tags recorded depth, acoustic and movement behavior on fish-eating killer whales in the Salish Sea between 2010–2014. We tested the hypotheses that (a) distinct behavioral states can be characterized by integrating movement and acoustic variables, (b) subsurface foraging occurs in bouts, with distinct periods of searching and capture temporally separated from travel, and (c) the probabilities of transitioning between behavioral states differ by sex. Using Hidden Markov modeling of two acoustic and four movement variables, we identified five temporally distinct behavioral states. Persistence in the same state on a subsequent dive had the greatest likelihood, with the exception of deep prey pursuit, indicating that behavior was clustered in time. Additionally, females spent more time at the surface than males, and engaged in less foraging behavior. These results reveal significant complexity and sex differences in subsurface foraging behavior, and underscore the importance of incorporating behavior into the design of conservation strategies.
Desalination of Produced Water by Membrane Distillation: Effect of the Feed Components and of a Pre-treatment by Fenton Oxidation
Authors: Ricceri Francesco , Giagnorio Mattia , Farinelli Giulio , Blandini Giulia , Minella Marco , Vione Davide , Tiraferri Alberto
Published: October 2019

The treatment of produced waters (by-products of oil and gas extraction) with the innovative process of membrane distillation is challenging, because these highly saline streams contain high concentrations of organic compounds and hydrocarbons that cause membrane wetting and impairment of performance. To design the most compact treatment scheme and with the aim of obtaining an easier management of produced water for reuse purposes, Fenton oxidation is here investigated as a feed pre-treatment that may produce an effluent easily handled by membrane distillation. In high-recovery membrane distillation tests, we systematically investigate the detrimental effects of individual contaminants in a synthetic produced water mimicking the composition of a real sample. The recovery rate depends strongly on the initial salinity, which eventually causes scaling and pore blocking. Surfactants are found to be mainly responsible for membrane wetting, but volatile and hydrophobic organics also spoil the quality of the product water. A Fenton oxidation pre-treatment is thus performed to degrade the target organics, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the following membrane distillation and to improve the quality of the final product. The combined oxidation-membrane distillation scheme has both advantages and limitations, which need to be carefully evaluated and further investigated.
A systemic study of indoxacarb resistance in Spodoptera litura revealed complex expression profiles and regulatory mechanism
Authors: Shi Li , Shi Yao , Zhang Ya , Liao Xiaolan
Published: October 2019

The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura, is an important pest of crop and vegetable plants worldwide, and its resistance to insecticides have quickly developed. However, the resistance mechanisms of this pest are still unclear. In this study, the change in mRNA and miRNA profiles in the susceptible, indoxacarb-resistant and field indoxacarb-resistant strains of S. litura were characterized. Nine hundred and ten co-up-regulated and 737 co-down-regulated genes were identified in the resistant strains. Further analysis showed that 126 co-differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) (cytochrome P450, carboxy/cholinesterase, glutathione S-transferase, ATP-binding cassette transporter, UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, aminopeptidase N, sialin, serine protease and cuticle protein) may play important roles in indoxacarb resistance in S. litura. In addition, a total of 91 known and 52 novel miRNAs were identified, and 10 miRNAs were co-differentially expressed in the resistant strains of S. litura. Furthermore, 10 co-differentially expressed miRNAs (co-DEmiRNAs) had predicted co-DEGs according to the expected miRNA-mRNA negative regulation pattern and 37 indoxacarb resistance-related co-DEGs were predicted to be the target genes. These results not only broadened our understanding of molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance by revealing complicated profiles, but also provide important clues for further study on the mechanisms of miRNAs involved in indoxacarb resistance in S. litura.
Designing and optimization of an electrochemical substitute for the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell viability assay
Authors: Mazloum-Ardakani Mohammad , Barazesh Behnaz , Moshtaghioun Seyed Mohammad , Sheikhha Mohammad Hasan
Published: October 2019

For the first time ever, this paper reports the development of an easily operated and cost-effective electrochemical assay to be used as an appropriate substitute for the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell viability assay. The proposed assay is based on the electrochemical reaction ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae) with toxic materials, and it overcomes most of the limitations of MTT such as evaporation of volatile solvents, cytotoxic effects of MTT reagents, high cost, and sensitivity to light. The novel electrochemical assay can be used to detect diazinon in the range of 10−6g mL−1to 10−2g mL−1with the detection limit of 1.5 × 10−7g mL−1.
Type I interferon signaling before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation lowers donor T cell activation via reduced allogenicity of recipient cells
Authors: Fischer Julius C. , Bscheider Michael , Göttert Sascha , Thiele Orberg Erik , Combs Stephanie E. , Bassermann Florian , Heidegger Simon , Haas Tobias , Poeck Hendrik
Published: October 2019

Recent studies highlight immunoregulatory functions of type I interferons (IFN-I) during the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We demonstrated that selective activation of IFN-I pathways including RIG-I/MAVS and cGAS/STING prior to allo-HSCT conditioning therapy can ameliorate the course of GVHD. However, direct effects of IFN-Is on immune cells remain ill characterized. We applied RIG-I agonists (3pRNA) to stimulate IFN-I production in murine models of conditioning therapy with total body irradiation (TBI) and GVHD. Using IFN-I receptor-deficient donor T cells and hematopoietic cells, we found that endogenous and RIG-I-induced IFN-Is do not reduce GVHD by acting on these cell types. However, 3pRNA applied before conditioning therapy reduced the ability of CD11c+ recipient cells to stimulate proliferation and interferon gamma expression of allogeneic T cells. Consistently, RIG-I activation before TBI reduced the proliferation of transplanted allogeneic T-cells. The reduced allogenicity of CD11c+ recipient cells was dependent on IFN-I signaling. Notably, this immunosuppressive function of DCs was restricted to a scenario where tissue damage occurs. Our findings uncover a context (damage by TBI) and IFN-I dependent modulation of T cells by DCs and extend the understanding about the cellular targets of IFN-I during allo-HSCT and GVHD.
Speckle Noise Removal in Image-based Detection of Refractive Index Changes in Porous Silicon Microarrays
Authors: Ren Ruyong , Guo Zhiqing , Jia Zhenhong , Yang Jie , Kasabov Nikola K. , Li Chuanxi
Published: October 2019

Based on porous silicon (PSi) microarray images, we propose a new method called the phagocytosis algorithm (PGY) for removing the influence of speckle noise on image gray values. In a theoretical analysis, speckle noise of different intensities is added to images, and a suitable denoising method is developed to restore the image gray level. This method can be used to reduce the influence of speckle noise on the gray values of PSi microarray images to improve the accuracy of detection and increase detection sensitivity. In experiments, the method is applied to detect refractive index changes in PSi microcavity images, and a good linear relationship between the gray level change and the refractive index change is obtained. In addition, the algorithm is applied to a PSi microarray image, and good results are obtained.
The wild-type flagellar filament of the Firmicute Kurthia at 2.8 Å resolution in vivo
Authors: Blum Thorsten B. , Filippidou Sevasti , Fatton Mathilda , Junier Pilar , Abrahams Jan Pieter
Published: October 2019

Bacteria swim and swarm by rotating the micrometers long, helical filaments of their flagella. They change direction by reversing their flagellar rotation, which switches the handedness of the filament’s supercoil. So far, all studied functional filaments are composed of a mixture of L- and R-state flagellin monomers. Here we show in a study of the wild type Firmicute Kurthia sp., that curved, functional filaments can adopt a conformation in vivo that is closely related to a uniform, all-L-state. This sheds additional light on transitions of the flagellar supercoil and uniquely reveals the atomic structure of a wild-type flagellar filament in vivo, including six residues showing clearly densities of O-linked glycosylation.
Acceleration in the DNA methylation age in breast cancer tumours from very young women
Authors: Oltra Sara S. , Peña-Chilet Maria , Flower Kirsty , Martinez María Teresa , Alonso Elisa , Burgues Octavio , Lluch Ana , Flanagan James M. , Ribas Gloria
Published: October 2019

Breast cancer in very young women (≤35 years; BCVY) presents more aggressive and complex biological features than their older counterparts (BCO). Our aim was to evaluate methylation differences between BCVY and BCO and their DNA epigenetic age. EPIC and 450k Illumina methylation arrays were used in 67 breast cancer tumours, including 32 from BCVY, for methylation study and additionally we analysed their epigenetic age. We identified 2 219 CpG sites differently-methylated in BCVY vs. BCO (FDR < 0.05; β-value difference ± 0.1). The signature showed a general hypomethylation profile with a selective small hypermethylation profile located in open-sea regions in BCVY against BCO and normal tissue. Strikingly, BCVY presented a significant increased epigenetic age-acceleration compared with older women. The affected genes were enriched for pathways in neuronal-system pathways, cell communication, and matrix organisation. Validation in an independent sample highlighted consistent higher expression of HOXD9, and PCDH10 genes in BCVY. Regions implicated in the hypermethylation profile were involved in Notch signalling pathways, the immune system or DNA repair. We further validated HDAC5 expression in BCVY. We have identified a DNA methylation signature that is specific to BCVY and have shown that epigenetic age-acceleration is increased in BCVY.
Lignan enriched fraction (LRF) of Phyllanthus amarus promotes apoptotic cell death in human cervical cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Paul Subhabrata , Patra Debashis , Kundu Rita
Published: October 2019

Phyllanthus amarus is widely grown in this sub-continent and used traditionally to treat many common ailments. In the present study, lignan rich fraction of P. amarus extract was used on cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa and C33A) to study it’s mechanism of cell death induction. As the cells were treated with IC50 doses of LRF, characteristic apoptotic features were observed. Increased sub G0 population were observed both in Hela and C33 cells, while G1/S arrest was observed in SiHa cells than their untreated counterparts. Increased production of ROS and change in MMP were also detected in the treated cells. Presence of γH2AX, was observed by immunofluorescence. Reduced expression of HPV (16/18) as well as ET-1, an autocrine growth substance, were observed in the treated cells. Immunoblotting as well as ICFC studies showed enhanced expressions of BAX, Caspase 3 and PARP (cleaved) in the treated cells. A major lignan, phyllanthin was isolated from the chloroform fraction and showed strong irreversible affinities for viral E6 and MDM2 in in silico analysis. The study conclusively indicates that LRF has the potential to induce apoptotic cell death in cervical cancer cells by activation of p53 and p21 against DNA damage.
Visual assessment of causality in the Poisson effect
Authors: Kawabe Takahiro
Published: October 2019

When a material is stretched along a spatial axis, it is causally compressed along the orthogonal axis, as quantified in the Poisson effect. The present study examined how human observers assess this causality. Stimuli were video clips of a white rectangular region that was horizontally stretched while it was vertically compressed, with spatially sinusoidal modulation of the magnitude of vertical compressions. It was found that the Poisson’s ratio—a well-defined index of the Poisson effect—was not an explanatory factor for the degree of reported causality. Instead, reported causality was explained by image features related to deformation magnitudes. Comparing a material’s shape before and after deformation was not always required for the causality assessment. This suggests that human observers determine causality in the Poisson effect by using heuristics based on image features not necessarily related to the physical properties of the material.
Elevated FGF23 and disordered renal mineral handling with reduced bone mineralization in chronically erythropoietin over-expressing transgenic mice
Authors: Daryadel Arezoo , Natale Luciano , Seebeck Petra , Bettoni Carla , Schnitzbauer Udo , Gassmann Max , Wagner Carsten A.
Published: October 2019

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic factor causing increased renal phosphate excretion as well as suppression of 1,25 (OH)2-vitamin D3. Highly elevated FGF23 can promote development of rickets and osteomalacia. We and others previously reported that acute application of erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates FGF23 production. Considering that EPO is clinically used as chronic treatment against anemia, we used here the Tg6 mouse model that constitutively overexpresses human EPO in an oxygen-independent manner, to examine the consequences of long-term EPO therapy on mineral and bone metabolism. Six to eight weeks old female Tg6 mice showed elevated intact and C-terminal fragment of FGF23 but normal plasma levels of PTH, calcitriol, calcium and phosphate. Renal function showed moderate alterations with higher urea and creatinine clearance and mild albuminuria. Renal phosphate excretion was normal whereas mild hypercalciuria was found. Renal expression of the key proteins TRPV5 and calbindin D28k involved in active calcium reabsorption was reduced in Tg6 mice. Plasma levels of the bone turnover marker osteocalcin were comparable between groups. However, urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline (DPD) was lower in Tg6 mice. MicroCT analysis showed reduced total, cortical, and trabecular bone mineral density in femora from Tg6 mice. Our data reveal that chronic elevation of EPO is associated with high FGF23 levels and disturbed mineral homeostasis resulting in reduced bone mineral density. These observations imply the need to study the impact of therapeutically applied EPO on bone mineralization in patients, especially those suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles promote angiogenesis by heparin-bound, bevacizumab-insensitive VEGF, independent of vesicle uptake
Authors: Ko Song Yi , Lee WonJae , Kenny Hilary A. , Dang Long H. , Ellis Lee M. , Jonasch Eric , Lengyel Ernst , Naora Honami
Published: October 2019

Cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) induce stromal cells to become permissive for tumor growth. However, it is unclear whether this induction solely occurs through transfer of vesicular cargo into recipient cells. Here we show that cancer-derived sEVs can stimulate endothelial cell migration and tube formation independently of uptake. These responses were mediated by the 189 amino acid isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the surface of sEVs. Unlike other common VEGF isoforms, VEGF189 preferentially localized to sEVs through its high affinity for heparin. Interaction of VEGF189 with the surface of sEVs profoundly increased ligand half-life and reduced its recognition by the therapeutic VEGF antibody bevacizumab. sEV-associated VEGF (sEV-VEGF) stimulated tumor xenograft growth but was not neutralized by bevacizumab. Furthermore, high levels of sEV-VEGF were associated with disease progression in bevacizumab-treated cancer patients, raising the possibility that resistance to bevacizumab might stem in part from elevated levels of sEV-VEGF.
Spin supercurrent in two-dimensional superconductors with Rashba spin-orbit interaction
Authors: He James Jun , Hiroki Kanta , Hamamoto Keita , Nagaosa Naoto
Published: October 2019

Spin current is a central theme in spintronics, and its generation is a keen issue. The spin-polarized current injection from the ferromagnet, spin battery, and spin Hall effect have been used to generate spin current, but Ohmic currents in the normal state are involved in all of these methods. On the other hand, the spin and spin current manipulation by the supercurrent in superconductors is a promising route for dissipationless spintronics. Here we show theoretically that, in two-dimensional superconductors with Rashba spin-orbit interaction, the generation of dissipationless bulk spin current by charge supercurrent becomes highly efficient, exceeding that in normal states in the dilute limit, i.e. when the chemical potential is close to the band edge, although the spin density becomes small there. This result manifests the possibility of creating new spintronic devices with long-range coherence.
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots as a “turn-off-on” fluorescence probe for the detection of Hg2+ and GSH and cell imaging
Authors: Yang Xuefang , Zhang Mengting , Zhang Yulu , Wang Ning , Bian Wei , Choi Martin M. F.
Published: October 2019

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dots (NPCDs) were synthesized by a microwave method, using citric acid monohydrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as raw materials.
A palladium–carbon-connected organometallic framework and its catalytic application
Authors: Dong Ying , Jv Jing-Jing , Wu Xiao-Wei , Kan Jing-Lan , Lin Ting , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: October 2019

A Pd–C-bond-connected organometallic framework and its catalytic activity for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction were reported.
Perforated mesoporous NiO nanostructures for an enhanced pseudocapacitive performance with ultra-high rate capability and high energy density
Authors: Kitchamsetti Narasimharao , Chikate Parameshwar R. , Patil Ranjit A. , Ma Yuan-Ron , Shirage Parasharam M. , Devan Rupesh S.
Published: October 2019

The morphology of NiO (1D nanobelts and 2D nanosheets) has a significant effect on the pseudocapacitive performance. The perforated and interlinked mesoporous structure of NiO nanobelts delivered higher power and energy density than nanosheets.
Control of the deprotonation of terephthalic acid assemblies on Ag(111) studied by DFT calculations and low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Heintz Jeanne , Durand Corentin , Tang Hao , Coratger Roland
Published: October 2019

This paper deals with the investigations of terephthalic acid (TPA) molecules deposited on a low reactive Ag(111) surface and studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at low temperature and DFT calculations.
A (2-(naphthalen-2-yl)phenyl)rhodium(i) complex formed by a proposed intramolecular 1,4-ortho-to-ortho′ Rh metal-atom migration and its efficacy as an initiator in the controlled stereospecific polymerisation of phenylacetylene
Authors: Tan Nicholas Sheng Loong , Nealon Gareth L. , Lynam Jason M. , Sobolev Alexandre N. , Rowles Matthew R. , Ogden Mark I. , Massi Massimiliano , Lowe Andrew B.
Published: October 2019

This contribution details the synthesis of a new Rh(i)-aryl complex and the first example in which such a complex is employed as an initiator in the controlled polymerisation of phenylacetylene.
A functionalized UiO-66 MOF for turn-on fluorescence sensing of superoxide in water and efficient catalysis for Knoevenagel condensation
Authors: Das Aniruddha , Anbu Nagaraj , SK Mostakim , Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , Biswas Shyam
Published: October 2019

A MOF based sensor is reported for specific, rapid, and sensitive sensing of O2·− and effective and recyclable catalysis of Knoevenagel condensation.
Collaborative effects of chlorogenic acid and caffeine on lipid metabolismviathe AMPKα-LXRα/SREBP-1c pathway in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Xu Meng , Yang Licong , Zhu Yanping , Liao Mingfu , Chu Lulu , Li Xin , Lin Lezhen , Zheng Guodong
Published: October 2019

The combination of CGA and caffeine exhibits anti-obesity effects and regulates lipid metabolismviathe AMPKα-LXRα/SREBP-1c signaling pathway in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.
Roles of different n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios in ovarian cell development and steroidogenesis in PCOS rats
Authors: Ma Xiaoshu , Weng Xuechun , Hu Xusong , Wang Qiaozhi , Tian Ye , Ding Yu , Zhang Cheng
Published: October 2019

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, which is accompanied by follicle growth arrest at the small antral stage, minimal granulosa cell proliferation, and chronic anovulation.
A new dual-peptide strategy for enhancing antioxidant activity and exploring the enhancement mechanism
Authors: Ma Cong , Sun Na , Zhang Simin , Zheng Jingru , Lin Songyi
Published: October 2019

The development of a new generation antioxidant peptides with high free radical scavenging rates is highly desirable, but remains a great challenge.
Tunable microfluidic device fabricated by femtosecond structured light for particle and cell manipulation
Authors: Hu Kai , Yang Liang , Jin Dongdong , Li Jiawen , Ji Shengyun , Xin Chen , Hu Yanlei , Wu Dong , Zhang Li , Chu Jiaru
Published: October 2019

A tunable microfluidic device for complete particle trapping was realized by integrating a pH-sensitive hydrogel microring array via femtosecond structured light.
Luminescence dynamics and enhancement of the UV and visible emissions of Tm3+ in LiYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ upconverting nanoparticles
Authors: Maurizio Steven L. , Tessitore Gabriella , Mandl Gabrielle A. , Capobianco John A.
Published: October 2019

An ideal concentration of Tm3+ was determined for LiYF4 upconverting nanoparticles to maximize UV and visible emission intensities.
Investigation of the surface confinement effect of copper nanoclusters: construction of an ultrasensitive fluorescence turn-on bio-enzyme sensing platform
Authors: Yang Jinlan , Song Naizhong , Jia Qiong
Published: October 2019

An ultrasensitive fluorescence turn-on assay was developed for hyaluronidase detection based on the surface confinement effect of CuNCs.
Large-area, lithography-free, narrow-band and highly directional thermal emitter
Authors: Liu Xingxing , Li Zhiwei , Wen Zhengji , Wu Mingfei , Lu Jialiang , Chen Xu , Zhao Xinchao , Wang Tao , Ji Ruonan , Zhang Yafeng , Sun Liaoxin , Zhang Bo , Xu Hao , Zhou Jing , Hao Jiaming , Wang Shaowei , Chen Xiaoshuang , Dai Ning , Lu Wei , Shen Xuechu
Published: October 2019

In this work, the authors propose and experimentally demonstrate a large-area long-wavelength infrared thermal emitter, which is spectrally selective, highly directional, and easily fabricated.
High-performance NO2 sensors based on spontaneously functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets via chemical exfoliation
Authors: He Yue , Li Dongdong , Gao Wei , Yin Hong , Chen Fang , Sun Yanfeng
Published: October 2019

Sulfate modified BNNS based gas sensors exhibit superior sensing performances, offering a powerful platform for NO2 sensing and/or capturing applications.
Interaction of pH-responsive polyanions with phospholipid membranes
Authors: Brodszkij Edit , Hviid Martin J. , Ade Carina , Schattling Philipp S. , Burmeister Moritz , Szilagyi Sven , Gal Noga , Zhu Chuntao , Han Xiaojun , Städler Brigitte
Published: October 2019

The behavior of two acrylate polymers, with carboxylic acid side groups, was investigated with regard to their pH-responsive interaction with phospholipid membranes.
Predicting the orientation of magnetic microgel rods for soft anisotropic biomimetic hydrogels
Authors: Rose Jonas C. , Fölster Maaike , Kivilip Lukas , Gerardo-Nava Jose L. , Jaekel Esther E. , Gehlen David B. , Rohlfs Wilko , De Laporte Laura
Published: October 2019

Predicting the orientation rate of rod-shaped magnetic microgels to induce unidirectional regeneration of complex and sensitive tissues.
Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles in a block copolymer aggregate template driven by hydrophobic interactions
Authors: Jang Jong Dae , Jeon Sang-Woo , Yoon Young-Jin , Bang Joona , Han Young Soo , Kim Tae-Hwan
Published: October 2019

We report various self-assembled structures of gold nanoparticles in a block copolymer aggregate template, which are easily driven by hydrophobic interactions.
Chemically and thermally activated persulfate for theophylline degradation and application to pharmaceutical factory effluent
Authors: Al Hakim Suha , Baalbaki Abbas , Tantawi Omar , Ghauch Antoine
Published: October 2019

Chemically activated persulfate in heated medium showed synergistic effect toward full degradation of theophylline in industrial factory effluents. This makes such AOP a well-adapted technology to treat highly concentrated hazardous pharmaceuticals.
Platinum nanoparticles decorating a biomass porous carbon nanocomposite-modified electrode for the electrocatalytic sensing of luteolin and application
Authors: Liu Juan , Cheng Hui , Xie Hui , Luo Guiling , Niu Yanyan , Zhang Shuyao , Li Guangjiu , Sun Wei
Published: October 2019

A Pt–BPC nanocomposite-modified electrode was fabricated for luteolin detection.
A palladium complex confined in a thiadiazole-functionalized porous conjugated polymer for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Authors: Qian Yingjie , Jeong Sang Yung , Baeck Sung-Hyeon , Jin Myung-Jong , Shim Sang Eun
Published: October 2019

A novel Pd moiety confined thiadiazole-containing conjugated porous polymer was synthesized, and its catalytic performance was examined by coupling of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acids under mild conditions.
Fabrication of a low-cost adsorbent supported zero-valent iron by using red mud for removing Pb(ii) and Cr(vi) from aqueous solutions
Authors: Du Yufeng , Dai Min , Cao Jiangfei , Peng Changsheng
Published: October 2019

In this study, a granular red mud supported zero-valent iron (ZVI@GRM) was successfully prepared and was used to remove Pb(ii) and Cr(vi) from aqueous solution.
CO2reduction using paper-derived carbon electrodes modified with copper nanoparticles
Authors: Gomez Federico J. V. , Chumanov George , Silva Maria Fernanda , Garcia Carlos D.
Published: October 2019

Electrochemical reduction of CO2on paper-derived carbon electrodes modified with metallic nanoparticles.
Preparation of an Fe2Ni MOF on nickel foam as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Ling Xintong , Du Feng , Zhang Yintong , Shen Yan , Li Tao , Alsaedi Ahmed , Hayat Tasawar , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: October 2019

Fe2Ni-MIL-88B MOF on nickel foam (Fe2Ni MOF/NF) has excellent OER performance through a one-pot method.
Study on MnO2/MXene–Ti3C2 composite materials as cathode materials for magnesium batteries
Authors: Li Yuan , Xu Donghui , Zhang Dehang , Wei Yuanchi , Zhang Ruinan , Guo Yuxiang
Published: October 2019

In this paper, MnO2/MXene–Ti3C2 composites with different molar ratios were successfully prepared by a one-step hydro-thermal method, and the optimum proportion was confirmed by XRD and SEM comparative analysis.
Enhancing the Vickers hardness, melting point and thermodynamic properties of hafnium dodecaboride
Authors: Pan Yong , Chen Shuang , Jia Yanlin
Published: October 2019

Although HfB12 is a promising surperhard material because of the boron cuboctahedron cage, the Vickers hardness of HfB12 remains controversial.
An iron foam acts as a substrate and iron source for the in situ construction of a robust transition metal phytate electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Chen Xiaojuan , Meng Yan , Gao Taotao , Zhang Jinmei , Li Xiaoqin , Yuan Hongyan , Xiao Dan
Published: October 2019

The cheap iron foam as a 3D substrate for in situ electrochemical preparing bi-functional electrocatalyst. The introduction of phytates facilitates the construction of 3D networks and the join of Co and Fe further creates more catalytic active sites.
The elastic Rayleigh drop
Authors: Tamim S. I. , Bostwick J. B.
Published: October 2019

Soft gel drops exhibit shape oscillations which obey a dispersion relationship that depends upon elastocapillary and compressibility effects, thus extending the classical analysis for the Rayleigh drop to include elasticity.
Spontaneous wrinkle emergence in nascent eumelanin thin films
Authors: Oscurato Stefano Luigi , Formisano Fabio , de Lisio Corrado , d'Ischia Marco , Gesuele Felice , Maddalena Pasqualino , Manini Paola , Migliaccio Ludovico , Pezzella Alessandro
Published: October 2019

Self-patterning processes originated by chemical and/or physical stimuli have been extensively documented in thin films, whereas spontaneous wrinkling phenomena due to chemical transformation processes are, to the best of our knowledge, unprecedented.
Cartilage-inspired hydrogel strain sensors with ultrahigh toughness, good self-recovery and stable anti-swelling properties
Authors: Xu Jiajun , Jin Rining , Ren Xiuyan , Gao Guanghui
Published: October 2019

Conventional hydrogels inevitably “swell” under liquid or physiological conditions, which drastically destroys their mechanical properties, severely limiting their practical applicability.
The assembly of silk fibroin and graphene-based nanomaterials with enhanced mechanical/conductive properties and their biomedical applications
Authors: Li Kun , Li Ping , Fan Yubo
Published: October 2019

The assembly of silk fibroin and graphene-based nanomaterials would present fantastic properties and functions via optimizing the interaction between each other, and can be processed into various formats to tailor specific biomedical applications.
Regulation of human 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase by pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate: implications for primary hyperoxaluria type-3
Authors: Huang Amadeus , Burke Julia , Bunker Richard D. , Mok Yee-Foong , Griffin Michael D. , Baker Edward N. , Loomes Kerry M.
Published: October 2019

4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase (HOGA1) is a mitochondrial enzyme that plays a gatekeeper role in hydroxyproline metabolism. Its loss of function in humans causes primary hyperoxaluria type 3 (PH3), a rare condition characterised by excessive production of oxalate. In this study, we investigated the significance of the associated oxaloacetate decarboxylase activity which is also catalysed by HOGA1. Kinetic studies using the recombinant human enzyme (hHOGA1) and active site mutants showed both these dual activities utilise the same catalytic machinery with micromolar substrate affinities suggesting that both are operative in vivo. Biophysical and structural studies showed that pyruvate was a competitive inhibitor with an inhibition constant in the micromolar range. By comparison α-ketoglutarate was a weak inhibitor with an inhibition constant in the millimolar range and could only be isolated as an adduct with the active site Lys196 in the presence of sodium borohydride. These studies suggest that pyruvate inhibits HOGA1 activity during gluconeogenesis. We also propose that loss of HOGA1 function could increase oxalate production in PH3 by decreasing pyruvate availability and metabolic flux through the Krebs cycle.
Letters to a Pre-Scientist?
Authors: Madden Lucy
Published: October 2019

Students cannot aspire to careers they don’t know exist. Letters to a Pre-Scientist connects U.S. based 4th–12th grade student ‘pre-scientists’ with STEM professionals allowing them to correspond as pen pals by snail mail. Letters to a Pre-Scientist aims to break down stereotypes that many students in low-income communities have about scientists, demystify STEM careers, and empower all students to see themselves as future scientists.
Impaired l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of resistant hypertension
Authors: Rajapakse Niwanthi W. , Giam Beverly , Kuruppu Sanjaya , Head Geoffrey A. , Kaye David M.
Published: October 2019

The precise mechanisms underlying resistant hypertension remain elusive. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is frequently documented in chronic kidney disease, obesity, diabetes and advanced age, all of which are risk factors for resistant hypertension. Sympathetic overactivity and chronic activation of the renin–angiotensin system are salient features of resistant hypertension. Interestingly, recent data indicate that renal sympathetic overactivity can reduce the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the paraventricular nucleus. Reduced NO levels in the paraventricular nucleus can increase sympathetic outflow and this can create a vicious cycle contributing to resistant hypertension. Angiotensin II can reduce l-arginine transport and hence NO production. Reduced NO levels may reduce the formation of angiotensin 1-7 dampening the cardio-protective effects of the renin–angiotensin system contributing to resistant hypertension. In addition, interleukin-6 (IL-6) is demonstrated to be independently associated with resistant hypertension, and IL-6 can reduce NO synthesis. Despite this, NO levels have not been quantified in resistant hypertension. Findings from a small proof of concept study indicate that NO donors can reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension but more studies are required to validate these preliminary findings. In the present paper, we put forward the hypothesis that reduced NO bioavailability contributes substantially to the development of resistant hypertension.
KiDS+VIKING-450: A new combined optical and near-infrared dataset for cosmology and astrophysics
Authors: Wright Angus H. , Hildebrandt Hendrik , Kuijken Konrad , Erben Thomas , Blake Robert , Buddelmeijer Hugo , Choi Ami , Cross Nicholas , de Jong Jelte T. A. , Edge Alastair , Gonzalez-Fernandez Carlos , González Solares Eduardo , Grado Aniello , Heymans Catherine , Irwin Mike , Kupcu Yoldas Aybuke , Lewis James R. , Mann Robert G. , Napolitano Nicola , Radovich Mario , Schneider Peter , Sifón Cristóbal , Sutherland William , Sutorius Eckhard , Verdoes Kleijn Gijs A.
Published: October 2019

We present the curation and verification of a new combined optical and near infrared dataset for cosmology and astrophysics, derived by combiningugri-band imaging from the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) andZYJHKs-band imaging from the VISTA Kilo degree Infrared Galaxy (VIKING) survey. This dataset is unrivaled in cosmological imaging surveys due to the combination of its area (458 deg2before masking), depth (r ≤ 25), and wavelength coverage (ugriZYJHKs). This combination of survey depth, area, and (most importantly) wavelength coverage allows significant reductions in systematic uncertainties (i.e. reductions of between 10% and 60% in bias, outlier rate, and scatter) in photometric-to-spectroscopic redshift comparisons, compared to the optical-only case at photo-zabove 0.7. The complementarity between our optical and near infrared surveys means that over 80% of our sources, across all photo-z, have significant detections (i.e. not upper limits) in our eight reddest bands. We have derived photometry, photo-z, and stellar masses for all sources in the survey, and verified these data products against existing spectroscopic galaxy samples. We demonstrate the fidelity of our higher-level data products by constructing the survey stellar mass functions in eight volume-complete redshift bins. We find that these photometrically derived mass functions provide excellent agreement with previous mass evolution studies derived using spectroscopic surveys. The primary data products presented in this paper are made publicly available through the KiDS survey website.
Low dust emissivities and radial variations in the envelopes of Class 0 protostars: possible signature of early grain growth
Authors: Galametz M. , Maury A. J. , Valdivia V. , Testi L. , Belloche A. , André Ph.
Published: October 2019

Context. Analyzing the properties of dust and its evolution in the early phases of star formation is crucial to put constraints on the collapse and accretion processes as well as on the pristine properties of planet-forming seeds.

Aims. In this paper, we aim to investigate the variations of the dust grain size in the envelopes of the youngest protostars.

Methods. We analyzed Plateau de Bure interferometric observations at 1.3 and 3.2 mm for 12 Class 0 protostars obtained as part of the CALYPSO survey. We performed our analysis in the visibility domain and derived dust emissivity index (β1−3mm) profiles as a function of the envelope radius at 200–2000 au scales.

Results. Most of the protostellar envelopes show low dust emissivity indices decreasing toward the central regions. The decreasing trend remains after correction of the (potentially optically thick) central region emission, with surprisingly low β1−3mm < 1 values across most of the envelope radii of NGC 1333-IRAS 4A, NGC 1333-IRAS 4B, SVS13B, and Serpens-SMM4.

Conclusions. We discuss the various processes that could explain such low and varying dust emissivity indices at envelope radii 200–2000 au. Our observations of extremely low dust emissivity indices could trace the presence of large (millimeter-size) grains in Class 0 envelopes, in which case our results would point to a radial increase of the dust grain size toward the inner envelope regions. While it is expected that large grains in young protostellar envelopes could be built via grain growth and coagulation, we stress that the typical timescales required to build millimeter grains in current coagulation models are at odds with the youth of our Class 0 protostars. Additional variations in the dust composition could also partly contribute to the low β1−3mm we observe. We find that the steepness of the β1−3mm radial gradient depends strongly on the envelope mass, which might favor a scenario in which large grains are built in high-density protostellar disks and transported to the intermediate envelope radii, for example with the help of outflows and winds.
Validation of open-source science tools and background model construction in γ-ray astronomy
Authors: Mohrmann L. , Specovius A. , Tiziani D. , Funk S. , Malyshev D. , Nakashima K. , van Eldik C.
Published: October 2019

In classical analyses of γ-ray data from imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), such as the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), aperture photometry, or photon counting, is applied in a (typically circular) region of interest (RoI) encompassing the source. A key element in the analysis is to estimate the amount of background in the RoI due to residual cosmic ray-induced air showers in the data. Various standard background estimation techniques have been developed in the last decades, most of them rely on a measurement of the background from source-free regions within the observed field of view. However, in particular in the Galactic plane, source analysis and background estimation are hampered by the large number of, sometimes overlapping, γ-ray sources and large-scale diffuse γ-ray emission. For complicated fields of view, a three-dimensional (3D) likelihood analysis shows the potential to be superior to classical analysis. In this analysis technique, a spectromorphological model, consisting of one or multiple source components and a background component, is fitted to the data, resulting in a complete spectral and spatial description of the field of view. For the application to IACT data, the major challenge of such an approach is the construction of a robust background model. In this work, we apply the 3D likelihood analysis to various test data recently made public by the H.E.S.S. collaboration, using the open analysis frameworks ctools and Gammapy. First, we show that, when using these tools in a classical analysis approach and comparing to the proprietary H.E.S.S. analysis framework, virtually identical high-level analysis results, such as field-of-view maps and spectra, are obtained. We then describe the construction of a generic background model from data of H.E.S.S. observations, and demonstrate that a 3D likelihood analysis using this background model yields high-level analysis results that are highly compatible with those obtained from the classical analyses. This validation of the 3D likelihood analysis approach on experimental data is an important step towards using this method for IACT data analysis, and in particular for the analysis of data from the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).
Study of the process e+e−→ π+π−π0η at the SND detector
Authors: Botov A.A.
Published: October 2019

The reaction e+e−→ π+ π−π0η has been studied in the experiment with the SND detector at the VEPP-2000 e+ e− collider. The reaction proceeds via the four intermediate states: ωη, φη, a0ρ, and structureless π+π−π0η state, which may be, for example, ρ(1450) with ρ(1450) → ρ(770)η. The total e+e−→ π+π−π0η cross section and cross section for the four intermediate states have been measured and fitted in the vector meson dominance model.
γγ Physics and Transition Form Factors with KLOE/KLOE2
Authors: del Río Elena Pérez
Published: October 2019

The KLOE results on the measurement of the transition form factors of the η and π0 mesons in φ Dalitz decays are presented. Also we report in the determination of the Γ(η → γγ) in γγ collisions, for which KLOE has delivered the most precise measurement up to the date. The prospects for γγ physics of the upgraded detector KLOE-2, which is taking data aiming to collect more than 5 fb−1 by March 2018, are reviewed.
BESIII results on time-like baryon form factors
Authors: Dbeyssi Alaa
Published: October 2019

This contribution reports on the recent measurements of baryon electromagnetic form factors at the BESIII experiment in Beijing. The Beijing e+e − collider BEPCII is a double-ring symmetric collider running at $ \sqrt s $ between 2.0 and 4.6 GeV. Baryon electromagnetic form factors can be measured at BESIII in direct e+e−-annihilation and in initial state radiation processes. Based on the data collected by the BESIII detector at 12 center of mass energies between 2.23 and 3.67 GeV, the measured $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop p\limits^ - p $ cross section and the time-like proton form factor are presented. Preliminary results from the analysis of the initial state radiation process $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop p\limits^ - p\gamma $ using a data set of 7.408 fb−1 collected at center of mass energies between 3.773 and 4.6 GeV, are also shown. The cross sections for $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop {\mathop \Lambda \nolimits_c^ - }\limits^ - \mathop \Lambda \nolimits_c^ + $ and $ \mathop e\nolimits^ + \mathop e\nolimits^ - \to \mathop \Lambda \limits^ - \Lambda $ are measured near threshold with unprecedented precision. Preliminary results on the first measurement of the ^c form factor ratio |GE|/|GM| are also given. Ongoing analysis based on the high luminosity energy scan from 2015 and from radiative return at different $ \sqrt s $ are also described.
Event Generators for Multi Hadronic Production in e+e− Collisions
Authors: Ping Rong-Gang , Gao Zhen
Published: October 2019

An event generator for multi hadron production is presented for measuring the R value in the τ-charm energy region with e+e− collisions. The initial state radiation eﬀects are considered up to second order accuracy, and the radiative correction factor is calculated with hadronic Born cross sections. The established exclusive processes are generated according to their measured cross sections, while the missing processes are generated using the LUND Area Law model, and its parameters are tuned with data collected at $ \sqrt s $ = 3.08 GeV. The optimized values are validated with data in the range $ \sqrt s $= 2.2324 ∼ 3.671 GeV. These optimized parameters are universally valid for event generation below the DD¯threshold.
X(3915) as a tensor D∗D¯∗ molecule
Authors: Baru V. , Hanhart C. , Nefediev A. V.
Published: October 2019

Two-photon decays of a tensor D∗D¯∗ molecule are studied and the suggested approach is applied to the X(3915) charmonium-like state under the assumption of the latter being a 2++ molecule — a spin partner of the X(3872). It is argued that the existing experimental data disfavour such an identification of this state. Therefore, it is suggested that either the X(3915) has a diﬀerent exotic nature or it has to be identified as a scalar.