bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subglacial Geology and Geomorphology of the Pensacola‐Pole Basin, East Antarctica
Authors: Paxman Guy J. G. , Jamieson Stewart S. R. , Ferraccioli Fausto , Jordan Tom A. , Bentley Michael J. , Ross Neil , Forsberg René , Matsuoka Kenichi , Steinhage Daniel , Eagles Graeme , Casal Tania G.
Published: May 2019

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) is underlain by a series of low‐lying subglacial sedimentary basins. The extent, geology, and basal topography of these sedimentary basins are important boundary conditions governing the dynamics of the overlying ice sheet. This is particularly pertinent for basins close to the grounding line wherein the EAIS is grounded below sea level and therefore potentially vulnerable to rapid retreat. Here we analyze newly acquired airborne geophysical data over the Pensacola‐Pole Basin (PPB), a previously unexplored sector of the EAIS. Using a combination of gravity and magnetic and ice‐penetrating radar data, we present the first detailed subglacial sedimentary basin model for the PPB. Radar data reveal that the PPB is defined by a topographic depression situated ~500 m below sea level. Gravity and magnetic depth‐to‐source modeling indicate that the southern part of the basin is underlain by a sedimentary succession 2–3 km thick. This is interpreted as an equivalent of the Beacon Supergroup and associated Ferrar dolerites that are exposed along the margin of East Antarctica. However, we find that similar rocks appear to be largely absent from the northern part of the basin, close to the present‐day grounding line. In addition, the eastern margin of the basin is characterized by a major geological boundary and a system of overdeepened subglacial troughs. We suggest that these characteristics of the basin may reflect the behavior of past ice sheets and/or exert an influence on the present‐day dynamics of the overlying EAIS.
An Approach to Modeling Biofilm Growth During the Flocculation of Suspended Cohesive Sediments
Authors: Shen Xiaoteng , Toorman Erik A. , Lee Byung Joon , Fettweis Michael
Published: May 2019

The floc size distribution (FSD) is crucial to predict cohesive sediment dynamics in aquatic environments. Recently, increasing attention has been given to biofilm effects on the FSDs of suspended particles since the presence of biofilms on particle surfaces may lead to larger flocs and thus higher settling velocities. In this study, results from a settling column experiment conducted by Tang and Maggi (2018; https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG004165) under nutrient‐free and biomass‐free, nutrient‐affected and biomass‐free, and nutrient‐affected and biomass‐affected conditions, with different suspended sediment concentrations, shear rates, and nutrient concentrations, have been used to validate modeled FSDs that is based on the population balance equation solved by the quadrature method of moments. In addition to the processes of aggregation and breakage, the effects of biofilm are expressed in the growth term of the population balance equation. The logistic growth pattern is used to account for an increase in biomass, which is primarily controlled by the specific growth rate and the carrying capacity. In this study, the biofilm growth rate is assumed nutrient dependent, and the carrying capacity of floc size is hypothesized to be proportional to the Kolmogorov microscale. With eight size classes to interpret a simulated FSD, the predicted and observed FSDs exhibit a reasonable match for all nutrient‐free and biomass‐free, nutrient‐affected and biomass‐free, and nutrient‐affected and biomass‐affected conditions. This simplified bioflocculation model fills the gap between the simulations of the FSDs of cohesive sediments without and with biofilms and has the potential to be included in large‐scale models in the future.
The Pressure and Temperature Limits of Likely Rocky Exoplanets
Authors: Unterborn C. T. , Panero W. R.
Published: May 2019

The interior composition of exoplanets is not observable, limiting our direct knowledge of their structure, composition, and dynamics. Recently described observational trends suggest that rocky exoplanets, that is, planets without significant volatile envelopes, are likely limited to <1.5 Earth radii. We show that given this likely upper limit in the radii of purely rocky super‐Earth exoplanets, the maximum expected core‐mantle boundary pressure and adiabatic temperature are relatively moderate, 630 GPa and 5000 K, while the maximum central core pressure varies between 1.5 and 2.5 TPa. We further find that for planets with radii less than 1.5 Earth radii, core‐mantle boundary pressure and adiabatic temperature are mostly a function of planet radius and insensitive to planet structure. The pressures and temperatures of rocky exoplanet interiors, then, are less than those explored in recent shock‐compression experiments, ab initio calculations, and planetary dynamical studies. We further show that the extrapolation of relevant equations of state does not introduce significant uncertainties in the structural models of these planets. Mass‐radius models are more sensitive to bulk composition than any uncertainty in the equation of state, even when extrapolated to terapascal pressures.
Greenhouse Gas Concentration and Volcanic Eruptions Controlled the Variability of Terrestrial Carbon Uptake Over the Last Millennium
Authors: Zhang Xuanze , Peng Shushi , Ciais Philippe , Wang Ying‐Ping , Silver Jeremy D. , Piao Shilong , Rayner Peter J.
Published: May 2019

The terrestrial net biome production (NBP) is considered as one of the major drivers of interannual variation in atmospheric CO2 levels. However, the determinants of variability in NBP under the background climate (i.e., preindustrial conditions) remain poorly understood, especially on decadal‐to‐centennial timescales. We analyzed 1,000‐year simulations spanning 850‐1,849 from the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and found that the variability in NBP and heterotrophic respiration (RH) were largely driven by fluctuations in the net primary production (NPP) and carbon turnover rates in response to climate variability. On interannual to multidecadal timescales, variability in NBP was dominated by variation in NPP, while variability in RH was driven by variation in turnover rates. However, on centennial timescales (100‐1,000 years), the RH variability became more tightly coupled to that of NPP. The NBP variability on centennial timescales was low, due to the near cancellation of NPP and NPP‐driven RH changes arising from climate internal variability and external forcings: preindustrial greenhouse gases, volcanic eruptions, land use changes, orbital change, and solar activity. Factorial experiments showed that globally on centennial timescales, the forcing of changes in greenhouse gas concentrations were the largest contributor (51%) to variations in both NPP and RH, followed by volcanic eruptions impacting NPP (25%) and RH (31%). Our analysis of the carbon‐cycle suggests that geoengineering solutions by injection of stratospheric aerosols might be ineffective on longer timescales.
Calibration of Sr/Ca, Li/Mg and Sr‐U Paleothermometry in Branching and Foliose Corals
Authors: Ross Claire L. , DeCarlo Thomas M. , McCulloch Malcolm T.
Published: May 2019

Coral skeletons are the most commonly used high‐resolution temperature proxy in the tropical oceans, providing paleoclimate reconstructions dating back centuries to millennia. However, physiological differences in skeletal formation modes together with artifacts arising from coral biomineralization (vital effects) can confound the temperature dependence of single element‐to‐calcium ratios. In efforts to reduce vital effects and isolate temperature, new approaches have been developed based on Sr‐U and Li/Mg, which combine Sr/Ca and U/Ca and Li/Ca and Mg/Ca, respectively. Here we examine the systematics of Sr/Ca, Sr‐U, and Li/Mg paleothermometry in 33 colonies of branching (Acropora, Pocillopora, and Stylophora) and foliose (Turbinaria) genera. To address the calibration of these morphologically complex calcifiers, we conducted repeat field trips every 1 to 3 months and collected the most recent (~1 month) uppermost growth of individual colonies over ~18‐ to 24‐month periods. This enables seasonally resolved calibration of genera that exhibit rapid extension and slower secondary calcification. Based on this experimental design, we show that all three proxies capture seasonal to annual temperature variations for their respective growth intervals, providing calibrations across an 11 °C range. Species effects on the temperature dependence were largest for Sr/Ca (22.7%) yet minor for Li/Mg (7.2%) and Sr‐U (6.3%). Residuals from proxy‐temperature regressions were correlated between Sr/Ca and Li/Mg, indicating similar biological processes may influence Sr/Ca and Li/Mg thermometry. The implications of this study are that Sr‐U and to a lesser extent Li/Mg are applicable to fossil branching coral skeletons identified to genus level without the need for modern‐day calibration. We further show that all three paleothermometers provide complementary temperature constraints, with Li/Mg and the more species‐dependent Sr/Ca showing greater effectiveness at resolving seasonal variability and Sr‐U showing greater reliability at capturing mean annual temperature.
Crustal Fault Connectivity of the Mw 7.8 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake Constrained by Aftershock Relocations
Authors: Lanza F. , Chamberlain C. J. , Jacobs K. , Warren‐Smith E. , Godfrey H. J. , Kortink M. , Thurber C. H. , Savage M. K. , Townend J. , Roecker S. , Eberhart‐Phillips D.
Published: May 2019

The 14 November 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikōura earthquake in the northern South Island, New Zealand, involved highly complex, multifault rupture. We combine data from a temporary network and the permanent national seismograph network to repick and relocate ~2,700 aftershocks of M≥3 that occurred between 14 November 2016 and 13 May 2017. Automatic phase‐picking is carried out using REST, a newly developed hybrid method whose pick quality is assessed by comparing automatic picks for a subset of 138 events with analysts' picks. Aftershock hypocenters computed from high‐quality REST picks and a 3‐D velocity model cluster almost exclusively in the shallow crust of the upper plate and reveal linkages at depth between surface‐rupturing fault segments. Only eight aftershocks are relocated on a deeper structure positioned between patches of geodetically detected afterslip. This indicates that afterslip has not triggered significant earthquake activity on the subduction interface during the period of aftershock activity analyzed.
E4orf1 protein reduces the need for endogenous insulin
Authors: Peddibhotla Swetha , Hegde Vijay , Akheruzzaman Md , Dhurandhar Nikhil V.
Published: May 2019

Background

E4orf1 protein derived from adenovirus-36 reduces glucose excursion in mice, and lowers endogenous insulin response, suggesting a reduced need for insulin. We tested if the E4orf1-mediated lowering of insulin response is due to increased tissue sensitivity to insulin, reduced ability to produce or release insulin, or a reduced need for insulin release.

Methods

Experiment 1: hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamps (HEC) and glucose tolerance test (GTT) were performed in high fat fed transgenic mice expressing E4orf1 or non-transgenic littermates (n = 12 each), for 4 weeks. Experiments 2, 3, and 4: E4orf1 or null vectors were expressed in rat-pancreatic β-cell line (INS-1) for 72 h, and cells were exposed to varying levels of glucose. Cell lysates and media were collected. Experiment 5: 3T3L1-preadipocytes that express E4orf1 upon doxycycline induction, or null vector were induced with doxycycline and then exposed to protein transport inhibitor. Supernatant and cell lysate were collected. Experiment 6: 3T3L1-preadipocytes that express E4orf1 upon doxycycline induction, or null vector were co-cultured with INS-1 cells for 24 h. Media was collected.

Results

Experiment 1: E4orf1 transgenic mice cleared glucose faster compared to non-transgenic mice during GTT. HEC showed that E4orf1 did not alter tissue sensitivity to exogenous insulin in mice. Experiments 2, 3, and 4: in INS1 cells, E4orf1 did not alter Glut2 abundance or Akt activation, suggesting no reduction in glucose sensing or insulin synthesis, respectively. E4orf1 did not influence glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in media by INS1 cells. Experiment 5: E4orf1 was present in cell lysate, but not in media, indicating it is not a secretory protein. Experiment 6: INS1 cells released less insulin in media when co-cultured in the presence of E4orf1-expressing 3T3-L1 cells.

Conclusions

Our studies support the working hypothesis that the E4orf1-mediated lowering of insulin response is not due to increased tissue sensitivity to insulin, or reduced ability to produce or release insulin, but likely to be due to a reduced need for insulin release.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Suppression of fumarate hydratase activity increases the efficacy of cisplatin-mediated chemotherapy in gastric cancer
Authors: Yu Hong-En , Wang Feng , Yu Fang , Zeng Zhao-Lei , Wang Yun , Lu Yun-Xin , Jin Ying , Wang De-Shen , Qiu Miao-Zhen , Pu Heng-Ying , Kang Tie-Bang , Xie Dan , Ju Huai-Qiang , Xu Rui-Hua , Luo Hui-Yan
Published: May 2019

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Due to the low rate of early detection, most GC patients were diagnosed as advance stages and had poor response to chemotherapy. Some studies found that Fumarate hydratase (FH) participated in the DNA damage response and its deficiency was associated with tumorigenesis in some cancers. In this study, we investigated the relationship between FH and cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity in GC cell lines. We found that FH was the most significant gene which induced by CDDP treatment and the suppression of FH could enhance the cytotoxicity of CDDP. Miconazole Nitrate (MN) could inhibit FH activity and enhance the effect of CDDP in vitro and in vivo. We also investigated the significance of expression of FH in GC tissues. The FH expression, which was higher in GC tissues than in noncancerous tissues, was negatively associated with the prognosis of patients. Together, these results revealed that FH is a reliable indicator for response to CDDP treatment in GC and the inhibition of FH may be a potential strategy to improve the effects of CDDP-based chemotherapy.
A juxtacrine/paracrine loop between C-Kit and stem cell factor promotes cancer stem cell survival in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Mazzoldi Elena Laura , Pavan Simona , Pilotto Giorgia , Leone Kevin , Pagotto Anna , Frezzini Simona , Nicoletto Maria Ornella , Amadori Alberto , Pastò Anna
Published: May 2019

Receptors tyrosine kinase (RTK) enable normal and tumor cells to perceive and adapt to stimuli present in the microenvironment. These stimuli, also known as growth factors, are important molecular cues actively supporting cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal and viability. Since in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) the expression of c-Kit (CD117) has been identified as a CSC hallmark, we investigated the existence of a tumor growth-promoting loop between c-Kit and its ligand Stem Cell Factor (SCF). SCF exists as a soluble or transmembrane protein and through c-Kit interaction regulates cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation both in physiological and pathological conditions. High amounts of SCF were found in the ascitic effusions collected from EOC patients. While tumor cells and CSC only expressed the membrane-associated SCF isoform, both secreted and membrane-bound isoforms were expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAM, here shown to be M2-like) and fibroblasts (TAF). Circulating monocytes from EOC-bearing patients and healthy donors did not express both SCF isoforms. However, monocytes isolated from healthy donors produced SCF upon in vitro differentiation into macrophages, irrespectively of M1 or M2 polarization. In vitro, both SCF isoforms were able to activate the Akt pathway in c-Kit+cells, and this effect was counteracted by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. In addition, our results indicated that SCF could help c-Kit+CSC survival in selective culture conditions and promote their canonical stemness properties, thus indicating the possible existence of a juxtacrine/paracrine circuit in EOC.
Tuning porosity in macroscopic monolithic metal-organic frameworks for exceptional natural gas storage
Authors: Connolly B. M. , Aragones-Anglada M. , Gandara-Loe J. , Danaf N. A. , Lamb D. C. , Mehta J. P. , Vulpe D. , Wuttke S. , Silvestre-Albero J. , Moghadam P. Z. , Wheatley A. E. H. , Fairen-Jimenez D.
Published: May 2019

Widespread access to greener energy is required in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. A significant barrier to cleaner natural gas usage lies in the safety/efficiency limitations of storage technology. Despite highly porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) demonstrating record-breaking gas-storage capacities, their conventionally powdered morphology renders them non-viable. Traditional powder shaping utilising high pressure or chemical binders collapses porosity or creates low-density structures with reduced volumetric adsorption capacity. Here, we report the engineering of one of the most stable MOFs, Zr-UiO-66, without applying pressure or binders. The process yields centimetre-sized monoliths, displaying high microporosity and bulk density. We report the inclusion of variable, narrow mesopore volumes to the monoliths’ macrostructure and use this to optimise the pore-size distribution for gas uptake. The optimised mixed meso/microporous monoliths demonstrate Type II adsorption isotherms to achieve benchmark volumetric working capacities for methane and carbon dioxide. This represents a critical advance in the design of air-stable, conformed MOFs for commercial gas storage.
Bcl10-controlled Malt1 paracaspase activity is key for the immune suppressive function of regulatory T cells
Authors: Rosenbaum Marc , Gewies Andreas , Pechloff Konstanze , Heuser Christoph , Engleitner Thomas , Gehring Torben , Hartjes Lara , Krebs Sabrina , Krappmann Daniel , Kriegsmann Mark , Weichert Wilko , Rad Roland , Kurts Christian , Ruland Jürgen
Published: May 2019

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have crucial functions in the inhibition of immune responses. Their development and suppressive functions are controlled by the T cell receptor (TCR), but the TCR signaling mechanisms that mediate these effects remain ill-defined. Here we show that CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) signaling mediates TCR-induced NF-κB activation in Tregs and controls the conversion of resting Tregs to effector Tregs under homeostatic conditions. However, in inflammatory milieus, cytokines can bypass the CBM requirement for this differentiation step. By contrast, CBM signaling, in a MALT1 protease-dependent manner, is essential for mediating the suppressive function of Tregs. In malignant melanoma models, acute genetic blockade of BCL10 signaling selectively in Tregs or pharmacological MALT1 inhibition enhances anti-tumor immune responses. Together, our data uncover a segregation of Treg differentiation and suppressive function at the CBM complex level, and provide a rationale to explore MALT1 inhibitors for cancer immunotherapy.
Microring resonator-assisted Fourier transform spectrometer with enhanced resolution and large bandwidth in single chip solution
Authors: Zheng S. N. , Zou J. , Cai H. , Song J. F. , Chin L. K. , Liu P. Y. , Lin Z. P. , Kwong D. L. , Liu A. Q.
Published: May 2019

Single chip integrated spectrometers are critical to bring chemical and biological sensing, spectroscopy, and spectral imaging into robust, compact and cost-effective devices. Existing on-chip spectrometer approaches fail to realize both high resolution and broad band. Here we demonstrate a microring resonator-assisted Fourier-transform (RAFT) spectrometer, which is realized using a tunable Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) cascaded with a tunable microring resonator (MRR) to enhance the resolution, integrated with a photodetector onto a single chip. The MRR boosts the resolution to 0.47 nm, far beyond the Rayleigh criterion of the tunable MZI-based Fourier-transform spectrometer. A single channel achieves large bandwidth of ~ 90 nm with low power consumption (35 mW for MRR and 1.8 W for MZI) at the expense of degraded signal-to-noise ratio due to time-multiplexing. Integrating a RAFT element array is envisaged to dramatically extend the bandwidth for spectral analytical applications such as chemical and biological sensing, spectroscopy, image spectrometry, etc.
Boosting BCG with proteins or rAd5 does not enhance protection against tuberculosis in rhesus macaques
Authors: Darrah Patricia A. , DiFazio Robert M. , Maiello Pauline , Gideon Hannah P. , Myers Amy J. , Rodgers Mark A. , Hackney Joshua A. , Lindenstrom Thomas , Evans Thomas , Scanga Charles A. , Prikhodko Victor , Andersen Peter , Lin Philana Ling , Laddy Dominick , Roederer Mario , Seder Robert A. , Flynn JoAnne L.
Published: May 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from infection worldwide. The only approved vaccine, BCG, has variable protective efficacy against pulmonary TB, the transmissible form of the disease. Therefore, improving this efficacy is an urgent priority. This study assessed whether heterologous prime-boost vaccine regimens in which BCG priming is boosted with either (i) protein and adjuvant (M72 plus AS01E or H56 plus CAF01) delivered intramuscularly (IM), or (ii) replication-defective recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) expressing various Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens (Ad5(TB): M72, ESAT-6/Ag85b, or ESAT-6/Rv1733/Rv2626/RpfD) administered simultaneously by IM and aerosol (AE) routes, could enhance blood- and lung-localized T-cell immunity and improve protection in a nonhuman primate (NHP) model of TB infection. Ad5(TB) vaccines administered by AE/IM routes following BCG priming elicited ~10–30% antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell multifunctional cytokine responses in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) but did not provide additional protection compared to BCG alone. Moreover, AE administration of an Ad5(empty) control vector after BCG priming appeared to diminish protection induced by BCG. Boosting BCG by IM immunization of M72/AS01E or H56:CAF01 elicited ~0.1–0.3% antigen-specific CD4 cytokine responses in blood with only a transient increase of ~0.5–1% in BAL; these vaccine regimens also failed to enhance BCG-induced protection. Taken together, this study shows that boosting BCG with protein/adjuvant or Ad-based vaccines using these antigens, by IM or IM/AE routes, respectively, do not enhance protection against primary infection compared with BCG alone, in the highly susceptible rhesus macaque model of tuberculosis.
MoS2 with Organic Fragment - a New Hybrid Material for Laser Writing
Authors: Jagminas Arunas , Trusovas Romualdas , Bittencourt Carla , Kurtinaitienė Marija , Pakštas Vidas , Cossement Damien , Valušis Gintaras
Published: May 2019

New nanostructured metasurfaces capable change the composition and physical properties upon pulse laser excitation recently received a marked attention for nanophotonic technologies. In this study, well adherent to the metal substrate and significantly thicker nanoplatelet-shaped MoS2-based arrays were synthesized by one pot hydrothermal way via addition of ethanolamine in the synthesis solution containing ammonium heptamolybdate and thiourea. It was shown that the lightening of this material with green light ns-laser pulses at a suitable fluencies results in the detachment of organic species and compositional transformations to significantly pure MoS2 material. For characterization the synthesized products scanning electron microscopy (SEM), glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GA-XRD), diffuse reflection, Raman, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) methods before and following green light picosecond laser pulse illumination were applied. We envisaged that these films can be successfully used as metamaterial for laser writing.
Publisher Correction: Ex vivo real-time monitoring of volatile metabolites resulting from nasal odorant metabolism
Authors: Robert-Hazotte Aline , Schoumacker Rachel , Semon Etienne , Briand Loïc , Guichard Elisabeth , Le Quéré Jean-Luc , Faure Philippe , Heydel Jean-Marie
Published: May 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Revealing How Topography of Surface Microstructures Alters Capillary Spreading
Authors: Lee Yaerim , Matsushima Naoto , Yada Susumu , Nita Satoshi , Kodama Takashi , Amberg Gustav , Shiomi Junichiro
Published: May 2019

Wetting phenomena, i.e. the spreading of a liquid over a dry solid surface, are important for understanding how plants and insects imbibe water and moisture and for miniaturization in chemistry and biotechnology, among other examples. They pose fundamental challenges and possibilities, especially in dynamic situations. The surface chemistry and micro-scale roughness may determine the macroscopic spreading flow. The question here is how dynamic wetting depends on the topography of the substrate, i.e. the actual geometry of the roughness elements. To this end, we have formulated a toy model that accounts for the roughness shape, which is tested against a series of spreading experiments made on asymmetric sawtooth surface structures. The spreading speed in different directions relative to the surface pattern is found to be well described by the toy model. The toy model also shows the mechanism by which the shape of the roughness together with the line friction determines the observed slowing down of the spreading.
CGRP signalling inhibits NO production through pannexin-1 channel activation in endothelial cells
Authors: Gaete Pablo S. , Lillo Mauricio A. , Puebla Mariela , Poblete Inés , Figueroa Xavier F.
Published: May 2019

Blood flow distribution relies on precise coordinated control of vasomotor tone of resistance arteries by complex signalling interactions between perivascular nerves and endothelial cells. Sympathetic nerves are vasoconstrictors, whereas endothelium-dependent NO production provides a vasodilator component. In addition, resistance vessels are also innervated by sensory nerves, which are activated during inflammation and cause vasodilation by the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Inflammation leads to superoxide anion (O2• −) formation and endothelial dysfunction, but the involvement of CGRP in this process has not been evaluated. Here we show a novel mechanistic relation between perivascular sensory nerve-derived CGRP and the development of endothelial dysfunction. CGRP receptor stimulation leads to pannexin-1-formed channel opening and the subsequent O2• −-dependent connexin-based hemichannel activation in endothelial cells. The prolonged opening of these channels results in a progressive inhibition of NO production. These findings provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of the inflammation-initiated endothelial dysfunction.
Gut microbiome of pre-adolescent children of two ethnicities residing in three distant cities
Authors: Khine Wei Wei Thwe , Zhang Yuwei , Goie Gerald Jian Yi , Wong Mung Seong , Liong Mintze , Lee Yeong Yeh , Cao Hong , Lee Yuan-Kun
Published: May 2019

Recent studies have realized the link between gut microbiota and human health and diseases. The question of diet, environment or gene is the determining factor for dominant microbiota and microbiota profile has not been fully resolved, for these comparative studies have been performed on populations of different ethnicities and in short-term intervention studies. Here, the Southern Chinese populations are compared, specifically the children of Guangzhou City (China), Penang City (west coast Malaysia) and Kelantan City (east coast Malaysia). These Chinese people have similar ancestry thus it would allow us to delineate the effect of diet and ethnicity on gut microbiota composition. For comparison, the Penang and Kelantan Malay children were also included. The results revealed that differences in microbiota genera within an ethnicity in different cities was due to differences in food type. Sharing the similar diet but different ethnicity in a city or different cities and living environment showed similar gut microbiota. The major gut microbiota (more than 1% total Operational Taxonomy Units, OTUs) of the children population are largely determined by diet but not ethnicity, environment, and lifestyle. Elucidating the link between diet and microbiota would facilitate the development of strategies to improve human health at a younger age.
Cell motility, contact guidance, and durotaxis
Authors: Feng Jingchen , Levine Herbert , Mao Xiaoming , Sander Leonard M.
Published: May 2019

Mechanical properties of the substrate play a vital role in cell motility.
Electronically-tuned triarylmethine scaffolds for fast and continuous monitoring of H2S levels in biological samples
Authors: Kalluruttimmal Ramshad , Thekke Thattariyil Divya , Panthalattu Parambil Archana , Sen Ashis Kumar , Chakkumkumarath Lakshmi , Manheri Muraleedharan Kannoth
Published: May 2019

A fast and reliable spectrophotometric method for the selective detection and quantification of H2S in biological samples is presented.
One-step synthesis and growth mechanism of nitrate intercalated ZnAl LDH conversion coatings on zinc
Authors: Mikhailau Aliaksandr , Maltanava Hanna , Poznyak Sergey K. , Salak Andrei N. , Zheludkevich Mikhail L. , Yasakau Kiryl A. , Ferreira Mário G. S.
Published: May 2019

A synthesis method and growth mechanism for ZnAl–NO3 LDH conversion coatings on zinc is presented for the first time.
Key factors affecting photoelectrochemical performance of g-C3N4 polymer films
Authors: Ruan Qiushi , Bayazit Mustafa K. , Kiran Vankayala , Xie Jijia , Wang Yiou , Tang Junwang
Published: May 2019

The charge diffusion length of the g-C3N4 film was found to be ∼1000 nm, indicating the maximum thickness of an efficient g-C3N4 photoelectrode.
Influence of mineralization and injection flow rate on flow patterns in three-dimensional porous media
Authors: Moosavi R. , Kumar A. , De Wit A. , Schröter M.
Published: May 2019

At low flow rates, the precipitate forming at the miscible interface between two reactive solutions guides the evolution of the flow field.
Raman and single-crystal X-ray diffraction evidence of pressure-induced phase transitions in a perovskite-like framework of [(C3H7)4N] [Mn(N(CN)2)3]
Authors: Mączka Mirosław , Collings Ines E. , Leite Fabio Furtado , Paraguassu Waldeci
Published: May 2019

The [TPrA][Mn(dca)3] perovskite shows highly anisotropic compression and the presence of three pressure-induced phase transitions near 0.4, 3 and 5 GPa into lower symmetry phases.
Sustainable bioproduction of the blue pigment indigoidine: Expanding the range of heterologous products inR. toruloidesto include non-ribosomal peptides
Authors: Wehrs Maren , Gladden John M. , Liu Yuzhong , Platz Lukas , Prahl Jan-Philip , Moon Jadie , Papa Gabriella , Sundstrom Eric , Geiselman Gina M. , Tanjore Deepti , Keasling Jay D. , Pray Todd R. , Simmons Blake A. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila
Published: May 2019

Development ofR. toruloidesas a production host for the sustainable production of the NRP indigoidine.
Aqueous dispersions of highly luminescent boron-rich nanosheets by the exfoliation of polycrystalline titanium diboride
Authors: John Saju K. , Anappara Aji A.
Published: May 2019

Luminescent boron-rich nanosheets were synthesized by the liquid-phase exfoliation of polycrystalline titanium diboride, utilizing the synergy of shear-force grinding and ultrasonication.
Catalytic oxidation and reduction reactions of hydrophilic carbon clusters with NADH and cytochrome C: features of an electron transport nanozyme
Authors: Derry Paul J. , Nilewski Lizanne G. , Sikkema William K. A. , Mendoza Kimberly , Jalilov Almaz , Berka Vladimir , McHugh Emily A. , Tsai Ah-Lim , Tour James M. , Kent Thomas A.
Published: May 2019

PEGylated hydrophilic carbon clusters are electron transfer catalysts between NADH and cytochrome C.
Atomic structural catalogue of defects and vertical stacking in 2H/3R mixed polytype multilayer WS2 pyramids
Authors: Ryu Gyeong Hee , Chen Jun , Wen Yi , Zhou Si , Chang Ren-Jie , Warner Jamie H.
Published: May 2019

We examine the atomic structure of chemical vapour deposition grown multilayer WS2 pyramids using aberration corrected annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with an in situ heating holder.
SnS2/SnS p–n heterojunctions with an accumulation layer for ultrasensitive room-temperature NO2 detection
Authors: Sun Quan , Wang Jiaxin , Hao Juanyuan , Zheng Shengliang , Wan Peng , Wang Tingting , Fang Haitao , Wang You
Published: May 2019

SnS2/SnS p–n heterojunctions with an accumulation layer were rationally designed to achieve ultrasensitive NO2 detection at room temperature.
Sessile droplets containing carbon nanotubes: a study of evaporation dynamics and CNT alignment for printed electronics
Authors: Goh Guo Liang , Saengchairat Nitipon , Agarwala Shweta , Yeong Wai Yee , Tran Tuan
Published: May 2019

A study of evaporation dynamics of the CNT suspensions and CNT alignment via sessile drop experiments on a flexible substrate.
Scalable total synthesis of a mycobactin T analogue utilizing a novel synthetic and protection strategy
Authors: Wu Jie , Mu Ran , Liu Zi-Jie , Lu Shi-Chao , Liu Gang
Published: May 2019

Mycobactin T analogue 1 (MbT-1) is a mycobacterial-specific siderophore analogue, which is usually employed to conjugate therapeutic drugs to induce selective antibacterial activity.
Mesoporous gold nanospheres via thiolate–Au(i) intermediates
Authors: Lv Hao , Xu Dongdong , Henzie Joel , Feng Ji , Lopes Aaron , Yamauchi Yusuke , Liu Ben
Published: May 2019

This manuscript reports a facile yet effective surfactant-templated synthesis methodology to grow in situ metallic gold mesoporous nanospheres for methanol electrooxidation.
Solvent-assisted coordination driven assembly of a supramolecular architecture featuring two types of connectivity from discrete nanocages
Authors: Niu Zheng , Wang Lei , Fang Sheng , Lan Pui Ching , Aguila Briana , Perman Jason , Ma Jian-Gong , Cheng Peng , Li Xiaopeng , Ma Shengqian
Published: May 2019

A 3D nanocage architecture with two types of connectivity was successfully assembled from discrete supramolecular nanocages.
SnSbvs.Sn: improving the performance of Sn-based anodes for K-ion batteries by synergetic alloying with Sb
Authors: Gabaudan Vincent , Berthelot Romain , Sougrati Moulay Tahar , Lippens Pierre-Emmanuel , Monconduit Laure , Stievano Lorenzo
Published: May 2019

The electrochemical mechanism and performance of Sn-based electrodes are thoroughly studied in K-ion batteries.
On the reconstruction of NiMo electrocatalysts by operando spectroscopy
Authors: Bau Jeremy A. , Haspel Henrik , Ould-Chikh Samy , Aguilar-Tapia Antonio , Hazemann Jean-Louis , Idriss Hicham , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: May 2019

Dissolved MoO42− from NiMo electrodes during hydrogen evolution redeposits during high energy spectroscopy, providing misleading but important insights into Mo behavior.
Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 deficiency exacerbates acute lung injury via NF-κB signaling in bone marrow-derived macrophages
Authors: Qiu Tao , Zhou Jiangqiao , Wang Tianyu , Chen Zhongbao , Ma Xiaoxiong , Zhang Long , Zou Jilin
Published: May 2019

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute inflammatory disease. Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) is an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-bearing inhibitory receptor that is implicated in various pathological processes. However, the function of LILRB4 in ALI remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of LILRB4 in ALI. LILRB4 knockout mice (LILRB4 KO) were used to construct a model of ALI. Bone marrow cell transplantation was used to identify the cell source of the LILRB4 deficiency-aggravated inflammatory response in ALI. The effect on ALI was analyzed by pathological and molecular analyses. Our results indicated that LILRB4 KO exacerbated ALI triggered by LPS. Additionally, LILRB4 deficiency can enhance lung inflammation. According to the results of our bone marrow transplant model, LILRB4 regulates the occurrence and development of ALI by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) rather than by stromal cells in the lung. The observed inflammation was mainly due to BMDM-induced NF-κB signaling. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that LILRB4 deficiency plays a detrimental role in ALI-associated BMDM activation by prompting the NF-κB signal pathway.
Low concentration of rutin treatment might alleviate the cardiotoxicity effect of pirarubicin on cardiomyocytes via activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Fei Junjie , Sun Yi , Duan Yuyin , Xia Jianming , Yu Songhua , Ouyang Peigang , Wang Teng , Zhang Guimin
Published: May 2019

Cancer is the leading cause of deaths around the world, especially in low- and middle- income countries. Pirarubicin (THP) is an effective drug for treatment of cancer, however, there still exists cardiotoxic effects of THP. Rutin is a kind of antioxidative compound extracted from plants, and might be a protective compound for cardiomyocytes. Phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is critical for cellular survival, proliferation and metabolism, and thus we speculated rutin might perform a protective role in cardiomyocytes via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. And in this experiment, we first established a cardiotoxicity model of THP in mice model and cell models, and then found that rutin treatment could increase the proliferation of cells at low concentration. Then we explored the possible mechanism of the protective effect of rutin using Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and ELISA methods, and found that the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway was increased, and expression of downstream molecules involved in antioxidative stress were also increased. We further noticed that concentration of angiogenesis promoting factors were also increased in medium of cultured cells. Thus, we speculated that rutin could increase the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, further decrease the oxidative stress level via increasing the expression of antioxidative stress enzymes with the increasing concentration of angiogenesis promoting factors, resulting in the protective role in cardiomyocytes and cardiac function.
α-bisabolol enhances radiotherapy-induced apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells by reducing the effect of XIAP on inhibiting caspase-3
Authors: Fang Dongmei , Wang Hongxin , Li Min , Wei Wenwen
Published: May 2019

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers in females. Although the diagnosis and treatment in early stages can greatly improve the survival rate of patients, the advanced EC still is lethal. Radiotherapy is widely used against EC, and it is a great challenge to find an effective way to overcome the resistance of EC during radiotherapy. α-bisabolol is a promising drug, which has already exhibited its anti-tumor effect in some malignancies. Here we reported that α-bisabolol could inhibit the proliferation of EC cells. It is also shown that their abilities of migration and invasion were effectively reduced by α-bisabolol. Furthermore, our results also demonstrated that α-bisabolol could improve sensitivity of EC cells in radiotherapy and further inhibited the growth of EC cells. By Western blot, we found the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and cyclin E were significantly decreased, which indicated that EC cells can be further suppressed by using α-bisabolol and radiotherapy. It is also demonstrated in our study that the rate of apoptotic cells is markedly increased in EC by using these two treatments. The significant decrease in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and increase in caspase-3 detected in our study suggested that the enhancement of apoptosis is mediated by XIAP/caspase-3 pathway, which was further confirmed by examining the downstream effectors of caspase-3, COX-2, PARP and cleaved PARP. In the present study, we demonstrated that α-bisabolol could enhance the sensitivity of EC cells to radiotherapy, which provide a novel alternative for overcoming radioresistance of EC cells and achieving a better outcome in radiotherapy.
Synthesis of linear sparse arrays based on dynamic parameters differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Wang Xujian , Yao Minli , Dai Dingcheng , Zhang Fenggan
Published: May 2019

Synthesis of antenna arrays is a momentous technology possessing many advantages and broad prospects. Dynamic parameters differential evolution (DPDE) with two modifications is proposed for the synthesis of linear sparse arrays (LSA) which aims at reducing peak side‐lobe level. One modification is that the scaling factor decreases monotonically over iterations, making exploration in the later period more efficient and accuracy. The other modification is that the crossover probability changes dynamically during iterative process through a novel self‐adaptive strategy. Experiments of checking on benchmark functions and simulations of synthesising LSA validate that DPDE performs better than reference methods convincingly.
Multi-resolution Bayesian CMB component separation through Wiener filtering with a pseudo-inverse preconditioner
Authors: Seljebotn D. S. , Bærland T. , Eriksen H. K. , Mardal K.-A. , Wehus I. K.
Published: May 2019

We present a Bayesian model for multi-resolution component separation for cosmic microwave background (CMB) applications based on Wiener filtering and/or computation of constrained realizations, extending a previously developed framework. We also develop an efficient solver for the corresponding linear system for the associated signal amplitudes. The core of this new solver is an efficient preconditioner based on the pseudo-inverse of the coefficient matrix of the linear system. In the full sky coverage case, the method gives an increased speed of the preconditioner, and it is easier to implement in terms of practical computer code. In the case where a mask is applied and prior-driven constrained realization is sought within the mask, this is the first time full convergence has been achieved at the full resolution of the Planck data set.
Near- to mid-infrared spectroscopy of the heavily obscured AGN LEDA 1712304 with AKARI/IRC
Authors: Tsuchikawa T. , Kaneda H. , Oyabu S. , Kokusho T. , Morihana K. , Kobayashi H. , Yamagishi M. , Toba Y.
Published: May 2019

Context. Although heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been found by many observational studies, the properties of the surrounding dust are poorly understood. Using AKARI/IRC spectroscopy, we discovered a new heavily obscured AGN in LEDA 1712304 which shows a deep spectral absorption feature due to silicate dust.

Aims. We study the infrared (IR) spectral properties of circumnuclear silicate dust in LEDA 1712304.

Methods. We performed IR spectral fitting, considering silicate dust properties such as composition, porosity, size, and crystallinity. Spectral energy distribution fitting was also performed on the flux densities in the UV to submillimeter range to investigate the global spectral properties.

Results. The best-fit model indicates 0.1 μm-sized porous amorphous olivine (Mg2xFe2−2xSiO4; x = 0.4) with 4% crystalline pyroxene. The optical depth is τsil ∼ 2.3, while the total IR luminosity and stellar mass are estimated to be LIR = (5 ± 1)×1010 L⊙ and Mstar = (2.7 ± 0.8)×109 M⊙, respectively. In such low LIR and Mstar ranges, there are few galaxies that show such a large τsil.

Conclusion. The silicate dust in the AGN torus of LEDA 1712304 has properties that are notably similar to those in other AGNs overall, but slightly different in the wing shape of the absorption profile. The porosity of the silicate dust suggests dust coagulation or processing in the circumnuclear environments, while the crystallinity suggests that the silicate dust is relatively fresh.
Phase integral of asteroids
Authors: Shevchenko Vasilij G. , Belskaya Irina N. , Mikhalchenko Olga I. , Muinonen Karri , Penttilä Antti , Gritsevich Maria , Shkuratov Yuriy G. , Slyusarev Ivan G. , Videen Gorden
Published: May 2019

The values of the phase integralqwere determined for asteroids using a numerical integration of the brightness phase functions over a wide phase-angle range and the relations betweenqand theGparameter of theHGfunction andqand theG1,G2parameters of theHG1G2function. The phase-integral values for asteroids of different geometric albedo range from 0.34 to 0.54 with an average value of 0.44. These values can be used for the determination of the Bond albedo of asteroids. Estimates for the phase-integral values using theG1andG2parameters are in very good agreement with the available observational data. We recommend using theHG1G2function for the determination of the phase integral. Comparison of the phase integrals of asteroids and planetary satellites shows that asteroids have systematically lower values ofq.
A review- bioremediation of oil sludge contaminated soil
Authors: Saha Riju Chandra , Reza Auchib , Hasan Muhammad Sakib , Saha Piash
Published: May 2019

Petroleum oil as a vast source of energy widely used in the whole world in several sectors especially in industry and transportation. The leakage or contamination of oil from pipeline, tank, and industry as a form of oil sludge with soil can produce major environmental and health hazard. Bioremediation is one of the most economical and environmentally safe technology to prevent this contamination though it takes longer time. This paper reviews the basic processes involved in bioremediation, types and the factors affecting it. This study includes some previously adopted different bioremediation methods varies with different process material such as refinery treatment sludge, sewage sludge, microbial organism, bulking agents and different chemical additives. The comparison of these methods is presented in respect of the removal efficiency of an entire process as well as the TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon), aliphatic, aromatic, resins, asphaltene fraction of oil sludge within the different period of time.
Evaluation of raw and chemically treated waste phosphogypsum and its potential applications
Authors: Mashifana Tebogo
Published: May 2019

A million tons of Phosphogypsum (PG) is stacked in the environment every year and is progressively considered an asset. South African construction industry is expanding as a result of infrastructural developments in the country, the reuse of PG in this industry is considered for recycling and reducing the stacks in landfills. Phosphogypsum is known for its limited ability to use in cement industry due to its phosphorus and radionuclides impurities. This study was conducted to reduce these impurities and investigate the probability of PG application in building and construction. Leaching of PG with citric acid was conducted whereby a relative proportion of P2O5 and radionuclides was reduced in the material, constituents which contributes to strengths reduction. Optimum moisture Contents and maximum dry densities were determined for various PG content mix designs in which Lime and Fly Ash were added to stabilise PG material. The composites were compacted at various moisture contents and cured at low and elevated temperatures of at 40 °C and 80 °C for 4 days. The results obtained shows that for unconfined compressive strengths; the composites produced from PG, and cured at high temperature qualified for the use in construction industry.