bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Efficient and Chemoselective Reduction of Nitroarenes Using Hybrid Ni@g‐C3N4 as Reusable Catalyst
Authors: Payra Soumen , Banerjee Subhash
Published: August 2019

Hybrid Ni@g‐C3N4‐catalyzed highly chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes with high turnover frequency has been demonstrated using NaBH4 as source of hydrogen. Here, g‐C3N4 provides excellent stability to Ni(0) nanoparticles on its nitrogen rich surface and also facilitates the dissociation of NaBH4 resulting formation of active Νi‐H+ and Νi‐H‐ via cooperative effect.
Cu,N‐Codoped Carbon Nanodisks with Biomimic Stomata‐Like Interconnected Hierarchical Porous Topology as Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Wang Tao , Yang Rui , Shi Naien , Yang Jing , Yan Hongyu , Wang Junyi , Ding Zhen , Huang Wei , Luo Qing , Lin Yue , Gao Jian , Han Min
Published: August 2019

Metal,N‐codoped carbon (M‐N‐C) nanostructures are promising electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or other gas‐involved energy electrocatalysis. Further creating pores into M‐N‐C nanostructures can increase their surface area, fully expose the active sites, and improve mass transfer and electrocatalytic efficiency. Nonetheless, it remains a challenge to fabricate M‐N‐C nanomaterials with both well‐defined morphology and hierarchical porous structures. Herein, high‐quality 2D Cu‐N‐C nanodisks (NDs) with biomimic stomata‐like interconnected hierarchical porous topology are synthesized via carbonization of Cu‐tetrapyridylporphyrin (TPyP)‐metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) precursors and followed by etching the carbonization product (Cu@Cu‐N‐C) along with re‐annealing treatment. Such hierarchical porous Cu‐N‐C NDs possess high specific surface area (293 m2 g−1) and more exposed Cu single‐atom sites, different from their counterparts (Cu@Cu‐N‐C) and pure N‐C control catalysts. Electrochemical tests in alkaline media reveal that they can efficiently catalyze ORR with a half‐wave potential of 0.85 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), comparable to Pt/C and outperforming Cu@Cu‐N‐C, N‐C, Cu‐TPyP‐MOFs, and most other reported M‐N‐C catalysts. Moreover, their stability and methanol‐tolerant capability exceed Pt/C. This work may shed some light on optimizing 2D M‐N‐C nanostructures through bio‐inspired pore structure engineering, and accelerate their applications in fuel cells, artificial photosynthesis, or other advanced technological fields.
Enzyme–Metal Hybrid Catalysts for Chemoenzymatic Reactions
Authors: Li Xiaoyang , Cao Xun , Xiong Jiarong , Ge Jun
Published: August 2019

Enzyme–metal hybrid catalysts (EMHCs), which combine enzymatic and metal catalysis, provide tremendous possibilities for new chemoenzymatic cascade reactions. Here, an overview of the representative achievements in the design of EMHCs and their applications in chemoenzymatic cascade reactions are presented. The preparation of hybrid catalysts is classified into two categories: coimmobilized enzyme–metal heterogeneous catalysts and carrier‐free enzyme–metal bioconjugates. Examples of one‐pot chemoenzymatic cascade processes catalyzed by the hybrid catalysts are then provided as potential applications. Finally, the limitations and future perspectives of EMHCs are discussed.
Wind turbine main‐bearing loading and wind field characteristics
Authors: Hart Edward , Turnbull Alan , Feuchtwang Julian , McMillan David , Golysheva Evgenia , Elliott Robin
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the relationship between wind turbine main‐bearing loads and the characteristics of the incident wind field in which the wind turbine is operating. For a 2‐MW wind turbine model, fully aeroelastic multibody simulations are performed in 3D turbulent wind fields across the wind turbine's operational envelope. Hub loads are extracted and then injected into simplified drivetrain models of three types of main‐bearing configuration. The main‐bearing reaction loads and load ratios from the simplified model are presented and analysed. Results indicate that there is a strong link between wind field characteristics and the loading experienced by the main bearing(s), with the different bearing configurations displaying very different loading behaviours. Main‐bearing failure rates determined from operational data for two drivetrain configurations are also presented.
Heat diffusion in heavy ion beam irradiation
Authors: Moribayashi Kengo
Published: August 2019

For heavy ion beam irradiation in water, a model that simulates heat diffusion following measurement indicating heat diffusion is proposed as a first step. This heat is generated near the incident ion path. The model proposed here should be useful for ion‐beam cancer therapy as well as the analysis of this measurement. Further, many molecules quickly migrate in the target simultaneously with heat diffusion, and this migration is expected to greatly damage DNA, that is, to create cluster DNA damage.
Uplifting AdS3/CFT2 to flat space holography
Authors: Ball Adam , Himwich Elizabeth , Narayanan Sruthi A. , Pasterski Sabrina , Strominger Andrew
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Four-dimensional (4D) flat Minkowski space admits a foliation by hyperbolicslices. Euclidean AdS3 slices fill the past and future lightcones of the origin, while dS3 slices fill the region outside the lightcone. The resulting link between 4D asymptotically flat quantum gravity and AdS3/CFT2 is explored in this paper. The 4D superrotations in the extended BMS4 group are found to act as the familiar conformal transformations on the 3D hyperbolic slices, mapping each slice to itself. The associated 4D superrotation charge is constructed in the covariant phase space formalism. The soft part gives the 2D stress tensor, which acts on the celestial sphere at the boundary of the hyperbolic slices, and is shown to be an uplift to 4D of the familiar 3D holographic AdS3 stress tensor. Finally, we find that 4D quantum gravity contains an unexpected second, conformally soft, dimension (2, 0) mode that is symplectically paired with the celestial stress tensor.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in severely injured patients: an international comparative assessment
Authors: Gunning Amy C. , Maier Ronald V. , de Rooij Doret , Leenen Luke P. H. , Hietbrink Falco
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Venous thromboembolisms (VTE) are a major concern after acute survival from trauma. Variations in treatment protocols for trauma patients exist worldwide. This study analyzes the differences in the number of VTE events and the associated complications of thromboprophylaxis between two level I trauma populations utilizing varying treatment protocols.

Methods

International multicenter trauma registry-based study was performed at the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) in The Netherlands (early commencement chemical prophylaxis), and Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in the United States (restrictive early chemical prophylaxis). All severely injured patients (ISS ≥ 16), aged ≥ 18 years, and admitted in 2013 were included. Primary outcomes were VTE [deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (no screening), pulmonary embolism (PE)], and hemorrhagic complications.

Results

In UMCU, 279 patients were included and in HMC, 974 patients. Overall, 75% of the admitted trauma patients in UMCU and 81% in HMC (p < 0.001) received thromboprophylaxis, of which 100% in and 75% at, respectively, UMCU and HMC consisted of chemical prophylaxis. From these patients, 72% at UMCU and 47% at HMC (p < 0.001) were treated within 48 h after arrival. At UMCU, 4 patients (1.4%) (PE = 3, DVT = 1) and HMC 37 patients (3.8%) (PE = 22, DVT = 16; p = 0.06) developed a VTE. At UMCU, a greater percent of patients with VTE had traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Most VTE occurred despite adequate prophylaxis being given (75% UMCU and 81% HMC). Hemorrhagic complications occurred in, respectively, 4 (1.4%) and 10 (1%) patients in UMCU and HMC (p = 0.570). After adjustment for age, ISS, HLOS, and injury type, no significant difference was demonstrated in UMCU compared to HMC for the development of VTE, OR 2.397, p = 0.102 and hemorrhagic complications, OR 0. 586, p = 0.383.

Conclusions

A more early commencement protocol resulted in almost twice as much chemical prophylaxis being started within the first 48 h in comparison with a more delayed initiation of treatment. Interestingly, most episodes of VTE developed while receiving recommended prophylaxis. Early chemical thromboprophylaxis did not significantly increase the bleeding complications and it appears to be safe to start early.
Enhanced production of heterologous proteins via engineering the cell surface of Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Mo Fei , Cai Dongbo , He Penghui , Yang Fan , Chen Yaozhong , Ma Xin , Chen Shouwen
Published: August 2019

Cell surface engineering was proven as the efficient strategy for enhanced production of target metabolites. In this study, we want to improve the yield of target protein by engineering cell surface in Bacillus licheniformis. First, our results confirmed that deletions of d-alanyl-lipoteichoic acid synthetase gene dltD, cardiolipin synthase gene clsA and CDP-diacylglycerol-serine O-phosphatidyltransferase gene pssA were not conducive to cell growth, and the biomass of gene deletion strains were, respectively, decreased by 10.54 ± 1.43%, 14.17 ± 1.51%, and 17.55 ± 1.28%, while the concentrations of total extracellular proteins were improved, due to the increases of cell surface net negative charge and cell membrane permeability. In addition, the activities of target proteins, nattokinase, and α-amylase were also improved significantly in gene deletion strains. Furthermore, the triplicate gene (dltD, clsA, and pssA) deletion strain was constructed, which further led to the 45.71 ± 2.43% increase of cell surface net negative charge and 26.45 ± 2.31% increase of cell membrane permeability, and the activities of nattokinase and α-amylase reached 37.15 ± 0.89 FU/mL and 305.3 ± 8.4 U/mL, increased by 46.09 ± 3.51% and 96.34 ± 7.24%, respectively. Taken together, our results confirmed that cell surface engineering via deleting dltD, clsA, and pssA is an efficient strategy for enhanced production of target proteins, and this research provided a promising host strain of B. licheniformis for efficient protein expression.
Cardiovascular Disease and Hair Cortisol: a Novel Biomarker of Chronic Stress
Authors: Iob Eleonora , Steptoe Andrew
Published: August 2019

Purpose of Review

This review focuses on the concentration of cortisol in human hair as a biomarker of chronic stress in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We outline the cardiovascular consequences of cortisol excess and provide a comprehensive overview of recent studies investigating the relationship of hair cortisol with CVD. In addition, clinical implications and limitations of the evidence are discussed, together with directions for future research.

Recent Findings

Hair cortisol may be a reliable biomarker of chronic stress since it provides quantification of total cortisol secreted into hair over several weeks. A growing body of evidence suggests that elevated hair cortisol levels are associated with both the incidence of CVD and poorer recovery and treatment outcomes. Moreover, increased hair cortisol concentration has been linked with established cardiometabolic risk factors for CVD including high blood pressure, diabetes, and adiposity.

Hair cortisol is a promising biomarker of chronic cortisol excess which may contribute to both the pathogenesis and prognosis of CVD. However, the current evidence relies on small-scale cross-sectional studies. Further research adopting longitudinal designs across larger samples of CVD patients and healthy participants is required to inform the development of novel evidence-based interventions.
Children's cognitive appraisal moderates associations between psychologically controlling parenting and children's depressive symptoms
Authors: Cheah Charissa S.L. , Yu Jing , Liu Junsheng , Coplan Robert J.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

This study examined three different types of Chinese children and adolescents' perceptions of psychologically controlling parenting (love withdrawal, guilt induction, and shaming), their cognitive appraisals of such parenting, and their depressive symptoms. Specifically, the moderating role of children's cognitive appraisal on the association between each type of psychologically controlling parenting and children's depressive symptoms was assessed. Child age and gender effects were also explored.

Methods

Children (n = 992, Mage = 10.23 years) and adolescents (n = 427, Mage = 13.56 years) in Shanghai, China, reported on their parents' engagement in love withdrawal, guilt induction, and shaming practices, their appraisals of how much they thought their parents engaged in each of these parenting practices for their (the children's) own good, and depressive symptoms.

Results

Moderated multiple regressions revealed that parental love withdrawal, guilt induction, and shaming were associated with more depressive symptoms, which were buffered by children's positive interpretations. Moreover, the moderating effects of positive parenting interpretations were stronger for adolescents than for younger children, but no gender differences in the moderation effects were found.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings revealed the critical role of child cognitive appraisals in the effects of parenting practices on child outcomes and highlighted the importance of examining the meaning and function of different dimensions of psychological control within a specific cultural context. Important developmental differences in the role of these cognitive appraisals and the effects of specific parenting practices were also identified.
Decreasing time to first shock: Routine application of defibrillation pads in prehospital STEMI
Authors: Felder Sarah , VanAarsen Kristine , Davis Matthew
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Four percent of ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) are complicated by an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Research has shown that shorter time to initial defibrillation in patients with ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia (VF/VT) arrests increases favourable neurologic survival. The purpose of this study is to determine whether routine application of defibrillation pads in patients with prehospital STEMI decreases the time to initial defibrillation in those who suffer OHCA.

Methods

This was a health records review for adult patients diagnosed with STEMI in the prehospital setting from January 2012 to July 2016. Patients were included if they had a 12 lead ECG indicative of STEMI and subsequently suffered VF/VT OHCA while in paramedic care. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the “pads-on” protocol in a pre (Jan 2012-May 2014) /post implementation fashion (Jun 2014- Jul 2016). Records were reviewed for relevant patient and event features. T-test was used to measure the difference between mean times to defibrillation.

Results

446 patients were diagnosed with prehospital STEMI. 11 suffered OHCA while in paramedic care. The mean (SD) age was 66.0 (9.3) and 55% were female. In the 4 patients treated with the “pads-on” protocol, the mean time to initial defibrillation was 17.7 seconds, compared to 72.7 seconds in patients who had pads applied following arrest (Δ 55.0 sec [95% CI 22.7–87.2 s]).

Conclusion

Routine application of defibrillation pads in STEMI patients who suffer OHCA decreases time to initial defibrillation, which has previously been demonstrated to increase favourable neurologic survival.
The changing views of Antarctica
Authors: Meduna Veronika
Published: August 2019

Reporting on scientific research from Antarctica faces familiar tensions between journalism and science. Among the particular obstacles are the mainstream media’s focus on novelty and the constant need for new angles and new voices. While science journalism has been gaining recognition, many media organisations continue to view it as secondary to more traditional areas of reporting such as politics, business and sports. At a time when we face several environmental crises, that is arguably no longer representative of reality. Coverage of Antarctic issues, including science, could improve if editorial teams were more cross-disciplinary to extend beyond each individual’s boundaries of expertise.
Zircon U‐Pb Chronostratigraphy and Provenance of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit and the Nature of the Contact With the Cycladic Basement on Sikinos and Ios Islands, Greece
Authors: Poulaki Eirini M. , Stockli Daniel F. , Flansburg Megan E. , Soukis Konstantinos
Published: August 2019

Sikinos and Ios Islands, located in the Southern Cyclades, represent part of a Cenozoic metamorphic core complex system that exposes subduction‐related metamorphic rocks in the highly extended back‐arc region of the Hellenic subduction zone. These exhumed HP‐LT metamorphic units are composed of Mesozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) and the Paleozoic Cycladic Basement (CB). The magmatic and stratigraphic evolution of these units, as well as the nature of the contact between the CBU and CB, have remained poorly understood. We used zircon U‐Pb dating to determine crystallization ages of the CB on Sikinos and the maximum deposition ages and detrital provenance of the metasedimentary units to reconstruct the Mesozoic to early Cenozoic stratigraphic and tectonic evolution of the CBU on both islands. The results reveal that the CB in Sikinos is composed of Cambrian‐Silurian metasedimentary rocks intruded by Carboniferous granites and is overlain by metasedimentary rocks of the CBU with depositional ages spanning from Permo‐Triassic to Late Cretaceous. The provenance data from the CBU records a long‐lived tectonic evolution from Paleo‐Tethys subduction and rifting, to passive margin formation, and to subduction of the Neo‐Tethyan Pindos basin. The continuous stratigraphic record and provenance evolution from the CB into the CBU imply a para‐autochthonous relationship. On NE Sikinos and Ios, stratigraphic constraints suggest older‐over‐younger relationships along cryptic‐thrusts, supporting premetamorphic or synmetamorphic structural repetition of the CBU by imbrication, likely during subduction underplating.
Magnetic Local Time‐Resolved Examination of Radiation Belt Dynamics during High‐Speed Solar Wind Speed‐Triggered Substorm Clusters
Authors: Rodger Craig J. , Turner Drew L. , Clilverd Mark A. , Hendry Aaron T.
Published: August 2019

Particle observations from low Earth orbiting satellites are used to undertake superposed epoch analysis around clusters of substorms, in order to investigate radiation belt dynamical responses to mild geomagnetic disturbances. Medium energy electrons and protons have drift periods long enough to discriminate between processes occurring at different magnetic local time, such as magnetopause shadowing, plasma wave activity, and substorm injections. Analysis shows that magnetopause shadowing produces clear loss in proton and electron populations over a wide range of L‐shells, initially on the dayside, which interacts with nightside substorm‐generated flux enhancements following charge‐dependent drift directions. Inner magnetospheric injections recently identified as an important source of tens to hundreds keV electrons at low L (L<3), occurring during similar solar wind‐driving conditions as recurrent substorms, show similar but more enhanced geomagnetic AU‐index signatures. Twofold increases in substorm occurrence at the time of the sudden particle enhancements at low L shells (SPELLS) suggest a common linkage.
MMS Observations of Multiscale Hall Physics in the Magnetotail
Authors: Alm Love , André Mats , Graham Daniel B. , Khotyaintsev Yuri V. , Vaivads Andris , Chappell Charles. R. , Dargent Jérémy , Fuselier Stephen A. , Haaland Stein , Lavraud Benoit , Li Wenya , Tenfjord Paul , Toledo‐Redondo Sergio , Vines Sarah K.
Published: August 2019

We present Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) observations of Hall physics in the magnetotail, which compared to dayside Hall physics is a relatively unexplored topic. The plasma consists of electrons, moderately cold ions (T∼1.5 keV) and hot ions (T∼20 keV). MMS can differentiate between the cold ion demagnetization region and hot ion demagnetization regions, which suggests that MMS was observing multiscale Hall physics. The observed Hall electric field is compared with a generalized Ohm's law, accounting for multiple ion populations. The cold ion population, despite its relatively high initial temperature, has a significant impact on the Hall electric field. These results show that multiscale Hall physics is relevant over a much larger temperature range than previously observed and is relevant for the whole magnetosphere as well as for other astrophysical plasma.
Will the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Satellite Mission Observe Floods?
Authors: Frasson Renato Prata de Moraes , Schumann Guy J.‐P. , Kettner Albert J. , Brakenridge G. Robert , Krajewski Witold F.
Published: August 2019

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will measure water surface elevations and inundation extents of rivers of the world but with limited temporal sampling. By comparing flood location and duration of 4,664 past flood events recorded by the Dartmouth Flood Observatory to SWOT's orbit ephemeris, we estimate that SWOT would have seen 55% of these, with higher probabilities associated with more extreme events and with those that displaced more than 10,000 people. However, SWOT measurements will exhibit uneven temporal sampling and may require a combination of data obtained at different times to accurately characterize large events. This is illustrated using recent flooding in the United States, in eastern Iowa and in Houston and surrounding areas from Hurricane Harvey. SWOT data have significant potential to improve flood forecasting models by offering data needed to enhance flow routing modeling, provided that users can overcome the potential hurdles associated with its temporal and spatial sampling characteristics.
Seismic Velocity Structure of the Magnetic Quiet Zone and Continent‐Ocean Boundary in the Northeastern South China Sea
Authors: Wan Xiaoli , Li Chun‐Feng , Zhao Minghui , He Enyuan , Liu Siqing , Qiu Xuelin , Lu Yu , Chen Nan
Published: August 2019

In 2016, we carried out a coincidental multichannel reflection seismic and wide‐angle reflection/refraction seismic experiment along a 320‐km‐long profile across the northeastern margin of the South China Sea. Based on these new data, we studied velocity structure of the transitional continental crust using both forward modeling and travel‐time tomography. The velocity model shows that Mesozoic sediments have velocities of 4.3–5.3 km/s and are about 3–6 km thick in the magnetically quiet Chaoshan Depression and the attenuated transitional continental crust. Using forward magnetic modeling, we confirm that the presence of this thick Mesozoic layer with low magnetic susceptibility induces the magnetic quiet zone and show that the lower crust high‐velocity materials have limited effect on magnetic anomalies. This Mesozoic layer pinches out seaward near the continent‐ocean boundary (COB). Two apparently isolated high‐velocity anomalies are revealed in the lower crust of the continental slope. The first has velocities of 7.0–7.5 km/s and a maximum thickness of 8 km, and the second has velocities of 7.0–7.3 km/s and a maximum thickness of 3 km. We find that the discontinuity of the high‐velocity zones is not due to the lack of some seismic phases or lose of a seismometer. We suggest that postspreading magmatism caused these high‐velocity zones. A third high‐velocity zone, showing a distinctly large velocity gradient, is revealed near the COB. This indicates upper mantle upwelling and/or exhumation right at the COB, despite recent unsuccess in directly sampling these deep materials in the South China Sea.
A Spatial‐Temporal Extreme Precipitation Database from GPM IMERG
Authors: Zhou Yaping , Nelson Kevin , Mohr Karen I. , Huffman George J. , Levy Robert , Grecu Mircea
Published: August 2019

Extreme precipitation events (EPEs) have the potential to create catastrophic flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. We diagnose the spatial and temporal characteristics of EPEs by using the Integrated Multi‐SatellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM; IMERG) precipitation estimates to construct spatial‐temporal (xy‐t) EPEs that depict both the spatial extent and temporal evolution of precipitation systems. EPEs were constructed using a recursive‐fractal approach to classify the precipitating grids across space and time as belonging to the same system, thus identifying events. This classification enables the accurate depiction of duration, areal coverage, total volume, and propagation of each EPE over its entire life cycle. Results from 4 years of IMERG statistics over the contiguous United States show that the most frequent EPEs have duration between 3 and 6 hr, an affected area of 103–5 × 104 km2, and a total precipitation volume of 106–108 m3. Spatially, EPEs occur most frequently in the northwest and northeast in the winter and spring and the southwest and southeast in summer. Fall has the least number of EPEs, and summer exhibits some of the heaviest and largest precipitation events. The diurnal cycle in frequency and precipitation volume is most prominent in summer, weaker in spring and fall, and is not discernible in winter, especially for events lasting fewer than 6 hr. The event propagation speeds indicate the influence of large‐scale circulations as winter events tend to move faster than those in the other seasons.
Comparison of Antarctic and Arctic Single‐Layer Stratiform Mixed‐Phase Cloud Properties Using Ground‐Based Remote Sensing Measurements
Authors: Zhang Damao , Vogelmann Andrew , Kollias Pavlos , Luke Edward , Yang Fan , Lubin Dan , Wang Zhien
Published: August 2019

Ground‐based remote sensing measurements from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) campaign at the McMurdo station and the ARM North Slope of Alaska (NSA) Utqiaġvik site are used to retrieve and analyze single‐layer stratiform mixed‐phase cloud macrophysical and microphysical properties for these different polar environments. Single‐layer stratiform mixed‐phase clouds have annual frequencies of occurrence of ~14.7% at Utqiaġvik and ~7.3% at McMurdo, with the highest occurrences in early autumn. Compared to Utqiaġvik, stratiform mixed‐phase clouds at McMurdo have overall higher and colder cloud‐tops, thicker ice layer depth, thinner liquid‐dominated layer depth, and smaller liquid water path. These properties show clear seasonal variations. Supercooled liquid fraction at McMurdo is greater than at Utqiaġvik because, at a given temperature, McMurdo clouds have comparable liquid water paths but smaller ice water paths. Analyses of retrieved cloud microphysical properties show that compared to Utqiaġvik, stratiform mixed‐phase clouds at McMurdo have greater liquid droplet number concentration, smaller layer‐mean effective radius, and smaller ice water content and ice number concentration at a given cloud‐top temperature. These relationships may be related to different aerosol loading and chemical composition, and environment dynamics. Results presented in this study can be used as observational constraints for model representations of stratiform mixed‐phase clouds.
Characterization of Ice‐Nucleating Particles Over Northern India
Authors: Yadav S. , Venezia R. E. , Paerl R. W. , Petters M. D.
Published: August 2019

The sources and concentrations of ice‐nucleating particles (INPs) over India are not well known. Here, INP concentrations in rainwater from Northern India and a dust sample from the Thar Desert are characterized. Rainwater INP concentrations ranged between 104 and 3 × 107 L−1 water, spanning temperatures between −4 and −28 °C. During the monsoon season, INP concentrations were low and approached those in remote marine air mass. During the winter season, INPs active between −4 to −10 °C were occasionally observed. An increase in INP activity sometimes occurred after the initial onset of rain. The onset freezing temperature of samples active at warmer temperatures was shifted to colder temperature after heat treatment, suggesting that the INP activity stemmed from biological influence. Plating was used to isolate and sequence INP active bacterial strains from some of the rainwater samples, specifically strains of close taxonomic affiliation with the ice nucleating genera Pantoea. The size‐resolved ice nucleation active site density for 200–600‐nm particles of Thar Desert Dust ranged between 107 and 109 m−2 at −20 °C, values similar to dusts from other regions of the world. The data reported herein may help constrain models that seek to predict the impact of INP on the properties of mixed‐phased clouds over the Indian subcontinent.
Features of the Deep Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over the Taklimakan Desert in the Summertime and its Influence on Regional Circulation
Authors: Wang Minzhong , Xu Xiangde , Xu Hongxiong , Lenschow Donald H. , Zhou Mingyu , Zhang Jiantao , Wang Yinjun
Published: August 2019

To investigate the features of the extremely deep atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over the Taklimakan Desert (TD) and its influence, this paper utilizes sounding data obtained from a month‐long intensive field campaign carried out in July 2016 over the TD to study the structure of the 5,000‐m‐depth ABL over the desert and the features of its temporal and spatial variations. The differences and causes of the regional circulation are analyzed for both the deep ABL and shallow ABL over the TD. We show that (1) deep ABLs occurred frequently in the hinterland and the surrounding areas of the TD in July 2016. The numbers of days when the ABL height reached 4,000 m at Tazhong, Minfeng, Korla, Ruoqiang, and Kashgar are 8, 9, 5, 4, and 2, respectively, and the numbers of days when the ABL height exceeded 3,000 m at the above locations are 20, 22, 13, 15, and 5, respectively. (2) The ABL height reached 5,000 m over the TD on 1 July 2016. The diurnal variation of the ABL appears in such a manner that it develops and intensifies gradually from southeast to northwest direction. The middle of the desert witnesses large values of ABL heights. The ABL height in the desert is obviously higher than those in the surrounding oases and in the northern part of Xinjiang. (3) On 1 July 2016, a deep ABL process is accompanied by a strong easterly low‐level jet on the following night, which triggers significant air accumulation and dynamic convergence in the lower‐level atmosphere over the middle and west of the TD, thus intensifying the divergence and anticyclonic circulation at the 500‐hPa middle‐level atmosphere. (4) The influence of the deep ABL process on 1 July on the regional circulation mainly occurs below 400 hPa, while its influence is relatively small above 400 hPa. This type of influence is also regional, as it mainly occurs over the TD and its surrounding areas. This study enriches the understanding of the deep ABL process over the TD and its influence.
Active Crustal Deformation in the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt as Evidenced by Historical Earthquakes During the Last 450 Years
Authors: Suárez Gerardo , Caballero‐Jiménez Gema V. , Novelo‐Casanova David A.
Published: August 2019

The Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) is oblique to the subduction zone. Background seismicity is very low. Nevertheless, two large instrumental earthquakes were recorded: the 1912 Acambay (Mw6.9) and the 1920 Jalapa (Mw6.4) earthquakes. Macroseismic data were systematically searched for crustal earthquakes on the TMVB contained in historical accounts. The macroseismic reports were inverted for the best fitting magnitude and epicenter. The western end of the TMVB shows the highest level of seismic activity. An earthquake is reported in 1568 (Mw7.2 ± 0.2) and a second large event took place in 1875 (Mw7.0 ± 0.2). Two other earthquakes are reported in the western TMVB in 1611 and 1749 (Mw6.4). The 1858 earthquake (Mw7.6 ± 0.3), in the central TMVB occurred on faults located to the west of the 1912 Acambay event. The eastern TMVB is less active. An earthquake in 1575 (Mw5.7) occurred east of the city of Puebla. The 1887 (Mw6.2 ± 0.2) and the 1920 Jalapa earthquakes are the larger events in this region. The seismicity observed from the instrumental and historical seismicity catalogs show that active tectonic deformation occurs throughout the TMVB and that it is not confined to specific regions where instrumental earthquakes have been located and active faults mapped. The number of large earthquakes in the TMVB, suggest unique large‐scale deformation of this complex volcanic belt. The presence of large earthquakes in this tectonic province, where 40% of the population of Mexico live, underlines the importance of reevaluating hazard in this densely populated region.
Rapid screening of copy number variations in STRC by droplet digital PCR in patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss
Authors: Ito Taku , Kawashima Yoshiyuki , Fujikawa Taro , Honda Keiji , Makabe Ayane , Kitamura Ken , Tsutsumi Takeshi
Published: August 2019

Copy number variations (CNVs) are commonly reported in STRC, the causal gene for DFNB16. Various techniques are used clinically for CNV detection, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) provides highly precise absolute quantification of DNA copy number. We aimed to validate the feasibility and efficiency of ddPCR in combination with long-range PCR (LR-PCR) in identifying CNVs and mutations in STRC. Additionally, we determined the frequency of CNVs and mutations in STRC in Japanese patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. We evaluated 84 unrelated Japanese patients with mild-to-moderate bilateral idiopathic or autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. The ratio of STRC copy number to the copy number of the internal control RPP30 ranged from 0.949 to 1.009 (0.989 ± 0.017) in 77 patients; it ranged from 0.484 to 0.538 (0.509 ± 0.024) in five patients and was 0.000 in two patients, indicating heterozygous and homozygous deletions, respectively. The copy number deletion prevalence rates were 7.7% and 0.9% in the patients and healthy controls, respectively. In combination with LR-PCR, ddPCR revealed that at least three patients (3.6%) had STRC-related hearing loss. Detecting STRC CNVs by ddPCR was rapid, precise, and cost-effective and facilitated the identification of STRC CNVs.
Dataset on equine cartilage near infrared spectra, composition, and functional properties
Authors: Sarin Jaakko K. , Torniainen Jari , Prakash Mithilesh , Rieppo Lassi , Afara Isaac O. , Töyräs Juha
Published: August 2019

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a well-established technique that is widely employed in agriculture, chemometrics, and pharmaceutical engineering. Recently, the technique has shown potential in clinical orthopaedic applications, for example, assisting in the diagnosis of various knee-related diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis) and their pathologies. NIR spectroscopy (NIRS) could be especially useful for determining the integrity and condition of articular cartilage, as the current arthroscopic diagnostics is subjective and unreliable. In this work, we present an extensive dataset of NIRS measurements for evaluating the condition, mechanical properties, structure, and composition of equine articular cartilage. The dataset contains NIRS measurements from 869 different locations across the articular surfaces of five equine fetlock joints. A comprehensive library of reference values for each measurement location is also provided, including results from a mechanical indentation testing, digital densitometry imaging, polarized light microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The published data can either be used as a model of human cartilage or to advance equine veterinary research.
De novo transcriptome assembly for four species of crustose coralline algae and analysis of unique orthologous genes
Authors: Page Tessa M. , McDougall Carmel , Diaz-Pulido Guillermo
Published: August 2019

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are calcifying red macroalgae that reef build in their own right and perform essential ecosystem functions on coral reefs worldwide. Despite their importance, limited genetic information exists for this algal group.De novotranscriptomes were compiled for four species of common tropical CCA using RNA-seq. Sequencing generated between 66 and 87 million raw reads. Transcriptomes were assembled, redundant contigs removed, and remaining contigs were annotated using Trinotate. Protein orthology analysis was conducted between CCA species and two noncalcifying red algae species from NCBI that have published genomes and transcriptomes, and 978 orthologous protein groups were found to be uniquely shared amongst CCA. Functional enrichment analysis of these ‘CCA-specific’ proteins showed a higher than expected number of sequences from categories relating to regulation of biological and cellular processes, such as actin related proteins, heat shock proteins, and adhesion proteins. Some proteins found within these enriched categories, i.e. actin and GH18, have been implicated in calcification in other taxa, and are thus candidates for involvement in CCA calcification. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation of gene content in these species, offering insights not only into the evolution of coralline algae but also of the Rhodophyta more broadly.
The role of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in the formation and functioning of endothelial tip cells during angiogenesis
Authors: Yetkin-Arik Bahar , Vogels Ilse M. C. , Nowak-Sliwinska Patrycja , Weiss Andrea , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Van Noorden Cornelis J. F. , Klaassen Ingeborg , Schlingemann Reinier O.
Published: August 2019

During sprouting angiogenesis, an individual endothelial tip cell grows out from a pre-existing vascular network and guides following and proliferating stalk cells to form a new vessel. Metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration as the major sources of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) for energy production are differentially activated in these types of endothelial cells (ECs) during angiogenesis. Therefore, we studied energy metabolism during angiogenesis in more detail in tip cell and non-tip cell human umbilical vein ECs. Small interfering RNA was used to inhibit transcription of glycolytic enzymes PFKFB3 or LDHA and mitochondrial enzyme PDHA1 to test whether inhibition of these specific pathways affects tip cell differentiation and sprouting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We show that glycolysis is essential for tip cell differentiation, whereas both glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration occur during proliferation of non-tip cells and in sprouting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial respiration causes adaptation of EC metabolism by increasing glycolysis and vice versa. In conclusion, our studies show a complex but flexible role of the different metabolic pathways to produce ATP in the regulation of tip cell and non-tip cell differentiation and functioning during sprouting angiogenesis.
Newly developed Laboratory-based Size exclusion chromatography Small-angle x-ray scattering System (La-SSS)
Authors: Inoue Rintaro , Nakagawa Tatsuo , Morishima Ken , Sato Nobuhiro , Okuda Aya , Urade Reiko , Yogo Rina , Yanaka Saeko , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Kato Koichi , Omoto Kazuki , Ito Kazuki , Sugiyama Masaaki
Published: August 2019

To understand a biological system, it is important to observe structures of biomolecules in the solution where the system is functionalized. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering coupled with Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC-SAXS) is one of techniques to selectively observe the target molecules in the multi-component system. However, this technique is believed to be available only with a synchrotron-based SAXS instrument due to requirement of high beam intensity and, therefore, the limitation of the beam time was obstacle to satisfy demands from many bio-researchers. We newly developed Laboratory-based Size exclusion chromatography SAXS System (La-SSS) by utilizing a latest laboratory-based SAXS instrument and finely optimization of the balance between flow rate, cell volume, irradiation time and so on. La-SSS succeeded not only decoupling of target protein(s) from non-specific aggregates but also measurement of each concerned component in a multi-component system. In addition, an option: “stopping mode”, which is designed for improving statistics of SAXS profile, realized a high S/N data acquisition for the most interesting protein in a multi-component system. Furthermore, by utilizing a column having small bed volume, the small-scale SEC-SAXS study makes available. Through optimization of instrumental parameters and environments, La-SSS is highly applicable for experimental requirements from various biological samples. It is strongly expected that a La-SSS concept must be a normal option for laboratory-based SAXS in the near future.
Copper oxide nanoparticles inhibit pancreatic tumor growth primarily by targeting tumor initiating cells
Authors: Benguigui Madeleine , Weitz Iris S. , Timaner Michael , Kan Tal , Shechter Dvir , Perlman Or , Sivan Sarit , Raviv Ziv , Azhari Haim , Shaked Yuval
Published: August 2019

Cancer stem cells, also termed tumor initiating cells (TICs), are a rare population of cells within the tumor mass which initiate tumor growth and metastasis. In pancreatic cancer, TICs significantly contribute to tumor re-growth after therapy, due to their intrinsic resistance. Here we demonstrate that copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) are cytotoxic against TIC-enriched PANC1 human pancreatic cancer cell cultures. Specifically, treatment with CuO-NPs decreases cell viability and increases apoptosis in TIC-enriched PANC1 cultures to a greater extent than in standard PANC1 cultures. These effects are associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CuO-NPs inhibit tumor growth in a pancreatic tumor model in mice. Tumors from mice treated with CuO-NPs contain a significantly higher number of apoptotic TICs in comparison to tumors from untreated mice, confirming that CuO-NPs target TICs in vivo. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of using CuO-NPs as a new therapeutic modality for pancreatic cancer.
Microvesicle detection by a reduced graphene oxide field-effect transistor biosensor based on a membrane biotinylation strategy
Authors: Wu Ding , Zhang Hong , Jin Dan , Yu Yi , Pang Dai-Wen , Xiao Meng-Meng , Zhang Zhi-Ling , Zhang Zhi-Yong , Zhang Guo-Jun
Published: August 2019

A reduced graphene oxide field-effect transistor biosensor for the detection of microvesicles by using a membrane biotinylation strategy.
Single-stranded DNA designed lipophilic G-quadruplexes as transmembrane channels for switchable potassium transport
Authors: Li Chunying , Chen Hui , Zhou Li , Shi Hui , He Xiaoxiao , Yang Xiaohai , Wang Kemin , Liu Jianbo
Published: August 2019

G-quadruplex single-stranded DNA was modified lipophilically and developed as a biomimetic ion channel for selective and switchable K+ transport.
High yield synthesis and surface chemistry exchange of small gold hexagonal nanoprisms
Authors: Requejo Katherinne I. , Liopo Anton V. , Zubarev Eugene R.
Published: August 2019

A new seed-mediated synthesis of AuHNPs in high yield is described using hydroquinone as a weak reductant and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as a shape-directing additive.
Three dimensional localization of unintentional oxygen impurities in gallium nitride
Authors: Michałowski Paweł Piotr , Złotnik Sebastian , Rudziński Mariusz
Published: August 2019

3D SIMS analysis shows that a vast majority of unintentional oxygen impurities are agglomerated along the cores of screw and mixed dislocations.
Effect of doping Ti on the vacancy trapping mechanism for helium in ZrCo from first principles
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Kong Xianggang , Yu You , Han Huilei , Sang Ge , Zhang Guanghui , Yi Yougen , Gao Tao
Published: August 2019

The interactions of dopants with point defects such as that between vacancies and helium can affect helium evolution and ultimately the macroscopic properties of materials.
Finding a new pathway for acid-induced nitrite reduction reaction: formation of nitric oxide with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Puthiyaveetil Yoosaf Mohammed Ajmal , Ghosh Somnath , Narayan Yatheesh , Yadav Munendra , Sahoo Subash Chandra , Kumar Pankaj
Published: August 2019

Here, we report a new pathway for nitrite reduction chemistry, formation of cobalt-nitrosyl ({CoII-NO}8) with H2O2 in the reaction of a CoII-nitrito complex with a one-fold acid (H+) via the formation of a CoII-nitrous acid intermediate ({CoII-ONOH}).
A new tilt and an old twist on the nickel arsenide structure-type: synthesis and characterisation of the quaternary transition-metal cyanamides A2MnSn2(NCN)6 (A = Li and Na)
Authors: Corkett Alex J. , Dronskowski Richard
Published: August 2019

Two quaternary transition-metal cyanamides with a novel crystal structure are stabilised through cyanamide tilts and octahedral twists.
Elucidating mechanisms of silica scaling in membrane distillation: effects of membrane surface wettability
Authors: Yin Yiming , Wang Wei , Kota Arun K. , Zhao Song , Tong Tiezheng
Published: August 2019

The contributions of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation to silica scaling in membrane distillation were investigated by testing membranes with varied surface wettability. A four-step mechanism was proposed to elaborate the process.
Electrochemical and thermodynamic processes of metal nanoclusters enabled biorealistic synapses and leaky-integrate-and-fire neurons
Authors: Li Jingxian , Yang Yuchao , Yin Minghui , Sun Xinhao , Li Lidong , Huang Ru
Published: August 2019

A two-terminal memristive device with embedded Ag nanoclusters is developed to biorealistically realize artificial synapses and leaky-integrate-and-fire neurons.
Cobalt(ii) cation binding by proteins
Authors: Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich , Khrustaleva Tatyana Aleksandrovna , Poboinev Victor Vitoldovich , Karchevskaya Carolina Igorevna , Shablovskaya Elizaveta Aleksandrovna , Terechova Tatyana Germanovna
Published: August 2019

Herein, a set of non-homologous proteins (238) that could bind the cobalt(ii) cations was selected from all the available Protein Data Bank structures with Co2+ cations. The secondary structure motifs around the amino acid residues that most frequently bind the Co2+ cations (His, Asp, and Glu) as well as the amino acid contents of the inner and outer spheres of complexes were studied. The residues forming coordination bonds to Co2+ (from the inner spheres of the complexes) are overrepresented in the regions of random coil between two β strands, between a β strand and α helix, and in all types of β strands, except that situated between an α helix and β strand. The residues situated at a distance of less than 5 Å from the Co2+ cations, but unable to form coordination bond to them (from the outer spheres of the complexes), are overrepresented in the regions of coil between the β strand and α helix and between two β strands. The data obtained for the Co2+ binding sites was compared with the data obtained for the Mg2+ and Mn2+ binding sites. Although the preferable motifs of the secondary structure for Co2+ binding (beta strand–loop–beta strand and beta strand–loop–alpha helix) are the same as those for Mg2+ and Mn2+, there are some differences in the amino acid contents of the inner and outer spheres of these complexes. The Co2+ cations are preferably coordinated by a combination of His and Glu residues, whereas the Mn2+ and Mg2+ cations prefer a combination of His and Asp and just Asp residues, respectively. As a result, two computer algorithms were developed that could evaluate the possibility of Mg2+ and Mn2+ replacement by the Co2+ cations (chemres.bsmu.by). These algorithms should help to investigate the pathogenesis of cobalt intoxication occurring in patients with cobalt-containing artificial joints.