bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast Photoelectric Conversion in the Near‐Infrared Enabled by Plasmon‐Induced Hot‐Electron Transfer
Authors: Yu Yuanfang , Sun Yue , Hu Zhenliang , An Xuhong , Zhou Dongming , Zhou Hongzhi , Wang Wenhui , Liu Kaiyang , Jiang Jie , Yang Dandan , Zafar Zainab , Zeng Haibo , Wang Fengqiu , Zhu Haiming , Lu Junpeng , Ni Zhenhua
Published: September 2019

Interfacial charge transfer is a fundamental and crucial process in photoelectric conversion. If charge transfer is not fast enough, carrier harvesting can compromise with competitive relaxation pathways, e.g., cooling, trapping, and recombination. Some of these processes can strongly affect the speed and efficiency of photoelectric conversion. In this work, it is elaborated that plasmon‐induced hot‐electron transfer (HET) from tungsten suboxide to graphene is a sufficiently fast process to prevent carrier cooling and trapping processes. A fast near‐infrared detector empowered by HET is demonstrated, and the response time is three orders of magnitude faster than that based on common band‐edge electron transfer. Moreover, HET can overcome the spectral limit of the bandgap of tungsten suboxide (≈2.8 eV) to extent the photoresponse to the communication band of 1550 nm (≈0.8 eV). These results indicate that plasmon‐induced HET is a new strategy for implementation of efficient and high‐speed photoelectric devices.
Artificial Natural Killer Cells for Specific Tumor Inhibition and Renegade Macrophage Re‐Education
Authors: Zou Mei‐Zhen , Liu Wen‐Long , Gao Fan , Bai Xue‐Feng , Chen Han‐Shi , Zeng Xuan , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: September 2019

Natural killer (NK) cells can not only recognize and eliminate abnormal cells but also recruit and re‐educate immune cells to protect the host. However, the functions of NK cells are often limited in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, artificial NK cells (designated as aNK) with minor limitations of TME for specific tumor killing and renegade macrophage re‐education are created. The red blood cell membrane (RBCM) cloaks perfluorohexane (PFC) and glucose oxidase (GOX) to construct the aNK. The aNK can directly kill tumor cells by exhausting glucose and generating hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The generated H2O2 is also similar to cytokines and chemokines for recruiting immune cells and re‐educating survived macrophages to attack tumor cells. In addition, the oxygen‐carried PFC can strengthen the catalytic reaction of GOX and normalize the hypoxic TME. In vitro and in vivo experiments display that aNK with slight TME limitations exhibit efficient tumor inhibition and immune activation. The aNK will provide a new sight to treat tumor as the supplement of aggressive NK cells.
Charge Carrier Collection and Contact Selectivity in Solar Cells
Authors: Rau Uwe , Kirchartz Thomas
Published: September 2019

The electronic properties of the contacts to a photovoltaic absorber material are important for the final efficiency of any type of solar cell. For highly efficient solar cells based on high quality absorber materials like single‐crystalline silicon, polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2, CdTe, or metal‐halide perovskites, contact formation is even the decisive processing step determining the final efficiency. The present paper combines recently developed quantitative concepts for the description of contacts to solar cells in terms of their selectivity toward a more general description that is valid for all types of solar cells and all types of contacts. It is shown that the built‐in voltage is an important parameter to influence the selectivity of contacts to photovoltaic absorber materials. It is also shown that the contact selectivity is mathematically related to the collection efficiency which can be measured by luminescence based techniques.
Ultra‐Thin Manganese Dioxide‐Encrusted Vanadium Pentoxide Nanowire Mats for Electrochromic Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Sajitha Surendren , Aparna Unni , Deb Biswapriya
Published: September 2019

V2O5 electrochromic (EC) coatings are attractive for various photonic applications owing to their multiple oxidation states discernable by distinct colors. The material also shows massive potential for electrochemical energy storage because of their layered structure and high theoretical capacitance. Here, the solution processing of the electrodes composed of an ultra‐thin layer of MnO2‐encrusted V2O5 (V2O5/MnO2) nanowire mats on fluorinated tin oxide substrates is reported that offer much enhanced electrochemical stability along with a superior energy storage performance compared to a bare V2O5 electrode. The areal capacitance of the V2O5 shows 25.7% enhancement (10.90 to 13.70 mF cm−2 at 5.0 mV cm−2) due to MnO2 encrustation. The fabricated EC devices show three distinct colors, i.e., orange (+3.0 V), green (−2.5 V), and blue (−3.0 V). Capacitance retention of bare V2O5 at 1000 cycles is 71% that increases to 93.6% after MnO2 coating due to the enhanced electrochemical stability.
Interfacial Effects on the Growth of Atomically Thin Film: Group VA Elements on Au(111)
Authors: Zhou Dechun , Si Nan , Jiang Bohong , Song Xiufeng , Huang Han , Ji Qingmin , Niu Tianchao
Published: September 2019

The understanding of growth mechanism at atomic scale is a key issue for realizing wafer‐scale, high‐quality 2D materials, in which their interfaces play a crucial role. Here, the adsorption and the aggregation of group VA elements within the first layer on Au(111) are investigated. Together with recent results for group VA elements on Cu and Ag(111), this study leads to a comprehensive understanding of the interfacial effects on the surface structures. Blue phosphorene forms the typical (4 × 4) honeycomb structure on Au(111) regardless of the coverage. Sb assembles into multiple intermediate phases comprising dimer pairs and coin‐shaped aggregates depending critically on the coverage. Increasing the coverage and annealing temperature converts these dimer pairs to AuSb2 surface alloy. The honeycomb structure and periodic stripes are the most stable of Bi on Au(111). Notably, neither P nor Bi prefers surface alloy under the similar growth conditions even though they have the smaller and larger atomic radius, higher and lower electronegativity than Sb, respectively. This difference is correlated with the relativistic effect that tightly bound inner 6s2 electrons make Bi inert. These model systems provide guidance framework for selection of elements and substrates to synthesize monoelemental and binary 2D materials.
Crack Control in Biotemplated Gold Films for Wide‐Range, Highly Sensitive Strain Sensing
Authors: Shi Jidong , Lv Suye , Wang Liu , Dai Zhaohe , Yang Siting , Zhao Lingyu , Tian Huihui , Du Mingde , Li Hongbian , Fang Ying
Published: September 2019

Strain sensors with high sensitivity and large sensing range have great potential in a wide range of applications. However, in the design of strain sensors, there is usually a trade‐off between sensitivity and sensing range. Herein, a crack‐based strain sensor with engineered microstructure is facilely prepared through a biotemplating method. Under large tensile strains, randomly distributed microcavities on the strain sensor surface can effectively trap and terminate propagating cracks to prevent catastrophic fracture failure. As a result, the strain sensor shows both wide sensing range (up to 80%) and high sensitivity (gauge factor = 20 at 20% strain, 350 at 80% strain). The strain sensor enables sensitive and reliable detection of both subtle human motions, including wrist pulse and throat vibration, and large motions, such as finger bending. Moreover, a multipixel strain sensor array has been fabricated and applied for both static and dynamic strain mapping. The good sensing performance, together with its easy‐fabrication process, make the biotemplated strain sensor a promising candidate for applications in e‐skins and wearable electronics.
Nanoimaging and Nanospectroscopy of Polaritons with Time Resolved s‐SNOM
Authors: Yao Ziheng , Xu Suheng , Hu Debo , Chen Xinzhong , Dai Qing , Liu Mengkun
Published: September 2019

The development of electronics and photonics is entering a new era of ultrahigh speed sensing, data processing, and telecommunication. The carrier frequencies of the next‐generation electronic devices inevitably extend beyond radio frequencies, marching toward the nominally photonics‐dominated territories, e.g., terahertz and beyond. As a result, electronic and photonic techniques naturally merge and seek common ground. At the forefront of this technical trend is the field of polaritonics, where polaritons are half‐light, half‐matter quasiparticles that carry the properties of both “bare” photons and “bare” dipole‐carrying excitations. The Janus‐faced nature of polaritons renders the unique capability of operando control using photoexcitation or applied electric field. Here, state‐of‐the‐art ultrafast polaritonic phenomena probed by scattering‐type scanning near‐field optical microscope (s‐SNOM) techniques is reviewed. The ultrafast dynamical control and loss‐reduction of the polariton propagation are discussed with special emphasis on the creation and probing of the tip or edge induced plasmon– and phonon–polaritons in low‐dimensional systems. The detailed technical aspects of s‐SNOM and its possible future development are also presented.
Halogen‐Hot‐Injection Synthesis of Mn‐Doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 Nanocrystals with Blue/Orange Dual‐Color Luminescence and High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield
Authors: Chen Daqin , Zhou Su , Tian Feifan , Ke Haitao , Jiang Naizhong , Wang Shujin , Peng Yongzhao , Liu Yue
Published: September 2019

Recently, Mn2+‐doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), showing the advantages of dual‐color emissions via exciton‐to‐dopant energy transfer and reduced usage of toxic Pb2+ heavy metal ions by nontoxic Mn2+ substitution, are widely explored. However, photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) for Mn2+‐doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 NCs still need to be further improved. Here, a halogen‐hot‐injection strategy is developed to prepare Mn:CsPb(Cl0.6Br0.4)3 NCs with the maximal PLQY of 65%. With this method, intense blue narrowband emission from excitonic recombination and orange broadband emission from Mn2+ 4T1 → 6A1 transition can be simultaneously achieved. The competitive luminescence between perovskite NCs and Mn2+ dopants is systematically investigated by controlling the injected halogen types and ratios. As a proof‐of‐concept experiment, the present Mn2+‐doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 perovskite NCs with highly efficient dual‐color emissions are demonstrated to be applicable as color converter in UV‐excitable solid‐state lighting.
Peptide‐Modified Dendrimer Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Carvalho Mariana R. , Carvalho Cristiana R. , Maia F. Raquel , Caballero David , Kundu Subhas C. , Reis Rui L. , Oliveira Joaquim M.
Published: September 2019

Peptides have recently emerged as a promising class of targeting ligands for specific drug delivery in cancer treatment, which avoid undesirable side effects of the systemic administration of chemotherapeutics. Their conjugation with nanoparticles has been demonstrated to improve the functionality of peptides resulting in a versatile platform for biomedical applications. In this work, the development of carboxymethylchitosan/poly(amidoamine) (CMCht/PAMAM) dendrimer nanoparticles functionalized with YIGSR laminin receptor binding peptide for the active targeting and specific delivery of therapeutic agents into colorectal cancer cells is described. The successful functionalization is confirmed by several physico‐chemical characterization techniques. The selectivity of the YIGSR‐CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles is first validated in vitro using a micropatterned array of 67 kDa laminin receptor. Next, the specificity of YIGSR‐CMCht/PAMAM dendrimers nanoparticles toward laminin receptor is further confirmed both in 2D and 3D settings using HCT‐116 colorectal cancer cells and L929 fibroblasts in co‐culture. Finally, gemcitabine‐loaded YIGSR‐CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles induce a targeted mortality on HCT‐116 cancer cells in a co‐culture scenario. Overall, the study shows solid evidence that YIGSR laminin receptor binding peptide coupled to CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles may be employed as an anticancerous target for the specific and intracellular delivery of chemotherapeutic agents.
Insulating Property Improvement of Polyimide in Devices by Low‐Temperature Supercritical Fluids
Authors: Li Lei , Chang Kuan‐Chang , Lin Xinnan , Zhang Rui , Lou Jyun‐Hao
Published: September 2019

Low‐temperature supercritical fluids technology is applied in this study to improve the insulating property of the polyimide film in electronic devices. Supercritical CO2 fluids take the residual small molecules out of high molecular polymers at low temperature in a short time, which can eliminate the defects in polyimide films and improve the insulating property. The metal–insulator–metal capacitor devices with polyimide as the dielectric layer are fabricated for investigation. The electrical measurements of devices indicate an eight times reduction of the leakage current after supercritical CO2 treatment and the electrical conduction mechanism is changed from Poole–Frankel to Schottky mechanism. Additionally, the material analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the polyimide film is conducted to confirm that the residual molecules are removed after supercritical CO2 fluids treatment. This study shows a promising methodology for supercritical fluids to treat polyimide films in electronic devices, which expands more potential applications of polyimide films in the semiconductor field.
Enhancing Capacity for Trauma‐informed Care in Child Welfare: Impact of a Statewide Systems Change Initiative
Authors: Connell Christian M. , Lang Jason M. , Zorba Bethany , Stevens Kristina
Published: September 2019

Highlights

Evaluated changes in child welfare system capacity for trauma‐informed care over 5‐year initiative

Initial gains in perceived capacity for trauma‐informed care were sustained during implementation.

Workforce development, wellness supports, and accessible treatments contributed to improvements.
First report based on the online registry of a Japanese multicenter rapid response system: a descriptive study of 35 institutions in Japan
Authors: Naito Takaki , Fujiwara Shinsuke , Kawasaki Tatsuya , Sento Yoshiki , Nakada Taka‐aki , Arai Masayasu , Atagi Kazuaki , Fujitani Shigeki ,   In‐Hospital Emergency Study Group
Published: September 2019

Aim

Although the concept of a rapid response system (RRS) has been gradually accepted in Japan, detailed information on the Japanese RRS is not well known. We provide the first report of the RRS epidemiological situation based on 4 years of RRS online registry data.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study. All patients registered between January 2014 and March 2018 were eligible for this study. Data related to RRS including physiological measurements were recorded. The mortality rates after rapid response team/medical emergency team (RRT/MET) intervention and after 30 days were recorded as outcomes.

Results

In total, 6,784 cases were registered at 35 facilities. Cancer (23.1%) was the most common existing comorbidity. Limitation of medical treatment was identified in 12.7% of the cases. The respiratory category was most frequently activated in 41.3% of the cases. Only two institutions had received more than 15 calls per 1,000 admissions. During RRT/MET intervention, death occurred in 3.6% and transfers to intensive care units occurred in 28.2% of the cases. After 30 days, the mortality rate was significantly higher in the night than in the day shift (30.7% versus 20.4%, respectively, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

We report the first epidemiological study of RRS in Japan. Japanese facilities had a very low rate of RRT/MET calls and a higher mortality rate in the night than in the day shift. Further promotion to increase the number of calls and implementation of a 24‐h RRT/MET is required.
Hand posture as localizing sign in adult focal epileptic seizures
Authors: Ferando Isabella , Soss Jason R. , Elder Christopher , Shah Vishal , Lo Russo Giorgio , Tassi Laura , Tassinari Carlo Alberto , Engel Jerome
Published: September 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify specific ictal hand postures (HPs) as localizing signs of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in patients with frontal or temporal lobe epilepsy.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed ictal semiology of 489 temporal lobe or frontal lobe seizures recorded over a 6‐year period at the Seizure Disorder Center at University of California, Los Angeles in the USA (45 patients) or at the C. Munari Epilepsy Surgery Center at Niguarda Hospital in Milan, Italy (34 patients). Our criterion for EZ localization was at least 2 years of seizure freedom after surgery. We analyzed presence and latency of ictal HP. We then examined whether specific initial HPs are predictive for EZ localization.

Results

We found that ictal HPs were present in 72.5% of patients with frontal and 54.5% of patients with temporal lobe seizures. We divided HPs into 6 classes depending on the reciprocal position of the fingers (“fist,” “cup,” “politician's fist,” “pincer,” “extended hand,” “pointing”). We found a striking correlation between EZ localization and ictal HP. In particular, fist and pointing HPs are strongly predictive of frontal lobe EZ; cup, politician's fist, and pincer are strongly predictive of temporal lobe EZ.

Interpretation

Our study offers simple ictal signs that appear to clarify differential diagnosis of temporal versus frontal lobe EZ localization. These results are meant to be used as a novel complementary tool during presurgical evaluation for epilepsy. At the same time, they give us important insight into the neurophysiology of hand movements. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:793–800
Cranial Anatomy of New Specimens of Saurornitholestes langstoni (Dinosauria, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae) from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian) of Alberta
Authors: Currie Philip J. , Evans David C.
Published: September 2019

The holotype of the dromaeosaurid Saurornitholestes langstoni was described in 1978 on the basis of fewer than 30 associated cranial and postcranial bones of a single individual from Dinosaur Provincial Park. Four additional partial skeletons of Saurornitholestes were recovered from Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) beds of Alberta and Montana over the next 25 years, although reasonably complete skeletons remained elusive, and virtually nothing was known about the skull. The lack of truly diagnostic material has been problematic, and the relationships of Saurornitholestes to other dromaeosaurids have been difficult to resolve because of the incomplete knowledge of its anatomy. In 2014, an almost complete skeleton, including the skull, was collected less than a kilometer from where the holotype had been found. Although similar in body size to Velociraptor, the facial region of the skull is relatively shorter, taller, and wider. The nasals are pneumatic. The premaxillary teeth are distinctive, and teeth previously identified in the Dinosaur Park Formation as Zapsalis abradens can now be identified as the second premaxillary tooth of S. langstoni. Morphology and wear patterns suggest that these may have been specialized for preening feathers. Many traits define a Campanian North American clade, Saurornitholestinae, that is distinct from an Asian clade that includes Velociraptor (Velociraptorinae). This new information on the skull allows a more complete evaluation of its systematic position within the Dromaeosauridae and supports the suggestion of at least two major faunal interchanges between Asia and North America during the Cretaceous. Anat Rec, 303:691–715, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Vitamin A and its metabolic pathway play a determinant role in high‐fructose‐induced triglyceride accumulation of the visceral adipose depot of male Wistar rats
Authors: Raja Gopal Reddy Mooli , Mahesh Malleswarapu , Manne Munikumar , Putcha Uday Kumar , Jeyakumar Shanmugam M.
Published: September 2019

Here, we tested a hypothesis that vitamin A and/or its metabolic pathways are involved in the high‐fructose‐mediated alteration in adipose tissue biology. For this purpose, weanling male Wistar rats were provided with one of the following diets: control (C), control with vitamin A deficiency (C‐VAD), high fructose (HFr), and HFr with VAD (HFr‐VAD) for 16 weeks, except that half of the C‐VAD diet‐fed rats were shifted to HFr diet (C‐VAD(s)HFr), after 8‐week period. Compared with control, feeding of HFr diet significantly increased the triglyceride content (P≤ .01) and thus adipocyte size (hypertrophy) (P≤ .001) in visceral adipose depot; retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RPWAT) and these changes were corroborated with de novo lipogenesis, as evidenced by the increased glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity (P≤ .01) and up‐regulation of lipogenic pathway transcripts, fructose transporter, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 A1. On the contrary, the absence of vitamin A in the HFr diet (HFr‐VAD) failed to exert these changes; however, it induced adipocyte hyperplasia. Further, vitamin A deficiency‐mediated changes were reversed by replenishment, as evident from the group that was shifted from C‐VAD to HFr diet. In conclusion, vitamin A and its metabolic pathway play a key determinant role in the high‐fructose‐induced triglyceride accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy of visceral white adipose depot.

Significance of the study

Here, we report the metabolic impact of high‐fructose feeding under vitamin A–sufficient and vitamin A–deficient conditions. Feeding of high‐fructose diet induced triglyceride accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy of the visceral white adipose depots. These changes corroborated with augmented expression of vitamin A and lipid metabolic pathway genes. Contrarily, absence of vitamin A in the high‐fructose diet did not elicit such responses, while vitamin A replenishment reversed the changes exerted by vitamin A deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the role of vitamin A and its metabolic pathway in the high‐fructose‐induced triglyceride synthesis and its accumulation in visceral adipose depot and thus provide a new insight and scope to understand these nutrients interaction in clinical conditions.
Surface Silylation of Hybrid Benzidinium Lead Perovskite and its Influence on the Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Peng Yong , Albero Josep , García Hermenegildo
Published: September 2019

Surface coating of benzidinium lead iodide perovskite has been successfully accomplished by silanization with three different silylating agents, obtaining samples with average thickness from 2 to 6 nm as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The obtained (organo)silica‐coated hybrid perovskites exhibit enhanced hydrophobic character and, therefore, increased stability against moisture. However, its photocatalytic activity towards the cis‐to‐trans isomerization of stilbene diminishes as a function of the coating thickness, although a notable activity for this photocatalytic reaction is still observed.
Dimensionless Empirical Model to Correlate Pharmaceutical Compound Solubility in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Reddy Tippana Ashok , Garlapati Chandrasekhar
Published: September 2019

The accurate experimental determination of pharmaceutical compound solubilities at various temperature and pressure ranges in supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) is a challenging and time‐consuming task. Therefore, prediction or correlations of solute solubilities are essential for implementation of ScCO2 technologies to pharmaceutical industries. Solubilities of 41 pharmaceutical compounds in ScCO2 are correlated by an empirical model, which is developed based on the degree of freedom analysis. Its correlating ability is compared with existing solubility models elaborated by other authors and evaluated in terms of global mean absolute relative deviation, sum of squares due to error, root mean square deviation, R2, and Adj. R2. The proposed model is found to correlate better than existing models.
Efficient Organic Solar Cells with a High Open‐Circuit Voltage of 1.34 V
Authors: Gao Bowei , Yao Huifeng , Hong Ling , Hou Jianhui
Published: September 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

One of the most important challenges that hinders the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs) is the modest open‐circuit voltages (VOC) due to large energy losses. The large driving force during for charge generation and the non‐radiative recombination are the main causes of energy losses. To maximize the VOC of OSCs, herein, we modulate the end‐groups and design a non‐fullerene acceptor ITCCM‐O, which shows a bandgap of 2.0 eV. By blending a polymer donor named J52, the device demonstrates a PCE of 5.5% with an outstanding VOC of 1.34 V, which is the highest value for single‐junction OSCs over 5% PCEs. The high VOC is benefited from 1) the negligible driving force for charge transfer, and 2) the suppressed non‐radiative recombination loss, as low as 0.22 V.
Comparative neuroanatomy of ctenophores: Neural and muscular systems in Euplokamis dunlapae and related species
Authors: Norekian Tigran P. , Moroz Leonid L.
Published: September 2019

Ctenophora is an early‐branching basal metazoan lineage, which may have evolved neurons and muscles independently from other animals. However, despite the profound diversity among ctenophores, basal neuroanatomical data are limited to representatives of two genera. Here, we describe the organization of neuromuscular systems in eight ctenophore species focusing on Euplokamis dunlapae—the representative of the lineage sister to all other ctenophores. Cydippids (Hormiphora hormiphora and Dryodora glandiformis) and lobates (Bolinopsis infundibulum and Mnemiopsis leidyi) were used as reference platforms to cover both morphological and ecological diversity within the phylum. We show that even with substantial environmental differences, the basal organization of neural systems is conserved among ctenophores. In all species, we detected two distributed neuronal subsystems: the subepithelial polygonal network and the mesogleal elements. Nevertheless, each species developed specific innovations in neural, muscular, and receptor systems. Most notable Euplokamis‐specific features are the following: (a) Comb nerves with giant axons. These nerves directly coordinate the rapid escape response bypassing the central integrative structure known as the aboral sensory organ. (b) Neural processes in tentacles along the rows of “boxes” providing structural support and located under striated muscles. (c) Radial muscles that cross the mesoglea and connect the outer wall to the aboral canal. (d) Flat muscles, encircling each meridional canal. Also, we detected a structurally different rectangular neural network in the feeding lobes of Lobata (Mnemiopsis/Bolinopsis) but not in other species. The described lineage‐specific innovations can be used for future single‐cell atlases of ctenophores and analyses of neuronal evolution in basal metazoans.
An improved join‐free snowflake schema for ETL and OLAP of data warehouse
Authors: Jianmin Wang , Wenbin Zhao , Tongrang Fan , Shilong Yang , Hongwei Lv
Published: September 2019

The emergence of big data makes more and more enterprise change data management strategy, from simple data storage to OLAP query analysis; meanwhile, NoSQL‐based data warehouse receive more increasing attention than traditional SQL‐based database. By improving the JFSS model for ETL, this paper proposes the uniform distribution code (UDC), model identification code (MIC), standard dimension code (SDC), and attribute dimensional code (ADC); defines the data storage format of ; and identifies the extraction, transformation, and loading strategies of data warehouse. Several experiments are carried out to analyze single record and range record queries as typical OLAP based on Hadoop database (HBase). The results show the proposed scheme can provide lower overhead than the traditional SQL‐based database while facilitating the scope and flexibility of data warehouse services.
STARR‐seq and UMI‐STARR‐seq: Assessing Enhancer Activities for Genome‐Wide‐, High‐, and Low‐Complexity Candidate Libraries
Authors: Neumayr Christoph , Pagani Michaela , Stark Alexander , Arnold Cosmas D.
Published: September 2019

The identification of transcriptional enhancers and the quantitative assessment of enhancer activities is essential to understanding how regulatory information for gene expression is encoded in animal and human genomes. Further, it is key to understanding how sequence variants affect enhancer function. STARR‐seq enables the direct and quantitative assessment of enhancer activity for millions of candidate sequences of arbitrary length and origin in parallel, allowing the screening of entire genomes and the establishment of genome‐wide enhancer activity maps.

In STARR‐seq, the candidate sequences are cloned downstream of the core promoter into a reporter gene's transcription unit (i.e., the 3′ UTR). Candidates that function as active enhancers lead to the transcription of reporter mRNAs that harbor the candidates’ sequences. This direct coupling of enhancer sequence and enhancer activity in cis enables the straightforward and efficient cloning of complex candidate libraries and the assessment of enhancer activities of millions of candidates in parallel by quantifying the reporter mRNAs by deep sequencing. This article describes how to create focused and genome‐wide human STARR‐seq libraries and how to perform STARR‐seq screens in mammalian cells, and also describes a novel STARR‐seq variant (UMI‐STARR‐seq) that allows the accurate counting of reporter mRNAs for STARR‐seq libraries of low complexity. © 2019 The Authors.

Basic Protocol 1: STARR‐seq plasmid library cloning

Basic Protocol 2: Mammalian STARR‐seq screening protocol

Alternate Protocol: UMI‐STARR‐seq screening protocol—unique molecular identifier integration

Support Protocol: Transfection of human cells using the MaxCyte STX scalable transfection system
100 yr of primary succession highlights stochasticity and competition driving community establishment and stability
Authors: Buma B. , Bisbing S. M. , Wiles G. , Bidlack A. L.
Published: September 2019

The study of community succession is one of the oldest pursuits in ecology. Challenges remain in terms of evaluating the predictability of succession and the reliability of the chronosequence methods typically used to study community development. The research of William S. Cooper in Glacier Bay National Park is an early and well‐known example of successional ecology that provides a long‐term observational data set to test hypotheses derived from space‐for‐time substitutions. It also provides a unique opportunity to explore the importance of historical contingencies and as an example of a revitalized historical study system. We test the textbook successional trajectory in Glacier Bay and evaluate long‐term plant community development via primary succession through extensive fieldwork, remote sensing, dendrochronological methods, and newly discovered data that fills in data gaps (1940s to late 1980s) in continuous measurement over 100+ years. To date, Cooper's quadrats do not support the classic facilitation model of succession in which a sequence of species interacts to form predictable successional trajectories. Rather, stochastic early community assembly and subsequent inhibition have dominated; most species arrived shortly after deglaciation and have remained stable for 50+ years. Chronosequence studies assuming prior composition are thus questionable, as no predictable species sequence or timeline was observed. This underscores the significance of assumptions about early conditions in chronosequences and the need to defend such assumptions. Furthermore, this work brings a classic study system in ecology up to date via a plot size expansion, new baseline biogeochemical data, and spatial mapping for future researchers for its second century of observation.
Influence of Dissolved Organic Carbon on the Acute Toxicity of Copper and Zinc to White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and a Cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia)
Authors: Ivey Christopher D. , Besser John M. , Steevens Jeffrey A. , Walther Michael J. , Melton Vanessa D.
Published: September 2019

We conducted acute lethality tests with white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to copper and zinc at dissolved organic carbon concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 mg/L. Dissolved organic carbon had minimal effects on zinc toxicity but did have a protective effect on acute copper toxicity, which was equal to that predicted by the copper biotic ligand model (BLM). The BLM-adjusted copper median effect concentrations for A. transmontanus ranged from 2.4 to 8.2 mg/L. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2682–2687. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work, and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Partial melting of thickened lower crust in post‐collisional setting: Evidence from high silicon adakitic granites in the North Qilian orogen
Authors: Li Yun‐shuai , Xu Liang‐jia , Yu Sheng‐yao , Zhang Jian‐xin , Guo Jing , Peng Yin‐biao , Zhou Gui‐sheng
Published: September 2019

During orogenic extension, partial melting of the continental crust usually produces post‐collisional granitoids, and the characteristics of their petrogenesis can provide crucial constraints on the geodynamics of tectonic regimes and post‐collisional lithospheric processes. A case study for this issue is the high‐silicon adakitic granites from the Jingtieshan area, North Qilian orogenic belt. In this study, we present a range of evidences on petrology, zircon U‐Pb dating, zircon Lu‐Hf isotopic composition, whole‐rock geochemistry, and Sr‐Nd isotopes from the studied high‐silicon adakitic granites to better understand the geodynamic processes of the North Qilian orogenic belt. The adakitic rocks consisted of plagioclase (55–60 %), K‐feldspar (5–10 %), quartz (20–25 %), and a small amount of biotite and accessory minerals. Zircon grains from the studied sample yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 430 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.96) with positive εHf(t) values (−1.4 to +6.3, with an average of +4.2). Geochemical results suggested that the adakitic rocks were enriched in LREE without evident Eu anomalies (except for one sample; δEu = 0.32–0.41), and these samples exhibited high Sr/Y ratios with negative εNd(t) values (−4.9 to −3.1). A combined study of petrology and geochemical arguments lead us to propose that the high‐silicon adakitic granites from the Jingtieshan area within the North Qilian orogenic belt were generated by partial melting of the thickened crust in a post‐collisional tectonic setting and that the adakitic melts were derived from the partial melting of the metabasite that was emplaced into the crust during the late Proterozoic‐early Neoproterozoic.
PLEK2 mediates metastasis and vascular invasion via the ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of SHIP2 in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wu Dong‐Ming , Deng Shi‐Hua , Zhou Jin , Han Rong , Liu Teng , Zhang Ting , Li Jing , Chen Jian‐Ping , Xu Ying
Published: September 2019

Metastasis is the leading cause of death for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, how lung cancer cells invade blood vessels during metastasis remains unclear. Here, based on bioinformatics analyses, we found that PLEK2 might regulate NSCLC migration and vascular invasion. As little is known about the function of PLEK2 in NSCLC, we aimed to clarify this. We demonstrated that PLEK2 was significantly upregulated in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1)‐treated NSCLC cells through ELK1 transcriptional activation, highly expressed in NSCLC tissues, and negatively correlated with NSCLC overall survival. Meanwhile, PLEK2 overexpression significantly promoted NSCLC epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration, human lung microvascular endothelial cells endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and the destruction of vascular endothelial barriers. Moreover, PLEK2 knockdown inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced EMT and EndoMT. Furthermore, PLEK2 was found to directly interact with SHIP2 and target it for ubiquitination and degradation in NSCLC cells. Next, we confirmed that SHIP2 overexpression inhibits NSCLC EMT, migration and invasion and showed that PLEK2 overexpression can activate SHIP2‐associated TGF‐β/PI3K/AKT signaling. Our results suggest that PLEK2 could be a novel prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for NSCLC metastasis and vascular invasion.
Measuring global economic activity
Authors: Hamilton James D.
Published: September 2019

A number of economic studies have used a proxy for world real economic activity derived from shipping costs. This measure turns out to depend on a normalization that has substantive consequences, of which users of the index had been unaware prior to this paper. This paper further evaluates this and alternative measures in terms of treatment of trends, coherence with world output, and correlation with commodity prices. I conclude that measures derived from world industrial production offer a better indicator of global real economic activity.
Multivariate dynamic intensity peaks‐over‐threshold models
Authors: Hautsch Nikolaus , Herrera Rodrigo
Published: September 2019

We propose a multivariate dynamic intensity peaks‐over‐threshold model to capture extremes in multivariate return processes. The random occurrence of extremes is modeled by a multivariate dynamic intensity model, while temporal clustering of their size is captured by an autoregressive multiplicative error model. Applying the model to daily returns of three major stock indexes yields strong empirical support for a temporal clustering of both the occurrence and the size of extremes. Backtesting value‐at‐risk and expected shortfall forecasts shows that the consideration of clustering effects and of feedback between the magnitudes and the intensity of extremes results in better forecasts of risk.
Effects of a 12-Month Supervised, Community-Based, Multimodal Exercise Program Followed by a 6-Month Research-to-Practice Transition on Bone Mineral Density, Trabecular Microarchitecture, and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Daly Robin M , Gianoudis Jenny , Kersh Mariana E , Bailey Christine A , Ebeling Peter R , Krug Roland , Nowson Caryl A , Hill Keith , Sanders Kerrie M
Published: September 2019

Multicomponent exercise programs are recommended to reduce fracture risk; however, their effectiveness in real-world community settings remain uncertain. This 18-month randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-month, community-based, supervised multicomponent exercise program followed by a 6-month “research-to-practice” transition on areal bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone microarchitecture, functional performance, and falls in older adults at increased fracture risk. One-hundred and sixty-two adults aged ≥60 years with osteopenia or at increased falls risk were randomized to the Osteo-cise: Strong Bones for Life multicomponent exercise program (n = 81) or a control group (n = 81). Exercise consisted of progressive resistance, weight-bearing impact, and balance training (3-days/week) performed at community leisure centers. Overall 148 (91%) participants completed the trial, and mean exercise adherence was 59% after 12 months and 45% during the final 6 months. After 12 months, there were significant net beneficial effects of exercise on lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (1.0% to 1.1%, p < 0.05), muscle strength (10% to 13%, p < 0.05), and physical function (timed stair climb 5%; four-square step test 6%; sit-to-stand 16%, p ranging <0.05 to <0.001), which persisted after the 6-month transition. There were no significant effects of the 18-month intervention on distal femur or proximal tibia trabecular bone microarchitecture or falls incidence, but per protocol analysis (≥66% exercise adherence) revealed there was a significant net benefit of exercise (mean [95% confidence interval] 2.8% [0.2, 5,4]) on proximal tibia trabecular bone volume fraction (Osteo-cise 1.5% [−1.2, 4.2]; controls −1.3% [−2.6, 0.1]) after 18 months due to changes in trabecular number (Osteo-cise 1.7% [−0.9, 4.3]; controls −1.1% [−2.4, 0.2]) but not trabecular thickness (Osteo-cise − 0.2% [−0.5, 0.2]; controls −0.2% [−0.4, 0.0]). In conclusion, this study supports the effectiveness of the Osteo-cise: Strong Bones for Life program as a real-world, pragmatic, evidence-based community exercise program to improve multiple musculoskeletal health outcomes in older adults at increased fracture risk. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Murine Placental-Fetal Phosphate Dyshomeostasis Caused by an Xpr1 Deficiency Accelerates Placental Calcification and Restricts Fetal Growth in Late Gestation
Authors: Xu Xuan , Li Xiunan , Sun Hao , Cao Zhijian , Gao Ruixi , Niu Tingting , Wang Yanli , Ma Tingbin , Chen Rui , Wang Cheng , Yang Zhengang , Liu Jing Yu
Published: September 2019

Phosphorus is a necessary component of all living organisms. This nutrient is mainly transported from the maternal blood to the fetus via the placenta, and insufficient phosphorus availability via the placenta disturbs the normal development of the fetus, especially fetal bone formation in late gestation. Key proteins (phosphate transporters and exporters) that are responsible for the maintenance of placental-fetal phosphorus homeostasis have been identified. A deficiency in the phosphate transporter Pit2 has been shown to result in placental calcification and the retardation of fetal development in mice. What roles does XPR1 (the only known phosphate exporter) play in maintaining placental-fetal phosphorus homeostasis? In this study, we found that Xpr1 expression is strong in the murine placenta and increases with age during gestation. We generated a global Xpr1 knockout mouse and found that heterozygous (Xpr1+/−) and homozygous (Xpr1−/−) fetuses have lower inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels in amniotic fluid and serum and a decreased skeletal mineral content. Xpr1-deficient placentas show abnormal Pi exchange during gestation. Therefore, Xpr1 deficiency in the placenta disrupts placental-fetal Pi homeostasis. We also discovered that the placentas of the Xpr1+/− and Xpr1−/− embryos are severely calcified. Mendelian inheritance statistics for offspring outcomes indicated that Xpr1-deficient embryos are significantly reduced in late gestation. In addition, Xpr1−/− mice die perinatally and a small proportion of Xpr1+/− mice die neonatally. RNA sequence (RNA-Seq) analysis of placental mRNA revealed that many of the transcripts are significantly differentially expressed due to Xpr1 deficiency and are linked to dysfunction of the placenta. This study is the first to reveal that XPR1 plays an important role in maintaining placental-fetal Pi homeostasis, disruption of which causes severe placental calcification, delays normal placental function, and restricts fetal growth. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
High-Impact Exercise Increased Femoral Neck Bone Density With No Adverse Effects on Imaging Markers of Knee Osteoarthritis in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hartley Chris , Folland Jonathan P , Kerslake Robert , Brooke-Wavell Katherine
Published: September 2019

High-impact exercise can improve femoral neck bone mass but findings in postmenopausal women have been inconsistent and there may be concern at the effects of high-impact exercise on joint health. We investigated the effects of a high-impact exercise intervention on bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and section modulus (Z) as well as imaging biomarkers of osteoarthritis (OA) in healthy postmenopausal women. Forty-two women aged 55 to 70 years who were at least 12 months postmenopausal were recruited. The 6-month intervention consisted of progressive, unilateral, high-impact exercise incorporating multidirectional hops on one randomly assigned exercise leg (EL) for comparison with the contralateral control leg (CL). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD, BMC, and Z of the femoral neck. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee joint was used to analyze the biochemical composition of articular cartilage using T2 relaxometry and to analyze joint pathology associated with OA using semiquantitative analysis. Thirty-five participants (61.7 ± 4.3 years) completed the intervention with a mean adherence of 76.8% ± 22.5%. Femoral neck BMD, BMC, and Z all increased in the EL (+0.81%, +0.69%, and +3.18%, respectively) compared to decreases in the CL (−0.57%, −0.71%, and −0.75%: all interaction effects p < 0.05). There was a significant increase in mean T2 relaxation times (main effect of time p = 0.011) but this did not differ between the EL and CL, indicating no global effect. Semiquantitative analysis showed high prevalence of bone marrow lesions (BML) and cartilage defects, especially in the patellofemoral joint (PFJ), with no indication that the intervention caused pathology progression. In conclusion, a high-impact exercise intervention that requires little time, cost, or specialist equipment improved femoral neck BMD with no negative effects on knee OA imaging biomarkers. Unilateral high-impact exercise is a feasible intervention to reduce hip fracture risk in healthy postmenopausal women. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Sex-Specific Muscular Mediation of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cortical Bone in Young Adults
Authors: Higgins Simon , Sokolowski Chester M , Vishwanathan Megha , Schmidt Michael D , Evans Ellen M , Lewis Richard D
Published: September 2019

Muscle mass is a commonly cited mediator of the relationship between physical activity (PA) and bone, representing the mechanical forces generated during PA. However, neuromuscular properties (eg, peak force) also account for unique portions of variance in skeletal outcomes. We used serial multiple mediation to explore the intermediary role of muscle mass and force in the relationships between cortical bone and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). In a cross-sectional sample of young adults (n = 147, 19.7 ± 0.7 years old, 52.4% female) cortical diaphyseal bone was assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the mid-tibia. Peak isokinetic torque in knee extension was assessed via Biodex dynamometer. Thigh fat-free soft tissue (FFST) mass, assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, represented the muscular aspect of tibial mechanical forces. Habitual MVPA was assessed objectively over 7 days using Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Participants exceeded MVPA guidelines (89.14 ± 27.29 min/day), with males performing 44.5% more vigorous-intensity activity relative to females (p < 0.05). Males had greater knee extension torque and thigh FFST mass compared to females (55.3%, and 34.2%, respectively, all p < 0.05). In combined-sex models, controlling for tibia length and age, MVPA was associated with strength strain index (pSSI) through two indirect pathways: (i) thigh FFST mass (b = 1.11 ± 0.37; 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.93), and (i) thigh FFST mass and knee extensor torque in sequence (b = 0.30 ± 0.16; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.73). However, in sex-specific models MVPA was associated with pSSI indirectly through its relationship with knee extensor torque in males (b = 0.78 ± 0.48; 95% CI, 0.04 to 2.02) and thigh FFST mass in females (b = 1.12 ± 0.50; 95% CI, 0.37 to 2.46). Bootstrapped CIs confirmed these mediation pathways. The relationship between MVPA and cortical structure appears to be mediated by muscle in young adults, with potential sex-differences in the muscular pathway. If confirmed, these findings may highlight novel avenues for the promotion of bone strength in young adults. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.