bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rigorous broadband study of the intrinsic ferromagnetic linewidth of monocrystalline garnet spheres
Authors: Pacewicz Adam , Krupka Jerzy , Salski Bartlomiej , Aleshkevych Pavlo , Kopyt Pawel
Published: July 2019

This work demonstrates the first application of direct broadband (1 GHz–30 GHz) quality (Q) factor measurements of the uniform precession mode in magnetised garnet spheres for the accurate determination of the room-temperature intrinsic ferromagnetic linewidth (ΔH). The spheres were enclosed in a subwavelength cavity, so that the measured Q-factor depended mainly on their magnetic losses and the conduction losses of the cavity walls. The contribution of the latter is assessed by means of the recently proposed magnetic plasmon resonance model and has been found to be negligible. A total of 10 samples made from commercially available pure yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and gallium-substituted YIG have been measured, differing in diameter and/or saturation magnetisation Ms. The dependence of the intrinsic ΔH on the internal magnetic field is found to have near-perfect linear dependence, which cannot be said about the typically studied extrinsic ΔH even at high frequencies. It is found that the difference between the two linewidths, which becomes significant at low frequencies, can be attributed to a geometric effect. Due to its fundamental nature, this work is applicable not only to magnetic material characterization, but also to the study of the origins of losses in magnetic materials.
Structural insights into the ability of nucleoplasmin to assemble and chaperone histone octamers for DNA deposition
Authors: Franco Aitor , Arranz Rocío , Fernández-Rivero Noelia , Velázquez-Campoy Adrián , Martín-Benito Jaime , Segura Joan , Prado Adelina , Valpuesta José M. , Muga Arturo
Published: July 2019

Nucleoplasmin (NP) is a pentameric histone chaperone that regulates the condensation state of chromatin in different cellular processes. We focus here on the interaction of NP with the histone octamer, showing that NP could bind sequentially the histone components to assemble an octamer-like particle, and crosslinked octamers with high affinity. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the NP/octamer complex generated by single-particle cryoelectron microscopy, revealed that several intrinsically disordered tail domains of two NP pentamers, facing each other through their distal face, encage the histone octamer in a nucleosome-like conformation and prevent its dissociation. Formation of this complex depended on post-translational modification and exposure of the acidic tract at the tail domain of NP. Finally, NP was capable of transferring the histone octamers to DNA in vitro, assembling nucleosomes. This activity may have biological relevance for processes in which the histone octamer must be rapidly removed from or deposited onto the DNA.
Low friction of metallic multilayers by formation of a shear-induced alloy
Authors: Cihan Ebru , Störmer Heike , Leiste Harald , Stüber Michael , Dienwiebel Martin
Published: July 2019

During sliding of metallic surfaces, the near surfaces undergo significant changes in terms of topography, composition and microstructure. Since friction and wear behavior of the materials are strongly influenced by sub-surface deformations, it is fundamental to investigate these effects. Therefore, the present study aims towards a better understanding of the behavior of friction depending on well-defined initial microstructures. By performing sliding experiments on Au-Ni multilayer samples under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions, we observe that the individual layer thickness of multilayer systems has a strong influence on friction behavior due to the transition in the dominant deformation mechanism near the surface. The experiments reported here provide a new route for lowering the friction force of metallic material systems in dry contact by providing more stable microstructures and alloy formation. Through ultrafine grains present in the alloy formed by mechanical mixing the number of grain boundaries strongly increases and hence, grain boundary-mediated deformation results in the low friction coefficient.
Entanglement structure of the two-component Bose-Hubbard model as a quantum simulator of a Heisenberg chain
Authors: Morera I. , Polls Artur , Juliá-Díaz Bruno
Published: July 2019

We consider a quantum simulator of the Heisenberg chain with ferromagnetic interactions based on the two-component 1D Bose-Hubbard model at filling equal to two in the strong coupling regime. The entanglement properties of the ground state of the two-component Bose-Hubbard model are compared to those of the effective spin model as the interspecies interaction approaches the intraspecies one. A numerical study of the entanglement properties of the two-component Bose-Hubbard model is supplemented with analytical expressions derived from the effective spin Hamiltonian. When the pure ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain is considered, the entanglement properties of the effective Hamiltonian are not properly predicted by the quantum simulator.
On-chip photonic decision maker using spontaneous mode switching in a ring laser
Authors: Homma Ryutaro , Kochi Satoshi , Niiyama Tomoaki , Mihana Takatomo , Mitsui Yusuke , Kanno Kazutaka , Uchida Atsushi , Naruse Makoto , Sunada Satoshi
Published: July 2019

Efficient and accurate decision making is gaining increased importance with the rapid expansion of information communication technologies including artificial intelligence. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an on-chip, integrated photonic decision maker based on a ring laser. The ring laser exhibits spontaneous switching between clockwise and counter-clockwise oscillatory dynamics; we utilize such nature to solve a multi-armed bandit problem. The spontaneous switching dynamics provides efficient exploration to find the accurate decision. On-line decision making is experimentally demonstrated including autonomous adaptation to an uncertain environment. This study paves the way for directly utilizing the fluctuating physics inherent in ring lasers, or integrated photonics technologies in general, for achieving or accelerating intelligent functionality.
SMRT sequencing reveals differential patterns of methylation in two O111:H- STEC isolates from a hemolytic uremic syndrome outbreak in Australia
Authors: Forde Brian M. , McAllister Lauren J. , Paton James C. , Paton Adrienne W. , Beatson Scott A.
Published: July 2019

In 1995 a severe haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in Adelaide occurred. A recent genomic analysis of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) O111:H- strains 95JB1 and 95NR1 from this outbreak found that the more virulent isolate, 95NR1, harboured two additional copies of the Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) genes encoded within prophage regions. The structure of the Stx2-converting prophages could not be fully resolved using short-read sequence data alone and it was not clear if there were other genomic differences between 95JB1 and 95NR1. In this study we have used Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing to characterise the genome and methylome of 95JB1 and 95NR1. We completely resolved the structure of all prophages including two, tandemly inserted, Stx2-converting prophages in 95NR1 that were absent from 95JB1. Furthermore we defined all insertion sequences and found an additional IS1203 element in the chromosome of 95JB1. Our analysis of the methylome of 95NR1 and 95JB1 identified hemi-methylation of a novel motif (5′-CTGCm6AG-3′) in more than 4000 sites in the 95NR1 genome. These sites were entirely unmethylated in the 95JB1 genome, and included at least 177 potential promoter regions that could contribute to regulatory differences between the strains. IS1203 mediated deactivation of a novel type IIG methyltransferase in 95JB1 is the likely cause of the observed differential patterns of methylation between 95NR1 and 95JB1. This study demonstrates the capability of PacBio SMRT sequencing to resolve complex prophage regions and reveal the genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity within a clonal population of bacteria.
A novel method for rapid detection of a Helicobacter pylori infection using a γ-glutamyltranspeptidase-activatable fluorescent probe
Authors: Akashi Taro , Isomoto Hajime , Matsushima Kayoko , Kamiya Mako , Kanda Tsutomu , Nakano Masayuki , Onoyama Takumi , Fujii Masashi , Akada Junko , Akazawa Yuko , Ohnita Ken , Takeshima Fuminao , Nakao Kazuhiko , Urano Yasuteru
Published: July 2019

A γ-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green probe (gGlu-HMRG) reacts with γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and immediately produces fluorescence, is clinically applied for real-time cancers’ visualization. Since Helicobacter pylori produces GGT, this study aimed to investigate whether gGlu-HMRG can be used to detect H. pylori infections. A wild-type H. pylori strain and the ggt gene-disrupted mutant were cultured and treated with gGlu-HMRG. This fluorescent probe assay was used to quantify GGT activity of H. pylori ex vivo using gastric biopsy specimens. The H. pylori diagnostic capabilities of the assay were determined from altered fluorescence intensity (FI) values at 5 min (FIV-5) and 15 minutes (FIV-15). Distinct fluorescence was identified in wild H. pylori strain, using gGlu-HMRG, whereas no fluorescence was observed in ggt gene-disrupted mutant strain. On ex vivo imaging of gGlu-HMRG, fluorescence intensity increased markedly with time in H. pylori-positive specimens; however, the H. pylori-negative specimens displayed a slight increase in FI. FIV-5 and FIV-15 differed significantly between H. pylori-positive and -negative specimens. FIV-15 differed significantly between H. pylori-positive and -eradicated group. This assay sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 83.3% in the antrum and 82.6% and 89.5% in the stomach body. GGT-activatable fluorescence probe is applicable for rapid diagnosis of H. pylori.
Chemical vs entomopathogenic control of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) via aerial application in eucalyptus plantations
Authors: Wilcken Carlos Frederico , Dal Pogetto Mário Henrique Ferreira do Amaral , Lima Alexandre Coutinho Vianna , Soliman Everton Pires , Fernandes Bianca Vique , da Silva Isabel Moreira , Zanuncio Antonio José Vinha , Barbosa Leonardo Rodrigues , Zanuncio José Cola
Published: July 2019

TheThaumastocoris peregrinusspread to eucalyptus plantations in many countries. Chemical control is a questionable measure, mainly due to the environmental impact, high cost and moreover has the use restricted by the forest certifications. Bio-insecticides may have similar efficiency to chemical products to controlT. peregrinus. The chemical thiamethoxam, thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin, acephate and the microbialBeauveria bassianaandMetarhizium anisopliaeinsecticides were tested at different doses to manageT. peregrinus. The products were sprayed on eucalyptus plants using aircraft and populations of this insect were counted before application and at 1, 14 and 21 days afterwards (DAA). Ten eucalyptus trees were evaluated per plot, with the collection of ten leaves from the middle third of the crown of each tree, and the number ofT. peregrinusnymphs and adults obtained per leaf was determined. All the chemical insecticides had similar control at 1 DAA forT. peregrinusnymphs and adults. At 14 DAA, the number ofT. peregrinusnymphs and adults on eucalyptus leaves was similar for the chemical and microbial insecticide treatments. At 21 DAA the control efficiency ofT. peregrinusnymphs and adults was higher than 80% with all insecticides. The entomopathogenic insecticides have potential for aerial application to controlT. peregrinusnymphs and adults and provide viable and environmentally-friendly alternative to manage this pest.
The Fungal Histone Acetyl Transferase Gcn5 Controls Virulence of the Human Pathogen Candida albicans through Multiple Pathways
Authors: Shivarathri Raju , Tscherner Michael , Zwolanek Florian , Singh Nitesh Kumar , Chauhan Neeraj , Kuchler Karl
Published: July 2019

Fungal virulence is regulated by a tight interplay of transcriptional control and chromatin remodelling. Despite compelling evidence that lysine acetylation modulates virulence of pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans, the underlying mechanisms have remained largely unexplored. We report here that Gcn5, a paradigm lysyl-acetyl transferase (KAT) modifying both histone and non-histone targets, controls fungal morphogenesis – a key virulence factor of C. albicans. Our data show that genetic removal of GCN5 abrogates fungal virulence in mice, suggesting strongly diminished fungal fitness in vivo. This may at least in part arise from increased susceptibility to killing by macrophages, as well as by other phagocytes such as neutrophils or monocytes. Loss of GCN5 also causes hypersensitivity to the fungicidal drug caspofungin. Caspofungin hypersusceptibility requires the master regulator Efg1, working in concert with Gcn5. Moreover, Gcn5 regulates multiple independent pathways, including adhesion, cell wall-mediated MAP kinase signaling, hypersensitivity to host-derived oxidative stress, and regulation of the Fks1 glucan synthase, all of which play critical roles in virulence and antifungal susceptibility. Hence, Gcn5 regulates fungal virulence through multiple mechanisms, suggesting that specific inhibition of Gcn5 could offer new therapeutic strategies to combat invasive fungal infections.
Social defeat stress causes selective attenuation of neuronal activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Abe Reimi , Okada Sakura , Nakayama Ryota , Ikegaya Yuji , Sasaki Takuya
Published: July 2019

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays key roles in higher cognitive abilities, including mental representations and the regulation of emotion. Previous studies have reported that vmPFC activity is altered in depressed human patients, highlighting this subregion as a major site of dysfunction in neuropsychiatric diseases. To examine how neuronal activity at spike levels in the vmPFC is altered by social defeat stress, we performed electrophysiological multiunit recordings along the dorsoventral axis of the mPFC of freely moving mice. Chronic social defeat stress-susceptible mice showing an impairment in social interaction exhibited significant reductions in the overall spike frequencies of neurons in the vmPFC, but not in the dorsal mPFC. Analysis of local field potentials revealed that the vmPFC generated spatially constrained 20–40 Hz events lasting hundreds of milliseconds, with an average event frequency of 0.05 Hz; during these events, a subset of neurons were transiently inhibited. The frequency of 20–40 Hz events in the vmPFC was reduced in defeated stress-susceptible animals, and this decrease was reversed by systemic ketamine administration. The novel neurophysiological correlates of stress-induced changes in the vmPFC advance the understanding of the neural basis of stress-induced dysregulation of social behavior.
Versican is crucial for the initiation of cardiovascular lumen development in medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Mittal Nishant , Yoon Sung Han , Enomoto Hirokazu , Hiroshi Miyama , Shimizu Atsushi , Kawakami Atsushi , Fujita Misato , Watanabe Hideto , Fukuda Keiichi , Makino Shinji
Published: July 2019

Versican is an evolutionary conserved extracellular matrix proteoglycan, and versican expression loss in mice results in embryonic lethality owing to cardiovascular defects. However, the in utero development of mammals limits our understanding of the precise role of versican during cardiovascular development. Therefore, the use of evolutionarily distant species that develop ex utero is more suitable for studying the mechanistic basis of versican activity. We performed ENU mutagenesis screening to identify medaka mutants with defects in embryonic cardiovascular development. In this study, we described a recessive point mutation in the versican 3′UTR resulting in reduced versican protein expression. The fully penetrant homozygous mutant showed termination of cardiac development at the linear heart tube stage and exhibited absence of cardiac looping, a constricted outflow tract, and no cardiac jelly. Additionally, progenitor cells did not migrate from the secondary source towards the arterial pole of the linear heart tube, resulting in a constricted outflow tract. Furthermore, mutants lacked blood flow and vascular lumen despite continuous peristaltic heartbeats. These results enhance our understanding of the mechanistic basis of versican in cardiac development, and this mutant represents a novel genetic model to investigate the mechanisms of vascular tubulogenesis.
The decline of farmland birds in Spain is strongly associated to the loss of fallowland
Authors: Traba Juan , Morales Manuel B.
Published: July 2019

Farmland bird populations have strongly declined across Europe over the last decades due to agriculture intensification, despite successive reforms of EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In parallel, CAP has led to a reduction of fallow land, a critical habitat for biodiversity in agroecosystems. Fallow land in Spain, a country harboring the largest European populations of many endangered farmland birds, has decreased by 1.1 million ha in 15 years. The significant positive relationship between yearly change rates of the Spanish Farmland and Cereal Bird Indices (FBI and CBI) and fallow surface change highlights the adequacy of fallow land cover as an indicator of the state of farmland bird communities at country level. Moreover, the strong and positive association between the reduction in abundance of the fallow specialist little bustard and fallow surface suggests a potential causal link between these two factors. These results highlight the need for a new CAP that guarantees the maintenance of fallow land in European agroecosystems if farmland bird populations are to be conserved.
Impaired HDL Function Amplifies Systemic Inflammation in Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Macpherson Magnhild E. , Halvorsen Bente , Yndestad Arne , Ueland Thor , Mollnes Tom E. , Berge Rolf K. , Rashidi Azita , Otterdal Kari , Gregersen Ida , Kong Xiang Y. , Holven Kirsten B. , Aukrust Pål , Fevang Børre , Jørgensen Silje F.
Published: July 2019

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency, characterized by inadequate antibody responses and recurrent bacterial infections. Paradoxically, a majority of CVID patients have non-infectious inflammatory and autoimmune complications, associated with systemic immune activation. Our aim was to explore if HDL, known to have anti-inflammatory properties, had impaired function in CVID patients and thereby contributed to their inflammatory phenotype. We found reduced HDL cholesterol levels in plasma of CVID patients compared to healthy controls, particularly in patients with inflammatory and autoimmune complications, correlating negatively with inflammatory markers CRP and sCD25. Reverse cholesterol transport capacity testing showed reduced serum acceptance capacity for cholesterol in CVID patients with inflammatory and autoimmune complications. They also had reduced cholesterol efflux capacity from macrophages to serum and decreased expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1. Human HDL suppressed TLR2-induced TNF release less in blood mononuclear cells from CVID patients, associated with decreased expression of transcriptional factor ATF3. Our data suggest a link between impaired HDL function and systemic inflammation in CVID patients, particularly in those with autoimmune and inflammatory complications. This identifies HDL as a novel therapeutic target in CVID as well as other more common conditions characterized by sterile inflammation or autoimmunity.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma agonists exhibit anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects in an EcoHIV mouse model
Authors: Omeragic Amila , Kara-Yacoubian Nareg , Kelschenbach Jennifer , Sahin Cigdem , Cummins Carolyn L. , Volsky David J. , Bendayan Reina
Published: July 2019

The widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has resulted in significantly reduced deaths from HIV-1 associated complications and opportunistic infections. However, it is estimated that up to 50% of HIV-1 infected individuals still develop HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). With no treatment currently available for patients, there is a critical need to identify therapeutic approaches that can treat this disorder. Evidence suggests that targeting Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-gamma (PPARγ) can be anti-inflammatory in neurological disorders. Here we show that treatment with PPARγ agonists (rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) in primary cultures of mouse glial cells reversed EcoHIV-induced inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL-1β, CCL2, CCL3, CXCL10) and indicator of oxidative stress (iNOS). Furthermore, in vivo, mice administered with EcoHIV through intracranial injection resulted in upregulation of inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL-1β, IFNγ, CCL2, CCL3, CXCL10) and oxidative stress marker (iNOS) in the brain which was reversed through intraperitoneal administration of PPARγ agonists (rosiglitazone or pioglitazone). Finally, we demonstrated that treatment with these compounds in vivo reduced EcoHIV p24 protein burden in the brain. Our results suggest that treatment with PPARγ agonists are anti-inflammatory and antiviral in an in vivo model of EcoHIV infection. These drugs hold promise as potential candidates for HAND treatment in the future.
Late positive complex in event-related potentials tracks memory signals when they are decision relevant
Authors: Yang Haopei , Laforge Geoffrey , Stojanoski Bobby , Nichols Emily S. , McRae Ken , Köhler Stefan
Published: July 2019

The Late Positive Complex (LPC) is an Event-Related Potential (ERP) consistently observed in recognition-memory paradigms. In the present study, we investigated whether the LPC tracks the strength of multiple types of memory signals, and whether it does so in a decision dependent manner. For this purpose, we employed judgements of cumulative lifetime exposure to object concepts, and judgements of cumulative recent exposure (i.e., frequency judgements) in a study-test paradigm. A comparison of ERP signatures in relation to degree of prior exposure across the two memory tasks and the study phase revealed that the LPC tracks both types of memory signals, but only when they are relevant to the decision at hand. Another ERP component previously implicated in recognition memory, the FN400, showed a distinct pattern of activity across conditions that differed from the LPC; it tracked only recent exposure in a decision-dependent manner. Another similar ERP component typically linked to conceptual processing in past work, the N400, was sensitive to degree of recent and lifetime exposure, but it did not track them in a decision dependent manner. Finally, source localization analyses pointed to a potential source of the LPC in left ventral lateral parietal cortex, which also showed the decision-dependent effect. The current findings highlight the role of decision making in ERP markers of prior exposure in tasks other than those typically used in studies of recognition memory, and provides an initial link between the LPC and the previously suggested role of ventral lateral parietal cortex in memory judgements.
Antifungal synergy of a topical triazole, PC945, with a systemic triazole against respiratory Aspergillus fumigatus infection
Authors: Colley Thomas , Sehra Gurpreet , Daly Leah , Kimura Genki , Nakaoki Takahiro , Nishimoto Yuki , Kizawa Yasuo , Strong Pete , Rapeport Garth , Ito Kazuhiro
Published: July 2019

Invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients and treatment outcomes using oral antifungal triazoles remain suboptimal. Here we show that combining topical treatment using PC945, a novel inhaled triazole, with systemic treatment using known triazoles demonstrated synergistic antifungal effects against Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) in an in vitro human alveolus bilayer model and in the lungs of neutropenic immunocompromised mice. Combination treatment with apical PC945 and either basolateral posaconazole or voriconazole resulted in a synergistic interaction with potency improved over either compound as a monotherapy against both azole-susceptible and resistant AF invasion in vitro. Surprisingly there was little, or no synergistic interaction observed when apical and basolateral posaconazole or voriconazole were combined. In addition, repeated prophylactic treatment with PC945, but not posaconazole or voriconazole, showed superior effects to single prophylactic dose, suggesting tissue retention and/or accumulation of PC945. Furthermore, in mice infected with AF intranasally, 83% of animals treated with a combination of intranasal PC945 and oral posaconazole survived until day 7, while little protective effects were observed by either compound alone. Thus, the combination of a highly optimised topical triazole with oral triazoles potentially induces synergistic effects against AF infection.
Exploring Notch Pathway to Elucidate Phenotypic Plasticity and Intra-tumor Heterogeneity in Gliomas
Authors: Chowdhury Saikat , Sarkar Ram Rup
Published: July 2019

The phenotypic plasticity and self-renewal of adult neural (aNSCs) and glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are both known to be governed by active Notch pathway. During development, GSCs can establish differential hierarchy to produce heterogeneous groups of tumor cells belong to different grades, which makes the tumor ecosystem more complex. However, the molecular events regulating these entire processes are unknown hitherto. In this work, based on the mechanistic regulations of Notch pathway activities, a novel computational framework is introduced to inspect the intra-cellular reactions behind the development of normal and tumorigenic cells from aNSCs and GSCs, respectively. The developmental dynamics of aNSCs/GSCs are successfully simulated and molecular activities regulating the phenotypic plasticity and self-renewal processes in normal and tumor cells are identified. A novel scoring parameter “Activity Ratio” score is introduced to find out driver molecules responsible for the phenotypic plasticity and development of different grades of tumor. A new quantitative method is also developed to predict the future risk of Glioblastoma tumor of an individual with appropriate grade by using the transcriptomics profile of that individual as input. Also, a novel technique is introduced to screen and rank the potential drug-targets for suppressing the growth and differentiation of tumor cells.
Combinations of Plant Essential Oil Based Terpene Compounds as Larvicidal and Adulticidal Agent against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Sarma Riju , Adhikari Kamal , Mahanta Sudarshana , Khanikor Bulbuli
Published: July 2019

Insecticidal plant-based compound(s)in combinations may show synergistic or antagonistic interactions against insect pest. Considering the rapid spread of theAedesborne diseases and increasing resistance amongAedespopulation against conventional insecticides, twenty-eight combinations of plant essential oil-based terpene compounds were prepared and tested against larval and adult stages ofAedes aegypti. Initially five plant essential oils (EOs) were assessed for their larvicidal and adulticidal efficacy and two of their major compounds from each EO were identified from GC-MS results. Identified major compounds namely Diallyldisulfide, Diallyltrisulfide, Carvone, Limonene, Eugenol, Methyl Eugenol, Eucalyptol, Eudesmol and α-pinene were purchased and tested individually againstA.aegypti. Binary combinations of these compounds were then prepared using sub-lethal doses, tested and their synergistic and antagonistic effects were determined. The best larvicidal compositions were obtained while Limonene was mixed with Diallyldisulfide and the best adulticidal composition was obtained while Carvone was mixed with Limonene. Commercially used synthetic larvicide “Temephos” and adulticide “Malathion” were tested individually and in binary combinations with the terpene compounds. The results revealed that the combination of Temephos and Diallyldisulfide and combination of Malathion and Eudesmol were the most effective combination. These effective combinations bear potential prospect to be used againstAedes aegypti.
Systematic discovery about NIR spectral assignment from chemical structural property to natural chemical compounds
Authors: Ma Lijuan , Peng Yanfang , Pei Yanling , Zeng Jingqi , Shen Haoran , Cao Junjie , Qiao Yanjiang , Wu Zhisheng
Published: July 2019

Spectra-structure interrelationship is still the weakness of NIR spectral assignment. In this paper, a comprehensive investigation from chemical structural property to natural chemical compounds was carried out for NIR spectral assignment. Surprisingly, we discovered that NIR absorption frequency of the skeleton structure with sp2 hybridization is higher than one with sp3 hybridization. Specifically, substituent was another vital factor to be explored, the first theory discovery demonstrated that the absorption intensity of methyl substituted benzene at 2330 nm has a linear relationship with the number of substituted methyl C-H. The greater the number of electrons given to the substituents, the larger the displacement distance of absorption bands is. In addition, the steric hindrance caused by the substituent could regularly reduce the intensity of NIR absorption bands. Furthermore, the characteristic bands and group attribution of 29 natural chemical compounds from 4 types have been systematic assigned. These meaningful discoveries provide guidance for NIR spectral assignment from chemical structural property to natural chemical compounds.
Association of Sleep Duration with Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Seo Sook Hyun , Shim Young Suk
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between sleep duration and overweight/obesity, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in children and adolescents. A total of 6,048 participants aged 10–18 years were divided into the following four sleep-duration groups based on age-specific sleep duration: i) very short; ii) short; iii) recommended; and iv) long. The participants in the very short sleep-duration group had an increased odds ratio (OR) of 1.76 for overweight/obesity, 1.69 for obesity, and 1.49 for elevated waist circumference (WC) compared with the recommended sleep-duration group. The subjects in the long sleep-duration group had an increased OR of 2.71 for elevated triglyceride (TG) compared with those in the recommended sleep-duration group. In subgroup analyses, boys in the very short sleep-duration group exhibited an increased OR of 1.78 for overweight/obesity compared with those in the recommended sleep-duration group. Compared with girls in the recommended sleep-duration group, those in the very short sleep-duration group exhibited an increased OR of 1.69 for overweight/obesity, 2.28 for obesity, and 1.57 for elevated WC; in contrast, girls in the very short sleep-duration group exhibited a decreased OR of 0.58 for elevated TG. The girls in the long sleep-duration group had an increased OR of 3.86 for elevated TG compared with those with recommended sleep-duration. Our results suggest that shorter sleep durations may be related to overweight/obesity, obesity, and central obesity, and longer sleep durations may be associated with elevated TG. However, the nature of these relationships may be dependent on sex.
A new treatment strategy for end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: IVC resection without reconstruction
Authors: Du Qiancheng , Wang Yanyan , Zhang Mengzhao , Chen Yichong , Mei Xuepeng , Li Yanfei , Zhou Ying , Fan Haining
Published: July 2019

Patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) infringing on the inferior vena cava (IVC) have a poor prognosis when radical resection cannot be performed because curative resection is limited by IVC reconstruction. There is little information concerning combined resection of the liver and the IVC. This study explored a novel treatment method for HAE infringing on the IVC and evaluated the safety and feasibility of combined resection of the liver and the IVC. A total of 13 patients were treated with liver resection combined with IVC resection for end-stage HAE between January 2016 and July 2018 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University. The demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were collected and analysed. The 13 patients underwent resection of the IVC without reconstruction. Of these, 3 exhibited oedema of both lower limbs and the scrotum (23.1%), 2 exhibited pneumothorax (15.4%), 1 exhibited bile leakage (7.7%), 1 exhibited bacteraemia (7.7%), and 1 developed abdominal haemorrhage that was stopped with conservative treatment (7.7%). There was 1 case of operation-related mortality because of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (7.7%), and no patients developed recurrence or had residual lesions. Liver resection combined with IVC resection is effective and feasible for patients with HAE infringing on the IVC.
Direct current-tunable MHz to multi-GHz skyrmion generation and control
Authors: Cheghabouri Arash Mousavi , Onbasli Mehmet C.
Published: July 2019

Skyrmions offer high density, low power, and nonvolatile memory functionalities due to their nanoscale and topologically-protected chiral spin structures. For integrated high-bandwidth devices, one needs to control skyrmion generation and propagation rates using current. Here, we introduce a skyrmion initialization and control method to generate periodic skyrmions from 114 MHz to 21 GHz using spin-polarized direct current. We first initialize a stable magnetic domain profile that is pinned between a notch and a rectangular constriction using a DC pulse. Next, we pass spin-polarized DC charge current to eject periodic skyrmions at a desired frequency. By changing the DC current density, we demonstrate in micromagnetic simulations that skyrmion generation frequencies can be controlled reversibly over more than seven octaves of frequencies. By using domain pinning and current-driven skyrmion motion, we demonstrate a highly tunable and DC-controlled skyrmion signal source, which pave the way towards ultra wideband, compact and integrated skyrmionic circuits.
Resonance tracking in a micromechanical device using phononic frequency combs
Authors: Ganesan Adarsh , Seshia Ashwin
Published: July 2019

Micro and nanomechanical resonators have been extensively researched in recent decades for applications to time and frequency references, as well as highly sensitive sensors. Conventionally, the operation of these resonant sensors is implemented using a feedback oscillator to dynamically track variations in the resonant frequency. However, this approach places limitations on the frequency stability of the output response, particularly owing to near-carrier noise shaping, limiting measurement stabilities at short-to-moderate integration times. Here, in this paper, utilizing the recent experimental demonstration of phononic frequency combs, we demonstrate an alternative resonance tracking approach with the potential to provide significant improvements in near-carrier phase noise and long-term stability. In addition, we also showcase comb dynamics mediated resonant frequency modulation which indirectly points to the possible control of inevitable noise processes including thermomechanical fluctuations. This resonant tracking approach may also have general applicability to a number of other physical oscillators.
Event boundaries do not cause the immediate extinction deficit after Pavlovian fear conditioning in rats
Authors: Totty Michael S. , Payne Martin R. , Maren Stephen
Published: July 2019

Recent work reveals that the extinction of conditioned fear depends upon the interval between conditioning and extinction. Extinction training that takes place within minutes to hours after fear conditioning fails to produce a long-term extinction memory, a phenomenon known as the immediate extinction deficit (IED). Neurobiological evidence suggests that the IED results from stress-induced dysregulation of prefrontal cortical circuits involved in extinction learning. However, a recent study in humans suggests that an “event boundary” between fear conditioning and extinction protects the conditioning memory from interference by the extinction memory, resulting in high levels of fear during a retrieval test. Here, we contrast these hypotheses in rats by arranging extinction trials to follow conditioning trials with or without an event boundary; in both cases, extinction trials are delivered in proximity to shock-elicited stress. After fear conditioning, rats either received extinction trials 60-sec after the last conditioning trial (continuous, no event boundary) or 15-minutes after conditioning (segmented, a standard “immediate” extinction procedure associated with an event boundary). Both groups of animals showed decreases in conditional freezing to the auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) during extinction and exhibited an equivalent IED relative to non-extinguished controls when tested 48 hours later. Thus, eliminating the event boundary between conditioning and extinction with the continuous extinction procedure did not prevent the IED. These data suggest that the IED is the result of shock-induced stress, rather than boundary-induced reductions in memory interference.
Photobiomodulation therapy combined with carvedilol attenuates post-infarction heart failure by suppressing excessive inflammation and oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Grandinetti Vanessa , Carlos Fernando Pereira , Antonio Ednei Luiz , de Oliveira Helenita Antonia , dos Santos Luis Felipe Neves , Yoshizaki Amanda , Mansano Barbara Sampaio Dias Martins , Silva Flávio André , Porte Leslie Andrews , Albuquerque-Pontes Gianna Móes , de Carvalho Paulo de Tarso Camillo , Manchini Martha Trindade , Leal-Junior Ernesto Cesar , Tucci Paulo José Ferreira , Serra Andrey Jorge
Published: July 2019

The post-myocardial infarction heart failure (HF) still carries a huge burden since current therapy is unsuccessful to abrogate poor prognosis. Thus, new approaches are needed, and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) may be a way. However, it is not known whether PBMt added to a standard HF therapy provides additional improvement in cardiac remodeling in infarcted rats. This study sought to determine the combined carvedilol-drug and PBMt with low-level laser therapy value in HF. Rats with large infarcts were treated for 30 days. The functional fitness was evaluated using a motorized treadmill. Echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements were used for functional evaluations of left ventricular (LV). ELISA, Western blot and biochemical assays were used to evaluate inflammation and oxidative stress in the myocardium. Carvedilol and PBMt had a similar action in normalizing pulmonary congestion and LV end-diastolic pressure, attenuating LV dilation, and improving LV systolic function. Moreover, the application of PBMt to carvedilol-treated rats inhibited myocardial hypertrophy and improved +dP/dt of LV. PBMt alone prevented inflammation with a superior effect than carvedilol. Carvedilol and PBMt normalized 4-hydroxynonenal (a lipoperoxidation marker) levels in the myocardium. However, importantly, the addition of PBMt to carvedilol attenuated oxidized protein content and triggered a high activity of the anti-oxidant catalase enzyme. In conclusion, these data show that the use of PBMt plus carvedilol therapy results in a significant additional improvement in HF in a rat model of myocardial infarction. These beneficial effects were observed to be due, at least in part, to decreased myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress.
Temperature synchronization of the Drosophila circadian clock protein PERIOD is controlled by the TRPA channel PYREXIA
Authors: Roessingh Sanne , Rosing Mechthild , Marunova Martina , Ogueta Maite , George Rebekah , Lamaze Angelique , Stanewsky Ralf
Published: July 2019

Circadian clocks are endogenous molecular oscillators that temporally organize behavioral activity thereby contributing to the fitness of organisms. To synchronize the fly circadian clock with the daily fluctuations of light and temperature, these environmental cues are sensed both via brain clock neurons, and by light and temperature sensors located in the peripheral nervous system. Here we demonstrate that the TRPA channel PYREXIA (PYX) is required for temperature synchronization of the key circadian clock protein PERIOD. We observe a molecular synchronization defect explaining the previously reported defects of pyx mutants in behavioral temperature synchronization. Surprisingly, surgical ablation of pyx-mutant antennae partially rescues behavioral synchronization, indicating that antennal temperature signals are modulated by PYX function to synchronize clock neurons in the brain. Our results suggest that PYX protects antennal neurons from faulty signaling that would otherwise interfere with temperature synchronization of the circadian clock neurons in the brain.
Study of porphyrin-modified liquid exfoliated graphene field-effect transistors for evaluating DNA methylation degree
Authors: Wang Zhongrong , Hu Shihui , Li Fang , Fan Qingjie , Jia Yunfang
Published: July 2019

Recognizing and counting 5-methylcytosine (5mC) sites on ssDNA are realized by porphyrin-modified liquid exfoliated graphene field-effect transistors (TAPP@LEG-FETs).
A robust method for critical micelle concentration determination using coumarin-6 as a fluorescent probe
Authors: Fluksman Arnon , Benny Ofra
Published: July 2019

Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the point at which micelles are self-assembled from surfactants added to the system. We established a simple method based on dye micellization, using coumarin-6 as a fluorescent probe for CMC determination.
A facile dopamine-mediated metal-catecholamine coating for therapeutic nitric oxide gas interface-catalytic engineering of vascular devices
Authors: Song Qiang , Li Long , Xiong Kaiqin , Tian Wenjie , Lu Jing , Wang Jin , Huang Nan , Tu Qiufen , Yang Zhilu
Published: July 2019

A facile copper-dopamine coating with possibility of continuously generating NO from endogenous RSNOs was constructed on vascular stent for inhibiting coagulation and selectively promoting endothelial cells while inhibiting smooth muscle cell.
Dendrite-free deposition on lithium anode toward long-life and high-stable Li//graphite dual-ion battery
Authors: Xi Xiao-Tong , Feng Xi , Nie Xue-Jiao , Hou Bao-Hua , Li Wen-Hao , Yang Xu , Yang Ai-Bo , Sun Wen-Dong , Wu Xing-Long
Published: July 2019

Following modification with a carbon nanofibers film, an advanced Li//graphite dual-ion battery shows superior cycle life with dendrite-free Li anode.
Ruthenium(0)-sequential catalysis for the synthesis of sterically hindered amines by C–H arylation/hydrosilylation
Authors: Zhao Qun , Zhang Jin , Szostak Michal
Published: July 2019

We report sequential ruthenium(0)-catalysis for the synthesis of sterically-hindered aminesviadirect C–H arylation of simple imines and imine hydrosilylation.
Separation of water–alcohol mixtures using carbon nanotubes under an electric field
Authors: Winarto Winarto , Yamamoto Eiji , Yasuoka Kenji
Published: July 2019

Under piston pressures and electric fields, CNTs with diameter up to 3.39 nm allow water to flow while rejecting methanol.
Pt/SSZ-13 as an efficient catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with H2
Authors: Hong Zhe , Sun Xianyong , Wang Zhong , Zhao Guoqing , Li Xuebing , Zhu Zhirong
Published: July 2019

Superior activity and selectivity of a Pt/SSZ-13 catalyst in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with H2 (H2-SCR) were observed, in comparison with those of Pt/ZSM-5 and Pt/SAPO-34 catalysts.
Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production
Authors: Ali Aasim M. , Nesse Astrid S. , Eich-Greatorex Susanne , Sogn Trine A. , Aanrud Stine G. , Aasen Bunæs John A. , Lyche Jan L. , Kallenborn Roland
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to analyze a variety of environmental organic contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) and their metabolites in representative digestate samples from Norwegian biogas production plants.
Iron speciation in iron–organic matter nanoaggregates: a kinetic approach coupling Quick-EXAFS and MCR-ALS chemometrics
Authors: Vantelon Delphine , Davranche Mélanie , Marsac Rémi , La Fontaine Camille , Guénet Hélène , Jestin Jacques , Campaore Grace , Beauvois Anthony , Briois Valérie
Published: July 2019

We evidenced, singled out and characterized the Fe-phases coexisting in iron–organic matter nanoaggregates, as well as their dynamics of formation during the oxidation/hydrolysis of Fe(ii)-humic acid complexes.
Increased binding of thiophene-based ligands to mercury(ii) with water solubilizing functional groups
Authors: Shigemoto Austin K. , Killjoy Abigail A. , Dayton Julia , Virca Carolyn N. , McCormick Theresa M.
Published: July 2019

Ratiometric absorption and emission response to mercury(ii) is observed for pyridyl-thiophene ligands with water-solubilizing groups that increase binding affinity and demonstrate thiophene–metal interactions.
Solution and solid behavior of mono and binuclear zinc(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes with dithiocarbazates: X-ray analysis, mass spectrometry and cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines
Authors: Cavalcante Cássia de Q. O. , Arcanjo Daniel da S. , Silva Guilherme G. da , Oliveira Diêgo M. de , Gatto Claudia C.
Published: July 2019

We report the synthesis and characterization of metal complexes with dithiocarbazates and the cytotoxicity against the breast cancer line MDA-MB-231.
A dual responsive hyaluronic acid graft poly(ionic liquid) block copolymer micelle for an efficient CD44-targeted antitumor drug delivery
Authors: Lu Beibei , Li Yuanbin , Wang Zhenyuan , Wang Binshen , Pan Xi , Zhao Weiwei , Ma Xing , Zhang Jiaheng
Published: July 2019

Illustration of the formation and elevated antitumor mechanism of the HA-g-mPEG-polymers nanocarriers.
Facile synthesis of urchin-like LaWO4Cl assemblies and their near-infrared photothermal conversion
Authors: Sun Lin , Shi Yang , Tang Mingcong , Wang Dong , Tian Yaping , Li Jing
Published: July 2019

The hierarchical urchin-like LaWO4Cl assemblies promote the photothermal conversion performance due to the localized surface plasmon resonance.
Yb,Nd,Er-doped upconversion nanoparticles: 980 nm versus 808 nm excitation
Authors: Wiesholler Lisa M. , Frenzel Florian , Grauel Bettina , Würth Christian , Resch-Genger Ute , Hirsch Thomas
Published: July 2019

A set of similarly sized (Yb3+, Nd3+, Er3+)-doped upconversion nanoparticles of different architecture were spectroscopically examined in water at broadly varied excitation power at 980 nm & 808 nm to study the sensitizer dependent penetration-depth.
Ionic aggregation-induced emission dye with bulky counterions for preparation of bright near-infrared polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Adarsh Nagappanpillai , Klymchenko Andrey S.
Published: July 2019

Bulky hydrophobic counterions were found to be crucial for the preparation of AIEgen-loaded polymeric nanoparticles with bright NIR emission.
Temperature-dependent ultraviolet photoluminescence in hierarchical Zn, ZnO and ZnO/Zn nanostructures
Authors: Chou Han-Sheng , Yang Kai-Di , Xiao Sheng-Hong , Patil Ranjit A. , Lai Chien-Chih , Vincent Yeh Wang-Chi , Ho Ching-Hwa , Liou Yung , Ma Yuan-Ron
Published: July 2019

The temperature-dependent effects on the ultraviolet photoluminescence enhancement, blueshift, thermal quenching of the two-dimensional Zn nanosheets, 2D-hierarchical ZnO nanostructures, and 2D-hierarchical ZnO/Zn nanostructures are presented.
Sustainable and tough polyurethane films with self-healability and flame retardance enabled by reversible chemistry and cyclotriphosphazene
Authors: Fang Yuanlai , Du Xiaosheng , Yang Shiwen , Wang Haibo , Cheng Xu , Du Zongliang
Published: July 2019

Self-healable, flame-retardant, recyclable, and robust polyurethane films were enabled by thermally driven Diels–Alder chemistry and cyclotriphosphazene.