bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of COD/N ratio on denitrification from nitrite
Authors: Badia Ahmed , Kim Mingu , Nakhla George , Ray Madhumita B.
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate dynamic specific denitrification rates (SDNRs) from nitrite at various chemical oxygen demand (COD)/nitrogen (N) ratios using municipal wastewater (MWW). A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) continuously fed with primary effluent and nitrite solution was operated at hydraulic retention time of 8.4 hr and solids retention time of 26–30 days for 3 months. Influent MWW characteristics varied significantly during the study, that is, 200–810 mgCOD/L and 6–80 mgN/L. The SDNRs from the SBR were compared with those determined in four batch reactors using acetate. The SDNR was directly related to COD/N until a maximum SDNR (mgNO2–N/mgVSS/day) of 0.07 for MWW and 0.4 for acetate occurred at COD/N ratios of 6 and 13, respectively; beyond this COD/N ratio, SDNR decreased. The biomass yield coefficients (mgVSS/mgCOD) were 0.33 for MWW and 0.51 for acetate. The relationships of SDNR with COD/N and F/M ratios were developed.

Practitioner points

The optimum carbon dose for denitrification should be determined using acclimatized biomass.

Each carbon source should only be dosed at an optimum that maximizes denitrification.
Mercury removal from municipal secondary effluent with hydrous ferric oxide reactive filtration
Authors: Beutel Marc W. , Dent Stephen R. , Newcombe Remy L. , Möller Gregory
Published: February 2019

This study evaluated the ability of hydrous ferric oxide reactive filtration (HFO‐RF) to remove mercury (Hg) from municipal secondary effluent at four study sites. Pilot HFO‐RF systems (136 m3/day) at two sites demonstrated total Hg concentration removal efficiencies of 96% (inflow/outflow mean total Hg: 43.6/1.6  ng/L) and 80% (4.2/0.8 ng/L). A lightly loaded medium‐scale HFO‐RF system (950 m3/day) had a concentration removal efficiency of 53% (0.98/0.46 ng/L) and removed 0.52 mg/day of total Hg and 2.2 μg/day of methyl‐Hg. A full‐scale HFO‐RF system (11,400 m3/day) yielded a total Hg concentration removal efficiency of 97% (87/2.7 ng/L) and removed an estimated 0.36 kg/year of Hg. Results suggest that the quality of secondary effluent, including dissolved organic matter content, affects achievable minimum total Hg concentrations in effluent from HFO‐RF systems. Low HFO‐RF effluent concentrations (<1 ng/L) can be expected when treating secondary effluent from suspended‐growth biological treatment systems.

Practitioner points

Trace levels of mercury in municipal secondary effluent can negatively impact receiving waters.

Hydrous ferric oxide reactive filtration (HFO‐RF) can remove mercury from municipal secondary effluent to levels below the Great Lakes Initiative discharge standard of 1.3 ng/L.

Mercury removal to low concentrations (< 1 ng/L) using HFO‐RF appears to be associated with secondary effluents with low dissolved organic matter content.

HFO‐RF can also remove total phosphorus and turbidity to low concentrations.
Pervasive damping in mechanical systems and the role of gyroscopic forces
Authors: Awrejcewicz J. , Losyeva N. , Puzyrov V.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we analyze the stability problem for autonomous non‐conservative mechanical systems in the presence of potential, gyroscopic, and dissipative forces. It is assumed that the dissipation is pervasive, i.e. the matrix of dissipative forces is semi‐positive definite. With this requirement, the celebrated Kelvin–Chetaev theorems cannot be applied. Considering this circumstance, we discuss the role of gyroscopic forces and their contribution to the overall phenomenon. This influence may be both positive and negative (there are some sets in space of parameters, where the asymptotic stability of the motion is broken). Moreover, the gyroscopic stabilization, which is neglected by complete dissipative force, may be saved with pervasive damping. We use a special procedure to prove the asymptotical (or marginal) stability. This procedure applied to considered case study is simpler than common algorithms based on the eigenvalues analysis (Routh–Hurwitz or Lienard–Chipart criteria, etc.). We apply this approach for a stability problem of two mechanical systems. The first of them is the problem of a passive stabilization of permanent rotations of Lagrange gyroscope. It is proved that adding a dashpot to a gyroscope with flattened inertia ellipsoid stabilizes permanent rotations of the gyro with the exception of some “critical” values. The last may be found analytically from special conditions. The second one is a rotary oscillating system with the external harmonic excitation. The absorber attached to the rotating frame stabilizes the periodic oscillations of the system. Also we have found the critical (resonant) value, which may be avoided by appropriate choice of the absorber's mass.
Flavor violating Higgs couplings in minimal flavor violation
Authors: Zhang Jin-Jun , He Min , He Xiao-Gang , Yuan Xing-Bo
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Motivated by the recent LHC data on the lepton-flavor violating (LFV) decays h → ℓ
1
ℓ
2 and B

s,d
→ ℓ
1
ℓ
2, we study the Higgs-mediated flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) interactions in the effective field theory (EFT) approach without and with the minimal flavor violation (MFV) hypothesis, and concentrate on the later. After considering the B and K physics data, the various LFV processes, and the LHC Higgs data, severe constraints on the Higgs FCNC couplings are derived, which are dominated by the LHC Higgs data, the

$$ {B}_s-{\overline{B}}_s $$

B
s

−

B
¯

s

mixing, and the μ → eγ decay. In the general case and the MFV framework, allowed ranges of various observables are obtained, such as

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{B}} $$

ℬ

(B
s → ℓ
1
ℓ
2),

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{B}} $$

ℬ

(h → ℓ
1
ℓ
2),

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{B}} $$

ℬ

(h → q
1
q
2), and the branching ratio of μ → e conversion in Al. Future prospects of searching for the Higgs FCNC interactions at the low-energy experiments and the LHC are discussed.
From brain collections to modern brain banks: A historical perspective
Authors: Carlos Arenn Faye , Poloni Tino Emanuele , Medici Valentina , Chikhladze Maia , Guaita Antonio , Ceroni Mauro
Published: February 2019

Our current knowledge of the structure, function, and diseases of the brain comes from direct examination of its substance. In the last centuries, only a few elite had managed to retrieve, gather, and preserve the elusive brain for their own research. The resulting brain collections, stored in formalin‐filled jars or dried up in cabinets, served anatomical, neuropathological, anthropometric, ideological, and diagnostic purposes. In the 1960s, the first modern brain banks actively collecting and strategically preserving both diseased and healthy brains to be consequently distributed to the scientific community were instituted. In an era where state‐of‐the‐art biochemical “Omic” studies and advanced metabolic and molecular neuroimaging exist, it is now, more than ever, that postmortem brain investigations must be performed. Only through the comparison and integration of postmortem neuropathological and biochemical findings and antemortem data from clinical, neuropsychological neuroimaging, and other biomarker examinations can we truly understand neurological disease mechanisms. Brain banks supplying brain specimens, antemortem information, and postmortem diagnosis are a major benefactor of brain research.
Implementing and measuring the impact of a clinical and translational research mentor recognition program
Authors: Byks-Jazayeri Christine , Samuels Elias , Anderson Elizabeth W. , Ellingrod Vicki L.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Research shows incentives can motivate faculty to increase their engagement in mentoring, despite a myriad of institutional barriers. One such incentive may be the implementation of a university-wide mentor award program to promote a culture of mentorship.

Methods

A new mentorship award was created at a research-intensive university and faculty recipients were surveyed to assess their perceptions of the award’s impact on their mentoring practices and career.

Results

Sixty-two percent of awardees (n=21) completed the survey and felt the recognition incentivized them to engage in further mentoring and participate in formal mentorship training. Most awardees referenced the award in their CVs, performance evaluations, and grant proposals. Additionally, they felt the award effectively promoted mentoring among the broader faculty community.

Conclusion

Growth of clinical and translational research depends in part on the mentorship received by early career faculty. Therefore, other research universities may benefit from implementing such awards.
Variable expressivity and heritability of multiflorous spikelets in oat panicles
Authors: Zimmer C. M. , Ubert I. P. , Pacheco M. T. , Federizzi L. C.
Published: February 2019

Multiflorous spikelets are found in oat Avena sativa L. subsp. nudisativa, which is characterised by elongated rachilla and variable number of florets per spikelet. One of the main factors limiting the exploration of multiflorous spikelets in oats, aiming to produce naked grains, is its variable expressivity. This work aimed to detect the environmental influence on the variable expressivity of multiflorous spikelet formation in oats and to estimate the heritability of this trait by analysing its expression in lower, middle and upper third of the panicle in 94 inbred lines of two crosses each. Two populations of recombinant inbred lines were screened for the spikelet formation in 2 years and sowing dates under field experiments. The results demonstrate that the variable expressivity of the multiflorous spikelet formation was highly influenced by the environmental conditions. The variable expressivity varied according to the genetic background, as well as the panicle third where spikelets were produced. The upper third of the panicle showed greater stability for the multiflorous spikelet formation, which is confirmed by the highest heritability coefficients observed in this third, regardless of the assessed population. Our results provide substantial evidences of the contribution exerted by environmental conditions in multiflorous spikelet formation in oats.
How does changing the feeding bin affect cows’ behaviour?
Authors: Soonberg Maria , Kaart Tanel , Arney David Richard
Published: February 2019

In a system in which cows are grouped and given differential access to feeding bins with different rations, and where these groups change over time, it is important to find out how a change in the ration (and hence feeding bin) affects the cow's feeding behaviour. Monitoring the locomotion of cows can be used to predict oestrus and improve health (lameness diagnosis), but activity monitors can also be used to estimate both activity and numbers of feeding visits by cows. Ice tag activity monitors were attached to the right hind legs of ten cows. Walking, standing, lying data and health records were used to record changes before and after a change in each cow's feeding bin. Results comparing activity before and after feeding bin change revealed significant increases in motion index, number of steps taken per minute and number of lying bouts per minute (allP< 0.001). Comparing the behaviours of cows subsequently followed during the dry period showed significant differences in motion indices and number of steps taken per minute (P< 0.001) in the dry period. The results indicate that cows are affected by feeding bin change and group change, which can lead to an increase in behaviour associated with the stress response, especially in heifers.
An integrative memory model of recollection and familiarity to understand memory deficits
Authors: Bastin Christine , Besson Gabriel , Simon Jessica , Delhaye Emma , Geurten Marie , Willems Sylvie , Salmon Eric
Published: February 2019

Humans can recollect past events in details (recollection) and/or know that an object, person, or place has been encountered before (familiarity). During the last two decades, there has been intense debate about how recollection and familiarity are organized in the brain. Here, we propose an integrative memory model which describes the distributed and interactive neurocognitive architecture of representations and operations underlying recollection and familiarity. In this architecture, the subjective experience of recollection and familiarity arises from the interaction between core systems (storing particular kinds of representations shaped by specific computational mechanisms) and an attribution system. By integrating principles from current theoretical views about memory functioning, we provide a testable framework to refine the prediction of deficient versus preserved mechanisms in memory-impaired populations. The case of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered as an example because it entails progressive lesions starting with limited damage to core systems before invading step-by-step most parts of the model-related network. We suggest a chronological scheme of cognitive impairments along the course of AD, where the inaugurating deficit would relate early neurodegeneration of the perirhinal/anterolateral entorhinal cortex to impaired familiarity for items that need to be discriminated as viewpoint-invariant conjunctive entities. The integrative memory model can guide future neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies aiming to understand how such a network allows humans to remember past events, to project into the future, and possibly also to share experiences.
Linking Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) constructs to developmental psychopathology: The role of self-regulation and emotion knowledge in the development of internalizing and externalizing growth trajectories from ages 3 to 10
Authors: Ip Ka I , Jester Jennifer M. , Sameroff Arnold , Olson Sheryl L.
Published: February 2019

Identifying Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) constructs in early childhood is essential for understanding etiological pathways of psychopathology. Our central goal was to identify early emotion knowledge and self-regulation difficulties across different RDoC domains and examine how they relate to typical versus atypical symptom trajectories between ages 3 and 10. Particularly, we assessed potential contributions of children's gender, executive control, delay of gratification, and regulation of frustration, emotion recognition, and emotion understanding at age 3 to co-occurring patterns of internalizing and externalizing across development. A total of 238 3-year-old boys and girls were assessed using behavioral tasks and parent reports and reassessed at ages 5 and 10 years. Results indicated that very few children developed “pure” internalizing or externalizing symptoms relative to various levels of co-occurring symptoms across development. Four classes of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems were identified: low, low-moderate, rising, and severe-decreasing trajectories. Three-year-old children with poor executive control but high emotion understanding were far more likely to show severe-decreasing than low/low-moderate class co-occurring internalizing and externalizing symptom patterns. Child gender and poor executive control differentiated children in rising versus low trajectories. Implications for early intervention targeting self-regulation of executive control are discussed.
Charge-conservative GaN HEMT nonlinear modeling from non-isodynamic multi-bias S-parameter measurements
Authors: Gibiino Gian Piero , Santarelli Alberto , Filicori Fabio
Published: February 2019

Guaranteeing charge conservation of empirically extracted Gallium Nitride (GaN) High-Electron-Mobility Transistor (HEMT) models is necessary to avoid simulation issues and artifacts in the prediction. However, dispersive effects, such as thermal and charge-trapping phenomena, may compromise the model extraction flow resulting in poor model accuracy. Although GaN HEMT models should be extracted, in principle, from an isodynamic dataset, this work deals with the systematic identification of an approximate, yet most suitable, charge-conservative empirical model from standard multi-bias S-parameters, i.e., from non-isodynamic data. Results show that the obtained model maintains a reasonable accuracy in predicting both small- and large-signal behavior, while providing the benefits of charge conservation.
New Magnetic Constraints on Early‐Middle Miocene Uplift of the Liupan Shan, Northeastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Jiabin , Guo Licheng , Xiong Shangfa , Wang Shiqi , Tang Zihua , Jin Chunsheng , Yang Xiaoxiao , Gu Ning , Li Chunxiao , Cui Jingyi
Published: February 2019

New constraints on the uplift history of the Liupan Shan can improve our understanding of the tectonic consequences of the collision of the Indian and Asian plates, including the timing of the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we present a detailed magnetostratigraphy for the Kaimengou section near the piedmont of the Liupan Shan, which reveals that it spans the interval from 19.8 to 12.8 Myr. Together with the results of measurements of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, rock magnetic measurements show that the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is dominated by antiferromagnetic hematite and/or paramagnetic minerals, both of which are mainly controlled by the preferred crystallographic orientation, which can be used to record the tectonic history. During 19.5–14.0 Myr, the maximum principal axis (Kmax) showed a pronounced N‐S orientation and Kmin began to exhibit a girdled distribution in an E‐W direction, indicating a slight to moderate tectonic strain in an E‐W direction. And the strain can be reconfirmed be the shape parameter (T). We attribute the strain to far‐field influence by the collision of the Indian and Asian plates. We also present a tentative conceptual model, which explains how the E‐W compression fits within the general tectonic scenario for the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.
Influence of Arctic Sea Ice Loss in Autumn Compared to That in Winter on the Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Blackport Russell , Screen James A.
Published: February 2019

There is growing evidence that Arctic sea ice loss affects the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. Some studies suggest that reduced autumn sea ice may be a precursor to severe midlatitude winters. Here we use coupled ocean–atmosphere model experiments to investigate the extent to which the winter atmospheric circulation response to Arctic sea ice loss is driven by sea ice loss in preceding months. We impose different seasonal cycles of sea ice by using various combinations of sea ice albedo parameters. Year‐round sea ice loss causes an equatorward migration of the eddy‐driven jet and a shift toward the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation in winter. However, these circulation changes are not found when sea ice is reduced only in late summer and autumn, despite high‐latitude warming persisting into the winter. Our results imply that the winter atmospheric circulation response to sea ice loss is primarily driven by sea ice loss in winter rather than in autumn.
Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbations of Moisture Triggering Primary MJO Initiation
Authors: Wei Yuntao , Mu Mu , Ren Hong‐Li , Fu Joshua‐Xiouhua
Published: February 2019

The Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a dominant intraseasonal variability originating in the tropics and influencing global weather and climate. Despite this dominance, we still lack reliable precursor signals triggering nonlinear initiation of primary MJO events. Here for the first time, we deal with this question from the point of view of nonlinearity, with successful implementation of conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP). Our results show that relative to random perturbations, CNOPs of moisture have the most potential to trigger the strongest primary MJO events more than 15–20 days in advance from the given non‐MJO reference states. The CNOPs manifest as a moist equator and aggregate in the lower troposphere, with stronger signals over the western Indian Ocean than over the eastern one. These CNOPs can also capture the observational moist precursor conditions of primary MJO events. This work also implies the necessity of utilizing nonlinear optimal moist initialization in subseasonal predictions.
Mesoscale Convective Systems in the Asian Monsoon Region From Advanced Himawari Imager: Algorithms and Preliminary Results
Authors: Chen Dandan , Guo Jianping , Yao Dan , Lin Yanluan , Zhao Chuanfeng , Min Min , Xu Hui , Liu Lin , Huang Xiaomeng , Chen Tianmeng , Zhai Panmao
Published: February 2019

The knowledge of mesoscale convective system (MCS) in the Asian monsoon region remains still deficient due to the limited available data and less powerful algorithms. Here, using the data from Advanced Himawari Imager onboard Himawari‐8 (HW8), an improved algorithm combining the area overlapping with the Kalman filter is developed, which captures much smaller MCSs that are unavailable otherwise. Several influential factors like the overlapping rate and splitting/merging in the area overlapping method, and the initial state variable in the Kalman filter method, all of which were less appreciated, are handled explicitly. The occurrence frequency, and moving trajectory of two types of MCS, including the ordinary MCS and superconvective system, has been comprehensively examined in the Asian monsoon region for the warm season (April to September) of 2016. Comparison analyses with ground precipitation and radar measurements confirm the good performance of our algorithm. In particular, the moving direction of MCS strongly depends on latitudes, so does the horizontal velocity. Compared with over ocean, the frequency of MCSs dominates over land or along coasts in the tropics, where strong moisture flux convergence is frequently observed in the low troposphere. In addition, the MCSs detected in eastern China can roughly capture the meridional propagation over time, which corresponds well to the precipitation belts linked to Meiyu front systems. The superconvective systems dominate over the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea due to the large‐scale circulation. Our findings provide new insights to spatiotemporal patterns of MCSs during warm season in the Asian monsoon region.
BMP9 stimulates joint regeneration at digit amputation wounds in mice
Authors: Yu Ling , Dawson Lindsay A. , Yan Mingquan , Zimmel Katherine , Lin Yu-Lieh , Dolan Connor P. , Han Manjong , Muneoka Ken
Published: February 2019

A major goal of regenerative medicine is to stimulate tissue regeneration after traumatic injury. We previously discovered that treating digit amputation wounds with BMP2 in neonatal mice stimulates endochondral ossification to regenerate the stump bone. Here we show that treating the amputation wound with BMP9 stimulates regeneration of a synovial joint that forms an articulation with the stump bone. Regenerated structures include a skeletal element lined with articular cartilage and a synovial cavity, and we demonstrate that this response requires the Prg4 gene. Combining BMP2 and BMP9 treatments in sequence stimulates the regeneration of bone and joint. These studies provide evidence that treatment of growth factors can be used to engineer a regeneration response from a non-regenerating amputation wound.
Zinc regulates ERp44-dependent protein quality control in the early secretory pathway
Authors: Watanabe Satoshi , Amagai Yuta , Sannino Sara , Tempio Tiziana , Anelli Tiziana , Harayama Manami , Masui Shoji , Sorrentino Ilaria , Yamada Momo , Sitia Roberto , Inaba Kenji
Published: February 2019

Zinc ions (Zn2+) are imported into the early secretory pathway by Golgi-resident transporters, but their handling and functions are not fully understood. Here, we show that Zn2+ binds with high affinity to the pH-sensitive chaperone ERp44, modulating its localization and ability to retrieve clients like Ero1α and ERAP1 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Silencing the Zn2+ transporters that uptake Zn2+ into the Golgi led to ERp44 dysfunction and increased secretion of Ero1α and ERAP1. High-resolution crystal structures of Zn2+-bound ERp44 reveal that Zn2+ binds to a conserved histidine-cluster. The consequent large displacements of the regulatory C-terminal tail expose the substrate-binding surface and RDEL motif, ensuring client capture and retrieval. ERp44 also forms Zn2+-bridged homodimers, which dissociate upon client binding. Histidine mutations in the Zn2+-binding sites compromise ERp44 activity and localization. Our findings reveal a role of Zn2+ as a key regulator of protein quality control at the ER-Golgi interface.
Merging transformation optics with electron-driven photon sources
Authors: Talebi Nahid , Meuret Sophie , Guo Surong , Hentschel Mario , Polman Albert , Giessen Harald , van Aken Peter A.
Published: February 2019

Relativistic electron beams create optical radiation when interacting with tailored nanostructures. This phenomenon has been so far used to design grating-based and holographic electron-driven photon sources. It has been proposed recently that such sources can be used for hybrid electron- and light-based spectroscopy techniques. However, this demands the design of a thin-film source suitable for electron-microscopy applications. Here, we present a mesoscopic structure composed of an array of nanoscale holes in a gold film which is designed using transformation optics and delivers ultrashort chirped electromagnetic wave packets upon 30–200 keV electron irradiation. The femtosecond photon bunches result from coherent scattering of surface plasmon polaritons with hyperbolic dispersion. They decay by radiation in a broad spectral band which is focused into a 1.5 micrometer beam waist. The focusing ability and broadband nature of this photon source will initiate applications in ultrafast spectral interferometry techniques.
Ultrafast manipulation of topologically enhanced surface transport driven by mid-infrared and terahertz pulses in Bi2Se3
Authors: Luo L. , Yang X. , Liu X. , Liu Z. , Vaswani C. , Cheng D. , Mootz M. , Zhao X. , Yao Y. , Wang C.-Z. , Ho K.-M. , Perakis I. E. , Dobrowolska M. , Furdyna J. K. , Wang J.
Published: February 2019

Topology-protected surface transport of ultimate thinness in three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) is breaking new ground in quantum science and technology. Yet a challenge remains on how to disentangle and selectively control surface helical spin transport from the bulk contribution. Here we use the mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) photoexcitation of exclusive intraband transitions to enable ultrafast manipulation of surface THz conductivity in Bi2Se3. The unique, transient electronic state is characterized by frequency-dependent carrier relaxations that directly distinguish the faster surface channel than the bulk with no complication from interband excitations or need for reduced bulk doping. We determine the topological enhancement ratio between bulk and surface scattering rates, i.e., γBS/γSS ~3.80 in equilibrium. The ultra-broadband, wavelength-selective pumping may be applied to emerging topological semimetals for separation and control of the protected transport connected with the Weyl nodes from other bulk bands.
Caveolin-1 as a pathophysiological factor and target in psoriasis
Authors: Kruglikov Ilja L. , Scherer Philipp E.
Published: February 2019

Low expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is typical in psoriatic lesions and overexpression of Cav-1 leads to a reduction of inflammation and suppression of epidermal hyperproliferation, thus ameliorating these two well-known hallmarks of psoriasis. At the same time, the interfacial layers of the white adipose tissue (WAT) adjacent to psoriatic lesions demonstrate much higher stiffness, which also points to a modification of Cav-1 expression in this tissue. These processes are connected with each other and regulated via exosomal exchange. Here we discuss the role of Cav-1 expression in inflammatory and hyperproliferative processes and analyze the ways to provide spatially different modulation of Cav-1 expression in the skin and WAT. Such modulation can be induced by different pharmacological and physical factors. These include application of mechanical stress and supra-physiological temperatures. Cav-1 should therefore be considered as an important target in treatment of psoriasis.
Asymmetric MXene/monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures for functional applications
Authors: Li Baihai , Guo Haoran , Wang Yunrui , Zhang Wenxu , Zhang Qiuju , Chen Liang , Fan Xiaoli , Zhang Wanli , Li Yanrong , Lau Woon-Ming
Published: February 2019

A versatile two-dimensional (2D) molecular bilayer heterostructure of asymmetric MXene/monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (aMXene/mTMDC) with a high interfacial built-in electric field is here simulated, where aMXene is an aMXene with the top or bottom electronegative atom plane of MXene removed. The asymmetric structural design of aMXene leads to a high dipole moment perpendicular to the 2D molecular plane. Although the unpassivated metal atoms in the aMXene are unstable and electropositive, coupling them to the electronegative chalcogenide atoms in an aMXene/mTMDC bilayer resolves this deficiency. The dipole field tunable by the specific composition of aMXene/mTMDC is leveraged to engineer unusual band structures, band alignments, and charge redistribution/injection in the bilayer. The simulated design of several aMXene/mTMDC bilayers for possible use in spintronics, microelectronics/optoelectronics, and catalysis/photocatalysis are shown.
Characterization of Cellulose synthase-like D (CSLD) family revealed the involvement of PtrCslD5 in root hair formation in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Peng Xiaopeng , Pang Hongying , Abbas Manzar , Yan Xiaojing , Dai Xinren , Li Yun , Li Quanzi
Published: February 2019

Cellulose synthase-like D (CSLD) family was characterized for their expression and functions in Populus trichocarpa. Ten members, PtrCslD1-10, were identified in the P. trichocarpa genome, and they belong to 4 clades by phylogenetic tree analysis. qRT-PCR and promoter:GUS assays in Arabidopsis and P. trichocarpa displayed divergent expression patterns of these 10 PtrCSLD genes in root hairs, root tips, leaves, vascular tissues, xylem and flowers. Among PtrCslD2, PtrCslD4, PtrCslD5, PtrCslD6, and PtrCslD8 that all exhibited expression in root hairs, only PtrCslD5 could restore the root hairless phenotype of the atcsld3 mutant, demonstrating that PtrCslD5 is the functional ortholog of AtCslD3 for root hair formation. Our results suggest more possible functions for other PtrCslD genes in poplar.
Long non-coding RNA repertoire and open chromatin regions constitute midbrain dopaminergic neuron - specific molecular signatures
Authors: Gendron J. , Colace-Sauty C. , Beaume N. , Cartonnet H. , Guegan J. , Ulveling D. , Pardanaud-Glavieux C. , Moszer I. , Cheval H. , Ravassard P.
Published: February 2019

Midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons are involved in diverse neurological functions, including control of movements, emotions or reward. In turn, their dysfunctions cause severe clinical manifestations in humans, such as the appearance of motor and cognitive symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease. The physiology and pathophysiology of these neurons are widely studied, mostly with respect to molecular mechanisms implicating protein-coding genes. In contrast, the contribution of non-coding elements of the genome to DA neuron function is poorly investigated. In this study, we isolated DA neurons from E14.5 ventral mesencephalons in mice, and used RNA-seq and ATAC-seq to establish and describe repertoires of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and putative DNA regulatory regions specific to this neuronal population. We identified 1,294 lncRNAs constituting the repertoire of DA neurons, among which 939 were novel. Most of them were not found in hindbrain serotonergic (5-HT) neurons, indicating a high degree of cell-specificity. This feature was also observed regarding open chromatin regions, as 39% of the ATAC-seq peaks from the DA repertoire were not detected in the 5-HT neurons. Our work provides for the first time DA-specific catalogues of non-coding elements of the genome that will undoubtedly participate in deepening our knowledge regarding DA neuronal development and dysfunctions.
Effects and Components of Placebos with a Psychological Treatment Rationale – Three Randomized-Controlled Studies
Authors: Gaab Jens , Kossowsky Joe , Ehlert Ulrike , Locher Cosima
Published: February 2019

In recent years, placebos have evolved from a mean to control for ‘therapeutic chaff’ to something that has clinically relevant effects with biological underpinning and that is considered to have clinical as well as scientific potential. However, the wealth of scientific placebo research is conceptualized in a biomedical context, i.e. based on placebos provided with a biomedical treatment rationale, whereas little is known about effects and mechanisms of placebos provided with a psychological treatment rationale. This has important repercussions not only on placebo research, but also on attempts to establish specificity of psychological interventions, such as psychotherapy. Therefore, we set out to assess the effects and possible components of placebos provided with a psychological treatment rationale in three experiments on healthy subjects. We show that placebos provided with a psychological treatment rationale are effective in short- as well as mid-term, but only when provided by a trustworthy, friendly and empathetic experimenter. These findings indicate that placebos are effective outside the medical context and thus need be controlled for in non-medical trials. Furthermore, it highlights and confirms the importance of a plausible psychological treatment rationale in the context of a therapeutic alliance for psychological interventions, such as psychotherapy.
Aberrant DNA methylation of M1-macrophage genes in coronary artery disease
Authors: Bakshi Chetan , Vijayvergiya Rajesh , Dhawan Veena
Published: February 2019

M1 and M2 macrophage balance in atherosclerosis has attracted much interest. Though, it remains unknown how macrophage heterogeneity is regulated. Moreover, the regulation of macrophage polarization and activation also involve DNA methylation. However, it remains ambiguous which genes are under direct regulation by DNA methylation. Our aim was to evaluate the gene-specific promoter DNA methylation status of M1/M2 polarization markers in PBMCs of CAD patients. A case-control study was performed with 25 CAD patients and 25 controls to study the promoter DNA methylation status of STAT1, STAT6, MHC2, IL12b, iNOS, JAK1, JAK2 and SOCS5 using MS-HRM analysis. Our data indicates that there was a clear-cut difference in the pattern of gene-specific promoter DNA methylation of CAD patients in comparison to controls. A significant difference was observed between the percentage methylation of STAT1, IL12b, MHC2, iNOS, JAK1 and JAK2 in CAD patients and control subjects. In conclusion, our data show that MS-HRM assay is a rapid and inexpensive method for qualitatively identifying aberrant gene-specific promoter DNA methylation changes in CAD. Furthermore, we propose that gene-specific promoter DNA methylation based on monocyte/macrophage might aid as diagnostic marker for clinical application or DNA methylation-related drug interventions may offer novel possibilities for atherosclerotic disease management.
Structure-efficiency relationship of photoinduced electron transfer-triggered nitric oxide releasers
Authors: Ieda Naoya , Oka Yumina , Yoshihara Toshitada , Tobita Seiji , Sasamori Takahiro , Kawaguchi Mitsuyasu , Nakagawa Hidehiko
Published: February 2019

Spatiotemporally controllable nitric oxide (NO) releasers are required for biological studies and as candidate therapeutic agents. Here, we investigate the structure-efficiency relationship of a series of photoinduced electron transfer-triggered NO releasers based on our reported yellowish-green light-controllable NO releaser, NO-Rosa. The distance between the NO-releasing N-nitrosoaminophenol moiety and the rosamine antenna moiety was critical for efficient NO release. Notably, substitution at the phenolic hydroxyl group blocked NO release. We synthesized NO-Rosa-Gal bearing D-galactose (Gal) at this location, and showed that hydrolysis by β-galactosidase restored the photoresponse. This represents proof-of-concept of a strategy for highly specific control of NO release by using a double-lock system involving both enzymatic reactivation and photo-control.
Low efficiency of large volcanic eruptions in transporting very fine ash into the atmosphere
Authors: Gouhier Mathieu , Eychenne Julia , Azzaoui Nourddine , Guillin Arnaud , Deslandes Mathieu , Poret Matthieu , Costa Antonio , Husson Philippe
Published: February 2019

Volcanic ash clouds are common, often unpredictable, phenomena generated during explosive eruptions. Mainly composed of very fine ash particles, they can be transported in the atmosphere at great distances from the source, having detrimental socio-economic impacts. However, proximal settling processes controlling the proportion (ε) of the very fine ash fraction distally transported in the atmosphere are still poorly understood. Yet, for the past two decades, some operational meteorological agencies have used a default value of ε = 5% as input for forecast models of atmospheric ash cloud concentration. Here we show from combined satellite and field data of sustained eruptions that ε actually varies by two orders of magnitude with respect to the mass eruption rate. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that the most intense eruptions are in fact the least efficient (with ε = 0.1%) in transporting very fine ash through the atmosphere. This implies that the amount of very fine ash distally transported in the atmosphere is up to 50 times lower than previously anticipated. We explain this finding by the efficiency of collective particle settling in ash-rich clouds which enhance early and en masse fallout of very fine ash. This suggests that proximal sedimentation during powerful eruptions is more controlled by the concentration of ash than by the grain size. This has major consequences for decision-makers in charge of air traffic safety regulation, as well as for the understanding of proximal settling processes. Finally, we propose a new statistical model for predicting the source mass eruption rate with an unprecedentedly low level of uncertainty.
Author Correction: Mechanochromism induced through the interplay between excimer reaction and excited state intramolecular proton transfer
Authors: Wei Yu-Chen , Zhang Zhiyun , Chen Yi-An , Wu Cheng-Ham , Liu Zong-Ying , Ho Ssu-Yu , Liu Jiun-Chi , Lin Jia-An , Chou Pi-Tai
Published: February 2019

The original PDF and HTML versions of this Article contained errors in Eqs. (1) and (2). In both equations the approximately equal to symbol displayed incorrectly as ».  This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Population projections for U.S. counties by age, sex, and race controlled to shared socioeconomic pathway
Authors: Hauer Mathew E.
Published: February 2019

Small area and subnational population projections are important for understanding long-term demographic changes. I provide county-level population projections by age, sex, and race in five-year intervals for the period 2020–2100 for all U.S. counties. Using historic U.S. census data in temporally rectified county boundaries and race groups for the period 1990–2015, I calculate cohort-change ratios (CCRs) and cohort-change differences (CCDs) for eighteen five-year age groups (0–85+ ), two sex groups (Male and Female), and four race groups (White NH, Black NH, Other NH, Hispanic) for all U.S counties. I then project these CCRs/CCDs using ARIMA models as inputs into Leslie matrix population projection models and control the projections to the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. I validate the methods using ex-post facto evaluations using data from 1969–2000 to project 2000–2015. My results are reasonably accurate for this period. These data have numerous potential uses and can serve as inputs for addressing questions involving sub-national demographic change in the United States.
Synthetic Agonists of Toll-like Receptors and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Agrawal Sudhir , Kandimalla Ekambar R.
Published: February 2019

In recent years a number of innate immune receptors, such as retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2)-like receptors (ALRs), stimulator of interferon genes (STING), nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which recognize exogenous and endogenous nucleic acid molecular patterns, have been discovered. This chapter is focused on the chemistry of oligonucleotides which recognize and modulate immune responses specifically through TLRs 3, 7, 8, and 9. These TLRs are expressed in endosomes of many cells of the immune system. Known ligands of these receptors include viral double-stranded RNA for TLR3, viral single-stranded RNA for TLR7 and TLR8, and bacterial and viral DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs for TLR9. Structure–activity relationship studies of synthetic oligonucleotides, with the goal of creating novel agonists of TLR3, 7, 8, and 9, have been conducted to modulate immune responses mediated through targeted receptors. Preclinical proof of concept studies of agonists of TLR3, 7, 8, and 9 for various diseases have been reported. A number of TLR9-agonist candidates have advanced to clinical trials, including for treatment of cancers, allergies, asthma, and infectious diseases, and also as adjuvants with vaccines. Recently, a hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine containing a TLR9 agonist as an adjuvant has been approved.
Preclinical and Clinical Drug-metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides
Authors: Andersson Patrik , den Besten Cathaline
Published: February 2019

During the past decade, therapeutic oligonucleotide drugs (OND) have witnessed a tremendous progression that has translated into an increasing number of successful clinical applications. We now have a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms critical to efficacy, distribution and toxicity and how these are affected by OND sequence, chemical modifications and design. The current overview summarizes key drug-metabolism and pharmacokinetics and toxicological aspects of OND therapeutics and how these properties are influenced by OND design and chemistry, with a focus on new knowledge obtained in the past decade.
Direct determination of lead in bones using slurry sampling and high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Husáková Lenka , Šídová Tereza , Ibrahimová Lucie , Svízelová Monika , Mikysek Tomáš
Published: February 2019

Development of a robust, sensitive, fast, accurate and environmentally friendly method enabling for the first time routine direct determination of Pb in bone samples by HR-CS-ETAAS.
Dual-wavelength lasing from organic dye encapsulated metal–organic framework microcrystals
Authors: Zhang Yue , Dong Haiyun , Liu Yuan , Zhang Chunhuan , Hu Fengqin , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: February 2019

Efficient and stable dual-wavelength microlasers are obtained by simultaneously incorporating two kinds of organic dyes into metal–organic framework microcrystals.
Exfoliation of transition-metal dichalcogenides using ATP in aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Xinyi , Chen Huan , Lin Jing , Li Yi , Guo Liangqia
Published: February 2019

A facile, green, liquid ultrasonic exfoliation of transition metal dichalcogenides was proposed using ATP as the exfoliating reagent.
Probing interactions within liquid mediaviaa model H-bond donor–acceptor mixture
Authors: Kadyan Anu , Gandhi Yashika , Pandey Siddharth
Published: February 2019

Understanding interactions within liquids so as to obtain desired physicochemical properties is of utmost importance in chemistry.
Iron-catalyzed C(sp2)–C(sp3) cross-coupling at low catalyst loading
Authors: Bisz Elwira , Kardela Marlena , Piontek Aleksandra , Szostak Michal
Published: February 2019

An operationally-simple protocol for the selective C(sp2)–C(sp3) iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl chlorides with Grignard reagents at low catalyst loading is reported.
Mechanistic insight into the highly regioselective Ni(0)-catalyzed [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of electron-deficient allenoates
Authors: Jiang Dandan , Li Qianqian , Fu Mingxing , Zhao Xuefei , Meng Qingyong , Zhao Lili
Published: February 2019

A DFT study reveals that the Ni(0)-catalyzed [2 + 2] self-cycloaddition of electron-deficient allenoates proceeds via the one-ligand-involved mechanism. In addition, the origin of the high regioselectivity of the product, as well as the lower efficiency of the bidentate ligands, is discussed.
Preparation and photoluminescence of novel La8Ca2(Si4P2O22N2)O2 oxynitride phosphors containing Eu2+/Ce3+/Tb3+ ions
Authors: Dong Langping , Zhang Liang , Lü Wei , Shao Baiqi , Zhao Shuang , You Hongpeng
Published: February 2019

Novel La8Ca2(Si4P2O22N2)O2 oxynitride phosphors containing Eu2+/Ce3+/Tb3+ ions have been synthesized and their luminescence properties have been investigated.
High-resolution continuum-source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer for simultaneous multi-element determination in the spectral range of 190–780 nm
Authors: Labusov V. A. , Boldova S. S. , Selunin D. O. , Semenov Z. V. , Vashchenko P. V. , Babin S. A.
Published: February 2019

We have built a prototype atomic absorption spectrometer with an electrothermal atomizer and continuum light source for simultaneous multi-element determination.
A diboronic acid fluorescent sensor for selective recognition of d-ribose via fluorescence quenching
Authors: Wang Hao , Fang Guiqian , Wang Hongxiao , Dou Jindi , Bian Zhancun , Li Ying , Chai Huining , Wu Zhongyu , Yao Qingqiang
Published: February 2019

Herein we reported a novel boronic acid-based water-soluble sensor. It decreased the fluorescence by 50% when combined with 0.0146 M of d-ribose, while increased or not changed obviously after binding to other carbohydrates.
Shear-force exfoliation of indium and gallium chalcogenides for selective gas sensing applications
Authors: Marvan Petr , Mazánek Vlastimil , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: February 2019

The exfoliation of Ga and In chalcogenides in surfactant free environment prevent their surface contamination by large organic molecules. Exfoliated chalcogenides were use for preparation of highly selective gas sensing devices.
Conformational-transited protein corona regulated cell-membrane penetration and induced cytotoxicity of ultrasmall Au nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Huayan , Wang Meng , Zhang Yanmin , Li Feng , Yu Shaoning , Zhu Lin , Guo Yuming , Yang Lin , Yang Shouning
Published: February 2019

This study demonstrate that the AuNP–HSA corona could penetrate cell membranes and companied by substantial membrane disruption. However, the ultrasmall AuNPs can be internalized by cells without the destruction of cell membranes.
Inter-particle migration of Cu ions in physically mixed Cu-SSZ-13 and H-SSZ-13 treated by hydrothermal aging
Authors: Lee Hwangho , Song Inhak , Jeon Se Won , Kim Do Heui
Published: February 2019

Physically mixed Cu-SSZ-13 and H-SSZ-13 catalysts were prepared using two different methods to control the extent of contact. Migration of Cu ions between particles is proved by discrepancy of two physical mixed catalysts.
Repurposing commercial anaerobic digester wastewater to improve cyanobacteria cultivation and digestibility for bioenergy systems
Authors: Yeung Tracey , Wotton Alexander , Walsh Louise , Aldous Leigh , Conibeer Gavin , Patterson Robert
Published: February 2019

Cyanobacteria grown in nitrogen-rich industrial wastewater showed increased productivity and higher methane yields when used as a feedstock for methanogenesis.
Structure–property relations in Ag–Bi–I compounds: potential Pb-free absorbers in solar cells
Authors: Koedtruad Anucha , Goto Masato , Amano Patino Midori , Tan Zhenhong , Guo Haichuan , Nakamura Tomoya , Handa Taketo , Chen Wei-Tin , Chuang Yu-Chun , Sheu Hwo-Shuenn , Saito Takashi , Kan Daisuke , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko , Wakamiya Atsushi , Shimakawa Yuichi
Published: February 2019

Structure-property relations of Ag2-3xBixI2 have been revealed.