bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Fast Radiative Transfer Model for FengYun‐4 GIIRS by Using Local Training Profiles
Authors: Di Di , Li Jun , Han Wei , Bai Wenguang , Wu Chunqiang , Menzel W. Paul
Published: November 2018

With the successful launch of FengYun‐4A (FY‐4A), the first satellite in a new Chinese geostationary weather satellite series (FY‐4 series), which carries a high spectral resolution infrared (IR) sounder called GIIRS (Geosynchronous Interferometric Infrared Sounder), and vertical atmospheric profiles can be obtained frequently at the regional scale. A fast radiative transfer model is a key component for quantitative applications of GIIRS radiance measurements, including deriving soundings in near real time for situation awareness and radiance assimilation in numerical weather prediction models. The weighted least squares method on enhancing the accuracy of RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for TOVS) for GIIRS is developed. Besides, currently, fast radiative transfer models for IR sensors are based on global training profiles, since GIIRS is targeted for regional observations; it is beneficial for local weather related applications using local training profiles, which better represent the characteristics of that weather regime. A local training profile data set has been developed for GIIRS using the RTTOV approach, comparisons with line‐by‐line radiative transfer model indicate that weighted least squares method provides better accuracy (smaller root‐mean‐square error) in the brightness temperature simulation for the middlewave band of GIIRS than the ordinary least squares method, and the local training profiles have further remarkable improvements on brightness temperature simulation over the global training profiles, especially for GIIRS longwave band. The methods can be applied to RTTOV development for other IR sensors onboard the geostationary satellites.
Controls on the Formation of Lunar Multiring Basins
Authors: Johnson Brandon C. , Andrews‐Hanna Jeffrey C. , Collins Gareth S. , Freed Andrew M. , Melosh H. J. , Zuber Maria T.
Published: November 2018

Multiring basins dominate the crustal structure, tectonics, and stratigraphy of the Moon. Understanding how these basins form is crucial for understanding the evolution of ancient planetary crusts. To understand how preimpact thermal structure and crustal thickness affect the formation of multiring basins, we simulate the formation of lunar basins and their rings under a range of target and impactor conditions. We find that ring locations, spacing, and offsets are sensitive to lunar thermal gradient (strength of the lithosphere), temperature of the deep lunar mantle (strength of the asthenosphere), and preimpact crustal thickness. We also explore the effect of impactor size on the formation of basin rings and reproduce the observed transition from peak‐ring basins to multiring basins and reproduced many observed aspects of ring spacing and location. Our results are in broad agreement with the ring tectonic theory for the formation of basin rings and also suggest that ring tectonic theory applies to the rim scarp of smaller peak‐ring basins.
Hurricane‐Induced Changes in the Everglades National Park Mangrove Forest: Landsat Observations Between 1985 and 2017
Authors: Han Xingxing , Feng Lian , Hu Chuanmin , Kramer Philip
Published: November 2018

The Everglades National Park (ENP) has one of the largest mangrove forests in the United States, yet due to lack of data and methods, there has been no multidecadal record of detailed changes in its mangrove forests, not to mention their response to periodic hurricanes. Here, based on remote sensing spectroscopy, multisensor cross calibration, spectral normalization, and pixel unmixing, we develop a stepwise method to map distributions and changes of the ENP mangrove forests and other major wetlands cover types (marshes and hardwood hammocks) over the last three decades. The time series of Landsat‐based results indicate statistically significant increasing trend from 1985 to 2017 in the total ENP mangrove coverage with a cumulative increase of 10.2%, which has increased in the inner coastline area but decreased in the outer coastline area. The mangrove coverage also decreased considerably in certain hurricane years (1992, 2005, and 2017), with the largest decrease of 644.9 km2 (46.5% of the mean mangrove area in normal years) occurring in 1993 after Hurricane Andrew. Yet, these large mangrove die‐off areas gradually recovered to prehurricane levels 3–4 years after the passage of major hurricanes. Results also indicate that while the mangrove forests were always damaged by hurricanes, the extent of the damage depended on wind speed, direction, and distance from maximum wind. The findings here could serve as baseline information for future restoration efforts of the ENP ecosystem, and the study also provides a method extendable to other coastal wetland regions.
New Optical Properties of Ice Crystals for Multiclass Cloud Microphysics
Authors: Baek Sunghye , Bae Soo Ya
Published: November 2018

New optical properties of ice crystals were implemented in a general circulation model. Ebert and Curry's (1992, https://doi.org/10.1029/91JD02472) and Fu's (1996, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520‐0442(1996)009<2058:AAPOTS>2.0.CO;2) parameterizations are widely used in the general circulation model radiation scheme. However, the validity of the data is limited to an effective radius (size) of 130 or 140 μm. This limit exceeds the median of the effective radius of snow (~200 μm), which is computed from the multiclass cloud microphysics scheme. A comparable amount of snow exists in the upper atmosphere near the lower part of ice clouds. Although the cross section of snow (extinction probability) is smaller than cloud ice, its impact on radiation has not been properly considered so far. We constructed a new lookup table of optical properties based on recent data for an extended effective radius up to 500 μm. The old data (<130 μm) also need to be updated with a more recent and elaborate method. We processed extensive data provided by Yang et al. (2013, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS‐D‐12‐039.1) and linked to the radiation module of the Korean Integrated Model (KIM). The new optical properties change the shortwave scattering features, thus increasing the heating rate. This tendency is checked in both one‐dimensional and global weather forecast simulations. With the new optical properties, KIM shows better performance by reducing bias with respect to the Integrated Forecasting Systems (IFS) analysis data.
Settling and Mobilization of Sand‐Fiber Proppants in a Deformable Fracture
Authors: Medina Ricardo , Detwiler Russell L. , Prioul Romain , Xu Wenyue , Elkhoury Jean E.
Published: November 2018

We investigated the response of a sand‐fiber proppant suspension (17.7% 40/70 mesh sand and 0.4% polymeric fibers) flowing and settling inside a transparent deformable 15 ×15‐cm fracture subjected to an increasing applied normal stress, σn. We quantified the solid distribution within the fracture and the evolution of the solid volume fraction, ϕ, as σn increased. The sand‐fiber suspension formed a highly heterogeneous proppant pack with sand‐fiber clumps surrounded by relatively solids‐free regions, which was significantly different from the uniform solid distribution observed in settling experiments without fibers. As σn increased from 0 to 88.5 kPa, the fracture aperture decreased by up to 85% and caused the sand‐fiber clumps to act like pillars that supported the applied stress and prevented full fracture closure. At the end of the settling experiments, we simulated flowback by injecting solids‐free carrier fluid while maintaining σn=88.5 kPa. Subsequent flow of solids‐free fluid caused the mobilization of some solids but left the supporting pillars intact. We used a numerical model to simulate flow through the porous proppant pack and open regions of the fracture and found a correlation between ϕ and the shear rate,
, at locations of mobilized solids, which suggested a mobilization threshold: ϕ<ϕmob and
. Additional simulations carried out in different heterogeneous proppant distributions showed that solid mobilization leads to the formation of highly conductive channels that significantly increase fracture permeability. Our results suggest that adding fibers to conventional sand proppants can lead to heterogeneous proppant distributions and increased fracture permeability.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and psychiatric diseases
Authors: Wan Lin , Li Yuhong , Zhang Zhengrong , Sun Zuoli , He Yi , Li Rena
Published: November 2018

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme for the critical process of one-carbon metabolism involving folate and homocysteine metabolisms. It is known that some polymorphism of MTHFR would result in reduction of MTHFR enzyme activity as well as DNA methylation process, later shown to have significant impacts in various psychiatric diseases. However, it is unclear whether the polymorphism of MTHFR could be an independent or an add-on risk factor for specific psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, positive, or negative symptoms of schizophrenia, or acts as risk factor for specific psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depression, autisms, and bipolar disorders. It is also understudied on whether folate supplements could be an effective treatment for psychiatric patients with defect MTHFR activity. In this review, we not only gathered the most recent discoveries on MTHFR polymorphism and related DNA methylation in various psychiatric disorders, but also highlighted the potential relationships between MTHFR activity and implication of folate-related function in specific mental diseases.
A Chiron approach towards the stereoselective synthesis of polyfluorinated carbohydrates
Authors: Denavit Vincent , Lainé Danny , St-Gelais Jacob , Johnson Paul A. , Giguère Denis
Published: November 2018

The replacement of hydroxyl groups by fluorine atoms on hexopyranose scaffolds may allow access to the discovery of new chemical entities possessing unique physical, chemical and ultimately even biological properties. The prospect of significant effects generated by such multiple and controlled substitutions encouraged us to develop diverse synthetic routes towards the stereoselective synthesis of polyfluorinated hexopyranoses, six of which are unprecedented. Hence, we report the synthesis of heavily fluorinated galactose, glucose, mannose, talose, allose, fucose, and galacturonic acid methyl ester using a Chiron approach from inexpensive levoglucosan. Structural analysis of single-crystal X-ray diffractions and NMR studies confirm the conservation of favored 4C1 conformation for fluorinated carbohydrate analogs, while a slightly distorted conformation due to repulsive 1,3-diaxial F···F interaction is observed for the trifluorinated talose derivative. Finally, the relative stereochemistry of multi-vicinal fluorine atoms has a strong effect on the lipophilicities (logP).
Publisher Correction: Diverse populations of local interneurons integrate into the Drosophila adult olfactory circuit
Authors: Liou Nan-Fu , Lin Shih-Han , Chen Ying-Jun , Tsai Kuo-Ting , Yang Chi-Jen , Lin Tzi-Yang , Wu Ting-Han , Lin Hsin-Ju , Chen Yuh-Tarng , Gohl Daryl M. , Silies Marion , Chou Ya-Hui
Published: November 2018

The original version of this Article contained errors in Figs. 4 and 6. In Fig. 4, panel a, text labels UAS-FLP and LexAop2>stop>myr::smGdP-HA were shifted upwards during typesetting of the figure, and in Fig. 6, panel h, the number 15 was incorrectly placed on the heat map scale. These have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Unusually complex phase of dense nitrogen at extreme conditions
Authors: Turnbull Robin , Hanfland Michael , Binns Jack , Martinez-Canales Miguel , Frost Mungo , Marqués Miriam , Howie Ross T. , Gregoryanz Eugene
Published: November 2018

Nitrogen exhibits an exceptional polymorphism under extreme conditions, making it unique amongst the elemental diatomics and a valuable testing system for experiment-theory comparison. Despite attracting considerable attention, the structures of many high-pressure nitrogen phases still require unambiguous determination. Here, we report the structure of the elusive high-pressure high-temperature polymorph ι–N2 at 56 GPa and ambient temperature, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and investigate its properties using ab initio simulations. We find that ι–N2 is characterised by an extraordinarily large unit cell containing 48 N2 molecules. Geometry optimisation favours the experimentally determined structure and density functional theory calculations find ι–N2 to have the lowest enthalpy of the molecular nitrogen polymorphs that exist between 30 and 60 GPa. The results demonstrate that very complex structures, similar to those previously only observed in metallic elements, can become energetically favourable in molecular systems at extreme pressures and temperatures.
Neodymium isotope evidence for glacial-interglacial variability of deepwater transit time in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Hu Rong , Piotrowski Alexander M.
Published: November 2018

There is evidence for greater carbon storage in the glacial deep Pacific, but it is uncertain whether it was caused by changes in ventilation, circulation, and biological productivity. The spatial εNd evolution in the deep Pacific provides information on the deepwater transit time. Seven new foraminiferal εNd records are presented to systematically constrain glacial to interglacial changes in deep Pacific overturning and two different εNd evolution regimes occur spatially in the Pacific with reduced meridional εNd gradients in glacials, suggesting a faster deep Pacific overturning circulation. This implies that greater glacial carbon storage due to sluggish circulation, that is believed to have occurred in the deep Atlantic, did not operate in a similar manner in the Pacific Ocean. Other mechanisms such as increased biological pump efficiency and poor high latitude air-sea exchange could be responsible for increased carbon storage in the glacial Pacific.
Perineuronal nets decrease membrane capacitance of peritumoral fast spiking interneurons in a model of epilepsy
Authors: Tewari Bhanu P. , Chaunsali Lata , Campbell Susan L. , Patel Dipan C. , Goode Adam E. , Sontheimer Harald
Published: November 2018

Brain tumor patients commonly present with epileptic seizures. We show that tumor-associated seizures are the consequence of impaired GABAergic inhibition due to an overall loss of peritumoral fast spiking interneurons (FSNs) concomitant with a significantly reduced firing rate of those that remain. The reduced firing is due to the degradation of perineuronal nets (PNNs) that surround FSNs. We show that PNNs decrease specific membrane capacitance of FSNs permitting them to fire action potentials at supra-physiological frequencies. Tumor-released proteolytic enzymes degrade PNNs, resulting in increased membrane capacitance, reduced firing, and hence decreased GABA release. These studies uncovered a hitherto unknown role of PNNs as an electrostatic insulator that reduces specific membrane capacitance, functionally akin to myelin sheaths around axons, thereby permitting FSNs to exceed physiological firing rates. Disruption of PNNs may similarly account for excitation-inhibition imbalances in other forms of epilepsy and PNN protection through proteolytic inhibition may provide therapeutic benefits.
Phenotype loss is associated with widespread divergence of the gene regulatory landscape in evolution
Authors: Roscito Juliana G. , Sameith Katrin , Parra Genis , Langer Bjoern E. , Petzold Andreas , Moebius Claudia , Bickle Marc , Rodrigues Miguel Trefaut , Hiller Michael
Published: November 2018

Detecting the genomic changes underlying phenotypic changes between species is a main goal of evolutionary biology and genomics. Evolutionary theory predicts that changes in cis-regulatory elements are important for morphological changes. We combined genome sequencing, functional genomics and genome-wide comparative analyses to investigate regulatory elements in lineages that lost morphological traits. We first show that limb loss in snakes is associated with widespread divergence of limb regulatory elements. We next show that eye degeneration in subterranean mammals is associated with widespread divergence of eye regulatory elements. In both cases, sequence divergence results in an extensive loss of transcription factor binding sites. Importantly, diverged regulatory elements are associated with genes required for normal limb patterning or normal eye development and function, suggesting that regulatory divergence contributed to the loss of these phenotypes. Together, our results show that genome-wide decay of the phenotype-specific cis-regulatory landscape is a hallmark of lost morphological traits.
Plant defences mediate interactions between herbivory and the direct foliar uptake of atmospheric reactive nitrogen
Authors: Campbell Stuart A. , Vallano Dena M.
Published: November 2018

Reactive nitrogen from human sources (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, NO2) is taken up by plant roots following deposition to soils, but can also be assimilated by leaves directly from the atmosphere. Leaf uptake should alter plant metabolism and overall nitrogen balance and indirectly influence plant consumers; however, these consequences remain poorly understood. Here we show that direct foliar assimilation of NO2increases levels of nitrogen-based defensive metabolites in leaves and reduces herbivore consumption and growth. These results suggest that atmospheric reactive nitrogen could have cascading negative effects on communities of herbivorous insects. We further show that herbivory induces a decrease in foliar uptake, indicating that consumers could limit the ability of vegetation to act as a sink for nitrogen pollutants (e.g., smog from mobile emissions). Our study suggests that the interactions of foliar uptake, plant defence and herbivory could have significant implications for understanding the environmental consequences of reactive nitrogen.
N2H4 as traceless mediator for homo- and cross- aryl coupling
Authors: Lv Leiyang , Qiu Zihang , Li Jianbin , Liu Mingxin , Li Chao-Jun
Published: November 2018

Transition-metal catalyzed couplings of aryl halides or arenes with aryl organometallics, as well as direct reductive coupling of two aryl halides, are the predominant methods to synthesize biaryls. However, stoichiometric amounts of metals are inevitably utilized in these reactions, either in the pre-generation of organometallic reagents or acting as reductant in situ, thus producing quantitative metal waste. Herein, we demonstrate that this longstanding challenge can be overcome with N2H4 as a metal surrogate. The fundamental innovation of this strategy is that N2 and H2 are generated as side products, which readily escape from the system after the reaction. The success of both homo- and cross-coupling of various aryl electrophiles bearing a wide range of functional groups manifests the powerfulness and versatility of this strategy. Furthermore, both homo- and cross-couplings of a series of alkaloids, amino acids and steroids exemplify application of this protocol in the functionalization of biologically active molecules.
Transcriptome-wide identification of transient RNA G-quadruplexes in human cells
Authors: Yang Sunny Y. , Lejault Pauline , Chevrier Sandy , Boidot Romain , Robertson A. Gordon , Wong Judy M. Y. , Monchaud David
Published: November 2018

Guanine-rich RNA sequences can fold into four-stranded structures, termed G-quadruplexes (G4-RNAs), whose biological roles are poorly understood, and in vivo existence is debated. To profile biologically relevant G4-RNA in the human transcriptome, we report here on G4RP-seq, which combines G4-RNA-specific precipitation (G4RP) with sequencing. This protocol comprises a chemical crosslinking step, followed by affinity capture with the G4-specific small-molecule ligand/probe BioTASQ, and target identification by sequencing, allowing for capturing global snapshots of transiently folded G4-RNAs. We detect widespread G4-RNA targets within the transcriptome, indicative of transient G4 formation in living human cells. Using G4RP-seq, we also demonstrate that G4-stabilizing ligands (BRACO-19 and RHPS4) can change the G4 transcriptomic landscape, most notably in long non-coding RNAs. G4RP-seq thus provides a method for studying the G4-RNA landscape, as well as ways of considering the mechanisms underlying G4-RNA formation, and the activity of G4-stabilizing ligands.
An autonomous quantum machine to measure the thermodynamic arrow of time
Authors: Monsel Juliette , Elouard Cyril , Auffèves Alexia
Published: November 2018

According to the second law of thermodynamics, the evolution of physical systems has a preferred direction, that is characterized by some positive entropy production. Here we propose a direct way to measure the stochastic entropy produced while driving a quantum open system out of thermal equilibrium. The driving work is provided by a quantum battery, the system and the battery forming an autonomous machine. We show that the battery’s energy fluctuations equal work fluctuations and check Jarzynski’s equality. As these energy fluctuations are measurable, the battery behaves as an embedded quantum work meter and the machine verifies a generalized fluctuation theorem involving the information encoded in the battery. Our proposal can be implemented with state-of-the-art opto-mechanical systems. It paves the way toward the experimental demonstration of fluctuation theorems in quantum open systems.
The effect of non-thermal atmospheric plasma on the production and activity of recombinant phytase enzyme
Authors: Farasat Mahsa , Arjmand Sareh , Ranaei Siadat Seyed Omid , Sefidbakht Yahya , Ghomi Hamid
Published: November 2018

Atmospheric pressure cold plasma (ACP) is introduced as a useful tool in a variety of biological applications. Proteins are the most abundant macromolecules in living systems with a central role in all biological processes. These organic molecules are modified by ACP exposure that is responsible for many of ACP’s biological effects. This study evaluated the effect of ACP on the production of recombinant phytase in yeast Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) as well as the structure and function of the phytase enzyme. The results indicated that yeast cells treated with ACP, directly or indirectly, produced higher amounts of recombinant phytase, which was associated with the time of ACP treatment. The exposure of commercial phytase solution with ACP caused a significant increase in the enzyme activity (125%) after 4 hours. Evaluation of the phytase solution by far- and near-UV circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence analysis indicated that this protein maintained its secondary structure when exposed to ACP while the tertiary structure was slightly unfolded. The effects of heat and H2O2 on the phytase structure and function were compared with the effect of ACP treatment. The modification of Cys, Tyr and Trp amino acids upon reactive oxygen/nitrogen spices was simulated using a molecular dynamics approach. RMSF and RMSD analysis suggested that this structural alteration occurs owing to changes made by reactive species in accessible amino acids.
p.(Asp47Asn) and p.(Thr62Met): non deleterious LDL receptor missense variants functionally characterized in vitro
Authors: Benito-Vicente A. , Siddiqi H. , Uribe K. B. , Jebari S. , Galicia-Garcia U. , Larrea-Sebal A. , Stef M. , Ostolaza H. , Palacios L. , Martin C.
Published: November 2018

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder caused most often by mutations in the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor gene (LDLr) leading to high blood cholesterol levels, and ultimately to development of premature coronary heart disease. Genetic analysis and subsequent cascade screening in relatives allow diagnosis of FH at early stage, especially relevant to diagnose children. So far, more than 2300 LDLr variants have been described but only a minority of them have been functionally analysed to evaluate their pathogenicity in FH. Thus, identifying pathogenic mutations in LDLr is a long-standing challenge in the field. In this study, we investigated in vitro the activity p.(Asp47Asn) and p.(Thr62Met) LDLr variants, both in the LR1 region. We used CHO-ldlA7 transfected cells with plasmids carrying p.(Asp47Asn) or p.(Thr62Met) LDLr variants to analyse LDLr expression by FACS and immunoblotting, LDL binding and uptake was determined by FACS and analysis of mutation effects was assessed in silico. The in vitro activity assessment of p.(Asp47Asn) and p.(Thr62Met) LDLr variants shows a fully functional LDL binding and uptake activities. Therefore indicating that the three of them are non-pathogenic LDLr variants. These findings also emphasize the importance of in vitro functional LDLr activity studies to optimize the genetic diagnosis of FH avoiding the report of non-pathogenic variants and possible misdiagnose in relatives if cascade screening is carried out.
Effect of selected biocides on microbiologically influenced corrosion caused by Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5
Authors: Sharma Mohita , Liu Hongwei , Chen Shiqiang , Cheng Frank , Voordouw Gerrit , Gieg Lisa
Published: November 2018

The marine bacterial strain Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5, known for its lithotrophic growth ability to use metallic iron as a sole electron donor and for causing corrosion of steel, was used in the current study. Four commonly used biocides in the oil and gas industry, namely tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS), glutaraldehyde (GLUT), benzalkonium chloride (BAC), and GLUT/BAC were selected to study their efficacy in controlling carbon steel corrosion in the presence of this strain. Incubations containing strain IS5 and low carbon steel coupons were prepared in the presence and absence of the four biocides, and these were monitored using both electrochemical methods (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear polarization resistance and potentiodynamic polarization) and surface analyses (scanning electron microscopy, confocal measurements, optical microscopy, and profilometry) to assess the biofilm/metal interactions. When THPS, BAC, and GLUT/BAC treatments were applied, minimal corrosion was measured by all methods. In contrast, severe pitting was observed in the presence of 50 ppm GLUT, similar to what was observed when D. ferrophilus IS5 was incubated in the absence of biocide, suggesting that GLUT alone may not be effective in controlling MIC in marine environments. This study also showed that the use of non-destructive electrochemical methods is effective for screening for real time biocide selection and monitoring of the impact of chemicals post-dosage in oil and gas operations.
High-throughput neutralization assay for multiple flaviviruses based on single-round infectious particles using dengue virus type 1 reporter replicon
Authors: Matsuda Mami , Yamanaka Atsushi , Yato Keigo , Yoshii Kentaro , Watashi Koichi , Aizaki Hideki , Konishi Eiji , Takasaki Tomohiko , Kato Takanobu , Muramatsu Masamichi , Wakita Takaji , Suzuki Ryosuke
Published: November 2018

Diseases caused by the genus Flavivirus, including dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), have a serious impact on public health worldwide. Due to serological cross-reactivity among flaviviruses, current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM/G cannot reliably distinguish between infection by different flaviviruses. In this study, we developed a reporter-based neutralization assay using single-round infectious particles (SRIPs) derived from representative flaviviruses. SRIPs were generated by transfection of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells with a plasmid encoding premembrane and envelope (prME) proteins from DENV1–4, ZIKV, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Usutu virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, along with a plasmid carrying DENV1 replicon containing the luciferase gene and plasmid for expression of DENV1 capsid. Luciferase activity of SRIPs-infected cells was well correlated with number of infected cells, and each reporter SRIP was specifically neutralized by sera from mice immunized with each flavivirus antigen. Our high-throughput reporter SRIP-based neutralization assay for multiple flaviviruses is a faster, safer, and less laborious diagnostic method than the conventional plaque reduction neutralization test to screen the cause of primary flavivirus infection. The assay may also contribute to the evaluation of vaccine efficacy and assist in routine surveillance and outbreak response to flaviviruses.
Genome Features and Biochemical Characteristics of a Robust, Fast Growing and Naturally Transformable Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 11801 Isolated from India
Authors: Jaiswal Damini , Sengupta Annesha , Sohoni Sujata , Sengupta Shinjinee , Phadnavis Ambarish G. , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Wangikar Pramod P.
Published: November 2018

Cyanobacteria provide an interesting platform for biotechnological applications due to their efficient photoautotrophic growth, amenability to genetic engineering and the ability to grow on non-arable land. An ideal industrial strain of cyanobacteria would need to be fast growing and tolerant to high levels of temperature, light, carbon dioxide, salt and be naturally transformable. In this study, we report Synechococcus elongatus PCC 11801, a strain isolated from India that fulfills these requirements. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of PCC 11801 under carbon and light-limiting conditions were investigated. PCC 11801 shows a doubling time of 2.3 h, that is the fastest growth for any cyanobacteria reported so far under ambient CO2 conditions. Genome sequence of PCC 11801 shows genome identity of ~83% with its closest neighbors Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973. The unique attributes of PCC 11801 genome are discussed in light of the physiological characteristics that are needed in an industrial strain. The genome of PCC 11801 shows several genes that do not have homologs in neighbor strains PCC 7942 and UTEX 2973, some of which may be responsible for adaptation to various abiotic stresses. The remarkably fast growth rate of PCC 11801 coupled with its robustness and ease of genetic transformation makes it an ideal candidate for the photosynthetic production of fuels and chemicals.
Energetics and Electronic Structure of Triangular Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoflakes
Authors: Maruyama Mina , Okada Susumu
Published: November 2018

We studied the energetics and electronic structures of hexagonal boron nitrogen (h-BN) nanoflakes with hydrogenated edges and triangular shapes with respect to the edge atom species. Our calculations clarified that the hydrogenated h-BN nanoflakes with a triangular shape prefer the N edges rather than B edges irrespective of the flake size. The electronic structure of hydrogenated h-BN nanoflakes depends on the edge atom species and their flake size. The energy gap between the lowest unoccupied (LU) and the highest occupied (HO) states of the nanoflakes with N edges is narrower than that of the nanoflakes with B edges and the band gap of h-BN. The nanoflakes possess peculiar non-bonding states around their HO and LU states for the N and B edges, respectively, which cause spin polarization under hole or electron doping, depending on the edge atom species.
Host Directed Therapy for Chronic Tuberculosis via Intrapulmonary Delivery of Aerosolized Peptide Inhibitors Targeting the IL-10-STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Upadhyay Rashmi , Sanchez-Hidalgo Andrea , Wilusz Carol J. , Lenaerts Anne J. , Arab Jennifer , Yeh Joanna , Stefanisko Karen , Tarasova Nadya I. , Gonzalez-Juarrero Mercedes
Published: November 2018

Here we demonstrate that aerosols of host directed therapies [HDT] administered during a chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection have bactericidal effect. The pulmonary bacterial load of C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with Mtb was reduced by 1.7 and 0.6 log10CFU after two weeks of treatment via aerosol delivery with ST3-H2A2, [a selective peptide inhibitor of the STAT3 N-terminal domain] or IL10R1-7 [selective peptide inhibitor for the IL-10Ra] respectively and when compared to control mice treated with IL10R1-14 [peptide inhibitor used as negative control] or untreated mice infected with Mtb. Accordingly, when compared to control mice, the bactericidal capacity in mice was enhanced upon treatment with peptide inhibitors ST3-H2A2 and IL10R1-7 as evidenced by higher pulmonary activities of nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase and lysozyme enzymes and decreased arginase enzyme activity. This therapy also modulated important checkpoints [Bcl2, Beclin-1, Atg 5, bax] in the apoptosis-autophagy pathways. Thus, even in the absence of antibiotics, targeting of the host pulmonary IL-10-STAT3 pathway can significantly reduce the Mtb bacilli load in the lungs, modulate the host own bactericidal capacity and apoptosis and autophagy pathways. Our approach here also allows targeting checkpoints of the lungs to determine their specific contribution in pulmonary immunity or pathogenesis.
Behavioural responses to unexpected changes in reward quality
Authors: Riemer Stefanie , Thompson Hannah , Burman Oliver H. P.
Published: November 2018

Successive negative contrast (SNC) effects are changes in anticipatory or consummatory behaviour when animals unexpectedly receive a lower value reward than they have received previously. SNC effects are often assumed to reflect frustration and appear to be influenced by background affective state. However, alternative explanations of SNC, such as the functional-search hypothesis, do not necessarily imply an aversive affective state. We tested 18 dogs in a SNC paradigm using a patch foraging task. Dogs were tested in two conditions, once with the low value reward in all of five trials (unshifted) and once when reward value was altered between high and low (shifted). Following a reward downshift, subjects showed a SNC effect by switching significantly more often between patches compared to the unshifted condition. However, approach latency, foraging time and quantity consumed did not differ between conditions, suggesting non-affective functional search behaviour rather than frustration. There was no relationship between strength of SNC and anxiety-related behaviours as measured in a novel object test and a personality questionnaire (C-BARQ). However, associations with the C-BARQ scores for Trainability and Stranger directed aggression suggest a possible link with behavioural flexibility and coping style. While reward quality clearly affects incentive motivation, the relationship between SNC, frustration and background affective state requires further exploration.
Ultrathin Air-Stable n-Type Organic Phototransistor Array for Conformal Optoelectronics
Authors: Liu Meiling , Wang Haiting , Tang Qingxin , Zhao Xiaoli , Tong Yanhong , Liu Yichun
Published: November 2018

Development of conformal n-channel organic phototransistor (OPT) array is urgent for future applications of organic complementary circuits in portable and wearable electronics and optoelectronics. In this work, the ultrathin conformal OPT array based on air-stable n-type PTCDI-C13H27 was fabricated. The OPT array shows excellent electrical and photoelectrical performance, good device uniformity, and remains stable in electron mobility by 83% after 90 days compared to the initial values. Eventhough mobility, on-state current, off-state current, and photocurrent of PTCDI-C13H27 thin film phototransistor show slight decrease with the decreased bending radius, the device still remains the stable photosensitivity as high as 104 when the device is freely adhered on the 2D surfaces and 3D hemispherical sphere, which is in a class with the highest photosensitivity for perylene diimide derivatives. These results present the promising application potential of our conformable air-stable n-type PTCDI-C13H27 OPTs as the photodetection system of curved artificial compound eyes in wearable and portable electronics and optoelectronics.
Leukocyte telomere length and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke mortality: prospective evidence from a Russian cohort
Authors: Stefler Denes , Malyutina Sofia , Maximov Vladimir , Orlov Pavel , Ivanoschuk Dinara , Nikitin Yury , Gafarov Valery , Ryabikov Andrey , Voevoda Mikhail , Bobak Martin , Holmes Michael V
Published: November 2018

Previous studies suggest that reduced leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is related to higher risk of mortality and several chronic conditions, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, the consistency of this association differs across populations. We investigated the relationship of LTL with CHD, stroke and all-cause mortality together with non-fatal CHD and stroke events in a Russian cohort with a mean age of 58 years at baseline. Data from 1,144 individuals in the Russian subset of the Health Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) cohort study were used. The associations between LTL at baseline and fatal/non-fatal outcomes during 12 years of follow-up were assessed using multivariable Cox regression models, which yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Compared to individuals in the shortest tertile, those in the longest tertile of LTL had a 42% lower risk of death from all-causes (HR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.39–0.88) and 58% lower risk of death from CHD (HR 0.42; 95%CI: 0.19–0.97). Similar patterns of association were identified for non-fatal and combined fatal/non-fatal CHD and stroke events but the associations were weaker. Consistent with results of previous studies in Western populations, this cohort of elderly Russian adults found an inverse association between LTL and CHD and all-cause mortality. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that LTL may play (or be a marker of) an aetiological role in human health across diverse populations.
Mammalian Susceptibility to a Neonicotinoid Insecticide after Fetal and Early Postnatal Exposure
Authors: Burke Andrew P. , Niibori Yosuke , Terayama Hayato , Ito Masatoshi , Pidgeon Charlotte , Arsenault Jason , Camarero Pablo R. , Cummins Carolyn L. , Mateo Rafael , Sakabe Kou , Hampson David R.
Published: November 2018

Neonicotinoids have become the most widely used class of insecticides world-wide. Although numerous studies have documented neonicotinoid toxicity in bees and other insects, the effects of exposure during early development in mammals remain largely unexplored. We assessed the effects of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid (IMI) in adult male and female mice after in utero and early postnatal exposure. Pregnant mice were infused with IMI (0.5 mg/kg/day) from gestational day 4 to the end of nursing at postnatal day 21. The young adult offspring were studied in a series of biochemical and behavioral tests. To assess reproducibility, the behavioral analyses were conducted in three separate studies using multiple exposed litters. Exposure to IMI reduced fecundity, and in adult offspring, decreased body weight in male but not female pups. Offspring from IMI-treated mothers displayed lower triglycerides, elevated motor activity, enhanced social dominance, reduced depressive-like behavior, and a diminution in social aggression compared to vehicle treated controls. Low levels of IMI were detected in the brains and livers of the treated mothers, while trace levels were detected in some offspring. Our results demonstrate that transient exposure to a neonicotinoid over the early developmental period induces long-lasting changes in behavior and brain function in mice.
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy shows changes in ovarian cancer cells after incubation with novel organoamidoplatinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Al-Jorani Khansa , Rüther Anja , Haputhanthri Rukshani , Deacon Glen B. , Li Hsiu Lin , Cullinane Carleen , Wood Bayden R.
Published: November 2018

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been applied to compare the effect of new organoamidoplatinum(ii) complexes with cisplatin on cells from a cisplatin-sensitive and a cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line.
An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunoassay based on a proximity hybridization-triggered three-layer cascade signal amplification strategy
Authors: Xiong Erhu , Jiang Ling
Published: November 2018

An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunoassay based on a proximity hybridization-triggered three-layer cascade signal amplification strategy.
An improved rapid sampling microdialysis system for human and porcine organ monitoring in a hospital setting
Authors: Gowers Sally A. N. , Hamaoui Karim , Vallant Natalie , Hanna George B. , Darzi Ara , Casanova Daniel , Papalois Vassilios , Boutelle Martyn G.
Published: November 2018

Online organ monitoring can provide clinicians with critical information regarding organ health prior to transplantation and could aid clinical decision-making.
A nonpolar solvent effect by CH/π interaction inside zeolites: characterization, mechanism and concept
Authors: Li Guangchao , Huang Ling , Yi Xianfeng , Peng Yung-Kang , Tsang Shik Chi Edman , Zheng Anmin
Published: November 2018

The acidity enhancement induced by the nonpolar solvent effect of naphthalene inside zeolites was unambiguously identified.
An efficient protocol for computing the pKa of Zn-bound water
Authors: Grauffel Cédric , Chu Benjamin , Lim Carmay
Published: November 2018

We present an efficient and accurate method for computing absolute pKw values in Zn2+ complexes.
Orientation of nitro-group governs the fluorescence lifetime of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)-labeled lipids in lipid bilayers
Authors: Filipe Hugo A. L. , Pokorná Šárka , Hof Martin , Amaro Mariana , Loura Luís M. S.
Published: November 2018

NBD fluorescence lifetime varies significantly from one lipid probe to another, despite identical fluorophore locations in the membrane. This is a consequence of differences among probes in the orientation of NBD, which determines the exposure to water of the NO2 group.
Simple and efficient conversion of cellulose to γ-valerolactone through an integrated alcoholysis/transfer hydrogenation system using Ru and aluminium sulfate catalysts
Authors: Huang Yao-Bing , Yang Tao , Luo Yu-Jia , Liu An-Feng , Zhou Yi-Han , Pan Hui , Wang Fei
Published: November 2018

The conversion of cellulose to GVL was achieved through a one-pot reaction by integrating the alcoholysis and transfer hydrogen processes under microwave condition.
Ruthenium mediated halogenation of white phosphorus: synthesis and reactivity of the unprecedented P4Cl2 moiety
Authors: Bispinghoff Mark , Benkő Zoltán , Grützmacher Hansjörg , Calvo Fuencisla Delgado , Caporali Maria , Peruzzini Maurizio
Published: November 2018

P4 inserts into the Ru–Cl bond of [RuCl(Cp*)(PCy3)], yielding the unprecedented P4Cl2 moiety which can be selectively alkylated to [P4nBu2].
Catalytic oxidation of alcohols with novel non-heme N4-tetradentate manganese(ii) complexes
Authors: Vermaak Vincent , Young Desmond A. , Swarts Andrew J.
Published: November 2018

Novel non-heme Mn(ii) complexes were found to be efficient catalysts for alcohol oxidation, displaying excellent activity and functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions.
A pilot study of metabolites of organophosphorus flame retardants in paired maternal urine and amniotic fluid samples: potential exposure risks of tributyl phosphate to pregnant women
Authors: Bai Xue-yuan , Lu Shao-you , Xie Lei , Zhang Bo , Song Shi-ming , He Yuan , Ouyang Ji-ping , Zhang Tao
Published: November 2018

Prenatal exposure to OPs and their health risks in an e-waste dismantling area were studied for the first time.
Residence times of nanoconfined CO2 in layered aluminosilicates
Authors: Yeşilbaş Merve , Holmboe Michael , Boily Jean-François
Published: November 2018

Nanoconfinement of CO2 in layered aluminosilicates contributes to the capture and release of this greenhouse gas in soils.
Nanoparticles based sunscreens provoke adverse effects on marine microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta
Authors: Schiavo Simona , Oliviero Maria , Philippe Allan , Manzo Sonia
Published: November 2018

Sunscreens represent one of the main sources of engineered TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in coastal ecosystems, especially during the summer period.
Mitigation of solute buildup by using a biodegradable and reusable polyelectrolyte as a draw solute in an osmotic membrane bioreactor
Authors: Yang Yuli , Song Hailiang , He Zhen
Published: November 2018

Biodegradable draw solutes can help alleviate the accumulation of draw solutes in an osmotic membrane bioreactor through biodegradation, and thus achieve better water recovery and contaminant removal.
Hypoglycemic mechanisms ofGanoderma lucidumpolysaccharides F31 in db/db miceviaRNA-seq and iTRAQ
Authors: Xiao Chun , Wu Qingping , Xie Yizhen , Tan Jianbin , Ding YinRun , Bai Lijuan
Published: November 2018

This study provides insight into the system-level hypoglycemic mechanisms ofGanoderma lucidumpolysaccharides F31 by the integrative analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics data.
Benzoic acid-organocatalyzed ring-opening (co)polymerization (ORO(c)P) of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone under solvent-free conditions: from simplicity to recyclability
Authors: Mezzasalma Leila , De Winter Julien , Taton Daniel , Coulembier Olivier
Published: November 2018

The development of sustainable synthetic approaches to biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric materials represents a key challenge in polymer chemistry.
Tumor-on-a-chip platform to investigate progression and drug sensitivity in cell lines and patient-derived organoids
Authors: Shirure Venktesh S. , Bi Ye , Curtis Matthew B. , Lezia Andrew , Goedegebuure Madeleine M. , Goedegebuure S. Peter , Aft Rebecca , Fields Ryan C. , George Steven C.
Published: November 2018

We created a tumor platform to study cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, intravasation, and treatments.
Iron-sensing is governed by mitochondrial, not by cytosolic iron–sulfur cluster biogenesis inAspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Misslinger Matthias , Lechner Beatrix E. , Bacher Katharina , Haas Hubertus
Published: November 2018

Microorganisms have to adapt their metabolism to the requirements of their ecological niche to avoid iron shortage as well as iron toxicity.
The fabrication of a 3D current collector with bitter melon-like TiO2–NCNFs for highly stable lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Zhang Xuzi , Chen Zhihong , Shui Lingling , Shang Chaoqun , Wang Xin , Zhou Guofu
Published: November 2018

The conductive 3D freestanding N-doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs) current collector was embedded with homogeneously polar TiO2 nanoparticles.
Modular functionalization of crystalline graphene by recombinant proteins: a nanoplatform for probing biomolecules
Authors: Tyagi Abhishek , Liu Xiaotian , Abidi Irfan Haider , Gao Zhaoli , Park Byung Min , Zeng Xiangze , Ou Xuewu , Cagang Aldrine Abenoja , Zhuang Minghao , Hossain Md Delowar , Zhang Kai , Weng Lu-Tao , Sun Fei , Luo Zhengtang
Published: November 2018

Graphene is a promising candidate for use in bioimaging, therapeutic drug delivery, and bio-sensing applications.
Ultrahigh-efficiency aqueous flat nanocrystals of CdSe/CdS@Cd1−xZnxS colloidal core/crown@alloyed-shell quantum wells
Authors: Shendre Sushant , Delikanli Savas , Li Mingjie , Dede Didem , Pan Zhenying , Ha Son Tung , Fu Yuan Hsing , Hernández-Martínez Pedro L. , Yu Junhong , Erdem Onur , Kuznetsov Arseniy I. , Dang Cuong , Sum Tze Chien , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: November 2018

Highly efficient aqueous quantum wells are obtained from composition-tuned gradient shells with monolayer precision.
Kinetic resolution of 2,2-disubstituted-1,3-diketones via carbene catalysis
Authors: Xu Weici , Li Yuanzhen , Liu Rui , Yang Shuang , Liu Jian , Fang Xinqiang
Published: November 2018

Organocatalytic kinetic resolution of 1,3-diketones with central quaternary stereocenters was achieved for the first time. The resolution proceeds via two basic modes, and the inherent principles between the different combinations of ketone groups and the resolution patterns were also disclosed.
One-dimensional vs. two-dimensional proton transport processes at solid–liquid zinc-oxide–water interfaces
Authors: Hellström Matti , Quaranta Vanessa , Behler Jörg
Published: November 2018

Neural network molecular dynamics simulations unravel the long-range proton transport properties of ZnO–water interfaces.