bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-standing LPG subsidies, cooking fuel stacking, and personal exposure to air pollution in rural and peri-urban Ecuador
Authors: Gould Carlos F. , Schlesinger Samuel B. , Molina Emilio , Lorena Bejarano M. , Valarezo Alfredo , Jack Darby W.
Published: May 2020

Ecuador presents a unique case study for evaluating personal air pollution exposure in a middle-income country where a clean cooking fuel has been available at low cost for several decades. We measured personal PM2.5 exposure, stove use, and participant location during a 48-h monitoring period for 157 rural and peri-urban households in coastal and Andean Ecuador. While nearly all households owned a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and used it as their primary cooking fuel, one-quarter of households utilized firewood as a secondary fuel and 10% used induction stoves secondary to LPG. Stove use monitoring demonstrated clear within- and across-meal fuel stacking patterns. Firewood-owning participants had higher distributions of 48-h and 10-min PM2.5 exposure as compared with primary LPG and induction stove users, and this effect became more pronounced with firewood use during monitoring.Accounting for within-subject clustering, contemporaneous firewood stove use was associated with 101 μg/m3 higher 10-min PM2.5 exposure (95% CI: 94–108 μg/m3). LPG and induction cooking events were largely not associated with contemporaneous PM2.5 exposure. Our results suggest that firewood use is associated with average and short-term personal air pollution exposure above the WHO interim-I guideline, even when LPG is the primary cooking fuel.
Uncovering the PIDDosome and caspase-2 as regulators of organogenesis and cellular differentiation
Authors: Sladky Valentina C. , Villunger Andreas
Published: May 2020

The PIDDosome is a multiprotein complex that drives activation of caspase-2, an endopeptidase originally implicated in apoptosis. Yet, unlike other caspases involved in cell death and inflammation, caspase-2 seems to exert additional versatile functions unrelated to cell death. These emerging roles range from control of transcription factor activity to ploidy surveillance. Thus, caspase-2 and the PIDDosome act as a critical regulatory unit controlling cellular differentiation processes during organogenesis and regeneration. These newly established functions of the PIDDosome and its downstream effector render its components attractive targets for drug-development aiming to prevent fatty liver diseases, neurodegenerative disorders or osteoporosis.
ROR2 suppresses metastasis of prostate cancer via regulation of miR-199a-5p–PIAS3–AKT2 signaling axis
Authors: Tseng Jen-Chih , Huang Shih-Han , Lin Ching-Yu , Wang Bi-Juan , Huang Shiu-Feng , Shen Ying-Ying , Chuu Chih-Pin
Published: May 2020

Bones are the most common metastatic sites for prostate cancer (PCa). Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2), a noncanonical Wnt receptor, plays crucial roles in skeletal morphogenesis, osteoblast differentiation, and bone formation. The role of ROR2 in PCa metastasis is unclear. We analyzed online datasets from Oncomine as well as using IHC staining on tissue array to determine the relationship between ROR2 expression level and disease outcome of PCa. To investigate how ROR2 regulates migration and invasion of PCa cells, we performed transwell assay and orthotopic xenograft model in nude mice. We then applied the Micro-Western Array (MWA), a high-throughput western blotting platform to analyze the downstream signaling pathways being regulated by ROR2. Compared with nonmalignant PZ-HPV-7 and RWPE-1 cells, PCa cell lines express lower level of ROR2 protein. Constitutive expression of ROR2 in PC-3, DU-145, or C4-2B PCa cells significantly suppressed the cell migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins. MWA, western blotting, and microRNA analysis showed that elevation of ROR2 suppressed the expression of miR-199a-5p, which in turn increased the expression of PIAS3. The upregulation of PIAS3 then decreased AKT2 and the phosphorylation of AKT, resulting in the inhibition of migration and invasion of PCa cells both in vitro and in orthotopic xenograft mice model. IHC staining of tissue array and Oncomine datasets analysis indicated that the gene and protein level of ROR2 is much lower in metastatic prostate tumors as compared with primary tumors or adjacent normal prostate tissues. Low level of ROR2 correlated to poor survival and high recurrent frequency in PCa patients. In conclusion, we discovered that ROR2 suppresses PCa metastasis via regulation of PIAS3–PI3K–AKT2 signaling axis.
Inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway to improve Dasatinib efficacy in suppression of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Zejia , Liao Jipei , Cullen Kevin J. , Dan Hancai
Published: May 2020

Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src plays an important role in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the FDA-approved SRC inhibitor Dasatinib shows very limited efficacy in HNSCC clinical trials, even though Dasatinib can completely inhibit SRC in the laboratory setting. These results suggest that SRC inhibition can cause compensatory up-regulation and/or activation of other survival pathways, which suggests that co-targeting of SRC and the potential signaling pathways may improve the Dasatinib efficacy. In this study, we investigated the role of IKKβ/NF-κB in regulation of the sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant HNSCC to Dasatinib. Additionally, we wished to determine whether inhibition of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway could enhance Dasatinib efficacy to inhibit cisplatin-resistant HNSCC without the use of cisplatin. Previous studies have shown that ETS-1 is a crucial SRC effector protein that regulates cancer cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and metastasis. We found that SRC kinase inhibition by Dasatinib decreased ETS-1 expression but caused elevation of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in multiple cisplatin-resistant HNSCC. Interestingly, inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB by CmpdA (Bay65-1942), a recently identified IKKβ inhibitor, also led to a decrease in ETS-1 levels. Moreover, the knockdown of IKK, but not NF-κB, dramatically decreased ETS-1 expression. In addition, IKKβ and ETS-1 interacted in cisplatin-resistant HNSCC. These data demonstrated cross-talk between SRC and IKK to regulate NF-κB and ETS-1. Furthermore, we found that simultaneous inhibition of SRC and IKKβ through a Dasatinib and CmpdA combination synergistically inhibited NF-κB activation and ETS-1expression, suppressed cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. Taken together, our data indicate that SRC and IKKβ play crucial roles in cisplatin-resistant HNSCCC and co-targeting SRC and IKKβ could be an effective strategy to treat cisplatin-resistant HNSCC.
Connecting data, tools and people across Europe: ELIXIR’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Blomberg Niklas , Lauer Katharina B.
Published: May 2020

ELIXIR, the European research infrastructure for life science data, provides open access to data, tools and workflows in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ELIXIR’s 23 nodes have reacted swiftly to support researchers in their combined efforts against the pandemic setting out three joint priorities: 1. Connecting national COVID-19 data platforms to create federated European COVID-19 Data Spaces; 2. Fostering good data management to make COVID-19 data open, FAIR and reusable over the long term; 3. Providing open tools, workflows and computational resources to drive reproducible and collaborative science. ELIXIR’s strategy is based on the support given by our national nodes - collectively spanning over 200 institutes - to research projects and on partnering with community initiatives to drive development and adoption of good data practice and community driven standards. ELIXIR Nodes provide support activities locally and internationally, from provisioning compute capabilities to helping collect viral sequence data from hospitals. Some Nodes have prioritised access to their national cloud and compute facilities for all COVID-19 research projects, while others have developed tools to search, access and share all data related to the pandemic in a national healthcare setting.
The exhaustive genomic scan approach, with an application to rare-variant association analysis
Authors: Kanoungi George , Nothnagel Michael , Becker Tim , Drichel Dmitriy
Published: May 2020

Region-based genome-wide scans are usually performed by use of a priori chosen analysis regions. Such an approach will likely miss the region comprising the strongest signal and, thus, may result in increased type II error rates and decreased power. Here, we propose a genomic exhaustive scan approach that analyzes all possible subsequences and does not rely on a prior definition of the analysis regions. As a prime instance, we present a computationally ultraefficient implementation using the rare-variant collapsing test for phenotypic association, the genomic exhaustive collapsing scan (GECS). Our implementation allows for the identification of regions comprising the strongest signals in large, genome-wide rare-variant association studies while controlling the family-wise error rate via permutation. Application of GECS to two genomic data sets revealed several novel significantly associated regions for age-related macular degeneration and for schizophrenia. Our approach also offers a high potential to improve genome-wide scans for selection, methylation, and other analyses.
Memristor networks for real-time neural activity analysis
Authors: Zhu Xiaojian , Wang Qiwen , Lu Wei D.
Published: May 2020

The ability to efficiently analyze the activities of biological neural networks can significantly promote our understanding of neural communications and functionalities. However, conventional neural signal analysis approaches need to transmit and store large amounts of raw recording data, followed by extensive processing offline, posing significant challenges to the hardware and preventing real-time analysis and feedback. Here, we demonstrate a memristor-based reservoir computing (RC) system that can potentially analyze neural signals in real-time. We show that the perovskite halide-based memristor can be directly driven by emulated neural spikes, where the memristor state reflects temporal features in the neural spike train. The RC system is successfully used to recognize neural firing patterns, monitor the transition of the firing patterns, and identify neural synchronization states among different neurons. Advanced neuroelectronic systems with such memristor networks can enable efficient neural signal analysis with high spatiotemporal precision, and possibly closed-loop feedback control.
Low-frequency spin qubit energy splitting noise in highly purified 28Si/SiGe
Authors: Struck Tom , Hollmann Arne , Schauer Floyd , Fedorets Olexiy , Schmidbauer Andreas , Sawano Kentarou , Riemann Helge , Abrosimov Nikolay V. , Cywiński Łukasz , Bougeard Dominique , Schreiber Lars R.
Published: May 2020

We identify the dominant source for low-frequency spin qubit splitting noise in a highly isotopically-purified silicon device with an embedded nanomagnet and a spin echo decay time $${T}_{2}^{\,\text{echo}}$$

T

2

echo

 = 128 µs. The power spectral density (PSD) of the charge noise explains both, the clear transition from a 1/f2- to a 1/f-dependence of the splitting noise PSD as well as the experimental observation of a decreasing time-ensemble spin dephasing time, from $${T}_{2}^{* }\approx$$

T

2

*

≈

 20 µs, with increasing measurement time over several hours. Despite their strong hyperfine contact interaction, the few 73Ge nuclei overlapping with the quantum dot in the barrier do not limit $${T}_{2}^{* }$$

T

2

*

, likely because their dynamics is frozen on a few hours measurement scale. We conclude that charge noise and the design of the gradient magnetic field are the key to further improve the qubit fidelity in isotopically purified 28Si/SiGe.
Dynamic resource allocation drives growth under nitrogen starvation in eukaryotes
Authors: Tibocha-Bonilla Juan D. , Kumar Manish , Richelle Anne , Godoy-Silva Rubén D. , Zengler Karsten , Zuñiga Cristal
Published: May 2020

Cells can sense changes in their extracellular environment and subsequently adapt their biomass composition. Nutrient abundance defines the capability of the cell to produce biomass components. Under nutrient-limited conditions, resource allocation dramatically shifts to carbon-rich molecules. Here, we used dynamic biomass composition data to predict changes in growth and reaction flux distributions using the available genome-scale metabolic models of five eukaryotic organisms (three heterotrophs and two phototrophs). We identified temporal profiles of metabolic fluxes that indicate long-term trends in pathway and organelle function in response to nitrogen depletion. Surprisingly, our calculations of model sensitivity and biosynthetic cost showed that free energy of biomass metabolites is the main driver of biosynthetic cost and not molecular weight, thus explaining the high costs of arginine and histidine. We demonstrated how metabolic models can accurately predict the complexity of interwoven mechanisms in response to stress over the course of growth.
Mechanical and electronic properties of van der Waals layered hcp PdH2
Authors: Liu Zeliang , Ahuja Rajeev , Li Huijian , Luo Wei
Published: May 2020

Mechanical and electronic properties of palladium dihydrides (PdH2) as a function of pressure were studied by ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The ab initio random structure searching technique was employed for screening potential PdH2 crystal structures under high pressure. A hexagonal close packed (hcp) phase of PdH2 with space group P63mc was reported. The structure geometry and elastic constants were calculated as a function of pressure. It was found that H atoms are in the interstitial position of Pd atoms layer at 0 GPa. There is an electronic topology transition of hcp PdH2 at 15 GPa. When pressure exceeds above 15 GPa, one hydrogen atom occupies the tetrahedral site and another hydrogen atom locates in the interstitial position. When the c/a ratio is between 1.765 to 1.875, the hcp PdH2 is mechanically stable, and the Pd-H2b bond is the major factor that limits the mechanical stability. The elastic constant C44 is the first one that cannot satisfy the mechanical stability criteria under pressure. The anisotropy parameters are far from 1(one) shows that the hcp PdH2 is a highly anisotropic structure. The electronic structure study indicates that the bonding force between Pd and H atoms along the z-axis direction increases with the increasing pressure. Also, the phonon dispersion study shows that PdH2 is dynamic stability under pressure. The results suggest that hcp PdH2 can be metastable in van der Waals layered structure.
New insights into microstructure of irradiated beryllium based on experiments and computer simulations
Authors: Klimenkov M. , Vladimirov P. , Jäntsch U. , Kuksenko V. , Rolli R. , Möslang A. , Zimber N.
Published: May 2020

The microstructural response of beryllium after neutron irradiation at various temperatures (643–923 K) was systematically studied using analytical transmission electron microscope that together with outcomes from advanced atomistic modelling provides new insights in the mechanisms of microstructural changes in this material. The most prominent feature of microstructural modification is the formation of gas bubbles, which is revealed at all studied irradiation temperatures. Except for the lowest irradiation temperature, gas bubbles have the shape of thin hexagonal prisms with average height and diameter increasing with temperature. A high number density of small bubbles is observed within grains, while significantly larger bubbles are formed along high-angle grain boundaries (GB). Denuded zones (DZ) nearly free from bubbles are found along both high- and low-angle grain boundaries. Precipitations of secondary phases (mainly intermetallic Al-Fe-Be) were observed inside grains, along dislocation lines and at GBs. EDX analysis has revealed homogeneous segregation of chromium and iron along GBs. The observed features are discussed with respect to the available atomistic modelling results. In particular, we present a plausible reasoning for the abundant formation of gas bubbles on intermetallic precipitates, observation of various thickness of zones denuded in gas bubbles and precipitates, and their relation to the atomic scale diffusion mechanisms of solute-vacancy clusters.
Prognostic value of pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Liu Xing , Xu Meifang , Chen Kui , Li Shoufeng , Guan Guoxian
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was to explore the most powerful systemic inflammation marker of survival in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients and construct prognostic  nomograms. A total of 472 LARC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and radical surgery from 2011 to 2015 were included. The optimal cutoff points for the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII); and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR) ratios were calculated and determined by using the X-tile program. The cut-off values were 797.6. 2.3, 169.5, and 0.4, respectively. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that higher pathological TNM stage, the AJCC tumor regression grade, and the NLR level were significantly associated with increased overall survival and disease-free survival. High NLR level (≥ 2.3) was associated with higher pre-NCRT CA19–9 levels, lower hemoglobin, larger tumor size, and more lymph nodes retrieved (p = 0.012, p = 0.024, and p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). High NRL scores were associated with poorer 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival (p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Predictive nomograms and time-independent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve that included the NLR score group were superior to those without NLR scores. Higher NLR scores (≥2 0.3) were associated with poorer DFS and OS in LARC patients. In addition, NLR was identified as the most effective marker for systemic inflammation, and the prognostic value was further confirmed by time-dependent ROC analysis. More intense adjuvant treatment could be considered for higher NLR score patients with LARC following NCRT.
Potential bio-indicators for assessment of mineral status in elephants
Authors: Sach Fiona , Dierenfeld Ellen S. , Langley-Evans Simon C. , Hamilton Elliott , Murray Lark R. , Yon Lisa , Watts Michael J.
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) identify suitable bio-indicators to assess elemental status in elephants using captive elephant samples, and (2) understand how geochemistry influences mineral intake. Tail hair, toenail, faeces, plasma and urine were collected quarterly from 21 elephants at five UK zoos. All elephant food, soil from enclosure(s), and drinking water were also sampled. Elemental analysis was conducted on all samples, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, focusing on biologically functional minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se and Zn) and trace metals (As, Cd, Pb, U and V). Linear mixed modelling was used to identify how keeper-fed diet, water and soil were reflected in sample bio-indicators. No sample matrix reflected the status of all assessed elements. Toenail was the best bio-indicator of intake for the most elements reviewed in this study, with keeper-fed diet being the strongest predictor. Calcium status was reflected in faeces, (p 0.019, R2between elephant within zoo - 0.608). In this study urine was of no value in determining mineral status here and plasma was of limited value. Results aimed to define the most suitable bio-indicators to assess captive animal health and encourage onward application to wildlife management.
Developmental mechanisms underlying webbed foot morphological diversity in waterbirds
Authors: Tokita Masayoshi , Matsushita Hiroya , Asakura Yuya
Published: May 2020

The webbed feet of waterbirds are morphologically diverse and classified into four types: the palmate foot, semipalmate foot, totipalmate foot, and lobate foot. To understand the developmental mechanisms underlying this morphological diversity, we conducted a series of comparative analyses. Ancestral state reconstruction based on phylogeny assumed that the lobate feet possessed by the common coot and little grebe arose independently, perhaps through distinct developmental mechanisms. Gremlin1, which encodes a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist and inhibits interdigital cell death (ICD) in the foot plate of avian embryos, remained expressed in the interdigital tissues of webbed feet in the duck, common coot, little grebe, and great cormorant. Differences in Gremlin1 expression pattern and proliferating cell distribution pattern in the toe tissues of the common coot and little grebe support the convergent evolution of lobate feet. In the totipalmate-footed great cormorant, Gremlin1 was expressed in all interdigital tissues at St. 31, but its expression disappeared except along the toes by St. 33. The webbing of the cormorant’s totipalmate foot and duck’s palmate foot may have risen from distinct developmental mechanisms.
Fungal communities and their association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria affect early decomposition of Norway spruce deadwood
Authors: Gómez-Brandón María , Probst Maraike , Siles José A. , Peintner Ursula , Bardelli Tommaso , Egli Markus , Insam Heribert , Ascher-Jenull Judith
Published: May 2020

Deadwood decomposition is relevant in nature and wood inhabiting fungi (WIF) are its main decomposers. However, climate influence on WIF community and their interactions with bacteria are poorly understood. Therefore, we set up an in-field mesocosm experiment in the Italian Alps and monitored the effect of slope exposure (north- vs. south-facing slope) on the decomposition of Picea abies wood blocks and their microbiome over two years. Unlike fungal richness and diversity, we observed compositional and functional differences in the WIF communities as a function of exposure. Wood-degrading operational taxonomic units (OTUs) such as Mycena, and mycorrhizal and endophytic OTUs were characteristic of the south-facing slope. On the north-facing one, Mucoromycota, primarily Mucor, were abundant and mixotrophic basidiomycetes with limited lignin-degrading capacities had a higher prevalence compared to the southern slope. The colder, more humid conditions and prolonged snow-coverage at north exposure likely influenced the development of the wood-degrading microbial communities. Networks between WIF and N2-fixing bacteria were composed of higher numbers of interacting microbial units and showed denser connections at the south-facing slope. The association of WIF to N2-fixing Burkholderiales and Rhizobiales could have provided additional competitive advantages, especially for early wood colonization.
Myocardial micro-biopsy procedure for molecular characterization with increased precision and reduced trauma
Authors: Grankvist Rikard , Chireh Arvin , Sandell Mikael , Mukarram Abdul Kadir , Jaff Nasren , Berggren Ingrid , Persson Hans , Linde Cecilia , Arnberg Fabian , Lundberg Johan , Ugander Martin , La Manno Gioele , Jonsson Stefan , Daub Carsten O. , Holmin Staffan
Published: May 2020

Endomyocardial biopsy is a valuable tool in cardiac diagnostics but is limited by low diagnostic yield and significant complication risks. Meanwhile, recent developments in transcriptomic and proteomic technologies promise a wealth of biological data from minimal tissue samples. To take advantage of the minimal tissue amount needed for molecular analyses, we have developed a sub-millimeter endovascular biopsy device, considerably smaller than current clinical equipment, and devised a low-input RNA-sequencing protocol for analyzing small tissue samples. In in vivo evaluation in swine, 81% of biopsy attempts (n = 157) were successful. High quality RNA-sequencing data was generated from 91% of the sequenced cardiac micro-biopsy samples (n = 32). Gene expression signatures of samples taken with the novel device were comparable with a conventional device. No major complications were detected either during procedures or during 7 days’ follow-up, despite acquiring a relatively large number of biopsies (median 30) in each animal. In conclusion, the novel device coupled with RNA-sequencing provides a feasible method to obtain molecular data from the myocardium. The method is less traumatic and has a higher flexibility compared to conventional methods, enabling safer and more targeted sampling from different parts of the myocardium.
Single-cell analysis of childhood leukemia reveals a link between developmental states and ribosomal protein expression as a source of intra-individual heterogeneity
Authors: Caron Maxime , St-Onge Pascal , Sontag Thomas , Wang Yu Chang , Richer Chantal , Ragoussis Ioannis , Sinnett Daniel , Bourque Guillaume
Published: May 2020

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) is the most common pediatric cancer. It is characterized by bone marrow lymphoid precursors that acquire genetic alterations, resulting in disrupted maturation and uncontrollable proliferation. More than a dozen molecular subtypes of variable severity can be used to classify cALL cases. Modern therapy protocols currently cure 85–90% of cases, but other patients are refractory or will relapse and eventually succumb to their disease. To better understand intratumor heterogeneity in cALL patients, we investigated the nature and extent of transcriptional heterogeneity at the cellular level by sequencing the transcriptomes of 39,375 individual cells in eight patients (six B-ALL and two T-ALL) and three healthy pediatric controls. We observed intra-individual transcriptional clusters in five out of the eight patients. Using pseudotime maturation trajectories of healthy B and T cells, we obtained the predicted developmental state of each leukemia cell and observed distribution shifts within patients. We showed that the predicted developmental states of these cancer cells are inversely correlated with ribosomal protein expression levels, which could be a common contributor to intra-individual heterogeneity in cALL patients.
Modulation of spin-dependent diffraction based on dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Zhou Huiying , Zhang Jin
Published: May 2020

We propose theoretically and realize experimentally a tunable single-slit diffraction based on dielectric metasurfaces. Our dielectric metasurfaces can be regarded as polarization converters to generate inhomogeneous polarized light periodically variant in x direction. Different from the well-known single-slit diffraction of the scalar light field, our diffraction patterns exhibit two columns of diffraction fringes, which conceals spin-dependent splitting phenomenon. The underlying mechanism is attributed to the inherent nature of the Pancharatnam-Berry phase in the inhomogeneous polarized light. Interestingly, the spin-dependent splitting can be enhanced by increasing the polarization rotation rate of the inhomogeneous polarized beam or the transmission distance. Further, tunable diffraction phenomenon is observed with different slit widths or variant rotation angles of the dielectric metasurface and the slit. Our results may offer potential applications in spin-controlled nanophotonics.
Superior Temperature-Dependent Mechanical Properties and Deformation Behavior of Equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy Additively Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Kim Young-Kyun , Yang Sangsun , Lee Kee-Ahn
Published: May 2020

The microstructure, temperature-dependent mechanical properties and deformation behaviors of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) additively manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) were investigated. SLM-built HEA had a face-centered cubic (FCC) single-phase random solid solution. In addition, SLM-built HEA was composed of epitaxial growth grains, dislocation network and nano-sized oxides. Room- and high-temperature compression tests confirmed that SLM-built HEA has outstanding mechanical properties in all temperature ranges compared to equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEAs reported up to the present. The excellent mechanical properties of SLM-built HEA were achieved with fine grains, high dislocation density and fine precipitates at low temperatures (25 °C to 600 °C), and by high dislocation density and fine precipitates at high temperatures (700 °C or higher). On the other hand, the deformation microstructure showed that slip and deformation twins are the main deformation mechanisms from 25 °C to 600 °C, and slip and partial recrystallization are the main deformation mechanisms above 700 °C. Based on the above findings, this study also discusses correlations among the microstructure, superior mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of SLM-built equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEA.
Electroluminescence from μLED without external charge injection
Authors: Wang Kun , Liu Ye , Wu Chaoxing , Li Dianlun , Lv Shanhong , Zhang Yongai , Zhou Xiongtu , Guo Tailiang
Published: May 2020

Stable electroluminescence from micro-pixelated light-emitting diode (μLED) occurs when electrons and holes are continuously injected from external electrodes. Different from the general recognition, in this work, μLED works in an operation mode, namely, non-electrical contact and non-carrier injection mode, and can be ‘wirelessly’ lit up without external charge injection, which is different from the general recognition. Inherent holes and electrons in μLEDs can provide sufficient carriers for radiative recombination under alternating-current electric field. A possible model related to the diffusion of majority carrier and the drift of minority carrier in μLED was proposed, which is further confirmed by the employment of a ‘carrier pump’. Finally, the intrinsic characteristics of the device-in-capacitor, namely, self-protection against electrical breakdown, were discussed. This work demonstrates a new device configuration and an alternative operating mode for μLED and provides a research manner to obtain advanced μLED-based technology.
Tibet plateau probiotic mitigates chromate toxicity in mice by alleviating oxidative stress in gut microbiota
Authors: Feng Pengya , Ye Ze , Han Huawen , Ling Zhenmin , Zhou Tuoyu , Zhao Shuai , Virk Amanpreet Kaur , Kakade Apurva , Abomohra Abd El-Fatah , El-Dalatony Marwa M. , Salama EI-Sayed , Liu Pu , Li Xiangkai
Published: May 2020

Heavy metal contamination in food endangers human health. Probiotics can protect animals and human against heavy metals, but the detoxification mechanism has not been fully clarified. Here, mice were supplemented withPediococcus acidilacticistrain BT36 isolated from Tibetan plateau yogurt, with strong antioxidant activity but no chromate reduction ability for 20 days to ensure gut colonization. Strain BT36 decreased chromate accumulation, reduced oxidative stress, and attenuated histological damage in the liver of mice. 16S rRNA and metatranscriptome sequencing analysis of fecal microbiota showed that BT36 reversed Cr(VI)-induced changes in gut microbial composition and metabolic activity. Specifically, BT36 recovered the expressions of 788 genes, including 34 inherent Cr remediation-relevant genes. Functional analysis of 10 unannotated genes regulated by BT36 suggested the existence of a new Cr(VI)-reduction gene in the gut microbiota. Thus, BT36 can modulate the gut microbiota in response to Cr(VI) induced oxidative stress and protect against Cr toxicity.
Integrative genome-wide analysis reveals the role of WIP proteins in inhibition of growth and development
Authors: Roldan Maria Victoria Gomez , Izhaq Farhaj , Verdenaud Marion , Eleblu John , Haraghi Aimen , Sommard Vivien , Chambrier Pierre , Latrasse David , Jégu Teddy , Benhamed Moussa , Szécsi Judit , Bendahmane Mohammed , Boualem Adnane , Bendahmane Abdelhafid
Published: May 2020

In cucurbits, CmWIP1 is a master gene controlling sex determination. To bring new insight in the function of CmWIP1, we investigated two Arabidopsis WIP transcription factors, AtWIP1/TT1 and AtWIP2/NTT. Using an inducible system we showed that WIPs are powerful inhibitor of growth and inducer of cell death. Using ChIP-seq and RNA-seq we revealed that most of the up-regulated genes bound by WIPs display a W-box motif, associated with stress signaling. In contrast, the down-regulated genes contain a GAGA motif, a known target of polycomb repressive complex. To validate the role of WIP proteins in inhibition of growth, we expressed AtWIP1/TT1 in carpel primordia and obtained male flowers, mimicking CmWIP1 function in melon. Using other promoters, we further demonstrated that WIPs can trigger growth arrest of both vegetative and reproductive organs. Our data supports an evolutionary conserved role of WIPs in recruiting gene networks controlling growth and adaptation to stress.
Developing scandium and yttrium coordination chemistry to advance theranostic radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Carter Korey P. , Deblonde Gauthier J.-P. , Lohrey Trevor D. , Bailey Tyler A. , An Dahlia D. , Shield Katherine M. , Lukens Wayne W. , Abergel Rebecca J.
Published: May 2020

The octadentate siderophore analog 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), denoted 343-HOPO hereafter, is known to have high affinity for both trivalent and tetravalent lanthanide and actinide cations. Here we extend its coordination chemistry to the rare-earth cations Sc3+ and Y3+ and characterize fundamental metal–chelator binding interactions in solution via UV-Vis spectrophotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and spectrofluorimetric metal-competition titrations, as well as in the solid-state via single crystal X-ray diffraction. Sc3+ and Y3+ binding with 343-HOPO is found to be robust, with both high thermodynamic stability and fast room temperature radiolabeling, indicating that 343-HOPO is likely a promising chelator for in vivo applications with both metals. As a proof of concept, we prepared a 86Y-343-HOPO complex for in vivo PET imaging, and the results presented herein highlight the potential of 343-HOPO chelated trivalent metal cations for therapeutic and theranostic applications.
Reaction mechanism of the Me3AuPMe3–H2 plasma-enhanced ALD process
Authors: Van Daele Michiel , Griffiths Matthew B. E. , Minjauw Matthias M. , Barry Seán T. , Detavernier Christophe , Dendooven Jolien
Published: May 2020

The reaction mechanism of the recently reported Me3AuPMe3–H2 plasma gold ALD process was investigated using in situ characterization techniques in a pump-type ALD system.
Intracellular delivery of liposome-encapsulated Finland trityl radicals for EPR oximetry
Authors: Wang Xing , Peng Chao , He Ke , Ji Kaiyun , Tan Xiaoli , Han Guifang , Liu Yanxia , Liu Yangping , Song Yuguang
Published: May 2020

Intracellular delivery of TAM radical CT-03 is achieved using a liposome-based method, enabling simultaneous measurement of the intra/extracellular O2levels and O2consumption rates in combination of the extracellular TAM radical CT02-H.
Cell organelle targeting of near-infrared croconaine dye controls photothermal outcome
Authors: Wen Ying , McGarraugh Hannah H. , Schreiber Cynthia L. , Smith Bradley D.
Published: May 2020

Photothermal heating the cell nucleus promotes cell death; whereas, photothermal heating the cell lysosome produces lysosomal disruption with no phototoxicity.
Influence of crowding on hydrophobic hydration-shell structure
Authors: Bredt Aria J. , Ben-Amotz Dor
Published: May 2020

The influence of molecular crowding on water structure, and the associated crossover behavior, is quantified using Raman multivariate curve resolution (Raman-MCR) hydration-shell vibrational spectroscopy of aqueous tert-butyl alcohol, 2-butyl alcohol and 2-butoxyethanol solutions of variable concentration and temperature.
Unexpected sequence adsorption features of polynucleotide ssDNA on graphene oxide
Authors: Ma Huishu , Xu Zhen , Fang Haiping , Lei Xiaoling
Published: May 2020

The sequence features of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) adsorbed on a graphene oxide (GO) surface are important for applications of the DNA/GO functional structure in biosensors, biomedicine, and materials science.
Tuning the binding energy of excitons in the MoS2 monolayer by molecular functionalization and defective engineering
Authors: Wang Kangli , Paulus Beate
Published: May 2020

Using the DFT-GW-BSE method, we analyze how the electronic band gap, optical absorption spectrum and exciton binding energy of the MoS2 monolayer are influenced by NO and C3H3N3 molecules and S-defects.
Tailoring hole injection of sol–gel processed WOx and its doping in PEDOT:PSS for efficient ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Yuan Yongfang , Zhang Xiaowen , Li Dongliang , Zhang Xiuyun , Wang Lihui , Lu Zongliu , Liu Liming , Chi Feng
Published: May 2020

We present an easily processed WOx solution and its doping in PEDOT:PSS for tailoring hole injection and assembling efficient ultraviolet OLEDs.
A practical and concise homogeneous nickel catalyst for efficient solvent-free synthesis of γ-valerolactone
Authors: Zada Bakht , Zhu Rui , Wang Bing , Liu Jiao , Deng Jin , Fu Yao
Published: May 2020

An inexpensive and readily available nickel-phosphine catalyst is used to efficiently catalyze the reduction of levulinic acid to produce γ-valerolactone and the catalyst cost only needs a few nickel coins (<0.1 $ per kg GVL).
Production of formate from CO2 gas under ambient conditions: towards flow-through enzyme reactors
Authors: Baccour Mohamed , Lamotte Alexandra , Sakai Kento , Dubreucq Eric , Mehdi Ahmad , Kano Kenji , Galarneau Anne , Drone Jullien , Brun Nicolas
Published: May 2020

A flow-through bi-enzymatic reactor was developed to produce formate from carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
Statistical design of experiments for production and purification of vanillin and aminophenols from commercial lignin
Authors: Liu Shihong , Das Lalitendu , Blauch David N. , Veronee Charlie , Dou Chang , Gladden John , Sun Ning , Socha Aaron M.
Published: May 2020

Production and purification of vanillin from lignin using ion exchange, and subsequent conversion to aminophenol ionic liquid precursors.
The role of ambient gas confinement, plasma chemistry, and focusing conditions on emission features of femtosecond laser-produced plasmas
Authors: Kautz Elizabeth J. , Yeak Jeremy , Bernacki Bruce E. , Phillips Mark C. , Harilal Sivanandan S.
Published: May 2020

Image of the filament ablation with femtosecond laser and filament ablation craters.
Surfactant and oil formulations for monodisperse droplet emulsion PCR
Authors: Zhang Fangli , Liao Peiyu , Sun Yue , Chen Zitian , Pang Yuhong , Huang Yanyi
Published: May 2020

A systematic survey of the oil and surfactant components of stable monodisperse w/o droplets suitable for various methods.
Vanadium-doped molybdenum carbides as a promising catalyst for C–N/C–C coupling reactions
Authors: Zhang Chen , Wu Siduo , Luo Shaochuan , Wang Yong , Li Jingjing , Leng Yan
Published: May 2020

Vanadium-doped molybdenum carbides encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon exhibit significantly enhanced catalytic efficiency for both the oxidative C–N coupling of amines and C–C bond couplings of alcohols and ketones.
Structural characterization of new zinc(ii) complexes with N2O2 chelating thiosemicarbazidato ligands; investigation of the relationship between their DNA interaction and in vitro antiproliferative activity towards human cancer cells
Authors: Kaya Büşra , Yılmaz Zehra Kübra , Şahin Onur , Aslim Belma , Ülküseven Bahri
Published: May 2020

New candidates to become DNA-targeting antiproliferative agents: Zinc(ii) complexes bearing N2O2-thiosemicarbazidato ligands.
The design of an extended multiple resonance TADF emitter based on a polycyclic amine/carbonyl system
Authors: Sun Dianming , Suresh Subeesh Madayanad , Hall David , Zhang Ming , Si Changfeng , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Olivier Yoann , Zhang Xiaohong , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: May 2020

A green multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitter, DDiKTa, is developed by a simple dimerization strategy of the known MR-TADF emitter DiKTa.
Graphitic carbon nitride with thermally-induced nitrogen defects: an efficient process to enhance photocatalytic H2 production performance
Authors: Dong Guangzhi , Wen Yun , Fan Huiqing , Wang Chao , Cheng Zhenxiang , Zhang Mingchang , Ma Jiangwei , Zhang Shujun
Published: May 2020

An efficient thermal-treatment method was developed for the preparation of defect modified g-C3N4 with excellent photocatalytic H2 production performance.
Hydrophobic mesoporous silicon dioxide for improving foam stability
Authors: Meng Lihui , Liu Qingwang , Wang Jigang , Fan Zhenzhong , Wei Xiaoming
Published: May 2020

In this study, mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesized via a sol–gel method and modified with (3-chloropropyl) trimethoxysilane to make them hydrophobic (MMSNs).
Removal of aqueous Hg(ii) by thiol-functionalized nonporous silica microspheres prepared by one-step sol–gel method
Authors: Liang Ruixue , Zou Hua
Published: May 2020

The adsorption properties of nonporous SiO2-SH microspheres prepared by a one-step sol–gel method for Hg(ii) in water were studied.
Correction: Biological behavior exploration of a paclitaxel-eluting poly-l-lactide-coated Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy intestinal stent in vivo
Authors: Wang Zhanhui , Sun Zongbin , Han Baowei , Zheng Qiuxia , Liu Shaopeng , Zhang Bingbing , Duan Tinghe
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Biological behavior exploration of a paclitaxel-eluting poly-l-lactide-coated Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy intestinal stent in vivo’ by Zhanhui Wang et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 15079–15090. DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10156j
Arsenic immobilization as crystalline scorodite by gas-diffusion electrocrystallization
Authors: Pozo Guillermo , van Houtven Diane , Fransaer Jan , Dominguez-Benetton Xochitl
Published: May 2020

Gas-diffusion electrocrystallization (GDEx) is demonstrated as an effective process for the immobilization of arsenic into stable scorodite.
Correction: Using single molecule force spectroscopy to facilitate a rational design of Ca2+-responsive β-roll peptide-based hydrogels
Authors: Liu Lichao , Wang Han , Han Yueying , Lv Shanshan , Chen Jianfeng
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Using single molecule force spectroscopy to facilitate a rational design of Ca2+-responsive β-roll peptide-based hydrogels’ by Lichao Liu et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018, 6, 5303–5312, DOI: 10.1039/C8TB01511B.
Measuring Speech Intelligibility in Children With Motor Speech Disorders
Authors: Allison Kristen M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Reduced speech intelligibility limits functional communication for many children with motor speech disorders, and improving intelligibility is often a primary goal of intervention. Objective measurement of intelligibility is important for quantifying severity of speech impairment and tracking progress in therapy; however, there is little standardization of methods for measuring speech intelligibility in clinical settings. The purpose of this tutorial is to review different approaches to measuring speech intelligibility in children with motor speech disorders and to discuss the benefits and limitations of using each approach in clinical practice.

Method

Intelligibility is defined and compared to related constructs. Factors affecting intelligibility of children with motor speech disorders are reviewed. Methods for measuring intelligibility using word identification approaches and scaled ratings are discussed in detail, and their utility in clinical practice is compared.

Results

Word identification approaches to intelligibility measurement are optimal for tracking progress in therapy but are relatively time consuming. Scaled rating approaches may be adequate in cases where the goal is to obtain an overall measure of severity or for children who are unable to participate in structured testing.

Conclusion

Different approaches to intelligibility assessment are warranted depending on the clinical goal and characteristics of the child. Speech-language pathologists should consider multiple factors when selecting and interpreting intelligibility measures for their clients.
Early Achievements for Education Settings: An Embedded Teacher-Implemented Social Communication Intervention for Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Engelstad Anne-Michelle , Holingue Calliope , Landa Rebecca J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Early Achievements for Education Settings (EA-ES) is a teacher-implemented naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) targeting core social communication impairments. The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was to examine promise of efficacy of this iteratively developed intervention when implemented in authentic education settings. We examined (1a) whether a high level of implementation fidelity was attained by EA-ES trained teachers and (1b) whether their fidelity attainment differed from that of untrained teachers; and (2) whether the EA-ES intervention showed promise of improving child social, communication, and cognitive outcomes as determined by within- and between-group comparisons of children in EA-ES classrooms and children in classrooms randomized to the business as usual condition.

Method

Participants included six preschool teachers and 43 eligible preschoolers with ASD. Classrooms were randomized to EA-ES or business as usual. Analyses of intervention effects using baseline and postintervention data were conducted on teachers' fidelity of EA-ES implementation and children's performance on a proximal measure of social and communication behavior and on a distal standardized measure of verbal and nonverbal functioning.

Results

Teachers trained to implement EA-ES attained a high level of implementation fidelity, with significantly greater gains compared to untrained teachers. Children receiving EA-ES showed significantly greater gain from baseline to postintervention in frequency of produced initiation of joint attention and nonverbal cognitive functioning compared to children in business-as-usual classrooms. A trend toward significance for Group × Time effects was detected for frequency of spontaneous verbalizations produced, favoring the EA-ES group.

Conclusions

EA-ES shows promise of feasibility for teacher implementation in group contexts and for improving social communication and cognitive skills in preschoolers with ASD. Implications of results for future research and speech-language pathologist–teacher collaboration to increase language intervention dosage are discussed.
Graph clustering‐based crowd counting with very limited labelled samples
Authors: Wang Huake , Zhang Kaibing , Su Zebin , Lu Jian , Xiong Zenggang
Published: May 2020

In this Letter, the authors present a novel graph clustering‐based method for crowd counting only using very limited labelled samples. Based on an intuitional observation that the distribution of low‐level features of a specific scene containing the same or similar number of pedestrians are close to each other in the feature space, the authors adopt a first neighbour propagation (FNP) based clustering method to divide all unlabelled data into different groups. Next, an active sampling learning strategy that measures representativeness and diversity of the training data is used to obtain a few informative samples for annotation. Finally, the counts of those labelled informative samples are effectively propagated to predict the unlabelled samples in the constructed clusters by FNP‐based clustering. The compelling results on two benchmark datasets demonstrate that the proposed method is not only effective to estimate crowd counts with very few labelled samples but also applicable to annotate a large number of unknown video frames for scene‐specific crowd counting models.