bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrated Preprocessing Approach for Exploring Single-Cell Gene Expression in Rare Cells
Authors: Shang Junyi , Welch David , Buonanno Manuela , Ponnaiya Brian , Garty Guy , Olsen Timothy , Amundson Sally A. , Lin Qiao
Published: December 2019

Exploring the variability in gene expressions of rare cells at the single-cell level is critical for understanding mechanisms of differentiation in tissue function and development as well as for disease diagnostics and cancer treatment. Such studies, however, have been hindered by major difficulties in tracking the identity of individual cells. We present an approach that combines single-cell picking, lysing, reverse transcription and digital polymerase chain reaction to enable the isolation, tracking and gene expression analysis of rare cells. The approach utilizes a photocleavage bead-based microfluidic device to synthesize and deliver stable cDNA for downstream gene expression analysis, thereby allowing chip-based integration of multiple reactions and facilitating the minimization of sample loss or contamination. The utility of the approach was demonstrated with QuantStudio digital PCR by analyzing the radiation and bystander effect on individual IMR90 human lung fibroblasts. Expression levels of the Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1a (CDKN1A), Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), and Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) genes, previously shown to have different responses to direct and bystander irradiation, were measured across individual control, microbeam-irradiated or bystander IMR90 cells. In addition to the confirmation of accurate tracking of cell treatments through the system and efficient analysis of single-cell responses, the results enable comparison of activation levels of different genes and provide insight into signaling pathways within individual cells.
Author Correction: Msx1 loss suppresses formation of the ectopic crypts developed in the Apc-deficient small intestinal epithelium
Authors: Horazna Monika , Janeckova Lucie , Svec Jiri , Babosova Olga , Hrckulak Dusan , Vojtechova Martina , Galuskova Katerina , Sloncova Eva , Kolar Michal , Strnad Hynek , Korinek Vladimir
Published: December 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Close-up observations on the spawning behavior of a captive Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus)
Authors: Yamamoto Jun , Adachi Kohsuke , Bower John R. , Matsui Hajime , Nakaya Mitsuhiro , Ohtani Ryusei , Puneeta Pandey , Suzuki Satoshi , Tokioka Shun , Vijai Dharmamony , Yanagimoto Takashi , Yoo Hae-Kyun
Published: December 2019

The spawning behavior of a Japanese flying squid (Todarodes pacificus) is described based on up-close observation of a captive female. The squid was first transferred from a 10-ton tank to a polystyrene plastic box containing 45 liters of seawater. About one hour later, the mantle-contraction rate increased rapidly, followed by a brief convulsion of the mantle and arms and a whitening of the body. The mantle contractions become shallow and rapid, and several seconds later, semitransparent jelly presumably from the nidamental glands emerged from the funnel and passed between the ventral pair of arms. Approximately 90 seconds after the egg mass first emerged, the female began ejecting oocytes through the funnel into the egg mass using rapid, powerful mantle contractions. Soon after the oocytes were ejected, translucent strands (presumably sperm) emanated from the buccal membrane. The female continued to eject oocytes for approximately two minutes, after which the mantle convulsed, and the mantle-contraction rate decreased slowly for about one minute until the contractions stopped. The squid died soon afterwards.
Thiazide Use and Fracture Risk: An updated Bayesian Meta-Analysis
Authors: Charkos Tesfaye Getachew , Liu Yawen , Jin Lina , Yang Shuman
Published: December 2019

The association between thiazide use and fracture risk is still controversial. We conducted an updated meta-analysis on the association between thiazide use and fracture risk. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases for all types of human studies, including observational and experimental studies that were published up until July 2019. We also manually searched the reference lists of relevant studies. The pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% credible interval (CrI) were calculated using a Bayesian hierarchical random effect model. A total of 19 case-control (N = 496,568 subjects) and 21 cohort studies (N = 4,418,602 subjects) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled RR for fractures associated with thiazide use was 0.87 (95% CrI: 0.70–0.99) in case-control and 0.95 (95% CrI: 0.85–1.08) in cohort studies. The probabilities that thiazide use reduces any fracture risk by more than 0% were 93% in case-control studies and 72% in cohort studies. Significant heterogeneity was found for both case-control (p < 0.001, I2 = 75%) and cohort studies (p < 0.001, I2 = 97.2%). Thiazide use was associated with reduced fracture risk in case-control studies, but not in cohort studies. The associations demonstrated in case-control studies might be driven by inherent biases, such as selection bias and recall bias. Thus, thiazide use may not be a protective factor for fractures.
A magnetoencephalographic study of longitudinal brain function alterations following carpal tunnel release
Authors: Iwatsuki Katsuyuki , Hoshiyama Minoru , Yoshida Akihito , Shinohara Takaaki , Hirata Hitoshi
Published: December 2019

We investigate changes in brain function before and after carpal tunnel release. Magnetoencephalography (MEG), during which we recorded somatosensory evoked cortical magnetic fields (SEFs), and a clinical evaluation were performed before surgery and 6 months after. The distance on the vertical axis between the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) for the first and third digits before surgery was significantly less than after surgery. There were no significant differences in values between the control participant and patients after surgery. In terms of distal motor latency, there was a negative correlation with the distance. The recovery function of the root mean square (RMS) before surgery for the N20m was less suppressed at 10 ms of ISI in patients, compared to controls. There were no significant differences in the RMS values for patients before and after surgery. Our results indicate that treating peripheral nerve lesions, such as in carpal tunnel release, positively modifies brain function.
An augmented wood-penetrating structure: Cicada ovipositors enhanced with metals and other inorganic elements
Authors: Lehnert Matthew S. , Reiter Kristen E. , Smith Gregory A. , Kritsky Gene
Published: December 2019

Few insect species are as popular as periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.). Despite representing an enormous biomass and numbers that exceed 370/m2 during mass emergences, the extended time period of the underground nymphal stages (up to 17 years) complicates investigations of their life history traits and ecology. Upon emergence, female cicadas mate and then use their ovipositors to cut through wood to lay their eggs. Given the ability to penetrate into wood, we hypothesized that the ovipositor cuticle is augmented with inorganic elements, which could increase hardness and reduce ovipositor fracturing. We used scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to evaluate the material properties of ovipositors of four cicada species, including three species of periodical cicadas. We found 14 inorganic elements of the cuticle, of which P, Ca, Si, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cl, K, and S show the highest concentrations (%wt) near the apex of the ovipositor, where other structural modifications for penetrating wood are present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of metal deposits in the cuticle of true bugs (Hemiptera, >80,000 described species).
Consequences of a short time exposure to a sublethal dose of Flupyradifurone (Sivanto) pesticide early in life on survival and immunity in the honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Al Naggar Yahya , Baer Boris
Published: December 2019

Dramatic losses of pollinating insects have become of global concern, as they threaten not only key ecosystem services but also human food production. Recent research provided evidence that interactions between ecological stressors are drivers of declining pollinator health and responsible for observed population collapses. We used the honeybee Apis mellifera and conducted a series of experiments to test for long-term effects of a single short exposure to the agricultural pesticide flupyradifurone to a second environmental stressor later in life. To do this, we exposed individuals during their larval development or early adulthood to sublethal dosages of flupyradifurone (0.025 μg for larvae and 0.645 μg for imagos), either pure or as part of an agricultural formulation (Sivanto). We afterwards exposed bees to a second ecological stressor infecting individuals with 10,000 spores of the fungal gut parasite Nosema ceranae. We found that pesticide exposures significantly reduced survival of bees and altered the expression of several immune and detoxification genes. The ability of bees to respond to these latter effects differed significantly between colonies, offering opportunities to breed bees with elevated levels of pesticide tolerance in the future. We conclude that short episodes of sublethal pesticide exposures during development are sufficient to trigger effects later in life and could therefore contribute to the widespread declines in bee health.
Advanced glycation end-products regulate extracellular matrix-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk in diabetes
Authors: Strieder-Barboza Clarissa , Baker Nicki A. , Flesher Carmen G. , Karmakar Monita , Neeley Christopher K. , Polsinelli Dominic , Dimick Justin B. , Finks Jonathan F. , Ghaferi Amir A. , Varban Oliver A. , Lumeng Carey N. , O’Rourke Robert W.
Published: December 2019

The adipose tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates adipocyte cellular metabolism and is altered in obesity and type 2 diabetes, but mechanisms underlying ECM-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk are poorly defined. Advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation is increased in diabetes. AGE alter tissue function via direct effects on ECM and by binding scavenger receptors on multiple cell types and signaling through Rho GTPases. Our goal was to determine the role and underlying mechanisms of AGE in regulating human ECM-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk. Visceral adipocytes from diabetic and non-diabetic humans with obesity were studied in 2D and 3D-ECM culture systems. AGE is increased in adipose tissue from diabetic compared to non-diabetic subjects. Glycated collagen 1 and AGE-modified ECM regulate adipocyte glucose uptake and expression of AGE scavenger receptors and Rho signaling mediators, including theDIAPH1gene, which encodes the human Diaphanous 1 protein (hDia1). Notably, inhibition of hDia1, but not scavenger receptors RAGE or CD36, attenuated AGE-ECM inhibition of adipocyte glucose uptake. These data demonstrate that AGE-modification of ECM contributes to adipocyte insulin resistance in human diabetes, and implicate hDia1 as a potential mediator of AGE-ECM-adipocyte metabolic crosstalk.
The effect of unsteady streamflow and stream-groundwater interactions on oxygen consumption in a sandy streambed
Authors: Galloway Jason , Fox Aryeh , Lewandowski Jörg , Arnon Shai
Published: December 2019

Streamflow dynamics are often ignored when studying biogeochemical processes in the hyporheic zone. We explored the interactive effects of unsteady streamflow and groundwater fluxes on the delivery and consumption of oxygen within the hyporheic zone using a recirculating flume packed with natural sandy sediments. The flume was equipped with a programmable streamflow control and drainage system that was used to impose losing and gaining fluxes. Tracer tests were used to measure hyporheic exchange flux and a planar optode was used to measure subsurface oxygen concentration patterns. It was found that the volume of the oxic zone decreased when the losing flux declined, and was drastically decreased when gaining conditions were applied. It was also found that unsteady streamflow led to a slight increase in the average volume of the oxic zone, compared to the average volume of the oxic zone under steady streamflow. However, the average oxygen consumption rates were significantly higher under unsteady streamflow compared to steady streamflow under all groundwater conditions with the exception of the highest losing flux. The present study provides the first insight into the interactions between streamflow unsteadiness and losing/gaining fluxes and improve understanding of their impact on microbial metabolism in the hyporheic zone.
Symmetry of ictal slow waves may predict the outcomes of corpus callosotomy for epileptic spasms
Authors: Kanai Sotaro , Oguri Masayoshi , Okanishi Tohru , Itamura Shinji , Baba Shimpei , Nishimura Mitsuyo , Homma Yoichiro , Maegaki Yoshihiro , Enoki Hideo , Fujimoto Ayataka
Published: December 2019

We aimed to analyse the ictal electrographic changes on scalp electroencephalography (EEG), focusing on high-voltage slow waves (HVSs) in children with epileptic spasms (ES) and tonic spasms (TS) and then identified factors associated with corpus callosotomy (CC) outcomes. We enrolled 17 patients with ES/TS who underwent CC before 20 years of age. Post-CC Engel’s classification was as follows: I in 7 patients, II in 2, III in 4, and IV in 4. Welch’s t-test was used to analyse the correlation between ictal HVSs and CC outcomes based on the following three symmetrical indices: (1) negative peak delay: interhemispheric delay between negative peaks; (2) amplitude ratio: interhemispheric ratio of amplitude values for the highest positive peaks; and (3) duration ratio: interhemispheric ratio of slow wave duration. Ages at CC ranged from 17–237 months. Four to 15 ictal EEGs were analysed for each patient. The negative peak delay, amplitude ratio and duration ratio ranged from 0–530 ms, 1.00–7.40 and 1.00–2.74, respectively. The negative peak delay, amplitude ratio and duration ratio were significantly higher in the seizure residual group (p = 0.017, <0.001, <0.001, respectively). Symmetry of ictal HVSs may predict favourable outcomes following CC for ES/TS.
Providing low-dimensional feedback of a high-dimensional movement allows for improved performance of a skilled walking task
Authors: Day Kevin A. , Bastian Amy J.
Published: December 2019

Learning a skilled movement often requires changing multiple dimensions of movement in a coordinated manner. Serial training is one common approach to learning a new movement pattern, where each feature is learned in isolation from the others. Once one feature is learned, we move on to the next. However, when learning a complex movement pattern, serial training is not only laborious but can also be ineffective. Often, movement features are linked such that they cannot simply be added together as we progress through training. Thus, the ability to learn multiple features in parallel could make training faster and more effective. When using visual feedback as the tool for changing movement, however, such parallel training may increase the attentional load of training and impair performance. Here, we developed a novel visual feedback system that uses principal component analysis to weight four features of movement to create a simple one-dimensional ‘summary’ of performance. We used this feedback to teach healthy, young participants a modified walking pattern and compared their performance to those who received four concurrent streams of visual information to learn the same goal walking pattern. We demonstrated that those who used the principal component-based visual feedback improved their performance faster and to a greater extent compared to those who received concurrent feedback of all features. These results suggest that our novel principal component-based visual feedback provides a method for altering multiple features of movement toward a prescribed goal in an intuitive, low-dimensional manner.
Surface and mantle records reveal an ancient slab tear beneath Gondwana
Authors: Gianni Guido M. , Navarrete César , Spagnotto Silvana
Published: December 2019

Vertical slab-tearing has been widely reported in modern convergent settings profoundly influencing subduction and mantle dynamics. However, evaluating a similar impact in ancient convergent settings, where oceanic plates have been subducted and the geological record is limited, remains challenging. In this study, we correlate the lower mantle structure, which retained the past subduction configuration, with the upper-plate geological record to show a deep slab rupture interpreted as a large-scale tearing event in the early Mesozoic beneath southwestern Gondwana. For this purpose, we integrated geochronological and geological datasets with P-wave global seismic tomography and plate-kinematic reconstructions. The development of a Late Triassic-Early Jurassic slab-tearing episode supports (i) a slab gap at lower mantle depths, (ii) a contrasting spatiotemporal magmatic evolution, (iii) a lull in arc activity, and (iv) intraplate extension and magmatism in the Neuquén and Colorado basins. This finding not only has implications for identifying past examples of a fundamental process that shapes subduction zones, but also illustrates an additional mechanism to trigger slab-tearing in which plate rupture is caused by opposite rotation of slab segments.
A computational-experimental investigation on high ethylene selectivity in ethanol dehydration reaction found on WOx/ZrO2-activated carbon bi-support systems
Authors: Rittiruam Meena , Jongsomjit Bunjerd , Praserthdam Supareak
Published: December 2019

The high ethylene selectivity exhibited on the zirconia-activated-carbon bi-support catalyst is investigated by experiment and density functional theory–based (DFT) analysis. This bi-support catalyst systems prepared by the physical mixing method for the tungsten catalyst show a significant increase in ethylene selectivity up to 90% compared to the zirconia single support system (~58%) during the ethanol dehydration reaction. Besides, the optimal percent weight ratio of zirconia to activated carbon, which results in the highest ethanol conversion is 50:50. The DFT–based analysis is used to investigate high ethylene selectivity in the bi-support system. It shows that the WO5/zirconia is the most stable model for the zirconia single-support tungsten catalyst represented by the zirconia (101) facet of the tetrahedral phase. The carbon atoms were added to the WO5/zirconia to model the tungsten catalyst on the bi-support system. The Bader charge analysis is carried out to determine the electron transfer in the catalyst. The bonding between ethylene and the WO5 active site on the catalyst is weakened when the system is bi-support, where the added carbon atoms on the catalyst in the ZrO2 region decrease the ethylene adsorption energy. Thus, the desorption and the selectivity of ethylene are promoted. The decrease in adsorption energy can be explained via the analysis of the projected density of states (PDOS) profiles of atom involving the adsorption. It was found that the added carbon in the ZrO2 region induces the electron transfer from the ethylene molecule to the surface, especially to the ZrO2 region. The depletion of the electron around the ethylene molecule weakens the bonds, thus, promote desorption. Hence, the advantages of using the bi-support system in the tungsten catalyst are that the catalyst exhibit (1) high conversion due to the zirconia support and (2) high ethylene selectivity due to the added carbon promoting the desorption of ethylene via the induction of electron from an ethylene molecule to surface.
Three-dimensional a-Si/a-Ge radial heterojunction near-infrared photovoltaic detector
Authors: Sun Xiaolin , Zhang Ting , Yu Linwei , Xu Ling , Wang Junzhuan
Published: December 2019

In this work, three-dimensional (3D) radial heterojunction photodetectors (PD) were constructed over vertical crystalline Si nanowires (SiNWs), with stacked hydrogenated amorphous germanium (a-Ge:H)/a-Si:H thin film layer as absorbers. The hetero absorber layer is designed to benefit from the type-II band alignment at the a-Ge/a-Si hetero-interface, which could help to enable an automated photo-carrier separation without exterior power supply. By inserting a carefully controlled a-Si passivation layer between the a-Ge:H layer and the p-type SiNWs, we demonstrate first a convenient fabrication of a new hetero a-Ge/a-Si structure operating as self-powered photodetectors (PD) in the near-infrared (NIR) range up to 900 nm, indicating a potential to serve as low cost, flexible and high performance radial junction sensing units for NIR imaging and PD applications.
Chemical Diversity and Prediction of Potential Cultivation Areas of Cistanche Herbs
Authors: Wang Ye , Zhang Li , Du Zhixia , Pei Jin , Huang Linfang
Published: December 2019

Owing to hostile growth environments and increasing related production, Cistanche plants have decreased in number. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of and to predict potential suitable regions for two official species and two nonofficial species (C. salsa and C. sinensis) by high-performance liquid chromatography and the MaxEnt model. The results indicated that 2′-acetylacteoside was present only in C. deserticola. The compound can be used as a potential chemical marker to discriminate C. deserticola from the three other Cistanche plants. Anthocyanin A and carotenoid F were the common constituents of the two official species only and can thus be used as chemical markers to differentiate between official and nonofficial species. The prediction results of a potentially suitable distribution indicated that C. sinensis has much wider regions for potential distribution than the other species. Finally, the echinacoside content in C. deserticola was significantly different between the two suitable potential distributions, and the contents of samples from Inner Mongolia were significantly higher than those from Gansu Province. This is the first application of the combination of the contents of chemical components and the results of MaxEnt models for the quality assessment of herbal medicine. Our results may provide a reference for the sustainable utilization of endangered Cistanche species.
Kea (Nestor notabilis) represent object trajectory and identity
Authors: Bastos Amalia P. M. , Taylor Alex H.
Published: December 2019

The ability to represent both the identity and trajectory of hidden objects underlies our capacity to reason about causal mechanisms. However, to date no studies have shown that non-human animals are capable of representing these two factors simultaneously. Here, we tested whether kea can represent out-of-sight object trajectories and identities by presenting subjects with three tasks, each of which involved tracking or predicting hand trajectories as they moved behind a screen. Taken together, our results suggest that kea have the capacity for mental simulation in complex tasks involving moving hidden objects.
Impaired production of immune mediators in dengue virus type 2-infected mononuclear cells of adults with end stage renal disease
Authors: Lee Ing-Kit , Yang Zih-Syuan , Ng Hwee-Yeong , Li Lung-Chih , Huang Wen-Chi , Chen Yi-Chun , Tsai Ching-Yen , Lee Chien-Te
Published: December 2019

Chronic kidney disease is an epidemiologically identified risk factor for development of severe dengue in dengue-affected patients. However, available data on the immune pathogenesis in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients affected by dengue is insufficient. We performed an in vitro study to evaluate the sequential immunological reactions and viral load in dengue virus type 2-infected mononuclear cells of patients with ESRD (n = 34) and in healthy controls (n = 30). The concentrations of interleukins (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (Ra), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1b (MIP-1b), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and viral load cycle threshold (Ct) were measured in the dengue virus type 2-infected mononuclear cells at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-infection. We found in the ESRD group significantly higher GM-CSF and IL-2 levels at 6 h post-infection. However, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, TNF-α, MCP-1, and MIP-1b levels were found significantly lower than in the control group. At 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-infection, significantly lower levels of IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, TNF-α, MCP-1, and MIP-1b were detected in ESRD group. Concentration of VEGF at 24 h and 48 h, and of GM-CSF at 48 h and 72 h were also found to be lower in ESRD group than in control group. Compared with controls, the viral load Ct values were significantly lower in ESRD group at 6 h and 24 h post-infection No significant difference in viral load Ct values between two groups was found at 48 h and 72 h post-infection. Our study discloses that the expression of immune mediators of dengue-infected mononuclear cells is impaired in ESRD patients.
Suppression of abnormal grain growth in K0.5Na0.5NbO3: phase transitions and compatibility
Authors: Pop-Ghe Patricia , Stock Norbert , Quandt Eckhard
Published: December 2019

This work presents the suppression of abnormal grain growth in bulk ceramicK0.5Na0.5NbO3(KNN). The suppression is enabled by precise control of the starting powder morphology through match of milling and calcination duration. A comparative temperature-dependent analysis of the resulting sample morphology, phase transitions and related electronic material properties reveals that abnormal grain growth is indeed a major influence in material property deterioration, as has theoretically been suggested in other works. However, it is shown that this abnormal grain growth originates from the calcined powder and not from sintering and that all subsequent steps mirror the initial powder morphology. In specific, the results are discussed with respect to the predictions of the compatibility theory and microstructure. Despite the material’s multi-scale heterogeneity, the suppression of abnormal grain growth allows for the achievement of significantly improved functional properties and it is reported that this development is correctly predicted by the compatibility theory within the borders of microstructural integrity. It could be demonstrated that functional fatigue is strongly minimised, while thermal and electronic properties are improved when abnormal grain growth is suppressed by powder morphology control.
Murine fecal microbiota transplantation lowers gastrointestinal pathogen loads and dampens pro-inflammatory immune responses in Campylobacter jejuni infected secondary abiotic mice
Authors: Heimesaat Markus M. , Mrazek Katharina , Bereswill Stefan
Published: December 2019

Conventional mice are protected from Campylobacter jejuni infection by the murine host-specific gut microbiota composition. We here addressed whether peroral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) might be an antibiotics-independent option to lower even high gastrointestinal C. jejuni loads in the infected vertebrate host. To address this, secondary abiotic mice were generated by broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and perorally infected with C. jejuni by gavage. One week later, mice were stably colonized with more than 109 C. jejuni and subjected to peroral FMT from murine donors on three consecutive days. Two weeks post-intervention, gastrointestinal C. jejuni loads were up to 7.5 orders of magnitude lower following murine FMT versus mock challenge. Remarkably, FMT reversed C. jejuni induced colonic epithelial apoptosis, but enhanced proliferative and regenerative responses in the colon thereby counteracting pathogenic cell damage. Furthermore, FMT dampened both, innate and adaptive immune cell responses in the large intestines upon C. jejuni infection that were accompanied by less C. jejuni-induced colonic nitric oxide secretion. Our study provides strong evidence that novel probiotic formulations developed as alternative option to FMT in severe intestinal inflammatory morbidities including Clostridoides difficile infection might be effective to treat campylobacteriosis and lower pathogen loads in colonized vertebrates including farm animals.
Assessment of the potential of a reduced dose of dimethyl disulfide plus metham sodium on soilborne pests and cucumber growth
Authors: Mao Liangang , Jiang Hongyun , Zhang Lan , Zhang Yanning , Sial Muhammad Umair , Yu Haitao , Cao Aocheng
Published: December 2019

Methyl bromide (MB), a dominant ozone-depleting substance, is scheduled to be completely phased out for soil fumigation by December 30th 2018, in China. The combined effects of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) plus metham sodium (MNa) were assessed in controlling soilborne pests for soil fumigation. A study was designed in laboratory for the evaluation of the efficacy of DMDS + MNa to control major soilborne pests. At the same time, two trials were conducted in cucumber field located in Tongzhou (in 2012) and Shunyi (in 2013), respectively, in order to assess the potential of DMDS + MNa in controlling soilborne pests. Laboratory studies disclosed positive synergistic effects of almost all four used combinations on Meloidogyne spp., Fusarium spp., Phytophthora spp., Abutilon theophrasti and Digitaria sanguinalis. Field trials found that DMDS + MNa (30 + 21 g a. i. m−2), both at a 50% reduced dose, effectively suppressed Meloidogyne spp. with a low root galling index (2.1% and 11.7%), significantly reduced the levels of Phytophthora and Fusarium spp. with a low root disease index (7.5% and 15.8%), gave very high cucumber yields (6.75 kg m−2 and 10.03 kg m−2), and increased income for cucumber growers with the highest economic benefits (20.91 ¥ m−2 and 23.58 ¥ m−2). The combination treatment provided similar results as MB standard dose treatment (40 g a. i. m−2) or DMDS standard dose treatment (60 g a. i. m−2) in pest control and yield, but was more effective than MNa standard dose treatment (42 g a. i. m−2). Usage of all chemical treatments gave better significant results than the untreated group of control. Considering the economic benefits, the DMDS plus MNa combination (30 + 21 g a. i. m−2) could be used for soil fumigation in cucumber production in China.
Modulation of saliva pattern and accurate detection of ovulation using an electrolyte pre-deposition-based method: a pilot study
Authors: Lee Eunji , Kim Iljeok , Nam Hyoryung , Jeon Hyungkook , Lim Geunbae
Published: December 2019

A new saliva pattern modulation method was developed, which can improve ovulation detection accuracy based on electrolyte pre-deposition.
Revisiting the Stokes–Einstein relation for glass-forming melts
Authors: Cao Qi-Long , Wang Pan-Pan , Huang Duo-Hui
Published: December 2019

Molecular dynamics simulations of Ni36Zr64, Cu65Zr35 and Ni80Al20 were carried out over a broad range of temperature (900–3000 K) to investigate the Stokes–Einstein (SE) relation for glass-forming melts.
A first-principles study of the thermoelectric properties of rhombohedral GeSe
Authors: Yuan Kunpeng , Sun Zhehao , Zhang Xiaoliang , Gong Xiaojing , Tang Dawei
Published: December 2019

This work offers insights into the thermoelectric transport properties in rhombohedral GeSe by first-principles calculations and demonstrates that both p-type and n-type GeSe are potential high-performance thermoelectric materials.
Asymmetric configuration of pseudocapacitive composite and rGO electrodes for enhanced capacitive deionization
Authors: Younes Hammad , Zou Linda
Published: December 2019

Three different asymmetric electrode configurations were set up in CDI experiments. Each electrode pair's performance on salt adsorption capacity and average salt adsorption rate was investigated and compared.
An optofluidic “tweeze-and-drag” cell stretcher in a microfluidic channel
Authors: Yao Zhanshi , Kwan Ching Chi , Poon Andrew W.
Published: December 2019

An optofluidic cell stretcher using a periodically chopped optical tweezer and a microfluidic flow for non-contact, continuous cell mechanical characterization.
An analogue of a kinase inhibitor exhibits subjective characteristics that contribute to its inhibitory activities as a potential anti-cancer candidate: insights through computational biomolecular modelling of UM-164 binding with lyn protein
Authors: Ndagi Umar , Abdullahi Maryam , Hamza Asmau N. , Soliman Mahmoud E.
Published: December 2019

This study provides the first account of the molecular impact of UM-164 binding on lyn protein using various computational approaches.
Opportunities and dilemmas ofin vitronano neural electrodes
Authors: Wu Yu , Chen Haowen , Guo Liang
Published: December 2019

Developing electrophysiological platforms to capture electrical activities of neurons and exert modulatory stimuli lays the foundation for many neuroscience-related disciplines, including the neuron–machine interface, neuroprosthesis, and mapping of brain circuitry.
Photo-induced synthesis, structure and in vitro bioactivity of a natural cyclic peptide Yunnanin A analog
Authors: Jiang Shitian , Zhao Lishuang , Wu Jingwan , Bao Yujun , Wang Zhiqiang , Jin Yingxue
Published: December 2019

The photo-induced synthesis, structure and in vitro bioactivity study of a Yunnanin A cyclopeptide analog was presented.
Computational prediction of structural, electronic, and optical properties and phase stability of double perovskites K2SnX6 (X = I, Br, Cl)
Authors: Jong Un-Gi , Yu Chol-Jun , Kye Yun-Hyok
Published: December 2019

HSE + SOC were used to calculate the band structures of the cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases of the double perovskites K2SnX6 (X = I, Br, Cl).
Interfacial engineering of a ZnO electron transporting layer using self-assembled monolayers for high performance and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Han Jinyoung , Kwon Hannah , Kim Eunah , Kim Dong-Wook , Son Hae Jung , Kim Dong Ha
Published: December 2019

The SAM layer which formed hydrogen-bonding to the methylammonium of the perovskite induced dipole moments at the interface, resulting in energy band bending and increased built-in voltage, and consequently, improved charge transfer of the PSC.
Post-synthesis strategy to integrate porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks with CuS NPs for synergistic enhanced photo-therapy
Authors: Hu Xiaochun , Lu Yonglin , Zhou Lulu , Chen Lv , Yao Tianming , Liang Shujing , Han Junyi , Dong Chunyan , Shi Shuo
Published: December 2019

A multi-functional nanoplatform (PCN-CuS-FA-ICG) for combined photodynamic and photothermal therapy was presented, which demonstrated good inhibition of tumor growth.
Functionalized alkenyl side chains: a feasible strategy to improve charge transport and photovoltaic performance
Authors: Zheng Bing , Liu Juan , Pan Xuexue , Zhang Yu , Wang Zaiyu , Liu Feng , Wan Meixiu , Huo Lijun
Published: December 2019

To pursue effective charge transport and high fill factor (FF) in photovoltaic devices, adopting ordered polymers with enhanced hole mobility is greatly desired.
Hysteresis effects on carrier transport and photoresponse characteristics in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Pang Tiqiang , Sun Kai , Wang Yucheng , Luan Suzhen , Zhang Yuming , Zhu Yuejin , Hu Ziyang , Jia Renxu
Published: December 2019

Characterizing ion migration using capacitance–voltage characteristics and proposing a carrier transport model for a perovskite MOS structure.
Genetic interactions between INPP4B and RAD50 is prognostic of breast cancer survival
Authors: Chen Xiao , Theobard Rutaganda , Zhang Jianying , Dai Xiaofeng
Published: December 2019

RAD50 is commonly depleted in basal-like breast cancer with concomitant absence of INPP4B and several tumor suppressors such as BRCA1 and TP53. Our previous study revealed that INPP4B and RAD50 interact and such an interaction is associated with breast cancer survival at the transcriptional, translational and genomic levels. In the present study, we explored single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these two genes that have synergistic effects on breast cancer survival to decipher mechanisms driving their interactions at the genetic level. The Cox’s proportional hazards model was used to test whether SNPs of these two genes are interactively associated with breast cancer survival, following expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and functional investigations. Our study revealed two disease-associating blocks, each encompassing five and two non-linkage disequilibrium linked SNPs of INPP4B and RAD50, respectively. Concomitant presence of any rare homozygote from each disease-associating block is synergistically prognostic of poor breast cancer survival. Such synergy is mediated via bypassing pathways controlling cell proliferation and DNA damage repair, which are represented by INPP4B and RAD50. Our study provided genetic evidence of interactions between INPP4B and RAD50, and deepened our understandings on the orchestrated genetic machinery governing tumor progression.
ADN for object detection
Authors: Wang Jinding , Hu Haifeng , Lu Xinlong
Published: December 2019

Owing to large‐scale diversity and location uncertainty in object detection, how to enrich semantic information has become an important issue that attracts a lot of concern. In this study, the authors propose a novel attentional detection network (ADN) to enrich semantic information of feature maps by adding an extra attention branch to the classic detection network. Compared to previous methods (e.g. feature pyramid network (FPN), single shot multibox detector (SSD)) that producing massive anchors in different layers of feature maps to detect objects with different scales and aspect ratios, which is very time‐consuming, their network is lightweight and do not need to produce extra anchors. Furthermore, ADN can be applied to different object detectors with little computational cost. Extensive experiments indicate that ADN has good detection performance on different datasets without bells and whistles.
Influence of electric field on the ice‐coating process of insulators with a different dielectric surface
Authors: Yang Zhongyi , Jiang Xingliang , Huang Yafei , Hu Jianlin , Han Xingbo
Published: December 2019

Studying the influence of electric field on the icing process of insulators with various dielectric surfaces is of great importance to the design of external insulation. This study established a finite element model to simulate the distribution of electric field around various insulator strings. Energised and non‐energised icing tests were conducted to obtain the influence rules of electric field on the insulator icing process. The results of water droplets freeze experiment provided microscopic explanation of icing tests. Research results indicate that electric field and surface dielectrics have influence on the appearance, density and mass of ice on insulators. In microcosmic view, water droplets on super‐hydrophobic surface correspond to longer freezing time and smaller average diameters, which leads to the better anti‐icing character of super‐hydrophobic insulator. Different types of ice branches appear in the water droplets freezing process on various dielectric surfaces. Owing to the polarisation effect, electric field can inhibit the formation and growth of ice branch, which contributes to different anti‐icing characters of various dielectric surfaces in electric field. The effect of dielectric surface on insulator icing process mainly act at the initial period, surface coatings of insulators are not suggested to be applied in heavily icing area.
Adulteration detection in petroleum products using directly loaded coupled‐line‐based metamaterial‐inspired submersible microwave sensor
Authors: Tiwari Nilesh Kumar , Singh Surya Prakash , Akhtar M Jaleel
Published: December 2019

A modified design topology of planar submersible sensor, to realize the improved sensitivity, using the split ring resonator (SRR) loaded coupled microstrip line is presented. The designed sensor can easily be immersed in the liquid sample under test. The maximum numerical sensitivity of the designed sensor (11.58%) at the design frequency of 6.12 GHz is quite higher than the sensitivity of earlier reported submersible sensor (4.01%). The measured unloaded resonant frequency of the fabricated sensor shows a close match with the corresponding simulated data. The fabricated sensor prototype can distinguish between the test samples having nearly similar dielectric properties due to its improved sensitivity. Two significant aspects of petrochemical industries in the Indian continent, i.e. contamination/blending of petrol with kerosene/ethanol are mainly considered here. As the discrimination between petrol and kerosene using the commonly available microwave sensors is especially quite challenging due to the very similar dielectric behaviour of these two chemicals. The developed prototype can typically measure the minimum 2% level of kerosene adulteration in petrol corresponding to 7.5 MHz shift in the measured resonant frequency. The uncertainty in the measured frequency shift of the liquid samples using the proposed sensor is found to be ∼1 MHz.
Methodology and accuracy for non‐invasive detection of switching transient overvoltages from compensation coils connected to power transformers
Authors: Wouters Peter , van Deursen Armand , Vermeer Mischa
Published: December 2019

Transient voltages from (dis)connecting compensation coils near high voltage transformers are studied. Non‐invasive sensors are needed in order to exclude any influence by the measurement equipment on the overvoltage magnitude. This study describes results from open‐air capacitive sensors as part of a differentiating/integrating measurement system. Its bandwidth (up to 10MHz) allows to record large detail in the switching events. However, the coupling strengths and the cross‐couplings inherent to the use of air capacitive sensors need to be determined. Calibration based on symmetric phase voltages during normal operation supplies part of the information. Three methods are compared to supplement this knowledge for establishing the complete coupling matrix between phase conductors and sensors. One method employs estimates from the system configuration, in particular, its symmetry. The other techniques extract information from fast transient events within the responses for both switching on and off. The decoupled waveforms from different methodologies align within their confidence bounds and predict the maximum overvoltage magnitudes within an accuracy of 5% when employing information from the fast transients. Based on measurements performed on two compensation coils, both tested three times, larger overvoltages occurred during energisation compared to de‐energisation with maximum amplitude exceeding three per unit.
Comparison of the dielectric properties of functionally graded material dielectrics and layered dielectrics used for electric stress control
Authors: Qasim Syed Abdullah , Gupta Nandini
Published: December 2019

Layered dielectric materials are currently in use for electric field stress control, but are limited by charge accumulation at the dielectric–dielectric interfaces. The current work uses micrometric particles to modify the effective permittivity of epoxy resin samples. Two broad kinds of samples are considered: discrete layered material (DLM) samples and functionally graded material (FGM) samples. DLM samples are obtained by bonding layers of epoxy resin with different filler loadings such that abrupt variation in permittivity might occur along the sample thickness. FGM specimens are prepared by hot pressing a comparatively large number of very thin layers of micro‐filled epoxy resin with very small differences in permittivity one over the other, thus creating a gradual spatial permittivity gradation. Dielectric properties of FGM and DLM specimens are compared in this study. Space charge accumulation is studied using the pulsed electroacoustic method; the accumulated charge density is seen to be lower in FGM. The uniformity of electric field distribution under applied electric stress is computed, and the field utilisation factor in FGM is seen to have a higher value. Also, the dissipation factor is lower and the short‐term breakdown strength is higher in FGM than in DLM samples, providing reason to prefer FGM for insulation to control electric stress.
Efficient time‐domain numerical modelling of crosstalk between coaxial cables incorporating frequency‐dependent parameters
Authors: Teo Yu Xian , Thomas David W.P. , Christopoulos Christos
Published: December 2019

This study presents an analysis of time‐domain crosstalk between two parallel coaxial cables from 10 MHz − 1 GHz. Although such coupling has been extensively studied in the frequency domain, it is advantageous to evaluate the coupling in the time‐domain for the analysis of signal integrity‐related issues. The near‐end crosstalk is modelled using one dimensional transmission line modelling (TLM) approach, which is validated against practical measurements and commercial simulation software. A prony approximation method and equivalent circuit approach were used to account for frequency‐dependent parameters such as surface transfer impedance and skin effect in the TLM simulations.
Stretched‐coordinate PML in 2D TLM simulations
Authors: Odeyemi Jomiloju S. , Vukovic Ana , Benson Trevor M. , Sewell Phillip
Published: December 2019

A novel implementation of the stretched coordinate perfectly matched layer (PML) is presented for the two‐dimensional (2D) transmission line modelling (TLM) method. The formulation offers a unified approach and is based on the mapping of the TLM node to a complex stretched domain for which the resulting transformation of the constituent RLC transmission line components is elaborated. The transformation is shown to modify the TLM connect‐scatter algorithm. The absorption performance is demonstrated by simulating a canonical waveguide test case. Unlike the existing split‐field based TLM‐PML implementations, which are better suited to lossless media, the numerical results obtained show the proposed PML formulation is effective in the termination of both lossy and lossless media.
Application of conditional robust calibration to ordinary differential equations models in computational systems biology: a comparison of two sampling strategies
Authors: Bianconi Fortunato , Antonini Chiara , Tomassoni Lorenzo , Valigi Paolo
Published: December 2019

Mathematical modelling is a widely used technique for describing the temporal behaviour of biological systems. One of the most challenging topics in computational systems biology is the calibration of non‐linear models; i.e. the estimation of their unknown parameters. The state‐of‐the‐art methods in this field are the frequentist and Bayesian approaches. For both of them, the performance and accuracy of results greatly depend on the sampling technique employed. Here, the authors test a novel Bayesian procedure for parameter estimation, called conditional robust calibration (CRC), comparing two different sampling techniques: uniform and logarithmic Latin hypercube sampling. CRC is an iterative algorithm based on parameter space sampling and on the estimation of parameter density functions. They apply CRC with both sampling strategies to the three ordinary differential equations (ODEs) models of increasing complexity. They obtain a more precise and reliable solution through logarithmically spaced samples.