bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of inhibitor KCl on hydration swelling and softening of a smectite-poor mudstone
Authors: Chen Xiuping , Yi Hao , Gao Leiyu , Shi Xiangchao , Liu Yuehao
Published: July 2020

The swelling and softening of mudstones caused by water often lead to serious geological disasters. In petroleum exploration and development, the hydration expansion of mudstone can also lead to serious wellbore instability hazards. The swelling of smectite clays is the main reason for this hydration expansion in mudstones. It is generally recognized that illite and illite–smectite mixed layer clays are both poor swellable and has a low effect on rock strength of smectite-poor mudstone. Furthermore, weakening law and degree of smectite-poor mudstone in water is not clear. This study conducted swelling tests and rock mechanics experiments on a smectite-poor mudstone from the Sichuan basin. The results show that both water content and swelling capacity tend to remain steady after soaking the samples for 24 h. The mudstone water content reached 5.36%, and the swelling rate was 2% after soaking in water for 72 h, and the rock had a lower unconfined compressive strength (UCS) value of 1.41 MPa. Adding KCl inhibited these processes, and elevated KCl concentrations drastically reduced the mudstone water content and swelling rate. Compared to water, the water content and swelling rate of mudstone soaked in a 6% KCl solution both decreased by 50%. The UCS and the elastic modulus also increased for a half-dry mudstone, although the inhibitor was important. At elevated KCl inhibitor concentrations, the UCS and elastic modulus of the hydrated mudstone were lower than those of the dry mudstone. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of the application of KCl inhibitor in water-based fluid for drilling engineering.
Sexual Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease: A Multicenter Italian Cross-sectional Study on a Still Overlooked Problem
Authors: Raciti Loredana , De Cola Maria Cristina , Ortelli Paola , Corallo Francesco , Lo Buono Viviana , Morini Elisabetta , Quattrini Fabrizio , Filoni Serena , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore
Published: July 2020

Background

Prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction (SD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are likely to be underestimated and their etiology is still unknown. More understanding of this issue is needed.

Aim

To investigate prevalence of SD and its variables, including gender differences, in a sample of PD patients.

Methods

This multicenter observational study included 203 patients (113 males and 90 females) affected by PD (diagnosed according to UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank clinical diagnostic criteria 28), and living in 3 different Italian regions. Patients were evaluated using a semi-structured interview (a 40-item ad hoc questionnaire, developed by the authors to investigate patient's 3 main life areas: sociodemographic information, illness perception, and sexuality) and specific standardized scales to investigate SD, as well as by means of tools to assess their motor impairment, daily life activities, and disease-related caregiver burden (CBI).

Main Outcome Measures

The International Index of Erectile Function and the Female Sexual Function Index.

Results

Sexual dysfunction was observed in about 68% of men, and in around 53% of women loss of libido being the main sexual concern in both sexes. Men were significantly more affected by SD than women (χ2 (1) = 4.34, P-value = .037), but no difference in the severity of the dysfunction emerged between genders. Around 85% of PD patients had a stable couple relationship, and about 40% were satisfied with such a relationship. However, about 57% of the patients stated that the disease affected their sexual life, especially due to reduced sexual desire, and the frequency of sexual intercourses. Moreover, significant differences between subjects with SD and subjects without SD were found in UPDRS (I-II-III domains), in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and CBI scores.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians dealing with PD should pay more attention to sexual issues, as discussing and treating sexual problems enters the framework of a holistic approach, which is mandatory in chronic illness.

Strengths & Limitations

The major strengths of this study include the multicenter nature of the study, to overcome single-center methodological bias. The main limitation is the relatively small sample size, and the absence of a control group, even if there are growing literature data on sexuality and aging supporting our findings.

Conclusion

SD is a highly prevalent and devastating problem in patients affected by PD, negatively affecting their quality of life.
Mara’abe v. Prime Minister of Israel
Authors: Bodansky Daniel , Watson Geoffrey R.
Published: July 2020

Mara'Abe v. Prime Minister of Israel. Case No. HCJ 7957/04. At  (English translation).

Supreme Court of Israel, sitting as the High Court of Justice, September 15, 2005.

In Mara ‘abe v. Prime Minister of Israel, the Israeli Supreme Court held that the routing of a portion of Israel's “security fence” in the northern West Bank violated international humanitarian law. The Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, ordered the Israeli government to consider alternative paths for the barrier. The Mara'abe decision expanded on the Court's earlier ruling in Beit Sourik Village Council v. Israel, in which the Court ordered the rerouting of another segment of the obstacle. Mara ’abe also revealed some of the Israeli Court's views on Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in Occupied Palestinian Territory— the 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) holding that construction of the barrier anywhere in occupied territory violates international law.
Case No. 1231 [2003]
Authors: Bodansky Daniel , Jones Colin P. A.
Published: July 2020

Case No. 1231 [2003]. 1416 Saibansho JIHŌ 6. At .

Saikō Saibansho (Supreme Court of Japan), July 21, 2006.

In a decision issued on July 21, 2006, a five-justice panel of the Supreme Court of Japan effectively overturned seventy-eight years of Japanese jurisprudence on foreign sovereign immunity. The holding in Case No. 1231 [2003] serves to limit the ability of foreign governmenrs to claim immunity from the civil jurisdiction of Japanese courts in cases involving commercial and other activities not of a sovereign character.

The case came before the Supreme Court as an appeal from a decision of the Tokyo High Court. The two companies bringing the appeal had sued Pakistan for the nonpayment of amounts owing under a contract entered into between appellants and another company for the purchase of computer equipment.3 Appellants argued that the company purchasing the computers was connected to the Pakistani defense ministry and was therefore an agent of the Pakstani government. Pakistan claimed that it was immune from suit under the doctrine of foreign sovereign immunity. It also denied that the contracting company was its agent.
Germany v. N.
Authors: Bodansky Daniel , Baudisch Ilja
Published: July 2020

Germany v. N. Decision No. 2 WD 12.04. At .

Bundesverwaltungsgericht (German Federal Administrative Court), June 21, 2005.

On June 21, 2005, in Germany v. N, the Federal Administrative Court of Germany (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) acquitted a soldier charged with disobeying an order in violation of his military duty of obedience and loyal service. The soldier, a major in the Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), had refused to participate in a military software project that he feared could support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The major based his refusal on his belief that the Iraqi war was illegal and that, as a result, he was permitted to refuse the order under his constitutional right of freedom of conscience.2 The court held that in view of the serious reservations that exist about the legality of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also about Germany's position in that conflict, the soldier's right to freedom of conscience required that he be offered alternative tasks unrelated to a war that he reasonably believed to be illegal.
Callous-unemotional traits and reduced default mode network connectivity within a community sample of children
Authors: Umbach Rebecca H. , Tottenham Nim
Published: July 2020

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits characterize a subset of youth at risk for persistent and serious antisocial behavior. Differences in resting state connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) have been associated with CU traits in forensic and clinical samples of adolescents and with deficient interpersonal/affective traits (often operationalized as Factor 1 psychopathy traits) in adults. It is unclear whether these brain-behavior associations extend to community-based children. Using mixed model analyses, we tested the associations between CU traits and within-network resting-state connectivity of seven task-activated networks and the DMN using data from 9,636 9–11-year-olds in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Even after accounting for comorbid externalizing problems, higher levels of CU traits were associated with reduced connectivity within the DMN. This finding is consistent with prior literature surrounding psychopathy and CU traits in clinically and forensically based populations, suggesting the correlation likely exists on a spectrum, can be detected in childhood, and is not restricted to children with significant antisocial behavior.
Lateral Circulation and Associated Sediment Transport in a Convergent Estuary
Authors: Chen Lianghong , Gong Wenping , Zhang Heng , Zhu Lei , Cheng Weicong
Published: July 2020

The Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system was used to explore lateral circulation and associated sediment transport in a convergent estuary with existence of channel and shoals. The lateral momentum balance was found to be largely geostrophic with a barotropic pressure gradient balanced by a baroclinic pressure gradient and Coriolis forcing during most time of a tidal cycle, except at the maximum ebb/flood. At the east side (right side looking landward), due to estuarine convergence, barotropic forcing strongly modulates lateral momentum balance and generates eastward residual sediment transport during spring tides. But during neap tides, the enhanced lateral density gradient induces strong lateral baroclinic forcing to cause westward residual sediment flux. At the west side, baroclinic forcing strongly influences the lateral momentum balance and generates westward sediment transport. Together, lateral circulation tends to distribute sediment from the channel to both the side shoals during spring tides but generates westward sediment flux during neap tides. The diagnostic analysis of the lateral gradient of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) demonstrates that lateral sediment trapping is strongly influenced by the lateral circulation and the lateral asymmetry in bed erosion during spring tides, whereas lateral advection becomes the controlling factor during neap tides. Mechanisms for the lateral circulation and sediment transport can be extended to other convergent estuaries.
Magnetospheric Conditions for STEVE and SAID: Particle Injection, Substorm Surge, and Field‐Aligned Currents
Authors: Nishimura Y. , Yang J. , Weygand J. M. , Wang W. , Kosar B. , Donovan E. F. , Angelopoulos V. , Paxton L. J. , Nishitani N.
Published: July 2020

To understand magnetosphere‐ionosphere conditions that result in thermal emission velocity enhancement (STEVE) and subauroral ion drifts (SAID) during the substorm recovery phase, we present substorm aurora, particle injection, and current systems during two STEVE events. Those events are compared to substorm events with similar strength but without STEVE. We found that the substorm surge and intense upward currents for the events with STEVE reach the dusk, while those for the non‐STEVE substorms are localized around midnight. The Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellite observations show that location of particle injection and fast plasma sheet flows for the STEVE events also shifts duskward. Electron injection is stronger and ion injection is weaker for the STEVE events compared to the non‐STEVE events. SAID are measured by Super Dual Auroral Radar Network during the STEVE events, but the non‐STEVE events only showed latitudinally wide subauroral polarization streams without SAID. To interpret the observations, Rice Convection Model (RCM) simulations with injection at premidnight and midnight have been conducted. The simulations successfully explain the stronger electron injection, weaker ion injection, and formation of SAID for injection at premidnight, because injected electrons reach the premidnight inner magnetosphere and form a narrower separation between the ion and electron inner boundaries. We suggest that substorms and particle injections extending far duskward away from midnight offer a condition for creating STEVE and SAID due to stronger electron injection to premidnight. The THEMIS all‐sky imager network identified the east‐west length of the STEVE arc to be ~1900 km (~2.5 h magnetic local time) and the duration to be 1–1.5 h.
Hough Mode Decomposition of the SE2 Tide Extracted From TIMED Observations
Authors: Li Xing , Wan Weixing , Cao Jinbin , Chen Tingdi , Ren Zhipeng
Published: July 2020

Based on the daily SE2 temperature tide at MLT altitudes (70–108 km altitudes) from Li et al. (2017; https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JA023435), which is picked up from TIMED/SABER observations at 45°S–45°N latitudes during a solar cycle (2002–2012), we decompose the high resolution (1 day) SE2 tide into a set of orthogonal Hough functions, which are orthogonal, and analyze the characteristics (i.e., annual, interannual, and day‐to‐day variations) of their coefficients. Our results show that the first antisymmetric and second symmetric Hough functions ((2, 3) and (2, 4)) are stronger than other Hough functions. The properties of the climatological variation are that: the (2, 3) function manifests an obvious semiannual variation that the monthly mean values are larger during equinoxes than solstices; the (2, 4) function presents two peak values are, respectively, in June and November with June maxima. Actually, the higher resolution SE2 tide was utilized to reveal the meteorological (day‐to‐day variabilities) of the Hough functions. It is worth to point out that the major two ranks ((2, 3) and (2, 4)) both dominate in high altitudes and all manifest remarkable semiannual variations and weak annual variations that they are larger during solstices than equinoxes with June solstice maxima. The further discussion reveals the contributions from the dominant two ranks of Hough functions absolute amplitudes play more significant role in the day‐to‐day variability of their Hough coefficients, than their phases.
Teleseismic Tomography of the Laguna del Maule Volcanic Field in Chile
Authors: Bai Tong , Thurber Clifford , Lanza Federica , Singer Brad S. , Bennington Ninfa , Keranen Katie , Cardona Carlos
Published: July 2020

With substantial postglacial rhyolite eruptions and ongoing rapid uplift, the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in the southern Andes provides an exceptional opportunity to study the dynamics of an active silicic magmatic system. Using 4,093 P arrivals from 137 distant earthquakes recorded by 44 local stations over ∼2.25 years, we conduct teleseismic tomography to image the crustal structure down to 40 km below the volcanic field. A prominent low‐velocity body at depths between ∼0 and 12 km below sea level (b.s.l.), characterized by a volume of ∼500 km3 and a peak anomaly of −400 m/s (∼9%), overlaps the location of the upper‐crustal magma reservoir detected in recent gravity and surface wave tomography studies. Its estimated average P wave velocity of ∼4.6 km/s corresponds to an average melt fraction of about 14% and a melt volume of ∼70 km3. Petrologic observations are also consistent with generation and storage of rhyolitic melts at depths corresponding to the anomalous zone. Moreover, the tomographic results support a lower crust zone of MASH (melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization) from a depth of ∼25 km to the base of the model, which likely reflects a deep crustal source of magma that contributes to and incubates the shallow silicic reservoir.
Remagnetization of Red Beds on the Tibetan Plateau: Mechanism and Diagnosis
Authors: Huang Wentao , Jackson Michael J. , Dekkers Mark J. , Solheid Peat , Zhang Yang , Li Shihu , Guo Zhaojie , Ding Lin
Published: July 2020

Red beds are important targets for paleomagnetic studies, yet discriminating secondary chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) from primary depositional remanent magnetization (DRM) in them remains challenging. Here we reanalyze the thermal demagnetization data of and conduct comprehensive rock magnetic, Mössbauer spectroscopic and petrographic studies on red beds from four Cenozoic basins on the eastern Tibetan Plateau (China): the Gongjue, Nangqian, Shanglaxiu, and Jinggu basins. The red beds in the latter two basins are remagnetized, as are most Nangqian red beds. The Gongjue red beds and some Nangqian red beds retain a DRM. Our results reveal that detrital (titano)magnetite and hematite are well preserved in red beds retaining the DRM, whereas remagnetized red beds contain large amounts of authigenic hematite and goethite with detrital Fe‐bearing minerals strongly altered. Postdepositional diagenetic alteration induced by heating and/or fluid circulation related to magmatism and/or crustal deformation is probably the main reason for the remagnetization. Hematite carrying the CRM in remagnetized red beds has wide distribution of grain size and unblocking temperature spectra, while hematite carrying the DRM is usually coarse and has confined unblocking temperature spectrum. This can be used as a criterion for diagnosing remagnetization. Nanoscale goethite appears to occur only in remagnetized red beds: another sensitive criterion for discriminating CRM from DRM. These property‐based criteria constrain the origin of the NRM in red beds better than the classic paleomagnetic field tests. Our research emphasizes that integrated rock magnetic, Mössbauer spectroscopic and petrographic studies provide robust tools to diagnose remagnetization in red beds.
Aerosol Mass and Optical Properties, Smoke Influence on O3, and High NO3 Production Rates in a Western U.S. City Impacted by Wildfires
Authors: Selimovic Vanessa , Yokelson Robert J. , McMeeking Gavin R. , Coefield Sarah
Published: July 2020

Evaluating our understanding of smoke from wild and prescribed fires can benefit from downwind measurements that include inert tracers to test production and transport and reactive species to test chemical mechanisms. We characterized smoke from fires in coniferous forest fuels for >1,000 hr over two summers (2017 and 2018) at our Missoula, Montana, surface station and found a narrow range for key properties. ΔPM2.5/ΔCO was 0.1070 ± 0.0278 (g/g) or about half the age‐independent ratios obtained at free troposphere elevations (0.2348 ± 0.0326). The average absorption Ångström exponent across both years was 1.84 ± 0.18, or about half the values available for very fresh smoke. Brown carbon (BrC) was persistent (~50% of absorption at 401 nm) in both years, despite differences in smoke age. ΔBC/ΔCO doubled from 2017 to 2018, but the average across 2 years was within 33% of recent airborne measurements, suggesting low sampling bias among platforms. Switching from a 1.0 to a 2.5 micron cutoff increased the mass scattering and mass absorption coefficients, suggesting often overlooked supermicron particles impact the optical properties of moderately aged smoke. O3 was elevated ~6 ppb on average over a full diurnal period when wildfire smoke was present, and smoke‐associated O3 increases were highest (~9 pbb) at night, suggesting substantial upwind production. NOx was mostly local in origin. NOx spurred high rates of NO3 production, including in the presence of wildfire smoke (up to 2.44 ppb hr−1) and at least one nighttime BrC secondary formation event that could have impacted next‐day photochemistry.
Reconstructing the Seasonality and Trend in Global Leaf Area Index During 2001–2017 for Prognostic Modeling
Authors: Wang Miaomiao , Chen Jing M. , Wang Shaoqiang
Published: July 2020

Leaf area index (LAI) is a vegetation structural parameter that modulates the interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere and therefore is used in many terrestrial biosphere models. However, there are still large uncertainties in simulating the global LAI in Earth system models. In this study, we used climate and soil variables and the Farquhar's biochemical model to reconstruct global LAI, explore the mechanisms controlling global LAI seasonality, and analyze the feasibility of Farquhar's biochemical model in estimating the effect of CO2 fertilization on global LAI. The results show that the reconstructed LAI (RLAI) based on climate and soil variables can explain 93% of the seasonal dynamics of global LAI. However, RLAI only explained 27.3% of the global LAI trend and captured 29.8% of the land area with a significant trend. RLAI after incorporating the CO2 fertilization effect, which is estimated by Farquhar's biochemical model, can explain 68.8% (41.5% improvement from RLAI) of the global LAI trend and capture 63.3% (33.5% improvement from RLAI) of the area with a significant LAI trend. These results suggest that it is feasible to use Farquhar's biochemical model to estimate the effect of CO2 fertilization on the global trend in LAI. The statistical model for reconstructing the seasonal dynamics of LAI and the Farquhar model‐based method for estimating the LAI temporal trend developed in this study would be useful for improving or evaluating the performance of prognostic models for future global carbon cycle research. Furthermore, this study may provide a new way to simulate global LAI for prognostic modeling.
Human forebrain endothelial cell therapy for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Datta Debkanya , Subburaju Sivan , Kaye Sarah , Baruah Jugajyoti , Choi Yong Kee , Nian Yeqi , Khalili Jahan S. , Chung Sangmi , Elkhal Abdallah , Vasudevan Anju
Published: July 2020

Abnormalities of or reductions in GABAergic interneurons are implicated in the pathology of severe neuropsychiatric disorders, for which effective treatments are still elusive. Transplantation of human stem cell-derived interneurons is a promising cell-based therapy for treatment of these disorders. In mouse xenograft studies, human stem cell-derived-interneuron precursors could differentiate in vivo, but required a prolonged time of four to seven months to migrate from the graft site and integrate with the host tissue. This poses a serious roadblock for clinical translation of this approach. For transplantation to be effective, grafted neurons should migrate to affected areas at a faster rate. We have previously shown that endothelial cells of the periventricular vascular network are the natural substrates for GABAergic interneurons in the developing mouse forebrain, and provide valuable guidance cues for their long-distance migration. In addition, periventricular endothelial cells house a GABA signaling pathway with direct implications for psychiatric disease origin. In this study we translated this discovery into human, with significant therapeutic implications. We generated human periventricular endothelial cells, using human pluripotent stem cell technology, and extensively characterized its molecular, cellular, and functional properties. Co-culture of human periventricular endothelial cells with human interneurons significantly accelerated interneuron migration in vitro and led to faster migration and wider distribution of grafted interneurons in vivo, compared to neuron-only transplants. Furthermore, the co-transplantation strategy was able to rescue abnormal behavioral symptoms in a pre-clinical model of psychiatric disorder, within 1 month after transplantation. We anticipate this strategy to open new doors and facilitate exciting advances in angiogenesis-mediated treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Correction: Baicalein inhibits fibronectin-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition by decreasing activation and upregulation of calpain-2
Authors: Chen Yan , Chen Lin , Hong Duanyang , Chen Zongyue , Zhang Jingyu , Fu Lingyun , Pan Di , Zhang Yanyan , Xu Yini , Gan Shiquan , Xiao Chaoda , Tao Ling , Shen Xiangchun
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Photocathode functionalized with a molecular cobalt catalyst for selective carbon dioxide reduction in water
Authors: Pati Palas Baran , Wang Ruwen , Boutin Etienne , Diring Stéphane , Jobic Stéphane , Barreau Nicolas , Odobel Fabrice , Robert Marc
Published: July 2020

Artificial photosynthesis is a vibrant field of research aiming at converting abundant, low energy molecules such as water, nitrogen or carbon dioxide into fuels or useful chemicals by means of solar energy input. Photo-electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is an appealing strategy, aiming at reducing the greenhouse gas into valuable products such as carbon monoxide at low or without bias voltage. Yet, in such configuration, there is no catalytic system able to produce carbon monoxide selectively in aqueous media with high activity, and using earth-abundant molecular catalyst. Upon associating a p-type Cu(In,Ga)Se2 semi-conductor with cobalt quaterpyridine complex, we herein report a photocathode complying with the aforementioned requirements. Pure carbon dioxide dissolved in aqueous solution (pH 6.8) is converted to carbon monoxide under visible light illumination with partial current density above 3 mA cm−2 and 97% selectivity, showing good stability over time.
High-performance CRISPR-Cas12a genome editing for combinatorial genetic screening
Authors: Gier Rodrigo A. , Budinich Krista A. , Evitt Niklaus H. , Cao Zhendong , Freilich Elizabeth S. , Chen Qingzhou , Qi Jun , Lan Yemin , Kohli Rahul M. , Shi Junwei
Published: July 2020

CRISPR-based genetic screening has revolutionized cancer drug target discovery, yet reliable, multiplex gene editing to reveal synergies between gene targets remains a major challenge. Here, we present a simple and robust CRISPR-Cas12a-based approach for combinatorial genetic screening in cancer cells. By engineering the CRISPR-AsCas12a system with key modifications to the Cas protein and its CRISPR RNA (crRNA), we can achieve high efficiency combinatorial genetic screening. We demonstrate the performance of our optimized AsCas12a (opAsCas12a) through double knockout screening against epigenetic regulators. This screen reveals synthetic sick interactions between Brd9&Jmjd6, Kat6a&Jmjd6, and Brpf1&Jmjd6 in leukemia cells.
Imaging electrochemically synthesized Cu2O cubes and their morphological evolution under conditions relevant to CO2 electroreduction
Authors: Arán-Ais Rosa M. , Rizo Rubén , Grosse Philipp , Algara-Siller Gerardo , Dembélé Kassiogé , Plodinec Milivoj , Lunkenbein Thomas , Chee See Wee , Cuenya Beatriz Roldan
Published: July 2020

Copper is a widely studied catalyst material for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable hydrocarbons. In particular, copper-based nanostructures expressing predominantly {100} facets have shown high selectivity toward ethylene formation, a desired reaction product. However, the stability of such tailored nanostructures under reaction conditions remains poorly understood. Here, using liquid cell transmission electron microscopy, we show the formation of cubic copper oxide particles from copper sulfate solutions during direct electrochemical synthesis and their subsequent morphological evolution in a carbon dioxide-saturated 0.1 M potassium bicarbonate solution under a reductive potential. Shape-selected synthesis of copper oxide cubes was achieved through: (1) the addition of chloride ions and (2) alternating the potentials within a narrow window where the deposited non-cubic particles dissolve, but cubic ones do not. Our results indicate that copper oxide cubes change their morphology rapidly under carbon dioxide electroreduction-relevant conditions, leading to an extensive re-structuring of the working electrode surface.
Lithium lanthanum titanate perovskite as an anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Lu , Zhang Xiaohua , Tian Guiying , Zhang Qinghua , Knapp Michael , Ehrenberg Helmut , Chen Gang , Shen Zexiang , Yang Guochun , Gu Lin , Du Fei
Published: July 2020

Conventional lithium-ion batteries embrace graphite anodes which operate at potential as low as metallic lithium, subjected to poor rate capability and safety issues. Among possible alternatives, oxides based on titanium redox couple, such as spinel Li4Ti5O12, have received renewed attention. Here we further expand the horizon to include a perovskite structured titanate La0.5Li0.5TiO3 into this promising family of anode materials. With average potential of around 1.0 V vs. Li+/Li, this anode exhibits high specific capacity of 225 mA h g−1 and sustains 3000 cycles involving a reversible phase transition. Without decrease the particle size from micro to nano scale, its rate performance has exceeded the nanostructured Li4Ti5O12. Further characterizations and calculations reveal that pseudocapacitance dictates the lithium storage process and the favorable ion and electronic transport is responsible for the rate enhancement. Our findings provide fresh impetus to the identification and development of titanium-based anode materials with desired electrochemical properties.
Epigenetic homogeneity in histone methylation underlies sperm programming for embryonic transcription
Authors: Oikawa Mami , Simeone Angela , Hormanseder Eva , Teperek Marta , Gaggioli Vincent , O’Doherty Alan , Falk Emma , Sporniak Matthieu , D’Santos Clive , Franklin Valar Nila Roamio , Kishore Kamal , Bradshaw Charles R. , Keane Declan , Freour Thomas , David Laurent , Grzybowski Adrian T. , Ruthenburg Alexander J. , Gurdon John , Jullien Jerome
Published: July 2020

Sperm contributes genetic and epigenetic information to the embryo to efficiently support development. However, the mechanism underlying such developmental competence remains elusive. Here, we investigated whether all sperm cells have a common epigenetic configuration that primes transcriptional program for embryonic development. Using calibrated ChIP-seq, we show that remodelling of histones during spermiogenesis results in the retention of methylated histone H3 at the same genomic location in most sperm cell. This homogeneously methylated fraction of histone H3 in the sperm genome is maintained during early embryonic replication. Such methylated histone fraction resisting post-fertilisation reprogramming marks developmental genes whose expression is perturbed upon experimental reduction of histone methylation. A similar homogeneously methylated histone H3 fraction is detected in human sperm. Altogether, we uncover a conserved mechanism of paternal epigenetic information transmission to the embryo through the homogeneous retention of methylated histone in a sperm cells population.
Vacancies on 2D transition metal dichalcogenides elicit ferroptotic cell death
Authors: Xu Shujuan , Zheng Huizhen , Ma Ronglin , Wu Di , Pan Yanxia , Yin Chunyang , Gao Meng , Wang Weili , Li Wei , Liu Sijin , Chai Zhifang , Li Ruibin
Published: July 2020

Sustainable developments of nanotechnology necessitate the exploration of structure-activity relationships (SARs) at nano-bio interfaces. While ferroptosis may contribute in the developments of some severe diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke and tumors), the cellular pathways and nano-SARs are rarely explored in diseases elicited by nano-sized ferroptosis inducers. Here we find that WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets induce an iron-dependent cell death, ferroptosis in epithelial (BEAS-2B) and macrophage (THP-1) cells, evidenced by the suppression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), oxygen radical generation and lipid peroxidation. Notably, nano-SAR analysis of 20 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) disclosures the decisive role of surface vacancy in ferroptosis. We therefore develop methanol and sulfide passivation as safe design approaches for TMD nanosheets. These findings are validated in animal lungs by oropharyngeal aspiration of TMD nanosheets. Overall, our study highlights the key cellular events as well as nano-SARs in TMD-induced ferroptosis, which may facilitate the safe design of nanoproducts.
On the correlation between solar activity and large earthquakes worldwide
Authors: Marchitelli Vito , Harabaglia Paolo , Troise Claudia , De Natale Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Large earthquakes occurring worldwide have long been recognized to be non Poisson distributed, so involving some large scale correlation mechanism, which could be internal or external to the Earth. Till now, no statistically significant correlation of the global seismicity with one of the possible mechanisms has been demonstrated yet. In this paper, we analyze 20 years of proton density and velocity data, as recorded by the SOHO satellite, and the worldwide seismicity in the corresponding period, as reported by the ISC-GEM catalogue. We found clear correlation between proton density and the occurrence of large earthquakes (M > 5.6), with a time shift of one day. The significance of such correlation is very high, with probability to be wrong lower than 10–5. The correlation increases with the magnitude threshold of the seismic catalogue. A tentative model explaining such a correlation is also proposed, in terms of the reverse piezoelectric effect induced by the applied electric field related to the proton density. This result opens new perspectives in seismological interpretations, as well as in earthquake forecast.
The probabilistic backbone of data-driven complex networks: an example in climate
Authors: Graafland Catharina E. , Gutiérrez José M. , López Juan M. , Pazó Diego , Rodríguez Miguel A.
Published: July 2020

Complex systems often exhibit long-range correlations so that typical observables show statistical dependence across long distances. These teleconnections have a tremendous impact on the dynamics as they provide channels for information transport across the system and are particularly relevant in forecasting, control, and data-driven modeling of complex systems. These statistical interrelations among the very many degrees of freedom are usually represented by the so-called correlation network, constructed by establishing links between variables (nodes) with pairwise correlations above a given threshold. Here, with the climate system as an example, we revisit correlation networks from a probabilistic perspective and show that they unavoidably include much redundant information, resulting in overfitted probabilistic (Gaussian) models. As an alternative, we propose here the use of more sophisticated probabilistic Bayesian networks, developed by the machine learning community, as a data-driven modeling and prediction tool. Bayesian networks are built from data including only the (pairwise and conditional) dependencies among the variables needed to explain the data (i.e., maximizing the likelihood of the underlying probabilistic Gaussian model). This results in much simpler, sparser, non-redundant, networks still encoding the complex structure of the dataset as revealed by standard complex measures. Moreover, the networks are capable to generalize to new data and constitute a truly probabilistic backbone of the system. When applied to climate data, it is shown that Bayesian networks faithfully reveal the various long-range teleconnections relevant in the dataset, in particular those emerging in El Niño periods.
Carbon-dot-loaded CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial potential: An engineered nanocomposite for wastewater treatment
Authors: Abd Elkodous M. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Youssry Sally M. , Nada Hanady G. , Gobara Mohamed , Elsayed Mohamed A. , El-Khawaga Ahmed M. , Kawamura Go , Tan Wai Kian , El-Batal Ahmed I. , Matsuda Atsunori
Published: July 2020

Water scarcity is now a serious global issue resulting from population growth, water decrease, and pollution. Traditional wastewater treatment plants are insufficient and cannot meet the basic standards of water quality at reasonable cost or processing time. In this paper we report the preparation, characterization and multiple applications of an efficient photocatalytic nanocomposite (CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2/C-dots) synthesized by a layer-by-layer method. Then, the photocatalytic capabilities of the synthesized nanocomposite were extensively-studied against aqueous solutions of chloramine-T trihydrate. In addition, reaction kinetics, degradation mechanism and various parameters affecting the photocatalytic efficiency (nanocomposite dose, chloramine-T initial concentration, and reaction pH) were analyzed in detail. Further, the antimicrobial activities of the prepared nanocomposite were tested and the effect of UV-activation on the antimicrobial abilities of the prepared nanocomposite was analyzed. Finally, a comparison between the antimicrobial abilities of the current nanocomposite and our previously-reported nanocomposite (CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2) had been carried out. Our results revealed that the prepared nanocomposite possessed a high degree of crystallinity, confirmed by XRD, while UV–Vis. recorded an absorption peak at 299 nm. In addition, the prepared nanocomposite possessed BET-surface area of (28.29 ± 0.19 m2/g) with narrow pore size distribution. Moreover, it had semi-spherical morphology, high-purity and an average particle size of (19.0 nm). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency was inversely-proportional to chloramine-T initial concentration and directly proportional to the photocatalyst dose. In addition, basic medium (pH 9) was the best suited for chloramine-T degradation. Moreover, UV-irradiation improved the antimicrobial abilities of the prepared nanocomposite against E. coli, B. cereus, and C. tropicalis after 60 min. The observed antimicrobial abilities (high ZOI, low MIC and more efficient antibiofilm capabilities) were unique compared to our previously-reported nanocomposite. Our work offers significant insights into more efficient water treatment and fosters the ongoing efforts looking at how pollutants degrade the water supply and the disinfection of water-borne pathogenic microorganisms.
Distorted optical input affects human perception
Authors: Serero Gad , Lev Maria , Polat Uri
Published: July 2020

Collinear facilitation, the mechanism for grouping contour elements, is a process involving lateral interactions that improve the detectability of a target by the presence of collinear flankers. It was shown that the development of collinear facilitation is experience dependent and that it may be impaired when the visual input is distorted in one meridian (meridional amblyopia). In oblique astigmatism, the blurring is on the opposite oblique meridian in both eyes, resulting in two conflicting images, which may affect the development of binocular vision. We hypothesized that the collinear facilitation of adults with oblique astigmatism is reminiscent of the abnormal development of the lateral facilitation of meridional amblyopia. We explored the perception of binocular vision and collinear facilitation in cases of both distorted and non-distorted vision. Fully corrected participants that tested for the target contrast detection of Gabor patches and two collinear flankers, presented for 80 ms, were positioned at different orientations (0° (180°), 45°, 90°, and 135°) and for different eyes (monocular, binocular). The results show a significant anisotropy for monocular collinear facilitation between the blured and the clear meridians, being lower in the blurriest meridian than in the clearest meridian, resembling the meridional amblyopia results. Collinear facilitation results in poor binocular summation between the monocular channels. Our results indicate that the perceptual behavior was similar to that of meridional amblyopic subjects having an anisotropy of collinear facilitation between cardinal meridians in oblique astigmatic subjects.
A novel nucleic acid extraction method from aromatic herbs and dried herbal powders using cow skim milk
Authors: Verma Sunil Kumar , Biswas Nabanita
Published: July 2020

Authenticity of dried aromatic herbs and herbal powders for the ASU (ayurvedic, siddha, unani) drug formulations is a key of their clinical success. The DNA based authentication is an answer; however, extraction of PCR quality DNA from such material is often problematic due to the presence of various co-extracted PCR inhibitors. Here, we report a novel DNA isolation and purification method utilizing cow skim milk that successfully yields PCR quality DNA from the aromatic herbs and dried herbal powders. The improved method presented in this study could be used as an alternative to successfully extract PCR quality DNA from such plant materials. Further, we present a set of robust matK primers which could be used as plant barcoding resource in future studies.
Targeting complex plutonium oxides by combining crystal chemical reasoning with density-functional theory calculations: the quaternary plutonium oxide Cs2PuSi6O15
Authors: Pace Kristen A. , Klepov Vladislav V. , Christian Matthew S. , Morrison Gregory , Deason Travis K. , Kutahyali Aslani Ceren , Besmann Theodore M. , Diprete David P. , Amoroso Jake W. , zur Loye Hans-Conrad
Published: July 2020

The stability of the novel Pu(iv) silicate, Cs2PuSi6O15, was predicted from a combination of crystal chemical reasoning and DFT calculations and confirmed by its synthesis via flux crystal growth.
A new entry to highly functionalized pyrrolesviaa cascade reaction of α-amino esters and alkynals
Authors: Wei Liang , Xu Shi-Ming , Jia Ziqi , Tao Hai-Yan , Wang Chun-Jiang
Published: July 2020

Here, we developed an expedient access route to highly functionalized pyrroles from readily available α-amino acid ester hydrochlorides and alkynalsviaa cascade condensation/intramolecular cyclization followed by a unique C–N ester migration process. A variety of 1,2,3-trisubstituted pyrroles were successfully prepared in good yields under mild conditions.
Polyoxometalate-like sub-nanometer molybdenum(vi)-oxo clusters for sensitive, selective and stable H2O2 sensing
Authors: Liu Rongji , Luo Yuyang , Zheng Yuanhao , Zhang Guangjin , Streb Carsten
Published: July 2020

Polyoxometalate-like sub-nanometer molybdenum(vi)-oxo clusters supported on mesoporous carbon are stably deposited on glassy carbon and screen-printed electrodes suitable for selective, sensitive and stable H2O2 sensing.
Plasmon-enhanced high-performance Si-based light sources by incorporating alloyed Au and Ag nanorods
Authors: Liu Yang , Jiang Mingming , Tang Kai , Ma Kunjie , Wu Yuting , Ji Jiaolong , Kan Caixia
Published: July 2020

Benefitting from alloyed Au and Ag nanorods with desired plasmons, single ZnO:Ga microwire assembled on a p-Si template, can provide a promising candidate for the realization of high-efficiency Si-based light sources
First-principles calculations combined with experiments to study the gas-sensing performance of Zn-substituted SnS
Authors: Qin Yuxiang , Qiu Peilun , Bai Yinan
Published: July 2020

Two-dimensional group-IV monochalcogenides MX (M = Ge, and Sn; X = S, and Se) are explored for theirpotential in gas-sensing applications.
Investigating ultrafast two-pulse experiments on single DNQDI fluorophores: a stochastic quantum approach
Authors: Dall'Osto Giulia , Coccia Emanuele , Guido Ciro A. , Corni Stefano
Published: July 2020

The vibrational and electronic structure of the fluorophore calculated with DFT methods coupled with wave function time propagation by SSE.
Advances in catalytic routes for the production of carboxylic acids from biomass: a step forward for sustainable polymers
Authors: Iglesias J. , Martínez-Salazar I. , Maireles-Torres P. , Martin Alonso D. , Mariscal R. , López Granados M.
Published: July 2020

This review revises the advances in the chemocatalytic processes for producing renewable carboxylic acids for the synthesis of bio-based polymers and proposes the actions to overcome the problems threatening their technical and economic viability.
The digestion of galactolipids and its ubiquitous function in Nature for the uptake of the essential α-linolenic acid
Authors: Sahaka Moulay , Amara Sawsan , Wattanakul Jutarat , Gedi Mohamed A. , Aldai Noelia , Parsiegla Goetz , Lecomte Jérôme , Christeller John T. , Gray David , Gontero Brigitte , Villeneuve Pierre , Carrière Frédéric
Published: July 2020

Galactolipases allow the digestion of galactolipids, the most abundant lipids on Earth and the main source of α-linolenic acid.
Formation of a N2O5–graphite intercalation compound by ozone treatment of natural graphite
Authors: Krawczyk Piotr , Gurzęda Bartosz , Bachar Agnieszka , Buchwald Tomasz
Published: July 2020

In this work, for the first time a stage-2 graphite intercalation compound with dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5-GIC) by only ozonation of natural graphite is prepared.
Microfluidic chip enabled one-step synthesis of biofunctionalized CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots
Authors: Hu Siyi , Zhang Butian , Zeng Shuwen , Liu Liwei , Yong Ken-Tye , Ma Hanbin , Tang Yuguo
Published: July 2020

A novel and robust method for synthesizing the biofunctionalized CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots by the microfluidics chips. The synthesized quantum dot materials are easy to be modified by surface targeted biomolecules and can be used in targeted cell imaging research.
Fast antimicrobial susceptibility testing on Escherichia coli by metabolic heat nanocalorimetry
Authors: Liu Yang , Lehnert Thomas , Gijs Martin A. M.
Published: July 2020

This work reports an integrated chip-based isothermal nanocalorimetry platform for monitoring microbial metabolic activity and performing fast antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Correction: Video-rate upconversion display from optimized lanthanide ion doped upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Gao Laixu , Shan Xuchen , Xu Xiaoxue , Liu Yongtao , Liu Baolei , Li Songquan , Wen Shihui , Ma Chenshuo , Jin Dayong , Wang Fan
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Video-rate upconversion display from optimized lanthanide ion doped upconversion nanoparticles’ by Laixu Gao et al., Nanoscale, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03076g.
Effect of the polarity of KTa1−xNbxO3 on the dielectric performance of the KTN/PVDF nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Jiaqi , Li Yang , Liu Xinmei , Li Yuanshuo , Zheng Weijie , Yang Wenlong
Published: July 2020

KTa1−xNbxO3 with different Ta/Nb ratios (x = 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.85) were engineered and prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis method to acquire KTN nanoparticles with varied polarity.
Mass-producible polyhedral macrotube carbon arrays with multi-hole cross-section profiles: superb 3D tertiary porous electrode materials for supercapacitors and capacitive deionization cells
Authors: Ma Xiumei , Wu Qinghao , Wang Wei (Alex) , Lu Shanfu , Xiang Yan , Aurbach Doron
Published: July 2020

Mass-producible polyhedral macrotube carbon arrays with tertiary pores were prepared and used as superb materials for supercapacitors and capacitive deionization.
Gelatinous Drop-Like Corneal Dystrophy – 2 Clinical Cases
Authors: Küchlin Sebastian , Maier Philip Christian , Reinhard Thomas , Auw-Hädrich Claudia
Published: July 2020

Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy is a very rare autosomal recessive disease classified as an epithelial and subepithelial corneal dystrophy. Patients typically present under the age of 20 with drop-like corneal lesions showing high corneal fluorescein uptake. Their disease course is typically protracted and prone to frequent relapses. The condition is caused by a dysfunction of the epithelial barrier, leading to protein deposits most likely originating from tear fluid. Histology typically shows subepithelial amyloid deposits with corresponding defects of Bowmanʼs layer and epithelial atrophy. Where topical lubricating and anti-inflammatory therapy proves insufficient, penetrating allogenic limbokeratoplasty can be considered in a curative approach. In this report, we present disease courses of 2 unrelated patients. Current findings on pathogenesis are discussed.