bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site-selective C-H hydroxylation of pentacyclic triterpenoids directed by transient chiral pyridine-imino groups
Authors: Mu Tong , Wei Bingcheng , Zhu Dapeng , Yu Biao
Published: September 2020

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PTs) constitute one of the biggest families of natural products, many with higher oxidation state at the D/E rings possess a wide spectrum of biological activties but are poorly accessible. Here we report a site-selective C-H hydroxylation at the D/E rings of PTs paving a way toward these important natural products. We find that Schönecker and Baran’s Cu-mediated aerobic oxidation can be applied and become site-selective on PT skeletons, as being effected unexpectedly by the chirality of the transient pyridine-imino directing groups. To prove the applicability, starting from the most abundant triterpenoid feedstock oleanane, three representative saponins bearing hydroxyl groups at C16 or C22 are expeditiously synthesized, and barringtogenol C which bears hydroxyl groups at C16, C21, and C22 is synthesized via a sequential hydroxylation as the key steps.
Widespread transfer of mobile antibiotic resistance genes within individual gut microbiomes revealed through bacterial Hi-C
Authors: Kent Alyssa G. , Vill Albert C. , Shi Qiaojuan , Satlin Michael J. , Brito Ilana Lauren
Published: September 2020

The gut microbiome harbors a ‘silent reservoir’ of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes that is thought to contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). To counteract the spread of AR, it is paramount to know which organisms harbor mobile AR genes and which organisms engage in HGT. Despite methods that characterize the overall abundance of AR genes in the gut, technological limitations of short-read sequencing have precluded linking bacterial taxa to specific mobile genetic elements (MGEs) encoding AR genes. Here, we apply Hi-C, a high-throughput, culture-independent method, to surveil the bacterial carriage of MGEs. We compare two healthy individuals with seven neutropenic patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who receive multiple courses of antibiotics, and are acutely vulnerable to the threat of multidrug-resistant infections. We find distinct networks of HGT across individuals, though AR and mobile genes are associated with more diverse taxa within the neutropenic patients than the healthy subjects. Our data further suggest that HGT occurs frequently over a several-week period in both cohorts. Whereas most efforts to understand the spread of AR genes have focused on pathogenic species, our findings shed light on the role of the human gut microbiome in this process.
Generation, localization and functions of macrophages during the development of testis
Authors: Lokka Emmi , Lintukorpi Laura , Cisneros-Montalvo Sheyla , Mäkelä Juho-Antti , Tyystjärvi Sofia , Ojasalo Venla , Gerke Heidi , Toppari Jorma , Rantakari Pia , Salmi Marko
Published: September 2020

In the testis, interstitial macrophages are thought to be derived from the yolk sac during fetal development, and later replaced by bone marrow-derived macrophages. By contrast, the peritubular macrophages have been reported to emerge first in the postnatal testis and solely represent descendants of bone marrow-derived monocytes. Here, we define new monocyte and macrophage types in the fetal and postnatal testis using high-dimensional single-cell analyses. Our results show that interstitial macrophages have a dominant contribution from fetal liver-derived precursors, while peritubular macrophages are generated already at birth from embryonic precursors. We find that bone marrow-derived monocytes do not substantially contribute to the replenishment of the testicular macrophage pool even after systemic macrophage depletion. The presence of macrophages prenatally, but not postnatally, is necessary for normal spermatogenesis. Our multifaceted data thus challenge the current paradigms in testicular macrophage biology by delineating their differentiation, homeostasis and functions.
Author Correction: Rapidly-migrating and internally-generated knickpoints can control submarine channel evolution
Authors: Heijnen Maarten S. , Clare Michael A. , Cartigny Matthieu J. B. , Talling Peter J. , Hage Sophie , Lintern D. Gwyn , Stacey Cooper , Parsons Daniel R. , Simmons Stephen M. , Chen Ye , Sumner Esther J. , Dix Justin K. , Clarke John E. Hughes
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Identifying priority habitat for conservation and management of Australian humpback dolphins within a marine protected area
Authors: Hunt Tim N. , Allen Simon J. , Bejder Lars , Parra Guido J.
Published: September 2020

Increasing human activity along the coast has amplified the extinction risk of inshore delphinids. Informed selection and prioritisation of areas for the conservation of inshore delphinids requires a comprehensive understanding of their distribution and habitat use. In this study, we applied an ensemble species distribution modelling approach, combining results of six modelling algorithms to identify areas of high probability of occurrence of the globally Vulnerable Australian humpback dolphin in northern Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP), north-western Australia. Model outputs were based on sighting data collected during systematic, boat-based surveys between 2013 and 2015, and in relation to various ecogeographic variables. Water depth and distance to coast were identified as the most important variables influencing dolphin presence, with dolphins showing a preference for shallow waters (5–15 m) less than 2 km from the coast. Areas of high probability (> 0.6) of dolphin occurrence were primarily (90%) in multiple use areas where extractive human activities are permitted, and were poorly represented in sanctuary (no-take) zones. This spatial mismatch emphasises the need to reassess for future spatial planning and marine park management plan reviews for NMP. Shallow, coastal waters identified here should be considered priority areas for the conservation of this Vulnerable species.
Reproducible production and image-based quality evaluation of retinal pigment epithelium sheets from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Ye Ke , Takemoto Yuto , Ito Arisa , Onda Masanari , Morimoto Nao , Mandai Michiko , Takahashi Masayo , Kato Ryuji , Osakada Fumitaka
Published: September 2020

Transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) sheets derived from human induced pluripotent cells (hiPSC) is a promising cell therapy for RPE degeneration, such as in age-related macular degeneration. Current RPE replacement therapies, however, face major challenges. They require a tedious manual process of selecting differentiated RPE from hiPSC-derived cells, and despite wide variation in quality of RPE sheets, there exists no efficient process for distinguishing functional RPE sheets from those unsuitable for transplantation. To overcome these issues, we developed methods for the generation of RPE sheets from hiPSC, and image-based evaluation. We found that stepwise treatment with six signaling pathway inhibitors along with nicotinamide increased RPE differentiation efficiency (RPE6iN), enabling the RPE sheet generation at high purity without manual selection. Machine learning models were developed based on cellular morphological features of F-actin-labeled RPE images for predicting transepithelial electrical resistance values, an indicator of RPE sheet function. Our model was effective at identifying low-quality RPE sheets for elimination, even when using label-free images. The RPE6iN-based RPE sheet generation combined with the non-destructive image-based prediction offers a comprehensive new solution for the large-scale production of pure RPE sheets with lot-to-lot variations and should facilitate the further development of RPE replacement therapies.
Spatial tracking of individual fluid dispersed particles via Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hogan Benjamin Thomas , O’Dowd Jennifer , Faneca Ruedas Joaquin , Baranov Alexander , Baldycheva Anna
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate a method for the spatial tracking of individual particles, dispersed in a fluid host, via Raman spectroscopy. The effect of moving a particle upon the intensity of different bands within its Raman spectrum is first established computationally through a scattering matrix method. By comparing an experimental spectrum to the computational analysis, we show that the position of the particle can be obtained. We apply this method to the specific cases of molybdenum disulfide and graphene oxide particles, dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal, and contained within a microfluidic channel. By considering the ratio and difference between the intensities of the two Raman bands of molybdenum disulfide and graphene oxide, we demonstrate that an accurate position can be obtained in two dimensions.
Robotic environmental DNA bio-surveillance of freshwater health
Authors: Sepulveda Adam J. , Birch James M. , Barnhart Elliott P. , Merkes Christopher M. , Yamahara Kevan M. , Marin Roman , Kinsey Stacy M. , Wright Peter R. , Schmidt Christian
Published: September 2020

Autonomous water sampling technologies may help to overcome the human resource challenges of monitoring biological threats to rivers over long time periods and across large geographic areas. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has pioneered a robotic Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) that overcomes some of the constraints associated with traditional sampling since it can automate water sample filtration and preservation of the captured material. The ESP was originally developed for marine environment applications. Here we evaluated whether the ESP can provide reliable, timely information on environmental (e)DNA detections of human and fish pathogens and introduced fishes at U.S. Geological Survey streamgage sites in freshwater rivers. We compared eDNA collected via ESP at high frequency (e.g., every 3 h) with manual eDNA collections collected at lower frequency (e.g., weekly). We found that water samples filtered and preserved by ESPs successfully detected the DNA of human pathogens, fish pathogens and introduced fishes. Both ESP and manually collected samples provided similar information about target DNA presence. We suggest that the greatest current benefit of the ESP is the cost savings of high frequency, bio-surveillance at remote or hard to access sites. The full potential of robotic technologies like the ESP will be realized when they can more easily execute in situ analyses of water samples and rapidly transmit results to decision-makers.
Ischemia/reperfusion injured intestinal epithelial cells cause cortical neuron death by releasing exosomal microRNAs associated with apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis
Authors: Hsu Chien-Chin , Huang Chien-Cheng , Chien Lan-Hsiang , Lin Mao-Tsun , Chang Ching-Ping , Lin Hung-Jung , Chio Chung-Ching
Published: September 2020

To date, there is no good evidence that intestine epithelial cells (IEC) affected by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are able to cause cortical neuron injury directly. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the neuronal damage caused by I/R injured IEC can be affected by therapeutic hypothermia (TH, 32 °C). To address these questions, we performed an oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) affected IEC-6-primary cortical neuron coculture system under normothermia (37 °C) or TH (32 °C) conditions. It was found that OGD caused hyperpermeability in IEC-6 cell monolayers. OGD-preconditioned IEC-6 cells caused cortical neuronal death (e.g., decreased cell viability), synaptotoxicity, and neuronal apoptosis (evidenced by increased caspase-3 expression and the number of TUNEL-positive cells), necroptosis (evidenced by increased receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase-1 [RIPK1], RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase [MLKL] expression), and pyroptosis (evidenced by an increase in caspase-1, gasdermin D [GSDMD], IL-1β, IL-18, the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain [ASC], and nucleotide oligomerization domain [NOD]-like receptor [NLRP]-1 expression). TH did not affect the intestinal epithelial hyperpermeability but did attenuate OGD-induced neuronal death and synaptotoxicity. We also performed quantitative real-time PCR to quantify the genes encoding 84 exosomal microRNAs in the medium of the control-IEC-6, the control-neuron, the OGD-IEC-6 at 37 °C, the OGD-IEC-6 at 32 °C, the neuron cocultured with OGD-IEC-6 at 37 °C, and the neurons cocultured with OGD-IEC-6 at 32 °C. We found that the control IEC-6 cell s or cortical neurons are able to secrete a basal level of exosomal miRNAs in their medium. OGD significantly up-regulated the basal level of each parameter for IEC-6 cells. As compared to those of the OGD-IEC-6 cells or the control neurons, the OGD-IEC-6 cocultured neurons had significantly higher levels of 19 exosomal miRNAs related to apoptosis, necroptosis, and/or pyroptosis events. Our results identify that I/R injured intestinal epithelium cells can induce cortical neuron death via releasing paracrine mediators such as exosomal miRNAs associated with apoptosis, necroptosis, and/or pyroptosis, which can be counteracted by TH.
Evidence for repeated failure of the giant Yigong landslide on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Guo Changbao , Montgomery David R. , Zhang Yongshuang , Zhong Ning , Fan Chun , Wu Ruian , Yang Zhihua , Ding Yingying , Jin Jijun , Yan Yiqiu
Published: September 2020

Field surveys and radiocarbon dating of detrital materials provide evidence that repeated landslides dammed the Yigong Tsangpo River ca. 3500 bc, 1300 bc, 1000 bc, 600 bc, and twice more recently. Together with historical slides in 1900 and 2000, these six older slides make for a total of eight known channel-damming landslide events at the same location over the past six millennia, indicating sub-millennia recurrence intervals over this time period. Together with the likely incomplete nature of the sedimentary record of past channel-damming episodes uncovered to date, our findings indicate late Holocene multi-century-scale recurrence intervals for large landslides at this location. Hence, the riverbed at and immediately upstream of this location may have been inundated by sediment, and therefore not incising, for much of the post-glacial period. Together with the location of this landslide complex at the head of the major knickzone defining the fluvial edge of the Tibetan Plateau, our findings support the hypothesis that repeated glacial and landslide damming in this region inhibited headward propagation of river incision into the Tibetan Plateau.
Heritability of haemodynamics in the ascending aorta
Authors: McGurk Kathryn A. , Owen Benjamin , Watson William D. , Nethononda Richard M. , Cordell Heather J. , Farrall Martin , Rider Oliver J. , Watkins Hugh , Revell Alistair , Keavney Bernard D.
Published: September 2020

Blood flow in the vasculature can be characterised by dimensionless numbers commonly used to define the level of instabilities in the flow, for example the Reynolds number, Re. Haemodynamics play a key role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. Genetic studies have identified mechanosensitive genes with causal roles in CVD. Given that CVD is highly heritable and abnormal blood flow may increase risk, we investigated the heritability of fluid metrics in the ascending aorta calculated using patient-specific data from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. 341 participants from 108 British Caucasian families were phenotyped by CMR and genotyped for 557,124 SNPs. Flow metrics were derived from the CMR images to provide some local information about blood flow in the ascending aorta, based on maximum values at systole at a single location, denoted max, and a ‘peak mean’ value averaged over the area of the cross section, denoted pm. Heritability was estimated using pedigree-based (QTDT) and SNP-based (GCTA-GREML) methods. Estimates of Reynolds number based on spatially averaged local flow during systole showed substantial heritability ($${\hbox {h}}^{2}_{Ped} = 41\% \,[\hbox {P}=0.001]$$

h

Ped

2

=
41
%

[
P
=
0.001
]

, $${\hbox {h}}^{2}_{SNP} = 39\%\, [\hbox {P}=0.002]$$

h

SNP

2

=
39
%

[
P
=
0.002
]

), while the estimated heritability for Reynolds number calculated using the absolute local maximum velocity was not statistically significant (12–13%; $$\hbox {P}>0.05$$

P
>
0.05

). Heritability estimates of the geometric quantities alone; e.g. aortic diameter ($${\hbox {h}}^{2}_{Ped} = 29\%\, [\hbox {P}=0.009]$$

h

Ped

2

=
29
%

[
P
=
0.009
]

, $${\hbox {h}}^{2}_{SNP} = 30\%\, [\hbox {P}=0.010]$$

h

SNP

2

=
30
%

[
P
=
0.010
]

), were also substantially heritable, as described previously. These findings indicate the potential for the discovery of genetic factors influencing haemodynamic traits in large-scale genotyped and phenotyped cohorts where local spatial averaging is used, rather than instantaneous values. Future Mendelian randomisation studies of aortic haemodynamic estimates, which are swift to derive in a clinical setting, will allow for the investigation of causality of abnormal blood flow in CVD.
Axillary shoot proliferation and plant regeneration in Euryodendron excelsum H. T. Chang, a critically endangered species endemic to China
Authors: Chen Shuangyan , Xiong Yuping , Wu Teng , Wu Kunlin , da Silva Jaime A. Teixeira , Xiong Youhua , Zeng Songjun , Ma Guohua
Published: September 2020

Euryodendron excelsum H. T. Chang is a single-type, rare and endangered woody plant unique to China. In this study, young stems were used as explants and cultured on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 5.0 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA), were subcultured for more than 15 times over a total of more than 3 years and finally an efficient axillary shoot proliferation and plantlet regeneration system was established in which one shoot could proliferate an average of 5.1 axillary shoots every 2 months on the medium supplemented with 5.0 μM BA and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Shoots rooted at a moderate frequencies (50.1%) on agarized WPM supplemented with 0.5 μM NAA but 100% of shoots rooted in agar-free vermiculite-based WPM after culture for 2 months. Plantlets, when transplanted to peat soil: vermiculite (1:1), showed the highest 95.1% survival within 1 month.
Accumulation of synovial fluid CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells was associated with bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Guo Xiaofeng , Xu Tingting , Zheng Jing , Cui Xiangjun , Li Ming , Wang Kai , Su Min , Zhang Huifang , Zheng Ke , Sun Chongling , Song Shulin , Liu Hongjiang
Published: September 2020

Regulatory CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells were proved to be numerically decreased and functionally impaired in the peripheral blood (PB) from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the potential of converting into osteoclast-priming cells. However, the distribution and function of CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells in RA synovial fluid (SF) were unclear. In this study, we investigated whether RA SF CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells were increased and associated with bone destruction. We found that the proportion of RA SF CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells was increased significantly, and was positively correlated with swollen joint counts, tender joint counts and disease activity. CXCL12, CXCL13, CCL19 contributed to the recruitment of CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells in RA SF. Notably, CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells in the SF from RA expressed significantly more RANKL compared to OA and that in the PB from RA. Critically, RA CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells promoted osteoclast (OC) differentiation in vitro, and the number of OCs was higher in cultures with RA SF CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells than in those derived from RA PB. Collectively, these findings revealed the accumulation of CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells in SF and their likely contribution to joint destruction in RA. Modulating the status of CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B cells might provide novel therapeutic strategies for RA.
Method of surface energy investigation by lateral AFM: application to control growth mechanism of nanostructured NiFe films
Authors: Zubar T. I. , Fedosyuk V. M. , Trukhanov S. V. , Tishkevich D. I. , Michels D. , Lyakhov D. , Trukhanov A. V.
Published: September 2020

A new method for the specific surface energy investigation based on a combination of the force spectroscopy and the method of nanofriction study using atomic force microscopy was proposed. It was shown that air humidity does not affect the results of investigation by the proposed method as opposed to the previously used methods. Therefore, the method has high accuracy and repeatability in air without use of climate chambers and liquid cells. The proposed method has a high local resolution and is suitable for investigation of the specific surface energy of individual nanograins or fixed nanoparticles. The achievements described in the paper demonstrate one of the method capabilities, which is to control the growth mechanism of thin magnetic films. The conditions for the transition of the growth mechanism of thin Ni80Fe20 films from island to layer-by-layer obtained via electrolyte deposition have been determined using the proposed method and the purpose made probes with Ni coating.
Mammographic image classification with deep fusion learning
Authors: Yu Xiangchun , Pang Wei , Xu Qing , Liang Miaomiao
Published: September 2020

To better address the recognition of abnormalities among mammographic images, in this study we apply the deep fusion learning approach based on Pre-trained models to discover the discriminative patterns between Normal and Tumor categories. We designed a deep fusion learning framework for mammographic image classification. This framework works in two main steps. After obtaining the regions of interest (ROIs) from original dataset, the first step is to train our proposed deep fusion models on those ROI patches which are randomly collected from all ROIs. We proposed the deep fusion model (Model1) to directly fuse the deep features to classify the Normal and Tumor ROI patches. To explore the association among channels of the same block, we propose another deep fusion model (Model2) to integrate the cross-channel deep features using 1 × 1 convolution. The second step is to obtain the final prediction by performing the majority voting on all patches' prediction of one ROI. The experimental results show that Model1 achieves the whole accuracy of 0.8906, recall rate of 0.913, and precision rate of 0.8077 for Tumor class. Accordingly, Model2 achieves the whole accuracy of 0.875, recall rate of 0.9565, and precision rate 0.7,586 for Tumor class. Finally, we open source our Python code at https://github.com/yxchspring/MIAS in order to share our tool with the research community.
Concealed information revealed by involuntary eye movements on the fringe of awareness in a mock terror experiment
Authors: Rosenzweig Gal , Bonneh Yoram S.
Published: September 2020

Involuntary eye movements during fixation are typically inhibited following stimulus onset (Oculomotor Inhibition, OMI), depending on the stimulus saliency and attention, with an earlier and longer OMI for barely visible familiar faces. However, it is still unclear whether OMI regarding familiarities and perceptual saliencies differ enough to allow a reliable OMI-based concealed information test (CIT). In a “mock terror” experiment with 25 volunteers, 13 made a concealed choice of a “terror-target” (one of eight), associated with 3 probes (face, name, and residence), which they learned watching text and videos, whereas 12 “innocents” pre-learned nothing. All participants then watched ~ 25 min of repeated brief presentations of barely visible (masked) stimuli that included the 8 potential probes, as well as a universally familiar face as a reference, while their eye movements were monitored. We found prolonged and deviant OMI regarding the probes. Incorporated with the individual pattern of responses to the reference, our analysis correctly identified 100% of the terror targets, and was 95% correct in discriminating “terrorists” from “innocents”. Our results provide a “proof of concept” for a novel approach to CIT, based on involuntary oculomotor responses to barely visible stimuli, individually tailored, and with high accuracy and theoretical resistance to countermeasures.
Analysis of muntjac deer genome and chromatin architecture reveals rapid karyotype evolution
Authors: Mudd Austin B. , Bredeson Jessen V. , Baum Rachel , Hockemeyer Dirk , Rokhsar Daniel S.
Published: September 2020

Closely related muntjac deer show striking karyotype differences. Here we describe chromosome-scale genome assemblies for Chinese and Indian muntjacs,Muntiacus reevesi(2n = 46) andMuntiacus muntjak vaginalis(2n = 6/7), and analyze their evolution and architecture. The genomes show extensive collinearity with each other and with other deer and cattle. We identified numerous fusion events unique to and shared by muntjacs relative to the cervid ancestor, confirming many cytogenetic observations with genome sequence. One of theseM. muntjakfusions reversed an earlier fission in the cervid lineage. Comparative Hi-C analysis showed that the chromosome fusions on theM. muntjaklineage altered long-range, three-dimensional chromosome organization relative toM. reevesiin interphase nuclei including A/B compartment structure. This reshaping of multi-megabase contacts occurred without notable change in local chromatin compaction, even near fusion sites. A few genes involved in chromosome maintenance show evidence for rapid evolution, possibly associated with the dramatic changes in karyotype.
Future availability of non-renewable metal resources and the influence of environmental, social, and governance conflicts on metal production
Authors: Jowitt Simon M. , Mudd Gavin M. , Thompson John F. H.
Published: September 2020

Metal mining provides the elements required for the provision of energy, communication, transport and more. The increasing uptake of green technology, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy, will also further increase metal demand. However, the production lifespan of an average mine is far shorter than the timescales of mineral deposit formation, suggesting that metal mining is unsustainable on human timescales. In addition, some research suggests that known primary metal supplies will be exhausted within about 50 years. Here we present an analysis of global metal reserves that suggests that primary metal supplies will not run out on this timescale. Instead, we find that global reserves for most metals have not significantly decreased relative to production over time. This is the result of the replenishment of exhausted reserves by the further delineation of known orebodies as mineral exploration progresses. We suggest that environmental, social, and governance factors are likely to be the main source of risk in metal and mineral supply over the coming decades, more so than direct reserve depletion. This could potentially lead to increases in resource conflict and decreases in the conversion of resources to reserves and production.
Fe3O4@GO magnetic nanocomposites protect mesenchymal stem cells and promote osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zhang He , Li Sirong , Liu Yufeng , Yu Yijun , Lin Shichao , Wang Quan , Miao Leiying , Wei Hui , Sun Weibin
Published: September 2020

Fe3O4@GO/BMP2 protecting mesenchymal stem cells by regulating reactive oxygen species and promoting osteogenic differentiation of cells.
Rapid harvesting of stem cell sheets by thermoresponsive bulk poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) nanotopography
Authors: Choi Andrew , Yoon Hyungjun , Han Seon Jin , Lee Ji-Ho , Rhyou In Hyeok , Kim Dong Sung
Published: September 2020

A novel concept of utilizing bulk PNIPAAm substrate nanotopography for rapid harvest of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) sheet. The created nanotogporaphy significantly accelerated the formation of hBMSC layers and eased the detachment of hBMSC sheets.
Stanosilicates based on Sn-magadiites applied in conversion of fructose at moderate temperatures
Authors: dos Santos Tiago Gomes , da Silva Antonio Osimar Sousa , Plentz Meneghetti Simoni Margareti
Published: September 2020

Sn-Magadiite stanosilicates were successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method.
Goat milk increases gastric emptying and alters caecal short chain fatty acid profile compared with cow milk in healthy rats
Authors: Dalziel Julie E. , Dunstan Kelly E. , Dewhurst Hilary , Van Gendt Melanie , Young Wayne , Carpenter Elizabeth
Published: September 2020

Goat and cow milk share similar protein and lipid content, yet goat milk forms softer curds during stomach digestion.
A simple dilution method for the direct determination of trace nickel in crude oil with a miniaturized electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer
Authors: Li Kai , Wu Xi , Chen Zhiming , Luo Jin , Hou Xiandeng , Jiang Xiaoming
Published: September 2020

A simple procedure for the direct determination of trace nickel in crude oil samples has been proposed using a miniaturized electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS).
Synthesis of 1-benzylisoindoline and 1-benzyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline through nucleophilic addition of organozinc reagents to N,O-acetals
Authors: Ma Rui-Jun , Sun Jian-Ting , Liu Chang-Hong , Chen Ling , Si Chang-Mei , Wei Bang-Guo
Published: September 2020

A new approach to access 1-benzylisoindoline and 1-benzyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline has been developed through nucleophilic addition of organozinc reagents to N,O-acetals.
Bagasse as a carbon structure with high sulfur content for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Ma Jingjing , Yang Li , Yang Xiaoxun , Li Yuanchao , Zhao Erqing , Fan Shumin , Xu Guangri , Lou Tianjun , Niu Hongying
Published: September 2020

Bagasse-based carbon matrix with microporous structure and nitrogenous functional groups could have high sulfur loading and excellent polysulfide absorption capacity.
Fabrication of a ceramic/metal (Al2O3/Al) composite by 3D printing as an advanced refractory with enhanced electrical conductivity
Authors: Prathumwan Rat , Subannajui Kittitat
Published: September 2020

An Al2O3/Al composite is fabricated by the 3D printing, sintering, and calcination processes that can be used in refractory applications.
TDDFT-ECD and DFT-NMR studies of thaigranatins A–E and granatumin L isolated fromXylocarpus granatum
Authors: Mándi Attila , Wu Jun , Kurtán Tibor
Published: September 2020

TDDFT-ECD calculations were utilized to explain the mirror image or different ECD spectra of thaigranatins A–E and granatumin L.
CO-free, aqueous mediated, instant and selective reduction of nitrobenzeneviarobustly stable chalcogen stabilised iron carbonyl clusters (Fe3E2(CO)9, E = S, Se, Te)
Authors: Sharma Charu , Srivastava Avinash Kumar , Soni Aditi , Kumari Sangeeta , Joshi Raj Kumar
Published: September 2020

In this study, a strongly feasible method for the reduction of nitrobenzene has been developed through highly stable and thermally robust iron chalcogenide carbonyl clusters Fe3E2(CO)9(E = S, Se or Te).
Crystallization of well-defined anatase nanoparticles in SBA-15 for the photocatalytic decomposition of acetic acid
Authors: Vibulyaseak Kasimanat (Guy) , Ohtani Bunsho , Ogawa Makoto
Published: September 2020

Crystallization of well-defined anatase nanoparticles (5 nm) in the mesopore (6 nm) of SBA-15 over 400 °C, results the high photocatalytic activity for decomposition of acetic acid compared with other commercial titanium dioxides.
Dynamic instability of lithiated phosphorene
Authors: Jia Lingchun , Yuan Hongchun , Chang Yingli , Gu Mu , Zhu Jiajie
Published: September 2020

Introduction of C improves transition capacity between intercalation and conversion reactions for multilayer phosphorene.
Theoretical studies on carbon dioxide adsorption in cation-exchanged molecular sieves
Authors: Li Xin , Shen Wanling , Sun Han , Meng Lingchuang , Wang Bing , Zhan Chenxi , Zhao Bin
Published: September 2020

Density functional theory was used to study the adsorption of CO2 in cation-exchanged zeolite Y, ZSM-5, CHA and A. The adsorption energies and the interactions of cations on various zeolitic topologies towards CO2 molecule was discussed.
Enantioselective sulfoxidation using Streptomyces glaucescens GLA.0
Authors: Salama Sara , Dishisha Tarek , Habib Mohamed H. , Abdelazem Ahmed Z. , Bakeer Walid , Abdel-Latif Mahmoud , Gaber Yasser
Published: September 2020

Application of Streptomyces glaucescens as a whole-cell oxidative biocatalyst without using an external cofactor.
Polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal-based switchable glazing fabricatedviavacuum glass coupling
Authors: Nasir Naila , Hong Hyeryeon , Rehman Malik Abdul , Kumar Sunil , Seo Yongho
Published: September 2020

A vacuum-coupling technique is suggested to fabricate a glass-based PDLC, without using a roll-to-roll process, to improve the optical properties.
Structural, electronic, and optical properties of cubic formamidinium lead iodide perovskite: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Wang Sanjun , Xiao Wen-bo , Wang Fei
Published: September 2020

Different theoretical methods, including SOC effects, were used to study the detailed structure, electronic properties, charge-carrier mobility, and SOC-induced Rashbak-dependent band splitting in FAPbI3.
Research and application of a high-performance fluorocarbon plate prepared via modified a high temperature mould pressing method
Authors: Zhang Pan , Wang Ye , Shu Yi-rui , Zhong Yan-jun , Wang Wei , Yang Lin
Published: September 2020

Applications of high density carbon plates that are high-temperature pressed using material resistance.
Multi-targeting of functional cysteines in multiple conserved SARS-CoV-2 domains by clinically safe Zn-ejectors
Authors: Sargsyan Karen , Lin Chien-Chu , Chen Ting , Grauffel Cédric , Chen Yi-Ping , Yang Wei-Zen , Yuan Hanna S. , Lim Carmay
Published: September 2020

By combining evolutionary and physico-chemical principles, previously unknown druggable Zn-sites in multiple conserved SARS-CoV-2 domains have been identified.
One-step synthesis of benzo[b]thiophenes by aryne reaction with alkynyl sulfides
Authors: Matsuzawa Tsubasa , Hosoya Takamitsu , Yoshida Suguru
Published: September 2020

An aryne reaction with alkynyl sulfides affords benzo[b]thiophenes in a one-step simple procedure.
Covalent doping of Ni and P on 1T-enriched MoS2 bifunctional 2D-nanostructures with active basal planes and expanded interlayers boosts electrocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Pan Uday Narayan , Singh Thangjam Ibomcha , Paudel Dasu Ram , Gudal Chandan Chandru , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee
Published: September 2020

Fabrication of 1T-Ni0.2Mo0.8S1.8P0.2 nanoflowers and 1T-Ni0.2Mo0.8S1.8P0.2 freestanding nanosheets with active basal planes and expanded interlayers as superior bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting.
Novel two-dimensional β-GeSe and β-SnSe semiconductors: anisotropic high carrier mobility and excellent photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Xu Yuanfeng , Xu Ke , Ma Congcong , Chen Ying , Zhang Hao , Liu Yifan , Ji Yanju
Published: September 2020

Monolayer β-GeSe and β-SnSe are promising candidates for electrocatalysts which need ultralow external bias to drive the whole photocatalytic reaction.
A nitrogen fixation strategy to synthesize NO via the thermally assisted photocatalytic conversion of air
Authors: Yu Yu , Wang Changhong , Yu Yifu , Huang Yanmei , Liu Cuibo , Lu Siyu , Zhang Bin
Published: September 2020

A thermally assisted photocatalytic conversion of air as an alternative nitrogen fixation strategy is reported to synthesize NO, which can be directly used for the synthesis of fine chemicals including nitric acid and β-nitrostyrolene.
Enhanced photoresponse and fast charge transfer: three-dimensional macroporous g-C3N4/GO-TiO2 nanostructure for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Li Wei , Ma Qiong , Wang Xiao , Chu Xiao-shan , Wang Fei , Wang Xue-chuan , Wang Chuan-yi
Published: September 2020

Enhancing the adhesion stability of the anatase TiO2 cocatalyst on the three-dimensional macroporous g-C3N4/GO skeleton for highly efficient hydrogen evolution.
Mesoporous gold–silver alloy films towards amplification-free ultra-sensitive microRNA detection
Authors: Park Hyeongyu , Masud Mostafa Kamal , Na Jongbeom , Lim Hyunsoo , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Alothman Asma A. , Salomon Carlos , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: September 2020

The fabrication of a bimetallic mesoporous Au–Ag biosensor for achieving attomolar sensitive detection of magnetically purified target miRNA without any amplification or enzymatic process is reported.
An insight into de Vries behaviour of smectic liquid crystals from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Poll Kristian , Sims Mark T.
Published: September 2020

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the ferroelectric liquid crystal 9HL replicate the experimentally observed de Vries behaviour, which is shown to arise due to differing tilting characteristics of molecular sub-units.
Monoclonal antibody stability can be usefully monitored using the excitation-energy-dependent fluorescence edge-shift
Authors: Knight Michael J. , Woolley Rachel E. , Kwok Anthony , Parsons Stuart , Jones Hannah B. L. , Gulácsy Christina E. , Phaal Polly , Kassaar Omar , Dawkins Kieran , Rodriguez Elizabeth , Marques Andreia , Bowsher Leo , Wells Stephen A. , Watts Andrew , van den Elsen Jean M. H. , Turner Alison , O'Hara John , Pudney Christopher R.
Published: September 2020

Among the major challenges in the development of biopharmaceuticals are structural heterogeneity and aggregation. The development of a successful therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) requires both a highly active and also stable molecule. Whilst a range of experimental (biophysical) approaches exist to track changes in stability of proteins, routine prediction of stability remains challenging. The fluorescence red edge excitation shift (REES) phenomenon is sensitive to a range of changes in protein structure. Based on recent work, we have found that quantifying the REES effect is extremely sensitive to changes in protein conformational state and dynamics. Given the extreme sensitivity, potentially this tool could provide a ‘fingerprint’ of the structure and stability of a protein. Such a tool would be useful in the discovery and development of biopharamceuticals and so we have explored our hypothesis with a panel of therapeutic mAbs. We demonstrate that the quantified REES data show remarkable sensitivity, being able to discern between structurally identical antibodies and showing sensitivity to unfolding and aggregation. The approach works across a broad concentration range (µg–mg/ml) and is highly consistent. We show that the approach can be applied alongside traditional characterisation testing within the context of a forced degradation study (FDS). Most importantly, we demonstrate the approach is able to predict the stability of mAbs both in the short (hours), medium (days) and long-term (months). The quantified REES data will find immediate use in the biopharmaceutical industry in quality assurance, formulation and development. The approach benefits from low technical complexity, is rapid and uses instrumentation which exists in most biochemistry laboratories without modification.
Driving antimalarial design through understanding of target mechanism
Authors: Calic Petar P. S. , Mansouri Mahta , Scammells Peter J. , McGowan Sheena
Published: September 2020

Malaria continues to be a global health threat, affecting approximately 219 million people in 2018 alone. The recurrent development of resistance to existing antimalarials means that the design of new drug candidates must be carefully considered. Understanding of drug target mechanism can dramatically accelerate early-stage target-based development of novel antimalarials and allows for structural modifications even during late-stage preclinical development. Here, we have provided an overview of three promising antimalarial molecular targets, PfDHFR, PfDHODH and PfA-M1, and their associated inhibitors which demonstrate how mechanism can inform drug design and be effectively utilised to generate compounds with potent inhibitory activity.
Research on Reliability Evaluation and Scheme Optimization of Main Connection Mode of Substation
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Yan , Yang Hongwei , Hu Yuan , Wang Suo
Published: September 2020

When designing the main wiring scheme of the substation, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the problems of dense power grid, high system stability and outstanding short-circuit current problems, and improve the reliability of power supply according to the actual situation of urban development. This design plan optimizes the main wiring form, and conducts optimization research from the three aspects of reliability, flexibility and economy. After technical and economic demonstrations, the optimal design form of the main wiring of the 220kV substation is determined, and it has good economic benefits. The main wiring scheme of 220kV substation with social benefits.
Electricity Consumption and Secondary Industry Structure: Case Analysis of Shandong
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Li Bing
Published: September 2020

This paper analyses the relationship of electricity consumption and secondary industry structure with GDP as control variable. Cointegration analysis indicates that there is a long run relationship between the electricity consumption and the secondary industry structure. Granger causality test indicates that variables all have one-directional Granger causality relationship. Increased electricity consumption could explain the development of GDP in Shandong in the period under study. Secondary industry structure played a significant role in the explanation of the increased electricity demand. And secondary industry structure helps explain the growth of GDP in Shandong province. Although tertiary industry is developing very fast but the secondary industry is still very important in the electricity consumption.
Transient Voltage Stability of UHV DC/AC Hybrid Power Grids with Spinning Reserve
Authors: Cui Ting , Wang Ding , Hu Zhen , Shen Yangwu , Guo Hu
Published: September 2020

This paper studies the mechanism of spinning reserve on transient voltage stability in ultra-high voltage (UHV) DC/AC hybrid power grids. Taking an actual received power grid with an UHVDC system as an example, the transient voltage stability is introduced and a certain scale of spinning reserve has to be retained to keep the transient voltage stability of the system. And then, the steady state of synchronous generators with different spinning reserve is studied using the method of phasor diagram analysis. At last, the relation of spinning reserve, excitation voltage, and dynamic reactive power is analyzed and the mechanism of spinning reserve on transient voltage stability is revealed. The actual received power grid is used to demonstrate the validity of the mechanism.
Effect of Ni2O3 Doping on the Electrical Properties and Intrinsic Defect Concentration of ZnO Varistor Ceramics
Authors: Guo Qirui , Zhang Lei , Kong Fanyi , Zhang Zhaozi , Li Shengtao
Published: September 2020

With the development of high voltage transmission, there is an urgent need to develop ZnO varistor ceramics with high anti-aging properties. The key is to manipulate the intrinsic defect concentration of ZnO varistor ceramics precisely. In this paper, ZnO varistor ceramics doped with different contents of Ni2O3 are taken to study the relationship between the microstructure and electrical properties, and the effect of ZnO varistor ceramics doped with different contents on intrinsic defect concentration is also considered. The results show that, best electrical performance is shown when the content of Ni2O3 is 1.2mol%, the electrical breakdown field E1mA is 356 V/mm, the nonlinear coefficient reaches 32, and the leakage current IL is 3.4 . While the amount of the doped Ni2O3 is more 0.8mol%, a new phase of Co2Cr5Sb5O4 phase is observed from X-ray diffraction. The SEM micrographs showed that the average grain size decreased monotonously from 14.56 m to 5.73 m with the amount of the doped Ni2O3 increased. According to the results of dielectric spectroscopy, the intrinsic defect concentration increased with the contents of the doped Ni2O3 increased. The increase of Zinc interstitial is much greater than that of Oxygen vacancies, which is harmful to Long-term aging characteristics of ZnO varistor ceramics.
Research on Ability of Clean Energy Consumption of Electric Heating in Northern Areas
Authors: Rui Luo , Ming Gao , Taiping Guo , Weiwei Chen , Shibo Jing
Published: September 2020

With the country’s vigorous promotion of clean heating in the north, clean energy heating is becoming a trend. Using clean energy for heating can not only improve the grid’s ability to consume clean energy, but also make an important contribution to reducing environmental pollution. Therefore, clean and pollution-free electric heating is currently the most important way of clean heating in northern areas. This paper takes an area in Xinjiang as an example, it not only analyzes the effect of regenerative electric heating on wind power absorption capacity, but also sorts out the current status of electric heating and related policies, which is of great significance to the promotion of electric heating in Xinjiang.
Modelling& Simulation and Protection& Control Verification Method for Asynchronous Motor-Synchronous Generator Sets
Authors: Wang Shuyang , Xia Qiu , Wang Xingguo , Guo Yarong , Chen Zhengguang , Du Dingxiang
Published: September 2020

Power supply system made of asynchronous motor-synchronous generator sets (M-G sets) is often used as power supply for important loads. The system usually consists of two M-G sets. Unlike synchronous generators connecting to large power grid, the two generators in the system can have significant effect on the other when field loss fault occurs. If the protection settings are inappropriate, the two generators may trip one after another during a fault on a single generator, causing the important load losing all the power supply. This paper proposed a simulation and protection verification method based on the RTDS digital modelling for M- G sets including detailed excitation system. The modelling and simulation methods can effectively verify the reasonability of settings of the P-Q restriction of the excitation regulator and the PID controllers, and provide the important basis for the setting of over-current protection and loss of excitation protection, ensuring the safe operation of the power supply system made of M-G sets.
Talking about the significance of optimizing the condition evaluation standard of small power grid equipment such as voltage transformer
Authors: Li Suya , Zhao Cong , Dong Yanwei , Li Songyuan , Li Nan , Guo Bowen
Published: September 2020

Power grid equipment condition evaluation and condition maintenance is a kind of operation and maintenance means with strong reliability, low cost and high efficiency in power grid equipment operation management. At present, when carrying out state assessment of power grid equipment such as, grounding devices, capacitors, reactors, because of the features of large number, frequent failures, complex and changeable operating environment, etc, existing state evaluation standards have obvious deficiencies, which makes it difficult to meet management needs. Optimizing state evaluation standards, formulating scientific and effective state evaluation guidelines are of great significance for improving equipment safety and ensuring safe and stable operation of power systems.