bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive imaging of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio in cancers in vivo
Authors: Islam Md. Tauhidul , Tang Songyuan , Liverani Chiara , Saha Sajib , Tasciotti Ennio , Righetti Raffaella
Published: April 2020

Alterations of Young’s modulus (YM) and Poisson’s ratio (PR) in biological tissues are often early indicators of the onset of pathological conditions. Knowledge of these parameters has been proven to be of great clinical significance for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancers. Currently, however, there are no non-invasive modalities that can be used to image and quantify these parameters in vivo without assuming incompressibility of the tissue, an assumption that is rarely justified in human tissues. In this paper, we developed a new method to simultaneously reconstruct YM and PR of a tumor and of its surrounding tissues based on the assumptions of axisymmetry and ellipsoidal-shape inclusion. This new, non-invasive method allows the generation of high spatial resolution YM and PR maps from axial and lateral strain data obtained via ultrasound elastography. The method was validated using finite element (FE) simulations and controlled experiments performed on phantoms with known mechanical properties. The clinical feasibility of the developed method was demonstrated in an orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer. Our results demonstrate that the proposed technique can estimate the YM and PR of spherical inclusions with accuracy higher than 99% and with accuracy higher than 90% in inclusions of different geometries and under various clinically relevant boundary conditions.
Whole transcriptome analysis and validation of metabolic pathways in subcutaneous adipose tissues during FGF21-induced weight loss in non-human primates
Authors: Murray Sara A. , Dalbøge Louise S. , Baquero Karalee , Sanford Christina A. , Misquith Ayesha , Mercer Aaron J. , Meek Thomas H. , Guldbrandt Mette , Andersen Birgitte , Kievit Paul , Grove Kevin L. , Kutlu Burak
Published: April 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) induces weight loss in mouse, monkey, and human studies. In mice, FGF21 is thought to cause weight loss by stimulating thermogenesis, but whether FGF21 increases energy expenditure (EE) in primates is unclear. Here, we explore the transcriptional response and gene networks active in adipose tissue of rhesus macaques following FGF21-induced weight loss. Genes related to thermogenesis responded inconsistently to FGF21 treatment and weight loss. However, expression of gene modules involved in triglyceride (TG) synthesis and adipogenesis decreased, and this was associated with greater weight loss. Conversely, expression of innate immune cell markers was increased post-treatment and was associated with greater weight loss. A lipogenesis gene module associated with weight loss was evaluated by testing the function of member genes in mice. Overexpression of NRG4 reduced weight gain in diet-induced obese mice, while overexpression of ANGPTL8 resulted in elevated TG levels in lean mice. These observations provide evidence for a shifting balance of lipid storage and metabolism due to FGF21-induced weight loss in the non-human primate model, and do not fully recapitulate increased EE seen in rodent and in vitro studies. These discrepancies may reflect inter-species differences or complex interplay of FGF21 activity and counter-regulatory mechanisms.
Pathogenic Leptospira and their animal reservoirs: testing host specificity through experimental infection
Authors: Cordonin Colette , Turpin Magali , Bringart Matthieu , Bascands Jean-Loup , Flores Olivier , Dellagi Koussay , Mavingui Patrick , Roche Marjolaine , Tortosa Pablo
Published: April 2020

Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic Leptospira transmitted through contact with contaminated environments. Most mammalian species are infectable by Leptospira but only few act as efficient reservoir being capable of establishing long term kidney colonization and shedding Leptospira in urine. In Madagascar, a large diversity of pathogenic Leptospira display a tight specificity towards their endemic volant or terrestrial mammalian hosts. The basis of this specificity is unknown: it may indicate some genetically determined compatibility between host cells and bacteria or only reflect ecological constraints preventing contacts between specific hosts. In this study, Rattus norvegicus was experimentally infected with either Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira borgpetersenii or Leptospira mayottensis isolated from rats, bats or tenrecs, respectively. Leptospira borgpetersenii and L. mayottensis do not support renal colonization as featured by no shedding of live bacteria in urine and low level and sporadic detection of Leptospira DNA in kidneys. In contrast 2 out of the 7 R. norvegicus challenged with L. interrogans developed renal colonization and intense Leptospira shedding in urine throughout the 3 months of experimental infection. These data suggest that host-Leptospira specificity in this biodiversity hotspot is driven at least in part by genetic determinants likely resulting from long-term co-diversification processes.
Synapse-specific expression of mu opioid receptor long-term depression in the dorsomedial striatum
Authors: Muñoz Braulio , Haggerty David L. , Atwood Brady K
Published: April 2020

The dorsal striatum is a brain region involved in action control, with dorsomedial striatum (DMS) mediating goal-directed actions and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) mediating habitual actions. Presynaptic long-term synaptic depression (LTD) plasticity at glutamatergic inputs to dorsal striatum mediates many dorsal striatum-dependent behaviors and disruption of LTD influences action control. Our previous work identified mu opioid receptors (MORs) as mediators of synapse-specific forms of synaptic depression at a number of different DLS synapses. We demonstrated that anterior insular cortex inputs are the sole inputs that express alcohol-sensitive MOR-mediated LTD (mOP-LTD) in DLS. Here, we explore mOP-LTD in DMS using mouse brain slice electrophysiology. We found that contrary to DLS, DMS mOP-LTD is induced by activation of MORs at inputs from both anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices as well as at basolateral amygdala inputs and striatal cholinergic interneuron synapses on to DMS medium spiny neurons, suggesting that MOR synaptic plasticity in DMS is less synapse-specific than in DLS. Furthermore, only mOP-LTD at cortical inputs was sensitive to alcohol’s deleterious effects. These results suggest that alcohol-induced neuroadaptations are differentially expressed in a synapse-specific manner and could be playing a role in alterations of goal-directed and habitual behaviors.
Use of silica-based homogeneously distributed gold nickel
nanohybrid as a stable nanocatalyst for the hydrogen production from the dimethylamine
borane
Authors: Alptekin Oznur , Sen Betul , Savk Aysun , Ercetin Umran , Mustafov Sibel Demiroglu , Fellah Mehmet Ferdi , Sen Fatih
Published: April 2020

In this study, the effects of silica-based gold-nickel
(AuNi@SiO2) nanohybrid to the production of hydrogen from
dimethylamine borane (DMAB) were investigated. AuNi@SiO2
nanohybrid constructs were prepared as nanocatalysts for the dimethylamine borane
dehydrogenation. The prepared nanohybrid structures were exhibited high catalytic
activity and a stable form. The resulting nanohybrid,
AuNi@SiO2 as a nanocatalyst, was tested in the hydrogen
evolution from DMAB at room temperature. The synthesized nanohybrids were
characterized using some analytical techniques. According to the results of the
characterization, it was observed that the catalyst was in nanoscale and the
gold-nickel alloys showed a homogenous distribution on the
SiO2 surface. After characterization, the turn over
frequency (TOF) of nanohybrid prepared for the production of hydrogen from
dimethylamine was calculated (546.9 h−1). Also, the
prepared nanohybrid can be used non-observed a significant decrease in activity even
after the fifth use, in the same reaction. In addition, the activation energy
(Ea) of the reaction of DMAB catalyzed
AuNi@SiO2 nanohybrid was found to be 16.653 ± 1
kJmol−1 that facilitated the catalytic reaction.
Furthermore, DFT-B3LYP calculations were used on the
AuNi@SiO2 cluster to investigate catalyst activity.
Computational results based on DFT obtained in the theoretical part of the study
support the experimental data.
The effect of monocular occlusion on hippocampal c-Fos expression in domestic chicks (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Morandi-Raikova Anastasia , Mayer Uwe
Published: April 2020

In birds, like in mammals, the hippocampus is particularly sensitive to exposure to novel environments, a function that is based on visual input. Chicks’ eyes are placed laterally and their optic fibers project mainly to the contralateral brain hemispheres, with only little direct interhemispheric coupling. Thus, monocular occlusion has been frequently used in chicks to document functional specialization of the two hemispheres. However, we do not know whether monocular occlusion influences hippocampal activation. The aim of the present work was to fill this gap by directly testing this hypothesis. To induce hippocampal activation, chicks were exposed to a novel environment with their left or right eye occluded, or in conditions of binocular vision. Their hippocampal expression of c-Fos (neural activity marker) was compared to a baseline group that remained in a familiar environment. Interestingly, while the hippocampal activation in the two monocular groups was not different from the baseline, it was significantly higher in the binocular group exposed to the novel environment. This suggest that the representation of environmental novelty in the hippocampus of domestic chicks involves strong binocular integration.
Oxygenation Profiles of Human Blood, Cell Culture Medium, and Water for Perfusion of 3D-Bioprinted Tissues using the FABRICA Bioreactor Platform
Authors: Chen Angela M. , Lashmet Matthew , Isidan Abdulkadir , Sterner Jane L. , Walsh Julia , Koehler Cutter , Li Ping , Ekser Burcin , Smith Lester
Published: April 2020

Persistent and saturated oxygen distribution from perfusion media (i.e., blood, or cell culture media) to cells within cell-dense, metabolically-active biofabricated tissues is required to keep them viable. Improper or poor oxygen supply to cells within the tissue bulk severely limits the tissue culturing potential of many bioreactors. We added an oxygenator module to our modular FABRICA bioreactor in order to provide stable oxygenation to biofabricated tissues during culture. In this proof of concept study of an oxygenated and perfused bioreactor, we characterized the oxygenation of water, cell culture medium, and human blood in the FABRICA as functions of augmenting vacuum (air inlet) pressure, perfusion (volumetric flow) rate, and tubing/oxygenator components. The mean oxygen levels for water and cell culture media were 27.7 ± 2.1% and 27.6 ± 4.1%, respectively. The mean oxygen level for human blood was 197.0 ± 90.0 mmHg, with near-physiologic levels achieved with low-permeability PharMed tubing alone (128.0 ± 14.0 mmHg). Hematologic values pre- and post-oxygenation, respectively were (median ± IQR): Red blood cell: 6.0 ± 0.5 (106/μL) and 6.5 ± 0.4 (106/μL); Hemoglobin: 17.5 ± 1.2 g/dL and 19.2 ± 3.0 g/dL; and Hematocrit: 56.7 ± 2.4% and 61.4 ± 7.5%. The relative stability of the hematologic parameters indicates that blood function and thus blood cell integrity were maintained throughout oxygenation. Already a versatile research tool, the now oxygenated FABRICA provides easy-to-implement,in vivo-like perfusion and stable oxygenation culture conditionsinvitro semi-independently of one another, which means the bioreactor has the potential to serve as a platform for investigating the behavior of 3D tissue models (regardless of biofabrication method), performing drug toxicity-testing, and testing pharmaceutical efficacy/safety.
Transcriptome profile analysis of two Vicia faba cultivars with contrasting salinity tolerance during seed germination
Authors: Yang Fangwen , Chen Hongwei , Liu Changyan , Li Li , Liu Liangjun , Han Xuesong , Wan Zhenghuang , Sha Aihua
Published: April 2020

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important food legume crop. Salinity soils severely constrain the production of faba bean, however, the seed germination of faba bean, which is a vital plant growth stage, is sensitive to salinity. Planting improved varieties of faba bean, which exhibit salt tolerance in seed germination stage, is an optimal strategy for faba bean product. To investigate the genes dynamics during the seed germination stage under salinity, RNA-seq method was used to investigate genome-wide transcription profiles of two faba bean varieties with contrast salt-tolerance during the seed germination. A total of 4,486 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the comparison of salt-tolerant variety Y134 and salt-sensitive variety Y078 treated with salinity or not. Of these, 1,410 candidate DEGs were identified as salt-stress response genes. Furthermore, 623 DEGs were identified as variety-specific response gene during seed germination at 16 h or 24 h with salt treatment. Based on the pathway enrichment according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database (KEGG), these DEGs involving in cell wall loosening (e.g., xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase, chitinase, and expansin), hormone metabolism (e.g., LEA genes, genes associated with ABA or ethylene signal pathway), chromatin remodeling (e.g., chromatin structure proteins, LHP1), small interfering RNA pathway, etc., were significantly up-regulated in salt-tolerance variety with salt treatment, indicating that they play critical roles in regulation of seed germination. The results indicated that a clearer mechanism of gene regulation that regulates the seed germination responding to salinity in faba bean. These findings are helpful to increase the understanding of the salt tolerance mechanism of crops during seed germination, and provide valuable genetic resource for the breeding of salt-tolerant faba bean varieties in future.
Anti-inflammatory effects of α-MSH through p-CREB expression in sarcoidosis like granuloma model
Authors: Zhang Chongxu , Chery Stephanie , Lazerson Aaron , Altman Norman H , Jackson Robert , Holt Greg , Campos Michael , Schally Andrew  V , Mirsaeidi Mehdi
Published: April 2020

Lung inflammation due to sarcoidosis is characterized by a complex cascade of immunopathologic events, including leukocyte recruitment and granuloma formation. α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a melanocortin signaling peptide with anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the effects of α-MSH in a novel in vitro sarcoidosis model. An in vitro sarcoidosis-like granuloma model was developed by challenging peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients with confirmed treatment-naïve sarcoidosis with microparticles generated from Mycobacterium abscessus cell walls. Unchallenged PBMCsand developed granulomas were treated daily with 10 μM α-MSH or saline as control. Cytokine concentrations in supernatants of culture and in cell extracts were measured using Illumina multiplex Elisa and western blot, respectively. Gene expression was analyzed using RNA-Seq and RT-PCR. Protein secretion and gene expression of IL-7, IL-7R, IFN-γ, MC1R, NF-κB, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), MARCO, and p-CREB were measured with western blot and RNAseq. A significant increase in IL-7, IL-7R, and IFN-γ protein expression was found in developed granulomas comparing to microparticle unchallenged PBMCs. IL-7, IL-7R, and IFN-γ protein expression was significantly reduced in developed granulomas after exposure to α-MSH compared with saline treated granulomas. Compared with microparticle unchallenged PBMCs, total NF-κB and p-NF-κB were significantly increased in developed granulomas, while expression of p-CREB was not changed. Treatment with α-MSH promoted a significantly higher concentration of p-CREB in granulomas. The anti-inflammatory effects of α-MSH were blocked by specific p-CREB inhibition. α-MSH has anti-inflammatory properties in this in vitro granuloma model, which is an effect mediated by induction of phosphorylation of CREB.
Ability of the post-operative ALBI grade to predict the outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative surgery
Authors: Cho Wei-Ru , Hung Chao-Hung , Chen Chien-Hung , Lin Chih-Che , Wang Chih-Chi , Liu Yueh-Wei , Wu Yi-Ju , Yong Chee-Chien , Chen Kuang-Den , Tsai Yu-Chieh , Hu Tsung-Hui , Tsai Ming-Chao
Published: April 2020

The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade has been validated as a significant predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is little information about the impact of postoperative ALBI grade in patients with HCC who are undergoing liver resection. We enrolled 525 HCC patients who received primary resection from April 2001 to March 2017. The impact of the pre- and post-operative ALBI grades on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by multivariate analysis. During the follow-up period (mean, 65 months), 253 (48.1%) patients experienced recurrence, and 85 (16.2%) patients died. Multivariate analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.011), alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFP) (p < 0.001), low platelet count (p = 0.008), liver cirrhosis (p < 0.001), and the first year of ALBI grade after resection (p < 0.001) were independent predictors for RFS. Additionally, old age (p = 0.006), DM (p = 0.002), AFP (p = 0.027), and ALBI grade at the first year after resection (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for poor liver-related survival. Patients with post-operative ALBI grades II/III had older age (p = 0.019), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.038), DM (p = 0.043), and high stages of pTNM (p = 0.021). The post-operative ALBI grade is better for predicting the outcomes in HCC patients after curative hepatectomy than the pre-operative ALBI grade.
Controlling Electronic States of Few-walled Carbon Nanotube Yarn via Joule-annealing and p-type Doping Towards Large Thermoelectric Power Factor
Authors: Myint May Thu Zar , Nishikawa Takeshi , Omoto Kazuki , Inoue Hirotaka , Yamashita Yoshifumi , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Hayashi Yasuhiko
Published: April 2020

Flexible, light-weight and robust thermoelectric (TE) materials have attracted much attention to convert waste heat from low-grade heat sources, such as human body, to electricity. Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn is one of the potential TE materials owing to its narrow band-gap energy, high charge carrier mobility, and excellent mechanical property, which is conducive for flexible and wearable devices. Herein, we propose a way to improve the power factor of CNT yarns fabricated from few-walled carbon nanotubes (FWCNTs) by two-step method; Joule-annealing in the vacuum followed by doping with p-type dopants, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluo-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). Numerical calculations and experimental results explain that Joule-annealing and doping modulate the electronic states (Fermi energy level) of FWCNTs, resulting in extremely large thermoelectric power factor of 2250 µW m−1 K−2 at a measurement temperature of 423 K. Joule-annealing removes amorphous carbon on the surface of the CNT yarn, which facilitates doping in the subsequent step, and leads to higher Seebeck coefficient due to the transformation from (semi) metallic to semiconductor behavior. Doping also significantly increases the electrical conductivity due to the effective charge transfers between CNT yarn and F4TCNQ upon the removal of amorphous carbon after Joule-annealing.
Phylodynamic analysis and evaluation of the balance between anthropic and environmental factors affecting IBV spreading among Italian poultry farms
Authors: Franzo Giovanni , Tucciarone Claudia Maria , Moreno Ana , Legnardi Matteo , Massi Paola , Tosi Giovanni , Trogu Tiziana , Ceruti Raffaella , Pesente Patrizia , Ortali Giovanni , Gavazzi Luigi , Cecchinato Mattia
Published: April 2020

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) control is mainly based on wide vaccine administration. Although effective, its efficacy is not absolute, the viral circulation is not prevented and some side effects cannot be denied. Despite this, the determinants of IBV epidemiology and the factors affecting its circulation are still largely unknown and poorly investigated. In the present study, 361 IBV QX (the most relevant field genotype in Italy) sequences were obtained between 2012 and 2016 from the two main Italian integrated poultry companies. Several biostatistical and bioinformatics approaches were used to reconstruct the history of the QX genotype in Italy and to assess the effect of different environmental, climatic and social factors on its spreading patterns. Moreover, two structured coalescent models were considered in order to investigate if an actual compartmentalization occurs between the two integrated poultry companies and the role of a third “ghost” deme, representative of minor industrial poultry companies and the rural sector. The obtained results suggest that the integration of the poultry companies is an effective barrier against IBV spreading, since the strains sampled from the two companies formed two essentially-independent clades. Remarkably, the only exceptions were represented by farms located in the high densely populated poultry area of Northern Italy. The inclusion of a third deme in the model revealed the likely role of other poultry companies and rural farms (particularly concentrated in Northern Italy) as sources of strain introduction into one of the major poultry companies, whose farms are mainly located in the high densely populated poultry area of Northern Italy. Accordingly, when the effect of different environmental and urban parameters on IBV geographic spreading was investigated, no factor seems to contribute to IBV dispersal velocity, being poultry population density the only exception. Finally, the different viral population pattern observed in the two companies over the same time period supports the pivotal role of management and control strategies on IBV epidemiology. Overall, the present study results stress the crucial relevance of human action rather than environmental factors, highlighting the direct benefits that could derive from improved management and organization of the poultry sector on a larger scale.
Discovery of the oldest South American fossil lizard illustrates the cosmopolitanism of early South American squamates
Authors: Bittencourt Jonathas Souza , Simões Tiago Rodrigues , Caldwell Michael Wayne , Langer Max Cardoso
Published: April 2020

Squamates have an extremely long evolutionary history with a fossil record that extends into the Middle Triassic. However, most of our knowledge of their early evolutionary history is derived from Laurasian records. Therefore, fundamental questions regarding the early evolution of squamates in the Southern Hemisphere, such as the origins of the extremely diverse and endemic South American fauna, remain unanswered. Here, we describe a new lizard species that represents the oldest fossil squamate from South America, demonstrating that squamates were present on that continent at least 20 million years earlier than previously recorded. The new species represents the first occurrence of the extinct squamate family Paramacellodidae in South America and displays an unusual limb morphology. Finally, our findings suggest early South American squamates were part of a much broader distribution of their respective clades, in sharp contrast to the high levels of endemicity characteristic of modern faunas.
Ferguson analysis of protein electromigration during single-cell electrophoresis in an open microfluidic device
Authors: Tan Kristine Y. , Herr Amy E.
Published: April 2020

Ferguson analysis of protein electromigration from single-cell lysate in an open microfluidic device to inform optimal assay design.
A highly sensitive signal-on biosensor for microRNA 142-3p based on the quenching of Ru(bpy)32+–TPA electrochemiluminescence by carbon dots and duplex specific nuclease-assisted target recycling amplification
Authors: Yang Jiao , Xia Qian , Guo Longhua , Luo Fang , Dong Yongqiang , Qiu Bin , Lin Zhenyu
Published: April 2020

CDs have been used to quench the ECL of Ru(bpy)32+–TPA for the first time and a sensitive biosensor was developed.
Oxygen surface exchange kinetics of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ
Authors: Eremin V. A. , Ananyev M. V. , Bouwmeester H. J. M. , Kurumchin E. Kh. , Yoo Ch.-Y.
Published: April 2020

The mechanism of oxygen exchange between the gas phase and Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δoxide was evaluated by considering the inhomogeneity of the oxide surface.
In-air EIS sensor for in situ and real-time monitoring of in vitro epithelial cells under air-exposure
Authors: Noh Seungbeom , Kim Hanseup
Published: April 2020

This paper reports in-air monitoring of in vitro monolayer cells under air-exposure utilizing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Progress in lead-free piezoelectric nanofiller materials and related composite nanogenerator devices
Authors: Zhang Yong , Kim Hyunseung , Wang Qing , Jo Wook , Kingon Angus I. , Kim Seung-Hyun , Jeong Chang Kyu
Published: April 2020

This report is a representative review article which deeply describes lead-free piezoelectric nanofillers and related composite nanogenerator devices.
Near-infrared light controlled fluorogenic labeling of glycoengineered sialic acids in vivo with upconverting photoclick nanoprobe
Authors: Wu Yunxia , Zheng Judun , Xing Da , Zhang Tao
Published: April 2020

Spatiotemporally controllable platform enables in situ fluorogenic labeling of alkene sialic acids based upconverting photoclick nanoprobe.
Mapping the supramolecular assembly space of poly(sarcosine)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) using a combinatorial copolymer library
Authors: Frey Molly , Vincent Michael , Bobbala Sharan , Burt Rajan , Scott Evan
Published: April 2020

A robust pipeline of synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization was employed to optimize the fabrication of poly(sarcosine)-b-poly(propylene sulfide) nanostructures.
A H2O2-free electrochemical peptide biosensor based on Au@Pt bimetallic nanorods for highly sensitive sensing of matrix metalloproteinase 2
Authors: Xi Xiaoxue , Wen Meiqi , Song Shihao , Zhu Junlun , Wen Wei , Zhang Xiuhua , Wang Shengfu
Published: April 2020

We construct for the first time a H2O2-free electrochemical peptide biosensor based on Au@Pt bimetallic nanorods in neutral substrate solutions for highly sensitive detection of matrix metalloproteinase 2.
Pressure-induced dehydrogenative coupling of methane to ethane by platinum-loaded gallium oxide photocatalyst
Authors: Amano Fumiaki , Akamoto Chiho , Ishimaru Mizuki , Inagaki Satoshi , Yoshida Hisao
Published: April 2020

Pt/Ga2O3induced photocatalytic dehydrogenative coupling of CH4to yield C2H6under high CH4pressure.
Chemical ionization of glyoxal and formaldehyde with H3O+ ions using SIFT-MS under variable system humidity
Authors: Lacko Michal , Piel Felix , Mauracher Andreas , Španěl Patrik
Published: April 2020

Protonated glyoxal reacts with water molecules to form protonated formaldehyde, interfering with SIFT-MS analyses of glyoxal in humid samples.
Density functional theory study of superoxide ions as impurities in alkali halides
Authors: Tygesen Alexander S. , Mathiesen Nicolai R. , Chang Jin Hyun , García-Lastra Juan María
Published: April 2020

An exhaustive mapping of the orientation of the unpaired electron from a superoxide impurity in alkali halides using DFT.
Insights into isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 3] annulation of α,β-unsaturated aryl esters with 2-acylbenzazoles: mechanism, origin of stereoselectivity and switchable chemoselectivity
Authors: Wang Congcong , Li Shi-Jun , Zhang Qiao-Chu , Wei Donghui , Ding Lina
Published: April 2020

The switchable chemoselectivity of isothiourea-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 3] annulation of α,β-unsaturated aryl esters with 2-acylbenzazoles has been predicted successfully.
Toxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs): effect of lengths, functional groups and electronic structures revealed by a quantitative toxicogenomics assay
Authors: Jiang Tao , Amadei Carlo Alberto , Gou Na , Lin Yishan , Lan Jiaqi , Vecitis Chad D. , Gu April Z.
Published: April 2020

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have caused increasing public concerns associated with their potential toxicological effects. This study demonstrated that the physicochemical properties of SWCNTs have impacts on their toxicological effects.
Chemical characterization and in vivo antioxidant activity of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) aqueous extract
Authors: Mara de Menezes Epifanio Neide , Rykiel Iglesias Cavalcanti Lynn , Falcão dos Santos Karine , Soares Coutinho Duarte Priscila , Kachlicki Piotr , Ożarowski Marcin , Jorge Riger Cristiano , Siqueira de Almeida Chaves Douglas
Published: April 2020

Twenty-nine flavonoid glycosides were identified in the aqueous extract (PC) of Petroselinum crispum var. crispum leaves and apiin, the major compound, was isolated thereof.
Mechanochemical cleavage of lignin models and lignin via oxidation and a subsequent base-catalyzed strategy
Authors: Sun Chen , Zheng Lei , Xu Wenhao , Dushkin Alexandr V. , Su Weike
Published: April 2020

Mechanochemical cleavage of lignin to aromatic monomers has been developed via a two-step strategy under mild conditions.
Incorporation of novel degradable oligoester crosslinkers into waterborne pressure sensitive adhesives: towards removable adhesives
Authors: Wenzel Fabian , Agirre Amaia , Aguirre Miren , Leiza Jose Ramon
Published: April 2020

Novel partially degradable waterborne pressure sensitive adhesives can be easily removed from substrates under mild alkali conditions opening the door for sustainable (less solvent and energy consumption) recycling processes.
Facile one-pot synthesis of self-assembled nitrogen-doped carbon dots/cellulose nanofibril hydrogel with enhanced fluorescence and mechanical properties
Authors: Chen Xueqi , Song Zihui , Li Shaopeng , Tat Thang Nguyen , Gao Xing , Gong Xinchao , Guo Minghui
Published: April 2020

A facile one-pot method is used to synthesize and self-assemble nanofibril cellulose hydrogels with carbon dots as intensity enhancement and fluorescent emission factors.
Melamine adsorption on carbon materials: impact of carbon texture and surface chemistry
Authors: Hynes Lucas , Montiel Gonzalo , Jones Allison , Riel Donna , Abdulaziz Muna , Viva Federico , Bonetta Dario , Vreugdenhil Andrew , Trevani Liliana
Published: April 2020

In this work, a comparative study between three carbon materials has been carried out to investigate the impact of the micro/mesoporous structure of the carbon substrate on their adsorption capabilities.
Stretchable, self-healing and tissue-adhesive zwitterionic hydrogels as strain sensors for wireless monitoring of organ motions
Authors: Pei Xinjie , Zhang Hua , Zhou Yang , Zhou Linjie , Fu Jun
Published: April 2020

Stretchable, self-healing, and fatigue resistant polyzwitterionic nanocomposite hydrogels with polydopamine robustly adhere to the heart and lungs for in situ monitoring of dynamic motions through wireless transmission.
Strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical in a dinuclear complex with 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands
Authors: Wang Jin-Hua , Dai Jing-Wei , Li Zhao-Yang , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: April 2020

A new dinuclear cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical complex was synthesised and displayed strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, having −90.25 cm−1of aJvalue, between the cobalt(ii) centres and semiquinone radicals.
Can non-heterocyclic hydrophobic amino acids when tethered at the C-terminus of 12-hydroxy stearic acid-based amphiphilic derivatives drive hydrogelation propensity effectively?
Authors: Sharma Ankita , Gupta Arindam , Khan Naureen , DuttKonar Anita
Published: April 2020

The amphiphilic derivatives comprising of non-heterocyclic, hydrophobic amino acids at the C-terminal end, not only displayed excellent gelation ability but also high mechanical integrity in comparison to the heterocyclic analogues.
Ultra-fine electrochemical tuning of hybridized plasmon modes for ultimate light confinement
Authors: Oikawa Shunpei , Minamimoto Hiro , Ohnuki Atsuyori , Murakoshi Kei
Published: April 2020

Highly reproducible control of metal plasmonic nanostructures has been achieved via precise tuning of the electrochemical Au dissolution reaction that occurs at the surfaces of well-defined bridged nanodisk dimer structures on an atomic scale.
Solutions to the water flooding problem for unitized regenerative fuel cells: status and perspectives
Authors: Vincent Immanuel , Lee Eun-Chong , Kim Hyung-Man
Published: April 2020

This review summarizes state-of-the-art studies on water management of URFC's with a focus on recent developments and discusses the technical challenges of water management strategies.
Effect of soybean oligopeptide on the growth and metabolism of Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1132
Authors: Li Wenhui , Zhang Yinxiao , Li He , Zhang Chi , Zhang Jian , Uddin Jalal , Liu Xinqi
Published: April 2020

Exploring the effect of soybean oligopeptide on the growth and metabolism of Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1132 by metabolomics.
Structural and electronic properties of α-, β-, γ-, and 6,6,18-graphdiyne sheets and nanotubes
Authors: Li Linwei , Qiao Weiye , Bai Hongcun , Huang Yuanhe
Published: April 2020

Theoretical investigation of α-, β-, γ- and 6,6,18-graphdiyne sheets as well as their corresponding nanotubes.
Bench-scale demonstration of CO2 capture with an electrochemically driven proton concentration process
Authors: Rahimi Mohammad , Catalini Giulia , Puccini Monica , Hatton T. Alan
Published: April 2020

A bench-scale demonstration of CO2 capture from industrial flue gas with an electrochemically driven proton concentration process was demonstrated.
Influence of shell thickness on the refractive index sensitivity of localized surface plasmon resonance inflection points in silver-coated gold nanorods
Authors: Ryu Kyeong Rim , Ha Ji Won
Published: April 2020

Single Ag@AuNRs with thick shell thickness show higher RI sensitivity than single Ag@AuNRs with thin shell thickness.
Transferring axial molecular chirality through a sequence of on-surface reactions
Authors: Merino-Díez Néstor , Mohammed Mohammed S. G. , Castro-Esteban Jesús , Colazzo Luciano , Berdonces-Layunta Alejandro , Lawrence James , Pascual J. Ignacio , de Oteyza Dimas G. , Peña Diego
Published: April 2020

The axial chirality of reactants is transferred through multistep on-surface reactions to chiral polymers and to prochiral graphene nanoribbons.
Prospects for defect engineering in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar absorber films
Authors: Rudisch Katharina , Davydova Alexandra , Riekehr Lars , Adolfsson Joakim , Quaglia Casal Luciano , Platzer-Björkman Charlotte , Scragg Jonathan
Published: April 2020

Composition spread Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films unveil the complicated interplay between process conditions and material properties, pointing to new approaches towards defect engineering.
A nitrogen-doped mesopore-dominated carbon electrode allied with anti-freezing EMIBF4–GBL electrolyte for superior low-temperature supercapacitors
Authors: Li Jing , Zhou Yanan , Tian Jiarui , Peng Lele , Deng Jie , Wang Ning , Qian Weizhong , Chu Wei
Published: April 2020

Benefiting from rational combination of mesoporous carbon electrode and anti-freezing electrolyte, the electrode-electrolyte synergy is capable of delivering a superior energy-power density capacitor performance at an ultra-low temperature (50 °C).
Water splitting mediated by an electrocatalytically driven cyclic process involving iron oxide species
Authors: Huck Marten , Ring Lisa , Küpper Karsten , Klare Johann , Daum Diemo , Schäfer Helmut
Published: April 2020

The water splitting reaction mediated by an electrocatalytically driven cycle with suspended iron oxide species enables significantly lower overpotentials for the oxygen evolution reaction compared to classic electrolysis of clear electrolytes.
A robust and highly active hydrogen evolution catalyst based on Ru nanocrystals supported on vertically oriented Cu nanoplates
Authors: Shinde Dipak V. , Kokumai Tathiana Midori , Buha Joka , Prato Mirko , De Trizio Luca , Manna Liberato
Published: April 2020

Ru nanocrystals supported on vertically oriented copper nanoplates are developed as a hydrogen evolution catalyst in alkaline media. This catalyst outperformed benchmark Pt/C in terms of activity and stability.
Recent progress of SERS optical nanosensors for miRNA analysis
Authors: Sun Yudie , Shi Lin , Mi Lan , Guo Ruiyan , Li Tao
Published: April 2020

SERS-active substrates, SERS nanoprobes and nano-assembly strategy have inspired emerging applications of SERS nanosensors for miRNA analysis.
Stable anchoring of bacteria-based protein nanoparticles for surface enhanced cell guidance
Authors: Martínez-Miguel Marc , Kyvik Adriana R. , M. Ernst Lena , Martínez-Moreno Albert , Cano-Garrido Olivia , Garcia-Fruitós Elena , Vazquez Esther , Ventosa Nora , Guasch Judith , Veciana Jaume , Villaverde Antonio , Ratera Imma
Published: April 2020

The preparation of robust nano–micropatterns for prolonged cell culture studies using covalent anchoring between the surface and protein nanoparticles, which are produced in a human-safe bacterial platform.
Small molecule H89 renders the phosphorylation of S6K1 and AKT resistant to mTOR inhibitors
Authors: Melick Chase H. , Jewell Jenna L.
Published: April 2020

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily conserved Ser/Thr kinase that comprises two complexes, termed mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). mTORC1 phosphorylates S6K1 at Thr 389, whereas mTORC2 phosphorylates AKT at Ser 473 to promote cell growth. As the mTOR name implies it is the target of natural product called rapamycin, a clinically approved drug used to treat human disease. Short-term rapamycin treatment inhibits the kinase activity of mTORC1 but not mTORC2. However, the ATP-competitive catalytic mTOR inhibitor Torin1 was identified to inhibit the kinase activity of both mTORC1 and mTORC2. Here, we report that H89 (N-(2-(4-bromocinnamylamino) ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide), a well-characterized ATP-mimetic kinase inhibitor, renders the phosphorylation of S6K1 and AKT resistant to mTOR inhibitors across multiple cell lines. Moreover, H89 prevented the dephosphorylation of AKT and S6K1 under nutrient depleted conditions. PKA and other known H89-targeted kinases do not alter the phosphorylation status of S6K1 and AKT. Pharmacological inhibition of some phosphatases also enhanced S6K1 and AKT phosphorylation. These findings suggest a new target for H89 by which it sustains the phosphorylation status of S6K1 and AKT, resulting in mTOR signaling.
Expanding our understanding of the role polyprotein conformation plays in the coronavirus life cycle
Authors: Gildenhuys Samantha
Published: April 2020

Coronavirus are the causative agents in many globally concerning respiratory disease outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). It is therefore important that we improve our understanding of how the molecular components of the virus facilitate the viral life cycle. These details will allow for the design of effective interventions. Krichel and coauthors in their article in the Biochemical Journal provide molecular details of how the viral polyprotein (nsp7–10) produced from the positive single stranded RNA genome, is cleaved to form proteins that are part of the replication/transcription complex. The authors highlight the impact the polyprotein conformation has on the cleavage efficiency of the main protease (Mpro) and hence the order of release of non-structural proteins 7–10 (nsp7–10) of the SARS-CoV. Cleavage order is important in controlling viral processes and seems to have relevance in terms of the protein–protein complexes formed. The authors made use of mass spectrometry to advance our understanding of the mechanism by which coronaviruses control nsp 7, 8, 9 and 10 production in the virus life cycle.
Carboxypeptidase A4 promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through activating PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling
Authors: Gao Weinian , Guo Na , Zhao Shuguang , Chen Ziying , Zhang Wenli , Yan Fang , Liao Hongjuan , Chi Kui
Published: April 2020

Carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) is a member of the metallocarboxypeptidase family. Current studies have identified the roles of CPA4 in cancer biology and insulin sensitivity. However, the roles of CPA4 in other diseases are not known. In the present study, we investigated the roles of CPA4 in cardiac hypertrophy. The expression of CPA4 was significantly increased in the hypertrophic heart tissues of human patients and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced hypertrophic heart tissues of mice. We next knocked down Cpa4 with shRNA or overexpressed Cpa4 using adenovirus in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with ISO. We observed that Cpa4 overexpression promoted whereas Cpa4 knockdown reduced ISO-induced growth of cardiomyocyte size and overexpression of hypertrophy marker genes, such as myosin heavy chain β (β-Mhc), atrial natriuretic peptide (Anp), and brain natriuretic peptide (Bnp). Our further mechanism study revealed that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling was activated by Cpa4 in cardiomyocytes, which depended on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling. Besides, we showed that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling was critically involved in the roles of Cpa4 during cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Collectively, these results demonstrated that CPA4 is a regulator of cardiac hypertrophy by activating the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling, and CPA4 may serve as a promising target for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiac diseases.
Low complex implementation of GFDM system using USRP
Authors: Valluri Siva Prasad , Vejandla Kishore , Mani Venkata Vakamulla
Published: April 2020

The unique features of generalised frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) such as low out‐of‐band emission, latency, and peak to average power ratio promotes it to be the foremost contender for the physical layer of next‐generation communication. GFDM is considered as a generalised version of well‐accepted orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing, which added an important feature named flexibility. On the other hand, these advantages are achieved at the cost of receiver complexity. In this work, the authors use the block circulant nature of the GFDM modulation matrix for reducing the complexity present in its receiver of GFDM system. They express the modulation matrix as a sum of permutation matrices and reduce the complexity involved in the computation of inverse for minimum mean square error receiver. The inversion formula is obtained by using the theory of circular arrays along with the concept of discrete Fourier transform (DFT), which they call as the extension of DFT to the modulation matrix. To validate the non‐distorting nature of the proposed algorithm a set up is developed using National Instruments universal software radio peripheral (USRP) 2953R as hardware and LabVIEW as software.
Searching for central stars of planetary nebulae in Gaia DR2
Authors: Chornay N. , Walton N. A.
Published: April 2020

Context. Accurate distance measurements are fundamental to the study of planetary nebulae (PNe) but they have long been elusive. The most accurate and model-independent distance measurements for galactic PNe come from the trigonometric parallaxes of their central stars, which were only available for a few tens of objects prior to the Gaia mission.

Aims. The accurate identification of PN central stars in the Gaia source catalogues is a critical prerequisite for leveraging the unprecedented scope and precision of the trigonometric parallaxes measured by Gaia. Our aim is to build a complete sample of PN central star detections with minimal contamination.

Methods. We developed and applied an automated technique based on the likelihood ratio method to match candidate central stars in Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) to known PNe in the Hong Kong/AAO/Strasbourg Hα PN catalogue, taking into account the BP – RP colours of the Gaia sources as well as their positional offsets from the nebula centres. These parameter distributions for both true central stars and background sources were inferred directly from the data.

Results. We present a catalogue of over 1000 Gaia sources that our method has automatically identified as likely PN central stars. We demonstrate how the best matches enable us to trace nebula and central star evolution and to validate existing statistical distance scales, and we discuss the prospects for further refinement of the matching based on additional data. We also compare the accuracy of our catalogue to that of previous works.
An integral equation formulation of the N-body dielectric spheres problem. Part I: numerical analysis
Authors: Hassan Muhammad , Stamm Benjamin
Published: April 2020

In this article, we analyse an integral equation of the second kind that represents the solution of N interacting dielectric spherical particles undergoing mutual polarisation. A traditional analysis can not quantify the scaling of the stability constants- and thus the approximation error- with respect to the number N of involved dielectric spheres. We develop a new a priori error analysis that demonstrates N-independent stability of the continuous and discrete formulations of the integral equation. Consequently, we obtain convergence rates that are independent of N.
Contribution to improvement of the traditional extraction of olive oil by pressure from whole and stoned olives by addition of a co-adjuvant (talc)
Authors: Titouh Khayreddine , Mazari Azzedine , Aït Meziane Mohand Zine
Published: April 2020

The olive growing is one of the strategic sectors of the Algerian economy. Traditional olive culture located in the mountains of Kabylia offers typical oil widely preferred by a large part of the Algerian consumers. However, this ancestral culture risks not only abandonment but suffers much more from uncontrolled of the good practices surrounding this local product requiring a valorization accompanied by improvement. Indeed, the difficulty to extract the total oil contained in the fruit is one of the main obstacles of the extraction method particularly by pressure. Nevertheless, some actions as the addition of co-adjuvant during the malaxing process allow improving efficiency of the extraction process. Our results indicate that the addition of 2.5% of talc as a co-adjuvant to a moistless paste obtained from whole olives significantly improves the oil yield by about 4.4% without altering the acidity compared to the control. Similarly, stoning improves the moisture of the pressed mass although without improving yield of the oil characterized by a slight decrease in acidity compared to other extracted oils. Therefore, our results confirm the beneficial effect of talc on the extraction of olive oil and contribute to the improvement of the traditional extraction by pressure to enhance the value of this local product.
Bi-dimensional materials for THz frequency nanodevices
Authors: Vitiello Miriam Serena
Published: April 2020

Although artificial semiconductor heterostructures have long been the core material system for the generation, detection and manipulation of carriers, at TeraHertz (THz) frequencies, the discovery of graphene and the related intriguing abilities have triggered an unprecedented interest in inorganic two-dimensional (2D) materials, as black phosphorus and boron nitride, amongst many others. They offer a unique platform for developing efficient devices, without the need of lattice matching, and with a variety of physical properties, that can be engineered from scratch, exploiting the material structures, the layer thickness or their inherent anisotropy.