bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular signatures of aneuploidy-driven adaptive evolution
Authors: Kaya Alaattin , Mariotti Marco , Tyshkovskiy Alexander , Zhou Xuming , Hulke Michelle L. , Ma Siming , Gerashchenko Maxim V. , Koren Amnon , Gladyshev Vadim N.
Published: January 2020

Alteration of normal ploidy (aneuploidy) can have a number of opposing effects, such as unbalancing protein abundances and inhibiting cell growth but also accelerating genetic diversification and rapid adaptation. The interplay of these detrimental and beneficial effects remains puzzling. Here, to understand how cells develop tolerance to aneuploidy, we subject disomic (i.e. with an extra chromosome copy) strains of yeast to long-term experimental evolution under strong selection, by forcing disomy maintenance and daily population dilution. We characterize mutations, karyotype alterations and gene expression changes, and dissect the associated molecular strategies. Cells with different extra chromosomes accumulated mutations at distinct rates and displayed diverse adaptive events. They tended to evolve towards normal ploidy through chromosomal DNA loss and gene expression changes. We identify genes with recurrent mutations and altered expression in multiple lines, revealing a variant that improves growth under genotoxic stresses. These findings support rapid evolvability of disomic strains that can be used to characterize fitness effects of mutations under different stress conditions.
Targeting p53 and histone methyltransferases restores exhausted CD8+ T cells in HCV infection
Authors: Barili Valeria , Fisicaro Paola , Montanini Barbara , Acerbi Greta , Filippi Anita , Forleo Giovanna , Romualdi Chiara , Ferracin Manuela , Guerrieri Francesca , Pedrazzi Giuseppe , Boni Carolina , Rossi Marzia , Vecchi Andrea , Penna Amalia , Zecca Alessandra , Mori Cristina , Orlandini Alessandra , Negri Elisa , Pesci Marco , Massari Marco , Missale Gabriele , Levrero Massimo , Ottonello Simone , Ferrari Carlo
Published: January 2020

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) represents a unique model to characterize, from early to late stages of infection, the T cell differentiation process leading to exhaustion of human CD8+ T cells. Here we show that in early HCV infection, exhaustion-committed virus-specific CD8+ T cells display a marked upregulation of transcription associated with impaired glycolytic and mitochondrial functions, that are linked to enhanced ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and p53 signaling. After evolution to chronic infection, exhaustion of HCV-specific T cell responses is instead characterized by a broad gene downregulation associated with a wide metabolic and anti-viral function impairment, which can be rescued by histone methyltransferase inhibitors. These results have implications not only for treatment of HCV-positive patients not responding to last-generation antivirals, but also for other chronic pathologies associated with T cell dysfunction, including cancer.
Comprehensive T cell repertoire characterization of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Reuben Alexandre , Zhang Jiexin , Chiou Shin-Heng , Gittelman Rachel M. , Li Jun , Lee Won-Chul , Fujimoto Junya , Behrens Carmen , Liu Xiaoke , Wang Feng , Quek Kelly , Wang Chunlin , Kheradmand Farrah , Chen Runzhe , Chow Chi-Wan , Lin Heather , Bernatchez Chantale , Jalali Ali , Hu Xin , Wu Chang-Jiun , Eterovic Agda Karina , Parra Edwin Roger , Yusko Erik , Emerson Ryan , Benzeno Sharon , Vignali Marissa , Wu Xifeng , Ye Yuanqing , Little Latasha D. , Gumbs Curtis , Mao Xizeng , Song Xingzhi , Tippen Samantha , Thornton Rebecca L. , Cascone Tina , Snyder Alexandra , Wargo Jennifer A. , Herbst Roy , Swisher Stephen , Kadara Humam , Moran Cesar , Kalhor Neda , Zhang Jianhua , Scheet Paul , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Sepesi Boris , Gibbons Don L. , Robins Harlan , Hwu Patrick , Heymach John V. , Sharma Padmanee , Allison James P. , Baladandayuthapani Veera , Lee Jack J. , Davis Mark M. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Futreal P. Andrew , Zhang Jianjun
Published: January 2020

Immunotherapy targeting T cells is increasingly utilized to treat solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This requires a better understanding of the T cells in the lungs of patients with NSCLC. Here, we report T cell repertoire analysis in a cohort of 236 early-stage NSCLC patients. T cell repertoire attributes are associated with clinicopathologic features, mutational and immune landscape. A considerable proportion of the most prevalent T cells in tumors are also prevalent in the uninvolved tumor-adjacent lungs and appear specific to shared background mutations or viral infections. Patients with higher T cell repertoire homology between the tumor and uninvolved tumor-adjacent lung, suggesting a less tumor-focused T cell response, exhibit inferior survival. These findings indicate that a concise understanding of antigens and T cells in NSCLC is needed to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity with immunotherapy, particularly adoptive T cell therapy.
Targeting FROUNT with disulfiram suppresses macrophage accumulation and its tumor-promoting properties
Authors: Terashima Yuya , Toda Etsuko , Itakura Meiji , Otsuji Mikiya , Yoshinaga Sosuke , Okumura Kazuhiro , Shand Francis H. W. , Komohara Yoshihiro , Takeda Mitsuhiro , Kokubo Kana , Chen Ming-Chen , Yokoi Sana , Rokutan Hirofumi , Kofuku Yutaka , Ohnishi Koji , Ohira Miki , Iizasa Toshihiko , Nakano Hirofumi , Okabe Takayoshi , Kojima Hirotatsu , Shimizu Akira , Kanegasaki Shiro , Zhang Ming-Rong , Shimada Ichio , Nagase Hiroki , Terasawa Hiroaki , Matsushima Kouji
Published: January 2020

Tumor-associated macrophages affect tumor progression and resistance to immune checkpoint therapy. Here, we identify the chemokine signal regulator FROUNT as a target to control tumor-associated macrophages. The low level FROUNT expression in patients with cancer correlates with better clinical outcomes. Frount-deficiency markedly reduces tumor progression and decreases macrophage tumor-promoting activity. FROUNT is highly expressed in macrophages, and its myeloid-specific deletion impairs tumor growth. Further, the anti-alcoholism drug disulfiram (DSF) acts as a potent inhibitor of FROUNT. DSF interferes with FROUNT-chemokine receptor interactions via direct binding to a specific site of the chemokine receptor-binding domain of FROUNT, leading to inhibition of macrophage responses. DSF monotherapy reduces tumor progression and decreases macrophage tumor-promoting activity, as seen in the case of Frount-deficiency. Moreover, co-treatment with DSF and an immune checkpoint antibody synergistically inhibits tumor growth. Thus, inhibition of FROUNT by DSF represents a promising strategy for macrophage-targeted cancer therapy.
Error-mitigated quantum gates exceeding physical fidelities in a trapped-ion system
Authors: Zhang Shuaining , Lu Yao , Zhang Kuan , Chen Wentao , Li Ying , Zhang Jing-Ning , Kim Kihwan
Published: January 2020

Various quantum applications can be reduced to estimating expectation values, which are inevitably deviated by operational and environmental errors. Although errors can be tackled by quantum error correction, the overheads are far from being affordable for near-term technologies. To alleviate the detrimental effects of errors on the estimation of expectation values, quantum error mitigation techniques have been proposed, which require no additional qubit resources. Here we benchmark the performance of a quantum error mitigation technique based on probabilistic error cancellation in a trapped-ion system. Our results clearly show that effective gate fidelities exceed physical fidelities, i.e., we surpass the break-even point of eliminating gate errors, by programming quantum circuits. The error rates are effectively reduced from (1.10 ± 0.12) × 10−3 to (1.44 ± 5.28) × 10−5 and from (0.99 ± 0.06) × 10−2 to (0.96 ± 0.10) × 10−3 for single- and two-qubit gates, respectively. Our demonstration opens up the possibility of implementing high-fidelity computations on a near-term noisy quantum device.
Imaging brain activity during complex social behaviors in Drosophila with Flyception2
Authors: Grover Dhruv , Katsuki Takeo , Li Jinfang , Dawkins Thomas J. , Greenspan Ralph J.
Published: January 2020

Optical in vivo recordings from freely walking Drosophila are currently possible only for limited behaviors. Here, we expand the range of accessible behaviors with a retroreflective marker-based tracking and ratiometric brain imaging system, permitting brain activity imaging even in copulating male flies. We discover that P1 neurons, active during courtship, are inactive during copulation, whereas GABAergic mAL neurons remain active during copulation, suggesting a countervailing role of mAL in opposing P1 activity during mating.
Embedding physics domain knowledge into a Bayesian network enables layer-by-layer process innovation for photovoltaics
Authors: Ren Zekun , Oviedo Felipe , Thway Maung , Tian Siyu I. P. , Wang Yue , Xue Hansong , Dario Perea Jose , Layurova Mariya , Heumueller Thomas , Birgersson Erik , Aberle Armin G. , Brabec Christoph J. , Stangl Rolf , Li Qianxiao , Sun Shijing , Lin Fen , Peters Ian Marius , Buonassisi Tonio
Published: January 2020

Process optimization of photovoltaic devices is a time-intensive, trial-and-error endeavor, which lacks full transparency of the underlying physics and relies on user-imposed constraints that may or may not lead to a global optimum. Herein, we demonstrate that embedding physics domain knowledge into a Bayesian network enables an optimization approach for gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells that identifies the root cause(s) of underperformance with layer-by-layer resolution and reveals alternative optimal process windows beyond traditional black-box optimization. Our Bayesian network approach links a key GaAs process variable (growth temperature) to material descriptors (bulk and interface properties, e.g., bulk lifetime, doping, and surface recombination) and device performance parameters (e.g., cell efficiency). For this purpose, we combine a Bayesian inference framework with a neural network surrogate device-physics model that is 100× faster than numerical solvers. With the trained surrogate model and only a small number of experimental samples, our approach reduces significantly the time-consuming intervention and characterization required by the experimentalist. As a demonstration of our method, in only five metal organic chemical vapor depositions, we identify a superior growth temperature profile for the window, bulk, and back surface field layer of a GaAs solar cell, without any secondary measurements, and demonstrate a 6.5% relative AM1.5G efficiency improvement above traditional grid search methods.
Immunization with full-length Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 is safe and elicits functional cytophilic antibodies in a randomized first-in-human trial
Authors: Blank Antje , Fürle Kristin , Jäschke Anja , Mikus Gerd , Lehmann Monika , Hüsing Johannes , Heiss Kirsten , Giese Thomas , Carter Darrick , Böhnlein Ernst , Lanzer Michael , Haefeli Walter E. , Bujard Hermann
Published: January 2020

A vaccine remains a priority in the global fight against malaria. Here, we report on a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo and adjuvant-controlled, dose escalation phase 1a safety and immunogenicity clinical trial of full-lengthPlasmodium falciparummerozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) in combination with GLA-SE adjuvant. Thirty-two healthy volunteers were vaccinated at least three times with MSP1 plus adjuvant, adjuvant alone, or placebo (24:4:4) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity. MSP1 was safe, well tolerated and immunogenic, with all vaccinees sero-converting independent of the dose. The MSP1-specific IgG and IgM titers persisted above levels found in malaria semi-immune humans for at least 6 months after the last immunization. The antibodies were variant- and strain-transcending and stimulated respiratory activity in granulocytes. Furthermore, full-length MSP1 induced memory T-cells. Our findings encourage challenge studies as the next step to evaluate the efficacy of full-length MSP1 as a vaccine candidate against falciparum malaria (EudraCT 2016-002463-33).
Utilization of tannery wastewater for biofuel production: New insights on microalgae growth and biomass production
Authors: Nagi Mostafa , He Meilin , Li Dan , Gebreluel Temesgen , Cheng Bian , Wang Changhai
Published: January 2020

Microalgae cultivation on tannery wastewater (TWW) has been examined in some studies as a possible biological application to reduce contamination load and discharge effluents safely. However, Growth aspects, different tolerate strains and enriching the medium were not well investigated. In our study we applied Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella variabilis and Chlorella sorokiniana with different TWW concentrations. C. sorokiniana and C. variabilis cell density, chlorophyll, and sugar content grew substantially as compared to control. C.sorokiniana biomass and total lipids folded three and two times in 25% and 40% TWW, respectively as compared to control. Scenedesmus sp. showed longer lag phase and lower performance compared to the other two strains. Kelp waste extract (KWE) was added to balance the nutrients supply for C. sorokiniana, of which growth and effluents indicators were then greatly promoted in all concentrations. As the lag phase was shortened from 8 to 4 days in 60% concentration, subsequently, chlorophyll, carbohydrates, biomass and total lipids appreciated by 184%, 400%, 162% and 135%, respectively. Furthermore, the COD and ammonium removals improved by 51% and 45%, respectively. These outcomes emphasize the suitability of using TWW for microalgae cultivation with the suitable concentration while adding kelp waste extract for further enhancement.
Agronomic evaluation of polymer-coated urea and urease and nitrification inhibitors for cotton production under drip-fertigation in a dry climate
Authors: Li Yanyan , Hu Mingfang , Tenuta Mario , Ma Zhiwen , Gui Dongwei , Li Xiangyi , Zeng Fanjiang , Gao Xiaopeng
Published: January 2020

Interest in the use of enhanced-efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EENFs) has increased in recent years due to their potential to increase crop yield and reduce environmental N loss. Drip-fertigation is widely used for crop production in arid regions to improve water and nutrient use efficiency whereas the effectiveness of EENFs with drip irrigation remains unclear. A field experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to examine the effects of EENFs on yield, N use and quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) grown under drip-fertigation in arid NW China. Treatments included an unfertilized control and application of 240 kg N ha−1 by polymer-coated urea (ESN), urea alone, or urea plus urease (NBPT) and nitrification (DCD) inhibitors. ESN was all banded in the plant row at planting, whereas urea was applied with 20% N banded at planting and 80% N by six fertigation events over the growing season. Results showed there was generally no treatment effect on seed and lint yield, N concentration or allocations, N recovery efficiency and fiber quality index of cotton. A lack of treatment effect could be due to N supplied with drip-fertigation better synthesized with crop N needs and the relatively high soil native NO3− availability, which hindered the effect of polymer-coated urea and double inhibitors. These results highlight the challenge of the employment of EENFs products for drip-fertigation system in arid area. Further research is required to define the field conditions under which the agronomic efficiency of EENFs products may be achieved in accordance with weather conditions.
Modeling and analysis of long booster clustered launch-vehicle
Authors: Xu Jiangtao , Yang Ya , Fu Bangsheng , Zhang Dewei
Published: January 2020

According to the characteristics of complex spatial mode of long booster clustered launch vehicle, it is not suitable to derive the dynamic equations based on the simplified model of single beam considering only core rocket. In this paper, the long booster clustered launch-vehicle is simplified to a multi-beam model considering core and boosters. Then, due to the high proportion of the liquid propellant in the total mass of the launch vehicle, on the basis of the multi-beam model, a dynamic equation considering the elastic deformation and the liquid sloshing is established. The dynamic characteristics of the launch-vehicle and the interaction between liquid sloshing and aeroelasticity are studied by simulation. Based on the multi-beam model, the connection types between the core and the booster rocket are simplified to an elastic connection. The influence of the connection on the dynamic characteristics of the launch-vehicle is discussed. The results demonstrate that the multi-beam model can more fully reflect the dynamic characteristics of the long booster clustered launch-vehicle, and the connection form between the core and the boosters also has an important effect on the liquid sloshing and the elastic deformation.
Climate stability and societal decline on the margins of the Byzantine empire in the Negev Desert
Authors: Vaiglova Petra , Hartman Gideon , Marom Nimrod , Ayalon Avner , Bar-Matthews Miryam , Zilberman Tami , Yasur Gal , Buckley Michael , Bernstein Rachel , Tepper Yotam , Weissbrod Lior , Erickson-Gini Tali , Bar-Oz Guy
Published: January 2020

Understanding past human settlement of inhospitable regions is one of the most intriguing puzzles in archaeological research, with implications for more sustainable use of marginal regions today. During the Byzantine period in the 4th century CE, large settlements were established in the arid region of the Negev Desert, Israel, but it remains unclear why it did so, and why the settlements were abandoned three centuries later. Previous theories proposed that the Negev was a “green desert” in the early 1st millennium CE, and that the Byzantine Empire withdrew from this region due to a dramatic climatic downturn. In the absence of a local climate archive correlated to the Byzantine/Early Islamic transition, testing this theory has proven challenging. We use stable isotopic indicators of animal dietary and mobility patterns to assess the extent of the vegetative cover in the desert. By doing so, we aim to detect possible climatic fluctuations that may have led to the abandonment of the Byzantine settlements. The findings show that the Negev Desert was not greener during the time period under investigation than it is today and that the composition of the animals’ diets, as well as their grazing mobility patterns, remained unchanged through the Byzantine/Early Islamic transition. Favoring a non-climatic explanation, we propose instead that the abandonment of the Negev Byzantine settlements was motivated by restructuring of the Empire’s territorial priorities.
Intraspecific differences in seed dispersal caused by differences in social rank and mediated by food availability
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Campos-Arceiz Ahimsa , Prasad Soumya , Kitamura Shumpei , McConkey Kim R.
Published: January 2020

We use individual-based information on the behavior of wild female Japanese macaques in two consecutive years with different food availability (nut-rich vs. nut-poor) to test effects of dominance rank and nut fruiting on seed dispersal parameters. We predicted that social rank would affect dispersal (1) quantity, (2) quality, (3) species richness, and (4) percentage of berries in the diet in the nut-poor year, while these differences would disappear in the nut-rich year. We found seeds of nine fleshy-fruited plant species in the feces of the monkeys. The frequency of seed occurrence for two plant species (Viburnum dilatatumandRosa multiflora) showed an interaction between dominance ranks and years; in the nut-poor yearV. dilatatumseeds were more abundant among dominant females andR. multifloraamong subordinates, while such inter-rank differences disappeared in the nut-rich year. Similarly, the intact ratio ofV. dilatatumseeds was lower for dominants in the nut-poor year, while inter-rank variations disappeared in the nut-rich year. Finally, percentage of berries in diet and seed richness showed no inter-annual nor inter-rank variations. Our study highlights that differences in individuals’ social rank lead to within-group variation in seed dispersal services and that these differences are dependent on nut availability.
Ultra-narrowband dielectric metamaterial absorber with ultra-sparse nanowire grids for sensing applications
Authors: Liao Yan-Lin , Zhao Yan
Published: January 2020

Due to their low losses, dielectric metamaterials provide an ideal resolution to construct ultra-narrowband absorbers. To improve the sensing performance, we present numerically a near-infrared ultra-narrowband absorber by putting ultra-sparse dielectric nanowire grids on metal substrate in this paper. The simulation results show that the absorber has an absorption rate larger than 0.99 with full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 0.38 nm. The simulation field distribution also indicates that the ultra-narrowband absorption is originated from the low loss in the guided-mode resonance. Thanks to the ultra-narrow absorption bandwidths and the electric field mainly distributed out of the ultra-sparse dielectric nanowire grids, our absorber has a high sensitivity S of 1052 nm/RIU and a large figure of merit (FOM) of 2768 which mean that this ultra-narrowband absorber can be applied as a high-performance refractive index sensor.
Multi-drug therapy for epilepsy influenced bispectral index after a bolus propofol administration without affecting propofol’s pharmacokinetics: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kodama Matsuri , Higuchi Hitoshi , Ishii-Maruhama Minako , Nakano Mai , Honda-Wakasugi Yuka , Maeda Shigeru , Miyawaki Takuya
Published: January 2020

Some previous studies have indicated that valproate (VPA) might change the pharmacokinetics and enhance the effects of propofol. We evaluated whether clinical VPA therapy affected the propofol blood level, the protein-unbound free propofol level, and/or the anesthetic effects of propofol in the clinical setting. The subjects were divided into the control group (not medicated with antiepileptics), the mono-VPA group (medicated with VPA alone), and the poly-VPA group (medicated with VPA, other antiepileptics, and/or psychoactive drugs). General anesthesia was induced via the administration of a single bolus of propofol and a remifentanil infusion, and when the bispectral index (BIS) exceeded 60 sevoflurane was started. There were no significant differences in the total blood propofol level at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min or the protein-unbound free propofol level at 5 min after the intravenous administration of propofol between the 3 groups. However, the minimum BIS was significantly lower and the time until the BIS exceeded 60 was significantly longer in the poly-VPA group. In the multivariate regression analysis, belonging to the poly-VPA group was found to be independently associated with the minimum BIS value and the time until the BIS exceeded 60. Clinical VPA therapy did not influence the pharmacokinetics of propofol. However, multi-drug therapy involving VPA might enhance the anesthetic effects of propofol.
Mitochondrial MUL1 E3 ubiquitin ligase regulates Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF-1α) and metabolic reprogramming by modulating the UBXN7 cofactor protein
Authors: Cilenti Lucia , Di Gregorio Jacopo , Ambivero Camilla T. , Andl Thomas , Liao Ronglih , Zervos Antonis S.
Published: January 2020

MUL1 is a multifunctional E3 ubiquitin ligase anchored in the outer mitochondrial membrane with its RING finger domain facing the cytoplasm. MUL1 participates in various biological pathways involved in apoptosis, mitochondrial dynamics, and innate immune response. The unique topology of MUL1 enables it to “sense” mitochondrial stress in the intermembrane mitochondrial space and convey these signals through the ubiquitination of specific cytoplasmic substrates. We have identified UBXN7, the cofactor protein of the CRL2VHL ligase complex, as a specific substrate of MUL1 ligase. CRL2VHL ligase complex regulates HIF-1α protein levels under aerobic (normoxia) or anaerobic (hypoxia) conditions. Inactivation of MUL1 ligase leads to accumulation of UBXN7, with concomitant increase in HIF-1α protein levels, reduction in oxidative phosphorylation, and increased glycolysis. We describe a novel pathway that originates in the mitochondria and operates upstream of the CRL2VHL ligase complex. Furthermore, we delineate the mechanism by which the mitochondria, through MUL1 ligase, can inhibit the CRL2VHL complex leading to high HIF-1α protein levels and a metabolic shift to glycolysis under normoxic conditions.
Nitrogen immobilization may reduce invasibility of nutrient enriched plant community invaded by Phragmites australis
Authors: Uddin Md Nazim , Robinson Randall William , Asaeda Takashi
Published: January 2020

Nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen, is an important determinant of plant community productivity, diversity and invasibility in a wetland ecosystem. It may contribute to increasing colonization and dominance of invasive species, such asPhragmites australis, especially during wetland restoration. Providing native species a competitive advantage over invasive species, manipulating soil nutrients (nitrogen) may be an effective strategy to control the invasive species and that management tool is essential to restore the degraded ecosystems. Therefore, we examined competition betweenPhragmites australisandMelaleuca ericifoliain a greenhouse setting with activated carbon (AC) treatments, followed by cutting ofPhragmitesshoots in nutrient-rich soils. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of AC on plant-free microcosms in the laboratory, to differentiate direct effects of AC on soil microbial functions from indirect effects. Overall, the objective was to test whether lowering nitrogen might be an effective approach for reducingPhragmitesinvasion in the wetland. The AC reducedPhragmitestotal biomass more significantly in repeated cut regime (57%) ofPhragmitesshoots compared to uncut regime (39%). Conversely, it increasedMelaleucatotal biomass by 41% and 68% in uncut and repeated cut regimes, respectively. Additionally, AC decreased more total nitrogen in above-ground biomass (41 to 55%) and non-structural carbohydrate in rhizome (21 to 65%) ofPhragmites, and less total nitrogen reduction in above-ground biomass (25 to 24%) ofMelaleucain repeated cut compared to uncut regime. The significant negative correlation betweenPhragmitesandMelaleucatotal biomass was observed, and noticed thatPhragmitesacquired less biomass comparatively thanMelaleucain AC-untreated versus AC-treated pots across the cutting frequency. AC also caused significant changes to microbial community functions acrossPhragmitespopulations, namely nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, nitrogen microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity (P ≤ 0.05) that may potentially explain changes in plant growth competition betweenPhragmitesandMelaleuca. The overall effects on plant growth, however, may be partially microbially mediated, which was demonstrated through soil microbial functions. Results support the idea that reducing community vulnerability to invasion through nutrient (nitrogen) manipulations by AC with reducing biomass of invasive species may provide an effective strategy for invasive species management and ecosystem restoration.
Author Correction: Ferromagnetic excess moments and apparent exchange bias in FeF2 single crystals
Authors: Joshi D. C. , Nordblad P. , Mathieu R.
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Tropical rainfall subseasonal-to-seasonal predictability types
Authors: Moron Vincent , Robertson Andrew W.
Published: January 2020

Tropical rainfall is mostly convective and its subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction remains challenging. We show that state-of-art model forecast skill 3 + 4 weeks ahead is systematically lower over land than ocean, which is matched by a similar land-ocean contrast in the spatial scales of observed biweekly rainfall anomalies. Regional differences in predictability are then interpreted using observed characteristics of daily rainfall (wet-patch size, mean intensity as well as the strength of local S2S modes of rainfall variation), and classified into six S2S predictability types. Both forecast skill and spatial scales are reduced over the continents, either because daily rainfall patches are small and poorly organized by S2S modes of variation (as over equatorial and northern tropical Africa), or where the daily mean intensity is very high (as over South and SE Asia). Forecast skill and spatial scales are largest where daily rainfall is synchronized by intraseasonal (such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation) as well as interannual ocean-atmosphere modes of variation (such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation), especially over northern Australia and parts of the Maritime Continent, and over parts of eastern, southern Africa and northeast South America. The oceans exhibit the highest skill and largest spatial scales, especially where interannual (central equatorial Pacific) or intraseasonal (central and eastern Tropical Indian Ocean and Western Pacific) variability is largest. These results provide a relevant regional typology of the potential drivers and controls on S2S predictability of tropical rainfall, informing intrinsic limits and possible improvements toward useful S2S climate prediction at regional scale.
All optical switching of a single photon stream by excitonic depletion
Authors: Muñoz-Matutano Guillermo , Johnsson Mattias , Martínez-Pastor Juan , Rivas Góngora David , Seravalli Luca , Trevisi Giovanna , Frigeri Paola , Volz Thomas , Gurioli Massimo
Published: January 2020

Single semiconductor quantum dots have been extensively used to demonstrate the deterministic emission of high purity single photons. The single photon emission performance of these nanostructures has become very well controlled, offering high levels of photon indistinguishability and brightness. Ultimately, quantum technologies will require the development of a set of devices to manipulate and control the state of the photons. Here we measure and simulate a novel all-optical route to switch the single photon stream emitted from the excitonic transition in a single semiconductor quantum dot. A dual non-resonant excitation pumping scheme is used to engineer a switching device operated with GHz speeds, high differential contrasts, ultra-low power consumption and high single photon purity. Our device scheme can be replicated in many different zero dimensional semiconductors, providing a novel route towards developing a platform-independent on-chip design for high speed and low power consumption quantum devices.
A capacitive DNA sensor for sensitive detection ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 in potable water based on thez3276genetic marker: fabrication and analytical performance
Authors: Deshmukh Rehan , Prusty Arun Kumar , Roy Utpal , Bhand Sunil
Published: January 2020

We report a label-free biosensor for the detection ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 ATCC 43895 in potable water using a newly designed DNA sensing probe targeting thez3276genetic marker.
Nanofabrication of hollowed-out Au@AgPt core-frames via selective carving of silver and deposition of platinum
Authors: Xia Chang , He Wei , Gao Peng Fei , Wang Jia Ru , Cao Zheng Mao , Li Yuan Fang , Wang Yi , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: January 2020

Nanofabrication of a hollowed-out Au@AgPt core-frame is presented, which is based on the selective deposition of Pt atoms on the active edges of the cubes and dissolution of Ag atoms from the {100} facets.
A dual-ratiometric fluorescent probe for individual and continuous detection of H2S and HClO in living cells
Authors: Yue Xiuxiu , Wang Jingpei , Han Jinliang , Wang Benhua , Song Xiangzhi
Published: January 2020

A dual-ratiometric fluorescent probe, Han-HClO-H2S, was developed for the individual and continuous detection of H2S and HClO with high sensitivity and good selectivity, and had been applied to detect intracellular H2S and/or HClO in living cells.
Spatially controlled VLS epitaxy of gallium arsenide nanowires on gallium nitride layers
Authors: Blumberg C. , Liborius L. , Ackermann J. , Tegude F.-J. , Poloczek A. , Prost W. , Weimann N.
Published: January 2020

MOVPE of Au catalyzed p-GaAs nanowires on n-GaN layers. Left: VLS growth optimization (density and morphology). Middle and right: site-controlled pn-junctions by lateral and vertical anisotropic NWs in structured SiOx openings (scalebar 1 μm).
Structural relationships for the design of responsive azobenzene-based lyotropic liquid crystals
Authors: Giles Luke W. , Marlow Joshua B. , Butler Calum S. G. , Turpin Geosmin A. , de Campo Liliana , Mudie Stephen T. , Faul Charl F. J. , Tabor Rico F.
Published: January 2020

Light-responsive binary (azobenzene + solvent) lyotropic liquid crystals (LCs) were investigated by structural modification of simple azobenzene molecules.
Recent advances in circularly polarized electroluminescence based on organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhang Da-Wei , Li Meng , Chen Chuan-Feng
Published: January 2020

This review summarizes the recent advances in CP-OLEDs based on chiral conjugated polymers, chiral metal complexes, and chiral simple organic molecules.
Lone-pair self-containment in pyritohedron-shaped closed cavities: optimized hydrothermal synthesis, structure, magnetism and lattice thermal conductivity of Co15F2(TeO3)14
Authors: Lü Minfeng , Jiang Jianhua , Zhu Bei , Zhao Yuwei , Zhu Tianyu , Yang Haoming , Jin Yong , Kabbour Houria , Choi Kwang-Yong , Harrison William T. A.
Published: January 2020

Co15F2(TeO3)14 features an extremely rare example of the Te(iv) lone pairs self-containment in pyritohedron-shaped [(TeO3)14]28− units, which allows Te atom to vibrate with large amplitude, leading to extremely low lattice thermal conductivity.
High-precision stable zirconium isotope ratio measurements by double spike thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Feng Lanping , Hu Wenfeng , Jiao Yu , Zhou Lian , Zhang Wen , Hu Zhaochu , Liu Yongsheng
Published: January 2020

A new method for stable zirconium isotope ratio measurements was achieved based on the combination of a single DGA resin column and the double-spike TIMS technique.
Sensing organic analytes by metal–organic frameworks: a new way of considering the topic
Authors: Hu Mao-Lin , Razavi Sayed Ali Akbar , Piroozzadeh Maryam , Morsali Ali
Published: January 2020

In this review, our goal is comparison of advantageous and disadvantageous of MOFs about signal-transduction in different instrumental methods for detection of different categories of organic analytes.
Highly enhanced adsorption performance of tetracycline antibiotics on KOH-activated biochar derived from reed plants
Authors: Zhao Chuanqi , Ma Junguan , Li Ziyin , Xia Hui , Liu Huan , Yang Yuesuo
Published: January 2020

Organic pollutants in water are an increasingly prominent problem.
Ruthenium-initiated polymerization of lactide: a route to remarkable cellular uptake for photodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Soliman Nancy , McKenzie Luke K. , Karges Johannes , Bertrand Emilie , Tharaud Mickaël , Jakubaszek Marta , Guérineau Vincent , Goud Bruno , Hollenstein Marcel , Gasser Gilles , Thomas Christophe M.
Published: January 2020

This study shows the transformation of a non-phototoxic PDT photosensitizer into an active photosensitizer using an easy, versatile and generalizable one-pot ruthenium-initiated polymerization technique.
Efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen production over CuInS2photocathodes modified with amorphous Ni-MoSxoperating in a neutral electrolyte
Authors: Zhao Jiao , Minegishi Tsutomu , Ma Guijun , Zhong Miao , Hisatomi Takashi , Katayama Masao , Yamada Taro , Domen Kazunari
Published: January 2020

Ni-MoSxpresents better activity than Pt as hydrogen evolution catalyst on CuInS2surface, likely due to the favourable interface.
Chemical profiling of red wines using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
Authors: Qu Yanqi , Tian Yue , Chen Yuheng , He Lili
Published: January 2020

In this study, we explored surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for analyzing red wine through several facile sample preparations.
Molecular motion in the nanospace of MOFs upon gas adsorption investigated byin situRaman spectroscopy
Authors: Kusaka Shinpei , Nakajima Yasuaki , Hori Akihiro , Yonezu Akira , Kikushima Kenta , Kosaka Wataru , Ma Yunsheng , Matsuda Ryotaro
Published: January 2020

Molecular motions taking place in the nanospace of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an interesting research subject, although not yet fully investigated.
Formation processes, size changes, and properties of nanosheets derived from exfoliation of soft layered inorganic–organic composites
Authors: Mizuguchi Ryosuke , Imai Hiroaki , Oaki Yuya
Published: January 2020

A new exfoliation route is developed to obtain 2D nanomaterials through formation of soft layered inorganic–organic composites.
Erythrocyte membrane concealed paramagnetic polymeric nanoparticle for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Nguyen Tuyen Duong Thanh , Marasini Ramesh , Rayamajhi Sagar , Aparicio Cesar , Biller David , Aryal Santosh
Published: January 2020

Gd-based contrast agent was developed to address current challenges in MRI: the lack of (1) an effective delivery system to improve the intraluminal residence time and (2) the strategy to amplify contrast enhancement while reducing the clinical dose.
Comprehensive analysis of inhibitor of differentiation/DNA-binding gene family in lung cancer using bioinformatics methods
Authors: Xu Suming , Wang Yaoqin , Li Yanhong , Zhang Lei , Wang Chunfang , Wu Xueqing
Published: January 2020

The inhibitor of differentiation/DNA-binding (ID) is a member of the helix–loop–helix (HLH) transcription factor family, and plays a role in tumorigenesis, invasiveness and angiogenesis. The aims were to investigate the expression patterns and prognostic values of individual ID family members in lung cancer, and the potential functional roles. The expression levels of ID family were assessed using the Oncomine online database and GEPIA database. Furthermore, the prognostic value of ID family members was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. The genetic mutations of ID family members were investigated using the cBioPortal database. Moreover, enrichment analysis was performed using STRING database and Funrich software. It was found that all the ID family members were significantly down-regulated in lung cancer. Prognostic results indicated that low mRNA expression levels of ID1 or increased mRNA expression levels of ID2/3/4 were associated with improved overall survival, first progression and post progression survival. Additionally, genetic mutations of ID family members were identified in lung cancer, and it was suggested that amplification and deep deletion were the main mutation types. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis results suggested that ID1/2/4 were significantly enriched in ‘regulation of nucleobase, nucleoside, nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism’ for biological process, ‘transcription factor activity’ for molecular function and ‘HLH domain’ for protein domain. However, it was found that ID3 was not enriched in the above functions. The aberrant expression of ID family members may affect the occurrence and prognosis of lung cancer, and may be related to cell metabolism and transcriptional regulation.
Robust sub‐synchronous damping controller to mitigate SSCI in series‐compensated DFIG‐based wind park
Authors: Li Penghan , Wang Jie , Xiong Linyun , Ma Meiling , Wang Ziqiang , Huang Sunhua
Published: January 2020

This study proposes a robust sub‐synchronous damping controller based on fractional‐order sliding mode control (FOSMC) method to mitigate sub‐synchronous control interaction (SSCI) induced by DFIG‐based wind park connected to series‐compensated transmissions. Firstly, the nonlinearity of DFIG is cancelled through feedback linearisation. Secondly, FOSMC is designed and applied to the control loop of the DFIG rotor‐side converter. During the design process, the extra degree of freedom, provided by the fractional operator, is employed to achieve fast SSCI‐damping. Thirdly, a genetic algorithm is used for parameter optimisation with the aim of making system eigenvalues approach the left plane. The effectiveness of the proposed damping controller is evaluated based on the adapted IEEE first benchmark model, non‐aggregated wind system model with a realistic configuration, and experimental platform. Simulation and experiment results demonstrate the superior damping performance of FOSMC under different wind speeds, compensation levels, and the number of online wind turbines. Moreover, FOSMC also shows the robustness under parameter uncertainty, control parameter perturbation, and symmetric (three‐phase short circuit) fault.
Reliability‐based smart‐maintenance model for power system generators
Authors: Alvarez‐Alvarado Manuel S. , Jayaweera Dilan
Published: January 2020

In order to provide a reliable service and supply the demand most of the time, all generators in a power grid should be subjected to an effective maintenance plan. The smarter the maintenance performed could result in a better performance of the system. However, a challenge is to minimise maintenance costs that do not compromise the benefits. Considering these facts, this study presents a reliability‐based smart‐maintenance approach of generators to compute the net‐maximum economic benefit. The approach is derived from Kijima model type I to characterise the impact of maintenance over the component's virtual age, and Markov chains to model the component's lifetime. To achieve a more realistic model, generators' failure and repair rates are considered time‐dependent variables. Then, the optimum preventive maintenance schedule is obtained by using an advanced algorithm named accelerated quantum particle swarm optimisation in combination with sequential Monte Carlo simulation. The effectiveness of the approach is investigated through a case study with four different scenarios: (i) no preventive maintenance plan, (ii) yearly periodic preventive maintenance, (iii) reliability‐centred maintenance and (iv) smart maintenance. The results suggest that the approach is convenient for power system generators and delivers a significant knowledge contribution in the area of maintenance.
Linear LAV‐based state estimation integrating hybrid SCADA/PMU measurements
Authors: Dobakhshari Ahmad Salehi , Azizi Sadegh , Abdolmaleki Mohammad , Terzija Vladimir
Published: January 2020

The accuracy of power system state estimation (PSSE), its robustness against bad data and the speed of its algorithm are crucial to economic and secure system operation. On the other hand, observability and redundancy considerations mandate PSSE to take advantage of traditional supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) measurements along with available phasor measurement unit (PMU) measurements. This set of hybrid PMU/SCADA inputs has traditionally made the problem formulation non‐linear, and hence time‐consuming to solve due to the iterative process of solution. This study addresses the foregoing challenges by proposing a novel linear least‐absolute‐value (LAV) estimation, without the need for an initial guess of the system state. The linearity of the proposed PSSE formulation is guaranteed regardless of whether PMU‐only, SCADA‐only or hybrid SCADA/PMU measurements are utilised. This facilitates the fast and non‐iterative solution of the LAV estimation of system state based on linear programming. The LAV estimator outperforms the weighted‐least‐squares estimator in dealing with erroneous measurements, by automatically rejecting bad data of any size. An extensive number of simulation studies carried out on test systems of different sizes confirm the superiorities of the proposed method in comparison with other existing PSSE methods.
Fabric defect detection using saliency of multi‐scale local steering kernel
Authors: Zhang Kaibing , Yan Yadi , Li Pengfei , Jing Junfeng , Wang Zhen , Xiong Zenggang
Published: January 2020

Fabric defect detection (FDD) plays an important role in the quality control in textile industry. In this study, the authors propose an efficient FDD method by using the saliency analysis of multi‐scale local steering kernel (LSK). In the proposed method, a given RGB fabric image is first converted into the Commission International Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b colour space and then the LSK in each colour channel is computed by the singular value decomposition and the centre surrounding definition. Next, the matrix cosine similarity is employed to measure the similarity between different LSK features for generating the desired defective maps. Finally, a multi‐scale averaging fusion scheme is applied to integrate the obtained defective maps at different scales for the final defective map. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves the state‐of‐the‐art performance on FDD compared to the other competitors.
Fast algorithm for large‐scale subspace clustering by LRR
Authors: Xie Deyan , Nie Feiping , Gao Quanxue , Xiao Song
Published: January 2020

Low‐rank representation (LRR) and its variants have been proved to be powerful tools for handling subspace clustering problems. Most of these methods involve a sub‐problem of computing the singular value decomposition of an matrix, which leads to a computation complexity of . Obviously, when n is large, it will be time consuming. To address this problem, the authors introduce a fast solution, which reformulates the large‐scale problem to an equal form with smaller size. Thus, the proposed method remarkably reduces the computation complexity by solving a small‐scale problem. Theoretical analysis proves the efficiency of the proposed model. Furthermore, we extend LRR to a general model by using Schatten p‐norm instead of nuclear norm and present a fast algorithm to solve large‐scale problem. Experiments on MNIST and Caltech101 databse illustrate the equivalence of the proposed algorithm and the original LRR solver. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is remarkably faster than traditional LRR algorithm, especially in the case of large sample number.
Object detection based on RGC mask R‐CNN
Authors: Wu Minghu , Yue Hanhui , Wang Juan , Huang Yongxi , Liu Min , Jiang Yuhan , Ke Cong , Zeng Cheng
Published: January 2020

Object detection is a crucial topic in computer vision. Mask Region‐Convolution Neural Network (R‐CNN) based methods, wherein a large intersection over union (IoU) threshold is chosen for high quality samples, have often been employed for object detection. However, the detection performance of such methods deteriorates when samples are reduced. To address this, the authors propose an improved Mask R‐CNN‐based method: the ResNet Group Cascade (RGC) Mask R‐CNN. First, they compared ResNet with different layers, finding that ResNeXt‐101‐64 × 4d is superior to other backbone networks. Secondly, during the training of the test model, the performance of Mask R‐CNN suffered from a small batch processing scale, resulting in inaccurately calculated mean and variance; thus, group normalisation was added to the backbone, feature pyramid network neck and bounding box head of the network. Finally, the higher the intersection of Mask R‐CNN than the threshold, the easier it is to obtain high‐quality samples. However, blindly selecting a high threshold leads to sample reduction and overfitting. Thus, a proposed cascade network configuration with three IoU thresholds was utilised in the process of model training. The model was trained and tested on the COCO and PASCAL VOC07 datasets. Their proposed algorithm demonstrated superior performance compared to that of the Mask R‐CNN.