bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemistry and Distribution of Recycled Domains in the Mantle Inferred From Nd and Pb Isotopes in Oceanic Hot Spots: Implications for Storage in the Large Low Shear Wave Velocity Provinces
Authors: Jackson M. G. , Becker T. W. , Konter J. G.
Published: August 2018

Subduction of continental and oceanic crust is thought to give rise to geochemically distinct reservoirs in the mantle called EM (enriched mantle) and HIMU (high μ = 238U/204Pb), respectively. However, the locations of EM and HIMU domains in the Earth's interior are poorly constrained. We explore the geographic distribution of extreme EM (143Nd/144Nd ≤ 0.512630) and HIMU (206Pb/204Pb ≥ 20) geochemical signatures in ocean island basalts erupted at hot spots, highlighting three observations. First, hot spots geographically associated with the two large low shear wave velocity provinces (LLSVPs) have a similar range of EM compositions. If these hot spots are sourced by the LLSVPs via upwelling plumes, this observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the LLSVPs formed by similar processes and have similar geodynamic histories. Second, the EM and HIMU domains exhibit different latitudinal zonation: oceanic hot spots with the most extreme EM compositions (143Nd/144Nd < 0.5125) are concentrated in the Southern Hemisphere (14°S to 52°S latitude), while oceanic hot spots hosting HIMU compositions are found primarily near the tropical latitudes (38°N to 29°S). Third, all 13 oceanic hot spots with EM compositions (143Nd/144Nd ≤ 0.512630) are geographically associated with the LLSVPs; oceanic hot spots located far from the LLSVPs exhibit only non‐EM (143Nd/144Nd > 0.512630) compositions. In contrast, the HIMU domains do not show a clear geographic association with the LLSVPs. Therefore, EM and HIMU domains in the Earth's mantle exhibit different spatial distributions. This may reflect differences in subduction inputs of these two components, or differences in how they segregate or accumulate in the deep Earth.
Sudden Stratospheric Warming Formation in an Idealized General Circulation Model Using Three Types of Tropospheric Forcing
Authors: Lindgren E. A. , Sheshadri A. , Plumb R. A.
Published: August 2018

Tropospheric heating perturbations and topography are used to create Northern Hemisphere winter‐like stratospheric variability in an idealized atmospheric general circulation model. Wave 1 and wave 2 heating perturbations as well as wave 2 topography are used. With appropriate choices of amplitudes, the three forcings produce reasonable sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) frequencies. It is found that large numbers of both split and displacement sudden warmings occur when the model is forced by heating perturbations, regardless of the wave number of the forcing. This is different from the wave 2 topographic forcing, which produces almost only splits. We use the results of the three model runs to investigate the extent to which SSWs are caused by anomalous tropospheric wave fluxes. We find that SSWs in this model can form both as a direct result of anomalous tropospheric wave activity and due to internal stratospheric processes which alter the propagation of tropospheric wave flux into the stratosphere and that the fraction of the two mechanisms is similar to that of the observed atmosphere for all three forcings. We further investigate the circulation differences associated with splits and displacements and find that splits and displacements have different zonal mean surface signatures when the model is forced by wave 1 heating.
Sea Breeze Sensitivity to Coastal Upwelling and Synoptic Flow Using Lagrangian Methods
Authors: Seroka Greg , Fredj Erick , Kohut Josh , Dunk Rich , Miles Travis , Glenn Scott
Published: August 2018

Sea breezes occur nearly daily in the U.S. Mid‐Atlantic summer during high electricity demand periods, and thus have important implications for the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind energy industry. The sea breeze's offshore component is poorly understood and ill defined relative to its onshore counterpart. Here a new Lagrangian method not yet readily used to study the sea breeze, relative dispersion, was validated and applied to a validated Weather Research and Forecasting model in the U.S. Mid‐Atlantic. This Lagrangian method is used to characterize the onshore convergent and offshore divergent sea breeze extents and intensities, and test their sensitivities to both atmospheric synoptic flow and oceanic coastal upwelling, another common summer season regional phenomenon. It was found that offshore‐directed synoptic flow impacted the sea breeze onshore extent more than offshore extent, and that coastal upwelling did not significantly impact sea breeze onshore or offshore extent for these carefully selected case studies. Upwelling, however, produced an earlier sea breeze onset (~5 hr), and a shallower, sharper, and more intense offshore/onshore sea breeze during strong offshore synoptic flow, consistent with past studies. The offshore side of the sea breeze cell—with stronger intensity during upwelling—crossed the New Jersey Wind Energy Area at ~1900 UTC, regardless of synoptic wind or upwelling conditions. Results overall are consistent with dynamic linear sea breeze theory. Uncertain projected trends in coastal upwelling/sea breezes in a warming world highlight the importance of continued study of coastal air‐sea interactions for improved offshore wind energy assessment and prediction.
Long‐Lived Mesoscale Convective Systems of Superparameterized CAM and the Response of CAM
Authors: Chen Gino , Kirtman Ben P.
Published: August 2018

Mesoscale organized convection is generally misrepresented in the large‐scale convective parameterizations used in contemporary climate models. This impacts extreme weather events (e.g., Madden‐Jullian Oscillation) and the general circulation driven by the significant amount of latent heat released from mesoscale organized convection. Studies show that the missing processes could be partially recovered by embedding a 2‐D cloud‐resolving model in each general circulation model columns, that is, superparameterization. To enable analysis of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) in the multiscale modeling framework, we apply a detection and hierarchical clustering algorithm on the 3‐hourly 2‐D cloud‐resolving model embedded in the superparameterized Community Atmosphere Model (SPCAM) 5.2. We then examine the fields of a long‐lived and large MCS cluster at the central Pacific. The MCS cluster shows a squall line‐like circulation throughout the life cycle in SPCAM. We simultaneously obtain the 3‐hourly CAM parameterized convection outputs based on the time step‐wise perfect initial conditions given by SPCAM. This allows pure model physics comparison without introducing initial condition errors. The results show that CAM has a systematically biased stratiform cooling and moistening response below 3 km to the given SPCAM deep convection favoring conditions. We show that this bias is mainly due to the CAM's stratiform microphysics scheme. The mesoscale organization in SPCAM thus provides a baseline for improvements of convective parameterization of CAM.
Evaluating and Improving a PDF Cloud Scheme Using High‐Resolution Super Large Domain Simulations
Authors: Griewank P. J. , Schemann V. , Neggers R. A. J.
Published: August 2018

Cloud schemes, which use probability density functions (PDFs) to describe the subgrid‐scale variability of thermodynamic state variables, rely heavily on large eddy simulation (LES) data to provide information on the distributions of state variables in a turbulent domain. Until recently, LES simulations were commonly limited to small domains and highly idealized prototype regimes, but super large domain realistically forced simulations are now available, which contain previously excluded synoptic scale variability and orographic effects. Thanks to these advances PDF cloud schemes can be confronted with much more realistic distributions of thermodynamic states and clouds on the horizontal scales they were developed for. One example of super large domain LES is a library of recent Germany‐wide simulations with a 100‐m resolution. We use these simulations to study how a PDF cloud scheme, which represents variability through a beta function of total water, represents cloud fraction and the total and liquid water distribution. Special emphasis is placed on studying how various closures, which limit the possible shape of the beta function, affect the resulting cloud fraction. Our analysis shows that the PDF cloud scheme leads to much smaller cloud fraction errors than a classic parameterization that relates cloud fraction to relative humidity and that the PDF scheme is suitable for model resolutions from 5 to 100 km. The PDF cloud scheme performance is increased by introducing a zero‐buoyancy relationship between water vapor and temperature to approximate the orientation of their joint PDF.
Stressor interaction networks suggest antibiotic resistance co-opted from stress responses to temperature
Authors: Cruz-Loya Mauricio , Kang Tina Manzhu , Lozano Natalie Ann , Watanabe Rina , Tekin Elif , Damoiseaux Robert , Savage Van M , Yeh Pamela J
Published: August 2018

Environmental factors like temperature, pressure, and pH partly shaped the evolution of life. As life progressed, new stressors (e.g., poisons and antibiotics) arose as part of an arms race among organisms. Here we ask if cells co-opted existing mechanisms to respond to new stressors, or whether new responses evolved de novo. We use a network-clustering approach based purely on phenotypic growth measurements and interactions among the effects of stressors on population growth. We apply this method to two types of stressors—temperature and antibiotics—to discover the extent to which their cellular responses overlap in Escherichia coli. Our clustering reveals that responses to low and high temperatures are clearly separated, and each is grouped with responses to antibiotics that have similar effects to cold or heat, respectively. As further support, we use a library of transcriptional fluorescent reporters to confirm heat-shock and cold-shock genes are induced by antibiotics. We also show strains evolved at high temperatures are more sensitive to antibiotics that mimic the effects of cold. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that temperature stress responses have been co-opted to deal with antibiotic stress.
Nucleolar fibrillarin is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of bacterial pathogen resistance
Authors: Tiku Varnesh , Kew Chun , Mehrotra Parul , Ganesan Raja , Robinson Nirmal , Antebi Adam
Published: August 2018

Innate immunity is the first line of defense against infections. Pathways regulating innate responses can also modulate other processes, including stress resistance and longevity. Increasing evidence suggests a role for the nucleolus in regulating cellular processes implicated in health and disease. Here we show the highly conserved nucleolar protein, fibrillarin, is a vital factor regulating pathogen resistance. Fibrillarin knockdown enhances resistance in C. elegans against bacterial pathogens, higher levels of fibrillarin induce susceptibility to infection. Pathogenic infection reduces nucleolar size, ribsosomal RNA, and fibrillarin levels. Genetic epistasis reveals fibrillarin functions independently of the major innate immunity mediators, suggesting novel mechanisms of pathogen resistance. Bacterial infection also reduces nucleolar size and fibrillarin levels in mammalian cells. Fibrillarin knockdown prior to infection increases intracellular bacterial clearance, reduces inflammation, and enhances cell survival. Collectively, these findings reveal an evolutionarily conserved role of fibrillarin in infection resistance and suggest the nucleolus as a focal point in innate immune responses.
A scoring system to detect fixed airflow limitation in smokers from simple easy-to-use parameters
Authors: Román-Conejos Esther , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Folgado-de la Rosa David Manuel , Sánchez-Molla Manuel , Rizo-Baeza María Mercedes , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco , Cortés-Castell Ernesto
Published: August 2018

No validated screening method currently exists for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in smokers. Therefore, we constructed a predictive model with simple parameters that can be applied for COPD screening to detect fixed airflow limitation. This observational cross-sectional study included a random sample of 222 smokers with no previous diagnosis of COPD undertaken in a Spanish region in 2014–2016. The main variable was fixed airflow limitation by spirometry. The secondary variables (COPD factors) were: age, gender, smoking (pack-years and Fagerström test), body mass index, educational level, respiratory symptoms and exacerbations. A points system was developed to predict fixed airflow limitation based on secondary variables. The model was validated internally through bootstrapping, determining discrimination and calibration. The system was then integrated into a mobile application for Android. Fifty-seven patients (25.7%) presented fixed airflow limitation. The points system included as predictors: age, pack-years, Fagerström test and presence of respiratory symptoms. Internal validation of the system was very satisfactory, both in discrimination and calibration. In conclusion, a points system has been constructed to predict fixed airflow limitation in smokers with no previous COPD. This system can be integrated as a screening tool, though it should be externally validated in other geographical regions.
Comparative metabolism of xenobiotic chemicals by cytochrome P450s in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Harlow Philippa H. , Perry Simon J. , Stevens Alexander J. , Flemming Anthony J.
Published: August 2018

We investigated the metabolic capabilities of C. elegans using compounds whose metabolism has been well characterised in mammalian systems. We find that similar metabolites are produced in C. elegans as in mammals but that C. elegans is deficient in CYP1-like metabolism, as has been seen in other studies. We show that CYP-34A9, CYP-34A10 and CYP-36A1 are the principal enzymes responsible for the metabolism of tolbutamide in C. elegans. These are related to the mammalian enzymes that metabolise this compound but are not the closest homologs suggesting that sequence comparison alone will not predict functional conservation among cytochrome P450s. In mammals, metabolite production from amytryptiline and dextromethorphan is dependent on specific cytochrome P450s. However, in C. elegans we did not find evidence of similar specificity: the same metabolites were produced but in small amounts by numerous cytochrome P450s. We conclude that, while some aspects of cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism in C. elegans are similar to mammals, there are differences in the production of some metabolites and in the underlying genetics of metabolism.
Link Prediction based on Quantum-Inspired Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Cao Zhiwei , Zhang Yichao , Guan Jihong , Zhou Shuigeng
Published: August 2018

Incomplete or partial observations of network structures pose a serious challenge to theoretical and engineering studies of real networks. To remedy the missing links in real datasets, topology-based link prediction is introduced into the studies of various networks. Due to the complexity of network structures, the accuracy and robustness of most link prediction algorithms are not satisfying enough. In this paper, we propose a quantum-inspired ant colony optimization algorithm that integrates ant colony optimization and quantum computing to predict links in networks. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real networks show that the accuracy and robustness of the new algorithm is competitive in respect to most of the state of the art algorithms. This result suggests that the application of intelligent optimization to link prediction is promising for boosting its accuracy and robustness.
Lateral Ventricle Enlargement and Cortical Thinning in Idiopathic Normal-pressure Hydrocephalus Patients
Authors: Kang Kyunghun , Kwak Kichang , Yoon Uicheul , Lee Jong-Min
Published: August 2018

We utilized three-dimensional, surface-based, morphometric analysis to investigate ventricle shape between 2 groups: (1) idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) patients who had a positive response to the cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSFTT) and (2) healthy controls. The aims were (1) to evaluate the location of INPH-related structural abnormalities of the lateral ventricles and (2) to investigate relationships between lateral ventricular enlargement and cortical thinning in INPH patients. Thirty-three INPH patients and 23 healthy controls were included in this study. We used sparse canonical correlation analysis to show correlated regions of ventricular surface expansion and cortical thinning. Significant surface expansion in the INPH group was observed mainly in clusters bilaterally located in the superior portion of the lateral ventricles, adjacent to the high convexity of the frontal and parietal regions. INPH patients showed a significant bilateral expansion of both the temporal horns of the lateral ventricles and the medial aspects of the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles to surrounding brain regions, including the medial frontal lobe. Ventricular surface expansion was associated with cortical thinning in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral rostral anterior cingulate cortex, left parahippocampal cortex, left temporal pole, right insula, right inferior temporal cortex, and right fusiform gyrus. These results suggest that patients with INPH have unique patterns of ventricular surface expansion. Our findings encourage future studies to elucidate the underlying mechanism of lateral ventricular morphometric abnormalities in INPH patients.
Oral fibropapillomatosis and epidermal hyperplasia of the lip in newborn lambs associated with bovine Deltapapillomavirus
Authors: Roperto Sante , Russo Valeria , Corrado Federica , De Falco Francesca , Munday John S. , Roperto Franco
Published: August 2018

Congenital fibropapillomatosis of the gingiva and oral mucosa and epidermal hyperplasia of the lip are described, for the first time, in two newborn lambs. Expression of the E5 oncoprotein of bovine deltapapillomavirus types 2 (BPV-2) and -13 (BPV-13) was detected in both fibropapillomas and the hyperplastic epidermal cells suggesting the BPV infection was the cause of the proliferative lesions. No DNA sequences of BPV-1 and BPV-14 were detected. Both BPV-2 and BPV-13 DNA were also amplified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the newborn lambs’ dams. The concordance between BPV genotypes detected in the blood of dam and the oral and skin pathological samples of their offspring suggests that a vertical hematogeneous transmission was most likely source of BPV infection. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of E5 dimers allowing the viral protein to be biologically active. E5 dimers bind and activate the platelet derived growth factor β receptor (PDGFβR), a major molecular mechanism contributing to disease. The detection of E5 protein within the proliferating cells therefore adds further evidence that the BPV infection was the cause of the proliferative lesions seen in these lambs. This is the first evidence of vertical transmission of BPVs in sheep resulting in a clinical disease.
The involvement of the low-oxygen-activated locus of Burkholderia cenocepacia in adaptation during cystic fibrosis infection
Authors: Cullen Louise , O’Connor Andrew , McCormack Sarah , Owens Rebecca A. , Holt Giles S. , Collins Cassandra , Callaghan Máire , Doyle Sean , Smith Darren , Schaffer Kirsten , Fitzpatrick David A. , McClean Siobhán
Published: August 2018

Chronic infection with opportunistic pathogens including Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated the adaptive mechanisms facilitating chronic lung infection in sequential Bcc isolates from two siblings with CF (P1 and P2), one of whom also experienced intermittent blood-stream infections (P2). We previously showed increased lung cell attachment with colonisation time in both P1 and P2. WGS analysis confirmed that the isolates are closely related. Twelve genes showed three or more mutations, suggesting these were genes under selection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNVs) in 45 regulatory genes were also observed. Proteomic analysis showed that the abundance of 149 proteins increased over 61-months in sputum isolates, and both time- and source-related alterations in protein abundance between the second patient’s isolates. A consistent time-dependent increase in abundance of 19 proteins encoded by a low-oxygen-activated (lxa) locus was observed in both sets of isolates. Attachment was dramatically reduced in a B. cenocepacia K56-2Δlxa-locus deletion mutant, further indicating that it encodes protein(s) involved in host-cell attachment. Time-related changes in virulence in Galleria mellonella or motility were not observed. We conclude that the lxa-locus, associated with anoxic persistence in vitro, plays a role in host-cell attachment and adaptation to chronic colonization in the hypoxic niche of the CF lung.
Lysine acetylation modulates mouse sperm capacitation
Authors: Ritagliati Carla , Luque Guillermina M. , Stival Cintia , Baro Graf Carolina , Buffone Mariano G. , Krapf Dario
Published: August 2018

Mammalian sperm are unable to fertilize the egg immediately after ejaculation. To gain fertilization competence, they need to undergo a series of modifications inside the female reproductive tract, known as capacitation. Capacitation involves several molecular events such as phosphorylation cascades, hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and intracellular Ca2+ changes, which prepare the sperm to develop two essential features for fertilization competence: hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. Since sperm cells lack new protein biosynthesis, post-translational modification of existing proteins plays a crucial role to obtain full functionality. Here, we show the presence of acetylated proteins in murine sperm, which increase during capacitation. Pharmacological hyperacetylation of lysine residues in non-capacitated sperm induces activation of PKA, hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane, CatSper opening and Ca2+ influx, all capacitation-associated molecular events. Furthermore, hyperacetylation of non-capacitated sperm promotes hyperactivation and prepares the sperm to undergo acrosome reaction. Together, these results indicate that acetylation could be involved in the acquisition of fertilization competence of mammalian sperm.
A novel paradigm to study spatial memory skills in blind individuals through the auditory modality
Authors: Setti Walter , Cuturi Luigi F. , Cocchi Elena , Gori Monica
Published: August 2018

Spatial memory is a multimodal representation of the environment, which can be mediated by different sensory signals. Here we investigate how the auditory modality influences memorization, contributing to the mental representation of a scene. We designed an audio test inspired by a validated spatial memory test, the Corsi-Block test for blind individuals. The test was carried out in two different conditions, with non-semantic and semantic stimuli, presented in different sessions and displaced on an audio-tactile device. Furthermore, the semantic sounds were spatially displaced in order to reproduce an audio scene, explored by participants during the test. Thus, we verified if semantic rather than non-semantic sounds are better recalled and whether exposure to an auditory scene can enhance memorization skills. Our results show that sighted subjects performed better than blind participants after the exploration of the semantic scene. This suggests that blind participants focus on the perceived sound positions and do not use items’ locations learned during the exploration. We discuss these results in terms of the role of visual experience on spatial memorization skills and the ability to take advantage of semantic information stored in the memory.
Risk factors for Streptococcus suis infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rayanakorn Ajaree , Goh Bey-Hing , Lee Learn-Han , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Saokaew Surasak
Published: August 2018

Streptococcus suis(S.suis) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen in pigs which can cause serious infections in human including meningitis, and septicaemia resulting in serious complications. There were discrepancies between different data and little is known concerning associated risk factors ofS.suis. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate on S.suisinfection risk factors in human. We searched eight relevant databases using the MeSH terms “Streptococcus suis” OR “Streptococcus suis AND infection” limited in human with no time nor language restriction. Out of 4,999 articles identified, 32 and 3 studies were included for systematic review and meta-analysis respectively with a total of 1,454Streptococcus suiscases reported.S.suispatients were generally adult males and the elderly. The mean age ranged between 37 to 63 years. Meningitis was the most common clinical manifestation, and deafness was the most common sequelae found among survivors followed by vestibular dysfunction. Infective endocarditis was also noted as among the most common clinical presentations associated with high mortality rate in a few studies. Meta-analyses categorized by type of control groups (community control, and non-S.suissepsis) were done among 850 participants in 3 studies. The combined odd ratios for studies using community control groups and non-S.Suissepsis as controls respectively were 4.63 (95% CI 2.94–7.29) and 78.00 (95% CI 10.38–585.87) for raw pork consumption, 4.01 (95% CI 2.61–6.15) and 3.03 (95% CI 1.61–5.68) for exposure to pigs or pork, 11.47, (95% CI 5.68–23.14) and 3.07 (95% CI 1.81–5.18) for pig-related occupation and 3.56 (95% CI 2.18–5.80) and 5.84 (95% CI 2.76–12.36) for male sex. The results were found to be significantly associated withS.suisinfection and there was non-significant heterogeneity. History of skin injury and underlying diseases were noted only a small percentage in most studies. Setting up an effective screening protocol and public health interventions would be effective to enhance understanding about the disease.
Co-culture models illustrate the digestion of Gemmata spp. by phagocytes
Authors: Kaboré Odilon D. , Loukil Ahmed , Godreuil Sylvain , Drancourt Michel
Published: August 2018

Gemmata spp. bacteria thrive in the same aquatic environments as free-living amoebae. DNA-based detection of Gemmata spp. sequences in the microbiota of the human digestive tract and blood further questioned the susceptibility of Gemmata spp. to phagocytes. Here, Gemmata obscuriglobus and Gemmata massiliana were co-cultured with the amoebae Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba griffini and THP-1 macrophage-like phagocytes. All experiments were performed in five independant replicates. The ratio amoeba/bacteria was 1:20 and the ratio THP-1/bacteria was 1:10. After a 2-hour co-culture, extracellular bacteria were killed by kanamycin or amikacin and eliminated. The intracellular location of Gemmata bacteria was specified by confocal microscopy. Microscopic enumerations and culture-based enumerations of colony-forming units were performed at T = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-infection. Then, Gemmata bacteria were engulfed into the phagocytes’ cytoplasmic vacuoles, more than (98 ± 2)% of Gemmata bacteria, compared to controls, were destroyed by phagocytic cells after a 48-h co-culture according to microscopy and culture results, and no positive culture was observed at T = 72-hours. Under our co-culture conditions, Gemmata bacteria were therefore susceptible to the environmental and host phagocytes here investigated. These data suggest that these Acanthamoeba species and THP-1 cells cannot be used to isolate G. massiliana and G. obscuriglobus under the co-culture conditions applied in this study. Although the THP-1 response can point towards potential responses that might occur in vivo, these responses should first bevalidated by in vivo studies to draw definite conclusions.
Application of a quantum cascade laser aperture scanning near-field optical microscope to the study of a cancer cell
Authors: Smith Caroline I. , Siggel-King Michele R. F. , Ingham James , Harrison Paul , Martin David S. , Varro Andrea , Pritchard D. Mark , Surman Mark , Barrett Steve , Weightman Peter
Published: August 2018

First IR-SNOM images over the Amide I band taken in the centre of an oesophageal cancer cell.
Shifted equilibria of organic acids and bases in the aqueous surface region
Authors: Werner Josephina , Persson Ingmar , Björneholm Olle , Kawecki Delphine , Saak Clara-Magdalena , Walz Marie-Madeleine , Ekholm Victor , Unger Isaak , Valtl Corina , Caleman Carl , Öhrwall Gunnar , Prisle Nønne L.
Published: August 2018

Revealing the delicate balance between protonation/deprotonation and surface/bulk partitioning of organic acids and bases in aqueous solutions.
Electron transfer characteristics of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-arabinonucleic acid, a nucleic acid with enhanced chemical stability
Authors: Teo Ruijie D. , Terai Kiriko , Migliore Agostino , Beratan David N.
Published: August 2018

The non-biological nucleic acid 2′F-ANA may be of use in nanobiotechnology because it combines greater chemical stability than DNA with comparable charge conduction properties.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalised with a photoactive ruthenium(ii) complex: exploring the formulation of a metal-based photodynamic therapy photosensitiser
Authors: Ellahioui Younes , Patra Malay , Mari Cristina , Kaabi Rim , Karges Johannes , Gasser Gilles , Gómez-Ruiz Santiago
Published: August 2018

A ruthenium(ii) complex was loaded onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles and the phototherapeutic activity of the materials was tested in cancer cells.
Effect of an alkyl substituent and spacer length in benzene-centered tripodal diglycolamides on the sequestration of minor actinides
Authors: Ansari Seraj A. , Leoncini Andrea , Mohapatra Prasanta K. , Huskens Jurriaan , Verboom Willem
Published: August 2018

Interactions of trivalent f-cations with three benzene-centered tripodal diglycolamide (Bz-T-DGA) ligands were studied for their complexation abilities using liquid–liquid extraction and spectroscopic techniques.
Bismuth(iii)-thiophenedicarboxylates as host frameworks for lanthanide ions: synthesis, structural characterization, and photoluminescent behavior
Authors: Adcock Alyssa K. , Gibbons Bradley , Einkauf Jeffrey D. , Bertke Jeffery A. , Rubinson J. Faye , de Lill Daniel T. , Knope Karah E.
Published: August 2018

The synthesis and characterization of three bismuth-organic compounds, two of which are lanthanide-doped, and two europium phases are reported.
Capabilities of laser ablation – ICP-TOF-MS coupling for isotopic analysis of individual uranium micrometric particles
Authors: Ronzani Anne-Laure , Pointurier Fabien , Rittner Martin , Borovinskaya Olga , Tanner Martin , Hubert Amélie , Humbert Anne-Claire , Aupiais Jean , Dacheux Nicolas
Published: August 2018

Isotopic compositions of individual uranium micrometric particles are measured precisely by means of laser ablation – time of flight ICP-MS coupling.
Determination of silver in seawater by the direct analysis of solvent bars by high resolution continuum source solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: González-Álvarez Rafael Jesús , Bellido-Milla Dolores , Pinto Juan José , Moreno Carlos
Published: August 2018

Micro-extraction solvent bars are directly analysed by solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for silver ultra-trace determination in seawater.
A histidine-rich Pseudomonas metallothionein with a disordered tail displays higher binding capacity for cadmium than zinc
Authors: Habjanič Jelena , Zerbe Oliver , Freisinger Eva
Published: August 2018

Metallothioneins (MTs) are crucial players in metal-related physiological processes. They are characterized by a high cysteine content and unique metal binding properties resulting in specific metal–thiolate clusters formation. Here we present the first NMR solution structure of a Pseudomonas MT, PflQ2 MT, using the strain P. fluorescens Q2-87. It consists of a metal binding domain and an intrinsically disordered C-terminal tail, that was not observed in other MTs so far. While not influencing the structure or function of the metal binding domain, the tail contains a potential binding motif that might be important in so far undiscovered biological interactions. Unusual is the different metal binding capacity for three ZnIIversus four CdII ions that results in two novel metal-cluster topologies. Nevertheless, the affinity for the fourth CdII ion is reduced due to transient coordination. PflQ2 MT contains an unusually large number of four histidine residues, of which only one is involved in metal ion binding. The three non-coordinating histidine residues influence neither the protein fold nor the stability in vitro. We demonstrate that reinstatement of a second coordinating histidine residue, observed for cyanobacterial MTs, in place of a non-coordinating residue in Pseudomonas MTs, decreases the kinetic lability of the cluster, while preserving the overall metal ion binding stability and the protein fold. Since high thermodynamic stability combined with high kinetic lability of metal binding are mechanistic features critical for the function of MTs, the observed replacement might be advantageous for Pseudomonas MTs with respect to metal ion handling in vivo.
Boron-doped graphene as a promising electrocatalyst for NO electrochemical reduction: a computational study
Authors: Ji Shuang , Zhao Jingxiang
Published: August 2018

The B-doped graphene is a quite promising metal free electrocatalyst for NO reduction to N2O and NH3.
Human serum albumin corona on functionalized gold nanorods modulates doxorubicin loading and release
Authors: Chakraborty Debolina , Tripathi Shivanshi , Ethiraj K. R. , Chandrasekaran N. , Mukherjee Amitava
Published: August 2018

Human serum albumin corona around functionalized gold nanorods can modulate doxorubicin loading and release.
Human-based fibrillar nanocomposite hydrogels as bioinstructive matrices to tune stem cell behavior
Authors: Mendes Bárbara B. , Gómez-Florit Manuel , Pires Ricardo A. , Domingues Rui M. A. , Reis Rui L. , Gomes Manuela E.
Published: August 2018

Injectable human-based nanocomposite hydrogels enable the modulation of multiple parameters of the physical and biological 3D cell microenvironment to guide cell fate.
Self-sensitization induced upconversion of Er3+ in core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Long , Zhou Bo , Song Nan , Liu Xuelong , Huang Jinshu , Wang Ting , Tao Lili , Zhang Qinyuan
Published: August 2018

An in-depth mechanistic investigation on self-sensitized upconversion (SSU) is presented, which would contribute much to both fundamental research and practical applications of lanthanide-based luminescent materials.
Recent developments and applications of cyanamides in electrophilic cyanation
Authors: Chaitanya Manthena , Anbarasan Pazhamalai
Published: August 2018

This review summarizes the recent developments and applications of readily accessible cyanamides in the electrophilic cyanation of various nucleophiles.
Yb(NTf2)3/HFIP induced high isotacticity in atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Schaubach Sebastian , Wang Xiao-Yan , Li Jun-Fang , Sun Xiu-Li , Wang Sunewang R. , Tang Yong
Published: August 2018

Highly efficient Lewis acid Yb(NTf2)3 (1–8 mol%) for a high triad isotacticity (up to 69%) in bisoxazoline/copper mediated ATRP of MMA in HFIP is described.
Total synthesis of kealiiquinone: the regio-controlled strategy for accessing its 1-methyl-4-arylbenzimidazolone core
Authors: Ramadoss Velayudham , Alonso-Castro Angel J. , Campos-Xolalpa Nimsi , Ortiz-Alvarado Rafael , Yahuaca-Juárez Berenice , Solorio-Alvarado César R.
Published: August 2018

A practical, concise and straightforward total synthesis of kealiiquinone 1, a naphtho[2,3-d]imidazole alkaloid obtained from the Micronesian marine sponge Leucetta sp. was accomplished.
Elastic behavior of a semiflexible polymer in 3D subject to compression and stretching forces
Authors: Kurzthaler Christina
Published: August 2018

We elucidate the elastic behavior of a wormlike chain in 3D under compression and provide exact solutions for the experimentally accessible force–extension relation in terms of generalized spheroidal wave functions.
Recent development of phenanthroimidazole-based fluorophores for blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs): an overview
Authors: Tagare Jairam , Vaidyanathan Sivakumar
Published: August 2018

Full color displays (white OLEDs) require all the primary colors: blue, green, and red. In recent decades, numerous phenanthroimidazole-based emitting materials have been developed for efficient blue OLEDs.
Highly efficient dual‐band GaN power amplifier utilising pin diode‐based tunable harmonic load matching
Authors: Kilic Hasan Huseyin , Demir Simsek
Published: August 2018

This study presents a tunable dual‐band gallium nitride (GaN) power amplifier (PA) operating in L‐band. The first band is aimed near the lower edge of the L‐band, 1 GHz, and the second band is aimed near the upper edge of the L‐band, 2 GHz, which is located around the second harmonic of the first band. A pin diode‐based tunable load matching circuit is proposed and designed in order to present the optimum fundamental and harmonic load impedances to the transistor in both operating bands for maximum efficiency and output power. A method of controlling the tunable load matching circuit according to the input frequency is proposed by the design of a band‐selective power detection circuit incorporated into the source matching circuit of the PA. The implemented PA delivers 41.5 dBm output power with 81.3% drain efficiency (DE) at 920 MHz and 41 dBm output power with 60.2% DE at 1720 MHz.
Population structure of Spanish mackerelScomberomorus commerson(Lacepede 1800) in the Northern Indian Ocean determined using microatellite markers
Authors: Radhakrishnan Divya Prema , Nedumpally Vineesh , Kathirvelpandian Ayyathurai , Valaparambil Saidmuhammed Basheer , Gopalakrishnan Achamveettil
Published: August 2018

Narrow barred Spanish mackerel,Scomberomorus commerson(Lacepede, 1800) is one of the economically important marine fish species in the Northern Indian Ocean. Genetic stock structuring is reported inS. commersonfrom Arabian Peninsula, Indo-West Pacific, Northern Australian, Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The present study utilized microsatellite markers to elucidate the population structure ofS. commerson(Lacepede, 1800) in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. A total of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci were amplified in 250 samples collected from five different geographic locations. LowFSTvalues (0.0023–0.027), AMOVA, PCoA and the Bayesian analysis of genetic structure indicated unit stock of the species in Indian waters. Bottleneck analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Mode shift test indicated lack of recent bottleneck events across populations ofS. commerson. The findings of the present study could be used in managing the commercially important species,S. commersonas a unit stock in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal of Northern Indian Ocean and reinforces the need for regional cooperation on fisheries management.
Mesurer les capacités de production dans la sidérurgie européenne : un enjeu pour l’emploi en Europe
Authors: Morvannou Philippe
Published: August 2018

Mesurer les surcapacités de production dans l’industrie sidérurgique mondiale représente un enjeu majeur pour la distribution des valeurs ajoutées et de l’emploi. L’Union européenne doit, pour défendre ses industries, imposer une rigueur indiscutable dans la localisation géographique des surcapacités et réaffirmer ainsi sa dimension industrielle à l’échelle mondiale.
Numerical and experimental study of a jet impinging with axial symmetry with a set of heat exchanger tubes
Authors: Jamalei Eskandar , Alayi Reza , Kasaeian Alibakhsh , Kasaeian Fazel , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein
Published: August 2018

The main purpose of this research is to predict the flow field of impinging turbulent jet with cylinder in a 3-d state. Nowadays, shear stress has multiple uses in the industry. The study has been conducted in both compressible and incompressible states with output velocities between 100 and 150 m/s, in different eccentricities of jet with respect to the first cylinder, and in various nozzle outlet orifice distances from front edge of the first cylinder. Pressure distribution and shear stress on cylinder surfaces have been determined and efficiency of jet in cleaning the heat exchangers pipes has been analyzed. Also, an experimental investigation has been conducted in order to verify the accuracy of the numerical results. Results show that if the distance between nozzle outlet orifice and the front edge of the first cylinder (L) equals 1.52 D (D is the diameter of the cylinder), the jet has the highest cleaning effect.
Effect of electro-osmosis and mixed convection on nano-bio-fluid with non-spherical particles in a curved channel
Authors: Ijaz N. , Zeeshan Ahmed , Rehman S.U.
Published: August 2018

This paper resigns to study effects of electro-kinetic force due to presence of electrical charge layer on the walls of the channel. The nano-bio-fluid fills the void between two concentric curved plates. The flow is induced due to peristaltic wave on flexible walls. The effects of mixed convection along with heat transfer are accounted. Furthermore, the focus is on effects of shapes of non-spherical nanoparticles in nano-bio-fluid and its effects on the flow. Nanofluids are important in treatment of cancer and other diseases in tissues which are normally not reachable by normal drug procedures. The problem is modeled for four types of non-spherical nanoparticles of alumina in aqueous base fluid. Numerical solution is obtained using Mathematica. Some important results are displaced through graphs. Empirical observations display that a significantly greater velocity for nanofluid with blade shape particles is offered followed by brick shaped particles. Numerical experiment also deems a rise in heat transfer due to presence of blade shapes particles.
Dossier : La fabrique de la compensation écologique : controverses et pratiques – La professionnalisation des consultants de la compensation : traductions instrumentales et enjeux de légitimation
Authors: Petitimbert Rémy
Published: August 2018

L’action publique s’est tournée vers les canons de la performance pour conduire et optimiser l’efficacité des politiques publiques. Dans ce contexte, le recours aux consultants est de plus en plus fréquent. Soumis à la pression de la concurrence, ils participent grandement à la norme du « résultat ». Au sein des politiques environnementales, des cabinets privés sont régulièrement consultés dès lors que des mesures de compensation doivent être mises en œuvre. Les traductions de ces mesures en instruments de l’action publique demeurent hétérogènes en fonction des consultants qui vont les effectuer. Il s’agit par conséquent d’interroger les modes de façonnage de ces instruments. Ils participent en effet à définir la perception de la biodiversité au sein des politiques publiques et à délimiter le débat autour des standards techniques, occultant alors les enjeux politiques.
Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier
Authors: Haidar Riad
Published: August 2018

Astronome et mathématicien français, Urbain Le Verrier est surtout connu pour ses travaux en mécanique céleste, qui lui ont permis de prédire l’existence de la planète Neptune par la seule puissance du calcul. Il a également dirigé et profondément réformé l’Observatoire de Paris à la fin du 19e siècle, et fondé les services français de météorologie.
Optique adaptative pour l’imagerie rétinienne
Authors: Meimon Serge , Grieve Kate , Petit Cyril
Published: August 2018

L’une des possibilités les plus excitantes de l’imagerie médicale est l’observation du fonctionnement du cerveau. L’imagerie calcique, récompensée en 2014 par un prix Nobel, permet l’observation de l’activité de neurones spécifiques dans un cerveau de souris en activité. Cette technique est hélas très invasive et donc non transposable au cerveau humain, dont l’observation ne peut être faite qu’avec une résolution de l’ordre du millimètre, grâce à l’IRM fonctionnelle.
Holographie numérique pour la photostimulation de circuits neuronaux
Authors: Ronzitti Emiliano , Tanese Dimitrii , Picot Alexis , Forget Benoît C. , Emiliani Valentina , Papagiakoumou Eirini
Published: August 2018

Le développement de techniques originales de manipulation de la lumière ont permis de grandes avancées dans le domaine de l’optogénétique. Elles permettent d’étudier et de stimuler la communication au sein des circuits neuronaux et du cerveau avec une précision spatiale et temporelle correspondant à l’activation d’une cellule unique au sein d’un circuit.
Fibre optique et 5G… unies pour le meilleur
Authors: Mur Jean-Michel
Published: August 2018

La 5e génération des réseaux de communication pour mobiles – 5G – a des caractéristiques qui nécessiteront la densification des cellules, synonyme de déploiement de plusieurs millions de kilomètres de fibres optiques. Explications…
Émersion et apprentissage moteur : manifestations neurovégétatives lors de l’adaptation à une perturbation
Authors: Marie Cécile , Maillot Pauline , Hanneton Sylvain
Published: August 2018

La situation d’apprenant induit des phénomènes que l’on pourrait qualifier d’émersifs. De très nombreuses études se sont intéressées aux corrélats neuro-végétatifs de l’apprentissage de tâches cognitives, en particulier dans le cadre des apprentissages scolaires. Il y a cependant très peu de résultats qui concernent l’apprentissage moteur des habiletés complexes. Nous avons enregistré le rythme cardiaque (HR) et la réponse électrodermale (EDR) de participants impliqués dans une tâche d’adaptation à une perturbation visuo-manuelle. Vingt et un adultes droitiers ont effectué une tâche de pointage de cibles statiques avec une tablette graphique. Après une période de pré-test, nous avons introduit une discordance inattendue en rotation entre l’espace moteur (tablette) et l’espace visuel (écran), discordance disparaissant après une période d’adaptation. Quatre participants furent exposés à une perturbation faible (5°) alors que tous les autres subirent une perturbation plus importante (60°). Nous avons trouvé des changements significatifs de HR et de l’EDR lors de l’apparition et disparition de la perturbation, mais aussi lors de la phase d’adaptation dans le groupe 60°. Nous avons en particulier mis en évidence une baisse significative de HR et une augmentation significative de l’EDR lors de l’apparition de la rotation. Ces résultats confirment l’existence d’une réponse neurovégétative notable durant l’apprentissage moteur et ouvrent la voie à l’étude des corrélats neurovégétatifs de l’apprentissage moteur dans le cadre d’habiletés plus complexes et à leur interprétation dans le cadre de l’émersion.
Two Propanediurea-based Cucurbituril Analogues: Bis-ns-TD[8] and NH-ns-TD[4]
Authors: Wang Qiaochun , Dai Chunhua , Shen Yenan
Published: August 2018

Two new cucurbituril members, one containing two equivalent cavities and the other having an active secondary amine group, were synthesized by condensation of propanediurea (2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,7-dione) with formaldehyde. These two macrocycles exhibit excellent thermal stability, and their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.