bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of mobile produce markets in increasing access and affordability of fruits and vegetables among low-income seniors
Authors: Lyerly Reece , Rummo Pasquale , Amin Sarah , Evans Whitney , Cohen Eliza Dexter , Lawson Eliza , Hallett Eliza , De-Oliveira Sophia , Rose Jennifer , Sutten Coats Cassandra , Nunn Amy
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Mobile produce markets (MPM) offering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) incentive programmes have the potential to provide accessible and affordable fruits and vegetables (FV) to populations at risk of food insecurity. The objective of this study is to characterise the customer base of an MPM and describe their participation at twelve market sites serving low-income seniors.

Design:

In 2018, customers from an MPM in Rhode Island (RI) participated in a cross-sectional survey (n 330; 68 % response rate), which measured dietary patterns, food security and food shopping behaviours. We compared the shopping habits and market experiences of customers who currently received SNAP benefits with those who did not currently receive SNAP benefits.

Setting:

An MPM in RI which offers a 50 % discount for FV purchased with SNAP benefits.

Participants:

This study describes current market customers at twelve market sites serving low-income seniors.

Results:

Market customers were mostly low-income, female, over the age of 50 years and Hispanic/Latino. Most customers received SNAP benefits, and almost half were food insecure. In addition, three quarters of SNAP customers reported their SNAP benefits last longer since shopping at the markets. Mixed logistic regression models indicated that SNAP customers were more likely to report buying and eating more FV than non-SNAP customers.

Conclusions:

MPM are critical resources of affordable produce and have been successful in improving access to FV among individuals of low socio-economic status in RI. This case study can inform policy and programme recommendations for MPM and SNAP incentive programmes.
Neoconservatives and Neo-Confucians: East Asian Growth and the Celebration of Tradition
Authors: Miller Jennifer M.
Published: September 2020

This article explores the influence of East Asia's economic growth on the evolution of American neoconservative thought in the 1970s and 1980s. It traces how prominent neoconservative thinkers—Nathan Glazer, Peter L. Berger, Herman Kahn, Michael Novak, and Lawrence E. Harrison—developed the claim that the region's prosperity stemmed from its alleged Confucian tradition. Drawing in part from East Asian leaders and scholars, they argued that the region's growth demonstrated that tradition had facilitated, rather than hampered, the development of a distinct East Asian capitalist modernity. The article argues that this Confucian thesis helped American neoconservatives articulate their conviction that “natural” social hierarchies, religious commitment, and traditional families were necessary for healthy and free capitalist societies. It then charts how neoconservatives mobilized this interpretation of Confucian East Asia against postcolonial critiques of capitalism, especially dependency theory. East Asia, they claimed, demonstrated that poverty and wealth were determined not by patterns of welfare, structural exploitation, or foreign assistance, but values and culture. The concept of Confucian capitalism, the article shows, was central to neoconservatives’ broad ideological agenda of protecting political, economic, and racial inequality under the guise of values, culture, and tradition.
Dietary patterns according to vitamin supplement use. A	cross-sectional study in Switzerland
Authors: Patriota Pollyanna , Guessous Idris , Marques-Vidal Pedro
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Background: consumers of dietary supplements (DS) or vitamin-mineral supplements (VMS) have a better health profile than nonconsumers; whether this also applies to healthier dietary patterns has seldom been assessed. We aimed to assess the dietary intake of subjects according to their consumption of DS or VMS. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based studies conducted in 2009–2012 (3773 participants, 52.4% women, 57.0 ± 10.0 years) and 2014–2017 (2536 participants, 52.4% women, 60.0 ± 10 years) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dietary intake was assessed via a 97-item food frequency questionnaire. Nutrients, consumption of specific food groups, dietary scores, and compliance with the Swiss nutritional guidelines were compared between VMS/DS consumers and nonconsumers. Results: In 2009–2012, after multivariable adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, education, smoking, country of birth, sedentariness, diet and total energy intake, VMS/DS consumers had a higher score for the “Fruits & vegetables”(−0.09 ± 0.02 vs. 0.15 ± 0.05) dietary pattern and a lower score for the “Fatty & sugary” dietary pattern (0.02 ± 0.02 vs. −0.14 ± 0.04) and had a lower likelihood to comply with the guideline on total fat [odds ratio and 95 %CI: 0.72 (0.57–0.89)] than nonconsumers. In 2014–2017, after multivariable adjustment, no differences (at p < 0.005) were found between VMS/DS consumers and nonconsumers. Conclusion: VMS/DS consumers tend to have healthier dietary choices than nonconsumers. The beneficial effect of VMS and/or DS consumption is decreased, as it does not target subjects who really need them.
Database of Storm Time Equatorial Ion Temperatures in Earth's Magnetosphere Calculated From Energetic Neutral Atom Data
Authors: Keesee A. M. , Katus R. M. , Floyd M. , Scime E. E.
Published: September 2020

Ion temperature is a key parameter that influences dynamics in the magnetosphere, such as particle transport and wave‐particle interactions. Measurements of ion heating and energization yield information about phenomena such as magnetic reconnection, bursty bulk flows, and ion injections. Taking advantage of the global view provided by energetic neutral atom imaging, a database of ion temperature maps during geomagnetic storms occurring throughout the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Two Wide‐angle Imaging Neutral atom Spectrometers (TWINS) mission has been created. These ion temperature maps and relevant metadata are publicly available on CDAWeb to facilitate comparison to in situ measurements and model output, for use as boundary conditions for simulations, and for other relevant studies. A preliminary study of average plasma sheet ion temperatures calculated from these maps has revealed a common occurrence of decreasing ion temperature, and a case study for one storm is presented.
Assessment of Uncertainty Sources in Snow Cover Simulation in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Jiang Yingsha , Chen Fei , Gao Yanhong , He Cenlin , Barlage Michael , Huang Wubin
Published: September 2020

Snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an important role in Asian climate. State‐of‐the‐art models, however, show significant simulation biases. In this study, we assess the main uncertainty associated with model physics in snow cover modeling over the TP using ground‐based observations and high‐resolution snow cover satellite products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and FengYun‐3B (FY3B). We first conducted 10‐km simulations using the Noah with multiparameterization (Noah‐MP) land surface model by optimizing physics‐scheme options, which reduces 8.2% absolute bias of annual snow cover fraction (SCF) compared with the default model settings. Then, five SCF parameterizations in Noah‐MP were optimized and assessed, with three of them further reducing the annual SCF biases from around 15% to less than 2%. Thus, optimizing SCF parameterizations appears to be more important than optimizing physics‐scheme options in reducing the uncertainty of snow modeling. As a result of improved SCF, the positive bias of simulated surface albedo decreases significantly compared to the GLASS albedo data, particularly in high‐elevation regions. This substantially enhances the absorbed solar radiation and further reduces the annual mean biases of ground temperature from −3.5 to −0.8°C and snow depth from 4.2 to 0.2 mm. However, the optimized model still overestimates SCF in the western TP and underestimates SCF in the eastern TP. Further analysis using a higher‐resolution (4 km) simulation driven by topographically adjusted air temperature shows slight improvement, suggesting a rather limited contribution of the finer‐scale land surface characteristics to SCF uncertainty.
The Response of Spectral Vegetation Indices and Solar‐Induced Fluorescence to Changes in Illumination Intensity and Geometry in the Days Surrounding the 2017 North American Solar Eclipse
Authors: Rogers Cheryl A. , Chen Jing M. , Zheng Ting , Croft Holly , Gonsamo Alemu , Luo Xiangzhong , Staebler Ralf M.
Published: September 2020

Remote sensing is a key method for advancing our understanding of global photosynthesis and is thus critical to understanding terrestrial carbon uptake and climate change. Increasingly sophisticated spectral indices including solar‐induced florescence (SIF) and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) are considered good proxies of canopy structure, biochemistry, and physiology. However, the relative influences of illumination intensity and angle on these measures are difficult to unravel, particularly at the scale of whole forest canopies. We exploit the solar dimming during the 2017 North American solar eclipse as well as a clear day before and cloudy day after the day of the eclipse. This novel approach allows us to assess changes in spectral vegetation indices due to illumination intensity independent of changes in illumination angle. Physiologically relevant spectral indices were most affected by dimming, with illumination level explaining 97% of variability in SIF and 99% of variability in PRI during the eclipse. The spectral change in reflectance through the eclipse period revealed changes in PRI were driven by reflectance differences at the 570 nm reference band rather than at the 531 nm signal band associated with xanthophyll pigment interconversions. This study refines our interpretation of vegetation properties from space with implications for our interpretation of signals related to terrestrial photosynthesis derived from sensors spanning a range of illumination conditions and angles.
The initial inoculation ratio regulates bacterial coculture interactions and metabolic capacity
Authors: Gao Chun-Hui , Cao Hui , Cai Peng , Sørensen Søren J
Published: September 2020

Coculture is an important model system in microbial ecology studies. As a key experimental parameter, the initial inoculation ratio has a crucial impact on the results of the coculture system. However, such an effect has never been investigated under multiple niche conditions. In this study, we established a simple coculture system with two model bacteria in various carbon sources and investigated the influence of initial inoculum ratios of 1:1000 to 1000:1 on community structure, function, and bacterial interaction. We found that the final ratio of the cocultures with different initial inoculum ratios differed in approximately five-sixths of the carbon sources, suggesting that the final ratio is highly dependent on the initial inoculum ratio, while the carbon source preferences of bacteria could not predict the final ratio of cocultures. Furthermore, we found that the initial ratio could regulate the metabolic capacity of the coculture, as only cocultures with initial ratios of 1:1 and 1000:1 gained high capacity on 14 specific carbon sources. The underlying reason may be that the pattern of species interaction is changed by the initial ratio. In conclusion, we showed that the initial ratio can induce emergent properties in coculture. These findings suggest that the initial ratio not only impacts the reproducibility of coculture experiments but also can influence our understanding of generic microbial ecology.
Optimization of the electron transport layer in quantum dot light-emitting devices
Authors: Zaiats Gary , Ikeda Shingo , Kamat Prashant V.
Published: September 2020

Quantum dot light-emitting devices have emerged as an important technology for display applications. Their emission is a result of recombination between positive and negative charge carriers that are transported through the hole and electron conductive layers, respectively. The selection of electron or hole transport materials in these devices not only demands the alignment of energy levels between the layers but also balances the flow of electrons and holes toward the recombination sites. In this work, we examine a method for device optimization through control of the charge carrier kinetics. We employ impedance spectroscopy to examine the mobility of charge carriers through each of the layers. The derived mobility values provide a path to estimate the transition time of each charge carrier toward the emitting layer. We suggest that an optimal device structure can be obtained when the transition times of both charge carriers toward the active layer are similar. Finally, we examine our hypothesis by focusing on thickness optimization of the electron transport layer.
Downsizing metal–organic frameworks by bottom-up and top-down methods
Authors: Usman Ken Aldren S. , Maina James W. , Seyedin Shayan , Conato Marlon T. , Payawan Leon M. , Dumée Ludovic F. , Razal Joselito M.
Published: September 2020

Downsizing metal–organic framework (MOF) crystals into the nanoregime offers a promising approach to further benefit from their inherent versatile pore structures and surface reactivity. In this article, downsizing is referred to as the deliberate production of typical large MOF crystals into their nanosized versions. Here, we discuss various strategies towards the formation of crystals below 100 nm and their impact on the nano-MOF crystal properties. Strategies include an adjustment of the synthesis parameters (e.g., time, temperature, and heating rate), surface modification, ligand modulation, control of solvation during crystal growth and physical grinding methods. These approaches, which are categorized into bottom-up and top-down methods, are also critically discussed and linked to the kinetics of MOF formation as well as to the homogeneity of their size distribution and crystallinity. This collection of downsizing routes allows one to tailor features of MOFs, such as the morphology, size distribution, and pore accessibility, for a particular application. This review provides an outlook on the enhanced performance of downsized MOFs along with their potential use for both existing and novel applications in a variety of disciplines, such as medical, energy, and agricultural research.
Pathways and challenges towards a complete characterization of microgels
Authors: Scheffold Frank
Published: September 2020

Due to their controlled size, sensitivity to external stimuli, and ease-of-use, microgel colloids are unique building blocks for soft materials made by crosslinking polymers on the micrometer scale. Despite the plethora of work published, many questions about their internal structure, interactions, and phase behavior are still open. The reasons for this lack of understanding are the challenges arising from the small size of the microgel particles, complex pairwise interactions, and their solvent permeability. Here we describe pathways toward a complete understanding of microgel colloids based on recent experimental advances in nanoscale characterization, such as super-resolution microscopy, scattering methods, and modeling.
Revised estimates of ocean-atmosphere CO2 flux are consistent with ocean carbon inventory
Authors: Watson Andrew J. , Schuster Ute , Shutler Jamie D. , Holding Thomas , Ashton Ian G. C. , Landschützer Peter , Woolf David K. , Goddijn-Murphy Lonneke
Published: September 2020

The ocean is a sink for ~25% of the atmospheric CO2 emitted by human activities, an amount in excess of 2 petagrams of carbon per year (PgC yr−1). Time-resolved estimates of global ocean-atmosphere CO2 flux provide an important constraint on the global carbon budget. However, previous estimates of this flux, derived from surface ocean CO2 concentrations, have not corrected the data for temperature gradients between the surface and sampling at a few meters depth, or for the effect of the cool ocean surface skin. Here we calculate a time history of ocean-atmosphere CO2 fluxes from 1992 to 2018, corrected for these effects. These increase the calculated net flux into the oceans by 0.8–0.9  PgC yr−1, at times doubling uncorrected values. We estimate uncertainties using multiple interpolation methods, finding convergent results for fluxes globally after 2000, or over the Northern Hemisphere throughout the period. Our corrections reconcile surface uptake with independent estimates of the increase in ocean CO2 inventory, and suggest most ocean models underestimate uptake.
Repertoire-scale determination of class II MHC peptide binding via yeast display improves antigen prediction
Authors: Rappazzo C. Garrett , Huisman Brooke D. , Birnbaum Michael E.
Published: September 2020

CD4+helper T cells contribute important functions to the immune response during pathogen infection and tumor formation by recognizing antigenic peptides presented by class II major histocompatibility complexes (MHC-II). While many computational algorithms for predicting peptide binding to MHC-II proteins have been reported, their performance varies greatly. Here we present a yeast-display-based platform that allows the identification of over an order of magnitude more unique MHC-II binders than comparable approaches. These peptides contain previously identified motifs, but also reveal new motifs that are validated by in vitro binding assays. Training of prediction algorithms with yeast-display library data improves the prediction of peptide-binding affinity and the identification of pathogen-associated and tumor-associated peptides. In summary, our yeast-display-based platform yields high-quality MHC-II-binding peptide datasets that can be used to improve the accuracy of MHC-II binding prediction algorithms, and potentially enhance our understanding of CD4+T cell recognition.
Synthetic band-structure engineering in polariton crystals with non-Hermitian topological phases
Authors: Pickup L. , Sigurdsson H. , Ruostekoski J. , Lagoudakis P. G.
Published: September 2020

Synthetic crystal lattices provide ideal environments for simulating and exploring the band structure of solid-state materials in clean and controlled experimental settings. Physical realisations have, so far, dominantly focused on implementing irreversible patterning of the system, or interference techniques such as optical lattices of cold atoms. Here, we realise reprogrammable synthetic band-structure engineering in an all optical exciton-polariton lattice. We demonstrate polariton condensation into excited states of linear one-dimensional lattices, periodic rings, dimerised non-trivial topological phases, and defect modes utilising malleable optically imprinted non-Hermitian potential landscapes. The stable excited nature of the condensate lattice with strong interactions between sites results in an actively tuneable non-Hermitian analogue of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger system.
Marker aided introgression of ‘Saltol’, a major QTL for seedling stage salinity tolerance into an elite Basmati rice variety ‘Pusa Basmati 1509’
Authors: Yadav Ashutosh Kumar , Kumar Aruna , Grover Nitasha , Ellur Ranjith Kumar , Krishnan S. Gopala , Bollinedi Haritha , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar , Vinod K. K. , Nagarajan M. , Krishnamurthy S. L. , Singh Ashok Kumar
Published: September 2020

Marker assisted backcross breeding was used to transferSaltol, a major QTL for seedling stage salinity tolerance from the donor FL478 to Pusa Basmati 1509 (PB 1509), a high yielding and early maturing Basmati rice variety. Foreground selection was carried out using three markers namely, AP3206f, RM3412b and RM10793, linked toSaltol. In addition, 105 genome-wide SSR markers polymorphic between FL478 and PB 1509 were used in background selection. Among the BC3F4near isogenic lines (NILs) developed, recurrent parent genome recovery ranged from 96.67 to 98.57%. Multi-season evaluation identified some of the NILs showing significantly higher yield with grain and cooking quality comparable to PB 1509. All the NILs exhibited tolerance to salinity with significantly higher relative water content, membrane stability index and proline content as compared to PB 1509. The root and shoot concentration of Na+, K+and Na+/K+in NILs was at par with FL478 under stress conditions. The geneOsHKT1;5 located in theSaltolregion showed higher expression levels under stress indicating its role in conferring salinity tolerance. Salt tolerant NILs of PB 1509 will be useful in stabilizing production in salt affected areas.
Changes of central noradrenaline transporter availability in immunotherapy-naïve multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Schmidt Elisa , Schinke Christian , Rullmann Michael , Luthardt Julia , Becker Georg-Alexander , Haars Sarah , Stoppe Muriel , Lobsien Donald , Hoffmann Karl-Titus , Sabri Osama , Hesse Swen , Then Bergh Florian
Published: September 2020

The neurotransmitter noradrenaline (NA) mediates arousal, attention and mood, and exerts anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Alterations of monoamine signalling were reported in multiple sclerosis (MS) and psychiatric illness and may account for the high prevalence of comorbid depression and fatigue in MS patients. We assessed central noradrenaline transporter (NAT) availability using positron emission tomography (PET) and the NAT selective radiotracer S,S-[11C]O-methylreboxetine in immunotherapy-naïve patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS; n = 11) compared to healthy controls (HC; n = 12), and its association to lesion load, time since manifestation, the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), the fatigue scale Würzburger Erschöpfungsinventar bei MS (WEIMuS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We found NAT availability to be increased in the thalamus, amygdala, putamen and pons/midbrain of MS patients. No relation to clinical or psychometric variables was found. These first data indicate higher NAT availability in subcortical brain regions of immunotherapy-naïve RRMS patients. If these changes of noradrenergic neurotransmission predispose to psychiatric symptoms or associate with disease activity needs to be investigated in longitudinal studies or a larger sample which allows subgroup analyses.
Diversity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species causing strawberry anthracnose in Taiwan and description of a new species, Colletotrichum miaoliense sp. nov.
Authors: Chung Pei-Che , Wu Hung-Yi , Wang Yen-Wen , Ariyawansa Hiran A. , Hu Hsien-Pin , Hung Ting-Hsuan , Tzean Shean-Shong , Chung Chia-Lin
Published: September 2020

Strawberry is a small fruit crop with high economic value. Anthracnose caused byColletotrichumspp. poses a serious threat to strawberry production, particularly in warm and humid climates, but knowledge of pathogen populations in tropical and subtropical regions is limited. To investigate the diversity of infectious agents causing strawberry anthracnose in Taiwan, a disease survey was conducted from 2010 to 2018, andColletotrichumspp. were identified through morphological characterization and multilocus phylogenetic analysis with internal transcribed spacer, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, chitin synthase, actin, beta-tubulin, calmodulin, and the intergenic region betweenApn2andMAT1-2-1(ApMAT). Among 52 isolates collected from 24 farms/nurseries in Taiwan, a new species,Colletotrichum miaoliensesp. nov. (6% of all isolates), a species not previously known to be associated with strawberry,Colletotrichum karstii(6%), and three known species,Colletotrichum siamense(75%),Colletotrichum fructicola(11%), andColletotrichum boninense(2%), were identified. The predominant speciesC.siamenseandC.fructicolaexhibited higher mycelial growth rates on potato dextrose agar and caused larger lesions on wounded and non-wounded detached strawberry leaves.Colletotrichum boninense,C. karstii, andC. miaolienseonly caused lesions on wounded leaves. Understanding the composition and biology of the pathogen population will help in disease management and resistance breeding.
A novel protocol to detect green fluorescent protein in unfixed, snap-frozen tissue
Authors: Scandella Valentina , Paolicelli Rosa Chiara , Knobloch Marlen
Published: September 2020

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a powerful reporter protein that allows labeling of specific proteins or entire cells. However, as GFP is a small soluble protein, it easily crosses membranes if cell integrity is disrupted, and GFP signal is lost or diffuse if the specimen is not fixed beforehand. While pre-fixation is often feasible for histological analyses, many molecular biology procedures and new imaging techniques, such as imaging mass spectrometry, require unfixed specimens. To be able to use GFP labeling in tissues prepared for such applications, we have tested various protocols to minimize the loss of GFP signal. Here we show that, in cryocut sections of snap-frozen brain tissue from two GFP reporter mouse lines, leaking of the GFP signal is prevented by omitting the commonly performed drying of the cryosections, and by direct post-fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde pre-warmed at 30–37 °C. Although the GFP staining does not reach the same quality as obtained with pre-fixed tissue, GFP localization within the cells that express it is preserved with this method. This protocol can thus be used to identify GFP positive cells on sections originating from unfixed, cryosectioned tissue.
Kinship analysis on single cells after whole genome amplification
Authors: Weymaere Jana , Vander Plaetsen Ann-Sophie , Tilleman Laurentijn , Tytgat Olivier , Rubben Kaat , Geeraert Sofie , Deforce Dieter , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip
Published: September 2020

Short Tandem Repeat (STR-) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP-) genotyping have been extensively studied within forensic kinship analysis. Nevertheless, no results have been reported on kinship analysis after whole genome amplification (WGA) of single cells. This WGA step is a necessary procedure in several applications, such as cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing (cbNIPT) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). In cbNIPT, all putative fetal cells must be discriminated from maternal cells after enrichment from whole blood. This study investigates the efficacy and evidential value of STR- and SNP-genotyping methods for the discrimination of 24 single cells after WGA, within three families. Formaldehyde-fixed and unfixed cells are assessed in offspring-parent duos and offspring-mother-father trios. Results demonstrate that both genotyping methods can be used in all tested conditions and scenarios with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with a similar evidential value for fixed and unfixed cells. Moreover, sequence-based SNP-genotyping results in a higher evidential value than length-based STR-genotyping after WGA, which is not observed using high-quality offspring bulk DNA samples. Finally, it is also demonstrated that the availability of the DNA genotypes of both parents strongly increases the evidential value of the results.
Microfluidics for label-free sorting of rare circulating tumor cells
Authors: Zhu Shu , Jiang Fengtao , Han Yu , Xiang Nan , Ni Zhonghua
Published: September 2020

A review discussing the working principles and performances of label-free CTC sorting methods.
Investigation of an alternative approach for real-time cleaning verification in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Sarwar Apu , McSweeney Conor , Smith Mark , Timmermans Joep , Moore Eric
Published: September 2020

Within the pharmaceutical industry, it is a regulatory requirement to ensure that pharmaceutical drug manufacturing equipment is clean prior to use.
The anticancer activity of an air-stable Pd(i)-NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) dimer
Authors: Scattolin Thomas , Bortolamiol Enrica , Palazzolo Stefano , Caligiuri Isabella , Perin Tiziana , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Demitri Nicola , Rizzolio Flavio , Cavallo Luigi , Dereli Busra , Mane Manoj V. , Nolan Steven P. , Visentin Fabiano
Published: September 2020

The synthesis of a new dinuclear Pd(i) complex bearing two bis(NHC) ligands is discussed. This compound exhibited excellent bioactivity against several cancer cell lines and low toxicity toward normal cells. Its mode of action is also discussed.
N-Rich hetero-porous defective carbon induced by trace B-doping enables efficient oxygen reduction
Authors: Shi Jiawei , Zhang Xinlei , Lei Yun , Li Jing , Yang Zehui , Qu Konggang , Cai Weiwei
Published: September 2020

A facile B inducing strategy to improve the N retention capacity of C during carbon-based catalyst synthesis is developed towards efficient and stable oxygen reduction reaction via offsetting the electron migration.
The role of chemoenzymatic synthesis in advancing trehalose analogues as tools for combatting bacterial pathogens
Authors: Kalera Karishma , Stothard Alicyn I. , Woodruff Peter J. , Swarts Benjamin M.
Published: September 2020

Harnessing enzymes from nature's elegant toolbox accelerates the development of trehalose-based probes and inhibitors, which are valuable microbiology research tools and have potential for imaging and treating bacterial infections.
Facile synthesis of N-type hexagonal (Bi(Bi2S3)9)I3)0.667 as a promising thermoelectric compound
Authors: Guo Jun , Chen Lin , Wu Yi , Xu Jingtao , Lu De-Hong , Feng Jing , Ge Zhen-Hua
Published: September 2020

The thermoelectric properties of N-type hexagonal (Bi(Bi2S3)9)I3)0.667 synthesized by a facile process were investigated in detail.
Two-dimensional co-crystallization of two carboxylic acid derivatives having dissimilar symmetries at the liquid/solid interface
Authors: Liang Qiu , Yu Yanxia , Feng Guangyuan , Shen Yongtao , Yang Ling , Lei Shengbin
Published: September 2020

Two co-crystallized porous networks were constructed using two carboxylic acids with distinct symmetries and these cocrystal networks can be reversibly switched to a BTB lamella by changing the polarity of the bias voltage.
Nucleation and growth of water ice on oxide surfaces: the influence of a precursor to water dissociation
Authors: Souda Ryutaro , Aizawa Takashi , Sugiyama Naoyuki , Takeguchi Masaki
Published: September 2020

Weakly chemisorbed water species on oxide surfaces inhibit epitaxial ice growth because they hamper the orientation flexibility of molecules for nucleation commensurate with the substrate.
Vibrational spectroscopy of protonated amine–water clusters: tuning Fermi resonance and lighting up dark states
Authors: Lin Chih-Kai , Shishido Ryunosuke , Huang Qian-Rui , Fujii Asuka , Kuo Jer-Lai
Published: September 2020

The H-bonded NH stretching fundamentals of protonated amine–water clusters pass through the “Fermi resonance window” formed by bending overtones, generating split bands due to anharmonic couplings.
Curvature and size effects hinder halogen bonds with extended π systems
Authors: Cabaleiro-Lago Enrique M. , Rodríguez-Otero Jesús
Published: September 2020

The curvature of aromatic systems strengthens the interaction by the concave face while it weakens by the convex one. Parallel structures are favoured over halogen bonded ones.
Heterogeneous dynamics in partially disordered proteins
Authors: Virtanen Salla I. , Kiirikki Anne M. , Mikula Kornelia M. , Iwaï Hideo , Ollila O. H. Samuli
Published: September 2020

Combination of novel isotopic labeling, NMR experiments and MD simulations reveal heterogeneous dynamics in partially disordered proteins.
On the separability of large-amplitude motions in anharmonic frequency calculations
Authors: Nejad Arman , Crittenden Deborah L.
Published: September 2020

Nuclear vibrational theories based upon the Watson Hamiltonian are ubiquitous in quantum chemistry, but cannot model molecules with delocalised large-amplitude vibrations. Dropping these is an efficient and effective way of circumventing the problem.
Co(i) complexes with a tetradentate phenanthroline-based PNNP ligand as a potent new metal–ligand cooperation platform
Authors: Jheng Nai-Yuan , Ishizaka Yusuke , Naganawa Yuki , Sekiguchi Akira , Nakajima Yumiko
Published: September 2020

A cobalt(i) alkyl complex bearing a tetradentate phenanthroline-based PNNP ligand undergoes dearomatization of the ligand backbone skeleton upon heating and furthermore achieves H–H bond cleavage.
Enhanced oxygen and hydrogen evolution performance by carbon-coated CoS2–FeS2 nanosheets
Authors: Wang Wenpin , Xu Yue , Yao Jiali , Liu Xien , Yin Zhengmao , Li Zhongcheng
Published: September 2020

A facile one-spot strategy to prepare carbon-layer-coated CoS2–FeS2 heterojunction nanosheets was developed; it exhibited excellent overall water splitting activity with 1.66 V at 10 mA cm−2 and maintained the long-term stability over 26 h.
Synthesis of compounds with C–P–P and CP–P bond systems based on the phospha-Wittig reaction
Authors: Ziółkowska Aleksandra , Szynkiewicz Natalia , Pikies Jerzy , Ponikiewski Łukasz
Published: September 2020

This work presents the reactivity of [MeNacNacTi(Cl){η2-P(SiMe3)–PtBu2}] towards ketones such as benzophenone, 9-fluorenone, acetophenone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone and cycloheptanone based on the phospha-Wittig reaction.
Porous crystalline frameworks for thermocatalytic CO2 reduction: an emerging paradigm
Authors: Mehla Sunil , Kandjani Ahmad E. , Babarao Ravichandar , Lee Adam F. , Periasamy Selvakannan , Wilson Karen , Ramakrishna Seeram , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: September 2020

A comprehensive and critical analysis of thermocatalytic CO2 reduction over heterogeneous catalysts derived from porous crystalline frameworks.
An ultra high-efficiency droplet microfluidics platform using automatically synchronized droplet pairing and merging
Authors: Zhang Han , Guzman Adrian R. , Wippold Jose A. , Li Yuwen , Dai Jing , Huang Can , Han Arum
Published: September 2020

The integrated droplet platform combines curved microstructures that allow high-efficiency (99.9%) reflow of droplets and a droplet cleaving that automatically synchronizes paired droplets enabling high-efficiency (99.9%) downstream merging.
A novel green emitting NaGdF4:Dy3+,Ho3+ phosphor with tunable photoluminescence
Authors: Guan Hongxia , Li Yunfei , Liu Guixia
Published: September 2020

Dy3+,Ho3+ co-doped β-NaGdF4 nanomaterials emitted different shades of green light, which varies from the light blue area towards the blue-green area and ultimately to the green area with the increase of Ho3+ ions.
Unveiling the origin of room-temperature ferromagnetism in monolayer VSe2: the role of extrinsic effects
Authors: Boukhvalov Danil W. , Politano Antonio
Published: September 2020

The controversial debate concerning room-temperature magnetism in monolayer VSe2 could be solved by considering the role of extrinsic effects.
Quantitative mechanics of 3D printed nanopillars interacting with bacterial cells
Authors: Ganjian Mahya , Angeloni Livia , Mirzaali Mohammad J. , Modaresifar Khashayar , Hagen Cornelis W. , Ghatkesar Murali K. , Hagedoorn Peter-Leon , Fratila-Apachitei Lidy E. , Zadpoor Amir A.
Published: September 2020

For the first time, we applied a novel AFM technique to study the interaction between EBID nanopillars and bacteria.
Magnetic exchange interactions in symmetric lanthanide dimetallics
Authors: Giansiracusa Marcus J. , Al-Badran Susan , Kostopoulos Andreas K. , Whitehead George F. S. , McInnes Eric J. L. , Collison David , Winpenny Richard E. P. , Chilton Nicholas F.
Published: September 2020

Multi-frequency EPR spectra and CASSCF-SO calculations on two symmetric homo-dimetallic lanthanide complexes are used to determine the magnetic exchange coupling in the low-lying states.
Copper-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of pyrrolidine-containing amides from γ,δ-unsaturated aromatic oxime esters
Authors: Zhang Youcan , Ai Han-Jun , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2020

A new method of low-cost copper-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization for preparing pyrrolidine-containing amides from γ,δ-unsaturated aromatic oxime esters and amines has been described.
Catalysis by the JmjC histone demethylase KDM4A integrates substrate dynamics, correlated motions and molecular orbital control
Authors: Ramanan Rajeev , Chaturvedi Shobhit S. , Lehnert Nicolai , Schofield Christopher J. , Karabencheva-Christova Tatyana G. , Christov Christo Z.
Published: September 2020

The second sphere residues and regions of the protein in histone demethylase enzymes that makes correlated motion with the active site contribute to efficient catalysis.
Wire templated electrodeposition of vessel-like structured chitosan hydrogel by using a pulsed electrical signal
Authors: Yan Kun , Yang Chenguang , Zhong Weibin , Lu Zhentan , Li Xiufang , Shi Xiaowen , Wang Dong
Published: September 2020

A very promising self-assembly technology has been presented to produce tubular hydrogel materials for potential use in vascular tissue engineering.
Znc2 module of RAG1 contributes towards structure-specific nuclease activity of RAGs
Authors: Nilavar Namrata M. , Nishana Mayilaadumveettil , Paranjape Amita M. , Mahadeva Raghunandan , Kumari Rupa , Choudhary Bibha , Raghavan Sathees C.
Published: September 2020

Recombination activating genes (RAGs), consisting of RAG1 and RAG2 have ability to perform spatially and temporally regulated DNA recombination in a sequence specific manner. Besides, RAGs also cleave at non-B DNA structures and are thought to contribute towards genomic rearrangements and cancer. The nonamer binding domain of RAG1 binds to the nonamer sequence of the signal sequence during V(D)J recombination. However, deletion of NBD did not affect RAG cleavage on non-B DNA structures. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of other RAG domains when RAGs act as a structure-specific nuclease. Studies using purified central domain (CD) and C-terminal domain (CTD) of the RAG1 showed that CD of RAG1 exhibited high affinity and specific binding to heteroduplex DNA, which was irrespective of the sequence of single-stranded DNA, unlike CTD which showed minimal binding. Furthermore, we show that ZnC2 of RAG1 is crucial for its binding to DNA structures as deletion and point mutations abrogated the binding of CD to heteroduplex DNA. Our results also provide evidence that unlike RAG cleavage on RSS, central domain of RAG1 is sufficient to cleave heteroduplex DNA harbouring pyrimidines, but not purines. Finally, we show that a point mutation in the DDE catalytic motif is sufficient to block the cleavage of CD on heteroduplex DNA. Therefore, in the present study we demonstrate that the while ZnC2 module in central domain of RAG1 is required for binding to non-B DNA structures, active site amino acids are important for RAGs to function as a structure-specific nuclease.
Piceatannol inhibits pyroptosis and suppresses oxLDL-induced lipid storage in macrophages by regulating miR-200a/Nrf2/GSDMD axis
Authors: Mu Zhongyuan , Zhang Hongling , Lei Peng
Published: September 2020

As a major bioactive compound from grapes, piceatannol (PIC) has been reported to exert anti-atherosclerotic activity in various studies. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the effect of piceatannol against atherosclerosis (AS) is elusive. Our study identified miR-200a/Nrf2/GSDMD signaling pathway as critical mediators in the effect of piceatannol on macrophages. In the present study, we confirmed that treatment of piceatannol repressed the oxLDL-induced lipid storage in macrophages. Compared with control group, piceatannol inhibited TG storage and the activity of caspase1. It is noting that in response to oxLDL challenge, piceatannol abated the pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells, with a decreased expression of caspase1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), IL-18, IL-1β and NLRP3. Moreover, we investigated the role of microRNA (miR)-200a/Nrf2 signaling pathway in the effect of piceatannol. The results declared that after transfection of si-miR-200a or si-Nrf2 plasmids, the effects of piceatannol on macrophages were converted, including lipid storage and pyroptosis. Importantly, si-miR-200a plasmid reduced the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), indicating that miR-200a acted as an enhancer of Nrf2 in macrophages. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that piceatannol exerts anti-atherosclerotic activity on RAW264.7 cells by regulating miR-200a/Nrf2/GSDMD signaling. The present study is the first time to identify miR-200a as a candidate target in AS and declared an association between miR-200a and pyroptosis, which provides a novel therapy for the treatment of AS.
MicroRNA-132 attenuated cardiac fibrosis in myocardial infarction-induced heart failure rats
Authors: Wang Guoyu , Wang Ruzhu , Ruan Zhongbao , Liu Ling , Li Yong , Zhu Li
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of microRNA (miR)-132 on cardiac fibrosis in myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure and angiotensin (Ang) II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Experiments were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rat treatment with ligation of left coronary artery to induce heart failure, and in CFs administration of Ang II to induce fibrosis. The level of miR-132 was increased in the heart of rats with MI-induced heart failure and the Ang II-treated CFs. In MI rats, left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction, fractional shortening, the maximum of the first differentiation of LV pressure (LV +dp/dtmax) and decline (LV -dp/dtmax) and LV systolic pressure (LVSP) were reduced, and LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV volumes in systole (LVVS) and LV volumes in diastole (LVVD) were increased, which were reversed by miR-132 agomiR but deteriorated by miR-132 antagomiR. The expression levels of collagen I, collagen III, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were increased in the heart of rat with MI-induced heart failure and CFs administration of Ang II. These increases were inhibited by miR-132 agomiR but enhanced by miR-132 antagomiR treatment. MiR-132 inhibited PTEN expression, and attenuated PI3K/Akt signal pathway in CFs. These results indicated that the up-regulation of miR-132 improved the cardiac dysfunction, attenuated cardiac fibrosis in heart failure via inhibiting PTEN expression, and attenuating PI3K/Akt signal pathway. Up-regulation of miR-132 may be a strategy for the treatment of heart failure and cardiac fibrosis.
Identification of novel biomarkers involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension based on multiple-microarray analysis
Authors: Ma Yi , Chen Shu-Shu , Feng Yan-Yan , Wang Huan-Liang
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening chronic cardiopulmonary disorder. However, studies providing PAH-related gene expression profiles are scarce. To identify hub genes involved in PAH, we investigate two microarray data sets from gene expression omnibus (GEO). A total of 150 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by limma package. Enriched Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of DEGs mostly included mitotic nuclear division, ATPase activity, and Herpes simplex virus one infection. Ten hub genes from three significant modules were ascertained by Cytoscape (CytoHubba). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) plots showed that transcription elongation factor complex was the most significantly enriched gene set positively correlated with the PAH group. At the same time, solute proton symporter activity was the most significantly enriched gene set positively correlated with the control group. Correlation analysis between hub genes suggested that SMC4, TOP2A, SMC2, KIF11, KIF23, ANLN, ARHGAP11A, SMC3, SMC6 and RAD50 may involve in the pathogenesis of PAH. Then, the miRNA-target genes regulation network was performed to unveil the underlying complex association among them. Finally, RNA extracted from monocrotaline (MCT)-induced Rat-PAH model lung artery tissues were to conduct quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate these hub genes. In conclusion, our study offers new evidence for the underlying molecular mechanisms of PAH as well as attractive targets for diagnosis and treatment of PAH.
Specialized pro-resolving mediator network: an update on production and actions
Authors: Chiang Nan , Serhan Charles N.
Published: September 2020

Today, persistent and uncontrolled inflammation is appreciated to play a pivotal role in many diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome and many other diseases of public health concern (e.g. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and periodontal disease). The ideal response to initial challenge in humans is a self-limited inflammatory response leading to complete resolution. The resolution phase is now widely recognized as a biosynthetically active process, governed by a superfamily of endogenous chemical mediators that stimulate resolution of inflammatory responses, namely specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs). Because resolution is the natural ideal response, the SPMs have gained attention. SPMs are mediators that include ω-6 arachidonic acid-derived lipoxins, ω-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-derived resolvins, protectins and maresins, cysteinyl-SPMs, as well as n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)-derived SPMs. These novel immunoresolvents, their biosynthetic pathways and receptors have proven to promote resolution of inflammation, clearance of microbes, reduce pain and promote tissue regeneration via specific cellular and molecular mechanisms. As of 17 August, 2020, PubMed.gov reported >1170 publications for resolvins, confirming their potent protective actions from many laboratories worldwide. Since this field is rapidly expanding, we provide a short update of advances within 2–3 years from human and preclinical animal studies, together with the structural–functional elucidation of SPMs and identification of novel SPM receptors. These new discoveries indicate that SPMs, their pathways and receptors could provide a basis for new approaches for treating inflammation-associated diseases and for stimulating tissue regeneration via resolution pharmacology and precision nutrition.
Ecological intensification and diversification approaches to maintain biodiversity, ecosystem services and food production in a changing world
Authors: Kremen Claire
Published: September 2020

How do we redesign agricultural landscapes to maintain their productivity and profitability, while promoting rather than eradicating biodiversity, and regenerating rather than undermining the ecological processes that sustain food production and are vital for a liveable planet? Ecological intensification harnesses ecological processes to increase food production per area through management processes that often diversify croplands to support beneficial organisms supplying these services. By adding more diverse vegetation back into landscapes, the agricultural matrix can also become both more habitable and more permeable to biodiversity, aiding in conserving biodiversity over time. By reducing the need for costly inputs while maintaining productivity, ecological intensification methods can maintain or even enhance profitability. As shown with several examples, ecological intensification and diversification can assist in creating multifunctional landscapes that are more environmentally and economically sustainable. While single methods of ecological intensification can be incorporated into large-scale industrial farms and reduce negative impacts, complete redesign of such systems using multiple methods of ecological intensification and diversification can create truly regenerative systems with strong potential to promote food production and biodiversity. However, the broad adoption of these methods will require transformative socio-economic changes because many structural barriers continue to maintain the current agrichemical model of agriculture.