bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain imaging evidence for why we are numbed by numbers
Authors: Ye Zheng , Heldmann Marcus , Slovic Paul , Münte Thomas F.
Published: June 2020

We as humans do not value lives consistently. While we are willing to act for one victim, we often become numb as the number of victims increases. The empathic ability to adopt others’ perspectives is essential for motivating help. However, the perspective-taking ability in our brains seems limited. Using functional MRI, we demonstrated that the core empathy network including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was more engaged for events happening to a single person than those happening to many people, no matter whether the events were emotionally neutral or negative. In particular, the perspective-taking-related mPFC showed greater and more extended activations for events about one person than those about many people. The mPFC may be the neural marker of why we feel indifferent to the suffering of large numbers of people in humanitarian disasters.
Expression and prognostic value of the transcription factors EGR1 and EGR3 in gliomas
Authors: Knudsen Arnon Møldrup , Eilertsen Ida , Kielland Susanne , Pedersen Mikkel Warming , Sørensen Mia Dahl , Dahlrot Rikke Hedegaard , Boldt Henning Bünsow , Munthe Sune , Poulsen Frantz Rom , Kristensen Bjarne Winther
Published: June 2020

Most glioblastoma patients have a dismal prognosis, although some survive several years. However, only few biomarkers are available to predict the disease course. EGR1 and EGR3 have been linked to glioblastoma stemness and tumour progression, and this study aimed to investigate their spatial expression and prognostic value in gliomas. Overall 207 gliomas including 190 glioblastomas were EGR1/EGR3 immunostained and quantified. A cohort of 21 glioblastomas with high P53 expression and available tissue from core and periphery was stained with double-immunofluorescence (P53-EGR1 and P53-EGR3) and quantified.EGR1 expression increased with WHO-grade, and declined by 18.9% in the tumour periphery vs. core (P = 0.01), while EGR3 expression increased by 13.8% in the periphery vs. core (P = 0.04). In patients with high EGR1 expression, 83% had methylated MGMT-promoters, while all patients with low EGR1 expression had un-methylated MGMT-promoters. High EGR3 expression in MGMT-methylated patients was associated with poor survival (HR = 1.98; 95%CI 1.22–3.22; P = 0.006), while EGR1 high/EGR3 high, was associated with poor survival vs. EGR1 high/EGR3 low (HR = 2.11; 95%CI 1.25–3.56; P = 0.005). EGR1 did not show prognostic value, but could be involved in MGMT-methylation. Importantly, EGR3 may be implicated in cell migration, while its expression levels seem to be prognostic in MGMT-methylated patients.
Rules for the Leg Coordination of Dung Beetle Ball Rolling Behaviour
Authors: Leung Binggwong , Bijma Nienke , Baird Emily , Dacke Marie , Gorb Stanislav , Manoonpong Poramate
Published: June 2020

Dung beetles can perform a number of versatile behaviours, including walking and dung ball rolling. While different walking and running gaits of dung beetles have been described in previous literature, little is known about their ball rolling gaits. From behavioural experiments and video recordings of the beetle Scarabaeus (Kheper) lamarcki, we analysed and identified four underlying rules for leg coordination during ball rolling. The rules describe the alternation of the front legs and protraction waves of the middle and hind legs. We found that while rolling a ball backwards, the front legs are decoupled or loosely coupled from the other legs, resulting in a non-standard gait, in contrast to previously described tripod and gallop walking gaits in dung beetles. This provides insight into the principles of leg coordination in dung beetle ball rolling behaviour and its underlying rules. The proposed rules can be used as a basis for further investigation into ball rolling behaviours on more complex terrain (e.g., uneven terrain and slopes). Additionally, the rules can also be used to guide the development of control mechanisms for bio-inspired ball rolling robots.
Effects of Cebranopadol on Cocaine-induced Hyperactivity and Cocaine Pharmacokinetics in Rats
Authors: Wei Huimei , Shang Linyue , Zhan Chang-Guo , Zheng Fang
Published: June 2020

Cebranopadol is known as a highly potent analgesic. Recent studies also demonstrated that administration of cebranopadol significantly decreased cocaine self-administration and significantly reduced cue-induced cocaine-seeking behaviors in rats. However, it was unclear whether these interesting behavioral observations are related to any potential effects of cebranopadol on cocaine pharmacokinetics or cocaine-induced hyperactivity. In principle, a promising therapeutic candidate for cocaine dependence treatment may alter the cocaine pharmacokinetics and/or attenuate cocaine-induced reward and hyperactivity and, thus, decrease cocaine self-administration and reduce cue-induced cocaine-seeking behaviors. In this study, we examined possible effects of cebranopadol on cocaine pharmacokinetics and cocaine-induced hyperactivity for the first time. According to our animal data in rats, cebranopadol did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of cocaine. According to our more extensive locomotor activity testing data, cebranopadol itself also dose-dependently induced hyperactivity in rats at doses higher than 50 µg/kg. Cebranopadol at a low dose of 25 µg/kg (p.o.) did not induce significant hyperactivity itself, but significantly potentiated cocaine-induced hyperactivity on Days 4 to 7 after the repeated daily dosing of the drug.
Dynamic contact networks of patients and MRSA spread in hospitals
Authors: Rocha Luis E. C. , Singh Vikramjit , Esch Markus , Lenaerts Tom , Liljeros Fredrik , Thorson Anna
Published: June 2020

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a difficult-to-treat infection. Increasing efforts have been taken to mitigate the epidemics and to avoid potential outbreaks in low endemic settings. Understanding the population dynamics of MRSA is essential to identify the causal mechanisms driving the epidemics and to generalise conclusions to different contexts. Previous studies neglected the temporal structure of contacts between patients and assumed homogeneous behaviour. We developed a high-resolution data-driven contact network model of interactions between 743,182 patients in 485 hospitals during 3,059 days to reproduce the exact contact sequences of the hospital population. Our model captures the exact spatial and temporal human contact behaviour and the dynamics of referrals within and between wards and hospitals at a large scale, revealing highly heterogeneous contact and mobility patterns of individual patients. A simulation exercise of epidemic spread shows that heterogeneous contacts cause the emergence of super-spreader patients, slower than exponential polynomial growth of the prevalence, and fast epidemic spread between wards and hospitals. In our simulated scenarios, screening upon hospital admittance is potentially more effective than reducing infection probability to reduce the final outbreak size. Our findings are useful to understand not only MRSA spread but also other hospital-acquired infections.
Mechanism of Heat-Induced Fusion of Silver Nanowires
Authors: Kim Chang-Lae , Lee Joon-Young , Shin Dong-Gap , Yeo Jong-Souk , Kim Dae-Eun
Published: June 2020

Physical changes in arranged silver nanowires were monitored during progressive heating inside a transmission electron microscope. Using the in-situ experimental method, overall variation of silver nanowires and movement of the silver atoms could be assessed. The physical morphology of silver nanowires was rapidly transformed above 350 °C as they fused with each other, which led to extrusion of the silver atoms. Around 550 °C, silver nanowires were almost fused into one, filling a relatively large void between silver nanowires. However, above 575 °C, the united silver nanowire was completely cut off, starting from the region that was suspected to have defects. For the first time, the fusion of arranged silver nanowires and the configurational changes of silver atoms during heating were visualized, and the migration between silver atoms and the damage mechanism of silver nanowires were assessed. Moreover, the relationship of physical morphology and electrical property of silver nanowires according to the temperature were investigated using the ex-situ experimental method. As silver nanowires started to split at 300 °C, the electrical conductivity deteriorated greatly. Beyond 350 °C, the electrical conductivity was completely lost while silver nanowires disintegrated rapidly, and silver nanowires completely disappeared at 450 °C.
Evaluation of left ventricular strain in patients with arrhythmia based on the 3T MR temporal parallel acquisition technique
Authors: Chen Hui , Xie Ru-Ming , Zhao Lei , Zhang Xiao-Yong , Zhao Yi-Ke , Wang Zheng , Xie Guo-Xi , Ma Xiao-Hai
Published: June 2020

Most of the current studies on myocardial strain are mainly applied in patients with sinus rhythm because the image quality of arrhythmias obtained with conventional scanning sequences does not meet diagnostic needs. Here, we intend to assess left ventricular (LV) global myocardial strain in patients with arrhythmias with 3 Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) and a new cine sequence. Thirty-three patients with arrhythmia and forty-eight subjects with sinus rhythm were enrolled in the study. LV myocardial thickness, cardiac function, myocardial strain and the apparent contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were all measured and compared using images generated by the real-time temporal parallel acquisition technique (TPAT) and the conventional cine sequence. In the arrhythmia group, the image quality of real-time TPAT was significantly better than that of the conventional cine sequence. In the arrhythmia group, the LV global peak radial strain and global peak circumferential strain values of real-time TPAT were significantly different from those of the conventional technique (radial strain, conventional: 20.27 ± 15.39 vs. TPAT: 24.14 ± 15.85, p = 0.007; circumferential strain, conventional:−12.06 ± 6.60 vs. TPAT: −13.71 ± 6.31, p = 0.015). There was no significant difference in global peak longitudinal strain between real-time TPAT and the conventional technique (−10.94 ± 4.66 vs. −10.70 ± 5.96, p = 0.771). There was no significant difference in the cardiac function parameters between the two techniques (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in 12 segments of the LV wall thickness between the two sequences (p < 0.05). In the sinus rhythm group, image quality using real-time TPAT was comparable to that using the conventional technique, and there was no significant difference in any of the indices (p > 0.05). Real-time TPAT is an effective method for detection of left ventricular myocardial deformation in patients with arrhythmia.
Metabolic syndrome does not influence the phenotype of LRRK2 and GBA related Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Thaler Avner , Shenhar-Tsarfaty Shani , Shaked Yanay , Gurevich Tanya , Omer Nurit , Bar-Shira Anat , Gana-Weisz Mali , Goldstein Orly , Kestenbaum Meir , Cedarbaum Jesse M. , Orr-Urtreger Avi , Giladi Nir , Mirelman Anat
Published: June 2020

In order toevaluate the influence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) (obesity, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, reduced levels of HDL cholesterol and glucose impairment) on the phenotype of LRRK2 and GBA Parkinson’s disease (PD), and on the prevalence of prodromal features among individuals at risk, we collected, laboratory test results, blood pressure, demographic, cognitive, motor, olfactory and affective information enabling the assessment of each component of MS and the construction of the MDS prodromal probability score. The number of metabolic components and their levels were compared between participants who were separated based on disease state and genetic status. One hundred and four idiopathic PD, 40 LRRK2-PD, 70 GBA-PD, 196 healthy non-carriers, 55 LRRK2-NMC and 97 GBA-NMC participated in this study. PD groups and non manifesting carriers (NMC) did not differ in the number of metabolic components (p = 0.101, p = 0.685, respectively). LRRK2-PD had higher levels of triglycerides (p = 0.015) and higher rates of prediabetes (p = 0.004), while LRRK2-NMC had higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.014). NMC with probability rates for prodromal PD above 50% had higher frequencies of hypertriglyceridemia and prediabetes (p < 0.005, p = 0.023 respectively). While elevated triglycerides and prediabetes were more frequent among LRRK2 carriers, MS does not seem to influence GBA and LRRK2-PD phenotype.
9.4 MHz A-line rate optical coherence tomography at 1300 nm using a wavelength-swept laser based on stretched-pulse active mode-locking
Authors: Kim Tae Shik , Joo JongYoon , Shin Inho , Shin Paul , Kang Woo Jae , Vakoc Benjamin J. , Oh Wang-Yuhl
Published: June 2020

In optical coherence tomography (OCT), high-speed systems based at 1300 nm are among the most broadly used. Here, we present 9.4 MHz A-line rate OCT system at 1300 nm. A wavelength-swept laser based on stretched-pulse active mode locking (SPML) provides a continuous and linear-in-wavenumber sweep from 1240 nm to 1340 nm, and the OCT system using this light source provides a sensitivity of 98 dB and a single-sided 6-dB roll-off depth of 2.5 mm. We present new capabilities of the 9.4 MHz SPML-OCT system in three microscopy applications. First, we demonstrate high quality OCTA imaging at a rate of 1.3 volumes/s. Second, by utilizing its inherent phase stable characteristics, we present wide dynamic range en face Doppler OCT imaging with multiple time intervals ranging from 0.25 ms to 2.0 ms at a rate of 0.53 volumes/s. Third, we demonstrate video-rate 4D microscopic imaging of a beating Xenopus embryo heart at a rate of 30 volumes/s. This high-speed and high-performance OCT system centered at 1300 nm suggests that it can be one of the most promising high-speed OCT platforms enabling a wide range of new scientific research, industrial, and clinical applications at speeds of 10 MHz.
Radiocesium concentrations in wild boars captured within 20 km of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Cui Limeng , Orita Makiko , Taira Yasuyuki , Takamura Noboru
Published: June 2020

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011 released large amounts of artificial radioactive substances into the environment. In this study, we measured the concentration of radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) in 213 muscle samples from wild boars (Sus scrofa) captured in Tomioka town, which is located within 20 km of the FDNPP. The results showed that 210 (98.6%) muscle samples still exceeded the regulatory radiocesium limit (100 Bq/kg) for general foods. Radiocesium (134Cs + 137Cs) levels ranged from 87.1–8,120 Bq/kg fresh mass (FM), with a median concentration of 450 Bq/kg FM. The median committed effective dose was estimated to be 0.070–0.26 μSv/day for females and 0.062–0.30 μSv/day for males. The committed effective dose for one-time ingestion of wild boar meat could be considered extremely low for residents in Tomioka. The relatively high levels of radioactivity found in this study suggest that the high variability of food sources may have led to the large accumulation of radioactive substances. These results suggest that comprehensive long-term monitoring is needed to identify risk factors affecting recovery from a nuclear disaster.
Long term transcriptional and behavioral effects in mice developmentally exposed to a mixture of endocrine disruptors associated with delayed human neurodevelopment
Authors: Repouskou Anastasia , Papadopoulou Anastasia-Konstantina , Panagiotidou Emily , Trichas Panagiotis , Lindh Christian , Bergman Åke , Gennings Chris , Bornehag Carl-Gustaf , Rüegg Joëlle , Kitraki Efthymia , Stamatakis Antonios
Published: June 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that gestational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may interfere with normal brain development and predispose for later dysfunctions. The current study focuses on the exposure impact of mixtures of EDCs that better mimics the real-life situation. We herein describe a mixture of phthalates, pesticides and bisphenol A (mixture N1) detected in pregnant women of the SELMA cohort and associated with language delay in their children. To study the long-term impact of developmental exposure to N1 on brain physiology and behavior we administered this mixture to mice throughout gestation at doses 0×, 0.5×, 10×, 100× and 500× the geometric mean of SELMA mothers’ concentrations, and examined their offspring in adulthood. Mixture N1 exposure increased active coping during swimming stress in both sexes, increased locomotion and reduced social interaction in male progeny. The expression of corticosterone receptors, their regulator Fkbp5, corticotropin releasing hormone and its receptor, oxytocin and its receptor, estrogen receptor beta, serotonin receptors (Htr1a, Htr2a) and glutamate receptor subunit Grin2b, were modified in the limbic system of adult animals, in a region-specific, sexually-dimorphic and experience-dependent manner. Principal component analysis revealed gene clusters associated with the observed behavioral responses, mostly related to the stress axis. This integration of epidemiology-based data with an experimental model increases the evidence that prenatal exposure to EDC mixtures impacts later life brain functions.
Appetitive and aversive social learning with living and dead conspecifics in crickets
Authors: Ebina Hiroki , Mizunami Makoto
Published: June 2020

Many animals acquire biologically important information from conspecifics. Social learning has been demonstrated in many animals, but there are few experimental paradigms that are suitable for detailed analysis of its associative processes. We established procedures for appetitive and aversive social learning with living and dead conspecifics in well-controlled stimulus arrangements in crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus. A thirsty demonstrator cricket was released in a demonstrator room and allowed to visit two drinking apparatuses that contained water or saltwater and emitted apple or banana odour, and a thirsty learner was allowed to observe the demonstrator room through a net. In the post-training test, the learner preferred the odour of the water-containing apparatus at which the demonstrator stayed. When a dead cricket was placed on one of the two apparatuses, the learner avoided the odour of that apparatus. Further experiments suggested that a living conspecific can be recognized by either visual or olfactory cues for appetitive social learning, whereas olfactory cues are needed to recognize a dead conspecific for aversive social learning, and that different associative processes underlie social learning with living and dead conspecifics. The experimental paradigms described here will pave the way for detailed research on the neural basis of social learning.
A community approach to the Neotropical ticks-hosts interactions
Authors: Estrada-Peña Agustín , Nava Santiago , Tarragona Evelina , de la Fuente José , Guglielmone Alberto A.
Published: June 2020

The relationships between ticks and hosts are relevant to capture the ecological background driving the evolution of these parasites. We used a set of 4,764 records of ticks of the genera Amblyomma, Ixodes, and Haemaphysalis and their hosts in the Neotropics to approach the tick-host relationships using a network-based construct. The network identified 9 clusters of interacting hosts and ticks partially connected by 22 tick species that switch their host range according to their life cycle stage. These links among clusters do not confer an extra resilience to the network following removal of hosts and subsequent cascade extinctions of ticks: the robustness of the network slightly changed when these inter-clusters links are considered. Phylogenetic clustering of ticks to hosts at cluster level was not significant (p > 0.15) but if examined individually 63 tick species/stages (59%) displayed such clustering, suggesting that their hosts have a related phylogenetic background. We interpreted these results under an ecological perspective in which ticks could track its environmental niche associating to vertebrates that would maximize tick survival under the range of abiotic traits. We encourage these integrated analyses to capture the patterns of circulation of tick-transmitted pathogens, a topic still unaddressed in the Neotropical region.
Sofosbuvir as a potential alternative to treat the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic
Authors: Jácome Rodrigo , Campillo-Balderas José Alberto , Ponce de León Samuel , Becerra Arturo , Lazcano Antonio
Published: June 2020

As of today, there is no antiviral for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the development of a vaccine might take several months or even years. The structural superposition of the hepatitis C virus polymerase bound to sofosbuvir, a nucleoside analog antiviral approved for hepatitis C virus infections, with the SARS-CoV polymerase shows that the residues that bind to the drug are present in the latter. Moreover, a multiple alignment of several SARS-CoV-2, SARS and MERS-related coronaviruses polymerases shows that these residues are conserved in all these viruses, opening the possibility to use sofosbuvir against these highly infectious pathogens.
Author Correction: A Comprehensive Biophysical Analysis of the Effect of DNA Binding Drugs on Protamine-induced DNA Condensation
Authors: Gupta Sakshi , Tiwari Neha , Munde Manoj
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Simple and rapid nicotine analysis using a disposable silica nanochannel-assisted electrochemiluminescence sensor
Authors: Xiao Yi , Chen Suhua , Zhang Guocan , Li Zhimao , Xiao Han , Chen Chuanpin , He Chunlian , Zhang Ran , Yang Xiaoping
Published: June 2020

A simple, rapid and disposable electrochemiluminescence sensor was developed for on-site nicotine analysis.
Comparison of standard and HD FT-IR with multimodal CARS/TPEF/SHG/FLIMS imaging in the detection of the early stage of pulmonary metastasis of murine breast cancer
Authors: Chrabaszcz Karolina , Meyer Tobias , Bae Hyeonsoo , Schmitt Michael , Jasztal Agnieszka , Smeda Marta , Stojak Marta , Popp Jürgen , Malek Kamilla , Marzec Katarzyna M.
Published: June 2020

The comparison of the potential of FT-IR in standard and high definition modes with multimodal CARS/TPEF/SHG/FLIMS imaging for detection of the early stage of pulmonary metastasis of murine breast cancer is presented.
A potentiometric sensor based on modified electrospun PVDF nanofibers – towards 2D ion-selective membranes
Authors: Baranowska-Korczyc Anna , Jaworska Ewa , Strawski Marcin , Paterczyk Bohdan , Maksymiuk Krzysztof , Michalska Agata
Published: June 2020

Core–shell modified nanofiber mats were used as ion-selective membranes for the first time.
Rapid genotypic antibiotic susceptibility test using CRISPR-Cas12a for urinary tract infection
Authors: Chen Juhong , Jiang Fuguo , Huang Chao-Wei , Lin Liwei
Published: June 2020

A new method based on the technique of CRISPR-Cas12a is developed to accomplish a bacterial antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) within one hour with good accuracy.
Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular C–H silylation initiated by aminopalladation
Authors: Ji Xiaoming , Wei Feng , Wan Bin , Cheng Cang , Zhang Yanghui
Published: June 2020

The intermolecular disilylation reaction of C,C-palladacycles obtained through aminopalladation has been developed.
Unprecedented 1,3-tert-butyl migration via the C–N single bond scission of isonitrile: an expedient metal-free route to N-sulfonyl amidines
Authors: Mishra Debashish , Borah Arun Jyoti , Phukan Pinakinee , Hazarika Debojit , Phukan Prodeep
Published: June 2020

Treatment of tert-butyl isonitrile with ArSO2NBr2 and nitrile led to simultaneous C–N single bond scission of isonitrile and migration of tert-alkyl group to nitrogen centre of the nitrile precursor, resulting in the formation of N-sufonyl amidine.
Uncovering the chemistry of C–C bond formation inC-nucleoside biosynthesis: crystal structure of aC-glycoside synthase/PRPP complex
Authors: Gao Sisi , Radadiya Ashish , Li Wenbo , Liu Huanting , Zhu Wen , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Richards Nigel G. J. , Naismith James H.
Published: June 2020

X-Ray crystal structure of a novelC-glycoside synthase involved in the biosynthesis of biologically activeC-nucleosides andC-nucleotides.
Charge transfer from perovskite oxide nanosheets to N-doped carbon nanotubes to promote enhanced performance of a zinc–air battery
Authors: Majee Rahul , Mondal Surajit , Bhattacharyya Sayan
Published: June 2020

Charge transfer from spatially connected double perovskite oxide nanosheets to N-doped carbon nanotubes facilitates oxygen activation in a stable zinc–air battery.
Understanding ring-closing and racemization to prepare α-amino acid NCA and NTA monomers: a DFT study
Authors: Bai Tianwen , Shen Bo , Cai Da , Luo Yifan , Zhou Peng , Xia Jingya , Zheng Botuo , Zhang Ke , Xie Rongze , Ni Xufeng , Xu Maosheng , Ling Jun , Sun Jihong
Published: June 2020

Our work demonstrates the detailed mechanism to synthesize NCA and NTA monomers and racemization process of optical pure monomers.
First principle investigation of the influence of sulfur vacancies on thermoelectric properties of single layered MoS2
Authors: Adessi Ch. , Pecorario S. , Thébaud S. , Bouzerar G.
Published: June 2020

Quantum transport and thermoelectric properties of single layered transition metal dichalchogenide MoS2.
The reconstruction of the symmetry between sublattices: a strategy to improve the transport properties of edge-defective graphene nanoribbon transistors
Authors: Ye Shizhuo , Wang Hao , Qiu Minzheng , Zeng Yi , Huang Qijun , He Jin , Chang Sheng
Published: June 2020

A strategy that reconstructs the symmetry between the sublattices of graphene is proposed to alleviate the performance degradation of edge-defective graphene transistors.
Thermally regenerative copper nanoslurry flow batteries for heat-to-power conversion with low-grade thermal energy
Authors: Maye Sunny , Girault Hubert H. , Peljo Pekka
Published: June 2020

Thermally charging all-copper batteries with high cell voltage and output power enabling heat-to-power conversion and storage.
London dispersion forces without density distortion: a path to first principles inclusion in density functional theory
Authors: Kooi Derk Pieter , Gori-Giorgi Paola
Published: June 2020

We analyse a path to construct density functionals for the dispersion interaction energy from an expression in terms of the ground state densities and exchange–correlation holes of the isolated fragments.
Influence of polycrystalline material on crater shape optimization and roughness using low-power/low-pressure direct-current glow discharge mass spectrometry
Authors: Paudel Gagan , Khromov Sergey , Kasik Martin , Roven Hans Jørgen , Di Sabatino Marisa
Published: June 2020

It is likely that observation of roughness at crater bottom upon GDMS sputtering is due to differential sputtering of grains.
Effects of altered blood flow induced by the muscle pump on thrombosis in a microfluidic venous valve model
Authors: Hu Xiangyu , Li Yongjian , Li Jiang , Chen Haosheng
Published: June 2020

A microfluidic venous valve model to illustrate how the altered blood flow induced by the muscle pump influences venous thrombosis.
Ultrasmall SnO2 nanocrystals embedded in porous carbon as potassium ion battery anodes with long-term cycling performance
Authors: Luo Shaochuan , Wang Tianyi , Lu Hongyan , Xu Xiaoqian , Xue Gi , Xu Nan , Wang Yong , Zhou Dongshan
Published: June 2020

Ultrasmall SnO2 nanocrystals embedded in porous carbon as potassium ion battery anodes with long-term cycling performance.
The monoiron anionfac-[Fe(CO)3I3]−and its organic aminium salts: their preparation, CO-release, and cytotoxicity
Authors: Yang Xiuqin , Jin Jing , Guo Zhuming , Xiao Zhiyin , Chen Naiwen , Jiang Xiujuan , He Yi , Liu Xiaoming
Published: June 2020

The anionfac-[Fe(CO)3I3]−undergoes rapid decomposition to release CO and involve iodine radical. The CO-release can be tuned by its cations. The radical causes severe cytotoxicity which may endow the anion a great potential as an anticancer drug.
Polaron transport in hybrid CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films
Authors: Thongnum Anusit , Pinsook Udomsilp
Published: June 2020

A comprehensive study of the transport properties of a prototypical CH3NH3PbI3 thin film is presented.
Comparison of disaccharide donors for heparan sulfate synthesis: uronic acids vs. their pyranose equivalents
Authors: Sheppard Daniel J. , Cameron Scott A. , Tyler Peter C. , Schwörer Ralf
Published: June 2020

Disaccharide glycosyl donors were synthesised and directly compared in glycosylations to assess their potential for heparan sulfate oligosaccharide synthesis.
Synthesis of polymeric micelles with dual-functional sheddable PEG stealth for enhanced tumor-targeted drug delivery
Authors: Sun Lu , Wei Hua , Zhang Xianshuo , Meng Chao , Kang Guiying , Ma Wei , Ma Liwei , Wang Baoyan , Yu Cuiyun
Published: June 2020

We reported the synthesis of polymeric micelles with a dual-functional sheddable mPEG stealth to realize simultaneously tumor-triggered targeting and intracellular micelle destabilization for enhanced anticancer drug delivery.
STEAP1 facilitates metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of lung adenocarcinoma via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Huo Shu-fen , Shang Wen-li , Yu Min , Ren Xiao-ping , Wen Hong-xia , Chai Chun-yan , Sun Li , Hui Ke , Liu Ling-hua , Wei Sheng-hong , Wang Xiao-xiao , Wang Yi , Tian Ying-xuan
Published: June 2020

Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate-1 (STEAP1) is a relatively newly identified gene target from prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gastric cancer. However, functions of STEAP1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are still unknown. In the present study, we explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms of STEAP1 in LUAD. Western blot and Q-PCR were conducted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions respectively. The cell proliferation was tested by CCK8 assay. The effects of STEAP1 on the metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of LUAD were evaluated by EdU assay, wound healing assay, and transwell migratory assay. H1650, H358, HCC827, H1299, H23, A549, H1693 were selected as human LUAD cell lines in the study. Results have shown that STEAP1 expression was up-regulated in LUAD cells compared with normal lung epithelial cells. Knockdowning of STEAP1 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD epithelial cells. Importantly, after comparing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD to the corresponding control groups treated in STAT3 inhibitor ADZ1480, we found that STEAP1 regulates EMT via Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway. In conclusion, STEAP1 can serve as a therapeutic target, and it may have important clinical implications for LUAD treatment.
Applying a modified model predictive current control method to improve surface‐mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor drives performance in transient and steady‐state operations
Authors: Lalezar Gholamreza , Saghaian Nejad Sayed Morteza , Mojiri Mohsen
Published: June 2020

The performance of the conventional model predictive current control (MPCC) method is not without steady‐state ripples in electrical drives. Although some recently proposed MPCC methods have succeeded to mitigate this drawback, they have led to reductions in the dynamic speed response inherent to the conventional MPCC method. An improved MPCC is proposed here which would enhance the conventional MPCC method without any side effect on its merits. In this proposed method, three control strategies are presented for transient‐ and steady‐state operations. The first two strategies are applied to improve motor performance in the steady state, through calculating the voltage vector (VV) and its optimal duration to minimise ripples in both d–q ‐axis currents. The third strategy is applied in the transient‐state operation, where, instead of two VVs, an allowable non‐zero VV is applied throughout the control cycle to prevent dynamic response reduction caused by zero VV. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of this proposed method in reducing torque ripples, flux ripples, and the stator current total harmonic distortion in relation to those obtained by the previous MPCC methods.
NuSTAR view of Swift/BAT AGN: The R−Γ correlation
Authors: Panagiotou C. , Walter R.
Published: June 2020

Context. The reflection hump is a prominent feature in the hard X-ray spectrum of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Its exact shape and its correlation to other quantities provide valuable information about the inner and outer regions of an AGN.

Aims. Our main goal is to study the reflection hump in a large sample of nearby AGN. We aim to investigate the evolution of reflection with absorption and its correlation with the spectral index.

Methods. We analysed archived NuSTAR observations of the 70-month BAT catalogue AGN. By performing a detailed spectral analysis, we were able to constrain the spectral parameters and to investigate the reflection emission in a large sample of individual sources.

Results. The reflection strength was found to be strongly correlated with the power-law slope in unabsorbed sources, pointing towards disc reflection for these sources. Different possible explanations were tested and the most likely one is that the corona is moving either towards or away from the disc with a moderately relativistic velocity. An R − Γ correlation was not detected for absorbed sources. In addition, these AGN feature harder spectra, suggesting intrinsic differences between the two classes or a slab geometry for the X-ray source.
Calibrating the surface brightness – color relation for late-type red giants stars in the visible domain using VEGA/CHARA interferometric observations
Authors: Nardetto N. , Salsi A. , Mourard D. , Hocdé V. , Perraut K. , Gallenne A. , Mérand A. , Graczyk D. , Pietrzynski G. , Gieren W. , Kervella P. , Ligi R. , Meilland A. , Morand F. , Stee P. , Tallon-Bosc I. , ten Brummelaar T.
Published: June 2020

Context. The surface brightness – color relationship (SBCR) is a poweful tool for determining the angular diameter of stars from photometry. It was for instance used to derive the distance of eclipsing binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which led to its distance determination with an accuracy of 1%.

Aims. We calibrate the SBCR for red giant stars in the 2.1 ≤ V − K ≤ 2.5 color range using homogeneous VEGA/CHARA interferometric data secured in the visible domain, and compare it to the relation based on infrared interferometric observations, which were used to derive the distance to the LMC.

Methods. Observations of eight G–K giants were obtained with the VEGA/CHARA instrument. The derived limb-darkened angular diameters were combined with a homogeneous set of infrared magnitudes in order to constrain the SBCR.

Results. The average precision we obtain on the limb-darkened angular diameters of the eight stars in our sample is 2.4%. For the four stars in common observed by both VEGA/CHARA and PIONIER/VLTI, we find a 1σ agreement for the angular diameters. The SBCR we obtain in the visible has a dispersion of 0.04 magnitude and is consistent with the one derived in the infrared (0.018 magnitude).

Conclusions. The consistency of the infrared and visible angular diameters and SBCR reinforces the result of 1% precision and accuracy recently achieved on the distance of the LMC using the eclipsing-binary technique. It also indicates that it is possible to combine interferometric observations at different wavelengths when the SBCR is calibrated.
First detection of ozone in the mid-infrared at Mars: implications for methane detection
Authors: Olsen K. S. , Lefèvre F. , Montmessin F. , Trokhimovskiy A. , Baggio L. , Fedorova A. , Alday J. , Lomakin A. , Belyaev D. A. , Patrakeev A. , Shakun A. , Korablev O.
Published: June 2020

Aims. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter was sent to Mars in March 2016 to search for trace gases diagnostic of active geological or biogenic processes.

Methods. We report the first observation of the spectral features of Martian ozone (O3) in the mid-infrared range using the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite Mid-InfaRed (MIR) channel, a cross-dispersion spectrometer operating in solar occultation mode with the finest spectral resolution of any remote sensing mission to Mars.

Results. Observations of ozone were made at high northern latitudes (>65°N) prior to the onset of the 2018 global dust storm (Ls = 163–193°). During this fast transition phase between summer and winter ozone distribution, the O3 volume mixing ratio observed is 100–200 ppbv near 20 km. These amounts are consistent with past observations made at the edge of the southern polar vortex in the ultraviolet range. The observed spectral signature of ozone at 3000–3060 cm−1 directly overlaps with the spectral range of the methane (CH4) ν3 vibration-rotation band, and it, along with a newly discovered CO2 band in the same region, may interfere with measurements of methane abundance.
Reliability assessment of pollution removal of wastewater treatment plant using the method of Weibull
Authors: Kurek Karolina , Bugajski Piotr , Operacz Agnieszka , Śliz Paulina , Jóźwiakowski Krzysztof , Almeida Adelaide
Published: June 2020

The aim of study was the analyze of the reliability pollution removal in wastewater treatment plant in Mińsk Mazowiecki. The article presents the results of the reliability of BOD, COD and total suspended solids removal of wastewater treatment plant with actived sludge. Physical and chemical analyses of raw wastewater and treated effluent were carried out in the years 2016–2017 (2 years). The designed size of the treatment plant with actived sludge, expressed in PE is 82 200 residents. During this study period, 50 wastewater samples were collected and analyses. For each of pollution indicators descriptive statistic, percentage reduction and and treatment plant reliability factors (WN) were calculated. The average effectiveness of BOD5 (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), CODCr(Chemical Oxygen Demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solid) removal in this period of study were respectively: 99.1%, 96.3% and 98.9%. A reliability analysis was performed using the Weibull probability model.
High-resolution urban air quality monitoring using sentinel satellite images and low-cost ground-based sensor networks
Authors: Gitahi Joseph , Hahn Michael
Published: June 2020

Satellite remote sensing aerosol monitoring products are readily available but limited to regional and global scales due to low spatial resolutions making them unsuitable for city-level monitoring. Freely available satellite images such as Sentinel -2 at relatively high spatial (10m) and temporal (5 days) resolutions offer the chance to map aerosol distribution at local scales. In the first stage of this study, we retrieve Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from Sentinel -2 imagery for the Munich region and assess the accuracy against ground AOD measurements obtained from two Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations. Sen2Cor, iCOR and MAJA algorithms which retrieve AOD using Look-up-Tables (LUT) pre-calculated using radiative transfer (RT) equations and SARA algorithm that applies RT equations directly to satellite images were used in the study. Sen2Cor, iCOR and MAJA retrieved AOD at 550nm show strong consistency with AERONET measurements with average correlation coefficients of 0.91, 0.89 and 0.73 respectively. However, MAJA algorithm gives better and detailed variations of AOD at 10m spatial resolution which is suitable for identifying varying aerosol conditions over urban environments at a local scale. In the second stage, we performed multiple linear regression to estimate surface Particulate Matter (PM2.5) concentrations using the satellite retrieved AOD and meteorological data as independent variables and ground-measured PM2.5 data as the dependent variable. The predicted PM2.5 concentrations exhibited agreement with ground measurements, with an overall coefficient (R2) of 0.59.
Application of nanosatellites PlanetScope data to monitor crop growth
Authors: Kokhan Svitlana , Vostokov Anatoliy
Published: June 2020

In this research, an approach to monitor crop growth and development is presented using time series satellite data of high spatial resolution. Monitoring of winter wheat phenology based on images of PlanetScope constellations is considered. By applying various PlanetScope data processing types and ground based GreenSeeker data, differences of NDVI values at two variants of crop fertilization are determined. In particular, the following approaches were used in the research: obtaining the Top of Atmosphere Reflectance (TOA), the Planet Surface Reflectance (SR), and receiving NDVI image in Python using a Rasterio module. It was estimated that NDVI values derived from the surface reflectance imagery were significantly correlated to the ground data of a manual active GreenSeeker optical sensor (p < 0.05). The proposed simplified technique, based on PlanetScope NDVI time series, demonstrates the possibilities to monitor temporal changes in crop growth.
Micro-Reactor Device For Dbsa-catalyzed Biodiesel Synthesis from Microalgae Chlorella Sp.
Authors: Jazie Ali A. , Nuhma Mustafa Jawad , Abbas Hassan Abdulkadhim , Alias Hajar
Published: June 2020

The micro-reactor device was fabricated from Teflon and tested as a tool for biodiesel synthesis process from micro algae using Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid catalyst. The variables influenceing on the biodiesel yield were optimized. The maximum yield of biodiesel of 99% was obtained at the reaction conditions of (temperature: 373.15 K, residence time: 20 min, methanol/oil ratio: 20, co-solvent amount: 30 wt% and catalyst amount: 11wt%). The influence of water content also investigated and recommended to be less than 0.5 wt %. The acid value also reduced to a value of less than 0.5 % at the optimum reaction condition. DBSA was found highly active catalyst for the esterification and transesterification reaction in the micro – reactor device. Biodiesel was produced in microreactor device at a small residence time (20 min) compared to the very long time consumed by the conventional batch process. Isopropanol was used as a co-solvent in the process and showed highly active in the biodiesel production.
The Influence of Window-Wall Ratio on Heating Energy Consumption of Rural House in Severe Cold Regions of China
Authors: Shao Teng , Jin Hong , Zheng Wuxing , Wang Jin
Published: June 2020

Rural houses in severe cold areas of China are mostly single-storey independent buildings with large shape coefficient. Compared with urban residential, it has larger contact area between envelope and outdoor environment of each household. Meanwhile, the heat transfer coefficient of window is usually greater than that of external wall and roof. The window-wall ratio is one of the important indicators affecting the energy consumption of rural house. This paper takes window-wall ratio as the main variable, building orientation, thermal performance of envelope and window heat transfer coefficient as the auxiliary variables, and applies DesignBuilder software to quantitatively analyse the mechanism of window-wall ratio on rural house’s heating energy consumption under the interactive influence of multiple factors. Results show that the influence rule of window-wall ratio with different orientations on heating energy consumption will change when the thermal performance of envelope or window heat transfer coefficient changed. The synthetic effect of various factors should be considered in the design to reasonably determine the windowwall ratio of rural house.
Low frequency stall modes of a radial vaned diffuser flow
Authors: Moënne-Loccoz Victor , Trébinjac Isabelle , Poujol Nicolas , Duquesne Pierre
Published: June 2020

The present paper aims at providing an experimental analysis of the path to surge of a centrifugal compressor stage designed and built by Safran Helicopter Engines. Depending on the rotation speed of the compressor, two distinct flow patterns are observed in the radial diffuser at stabilized operating points near the surge, an asymmetric and a symmetric pattern. At medium rotation speed, the alternate pattern consisting of a two-channel pattern in the radial diffuser develops. One passage over two is stalled, the adjacent passage is free and this pattern replicates over the whole circumference while pulsing at a frequency of roughly 12 Hz which is close to the Helmholtz frequency of the test rig. By lowering the rotation speed, the two-channel pattern fades away and gives way to a periodical behavior of the radial diffuser passages called symmetric mode. The flow in each channel is identical presenting a stalled behavior pulsating in phase at a higher frequency of roughly 42 Hz. The two 12 Hz and 42 Hz modes are described and their existences are imputed to a lock-in of the natural frequencies of the instabilities with the acoustic modes of the test rig.
Hot deformation behaviour of bamboo leaf ash–silicon carbide hybrid reinforced aluminium based composite
Authors: Alaneme Kenneth Kanayo , Babalola Saheed Adeoye , Chown Lesley Heath , Bodunrin Michael Oluwatosin
Published: June 2020

Isothermal compression testing of BLA-SIC hybrid reinforced Aluminium composites was performed on Gleeble 3500 thermomechanical simulator under different deformation temperatures (300–400 °C) and strain rates (0.01–1 s‑1). The flow behaviour and the softening mechanisms were established using the trend of the stress-strain curves, activation energy and microstructural examination. The results showed that flow stress increased with decreasing temperature; but was not entirely strain rate sensitive − a characteristic identified in some Al 6XXX based metallic systems. Also, uncharacteristic flow stress oscillations were observed at strain rates of 0.01 and 0.1 s‑1 while steady state flow stress was observed at 1 s‑1. The hot working activation energy was ∼290.5 kJ/mol which was intermediate to the range of 111–509 kJ/mol reported in literature for various Al based composites. It was proposed that at strain rates of 0.01 and 0.1 s‑1, dynamic recrystallization and/or dislocations-reinforcements interactions were the dominant deformation mechanism(s), while at 1 s‑1, dynamic recovery was predominant.
Multiscale population dynamics in reproductive biology: singular perturbation reduction in deterministic and stochastic models
Authors: Bonnet Celine , Chahour Keltoum , Clément Frédérique , Postel Marie , Yvinec Romain
Published: June 2020

In this study, we describe different modeling approaches for ovarian follicle population dynamics, based on either ordinary (ODE), partial (PDE) or stochastic (SDE) differential equations, and accounting for interactions between follicles. We put a special focus on representing the population-level feedback exerted by growing ovarian follicles onto the activation of quiescent follicles. We take advantage of the timescale difference existing between the growth and activation processes to apply model reduction techniques in the framework of singular perturbations. We ﬁrst study the linear versions of the models to derive theoretical results on the convergence to the limit models. In the nonlinear cases, we provide detailed numerical evidence of convergence to the limit behavior. We reproduce the main semi-quantitative features characterizing the ovarian follicle pool, namely a bimodal distribution of the whole population, and a slope break in the decay of the quiescent pool with aging.