bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and immune status on the speed of information processing and complex motor functions in adult Cameroonians
Authors: Kanmogne Georgette D. , Fonsah Julius Y. , Umlauf Anya , Moul Jacob , Doh Roland F. , Kengne Anne M. , Tang Bin , Tagny Claude T. , Nchindap Emilienne , Kenmogne Léopoldine , Franklin Donald , Njamnshi Dora M. , Kuate Callixte T. , Mbanya Dora , Njamnshi Alfred K. , Heaton Robert K.
Published: August 2020

HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits include impaired speed-of-information processing (SIP) and motor functions. There is lack of Cameroonian adult norms for assessing SIP or motor functions. This study of 683 Cameroonians (320 HIV+, 363 HIV−) establishes demographically-adjusted norms for six SIP [Wechsler-Adult-Intelligence-Scale (WAIS)-III Digit Symbol (WAIS-IIIDS) and Symbol Search (WAIS-IIISS), Stroop Color-Naming, Stroop Word-Reading, Trail-Making Test-A (TMT-A), Color Trails-1 (CTT1)], and two motor function [Grooved Pegboard-dominant (GP-DH) and non-dominant (GP-NDH) hands] tests. We assessed viral effects on SIP and motor functions. HIV-infected persons had significantly lower (worse) T scores on GP-DH, WAIS-IIIDS, Stroop Word-Reading, TMT-A; lower motor and SIP summary T scores. Significantly higher proportion of cases (20.7%) than controls (10.3%) had impaired SIP. Male cases had better T scores than female cases on GP-NDH, WAIS-IIIDS, WAIS-IIISS, TMT-A, CTT1; better SIP summary T scores. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was associated with significantly better T scores on GP-NDH, WAIS-IIIDS, Stroop Color-Naming; better motor and SIP summary T scores. Cases with higher CD4 had better T scores on WAIS-IIIDS, TMT-A, CTT1; better SIP summary T scores. Overall, we demonstrate that HIV infection in Cameroon is associated with deficits in SIP and motor functions; ART and higher CD4 are associated with better cognitive performance. We provide SIP and psychomotor functions normative standards, which will be useful for neurobehavioral studies in Cameroon of diseases affecting the brain.
Use of supercritical carbon dioxide technology for fabricating a tissue engineering scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament repair
Authors: Sherifi Ines , Bachy Manon , Laumonier Thomas , Petite Hervé , Hannouche Didier
Published: August 2020

Tissue-engineered grafts may be useful in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) repair and provide a novel, alternative treatment to clinical complications of rupture, harvest site morbidity and biocompatibility associated with autografts, allografts and synthetic grafts. We successfully used supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) technology for manufacturing a “smart” biomaterial scaffold, which retains the native protein conformation and tensile strength of the natural ACL but is decellularized for a decreased immunogenic response. We designed and fabricated a new scaffold exhibiting (1) high tensile strength and biomechanical properties comparable to those of the native tissue, (2) thermodynamically-stable extra-cellular matrix (ECM), (3) preserved collagen composition and crosslinking, (4) a decellularized material milieu with potential for future engineering applications and (5) proven feasibility and biocompatibility in an animal model of ligament reconstruction. Because of the “smart” material ECM, this scaffold may have the potential for providing a niche and for directing stem cell growth, differentiations and function pertinent to new tissue formation. Sc-CO2-related technology is advanced and has the capability to provide scaffolds of high strength and durability, which sustain a lifetime of wear and tear under mechanical loading in vivo.
How memory effects, check dams, and channel geometry control erosion and deposition by debris flows
Authors: de Haas T. , Nijland W. , de Jong S. M. , McArdell B. W.
Published: August 2020

Debris flows can grow greatly in size and hazardous potential by eroding bed and bank material, but effective hazard assessment and mitigation is currently hampered by limited understanding of erosion and deposition dynamics. We have collected high-resolution pre- and post-flow topography for 6 debris flows over a 3 km long unconsolidated reach of the Illgraben channel in the Swiss Alps with drone-based photogrammetry. We show that the spatio-temporal patterns of erosion and deposition in debris-flow torrents are highly variable and dynamic. Check dams strongly control the spatial patterns of erosion and deposition. We identify a memory effect where erosion is strong at locations of strong deposition during previous flows and vice versa. Large sediment inputs from subcatchments initially result in new channel erosion through the subcatchment deposits and simultaneous upstream deposition, likely as a result of backwater effects. It is generally believed that erosion increases with debris-flow magnitude, but we show that there is a limit to debris-flow bulking set by channel geometry. These findings provide key guidelines for flow volume forecasting, emphasizing the importance of memory effects and the need to resolve both erosion and deposition in predictive models.
Performance demonstration of a hybrid Compton camera with an active pinhole for wide-band X-ray and gamma-ray imaging
Authors: Omata Akihisa , Kataoka Jun , Fujieda Kazuya , Sato Shogo , Kuriyama Eri , Kato Hiroki , Toyoshima Atsushi , Teramoto Takahiro , Ooe Kazuhiro , Liu Yuwei , Matsunaga Keiko , Kamiya Takashi , Watabe Tadashi , Shimosegawa Eku , Hatazawa Jun
Published: August 2020

X-ray and gamma-ray imaging are technologies with several applications in nuclear medicine, homeland security, and high-energy astrophysics. However, it is generally difficult to realize simultaneous wide-band imaging ranging from a few tens of keV to MeV because different interactions between photons and the detector material occur, depending on the photon energies. For instance, photoabsorption occurs below 100 keV, whereas Compton scattering dominates above a few hundreds of keV. Moreover, radioactive sources generally emit both X-ray and gamma-ray photons. In this study, we develop a “hybrid” Compton camera that can simultaneously achieve X-ray and gamma-ray imaging by combining features of “Compton” and “pinhole” cameras in a single detector system. Similar to conventional Compton cameras, the detector consists of two layers of scintillator arrays with the forward layer acting as a scatterer for high-energy photons (> 200 keV) and an active pinhole for low-energy photons (< 200 keV). The experimental results on the performance of the hybrid camera were consistent with those from the Geant4 simulation. We simultaneously imaged $$^{241}$$

241

Am (60 keV) and $$^{137}$$

137

Cs (662 keV) in the same field of view, achieving an angular resolution of 10$$^\circ $$

∘

(FWHM) for both sources. In addition, imaging of $$^{211}$$

211

At was conducted for the application in future nuclear medicine, particularly radionuclide therapy. The initial demonstrative images of the $$^{211}$$

211

At phantom were reconstructed using the pinhole mode (using 79 keV) and Compton mode (using 570 keV), exhibiting significant similarities in source-position localization. We also verified that a mouse injected with 1 MBq of $$^{211}$$

211

At can be imaged via pinhole-mode measurement in an hour.
Benchmarking global fisheries discards
Authors: Gilman E. , Perez Roda A. , Huntington T. , Kennelly S. J. , Suuronen P. , Chaloupka M. , Medley P. A. H.
Published: August 2020

Discarding by fisheries is one of the most wasteful human marine activities, yet we have few estimates of its scale. Reliable estimates of global discards are essential for sustainable fisheries management. Using United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization databases on country-specific landings, we estimated the discard rate and magnitude for global marine and estuarine capture fisheries using fishery-specific discard rates derived from direct observations and global gear-specific discard rates estimated within a Bayesian modelling framework. An estimated 9.1 million tonnes are discarded annually (95% uncertainty interval: 7–16 M t)—or 10.8% of the global catch (95% UI: 10–12%). Encouragingly, this is about half of the annual global discard rate estimated in the late 1980s. Trawl fisheries, especially demersal otter trawls, warrant intensified efforts to reduce discards. Periodic benchmarks of global discards are needed to assess the performance of reduction efforts.
Elliptical metallic rings-shaped fractal metamaterial absorber in the visible regime
Authors: Bilal R. M. H. , Saeed M. A. , Choudhury P. K. , Baqir M. A. , Kamal W. , Ali M. M. , Rahim A. A.
Published: August 2020

Achieving the broadband response of metamaterial absorbers has been quite challenging due to the inherent bandwidth limitations. Herein, the investigation was made of a unique kind of visible light metamaterial absorber comprising elliptical rings-shaped fractal metasurface using tungsten metal. It was found that the proposed absorber exhibits average absorption of over 90% in the visible wavelength span of 400–750 nm. The features of perfect absorption could be observed because of the localized surface plasmon resonance that causes impedance matching. Moreover, in the context of optoelectronic applications, the absorber yields absorbance up to ~ 70% even with the incidence obliquity in the range of 0°–60° for transverse electric polarization. The theory of multiple reflections was employed to further verify the performance of the absorber. The obtained theoretical results were found to be in close agreement with the simulation results. In order to optimize the results, the performance was analyzed in terms of the figure of merit and operating bandwidth. Significant amount of absorption in the entire visible span, wide-angle stability, and utilization of low-cost metal make the proposed absorber suitable in varieties of photonics applications, in particular photovoltaics, thermal emitters and sensors.
The metal binding site composition of the cation diffusion facilitator protein MamM cytoplasmic domain impacts its metal responsivity
Authors: Barber-Zucker Shiran , Shahar Anat , Kolusheva Sofiya , Zarivach Raz
Published: August 2020

The cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) is a conserved family of divalent d-block metal cation transporters that extrude these cations selectively from the cytoplasm. CDF proteins are composed of two domains: the transmembrane domain, through which the cations are transported, and a regulatory cytoplasmic C-terminal domain (CTD). It was recently shown that the CTD of the CDF protein MamM from magnetotactic bacteria has a role in metal selectivity, as binding of different metal cations exhibits distinctive affinities and conformations. It is yet unclear whether the composition of the CTD binding sites can impact metal selectivity and if we can manipulate the CTD to response to other non-native metals in CDF proteins. Here we performed a mutational study of the model protein MamM CTD, where we exchanged the native metal binding residues with different metal-binding amino acids. Using X-ray crystallography and Trp-fluorescence spectrometry, we studied the impact of these mutations on the CTD conformation in the presence of non-native metals. Our results reveal that the incorporation of such mutations alters the domain response to metals in vitro, as mutant forms of the CTD bind metals differently in terms of the composition of the binding sites and the CTD conformation. Therefore, the results demonstrate the direct influence of the CTD binding site composition on CDF proteins structure and hence, function, and constitute a first step for rational design of MamM for transporting different metals in vivo.
Symbiotic microalgal diversity within lichenicolous lichens and crustose hosts on Iberian Peninsula gypsum biocrusts
Authors: Moya Patricia , Molins Arantzazu , Chiva Salvador , Bastida Joaquín , Barreno Eva
Published: August 2020

This study analyses the interactions among crustose and lichenicolous lichens growing on gypsum biocrusts. The selected community was composed of Acarospora nodulosa, Acarospora placodiiformis, Diploschistes diacapsis, Rhizocarpon malenconianum and Diplotomma rivas-martinezii. These species represent an optimal system for investigating the strategies used to share phycobionts because Acarospora spp. are parasites of D. diacapsis during their first growth stages, while in mature stages, they can develop independently. R. malenconianum is an obligate lichenicolous lichen on D. diacapsis, and D. rivas-martinezii occurs physically close to D. diacapsis. Microalgal diversity was studied by Sanger sequencing and 454-pyrosequencing of the nrITS region, and the microalgae were characterized ultrastructurally. Mycobionts were studied by performing phylogenetic analyses. Mineralogical and macro- and micro-element patterns were analysed to evaluate their influence on the microalgal pool available in the substrate. The intrathalline coexistence of various microalgal lineages was confirmed in all mycobionts. D. diacapsis was confirmed as an algal donor, and the associated lichenicolous lichens acquired their phycobionts in two ways: maintenance of the hosts’ microalgae and algal switching. Fe and Sr were the most abundant microelements in the substrates but no significant relationship was found with the microalgal diversity. The range of associated phycobionts are influenced by thallus morphology.
A double-Flp-in method for stable overexpression of two genes
Authors: Jensen Ole , Ansari Salim , Gebauer Lukas , Müller Simon F. , Lowjaga Kira A. A. T. , Geyer Joachim , Tzvetkov Mladen V. , Brockmöller Jürgen
Published: August 2020

Overexpression of single genes in mammalian cells is widely used to investigate protein function in basic and applied biosciences and in drug research. A better understanding of interactions of two proteins is an important next step in the advancement of our understanding of complex biological systems. However, simultaneous and robust overexpression of two or more genes is challenging. The Flp-In system integrates a vector into cell lines at a specific genomic locus, but has not been used for integration of more than one gene. Here we present a modification of the Flp-In system that enables the simultaneous targeted integration of two genes. We describe the modification and generation of the vectors required and give the complete protocol for transfection and validation of correct genomic integration and expression. We also provide results on the stability and reproducibility, and we functionally validated this approach with a pharmacologically relevant combination of a membrane transporter facilitating drug uptake and an enzyme mediating drug metabolism.
Glomerular galactose-deficient IgA1 expression analysis in pediatric patients with glomerular diseases
Authors: Ishiko Shinya , Horinouchi Tomoko , Fujimaru Rika , Shima Yuko , Kaito Hiroshi , Tanaka Ryojiro , Ishimori Shingo , Kondo Atsushi , Nagai Sadayuki , Aoto Yuya , Sakakibara Nana , Nagano China , Yamamura Tomohiko , Yoshimura Momoka , Nakanishi Koichi , Fujimura Junya , Kamiyoshi Naohiro , Nagase Hiroaki , Yoshikawa Norishige , Iijima Kazumoto , Nozu Kandai
Published: August 2020

Galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) is important in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). A Gd-IgA1-specific monoclonal antibody (KM55) has revealed glomerular Gd-IgA1 deposition solely in patients with IgAN and IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgAV-N). However, this specificity is controversial and has not been demonstrated in pediatric patients. Here, we conducted double-immunofluorescence staining of IgA and Gd-IgA1 in 60 pediatric patients with various glomerular diseases. We divided patients into four groups: (1) patients with IgAN and IgAV-N (n = 23); (2) patients with immunocomplex-mediated glomerulonephritis accompanied by IgA deposition, including lupus nephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and membranous nephropathy (n = 14); (3) patients with other glomerular diseases involving IgA deposition, including idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), oligomeganephronia, Alport syndrome, dense deposit disease, and crescentic glomerulonephritis (n = 11); and (4) patients with IgA-negative diseases including INS, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, membranous nephropathy, oligomeganephronia, Alport syndrome, C3 glomerulonephritis, poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (n = 12). KM55 staining revealed Gd-IgA1-positive findings in 23/23 patients in Group 1 and 13/14 patients in Group 2, but not in patients in Groups 3 or 4. Therefore, KM55 may detect incidental IgA deposition in pediatric patients. Gd-IgA1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of these immune-related diseases; alternatively, KM55 may recognize IgA-related immunocomplexes in a non-specific manner.
Entropy formula of N-body system
Authors: Shim Jae Wan
Published: August 2020

We prove a proposition that the entropy of the system composed of finite N molecules of ideal gas is the q-entropy or Havrda–Charvát–Tsallis entropy, which is also known as Tsallis entropy, with the entropic index $$q=\frac{D(N-1)-4}{D(N-1)-2}$$

q
=

D
(
N
-
1
)
-
4

D
(
N
-
1
)
-
2

in D-dimensional space. The indispensable infinity assumption used by Boltzmann and others in their derivation of entropy formulae is not involved in our derivation, therefore our derived formula is exact. The analogy of the N-body system brings us to obtain the entropic index of a combined system $$q_C$$

q
C

formed from subsystems having different entropic indexes $$q_A$$

q
A

and $$q_B$$

q
B

as $$\frac{1}{1-q_C}=\frac{1}{1-q_A}+\frac{1}{1-q_B}+\frac{D+2}{2}$$

1

1
-

q
C

=

1

1
-

q
A

+

1

1
-

q
B

+

D
+
2

2

. It is possible to use the number N for the physical measure of deviation from Boltzmann entropy.
Silencing Srsf6 does not modulate incomplete splicing of the huntingtin gene in Huntington’s disease models
Authors: Mason Michael A. , Gomez-Paredes Casandra , Sathasivam Kirupa , Neueder Andreas , Papadopoulou Aikaterini-Smaragdi , Bates Gillian P.
Published: August 2020

We have previously shown that the incomplete splicing of exon 1 to exon 2 of theHTTgene results in the production of a small polyadenylated transcript (Httexon1) that encodes the highly pathogenic exon 1 HTT protein. There is evidence to suggest that the splicing factor SRSF6 is involved in the mechanism that underlies this aberrant splicing event. Therefore, we set out to test this hypothesis, by manipulating SRSF6 levels in Huntington’s disease models in which an expanded CAG repeat had been knocked in to the endogenousHttgene. We began by generating mice that were knocked out forSrsf6, and demonstrated that reduction of SRSF6 to 50% of wild type levels had no effect on incomplete splicing in zQ175 knockin mice. We found that nullizygosity forSrsf6was embryonic lethal, and therefore, to decrease SRSF6 levels further, we established mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from wild type, zQ175, and zQ175::Srsf6+/−mice and transfected them with anSrsf6siRNA. The incomplete splicing ofHttwas recapitulated in the MEFs and we demonstrated that ablation of SRSF6 did not modulate the levels of theHttexon1transcript. We conclude that SRSF6 is not required for the incomplete splicing ofHTTin Huntington’s disease.
Topological transitions in superconductor nanomembranes under a strong transport current
Authors: Rezaev R. O. , Smirnova E. I. , Schmidt O. G. , Fomin V. M.
Published: August 2020

The topological defects, vortices in bulk superconductors (SCs) and phase slips in low-dimensional SCs are known to lead to the occurrence of a finite resistance. We report on a topological transition between the both types of topological defects under a strong transport current in an open SC nanotube with a submicron-scale inhomogeneity of the normal-to-the-surface component of the applied magnetic field. When the magnetic field is orthogonal to the axis of the nanotube, which carries the transport current in the azimuthal direction, the phase-slip regime is characterized by the vortex/antivortex lifetime ∼ 10−14 s versus the vortex lifetime ∼ 10−11 s for vortex chains in the half-tubes, and the induced voltage shows a pulse as a function of the magnetic field. The topological transition between the vortex-chain and phase-slip regimes determines the magnetic-field–voltage and current–voltage characteristics of curved SC nanomembranes to pursue high-performance applications in advanced electronics and quantum computing.
Thinking outside the shell: novel sensors designed from plasmon-enhanced fluorescent concentric nanoparticles
Authors: Fontaine Nicolas , Picard-Lafond Audrey , Asselin Jérémie , Boudreau Denis
Published: August 2020

This minireview surveys plasmon-enhanced fluorescence in core–shell nanoarchitectures, including examples of applications in multiplex sensing and substrate-based approaches.
PEGylated NALC-functionalized gold nanoparticles for colorimetric discrimination of chiral tyrosine
Authors: Chen Xin-Yue , Ha Wei , Jin Xiao-Jie , Shi Yan-Ping
Published: August 2020

Acid and matrix-tolerant PEG/NALC-functionalized AuNPs were constructed as a colorimetric sensor for visual chiral discrimination and determination of Tyr enantiomers.
Development of a novel melatonin-modified near-infrared fluorescent probe for in vivo hepatocellular carcinoma imaging
Authors: Huang Min , Zhao Qiyu , Ye Zhengdu , Xu Danxia , Tang Shi , Jiang Tian'an
Published: August 2020

We have developed a melatonin-based NIR fluorescent probe, which was able to accurately distinguish HCC with good tumor-to-background ratios.
FXIIIa substrate peptide decorated BLZ945 nanoparticles for specifically remodeling tumor immunity
Authors: Wei Qi , Shen Na , Yu Haiyang , Wang Yue , Tang Zhaohui , Chen Xuesi
Published: August 2020

A synergistic antitumor strategy using CA4-NPs and coagulation-targeting BLZ945 nanoparticles was established based on tumor targeting and tumor immunity regulation.
Scaffold-supported extracellular matrices preserved by magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles for renal tissue regeneration
Authors: Kim Yun Ah , Chun So Young , Park Sung-Bin , Kang Eunyoung , Koh Won-Gun , Kwon Tae Gyun , Han Dong Keun , Joung Yoon Ki
Published: August 2020

Fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix-supported scaffolds made up of PLGA were prepared with the enhanced preservation of ECM components by composites with magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles, and were applied for renal tissue regeneration.
Nanomedicine-based tumor photothermal therapy synergized immunotherapy
Authors: Shang Tongyi , Yu Xinying , Han Shisong , Yang Bin
Published: August 2020

This review summarizes recent advances in utilizing nanomedicines for PTT-synergized immunotherapy to improve the outcome of cancer treatment.
Cellular internalization mechanism of novel Raman probes designed for plant cells
Authors: Midorikawa Keiko , Tsuchiya Kousuke , Law Simon Sau Yin , Miyagi Yu , Asai Takuya , Iino Takanori , Ozeki Yasuyuki , Kodama Yutaka , Numata Keiji
Published: August 2020

Diphenyl acetylene derivatives containing various polymeric components have been designed as new Raman imaging probes. These are taken up by plant cells via different pathways, and the internalization of exogenous molecules can be visualized.
Constructing stable covalent bonding in black phosphorus/reduced graphene oxide for lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: Shi Yang , Yi Zhibin , Kuang Yanping , Guo Hanyu , Li Yingzhi , Liu Chen , Lu Zhouguang
Published: August 2020

The long-standing issue of large volume expansion of black phosphorus (BP) was solved by the formation of P–C and P–O–C covalent bands in the BP@in situ reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite through a facile high energy ball-milling process.
Controllable fabrication of TiO2 anatase/rutile phase junctions by a designer solvent for promoted photocatalytic performance
Authors: Wang Qian , Fang Xinxin , Hao Pin , Ren Huaiyan , Zhao Yingqiang , Huang Fang , Xie Junfeng , Cui Guanwei , Tang Bo
Published: August 2020

Highly active coin tree-like TiO2 anatase–rutile phase junctions were constructed by tailored DESs and the two-phase ratios can be easily tuned.
Desalination for a circular water economy
Authors: Mauter Meagan S. , Fiske Peter S.
Published: August 2020

Advancing a circular water economy through autonomous, precise, resilient, intensified, modular, and electrified technologies enabling distributed desalination and fit-for-purpose reuse.
Nanoscale observations of Fe(ii)-induced ferrihydrite transformation
Authors: Qafoku Odeta , Kovarik Libor , Bowden Mark E. , Nakouzi Elias , Sheng Anxu , Liu Juan , Pearce Carolyn I. , Rosso Kevin M.
Published: August 2020

Transformation of the nanomineral ferrihydrite (Fh) into more stable lepidocrocite (Lp) or goethite (Gt) has important impacts on the fate of metals, nutrients, and contaminants in soils/sediments.
Phytochemical characterization and anti-inflammatory potential of Egyptian Murcott mandarin cultivar waste (stem, leaves and peel)
Authors: Hamdan Dalia I. , El-Shiekh Riham A. , El-Sayed May A. , Khalil Heba M. A. , Mousa Mohamed R. , Al-Gendy Amal A. , El-Shazly Assem M.
Published: August 2020

The stem, leaf and fruit peel of Murcott mandarins were separately extracted and fractionated into dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. In vitro and in vivo studies of the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity of DCM-L were conducted.
Antibacterial activity of Mn(i) and Re(i) tricarbonyl complexes conjugated to a bile acid carrier molecule
Authors: Betts Jono W , Roth Patrick , Pattrick Calum A , Southam Hannah M , La Ragione Roberto M , Poole Robert K , Schatzschneider Ulrich
Published: August 2020

A bifunctional cholic acid–bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpa) ligand featuring an amide linker was coordinated to a manganese(i) or rhenium(i) tricarbonyl moiety to give [M(bpacholamide)(CO)3] with M = Mn, Re in good yield and very high purity. Strong antibacterial activity was observed against four strains of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the range of 2–3.5 μM. No difference in response was observed for the MSSA vs. MRSA strains. Activity was also independent of the nature of the metal center, as the Mn and Re complexes showed essentially identical MIC values. In contrast to some other metal carbonyl complexes, the activity seems to be unrelated to the release of carbon monoxide, as photoactivation of the Mn complex reduced the potency by a factor of 2–8. Both metal complexes were non-toxic in Galleria mellonella larvae at concentrations of up to 100× the MIC value. In vivo testing in Galleria larvae infected with MRSA/MSSA demonstrated a significant increase in overall survival rates from 46% in the control to 88% in the group treated with the metal complexes. ICP-MS analysis showed that the Mn and Re cholamide complexes are efficiently internalized by E. coli cells and do not interfere with membrane integrity, as evident from a lack of release of intracellular ATP. An increased sensitivity was observed in acrB, acrD, and mdt mutants that are defective in multidrug exporters, indicating that the compounds have an intracellular mechanism of action. Furthermore, E. coli mntP mutants defective in the gene encoding an Mn exporter were more sensitive than the wildtype, while inactivation of the regulator that controls expression of the Mn uptake proteins MntP and MntH slightly increased sensitivity to the compound. Single knockout mutants defective in genes linked to bile salt and oxidative stress response (dinF, yiaH, sodA, katE, and soxS) did not show increased sensitivity relative to the wild type. Overall, neither the cholic acid moiety nor the metal-carbonyl fragment alone appear to be responsible for the biological activity observed and thus the search for the primary intracellular target continues.
Chiral tetranuclear copper(ii) complexes: synthesis, optical and magnetic properties
Authors: Ahmed Naushad , Tripathi Shalini , Sarkar Arup , Ansari Kamal Uddin , Das Chinmoy , Prajesh Neetu , Horike Satoshi , Boomishankar Ramamoorthy , Shanmugam Maheswaran
Published: August 2020

The chiral tetranuclear Cu(ii) cubane complexes with the general molecular formula [Cu4(R-L1)4] (R-1) and [Cu4(S-L1)4] (S-1) exhibit ferromagnetic exchange coupling, which is in contrast to the literature reports. This is corroborated by theoretical calculations.
Deconvolution of fast exchange equilibrium states in NMR spectroscopy using virtual reference standards and probability theory
Authors: Ji Xiaozhou , Gonnella Nina C. , Xin Dongyue
Published: August 2020

DFT–GIAO calculations combined with probability theory enable accurate prediction of fast exchange equilibrium states based on one experimental NMR dataset.
Influence of phase variation of ZnMn2O4/carbon electrodes on cycling performances of Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Zijian , Tian Guiying , Sarapulova Angelina , Zhu Lihua , Dsoke Sonia
Published: August 2020

Due to the high specific capacity and low cost, transition metal oxides (TMOs) exhibit huge potential as anode materials for high-performance Li-ion batteries.
Rare earth elements based oxide ion conductors
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Kuang Xiaojun , Sun Junliang
Published: August 2020

Rare-earth-elements-based oxide ion conductors with various structures and their structure-property relationships were systematically presented and summarized, which can provide new insight and guidance for the development of new oxide ion conductors.
Identification, cloning, expression and functional interrogation of the biosynthetic pathway of the polychlorinated triphenyls ambigol A–C fromFischerella ambigua108b
Authors: Duell Elke R. , Milzarek Tobias M. , El Omari Mustafa , Linares-Otoya Luis J. , Schäberle Till F. , König Gabrielle M. , Gulder Tobias A. M.
Published: August 2020

The biosynthetic pathway to the ambigols A–C from Fischerella ambigua 108b has been identified, cloned, heterologously expressed and functionally studied, including in-depth analysis of the biaryl coupling biochemistryin vivoandin vitro.
Tailoring radicals by asymmetric electrochemical catalysis
Authors: Lin Qifeng , Luo Sanzhong
Published: August 2020

We highlight asymmetric electrochemical catalysis as a powerful tool in facilitating radical transformations. The tunable features of electrochemical methods enable mild generations of radicals and provide control of chemo- and stereoselectivity.
Organic–inorganic nanocrystal reductase to promote green asymmetric synthesis
Authors: T.sriwong Kotchakorn , Koesoema Afifa Ayu , Matsuda Tomoko
Published: August 2020

Geotrichum candidum acetophenone reductase (GcAPRD) nanocrystal reduces broad kinds of ketones to their corresponding (S)-alcohols with excellent enantioselectivity.
Phase transition and thermal stability of epitaxial PtSe2 nanolayer on Pt(111)
Authors: Tong Yongfeng , Bouaziz Meryem , Oughaddou Hamid , Enriquez Hanna , Chaouchi Karine , Nicolas François , Kubsky Stefan , Esaulov Vladimir , Bendounan Azzedine
Published: August 2020

LEED, STM and XPS techniques were used to systematically study a temperature-dependent phase transition on a PtSe2 film grown on the surface of Pt(111) by a chemical deposition method.
Gel properties of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) surimi improved by lecithin at reduced and regular-salt concentrations
Authors: Shi Tong , Arief Wijaya Ganesha Yanuar , Yuan Li , Sun Quancai , Bai Fan , Wang Jinlin , Gao Ruichang
Published: August 2020

This study examined the gel properties ofAcipenser schrenckii(A. schrenckii) surimi with 10 and 30 g kg−1of added lecithin at reduced-salt (3 g kg−1NaCl) and regular-salt (30 g kg−1NaCl) concentrations.
Free-standing lithiophilic Ag-nanoparticle-decorated 3D porous carbon nanotube films for enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Wu Fang , Quan Heng , Han Jiang , Peng Xiaoli , Yan Zongkai , Zhang Xiaokun , Xiang Yong
Published: August 2020

A 3D porous CNT/Ag/Li film as a high-performance free-standing lithium host has been synthesized via combining a thermal decomposition process and thermal infusion process.
A deep-red fluorescent molecular rotor based on donor-two-acceptor modular system for imaging mitochondrial viscosity
Authors: Yin Xiaoxi , Cai Yiping , Cai Songtao , Jiao Xiaojie , Liu Chang , He Song , Zeng Xianshun
Published: August 2020

A deep-red fluorescence molecular rotor DpCy7 based on donor-two-acceptor modular system has been designed logically and synthesized for sensitive and selective response to viscosity changes and imaging of mitochondrial viscosity in living cells.
Bismuth subsalicylate, a low-toxicity catalyst for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) ofl-lactide (l-LA) with aliphatic diol initiators: synthesis, characterization, and mechanism of initiation
Authors: Ortiz-Aldaco María Guadalupe , Báez José E. , Jiménez-Halla J. Oscar C.
Published: August 2020

Bismuth subsalicylate (BiSS) acted as a catalyst in the ring-opening polymerization ofl-lactide (l-LA) in the presence of alkyl diols as initiators.
Green and facile edge-oxidation of multi-layer graphene by sodium persulfate activated with ferrous ions
Authors: Han Lijing , Zong Yingxia , Tang Qi , Wang Hairui , Lang Xiurui , Cao Lan , Zong Chengzhong
Published: August 2020

A green and facile strategy is represented to obtain edge-oxidized graphene by exploiting sulfate radicals generated from Na2S2O8 with Fe2+ activation.
Gas-phase reaction mechanism in chemical dry etching using NF3and remotely discharged NH3/N2mixture
Authors: Matsugi Akira , Kubota Shiro , Funato Yuichi , Miura Yutaka , Tonari Kazuhiko
Published: August 2020

Reactions of NF3and a discharged NH3/N2mixture generate etchant species for destroying SiO2layers.
The effect of saccharides on equilibrium swelling of thermo-responsive gels
Authors: Drozdov A. D. , deClaville Christiansen J.
Published: August 2020

A model is developed for the mechanical response and equilibrium swelling of thermo-responsive gels and applied to the analysis of their volume phase transition in aqueous solutions of saccharides.
A heterometallic [LnLn′Ln] lanthanide complex as a qubit with embedded quantum error correction
Authors: Macaluso Emilio , Rubín Marcos , Aguilà David , Chiesa Alessandro , Barrios Leoní A. , Martínez Jesús I. , Alonso Pablo J. , Roubeau Olivier , Luis Fernando , Aromí Guillem , Carretta Stefano
Published: August 2020

We show that a [Er–Ce–Er] molecular trinuclear coordination compound is a promising platform to implement the three-qubit quantum error correction code protecting against pure dephasing, the most important error in magnetic molecules.
Reversible OH-bond activation and amphoterism by metal–ligand cooperativity of calix[4]pyrrolato aluminate
Authors: Sigmund Lukas M. , Greb Lutz
Published: August 2020

The combination of structural constraint and metal–ligand cooperativity in calix[4]pyrrolato aluminate inverts common trends of bond energies and enables reversible OH-bond activation.
Swimming statistics of cargo-loaded single bacteria
Authors: Prakash P. , Abdulla A. Z. , Singh V. , Varma M.
Published: August 2020

We employed a novel sonication-based cargo loading technique to probe the swimming statistics of oil-droplets loaded as cargo on single bacteria.
Enhanced ion transport in an ether aided super concentrated ionic liquid electrolyte for long-life practical lithium metal battery applications
Authors: Pal Urbi , Chen Fangfang , Gyabang Derick , Pathirana Thushan , Roy Binayak , Kerr Robert , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Armand Michel , Howlett Patrick C. , Forsyth Maria
Published: August 2020

We explore a superconcentrated electrolyte comprising N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1,2 dimethoxyethane and 3.2 mol kg−1 LiFSI. It offers an alternative ion-transport mechanism, improved fluidity and ultra-stable Li metal battery performance.
Structural characterization of a polycrystalline epitaxially-fused colloidal quantum dot superlattice by electron tomography
Authors: Chu Xiaolei , Heidari Hamed , Abelson Alex , Unruh Davis , Hansen Chase , Qian Caroline , Zimanyi Gergely , Law Matt , Moulé Adam J.
Published: August 2020

Full-tilt electron tomography of 3D PbSe quantum dot superlattices enables statistical analysis of the structure of the inter-dot epitaxial connections.
Anion exchange-induced single-molecule dispersion of cobalt porphyrins in a cationic porous organic polymer for enhanced electrochemical CO2 reduction via secondary-coordination sphere interactions
Authors: Tang Jia-Kang , Zhu Chen-Yuan , Jiang Tian-Wen , Wei Lei , Wang Hui , Yu Ke , Yang Chun-Lei , Zhang Yue-Biao , Chen Chen , Li Zhan-Ting , Zhang Dan-Wei , Zhang Li-Ming
Published: August 2020

Anion exchange is a promising strategy to achieve synergistic catalysis via secondary coordination sphere interactions between the catalyst and the support.
Light-intensity and thickness dependent efficiency of planar perovskite solar cells: charge recombinationversusextraction
Authors: Du Tian , Xu Weidong , Xu Shengda , Ratnasingham Sinclair R. , Lin Chieh-Ting , Kim Jinhyun , Briscoe Joe , McLachlan Martyn A. , Durrant James R.
Published: August 2020

We reveal the complex interplay between photoactive layer thickness and illumination intensity in perovskite solar cells, presenting design criteria for real-world and solar concentrator applications.
miR-4454 up-regulated by HPV16 E6/E7 promotes invasion and migration by targeting ABHD2/NUDT21 in cervical cancer
Authors: Wang Hui , Hu Hui , Luo Zhenzhao , Liu Shuiyi , Wu Wangze , Zhu Man , Wang Jing , Liu Yingle , Lu Zhongxin
Published: August 2020

The abnormal expression of HPV16 E6/E7 activates oncogenes and/or inactivates tumor suppressor genes, resulting in the selective growth and malignant transformation of cancer cells. miR-4454 was selected by sequencing due to its abnormal high expression in HPV16 E6/E7 positive CaSki cell compared with HPV16 E6/E7 negative C33A cell. Overexpression of miR-4454 enhances cervical cancer cell invasion and migration. ABHD2 and NUDT21 are identified as a target gene of miR-4454.The effects of ABHD2 and NUDT21 on migration and invasion of CaSki and C33A cells were determined. The dual luciferase and RT-qPCR assays confirmed that miR-4454 might regulate its targets ABHD2 and NUDT21 to promote the proliferation, invasion and migration, whereas, inhibit the apoptosis in CaSki and C33A cells.
Navarro-Frenk-White dark matter profile and the dark halos around disk systems
Authors: Dehghani R. , Salucci P. , Ghaffarnejad H.
Published: August 2020

Context. The Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) scenario is able to describe the Universe at large scales, but clearly shows some serious difficulties at small scales. The core-cusp question is one of these difficulties: the inner dark matter (DM) density profiles of spiral galaxies generally appear to be cored, without the r−1 profile that is predicted by N-body simulations in the above scenario.

Aims. It is well known that in a more physical context, the baryons in the galaxy might backreact and erase the original cusp through supernova explosions. Before the efficiency and the presence of this effect is investigated, it is important to determine how wide and frequent the discrepancy between observed and N-body-predicted profiles is and what its features are.

Methods. We used more than 3200 quite extended rotation curves (RCs) of good quality and high resolution of disk systems that included normal and dwarf spirals as well as low surface brightness galaxies. The curves cover all magnitude ranges. All these RCs were condensed into 26 coadded RCs, each of them built with individual RCs of galaxies of similar luminosity and morphology. We performed mass models of these 26 RCs using the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile for the contribution of the DM halo to the circular velocity and the exponential Freeman disk for the contribution of the stellar disk.

Results. The fits are generally poor in all the 26 cases: in several cases, we find χred2 > 2. Moreover, the best-fitting values of three parameters of the model (c, MD, and Mvir) combined with those of their 1σ uncertainty clearly contradict well-known expectations of the ΛCDM scenario. We also tested the scaling relations that exist in spirals with the outcome of the current mass modeling: the modeling does not account for these scaling relations.

Conclusions. The results of testing the NFW profile in disk systems indicate that this DM halo density law cannot account for the kinematics of the whole family of disk galaxies. It is therefore mandatory for the success of the ΛCDM scenario in any disk galaxy of any luminosity or maximum rotational velocity to transform initial cusps into the observed cores.
Investigating gravitational collapse of a pebble cloud to form transneptunian binaries
Authors: Robinson J. E. , Fraser W. C. , Fitzsimmons A. , Lacerda P.
Published: August 2020

Context. A large fraction of transneptunian objects are found in binary pairs, ~30% in the cold classical population between ahel ~ 39 and ~48 AU. Observationally, these binaries generally have components of similar size and colour. Previous work has shown that gravitational collapse of a pebble cloud is an efficient mechanism for producing such systems. Since the bi-lobate nature of 2014 MU69 (Arrokoth) was discovered, interest in gravitational collapse as a pathway for forming contact binaries has also grown.

Aims. We investigate the formation of binary systems through gravitational collapse by considering a wider range of binary masses than previous studies. We analysed in detail the properties of the bound systems that are formed and compared them to observations.

Methods. We performed N-body simulations of gravitational collapse of a pebble cloud using the REBOUND package, with an integrator designed for rotating reference frames and robust collision detection. We conducted a deep search for gravitationally bound particles at the end of the gravitational collapse phase and tested their stability. For all systems produced, not just for the most massive binaries, we investigated the population characteristics of their mass and orbital parameters.

Results. We found that gravitational collapse is an efficient producer of bound planetesimal systems. On average, about 1.5 bound systems were produced per cloud in the mass range studied here. In addition to large equal-sized binaries, we found that gravitational collapse produces massive bodies with small satellites and low-mass binaries with a high mass ratio. Our results disfavour the collapse of high-mass clouds, in line with reported upper mass limits of clouds formed by the streaming instability. Gravitational collapse can create binary systems analogous to Arrokoth, and collisions in a collapsing cloud should be gentle enough to preserve a bi-lobed structure.
AB Aur, a Rosetta stone for studies of planet formation
Authors: Rivière-Marichalar P. , Fuente A. , Le Gal R. , Baruteau C. , Neri R. , Navarro-Almaida D. , Treviño-Morales S. P. , Macías E. , Bachiller R. , Osorio M.
Published: August 2020

Context.AB Aur is a Herbig Ae star that hosts a prototypical transition disk. The disk shows a plethora of features connected with planet formation mechanisms, such as spiral arms, dust cavities, and dust traps. Understanding the physical and chemical characteristics of these features is crucial to advancing our knowledge of the planet formation processes.

Aims.We aim to characterize the gaseous disk around the Herbig Ae star AB Aur. A complete spectroscopic study was performed using NOEMA to determine the physical and chemical conditions with high spatial resolution.

Methods.We present new NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) interferometric observations of the continuum and12CO,13CO, C18O, H2CO, and SO lines obtained at high resolution. We used the integrated intensity maps and stacked spectra to derive reliable estimates of the disk temperature. By combining our13CO and C18O observations, we computed the gas-to-dust ratio along the disk. We also derived column density maps for the different species and used them to compute abundance maps. The results of our observations were compared with a set of Nautilus astrochemical models to obtain insight into the disk properties.

Results.We detected continuum emission in a ring that extends from 0.6′′ to ~2.0′′, peaking at 0.97′′ and with a strong azimuthal asymmetry. The molecules observed show different spatial distributions, and the peaks of the distributions are not correlated with the binding energy. Using H2CO and SO lines, we derived a mean disk temperature of 39 K. We derived a gas-to-dust ratio that ranges from 10 to 40 along the disk. Abundance with respect to13CO for SO (~2 × 10−4) is almost one order of magnitude greater than the value derived for H2CO (1.6 × 10−5). The comparison with Nautilus models favors a disk with a low gas-to-dust ratio (40) and prominent sulfur depletion.

Conclusions.From a very complete spectroscopic study of the prototypical disk around AB Aur, we derived, for the first time, the gas temperature and the gas-to-dust ratio along the disk, providing information that is essential to constraining hydrodynamical simulations. Moreover, we explored the gas chemistry and, in particular, the sulfur depletion. The derived sulfur depletion is dependent on the assumed C/O ratio. Our data are better explained with C/O ~ 0.7 and S/H = 8 × 10−8.
Laser processed semiconductors for integrated photonic devices -INVITED
Authors: Peacock Anna C. , MacFarquhar Stuart J. , Franz Yohann , Runge Antoine F. J. , Mailis Sakellaris , Oo Swe Z. , Mittal Vinita , Chong Harold M. H. , Aktas Ozan
Published: August 2020

We report results of laser processing of amorphous silicon and silicon-germanium semiconductor materials for the production of integrated photonic platforms. As the materials are deposited and processed at low temperatures, they are flexible, low cost, and suitable for multi-layer integration with other photonic or electronic layers. We demonstrate the formation of waveguides via crystallization of pre-patterned silicon components and functional microstructures through crystallization and compositional tuning of silicon-germanium alloy films. These results open a route for the fabrication of high density, multi-functional integrated optoelectronic chips.
Ultra-broadband silicon photonics devices based on subwavelength metamaterials -INVITED
Authors: Velasco A. V. , González-Andrade D. , Herrero-Bermello A. , Luque-González J. M. , Halir R. , Wangüemert-Pérez J. G. , Ortega-Moñux A. , Dias A. , Molina-Fernández I. , Cheben P.
Published: August 2020

Subwavelength structured waveguides provide tailorable optical properties that can be leveraged to overcome bandwidth limitations in a wide range of photonic devices. In this invited talk, we present an overview of recent developments on subwavelength engineered building blocks, including phase shifters, mode multiplexers, polarization beam splitters and zero-birefringence waveguides.
Modelling Light Scattering in the Context of Freeform Optical Design
Authors: Kronberg Simon , Anthonissen Martijn J.H. , ten Thije Boonkkamp Jan H.M. , IJzerman Wilbert L.
Published: August 2020

We present an initial attempt to model scattering in freeform optical design. Scattering is modelled as a convolution of the unperturbed specular distribution and a spreading function. Deconvolution is used to recover the equivalent specular distribution, for which design procedures are well established.
Phase-shift mask fabrication at micrometric scale by ion-exchange in glass for astronomical wavefront sensors
Authors: Prieto-Blanco Xesús , Montero-Orille Carlos , González-Núñez Héctor , Moreno Vicente , Cagigal Manuel P. , Liñares Jesús
Published: August 2020

Photolithography combined with ion-exchange in glass is a well-known technology that can be applied to develop many different optical devices. In this work, we present the complete procedure to generate small circular phase-shift masks with diameters of only a few microns and high control in the phase change produced. It is a strategic element in applications such as optical astronomy.