bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of buried interfaces in multilayer device structures with hard XPS (HAXPES) using a CrKα source
Authors: Renault O. , Martinez E. , Zborowski C. , Mann J. , Inoue R. , Newman J. , Watanabe K.
Published: May 2018

Applications of laboratory hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy on buried interfaces in devices are presented. We use a novel spectrometer fitted with a monochromated CrKα source (photon energy: 5414.9 eV) and a high‐voltage analyzer. Elements buried at depths as deep as 25 nm underneath various overlayers such as Al/Ta and Pt/Ti are detected and quantified from survey spectra, with chemical shifts accessible from high‐resolution scans. Different analysis conditions towards optimizing the information depth are presented and discussed.
Highly Enhanced Luminescence Performance of LEDs via Controllable Layer‐Structured 3D Photonic Crystals and Photonic Crystal Beads
Authors: Tian Yu , Chen Min , Zhang Jing , Tong Yu‐Long , Wang Cai‐Feng , Wiederrecht Gary P. , Chen Su
Published: May 2018

Controllable layer‐structured 3D photonic crystals (PCs) are prepared using the combination of the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique and layer‐by‐layer stacking method. They are used for research into the influence of the number of the layers on the enhancement of the efficiency of light emission from light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and quantum dots (QDs). The luminescence properties of blue, green, and white LEDs are improved dramatically while applying such controllable layer‐structured 3D PCs as reflectors and the enhancement efficiencies are shown to increase with PC thickness. In addition, the fluorescence intensity increases 7.8‐fold and 5.4‐fold for red and green QDs, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity can be accurately controlled by using PCs with different layers. In addition, PC beads with yellow and red photonic bandgaps are used to improve the luminescence of a white LED with angle‐independent enhancement. These beads are simply doped into the phosphor without any other treatment. Interestingly, the light intensity of the PC bead based LED is remarkably enhanced. These quantized enhanced effect of light intensity on the thickness of PC layers, along with new generation of PC bead based LED, might offer a strategy for designing high brightness LEDs with energy‐saving performance.
Domestic energy consumption and climate change mitigation
Authors: Abrahamse Wokje , Shwom Rachael
Published: May 2018

In this overview, we use domestic energy use as a lens through which to look at climate change mitigation. First, we provide a brief overview of research on domestic energy use, covering four main disciplines: engineering, economics, psychology, and sociology. We then discuss the results of empirical studies that examine how households may be encouraged to reduce their energy use and help mitigate climate change. We include research findings in three key areas: technological innovations, economic incentives, and informational interventions. We outline the effectiveness of each of these approaches in encouraging domestic energy conservation and provide instances where such approaches have not been effective. Building on this established body of knowledge on direct energy consumption (i.e., electricity, gas, and fuel consumption), we highlight applications for addressing indirect energy consumption (i.e., energy embedded in the products households consume) by discussing its implications for sustainable food consumption as a climate mitigation option. We conclude this overview by outlining how research from the four disciplines might be better integrated in future research to advance domestic energy conservation theory and empirical studies.

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses
Ice halos in weather lore and meteorology, and a rare halo display in San Francisco
Authors: Zinkova Mila
Published: May 2018

From Aristotle to modern science, this article presents several accounts of ice halo displays in weather lore and answers questions such asCould a sighting of a halo be an omen of a shipwreck? Does a halo herald a hurricane? How are ice halos observed in Oklahoma connected to plankton from the Pacific Ocean?and others. The article also offers images and descriptions of a very rare odd‐radius solar halo display, observed in California on 23 February 2016, in which the Sun appeared to be surrounded by five concentric circles. Finally, the article analyses the meteorological conditions associated with this phenomenon, alongside those of other displays, and answers a question that has been asked for many thousands of years: can halo displays be used as indicators of the weather?
The Delhi ‘gas chamber’: smog, air pollution and the health emergency of November 2017
Authors: Terry James P. , Jia Gensuo , Boldi Robert , Khan Sarah
Published: May 2018

The thick smog that blanketed India's capital, New Delhi, in early November 2017 saw air quality index values peak above 1000 – a figure in excess of three times the threshold value for ‘hazardous’ conditions. A public health emergency was declared. Delhi's smog was the result of an existing ambient urban air‐pollution problem, significantly worsened by smoke blowing in from numerous agricultural fires burning across neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states. Post‐summer monsoon regional air‐flow patterns, decreasing autumn temperatures, high‐pressure stability, temperature inversion and light local winds helped to produce climatic conditions that were conducive to smog build‐up and subsequently prevented it from readily dispersing. Well‐intentioned measures introduced by the authorities saw only partial improvement in city air quality after three weeks. To reduce the severity of future smog hazards, a region‐wide agreement to restrict stubble burning during late autumn across northwest India will be needed.
An observational study of the Kanchipuram flood during the northeast monsoon season in 2015
Authors: Mishra Anoop , Chandra Sagarika , Rafiq Mohammd , Sivarajan N. , Santhanam K.
Published: May 2018

Southeast India experienced several extreme precipitation events during November and early December 2015, which resulted in heavy flooding over Tamilnadu and Puducherry. Kanchipuram was one of the worst affected districts of Tamilnadu. The devastating floods that hit Kanchipuram during November/December 2015 caused serious damage to property and loss of human life. This study focuses on rain gauge data from 13 stations in Kanchipuram. The results show that there were multiple heavy precipitation events during the second week of November and the first week of December that resulted in record‐breaking heavy runoff over Kanchipuram, causing severe flooding over the region. The extremely heavy precipitation over Kanchipuram occurred in multiple spells: 7–9 November, 15–17 November and 1/2 December 2015. Tambram station recorded a maximum rainfall value of about 494 mm on 2 December. Peak rainfall amounts of about 329 and 316 mm were also recorded over Tambram and Panankattucheri on 16 and 9 November, respectively. It was found that multi‐day heavy precipitation events during November and December caused heavy flooding over Kanchipuram.
Unification with vector-like fermions and signals at LHC
Authors: Bhattacherjee Biplob , Byakti Pritibhajan , Kushwaha Ashwani , Vempati Sudhir K.
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We look for minimal extensions of Standard Model with vector like fermions leading to precision unification of gauge couplings. Constraints from proton decay, Higgs stability and perturbativity are considered. The simplest models contain several copies of vector fermions in two different (incomplete) representations. Some of these models encompass Type III seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses whereas some others have a dark matter candidate. In all the models, at least one of the candidates has non-trivial representation under SU(3)color. In the limit of vanishing Yukawa couplings, new QCD bound states are formed, which can be probed at LHC. The present limits based on results from 13 TeV already probe these particles for masses around a TeV. Similar models can be constructed with three or four vector representations, examples of which are presented.
Inside information in Ponzi schemes
Authors: Sadiraj Klarita , Schram Arthur
Published: May 2018

Ponzi-like investment schemes were popular in many transition economies. Often, some government officials had inside information about the viability of such schemes and used this information to their own advantage. We introduce a novel experimental design that allows us to study the extent to which this kind of abuse of information is possible and what consequences it has for those without such information. In particular, we investigate how the proportion of informed versus uninformed investors and the promised dividends affect the way in which informed investors can exploit the investments of uninformed investors. Our results show that uninformed investors follow the observed choices of the informed even more than predicted by theory. This adds to the devastating effects that this kind of underground activity can have on the uninformed.
Participation in Daily Life: Influence on Quality of Life in Ambulatory Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Omura Jaclyn , Fuentes Molly , Bjornson Kristie
Published: May 2018

Background

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a chronic condition that affects children and has an impact on social and physical activity, as well as participation in daily life. Participation and quality of life (QOL) are 2 important measures of successful rehabilitation that have not been well studied in children with CP.

Objective

To report levels of participation and examine the relationship of participation to QOL in ambulatory children with CP.

Design

Secondary analysis, cross‐sectional cohort study.

Setting

Regional pediatric specialty care center.

Participants

A cohort of 128 ambulatory children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I‐III, age 2‐9 years.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; Assessment of Life Habits; and Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Assessment of Preschool Children’s Participation.

Results

Participation was negatively associated with increasing Gross Motor Function Classification System but not age. Level of participation was associated with psychosocial QOL (2.97, P = .001) and total QOL (54.70, P = .03) but not physical QOL. There was a positive relationship between physical activity performance (0.63, P = .001), walking performance (0.002, P = .01), and communication level (7.23, P = .05) with physical QOL. Increasing age and decreased frequency of participation were negatively associated with all QOL domains.

Conclusions

The results suggest that participation in daily life is negatively influenced by physical impairment and that levels of participation are positively associated with psychosocial and total QOL among ambulatory children with CP. This suggests that participation influences QOL and further studies are needed to determine the aspects of participation directly impacting QOL in ambulatory children with CP.

Level of Evidence

III
After Exoneration: Attributions of Responsibility Impact Perceptions
Authors: Savage Meaghan E. , Clow Kimberley A. , Schuller Regina A. , Ricciardelli Rosemary
Published: May 2018

Guided by Weiner’s (1993,Am Psychol48:957-964) attribution theory of social motivation, we examined perceptions of exonerees. Specifically, we examined whether biased police procedures impacted perceptions of responsibility, emotional reactions, and willingness to assist exonerees. Participants read a vignette involving an exoneration due to either a false confession or an eyewitness misidentification with police practices (biased vs. unbiased) manipulated across participants. Findings corroborate that participants hold more negative views of exonerees who falsely confess than exonerees who were mistakenly identified by eyewitnesses. Moreover, when police bias was high, participants were angrier at the police and less likely to perceive the exoneree as responsible for the wrongful conviction—especially when false confessions were involved. The findings are discussed in light of Weiner’s social motivation theory, and in regards to improving attitudes towards individuals who have been wrongly convicted.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CONCERNS OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN INDIA: AN ISSUE OF
DEEP-ROOTED SILENCE
Authors: Sharma Seema , Sivakami Muthusamy
Published: May 2018

Global estimates suggest that over a billion people
live with a disability that is significant enough to
affect their daily lives. According to the 2011
Indian Census, India alone has about 26.8 million
people with disabilities. Research suggests that
persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India are among
the most neglected, stigmatized, poor and least
educated of the world’s population, and women with
disabilities in India are the most marginalized,
both socially and economically. They bear the triple
burden of being discriminated against through being
‘women’ (socially marginal beings), ‘disabled’
(incapacitated, inefficient and undesirable) and
‘women with disabilities’ (the weakest of the weak),
often becoming socially invisible. Although there
has been a general recognition over the years that
the educational and employment opportunities of PwDs
in India need to be improved, their sexual needs and
aspirations, sexuality concerns and sexual and
reproductive health and rights have been largely
ignored. The objective of this paper is to highlight
the paucity of research on the sexual and
reproductive health concerns of PwDs, particularly
women, in the Indian context using existing
literature on India, and to identify the possible
reasons of this neglect. The study describes the
obstacles faced by PwDs, particularly women, to
acquiring good sexual and reproductive information
and services, based on the results of empirical
studies. Given the lack of research on this in
India, the evidence largely comes from studies
conducted elsewhere in the world. Lack of
information and education about sexual health
concerns, physical and/or infrastructural
inaccessibility, judgemental provider attitudes,
limited provider knowledge about disability issues
and individual factors, including inhibitions about
seeking health care and financial barriers, are
identified as factors inhibiting the sexual and
reproductive rights of people with disabilities in
India.
Perinatal mental health and psychosocial risk screening in a community maternal and child health setting: evaluation of a digital platform
Authors: Highet Nicole , Gamble Jenny , Creedy Debra
Published: May 2018

Background

Screening women for depression and psychosocial risk during the perinatal period is recognised best practice. Screening by current pen and paper methods can be time consuming, and prone to scorer error. The lack of readily available translated versions of screening tools also excludes many women from different cultures.

Aim

To evaluate a perinatal mental health digital screening platform, iCOPE. The trial was conducted in a community maternal and child health setting in Melbourne, Australia.

Method

A descriptive, cohort design was used. All women attending the urban clinic were invited to complete their routine perinatal screening on the digital platform, designed to automate score calculations and produce instant clinical and client reports whilst collecting data in real time. Screening included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and psychosocial risk questions in line with current national clinical guidelines. Functionality of iCOPE was assessed according to duration of screening, completion rates, accuracy of reporting and level of engagement by women.

Results

During the trial, 144 screens were performed. The mean screening time was 6.7 min (SD=3.78). Most (65.7% n=94) women took between 3 and 6 min. Mean EPDS score was 7.2 with 16% (n=23) scoring 13 or more. The accuracy of reports was 100% and screening completion rate was 99.3%. Many women (81.3%) requested a copy of their personal report.

Discussion

The iCOPE platform was efficient in terms of screening time, scoring accuracy, and engagement of women. The automated production of tailored client and clinical reports enabled screening outcomes to be instantly communicated to women and health professionals. The collection of data in real time facilitated the monitoring of screening rates and evaluation of outcomes by clinicians and service managers.
Roles of Hydrous Lithospheric Mantle in Deep Water Transportation and Subduction Dynamics
Authors: Nakao Atsushi , Iwamori Hikaru , Nakakuki Tomoeki , Suzuki Yujiro J. , Nakamura Hitomi
Published: May 2018

We used two‐dimensional simulations to investigate the effects of a hydrous lithospheric mantle (HLM) on subduction dynamics. It was demonstrated that the thickness of a subducting HLM strongly controls the motion and deformation of converging plates. When the HLM thickness is lower than a critical value, for example, ∼5 km for a 100‐Ma slab, all serpentine in the HLM decomposes, and the liberated fluid enters the mantle wedge. The fluid weakens the overlying plate, causing trench retreat, rapid plate convergence, and slab stagnation. In contrast, when the HLM thickness exceeds the critical value, dense hydrous magnesium silicates appear in cold parts of the HLM at high pressures. The buoyant dense hydrous magnesium silicates reduce the slab pull force, weakening trench retreat, rapid convergence, and slab stagnation. A low HLM thickness may account for tectonics in some actual subduction zones characterized by trench retreat, rapid convergence, and stagnant slabs, for example, in Northeast Japan.
Subcritical Crack Growth and Progressive Failure in Carrara Marble Under Wet and Dry Conditions
Authors: Voigtländer A. , Leith K. , Krautblatter M.
Published: May 2018

Our concept of progressive rock slope failures is on the one hand embedded in aggregated subcritical crack growth mechanisms and on the other sensitive to environmental conditions, especially water. To anticipate failure dynamics in rock slopes, it is a key requirement to reveal the influence of water on subcritical crack growth mechanisms and material properties. We present experimental data on the time‐dependent deformation of an exemplary rock, Carrara marble. We employed inverted single‐edge notch bending creep tests on large Carrara marble samples to mimic an open joint system with controlled water supply. Constant stress was applied in two steps approaching 22–85% of a previously determined critical baseline stress. Introducing calcite‐saturated water to subcritical stressed samples caused an immediate increase in strain by up to an order of magnitude. Time‐dependent accumulation of inelastic damage at the notch tip occurred in wet and dry samples at all load levels. Subcritical crack growth and the evolution of localized intergranular fractures are enhanced if water is present and readily approach tertiary creep when loaded above 80%. The immediate strain response is attributed to the reduction of surface energy and diffusion of the water into the rock. The resultant more compliant and weaker rheology can even turn the subcritical stress into a critical state. Over time, subcritical and chemically enhanced mechanisms progressively alter especially grain boundaries, which become the key controls of progressive failure in Carrara marble.
Making Maps on a Micrometer Scale
Authors: Linzmeier B. , Kitajima K. , Denny A. , Cammack J.
Published: May 2018

Geographic information system software, created for mapping cities and continents, works equally well with the minuscule layers and inclusions that record a crystal's history.
Recovery of Ecosystem Carbon and Energy Fluxes From the 2003 Drought in Europe and the 2012 Drought in the United States
Authors: He Bin , Liu Junjie , Guo Lanlan , Wu Xiuchen , Xie Xaoming , Zhang Yafeng , Chen Chen , Zhong Ziqian , Chen Ziyue
Published: May 2018

Recovery of an ecosystem from drought is an important indicator of ecosystem resilience. However, few investigations have heretofore focused on the recovery of ecosystem carbon and energy fluxes but have mainly focused on the drought recovery of plant growth and ecosystem productions. Therefore, the present study uses in situ observations from FLUXNET 2015 to examine the recovery of carbon flux and energy flux of ecosystems from the 2003 European drought and the 2012 U.S. drought on the daily scale. The results reveal the strong impact of these two extreme droughts on ecosystem gross primary production, total ecosystem respiration, net ecosystem exchange, and latent heat flux. In addition, the recovery time of these indicators differ significantly. At the regional scale, the recovery of gross primary production, total ecosystem respiration, net ecosystem exchange, and latent heat flux took 44, 23, 63, and 27 days after the 2003 European drought, and the recovery for corresponding indicators for the 2012 U.S. drought took 42, 63, 15, and 33 days, respectively. Further investigations suggest that indicator background conditions and drought‐damage magnitudes played an important role in regulating drought recovery in the 2003 European drought, with lower background value and greater damage leading to a longer recovery time. The ecosystem recovery from the 2012 U.S. drought, however, was dominated by the precipitation condition during the recovery period, with more precipitation associated with a shorter recovery time. These results provide crucial insight into the divergent recovery trajectories for different carbon‐water processes among diverse bioclimatic regions.
A Persistent Norwegian Atlantic Current Through the Pleistocene Glacials
Authors: Newton A. M. W. , Huuse M. , Brocklehurst S. H.
Published: May 2018

Changes in ocean‐circulation regimes in the northern North Atlantic and the Nordic Seas may affect not only the Arctic but potentially hemispheric or even global climate. Therefore, unraveling the long‐term evolution of the North Atlantic Current‐Norwegian Atlantic Current system through the Pleistocene glaciations could yield useful information and climatological context for understanding contemporary changes. In this work, ~50,000 km2 of 3‐D seismic reflection data are used to investigate the Pleistocene stratigraphy for evidence of paleo‐oceanographic regimes on the mid‐Norwegian margin since 2.58 Ma. Across 33 semicontinuous regional paleo‐seafloor surfaces ~17,500 iceberg scours have been mapped. This mapping greatly expands our spatiotemporal understanding of currents and iceberg presence in the eastern Nordic Seas. The scours display a dominant southwest‐northeast trend that complements previous sedimentological and numerical modeling studies that suggest northward‐flowing currents in the Norwegian Sea during the Pleistocene. This paleo‐oceanographic study suggests that through many of the Pleistocene glaciations, the location of surface ocean currents in the Norwegian Sea and, by extension, the eastern North Atlantic, were broadly similar to the present.
Upper Ocean Response to the Atmospheric Cold Pools Associated With the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Pei Suyang , Shinoda Toshiaki , Soloviev Alexander , Lien Ren‐Chieh
Published: May 2018

Atmospheric cold pools are frequently observed during the Madden‐Julian Oscillation events and play an important role in the development and organization of large‐scale convection. They are generally associated with heavy precipitation and strong winds, inducing large air‐sea fluxes and significant sea surface temperature (SST) fluctuations. This study provides a first detailed investigation of the upper ocean response to the strong cold pools associated with the Madden‐Julian Oscillation, based on the analysis of in situ data collected during the Dynamics of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign and one‐dimensional ocean model simulations validated by the data. During strong cold pools, SST drops rapidly due to the atmospheric cooling in a shoaled mixed layer caused by the enhanced near‐surface salinity stratification generated by heavy precipitation. Significant contribution also comes from the component of surface heat flux produced by the cold rain temperature. After the period of heavy rain, while net surface cooling remains, SST gradually recovers due to the enhanced entrainment of warmer waters below the mixed layer.
Impacts of ENSO on the Bay of Bengal Summer Monsoon Onset via Modulating the Intraseasonal Oscillation
Authors: Li Kuiping , Liu Yanliang , Li Zhi , Yang Yang , Feng Lin , Khokiattiwong Somkiat , Yu Weidong , Liu Shouhua
Published: May 2018

The Bay of Bengal (BoB) summer monsoon is often triggered by northward propagating intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) in the eastern Indian Ocean. The timing of summer monsoon onset, with a mean date of 1 May and standard deviation of 13 days, is substantially advanced (delayed) following a cold (warm) ENSO event. In this study, the significant ENSO‐onset anomaly relationship is understood by investigating the ENSO modulations on the pivotal monsoon trigger. In the decaying spring of a cold (warm) ENSO event, pronounced easterly (westerly) vertical wind shear anomalies are induced in the northern Indian Ocean due to the enhanced (suppressed) convection anomalies in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The above interannual vertical shear difference dominantly (more than 60%) contributes to a distinct ISO intensity contrast in the northern BoB. Consequently, the strengthened (weakened) ISOs associated with cold (warm) ENSO events lead to advanced (delayed) onsets of BoB summer monsoon.
GWAS on family history of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Marioni Riccardo E. , Harris Sarah E. , Zhang Qian , McRae Allan F. , Hagenaars Saskia P. , Hill W. David , Davies Gail , Ritchie Craig W. , Gale Catharine R. , Starr John M. , Goate Alison M. , Porteous David J. , Yang Jian , Evans Kathryn L. , Deary Ian J. , Wray Naomi R. , Visscher Peter M.
Published: May 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a public health priority for the 21st century. Risk reduction currently revolves around lifestyle changes with much research trying to elucidate the biological underpinnings. We show that self-report of parental history of Alzheimer’s dementia for case ascertainment in a genome-wide association study of 314,278 participants from UK Biobank (27,696 maternal cases, 14,338 paternal cases) is a valid proxy for an AD genetic study. After meta-analysing with published consortium data (n = 74,046 with 25,580 cases across the discovery and replication analyses), three new AD-associated loci (P < 5 × 10−8) are identified. These contain genes relevant for AD and neurodegeneration: ADAM10, BCKDK/KAT8 and ACE. Novel gene-based loci include drug targets such as VKORC1 (warfarin dose). We report evidence that the association of SNPs in the TOMM40 gene with AD is potentially mediated by both gene expression and DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex. However, it is likely that multiple variants are affecting the trait and gene methylation/expression. Our discovered loci may help to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying AD and, as they contain genes that are drug targets for other diseases and disorders, warrant further exploration for potential precision medicine applications.
Codon optimization and improved delivery/immunization regimen enhance the immune response against wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preserving its Th2-polarity
Authors: Latanova A. A. , Petkov S. , Kilpelainen A. , Jansons J. , Latyshev O. E. , Kuzmenko Y. V. , Hinkula J. , Abakumov M. A. , Valuev-Elliston V. T. , Gomelsky M. , Karpov V. L. , Chiodi F. , Wahren B. , Logunov D. Y. , Starodubova E. S. , Isaguliants M. G.
Published: May 2018

DNA vaccines require a considerable enhancement of immunogenicity. Here, we optimized a prototype DNA vaccine against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on a weak Th2-immunogen, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). We designed expression-optimized genes encoding inactivated wild-type and drug-resistant RTs (RT-DNAs) and introduced them into mice by intradermal injections followed by electroporation. RT-DNAs were administered as single or double primes with or without cyclic-di-GMP, or as a prime followed by boost with RT-DNA mixed with a luciferase-encoding plasmid (“surrogate challenge”). Repeated primes improved cellular responses and broadened epitope specificity. Addition of cyclic-di-GMP induced a transient increase in IFN-γ production. The strongest anti-RT immune response was achieved in a prime-boost protocol with electroporation by short 100V pulses done using penetrating electrodes. The RT-specific response, dominated by CD4+ T-cells, targeted epitopes at aa 199–220 and aa 528–543. Drug-resistance mutations disrupted the epitope at aa 205–220, while the CTL epitope at aa 202–210 was not affected. Overall, multiparametric optimization of RT strengthened its Th2- performance. A rapid loss of RT/luciferase-expressing cells in the surrogate challenge experiment revealed a lytic potential of anti-RT response. Such lytic CD4+ response would be beneficial for an HIV vaccine due to its comparative insensitivity to immune escape.
Three dimensional two-photon brain imaging in freely moving mice using a miniature fiber coupled microscope with active axial-scanning
Authors: Ozbay Baris N. , Futia Gregory L. , Ma Ming , Bright Victor M. , Gopinath Juliet T. , Hughes Ethan G. , Restrepo Diego , Gibson Emily A.
Published: May 2018

We present a miniature head mounted two-photon fiber-coupled microscope (2P-FCM) for neuronal imaging with active axial focusing enabled using a miniature electrowetting lens. We show three-dimensional two-photon imaging of neuronal structure and record neuronal activity from GCaMP6s fluorescence from multiple focal planes in a freely-moving mouse. Two-color simultaneous imaging of GFP and tdTomato fluorescence is also demonstrated. Additionally, dynamic control of the axial scanning of the electrowetting lens allows tilting of the focal plane enabling neurons in multiple depths to be imaged in a single plane. Two-photon imaging allows increased penetration depth in tissue yielding a working distance of 450 μm with an additional 180 μm of active axial focusing. The objective NA is 0.45 with a lateral resolution of 1.8 μm, an axial resolution of 10 μm, and a field-of-view of 240 μm diameter. The 2P-FCM has a weight of only ~2.5 g and is capable of repeatable and stable head-attachment. The 2P-FCM with dynamic axial scanning provides a new capability to record from functionally distinct neuronal layers, opening new opportunities in neuroscience research.
Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS assay for pharmacokinetic studies of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Lee John D. , Clark Richard J. , Woodruff Trent M.
Published: May 2018

PMX53 and PMX205 are cyclic hexapeptide inhibitors of complement C5a receptors (C5aR1), that are widely used to study C5aR1 pathobiology in mouse models of disease. Despite their widespread use, limited information regarding their pharmacokinetics have been reported. Here, a bioanalytical method for the quantitative determination of PMX53 and PMX205 in plasma, brain and spinal cord of mice was developed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques. The LC-MS/MS method was validated in all three matrices according to regulatory guidelines and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic studies of PMX53 and PMX205 in C57BL/6 J mice following intravenous administration. The developed method was highly sensitive and sufficiently accurate with a lower limit of quantification within the range of 3–6 ng/ml in extracted plasma samples and 3–6 ng/g in processed tissue samples, which outperforms previously published LC-MS/MS methods. The results thus support the suitability, reliability, reproducibility and sensitivity of this validated technique. This method can therefore be applied to perform a complete pre-clinical investigation of PMX53 and PMX205 pharmacokinetics in mice.
An improved assembly and annotation of the melon (Cucumis melo L.) reference genome
Authors: Ruggieri Valentino , Alexiou Konstantinos G. , Morata Jordi , Argyris Jason , Pujol Marta , Yano Ryoichi , Nonaka Satoko , Ezura Hiroshi , Latrasse David , Boualem Adnane , Benhamed Moussa , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Cigliano Riccardo Aiese , Sanseverino Walter , Puigdomènech Pere , Casacuberta Josep M. , Garcia-Mas Jordi
Published: May 2018

We report an improved assembly (v3.6.1) of the melon (Cucumis melo L.) genome and a new genome annotation (v4.0). The optical mapping approach allowed correcting the order and the orientation of 21 previous scaffolds and permitted to correctly define the gap-size extension along the 12 pseudomolecules. A new comprehensive annotation was also built in order to update the previous annotation v3.5.1, released more than six years ago. Using an integrative annotation pipeline, based on exhaustive RNA-Seq collections and ad-hoc transposable element annotation, we identified 29,980 protein-coding loci. Compared to the previous version, the v4.0 annotation improved gene models in terms of completeness of gene structure, UTR regions definition, intron-exon junctions and reduction of fragmented genes. More than 8,000 new genes were identified, one third of them being well supported by RNA-Seq data. To make all the new resources easily exploitable and completely available for the scientific community, a redesigned Melonomics genomic platform was released at http://melonomics.net. The resources produced in this work considerably increase the reliability of the melon genome assembly and resolution of the gene models paving the way for further studies in melon and related species.
Blood lipid-related low-frequency variants in LDLR and PCSK9 are associated with onset age and risk of myocardial infarction in Japanese
Authors: Tajima Tomoyuki , Morita Hiroyuki , Ito Kaoru , Yamazaki Tsutomu , Kubo Michiaki , Komuro Issei , Momozawa Yukihide
Published: May 2018

Recent studies have revealed the importance of rare variants in myocardial infarction (MI) susceptibility in European populations. Because genetic architectures vary in different populations, we investigated how they contribute to MI susceptibility in Japanese subjects. We performed targeted sequencing of 36 coronary artery disease risk genes, identified by genome-wide association studies, in 9,956 cases and 8,373 controls. Gene-based association tests identified significant enrichment of rare variants in LDLR and PCSK9 in MI cases. We identified 52 (novel 22) LDLR variants predicted to be damaging. Carriers of these variants showed a higher risk of MI (carriers/non-carriers 89/9867 in cases, 17/8356 controls, OR = 4.4, P = 7.2 × 10−10), higher LDL-cholesterol levels and younger age of onset for MI. With respect to PCSK9, E32K carriers showed higher LDL-cholesterol levels and younger age of onset for MI, whereas R93C carriers had lower LDL-cholesterol levels. A significant correlation between LDL-cholesterol levels and onset age of MI was observed in these variant carriers. In good agreement with previous studies in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia, our study in the Japanese general population showed that rare variants in LDLR and PCSK9 were associated with the onset age of MI by altering LDL-cholesterol levels.
Advanced glycation end products-induced insulin resistance involves repression of skeletal muscle GLUT4 expression
Authors: Pinto-Junior Danilo C. , Silva Karolline S. , Michalani Maria L. , Yonamine Caio Y. , Esteves João V. , Fabre Nelly T. , Thieme Karina , Catanozi Sérgio , Okamoto Maristela M. , Seraphim Patricia M. , Corrêa-Giannella Maria L. , Passarelli Marisa , Machado Ubiratan F.
Published: May 2018

Little is known about advanced glycation end products (AGEs) participation in glucose homeostasis, a process in which skeletal muscle glucose transporter GLUT4 (Scl2a4 gene) plays a key role. This study investigated (1) the in vivo and in vitro effects of AGEs on Slc2a4/GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle of healthy rats, and (2) the potential involvement of endoplasmic reticulum and inflammatory stress in the observed regulations. For in vivo analysis, rats were treated with advanced glycated rat albumin (AGE-albumin) for 12 weeks; for in vitro analysis, soleus muscles from normal rats were incubated with bovine AGE-albumin for 2.5 to 7.5 hours. In vivo, AGE-albumin induced whole-body insulin resistance; decreased (~30%) Slc2a4 mRNA and GLUT4 protein content; and increased (~30%) the nuclear content of nuclear factor NF-kappa-B p50 subunit (NFKB1), and cellular content of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78). In vitro, incubation with AGE-albumin decreased (~50%) the Slc2a4/GLUT4 content; and increased cellular content of GRP78/94, phosphorylated-IKK-alpha/beta, nuclear content of NFKB1 and RELA, and the nuclear protein binding into Slc2a4 promoter NFKB-binding site. The data reveal that AGEs impair glucose homeostasis in non-diabetic states of increased AGEs concentration; an effect that involves activation of endoplasmic reticulum- and inflammatory-stress and repression of Slc2a4/GLUT4 expression.
New insights towards strikingly improved room temperature ethanol sensing properties of p-type Ce-doped SnO2 sensors
Authors: Kumar Manjeet , Bhatt Vishwa , Abhyankar A. C. , Kim Joondong , Kumar Akshay , Patil Sagar H. , Yun Ju-Hyung
Published: May 2018

In this article, room temperature ethanol sensing behavior of p-type Ce doped SnO2 nanostructures are investigated successfully. Interestingly, it is examined that the abnormal n to p-type transition behavior is caused by Ce doping in SnO2 lattice. In p-type Ce doped SnO2, Ce ion substituting the Sn is in favor of generating excess holes as oxygen vacancies, which is associated with the improved sensing performance. Although, p-type SnO2 is one of the important materials for practical applications, it is less studied as compared to n-type SnO2. Pure and Ce doped SnO2 nanostructures were successfully synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. The structure, surface morphology, unpaired electrons (such as free radicals), and chemical composition of obtained nanoparticles were studied by various kinds of characterization techniques. The 9% Ce doped SnO2 sensors exhibit maximum sensor response of ~382 for 400 ppm of ethanol exposure with fast response time of ~5 to 25 sec respectively. Moreover, it is quite interesting that such enhancement of ethanol sensing is unveiled at room temperature, which plays a key role in the quest for better ethanol sensors. These remarkably improved sensing results are attributed to uniformly distributed nanoparticles, lattice strain, complex defect chemistry and presence of large number of unpaired electrons on the surface.
Correction: Corrigendum: Early-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy Associated with an IQCB1 Variant in African Black-Footed Cats (Felis nigripes)
Authors: Oh Annie , Pearce Jacqueline W. , Gandolfi Barbara , Creighton Erica K. , Suedmeyer William K. , Selig Michael , Bosiack Ann P. , Castaner Leilani J. , Whiting Rebecca E. H. , Belknap Ellen B. , Lyons Leslie A. ,   99 Lives Consortium, Aderdein Danielle , Alves Paulo C. , Barsh Gregory S. , Beale Holly C. , Boyko Adam R. , Castelhano Marta G. , Chan Patricia , Ellinwood N. Matthew , Garrick Dorian J. , Helps Christopher R. , Kaelin Christopher B. , Leeb Tosso , Lohi Hannes , Longeri Maria , Malik Richard , Montague Michael J. , Munday John S. , Murphy William J. , Pedersen Niels C. , Rothschild Max F. , Swanson William F. , Terio Karen A. , Todhunter Rory J. , Warren Wesley C.
Published: May 2018

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43918; published online: 21 March 2017; updated: 18 May 2018 The Acknowledgements section in this Article is incomplete. “Funding was provided by The University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine Clinician Scientist Grant 2014 (JWP). Funding for the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative has been provided by the Winn Feline Foundation and the George Sydney and Phyllis Redman Miller Trust (MT–13–010), the National Geographic Society Education Foundation (2P-14), the University of Missouri Gilbreath-McLorn Endowment (LAL), contributions from the 99 Lives Consortium participants, donations from Associazione Nazionale Felina Italiana (ANFI), Zoetis, Orivet Genetic Pet Care, Langford Veterinary Services, the World Cat Federation, and public donations.
Carboxylic and O-acetyl moieties are essential for the immunostimulatory activity of glucuronoxylomannan: a novel TLR4 specific immunostimulator from Auricularia auricula-judae
Authors: Perera Namal , Yang Feng-Ling , Chern Jeffy , Chiu Hsiao-Wen , Hsieh Chih-Yu , Li Lan-Hui , Zhang Yan-Long , Hua Kuo-Feng , Wu Shih-Hsiung
Published: May 2018

O-acetyl and carboxylic functionalities of Auricularia auricula-judae glucuronoxylomannan play critical roles in TLR4/MD2 receptor binding for its immunostimulatory activity.
Quantitative determination of multiple surfactants in water using HPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Wang Xiaomeng , Kasperski Kim
Published: May 2018

An analytical method has been developed to quantify multiple water-soluble process chemicals potentially used in the petroleum industry.
Formation of a long-lived radical pair in a Sn(iv) porphyrin–di(l-tyrosinato) conjugate driven by proton-coupled electron-transfer
Authors: Natali Mirco , Amati Agnese , Demitri Nicola , Iengo Elisabetta
Published: May 2018

A surprisingly long-lived radical pair state is achieved in a tin-porphyrin/l-tyrosine conjugate by exploiting a photochemical PCET quenching mechanism.
Monitoring the formation of GaN nanowires in molecular beam epitaxy by polarization-resolved optical reflectometry
Authors: Corfdir Pierre , Calabrese Gabriele , Laha Apurba , Auzelle Thomas , Geelhaar Lutz , Brandt Oliver , Fernández-Garrido Sergio
Published: May 2018

Accessing in situ relevant information on the fluctuations in length and covered area fraction at the μm scale of vertical nanowire ensembles by polarization resolved optical reflectometry.
What is responsible for conformational diversity in single-crystal tetraoxazaspiroalkanes? X-Ray, DFT, and AIM approaches
Authors: Tulyabaev Arthur R. , Bikmukhametov Kamil Sh. , Mescheryakova Ekaterina S. , Makhmudiyarova Natalia N. , Rakhimov Rustem Sh. , Khalilov Leonard M.
Published: May 2018

The conformational diversity of single crystal tetraoxazaspiroalkanes is considered for the first time with X-ray, DFT, and AIM approaches.
A DFT assessment of some physical properties of iodine-centered halogen bonding and other non-covalent interactions in some experimentally reported crystal geometries
Authors: Varadwaj Arpita , Varadwaj Pradeep R. , Marques Helder M. , Yamashita Koichi
Published: May 2018

A set of six binary complexes that feature iodine-centered halogen bonding, extracted from structures deposited in the Cambridge Structure Database, has been examined computationally using density functional theory.
Oxide–organic heterostructures: a case study of charge transfer disturbance at a SnO2–copper phthalocyanine buried interface
Authors: Krzywiecki Maciej , Grządziel Lucyna , Powroźnik Paulina , Kwoka Monika , Rechmann Julian , Erbe Andreas
Published: May 2018

Charge transfer and energy level alignment was investigated in reduced tin dioxide/copper phthalocyanine (SnOx/CuPc) heterojunctions exploiting surface sensitive photoelectron spectroscopy techniques.
A universal approach for calculating the Judd–Ofelt parameters of RE3+ in powdered phosphors and its application for the β-NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphor derived from auto-combustion-assisted fluoridation
Authors: Zhang Yanqiu , Chen Baojiu , Xu Sai , Li Xiangping , Zhang Jinsu , Sun Jiashi , Zhang Xiangqing , Xia Haiping , Hua Ruinian
Published: May 2018

A universal J–O calculation method for phosphors was proposed and used for NaYF4:Er3+/Yb3+.
Selective CO2 adsorption by a new metal–organic framework: synergy between open metal sites and a charged imidazolinium backbone
Authors: Kochetygov Ilia , Bulut Safak , Asgari Mehrdad , Queen Wendy L.
Published: May 2018

A new metal–organic framework features a combination of open metal sites and charged ligand leading to a high CO2/N2 selectivity.
Formation of uniform magnetic C@CoNi alloy hollow hybrid composites with excellent performance for catalysis and protein adsorption
Authors: Ling Yang , Zhang Min , Zheng Jing , Xu Jingli , Hayat Tasawar , Alharbi Njud S.
Published: May 2018

C@CoNi hollow composites are fabricated via an extended Stöber method, mussel chemistry and subsequent carbonization treatment, which can be used as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and histidine-rich protein separation.
Correction: Graphene analogues in aquatic environments and porous media: dispersion, aggregation, deposition and transformation
Authors: Ren Xuemei , Li Jie , Chen Changlun , Gao Yang , Chen Diyun , Su Minhua , Alsaedi Ahmed , Hayat Tasawar
Published: May 2018

Correction for ‘Graphene analogues in aquatic environments and porous media: dispersion, aggregation, deposition and transformation’ by Xuemei Ren et al., Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7en01258f.
Structural characterization of aluminium(iii) and iron(iii) complexes of coumarinic acid in aqueous solutions from combined experimental and theoretical investigations
Authors: Furia Emilia , Beneduci Amerigo , Russo Nino , Marino Tiziana
Published: May 2018

The Al(iii) ion forms bidentate complexes involving a 6-membered ring by binding both the carboxyl oxygens of the ligand. In contrast, the Fe(iii) ion preferentially forms monodentate tetrahedral complexes.
Synthesis and characterization of novel dimerics-triazine derivatives as potential anti-bacterial agents against MDR clinical isolates
Authors: Ramadan Doaa R. , Elbardan Aly A. , Bekhit Adnan A. , El-Faham Ayman , Khattab Sherine N.
Published: May 2018

Several dimerics-triazine Schiff bases displayed more potent anti-bacterial activity compared with ampicillin trihydrate. They revealed significantly low MIC values towards the tested MDR strains and showed a high selectivity index towards antimicrobial activity againstK. pneumoniaeandMRSA1compared to mammalian cells.
Diversity of biologically active secondary metabolites from endophytic and saprotrophic fungi of the ascomycete order Xylariales
Authors: Helaly Soleiman E. , Thongbai Benjarong , Stadler Marc
Published: May 2018

The diversity of secondary metabolites in the fungal order Xylariales is reviewed with special emphasis on correlations between chemical diversity and biodiversity as inferred from recent taxonomic and phylogenetic studies.
A highly thermally stable sub-20 nm magnetic random-access memory based on perpendicular shape anisotropy
Authors: Perrissin N. , Lequeux S. , Strelkov N. , Chavent A. , Vila L. , Buda-Prejbeanu L. D. , Auffret S. , Sousa R. C. , Prejbeanu I. L. , Dieny B.
Published: May 2018

A new approach to increase the downsize scalability of perpendicular STT-MRAM is presented.
Plasmon response evaluation based on image-derived arbitrary nanostructures
Authors: Trautmann S. , Richard-Lacroix M. , Dathe A. , Schneidewind H. , Dellith J. , Fritzsche W. , Deckert V.
Published: May 2018

The optical response of realistic 3D plasmonic substrates composed of randomly shaped particles of different size and interparticle distance distributions is modelled by parametrizing large areas, allowing to investigate far- and near-field optical effects.
Enzyme-driven biodegradable nanomotor based on tubular-shaped polymeric vesicles
Authors: Toebes B. Jelle , Abdelmohsen Loai K. E. A. , Wilson Daniela A.
Published: May 2018

Self-assembling a biodegradable nanomotor through the functionalization of tubular shaped polymersomes with catalase, showing enhanced diffusion in presence of fuel.
Phase segregation enabled scandium fluoride–lanthanide fluoride Janus nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Pei-Zhi , Liu Rui , Sun Ling-Dong , Dong Hao , Li Lin-Dong , Zheng Xiao-Yu , Wu Ke , Yan Chun-Hua
Published: May 2018

A phase-segregation based protocol enables the fabrication of a series of scandium fluoride–lanthanide fluoride Janus particles.