bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of human B and T cell adaptive immune responses to Kyasanur Forest disease virus infection
Authors: Devadiga Santhosha , McElroy Anita K. , Prabhu Suresha G. , Arunkumar Govindakarnavar
Published: September 2020

Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne, acute, febrile viral illness endemic in southern India. No major studies have been done to understand the adaptive immune response during KFDV infection in humans. In this study, KFDV-positive patients were prospectively enrolled, and repeated peripheral blood collections were performed. Clinical and virologic characterization of these samples is reported along with phenotypic analysis of cellular immunity and quantitation of humoral immunity. We noted robust T and B cell responses, particularly of CD8 T cells, during KFDV infection in most of the patients. Virus clearance from the blood coincided with peak CD8 T cell activation and the appearance of KFDV-specific IgG. Increased frequency of plasmablasts and very few activated B cells were observed in the acute phase of KFD infection. Notably, only humoral immunity and activated B cell frequency in the acute phase correlated with prior KFDV vaccination, and only with 2 or more doses. This novel work has implications in KFD vaccine research as well as in understanding the pathogenesis.
Hurricane-induced power outage risk under climate change is primarily driven by the uncertainty in projections of future hurricane frequency
Authors: Alemazkoor Negin , Rachunok Benjamin , Chavas Daniel R , Staid Andrea , Louhghalam Arghavan , Nateghi Roshanak , Tootkaboni Mazdak
Published: September 2020

Nine in ten major outages in the US have been caused by hurricanes. Long-term outage risk is a function of climate change-triggered shifts in hurricane frequency and intensity; yet projections of both remain highly uncertain. However, outage risk models do not account for the epistemic uncertainties in physics-based hurricane projections under climate change, largely due to the extreme computational complexity. Instead they use simple probabilistic assumptions to model such uncertainties. Here, we propose a transparent and efficient framework to, for the first time, bridge the physics-based hurricane projections and intricate outage risk models. We find that uncertainty in projections of the frequency of weaker storms explains over 95% of the uncertainty in outage projections; thus, reducing this uncertainty will greatly improve outage risk management. We also show that the expected annual fraction of affected customers exhibits large variances, warranting the adoption of robust resilience investment strategies and climate-informed regulatory frameworks.
An inherent instability study using ab initio computational methods and experimental validation of Pb(SCN)2 based perovskites for solar cell applications
Authors: Dutta Jayita , Chennamkulam Ajith Mithun , Dutta Soumya , R. Kadhane Umesh , Kochupurackal B Jinesh , Rai Beena
Published: September 2020

Perovskite materials with ABX3chemistries are promising candidates for photovoltaic applications, owing to their suitable optoelectronic properties. However, they are highly hydrophilic and unstable in nature, limiting the commercialization of perovskite photovoltaics. Mixed halide ion-doped perovskites are reported to be more stable compared to simple ABX3chemistries. This paper describes ab initio modeling, synthesis, and characterization of thiocyanate doped lead iodide CH3NH3PbI(3−x)(SCN)xperovskites. Several perovskite chemistries with an increasing concentration of (SCN)−at x = 0, 0.25, 0.49, 1.0, 1.45 were evaluated. Subsequently, ‘n-i-p’ and ‘p-i-n’ perovskite solar device architectures, corresponding to x = 0, 0.25, 0.49, 1.0 thiocyanate doped lead halide perovskite chemistry were fabricated. The study shows that among all the devices fabricated for different compositions of perovskites, p-i-n perovskite solar cell fabricated using CH3NH3PbI(3−x)(SCN)xperovskite at x = 1.0 exhibited the highest stability and device efficiency was retained until 450 h. Finally, a solar panel was fabricated and its stability was monitored.
Nociceptive mechanisms driving pain in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis mouse model
Authors: Alves C. J. , Couto M. , Sousa D. M. , Magalhães A. , Neto E. , Leitão L. , Conceição F. , Monteiro A. C. , Ribeiro-da-Silva M. , Lamghari M.
Published: September 2020

In osteoarthritis (OA), pain is the dominant clinical symptom, yet the therapeutic approaches remain inadequate. The knowledge of the nociceptive mechanisms in OA, which will allow to develop effective therapies for OA pain, is of utmost need. In this study, we investigated the nociceptive mechanisms involved in post-traumatic OA pain, using the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model. Our results revealed the development of peripheral pain sensitization, reflected by augmented mechanical allodynia. Along with the development of pain behaviour, we observed an increase in the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in both the sensory nerve fibers of the periosteum and the dorsal root ganglia. Interestingly, we also observed that other nociceptive mechanisms commonly described in non-traumatic OA phenotypes, such as infiltration of the synovium by immune cells, neuropathic mechanisms and also central sensitization were not present. Overall, our results suggest that CGRP in the sensory nervous system is underlying the peripheral sensitization observed after traumatic knee injury in the DMM model, highlighting the CGRP as a putative therapeutic target to treat pain in post-traumatic OA. Moreover, our findings suggest that the nociceptive mechanisms involved in driving pain in post-traumatic OA are considerably different from those in non-traumatic OA.
Habitual sleep is associated with both source memory and hippocampal subfield volume during early childhood
Authors: Riggins Tracy , Spencer Rebecca M. C.
Published: September 2020

Previous research has established important developmental changes in sleep and memory during early childhood. These changes have been linked separately to brain development, yet few studies have explored their interrelations during this developmental period. The goal of this report was to explore these associations in 200 (100 female) typically developing 4- to 8-year-old children. We examined whether habitual sleep patterns (24-h sleep duration, nap status) were related to children’s performance on a source memory task and hippocampal subfield volumes. Results revealed that, across all participants, after controlling for age, habitual sleep duration was positively related to source memory performance. In addition, in younger (4–6 years, n = 67), but not older (6–8 years, n = 70) children, habitual sleep duration was related to hippocampal head subfield volume (CA2-4/DG). Moreover, within younger children, volume of hippocampal subfields varied as a function of nap status; children who were still napping (n = 28) had larger CA1 volumes in the body compared to children who had transitioned out of napping (n = 39). Together, these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that habitually napping children may have more immature cognitive networks, as indexed by hippocampal integrity. Furthermore, these results shed additional light on why sleep is important during early childhood, a period of substantial brain development.
Elevated acute phase proteins reflect peripheral inflammation and disease severity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Beers David R. , Zhao Weihua , Neal Daniel W. , Thonhoff Jason R. , Thome Aaron D. , Faridar Alireza , Wen Shixiang , Wang Jinghong , Appel Stanley H.
Published: September 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial, multisystem pro-inflammatory neuromuscular disorder compromising muscle function resulting in death. Neuroinflammation is known to accelerate disease progression and accentuate disease severity, but peripheral inflammatory processes are not well documented. Acute phase proteins (APPs), plasma proteins synthesized in the liver, are increased in response to inflammation. The objective of this study was to provide evidence for peripheral inflammation by examining levels of APPs, and their contribution to disease burden and progression rates. Levels of APPs, including soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were elevated in sera, and correlated positively with increased disease burden and faster progression. sCD14 was also elevated in patients’ CSF and urine. After a 3 year follow-up, 72% of the patients with sCD14 levels above the receiver operating characteristics cutoff were deceased whereas only 28% below the cutoff were deceased. Furthermore, disease onset sites were associated with disease progression rates and APP levels. These APPs were not elevated in sera of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, frontotemporal dementia, or Parkinson’s Disease. These collective APPs accurately reflect disease burden, progression rates, and survival times, reinforcing the concept of ALS as a disorder with extensive systemic pro-inflammatory responses.
Tumor cells rely on the thiol oxidoreductase PDI for PERK signaling in order to survive ER stress
Authors: Kranz Philip , Sänger Christopher , Wolf Alexandra , Baumann Jennifer , Metzen Eric , Baumann Melanie , Göpelt Kirsten , Brockmeier Ulf
Published: September 2020

Upon ER stress cells activate the unfolded protein response through PERK, IRE1 and ATF6. Remarkable effort has been made to delineate the downstream signaling of these three ER stress sensors after activation, but upstream regulation at the ER luminal site still remains mostly undefined. Here we report that the thiol oxidoreductase PDI is mandatory for activation of the PERK pathway in HEK293T as well as in human pancreatic, lung and colon cancer cells. Under ER stress, depletion of PDI selectively abrogated eIF2α phosphorylation, induction of ATF4, CHOP and even BiP. Furthermore, we could demonstrate that PDI prevented degradation of activated PERK by the 26S proteasome and therefore contributes to maintained PERK signaling. As a result of decreased PERK activity, PDI depleted cells showed an increased vulnerability to ER stress induced by chemicals or ionizing radiation in 2D as well as in 3D culture models. We conclude that PDI is an obligatory regulator of the PERK pathway with future therapy implications.
Nonlinear optical properties of arsenic telluride and its use in ultrafast fiber lasers
Authors: Lee Jinho , Jhon Young In , Lee Kyungtaek , Jhon Young Min , Lee Ju Han
Published: September 2020

We report the first investigation results of the nonlinear optical properties of As2Te3. More specifically, the nonlinear optical absorption properties of the prepared α-As2Te3 were investigated at wavelengths of 1.56 and 1.9 μm using the open-aperture (OA) Z-scan technique. Using the OA Z-scan technique, the nonlinear absorption coefficients (β) of α-As2Te3 were estimated in a range from (− 54.8 ± 3.4) × 104 cm/GW to (− 4.9 ± 0.4) × 104 cm/GW depending on the irradiance of the input beam at 1.56 μm, whereas the values did from (− 19.8 ± 0.8) × 104 cm/GW to (− 3.2 ± 0.1) × 104 cm/GW at 1.9 μm. In particular, the β value at 1.56 μm is an order of magnitude larger than the previously reported values of other group-15 sesquichalcogenides such as Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3, and Bi2TeSe2. Furthermore, this is the first time report on β value of a group-15 sesquichalcogenide at a 1.9-μm wavelength. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic band structures of α-As2Te3 were also conducted to obtain a better understanding of their energy band structure. The DFT calculations indicated that α-As2Te3 possess sufficient optical absorption in a wide wavelength region, including 1.5 μm, 1.9 μm, and beyond (up to 3.7 μm). Using both the measured nonlinear absorption coefficients and the theoretically obtained refractive indices from the DFT calculations, the imaginary parts of the third-order optical susceptibilities (Im χ(3)) of As2Te3 were estimated and they were found to vary from (− 39 ± 2.4) × 10–19 m2/V2 to (− 3.5 ± 0.3) × 10–19 m2/V2 at 1.56 μm and (− 16.5 ± 0.7) × 10–19 m2/V2 to (− 2.7 ± 0.1) × 10–19 m2/V2 at 1.9 μm, respectively, depending on the irradiance of the input beam. Finally, the feasibility of using α-As2Te3 for SAs was investigated, and the prepared SAs were thus tested by incorporating them into an erbium (Er)-doped fiber cavity and a thulium–holmium (Tm–Ho) co-doped fiber cavity for both 1.5 and 1.9 μm operation.
Population genetic diversity in an Iraqi population and gene flow across the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Lazim Hayder , Almohammed Eida Khalaf , Hadi Sibte , Smith Judith
Published: September 2020

Y-STRs have emerged as important forensic and population genetic markers for human identification and population differentiation studies. Therefore, population databases for these markers have been developed for almost all major populations around the world. The Iraqi population encompasses several ethnic groups that need to be genetically characterised and evaluated for possible substructures. Previous studies on the Iraqi population based on Y-STR markers were limited by a restricted number of markers. A larger database for Iraqi Arab population needed to be developed to help study and compare the population with other Middle Eastern populations. Twenty-three Y-STR loci included in the PowerPlex Y23 (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) were typed in 254 males from the Iraqi Arab population. Global and regional Y-STR analysis demonstrated regional genetic continuity among the populations of Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. The Iraqi Arab haplotypes were used to allocate samples to their most likely haplogroups using Athey’s Haplogroup Predictor tool. Prediction indicated predominance (36.6%) of haplogroup J1 in Iraqi Arabs. The migration rate between other populations and the Iraqis was inferred using coalescence theory in the Migrate-n program. Y-STR data were used to test different out-of-Africa migration models as well as more recent migrations within the Arabian Peninsula. The migration models demonstrated that gene flow to Iraq began from East Africa, with the Levantine corridor the most probable passageway out of Africa. The data presented here will enrich our understanding of genetic diversity in the region and introduce a PowerPlex Y23 database to the forensic community.
SMRT- and Illumina-based RNA-seq analyses unveil the ginsinoside biosynthesis and transcriptomic complexity in Panax notoginseng
Authors: Zhang Dan , Li Wei , Chen Zhong-jian , Wei Fu-gang , Liu Yun-long , Gao Li-zhi
Published: September 2020

Panax notoginseng is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese herbs with particularly valued roots. Triterpenoid saponins are mainly specialized secondary metabolites, which medically act as bioactive components. Knowledge of the ginsenoside biosynthesis in P. notoginseng, which is of great importance in the industrial biosynthesis and genetic breeding program, remains largely undetermined. Here we combined single molecular real time (SMRT) and Second-Generation Sequencing (SGS) technologies to generate a widespread transcriptome atlas of P. notoginseng. We mapped 2,383 full-length non-chimeric (FLNC) reads to adjacently annotated genes, corrected 1,925 mis-annotated genes and merged into 927 new genes. We identified 8,111 novel transcript isoforms that have improved the annotation of the current genome assembly, of which we found 2,664 novel lncRNAs. We characterized more alternative splicing (AS) events from SMRT reads (20,015 AS in 6,324 genes) than Illumina reads (18,498 AS in 9,550 genes), which contained a number of AS events associated with the ginsenoside biosynthesis. The comprehensive transcriptome landscape reveals that the ginsenoside biosynthesis predominantly occurs in flowers compared to leaves and roots, substantiated by levels of gene expression, which is supported by tissue-specific abundance of isoforms in flowers compared to roots and rhizomes. Comparative metabolic analyses further show that a total of 17 characteristic ginsenosides increasingly accumulated, and roots contained the most ginsenosides with variable contents, which are extraordinarily abundant in roots of the three-year old plants. We observed that roots were rich in protopanaxatriol- and protopanaxadiol-type saponins, whereas protopanaxadiol-type saponins predominated in aerial parts (leaves, stems and flowers). The obtained results will greatly enhance our understanding about the ginsenoside biosynthetic machinery in the genus Panax.
Hepatitis C virus enhances Rubicon expression, leading to autophagy inhibition and intracellular innate immune activation
Authors: Shiode Yuto , Hikita Hayato , Tanaka Satoshi , Shirai Kumiko , Doi Akira , Sakane Sadatsugu , Kai Yugo , Nakabori Tasuku , Yamada Ryoko , Kodama Takahiro , Narumi Ryohei , Sakamori Ryotaro , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Tomonaga Takeshi , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: September 2020

Autophagy, a degradation system, works to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, as the impact of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on hepatocyte autophagy and its effect on HCV replication remain unclear, we examined them. HCV infection suppressed late-stage autophagy and increased Rubicon. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rubicon promoted autophagy in HCV-infected cells. In Huh-7 cells harbouring the HCV replicon, Rubicon knockdown downregulated the expression of type 1 interferon (IFN)-related genes and upregulated HCV replication. Rubicon overexpression or administration of bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine, an inhibitor of late-stage autophagy, suppressed autophagy and activated the type 1 IFN pathway. On the other hand, Atg7 knockout suppressed early-stage autophagy and did not activate the type 1 IFN pathway. In livers of humanized liver chimeric mice, HCV infection increased Rubicon and enhanced type 1 IFN signalling. Elimination of HCV in the mice reduced the increase in Rubicon due to HCV infection. The expression levels of Rubicon and IFN-stimulated genes in chronic hepatitis C patients were higher than those in non-B, non-C hepatitis patients. HCV infection increased Rubicon and suppressed hepatocyte autophagy, leading to activation of the intracellular immune response. Rubicon induction is involved in HCV replication via activation of the intracellular immune response.
Investigating causal relationships between Body Mass Index and risk of atopic dermatitis: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Yew Yik Weng , Loh Marie , Thng Steven Tien Guan , Chambers John C.
Published: September 2020

Population studies suggest that atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with an increased risk of obesity, however a causal relationship between these two conditions remains to be established. We therefore use Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate whether obesity and AD are causally interlinked. We used summary statistics extracted from genome wide association studies of Body Mass Index (BMI) and AD. MR analysis was performed in both directions to establish the direction of causality between BMI and AD. We find that genetically determined increase in adiposity is associated with increased risk of AD (odds ratio of AD 1.08 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.14; p = 0.015] per unit increase in BMI). Conversely, genetically determined increased risk of AD is not associated with a higher BMI (change in BMI attributable to AD based on genetic information: 0.00; 95% CI − 0.02 to 0.02; p = 0.862). There was no evidence for confounding of these genetic analyses by horizontal pleiotropy. Our results indicate that the association of AD with obesity is likely to reflect a causal role for adiposity in the development of AD. Our findings enhance understanding of the etiology of AD, and the basis for experimental studies to evaluate the mechanistic pathways by which adiposity promotes AD.
Th17/Treg imbalance in COPD development: suppressors of cytokine signaling and signal transducers and activators of transcription proteins
Authors: Silva Larissa E. F. , Lourenço Juliana D. , Silva Kaique R. , Santana Fernanda Paula R. , Kohler Júlia B. , Moreira Alyne R. , Velosa Ana Paula P. , Prado Carla M. , Vieira Rodolfo P. , Aun Marcelo V. , Tibério Iolanda Fátima L. C. , Ito Juliana T. , Lopes Fernanda D. T. Q. S.
Published: September 2020

Th17/Treg imbalance contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development and progression. However, intracellular signaling by suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 and SOCS3 and the proteins signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and STAT5 that orchestrate these imbalances are currently poorly understood. Thus, these proteins were investigated in C57BL/6 mice after exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) for 3 and 6 months. The expression of interleukin was measured by ELISA and the density of positive cells in peribronchovascular areas was quantified by immunohistochemistry. We showed that exposure to CS in the 3rd month first induced decreases in the numbers of STAT5+ and pSTAT5+ cells and the expression levels of TGF-β and IL-10. The increases in the numbers of STAT3+ and pSTAT3+ cells and IL-17 expression occurred later (6th month). These findings corroborate the increases in the number of SOCS1+ cells in both the 3rd and 6th months, with concomitant decreases in SOCS3+ cells at the same time points. Our results demonstrated that beginning with the initiation of COPD development, there was a downregulation of the anti-inflammatory response mediated by SOCS and STAT proteins. These results highlight the importance of intracellular signaling in Th17/Treg imbalance and the identification of possible targets for future therapeutic approaches.
Difference in lifestyle and metabolic profile of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with raised alanine amino-transferases between obese and non-overweight subjects
Authors: Sharma Mithun , Kulkarni Anand , Kumar Pramod , Nori Vijay Bhaskar , Jagtap Nitin , Gupta Rajesh , Reddy Duvurr Nageshwar , Rao Padaki Nagaraja
Published: September 2020

A significant proportion of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asian sub-continent are non-overweight and may have different underlying risk factors, lifestyles and metabolic profiles. Seven hundred fifty patients of NAFLD with raised alanine-amino-transferase (ALT) were divided into non-overweight and obese group based on their body mass index (BMI). Detailed dietary and lifestyle history were obtained through questionnaires and a detailed assessment of metabolic profile and liver stiffness was done. Normal BMI (< 23 kg/m2) was found in 6.6% patients, of which 69.5% had raised ALT. Though the intake of dietary fat and exercise pattern were not different amongst these groups, yet the amount of aerated drinks was higher in obese subjects (12 ± 17 vs. 7 ± 7.5 p = 0.005). Serum low-density lipoprotein (111 ± 25.6 vs. 127.7 ± 32.7 p = 0.04) and insulin resistance based on HOMA-IR > 2 were significantly higher in obese group (4.1 ± 0.36 vs. 2.0 ± 0.15 p = 0.001). Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia were prevalent in 12% and 25% non-overweight patients respectively. Metabolic syndrome was more common in obese subjects. In addition, magnetic resonance elastography showed higher mean liver fat in the obese group with similar hepatic fibrosis. Non-overweight patients with NAFLD had lower insulin resistance and prevalence of dyslipidaemia at similar dietary and exercise pattern.
Rapid quantification of the malaria biomarker hemozoin by improved biocatalytically initiated precipitation atom transfer radical polymerizations
Authors: Raccio Samuel , Pollard Jonas , Djuhadi Ashley , Balog Sandor , Pellizzoni Michela M. , Rodriguez Kyle J. , Rifaie-Graham Omar , Bruns Nico
Published: September 2020

A highly sensitive polymerization assay to detect the malaria biomarker hemozoin was accelerated to less than 4 minutes.
A simple enzyme-catalyzed reaction induced “switch” type fluorescence biosensor based on carbon nitride nanosheets for the assay of alkaline phosphatase activity
Authors: Zhu Xi , Xu Huifeng , Zhan Yan , Li Wenjing , Dong Yongqiang , Yu Lishuang , Chi Yuwu , Ye Hongzhi
Published: September 2020

An enzyme-catalyzed fluorescence “switch” type sensor was constructed for assay of alkaline phosphatase activity by combining the fluorescence quenching effect of Ag+ on ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets with the simple redox reaction of AA and Ag+.
Exploiting complexity to implement function in chemical systems
Authors: Solà Jordi , Jimeno Ciril , Alfonso Ignacio
Published: September 2020

This feature article reflects a personal overview of the importance of complexity as an additional parameter to be considered in chemical research, being illustrated with selected examples in molecular recognition and catalysis.
Ligand regulation for manganese-catalyzed enantioselective epoxidation of olefins without acid
Authors: Xu Daqian , Sun Qiangsheng , Lin Jin , Sun Wei
Published: September 2020

A manganese-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of olefins is developed under acid-free conditions. MnIVO species serves as an active species.
Defluorosilylation of trifluoromethane: upgrading an environmentally damaging fluorocarbon
Authors: Sheldon Daniel J. , Coates Greg , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: September 2020

The rapid, room-temperature defluorosilylation of trifluoromethane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, has been achieved using a simple silyl lithium reagent.
Microfluidic compartmentalization of diffusively coupled oscillators in multisomes induces a novel synchronization scenario
Authors: Budroni Marcello A. , Torbensen Kristian , Pantani Ottorino L. , Ristori Sandra , Rossi Federico , Abou-Hassan Ali
Published: September 2020

Multisome compartments encapsulating the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction produced by microfluidics arranged in 1D arrays showed a novel type of global synchronization.
Chemical reactions of a CL-20 crystal under heat and shock determined by ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Wang Fuping , Chen Lang , Geng Deshen , Lu Jianying , Wu Junying
Published: September 2020

For the first time, different chemical reactions of CL-20 under heat and shock were studied using ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics.
A motif for heteronuclear CE (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) bonding: Lewis acid–base pair strategy
Authors: Xu Jing , Zheng Hai-feng , Liu Wei , Ding Yi-hong
Published: September 2020

A universal CE motif for all the heavier group 14 elements utilizing N-heterocyclic carbenes and a Lewis acid–base pair strategy.
A versatile molecular logic system based on Eu(iii) coordination polymer film electrodes combined with multiple properties of NADH
Authors: Wei Wenting , Li Jiaxuan , Yao Huiqin , Shi Keren , Liu Hongyun
Published: September 2020

A 4-input/10-output logic network and various logic devices were established based on the multi-responsive Eu(iii)–PMAG film electrodes.
First-principles investigation on the transport properties of quaternary CoFeRGa (R = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, and Nb) Heusler compounds
Authors: Shi Beibei , Li Jingyu , Zhang Chi , Zhai Wenya , Jiang Shujuan , Wang Wenxuan , Chen Dong , Yan Yuli , Zhang Guangbiao , Liu Peng-Fei
Published: September 2020

The Heusler alloys CoFeRGa (R = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, and Nb) have similar chemical compositions, but exhibit remarkably distinct electronic structures, magnetism and transport properties.
Optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications of hBP–XMY (M = Mo, W; (X ≠ Y) = S, Se, Te) van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Alrebdi Tahani A. , Amin B.
Published: September 2020

Stacking of layers via weak van der Waals interactions is an important technique for tuning the physical properties and designing viable electronic products.
Computational study of the rovibrational spectrum of CO2–N2
Authors: Quintas-Sánchez Ernesto , Dawes Richard , Wang Xiao-Gang , Carrington Tucker
Published: September 2020

A new potential energy surface for the atmospherically relevant CO2–N2 complex was constructed and used to compute rovibrational levels.
Tutorial review on structure – dendrite growth relations in metal battery anode supports
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Pengcheng , Mitlin David
Published: September 2020

This tutorial review explains surface and bulk chemistry – electrochemical performance relations of lithium, sodium and potassium metal anodes.
Magnetic dynamics of an open-ring tridysprosium complex employing mixed ligands
Authors: Wu Si-Guo , Peng Yuan-Yuan , Chen Yan-Cong , Liu Jun-Liang , Tong Ming-Liang
Published: September 2020

Slow magnetic relaxations and open hysteresis loops were investigated in an open-ring {Dy3} complex by employing mixed ligands.
pH swing cycle for CO2capture electrochemically driven through proton-coupled electron transfer
Authors: Jin Shijian , Wu Min , Gordon Roy G. , Aziz Michael J. , Kwabi David G.
Published: September 2020

This study analyzes the energetic cost of CO2 separation using a pH swing created by electrochemical redox reactions of organic molecules involving PCET in aqueous electrolyte, and compares the experimental energetic cost to other methods.
Ultrafast kinetics in a phase separating electrode material by forming an intermediate phase without reducing the particle size
Authors: Kim Minkyung , Jeong Mihee , Yoon Won-Sub , Kang Byoungwoo
Published: September 2020

Ultrafast kinetics in a phase separating material with submicron particles by forming an intermediate phase.
Caveolin induced membrane curvature and lipid clustering: two sides of the same coin?
Authors: Prakash Shikha , Krishna Anjali , Sengupta Durba
Published: September 2020

Interplay between lipid clustering and curvature in plasma membrane mediated by caveolin-1: the direct and indirect effects.
Multiscale molecular modelling for the design of nanostructured polymer systems: industrial applications
Authors: Fermeglia Maurizio , Mio Andrea , Aulic Suzana , Marson Domenico , Laurini Erik , Pricl Sabrina
Published: September 2020

One of the major goals of computational materials science is the rapid and accurate prediction of properties of new materials.
Metal–semiconductor heterostructures for surface-enhanced Raman scattering: synergistic contribution of plasmons and charge transfer
Authors: Liu Yawen , Ma Hao , Han Xiao Xia , Zhao Bing
Published: September 2020

SERS on metal–semiconductor heterostructures including their building blocks, enhancement mechanisms and applications was reviewed. The synergistic contribution of plasmons and charge transfer is highlighted.
CdS crown growth on CdSe nanoplatelets: core shape matters
Authors: Schlosser Anja , Graf Rebecca T. , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: September 2020

The influence of tri-n-octylphosphine on the synthesis of CdS crowns around various types of CdSe core nanoplatelets is investigated.
Graphene quantum dots in photodynamic therapy
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Wu Wentian , Zhang Fangwei , Zhang Jiali , Liu Hui , Zheng Jing , Guo Shouwu , Zhang Jingyan
Published: September 2020

Single-atomic-layered graphene quantum dots with lateral sizes of ∼5 and 20 nm are not photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
Fabrication of Fe7S8/C flexible nanofibers with nano-buffered spaces and their application in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Qianhui , Xu Renhua , Qian Chen , Diao Guowang , Chen Ming
Published: September 2020

The Fe7S8/C flexible nanofibers with nano-buffered spaces are prepared without using any template, and exhibit excellent electrochemical properties.
Synthesis, structural characterization and biological properties of cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes containing [1,2,5]-thiadiazolo-[3,4-f]-[1,10]-phenanthroline
Authors: Bhat Satish S. , S. Naveen , Revankar Vidyanand K. , Lokanath N. K. , Pinjari Rahul V. , Kumbar Vijay , Bhat Kishore
Published: September 2020

The iridium(iii) complexes have been structurally characterised and their interaction with DNA, cytotoxicity and cellular uptake have been investigated.
Solvent-free hydroamination of phenylacetylene by plasmonic gold nanoparticles coupled with a TiO2 2D photonic layer on nanotube arrays
Authors: Meng Jie , Xiao Yunheng , Huang Yiming , Liu Xuguang , Zhao Jian
Published: September 2020

Plasmonic Au/TiO2 PCNTs with extremely high anatase (004) exhibits extreme excellent performance on solvent-free hydroamination of phenylacetylene under visible-light irradiation from both sides.
p-Type Cu2O as an effective interlayer between CdS and NiOx cocatalysts to promote photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Qiao Xue , Pan Chengsi , Dong Yuming , Wang Guangli , Zhang Huizhen , Leng Yan , Zhang Pingbo , Jiang Pingping , Zhu Yongfa
Published: September 2020

A two-step photodeposition method is introduced, aiming to construct a p-type Cu2O interlayer between n-type CdS and NiOx cocatalyst. The effect of Cu2O interlayer is supposed to accelerate the hole transfer from CdS.
Combination targeting of ‘platelets + fibrin’ enhances clot anchorage efficiency of nanoparticles for vascular drug delivery
Authors: Sun Michael , Miyazawa Kenji , Pendekanti Tejal , Razmi Amaya , Firlar Emre , Yang Stephanie , Shokuhfar Tolou , Li Oliver , Li Wei , Sen Gupta Anirban
Published: September 2020

Occlusive thrombosis is a central pathological event in heart attack, stroke, thromboembolism, etc.
Amphiphilic gold nanoparticles perturb phase separation in multidomain lipid membranes
Authors: Canepa Ester , Salassi Sebastian , de Marco Anna Lucia , Lambruschini Chiara , Odino Davide , Bochicchio Davide , Canepa Fabio , Canale Claudio , Dante Silvia , Brescia Rosaria , Stellacci Francesco , Rossi Giulia , Relini Annalisa
Published: September 2020

Experiments and simulations reveal that amphiphilic nanoparticles suppress phase separation in neuronal-like lipid bilayers and form bilayer-embedded ordered aggregates.
MoIV3⋯[O8Mo4]3 Lewis acid–base cluster pairs: highly efficient and stable Lewis catalysis fields frustrated in crystalline nanoclusters
Authors: Yu Fang , Luo Benlong , Sang Ruili , Xu Li
Published: September 2020

A new concept of a Lewis catalysis field built of frustrated Lewis acid⋯base cluster pairs has been proposed.
Rational design of flexible capacitive sensors with highly linear response over a broad pressure sensing range
Authors: Wu Jianing , Yao Yagang , Zhang Yuhan , Shao Tianyu , Wu Hao , Liu Shaoyu , Li Zhuo , Wu Limin
Published: September 2020

A capacitive sensing coating with highly linear response over a broad pressure sensing range.
Improved therapeutic efficacy of quercetin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles on triple-negative breast cancer by inhibiting uPA
Authors: Zhou Yang , Chen Dan , Xue Guangpu , Yu Shujuan , Yuan Cai , Huang Mingdong , Jiang Longguang
Published: September 2020

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one kind of breast cancer that demonstrates highly aggressive tumor biology.
Investigation of the cis–trans structures and isomerization of oligoprolines by using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations: solute–solvent interactions and effects of terminal positively charged amino acid residues
Authors: Huang Mei-Chun , Chen Wei-Hao , Huang Chen-Wei , Huang Kuei-Yen , Horng Jia-Cherng , Hayashi Michitoshi , Chen I.-Chia
Published: September 2020

The low-wavenumber Raman spectra in combination with theoretical calculations via solid-state density functional theory (DFT)-D3 are displayed. The vibrational structures and interaction with solvent of poly-l-proline and the oligoproline P12 series are identified.
Uncovering phase transformation, morphological evolution, and nanoscale color heterogeneity in tungsten oxide electrochromic materials
Authors: Hu Anyang , Jiang Zhisen , Kuai Chunguang , McGuigan Scott , Nordlund Dennis , Liu Yijin , Lin Feng
Published: September 2020

Controlling the electrochemical interfacial processes that govern the durability of electrochromic devices represents a key challenge in developing sustainable and cost-effective smart windows.
Triple non-covalent dynamic interactions enabled a tough and rapid room temperature self-healing elastomer for next-generation soft antennas
Authors: Si Pengxiang , Jiang Fan , Cheng Qingsha S. , Rivers Geoffrey , Xie Hongjie , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Zhao Boxin
Published: September 2020

Triple non-covalent dynamic interactions enabled a tough and rapid room temperature self-healing elastomer based on a colloidal complex.
Rational construction of AIEgens with wide color tunability and their specific lipid droplet imaging applications
Authors: Zhang Fei , Li Zhe , Liu Yaoming , Yang Binsheng , Qiao Hui , Chai Jie , Wen Guangming , Liu Bin
Published: September 2020

Organic light-emitting materials with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) character have experienced a rapid development in imaging, visualization and sensing.
Extracellular matrices derived from different cell sources and their effect on macrophage behavior and wound healing
Authors: Savitri Cininta , Ha Sang Su , Liao Emily , Du Ping , Park Kwideok
Published: September 2020

Cell-derived extracellular matrix is an excellent biomaterial toward tissue regeneration, due to its physiologically relevant characteristics for specific tissues and organs.
Green solvent-processed organic electronic devices
Authors: Campana Filippo , Kim Choongik , Marrocchi Assunta , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: September 2020

A review on the recent efforts to select green solvents for processing organic semiconductors for thin film transistors (TFT) and organic photovoltaics (OPV) applications. A guide for the safe fabrication of high-performance devices.
Mechanistic and structural insights into histone H2A–H2B chaperone in chromatin regulation
Authors: Huang Yan , Dai Yaxin , Zhou Zheng
Published: September 2020

Histone chaperones include a wide variety of proteins which associate with histones and regulate chromatin structure. The classic H2A–H2B type of histone chaperones, and the chromatin remodeling complex components possessing H2A–H2B chaperone activity, show a broad range of structures and functions. Rapid progress in the structural and functional study of H2A–H2B chaperones extends our knowledge about the epigenetic regulation of chromatin. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances in the understanding of the structure and function of H2A–H2B chaperones that interact with either canonical or variant H2A–H2B dimers. We discuss the current knowledge of the H2A–H2B chaperones, which present no preference for canonical and variant H2A–H2B dimers, describing how they interact with H2A–H2B to fulfill their functions. We also review recent advances of H2A variant-specific chaperones, demarcating how they achieve specific recognition for histone variant H2A.Z and how these interactions regulate chromatin structure by nucleosome editing. We highlight the universal mechanism underlying H2A–H2B dimers recognition by a large variety of histone chaperones. These findings will shed insight into the biological impacts of histone chaperone, chromatin remodeling complex, and histone variants in chromatin regulation.
Sulforaphane prevents type 2 diabetes-induced nephropathy via AMPK-mediated activation of lipid metabolic pathways and Nrf2 antioxidative function
Authors: Li Zhuo , Guo Hua , Li Jia , Ma Tianjiao , Zhou Shanshan , Zhang Zhiguo , Miao Lining , Cai Lu
Published: September 2020

Sulforaphane (SFN) prevents diabetic nephropathy (DN) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) by up-regulating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) can attenuate the pathogenesis of DN by improving renal lipotoxicity along with the activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidative signaling. Therefore, we investigated whether AMPKα2, the central subunit of AMPK in energy metabolism, is required for SFN protection against DN in T2D, and whether potential cross-talk occurs between AMPKα2 and Nrf2. AMPKα2 knockout (Ampkα2−/−) mice and wildtype (WT) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal diet (ND) to induce insulin resistance, followed by streptozotocin (STZ) injection to induce hyperglycemia, as a T2D model. Both T2D and control mice were treated with SFN or vehicle for 3 months. At the end of the 3-month treatment, all mice were maintained only on HFD or ND for an additional 3 months without SFN treatment. Mice were killed at sixth month after T2D onset. Twenty-four-hour urine albumin at third and sixth months was significantly increased as renal dysfunction, along with significant renal pathological changes and biochemical changes including renal hypertrophy, oxidative damage, inflammation, and fibrosis in WT T2D mice, which were prevented by SFN in certain contexts, but not in Ampkα2−/− T2D mice. SFN prevention of T2D-induced renal lipotoxicity was associated with AMPK-mediated activation of lipid metabolism and Nrf2-dependent antioxidative function in WT mice, but not in SFN-treated Ampkα2−/− mice. Therefore, SFN prevention of DN is AMPKα2-mediated activation of probably both lipid metabolism and Nrf2 via AMPK/AKT/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β/Src family tyrosine kinase (Fyn) pathways.
GRK4-mediated adiponectin receptor-1 phosphorylative desensitization as a novel mechanism of reduced renal sodium excretion in hypertension
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Shaoxiong , Huang Hefei , Zeng Andi , Han Yu , Zeng Cindy , Zheng Shuo , Ren Hongmei , Wang Yajing , Huang Yu , Jose Pedro A. , Ma Xin-Liang , Zeng Chunyu , Chen Ken
Published: September 2020

Hypertensive patients have impaired sodium excretion. However, the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Despite the established association between obesity/excess adiposity and hypertension, whether and how adiponectin, one of the adipokines, contributes to impaired sodium excretion in hypertension has not been previously investigated. The current study tested the hypothesis that adiponectin promotes natriuresis and diuresis in the normotensive state. However, impaired adiponectin-mediated natriuresis and diuresis are involved in pathogenesis of hypertension. We found that sodium excretion was reduced in adiponectin knockout (Adipo−/−) mice; intrarenal arterial infusion of adiponectin-induced natriuresis and diuresis in Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. However, the natriuretic and diuretic effects of adiponectin were impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), which were ascribed to the hyperphosphorylation of adiponectin receptor and subsequent uncoupling from Gαi. Inhibition of adiponectin receptor phosphorylation by a specific point mutation restored its coupling with Gαi and the adiponectin-mediated inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity in renal proximal tubule (RPT) cells from SHRs. Finally, we identified G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) as a mediator of adiponectin receptor hyperphosphorylation; mice transgenic for a hyperphosphorylating variant of GRK4 replicated the abnormal adiponectin function observed in SHRs, whereas down-regulation of GRK4 by renal ultrasound-directed small interfering RNA (siRNA) restored the adiponectin-mediated sodium excretion and reduced the blood pressure in SHRs. We conclude that the stimulatory effect of adiponectin on sodium excretion is impaired in hypertension, which is ascribed to the increased renal GRK4 expression and activity. Targeting GRK4 restores impaired adiponectin-mediated sodium excretion in hypertension, thus representing a novel strategy against hypertension.
Active steering control for vehicle rollover risk reduction based on slip angle estimation
Authors: Shao Ke , Zheng Jinchuan , Deng Bin , Huang Kang , Zhao Han
Published: September 2020

In this study, a robust controller is proposed for rollover risk suppression in automatically‐driven vehicles by reducing the lateral acceleration through a steer‐by‐wire system equipped on the vehicles. First, since the slip angle is difficult to measure directly, a sliding mode observer combining an add‐on switching term with a linear observer is developed to provide more robust estimation of slip angle in the presence of system uncertainties. Second, an adaptive sliding mode control method is proposed, in which the control gain is adaptively tuned to compensate for the system uncertainties. Lastly, simulation is conducted and the results verify that the proposed estimator and controller can reduce the vehicle rollover risk efficiently and robustly.
Robust observer‐based finite‐time control for one‐sided Lipschitz singular systems with uncertainties
Authors: Ren Junchao , Li Fangfang , Fu Jun
Published: September 2020

This study deals with the problem of observer‐based finite‐time control for a class of one‐sided Lipschitz (OSL) singular systems with uncertainties. The parameter uncertainties are assumed to be time‐varying norm‐bounded appearing not only in both the state and output matrices but also in the non‐linear function. With the help of some special derivations and transformation, the sufficient conditions ensuring robust finite‐time boundedness of the closed‐loop system and satisfying the performance index are given for OSL singular systems in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Based on these, the observer and controller dynamics can be simultaneously involved in the design at one step. Two convex optimisation problems subject to LMIs are formulated to optimise the desired performance indices of interest to us. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Tripole type wideband bandpass frequency selective surface for X‐band applications
Authors: Singh Chitra , Jha Kumud Ranjan , Sharma Satish Kumar
Published: September 2020

The study presents a novel single dielectric layer wideband bandpass frequency selective surface (FSS) topology. The structure is designed using a kind of the tripole type FSS which has been analysed for its behaviour. Next, the operating bandwidth has been increased by using the meander lines in the middle of the unit‐cell. The proposed FSS structure covers the X‐band (45.03% fractional bandwidth) of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum with a −3 dB transmission bandwidth. Its −1 dB bandwidth extends from 7.93 to 11.93 GHz. The wide operating bandwidth with a single dielectric layered structure makes it suitable for the hybrid radome applications. For the normally incident EM wave, adjacent to the lower and upper cut‐off frequencies, the structure offers better than 18 dB attenuation which increases the out of the band rejection. Finally, the proposed structure is fabricated and experimentally verified for the dual polarisation and angle stability up to 45°. Eventually, to prove the novelty in terms of the operating bandwidth and the fabrication simplicity, an exhaustive state‐of‐the‐art comparison is also presented.
Sky‐wave over‐the‐horizon radar simulation tool
Authors: Saavedra Zenon , Zimmerman Diego , Cabrera Miguel A. , Elias Ana G.
Published: September 2020

This work deals with the entire process of target detection and ranging by a sky‐wave over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR) computational model simulation. The different processing stages of the transmitted signal along its space–time trajectory from transmission to digital signal processing are modelled. With this simulation tool a moving target present over the sea can be detected according to a set of given initial conditions together with the ionosphere model inputs and the target electromagnetic model. Initial conditions as well as the modulation and filtering options among other parameters of the model can be set easily. The present work is intended to be a further contribution to OTHR studies, providing a user‐friendly tool of easy application in order to improve a radar design, facilitate its implementation, as well as for debugging algorithms and signal processing techniques.