bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gravity, Topography, and Melt Generation Rates From Simple 3‐D Models of Mantle Convection
Authors: Lees Matthew E. , Rudge John F. , McKenzie Dan
Published: March 2020

Convection in fluid layers at high Rayleigh number (Ra ∼106) have a spoke pattern planform. Instabilities in the bottom thermal boundary layer develop into hot rising sheets of fluid, with a component of radial flow toward a central upwelling plume. The sheets form the “spokes” of the pattern, and the plumes the “hubs.” Such a pattern of flow is expected to occur beneath plate interiors on Earth, but it remains a challenge to use observations to place constraints on the convective planform of the mantle. Here we present predictions of key surface observables (gravity, topography, and rates of melt generation) from simple 3‐D numerical models of convection in a fluid layer. These models demonstrate that gravity and topography have only limited sensitivity to the spokes and mostly reflect the hubs (the rising and sinking plumes). By contrast, patterns of melt generation are more sensitive to short‐wavelength features in the flow. There is the potential to have melt generation along the spokes but at a rate which is relatively small compared with that at the hubs. Such melting of spokes can only occur when the lithosphere is sufficiently thin (
 km) and mantle water contents are sufficiently high (
 ppm). The distribution of volcanism across the Middle East, Arabia, and Africa north of the equator suggests that it results from such spoke pattern convection.
Climate Models and Remote Sensing Retrievals Neglect Substantial Desert Dust Asphericity
Authors: Huang Yue , Kok Jasper F. , Kandler Konrad , Lindqvist Hannakaisa , Nousiainen Timo , Sakai Tetsu , Adebiyi Adeyemi , Jokinen Olli
Published: March 2020

Climate models and remote sensing retrievals generally assume that dust aerosols are spherical or spheroidal. However, measurements show that dust aerosols deviate substantially from spherical and spheroidal shapes, as ratios of particle length to width (the aspect ratio) and height to width (height‐to‐width ratio) deviate substantially from unity. Here, we quantify dust asphericity by compiling dozens of measurements of aspect ratio and height‐to‐width ratio across the globe. We find that the length is on average 5 times larger than the height and that climate models and remote sensing retrievals underestimate this asphericity by a factor of ~3–5. Compiled measurements further suggest that North African dust becomes more aspherical during transport, whereas Asian dust might become less aspherical. We obtain globally‐averaged shape distributions, from which we find that accounting for dust asphericity increases gravitational settling lifetime by ~20%. This increased lifetime helps explain the underestimation of coarse dust transport by models.
Two‐Ray Reflection Resolution Algorithm for Planar Material Electromagnetic Property Measurement at the Millimeter‐Wave Bands
Authors: Zhang Jiliang , Liao Xi , Alayón Glazunov Andrés , Shao Yu , Wang Yang , Chu Xiaoli , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2020

Electromagnetic (EM) reflection properties of building materials and structures have been investigated through practical measurements. However, the finite thickness of measured materials makes it challenging to resolve the rays reflected from the front and the back surfaces. In this paper, we therefore present a three‐step minimum least squares‐based algorithm to resolve two closely adjacent rays reflected from the front and the back surfaces of a board‐shaped material. Our analytical and numerical results show that the proposed algorithm achieves the Cramér‐Rao lower bound. The proposed algorithm is validated using measurement data for various materials and incident angles in the 40–50 GHz frequency band. The validation results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of resolving two closely adjacent rays with a root‐mean‐square deviation that is smaller than 0.08. Main applications of the proposed algorithm can be found in the frequency domain measurements of the EM wave reflections by typical building structures, e.g., window glass, doors, ceiling, and floors.
Frequency Dependence of Very Low Frequency Chorus Poynting Flux in the Source Region: THEMIS Observations and a Model
Authors: Demekhov A. G. , Taubenschuss U. , Hanzelka M. , Santolík O.
Published: March 2020

Using Poynting vector measurements of whistler mode chorus emissions detected by the THEMIS spacecraft within the source region, that is, close to the magnetic field minimum, we found both in individual events and statistically that chorus elements propagating equatorward had systematically higher frequencies and smaller amplitudes compared with simultaneously observed elements propagating away from the equator. We demonstrate similar features in the results of numerical simulations based on backward wave oscillator equations. It can be qualitatively explained by the nonlinear evolution of the energetic electron distribution function during wave generation. The motion of electrons from the equator is accompanied by a decrease in their velocity component along the magnetic field line due to both the adiabatic mirror force and nonlinear wave‐particle interactions. Thus, the frequency of the chorus elements generated by such electrons and propagating equatorward is higher compared with the elements propagating away from the equator.
Photonic topological fermi nodal disk in non-Hermitian magnetic plasma
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Gao Wenlong , Cao Leifeng , Xiang Yuanjiang , Zhang Shuang
Published: March 2020

Topological physics mainly arises as a necessary link between properties of the bulk and the appearance of surface states, and has led to successful discoveries of novel topological surface states in Chern insulators, topological insulators, and topological Fermi arcs in Weyl, Dirac, and Nodal line semimetals owing to their nontrivial bulk topology. In particular, topological phases in non-Hermitian systems have attracted growing interests in recent years. In this work, we predict the emergence of the topologically stable nodal disks where the real part of the eigen frequency is degenerate between two bands in non-ideal magnetohydrodynamics plasma with collision and viscosity dissipations. Each nodal disk possesses continuously distributed topological surface charge density that integrates to unity. It is found that the lossy Fermi arcs at the interface connect to the middle of the projection of the nodal disks. We further show that the emergence, coalescence, and annihilation of the nodal disks can be controlled by plasma parameters and dissipation terms. Our findings contribute to understanding of the linear theory of bulk and surface wave dispersions of non-ideal warm magnetic plasmas from the perspective of topological physics.
Unprecedented lattice volume expansion on doping stereochemically active Pb2+ into uniaxially strained structure of CaBa1−xPbxZn2Ga2O7
Authors: Jiang Pengfei , Neuefeind Joerg C. , Avdeev Maxim , Huang Qingzhen , Yue Mufei , Yang Xiaoyan , Cong Rihong , Yang Tao
Published: March 2020

Lone pair cations like Pb2+ are extensively utilized to modify and tune physical properties, such as nonlinear optical property and ferroelectricity, of some specific structures owing to their preference to adopt a local distorted coordination environment. Here we report that the incorporation of Pb2+ into the polar “114”-type structure of CaBaZn2Ga2O7 leads to an unexpected cell volume expansion of CaBa1-xPbxZn2Ga2O7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), which is a unique structural phenomenon in solid state chemistry. Structure refinements against neutron diffraction and total scattering data and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the unusual evolution of the unit cell for CaBa1-xPbxZn2Ga2O7 is due to the combination of the high stereochemical activity of Pb2+ with the extremely strained [Zn2Ga2O7]4− framework along the c-axis. The unprecedented cell volume expansion of the CaBa1−xPbxZn2Ga2O7 solid solution in fact is a macroscopic performance of the release of uniaxial strain along c-axis when Ba2+ is replaced with smaller Pb2+.
TRIM5α self-assembly and compartmentalization of the HIV-1 viral capsid
Authors: Yu Alvin , Skorupka Katarzyna A. , Pak Alexander J. , Ganser-Pornillos Barbie K. , Pornillos Owen , Voth Gregory A.
Published: March 2020

The tripartite-motif protein, TRIM5α, is an innate immune sensor that potently restricts retrovirus infection by binding to human immunodeficiency virus capsids. Higher-ordered oligomerization of this protein forms hexagonally patterned structures that wrap around the viral capsid, despite an anomalously low affinity for the capsid protein (CA). Several studies suggest TRIM5α oligomerizes into a lattice with a symmetry and spacing that matches the underlying capsid, to compensate for the weak affinity, yet little is known about how these lattices form. Using a combination of computational simulations and electron cryo-tomography imaging, we reveal the dynamical mechanisms by which these lattices self-assemble. Constrained diffusion allows the lattice to reorganize, whereas defects form on highly curved capsid surfaces to alleviate strain and lattice symmetry mismatches. Statistical analysis localizes the TRIM5α binding interface at or near the CypA binding loop of CA. These simulations elucidate the molecular-scale mechanisms of viral capsid cellular compartmentalization by TRIM5α.
Pharmacological preconditioning with adenosine A1 receptor agonist induces immunosuppression and improves graft survival in novel allogeneic transplantation models
Authors: Naamani Oshri , Riff Reut , Chaimovitz Cidio , Mazar Julia , Douvdevani Amos
Published: March 2020

Adenosine is widely known as a potent modulator of innate and acquired immunity. It is released during transplants, and acts on four subtype receptors. In previous studies, we demonstrated that pharmacological preconditioning (PPC), pre-administration of the selective A1 receptor (A1R) agonist led to A1R desensitization, is followed by upregulation of the adenosine A2A receptor. This immunosuppressive effect resulted in lymphopenia, and it reduced T-cell reactivity. The aim of the current study was to challenge the immunosuppressive effects of A1R-PPC in models of allogeneic grafts. PPC mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection using specific adenosine A1R agonist 24 h and 12 h before starting any procedure. We challenged our method in novel allogeneic muscle and skin grafts models. Mice and grafts were assessed by complete blood counts, MLR from PPC splenocytes, and pathological evaluation. We found a significant reduction in WBC and lymphocyte counts in PPC-treated mice. Two-way MLR with splenocytes from PPC grafted mice showed decreased proliferation and anergy. Histology of PPC allogeneic grafts revealed profoundly less infiltration and even less muscle necrosis compared to vehicle treated allografts. Similar results observed in PPC skin transplantation. To conclude, PPC moderated graft rejection in separate allogeneic challenges, and reduced lymphocytes infiltration and ischemic damage.
Methods for the construction of interacting many-body Hamiltonians with compact localized states in geometrically frustrated clusters
Authors: Santos F. D. R. , Dias R. G.
Published: March 2020

Adding interactions to many-body Hamiltonians of geometrically frustrated lattices often leads to diminished subspaces of localized states. In this paper, we show how to construct interacting many-body Hamiltonians, starting from the non-interacting tight-binding Hamiltonians, that preserve or even expand these subspaces. The methods presented involve modifications in the one-body network representation of the many-body Hamiltonians which generate new interacting terms in these Hamiltonians. The subspace of many-particle localized states can be preserved in the interacting Hamiltonian, by projecting the interacting terms onto the subspace of many-body extended states or by constructing the interacting Hamiltonian applying origami rules to the network. Expanded subspaces of localized states are found if interacting terms that mix subspaces with different number of particles are introduced. Furthermore, we present numerical methods for the determination of many-body localized states that allows one to address larger clusters and larger number of particles than those accessible by full diagonalization of the interacting Hamiltonian. These methods rely on the generalization of the concept of compact localized state in the network. Finally, we suggest a method to determine localized states that use a considerable fraction of the network.
Correlation-based network analysis combined with machine learning techniques highlight the role of the GABA shunt in Brachypodium sylvaticum freezing tolerance
Authors: Toubiana David , Sade Nir , Liu Lifeng , Rubio Wilhelmi Maria del Mar , Brotman Yariv , Luzarowska Urszula , Vogel John P. , Blumwald Eduardo
Published: March 2020

Perennial grasses will account for approximately 16 billion gallons of renewable fuels by the year 2022, contributing significantly to carbon and nitrogen sequestration. However, perennial grasses productivity can be limited by severe freezing conditions in some geographical areas, although these risks could decrease with the advance of climate warming, the possibility of unpredictable early cold events cannot be discarded. We conducted a study on the model perennial grassBrachypodium sylvaticumto investigate the molecular mechanisms that contribute to cold and freezing adaption. The study was performed on two differentB. sylvaticumaccessions, Ain1 and Osl1, typical to warm and cold climates, respectively. Both accessions were grown under controlled conditions with subsequent cold acclimation followed by freezing stress. For each treatment a set of morphological parameters, transcription, metabolite, and lipid profiles were measured. State-of-the-art algorithms were employed to analyze cross-component relationships. Phenotypic analysis revealed higher adaption of Osl1 to freezing stress. Our analysis highlighted the differential regulation of the TCA cycle and the GABA shunt between Ain1 and Osl1. Osl1 adapted to freezing stress by repressing the GABA shunt activity, avoiding the detrimental reduction in fatty acid biosynthesis and the concomitant detrimental effects on membrane integrity.
Stratified risks of infection-related hospitalization in patients with chronic kidney disease - A prospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Wei-Shun , Chang Yi-Cheng , Hsieh Meng-Lun , Wang Jiun-Ling , Wu Li-Chiu , Chang Chia-Hsuin
Published: March 2020

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of infection, but whether the risks are attenuated in different patient groups remains unclear. This study enrolled participants with CKD stages 1–3 in the New Taipei City Health Screening Program between 2005 and 2008. A proportional hazard regression model was employed to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for infection-related hospitalization and mortality in younger (<50-year-old) and older (≥50-year-old) CKD patients. Of 119,871 adults, there were 14,207 cases of first hospitalization for infection during a median follow-up of 8.14 years; 45.5% of these cases were younger patients. Unlike CKD stage 1 and 2 patients, the risk of infection-related hospitalization in younger CKD stage 3 patients is as high as for older CKD stage 3 patients. Proteinuria increases the risk of infection-related hospitalization independent of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels in older CKD patients but this relationship is weak in their younger counterparts. In conclusion, the risk of infection-related hospitalization is high in subgroups of CKD patients. Prevention and treatment of infections in these patients merit more attention.
Author Correction: Human neutrophils phagocytose and kill Acinetobacter baumannii and A. pittii
Authors: Lázaro-Díez María , Chapartegui-González Itziar , Redondo-Salvo Santiago , Leigh Chike , Merino David , Segundo David San , Fernández Adrián , Navas Jesús , Icardo José Manuel , Acosta Félix , Ocampo-Sosa Alain , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Ramos-Vivas José
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Beyond hemostasis: a snake venom serine protease with potassium channel blocking and potential antitumor activities
Authors: Boldrini-França Johara , Pinheiro-Junior Ernesto Lopes , Peigneur Steve , Pucca Manuela Berto , Cerni Felipe Augusto , Borges Rafael Junqueira , Costa Tássia Rafaella , Carone Sante Emmanuel Imai , Fontes Marcos Roberto de Mattos , Sampaio Suely Vilela , Arantes Eliane Candiani , Tytgat Jan
Published: March 2020

Snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs) are complex and multifunctional enzymes, acting primarily on hemostasis. In this work, we report the hitherto unknown inhibitory effect of a SVSP, named collinein-1, isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus collilineatus, on a cancer-relevant voltage-gated potassium channel (hEAG1). Among 12 voltage-gated ion channels tested, collinein-1 selectively inhibited hEAG1 currents, with a mechanism independent of its enzymatic activity. Corroboratively, we demonstrated that collinein-1 reduced the viability of human breast cancer cell line MCF7 (high expression of hEAG1), but does not affect the liver carcinoma and the non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cell lines (HepG2 and MCF10A, respectively), which present low expression of hEAG1. In order to obtain both functional and structural validation of this unexpected discovery, where an unusually large ligand acts as an inhibitor of an ion channel, a recombinant and catalytically inactive mutant of collinein-1 (His43Arg) was produced and found to preserve its capability to inhibit hEAG1. A molecular docking model was proposed in which Arg79 of the SVSP 99-loop interacts directly with the potassium selectivity filter of the hEAG1 channel.
Publisher Correction: Factors Affecting Repeatability of Assessment of the Retinal Microvasculature Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Lee Taek Hoon , Lim Hyung Bin , Nam Ki Yup , Kim Kyeungmin , Kim Jung Yeul
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Antigenic characterization of novel H1 influenza A viruses in swine
Authors: Tapia Rodrigo , Torremorell Montserrat , Culhane Marie , Medina Rafael A. , Neira Víctor
Published: March 2020

Novel H1N2 influenza A viruses (IAVs) in swine have been identified in Chile co-circulating with pandemic H1N1 2009-like (A(H1N1)pdm09-like) viruses. The objective of this study was to characterize antigenically the swine H1 IAVs circulating in Chile. Genetic analysis based on the HA1 domain and antigenic analysis by hemagglutination inhibition assay were carried out. Three antigenic clusters were identified, named Chilean H1 A (ChH1A), Chilean H1 B (ChH1B), and A(H1N1)pdm09-like. The antigenic sites of ChH1A and ChH1B strains were 10–60% distant from those of commercial vaccine strains at the amino acid sequence level. Antigenic variants were identified within the clusters ChH1A and A(H1N1)pdm09-like. Substitutions in the main antigenic sites (E153G in Sa, Q193H in Sb, D168N in Ca1, P137S in Ca2, and F71L in Cb) were detected in variants from the ChH1A cluster, whereas only a single substitution in antigenic site Sa (G155E) was detected in variants from A(H1N1)pdm09-like cluster, which confirms the importance to carrying out antigenic analyses in addition to genetic analyses to evaluate control measures such as vaccination. These results highlight the need to update vaccines for swine in Chile and the importance of continued surveillance to determine the onward transmission of antigenic variants in Chilean pig populations.
Microscopic Difference of Hydrogen Double-minimum Potential Well Detected by Hydroxyl Group in Hydrogen-bonded System
Authors: Kim Se-Hun
Published: March 2020

We investigate the microscopic structure of hydrogen double-well potentials in a hydrogen-bonded ferroelectric system exposed to radioactive particles of hydrogen-ion beams. The hydrogen-bonded system is ubiquitous, forming the base of organic-inorganic materials and the double-helix structure of DNA inside biological materials. In order to determine the difference of microscopic environments, an atomic-scale level analysis of solid-state 1H high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra was performed. The hydrogen environments of inorganic systems represent the Morse potentials and wave function of the eigen state and eigen-state energy derived from the Schrödinger equation. The wave functions for the real space of the localized hydrogen derived from the approximated solutions in view of the atomic scale by using quantum mechanics are manifested by a difference in the charge-density distribution.
Physiological significance of proteolytic processing of Reelin revealed by cleavage-resistant Reelin knock-in mice
Authors: Okugawa Eisuke , Ogino Himari , Shigenobu Tomofumi , Yamakage Yuko , Tsuiji Hitomi , Oishi Hisashi , Kohno Takao , Hattori Mitsuharu
Published: March 2020

Reelin is a secreted protein that plays versatile roles in neuronal development and function. The strength of Reelin signaling is regulated by proteolytic processing, but its importance in vivo is not yet fully understood. Here, we generated Reelin knock-in (PA-DV KI) mice in which the key cleavage site of Reelin was abolished by mutation. As expected, the cleavage of Reelin was severely abrogated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of PA-DV KI mice. The amount of Dab1, whose degradation is induced by Reelin signaling, decreased in these tissues, indicating that the signaling strength of Reelin was augmented. The brains of PA-DV KI mice were largely structurally normal, but unexpectedly, the hippocampal layer was disturbed. This phenotype was ameliorated in hemizygote PA-DV KI mice, indicating that excess Reelin signaling is detrimental to hippocampal layer formation. The neuronal dendrites of PA-DV KI mice had more branches and were elongated compared to wild-type mice. These results present the first direct evidence of the physiological importance of Reelin cleavage.
Comparison of composite and segmental methods for acquiring optical axial length with swept-source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Goto So , Maeda Naoyuki , Noda Toru , Ohnuma Kazuhiko , Koh Shizuka , Iehisa Ikko , Nishida Kohji
Published: March 2020

This study compared the optical axial length (AL) obtained by composite and segmental methods using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) devices, and demonstrated its effects on the post-operative refractive errors (RE) one month after cataract surgery. Conventional AL measured with the composite method used the mean refractive index. The segmented-AL method used individual refractive indices for each ocular medium. The composite AL (24.52 ± 2.03 mm) was significantly longer (P < 0.001) than the segmented AL (24.49 ± 1.97 mm) among a total of 374 eyes of 374 patients. Bland–Altman analysis revealed a negative proportional bias for the differences between composite and segmented ALs. Although there was no significant difference in the RE obtained by the composite and segmental methods (0.42 ± 0.38 D vs 0.41 ± 0.36 D, respectively, P = 0.35), subgroup analysis of extremely long eyes implanted with a low power intraocular lens indicated that predicted RE was significantly smaller with the segmental method (0.45 ± 0.86 D) than that with the composite method (0.80 ± 0.86 D, P < 0.001). Segmented AL with SS-OCT is more accurate than composite AL in eyes with extremely long AL and can improve post-operative hyperopic shifts in such eyes.
Individual, but not population asymmetries, are modulated by social environment and genotype in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Versace Elisabetta , Caffini Matteo , Werkhoven Zach , de Bivort Benjamin L.
Published: March 2020

Theory predicts that social interactions can induce an alignment of behavioral asymmetries between individuals (i.e., population-level lateralization), but evidence for this effect is mixed. To understand how interaction with other individuals affects behavioral asymmetries, we systematically manipulated the social environment of Drosophila melanogaster, testing individual flies and dyads (female-male, female-female and male-male pairs). In these social contexts we measured individual and population asymmetries in individual behaviors (circling asymmetry, wing use) and dyadic behaviors (relative position and orientation between two flies) in five different genotypes. We reasoned that if coordination between individuals drives alignment of behavioral asymmetries, greater alignment at the population-level should be observed in social contexts compared to solitary individuals. We observed that the presence of other individuals influenced the behavior and position of flies but had unexpected effects on individual and population asymmetries: individual-level asymmetries were strong and modulated by the social context but population-level asymmetries were mild or absent. Moreover, the strength of individual-level asymmetries differed between strains, but this was not the case for population-level asymmetries. These findings suggest that the degree of social interaction found in Drosophila is insufficient to drive population-level behavioral asymmetries.
Lifetime Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and DNA Methylation in Blood Leukocytes: The Norwegian Women and Cancer Study
Authors: Page Christian M. , Djordjilović Vera , Nøst Therese H. , Ghiasvand Reza , Sandanger Torkjel M. , Frigessi Arnoldo , Thoresen Magne , Veierød Marit B.
Published: March 2020

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is a leading cause of skin cancers and an ubiquitous environmental exposure. However, the molecular mechanisms relating UVR exposure to melanoma is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate if lifetime UVR exposure could be robustly associated to DNA methylation (DNAm). We assessed DNAm in whole blood in three data sets (n = 183, 191, and 125) from the Norwegian Woman and Cancer cohort, using Illumina platforms. We studied genome-wide DNAm, targeted analyses of CpG sites indicated in the literature, global methylation, and accelerated aging. Lifetime history of UVR exposure (residential ambient UVR, sunburns, sunbathing vacations and indoor tanning) was collected by questionnaires. We used one data set for discovery and the other two for replication. One CpG site showed a genome-wide significant association to cumulative UVR exposure (cg01884057) (pnominal = 3.96e-08), but was not replicated in any of the two replication sets (pnominal ≥ 0.42). Two CpG sites (cg05860019, cg00033666) showed suggestive associations with the other UVR exposures. We performed extensive analyses of the association between long-term UVR exposure and DNAm. There was no indication of a robust effect of past UVR exposure on DNAm.
A high ATP concentration enhances the cooperative translocation of the SARS coronavirus helicase nsP13 in the unwinding of duplex RNA
Authors: Jang Kyoung-Jin , Jeong Seonghwan , Kang Dong Young , Sp Nipin , Yang Young Mok , Kim Dong-Eun
Published: March 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nonstructural protein 13 (SCV nsP13), a superfamily 1 helicase, plays a central role in viral RNA replication through the unwinding of duplex RNA and DNA with a 5′ single-stranded tail in a 5′ to 3′ direction. Despite its putative role in viral RNA replication, nsP13 readily unwinds duplex DNA by cooperative translocation. Herein, nsP13 exhibited different characteristics in duplex RNA unwinding than that in duplex DNA. nsP13 showed very poor processivity on duplex RNA compared with that on duplex DNA. More importantly, nsP13 inefficiently unwinds duplex RNA by increasing the 5′-ss tail length. As the concentration of nsP13 increased, the amount of unwound duplex DNA increased and that of unwound duplex RNA decreased. The accumulation of duplex RNA/nsP13 complexes increased as the concentration of nsP13 increased. An increased ATP concentration in the unwinding of duplex RNA relieved the decrease in duplex RNA unwinding. Thus, nsP13 has a strong affinity for duplex RNA as a substrate for the unwinding reaction, which requires increased ATPs to processively unwind duplex RNA. Our results suggest that duplex RNA is a preferred substrate for the helicase activity of nsP13 than duplex DNA at high ATP concentrations.
Pathway and kinetics of malachite green biodegradation by Pseudomonas veronii
Authors: Song Jinlong , Han Gang , Wang Yani , Jiang Xu , Zhao Dongxue , Li Miaomiao , Yang Zhen , Ma Qingyun , Parales Rebecca E. , Ruan Zhiyong , Mu Yingchun
Published: March 2020

Malachite green is a common environmental pollutant that poses a great threat to non-target organisms, including humans. This study reports the characterization of a bacterial strain, Pseudomonas veronii JW3-6, which was isolated from a malachite green enrichment culture. This strain degraded malachite green efficiently in a wide range of temperature and pH levels. Under optimal degradation conditions (32.4 °C, pH 7.1, and inoculum amount of 2.5 × 107 cfu/mL), P. veronii JW3-6 could degrade 93.5% of 50 mg/L malachite green within seven days. Five intermediate products from the degradation of malachite green were identified: leucomalachite green, 4-(dimethylamino) benzophenone, 4-dimethylaminophenol, benzaldehyde, and hydroquinone. We propose a possible degradation pathway based on these findings. The present study is the first to report the degradation of malachite green by P. veronii and the identification of hydroquinone as a metabolite in the degradation pathway.
Ytterbium-doped fibre femtosecond laser offers robust operation with deep and precise microsurgery of C. elegans neurons
Authors: Harreguy M. B. , Marfil V. , Grooms N. W. F. , Gabel C. V. , Chung S. H. , Haspel G.
Published: March 2020

Laser microsurgery is a powerful tool for neurobiology, used to ablate cells and sever neurites in-vivo. We compare a relatively new laser source to two well-established designs. Rare-earth-doped mode-locked fibre lasers that produce high power pulses recently gained popularity for industrial uses. Such systems are manufactured to high standards of robustness and low maintenance requirements typical of solid-state lasers. We demonstrate that an Ytterbium-doped fibre femtosecond laser is comparable in precision to a Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser (1–2 micrometres), but with added operational reliability. Due to the lower pulse energy required to ablate, it is more precise than a solid-state nanosecond laser. Due to reduced scattering of near infrared light, it can lesion deeper (more than 100 micrometres) in tissue. These advantages are not specific to the model system ablated for our demonstration, namely neurites in the nematode C. elegans, but are applicable to other systems and transparent tissue where a precise micron-resolution dissection is required.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 is expressed by activated hepatic stellate cells and promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Seitz Tatjana , Freese Kim , Dietrich Peter , Thasler Wolfgang Erwin , Bosserhoff Anja , Hellerbrand Claus
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely associated with liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and cancer-associated myofibroblasts are key players in liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Overexpression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors contributes to HCC development and progression. This study aimed to elucidate the role of FGFs in the HSC-HCC crosstalk. Analysis of the expression of the fifteen paracrine FGF-members revealed that FGF9 was only expressed by HSC but not by HCC cells. Also in human HCC tissues, HSC/stromal myofibroblasts were identified as cellular source of FGF9. High expression levels of FGF9 significantly correlated with poor patient survival. Stimulation with recombinant FGF9 induced ERK- and JNK-activation combined with significantly enhanced proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of HCC cells. Moreover, FGF9 significantly reduced the sensitivity of HCC cells against sorafenib. Protumorigenic effects of FGF9 on HCC cells were almost completely abrogated by the FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor BGJ398, while the selective FGFR4 inhibitor BLU9931 had no significant effect. In conclusion, these data indicate that stroma-derived FGF9 promotes tumorigenicity and sorafenib resistance of HCC cells and FGF9 overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Herewith, FGF9 appears as potential prognostic marker and novel therapeutic target in HCC.
Sodium-assisted passivation of grain boundaries and defects in Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films
Authors: Kim Juran , Kim Gee Yeong , Nguyen Trang Thi Thu , Yoon Seokhyun , Kim Yoon-Koo , Lee Seung-Yong , Kim Miyoung , Cho Dae-Hyung , Chung Yong-Duck , Lee Je-Ho , Seong Maeng-Je , Jo William
Published: March 2020

CZTSe thin-films are deposited on Mo-coated soda-lime glass (SLG) and Mo-coated borosilicate with and without a NaF layer. Na-doping inhibits the formation of the secondary phases and passivates the grain-boundaries (GBs).
Insights into origins and function of the unexplored majority of the reductive dehalogenase gene family as a result of genome assembly and ortholog group classification
Authors: Molenda Olivia , Puentes Jácome Luz A. , Cao Xuan , Nesbø Camilla L. , Tang Shuiquan , Morson Nadia , Patron Jonas , Lomheim Line , Wishart David S. , Edwards Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2020

Classifying all reductive dehalogenase genes from organohalide respiring bacteria, including nine newly closed genomes, predicts function and conserved synteny within species.
Tailor-made β-glucosidase with increased activity at lower temperature without loss of stability and glucose tolerance
Authors: Lenz Florian , Zurek Paul , Umlauf Martina , Tozakidis Iasson E. P. , Jose Joachim
Published: March 2020

We evolved the thermophilic β-glucosidase CsBglA to 150% improvement of kcat/KM at 55 °C, exerting a specific activity of 504 U mg−1 and a KM-value of 37.1 mM, making it the bacterial β-glucosidase with highest activity known so far.
A facile synthesis of layered double hydroxide based core@shell hybrid materials
Authors: Lyu Meng , Chen Chunping , Buffet Jean-Charles , O’Hare Dermot
Published: March 2020

A simple and scalable co-precipitation method to obtain zeolite Z13X@Mg2Al–CO3-LDH and Mg-MOF-74@Mg2Al–CO3-LDH has been reported.
Chelation-assisted transition metal-catalysed C–H chalcogenylations
Authors: Ma Wenbo , Kaplaneris Nikolaos , Fang Xinyue , Gu Linghui , Mei Ruhuai , Ackermann Lutz
Published: March 2020

This review summarizes recent advances in C–S and C–Se formationsviatransition metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization utilizing directing groups to control the site-selectivity.
Preparation and evaluation of a Rubropunctatin-loaded liposome anticancer drug carrier
Authors: Xu Dongling , Xie Jiming , Feng Xiaolian , Zhang Xiaofang , Ren Zhenzhen , Zheng Yunquan , Yang Jianming
Published: March 2020

Rubropunctatin-loaded liposomes were constructed using a thin film evaporation method, followed by sonication, forming a stable nanoparticle preparation, and improving the water solubility, stability and anticancer activity of Rubropunctatin.
Lactobacillus plantarumKFY02 enhances the relieving effect of gardenoside on montmorillonite induced constipation in mice
Authors: Mu Jianfei , Zhao Xin , Zalan Zsolt , Hegyi Ferenc , Takács Krisztina , Du Muying
Published: March 2020

Lactobacillus plantarumKFY02 (KFY02), isolated from naturally fermented milk yoghurt in Korla, Xinjiang, Northwest of China, showed gardenoside action for the intestinal regulation of constipated mice.
Alkyl chain engineering of chlorinated acceptors for elevated solar conversion
Authors: Mo Daize , Chen Hui , Zhou Jiadong , Tang Ningning , Han Liang , Zhu Yulin , Chao Pengjie , Lai Hanjian , Xie Zengqi , He Feng
Published: March 2020

A chlorinated acceptor with 2-butyloctyl side chains and a 3D interpenetrated structure in the single crystal shows excellent PCE up to 16.43%.
Integrating silicon/zinc dual elements with PLGA microspheres in calcium phosphate cement scaffolds synergistically enhances bone regeneration
Authors: Liang Weiwei , Gao Min , Lou Jingsheng , Bai Yunyang , Zhang Jing , Lu Teliang , Sun Xiaowen , Ye Jiandong , Li Baowei , Sun Li , Heng Boon Chin , Zhang Xuehui , Deng Xuliang
Published: March 2020

Integrating multiple pro-osteogenic factors into bone graft substitutes is a practical and effective approach to improve bone repair efficacy.
Flexible metal–gas batteries: a potential option for next-generation power accessories for wearable electronics
Authors: Zhou Jingwen , Cheng Jianli , Wang Bin , Peng Huisheng , Lu Jun
Published: March 2020

An overview of the recent technical advances and major dilemmas facing currently available flexible metal–gas batteries for use in wearable electronics is presented.
Correction: Stevia residue extract increases intestinal uric acid excretion via interactions with intestinal urate transporters in hyperuricemic mice
Authors: Mehmood Arshad , Zhao Lei , Wang Chengtao , Hossen Imam , Raka Rifat Nowshin , Zhang Huimin
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Stevia residue extract increases intestinal uric acid excretion via interactions with intestinal urate transporters in hyperuricemic mice’ by Arshad Mehmood et al., Food Funct., 2019, 10, 7900–7912.
Low-temperature and purification-free stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerisation of lactide in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Bassett Simon P. , Russell Andrew D. , McKeown Paul , Robinson Isabel , Forder Thomas R. , Taresco Vincenzo , Davidson Matthew G. , Howdle Steven M.
Published: March 2020

A stereoselective, solvent-free ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of lactide (LA) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) is reported for the first time.
Excellent lightweight carbon-based microwave absorbers derived from metal–organic frameworks with tunable electromagnetic properties
Authors: Gu Weihua , Zheng Jing , Liang Xiaohui , Cui Xiaoqing , Chen Jiabin , Zhang Zhu , Ji Guangbin
Published: March 2020

Upon introducing Gibbs free energy to effectively control the final products, the as-prepared carbon-based composites show excellent absorbing ability at 1.4 mm.
Fused-ring phenazine building blocks for efficient copolymer donors
Authors: Li Wenting , Liu Qishi , Jin Ke , Cheng Ming , Hao Feng , Wu Wu-Qiang , Liu Shengjian , Xiao Zuo , Yang Shangfeng , Shi Shengwei , Ding Liming
Published: March 2020

Phenazine copolymer donors demonstrate an efficiency of 15.14% in nonfullerene organic solar cells.
Porous SnO2 nanostructure with a high specific surface area for improved electrochemical performance
Authors: Kim Hyeona , Kim Min-Cheol , Kim Sung-beom , Kim Yo-Seob , Choi Jin-Hyeok , Park Kyung-Won
Published: March 2020

A porous SnO2 nanostructure as an anode active material showed significantly improved electrochemical performance.
Enhancing the selectivity of prolinamide organocatalysts using the mechanical bond in [2]rotaxanes
Authors: Calles María , Puigcerver Julio , Alonso Diego A. , Alajarin Mateo , Martinez-Cuezva Alberto , Berna Jose
Published: March 2020

The mechanical bonding and the cofactor assembly in interlocked prolinamide-based organocatalysts upgrade enamine-type transformations by increasing their yields and enantio- and chemo-selectivities.
APC gene 3′UTR SNPs and interactions with environmental factors are correlated with risk of colorectal cancer in Chinese Han population
Authors: Ying Rongbiao , Wei Zhiping , Mei Yuxian , Chen Shasha , Zhu Liming
Published: March 2020

Objective: To study the correlation between adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene 3′ untranslated region (UTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their interactions with environmental factors and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: Genotypes of APC gene 3′UTR rs1804197, rs41116, rs448475, and rs397768 loci in 340 Chinese Han patients with CRC and 340 healthy controls were analyzed. All patients with CRC were analyzed for progression-free survival (PFS) during a 3-year follow-up.

Results: The risk of CRC in subjects carrying the APC gene rs1804197 A allele was 2.95-times higher than for the C allele carriers. The interactions of the rs1804197 SNP with body mass index (BMI) and smoking were associated with the risk of CRC. The risk of CRC in the APC gene rs397768 G allele carriers was 1.68-times higher than in the A allele carriers. The interaction between the rs397768 locus SNP and gender was also associated with the risk of CRC. The 3-year PFS of patients with APC gene rs1804197 AA genotype, CA genotype, and CC genotype CRC decreased in this order, with significant difference. In addition, the 3-year PFS of rs397768 locus GG genotype, AG genotype, and AA genotype CRC patients decreased in this order, and the difference was significant.

Conclusion: The rs1804197 locus in the 3′UTR region of the APC gene and its interactions with BMI and smoking are associated with the risk of CRC in a Chinese Han population. In addition, the interaction between rs397768 locus SNP and gender is related to the risk of CRC.
Low efficacy of vaccination against serogroup B meningococci in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Mülling Nils , Rohn Hana , Vogel Ulrich , Claus Heike , Wilde Benjamin , Eisenberger Ute , Kribben Andreas , Witzke Oliver , Gäckler Anja
Published: March 2020

Background: The C5 complement inhibitor eculizumab is first-line treatment in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) going along with a highly increased risk of meningococcal infections. Serogroup B meningococci (MenB) are the most frequently encountered cause for meningococcal infections in Europe. Efficacy of the protein-based MenB-vaccine Bexsero in aHUS has not been determined and testing is only possible in patients off-treatment with eculizumab as a human complement source is required.

Methods: Patients with aHUS were vaccinated with two doses of the protein-based MenB-vaccine Bexsero. Serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titers against factor H binding protein (fHbp) of MenB were determined in 14 patients with aHUS off-treatment with eculizumab.

Results: Only 50% of patients showed protective human serum bactericidal antibody (hSBA) titers (≥1:4) against MenB following two vaccinations. Bactericidal antibody titers were relatively low (≤1:8) in three of seven patients with protective titers. While 71% of patients were on immunosuppressive treatment for either thrombotic microangiopathy or renal transplantation at either first or second vaccination, all four patients not receiving any immunosuppressive treatment showed protective bactericidal antibody response. Time between second vaccination and titer measurement was not significantly different between patients with protective titers compared with those with non-protective titers, while time between first and second vaccination was significantly longer in patients with protective titers going along with a tendency for reduction in immunosuppressive treatment.

Conclusions: Efficacy of vaccination against MenB is insufficient in patients with aHUS. Response to vaccination seems to be hampered by immunosuppression. Therefore, implementation of adequate antibiotic prophylaxis seems pivotal.
Surface segmentation and environment change analysis using band ratio phenology index method – supervised aspect
Authors: Sivabalan K.R. , Ramaraj E.
Published: March 2020

Remote sensing is an escalating field that helps to monitor the earth in different perspectives like vegetation assessment, coastal studies, global warming analysis etc. Presently many satellites are orbiting the earth for taking multispectral imagery, which is working behind the principle remote sensing applications. Though there are mechanisms for image classification still innovative method is required to detect and monitor the physical characteristics of the environment. Weather forecasting, ecology assessment and irrigation management are relying upon the seasonal changes. This research study concentrates on seasonal change analysis by supervised image classification called Band Ratio Phenology Index (BRPI) method. This BRPI has helped to learn seasonal impact on the environment for the last six years. Confusion Matrix, Overall Accuracy, and Kappa Coefficient are the quality measures used to legitimise the classification exactness.
Comparative analysis of reversible data hiding schemes
Authors: Jose Asha , Subramaniam Kamalraj
Published: March 2020

The data hiding method embeds the data into covers such as video, audio, and images, which are used for integrity authentication, media protection, communication covert, copyright protection etc. In this work, several reversible data hiding (RDH) algorithms are analysed. Here, RDH algorithms are classified into six categories. They are histogram shifting centred RDH, code division multiplexing‐based RDH, compression‐based RDH, contrast enhancement with RDH, and expansion‐based RDH, and RDH for encrypted images. In RDH,no information is lost when the message is recovered as the message is embedded into the host image. The embedded message is extracted using an extraction procedure. This study critically reviews the technological advancement for the past decade on the aspects of classification, pre‐processing, feature extraction, and analysis technique. The current trend in RDH is to insert confidential data into a video by using RDH in the encoded area that has a wide selection of applications on the confidential communication inside the area of cybersecurity.
Novel image encryption by combining dynamic DNA sequence encryption and the improved 2D logistic sine map
Authors: Zheng Jieyu , Liu LingFeng
Published: March 2020

The one‐dimensional (2D) chaotic encryption algorithm has good encryption performance. For its properties, such as the excellent complexity, pseudo‐randomness, and sensitivity to the initial value of the chaotic sequence. However, compared with other methods, its biggest drawback is that the key space is too small. To address these problems, in this study, the authors introduce an improved 2D logistic sine chaotic map (2D‐LSMM). A novel image encryption scheme based on dynamic DNA sequences encryption and improved 2D‐LSMM is presented. The logistic map is used to control the input of the sine map. And the encoding and operation rules of DNA sequences are determined by 2D‐LSMM chaotic sequences. By implementing dynamic DNA sequence encryption, the encryption process becomes more complicated and harder to be attacked. Simulation experimental results and security analysis show that the authors’ encryption scheme not only achieves proper encryption but can also resist different attacks.
Robust graph regularised sparse matrix regression for two‐dimensional supervised feature selection
Authors: Chen Xiuhong , Lu Yun
Published: March 2020

Bilinear matrix regression based on matrix data can directly select the features from matrix data by deploying several couples of left and right regression matrices. However, the existing matrix regression methods do not consider the local geometric structure of the samples, which results in poor classification performance. This study proposes a robust graph regularised sparse matrix regression method for two‐dimensional supervised feature selection, where the intra‐class compactness graph based on the manifold learning is used as the regularisation item, and the ‐norm as loss functions to establish the authors’ matrix regression model. An alternating optimisation algorithm is also devised to solve it and give its closed‐form solutions in each iteration. The proposed method not only can learn the left and right regression matrices, but also can preserve the intrinsic geometry structure by using the label information. Extensive experiments on several data sets demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.