bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saving less in China facilitates global CO2 mitigation
Authors: Lin Chen , Qi Jianchuan , Liang Sai , Feng Cuiyang , Wiedmann Thomas O. , Liao Yihan , Yang Xuechun , Li Yumeng , Mi Zhifu , Yang Zhifeng
Published: March 2020

Transforming China’s economic growth pattern from investment-driven to consumption-driven can significantly change global CO2 emissions. This study is the first to analyse the impacts of changes in China’s saving rates on global CO2 emissions both theoretically and empirically. Here, we show that the increase in the saving rates of Chinese regions has led to increments of global industrial CO2 emissions by 189 million tonnes (Mt) during 2007–2012. A 15-percentage-point decrease in the saving rate of China can lower global CO2 emissions by 186 Mt, or 0.7% of global industrial CO2 emissions. Greener consumption in China can lead to a further 14% reduction in global industrial CO2 emissions. In particular, decreasing the saving rate of Shandong has the most massive potential for global CO2 reductions, while that of Inner Mongolia has adverse effects. Removing economic frictions to allow the production system to fit China’s increased consumption can facilitate global CO2 mitigation.
How paired PSII–LHCII supercomplexes mediate the stacking of plant thylakoid membranes unveiled by structural mass-spectrometry
Authors: Albanese Pascal , Tamara Sem , Saracco Guido , Scheltema Richard A. , Pagliano Cristina
Published: March 2020

Grana are a characteristic feature of higher plants’ thylakoid membranes, consisting of stacks of appressed membranes enriched in Photosystem II (PSII) and associated light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) proteins, together forming the PSII-LHCII supercomplex. Grana stacks undergo light-dependent structural changes, mainly by reorganizing the supramolecular structure of PSII-LHCII supercomplexes. LHCII is vital for grana formation, in which also PSII-LHCII supercomplexes are involved. By combining top-down and crosslinking mass spectrometry we uncover the spatial organization of paired PSII-LHCII supercomplexes within thylakoid membranes. The resulting model highlights a basic molecular mechanism whereby plants maintain grana stacking at changing light conditions. This mechanism relies on interactions between stroma-exposed N-terminal loops of LHCII trimers and Lhcb4 subunits facing each other in adjacent membranes. The combination of light-dependent LHCII N-terminal trimming and extensive N-terminal α-acetylation likely affects interactions between pairs of PSII-LHCII supercomplexes across the stromal gap, ultimately mediating membrane folding in grana stacks.
Improved secretion of glycoproteins using an N-glycan-restricted passport sequence tag recognized by cargo receptor
Authors: Yagi Hirokazu , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Honda Rena , Ohta Yusaku , Saito Taiki , Nishio Miho , Ninagawa Satoshi , Suzuki Kousuke , Anzai Takahiro , Kamiya Yukiko , Aoki Kazuhiro , Nakanishi Mahito , Satoh Tadashi , Kato Koichi
Published: March 2020

MCFD2 and ERGIC-53, which are the products of causative genes of combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency, form a cargo receptor complex responsible for intracellular transport of these coagulation factors in the early secretory pathway. In this study, using an NMR technique, we successfully identified an MCFD2-binding segment from factor VIII composed of a 10 amino acid sequence that enhances its secretion. This prompted us to examine possible effects of attaching this sequence to recombinant glycoproteins on their secretion. We found that the secretion level of recombinant erythropoietin was significantly increased simply by tagging it with the passport sequence. Our findings not only provide molecular basis for the intracellular trafficking of coagulation factors and their genetic deficiency but also offer a potentially useful tool for increasing the production yields of recombinant glycoproteins of biopharmaceutical interest.
Cation insertion to break the activity/stability relationship for highly active oxygen evolution reaction catalyst
Authors: Yang Chunzhen , Rousse Gwenaëlle , Louise Svane Katrine , Pearce Paul E. , Abakumov Artem M. , Deschamps Michael , Cibin Giannantonio , Chadwick Alan V. , Dalla Corte Daniel Alves , Anton Hansen Heine , Vegge Tejs , Tarascon Jean-Marie , Grimaud Alexis
Published: March 2020

The production of hydrogen at a large scale by the environmentally-friendly electrolysis process is currently hampered by the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). We report a solid electrocatalyst α-Li2IrO3 which upon oxidation/delithiation chemically reacts with water to form a hydrated birnessite phase, the OER activity of which is five times greater than its non-reacted counterpart. This reaction enlists a bulk redox process during which hydrated potassium ions from the alkaline electrolyte are inserted into the structure while water is oxidized and oxygen evolved. This singular charge balance process for which the electrocatalyst is solid but the reaction is homogeneous in nature allows stabilizing the surface of the catalyst while ensuring stable OER performances, thus breaking the activity/stability tradeoff normally encountered for OER catalysts.
Metagenomic analysis of bacterial species in tongue microbiome of current and never smokers
Authors: Sato Noriaki , Kakuta Masanori , Hasegawa Takanori , Yamaguchi Rui , Uchino Eiichiro , Kobayashi Wataru , Sawada Kaori , Tamura Yoshihiro , Tokuda Itoyo , Murashita Koichi , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Imoto Seiya , Yanagita Motoko , Okuno Yasushi
Published: March 2020

Cigarette smoking affects the oral microbiome, which is related to various systemic diseases. While studies that investigated the relationship between smoking and the oral microbiome by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing have been performed, investigations involving metagenomic sequences are rare. We investigated the bacterial species composition in the tongue microbiome, as well as single-nucleotide variant (SNV) profiles and gene content of these species, in never and current smokers by utilizing metagenomic sequences. Among 234 never smokers and 52 current smokers, beta diversity, as assessed by weighted UniFrac measure, differed between never and current smokers (pseudo-F = 8.44,R2 = 0.028,p = 0.001). Among the 26 species that had sufficient coverage, the SNV profiles ofActinomyces graevenitzii,Megasphaera micronuciformis,Rothia mucilaginosa,Veillonella dispar, and oneVeillonella sp.were significantly different between never and current smokers. Analysis of gene and pathway content revealed that genes related to the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway inVeillonella disparwere present more frequently in current smokers. We found that species-level tongue microbiome differed between never and current smokers, and 5 species from never and current smokers likely harbor different strains, as suggested by the difference in SNV frequency.
Magnetic and superconducting phase diagrams and transition temperatures predicted using text mining and machine learning
Authors: Court Callum J. , Cole Jacqueline M.
Published: March 2020

Predicting the properties of materials prior to their synthesis is of great importance in materials science. Magnetic and superconducting materials exhibit a number of unique properties that make them useful in a wide variety of applications, including solid oxide fuel cells, solid-state refrigerants, photon detectors and metrology devices. In all these applications, phase transitions play an important role in determining the feasibility of the materials in question. Here, we present a pipeline for fully integrating data extracted from the scientific literature into machine-learning tools for property prediction and materials discovery. Using advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine-learning techniques, we successfully reconstruct the phase diagrams of well-known magnetic and superconducting compounds, and demonstrate that it is possible to predict the phase-transition temperatures of compounds not present in the database. We provide the tool as an online open-source platform, forming the basis for further research into magnetic and superconducting materials discovery for potential device applications.
Towards a widespread adoption of metabolic modeling tools in biopharmaceutical industry: a process systems biology engineering perspective
Authors: Richelle Anne , David Blandine , Demaegd Didier , Dewerchin Marianne , Kinet Romain , Morreale Angelo , Portela Rui , Zune Quentin , von Stosch Moritz
Published: March 2020

In biotechnology, the emergence of high-throughput technologies challenges the interpretation of large datasets. One way to identify meaningful outcomes impacting process and product attributes from large datasets is using systems biology tools such as metabolic models. However, these tools are still not fully exploited for this purpose in industrial context due to gaps in our knowledge and technical limitations. In this paper, key aspects restraining the routine implementation of these tools are highlighted in three research fields: monitoring, network science and hybrid modeling. Advances in these fields could expand the current state of systems biology applications in biopharmaceutical industry to address existing challenges in bioprocess development and improvement.
Fabrication of microfluidic device for Aflatoxin M1 detection in milk samples with specific aptamers
Authors: Kasoju Aruna , Shahdeo Deepshikha , Khan Azmat Ali , Shrikrishna Narlawar Sagar , Mahari Subhasis , Alanazi Amer M. , Bhat Mashooq Ahmad , Giri Jyotsnendu , Gandhi Sonu
Published: March 2020

This study describes the colorimetric detection of aflatoxin M1 (Afl M1) in milk samples using a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD). Fabrication of µPADs was done using a simple and quick approach. Each μPAD contained a detection zone and a sample zone interconnected by microchannels. The colorimetric assay was developed using unmodified AuNPs as a probe and 21-mer aptamer as a recognition molecule. The free aptamers were adsorbed onto the surface of AuNPs in absence of Afl M1, even at high salt concentrations. The salt induced aggregation of specific aptamers occurred in presence of Afl M1. Under optimum conditions, the analytical linear range was found to be 1 µM to 1 pM with limit of detection 3 pM and 10 nM in standard buffer and spiked milk samples respectively. The proposed aptamer based colorimetric assay was repeatable, quick, selective, and can be used for on-site detection of other toxins in milk and meat samples.
Genome-wide identification of miRNAs and their targets during early somatic embryogenesis in Dimocarpus longan Lour.
Authors: Xu Xiaoping , Chen Xiaohui , Chen Yan , Zhang Qinglin , Su Liyao , Chen Xu , Chen Yukun , Zhang Zihao , Lin Yuling , Lai Zhongxiong
Published: March 2020

miRNAs are endogenous regulatory factors that play pivotal roles in post-transcriptional regulation. However, their specific roles in early somatic embryogenesis (SE) remain unclear. Study of the SE system is fundamental for clarifying the molecular mechanisms in Dimocarpus longan. We identified 289 known miRNAs from 106 different miRNA families and 1087 novel miRNAs during early longan SE, including embryogenic callus (EC), incomplete pro-embryogenic culture (ICpEC), globular embryo (GE), and non-embryogenic callus (NEC). The abundances of known miRNAs were concentrated in GE. The differentially expression (DE) miRNAs showed five expression patterns during early SE. Largely miRNAs were expressed highly and specially in EC, ICpEC, and GE, respectively. Some miRNAs and putative target genes were enriched in lignin metabolism. Most potential targets were related to the pathways of plant hormone signal transduction, alternative splicing, tyrosine metabolism and sulfur metabolism in early longan SE. The regulatory relationships between dlo-miR166a-3p and DlHD-zip8, dlo-miR397a and DlLAC7, dlo-miR408-3p and DlLAC12 were confirmed by RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The expression patterns of eight DE miRNAs detected by qRT-PCR were consistent with RNA-seq. Finally, the miRNA regulatory network in early SE was constructed, which provided new insight into molecular mechanism of early SE in longan.
Super-resolution photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging with sparse arrays
Authors: Vilov Sergey , Arnal Bastien , Hojman Eliel , Eldar Yonina C. , Katz Ori , Bossy Emmanuel
Published: March 2020

It has previously been demonstrated that model-based reconstruction methods relying on a priori knowledge of the imaging point spread function (PSF) coupled to sparsity priors on the object to image can provide super-resolution in photoacoustic (PA) or in ultrasound (US) imaging. Here, we experimentally show that such reconstruction also leads to super-resolution in both PA and US imaging with arrays having much less elements than used conventionally (sparse arrays). As a proof of concept, we obtained super-resolution PA and US cross-sectional images of microfluidic channels with only 8 elements of a 128-elements linear array using a reconstruction approach based on a linear propagation forward model and assuming sparsity of the imaged structure. Although the microchannels appear indistinguishable in the conventional delay-and-sum images obtained with all the 128 transducer elements, the applied sparsity-constrained model-based reconstruction provides super-resolution with down to only 8 elements. We also report simulation results showing that the minimal number of transducer elements required to obtain a correct reconstruction is fundamentally limited by the signal-to-noise ratio. The proposed method can be straigthforwardly applied to any transducer geometry, including 2D sparse arrays for 3D super-resolution PA and US imaging.
A single polyploidization event at the origin of the tetraploid genome of Coffea arabica is responsible for the extremely low genetic variation in wild and cultivated germplasm
Authors: Scalabrin Simone , Toniutti Lucile , Di Gaspero Gabriele , Scaglione Davide , Magris Gabriele , Vidotto Michele , Pinosio Sara , Cattonaro Federica , Magni Federica , Jurman Irena , Cerutti Mario , Suggi Liverani Furio , Navarini Luciano , Del Terra Lorenzo , Pellegrino Gloria , Ruosi Manuela Rosanna , Vitulo Nicola , Valle Giorgio , Pallavicini Alberto , Graziosi Giorgio , Klein Patricia E. , Bentley Nolan , Murray Seth , Solano William , Al Hakimi Amin , Schilling Timothy , Montagnon Christophe , Morgante Michele , Bertrand Benoit
Published: March 2020

The genome of the allotetraploid species Coffea arabica L. was sequenced to assemble independently the two component subgenomes (putatively deriving from C. canephora and C. eugenioides) and to perform a genome-wide analysis of the genetic diversity in cultivated coffee germplasm and in wild populations growing in the center of origin of the species. We assembled a total length of 1.536 Gbp, 444 Mb and 527 Mb of which were assigned to the canephora and eugenioides subgenomes, respectively, and predicted 46,562 gene models, 21,254 and 22,888 of which were assigned to the canephora and to the eugeniodes subgenome, respectively. Through a genome-wide SNP genotyping of 736 C. arabica accessions, we analyzed the genetic diversity in the species and its relationship with geographic distribution and historical records. We observed a weak population structure due to low-frequency derived alleles and highly negative values of Taijma’s D, suggesting a recent and severe bottleneck, most likely resulting from a single event of polyploidization, not only for the cultivated germplasm but also for the entire species. This conclusion is strongly supported by forward simulations of mutation accumulation. However, PCA revealed a cline of genetic diversity reflecting a west-to-east geographical distribution from the center of origin in East Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. The extremely low levels of variation observed in the species, as a consequence of the polyploidization event, make the exploitation of diversity within the species for breeding purposes less interesting than in most crop species and stress the need for introgression of new variability from the diploid progenitors.
Novel HDAC11 inhibitors suppress lung adenocarcinoma stem cell self-renewal and overcome drug resistance by suppressing Sox2
Authors: Bora-Singhal Namrata , Mohankumar Durairaj , Saha Biswarup , Colin Christelle M. , Lee Jennifer Y. , Martin Matthew W. , Zheng Xiaozhang , Coppola Domenico , Chellappan Srikumar
Published: March 2020

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is known to have poor patient outcomes due to development of resistance to chemotherapy agents and the EGFR inhibitors, which results in recurrence of highly aggressive lung tumors. Even with recent success in immunotherapy using the checkpoint inhibitors, additional investigations are essential to identify novel therapeutic strategies for efficacious treatment for NSCLC. Our finding that high levels of histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) in human lung tumor tissues correlate with poor patient outcome and that depletion or inhibition of HDAC11 not only significantly reduces self-renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs) from NSCLC but also decreases Sox2 expression that is essential for maintenance of CSCs, indicates that HDAC11 is a potential target to combat NSCLC. We find that HDAC11 suppresses Sox2 expression through the mediation of Gli1, the Hedgehog pathway transcription factor. In addition, we have used highly selective HDAC11 inhibitors that not only target stemness and adherence independent growth of lung cancer cells but these inhibitors could also efficiently ablate the growth of drug-insensitive stem-like cells as well as therapy resistant lung cancer cells. These inhibitors were found to be efficacious even in presence of cancer associated fibroblasts which have been shown to contribute in therapy resistance. Our study presents a novel role of HDAC11 in lung adenocarcinoma progression and the potential use of highly selective inhibitors of HDAC11 in combating lung cancers.
Improved performance of a rainbow trout selected strain is associated with protein digestion rates and synchronization of amino acid absorption
Authors: Brezas Andreas , Hardy Ronald W.
Published: March 2020

Replacement of fishmeal in feeds is critical for sustainable aquaculture growth. However, replacement with plant protein concentrates reduces fish performance. A rainbow trout strain selected for high performance on a plant protein diet was compared to a non-selected strain to identify physiological mechanisms associated with improved performance. Nutrient digestibility in fishmeal and plant protein diets was assessed and no strain differences were found. Levels of amino acids in the hepatic portal vein and caudal vein were measured at intervals after a single force-feeding of fishmeal, four plant protein concentrates, and a mixture of the concentrates with or without supplementation of three limiting amino acids. Each ingredient affected plasma amino acid levels in a singular manner when fed individually but without predictable additive effects when fed as a mixture. Amino acid supplementation altered uptake and plasma concentrations of all the essential amino acids. The selected trout strain fed the plant protein mixture with amino acids showed a synchronous and homogenous pattern for essential amino acids over time in the hepatic portal vein in contrast to that of the non-selected strain. The results demonstrate that selection favorably altered temporal dynamics of plant protein digestion.
Immunosuppression response to the neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid in females and males of the red mason bee Osmia bicornis L.
Authors: Brandt Annely , Hohnheiser Birgitta , Sgolastra Fabio , Bosch Jordi , Meixner Marina Doris , Büchler Ralph
Published: March 2020

Solitary bees are frequently exposed to pesticides, which are considered as one of the main stress factors that may lead to population declines. A strong immune defence is vital for the fitness of bees. However, the immune system can be weakened by environmental factors that may render bees more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. Here we demonstrate for the first time that field-realistic concentrations of the commonly used neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid can severely affect the immunocompetence of Osmia bicornis. In detail, males exposed to thiacloprid solutions of 200 and 555 µg/kg showed a reduction in hemocyte density. Moreover, functional aspects of the immune defence - the antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph - were impaired in males. In females, however, only a concentration of 555 µg/kg elicited similar immunosuppressive effects. Although males are smaller than females, they consumed more food solution. This leads to a 2.77 times higher exposure in males, probably explaining the different concentration thresholds observed between the sexes. In contrast to honeybees, dietary exposure to thiacloprid did not affect melanisation or wound healing in O. bicornis. Our results demonstrate that neonicotinoid insecticides can negatively affect the immunocompetence of O. bicornis, possibly leading to an impaired disease resistance capacity.
CT Lung Screening in Patients with Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Piersiala Krzysztof , Akst Lee M. , Hillel Alexander T. , Best Simon R.
Published: March 2020

Laryngeal cancer (LC) patients who meet the age and smoking criteria of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for annual CT lung screening were analysed for pulmonary nodules (PN) detection and secondary lung cancer (SLC) diagnosis. This is a retrospective chart review of LC patients treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital from January 2010 to December 2017. The study population included patients who met USPSTF criteria by age and smoking history for annual chest screening and were followed for at least 3 consecutive years. A total of 998 LC patients’ records were reviewed, of which 151 met the inclusion criteria. Inadequate follow-up period (37% of excluded cases) was the most common reason for exclusion, followed by not meeting USPSTF age criteria (27% excluded cases). In seventy-eight patients (n = 78, 52% of analysed patients) PN were reported. Nine individuals (6% of analysed patients) were diagnosed with SLC. Age over 70 (p = 0.003) was an independent predictor of malignancy. White race and smoking history over 40 pack-years were positively associated with a pulmonary nodule detection (p = 0.037 and p = 0.044, respectively). The incidence of PN and SLC in patients with LC is high. Many patients with laryngeal cancer meet the formal guidelines for USPSTF screening, and should be screened annually according to evidence-based medicine for the early detection of secondary lung cancers.
Joint influence of genetic origin and climate on the growth of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) in China
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Jin Guoqing , Feng Zhongping , Sun Linshan , Zhou Zhichun , Zheng Yi , Yuan Chengzhi
Published: March 2020

Adaptive of trees and its correlation with the climatic are causing changes in tree species performance and distribution, which will change breeding programs and influence forest productivity. To further evaluate the joint influence of climatic factors and provenance on the ring width (RW) and ring density (RD) of Masson pine. We selected 18 provenances at Chun’an (CA) and Taizi Mountain (TZS) test site, which representing four different breeding regions, including the south, west, north and east-central regions. The results showed that the provenance effects were significantly for the RW and RD. The provenances from high temperature and low latitude regions had greater mean RW compared to species from local and cold sources. The geographical genetic variation in wood traits is generally weak. The correlation between RW of Masson pine and precipitation was stronger in the relatively arid TZS site compared with that in relatively wet CA site, as well as the effect of temperature and precipitation on RD was earlier than that in CA test site. The response relationship between establishing the width of tree rings and the environmental variables of provenance indicated that during the transition from the northern and western breeding regions to the eastern and southern breeding regions, the response of RW to climate factors changed from being temperature-based to being precipitation-based. In addition, the response of provenance to the climate of seed sources origin showed their own variation characteristics in each breeding area. Therefore, genetic improvement of big diameter wood and wood density can be gain through selection of provenance and analysis of adaptability.
A universal opportunity model for human mobility
Authors: Liu Er-Jian , Yan Xiao-Yong
Published: March 2020

Predicting human mobility between locations has practical applications in transportation science, spatial economics, sociology and many other fields. For more than 100 years, many human mobility prediction models have been proposed, among which the gravity model analogous to Newton’s law of gravitation is widely used. Another classical model is the intervening opportunity (IO) model, which indicates that an individual selecting a destination is related to both the destination’s opportunities and the intervening opportunities between the origin and the destination. The IO model established from the perspective of individual selection behavior has recently triggered the establishment of many new IO class models. Although these IO class models can achieve accurate prediction at specific spatiotemporal scales, an IO class model that can describe an individual’s destination selection behavior at different spatiotemporal scales is still lacking. Here, we develop a universal opportunity model that considers two human behavioral tendencies: one is the exploratory tendency, and the other is the cautious tendency. Our model establishes a new framework in IO class models and covers the classical radiation model and opportunity priority selection model. Furthermore, we use various mobility data to demonstrate our model’s predictive ability. The results show that our model can better predict human mobility than previous IO class models. Moreover, this model can help us better understand the underlying mechanism of the individual’s destination selection behavior in different types of human mobility.
Effects of Conservation Tillage on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Crop Yield in an Arid Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Li Juan , Wang Yi-ke , Guo Zhen , Li Jin-bin , Tian Chang , Hua Dong-wen , Shi Chen-di , Wang Huan-yuan , Han Ji-chang , Xu Yan
Published: March 2020

Conservation tillage can improve soil physical structure and water storage, protect moisture, and increase crop yield. However, the long-term adoption of a single tillage method may have some adverse effects on soil and ecological environment, although crop yields have increased. Through informed allocation of soil tillage techniques, the combination and configuration of soil tillage measures, such as rotary tillage, subsoiling, and no tillage may reduce the shortcomings of traditional long-term farming. To explore the long-term production mode suitable for production of maize in the loess dryland area, a long-term experiment was conducted in Fuping County, Shaanxi Province, from 2013 to 2018. Six farming modes were used in the experiment: no tillage/subsoiling (N ↔ S), subsoiling/rotary tillage (S ↔ R), rotary tillage/no tillage (R ↔ N), continuous no tillage (N ↔ N), continuous subsoiling (S ↔ S), and continuous rotary tillage (R ↔ R). The changes in soil physical and chemical properties, soil water use patterns, soil water storage, conservation effects during the fallow and growth period, and the effects on farmland yield increase were analyzed. The results showed that rotary tillage can effectively improved soil structure and reduced soil bulk density, where N ↔ S treatment soil bulk density is low and in 0–60 cm soil layer averaged 1.31 g/cm3. Different tillage treatments could be used during the fallow period to store additional soil moisture: the N ↔ S treatment showed good water storage effect. Compared to traditional tillage, different tillage methods provided better soil moisture conditions for crops during the growth period, where N ↔ S treatment showed good soil moisture status during the growth period of spring maize. Among all the treatments, N ↔ S treatment effectively increased the organic carbon storage in the 0–60 cm soil layer, which was 54.3 t/hm2. Compared with traditional tillage, different tillage treatments effectively increased plant height and dry matter accumulation of spring maize, where N ↔ S treatment was found to be the best. Compared with the traditional rotary tillage model, the N ↔ S treatment significantly increased crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in continuous cropping fields of corn, the average yield of spring corn was 9340.2 kg/hm2, and the average WUE was 22.9 kg/(hm2·mm). In summary, for long-term sustainable development, the N ↔ S model is the best rotational tillage mode for continuous maize cropping in loess soil.
Co-remediation of Pb Contaminated Soils by Heat Modified Sawdust and Festuca arundinacea
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Xuemei , Ji Hongbing
Published: March 2020

This research aimed to explore the potential and mechanism of heat modified sawdust combined with Festuca arundinacea for the remediation of Pb-contaminated soil. We determined Pb concentration and biochemical indices in plants and soils, analyzed microbial communities in soil, and studied Pb distribution in subcellular and tissues. Under co-remediation of 5% material addition and Festuca arundinacea, the concentration of Pb in soil decreased. Pb toxicity of Festuca arundinacea was alleviated by 2% material addition through the promotion of plant growth and reduction of oxidative stress. In addition, soil enzyme activities and microbial community in contaminated soil were promoted by the application of co-remediation. Festuca arundinacea cell wall accumulated a large amount of Pb, and the addition of material promoted the accumulation of Pb in Festuca arundinacea root. The concentration of Pb in the shoot of the plant treated with 2% material was higher than that of the plant treated with 5% material, and the damage of Festuca arundinacea leaves was lower under 2% treatment. The combination of heat modified sawdust and Festuca arundinacea promoted the adsorption of Pb by plants, and protected the growth of plants.
Profiling haplotype specific CpG and CpH methylation within a schizophrenia GWAS locus on chromosome 14 in schizophrenia and healthy subjects
Authors: Alfimova Margarita , Kondratyev Nikolay , Golov Arkadiy , Golimbet Vera
Published: March 2020

Interrogating DNA methylation within schizophrenia risk loci holds promise to identify mechanisms by which genes influence the disease. Based on the hypothesis that allele specific methylation (ASM) of a single CpG, or perhaps CpH, might mediate or mark the effects of genetic variants on disease risk and phenotypes, we explored haplotype specific methylation levels of individual cytosines within a genomic region harbouring the BAG5, APOPT1 and KLC1 genes in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Three DNA fragments located in promoter, intronic and intergenic areas were studied by single-molecule real-time bisulfite sequencing enabling the analysis of long reads of DNA with base-pair resolution and the determination of haplotypes directly from sequencing data. Among 1,012 cytosines studied, we did not find any site where methylation correlated with the disease or cognitive deficits after correction for multiple testing. At the same time, we determined the methylation profile associated with the schizophrenia risk haplotype within the KLC1 fourth intron and confirmed ASM for cytosines located in the vicinity of rs67899457. These genetically associated DNA methylation variations may be related to the pathophysiological mechanism differentiating the risk and non-risk haplotypes and merit further investigation.
Metabolic Profiling Reveals Biochemical Pathways Responsible for Eelgrass Response to Elevated CO2 and Temperature
Authors: Zayas-Santiago Carmen C. , Rivas-Ubach Albert , Kuo Li-Jung , Ward Nicholas D. , Zimmerman Richard C.
Published: March 2020

As CO2 levels in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans steadily rise, varying organismal responses may produce ecological losers and winners. Increased ocean CO2 can enhance seagrass productivity and thermal tolerance, providing some compensation for climate warming. However, the metabolic shifts driving the positive response to elevated CO2 by these important ecosystem engineers remain unknown. We analyzed whole-plant performance and metabolic profiles of two geographically distinct eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) populations in response to CO2 enrichment. In addition to enhancing overall plant size, growth and survival, CO2 enrichment increased the abundance of Calvin Cycle and nitrogen assimilation metabolites while suppressing the abundance of stress-related metabolites. Overall metabolome differences between populations suggest that some eelgrass phenotypes may be better suited than others to cope with an increasingly hot and sour sea. Our results suggest that seagrass populations will respond variably, but overall positively, to increasing CO2 concentrations, generating negative feedbacks to climate change.
Spatial congruency bias in identifying objects is triggered by retinal position congruence: Examination using the Ternus-Pikler illusion
Authors: Sasaki Kyoshiro , Ariga Atsunori , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: March 2020

When two different objects are sequentially presented at the same location, the viewer tends to misjudge them as identical (spatial congruency bias). The present study examined whether the spatial congruency bias would involve not only retinotopic but also non-retinotopic processing using the Ternus-Pikler illusion. In the experiments, two objects (central and peripheral) appeared in an initial frame. The target object was presented in the central area of the display, while the peripheral object was either on the left or right side of the target object. In the second frame, the target object was again presented in the central area, and the peripheral object was on the opposite side. Two kinds of inter-stimulus intervals were used. In the no-blank condition, the target object was perceived as stationary, and the peripheral object appeared to move to the opposite side. However, in the long-blank condition, the two objects were perceived to move together. Participants judged whether the target objects in the two frames were identical. As a result, the spatial congruency bias occurred irrespective of the ISI conditions. Our findings suggest that the spatial congruency bias is mainly based on retinotopic processing.
Future continental summer warming constrained by the present-day seasonal cycle of surface hydrology
Authors: Selten F. M. , Bintanja R. , Vautard R. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M.
Published: March 2020

Present-day land temperatures simulated by state-of-the-art global climate models exhibit considerable uncertainty. Generally it is assumed that these temperature biases do not affect the projected warming in response to rising greenhouse gas concentrations (i.e. drop out by subtracting projected and present-day temperatures), but for specific regions and seasons this assumption is invalid. Here we show that, on the contrary, for large continental regions, such as Europe, state-of-the art global climate models with a warm summer bias project a relatively strong warming. This is because continental summer temperatures depend chiefly on soil drying in response to spring and summer solar radiation increase: models that dry fastest (due to the interaction of clouds, convection and soil hydrology) exhibit the strongest reductions in evaporation and consequently a more pronounced end-of-summer warming. These physical mechanisms acting on a seasonal timescale also govern the long-term climate response to greenhouse forcing over continental regions in summer. Combining these findings, we use the current model biases to reduce the uncertainty range in the projected warming over Europe from 3.6–8.6 °C to 4.6–7.3 °C (a reduction of about 50%). Given the huge potential impacts of the warmest projections on health, agriculture and water management, constraining the range of future summer climate change is imperative for relevant mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Determination of pyrethroid residues in herbal tea using temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction by high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhang Rui , Tan Zhenchao , Zhao Junlong , Wen Yan , Fan Shuai , Liu Chenglan
Published: March 2020

A simple and effective method for determining five pyrethroid residues in herbal tea by ultrasound-enhanced temperature-controlled (UETC) ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed. The use of ultrasonication and heating improved the ability of the ionic liquid to extract the analytes. Various parameters that affect the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized using single factor experiments and response surface design. The optimum conditions of the experiment were 121 µL of [HMIM][PF6] (extraction solvent), 794 µL of acetonitrile (dispersive solvent), a heating temperature of 40°C, a sonication time of 3.6 min and a pH of 2.9. Under optimized conditions, the linearity was in the range of 0.05–5 mg L−1with correlation coefficients above 0.9993. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.25–1.35 µg L−1and 5 µg L−1, respectively. The mean recoveries of the five pyrethroids ranged from 74.02% to 109.01%, with RSDs below 9.04%. The proposed method was reliable for the analysis of pyrethroids in Chinese herbal tea.
Potential use of mealworm frass as a fertilizer: Impact on crop growth and soil properties
Authors: Houben David , Daoulas Guillaume , Faucon Michel-Pierre , Dulaurent Anne-Maïmiti
Published: March 2020

Rearing insects is expected to dramatically increase during the next few years, and this will be associated with generating high quantities of frass (insect excreta). It is necessary to find solutions allowing the efficient valorization of these by-products before a major upscaling of the industry takes place. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the fertilizer potential of frass. A pot experiment was established and soil was amended either with mealworm (Tenebrio molitorL.) frass (10 Mg ha−1), with mineral fertilizer (NPK) at equivalent nutrient level to frass or with a mixture of 50% NPK and 50% frass. Changes of soil properties and growth and nutrient uptake by barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) were then analyzed. Due to its rapid mineralization and the presence of nutrient in a readily-available form, we found that frass is as efficient as mineral NPK fertilizer to improve biomass and N, P and K uptake by barley. Compared to mineral fertilizer, water soluble P concentration is five times lower in the presence of frass, which prevents P from loss and sorption onto soil constituents. More importantly, BIOLOG EcoPlate reveals that addition of frass stimulates soil microbial activity, especially when it is mixed with mineral fertilizer, suggesting a synergistic effect between both amendments. Taken together, our results indicate that frass has a great potential to be used as a partial or a complete substitute for mineral NPK fertilizer. This is especially relevant in the context of a reduced availability of mineral fertilizers while being consistent with circular economy’s principles.
Circulating re-entrant waves promote maturation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes in self-organized tissue ring
Authors: Li Junjun , Zhang Lu , Yu Leqian , Minami Itsunari , Miyagawa Shigeru , Hörning Marcel , Dong Ji , Qiao Jing , Qu Xiang , Hua Ying , Fujimoto Nanae , Shiba Yuji , Zhao Yang , Tang Fuchou , Chen Yong , Sawa Yoshiki , Tang Chao , Liu Li
Published: March 2020

Directed differentiation methods allow acquisition of high-purity cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs); however, their immaturity characteristic limits their application for drug screening and regenerative therapy. The rapid electrical pacing of cardiomyocytes has been used for efficiently promoting the maturation of cardiomyocytes, here we describe a simple device in modified culture plate on which hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes can form three-dimensional self-organized tissue rings (SOTRs). Using calcium imaging, we show that within the ring, reentrant waves (ReWs) of action potential spontaneously originated and ran robustly at a frequency up to 4 Hz. After 2 weeks, SOTRs with ReWs show higher maturation including structural organization, increased cardiac-specific gene expression, enhanced Ca2+-handling properties, an increased oxygen-consumption rate, and enhanced contractile force. We subsequently use a mathematical model to interpret the origination, propagation, and long-term behavior of the ReWs within the SOTRs.
A highly sensitive ECL platform based on GOD and NiO nanoparticle decorated nickel foam for determination of glucose in serum samples
Authors: Kamyabi Mohammad Ali , Moharramnezhad Mohsen
Published: March 2020

The mechanism of ECL glucose biosensor based on GOx/NiONPs/Ni-foam.
Co-exposure to foodborne and waterborne ZnO nanoparticles in aquatic sediment environments enhances DNA damage and stress gene expression in freshwater Asian clam Corbicula fluminea
Authors: Huang Chi-Wei , Chang Chun-Han , Li Shang-Wei , Yen Pei-Ling , Liao Vivian Hsiu-Chuan
Published: March 2020

Co-exposure to foodborne and waterborne ZnO nanoparticles in aquatic sediment environments increases mortality, Zn bioaccumulation, stress genes expression, and DNA damage in freshwater Asian clam Corbicula fluminea.
A facile solution-phase synthetic approach for constructing phenol-based porous organic cages and covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liang Rongran , Hang Cheng , Wang Haiying , Sun Lin , Xu Lei , Liu Dairong , Zhang Zhenyi , Zhang Xingmin , Chang Feifan , Zhao Shengyu , Huang Wei
Published: March 2020

A general solution-phase synthetic strategy is developed to construct both porous organic cages (POCs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) by simply stirring and heating organic solvent/water solutions of aldehydes and amines in the presence of MOH (M = Na, K, and Cs).
Discrimination between target and non-target interactions on the viral surface by merging fluorescence emission into Rayleigh scattering
Authors: Lee Haemi , Jang Yejin , Kim Nam Hoon , Kim Lila , Kim Meehyein , Suh Yung Doug
Published: March 2020

Direct and quantitative determination of antibodies or cellular receptors dynamically binding to the surface of viral particles is the key issue for predicting the efficacy of therapeutic materials or host susceptibility to a new emerging pathogen.
One-dimensional transition metal dihalide nanowires as robust bipolar magnetic semiconductors
Authors: Tan Xingyi , Liu Lili , Xiang Hui , Du Gui-Fang , Lou Ao , Fu Hua-Hua
Published: March 2020

Herein, a new family of 1D transition metal dihalide (TMCl2) nanowires are proposed by using first-principles calculations.
Synthesis of nano-octahedral MgOviaa solvothermal-solid-decomposition method for the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solutions
Authors: Yan Xirui , Tian Zixin , Peng Wencai , Zhang Jianshu , Tong Yanbin , Li Jun , Sun Dekui , Ge Hui , Zhang Jinli
Published: March 2020

This article reports a facile nano-octahedral MgO synthetic method and its adsorption performance for methyl orange.
Comparing chemical composition and lignin structure of Miscanthus x giganteus and Miscanthus nagara harvested in autumn and spring and separated into stems and leaves
Authors: Bergs Michel , Do Xuan Tung , Rumpf Jessica , Kusch Peter , Monakhova Yulia , Konow Christopher , Völkering Georg , Pude Ralf , Schulze Margit
Published: March 2020

Miscanthus crops possess attractive properties such as high photosynthesis yield and carbon fixation rate. Moreover, M. nagara, shows good frost tolerance. Monolignol ratio and most abundant linkages of the isolated lignins have been identified.
Key factor for the anti-Arrhenius low-temperature heterogeneous catalysis induced by H+ migration: H+ coverage over support
Authors: Murakami Kota , Tanaka Yuta , Sakai Ryuya , Hisai Yudai , Hayashi Sasuga , Mizutani Yuta , Higo Takuma , Ogo Shuhei , Seo Jeong Gil , Tsuneki Hideaki , Sekine Yasushi
Published: March 2020

Low-temperature heterogeneous catalytic reaction in an electric field is anticipated as a novel approach for on-demand and small-scale catalytic processes.
Two inorganic–organic hybrid silver-polyoxometalates as reusable catalysts for one-pot synthesis of propargylamines via a three-component coupling reaction at room temperature
Authors: Dou Ming-Yu , Huang Xian-Qiang , Yang Guo-Yu
Published: March 2020

Two silver-polyoxometalates [Ag3L2(DMSO)2][PW12O40]·4DMSO (1) and [(Ag2L2)2][SiW12O40]·10DMSO·2H2O (2) are made and 1 shows good catalytic activities for three-component coupling reaction.
Redox-active polyamine-salt aggregates as multistimuli-responsive soft nanoparticles
Authors: Herrera Santiago E. , Agazzi Maximiliano L. , Cortez M. Lorena , Marmisollé Waldemar A. , Tagliazucchi Mario , Azzaroni Omar
Published: March 2020

The use of [Fe(CN)6]4− and [Fe(CN)6]3− anions as redox-active crosslinking agents in the presence of cationic polyelectrolytes facilitates the assembly/formation of novel multiresponsive soft nanoparticles.
Molecular insights on NaCl crystal formation approaching PVDF membranes functionalized with graphene
Authors: Perrotta Maria Luisa , Macedonio Francesca , Giorno Lidietta , Jin Wanqin , Drioli Enrico , Gugliuzza Annarosa , Tocci Elena
Published: March 2020

Atomistic simulations of graphene–PVDF membranes speeding up NaCl crystal nucleation and growth in comparison to the pristine PVDF membranes.
Synthesis of sulfone-functionalized chroman-4-ones and chromans through visible-light-induced cascade radical cyclization under transition-metal-free conditions
Authors: Mei Yousheng , Zhao Lulu , Liu Qi , Ruan Shuchen , Wang Lei , Li Pinhua
Published: March 2020

A highly efficient and straightforward approach has been developed for the synthesis of sulfone-functionalized chroman-4-ones and chromans through visible-light-induced cascade radical cyclization.
Strain engineering coupled with optical regulation towards a high-sensitivity In2S3 photodetector
Authors: Lu Jianting , Yao Jiandong , Yan Jiahao , Gao Wei , Huang Le , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Zhang Menglong , Li Jingbo
Published: March 2020

We employ strain engineering coupled with optical regulation to construct an ultrasensitive 2D In2S3 photodetector.
Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the zebrafish liver cell line, ZFL, after acute exposure to Cu2+ ions
Authors: Kwok Man Long , Hu Xue Lei , Meng Qi , Chan King Ming
Published: March 2020

All cells require Cu as a cofactor, but Cu2+ induces toxicity and oxidative damage. A strict system is thus needed to maintain Cu homeostasis. Using the ZFL zebrafish liver cell line as a model, we studied the cellular responses after exposure to Cu2+, using whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen nearly all transcriptomes in cell samples and identify changes in gene expression. ZFL cells were treated with 100, 200, or 400 μM CuCl2 and harvested after 4 and 24 h. RNA was then extracted and subjected to RNA-Seq and qPCR validation. Exposure to 400 μM CuCl2 for 4 h and 24 h led to the regulation of 5993 and 4235 genes, respectively. In a gene ontology enrichment analysis, Cu2+ exposure enriched the nitrogen compound metabolic process and antioxidant activity but did not significantly affect cellular copper, zinc, iron and calcium ion homeostasis. In a KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, anti-oxidative stress induced the glutathione metabolism pathway. Furthermore, Cu2+ also induced genes related to apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G2 phase. This study was based on the full gene expression profile combined with pathway analysis details, providing a full cellular response picture for Cu.