bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heisenberg-limited single-mode quantum metrology in a superconducting circuit
Authors: Wang W. , Wu Y. , Ma Y. , Cai W. , Hu L. , Mu X. , Xu Y. , Chen Zi-Jie , Wang H. , Song Y. P. , Yuan H. , Zou C.-L. , Duan L.-M. , Sun L.
Published: September 2019

Two-mode interferometers lay the foundations for quantum metrology. Instead of exploring quantum entanglement in the two-mode interferometers, a single bosonic mode also promises a measurement precision beyond the shot-noise limit (SNL) by taking advantage of the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space of Fock states. Here, we demonstrate a single-mode phase estimation that approaches the Heisenberg limit (HL) unconditionally. Due to the strong dispersive nonlinearity and long coherence time of a microwave cavity, quantum states of the form $$\left( {\left| 0 \right\rangle + \left| N \right\rangle } \right)/\sqrt 2$$

0

+

N

∕

2

can be generated, manipulated and detected with high fidelities, leading to an experimental phase estimation precision scaling as ∼N−0.94. A 9.1 dB enhancement of the precision over the SNL at N = 12 is achieved, which is only 1.7 dB away from the HL. Our experimental architecture is hardware efficient and can be combined with quantum error correction techniques to fight against decoherence, and thus promises quantum-enhanced sensing in practical applications.
Urothelial organoids originating from Cd49fhigh mouse stem cells display Notch-dependent differentiation capacity
Authors: Santos Catarina P. , Lapi Eleonora , Martínez de Villarreal Jaime , Álvaro-Espinosa Laura , Fernández-Barral Asunción , Barbáchano Antonio , Domínguez Orlando , Laughney Ashley M. , Megías Diego , Muñoz Alberto , Real Francisco X.
Published: September 2019

Understanding urothelial stem cell biology and differentiation has been limited by the lack of methods for their unlimited propagation. Here, we establish mouse urothelial organoids that can be maintained uninterruptedly for >1 year. Organoid growth is dependent on EGF and Wnt activators. High CD49f/ITGA6 expression features a subpopulation of organoid-forming cells expressing basal markers. Upon differentiation, multilayered organoids undergo reduced proliferation, decreased cell layer number, urothelial program activation, and acquisition of barrier function. Pharmacological modulation of PPARγ and EGFR promotes differentiation. RNA sequencing highlighted genesets enriched in proliferative organoids (i.e. ribosome) and transcriptional networks involved in differentiation, including expression of Wnt ligands and Notch components. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) analysis of the organoids revealed five clusters with distinct gene expression profiles. Together with the use of γ-secretase inhibitors, scRNA-Seq confirms that Notch signaling is required for differentiation. Urothelial organoids provide a powerful tool to study cell regeneration and differentiation.
Boosting selective nitrogen reduction to ammonia on electron-deficient copper nanoparticles
Authors: Lin Yun-Xiao , Zhang Shi-Nan , Xue Zhong-Hua , Zhang Jun-Jun , Su Hui , Zhao Tian-Jian , Zhai Guang-Yao , Li Xin-Hao , Antonietti Markus , Chen Jie-Sheng
Published: September 2019

Production of ammonia is currently realized by the Haber–Bosch process, while electrochemical N2 fixation under ambient conditions is recognized as a promising green substitution in the near future. A lack of efficient electrocatalysts remains the primary hurdle for the initiation of potential electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia. For cheaper metals, such as copper, limited progress has been made to date. In this work, we boost the N2 reduction reaction catalytic activity of Cu nanoparticles, which originally exhibited negligible N2 reduction reaction activity, via a local electron depletion effect. The electron-deficient Cu nanoparticles are brought in a Schottky rectifying contact with a polyimide support which retards the hydrogen evolution reaction process in basic electrolytes and facilitates the electrochemical N2 reduction reaction process under ambient aqueous conditions. This strategy of inducing electron deficiency provides new insight into the rational design of inexpensive N2 reduction reaction catalysts with high selectivity and activity.
A ‘parameiosis’ drives depolyploidization and homologous recombination in Candida albicans
Authors: Anderson Matthew Z. , Thomson Gregory J. , Hirakawa Matthew P. , Bennett Richard J.
Published: September 2019

Meiosis is a conserved tenet of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes, yet this program is seemingly absent from many extant species. In the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans, mating of diploid cells generates tetraploid products that return to the diploid state via a non-meiotic process of depolyploidization known as concerted chromosome loss (CCL). Here, we report that recombination rates are more than three orders of magnitude higher during CCL than during normal mitotic growth. Furthermore, two conserved ‘meiosis-specific’ factors play central roles in CCL as SPO11 mediates DNA double-strand break formation while both SPO11 and REC8 regulate chromosome stability and promote inter-homolog recombination. Unexpectedly, SPO11 also promotes DNA repair and recombination during normal mitotic divisions. These results indicate that C. albicans CCL represents a ‘parameiosis’ that blurs the conventional boundaries between mitosis and meiosis. They also reveal parallels with depolyploidization in mammalian cells and provide potential insights into the evolution of meiosis.
Connective tissue fibroblasts from highly regenerative mammals are refractory to ROS-induced cellular senescence
Authors: Saxena Sandeep , Vekaria Hemendra , Sullivan Patrick G. , Seifert Ashley W.
Published: September 2019

A surveillance system in mammals constantly monitors cell activity to protect against aberrant proliferation in response to damage, injury and oncogenic stress. Here we isolate and culture connective tissue fibroblasts from highly regenerative mammals (Acomys and Oryctolagus) to determine how these cells interpret signals that normally induce cellular senescence in non-regenerating mammals (Mus and Rattus). While H2O2 exposure substantially decreases cell proliferation and increases p53, p21, p16, and p19 in cells from mice and rats, cells from spiny mice and rabbits are highly resistant to H2O2. Quantifying oxygen consumption and mitochondrial stability, we demonstrate that increased intracellular H2O2 is rapidly detoxified in regenerating species, but overwhelms antioxidant scavenging in cells from non-regenerative mammals. However, pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) protects mouse and rat cells from ROS-induced cellular senescence. Collectively, our results show that intrinsic cellular differences in stress-sensing mechanisms partially explain interspecific variation in regenerative ability.
Argonaute bypasses cellular obstacles without hindrance during target search
Authors: Cui Tao Ju , Klein Misha , Hegge Jorrit W. , Chandradoss Stanley D. , van der Oost John , Depken Martin , Joo Chirlmin
Published: September 2019

Argonaute (Ago) proteins are key players in both gene regulation (eukaryotes) and host defense (prokaryotes). Acting on single-stranded nucleic-acid substrates, Ago relies on base pairing between a small nucleic-acid guide and its complementary target sequences for specificity. To efficiently scan nucleic-acid chains for targets, Ago diffuses laterally along the substrate and must bypass secondary structures as well as protein barriers. Using single-molecule FRET in conjunction with kinetic modelling, we reveal that target scanning is mediated through loose protein-nucleic acid interactions, allowing Ago to slide short distances over secondary structures, as well as to bypass protein barriers via intersegmental transfer. Our combined single-molecule experiment and kinetic modelling approach may serve as a platform to dissect search processes and study the effect of sequence on search kinetics for other nucleic acid-guided proteins.
First-in-human trial of blood–brain barrier opening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using MR-guided focused ultrasound
Authors: Abrahao Agessandro , Meng Ying , Llinas Maheleth , Huang Yuexi , Hamani Clement , Mainprize Todd , Aubert Isabelle , Heyn Chinthaka , Black Sandra E. , Hynynen Kullervo , Lipsman Nir , Zinman Lorne
Published: September 2019

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging technology that can accurately and transiently permeabilize the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system. We conducted a single-arm, first-in-human trial to investigate the safety and feasibility of MRgFUS-induced BBB opening in eloquent primary motor cortex in four volunteers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we show successful BBB opening using MRgFUS as demonstrated by gadolinium leakage at the target site immediately after sonication in all subjects, which normalized 24 hours later. The procedure was well-tolerated with no serious clinical, radiologic or electroencephalographic adverse events. This study demonstrates that non-invasive BBB permeabilization over the motor cortex using MRgFUS is safe, feasible, and reversible in ALS subjects. In future, MRgFUS can be coupled with promising therapeutics providing a targeted delivery platform in ALS.
Complementary vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuki , Badarla Venkata Ramaiah , Kawai Akira , Ideguchi Takuro
Published: September 2019

Vibrational spectroscopy, comprised of infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopy, is widely used for label-free optical sensing and imaging in various scientific and industrial fields. The two molecular spectroscopy methods are sensitive to different types of vibrations and provide complementary vibrational spectra, but obtaining complete vibrational information with a single spectroscopic device is challenging due to the large wavelength discrepancy between the two methods. Here, we demonstrate simultaneous infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopy that allows us to measure the complete broadband vibrational spectra in the molecular fingerprint region with a single instrument based on an ultrashort pulsed laser. The system is based on dual-modal Fourier-transform spectroscopy enabled by efficient use of nonlinear optical effects. Our proof-of-concept experiment demonstrates rapid, broadband and high spectral resolution measurements of complementary spectra of organic liquids for precise and accurate molecular analysis.
A nanofluidic device for parallel single nanoparticle catalysis in solution
Authors: Levin Sune , Fritzsche Joachim , Nilsson Sara , Runemark August , Dhokale Bhausaheb , Ström Henrik , Sundén Henrik , Langhammer Christoph , Westerlund Fredrik
Published: September 2019

Studying single catalyst nanoparticles, during reaction, eliminates averaging effects that are an inherent limitation of ensemble experiments. It enables establishing structure–function correlations beyond averaged properties by including particle-specific descriptors such as defects, chemical heterogeneity and microstructure. Driven by these prospects, several single particle catalysis concepts have been implemented. However, they all have limitations such as low throughput, or that they require very low reactant concentrations and/or reaction rates. In response, we present a nanofluidic device for highly parallelized single nanoparticle catalysis in solution, based on fluorescence microscopy. Our device enables parallel scrutiny of tens of single nanoparticles, each isolated inside its own nanofluidic channel, and at tunable reaction conditions, ranging from the fully mass transport limited regime to the surface reaction limited regime. In a wider perspective, our concept provides a versatile platform for highly parallelized single particle catalysis in solution and constitutes a promising application area for nanofluidics.
Oncotype DX recurrence score implications for disparities in chemotherapy and breast cancer mortality in Georgia
Authors: Collin Lindsay J. , Yan Ming , Jiang Renjian , Ward Kevin C. , Crawford Brittany , Torres Mylin A. , Gogineni Keerthi , Subhedar Preeti D. , Puvanesarajah Samantha , Gaudet Mia M. , McCullough Lauren E.
Published: September 2019

Among women diagnosed with stage I–IIIa, node-negative, hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC), Oncotype DX recurrence scores (ODX RS) inform chemotherapy treatment decisions. Differences in recurrence scores or testing may contribute to racial disparities in BC mortality among women with HR+ tumors. We identified 12,081 non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) BC patients in Georgia (2010–2014), eligible to receive an ODX RS. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of chemotherapy receipt by race and ODX RS. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) comparing BC mortality rates by race and recurrence score. Receipt of Oncotype testing was consistent between NHB and NHW women. Receipt of chemotherapy was generally comparable within strata of ODX RS—although NHB women with low scores were slightly more likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.77, 1.75), and NHB women with high scores less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.48, 1.24), than NHW counterparts. NHB women with a low recurrence score had the largest hazard of BC mortality (HR = 2.47 95% CI 1.22, 4.99) compared to NHW women. Our data suggest that additional tumor heterogeneity, or other downstream treatment factors, not captured by ODX, may be drivers of racial disparities in HR+ BC.
De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of the freshwater araphid diatom Fragilaria radians, Lake Baikal
Authors: Galachyants Yuri Pavlovich , Zakharova Yulia Robertovna , Volokitina Nadezda Antonovna , Morozov Alexey Anatolyevich , Likhoshway Yelena Valentinovna , Grachev Mikhail Aleksandrovich
Published: September 2019

Diatoms are a group of eukaryotic microalgae populating almost all aquatic and wet environments. Their abundance and species diversity make these organisms significant contributors to biogeochemical cycles and important components of aquatic ecosystems. Although significant progress has been made in studies of Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) over the last two decades, since the spread of “omics” technologies, our current knowledge of the molecular processes and gene regulatory networks that facilitate environmental adaptation remain incomplete. Here, we present a transcriptome analysis ofFragilaria radiansisolated from Lake Baikal. The resulting assembly contains 27,446 transcripts encoding 21,996 putative proteins. The transcriptome assembly and annotation were coupled with quantitative experiments to search for differentially expressed transcripts between (i) exponential growth phase and dark-acclimated cell cultures, and (ii) those changing expression level during the early response to light treatment in dark-acclimated cells. The availability ofF.radiansgenome and transcriptome data provides the basis for future targeted studies of this species. Furthermore, our results extend taxonomic and environmental sampling of Bacillariophyta, opening new opportunities for comparative omics-driven surveys.
C/EBPδ protects from radiation-induced intestinal injury and sepsis by suppression of inflammatory and nitrosative stress
Authors: Banerjee Sudip , Fu Qiang , Shah Sumit K. , Melnyk Stepan B , Sterneck Esta , Hauer-Jensen Martin , Pawar Snehalata A.
Published: September 2019

Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced intestinal damage is characterized by a loss of intestinal crypt cells, intestinal barrier disruption and translocation of intestinal microflora resulting in sepsis-mediated lethality. We have shown that mice lacking C/EBPδ display IR-induced intestinal and hematopoietic injury and lethality. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether increased IR-induced inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress promote intestinal injury and sepsis-mediated lethality in Cebpd−/− mice. We found that irradiated Cebpd−/− mice show decreased villous height, crypt depth, crypt to villi ratio and expression of the proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, indicative of intestinal injury. Cebpd−/− mice show increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il-6, Tnf-α) and chemokines (Cxcl1, Mcp-1, Mif-1α) and Nos2 in the intestinal tissues compared to Cebpd+/+ mice after exposure to TBI. Cebpd−/− mice show decreased GSH/GSSG ratio, increased S-nitrosoglutathione and 3-nitrotyrosine in the intestine indicative of basal oxidative and nitrosative stress, which was exacerbated by IR. Irradiated Cebpd-deficient mice showed upregulation of Claudin-2 that correlated with increased intestinal permeability, presence of plasma endotoxin and bacterial translocation to the liver. Overall these results uncover a novel role for C/EBPδ in protection against IR-induced intestinal injury by suppressing inflammation and nitrosative stress and underlying sepsis-induced lethality.
Real-time characterization of spectral instabilities in a mode-locked fibre laser exhibiting soliton-similariton dynamics
Authors: Lapre Coraline , Billet Cyril , Meng Fanchao , Ryczkowski Piotr , Sylvestre Thibaut , Finot Christophe , Genty Göery , Dudley John M.
Published: September 2019

The study of dissipative solitons in mode-locked lasers reveals a rich landscape of interaction dynamics resulting from the interplay of nonlinearity, dispersion and dissipation. Here, we characterize a range of instabilities in a dissipative soliton fibre laser in a regime where both conventional soliton and similariton propagation play significant roles in the intracavity pulse shaping. Specifically, we use the Dispersive Fourier Transform technique to perform real-time spectral measurements of buildup dynamics from noise to the generation of stable single pulses, phase evolution dynamics of bound state “similariton molecules”, and several examples of intermittent instability and explosion dynamics. These results show that the instabilities previously seen in other classes of passively mode-locked fibre lasers are also observed in the presence of strong nonlinear attraction of similariton evolution in an optical fibre amplifier.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of enhanced cellular effects of electrochemotherapy with Cisplatin in triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Mittal Lakshya , Aryal Uma K. , Camarillo Ignacio G. , Ferreira Rodrigo M. , Sundararajan Raji
Published: September 2019

Due to the lack of the three main receptors, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is refractive to standard chemotherapy. Hence, alternate therapies are needed. TNBCs utilize glycolysis, which heightens their growth, proliferation, invasiveness, chemotherapeutic resistance and poor therapeutic response. This calls for novel therapeutic strategies to target these metabolic vulnerabilities present in TNBC. Electroporation-mediated chemotherapy, known as electrochemotherapy (ECT) is gaining momentum as an attractive alternative. However, its molecular mechanisms need better understanding. Towards this, label-free quantitative proteomics is utilized to gain insight into the anticancer mechanisms of ECT using electrical pulses (EP) and Cisplatin (CsP) on MDA-MB-231, human TNBC cells. The results indicate that EP + CsP significantly downregulated 14 key glycolysis proteins (including ENO1, LDHA, LDHB, ACSS2, ALDOA, and PGK1), compared to CsP alone. EP + CsP caused a switch in the metabolism with upregulation of 34 oxidative phosphorylation pathway proteins and 18 tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle proteins compared to CsP alone, accompanied by the upregulation of proteins linked to several metabolic reactions, which produce TCA cycle intermediates. Moreover, EP + CsP promoted multiple pathways to cause 1.3-fold increase in the reactive oxygen species concentration and induced apoptosis. The proteomics results correlate well with cell viability, western blot, and qPCR data. While some effects were similar for EP, more comprehensive and long-lasting effects were observed for EP + CsP, which demonstrate the potential of EP + CsP against TNBC cells.
Study of Abnormal Group Velocities in Flexural Metamaterials
Authors: Park Hong Woo , Oh Joo Hwan
Published: September 2019

Generally, it has been known that the optical branch of a simple one-dimensional periodic structure has a negative group velocity at the first Brillouin zone due to the band-folding effect. However, the optical branch of the flexural wave in one-dimensional periodic structure doesn’t always have negative group velocity. The problem is that the condition whether the group velocity of the flexural optical branch is negative, positive or positive-negative has not been studied yet. In consequence, who try to achieve negative group velocity has suffered from trial-error process without an analytic guideline. In this paper, the analytic investigation for this abnormal behavior is carried out. In particular, we discovered that the group velocity of the optical branch in flexural metamaterials is determined by a simple condition expressed in terms of a stiffness ratio and inertia ratio of the metamaterial. To derive the analytic condition, an extended mass-spring system is used to calculate the wave dispersion relationship in flexural metamaterials. For the validation, various numerical simulations are carried out, including a dispersion curve calculation and three-dimensional wave simulation. The results studied in this paper are expected to provide new guidelines in designing flexural metamaterials to have desired wave dispersion curves.
Heterotrophy as a tool to overcome the long and costly autotrophic scale-up process for large scale production of microalgae
Authors: Barros A. , Pereira H. , Campos J. , Marques A. , Varela J. , Silva J.
Published: September 2019

Industrial scale-up of microalgal cultures is often a protracted step prone to culture collapse and the occurrence of unwanted contaminants. To solve this problem, a two-stage scale-up process was developed – heterotrophically Chlorella vulgaris cells grown in fermenters (1st stage) were used to directly inoculate an outdoor industrial autotrophic microalgal production unit (2nd stage). A preliminary pilot-scale trial revealed that C. vulgaris cells grown heterotrophically adapted readily to outdoor autotrophic growth conditions (1-m3 photobioreactors) without any measurable difference as compared to conventional autotrophic inocula. Biomass concentration of 174.5 g L−1, the highest value ever reported for this microalga, was achieved in a 5-L fermenter during scale-up using the heterotrophic route. Inocula grown in 0.2- and 5-m3 industrial fermenters with mean productivity of 27.54 ± 5.07 and 31.86 ± 2.87 g L−1 d−1, respectively, were later used to seed several outdoor 100-m3 tubular photobioreactors. Overall, all photobioreactor cultures seeded from the heterotrophic route reached standard protein and chlorophyll contents of 52.18 ± 1.30% of DW and 23.98 ± 1.57 mg g−1 DW, respectively. In addition to providing reproducible, high-quality inocula, this two-stage approach led to a 5-fold and 12-fold decrease in scale-up time and occupancy area used for industrial scale-up, respectively.
Structural insight into glucose repression of the mannitol operon
Authors: Choe Mangyu , Min Huitae , Park Young-Ha , Kim Yeon-Ran , Woo Jae-Sung , Seok Yeong-Jae
Published: September 2019

Carbon catabolite repression is a regulatory mechanism to ensure sequential utilization of carbohydrates and is usually accomplished by repression of genes for the transport and metabolism of less preferred carbon compounds by a more preferred one. Although glucose and mannitol share the general components, enzyme I and HPr, of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) for their transport, glucose represses the transport and metabolism of mannitol in a manner dependent on the mannitol operon repressor MtlR in Escherichia coli. In a recent study, we identified the dephosphorylated form of HPr as a regulator determining the glucose preference over mannitol by interacting with and augmenting the repressor activity of MtlR in E. coli. Here, we determined the X-ray structure of the MtlR-HPr complex at 3.5 Å resolution to understand how phosphorylation of HPr impedes its interaction with MtlR. The phosphorylation site (His15) of HPr is located close to Glu108 and Glu140 of MtlR and phosphorylation at His15 causes electrostatic repulsion between the two proteins. Based on this structural insight and comparative sequence analyses, we suggest that the determination of the glucose preference over mannitol solely by the MtlR-HPr interaction is conserved within  the Enterobacteriaceae family.
Arc-arc collision caused the 2018 Eastern Iburi earthquake (M 6.7) in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Hua Yuanyuan , Zhao Dapeng , Xu Yixian , Wang Zewei
Published: September 2019

Inland crustal earthquakes usually occur in the brittle upper crust (0–20 km depths), but the 6 September 2018 Eastern Iburi earthquake (M 6.7) took place in southern Hokkaido with a focal depth of ~37 km, causing 41 fatalities and serious damage to the local infrastructure. The reason why this event was so deep and its causal mechanism are still unclear. In this work we study the three-dimensional P and S wave seismic attenuation (1/Q) structure in the source zone of the 2018 Iburi earthquake. Our results show that this event occurred at the boundary between the Sorachi-Yezo belt (low Q) and the dipping Northeastern (NE) Japan arc (high Q) that is descending beneath the Kuril arc. The collision between the NE Japan and Kuril arcs as well as fluids from dehydration of the subducting Pacific plate caused this big event and its unusual focal depth. Similar attenuation structures are revealed in source zones of the 1970 Hidaka earthquake (M 6.7) and the 1982 Urakawa-oki earthquake (M 7.1), suggesting that they were caused by similar processes. We think that large earthquakes will take place again on the active thrust faults in southern Hokkaido in the coming decades. Hence, we should pay much attention to the seismic risk and prepare for reduction of earthquake hazards there.
Optimal management of oil content variability in olive mill batches by NIR spectroscopy
Authors: Correa E. C. , Roger J. M. , Lleó L. , Hernández-Sánchez N. , Barreiro P. , Diezma B.
Published: September 2019

Total oil content (OC) is one of the main parameters used to characterize the whole of olives entering a commercial mill, quantified by the total fresh weight of the lot and the oil concentration (%) assessed in a representative sample on olive paste, by means of chemical extraction. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and NIR spectroscopy are alternative methods even at individual olives. This work evaluates several strategies to calibrate precise NIR models for the estimation of the total OC. To this end, 278 olives were analysed covering whole season variability in terms of olive fresh-weight and the corresponding OC by chemical extraction in 31 batches. The average spectra from hyperspectral NIR images (1003–2208 nm) were computed for each fruit and the actual OC (g) of those olives determined by NMR (0.09 to 1.29 g with a precision of 0.017 g). According to the results, current batch based assessment of the OC (Soxhlet, %) in mills only reproduces 44% of the underlying heterogeneity, despite being the factory standard. The incorporation of individual NIR spectra (278) to the 31 Soxhlet values of the batches allows a 67% explanation of the OC (%) of olives. When estimating OC (g) gathering individual fresh weight and the estimation of oil concentration in olives, a standard error of prediction of 0.061 g is reached (r2 = 0.93), a precision value that approaches the potential limit according to the NMR reference (0.017 g).
A multi-source data integration approach reveals novel associations between metabolites and renal outcomes in the German Chronic Kidney Disease study
Authors: Altenbuchinger Michael , Zacharias Helena U. , Solbrig Stefan , Schäfer Andreas , Büyüközkan Mustafa , Schultheiß Ulla T. , Kotsis Fruzsina , Köttgen Anna , Spang Rainer , Oefner Peter J. , Krumsiek Jan , Gronwald Wolfram
Published: September 2019

Omics data facilitate the gain of novel insights into the pathophysiology of diseases and, consequently, their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. To this end, omics data are integrated with other data types, e.g., clinical, phenotypic, and demographic parameters of categorical or continuous nature. We exemplify this data integration issue for a chronic kidney disease (CKD) study, comprising complex clinical, demographic, and one-dimensional1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabolic variables. Routine analysis screens for associations of single metabolic features with clinical parameters while accounting for confounders typically chosen by expert knowledge. This knowledge can be incomplete or unavailable. We introduce a framework for data integration that intrinsically adjusts for confounding variables. We give its mathematical and algorithmic foundation, provide a state-of-the-art implementation, and evaluate its performance by sanity checks and predictive performance assessment on independent test data. Particularly, we show that discovered associations remain significant after variable adjustment based on expert knowledge. In contrast, we illustrate that associations discovered in routine univariate screening approaches can be biased by incorrect or incomplete expert knowledge. Our data integration approach reveals important associations between CKD comorbidities and metabolites, including novel associations of the plasma metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide with cardiac arrhythmia and infarction in CKD stage 3 patients.
Dynamic secondary electron emission in rough composite materials
Authors: Olano Leandro , Dávila Maria E. , Dennison John R. , Martín-Iglesias Petronilo , Montero Isabel
Published: September 2019

The interaction of ionizing radiation with matter is of critical importance in numerous areas of science and technology like space and vacuum technology and even medicine and biotechnology. Secondary electron emission is a consequence of electron irradiation on materials. We achieve extremely low secondary electron emission yield values smaller than 0.2, even up to incident electron energies ~1 keV, due to an undocumented synergy between neighbouring metal and dielectric domains in composite samples. To investigate this experimental discovery, we propose a simple 3D model where the dielectric and metallic domains are arranged in parallel and interleaved. The proposed surface profile has a triangular shape to model the surface roughness. We obtain a continuous equation to describe the electric field that arises between grounded conductors and charged dielectrics domains. The calculated trajectories of secondary electrons in this 3D geometry are used to predict dynamic secondary emission yield, which strongly depends on the charge accumulated in the dielectric domains. This research paves the way to design new materials of low secondary emission yield, addressing the technological problem not yet resolved to inhibit the electron avalanche in RF equipment that limit their maximum working power.
Doping Strontium into Neodymium Manganites Nanocomposites for Enhanced Visible light Driven Photocatalysis
Authors: Abdel-Latif I. A. , Al-Hajji L. A. , Faisal M. , Ismail Adel A.
Published: September 2019

Nd1−xSrxMnO3 nanocomposites perovskites were synthesized using sol gel method at different Sr content x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9. The photocatalytic performance of the Nd1−xSrxMnO3 nanocomposites for photodegradation of Acridine orange dye (AO) was evaluated over visible light illumination. The single phase of orthorhombic pbnm was formed for x = 0.3 and 0.5; however monoclinic and orthorhombic were observed at x = 0.7 and 0.9. The Energy gap of the Nd1−xSrxMnO3 nanocomposites were estimated for all concentrations to be in the range of 3 ± 0.05 eV. The photocatalytic efficiency of Nd0.3Sr0.7MnO3 nanocomposite was 95% of the initial AO dye concentration within 3 h illumination time. The linear increase of the photodegradation rate was found in our samples as a result of the increase of Sr contents from 0.3 to 0.7wt %. Interestingly, the Nd0.3Sr0.7MnO3 content has the highest degradation rate of AO which is two times faster than undoped NdMnO3. This superior behavior in photocatalytic activity of Nd0.3Sr0.7MnO3 nanocomposite emerges from large surface area, structural anisotropy, and small particle size. These findings shows convincingly that the Nd1−xSrxMnO3 photocatalysts possess great promise for visible light driven photodegradation of AO dye.
Increase in fatty acids and flotillins upon resveratrol treatment of human breast cancer cells
Authors: Gomes Luciana , Sorgine Marcos , Passos Carlos Luan Alves , Ferreira Christian , de Andrade Ivone Rosa , Silva Jerson L. , Atella Georgia C. , Mermelstein Claudia S. , Fialho Eliane
Published: September 2019

Flotillin-1 and flotillin-2 are highly conserved proteins that localize into cholesterol-rich microdomains in cellular membranes. Flotillins are closely related to the occurrence and development of various types of human cancers. Flotillin-1 is highly expressed in breast cancer, and the high expression level of flotillin-1 is significantly correlated with poorer patient survival. Here we studied the relationship between the formation of lipid rafts and the expression of flotillins and lipids in human breast cancer cells. We used the polyphenol compound resveratrol to alter the structure and function of the plasma membrane. Our data revealed an increase in fatty acids in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells upon resveratrol treatment. Interestingly, we also found an increase in the expression of both flotillin-1 and flotillin-2 in breast tumor cells after treatment. Resveratrol also induced changes in the pattern of flotillin distribution among detergent-resistant lipid rafts fractions in both cell lines and induced the nuclear translocation of flotillin-2. Since resveratrol has been pointed out as a putative cancer therapy agent, our results could have an impact on the understanding of the effects of resveratrol in tumor cells.
Processing of a single ribonucleotide embedded into DNA by human nucleotide excision repair and DNA polymerase η
Authors: Sassa Akira , Tada Haruto , Takeishi Ayuna , Harada Kaho , Suzuki Megumi , Tsuda Masataka , Sasanuma Hiroyuki , Takeda Shunichi , Sugasawa Kaoru , Yasui Manabu , Honma Masamitsu , Ura Kiyoe
Published: September 2019

DNA polymerases often incorporate non-canonical nucleotide, i.e., ribonucleoside triphosphates into the genomic DNA. Aberrant accumulation of ribonucleotides in the genome causes various cellular abnormalities. Here, we show the possible role of human nucleotide excision repair (NER) and DNA polymerase η (Pol η) in processing of a single ribonucleotide embedded into DNA. We found that the reconstituted NER system can excise the oxidized ribonucleotide on the plasmid DNA. Taken together with the evidence that Pol η accurately bypasses a ribonucleotide, i.e., riboguanosine (rG) or its oxidized derivative (8-oxo-rG) in vitro, we further assessed the mutagenic potential of the embedded ribonucleotide in human cells lacking NER or Pol η. A single rG on the supF reporter gene predominantly induced large deletion mutations. An embedded 8-oxo-rG caused base substitution mutations at the 3′-neighboring base rather than large deletions in wild-type cells. The disruption of XPA, an essential factor for NER, or Pol η leads to the increased mutant frequency of 8-oxo-rG. Furthermore, the frequency of 8-oxo-rG-mediated large deletions was increased by the loss of Pol η, but not XPA. Collectively, our results suggest that base oxidation of the embedded ribonucleotide enables processing of the ribonucleotide via alternative DNA repair and damage tolerance pathways.
Saving Old Bones: a non-destructive method for bone collagen prescreening
Authors: Sponheimer Matt , Ryder Christina M. , Fewlass Helen , Smith Erin K. , Pestle William J. , Talamo Sahra
Published: September 2019

Bone collagen is an important material for radiocarbon, paleodietary, and paleoproteomic analyses, but it degrades over time, making such analyses more difficult with older material. Collagen preservation between and within archaeological sites is also variable, so that much time, effort, and money can go into the preparation and initial analysis of samples that will not yield meaningful results. To avoid this, various methods are employed to prescreen bone for collagen preservation (e.g., %N, microporosity, and FTIR spectroscopic analyses), but these are often destructive and/or require exportation for analysis. Here, we explore near-infrared spectroscopy as a tool for gauging the collagen content of ground and whole bone from about 500 to 45,000 years ago. We show that a portable spectrometer’s ability to quantify collagen content and classify specimens by preservation status is comparable to that of other popular prescreening methods. Moreover, near-infrared spectroscopy is non-destructive and spectra can be acquired in a few seconds.
Isolation, analysis and in vitro assessment of CYP3A4 inhibition by methylxanthines extracted from Pu-erh and Bancha tea leaves
Authors: Georgiev Kaloyan D. , Radeva-Ilieva Maya , Stoeva Stanila , Zhelev Iliya
Published: September 2019

Methylxanthines, purine alkaloids found in plants, are found in beverages (coffee, tea, cocoa) and foods (chocolate and other cocoa-containing foods) commonly consumed worldwide. Members of this family include caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. Methylxanthines have a variety of pharmacological effects, and caffeine and theophylline are used as pharmaceuticals. Methylxanthines are metabolized in the liver predominantly by the enzyme CYP1A2. Their co-administration with CYP1A2 inhibitors may lead to pharmacokinetic interactions. Little is known about the possible drug interactions between caffeine and substrates of other CYP450 enzymes. In our study, methylxanthine fractions inhibited CYP3A4 in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitant consumption of green tea with CYP3A4 substrates could increase the possibility of interactions, and this requires further clarification. The inhibition of CYP3A4 is not only due to the presence of catechin derivatives but methylxanthines may also contribute to this effect.
Synthesis of water-soluble gold–aryl nanoparticles with distinct catalytic performance in the reduction of the environmental pollutant 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad A. L. , Panicker Seema , Chehimi Mohamed M. , Monge Miguel , Lopez-de-Luzuriaga Jose M. , Mohamed Ahmed A. , Bruce Alice E. , Bruce Mitchell R. M.
Published: September 2019

In-depth kinetic insight into the catalytic reduction of nitrophenol pollutant using gold–carbon nanoparticles is described.
Efficient reduction of 4-nitrophenol catalyzed by 4-carbo-methoxypyrrolidone modified PAMAM dendrimer–silver nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Desheng , Zhang Rui , Zhao Ting , Sun Tingting , Chu Xiaomeng , Liu Shaojie , Tang Erjun , Xu Xiaodong
Published: September 2019

Ag–PPDNCs prepared with 4-carbomethoxypyrrolidone modified PAMAM showed very high activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Dietary berries, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes: an overview of human feeding trials
Authors: Calvano Aaron , Izuora Kenneth , Oh Edwin C. , Ebersole Jeffrey L. , Lyons Timothy J. , Basu Arpita
Published: September 2019

This review focuses on the role of dietary berries, especially the commonly consumed blueberries, cranberries and strawberries on metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in human trials.
Quantitative profiling of integrin αvβ3 on single cells with quantum dot labeling to reveal the phenotypic heterogeneity of glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Tingting , Li Guang , Wang Dianbing , Li Feng , Men Dong , Hu Tao , Xi Yan , Zhang Xian-En
Published: September 2019

The distribution, localization and density of individual molecules (e.g. drug-specific receptors) on single cells can offer profound information about cell phenotypes.
Self-protective GaInN-based light-emitting diodes with VO2 nanowires
Authors: Lee Jong Won , Park Jeonghyeon , Kwon Heera , Hong Woong-Ki , Kim Jong Kyu , Cho Jaehee
Published: September 2019

We presented a new functional GaInN-based light-emitting diode (LED) that is capable of protecting itself from unwanted thermal damage (a so-called self-protective LED).
Embedding epitaxial (blue) phosphorene in between device-compatible functional layers
Authors: Grazianetti Carlo , Faraone Gabriele , Martella Christian , Bonera Emiliano , Molle Alessandro
Published: September 2019

Large scale epitaxial (blue) phosphorene is embedded in between two functional layers aiming at its integration into an operational device.
Magnet-activatable nanoliposomes as intracellular bubble microreactors to enhance drug delivery efficacy and burst cancer cells
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Jing , Chen Heming , Cai Yan , Sheng Tianyu , Wang Peng , Li Zhiyong , Yang Fang , Gu Ning
Published: September 2019

The magnetic nanoliposomes could be transferred as intracellular bubble microreactors to bomb tumor cell by responding magneto-acoustic force.
Core–shell structured PtRu nanoparticles@FeP promoter with an efficient nanointerface for alcohol fuel electrooxidation
Authors: Bao Yufei , Wang Fulong , Gu Xiaocong , Feng Ligang
Published: September 2019

A core–shell structured catalyst based on active PtRu nanoparticles and a novel promoter of FeP with an efficient nano-interface was synthesized for the first time, demonstrating activity for the electrooxidation of alcohol fuels.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based detection of hazardous chemicals in various phases and matrices with plasmonic nanostructures
Authors: Choi Jaewon , Kim Jae-Ho , Oh Jeong-Wook , Nam Jwa-Min
Published: September 2019

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors with high specificity and sensitivity are powerful for identifying trace amounts of hazardous chemicals in a variety of different phases and matrices.
A tri-phase percolative ceramic composite with high initial permeability and composition-independent giant permittivity
Authors: Tian Wei , Xiao Bin , Chen Zuhuang , Tang Yu , Ma Ning , Wang Zongrong , Du Piyi
Published: September 2019

A tri-phase BTO/BFO/NZFO ceramic featuring the microwave-absorbing-material BFO formed in situ possessed giant permittivity and permeability, and stabilizing properties around the percolation threshold.
Both the mono- and di-anions of ellagic acid are effective inhibitors of the serine β-lactamase CTX-M-15
Authors: Talbot Nathan , Powles Nicholas T. , Page Michael I.
Published: September 2019

Both the mono- and di-anions of the δ-lactone containing ellagic acid are time-dependent covalent inhibitors of the active site of β-lactamase.
Resistive switching behavior in α-In2Se3 nanoflakes modulated by ferroelectric polarization and interface defects
Authors: Hou Pengfei , Xing Siwei , Liu Xin , Chen Cheng , Zhong Xiangli , Wang Jinbin , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: September 2019

A planar device based on an α-In2Se3 nanoflake, in which the in-plane/out-of-plane polarization, free carriers and oxygen vacancies in SiO2 contribute to the resistive switching behavior of the device.
Nickel-catalyzed hydroalkylation and hydroalkenylation of 1,3-dienes with hydrazones
Authors: Cheng Lei , Li Ming-Ming , Wang Biao , Xiao Li-Jun , Xie Jian-Hua , Zhou Qi-Lin
Published: September 2019

Nickel-catalyzed highly regioselective hydroalkylation and hydroalkenylation of dienes were achieved with different hydrazones.
Re-entrant phase separation in nematically aligning active polar particles
Authors: Bhattacherjee Biplab , Chaudhuri Debasish
Published: September 2019

We present the phase behaviour of repulsively interacting and nematically aligning active polar particles. This shows isotropic–nematic transition well separated from active phase separation which is mediated by MIPS or flocking depending on activity.
Interfacial self-assembly of amphiphilic conjugated block copolymer into 2D nanotapes
Authors: Guo Xiao-Shuai , Zhang Ze-Kun , Zhang Tian-Yu , Tong Zai-Zai , Xu Jun-Ting , Fan Zhi-Qiang
Published: September 2019

In the present work, the evaporation-induced interfacial self-assembly behavior of an amphiphilic conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (P3HT-b-PAA), at the oil–water interface is explored.
Two-dimensional black phosphorous induced exciton dissociation efficiency enhancement for high-performance all-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite photovoltaics
Authors: Li Bo , Zhang Yanan , Fu Lin , Zhang Luyuan , Liu Zhongyuan , Yin Longwei
Published: September 2019

An effective strategy to enhance the exciton dissociation efficiency in inorganic perovskites is reported by incorporating layer-structure-tunable two-dimensional black phosphorous.
Sulfurization-induced edge amorphization in copper–nickel–cobalt layered double hydroxide nanosheets promoting hydrazine electro-oxidation
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Xie Junfeng , Guo Yanqing , Lou Shanshan , Gao Li , Tang Bo
Published: September 2019

The electrocatalytic hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) has drawn extensive attention due to its high energy conversion efficiency and wide applications in hydrazine-assisted water splitting and direct hydrazine fuel cells (DHFC).
Fast self-replenishing slippery surfaces with a 3D fibrous porous network for the healing of surface properties
Authors: Yan Minglong , Zhang Chunhong , Chen Rongrong , Liu Qi , Liu Jingyuan , Yu Jing , Gao Liangtian , Sun Gaohui , Wang Jun
Published: September 2019

Slippery surfaces with a 3D fibrous porous network were flexibly prepared, showing ultra-large lubricant storage capacity and fast self-replenishing ability.
Effects of S and Se contents on the physical and photovoltaic properties of Cu2ZnSn(SX, Se1−X)4 thin films: achieving a PCE of 9.47%
Authors: Son Dae-Ho , Kim Young-Ill , Kim Seung-Hyun , Nam Dahyun , Cheong Hyeonsik , Kang Jin-Kyu , Yang Kee-Jeong , Kim Dae-Hwan
Published: September 2019

CZTSSe thin films with various S/(S + Se) compositions were synthesized by adding SeS2 powder in an optimized selenization process.
Compact Si/C anodes fabricated by simultaneously regulating the size and oxidation degree of Si for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Liang , He Yan-Bing , Li Chengfei , Jiang Kelin , Wang Peng , Ma Jiabin , Xia Heyi , Chen Fangyuan , He Yuanbiao , Chen Zhen , You Conghui , Kang Feiyu
Published: September 2019

A compact Si/C anode with regulable size and oxidation extent of Si exhibits excellent performance in half and full Li-ion batteries.
Destroy the planet for the sake of the very rich? A plea for fair distribution as common sense
Authors: Grande Elisabetta
Published: September 2019

This paper will address from a peculiar point of view the key issue -raised today by Greta Thunberg and her peers- of the unlimited economic growth in a limited planet. It is its aim to point out how a relentless growth, while entailing dramatic ecological consequences in terms both of resources’ consumption/destruction and of climate change, contrary to a common perception does not benefit everybody. In contrast, because of the unequal distribution of GDP and wealth that is largely driven by the legal systems such as politically shaped, it benefits only the very rich. This new understanding should finally lead the vast majority of us to stop asking for an unlimited growth and to join Greta Thunberg in her protest, calling for something different, namely a less unequal redistribution of what we have via different legal rules. Why in fact should we destroy the planet, such as weneed it for our survival, just to make the very wealthy even more affluent?