bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Seasonality Patterns in the Transport of Cruise Travellers Through Clustering Techniques
Authors: Esteve-Perez Jeronimo , Garcia-Sanchez Antonio
Published: April 2019

The tourist attraction of a cruise itinerary is composed of the on board experience plus the shore-based experience. Due to the positive dynamism of the cruise industry since the beginning of the twenty-first century, cruise lines are driven to innovate to create new experiences that help maintain high demand rates. From the point of view of creating new experiences on land, cruise lines move their vessels from one destination region to another to maximise the vessel's occupancy and to offer itineraries with a wider variety of shore-based attractions. These new itinerary designs lead to alterations in the seasonality patterns of the neighbouring regions. In this work, the 17 most important cruise ports located in the northeast quadrant of the Atlantic Ocean are analysed to find groups of ports with homogeneous seasonality patterns using clustering techniques. The analysis showed two different seasonality patterns. Consequently, some implications to improve the use of the ports of both clusters are included.
Discrete derivative asymptotics of the β-Hermite eigenvalues
Authors: Goel Gopal , Ahn Andrew
Published: April 2019

We consider the asymptotics of the difference between the empirical measures of the β-Hermite tridiagonal matrix and its minor. We prove that this difference has a deterministic limit and Gaussian fluctuations. Through a correspondence between measures and continual Young diagrams, this deterministic limit is identified with the Vershik–Kerov–Logan–Shepp curve. Moreover, the Gaussian fluctuations are identified with a sectional derivative of the Gaussian free field.
Executive control performance and foreign-language proficiency associated with immersion education in French-speaking Belgium
Authors: Simonis Morgane , Van der Linden Lize , Galand Benoit , Hiligsmann Philippe , Szmalec Arnaud
Published: April 2019

A large sample study (n = 513) was conducted to investigate executive control performance in pupils following an immersion education program. We recruited 10-year-old children (n = 128) and 16-year-old adolescents (n = 127) who were enrolled in English or Dutch immersion education in French-speaking Belgium for at least 4 school years. They were compared to non-immersed children (n = 102) and adolescents (n = 156) on a number of executive control tasks assessing inhibitory control, monitoring, switching and attentional abilities. Several control variables such as receptive vocabulary, nonverbal intelligence, socioeconomic status and other potentially relevant background variables were also considered. Our results show significant gains in foreign-language proficiency for the immersed compared to the non-immersed participants. These gains were however not associated with any measurable benefits on executive control. Our findings make a unique contribution to understanding how language and cognition develop through formal education methods that promote bilingualism.
Critical time for weed removal in glyphosate-resistant soybean as influenced by preemergence herbicides
Authors: Knezevic Stevan Z. , Pavlovic Pavle , Osipitan O. Adewale , Barnes Ethann R. , Beiermann Clint , Oliveira Maxwel C. , Lawrence Nevin , Scott Jon E. , Jhala Amit
Published: April 2019

Widespread and repeated use of glyphosate resulted in an increase in glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds. This led to an urgent need for diversification of weed control programs and use of PRE herbicides with alternative sites of action. Field experiments were conducted over a 4-yr period (2015 to 2018) across three locations in Nebraska to evaluate the effects of PRE-applied herbicides on critical time for weed removal (CTWR) in GR soybean. The studies were laid out in a split-plot arrangement with herbicide regime as the main plot and weed removal timing as the subplot. The herbicide regimes used were either no PRE or premix of either sulfentrazone plus imazethapyr (350 + 70 g ai ha−1) or saflufenacil plus imazethapyr plus pyroxasulfone (26 + 70 + 120 g ai ha−1). The weed removal timings were at V1, V3, V6, R2, and R5 soybean stages, with weed-free and weedy season-long checks. Weeds were removed by application of glyphosate (1,400 g ae ha−1) or by hoeing. The results across all years and locations suggested that the use of PRE herbicides delayed CTWR in soybean. In particular, the CTWR without PRE herbicides was determined to be around the V1 to V2 (14 to 21 d after emergence [DAE]) growth stage, depending on the location and weed pressure. The use of PRE-applied herbicides delayed CTWR from about the V4 (28 DAE) stage up to the R5 (66 DAE) stage. These results suggest that the use of PRE herbicides in GR soybean could delay the need for POST application of glyphosate by 2 to 5 wk, thereby reducing the need for multiple applications of glyphosate during the growing season. Additionally, the use of PRE herbicides could provide additional modes of action needed to manage GR weeds in GR soybean.
Cerebral venous thrombosis in adults
Authors: Koennecke Hans-Christian
Published: April 2019

Summary. Thromboses of cerebral veins and/or sinuses (CVT) encompass a clinically rather heterogenous, relatively rare entity, which is nonetheless an important cause of stroke in the young. While until the mid of the last century the prognosis of CVT was thought to be poor or even fatal in the majority of cases, the advance and wider use of modern imaging technology since the early 1980s, together with the results of registries and population-based studies, revealed that CVT is more frequent and less life-threatening than previously assumed. However, because headache is frequently the only symptom, many oligosymptomatic cases might be overlooked. Both, CT- and MR-venography are suitable methods to confirm or rule out CVT, while the sensitivity of laboratory tests (D-dimer) alone is too low to rely on. Despite low evidence anticoagulation remains the treatment of choice during the acute phase and for secondary prevention.
The Penultimate Glacial Termination and Variability of the Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone
Authors: Reimi M. A. , Marcantonio F. , Lynch‐Stieglitz J. , Jacobel A. W. , McManus J. F. , Winckler G.
Published: April 2019

Understanding how the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) responds to abrupt climate change is essential for reconstructing large‐scale atmospheric circulation across climate transitions. However, key differences between dynamical models and observational constraints on ITCZ movement remain unresolved. Here, we examine the Pb and Nd radiogenic isotope signatures of dust deposited in the central equatorial Pacific (CEP) from 160 to 105 kyr. We quantified the relative contributions of Northern Hemisphere‐ and Southern Hemisphere‐sourced dust to the CEP. In contrast with previous model estimates, we demonstrate that South America is an important source of dust to the CEP during glacial periods. Our new observations provide a critical data set for verifying dynamical arguments about tropical hydroclimate. We infer that the southernmost position of the ITCZ precipitation centroid occurs between 136 and 131 kyr, coincident with the timing of North Atlantic Heinrich Stadial Event 11 (136 to 129 kyr).
Correction of Ionospheric Distortion on HF Hybrid Sky‐Surface Wave Radar Calibrated by Direct Wave
Authors: Zhou Qing , Yue Xianchang , Zhang Lan , Wu Xingbin , Wang Longgang
Published: April 2019

The performance of the high‐frequency hybrid sky‐surface wave radar is often degraded due to the distortion of radar echoes induced by time‐varying ionosphere. Here a modified S‐transform method based on the direct wave for ionosphere decontamination of high‐frequency hybrid sky‐surface wave radar is presented. First, we extract the time‐varying‐ionosphere‐distorted phase of the echoes from the direct wave of high‐frequency hybrid sky‐surface wave radar by using the modified S‐transform. Then this phase function is used to decontaminate the ionosphere distortion of radar echo at each range bins. Simulations and experimental data are conducted to validate the performance of the proposed method on decontaminating the distortion. The experimental data are acquired by Wuhan Universitys ocean state measuring and analyzing radar. A mass of radar data is processed and analyzed, demonstrating that the decontamination effect is statistically significant. The method is not only effective to remove the Doppler shift of direct wave and Bragg peaks caused by ionosphere but also able to narrow the broadened direct wave and Bragg peaks. Meanwhile, the SNR is improved in most range bins; the background noise is reduced detectably, sometimes significantly; and some isolated radar echoes near direct wave or Bragg peaks are recovered or enhanced. These results indicate that the proposed decontamination algorithm works well.
Pattern of Ionization Gradient, Solar Quiet Magnetic Element, and F2‐Layer Bottomside Thickness Parameter at African Equatorial Location
Authors: Adebesin B. O. , Adeniyi J. O. , Adimula I. A. , Adebiyi S. J. , Ikubanni S. O. , Oladipo O. A. , Olawepo A. O.
Published: April 2019

The study of ionization gradient (dN/dh) profile in the description of ionospheric dynamics is not common. This is the first attempt at finding the dependence of ionization gradient, solar quiet component (Sq (BH)), and bottomside thickness parameter (B0) in the African equatorial sector. Digisonde and Magnetic Data Acquisition System data collocated at an equatorial location were employed. Result was presented for sunrise (00 LT), midday (12 LT), sunset (18 LT), and midnight (00 LT) hours. The ionization gradient peak height remains unchanged at midday across all months. A percentage correlation of 93% existed in the inverse and direct linear relationship of dN/dh‐B0 at sunrise, and of Sq (BH)‐B0 at midday, respectively. Significant relationship between dN/dh and Sq (BH) was at sunset; for other hours, the relationship is poor. The multiple linear relationship of dN/dh‐Sq (BH)‐B0 parameters revealed that the dependence of dN/dh on Sq (BH) and B0 is highest at midday, and a model equation was presented. The dependence of dN/dh on the solar activity index (F10.7) holds at all the selected hours, and distinct only at midday and midnight for the Sq (BH)‐F10.7 and B0‐F10.7 patterns. Both the peak ionization gradient and the height it occurs maximizes/minimizes at 18 LT/06 LT. The importance of the F region dynamo at heights above 150 km was reported.
Progress in Ocean Salinity Science
Authors: Boutin Jacqueline , Reverdin Gilles , Mecklenburg Susanne
Published: April 2019

2018 Ocean Salinity Science Conference; Paris, France, 6–9 November 2018
Podcast: When the Sahara Was Green
Authors: Lester Liza
Published: April 2019

Past climate change likely motivated human migrations.
Large‐Amplitude Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves and Density Fluctuations in the Flank of the Earth's Magnetosheath
Authors: Zhao J. S. , Wang T. Y. , Dunlop M. W. , Shi C. , He J. S. , Dong X. C. , Wu D. J. , Giles B. , Russell C. T.
Published: April 2019

The electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave usually observed in the Earth's magnetosheath is thought to be generated through the ion temperature anisotropy instability. This paper presents an observation of a long‐lasting large‐amplitude EMIC wave event in the dawnside flank of the magnetosheath by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, lasting from 06:33:00 to 12:35:00 UT on 16 April 2018. The wave amplitude is around 0.2 nT as compared to the ambient magnetic field ~12 nT. The characteristic frequency and scale size are around 0.2 Hz and 1,028 km, respectively. Accompanying EMIC waves are density fluctuations, which exhibit both positive and negative correlations with the longitudinal magnetic field. Using the fitted parameters for the ion and electron phase space densities, plasma kinetic theory predicts local excitations of both EMIC and mirror instabilities, which provide the energy of these observed EMIC waves and density fluctuations.
Volume, Heat, and Freshwater Divergences in the Subpolar North Atlantic Suggest the Nordic Seas as Key to the State of the Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Chafik Léon , Rossby T.
Published: April 2019

The meridional overturning circulation (MOC) decreases rapidly in subpolar and Nordic regions where the warm upper layer loses its buoyancy due to intense heat loss, sinks, and flows south. The major volume loss of the upper limb of the MOC, ~9.6 Sv out of 18.4 ± 3.4 Sv, occurs as subduction across the Iceland Basin and Irminger Sea while the major heat loss, 273 TW out of 395 ± 74 TW is associated with the MOC branch that continues into the Nordic Seas where North Atlantic deep overflow water is produced. The 122 ± 79 TW heat flux convergence in the subpolar gyre appears to be significantly larger than various estimates of heat loss to the atmosphere. Much of the 0.09 ± 0.02 Sv freshwater divergence is presumably balanced by runoff from the Greenland shelf. These estimates suggest that the Nordic Seas, not the Labrador Sea, are key to the state of the MOC.
Human‐Induced Changes in Holocene Nitrogen Cycling in North China: An Isotopic Perspective From Sedimentary Pyrogenic Material
Authors: Wang Xu , Cui Linlin , Yang Saihong , Xiao Jule , Ding Zhongli
Published: April 2019

Reactive nitrogen (N) deposition from human activity significantly impacts temperate vegetation in areas where low natural N availability limits vegetative productivity. However, the ecosystem response to anthropogenic N deposition remains elusive owing to the scarcity of long‐term empirical observations. Here a N isotope of a pyrogenic material was used to investigate long‐term N availability evolution in a forest‐steppe ecosystem in North China. The N availability was found to have significantly increased since circa 7,400 years BP when primitive agriculture began. Different N availability changes were observed under primitive agriculture (6,600–3,500 cal. years BP) and Sui‐Tang traditional agriculture (AD 581–907), implying dependency on the agricultural mode. A 220‐year N availability recovery period after Sui‐Tang agriculture was observed. On this basis, a minimum of several hundred years is projected for the restoration of the temperate ecosystem if the modern N cascade were to be stopped.
Impact of Data Assimilation on Thermal Tides in the Case of Venus Express Wind Observation
Authors: Sugimoto Norihiko , Kouyama Toru , Takagi Masahiro
Published: April 2019

Impacts of horizontal winds assimilation on thermal tides are investigated by using the Venus atmospheric general circulation model for the Earth Simulator local ensemble transform Kalman filter data assimilation system. The assimilated data are horizontal winds derived from Venus ultraviolet images taken by the Venus Monitoring Camera onboard the Venus Express orbiter. The results show that three‐dimensional structures of the thermal tides are significantly improved not only in the horizontal winds but also in the temperature field, even though the observations are available only at the cloud top level on the southern dayside hemisphere approximately once an Earth day. The reproduced temperature fields agree well with recent radio occultation measurements of the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki. The zonal mean fields of the zonal wind and temperature are also improved globally. This study would enable reanalysis of past Venus observations.
A conserved CCM complex promotes apoptosis non-autonomously by regulating zinc homeostasis
Authors: Chapman Eric M. , Lant Benjamin , Ohashi Yota , Yu Bin , Schertzberg Michael , Go Christopher , Dogra Deepika , Koskimäki Janne , Girard Romuald , Li Yan , Fraser Andrew G. , Awad Issam A. , Abdelilah-Seyfried Salim , Gingras Anne-Claude , Derry W. Brent
Published: April 2019

Apoptotic death of cells damaged by genotoxic stress requires regulatory input from surrounding tissues. The C. elegans scaffold protein KRI-1, ortholog of mammalian KRIT1/CCM1, permits DNA damage-induced apoptosis of cells in the germline by an unknown cell non-autonomous mechanism. We reveal that KRI-1 exists in a complex with CCM-2 in the intestine to negatively regulate the ERK-5/MAPK pathway. This allows the KLF-3 transcription factor to facilitate expression of the SLC39 zinc transporter gene zipt-2.3, which functions to sequester zinc in the intestine. Ablation of KRI-1 results in reduced zinc sequestration in the intestine, inhibition of IR-induced MPK-1/ERK1 activation, and apoptosis in the germline. Zinc localization is also perturbed in the vasculature of krit1−/− zebrafish, and SLC39 zinc transporters are mis-expressed in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM) patient tissues. This study provides new insights into the regulation of apoptosis by cross-tissue communication, and suggests a link between zinc localization and CCM disease.
Laser restructuring and photoluminescence of glass-clad GaSb/Si-core optical fibres
Authors: Song S. , Lønsethagen K. , Laurell F. , Hawkins T. W. , Ballato J. , Fokine M. , Gibson U. J.
Published: April 2019

Semiconductor-core optical fibres have potential applications in photonics and optoelectronics due to large nonlinear optical coefficients and an extended transparency window. Laser processing can impose large temperature gradients, an ability that has been used to improve the uniformity of unary fibre cores, and to inscribe compositional variations in alloy systems. Interest in an integrated light-emitting element suggests a move from Group IV to III-V materials, or a core that contains both. This paper describes the fabrication of GaSb/Si core fibres, and a subsequent CO2 laser treatment that aggregates large regions of GaSb without suppressing room temperature photoluminescence. The ability to isolate a large III-V crystalline region within the Si core is an important step towards embedding semiconductor light sources within infrared light-transmitting silicon optical fibre.
Spatiotemporal control of coacervate formation within liposomes
Authors: Deshpande Siddharth , Brandenburg Frank , Lau Anson , Last Mart G. F. , Spoelstra Willem Kasper , Reese Louis , Wunnava Sreekar , Dogterom Marileen , Dekker Cees
Published: April 2019

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), especially coacervation, plays a crucial role in cell biology, as it forms numerous membraneless organelles in cells. Coacervates play an indispensable role in regulating intracellular biochemistry, and their dysfunction is associated with several diseases. Understanding of the LLPS dynamics would greatly benefit from controlled in vitro assays that mimic cells. Here, we use a microfluidics-based methodology to form coacervates inside cell-sized (~10 µm) liposomes, allowing control over the dynamics. Protein-pore-mediated permeation of small molecules into liposomes triggers LLPS passively or via active mechanisms like enzymatic polymerization of nucleic acids. We demonstrate sequestration of proteins (FtsZ) and supramolecular assemblies (lipid vesicles), as well as the possibility to host metabolic reactions (β-galactosidase activity) inside coacervates. This coacervate-in-liposome platform provides a versatile tool to understand intracellular phase behavior, and these hybrid systems will allow engineering complex pathways to reconstitute cellular functions and facilitate bottom-up creation of synthetic cells.
Author Correction: Clear and transparent nanocrystals for infrared-responsive carrier transfer
Authors: Sakamoto Masanori , Kawawaki Tokuhisa , Kimura Masato , Yoshinaga Taizo , Vequizo Junie Jhon M. , Matsunaga Hironori , Ranasinghe Chandana Sampath Kumara , Yamakata Akira , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Furube Akihiro , Teranishi Toshiharu
Published: April 2019

The original version of this Article omitted the fourth author Taizo Yoshinaga, who is from the ‘Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Japan’. Consequently, the third sentence of the Author Contributions, ‘M.S. and M.K. synthesized the ITO NCs and ITO/semiconductor oxides’ was revised to ‘M.S., M.K. and T.Y. synthesized the ITO NCs and ITO/semiconductor oxides’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
A potential sensing mechanism for DNA nucleobases by optical properties of GO and MoS2 Nanopores
Authors: Faramarzi Vahid , Ahmadi Vahid , Fotouhi Bashir , Abasifard Mostafa
Published: April 2019

We propose a new DNA sensing mechanism based on optical properties of graphene oxide (GO) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanopores. In this method, GO and MoS2 is utilized as quantum dot (QD) nanopore and DNA molecule translocate through the nanopore. A recently-developed hybrid quantum/classical method (HQCM) is employed which uses time-dependent density functional theory and quasi-static finite difference time domain approach. Due to good biocompatibility, stability and excitation wavelength dependent emission behavior of GO and MoS2 we use them as nanopore materials. The absorption and emission peaks wavelengths of GO and MoS2 nanopores are investigated in the presence of DNA nucleobases. The maximum sensitivity of the proposed method to DNA is achieved for the 2-nm GO nanopore. Results show that insertion of DNA nucleobases in the nanopore shifts the wavelength of the emitted light from GO or MoS2 nanopore up to 130 nm. The maximum value of the relative shift between two different nucleobases is achieved by the shift between cytosine (C) and thymine (T) nucleobases, ~111 nm for 2-nm GO nanopore. Results show that the proposed mechanism has a superior capability to be used in future DNA sequencers.
Delayed maturation of GABAergic signaling in the Scn1a and Scn1b mouse models of Dravet Syndrome
Authors: Yuan Yukun , O’Malley Heather A. , Smaldino Melissa A. , Bouza Alexandra A. , Hull Jacob M. , Isom Lori L.
Published: April 2019

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a catastrophic developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by severe, pharmacoresistant seizures and the highest risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) of all epilepsy syndromes. Here, we investigated the time course of maturation of neuronal GABAergic signaling in the Scn1b−/− and Scn1a+/− mouse models of DS. We found that GABAergic signaling remains immature in both DS models, with a depolarized reversal potential for GABAA-evoked currents compared to wildtype in the third postnatal week. Treatment of Scn1b−/− mice with bumetanide resulted in a delay in SUDEP onset compared to controls in a subset of mice, without prevention of seizure activity or amelioration of failure to thrive. We propose that delayed maturation of GABAergic signaling may contribute to epileptogenesis in SCN1B- and SCN1A-linked DS. Thus, targeting the polarity of GABAergic signaling in brain may be an effective therapeutic strategy to reduce SUDEP risk in DS.
Surface modification on MoO2+x/Mo(110) induced by a local electric potential
Authors: Bozhko Sergey I. , Walshe Killian , Tulina Natalia , Walls Brian , Lübben Olaf , Murphy Barry E. , Bozhko Vladimir , Shvets Igor V.
Published: April 2019

Oxygen adatoms on the MoO2+x/Mo(110) surface are observed to be removed when a sufficiently large bias is applied between the scanning tunneling microscope tip and the surface. Experimental observations, such as the bias polarity dependence of adatom removal and the observation of an intermediate state, indicate that the adatom penetrates the surface oxide layer. Through the comparison of finite element method simulations with various experimental relationships, the electric field is concluded to be the sole contributor to adatom penetration into the surface oxide layer. The energetic barrier to this process is estimated to be approximately 0.45 eV in magnitude. Furthermore, the resolution of this phenomenon is on the atomic scale: individual adatoms can undergo surface penetration whilst their nearest neighbour adatoms, separated by 5 Å, are unaffected. The mechanism reported here has the advantages of not strongly influencing the substrate and is exceptionally localised, which can be beneficial for the synthesis of single atom devices.
Visualizing flow in an intact CSF network using optical coherence tomography: implications for human congenital hydrocephalus
Authors: Date Priya , Ackermann Pascal , Furey Charuta , Fink Ina Berenice , Jonas Stephan , Khokha Mustafa K. , Kahle Kristopher T. , Deniz Engin
Published: April 2019

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the brain ventricles is critical for brain development. Altered CSF flow dynamics have been implicated in congenital hydrocephalus (CH) characterized by the potentially lethal expansion of cerebral ventricles if not treated. CH is the most common neurosurgical indication in children effecting 1 per 1000 infants. Current treatment modalities are limited to antiquated brain surgery techniques, mostly because of our poor understanding of the CH pathophysiology. We lack model systems where the interplay between ependymal cilia, embryonic CSF flow dynamics and brain development can be analyzed in depth. This is in part due to the poor accessibility of the vertebrate ventricular system to in vivo investigation. Here, we show that the genetically tractable frog Xenopus tropicalis, paired with optical coherence tomography imaging, provides new insights into CSF flow dynamics and role of ciliary dysfunction in hydrocephalus pathogenesis. We can visualize CSF flow within the multi-chambered ventricular system and detect multiple distinct polarized CSF flow fields. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we modeled human L1CAM and CRB2 mediated aqueductal stenosis. We propose that our high-throughput platform can prove invaluable for testing candidate human CH genes to understand CH pathophysiology.
Microbial Community Dynamics During Lake Ice Freezing
Authors: Butler Timothy M. , Wilhelm Anna-Catharina , Dwyer Amber C. , Webb Paige N. , Baldwin Andrew L. , Techtmann Stephen M.
Published: April 2019

Many freshwater environments experience dramatic seasonal changes with some systems remaining ice-covered for most of the winter. Freshwater systems are also highly sensitive to environmental change. However, little is known about changes in microbial abundance and community composition during lake ice formation and times of persistent ice cover. The goal of this study is to characterize temporal dynamics of microbial communities during ice formation and persistent ice cover. Samples were collected in triplicate, five days per week from surface water in the Keweenaw Waterway between November and April. Environmental conditions along with microbial abundance and microbial community composition was determined. Distinct community composition was found between ice-free and ice-covered time periods with significantly different community composition between months. The microbial community underwent dramatic shifts in microbial abundance and diversity during the transitions into and out of ice cover. The richness of the microbial community increased during times of ice cover. Relatives of microbes involved in nitrogen cycling bloomed during times of ice cover as sequences related to known nitrifying taxa were significantly enriched during ice cover. These results help to elucidate how microbial abundance and diversity change over drastic seasonal transitions and how ice cover may affect microbial abundance and diversity.
ITGA2 as a potential nanotherapeutic target for glioblastoma
Authors: Guo Peng , Moses-Gardner Alexander , Huang Jing , Smith Edward R. , Moses Marsha A.
Published: April 2019

High grade gliomas, including glioblastoma (GBM), are the most common and deadly brain cancers in adults. Here, we performed a quantitative and unbiased screening of 70 cancer-related antigens using comparative flow cytometry and, for the first time, identified integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2) as a novel molecular target for GBM. In comparison to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a well-established GBM target, ITGA2 is significantly more expressed on human GBM cells and significantly less expressed on normal human glial cells. We also found that ITGA2 antibody blockade significantly impedes GBM cell migration but not GBM cell proliferation. To investigate the utility of ITGA2 as a therapeutic target in GBM, we designed and engineered an ITGA2 antibody-directed liposome that can selectively deliver doxorubicin, a standard-of-care chemotherapeutic agent, to GBM cells. This novel approach significantly improved antitumor efficacy. We also demonstrated that these ITGA2 antibody-directed liposomes can effectively breach the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) in vitro via GBM-induced angiogenesis effects. These findings support further research into the use of ITGA2 as a novel nanotherapeutic target for GBM.
Enigmatic incongruence between mtDNA and nDNA revealed by multi-locus phylogenomic analyses in freshwater snails
Authors: Hirano Takahiro , Saito Takumi , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Koseki Joichiro , Ye Bin , Do Van Tu , Miura Osamu , Suyama Yoshihisa , Chiba Satoshi
Published: April 2019

Phylogenetic incongruence has frequently been encountered among different molecular markers. Recent progress in molecular phylogenomics has provided detailed and important information for evolutionary biology and taxonomy. Here we focused on the freshwater viviparid snails (Cipangopaludina chinensis chinensis and C. c. laeta) of East Asia. We conducted phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimation using two mitochondrial markers. We also performed population genetic analyses using genome-wide SNPs. We investigated how and which phylogenetic patterns reflect shell morphology. The results showed these two species could be separated into four major mitochondrial clades, whereas the nuclear clusters supported two groups. The phylogenetic patterns of both mtDNA and nDNA largely reflected the geographical distribution. Shell morphology reflected the phylogenetic clusters based on nDNA. The findings also showed these two species diversified in the Pliocene to early Pleistocene era, and occurred introgressive hybridisation. The results also raise the taxonomic issue of the two species.
DNA insecticide developed from the Lymantria dispar 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene provides a novel biotechnology for plant protection
Authors: Oberemok Volodymyr V. , Laikova Kateryna V. , Gal’chinsky Nikita V. , Useinov Refat Z. , Novikov Ilya A. , Temirova Zenure Z. , Shumskykh Maksym N. , Krasnodubets Alisa M. , Repetskaya Anna I. , Dyadichev Valeriy V. , Fomochkina Iryna I. , Bessalova Evgenia Y. , Makalish Tatiana P. , Gninenko Yuri I. , Kubyshkin Anatoly V.
Published: April 2019

Having observed how botanicals and other natural compounds are used by nature to control pests in the environment, we began investigating natural polymers, DNA and RNA, as promising tools for insect pest management. Over the last decade, unmodified short antisense DNA oligonucleotides have shown a clear potential for use as insecticides. Our research has concentrated mainly on Lymantria dispar larvae using an antisense oligoRING sequence from its inhibitor-of-apoptosis gene. In this article, we propose a novel biotechnology to protect plants from insect pests using DNA insecticide with improved insecticidal activity based on a new antisense oligoRIBO-11 sequence from the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene. This investigational oligoRIBO-11 insecticide causes higher mortality among both L. dispar larvae grown in the lab and those collected from the forest; in addition, it is more affordable and faster acting, which makes it a prospective candidate for use in the development of a ready-to-use preparation.
Multiple headspace solid-phase micro-extraction for the total content determination of tetramethylpyrazine in various vinegar samples by GC-FID
Authors: Liang Xu , Wu Jian-Hai , Zhao Qi-Yue , Dong Xiu-Ping , Dong Liang , Qin Lei , Xu Xian-Bing , Du Ming
Published: April 2019

The total tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) content in vinegar samples could be detected by multiple HS-SPME coupled with GC-FID (MHS-SPME-GC-FID) as a routine method.
Identification and characterization of a novel casein anticoagulant peptide derived from in vivo digestion
Authors: Tu Maolin , Liu Hanxiong , Cheng Shuzhen , Mao Fengjiao , Chen Hui , Fan Fengjiao , Lu Weihong , Du Ming
Published: April 2019

A novel anticoagulant casein peptide has been identified by in vivo digestion.
Translocation intermediates of ubiquitin through an α-hemolysin nanopore: implications for detection of post-translational modifications
Authors: Bonome Emma Letizia , Cecconi Fabio , Chinappi Mauro
Published: April 2019

Molecular dynamics simulations allowed to characterize the co-translocational unfolding pathway of ubiquitin through a biological nanopore.
Synthesis of novel thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers by a reactive extrusion process
Authors: Oh Kyunghwan , Kim Hoyeon , Seo Yongsok
Published: April 2019

The syntheses of new thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs) were carried out via the polyaddition reactions of diepoxy-containing mesogens and a monoamine (1-naphthylamine).
Modeling and analysis of transport and reaction in washcoated monoliths: Cu-SSZ-13 SCR and dual-layer Cu-SSZ-13 + Pt/Al2O3 ASC
Authors: Dhillon Pritpal S. , Harold Michael P. , Wang Di , Kumar Ashok , Joshi Saurabh Y.
Published: April 2019

Modeling and analysis of washcoated single- and dual-layer monolith catalysts is presented for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) on Cu-SSZ-13 and ammonia oxidation on Cu-SSZ-13 + Pt/Al2O3 ammonia slip catalyst (ASC).
Effect of ultrafiltration membrane material on fouling dynamics in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating domestic wastewater
Authors: Grossman Amit Dan , Yang Yang , Yogev Uri , Camarena Daniela Calero , Oron Gideon , Bernstein Roy
Published: April 2019

One of the main challenges in the realization of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) for wastewater treatment is reducing membrane fouling.
Cyanidin-3-glucoside attenuates 4-hydroxynonenal- and visible light-induced retinal damagein vitroandin vivo
Authors: Wang Yong , Qi Wentao , Huo Yazhen , Song Ge , Sun Hui , Guo Xiaoxuan , Wang Chengtao
Published: April 2019

Cyanidin-3-glucoside has efficient protective effects on 4-hydroxynonenal-induced apoptosis, senescence, and angiogenesis in retinal pigment epithelial cells.
5-(3′,4′-Dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone, a metabolite of procyanidins in cacao, suppresses MDI-induced adipogenesis by regulating cell cycle progression through direct inhibition of CDK2/cyclin O
Authors: Lee Younghyun , Yang Hee , Hur Gihyun , Yu Jiwoo , Park Sumin , Kim Jong Hun , Yoon Park Jung Han , Shin Han-Seung , Kim Jong-Eun , Lee Ki Won
Published: April 2019

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) has a significant polyphenol content and effects.
Role of PTA in the prevention of Cu(amyloid-β) induced ROS formation and amyloid-β oligomerisation in the presence of Zn
Authors: Atrián-Blasco Elena , Cerrada Elena , Faller Peter , Laguna Mariano , Hureau Christelle
Published: April 2019

Metal-targeting drugs are being widely explored as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but most of these ligands are developed to coordinate Cu(ii). In a previous communication (E. Atrián-Blasco, E. Cerrada, A. Conte-Daban, D. Testemale, P. Faller, M. Laguna and C. Hureau, Metallomics, 2015, 7, 1229–1232) we showed another strategy where Cu(i) was targeted with the PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) ligand that is able to target Cu(ii) as well, reduce it and keep it in a safe complexed species. Removal of Cu(ii) from the amyloid-β peptide prevents the stabilization of oligomers and protofibrils and the complexation of Cu(i) also stops the formation of reactive oxygen species. Besides, zinc, which is found in the synaptic cleft at a higher concentration than copper, can hamper the ability of metal-targeting drug candidates, an issue that is still poorly considered and studied. Here we show that PTA fully retains the above described properties even in the presence of zinc, thus fulfilling an additional pre-requisite for its use as a model of Cu(i)-targeting drug candidates in the Alzheimer's disease context.
Enhancing the photocatalytic activity of ZnSn(OH)6 achieved by gradual sulfur doping tactics
Authors: Lian Xinyi , Chen Zhou , Yu Xiang , Fan Tingting , Dong Yunyun , Zhai Hesheng , Fang Weiping , Yi Xiaodong
Published: April 2019

A gradual sulfur doping strategy was first proposed here to expand the optical absorption range, improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and finally enhance the photocatalytic activity.
Valley polarization of exciton–polaritons in monolayer WSe2 in a tunable microcavity
Authors: Król Mateusz , Lekenta Katarzyna , Mirek Rafał , Łempicka Karolina , Stephan Daniel , Nogajewski Karol , Molas Maciej R. , Babiński Adam , Potemski Marek , Szczytko Jacek , Piętka Barbara
Published: April 2019

Strong light–matter interaction between cavity photons and excitons in monolayer WSe2 with spin selective excitation is demonstrated.
Single phase of spinel Co2RhO4 nanotubes with remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Kim So Yeon , Yu Areum , Lee Yejung , Kim Ha Yeon , Kim Yeon Jae , Lee Nam-Suk , Lee Chongmok , Lee Youngmi , Kim Myung Hwa
Published: April 2019

A single phase of spinel Co2RhO4 electrospun nanotubes with remarkably enhanced OER activity was synthesized for the first time.
Shaping block copolymer micelles by supramolecular polymerization: making ‘tubisomes’
Authors: Brendel Johannes C. , Catrouillet Sylvain , Sanchis Joaquin , Jolliffe Katrina A. , Perrier Sébastien
Published: April 2019

In contrast to the respective block copolymers, amphiphilic cyclic peptide conjugates self-assemble into cylindrical micelles independent of the polymer compositions.
A continuing legend: the Brookhart-type α-diimine nickel and palladium catalysts
Authors: Wang Fuzhou , Chen Changle
Published: April 2019

Here we will summarize some of the recent advances in α-diimine ligand developments, as well as some new and challenging monomers that this class of catalysts can address through these ligand improvements.
The role of surface reduction in the formation of Ti interstitials
Authors: Gaberle Julian , Shluger Alexander
Published: April 2019

Density functional theory simulations are used to investigate the formation and mobility of Ti interstitial ions, Tii, at the (110) surface of rutile TiO2.
Surface functionalization of silica using catalytic hydroesterification modified polybutadienes
Authors: Kim Min Young , Lee Chang-Hee , Jun Chul-Ho
Published: April 2019

A new method for covalent immobilization of catalytic hydroesterification modified polybutadiene on a silica surface is described.
>10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency unassisted water splitting on ALD-protected silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Tan Chor Seng , Kemp Kyle W. , Braun Michael R. , Meng Andrew C. , Tan Wanliang , Chidsey Chris E. D. , Ma Wen , Moghadam Farhad , McIntyre Paul C.
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate unassisted water splitting with >10% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency using series-connected silicon heterojunction solar cells protected by ALD TiO2 in a novel, integrated device architecture.
Maximizing the utility of single atom electrocatalysts on a 3D graphene nanomesh
Authors: Chi Kai , Chen Zhongxin , Xiao Fei , Guo Wei , Xi Wei , Liu Jing , Yan Huan , Zhang Zheye , Xiao Jian , Liu Jia , Luo Jun , Wang Shuai , Loh Kian Ping
Published: April 2019

Vertically aligned N-doped graphene nanomesh arrays (VNGNMAs) with a high density of in-plane surface holes and out-of-plane interconnected, vertically aligned structures as a scaffold can facilitate the diffusion of reactants and maximize the utility of single atoms in the liquid phase.
Freestanding 3D nanoporous Cu@1D Cu2O nanowire heterostructures: from a facile one-step protocol to robust application in Li storage
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Chen Long , Cui Liu , Yan Jiazhen , Zhang Shichao , Shi Sanqiang
Published: April 2019

Herein, a one-step UPO-assisted dealloying protocol was developed to synthesize monolithic 3D NPC@1D Cu2O NWN heterostructures with superior Li storage properties.
Steering the crystallization of perovskites for high-performance solar cells in ambient air
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Ting , Wang Yafei , Liu Detao , Zhang Peng , Chen Hao , Ji Long , Chen Li , Chen Zhi David , Wu Jiang , Liu Xin , Li Yanbo , Wang Yafei , Li Shibin
Published: April 2019

We developed a “humidity-insensitive antisolvent method” for highly efficient PSCs by steering the crystallization of perovskite precursor films.
A novel two-stage hybrid processing technique towards industrial manufacturing of the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 solar cell with materially efficient fabrication
Authors: Cho Yunae , Youn Na Kyoung , Song Soomin , Hwang Jiseon , Rana Tanka Raj , Cho Ara , Ahn Seung Kyu , Kim Kihwan , Yun Jae Ho , Eo Young-Joo , Gwak Jihye
Published: April 2019

The hybrid two-stage processing technique achieved the highly efficient CIGSSe solar cell with high material-utilization and a simple process for commercialization.
Remodeling of inherent antimicrobial nanofiber dressings with melamine-modified fibroin into neoskin
Authors: Hu Weikang , Wang Zijian , Xu Yin , Wang Xinghuan , Xiao Yu , Zhang Shengmin , Wang Jianglin
Published: April 2019

A melamine-modified fibroin was synthesized and fabricated into electrospun nanofiber films with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, sustained water retention, and fast reepithelialization and revascularization.
Minimal Laplacian controllability problems of threshold graphs
Authors: Hsu Shun‐Pin
Published: April 2019

This study is concerned with the minimal controllability problem of a connected threshold graph following the Laplacian dynamics. The goal is to find the minimum number of controllers and a small set of vertices for the controllers to connect to render the graph Laplacian controllable. A simple algorithm is provided to generate a spanning set of orthogonal Laplacian eigenvectors of the graph from a straightforward computation on its Laplacian matrix. A necessary and sufficient condition for the graph to be Laplacian controllable is then proposed. The condition suggests that the minimum number of controllers to make a connected threshold graph Laplacian controllable is the maximum multiplicity of Laplacian eigenvalues of the graph, and this minimum can be achieved using a binary control matrix. If a controller can be connected to one vertex only, the minimum number is the difference between the number of vertices in the graph and the number of vertices with different degrees. The condition also implies that the controllers ensuring the Laplacian controllability should be connected to the vertices with repeating degrees to break the symmetry of the network topology. Several examples are provided to illustrate the authors' results.
Robust filter design for asymmetric measurement noise using variational Bayesian inference
Authors: Xu Chen , Zhao Shunyi , Ma Yanjun , Huang Biao , Liu Fei
Published: April 2019

To obtain an effective state estimator for industrial processes, estimator needs to be designed to match the characteristics of noise. In this study, a new filter is proposed focusing on asymmetric measurement noise with probable outliers. By learning a time‐varying skew t distribution using the variational Bayesian technique, the authors' method can estimate the system state and update the noise statistics simultaneously. A numerical simulation, as well as an experiment on the hybrid tank system, is conducted to demonstrate the performance. It shows that the proposed filter is superior to the existing solutions, especially when the statistics of measurements noise are unknown.
Refined ramp event characterisation for wind power ramp control using energy storage system
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Gong Yuzhong , Geng Guangchao , Jiang Quanyuan
Published: April 2019

With the advantages of fast response and bidirectional charge/discharge, an energy storage system (ESS) plays a promising role in wind power ramp control. In this study, an optimisation model based on refined ramp event characterisation is proposed to achieve continuous wind power ramp control using ESS. Firstly, four kinds of ramp scenarios are characterised considering both the wind power ramp event prediction and the charge/discharge state of ESS. State of charge of ESS is managed within its limits during ramp control, based on the classified ramp scenarios. Secondly, for the classified ramp scenarios, an active adjustment strategy is proposed to decide the expected charging/discharging energy of ESS according to the conditions of wind power and ESS. Thus, an appropriate energy storage reserve can be determined for anticipated ramp events. Refined ramp event characterisation is able to achieve better control performance with higher satisfaction of ramp requirement, less wind energy curtailment as well as promising adaptability to different ramp event predictions, wind conditions and changes of ESS parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through case studies with real‐world data from a 100 MW wind farm in China.
Machine‐learning approach for fault detection in brushless synchronous generator using vibration signals
Authors: Rahnama Mehdi , Vahedi Abolfazl , Alikhani Arta Mohammad , Montazeri Allahyar
Published: April 2019

In order to maintain continuous production and to avoid the maintenance cost increment in power plants, it is important to monitor the condition of equipment, especially the generator. Regarding the impossibility of direct access to rotating diodes in brushless synchronous generators, the condition monitoring of these elements is very important. Here, a novel fault detection method is proposed for the diode rectifier of brushless synchronous generator. At the first stage of this method, the vibration signals are recorded and feature extraction is performed by calculating the relative energy of discrete wavelet transform components. Multiclass support vector machine (MSVM) is used for classification, and the best mother wavelet and number of decomposition level are chosen based on classification performance. To enhance the performance of the classification, a modified sequential forward subset selection approach is included by which the best statistical features are selected. In this approach, besides selecting the best subset of statistical features, the classification parameter is tuned according to the selected subset to achieve the best performance. The result of the proposed method is eventually compared with those results of classification performance using conventional subset selection. Experimental results show that the proposed method can detect rectifier faults effectively.
Design of a full SiC three‐phase power factor correction with an interleaved output buck converter
Authors: Nitzsche Maximilian , Zehelein Matthias , Roth‐Stielow Jörg
Published: April 2019

Active rectification of the three‐phase grid nowadays is a central task of power electronics. However, as the necessary DC bus voltages vary, DC‐DC converters are needed. This study presents the design and development of a three‐phase power factor correction with an interleaved buck converter in the output stage. The power stage switches are equipped with silicon carbide (SiC) metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors. A modular setup of the half‐bridge modules as well as low inductive design of these modules is put into focus.