bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response Time Distribution Analysis of Semantic and Response	Interference in a Manual Response Stroop Task
Authors: Hasshim Nabil , Downes Michelle , Bate Sarah , Parris Benjamin A.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Previous analyses of response time distributions have shown that the Stroop effect is observed in the mode (μ) and standard deviation (σ) of the normal part of the distribution, as well as its tail (τ). Specifically, interference related to semantic and response processes has been suggested to specifically affect the mode and tail, respectively. However, only one study in the literature has directly manipulated semantic interference, and none manipulating response interference. The present research aims to address this gap by manipulating both semantic and response interference in a manual response Stroop task, and examining how these components of Stroop interference affect the response time distribution. Ex-Gaussian analysis showed both semantic and response conflict to only affect τ. Analyzing the distribution by rank-ordered response times (Vincentizing) showed converging results as the magnitude of both semantic and response conflict increased with slower response times. Additionally, response conflict appeared earlier on the distribution compared to semantic conflict. These findings further highlight the difficulty in attributing specific psychological processes to different parameters (i.e., μ, σ, and τ). The effect of different response modalities on the makeup of Stroop interference is also discussed.
Long‐Term Evolution of The Surface Refractivity for Arctic Regions
Authors: Bettouche Y. , Obeidat H. , Agba B. , Kouki A. , Alhassan H. , Rodriguez Jonathan , Abd‐Alhameed R. , Jones S.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, local meteorological data for a period of 35 years (from 1979 to 2013) from Kuujuaq station have been used to calculate the surface refractivity, N (a link for the data is available in the acknowledgements), and to estimate the vertical refractivity gradient, dN1, in the lowest atmospheric layer above the ground. Monthly and yearly variations of the mean of N and dN1 are provided. The values obtained are compared with the corresponding values from the ITU maps. The long‐term trend of the surface refractivity is also investigated. The data demonstrate that the indices N and dN1 are subject to an evolution that may have significance in the context of climate change. Monthly means of N show an increasing departure from ITU‐R values since 1990. Yearly mean values of the dN1 show a progressive decrease over the period of study. Seasonal means of dN1 show a decrease over time, especially for summer. Such a trend may increase the occurrence of superrefraction. However, currently available ITU‐R recommendations for microwave link design assume a stationary climate, so there is a need for a new modeling approach.
Coherent South American Monsoon Variability During the Last Millennium Revealed Through High‐Resolution Proxy Records
Authors: Campos J. L. P. S. , Cruz F. W. , Ambrizzi T. , Deininger M. , Vuille M. , Novello V. F. , Strikis N. M.
Published: July 2019

The number of paleoprecipitation records from the South American Monsoon domain that cover the last millennium has increased substantially in past years. However, hitherto most studies focused only on regional aspects, thereby neglecting the role of large‐scale monsoon variability and the mechanisms that link proxy locations in space and time. Here we decompose the South American Monsoon into its main modes of variability by applying a Monte Carlo principal component analysis to a compilation of 11 well‐dated summer paleoprecipitation records from tropical South America. The first mode represents changes in precipitation over the core monsoon domain, while the second mode is characterized by high loadings along the fringes of the South American Monsoon over Southeastern South America and the northern monsoon limit. Composite analysis reveals an enhanced monsoon with a wider, rather than a southward displaced, South Atlantic Convergence Zone during the early Little Ice Age, in contrast to previous interpretations.
Impact of Confining Stress on Capillary Pressure Behavior During Drainage Through Rough Fractures
Authors: da Silva Josimar A. , Kang Peter K. , Yang Zhibing , Cueto‐Felgueroso Luis , Juanes Ruben
Published: July 2019

We study, numerically, the behavior of capillary pressure (Pc) during slow immiscible displacement in a rough fracture as a function of the degree of fracture aperture heterogeneity that results from two distinct mechanisms: normal confining stress and fracture surface correlation. We generate synthetic self‐affine rough fractures at different correlation scales, solve the elastic contact problem to model the effect of confining stress, and simulate slow immiscible displacement of a wetting fluid by a nonwetting one using a modified invasion percolation model that accounts for in‐plane curvature of the fluid‐fluid interface. Our modeling results indicate that the power spectral density, S(f), of Pc, can be used to qualitatively characterize fracture aperture heterogeneity. We show that the distribution of forward avalanche sizes follows a power law
, with exponent α=2, in agreement with previously reported values for porous media and equal to the expected theoretical exponent for a self‐organized criticality process.
Using Satellite‐Based Vegetation Cover as Indicator of Groundwater Storage in Natural Vegetation Areas
Authors: Bhanja Soumendra N. , Malakar Pragnaditya , Mukherjee Abhijit , Rodell Matthew , Mitra Pabitra , Sarkar Sudeshna
Published: July 2019

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is widely used as an efficient indicator of vegetation cover. Here we assess the possibility of using NDVI as an indicator of groundwater storage. We used groundwater level (GWL) obtained from in situ groundwater observation wells (n > 15,000) in India in 2005–2013. Good correlation (r > 0.6) is observed between NDVI and GWL in natural vegetation‐covered areas, that is, forest lands, shrubs, and grasslands. We apply artificial neural network and support vector machine approaches to investigate the relationship between GWL and NDVI using both of the parameters as input. Artificial neural network‐ and support vector machine‐simulated GWL matches very well with observed GWL, particularly in naturally vegetated areas. Thus, we interpret that NDVI may be used as a suitable indicator of groundwater storage conditions in certain areas where the water table is shallow and the vegetation is natural and where in situ groundwater observations are not available.
Retracted: Organic Carbon Pools in the Subsea Permafrost Domain Since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Mu Cuicui , Zhang Tingjun , Abbott Benjamin W. , Wang Kang , Ge Shemin , Sayedi Sayedeh Sara , Fan Chengyan , Peng Xiaoqing
Published: July 2019

Sea level rise after the Last Glacial Maximum inundated several million square kilometers of Arctic permafrost, while estimates of organic carbon (OC) quantity and vulnerability to mineralization are exceedingly uncertain. We compiled geophysical measurements from Arctic continental shelves to estimate current subsea permafrost OC stocks. We found that marine transgression since the Last Glacial Maximum inundated approximately 3.92×106 km2 of permafrost, which contained 1,460±1,010 Pg OC in the top 25 m of sediment. We estimated that current subsea permafrost underlies an area of 2.30×106 km2 and contains 860±590 Pg OC, not including methane hydrates. Most of the ~600 Pg of OC that thawed after the marine transgression is still present on the continental shelves. Although our estimates of subsea OC storage remain highly uncertain due to the sparse and uneven distribution of data, they suggest that current estimates of subsea OC substantially underestimate a major component of the global carbon cycle.
Tropical Atlantic Cooling and Freshening in the Middle of the Last Interglacial From Coral Proxy Records
Authors: Brocas William M. , Felis Thomas , Mudelsee Manfred
Published: July 2019

The last interglacial (LIG; Marine Isotope Substage 5e, ~127–117 ka) experienced globally warmer than modern temperatures; however, profound differences in regional climate occurred that are relevant to the assessment of future climate change scenarios. Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) and hydrology are intrinsic to the spatiotemporal evolution of past and future climate. We present eight monthly resolved coral Sr/Ca and δ18O records (130–118 ka) to reconstruct mean western tropical Atlantic SST and seawater δ18O changes during the LIG. Cooler and fresher than modern surface waters are indicated for the middle of the LIG at ~126 ka. This was followed by a rapid transition to modern‐like SSTs and salinities that characterized the remaining part of the LIG. Our results, which account for differences found among corals, proxies, and SST calibration uncertainties, agree with western tropical Atlantic sediment records. Together, they suggest that an oceanic regime existed that differed from today.
Saturation Characteristics of Parallel EMIC Waves in the Inner Magnetosphere
Authors: Yu Xiongdong , Yuan Zhigang
Published: July 2019

In this letter, detailed evolution process of parallel electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the inner magnetosphere has been investigated through quasilinear theory. A new saturation has been found to occur after the usual first saturation. During the interval between these two saturations, the energy transfers from H+ band to He+ band electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. Moreover, through a best fitting, we obtain new model parameters for the anisotropy‐beta inverse relation of hot H+, which identifies the threshold of ion cyclotron instabilities in the inner magnetosphere. In situ observations of the Van Allen Probe mission also verify these new model parameters. Therefore, our results reveal the evolution process and saturation characteristics of parallel electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the inner magnetosphere.
An Observation‐Based Correction for Aerosol Effects on Nitrogen Dioxide Column Retrievals Using the Absorbing Aerosol Index
Authors: Cooper Matthew J. , Martin Randall V. , Hammer Melanie S. , McLinden Chris A.
Published: July 2019

Retrievals of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other trace gases from satellite measurements rely on accurate calculation of an air mass factor (AMF) to account for the atmospheric light path. Scattering and absorption of sunlight by aerosols affects AMFs by impacting the sensitivity of satellite‐observed radiances to NO2 at different altitudes. Current NO2 retrievals either do not explicitly account for these effects or rely on aerosol information from an external source. Here we investigate a method for quantifying the impact of aerosols on NO2 AMFs using the Absorbing Aerosol Index, a satellite‐based measure of light absorption and scattering by aerosols. We find a robust relationship between the Absorbing Aerosol Index and the aerosol correction to NO2 AMFs using the GEOS‐Chem chemical transport model and the LIDORT radiative transfer model. This relationship enables estimating the impact of aerosols on AMFs using observed Absorbing Aerosol Index values, thus yielding an observation‐based aerosol correction for NO2 retrievals.
Whistler Instability Driven by Electron Thermal Ring Distribution With Magnetospheric Application
Authors: Yoon P. H. , Lee Junggi , Hwang Junga , Seough J. , Choe G. S.
Published: July 2019

The loss cone electron distribution function can be unstable to the excitation of whistler instability, which can be effective in pitch angle diffusion, thus rapidly filling up the loss cone and removing the free energy source. The present paper carries out a combined quasi‐linear analysis and one‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulation in order to investigate the dynamical consequences of the excitation of whistler instability. Thermal ring distribution can be considered as a simple substitution for the actual loss cone distribution. It is found according to both the reduced quasi‐linear theory and the particle‐in‐cell simulation that while the whistler instability is effective in pitch angle diffusion of the initial loss cone distribution, the complete isotropization is not achieved such that substantial loss cone persists in the saturation stage. This finding may explain the fundamental question of why weak loss cone feature persists in the magnetosphere and, more importantly, why charged particles trapped in dipole field do not steadily undergo pitch angle scattering and be lost eventually.
Bayesian Dynamic Finite‐Fault Inversion: 2. Application to the 2016 Mw 6.2 Amatrice, Italy, Earthquake
Authors: Gallovič F. , Valentová Ľ. , Ampuero J.‐P. , Gabriel A.‐A.
Published: July 2019

In 2016 Central Italy was struck by a sequence of three normal‐faulting earthquakes with moment magnitude (Mw) larger than 6. The Mw 6.2 Amatrice event (24 August) was the first one, causing building collapse and about 300 casualties. The event was recorded by a uniquely dense network of seismic stations. Here we perform its dynamic source inversion to infer the fault friction parameters and stress conditions that controlled the earthquake rupture. We consider a linear slip‐weakening friction law with spatially variable parameters along the fault. The inversion uses a novel Bayesian framework developed in our companion paper, which combines efficient finite‐difference dynamic rupture simulations and the Parallel Tempering Monte Carlo algorithm to sample the posterior probability density function. The main advantage of such formulation is that by subsequent analysis of the posterior samples we can infer stable features of the result and their uncertainty. The inversion results in a million of visited models. The preferred model ensemble reveals intriguing dynamic features. The rupture exhibits a slow and irregular nucleation followed by bilateral rupture propagation through two asperities, accelerating toward the heavily damaged city of Amatrice. The stress drop reaches locally 10–15 MPa, with slip‐weighted mean of 4–4.5 MPa. The friction drop ranges from 0.1 to 0.4. The characteristic slip‐weakening distance is the most heterogeneously distributed dynamic parameter, with values of 0.2–0.8 m. The radiation efficiency was rather low, 0.2, suggesting that approximately 80% of the total available energy was spent in the fracture process, while just 20% was radiated by seismic waves.
High‐Angular Resolution Electron Backscatter Diffraction as a New Tool for Mapping Lattice Distortion in Geological Minerals
Authors: Wallis D. , Hansen L. N. , Britton T. B. , Wilkinson A. J.
Published: July 2019

Analysis of distortions of the crystal lattice within individual mineral grains is central to the investigation of microscale processes that control and record tectonic events. These distortions are generally combinations of lattice rotations and elastic strains, but a lack of suitable observational techniques has prevented these components being mapped simultaneously and routinely in earth science laboratories. However, the technique of high‐angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR‐EBSD) provides the opportunity to simultaneously map lattice rotation and elastic strain gradients with exceptional precision, on the order of 0.01° for rotations and 10−4 in strain, using a scanning electron microscope. Importantly, these rotations and lattice strains relate to densities of geometrically necessary dislocations and residual stresses. Recent works have begun to apply and adapt HR‐EBSD to geological minerals, highlighting the potential of the technique to provide new insights into the microphysics of rock deformation. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the technique, to identify caveats and targets for further development, and to suggest areas where it offers potential for major advances. In particular, HR‐EBSD is well suited to characterizing the roles of different dislocation types during crystal plastic deformation and to mapping heterogeneous internal stress fields associated with specific deformation mechanisms/microstructures or changes in temperature, confining pressure, or macroscopic deviatoric stress. These capabilities make HR‐EBSD a particularly powerful new technique for analyzing the microstructures of deformed geological materials.
Insights From Closed‐Form Expressions for Injection‐ and Production‐Induced Stresses in Displaced Faults
Authors: Jansen J. D. , Singhal P. , Vossepoel F. C.
Published: July 2019

We consider fluid‐induced seismicity and present closed‐form expressions for the elastic displacements, strains, and stresses resulting from injection into or production from a reservoir with displaced faults. We apply classic inclusion theory to two‐dimensional finite‐width and infinite‐width reservoir models. First, we simplify the fault model to the bare minimum while still maintaining its essential features: a vertical fault in a homogeneous reservoir of infinite width in an infinite domain. We confirm and sharpen findings from earlier numerical studies and furthermore conclude that the development of infinitely large elastic shear stresses in a displaced fault, at the internal and external reservoir/fault corners, implies that even small amounts of injection or production will result in some amount of slip or other nonelastic deformation. Another finding is that there is a marked difference between the shear stress patterns resulting from injection and production in a reservoir with a displaced fault. In both situations two slip patches emerge but at the start of injection some amount of slip occurs immediately in the overburden and underburden, whereas during production the slip may remain inside the reservoir region. Next we derive similar but more complicated expressions for displaced inclined (normal or reverse) faults and conclude that our findings for vertical faults also apply to inclined faults.
Decoupling of timescales reveals sparse convergent CPG network in the adult spinal cord
Authors: Radosevic Marija , Willumsen Alex , Petersen Peter C. , Lindén Henrik , Vestergaard Mikkel , Berg Rune W.
Published: July 2019

During the generation of rhythmic movements, most spinal neurons receive an oscillatory synaptic drive. The neuronal architecture underlying this drive is unknown, and the corresponding network size and sparseness have not yet been addressed. If the input originates from a small central pattern generator (CPG) with dense divergent connectivity, it will induce correlated input to all receiving neurons, while sparse convergent wiring will induce a weak correlation, if any. Here, we use pairwise recordings of spinal neurons to measure synaptic correlations and thus infer the wiring architecture qualitatively. A strong correlation on a slow timescale implies functional relatedness and a common source, which will also cause correlation on fast timescale due to shared synaptic connections. However, we consistently find marginal coupling between slow and fast correlations regardless of neuronal identity. This suggests either sparse convergent connectivity or a CPG network with recurrent inhibition that actively decorrelates common input.
Fully phase-stabilized quantum cascade laser frequency comb
Authors: Consolino Luigi , Nafa Malik , Cappelli Francesco , Garrasi Katia , Mezzapesa Francesco P. , Li Lianhe , Davies A. Giles , Linfield Edmund H. , Vitiello Miriam S. , De Natale Paolo , Bartalini Saverio
Published: July 2019

Miniaturized frequency comb sources across hard-to-access spectral regions, i.e. mid- and far-infrared, have long been sought. Four-wave-mixing based Quantum Cascade Laser combs (QCL-combs) are ideal candidates, in this respect, due to the unique possibility to tailor their spectral emission by proper nanoscale design of the quantum wells. We demonstrate full-phase-stabilization of a QCL-comb against the primary frequency standard, proving independent and simultaneous control of the two comb degrees of freedom (modes spacing and frequency offset) at a metrological level. Each emitted mode exhibits a sub-Hz relative frequency stability, while a correlation analysis on the modal phases confirms the high degree of coherence in the device emission, over different power-cycles and over different days. The achievement of fully controlled, phase-stabilized QCL-comb emitters proves that this technology is mature for metrological-grade uses, as well as for an increasing number of scientific and technological applications.
Ultrafast structural rearrangement dynamics induced by the photodetachment of phenoxide in aqueous solution
Authors: Debnath Tushar , Mohd Yusof Muhammad Shafiq Bin , Low Pei Jiang , Loh Zhi-Heng
Published: July 2019

The elementary processes that accompany the interaction of ionizing radiation with biologically relevant molecules are of fundamental importance. However, the ultrafast structural rearrangement dynamics induced by the ionization of biomolecules in aqueous solution remain hitherto unknown. Here, we employ femtosecond optical pump-probe spectroscopy to elucidate the vibrational wave packet dynamics that follow the photodetachment of phenoxide, a structural mimic of tyrosine, in aqueous solution. Photodetachment of phenoxide leads to wave packet dynamics of the phenoxyl radical along 12 different vibrational modes. Eight of the modes are totally symmetric and support structural rearrangement upon electron ejection. Comparison to a previous photodetachment study of phenoxide in the gas phase reveals the important role played by the solvent environment in driving ultrafast structural reorganization induced by ionizing radiation. This work provides insight into the ultrafast molecular dynamics that follow the interaction of ionizing radiation with molecules in aqueous solution.
Ordering, flexibility and frustration in arrays of porphyrin nanorings
Authors: Summerfield Alex , Baldoni Matteo , Kondratuk Dmitry V. , Anderson Harry L. , Whitelam Stephen , Garrahan Juan P. , Besley Elena , Beton Peter H.
Published: July 2019

The regular packing of atoms, molecules and nanoparticles provides the basis for the understanding of structural order within condensed phases of matter. Typically the constituent particles are considered to be rigid with a fixed shape. Here we show, through a combined experimental and numerical study of the adsorption of cyclic porphyrin polymers, nanorings, on a graphite surface, that flexible molecules can exhibit a rich and complex packing behaviour. Depending on the number of porphyrin sub-units within the nanoring we observe either a highly ordered hexagonal phase or frustrated packing driven by directional interactions which for some arrangements is combined with the internal deformation of the cyclic polymer. Frustration and deformation occur in arrays of polymers with ten sub-units since close packing and co-alignment of neighbouring groups cannot be simultaneously realised for nanorings with this internal symmetry.
Analogue of dynamic Hall effect in cavity magnon polariton system and coherently controlled logic device
Authors: Rao J. W. , Kaur S. , Yao B. M. , Edwards E. R. J. , Zhao Y. T. , Fan Xiaolong , Xue Desheng , Silva T. J. , Gui Y. S. , Hu C.-M.
Published: July 2019

Cavity magnon polaritons are mixed quasiparticles that arise from the strong coupling between cavity photons and quantized magnons. Combining high-speed photons with long-coherence-time magnons, such polaritons promise to be a potential candidate for quantum information processing. For harnessing coherent information contained in spatially distributed polariton states, it is highly desirable to manipulate cavity magnon polaritons in a two-dimensional system. Here, we demonstrate that tunable cavity magnon polariton transport can be achieved by strongly coupling magnons to microwave photons in a cross-cavity. An analog to the dynamic Hall effect has been demonstrated in a planar cavity spintronic device, where the propagation of cavity-magnon-polaritons is deflected transversally due to hybrid magnon-photon dynamics. Implementing this device as a Michelson-type interferometer using the coherent nature of the dynamic Hall and longitudinal signals, we have developed a proof-of-principle logic device to control the amplitude of cavity-magnon-polaritons by encoding the input microwave phase.
Willingness to decrease mammogram frequency among women at low risk for hereditary breast cancer
Authors: Guan Yue , Nehl Eric , Pencea Ioana , Condit Celeste M. , Escoffery Cam , Bellcross Cecelia A. , McBride Colleen M.
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to assess women’s willingness to alter mammogram frequency based on their low risk for HBOC, and to examine if cognitive and emotional factors are associated with women’s inclination to decrease mammogram frequency. We conducted an online survey with women (N = 124) who were unlikely to have a BRCA mutation and at average population risk for breast cancer based on family history. Most women were either white (50%) or African American (38%) and were 50 years or older (74%). One-third of women (32%) were willing to decrease mammogram frequency (as consistent with the USPSTF guideline), 42% reported being unwilling and 26% were unsure. Multivariate logistic regression showed that feeling worried about breast cancer (Adjust OR = 0.33, p = 0.01), greater genetic risk knowledge (Adjust OR = 0.74, p = 0.047), and more frequent past mammogram screening (Adjust OR = 0.13, p = 0.001) were associated with being less willing to decrease screening frequency. Findings suggest that emerging genomics-informed medical guidelines may not be accepted by many patients when the recommendations go against what is considered standard practice. Further study of the interplay between emotion- and cognition-based processing of the HBOC screen result will be important for strategizing communication interventions aimed at realizing the potential of precision public health.
Morphological changes in response to environmental stresses in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Francisco Carolina Sardinha , Ma Xin , Zwyssig Maria Manuela , McDonald Bruce A. , Palma-Guerrero Javier
Published: July 2019

During their life cycles, pathogens have to adapt to many biotic and abiotic environmental stresses to maximize their overall fitness. Morphological transitions are one of the least understood of the many strategies employed by fungal plant pathogens to adapt to constantly changing environments, even though different morphotypes may play important biological roles. Here, we first show that blastospores (the “yeast-like” form of the pathogen typically known only under laboratory conditions) can form from germinated pycnidiospores (asexual spores) on the surface of wheat leaves, suggesting that this morphotype can play an important role in the natural history of Z. tritici. Next, we characterized the morphological responses of this fungus to a series of environmental stresses to understand the effects of changing environments on fungal morphology and adaptation. All tested stresses induced morphological changes, but different responses were found among four strains. We discovered that Z. tritici forms chlamydospores and demonstrated that these structures are better able to survive extreme cold, heat and drought than other cell types. Finally, a transcriptomic analysis showed that morphogenesis and the expression of virulence factors are co-regulated in this pathogen. Our findings illustrate how changing environmental conditions can affect cellular morphology and lead to the formation of new morphotypes, with each morphotype having a potential impact on both pathogen survival and disease epidemiology.
Systemic release of heat-shock protein 27 and 70 following severe trauma
Authors: Haider Thomas , Simader Elisabeth , Glück Olaf , Ankersmit Hendrik J. , Heinz Thomas , Hajdu Stefan , Negrin Lukas L.
Published: July 2019

Trauma represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The endogenous inflammatory response to trauma remains not fully elucidated. Pro-inflammation in the early phase is followed by immunosuppression leading to infections, multi-organ failure and mortality. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) act as intracellular chaperons but exert also extracellular functions. However, their role in acute trauma remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of HSP 27 and HSP 70 in severely injured patients. We included severely injured patients with an injury severity score of at least 16 and measured serum concentration of both markers at admission and on day two. We found significantly increased serum concentrations of both HSP 27 and HSP 70 in severely injured patients. Concomitant thoracic trauma lead to a further increase of both HSPs. Also, elevated concentrations of HSP 27 and HSP 70 were associated with poor outcome in these patients. Standard laboratory parameters did not correlate with neither HSP 27, nor with HSP 70. Our findings demonstrate involvement of systemic release of HSP 27 and HSP 70 after severe trauma and their potential as biomarker in polytraumatized patients.
Estimation of Transcription Factor Activity in Knockdown Studies
Authors: Trescher Saskia , Leser Ulf
Published: July 2019

Numerous methods have been developed trying to infer actual regulatory events in a sample. A prominent class of methods model genome-wide gene expression as linear equations derived from a transcription factor (TF) – gene network and optimizes parameters to fit the measured expression intensities. We apply four such methods on experiments with a TF-knockdown (KD) in human and E. coli. The transcriptome data provides clear expression signals and thus represents an extremely favorable test setting. The methods estimate activity changes of all TFs, which we expect to be highest in the KD TF. However, only in 15 out of 54 cases, the KD TFs ranked in the top 5%. We show that this poor overall performance cannot be attributed to a low effectiveness of the knockdown or the specific regulatory network provided as background knowledge. Further, the ranks of regulators related to the KD TF by the network or pathway are not significantly different from a random selection. In general, the result overlaps of different methods are small, indicating that they draw very different conclusions when presented with the same, presumably simple, inference problem. These results show that the investigated methods cannot yield robust TF activity estimates in knockdown schemes.
Whole-Volume ADC Histogram Analysis in Parotid Glands to Identify Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Chu Chen , Feng Qianqian , Zhang Huayong , Zhu Yun , Chen Weibo , He Jian , Sun Lingyun , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: July 2019

At present, no gold standard for diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is available in clinical practice. The 2002 American–European Consensus Group classification criteria are used to diagnose SS. Clinically, it is challenging to distinguish patients with SS from suspected patients undergoing different therapies. A total of 52 patients with SS and 24 patients suspected of having the disease prospectively underwent 3.0-T magnetic resonance (MR) scanning, including diffusion-weighted imaging (b = 0 and 1000 s/mm2). The whole-volume apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis generated ADCmean, skewness, kurtosis, and entropy values from bilateral parotid glands. Continuous variables were compared using an independent two-sample t test, and categorical variable compared using the Fisher’s test between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the indexes. Fisher’s tests demonstrated that some clinical indexes and MR morphology grades differed significantly between patients with SS and patients suspected of having the disease (all P ≤ 0.001). The parotid entropy value of patients with SS was significantly higher than that of patients suspected of having the disease (P < 0.001). Among MR parameters, entropy combined with kurtosis performed the best in differentiating patients with SS from those suspected of having SS (area under the ROC curve = 0.955). A whole-volume ADC histogram analysis might provide a series of parameters that reflect tissue characteristics.
Cavity-Backed Antenna-Coupled Nanothermocouples
Authors: Szakmany Gergo P. , Orlov Alexei O. , Bernstein Gary H. , Porod Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

This paper reports a two-orders-of-magnitude improvement in the sensitivity of antenna-coupled nanothermocouple (ACNTC) infrared detectors. The electrical signal generated by on-chip ACNTCs results from the temperature difference between a resonant antenna locally heated by infrared radiation and the substrate. A cavity etched under the antenna provides two benefits. It eliminates the undesirable cooling of the hot junction by thermally isolating the antenna from the substrate. More importantly, careful cavity design results in constructive interference of the incident radiation reflected back to the antenna, which significantly increases the detector sensitivity. We present the cavity-depth-dependent response of ACNTCs with cavity depths between 1 μm and 22 μm. When constructive interference is maximized, the thermal response increases by 100-fold compared to devices without the cavity.
A novel “AIE + ESIPT” near-infrared nanoprobe for the imaging of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in living cells and the application in precision medicine
Authors: Liu Yi , Feng Bin , Cao Xiaozheng , Tang Gao , Liu Honglu , Chen Fang , Liu Meihui , Chen Qian , Yuan Kai , Gu Yonghong , Feng Xueping , Zeng Wenbin
Published: July 2019

Novel near-infrared nanoprobe for detecting GGT in HepG2 cells and imaging in liver tumour tissue, satisfying for the need for clinical measure of GGT level.
Temperature-responsive extraction of violacein using a tuneable anionic surfactant-based system
Authors: Schaeffer Nicolas , Kholany Mariam , Veloso Telma L. M. , Pereira Joana Luísa , Ventura Sónia P. M. , Nicaud Jean-Marc , Coutinho João A. P.
Published: July 2019

A tuneable and thermoresponsive ionic system is applied to the extraction and cloud-point separation of violacein from biomass.
Vehicle-saving theranostic probes based on hydrophobic iron oxide nanoclusters using doxorubicin as a phase transfer agent for MRI and chemotherapy
Authors: Cao Yanbing , Min Juan , Zheng Dongye , Li Jiong , Xue Yanan , Yu Faquan , Wu Ming
Published: July 2019

A simple approach for constructing vehicle-saving theranostic nanobeads for MRI and chemotherapy is developed by using doxorubicin for phase transfer of iron oxide nanoclusters.
A NIR light-triggered drug delivery system using core–shell gold nanostars–mesoporous silica nanoparticles based on multiphoton absorption photo-dissociation of 2-nitrobenzyl PEG
Authors: Hernández-Montoto Andy , Gorbe Mónica , Llopis-Lorente Antoni , Terrés José Manuel , Montes Roberto , Cao-Milán Roberto , Díaz de Greñu Borja , Alfonso María , Orzaez Mar , Marcos María Dolores , Martínez-Máñez Ramón , Sancenón Félix
Published: July 2019

Gold nanostars coated with a mesoporous silica shell and functionalised with PEG containing photolabile 2-nitrobenzyl moieties released doxorubicin after NIR light irradiation.
Enhancing electronic and optical properties of monolayer MoSe2via a MoSe2/blue phosphorene heterobilayer
Authors: Shu Huabing , Wang Ying , Sun Minglei
Published: July 2019

Type-II heterostructures are appealing for application in optoelectronics due to their effective separation of photogenerated charge carriers.
Tailoring magnetic resonance imaging relaxivities in macroporous Prussian blue cubes
Authors: Guan Wenlan , Ma Ji , Peng Xi , Chen Kezheng
Published: July 2019

In order to unravel the relationship between zeta potential values and r2/r1 ratios for contrast agents in MRI application, a series of macroporous Prussian blue cubes were successfully synthesized by HCl etching and used as model samples for relaxivity investigation.
Recent advances in confining metal-based nanoparticles into carbon nanotubes for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices
Authors: Tabassum Hassina , Mahmood Asif , Zhu Bingjun , Liang Zibin , Zhong Ruiqin , Guo Shaojun , Zou Ruqiang
Published: July 2019

The confinement of a metal into CNTs (M@CNTs) results in merging of intrinsic properties of individual components at the nanoscale in a way that introduces new advanced materials for energy conversion and storage devices.
Non-PGM electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells: effect of fluorination on the activity and stability of a highly active NC_Ar + NH3 catalyst
Authors: Zhang Gaixia , Yang Xiaohua , Dubois Marc , Herraiz Michael , Chenitz Régis , Lefèvre Michel , Cherif Mohamed , Vidal François , Glibin Vassili P. , Sun Shuhui , Dodelet Jean-Pol
Published: July 2019

F2-Fluorination of Fe/N/C catalysts poisons FeN4, but not CNx sites. Main causes of instability in PEMFCs are either FeN4 demetalation for Fe/N/C or H2O2 when FeN4 sites are poisoned by fluorination or absent as in MOF_CNx_Ar + NH3.
Understanding cation effects in electrochemical CO2 reduction
Authors: Ringe Stefan , Clark Ezra L. , Resasco Joaquin , Walton Amber , Seger Brian , Bell Alexis T. , Chan Karen
Published: July 2019

Field-sensitive electrochemical reactions are controlled by electrode charging which is sensitive to the size of the electrolyte containing cations.
Ru-Catalyzed methanol homologation with CO2 and H2 in an ionic liquid
Authors: Asare Bediako Bernard Baffour , Qian Qingli , Zhang Jingjing , Wang Ying , Shen Xiaojun , Shi Jinbiao , Cui Meng , Yang Guanying , Wang Zhen , Tong Shengrui , Han Buxing
Published: July 2019

A monometallic Ru catalyst can efficiently accelerate ethanol synthesis via methanol homologation with CO2 and H2 in an ionic liquid.
A comparative study of secondary depolymerization methods on oxidized lignins
Authors: Song Yang , Motagamwala Ali Hussain , Karlen Steven D. , Dumesic James A. , Ralph John , Mobley Justin K. , Crocker Mark
Published: July 2019

DDQ oxidized lignins were used as substrates to assess the effectiveness of secondary depolymerization methods for the production of aromatics.
Ligand-free Cu(ii)-catalyzed aerobic etherification of aryl halides with silanes: an experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Ahmad Khalil , Yasin Khawaja Ansar , Farooq Tayyaba , Khan Bilal Ahmad , Roy Soumendra K.
Published: July 2019

Owing to their wide occurrence in nature and immense applications in various fields, the synthesis of aryl alkyl ethers has remained a focus of interest.
Anion functionalized ionic liquid from artificial sugar: a sustainable pathway for diverse bis-enol derivatives
Authors: Sharma Himani , Srivastava Suman
Published: July 2019

An artificial sugar saccharine based anion-functionalized ionic liquid [Bmim]Sac was synthesized and used for new and straightforward strategies for the construction of a diverse range of bis-enols.
An innovative reversed-phase monolithic column modified with 4-vinylbiphenyl and ionic liquid stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Mao Xiangju , Liu Lu , Xiao Fang , Ni Wenshan , Cheng Xintao
Published: July 2019

A poly(VBP-co-EDMA-co-IL) monolithic column was used for electrochromatographic separation.
Organic-to-water dispersible Mn:ZnS–ZnS doped core–shell quantum dots: synthesis, characterization and their application towards optical bioimaging and a turn-off fluorosensor
Authors: Selvaraj Joicy , Mahesh Arun , Baskaralingam Vaseeharan , Dhayalan Arunkumar , Paramasivam Thangadurai
Published: July 2019

Dot-in-dot core/shell Mn:ZnS/ZnS QDs as a good fluorescent agent for bioimaging and a turn-off fluorescent probe for detection of heavy metal ions.
Multifunctional two-dimensional nanocomposites for photothermal-based combined cancer therapy
Authors: Wang Xianwen , Cheng Liang
Published: July 2019

This review summarized the latest development of multifunctional 2D nanocomposites for photothermal-based combined cancer therapy.
Whisky tasting using a bimetallic nanoplasmonic tongue
Authors: Macias Gerard , Sperling Justin R. , Peveler William J. , Burley Glenn A. , Neale Steven L. , Clark Alasdair W.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we present a bimetallic nanoplasmonic tongue capable of distinguishing between a variety of commercial whiskies.
Development of dansyl based copper(ii) complex to detect hydrogen sulfide in hypoxia
Authors: Kim Jee Young , Sarkar Swarbhanu , Bobba Kondapa Naidu , Huynh Phuong Tu , Bhise Abhinav , Yoo Jeongsoo
Published: July 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been detected by fluorescence imaging in living cells under hypoxia.
Thermal rearrangement of optically active tetradeuterated 2-methoxymethyl-methylenecyclopropane and the bent bond/antiperiplanar hypothesis
Authors: Deslongchamps Ghislain , Deslongchamps Pierre
Published: July 2019

The bent bond/antiperiplanar hypothesis (BBAH) provides, for the first time, a mechanistic model that rationalizes methylenecyclopropane rearrangements.
Synthesis and electrochromic behavior of a multi-electron redox-active N-heteroheptacenequinone
Authors: Isoda Kyosuke , Matsuzaka Mitsuru , Sugaya Tomoaki , Yasuda Takeshi , Tadokoro Makoto
Published: July 2019

N-Heteropentacenequinone can accept four electrons as well as show electrochromism.
Comparing the influence of visualization type in an electrochemistry laboratory on the student discourse: who do they talk to and what do they say?
Authors: Hunter Vichuda , Hawkins Ian , Phelps Amy J.
Published: July 2019

A laboratory is a large investment of time and money for departments of chemistry yet discussions continue about its purpose in the educational process. Helping students navigate the three levels of representation; macroscopic, particulate and symbolic is a potential use of this time. This study looked at two different types of visualization for an electrochemistry laboratory in second semester general chemistry and the impact that the visualization type had on the student discourse. Macroscopic visualization (MV) was accomplished through a traditional hands-on laboratory and particulate visualization (PV) was achieved using a computer simulation featuring animated electrons and ions. The type of visualization impacted how much the students talked, who they talked to, and what they talked about. The MV students engaged in less peer-to-peer discussion than the PV students. The MV students expressed more excitement about their observations and were more focused on getting the data quickly. The MV spent most of their time physically doing the laboratory work while spending little time discussing the concepts. The PV students spent more time talking about concepts with their peers especially at the particulate level even answering macroscopic questions with particulate explanations. The type of visualization influenced all aspects of the student discourse.
Near-infrared fluorescein dyes containing a tricoordinate boron atom
Authors: Ando Naoki , Soutome Hiroki , Yamaguchi Shigehiro
Published: July 2019

Tricoordinate boron imparts near-infrared absorption/emission and unusual multi-stage changes in the photophysical properties to fluorescein dyes.
Plasmonic colloidosomes of black gold for solar energy harvesting and hotspots directed catalysis for CO2 to fuel conversion
Authors: Dhiman Mahak , Maity Ayan , Das Anirban , Belgamwar Rajesh , Chalke Bhagyashree , Lee Yeonhee , Sim Kyunjong , Nam Jwa-Min , Polshettiwar Vivek
Published: July 2019

Plasmonic black gold converts CO2 to methane using solar energy.
Bio-inspired synthesis of xishacorenes A, B, and C, and a new congener from fuscol
Authors: Rovira Alexander R. , Müller Nicolas , Deng Weiwen , Ndubaku Chudi , Sarpong Richmond
Published: July 2019

In this manuscript, we describe the conversion of fuscol, a natural product isolated in 1978, to xishacorenes A, B, and C, isolated in 2017, as well as a previously unreported congener, which we have named xishacorene D.
Designer artificial membrane binding proteins to direct stem cells to the myocardium
Authors: Xiao Wenjin , Green Thomas I. P. , Liang Xiaowen , Delint Rosalia Cuahtecontzi , Perry Guillaume , Roberts Michael S. , Le Vay Kristian , Back Catherine R. , Ascione Raimomdo , Wang Haolu , Race Paul R. , Perriman Adam W.
Published: July 2019

We present a new cell membrane modification methodology where the inherent heart tissue homing properties of the infectious bacteriaStreptococcus gordoniiare transferred to human stem cells.
The loss of mechanical stability and the critical magnetization of a ferromagnetic particle in an elastomer
Authors: Kalita V. M. , Dzhezherya Yu. I. , Levchenko G. G.
Published: July 2019

The loss of mechanical stability of a spherical magnetically soft ferromagnetic particle with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and located in an elastomer under the action of a magnetic field has been studied theoretically.
Oxygen vacancy engineered SrTiO3 nanofibers for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production
Authors: Li Chuan-Qi , Yi Sha-Sha , Chen De-liang , Liu Yan , Li Ya-Jie , Lu Si-Yu , Yue Xin-Zheng , Liu Zhong-Yi
Published: July 2019

Cocatalysts-free SrTiO3 nanofibers with high photocatalytic performance are developed by incorporating oxygen vacancies (OVs), where OVs could steer charge behaviors, serve as active sites and heighten reduction ability of electrons.
JNK and cardiometabolic dysfunction
Authors: Craige Siobhan M. , Chen Kai , Blanton Robert M. , Keaney John F. , Kant Shashi
Published: July 2019

Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) describes the cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases that are generally characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, intra-abdominal adiposity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. CMS currently affects more than 25% of the world’s population and the rates of diseases are rapidly rising. These CMS conditions represent critical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the underlying signaling involved in disease onset and progression. The c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNKs) are a family of stress signaling kinases that have been recently indicated in CMS. The purpose of this review is to examine the in vivo implications of JNK as a potential therapeutic target for CMS. As the constellation of diseases associated with CMS are complex and involve multiple tissues and environmental triggers, carefully examining what is known about the JNK pathway will be important for specificity in treatment strategies.
Association between PTEN and clinical-pathological features of osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhou Jian , Xiao Xia , Wang Wanchun , Luo Yingquan
Published: July 2019

Previous studies indicated the prognostic value of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) in osteosarcoma (OS). There was a great degree of inconsistency between these reports. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognostic role of PTEN positive expression on OS. We searched NCBI PubMed, Embase, Springer, ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Internet database (CNKI), Wanfang database, Chinese VIP database and Chinese Biological Medical Database (CBM) for relevant papers published before 28 November 2018. The eligibility of all retrieved studies assessing the relationship between PTEN expression and clinicopathological and prognostic outcomes in OS were incorporated. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the outcomes. A total of 13 studies with 580 OS patients were involved to assess the relationship between PTEN expression and clinicopathological features of OS. PTEN positive expression was significantly associated with male (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03–2.38, P=0.035<0.05) and OS high differentiation (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.26–4.29, P=0.007<0.05). Additionally, positive expressions of PTEN predict no neoplasm metastasis (OR = 5.69, 95% CI: 3.64–8.90, P<0.05). The results of our study showed that positive expression of PTEN may predict higher 5-year survival in OS with the pooled OR of 8.73 (95% CI: 4.18–18.24, P<0.05). The results from the present study suggest that positive expression of PTEN is significantly associated with male, high differentiation, no metastasis and high 5-year overall survival rate in OS.