bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Particle Dynamics in the Nearshore of Lake Michigan Revealed by an Observation‐Modeling System
Authors: Mao Miaohua , Xia Meng
Published: July 2020

Given that few drifter experiments combined with a wave‐current coupled model system had been conducted in the complex nearshore area, this work was motivated to reveal the nearshore dynamics by applying an observation‐modeling system to Lake Michigan. Analysis of 11 surface drifters, wind, and current observations along the lake's eastern coast indicates that their trajectories are synergistically controlled by winds and initial releasing sites. Additionally, strong winds significantly impact nearshore dynamics, and the highly sensitive nearshore and offshore drifters are stranded in distinct regions. Simulations indicate that the model reproduces drifter trajectories and endpoints reasonably and that particle fates are mainly dominated by winds, while effects from heat flux and waves are also important. Further analysis of wave effects on particle dynamics indicates that both the wave‐induced sea surface roughness and Stokes drift advection are crucial to the simulated particle trajectories during wind events. Finally, virtual experiments confirm that particle dynamics are evidently susceptible to winds and initial locations. Overall, both the inclusion of physics effects (e.g., adding winds, heat fluxes, and waves) and diminishing the model uncertainties (e.g., from various wind data sources, wind drag coefficient formulations, model grids, and vertical turbulent mixing parameterizations) are important methods to improve the particle simulations. The successful application of this nearshore observation‐modeling system to Lake Michigan can be beneficial to the understanding of nearshore‐offshore transports and larval and fisheries recruitment success in similar freshwater and estuarine environments.
Blue Optical Observations of Narrow Bipolar Events by ASIM Suggest Corona Streamer Activity in Thunderstorms
Authors: Soler S. , Pérez‐Invernón F. J. , Gordillo‐Vázquez F. J. , Luque A. , Li D. , Malagón‐Romero A. , Neubert T. , Chanrion O. , Reglero V. , Navarro‐Gonzalez J. , Lu G. , Zhang H. , Huang A. , Østgaard N.
Published: July 2020

While narrow bipolar events (NBEs) could be related with lightning initiation, their intrinsic physics remains in question. Here we report on optical measurements by the Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) on the International Space Station (ISS) of blue flashes associated with NBEs. They are observed in a narrow blue band centered at 337 nm, with no simultaneous activity at 777.4 nm, considered a strong lightning emission line. From radio waves measured from the ground, we find that 7 of 10 single‐pulse blue events can be identified as positive NBEs. The source altitudes estimated from optical and radio signals agree and indicate that the sources of the blue flashes are located between∼8.5 and∼14 km, in a cloud reaching 14–15 km altitude. The observations suggest that single‐pulse blue flashes are from cold ionization waves, so‐called streamers, and that positive NBEs are corona discharges formed by many streamers.
Evaluating Cropland N2O Emissions and Fertilizer Plant Greenhouse Gas Emissions With Airborne Observations
Authors: Gvakharia A. , Kort E. A. , Smith M. L. , Conley S.
Published: July 2020

Agricultural activity is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The fertilizer production process emits N2O, CO2, and CH4, and fertilized croplands emit N2O. We present continuous airborne observations of these trace gases in the Lower Mississippi River Basin to quantify emissions from both fertilizer plants and croplands during the early growing season. Observed hourly emission rates from two fertilizer plants are compared with reported inventory values, showing agreement for N2O and CO2 emissions but large underestimation in reported CH4 emissions by up to a factor of 100. These CH4 emissions are consistent with loss rates of 0.6–1.2%. We quantify regional emission fluxes (100 km) of N2O using the airborne mass balance technique, a first application for N2O, and explore linkages to controlling processes. Finally, we demonstrate the ability to use airborne measurements to distinguish N2O emission differences between neighboring fields, determining we can distinguish different emission behaviors of regions on the order of 2.5 km2 with emissions differences of approximately 0.026 μmol m−2 s−1. This suggests airborne approaches such as outlined here could be used to evaluate the impact of different agricultural practices at critical field‐size spatial scales.
Corona Discharge in Wind for Electrically Isolated Electrodes
Authors: Guerra‐Garcia C. , Nguyen N. C. , Mouratidis T. , Martinez‐Sanchez M.
Published: July 2020

For various problems in atmospheric electricity it is necessary to understand the behavior of corona discharge in wind. Prior work considers grounded electrode systems, of relevance for earthed towers, trees, or windmills subjected to thunderstorms fields. In this configuration, the effect of wind is to remove the shielding ions from the coronating electrode vicinity strengthening the corona and increasing its current. There are a number of cases, such as isolated wind turbine blades or airborne vehicles, that are not completely represented by the available models and experiments. This paper focuses on electrode systems that are electrically isolated from their environment and reports on a wind tunnel campaign and accompanying theoretical work. In this configuration, there are two competing effects: the removal of the shielding ions by the wind, strengthening the corona; and the electrode system charging negatively (for positive corona) with respect to its environment, weakening the corona. This leads to three different operating regimes; namely, for positions that favor ion recapture, charging is limited and current increases with wind as in the classical scaling; for positions that favor ion transport by the wind, the system charges negatively and the current decreases with wind; for the later configuration, as wind increases, the current can vanish and the system potential saturates. The results from this work demonstrate that classical scaling laws of corona discharge in wind do not necessarily apply for isolated electrodes and illustrate the feasibility of using a glow corona in wind for controlled charging of a floating body.
Identification of Optimum Temperatures for Photosynthetic Production in Subtropical Coastal Ecosystems: Implications for CO2 Sequestration in a Warming World
Authors: McGowan Hamish A. , Lowry Andrew L. , Gray Michael A.
Published: July 2020

Terrestrial ecosystems are often thought to be effective sinks of anthropogenic CO2 emissions with biosphere greening considered unequivocal evidence of this process. Increasing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 along with other greenhouse gases are however, responsible for global warming. As temperature increases, the rate at which biomes sequester CO2 may decline as the optimum temperature for photosynthetic production is exceeded, thereby reducing their potential to sequester CO2. Here we present evidence from 3 years of direct measurements of CO2 exchanges over subtropical coastal ecosystems in eastern Australia that the optimum temperature range for photosynthesis of 24.1°C to 27.4°C is routinely exceeded. This causes a rapid decline in photosynthetic production made worse when soil water content decreases. As climate change continues, both rising temperatures and predicted decline in rainfall will see these coastal ecosystems ability to sequester CO2 decrease further rapidly. We suggest similar research is needed urgently over other terrestrial ecosystems.
Ryk modulates the niche activity of mesenchymal stromal cells by fine-tuning canonical Wnt signaling
Authors: Jeong Seon-Yeong , Lyu Jungmook , Kim Jin-A , Oh Il-Hoan
Published: July 2020

The importance of modulating the intensity of Wnt signaling has been highlighted in various biological models, but their mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that Ryk—an atypical Wnt receptor with a pseudokinase domain—has a Wnt-modulating effect in bone marrow stromal cells to control hematopoiesis-supporting activities. We first found that Ryk is predominantly expressed in the mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of the bone marrow (BM) compared with hematopoietic cells. Downregulation of Ryk in MSCs decreased their clonogenic activity and ability to support self-renewing expansion of primitive hematopoietic progenitors (HPCs) in response to canonical Wnt ligands. In contrast, under high concentrations of Wnt, Ryk exerted suppressive effects on the transactivation of target genes and HPC-supporting effects in MSCs, thus fine-tuning the signaling intensity of Wnt in BM stromal cells. This ability of Ryk to modulate the HPC-supporting niche activity of MSCs was abrogated by induction of deletion mutants of Ryk lacking the intracellular domain or extracellular domain, indicating that the pseudokinase-containing intracellular domain mediates the Wnt-modulating effects in response to extracellular Wnt ligands. These findings indicate that the ability of the BM microenvironment to respond to extracellular signals and support hematopoiesis may be fine-tuned by Ryk via modulation of Wnt signaling intensity to coordinate hematopoietic activity.
Aerobic microbial life persists in oxic marine sediment as old as 101.5 million years
Authors: Morono Yuki , Ito Motoo , Hoshino Tatsuhiko , Terada Takeshi , Hori Tomoyuki , Ikehara Minoru , D’Hondt Steven , Inagaki Fumio
Published: July 2020

Sparse microbial populations persist from seafloor to basement in the slowly accumulating oxic sediment of the oligotrophic South Pacific Gyre (SPG). The physiological status of these communities, including their substrate metabolism, is previously unconstrained. Here we show that diverse aerobic members of communities in SPG sediments (4.3‒101.5 Ma) are capable of readily incorporating carbon and nitrogen substrates and dividing. Most of the 6986 individual cells analyzed with nanometer-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) actively incorporated isotope-labeled substrates. Many cells responded rapidly to incubation conditions, increasing total numbers by 4 orders of magnitude and taking up labeled carbon and nitrogen within 68 days after incubation. The response was generally faster (on average, 3.09 times) for nitrogen incorporation than for carbon incorporation. In contrast, anaerobic microbes were only minimally revived from this oxic sediment. Our results suggest that microbial communities widely distributed in organic-poor abyssal sediment consist mainly of aerobes that retain their metabolic potential under extremely low-energy conditions for up to 101.5 Ma.
Global reward state affects learning and activity in raphe nucleus and anterior insula in monkeys
Authors: Wittmann Marco K. , Fouragnan Elsa , Folloni Davide , Klein-Flügge Miriam C. , Chau Bolton K. H. , Khamassi Mehdi , Rushworth Matthew F. S.
Published: July 2020

People and other animals learn the values of choices by observing the contingencies between them and their outcomes. However, decisions are not guided by choice-linked reward associations alone; macaques also maintain a memory of the general, average reward rate – the global reward state – in an environment. Remarkably, global reward state affects the way that each choice outcome is valued and influences future decisions so that the impact of both choice success and failure is different in rich and poor environments. Successful choices are more likely to be repeated but this is especially the case in rich environments. Unsuccessful choices are more likely to be abandoned but this is especially likely in poor environments. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed two distinct patterns of activity, one in anterior insula and one in the dorsal raphe nucleus, that track global reward state as well as specific outcome events.
Butyrophilin-like proteins display combinatorial diversity in selecting and maintaining signature intraepithelial γδ T cell compartments
Authors: Jandke Anett , Melandri Daisy , Monin Leticia , Ushakov Dmitry S. , Laing Adam G. , Vantourout Pierre , East Philip , Nitta Takeshi , Narita Tomoya , Takayanagi Hiroshi , Feederle Regina , Hayday Adrian
Published: July 2020

Butyrophilin-like (Btnl) genes are emerging as major epithelial determinants of tissue-associated γδ T cell compartments. Thus, the development of signature, murine TCRγδ+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in gut and skin depends on Btnl family members, Btnl1 and Skint1, respectively. In seeking mechanisms underlying these profound effects, we now show that normal gut and skin γδ IEL development additionally requires Btnl6 and Skint2, respectively, and furthermore that different Btnl heteromers can seemingly shape different intestinal γδ+ IEL repertoires. This formal genetic evidence for the importance of Btnl heteromers also applied to the steady-state, since sustained Btnl expression is required to maintain the signature TCR.Vγ7+ IEL phenotype, including specific responsiveness to Btnl proteins. In sum, Btnl proteins are required to select and to maintain the phenotypes of tissue-protective γδ IEL compartments, with combinatorially diverse heteromers having differential impacts on different IEL subsets.
Author Correction: Evidence for a serpentinized plate interface favouring continental subduction
Authors: Zhao Liang , Malusà Marco G. , Yuan Huaiyu , Paul Anne , Guillot Stéphane , Lu Yang , Stehly Laurent , Solarino Stefano , Eva Elena , Lu Gang , Bodin Thomas ,   CIFALPS Group, Zhao Liang , Malusà Marco G. , Paul Anne , Guillot Stéphane , Solarino Stefano , Eva Elena , Lu Gang ,   AlpArray Working Group, Paul Anne , Solarino Stefano
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Necrotrophic lifestyle of Rhizoctonia solani AG3-PT during interaction with its host plant potato as revealed by transcriptome analysis
Authors: Zrenner Rita , Genzel Franziska , Verwaaijen Bart , Wibberg Daniel , Grosch Rita
Published: July 2020

The soil-borne pathogenRhizoctonia solaniinfects a broad range of plants worldwide and is responsible for significant crop losses.Rhizoctonia solaniAG3-PT attacks germinating potato sprouts underground while molecular responses during interaction are unknown. To gain insights into processes induced in the fungus especially at early stage of interaction, transcriptional activity was compared between growth of mycelium in liquid culture and the growing fungus in interaction with potato sprouts using RNA-sequencing. Genes coding for enzymes with diverse hydrolase activities were strongly differentially expressed, however with remarkably dissimilar time response. While at 3 dpi, expression of genes coding for peptidases was predominantly induced, strongest induction was found for genes encoding hydrolases acting on cell wall components at 8 dpi. Several genes with unknown function were also differentially expressed, thus assuming putative roles as effectors to support host colonization. In summary, the presented analysis characterizes the necrotrophic lifestyle ofR. solaniAG3-PT during early interaction with its host.
RNA-sequencing analysis revealed genes associated drought stress responses of different durations in hexaploid sweet potato
Authors: Arisha Mohamed Hamed , Ahmad Muhammad Qadir , Tang Wei , Liu Yaju , Yan Hui , Kou Meng , Wang Xin , Zhang Yungang , Li Qiang
Published: July 2020

Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) is an important food crop, as it is a rich source of nutrients and anthocyanin pigments. Drought has become a major threat to sustainable sweetpotato production, resulting in huge yield losses. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify drought stress-responsive genes using next-generation (NGS) and third-generation sequencing (TGS) techniques. Five cDNA libraries were constructed from seedling leaf segments treated with a 30% solution of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) for 0, 1, 6, 12, and 48 h for second-generation sequencing. Leaf samples taken from upper third of sweet potato seedlings after 1, 6, 12, and 48 h of drought stress were used for the construction of cDNA libraries for third-generation sequencing; however, leaf samples from untreated plants were collected as controls. A total of 184,259,679 clean reads were obtained using second and third-generation sequencing and then assembled into 17,508 unigenes with an average length of 1,783 base pairs. Out of 17,508 unigenes, 642 (3.6%) unigenes failed to hit any homologs in any databases, which might be considered novel genes. A total of 2, 920, 1578, and 2,418 up-regulated unigenes and 3,834, 2,131, and 3,337 down-regulated unigenes from 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 48 h library were identified, respectively in drought stress versus control. In addition, after 6, 12, and 48 h of drought stress, 540 up-regulated unigenes, 486 down-regulated unigenes and 414 significantly differentially expressed unigenes were detected. It was found that several gene families including Basic Helix-loop-helix (bHLH), basic leucine zipper (bZIP), Cystein2/Histidine2 (C2H2), C3H, Ethylene-responsive transcription factor (ERF), Homo domain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP), MYB, NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2), Thiol specific antioxidant and WRKY showed responses to drought stress. In total, 17,472 simple sequence repeats and 510,617 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified based on transcriptome sequencing of the PFSP. About 96.55% of the obtained sequences are not available online in sweet potato genomics resources. Therefore, it will enrich annotated sweet potato gene sequences and enhance understanding of the mechanisms of drought tolerance through genetic manipulation. Moreover, it represents a sequence resource for genetic and genomic studies of sweet potato.
Spatially controlled nano-structuring of silicon with femtosecond vortex pulses
Authors: Rahimian M. G. , Jain A. , Larocque H. , Corkum P. B. , Karimi E. , Bhardwaj V. R.
Published: July 2020

Engineering material properties is key for development of smart materials and next generation nanodevices. This requires nanoscale spatial precision and control to fabricate structures/defects. Lithographic techniques are widely used for nanostructuring in which a geometric pattern on a mask is transferred to a resist by photons or charged particles and subsequently engraved on the substrate. However, direct mask-less fabrication has only been possible with electron and ion beams. That is because light has an inherent disadvantage; the diffraction limit makes it difficult to interact with matter on dimensions smaller than the wavelength of light. Here we demonstrate spatially controlled formation of nanocones on a silicon surface with a positional precision of 50 nm using femtosecond laser ablation comprising a superposition of optical vector vortex and Gaussian beams. Such control and precision opens new opportunities for nano-printing of materials using techniques such as laser-induced forward transfer and in general broadens the scope of laser processing of materials.
Identification of novel molecular determinants of co-receptor usage in HIV-1 subtype F V3 envelope sequences
Authors: Distefano Maximiliano , Lanzarotti Esteban , Fernández María Florencia , Mangano Andrea , Martí Marcelo , Aulicino Paula
Published: July 2020

HIV-1 determinants of coreceptor usage within the gp120 V3 loop have been broadly studied over the past years. This information has led to the development of state-of the-art bioinformatic tools that are useful to predict co-receptor usage based on the V3 loop sequence mainly of subtypes B, C and A. However, these methods show a poor performance for subtype F V3 loops, which are found in an increasing number of HIV-1 strains worldwide. In the present work we investigated determinants of viral tropisms in the understudied subtype F by looking at genotypic and structural information of coreceptor:V3 loop interactions in a novel group of 40 subtype F V3 loops obtained from HIV-1 strains phenotypically characterized either as syncytium inducing or non-syncytium inducing by the MT-2 assay. We provide novel information about estimated interactions energies between a set of V3 loops with known tropism in subtype F, that allowed us to improve predictions of the coreceptor usage for this subtype. Understanding genetic and structural features underlying HIV coreceptor usage across different subtypes is relevant for the rational design of preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at limiting the HIV-1 epidemic worldwide.
Marine Os isotopic evidence for multiple volcanic episodes during Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 1b
Authors: Matsumoto Hironao , Kuroda Junichiro , Coccioni Rodolfo , Frontalini Fabrizio , Sakai Saburo , Ogawa Nanako O. , Ohkouchi Naohiko
Published: July 2020

The Aptian–Albian boundary is marked by one of the major oceanic perturbations during the Cretaceous, called Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b. Extensive volcanic episodes at the Southern Kerguelen Plateau has been suggested as the trigger of OAE1b, but compelling evidence remains lacking. Here, we reconstructed the temporal variations of marine Os isotopic ratios across the Aptian–Albian boundary in the Tethyan and Pacific pelagic sedimentary records to elucidate the causal links between OAE1b, the biotic turnover, and volcanic episodes. Our new Os isotopic records show two negative spikes that correlate with a period of planktonic foraminiferal turnover across the Aptian–Albian boundary during OAE1b and suggest multiple submarine volcanic events. By comparing our Os isotopic profile with carbon isotopic compositions of carbonate, CaCO3content, and the relative abundances of agglutinated foraminifera, we conclude that ocean acidification caused by the massive release of CO2through extensive volcanic episodes could have promoted the major planktonic foraminiferal turnover during OAE1b.
Comparison of different automatic methods for the delineation of the total metabolic tumor volume in I–II stage Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Martín-Saladich Queralt , Reynés-Llompart Gabriel , Sabaté-Llobera Aida , Palomar-Muñoz Azahara , Domingo-Domènech Eva , Cortés-Romera Montse
Published: July 2020

Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) is a promising quantitative biomarker for therapy assessment and prognosis in Hodgkin Lymphoma affected patients that allows prediction of patient outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the TMTV reproducibility between different sources of variability in tumor delimitation such as SUV-based thresholds (2.5, 41% and 50%) and software tools (Beth Israel plugin (BI) and LIFEx). Effect of contouring procedure both including single and multiple regions of interest was also studied in patients with multiple lesions, and optimal cut-offs for each studied method were displayed to compare the effect on prognosis. Strong alikeness in TMTV was found for 2.5 under software choice. Best accuracy in contouring compared to visual assessment of the disease was found for BI multiple ROI and LIFEx single ROI drawing. Similar cut-offs were found between both software for all considered thresholds, but best resemblance and highest cut-off due to an overestimation of the TMTV was found for 2.5 SUV. Our findings suggest that optimal reproducibility in TMTV is found for SUV > 2.5 threshold under choice of contouring methodology or software tool, meaning that overestimation of the TMTV threshold using 2.5 looks to be preferable than underestimation with 41% and 50%.
Identification of the novel bacterial blight resistance gene Xa46(t) by mapping and expression analysis of the rice mutant H120
Authors: Chen Shen , Wang Congying , Yang Jianyuan , Chen Bing , Wang Wenjuan , Su Jing , Feng Aiqing , Zeng Liexian , Zhu Xiaoyuan
Published: July 2020

Rice bacterial leaf blight is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and produces substantial losses in rice yields. Resistance breeding is an effective method for controlling bacterial leaf blight disease. The mutant line H120 derived from the japonica line Lijiangxintuanheigu is resistant to all Chinese Xoo races. To identify and map the Xoo resistance gene(s) of H120, we examined the association between phenotypic and genotypic variations in two F2 populations derived from crosses between H120/CO39 and H120/IR24. The segregation ratios of F2 progeny consisted with the action of a single dominant resistance gene, which we named Xa46(t). Xa46(t) was mapped between the markers RM26981 and RM26984 within an approximately 65.34-kb region on chromosome 11. The 12 genes predicted within the target region included two candidate genes encoding the serine/threonine-protein kinase Doa (Loc_Os11g37540) and Calmodulin-2/3/5 (Loc_Os11g37550). Differential expression of H120 was analyzed by RNA-seq. Four genes in the Xa46(t) target region were differentially expressed after inoculation with Xoo. Mapping and expression data suggest that Loc_Os11g37540 allele is most likely to be Xa46(t). The sequence comparison of Xa23 allele between H120 and CBB23 indicated that the Xa46(t) gene is not identical to Xa23.
Confirmation of ovarian follicles in an enantiornithine (Aves) from the Jehol biota using soft tissue analyses
Authors: Bailleul Alida M. , O’Connor Jingmai , Li Zhiheng , Wu Qian , Zhao Tao , Martinez Monleon Mario A. , Wang Min , Zheng Xiaoting
Published: July 2020

The remains of ovarian follicles reported in nine specimens of basal birds represents one of the most remarkable examples of soft-tissue preservation in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota. This discovery was immediately contested and the structures alternatively interpreted as ingested seeds. Fragments of the purported follicles preserved in an enantiornithine (STM10-12) were extracted and subjected to multiple high-resolution analyses. The structures in STM10-12 possess the histological and histochemical characteristics of smooth muscles fibers intertwined together with collagen fibers, resembling the contractile structure in the perifollicular membrane (PFM) of living birds. Fossilized blood vessels, very abundant in extant PFMs, are also preserved. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy shows the preserved tissues primarily underwent alumino-silicification, with minor mineralization via iron oxides. No evidence of plant tissue was found. These results confirm the original interpretation as follicles within the left ovary, supporting the interpretation that the right ovary was functionally lost early in avian evolution.
Competitive ELISA for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) determination in human plasma
Authors: Colom Glòria , Salvador J.-Pablo , Acosta Gerardo , Albericio Fernando , Royo Miriam , Marco M.-Pilar
Published: July 2020

A competitive ELISA has been developed for the determination of NT-proBNP using a rational hapten design for its antibody production and also, for the development of the ELISA.
Electrochemical analysis of speedball-like polydrug samples
Authors: de Jong Mats , Florea Anca , Daems Devin , Van Loon Joren , Samyn Nele , De Wael Karolien
Published: July 2020

Polydrug abuse holds severe health concerns, pressing the need to detect all drugs present in a sample. This article provides solutions for the simultaneous portable voltammetric detection of cocaine and depressant in speedball-like polydrug samples.
Unusual red-orange emission from rhodamine-derived polynorbornene for selective binding to Fe3+ ions in an aqueous environment
Authors: Samanta Tapendu , Das Narayan , Singha Jyotirlata , Shunmugam Raja
Published: July 2020

Norbornene-based rhodamine derivative (NR) and its homopolymer (PNR) were observed as an “off–on” probe for Fe3+ ions both colorimetrically and fluorimetrically in an aqueous environment.
Use of Chemcatcher® passive sampler with high-resolution mass spectrometry and multi-variate analysis for targeted screening of emerging pesticides in water
Authors: Taylor Adam C. , Fones Gary R. , Gravell Anthony , Mills Graham A.
Published: July 2020

Use of high-resolution mass spectrometry screening workflow of pesticides in a river catchment can lead to enhanced risk assessments.
Glycosylated cyclophellitol-derived activity-based probes and inhibitors for cellulases
Authors: de Boer Casper , McGregor Nicholas G. S. , Peterse Evert , Schröder Sybrin P. , Florea Bogdan I. , Jiang Jianbing , Reijngoud Jos , Ram Arthur F. J. , van Wezel Gilles P. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , Overkleeft Herman S. , Davies Gideon J.
Published: July 2020

New cyclophellitol-derived activity-based probes enable the sensitive detection and identification of cellulases.
Sucrose-mediated heat-stiffening microemulsion-based gel for enzyme entrapment and catalysis
Authors: Deshwal Akshi , Chitra Himanshu , Maity Madhusudan , Pal Santanu Kumar , Maiti Subhabrata
Published: July 2020

Formation of a thermo-stiffening microemulsion-based-gel showing the nanoconfinement effect of carbohydrates as an efficient batch bioreactor for entrapped enzymes has been reported.
Synthesis of 7-hydroxy-6H-naphtho[2,3-c]coumarin via a TsOH-mediated tandem reaction
Authors: Wang Ding , Ma Zhishuang , Wang Nana , Li Chenyu , Wang Tao , Liang Yong , Zhang Zunting
Published: July 2020

7-Hydroxy-6H-naphtho[2,3-c]coumarin derivatives were synthesized using 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethanone and Meldrum's acid via TsOH-mediated tandem reaction, including aldol reaction, lactonization and Friedel–Crafts reaction.
Controllable growth of two-dimensional SnSe2 flakes with screw dislocations and fractal structures
Authors: Wang Chang , Yang Huixia , Wang Qiaochu , Qiao Lu , Peng Xianglin , Li Ji , Han Junfeng , Wang Qinsheng , Li Xiang , Wang Zhiwei , Duan Junxi , Xiao Wende
Published: July 2020

We report on the controllable synthesis of 2D SnSe2 flakes with screw dislocations and fractal structures on mica and graphite substrates using a molecular beam epitaxy technique.
Structural analysis and optical temperature sensing performance of Eu3+-doped Ba3In(PO4)3
Authors: Zhang Guangqing , Molokeev Maxim S. , Ma Qianchao , Yang Xuening , Han Shuiquan , Chen Qi , Zhong Binnian , Ma Bin
Published: July 2020

Eu3+-Doped Ba3In(PO4)3 was synthesized through a high-temperature solid-phase method.
Construction and selective gas adsorption properties of two heteroSBU MOFs based on unsymmetrical tetracarboxylate linkers
Authors: Xu Tingting , Fan Lihui , Zhou Ping , Jiang Zhenzhen , Chen Haonan , Lu Huangyan , He Yabing
Published: July 2020

Two homometallic pure-carboxylate hetero-SBU MOFs were constructed, displaying selective C2H2/CH4and CO2/CH4separation potential.
Kinetic instability of sulfurous acid in the presence of ammonia and formic acid
Authors: Mallick Subhasish , Kumar Amit , Kumar Pradeep
Published: July 2020

In the present work, we have studied the effect of ammonia and formic acid on the kinetic stability of sulfurous acid using high level ab initio calculations.
Tight binding models accurately predict band structures for copolymer semiconductors
Authors: Tipirneni Prithvi , Jindal Vishal , Janik Michael J. , Milner Scott T.
Published: July 2020

Conjugated polymers possess a wide range of desirable properties including accessible band gaps, plasticity, tunability, mechanical flexibility and synthetic versatility, making them attractive as active materials in organic photovoltaics (OPVs).
Proper adsorptive confinement for efficient production of cyclic polymers: a dissipative particle dynamics study
Authors: Zhang Kuo , Xu Duo , Zhao Li , Lu Zhong-Yuan
Published: July 2020

The cyclization of linear polymers in a porous template is a better choice for the rapid production of cyclic polymers with higher purity.
Pt nanocluster size effects in the hydrogen evolution reaction: approaching the theoretical maximum activity
Authors: Klein Jens , Engstfeld Albert K. , Brimaud Sylvain , Behm R. Jürgen
Published: July 2020

Reducing the Pt nanoparticle size into the nanocluster range dramatically increases the catalytic activity for the HER compared to state-of-the-art Pt/C catalysts.
Vibrational energy redistribution during donor–acceptor electronic energy transfer: criteria to identify subsets of active normal modes
Authors: Alfonso-Hernandez L. , Athanasopoulos S. , Tretiak S. , Miguel B. , Bastida A. , Fernandez-Alberti S.
Published: July 2020

Photoinduced electronic energy transfer in conjugated donor–acceptor systems is naturally accompanied by intramolecular vibrational energy redistributions accepting an excess of electronic energy.
Light and electric field induced unusual large-scale charge separation in hybrid semiconductor objects
Authors: Melvin Ambrose A. , Lebraud Eric , Garrigue Patrick , Kuhn Alexander
Published: July 2020

Charge separation can be achieved over very long distances in semiconductors by combining bipolar electrochemistry with UV irradiation.
Dynamics of isobutane is a sensitive probe for framework breathing in MIL-53 (Al) MOF
Authors: Khudozhitkov Alexander E. , Arzumanov Sergei S. , Gabrienko Anton A. , Kolokolov Daniil I. , Stepanov Alexander G.
Published: July 2020

2H solid-state NMR shows that the dynamics of adsorbed isobutane is very sensitive to MIL-53 framework breathing detected by 27Al MAS NMR.
Evaluation of air-free glassware using the ketyl test
Authors: Carlson Alexandra W. , Primka Danielle A. , Douma Ellis D. , Bowring Miriam A.
Published: July 2020

We report a method for quantitatively comparing air and moisture exclusion by air-free glassware using video analysis of the quenching of purple ketyl test solutions. Low pressure/vacuum NMR tubes demonstrate by far the best performance.
A rechargeable Al–N2 battery for energy storage and highly efficient N2 fixation
Authors: Guo Ying , Yang Qi , Wang Donghong , Li Hongfei , Huang Zhaodong , Li Xinliang , Zhao Yuwei , Dong Binbin , Zhi Chunyi
Published: July 2020

A rechargeable Al–N2 battery is used to realize both energy storage and highly efficient electrochemical N2 fixation through sucking up a N2 feedstock.
A 3D-printed metal column for micro gas chromatography
Authors: Phyo Sooyeol , Choi Sung , Jang Jaeheok , Choi Sun , Lee Jiwon
Published: July 2020

A square spiral 1 m-long column for gas mixture separation was 3D-printed out with the dimensions of 3.4 × 3.3 × 0.2, followed by pre-treatment and stationary phase coating.
Fabrication of vascular smooth muscle-like tissues based on self-organization of circumferentially aligned cells in microengineered hydrogels
Authors: Sun Tao , Shi Qing , Liang Qian , Yao Yibing , Wang Huaping , Sun Junzhong , Huang Qiang , Fukuda Toshio
Published: July 2020

Construction of vascular smooth muscle-like cellular structures depending on the self-organization of circumferentially oriented mesenchymal stromal cells and perfusion culture.
Pulmonary-arterial-hypertension (PAH)-on-a-chip: fabrication, validation and application
Authors: Al-Hilal Taslim A. , Keshavarz Ali , Kadry Hossam , Lahooti Behnaz , Al-Obaida Ahmed , Ding Zhenya , Li Wei , Kamm Roger , McMurtry Ivan F. , Lahm Tim , Nozik-Grayck Eva , Stenmark Kurt R. , Ahsan Fakhrul
Published: July 2020

Current animal and cellular models only partially recapitulate the pathophysiology of PAH. Our PAH-on-a-chip model can mimic the major pathologies of PAH such as pulmonary arterial remodeling and sex disparity and help develop PAH therapeutics.
Ultrasonication assisted synthesis of NiO nanoparticles anchored on graphene oxide: an enzyme-free glucose sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity
Authors: Subash Vetri Selvi , Alagumalai Krishnapandi , Chen Shen-Ming , Shanmugam Ragurethinam , Shiuan Huang Ji
Published: July 2020

In recent years, the cost-effective fabrication of inorganic materials has received considerable attention from researchers working in various fields.
Removal of paraquat from aqueous solutions by a bentonite modified zero-valent iron adsorbent
Authors: Dehgani Zahra , Sedghi asl Mohammad , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Sabzehmeidani Mohammad Mehdi , Adhami Eebrahim
Published: July 2020

Bentonite-supported zero-valent iron (B-ZVI) composite is synthesized from bentonite, which was then used as an adsorbent to remove paraquat from aqueous solutions.
Nano iron–copper alloys for tumor ablation: efficiently amplified oxidative stress through acid response
Authors: Lv Rongmu , Du Keke , Liu Qianqian , Meng Xiangyu , Chen Lizhu , Wang Zhifei
Published: July 2020

A zero-valent alloy material for the efficient treatment of cancer under the response of an acid.
Effects of the methylammonium ion substitution by 5-ammoniumvaleric acid in lead trihalide perovskite solar cells: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation
Authors: Urzúa-Leiva Rodrigo , Narymany Shandy Amir , Xie Haibing , Lira-Cantú Mónica , Cárdenas-Jirón Gloria
Published: July 2020

In the last decade, lead triiodide perovskite (APbI3) (A: organic cation) solar cells (PSCs) have been broadly studied due to their promising features related to the low cost, easy manufacturing process, and stability.
Synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,8-naphthyridine-based ligands for the assembly of tri-and tetra-nuclear copper(ii) complexes
Authors: Bacher Felix , Isaac James A. , Philouze Christian , Flot David , Thibon-Pourret Aurore , Belle Catherine
Published: July 2020

Exploring copper(ii) coordination from a new unsymmetrical naphthyridine-based ligand leads to the preparation of tetranuclear and trinuclear complexes. During the complexation, one imine group is oxidized to an amide group.
Terpenoids from the medicinal mushroomAntrodia camphorata: chemistry and medicinal potential
Authors: Kuang Yi , Li Bin , Wang Zilong , Qiao Xue , Ye Min
Published: July 2020

This review article summarizes the research progress on terpenoids from the medicinal mushroomAntrodia camphorataduring 1995–2020, including structural diversity, resources, biosynthesis, pharmacological activities, metabolism, and toxicity.
Short-term angiotensin II treatment regulates cardiac nanomechanicsviamicrotubule modifications
Authors: Swiatlowska Pamela , Sanchez-Alonso Jose L. , Mansfield Catherine , Scaini Denis , Korchev Yuri , Novak Pavel , Gorelik Julia
Published: July 2020

MechanoSICM is used to understand the role of angiotensin II on transverse Young's modulus at the nanoscale level.
Magnetic braking at work in binaries
Authors: Van Rensbergen W. , De Greve J. P.
Published: July 2020

Context. In earlier papers, we aimed to reconstruct the progenitor systems of Algol-type semi-detached binaries. To this end, we developed a binary evolutionary code for the purpose of reproducing the orbital parameters, masses, and location in the HRD of well-observed Algol systems. In this code, the effects of mass and angular momentum losses and tidal coupling were included, but not magnetic braking at that point. In the present paper, we study the effects of magnetic braking on the rotation of the mass gainers in these systems.

Aims. Equatorial velocities have been measured for a number of mass-gaining stars in interacting binaries. Tides tend to synchronize the rotation of the gainer, but many observed low equatorial velocities cannot be explained by tidal interactions alone.

Methods. We added magnetic braking to our code to better reproduce the observed equatorial velocities.

Results. Large equatorial velocities of mass-gaining stars are lowered by tidal interaction and magnetic braking. Tides are mainly at work at short orbital periods, leaving magnetic braking alone at work during longer orbital periods.

Conclusions. Slow rotation of mass gainers in Algol-type binaries is mostly well reproduced by our code. However, (not observed) critical rotation of the gainer in some systems cannot be avoided by our calculations.
Detection of the magnetar XTE J1810−197 at 150 and 260 GHz with the NIKA2 kinetic inductance detector camera
Authors: Torne P. , Macías-Pérez J. , Ladjelate B. , Ritacco A. , Sánchez-Portal M. , Berta S. , Paubert G. , Calvo M. , Desvignes G. , Karuppusamy R. , Navarro S. , John D. , Sánchez S. , Peñalver J. , Kramer M. , Schuster K.
Published: July 2020

Context. The investigation of pulsars between millimetre and optical wavelengths is challenging due to the faintness of the pulsar signals and the relative low sensitivity of the available facilities compared to 100 m class telescopes operating in the centimetre band. The kinetic inductance detector (KID) technology offers large instantaneous bandwidths and a high sensitivity that can help to increase the ability of existing observatories at short wavelengths substantially to detect pulsars and transient emission.

Aims. To investigate whether pulsars can be detected with KIDs, we observed the anomalous X-ray pulsar XTE J1810−197 with the New IRAM KIDs Array-2 (NIKA2) camera installed at the IRAM 30 m telescope in Spain.

Methods. Several short observations of XTE J1810−197 were made on 2019 March 25 under good weather conditions to verify the stability of the KIDs and to try to detect the expected broadband pulsations from the neutron star.

Results. We detected the pulsations from the pulsar with NIKA2 at its two operating frequency bands, 150 and 260 GHz (λ = 2.0 and 1.15 mm, respectively). This is the first time that a pulsar is detected with a receiver based on KID technology in the millimetre band. In addition, this is the first report of short millimetre emission from XTE J1810−197 after its reactivation in December 2018, and it is the first time that the source is detected at 260 GHz, which gives us new insights into the radio emission process of the star.

Conclusions. We demonstrate that KIDs can fulfil the technical requirements for detecting pulsed emission from neutron stars in the millimetre band. We show that the magnetar XTE J1810−197 is again emitting strong pulsations in the short millimetre band.
Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction in Participants with
Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young: A Comparison to Other Major Forms of
Diabetes
Authors: Dusatkova Petra , Pavlikova Marketa , Spirkova Alena , Elblova Lenka , Zdarska Denisa Janickova , Rozenkova Klara , Hron Jakub , Sumnik Zdenek , Cinek Ondrej , Lebl Jan , Pruhova Stepanka
Published: July 2020

Aims We investigated the quality of life (QoL), treatment satisfaction
and perception of genetic results in participants with Maturity-Onset Diabetes
of the Young (MODY) and compared the results with those of subjects with type 1
(T1D) or type 2 (T2D) diabetes.

Methods A total of 162 adults with GCK-MODY, 62 with HNF1A-MODY and 29
with HNF4A-MODY answered the questionnaire Audit of Diabetes Dependent Quality
of Life, the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and non-validated
instrument examining the respondent’s perception of the genetic results.
Data from GCK-MODY patients were compared with 84 participants with T2D and
HNF-MODY subjects were compared with 81 participants having T1D.

Results Higher age (p=0.004), higher haemoglobin A1c
(p=0.026) and medication (p=0.019) were associated with lower
general QoL in GCK-MODY patients. In HNF-MODY patients, lower general QoL was
associated with a longer time since diagnosis (p=0.005), worse
haemoglobin bA1c (p=0.006) and insulin treatment (p=0.019).
Similar numbers of participants with GCK- and HNF-MODY considered the genetic
diagnosis of MODY to be positive, negative and without significance. The patient
with GCK-MODY did not differ from those with T2D in terms of their QoL, but they
were less satisfied with their treatment (p<0.001). QoL was better in
patients with HNF-MODY compared with patients with T1D (p=0.006), and
they did not differ in terms of treatment satisfaction.

Conclusions QoL was affected in both GCK-MODY and HNF-MODY subjects.
Apprehension of genetic diagnosis was not single-valued in MODY respondents.
Prevalence of Signs and Symptoms of Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome Before and After Transsphenoidal Surgery for Cushing’s Disease – A Prospective Consecutive Case Series
Authors: Huckhagel Torge , Flitsch Jörg , Rotermund Roman , Knospe Volker
Published: July 2020

Introduction Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) has anecdotally been
described after successful treatment of Cushing’s disease (CD), but the
prevalence following transsphenoidal surgery has not been determined so far in a
prospective study.

Patients and Methods 41 consecutive adult CD patients were prospectively
screened for signs and symptoms of PTCS, headache-related impairment, and
ophthalmological features associated with intracranial pressure elevation before
surgery and at follow-up (mean 4 months).

Results Biochemical remission was achieved in 36 of 41 (87.8%)
patients after surgery. The most frequent preoperative complaints were visual
acuity impairment (19 cases; 46.3%), headache (13 cases; 31.7%),
and ear noise (9 cases; 22.0%). A significant reduction of visual
disturbances was seen at follow-up. Overall, CD patients presented with fairly
low headache-related emotional and functional restrictions before and after
surgery. One of 34 (2.9%) patients with sufficient ophthalmological
follow-up showed new-onset papilledema combined with temporary worsening of
visual acuity and scotoma.

Conclusion Our results suggest a very low frequency of signs and symptoms
of PTCS after surgical treatment for CD in adults. This estimate is in line with
previous outcomes from retrospective pediatric CD series. Further large-scale
studies are needed to determine the actual prevalence of this condition
following biochemical remission of CD.
Indicators of Sarcopenia: Sex Differences in Competitive Runners
Prior to Peak Muscle Mass
Authors: Shoepe Todd C. , McCormack William P. , LaBrie Joseph W. , Mello Grant T. , Almstedt Hawley C.
Published: July 2020

Strength, muscle mass, and muscle quality have been observed to be compromised in
low body-mass index individuals such as competitive runners, increasing their
risk for sarcopenia. The purpose was to compare indices of sarcopenia in young
runners to age, height, body-mass, and body-mass index-matched non-runners.
Handgrip strength and arm composition from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
(baseline-T1, T2=5.3±1.4, T3=11.5±0.7 months
later) were assessed in 40 non-runners and 40 runners (19.3±0.7 vs.
19.2±1.1 years, 170.7±10.3 vs. 171.1±9.1 cm,
60.2±7.4 vs. 60.2±7.9 kg, 20.6±0.9 vs. 20.5±1.5
kg m-2). The unitless variable of muscle quality, was
defined as the sum of right and left maximal handgrip (in kg) divided by the sum
of bone-free lean mass of both arms (in kg). Female runners displayed the
highest muscle quality (T1=15.3±1.7;
T3=15.7±2.0) compared to male runners
(T1=13.7±1.4, p < 0.001;
T3=14.2±1.6, p < 0.001) and male non-runners
(T1=12.4±1.8, p=0.001;
T3=13.2±1.6, p < 0.001), while female non-runners
(T1=14.6±2.5, p=0.154; T3=15.1
±2.2, p=0.124) showed higher muscle quality than male
non-runners. Higher muscle quality in low-body-mass index females persists over
one-year during young-adulthood and while running contributes to whole-body
muscle mass accrual, it does not appear to be significantly associated with
improvements in the most commonly used upper-body diagnostic indicator of
sarcopenia.