bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repetition enhancement to voice identities in the dog brain
Authors: Boros Marianna , Gábor Anna , Szabó Dóra , Bozsik Anett , Gácsi Márta , Szalay Ferenc , Faragó Tamás , Andics Attila
Published: March 2020

In the human speech signal, cues of speech sounds and voice identities are conflated, but they are processed separately in the human brain. The processing of speech sounds and voice identities is typically performed by non-primary auditory regions in humans and non-human primates. Additionally, these processes exhibit functional asymmetry in humans, indicating the involvement of distinct mechanisms. Behavioural studies indicate analogue side biases in dogs, but neural evidence for this functional dissociation is missing. In two experiments, using an fMRI adaptation paradigm, we presented awake dogs with natural human speech that either varied in segmental (change in speech sound) or suprasegmental (change in voice identity) content. In auditory regions, we found a repetition enhancement effect for voice identity processing in a secondary auditory region – the caudal ectosylvian gyrus. The same region did not show repetition effects for speech sounds, nor did the primary auditory cortex exhibit sensitivity to changes either in the segmental or in the suprasegmental content. Furthermore, we did not find evidence for functional asymmetry neither in the processing of speech sounds or voice identities. Our results in dogs corroborate former human and non-human primate evidence on the role of secondary auditory regions in the processing of suprasegmental cues, suggesting similar neural sensitivity to the identity of the vocalizer across the mammalian order.
Tibial subchondral trabecular bone micromechanical and microarchitectural properties are affected by alignment and osteoarthritis stage
Authors: Renault Jean-Baptiste , Carmona Maximiliano , Tzioupis Chris , Ollivier Matthieu , Argenson Jean-Noël , Parratte Sébastien , Chabrand Patrick
Published: March 2020

At advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA) stages subchondral trabecular bone (STB) is altered. Lower limb alignment plays a role in OA progression and modify the macroscopic loading of the medial and lateral condyles of the tibial plateau. How the properties of the STB relate to alignment and OA stage is not well defined. OA stage (KL scores 2–4) and alignment (HKA from 17° Varus to 8° Valgus) of 30 patients were measured and their tibial plateau were collected after total knee arthroplasty. STB tissue elastic modulus, bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecula thickness (Tb.Th) were evaluated with nanoindentation and µCT scans (8.1 µm voxel-size) of medial and lateral samples of each plateau. HKA and KL scores were statistically significantly associated with STB elastic modulus, BV/TV and Tb.Th. Medial to lateral BV/TV ratio correlated with HKA angle (R = −0.53, p = 0.016), revealing a higher ratio for varus than valgus subjects. STB properties showed lower values for KL stage 4 patients. Tissue elastic modulus ratios and BV.TV ratios were strongly correlated (R = 0.81, p < 0.001). Results showed that both micromechanical and microarchitectural properties of STB are affected by macroscopic loading at late stage knee OA. For the first time, a strong association between tissue stiffness and quantity of OA STB was demonstrated.
mRNA Transfection-Induced Activation of Primary Human Monocytes and Macrophages: Dependence on Carrier System and Nucleotide Modification
Authors: Moradian Hanieh , Roch Toralf , Lendlein Andreas , Gossen Manfred
Published: March 2020

Monocytes and macrophages are key players in maintaining immune homeostasis. Identifying strategies to manipulate their functions via gene delivery is thus of great interest for immunological research and biomedical applications. We set out to establish conditions for mRNA transfection in hard-to-transfect primary human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages due to the great potential of gene expression from in vitro transcribed mRNA for modulating cell phenotypes. mRNA doses, nucleotide modifications, and different carriers were systematically explored in order to optimize high mRNA transfer rates while minimizing cell stress and immune activation. We selected three commercially available mRNA transfection reagents including liposome and polymer-based formulations, covering different application spectra. Our results demonstrate that liposomal reagents can particularly combine high gene transfer rates with only moderate immune cell activation. For the latter, use of specific nucleotide modifications proved essential. In addition to improving efficacy of gene transfer, our findings address discrete aspects of innate immune activation using cytokine and surface marker expression, as well as cell viability as key readouts to judge overall transfection efficiency. The impact of this study goes beyond optimizing transfection conditions for immune cells, by providing a framework for assessing new gene carrier systems for monocyte and macrophage, tailored to specific applications.
Molecular sexing and preliminary assessment of population sex ratio of the endangered Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Lim Qi Luan , Tan Yoeng Leh , Ng Wei Lun , Yong Christina Seok Yien , Ismail Ahmad , Rovie-Ryan Jeffrine J. , Rosli Norsyamimi , Annavi Geetha
Published: March 2020

A molecular sexing method by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a portion of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) and the zinc finger (ZF) gene, as well as six equine Y-chromosome-specific microsatellite markers, were tested in the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). While the microsatellite markers did not yield any male-specific amplicons for sex-typing, the SRY/ZF marker system produced reliable molecular sexing results by accurately sex-typing 31 reference Malayan tapirs, using whole blood, dried blood spot (DBS), or tissue samples as materials for DNA extraction. The marker system was also tested on 16 faecal samples, and the results were in general consistent with the pre-determined sexes of the animals, despite some amplification failures. A preliminary estimation of wild Malayan tapir population sex ratio was estimated from the Wildlife Genomic Resource Bank (WGRB) database of the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), zoos, and the Sungai Dusun Wildlife Conservation Centre (WCC), as well as from the results of molecular sexing 12 samples of unknown sex. The overall sex ratio favoured females, but the deviation from parity was statistically not significant when tested using the binomial test (p > 0.05), which may be due to reduced statistical power caused by small sample sizes.
High-Throughput Screening to Predict Chemical-Assay Interference
Authors: Borrel Alexandre , Huang Ruili , Sakamuru Srilatha , Xia Menghang , Simeonov Anton , Mansouri Kamel , Houck Keith A. , Judson Richard S. , Kleinstreuer Nicole C.
Published: March 2020

The U.S. federal consortium on toxicology in the 21st century (Tox21) produces quantitative, high-throughput screening (HTS) data on thousands of chemicals across a wide range of assays covering critical biological targets and cellular pathways. Many of these assays, and those used in other in vitro screening programs, rely on luciferase and fluorescence-based readouts that can be susceptible to signal interference by certain chemical structures resulting in false positive outcomes. Included in the Tox21 portfolio are assays specifically designed to measure interference in the form of luciferase inhibition and autofluorescence via multiple wavelengths (red, blue, and green) and under various conditions (cell-free and cell-based, two cell types). Out of 8,305 chemicals tested in the Tox21 interference assays, percent actives ranged from 0.5% (red autofluorescence) to 9.9% (luciferase inhibition). Self-organizing maps and hierarchical clustering were used to relate chemical structural clusters to interference activity profiles. Multiple machine learning algorithms were applied to predict assay interference based on molecular descriptors and chemical properties. The best performing predictive models (accuracies of ~80%) have been included in a web-based tool called InterPred that will allow users to predict the likelihood of assay interference for any new chemical structure and thus increase confidence in HTS data by decreasing false positive testing results.
Author Correction: Phylogeographic patterns of intertidal arthropods (Acari, Oribatida) from southern Japanese islands reflect paleoclimatic events
Authors: Pfingstl Tobias , Wagner Maximilian , Hiruta Shimpei F. , Koblmüller Stephan , Hagino Wataru , Shimano Satoshi
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
A competent bidrug loaded water soluble chitosan derivative for the effective inhibition of breast cancer
Authors: E A K Nivethaa , S Baskar , Martin Catherine Ann , J Ramana Ramya , A Stephen , V Narayanan , B S Lakshmi , Frank-Kamenetskaya Olga V. , Radhakrishnan Subathra , S Narayana Kalkura
Published: March 2020

Drug resistance and damage caused to the normal cells are the drawbacks which have limited the use of the existing effective anticancer drugs. Attainment of a steady and extended release by encapsulating dual drugs into biocompatible and biodegradable vehicles is the key to enable the use of these drugs for effective inhibition of cancer. In this study, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), a proficient water-soluble derivative of chitosan has been synthesized using chemical route and used for the delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and doxorubicin individually as well as in combination. Carboxymethylation occuring at –NH2 and OH sites of chitosan, has been confirmed using FTIR. EDX and Fluorescence studies elucidate the encapsulation of 5-Fluorouracil and doxorubicin into CMCS. The capability of CMCS to release the drugs in a more sustained and prolonged manner is evident from the obtained release profiles. About 14.9 µg/ml is enough to cause 50% cell death by creating oxidative stress and effectuating DNA fragmentation. Amidst the existing reports, the uniqueness of this work lies in using this rare coalition of drugs for the suppression of breast cancer and in reducing the side effects of drugs by encapsulating them into CMCS, which is evidenced by the high hemocompatibilty of the samples.
Tuning electronic and optical properties of monolayer PdSe2 by introducing defects: first-principles calculations
Authors: Zhao X. W. , Yang Z. , Guo J. T. , Hu G. C. , Yue W. W. , Yuan X. B. , Ren J. F.
Published: March 2020

Based on the density functional theory, the electronic and optical properties of pristine monolayer PdSe2 with Pd or Se vacancy-defect are investigated. Our results show that the Se defect is energetically more favorable than that of Pd defect. The band gap reduces, and some new midgap states appear after the Pd or Se defects are introduced. In terms of the optical properties, the prominent anisotropic characters are remained. The obvious new peaks of the dielectric constant appear after introducing defects. The light absorption in the visible energy range expands based on the appearance of the midgap states induced by the Pd or Se defects. The changes of the refractive index and reflectivity are similar with those of the dielectric constants and the light absorption. The energy loss spectrum of the PdSe2 with Pd or Se defects is obviously different, which can be used to identify different defects in PdSe2. These findings provide effective strategies to tune electronic and optical properties of monolayer PdSe2 by introducing defects.
A durable murine model of spleen transplantation with arterial and venous anastomoses
Authors: Figueiredo Jose-Luiz , Santa-Cruz Fernando , Lima-Filho José Luiz , Hilgendorf Ingo , Aikawa Masanori , Pittet Mikael J. , Nahrendorf Matthias , Weissleder Ralph , Swirski Filip K. , Robbins Clinton S.
Published: March 2020

The spleen is a large lymphoid organ located in the abdomen that filters blood and regulates the immune system. The extent of mobilization of splenic immune cells to peripheral tissues in health and disease, however, remains poorly understood. This is due, in large part, to a lack of in vivo, spleen-specific lineage tagging strategies. Here, we describe a detailed practical protocol of spleen transplantation and its evaluation for long-term graft survival. Unlike implantation of splenic morsels in the great omentum, our approach uses arterial and venous anastomoses which rapidly restores blood flow and facilitates long-term survival of the graft. The use of congenic mouse strains permits the use of immunofluorescence and flow cytometry-based methodologies to unambiguously track the migration of spleen-derived cells to peripheral tissues.
The Association of Diabetes with Knee Pain Severity and Distribution in People with Knee Osteoarthritis using Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Alenazi Aqeel M. , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Alothman Shaima , Alqahtani Bader A. , Rucker Jason , Sharma Neena , Segal Neil A. , Bindawas Saad M. , Kluding Patricia M.
Published: March 2020

Limited research has examined the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and knee pain in people with osteoarthritis (OA). Therefore, this study aimed at examining the association between DM and knee pain severity, and to explore the association between DM and knee pain distribution (unilateral or bilateral versus no pain) in subjects with knee OA. This is a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline visit of individuals who were enrolled in the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Data of participants with knee OA were used for this analysis (n = 1319), and grouped into subjects with both knee OA and DM (n = 148) or knee OA only without DM (n = 1171). Pain severity was measured using a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10 over the past 7 and 30 days for each knee, and the more symptomatic knee with higher pain severity was chosen for analysis. DM was significantly associated with increased knee pain severity over 7 days (B 0.68; 95% CI 0.25–1.11) and over 30 days (B 0.59; 95% CI 0.17–1.01) after adjustments for all covariates, including age, gender, BMI, race, depression symptoms, composite OA score, use of pain medications, and knee injections. Multinomial regression showed that participants with knee OA and DM had 2.45 (95% CI 1.07–5.61) to 2.55 (95% CI 1.12–5.79) times higher likelihood of having unilateral and bilateral knee pain than those without DM and without knee pain. This study found that DM was associated with higher pain severity and unilateral and bilateral knee pain distribution.
Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy is caused by epidermal ROS and mitochondrial damage through conserved MMP-13 activation
Authors: Cirrincione Anthony M. , Pellegrini Adriana D. , Dominy Jessica R. , Benjamin Marisa E. , Utkina-Sosunova Irina , Lotti Francesco , Jergova Stanislava , Sagen Jacqueline , Rieger Sandra
Published: March 2020

Paclitaxel induces peripheral neuropathy as a side effect of cancer treatment. The underlying causes are unclear, but epidermal, unmyelinated axons have been shown to be the first to degenerate. We previously utilized an in vivo zebrafish model to show that the epidermal matrix-metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) induces degeneration of unmyelinated axons, whereas pharmacological inhibition of MMP-13 prevented axon degeneration. However, the precise functions by which MMP-13 is regulated and affects axons remained elusive. In this study, we assessed mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation as possible inducers of MMP-13, and we analyzed MMP-13-dependent damage. We show that the small ROS, H2O2, is increased in basal keratinocytes following treatment with paclitaxel. Cytoplasmic H2O2 appears to derive, at least in part, from mitochondrial damage, leading to upregulation of MMP-13, which in turn underlies increased epidermal extracellular matrix degradation. Intriguingly, also axonal mitochondria show signs of damage, such as fusion/fission defects and vacuolation, but axons do not show increased levels of H2O2. Since MMP-13 inhibition prevents axon degeneration but does not prevent mitochondrial vacuolation, we suggest that vacuolization occurs independently of axonal damage. Finally, we show that MMP-13 dysregulation also underlies paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mammals, indicating that epidermal mitochondrial H2O2 and its effectors could be targeted for therapeutic interventions.
Indirect regulation of TFPI-2 expression by miR-494 in breast cancer cells
Authors: Andresen Marianne S. , Stavik Benedicte , Sletten Marit , Tinholt Mari , Sandset Per Morten , Iversen Nina , Skretting Grethe
Published: March 2020

TFPI-2 has been shown to be involved in breast cancer pathogenesis by inhibiting extracellular matrix degradation, and low levels are associated with disease progression. As microRNA-494 (miR-494) protects against breast cancer progression, we investigated whether miR-494 is involved in the regulation of TFPI-2 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. TFPI-2 mRNA and protein levels increased after transfection with miR-494 mimic, and TFPI-2 mRNA and miR-494 levels correlated positively in tumors from breast cancer patients. No specific binding sites for miR-494 in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of TFPI2 were identified; however, miR-494 was predicted in silico to bind 3′-UTR of the transcription factors AHR and ELF-1, which have potential binding sites in the TFPI2 promoter. ELF-1 mRNA was downregulated whereas AHR mRNA levels were upregulated after transfection with miR-494 mimic. Knockdown of ELF-1 and AHR increased and reduced TFPI-2 mRNA levels, respectively. Increased luciferase activity was seen when TFPI-2 promoter constructs containing the potential AHR or ELF-1 binding sites were co-transfected with miR-494 mimic. In conclusion, TFPI-2 mRNA levels were upregulated by miR-494 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells most likely by an indirect association where miR-494 targeted the transcription factors AHR and ELF-1. This association was supported in a breast cancer cohort.
Genome-wide screening reveals a role for subcellular localization of CRBN in the anti-myeloma activity of pomalidomide
Authors: Tateno Shumpei , Iida Midori , Fujii Satoshi , Suwa Tetsufumi , Katayama Miki , Tokuyama Haruka , Yamamoto Junichi , Ito Takumi , Sakamoto Satoshi , Handa Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Yuki
Published: March 2020

Pomalidomide, a derivative of thalidomide, is an effective treatment for multiple myeloma. The drug exerts its effects through CRBN, a component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4CRBN. To search for novel factors involved in the anti-cancer activity of pomalidomide, we performed a genome-wide shRNA library screen and identified 445 genes as those affecting pomalidomide sensitivity. Genes encoding components of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, such as subunits of the CRL4CRBN complex, the COP9 signalosome, and the 26S proteasome, were among the pomalidomide-affecting genes. Karyopherin beta 1 (KPNB1) was identified as a novel pomalidomide-affecting gene. KPNB1 was required for the nuclear import of CRBN and for the CRBN-directed, pomalidomide-dependent degradation of a clinically relevant substrate, the transcription factor Aiolos. By contrast, the cytoplasmic translation factor GSPT1 was degraded following treatment with the thalidomide derivative CC-885 only when CRBN was present in the cytoplasm, indicating that subcellular distribution of CRBN is critical for the efficacy of thalidomide-based medications.
The kinetics of inorganic phosphate excretion in the acidotic rabbit during intravenous phosphate loading: a pseudo-ruminant model
Authors: Walsh Patrick A. , O’Donovan Daniel J.
Published: March 2020

The rabbit is a much-used experimental animal in renal tubule physiology studies. Although a monogastric mammal, the rabbit is a known hindgut fermenter. That ruminant species excrete inorganic phosphate (Pi) mainly through the digestive system while non-ruminants eliminate surplus phosphate primarily through the renal system are acknowledged facts. To understand phosphate homeostasis in the acidotic rabbit, anaesthetized animals were infused with hydrochloric acid, after which they underwent intravenous phosphate loading. Biofluids were collected during the infusion process for analysis. Plasma Pi increased (7.9 ± 1.7 mmoles.Litre−1 (N = 5) vs 2.2 ± 0.4 mmoles.Litre−1 (N = 10) pre-infusion, (p < 0.001)), while urinary phosphate excretion was also enhanced (74.4 ± 15.3 from a control value of 4.7 ± 3 µmol.min−1 (N = 9), pre-infusion, p < 0.001)) over an 82.5 minute Pi loading period. However, the fractional excretion of Pi (FePi) only increased from 14.2 ± 5.4% to a maximum of 61.7 ± 19% (N = 5) over the infusion period. Furthermore, the renal tubular maximum reabsorption rate of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate (TmPi/GFR) computed to 3.5 mmol.L−1, while a reading of 23.2 µmol.min−1.Kg.0.75 was obtained for the transport maximum for Pi (TmPi). The high reabsorptivity of the rabbit nephrons coupled with possibly a high secretory capacity of the salivary glands for Pi, may constitute a unique physiological mechanism that ensures the rabbit hindgut receives adequate phosphate to regulate caecal pH in favour of the resident metabolically - active microbiota. The handling of Pi by the rabbit is in keeping with the description of this animal as a monogastric, pseudo-ruminant herbivore.
Active inference under visuo-proprioceptive conflict: Simulation and empirical results
Authors: Limanowski Jakub , Friston Karl
Published: March 2020

It has been suggested that the brain controls hand movements via internal models that rely on visual and proprioceptive cues about the state of the hand. In active inference formulations of such models, the relative influence of each modality on action and perception is determined by how precise (reliable) it is expected to be. The ‘top-down’ affordance of expected precision to a particular sensory modality is associated with attention. Here, we asked whether increasing attention to (i.e., the precision of) vision or proprioception would enhance performance in a hand-target phase matching task, in which visual and proprioceptive cues about hand posture were incongruent. We show that in a simple simulated agent—based on predictive coding formulations of active inference—increasing the expected precision of vision or proprioception improved task performance (target matching with the seen or felt hand, respectively) under visuo-proprioceptive conflict. Moreover, we show that this formulation captured the behaviour and self-reported attentional allocation of human participants performing the same task in a virtual reality environment. Together, our results show that selective attention can balance the impact of (conflicting) visual and proprioceptive cues on action—rendering attention a key mechanism for a flexible body representation for action.
Lanthanum Prolongs Vase Life of Cut Tulip Flowers by Increasing Water Consumption and Concentrations of Sugars, Proteins and Chlorophylls
Authors: Gómez-Merino Fernando Carlos , Ramírez-Martínez Maribel , Castillo-González Ana María , Trejo-Téllez Libia Iris
Published: March 2020

We evaluated the effect of separately adding two sources of lanthanum (La), LaCl3 and La(NO3)3 × 6H2O at a concentration of 40 µM each, to the preservative solution of 15 cut tulip flower varieties. Ascorbic acid (AsA; 0.2 g/L) was used as a reference solution, while distilled water was used as control. The variety Laura Fygi recorded the longest vase life with 13 days. The highest water consumption per gram of stem fresh biomass weight (FBW) (2.5 mL) was observed in the variety Violet Beauty, whereas the lowest (1.098 mL) was recorded in Pink Impression. At the end of the vase life period, higher concentrations of total soluble sugars in petals and total soluble proteins in leaves were recorded in La-treated stems, compared to the AsA treatment and the control. Additionally, La(NO3)3 × 6H2O supply increased the fresh weight of stems in vase and prolonged vase life. Moreover, this treatment resulted in the highest foliar concentration of chlorophylls at the end of vase life. Therefore, La increases tulip flower vase life as a consequence of improving the concentrations of some vital biomolecules.
Estimating the photo-fission yield of the Trinity Test
Authors: Khan F. A.
Published: March 2020

In the Trinity Test, the energy was released not only from the fission of Pu-239 core but also from the fast neutron fission of tamper surrounding it. The high energy photons produced from the fissioning core can also induce fission in U-238 tamper. In this work, an effort has been made, for the first time, to develop an approach to investigate the possibility of photon-induced fission in U-238 tamper used in Trinity Test nuclear weapon. GEF nuclear reaction code, version 2018/1.1 is used to calculate the prompt γ-spectrum from the fast fission of Pu-239 core of the device. It is estimated that 14.3 ton (t) of TNT of the total 21 kT yield of the Trinity nuclear device is contributed by the photo-fission of U-238 tamper.
Transcriptomic analysis identifies novel genes and pathways for salt stress responses in Suaeda salsa leaves
Authors: Zhang Xuejie , Yao Yan , Li Xiaotong , Zhang Luoyan , Fan Shoujin
Published: March 2020

Salinity is a critical abiotic stress, which significantly impacts the agricultural yield worldwide. Identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying the salt tolerance in euhalophyte Suaeda salsa is conducive to the development of salt-resistant crops. In the present study, high-throughput RNA sequencing was performed after S. salsa leaves were exposed to 300 mM NaCl for 7 days, and 7,753 unigenes were identified as differently expressed genes (DEGs) in S. salsa, including 3,638 increased and 4,115 decreased unigenes. Moreover, hundreds of pathways were predicted to participate in salt stress response in S. salsa by Gene Ontology (GO), MapMan and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, including ion transport and sequestration as well as photoprotection of photosystem (PS) II. The GO enrichment analysis indicated that genes related to ion transport, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and transcriptional factors were highly expressed upon NaCl treatment. The excessive Na+ and Cl− ions were supposed to be absorbed into the vacuole for ion sequestration and balance adjustment by potassium transporters (such as KEA3) with high expressions. Moreover, we predicted that mutiple candidate genes associated with photosynthesis (such as PSB33 and ABA4), ROS (such as TAU9 and PHI8) and transcriptional regulation (HB-7 and MYB78) pathways could mitigate salt stress-caused damage in S. salsa.
Author Correction: Generating and sustaining long-lived spin states in 15N,15N′-azobenzene
Authors: Sheberstov Kirill F. , Vieth Hans-Martin , Zimmermann Herbert , Rodin Bogdan A. , Ivanov Konstantin L. , Kiryutin Alexey S. , Yurkovskaya Alexandra V.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Size and chemical order dependence of magnetic-ordering temperature and spin structure in Fe@Ni and Ni@Fe core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Mokkath Junais Habeeb
Published: March 2020

The effect of particle size and chemical order on the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of Fe@Ni and Ni@Fe core–shell nanoparticles is studied in the framework of a classical spin Hamiltonian and Monte Carlo simulations.
Coupling of two curved polyaromatic radical-anions: stabilization of dimers by counterions
Authors: Alkan Melisa , Rogachev Andrey Yu.
Published: March 2020

Addition of counterions converts thermodynamically unstable polyaromatic dimeric dianions into stable species.
Prediction of optimal catalysts for a given chemical reaction
Authors: Toulhoat Hervé , Raybaud Pascal
Published: March 2020

We show that the optimal catalyst for a given reaction equalizes the free energies of intermediates in an adsorbed phase, and in consequence is described by a surface energy proportional to the enthalpy of this reaction.
Exploring the structure–activity relationship and interaction mechanism of flavonoids and α-glucosidase based on experimental analysis and molecular docking studies
Authors: Tang Hongjin , Huang Lin , Sun Chunyong , Zhao Dongsheng
Published: March 2020

An integrated method was explored to investigate the structure–activity relationship and interaction mechanism between a library of natural flavonoids and α-glucosidase.
Optically-controlled closable microvalves for polymeric centrifugal microfluidic devices
Authors: Woolf M. Shane , Dignan Leah M. , Lewis Hannah M. , Tomley Christopher J. , Nauman Aeren Q. , Landers James P.
Published: March 2020

Microvalving is a pivotal component in many microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platforms and micro-total analysis systems (μTAS).
Enhanced sensing of hazardous 4-nitrophenol by a graphene oxide–TiO2 composite: environmental pollutant monitoring applications
Authors: Nehru Raja , Gopi Praveen Kumar , Chen Shen-Ming
Published: March 2020

The accurate detection of hazardous 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is deemed essential for the environment and human health.
Exploration of the potential efficacy of natural resource-derived blue-emitting graphene quantum dots in cancer therapeutic applications
Authors: Ghorai Soumitra , Roy Indranil , De Sriparna , Dash Pratik Swarup , Basu Arijita , Chattopadhyay Dipankar
Published: March 2020

We present a method involving oxidative functionalization followed by a solvothermal cutting technique for the synthesis of strong-blue-emitting GQD nanomaterial in cancer therapy.
A chemiresistor sensor modified with lanthanum oxide nanoparticles as a highly sensitive and selective sensor for dimethylamine at room temperature
Authors: Sovizi Mohammad Reza , Mirzakhani Somayeh
Published: March 2020

An interdigitated microelectrode coated with La2O3 metal oxide for the detection of dimethylamine gas has high stability in response, fast response, low recovery time, low energy consumption and low manufacturing cost.
Ore image segmentation method using U-Net and Res_Unet convolutional networks
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Zhang Yuwei , Jing Hongdi , Wang Liancheng , Zhao Sheng
Published: March 2020

Image segmentation has been increasingly used to identify the particle size of crushed ore. How to accurately identify the ore particles in complex a environment is particularly important.
Base mediated spirocyclization of quinazoline: one-step synthesis of spiro-isoindolinone dihydroquinazolinones
Authors: Venkateshwarlu Rapolu , Murthy V. Narayana , Tadiparthi Krishnaji , Nikumbh Satish P. , Jinkala Rajesh , Siddaiah Vidavalur , Madhu babu M. V. , Rama Mohan Hindupur , Raghunadh Akula
Published: March 2020

A novel approach for the spiro-isoindolinone dihydroquinazolinones has been demonstrated from 2-aminobenzamide and 2-cyanomethyl benzoate in the presence of KHMDS as a base to get moderate yields.
The green exfoliation of graphite waste and its suitability for biosensor applications
Authors: Taha Tarek H. , Elnouby Mohamed S. , Abu-Saied M. A. , Alamri Saad
Published: March 2020

This work is concerned with the bio-exfoliation of graphite using a soil bacterium.
5-HMF production from glucose using ion exchange resin and alumina as a dual catalyst in a biphasic system
Authors: Pumrod Supakrit , Kaewchada Amaraporn , Roddecha Supacharee , Jaree Attasak
Published: March 2020

5-HMF, a platform chemical, can be produced efficiently using dual catalyst (ion exchange resin and aluminium oxide).
A flexible polyelectrolyte-based gel polymer electrolyte for high-performance all-solid-state supercapacitor application
Authors: Yan Chaojing , Jin Mengyuan , Pan Xinxin , Ma Longli , Ma Xiaohua
Published: March 2020

A simple polymerization process assisted with UV light for preparing a novel flexible polyelectrolyte-based gel polymer electrolyte (PGPE) is reported.
Enantioselective hydrosilylation of unsaturated carbon–heteroatom bonds (CN, CO) catalyzed by [Ru–S] complexes: a theoretical study
Authors: Zhou Miao-Miao , Chen Guanghui , Dang Li
Published: March 2020

A detailed theoretical study on the mechanism of enanthioselective hydrosilylation of imines and ketones catalyzed by the ruthenium(ii) thiolate catalyst with a chiral monodentate phosphine ligand is carried out in this work.
A comprehensive analysis of subclass-specific IgG glycosylation in colorectal cancer progression by nanoLC-MS/MS
Authors: Liu Si , Fu Yang , Huang Zhiwen , Liu Yuanyuan , Liu Bi-Feng , Cheng Liming , Liu Xin
Published: March 2020

Colorectal cancer is associated with changed IgG glycosylation, but the alteration in specific subclasses of IgG is unknown.
A synthetic equivalent for unknown 1,3-zwitterions? – A K/OR phosphinidenoid complex with an additional Si–Cl function
Authors: Kunzmann Robert , Omatsu Yamato , Schnakenburg Gregor , Espinosa Ferao Arturo , Yanagisawa Tatsuya , Tokitoh Norihiro , Streubel Rainer
Published: March 2020

Although the chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) has seen tremendous developments, investigations on anionic, mono-molecular FLPs are still scarce and 1,3-zwitterions are unknown, but a functional K/OR phosphinindenoid complex can be used instead.
A new phenylsulfonamide-based Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe for H2S and its bioimaging applications in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Zhu Hanchuang , Liu Caiyun , Liang Changxu , Tian Bin , Zhang Hanming , Zhang Xue , Sheng Wenlong , Yu Yamin , Huang Shengyun , Zhu Baocun
Published: March 2020

A new phenylsulfonamide-based Golgi-targeting fluorescent probe for imaging H2S in living cells and zebrafish was reasonably constructed.
Triplet dynamic nuclear polarization of crystalline ice using water-soluble polarizing agents
Authors: Kouno Hironori , Orihashi Kana , Nishimura Koki , Kawashima Yusuke , Tateishi Kenichiro , Uesaka Tomohiro , Kimizuka Nobuo , Yanai Nobuhiro
Published: March 2020

The first example of triplet dynamic nuclear polarization of crystalline ice is demonstrated by developing a water-soluble triplet polarizing agent.
Double-signal mode based on metal–organic framework coupled cascaded nucleic acid circuits for accurate and sensitive detection of serum circulating miRNAs
Authors: Zhang Susu , Xu Shuling , Li Xia , Ma Rongna , Cheng Guiguang , Xue Qingwang , Wang Huaisheng
Published: March 2020

A double-signal mode based on metal–organic framework coupled cascaded nucleic acid circuits was developed for the accurate and sensitive detection of serum circulating miRNAs.
Hydrogen adsorption on two-dimensional germanene and its structural defects: an ab initio investigation
Authors: Thi Thu Hanh Tran , Minh Phi Nguyen , Van Hoa Nguyen
Published: March 2020

Herein, the adsorption of hydrogen on pristine germanene was studied using ab initio calculations.
CO2 as an auto-catalyst for the oxidation of CO by a Criegee intermediate (CH2OO)
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumar Pradeep
Published: March 2020

The present work investigates the effect of CO2 on the CH2OO + CO reaction, employing the CCSD(T)/CBS//M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory.
Quantification of the amount of mobile components in intact stratum corneum with natural-abundance13C solid-state NMR
Authors: Pham Quoc Dat , Carlström Göran , Lafon Olivier , Sparr Emma , Topgaard Daniel
Published: March 2020

Q-INEPT selectively observes and quantifies mobile components in13C natural abundance samples.
De novo structure determination of butadiene by isotope-resolved rotational Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Özer Begüm Rukiye , Heo In , Lee Jong Chan , Schröter Christian , Schultz Thomas
Published: March 2020

Isotope-selective rotational spectroscopy allows determination of molecular structure independent of assumptions or theoretical predictions.
Interfacial solvation and slow transport of hydrated excess protons in non-ionic reverse micelles
Authors: Li Zhefu , Voth Gregory A.
Published: March 2020

Simulations show that hydrated excess protons in non-ionic reverse micelles resides near the interface, contrary to some experimental assumptions.
Porous, n–p type ultra-long, ZnO@Bi2O3 heterojunction nanorods - based NO2 gas sensor: new insights towards charge transport characteristics
Authors: Ramakrishnan Vishnuraj , Nair Keerthi G. , Dhakshinamoorthy Jayaseelan , Ravi K. R. , Pullithadathil Biji
Published: March 2020

Porous n–p type ultra-long ZnO@Bi2O3 heterojunction nanorods have been synthesized through a solvothermal method and their complex charge transport characteristics pertaining to NO2 gas sensing properties have been investigated.
Molecular complexes and main-chain organometallic polymers based on Janus bis(carbenes) fused to metalloporphyrins
Authors: Longevial Jean-François , Lo Mamadou , Lebrun Aurélien , Laurencin Danielle , Clément Sébastien , Richeter Sébastien
Published: March 2020

Janus bis(N-heterocyclic carbenes) composed of a porphyrin core with two N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) heads fused to opposite pyrroles were used as bridging ligands for the preparation of metal complexes.
Isolation and hypoglycemic effects of water extracts from mulberry leaves in Northeast China
Authors: Han Xiaoyun , Song Chunyue , Feng Xiaoxin , Wang Yanan , Meng Tingting , Li Shichao , Bai Yunlong , Du Baochang , Sun Qingshen
Published: March 2020

Diabetes is the main chronic disease that greatly affects human life.
Synergistic activity of binary metal sulphide WS2–RuS2nanospheres for the electrochemical detection of the antipsychotic drug promazine
Authors: Sakthivel Rajalakshmi , Annalakshmi Muthaiah , Chen Shen-Ming , Kubendhiran Subbiramaniyan
Published: March 2020

Schematic presentation for the synthesis of tungsten disulfide–ruthenium disulfide (WS2–RuS2) nanospheres and application for the electrochemical determination of antipsychotic drug promazine.
Sb&Sb2O3@C-enhanced flexible carbon cloth as an advanced self-supporting anode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Cao Shu-Zhi , Su Ying , Zhang He-yang , Gu Zhen-Yi , Yang Xu , Zhao Bo , Wu Xing-Long , Wang Guang
Published: March 2020

Sb&Sb2O3@C/CC prepared by a sublimation method exhibits excellent electrochemical properties when used as an anode for sodium-ion batteries.
Correction: Understanding alloy structure and composition in sinter-resistant AgPd@SiO2 encapsulated catalysts and their effect on catalytic properties
Authors: Mondal Sourik , Rajesh Thattarathody , Dhar Basab B. , Snellman Markus , Li Junjie , Deepak Francis Leonard , Devi R. Nandini
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Understanding alloy structure and composition in sinter-resistant AgPd@SiO2 encapsulated catalysts and their effect on catalytic properties’ by Sourik Mondal et al., New J. Chem., 2017, 41, 14652–14658.
Quantitative measurement of charge accumulation along a quasi-one-dimensional W5O14 nanowire during electron field emission
Authors: Zheng Fengshan , Pozzi Giulio , Migunov Vadim , Pirker Luka , Remškar Maja , Beleggia Marco , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E.
Published: March 2020

Electric field map and equipotential contour lines of a quasi-one-dimensional W5O14 nanowire under an electrical bias of 150 V. Experimental cumulative charge profiles along the length of the nanowire are consistent with theoretical simulations.
Imaging GPCR internalization using near-infrared Nebraska red-based reagents
Authors: Lesiak Lauren , Zhou Xinqi , Fang Yuan , Zhao Jia , Beck Jon R. , Stains Cliff I.
Published: March 2020

Near-infrared reagents for selective labeling of membrane proteins, no-wash imaging, and imaging GPCR internalization.
Efficient synthesis of highly dispersed ultrafine Pd nanoparticles on a porous organic polymer for hydrogenation of CO2 to formate
Authors: Shao Xianzhao , Miao Xinyi , Yu Xiaohu , Wang Wei , Ji Xiaohui
Published: March 2020

Precise design of catalytic supports is an encouraging technique for simultaneously improving the activity and stability of the catalyst.
Correction: Chemical fingerprinting and quantitative monitoring of the doping drugs bambuterol and terbutaline in human urine samples using ATR-FTIR coupled with a PLSR chemometric tool
Authors: Algethami Faisal K. , Eid Sherif M. , Kelani Khadiga M. , Elghobashy Mohamed R. , Abd El-Rahman Mohamed K.
Published: March 2020

Correction for ‘Chemical fingerprinting and quantitative monitoring of the doping drugs bambuterol and terbutaline in human urine samples using ATR-FTIR coupled with a PLSR chemometric tool’ by Faisal K. Algethami et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 7146–7154.
Probing composition distributions in nanoalloy catalysts with correlative electron microscopy
Authors: Liu Shikai , Gow Isla , Davies Thomas , Barnes Alexandra , Sankar Meenakshisundaram , Gong Xiaoxiao , Howe Alexander G. R. , Dixon Michael , Hutchings Graham J. , Kiely Christopher J. , He Qian
Published: March 2020

A correlative electron microscopy method is introduced to statistically composition distributions among particles in nanoalloy materials, a parameter that is largely overlooked before.
Exaggerated mitophagy: a weapon of striatal destruction in the brain?
Authors: Subramaniam Srinivasa
Published: March 2020

Mechanisms responsible for neuronal vulnerability in the brain remain unclear. Striatal neurons are preferentially damaged by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a mitochondrial complex-II inhibitor, causing striatal damage reminiscent of Huntington's disease (HD), but the mechanisms of the selectivity are not as well understood. We have discovered that Rhes, a protein enriched in the striatum, removes mitochondria via the mitophagy process. The process becomes intensified in the presence of 3-NP, thereby eliminating most of the mitochondria from the striatum. We put forward the hypothesis that Rhes acts as a ‘mitophagy ligand' in the brain and promotes mitophagy via NIX, a mitophagy receptor. Since Rhes interacts and promotes toxicity in association with mutant huntingtin (mHTT), the genetic cause of HD, it is tempting to speculate on whether the exaggerated mitophagy may be a contributing factor to the striatal lesion found in HD. Thus, Rhes-mediated exaggerated mitophagy may act as a weapon of striatal destruction in the brain.
Disturbance observer‐based output feedback control of hydraulic servo system considering mismatched uncertainties and internal pressure dynamics stability
Authors: Wang Chengwen , Zhang Zhenyang , Wang He , Zhao Bin , Quan Long
Published: March 2020

For valve‐controlled hydraulic servo system, the suppression of mechanical dynamics uncertainties and the analysis of internal pressure dynamics stability (i.e. the pressure into the two chambers of the actuator) are still the widespread concern issues. This study presents an easy‐to‐implement observer‐based output feedback control scheme for hydraulic valve‐controlled single‐rod actuator system with addressing mismatched mechanical dynamic uncertainties and proving internal pressure dynamics stability analysis. The singular value perturbation approach is used to simplify the system model, and then a practical output feedback controller augmented with extended‐state observer is developed through back‐stepping design approach. The main contribution of this study is two‐fold. First, a practical reduced‐order model‐based back‐stepping controller is developed. Second, the stability issue of internal pressure dynamics is analysed. Besides giving theoretical analysis, extensive comparative co‐simulations and experiments are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The present method can guarantee prescribed tracking transient performance in the presence of uncertain disturbances. Also, the stability of internal dynamics is proved.
Security constrained multi‐objective bi‐directional integrated electricity and natural gas co‐expansion planning considering multiple uncertainties of wind energy and system demand
Authors: Aldarajee Ammar Hameed Majeed , Hosseinian Seyed Hossein , Vahidi Behrooz , Dehghan Shahab
Published: March 2020

This study presents a security‐constrained optimisation problem for co‐expansion planning of integrated electric power and natural gas (SCEP‐EPNG), taking into account multiple uncertainties of wind power generation and electric system load demand. The proposed model is a bi‐level and bi‐directional approach, which considers the flow of electric power to the natural gas network and vice versa through the power to gas and gas to power technologies, respectively. The security of the system is investigated from the static voltage stability point of view using the L‐index approach. Also, the information‐gap decision theory technique is adopted for modelling the uncertainties. The model aims at minimising the investment and operation costs as well as voltage stability index in a multi‐objective optimisation problem, solved by the ɛ‐constrained method, and the best compromise solution is calculated using the fuzzy‐based min–max method. The proposed SCEP‐EPNG model is implemented on the integrated Garver six‐node electric power and seven‐node natural gas networks, as well as integrated IEEE 24‐node electric power and 12‐node natural gas networks. Simulation results indicate the importance of voltage stability constraints in long‐term energy planning. Furthermore, the model shows the effects of multiple uncertainties on co‐expansion planning decisions.
Influence of invasive pest and natural enemies on entomofauna formation in the Sochi region
Authors: Bugaeva Ludmila , Kashutina Evgeniya , Ignateva Tatyna
Published: March 2020

The article describes the changes in local entomofauna in the Sochi region. Monitoring for several decades provides information about the spreading and density of invasive species established a long time ago and causing massive damage to agricultural plants during regular outbreaks. This group of species, which includes the Boisduval scale Diaspis boisduvalii, the Japanese planthopper Ricania japonica, and the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea, has had an enormous effect on local insects’ community for the last 50 years. What is most important is that this list of alien species continues to grow. Since the late 1990s, several invaders have been discovered in the Sochi region, including including the sycamore lace bug Corythucha ciliata, the leafhoppers Metcalfa pruinosa and Arboridia kakogawana, the brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys, the tortoise wax scale Ceroplastes japonicus and the woolly aphid Eriosoma lanigerum. The invasion process causes significant changes in the relationship between newly established populations of invasive pests and their natural enemies, which are partly used as biocontrol agents. So the impact of local and introduced entomophagous species on the fauna is also discussed.