bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low growth resilience to drought is related to future mortality risk in trees
Authors: DeSoto Lucía , Cailleret Maxime , Sterck Frank , Jansen Steven , Kramer Koen , Robert Elisabeth M. R. , Aakala Tuomas , Amoroso Mariano M. , Bigler Christof , Camarero J. Julio , Čufar Katarina , Gea-Izquierdo Guillermo , Gillner Sten , Haavik Laurel J. , Hereş Ana-Maria , Kane Jeffrey M. , Kharuk Vyacheslav I. , Kitzberger Thomas , Klein Tamir , Levanič Tom , Linares Juan C. , Mäkinen Harri , Oberhuber Walter , Papadopoulos Andreas , Rohner Brigitte , Sangüesa-Barreda Gabriel , Stojanovic Dejan B. , Suárez Maria Laura , Villalba Ricardo , Martínez-Vilalta Jordi
Published: January 2020

Severe droughts have the potential to reduce forest productivity and trigger tree mortality. Most trees face several drought events during their life and therefore resilience to dry conditions may be crucial to long-term survival. We assessed how growth resilience to severe droughts, including its components resistance and recovery, is related to the ability to survive future droughts by using a tree-ring database of surviving and now-dead trees from 118 sites (22 species, >3,500 trees). We found that, across the variety of regions and species sampled, trees that died during water shortages were less resilient to previous non-lethal droughts, relative to coexisting surviving trees of the same species. In angiosperms, drought-related mortality risk is associated with lower resistance (low capacity to reduce impact of the initial drought), while it is related to reduced recovery (low capacity to attain pre-drought growth rates) in gymnosperms. The different resilience strategies in these two taxonomic groups open new avenues to improve our understanding and prediction of drought-induced mortality.
Exchange biased anomalous Hall effect driven by frustration in a magnetic kagome lattice
Authors: Lachman Ella , Murphy Ryan A. , Maksimovic Nikola , Kealhofer Robert , Haley Shannon , McDonald Ross D. , Long Jeffrey R. , Analytis James G.
Published: January 2020

Co$$_{3}$$3Sn$$_{2}$$2S$$_{2}$$2 is a ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal that has been the subject of intense scientific interest due to its large anomalous Hall effect. We show that the coupling of this material’s topological properties to its magnetic texture leads to a strongly exchange biased anomalous Hall effect. We argue that this is likely caused by the coexistence of ferromagnetism and geometric frustration intrinsic to the kagome network of magnetic ions, giving rise to spin-glass behavior and an exchange bias.
Near Real-Time Wildfire Progression Monitoring with Sentinel-1 SAR Time Series and Deep Learning
Authors: Ban Yifang , Zhang Puzhao , Nascetti Andrea , Bevington Alexandre R. , Wulder Michael A.
Published: January 2020

In recent years, the world witnessed many devastating wildfires that resulted in destructive human and environmental impacts across the globe. Emergency response and rapid response for mitigation calls for effective approaches for near real-time wildfire monitoring. Capable of penetrating clouds and smoke, and imaging day and night, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can play a critical role in wildfire monitoring. In this communication, we investigated and demonstrated the potential of Sentinel-1 SAR time series with a deep learning framework for near real-time wildfire progression monitoring. The deep learning framework, based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), is developed to detect burnt areas automatically using every new SAR image acquired during the wildfires and by exploiting all available pre-fire SAR time series to characterize the temporal backscatter variations. The results show that Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter can detect wildfires and capture their temporal progression as demonstrated for three large and impactful wildfires: the 2017 Elephant Hill Fire in British Columbia, Canada, the 2018 Camp Fire in California, USA, and the 2019 Chuckegg Creek Fire in northern Alberta, Canada. Compared to the traditional log-ratio operator, CNN-based deep learning framework can better distinguish burnt areas with higher accuracy. These findings demonstrate that spaceborne SAR time series with deep learning can play a significant role for near real-time wildfire monitoring when the data becomes available at daily and hourly intervals with the launches of RADARSAT Constellation Missions in 2019, and SAR CubeSat constellations.
Shorter axon initial segments do not cause repetitive firing impairments in the adult presymptomatic G127X SOD-1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse
Authors: Bonnevie V. S. , Dimintiyanova K. P. , Hedegaard A. , Lehnhoff J. , Grøndahl L. , Moldovan M. , Meehan C. F.
Published: January 2020

Increases in axonal sodium currents in peripheral nerves are some of the earliest excitability changes observed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients. Nothing is known, however, about axonal sodium channels more proximally, particularly at the action potential initiating region - the axon initial segment (AIS). Immunohistochemistry for Nav1.6 sodium channels was used to investigate parameters of AISs of spinal motoneurones in the G127X SOD1 mouse model of ALS in adult mice at presymptomatic time points (~190 days old). In vivo intracellular recordings from lumbar spinal motoneurones were used to determine the consequences of any AIS changes. AISs of both alpha and gamma motoneurones were found to be significantly shorter (by 6.6% and 11.8% respectively) in G127X mice as well as being wider by 9.8% (alpha motoneurones). Measurements from 20–23 day old mice confirmed that this represented a change during adulthood. Intracellular recordings from motoneurones in presymptomatic adult mice, however, revealed no differences in individual action potentials or the cells ability to initiate repetitive action potentials. To conclude, despite changes in AIS geometry, no evidence was found for reduced excitability within the functional working range of firing frequencies of motoneurones in this model of ALS.
Preparation of a novel nitrogen-containing graphitic mesoporous carbon for the removal of acid red 88
Authors: Zhou Qiying , Chen Wenhua , Jiang Xia , Liu Hongying , Ma Shenggui , Wang Bangda
Published: January 2020

A novel nitrogen-containing graphitic mesoporous carbon was prepared through MnO-templated method using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as both carbon and nitrogen sources, and MnCO3 as both template and catalyst precursors. The effects of preparation conditions on the physicochemical properties of obtained samples were systematically investigated. The results showed that as the decrease of the weight ratios of PAN and MnO (2:1–1:4), the increase of carbonization temperature (700–900 °C) and pre-oxidation temperature (180–200 °C), the samples had higher specific surface area, mesopores volume and ratios, up to 507 m2/g, 0.824 cm3/g and 96.83%, respectively. Moreover, the prepared samples presented relatively high graphitic degree and nitrogen contents (~2.21%). The adsorption capacity for acid red 88 (AR88) was as high as 309 mg/g, which were dramatically affected by the mesoporous properties and C- and N-containing groups on the surface of prepared carbon. The rich graphic carbon and pyridine-N in mesoporous carbon generated π-π dispersion and electrostatic interaction with AR88, respectively, which jointly were responsible for the adsorption process. The results of the isotherm and kinetic studies indicated that the AR88 adsorption on mesoporous carbon could be well depicted using Langmuir model and pseudo-2nd-order model.
Potent inhibition of HIV replication in primary human cells by novel synthetic polyketides inspired by Aureothin
Authors: Herrmann Alexander , Roesner Manfred , Werner Thomas , Hauck Stefanie M. , Koch Alisha , Bauer Amelie , Schneider Martha , Brack-Werner Ruth
Published: January 2020

Overcoming the global health threat of HIV infection requires continuous pipelines of novel drug candidates. We identified the γ-pyrone polyketides Aureothin/Neoaureothin as potent hits by anti-HIV screening of an extensive natural compound collection. Total synthesis of a structurally diverse group of Aureothin-derivatives successfully identified a lead compound (#7) superior to Aureothin that combines strong anti-HIV activity (IC90<45 nM), photostability and improved cell safety. Compound #7 inhibited de novo virus production from integrated proviruses by blocking the accumulation of HIV RNAs that encode the structural components of virions and include viral genomic RNAs. Thus, the mode-of-action displayed by compound #7 is different from those of all current clinical drugs. Proteomic analysis indicated that compound #7 does not affect global protein expression in primary blood cells and may modulate cellular pathways linked to HIV infection. Compound #7 inhibited multiple HIV genotypes, including HIV-type 1 and 2 and synergistically inhibited HIV in combination with clinical reverse transcriptase and integrase inhibitors. We conclude that compound #7 represents a promising new class of HIV inhibitors that will facilitate the identification of new virus-host interactions exploitable for antiviral attack and holds promise for further drug development.
Effect of high slice energy spread of an electron beam on the generation of isolated, terawatt, attosecond X-ray free-electron laser pulse
Authors: Shim Chi Hyun , Parc Yong Woon , Kim Dong Eon
Published: January 2020

Attosecond (asec) X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) has attracted considerable interest over the past years. Nowadays typical XFEL application experiments demand 1010–1011 photons per pulse, which corresponds to a peak power of terawatts (TW) in case of asec hard X-ray pulse. To the realization of such TW asec-XFEL pulse, however, the unavoidable increase of slice energy spread (SES) due to laser heater, which is commonly used to mitigate the micro-bunching instability (MBI), would be a major obstacle. To deal with this problem, the effect of such a SES is investigated in this work. The results reveal that (1) SES of a current spike is linearly proportional to the peak current of a current spike in an electron beam, (2) surprisingly, this linearity is independent of the wavelength of an energy modulation driving laser which is used to make a current spike and (3) the gain length of current spike in the undulator is sensitive to the initial SES, so there is an optimal peak current of the current spike for successful FEL lasing process. Utilizing these characteristics, a series of simulations with parameters for Pohang Accelerator Laboratory X-ray Free Electron Laser was carried out to demonstrate that an isolated, TW asec-XFEL pulse can be generated even when the SES is increased due to the usage of laser heater to prevent the MBI in the XFEL. We show that an isolated X-ray pulse with >1 TW and a pulse duration of 73 as (~3 × 1010 photons/pulse at 12.4 keV or 0.1 nm) can be generated by using ten current spikes with optimal peak current. It becomes clear for the first time that the disadvantage from the increased SES can be indeed overcome.
Gibbons aren’t singing in the rain: presence and amount of rainfall influences ape calling behavior in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Clink Dena J. , Hamid Ahmad Abdul , Klinck Holger
Published: January 2020

Early morning calling occurs across diverse taxa, which may be related to optimal conditions for sound transmission. There exists substantial inter- and intra-specific variation in calling time which is influenced by intrinsic, social and/or environmental factors. Here, we investigate environmental predictors of calling in gibbons. We hypothesized that male solos— which occur earlier and tend to be longer than duets—would be more influenced by environmental variables, if earlier, longer calling bouts are energetically costly, and therefore limited by overnight energy expenditure. Our top model for male solo events included amount of rain in the previous 24 hours, and explained 30% of the variance, whereas the top model for duet events (which included presence and amount of rainfall) explained only 5% of the variance. Rain the previous night led to a later start time of male solos (~30 minutes), but our top model for duet start time did not include any reliable predictors. Male solo events appear to be more influenced by environmental factors, and duets may be influenced more by social factors. Our results are in line with previous studies that show that changes in overnight conditions —which may alter energy expenditure —can influence early morning calling behavior.
Platelets induce increased estrogen production through NF-κB and TGF-β1 signaling pathways in endometriotic stromal cells
Authors: Qi Qiuming , Liu Xishi , Zhang Qi , Guo Sun-Wei
Published: January 2020

Endometriosis is estrogen-dependent disorder. Two theories provide the explanations for the increased estrogen production. One is the feed-forward loop model linking inflammation and estrogen production. The more recent model evokes the tissue hypoxia resulting from endometrial debris detached and then regurgitated to the peritoneal cavity. Both models tacitly assume that everything occurs within the endometriotic stromal cells, seemingly without the need for exogenous factors. This study was undertaken to investigate as whether platelets may be responsible for local estrogen overproduction. We employed in vitro experimentation that evaluated the 17β-estradiol (E2) levels in endometriotic stromal cells treated with activated platelets, and the genes and protein expression levels of StAR, HSD3B2, aromatase, and HSD17B1, as well as their upstream genes/proteins such as NF-κB, TGF-β1, HIF-1α, SF-1 and phosphorylated CREB. In addition, we conducted 2 animal experimentations using platelet depletion/infusion and also neutralization of NF-κB and TGF-β1, followed by immunohistochemistry analysis of involved in StAR, HSD3B2, aromatase, and HSD17B1, as well as SF-1 and p-CREB. We found that treatment of endometriotic stromal cells by activated platelets increase the E2 production by 4.5 fold, and concomitant with increased gene and protein expression of StAR, HSD3B2, aromatase, and HSD17B1, the four genes/enzymes important to estrogen synthesis, along with their upstream genes HIF-1α, SF-1 and phosphorylated CREB. Moreover, platelets activate these genes through the activation of NF-κB and/or TGF-β1, and antagonism of either signaling pathway can abolish the induction of the 4 genes and thus increased estrogen production. The two animal experimentations confirmed these changes. Thus, platelets increase the E2 production in endometriotic stromal cells through upregulation of StAR, HSD3B2, aromatase, and HSD17B1 via the activation of NF-κB and/or TGF-β1. These findings provide a yet another compelling piece of evidence that endometriotic lesions are indeed wounds undergoing repeated tissue injury and repair. They strongly indicate that non-hormonal therapeutics for endometriosis is theoretically viable, with anti-platelet therapy being one promising avenue.
Expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 as a molecular target for prognostic and therapeutic indicators in bladder carcinoma
Authors: Maimaiti Maihulan , Sakamoto Shinichi , Yamada Yasutaka , Sugiura Masahiro , Rii Junryo , Takeuchi Nobuyoshi , Imamura Yusuke , Furihata Tomomi , Ando Keisuke , Higuchi Kosuke , Xu Minhui , Sazuka Tomokazu , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Kaneda Atsushi , Kanai Yoshikatsu , Kyprianou Natasha , Ikehara Yuzuru , Anzai Naohiko , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: January 2020

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) plays a role in transporting essential amino acids including leucine, which regulates the mTOR signaling pathway. Here, we studied the expression profile and functional role of LAT1 in bladder cancer. Furthermore, the pharmacological activity of JPH203, a specific inhibitor of LAT1, was studied in bladder cancer. LAT1 expression in bladder cancer cells was higher than that in normal cells. SiLAT1 and JPH203 suppressed cell proliferative and migratory and invasive abilities in bladder cancer cells. JPH203 inhibited leucine uptake by > 90%. RNA-seq analysis identified insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) as a downstream target of JPH203. JPH203 inhibited phosphorylation of MAPK / Erk, AKT, p70S6K and 4EBP-1. Multivariate analysis revealed that high LAT1 expression was found as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR3.46 P = 0.0204). Patients with high LAT1 and IGFBP-5 expression had significantly shorter overall survival periods than those with low expression (P = 0.0005). High LAT1 was related to the high Grade, pathological T stage, LDH, and NLR. Collectively, LAT1 significantly contributed to bladder cancer progression. Targeting LAT1 by JPH203 may represent a novel therapeutic option in bladder cancer treatment.
Topology comparison of Twitter diffusion networks effectively reveals misleading information
Authors: Pierri Francesco , Piccardi Carlo , Ceri Stefano
Published: January 2020

In recent years, malicious information had an explosive growth in social media, with serious social and political backlashes. Recent important studies, featuring large-scale analyses, have produced deeper knowledge about this phenomenon, showing that misleading information spreads faster, deeper and more broadly than factual information on social media, where echo chambers, algorithmic and human biases play an important role in diffusion networks. Following these directions, we explore the possibility of classifying news articles circulating on social media based exclusively on a topological analysis of their diffusion networks. To this aim we collected a large dataset of diffusion networks on Twitter pertaining to news articles published on two distinct classes of sources, namely outlets that convey mainstream, reliable and objective information and those that fabricate and disseminate various kinds of misleading articles, including false news intended to harm, satire intended to make people laugh, click-bait news that may be entirely factual or rumors that are unproven. We carried out an extensive comparison of these networks using several alignment-free approaches including basic network properties, centrality measures distributions, and network distances. We accordingly evaluated to what extent these techniques allow to discriminate between the networks associated to the aforementioned news domains. Our results highlight that the communities of users spreading mainstream news, compared to those sharing misleading news, tend to shape diffusion networks with subtle yet systematic differences which might be effectively employed to identify misleading and harmful information.
Calponin-3 deficiency augments contractile activity, plasticity, fibrogenic response and Yap/Taz transcriptional activation in lens epithelial cells and explants
Authors: Maddala Rupalatha , Mongan Maureen , Xia Ying , Rao Ponugoti Vasantha
Published: January 2020

The transparent ocular lens plays a crucial role in vision by focusing light on to the retina with loss of lens transparency leading to impairment of vision. While maintenance of epithelial phenotype is recognized to be essential for lens development and function, knowledge of the identity of different molecular mechanisms regulating lens epithelial characteristics remains incomplete. This study reports that CNN-3, the acidic isoform of calponin, an actin binding contractile protein, is expressed preferentially and abundantly relative to the basic and neutral isoforms of calponin in the ocular lens, and distributes predominantly to the epithelium in both mouse and human lenses. Expression and MEKK1-mediated threonine 288 phosphorylation of CNN-3 is induced by extracellular cues including TGF-β2 and lysophosphatidic acid. Importantly, siRNA-induced deficiency of CNN3 in lens epithelial cell cultures and explants results in actin stress fiber reorganization, stimulation of focal adhesion formation, Yap activation, increases in the levels of α-smooth muscle actin, connective tissue growth factor and fibronectin, and decreases in E-cadherin expression. These results reveal that CNN3 plays a crucial role in regulating lens epithelial contractile activity and provide supporting evidence that CNN-3 deficiency is associated with the induction of epithelial plasticity, fibrogenic activity and mechanosensitive Yap/Taz transcriptional activation.
Surgical results and prognostic factors following percutaneous full endoscopic posterior decompression for thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum
Authors: Li Xingchen , An Bo , Gao Haoran , Zhou Chengpei , Zhao Xiaobing , Ma Haijun , Wang Bisheng , Yang Hejun , Zhou Honggang , Guo Xinjun , Zhu Huimin , Qian Jixian
Published: January 2020

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has shown satisfactory surgical results for the treatment of thoracic myelopathy (TM) caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). This study investigated the prognostic factors following MIS and was based on the retrospective analysis of OLF patients who underwent percutaneous full endoscopic posterior decompression (PEPD). Thirty single-segment OLF patients with an average age of 60.4 years were treated with PEPD under local anaesthesia. Clinical data were collected from the medical and operative records. The surgical results were assessed by the recovery rate (RR) calculated from the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score. Correlations between the RR and various factors were analysed. Patients’ neurological status improved from a preoperative mJOA score of 6.0 ± 1.3 to a postoperative mJOA score of 8.5 ± 2.0 (P < 0.001) at an average follow-up of 21.3 months. The average RR was 53.8%. Dural tears in two patients (6.7%, 2/30) were the only observed complications. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a longer duration of preoperative symptoms and the presence of a high intramedullary signal on T2-weighted MRI (T2HIS) were significantly associated with poor surgical results. PEPD is feasible for the treatment of TM patients with a particular type of OLF. Patients without T2HIS could achieve a good recovery if they received PEPD early.
Quantitative assessment of treatment efficacy in keloids using high-frequency ultrasound and shear wave elastography: a preliminary study
Authors: Huang Song-Ya , Xiang Xi , Guo Rui-Qian , Cheng Shan , Wang Li-Yun , Qiu Li
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the quantitative evaluation of therapeutic responses of keloids. 43 patients with 76 keloids were recruited into this study. In keloids and symmetrical sites, the skin thickness was measured using HFUS and skin stiffness expressed as elastic moduli (Young’s modulus and shear wave velocity) was measured using SWE. The coefficient of variation values were calculated by using difference values of skin elastic moduli and skin thickness. A significant increase of both skin stiffness and thickness appeared in pre-treated keloids compared with post-treated keloids (P < 0.001) and normal controls (P < 0.001), respectively. Stiffness in post-treated keloids and normal skins was significantly different (P < 0.001), while the difference in thickness measurements showed no significance (P = 0.56, >0.05). The coefficient of variation of Young’s modulus was the highest when compared between (i) pre-treated keloids and theirs site-matched areas; (ii) pre-treated and post-treated keloids. SWE, which showed greater ability in determining the extent of keloids recovery, may provide an ideal tool to assess the stiffness of keloids and theirs therapeutic response.
Elevated levels of circulating betahydroxybutyrate in pituitary tumor patients may differentiate prolactinomas from other immunohistochemical subtypes
Authors: Ijare Omkar B. , Holan Cole , Hebert Jonathan , Sharpe Martyn A. , Baskin David S. , Pichumani Kumar
Published: January 2020

The diagnosis of various histological subtypes of pituitary tumors is made using serum based hormone panel test. However, certain subtypes secrete more than one hormone, making the diagnosis ambiguous. Here, we performed 1H-NMR based metabolomic analysis of serum and whole-blood from luteinizing/follicle-stimulating (LH/FSH)-secreting (n = 24), prolactinomas (n = 14), and non-functional (NF) (n = 9) tumors. We found elevated levels of betahydroxybutyrate (BHB) in serum and whole-blood (WB) of prolactinomas (0.481 ± 0.211/0.329 ± 0.228 mM in serum/WB), but it was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.0033, Bonferroni correction) only in serum when compared with LH/FSH-secreting tumor patients (0.269 ± 0.139/0.167 ± 0.113 mM in serum/WB). Phenylalanine in NF tumors was found to be elevated in both serum and WB when compared with prolactinomas but it met the statistical significance criteria (p ≤ 0.0028) only in the serum. Alanine (p ≤ 0.011), tyrosine (p ≤ 0.014) and formate (p ≤ 0.011) were also elevated in NF tumors but none showed statistically significance when compared with prolactinomas. Quantification of BHB and the above amino acids in the circulation may aid in the development of blood-based in vitro diagnostic methods which can supplement the currently used serum hormone panel in the diagnosis of various subtypes of pituitary tumors.
Coherent response of the Indian Monsoon Rainfall to Atlantic Multi-decadal Variability over the last 2000 years
Authors: Naidu Pothuri Divakar , Ganeshram Raja , Bollasina Massimo A. , Panmei Champoungam , Nürnberg Dirk , Donges Jonathan F.
Published: January 2020

Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) rainfall has a direct effect on the livelihoods of two billion people in the Indian-subcontinent. Yet, our understanding of the drivers of multi-decadal variability of the ISM is far from being complete. In this context, large-scale forcing of ISM rainfall variability with multi-decadal resolution over the last two millennia is investigated using new records of sea surface salinity (δ18Ow) and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) from the Bay of Bengal (BoB). Higher δ18Ow values during the Dark Age Cold Period (1550 to 1250 years BP) and the Little Ice Age (700 to 200 years BP) are suggestive of reduced ISM rainfall, whereas lower δ18Ow values during the Medieval Warm Period (1200 to 800 years BP) and the major portion of the Roman Warm Period (1950 to 1550 years BP) indicate a wetter ISM. This variability in ISM rainfall appears to be modulated by the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) via changes in large-scale thermal contrast between the Asian land mass and the Indian Ocean, a relationship that is also identifiable in the observational data of the last century. Therefore, we suggest that inter-hemispheric scale interactions between such extra tropical forcing mechanisms and global warming are likely to be influential in determining future trends in ISM rainfall.
Heterologous expression of xanthophyll esterase genes affects carotenoid accumulation in petunia corollas
Authors: Kishimoto Sanae , Oda-Yamamizo Chihiro , Ohmiya Akemi
Published: January 2020

The majority of carotenoids in petals are xanthophylls and most of these xanthophylls are esterified with fatty acids. Although petunia (Petunia x hybrida) is an important ornamental plant, it cannot accumulate enough carotenoids to have deep-yellow flowers. Our previous study suggested that low esterification activity causes low carotenoid accumulation in petunia corollas. Here, we introduced xanthophyll esterase (XES) from the petals of Ipomoea obscura, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and marigold (Tagetes erecta) into a pale-yellow-flowered cultivar of petunia to see whether these affect carotenoid accumulation in petunia corollas. Carotenoid contents and the proportions of esterified xanthophylls were elevated in the corollas of XES-overexpressing (XES-OX) transformants. Expression analysis showed that the transcript levels of endogenous carotenoid biosynthetic genes, which included geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 2, ζ-carotene desaturase, and lycopene β-ring cyclase in corolla tubes were upregulated in XES-OX plants. In addition, we discovered a difference in the composition of esterified xanthophylls among XES-OX plants, which may be caused by differences in the substrate specificity of their respective XESs. We conclude that esterification is an important process for carotenoid accumulation and XES is a useful tool for the quantitative and qualitative control of carotenoid accumulation in petals.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Studies in Codonopsis pilosula Based on Transcriptome Sequence Data
Authors: Liang Lijun , He Zhigui , Yu Haizheng , Wang Erhuan , Zhang Xiaojiang , Zhang Bingxue , Zhang Chenlu , Liang Zongsuo
Published: January 2020

Relative gene expression analyses by RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative PCR) are highly dependent on the reference genes in normalizing the expression data of target genes. Therefore, inappropriate endogenous control genes will lead to inaccurate target gene expression profiles, and the selection and validation of suitable internal reference genes becomes essential. In this study, we retrieved the commonly used reference genes in transcriptome datasets of Codonopsis pilosula by RNA-Seq (unpublished data), and selected 15 candidate reference genes according to the coefficient of variation (CV) and fold change (FC) value of gene expression. The expression levels of candidate reference genes, which is at different growth stages, undergoing cold stress and drought stress, was determined by RT-qPCR. The expression stability of these genes was evaluated using software packages and algorithms including ΔCt, geNorm, NormFinder and Bestkeeper. Then appropriate reference genes were screened and validated by target gene-UDGPase (UDP glucose pyrophosphorylase). The optimal RGs combinations of C. pilosula, including PP2A59γ, CPY20-1, UBCE32, RPL5B and UBC18 for developmental stage, RPL5B, RPL13 and PP2A59γ for cold treatment, RPL13 and PP2A59γ for drought treatment, were found and proposed as reference genes for future work. This paper laid foundations for both the selection of reference genes and exploration in metabolic mechanism of C. pilosula.
Reactor environment during the Fukushima nuclear accident inferred from radiocaesium-bearing microparticles
Authors: Okumura Taiga , Yamaguchi Noriko , Suga Hiroki , Takahashi Yoshio , Segawa Hiroyo , Kogure Toshihiro
Published: January 2020

Radiocaesium-bearing microparticles (CsMPs), which are substantially silicate glass, were formed inside the damaged reactor and released to the environment by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. The present study reports several valuable findings regarding their composition and structure using advanced microanalytical techniques. X-ray absorption near-edge structure of Fe L3-absorption indicated that the oxidation state of the iron dissolved in the glass matrix of the CsMPs was originally nearly divalent, suggesting that the atmosphere in which the CsMPs were formed during the accident was considerably reductive. Another major finding is that sodium, which has not been recognised as a constituent element of CsMPs thus far, is among the major elements in the glass matrix. The atomic percent of Na is higher than that of other alkali elements such as K and Cs. Furthermore, halite (NaCl) was found as an inclusion inside a CsMP. The existence of Na in CsMPs infers that seawater injected for cooling might reach the inside of the reactor before or during the formation of the CsMPs. These results are valuable to infer the environment inside the reactor during the accident and the debris materials to be removed during the decommissioning processes.
Author Correction: A quantile regression approach to explain the relationship of Fatigue and Cortisol, Cytokine among Koreans with Hepatitis B
Authors: Jang Yeonsoo , Kim Jeong Hyun , Lee Hyangkyu , Lee Kyunghwa , Ahn Sang Hoon
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Structure-Activity Relationships of Baicalein and its Analogs as Novel TSLP Inhibitors
Authors: Park Bernie Byunghoon , Choi Jae Wan , Park Dawon , Choi Doyoung , Paek Jiwon , Kim Hyun Jung , Son Se-Young , Mushtaq Ameeq Ul , Shin Hyeji , Kim Sang Hoon , Zhou Yuanyuan , Lim Taehyeong , Park Ji Young , Baek Ji-Young , Kim Kyul , Kwon Hongmok , Son Sang-Hyun , Chung Ka Young , Jeong Hyun-Ja , Kim Hyung-Min , Jung Yong Woo , Lee Kiho , Lee Ki Yong , Byun Youngjoo , Jeon Young Ho
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Determination of quercetin via thin film microextraction using the in situ growth of Co–Al-layered double hydroxide nanosheets on an electrochemically anodized aluminum substrate followed by HPLC
Authors: Alipour Faezeh , Raoof Jahan Bakhsh , Ghani Milad
Published: January 2020

The present study explains the in situ growth of Co–Al layered double hydroxide coated on an anodized aluminum substrate for thin film microextraction (TFME) approach.
Mass spectrometry approaches to ensure food safety
Authors: Domínguez Irene , Garrido Frenich Antonia , Romero-González Roberto
Published: January 2020

Mass spectrometry (MS) is widely used in the food safety area, being fully implemented in both routine analysis and research laboratories.
Chelate chemistry governs ion-specific stiffening ofBacillus subtilisB-1 andAzotobacter vinelandiibiofilms
Authors: Kretschmer Martin , Lieleg Oliver
Published: January 2020

Depending on the main polymer component of the biofilms studied, chelate complexes with metal ions can be formed that entail an increase in biofilm stiffness.
Electrochemically induced crystallization of amorphous materials in molten MgCl2: boron nitride and hard carbon
Authors: Bagri Prashant , P. Thapaliya Bishnu , Yang Zhenzhen , Jiang Wei , Sulejmanovic Dino , Luo Huimin , Dai Sheng
Published: January 2020

A novel and versatile strategy toward the amorphous-to-crystalline transformation of boron nitride was developed through an electrochemical pathway using molten MgCl2 at low temperature (750 °C) and can be extended for transformation of amorphous carbon to graphite.
Nickel-catalyzed carbodifunctionalization of N-vinylamides enables access to γ-amino acids
Authors: Yang Zhi-Fang , Xu Chang , Zheng Xing , Zhang Xingang
Published: January 2020

A nickel-catalyzed tandem reaction of N-vinylamides with arylboronic acids and bromodifluoroacetate has been developed. The reaction efficiently furnishes a series of protected α,α-difluoro-γ-amino acid esters.
Protein interactions of dirhodium tetraacetate: a structural study
Authors: Ferraro Giarita , Pratesi Alessandro , Messori Luigi , Merlino Antonello
Published: January 2020

The interactions between the cytotoxic paddlewheel dirhodium complex [Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)4] and the model protein bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) were investigated by high-resolution mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.
Precise anionic regulation of NiFe hydroxysulfide assisted by electrochemical reactions for efficient electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhao Chang-Xin , Li Bo-Quan , Zhao Meng , Liu Jia-Ning , Zhao Li-Da , Chen Xiao , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2020

An electrochemical reaction assisted by an anionic regulation strategy was proposed for precise construction of hetero-anionic electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and polysulfide redox reactions.
Combination of theoretical and in situ experimental investigations of the role of lithium dopant in manganese nitride: a two-stage reagent for ammonia synthesis
Authors: Laassiri Said , Zeinalipour-Yazdi Constantinos D. , Bion Nicolas , Catlow C. Richard A. , Hargreaves Justin S. J.
Published: January 2020

This article presents an investigation of the role of dopant in manganese nitride, a two-stage reagent for ammonia synthesis, by a combination of theoretical and in situ experimental investigations.
Tuning Ca–Al-based catalysts’ composition to isomerize or epimerize glucose and other sugars
Authors: Ventura Maria , Cecilia Juan A. , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Domine Marcelo E.
Published: January 2020

Efficient and selective glucose isomerization to fructose and epimerization to mannose were successfully done over tuneable Ca–Al-based catalysts with controlled basicity.
Maleic acid as a dicarboxylic acid hydrotrope for sustainable fractionation of wood at atmospheric pressure and ≤100 °C: mode and utility of lignin esterification
Authors: Cai Cheng , Hirth Kolby , Gleisner Rolland , Lou Hongming , Qiu Xueqing , Zhu J. Y.
Published: January 2020

Maleic acid for wood fractionation at atmospheric pressure to result in carboxylated lignin with minimal condensation, light color, and to facilitate processing of fractionated solids. 2D 1H–13C HQSC and HMBC analyses confirmed lignin esterification.
Single cell migration profiling on a microenvironmentally tunable hydrogel microstructure device that enables stem cell potency evaluation
Authors: Ros Enrique , Encina Matías , González Fabián , Contreras Rafael , Luz-Crawford Patricia , Khoury Maroun , Acevedo Juan Pablo
Published: January 2020

Detailed cell migration profiling allows for accurate correlations with therapeutic functions of mesenchymal stem cells.
Bis-Schiff bases of 2,2′-dibromobenzidine as efficient corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic medium
Authors: Arshad Ifzan , Saeed Aamer , Channar Pervaiz Ali , Shehzadi Syeda Aaliya , Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Siddiq Muhammad
Published: January 2020

The inhibitory effect of three new bis-Schiff bases on mild steel corrosion in 0.5 M HCl was studied by the weight loss method and the electrochemical method.
Is there a gender gap in chemical sciences scholarly communication?
Authors: Day A. E. , Corbett P. , Boyle J.
Published: January 2020

Characterisation of gender differences throughout peer-review publication process as revealed by thorough analysis of Royal Society of Chemistry submissions, publications and citation data.
Palladium catalysed C–H arylation of pyrenes: access to a new class of exfoliating agents for water-based graphene dispersions
Authors: Just-Baringo Xavier , Shin Yuyoung , Panigrahi Adyasha , Zarattini Marco , Nagyte Vaiva , Zhao Ling , Kostarelos Kostas , Casiraghi Cinzia , Larrosa Igor
Published: January 2020

Novel pyrene surfactants for aqueous graphene exfoliation were prepared via C–H arylation of pyrene-1-carboxylic acid.
Free energy of proton transfer at the water–TiO2 interface from ab initio deep potential molecular dynamics
Authors: Calegari Andrade Marcos F. , Ko Hsin-Yu , Zhang Linfeng , Car Roberto , Selloni Annabella
Published: January 2020

TiO2 is a widely used photocatalyst in science and technology and its interface with water is important in fields ranging from geochemistry to biomedicine.
Co-assembly of curcumin and a cystine bridged peptide to construct tumor-responsive nano-micelles for efficient chemotherapy
Authors: Dai Yemei , Jiang Zelei , Li Jingyi , Wang Mengfan , Liu Chang , Qi Wei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: January 2020

Tumor-responsive nano-micelles were constructed through the co-assembly of short peptide and anticancer drug.
Exciton efficiency beyond the spin statistical limit in organic light emitting diodes based on anthracene derivatives
Authors: Sharma Nidhi , Wong Michael Yin , Hall David , Spuling Eduard , Tenopala-Carmona Francisco , Privitera Alberto , Copley Graeme , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Murawski Caroline , Gather Malte C. , Beljonne David , Olivier Yoann , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: January 2020

We report two donor–acceptor (D–A) materials based on a cyanoanthracene acceptor paired with diphenylamine (DPAAnCN) and carbazole (CzAnCN) donor moieties.
ZnO nanowire-decorated Al2O3 hybrids for improving the thermal conductivity of polymer composites
Authors: Liu Chao , Wu Wei , Drummer Dietmar , Shen Wanting , Wang Yi , Schneider Kevin , Tomiak Florian
Published: January 2020

The needle-like Al2O3–ZnO nanowire hybrid filler endows polymer composites with high thermal conductivity, mechanical and thermal properties.
First aggregation-induced emission of a Tb(iii) luminophore based on modulation of ligand–ligand charge transfer bands
Authors: Kitagawa Yuichi , Kumagai Marina , Nakanishi Takayuki , Fushimi Koji , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: January 2020

Herein the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of a Tb(iii) complex is reported for the first time.
Two-dimensional electronic devices modulated by the activation of donor-like states in boron nitride
Authors: Aftab Sikandar , Samiya  , Iqbal Muhammad Waqas , Shinde Pragati A. , Rehman Atteq ur , Yousuf Saqlain , Park Sewon , Jun Seong Chan
Published: January 2020

A two-dimensional (2D) layered material-based p–n diode is an essential element in the modern semiconductor industry for facilitating the miniaturization and structural flexibility of devices with high efficiency for future optoelectronic and electronic applications.
Near-infrared -triggered release of tirofiban from nanocarriers for the inhibition of platelet integrin αIIbβ3 to decrease early-stage neointima formation
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Qiu Peng , Lu Huaxiang , Yin Minyi , Liu Xiaobing , Li Fengshi , Liu Kai , Li Dalin , Lu Xinwu , Li Bo
Published: January 2020

This study revealed that tirofiban-loaded CuS@mSiO2-PEG core–shell nanoparticles are a promising nanoplatform that can inhibit inflammation caused by arterial neointima formation.
Stellar rotation periods from K2 Campaigns 0–18
Authors: Reinhold Timo , Hekker Saskia
Published: January 2020

Context. Rotation period measurements of stars observed with the Kepler mission have revealed a lack of stars at intermediate rotation periods, accompanied by a decrease of photometric variability. Whether this so-called dearth region is a peculiarity of stars in the Kepler field, or reflects a general manifestation of stellar magnetic activity, is still under debate. The K2 mission has the potential to unravel this mystery by measuring stellar rotation and photometric variability along different fields in the sky.

Aims. Our goal is to measure stellar rotation periods and photometric variabilities for tens of thousands of K2 stars, located in different fields along the ecliptic plane, to shed light on the relation between stellar rotation and photometric variability.

Methods. We use Lomb–Scargle periodograms, auto-correlation and wavelet functions to determine consistent rotation periods. Stellar brightness variability is assessed by computing the variability range, Rvar, from the light curve. We further apply Gaussian mixture models to search for bimodality in the rotation period distribution.

Results. Combining measurements from all K2 campaigns, we detect rotation periods in 29 860 stars. The reliability of these periods was estimated from stars observed more than once. We find that 75–90% of the stars show period deviation smaller than 20% between different campaigns, depending on the peak height threshold in the periodograms. For effective temperatures below 6000 K, the variability range shows a local minimum at different periods, consistent with an isochrone age of ∼750 Myr. Additionally, the rotation period distribution shows evidence for bimodality, although the dearth region in the K2 data is less pronounced compared to the Kepler field. The period at the dip of the bimodal distribution shows good agreement with the period at the local variability minimum.

Conclusions. We conclude that the rotation period bimodality is present in different fields of the sky, and is hence a general manifestation of stellar magnetic activity. The reduced variability in the dearth region is interpreted as a cancelation between dark spots and bright faculae. Our results strongly advocate that the role of faculae has been underestimated so far, suggesting a more complex dependence of the brightness variability on the rotation period.
Milk lipid composition and structure; The relevance for infant brain development
Authors: Schipper Lidewij , van Dijk Gertjan , van der Beek Eline M.
Published: January 2020

The neurocognitive development of infants can be positively associated with breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Differences in dietary lipid quality between human milk and infant milk formula may contribute to this effect. In this review, we describe some of the known differences between human milk and infant milk formula in lipid quality, including fatty acid composition, complex lipids in the milk fat globule membrane as well as the physical properties of lipids and lipid globules. We describe some of the underlying mechanism by which these aspects of lipid quality are thought to modulate infant brain development such as differences in the supply and/or the bioavailability of lipids, lipid bound components and peripheral organ derived neurodevelopmental signals to the infant brain after ingestion and on longer term.
Quel role pour le nucléaire dans la décarbonation des villes ?
Authors: Faudon Valérie
Published: January 2020

Les villes concentrent aujourd’hui 55 % de la population mondiale, environ 75 % des émissions directes de CO2 dans le monde et une grande partie de la pollution. Rassemblées au sein d’organisations comme le C40 Cities Leadership Group (C40), elles jouent un rôle croissant dans la lutte contre le changement climatique. De nombreux outils et méthodologies de planification leur sont proposés. Des réflexions et expérimentations existent pour apporter aux villes des solutions dans le domaine de l’efficacité énergétique et des énergies renouvelables. Le nucléaire, énergie bas carbone, est une technologie complémentaire, au sein d’un mix énergétique varié, pour accélérer la décarbonation des zones urbaines.
Le regain d’intérêt pour la production de chaleur d’origine nucléaire
Authors: Le Gros Gaïc
Published: January 2020

Les exemples français et suédois montrent sans ambiguïté que l’énergie nucléaire est capable de décarboner rapidement la production électrique. Mais le nucléaire peut aussi avoir des usages non électrogènes, comme la production de chaleur. Sous forme de cogénération ou non, la production de chaleur d’origine nucléaire est une réalité aujourd’hui et demain.
A Frustrated Lewis Pair Solution to a Frustrating Problem: Mono-Selective Functionalization of C–F Bonds in Di- and Trifluoromethyl Groups
Authors: Young Rowan D. , Gupta Richa , Jaiswal Amit K. , Mandal Dipendu
Published: January 2020

Polyfluoromethyl groups generally suffer from over-reaction, where multiple C–F bonds are uncontrollably functionalized. The use of a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP)-mediated C–F bond activation permits selective monodefluorination through base capture of intermediate fluorocarbocations. FLP-mediated C–F bond activation can be applied to aromatic, heteroaromatic, or nonaromatic difluoro and trifluoromethyl groups to generate selectively fluoride-substituted phosphonium and pyridinium salts. These salts can be further functionalized by Wittig coupling, nucleophilic substitution, photoredox alkylation, nucleophilic transfer, or hydrogenation reactions to install a range of functional groups into the activated C–F position.

1 Introduction

2 Frustrated Lewis Pair C–F Activation

3 Conclusion