bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Runoff Variability and Sea Level on Saltwater Intrusion: A Case Study of Nandu River Estuary, China
Authors: He Wei , Zhang Jian , Yu Xiaodong , Chen Sheng , Luo Jian
Published: October 2018

Saltwater intrusion exits in estuary areas. Significant change in runoff variability (RV) has been detected in many basins, but limited research has investigated this change's effect on downstream saltwater intrusion. Using measured time series, this study has statistically detected a significant trend of increased RV and sea level (SL) rise in Nandu River Estuary, China, and analyzed their effect on the saltwater intrusion combining the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model and Monte Carlo method. The Mann‐Kendall test and Theil‐Sen estimator show that the yearly variance of the log‐transformed runoff and mean SL have significantly increased and are expected to increase by approximately 50% and 0.2 m by the 2060s, respectively, and 101% and 0.4 m by the 2100s. SL rise increases the salinity‐exceeding rate (salinity > 0.45‰, the standard for drinking water), and the increase in middle channels are higher than that of upstream and downstream channels. With an increased RV, the model‐predicted salinity‐exceeding rate decreases at downstream and increases at upstream channels, respectively. In our specific site, the location with a constant salinity‐exceeding rate is predicted to move downstream, and the maximum increase of salinity‐exceeding rate will reach 13.3% and 19.1% in the 2060s and 2100s, respectively, at the middle channel section. The results are validated in Yangtze River Estuary and are generalized to other estuaries to determine the change pattern of salinity‐exceeding rate. Moreover, a lower RV helps to extend the channel length with fresh water available and can be used as a management tool.
Hard rock landforms generate 130 km ice shelf channels through water focusing in basal corrugations
Authors: Jeofry Hafeez , Ross Neil , Le Brocq Anne , Graham Alastair G.C. , Li Jilu , Gogineni Prasad , Morlighem Mathieu , Jordan Thomas , Siegert Martin J.
Published: October 2018

Satellite imagery reveals flowstripes on Foundation Ice Stream parallel to ice flow, and meandering features on the ice-shelf that cross-cut ice flow and are thought to be formed by water exiting a well-organised subglacial system. Here, ice-penetrating radar data show flow-parallel hard-bed landforms beneath the grounded ice, and channels incised upwards into the ice shelf beneath meandering surface channels. As the ice transitions to flotation, the ice shelf incorporates a corrugation resulting from the landforms. Radar reveals the presence of subglacial water alongside the landforms, indicating a well-organised drainage system in which water exits the ice sheet as a point source, mixes with cavity water and incises upwards into a corrugation peak, accentuating the corrugation downstream. Hard-bedded landforms influence both subglacial hydrology and ice-shelf structure and, as they are known to be widespread on formerly glaciated terrain, their influence on the ice-sheet-shelf transition could be more widespread than thought previously.
Human antibodies targeting Zika virus NS1 provide protection against disease in a mouse model
Authors: Bailey Mark J. , Duehr James , Dulin Harrison , Broecker Felix , Brown Julia A. , Arumemi Fortuna O. , Bermúdez González Maria C. , Leyva-Grado Victor H. , Evans Matthew J. , Simon Viviana , Lim Jean K. , Krammer Florian , Hai Rong , Palese Peter , Tan Gene S.
Published: October 2018

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to dengue virus that can cause severe disease in humans, including microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Specific treatments and vaccines for Zika virus are not currently available. Here, we isolate and characterize four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from an infected patient that target the non-structural protein NS1. We show that while these antibodies are non-neutralizing, NS1-specific mAbs can engage FcγR without inducing antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection in vitro. Moreover, we demonstrate that mAb AA12 has protective efficacy against lethal challenges of African and Asian lineage strains of Zika virus inStat2–/–mice. Protection is Fc-dependent, as a mutated antibody unable to activate known Fc effector functions or complement is not protective in vivo. This study highlights the importance of the ZIKV NS1 protein as a potential vaccine antigen.
Direct oxygen isotope effect identifies the rate-determining step of electrocatalytic OER at an oxidic surface
Authors: Haschke Sandra , Mader Michael , Schlicht Stefanie , Roberts André M. , Angeles-Boza Alfredo M. , Barth Johannes A. C. , Bachmann Julien
Published: October 2018

Understanding the mechanism of water oxidation to dioxygen represents the bottleneck towards the design of efficient energy storage schemes based on water splitting. The investigation of kinetic isotope effects has long been established for mechanistic studies of various such reactions. However, so far natural isotope abundance determination of O2 produced at solid electrode surfaces has not been applied. Here, we demonstrate that such measurements are possible. Moreover, they are experimentally simple and sufficiently accurate to observe significant effects. Our measured kinetic isotope effects depend strongly on the electrode material and on the applied electrode potential. They suggest that in the case of iron oxide as the electrode material, the oxygen evolution reaction occurs via a rate-determining O−O bond formation via nucleophilic water attack on a ferryl unit.
Self-assembly of polycyclic supramolecules using linear metal-organic ligands
Authors: Song Bo , Kandapal Sneha , Gu Jiali , Zhang Keren , Reese Alex , Ying Yuanfang , Wang Lei , Wang Heng , Li Yiming , Wang Ming , Lu Shuai , Hao Xin-Qi , Li Xiaohong , Xu Bingqian , Li Xiaopeng
Published: October 2018

Coordination-driven self-assembly as a bottom-up approach has witnessed a rapid growth in building giant structures in the past few decades. Challenges still remain, however, within the construction of giant architectures in terms of high efficiency and complexity from simple building blocks. Inspired by the features of DNA and protein, which both have specific sequences, we herein design a series of linear building blocks with specific sequences through the coordination between terpyridine ligands and Ru(II). Different generations of polycyclic supramolecules (C1 to C5) with increasing complexity are obtained through the self-assembly with Cd(II), Fe(II) or Zn(II). The assembled structures are characterized via multi-dimensional mass spectrometry analysis as well as multi-dimensional and multinuclear NMR (1H, COSY, NOESY) analysis. Moreover, the largest two cycles C4 and C5 hierarchically assemble into ordered nanoscale structures on a graphite based on their precisely-controlled shapes and sizes with high shape-persistence.
Theory of photoinduced ultrafast switching to a spin-orbital ordered hidden phase
Authors: Li Jiajun , Strand Hugo U. R. , Werner Philipp , Eckstein Martin
Published: October 2018

Photo-induced hidden phases are often observed in materials with intertwined orders. Understanding the formation of these non-thermal phases is challenging and requires a resolution of the cooperative interplay between different orders on the ultra-short timescale. In this work, we demonstrate that non-equilibrium photo-excitations can induce a state with spin-orbital orders entirely different from the equilibrium state in the three-quarter-filled two-band Hubbard model. We identify a general mechanism governing the transition to the hidden state, which relies on a non-thermal partial melting of the intertwined orders mediated by photoinduced charge excitations in the presence of strong spin-orbital exchange interactions. Our study theoretically confirms the crucial role played by orbital degrees of freedom in the light-induced dynamics of strongly correlated materials and it shows that the switching to hidden states can be controlled already on the fs timescale of the electron dynamics.
A simple method for the inhibition of the corrosion of carbon steel by molten nitrate salt for thermal storage in concentrating solar power applications
Authors: Grosu Yaroslav , Nithiyanantham Udayashankar , Zaki Abdelali , Faik Abdessamad
Published: October 2018

Corrosion is an important issue in high-temperature applications such as Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, playing a crucial role in the long-term use of storage tanks, heat exchanger and piping materials which account for a considerable component of the investment costs. While there are many studies regarding the corrosion rates of container materials under the conditions of CSP, there is little progress in the field of their degradation prevention by anticorrosion methods. This work presents an analysis of the corrosion mechanisms between the most economical construction material—carbon steel—and molten nitrate salt. A method to protect the carbon steel against corrosion by molten salt at high temperature was proposed, involving the formation of a calcium carbonate layer on the carbon steel surface. The stability of the layer was tested under isothermal and temperature cycling conditions up to 500 °C, in both inert and air atmospheres in the presence or absence of humidity. The protection method proposed has potential to reduce investment costs for CSP technology.
Unveiling noiseless clusters in complex quantum networks
Authors: Cabot Albert , Galve Fernando , Eguíluz Víctor M. , Klemm Konstantin , Maniscalco Sabrina , Zambrini Roberta
Published: October 2018

The transport and storage of quantum information, excitations, and entanglement, within and across complex quantum networks is crucially affected by the presence of noise induced by their surroundings. Generally, the interaction with the environment deteriorates quantum properties initially present, thus limiting the efficiency of any quantum-enhanced protocol or phenomenon. This is of key relevance, for example, in the design of quantum communication networks and for understanding and controlling quantum harvesting on complex systems. Here, we show that complex quantum networks, such as random and small-world ones, can admit noiseless clusters for collective dissipation. We characterize these noiseless structures in connection to their topology addressing their abundance, extension, and configuration, as well as their robustness to noise and experimental imperfections. We show that the network degree variance controls the probability to find noiseless modes and that these are mostly spanning an even number of nodes, like breathers. For imperfections across the network, a family of quasi-noiseless modes is also identified shielded by noise up to times decreasing linearly with frequency inhomogeneities. Large noiseless components are shown to be more resilient to the presence of detuning than to differences in their coupling strengths. Finally, we investigate the emergence of both stationary and transient quantum synchronization showing that this is a rather resilient phenomenon in these networks.
Nematic pairing from orbital-selective spin fluctuations in FeSe
Authors: Benfatto Lara , Valenzuela Belén , Fanfarillo Laura
Published: October 2018

FeSe is an intriguing iron-based superconductor. It presents an unusual nematic state without magnetism and can be tuned to increase the critical superconducting temperature. Recently it has been observed a noteworthy anisotropy of the superconducting gaps. Its explanation is intimately related to the understanding of the nematic transition itself. Here, we show that the spin-nematic scenario driven by orbital-selective spin fluctuations provides a simple scheme to understand both phenomena. The pairing mediated by anisotropic spin modes is not only orbital selective but also nematic, leading to stronger pair scattering across the hole and X electron pocket. The delicate balance between orbital ordering and nematic pairing points also to a marked kz dependence of the hole–gap anisotropy.
Dirac fermions duality in graphene: Ripples and fractional dimensions as function of temperature
Authors: Flores J. C. , Palma-Chilla L.
Published: October 2018

Graphene consists of coupled direct/dual fermionic sub-systems and, consequently, the thermal properties of both are intrinsically correlated. The dual is characterized by negative temperatures, and its free energy keeps opposite sign concerning the direct. The growth of ripples in graphene becomes related to temperature rises with fractional spatial dimension ~2.19 at 300 °K. An analytical, and suitable, expression for ripples dimension as a function of temperature is presented. Further, internal energy, entropy, specific heat and free energy are evaluated as a function of temperature and dimension for both sub-systems. Free energy supports a simple, functional expression inversely proportional to ripples dimension.
Impact of long-term daylight deprivation on retinal light sensitivity, circadian rhythms and sleep during the Antarctic winter
Authors: Kawasaki A. , Wisniewski S. , Healey B. , Pattyn N. , Kunz D. , Basner M. , Münch M.
Published: October 2018

Long-term daylight deprivation such as during the Antarctic winter has been shown to lead to delayed sleep timing and sleep fragmentation. We aimed at testing whether retinal sensitivity, sleep and circadian rest-activity will change during long-term daylight deprivation on two Antarctic bases (Concordia and Halley VI) in a total of 25 healthy crew members (mean age: 34 ± 11y; 7f). The pupil responses to different light stimuli were used to assess retinal sensitivity changes. Rest-activity cycles were continuously monitored by activity watches. Overall, our data showed increased pupil responses under scotopic (mainly rod-dependent), photopic (mainly L-/M-cone dependent) as well as bright-blue light (mainly melanopsin-dependent) conditions during the time without direct sunlight. Circadian rhythm analysis revealed a significant decay of intra-daily stability, indicating more fragmented rest-activity rhythms during the dark period. Sleep and wake times (as assessed from rest-activity recordings) were significantly delayed after the first month without sunlight (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that during long-term daylight deprivation, retinal sensitivity to blue light increases, whereas circadian rhythm stability decreases and sleep-wake timing is delayed.
Autistic traits predict poor integration between top-down contextual expectations and movement kinematics during action observation
Authors: Amoruso L. , Finisguerra A. , Urgesi C.
Published: October 2018

Autism is associated with difficulties in predicting and understanding other people’s actions. There is evidence that autistic traits are distributed across a spectrum and that subclinical forms of autistic impairments can also be measured in the typical population. To investigate the association between autistic traits and motor responses to others’ actions, we quantified these traits and measured cortico-spinal excitability modulations in M1 during the observation of actions embedded in congruent, incongruent and ambiguous contexts. In keeping with previous studies, we found that actions observed in congruent contexts elicited an early facilitation of M1 responses, and actions observed in incongruent contexts, resulted in a later inhibition. Correlational analysis revealed no association between autistic traits and the facilitation for congruent contexts. However, we found a significant correlation between motor inhibition and autistic traits, specifically related to social skills and attention to details. Importantly, the influence of these factors was independent from each other, and from the observer’s gender. Thus, results suggest that individuals with higher social deficits and greater detail-processing style are more impaired in suppressing action simulation in M1 when a mismatch between kinematics and context occurs. This points to difficult integration between kinematics and contextual representations in the autistic-like brain.
Distinct amyloid distribution patterns in amyloid positive subcortical vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Jang Hyemin , Park Jong-Yun , Jang Young Kyoung , Kim Hee Jin , Lee Jin San , Na Duk L. , Noh Young , Lockhart Samuel N. , Seong Joon-Kyung , Seo Sang Won
Published: October 2018

Amyloid-β (Aβ) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) commonly coexist. They can occur independently by chance, or may interact with each other. We aimed to determine whether the distribution of Aβ in subcortical vascular cognitive impairments (SVCI) patients can be classified by the underlying pathobiologies. A total of 45 11C-Pittsburgh compound B PET positive (PiB(+)) SVCI patients were included in this study. They were classified using a new cluster analysis method which adopted the Louvain method, which finds optimal decomposition of the participants based on similarity of relative Aβ deposition pattern. We measured atherosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) markers. Forty-five PiB(+) SVCI patients were classified into two groups: 17 patients with the characteristic Alzheimer’s disease like Aβ uptake with sparing of occipital region (OccSp) and 28 patients with occipital predominant Aβ uptake (OccP). Compared to OccSp group, OccP group had more postive association of atherosclerotic CSVD score (p for interaction = 0.044), but not CAA score with occipital/global ratio of PiB uptake. Our findings suggested that Aβ positive SVCI patients might consist of heterogeneous groups with combined CSVD and Aβ resulting from various pathobiologies. Furthermore, atherosclerotic CSVD might explain increased occipital Aβ uptakes.
Exogenous Pi supplementation improved the salt tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.) by promoting Na+ exclusion
Authors: Sun Yanling , Mu Chunhua , Zheng Hongxia , Lu Shouping , Zhang Hua , Zhang Xuecai , Liu Xia
Published: October 2018

The mechanism of phosphate (Pi)-mediated salt tolerance in maize is poorly understood. In this study, the effects of Pi (H2PO4−) on the salt tolerance of two contrasting genotypes was investigated in a pot experiment. We discovered that the application of 3 mM Pi could alleviate salt injury caused by 200 mM NaCl. High amounts of compatible solutes and low amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also observed under Pi application. Consistent with the increased tolerance, the total number of roots and the growth of shoots increased to relieve salt stress. This phenomenon could be associated with the observed increased expression of nitrate transporters. Furthermore, the seedlings presented a negative relationship between sodium (Na+) and Pi (low Na+ content and high Pi content), which is related to the genes ZmNHX1, ZmPHT1;8, and ZmPHT1;9, indicating that the exclusion of Na+ was promoted by high Pi uptake. However, high Na+ and low potassium (K+) efflux were detected in the roots, and these were positively correlated with two K+ transporters. These observations indicate that Na+ exclusion was directly induced by high K+ retention rather than Pi absorption. We conclude that maize salt tolerance increased in response to Pi application by promoting Na+ exclusion.
A new mathematical approach to finding global solutions of the magnetic structure determination problem
Authors: Tomiyasu K. , Oishi-Tomiyasu R. , Matsuda M. , Matsuhira K.
Published: October 2018

Determination of magnetic structure is an important analytical procedure utilized in various fields ranging from fundamental condensed-matter physics and chemistry to advanced manufacturing. It is typically performed using a neutron diffraction technique; however, finding global solutions of the magnetic structure optimization problem represents a significant challenge. Generally, it is not possible to mathematically prove that the obtained magnetic structure is a truly global solution and that no solution exists when no acceptable structure is found. In this study, the global optimization technique called semidefinite relaxation of quadratic optimization, which has attracted much interest in the field of applied mathematics, is proposed to use as a new analytical method for the determination of magnetic structure, followed by the application of polarized neutron diffraction data. This mathematical approach allows avoiding spurious local solutions, decreasing the amount of time required to find a tentative solution and finding multiple solutions when they exist.
Cardiac-specific Conditional Knockout of the 18-kDa Mitochondrial Translocator Protein Protects from Pressure Overload Induced Heart Failure
Authors: Thai Phung N. , Daugherty Daniel J. , Frederich Bert J. , Lu Xiyuan , Deng Wenbin , Bers Donald M. , Dedkova Elena N. , Schaefer Saul
Published: October 2018

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by abnormal mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) handling, energy failure and impaired mitophagy resulting in contractile dysfunction and myocyte death. We have previously shown that the 18-kDa mitochondrial translocator protein of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TSPO) can modulate mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Experiments were designed to test the role of the TSPO in a murine pressure-overload model of HF induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Conditional, cardiac-specific TSPO knockout (KO) mice were generated using the Cre-loxP system. TSPO-KO and wild-type (WT) mice underwent TAC for 8 weeks. TAC-induced HF significantly increased TSPO expression in WT mice, associated with a marked reduction in systolic function, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, complex I activity and energetics. In contrast, TSPO-KO mice undergoing TAC had preserved ejection fraction, and exhibited fewer clinical signs of HF and fibrosis. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and energetics were restored in TSPO KO mice, associated with decreased ROS, improved complex I activity and preserved mitophagy. Thus, HF increases TSPO expression, while preventing this increase limits the progression of HF, preserves ATP production and decreases oxidative stress, thereby preventing metabolic failure. These findings suggest that pharmacological interventions directed at TSPO may provide novel therapeutics to prevent or treat HF.
Propagation of terahertz waves in a monoclinic crystal BaGa4Se7
Authors: E Yiwen , Yao Jiyong , Wang Li
Published: October 2018

The complex symmetric dielectric tensor of a monoclinic crystal cannot be diagonalized by a space rotation operation in general, which poses a serious difficulty in analyzing the propagation of electromagnetic fields in monoclinic crystals so far. This propagation issue is discussed in a general case without using the index ellipsoid scheme. It is found that, when incident waves travel along the mirror plane normal or 2-fold rotation axis of monoclinic crystals, two eigenmodes following specific dispersion relations are elliptically polarized with the same ellipticity and chirality but have spatially orthogonal elliptical principal axes. The frequency independent features are the unique manifestation of the crystal symmetry. Using polarization sensitive terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and our developed data analyzing and processing methods, three complex permittivity tensor elements for a monoclinic crystal BaGa4Se7 are straightforwardly extracted and the properties of the two eigenmodes are characterized in full. It is also interesting that the spectral components beyond 1.7 THz show a very high refraction index (>10) and low dissipation during propagation, which suggests that the bulk phonon-polariton waves may be excited and effectively propagate in the crystal, resulting from the coherent phonon excitations by the incident terahertz waves. Our results may promote to develop novel terahertz devices based on polariton excitation and propagation in monoclinic crystals.
A multiscale study of fungal endophyte communities of the foliar endosphere of native rubber trees in Eastern Amazon
Authors: Vaz Aline B. M. , Fonseca Paula L. C. , Badotti Fernanda , Skaltsas Demetra , Tomé Luiz M. R. , Silva Allefi C. , Cunha Mayara C. , Soares Marco A. , Santos Vera L. , Oliveira Guilherme , Chaverri Priscilla , Góes-Neto Aristóteles
Published: October 2018

Hevea brasiliensis is a native hyperdiverse tree species in the Amazon basin with great economic importance since it produces the highest quality natural rubber. H. brasiliensis, in its natural habitat, may harbor fungal endophytes that help defend against phytopathogenic fungi. In this work, we investigated the fungal endophytic communities in two pristine areas in Eastern Amazon (Anavilhanas National Park – ANP and Caxiuanã National Forest – CNF) at different spatial scales: regional, local, individual (tree), and intra-individual (leaflet). Using a culture-based approach, 210 fungal endophytes were isolated from 240 sampling units and assigned to 46 distinct MOTUs based on sequencing of the nrITS DNA. The community compositions of the endophytomes are different at both regional and local scales, dominated by very few taxa and highly skewed toward rare taxa, with many endophytes infrequently isolated across hosts in sampled space. Colletotrichum sp. 1, a probably latent pathogen, was the most abundant endophytic putative species and was obtained from all individual host trees in both study areas. Although the second most abundant putative species differed between the two collection sites, Clonostachys sp. 1 and Trichoderma sp. 1, they are phylogenetically related (Hypocreales) mycoparasites. Thus, they probably exhibit the same ecological function in the foliar endosphere of rubber tree as antagonists of its fungal pathogens.
Left ventricular mechanoenergetics in excised, cross-circulated rat hearts under hypo-, normo-, and hyperthermic conditions
Authors: Obata Koji , Takeshita Daisuke , Morita Hironobu , Takaki Miyako
Published: October 2018

We investigated the effects of altering cardiac temperature on left ventricular (LV) myocardial mechanical work and energetics using the excised, cross-circulated rat heart model. We analyzed the LV end-systolic pressure–volume relationship (ESPVR) and linear relationship between myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (VO2) and systolic pressure–volume area (PVA; total mechanical energy per beat) in isovolumically contracting rat hearts during hypo- (32 °C), normo- (37 °C), and hyperthermia (42 °C) under a 300-beats per minute pacing. LV ESPVR shifted downward with increasing cardiac temperature. The VO2–PVA relationship was superimposable in these different thermal conditions; however, each data point of VO2–PVA shifted left-downward during increasing cardiac temperature on the superimposable VO2–PVA relationship line. VO2 for Ca2+ handling in excitation–contraction coupling decreased, which was associated with increasing cardiac temperature, during which sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity was suppressed, due to phospholamban phosphorylation inhibition, and instead, O2 consumption for basal metabolism was increased. The O2 cost of LV contractility for Ca2+ also increased with increasing cardiac temperature. Logistic time constants evaluating LV relaxation time were significantly shortened with increasing cardiac temperature related to the acceleration of the detachment in cross-bridge (CB) cycling, indicating increased myosin ATPase activity. The results suggested that increasing cardiac temperature induced a negative inotropic action related to SERCA activity suppression in Ca2+ handling and increased myosin ATPase activity in CB cycling. We concluded that thermal intervention could modulate cardiac inotropism by changing CB cycling, Ca2+ handling, and basal metabolism in rat hearts.
An omnipresent diversity and variability in the chemical composition of atmospheric functionalized organic aerosol
Authors: Ditto Jenna C. , Barnes Emily B. , Khare Peeyush , Takeuchi Masayuki , Joo Taekyu , Bui Alexander A. T. , Lee-Taylor Julia , Eris Gamze , Chen Yunle , Aumont Bernard , Jimenez Jose L. , Ng Nga Lee , Griffin Robert J. , Gentner Drew R.
Published: October 2018

The atmospheric evolution of organic compounds encompasses many thousands of compounds with varying volatility, polarity, and water solubility. The molecular-level chemical composition of this mixture plays a major, yet uncertain, role in its transformations and impacts. Here we perform a non-targeted molecular-level intercomparison of functionalized organic aerosol from three diverse field sites and a chamber. Despite similar bulk composition, we report large molecular-level variability between multi-hour organic aerosol samples at each site, with 66 ± 13% of functionalized compounds differing between consecutive samples. Single precursor environmental laboratory chamber experiments and fully chemically-explicit modeling confirm this variability is due to changes in emitted precursors, chemical age, and/or oxidation conditions. These molecular-level results demonstrate greater compositional variability than is typically observed in less-speciated measurements, such as bulk elemental composition, which tend to show less daily variability. These observations should inform future field and laboratory studies, including assessments of the effects of variability on aerosol properties and ultimately the development of strategic organic aerosol parameterizations for air quality and climate models.
Carbon nanospheres with dual-color emission and their application in ratiometric pyrophosphate sensing
Authors: Wang Zhong-Xia , Gao Yuan-Fei , Yu Xian-He , Kong Fen-Ying , Wang Wen-Juan , Lv Wei-Xin , Wang Wei
Published: October 2018

Herein, we employ pH-dependent solubility equilibrium to develop the one-pot aqueous synthesis of dual-color emission fluorescent carbon nanosphere (DFCSs) with novel physicochemical properties.
An evaporation induced self-assembly approach to prepare polymorphic carbon dot fluorescent nanoprobes for protein labelling
Authors: Li Lei , Lian Zhongyu , Yan Xi , Xia Meng , Zhang Mingcui
Published: October 2018

Herein, we report a novel route to prepare polymorphic carbon dot fluorescent probes via the evaporation-induced self-assembly of glutaraldehyde and carbon dots, which first usually form carbon nanoclusters which then could self-assemble to form carbon nanocrystals, nanospheres or nanofibers in different ionic strength solutions at room temperature.
Asynchrony of spectral blue-shifts of quantum dot based digital homogeneous immunoassay
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Huang Conghui , Dong Xiuling , Liang Aiye , Zhang Yusu , Zhang Qingquan , Wang Qi , Gai Hongwei
Published: October 2018

We present a femtomolar digital homogeneous immunoassay for the detection of cancer biomarkers.
Exploring the electronic structure and speciation of aqueous and colloidal Pu with high energy resolution XANES and computations
Authors: Vitova Tonya , Pidchenko Ivan , Fellhauer David , Pruessmann Tim , Bahl Sebastian , Dardenne Kathy , Yokosawa Tadahiro , Schimmelpfennig Bernd , Altmaier Marcus , Denecke Melissa , Rothe Jörg , Geckeis Horst
Published: October 2018

Pu L3 HR-XANES fingerprints loss of inversion symmetry: rising pre-edge (d,e), shorter A–B distance (d,e), split Pu d-DOS (e).
An ultrafine ruthenium nanocrystal with extremely high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline media
Authors: Li Yutong , Chu Fuqiang , Liu Yang , Kong Yong , Tao Yongxin , Li Yongxin , Qin Yong
Published: October 2018

An ultrafine ruthenium nanocrystal with high crystallinity features remarkable performance in the electro-catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline media.
The excess electron in polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Saiz Fernan , Quirke Nick
Published: October 2018

We have used ab initio molecular dynamics and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory to evaluate the energy and localisation of excess electrons at a number of representative interfaces of polymer nanocomposites.
Triplet electron transfer and spin polarization in a palladium porphyrin–fullerene conjugate
Authors: Poddutoori Prashanth K. , Kandrashkin Yuri E. , Obondi Christopher O. , D'Souza Francis , van der Est Art
Published: October 2018

Transient electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy is used to investigate the pathway and dynamics of electron transfer in a palladium porphyrin–fullerene donor–acceptor conjugate.
Atmospheric chemistry of hexa- and penta-fluorobenzene: UV photolysis and kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals
Authors: Sulbaek Andersen Mads P. , Lengkong Jonathan W. , Wallberg Jens , Hasager Freja , Vo Karen , Andersen Simone Thirstrup , Kjaergaard Henrik G. , Wallington Timothy J. , Nielsen Ole John
Published: October 2018

Chamber studies show that the atmospheric fates of aromatic Cl- and OH adducts are very different.
An electro-elastic theory for the mechanically-assisted photo-induced spin transition in core–shell spin-crossover nanoparticles
Authors: Slimani Ahmed , Boukheddaden Kamel
Published: October 2018

The development of heterostructure materials may lead to new features that cannot be obtained with natural materials.
Dimers of acetic acid in helium nanodroplets
Authors: Davies Julia A. , Hanson-Heine Magnus W. D. , Besley Nicholas A. , Shirley Andrew , Trowers James , Yang Shengfu , Ellis Andrew M.
Published: October 2018

Two metastable dimers are created inside superfluid helium and studied using infrared spectroscopy to provide insight into condensed phase structures.
Composite cluster-organic frameworks based on polyoxometalates and copper/cobalt–oxygen clusters
Authors: Li Xin-Xiong , Deng Chu-Chu , Zhao Dan , Yu Hao , Zeng Qing-Xin , Zheng Shou-Tian
Published: October 2018

The first two cluster organic frameworks based on Anderson-type polyoxometalates and copper/cobalt-oxo cluster secondary building units have been successfully made under solvothermal conditions.
Morphology-based prediction of cancer cell migration using an artificial neural network and a random decision forest
Authors: Zhang Zhixiong , Chen Lili , Humphries Brock , Brien Riley , Wicha Max S. , Luker Kathryn E. , Luker Gary D. , Chen Yu-Chih , Yoon Euisik
Published: October 2018

Cell migratory direction and speed are predicted based on morphological features using computer vision and machine learning algorithms.
Synthesis ofd-(+)-camphor-basedN-acylhydrazones and their antiviral activity
Authors: Kovaleva Kseniya S. , Zubkov Fedor I. , Bormotov Nikolay I. , Novikov Roman A. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Gatilov Yuriy V. , Zarubaev Vladimir V. , Yarovaya Olga I. , Shishkina Larisa N. , Salakhutdinov Nariman F.
Published: October 2018

CamphorN-acylhydrazones showed promising antiviral activity towards vaccinia and influenza viruses.
Insights on the solvatochromic effects in N-doped yellow-orange emissive carbon dots
Authors: Arshad Farwa , Pal Ayan , Rahman Md Atiur , Ali Maroof , Khan Javed Alam , Sk Md Palashuddin
Published: October 2018

We have demonstrated a rapid and facile synthetic method to prepare N-doped Cdots that has excitation independent-emission in yellow-orange region. The Cdots showed solvatochromic behavior in different solvents due to change in solvent polarity illustrating n → π* transition (edge band).
Catalytic carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM): a versatile strategy for alkyne bifunctionalization
Authors: Pei Chao , Zhang Cheng , Qian Yu , Xu Xinfang
Published: October 2018

Cascade reactions involving a catalytic carbene/alkyne metathesis (CAM) process through a vinyl carbene intermediate provide an efficient and step-economic approach for the construction of polycyclic frameworks with structural diversity.
A multifunctional microporous metal–organic framework: efficient adsorption of iodine and column-chromatographic dye separation
Authors: Yao Chan , Wang Wei , Zhang Shu-Ran , Li Hui-Ying , Xu Yan-Hong , Su Zhong-Min , Che Guang-Bo
Published: October 2018

JLNU-4 shows excellent uptake of iodine and could selectively adsorb dyes; therefore it can be used for column-chromatographic dye separation.
Self-assembling, macroscopically oriented, polymer filaments; a doubly nematic organogel
Authors: Gleeson Helen F. , Liu Harry , Kaur Sarabjot , Srigengan Shajeth , Görtz V. , Mandle Richard , Lydon John E.
Published: October 2018

A mixture of 10% of a bent-core liquid crystal in 5CB self-assembles into a soft solid with both gel- and polymer-like properties. The nanoscale structure with filaments aligned by the nematic environment, is remarkably similar to self-assembled structures in chitin and collagen.
The sol–gel transition of ultra-low solid content TEMPO-cellulose nanofibril/mixed-linkage β-glucan bionanocomposite gels
Authors: Arola Suvi , Ansari Mahmoud , Oksanen Antti , Retulainen Elias , Hatzikiriakos Savvas G. , Brumer Harry
Published: October 2018

Ultra-low solid content gels were prepared by physically cross-linking TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TEMPO-CNF) with the plant-cell-wall polysaccharide, mixed-linkage β-glucan (MLG).
Potential role of a series of lysine-/leucine-rich antimicrobial peptide in inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation
Authors: Dong Weibing , Zhu Xin , Zhou Xuan , Yang Ying , Yan Xin , Sun Li , Shang Dejing
Published: October 2018

Antimicrobial peptides have broad-spectrum killing activities against bacteria, enveloped viruses, fungi and several parasites via cell membrane permeation and exhibit primarily immunomodulatory and anti-infective functions in their interactions with host cells. However, the mechanism underlying their anti-inflammatory activity remains to be elucidated. L-K6, an analog of temporin-1CEb isolated from the skin secretion of Rana chensinensis, has demonstrated a wide range of antimicrobial activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. In this study, the potent anti-inflammatory mechanism of L-K6 and its analogs in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human macrophage U937 cells were evaluated. We found that L-K6 suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors by two downstream signaling components in the MyD88-dependent pathway, including the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the NF (nuclear factor)-κB signaling pathway, but its analog L-K5, which had the same amino acid sequence as L-K6 but no Lys residue at the –COOH terminal, only inhibited the phosphorylation of I-κB and NF-κB. Importantly, L-K6 and L-K5 were actively taken up by U937 cells through an independent cell membrane disruption mechanism and were eventually localized to the perinuclear region. The L-K6 uptake process was mediated by endocytosis, but L-K5 was specifically taken up by U937 cells via TLR4 endocytosis. Our results demonstrated that L-K6 can neutralize LPS and diassociate LPS micelles to inhibit LPS from triggering the proinflammatory signaling pathway, and by partially inhibiting inflammatory responses by the intracellular target. However, L-K5 may mainly inhibit proinflammatory responses by intracellular reporters to modulate the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Effect of ageing on friction of human fingers
Authors: Mabuchi Kiyoshi , Sakai Rina , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Ujihira Masanobu
Published: October 2018

Friction is an essential property of human fingers. Numerous studies have reported factors influencing finger friction. Friction on metal and plastic surfaces was measured because slipping of fingers could significantly affect industrial machine handling. By contrast, office workers may complain of fingers slipping on a paper surface, and lament that ageing reduces the friction of their fingers. The effect of ageing on finger friction against paper has not yet been studied. To clarify the effect of ageing, the authors measured finger friction on paper sheets, and discussed skin moisture as an important factor.
Cold gas in the early Universe
Authors: Heintz K. E. , Ledoux C. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Jakobsson P. , Noterdaeme P. , Krogager J.-K. , Bolmer J. , Møller P. , Vergani S. D. , Watson D. , Zafar T. , De Cia A. , Tanvir N. R. , Malesani D. B. , Japelj J. , Covino S. , Kaper L.
Published: October 2018

We present a survey for neutral atomic-carbon (C I) along gamma-ray burst (GRB) sightlines, which probes the shielded neutral gas-phase in the interstellar medium (ISM) of GRB host galaxies at high redshift. We compile a sample of 29 medium- to high-resolution GRB optical afterglow spectra spanning a redshift range through most of cosmic time from 1 <  z <  6. We find that seven (≈25%) of the GRBs entering our statistical sample have C I detected in absorption. It is evident that there is a strong excess of cold gas in GRB hosts compared to absorbers in quasar sightlines. We investigate the dust properties of the GRB C I absorbers and find that the amount of neutral carbon is positively correlated with the visual extinction, AV, and the strength of the 2175 Å dust extinction feature, Abump. GRBs with C I detected in absorption are all observed above a certain threshold of logN(H I)/cm−2 + [X/H] > 20.7 and a dust-phase iron column density of logN(Fe)dust/cm−2 > 16.2. In contrast to the SED-derived dust properties, the strength of the C I absorption does not correlate with the depletion-derived dust properties. This indicates that the GRB C I absorbers trace dusty systems where the dust composition is dominated by carbon-rich dust grains. The observed higher metal and dust column densities of the GRB C I absorbers compared to H2- and C I-bearing quasar absorbers is mainly a consequence of how the two absorber populations are selected, but is also required in the presence of intense UV radiation fields in actively star-forming galaxies.
TESS’s first planet
Authors: Gandolfi D. , Barragán O. , Livingston J. H. , Fridlund M. , Justesen A. B. , Redfield S. , Fossati L. , Mathur S. , Grziwa S. , Cabrera J. , García R. A. , Persson C. M. , Van Eylen V. , Hatzes A. P. , Hidalgo D. , Albrecht S. , Bugnet L. , Cochran W. D. , Csizmadia Sz. , Deeg H. , Eigmüller Ph. , Endl M. , Erikson A. , Esposito M. , Guenther E. , Korth J. , Luque R. , Montañes Rodríguez P. , Nespral D. , Nowak G. , Pätzold M. , Prieto-Arranz J.
Published: October 2018

We report on the confirmation and mass determination of π Men c, the first transiting planet discovered by NASA’s TESS space mission. π Men is a naked-eye (V = 5.65 mag), quiet G0 V star that was previously known to host a sub-stellar companion (π Men b) on a longperiod (Porb = 2091 days), eccentric (e = 0.64) orbit. Using TESS time-series photometry, combined with Gaia data, published UCLES at AAT Doppler measurements, and archival HARPS at ESO-3.6m radial velocities, we found that π Men c is a close-in planet with an orbital period of Porb = 6.27 days, a mass of Mc = 4.52 ± 0.81 M⊕, and a radius of Rc = 2.06 ± 0.03 R⊕. Based on the planet’s orbital period and size, π Men c is a super-Earth located at, or close to, the radius gap, while its mass and bulk density suggest it may have held on to a significant atmosphere. Because of the brightness of the host star, this system is highly suitable for a wide range of further studies to characterize the planetary atmosphere and dynamical properties. We also performed an asteroseismic analysis of the TESS data and detected a hint of power excess consistent with the seismic values expected for this star, although this result depends on the photometric aperture used to extract the light curve. This marginal detection is expected from pre-launch simulations hinting at the asteroseismic potential of the TESS mission for longer, multi-sector observations and/or for more evolved bright stars.
Rediscovery and elaborate description ofPlatycephalus cultellatusRichardson, 1846 collected from the coastal waters of South China Sea
Authors: Chen Zhi , Song Na , Zou Jianwei , Gao Tianxiang
Published: October 2018

Platycephalus cultellatusRichardson, 1846 was originally found and named in its type locality, Canton, Guangdong Province, China. However, this species was very rare in the coastal waters of China. Except that Qin et al. simply mentioned the original literature records of this species in 2013, no Chinese taxonomy books or publications have ever recorded or described localP. cultellatus. We collectedP. cultellatusindividuals from the coastal waters of South China Sea and gave valid identification and detailed descriptions of this species. The diacritically meristic counts were listed as follows: first dorsal fin usually with two small isolated spine anteriorly; second dorsal-fin and anal-fin usually with 13 soft rays; pectoral fin usually with 17–19 soft rays and without very small dark spots; caudal fin with 3–6 horizontal blackish bands, but without yellow marking on the middle when fresh; gill rakers 7–10 and pored lateral line scales 65–76. These conclusive characters were consistent with typicalP. cultellatusindividuals and could thoroughly separate them from otherPlatycephalusspecies. The fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA was also sequenced for the classification of specimens. The mean genetic distance withinP. cultellatuswas 0.25%, net genetic distance betweenP. cultellatusand other 14 species of the genusPlatycephalusranged from 11.59 to 25.48%. The phylogenetic analysis supported the validity ofP. cultellatusexisted in the coastal waters of South China Sea. This study will contribute to species identification within this genus distributed in Chinese seas.
Critical Factor of E-Learning Component using HELAM and AHP
Authors: Lukhayu Pritalia Generosa , Djoko Budiyanto Setyohadi , Triani Dewi Luciana , Kusrohmaniah Sri
Published: October 2018

Today’s e-learning is an essential component of an education process, especially in higher education. The performance of education process can be improved significantly when higher education applies e-learning. Furthermore, much higher educations use e-learning, however many of them fail to use e-learning since they do not investigate the critical component of e-learning which suitable for their institution. This paper proposes how to identify the critical factor of e-learning in higher education using Hexagonal E-learning Assessment Model (HELAM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Using two type of student regarding the use of e-learning, i.e., the student who everyday use e-learning and not. Our study shows that the most critical factor chosen by intense students using e-learning is Course Management factor, while the most critical factor for not intense students is Knowledgeable. From the results of this study can be concluded that the students already have the confidence and ability that are high in using e-learning sites, but support and encouragement are also needed to motivate them in the use of e-learning. Such motivation can be their private lecture site management services as well as support and training so that students can be well-informed about e-learning sites.