bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collision-less shocks and solitons in dense laser-produced Fermi plasma
Authors: Goswami J. , Chandra S. , Sarkar J. , Chaudhuri S. , Ghosh B.
Published: January 2020

The theoretical investigation of shocks and solitary structures in a dense quantum plasma containing electrons at finite temperature, nondegenerate cold electrons, and stationary ions has been carried out. A linear dispersion relation is derived for the corresponding electron acoustic waves. The solitary structures of small nonlinearity have been studied by using the standard reductive perturbation method. We have considered collisions to be absent, and the shocks arise out of viscous force. Furthermore, with the help of a standard reductive perturbation technique, a KdV–Burger equation has been derived and analyzed numerically. Under limiting cases, we have also obtained the KdV solitary profiles and studied the parametric dependence. The results are important in explaining the many phenomena of the laser–plasma interaction of dense plasma showing quantum effects.
A novel fusion reactor with chain reactions for proton–boron11
Authors: Eliezer Shalom , Martinez-Val Jose M.
Published: January 2020

Using a combination of laser–plasma interactions and magnetic confinement configurations, a conceptual fusion reactor is proposed in this paper. Our reactor consists of the following: (1) A background plasma of boron11 and hydrogen ions, plus electrons, is generated and kept for a certain time, with densities of the order of a mg/cm3 and temperatures of tens of eV. Both the radiation level and the plasma thermal pressure are thus very low. (2) A plasma channel is induced in a solid target by irradiation with a high power laser that creates a very intense shock wave. This mechanism conveys the acceleration of protons in the laser direction. The mechanisms must be tuned for the protons to reach a kinetic energy of 300–1200 keV where the pB11 fusion cross section is significantly large (note that this value is not a temperature). (3) Those ultra-fast protons enter the background plasma and collide with boron11 to produce three alphas. Fusion born alphas collide with protons of the plasma and accelerate them causing a chain reaction. (4) A combination of an induction current and a magnetic bottle keeps the chain reaction process going on, for a pulse long enough to get a high energy gain. (5) Materials for the background plasma and the laser target must be replaced for starting a new chain reaction cycle.
No transposition in Harmonic Serialism
Authors: Takahashi Chikako
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a Harmonic Serialism analysis of synchronic metathesis, and proposes to eliminate transposition as an atomic operation, instead analysing metathesis as a result of the sequential application of simpler operations. The analysis of phase alternations in Rotuman offers a unified account of metathesis, deletion and umlaut as all undergoing splitting followed by fusion. A non-transposition analysis of multiple metathesis in Kwara'ae shows that a prosodically motivated locality restriction on the splitting domain is crucial in deriving the attested patterns. CC metathesis in Balangao is analysed as fusion followed by splitting. Eliminating transposition has several benefits: (a) it simplifies the inventory of operations in Harmonic Serialism, (b) it correctly predicts the locality restrictions on metathesis patterns with smaller constraint sets and (c) it accounts for the differences observed in the segment types involved in CV(VC)vs.CC metathesis.
City of culture, city of transformation: bringing together the urban past and urban present in The Hull Blitz Trail
Authors: Tomlinson Charlotte
Published: January 2020

During World War II, Hull suffered from an intensity of bombing which made it one of the most heavily blitzed cities in Britain. Air raids fundamentally reshaped the history of the Yorkshire port city. In 2017, 75 years later, Hull's year as UK City of Culture marked another period of change and development. This article explores how one public history project, The Hull Blitz Trail, brought these two moments of urban transformation together, and reflects on some of the benefits and challenges of taking urban history beyond the academy. It outlines how public engagement projects can become more meaningful, more engaging and more ‘impactful’ if we carefully consider the physical and cultural landscape of the city today, as much as the histories themselves. However, combining the urban past and present influences our work in powerful ways, shaping the histories we are able to share, and how we share them.
Ready-to-eat cereal fortification: a modelling study on the impact of changing ready-to-eat cereal fortification levels on population intake of nutrients
Authors: Smith Jessica D , Jain Neha , Bailey Regan L
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal is an important source of nutrients in the American diet. Recent regulatory changes to labelling requirements may impact the fortification of RTE cereal. We used an evidence-based approach to optimize the fortification of RTE cereal considering current dietary patterns and nutrition policy.

Design:

A US modelling study of cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. The percentage of the population below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and above the Upper Tolerable Intake Level (UL) was modelled under three scenarios: baseline, zero fortification and optimized fortification.

Setting:

USA.

Participants:

Toddlers aged 1–3 years, n 559; children aged 4–12 years, n 1540; adolescents aged 13–18 years, n 992; and adults aged ≥19 years, n 576.

Results:

Comparing current with optimized fortification, nutrient/100 g RTE cereal decreased for vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, Ca and Fe (by 2–82 %). The amount of vitamins C and D increased (by 13 and 50 %, respectively). Among RTE cereal eaters, these changes resulted in modest increases in the percentage of the population aged ≥1 year below the EAR (+0·5 to +11·5 percentage points). Decreases were observed in the percentage of the population above the UL.

Conclusions:

Fortification of RTE cereal can be optimized to provide key nutrients and minimize the percentage of the population below the EAR and above the UL. Dietary intake modelling is useful to ensure that RTE cereal continues to help the population meet their nutrient needs.
Scotland’s Progressive Rhetoric: Devolution and Carer’s Allowance
Authors: Cantillon Sara , Kirk Eleanor
Published: January 2020

The Scotland Act 2016 devolved powers over eleven social security benefits (including Carer’s Allowance) providing Scotland with some, albeit limited, opportunity to differentiate itself in terms of welfare policy progressivity. The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 set out the strategy for supporting those who limit their employment or educational enrolment due to the responsibility of caring for an adult or child with a health condition. Using a microsimulation of Scottish data from the Family Resource Survey, this article explores the potential impact, on income and poverty rates of carer households, of raising the level of CA by various amounts and by changing the eligibility criteria. It concludes that, while the Scottish Government’s ambitions are too modest to fully support their progressive rhetoric, or to change the overall income inequality landscape, the reforms in targeted policy do make a substantial difference to the lived experience to carers in poverty and, by extension, to the receipt of that care.
Primer for a New World
Authors: Vincke Estefanía Yunes
Published: January 2020

The Cartilla para enseñar a leer (1569), attributed to Flemish Franciscan Pedro de Gante, was one of the most important primers from the early years of the viceroyalty of New Spain. Nevertheless, the primer's importance during the process of cultural contact has been largely ignored. As did other primers of the period, the Cartilla contained the most important prayers, but what sets the Cartilla aside is that its selection of prayers is presented in a trilingual version, in Castilian, Latin, and Nahuatl. The content of the Cartilla invites the question as to why Gante, a missionary focused on writing doctrinal works in Nahuatl, would compose a primer that is trilingual, but raises another that is perhaps more perplexing: Why were most of the prayers in Castilian? In this article, I intend to shed a light on Gante's decision to create a complex tool that could be employed by a mixed audience of Castilian, creole, mestizo and Nahua children. By doing this, Gante unwittingly started a process of cultural contact in which language played a pivotal role. The Cartilla thus presents itself as a multifaceted tool that helped shaped the culture of the Basin of Mexico during the early years of the viceroyalty.
miR-130a and Tgfβ Content in Extracellular Vesicles Derived from the Serum of Subjects at High Cardiovascular Risk Predicts their In-Vivo Angiogenic Potential
Authors: Cavallari Claudia , Figliolini Federico , Tapparo Marta , Cedrino Massimo , Trevisan Alessandra , Positello Lorenza , Rispoli Pietro , Solini Anna , Migliaretti Giuseppe , Camussi Giovanni , Brizzi Maria Felice
Published: January 2020

Serum-derived extracellular vesicles (sEV) from healthy donors displayin-vivopro-angiogenic properties. To identify patients that may benefit from autologous sEV administration for pro-angiogenic purposes, sEV angiogenic capability has been evaluated in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects (D), in obese individuals with (OD) and without (O) T2DM, and in subjects with ischemic disease (IC) (9 patients/group). sEV display different angiogenic properties in such cluster of individuals. miRNomic profile and TGFβ content in sEV were evaluated. We found that miR-130a and TGFβ content correlates with sEVin-vitroandin-vivoangiogenic properties, particularly in T2DM patients. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified a number of genes as among the most significant miR-130a interactors. Gain-of-function experiments recognized homeoboxA5 (HOXA5) as a miR-130a specific target. Finally, ROC curve analyses revealed that sEV ineffectiveness could be predicted (Likelihood Ratio+ (LH+) = 3.3 IC 95% from 2.6 to 3.9) by comparing miR-130a and TGFβ content ‘in Series’. We demonstrate that sEV from high cardiovascular risk patients have different angiogenic properties and that miR-130a and TGFβ sEV content predicts ‘true ineffective sEVs’. These results provide the rationale for the use of these assays to identify patients that may benefit from autologous sEV administration to boost the angiogenetic process.
Pro-inflammatory macrophages coupled with glycolysis remodel adipose vasculature by producing platelet-derived growth factor-B in obesity
Authors: Onogi Yasuhiro , Wada Tsutomu , Okekawa Akira , Matsuzawa Takatoshi , Watanabe Eri , Ikeda Keisuke , Nakano Minoru , Kitada Munehiro , Koya Daisuke , Tsuneki Hiroshi , Sasaoka Toshiyasu
Published: January 2020

Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) play a central role in tissue remodeling and homeostasis. However, whether ATMs promote adipose angiogenesis in obesity remains unclear. We examined the impact of ATMs deletion on adipose angiogenesis and tissue expansion in the epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice by using liposome-encapsulated clodronate. We further elucidated the induction mechanisms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B in macrophages in response to obesity-associated metabolic stresses, since it plays a significant role in the regulation of pericyte behavior for the initiation of neoangiogenesis during tissue expansion. ATM depletion prevented adipose tissue expansion in HFD-fed mice by inhibiting pericyte detachment from vessels, resulting in less vasculature in eWAT. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and high glucose concentration augmented glucose incorporation and glycolytic capacity with the induction of Pdgfb mRNA. This effect was mediated through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) among mitogen-activated protein kinases coupled with glycolysis in RAW264.7 macrophages. The Pdgfb induction system was distinct from that of inflammatory cytokines mediated by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and NFκB signaling. Thus, obesity-associated hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation fuels ERK signaling coupled with glycolysis in pro-inflammatory macrophages, which contribute to the expansion of eWAT through PDGF-B-dependent vascular remodeling.
Syntaxin-3 is dispensable for basal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in postsynaptic hippocampal CA1 neurons
Authors: Shi Shan , Ma Ke , Bin Na-Ryum , Harada Hidekiyo , Xie Xiaoyu , Huang Mengjia , Liu Haiyu , Lee Soomin , Wang Xue Fan , Adachi Roberto , Monnier Philippe P. , Zhang Liang , Sugita Shuzo
Published: January 2020

Recent evidence suggests that SNARE fusion machinery play critical roles in postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor trafficking, which is essential for synaptic plasticity. However, the key SNAREs involved remain highly controversial; syntaxin-3 and syntaxin-4 are leading candidates for the syntaxin isoform underlying postsynaptic plasticity. In a previous study, we showed that pyramidal-neuron specific conditional knockout (cKO) of syntaxin-4 significantly reduces basal transmission, synaptic plasticity and impairs postsynaptic receptor trafficking. However, this does not exclude a role for syntaxin-3 in such processes. Here, we generated and analyzed syntaxin-3 cKO mice. Extracellular field recordings in hippocampal slices showed that syntaxin-3 cKO did not exhibit significant changes in CA1 basal neurotransmission or in paired-pulse ratios. Importantly, there were no observed differences during LTP in comparison to control mice. Syntaxin-3 cKO mice performed similarly as the controls in spatial and contextual learning tasks. Consistent with the minimal effects of syntaxin-3 cKO, syntaxin-3 mRNA level was very low in hippocampal and cortex pyramidal neurons, but strongly expressed in the corpus callosum and caudate axon fibers. Together, our data suggest that syntaxin-3 is dispensable for hippocampal basal neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, and further supports the notion that syntaxin-4 is the major isoform mediating these processes.
Temperature distribution in driven granular mixtures does not depend on mechanism of energy dissipation
Authors: Bodrova Anna S. , Osinsky Alexander , Brilliantov Nikolai V.
Published: January 2020

We study analytically and numerically the distribution of granular temperatures in granular mixtures for different dissipation mechanisms of inelastic inter-particle collisions. Both driven and force-free systems are analyzed. We demonstrate that the simplified model of a constant restitution coefficient fails to predict even qualitatively a granular temperature distribution in a homogeneous cooling state. At the same time we reveal for driven systems a stunning result – the distribution of temperatures in granular mixtures is universal. That is, it does not depend on a particular dissipation mechanism of inter-particles collisions, provided the size distributions of particles is steep enough. The results of the analytic theory are compared with simulation results obtained by the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC). The agreement between the theory and simulations is perfect. The reported results may have important consequences for fundamental science as well as for numerous application, e.g. for the experimental modelling in a lab of natural processes.
Oropharyngeal microbiome of a college population following a meningococcal disease outbreak
Authors: Retchless Adam C. , Kretz Cécilia B. , Rodriguez-Rivera Lorraine D. , Chen Alexander , Soeters Heidi M. , Whaley Melissa J. , Wang Xin
Published: January 2020

Asymptomatic oropharyngeal carriage ofNeisseria meningitidispeaks in adolescence and young adulthood. Following a meningococcal disease outbreak at a U.S. college, we profiled the oropharyngeal microbiomes of 158 students to identify associations between bacterial community composition and meningococcal carriage or risk factors for carriage, including male gender, smoking, and frequent social mixing. Metagenomic shotgun sequencing identified 268 bacterial taxa at the genus or species level, withStreptococcus, Veillonella, andRothiaspecies being most abundant. Microbiome composition showed weak associations with meningococcal carriage and risk factors for carriage.N. meningitidisabundance was positively correlated with that ofFusobacterium nucleatum, consistent with hypothesized propionic acid cross-feeding. Additional species had positive abundance correlations withN. meningitidis, includingAggregatibacter aphrophilus,Campylobacter rectus,Catonella morbi,Haemophilus haemolyticus, andParvimonas micra.N. meningitidisabundance was negatively correlated with unidentifiedVeillonellaspecies. Several of these species are commonly found in dental plaque, whileN. meningitidisis primarily found in the pharynx, suggesting that ecological interactions extend throughout the oral cavity. Although risk factors for meningococcal carriage do not strongly impact most bacterial species in the oropharynx, variation in the upper respiratory tract microbiome may create conditions that are more or less favorable forN. meningitidiscarriage.
Radiation-induced alterations in immunogenicity of a murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line
Authors: Schröter Philipp , Hartmann Laura , Osen Wolfram , Baumann Daniel , Offringa Rienk , Eisel David , Debus Jürgen , Eichmüller Stefan B. , Rieken Stefan
Published: January 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is highlighted by resistance to radiotherapy with the possible exception of hypofractionated irradiation. As single photon doses were reported to increase immunogenicity, we investigated dose-dependent irradiation effects on clonogenic survival, expression of immunologically relevant cell surface molecules and susceptibility to cytotoxic T cell (CTL) mediated killing using a murine PDA cell line. Clonogenicity decreased in a dose-responsive manner showing enhanced radioresistance at single photon doses below 5 Gy. Cell cycle analysis revealed a predominant G2/M arrest, being most pronounced 12 h after irradiation. Polyploidy increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner reaching a maximum frequency 60 h following irradiation with 10 Gy. Irradiation increased surface expression of MHC class I molecules and of immunological checkpoint molecules PDL-1 and CD73, especially at doses ≥ 5 Gy, but not of MHC class II molecules and CXCR4 receptors. Cytotoxicity assays revealed increased CTL lysis of PDA cells at doses ≥ 5 Gy. For the PDA cell line investigated, our data show for the first time that single photon doses ≥ 5 Gy effectively inhibit colony formation and induce a G2/M cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, expression levels of immunomodulatory cell surface molecules became altered possibly enhancing the susceptibility of tumour cells to CTL lysis.
Characterizing the microbiomes of Antarctic sponges: a functional metagenomic approach
Authors: Moreno-Pino Mario , Cristi Antonia , Gillooly James F. , Trefault Nicole
Published: January 2020

Relatively little is known about the role of sponge microbiomes in the Antarctic marine environment, where sponges may dominate the benthic landscape. Specifically, we understand little about how taxonomic and functional diversity contributes to the symbiotic lifestyle and aids in nutrient cycling. Here we use functional metagenomics to investigate the community composition and metabolic potential of microbiomes from two abundant Antarctic sponges, Leucetta antarctica and Myxilla sp. Genomic and taxonomic analyses show that both sponges harbor a distinct microbial community with high fungal abundance, which differs from the surrounding seawater. Functional analyses reveal both sponge-associated microbial communities are enriched in functions related to the symbiotic lifestyle (e.g., CRISPR system, Eukaryotic-like proteins, and transposases), and in functions important for nutrient cycling. Both sponge microbiomes possessed genes necessary to perform processes important to nitrogen cycling (i.e., ammonia oxidation, nitrite oxidation, and denitrification), and carbon fixation. The latter indicates that Antarctic sponge microorganisms prefer light-independent pathways for CO2 fixation mediated by chemoautotrophic microorganisms. Together, these results show how the unique metabolic potential of two Antarctic sponge microbiomes help these sponge holobionts survive in these inhospitable environments, and contribute to major nutrient cycles of these ecosystems.
Transcriptome analysis of fibroblasts from schizophrenia patients reveals differential expression of schizophrenia-related genes
Authors: Etemadikhah Mitra , Niazi Adnan , Wetterberg Lennart , Feuk Lars
Published: January 2020

Schizophrenia is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with high rate of morbidity and mortality. While the heritability rate is high, the precise etiology is still unknown. Although schizophrenia is a central nervous system disorder, studies using peripheral tissues have also been established to search for patient specific biomarkers and to increase understanding of schizophrenia etiology. Among all peripheral tissues, fibroblasts stand out as they are easy to obtain and culture. Furthermore, they keep genetic stability for long period and exhibit molecular similarities to cells from nervous system. Using a unique set of fibroblast samples from a genetically isolated population in northern Sweden, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing to compare differentially expressed genes in seven controls and nine patients. We found differential fibroblast expression between cases and controls for 48 genes, including eight genes previously implicated in schizophrenia or schizophrenia related pathways; HGF, PRRT2, EGR1, EGR3, C11orf87, TLR3, PLEKHH2 and PIK3CD. Weighted gene correlation network analysis identified three differentially co-expressed networks of genes significantly-associated with schizophrenia. All three modules were significantly suppressed in patients compared to control, with one module highly enriched in genes involved in synaptic plasticity, behavior and synaptic transmission. In conclusion, our results support the use of fibroblasts for identification of differentially expressed genes in schizophrenia and highlight dysregulation of synaptic networks as an important mechanism in schizophrenia.
Sea-Island-Like Morphology of CuNi Bimetallic Nanoparticles Uniformly Anchored on Single Layer Graphene Oxide as a Highly Efficient and Noble-Metal-Free Catalyst for Cyanation of Aryl Halides
Authors: Mayakrishnan Gopiraman , Elayappan Vijayakumar , Kim Ick Soo , Chung Ill-Min
Published: January 2020

Aryl nitriles are versatile compounds that can be synthesized via transition-metal-mediated cyanation of aryl halides. Most of the supported-heterogeneous catalysts are noble-metals based and there are very limited numbers of efficient non-noble metal based catalysts demonstrated for the cyanation of aryl halides. Herein, bimetallic CuNi-oxide nanoparticles supported graphene oxide nanocatalyst (CuNi/GO-I and CuNi/GO-II) has been demonstrated as highly efficient system for the cyanation of aryl halides with K4[Fe(CN)6] as a cyanating agent. Metal-support interaction, defect ratio and synergistic effect with the bimetallic nanocatalyst were investigated. To our delight, the CuNi/GO-I system activity transformed a wide range of substrates such as aryl iodides, aryl bromides, aryl chlorides and heteroaryl compounds (Yields: 95–71%, TON/TOF: 50–38/2 h−1). Moreover, enhanced catalytic performance of CuNi/GO-I and CuNi/GO-II in reduction of 4-nitropehnol with NaBH4 was also confirmed (kapp = 18.2 × 10−3 s−1 with 0.1 mg of CuNi/GO-I). Possible mechanism has been proposed for the CuNi/GO-I catalyzed cyanation and reduction reactions. Reusability, heterogeneity and stability of the CuNi/GO-I are also found to be good.
Signalling architectures can prevent cancer evolution
Authors: Oña Leonardo , Lachmann Michael
Published: January 2020

Cooperation between cells in multicellular organisms is preserved by an active regulation of growth through the control of cell division. Molecular signals used by cells for tissue growth are usually present during developmental stages, angiogenesis, wound healing and other processes. In this context, the use of molecular signals triggering cell division is a puzzle, because any molecule inducing and aiding growth can be exploited by a cancer cell, disrupting cellular cooperation. A significant difference is that normal cells in a multicellular organism have evolved in competition between high-level organisms to be altruistic, being able to send signals even if it is to their detriment. Conversely, cancer cells evolve their abuse over the cancer’s lifespan by out-competing their neighbours. A successful mutation leading to cancer must evolve to be adaptive, enabling a cancer cell to send a signal that results in higher chances to be selected. Using a mathematical model of such molecular signalling mechanism, this paper argues that a signal mechanism would be effective against abuse by cancer if it affects the cell that generates the signal as well as neighbouring cells that would receive a benefit without any cost, resulting in a selective disadvantage for a cancer signalling cell. We find that such molecular signalling mechanisms normally operate in cells as exemplified by growth factors. In scenarios of global and local competition between cells, we calculate how this process affects the fixation probability of a mutant cell generating such a signal, and find that this process can play a key role in limiting the emergence of cancer.
Thermal Properties of Alkali Activated Slag Plaster for Wooden Structures
Authors: Kielė Andrius , Vaičiukynienė Danutė , Tamošaitis Gintautas , Bistrickaitė Rėda
Published: January 2020

Currently, the production of green building materials grows up. Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) based plaster have better fire resistance properties compared to Portland cement-based concrete and plasters. Compared to Portland cement-based systems AAMs retain a significant level of structural stability after exposure to fire events. AAM based concrete doesn’t have at all or has an insignificant amount of calcium hydroxide in the binder structure which exposed to high-temperature changes to calcium oxide. This weakens Portland cement structural properties and allows cracks to appear under high-temperature conditions. This study shows that AAM based plaster that consisted of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (slag) with the addition of Phosphogypsum (PG), sand and polypropylene fibre filling exposed to 1000 °C temperature shows up to 2% longitudinal dimension shrinkage. After exposure of elevated temperature these fibers melted leaving a network of channels that allow water vapour vaporize and inner pressure in the material decreased. The start of the wood surface charring process tchis 10 minutes after the start of heating. Using an AAM binder as fire-resistant plaster coating on a wooden structure delays the start of the char layer forming on the wood surface. This allows using AAMs base plaster for fire-resistant coatings on combustible materials as the barrier layer in order to increase the passive safety of wooden structures in heritage buildings.
Highly conductive and transparent gallium doped zinc oxide thin films via chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Ponja Sapna D. , Sathasivam Sanjayan , Parkin Ivan P. , Carmalt Claire J.
Published: January 2020

Degenerately doped ZnO is seen as a potential substitute to the ubiquitous and expensive Sn doped In2O3 as a transparent electrode in optoelectronic devices. Here, highly conductive and transparent Ga doped ZnO thin films were grown via aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition. The lowest resistivity (7.8 × 10−4 Ω.cm) and highest carrier concentration (4.23 × 1020 cm−3) ever reported for AACVD grown ZnO: Ga was achieved due to using oxygen poor growth conditions enabled by diethylzinc and triethylgallium precursors.
Genomic Survey of Salt Acclimation-Related Genes in the Halophilic Cyanobacterium Euhalothece sp. Z-M001
Authors: Yang Hee Wook , Song Ji Young , Cho Sung Mi , Kwon Hak Cheol , Pan Cheol-Ho , Park Youn-Il
Published: January 2020

Like other halophilic cyanobacterial genomes, the de novo-assembled genome of Euhalothece sp. Z-M001 lacks genes encoding keto-carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes, despite the presence of genes encoding carotenoid-binding proteins (CBPs). Consistent with this, HPLC analysis of carotenoids identified β-carotene and zeaxanthin as the dominant carotenoids. CBPs coexpressed with the zeaxanthin biosynthesis gene increased the survival rates of Escherichia coli strains by preventing antibiotic-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). RNA-seq analysis of Euhalothece revealed that among various salt resistance-related genes, those encoding the Na+ transporting multiple resistance and pH adaptation (Mrp) systems, glycine betaine biosynthesis enzymes, exopolysaccharide metabolic enzymes, and CBPs were highly upregulated, suggesting their importance in hypersaline habitats. During the early phase of salt deprivation, the amounts of β-carotene and zeaxanthin showed a negative correlation with ROS content. Overall, we propose that in some halophilic cyanobacteria, β-carotene and zeaxanthin, rather than keto-carotenoids, serve as the major chromophores for CBPs, which in turn act as effective antioxidants.
Cerebral microbleeds in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with cranial radiation
Authors: Phillips Nicholas S. , Hillenbrand Claudia M. , Mitrea Bogdan G. , Yan Jason , Li Chenghong , Scoggins Matthew A. , Merchant Thomas E. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Srivastava Deokumar , Pui Ching-Hon , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Krull Kevin R. , Sabin Noah D.
Published: January 2020

Cranial radiation therapy is associated with white matter-specific brain injury, cortical volume loss, mineralization, microangiopathy and neurocognitive impairment in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, neurocognitive testing and 3 T brain MRI’s were obtained in 101 survivors treated with cranial radiation. Small focal intracerebral hemorrhages only visible on exquisitely sensitive MRI sequences were identified and localized using susceptibility weighted imaging. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess the effect of cranial radiation on cumulative number and location of microbleeds in each brain region, and multiple linear regression was used to evaluate microbleeds on neurocognitive outcomes, adjusting for age at diagnosis and sex. At least one microbleed was present in 85% of survivors, occurring more frequently in frontal lobes. Radiation dose of 24 Gy conveyed a 5-fold greater risk (95% CI 2.57–10.32) of having multiple microbleeds compared to a dose of 18 Gy. No significant difference was found in neurocognitive scores with either the absence or presence of microbleeds or their location. Greater prevalence of microbleeds in our study compared to prior reports is likely related to longer time since treatment, better sensitivity of SWI for detection of microbleeds and the use of a 3 T MRI platform.
Bayesian strategy selection identifies optimal solutions to complex problems using an example from GP prescribing
Authors: Allender S. , Hayward J. , Gupta S. , Sanigorski A. , Rana S. , Seward H. , Jacobs S. , Venkatesh S.
Published: January 2020

Complex health problems require multi-strategy, multi-target interventions. We present a method that uses machine learning techniques to choose optimal interventions from a set of possible interventions within a case study aiming to increase General Practitioner (GP) discussions of physical activity (PA) with their patients. Interventions were developed based on a causal loop diagram with 26 GPs across 13 clinics in Geelong, Australia. GPs prioritised eight from more than 80 potential interventions to increase GP discussion of PA with patients. Following a 2-week baseline, a multi-arm bandit algorithm was used to assign optimal strategies to GP clinics with the target outcome being GP PA discussion rates. The algorithm was updated weekly and the process iterated until the more promising strategies emerged (a duration of seven weeks). The top three performing strategies were continued for 3 weeks to improve the power of the hypothesis test of effectiveness for each strategy compared to baseline. GPs recorded a total of 11,176 conversations about PA. GPs identified 15 factors affecting GP PA discussion rates with patients including GP skills and awareness, fragmentation of care and fear of adverse outcomes. The two most effective strategies were correctly identified within seven weeks of the algorithm-based assignment of strategies. These were clinic reception staff providing PA information to patients at check in and PA screening questionnaires completed in the waiting room. This study demonstrates an efficient way to test and identify optimal strategies from multiple possible solutions.
High-throughput screening for discovery of benchtop separations systems for selected rare earth elements
Authors: Nelson Joshua J. M. , Cheisson Thibault , Rugh Haley J. , Gau Michael R. , Carroll Patrick J. , Schelter Eric J.
Published: January 2020

Rare earth (RE) elements (scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides) are critical for their role in sustainable energy technologies. Problems with their supply chain have motivated research to improve separations methods to recycle these elements from end of life technology. Toward this goal, we report the synthesis and characterization of the ligand tris[(1-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carboxamido)ethyl]amine, H31·TFA (TFA = trifluoroacetic acid), and complexes 1·RE (RE = La, Nd, Dy). A high-throughput experimentation (HTE) screen was developed to quantitatively determine the precipitation of 1·RE as a function of pH as well as equivalents of H31·TFA. This method rapidly determines optimal conditions for the separation of RE mixtures, while minimizing materials consumption. The HTE-predicted conditions are used to achieve the lab-scale separation of Nd/Dy (SFNd/Dy = 213 ± 34) and La/Nd (SFLa/Nd = 16.2 ± 0.2) mixtures in acidic aqueous media.
Linking graphene-based material physicochemical properties with molecular adsorption, structure and cell fate
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Parekh Sapun H.
Published: January 2020

Graphene, an allotrope of carbon, consists of a single layer of carbon atoms with uniquely tuneable properties. As such, graphene-based materials (GBMs) have gained interest for tissue engineering applications. GBMs are often discussed in the context of how different physicochemical properties affect cell physiology, without explicitly considering the impact of adsorbed proteins. Establishing a relationship between graphene properties, adsorbed proteins, and cell response is necessary as these proteins provide the surface upon which cells attach and grow. This review highlights the molecular adsorption of proteins on different GBMs, protein structural changes, and the connection to cellular function.
Effect of catalyst morphology and hydrogen co-feeding on the acid-catalysed transformation of acetone into mesitylene
Authors: Quesada Jorge , Faba Laura , Díaz Eva , Ordóñez Salvador
Published: January 2020

Surface chemistry and pore topology affect mesitylene selectivity in acid-catalysed acetone condensation. Hydrogen improves both catalyst stability and condensation selectivity.
Impact of oxygen vacancies on TiO2 charge carrier transfer for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Huang Xiaoqian , Gao Xiaoru , Xue Qihui , Wang Can , Zhang Ruikang , Gao Yuanzhe , Han Zhangang
Published: January 2020

The impact of oxygen vacancies on charge carrier transfer on TiO2 photoanodes is rationally discussed in this work.
Modulating energetic performance through decorating nitrogen-rich ligands in high-energy MOFs
Authors: Cao Senni , Ma Xiufang , Ma Xiaohui , Cen Peipei , Wu Yuewei , Yang Jinhui , Liu Xiangyu , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping
Published: January 2020

The alteration of nitrogen-rich ligands leads to distinct arrangements of high-energy content in two 2D layer-like energetic MOFs which feature good stability and insensitivity.
Erbium complexes as pioneers for implementing linear light-upconversion in molecules
Authors: Golesorkhi Bahman , Nozary Homayoun , Fürstenberg Alexandre , Piguet Claude
Published: January 2020

Trivalent erbium, Er3+, with its 4f11electronic configuration, was the first lanthanide cation for which linear upconversion could be induced in a molecular complex. The reasons for this success and its perspectives are discussed in this review.
A dual mode electronic synapse based on layered SnSe films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Chen Xinxin , Suen Chun-Hung , Yau Hei-Man , Zhou Feichi , Chai Yang , Tang Xiaodan , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Onofrio Nicolas , Dai Ji-Yan
Published: January 2020

Integration of short-term plasticity (STP) and long-term plasticity (LTP) in a single layered SnSe-based device has been achieved.
Facile fabrication of a heterogeneous Co-modified pyridinecarboxaldehyde-polyethylenimine catalyst for efficient CO2 conversion under mild conditions
Authors: Liu Chao , Yang Li , Zhang Jiaxu , Sun Jianmin
Published: January 2020

A heterogeneous Co-modified pyridinecarboxaldehyde-polyethylenimine catalyst with active metal sites and amine groups exhibited high catalytic activity for CO2 conversion under mild conditions, even at ambient temperature.
One-step, rapid fluorescence sensing of fungal viability based on a bioprobe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
Authors: Ge Xiaoxue , Gao Meng , Situ Bo , Feng Weiwei , He Bairong , He Xiaojing , Li Shiwu , Ou Zihao , Zhong Yiqi , Lin Yahui , Ye Xinyi , Hu Xiumei , Tang Ben Zhong , Zheng Lei
Published: January 2020

A smart AIEgen has been developed to rapidly (5 minutes) and precisely differentiate fungal viability in a wash-free manner.
Sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines: easy access to diverse polysubstituted pyrrolidines
Authors: Sun Guangwu , Zou Xi , Wang Jinping , Yang Wen
Published: January 2020

A sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines with arylboronic acids has been disclosed, providing a range of 2-aryl-3-pyrolines, which could be readily converted to various polysubstituted pyrrolidines.
Copper(i)/DM-SEGPHOS-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective conjugate boration to α-alkylidene-γ-lactams
Authors: George Jimil , Kim Hun Young , Oh Kyungsoo
Published: January 2020

A combination of CuCl and DM-SEGPHOS catalyst system has allowed the development of highly enantioselective and diastereoselective conjugate addition of bis(pinacolato)diboron to α-alkylidene-γ-lactams.
A composite with a gradient distribution of graphene and its anisotropic electromagnetic reflection
Authors: Zhang Dayong , Jin Zhi , Shi Jingyuan , Peng Songang , Huang Xinnan , Yao Yao , Li Yankui , Ding Wuchang , Wang Dahai
Published: January 2020

An electrochemical method was introduced to prepare graphene/polyurethane foams with gradient graphene distribution, and this composite shows obvious anisotropic reflection of electromagnetic waves.
Insight into structural stability and helium diffusion behavior of Fe–Cr alloys from first-principles
Authors: Wan Lei , Wang Qingqing , Ye Xiaoqiu , Cao Xingzhong , Jin Shuoxue , Gao Tao
Published: January 2020

We have performed the first-principles method to study the structural stability and helium diffusion behavior of Fe–Cr alloys.
Z-scheme 2D-m-BiVO4 networks decorated by a g-CN nanosheet heterostructured photocatalyst with an excellent response to visible light
Authors: Ahmed Toheed , Ammar Muhammad , Saleem Aimen , Zhang Hong-ling , Xu Hong-bin
Published: January 2020

For economical water splitting and degradation of toxic organic dyes, the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable photocatalysts capable of harvesting visible light is essential.
The C–H activated controlled mono- and di-olefination of arenes in ionic liquids at room temperature
Authors: Du Kaifeng , Yao Tian
Published: January 2020

The controlled mono- and di-olefination of arenes was first realized at room temperature through C–H bond activation in ionic liquids.
Optimized electrode structure for performance and mechanical stability in a direct formate fuel cell using cation ionomer
Authors: Hwang Hongsun , Hong Sujik , Kim Jin Won , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: January 2020

In DFFC systems, there are different optimal points depending on the content of cation ionomer with regard to the cell performance and mechanical cell stability during the cell operation.
Microwave-assisted HMF production from water-soluble sugars using betaine-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES)
Authors: Gomes Gustavo Rodrigues , Pastre Julio Cezar
Published: January 2020

The combination of a new NADES system and MW irradiation allowed for the preparation of HMF in high yields and in short reaction times.
C-Jun/C7ORF41/NF-κB axis mediates hepatic inflammation and lipid accumulation in NAFLD
Authors: Yan Feng-Juan , Wang Xu , Wang Song-En , Hong Hai-Ting , Lu Jun , Ye Qin , Zheng Yuan-Lin , Wang Yong-Jian
Published: January 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an expanding health problem worldwide. Although many studies have made great efforts to elucidate the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the molecular basis remains poorly understood. Here, we showed that hepatic C7ORF41, a critical regulator of innate immune response, was markedly decreased in diet or genetic-induced NAFLD model. We also demonstrated that C7ORF41 overexpression significantly ameliorated hepatic inflammation and lipid accumulation in palmitic acid (PA)-treated hepatocytes, whereas C7ORF41 knockdown showed the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found the anti-inflammatory role of C7ORF41 was attributed to the suppression of NF-κB p65-mediated induction of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, we demonstrated that the suppression of C7ORF41 expression in hepatocytes is due to JNK activation, which promotes c-Jun-mediated transcriptional repression of C7ORF41. In conclusion, our findings suggested that a c-Jun/C7ORF41/NF-κB regulatory network controls the inflammatory response and lipid accumulation in NAFLD and may benefit the development of novel and promising therapeutic targets for NAFLD.
Insights into the biochemical and functional characterization of sortase E transpeptidase of Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Susmitha Aliyath , Nampoothiri Kesavan Madhavan , Bajaj Harsha
Published: January 2020

Most Gram-positive bacteria contain a membrane-bound transpeptidase known as sortase which covalently incorporates the surface proteins on to the cell wall. The sortase-displayed protein structures are involved in cell attachment, nutrient uptake and aerial hyphae formation. Among the six classes of sortase (A–F), sortase A of S. aureus is the well-characterized housekeeping enzyme considered as an ideal drug target and a valuable biochemical reagent for protein engineering. Similar to SrtA, class E sortase in GC rich bacteria plays a housekeeping role which is not studied extensively. However, C. glutamicum ATCC 13032, an industrially important organism known for amino acid production, carries a single putative sortase (NCgl2838) gene but neither in vitro peptide cleavage activity nor biochemical characterizations have been investigated. Here, we identified that the gene is having a sortase activity and analyzed its structural similarity with Cd-SrtF. The purified enzyme showed a greater affinity toward LAXTG substrate with a calculated KM of 12 ± 1 µM, one of the highest affinities reported for this class of enzyme. Moreover, site-directed mutation studies were carried to ascertain the structure functional relationship of Cg-SrtE and all these are new findings which will enable us to perceive exciting protein engineering applications with this class of enzyme from a non-pathogenic microbe.
Relationship between red cell distribution width and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Zheng Jian , Yuan Xiaopin , Guo Weichun
Published: January 2020

We retrospectively collected the clinical data and follow-up information of patients with osteosarcoma who were admitted to Department of Orthopedics, RenMin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2010 to December 2016 and explore the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The present study finally included 271 patients with osteosarcoma with median follow-up time of 24.2 months (3–69 months). According to the RDW median, 135 patients belong to the low RDW group and 136 patients belong to high RDW group. Compared with low RDW group, the high RDW group tend to have metastasis (50 vs 32.6%, P=0.004), higher poor response rate to chemotherapy compared with the low RDW group (24.3 vs 7.4%, P=0.000) and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (7.6 ± 4.9 vs 5.5 ± 4.5, t = 3.727, P=0.000). There was slightly significant difference in the types of pathology (χ2 = 8.059, P=0.045). The Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated survival curve of high RDW group was poorer than that in the low RDW group (P=0.020). The univariate cox analysis indicated that patients with RDW ≥ median had higher risk of poor prognosis compared with those who had RDW level < median (HR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51–3.83, P=0.000). After adjusting some potential cofounding factors, the elevated RDW was still associated with poor prognosis (HR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.07–2.56, P=0.024). The elevated pretreatment RDW was associated with poor overall survival (OS) in patients with osteosarcoma and can be an independent predictor of prognosis.
Inflammation both increases and causes resistance to FGF23 in normal and uremic rats
Authors: Rodríguez-Ortiz Maria E. , Díaz-Tocados Juan M. , Muñoz-Castañeda Juan R. , Herencia Carmen , Pineda Carmen , Martínez-Moreno Julio M. , Montes de Oca Addy , López-Baltanás Rodrigo , Alcalá-Díaz Juan , Ortiz Alberto , Aguilera-Tejero Escolástico , Felsenfeld Arnold , Rodríguez Mariano , Almadén Yolanda
Published: January 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) increases phosphorus excretion and decreases calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D) levels. FGF23 increases from early stages of renal failure. We evaluated whether strict control of phosphorus intake in renal failure prevents the increase in FGF23 and to what extent inflammation impairs regulation of FGF23. The study was performed in 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) Wistar rats fed diets containing 0.2–1.2% phosphorus for 3 or 15 days. FGF23 levels significantly increased in all Nx groups in the short-term (3-day) experiment. However, at 15 days, FGF23 increased in all Nx rats except in those fed 0.2% phosphorus. In a second experiment, Nx rats fed low phosphorus diets (0.2 and 0.4%) for 15 days received daily intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections to induce inflammation. In these rats, FGF23 increased despite the low phosphorus diets. Thus, higher FGF23 levels were needed to maintain phosphaturia and normal serum phosphorus values. Renal Klotho expression was preserved in Nx rats on a 0.2% phosphorus diet, reduced on a 0.4% phosphorus diet, and markedly reduced in Nx rats receiving LPS. In ex vivo experiments, high phosphorus and LPS increased nuclear β-catenin and p65-NFκB and decreased Klotho. Inhibition of inflammation and Wnt signaling activation resulted in decreased FGF23 levels and increased renal Klotho. In conclusion, strict control of phosphorus intake prevented the increase in FGF23 in renal failure, whereas inflammation independently increased FGF23 values. Decreased Klotho may explain the renal resistance to FGF23 in inflammation. These effects are likely mediated by the activation of NFkB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.