bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency and clinical features of hearing loss caused by STRC deletions
Authors: Yokota Yoh , Moteki Hideaki , Nishio Shin-ya , Yamaguchi Tomomi , Wakui Keiko , Kobayashi Yumiko , Ohyama Kenji , Miyazaki Hiromitsu , Matsuoka Rina , Abe Satoko , Kumakawa Kozo , Takahashi Masahiro , Sakaguchi Hirofumi , Uehara Natsumi , Ishino Takashi , Kosho Tomoki , Fukushima Yoshimitsu , Usami Shin-ichi
Published: March 2019

Sensorineural hearing loss is a common deficit and mainly occurs due to genetic factors. Recently, copy number variants (CNVs) in the STRC gene have also been recognized as a major cause of genetic hearing loss. We investigated the frequency of STRC deletions in the Japanese population and the characteristics of associated hearing loss. For CNV analysis, we employed a specialized method of Ion AmpliSeqTM sequencing, and confirmed the CNV results via custom array comparative genomic hybridization. We identified 17 probands with STRC homozygous deletions. The prevalence of STRC homozygous deletions was 1.7% in the hearing loss population overall, and 4.3% among mild-to-moderate hearing loss patients. A 2.63% carrier deletion rate was identified in both the hearing loss and the control population with normal hearing. In conclusion, our results show that STRC deletions are the second most common cause of mild-to-moderate hearing loss after the GJB2 gene, which accounts for the majority of genetic hearing loss. The phenotype of hearing loss is congenital and appears to be moderate, and is most likely to be stable without deterioration even after the age of 50. The present study highlights the importance of the STRC gene as a major cause of mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Designing novel possible kinase inhibitor derivatives as therapeutics against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: An in silico study
Authors: Shahbaaz Mohd , Nkaule Anati , Christoffels Alan
Published: March 2019

Rv2984 is one of the polyphosphate kinases present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis involved in the catalytic synthesis of inorganic polyphosphate, which plays an essential role in bacterial virulence and drug resistance. Consequently, the structure of Rv2984 was investigated and an 18 membered compound library was designed by altering the scaffolds of computationally identified inhibitors. The virtual screening of these altered inhibitors was performed against Rv2984 and the top three scoring inhibitors were selected, exhibiting the free energy of binding between 8.2–9 kcal mol−1 and inhibition constants in the range of 255–866 nM. These selected molecules showed relatively higher binding affinities against Rv2984 compared to the first line drugs Isoniazid and Rifampicin. Furthermore, the docked complexes were further analyzed in explicit water conditions using 100 ns Molecular Dynamics simulations. Through the assessment of obtained trajectories, the interactions between the protein and selected inhibitors including first line drugs were evaluated using MM/PBSA technique. The results validated the higher efficiency of the designed molecules compared to 1st line drugs with total interaction energies observed between −100 kJ mol−1 and −1000 kJ mol−1. This study will facilitate the process of drug designing against M. tuberculosis and can be used in the development of potential therapeutics against drug-resistant strains of bacteria.
Thermodynamic and structural contributions of the 6-thioguanosine residue to helical properties of RNA
Authors: Gładysz Michał , Andrałojć Witold , Czapik Tomasz , Gdaniec Zofia , Kierzek Ryszard
Published: March 2019

Thionucleotides, especially 4-thiouridine and 6-thioguanosine, are photosensitive molecules that photocrosslink to both proteins and nucleic acids, and this feature is a major reason for their application in various investigations. To get insight into the thermodynamic and structural contributions of 6-thioguanosine to the properties of RNA duplexes a systematic study was performed. In a series of RNA duplexes, selected guanosine residues located in G-C base pairs, mismatches (G-G, G-U, and G-A), or 5′ and 3′-dangling ends were replaced with 6-thioguanosine. Generally, the presence of 6-thioguanosine diminishes the thermodynamic stability of RNA duplexes. This effect depends on its position within duplexes and the sequence of adjacent base pairs. However, when placed at a dangling end a 6-thioguanosine residue actually exerts a weak stabilizing effect. Furthermore, the structural effect of 6-thioguanosine substitution appears to be minimal based on NMR and Circular Dichroism (CD) data.
The contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate, unlike norethisterone, directly increases R5 HIV-1 infection in human cervical explant tissue at physiologically relevant concentrations
Authors: Ray Roslyn M. , Maritz Michelle F. , Avenant Chanel , Tomasicchio Michele , Dlamini Sigcinile , van der Spuy Zephne , Hapgood Janet P.
Published: March 2019

The intramuscular progestin-only injectable contraceptive, depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), is more widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa than another injectable contraceptive, norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN). Epidemiological data show a significant 1.4-fold increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition for DMPA-IM usage, while no such association is shown from limited data for NET-EN. We show that MPA, unlike NET, significantly increases R5-tropic but not X4-tropic HIV-1 replication ex vivo in human endocervical and ectocervical explant tissue from pre-menopausal donors, at physiologically relevant doses. Results support a mechanism whereby MPA, unlike NET, acts via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to increase HIV-1 replication in cervical tissue by increasing the relative frequency of CD4+ T cells and activated monocytes. We show that MPA, unlike NET, increases mRNA expression of the CD4 HIV-1 receptor and CCR5 but not CXCR4 chemokine receptors, via the GR. However, increased density of CD4 on CD3+ cells was not observed with MPA by flow cytometry of digested tissue. Results suggest that DMPA-IM may increase HIV-1 acquisition in vivo at least in part via direct effects on cervical tissue to increase founder R5-tropic HIV-1 replication. Our findings support differential biological mechanisms and disaggregation of DMPA-IM and NET-EN regarding HIV-1 acquisition risk category for use in high risk areas.
Adverse effects of routine bovine health treatments containing triclabendazole and synthetic pyrethroids on the abundance of dipteran larvae in bovine faeces
Authors: Gilbert Gillian , MacGillivray Fiona S. , Robertson Helen L. , Jonsson Nicholas N.
Published: March 2019

Macrocyclic lactone treatments for livestock can have detrimental effects on the arthropod populations in livestock faeces. For the last twenty years, avoidance of these products has been a standard recommendation on livestock farms that are managed for wildlife by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB). However, the continued decline in the populations of birds (in particular the red-billed choughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) that are dependent on dung invertebrates on islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland prompted us to investigate the effects of livestock treatments that are commonly used on these islands. We conducted a replicated field plot study over two years to quantify the effects of livestock treatments containing copper, deltamethrin and triclabendazole on invertebrate density in pooled, artificial faecal pats on the island of Islay. We found that the density of arthropod larvae was significantly reduced by the triclabendazole and deltamethrin treatments in both years and by as much as 86% when the treatments were combined. Copper-containing boluses did not consistently affect abundance of arthropod larvae. These results suggest that veterinary treatment of livestock might contribute to a reduction in the food supply of chough.
The influence of the host microbiome on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced hyperthermia and vice versa
Authors: Ridge Emily A. , Pachhain Sudhan , Choudhury Sayantan Roy , Bodnar Sara R. , Larsen Ray A. , Phuntumart Vipaporn , Sprague Jon E.
Published: March 2019

Hyperthermia induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can be life-threatening. Here, we investigate the role of the gut microbiome and TGR5 bile acid receptors in MDMA-mediated hyperthermia. Fourteen days prior to treatment with MDMA, male Sprague-Dawley rats were provided water or water treated with antibiotics. Animals that had received antibiotics displayed a reduction in gut bacteria and an attenuated hyperthermic response to MDMA. MDMA treated animals showed increased uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and TGR5 expression levels in brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle while increased expression of UCP3 was observed only in skeletal muscle. Antibiotics prior to MDMA administration significantly blunted these increases in gene expression. Furthermore, inhibition of the TGR5 receptor with triamterene or of deiodinase II downstream of the TGR5 receptor with iopanoic acid also resulted in the attenuation of MDMA-induced hyperthermia. MDMA-treatment enriched the relative proportion of a Proteus mirabilis strain in the ceca of animals not pre-treated with antibiotics. These findings suggest a contributing role for the gut microbiota in MDMA-mediated hyperthermia and that MDMA treatment can trigger a rapid remodeling of the composition of the gut microbiome.
In-silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against onchocerciasis and related filarial diseases
Authors: Shey Robert Adamu , Ghogomu Stephen Mbigha , Esoh Kevin Kum , Nebangwa Neba Derrick , Shintouo Cabirou Mounchili , Nongley Nkemngo Francis , Asa Bertha Fru , Ngale Ferdinand Njume , Vanhamme Luc , Souopgui Jacob
Published: March 2019

Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease with high socio-economic burden particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The elimination plan for this disease has faced numerous challenges. A multi-epitope prophylactic/therapeutic vaccine targeting the infective L3 and microfilaria stages of the parasite’s life cycle would be invaluable to achieve the current elimination goal. There are several observations that make the possibility of developing a vaccine against this disease likely. For example, despite being exposed to high transmission rates of infection, 1 to 5% of people have no clinical manifestations of the disease and are thus considered as putatively immune individuals. An immuno-informatics approach was applied to design a filarial multi-epitope subunit vaccine peptide consisting of linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes of proteins reported to be potential novel vaccine candidates. Conservation of the selected proteins and predicted epitopes in other parasitic nematode species suggests that the generated chimera could be helpful for cross-protection. The 3D structure was predicted, refined, and validated using bioinformatics tools. Protein-protein docking of the chimeric vaccine peptide with the TLR4 protein predicted efficient binding. Immune simulation predicted significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ, and IL-2. Overall, the constructed recombinant putative peptide demonstrated antigenicity superior to current vaccine candidates.
Superior Electrochemical Performance of Thin-Film Thermoplastic Elastomer-Coated SnSb as an Anode for Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Tesfaye Alexander T. , Dumur Frédéric , Gigmes Didier , Maria Sébastien , Monconduit Laure , Djenizian Thierry
Published: March 2019

The high failure strain of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is a very desirable feature for rechargeable Li-ion batteries by improving the lifetime of high specific capacity anode materials that undergo mechanical fractures induced by large volume variations. In this work, poly(styrene-b-2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) called PS-b-PHEA was synthesized by a nitroxide meditated polymerization method. Owing to the use of a specific polystyrene macroinitiator (SG1), a suitable TPE copolymer with long hydroxyethyl acrylate blocks to ensure good mechanical properties is obtained for the first time. We show that the electrochemical properties of the PS-b-PHEA-coated SnSb anode are drastically improved by suppressing the crack formation at the surface of the electrode. Indeed, electrochemical characterization revealed that a high and stable gravimetric capacity over 100 cycles could be achieved. Moreover, excellent capacity reversibility was achieved when cycled at multiple C-rates and fast kinetics confirming the strong protection role of the polymer. The advanced chemical and mechanical properties of PS-b-PHEA open up promising perspectives to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of all electrodes that are known to suffer from large volume variations.
PIP3-Phldb2 is crucial for LTP regulating synaptic NMDA and AMPA receptor density and PSD95 turnover
Authors: Xie Min-Jue , Ishikawa Yasuyuki , Yagi Hideshi , Iguchi Tokuichi , Oka Yuichiro , Kuroda Kazuki , Iwata Keiko , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Matsuda Shinji , Matsuzaki Hideo , Yuzaki Michisuke , Fukazawa Yugo , Sato Makoto
Published: March 2019

The essential involvement of phosphoinositides in synaptic plasticity is well-established, but incomplete knowledge of the downstream molecular entities prevents us from understanding their signalling cascades completely. Here, we determined that Phldb2, of which pleckstrin-homology domain is highly sensitive to PIP3, functions as a phosphoinositide-signalling mediator for synaptic plasticity. BDNF application caused Phldb2 recruitment toward postsynaptic membrane in dendritic spines, whereas PI3K inhibition resulted in its reduced accumulation. Phldb2 bound to postsynaptic scaffolding molecule PSD-95 and was crucial for localization and turnover of PSD-95 in the spine. Phldb2 also bound to GluA1 and GluA2. Phldb2 was indispensable for the interaction between NMDA receptors and CaMKII, and the synaptic density of AMPA receptors. Therefore, PIP3-responsive Phldb2 is pivotal for induction and maintenance of LTP. Memory formation was impaired in our Phldb2−/− mice.
Optimal Gating Window for Respiratory-Gated Radiotherapy with Real-Time Position Management and Respiration Guiding System for Liver Cancer Treatment
Authors: Oh Se An , Yea Ji Woon , Kim Sung Kyu , Park Jae Won
Published: March 2019

Respiratory-gated radiotherapy is one of the most effective approaches to minimise radiation dose delivery to normal tissue and maximise delivery to tumours under patient’s motion caused by respiration. We propose a respiration guiding system based on real-time position management with suitable gating window for respiratory-gated radiotherapy applied to liver cancer. Between August 2016 and February 2018, 52 patients with liver cancer received training in real-time position management and respiration guiding. Respiration signals were statistically analysed during unguided respiration and when applying the respiration guiding system. Phases of 30–60% and 30–70% retrieved the lowest respiration variability among patients, and 47 patients exhibited significant differences in terms of respiration reproducibility between unguided and guided respiration. The results suggest that either of these phases can establish suitable windows for gated radiotherapy applied to liver cancer, especially regarding respiration reproducibility.
Tree-ring isotopes adjacent to Lake Superior reveal cold winter anomalies for the Great Lakes region of North America
Authors: Voelker Steven L. , Wang S. -Y. Simon , Dawson Todd E. , Roden John S. , Still Christopher J. , Longstaffe Fred J. , Ayalon Avner
Published: March 2019

Tree-ring carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) and oxygen isotopes (δ18O) collected from white pine (Pinus strobus) trees adjacent to Lake Superior show potential to produce the first winter-specific paleoclimate reconstruction with inter-annual resolution for this region. Isotopic signatures from 1976 to 2015 were strongly linked to antecedent winter minimum temperatures (Tmin), Lake Superior peak ice cover, and regional to continental-scale atmospheric winter pressure variability including the North American Dipole. The immense thermal inertia of Lake Superior underlies the unique connection between winter conditions and tree-ring Δ13C and δ18O signals from the following growing season in trees located near the lake. By combining these signals, we demonstrate feasibility to reconstruct variability in Tmin, ice cover, and continental-scale atmospheric circulation patterns (r ≥ 0.65, P < 0.001).
Transposable elements contribute to fungal genes and impact fungal lifestyle
Authors: Muszewska Anna , Steczkiewicz Kamil , Stepniewska-Dziubinska Marta , Ginalski Krzysztof
Published: March 2019

The last decade brought a still growing experimental evidence of mobilome impact on host’s gene expression. We systematically analysed genomic location of transposable elements (TEs) in 625 publicly available fungal genomes from the NCBI database in order to explore their potential roles in genome evolution and correlation with species’ lifestyle. We found that non-autonomous TEs and remnant copies are evenly distributed across genomes. In consequence, they also massively overlap with regions annotated as genes, which suggests a great contribution of TE-derived sequences to host’s coding genome. Younger and potentially active TEs cluster with one another away from genic regions. This non-randomness is a sign of either selection against insertion of TEs in gene proximity or target site preference among some types of TEs. Proteins encoded by genes with old transposable elements insertions have significantly less repeat and protein-protein interaction motifs but are richer in enzymatic domains. However, genes only proximal to TEs do not display any functional enrichment. Our findings show that adaptive cases of TE insertion remain a marginal phenomenon, and the overwhelming majority of TEs are evolving neutrally. Eventually, animal-related and pathogenic fungi have more TEs inserted into genes than fungi with other lifestyles. This is the first systematic, kingdom-wide study concerning mobile elements and their genomic neighbourhood. The obtained results should inspire further research concerning the roles TEs played in evolution and how they shape the life we know today.
Facile synthesis of organosilica-capped mesoporous silica nanocarriers with selective redox-triggered drug release properties for safe tumor chemotherapy
Authors: Shen Luying , Pan Shan , Niu Dechao , He Jianping , Jia Xiaobo , Hao Jina , Gu Jinlou , Zhao Wenru , Li Pei , Li Yongsheng
Published: March 2019

We develop a facile route to synthesize organosilica-capped mesoporous silica nanocarriers for efficient and safe redox-triggered tumor chemotherapy.
Bidentate chelating ligands as effective passivating materials for perovskite light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hsiao Ming-Chuan , Chien Ping-Cheng , Jhuang Lu-Syuan , Chen Fang-Chung
Published: March 2019

Aromatic chelating ligands are used as surface passivating agents to fix the defects of the perovskite layers in light-emitting diodes.
A simple urea-based multianalyte and multichannel chemosensor for the selective detection of F−, Hg2+ and Cu2+ in solution and cells and the extraction of Hg2+ and Cu2+ from real water sources: a logic gate mimic ensemble
Authors: Mondal Amita , Roy Chowdhury Additi , Bhuyan Samuzal , Mukhopadhyay Subhra Kanti , Banerjee Priyabrata
Published: March 2019

Herein, a hydrazine-based chromogenic, fluorogenic and electrochemical chemosensor BCC [1,5-bis(4-cyanophenyl) carbonohydrazide] was reported.
Super-resolution microscopy on single particles at fluid interfaces reveals their wetting properties and interfacial deformations
Authors: Aloi A. , Vilanova N. , Isa L. , de Jong A. M. , Voets I. K.
Published: March 2019

Here we introduce the super-resolution microscopy strategy iPAINT to simultaneously visualize individual nanoparticles and reconstruct the interface to which they are adsorbed, in situ with nanometer accuracy.
Optimal aggregation number of reverse micelles in supercritical carbon dioxide: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Wang Muhan , Fang Timing , Zhong Hong , Li Jiawei , Yan Youguo , Zhang Jun
Published: March 2019

The aggregation number is one of the most fundamental and important structural parameters for the micelle or reverse micelle (RM) system.
Depletion of protein thiols and the accumulation of oxidized thioredoxin in Parkinsonism disclosed by a red-emitting and environment-sensitive probe
Authors: Hu Guodong , Zhang Baoxin , Zhou Pengcheng , Hou Yanan , Jia Huiyi , Liu Yuxin , Gan Lu , Zhang Hong , Mao Yiheng , Fang Jianguo
Published: March 2019

Protein sulfhydryl groups play a vital role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and protein functions and have attracted increasing interests for the selective detection of protein thiols over low-molecular-weight thiols (LMWTs).
Influence of the aqueous solution composition on the morphology of Zn1−xMgxO films deposited by spray pyrolysis
Authors: Winkler Nina , Wibowo Rachmat Adhi , Kautek Wolfgang , Dimopoulos Theodoros
Published: March 2019

Compact films and nanorod films of Zn1−xMgxO with specific Mg contents were deposited by spray pyrolysis of varyingly composed aqueous solutions
Large scale N-doped GNTs@a-SiOx(x=1–2)NPs: template-free one-step synthesis, and field emission and photoluminescence properties
Authors: Li Z. J. , Qiu G. H. , Zhang J. H. , Song G. Y. , Lin Y. S. , Meng A. L. , Li Q. D.
Published: March 2019

N-doped graphene nanotubes coated by amorphous SiOx(x=1–2)nanoparticles (N-doped GNTs@a-SiOx(x=1–2)NPs) were synthesized by a simple template-free one-step calcination method.
Gold nanoparticle amplification strategies for multiplex SPRi-based immunosensing of human pancreatic islet hormones
Authors: Castiello F. Rafael , Tabrizian Maryam
Published: March 2019

In this work, we demonstrate the potential use of SPRi for secretion-monitoring of pancreatic islets, small micro-organs that regulate glucose homeostasis in the body.
Solid-phase extraction method for stable isotope analysis of pesticides from large volume environmental water samples
Authors: Torrentó Clara , Bakkour Rani , Glauser Gaétan , Melsbach Aileen , Ponsin Violaine , Hofstetter Thomas B. , Elsner Martin , Hunkeler Daniel
Published: March 2019

We validated a SPE-CSIA method that allows analysis of isotope ratios of mixtures of pesticides that commonly occur together in environmental water samples.
Ultrasensitive SERS detection of specific oligonucleotides based on Au@AgAg bimetallic nanorods
Authors: Ning Cui-Fang , Tian Ya-Fei , Zhou Wen , Yin Bin-Cheng , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: March 2019

We synthesized a novel and sensitive Au/Ag bimetallic SERS-active nanotag, Au–Ag–Ag core–shell–shell nanorod (Au@AgAgNR).
Gold(i)-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of polycyclic indoline skeletons and enantiomerically enriched β-substituted tryptamine-allenes by kinetic resolution
Authors: Zhang Yan-Yan , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: March 2019

We have developed a gold(i)-catalyzed highly efficient kinetic resolution of indole–allene derivatives, providing polycyclic indoline skeletons in good yields with high regio- and diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities.
Biocompatible N-acetyl cysteine reduces graphene oxide and persists at the surface as a green radical scavenger
Authors: Palmieri Valentina , Dalchiele Enrique A. , Perini Giordano , Motta Alessandro , De Spirito Marco , Zanoni Robertino , Marrani Andrea Giacomo , Papi Massimiliano
Published: March 2019

N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) reduces graphene oxide (GO) at room temperature. This represents a new green method to produce reduced GO (rGO).
Plasma enabled non-thermal phosphorization for nickel phosphide hydrogen evolution catalysts
Authors: Wu Xiuqi , Guo Yanru , Wang Teng , Sun Bingxue , Liu Zhiliang , Wu Yong , Zhang Shaojun , Zheng Jie , Li Xingguo
Published: March 2019

Plasma activates inert phosphorous vapour to prepare nickel phosphide nanosheets at mild temperature for hydrogen evolution from water electrolysis.
Self-assembly and stimuli-responsive behaviours of side-chain liquid crystalline copolymers: a dissipative particle dynamics simulation approach
Authors: Lv Yisheng , Wang Liquan , Wu Fangsheng , Gong Shuting , Wei Jie , Lin Shaoliang
Published: March 2019

Side-chain liquid crystalline copolymers are able to self-assemble into various aggregates in selective solvents, in particular, deformed structures.
Electric charge of nanopatterned silica surfaces
Authors: Ozcelik H. Gokberk , Barisik Murat
Published: March 2019

The surface charge density of a nanopatterned silica decreased at the pits but increased at the tips of surface patterns. For a case of self-repeating surface structures, the average of local surface charges becomes lower than the theoretical predictions. Our phenomenological model developed as an extension to the existing flat surface theory predicts the average surface charge on a nanopatterned surface as a function of surface pattern size, ionic concentration and pH.
Copper potentiates azole antifungal activity in a way that does not involve complex formation
Authors: Hunsaker Elizabeth W. , Franz Katherine J.
Published: March 2019

Modulating copper levels in the growth environment influences tolerance of Candida albicans to azole antifungal drugs.
Molecular and electronic structure of the dithiooxalato radical ligand stabilised by rare earth coordination
Authors: McGuire Jake , Wilson Bradley , McAllister James , Miras Haralampos N. , Wilson Claire , Sproules Stephen , Farnaby Joy H.
Published: March 2019

Coordinating rare earth ions to bis(dithiooxalato)nickel produces the first structurally characterised complexes possessing the elusive dithiooxalato radical ligand.
The protective role of virgin coconut oil on the alloxan-induced oxidative stress in the liver, kidneys and heart of diabetic rats
Authors: Đurašević Siniša , Jasnić Nebojša , Prokić Marko , Grigorov Ilijana , Martinović Vesna , Đorđević Jelena , Pavlović Slađan
Published: March 2019

Our results show that VCO supplementation ameliorates some toxic effects of alloxan induced diabetes, and that the changes are tissue specific.
Synthesis of M-doped (M = Ag, Cu, In) Bi2Te3 nanoplates via a solvothermal method and cation exchange reaction
Authors: Bai Xiangyun , Ji Muwei , Xu Meng , Su Ning , Zhang Jiatao , Wang Jin , Zhu Caizhen , Yao Youwei , Li Bo
Published: March 2019

Cation-doped Bi2Te3 nanoplates were prepared via a cation exchange reaction between a cation solution and a Bi2Te3 nanoplate colloid.
Hybrid-functional calculations of electronic structure and phase stability of MO (M = Zn, Cd, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and related ternary alloy MxZn1−xO
Authors: Yu Jinying , Zhang Mingke , Zhang Zihan , Wang Shangwei , Wu Yelong
Published: March 2019

MxZn1−xO ternary alloy formations were explored through the application of the SQS method and hybrid density functional calculations.
Efficient production of lactic acid from sugars over Sn-Beta zeolite in water: catalytic performance and mechanistic insights
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Shi Lei , Wang Hao , Miao Gai , Kong Lingzhao , Li Shenggang , Sun Yuhan
Published: March 2019

Hydrothermal conversion of sugars exceeded 98.0% with lactic acid yield reaching 67.1% over a Sn-Beta zeolite catalyst prepared via a green synthesis.
Ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and water at intermediate temperatures and elevated pressures by using an electrochemical hydrogen-membrane reactor with supported Ru catalysts and phosphate electrolytes
Authors: Imamura Kanako , Kubota Jun
Published: March 2019

A novel electrochemical hydrogen-membrane reactor system was examined to synthesize NH3from N2and H2O using electrical power, which enables the conversion of redundant electricity to ammonia as a chemical fuel.
Film-forming electrolyte additives for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries: progress and outlook
Authors: Zhao Huajun , Yu Xueqing , Li Jianding , Li Bo , Shao Huaiyu , Li Lei , Deng Yonghong
Published: March 2019

This review highlights the recent encouraging research accomplishments achieved in the field of film-forming electrolyte additives for the protection of classified anode and cathode materials.
Band engineering and crystal field screening in thermoelectric Mg3Sb2
Authors: Tan Xiaojian , Liu Guo-Qiang , Hu Haoyang , Shao Hezhu , Xu Jingtao , Jiang Jun
Published: March 2019

Based on careful analysis of local chemical bonding, valence band convergence is designed in Mg3Sb2 by crystal field screening.
CO2-tolerant (Y,Tb)Ba(Co,Ga)4O7 cathodes with low thermal expansion for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Lai Ke-Yu , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: March 2019

Catalytically active swedenborgite oxide cathodes with high CO2 tolerance, recovery capability, and low thermal expansions are demonstrated for IT-SOFCs.
Current progress in interfacial engineering of carbon-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Meng Fanning , Liu Anmin , Gao Liguo , Cao Junmei , Yan Yeling , Wang Ning , Fan Meiqiang , Wei Guoying , Ma Tingli
Published: March 2019

Low cost carbon paste using as the back electrode for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), interfacial engineering plays a crucial role in both bi-interfacial structure and tri-interfacial structure.
Synthesis of carbon nanotubes@mesoporous carbon core–shell structured electrocatalystsviaa molecule-mediated interfacial co-assembly strategy
Authors: Zhu Xiaohang , Xia Yuan , Zhang Xingmiao , Al-Khalaf Areej Abdulkareem , Zhao Tiancong , Xu Jixue , Peng Liang , Hozzein Wael N. , Li Wei , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: March 2019

A versatile molecule-mediated interfacial co-assembly strategy has been developed for synthesis of uniform mesoporous N-doped carbon shelled core–shell structures.
Variation of nitrogen species in zeolite-templated carbon by low-temperature carbonization of pyrrole and the effect on oxygen reduction activity
Authors: Han Seung Won , Bang Jisuk , Ko Seung Hyeon , Ryoo Ryong
Published: March 2019

Graphitic nitrogen was determined to be more effective than pyridinic N in enhancing oxygen reduction reaction for N-doped zeolite-templated carbons.
Candle soot: onion-like carbon, an advanced anode material for a potassium-ion hybrid capacitor
Authors: Chen Jiangtao , Yang Bingjun , Li Hongxia , Ma Pengjun , Lang Junwei , Yan Xingbin
Published: March 2019

Onion-like carbon obtained from candle soot behaves as a high-performance anode for potassium-ion hybrid capacitors.
7.5% n–i–p Sb2Se3 solar cells with CuSCN as a hole-transport layer
Authors: Li Kanghua , Wang Siyu , Chen Chao , Kondrotas Rokas , Hu Manchen , Lu Shuaicheng , Wang Chong , Chen Wei , Tang Jiang
Published: March 2019

CuSCN suppresses the back surface recombination and induces grain boundary inversion through Cu diffusion to achieve 7.5% n–i–p Sb2Se3 solar cells.
Efficient triphenylamine-based polymorphs with different mechanochromism and lasing emission: manipulating molecular packing and intermolecular interactions
Authors: Fang Bing , Chu Manman , Wu Zhen , Shi Yan , Zhao Yong Sheng , Yin Meizhen
Published: March 2019

Triphenylamine-based polymorphs with blue and cyan emission are obtained and act as optical resonators for lasing emission.
SiCxNy:Fe films as a tunable ferromagnetic material with tailored conductivity
Authors: Pushkarev Roman , Fainer Nadezhda , Kirienko Victor , Matsynin Alexey , Nadolinnyy Vladimir , Merenkov Ivan , Trubina Svetlana , Ehrenburg Simon , Kvashnina Kristina
Published: March 2019

Ferromagnetic SiCxNy:Fe films with tunable functional properties were synthesized, providing a novel material for spintronics applications.
Dibenzofuran/dibenzothiophene as the secondary electron-donors for highly efficient blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters
Authors: Tao Wen-Wen , Wang Kai , Chen Jia-Xiong , Shi Yi-Zhong , Liu Wei , Zheng Cai-Jun , Li Yan-Qing , Yu Jia , Ou Xue-Mei , Zhang Xiao-Hong
Published: March 2019

Effective TADF characteristics and high PLQYs are obtained simultaneously for all four emitters.
Verification of parallelising transformations of KPN models
Authors: Karfa Chandan , Sarkar Dipankar , Mandal Chittaranjan
Published: March 2019

Parallelising transformations of Kahn process networks (KPNs) are important mechanisms for achieving speedup for deployment on heterogeneous multiprocessor systems particularly in the domain of signal processing applications. Correctness of such parallelising transformations is crucial for their reliable applications. In this study, verification frameworks for checking correctness of sequential to KPN behavioural transformation and KPN level transformations are presented. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these are the first such approaches for verification problems. The sequential behaviour and the KPN behaviours are both modelled as array data dependence graphs (ADDGs) and the verification problem is posed as the problem of checking of equivalence between the two ADDGs. The key aspect of the proposed scheme is to model a KPN behaviour as an ADDG. Correctness of KPN to ADDG construction method is proved. Experimental results supporting usability of this scheme are also provided.
Wireless power transfer in the presence of a conducting interface: Analytical solution
Authors: Vallecchi Andrea , Shamonina Ekaterina , Stevens Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

A comprehensive model of wireless power transfer (WPT) between a pair of inductively coupled loop resonators in the vicinity of a conducting slab is developed by combining electromagnetic (EM) theory with an equivalent circuit representation of the system. The model incorporates all EM interactions occurring between the coils both directly and through the slab. The design of an optimal WPT regime for two coils in the presence of a conducting slab with variable conductivity is demonstrated by exploiting the model to predict the coil detuning produced by the slab. It is further shown that the model also constitutes an effective tool to estimate the losses in the conducting material solely in terms of the parameters of the generalised equivalent circuit and to analyse the power flow in a WPT system. The validity of the analytical results is proved by comparison with rigorous full‐wave simulations. The proposed analytical method can have particular relevance in the field of wireless charging of electric vehicles and WPT for supplying implanted medical devices and body sensor networks, where it can be instrumental for the design and optimisation of the system to be compliant with existing RF exposure safety levels.
Control of asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverter for a grid‐connected photovoltaic system
Authors: Sinha Akanksha , Das Madan Kumar , Jana Kartick Chandra
Published: March 2019

This article presents a generalised asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverter (MLI) for a single‐phase grid‐connected photovoltaic (PV) system and their control strategy. The control strategy, including maximum power tracking along with a suitable interface, is implemented for maximum power transfer from the PV source to the single‐phase low‐power grid. The balancing of DC‐link voltages for an asymmetrical MLI under variable solar parameters as well as grid parameter variation is implemented using the proposed control strategy. The voltage controllers maintain the constant DC‐link voltage ratio, whereas the current controller injects the sinusoidal current into the grid at unity power factor and track the grid voltage under variation of grid voltage using grid tracker. Stability analysis of the proposed grid‐connected asymmetrical inverter system is also incorporated. The whole grid‐tied PV system is simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and the exhaustive simulation results of the system under different transient conditions are presented. In addition, a laboratory prototype for a low‐power grid‐tied PV system has been developed and implemented using DS1103. The performance of the system is also tested at varying irradiance conditions and the corresponding experimental results are also presented.
Room temperature methane sensor based on single wall CNTs/SnO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Dehghani Sajjad , Mohammadzadeh Maryam , Sheikhi Mohammad Hossein , Moravvej‐Farshi Mohammad Kazem
Published: March 2019

Fabrication and characterisation of a new methane sensor based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is proposed. The sensor uses low‐cost SnO2 nanoparticles and it can detect 0.5% of methane at room temperature. SnO2 nanoparticles were deposited by electron beam deposition. The crystallography of CNT and SnO2 was investigated by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The presence of SnO2 nanoparticles on CNTs was confirmed by scanning electron microscope images. The study’s room temperature sensor is applicable in explosive environments like refineries. Furthermore, it is easily reversible (i.e. it can return to its initial state) in air at room temperature. Low power consumption and high sensitivity are also the other advantages of this sensor. Finally, a charge transfer mechanism is proposed to describe the sensing behaviour.
Stellar population of Sco OB2 revealed by Gaia DR2 data
Authors: Damiani F. , Prisinzano L. , Pillitteri I. , Micela G. , Sciortino S.
Published: March 2019

Context. The Sco OB2 association is the nearest OB association, extending over approximately 2000 square degrees on the sky. Only its brightest and most massive members are already known (from HIPPARCOS) across its entire size, while studies of its lower mass population refer only to small portions of its extent.

Aims. In this work we exploit the capabilities of Gaia DR2 measurements to search for Sco OB2 members across its entire size and down to the lowest stellar masses.

Methods. We used both Gaia astrometric (proper motions and parallaxes) and photometric measurements (integrated photometry and colors) to select association members, using minimal assumptions derived mostly from the HIPPARCOS studies. Gaia resolves small details in both the kinematics of individual Sco OB2 subgroups and their distribution with distance from the Sun. We developed methods to explore the 3D kinematics of a stellar population covering large sky areas.

Results. We find nearly 11 000 pre-main-sequence (PMS) members of Sco OB2 (with less than 3% field-star contamination), plus ∼3600 main-sequence (MS) candidate members with a larger (10–30%) field-star contamination. A higher confidence subsample of ∼9200 PMS (and ∼1340 MS) members is also selected (<1% contamination for the PMS), however this group is affected by larger (∼15%) incompleteness. We separately classify stars in compact and diffuse populations. Most members belong to one of several kinematically distinct diffuse populations, whose ensemble clearly outlines the shape of the entire association. Upper Sco is the densest region of Sco OB2. It is characterized by a complex spatial and kinematical structure and has no global pattern of motion. Other dense subclusters are found in Lower Centaurus-Crux and in Upper Centaurus-Lupus; the richest example of the latter, which has been recently identified, is coincident with the group near V1062 Sco. Most of the clustered stars appear to be younger than the diffuse PMS population, suggesting star formation in small groups that rapidly disperse and are diluted, reaching space densities lower than field stars while keeping memory of their original kinematics. We also find that the open cluster IC 2602 has a similar dynamics to Sco OB2, and its PMS members are currently evaporating and forming a diffuse (size ∼10°) halo around its double-peaked core.
Photo-evaporation of close-in gas giants orbiting around G and M stars
Authors: Locci Daniele , Cecchi-Pestellini Cesare , Micela Giuseppina
Published: March 2019

Context. X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation impacting a gas produce a variety of effects that, depending on the electron content, may provide significant heating of the illuminated region. In a planetary atmosphere of solar composition, stellar high energy radiation can heat the gas to very high temperatures and this could affect the stability of planetary atmospheres, in particular for close-in planets.

Aims. We investigate the variations with stellar age in the occurring frequency of gas giant planets orbiting G and M stars, taking into account that the high energy luminosity of a low mass star evolves in time, both in intensity and hardness.

Methods. Using the energy-limited escape approach we investigated the effects induced by the atmospheric mass loss on giant exoplanet distribution that is initially flat, at several distances from the parent star. We followed the dynamical evolution of the planet atmosphere, tracking the departures from the initial profile due to the atmospheric escape, until it reaches the final mass-radius configuration.

Results. We find that a significant fraction of low mass Jupiter-like planets orbiting with periods lower than ~3.5 days either vaporize during the first billion years or lose a relevant part of their atmospheres. The planetary initial mass profile is significantly distorted; in particular, the frequency of occurrence of gas giants, less massive than 2 MJ, around young stars can be considerably greater than their occurrence around older stellar counterparts.
Survivability of planetary systems in young and dense star clusters
Authors: van Elteren A. , Portegies Zwart S. , Pelupessy I. , Cai M. X. , McMillan S. L. W.
Published: March 2019

Aims.We perform a simulation using the Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment of the Orion Trapezium star cluster in which the evolution of the stars and the dynamics of planetary systems are taken into account.

Methods.The initial conditions from earlier simulations were selected in which the size and mass distributions of the observed circumstellar disks in this cluster are satisfactorily reproduced. Four, five, or size planets per star were introduced in orbit around the 500 solar-like stars with a maximum orbital separation of 400 au.

Results.Our study focuses on the production of free-floating planets. A total of 357 become unbound from a total of 2522 planets in the initial conditions of the simulation. Of these, 281 leave the cluster within the crossing timescale of the star cluster; the others remain bound to the cluster as free-floating intra-cluster planets. Five of these free-floating intra-cluster planets are captured at a later time by another star.

Conclusions.The two main mechanisms by which planets are lost from their host star, ejection upon a strong encounter with another star or internal planetary scattering, drive the evaporation independent of planet mass of orbital separation at birth. The effect of small perturbations due to slow changes in the cluster potential are important for the evolution of planetary systems. In addition, the probability of a star to lose a planet is independent of the planet mass and independent of its initial orbital separation. As a consequence, the mass distribution of free-floating planets is indistinguishable from the mass distribution of planets bound to their host star.
X, Y, Z Search at Belle II
Authors: Prencipe Elisabetta
Published: March 2019

Search for exotics has increased importance since the observation of the X(3872), 13 years ago, announced by the Belle Collaboration. The observation of pentaquark states by LHCb, and the Z-charged states observed at Belle and BES III have raised even more the attention to the field. Presently several states are observed that do not fit potential models, and looking for them in diﬀerent production mechanisms and search for their decay modes it is important, as well as to do precise measurement of their mass, width, lineshape. We shortly report in this note about the plan in searching for exotics at Belle II at KEK (Tsukuba, Japan), that just ended the Phase-II running period, and show the first re-discovery results using 5 pb−1 integrated luminosity.
Charmonium and exotics from lattice QCD
Authors: Knechtli Francesco
Published: March 2019

We review selected lattice results on the charmonium spectrum and first attempts to search for the existence of exotic states. The hadro-quarkonium model was proposed to interpret some of the exotic states as a quarkonium core inside a hadron. We present a lattice study of the hadro-quarkonium model in the limit of static quarks. The charm quark decouples in low energy observables and binding energies of charmonium. In a model calculation we are able to evaluate the corrections to decoupling of the charm quark in the continuum.
Mass spectra of triply heavy charm-beauty baryons
Authors: Shah Zalak , Rai Ajay Kumar
Published: March 2019

We extract the mass spectra of triply heavy charm-beauty baryons using Hypercentral constituent quark model. The first order correction is also added to the potential term of Hamiltonian. The radial and orbital excited state masses are also determined. Moreover, the Regge trajectories and magnetic moments are also given for these baryons.
Conservational and Sequential Charm Hadronization in Heavy Ion Collisions
Authors: Zhao Jiaxing , Shi Shuzhe , Xu Nu , Zhuang Pengfei
Published: March 2019

Heavy quarks are almost initially produced and the number is conserved during the evolution of the hot medium produced in Heavy Ion collisions. We firstly take into account the charm conservation effect on charm hadron hadronization via sequential coalescence model. In the frame of sequential coalescence, the charm conservation enhances the earlier hadron production and suppresses the later production. This relative enhancement (suppression) changes significantly the charmed hadron ratios in heavy ion collisions at RHIC and LHC.
The inclusive reconstruction of Charmed Mesons on B-factory
Authors: Gzhymkovska Olga
Published: March 2019

We present the study of the inclusive branching ratios of the double charmed decays with strangeness B → $ \overline D ^{^{(*)} } D_{s(J)}^{(*)} $ The study based on the missing mass distributions in inclusive transitions B → $ \overline D ^{^{(*)} } X $, and thus in a way free from the assumptions about resonance decays $ D_{s(J)}^{(*)} $. There are also presented the perspective of such studies on the next generation Belle II experiment.
Study of charmoniumlike states by amplitude analyses at Belle
Authors: Chilikin Kirill
Published: March 2019

A review of charmoniumlike state studies at Belle which use amplitude analyses is presented, including the Zc(4430)+ , Zc(4200)+ and χc0(3860).
Direct production of χc1 at BESIII
Authors: Guo Yuping
Published: March 2019

The production of resonances in electron-positron annihilation has only been observed for states with quantum numbers JPC = 1−−, while C = +1 resonances appear only among the decay products. The direct production of the 1++ states could happen through two-photon or neutral current. Due to the smallness of the production rate, this process has never been verified experimentally. With the high luminosity and good performance of the BESIII experiment, a search of the direct production of the 1++ state in charmonium region, χc1, is undergoing with dedicated data samples around the χc1 mass. An overview of the data analysis will be presented.
Parametrizations of three-body hadronic B- and D-decay amplitudes
Authors: Loiseau Benoît , Boito Diogo , Dedonder Jean-Pierre , El-Bennich Bruno , Escribano Rafel , Kamiński Robert , Leśniak Leonard
Published: March 2019

A short review of our recent work on amplitude parametrizations of three-body hadronic weak B and D decays is presented. The final states are here composed of three light mesons, namely the various charge πππ, Kππ and KK$ \bar K $ states. These parametrizations are derived from previous calculations based on a quasi-two-body factorization approach where the two-body hadronic final state interactions are fully taken into account in terms of unitary S- and P-wave ππ, πK and K$ \bar K $ form factors. They are an alternative to the isobar-model description and can be useful in the interpretation of CP asymmetries.