bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ethical and Ecological Limits of Sustainability: A Decolonial Approach to Climate Change in Higher Education
Authors: Stein Sharon
Published: October 2019

In this article, I offer a decolonial critique of the ethical and ecological limits of mainstream sustainability efforts in higher education. In doing so, I identify colonialism as the primary cause of climate change, and the primary condition of possibility for modern higher education. I further suggest that the abiding failure to address the centrality of colonialism in both climate change and higher education is not a problem of ignorance that can be solved with more information, but rather a problem of denial that is rooted in enduring investments in the continuity of existing institutions and a modern-colonial ‘habit-of-being’ (Shotwell, 2016). I argue that in order to face the ethical and ecological impossibilities of making higher education institutions sustainable, we will need to set our horizons of hope beyond the promises that they offer.
Dealing with Allegations of Corruption in International Arbitration
Authors: Low Lucinda A.
Published: October 2019

With the rise of corruption as a subject of international instruments and the convergence of obligations around its prevention, detection, and remediation in both the public and private sectors, corruption has increasingly figured as an issue in international arbitration. Indeed, its acceptance as a public policy issue at both the international and transnational levels has resulted in the need for tribunals, in both commercial and investor-state disputes, to grapple with questions of jurisdiction, admissibility, and consequences, as well as standards of proof. As this essay demonstrates, the challenges presented by the issue of corruption pose special difficulties for arbitration. Time will tell if tribunals will move from their current largely binary, all-or-nothing approach to a more nuanced one based on proportionality.
Ventenata dubia’s native range and consideration of plant pathogens for biological control
Authors: Alomran Maryam , Newcombe George , Prather Timothy
Published: October 2019

Ventenata [Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.] is a nonindigenous, invasive grass in the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States. It appears to be present in the PNW without any evidence of disease expression. Surveys of V. dubia in the PNW (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington) were entirely negative for fungi, including types of pathogens that might be expected in grasses (e.g., rust, powdery mildew, choke). In Europe, where V. dubia is native, fungi were documented (i.e., Septoria ventenatae Sandu, Tilletia fusca Ellis & Everh., and Tilletia elisabethae T. Denchev & Denchev) on V. dubia. In its native range there likely are natural enemies that may limit V. dubia abundance, and these may include fungal pathogens. Pathogens of V. dubia from its native range may hold potential for use as classical biological control agents in North America, and if deemed safe, could be introduced. To ascertain V. dubia’s native range, we compiled data from herbarium specimens, consulted with herbarium curators in the region, and searched relevant literature. We found that V. dubia primarily is reported in southern Europe and western Asia. Ventenata dubia has been reported only occasionally from North Africa in Algeria and Morocco. The common name “North Africa grass” likely originated from references to V. dubia in the 19th-century botanical explorations in Algeria of the French botanist, Ernest Cosson, who published the current scientific name based on a preexisting name in 1854. Another finding of interest is that the latitudinal range of collections from Europe and North Africa of V. dubia spans Tunisia to Finland. The plant may thus be adapted to a range of environments, indicating it could become more widely distributed in North America. Efforts to search its native range for pathogens should also consider the range of environmental conditions found within its native and introduced ranges.
Multi-modes for Detecting Experimental Measurement Error
Authors: Duch Raymond , Laroze Denise , Robinson Thomas , Beramendi Pablo
Published: October 2019

Experiments should be designed to facilitate the detection of experimental measurement error. To this end, we advocate the implementation of identical experimental protocols employing diverse experimental modes. We suggest iterative nonparametric estimation techniques for assessing the magnitude of heterogeneous treatment effects across these modes. And we propose two diagnostic strategies—measurement metrics embedded in experiments, and measurement experiments—that help assess whether any observed heterogeneity reflects experimental measurement error. To illustrate our argument, first we conduct and analyze results from four identical interactive experiments: in the lab; online with subjects from the CESS lab subject pool; online with an online subject pool; and online with MTurk workers. Second, we implement a measurement experiment in India with CESS Online subjects and MTurk workers.
Late Quaternary (≥MIS 3 to MIS 1) stratigraphic transitions in a highland Beringian landscape along the Kuskokwim River, Alaska
Authors: Reuther Joshua D. , Rogers Jason , Druckenmiller Patrick , Bundtzen Thomas K. , Wallace Kristi , Bowman Robert , May Kevin , Feathers James , Cherkinsky Alexander
Published: October 2019

Stratigraphic records extending to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (57,000–29,000 cal yr BP) or older in Beringia are extremely rare. Three stratigraphic sections in interior western Alaska show near continuous sedimentological and environmental progressions extending from at least MIS 3, if not older, through MIS 1 (14,000 cal yr BP–present). The Kolmakof, Sue Creek, and VABM (vertical angle bench mark) Kuskokwim sections along the central Kuskokwim River, once a highland landscape at the fringe of central and eastern Beringia, contain aeolian deposition and soil sequences dating beyond 50,00014C yr BP. Thick peaty soil, shallow lacustrine, and tephra deposits represent the MIS 3 interstade (or older). Sand sheet and loess deposits, wedge cast development, and very thin soil development mark the later MIS 3 period and the transition into the MIS 2 stade (29,000–14,000 cal yr BP). Loess accumulation with thicker soil development occurred between ~16,000–13,500 cal yr BP at the MIS 2 and MIS 1 transition. After ~13,500 cal yr BP, loess accumulation waned and peat development increased throughout MIS 1. These stratigraphic sequences represent transitions between a warm and moist period during MIS 3, to a cooler and more arid period during MIS 2, then a return to warmer and moister climates in MIS 1.
Effects of alternative feed additives and flint maize grain particle size on growth performance, carcass traits and nutrient digestibility of finishing beef cattle
Authors: Gouvêa V. N. , Meschiatti M. A. P. , Moraes J. M. M. , Batalha C. D. A. , Dórea J. R. R. , Acedo T. S. , Tamassia L. F. M. , Owens F. N. , Santos F. A. P.
Published: October 2019

The current study evaluated growth performance and digestion responses of finishing bulls fed diets containing 825 g/kg flint maize [dry matter (DM) basis] ground to medium (1.66 mm; MG) or coarse particle sizes (2.12 mm; CG), with added monensin (26 mg/kg; DM basis; MON) or a blend of essential oils (BEO) + exogenousα-amylase (AM; 90 mg/kg + 560 mg/kg commercial product, respectively, DM basis). In Expt 1, 256 Nellore bulls were blocked by initial body weight (BW) (360 ± 11.7 kg) and assigned to 48 pens in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Effect of a maize particle size × feed additive interaction was not detected for final BW, DM intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency. The DMI was greater for bulls fed BEO + AMv.MON. Final BW and ADG tended to be greater for bulls fed CG than MG maize. An interaction was detected for hot carcass weight which was 11 kg heavier for bulls fed BEO + AMv.MON in diets containing CG, but not MG particle size. In Expt 2, four ruminally cannulated Nellore steers were offered the same treatments as Expt 1, in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Intake of most nutrients was greater for steers fed CG than steers fed MG maize. In summary, feeding bulls CG maize increased growth performance and carcass characteristics compared with MG. The combination of BEO + AM resulted in heavier carcass weights compared with MON supplementation when included in diets containing CG maize.
Generation of terahertz radiation from beating of two intense cosh-Gaussian laser beams in magnetized plasma
Authors: Purohit Gunjan , Rawat Vinod , Rawat Priyanka
Published: October 2019

An analytical and numerical study has been carried out for the generation of terahertz (THz) radiation by beating of two intense cosh-Gaussian laser beams (decentered Gaussian beams) in the rippled density magnetized plasma under the relativistic–ponderomotive regime. In this process, both laser beams exert a relativistic–ponderomotive force on plasma electrons at the beat frequency and impart them an oscillatory velocity in the presence of a static magnetic field. Due to coupling between this nonlinear oscillatory velocity with density ripple, nonlinear current is generated that excites the THz radiation at the different frequency. Higher-order paraxial-ray approximation (non-paraxial theory) has been used in this study. The effects of the decentered parameter, magnetic field, and density ripple on the THz radiation generation in ripple density magnetized plasma have been investigated. Further, the effect of beating of laser beams on the THz field amplitude and the efficiency of THz radiation have been studied. The amplitude and efficiency of the emitted radiation are found to be highly sensitive to the decentered parameter, magnetic field, and density ripple. It has been found that the amplitude and efficiency of the generated THz radiation increase significantly with increasing the values of decentered parameter, magnetic field, and density ripple.
Kinesthetic Guidance Utilizing DMP Synchronization and Assistive Virtual Fixtures for Progressive Automation
Authors: Papageorgiou Dimitrios , Dimeas Fotios , Kastritsi Theodora , Doulgeri Zoe
Published: October 2019

The progressive automation framework allows the seamless transition of a robot from kinesthetic guidance to autonomous operation mode during programming by demonstration of discrete motion tasks. This is achieved by the synergetic action of dynamic movement primitives (DMPs), virtual fixtures, and variable impedance control. The proposed DMPs encode the demonstrated trajectory and synchronize with the current demonstration from the user so that the reference generated motion follows the human’s demonstration. The proposed virtual fixtures assist the user in repeating the learned kinematic behavior but allow penetration so that the user can make modifications to the learned trajectory if needed. The tracking error in combination with the interaction forces and torques is used by a variable stiffness strategy to adjust the progressive automation level and transition the leading role between the human and the robot. An energy tank approach is utilized to apply the designed controller and to prove the passivity of the overall control method. An experimental evaluation of the proposed framework is presented for a pick and place task and results show that the transition to autonomous mode is achieved in few demonstrations.
Metronidazole therapy as initial treatment of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with chronic kidney disease in Korea
Authors: Shin Jaeuk , Wi Yu Mi , Lee Yu-Ji
Published: October 2019

The risk of metronidazole treatment failure in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease in Korea has not been established. We evaluated 481 patients who had been admitted to two secondary hospitals with a diagnosis of, and treatment for, CDI during 2010–2016. CDI patients were divided into three groups according to CKD status: non-CKD (n = 363), CKD (n = 55) and those requiring dialysis (n = 63). Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association of CKD status with treatment failure. CDI patients receiving dialysis tended to have increased odds of metronidazole and overall treatment failure compared to non-CKD patients; adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 2.09 (1.03–4.21) and 2.18 (1.11–4.32) for metronidazole and overall treatment failure, respectively. However, CKD patients did not have increased odds of metronidazole or overall treatment failure compared to non-CKD patients, even where severe CDI was more prevalent in CKD patients. The incidence of symptomatic ileus or toxic megacolon did not differ among groups. Our results suggest that initial metronidazole therapy may be considered in CDI patients with non-dialysis CKD, but should not be considered in CDI patients undergoing dialysis.
Better diet quality scores are associated with a lower risk of hypertension and non-fatal CVD in middle-aged Australian women over 15 years of follow-up
Authors: Jackson Jacklyn K , MacDonald-Wicks Lesley K , McEvoy Mark A , Forder Peta M , Holder Carl , Oldmeadow Christopher , Byles Julie E , Patterson Amanda J
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To explore if better diet quality scores as a measure of adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) and the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) are associated with a lower incidence of hypertension and non-fatal CVD.

Design:

Prospective analysis of the 1946–1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH). The Australian Recommended Foods Score (ARFS) was calculated as an indicator of adherence to the ADG; the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) measured adherence to the MedDiet. Outcomes included hypertension and non-fatal CVD. Generalised estimating equations estimated OR and 95 % CI across quartiles of diet quality scores.

Setting:

Australia, 2001–2016.

Participants:

1946–1951 cohort of the ALSWH (n 5324), without CVD, hypertension and diabetes at baseline (2001), with complete FFQ data.

Results:

There were 1342 new cases of hypertension and 629 new cases of non-fatal CVD over 15 years of follow-up. Multivariate analysis indicated that women reporting better adherence to the ARFS (≥38/74) had 15 % (95 % CI 1, 28 %;P= 0·05) lower odds of hypertension and 46 % (95 % CI 6, 66 %;P= 0·1) lower odds of non-fatal CVD. Women reporting better adherence to the MDS (≥8/17) had 27 % (95 % CI 15, 47 %;P= 0·0006) lower odds of hypertension and 30 % (95 % CI 2, 50 %;P= 0·03) lower odds of non-fatal CVD.

Conclusions:

Better adherence to diet quality scores is associated with lower risk of hypertension and non-fatal CVD. These results support the need for updated evidenced based on the ADG as well as public health nutrition policies in Australia.
SOCIALLY DESIRABLE REPORTING AND THE EXPRESSION OF BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS OF RACE
Authors: Morning Ann , Brückner Hannah , Nelson Alondra
Published: October 2019

In recent decades, dramatic developments in genetics research have begun to transform not only the practice of medicine but also conceptions of the social world. In the media, in popular culture, and in everyday conversation, Americans routinely link genetics to individual behavior and social outcomes. At the same time, some social researchers contend that biological definitions of race have lost ground in the United States over the last fifty years. At the crossroads of two trends—on one hand, the post-World War II recoil from biological accounts of racial difference, and on the other, the growing admiration for the advances of genetic science—the American public’s conception of race is a phenomenon that merits greater attention from sociologists than it has received to date. However, survey data on racial attitudes has proven to be significantly affected by social desirability bias. While a number of studies have attempted to measure social desirability bias with regard to racial attitudes, most have focused on racial policy preferences rather than genetic accounts of racial inequality. We employ a list experiment to create an unobtrusive measure of support for a biologistic understanding of racial inequality. We show that one in five non-Black Americans attribute income inequality between Black and White people to unspecified genetic differences between the two groups. We also find that this number is substantially underestimated when using a direct question. The magnitude of social desirability effects varies, and is most pronounced among women, older people, and the highly-educated.
Avera Twin Register Growing Through Online Consenting and Survey Collection
Authors: Kittelsrud Julie M. , Ehli Erik A. , Petersen Vikki , Jung Tammy , Beck Jeffrey J. , Kallsen Noah , Huizenga Patricia , Holm Brittany , Davies Gareth E.
Published: October 2019

The aim of the Avera Twin Register (ATR) is to establish a prospective longitudinal repository of twins, multiples, siblings and family members’ biological samples to study environmental and genetic influences on health and disease. Also, it is our intention to contribute to international genome-wide association study (GWAS) twin consortia when appropriate sample size is achieved within the ATR. The ATR is young compared with existing registers and continues to collect a longitudinal repository of biological specimens, survey data and health information. Data and biological specimens were originally collected via face-to-face appointments or the postal department and consisted of paper-informed consents and questionnaires. Enrollment of the ATR began on May 18, 2016 and is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a rural and frontier area in the Central United States with a regional population of approximately 880,000. The original target area for the ATR was South Dakota and the four surrounding states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Nebraska. The ATR has found a need to expand that area based on twin and multiple siblings who live in various areas surrounding these states. A description of the state of the ATR today and its transition to online data collection and informed consent will be presented. The ATR collects longitudinal data on lifestyle, including diet and activity levels, aging, plus complex traits and diseases. All twins and multiples participating in the ATR are genotyped on the Illumina Global Screening Array and receive zygosity results.
The New West Japan Twins and Higher Order Multiple Births Registry
Authors: Yokoyama Yoshie
Published: October 2019

The new West Japan Twins and Higher Order Multiple Births Registry was established by recruiting young twins and multiple births and by referrals from public health centers in the 1990s. The participants included in the survey comprised over 7800 twins and 4241 higher order multiples, and their families. Specifically, the present registry contains one of the largest triplet samples in the world. For these twins and multiples, data on year of delivery, mode of delivery, gestational age, intrapartum complications, longitudinal physical measures, motor milestones, cerebral palsy and feeding methods were obtained from records in the Maternal and Child Health Handbooks and schools. Participating mothers were asked to indicate family structure, parental educational history, maternal sleeping time, maternal health condition, maternal and paternal age at multiple delivery, complications during pregnancy, handedness of multiples and age at menarche of multiples. However, the zygosity differed among the various collaborating public health centers according to factors such as the time of investigation. Follow-up questionnaires have been mailed out every 3–4 years for longitudinal studies. This article describes the goals of this registry, recruitment of multiples and the focus of the study. The goals of this registry are not only to conduct research on human genetics and maternal and child health, but also to contribute to providing appropriate information for families with multiples.
Modeling Deltaic Lobe‐Building Cycles and Channel Avulsions for the Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Moodie Andrew J. , Nittrouer Jeffrey A. , Ma Hongbo , Carlson Brandee N. , Chadwick Austin J. , Lamb Michael P. , Parker Gary
Published: October 2019

River deltas grow by repeating cycles of lobe development punctuated by channel avulsions, so that over time, lobes amalgamate to produce a composite landform. Existing models have shown that backwater hydrodynamics are important in avulsion dynamics, but the effect of lobe progradation on avulsion frequency and location has yet to be explored. Herein, a quasi‐2‐D numerical model incorporating channel avulsion and lobe development cycles is developed. The model is validated by the well‐constrained case of a prograding lobe on the Yellow River delta, China. It is determined that with lobe progradation, avulsion frequency decreases, and avulsion length increases, relative to conditions where a delta lobe does not prograde. Lobe progradation lowers the channel bed gradient, which results in channel aggradation over the delta topset that is focused farther upstream, shifting the avulsion location upstream. Furthermore, the frequency and location of channel avulsions are sensitive to the threshold in channel bed superelevation that triggers an avulsion. For example, avulsions occur less frequently with a larger superelevation threshold, resulting in greater lobe progradation and avulsions that occur farther upstream. When the delta lobe length prior to avulsion is a moderate fraction of the backwater length (0.3–
), the interplay between variable water discharge and lobe progradation together set the avulsion location, and a model capturing both processes is necessary to predict avulsion timing and location. While this study is validated by data from the Yellow River delta, the numerical framework is rooted in physical relationships and can therefore be extended to other deltaic systems.
CCL2 promotes macrophages-associated chemoresistance via MCPIP1 dual catalytic activities in multiple myeloma
Authors: Xu Ruyi , Li Yi , Yan Haimeng , Zhang Enfan , Huang Xi , Chen Qingxiao , Chen Jing , Qu Jianwei , Liu Yang , He Jingsong , Yi Qing , Cai Zhen
Published: October 2019

We previously showed that the chemokine CCL2 can recruit macrophages (Mφs) to the bone marrow (BM) in multiple myeloma (MM) and that myeloma-associated Mφs are important in drug resistance. Here, we explore the role of increased CCL2 expression in the BM microenvironment of MM and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Our results show that CCL2 expression is associated with the treatment status of MM patients. Mφs interact with MM cells and further upregulate their expression of CCL2. These increased level of CCL2 polarizes Mφs toward the M2-like phenotype and promotes Mφs to protect MM cells from drug-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, CCL2 upregulated the expression of the immunosuppressive molecular MCP-1-induced protein (MCPIP1) in Mφs. MCPIP1 mediates Mφs’ polarization and protection via dual catalytic activities. Additionally, we found that CCL2 induces MCPIP1 expression via the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that increased CCL2 expression in MM patients’ BM polarizes Mφs toward the M2-like phenotype and promotes the protective effect of Mφs through MCPIP1, providing novel insight into the mechanism of Mφs-mediated drug resistance in MM.
Transduction optimization of AAV vectors for human gene therapy of glaucoma and their reversed cell entry characteristics
Authors: Rodriguez-Estevez Laura , Asokan Priyadarsini , Borrás Teresa
Published: October 2019

The trabecular meshwork (TM) of the eye is responsible for maintaining physiological intraocular pressure (IOP). Dysfunction of this tissue results in elevated IOP, subsequent optic nerve damage and glaucoma, the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. IOP regulation by delivering candidate TM genes would offer an enormous clinical advantage to the current daily-drops/surgery treatment. Initially, we showed that a double-stranded AAV2 (scAAV2) transduced the human TM very efficiently, while its single-stranded form (ssAAV2) did not. Here, we quantified transduction and entry of single- and double-strand serotypes 1, 2.5, 5, 6, 8, and 9 in primary, single individual-derived human TM cells (HTM). scAAV2 exhibited highest transduction in all individuals, distantly followed by scAAV2.5, scAAV6, and scAAV5. Transduction of scAAV1, scAAV8, and scAAV9 was negligible. None of the ssAAV serotypes transduced, but their cell entries were significantly higher than those of their corresponding scAAV. Tyrosine scAAV2 capsid mutants increased transduction in HTM cultured cells and all TM-outflow layers of perfused postmortem human eyes. These studies provide the first serotype optimization for gene therapy of glaucoma in humans. They further reveal biological differences between the AAV forms in HTM cells, whose understanding could contribute to the development of gene therapy of glaucoma.
Comparative proteomic analysis of cucumber powdery mildew resistance between a single-segment substitution line and its recurrent parent
Authors: Xu Xuewen , Liu Xueli , Yan Yali , Wang Wei , Gebretsadik Kiros , Qi Xiaohua , Xu Qiang , Chen Xuehao
Published: October 2019

Powdery mildew (PM) is considered a major cause of yield losses and reduced quality in cucumber worldwide, but the molecular basis of PM resistance remains poorly understood. A segment substitution line, namely, SSL508-28, was developed with dominant PM resistance in the genetic background of PM-susceptible cucumber inbred line D8. The substituted segment contains 860 genes. An iTRAQ-based comparative proteomic technology was used to map the proteomes of PM-inoculated and untreated (control) D8 and SSL508-28. The number of differentially regulated proteins (DRPs) in SSL508-28 was almost three times higher than that in D8. Fourteen DRPs were located in the substituted segment interval. Comparative gene expression analysis revealed that nodulin-related protein 1 (NRP1) may be a good candidate for PM resistance. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that DRPs functioning in tetrapyrrole biosynthetic process, sulfur metabolic process and cell redox homeostasis were specifically enriched in the resistant line SSL508-28. DRPs categorized in the KEGG term photosynthesis increased in both lines upon PM infection, suggesting that the strategies used by cucumber may be different from those used by other crops to react to PM attacks at the initial stage. The measurement of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion production and net photosynthetic rate were consistent with the changes in protein abundance, suggesting that the proteomic results were reliable. There was a poor correlation between DRPs measured by iTRAQ and the corresponding gene expression changes measured by RNA-seq with the same experimental design. Taken together, these findings improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of cucumber to PM infection.
Genetic and genomic resources for Rubus breeding: a roadmap for the future
Authors: Foster Toshi M. , Bassil Nahla V. , Dossett Michael , Leigh Worthington Margaret , Graham Julie
Published: October 2019

Rubusfruits are high-value crops that are sought after by consumers for their flavor, visual appeal, and health benefits. To meet this demand, production of red and black raspberries (R. idaeusL. andR. occidentalisL.), blackberries (R. subgenusRubus), and hybrids, such as Boysenberry and marionberry, is growing worldwide.Rubusbreeding programmes are continually striving to improve flavor, texture, machine harvestability, and yield, provide pest and disease resistance, improve storage and processing properties, and optimize fruits and plants for different production and harvest systems. Breeders face numerous challenges, such as polyploidy, the lack of genetic diversity in many of the elite cultivars, and until recently, the relative shortage of genetic and genomic resources available forRubus. This review will highlight the development of continually improving genetic maps, the identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL)s controlling key traits, draft genomes for red and black raspberry, and efforts to improve gene models. The development of genetic maps and markers, the molecular characterization of wild species and germplasm, and high-throughput genotyping platforms will expedite breeding of improved cultivars. Fully sequenced genomes and accurate gene models facilitate identification of genes underlying traits of interest and enable gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9.
Harmonization of Zika neutralization assays by using the WHO International Standard for anti-Zika virus antibody
Authors: Mattiuzzo Giada , Knezevic Ivana , Hassall Mark , Ashall James , Myhill Sophie , Faulkner Valwynne , Hockley Jason , Rigsby Peter , Wilkinson Dianna E. , Page Mark ,   the collaborative study participants, Donolato Marco , Baylis Sally , Yue Constanza , Elgner Fabian , Yoon In-Kyu , Yang Jae Seung , Song Manki , Gonzalez-Escobar Gabriel , Brindle Richard , Tedder Richard , Dicks Steve , Ushiro-Lumb Ines , Williams-McDonald Sarah , Kumar Sanjai , Peden Keith , Golding Hana , Khurana Surender , Bonaparte Matthew , Durbin Anna , Dean Hansi , Sonnberg Stephanie , Hogrefe Wayne , Crowe James , Voss Thomas , Collins Matthew , Pierson Theodore , Burgomaster Katherine , Dowd Kimberly , Sigismondi Louise , Gunasekera Dhammika , Wassenberg James , Eckels Kenneth , De La Barrera Rafael
Published: October 2019

During outbreaks of emerging viruses, such as the Zika outbreak in 2015–2016, speed and accuracy in detection of infection are critical factors to control the spread of the disease; often serological and diagnostic methods for emerging viruses are not well developed and validated. Thus, vaccines and treatments are difficult to evaluate due to the lack of comparable methods. In this study, we show how the 1st WHO International Standard for anti-Zika antibody was able to harmonize the neutralization titres of a panel of serological Zika-positive samples from laboratories worldwide. Expression of the titres in International Unit per millilitre reduced the inter-laboratory variance, allowing for greater comparability between laboratories. We advocate the use of the International Standard for anti-Zika virus antibodies for the calibration of neutralization assays to create a common language, which will permit a clear evaluation of the results of different clinical trials and expedite the vaccine/treatment development.
Prognostic significance of miR-122 expression after curative resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ha Sang Yun , Yu Jeong Il , Choi Changhoon , Kang So Young , Joh Jae-Won , Paik Seung Woon , Kim Seonwoo , Kim Minji , Park Hee Chul , Park Cheol-Keun
Published: October 2019

Downregulation of MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) and its association with cancer progression have been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line models and a limited number of HCC samples. Recently, restoration of miR-122 expression by direct delivery of miR-122 yielded promising results in HCCs. However, the prognostic effect of miR-122 expression in human HCC samples is not fully understood. We investigated the expression level of miR-122 by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 289 curatively resected HCC samples and 20 normal liver samples and evaluated the prognostic effect of miR-122 expression. The relative quantification value of miR-122 was much lower in HCC samples than in normal liver tissues. During a median 119 months of follow-up for survival, the low miR-122 expression group showed shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.033) and intrahepatic recurrence-free survival (IHRFS) (p = 0.014), and a trend of short distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (p = 0.149) than high expression group. On multivariate analysis, miR-122 expression was an independent prognostic factor for RFS, IHRFS and DMFS. Downregulation of miR-122 expression, frequently found in HCC samples, was an independent prognostic factor for RFS after curative resection. Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting miR-122 could be applicable in patients with miR-122 downregulated hepatocellular carcinoma.
Development of two different formats of heterogeneous fluorescence immunoassay for bioanalysis of afatinib by employing fluorescence plate reader and KinExA 3200 immunosensor
Authors: Darwish Ibrahim A. , AlRabiah Haitham , Hamidaddin Mohammed A.
Published: October 2019

Afatinib (AFT) is a potent and highly selective drug used to treat various solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To ensure safe and effective treatment of cancer patients with AFT, its plasma concentrations should be monitored. Thus, sensitive immunoassays are required for measuring AFT concentrations in plasma samples. In this study, two different formats of heterogeneous fluorescent immunoassays were developed and validated for AFT bioanalysis. These assays were microwell-based fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) using fluorescence plate reader and kinetic exclusion assay (KinExA) using KinExA 3200 immunosensor. Both FIA and KinExA were developed using the same reagents: mouse anti-AFT antibody, solid-phase immobilized AFT conjugated with bovine serum albumin protein (AFT-BSA), and goat anti-mouse IgG labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-IgG) for signal generation. The analytical performances of both assays were comparatively evaluated, and the results revealed that although both assays had comparable accuracies, KinExA was superior to FIA in terms of sensitivity and precisions. Moreover, both FIA and KinExA were better alternatives to the existing chromatographic methods for bioanalysis of AFT. The proposed FIA and KinExA are anticipated to effectively contribute in ensuring safe and effective treatment with AFT in clinical settings.
Impact of vertical air motions on ice formation rate in mixed-phase cloud layers
Authors: Bühl Johannes , Seifert Patric , Engelmann Ronny , Ansmann Albert
Published: October 2019

The relationship between vertical air velocity at cloud base and primary ice formation has been measured for shallow mixed-phase cloud layers (thickness <380 m) by means of ground-based cloud radar and Doppler lidar. For layers with a cloud-top temperature below −12 °C, an increase of vertical-velocity standard deviation from 0.1 to 1.0 m s−1 leads to an increase in the mass flux of ice water by two orders of magnitude. The cloud layers under study were selected in such a way that secondary ice-formation processes played a minor role, and primary ice formation was the dominant source of ice formation. Phenomenological parameterizations of the ice mass and the ice mass flux as functions of standard deviation of vertical air velocity are given.
Structure characterization and optical properties investigation of the four main components of the classical phenazinium dye Safranin O
Authors: Wan Hong , Chen Hong , Chu Yueying , Ju Xiulian , Jiang Haipeng
Published: October 2019

The structures of the four main components in classical phenazinium dye safranin O were firstly identified, there was somewhat different in their absorbance properties and remarkably different in their fluorescence properties.
One-pot green and simple synthesis of actinian nickel-doped carbon nanoflowers for ultrasensitive sensing of quercetin
Authors: Gao Yuan-Fei , Jin Xing , Kong Fen-Ying , Wang Zhong-Xia , Wang Wei
Published: October 2019

In this contribution, highly fluorescent actinian nickel-doped carbon nanoflowers were successfully synthesized by one-step traditional hydrothermal method and allowed the analysis of quercetin in a very facile method.
Amino acid-modulating gold nanoparticle sensor array: an express metal ion recognition system
Authors: Shui Zhengfan , Li Jiawei , Yang Ping , Huo Danqun , Hou Changjun , Shen Caihong
Published: October 2019

We report a novel colorimetric sensor array for MIs discrimination based on soft and weak bond, which increase the array sensitivity by reducing cross-response specificity to achieve high-throughput detection at low-concentration.
Type III-C rotaxane dendrimers: synthesis, dual size modulation and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Kwan Chak-Shing , Wang Tao , Li Min , Chan Albert S. C. , Cai Zongwei , Leung Ken Cham-Fai
Published: October 2019

A new type of switchable rotaxane dendrimer for drug encapsulation and in vivo biodistribution analysis by mass spectrometry
UV-cured gel polymer electrolytes with improved stability for advanced aqueous Li-ion batteries
Authors: Langevin Spencer A. , Tan Bing , Freeman Adam W. , Gagnon Jarod C. , Hoffman Christopher M. , Logan Matthew W. , Maranchi Jeffrey P. , Gerasopoulos Konstantinos
Published: October 2019

We report UV-photopolymerized “water-in-bisalt” electrolytes that expand the electrochemical stability window, improving “water-in-bisalt” cycle life in lithium titanate full cells.
Unveiling new stable manganese based photoanode materials via theoretical high-throughput screening and experiments
Authors: Noh Juhwan , Kim Sungwon , Gu Geun ho , Shinde Aniketa , Zhou Lan , Gregoire John M. , Jung Yousung
Published: October 2019

We computationally perform the exhaustive search of the X–Mn–O (X = Mg and Ca) chemical space for a stable new photoactive material, and discover a new photoanode compound Mg2MnO4 with experimental verification.
Self-assembled monolayers of polyoxovanadates with phthalocyaninato lanthanide moieties on gold surfaces
Authors: Pütt Ricarda , Qiu Xinkai , Kozłowski Piotr , Gildenast Hans , Linnenberg Oliver , Zahn Stefan , Chiechi Ryan C. , Monakhov Kirill Yu.
Published: October 2019

Conductive self-assembled monolayers of host–guest vanadium–oxo cages functionalised with phthalocyaninato YbIIImoieties have been formed on gold surfaces.
Facile hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical porous priceite (Ca4B10O19·7H2O) microspheres as high-efficiency adsorbents for heavy metal ions removal
Authors: Zhu Wancheng , Chen Xiuping , Sun Panpan , Li Jie , Zhai Peiyan , Zheng Yuyu , Wang Lihua , Zhang Heng , Zhang Zhaoshun
Published: October 2019

A facile EDTA-2Na-assisted hydrothermal route is developed to synthesize hierarchical carnation-like Ca4B10O19·7H2O microspheres as high-efficiency adsorbents for heavy metal ion (Pb2+) removal from mimic wastewater.
A multi-scale time-resolved study of photoactivated dynamics in 5-benzyl uracil, a model for DNA/protein interactions
Authors: Valadan Mohammadhassan , Pomarico Enrico , Della Ventura Bartolomeo , Gesuele Felice , Velotta Raffaele , Amoresano Angela , Pinto Gabriella , Chergui Majed , Improta Roberto , Altucci Carlo
Published: October 2019

Ultrafast photo-induced dynamics of 5-benzyl uracil: a model system to understand DNA/protein interactions.
The synergistic effects of Cu clusters and In2O3 on ethanol synthesis from acetic acid hydrogenation
Authors: Chen Yifei , Zhai Ziwei , Liu Jiatao , Zhang Jia , Geng Zhongfeng , Lyu Huisheng
Published: October 2019

Reaction cycle of acetic acid hydrogenation to ethanol on a Cu4/In2O3(110) surface.
Hybrid materials based on conjugated polymers and inorganic semiconductors as photocatalysts: from environmental to energy applications
Authors: Liras Marta , Barawi Mariam , de la Peña O’Shea Víctor A.
Published: October 2019

Hybrid materials photocatalysts based on conjugated polymers and inorganic semiconductors provide a sustainable way to remove pollutants or store energy in the form of solar fuels by processes such as water splitting, CO2photoreduction and NH3production (artificial photosynthesis).
AxCe9(IO3)36 (A = K, La): the effects of a change in the intermediate valence on the second-harmonic generation response
Authors: Tang Hong-Xin , Zhuo Chao , Zhang Yu-Xiao , Shui Qi-Rui , Fu Rui-Biao , Ma Zu-Ju , Wu Xin-Tao
Published: October 2019

A tiny change in the intermediate valence of Ce has little effect on the microscopic net dipole moment per unit volume but it strongly affects the macroscopic SHG response in the visible region, as demonstrated here.
The abiotic reductive removal and subsequent incorporation of Tc(iv) into iron oxides: a frontier review
Authors: Boglaienko Daria , Levitskaia Tatiana G.
Published: October 2019

This article reviews the mechanism of Tc incorporation into the crystal structure of magnetite and provides comparative EXAFS analysis.
Sulfonated graphitic carbon nitride as a highly selective and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of biomass-derived saccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in green solvents
Authors: Chhabra Tripti , Bahuguna Ashish , Dhankhar Sandeep Singh , Nagaraja C. M. , Krishnan Venkata
Published: October 2019

Sulfonated graphitic carbon nitride having both Brønsted base and Brønsted acid sites is used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the selective conversion of different biomass-derived saccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in green solvents.
A single-phase flow microfluidic cell sorter for multiparameter screening to assist the directed evolution of Ca2+ sensors
Authors: Zhao Yufeng , Zhang Wei , Zhao Yongxin , Campbell Robert E. , Harrison D. Jed
Published: October 2019

We introduce a single-phase flow microfluidic cell sorter with a two-point detection system capable of two-parameter screening to assist with directed evolution of a fluorescent protein based Ca2+ sensor expressed in bacterial cells.
A bipolar host based high triplet energy electroplex for an over 10 000 h lifetime in pure blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Jung Mina , Lee Kyung Hyung , Lee Jun Yeob , Kim Taekyung
Published: October 2019

Ultimate device performances of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes, an external quantum efficiency of 27.6%, a device lifetime over 10 000 h at 100 cd m−2, and CIE (0.12, 0.13), were achieved by employing an electroplex host.
Effect of lithium and sodium ions on the size and morphology of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a glycerol–urea route
Authors: Brazuna Lorena Portela , Tabuti Thiago Galeote , Silva Adrielle de Paula , Tada Dayane Batista , Politi Mário José , Bacani Rebeca , Triboni Eduardo Rezende
Published: October 2019

Addition of NaCl and LiCl salts to glycerol–urea synthesis leads to the formation of rods and small spheres of ZnO-NPs.
Double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6:Cr3+: broadband and near-infrared luminescent materials
Authors: Zhao Fangyi , Song Zhen , Zhao Jing , Liu Quanlin
Published: October 2019

A Cr3+-doped halide double perovskite Cs2AgInCl6:Cr3+ is first reported which exhibits a broad near-infrared emission ranging from 850 to 1350 nm centered at 1010 nm with a FWHM of 180 nm.
RbNa(HC3N3O3)·2H2O exhibiting a strong second harmonic generation response and large birefringence as a new potential UV nonlinear optical material
Authors: Song Yunxia , Lin Donghong , Luo Min , Lin Chensheng , Chen Qiaoling , Ye Ning
Published: October 2019

A new hydro-isocyanurate, RbNa(HC3N3O3)·2H2O, with a strong SHG response and large birefringence, has been successfully grown by a hydrothermal method.
Rh-Catalyzed C–C/C–N bond formation via C–H activation: synthesis of 2H-indazol-2-yl-benzo[a]carbazoles
Authors: Vivek Kumar Sundaravel , Banerjee Sonbidya , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam
Published: October 2019

Rh-Catalyzed site-selective C–H activation and ring opening/cyclization of 7-azabenzonorbornadienes with aryl-2H-indazoles is developed to furnish indazolyl-benzocarbazole frameworks. Substrate scope and mechanistic studies are important practical features.
Pentacene derivative/DTTCNQ cocrystals: alkyl-confined mixed heterojunctions with molecular alignment and transport property tuning
Authors: Ma Yudong , Zhou Yecheng , Jin Jianqun , Wang Wei , Liu Xitong , Xu Haixiao , Zhang Jing , Huang Wei
Published: October 2019

Soluble pentacene-based complexes were successfully prepared and short contact interactions induced alignment driving forces to eliminate C/S disorders. Cocrystal packing and charge transport properties were tailored by adjusting the solvent.
How does a small structural change of anode ionomer make a big difference in alkaline membrane fuel cell performance?
Authors: Park Eun Joo , Maurya Sandip , Lee Albert S. , Leonard Daniel P. , Li Dongguo , Jeon Jong Yeob , Bae Chulsung , Kim Yu Seung
Published: October 2019

Small changes in anode ionomeric binder structure may bring significant performance and durability improvement of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.
Pyridoxamine-phosphate oxidases and pyridoxamine-phosphate oxidase-related proteins catalyze the oxidation of 6-NAD(P)H to NAD(P)+
Authors: Marbaix Alexandre Y. , Chehade Georges , Noël Gaëtane , Morsomme Pierre , Vertommen Didier , Bommer Guido T. , Van Schaftingen Emile
Published: October 2019

6-NADH and 6-NADPH are strong inhibitors of several dehydrogenases that may form spontaneously from NAD(P)H. They are known to be oxidized to NAD(P)+ by mammalian renalase, an FAD-linked enzyme mainly present in heart and kidney, and by related bacterial enzymes. We partially purified an enzyme oxidizing 6-NADPH from rat liver, and, surprisingly, identified it as pyridoxamine-phosphate oxidase (PNPO). This was confirmed by the finding that recombinant mouse PNPO oxidized 6-NADH and 6-NADPH with catalytic efficiencies comparable to those observed with pyridoxine- and pyridoxamine-5′-phosphate. PNPOs from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arabidopsis thaliana also displayed 6-NAD(P)H oxidase activity, indicating that this ‘side-activity’ is conserved. Remarkably, ‘pyridoxamine-phosphate oxidase-related proteins’ (PNPO-RP) from Nostoc punctiforme, A. thaliana and the yeast S. cerevisiae (Ygr017w) were not detectably active on pyridox(am)ine-5′-P, but oxidized 6-NADH, 6-NADPH and 2-NADH suggesting that this may be their main catalytic function. Their specificity profiles were therefore similar to that of renalase. Inactivation of renalase and of PNPO in mammalian cells and of Ygr017w in yeasts led to the accumulation of a reduced form of 6-NADH, tentatively identified as 4,5,6-NADH3, which can also be produced in vitro by reduction of 6-NADH by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. As 4,5,6-NADH3 is not a substrate for renalase, PNPO or PNPO-RP, its accumulation presumably reflects the block in the oxidation of 6-NADH. These findings indicate that two different classes of enzymes using either FAD (renalase) or FMN (PNPOs and PNPO-RPs) as a cofactor play an as yet unsuspected role in removing damaged forms of NAD(P).