bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of n‐Nonadecane/CaCO3 Microencapsulated Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Zhang Qingwen , Liu Chenzhen , Rao Zhonghao
Published: August 2019

A novel microencapsuled thermal energy storage phase change material (MicroEPCM) based on n‐nonadecane core and CaCO3 shell were synthesized via a self‐assembly method. The chemical structure, surface morphology and thermal properties of the MicroEPCM were investigated by X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), respectively. The effects of core/shell mass ratios, stirring speed, temperature and emulsifier concentration on the morphology and thermal properties of the MicroEPCM were investigated to confirm the most suitable CaCO3‐encapsulated n‐nonadecane reaction conditions. The results showed that the optimal spherical morphology and the highest latent heat were obtained when the stirring rate is 800 rpm, the temperature is 45 °C, the emulsifier concentration is 15 mmol/L and the core/shell mass ratio is 3:1. The latent heat and encapsulation rate of MicroEPCM as above‐mentioned are 134.83 J/g and 59.68%, respectively. The thermal conductivity of MicroEPCM is improved up to 3.56 times than that of prinstine n‐nonadecane. The MicroEPCM did not leak after being heated at 80 °C for 20 h, which proves that the CaCO3 shell is compact. The MicroEPCM present a good thermal stability after 200 thermal cycling. The MicroEPCM also has been proved to maintain high mechanical strength.
Molybdenum Nitrides, Carbides and Phosphides as Highly Efficient Catalysts for the (hydro)Deoxygenation Reaction
Authors: Akhmetzyanova Uliana , Tišler Zdeněk , Sharkov Nikita , Skuhrovcová Lenka , Pelíšková Lenka , Kikhtyanin Oleg , Mäki‐Arvela Päivi , Opanasenko Maksym , Peurla Markus , Murzin Dmitry Yu.
Published: August 2019

Transition metal nitrides, carbides and phosphides have the potential to replace the expensive and hazardous catalysts typically used for the conversion of fatty acids. However, there has been little research on the influence of treatment conditions and precursor nature on the properties of such catalytic systems. To better understand these dependencies, we synthesized a number of Mo catalysts by temperature‐programmed reduction (700‐900 °C; CH4/N2, N2/H2) using ammonium heptamolybdate, diammonium phosphate and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as Mo, C, N and P sources. The presence of HMT in the precursor mixtures ensured the synthesis of pure phase Mo2C, Mo2N and MoP. Catalytic activity in the (hydro)deoxygenation of stearic acid (240 min; 360 °C; 50 bar of H2) decreased in the following order: Mo2C>Mo2N>MoP. However, all of the studied Mo‐based catalysts showed good deoxygenation efficiency and, thus, represent excellent alternatives to traditional noble and sulfur‐containing catalysts.
Uranyl Coordination Compounds with Alkaline Earth Metals and Crotonate Ligands
Authors: Savchenkov Anton V. , Pirozhkov Pavel A. , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Pushkin Denis V. , Serezhkina Larisa B.
Published: August 2019

Crystal structures of three new uranyl compounds were solved using single crystal X‐ray diffraction and studied using FTIR spectroscopy. Although the syntheses conditions were very similar differing only in the alkaline earth metal (Mg, Ca or Sr), the resulting structures are different, containing, respectively, mono‐, tri‐ and hexanuclear metal‐containing building units. This fact proves the profound crystal‐chemical role of secondary metal atoms on the formation of crystal structures. Parameters of alkaline earth metal cations in the three newly synthesized compounds as well as in the earlier reported Ba‐containing analog are discussed in detail using Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra and the method of intersecting spheres. Differences in packing of building units in the four mentioned compounds, as well as inter‐ and intramolecular noncovalent interactions in their structures are reported. The results of analysis are consistent with the stereoatomic model of crystal structures.
Quercetin‐3‐Oleate Contributes to Skin Wound Healing Targeting FFA1/GPR40
Authors: Carullo Gabriele , Governa Paolo , Leo Antonio , Gallelli Luca , Citraro Rita , Cione Erika , Caroleo Maria Cristina , Biagi Marco , Aiello Francesca , Manetti Fabrizio
Published: August 2019

The hybrid molecule Quercetin‐3‐oleate (AV2), accommodates within the binding pocket for allosteric full GPR40 agonists. AV2 endorses skin wound healing acting as a promoter of keratinocytes proliferation and overcomes immunosuppressive conditions in vitro. AV2 stimulated HaCaT wound healing by 51% compared to the untreated control, at the concentration of 1 μM with slight TGF‐β production and MMP‐9 release. Pretreatment with the known GPR40 antagonist DC260126 abolished its wound healing power. Docking simulations suggested that both molecules share the same binding site.
Persistent impact of housing loss on cognitive decline after the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami: Evidence from a 6‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Hikichi Hiroyuki , Aida Jun , Kondo Katsunori , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: August 2019

Introduction

We previously established that housing loss and residential dislocation in the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami was a risk factor for cognitive decline among older survivors. The present study extends the follow‐up of survivors out to 6 years.

Methods

The baseline for our natural experiment was established in a survey of older community‐dwelling adults who lived 80 km west of the epicenter 7 months before the earthquake and tsunami. Two follow‐up surveys were conducted approximately 2.5 years and 5.5 years after the disaster to ascertain the housing status and cognitive decline from 2810 older individuals (follow‐up rate through three surveys: 68.4%).

Results

The experience of housing loss was persistently associated with cognitive disability (coefficient = 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.04 to 0.23).

Discussion

Experiences of housing loss continued to be significantly associated with cognitive disability even six years after the disaster.
Two Ethical Ideals in Spinoza'sEthics: The Free Man and The Wise Man
Authors: SOYARSLAN SANEM
Published: August 2019

According to Steven Nadler's novel interpretation of Spinoza's much discussed ‘free man’, the free man is not an unattainable ideal. On this reading, the free man represents an ideal condition not because he is passionless, as has often been claimed, but because even though he experiences passions, he ‘never lets those passions determine his actions’. In this paper, I argue that Nadler's interpretation is incorrect in taking the model of the free man to be an attainable ideal within our reach. Furthermore, I show that Spinoza's moral philosophy has room for another ideal yet attainable condition, which is represented by the wise man. On my reading, becoming a wise man consists not in surmounting human bondage, but in understanding ourselves as finite expressions of God's power and, thereby, coming to terms with the ineliminability of bondage for us due to our very human or modal condition in the Spinozistic universe.
Saguntum: The Remains of an Honorary Arch and Urban Planning Outside the City Walls
Authors: Ferrer-Maestro Juanjo , Benedito-Nuez Josep , Melchor-Monserrat José Manuel
Published: August 2019

At the end of the first century and especially throughout the second centuryad, a public building programme was largely responsible for the transformation of Saguntum's urban planning, especially, outside the walls of this well-known Hispano-Roman city. The aim of this article is to present the features of the monumental landscape outside the city walls, including an outstanding honorary construction, which strongly influenced the design of public architecture at a time of political and socio-economic change.
An extended linear shallow-water equation
Authors: Porter R.
Published: August 2019

An extension to the classical shallow-water equation (SWE) is derived that exactly satisfies the bed condition and can be regarded as an approximation to wave scattering at the next order in the small parameter $(h/\unicode[STIX]{x1D706})^{2}$ (depth to wavelength ratio squared). In the frequency domain, the extended SWE shares the same simple structure as the standard SWE with coefficients modified by terms relating to the bed variation. In three dimensions the governing equation demonstrates that variable topography gives rise to anisotropic effects on wave scattering not present in the standard SWE, with consequences for the design of water wave metamaterials. Numerical examples illustrate that approximations to wave scattering using the extended SWE are significantly improved in comparison with the standard SWE.
On case loss and svarabhakti vowels: the sociolinguistic typology and geolinguistics of simplification in North Germanic
Authors: Blaxter Tam T. , Trudgill Peter
Published: August 2019

Work in sociolinguistic typology and creole studies has established the theory that intensive language contact involving second language acquisition by adults tends to lead to grammatical simplification. This theory is built on many anecdotal case studies, including developments in the history of Continental North Germanic associated with contact with Middle Low German. In this paper, we assess the theory by examining two changes in the history of Norwegian: the loss of coda /Cr/ clusters and the loss of prepositional genitives. If the theory is correct, these changes should have been innovated in centers of contact with Middle Low German. We find that both changes in fact spread into southeastern Norwegian from Swedish. Since contact with Low German also took place in Sweden and Denmark, this is consistent with the theory. It opens questions for future research about the role of dialect contact in simplificatory change in North Germanic.
Multiplayer Games: Multimodal Features That Support Friendships of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Stone Bessie G. , Mills Kathy A. , Saggers Beth
Published: August 2019

There is an absence of research into online friendships and video gaming activities of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this article we describe how friendships of students with ASD were developed in an online multiplayer context using the popular sandbox game, Minecraft. Multimodal analysis of the data demonstrated that online multiplayer gaming supported students’ use of speech to engage in conversations about their friendships, and to share gaming experiences with their offline and online friends. Online gaming enabled students to visually gather information about their friends’ online status and activities, and to engage in the creative and adventurous use of virtual images and material representations with friends. Despite the benefits for friendships, students with ASD experienced difficulties in friendships in multimodal ways. Notably, students engaged in verbal disagreements about video gaming discourses, sought out activities associated with the themes of death and damage using written text, and tended to dominate shared creations of virtual images and their representation. The findings have implications to better support the friendships of students through inclusive literacy practices online.
Human Taxonomies: Carl Linnaeus, Swedish Travel in Asia and the Classification of Man
Authors: Skott Christina
Published: August 2019

This article looks at ways in which Swedish travel to Asia informed the classification of man in the work of Carl Linnaeus. In the tenth edition of hisSystema Naturae(1758), Linnaeus made substantial changes to his earlier taxonomy of humans. Through two case studies, it is argued that these changes to a great extent were prompted by fresh Swedish eyewitness reports from China and Southeast Asia. The informants for theHomo asiaticus, a variety ofHomo sapiens, and a proposed new species of humans,Homo nocturnus(ortroglodytes), were all associated with the Swedish East India Company. The botanical contribution by men trained in the Linnaean method travelling on the company's ships has long been acknowledged. In contrast to the systematic collecting of botanical material, Swedish descriptions of Asia's human inhabitants were often inconclusive, reflecting the circumstances of the trade encounter. Linnaeus also relied on older observations made by countrymen, and his human taxonomies also highlight the role of travel literature in eighteenth-century anthropology.
Introduction: Big Data – Digital Technology, Loads of Empirical Materials, and a Daring Vision
Authors: Munthe Christian , Strandberg Urban
Published: August 2019

The daring vision of using big data technology to substantially advance the scientific understanding of human nature, individually and socially, and possibly solve age-old challenges of bridging the subjective and objective sides of human nature, rests on substantial assumptions about the concept of a human being. The daring big data vision may at the same time, in itself, serve to change the very concept of a human, regardless of how well the vision’s assumptions and prospects hold up to scrutiny. This issue of theEuropean Reviewpresents an attempt to critically engage with the question of how this complex situation affects the content and prospects of the vision of reconsidering humanity with the help of big data. In this introduction, the landscape of the issue is sketched and some general remarks of where the emerging map might take future research are made. In general, even if the assumptions of the daring big data vision turn out wanting, pragmatic factors may very well transform our own image of ourselves to fit it.
Trump Administration Suppressed Science, Climate Analyst Charges
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: August 2019

A former State Department analyst says that suppressing scientific information weakens the nation.
High‐Temperature Observation of Transdomain Transitions in Vortex States in Intermediate Titanomagnetite
Authors: Khakhalova E. , Moskowitz B.M.
Published: August 2019

Natural materials contain small grains of magnetic iron oxides that can record information about the magnetic field of the Earth when they form and can be used to document changes in the geomagnetic field through time. Thermoremanent magnetization is the most stable type of remanent magnetization in igneous rocks and can be carried by particle sizes above the upper size limit for single‐domain behavior. To better understand thermoremanent magnetization in particles larger than single domain, we imaged the thermal dependence of magnetic structures in ~1.5‐μm grains of titanomagnetite (Fe2.46Ti0.54O4) using variable‐temperature magnetic force microscopy. At room temperature, grains displayed single‐vortex and multivortex states. Upon heating, the single‐vortex state was found to be stable up to the Curie temperature (~215 °C), whereas multivortex states unblocked between 125 and 200 °C by transitioning into single‐vortex states. During cooling in a weak field (~0.1 mT), single‐vortex states nucleated just below the Curie temperature and remained unchanged to room temperature. The single‐vortex state was the only magnetic state observed at room temperature after weak field thermoremanent magnetization acquisition experiments. These observations indicate that single‐vortex states occur in titanomagnetite and, like single‐domain particles, have high thermal stability necessary for carrying stable paleomagnetic remanence.
Characteristics of Repeating Long‐Period Seismic Events at Fuego Volcano, January 2012
Authors: Brill K. A. , Waite G. P.
Published: August 2019

We describe a suite of repeating long‐period seismic events at Fuego volcano in Guatemala. These events, recorded on a temporary network over a period of 8 days during January 2012, did not occur with any visibly or audibly detectable emissions from the volcano. Events are separated into families based on different correlation coefficient thresholds. A correlation coefficient threshold of 0.70 yields two families with 123 events and 25 events, respectively. These two event families share enough common features that if the correlation coefficient threshold is 0.65, the families merge and grow to include an additional 226 events. The short duration and frequency content concentrated below 2 Hz of the second family allow us to create a phase‐weighted stack which we then inverted for source mechanism and location using unconstrained full‐waveform moment‐tensor inversion. The eigenvalue decompositions of the best‐fit models indicate the source is a crack with some volume change. The short duration of the modeled source time function and the slight variability of signal shape within the suite of repeating events indicate the events are caused by rapid pressurization of cracks or series of connected cracks. The interevent times of these events appear clustered, indicating driving processes more complex than continual degassing of magma in the conduit would allow. Better understanding of these events may shed light on processes not captured by real‐time seismic amplitude measurements or gas flux measurements alone.
On Solutions of the PFSS Model With GONG Synoptic Maps for 2006–2018
Authors: Nikolić L.
Published: August 2019

The potential field source surface (PFSS) model is widely used to derive the magnetic field of the solar corona. The only free parameter in the PFSS model is the radius of the so‐called source surface, where magnetic field lines are forced to open. The radius of this surface is typically set to 2.5 solar radii in research and operational PFSS numerical models. Here, using Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) synoptic maps of the photospheric field, solutions of the PFSS model for various heights of the source surface are investigated for 2006–2018. In particular, numerically derived open solar magnetic flux and coronal holes are examined. Solutions of the PFSS model based on GONG synoptic maps are particularly important since they are often used to drive operational space weather forecast models. Comparisons between observations and numerical results in this paper suggest that the radius of the source surface is significantly lower than 2.5 solar radii during the active phase of solar cycle 24. The fact that the source surface location depends on the solar activity suggests that relations which associate solar wind properties with the coronal magnetic field in the PFSS‐based solar wind modes should be revisited. Furthermore, although the correction of the polar magnetic field is part of GONG synoptic map production pipeline, the results suggest that better treatment of polar fields is needed to cover observational gaps. The issue with the polar fields in GONG maps is particularly pronounced in recent years.
Velocity Field Estimation on Density‐Driven Solute Transport With a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Kreyenberg Philipp J. , Bauser Hannes H. , Roth Kurt
Published: August 2019

Recent advances in machine learning open new opportunities to gain deeper insight into hydrological systems, where some relevant system quantities remain difficult to measure. We use deep learning methods trained on numerical simulations of the physical processes to explore the possibilities of closing the information gap of missing system quantities. As an illustrative example we study the estimation of velocity fields in numerical and laboratory experiments of density‐driven solute transport. Using high‐resolution observations of the solute concentration distribution, we demonstrate the capability of the method to structurally incorporate the representation of the physical processes. Velocity field estimation for synthetic data for both variable and uniform concentration boundary conditions showed equal results. This capability is remarkable because only the latter was employed for training the network. Applying the method to measured concentration distributions of density‐driven solute transport in a Hele‐Shaw cell makes the velocity field assessable in the experiment. This assessability of the velocity field even holds for regions with negligible solute concentration between the density fingers, where the velocity field is otherwise inaccessible.
A first-principles phase field method for quantitatively predicting multi-composition phase separation without thermodynamic empirical parameter
Authors: Bhattacharyya Swastibrata , Sahara Ryoji , Ohno Kaoru
Published: August 2019

To design tailored materials, it is highly desirable to predict microstructures of alloys without empirical parameter. Phase field models (PFMs) rely on parameters adjusted to match experimental information, while first-principles methods cannot directly treat the typical length scale of 10 μm. Combining density functional theory, cluster expansion theory and potential renormalization theory, we derive the free energy as a function of compositions and construct a parameter-free PFM, which can predict microstructures in high-temperature regions of alloy phase diagrams. Applying this method to Ni-Al alloys at 1027 °C, we succeed in reproducing evolution of microstructures as a function of only compositions without thermodynamic empirical parameter. The resulting patterns including cuboidal shaped precipitations are in excellent agreement with the experimental microstructures in each region of the Ni-Al phase diagram. Our method is in principle applicable to any kind of alloys as a reliable theoretical tool to predict microstructures of new materials.
Lattice doping regulated interfacial reactions in cathode for enhanced cycling stability
Authors: Zou Lianfeng , Li Jianyu , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Guofeng , Manthiram Arumugam , Wang Chongmin
Published: August 2019

Interfacial reactions between electrode and electrolyte are critical, either beneficial or detrimental, for the performance of rechargeable batteries. The general approaches of controlling interfacial reactions are either applying a coating layer on cathode or modifying the electrolyte chemistry. Here we demonstrate an approach of modification of interfacial reactions through dilute lattice doping for enhanced battery properties. Using atomic level imaging, spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory calculation, we reveal aluminum dopants in lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide are partially dissolved in the bulk lattice with a tendency of enrichment near the primary particle surface and partially exist as aluminum oxide nano-islands that are epitaxially dressed on the primary particle surface. The aluminum concentrated surface lowers transition metal redox energy level and consequently promotes the formation of a stable cathode-electrolyte interphase. The present observations demonstrate a general principle as how the trace dopants modify the solid-liquid interfacial reactions for enhanced performance.
Polyhydride CeH9 with an atomic-like hydrogen clathrate structure
Authors: Li Xin , Huang Xiaoli , Duan Defang , Pickard Chris J. , Zhou Di , Xie Hui , Zhuang Quan , Huang Yanping , Zhou Qiang , Liu Bingbing , Cui Tian
Published: August 2019

Compression of hydrogen-rich hydrides has been proposed as an alternative way to attain the atomic metallic hydrogen state or high-temperature superconductors. However, it remains a challenge to get access to these states by synthesizing novel polyhydrides with unusually high hydrogen-to-metal ratios. Here we synthesize a series of cerium (Ce) polyhydrides by a direct reaction of Ce and H2 at high pressures. We discover that cerium polyhydride CeH9, formed above 100 GPa, presents a three-dimensional hydrogen network composed of clathrate H29 cages. The electron localization function together with band structure calculations elucidate the weak electron localization between H-H atoms and confirm its metallic character. By means of Ce atom doping, metallic hydrogen structure can be realized via the existence of CeH9. Particularly, Ce atoms play a positive role to stabilize the sublattice of hydrogen cages similar to the recently discovered near-room-temperature lanthanum hydride superconductors.
Structure of Myosin VI/Tom1 complex reveals a cargo recognition mode of Myosin VI for tethering
Authors: Hu Shichen , Guo Yujiao , Wang Yingli , Li Ying , Fu Tao , Zhou Zixuan , Wang Yaru , Liu Jianping , Pan Lifeng
Published: August 2019

Myosin VI plays crucial roles in diverse cellular processes. In autophagy, Myosin VI can facilitate the maturation of autophagosomes through interactions with Tom1 and the autophagy receptors, Optineurin, NDP52 and TAX1BP1. Here, we report the high-resolution crystal structure of the C-terminal cargo-binding domain (CBD) of Myosin VI in complex with Tom1, which elucidates the mechanistic basis underpinning the specific interaction between Myosin VI and Tom1, and uncovers that the C-terminal CBD of Myosin VI adopts a unique cargo recognition mode to interact with Tom1 for tethering. Furthermore, we show that Myosin VI can serve as a bridging adaptor to simultaneously interact with Tom1 and autophagy receptors through two distinct interfaces. In all, our findings provide mechanistic insights into the interactions of Myosin VI with Tom1 and relevant autophagy receptors, and are valuable for further understanding the functions of these proteins in autophagy and the cargo recognition modes of Myosin VI.
Genetic signature related to heme-hemoglobin metabolism pathway in sepsis secondary to pneumonia
Authors: Leite Giuseppe Gianini Figuerêido , Scicluna Brendon P. , van der Poll Tom , Salomão Reinaldo
Published: August 2019

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated inflammatory response to pathogens. Bioinformatics and transcriptomics studies contribute to get a better understanding of the pathogenesis of sepsis. These studies revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in sepsis involved in several pathways. Here we investigated the gene expression profiles of blood leukocytes using three microarray datasets of sepsis secondary to pneumonia, focusing on the heme/hemoglobin metabolism pathway. We demonstrate that the heme/hemoglobin metabolism pathway was found to be enriched in these three cohorts with four common genes (ALAS2, AHSP, HBD, and CA1). Several studies show that these four genes are involved in the cytoprotection of non-erythrocyte cells in response to different stress conditions. The upregulation of heme/hemoglobin metabolism in sepsis might be a protective response of white cells to the hostile environment present in septic patients (follow-up samples).
Whole genome sequencing revealed new molecular characteristics in multidrug resistant staphylococci recovered from high frequency touched surfaces in London
Authors: Cave Rory , Misra Raju , Chen Jiazhen , Wang Shiyong , Mkrtchyan Hermine V.
Published: August 2019

The rise of antibiotic resistance (AMR) is one of the most important public health threats worldwide.Today, increasing attention is being paid to multidrug resistant staphylococci isolated from healthcare and non-healthcare environments as the treatment of these bacteria has become increasingly difficult. In this study, we compared staphylococci isolates recovered from high frequency touched surfaces from public areas in the community and hospitals in East and West London. 281 out of 600 (46.83%) staphylococci isolates recovered were multidrug resistant, of which 49 (8.17%) were mecA positive. There was significantly higher proportion of multidrug resistant staphylococci (P = 0.0002) in East London (56.7%) compared to West London (49.96%). The most common species identified as multidrug resistant were S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and S. hominis, whereas penicillin, fusidic acid and erythromycin were the most frequent antibiotics the isolates were resistant to. Whole genome sequenced of mecA positive isolates revealed that S. sciuri isolates carried the mecA1 gene, which has only 84.43% homology with mecA. In addition, other frequently identified resistance genes included blaZ, qacA/B and dfrC. We have also identified a diverse range of SCCmec types, many of which were untypable due to carrying a novel combination of ccr genes or multiple ccr complexes.
Critical Nodes in River Networks
Authors: Sarker Shiblu , Veremyev Alexander , Boginski Vladimir , Singh Arvind
Published: August 2019

River drainage networks are important landscape features that have been studied for several decades from a range of geomorphological and hydrological perspectives. However, identifying the most vital (critical) nodes on river networks and analyzing their relationships with geomorphic and climatic properties have not yet been extensively addressed in the literature. In this study, we use an algorithm that determines the set of critical nodes whose removal results in maximum network fragmentation and apply it to various topologies of simulated and natural river networks. Specifically, we consider simulated river networks obtained from optimal channel network (OCN) approach as well as extracted networks from several natural basins across the United States. Our results indicate a power-law relationship between the number of connected node pairs in the remaining network and the number of removed critical nodes. We also investigate the characteristics of sub-basins resulted from the removal of critical nodes and compare them with those of central nodes (in the context of betweenness centrality) for both natural basins and OCNs with varying energy exponent γ to understand vulnerability and resilience of river networks under potential external disruptions.
Improved efficacy of naproxen-loaded NLC for temporomandibular joint administration
Authors: Guilherme Viviane A. , Ribeiro Lígia N. M. , Alcântara Ana C. S. , Castro Simone R. , Rodrigues da Silva Gustavo H. , da Silva Camila Gonçalves , Breitkreitz Márcia C. , Clemente-Napimoga Juliana , Macedo Cristina G. , Abdalla Henrique B. , Bonfante Ricardo , Cereda Cintia M. S. , de Paula Eneida
Published: August 2019

Inflammatory conditions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and peripheral tissues affect many people around the world and are commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, in order to get desirable results, treatments with NSAIDs may take weeks, causing undesirable side effects and requiring repeated administration. In this sense, this work describes the development of an optimized nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation for intra-articular administration of naproxen (NPX). An experimental design (23) selected the best formulation in terms of its physicochemical and structural properties, elucidated by different methods (DLS, NTA, TEM, DSC, and ATR-FTIR). The chosen formulation (NLC-NPX) was tested on acute inflammatory TMJ nociception, in a rat model. The optimized excipients composition provided higher NPX encapsulation efficiency (99.8%) and the nanoparticles were found stable during 1 year of storage at 25 °C. In vivo results demonstrated that the sustained delivery of NPX directly in the TMJ significantly reduced leukocytes migration and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), for more than a week. These results point out the NLC-NPX formulation as a promising candidate for the safe treatment of inflammatory pain conditions of TMJ or other joints.
Concentric lamellae – novel microanatomical structures in the articular calcified cartilage of mice
Authors: Keenan Craig M. , Beckett Alison J. , Sutherland Hazel , Ranganath Lakshminarayan R. , Jarvis Jonathan C. , Prior Ian A. , Gallagher James A.
Published: August 2019

The structure, ultrastructure and function of hyaline articular cartilage (HAC) and subchondral bone (SCB), and their involvement in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) have been extensively researched. However, much less attention has been focused on the intervening tissue, articular calcified cartilage (ACC) and its role in the initiation and progression of OA. Using both light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a study of ACC in wild type (WT) mice, and mice with genetic osteoarthropathies (AKU) was undertaken to further understand the role played by ACC in the early stages of OA.Tibio-femoral joints were obtained from BALB/c WT and BALB/c AKU mice aged between 7 and 69 weeks. One joint was processed for routine histological analysis. The tip of the medial femoral condyle (MFC), which contained HAC, ACC, and SCB, was dissected from the contra-lateral joint and processed for TEM.In WT and AKU mice novel microanatomical structures, designated concentric lamellae, were identified surrounding chondrocytes in the ACC. The lamellae appeared to be laid down in association with advancement of the tidemark indicating they may be formed during calcification of cartilage matrix. The lamellae were associated with hypertrophic chondrocytes throughout the ACC.Novel microanatomical structures, termed concentric lamellae, which were present around hypertrophic chondrocytes in the ACC are described for the first time. Their apparent association with mineralisation, advancement of the tidemark, and greater abundance in a model of osteoarthropathy indicate their formation could be important in the pathogenesis of OA and AKU.
Eugenol diffusion coefficient and its potential to control Sitophilus zeamais in rice
Authors: Prates Lucas Henrique Figueiredo , Faroni Lêda Rita D’Antonino , Heleno Fernanda Fernandes , de Queiroz Maria Eliana Lopes Ribeiro , de Sousa Adalberto Hipólito , Silva Marcus Vinícius de Assis
Published: August 2019

Given the insecticidal potential of eugenol as a fumigant, this work aimed to determine the diffusion coefficient of eugenol emanating from a pure standard solution (99%), as well as from clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophillata Thunb. (Myrtaceae)) through rice grain; to chemically analyse the volatile composition of commercially available eugenol and clove essential oil; and to evaluate the mortality of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: curculionidae) after exposure to eugenol inside a test chamber filled with rice. The solid phase microextraction method of extracting and quantifying eugenol by gas chromatography presented a good analytical response for the quantification of the analyte. There was no significant difference between the diffusion coefficient of eugenol diffusing from pure eugenol or from clove essential oil. The diffusion coefficient of eugenol through rice with the conditions herein adopted is 1.09 × 10−3 cm2 s−1. The characterization of clove essential oil confirmed the presence of eugenol as its major component (74.25%). A difference was observed in the composition of the distinct phases evaluated. The exposure of adult S. zeamais to diffused eugenol from pure eugenol over seven days resulted in significantly higher mortality rates (~37%) than eugenol diffused from clove essential oil (~11%). No differences in mortality rates were observed in individuals placed at different positions inside the test chamber during eugenol fumigation.
Spatial Regulation of Mitochondrial Heterogeneity by Stromal Confinement in Micropatterned Tumor Models
Authors: Begum Hydari Masuma , Ta Hoang P. , Zhou Hao , Ando Yuta , Kang Diane , Nemes Kristen , Mariano Chelsea F. , Hao Jia , Yu Min , Shen Keyue
Published: August 2019

Heterogeneity of mitochondrial activities in cancer cells exists across different disease stages and even in the same patient, with increased mitochondrial activities associated with invasive cancer phenotypes and circulating tumor cells. Here, we use a micropatterned tumor-stromal assay (μTSA) comprised of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a model to investigate the role of stromal constraints in altering the mitochondrial activities of cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Using microdissection and RNA sequencing, we revealed a differentially regulated pattern of gene expression related to mitochondrial activities and metastatic potential at the tumor-stromal interface. Gene expression was confirmed by immunostaining of mitochondrial mass, and live microscopic imaging of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and optical redox ratio. We demonstrated that physical constraints by the stromal cells play a major role in ΔΨmheterogeneity, which was positively associated with nuclear translocation of the YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators. Importantly, inhibiting actin polymerization and Rho-associated protein kinase disrupted the differential ΔΨmpattern. In addition, we showed a positive correlation between ΔΨmlevel and metastatic burdenin vivoin mice injected with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This study supports a new regulatory role for the TME in mitochondrial heterogeneity and metastatic potential.
Genome analysis and genetic transformation of a water surface-floating microalga Chlorococcum sp. FFG039
Authors: Maeda Yoshiaki , Nojima Daisuke , Sakurai Miki , Nomaguchi Tatsuhiro , Ichikawa Momoko , Ishizuka Yuki , Tanaka Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2019

Microalgal harvesting and dewatering are the main bottlenecks that need to be overcome to tap the potential of microalgae for production of valuable compounds. Water surface-floating microalgae form robust biofilms, float on the water surface along with gas bubbles entrapped under the biofilms, and have great potential to overcome these bottlenecks. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the water surface-floating phenotype. In the present study, we analysed the genome sequence of a water surface-floating microalga Chlorococcum sp. FFG039, with a next generation sequencing technique to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Comparative genomics study with Chlorococcum sp. FFG039 and other non-floating green microalgae revealed some of the unique gene families belonging to this floating microalga, which may be involved in biofilm formation. Furthermore, genetic transformation of this microalga was achieved with an electroporation method. The genome information and transformation techniques presented in this study will be useful to obtain molecular insights into the water surface-floating phenotype of Chlorococcum sp. FFG039.
Push-pull driving of the Central America Forearc in the context of the Cocos-Caribbean-North America triple junction
Authors: Álvarez-Gómez José A. , Staller Vázquez Alejandra , Martínez-Díaz José J. , Canora Carolina , Alonso-Henar Jorge , Insua-Arévalo Juan M. , Béjar-Pizarro Marta
Published: August 2019

Different kinematic models have been proposed for the triple junction between the North American, Cocos and Caribbean plates. The two most commonly accepted hypotheses on its driving mechanism are (a) the North American drag of the forearc and (b) the Cocos Ridge subduction push. We present an updated GPS velocity field which is analyzed together with earthquake focal mechanisms and regional relief. The two hypotheses have been used to make kinematic predictions that are tested against the available data. An obliquity analysis is also presented to discuss the potential role of slip partitioning as driving mechanism. The North American drag model presents a better fit to the observations, although the Cocos Ridge push model explains the data in Costa Rica and Southern Nicaragua. Both mechanisms must be active, being the driving of the Central American forearc towards the NW analogous to a push-pull train. The forearc sliver moves towards the west-northwest at a rate of 12–14 mm/yr, being pinned to the North American plate in Chiapas and western Guatemala, where the strike-slip motion on the volcanic arc must be very small.
Serum enterolactone concentrations are low in colon but not in rectal cancer patients
Authors: Tuomisto Anne , Nørskov Natalja P. , Sirniö Päivi , Väyrynen Juha P. , Mutt Shivaprakash J. , Klintrup Kai , Mäkelä Jyrki , Bach Knudsen Knud Erik , Mäkinen Markus J. , Herzig Karl-Heinz
Published: August 2019

The dietary lignan metabolite, enterolactone, has been suggested to have anti-cancer functions, and high serum enterolactone concentrations have been associated with decreased risk of breast and prostate cancers. We hypothesized that serum enterolactone concentrations as a marker of plant-based foods are associated with decreased risk in colorectal cancer (CRC). We measured serum enterolactone glucuronide and sulfate concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 115 CRC patients and 76 sex- and age-matched controls and analyzed the results with respect to tumor parameters, clinical parameters, and systemic inflammatory markers. Patients with colon cancer had significant lower serum enterolactone glucuronide and sulfate concentrations than controls (glucuronide: median 3.14 nM vs. 6.32 nM, P < 0.001; sulfate: median 0.13 nM vs. 0.17 nM, P = 0.002), whereas rectal cancer patients had similar enterolactone levels as controls (glucuronide: median 5.39 nM vs. 6.32 nM, P = 0.357; sulfate: median 0.19 nM vs. 0.17 nM, P = 0.452). High serum enterolactone concentrations were associated with low tumor grade, high serum creatinine levels, and concomitant diabetes. In summary, our results suggest that serum enterolactone concentrations are decreased in colon but not in rectal cancer. Further investigations are required to assess whether this reflects an altered lignan metabolism by the colon microbiome.
Association between mild anemia and physical fitness in a military male cohort: The CHIEF study
Authors: Tsai Kun-Zhe , Lai Shiue-Wei , Hsieh Chia-Jung , Lin Chin-Sheng , Lin Yen-Po , Tsai Sung-Chiao , Chung Pei-Shou , Lin Yu-Kai , Lin Tzu-Chiao , Ho Ching-Liang , Han Chih-Lu , Kwon Younghoon , Hsieh Chung-Bao , Lin Gen-Min
Published: August 2019

Anemia defined as reduced hemoglobin levels of red blood cells may carry less oxygen to skeletal muscle and impair physical performance. Previous studies have shown that exercise intolerance was related to moderate or severe anemia, however, the relationship to mild anemia was unknown. We investigated the cross-sectional association of mild anemia defined as a hemoglobin level of 10.0–13.9 g/dL with physical fitness in 3,666 military young males in Taiwan in 2014. Aerobic fitness was evaluated by 3000-meter run test, and anaerobic fitness was evaluated by 2-minute sit-ups and 2-minute push-ups, respectively. Multiple logistic regressions for the best 10% and the worst 10% performers were used to determine the relationship. There were 343 mild anemic males in whom 47.8% were microcytic anemia and 3,323 non-anemic males for the analysis. The multiple logistic regression shows that as compared with non-anemic males, mild anemic males were more likely to be the worst 10% performers in the 3000-meter run test (odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.47, 1.01–2.14) after adjusting for age, service specialty, body mass index, waist size, mean blood pressure, unhealthy behaviors, lipid profiles, and exercise frequency. On the contrary, mild anemic males had higher possibility to be the best 10% performers in the 2-minute push-ups test (OR: 1.48, 1.08–2.04). However, there was no association between mild anemia and 2-minute sit-ups. Our findings suggest that unspecified mild anemia might be associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness but not with anaerobic fitness in physically active military males.
Gene-edited murine cell lines for propagation of chronic wasting disease prions
Authors: Walia Rupali , Ho Cheng Ching , Lee Chi , Gilch Sabine , Schatzl Hermann M.
Published: August 2019

Prions cause fatal infectious neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. Cell culture models are essential for studying the molecular biology of prion propagation. Defining such culture models is mostly a random process, includes extensive subcloning, and for many prion diseases few or no models exist. One example is chronic wasting disease (CWD), a highly contagious prion disease of cervids. To extend the range of cell models propagating CWD prions, we gene-edited mouse cell lines known to efficiently propagate murine prions. Endogenous prion protein (PrP) was ablated in CAD5 and MEF cells, using CRISPR-Cas9 editing. PrP knock-out cells were reconstituted with mouse, bank vole and cervid PrP genes by lentiviral transduction. Reconstituted cells expressing mouse PrP provided proof-of-concept for re-established prion infection. Bank voles are considered universal receptors for prions from a variety of species. Bank vole PrP reconstituted cells propagated mouse prions and cervid prions, even without subcloning for highly susceptible cells. Cells reconstituted with cervid PrP and infected with CWD prions tested positive in prion conversion assay, whereas non-reconstituted cells were negative. This novel cell culture platform which is easily adjustable and allows testing of polymorphic alleles will provide important new insights into the biology of CWD prions.
Grazing enhances species diversity in grassland communities
Authors: Pulungan Muhammad Almaududi , Suzuki Shota , Gavina Maica Krizna Areja , Tubay Jerrold M. , Ito Hiromu , Nii Momoka , Ichinose Genki , Okabe Takuya , Ishida Atsushi , Shiyomi Masae , Togashi Tatsuya , Yoshimura Jin , Morita Satoru
Published: August 2019

In grassland studies, an intermediate level of grazing often results in the highest species diversity. Although a few hypotheses have been proposed to explain this unimodal response of species diversity to grazing intensity, no convincing explanation has been provided. Here, we build a lattice model of a grassland community comprising multiple species with various levels of grazing. We analyze the relationship between grazing and plant diversity in grasslands under variable intensities of grazing pressure. The highest species diversity is observed at an intermediate grazing intensity. Grazers suppress domination by the most superior species in birth rate, resulting in the coexistence of inferior species. This unimodal grazing effect disappears with the introduction of a small amount of nongrazing natural mortality. Unimodal patterns of species diversity may be limited to the case where grazers are the principal source of natural mortality.
Microbial diversity analysis and screening for novel xylanase enzymes from the sediment of the Lobios Hot Spring in Spain
Authors: Knapik Kamila , Becerra Manuel , González-Siso María-Isabel
Published: August 2019

Here, we describe the metagenome composition of a microbial community in a hot spring sediment as well as a sequence-based and function-based screening of the metagenome for identification of novel xylanases. The sediment was collected from the Lobios Hot Spring located in the province of Ourense (Spain). Environmental DNA was extracted and sequenced using Illumina technology, and a total of 3.6 Gbp of clean paired reads was produced. A taxonomic classification that was obtained by comparison to the NCBI protein nr database revealed a dominance of Bacteria (93%), followed by Archaea (6%). The most abundant bacterial phylum was Acidobacteria (25%), while Thaumarchaeota (5%) was the main archaeal phylum. Reads were assembled into contigs. Open reading frames (ORFs) predicted on these contigs were searched by BLAST against the CAZy database to retrieve xylanase encoding ORFs. A metagenomic fosmid library of approximately 150,000 clones was constructed to identify functional genes encoding thermostable xylanase enzymes. Function-based screening revealed a novel xylanase-encoding gene (XynA3), which was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21. The resulting protein (41 kDa), a member of glycoside hydrolase family 11 was purified and biochemically characterized. The highest activity was measured at 80 °C and pH 6.5. The protein was extremely thermostable and showed 94% remaining activity after incubation at 60 °C for 24 h and over 70% remaining activity after incubation at 70 °C for 24 h. Xylanolytic activity of the XynA3 enzyme was stimulated in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol and Fe3+ ions. HPLC analysis showed that XynA3 hydrolyzes xylan forming xylobiose with lower proportion of xylotriose and xylose. Specific activity of the enzyme was 9080 U/mg for oat arabinoxylan and 5080 U/mg for beechwood xylan, respectively, without cellulase activity.