bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
td-deletion in British English: New evidence for the long-lost morphological effect
Authors: Baranowski Maciej , Turton Danielle
Published: May 2020

This paper analyzes td-deletion, the process whereby coronal stops /t, d/ are deleted after a consonant at the end of the word (e.g., best, kept, missed) in the speech of 93 speakers from Manchester, stratified for age, social class, gender, and ethnicity. Prior studies of British English have not found the morphological effect—more deletion in monomorphemic mist than past tense missed—commonly observed in American English. We find this effect in Manchester and provide evidence that the rise of glottal stop replacement in postsonorant position in British English (e.g., halt, aunt) may be responsible for the reduction in the strength of this effect in British varieties. Glottaling blocks deletion, and, because the vast majority of postsonorant tokens are monomorphemic, the higher rates of monomorpheme glottaling dampens the typical effect of deletion in this context. These findings indicate organization at a higher level of the grammar, while also showing overlaid effects of factors such as style and word frequency.
Sea‐Ice Induced Southern Ocean Subsurface Warming and Surface Cooling in a Warming Climate
Authors: Haumann F. Alexander , Gruber Nicolas , Münnich Matthias
Published: May 2020

Much of the Southern Ocean surface south of 55° S cooled and freshened between at least the early 1980s and the early 2010s. Many processes have been proposed to explain the unexpected cooling, including increased winds or freshwater fluxes. However, these mechanisms so far failed to fully explain the surface trends and the concurrent subsurface warming (100 to 500 m). Here, we argue that these trends are predominantly caused by an increased wind‐driven northward sea‐ice transport, enhancing the extraction of freshwater near Antarctica and releasing it in the open ocean. This conclusion is based on factorial experiments with a regional ocean model. In all experiments with an enhanced northward sea‐ice transport, a strengthened salinity‐dominated stratification cools the open‐ocean surface waters between the Subantarctic Front and the sea‐ice edge. The strengthened stratification reduces the downward mixing of cold surface water and the upward heat loss of the warmer waters below, thus warming the subsurface. This sea‐ice induced subsurface warming mostly occurs around West Antarctica, where it likely enhances ice‐shelf melting. Moreover, the subsurface warming could account for about 8 ± 2% of the global ocean heat content increase between 1982 and 2011. Antarctic sea‐ice changes thereby may have contributed to the slowdown of global surface warming over this period. Our conclusions are robust across all considered sensitivity cases, although the trend magnitude is sensitive to forcing uncertainties and the model's mean state. It remains unclear whether these sea‐ice induced changes are associated with natural variability or reflect a response to anthropogenic forcing.
Characterization of Bacteria on Aerosols From Dust Events in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
Authors: Marone Alioune , Kane Coumba Touré , Mbengue Malick , Jenkins Gregory S. , Niang Demba Ndao , Drame Mamadou Simina , Gernand Jeremy M.
Published: May 2020

We identify bacteria types on collected dust samples in Dakar Senegal, a region that experiences frequent Saharan dust events. We use classical techniques to identify bacteria types from dust samples. Seventy‐seven bacteria types are identified from samples collected by spatula and the QuickTake® 30 air sampling pump. The dominant groups in the first batch of 51 bacteria (collected via deposition) are Micrococcus (33.33%), Bacillus (13.73%), Kytococcus (11.76%), Pseudomonas (9.80%), and Burkholderia (7.84%) and dominants in the second batch of 26 bacteria (collected with aerosol sampling vacuum pump): Pseudomonas (38.61%), Burkholderia (26.92%), Micrococcus (11.54%), and Brucella spp (7.69%). These bacteria are found in earlier studies from desert sources and can potentially cause respiratory diseases to exposed populations. Future work will use molecular methods is necessary to search for additional pathogens, including viruses on dust aerosols.
The Effect of F‐Layer Zonal Neutral Wind on the Monthly and Longitudinal Variability of Equatorial Ionosphere Irregularity and Drift Velocity
Authors: Nigussie Melessew , Moldwin Mark B. , Radicella Sandro , Yizengaw Endawoke , Zou Shasha , Nava Bruno
Published: May 2020

The effect of eastward zonal wind speed (EZWS) on vertical drift velocity (E × Bdrift) that mainly controls the equatorial ionospheric irregularities has been explained theoretically and through numerical models. However, its effect on the seasonal and longitudinal variations of E × B and the accompanying irregularities has not yet been investigated experimentally due to lack of F‐layer wind speed measurements. Observations of EZWS from GOCE and ion density and E × B from C/NOFS satellites for years 2011 and 2012 during quite times are used in this study. Monthly and longitudinal variations of the irregularity occurrence, E × B, and EZWS show similar patterns. We find that at most 50.85% of longitudinal variations of E × B can be explained by the longitudinal variability of EZWS only. When the EZWS exceeds 150 m/s, the longitudinal variation of EZWS, geomagnetic field strength, and Pedersen conductivity explain 56.40–69.20% of the longitudinal variation of E × B. In Atlantic, Africa, and Indian sectors, from 42.63% to 79.80% of the monthly variations of the E × B can be explained by the monthly variations of EZWS only. It is found also that EZWS and E × B may be linearly correlated during fall equinox and December solstice. The peak occurrence of irregularity in the Atlantic sector during November and December is due to the combined effect of large wind speed, solar terminator‐geomagnetic field alignment, and small geomagnetic field strength and Pedersen conductivity. Moreover, during June solstices, small EZWS corresponds to vertically downward E × B, which suggests that other factors dominate the E × B drift rather than the EZWS during these periods.
Subducted Lithospheric Boundary Tomographically Imaged Beneath Arc‐Continent Collision in Eastern Indonesia
Authors: Harris Cooper W. , Miller Meghan S. , Supendi Pepen , Widiyantoro Sri
Published: May 2020

We use traveltimes from a temporary seismic deployment of 30 broadband seismometers and a national catalog of arrival times to construct a finite‐frequency teleseismic P‐wave tomographic model of the upper mantle beneath eastern Indonesia, where subduction of the Indo‐Australian plate beneath the Banda Arc transitions to arc‐continent collision. The change in tectonics is due to a change from oceanic to continental lithosphere in the lower plate as inferred from geological mapping and geophysical, geochemical, and geodetic measurements. At this inferred transition, we seismically image the subducted continent‐ocean boundary at upper mantle depths that links volcanism on Flores to amagmatic orogenesis on Timor. Our tomographic images reveal a relatively high‐velocity feature within the upper mantle, which we interpret as the subducted Indo‐Australian slab. The slab appears continuous yet deformed as a result of the change in buoyancy due to the composition of the incoming continental lithosphere. Accordingly, there is a difference in dip angle between the oceanic and continental sections of the slab albeit not a gap or discontinuity. We suggest the slab has deformed without tearing to accommodate structural and kinematic changes across the continent‐ocean boundary as the two sections of the slab diverge. These results suggest that deformation in tectonic collisions can be localized along a continent‐ocean boundary, even at depth. We propose that future slab tearing may develop where we observe slab deformation in our study region and that a similar process may take place in collisions generally.
How Much Will Soil Warm?
Authors: Phillips Claire L.
Published: May 2020

For years, carbon cycle scientists have sought to understand how a warming climate will impact the decay of soil carbon. However, there have been relatively few investigations of how soils will warm in comparison to the atmosphere. Three recent papers in American Geophysical Union journals have looked at expected soil warming by synthesizing predictions in the Climate Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5). Collectively, these papers show that soil warming will keep pace with air warming except where snow and ice occur, and that the magnitude of soil warming in northern latitudes is uncertain due to model variability in snow and ice extent. They also show that a considerable portion of anthropogenic warming is being stored in deep soils, and that in comparison to observations, soil heat storage is underrepresented by land models. These studies highlight how important continued investigations of soil climatology are to understanding carbon cycling and Earth energy balance.
Thank You to Our 2019 Reviewers
Authors: Salous Sana , Kobayashi Kazuya
Published: May 2020

Key Points

The editors thank the 2019 peer reviewers
Functional biology of the Steel syndrome founder allele and evidence for clan genomics derivation of COL27A1 pathogenic alleles worldwide
Authors:   Baylor-Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genetics, Regeneron Genetics Center, Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , Yesil Gozde , Nistala Harikiran , Gezdirici Alper , Bayram Yavuz , Nannuru Kalyan C. , Pehlivan Davut , Yuan Bo , Jimenez Johanna , Sahin Yavuz , Paine Ingrid S. , Akdemir Zeynep Coban , Rajamani Saathyaki , Staples Jeffrey , Dronzek John , Howell Kristen , Fatih Jawid M. , Smaldone Silvia , Schlesinger Alan E. , Ramírez Norman , Cornier Alberto S. , Kelly Melissa A. , Haber Robert , Chim Shek Man , Nieman Kristy , Wu Nan , Walls Johnathon , Poueymirou William , Siao Chia-Jen , Sutton V. Reid , Williams Marc S. , Posey Jennifer E. , Gibbs Richard A. , Carlo Simon , Tegay David H. , Economides Aris N. , Lupski James R.
Published: May 2020

Previously we reported the identification of a homozygous COL27A1 (c.2089G>C; p.Gly697Arg) missense variant and proposed it as a founder allele in Puerto Rico segregating with Steel syndrome (STLS, MIM #615155); a rare osteochondrodysplasia characterized by short stature, congenital bilateral hip dysplasia, carpal coalitions, and scoliosis. We now report segregation of this variant in five probands from the initial clinical report defining the syndrome and an additional family of Puerto Rican descent with multiple affected adult individuals. We modeled the orthologous variant in murine Col27a1 and found it recapitulates some of the major Steel syndrome associated skeletal features including reduced body length, scoliosis, and a more rounded skull shape. Characterization of the in vivo murine model shows abnormal collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix and disorganization of the proliferative zone of the growth plate. We report additional COL27A1 pathogenic variant alleles identified in unrelated consanguineous Turkish kindreds suggesting Clan Genomics and identity-by-descent homozygosity contributing to disease in this population. The hypothesis that carrier states for this autosomal recessive osteochondrodysplasia may contribute to common complex traits is further explored in a large clinical population cohort. Our findings augment our understanding of COL27A1 biology and its role in skeletal development; and expand the functional allelic architecture in this gene underlying both rare and common disease phenotypes.
Semiconductor to metal transition in two-dimensional gold and its van der Waals heterostack with graphene
Authors: Forti Stiven , Link Stefan , Stöhr Alexander , Niu Yuran , Zakharov Alexei A. , Coletti Camilla , Starke Ulrich
Published: May 2020

The synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) transition metals has attracted growing attention for both fundamental and application-oriented investigations, such as 2D magnetism, nanoplasmonics and non-linear optics. However, the large-area synthesis of this class of materials in a single-layer form poses non-trivial difficulties. Here we present the synthesis of a large-area 2D gold layer, stabilized in between silicon carbide and monolayer graphene. We show that the 2D-Au ML is a semiconductor with the valence band maximum 50 meV below the Fermi level. The graphene and gold layers are largely non-interacting, thereby defining a class of van der Waals heterostructure. The 2D-Au bands, exhibit a 225 meV spin-orbit splitting along the $$\overline {{\mathrm{\Gamma }}{\mathrm{K}}}$$ΓK¯ direction, making it appealing for spin-related applications. By tuning the amount of gold at the SiC/graphene interface, we induce a semiconductor to metal transition in the 2D-Au, which has not yet been observed and hosts great interest for fundamental physics.
High residual carriage of vaccine-serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Malawi
Authors: Swarthout Todd D. , Fronterre Claudio , Lourenço José , Obolski Uri , Gori Andrea , Bar-Zeev Naor , Everett Dean , Kamng’ona Arox W. , Mwalukomo Thandie S. , Mataya Andrew A. , Mwansambo Charles , Banda Marjory , Gupta Sunetra , Diggle Peter , French Neil , Heyderman Robert S.
Published: May 2020

There are concerns that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in sub-Saharan Africa sub-optimally interrupt Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine-serotype (VT) carriage and transmission. Here we assess PCV carriage using rolling, prospective nasopharyngeal carriage surveys between 2015 and 2018, 3.6–7.1 years after Malawi’s 2011 PCV13 introduction. Carriage decay rate is analysed using non-linear regression. Despite evidence of reduction in VT carriage over the study period, there is high persistent residual carriage. This includes among PCV-vaccinated children 3–5-year-old (16.1% relative reduction from 19.9% to 16.7%); PCV-unvaccinated children 6–8-year-old (40.5% reduction from 26.4% to 15.7%); HIV-infected adults 18-40-years-old on antiretroviral therapy (41.4% reduction from 15.2% to 8.9%). VT carriage prevalence half-life is similar among PCV-vaccinated and PCV-unvaccinated children (3.26 and 3.34 years, respectively). Compared with high-income settings, there is high residual VT carriage 3.6–7.1 years after PCV introduction. Rigorous evaluation of strategies to augment vaccine-induced control of carriage, including alternative schedules and catch-up campaigns, is required.
Disruption of ATRX-RNA interactions uncovers roles in ATRX localization and PRC2 function
Authors: Ren Wenqing , Medeiros Nicole , Warneford-Thomson Robert , Wulfridge Phillip , Yan Qingqing , Bian Joyce , Sidoli Simone , Garcia Benjamin A. , Skordalakes Emmanuel , Joyce Eric , Bonasio Roberto , Sarma Kavitha
Published: May 2020

Heterochromatin in the eukaryotic genome is rigorously controlled by the concerted action of protein factors and RNAs. Here, we investigate the RNA binding function of ATRX, a chromatin remodeler with roles in silencing of repetitive regions of the genome and in recruitment of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). We identify ATRX RNA binding regions (RBRs) and discover that the major ATRX RBR lies within the N-terminal region of the protein, distinct from its PHD and helicase domains. Deletion of this ATRX RBR (ATRXΔRBR) compromises ATRX interactions with RNAs in vitro and in vivo and alters its chromatin binding properties. Genome-wide studies reveal that loss of RNA interactions results in a redistribution of ATRX on chromatin. Finally, our studies identify a role for ATRX-RNA interactions in regulating PRC2 localization to a subset of polycomb target genes.
In-silico identification of the vaccine candidate epitopes against the Lassa virus hemorrhagic fever
Authors: Baral Prabin , Pavadai Elumalai , Gerstman Bernard S. , Chapagain Prem P.
Published: May 2020

Lassa virus (LASV), a member of the Arenaviridae, is an ambisense RNA virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate in humans in West and Central Africa. Currently, no FDA approved drugs or vaccines are available for the treatment of LASV fever. The LASV glycoprotein complex (GP) is a promising target for vaccine or drug development. It is situated on the virion envelope and plays key roles in LASV growth, cell tropism, host range, and pathogenicity. In an effort to discover new LASV vaccines, we employ several sequence-based computational prediction tools to identify LASV GP major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II T-cell epitopes. In addition, many sequence- and structure-based computational prediction tools were used to identify LASV GP B-cell epitopes. The predicted T- and B-cell epitopes were further filtered based on the consensus approach that resulted in the identification of thirty new epitopes that have not been previously tested experimentally. Epitope-allele complexes were obtained for selected strongly binding alleles to the MHC-I T-cell epitopes using molecular docking and the complexes were relaxed with molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction and dynamics of the epitope-allele complexes. These predictions provide guidance to the experimental investigations and validation of the epitopes with the potential for stimulating T-cell responses and B-cell antibodies against LASV and allow the design and development of LASV vaccines.
Robust assessment of the time of emergence of precipitation change in West Africa
Authors: Gaetani Marco , Janicot Serge , Vrac Mathieu , Famien Adjoua Moise , Sultan Benjamin
Published: May 2020

The time of emergence (TOE) of climate change is defined as the time when a new climate state emerges from a prior one. TOE assessment is particularly relevant in West Africa, a region highly threatened by climate change and urgently needing trustworthy climate predictions. In this paper, the TOE of precipitation change in West Africa is assessed for the first time, by analyzing 6 precipitation metrics (cumulated precipitation, number of wet and very wet days, onset and length of the rainy season) computed from the output of 29 state-of-the-art climate models. In West Sahel, climate conditions characterized by reduced occurrence of wet days are likely to emerge before 2036, leading to the possible emergence of a dryer climate in 2028–2052. In East Sahel, a wetter precipitation regime characterized by increased occurrence of very wet days is likely to emerge before 2054. Results do not provide a clear indication about a possible climate shift in the onset and length of the rainy season. Although uncertainty in climate model future projections still limits the robust determination of TOE locally, this study provides reliable time constraints to the expected climate shift in West Africa at the sub-regional scale, supporting adaptation measures to the future change in the precipitation regime.
Spatial early warning signals of social and epidemiological tipping points in a coupled behaviour-disease network
Authors: Phillips Brendon , Anand Madhur , Bauch Chris T.
Published: May 2020

The resurgence of infectious diseases due to vaccine refusal has highlighted the role of interactions between disease dynamics and the spread of vaccine opinion on social networks. Shifts between disease elimination and outbreak regimes often occur through tipping points. It is known that tipping points can be predicted by early warning signals (EWS) based on characteristic dynamics near the critical transition, but the study of EWS in coupled behaviour-disease networks has received little attention. Here, we test several EWS indicators measuring spatial coherence and autocorrelation for their ability to predict a critical transition corresponding to disease outbreaks and vaccine refusal in a multiplex network model. The model couples paediatric infectious disease spread through a contact network to binary opinion dynamics of vaccine opinion on a social network. Through change point detection, we find that mutual information and join count indicators provided the best EWS. We also show the paediatric infectious disease natural history generates a discrepancy between population-level vaccine opinions and vaccine immunity status, such that transitions in the social network may occur before epidemiological transitions. These results suggest that monitoring social media for EWS of paediatric infectious disease outbreaks using these spatial indicators could be successful.
Prokineticin receptor 2 affects GnRH3 neuron ontogeny but not fertility in zebrafish
Authors: Bassi Ivan , Luzzani Francesca , Marelli Federica , Vezzoli Valeria , Cotellessa Ludovica , Prober David A. , Persani Luca , Gothilf Yoav , Bonomi Marco
Published: May 2020

Prokineticin receptors (PROKR1 and PROKR2) are G protein-coupled receptors which control human central and peripheral reproductive processes. Importantly, allelic variants of PROKR2 in humans are associated with altered migration of GnRH neurons, resulting in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), a heterogeneous disease characterized by delayed/absent puberty and/or infertility. Although this association is established in humans, murine models failed to fully recapitulate the reproductive and olfactory phenotypes observed in patients harboring PROKR2 mutations. Here, taking advantage of zebrafish model we investigated the role of prokr1b (ortholog of human PROKR2) during early stages of GnRH neuronal migration. Real-Time PCR and whole mount in situ hybridization assays indicate that prokr1b spatial-temporal expression is consistent with gnrh3. Moreover, knockdown and knockout of prokr1b altered the correct development of GnRH3 fibers, a phenotype that is rescued by injection of prokr1b mRNA. These results suggest that prokr1b regulates the development of the GnRH3 system in zebrafish. Analysis of gonads development and mating experiments indicate that prokr1b is not required for fertility in zebrafish, although its loss determine changes also at the testis level. Altogether, our results support the thesis of a divergent evolution in the control of vertebrate reproduction and provide a useful in vivo model for deciphering the mechanisms underlying the effect of PROKR2 allelic variants on CHH.
Proteomics-Based Approach Identifies Altered ER Domain Properties by ALS-Linked VAPB Mutation
Authors: Yamanaka Tomoyuki , Nishiyama Risa , Shimogori Tomomi , Nukina Nobuyuki
Published: May 2020

An ER transmembrane protein, vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB), binds to several organelle-resident membrane proteins to mediate ER-organelle tethering. Mutation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) induces protein misfolding and aggregation, leading to ER disorganization. Gain or loss of function is suggested for VAPB mutation, however comprehensive study focusing on VAPB-ER domain has yet been performed. We here conducted proteomic characterization of the ER containing VAPB and its ALS-linked P56S mutant. For this purpose, we first optimized the proteomics of different ER domains immuno-isolated from cultured cells, and identified ER sheet- and tubule-specific proteomes. By using these as references, we found that VAPB-ER proteome had intermediate ER domain properties but its tubular property was specifically decreased by its mutation. Biochemical, immunofluorescence and proximity ligation assays suggested this was mediated by delocalization of VAPB from ER tubules. The VAPB-ER proteomics further suggested reduced incorporation of multiple proteins located in different organelles, which was confirmed by proximity ligation assay. Taken together, our proteomics-based approach indicates altered ER domain properties and impaired ER-organelle tethering by VAPB mutation.
Rapid identification of pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes and plasmids in blood cultures by nanopore sequencing
Authors: Taxt Arne M. , Avershina Ekaterina , Frye Stephan A. , Naseer Umaer , Ahmad Rafi
Published: May 2020

Bloodstream infections (BSI) and sepsis are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Blood culture-based diagnostics usually requires 1–2 days for identification of bacterial agent and an additional 2–3 days for phenotypic determination of antibiotic susceptibility pattern. With the escalating burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rapid diagnostics becomes increasingly important to secure adequate antibiotic therapy. Real-time whole genome sequencing represents a genotypic diagnostic approach with the ability to rapidly identify pathogens and AMR-encoding genes. Here we have used nanopore sequencing of bacterial DNA extracted from positive blood cultures for identification of pathogens, detection of plasmids and AMR-encoding genes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to gather the above-mentioned information from nanopore sequencing and conduct a comprehensive analysis for diagnostic purposes in real-time. Identification of pathogens was possible after 10 minutes of sequencing and all predefined AMR-encoding genes and plasmids from monoculture experiments were detected within one hour using raw nanopore sequencing data. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correct identification of plasmids and blaCTX-M subtypes using de novo assembled nanopore contigs. Results from this study hold great promise for future applications in clinical microbiology and for health care surveillance purposes.
Lacosamide intake during pregnancy increases the incidence of foetal malformations and symptoms associated with schizophrenia in the offspring of mice
Authors: López-Escobar Beatriz , Fernández-Torres Rut , Vargas-López Viviana , Villar-Navarro Mercedes , Rybkina Tatyana , Rivas-Infante Eloy , Hernández-Viñas Ayleen , Álvarez del Vayo Concepción , Caro-Vega José , Sánchez-Alcázar José A. , González-Meneses Antonio , Carrión M. Ángel , Ybot-González Patricia
Published: May 2020

The use of first and second generation antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy doubles the risk of major congenital malformations and other teratogenic defects. Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation antiepileptic drug that interacts with collapsing response mediator protein 2, a protein that has been associated with neurodevelopmental diseases like schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to test the potential teratogenic effects of LCM on developing embryos and its effects on behavioural/histological alterations in adult mice. We administered LCM to pregnant mice, assessing its presence, and that of related compounds, in the mothers’ serum and in embryonic tissues using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry detection. Embryo morphology was evaluated, and immunohistochemistry was performed on adult offspring. Behavioural studies were carried out during the first two postnatal weeks and on adult mice. We found a high incidence of embryonic lethality and malformations in mice exposed to LCM during embryonic development. Neonatal mice born to dams treated with LCM during gestation displayed clear psychomotor delay and behavioural and morphological alterations in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala that were associated with behaviours associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in adulthood. We conclude that LCM and its metabolites may have teratogenic effects on the developing embryos, reflected in embryonic lethality and malformations, as well as behavioural and histological alterations in adult mice that resemble those presented by patients with schizophrenia.
Multiparametric Mechanistic Profiling of Inotropic Drugs in Adult Human Primary Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Abi-Gerges Najah , Indersmitten Tim , Truong Ky , Nguyen William , Ratchada Phachareeya , Nguyen Nathalie , Page Guy , Miller Paul E. , Ghetti Andre
Published: May 2020

Effects of non-cardiac drugs on cardiac contractility can lead to serious adverse events. Furthermore, programs aimed at treating heart failure have had limited success and this therapeutic area remains a major unmet medical need. The challenges in assessing drug effect on cardiac contractility point to the fundamental translational value of the current preclinical models. Therefore, we sought to develop an adult human primary cardiomyocyte contractility model that has the potential to provide a predictive preclinical approach for simultaneously predicting drug-induced inotropic effect (sarcomere shortening) and generating multi-parameter data to profile different mechanisms of action based on cluster analysis of a set of 12 contractility parameters. We report that 17 positive and 9 negative inotropes covering diverse mechanisms of action exerted concentration-dependent increases and decreases in sarcomere shortening, respectively. Interestingly, the multiparametric readout allowed for the differentiation of inotropes operating via distinct mechanisms. Hierarchical clustering of contractility transient parameters, coupled with principal component analysis, enabled the classification of subsets of both positive as well as negative inotropes, in a mechanism-related mode. Thus, human cardiomyocyte contractility model could accurately facilitate informed mechanistic-based decision making, risk management and discovery of molecules with the most desirable pharmacological profile for the correction of heart failure.
Deconvolution of conformational exchange from Raman spectra of aqueous RNA nucleosides
Authors: Wilson Alex L. , Outeiral Carlos , Dowd Sarah E. , Doig Andrew J. , Popelier Paul L. A. , Waltho Jonathan P. , Almond Andrew
Published: May 2020

Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are key to the central dogma of molecular biology. While Raman spectroscopy holds great potential for studying RNA conformational dynamics, current computational Raman prediction and assignment methods are limited in terms of system size and inclusion of conformational exchange. Here, a framework is presented that predicts Raman spectra using mixtures of sub-spectra corresponding to major conformers calculated using classical and ab initio molecular dynamics. Experimental optimization allowed purines and pyrimidines to be characterized as predominantly syn and anti, respectively, and ribose into exchange between equivalent south and north populations. These measurements are in excellent agreement with Raman spectroscopy of ribonucleosides, and previous experimental and computational results. This framework provides a measure of ribonucleoside solution populations and conformational exchange in RNA subunits. It complements other experimental techniques and could be extended to other molecules, such as proteins and carbohydrates, enabling biological insights and providing a new analytical tool.
Facile functionalization of boron nitride (BN) for the development of high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Maity Chandan Kumar , Sahoo Sumanta , Verma Kartikey , Behera Ajaya Kumar , Nayak Ganesh Chandra
Published: May 2020

Ternary composites based on functionalized BN, a carbonaceous material, and PANI are developed for real-time asymmetric supercapacitor application.
An integrated microfluidic platform for selective and real-time detection of thrombin biomarkers using a graphene FET
Authors: Khan Niazul I. , Mousazadehkasin Mohammad , Ghosh Sujoy , Tsavalas John G. , Song Edward
Published: May 2020

Continuous and real-time detection of protein biomarker using a microfluidic graphene-based transistor functionalized with thrombin-binding aptamers.
A novel turn-on fluorescent sensor for the sensitive detection of glutathione via gold nanocluster preparation based on controllable ligand-induced etching
Authors: Chen Yun , Dong Xiawei , Zheng Youkun , Wang Yihan , Guo Zengchao , Jiang Hui , Wang Xuemei
Published: May 2020

A novel turn-on fluorescent sensor for the sensitive detection of glutathione is established via gold nanocluster preparation.
A caveat to common hemicyanine dye components and their resolution
Authors: Park Hyeon Jin , Song Chang Wook , Sarkar Sourav , Jun Yong Woong , Reo Ye Jin , Dai Mingchong , Ahn Kyo Han
Published: May 2020

Hemicyanine dyes containing typical heterocycles such as 2-indolinium have limited chemo- and photo-stability issues, which can be resolved with a 4-pyridinium derivative that also shows good two-photon imaging capability.
Enzyme-mimicking accelerated signal enhancement for visually multiplexed quantitation of telomerase activity
Authors: Sun Lu , Zhao Qiao , Liu Xinli , Pan Yongchun , Gao Yanfeng , Yang Jingjing , Wang Yuzhen , Song Yujun
Published: May 2020

An amplification strategy involving enzyme-mimicking accelerated signal enhancement integrated with a triple-channel volumetric bar-chart chip for visually multiplexed quantitation of telomerase activity.
Facile construction of a double network cross-linked luminescent supramolecular elastomer by hydrosilylation and pillar[5]arene host–guest recognition
Authors: Fu Rong , Zhang Junying , Liu Shaojie , Xu Xing-Dong , Feng Shengyu
Published: May 2020

A novel supramolecular polymer network constructed with covalent and non-covalent bonds together forms a double-network cross-linked elastomer and is used to make a luminescent film for potential applications.
A large axial magnetic anisotropy in trigonal bipyramidal Fe(ii)
Authors: Hay Moya A. , Sarkar Arup , Craig Gavin A. , Marriott Katie E. R. , Wilson Claire , Rajaraman Gopalan , Murrie Mark
Published: May 2020

Minimising geometric distortion in the first coordination sphere generates a large axial magnetic anisotropy in trigonal bipyramidal Fe(ii) and rare slow magnetic relaxation.
Highly dispersed nickel anchored on a N-doped carbon molecular sieve derived from metal–organic frameworks for efficient hydrodeoxygenation in the aqueous phase
Authors: Fan Ruoyu , Hu Zhi , Chen Chun , Zhu Xiaoguang , Zhang Haimin , Zhang Yunxia , Zhao Huijun , Wang Guozhong
Published: May 2020

A HD-Ni/N-CMS catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance in aqueous-phase hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived vanillin through a synergistic effect of zeolite-type N-CMS and the unsaturated Ni–N coordination site.
Correction: Colloidal synthesis of porous red phosphorus nanoparticles as a metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Chan Cheng-Ying , Chang Chao-Hung , Tuan Hsing-Yu
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Colloidal synthesis of porous red phosphorus nanoparticles as a metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction’ by Cheng-Ying Chan et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 2937–2940, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC00543F.
Pseudosymmetric layers in high-Z′ and P1 structures of organic molecules
Authors: Brock Carolyn Pratt
Published: May 2020

Layers having obvious approximate symmetry higher than that of the overall 3-D crystal are present in 20–25% of the Z′ > 4 and P1 organic structures archived in the Cambridge Structural Database. In some structures different types of layers alternate.
Investigating the melting behaviour of polymorphic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks
Authors: Bumstead Alice M. , Ríos Gómez María Laura , Thorne Michael F. , Sapnik Adam F. , Longley Louis , Tuffnell Joshua M. , Keeble Dean S. , Keen David A. , Bennett Thomas D.
Published: May 2020

The study of polymorphic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks demonstrates the influence of linker chemistry and framework structure on their thermal behaviour.
A quantum chemical study of substituent effects on CN bonds in aryl isocyanide molecules adsorbed on the Pt surface
Authors: Wang Ben , Gao Min , Uosaki Kohei , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: May 2020

A periodicity implemented scheme of NBO theory and normal mode analysis has been employed to investigate the chemical bond strength tendency for aryl isocyanide molecules with different para-substituted groups adsorbed on the Pt(111) surface.
Model for gas-hydrate equilibrium in porous media that incorporates pore-wall properties
Authors: Zhang Yali , Taboada-Serrano Patricia
Published: May 2020

A model to predict the equilibrium conditions of gas-hydrates in porous media that incorporates sediment properties.
Synthesis and photophysics of gold(i) alkynyls bearing a benzothiazole-2,7-fluorenyl moiety: a comparative study analyzing influence of ancillary ligand, bridging moiety, and number of metal centers on photophysical properties
Authors: Mihaly Joseph J. , Phillips Alexis T. , Stewart David J. , Marsh Zachary M. , McCleese Christopher L. , Haley Joy E. , Zeller Matthias , Grusenmeyer Tod A. , Gray Thomas G.
Published: May 2020

Three new gold(i) alkynyl complexes containing a benzothiazole fluorenyl ligand were prepared. Their photophysical properties are compared with previously published dinuclear and mononuclear gold(i) aryl complexes with the same chromophoric ligand.
Fullerene-based 0D ferroelectrics/multiferroics for ultrahigh-density and ultrafast nonvolatile memories
Authors: Zhong Tingting , Wu Menghao
Published: May 2020

Compared with conventional ferroelectrics for data storage, 0D ferroelectrics/multiferroics based on polar functionalized fullerene may be endowed with a high areal density and high writing speed that are several orders of magnitude higher.
Highly efficient energy transfer from a water soluble zinc silver indium sulphide quantum dot to organic J-aggregates
Authors: Preeyanka Naupada , Dey Himani , Seth Sudipta , Rahaman Abdur , Sarkar Moloy
Published: May 2020

Highly efficient energy transfer from a water soluble quantum dot to organic J-aggregates in an inorganic–organic nanohybrid associate.
Photochemical synthesis of acetals utilizing Schreiner's thiourea as the catalyst
Authors: Spiliopoulou Nikoleta , Nikitas Nikolaos F. , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: May 2020

Schreiner's thiourea activating aldehydes in photochemical reactions.
Boosting the efficiency of solution-based CZTSSe solar cells by supercritical carbon dioxide treatment
Authors: Xiao Hai-Qin , Zhou Wen-Hui , Kou Dong-Xing , Zhou Zheng-Ji , Meng Yue-Na , Qi Ya-Fang , Yuan Sheng-Jie , Tian Qing-Wen , Wu Si-Xin
Published: May 2020

Supercritical carbon dioxide treatment proved to be efficient approach that can extract parts of organic chemicals in CZTSSe precursor films, thus reducing carbonaceous residues in CZTSSe films and boosting efficiency of CZTSSe-based solar cells.
Synthesis of eight isostructural 2D lanthanide coordination polymers assembled by rigid furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and flexible adipic acid as linkers and exploration of luminescent Eu/Tb polymers as efficient and sensitive sensors for nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Nisa Zaib ul , Tashi Lobzang , Sen Charanjeet , Ashashi Nargis Akhter , Sahoo Subash Chandra , Sheikh Haq Nawaz
Published: May 2020

Eight isostructural coordination polymers were synthesized by a solvothermal method. The luminescent Eu/Tb polymers function as efficient sensors for nitroaromatics via turn-off mode.
Hydroamination of isocyanates and isothiocyanates by alkaline earth metal initiators supported by a bulky iminopyrrolyl ligand
Authors: Bano Kulsum , Anga Srinivas , Jain Archana , Nayek Hari Pada , Panda Tarun K.
Published: May 2020

Synthesis of heteroleptic and homoleptic alkaline earth metal complexes supported by bulky bis-iminopyrrolyl ligands are reported. The catalytic hydroamination of isocyanates and isothiocyanates with aryl amines using calcium complex is presented.
Recent progress and approaches on the synthesis of Mn-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles: a theoretical and experimental investigation on the photocatalytic performance
Authors: Silva J. M. P. , Andrade Neto N. F. , Oliveira M. C. , Ribeiro R. A. P. , de Lazaro S. R. , Gomes Y. F. , Paskocimas C. A. , Bomio M. R. D. , Motta F. V.
Published: May 2020

Connecting structural, morphological, and electronic features of ZnO:Mn, one improved photocatalyst for dye degradation complemented by DFT calculations.
Mechanistic insight in site-selective and anisotropic etching of prussian blue analogues toward designable complex architectures for efficient energy storage
Authors: Xu Hai , Zhao Xi , Yu Chenyang , Sun Yue , Hui Zengyu , Zhou Ruicong , Xue Jialu , Dai Henghan , Zhao Yue , Wang Lumin , Gong Yujiao , Zhou Jinyuan , An Jianing , Chen Qiang , Sun Gengzhi , Huang Wei
Published: May 2020

Two distinct regions formed inside NCP cubes determine the position and anisotropic pathway of subsequent chemical etching.
Alicyclic polyesters from a bicyclic 1,3-dioxane-4-one
Authors: Xu Yuechao , Șucu Theona , Perry Mitchell R. , Shaver Michael P.
Published: May 2020

Ring-opening polymerisation of cyclopentyl-decorated dioxaneone rings accesses fully alicyclic polyesters through elimination of formaldehyde.
Online tracing of molecular weight evolution during radical polymerization via high-resolution FlowNMR spectroscopy
Authors: Vrijsen Jeroen H. , Thomlinson Isabel A. , Levere Martin E. , Lyall Catherine L. , Davidson Matthew G. , Hintermair Ulrich , Junkers Tanja
Published: May 2020

High-resolution FlowNMR was coupled to a continuous flow reactor to monitor polymer molecular weight evolution online by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy.
Correction: Influence of co-cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and probiotic lactobacilli on quality and antioxidant capacity parameters of lactose-free fermented dairy beverages containing Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels pulp
Authors: Alves Garcia Sabrina Laís , Monteiro da Silva Gabriel , Svendsen Medeiros Juliana Maria , Rocha de Queiroga Anna Paula , Brito de Queiroz Blenda , Bezerra de Farias Daniely Rayane , Correia Joyceana Oliveira , Florentino Eliane Rolim , Alonso Buriti Flávia Carolina
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Influence of co-cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and probiotic lactobacilli on quality and antioxidant capacity parameters of lactose-free fermented dairy beverages containing Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels pulp’ by Sabrina Laís Alves Garcia et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 10297–10308. DOI: 10.1039/c9ra08311a
Ru–Fe nanoalloys supported on N-doped carbon as efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane
Authors: Zhou Daijuan , Huang Xiaoyan , Wen Hao , Shen Ruofan , Liu Yanyan , Guo Xianji , Li Baojun
Published: May 2020

RuFe/N–C alloy catalysts generate a synergistic effect on the enhancement of intrinsic activity toward hydrolysis of ammonia borane.
LJaya optimisation‐based channel selection approach for performance improvement of cognitive workload assessment technique
Authors: Mohdiwale S. , Sahu M. , Sinha G.R.
Published: May 2020

In this Letter, the Logical Jaya optimisation is proposed as an extension of the Jaya optimisation algorithm to improve the cognitive workload (CW) assessment technique where channel selection for the EEG signal act as a binary optimisation problem. Channel selection is very crucial, time‐consuming and requires expertise, specially when brain cognitive load is considered. The proposed approach is designed such that it not only improves the performance of the assessment model of CW but also reduces the computational cost. The approach also helps in the automation of brain analysis. The results obtained show that performance is improved by 22% than existing approaches to an average of >90% accuracy in different scenarios. The channels obtained using the approach also provided accurate active brain regions during CW analogous to previous studies.
Modified winding function‐based model of squirrel cage induction motor for fault diagnostics
Authors: Asad Bilal , Vaimann Toomas , Belahcen Anouar , Kallaste Ants , Rassõlkin Anton , Iqbal Muhammad Naveed
Published: May 2020

This study presents the modelling and simulation of a squirrel cage induction motor using a modified winding function‐based method. The aim of the model is to compute the motor's performance parameters, which are similar to the results obtained using the finite element method (FEM) with a considerably reduced simulation time. This fact can make this model good for iterations based optimisation and fault diagnostic algorithms. For this purpose, the actual stator and rotor winding functions and the air gap, with the inclusion of rotor and stator slots, are defined as conditional expressions. The resistances and various inductances are calculated with stepping rotor, saved in lookup tables and are used to calculate speed, torque, and currents of the motor. For the validation of the model, the frequency spectrum of stator current is compared with the one calculated using FEM and measurements taken in the laboratory setup under healthy and broken rotor bar conditions.
Very low‐complexity filter lookup‐table design with non‐uniform spacing for SOA linearisation
Authors: Younes Mohamad , Telescu Mihai , Azou Stéphane , Morel Pascal , Tanguy Noël
Published: May 2020

Non‐linearities introduced by power amplifiers in communication systems have been a subject of interest for industry and academia for a long time. On one hand, the search for increased range intrinsically incites operators to boost input power. On the other hand, this leads to stronger non‐linear phenomena in amplifiers, which in turn increase the bit error rate. The situation led to the emergence of digital predistortion algorithms that compensate for the power amplifier's non‐linearities and improve the overall performance of the link. A rich corpus of literature exists on this topic but it mainly addresses wireless microwave networks. The case of digital predistortion specifically tailored for optical communications is much less explored. This study focuses on predistortion via filter‐lookup‐tables and tackles the issue of non‐uniform spacing. The work is mainly aimed at coherent optical‐orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing systems including low‐cost semiconductor optical amplifiers.
Effective combination of quadratic boost converter with voltage multiplier cell to increase voltage gain
Authors: Rezaie Milad , Abbasi Vahid
Published: May 2020

This study proposes a high step‐up DC–DC converter based on quadratic boost converter. The proposed converter is composed of a quadratic boost converter and a multiplier cell. The converter can be used in low power applications which need to increase output voltage with high gain. In order to reduce number of the components, the multiplier cell is composed with the quadratic boost converter in a way to share one of their inductors. The found location of the multiplier adds some advantages to the proposed converter in comparison to the similar converters. The converter advantages include higher voltage gain, lower voltage stress on diodes and capacitors and requiring smaller inductors. To verify the points, principle operation of the converter is analysed and it has been compared with other converters. The proposed converter is designed and implemented using its main equations. Experiments are done along the lines of the analysis to prove that they have good accordance with each other. Operation quality factors such as voltage stress, voltage gain, efficiency, dynamic of the converter and operation in transient conditions are investigated using the experiments.
Prediction of the stress-strain state of circular workings in a layered massif by scaling
Authors: Alkhdour Ahmad , Radkevych Anatolii , Tiutkin Oleksii , Bondarenko Nataliia
Published: May 2020

The scientific and technical task for determining the stress-strain state of mine workings is complicated by the presence of a layered massif. This task assumes particular importance in the case of circular tunneling. During its operation, it is important to predict the change of the stressstrain state for the massif or to carry out the prompt determination in the change of stresses and displacements for the unsupported working. The solution of this geomechanical task allows performing geometrical matching of the working, ensuring its strength and stability in the layered massif. A numerical finite element method based on StructureCAD (SCAD) software package was used to solve it. Four geomechanical systems were calculated: “unsupported working – layered massif”. Owing to the obtained results, graphs of stresses and displacements were constructed, which allow to determine these parameters for workings with different geometric parameters and X-parameter characterizing the ratio of the elasticity modulus of the matrix and the layer. Obtained regularities of change of stresses and displacements for the unsupported working when zooming made it possible to introduce scaling-parameters, which are a dimensionless ratio of the radii for a real system and a system with a unit diameter.