bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silk based scaffolds with immunomodulatory capacity: anti-inflammatory effects of nicotinic acid
Authors: Zakeri Siavashani Abdollah , Mohammadi Javad , Maniura-Weber Katharina , Senturk Berna , Nourmohammadi Jhamak , Sadeghi Behnam , Huber Lukas , Rottmar Markus
Published: October 2019

Here we show that 3D silk scaffolds loaded with nicotinic acid have great potential for tissue engineering due to their excellent cytocompatibility and ability to decrease the expression of proinflammatory markers in a concentration dependent manner.
Biomimetic drug-delivery systems for the management of brain diseases
Authors: Chen Yao-xing , Wei Chen-xuan , Lyu Ying-qi , Chen Hong-zhuan , Jiang Gan , Gao Xiao-ling
Published: October 2019

This review summarizes the biological properties of biomimetic DDSs and their applications in the treatment of CNS diseases.
Why does sulfite reductase employ siroheme?
Authors: Brânzanic Adrian M. V. , Ryde Ulf , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Radu
Published: October 2019

As opposed to heme, siroheme inhibits the charge transfer from the cubaneviadirect routes.
pH clock instructed transient supramolecular peptide amphiphile and its vesicular assembly
Authors: Dowari Payel , Das Saurav , Pramanik Bapan , Das Debapratim
Published: October 2019

A pH clock directed transient supramolecular peptide amphiphile and its vesicular assembly using ternary complexation of cucurbit[8]uril is displayed.
Catalyst-free phosphorylation of aryl halides with trialkyl phosphites through electrochemical reduction
Authors: Wang Shuai , Yang Cheng , Sun Shuo , Wang Jianbo
Published: October 2019

A catalyst-free electrochemical cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with trialkyl phosphites has been developed for the synthesis of aromatic phosphonates.
Comparison of DET, DGT and conventional porewater extractions for determining nutrient profiles and cycling in stream sediments
Authors: Huang Jianyin , Franklin Hannah , Teasdale Peter R. , Burford Michele A. , Kankanamge Nadeeka Rathnayake , Bennett William W. , Welsh David T.
Published: October 2019

Passive samplers measurements, especially DET, contributed to understanding of nitrogen transformations and sediment heterogeneity influenced by benthic microalgae, rooted aquatic plants and/or diel light cycles. Measurement capabilities varied considerably, especially for NH4–N.
Cocoa ameliorates renal injury in Zucker diabetic fatty rats by preventing oxidative stress, apoptosis and inactivation of autophagy
Authors: Álvarez-Cilleros David , López-Oliva María Elvira , Martín María Ángeles , Ramos Sonia
Published: October 2019

Cocoa prevents main processes involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy including redox imbalance, apoptosis and inhibition of autophagy.
Observing growth under confinement: Sn nanopillars in porous alumina templates
Authors: Harlow Gary S. , Drnec Jakub , Wiegmann Tim , Lipé Weronica , Evertsson Jonas , Persson Axel R. , Wallenberg Reine , Lundgren Edvin , Vinogradov Nikolay A.
Published: October 2019

Using a micro-focused high-energy X-ray beam, we have performed in situ time-resolved depth profiling during the electrochemical deposition of Sn into an ordered porous anodic alumina template.
Synthesis of mesoporous ceria using metal- and halogen-free ordered mesoporous carbon as a hard template
Authors: Sakina Farzeen , Muñoz-Ocaña Juan Manuel , Bouziane Ainuona , Lopez-Haro Miguel , Baker Richard T.
Published: October 2019

Nanostructure of ordered mesoporous ceria nanocast from a metal- and halogen-free carbon template determined by physisorption, electron microscopy and tomography.
Ba-addition induced enhanced surface reducibility of SrTiO3: implications on catalytic aspects
Authors: Jain Noopur , Roy Ahin , De Angana
Published: October 2019

Surface reducibility engineering is one of the vital tools to enhance the catalytic activity of materials.
Zirconia nanocomposites with carbon and iron(iii) oxide for voltammetric detection of sub-nanomolar levels of methyl parathion
Authors: Gannavarapu Krishna Prasad , Ganesh V. , Dandamudi Rajesh Babu
Published: October 2019

This study reports the synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles loaded on various carbon substrates, namely, reduced graphene oxide (Zr-r-GO), carbon nanotubes (Zr-CNT), and activated carbon (Zr-AC).
First representatives of functionalized D–π–A chromophores containing a tunable hydroxytricyanopyrrole (HTCP) acceptor and N,N-disubstituted aminophenyl donor
Authors: Fedoseev Sergey V. , Belikov Mikhail Yu. , Ievlev Mikhail Yu. , Ershov Oleg V.
Published: October 2019

D–π–A chromophores based on a hydroxytricyanopyrrole (HTCP) acceptor and N,N-disubstituted aminophenyl donor are described for the first time. Their absorption properties were thoroughly studied.
Thermo-responsive 3D-printed polyrotaxane monolith
Authors: Lin Qianming , Tang Miao , Ke Chenfeng
Published: October 2019

Thermo-responsive 3D-printed hydrogels that are composed of methylated α-cyclodextrin polyrotaxanes have been synthesized through post-3D-printing methylation.
Immunocapture sample clean-up in determination of low abundant protein biomarkers – a feasibility study of peptide capture by anti-protein antibodies
Authors: Levernæs Maren C. S. , Farhat Bassem , Oulie Inger , Abdullah Sazan S. , Paus Elisabeth , Reubsaet Léon , Halvorsen Trine G.
Published: October 2019

Targeted protein biomarker determination by immunocapture LC-MS/MS: comparison of peptide and protein capture using anti-protein antibodies.
Synthesis of V-modified TiO2 nanorod-aggregates by a facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal process and photocatalytic degradation towards PCP-Na under solar light
Authors: Han Rong , Liu Jinwen , Chen Nan , Wang Gang , Guo Yakai , Wang Hongtao
Published: October 2019

V-modified titania nanorod-aggregates were fabricated by microwave hydrothermal route. MWV05 exhibited optimal solar activity towards PCP-Na, due to red-shift by V-doping, carriers separation by V4+/V5+ synergistic effects and charge migration along the nanorods.
SF6 abatement in a packed bed plasma reactor: study towards the effect of O2 concentration
Authors: Tian Yuan , Zhang Xiaoxing , Tang Bowen , Cui Zhaolun , Zhang Guozhi , Chen Zhenwei , Wang Hao
Published: October 2019

SF6 is a greenhouse gas with extremely high global warming potential (GWP).
Bidirectional heterostructures consisting of graphene and lateral MoS2/WS2 composites: a first-principles study
Authors: Tang Yingqi , Li Hao , Mao Xiaotong , Xie Ju , Lee Jin Yong , Fu Aiping
Published: October 2019

The properties of G@(MoS2)X/(WS2)4−X bidirectional heterostructures under the external electric fields have been investigated by first principles calculations.
Fabrication and characterization of a novel corn straw/modified ammonium lignosulfonate bio-composite strengthened by polyethylenimine pretreatment
Authors: Li Sidan , Yuan Yuan , Wang Jinman , Guo Minghui
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on the development of novel bio-compositesviathe pretreatment of corn straw particles (PCSP) and modified ammonium lignosulfonate (MAL) as a binder.
The photoluminescence, field emission and femtosecond nonlinear absorption properties of Al-doped ZnO nanowires, nanobelts, and nanoplane-cone morphologies
Authors: Cao Yu-Tong , Cai Yu , Yao Cheng-Bao , Bao Sheng-Bin , Han Yue
Published: October 2019

Al-doped ZnO (AZO) nanowires, nanobelts and nanoplane-cone nanostructures have been successfully synthesized.
Effect of ZnO on (ferroelectric) fatigue retention and thermal stability of ferroelectric properties in lead free (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb0.7Ta0.3)O3 ceramics
Authors: P Vineetha , Jose Roshan , Saravanan K. Venkata
Published: October 2019

This work investigates and reports the effect of ZnO addition on the ferroelectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb0.7Ta0.3)O3 (KNNT) ceramics prepared by a solid state reaction method.
Effects of vitamin D3 release from 3D printed calcium phosphate scaffolds on osteoblast and osteoclast cell proliferation for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Vu Ashley A. , Bose Susmita
Published: October 2019

Release of Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, from 3D printed calcium phosphate scaffolds showed reduced osteoclast resorption activity.
Evolutionary approaches in protein engineering towards biomaterial construction
Authors: J. Brindha , M. M. Balamurali , Chanda Kaushik
Published: October 2019

Construction of versatile biomaterials is simplified by expanding the toolbox of protein engineering approaches.
Phosphorylation/caproylation of cornstarch to improve its adhesion to PLA and cotton fibers
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Zhengqiao , Wu Jie , Xu Zhenzhen , Liu Zhi
Published: October 2019

PCS samples were prepared for improving the adhesion of starch to PLA and cotton fibers.
Study on water resistance and tribological behaviours of basalt fibre/acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composites under water lubrication at various temperatures
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Yingzhe , Xiao Yue , Yang Yihan , Li Lin
Published: October 2019

BF/NBR composites with high wear resistance under water lubrication were prepared and systemically investigated for the first time.
Convenient synthesis of uncovered imprinted microspheres byGanoderma lucidumspore-stabilized pickering emulsion polymerization and their enhanced recognition of spiramycin
Authors: Zhu Yanzhuo , Teng Honghui , Sun Dongshu , Jiang Dayu , Yan Yongsheng
Published: October 2019

In this work, a new and simple method was developed for the synthesis of uncovered and high-selectivity spiramycin-based molecularly imprinted microspheres (SP-MIMs) by Pickering emulsion polymerization using spiramycin as templates.
Correction: Suzuki coupling-based synthesis of VATPase inhibitor archazolid natural product derived fragments
Authors: Vincent Cooper A. , Long Evan T. , Jones Holly C. , Young Jeffrey C. , Spiegel P. Clint , O’Neil Gregory W.
Published: October 2019

Correction for ‘Suzuki coupling-based synthesis of VATPase inhibitor archazolid natural product derived fragments’ by Cooper T. Vincent et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 32210–32218.
3D-Printed electrodes for membraneless water electrolysis
Authors: Bui Justin C. , Davis Jonathan T. , Esposito Daniel V.
Published: October 2019

This work describes a membraneless electrolyzer in which all key components are fabricated by 3D-printing processes.
Insights into the catalytic activity of Ru/NaY catalysts for efficient H2 production through aqueous phase reforming
Authors: Gogoi Pranjal , Nagpure Atul S. , Kandasamy Prabu , Satyanarayana C. V. V. , Raja Thirumalaiswamy
Published: October 2019

Ruthenium nanoparticles supported on NaY zeolite catalysts were synthesized by a simple ion exchange method.
Cytosolic delivery of quantum dots mediated by freezing and hydrophobic polyampholytes in RAW 264.7 cells
Authors: Ahmed Sana , Nakaji-Hirabayashi Tadashi , Rajan Robin , Zhao Dandan , Matsumura Kazuaki
Published: October 2019

Intracellular internalization of freeze concentration induced Qdots was successfully done by using the endosome escaping property of polyampholyte nanoparticles.
Facile one-pot synthesis of long-term thermally stable CDs@AlOOH toward white-light illumination
Authors: Wu Jiaming , Wang Shuxian , Liu Shuxin , Ma Shuwei , Jing Guojian , Hu Yueling , Wang Meng , Ye Zhengmao , Cheng Xin
Published: October 2019

The CDs doped boehmite composite (CDs@AlOOH) is directly achieved through a facile, low-cost and green one-step decomposition route with tunable fluorescence emission and long-term thermal stability.
Non-halogenated solution-processed ambipolar plastic transistors based on conjugated polymers prepared by asymmetric donor engineering
Authors: Song Inho , Kim Hyun-Woo , Ahn Jaeyong , Han Myeonggeun , Kwon Soon-Ki , Kim Yun-Hi , Oh Joon Hak
Published: October 2019

Ambipolar polymeric semiconductors based on a diketopyrrolopyrrole backbone that can be solution-processed using non-chlorinated solvents are reported.
Aliovalent substitution toward reinforced structural rigidity in Ce3+-doped garnet phosphors featuring improved performance
Authors: Hu Tao , Molokeev Maxim S. , Xia Zhiguo , Zhang Qinyuan
Published: October 2019

An aliovalent substitution strategy toward reinforced structural rigidity is demonstrated experimentally by incorporating Be2+ ion into a garnet-type Lu2SrAl4SiO12:Ce3+ phosphor.
Design and implementation of a small AODF
Authors: Yang Zheng , Wei Shimin , Guo Lei , Song Yuan
Published: October 2019

Cross‐connection is the only point in the communications field that has not been automated. With the many fibre networks that have been built, there is strong demand from operators for an automatic optical distribution frame (AODF) to reduce operational costs and provide high‐level services. From the twisting relationships between the fibre patch cords on the main distribution frame (MDF), the relationship between the input lines and output lines on the MDF is reversed to be perpendicular to each other, and one‐dimensional arrays of input lines and output lines (1D to 1D) are formed to construct the model. According to the model, the AODF prototype of the 1D to 1D form was fabricated with the smallest Lucent connector connector and verified through several cross‐connect experiments. The prototype designed has a simple structure, a three‐degrees‐of‐freedom Cartesian coordinate robot can meet switch requirements, and there is non‐winding between the fibres after multiple cross‐connects. Compared to the single‐layer and double‐layer form tests, the switch process requires multiple hand‐over operations, and handovers take a long time in the switch process. Further research is needed to optimise the handover method and greatly improves the switching speed.
Efficient knowledge‐aided target relocation algorithm for airborne radar
Authors: Chen Hongmeng , Lu Yaobing , Liu Jing , Yi Xiaoli , Sun Hanwei , Mu Heqiang , Wang Zeyu , Li Ming
Published: October 2019

This letter addresses the problem of target relocation in wide‐area ground moving target indication system. The antenna pattern information is exploited as prior knowledge to enhance the performance of airborne radar. Firstly, the ideal target relocation model for moving targets based on the dual‐channel radar system is analysed and the mismatch model of the receiving channel is constructed. Then the reason for poor relocation performance is analysed and the channel error model is constructed. Based on this fact, the problem of target relocation is converted into a problem of channel phase estimation. Moreover, a least‐squares method is utilised to estimate the phase error by exploiting the real antenna pattern information and a modified mono‐pulse curve (MPC) is derived. Finally, the real geometry location of the moving target can be achieved with the modified MPC. Airborne radar experiments are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Flight optimisation of missile using linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach
Authors: Deb Majumder Samarpan
Published: October 2019

The research entails a finite‐element design of a 3d‐autopilot missile synthesis of multiple objective controls by solving the inequalities encountered while using a linear matrix. The autopilot design analyses the performance methodologies for a group of finite models that are further linearised at different aerodynamic roll angles within the flight coverage for harnessing the uncertainties that are encountered confined within the high angle‐of‐attack region. Multiple simulation results are devised at various roll angle conditions to satisfy the performance of the controls.
Efficient Synthesis of Diarylmethylamines via Lewis Acid Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Reactions of Donor–Acceptor Aziridines with N,N-Dialkylanilines
Authors: Kim Yerin , Kwon Yong Il , Kim Sung-Gon
Published: October 2019

A method for efficient and mild synthesis of diarylmethylamine scaffold, via Lewis acid catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of donor­–acceptor aziridines with N,N-dialkylanilines to afford a biologically important diarylmethylamine derivatives in high yields (up to 88%), is presented. This reaction is suitable for the synthesis of various diarylmethylamine derivatives and has a broad scope for electron-rich arenes, including dimethoxybenzene.
Posterior Fossa Arteriovenous Malformations: Experience with 14 Patients and a Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Corniola Marco V. , Meling Torstein R. , Bijlenga Philippe , Bernava Gianmarco , Machi Paolo , Schaller Karl
Published: October 2019

Background The optimal management of posterior fossa arteriovenous malformations (pfAVMs) is a matter of debate. To advance this discussion, we present our clinical series and the results of a systematic literature review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Methods Fourteen consecutive patients with pfAVMs were admitted between 2007 and 2018. Preoperative status, radiologic parameters, and outcome were assessed. A systematic literature review was performed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines.

Results Ten patients presented with rupture (71%), of whom three had associated aneurysms (AAs). The treatments were microsurgery (n = 4), endovascular (n = 3), radiosurgery (n = 2), a combination of two or three treatment modalities (n = 3), or conservative (n = 2). At discharge, all four patients (100%) with unruptured pfAVMs had a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]: 0–2). In contrast, in ruptured pfAVM cases, mRS was 0 to 2 in four patients (40%), mRS 3 to 4 in two (20%), mRS 5 in three (30%), and one patient (10%) died within 30 days after gamma knife treatment due to pancreatitis secondary to chronic alcohol abuse. At discharge, four patients (29%) had persistent preinterventional cranial nerve and/or focal neurologic deficits. The literature review identified 63 articles with 1,753 pfAVM patients. Overall, 66% of pfAVMs presented with rupture, and AAs were found in 20% of the cases, which is higher than in supratentorial AVMs (stAVMs).

Conclusions Because pfAVMs are associated with higher rates of hemorrhagic presentation, higher rates of morbidity and mortality when ruptured, and have a higher incidence of AAs compared with stAVMs, early curative treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is established, regardless of rupture status.
Accelerated Clustered Sparse Acquisition to Improve Functional MRI for Mapping Language Functions
Authors: Keil Phillip , Nettekoven Charlotte , Weiss Kilian , Lichtenstein Thorsten , Goldbrunner Roland , Giese Daniel , Weiss Lucas Carolin
Published: October 2019

Background Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a useful method for noninvasive presurgical functional mapping. However, the scanner environment is inherently unsuitable for the examination of auditory and language functions, due to the loud acoustic noise produced by the scanner. Interleaved acquisition methods alleviate this problem by providing a silent period for stimulus presentation and/or response control (sparse sampling) but at the expense of a diminished amount of data collected. There are possible improvements to these sparse acquisition methods that increase the amount of data by acquiring several images per event (clustered sampling). We tested accelerated clustered fMRI acquisition in comparison with conventional sparse sampling in a pilot study.

Methods The clustered and sparse acquisition techniques (7.4 minutes scanning time per protocol) were directly compared in 15 healthy subjects (8 men; mean age: 24 ± 3 years) using both a motor (tongue movement) and a language (overt picture-naming) task. Functional imaging data were analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping software (SPM12 Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, London, UK). For both tasks, activation levels were compared and Euclidean distances (EDs) between cluster centers (i.e., local activation maxima and centers of gravity) were calculated. Overlaps and laterality indices were computed for the picture-naming task. In addition, the feasibility of the clustered acquisition protocol in a clinical setting was assessed in one pilot patient.

Results For both tasks, activation levels were higher using the clustered acquisition protocol, reflected by bigger cluster sizes (p < 0.05). Mean ED between cluster centers ranged between 9.9 ± 5.4 mm (left superior temporal gyrus; centers of gravity) and 16.6 ± 13.2 mm (left inferior frontal gyrus; local activation maxima) for the picture-naming task. Overlaps between sparse and clustered acquisition reached 88% (Simpson overlap coefficient). A similar activation pattern for both acquisition methods was also confirmed in the clinical case.

Conclusion Despite some drawbacks inherent to the acquisition technique, the clustered sparse sampling protocol showed increased sensitivity for activation in language-related cortical regions with short scanning times. Such scanning techniques may be particularly advantageous for investigating patients with contraindications for long scans (e.g., reduced attention span).
Pulmonary Complications of Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Garcia Bryan , Flume Patrick A.
Published: October 2019

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by the development of progressive bronchiectasis and impaired lung function with severe airflow obstruction. CF patients suffer from shortened life expectancy, primarily driven by respiratory failure. The mechanism by which CF lung disease develops is the result of an interplay of multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors including genotype, abnormalities in mucus composition and movement, chronic inflammation, and chronic airway infection. Although all CF patients are at increased risk for pulmonary complications including hemoptysis, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic hypoxic and hypercapnic respiratory failure, the risk of developing these complications increases with progression of lung disease. The focus of this article is to summarize the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of these key pulmonary complications.
Low frequency noise and trap density in GaN/AlGaN field effect transistors
Authors: Sai P. , Jorudas J. , Dub M. , Sakowicz M. , Jakštas V. , But D. B. , Prystawko P. , Cywinski G. , Kašalynas I. , Knap W. , Rumyantsev S.
Published: October 2019

We report experimental results on the low-frequency noise in GaN/AlGaN transistors fabricated under different conditions and evaluate different methods to extract the effective trap density using the McWhorter model. The effective trap density is found to be below 1019 cm−3 for some of the wafers. This trap density is of the same order of magnitude as that reported in Si MOSFETs with a high-k dielectric. One of the structures manifested about two orders of magnitude higher noise level. These measurements correlate with the results of secondary ion mass spectroscopy and terahertz electroluminescence measurements which indicated a ∼30% higher concentration of uncompensated oxygen in this structure. Effective trap density extracted from noise measurements is proven to be a very sensitive figure of merit parameter for the GaN/AlGaN field effect transistors and material quality assessment.
Achieving high power factor and thermoelectric performance through dual substitution of Zn and Se in tetrahedrites Cu12Sb4S13
Authors: Zhu Chen , Ming Hongwei , Huang Lulu , Zhang Baoli , Lou Xunuo , Li Di , Jabar Bushra , Xin Hongxing , Zhang Jian , Qin Xiaoying
Published: October 2019

As an environmentally friendly thermoelectric material with its constituents being free of Pb/Te, tetrahedrite Cu12Sb4S13 absorbs much research interest. However, its low thermoelectric performance inhibits its applications. Here, we show that through dual substitution of Se for S and Zn for Cu in the compound, both the electrical conductivity and the thermopower are enhanced, leading to the elevation of the power factor as high as ∼33% (at 723 K). Analyses indicate that the substitution of Se for S gives rise to changes in stoichiometry of Cu12Sb4S13 through precipitation of impurity phase Cu3SbS4, which causes variations of S vacancies and hole concentrations, while Zn2+ substitution for Cu1+ introduces donors, both of which tune and optimize the carrier concentration. Besides, the lattice thermal conductivity of dual substituted samples is reduced by as low as ∼30% (at 723 K) due to intensified phonon scattering of the impurities (Se and Zn). As a result, a large figure of merit ZT = 0.9 (at 723 K) is achieved in Cu12−yZnySb4S12.8Se0.2 samples with y = 0.025 and 0.05, which is ∼41% higher than that of pristine tetrahedrite Cu12Sb4S13, indicating that dual substitution is an effective approach to improving its thermoelectric performance.
Linewidth broadening factor of an interband cascade laser
Authors: Deng Yu , Zhao Bin-Bin , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2019

This work reports the linewidth broadening factor (LBF) of a continuous-wave interband cascade laser operated both below and above threshold. Using the Hakki-Paoli method, the below-threshold LBFs around the gain peak are determined to be in the range of 1.1–1.4, where the thermal effect is carefully removed. Employing the self-mixing interferometry technique, the above-threshold LBFs are measured to be around 2.2, which do not increase with increasing pump current.
Sub-nanosecond spin-torque switching of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction nanopillars at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Rehm L. , Wolf G. , Kardasz B. , Pinarbasi M. , Kent A. D.
Published: October 2019

Spin-transfer magnetic random access memory devices are of significant interest for cryogenic computing systems where a persistent, fast, low-energy consuming, and nanometer scale device operating at low temperature is needed. Here, we report the low-temperature nanosecond duration spin-transfer switching characteristics of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) nanopillar devices (40–60 nm in diameter) and contrast them to their room temperature properties. Interestingly, the characteristic switching time decreases with temperature, with the largest reduction occurring between room temperature and 150 K. The switching energy increases with decreasing temperature, but still compares very favorably with other types of spin-transfer devices at 4 K, with <300 fJ required per switch. Write error rate (WER) measurements show highly reliable switching with WER ≤ 5 × 10–5 with 4 ns pulses at 4 K. Our results demonstrate the promise of pMTJ devices for cryogenic applications and show routes to further device optimization.
Reactivity of antimony(V) and its effect on the pro-inflammatory response in the RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line
Authors: Canto Nicole , Mercado Luis , Quiroz Waldo
Published: October 2019

Environmental contextAntimony is found at high concentrations in airborne particulate matter in urban cities. Contaminants that enter humans through the breathing of fine particulate matter are released directly into the blood after overcoming the first barrier of the immune system including macrophages. We investigated the effects of antimony on the inflammatory response in macrophages and its potentially harmful effects. AbstractAntimony (Sb) is a metalloid whose increased presence in atmospheric particulate matter is of concern since its effects on living beings are unknown. The present study aims to characterise the redox chemical changes of SbV in vitro using a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Analysis of the redox chemical changes revealed that SbV is partially reduced to SbIII when in culture. SbV induces the formation of reactive oxygen species, which may be causally related to the reduction of this chemical species. The expression of pro-inflammatory genes, which includes TNF-α and COX-2, was upregulated in response to SbV. The secretion of TNF-α protein was significantly higher from cells treated with SbV than the untreated controls. The pro-inflammatory response to SbV was determined to be dose-dependent. The signalling pathway underlying the cellular response to SbV is likely to be independent from the TLR4-mediated mechanism of lipopolysaccharide activation. This is the first study to describe the potentially pro-inflammatory effects of SbV on mammalian cells.
Phylogenetic dispersion and diversity in regional assemblages of seed plants in China
Authors: Qian Hong , Deng Tao , Jin Yi , Mao Lingfeng , Zhao Dan , Ricklefs Robert E.
Published: October 2019

Significance

Ecological and evolutionary processes work together in the assembly of regional and local communities from available species pools based on species traits linked to ecological tolerances. Because phylogenies summarize the evolutionary history of the clades within them, phylogeny-based approaches are essential to understanding the origin of variation in species richness across environmental gradients. Here, we analyze, within a phylogenetic context, a comprehensive dataset on the distributions of seed plants in China. Specifically, we examined relationships between indices of phylogenetic structure and environment for individual clades, from taxonomic families to the root of the phylogeny of the Chinese seed plants. We found that phylogenetic niche conservatism plays an important role in the assembly of regional floras in China.
Nucleic acid cleavage with a hyperthermophilic Cas9 from an uncultured Ignavibacterium
Authors: Schmidt Stephanie Tzouanas , Yu Feiqiao Brian , Blainey Paul C. , May Andrew P. , Quake Stephen R.
Published: October 2019

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated 9 (Cas9) systems have been effectively harnessed to engineer the genomes of organisms from across the tree of life. Nearly all currently characterized Cas9 proteins are derived from mesophilic bacteria, and canonical Cas9 systems are challenged by applications requiring enhanced stability or elevated temperatures. We discovered IgnaviCas9, a Cas9 protein from a hyperthermophilic Ignavibacterium identified through mini-metagenomic sequencing of samples from a hot spring. IgnaviCas9 is active at temperatures up to 100 °C in vitro, which enables DNA cleavage beyond the 44 °C limit of
Streptococcus pyogenes
Cas9 (SpyCas9) and the 70 °C limit of both
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
Cas9 (GeoCas9) and
Geobacillus thermodenitrificans
T12 Cas9 (ThermoCas9). As a potential application of this enzyme, we demonstrate that IgnaviCas9 can be used in bacterial RNA-seq library preparation to remove unwanted cDNA from 16s ribosomal rRNA without increasing the number of steps, thus underscoring the benefits provided by its exceptional thermostability in improving molecular biology and genomic workflows. IgnaviCas9 is an exciting addition to the CRISPR-Cas9 toolbox and expands its temperature range.
Passive membrane transport of lignin-related compounds
Authors: Vermaas Josh V. , Dixon Richard A. , Chen Fang , Mansfield Shawn D. , Boerjan Wout , Ralph John , Crowley Michael F. , Beckham Gregg T.
Published: October 2019

Significance

In nature, plants and microbes process substantial amounts of aromatic carbon for lignin biosynthesis and breakdown, respectively. These natural processes have important implications in the pursuit of lignin valorization, which is crucial for a vibrant, global bioeconomy. In both plant and microbial systems, an open question remains regarding how lignin-related aromatic compounds are transported across compartmental membranes, either by active membrane transporters or via passive membrane crossing. In this study, we predict that passive transport processes in plants and bacteria for uncharged aromatic compounds are likely sufficient for lignin biosynthesis and catabolism, thus implying that membrane translocation rates are controlled by compound delivery and utilization rates and membrane concentration gradients.
Effective concentrations enforced by intrinsically disordered linkers are governed by polymer physics
Authors: Sørensen Charlotte S. , Kjaergaard Magnus
Published: October 2019

Many multidomain proteins contain disordered linkers that regulate interdomain contacts, and thus the effective concentrations that govern intramolecular reactions. Effective concentrations are rarely measured experimentally, and therefore little is known about how they relate to linker architecture. We have directly measured the effective concentrations enforced by disordered protein linkers using a fluorescent biosensor. We show that effective concentrations follow simple geometric models based on polymer physics, offering an indirect method to probe the structural properties of the linker. The compaction of the disordered linker depends not only on net charge, but also on the type of charged residues. In contrast to theoretical predictions, we found that polyampholyte linkers can contract to similar dimensions as globular proteins. Hydrophobicity has little effect in itself, but aromatic residues lead to strong compaction, likely through π-interactions. Finally, we find that the individual contributors to chain compaction are not additive. We thus demonstrate that direct measurement of effective concentrations can be used in systematic studies of the relationship between sequence and structure of intrinsically disordered proteins. A quantitative understanding of the relationship between effective concentration and linker sequence will be crucial for understanding disorder-based allosteric regulation in multidomain proteins.
Distinct mechanisms of
Drosophila
CRYPTOCHROME-mediated light-evoked membrane depolarization and in vivo clock resetting
Authors: Baik Lisa S. , Au David D. , Nave Ceazar , Foden Alexander J. , Enrriquez-Villalva Wendy K. , Holmes Todd C.
Published: October 2019

Drosophila
CRYPTOCHROME (dCRY) mediates electrophysiological depolarization and circadian clock resetting in response to blue or ultraviolet (UV) light. These light-evoked biological responses operate at different timescales and possibly through different mechanisms. Whether electron transfer down a conserved chain of tryptophan residues underlies biological responses following dCRY light activation has been controversial. To examine these issues in in vivo and in ex vivo whole-brain preparations, we generated transgenic flies expressing tryptophan mutant dCRYs in the conserved electron transfer chain and then measured neuronal electrophysiological phototransduction and behavioral responses to light. Electrophysiological-evoked potential analysis shows that dCRY mediates UV and blue-light–evoked depolarizations that are long lasting, persisting for nearly a minute. Surprisingly, dCRY appears to mediate red-light–evoked depolarization in wild-type flies, absent in both
cry-null
flies, and following acute treatment with the flavin-specific inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium in wild-type flies. This suggests a previously unsuspected functional signaling role for a neutral semiquinone flavin state (FADH
•
) for dCRY. The W420 tryptophan residue located closest to the FAD-dCRY interaction site is critical for blue- and UV-light–evoked electrophysiological responses, while other tryptophan residues within electron transfer distance to W420 do not appear to be required for light-evoked electrophysiological responses. Mutation of the dCRY tryptophan residue W342, more distant from the FAD interaction site, mimics the
cry-null
behavioral light response to constant light exposure. These data indicate that light-evoked dCRY electrical depolarization and clock resetting are mediated by distinct mechanisms.
Human and climate global-scale imprint on sediment transfer during the Holocene
Authors: Jenny Jean-Philippe , Koirala Sujan , Gregory-Eaves Irene , Francus Pierre , Niemann Christoph , Ahrens Bernhard , Brovkin Victor , Baud Alexandre , Ojala Antti E. K. , Normandeau Alexandre , Zolitschka Bernd , Carvalhais Nuno
Published: October 2019

Significance

Using a compilation of
14
C and pollen data of lake sediment records from over 632 sites globally, we identified the timings of first increase in lake sedimentation. Changes in lake sediment rates at this time are closely linked to increased sediment supply from hillslope erosion. The analysis on the relative roles of the driving factors indicated that a significant portion of the Earth’s surface shifted to human-driven soil erosion already 4,000 y ago following land deforestation. The long-term perspective afforded by this synthesis provides evidence that human beings are a geological force that have altered lateral soil and sediment transfers globally well before the great acceleration in human activity post-World War II and before the start of the Industrial Revolution.
The impact of dynamic status changes within competitive rank-ordered hierarchies
Authors: Kakkar Hemant , Sivanathan Niro , Pettit Nathan C.
Published: October 2019

Jockeying and competing for higher status is an inherent feature of rank-ordered hierarchies. Despite theoretically acknowledging rank changes within hierarchies, the extant literature has ignored the role of competitors’ dynamic movements on a focal actor’s resulting behavior. By using a dynamic lens to examine these movement in competitive situations, we examine how positive change in a competitor’s rank—that is, positive status momentum—affects a focal actor’s psychology and resulting performance. We consider the real-world contexts of 5.2 million observations of chess tournaments and 117,762 observations of professional tennis players and find that a focal actor’s performance in both cognitive and physical competitions is negatively impacted when facing a competitor with positive momentum. Additionally, 4 experimental studies reveal that a competitor’s positive momentum results in the focal actor’s positive projection of the competitor’s future rank, which, in turn, increases the psychological threat for the actor. Collectively, our findings advance the social hierarchy literature by helping to elucidate the manner in which rank-ordered hierarchies are negotiated and disrupted over time.
Long-wavelength fluctuations and anomalous dynamics in 2-dimensional liquids
Authors: Li Yan-Wei , Mishra Chandan K. , Sun Zhao-Yan , Zhao Kun , Mason Thomas G. , Ganapathy Rajesh , Pica Ciamarra Massimo
Published: October 2019

Significance

Long-wavelength elastic modes, which have an infinitesimal energy cost, destroy the long-range translational order of 2D solids at finite temperatures. Here we demonstrate that these long-wavelength fluctuations also influence the dynamical properties of 2D systems in their normal liquid regimes. Hence, long-wavelength fluctuations make 2- and 3D molecular particulate systems behave differently from high- to very low-temperature regimes.
Expansion of a single transposable element family is associated with genome-size increase and radiation in the genus
Hydra
Authors: Wong Wai Yee , Simakov Oleg , Bridge Diane M. , Cartwright Paulyn , Bellantuono Anthony J. , Kuhn Anne , Holstein Thomas W. , David Charles N. , Steele Robert E. , Martínez Daniel E.
Published: October 2019

Transposable elements are one of the major contributors to genome-size differences in metazoans. Despite this, relatively little is known about the evolutionary patterns of element expansions and the element families involved. Here we report a broad genomic sampling within the genus
Hydra
, a freshwater cnidarian at the focal point of diverse research in regeneration, symbiosis, biogeography, and aging. We find that the genome of
Hydra
is the result of an expansion event involving long interspersed nuclear elements and in particular a single family of the chicken repeat 1 (CR1) class. This expansion is unique to a subgroup of the genus
Hydra
, the brown hydras, and is absent in the green hydra, which has a repeat landscape similar to that of other cnidarians. These features of the genome make
Hydra
attractive for studies of transposon-driven genome expansions and speciation.
A MYC2/MYC3/MYC4-dependent transcription factor network regulates water spray-responsive gene expression and jasmonate levels
Authors: Van Moerkercke Alex , Duncan Owen , Zander Mark , Šimura Jan , Broda Martyna , Vanden Bossche Robin , Lewsey Mathew G. , Lama Sbatie , Singh Karam B. , Ljung Karin , Ecker Joseph R. , Goossens Alain , Millar A. Harvey , Van Aken Olivier
Published: October 2019

Mechanical stimuli, such as wind, rain, and touch affect plant development, growth, pest resistance, and ultimately reproductive success. Using water spray to simulate rain, we demonstrate that jasmonic acid (JA) signaling plays a key role in early gene-expression changes, well before it leads to developmental changes in flowering and plant architecture. The JA-activated transcription factors MYC2/MYC3/MYC4 modulate transiently induced expression of 266 genes, most of which peak within 30 min, and control 52% of genes induced >100-fold. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analysis indicates that MYC2 dynamically binds >1,300 promoters and
trans
-activation assays show that MYC2 activates these promoters. By mining our multiomic datasets, we identified a core MYC2/MYC3/MYC4-dependent “regulon” of 82 genes containing many previously unknown MYC2 targets, including transcription factors
bHLH19
and
ERF109
. bHLH19 can in turn directly activate the
ORA47
promoter, indicating that MYC2/MYC3/MYC4 initiate a hierarchical network of downstream transcription factors. Finally, we also reveal that rapid water spray-induced accumulation of JA and JA-isoleucine is directly controlled by MYC2/MYC3/MYC4 through a positive amplification loop that regulates JA-biosynthesis genes.
Language use nowadays in Russian communication
Authors: Klushina Natalia I. , Liulikova Anna V. , Nikolaeva Anastasia V. , Selezneva Larisa V. , Skorokhodova Elena Yu. , Tortunova Irina A.
Published: October 2019

This article presents linguistic and communicative transformations in socially significant areas of modern
communication in Russia. The authors apply a historical-comparative method as well as diachronic description and interpretation to
analyze the processes taking place under the influence of intra- and extra-linguistic factors in various Internet and media
genres, such as advertising, business and professional communication. It was found that the fusion of the features of
communication and publication, the combination of dialogue and polylogue determine the “clickbait” nature of blogs and make
blogging the most influential genre of Internet communication. The growing influence of oral speech and corporate rules in the
field of business communication underlies the trend toward agrammatism of phrases. Innovations in the field of advertising
manifest themselves on the verbal level of the slogan and its implicit influence on the recipient.
Analysis of highly efficient perovskite solar cells with inorganic hole transport material
Authors: Kabir I , Mahmood S A
Published: October 2019

Organo-halide perovskites in planar heterojunction architecture have shown considerable promise as efficient light harvesters in solar cells. We carry out a numerical modeling of a planar lead based perovskite solar cell (PSC) with Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) as the hole transporting material (HTM) using the one-dimensional solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D). The effects of numerous parameters such as defect density, thickness, and doping density of the absorber layer on the device performance are investigated. The doping densities and electron affinities of the electron transporting material (ETM) and the HTM are also varied to optimize the PSC performance. It has been observed that a thinner absorber layer of ∼220 nm with a defect density of 1014 cm−3 compared to the reference structure improves the device performance. When doping density of the absorber layer increases beyond 2 × 1016 cm−3, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) reduces due to enhanced recombination rate. The defect density at the absorber/ETM interface reduces the PCE as well. Considering a series resistance of 5 Ω · cm2 and all the optimum parameters of absorber, ETM and HTM layers simultaneously, the overall PCE of the device increases significantly. In comparison with the reference structure, the PCE of the optimized device has been increased from 12.76% to 22.7%, and hence the optimized CZTS based PSC is highly efficient.
Simulation of a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction solar cells: From planar junction to local junction*
Authors: Huang Haibin , Zhou Lang , Yuan Jiren , Quan Zhijue
Published: October 2019

In order to obtain higher conversion efficiency and to reduce production cost for hydrogenated amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon (a-Si:H/c-Si) based heterojunction solar cells, an a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction with localized p–n structure (HACL) is designed. A numerical simulation is performed with the ATLAS program. The effect of the a-Si:H layer on the performance of the HIT (heterojunction with intrinsic thin film) solar cell is investigated. The performance improvement mechanism for the HACL cell is explored. The potential performance of the HACL solar cell is compared with those of the HIT and HACD (heterojunction of amorphous silicon and crystalline silicon with diffused junction) solar cells. The simulated results indicate that the a-Si:H layer can bring about much absorption loss. The conversion efficiency and the short-circuit current density of the HACL cell can reach 28.18% and 43.06 mA/cm2, respectively, and are higher than those of the HIT and HACD solar cells. The great improvement are attributed to (1) decrease of optical absorption loss of a-Si:H and (2) decrease of photocarrier recombination for the HACL cell. The double-side local junction is very suitable for the bifacial solar cells. For an HACL cell with n-type or p-type c-Si base, all n-type or p-type c-Si passivating layers are feasible for convenience of the double-side diffusion process. Moreover, the HACL structure can reduce the consumption of rare materials since the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) can be free in this structure. It is concluded that the HACL solar cell is a promising structure for high efficiency and low cost.
Deformation of cavitation bubbles at their strong expansion and collapse in a streamer
Authors: Aganin A A , Davletshin A I , Khalitova T F
Published: October 2019

Deformation of initially spherical cavitation bubbles is considered in the case of their strong single expansion and subsequent collapse in a streamer consisting of three bubbles located in one straight line. The central bubble is equidistant from the others. The influence of the distance between the bubbles is studied in the range, in which the non-sphericity of the central bubble during the collapse does not exceed 20%. The expansion of the bubbles and the most part of their collapse is governed by the ordinary differential equations of the second order in the radii of the bubbles, the positions of their centers on the line of their interaction, and the amplitudes of their axisymmetric non-sphericity in the form of spherical harmonics. In doing so, the interaction between bubbles is taken into account, the assumptions of weak liquid compressibility, homobaricity of bubbles, and their small non-sphericity are used. The final of the collapse of each bubble is governed by the partial differential equations of gas dynamics. In doing so, the interaction of bubbles is ignored, but the axial symmetry of bubbles, liquid compressibility, non-uniformity of vapor, heat conductivity of vapor and liquid are taken into account, wide-range equation of states for vapor and liquid are applied. It is shown that with decreasing the distance between the bubbles, the non-sphericity of the central bubble at the end of its collapse first slowly increases from zero and then quite rapidly grows. Along with that, the central bubble non-sphericity level of 1% is attained at the distance between the bubbles equal to about 20 times their radius at the moment of their maximal expansion. Simulation of the final high-speed stage of the bubble collapse by the model destined to the low-speed stage of expansion and collapse leads to significant overestimation of the non-sphericity of the central bubble at the end of its collapse.
Study of gas flow in a discharge chamber of a pulse plasma generator
Authors: Gabdrakhmanov Az T , Israphilov I H , Galiakbarov A T , Samigullin A D
Published: October 2019

This paper focuses the features of computer simulation of gas flow in a gas-discharge chamber of a pulsed plasma generator using the STAR-CCM + program. The influence of the method of supply and consumption of plasma-forming gas on the output parameters of the plasma generator is shown.