bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A distinct isoform of ZNF207 controls self-renewal and pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Fang Fang , Xia Ninuo , Angulo Benjamin , Carey Joseph , Cady Zackery , Durruthy-Durruthy Jens , Bennett Theo , Sebastiano Vittorio , Reijo Pera Renee A.
Published: October 2018

Self-renewal and pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) depends upon the function of a remarkably small number of master transcription factors (TFs) that include OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. Endogenous factors that regulate and maintain the expression of master TFs in hESCs remain largely unknown and/or uncharacterized. Here, we use a genome-wide, proteomics approach to identify proteins associated with the OCT4 enhancer. We identify known OCT4 regulators, plus a subset of potential regulators including a zinc finger protein, ZNF207, that plays diverse roles during development. In hESCs, ZNF207 partners with master pluripotency TFs to govern self-renewal and pluripotency while simultaneously controlling commitment of cells towards ectoderm through direct regulation of neuronal TFs, including OTX2. The distinct roles of ZNF207 during differentiation occur via isoform switching. Thus, a distinct isoform of ZNF207 functions in hESCs at the nexus that balances pluripotency and differentiation to ectoderm.
Genome organization and DNA accessibility control antigenic variation in trypanosomes
Authors: Müller Laura S. M. , Cosentino Raúl O. , Förstner Konrad U. , Guizetti Julien , Wedel Carolin , Kaplan Noam , Janzen Christian J. , Arampatzi Panagiota , Vogel Jörg , Steinbiss Sascha , Otto Thomas D. , Saliba Antoine-Emmanuel , Sebra Robert P. , Siegel T. Nicolai
Published: October 2018

Many evolutionarily distant pathogenic organisms have evolved similar survival strategies to evade the immune responses of their hosts. These include antigenic variation, through which an infecting organism prevents clearance by periodically altering the identity of proteins that are visible to the immune system of the host1. Antigenic variation requires large reservoirs of immunologically diverse antigen genes, which are often generated through homologous recombination, as well as mechanisms to ensure the expression of one or very few antigens at any given time. Both homologous recombination and gene expression are affected by three-dimensional genome architecture and local DNA accessibility2,3. Factors that link three-dimensional genome architecture, local chromatin conformation and antigenic variation have, to our knowledge, not yet been identified in any organism. One of the major obstacles to studying the role of genome architecture in antigenic variation has been the highly repetitive nature and heterozygosity of antigen-gene arrays, which has precluded complete genome assembly in many pathogens. Here we report the de novo haplotype-specific assembly and scaffolding of the long antigen-gene arrays of the model protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, using long-read sequencing technology and conserved features of chromosome folding4. Genome-wide chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) reveals a distinct partitioning of the genome, with antigen-encoding subtelomeric regions that are folded into distinct, highly compact compartments. In addition, we performed a range of analyses—Hi-C, fluorescence in situ hybridization, assays for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing—that showed that deletion of the histone variants H3.V and H4.V increases antigen-gene clustering, DNA accessibility across sites of antigen expression and switching of the expressed antigen isoform, via homologous recombination. Our analyses identify histone variants as a molecular link between global genome architecture, local chromatin conformation and antigenic variation.
Tryptophan 32-mediated SOD1 aggregation is attenuated by pyrimidine-like compounds in living cells
Authors: Pokrishevsky Edward , McAlary Luke , Farrawell Natalie E. , Zhao Beibei , Sher Mine , Yerbury Justin J. , Cashman Neil R.
Published: October 2018

Over 160 mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), where the main pathological feature is deposition of SOD1 into proteinaceous cytoplasmic inclusions. We previously showed that the tryptophan residue at position 32 (W32) mediates the prion-like propagation of SOD1 misfolding in cells, and that a W32S substitution blocks this phenomenon. Here, we used in vitro protein assays to demonstrate that a W32S substitution in SOD1-fALS mutants significantly diminishes their propensity to aggregate whilst paradoxically decreasing protein stability. We also show SOD1-W32S to be resistant to seeded aggregation, despite its high abundance of unfolded protein. A cell-based aggregation assay demonstrates that W32S substitution significantly mitigates inclusion formation. Furthermore, this assay reveals that W32 in SOD1 is necessary for the formation of a competent seed for aggregation under these experimental conditions. Following the observed importance of W32 for aggregation, we established that treatment of living cells with the W32-interacting 5-Fluorouridine (5-FUrd), and its FDA approved analogue 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), substantially attenuate inclusion formation similarly to W32S substitution. Altogether, we highlight W32 as a significant contributor to SOD1 aggregation, and propose that 5-FUrd and 5-FU present promising lead drug candidates for the treatment of SOD1-associated ALS.
Simultaneous Digital Design and Additive Manufacture of Structures and Materials
Authors: Boddeti Narasimha , Ding Zhen , Kaijima Sawako , Maute Kurt , Dunn Martin L.
Published: October 2018

The integration of emerging technologies into a complete digital thread promises to disrupt design and manufacturing workflows throughout the value chain to enable efficiency and productivity transformation, while unlocking completely new design freedom. A particularly appealing aspect involves the simultaneous design and manufacture of the macroscale structural topology and material microstructure of a product. Here we demonstrate such a workflow that digitally integrates: design automation – conception and automation of a design problem based on multiscale topology optimization; material compilation – computational geometry algorithms that create spatially-variable, physically-realizable multimaterial microstructures; and digital fabrication – fabrication of multiscale optimized components via voxel-based additive manufacturing with material jetting of multiple photo-curable polymers. We validate the digital design and manufacturing workflow by designing, fabricating, and testing a series of structures that illustrate capabilities, show how it empowers the exploitation of new design freedom, and even challenges traditional design principles relating form, structure, and function.
The impact of drainage displacement patterns and Haines jumps on CO2 storage efficiency
Authors: Zacharoudiou Ioannis , Boek Edo S. , Crawshaw John
Published: October 2018

Injection of CO2 deep underground into porous rocks, such as saline aquifers, appears to be a promising tool for reducing CO2 emissions and the consequent climate change. During this process CO2 displaces brine from individual pores and the sequence in which this happens determines the efficiency with which the rock is filled with CO2 at the large scale. At the pore scale, displacements are controlled by the balance of capillary, viscous and inertial forces. We simulate this process by a numerical technique, multi-GPU Lattice Boltzmann, using X-ray images of the rock pores. The simulations show the three types of fluid displacement patterns, at the larger scale, that have been previously observed in both experiments and simulations: viscous fingering, capillary fingering and stable displacement. Here we examine the impact of the patterns on storage efficiency and then focus on slow flows, where displacements at the pore scale typically happen by sudden jumps in the position of the interface between brine and CO2, Haines jumps. During these jumps, the fluid in surrounding pores can rearrange in a way that prevent later displacements in nearby pores, potentially reducing the efficiency with which the CO2 fills the total available volume in the rock.
Quasi-Spatially Periodic Signals for Optical Fibre Communications
Authors: Zhang Qun , Chan Terence H. , Grant Alex
Published: October 2018

We study quasi-spatially periodic signals (QSPSs) as a class of input signals of interest, which maintain their shapes quasi-periodically (with a phase change and a time shift) during propagation in an optical fibre. Instead of the computationally expensive nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT), the property of quasi-periodic shape invariant could be used as an alternative for decoding at the receiver. In this paper, properties of QSPSs and the signal design problem are studied, including the trade-off between various system parameters.
Low abundance of sharks and rays in baited remote underwater video surveys in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Jabado Rima W. , Al Hameli Shamsa M. , Grandcourt Edwin M. , Al Dhaheri Shaikha S.
Published: October 2018

Data on the diversity and relative abundance of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the Arabian Gulf have been limited to fishery-dependent monitoring of landing sites. Understanding the diversity and abundance of sharks and rays is, however, crucial to inform policy and management plans. Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS) were conducted in 2015–2016 across the United Arab Emirates Arabian Gulf waters encompassing a range of depths and habitat types. Data from 278 BRUVS (757 hours soak time) were analysed to gather information on diversity, relative abundance, species distribution, and habitat associations. Surveys recorded 213 individuals from 20 species of sharks and rays at 129 stations. The frequency of occurrence of species usually discarded by fishers such as the Arabian carpetshark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) and stingrays (Himantura spp.) was high, accounting for 60.5% of observed elasmobranchs. Despite the large survey area covered and extensive sampling effort, the relative abundance of sharks and rays was low at 0.28 elasmobranchs per hour, 0.13 sharks per hour, and 0.15 rays per hour. This CPUE was reduced to one of lowest recorded abundance on BRUVS from around the world when removing the two discarded species from the analysis (0.11 elasmobranchs per hour). These results likely reflect the intense fishing pressure and habitat loss contributing to population declines of many elasmobranchs in the Arabian Gulf. Findings provide a baseline for future work and can support the design of conservation strategies for sharks and rays in the UAE.
LncRNA BLAT1 is Upregulated in Basal-like Breast Cancer through Epigenetic Modifications
Authors: Han Yoo Jane , Boatman Sonja M. , Zhang Jing , Du Xinxin C. , Yeh Albert C. , Zheng Yonglan , Mueller Jeffrey , Olopade Olufunmilayo I.
Published: October 2018

Long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to participate in oncogenesis across a variety of cancers and may represent novel therapeutic targets. However, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC), the aggressive form of breast cancer with no molecularly defined therapeutic target. To examine whether altered lncRNA expression contributes to the aggressive phenotype characteristic of BLBC, we performed a comparative analysis of BLBC versus non-BLBC using microarray profiling and RNA sequencing of primary breast cancer. We identified RP11-19E11.1 as a significantly up-regulated lncRNA in BLBC tumors and named it Basal-Like breast cancer Associated Transcript 1 (BLAT1). Analysis of pan-cancer datasets showed the highest expression of BLAT1 in BLBC tumors compared to all other cancers. Depletion of BLAT1 in breast cancer cells led to significantly increased apoptosis, partly because of accumulation of DNA damage. Mechanistically, BLAT1 expression is regulated at the epigenetic level via DNA methylation at CpG islands in the promoter. Concordantly, patients harboring tumors with BLAT1 hypomethylation showed decreased overall survival. Our results suggest that increased expression of BLAT1 via CpG site hypomethylation may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of BLBC, raising a possibility of new biomarkers for prognosis of aggressive BLBC tumors.
Three-dimensional tracking of microbeads attached to the tip of single isolated tracheal cilia beating under external load
Authors: Katoh Takanobu A. , Ikegami Koji , Uchida Nariya , Iwase Toshihito , Nakane Daisuke , Masaike Tomoko , Setou Mitsutoshi , Nishizaka Takayuki
Published: October 2018

To study the properties of tracheal cilia beating under various conditions, we developed a method to monitor the movement of the ciliary tip. One end of a demembranated cilium was immobilized on the glass surface, while the other end was capped with a polystyrene bead and tracked in three dimensions. The cilium, when activated by ATP, stably repeated asymmetric beating as in vivo. The tip of a cilium in effective and recovery strokes moved in discrete trajectories that differed in height. The trajectory remained asymmetric in highly viscous solutions. Model calculation showed that cilia maintained a constant net flux during one beat cycle irrespective of the medium viscosity. When the bead attached to the end was trapped with optical tweezers, it came to display linear oscillation only in the longitudinal direction. Such a beating-mode transition may be an inherent nature of movement-restricted cilia.
High-resolution isotopic evidence for a potential Saharan provenance of Greenland glacial dust
Authors: Han Changhee , Do Hur Soon , Han Yeongcheol , Lee Khanghyun , Hong Sungmin , Erhardt Tobias , Fischer Hubertus , Svensson Anders M. , Steffensen Jørgen Peder , Vallelonga Paul
Published: October 2018

Dust concentrations in Greenland ice show pronounced glacial/interglacial variations with almost two orders of magnitude increase during the Last Glacial Maximum. Greenland glacial dust was previously sourced to two East Asian deserts: the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts. Here we report the first high-resolution Pb and Sr isotopic evidence for a significant Saharan dust influence in Greenland during the last glacial period, back to ~31 kyr ago, from the Greenland NEEM ice core. We find that during Greenland Stadials 3–5.1 (~31 to 23 kyr ago), the primary dust provenance was East Asia, as previously proposed. Subsequently, the Saharan isotopic signals emerge during Greenland Stadials 2.1a–2.1c (~22.6 to 14.7 kyr ago) and from the late Bølling-Allerød to the Younger Dryas periods (~13.6 to 12 kyr ago), coincident with increased aridity in the Sahara and efficient northward transport of dust during these cold periods. A mixing isotopic model proposes the Sahara as an important source, accounting for contribution to Greenland glacial dust of up to 50%, particularly during Greenland Stadial 2.1b and the late Bølling-Allerød to the Younger Dryas periods. Our findings provide new insights into climate-related dust provenance changes and essential paleoclimatic constraints on dust-climate feedbacks in northern high latitudes.
A comparison of inverted and upright laser-activated titanium nitride micropyramids for intracellular delivery
Authors: Raun Alexander , Saklayen Nabiha , Zgrabik Christine , Shen Weilu , Madrid Marinna , Huber Marinus , Hu Evelyn , Mazur Eric
Published: October 2018

The delivery of biomolecules into cells relies on porating the plasma membrane to allow exterior molecules to enter the cell via diffusion. Various established delivery methods, including electroporation and viral techniques, come with drawbacks such as low viability or immunotoxicity, respectively. An optics-based delivery method that uses laser pulses to excite plasmonic titanium nitride (TiN) micropyramids presents an opportunity to overcome these shortcomings. This laser excitation generates localized nano-scale heating effects and bubbles, which produce transient pores in the cell membrane for payload entry. TiN is a promising plasmonic material due to its high hardness and thermal stability. In this study, two designs of TiN micropyramid arrays are constructed and tested. These designs include inverted and upright pyramid structures, each coated with a 50-nm layer of TiN. Simulation software shows that the inverted and upright designs reach temperatures of 875 °C and 307 °C, respectively, upon laser irradiation. Collectively, experimental results show that these reusable designs achieve maximum cell poration efficiency greater than 80% and viability greater than 90% when delivering calcein dye to target cells. Overall, we demonstrate that TiN microstructures are strong candidates for future use in biomedical devices for intracellular delivery and regenerative medicine.
Influence of Cr Substitution and Temperature on Hierarchical Phase Decomposition in the AlCoFeNi High Entropy Alloy
Authors: Chaudhary V. , Gwalani B. , Soni V. , Ramanujan R. V. , Banerjee R.
Published: October 2018

While the AlCoFeNi high entropy alloy exhibits a single ordered B2 phase at high temperature, both the substitution of ferromagnetic Co with antiferromagnetic Cr, and lower annealing temperatures lead to a tendency for this system to decompose into a two-phase mixture of ordered B2 and disordered BCC solid solution. The length scale of this decomposition is determined by the combination of composition and annealing temperature, as demonstrated in this investigation by comparing and contrasting AlCoFeNi with the AlCo0.5Cr0.5FeNi alloy. The resulting phase stability has been rationalized based on solution thermodynamic predictions. Additionally, it is shown that replacement of Co by Cr in the AlCoFeNi alloy resulted in a substantial reduction in saturation magnetization and increase in coercivity. The microhardness is also strongly influenced by the composition and the length scale of B2 + BCC decomposition in these high entropy alloys.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis associated FUS mutation shortens mitochondria and induces neurotoxicity
Authors: Nakaya Tadashi , Maragkakis Manolis
Published: October 2018

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons. Dominant mutations in the RNA binding protein Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) have been identified as causative factors of ALS. Mutation, R495X, results in a premature stop codon and induces an aggressive disease phenotype by a largely unknown process. Here, we employ CLIP-Seq, RNA-Seq and Ribo-Seq in cultured neurons expressing R495X or wild-type FUS to identify the mutation effects on the FUS targetome and on the neuronal transcriptome at the expression and translation level, simultaneously. We report that, unlike wild-type FUS that binds on precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs), R495X binds mature mRNAs in the cytoplasm. R495X has a moderate effect on target mRNA expression and its binding induces only modest expression changes. In contrast, we find that R495X controls the translation of genes that are associated with mitochondria function and results in significant reduction of mitochondrial size. Importantly, we show that introduction of the 4FL mutation that alters binding of R495X to RNA, partially abrogates R495X-induced effects on mRNA translation, mitochondrial size and neurotoxicity. Our findings uncover a novel RNA-mediated pathway of FUS R495X-induced neurotoxicity that affects mitochondria morphology and provide insight to previous studies associating mitochondria dysfunction to ALS.
Understanding Colour Tuning Rules and Predicting Absorption Wavelengths of Microbial Rhodopsins by Data-Driven Machine-Learning Approach
Authors: Karasuyama Masayuki , Inoue Keiichi , Nakamura Ryoko , Kandori Hideki , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: October 2018

The light-dependent ion-transport function of microbial rhodopsin has been widely used in optogenetics for optical control of neural activity. In order to increase the variety of rhodopsin proteins having a wide range of absorption wavelengths, the light absorption properties of various wild-type rhodopsins and their artificially mutated variants were investigated in the literature. Here, we demonstrate that a machine-learning-based (ML-based) data-driven approach is useful for understanding and predicting the light-absorption properties of microbial rhodopsin proteins. We constructed a database of 796 proteins consisting of microbial rhodopsin wildtypes and their variants. We then proposed an ML method that produces a statistical model describing the relationship between amino-acid sequences and absorption wavelengths and demonstrated that the fitted statistical model is useful for understanding colour tuning rules and predicting absorption wavelengths. By applying the ML method to the database, two residues that were not considered in previous studies are newly identified to be important to colour shift.
In vitro rejuvenation of brain mitochondria by the inhibition of actin polymerization
Authors: Takahashi Kazuhide , Miura Yuri , Ohsawa Ikuroh , Shirasawa Takuji , Takahashi Mayumi
Published: October 2018

The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) activity of respiratory complex IV (CIV) in brain mitochondria significantly decline in middle-aged male mice compared to younger male mice. To explore the mechanisms underlying the regulation of brain mitochondrial function, we examined CIV-associated proteins, and identified actin inside the isolated brain mitochondria. Inhibiting actin polymerization using cytochalasin B (CB) significantly enhanced the OCR and CcO activity of CIV in the mitochondria. These changes were accompanied by a significant reduction in the amount of CIV-bound cytochrome c (cyt c). Actin was also associated with respiratory complex III (CIII); however, the amount of CIII-bound cyt c increased significantly after treatment of the mitochondria with CB. In contrast, no significant alteration in the assembly or the CcO activity of CIV in CIV-containing supercomplexes or CIV monomers was induced by CB. These results suggest that mitochondrial actin plays a crucial role in the regulation of the CcO activity and OCR of CIV with modification of the retention of cyt c between CIV and CIII.
Self-passivating (Re,Al)B2 coatings synthesized by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Bliem Pascal , Mráz Stanislav , Sen Sandipan , Hunold Oliver , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: October 2018

(Re0.67Al0.10)B2 and (Re0.74Al0.11)B2 solid solution as well as Re0.85B2 thin films were deposited by hybrid RF-DC magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that all films exhibit the ReB2 (P63/mmc) crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses performed on atmosphere exposed thin film surfaces suggest that ReB2 corrodes, consistent with literature, by forming perrhenic acid (HReO4) already after two days, while (Re0.74Al0.11)B2 forms a self-passivating Al-oxide layer preventing corrosion in a time period ≥ 60 days. Hence, it is evident that Al additions to ReB2 significantly increase the chemical stability during atmosphere exposure.
Diffusion tensor imaging and voxel-based morphometry reveal corticospinal tract involvement in the motor dysfunction of adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Park Jin-Sung , Song Huijin , Jang Kyung Eun , Cha Hyunsil , Lee Sang-Hoon , Hwang Su-Keong , Park Donghwi , Lee Hui Joong , Kim Jun-Young , Chang Yongmin
Published: October 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have demonstrated that patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) exhibit gray and white matter abnormalities that are correlated with various genetic and neuropsychological measures. However, few MRI studies have focused on the correlations between brain abnormalities and overall motor function including gait performance. Here, we investigated the correlations between brain abnormalities, as assessed with MRI including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and motor performance, as assessed with the Medical Research Council sum score (MRCSS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and hand grip power, in patients with DM1. Eighteen patients with DM1 and twenty healthy controls participated in this study. The MRCSS and 6MWT reflect patients’ general motor performance, particularly gait, while hand grip reflects the presence of myotonia. We found significant relationships between DTI parameters in the corticospinal tract (CST) and genetic factors and motor performance in patients with DM1. These findings suggest that CST involvement reflecting deterioration of the motor tracts may play a significant role in clinical myotonia. Further, a direct relationship between the cortical gray matter volume and DTI measures in the CST suggests that white matter abnormalities in the CST are strongly associated with volume reductions in the sensorimotor cortex of patients with DM1.
Dietary fibers inhibit obesity in mice, but host responses in the cecum and liver appear unrelated to fiber-specific changes in cecal bacterial taxonomic composition
Authors: Drew Janice E. , Reichardt Nicole , Williams Lynda M. , Mayer Claus-Dieter , Walker Alan W. , Farquharson Andrew J. , Kastora Stavroula , Farquharson Freda , Milligan Graeme , Morrison Douglas J. , Preston Tom , Flint Harry J. , Louis Petra
Published: October 2018

Dietary fibers (DF) can prevent obesity in rodents fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Their mode of action is not fully elucidated, but the gut microbiota have been implicated. This study aimed to identify the effects of seven dietary fibers (barley beta-glucan, apple pectin, inulin, inulin acetate ester, inulin propionate ester, inulin butyrate ester or a combination of inulin propionate ester and inulin butyrate ester) effective in preventing diet-induced obesity and links to differences in cecal bacteria and host gene expression. Mice (n = 12) were fed either a low-fat diet (LFD), HFD or a HFD supplemented with the DFs, barley beta-glucan, apple pectin, inulin, inulin acetate ester, inulin propionate ester, inulin butyrate ester or a combination of inulin propionate ester and inulin butyrate ester for 8 weeks. Cecal bacteria were determined by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Host responses, body composition, metabolic markers and gene transcription (cecum and liver) were assessed post intervention. HFD mice showed increased adiposity, while all of the DFs prevented weight gain. DF specific differences in cecal bacteria were observed. Results indicate that diverse DFs prevent weight gain on a HFD, despite giving rise to different cecal bacteria profiles. Conversely, common host responses to dietary fiber observed are predicted to be important in improving barrier function and genome stability in the gut, maintaining energy homeostasis and reducing HFD induced inflammatory responses in the liver.
The influence of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation on the eastern Andes low-level jet and precipitation in South America
Authors: Jones Charles , Carvalho Leila M. V.
Published: October 2018

The South America low-level jet (SALLJ) on the eastern slopes of the Andes is a unique climatological feature in the continent. The SALLJ transports large amounts of moisture and controls the spatiotemporal variability of precipitation in southeast South America. This study shows a remarkable influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) on decadal-to-multidecadal variability of the SALLJ. The results show a consistent pattern in which active SALLJ days during negative AMO phases are associated with negative precipitation anomalies over northern Amazon and the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Increased cross-equatorial flow over northwestern South America combined with the outflow associated with the atmospheric subsidence over the negative precipitation anomalies enhances northerly winds along the eastern slopes of the Andes and Amazon. This atmospheric circulation response, which is more prevalent in the austral winter, intensifies the SALLJ. In the exit region of the SALLJ over southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, an anomalous low-level cyclonic circulation is associated with enhanced precipitation. The influence of the AMO on the SALLJ is consistent with paleo-proxy studies showing multidecadal changes in precipitation over the La Plata River drainage basin. The analysis shows that secular trends reinforce the SALLJ and precipitation patterns. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of natural variability (i.e., decadal-multidecadal variations) occurring within long-term trends in the mean state, possibly associated with global warming, and significant changes in the SALLJ and precipitation over South America.
Extraction and biomolecular analysis of dermal interstitial fluid collected with hollow microneedles
Authors: Miller Philip R. , Taylor Robert M. , Tran Bao Quoc , Boyd Gabrielle , Glaros Trevor , Chavez Victor H. , Krishnakumar Raga , Sinha Anupama , Poorey Kunal , Williams Kelly P. , Branda Steven S. , Baca Justin T. , Polsky Ronen
Published: October 2018

Dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) is an underutilized information-rich biofluid potentially useful in health status monitoring applications whose contents remain challenging to characterize. Here, we present a facile microneedle approach for dermal ISF extraction with minimal pain and no blistering for human subjects and rats. Extracted ISF volumes were sufficient for determining transcriptome, and proteome signatures. We noted similar profiles in ISF, serum, and plasma samples, suggesting that ISF can be a proxy for direct blood sampling. Dynamic changes in RNA-seq were recorded in ISF from induced hypoxia conditions. Finally, we report the first isolation and characterization, to our knowledge, of exosomes from dermal ISF. The ISF exosome concentration is 12–13 times more enriched when compared to plasma and serum and represents a previously unexplored biofluid for exosome isolation. This minimally invasive extraction approach can enable mechanistic studies of ISF and demonstrates the potential of ISF for real-time health monitoring applications.
Imidazolate ionic liquids for high-capacity capture and reliable storage of iodine
Authors: Li Ruipeng , Zhao Yanfei , Chen Yu , Liu Zhimin , Han Buxing , Li Zhiyong , Wang Jianji
Published: October 2018

Fast, efficient capture and safe storage of radioactive iodine is of great significance in nuclear energy utilization but still remains a challenge. Here we report imidazolate ionic liquids (Im-ILs) for rapid and efficient capture, and reliable storage of iodine. These Im-ILs can chemically capture iodine to form I-substituted imidazolate ILs with an iodide counterion and the newly formed ILs can absorb iodine to form polyiodide species and low-temperature eutectic salts. For example, choline imidazolate shows iodine capture capacities of 8.7 and 17.5 g of iodine per gram of IL at 30 and 100 oC, respectively, which are, to the best of our knowledge, higher than the values (0.5–4.3 g/g) reported to date. Importantly, iodine can be stably stored in the Im-IL absorbent systems even at 100 oC. The Im-ILs have potential for application in the capture and storage of radioactive iodine.
A large electroencephalographic motor imagery dataset for electroencephalographic brain computer interfaces
Authors: Kaya Murat , Binli Mustafa Kemal , Ozbay Erkan , Yanar Hilmi , Mishchenko Yuriy
Published: October 2018

Recent advancements in brain computer interfaces (BCI) have demonstrated control of robotic systems by mental processes alone. Together with invasive BCI, electroencephalographic (EEG) BCI represent an important direction in the development of BCI systems. In the context of EEG BCI, the processing of EEG data is the key challenge. Unfortunately, advances in that direction have been complicated by a lack of large and uniform datasets that could be used to design and evaluate different data processing approaches. In this work, we release a large set of EEG BCI data collected during the development of a slow cortical potentials-based EEG BCI. The dataset contains 60 h of EEG recordings, 13 participants, 75 recording sessions, 201 individual EEG BCI interaction session-segments, and over 60 000 examples of motor imageries in 4 interaction paradigms. The current dataset presents one of the largest EEG BCI datasets publically available to date.
A database of annual atmospheric acid and nutrient deposition to China’s forests
Authors: Du Enzai
Published: October 2018

Anthropogenic emissions have substantially altered atmospheric acid and nutrient deposition in China. Understanding the status and characteristics of acid and nutrient deposition to China’s forests is crucial to assess the consequent impacts, and to better guide forest management options. Based on a comprehensive literature review, here I present an updated database for annual acid and nutrient deposition during the period 1991-2015 in China’s forests (CFAND 2.0). The database includes information from 56 forested sites on the water fluxes of bulk precipitation and throughfall, the concentrations of H+ (pH), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) (NH4+ and NO3−), sulfur (S), dissolved phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in bulk precipitation and throughfall, and the fluxes of dissolved inorganic N, S, dissolved P, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in bulk deposition and throughfall. This database will help to understand the spatial patterns of acid and nutrient deposition, validate modelling results of acid and nutrient deposition and assess the ecological effects of acid and nutrient deposition in China’s forests.
Development of a novel fluorescence ratiometric glucose sensor based on carbon dots and a potential fluorophore m-dihydroxybenzene
Authors: Zhai Hong , Bai Yunfeng , Wang Haiqing , Qin Jun , Liu Huijun , Feng Feng
Published: October 2018

m-Dihydroxybenzene (mDHB) was used as a potential fluorophore for the first time to develop a new fluorescence ratiometric sensor with carbon dots (CDs) for glucose detection.
Chronocoulometric method for the evaluation of antioxidant capacity of medicinal plant tinctures
Authors: Ziyatdinova Guzel , Kozlova Ekaterina , Morozova Evgeniya , Budnikov Herman
Published: October 2018

Antioxidant capacity of medicinal plant tinctures based on chronocoulometric data on poly(gallic acid)/MWNT-modified electrode.
Highly active fluorogenic oxidase-mimicking NiO nanozymes
Authors: Li Dai , Liu Biwu , Huang Po-Jung Jimmy , Zhang Zijie , Liu Juewen
Published: October 2018

NiO nanoparticles can quickly catalyze oxidation of Amplex red to produce fluorescent products for intracellular imaging, much more efficiently than other types of tested nanozymes.
Correction: Synthesis of Ca(PF6)2, formed via nitrosonium oxidation of calcium
Authors: Keyzer Evan N. , Matthews Peter D. , Liu Zigeng , Bond Andrew D. , Grey Clare P. , Wright Dominic S.
Published: October 2018

Correction for ‘Synthesis of Ca(PF6)2, formed via nitrosonium oxidation of calcium’ by Evan N. Keyzer et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 4573–4576.
An enigmatic trailblazer on the frontier of discovery: Richard A. Andersen
Authors: Arnold John , Tilley T. Don
Published: October 2018

This web-theme special issue, encompassing contributions to both ChemComm and Dalton Transactions, celebrates the impact that Richard “Dick” Andersen has had on inorganic and organometallic chemistry, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
[C7H14NO][ClO4]: order–disorder structural change induced sudden switchable dielectric behaviour at room temperature
Authors: Fan Guang-Meng , Gao Ji-Xing , Shi Chao , Yu Hui , Ye Le , Jiang Jia-Ying , Shuai Cijun , Zhang Yi , Ye Heng-Yun
Published: October 2018

Static-to-dynamic transition in organic–inorganic hybrid [C7H14NO][ClO4] exhibits switch-type characteristics during the dielectric transitions between high- and low-dielectric states.
Rare-earth element doping-promoted toluene low-temperature combustion over mesostructured CuMCeOx (M = Y, Eu, Ho, and Sm) catalysts: the indispensable role of in situ generated oxygen vacancies
Authors: Jiang Zeyu , Chen Changwei , Ma Mudi , Guo Zheng , Yu Yanke , He Chi
Published: October 2018

The synergetic effect between Ho and the CuCeOx framework creates abundant active oxygen vacancies and significantly enhances the toluene destruction activity.
Alternative binders for sustainable electrochemical energy storage – the transition to aqueous electrode processing and bio-derived polymers
Authors: Bresser Dominic , Buchholz Daniel , Moretti Arianna , Varzi Alberto , Passerini Stefano
Published: October 2018

The choice of the electrode binder strongly affects the environmental friendliness of electrochemical energy storage devices as reviewed herein.
Investigating the BECCS resource nexus: delivering sustainable negative emissions
Authors: Fajardy Mathilde , Chiquier Solene , Mac Dowell Niall
Published: October 2018

BECCS performance can be measured by a wide range of technical and sustainability indicators, which can be negatively correlated. An exclusive focus on BECCS technical performance – CO2 removal and electricity production, can result in negative consequences for the broader environment.
Organosulfates in aerosols downwind of an urban region in central Amazon
Authors: Glasius Marianne , Bering Mads S. , Yee Lindsay D. , de Sá Suzane S. , Isaacman-VanWertz Gabriel , Wernis Rebecca A. , Barbosa Henrique M. J. , Alexander M. Lizabeth , Palm Brett B. , Hu Weiwei , Campuzano-Jost Pedro , Day Douglas A. , Jimenez Jose L. , Shrivastava Manish , Martin Scot T. , Goldstein Allen H.
Published: October 2018

Aerosols in the central Amazon downwind of a city contain considerable concentrations of organic sulfate derived from isoprene, correlating with inorganic aerosol sulfate.
Emerging investigator series: exploring the surface properties of aqueous aerosols coated with mixed surfactants
Authors: Li Junyao , Li Siyang , Cheng Shumin , Tsona Narcisse T. , Du Lin
Published: October 2018

Fatty acid monolayers form in a more well-ordered state upon mixing with cholesterol at the air–seawater surface.
Metathesis in water conducted by tailor-made encapsulated Grubbs’ catalyst
Authors: Pauly Jan , Gröger Harald , Patel Anant V.
Published: October 2018

Grubbs’ second-generation catalyst was encapsulated in alginate-based biopolymer hydrogel beads to conduct ring-closing metathesis in water.
Highly efficient stereoscopic phenothiazine dyes with different anchors for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jia Hai-Lang , Peng Zhi-Jie , Chen Yu-Chao , Huang Cheng-Yan , Guan Ming-Yun
Published: October 2018

For DSSCs based on stereoscopic phenothiazine dyes, JA6 with a cyanoacrylic acid anchor shows the highest PCE of 7.34%.
The structural and surface modification of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks towards reduction of encapsulated CO2
Authors: Payra Soumitra , Challagulla Swapna , Indukuru Ramesh Reddy , Chakraborty Chanchal , Tarafder Kartick , Ghosh Balaram , Roy Sounak
Published: October 2018

Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the {112} facets of ZIF-8 efficiently reduce the stored CO2 to fuel compared to the {011} facets.
Comment on “Causation or only correlation? Application of causal inference graphs for evaluating causality in nano-QSAR models” by N. Sizochenko, A. Gajewicz, J. Leszczynski and T. Puzyn, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 7203
Authors: Tasi Domonkos Attila , Csontos József , Nagy Balázs , Kónya Zoltán , Tasi Gyula
Published: October 2018

An alternative interpretation of toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles towards bacteria Escherichia Coli.
Discovery of a novel spin-polarized nodal ring in a two-dimensional HK lattice
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhang Shu-feng , Ji Wei-xiao , Zhang Chang-wen , Li Ping , Wang Pei-ji , Li Sheng-shi , Yan Shi-shen
Published: October 2018

Nodal-ring materials with a spin-polarized feature have attracted intensive interest recently due to their exotic properties and potential applications in spintronics.
Plasmonic isomers via DNA-based self-assembly of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Lermusiaux Laurent , Funston Alison M.
Published: October 2018

Kinetic control of DNA-based assembly enables the facile production of discrete three-dimensional tetrameric gold nanoparticle isomers.
Bidirectional plasmonic coloration with gold nanoparticles by wavelength-switched photoredox reaction
Authors: Li Wanyi , Xu Jian , Zhou Qingbin , Wang Shuai , Feng Ziwei , Hu Dejiao , Li Xiangping , Cao Yaoyu
Published: October 2018

We demonstrate bidirectional SPR tuning-based coloration with gold nanoparticles by wavelength-switched photoredox reactions.
Metal enhanced fluorescence biosensing: from ultra-violet towards second near-infrared window
Authors: Fothergill Sarah Madeline , Joyce Caoimhe , Xie Fang
Published: October 2018

To increase disease survival rates, there is a vital need for diagnosis at very preliminary stages.
Self-assembly of supramolecular nanotubes/microtubes from 3,5-dimethyl-4-iodopyrazole for plasmonic nanoparticle organization
Authors: Li Shasha , Liu Rui , Bekana Deribachew , Lai Yujian , Liu Jingfu
Published: October 2018

We developed a simple but effective building block, 3,5-dimethyl-4-iodopyrazole, which can hierarchically self-assemble into tubular nano-/micro-architectures. The tubular assemblies can be utilized as an excellent template for the controlled organization of Au/Ag NPs.
Synthesis of Zn3(VO4)2/BiVO4 heterojunction composite for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue organic dye and electrochemical detection of H2O2
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Munir , Khan Sadaf Bashir , Shad Naveed Akthar , Amin Nasir
Published: October 2018

In this study, a Zn3(VO4)2/BiVO4 heterojunction nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared using a hydrothermal route with different molar concentration ratios.
Surface nanobubbles on the carbonate mineral dolomite
Authors: Owens Camilla L. , Schach Edgar , Rudolph Martin , Nash Geoffrey R.
Published: October 2018

Analysis of surface nanobubbles on dolomite show that their pinning is affected by the surfactants using in mineral processing.
Selective deoxygenation of nitrate to nitrosyl using trivalent chromium and the Mashima reagent: reductive silylation
Authors: Seo Junghee , Cabelof Alyssa C. , Chen Chun-Hsing , Caulton Kenneth G.
Published: October 2018

1,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-diaza-2,5-cyclohexadiene is an effective silyl transfer reagent towards the oxygen of nitrate coordinated to Cr(iii) in a pincer complex.
Three to tango requires a site-specific substitution: heterotrimetallic molecular precursors for high-voltage rechargeable batteries
Authors: Han Haixiang , Wei Zheng , Filatov Alexander S. , Carozza Jesse C. , Alkan Melisa , Rogachev Andrey Yu. , Shevtsov Andrey , Abakumov Artem M. , Pak Chongin , Shatruk Michael , Chen Yu-Sheng , Dikarev Evgeny V.
Published: October 2018

A site-specific substitution within the heterobimetallic LiMn2(thd)5 molecule allows for the design of the “true” heterotrimetallic LiMnCo(thd)5 precursor.
High-precision acoustic measurements of the nonlinear dilatational elasticity of phospholipid coated monodisperse microbubbles
Authors: Segers Tim , Gaud Emmanuel , Versluis Michel , Frinking Peter
Published: October 2018

We present a novel experimental method to measure at high precision the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of micron sized phospholipid-coated bubbles as a function of their surface dilatation.
Effect of macromolecular architecture on the self-assembly behavior of copolymers in a selective polymer host
Authors: Bačová Petra , Foskinis Romanos , Glynos Emmanouil , Rissanou Anastassia N. , Anastasiadis Spiros H. , Harmandaris Vagelis
Published: October 2018

We present a detailed simulation study of the structural and dynamical behavior of amphiphilic mikto-arm stars versus that of linear diblock copolymers in a selective homopolymer host.
Resolving the structural interactions between antimicrobial peptides and lipid membranes using small-angle scattering methods: the case of indolicidin
Authors: Nielsen Josefine Eilsø , Bjørnestad Victoria Ariel , Lund Reidar
Published: October 2018

Using small angle X-ray and neutron scattering and theoretical modelling we have elucidated the structure of the antimicrobial peptide, indolicidin, and the interaction with model lipid membranes of different anionic lipid compositions mimicking charge densities found in the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria.
Sharkskin-mimetic desalination membranes with ultralow biofouling
Authors: Choi Wansuk , Lee Changhoon , Lee Dahye , Won Young June , Lee Gi Wook , Shin Min Gyu , Chun Byoungjin , Kim Taek-Seung , Park Hee-Deung , Jung Hyun Wook , Lee Jong Suk , Lee Jung-Hyun
Published: October 2018

The sharkskin-mimetic, patterned TFC RO membranes exhibited superior biofouling resistance compared to conventional and simple patterned membranes.
Dynamical stabilization in delafossite nitrides for solar energy conversion
Authors: Szymanski N. J. , Walters L. N. , Hellman O. , Gall D. , Khare S. V.
Published: October 2018

Ternary delafossite nitrides of the form ABN2 (for A = Cu, Ag, Au and B = V, Nb, Ta), which become dynamically stabilized at finite temperatures, exhibit mechanical, electronic, and optical properties making them suitable for application in solar energy conversion.
New insight into the structure of PuGaO3 from ab initio particle-swarm optimization methodology
Authors: Li Shichang , Ye Xiaoqiu , Liu Tao , Gao Tao , Ma Shenggui , Ao Bingyun
Published: October 2018

A systematic study of the phase stability, chemical bonding, and lattice dynamics properties of PuGaO3 is performed by means of unbiased particle-swarm optimization techniques combined with first-principles calculations.
Morphology engineering of protein fabrics for advanced and sustainable filtration
Authors: Fan Xin , Wang Yu , Zheng Min , Dunne Francis , Liu Tian , Fu Xuewei , Kong Lushi , Pan Siyi , Zhong Wei-Hong
Published: October 2018

A cotton-candy inspired, multi-functional protein fabric with novel ribbon-like fibre morphology is proposed for advanced and sustainable filtration application.
Phonological Development in a Bilingual Arabic–English-Speaking Child With Bilateral Cochlear Implants: A Longitudinal Case Study
Authors: Sabri Manal , Fabiano-Smith Leah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This longitudinal study examined the phonological development of a bilingual Arabic–English-speaking child with bilateral cochlear implants (CIs). The focus of the study was to observe the interaction between her two languages and to observe the effect of CIs on the acquisition of two speech sound systems.

Method

This study followed a 3;6-year-old (2;5 hearing age) bilingual Arabic–English-speaking child with bilateral CIs to age 4;4 (3;2 hearing age). Single-word samples were collected bimonthly in both languages. Phon software (Rose et al., 2006) was used to transcribe and analyze speech samples. Measures derived included Percent Consonants Correct–Revised (Shriberg & Kwiatkowski, 1994), percent vowels correct, phonetic inventory complexity, and common phonological patterns for both English and Arabic.

Results

Our findings supported previous research on phonological development exhibited by children with CIs, with the gradual suppression of typical and atypical error patterns and gradual increase in segmental accuracy with maturation. In addition, language interaction and separation between English and Arabic were found, supporting previous cross-linguistic work on bilingual phonological acquisition (e.g., Fabiano-Smith & Goldstein, 2010b).

Conclusion

Bilingual children with CIs have the capability to learn both of their languages and perform similarly to, and even surpass in accuracy, monolingual children with CIs; however, it is also possible to exhibit a slower rate of acquisition of segmental accuracy as compared to their typically developing, hearing peers. Clinical implications of bilingual early intervention are discussed.