bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA Sequence Analyses throughout the Course of Mouse Cardiac Laminopathy Identify Differentially Expressed Genes for Cell Cycle Control and Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Shao Zhili , Koh Wonshill , Ni Ying , Li Wei , Agatisa-Boyle Brendan , Merkurjev Daria , Tang Wai Hong Wilson
Published: April 2020

Lamin A/C (LMNA) gene mutations are a known cause of familial dilated cardiomyopathy, but the precise mechanisms triggering disease progression remain unknown. We hypothesize that analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) throughout the course of Lmna knockout (Lmna−/−)-induced cardiomyopathy may reveal novel Lmna-mediated alterations of signaling pathways leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. Although Lmna was the only DEG down-regulated at 1 week of age, we identified 730 and 1004 DEGs in Lmna−/− mice at 2 weeks and 1 month of age, respectively. At 2 weeks, Lmna−/− mice demonstrated both down- and up-regulation of the key genes involving cell cycle control, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as down-regulated genes governing DNA damage repair and up-regulated genes involved in oxidative stress response, cell survival, and cardiac hypertrophy. At 1 month, the down-regulated genes included those involved in oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient metabolism, cardiac β-adrenergic signaling, action potential generation, and cell survival. We also found 96 overlapping DEGs at both ages involved in oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial function, and calcium signaling. Impaired oxidative phosphorylation was observed at early disease stage, even before the appearance of disease phenotypes, and worsened with disease progression, suggesting its importance in the pathogenesis and progression of LMNA cardiomyopathy. Reduction of oxidative stress might therefore prevent or delay the development from Lmna mutation to LMNA cardiomyopathy.
Fully Spray-Coated Triple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Bishop James E. , Read Connor D. , Smith Joel A. , Routledge Thomas J. , Lidzey David G.
Published: April 2020

We use ultrasonic spray-coating to sequentially deposit thin films of tin oxide, a triple-cation perovskite and spiro-OMeTAD, allowing us fabricate perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a champion reverse scan power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.4% on small-area substrates. We show that the use of spray-deposition permits us to rapidly (>80 mm s−1) coat 25 mm × 75 mm substrates that were divided into a series of devices each with an active area of 15.4 mm2, yielding an average PCE of 10.3% and a peak PCE of 16.3%. By connecting seven 15.4 mm2 devices in parallel on a single substrate, we create a device having an effective active area of 1.08 cm2 and a PCE of 12.7%. This work demonstrates the possibility for spray-coating to fabricate high efficiency and low-cost perovskite solar cells at speed.
A clinical rule for the difficulty prediction on scalp intravenous access in infants (SIAI) from emergency room
Authors: Wei Fengqin , Chen Weiyu , Lin Xiaoti
Published: April 2020

Infant intravenous access poses a significant challenge to the operator. Scalp vein is the ideal location for emergency medical staff to perform intravenous access for administration of fluids or medications. To tackle this challenge, we developed a clinical rule for the difficulty prediction on scalp intravenous access in infants (SIAI) conducting a prospective cohort study in a pediatric emergency room. A total of 658 infant patients who underwent SVI from January 2017 to September 2018 were recruited in this study. The failure rate of SIAI on the first attempt was 20.2%. Five variables, including dehydration condition, obesity, vein invisibility, vein impalpability and hyperactive status of infant, were independently and statistically associated with failure rate of SIAI. Furthermore, we indicated that any one alone of the above five variables did not significantly lead to greater than 50% failure rate of indwelling needle SIAI (p > 0.05). However, summary effects of more than one of these five variables were statistically significant associated with greater than 50% failure rate of SIAI (p < 0.05). When employing the five-variable model, validation cohort subjects displayed dehydration, obesity, vein invisibility, vein impalpability and hyperactive status had a 67.5% likelihood of failed first attempt on SIAI (C = 0.675; 95% CI: 0.622–0.727; p < 0.001). For the first time, we developed the difficult model for SIAI. We found that dehydration, obesity, vein invisibility, vein impalpability and hyperactive status of the infant patients are the independent and significant predictors associated with SIAI failure. Our predicted model indicates that infant patients with combination of more than one of the five variables contribute to greater than 50% failure rate of indwelling needle in SIAI.
Achieving ferromagnetic insulating properties in La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 thin films through nanoengineering
Authors: Yun Chao , Choi Eun-Mi , Li Weiwei , Sun Xing , Maity Tuhin , Wu Rui , Jian Jie , Xue Sichuang , Cho Seungho , Wang Haiyan , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L.
Published: April 2020

Combined strain + doping method is used in a VAN system to realise exemplary properties which cannot be realised in plain films.
Synergistic interactions of cadmium-free quantum dots embedded in a photosensitised polymer surface: efficient killing of multidrug-resistant strains at low ambient light levels
Authors: Owusu Ethel G. A. , Yaghini Elnaz , Naasani Imad , Parkin Ivan P. , Allan Elaine , MacRobert Alexander J.
Published: April 2020

Polyurethane incorporated with cadmium-free quantum dots and crystal violet dye kill >99.9% of multi-drug resistant and intrinsically resistant clinical strains of bacteria under ambient light irradiation.
Phases and excitations of active rod–bead mixtures: simulations and experiments
Authors: Soni Harsh , Kumar Nitin , Nambisan Jyothishraj , Gupta Rahul Kumar , Sood A. K. , Ramaswamy Sriram
Published: April 2020

We present large-scale simulations, supplemented by experiments, on flocking, banding and broken-symmetry excitations in a monolayer of polar rods and spherical beads, confined between horizontal plates and rendered active by vertical vibration.
Recent advances in the analysis methodologies for microplastics in aquatic organisms: current knowledge and research challenges
Authors: Zhu Jingkun , Wang Can
Published: April 2020

This review systematically summarizes the recent progress in the extraction, separation, quantitative analysis and qualitative identification of microplastics in aquatic organisms.
Correction: Towards simultaneous quantification of protease inhibitors and inflammatory biomarkers in serum for people living with HIV
Authors: Wang Pengyi , Venuto Charles S. , Cha Raymond , Miller Benjamin L.
Published: April 2020

Correction for ‘Towards simultaneous quantification of protease inhibitors and inflammatory biomarkers in serum for people living with HIV’ by Pengyi Wang et al., Anal. Methods, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0ay00098a.
The formation of PuSiO4under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Estevenon Paul , Welcomme Eleonore , Tamain Christelle , Jouan Gauthier , Szenknect Stephanie , Mesbah Adel , Poinssot Christophe , Moisy Philippe , Dacheux Nicolas
Published: April 2020

This study reports an innovative way of synthesis of PuSiO4by hydrothermalin situoxidation of solid Pu(iii) silicate precursors. It also identifies how representative Th-, U- and Ce-surrogates are of Pu chemistry in silicate ions rich media.
A dearomative ipso-iodocyclization/desymmetrization sequence leading to optically active tricyclic piperazine scaffolds
Authors: Okitsu Takashi , Horike Arisa , Shimazawa Natsumi , Wada Akimori
Published: April 2020

A dearomative ipso-iodocyclization/desymmetrization sequence enabled the transformation from highly planar aromatic substrates to optically active tricyclic piperazine scaffolds.
Shape-adaptive single-molecule magnetism and hysteresis up to 14 K in oxide clusterfullerenes Dy2O@C72 and Dy2O@C74 with fused pentagon pairs and flexible Dy–(μ2-O)–Dy angle
Authors: Velkos Georgios , Yang Wei , Yao Yang-Rong , Sudarkova Svetlana M. , Liu XinYe , Büchner Bernd , Avdoshenko Stanislav M. , Chen Ning , Popov Alexey A.
Published: April 2020

Clusterfullerenes Dy2O@C72 and Dy2O@C74 demonstrate a fine balance of exchange and dipolar interactions and slow relaxation of magnetization.
Small-molecule fluorescent probes for imaging gaseous signaling molecules: current progress and future implications
Authors: Yang Mingwang , Fan Jiangli , Du Jianjun , Peng Xiaojun
Published: April 2020

This perspective article aims to introduce the design principles and recognition strategies of small-molecule fluorescent probes which are applied for the detection of gas signaling molecules including NO, CO and H2S in biological systems.
On the mechanism of inter-cluster alloying reactions: two-stage metal exchange of [Au25(PET)18]−and [Ag25(DMBT)18]−clusters
Authors: Huang Baoyu , Pei Yong
Published: April 2020

Alloying is an effective way to tune the physical and chemical properties of metal nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoclusters (NCs).
Tuning the morphology of segmented block copolymers with Zr-MOF nanoparticles for durable and efficient hydrocarbon separation membranes
Authors: Pournaghshband Isfahani Ali , Sadeghi Morteza , Nilouyal Somaye , Huang Guoji , Muchtar Ansori , Ito Masateru M. , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Sivaniah Easan , Ghalei Behnam
Published: April 2020

PU/UiO66-NH2membranes demonstrate exceptional C4H10/CH4selectivity due to the enhanced gas solubility associated with MOFs and tuning the polymer morphology.
Phosphatase-defective DevS sensor kinase mutants permit constitutive expression of DevR-regulated dormancy genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kumari Priyanka , Kumar Sudhir , Kaur Kohinoor , Gupta Umesh Datta , Bhagyawant Sameer Suresh , Tyagi Jaya Sivaswami
Published: April 2020

The DevR–DevS/DosR–DosS two-component system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that comprises of DevS sensor kinase and DevR response regulator, is essential for bacterial adaptation to hypoxia by inducing dormancy regulon expression. The dominant phosphatase activity of DevS under aerobic conditions enables tight negative control, whereas its kinase function activates DevR under hypoxia to induce the dormancy regulon. A net balance in these opposing kinase and phosphatase activities of DevS calibrates the response output of DevR. To gain mechanistic insights into the kinase-phosphatase balance of DevS, we generated alanine substitution mutants of five residues located in DHp α1 helix of DevS, namely Phe-403, Gly-406, Leu-407, Gly-411 and His-415. For the first time, we have identified kinase positive phosphatase negative (K+P−) mutants in DevS by a single-site mutation in either Gly-406 or Leu-407. M. tuberculosis Gly-406A and Leu-407A mutant strains constitutively expressed the DevR regulon under aerobic conditions despite the presence of negative signal, oxygen. These mutant proteins exhibited ∼2-fold interaction defect with DevR. We conclude that Gly-406 and Leu-407 residues are individually essential for the phosphatase function of DevS. Our study provides new insights into the negative control mechanism of DevS by demonstrating the importance of an optimal interaction between DevR and DevS, and local changes associated with individual residues, Gly-406 and Leu-407, which mimic ligand-free DevS. These K+P− mutant strains are expected to facilitate the rapid aerobic screening of DevR antagonists in M. tuberculosis, thereby eliminating the requirement for hypoxic culture conditions.
MiR-770-5p facilitates podocyte apoptosis and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by targeting TIMP3
Authors: Wang Li , Li Hua
Published: April 2020

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most severe and frequent diabetic complications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play a vital role in DN pathogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of miR-770-5p in DN.

Methods: Podocyte injury model was established by treating mouse podocytes with high glucose (HG, 33 mM) for 24 h. The levels of miR-770-5p and TIMP3 were examined in kidney tissues and podocytes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry analysis was applied to detect apoptosis in podocytes. Western blot assay was used to measure the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the levels of inflammatory factors. The interaction between miR-770-5p and TIMP3 was determined by MicroT-CDS and luciferase reporter assay.

Results: MiR-770-5p was up-regulated and TIMP3 was down-regulated in DN kidney tissues and HG-stimulated podocytes. Depletion of miR-770-5p suppressed cell apoptosis and the release of pro-inflammatory factors in HG-treated podocytes. Additionally, TIMP3 was a target of miR-770-5p in HG-treated podocytes. TIMP3 inhibited cell apoptosis and inflammation in HG-treated podocytes. Moreover, TIMP3 knockdown alleviated the inhibitory effect of miR-770-5p silencing on podocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response.

Conclusion: Knockdown of miR-770-5p suppressed podocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response by targeting TIMP3 in HG-treated podocytes, indicating that miR-770-5p may be a potential therapeutic target for DN therapy.
Development of a Psychometric Measure of the Propensity to Consciously Control and Monitor Speech Production
Authors: Lo Eric Siu-Chung , Wong Andus Wing-Kuen , Tse Andy Choi-Yeung , Ma Estella Pui-Man , Whitehill Tara L. , Masters Rich S. W.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

A speech-specific reinvestment scale (SSRS) is a psychometric measure of the propensity to consciously control and monitor speech production. This study develops and validates an SSRS as well as examines its relationship with speech performance with the moderating effects of trait social anxieties (i.e., social interaction anxiety, public speaking anxiety, and social phobia).

Method

Scale development involves the following stages: (a) initial item generation based on relevant literature, (b) item evaluation through cognitive interviews with 24 healthy respondents, (c) scale reliability and validity tests using cross-sectional survey data from 498 healthy respondents, and (d) test–retest reliability assessment using longitudinal survey data from 185 healthy respondents. Respondents' speech performance is quantified using speech examination scores. Hierarchical moderated regression analyses are conducted to examine the moderating effects of trait social anxieties.

Results

The validated SSRS comprises 35 items, which can be categorized into four subdimensions, namely, speech movement self-consciousness, public consciousness of speech content, speech manner, and speech movement. Results show that respondents with low trait social anxieties indicate a generally positive relationship between public consciousness of speech movement and speech performance, whereas respondents with high trait social anxieties exhibit a nonsignificant relationship.

Conclusions

SSRS offers a reliable and valid method for assessing the predisposition for conscious speech control and monitoring, which plays a role in speech performance and is moderated by an individual's level of trait social anxiety. SSRS is a potential assessment tool for speech-language pathologists to evaluate the impacts of conscious speech control and monitoring on individuals with speech impairment.
Adaptive control strategy for velocity control of a linear switched reluctance motor
Authors: Masoudi Siamak , Mehrjerdi Hasan , Ghorbani Amir
Published: April 2020

A new adaptive control strategy for a double‐sided linear switched reluctance motor is proposed in this work. Switched reluctance motors inherently have non‐linear dynamics that complicates their analysis and control. The Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy logic system has been used in this work to achieve an appropriate adaptive control system for the proposed linear motor. The fuzzy system has been heightened by non‐linear rule consequences and a time‐varying parameter. Updated laws have been designed to refresh the amount of the parameter consequently the suggested control system shows a stable performance in control of switched reluctance motors. The proposed control strategy is independent of the uncertainties of the motor dynamics and has an acceptable adaptability. This control method along with a conventional fuzzy logic based system have been studied on the proposed linear switched reluctance motor and their performances were compared in different performance conditions. An appropriate evaluation method has been used to compare the obtained results. The efficiency of the proposed method in different velocity commands has been examined and confirmed using appropriate simulation and experimental results.
Constraining the radial drift of millimeter-sized grains in the protoplanetary disks in Lupus
Authors: Trapman L. , Ansdell M. , Hogerheijde M. R. , Facchini S. , Manara C. F. , Miotello A. , Williams J. P. , Bruderer S.
Published: April 2020

Context. Recent ALMA surveys of protoplanetary disks have shown that for most disks the extent of the gas emission is greater than the extent of the thermal emission of millimeter-sized dust. Both line optical depth and the combined effect of radially dependent grain growth and radial drift may contribute to this observed effect. To determine whether or not radial drift is common across the disk population, quantitative estimates of the effect of line optical depth are required.

Aims. For a sample of ten disks from the Lupus survey we investigate how well dust-based models without radial dust evolution reproduce the observed 12CO outer radius, and determine whether radial dust evolution is required to match the observed gas–dust size difference.

Methods. Based on surface density profiles derived from continuum observations we used the thermochemical code DALI to obtain 12CO synthetic emission maps. Gas and dust outer radii of the models were calculated using the same methods as applied to the observations. The gas and dust outer radii (RCO, Rmm) calculated using only line optical depth were compared to observations on a source-by-source basis.

Results. For five disks, we find RCO, obs∕Rmm, obs > RCO, mdl∕Rmm, mdl. For these disks we need both dust evolution and optical depth effects to explain the observed gas–dust size difference. For the other five disks, the observed RCO∕Rmm lies within the uncertainties on RCO, mdl∕Rmm, mdl due to noise. For these disks the observed gas–dust size difference can be explained using only line optical depth effects. We also identify six disks not included in our initial sample but part of a survey of the same star-forming region that show significant signal-to-noise ratio (S∕N ≥ 3) 12CO J = 2−1 emission beyond 4 × Rmm. These disks, for which no RCO is available, likely have RCO∕Rmm ≫ 4 and are difficult to explain without substantial dust evolution.

Conclusions. Most of the disks in our sample of predominantly bright disks are consistent with radial drift and grain growth. We also find six faint disks where the observed gas–dust size difference hints at considerable radial drift and grain growth, suggesting that these are common features among both bright and faint disks. The effects of radial drift and grain growth can be observed in disks where the dust and gas radii are significantly different, while more detailed models and deeper observations are needed to see this effect in disks with smaller differences.
SDSS J211852.96−073227.5: The first non-local, interacting, late-type intermediate Seyfert galaxy with relativistic jets
Authors: Järvelä E. , Berton M. , Ciroi S. , Congiu E. , Lähteenmäki A. , Di Mille F.
Published: April 2020

It has been often suggested that a tangible relation exists between relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the morphology of their host galaxies. In particular, relativistic jets may commonly be related to merging events. Here we present for the first time a detailed spectroscopic and morphological analysis of a Seyfert galaxy, SDSS J211852.96−073227.5, at z = 0.26. This source has previously been classified as a gamma-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy. We re-observed it with the 6.5 m Clay Telescope and these new, high-quality spectroscopic data have revealed that it is actually an intermediate-type Seyfert galaxy. Furthermore, the results of modelling the Ks-band near-infrared images obtained with the 6.5 m Baade Telescope indicate that the AGN is hosted by a late-type galaxy in an interacting system, strengthening the suggested connection between galaxy interactions and relativistic jets.
Assimilation of shrimp farm sediment by Holothuria scabra: a coupled fatty acid and stable isotope approach
Authors: Mathieu-Resuge Margaux , Le Grand Fabienne , Schaal Gauthier , Kraffe Edouard , Lorrain Anne , Letourneur Yves , Lemonnier Hugues , Benoît Julie , Hochard Sébastien
Published: April 2020

Deposit-feeding sea cucumbers are efficient nutrient recyclers and have the potential to contribute to the limitation of organic matter load in polyculture or integrated aquaculture systems. Assessing how they assimilate organic matter originating from other farmed species is therefore important for the development of such multi-species farming systems. Here, a coupled stable isotope − fatty acid approach was used to characterize the assimilation of organic matter from shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris) farming by Holothuria scabra in an experimental culture system. H. scabra were reared in mesocosms on shrimp farming-originating sediment with and without additional food sources (maize and fish meals). Although fatty acid results did indicate that shrimp-farming sediment was assimilated by holothurids, we found no evidence of maize waste and fish meal contribution to H. scabra organic carbon (no effect on δ13C, no accumulation of meal-specific fatty acids). However, a strong effect of fish meal on H. scabra δ15N was observed, suggesting that this additional food source could represent an alternative source of nitrogen for holothurids. Finally, this study supports the culture of H. scabra as a perspective to reduce sedimentary organic matter excess associated with shrimp farms, and suggest that the addition of selected food sources might contribute to increasing the content in some nitrogen organic compounds in holothurid tissues.
Criticality of depth of intensity modulation and simulation of refractive index profile in thermal lens technique
Authors: Raj Vimal , Swapna Mohanachandran Nair Sindhu , Sankararaman Sankaranarayana Iyer
Published: April 2020

The present paper intends to unveil the criticality of the depth of intensity modulation (D) in getting correct results in optical experiments employing electromechanical choppers. The study elucidates experimentally using a single beam thermal lens setup with an optical chopper with variable D, designed and constructed cost-effectively, and also by simulating the refractive index profile generated within the medium. The thermal diffusivity of water with a trace amount of chlorophyll is determined by varying D for a given period. It is observed that for a D above 10%, photodissociation and Soret effect significantly affect the thermal lens signal and thereby giving erroneous value to the thermal diffusivity. The UV-visible spectroscopic analysis reveals reduced absorption for the leaf pigments − chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and lutein as a result of photodissociation. Thus the study demonstrates the criticality of D for obtaining error-free measurements.
How fats we eat modulate our immunity?
Authors: Buaud Benjamin
Published: April 2020

The development and optimal functioning of our immune system is directly influenced by our diet. Any deficiency or excess of certain nutrients can affect the number and activity of immune cells. Among the nutrients identified, dietary fatty acids are described as having major effects on immunity. Indeed, the fatty acid composition of the membranes of immune cells seems to be easily modulated under the effect of dietary fats and the resulting rapid changes in composition are likely to generate functional effects on the reactivity and functioning of these cells within a very short period of time. Among the different mechanisms identified to explain the impact of dietary fatty acids on the immune function, the synthesis of lipid mediators from polyunsaturated fatty acids is a key one notably in the context of inflammation.
Handtherapeutische Behandlung der Rhizarthrose
Authors: Paries Cornelia
Published: April 2020

Es gibt eine Fülle an Behandlungsmaßnahmen, die die Daumenbeweglichkeit, Greifkraft und Handfunktion verbessern und Schmerzen reduzieren. Nicht für jede therapeutische Maßnahme liegt uns allerdings profunde Evidenz vor. Welche Interventionen sind sinnvoll und was sollten wir in der Therapie vermeiden? Wofür gibt es in der handtherapeutischen Behandlung von Rhizarthrose Wirksamkeitsbelege und was fußt eher auf Empirie bzw. Theorie?
Die Anatomie und Biomechanik des Daumensattelgelenks
Authors: Zumhasch Rainer
Published: April 2020

Das Daumensattelgelenk (Karpometakarpalgelenk) wird aus dem Trapezium und dem ersten Metakarpalknochen gebildet. Zwei rechtwinklig zueinander stehende Achsen erlauben vier Bewegungen in zwei Freiheitsgraden: die Extension und Flexion sowie Abduktion und Adduktion. Die Gelenkstabilisation erfolgt primär ligamentär, aber auch Muskeln und Sehnen sind an der dynamischen Führung beteiligt.
Schienenversorgung bei Rhizarthrose
Authors: May Conny
Published: April 2020

Verändert sich das Daumensattelgelenk pathologisch und wird eine beginnende Rhizarthrose diagnostiziert, ist es wichtig, das Gelenk von außen durch eine Schiene zu stabilisieren. Die erhöhte Belastung bei gleichzeitig reduzierter Belastbarkeit fördert ansonsten das Fortschreiten der Arthrose und begünstigt Fehlstellungen und eine Subluxation des ersten Mittelhandknochens. Conny May beschreibt, wann sie welche Schienen für ihre Patienten wählt.
Further Development of the Tin-Catalyzed Transcarbamoylation Reaction
Authors: Ichikawa Yoshiyasu , Hasegawa Tomoyuki , Minami Takahiro , Sato Hiroshi , Morishita Yukinori , Ochi Rika , Masuda Toshiya
Published: April 2020

Studies carried out to further develop tin-catalyzed trans­carbamoylation reactions demonstrated that transcarbamoylation of cinnamyl alcohol in the context of allyl cyanate-to-isocyanate rearrangement can be efficiently carried out on a ten-gram scale and that tin-­catalyzed transcarbamoylation is a valuable alternative to the method using trichloroacetyl isocyanate. In addition, methyl carbamate was found to be an economical carabamoyl donor in tin-catalyzed transcarbamoylation, which showed broad functional group tolerance and allowed a streamlined workup procedure. Finally, a unique synthetic method was developed for the preparation of carbamate-tethered terpene glycoconjugates.
Awareness and Practice of Road Safety Rules among Secondary School Students in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Authors: Singh Maharaj
Published: April 2020

Introduction: More than 1.2 million people die each year on the world's roads. Most of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries where rapid economic growth has been accompanied by increased motorization and road traffic injuries. Prevention of road traffic accidents thus becomes very crucial in order to improve the longevity and the quality of life of the individuals concerned.

Objectives: To assess the level of awareness and practice of road safety rules among secondary school students.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 secondary school students aged between 13-17 years studying in selected government and private secondary schools of Achrol, Jaipur district, Rajasthan. The samples were selected through simple random sampling technique. A pre-designed and pre-tested structured multiple choice questionnaire and checklist was used for assessment of awareness and practice of road safety rules. The collected data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: With regards to awareness regarding road safety rules, 9(6%) had had poor awareness, 103(68.7%) had average awareness and 38(25.3%) had good awareness. With regards to practice regarding road safety rules, 6(4%) had had unsatisfactory practice, 108(72%) had partially satisfactory practice and 36(24%) had satisfactory practice.

Conclusion: Majority of secondary school students had average awareness and partially satisfactory practice regarding road safety rules. Education reminding and strict enforcement of traffic rules can increase awareness and motivate them to strictly adhere to the traffic norms and help to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to road traffic accidents.
The first-principles study on the graphene/MoS2 heterojunction
Authors: Fu Siyao , Ma Zhuang , Huang Zhihao , Zhu Xiaoshuo , Yan Mufu , Fu Yudong
Published: April 2020

Graphene’s Dirac point in the band structure and no current switching ratio make it hard to be used in sophisticated logic circuits. The graphene/MoS2 heterojunction, which opens the Dirac point of graphene, can solve this problem. Based on the first-principles, the most stable monolayer graphene and MoS2 were obtained through the convergence test. The accuracy of their models was verified. In addition, lattice matching mechanisms, stacking modes, electronic structures, and optical properties of the designed heterojunction structures were calculated. The graphene/MoS2 heterojunction in a lattice matching way has the lowest relative energy. The band structures of nine heterojunctions were very similar. The maximum bandgap opening of heterojunctions was 14 meV. Compared with MoS2, its absorption intensity in the visible range improved. The dielectric function of the heterojunction was not zero in the infrared range. It indicated that the absorption of infrared light by the heterojunction was stronger than that by the MoS2.
Experimental and theoretical study on p-chlorofluorobenzene in the S, S1 and D states
Authors: Fan Jia-nan , Cui Ting-ting , Qin Zheng-bo , Zheng Xian-feng , Cui Zhi-feng
Published: April 2020

The geometric structures and vibration frequencies of para-chlorofluorobenzene (p-ClFPh) in the first excited state of neutral and ground state of cation were investigated by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and slow electron velocity-map imaging. The infrared spectrum of S0 state and absorption spectrum for S1 ← S0 transition in p-ClFPh were also recorded. Based on the one-color resonant two-photon ionization spectrum and two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectrum, we obtained the adiabatic excited-state energy of p-ClFPh as 36302±4 cm−1. In the two-color resonant two-photon ionization slow electron velocity-map imagin spectra, the accurate adiabatic ionization potential of p-ClFPh was extrapolated as 72937±8 cm−1 via threshold ionization measurement. In addition, Franck-Condon simulation was performed to help us confidently ascertain the main vibrational modes in the S1 and D0 states. Furthermore, the mixing of vibrational modes between S0 → S1 and S1 → D0 has been analyzed.
Imaging reaction dynamics of Y+SO2
Authors: Yan Dong , Ma Yu-jie , Li Fang-fang , Liu Jia-xing , Wang Guan-jun , Wang Feng-yan
Published: April 2020

The reaction dynamics of yttrium atoms with sulfur dioxide molecules at a high collision energy of 36 kcal/mol was studied using time-sliced velocity map ion imaging, crossed molecular beam and laser-ablation method. The product YO was detected via multiphoton ionization at various wavelengths in the region of 482–615 nm. The slice images of YO show a broad velocity distribution and forward-backward peaking angular distribution. The forward scattering signal is stronger than its backward distribution. This indicates that the reaction proceeds via an intermediate complex and the lifetime of the intermediate state is less than one rotational period. The formation of complex suggests that electron transfer occurs in the oxidation reaction.
Aerial baiting for feral cats is unlikely to affect survivorship of northern quolls in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Authors: Cowan M. , Moro D. , Anderson H. , Angus J. , Garretson S. , Morris K.
Published: April 2020

Abstract
ContextFeral cats (Felis catus) are known predators of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus). Management to suppress feral cat densities often uses the poison sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) in baits broadcast aerially. Eradicat® baits have demonstrated efficacy at reducing feral cat densities in some environments. However, these are not registered for use in northern Australia because their risk to non-target northern quolls remains unknown.
AimsWe investigated the risks of aerially deployed feral cat Eradicat® baits containing 4.5mg of the poison 1080 on the survival of free-ranging northern quolls.
MethodsThe study was conducted over a 20000-ha area in the Pilbara bioregion in Western Australia. Twenty-one wild northern quolls from a baited area and 20 quolls from a nearby reference area were fitted with radio-collars, and their survivorship was compared following the aerial deployment of over 9700 feral cat baits. Survivorship of quolls was assessed before and after the baiting campaign.
Key resultsFive radio-collared quolls died at the baited area; four mortalities were due to feral cat predation, and the cause of one death was uncertain. At the reference area, seven radio-collared quolls were confirmed dead; three mortalities were due to feral cat predation, two from wild dog predation, and the cause of death of two could not be determined. Evidence for sublethal poison impacts on quolls, inferred by monitoring reproductive output, was lacking; average litter size was higher in quolls from the baited area than in those from the unbaited area, and within range of litters reported elsewhere, suggesting that acute effects of 1080 (if ingested) on reproductive success were unlikely.
ConclusionsRadio-collared northern quolls survived the trial using Eradicat® baits, and females showed no acute effects of sublethal poisoning on the basis of reproductive output. A lack of quoll deaths attributed to 1080 poisoning suggests that the use of Eradicat® poses a low risk to northern quolls in the Pilbara. Importantly, the high level of mortalities associated with predation by feral cats, and to a lesser extent, canids, validates the threats of these introduced predators on quolls, suggesting that their control in areas where quolls are present is likely to be beneficial for the recovery of this species.
ImplicationsLand managers aiming to conserve northern quolls in the Pilbara would see conservation benefits if they introduced an operational landscape-scale feral cat baiting program using Eradicat® baits, with appropriate monitoring.
Achieving quality in outsourcing
Authors: Sirovec Saša
Published: April 2020

In the context of increasing demand and shrinking internal resources, the reliance on outsourcing appears to be a sensible approach in institutional translation. However, in the complex environment of multilingual law-making, working with external partners introduces additional risk factors. This article is an attempt to analyse this specific multiplayer situation and identify some practices which can guarantee sustainable quality performance, from the point of view of the middle manager in charge of in-house staff and workflow. The approach discussed focuses on improved communication with external contractors through a better information flow and enhanced feed-back.
Nurturing the soul of the company at EILEEN FISHER, Inc.
Authors: Betters-Reed Bonita , Harvey Sean , Neal Judi
Published: April 2020

The vast majority of case studies in the management literature looks at the failings of leadership and at what is wrong with various elements of organizational design and practice. This article takes a different perspective, the perspective that there is great value in studying and learning from organizations that are values-centered, principle driven, and consciously embracing workplace spirituality. EILEEN FISHER, Inc., a women’s fashion company, has been admired for many years for its specific spiritual practices as well as its attendant human resources and social responsibility practices. The article reviews the founding and early history of the organization with a focus on the development and maintenance of organizational soul through the establishment of values, practices, and policies. Then, the authors summarize the results of interviews about organizational soul with 16 employees from representative levels and departments and offer suggestions for how other organizations might emulate some of the best of the practices of EILEEN FISHER, Inc.
Acoustic plasmonics of Au grating/Bi2Se3 thin film/sapphire hybrid structures*
Authors: Li Weiwu , Riegel Konstantin , Liu Chuanpu , Taskin Alexey , Ando Yoichi , Liao Zhimin , Dressel Martin , Yan Yuan
Published: April 2020

The surface plasmon polaritons of the topological insulator Bi2Se3 can be excited by using etched grating or grave structures to compensate the wave vector mismatch of the incident photon and plasmon. Here, we demonstrate novel gold grating/Bi2Se3 thin film/sapphire hybrid structures, which allow the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons propagating through nondestructive Bi2Se3 thin film with the help of gold diffractive gratings. Utilizing periodic Au surface structures, the momentum can be matched and the normal-incidence infrared reflectance spectra exhibit pronounced dips. When the width of the gold grating W (with a periodicity 2W) increases from 400 nm to 1500 nm, the resonant frequencies are tuned from about 7000 cm−1 to 2500 cm−1. In contrast to the expected

q

dispersion for both massive and massless fermions, where q ∼ π/W is the wave vector, we observe a sound-like linear dispersion even at room temperature. This surface plasmon polaritons with linear dispersion are attributed to the unique noninvasive fabrication method and high mobility of topological surface electrons. This novel structure provides a promising application of Dirac plasmonics.
How much can sustainable intensification increase yields across South Asia? a systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Jain Meha , Solomon Divya , Capnerhurst Hagan , Arnold Anthony , Elliott Alice , Kinzer Andrew T , Knauss Collin , Peters Maya , Rolf Brett , Weil Ari , Weinstein Charlotte
Published: April 2020

Food security will become increasingly challenged over the coming decades, and sustainable intensification is often touted as an ideal way to increase yields while limiting negative environmental impacts. Yet, the extent to which sustainable intensification can increase yields remains unclear. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess the extent to which sustainable intensification can increase yields across South Asia, a region that is expected to face some of the greatest food security challenges over the coming decades. We found that yield gains from sustainable intensification interventions were heterogeneous, and that the average yield gain across all studi
es was 21%. Residue retention and the use of organic fertilizers were, in particular, associated with significant and positive yield gains, though the use of organic fertilizers was not always profitable, likely due to large subsidies provided for mineral fertilizers across South Asia. Our work also revealed biases in the current sustainable intensification literature, with research clustered in highly productive, irrigated, and commodity cropping systems, which do not represent large portions of agricultural systems across South Asia. Our results highlight that sustainable intensification interventions should play an important role in increasing food production across South Asia, but yield gains from these interventions are modest compared to estimated yield gaps across the region.
Visibility as a proxy for air quality in East Africa
Authors: Singh Ajit , Avis William R , Pope Francis D
Published: April 2020

Many urban areas in Africa do not have sufficient monitoring programs to understand their air quality. This study uses visibility as a proxy for PM pollution to provide insight into PM air pollution in three East African cities: Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Kampala, from 1974 to 2018. Overall, a significant loss in East African visibility was observed since the 1970s, where Nairobi shows the greatest loss (60%), as compared to Kampala (56%) and Addis Ababa (34%). These changes are likely due to increased anthropogenic PM emissions. Correspondingly, PM pollution levels, in Kampala, Nairobi and Addis Ababa, are estimated to have increased by 162, 182 and 62%, respectively, since the 1970s to the current period.

Distinct variations in seasonal visibility are observed, which are largely explained by changing PM sources and sinks in rainy and dry seasons. Average PM hygroscopicity is investigated by comparing average visibilities under different RH conditions. It is observed that PM hygroscopicity has decreased over time in all three cities, which is consistent with increasing emissions of PM with hygroscopicity lower than the ambient background. A large urban increment in PM is observed, with poor visibility typically occurring when the wind brings air from densely populated urban areas.

To investigate the intersection between increasing pollution, population and economic growth, changes in pollution are compared to available population growth and GDP statistics. Significant positive correlations between increasing PM and national GDP (and city population) were found for all three study cities. These cities have undergone rapid increases in population and national GDP growth (driven predominantly by study cities’ economies) during the study period. This has resulted in increased rates of citywide fuel use and motorization, which provides a direct link to increased PM emissions and thus visibility loss. The study suggests that socio-economic forecasts may enable future air quality projections.
Contrasting patterns of intraspecific trait variability in native and non-native plant species along an elevational gradient on Tenerife, Canary Islands
Authors: Kühn Paul , Ratier Backes Amanda , Römermann Christine , Bruelheide Helge , Haider Sylvia
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Non-native plant species are not restricted to lowlands, but increasingly are invading high elevations. While for both native and non-native species we expected variability of plant functional traits due to the changing environmental conditions along elevational gradients, we additionally assumed that non-native species are characterized by a more acquisitive growth strategy, as traits reflecting such a strategy have been found to correlate with invasion success. Furthermore, the typical lowland introduction of non-native species coming from multiple origins should lead to higher trait variability within populations of non-native species specifically at low elevations, and they might therefore occupy a larger total trait space.

Methods

Along an elevational gradient ranging from 55 to 1925 m a.s.l. on Tenerife, we collected leaves from eight replicate individuals in eight evenly distributed populations of five native and six non-native forb species. In each population, we measured ten eco-morphological and leaf biochemical traits and calculated trait variability within each population and the total trait space occupied by native and non-native species.

Key Results

We found both positive (e.g. leaf dry matter content) and negative (e.g. leaf N) correlations with elevation for native species, but only few responses for non-native species. For non-native species, within-population variability of leaf dry matter content and specific leaf area decreased with elevation, but increased for native species. The total trait space occupied by all non-native species was smaller than and a subset of that of native species.

Conclusions

We found little evidence that intraspecific trait variability is associated with the success of non-native species to spread towards higher elevations. Instead, for non-native species, our results indicate that intermediate trait values that meet the requirements of various conditions are favourable across the changing environmental conditions along elevational gradients. As a consequence, this might prevent non-native species from overcoming abruptly changing environmental conditions, such as when crossing the treeline.
Kisspeptin induces LH release and ovulation in an induced ovulator†
Authors: Carrasco Rodrigo A , Leonardi Carlos E , Hutt Kylie , Singh Jaswant , Adams Gregg P
Published: April 2020

Kisspeptin has been implicated in the ovulatory process of several species of spontaneous ovulators but in only one induced ovulator. In contrast, NGF in semen is the principal trigger of ovulation in other species of induced ovulators—camelids. We tested the hypotheses that kisspeptin induces luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in llamas through a hypothalamic mechanism, and kisspeptin neurons are the target of NGF in its ovulation-inducing pathway. In Experiment 1, llamas were given either NGF, kisspeptin, or saline intravenously, and LH secretion and ovulation were compared among groups. All llamas treated with NGF (5/5) or kisspeptin (5/5) had an elevation of LH blood concentrations after treatment and ovulated, whereas none of the saline group did (0/5). In Experiment 2, llamas were either pretreated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist or saline and treated 2 h later with kisspeptin. Llamas pretreated with saline had elevated plasma LH concentrations and ovulated (6/6) whereas llamas pretreated with cetrorelix did not (0/6). In Experiment 3, we evaluated the hypothalamic kisspeptin-GnRH neuronal network by immunohistochemistry. Kisspeptin neurons were detected in the arcuate nucleus, the preoptic area, and the anterior hypothalamus, establishing synaptic contacts with GnRH neurons. We found no colocalization between kisspeptin and NGF receptors by double immunofluorescence. Functional and morphological findings support the concept that kisspeptin is a mediator of the LH secretory pathway in llamas; however, the role of kisspeptins in the NGF ovulation-inducing pathway in camelids remains unclear since NGF receptors were not detected in kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamus.
Oocytes suppress FOXL2 expression in cumulus cells in mice†
Authors: Emori Chihiro , Ito Haruka , Fujii Wataru , Naito Kunihiko , Sugiura Koji
Published: April 2020

Cumulus cells and mural granulosa cells (MGCs) play distinct roles during follicular development, and normal development of these cell lineages is critical for the female fertility. Transcriptomic diversification between the two cell lineages is obviously a critical mechanism for their functional diversification; however, the transcriptional regulators responsible for this event have not been fully defined. In this study, we sought to identify key transcriptional regulators responsible for the differential gene expression between the two cell lineages. In silico analysis of transcriptomic comparison between cumulus cells and MGCs identified several candidate regulators responsible for the diversification of the two cell lineages. Among them, we herein focused on forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) and showed that expressions of FOXL2 as well as its target transcripts were differentially regulated between cumulus cells and MGCs. The lower expression of FOXL2 in cumulus cells seemed to be due to the suppression by oocyte-derived paracrine signals. These results suggest that FOXL2 is one of the critical transcription factors that determine cumulus cell and MGC lineages under the control of oocytes.