bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Low‐Frequency Earthquakes in Broadband Random Time Sequences: Are They Independent Events?
Authors: Ide Satoshi
Published: July 2019

Low‐frequency earthquakes (LFEs) are detected primarily from continuous seismograms using a matched‐filter technique with an impulsive template waveform in a relatively narrow frequency band. However, this method can also detect events from some kinds of random time sequences without clearly isolated events. Here this fact is demonstrated via simple numerical simulations using the synthetic moment accelerations from a model of broadband slow earthquake, the Brownian slow earthquake (BSE) model, and a totally random noise sequence. The matched‐filter technique identifies time sections including relatively isolated pulse‐like fluctuations, as signals in both time sequences, depending on the threshold. These waveforms, stacked relative to the signal timing, show a clear impulse similar to the assumed template in both time sequences, which highlights that we might potentially misinterpret an original time sequence as containing many isolated pulse‐like events. An important difference exists between the BSE model and random noise at frequencies much lower than the analyzed frequency band, with the stacked BSE sequence containing coherent signals at very low frequencies, which are not visible in the noise. Real observations in the Cascadia subduction zone also contain similar coherent signals at low frequencies, suggesting that these LFE signals are coincident with some slow slip. Therefore, so‐called LFEs might potentially be a misinterpretation due to signal processing, or at least they are the tip of the iceberg, with these signals forming a component of a very broadband slow‐earthquake‐like slip process that possibly occurs over sub‐second to multi‐year timescales.
Improving Physics‐Based Aftershock Forecasts During the 2016–2017 Central Italy Earthquake Cascade
Authors: Mancini S. , Segou M. , Werner M. J. , Cattania C.
Published: July 2019

The 2016–2017 Central Apennines earthquake sequence is a recent example of how damages from subsequent aftershocks can exceed those caused by the initial mainshock. Recent studies reveal that physics‐based aftershock forecasts present comparable skills to their statistical counterparts, but their performance remains a controversial subject. Here we employ physics‐based models that combine the elasto‐static stress transfer with rate‐and‐state friction laws, and short‐term statistical Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) models to describe the spatiotemporal evolution of the earthquake cascade. We then track the absolute and relative model performance using log‐likelihood statistics for a 1‐year horizon after the 24 August 2016Mw= 6.0 Amatrice earthquake. We perform a series of pseudoprospective experiments by producing seven classes of Coulomb rate‐state (CRS) forecasts with gradual increase in data input quality and model complexity. Our goal is to investigate the influence of data quality on the predictive power of physics‐based models and to assess the comparative performance of the forecasts in critical time windows, such as the period following the 26 October Visso earthquakes leading to the 30 OctoberMw= 6.5 Norcia mainshock. We find that (1) the spatiotemporal performance of the basic CRS models is poor and progressively improves as more refined data are used, (2) CRS forecasts are about as informative as ETAS when secondary triggering effects fromM3+ earthquakes are included together with spatially variable slip models, spatially heterogeneous receiver faults, and optimized rate‐and‐state parameters. After the Visso earthquakes, the more elaborate CRS model outperforms ETAS highlighting the importance of the static stress transfer for operational earthquake forecasting.
Strong North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water Volume and Density Decrease in Year 1999
Authors: Cerovečki I. , Hendershott M. C. , Yulaeva E.
Published: July 2019

A strong decrease of volume and density of North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW) in 1999 was analyzed in a regional high‐resolution (0.1°) numerical ocean circulation model simulation. Both shoaling of the bottom and deepening of the top of the NPSTMW layer contributed equally to volume decrease. They were locally governed by different physical processes, but both seem to be associated with basin‐wide changes in wind. A westward propagating negative thermocline depth anomaly that developed in the Central Pacific when the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index changed from a positive to a negative phase in 1998 caused shoaling of the bottom of the NPSTMW layer. Deepening of the top of the NPSTMW layer was due to an increase in the near surface stratification, caused by an increase in wind‐driven lateral heat transport convergence by the Kuroshio Extension jet starting in 1997. Both processes increased the potential vorticity in the NPSTMW region, decreasing the volume of water in the NPSTMW density range that satisfied the low potential vorticity constraint that is part of the definition of “mode water.” The strong near‐surface density decrease provided preconditioning for preferential surface formation of a lighter variety of NPSTMW, further decreasing its density. It also resulted in decrease of the outcrop window in the NPSTMW density range, strongly reducing its formation rate in 1998 and 1999 despite strong surface heat loss.
Engineering transkingdom signalling in plants to control gene expression in rhizosphere bacteria
Authors: Geddes Barney A. , Paramasivan Ponraj , Joffrin Amelie , Thompson Amber L. , Christensen Kirsten , Jorrin Beatriz , Brett Paul , Conway Stuart J. , Oldroyd Giles E. D. , Poole Philip S.
Published: July 2019

The root microbiota is critical for agricultural yield, with growth-promoting bacteria able to solubilise phosphate, produce plant growth hormones, antagonise pathogens and fix N2. Plants control the microorganisms in their immediate environment and this is at least in part through direct selection, the immune system, and interactions with other microorganisms. Considering the importance of the root microbiota for crop yields it is attractive to artificially regulate this environment to optimise agricultural productivity. Towards this aim we express a synthetic pathway for the production of the rhizopine scyllo-inosamine in plants. We demonstrate the production of this bacterial derived signal in both Medicago truncatula and barley and show its perception by rhizosphere bacteria, containing bioluminescent and fluorescent biosensors. This study lays the groundwork for synthetic signalling networks between plants and bacteria, allowing the targeted regulation of bacterial gene expression in the rhizosphere for delivery of useful functions to plants.
Designing development programs for non-traditional antibacterial agents
Authors: Rex John H. , Fernandez Lynch Holly , Cohen I. Glenn , Darrow Jonathan J. , Outterson Kevin
Published: July 2019

In the face of rising rates of antibacterial resistance, many responses are being pursued in parallel, including ‘non-traditional’ antibacterial agents (agents that are not small-molecule drugs and/or do not act by directly targeting bacterial components necessary for bacterial growth). In this Perspective, we argue that the distinction between traditional and non-traditional agents has only limited relevance for regulatory purposes. Rather, most agents in both categories can and should be developed using standard measures of clinical efficacy demonstrated with non-inferiority or superiority trial designs according to existing regulatory frameworks. There may, however, be products with non-traditional goals focused on population-level benefits that would benefit from extension of current paradigms. Discussion of such potential paradigms should be undertaken by the development community.
Transposition favors the generation of large effect mutations that may facilitate rapid adaption
Authors: Quadrana Leandro , Etcheverry Mathilde , Gilly Arthur , Caillieux Erwann , Madoui Mohammed-Amin , Guy Julie , Bortolini Silveira Amanda , Engelen Stefan , Baillet Victoire , Wincker Patrick , Aury Jean-Marc , Colot Vincent
Published: July 2019

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile parasitic sequences that have been repeatedly coopted during evolution to generate new functions and rewire gene regulatory networks. Yet, the contribution of active TEs to the creation of heritable mutations remains unknown. Using TE accumulation lines in Arabidopsis thaliana we show that once initiated, transposition produces an exponential spread of TE copies, which rapidly leads to high mutation rates. Most insertions occur near or within genes and targets differ between TE families. Furthermore, we uncover an essential role of the histone variant H2A.Z in the preferential integration of Ty1/copia retrotransposons within environmentally responsive genes and away from essential genes. We also show that epigenetic silencing of new Ty1/copia copies can affect their impact on major fitness-related traits, including flowering time. Our findings demonstrate that TEs are potent episodic (epi)mutagens that, thanks to marked chromatin tropisms, limit the mutation load and increase the potential for rapid adaptation.
Mapping brain function during naturalistic viewing using high-density diffuse optical tomography
Authors: Fishell Andrew K. , Burns-Yocum Tracy M. , Bergonzi Karla M. , Eggebrecht Adam T. , Culver Joseph P.
Published: July 2019

Naturalistic stimuli, such as movies, more closely recapitulate “real life” sensory processing and behavioral demands relative to paradigms that rely on highly distilled and repetitive stimulus presentations. The rich complexity inherent in naturalistic stimuli demands an imaging system capable of measuring spatially distributed brain responses, and analysis tools optimized for unmixing responses to concurrently presented features. In this work, the combination of passive movie viewing with high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) is developed as a platform for naturalistic brain mapping. We imaged healthy young adults during free viewing of a feature film using HD-DOT and observed reproducible, synchronized cortical responses across a majority of the field-of-view, most prominently in hierarchical cortical areas related to visual and auditory processing, both within and between individuals. In order to more precisely interpret broad patterns of cortical synchronization, we extracted visual and auditory features from the movie stimulus and mapped the cortical responses to the features. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of HD-DOT to evoked responses during naturalistic viewing, and that feature-based decomposition strategies enable functional mapping of naturalistic stimulus processing, including human-generated speech.
Fabrication of spent FCC catalyst composites by loaded V2O5 and TiO2 and their comparative photocatalytic activities
Authors: Xu Jiasheng , Zhang Te
Published: July 2019

The spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst (FCC) has been loaded with different content of V2O5 and TiO2 through a modified-impregnation method. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) are used to characterize the structure and morphology of these samples. Their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution under 300 W Xenon lamp irradiation. The interplanar spacing of the zeolite Y (111) plane is affected by the amount of the loaded V2O5 on spent FCC catalyst. The (111) plane of spent FCC catalyst loaded with V2O5 and TiO2 sample is 1.404 nm, which is higher than that of the zeolite Y (1.395 nm). The amount of adsorption of MB and the photocatalytic activity for the degradation increased with increasing the interplanar spacing of the (111) plane of sample. We fabricated of spent FCC catalyst composites by loaded V2O5 and TiO2, which effectively solved the spent FCC catalyst disposal problem. The efficiency of the developed sample provides a potentially economical way of degrading MB.
Tunable large free spectral range microring resonators in lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Krasnokutska Inna , Tambasco Jean-Luc J. , Peruzzo Alberto
Published: July 2019

Microring resonators are critical photonic components used in filtering, sensing and nonlinear applications. To date, the development of high performance microring resonators in LNOI has been limited by the sidewall angle, roughness and etch depth of fabricated rib waveguides. We present large free spectral range microring resonators patterned via electron beam lithography in high-index contrast Z-cut LNOI. Our microring resonators achieve an FSR greater than 5 nm for ring radius of 30 μm and a large 3 dB resonance bandwidth. We demonstrate 3 pm/V electro-optic tuning of a 70 μm-radius ring. This work will enable efficient on-chip filtering in LNOI and precede future, more complex, microring resonator networks and nonlinear field enhancement applications.
Comparative Study of Subcutaneous and Orthotopic Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer: Vascular Perfusion, Vasculature Density, Hypoxic Burden and BB2r-Targeting Efficacy
Authors: Zhang Wenting , Fan Wei , Rachagani Satyanarayana , Zhou Zhengyuan , Lele Subodh M. , Batra Surinder K. , Garrison Jered C.
Published: July 2019

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (BB2r) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers including prostate cancer. As a consequence, the development of BB2r-targeted diagnostic/therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals has been widely explored. Both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models have been extensively used in BB2r-targeted agent development, but side-by-side studies examining how biological parameters (tumor perfusion efficacy, hypoxic burden and microvasculature density) impact BB2r-targeted agent delivery has not been reported. Herein, we examine these biological parameters using subcutaneous and orthotopic PC-3 xenografts. Using a dual isotope biodistribution study, tumor perfusion was accessed using [99mTc]NaTcO4 and BB2r-targeted uptake evaluated by utilization of a novel 177Lu-labeled conjugate ([177Lu]Lu-DOTA-SP714). Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and autoradiography were utilized to examine the tumor vascular density, hypoxic burden and microdistribution of the BB2r-targeted agent. Our studies demonstrated that compared to the subcutaneous model the PC-3 orthotopic tumors had significantly higher levels of perfusion that led to higher BB2r-targeted uptake and lower levels of hypoxia burden. It is anticipated that our results will allow researchers to better understand the biological variables affecting drug delivery and assist them in more clearly interpreting their results in this common prostate cancer mouse model.
Laser-driven vacuum breakdown waves
Authors: Samsonov A. S. , Nerush E. N. , Kostyukov I. Yu.
Published: July 2019

It is demonstrated by three-dimensional quantum electrodynamics — particle-in-cell (QED-PIC) simulations that vacuum breakdown wave in the form of QED cascade front can propagate in an extremely intense plane electromagnetic wave. The result disproves the statement that the self-sustained cascading is not possible in a plane wave configuration. In the simulations the cascade is initiated during laser-foil interaction in the light sail regime. As a result, a constantly growing electron-positron plasma cushion is formed between the foil and laser radiation. The cushion plasma efficiently absorbs the laser energy and decouples the radiation from the moving foil thereby interrupting the ion acceleration. The models describing propagation of the cascade front and electrodynamics of the cushion plasma are presented and their predictions are in a qualitative agreement with the results of numerical simulations.
A Novel Framework for Early Detection of Hypertension using Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Authors: Kandil Heba , Soliman Ahmed , Ghazal Mohammed , Mahmoud Ali , Shalaby Ahmed , Keynton Robert , Elmaghraby Adel , Giridharan Guruprasad , El-Baz Ayman
Published: July 2019

Hypertension is a leading mortality cause of 410,000 patients in USA. Cerebrovascular structural changes that occur as a result of chronically elevated cerebral perfusion pressure are hypothesized to precede the onset of systemic hypertension. A novel framework is presented in this manuscript to detect and quantify cerebrovascular changes (i.e. blood vessel diameters and tortuosity changes) using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) data. The proposed framework consists of: 1) A novel adaptive segmentation algorithm to delineate large as well as small blood vessels locally using 3-D spatial information and appearance features of the cerebrovascular system; 2) Estimating the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the 3-D distance map of the cerebrovascular system to quantify alterations in cerebral blood vessels’ diameters; 3) Calculation of mean and Gaussian curvatures to quantify cerebrovascular tortuosity; and 4) Statistical and correlation analyses to identify the relationship between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral blood vessels’ diameters and tortuosity alterations. The proposed framework was validated using MAP and MRA data collected from 15 patients over a 700-days period. The novel adaptive segmentation algorithm recorded a 92.23% Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), a 94.82% sensitivity, a 99.00% specificity, and a 10.00% absolute vessels volume difference (AVVD) in delineating cerebral blood vessels from surrounding tissues compared to the ground truth. Experiments demonstrated that MAP is inversely related to cerebral blood vessel diameters (p-value < 0.05) globally (over the whole brain) and locally (at circle of Willis and below). A statistically significant direct correlation (p-value < 0.05) was found between MAP and tortuosity (medians of Gaussian and mean curvatures, and average of mean curvature) globally and locally (at circle of Willis and below). Quantification of the cerebrovascular diameter and tortuosity changes may enable clinicians to predict elevated blood pressure before its onset and optimize medical treatment plans of pre-hypertension and hypertension.
Detection of dynamic protein complexes through Markov Clustering based on Elephant Herd Optimization Approach
Authors: Rani R. Ranjani , Ramyachitra D. , Brindhadevi A.
Published: July 2019

The accessibility of a huge amount of protein-protein interaction (PPI) data has allowed to do research on biological networks that reveal the structure of a protein complex, pathways and its cellular organization. A key demand in computational biology is to recognize the modular structure of such biological networks. The detection of protein complexes from the PPI network, is one of the most challenging and significant problems in the post-genomic era. In Bioinformatics, the frequently employed approach for clustering the networks is Markov Clustering (MCL). Many of the researches for protein complex detection were done on the static PPI network, which suffers from a few drawbacks. To resolve this problem, this paper proposes an approach to detect the dynamic protein complexes through Markov Clustering based on Elephant Herd Optimization Approach (DMCL-EHO). Initially, the proposed method divides the PPI network into a set of dynamic subnetworks under various time points by combining the gene expression data and secondly, it employs the clustering analysis on every subnetwork using the MCL along with Elephant Herd Optimization approach. The experimental analysis was employed on different PPI network datasets and the proposed method surpasses various existing approaches in terms of accuracy measures. This paper identifies the common protein complexes that are expressively enriched in gold-standard datasets and also the pathway annotations of the detected protein complexes using the KEGG database.
A potential role for rare species in ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Säterberg Torbjörn , Jonsson Tomas , Yearsley Jon , Berg Sofia , Ebenman Bo
Published: July 2019

The ecological importance of common species for many ecosystem processes and functions is unquestionably due to their high abundance. Yet, the importance of rare species is much less understood. Here we take a theoretical approach, exposing dynamical models of ecological networks to small perturbations, to explore the dynamical importance of rare and common species. We find that both species types contribute to the recovery of communities following generic perturbations (i.e. perturbations affecting all species). Yet, when perturbations are selective (i.e. affects only one species), perturbations to rare species have the most pronounced effect on community stability. We show that this is due to the strong indirect effects induced by perturbations to rare species. Because indirect effects typically set in at longer timescales, our results indicate that the importance of rare species may be easily overlooked and thus underrated. Hence, our study provides a potential ecological motive for the management and protection of rare species.
Artificial intelligence for morphology-based function prediction in neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: von der Emde Leon , Pfau Maximilian , Dysli Chantal , Thiele Sarah , Möller Philipp T. , Lindner Moritz , Schmid Matthias , Fleckenstein Monika , Holz Frank G. , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen
Published: July 2019

Spatially-resolved mapping of rod- and cone-function may facilitate monitoring of macular diseases and serve as a functional outcome parameter. However, mesopic and dark-adapted two-color fundus-controlled perimetry (FCP, also called “microperimetry”) constitute laborious examinations. We have devised a machine-learning-based approach to predict mesopic and dark-adapted (DA) retinal sensitivity in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Extensive psychophysical testing and volumetric multimodal retinal imaging data were acquired including mesopic, DA red and DA cyan FCP, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy infrared reflectance and fundus autofluorescence imaging. With patient-wise leave-one-out cross-validation, we have been able to achieve prediction accuracies of (mean absolute error, MAE [95% CI]) 3.94 dB [3.38, 4.5] for mesopic, 4.93 dB [4.59, 5.27] for DA cyan and 4.02 dB [3.63, 4.42] for DA red testing. Partial addition of patient-specific sensitivity data decreased the cross-validated MAE to 2.8 dB [2.51, 3.09], 3.71 dB [3.46, 3.96], and 2.85 dB [2.62, 3.08]. The most important predictive feature was outer nuclear layer thickness. This artificial intelligence-based analysis strategy, termed “inferred sensitivity”, herein, enables to estimate differential effects of retinal structural abnormalities on cone- and rod-function in nAMD, and may be used as quasi-functional surrogate endpoint in future clinical trials.
Knockout of Acinar Enriched microRNAs in Mice Promote Duct Formation But Not Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Sutaria Dhruvitkumar S. , Jiang Jinmai , Azevedo-Pouly Ana Clara , Wright Lais , Bray Julie A. , Fredenburg Kristianna , Liu Xiuli , Lu Jun , Torres Carolina , Mancinelli Georgina , Grippo Paul J. , Coppola Vincenzo , Schmittgen Thomas D.
Published: July 2019

The pancreatic acinar-enriched miR-216a, miR-216b and miR-217 are encoded within the miR217HG. These miRNAs have been purported to play a tumor suppressive role as their expression is reduced in both human and mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To examine this possibility, we generated individual, germline knockout (KO) mice of miR-216a, miR-216b or miR-217. Unlike our previous study showing germline deletion of the miR217HG was embryonic lethal, CRISPR-Cas9 deleted portions of the 5’ seed region of the miRNAs produced live births. To investigate possible phenotypes during pancreatic acinar ductal metaplasia (ADM), pancreatic acini from wild type and KO mice were plated on collagen and allowed to transdifferentiate over 4 days. Acini from each of the three miRNA KO mice produced greater numbers of ducts compared to controls. Evaluation of the gene expression during in vitro ADM demonstrated an increase in Krt19 and a reduction in acinar genes (Carboxypeptidase A1, Amylase2a) on day 4 of the transdifferentiation. Recovery was delayed for the miR-216a and miR-216b KOs following caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Also predominate in the caerulein treated miR-216a and miR-216b KO mice was the presence of pancreatic duct glands (PDGs). To further establish a phenotype, miRNA KO mice were crossed with EL-KRASG12D (EK) mice and followed up to 13 months of age. While all mice developed severe dysplasia and cystic papillary neoplasms, there existed no apparent phenotypic difference in the miRNA KO/EK mice compared to EK mice. Our data does not support a tumor suppressor role for miR-216a, miR-216b or miR-217 in PDAC and emphasizes the need for phenotypic evaluation of miRNAs in complex in vivo models beyond that performed using cell culture.
Miltefosine increases macrophage cholesterol release and inhibits NLRP3-inflammasome assembly and IL-1β release
Authors: Iacano Amanda J. , Lewis Harvey , Hazen Jennie E. , Andro Heather , Smith Jonathan D. , Gulshan Kailash
Published: July 2019

Miltefosine is an FDA approved oral drug for treating cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania is a flagellated protozoa, which infects and differentiates in macrophages. Here, we studied the effects of Miltefosine on macrophage’s lipid homeostasis, autophagy, and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly/activity. Miltefosine treatment conferred multiple effects on macrophage lipid homeostasis leading to increased cholesterol release from cells, increased lipid-raft disruption, decreased phosphatidylserine (PS) flip from the cell-surface, and redistribution of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) from the plasma membrane to actin rich regions in the cells. Enhanced basal autophagy, lipophagy and mitophagy was observed in cells treated with Miltefosine vs. control. Miltefosine treated cells showed marked increased in phosphorylation of kinases involved in autophagy induction such as; Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase (ULK1). The Toll like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway was blunted by Miltefosine treatment, resulting in decreased TLR4 recruitment to cell-surface and ~75% reduction in LPS induced pro-IL-1β mRNA levels. Miltefosine reduced endotoxin-mediated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and protected the mitochondrial membrane potential. Miltefosine treatment induced mitophagy and dampened NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Collectively, our data shows that Miltefosine induced ABCA1 mediated cholesterol release, induced AMPK phosphorylation and mitophagy, while dampening NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and IL-1β release.
Targeting of lipid metabolism with a metabolic inhibitor cocktail eradicates peritoneal metastases in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Chen Rain R. , Yung Mingo M. H. , Xuan Yang , Zhan Shijie , Leung Leanne L. , Liang Rachel R. , Leung Thomas H. Y. , Yang Huijuan , Xu Dakang , Sharma Rakesh , Chan Karen K. L. , Ngu Siew-Fei , Ngan Hextan Y. S. , Chan David W.
Published: July 2019

Ovarian cancer is an intra-abdominal tumor in which the presence of ascites facilitates metastatic dissemination, and associated with poor prognosis. However, the significance of metabolic alterations in ovarian cancer cells in the ascites microenvironment remains unclear. Here we show ovarian cancer cells exhibited increased aggressiveness in ascites microenvironment via reprogramming of lipid metabolism. High lipid metabolic activities are found in ovarian cancer cells when cultured in the ascites microenvironment, indicating a metabolic shift from aerobic glycolysis to β-oxidation and lipogenesis. The reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity due to the feedback effect of high energy production led to the activation of its downstream signaling, which in turn, enhanced the cancer growth. The combined treatment of low toxic AMPK activators, the transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors synergistically impair oncogenic augmentation of ovarian cancer. Collectively, targeting lipid metabolism signaling axis impede ovarian cancer peritoneal metastases.
Holographic vector field electron tomography of three-dimensional nanomagnets
Authors: Wolf Daniel , Biziere Nicolas , Sturm Sebastian , Reyes David , Wade Travis , Niermann Tore , Krehl Jonas , Warot-Fonrose Benedicte , Büchner Bernd , Snoeck Etienne , Gatel Christophe , Lubk Axel
Published: July 2019

Complex 3D magnetic textures in nanomagnets exhibit rich physical properties, e.g., in their dynamic interaction with external fields and currents, and play an increasing role for current technological challenges such as energy-efficient memory devices. To study these magnetic nanostructures including their dependency on geometry, composition, and crystallinity, a 3D characterization of the magnetic field with nanometer spatial resolution is indispensable. Here we show how holographic vector field electron tomography can reconstruct all three components of magnetic induction as well as the electrostatic potential of a Co/Cu nanowire with sub 10 nm spatial resolution. We address the workflow from acquisition, via image alignment to holographic and tomographic reconstruction. Combining the obtained tomographic data with micromagnetic considerations, we derive local key magnetic characteristics, such as magnetization current or exchange stiffness, and demonstrate how magnetization configurations, such as vortex states in the Co-disks, depend on small structural variations of the as-grown nanowire.
Light emission from the layered metal 2H-TaSe2 and its potential applications
Authors: Mahajan Mehak , Kallatt Sangeeth , Dandu Medha , Sharma Naresh , Gupta Shilpi , Majumdar Kausik
Published: July 2019

Conventional metals, in general, do not exhibit strong photoluminescence. 2H-TaSe2 is a layered transition metal dichalcogenide that possesses metallic property with charge density wave characteristics. Here we show that 2H-TaSe2 exhibits a surprisingly strong optical absorption and photoluminescence resulting from inter-band transitions. We use this perfect combination of electrical and optical properties in several optoelectronic applications. We show a sevenfold enhancement in the photoluminescence intensity of otherwise weakly luminescent multi-layer MoS2 through non-radiative resonant energy transfer from TaSe2 transition dipoles. Using a combination of scanning photocurrent and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements, we also show that the hot electrons generated by light absorption in TaSe2 have a rather long lifetime unlike conventional metals, making TaSe2 an excellent hot electron injector. Finally, we show a vertical TaSe2/MoS2/graphene photodetector demonstrating a responsivity of >10 AW−1 at 0.1 MHz—one of the fastest reported photodetectors using MoS2.
Introduction to Microbes and Infection in the Modern World
Authors: Doloff Joshua C.
Published: July 2019

Microbial infections single-handedly account for many diseases, acute as well as chronic, throughout the modern world, in developed as well as developing nations. In many cases, microbes are required for normal immune function, as germ-free animals have dysfunctional immunity. As a consequence, the traditional idea that all bacteria are bad, and thus the over-prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics has led not only to multi-drug resistance, but also an imbalance of innocuous vs. harmful pathogens outside in warm bodies of water where we swim, as well as on and inside of our bodies (skin, mouth, lung, gut, urinary tract, vagina, etc.). This has created many difficulties, not only for patients, but also for healthcare providers, who not only have hospital-specific profiles for which drug-resistant bacterial strains (Gram-negative and/or positive) are prevalent in various patient-care facilities, but also worries about complicating and life-threatening incurable infections, obtained by traditional modes of transmission, or following invasive surgical procedures (e.g., implants, cancer resections, corrective surgery, etc.), and spread among patients, as well as the nurses and doctors who treat them. The Human Microbiome Project is a recent initiative to help derive essential understanding of how to discern which microbes are helpful vs. harmful, in an effort to determine improved preventative healthcare (probiotic maintenance, etc.), and in cases of diagnosed disease, the best course of treatment and how we may innovate more effective therapies.
Metal-based Antimicrobials
Authors: Monych N. K. , Gugala N. , Turner R. J.
Published: July 2019

This chapter describes the antimicrobial uses of metals and metal-based compounds. It follows the historical use of metal-based antimicrobials (MBAs), their decline with the emergence of antibiotics and subsequent rediscovery with the advent of antibiotic resistance. Here, the potential mechanisms of metal toxicity are discussed, including binding biochemistries, production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, inhibition of protein/enzyme activity, interaction with the lipid cell membrane and effects on nutrient uptake and DNA damage. The potential of MBA nanoparticles, their use and the mechanisms of toxicity are briefly discussed. Current applications and formulations of a wide range of MBAs are examined and the consequences associated with their use provides the reader with recognition of our responsibility to prevent misuse.
Controlled synthesis of PEGylated surface protein-imprinted nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Xue , Sun Yan , Xiang Yang , Qiu Fengtao , Fu Guoqi
Published: July 2019

Controlled synthesis of PEGylated protein-imprinted nanoparticles with enhanced recognition selectivity via surface-initiated RAFT polymerization.
Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin promotes energy metabolism through activating AMPKα in male C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Jiang Hao , Yoshioka Yasukiyo , Yuan Sihao , Horiuchi Yuko , Yamashita Yoko , Croft Kevin D. , Ashida Hitoshi
Published: July 2019

Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a quercetin glycoside with a greater bioavailability, is a potential food additive for the regulation of energy metabolism through AMPK phosphorylation.
Electrospray deposition followed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (ESD-LIBS): a new method for trace elemental analysis of aqueous samples
Authors: Ripoll L. , Hidalgo M.
Published: July 2019

Hyphenation of electrospray deposition with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as an alternative approach for sensitive elemental analysis of liquids with high possibilities of automation.
Molybdenum oxide nano-dumplings with excellent stability for photothermal cancer therapy and as a controlled release hydrogel
Authors: Yang Haiyao , Guo Yanxian , Zhuang Zhengfei , Zhong Huiqing , Hu Chaofan , Liu Zhiming , Guo Zhouyi
Published: July 2019

MoO3−x is synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method, with excellent stability against aging, heat, laser exposure and chemical etching.
Revisiting the use of electrolyte additives in Li–S batteries: the role of porosity of sulfur host materials
Authors: Singh Arvinder , Rafie Ayda , Kalra Vibha
Published: July 2019

The role of mesoporous carbon nanofibers as a sulfur host is highlighted for the efficient use of a biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol electrolyte additive in Li–S batteries.
One-step solid-phase boronation to fabricate self-supported porous FeNiB/FeNi foam for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution and overall water splitting
Authors: Yuan Hefeng , Wang Shumin , Gu Xundi , Tang Bin , Li Jinping , Wang Xiaoguang
Published: July 2019

A 3D core–shell-type FeNi@FeNiB electrocatalyst fabricated by environment-friendly solid-phase boronation exhibits remarkable catalytic activity and long-term stability for the OER in alkaline medium.
Sulfonyl-based non-fullerene electron acceptor-assisted grain boundary passivation for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Song Changjian , Li Xiaodong , Wang Yueming , Fu Sheng , Wan Li , Liu Shiyu , Zhang Wenjun , Song Weijie , Fang Junfeng
Published: July 2019

A sulfonyl-based IDIS-Th passivated perovskite film for high-efficiency and high-stability perovskite solar cells.
“Fishnet-like” ion-selective nanochannels in advanced membranes for flow batteries
Authors: Hu Lei , Gao Li , Zhang Changkun , Yan Xiaoming , Jiang Xiaobin , Zheng Wenji , Ruan Xuehua , Wu Xuemei , Yu Guihua , He Gaohong
Published: July 2019

“Fishnet-like” ion-selective nanochannels for advanced membranes are designed to enhance the efficiency and durability of flow batteries.
Highly efficient deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes based on pyreno[4,5-d]imidazole-anthracene structural isomers
Authors: Liu Hui , Kang Liangliang , Li Jinyu , Liu Futong , He Xin , Ren Shenghong , Tang Xiangyang , Lv Changli , Lu Ping
Published: July 2019

By integrating PyI with anthracene, two high-efficiency blue emitters C-BPyIA and N-BPyIA are obtained. Especially, N-BPyIA exhibits decent device performance with an EQEmax of 7.67% in the deep blue region.
Thermal imprinting and vapor annealing of interfacial layers for high-performance organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Li Mingguang , Wang Jun , Zhang Ying , Dai Yizhong , Chen Lingfeng , Zheng Chao , Lv Wenzhen , Chen Runfeng , Huang Wei
Published: July 2019

A thermal imprinting and vapor annealing (TIVA) method was developed to regulate the microstructures of a PEDOT:PSS interfacial layer for high-performance OLEDs.
Electrical-pumping spasing action from cross-stacked microwires
Authors: Li Zhanguo , He Gaohang , Jiang Mingming , Ji Jiaolong , Shan Chongxin , Shen Dezhen
Published: July 2019

Electrically pumped spasing action was achieved on account of a single ZnO:Ga microwire crossed with an AuNPs@ZnO:Ga microwire. The dominant emission wavelengths are centered at 550 nm, accompanied by the spectral linewidth narrowing to 2 nm.
Celastrol pretreatment as a therapeutic option against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Boran Tugce , Gunaydin Aysenur , Jannuzzi Ayse Tarbin , Ozcagli Eren , Alpertunga Buket
Published: July 2019

Celastrol is a natural bioactive compound extracted from the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. It exhibits immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of a wide range of tumors. Although very effective therapeutically, it can cause nephrotoxicity leading to dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. This study aims to clarify the therapeutic potential of celastrol in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The possible protective effects of celastrol pretreatment against cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity were investigated. A rat kidney epithelial cell line NRK-52E was pretreated with the desired concentrations of celastrol (200 nM, 100 nM, and 50 nM) for 24 h. The cells were treated with 50 μM cisplatin for a further 24 h to see whether cisplatin caused the same or less toxicity compared to the vehicle control group. Alkaline comet assay was performed for genotoxicity assessment. Genotoxicity evaluation revealed that celastrol caused a statistically significant reduction in DNA damage. Oxidative stress parameters were evaluated by measuring the glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels and also by measuring the enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. Celastrol pretreatment increased the GSH content of the cells and ameliorated the protein carbonylation level. Likewise, celastrol pretreatment improved the GR and CAT activities. However, no significant difference was observed in GPx and SOD activities. In the light of these findings, celastrol treatment could be a therapeutic option to reduce cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Further studies are needed for the clarification of its therapeutic potential.
Long-lived animals with negligible senescence: clues for ageing research
Authors: Stenvinkel Peter , Shiels Paul G.
Published: July 2019

Among several theories to explain the complicated process of human ageing, the mitochondrial oxidative stress hypothesis has received recent attention. Considering that lifespan and ageing rates vary considerably across taxa, a better understanding of factors that lead to negligible or extremely rapid senescence in mammals may generate novel approaches to target human ageing. Several species, such as naked mole rats, ocean quahog, rockfish and Greenland shark, have been identified that exhibit negligible senescence and superior resistance to age-related diseases. Considering that the available literature suggests that their outstanding stress resistance is linked to maintenance of protein homeostasis and robust mitochondrial functions, treatments that target protein modification and upregulation of matrix antioxidants may have implications for extending human health span.
Nuclear failure, DNA damage, and cell cycle disruption after migration through small pores: a brief review
Authors: Pfeifer Charlotte R. , Vashisth Manasvita , Xia Yuntao , Discher Dennis E.
Published: July 2019

In many contexts of development, regeneration, or disease such as cancer, a cell squeezes through a dense tissue or a basement membrane, constricting its nucleus. Here, we describe how the severity of nuclear deformation depends on a nucleus’ mechanical properties that are mostly determined by the density of chromatin and by the nuclear lamina. We explain how constriction-induced nuclear deformation affects nuclear contents by causing (i) local density changes in chromatin and (ii) rupture of the nuclear lamina and envelope. Both processes mislocalize diffusible nuclear factors including key DNA repair and regulatory proteins. Importantly, these effects of constricted migration are accompanied by excess DNA damage, marked by phosphorylated histone γH2AX in fixed cells. Rupture has a number of downstream consequences that include a delayed cell cycle—consistent with a damage checkpoint—and modulation of differentiation, both of which are expected to affect migration-dependent processes ranging from wound healing to tumorigenic invasion.
Low phase‐noise high output power 176‐GHz voltage‐controlled oscillator in a 130‐nm BiCMOS technology
Authors: Bello Habeeb , Pantoli Leonardo , Ng Herman Jalli , Kissinger Dietmar , Leuzzi Giorgio
Published: July 2019

In this study, the authors present the design and measurement results of a voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) that is based on a Colpitts core topology and a cascade output buffer. The circuit has a centre frequency of 176 GHz and is implemented in a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology provided by IHP foundry. The VCO is a differential fundamental wave tunable oscillator that makes use of a transistor‐based LC‐resonator. On‐wafer measurements show a tuning range of about 5% from 171 to 179.5 GHz. The circuit achieves a maximum output power of 7.3 dBm when biased at 1.6 V and 6.5 dBm if biased at 1.4 V, both with an efficiency of ∼ 6.6%. DC power consumption is 82 and 52 mW, respectively. The measured phase‐noise of the VCO is − 110 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offset. The VCO demonstrates state‐of‐the‐art performance at these frequencies with very good performance in term of output power, efficiency linearity, phase noise and compactness; in addition, thanks to the proposed architecture it shows high integrability at the system level.
Design of a broad‐band microstrip loop antennas with less‐dispersive group velocity for accurate direction finding
Authors: Yoo Sungjun , Byun Gangil , Choo Hosung
Published: July 2019

This study proposes the design of broad‐band microstrip loop antennas with less‐dispersive group velocity of radiation patterns for accurate direction of arrival (DoA) estimation. The proposed structure consists of radiating and feeding microstrip loops, and the radiating loop is electromagnetically coupled to the feeding loop. This feeding mechanism helps to suppress phase variations of radiating patterns by avoiding dual resonances within a wide frequency band over 60 MHz, which allows to obtain the less‐dispersive group velocity for accurate DoA estimation. The effectiveness of the less‐dispersive behaviour is validated by implementing the proposed structure into a four‐element array to estimate vertical and horizontal placements using dual‐axis phase interferometry. The results confirm that the proposed antenna has less‐dispersive group velocity compared to a conventional microstrip patch antenna and is more suitable for accurate DoA estimation.
Simplified double switching SVPWM implementation for three‐level VSI
Authors: Vivek Gopinathan , Biswas Jayanta , Nair Meenu D. , Barai Mukti
Published: July 2019

A generalised space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) framework for the realisation of all double switching states with a memory‐optimised method is proposed to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) and to provide neutral point voltage balancing for three‐level NPC voltage source inverter (VSI). The proposal provides an efficient SVPWM implementationwith reduced hardware requirement and zero increase in software complexity in comparison to the existing schemes. Microcontroller analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC) hardware replaces multichannel ADC and associated Field programmable gate array hardware in this proposal. The proposed method follows digital control architecture and eliminates the need to sample phase voltages separately. The proposed algorithm samples rms voltage of one phase and generates eight bit modulation index command by a suitable compensation algorithm. The implemented SVPWM algorithm takes the modulation index command value and generates phase voltage values by multiplying with the stored sine angle values. Gate pulses are generated in the proposed implementation by the hardware pulse width modulation (PWM) block and there is no need for digital‐to‐analogue converter. The proposed strategy is validated with a fundamental frequency of 50 Hz on a 2 KVA three‐phase three‐level insulated gate bipolar transistor‐based VSI using low‐cost PIC microcontroller. The superiority of the proposed method lies in providing an efficient three‐level SVPWM implementation with reduced THD, neutral point voltage balancing, reduced hardware requirement, small lookup table and zero increase in the software computing overhead.
Improved converted measurement Kalman filter for satellite‐borne multi‐target tracking
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhao Kairui , Wei Shaoming , Wei Zixiang
Published: July 2019

This study introduces a special converted measurement Kalman filter (CMKF) algorithm which apply to satellite for tracking target. Typical CMKF applies to radar which measures targets in spherical coordinate system. The new algorithm can be used by satellite which measures target's latitude and longitude. Improved CMKF algorithm tracks target in simple situation but is not able to deal with multi‐target and information missing situation. Multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) can track multi‐target accurately and has the ability to initial track and end track at all times. For satellite, MHT use improved CMKF to calculate cost matrix and update the state estimate and estimate covariance. In the simulation, tracking process is simulated by MATLAB. Single target measured by satellite can be tracked accurately by CMKF algorithm. MHT can track multi‐target accurately and distinguish the information missing rightly.