bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precision multidimensional neural population code recovered from single intracellular recordings
Authors: Johnson James K. , Geng Songyuan , Hoffman Maximilian W. , Adesnik Hillel , Wessel Ralf 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNeurons in sensory cortices are more naturally and deeply integrated than any current neural population recording tools (e.g. electrode arrays, fluorescence imaging). Two concepts facilitate efforts to observe population neural code with single-cell recordings. First, even the highest quality single-cell recording studies find a fraction of the stimulus information in high-dimensional population recordings. Finding any of this missing information provides proof of principle. Second, neurons and neural populations are understood as coupled nonlinear differential equations. Therefore, fitted ordinary differential equations provide a basis for single-trial single-cell stimulus decoding. We obtained intracellular recordings of fluctuating transmembrane current and potential in mouse visual cortex during stimulation with drifting gratings. We use mean deflection from baseline when comparing to prior single-cell studies because action potentials are too sparse and the deflection response to drifting grating stimuli (e.g. tuning curves) are well studied. Equation-based decoders allowed more precise single-trial stimulus discrimination than tuning-curve-base decoders. Performance varied across recorded signal types in a manner consistent with population recording studies and both classification bases evinced distinct stimulus-evoked phases of population dynamics, providing further corroboration. Naturally and deeply integrated observations of population dynamics would be invaluable. We offer proof of principle and a versatile framework.
Dual-guiding-layer resonance structure with an embedded metasurface for quasi-critical coupling without a perfect mirror
Authors: Park Gyeong Cheol , Park Kwangwook 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe propose an all-dielectric quasi-one-port resonance structure that achieves near perfect absorption without the use of a back mirror. The structure mainly consists of a high-refractive-index silicon metasurface and surrounding high-refractive-index guiding layers. The dual-guiding-layer (DGL) structure has high background reflectance and is designed to have a ratio of two decay rates into the upper and lower regions within a wider range. When an absorbing material is introduced into a DGL system, it can be designed to achieve a near critical-coupling condition by reducing the constraints in the two decay rates. By using single-layer graphene as an absorbing material, the DGL resonance structure shows an absorption of ~ 97% and a phase change of ∼ 0.95π near the wavelength of 1550 nm, confirming quasi-critical coupling. The optimized DGL structure is relatively insensitive to potential fabrication imperfections, and consequently, the expected average peak wavelength and absorption are obtained as 1549.29 nm and 96.74%, respectively. Angle-dependent absorption confirms that maximum absorption occurs under normal incidence. The DGL absorber is also designed to cover the whole C-band region, in order to meet the quasi-critical-coupling condition. All mode profiles are similarly quasi-symmetric along the metasurface due to the same DGL resonance mechanism.
Changes in transcriptomic response to salinity stress induce the brackish water adaptation in a freshwater snail
Authors: Yokomizo Takumi , Takahashi Yuma 
Published: September 2020

AbstractStudying the mechanisms of the establishment of a population in a novel environment allows us to examine the process of local adaptations and subsequent range expansion. In a river system, detecting genetic or phenotypic differences between a freshwater and brackish water population could contribute to our understanding of the initial process of brackish water adaptation. Here, we investigated behavioural and gene expression responses to salt water in a freshwater and brackish water population of the freshwater snail, Semisulcospira reiniana. Although the individuals in brackish water exhibited significantly higher activity in saltwater than freshwater individuals just after sampling, the activity of freshwater individuals had increased in the second observation after rearing, suggesting that their salinity tolerance was plastic rather than genetic. We found 476 and 1002 differentially expressed genes across salinity conditions in the freshwater and brackish water populations, respectively. The major biological process involved in the salinity response of the freshwater population was the biosynthesis and metabolic processing of nitrogen-containing compounds, but that of the brackish water population was influenced by the chitin metabolic process. These results suggest that phenotypic plasticity induces adaptation to brackish water in the freshwater snail by modifying its physiological response to salinity.
Evaluation of anatomical and physiological traits of Solanum pennellii Cor. associated with plant yield in tomato plants under water-limited conditions
Authors: Dariva Françoise Dalprá , Copati Mariane Gonçalves Ferreira , Pessoa Herika Paula , Alves Flávia Maria , Dias Felipe de Oliveira , Picoli Edgard Augusto de Toledo , da Cunha Fernando França , Nick Carlos 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough intensively studied, few works had looked into S. pennellii’s ability to cope with water-deficit conditions from a breeding point of view. In this study, we assessed potential traits of S. pennellii, that had previously been linked to high yields in other plant species, under long-term water-limited conditions and made a parallel with plant yield. For this purpose, the drought-resistant tomato genotypes IL 3–5 and IL 10–1, and the drought-sensitive IL 2–5 and IL 7–1 at seed level, together with both parents the S. pennellii accession LA 716 and the cultivar M82 were kept at 50 and 100% ASW throughout the growing season. Our findings confirm the superiority of LA 716 under water-limited conditions compared to the other S. lycopersicum genotypes in terms of plant water status maintenance. Percentual reduction on plant yield was higher in IL 3–5 and IL 10–1 than in M82 plants, indicating no correlation between drought resistance on germination and plant productive stages. A strong positive correlation was found between fruit yield and A, gs, and Ψleaf at 50% ASW, suggesting these traits as important selection criteria. LT and gmin, LA 716’s most promising traits, did not show a linear correlation with fruit yield under low water regimes. This study unravels traits behind tomato performance under water-limited conditions and should work as guidance for breeders aiming at developing drought-resistant tomato cultivars.
Regeneration of unconventional natural gas by methanogens co-existing with sulfate-reducing prokaryotes in deep shale wells in China
Authors: Zhang Yimeng , Yu Zhisheng , Zhang Yiming , Zhang Hongxun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBiogenic methane in shallow shale reservoirs has been proven to contribute to economic recovery of unconventional natural gas. However, whether the microbes inhabiting the deeper shale reservoirs at an average depth of 4.1 km and even co-occurring with sulfate-reducing prokaryote (SRP) have the potential to produce biomethane is still unclear. Stable isotopic technique with culture-dependent and independent approaches were employed to investigate the microbial and functional diversity related to methanogenic pathways and explore the relationship between SRP and methanogens in the shales in the Sichuan Basin, China. Although stable isotopic ratios of the gas implied a thermogenic origin for methane, the decreased trend of stable carbon and hydrogen isotope value provided clues for increasing microbial activities along with sustained gas production in these wells. These deep shale-gas wells harbored high abundance of methanogens (17.2%) with ability of utilizing various substrates for methanogenesis, which co-existed with SRP (6.7%). All genes required for performing methylotrophic, hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis were present. Methane production experiments of produced water, with and without additional available substrates for methanogens, further confirmed biomethane production via all three methanogenic pathways. Statistical analysis and incubation tests revealed the partnership between SRP and methanogens under in situ sulfate concentration (~ 9 mg/L). These results suggest that biomethane could be produced with more flexible stimulation strategies for unconventional natural gas recovery even at the higher depths and at the presence of SRP.
RNA-cDNA hybrids mediate transposition via different mechanisms
Authors: Todd Lauren A. , Hall Amanda C. , Pietrobon Violena , Chan Janet N. Y. , Laflamme Guillaume , Mekhail Karim 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRetrotransposons can represent half of eukaryotic genomes. Retrotransposon dysregulation destabilizes genomes and has been linked to various human diseases. Emerging regulators of retromobility include RNA–DNA hybrid-containing structures known as R-loops. Accumulation of these structures at the transposons of yeast 1 (Ty1) elements has been shown to increase Ty1 retromobility through an unknown mechanism. Here, via a targeted genetic screen, we identified the rnh1Δ rad27Δ yeast mutant, which lacked both the Ty1 inhibitor Rad27 and the RNA–DNA hybrid suppressor Rnh1. The mutant exhibited elevated levels of Ty1 cDNA-associated RNA–DNA hybrids that promoted Ty1 mobility. Moreover, in this rnh1Δ rad27Δ mutant, but not in the double RNase H mutant rnh1Δ rnh201Δ, RNA–DNA hybrids preferentially existed as duplex nucleic acid structures and increased Ty1 mobility in a Rad52-dependent manner. The data indicate that in cells lacking RNA–DNA hybrid and Ty1 repressors, elevated levels of RNA-cDNA hybrids, which are associated with duplex nucleic acid structures, boost Ty1 mobility via a Rad52-dependent mechanism. In contrast, in cells lacking RNA–DNA hybrid repressors alone, elevated levels of RNA-cDNA hybrids, which are associated with triplex nucleic acid structures, boost Ty1 mobility via a Rad52-independent process. We propose that duplex and triplex RNA–DNA hybrids promote transposon mobility via Rad52-dependent or -independent mechanisms.
Breast cancer biomarker detection through the photoluminescence of epitaxial monolayer MoS2 flakes
Authors: Catalán-Gómez Sergio , Briones María , Cortijo-Campos Sandra , García-Mendiola Tania , de Andrés Alicia , Garg Sourav , Kung Patrick , Lorenzo Encarnación , Pau Jose Luis , Redondo-Cubero Andrés 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this work we report on the characterization and biological functionalization of 2D MoS2flakes, epitaxially grown on sapphire, to develop an optical biosensor for the breast cancer biomarker miRNA21. The MoS2flakes were modified with a thiolated DNA probe complementary to the target biomarker. Based on the photoluminescence of MoS2, the hybridization events were analyzed for the target (miRNA21c) and the control non-complementary sequence (miRNA21nc). A specific redshift was observed for the hybridization with miRNA21c, but not for the control, demonstrating the biomarker recognition via PL. The homogeneity of these MoS2platforms was verified with microscopic maps. The detailed spectroscopic analysis of the spectra reveals changes in the trion to excitation ratio, being the redshift after the hybridization ascribed to both peaks. The results demonstrate the benefits of optical biosensors based on MoS2monolayer for future commercial devices.
Angular super-resolution retrieval in small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Gutman Benjamin , Mrejen Michael , Shabat Gil , Avinery Ram , Shkolnisky Yoel , Beck Roy 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSmall-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques enable convenient nanoscopic characterization for various systems and conditions. Unlike synchrotron-based setups, lab-based SAXS systems intrinsically suffer from lower X-ray flux and limited angular resolution. Here, we develop a two-step retrieval methodology to enhance the angular resolution for given experimental conditions. Using minute hardware additions, we show that translating the X-ray detector in subpixel steps and modifying the incoming beam shape results in a set of 2D scattering images, which is sufficient for super-resolution SAXS retrieval. The technique is verified experimentally to show superior resolution. Such advantages have a direct impact on the ability to resolve finer nanoscopic structures and can be implemented in most existing SAXS apparatuses both using synchrotron- and laboratory-based sources.
Eco-friendly approach for biosorption of Pb2+ and carcinogenic Congo red dye from binary solution onto sustainable Ulva lactuca biomass
Authors: El-Ahmady El-Naggar Noura , Rabei Nashwa H. , El-Malkey Sahar E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDyes constitute an important group of organic contaminants and are recognized for its harmful effects on the aquatic environments and humans. Heavy metals are also the largest group of inorganic pollutants due to their accumulation in the environment, contaminate food chains and cause adverse effects on the living organisms. Biosorption capacity ofUlva lactucabiomass was assessed in batch experiments for simultaneous removal of Pb2+and Congo red dye from binary solution. The process variables effects on Congo red dye and Pb2+removal percentages were explored by performing 50 experiments using Face-centered central composite design. The highest removal percentages of Congo red dye (97.89%) and Pb2+(98.78%) were achieved in the run no. 24, using 100 mg/L Congo red dye, 200 mg/L Pb2+, 3 g/L algal biomass, initial pH 6 and contact time was 120 min at 30 °C. FTIR analysis of the algal biomass showed the existence of many functional groups responsible for the biosorption process. After the biosorption process, SEM analysis revealed obvious morphological changes including surface shrinkage and the presence of new glossy Pb2+particles, and the EDS spectra reveals presence of additional Pb2+peak confirming the capacity ofUlva lactucabiomass to remove Pb2+from binary solution.
Consequences of different sample drying temperatures for accuracy of biomass inventories in forest ecosystems
Authors: Jagodziński Andrzej M. , Dyderski Marcin K. , Gęsikiewicz Kamil , Horodecki Paweł 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBiomass estimation is one of the crucial tasks of forest ecology. Drying tree material is a crucial stage of preparing biomass estimation tools. However, at this step researchers use different drying temperatures, but we do not know how this influences accuracy of models. We aimed to assess differences in dry biomass between two drying temperatures (75 °C and 105 °C) in tree biomass components and to provide coefficients allowing for recalculation between the given temperatures. We used a set of 1440 samples from bark, branches, foliage and wood of eight European tree species: Abies alba Mill., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Betula pendula Roth., Fagus sylvatica L., Larix decidua Mill., Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus robur L. The differences between drying temperatures were 1.67%, 1.76%, 2.20% and 0.96% of sample dry masses of bark, branches, foliage and stem wood, respectively. Tree species influenced these differences. Our study provided coefficients allowing for recalculation of masses between the two temperatures, to unify results from different studies. However, the difference in dry mass between the two temperatures studied is lower than the range of uncertainty of biomass models, thus its influence on results of large-scale biomass assessments is low.
Revisiting the physical mutagenesis for sugarcane improvement: a stomatal prospective
Authors: Yasmeen Shafquat , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Khan Imtiaz Ahmed 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the influence of gamma rays on stomatal parameters and the interaction of these traits with agronomy of the sugarcane crop. Three genotypes of sugarcane (NIA-0819, NIA-98, and BL4) were exposed to four doses of gamma radiation (10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy) and then subjected to field trials. Stomatal length, width, and density were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, agronomic and sugar-related characteristics of the crop were determined at maturity. The stomatal parameters augmented at two lower doses of gamma radiation (10 and 20 Gy) and declined under higher doses (30 and 40 Gy). The maximum stomatal length was observed in NIA-0819 at 10 Gy (63.71 µm), whereas NIA-98 and BL4 demonstrated highest stomatal length under 20 Gy (54.11 and 57.40 µm, respectively), indicating a role of genetic factors in varietal response. Similar trend was noticed for stomatal width and density as well. The lowermost treatment (10 Gy) of NIA-0819 produced maximum stomatal density (115.31 stomata mm-2 on the abaxial surface). Adaxial stomatal density was significantly lower than the abaxial one. Sugar quality attributes revealed a different tendency. Sucrose contents of BL4 increased gradually from 12.33% at control to 14.54% at 40 Gy. Yield and yield-contributing traits of genotypes indicated a strong positive correlation with the stomatal parameters. The present study suggested that gamma radiations cause variations in stomatal characteristics of sugarcane. These changes further influence the photosynthetic activity and instigate a direct impact on the agronomic performance of the crop.
Solvothermal synthesis of Fe3O4 nanospheres for high-performance electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor
Authors: Xu Jiasheng , Sun Yuting , Zhang Jie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFerroferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanospheres have been synthesized via a facile solvothermal procedure to serve as an electrode material for high performance non-enzymatic glucose sensor. The as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanospheres with a uniform size from 16 to 18 nm, which can increase the reaction contact area and the active sites in the process of glucose detection. Benefiting from the particular nanoscale structure, the Fe3O4 nanospheres obviously enhanced the activity of electrocatalytic oxidation towards glucose. When the Fe3O4 nanospheres material was used for non-enzymatic glucose sensor, several electrochemical properties including the high sensitivity 6560 μA mM−1 cm−2 (0.1–1.1 mM), limit of detection 33 μM (S/N = 3) and good long-term stability were well demonstrated. Furthermore, Fe3O4 nanospheres electrode confirmed the excellent performance of selectivity in glucose detection with the interfering substances existed such as urea, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and NaCl. Due to the excellent electrocatalytic activity in alkaline solution, the Fe3O4 nanospheres material can be considered as a promising candidate in blood glucose monitoring.
Leaf versus whole-canopy remote sensing methodologies for crop monitoring under conservation agriculture: a case of study with maize in Zimbabwe
Authors: Gracia-Romero Adrian , Kefauver Shawn C. , Vergara-Díaz Omar , Hamadziripi Esnath , Zaman-Allah Mainassara A. , Thierfelder Christian , Prassana Boddupalli M. , Cairns Jill E. , Araus José L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEnhancing nitrogen fertilization efficiency for improving yield is a major challenge for smallholder farming systems. Rapid and cost-effective methodologies with the capability to assess the effects of fertilization are required to facilitate smallholder farm management. This study compares maize leaf and canopy-based approaches for assessing N fertilization performance under different tillage, residue coverage and top-dressing conditions in Zimbabwe. Among the measurements made on individual leaves, chlorophyll readings were the best indicators for both N content in leaves (R < 0.700) and grain yield (GY) (R < 0.800). Canopy indices reported even higher correlation coefficients when assessing GY, especially those based on the measurements of the vegetation density as the green area indices (R < 0.850). Canopy measurements from both ground and aerial platforms performed very similar, but indices assessed from the UAV performed best in capturing the most relevant information from the whole plot and correlations with GY and leaf N content were slightly higher. Leaf-based measurements demonstrated utility in monitoring N leaf content, though canopy measurements outperformed the leaf readings in assessing GY parameters, while providing the additional value derived from the affordability and easiness of using a pheno-pole system or the high-throughput capacities of the UAVs.
Palladium-catalyzed double coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with isocyanides: a direct approach to symmetrical N-aryl dialkynylimines
Authors: Xi Zhi-Wei , He Yan , Liu Li-Qiu , Wang Ying-Chun 
Published: September 2020

We have synthesized symmetrical N-aryl dialkynylimines via the palladium-catalyzed double coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with isonitriles, and the obtained dialkynylimines could be readily converted into 2-iodobenzo[f]quinoline derivatives.
Discovery and characterization of ACE2 – a 20-year journey of surprises from vasopeptidase to COVID-19
Authors: Hooper Nigel M. , Lambert Daniel W. , Turner Anthony J. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc membrane metallopeptidase that plays a key role in regulating vasoactive peptide levels and hence cardiovascular activity through its conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to Ang II and its metabolism of bradykinin. The discovery of its homologue, ACE2, 20 years ago has led to intensive comparisons of these two enzymes revealing surprising structural, catalytic and functional distinctions between them. ACE2 plays multiple roles not only as a vasopeptidase but also as a regulator of amino acid transport and serendipitously as a viral receptor, mediating the cellular entry of the coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and, very recently, COVID-19. Catalytically, ACE2 functions as a monocarboxypeptidase principally converting the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II to the vasodilatory peptide Ang-(1-7) thereby counterbalancing the action of ACE on the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and providing a cardioprotective role. Unlike ACE, ACE2 does not metabolise bradykinin nor is it inhibited by classical ACE inhibitors. However, it does convert a number of other regulatory peptides in vitro and in vivo. Interest in ACE2 biology and its potential as a possible therapeutic target has surged in recent months as the COVID-19 pandemic rages worldwide. This review highlights the surprising discoveries of ACE2 biology during the last 20 years, its distinctions from classical ACE and the therapeutic opportunities arising from its multiple biological roles.
Preparation of phosphotungstic acid/SiC and their photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B
Authors: Li Pengxi , Chen Qingcui , Chen Benshou , Liu Zhonghong 
Published: September 2020

Four kinds of x wt.% phosphotungstic acid/silicon carbide (PTA/SiC) photocatalysts were prepared by impregnation method with SiC, 12‐phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as raw materials. The structure of samples was characterised by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra, scanning electron microscope. The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under a xenon lamp (λ≥420 nm). The results indicate that the photocatalysts not only maintained the SiC structure but also kept the Keggin structure of PTA. The 20 wt.% PTA/SiC exhibited the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency reaching up to 77% for 180 min irradiation, and the photo‐degradation rate constant was determined to be 7.82 × 10−3 min−1. In the presence of H2O2, the photocatalytic degradation rate of 20 wt.% PTA/SiC composites was increased to 87%, and the photodegradation reaction rate constant was 7.77 × 10−3 min−1. According to free radical trapping experiments, it is proved that hydroxyl radical (·OH) plays an important role in photocatalysis.