bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Organization of Neural Networks via Micro‐Patterned Devices
Authors: Marcus Michal , Indech Ganit , Vardi Naor , Levy Itay , Smith Alexandra , Margel Shlomo , Shefi Orit , Sharoni Amos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGuiding neuronal migration and outgrowth has great importance for therapeutic applications and for bioelectronics interfaces. Many efforts have been devoted to the development of tools to form predesigned structured neuronal networks. Here, a unique approach to localize cell bodies and direct neurite outgrowth is described based on local magnetic manipulations. Inspired by spintronic devices, a multi‐layer deposition process is developed to generate nanometric‐thick films with perpendicular magnetization that provide stable attraction forces toward the entire magnetic pads. PC12 cells, a common neuronal model, are transformed to magnetic units by incubation with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, which are then plated and differentiated atop the substrates. The vast majority of MNPs‐loaded cells adhere to the magnetic pads, showing high affinity to the magnetic patterns in correlation with numerical simulations of the magnetic force strength. Additionally, neuronal growth analysis shows that the magnetic substrate is effective in directing the extending neurites, which tend to remain atop the magnetic pads, and even follow complex patterns such as hexagons. This suggests that the MNPs diffuse into the neuronal processes throughout network formation. The ability to remotely control neuronal motility together with network design via smart magnetic materials opens possibilities for new neuronal interfaces and implantable therapeutic devices.
Non‐N‐Doped Carbons as Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Bowen , Dai Liming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTen years have passed since the discovery of the first nitrogen‐doped carbon‐based metal‐free catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, which opened a new field of catalysis toward a large variety of important applications, ranging from energy conversion and storage to environmental remediation. Various heteroatom‐doped carbons, beyond nitrogen‐doping (N‐doping), with distinctive features have also been developed for many specific reactions of practical significance (e.g., oxygen reduction (ORR), water splitting (OER and HER), CO2 reduction (CO2RR), and N2 reduction (NRR)). However, the topic of metal‐free non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts has not been reviewed till now. This article aims to review recent advances in non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts with an emphasis on their synthesis, catalytic mechanisms, and catalytic performance in various electrochemical reactions, including the ORR, OER, HER, H2O2 production, NRR, and CO2RR. Like N‐doping, boron‐doping, phosphorus‐doping, and fluorine‐doping are found to show similar catalytic efficiency for the ORR, OER, and HER. However, oxygen‐doping and boron‐doping are particularly favorable for the selective production of H2O2 and NH3, respectively, exceeding the performance of N‐doping. Along with the timely and critical overview on the non‐N‐doped carbon electrocatalysts, current challenges and future perspectives for this emerging field are also discussed.
The Complex Charge Paradigm: A New Approach for Designing Electromagnetic Wavepackets
Authors: Wong Liang Jie , Christodoulides Demetrios N. , Kaminer Ido 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSingularities in optics famously describe a broad range of intriguing phenomena, from vortices and caustics to field divergences near point charges. The diverging fields created by point charges are conventionally seen as a mathematical peculiarity that is neither needed nor related to the description of electromagnetic beams and pulses, and other effects in modern optics. This work disrupts this viewpoint by shifting point charges into the complex plane, and showing that their singularities then give rise to propagating, divergence‐free wavepackets. Specifically, point charges moving in complex space‐time trajectories are shown to map existing wavepackets to corresponding complex trajectories. Tailoring the complex trajectories in this “complex charge paradigm” leads to the discovery and design of new wavepacket families, as well as unprecedented electromagnetic phenomena, such as the combination of both nondiffracting behavior and abruptly‐varying behavior in a single wavepacket. As an example, the abruptly focusing X‐wave–a propagation‐invariant X‐wave‐like wavepacket with prechosen self‐disruptions that enhance its peak intensity by over 200 times–is presented. This work envisions a unified method that captures all existing wavepackets as corresponding complex trajectories, creating a new design tool in modern optics and paving the way to further discoveries of electromagnetic modes and waveshaping applications.
Thermoelectric Generators: Alternative Power Supply for Wearable Electrocardiographic Systems
Authors: Dargusch Matthew , Liu Wei‐Di , Chen Zhi‐Gang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractResearch interest in the development of real‐time monitoring of personal health indicators using wearable electrocardiographic systems has intensified in recent years. New advanced thermoelectrics are potentially a key enabling technology that can be used to transform human body heat into power for use in wearable electrographic monitoring devices. This work provides a systematic review of the potential application of thermoelectric generators for use as power sources in wearable electrocardiographic monitoring systems. New strategies on miniaturized rigid thermoelectric modules combined with batteries or supercapacitors can provide adequate power supply for wearable electrocardiographic systems. Flexible thermoelectric generators can also support wearable electrocardiographic systems directly when a heat sink is incorporated into the design in order to enlarge and stabilize the temperature gradient. Recent advances in enhancing the performance of novel fiber/fabric based flexible thermoelectrics has opened up an exciting direction for the development of wearable electrocardiographic systems.
Research Priorities for Agricultural Cooperatives and their Farmer‐Members
Authors: Boland Michael A. , Briggeman Brian C. , Jacobs Keri , Kenkel Phil , McKee Gregory , Park John L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractLand grant universities have maintained long‐standing extension, applied research, and teaching programs aimed at farmer cooperatives. The purpose is to outline and detail a focused effort to establish relevant research priorities. Representatives of farmer cooperatives with 82% of their business volume in 2014 participated in the project. The future of the farm, regulation, and data sets suitable for studying policy were the greatest research needs identified by the participants. Linkages with existing extension programming including a multiuniversity director foundations self‐paced online program are described.
Vigorous responsiveness of dwarf gene Rht14 to exogenous GA3 evaluated on important morphological and agronomic traits in durum wheat
Authors: Duan Shan , Zhao Zhangchen , Qiao Yue , Cui Chunge , Condon Anthony G. , Chen Liang , Hu Yin‐Gang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRht14, was considered as a GA‐responsive dwarf gene in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.). The object of this paper is to understand the responsiveness of Rht14 after applying exogenous GA3 on important morphological and agronomic traits, and its potential application in wheat breeding. In this study, the F2:3 lines, F3:4 lines and F4:5 lines derived from the reciprocal crosses between the Castelporziano (CP), the donor of Rht14, and tall cultivar Langdon (L) were used to evaluate the effects of Rht14 with exogenous GA3 application on crucial traits. After application of GA3, the plant height of the dwarf lines was more significantly increased by an average of 51.21% and 52.27% than that of the tall lines by 14.70% and 15.16% of the two populations, respectively, while their diameter and thickness of internodes were remarkably reduced, and their flag leaf area, SPAD value and net photosynthetic rate were markedly decreased, compared with the controls. After application of GA3, the spikelet number spike−1, grain number spike−1, and 1000‐kernel weight of the dwarf lines notably increased, while no significant differences were observed on the seed length, width and thickness. Exogenous GA3 significantly increased the coleoptile length, whereas notably reduced the max root length and total root length of the dwarf lines. Significant increases of crude protein, wet gluten, sedimentation value, stability time and development time were observed in the dwarf lines treated with GA3. This study indicated the dwarf gene Rht14 was a GA‐deficient gene and application GA3 could rescue some negative effects by Rht14.
Imperforate tracheary elements and vessels alleviate xylem tension under severe dehydration: insights from water release curves for excised twigs of three tree species
Authors: Yazaki Kenichi , Levia Delphis F. , Takenouchi Akiko , Watanabe Makoto , Kabeya Daisuke , Miki Naoko H. , Taneda Haruhiko , Ogasa Mayumi Y. , Oguro Michio , Saiki Shin‐Taro , Tobita Hiroyuki , Fukuda Kenji 
Published: August 2020

PremiseWater stored in the xylem of woody plants is important for supporting the transpiration stream under prolonged drought, yet the source of stored water within the xylem during drought remains unclear. Insights into xylem water utilization during drought will uncover the adaptation strategies of the test species to stress.MethodsTo fill the existing knowledge gap, we excised twigs of Abies firma (Japanese fir, conifer), Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura tree, diffuse‐porous) and Quercus serrata (konara oak, ring‐porous) to quantify interspecific variation of water transfer in xylem corresponding with increasing cumulative water release (CWR) using micro x‐ray computed tomography and cryo‐SEM.ResultsFor all species studied, the main components of water storage within the operating range of water potential were not living cells but cavitation release and capillaries. Abies firma maintained water in the earlywood‐like cells, for possible maintenance of the transpiration stream. Cercidiphyllum japonicum maintained water in its vessels over 200 kg m‐3 of CWR, while Q. serrata lost most of its water in vessels with increasing CWR up to 100 kg m‐3. Cercidiphyllum japonicum exhibited a higher water storage capacity than Q. serrata. Under high CWR, narrow conduits stored xylem water in C. japonicum and imperforate tracheary elements in Q. serrata.ConclusionsAmong the species examined, increasing CWR appears to indicate differential utilization of stored water in relation to variation of xylem structure, thereby providing insight into the interspecific responses of tree species to drought.
Middle Pleistocene human femoral diaphyses from Hualongdong, Anhui Province, China
Authors: Xing Song , Wu Xiu‐Jie , Liu Wu , Pei Shu‐Wen , Cai Yan‐Jun , Tong Hao‐Wen , Trinkaus Erik 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe paleontological description and comparative analysis using discrete morphology, morphometrics (linear and geometric) and cross‐sectional geometry of three femoral diaphyseal sections from the Middle Pleistocene site of Hualongdong, China.Materials and MethodsThe material consists of the original Hualongdong femoral fossils and available data on femoral diaphyses from Middle and Late Pleistocene archaic humans and Middle and earlier Upper Paleolithic modern humans. The methods include visual observation, diaphyseal diameters, cross‐sectional parameters (transverse areas and second moments of area derived from micro‐CT scans), and geometric morphometrics using semilandmark data.ResultsThe Hualong 11 midshaft section is similar to other Middle and Late Pleistocene archaic humans in being transversely broad and lacking a pilaster despite a prominent linea aspera. It clusters principally with archaic human femora in all measured parameters. The Hualong 15 and 16 subtrochanteric pieces are similar to many Middle Pleistocene and early modern human femora in being transversely broad. In particular, Hualong 15 exhibits a prominent lateral (gluteal) buttress, similar to many Upper Paleolithic femora but also the Lazaret and Krapina archaic ones. In addition, Hualong 15 has a small third trochanter, a common Upper Paleolithic but rare earlier feature.DiscussionThe Hualong 11 femoral piece reinforces the general Middle Pleistocene pattern, especially for eastern Eurasia from which archaic human femora are rare. The subtrochanteric proportions of Hualong 15 and 16 reinforce the Early Pleistocene and (generally) Middle Pleistocene pattern of bone distributions, but their subperiosteal contours align them (along with those of the Lazaret and Krapina femora) with Upper Paleolithic ones. It is difficult to account for these proportions from the generally broad pelves of Pleistocene archaic humans.
Experimental and theoretical investigation of molecular interaction and molecular polarity of organic solvent with ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents at T (298.15–343.15) K and 1 atm
Authors: Ramalingam Anantharaj , Rajendran Startha Christabel Achsah , Vatti Anoop Kishore , Mark Reji Danish John Paul , Nagaraj Shruthi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDensities of the binary mixtures of organic solvents (acetic acid (HAc), n‐butanol (n‐BuOH) and n‐ butyl acetate (n‐BuAc)) with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate {[EMIM][HSO4]: IL1}, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyimidazolium ethyl sulphate {[EMIM][EtSO4]: IL2}, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate {[BMIM][OAc]: IL3}, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, {[BMIM][NtF2]: IL4}} and/or Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) {choline chloride‐acetic acid [ChCl][AA]: DES1}, choline chloride‐glycerol [ChCl][Gly]: DES2), were measured over the entire composition range at T (293.15–343.15) K and 1 atm. The volumteric properties and derived thermodynamic properties of mixed solvents were calculated from the experimental data in order to understand the specific interactions and/or non‐specific interactions between mixed solvents during mixing at 298.15 K and 1 atm. Further, the molecular polarity of all the studied components were analyzed using COSMO‐RS model.
Low‐voltage and ion‐free‐reverse‐migration electrically regenerated mixed‐bed ion exchange for MEG desalination
Authors: He San , Zhang Xiaozhuo , Yang Wen , Zhao Zhichao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn improved electrical regeneration method of ion exchange was proposed to enhance the feasibility of applying ion exchange for mono‐ethylene glycol (MEG) desalination and simplify the existing MEG regeneration process in deepwater gas fields. Compared with the latest electrical regeneration process named membrane‐free electrodeionization (MFEDI), this method required lower voltage, did not consume high purity water, and eliminated ion backward migration in principle. These improvements were achieved by changing the electric field direction and the flow direction from parallel in MFEDI to perpendicular during ion exchange regeneration step. In this work, a pair of commercial ruthenium oxide‐coated titanium electrodes was installed on both sides of the cuboid experimental setup. The mixed resins consisting of strong‐base and weak‐acid resins were filled between the electrodes. In water flow and direct current electric field, the resins were regenerated successfully. The feasibility of efficient regeneration with high conductivity feed water (3–200 μS/cm) was verified. After regeneration of the resin bed for 1 h at a voltage lower than 73 V, 33.83% of NaCl in 5.16 bed volume (BV) simulated rich MEG liquid was removed. After 15 cycles of repeated operation, the performance of the resins remained stable. These results provide the possibility to reclaim MEG in deepwater gas fields through a simpler method.
Shear rheology and scaling of semiflexible polymers: Effect of polymer‐solvent interactions in the semidilute regime
Authors: Romo‐Uribe Angel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSemiflexible polymers and their assemblies are important in biology as cross‐linked networks of semiflexible polymers form a major structural component of tissue and living cells. This research used shear rheology to demonstrate the tuning from worm‐like to rod‐like conformation in semiflexible polymers by polymer‐solvent interactions. The conformation was assessed by the persistence lengthlp, and its influence, in the semidilute regime, was assessed by the scaling of zero‐shear viscosityηowith concentrationcand molecular weight. The polymers were poly n‐butyl and poly n‐octyl isocyanate (PBIC and POIC, respectively). PBIC exhibited the largestlpin chlorinated solvents, and the solutions obeyed the scaling law. However, when PBIC was dissolved in benzene thelpwas greatly reduced and the scaling law now was, consistent with a worm‐like conformation. On the other hand, POIC dissolved in chlorinated and benzenic solvents exhibited a worm‐like conformation and the scaling was. These results were contrasted with those of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) aqueous solutions, which exhibit worm‐like conformation, the solutions obeyed the scalingηo ∝ c2.5. Finally, the shear viscosity of the polyisocyanates and HPC obeyed the Saito scaling, valid for anisotropic particles in solution.
Occurrence of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Gulf of Trieste and the northern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Genov Tilen , Kotnjek Polona , Centrih Tina 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), considered to have been very common in the past, had undergone a dramatic decline across most of the basin by the end of 1970s. In the northern Adriatic Sea, one of the regions with most available historical information, the common dolphin is thought to have been the most common and abundant cetacean throughout most of the 20th century. However, by the end of 1970s, it had virtually disappeared from the region and is now considered generally absent from the entire Adriatic Sea.
This contribution summarizes the occurrence of common dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste and provides a brief review of published records in other parts of the Adriatic Sea.
Systematic boat surveys in the wider area of the Gulf of Trieste between 2002 and 2019 confirmed that the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the only regularly occurring cetacean species in this area. Despite this, several records of common dolphins were documented in the Gulf of Trieste between 2009 and 2012, through sightings of live animals or recovery of dead stranded animals.
Dorsal fin markings allowed the photo‐identification of some of these, suggesting that at least four different live individuals (three adults and one calf) occurred here in recent times. Most cases involved single adult individuals, but one included a mother‐calf pair that was temporarily resident in a port for several months, a behaviour atypical for this species. Photo‐identification showed that the presumed mother had previously been sighted in the Ionian Sea in Greece, over 1,000 km from the Gulf of Trieste, making this the longest documented movement for this species worldwide.
At present, the common dolphin continues to be rare in the region.
Effects of BAFF Neutralization on Atherosclerosis Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Saidoune Fanny , Even Guillaume , Lamri Yasmine , Chezel Julie , Gaston Anh‐Thu , Escoubet Brigitte , Papo Thomas , Charles Nicolas , Nicoletti Antonino , Sacre Karim 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of lupus, and anti‐BAFF therapy has been approved for use in SLE. Since mature B cells also promote atherosclerosis, we undertook this study to evaluate, in a mouse model and in SLE patients, whether BAFF neutralization has an atheroprotective effect in SLE.MethodsThe effect of BAFF on atherosclerosis associated with lupus was investigated in the atherosclerosis/lupus‐prone apolipoprotein E–knockout D227K mouse model and in a cohort of SLE patients. Mice were treated with a blocking anti‐BAFF monoclonal antibody (mAb), while fed a standard chow diet. Carotid plaque and carotid intima‐media thickness were assessed by ultrasound at baseline and during follow‐up in SLE patients who were asymptomatic for CVD.ResultsAnti‐BAFF mAb in ApoE−/− D227K mice induced B cell depletion, efficiently treated lupus, and improved atherosclerosis lesions (21% decrease; P = 0.007) in mice with low plasma cholesterol levels but worsened the lesions (17% increase; P = 0.06) in mice with high cholesterol levels. The atheroprotective effect of the BAFF–BAFF receptor signaling inhibition on B cells was counterbalanced by the proatherogenic effect of the BAFF–TACI signaling inhibition on macrophages. In SLE patients, blood BAFF levels were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis (r = 0.26, P = 0.03). Anti‐BAFF mAb treatment had a differential effect on the intima‐media thickness progression in SLE patients depending on body mass index.ConclusionDepending on the balance between lipid‐induced and B cell–induced proatherogenic conditions, anti‐BAFF could be detrimental or beneficial, respectively, to atherosclerosis development in SLE.
Embedding Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide within a Porous Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Matrix to Enhance its H2‐evolving Catalytic Activity and Robustness
Authors: Nguyen Anh D. , Pham Phuong T. , Tran Dai C. , Nguyen Loan T. , Tran Phong D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAmorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) is a promising alternative to Pt catalyst for the H2 evolution in water. However, it is suffered of an electrochemical corrosion. In this report, we present a strategy to tack this issue by embedding the MoSx catalyst within a porous poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix. The PEDOT host is firstly grown onto a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode by electrochemical polymerization of EDOT monomer in an acetonitrile solution to perform a porous structure. The MoSx catalyst is subsequently deposited onto the PEDOT by an electrochemical oxidation of [MoS4]2− monomer. In a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution, the MoSx/PEDOT shows higher H2‐evolving catalytic activities (current density of 34.2 mA/cm2 at −0.4 V vs RHE) in comparison to a pristine MoSx grown on a planar FTO electrode having similar catalyst loading (24.2 mA/cm2). The PEDOT matrix contributes to enhance the stability of MoSx catalyst by a significant manner. As such, the MoSx/PEDOT retains 81 % of its best catalytic activity after 1000 potential scans from 0 to −0.4 V vs. RHE, whereas a planar MoSx catalyst is completely degraded after about 240 potential scans, due to its complete corrosion.
RNA‐based fluorescent biosensors for live cell detection of bacterial sRNA
Authors: Kitto Rebekah Z. , Christiansen Kylee E. , Hammond Ming C. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBacteria contain a diverse set of RNAs to provide tight regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) work in conjunction with protein cofactors to bind complementary mRNA sequences in the cell, leading to up‐ or downregulation of protein synthesis. In vivo imaging of sRNAs can aid in understanding their spatiotemporal dynamics in real time, which inspires new ways to manipulate these systems for a variety of applications including synthetic biology and therapeutics. Current methods for sRNA imaging are quite limited in vivo and do not provide real‐time information about fluctuations in sRNA levels. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the development of an RNA‐based fluorescent biosensor for bacterial sRNA both in vitro and in vivo. We validated these sensors for three different bacterial sRNAs in Escherichia coli and demonstrated that the designs provide a bright, sequence‐specific signal output in response to exogenous and endogenous RNA targets.