bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-functional anodes boost the transient power and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Shen Gurong , Liu Jing , Wu Hao Bin , Xu Pengcheng , Liu Fang , Tongsh Chasen , Jiao Kui , Li Jinlai , Liu Meilin , Cai Mei , Lemmon John P. , Soloveichik Grigorii , Li Hexing , Zhu Jian , Lu Yunfeng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractProton exchange membrane fuel cells have been regarded as the most promising candidate for fuel cell vehicles and tools. Their broader adaption, however, has been impeded by cost and lifetime. By integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which serves as a rapid-response hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, sensor for power demand, and regulator for hydrogen-disassociation reaction, we herein report proton exchange membrane fuel cells with significantly enhanced power performance for transient operation and low humidified conditions, as well as improved durability against adverse operating conditions. Meanwhile, the enhanced power performance minimizes the use of auxiliary energy-storage systems and reduces costs. Scale fabrication of such devices can be readily achieved based on the current fabrication techniques with negligible extra expense. This work provides proton exchange membrane fuel cells with enhanced power performance, improved durability, prolonged lifetime, and reduced cost for automotive and other applications.
Therapeutic potential of KLF2-induced exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sindi Hebah A. , Russomanno Giusy , Satta Sandro , Abdul-Salam Vahitha B. , Jo Kyeong Beom , Qazi-Chaudhry Basma , Ainscough Alexander J. , Szulcek Robert , Jan Bogaard Harm , Morgan Claire C. , Pullamsetti Soni S. , Alzaydi Mai M. , Rhodes Christopher J. , Piva Roberto , Eichstaedt Christina A. , Grünig Ekkehard , Wilkins Martin R. , Wojciak-Stothard Beata 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disorder of lung vasculature that causes right heart failure. Homoeostatic effects of flow-activated transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) are compromised in PAH. Here, we show that KLF2-induced exosomal microRNAs, miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p act together to attenuate pulmonary vascular remodelling and that their actions are mediated by Notch4 and ETS1 and other key regulators of vascular homoeostasis. Expressions of KLF2, miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p are reduced, while levels of their target genes are elevated in pre-clinical PAH, idiopathic PAH and heritable PAH with missense p.H288YKLF2mutation. Therapeutic supplementation of miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p reduces proliferative and angiogenic responses in patient-derived cells and attenuates disease progression in PAH mice. This study shows that reduced KLF2 signalling is a common feature of human PAH and highlights the potential therapeutic role of KLF2-regulated exosomal miRNAs in PAH and other diseases associated with vascular remodelling.
Trade-offs between multifunctionality and profit in tropical smallholder landscapes
Authors: Grass Ingo , Kubitza Christoph , Krishna Vijesh V. , Corre Marife D. , Mußhoff Oliver , Pütz Peter , Drescher Jochen , Rembold Katja , Ariyanti Eka Sulpin , Barnes Andrew D. , Brinkmann Nicole , Brose Ulrich , Brümmer Bernhard , Buchori Damayanti , Daniel Rolf , Darras Kevin F. A. , Faust Heiko , Fehrmann Lutz , Hein Jonas , Hennings Nina , Hidayat Purnama , Hölscher Dirk , Jochum Malte , Knohl Alexander , Kotowska Martyna M. , Krashevska Valentyna , Kreft Holger , Leuschner Christoph , Lobite Neil Jun S. , Panjaitan Rawati , Polle Andrea , Potapov Anton M. , Purnama Edwine , Qaim Matin , Röll Alexander , Scheu Stefan , Schneider Dominik , Tjoa Aiyen , Tscharntke Teja , Veldkamp Edzo , Wollni Meike 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLand-use transitions can enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers but potential economic-ecological trade-offs remain poorly understood. Here, we present an interdisciplinary study of the environmental, social and economic consequences of land-use transitions in a tropical smallholder landscape on Sumatra, Indonesia. We find widespread biodiversity-profit trade-offs resulting from land-use transitions from forest and agroforestry systems to rubber and oil palm monocultures, for 26,894 aboveground and belowground species and whole-ecosystem multidiversity. Despite variation between ecosystem functions, profit gains come at the expense of ecosystem multifunctionality, indicating far-reaching ecosystem deterioration. We identify landscape compositions that can mitigate trade-offs under optimal land-use allocation but also show that intensive monocultures always lead to higher profits. These findings suggest that, to reduce losses in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, changes in economic incentive structures through well-designed policies are urgently needed.
Water-resistant perovskite nanodots enable robust two-photon lasing in aqueous environment
Authors: Li Siqi , Lei Dangyuan , Ren Wei , Guo Xuyun , Wu Shengfan , Zhu Ye , Rogach Andrey L. , Chhowalla Manish , Jen Alex K.-Y. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOwing to their large absorption cross-sections and high photoluminescence quantum yields, lead halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are regarded as a promising candidate for various optoelectronics applications. However, easy degradation of PQDs in water and in a humid environment is a critical hindrance for applications. Here we develop a Pb-S bonding approach to synthesize water-resistant perovskite@silica nanodots keeping their emission in water for over six weeks. A two-photon whispering-gallery mode laser device made of these ultra-stable nanodots retain 80% of its initial emission quantum yield when immersed in water for 13 h, and a two-photon random laser based on the perovskite@silica nanodots powder could still operate after the nanodots were dispersed in water for up to 15 days. Our synthetic approach opens up an entirely new avenue for utilizing PQDs in aqueous environment, which will significantly broaden their applications not only in optoelectronics but also in bioimaging and biosensing.
Inducible cell-to-cell signaling for tunable dynamics in microbial communities
Authors: Miano Arianna , Liao Michael J. , Hasty Jeff 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe last decade has seen bacteria at the forefront of biotechnological innovation, with applications including biomolecular computing, living therapeutics, microbiome engineering and microbial factories. These emerging applications are all united by the need to precisely control complex microbial dynamics in spatially extended environments, requiring tools that can bridge the gap between intracellular and population-level coordination. To address this need, we engineer an inducible quorum sensing system which enables precise tunability of bacterial dynamics both at the population and community level. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate the advantages of this system when genetically equipped for cargo delivery. In addition, we exploit the absence of cross-talk with respect to the majority of well-characterized quorum sensing systems to demonstrate inducibility of multi-strain communities. More broadly, this work highlights the unexplored potential of remotely inducible quorum sensing systems which, coupled to any gene of interest, may facilitate the translation of circuit designs into applications.
Green gravel: a novel restoration tool to combat kelp forest decline
Authors: Fredriksen Stein , Filbee-Dexter Karen , Norderhaug Kjell Magnus , Steen Henning , Bodvin Torjan , Coleman Melinda A. , Moy Frithjof , Wernberg Thomas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractKelp forests are in decline globally and large-scale intervention could be required to halt the loss of these valuable ecosystems. To date kelp forest restoration has had limited success and been expensive and unable to address the increasing scale of ecosystem deterioration. Here we developed and tested a new approach: “green gravel”. Small rocks were seeded with kelp and reared in the laboratory until 2–3 cm, before out-planting to the field. The out-planted kelp had high survival and growth over 9 months, even when dropped from the surface. This technique is cheap, simple, and does not require scuba diving or highly trained field workers. It can be up-scaled to treat large areas or even used to introduce genes from more resilient kelp populations onto vulnerable reefs. Green gravel thus overcomes some of the current major limitations of kelp restoration and provides a promising new defense against kelp forest decline.
Error-related negativity and error awareness in a Go/No-go task
Authors: Wang Lijun , Gu Yan , Zhao Guoxiang , Chen Antao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractError monitoring is crucial for the conscious error perception, however, the role of early error monitoring in error awareness remains unclear. Here, we investigated the relation between the ERN and error-related theta oscillations and the emergence of error awareness by conducting time- and phase-locked averaging analysis based on 4–8 Hz filtered data and phase-locked time frequency analysis. Results showed that while the ERN did not differ significantly between aware and unaware errors, theta power was stronger for aware errors than for unaware errors. Further, when continuous EEG was filtered outside the theta band, the ERN results confirmed this pattern. Additionally, when the non-phase-locked component was removed from continuous EEG, stronger theta power was still observed in aware errors compared to unaware errors. Collectively, these findings may suggest that (1) the ERN emerges from phase-locked component of theta band EEG activities; (2) the ERN engages in conscious error perception and serves the emerging error awareness through the activity of theta oscillations. Thus, early error monitoring is a precursor to error awareness, but this relationship is masked by high-frequency activity in aware errors when the ERN is not filtered outside the theta band in the Go/No-go task.
Nitrogen fertilization compensation the weak photosynthesis of Oilseed rape (Brassca napus L.) under haze weather
Authors: Cong Rihuan , Liu Tao , Lu Piaopiao , Ren Tao , Li Xiaokun , Lu Jianwei 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHaze and cloudy weather reduce photo-synthetically active radiation (PAR), which affects the formation of crop yield and nitrogen (N) fertilizer utilization.. We conducted field trails in normal year and severe winter haze year, aiming to compare the difference of photosynthesis and N uptake in winter rapeseed under different N levels. Daily sunshine hours and averaged radiation intensity in winter haze year decreased by 54.1% and 33.3% respectively as compared with the past 30 years. Diurnal variation of net photosynthetic rate in winter haze day was 16.2% lower than that of sunny day. Leaf area and photosynthetic capacity decreased significantly during winter haze year. The shoot biomass and N uptake at the rosette stage accounted for only 9.6% and 26.6% of the total growth period in winter haze year, while 24.4% and 70.5% in normal year, respectively. However, in winter haze year, as the top dressing of N application increasing after the rosette stage, shoot biomass increased gradually. In order to achieve the target yield of 2.5 t ha−1, after suffering winter haze, it is necessary to apply additional 73.1 kg N ha−1. In conclusion, the haze climate reduced the radiation intensity and stability, leading to a decline in photosynthetic productivity in winter oilseed rape. Applying higher N fertilizer after winter haze can compensate the negative influence and ensure rapeseed yield.
Etiologic features of diarrheagenic microbes in stool specimens from patients with acute diarrhea in Thailand
Authors: Okada Kazuhisa , Wongboot Warawan , Kamjumphol Watcharaporn , Suebwongsa Namfon , Wangroongsarb Piyada , Kluabwang Pipat , Chuenchom Nuttagarn , Swaddiwudhipong Witaya , Wongchai Thanee , Manosuthi Weerawat , Assawapatchara Norrathep , Khum-on Patchanee , Udompat Patpong , Thanee Chareeya , Kitsaran Suwatthiya , Jirapong Lakkana , Jaiwong Charoen , Nedsuwan Supalert , Siripipattanamongkol Chotipong , Okada Pilailuk Akkapaiboon , Chantaroj Siriporn , Komukai Sho , Hamada Shigeyuki 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMany microbial species have been recognized as enteropathogens for humans. Here, we predicted the causative agents of acute diarrhea using data from multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeting 19 enteropathogens. For this, a case-control study was conducted at eight hospitals in Thailand. Stool samples and clinical data were collected from 370 hospitalized patients with acute diarrhea and 370 non-diarrheal controls. Multiple enteropathogens were detected in 75.7% and 13.0% of diarrheal stool samples using multiplex qPCR and bacterial culture methods, respectively. Asymptomatic carriers of enteropathogens were found among 87.8% and 45.7% of individuals by qPCR and culture methods, respectively. These results suggested the complexity of identifying causative agents of diarrhea. An analysis using the quantification cut-off values for clinical relevance drastically reduced pathogen-positive stool samples in control subjects from 87.8% to 0.5%, whereas 48.9% of the diarrheal stool samples were positive for any of the 11 pathogens. Among others, rotavirus, norovirus GII, Shigella/EIEC, and Campylobacter were strongly associated with acute diarrhea (P-value < 0.001). Characteristic clinical symptoms, epidemic periods, and age-related susceptibility to infection were observed for some enteropathogens. Investigations based on qPCR approaches covering a broad array of enteropathogens might thus improve our understanding of diarrheal disease etiology and epidemiological trends.
Elevated CO2 concentration affects the defense of tobacco and melon against lepidopteran larvae through the jasmonic acid signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Dai Wenting , Wang Xuhui , Li Jinxin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe massive use of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution has led to a rapid increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. What effects elevated CO2 concentrations (ECO2) have on the defense mechanisms plants employ against insects remains poorly understood. This study showed that ECO2 of 750 ± 20 mmol/mol, increased the photosynthetic rate and biomass gain of tobacco and melon plants. However, while mass gain of Spodoptera litura, a nocturnal moth in the Noctuidae family, was higher when feeding on tobacco plants under ECO2, mass gain of Diaphania indica was reduced when feeding on melon plant at ECO2 compared to ambient CO2. Plants have many mechanisms to defend themselves against insects. Jasmonic acid (JA) is a crucial element of plant defense against lepidopteran insects. Our study showed that JA levels increased in tobacco plants under ECO2 but decreased in melon plants. It is speculated that ECO2 changes plant resistance to insects mainly by affecting the JA signaling pathway. Nutrient analysis suggested defensive metabolites rather than changes in the total nitrogen or protein content of the plants led to the changes in plant defense levels under ECO2. In summary, ECO2 affects the interaction between plants and insects. The results may provide a theoretical basis for studying the changes in crop resistance to pests under ECO2 and predicting the impact of ECO2 on future agro-ecosystems.
One- and two-dimensional electromagnetically induced gratings in an Er3+ - doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal
Authors: Shui Tao , Li Ling , Wang Xin , Yang Wen-Xing 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA coherently prepared Er3+-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal with a four-level ionic configuration is exploited for realizing one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetically induced gratings (EIGs). Owing to the probe gain induced by the incoherent pump, the diffraction efficiency of the crystal grating, especially the first-order diffraction, can be significantly improved via increasing the incoherent pumping rate or decreasing the probe detuning. The enhancement of the grating diffraction efficiency originates from the interference between the gain and phase gratings. It is also demonstrated that the diffraction of the crystal grating can be dynamically controlled via tuning the intensity and detuning of the standing-wave driving field or the concentration of Er3+ ion. More importantly, the probe energy of the diffraction side lobes around the central principle maximum is comparable to that of the first-order diffraction field for small driving intensity or large driving detuning. Our scheme may provide a possibility for the active all-optical control of optical switching, routing and storage in fiber communication wavelengths.
A novel α-fetoprotein-derived helper T-lymphocyte epitope with strong immunogenicity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tamai Toshikatsu , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kumagai Masashi , Terashima Takeshi , Iida Noriho , Kitahara Masaaki , Shimakami Tetsuro , Kitamura Kazuya , Arai Kuniaki , Yamashita Taro , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Tatsuya , Honda Masao , Fushimi Kazumi , Kaneko Shuichi 
Published: March 2020

Abstractα-Fetoprotein (AFP) is considered a good target for immunotherapy strategies against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, no immunodominant AFP-derived MHC class II-restricted helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitope has been reported. Therefore, we identified novel AFP-derived HTL epitopes possessing high immunogenicity. HTL epitopes were predicted using the online service, and peptides were subsequently synthesized. Four newly synthesized peptides showed positive reactivity in >20% patients on ELISPOT using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Among these, the highest rate was shown by AFP1 (MKWVESIFLIFLLNFTESRT), which also showed the highest positive rate in cell proliferation assays. Binding assays demonstrated that AFP1 had strong binding properties toward MHC molecules. Further, blocking assays performed using an anti-HLA-DR antibody showed that immune response decreased, confirming the binding of AFP1 to HLA-DR molecules. Furthermore, the survival rates of patients with stages II–IV HCC indicated that T cell response against AFP1 led to significantly greater survival that of patients without T cell response. When evaluating immune response against AFP1 before and after HCC treatment, an increase in the frequency of peptide-specific T cells was observed after treatment in patients with HLA-DRB1*1502, *0405, and *0901 alleles. In conclusion, the identified epitopes may be useful for immunotherapy strategies against HCC.
Optimal endoscopy timing in patients with acute variceal bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jung Da Hyun , Huh Cheal Wung , Kim Na Jin , Kim Byung-Wook 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlthough current guidelines recommend performing endoscopy within 12 hours for acute variceal bleeding (AVB), the optimal timing remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the effect of endoscopy timing on the mortality and rebleeding rates in AVB through a systematic review and meta-analysis of all eligible studies. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for relevant publications up to January 2019. Overall mortality, rebleeding rate, and other clinical outcomes were determined. For the non-randomized studies, the risk of bias assessment tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included publications. The Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model of the RevMan software (Cochrane) and the inverse variance method were used to analyse binary end points and continuous outcomes, respectively. This meta-analysis included five studies with 854 and 453 participants who underwent urgent (≤12 hours) and non-urgent endoscopies (>12 hours), respectively. All the included studies were retrospective in nature, because of obvious ethical issues. No significant differences in the severity indexes were found between the urgent and non-urgent groups. Three studies showed 6-week mortality and the others in-hospital mortality as main outcomes. No significant difference in overall mortality rate was found between the groups (odds ratio [OR]: 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36–1.45, p = 0.36). The rebleeding rate was similar between the two groups (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.76–1.93, p = 0.41). Other outcomes such as successful haemostasis, need for salvage therapy, length of hospital stay, and number of blood transfusions were also similar between the groups. We demonstrated that endoscopy timing does not affect the mortality or rebleeding rate of patients with AVB. Therefore, an appropriate timing of endoscopy would be more important than an urgent endoscopy depending on each patient’s condition.
Proteomic identification of early urinary-biomarkers of acute kidney injury in preterm infants
Authors: Jung Young Hwa , Han Dohyun , Shin Seung Han , Kim Ee-Kyung , Kim Han-Suk 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe immature preterm kidney is likely to be vulnerable to acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the biomarkers currently used for AKI are not sensitive or specific and are also inadequate for the timely detection of AKI in preterm infants. The objectives of this study were to identify novel urinary biomarkers of AKI using proteomic techniques, and to verify and validate that the candidates can serve as early predictive biomarkers for AKI. In total, 1,810 proteins were identified in the discovery phase. Among those proteins, 174 were selected as the 1st targeted proteins. A total of 168 proteins were quantified, and the levels of 6 were significantly increased in the AKI group in the verification phase. Using a clinical assay, the results were confirmed and validated using samples of the first urine after birth from the biorepository. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed that the levels of annexin A5, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and protein S100-P were significantly higher in the samples of the first urine from patients with AKI than in those from patients without AKI. In conclusion, urinary annexin A5, NGAL and protein S100-P levels are promising biomarkers for early, accurate prediction of AKI in preterm infants.
Surface distortion of Fe dot-decorated TiO2 nanotubular templates using time-of-flight grazing incidence small angle scattering
Authors: Paul Neelima , Moulin Jean-Francóis , Mangiapia Gaetano , Kriele Armin , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Opel Matthias , Paul Amitesh 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPhysical properties of nanoclusters, nanostructures and self-assembled nanodots, which in turn are concomitantly dependent upon the morphological properties, can be modulated for functional purposes. Here, in this article, magnetic nanodots of Fe on semiconductor TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) are investigated with time-of-flight grazing incidence small-angle neutron scattering (TOF-GISANS) as a function of wavelength, chosen from a set of three TNT templates with different correlation lengths. The results are found corroborating with the localized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. As we probe the inside and the near-surface region of the Fe-dotted TNTs with respect to their homogeneity, surface distortion and long-range order using TOF-GISANS, gradual aberrations at the top of the near-surface region are identified. Magnetization measurements as a function of temperature and field do not show a typical ferromagnetic behavior but rather a supermagnetic one that is expected from a nonhomogeneous distribution of Fe–dots in the intertubular crevasses.