bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation on tailoring physical properties of Nickel Oxide thin films grown by dc magnetron sputtering
Authors: Salunkhe Parashurama , A V Muhammed Ali , Kekuda Dhananjaya 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We report a comprehensive study on influence of oxygen partial pressure on NiO thin films grown on glass substrates in a combined argon and oxygen ambience by reactive dc magnetron sputtering. In this present article, we have discussed the dependence of oxygen pressure on structural, chemical, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the sputtered NiO films. Glancing angle x-ray diffraction reveals that the deposited films were polycrystalline in nature with FCC phase. The preferred orientation changes from (200) to (111) in a higher O2 flow rate environment and an average particle size was estimated using Scherrer relation. The surface morphology of films was studied by using atomic force microscopy. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrates the core level Ni 2p spectra over a range of 850 eV to 885 eV of binding energy and observed Ni 2p3/2, Ni 2p1/2 domains along with their satellite peaks. It infers the presence of both Ni+2 and Ni+3 oxidation states in the sputtered films. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy was carried out to confirm the structural defects level and crystalline nature of the films. The optical results show that deposited films were semi-transparent and the evaluated optical band gap of the material lies in the range 3.36 eV to 3.52 eV. The extracted electrical properties infer either n-type or p-type conductivity depending on the processing conditions of the films.
Engineering of electronic and optical properties of monolayer gallium sulfide/selenide in presence of intrinsic atomic defects
Authors: Hosseini Almadvari Raziehsadat , Nayeri Maryam , Fotoohi Somayeh 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In this paper, the electronic and optical properties of various point defects in gallium sulfide (GaS) and gallium selenide (GaSe) are studied. Various vacancy defects in each monolayer GaX (X = S, Se) include VX, VGa, 2VX, 2VGa, 1VGa1VX, 1VGa2VX, 2VGa1VX, 2VGa2VX. We compute the band structure, zero-bias transmission spectrum, and dielectric function for all considered structures. The calculations are carried out by the first-principles method. The calculation results indicate that the absence of S/Se atom in these semiconductors leads to the transition from an indirect band gap for the pristine materials to a direct band gap in their defective systems and the band gap energies change from 2.3 eV/2.11 eV to 1.33 eV/0.98 eV, respectively. Also, 2VX causes that the semiconductor band gap changes from indirect to direct. Furthermore, GaX monolayer is converted to a p-type semiconductor in the presence of VGa. Moreover, these findings represent that some of the point defects in this system lead to magnetic states which can be employed in spintronic devices. In addition, for the defective GaX monolayers with the direct band gap, the first peak of imaginary part of the dielectric function occurs around their band gap energy. The study of intrinsic structural defects in monolayer GaX provides new opportunities for optimizing the electronic and optical properties of these materials via defect engineering.
f-Orbital based Dirac states in a two-dimensional uranium compound
Authors: Lopez-Bezanilla Alejandro 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Theoretical evidence of the existence of Dirac cones in two-dimensional UB_4 is provided. Dirac cones are created due to the interaction of strongly localized U anisotropic f-orbitals with the delocalized network of B p-orbitals in a bilayer honeycombed lattice. Spin–orbit coupling splits the relativistic electronic states in the vicinity of the Fermi level creating cone-shaped gaped bands. The contribution of f-orbitals to the formation of dispersive Dirac states is clearly determined with several theoretical approximations. U atom provides the exact amount of charge to stabilize the B sublattices creating a heavy-electron based material with reminiscent properties of graphene. The interplay between f- and p-orbitals of U and B atoms, respectively, is revealed as the origin of the itinerant electronic states, defying the paradox of delocalized electrons in a heavy-electron based material. Computed phonon diagram exhibits decoupled acoustic and optic modes arising from U and B atom vibrations, respectively, with frequencies of acoustic modes rather small as compared to optic modes. The dynamical properties of isoelectronic UAl4 and UGa4 are also analyzed.
Ir/TiONx/C high-performance oxygen evolution reaction nanocomposite electrocatalysts in acidic media: synthesis, characterization and electrochemical benchmarking protocol
Authors: Loncar Anja , Moriau Leonard , Stojanovski Kevin , Ruiz-Zepeda Francisco , Jovanovic Primoz , Bele Marjan , Gaberscek Miran , Hodnik Nejc 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMore efficient utilization of iridium is of immense importance for the future development of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. In this study, we introduce a new facile and scalable synthesis of an Ir-based high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalytic nanocomposite. The composite consists of Ir nanoparticles with an average size of 3–4 nm, which are effectively anchored on a titanium oxynitride support (TiONx), which is distributed across high-surface-area Ketjen Black carbon (Ir/TiONx/C). We provide complete structural, morphological and compositional characterization (x-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy) and propose a proper benchmark protocol to measure true electrochemical performance. Compared to the state-of-the-art Ir Black electrocatalyst, Ir/TiONx/C exhibits approximately three times higher OER performance.
Root flavonoids are related to enhanced AMF colonization of an invasive tree
Authors: Pei Yingchun , Siemann Evan , Tian Baoliang , Ding Jianqing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important mutualistic microbes in soil, which have capacity to form mutualistic associations with most land plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in plant invasions and their interactions with invasive plants have received increasing attention. However, the chemical mechanisms underlying the interactions of AMF and invasive plants are still poorly understood. In this study we aim to test whether root secondary chemicals are related to enhanced AMF colonization and rapid growth in an invasive tree. We conducted a common garden experiment in China with Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) to examine the relationships among AMF colonization and secondary metabolites in roots of plants from introduced (USA) and native (China) populations. We found that AMF colonization rate was higher in introduced populations compared to native populations. Roots of plants from introduced populations had lower levels of phenolics and tannins, but higher levels of flavonoids than those of plants from native populations. Flavonoids were positively correlated with AMF colonization, and this relationship was especially strong for introduced populations. Besides, AMF colonization was positively correlated with plant biomass suggesting that higher root flavonoids and AMF colonization may impact plant performance. This suggests that higher root flavonoids in plants from introduced populations may promote AMF spore germination and/or attract hyphae to their roots, which may subsequently increase plant growth. Overall, our results support a scenario in which invasive plants enhance their AMF association and invasion success via genetic changes in their root flavonoid metabolism. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant invasion success and the evolutionary interactions between plants and AMF. Understanding such mechanisms of invasive plant success is critical for predicting and managing plant invasions in addition to providing important insights into the chemical mechanism of AMF–plant interactions.
FilTar: using RNA-Seq data to improve microRNA target prediction accuracy in animals
Authors: Bradley Thomas , Moxon Simon 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Motivation
MicroRNA (miRNA) target prediction algorithms do not generally consider biological context and therefore generic target prediction based on seed binding can lead to a high level of false-positive predictions. Here, we present FilTar, a method that incorporates RNA-Seq data to make miRNA target prediction specific to a given cell type or tissue of interest.

Results
We demonstrate that FilTar can be used to: (i) provide sample specific 3′-UTR reannotation; extending or truncating default annotations based on RNA-Seq read evidence and (ii) filter putative miRNA target predictions by transcript expression level, thus removing putative interactions where the target transcript is not expressed in the tissue or cell line of interest. We test the method on a variety of miRNA transfection datasets and demonstrate increased accuracy versus generic miRNA target prediction methods.

Availability and implementation
FilTar is freely available and can be downloaded from https://github.com/TBradley27/FilTar. The tool is implemented using the Python and R programming languages, and is supported on GNU/Linux operating systems.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
AnnoGen: annotating genome-wide pragmatic features
Authors: Sheng Quanhu , Yu Hui , Oyebamiji Olufunmilola , Wang Jiandong , Chen Danqian , Ness Scott , Zhao Ying-Yong , Guo Yan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Motivation
Genome annotation is an important step for all in-depth bioinformatics analysis. It is imperative to augment quantity and diversity of genome-wide annotation data for the latest reference genome to promote its adoption by ongoing and future impactful studies.

Results
We developed a python toolkit AnnoGen, which at the first time, allows the annotation of three pragmatic genomic features for the GRCh38 genome in enormous base-wise quantities. The three features are chemical binding Energy, sequence information Entropy and Homology Score. The Homology Score is an exceptional feature that captures the genome-wide homology through single-base-offset tiling windows of 100 continual nucleotide bases. AnnoGen is capable of annotating the proprietary pragmatic features for variable user-interested genomic regions and optionally comparing two parallel sets of genomic regions. AnnoGen is characterized with simple utility modes and succinct HTML report of informative statistical tables and plots.

Availability and implementation
https://github.com/shengqh/annogen.
Anti-silencing factor 1A is associated with genome stability maintenance of mouse preimplantation embryos†
Authors: Deng Kai , Feng Wanyou , Liu Xiaohua , Su Xiaoping , Zuo Erwei , Du Shanshan , Huang Yongjun , Shi Deshun , Lu Fenghua 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Genome stability is critical for the normal development of preimplantation embryos, as DNA damages may result in mutation and even embryo lethality. Anti-silencing factor 1A (ASF1A) is a histone chaperone and enriched in the MII oocytes as a maternal factor, which may be associated with the maintenance of genome stability. Thus, this study was undertaken to explore the role of ASF1A in maintaining the genome stability of early mouse embryos. The ASF1A expressed in the preimplantation embryos and displayed a dynamic pattern throughout the early embryonic development. Inhibition of ASF1A expression decreased embryonic development and increased DNA damages. Overexpression of ASF1A improved the developmental potential and decreased DNA damages. When 293T cells that had been integrated with RGS-NHEJ were co-transfected with plasmids of pcDNA3.1-ASF1A, gRNA-NHEJ, and hCas9, less cells expressed eGFP, indicating that non-homologous end joining was reduced by ASF1A. When 293T cells were co-transfected with plasmids of HR-donor, gRNA-HR, hCas9, and pcDNA3.1-ASF1A, more cells expressed eGFP, indicating that homologous recombination (HR) was enhanced by ASF1A. These results indicate that ASF1A may be associated with the genome stability maintenance of early mouse embryos and this action may be mediated by promoting DNA damage repair through HR pathway.
Tesmin, Metallothionein-Like 5, is Required for Spermatogenesis in Mice†
Authors: Oji Asami , Isotani Ayako , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Castaneda Julio M , Oura Seiya , Ikawa Masahito 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn mammals, more than 2000 genes are specifically or abundantly expressed in testis, but gene knockout studies revealed several are not individually essential for male fertility. Tesmin (Metallothionein-like 5; Mtl5) was originally reported as a testis-specific transcript that encodes a member of the cysteine-rich motif containing metallothionein family. Later studies showed that Tesmin has two splicing variants and both are specifically expressed in male and female germ cells. Herein, we clarified that the long (Tesmin-L) and short (Tesmin-S) transcript forms start expressing from spermatogonia and the spermatocyte stage, respectively, in testis. Furthermore, while Tesmin-deficient female mice are fertile, male mice are infertile due to arrested spermatogenesis at the pachytene stage. We were able to rescue the infertility with a Tesmin-L transgene, where we concluded that TESMIN-L is critical for meiotic completion in spermatogenesis and indispensable for male fertility.
The Evolution of Corporate Accounts of Scandals From Exposure to Investigation
Authors: Gottschalk Petter , Benson Michael L 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
We extend research on how corporations respond to scandals by examining the evolution of the accounts that are developed by corporate agents after a scandal becomes public. Guided by the theory of accounts and a recently developed perspective on crisis management, we examine how the accounts developed by 12 corporations caught up in highly publicized scandals changed from the time of initial exposure to the issuance of an investigative report. Our analysis shows that denial of wrongdoing in several cases is replaced by admission of wrongdoing and scapegoating, while obfuscation of wrongdoing is replaced by denial or acceptance of responsibility and scapegoating. We conclude with a discussion of the broader managerial and social implications of our analysis and how it furthers our understanding of the ability of corporations to weather serious scandals.
Integrating the Familial and the Cultural: An Approach for Analysing Intergenerational Family Relationships in Social Work Practice
Authors: Koren Chaya , Simhi-Meidai Shiran 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
When analysing (intergenerational) family relationships for social work practice, it is often unclear what relates to familial and what to cultural bodies of knowledge. Often the conclusion is that ‘they are both’, which challenges family assessment processes. We aim to address this by suggesting an integration between the familial and the cultural, through presenting their shared parameters and constructs. This results in a non-judgemental approach for social work practice analysis. Integration is illustrated using data from a stepfamily that participated in a large qualitative study on the meaning of late-life repartnering, from an intergenerational family and multicultural perspective in Israel, as a case example. The stepfamily included both partners and an adult child and grandchild of each partner. Individual interviews were conducted with each stepfamily member separately and transcribed verbatim. In late-life repartnering, two multigenerational families with potentially diverse cultural backgrounds encounter each other late in their life history and become a stepfamily. This is especially relevant in immigration societies that practice both collectivist and individualist familial norms. A multigenerational stepfamily perspective provides a rich source for examining our familial–cultural integration approach for social work practice analysis and could be applied to other family contexts. Conclusions and implications are addressed.
Exploring the effect of Ni/Cr contents on the sheet-like NiCr-oxide-decorated CNT composites as highly active and stable catalysts for urea electrooxidation
Authors: Gan Qiuping , Wang Benzhi , Chen Judan , Tian Jianniao , Isimjan Tayirjan Taylor , Yang Xiulin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The developing high-efficiency urea fuel cells have an irreplaceable role in solving the increasingly severe environmental crisis and energy shortages. The sluggish six-electron dynamic anodic oxidation reaction is the bottleneck of the rapid progress of urea fuel-cell technology. To tackle this challenge, we select the NiCr bimetallic system due to the unique synergic effect between the Ni and the Cr. Moreover, better conductivity is assured using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the support. Most importantly, we use a simple hydrothermal method in catalyst preparation for easy scale-up at a low cost. The results show that the hybrid catalysts of NiCrx-oxide-CNTs with different Ni/Cr ratios show much better catalytic performance in terms of active surface area and current density as compared to that of Ni-hydro-CNTs. The optimized NiCr2-oxide-CNTs catalyst exhibits not only the largest electrochemically active surface area (ESA, 50.7 m2 g−1) and the highest urea electrocatalytic current density (115.6 mA cm−2), but also outstanding long-term stability. The prominent performance of the NiCr2-oxide-CNTs catalyst is due to the combined effect of the improved charge transfer between Ni and Cr species, the large ESA, along with an elegant balance between the oxygen-defect sites and hydrophilicity. Moreover, we have proposed a synergistically enhanced urea catalytic mechanism.
Biosecurity Dogs Detect Live Insects after Training with Odor-Proxy Training Aids: Scent Extract and Dead Specimens
Authors: Moser Ariella Y , Brown Wendy Y , Bizo Lewis A , Andrew Nigel R , Taylor Michelle K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Detector dogs could be trained to find invasive insect pests at borders before they establish in new areas. However, without access to the live insects themselves, odor training aids are needed to condition dogs to their scent. This proof-of-concept study assessed 2 potential training aids for insect detection: a scent extract and dead specimens of the target species. Using Musgraveia sulciventris (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae) as an experimental model, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were carried out to compare the chemical headspaces that make up the odors of live specimens and these 2 training aids. This was then followed by canine scent-detection testing to investigate biosecurity detector dogs’ (n = 4) responses to training in an ecologically valid context. Both the scent extract and the dead specimens shared the majority of their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with live insects. Of the dogs trained with scent extract (n = 2), both were able to detect the live insects accurately, and of those trained with dead specimens (n = 2), one detected the live insects accurately. These findings lend support for these training aids as odor-proxies for live insects—particularly scent extract, which is a relatively novel product with the potential for broad application to facilitate and improve insect-detection training.
Discontinuing Contact Precautions for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) Is Associated With Rising VRE Bloodstream Infection Rates in Ontario Hospitals, 2009–2018: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Johnstone Jennie , Shing Emily , Saedi Arezou , Adomako Kwaku , Li Ye , Brown Kevin A , Garber Gary 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In Ontario, Canada, since 2012, some hospitals discontinued contact precautions for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Between 2009 and 2018, there was an associated rise in VRE bloodstream infections in hospitals where contact precautions were discontinued but not in hospitals that maintained contact precautions. These data suggest contact precautions are important for hospital VRE control programs.
Impact of a Publicly Funded Herpes Zoster Immunization Program on the Burden of Disease in Ontario, Canada: A Population-based Study
Authors: Martins Diana , McCormack Daniel , Tadrous Mina , Gomes Tara , Kwong Jeffrey C , Mamdani Muhammad M , Buchan Sarah A , Antoniou Tony 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
In September 2009, a live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine (ZVL) became available in Canada. Beginning in September 2016, ZVL was made available to all Ontario residents aged 65–70 through a publicly funded immunization program. We assessed the impact of ZVL availability and its subsequent public funding on herpes zoster burden in this population.

Methods
A population-based study of Ontario residents aged 65–70 between January 2005 and September 2018. We used interventional autoregressive integrated moving average models to examine the impact of ZVL market availability and the publicly funded ZVL program on monthly incidence rate of medically attended herpes zoster, defined as an outpatient visit for herpes zoster with a prescription for a herpes zoster antiviral dispensed ≤5 days before or after the visit, or a herpes zoster–related emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization. In secondary analyses, we examined impacts on any herpes zoster–related ED visits and hospitalizations.

Results
We found no association between ZVL market availability and monthly incidence of herpes zoster (P = .32) or monthly rates of ED visits and hospitalizations (P = .88). Conversely, the introduction of publicly funded ZVL reduced the monthly rate of medically attended herpes zoster by 19.1% (from 4.8 to 3.8 per 10 000 population; P &lt; .01) and herpes zoster–related ED visits and hospitalizations by 38.2% (from 1.7 to 1.0 per 10 000 population; P &lt; .05).

Conclusions
The introduction of a publicly funded immunization program for herpes zoster was associated with reduced disease burden and related acute healthcare service use.