bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the reactivity of distinct electron transfer sites at CVD grown monolayer graphene through the selective electrodeposition of MoO2 nanowires
Authors: García-Miranda Ferrari Alejandro , Foster Christopher W. , Brownson Dale A. C. , Whitehead Kathryn A. , Banks Craig E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe origin of electron transfer at Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) grown monolayer graphene using a polymer-free transfer methodology is explored through the selective electrodeposition of Molybdenum (di)oxide (MoO2). The electrochemical decoration of CVD monolayer graphene with MoO2 is shown to originate from the edge plane like- sites/defects. Edge plane decoration of MoO2 nanowires upon monolayer graphene is observed via electrochemical deposition over short time periods only (ca. −0.6 V for 1 second (vs. Ag/AgCl)). At more electrochemically negative potentials (ca. −1.0 V) or longer deposition times, a large MoO2 film is created/deposited on the graphene sheet, originating and expanding from the original nucleation points at edge plane like- sites/defects/wrinkles. Nanowire fabrication along the edge plane like- sites/defects of graphene is confirmed with Cyclic Voltammetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Raman Spectroscopy. Monitoring the electrochemical response towards [Ru(NH3)6]3+/2+ and comparing the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) kinetics at CVD grown monolayer graphene prior and post nanowire fabrication reveals key understandings into the fundamental electrochemical properties of carbon materials. The HET kinetics ($${{\boldsymbol{k}}}_{{\boldsymbol{obs}}}^{{\bf{0}}}$$

k

obs

0

) at MoO2 nanowire decorated monolayer graphene sheets, when edge plane like- sites/defects have been coated/blocked with MoO2, are significantly reduced in comparison to the unmodified graphene alternative. Interestingly, MoO2 nucleation originates on the edge plane like- sites/defects of the graphene sheets, where the basal plane sites remain unaltered until the available edge plane like- sites/defects have been fully utilised; after which MoO2 deposition propagates towards and onto the basal planes, eventually covering the entire surface of the monolayer graphene surface. In such instances, there is no longer an observable electrochemical response. This work demonstrates the distinct electron transfer properties of edge and basal plane sites on CVD grown monolayer graphene, inferring favourable electrochemical reactivity at edge plane like- sites/defects and clarifying the origin of graphene electro-activity.
Modeling spatially and temporally complex range dynamics when detection is imperfect
Authors: Rushing Clark S. , Royle J. Andrew , Ziolkowski David J. , Pardieck Keith L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSpecies distributions are determined by the interaction of multiple biotic and abiotic factors, which produces complex spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence. As habitats and climate change due to anthropogenic activities, there is a need to develop species distribution models that can quantify these complex range dynamics. In this paper, we develop a dynamic occupancy model that uses a spatial generalized additive model to estimate non-linear spatial variation in occupancy not accounted for by environmental covariates. The model is flexible and can accommodate data from a range of sampling designs that provide information about both occupancy and detection probability. Output from the model can be used to create distribution maps and to estimate indices of temporal range dynamics. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by modeling long-term range dynamics of 10 eastern North American birds using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey. We anticipate this framework will be particularly useful for modeling species’ distributions over large spatial scales and for quantifying range dynamics over long temporal scales.
Computer Aided Patterning Design for Self-Assembled Microsphere Lithography (SA-MSL)
Authors: Lees Rhiannon , Cooke Michael D. , Balocco Claudio , Gallant Andrew 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we use a finite difference time domain solver to simulate the near field optical properties of self-assembled microsphere arrays when exposed to an incoherent light source. Such arrays are typically used for microsphere lithography where each sphere acts as a ball lens, focusing ultraviolet light into an underlying photoresist layer. It is well known that arrays of circular features can be patterned using this technique. However, here, our simulations show that additional nanometer scale features can be introduced to the pattern by optimising the sphere dimensions and exposure conditions. These features are shown to arise from the contact points between the microspheres which produce paths for light leakage. For hexagonally close packed arrays, the six points of contact lead to star shapes in the photoresist. These star shapes have subfeature sizes comparable to the current achievable resolution of low-cost fabrication techniques.
Extracellular vesicle-coupled miRNA profiles in follicular fluid of cows with divergent post-calving metabolic status
Authors: Hailay Tsige , Hoelker Michael , Poirier Mikhael , Gebremedhn Samuel , Rings Franca , Saeed-Zidane Mohammed , Salilew-Wondim Dessie , Dauben Christina , Tholen Ernst , Neuhoff Christiane , Schellander Karl , Tesfaye Dawit 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMost high-yielding dairy cows enter a state of negative energy balance (NEB) during early lactation. This, in turn, results in changes in the level of various metabolites in the blood and follicular fluid microenvironment which contributes to disturbed fertility. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are evolutionarily conserved communicasomes that transport cargo of miRNA, proteins and lipids. EV-coupled miRNAs have been reported in follicular fluid. However, the association between postpartum NEB and EV-coupled miRNA signatures in follicular fluid is not yet known. Energy balance analysis in lactating cows shortly after post-calving revealed that the majority of the cows exhibited transiently negative energy balance levels, whereas the remaining cows exhibited either consistently negative or consistently positive energy levels. Metabolic status was associated with EV-coupled miRNA composition in the follicular fluid. Cows experiencing NEB showed reduced expression of a large number of miRNAs while cows with positive energy balances primarily exhibited elevated expression of EV-coupled miRNAs. The miRNAs that were suppressed under NEB were found to be involved in various metabolic pathways. This is the first study to reveal the presence of an association between EV-coupled miRNA in follicular fluid and metabolic stress in dairy cows. The involvement of differentially expressed miRNAs in various pathways associated with follicular growth and oocyte maturation suggest the potential involvement of specific follicular miRNAs in oocyte developmental competence, which may partially explain reduced fertility in cows due to post-calving metabolic stress.
Homeobox code model of heterodont tooth in mammals revised
Authors: Wakamatsu Yoshio , Egawa Shiro , Terashita Yukari , Kawasaki Hiroshi , Tamura Koji , Suzuki Kunihiro 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHeterodonty is one of the hallmarks of mammals. It has been suggested that, homeobox genes, differentially expressed in the ectomesenchyme of the jaw primordium along the distal-proximal axis, would determine the tooth classes (homeobox code model) based on mouse studies. Because mouse has highly specialized tooth pattern lacking canine and premolars (dental formula: 1003/1003, for upper and lower jaws, respectively), it is unclear if the suggested model could be applied for mammals with all tooth classes, including human. We thus compared the homeobox code gene expressions in various mammals, such as opossum (5134/4134), ferret (3131/3132), as well as mouse. We found that Msx1 and BarX1 expression domains in the jaw primordium of the opossum and ferret embryos show a large overlap, but such overlap is small in mouse. Detailed analyses of gene expressions and subsequent morphogenesis of tooth germ in the opossum indicated that the Msx1/BarX1 double-positive domain will correspond to the premolar region, and Alx3-negative/Msx1-positive/BarX1-negative domain will correspond to canine. This study therefore provides a significant update of the homeobox code model in the mammalian heterodonty. We also show that the modulation of FGF-mediated Msx1 activation contributes to the variation in the proximal Msx1 expression among species.
Systemic delivery and SPECT/CT in vivo imaging of 125I-labelled oncolytic adenoviral mutants in models of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Stella Man Y. K. , Foster Julie , Carapuça Elisabete , Davies James A. , Parker Alan L. , Sosabowski Jane , Halldén Gunnel 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEarly phase clinical trials have demonstrated good therapeutic index for oncolytic adenoviruses in patients with solid tumours when administered intratumorally, resulting in local tumour elimination. Entrapment and binding of adenovirus to erythrocytes, blood factors, and neutralising antibodies have prevented efficient systemic delivery and targeting of distant lesions in the clinic. We previously generated the novel replication-selective Ad-3∆-A20T to improve tumour targeting by increasing the viral dose at distant sites. Here, we developed a protocol to directly radiolabel the virus for rapid and sensitive detection by single-photon emitted computed tomography (SPECT/CT) providing a convenient method for determining biodistribution following intravenous administration in murine models. Longitudinal whole-body scans, demonstrated efficient viral uptake in pancreatic Suit-2 and Panc04.03 xenografts with trace amounts of 125I-Ad-3∆-A20T up to 48 h after tail vein delivery. Hepatic and splenic radioactivity decreased over time. Analysis of tissues harvested at the end of the study, confirmed potency and selectivity of mutant viruses. Ad-3∆-A20T-treated animals showed higher viral genome copy numbers and E1A gene expression in tumors than in liver and spleen compared to Ad5wt. Our direct radiolabeling approach, allows for immediate screening of novel oncolytic adenoviruses and selection of optimal viral genome alterations to generate improved mutants.
Lipocalin 2 Does Not Play A Role in Celastrol-Mediated Reduction in Food Intake and Body Weight
Authors: Feng Xudong , Guan Dongxian , Auen Thomas , Choi Jae Won , Salazar-Hernandez Mario Andres , Faruk Farhana , Copps Kyle D. , Ozcan Umut 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCelastrol is a leptin-sensitizing agent with profound anti-obesity effects in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. However, the genes and pathways that mediate celastrol-induced leptin sensitization have not been fully understood. By comparing the hypothalamic transcriptomes of celastrol and vehicle-treated DIO mice, we identified lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) as the gene most strongly upregulated by celastrol. LCN2 was previously suggested as an anorexigenic and anti-obesity agent. Celastrol increased LCN2 protein levels in hypothalamus, liver, fat, muscle, and bone marrow, as well as in the plasma. However, genetic deficiency of LCN2 altered neither the development of diet-induced obesity, nor the ability of celastrol to promote weight loss and improve obesity-associated dyshomeostasis. We conclude that LCN2 is dispensable for both high fat diet-induced obesity and its therapeutic reduction by celastrol.
Evidence of crop production losses in West Africa due to historical global warming in two crop models
Authors: Sultan Benjamin , Defrance Dimitri , Iizumi Toshichika 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAchieving food security goals in West Africa will depend on the capacity of the agricultural sector to feed the rapidly growing population and to moderate the adverse impacts of climate change. Indeed, a number of studies anticipate a reduction of the crop yield of the main staple food crops in the region in the coming decades due to global warming. Here, we found that crop production might have already been affected by climate change, with significant yield losses estimated in the historical past. We used a large ensemble of historical climate simulations derived from an atmospheric general circulation model and two process-based crop models, SARRA-H and CYGMA, to evaluate the effects of historical climate change on crop production in West Africa. We generated two ensembles of 100 historical simulations of yields of sorghum and millet corresponding to two climate conditions for each crop model. One ensemble is based on a realistic simulation of the actual climate, while the other is based on a climate simulation that does not account for human influences on climate systems (that is, the non-warming counterfactual climate condition). We found that the last simulated decade, 2000–2009, is approximately 1 °C warmer in West Africa in the ensemble accounting for human influences on climate, with more frequent heat and rainfall extremes. These altered climate conditions have led to regional average yield reductions of 10–20% for millet and 5–15% for sorghum in the two crop models. We found that the average annual production losses across West Africa in 2000–2009 associated with historical climate change, relative to a non-warming counterfactual condition (that is, pre-industrial climate), accounted for 2.33–4.02 billion USD for millet and 0.73–2.17 billion USD for sorghum. The estimates of production losses presented here can be a basis for the loss and damage associated with climate change to date and useful in estimating the costs of the adaptation of crop production systems in the region.
Palaeoproteomic identification of breast milk protein residues from the archaeological skeletal remains of a neonatal dog
Authors: Tsutaya Takumi , Mackie Meaghan , Koenig Claire , Sato Takao , Weber Andrzej W. , Kato Hirofumi , Olsen Jesper V. , Cappellini Enrico 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAccurate postmortem estimation of breastfeeding status for archaeological or forensic neonatal remains is difficult. Confident identification of milk-specific proteins associated with these remains would provide direct evidence of breast milk consumption. We used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS) to confidently identify beta-lactoglobulin-1 (LGB1) and whey acidic protein (WAP), major whey proteins associated with a neonatal dog (Canis lupus familiaris) skeleton (430–960 cal AD), from an archaeological site in Hokkaido, Japan. The age at death of the individual was estimated to be approximately two weeks after birth. Protein residues extracted from rib and vertebra fragments were analyzed and identified by matching tandem MS spectra against the dog reference proteome. A total of 200 dog protein groups were detected and at least one peptide from canine LGB1 and two peptides from canine WAP were confidently identified. These milk proteins most probably originated from the mother’s breast milk, ingested by the neonate just before it died. We suggest the milk diffused outside the digestive apparatus during decomposition, and, by being absorbed into the bones, it partially preserved. The result of this study suggests that proteomic analysis can be used for postmortem reconstruction of the breastfeeding status at the time of death of neonatal mammalian, by analyzing their skeletal archaeological remains. This method is also applicable to forensic and wildlife studies.
Applications of New Rhizobacteria Pseudomonas Isolates in Agroecology via Fundamental Processes Complementing Plant Growth
Authors: Qessaoui R. , Bouharroud R. , Furze J. N. , El Aalaoui M. , Akroud H. , Amarraque A. , Vaerenbergh J. Van , Tahzima R. , Mayad E. H. , Chebli B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPseudomonas isolates have frequently been isolated from the rhizosphere of plants, and several of them have been reported as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. In the present work, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds were germinated in greenhouse conditions, and the seedling height, length of plants, collar diameter and number of leaves were measured from plants grown in soil inoculated by bacterial isolates. Pseudomonas isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere. We used the Newman-Keuls test to ascertain pairwise differences. Isolates were identified as a new Pseudomonas species by rpoD gene sequencing. The results showed that isolates of Pseudomonas sp. (Q6B) increased seed germination (P = 0.01); Pseudomonas sp. (Q6B, Q14B, Q7B, Q1B and Q13B) also promoted seedling height (P = 0.01). All five isolates promoted plant length and enlarged the collar diameter (P = 0.01). Pseudomonas sp. (Q1B) also increased leaf number (P = 0.01). The investigation found that Pseudomonas isolates were able to solubilize phosphate, produce siderophores, ammonia, and indole-3-acetic acid and colonize the roots of tomato plants. This study shows that these five novel Pseudomonas sp. isolates can be effective new plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.
Whole-genome sequencing-based epidemiological analysis of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance genes in Japan in 2007: Application of the Genome Research for Asian Tuberculosis (GReAT) database
Authors: Takii Takemasa , Seki Kouhei , Wakabayashi Yasutaka , Morishige Yuta , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Yamashita Akifumi , Kato Kengo , Uchimura Kazuhiro , Ohkado Akihiro , Keicho Naoto , Mitarai Satoshi , Kuroda Makoto , Kato Seiya 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe investigated the lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates from the RYOKEN study in Japan in 2007 and the usefulness of genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using the Genome Research for Asian Tuberculosis (GReAT) database. In total, 667 isolates were classified into lineage 1 (4.6%), lineage 2 (0.8%), lineage 2/Beijing (72.1%), lineage 3 (0.5%), and lineage 4 (22.0%). The nationality, gender, and age groups associated with the isolates assigned to lineage 1 were significantly different from those associated with other lineages. In particular, isolates of lineage 1.2.1 (EAI2) formed sub-clusters and included a 2,316-bp deletion in the genome. The proportion of the isolates resistant to at least one anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug was 10.8%, as determined by either the genotypic or phenotypic method of DST. However, the sensitivities to isoniazid, streptomycin, and ethambutol determined by the genotypic method were low. Thus, unidentified mutations in the genome responsible for drug resistance were explored, revealing previously unreported mutations in the katG, gid, and embB genes. This is the first nationwide report of whole-genome analysis of TB in Japan.
Prediction of soil available water-holding capacity from visible near-infrared reflectance spectra
Authors: Blaschek Michael , Roudier Pierre , Poggio Matteo , Hedley Carolyn B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSustainable land management requires reliable information about soil hydraulic properties. Among these properties, available water-holding capacity (AWC) is a key attribute, as it quantifies the amount of water available for plants that the soil can hold. Since direct measurements of AWC are costly, pedotransfer functions (PTF) are often used to estimate AWC, leveraging statistical relationships with properties that are easier to measure, such as texture, bulk density, and organic carbon content. This study evaluates visible near-infrared spectroscopy (vis-NIR) as an alternative approach to predict volumetric water content at field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) — AWC being the difference between PWP and FC. A suite of 970 vis-NIR soil spectra, recorded from air-dried, 2-mm, sieved soil samples, were associated with FC and PWP analytical data obtained from New Zealand’s National Soils Database. Partial least squares (PLS) regression and support vector machines on PLS latent variables (PLS-SVM) were used for spectroscopic modelling. With root mean squared errors below 7% and 5% for FC and PWP, respectively, our results indicate that vis-NIR spectroscopy can be used to quantitatively predict volumetric water content at FC and PWP.
Integrating SpyCatcher/SpyTag covalent fusion technology into phage display workflows for rapid antibody discovery
Authors: Fierle Julie K. , Abram-Saliba Johan , Brioschi Matteo , deTiani Mariastella , Coukos George , Dunn Steven M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAn early bottleneck in the rapid isolation of new antibody fragment binders usingin vitrolibrary approaches is the inertia encountered in acquiring and preparing soluble antigen fragments. In this report, we describe a simple, yet powerful strategy that exploits the properties of the SpyCatcher/SpyTag (SpyC/SpyT) covalent interaction to improve substantially the speed and efficiency in obtaining functional antibody clones of interest. We demonstrate that SpyC has broad utility as a protein-fusion tag partner in a eukaryotic expression/secretion context, retaining its functionality and permitting the direct, selective capture and immobilization of soluble antigen fusions using solid phase media coated with a synthetic modified SpyT peptide reagent. In addition, we show that the expressed SpyC-antigen format is highly compatible with downstream antibody phage display selection and screening procedures, requiring minimal post-expression handling with no sample modifications. To illustrate the potential of the approach, we have isolated several fully human germline scFvs that selectively recognize therapeutically relevant native cell surface tumor antigens in variousin vitrocell-based assay contexts.
Supramolecular super-helix formation via self-assembly of naphthalene diimide functionalised with bile acid derivatives
Authors: Wagalgave Sopan M. , Padghan Sachin D. , Burud Mahesh D. , Kobaisi Mohammad Al , La Duong Duc , Bhosale Rajesh S. , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhosale Sheshanath V. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe design of chiral chromophores that lead to self-assembly of higher order helical structures is a powerful tool to understand the hierarchical helical structures of molecules of nature. In this work, we present a self-assembled helical super-structure produced via facial stacking of a bile acid bolaamphiphile derivative with a naphthalene diimide core (NDI-DCA), driven by solvophobic effects in THF–H2O solvent mixtures. The chirality of the helical microstructure is directed by the multiple chiral centres in the precursor molecule. The chirality of the hierarchical assemblies was observed using circular dichroism (CD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. We propose that the NDI-DCA super-structures are formed via similar interactions and mechanisms to those observed in biological molecules such as proteins and DNA.