bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic preparation of monodisperse polymeric microspheres coated with silica nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Dong-Yeong , Jin Si Hyung , Jeong Seong-Geun , Lee Byungjin , Kang Kyoung-Ku , Lee Chang-Soo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid particles with highly controlled particle sizes in the micrometer range is a major challenge in many areas of research. Conventional methods are limited for nanometer-scale fabrication because of the difficulty in controlling the size. In this study, we present a microfluidic method for the preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid microparticles with poly (1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate-co-trimethoxysillyl propyl methacrylate) (P (DDMA-co-TPM)) as the core and silica nanoparticles as the shell. In this approach, the droplet-based microfluidic method combined with in situ photopolymerization produces highly monodisperse organic microparticles of P (DDMA-co-TPM) in a simple manner, and the silica nanoparticles gradually grow on the surface of the microparticles prepared via hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a basic ammonium hydroxide medium without additional surface treatment. This approach leads to a reduction in the number of processes and allows drastically improved size uniformity compared to conventional methods. The morphology, composition, and structure of the hybrid microparticles are analyzed by SEM, TEM, FT-IR, EDS, and XPS, respectively. The results indicate the inorganic shell of the hybrid particles consists of SiO2 nanoparticles of approximately 60 nm. Finally, we experimentally describe the formation mechanism of a silica-coating layer on the organic surface of polymeric core particles.
Quantitative analysis of DNA with single-molecule sequencing
Authors: Ohshiro Takahito , Tsutsui Makusu , Yokota Kazumichi , Taniguchi Masateru 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCancer can be diagnosed by identifying DNA and microRNA base sequences that have the same base length yet differ in a few base sequences, if the abundance ratios of these slightly deviant base sequences can be determined. However, such quantitative analyses cannot be performed using the current DNA sequencers. Here we determine entire base sequences of four types of DNA corresponding to the let-7 microRNA, which is a 22-base cancer marker. We record the single-molecule conductances of the base molecules using current-tunneling measurements. In addition, we count the numbers of molecules in a solution to determine the abundance ratios of two DNA strands that differ by a single base sequence.
Transcriptomics insights into the genetic regulation of root apical meristem exhaustion and determinate primary root growth in Pachycereus pringlei (Cactaceae)
Authors: Rodriguez-Alonso Gustavo , Matvienko Marta , López-Valle Mayra L. , Lázaro-Mixteco Pedro E. , Napsucialy-Mendivil Selene , Dubrovsky Joseph G. , Shishkova Svetlana 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMany Cactaceae species exhibit determinate growth of the primary root as a consequence of root apical meristem (RAM) exhaustion. The genetic regulation of this growth pattern is unknown. Here, we de novo assembled and annotated the root apex transcriptome of the Pachycereus pringlei primary root at three developmental stages, with active or exhausted RAM. The assembled transcriptome is robust and comprehensive, and was used to infer a transcriptional regulatory network of the primary root apex. Putative orthologues of Arabidopsis regulators of RAM maintenance, as well as putative lineage-specific transcripts were identified. The transcriptome revealed putative orthologues of most proteins involved in housekeeping processes, hormone signalling, and metabolic pathways. Our results suggest that specific transcriptional programs operate in the root apex at specific developmental time points. Moreover, the transcriptional state of the P. pringlei root apex as the RAM becomes exhausted is comparable to the transcriptional state of cells from the meristematic, elongation, and differentiation zones of Arabidopsis roots along the root axis. We suggest that the transcriptional program underlying the drought stress response is induced during Cactaceae root development, and that lineage-specific transcripts could contribute to RAM exhaustion in Cactaceae.
Role of subsurface ocean in decadal climate predictability over the South Atlantic
Authors: Morioka Yushi , Doi Takeshi , Storto Andrea , Masina Simona , Behera Swadhin K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDecadal climate predictability in the South Atlantic is explored by performing reforecast experiments using a coupled general circulation model with two initialization schemes; one is assimilated with observed sea surface temperature (SST) only, and the other is additionally assimilated with observed subsurface ocean temperature and salinity. The South Atlantic is known to undergo decadal variability exhibiting a meridional dipole of SST anomalies through variations in the subtropical high and ocean heat transport. Decadal reforecast experiments in which only the model SST is initialized with the observation do not predict well the observed decadal SST variability in the South Atlantic, while the other experiments in which the model SST and subsurface ocean are initialized with the observation skillfully predict the observed decadal SST variability, particularly in the Southeast Atlantic. In-depth analysis of upper-ocean heat content reveals that a significant improvement of zonal heat transport in the Southeast Atlantic leads to skillful prediction of decadal SST variability there. These results demonstrate potential roles of subsurface ocean assimilation in the skillful prediction of decadal climate variability over the South Atlantic.
Clathrate Hydrates of Greenhouse Gases in the Presence of Natural Amino Acids: Storage, Transportation and Separation Applications
Authors: Prasad Pinnelli S. R. , Sai Kiran Burla 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStorage of greenhouse gases in the form of gas hydrates is attractive and is being pursued rigorously in recent times. However, slow formation rate and inefficient water to hydrate conversion are the main hindering factors. In this report, we examine the role of two amino acids (0.5 wt%), l-methionine (l-met) and l-phenylalanine (l-phe) on the formation of gas hydrates using methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and their mixtures as guest molecules. Experiments are conducted under non-stirred and isochoric configurations. The hydrate conversion efficiency of both amino acids is identical for hydrates formed with CH4 and mixture of (CO2+CH4). However, the hydrate conversion is significantly less in CO2 hydrates in l-phe system. Addition of amino acids to the water dramatically improved the kinetics of hydrate formation and 90% of maximum gas uptake in hydrate phase occurred in less than an hour. The water to hydrate conversion is also very efficient (>85%) in the presence of amino acids. Therefore, the amino acids containing systems are suitable for storing both CH4 and CO2 gases. The gas hydrates were characterised using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic measurements. These measurements indicate the formation of sI hydrates and encasing of gas molecules as guests.
Reward-enhanced encoding improves relearning of forgotten associations
Authors: Miendlarzewska Ewa A. , Ciucci Sara , Cannistraci Carlo V. , Bavelier Daphne , Schwartz Sophie 
Published: May 2018

AbstractResearch on human memory has shown that monetary incentives can enhance hippocampal memory consolidation and thereby protect memory traces from forgetting. However, it is not known whether initial reward may facilitate the recovery of already forgotten memories weeks after learning. Here, we investigated the influence of monetary reward on later relearning. Nineteen healthy human participants learned object-location associations, for half of which we offered money. Six weeks later, most of these associations had been forgotten as measured by a test of declarative memory. Yet, relearning in the absence of any reward was faster for the originally rewarded associations. Thus, associative memories encoded in a state of monetary reward motivation may persist in a latent form despite the failure to retrieve them explicitly. Alternatively, such facilitation could be analogous to the renewal effect observed in animal conditioning, whereby a reward-associated cue can reinstate anticipatory arousal, which would in turn modulate relearning. This finding has important implications for learning and education, suggesting that even when learned information is no longer accessible via explicit retrieval, the enduring effects of a past prospect of reward could facilitate its recovery.
High sample throughput genotyping for estimating C-lineage introgression in the dark honeybee: an accurate and cost-effective SNP-based tool
Authors: Henriques Dora , Browne Keith A. , Barnett Mark W. , Parejo Melanie , Kryger Per , Freeman Tom C. , Muñoz Irene , Garnery Lionel , Highet Fiona , Jonhston J. Spencer , McCormack Grace P. , Pinto M. Alice 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe natural distribution of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) has been changed by humans in recent decades to such an extent that the formerly widest-spread European subspecies, Apis mellifera mellifera, is threatened by extinction through introgression from highly divergent commercial strains in large tracts of its range. Conservation efforts for A. m. mellifera are underway in multiple European countries requiring reliable and cost-efficient molecular tools to identify purebred colonies. Here, we developed four ancestry-informative SNP assays for high sample throughput genotyping using the iPLEX Mass Array system. Our customized assays were tested on DNA from individual and pooled, haploid and diploid honeybee samples extracted from different tissues using a diverse range of protocols. The assays had a high genotyping success rate and yielded accurate genotypes. Performance assessed against whole-genome data showed that individual assays behaved well, although the most accurate introgression estimates were obtained for the four assays combined (117 SNPs). The best compromise between accuracy and genotyping costs was achieved when combining two assays (62 SNPs). We provide a ready-to-use cost-effective tool for accurate molecular identification and estimation of introgression levels to more effectively monitor and manage A. m. mellifera conservatories.
Anisotropy dependence of the fluctuation spectroscopy in the critical and gaussian regimes in superconducting NaFe1−xCo
x
As single crystals
Authors: Ahmad D. , Choi W. J. , Sóñora D. , Oh Yoon Seok , Mosqueira J. , Park Tuson , Kwon Yong Seung 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe investigate thermal fluctuations in terms of diamagnetism and magnetotransport in superconducting NaFe1−xCo
x
As single crystals with different doping levels. Results show that in the case of optimal doped and lightly overdoped (x = 0.03, 0.05) crystals the analysis in the critical as well as in the Gaussian fluctuation regions is consistent with the Ginzburg-Landau 3D fluctuation theory. However, in the case of strongly overdoped samples (x ≥ 0.07) the Ullah-Dorsey scaling of the fluctuation induced magnetoconductivity in the critical region confirms that thermal fluctuations exhibit a 3D anisotropic nature only in a narrow temperature region around T
c
(H). This is consistent with the fact that in these samples the fluctuation effects in the Gaussian region above Tc may be described by the Lawrence-Doniach approach. Our results indicate that the anisotropy of these materials increases significantly with the doping level.
Multiscale understanding of tricalcium silicate hydration reactions
Authors: Cuesta Ana , Zea-Garcia Jesus D. , Londono-Zuluaga Diana , De la Torre Angeles G. , Santacruz Isabel , Vallcorba Oriol , Dapiaggi Monica , Sanfélix Susana G. , Aranda Miguel A. G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTricalcium silicate, the main constituent of Portland cement, hydrates to produce crystalline calcium hydroxide and calcium-silicate-hydrates (C-S-H) nanocrystalline gel. This hydration reaction is poorly understood at the nanoscale. The understanding of atomic arrangement in nanocrystalline phases is intrinsically complicated and this challenge is exacerbated by the presence of additional crystalline phase(s). Here, we use calorimetry and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction to quantitatively follow tricalcium silicate hydration process: i) its dissolution, ii) portlandite crystallization and iii) C-S-H gel precipitation. Chiefly, synchrotron pair distribution function (PDF) allows to identify a defective clinotobermorite, Ca11Si9O28(OH)2.8.5H2O, as the nanocrystalline component of C-S-H. Furthermore, PDF analysis also indicates that C-S-H gel contains monolayer calcium hydroxide which is stretched as recently predicted by first principles calculations. These outcomes, plus additional laboratory characterization, yielded a multiscale picture for C-S-H nanocomposite gel which explains the observed densities and Ca/Si atomic ratios at the nano- and meso- scales.
Mitochondrial function is impaired in the skeletal muscle of pre-frail elderly
Authors: Andreux Pénélope A. , van Diemen Marcus P. J. , Heezen Maxime R. , Auwerx Johan , Rinsch Chris , Groeneveld Geert Jan , Singh Anurag 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAging is accompanied by a gradual decline in both muscle mass and strength over time, which can eventually lead to pathologies, such as frailty and sarcopenia. While these two conditions are well characterized, further investigation of the early biological signs present in pre-frail elderly is still needed to help identify strategies for preventative therapeutic intervention. The goal of the present clinical study was to evaluate the level of mitochondrial (dys)function in a well-defined population of pre-frail elderly (>60 years of age). Pre-frail elderly were compared with an age-matched population of active elderly. Muscle mitochondrial function was assessed in vivo using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) and a comprehensive set of biological biomarkers were measured ex vivo in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies. In pre-frail subjects, phosphocreatine recovery was impaired and mitochondrial respiratory complex protein and activity levels were significantly lower when compared with active elderly. Analysis of microarray data showed that mitochondrial genes were also significantly down-regulated in muscle of pre-frail compared to active elderly. These results show that mitochondrial impairment is a hallmark of pre-frailty development and the onset of decline in muscle function in the elderly.
Rational Discovery of (+) (S) Abscisic Acid as a Potential Antifungal Agent: a Repurposing Approach
Authors: Khedr Mohammed A. , Massarotti Alberto , Mohamed Maged E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFungal infections are spreading widely worldwide, and the types of treatment are limited due to the lack of diverse therapeutic agents and their associated side effects and toxicity. The discovery of new antifungal classes is vital and critical. We discovered the antifungal activity of abscisic acid through a rational drug design methodology that included the building of homology models for fungal chorismate mutases and a pharmacophore model derived from a transition state inhibitor. Ligand-based virtual screening resulted in some hits that were filtered using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations studies. Both in silico methods and in vitro antifungal assays were used as tools to select and validate the abscisic acid repurposing. Abscisic acid inhibition assays confirmed the inhibitory effect of abscisic acid on chorismate mutase through the inhibition of phenylpyruvate production. The repositioning of abscisic acid, the well-known and naturally occurring plant growth regulator, as a potential antifungal agent because of its suggested action as an inhibitor to several fungal chorismate mutases was the main result of this work.
Motion changes response balance between ON and OFF visual pathways
Authors: Luo-Li Gloria , Mazade Reece , Zaidi Qasim , Alonso Jose-Manuel , Freeman Alan W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHumans are faster at detecting dark than light stationary stimuli, a temporal difference that originates early in the visual pathway. Here we show that this difference reverses when stimuli move, making detection faster for moving lights than darks. Human subjects judged the direction of moving edges and bars, and made faster and more accurate responses for light than for dark stimuli. This light/dark asymmetry is greatest at low speeds and disappears at high speeds. In parallel experiments, we recorded responses in the cat visual cortex for moving bars and again find that responses are faster for light bars than for dark bars moving at low speeds. We show that differences in the luminance-response function between ON and OFF pathways can reproduce these findings, and may explain why ON pathways are used for slow-motion image stabilization in many species.
Control of selectivity in hydrosilane-promoted heterogeneous palladium-catalysed reduction of furfural and aromatic carboxides
Authors: Li Hu , Zhao Wenfeng , Saravanamurugan Shunmugavel , Dai Wenshuai , He Jian , Meier Sebastian , Yang Song , Riisager Anders 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe production of liquid fuels and fine chemicals often involves multi-step reaction processes with selective hydrogenation as one of the key steps. This step most often depends on high-pressure excess hydrogen gas, fossil resources, and newly prepared metallic catalysts. Here we describe an approach to tune activity and selectivity toward transfer hydrogenation of renewable biomass derivatives over commercially available Pd/C using liquid hydrosilane as hydrogen source. The appropriate control of water-doping content, acid type, reaction temperature, and liquid H− donor dosage permits the selective formation of four different value-added products in high yields (≥90%) from bio-based furfural under mild reaction conditions (15–100 °C). Mechanistic insights into the hydrosilane-mediated cascade reactions of furfural are obtained using isotope labeling. The catalyst is recyclable and can selectively reduce an extensive range of aromatic carbonyl compounds to the corresponding alcohols or hydrocarbons in 83–99% yield, typically at 25–40 °C.
A Matrixed Speech-in-Noise Test to Discriminate Favorable Listening Conditions by Means of Intelligibility and Response Time Results
Authors: Visentin Chiara , Prodi Nicola 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThe primary aim of this study was to develop and examine the potentials of a new speech-in-noise test in discriminating the favorable listening conditions targeted in the acoustical design of communication spaces. The test is based on the recognition and recall of disyllabic word sequences. A secondary aim was to compare the test with current speech-in-noise tests, assessing its benefits and limitations.MethodYoung adults (19–40 years old), self-reporting normal hearing, were presented with the newly developed Words Sequence Test (WST; 16 participants, Experiment 1) and with a consonant confusion test and a sentence recognition test (Experiment 2, 36 participants randomly assigned to the 2 tests). Participants performing the WST were presented with word sequences of different lengths (from 2 up to 6 words). Two listening conditions were selected: (a) no noise and no reverberation, and (b) reverberant, steady-state noise (Speech Transmission Index: 0.47). The tests were presented in a closed-set format; data on the number of words correctly recognized (speech intelligibility, IS) and the response times (RTs) were collected (onset RT, single words' RT).ResultsIt was found that a sequence composed of 4 disyllabic words ensured both the full recognition score in quiet conditions and a significant decrease in IS results when noise and reverberation degraded the speech signal. RTs increased with the worsening of the listening conditions and the number of words of the sequence. The greatest onset RT variation was found when using a sequence of 4 words. In the comparison with current speech-in-noise tests, it was found that the WST maximized the IS difference between the selected listening conditions as well as the RT increase.ConclusionsOverall, the results suggest that the new speech-in-noise test has good potentials in discriminating conditions with near-ceiling accuracy. As compared with current speech-in-noise tests, it appears that the WST with a 4-word sequence allows for a finer mapping of the acoustical design target conditions of public spaces through accuracy and onset RT data.
Parsec-scale jets driven by high-mass young stellar objects
Authors: Fedriani R. , Caratti o Garatti A. , Coffey D. , Garcia Lopez R. , Kraus S. , Weigelt G. , Stecklum B. , Ray T. P. , Walmsley C. M. 
Published: May 2018

Context. Protostellar jets in high-mass young stellar objects (HMYSOs) play a key role in the understanding of star formation and provide us with an excellent tool to study fundamental properties of HMYSOs.
Aims. We aim at studying the physical and kinematic properties of the near-infrared (NIR) jet of IRAS 13481-6124 from au to parsec scales.
Methods. Our study includes NIR data from the Very Large Telescope instruments SINFONI, CRIRES, and ISAAC. Information about the source and its immediate environment is retrieved with SINFONI. The technique of spectro-astrometry is performed with CRIRES to study the jet on au scales. The parsec-scale jet and its kinematic and dynamic properties are investigated using ISAAC.
Results. The SINFONI spectra in H and K bands are rich in emission lines that are mainly associated with ejection and accretion processes. Spectro-astrometry is applied to the Brγ line, and for the first time, to the Brα line, revealing their jet origin with milliarcsecond-scale photocentre displacements (11−15 au). This allows us to constrain the kinematics of the au-scale jet and to derive its position angle (~216°). ISAAC spectroscopy reveals H2 emission along the parsec-scale jet, which allows us to infer kinematic and dynamic properties of the NIR parsec-scale jet. The mass-loss rate inferred for the NIR jet is Ṁejec ~ 10−4 M⊙ yr−1 and the thrust is Ṗ ~ 10−2 M⊙ yr−1 km s−1, which is roughly constant for the formation history of the young star. A tentative estimate of the ionisation fraction is derived for the massive jet by comparing the radio and NIR mass-loss rates. An ionisation fraction ≲8% is obtained, which means that the bulk of the ejecta is traced by the NIR jet and that the radio jet only delineates a small portion of it.