bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excess Heat Production by the Pair Annihilation of Ionic Vacancies in Copper Redox Reactions
Authors: Miura Makoto , Sugiyama Atsushi , Oshikiri Yoshinobu , Morimoto Ryoichi , Mogi Iwao , Miura Miki , Takagi Satoshi , Kim Jeonghun , Yamauchi Yusuke , Aogaki Ryoichi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn the pair annihilation of ionic vacancies with opposite charges, a drastic excess heat production up to 410 kJ mol−1 in average at 10 T (i. e., 1.5 times larger than the heat production by the combustion of H2, 285.8 kJ mol−1) was observed, which was then attributed to the emission of the solvation energy stored in 0.61 nm radius vacancies with two unit charges. Under a high magnetic field, using Lorentz force, we made ionic vacancies created in copper cathodic and anodic reactions collide with each other, and measured the reaction heat by their annihilation. Ionic vacancy is initially created as a byproduct in electrode reaction in keeping the conservation of linear momentum and electric charge during electron transfer. The unstable polarized particle is stabilized by solvation, and the solvation energy is stored in the free space of the order of 0.1 nm surrounded by oppositely charged ionic cloud. The collision of the ionic vacancies was carried out by circulation-type magnetohydrodynamic electrode (c-type MHDE) composed of a rectangular channel with a pair of copper electrodes and a narrow electrolysis cell.
Pb nanospheres in ancient zircon yield model ages for zircon formation and Pb mobilization
Authors: Lyon Ian C. , Kusiak Monika A. , Wirth Richard , Whitehouse Martin J. , Dunkley Daniel J. , Wilde Simon A. , Schaumlöffel Dirk , Malherbe Julien , Moore Katie L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNanospheres of lead (Pb) have recently been identified in zircon (ZrSiO4) with the potential to compromise the veracity of U-Pb age determinations. The key assumption that the determined age is robust against the effects of Pb mobility, as long as Pb is not lost from the zircon during subsequent geological events, is now in question. To determine the effect of nanosphere formation on age determination, and whether analysis of nanospheres can yield additional information about the timing of both zircon growth and nanosphere formation, zircons from the Napier Complex in Enderby Land, East Antarctica, were investigated by high-spatial resolution NanoSIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) mapping. Conventional SIMS analyses with >µm resolution potentially mixes Pb from multiple nanospheres with the zircon host, yielding variable average values and therefore unreliable ages. NanoSIMS analyses were obtained of 207Pb/206Pb in nanospheres a few nanometres in diameter that were resolved from 207Pb/206Pb measurements in the zircon host. We demonstrate that analysis for 207Pb/206Pb in multiple individual Pb nanospheres, along with separate analysis of 207Pb/206Pb in the zircon host, can not only accurately yield the age of zircon crystallization, but also the time of nanosphere formation resulting from Pb mobilization during metamorphism. Model ages for both events can be derived that are correlated due to the limited range of possible solutions that can be satisfied by the measured 207Pb/206Pb ratios of nanospheres and zircon host. For the Napier Complex zircons, this yields a model age of ca 3110 Ma for zircon formation and a late Archean model age of 2610 Ma for the metamorphism that produced the nanospheres. The Nanosphere Model Age (NMA) method constrains both the crystallization age and age of the metamorphism to ~±135 Ma, a significant improvement on errors derived from counting statistics.
Characterization of nitrogen doped graphene bilayers synthesized by fast, low temperature microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Boas C. R. S. V. , Focassio B. , Marinho E. , Larrude D. G. , Salvadori M. C. , Leão C. Rocha , dos Santos D. J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNew techniques to manipulate the electronic properties of few layer 2D materials, unveiling new physical phenomena as well as possibilities for new device applications have brought renewed interest to these systems. Therefore, the quest for reproducible methods for the large scale synthesis, as well as the manipulation, characterization and deeper understanding of these structures is a very active field of research. We here report the production of nitrogen doped bilayer graphene in a fast single step (2.5 minutes), at reduced temperatures (760 °C) using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MW-PECVD). Raman spectroscopy confirmed that nitrogen-doped bilayer structures were produced by this method. XPS analysis showed that we achieved control of the concentration of nitrogen dopants incorporated into the final samples. We have performed state of the art parameter-free simulations to investigate the cause of an unexpected splitting of the XPS signal as the concentration of nitrogen defects increased. We show that this splitting is due to the formation of interlayer bonds mediated by nitrogen defects on the layers of the material. The occurrence of these bonds may result in very specific electronic and mechanical properties of the bilayer structures.
Ultrasound imaging of dorsal neck muscles with speckle tracking analyses – the relationship between muscle deformation and force
Authors: Peterson Gunnel , Leary Shaun O’ , Nilsson David , Moodie Katherine , Tucker Kylie , Trygg Johan , Peolsson Anneli 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe development of methods of non-invasive measurement of neck muscle function remains a priority in the clinical sciences. In this study, dorsal neck muscle deformation vs time curves (deformation area) were evaluated against incremental force, recorded from non-invasive real-time ultrasound measurement. The results revealed subject-specific moderate to strong linear or non-linear relationships between deformation and force. Test-retest variability showed strong reliability for all five neck muscles summed together and fair to good reliability for the five muscles evaluated separately. Multivariate statistics were used to analyse the interactions between the dorsal neck muscles during different percentages of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Low force (10–20% MVC) was related to muscle shortening; higher force (40–80% MVC) showed combination of shortening and elongation deformation in the muscle interactions. The muscle interactions during isometric MVC test were subject-specific, with different combinations and deformations of the five neck muscles. Force ≥40% MVC were associated with a forward movement of the cervical spine that affected the ultrasound measurement of the dorsal neck muscles. Ultrasound with speckle-tracking analyses may be best used to detect low levels (<40% MVC) of neck muscle activity.
First demonstration of protective effects of purified mushroom polysaccharide-peptides against fatty liver injury and the mechanisms involved
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Zhang Shuman , Zhang Weiwei , Gao Yi , Rong Chengbo , Wang Hexiang , Liu Yu , Wong Jack Ho , Ng Tzibun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFatty liver (FLD) disease is a consequence of metabolic syndrome, which is a health problem worldwide with a phenomenal rise in prevalence. In this study, two hepatoprotective polysaccharide-peptides were extracted from the mushroom Auricularia polytricha followed by chromatographic fractionation of the extract on the ion exchanger DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex-200 to yield two purified fractions: APPI and APPII. The monosaccharide compositions, FT-IR, N-terminal sequences, internal peptide sequences and molecular weights of the two fractions were determined. Furthermore, their hepatoprotective effect on human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in an animal model of fatty liver disease was evidenced by the findings that APPI and APPII diminished lipid deposit in cells, blood and the liver, increased cellular antioxidant activity and viability, and protected the liver against injury. The mechanistic study revealed that APPI and APPII activated the adiponectin pathway, up-regulated expression of genes controlling free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation, such as AMPK, CPTl, ACOX1 and PPARα genes, enhanced lipid metabolism, preserved hepatic function, promoted the antioxidant defense system and reduced lipid peroxidation. Hence the bioactive compounds of A. polytricha could serve as therapeutic agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Mechanical Properties of Chemically Modified Clay
Authors: Gusmão Marta S. S. , Gopal Priya , Siloi Ilaria , Curtarolo Stefano , Fornari Marco , Nardelli Marco Buongiorno 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSerpentine clay minerals are found in many geological settings. The rich diversity, both in chemical composition and crystal structure, alters the elastic behavior of clay rocks significantly, thus modifying seismic and sonic responses to shaley sequences. Computation of the elastic properties is a useful tool to characterize this diversity. In this paper we use first principles methods to compare the mechanical properties of lizardite Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4, a polymorph of serpentine family, with the new compounds derived by substituting Mg ions with isovalent elements from different chemical groups. New compounds are first selected according to chemical and geometrical stability criteria, then full elastic tensors, bulk and shear modulii, and acoustic velocities are obtained. Overall, the new compounds have a lower anisotropy and are less resistant to mechanical deformation compared to the prototype, thus providing valuable information regarding chemical composition and mechanical properties in these systems.
Using de novo transcriptome assembly and analysis to study RNAi in Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Authors: Singh Satnam , Gupta Mridula , Pandher Suneet , Kaur Gurmeet , Goel Neha , Rathore Pankaj 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPhenacoccus solenopsisis one of the major polyphagous crop pests in India. Inadequate genomic or transcriptomic resources have limited the molecular studies in this insect despite its huge economic importance. The existing molecular sequence resources of this insect were supplemented through RNA sequencing,de novotranscriptome assembly and analysis, which generated 12, 925 CDS from 23,643 contigs with an average size of 1077.5 bp per CDS and 85.1% positive BLAST hits with NCBI Non redundant (nr) database. Twenty three genes involved in RNAi machinery identified through BLASTx search against NCBI nr database suggested the existence of robust RNAi in mealybug. RNAi inP. solenopsiswas demonstrated through knockdown ofIAP(Inhibitor of Apoptosis), AQP(Aquaporin), CAL(Calcitonin), VATPase(V-type proton ATPase subunit F 1), bursicon, chitin synthase, SNF7andα-amylaseby injecting sequence specific dsRNA of respective genes in adult female. Additionally, feeding RNAi has been demonstrated in 2ndinstar nymph through dsRNA uptake in plant. The knockdown of core RNAi machinery genes such asDicer,ArgonauteandStaufensignificantly hampered RNAi efficiency in this insect. However, downregulation ofdsRNasesimproved RNAi efficiency. Sequential studies for understanding RNAi inP. solenopsisusing transcriptome sequences have also been reported. The present study provides a base for future research on developing RNAi as strategy for management of this pest.
Chemical cues of female fertility states in a non-human primate
Authors: Kücklich Marlen , Weiß Brigitte M. , Birkemeyer Claudia , Einspanier Almuth , Widdig Anja 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAn increasing number of studies suggest that olfaction is important for communication throughout the order of primates. Callitrichids, in particular, have well-developed olfactory systems and use anogenital glands to produce scent marks. Behavioural studies have shown that male common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) distinguish between odours from the peri-ovulatory and luteal phase of females. However, large gaps remain in understanding the chemical underpinnings of olfactory cues. To investigate whether chemical cues vary with female fertility and reproductive quality, our study combined behavioural bioassays with chemical analyses of the anogenital odours of female common marmosets using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that cycle states, age and parity have an impact on chemical profiles and further identified affected chemical substances. Our results confirm and expand on previous behavioural evidence for cues of fertility. Our results indicate that cycle-related substances likely act as chemical cues. Males could use such olfactory fertility cues to optimize their mating effort and thereby increase their paternity certainty. This certainty could enhance paternal care for their infants. The results of our study open a promising avenue to find the metabolic pathways from which chemical cues of fertility arise and to unravel their importance during primate evolution in future comparative studies.
A novel Ancestral Beijing sublineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis suggests the transition site to Modern Beijing sublineages
Authors: Ajawatanawong Pravech , Yanai Hideki , Smittipat Nat , Disratthakit Areeya , Yamada Norio , Miyahara Reiko , Nedsuwan Supalert , Imasanguan Worarat , Kantipong Pacharee , Chaiyasirinroje Boonchai , Wongyai Jiraporn , Plitphonganphim Supada , Tantivitayakul Pornpen , Phelan Jody , Parkhill Julian , Clark Taane G. , Hibberd Martin L. , Ruangchai Wuthiwat , Palittapongarnpim Panawun , Juthayothin Tada , Thawornwattana Yuttapong , Viratyosin Wasna , Tongsima Sissades , Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Tokunaga Katsushi , Palittapongarnpim Prasit 
Published: September 2019

AbstractGlobal Mycobacterium tuberculosis population comprises 7 major lineages. The Beijing strains, particularly the ones classified as Modern groups, have been found worldwide, frequently associated with drug resistance, younger ages, outbreaks and appear to be expanding. Here, we report analysis of whole genome sequences of 1170 M. tuberculosis isolates together with their patient profiles. Our samples belonged to Lineage 1–4 (L1–L4) with those of L1 and L2 being equally dominant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed several new or rare sublineages. Differential associations between sublineages of M. tuberculosis and patient profiles, including ages, ethnicity, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection and drug resistance were demonstrated. The Ancestral Beijing strains and some sublineages of L4 were associated with ethnic minorities while L1 was more common in Thais. L2.2.1.Ancestral 4 surprisingly had a mutation that is typical of the Modern Beijing sublineages and was common in Akha and Lahu tribes who have migrated from Southern China in the last century. This may indicate that the evolutionary transition from the Ancestral to Modern Beijing sublineages might be gradual and occur in Southern China, where the presence of multiple ethnic groups might have allowed for the circulations of various co-evolving sublineages which ultimately lead to the emergence of the Modern Beijing strains.
The microbial community in filamentous bulking sludge with the ultra-low sludge loading and long sludge retention time in oxidation ditch
Authors: Zhang Meng , Yao Junqin , Wang Xiyuan , Hong Ying , Chen Yinguang 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSludge bulking is a major problem that restricts the development of the activated sludge process. The microbial community responsible for sludge bulking varies depending on water quality and operational conditions. This study analysed the microbial community of bulking sludge in oxidation ditch with ultra-low sludge loading and long sludge retention time using high-throughput sequencing. The study found that the relative abundance of bacterial genus Saprospiraceae_norank was the highest in bulking sludge, reaching 13.39–28.83%, followed by Comamonadaceae_unclassified, Ardenticatenia_norank and Tetrasphaera, with the relative abundance of 4.59–11.08%, 0.52–16.60% and 0.17–8.92% respectively. In contrast, the relative abundance of bacteria that easily caused sludge bulking including Microthrix (0.54–2.47%), Trichococcus (0.32–1.71%), Gordonia (0.14–1.28%), and Thiothrix (0.01–0.06%) were relatively low. Saprospiraceae_norank was predominant and induced sludge bulking in oxidation ditch. The relative abundance of fungal genus Trichosporon was the highest in bulking sludge, reaching 16.95–24.98%, while other fungal genera were Saccharomycetales_unclassified (5.59–14.55%), Ascomycota_norank (1.45–13.51%), Galactomyces (5.23–11.23%), and Debaryomyces (7.69–9.42%), whereas Trichosporon was the dominant fungal genus in bulking sludge. This study reported that excessive Saprospiraceae_norank can induce sludge bulking for the first time, which provides important knowledge to control sludge bulking.
Trp–His covalent adduct in bilirubin oxidase is crucial for effective bilirubin binding but has a minor role in electron transfer
Authors: Kovaľ Tomáš , Švecová Leona , Østergaard Lars H. , Skalova Tereza , Dušková Jarmila , Hašek Jindřich , Kolenko Petr , Fejfarová Karla , Stránský Jan , Trundová Mária , Dohnálek Jan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractUnlike any protein studied so far, the active site of bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria contains a unique type of covalent link between tryptophan and histidine side chains. The role of this post-translational modification in substrate binding and oxidation is not sufficiently understood. Our structural and mutational studies provide evidence that this Trp396–His398 adduct modifies T1 copper coordination and is an important part of the substrate binding and oxidation site. The presence of the adduct is crucial for oxidation of substituted phenols and it substantially influences the rate of oxidation of bilirubin. Additionally, we bring the first structure of bilirubin oxidase in complex with one of its products, ferricyanide ion, interacting with the modified tryptophan side chain, Arg356 and the active site-forming loop 393-398. The results imply that structurally and chemically distinct types of substrates, including bilirubin, utilize the Trp–His adduct mainly for binding and to a smaller extent for electron transfer.
Thorn-like TiO2 nanoarrays with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity through physical puncture and photocatalytic action
Authors: Kim Eun-Ju , Choi Mingi , Park Hyeon Yeong , Hwang Ji Young , Kim Hyung-Eun , Hong Seok Won , Lee Jaesang , Yong Kijung , Kim Wooyul 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTo overcome the conventional limitation of TiO2 disinfection being ineffective under light-free conditions, TiO2 nanowire films (TNWs) were prepared and applied to bacterial disinfection under dark and UV illumination. TNW exhibited much higher antibacterial efficiencies against Escherichia coli (E. coli) under dark and UV illumination conditions compared to TiO2 nanoparticle film (TNP) which was almost inactive in the dark, highlighting the additional contribution of the physical interaction between bacterial membrane and NWs. Such a physical contact-based antibacterial activity was related to the NW geometry such as diameter, length, and density. The combined role of physical puncture and photocatalytic action in the mechanism underlying higher bactericidal effect of TNW was systematically examined by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XPS, and potassium ion release analyses. Moreover, TNW revealed antimicrobial activities in a broad spectrum of microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus and MS2 bacteriophage, antibiofilm properties, and good material stability. Overall, we expect that the free-standing and antimicrobial TNW is a promising agent for water disinfection and biomedical applications in the dark and/or UV illumination.
The inhibitory effects of four inhibitors on the solution adsorption of CaCO3 on Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 surfaces
Authors: Li Changjun , Zhang Chaoyi , Zhang Wuping 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study presents the inhibitory effects of four scale inhibitors, including polyacrylic acid (PAA), hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride (HPMA), polyepoxysuccinic acid (PESA) and polyaspartic acid (PASP), on the adsorption of CaCO3 on the surfaces of Fe3O4 and Fe2O3. Samples were characterized using SEM and EDS and the average atomic number ratios of Ca/Fe were calculated. Inhibition effects followed the trend: PESA > PAA > PASP > HPMA and PESA > PASP > HPMA > PAA for Fe3O4 and Fe2O3, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations based on the adsorption model of the scale inhibitor on the surface and calculations of the adsorption energy between the scale inhibitor molecule and the surface revealed that the relatively high scale inhibitory effect is due to low adsorption energy between the inhibitor molecule and the surface. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the model after adsorption revealed that the relatively low adsorption energy depends on the number of H-O bonds formed as well as those with higher Mulliken population values between the scale inhibitor and the surface.
Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) responsive miRNAs in banana root
Authors: Cheng Chunzhen , Liu Fan , Sun Xueli , Tian Na , Mensah Raphael Anue , Li Dan , Lai Zhongxiong 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease, which is the most serious disease affecting the whole banana industry. Although extensive studies have characterized many Foc-responsive genes in banana, the molecular mechanisms on microRNA level underlying both banana defense and Foc pathogenesis are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to reveal the role of miRNA during banana-Foc TR4 interactions. Illumina sequencing was used to reveal the changes in small RNAome profiles in roots of Foc TR4-inoculated ‘Tianbaojiao’ banana (Musa acuminata cv. Tianbaojiao) in the early stages (i.e. 5 h, 10 h and 25 h post Foc TR4 inoculation, respectively). The expression of some differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and their predicted target genes was studied by using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Totally, 254 known miRNAs from 31 miRNA families and 28 novel miRNAs were identified. Differential expression analysis identified 84, 77 and 74 DE miRNAs at the three respective Foc TR4 infection time points compared with control healthy banana (CK). GO and KEGG analysis revealed that most of the predicted target genes of DE miRNAs (DET) were implicated in peroxisome, fatty acid metabolism, auxin-activated signaling pathway, sulfur metabolism, lignin metabolism and so on, and many known stress responsive genes were identified to be DETs. Moreover, expected inverse correlations were confirmed between some miRNA and their corresponding target genes by using qRT-PCR analysis. Our study revealed that miRNA play important regulatory roles during the banana-Foc TR4 interaction by regulating peroxidase, fatty acid metabolism, auxin signaling, sulfur metabolism, lignin metabolism related genes and many known stress responsive genes.