bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Glass-ceramics Using Chromium-containing Stainless Steel Slag: Crystal Structure and Solidification of Heavy Metal Chromium
Authors: OuYang ShunLi , Zhang YuXuan , Chen YuXin , Zhao ZengWu , Wen Ming , Li BaoWei , Shi Yu , Zhang MingZhe , Liu ShiLiang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIt is a useful way to stabilize the elements of heavy metal in the glass-ceramics with the form of ions due to the environmental pollution of heavy metal, such as Cr. The glass-ceramics of excellent combination properties were prepared, and the effect of stabilizing Cr-containing stainless steel slag with different concentrations of nitric acid leaching test were investigated. It was found that the major crystalline phase was diopside or anorthite with or without the amount stainless steel slag. Moreover, the continuous refinement of grains exhibited with the increase of amount of stainless steel slag. The results indicated that the excellent physical and mechanical properties, including density (2.9 g/cm3), hardness (729.27HV0.3), bending strength (222.9 MPa), and the solid solution of Cr in excess of 0.00057% for the glass-ceramics were related to the change of microstructure and phase structure. There showed the potential for reusing and detoxifying stainless steel slag.
Field-Tunable 0-π-Transitions in SnTe Topological Crystalline Insulator SQUIDs
Authors: Schönle Joachim , Borisov Kiril , Klett Robin , Dyck Denis , Balestro Franck , Reiss Günter , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe manifestation of spin-orbit interactions, long known to dramatically affect the band structure of heavy-element compounds, governs the physics in the surging class of topological matter. A particular example is found in the new family of topological crystalline insulators. In this systems transport occurs at the surfaces and spin-momentum locking yields crystal-symmetry protected spin-polarized transport. We investigated the current-phase relation of SnTe thin films connected to superconducting electrodes to form SQUID devices. Our results demonstrate that an assisting in-plane magnetic field component can induce 0-π-transitions. We attribute these findings to giant g-factors and large spin-orbit coupling of SnTe topological crystalline insulator, which provides a new platform for investigation of the interplay between spin-orbit physics and topological transport.
Effects of green seaweed extract on Arabidopsis early development suggest roles for hormone signalling in plant responses to algal fertilisers
Authors: Ghaderiardakani Fatemeh , Collas Ellen , Damiano Deborah Kohn , Tagg Katherine , Graham Neil S. , Coates Juliet C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe growing population requires sustainable, environmentally-friendly crops. The plant growth-enhancing properties of algal extracts have suggested their use as biofertilisers. The mechanism(s) by which algal extracts affect plant growth are unknown. We examined the effects of extracts from the common green seaweed Ulva intestinalis on germination and root development in the model land plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Ulva extract concentrations above 0.1% inhibited Arabidopsis germination and root growth. Ulva extract <0.1% stimulated root growth. All concentrations of Ulva extract inhibited lateral root formation. An abscisic-acid-insensitive mutant, abi1, showed altered sensitivity to germination- and root growth-inhibition. Ethylene- and cytokinin-insensitive mutants were partly insensitive to germination-inhibition. This suggests that different mechanisms mediate each effect of Ulva extract on early Arabidopsis development and that multiple hormones contribute to germination-inhibition. Elemental analysis showed that Ulva contains high levels of Aluminium ions (Al3+). Ethylene and cytokinin have been suggested to function in Al3+-mediated root growth inhibition: our data suggest that if Ulva Al3+ levels inhibit root growth, this is via a novel mechanism. We suggest algal extracts should be used cautiously as fertilisers, as the inhibitory effects on early development may outweigh any benefits if the concentration of extract is too high.
New microhylid frog genus from Peninsular India with Southeast Asian affinity suggests multiple Cenozoic biotic exchanges between India and Eurasia
Authors: Garg Sonali , Biju S. D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAnurans in Peninsular India exhibit close biogeographical links with Gondwana as well as Laurasia, often explainable by the geological history of the Indian subcontinent; its breakup from Gondwanan landmasses followed by long isolation that resulted in diversification of endemic lineages, and subsequent land connections with Asia that enabled dispersal of widespread groups. Although widely distributed, the frog subfamily Microhylinae mostly comprises of geographically restricted genera found either in Southeast and East Asia or Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Here we report a previously unknown microhylid from the Western Ghats in Peninsular India with closest relatives found over 2,000 km away in Southeast Asia. Based on integrated evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, adult and tadpole morphology, hand musculature, male advertisement call, and geographical distance, we recognize this enigmatic frog as a distinct new species and genus endemic to the Western Ghats. The discovery ofMysticellus frankigen. et sp. nov. and its close evolutionary relationship with the Southeast Asian genusMicrylettaalso provide insights on the biogeography of Microhylinae. Genus-level divergences within the subfamily suggest multiple Cenozoic biotic exchange events between India and Eurasia, particularly through postulated Eocene land bridges via Southeast Asia prior to accretion of the two landmasses.
Effect of Age, High-Fat Diet, and Rat Strain on Serum Biomarkers and Telomere Length and Global DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Antonini James M. , Kodali Vamsi , Meighan Terence G. , Roach Katherine A. , Roberts Jenny R. , Salmen Rebecca , Boyce Greg R. , Zeidler-Erdely Patti C. , Kashon Michael , Erdely Aaron , Shoeb Mohammad 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe objective of the current study was to determine if age, diet, and genetic disposition (animal strain) in an animal model had early effects on specific molecular markers in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Three strains [Sprague-Dawley (SD), Fischer 344 (F344), and Brown-Norway (BN)] of male rats were maintained on a high-fat (HF) or regular diet. Blood was collected at 4, 12, and 24 wk to assess chemistry and to recover PBMCs. Triglycerides and body weight gain increased at all time points in the HF diet group for each strain. Telomere length in PBMCs decreased in the HF diet group compared to the regular diet group up to 24 wk in all strains. Telomere length decreased in PBMCs at 24 wk compared to baseline in all strains, indicating an age-related effect. These findings highlight that diet and age cause changes in PBMCs recovered from different strains of rats. The next tier of studies will examine the contribution of an occupational exposure (e.g., welding fume inhalation) in combination with diet, age, and strain, to assess changes in the molecular responses of isolated PBMCs. In addition, studies involving lifestyle exposure (e.g., tobacco smoke) are in the planning stages and will assess the long-term effects of exposure in our animal model.
Immunofluorescence Tomography: High-resolution 3-D reconstruction by serial-sectioning of methacrylate embedded tissues and alignment of 2-D immunofluorescence images
Authors: Parfitt Geraint J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractImmunofluorescence tomography is a high-resolution 3-D reconstruction method based on methacrylate embedding and serial-sectioning, where 2-D images of immuno-stained serial-sections are computationally aligned into image stacks, and the 3-D volume rendered. Butyl-Methyl Methacrylate (BMMA) plastic was adopted as it preserves excellent tissue morphology and can be de-plasticized easily using an organic solvent, which enables immuno-staining of serial-sections without antibody penetration issues over millimeters of 3-D reconstructed tissue (Z-depth). High axial Z-resolution over a large volume was achieved by cutting serial-sections at 2 µm thickness. Stained sections were imaged by multiple modalities, including immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and second harmonic generation (SHG), and there are advantages over confocal microscopy as the tissue does not need to be cleared, while antibody penetration or light scattering issues are minimized. The plastic serial-sections can be re-probed, without a loss in tissue structure, using low pH glycine hydrochloride antibody elution. It is a cost-effective approach as the microscopes needed are significantly cheaper than confocal microscopes and sections can be kept indefinitely. Therefore, immunofluorescence tomography is a powerful new tool to quantify sub-populations of cells in high-resolution 3-D using antibody fluorescence. This article describes the immunofluorescence tomography method for 3-D reconstruction of epithelial tissues such as mammary gland, cornea and the hair follicle.
A novel luciferase-based assay for the detection of Chimeric Antigen Receptors
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Ramakrishnan , Matta Hittu , Choi Sunju , Natarajan Venkatesh , Prins Ruben , Gong Songjie , Zenunovic Arta , Narasappa Nell , Patel Fatima , Prakash Rekha , Chaudhary Vishan , Sikri Varun , Chitnis Saurabh Deepak , Kochegarov Andrei , Wang Dan , Falat Magdalena , Kahn Michael , Keerthipati Pooja Smruthi , Sharma Naman , Lenka Jyotirmayee , Stieben Tomas Meza , Braun Jason , Batra Ankita , Purvis Katelyn , Ito Kenta , Lee Jae Han , Jeronimo Alberto , Zamora Hannalei Mae , Membreno Allen , Qiu Queenie , Peshin Supriya , Namburu Lalith , Chaudhary Preet M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChimeric Antigen Receptor-T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy has produced dramatic responses in hematologic malignancies. One of the challenges in the field is the lack of a simple assay for the detection of CARs on the surface of immune effector cells. In this study, we describe a novel luciferase-based assay, termed Topanga Assay, for the detection of CAR expression. The assay utilizes a recombinant fusion protein, called Topanga reagent, generated by joining the extra-cellular domain of a CAR-target in frame with one of the marine luciferases or their engineered derivatives. The assay involves incubation of CAR expressing cells with the Topanga reagent, a few washes and measurement of luminescence. The assay can detect CARs comprising either immunoglobulin- or non-immunoglobulin-based antigen binding domains. We further demonstrate that addition of epitope tags to the Topanga reagent not only allows its convenient one step purification but also extends its use for detection of CAR cells using flow cytometry. However, crude supernatant containing the secreted Topanga reagent can be directly used in both luminescence and flow-cytometry based assays without prior protein purification. Our results demonstrate that the Topanga assay is a highly sensitive, specific, convenient, economical and versatile assay for the detection of CARs.
Argon reduces the pulmonary vascular tone in rats and humans by GABA-receptor activation
Authors: Suleiman Said , Klassen Sergej , Katz Ira , Balakirski Galina , Krabbe Julia , von Stillfried Saskia , Kintsler Svetlana , Braunschweig Till , Babendreyer Aaron , Spillner Jan , Kalverkamp Sebastian , Schröder Thomas , Moeller Manfred , Coburn Mark , Uhlig Stefan , Martin Christian , Rieg Annette D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractArgon exerts neuroprotection. Thus, it might improve patients’ neurological outcome after cerebral disorders or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, limited data are available concerning its effect on pulmonary vessel and airways. We used rat isolated perfused lungs (IPL) and precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) of rats and humans to assess this topic. IPL: Airway and perfusion parameters, oedema formation and the pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) were measured and the precapillary and postcapillary resistance (Rpost) was calculated. In IPLs and PCLS, the pulmonary vessel tone was enhanced with ET-1 or remained unchanged. IPLs were ventilated and PCLS were gassed with argon-mixture or room-air. IPL: Argon reduced the ET-1-induced increase of Pcap, Rpost and oedema formation (p < 0.05). PCLS (rat): Argon relaxed naïve pulmonary arteries (PAs) (p < 0.05). PCLS (rat/human): Argon attenuated the ET-1-induced contraction in PAs (p < 0.05). Inhibition of GABAB-receptors abolished argon-induced relaxation (p < 0.05) in naïve or ET-1-pre-contracted PAs; whereas inhibition of GABAA-receptors only affected ET-1-pre-contracted PAs (p < 0.01). GABAA/B-receptor agonists attenuated ET-1-induced contraction in PAs and baclofen (GABAB-agonist) even in pulmonary veins (p < 0.001). PLCS (rat): Argon did not affect the airways. Finally, argon decreases the pulmonary vessel tone by activation of GABA-receptors. Hence, argon might be applicable in patients with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure.
The potential role of temperate Japanese regions as refugia for the coral Acropora hyacinthus in the face of climate change
Authors: Nakabayashi Aki , Yamakita Takehisa , Nakamura Takashi , Aizawa Hiroaki , Kitano Yuko F , Iguchi Akira , Yamano Hiroya , Nagai Satoshi , Agostini Sylvain , Teshima Kosuke M. , Yasuda Nina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAs corals in tropical regions are threatened by increasing water temperatures, poleward range expansion of reef-building corals has been observed, and temperate regions are expected to serve as refugia in the face of climate change. To elucidate the important indicators of the sustainability of coral populations, we examined the genetic diversity and connectivity of the common reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus along the Kuroshio Current, including recently expanded (<50 years) populations. Among the three cryptic lineages found, only one was distributed in temperate regions, which could indicate the presence of Kuroshio-associated larval dispersal barriers between temperate and subtropical regions, as shown by oceanographic simulations as well as differences in environmental factors. The level of genetic diversity gradually decreased towards the edge of the species distribution. This study provides an example of the reduced genetic diversity in recently expanded marginal populations, thus indicating the possible vulnerability of these populations to environmental changes. This finding underpins the importance of assessing the genetic diversity of newly colonized populations associated with climate change for conservation purposes. In addition, this study highlights the importance of pre-existing temperate regions as coral refugia, which has been rather underappreciated in local coastal management.
Tuning carrier concentration in a superacid treated MoS2 monolayer
Authors: Molas Maciej R. , Gołasa Katarzyna , Bala Łukasz , Nogajewski Karol , Bartos Miroslav , Potemski Marek , Babiński Adam 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe effect of bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide (TFSI, superacid) treatment on the optical properties of MoS2 monolayers is investigated by means of photoluminescence, reflectance contrast and Raman scattering spectroscopy employed in a broad temperature range. It is shown that when applied multiple times, the treatment results in progressive quenching of the trion emission/absorption and in the redshift of the neutral exciton emission/absorption associated with both the A and B excitonic resonances. Based on this evolution, a trion complex related to the B exciton in monolayer MoS2 is unambiguously identified. A defect-related emission observed at low temperatures also disappears from the spectrum as a result of the treatment. Our observations are attributed to effective passivation of defects on the MoS2 monolayer surface. The passivation reduces the carrier density, which in turn affects the out-of-plane electric field in the sample. The observed tuning of the carrier concentration strongly influences also the Raman scattering in the MoS2 monolayer. An enhancement of Raman scattering at resonant excitation in the vicinity of the A neutral exciton is clearly seen for both the out-of-plane A′1 and in-plane E′ modes. On the contrary, when the excitation is in resonance with a corresponding trion, the Raman scattering features become hardly visible. These results confirm the role of the excitonic charge state plays in the resonance effect of the excitation energy on the Raman scattering in transition metal dichalcogenides.
Oman coral δ18O seawater record suggests that Western Indian Ocean upwelling uncouples from the Indian Ocean Dipole during the global-warming hiatus
Authors: Watanabe Takaaki K. , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Yamazaki Atsuko , Pfeiffer Miriam , Claereboudt Michel R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is an interannual mode of climate variability in the Indian Ocean that has intensified with 20th century global-warming. However, instrumental data shows a global-warming hiatus between the late-1990s and 2015. It is presently not clear how the global-warming hiatus affects modes of climate variability such as the IOD, and their basin-wide ocean-atmosphere teleconnections. Here, we present a 26-year long, biweekly record of Sr/Ca and δ18O from a Porites coral drilled in the Gulf of Oman. Sea surface temperature (SSTanom) is calculated from Sr/Ca ratios, and seawater δ18O (δ18Osw-anom) is estimated by subtracting the temperature component from coral δ18O. Our δ18Osw-anom record reveals a significant regime shift in 1999, towards lower mean δ18Osw values, reflecting intensified upwelling in the western Indian Ocean. Prior to the 1999 regime shift, our SSTanom and δ18Osw-anom show a clear IOD signature, with higher values in the summer of positive-IOD years due to weakened upwelling. The IOD signature in SSTanom and δ18Osw-anom disappears with the overall intensification of upwelling after the 1999 regime shift. The inferred increase in upwelling is likely driven by an intensified Walker circulation during the global-warming hiatus. Upwelling in the Western Indian Ocean uncouples from the IOD.
Label-free and Non-destruction Determination of Single- and Double-Strand DNA based on Quantum Weak Measurement
Authors: Guan Tian , Yang Yuxuan , Zhang Qianwen , He Yonghong , Xu Naihan , Li Dongmei , Shi Lixuan , Xu Yang , Wang Xiangnan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe process of unwinding and renaturation of DNA has been widely used in studies of nucleotide sequence organization. Compared with traditional methods for DNA unwinding and renaturation, the label-free and non-destruction detection technology is significant and desiderated. We realized an optical system based on optical rotation via weak measurement for detection of single- and double-strand state of DNA. The optical rotation, which was induced by the status change of single and double DNA strands, was exploited to modulate the preselected polarization of a weak measurement system. With this modulation, the optical rotation caused by the separation of DNA strands can be determined through the center wavelength shift of the output spectrum. By monitoring the wavelength shift in real time, the separation processes of the DNAs with different base ratio (25% and 70%) and length (4nt and 40nt), and DNAs with three terminally modified cholesterol molecules were experimentally explored in varied pH and temperature conditions. In addition, the detection limit of the DNA concentration was obtained to be 5 × 10−6 mol/L. Our work based on optical rotation detection of single- and double-strand DNA exhibits the unique advantages of real-time monitoring, label-free, non-destruction and simplicity.
Shallow magma pre-charge during repeated Plinian eruptions at Sakurajima volcano
Authors: Araya Naoki , Nakamura Michihiko , Yasuda Atsushi , Okumura Satoshi , Sato Tomoki , Iguchi Masato , Miki Daisuke , Geshi Nobuo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractVigorous explosive eruptions that produce continuous high eruption plumes (Plinian eruptions) are generally assumed to tap a magma reservoir. The 1914 Plinian eruption at the Sakurajima volcano located on the Aira caldera rim is one such case, where the main magma reservoir was assumed to be located approximately 10 km beneath the caldera. However, we report that estimated magma storage depths immediately prior to the eruption were much shallower (0.9–3.2 km) on the basis of pressure at which volatiles within the phenocryst melt inclusions and plagioclase rims were finally equilibrated. The same is observed for two historic Plinian eruptions in 1471 and 1779. This depth is even shallower than the shallowest magma reservoir estimated from the pressure source for geodetic deformation during recent Vulcanian explosions (4 km beneath the crater). We propose that the magmas were fed from a thick conduit pre-charged from deeper reservoirs. The ground subsidence observed after 1914 within the Aira caldera may have been caused by conduit recharge following the eruption. Voluminous conduit recharge could be key to forecasting the next possible large eruption at the Sakurajima volcano.
Diattenuation Imaging reveals different brain tissue properties
Authors: Menzel Miriam , Axer Markus , Amunts Katrin , De Raedt Hans , Michielsen Kristel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWhen transmitting polarised light through histological brain sections, different types of diattenuation (polarisation-dependent attenuation of light) can be observed: In some brain regions, the light is minimally attenuated when it is polarised parallel to the nerve fibres (referred to as D+), in others, it is maximally attenuated (referred to as D−). The underlying mechanisms of these effects and their relationship to tissue properties were so far unknown. Here, we demonstrate in experimental studies that diattenuation of both types D+ and D− can be observed in brain tissue samples from different species (rodent, monkey, and human) and that the strength and type of diattenuation depend on the nerve fibre orientations. By combining finite-difference time-domain simulations and analytical modelling, we explain the observed diattenuation effects and show that they are caused both by anisotropic absorption (dichroism) and by anisotropic light scattering. Our studies demonstrate that the diattenuation signal depends not only on the nerve fibre orientations but also on other brain tissue properties like tissue homogeneity, fibre size, and myelin sheath thickness. This allows to use the diattenuation signal to distinguish between brain regions with different tissue properties and establishes Diattenuation Imaging as a valuable imaging technique.
Cassowary casques act as thermal windows
Authors: Eastick Danielle L. , Tattersall Glenn J. , Watson Simon J. , Lesku John A. , Robert Kylie A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMany ideas have been put forward for the adaptive value of the cassowary casque; and yet, its purpose remains speculative. Homeothermic animals elevate body temperature through metabolic heat production. Heat gain must be offset by heat loss to maintain internal temperatures within a range for optimal performance. Living in a tropical climate, cassowaries, being large bodied, dark feathered birds, are under thermal pressure to offload heat. We tested the original hypothesis that the casque acts as a thermal window. With infrared thermographic analyses of living cassowaries over an expansive range of ambient temperatures, we provide evidence that the casque acts as a thermal radiator, offloading heat at high temperatures and restricting heat loss at low temperatures. Interestingly, at intermediate temperatures, the casque appears thermally heterogeneous, with the posterior of the casque heating up before the front half. These findings might have implications for the function of similar structures in avian and non-avian dinosaurs.