bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning to Leap: Nanotechnology's Root in Soil Science
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Siddhartha Sankar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDr. Nil Ratan Dhar Memorial Lecture Soil could be perceived as a four dimensional system where a broad three dimensional structural fabric is filled by dynamic and reactive colloidal constituents. There are interconnected relationships between authegenic, neogenic and stable-phase crystallite constituents, most of which are in nano-phase, and the system seldom reaches equilibrium. Also, variations in composition, pH, and other properties make soil unique at each place. Therefore, understanding of soil system helps to develop insight into mobility and reactivity of nano-materials. The origin of nanoscience can be traced to the discovery that clay minerals were crystalline and of micrometer size. The unit cell dimensions of clay minerals are in nanometer scale in all three axes (x, y, and z). Nanoclays played a catalytic role in the synthesis of ribosome in RNA, a process that led to genesis of life on Earth. This fact makes clays the most life-compatible material in nanotechnology. Methods followed in industry (like melting materials at a high temperature) cannot be copied for agricultural nanotechnology. Yet this is no hindrance, because nanoclays obey the laws of ion exchange, adsorption-desorption, aggregation-dispersion and solubility-precipitation, to name a few. The most vital yardstick is that the nanosystem has to be capable of releasing nutrient ions in plant-available forms. Clays have both covalent and ionic bonds; a feature unique for developing passive control systems for nutrient supply mechanisms. There are numerous examples in soils, where bonds are changed from one type to another through isomorphous substitution or insertion of small ions, or by the use of organic compounds. Nanotechnology in clay system does not promise a control system such as we experience in electrical machines, or in satellites, or in chemical reactors. But, it has to be a knowledge based passive system, and for sure, it is going to create millions of rhizospheres in an acre of land to support the growth of millions of plants of a crop; a breakthrough to take agriculture into the new millennium.
Strong violation of the competitive exclusion principle
Authors: Kalmykov Lev , Kalmykov Vyacheslav 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBacteria and plants are able to form population waves as a result of their consumer behaviour and propagation. A soliton-like interpenetration of colliding population waves was assumed but not proved earlier. Here we show how and why colliding population waves of trophically identical but fitness different species can interpenetrate through each other without delay. We have hypothesized and revealed here that the last mechanism provides a stable coexistence of two, three and four species, competing for the same limiting resource in the small homogeneous habitat under constant conditions and without any fitness trade-offs. We have explained the mystery of biodiversity mechanistically because (i) our models are bottom-up mechanistic, (ii) the revealed interpenetration mechanism provides strong violation of the competitive exclusion principle and (iii) we have shown that the increase in the number of competing species increases the number of cases of coexistence. Thus the principled assumptions of fitness neutrality (equivalence), competitive trade-offs and competitive niches are redundant for fundamental explanation of species richness.
Fighting Risky Population Synchronization: Desynchronization and Stabilization in Spatially Structured Ecological Systems
Authors: Luo Ming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPopulation synchronization exists ubiquitously in ecological systems, of which the underlying causes and the roles in species extinction remain a perplexing puzzle. It is generally believed that the coherence of population dynamics is detrimental and regarded as a major cause of global extinction. A central but unsolved question in ecology of great importance for conservation and biological control is how to destroy the pernicious coherent structures. Here, a top-down approach is adopted to tackle the challenge. A feedback strategy accordingly is applied to stabilize the metacommunity, i.e., to reduce excessive metapopulation fluctuations by means of introducing or removing a planned number of individuals. As a result, the feedback desynchronizes correlated population oscillations, giving rise to either complex asynchronous traveling waves or "amplitude death"; cessation of all individual population cycles. Together with the construction of corridors, my method may provide an efficient way to protect those species threatened as a result of, e.g. habitat fragmentation. I anticipate my essay provides a general mechanism against widespread harmful synchronization in physical and biological systems, for example, for developing a "brain anti-pacemaker" for neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy closely linked to pathologically synchronized neuronal discharges.
Field Trial Experiment Of Artificial Diet On Tasar Silkworm, Anthereaea myltta D.
Authors: Sahay Alok , Satpathy Subrat , Sharan Shashi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn indoor and outdoor experiment was conducted at Shyamsunderpur, Mayurbhanj, Odhisa to test the efficacy of the artificial diet, Tasar Amrit on the young aged Antheraea mylitta silkworm larvae. The results of the experiment reveal that survival and effective rate of rearing (ERR) was higher when larvae were brushed on Tasar Amrit (75 and 42.45%) in contrast to complete outdoor rearing (44 and 33.56 %). Uniform moulting was also observed in the larvae fed with Tasar Amrit.
Causal Stability Ranking
Authors: Stekhoven Daniel , Hennig Lars , Sveinbjörnsson Gardar , Moraes Izabel , Maathuis Marloes , Bühlmann Peter 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGenotypic causes of a phenotypic trait are typically determined via randomized controlled intervention experiments. Such experiments are often prohibitive with respect to durations and costs. We therefore consider inferring stable rankings of genes, according to their causal effects on a phenotype, from observational data only. Our method allows for efficient design and prioritization of future experiments, and due to its generality it is useable for a broad spectrum of applications.
Angular momentum transfer from photon polarization to an electron spin in a gate-defined quantum dot
Authors: Fujita Takafumi , Morimoto Kazuhiro , Kiyama Haruki , Allison Giles , Larsson Marcus , Ludwig Arne , Valentin Sascha R. , Wieck Andreas D. , Oiwa Akira , Tarucha Seigo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGate-defined quantum dots (QDs) are such a highly-tunable quantum system in which single spins can be electrically coupled, manipulated, and measured. However, the spins in gate-defined QDs are lacking its interface to free-space photons. Here, we verify that a circularly-polarized single photon can excite a single electron spin via the transfer of angular momentum, measured using Pauli spin blockade (PSB) in a double QD. We monitor the inter-dot charge tunneling which only occur when the photo-electron spin in one QD is anti-parallel to the electron spin in the other. This allows us to detect single photo-electrons in the spin-up/down basis using PSB. The photon polarization dependence of the excited spin state was finally confirmed for the heavy-hole exciton excitation. The angular momentum transfer observed here is a fundamental step providing a route to instant injection of spins, distributing single spin information, and possibly towards extending quantum communication.
Dual stem cell therapy synergistically improves cardiac function and vascular regeneration following myocardial infarction
Authors: Park Soon-Jung , Kim Ri Youn , Park Bong-Woo , Lee Sunghun , Choi Seong Woo , Park Jae-Hyun , Choi Jong Jin , Kim Seok-Won , Jang Jinah , Cho Dong-Woo , Chung Hyung-Min , Moon Sung-Hwan , Ban Kiwon , Park Hun-Jun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSince both myocardium and vasculature in the heart are excessively damaged following myocardial infarction (MI), therapeutic strategies for treating MI hearts should concurrently target both so as to achieve true cardiac repair. Here we demonstrate a concomitant method that exploits the advantages of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) and human mesenchymal stem cell-loaded patch (hMSC-PA) to amplify cardiac repair in a rat MI model. Epicardially implanted hMSC-PA provide a complimentary microenvironment which enhances vascular regeneration through prolonged secretion of paracrine factors, but more importantly it significantly improves the retention and engraftment of intramyocardially injected hiPSC-CMs which ultimately restore the cardiac function. Notably, the majority of injected hiPSC-CMs display adult CMs like morphology suggesting that the secretomic milieu of hMSC-PA constitutes pleiotropic effects in vivo. We provide compelling evidence that this dual approach can be a promising means to enhance cardiac repair on MI hearts.
Experimental band structure spectroscopy along a synthetic dimension
Authors: Dutt Avik , Minkov Momchil , Lin Qian , Yuan Luqi , Miller David A. B. , Fan Shanhui 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThere has been significant recent interest in synthetic dimensions, where internal degrees of freedom of a particle are coupled to form higher-dimensional lattices in lower-dimensional physical structures. For these systems, the concept of band structure along the synthetic dimension plays a central role in their theoretical description. Here we provide a direct experimental measurement of the band structure along the synthetic dimension. By dynamically modulating a resonator at frequencies commensurate with its mode spacing, we create a periodically driven lattice of coupled modes in the frequency dimension. The strength and range of couplings can be dynamically reconfigured by changing the modulation amplitude and frequency. We show theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that time-resolved transmission measurements of this system provide a direct readout of its band structure. We also realize long-range coupling, gauge potentials and nonreciprocal bands by simply incorporating additional frequency drives, enabling great flexibility in band structure engineering.
Structural basis for the adsorption of a single-stranded RNA bacteriophage
Authors: Meng Ran , Jiang Mengqiu , Cui Zhicheng , Chang Jeng-Yih , Yang Kailu , Jakana Joanita , Yu Xinzhe , Wang Zhao , Hu Bo , Zhang Junjie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSingle-stranded RNA bacteriophages (ssRNA phages) infect Gram-negative bacteria via a single maturation protein (Mat), which attaches to a retractile pilus of the host. Here we present structures of the ssRNA phage MS2 in complex with the Escherichia coli F-pilus, showing a network of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions at the Mat-pilus interface. Moreover, binding of the pilus induces slight orientational variations of the Mat relative to the rest of the phage capsid, priming the Mat-connected genomic RNA (gRNA) for its release from the virions. The exposed tip of the attached Mat points opposite to the direction of the pilus retraction, which may facilitate the translocation of the gRNA from the capsid into the host cytosol. In addition, our structures determine the orientation of the assembled F-pilin subunits relative to the cell envelope, providing insights into the F-like type IV secretion systems.
Highly selective reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sensor based on a peptide aptamer receptor for detecting explosives
Authors: Lee Kyungjae , Yoo Yong Kyoung , Chae Myung-Sic , Hwang Kyo Seon , Lee Junwoo , Kim Hyungsuk , Hur Don , Lee Jeong Hoon 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn essential requirement for bio/chemical sensors and electronic nose systems is the ability to detect the intended target at room temperature with high selectivity. We report a reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based gas sensor functionalized with a peptide receptor to detect dinitrotoluene (DNT), which is a byproduct of trinitrotoluene (TNT). We fabricated the multi-arrayed rGO sensor using spin coating and a standard microfabrication technique. Subsequently, the rGO was subjected to photolithography and an etching process, after which we prepared the DNT-specific binding peptide (DNT-bp, sequence: His-Pro-Asn-Phe-Se r-Lys-Tyr-IleLeu-HisGln-Arg-Cys) and DNT non-specific binding peptide (DNT-nbp, sequence: Thr-Ser-Met-Leu-Leu-Met-Ser-Pro-Lys-His-Gln-Ala-Cys). These two peptides were prepared to function as highly specific and highly non-specific (for the control experiment) peptide receptors, respectively. By detecting the differential signals between the DNT-bp and DNT-nbp functionalized rGO sensor, we demonstrated the ability of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) targets to bind to DNT-specific binding peptide surfaces, showing good sensitivity and selectivity. The advantage of using the differential signal is that it eliminates unwanted electrical noise and/or environmental effects. We achieved sensitivity of 27 ± 2 × 10−6 per part per billion (ppb) for the slope of resistance change versus DNT gas concentration of 80, 160, 240, 320, and 480 ppm, respectively. By sequentially flowing DNT vapor (320 ppb), acetone (100 ppm), toluene (1 ppm), and ethanol (100 ppm) onto the rGO sensors, the change in the signal of rGO in the presence of DNT gas is 6400 × 10−6 per ppb whereas the signals from the other gases show no changes, representing highly selective performance. Using this platform, we were also able to regenerate the surface by simply purging with N2.
Top-down GaN nanowire transistors with nearly zero gate hysteresis for parallel vertical electronics
Authors: Fatahilah Muhammad Fahlesa , Yu Feng , Strempel Klaas , Römer Friedhard , Maradan Dario , Meneghini Matteo , Bakin Andrey , Hohls Frank , Schumacher Hans Werner , Witzigmann Bernd , Waag Andreas , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper reports on the direct qualitative and quantitative performance comparisons of the field-effect transistors (FETs) based on vertical gallium nitride nanowires (GaN NWs) with different NW numbers (i.e., 1–100) and diameters (i.e., 220–640 nm) fabricated on the same wafer substrate to prove the feasibility of employing the vertical 3D architecture concept towards massively parallel electronic integration, particularly for logic circuitry and metrological applications. A top-down approach combining both inductively coupled plasma dry reactive ion etching (ICP-DRIE) and wet chemical etching is applied in the realization of vertically aligned GaN NWs on metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE)-based GaN thin films with specific doping profiles. The FETs are fabricated involving a stack of n-p-n GaN layers with embedded inverted p-channel, top drain bridging contact, and wrap-around gating technology. From the electrical characterization of the integrated NWs, a threshold voltage (Vth) of (6.6 ± 0.3) V is obtained, which is sufficient for safely operating these devices in an enhancement mode (E-mode). Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used as the gate dielectric material resulting in nearly-zero gate hysteresis (i.e., forward and backward sweep Vth shift (ΔVth) of ~0.2 V). Regardless of the required device processing optimization for having better linearity profile, the upscaling capability of the devices from single NW to NW array in terms of the produced currents could already be demonstrated. Thus, the presented concept is expected to bridge the nanoworld into the macroscopic world, and subsequently paves the way to the realization of innovative large-scale vertical GaN nanoelectronics.
Simultaneous change of wood mass and dimension caused by moisture dynamics
Authors: Nopens Martin , Riegler Martin , Hansmann Christian , Krause Andreas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn investigation of simultaneous dynamic mass and length change measurement for wood is presented. In contrast to the equilibrium in moisture content and swelling and shrinking, where extensive data exists for different wood species, less information is available for the dynamics of moisture changes in direct comparison to the related dimensional changes during the sorption process. This is due to a lack of methods. A gravimetric sorption system, equipped with a high resolution camera and an automated image evaluation, is used to examine simultaneous effects of water vapour sorption dynamics and dimensional change. This method proves a strong correlation between mass and dimensional change, which is in contrast to other investigations. Equilibrium moisture content as well as swelling and shrinking data is in good agreement with literature and manual measurements. The method enables the possibility to determine swelling and shrinking values in-situ without disturbing the targeted climatic conditions. The system is applicable for the investigation of natural wood, modified wood, wood composites or other lignocellulosic materials.
Hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis for the development of breast capsular contracture
Authors: Kuo Yao-Lung , Jou I-Ming , Jeng Seng-Feng , Chu Chun-Hui , Huang Jhy-Shrian , Hsu Tai-I , Chang Li-Ren , Huang Po-Wei , Chen Jian-An , Chou Ting-Mao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFibrosis has been considered as a major cause of capsular contracture. Hypoxia has widely emerged as one of the driving factors for fibrotic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hypoxia-induced fibrosis and breast capsular contracture formation. Fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vimentin, fibronectin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in tissues from patients with capsular contracture were determined according to the Baker classification system. Normal breast skin cells in patients with capsular contracture after implant-based breast surgery and NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts were cultured with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to mimic hypoxic conditions. Treatment responses were determined by detecting the expression of HIF-1α, vimentin, fibronectin, N-cadherin, snail, twist, occludin, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and -2, as well as phosphorylated ERK. The expression levels of HIF-1α, vimentin, fibronectin, and fibrosis as well as EMT were positively correlated with the severity of capsular contracture. MMP-9 expression was negatively correlated the Baker score. Hypoxia up-regulated the expression of HIF-1α, vimentin, fibronectin, N-cadherin, snail, twist, TIMP-1 and -2, as well as phosphorylated ERK in normal breast skin cells and NIH3T3. Nonetheless, the expression levels of MMP-9 and occludin were down-regulated in response to CoCl2 treatment. This study is the first to demonstrate the association of hypoxia-induced fibrosis and capsular contracture.
Estimating Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Aedes Albopictus Dispersal to Guide Control Interventions in Case of Exotic Arboviruses in Temperate Regions
Authors: Marini Francesca , Caputo Beniamino , Pombi Marco , Travaglio Manuela , Montarsi Fabrizio , Drago Andrea , Rosà Roberto , Manica Mattia , della Torre Alessandra 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe increasing number of exotic arbovirus cases imported in Europe and the 2017 chikungunya outbreak in central/southern Italy highlight the urgency of evidence-based outbreak management plans to predict, prevent or interrupt spreading of these arboviruses to non-endemic countries in temperate regions. We here present the results of three mark-release-recapture experiments conducted in a peri-urban area of North-East Italy to estimate the spatio-temporal dynamics of the dispersal of Aedes albopictus females looking for oviposition sites. The Flight Range of 90% of the mosquito population (FR90) was found to exceed 200 m, consistently with data obtained from a previous study conducted in a highly urbanised area in Rome (Central Italy). Modelling results showed that dispersal can be so rapid that insecticide spraying within a 200m-radius around a potential infected case leaves >10% probability that a potentially infected mosquito escapes the treatment, even if this is carried out after only 2–3 days since the importation of a viremic case. These data provide evidence in favour of an update of guidelines for the control of exotic autochthonous arbovirus transmission in temperate areas and highlight the need of effective surveillance approaches and rapid response to contain the risks associated to imported viremic cases.
Microbial and abiotic controls on mineral-associated organic matter in soil profiles along an ecosystem gradient
Authors: Mikutta Robert , Turner Stephanie , Schippers Axel , Gentsch Norman , Meyer-Stüve Sandra , Condron Leo M. , Peltzer Duane A. , Richardson Sarah J. , Eger Andre , Hempel Günter , Kaiser Klaus , Klotzbücher Thimo , Guggenberger Georg 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFormation of mineral-organic associations is a key process in the global carbon cycle. Recent concepts propose litter quality-controlled microbial assimilation and direct sorption processes as main factors in transferring carbon from plant litter into mineral-organic associations. We explored the pathways of the formation of mineral-associated organic matter (MOM) in soil profiles along a 120-ky ecosystem gradient that developed under humid climate from the retreating Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. We determined the stocks of particulate and mineral-associated carbon, the isotope signature and microbial decomposability of organic matter, and plant and microbial biomarkers (lignin phenols, amino sugars and acids) in MOM. Results revealed that litter quality had little effect on the accumulation of mineral-associated carbon and that plant-derived carbon bypassed microbial assimilation at all soil depths. Seemingly, MOM forms by sorption of microbial as well as plant-derived compounds to minerals. The MOM in carbon-saturated topsoil was characterized by the steady exchange of older for recent carbon, while subsoil MOM arises from retention of organic matter transported with percolating water. Overall, MOM formation is not monocausal but involves various mechanisms and processes, with reactive minerals being effective filters capable of erasing chemical differences in organic matter inputs.
Identifying chemopreventive agents for obesity-associated cancers using an efficient, 3D high-throughput transformation assay
Authors: Benham Vanessa , Bullard Blair , Dexheimer Thomas S. , Bernard Matthew P. , Neubig Richard R. , Liby Karen T. , Bernard Jamie J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObesity is associated with ~40% of cancer diagnoses but there are currently no effective preventive strategies, illustrating a need for chemoprevention. We previously demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) from adipose tissue stimulates malignant transformation, as measured by growth in soft agar, the gold-standard in vitro transformation assay. Because the soft agar assay is unsuitable for high throughput screens (HTS), we developed a novel method using 3D growth in ultra-low attachment conditions as an alternative to growth in agar to discover compounds that inhibit transformation. Treating non-tumorigenic, skin epithelial JB6 P+ cells with FGF2 stimulates growth in ultra-low attachment conditions analogous to growth in the soft agar. This transformation HTS identified picropodophyllin, an insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor, and fluvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, as potential chemopreventive agents. These compounds were validated for efficacy using two non-tumorigenic cell lines in soft agar. Another IGF1R inhibitor and other statins were also tested and several were able to inhibit growth in soft agar. This novel 3D HTS platform is fast, robust and has the potential to identify agents for obesity-associated cancer prevention.