bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructure evolution in amorphous Hf-B-Si-C-N high temperature resistant coatings after annealing to 1500 °C in air
Authors: Shen Y. , Jiang J. C. , Zeman P. , Šímová V. , Vlček J. , Meletis E. I. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRecently, amorphous Hf-B-Si-C-N coatings found to demonstrate superior high-temperature oxidation resistance. The microstructure evolution of two coatings, Hf7B23Si22C6N40 and Hf6B21Si19C4N47, annealed to 1500 °C in air is investigated to understand their high oxidation resistance. The annealed coatings develop a two-layered structure comprising of the original as-deposited film followed by an oxidized layer. In both films, the oxidized layer possesses the same microstructure with HfO2 nanoparticles dispersed in an amorphous SiOx-based matrix. The bottom layer in the Hf6B21Si19C4N47 coating remains amorphous after annealing while Hf7B23Si22C6N40 recrystallized partially showing a nanocrystalline structure of HfB2 and HfN nanoparticles separated by h-Si3N4 and h-BN boundaries. The HfB2 and HfN nanostructures form a sandwich structure with a HfB2 strip being atomically coherent to HfN skins via (111)-Hf monolayers. In spite of the different bottom layer structure, the oxidized/bottom layer interface of both films was found to exhibit a similar microstructure with a fine distribution of HfO2 nanoparticles surrounded by SiO2 quartz boundaries. The high-temperature oxidation resistance of both films is attributed to the particular evolving microstructure consisting of HfO2 nanoparticles within a dense SiOx-based matrix and quartz SiO2 in front of the oxidized/bottom layer interface acting as a barrier for oxygen and thermal diffusion.
An efficient and reusable nano catalyst for the synthesis of benzoxanthene and chromene derivatives
Authors: Balou Javad , Khalilzadeh Mohammad A. , Zareyee Daryoush 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPotassium fluoride impregnated on clinoptilolite nanoparticles (KF/CP NPs) was investigated as an efficient solid base catalyst for multicomponent condensation reaction. A broad range of aromatic aldehydes and enolizable compounds were condensed with 2-naphthol or 4-hydroxycumarine. The reaction was carried out under a solvent-free condition to give the corresponding benzoxanthene and pyrano [3,2-c]chromene derivatives in high yields. The low cost and availability of catalyst, novel and green procedure makes this strategy more useful for the preparation of tetrahydrobenzo[a]-xanthene-11-one and pyrano [3,2-c]chromene derivatives.
Profiling the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from acute and chronic infections to cell-wall-targeting immune proteins
Authors: Torrens Gabriel , Barceló Isabel M. , Pérez-Gallego Marcelo , Escobar-Salom Maria , Tur-Gracia Sara , Munar-Bestard Marta , González-Nicolau María del Mar , Cabrera-Venegas Yoandy José , Rigo-Rumbos Estefany Nayarith , Cabot Gabriel , López-Causapé Carla , Rojo-Molinero Estrella , Oliver Antonio , Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn the current scenario of high antibiotic resistance, the search for therapeutic options against Pseudomonas aeruginosa must be approached from different perspectives: cell-wall biology as source of bacterial weak points and our immune system as source of weapons. Our recent study suggests that once the permeability barrier has been overcome, the activity of our cell-wall-targeting immune proteins is notably enhanced, more in mutants with impaired peptidoglycan recycling. The present work aims at analyzing the activity of these proteins [lysozyme and Peptidoglycan-Recognition-Proteins (PGLYRPs)], alone or with a permeabilizer (subinhibitory colistin) in clinical strains, along with other features related to the cell-wall. We compared the most relevant and complementary scenarios: acute (bacteremia) and chronic infections [early/late isolates from lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients]. Although a low activity of lysozyme/PGLYRPs per se (except punctual highly susceptible strains) was found, the colistin addition significantly increased their activity regardless of the strains’ colistin resistance levels. Our results show increased susceptibility in late CF isolates, suggesting that CF adaptation renders P. aeruginosa more vulnerable to proteins targeting the cell-wall. Thus, our work suggests that attacking some P. aeruginosa cell-wall biology-related elements to increase the activity of our innate weapons could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Geometric-Phase Microscopy for Quantitative Phase Imaging of Isotropic, Birefringent and Space-Variant Polarization Samples
Authors: Bouchal Petr , Štrbková Lenka , Dostál Zbyněk , Chmelík Radim , Bouchal Zdeněk 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe present geometric-phase microscopy allowing a multipurpose quantitative phase imaging in which the ground-truth phase is restored by quantifying the phase retardance. The method uses broadband spatially incoherent light that is polarization sensitively controlled through the geometric (Pancharatnam-Berry) phase. The assessed retardance possibly originates either in dynamic or geometric phase and measurements are customized for quantitative mapping of isotropic and birefringent samples or multi-functional geometric-phase elements. The phase restoration is based on the self-interference of polarization distinguished waves carrying sample information and providing pure reference phase, while passing through an inherently stable common-path setup. The experimental configuration allows an instantaneous (single-shot) phase restoration with guaranteed subnanometer precision and excellent ground-truth accuracy (well below 5 nm). The optical performance is demonstrated in advanced yet routinely feasible noninvasive biophotonic imaging executed in the automated manner and predestined for supervised machine learning. The experiments demonstrate measurement of cell dry mass density, cell classification based on the morphological parameters and visualization of dynamic dry mass changes. The multipurpose use of the method was demonstrated by restoring variations in the dynamic phase originating from the electrically induced birefringence of liquid crystals and by mapping the geometric phase of a space-variant polarization directed lens.
Differential miRNA expression profile and proteome in plasma exosomes from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Teruel-Montoya Raúl , Luengo-Gil Ginés , Vallejo Fernando , Yuste José Enrique , Bohdan Nataliya , García-Barberá Nuria , Espín Salvador , Martínez Constantino , Espín Juan Carlos , Vicente Vicente , Martínez-Martínez Irene 
Published: March 2019

AbstractParoxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal disease of blood cells caused by the lack of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol anchored proteins bound to the cell membrane. In consequence, erythrocytes lead to intravascular hemolysis upon complement activation, which promotes high risk of thrombosis, intravascular hemolytic anemia, and bone marrow failure in patients. The mechanisms of thrombosis in PNH are still poorly understood. Treatment with eculizumab reduces intravascular hemolysis and thrombotic risk, but not in all cases. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells and whose secretion is closely related to the inflammatory status. They participate in cell communication by activating signaling pathways and transferring genetic material and proteins to host cells. In consequence, exosomes may serve as surrogate biomarkers for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of a disease. Isolation of exosomes was carried out from healthy controls and from three groups of PNH patients, i.e. i) with no eculizumab treatment; ii) under treatment with eculizumab that have not suffered thrombosis; and iii) under treatment with eculizumab but that have suffered thrombosis. The miRNAome and proteome was analyzed using plasma focus miRNAs PCR panel and LC-MS analysis respectively. We found differential expression of miRNAs miR-148b-3p, miR-423-3p, miR29b-3p, miR15b-5p, let-7e-5p, miR126-3p, miR-125b-5p and miR-376c-3p as well as hemoglobin, haptoglobin, protein S and C4-binding protein in healthy controls vs PNH patients. Our results warrant further research and provide new information on the content of exosomes that could play a role in the hypercoagulable state in this disease.
Changes in separate renal function in patients who underwent minimally invasive renal stone surgery according to the preoperative functional deterioration
Authors: Choo Min Soo , Park Juhyun , Cho Min Chul , Son Hwancheol , Jeong Hyeon , Cho Sung Yong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe significant predictors for the postoperative deterioration of separate renal function after minimally invasive stone surgery were investigated in the present prospective and observational study. A total of 117 consecutive patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery or mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal calculi >10 mm were included in the present study. Perioperative changes in separate renal function were evaluated with Technetium-99m-Diethylene TriaminePenta acetic acid scan prior to intervention and at postoperative 3 months. Based on the functional differences between bilateral renal units, deterioration of separate renal function was graded into the following three groups: normal deterioration (<10%), moderate deterioration (10–20%), and severe deterioration (>20%). A total of 46 patients had a normal separate renal function, while 71 (60.7%) showed abnormal separate function in the involved side, including 29 (24.8%) moderate and 42 (35.9%) severe deterioration. Postoperatively, 48 patients (41.0%) showed aggravation or no recovery of separate renal function. Of the 46 patients with normal separate function, only 9 patients (19.5%) showed postoperative aggravation. Patients with moderate and severe deterioration showed aggravation (n = 7, 24.1%) or no recovery of separate renal function (n = 32, 76.1%, P < 0.001). Preoperative severe deterioration of separate renal function was an independent significant predictor for the postoperative deterioration of renal function (OR: 9.09, 95% CI: 4.007–20.624, P < 0.001). Lower preoperative deterioration of separate renal function showed a high probability of functional recovery. Therefore, it is hypothesized that early intervention might be necessary in cases where the patient exhibits severe aggravation of renal function.
Polarization- and wavelength-agnostic nanophotonic beam splitter
Authors: González-Andrade David , Lafforgue Christian , Durán-Valdeiglesias Elena , Le Roux Xavier , Berciano Mathias , Cassan Eric , Marris-Morini Delphine , Velasco Aitor V. , Cheben Pavel , Vivien Laurent , Alonso-Ramos Carlos 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHigh-performance optical beam splitters are of fundamental importance for the development of advanced silicon photonics integrated circuits. However, due to the high refractive index contrast of silicon-on-insulator platforms, state-of-the-art nanophotonic splitters are hampered by trade-offs in bandwidth, polarization dependence and sensitivity to fabrication errors. Here, we present a new strategy that exploits modal engineering in slotted waveguides to overcome these limitations, enabling ultra-broadband polarization-insensitive optical power splitters with relaxed fabrication tolerances. The proposed splitter design relies on a single-mode slot waveguide that is gradually transformed into two strip waveguides by a symmetric taper, yielding equal power splitting. Based on this concept, we experimentally demonstrate −3 ± 0.5 dB polarization-independent transmission for an unprecedented 390 nm bandwidth (1260–1650 nm), even in the presence of waveguide width deviations as large as ±25 nm.
3D shear wave velocity model of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Tyrrhenian basin and margins
Authors: Manu-Marfo D. , Aoudia A. , Pachhai S. , Kherchouche R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Tyrrhenian basin serves as a natural laboratory for back-arc basin studies in the Mediterranean region. Yet, little is known about the crust-uppermost mantle structure beneath the basin and its margins. Here, we present a new 3D shear-wave velocity model and Moho topography map for the Tyrrhenian basin and its margins using ambient noise cross-correlations. We apply a self-parameterized Bayesian inversion of Rayleigh group and phase velocity dispersions to estimate the lateral variation of shear velocity and its uncertainty as a function of depth (down to 100 km). Results reveal the presence of a broad low velocity zone between 40 and 80 km depth affecting much of the Tyrrhenian basin’s uppermost mantle structure and its extension mimics the paleogeographic reconstruction of the Calabrian arc in time. We interpret the low-velocity structure as the possible source of Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts- and Ocean Island Basalts- type magmatic rocks found in the southern Tyrrhenian basin. At crustal depths, our results support an exhumed mantle basement rather than an oceanic basement below the Vavilov basin. The 3D crust-uppermost mantle structure supports a present-day geodynamics with a predominant Africa-Eurasia convergence.
Metamaterial for elastostatic cloaking under thermal gradients
Authors: Álvarez Hostos Juan C. , Fachinotti Víctor D. , Peralta Ignacio 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe introduce the optimization-based method for the design of thermo-mechanical metamaterials and, particularly, for the elastostatic cloaking under thermal loads. It consists of solving a large-scale, nonlinear constrained optimization problem, where the objective function is the error in the cloaking task accomplishment. The design variables define the required metamaterial distribution. In this way, the cloaking task is accomplished, if not exactly, optimally. Further, the design variables dictate how to fabricate the metamaterial, avoiding the uncertainty of simultaneously mimicking several thermal and mechanical effective properties, as required by transformation-based metamaterial design methods.
Thermal transport in layer-by-layer assembled polycrystalline graphene films
Authors: Estrada David , Li Zuanyi , Choi Gyung-Min , Dunham Simon N. , Serov Andrey , Lee Jungchul , Meng Yifei , Lian Feifei , Wang Ning C. , Perez Alondra , Haasch Richard T. , Zuo Jian-Min , King William P. , Rogers John A. , Cahill David G. , Pop Eric 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNew technologies are emerging which allow us to manipulate and assemble 2-dimensional (2D) building blocks, such as graphene, into synthetic van der Waals (vdW) solids. Assembly of such vdW solids has enabled novel electronic devices and could lead to control over anisotropic thermal properties through tuning of inter-layer coupling and phonon scattering. Here we report the systematic control of heat flow in graphene-based vdW solids assembled in a layer-by-layer (LBL) fashion. In-plane thermal measurements (between 100 K and 400 K) reveal substrate and grain boundary scattering limit thermal transport in vdW solids composed of one to four transferred layers of graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Such films have room temperature in-plane thermal conductivity of ~400 Wm−1 K−1. Cross-plane thermal conductance approaches 15 MWm−2 K−1 for graphene-based vdW solids composed of seven layers of graphene films grown by CVD, likely limited by rotational mismatch between layers and trapped particulates remnant from graphene transfer processes. Our results provide fundamental insight into the in-plane and cross-plane heat carrying properties of substrate-supported synthetic vdW solids, with important implications for emerging devices made from artificially stacked 2D materials.
Unravelling platinum nanoclusters as active sites to lower the catalyst loading for formaldehyde oxidation
Authors: Sun Xiucheng , Lin Jian , Chen Yang , Wang Yuehan , Li Lin , Miao Shu , Pan Xiaoli , Wang Xiaodong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMinimizing the use of precious metal remains a challenge in heterogeneous catalysis, such as platinum-based catalysts for formaldehyde oxidation. Here we report the catalyst system Pt/TiO2 with low platinum loading of 0.08 wt%, orders of magnitude lower than conventional catalysts. A volcano-like relationship is identified between reaction rates of formaldehyde and platinum sizes in a scale of single-atoms, nanoclusters and nanoparticles, respectively. Various characterization techniques demonstrate that platinum nanoclusters facilitate more activation of O2 and easier adsorption of HCHO as formates. The activated O facilitates the decomposition of formates to CO2 via a lower reaction barrier. Consequently, this size platinum with such low loading realizes complete elimination of formaldehyde at ambient conditions, outperforming single-atoms and nanoparticles. Moreover, the platinum nanoclusters exhibit a good versatility regardless of supporting on “active” FeOx or “inert” Al2O3 for formaldehyde removal. The identification of the most active species has broad implications to design cost-effective metal catalysts with relatively lower loadings.
Three-dimensional time-resolved trajectories from laboratory insect swarms
Authors: Sinhuber Michael , van der Vaart Kasper , Ni Rui , Puckett James G. , Kelley Douglas H. , Ouellette Nicholas T. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAggregations of animals display complex and dynamic behaviour, both at the individual level and on the level of the group as a whole. Often, this behaviour is collective, so that the group exhibits properties that are distinct from those of the individuals. In insect swarms, the motion of individuals is typically convoluted, and swarms display neither net polarization nor correlation. The swarms themselves, however, remain nearly stationary and maintain their cohesion even in noisy natural environments. This behaviour stands in contrast with other forms of collective animal behaviour, such as flocking, schooling, or herding, where the motion of individuals is more coordinated, and thus swarms provide a powerful way to study the underpinnings of collective behaviour as distinct from global order. Here, we provide a data set of three-dimensional, time-resolved trajectories, including positions, velocities, and accelerations, of individual insects in laboratory insect swarms. The data can be used to study the collective as a whole as well as the dynamics and behaviour of individuals within the swarm.
A longitudinal neuroimaging dataset on arithmetic processing in school children
Authors: Suárez-Pellicioni Macarena , Lytle Marisa , Younger Jessica W. , Booth James R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe describe functional and structural data acquired using a 3T scanner in a sample of 132 typically developing children, who were scanned when they were approximately 11 years old (i.e. Time 1). Sixty-three of them were scanned again approximately 2 years later (i.e. Time 2). Children performed four tasks inside the scanner: two arithmetic tasks and two localizer tasks. The arithmetic tasks were a single-digit multiplication and a single-digit subtraction task. The localizer tasks, a written rhyming judgment task and a numerosity judgment task, were used to independently identify verbal and quantity brain areas, respectively. Additionally, we provide data on behavioral performance on the tasks inside the scanner, participants’ scores on standardized tests, including reading and math skill, and a developmental history questionnaire completed by parents. This dataset could be useful to answer questions regarding the neural bases of the development of math in children and its relation to individual differences in skill. The data, entitled “Brain Correlates of Math Development”, are freely available from OpenNeuro (https://openneuro.org).
Conservation of the structural and functional architecture of encapsulated ferritins in bacteria and archaea
Authors: He Didi , Piergentili Cecilia , Ross Jennifer , Tarrant Emma , Tuck Laura R. , Mackay C. Logan , McIver Zak , Waldron Kevin J. , Clarke David J. , Marles-Wright Jon 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Ferritins are a large family of intracellular proteins that protect the cell from oxidative stress by catalytically converting Fe(II) into less toxic Fe(III) and storing iron minerals within their core. Encapsulated ferritins (EncFtn) are a sub-family of ferritin-like proteins, which are widely distributed in all bacterial and archaeal phyla. The recently characterized Rhodospirillum rubrum EncFtn displays an unusual structure when compared with classical ferritins, with an open decameric structure that is enzymatically active, but unable to store iron. This EncFtn must be associated with an encapsulin nanocage in order to act as an iron store. Given the wide distribution of the EncFtn family in organisms with diverse environmental niches, a question arises as to whether this unusual structure is conserved across the family. Here, we characterize EncFtn proteins from the halophile Haliangium ochraceum and the thermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, which show the conserved annular pentamer of dimers topology. Key structural differences are apparent between the homologues, particularly in the centre of the ring and the secondary metal-binding site, which is not conserved across the homologues. Solution and native mass spectrometry analyses highlight that the stability of the protein quaternary structure differs between EncFtn proteins from different species. The ferroxidase activity of EncFtn proteins was confirmed, and we show that while the quaternary structure around the ferroxidase centre is distinct from classical ferritins, the ferroxidase activity is still inhibited by Zn(II). Our results highlight the common structural organization and activity of EncFtn proteins, despite diverse host environments and contexts within encapsulins.
Increased expression of miR-27 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis in human multiple myeloma
Authors: Che Feifei , Wan Chunqian , Dai Jingying , Chen Jiao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological malignancy characterized by abnormal infiltration of plasma cells in the bone marrow. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in human tumorigenesis and tumor progression. miR-27, a novel cancer-related miRNA, has been confirmed to be implicated in multiple types of human tumors; however, its biological role in MM remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to characterize the biological role of miR-27 in MM and elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms. Here we found that miR-27 was significantly up-regulated in MM samples compared with normal bone marrow samples from healthy donors. Moreover, the log-rank test and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis displayed that MM patients with high miR-27 expression experienced a significantly shorter overall survival than those with low miR-27 expression. In the current study, we transfected MM cells with miR-27 mimics or miR-27 inhibitor to manipulate its expression. Functional studies demonstrated that miR-27 overexpression promoted MM cell proliferation, facilitated cell cycle progression, and expedited cell migration and invasion; whereas miR-27 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, and slowed down cell motility. Mechanistic studies revealed that Sprouty homolog 2 (SPRY2) was a direct target of miR-27 and that rescuing SPRY2 expression reversed the promoting effects of miR-27 on MM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Besides, miR-27 ablation suppressed tumorigenecity of MM cells in mouse xenograft models. Collectively, our data indicate that miR-27 exerts its oncogenic functions in MM by targetting SPRY2 and that miR-27 may be used as a promising candidate target in MM treatment.