bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural arsenic with a unique order structure: potential for new quantum materials
Authors: Yoshiasa Akira , Tokuda Makoto , Misawa Masaaki , Shimojo Fuyuki , Momma Koichi , Miyawaki Ritsuro , Matsubara Satoshi , Nakatsuka Akihiko , Sugiyama Kazumasa
Published: April 2019

Study of arsenic (As) provides guidelines for the development of next-generation materials. We clarify the unique structure of the third crystalline polymorph of natural As (Pnm21-As) by crystallographical experiment and the electronic structure by first-principles computational method. The crystal structure of Pnm21-As is a novel structure in which the basic portions of semi-metalic grey-As and semi-conductor black-As are alternately arranged at the atomic level. For both covalent and van der Waals bonding, the contributions of sd and pd hybridizations are important. Van der Waals bonding characteristics and d orbital contributions can be varied by control of layer stacking. Total charges are clearly divided into positive and negative in the same elements for the grey-As and black-As portions, respectively, is of importance. The sequence in which one-dimensional electron donor and acceptor portions alternate in the layer will be the first description.
Chlamydia pecorum prevalence in South Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: Identification and modelling of a population free from infection
Authors: Fabijan Jessica , Caraguel Charles , Jelocnik Martina , Polkinghorne Adam , Boardman Wayne S. J. , Nishimoto Elisa , Johnsson Greg , Molsher Robyn , Woolford Lucy , Timms Peter , Simmons Greg , Hemmatzadeh Farhid , Trott Darren J. , Speight Natasha
Published: April 2019

Chlamydia pecorum is an established and prevalent infection that produces severe clinical disease in many koala populations, contributing to dramatic population declines. In wild South Australian koala populations, C. pecorum occurrence and distribution is unknown. Here, C. pecorum-specific real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was applied to ocular and urogenital swabs from targeted surveys of wild koalas from the mainland Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) (n = 75) and Kangaroo Island (KI) (n = 170) populations. Historical data from 13,081 KI koalas (1997–2018) provided additional evidence for assessing the absence of C. pecorum infection. In the MLR population, 46.7% (CI: 35.1–58.6%) of koalas were C. pecorum positive by qPCR but only 4% had grade 3 clinical disease. MLR koala fertility was significantly reduced by C. pecorum infection; all reproductively active females (n = 16) were C. pecorum negative, whereas 85.2% of inactive females (n = 23) were positive (P < 0.001). KI koalas were C. pecorum negative and the population was demonstrated to be free of C. pecorum infection with 95% confidence. C. pecorum is a real threat for the sustainability of the koala and KI is possibly the last isolated, large C. pecorum-free population remaining in Australia. These koalas could provide a safeguard against this serious disease threat to an iconic Australian species.
Superlubricity of glycerol by self-sustained chemical polishing
Authors: Long Yun , Bouchet Maria-Isabel De Barros , Lubrecht Ton , Onodera Tasuku , Martin Jean Michel
Published: April 2019

An impressive superlow coefficient of friction (CoF) as low as 0.004 (nearly equivalent to the rolling coefficient) was obtained by sliding a steel ball against a tetrahedral amorphous diamond-like carbon (ta-C) coating in glycerol under a boundary lubrication regime. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed substantial changes in the surface chemistry and topography in the friction track. As shown by XPS analysis, a transfer of iron atoms from the steel ball to the ta-C layer occurred, forming iron oxy-hydroxide (FeOOH) termination on both surfaces. Between them, theoretical calculations show that a nanometre-thick fluid film consisting of glycerol and its degradation products prevents direct contact between the solid surfaces by nm-thick film EHL lubrication and results in the superlow friction, in agreement with the experiment. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that hydrogen atoms act as “low-friction brushes” between sliding layers of crystalline FeOOH, resulting also in low friction. A new model of sustainable green superlubricity is proposed. The tribo-formation of FeOOH with glycerol leads to a unique polishing process, which in turn leads to a self-sustained Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL) regime until the very thin fluid film is no more than a few nanometres thick. At lower thicknesses, the hydroxide layer takes over. Wear of the ta-C coating is negligible, while wear on the steel ball is very moderate and acceptable for many practical applications, such as bio-tribology and the food industry, in which green lubrication is especially needed.
Facilitation of allocentric coding by virtue of object-semantics
Authors: Karimpur Harun , Morgenstern Yaniv , Fiehler Katja
Published: April 2019

In the field of spatial coding it is well established that we mentally represent objects for action not only relative to ourselves, egocentrically, but also relative to other objects (landmarks), allocentrically. Several factors facilitate allocentric coding, for example, when objects are task-relevant or constitute stable and reliable spatial configurations. What is unknown, however, is how object-semantics facilitate the formation of these spatial configurations and thus allocentric coding. Here we demonstrate that (i) we can quantify the semantic similarity of objects and that (ii) semantically similar objects can serve as a cluster of landmarks that are allocentrically coded. Participants arranged a set of objects based on their semantic similarity. These arrangements were then entered into a similarity analysis. Based on the results, we created two semantic classes of objects, natural and man-made, that we used in a virtual reality experiment. Participants were asked to perform memory-guided reaching movements toward the initial position of a target object in a scene while either semantically congruent or incongruent landmarks were shifted. We found that the reaching endpoints systematically deviated in the direction of landmark shift. Importantly, this effect was stronger for shifts of semantically congruent landmarks. Our findings suggest that object-semantics facilitate allocentric coding by creating stable spatial configurations.
New insights into the ORF2 capsid protein, a key player of the hepatitis E virus lifecycle
Authors: Ankavay Maliki , Montpellier Claire , Sayed Ibrahim M. , Saliou Jean-Michel , Wychowski Czeslaw , Saas Laure , Duvet Sandrine , Aliouat-Denis Cécile-Marie , Farhat Rayan , de Masson d’Autume Valentin , Meuleman Philip , Dubuisson Jean , Cocquerel Laurence
Published: April 2019

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) genome encodes three proteins including the ORF2 capsid protein. Recently, we demonstrated that HEV produces three different forms of ORF2: (i) the ORF2i form (infectious ORF2) which is the component of infectious particles, (ii) the secreted ORF2g (glycosylated ORF2) and ORF2c (cleaved ORF2) forms that are not associated with infectious particles, but are the major antigens in HEV-infected patient sera. The ORF2 protein sequence contains three highly conserved potential N-glycosylation sites (N1, N2 and N3). The status and biological relevance of ORF2 N-glycosylation in HEV lifecycle remain to be elucidated. Here, we generated and extensively characterized a series of ORF2 mutants in which the three N-glycosylation sites were mutated individually or in combination. We demonstrated that the ORF2g/c protein is N-glycosylated on N1 and N3 sites but not on the N2 site. We showed that N-glycosylation of ORF2 protein does not play any role in replication and assembly of infectious HEV particles. We found that glycosylated ORF2g/c forms are very stable proteins which are targeted by patient antibodies. We also demonstrated that the ORF2i protein is translocated into the nucleus of infected cells. Hence, our study led to new insights into the molecular mechanisms of ORF2 expression.
A functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging study of patients with Polar Type II/III complex shoulder instability
Authors: Howard Anthony , Powell Joanne L. , Gibson Jo , Hawkes David , Kemp Graham J. , Frostick Simon P.
Published: April 2019

The pathophysiology of Stanmore Classification Polar type II/III shoulder instability is not well understood. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to measure brain activity in response to forward flexion and abduction in 16 patients with Polar Type II/III shoulder instability and 16 age-matched controls. When a cluster level correction was applied patients showed significantly greater brain activity than controls in primary motor cortex (BA4), supramarginal gyrus (BA40), inferior frontal gyrus (BA44), precentral gyrus (BA6) and middle frontal gyrus (BA6): the latter region is considered premotor cortex. Using voxel level correction within these five regions a unique activation was found in the primary motor cortex (BA4) at MNI coordinates -38 -26 56. Activation was greater in controls compared to patients in the parahippocampal gyrus (BA27) and perirhinal cortex (BA36). These findings show, for the first time, neural differences in patients with complex shoulder instability, and suggest that patients are in some sense working harder or differently to maintain shoulder stability, with brain activity similar to early stage motor sequence learning. It will help to understand the condition, design better therapies and improve treatment of this group; avoiding the common clinical misconception that their recurrent shoulder dislocations are a form of attention-seeking.
Cold-inducible RNA-binding Protein Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Lungs during Sepsis
Authors: Ode Yasumasa , Aziz Monowar , Jin Hui , Arif Adnan , Nicastro Jonathan G. , Wang Ping
Published: April 2019

Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) exaggerates inflammation and tissue injury in sepsis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are released by activated neutrophils during sepsis. NETs contribute to pathogen clearance, but excessive NET formation (NETosis) causes inflammation and tissue damage. Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) is associated with NETosis by increasing histone citrullination and chromatin decondensation. We hypothesized that CIRP induces NETosis in the lungs during sepsis via upregulating PAD4 expression. Sepsis was induced in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and CIRP−/− mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). After 20 h of CLP induction, NETs in the lungs of WT and CIRP−/− mice were quantified by flow cytometry by staining the single cell suspensions with MPO and CitH3 Abs. PAD4 expression in the lungs of WT and CIRP−/− mice after sepsis was assessed by Western blotting. In vitro effects of recombinant mouse (rm) CIRP for NETosis and PAD4 expression in the bone marrow-derived neutrophils (BMDN) were assessed by flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively. After 20 h of CLP, NETosis in the lungs was significantly decreased in CIRP−/− mice compared to WT mice, which also correlated with the decreased PAD4 expression. Intratracheal administration of rmCIRP into WT mice significantly increased NETosis and PAD4 expression in the lungs compared to vehicle-injected mice. In vitro culture of BMDN with rmCIRP significantly increased NETosis and PAD4 expression compared to PBS-treated control. Fluorescence microscopy revealed typical web-like structures consistent with NETs in rmCIRP-treated BMDN. Thus, CIRP serves as a novel inducer of NETosis via PAD4 during sepsis.
Catalog of 2017 Thunderstorm Ground Enhancement (TGE) events observed on Aragats
Authors: Chilingarian A. , Mkrtchyan H. , Karapetyan G. , Chilingaryan S. , Sargsyan B. , Arestakesyan A.
Published: April 2019

The natural electron accelerator in the clouds above Aragats high-altitude research station in Armenia operates continuously in 2017 providing more than 100 Thunderstorm Ground enhancements (TGEs). Most important discovery based on analysis of 2017 data is observation and detailed description of the long-lasting TGEs. We present TGE catalog for 2 broad classes according to presence or absence of the high-energy particles. In the catalog was summarized several key parameters of the TGEs and related meteorological and atmospheric discharge observations. The statistical analysis of the data collected in tables reveals the months when TGEs are more frequent, the daytime when TGEs mostly occurred, the mean distance to lightning flash that terminates TGE and many other interesting relations. Separately was discussed the sharp count rate decline and following removal of high-energy particles from the TGE flux after a lightning flash. ADEI multivariate visualization and statistical analysis platform make analytical work on sophisticated problems rather easy; one can try and test many hypotheses very fast and come to a definite conclusion allowing crosscheck and validation
Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections among people who inject drugs in Kuwait: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Altawalah Haya , Essa Sahar , Ezzikouri Sayeh , Al-Nakib Widad
Published: April 2019

Injection drug use (IDU) is one of the most significant risk factors for viral hepatitis (B and C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This study assessed seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kuwait. We conducted a cross-sectional study from April to September 2017. A total of 521 consecutive subjects, admitted at Al-Sabah Hospital. The serological and virological markers of HBV, HCV, and HIV were tested  using automated platforms. The mean age of the participants was 32.26 yrs, and the sex ratio (Male/Female) was 15.28. The prevalence rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies were 0.38% (95% CI: 0.07–1.53%), 12.28% (95% CI: 9.65–15.48), and 0.77% (95% CI: 0.25–2.23%), respectively. HCV-RNA was evident in 51.72% (95% CI: 38.34–64.87%) among anti-HCV positive participants. Multivariate analysis showed that the high prevalence of HCV infection amongst PWID is associated with age. Whereas, multivariate analysis revealed no significant associations with age and gender regarding HIV and HBV infections. The results suggest that high rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections among injecting drug users than the general population. These findings emphasize the importance of introducing interventions and harm reduction initiatives that have a high impact on reducing needle sharing.
AlN/InAlN thin-film transistors fabricated on glass substrates at room temperature
Authors: Nakamura Kyohei , Kobayashi Atsushi , Ueno Kohei , Ohta Jitsuo , Fujioka Hiroshi
Published: April 2019

In this study, InAlN was grown on glass substrates using pulsed sputtering deposition (PSD) at room temperature (RT) and was applied to thin-film transistors (TFTs). The surface flatness of the InAIN films was improved by reducing the growth temperature from 350 °C to RT. Further, the electron mobility and concentration of the InAlN film that was grown at RT were observed to be strongly dependent on the In composition. It was also observed that the electron concentration could be reduced during the introduction of Al atoms into InN, which could most likely be attributed to the reduction in the position of the Fermi level stabilization energy with respect to the conduction band edge. Further, InAlN-TFT was fabricated, and successful operation with a field-effect mobility of 8 cm2 V−1 s−1 was confirmed. This was the first demonstration of the operation of TFTs based on the growth of InAlN on an amorphous substrate at RT.
Potential prebiotic activity of Tenebrio molitor insect flour using an optimized in vitro gut microbiota model
Authors: Carvalho Nelson Mota de , Teixeira Francisco , Silva Sara , Madureira Ana Raquel , Pintado Manuela Estevez
Published: April 2019

Potential prebiotic activity of Tenebrio molitor insect flour using an optimized in vitro gut microbiota model.
PHMH, a diarylheptanoid from Alpinia officinarum attenuates VEGF-induced angiogenesis via inhibition of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway
Authors: Hu Liubing , Huang Weihuan , Ding Yong , Liu Min , Wang Mei , Wang Ying , Zhang Wei , Li Yaolan , Ye Wencai , Li Manmei , Liu Zhong
Published: April 2019

The rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance, a popular spice used as a condiment in China and Europe, has various reported bioactivities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Solvent-free synthesis and reactivity of nickel(ii) borohydride and nickel(ii) hydride
Authors: Raje Sakthi , Angamuthu Raja
Published: April 2019

Transition metal-hydrides are highly useful in organic transformations of industrial importance yet synthesizing them or their precursor metal-borohydrides in high yield is cumbersome due to their high reactivity and sensitivity towards air and many common solvents.
Controlling cellular distribution of drugs with permeability modifying moieties
Authors: Richardson Paul L. , Marin Violeta L. , Koeniger Stormy L. , Baranczak Aleksandra , Wilsbacher Julie L. , Kovar Peter J. , Bacon-Trusk Patricia E. , Cheng Min , Hopkins Todd A. , Haman Sandra T. , Vasudevan Anil
Published: April 2019

Anionic moieties can be used to control the cell-permeability of drugs and used to select the appropriate target identification method for phenotypic screening hits.
Metabolomics characterization of different geographical origins of Flos Carthami using UPLC-QTOF/MS and their correlation with climate factors
Authors: Cao Tingting , Liu Jiushi , Zhang Xiaoyi , Wei Xueping , Qi Yaodong , Zhang Bengang , Liu Haitao , Xiao Peigen
Published: April 2019

A UPLC-QTOF/MS method was developed to characterize chemical differences of Flos Carthami from different geographical origins. PCA, PLS-DA and heatmap analysis were used to differentiate and identify differential metabolites of Flos Carthami samples from different geographical origins. Grey correlation analysis (GCA) was conducted between differential metabolites and climate factors.
A pillar[5]arene with an amino-terminated arm stabilizes the formation of aliphatic hemiaminals and imines
Authors: Du Xu-Sheng , Jia Qiong , Wang Chun-Yu , Meguellati Kamel , Yang Ying-Wei
Published: April 2019

A self-included mono-amino substituted pillar[5]arene efficiently stabilizes the hemiaminal and imine formation from the reaction of aliphatic amines and aldehydes.
Controllable local electronic migration induced charge separation and red-shift emission in carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalysis and potential phototherapy
Authors: Sun Zongzhao , Jiang Yabin , Zeng Lei , Zhang Xi , Hu Shuchao , Huang Limin
Published: April 2019

Controllable local electronic migration induced charge separation and red-shift emission endow carbon nitride materials with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production and potential phototherapy by labeling cell membranes.
Co-crystal polymorphic control by nanodroplet and electrical confinement
Authors: Padrela L. M. , Castro-Dominguez B. , Ziaee A. , Long B. , Ryan K. M. , Walker G. , O'Reilly E. J.
Published: April 2019

The polymorphic control of the co-crystal carbamazepine–saccharin (CBZ–SAC) metastable form II was achieved by nano-droplet confinement in tandem with droplet surface charging induced by electrospraying the precursor solution.
Insights into how the aqueous environment influences the kinetics and mechanisms of heterogeneously-catalyzed COH* and CH3OH* dehydrogenation reactions on Pt(111)
Authors: Bodenschatz Cameron J. , Xie Tianjun , Zhang Xiaohong , Getman Rachel B.
Published: April 2019

Reaction energies and activation barriers for dehydrogenation reactions of methanol derivatives under realistic liquid water configurations using a multiscale method.
Computational study of the mixed B-site perovskite SmBxCo1−xO3−d(B = Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) for next generation solid oxide fuel cell cathodes
Authors: Olsson Emilia , Cottom Jonathon , Aparicio-Anglès Xavier , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: April 2019

The effect of Co-site doping on the electronic, magnetic, and physical properties of next-generation SOFC cathode SmCoO3.
Synergy of orientational relaxation between bound water and confined water in ice cold-crystallization
Authors: Wang Qiang , Huang Xiao , Guo Wei , Cao Zexian
Published: April 2019

Dehydration/rehydration of some glycerol molecules provides the optimal path for ice cold-crystallization, wherein bound- and confined-water participate in a dynamically synergetic manner.
Field-induced single-ion magnet behaviour of a hexacoordinated Co(ii) complex with easy-axis-type magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Tupolova Yulia P. , Shcherbakov Igor N. , Popov Leonid D. , Lebedev Vladimir E. , Tkachev Valery V. , Zakharov Konstantin V. , Vasiliev Alexander N. , Korchagin Denis V. , Palii Andrei V. , Aldoshin Sergey M.
Published: April 2019

This study presents the novel hexacoordinated Co(ii) mononuclear complex with SIM behavior.
Influence of ligand substitution at the donor and acceptor center on MMCT in a cyanide-bridged mixed-valence system
Authors: Zhang Lin-Tao , Zhu Xiao-Quan , Hu Sheng-Min , Zhang Yu-Xiao , Su Shao-Dong , Yang Yu-Ying , Wu Xin-Tao , Sheng Tian-Lu
Published: April 2019

A series of cyanide-bridged complexes [TpmRu(LD)(μ-CN)Ru(LP)Cp*][PF6]2were investigated by changing the substitutions of the donor and acceptor sites to systemically tune MMCT.
Emerging applications of biochar-based materials for energy storage and conversion
Authors: Liu Wu-Jun , Jiang Hong , Yu Han-Qing
Published: April 2019

Biochar, a bio-carbon with abundant surface functional groups and easily tuned porosity produced from biomass, shows great application potential in energy storage and conversion. In this review, recent advances in the applications of biochar-based materials in various energy storage and conversion fields are summarized, highlighting the mechanisms and open questions in current energy applications.
Nutritive implications of dietary microRNAs: facts, controversies, and perspectives
Authors: Li Jianting , Lei Lin , Ye Fayin , Zhou Yun , Chang Hui , Zhao Guohua
Published: April 2019

As a group of non-coding RNA molecules, microRNAs have recently become more well-known due to their pivotal role in gene regulation.
Novel antimycobacterial C-21 amide derivatives of the antibiotic fusidic acid: synthesis, pharmacological evaluation and rationalization of media-dependent activity using molecular docking studies in the binding site of human serum albumin
Authors: Dziwornu Godwin Akpeko , Kamunya Stephanie , Ntsabo Tando , Chibale Kelly
Published: April 2019

Fusidic acid is a natural product antibiotic used clinically, primarily against staphylococcal infections.
Paper-based selective and quantitative detection of uric acid using citrate-capped Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) as a colorimetric sensing probe through a simple and remote-based device
Authors: Ali Muhsin , Khalid Muhammad Asad Ullah , Shah Imran , Kim Soo Wan , Kim Young Su , Lim Jong Hwan , Choi Kyung Hyung
Published: April 2019

A colorimetric portable setup was developed for remote UA measurements using a smartphone-based application to demonstrate its use in point-of-care testing.
Wearable solid-state capacitors based on two-dimensional material all-textile heterostructures
Authors: Qiang Siyu , Carey Tian , Arbab Adrees , Song Weihua , Wang Chaoxia , Torrisi Felice
Published: April 2019

Two dimensional (2D) materials are a rapidly growing area of interest for wearable electronics, due to their flexible and unique electrical properties.
Valence mediated tunable magnetism and electronic properties by ferroelectric polarization switching in 2D FeI2/In2Se3 van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Sun Wei , Wang Wenxuan , Chen Dong , Cheng Zhenxiang , Wang Yuanxu
Published: April 2019

The magnetism and electronic structure in the FeI2 monolayer are manipulated by In2Se3 polarization in FeI2/In2Se3 van der Waals heterostructures.
A light-facilitated drug delivery system from a pseudo-protein/hyaluronic acid nanocomplex with improved anti-tumor effects
Authors: Ji Ying , Li Juan , Zhao Jihui , Shan Shuo , Chu Chih-Chang
Published: April 2019

A biodegradable and reduction-responsive drug delivery system with light-facilitated release of payloads and enhanced efficacy by photochemical internalization.
Nanocarbon materials in water disinfection: state-of-the-art and future directions
Authors: Wang Liang , Yuan Ziwen , Karahan H. Enis , Wang Yilei , Sui Xiao , Liu Fei , Chen Yuan
Published: April 2019

The major modes of using nanocarbon materials for water disinfection: hydrogel filters, filtration membranes, recyclable aggregates, electrochemical devices, and photocatalysts.
One-pot ortho-amination of aryl C–H bonds using consecutive iron and copper catalysis
Authors: Henry Martyn C. , McGrory Rochelle , Faggyas Réka J. , Mostafa Mohamed A. B. , Sutherland Andrew
Published: April 2019

A one-pot ortho-amination of activated arenes using sequential iron and copper catalysis has been developed and utilised for the late-stage structural diversification of biologically active 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones.
Outstanding dielectric and thermal properties of main chain-type poly(benzoxazine-co-imide-co-siloxane)-based cross-linked networks
Authors: Zhang Kan , Yu Xinye , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: April 2019

A high performance cross-linked polymer with a very low dielectric constant was achieved via a newly designed main-chain type poly(benzoxazine-co-imide-co-siloxane).
Syntheses, crystal structures, chirality and aggregation-induced phosphorescence of stacked binuclear platinum(ii) complexes with bridging Salen ligands
Authors: Qu Lang , Li Chunbo , Shen Guangyu , Gou Fei , Song Jintong , Wang Man , Xu Xuemei , Zhou Xiangge , Xiang Haifeng
Published: April 2019

Chiral Pt(ii) complexes bearing bridging Salen ligands exhibit strong AIP through well-tuned intramolecular Pt–Pt interactions and multiple intermolecular interactions.
Light-triggered reversible disassembly of stimuli-responsive coordination metallosupramolecular Pd2L4 cages mediated by azobenzene-containing ligands
Authors: Fu Shuang , Luo Quan , Zang Mingsong , Tian Jun , Zhang Zherui , Zeng Minghao , Ji Yuancheng , Xu Jiayun , Liu Junqiu
Published: April 2019

A light-stimuli-responsive supramolecular azobenzene-containing M2L4 cage has been designed and synthesized. This cage can be reversibly disassembled/reassembled mediated by the azo-ligand under visible and UV light irradiation.
N-Alkylation vs. O-alkylation: influence on the performance of the photovoltaic cells based on a tetracyclic lactam polymer donor
Authors: Li Chenchen , Cai Mian , Bao Xichang , Liu Yanfang , Yang Renqiang , Wan Xiaobo
Published: April 2019

The alkylation positions (N-alkylation & O-alkylation) of a bis-lactam containing acceptor has a strong influence on the solar cell performance of the corresponding polymers.
Stimuli-responsive membrane activity of cyclic-peptide–polymer conjugates
Authors: Hartlieb Matthias , Catrouillet Sylvain , Kuroki Agnès , Sanchez-Cano Carlos , Peltier Raoul , Perrier Sébastien
Published: April 2019

Cyclic peptide nanotubes were coupled to poly(oxazoline)s using a cleavable connection. Upon stimuli responsive detachment of the polymer an on-demand membrane activity could be achieved.
NosL is a dedicated copper chaperone for assembly of the CuZcenter of nitrous oxide reductase
Authors: Bennett Sophie P. , Soriano-Laguna Manuel J. , Bradley Justin M. , Svistunenko Dimitri A. , Richardson David J. , Gates Andrew J. , Le Brun Nick E.
Published: April 2019

The Cu(i)-binding protein NosL functions specifically as an assembly factor for the unique CuZcentre of nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR).
Compressed sensing algorithm for neighbour discovery in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Luo Yuan , Dang Jiaoiao , Song Zuxun , Wang Baoping
Published: April 2019

Considering the neighbour discovery problem in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETS) with omnidirectional antennas, all nodes want to discover the nodes within a single hop and obtain their identities. However, many existing algorithms spend an extra overhead for neighbour discovery and there is a need of response from neighbours. In this study, a slot allocation scheme is introduced for duplex communication, making all nodes recognisable to each other with a unique codeword. Then, a novel neighbour discovery algorithm based on compressed sensing to apply in this scheme is proposed; it enables all nodes to update neighbour information through the received signal after one or several frames and spends no extra overhead. Furthermore, many algorithms cannot be applied in the overload networks, but the algorithm proposed here is suited for overload networks; the upper bound for its active neighbours is limited to the performance of the network. Finally, the algorithm is validated through simulation and the effect of the three main factors on the performance of the algorithm is researched. The result implies that this algorithm can adapt to various scenarios of the MANETS.
Survey of cross‐technology communication for IoT heterogeneous devices
Authors: Chen Ying , Li Ming , Chen Pengpeng , Xia Shixiong
Published: April 2019

The ever‐developing Internet of Things (IoT) drives the prosperity of ubiquitous connections among heterogeneous wireless devices (e.g. WiFi, ZigBee and Bluetooth) that follow different standards. Wireless devices share unlicensed industrial, scientific and medical bands, offering an opportunity for cross‐technology communication (CTC), where coexistence and cooperation mechanisms of wireless technologies incur the problem of coexistence. This study is purposed to present a rounded state‐of‐the‐art survey on CTC from the hardware perspective, CTC techniques are roughly divided into two types: hardware based and hardware free. In hardware‐based strategies, a dedicated hardware is required to send information to wireless devices for enabling direct communication. The hardware‐free schemes, by contrast, enable heterogeneous wireless devices to communicate directly by exchanging information or data without the dedicated hardware. Recent advances in CTC are reviewed in both types by expatiating on how heterogeneous wireless devices are achieving direct communication. The authors compare some CTCs with respect to throughput, communication range, energy efficiency and cost, in addition, they present open research issues of two types.
Spectrum sensing in cognitive vehicular networks for uniform mobility model
Authors: Paul Anal , Kunarapu Priyatham , Banerjee Avik , Maity Santi P.
Published: April 2019

Cooperation among the sensing nodes in cognitive radio (CR) networks improves spectrum sensing (SS) reliability. However, determining the efficient set of secondary users (SUs) to be involved in cooperative SS (CSS) becomes challenging in vehicular networks (VNs) due to the mobility of primary user (PU) and/or SU nodes. This work explores an energy detection‐based CSS scheme in CR enabled VNs (CR‐VNs) considering the uniform velocity motion of PU and SU nodes. A distance‐dependent distribution function is developed first to find the probability of a SU resides in a specific coverage of the PU transmission zone. This distribution function is then used in deriving the expression of the probability of detection and probability of false alarm using majority rule at the fusion centre. The efficacy of the mathematical analysis is studied through a large set of simulation results that highlight the enhanced SS performance in terms of the probability of detection by , and at uniform velocity over the existing works in CR‐VN.
Stability analysis of non‐linear systems with multi‐input signals sampled and logarithmic quantised in the framework of hybrid systems
Authors: He Yan , Sun Xi‐Ming , Wu Yuhu
Published: April 2019

This study is to estimate the bounds for the maximum allowable sampling interval (MASI) and the coarsest quantisation density (CQD) that guarantee the stability of non‐linear systems with multi‐input signals sampled and logarithmic quantised. First of all, hybrid feedback systems are proposed to describe the non‐linear control systems. Then a sufficient condition is provided to ensure that the systems are uniformly globally exponentially stable. A crucial step is to find a novel Lyapunov function to verify the stability conditions in the sense of the hybrid framework. Meanwhile, explicit bounds for the MASI and CQD are obtained to guarantee stability. Furthermore, in the case of no quantisation or no sampling, some special stability criteria can be also obtained. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed theorem.
Taxonomy of coherency detection and coherency‐based methods for generators grouping and power system partitioning
Authors: Koochi Mohammad Hossein Rezaeian , Esmaeili Saeid , Ledwich Gerard
Published: April 2019

In a bulk power system, generators can be divided into groups based on the variation of their swing curves after disturbance occurrence. In this regard, generators that have the same variations are placed in the same group and are called ‘coherent’. Identifying coherent generators is an important step in creating a reduced model of bulk power systems for dynamic wide‐area analysis. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive and up‐to‐date bibliographic review of the literature related to coherency detection and power system partitioning after disturbance occurrence. In this study, coherency detection methods are classified into model‐based and measurement‐based categories. Furthermore, existing methods for power system partitioning based on coherency concept are also reviewed and categorised using two different criteria. Finally, the future trend toward coherency and coherent areas detection is discussed.
Optimal reliable and resilient construction of dynamic self‐adequate multi‐microgrids under large‐scale events
Authors: Khalili Tohid , Hagh Mehrdad Tarafdar , Zadeh Saeid Gassem , Maleki Sajad
Published: April 2019

Existence of distributed generators (DGs) makes it possible to split distribution systems into multi‐microgrids (MGs) in emergency conditions. In this study, after optimal allocation of distributed generation sources with a multi‐objective function, the test system is optimally sub‐divided into some self‐adequate MGs with the least not supplied active and reactive power during large‐scale events. By using the proposed method, the network will be more resilient against large‐scale events such as critical lines outages or big generation outage under natural events with the optimal voltage regulation for each MG. The multi‐objective problem is solved by the fuzzy satisfying approach and Pareto optimality methods. The proposed method in this study is based on the exchange market algorithm and tested on two systems, IEEE 33‐ and 69‐bus distribution systems. Also, under normal network conditions, operation of distribution networks is evaluated using different objective functions like micro‐virtual networks with minimum power exchange and loss minimisation, to determine which function causes the network to have the best status in terms of reliability and resiliency. Obtained results confirm the efficiency of this method for partitioning distribution systems to increase network robustness before a fault occurrence and also improve reliability and resiliency after a fault occurrence.
Linear matrix inequality approach in stability improvement through reactive power control in hybrid distributed generation system
Authors: Mohanty Asit , Viswavandya Meera , Ray Prakash K. , Mohanty Sthitapragyan , Mohanty Pragyan P.
Published: April 2019

Stability of a standalone hybrid power system (HPS) in a smart grid is always a challenging task. Further, the operational stability of the power system depends on the associated communication infrastructure. Therefore, it is always crucial to pick up a controller that can assure system's stability along with performance, despite disturbances like (load and input wind variations) with communication delays. Present study focuses on reactive power management and voltage stability issues of an isolated HPS. The stability aspects of HPS are improved through reactive power compensation, by custom power devices like static var compensator. The control aspects of SVC as well as the whole hybrid system are taken care by H ∞ linear matrix inequalities approach. Further, H‐infinity control, Lyapunov stability along with linear matrix inequalities techniques estimate the delay boundary of controllers. The iterative performance of the proportional–integral–derivative controllers, and robust H ∞ damping controller of the HPS, are designed through LMI approach. Later experimental study of the HPS is done, with a prototype model in dSPACE real‐time control environment. In this case, dSPACE 1104 is added for data acquisition and control. Adaptability and robustness of the proposed controllers are verified under fluctuating loads and uncertain wind power input.
Assessing interlaboratory comparison data adjustment procedures
Authors: Jagan Kavya , Forbes Alistair B.
Published: April 2019

Interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) are one of the key activities in metrology. Estimates x = (x1,…, xn) T of a measurand α along with their associated standard uncertainties u0 = (u0,1,…, u0,n) T, u0,j  = u0 (xj) are provided by each of n laboratories. Employing a model of the form
xj ∈ N(α, v0,j),  j = 1,…,n,

v0,j = u0,j2, we may wish to find a consensus value for α. A χ2 test can be used to assess the degree to which the spread of the estimates x are consistent with the stated uncertainties u0. If they are judged to be inconsistent, then an adjustment procedure can be applied to determine vj  ≥  v0,j, so that x and v represent consistency. The underlying assumption behind this approach is that some or all of the laboratories have underestimated or neglected some uncertainty contributions, sometimes referred to as ‘dark uncertainty’, and the adjusted v provides an estimate of this dark uncertainty derived from the complete set of laboratory results. There are many such adjustment procedures, including the Birge and Mandel–Paule (M-P) procedures.

In implementing an adjustment procedure, a desirable objective is to make as minimal an adjustment as necessary in order to bring about the required degree of consistency. In this paper, we discuss the use of relative entropy, also known as the Kullback–Leibler divergence, as a measure of the degree of adjustment. We consider parameterising v = v (b) as a function of parameters b with the input v0 = v (b0) for some b0. We look to perturb b from b0 to bring about consistency in a way that minimises how far b is from b0 in terms of the relative entropy or Kullback–Leibler divergence.
The Use of Junfeng BFS Water (JBW) in Dry Eye Syndrome
Authors: Eisenmann Dieter , Liu Yuying , Renieri Giulia , Thieme Hagen
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose Junfeng BFS Water (JBW) is normal drinking water treated by an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field with certain electromagnetic oscillations. This leads to a change in physical water properties, such as an increase in permittivity and an increase in dissolved oxygen. Animal studies show that JBW has certain biological effects, such as improvement in microcirculation, cell hydration, and blood rheology. In a clinical study, we were able to show an improvement in ocular blood flow after drinking JBW. Since people drinking JBW reported an improvement in dry eye symptoms, we wanted to examine tear film stability by determining the break-up time (BUT) through patient interviews.

Methods Sixty patients (120 eyes) were age matched and randomized in a double-blind study using the JBW device, or an identical looking nonworking device, without influence on drinking water (control group). All participants had to drink 2 liters of water per day over a period of 2 months. All study subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including measurement of BUT at day 0, 1 month, and 2 months. At the same time, the patients were interviewed about their eyes, their subjective feelings, and their vision. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SSPS program. Bivariate statistics were performed using the ANOVA test. The level of significance was a = 0.05

Results The increase in BUT was significantly higher in both eyes (a< = 0.01) of the population drinking JBW after 1 and 2 months compared to the control group using untreated water. This result was confirmed in patient interviews. Therefore, patients drinking JBW judged the question “do you have tired eyes?” significantly better (a = 0.04) than the control group after 1 month. Eighty percent of the JBW group continued to drink JBW 6 months after the end of the study, and more than 50% were able to reduce treatment with artificial tears or stop it completely.

Conclusions Apart from an improvement in microcirculation, drinking JBW seems to have a positive effect on dry eye syndrome. Mechanisms are still unknown, and improvement in microcirculation of the lacrimal gland should be discussed. If our results can be confirmed in a larger study, and with more sophisticated methods, we see a potential for JBWʼs use as an additive to conventional dry eye therapy.
The Assessment of Blood Flow Velocities in Retinal Collaterals in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Somfai Gabor , Campagnoli Thalmon , Tian Jing , Gerding Heinrich , Smiddy William , DeBuc Delia
Published: April 2019

Purpose Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disease characterized by capillary dropout and resultant retinal ischemia which then leads to retinal vascular remodeling. Our goal was to assess blood flow velocities in retinal collateral vessels in healthy and diabetic subjects with various stages of DR.

Methods In our pilot study, we enrolled five eyes of five healthy subjects (H), five eyes of four subjects with diabetes and no retinopathy (DM), three eyes of three subjects with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (MDR), and five eyes of four subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Following routine ophthalmic examination, all subjects were imaged using a retinal function imager (RFI; Optical Imaging Inc., Rehovot, Israel). The built-in software of the RFI was used to identify and segment retinal collaterals with measurement of the blood flow velocities (BFV). One-way ANOVA was performed for BFV, followed by Newman-Keuls post hoc test. The level of significance was set at 5%.

Results The total number of collateral segments involved in the study was 30, 31, 21, and 39 in the H, DM, MDR, and PDR groups, respectively. The BFVs in the collaterals were significantly lower in PDR (H: 1.86 ± 0.67, DM: 1.91 ± 0.71, MDR: 1.71 ± 0.53, PDR: 1.37 ± 0.58 mm/s). The PDR group showed a statistically significant difference in the comparisons to all groups (p = 0.012, p = 0.008, and p = 0.043 for the H, DM, and MDR groups, respectively), while no other comparisons between the groups were significant.

Conclusion We observed decreased BFV in retinal collaterals in PDR that may be due to the extensive capillary dropout and retinal ischemia. Further studies are needed for the noninvasive functional assessment of retinal microvascular changes in DR to better understand the underlying pathophysiology.
Effects of Homeopathic Phosphorus on Encephalitozoon cuniculi-Infected Macrophages In-Vitro
Authors: Nagai Mirian Yaeko , Dalboni Luciane Costa , Cardoso Thayná Neves , Correia Michelle Sanchez , Pinto Sandra Augusta G. , Pinto Andreia A. G. , Coelho Cideli de Paula , Alvarez-Saraiva Anuska , Peres Giovani B. , Lallo Maria Anete , Bonamin Leoni Villano
Published: April 2019

Introduction Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), a fungus that acts as an intracellular pathogen, causes a marked neurological syndrome in many host species and is a zoonotic concern. Although no well-established treatment for this syndrome is known, previous successful clinical experience using homeopathic phosphorus has been described in which symptom remission with no mortality occurred in 40/42 animals by means of unknown immunological mechanisms. The latter observation was the main motivation for this study.

Objective To verify, in an in-vitro model, if macrophages infected with E. cuniculi can change in function after treatment with different potencies of phosphorus.

Materials and Methods RAW 264.7 macrophages were infected with E. cuniculi in-vitro and treated with various homeopathic potencies of phosphorus. The vehicle was used as a control solution (0.06% succussed ethanol). After 1 and 24 hours, the following parameters were analyzed: parasite internalization (by the Calcofluor staining method), lysosome activity (by the acridine orange method), cytokine/chemokine production (by the MAGPIX system), and cell ultrastructure. Automatic image analysis was used when applicable, and the experiments were performed in triplicate.

Results Treatment with vehicle alone increased interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha and monocyte chemotactic protein -1 production (p ≤ 0.05) and reduced the number of internalized parasites (p ≤ 0.001). A progressive and time-dependent increase in RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) and lysosome activity (p ≤ 0.002) was observed only after treatment with the highest potency of phosphorus (Phos 200cH), together with decreased apoptosis rate, intense parasite digestion, and the presence of non-internalized spores.

Conclusions Phos 200 cH has a modulatory action on the activity of infected macrophages, especially a specific increase in RANTES, a key element in the prognosis of E. cuniculi-infected and of immunosuppressed patients bearing infections.
Enhancement of protein mechanical stability: Correlated deformations are handcuffed by ligand binding
Authors: Wang Wei Bu , Zhu Jian Zhuo , Li Xing Yuan , Li Chun Hua , Su Ji Guo , Li Jing Yuan
Published: April 2019

As revealed by previous experiments, protein mechanical stability can be effectively regulated by ligand binding with the binding site distant from the force-bearing region. However, the mechanism for such long-range allosteric control of protein mechanics is still largely unknown. In this work, we use protein topology-based elastic network model (ENM) and all-atomic steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to study the impact of ligand binding on protein mechanical stability in two systems, i.e., GB1 and CheY-binding P2-domain of CheA (CBDCheA). Both ENM and SMD results show that the ligand binding has considerable and negligible effects on the mechanical stability of these two proteins, respectively. These results are consistent with the experimental observations. A physical mechanism for the enhancement of protein mechanical stability was then proposed: the correlated deformations of the force-bearing region and the binding site are handcuffed by the binding of ligand. The handcuff effect suppresses the propagation of internal force in the force-bearing region, thus improving the resistance to the loading force. Our study indicates that ENM method can effectively identify the structure motifs allosterically related to the deformation in the force bearing region, as well as the force propagation pathway within the structure of the studied proteins. Hence, it should be helpful to understand the molecular origin of the different mechanical properties in response to ligand binding for GB1 and CBDCheA.
Sublinear scaling quantum chemical methods for magnetic shieldings in large molecules
Authors: Yuan Minghong , Zhang Yong , Qu Zhi , Xiao Yunlong , Liu Wenjian
Published: April 2019

It is shown that quantum chemical calculations of the nuclear magnetic shieldings of a group of vicinal nuclei in a large molecule can be made sublinear scaling [i.e., O(1)] with respect to the molecular size. This is achieved by making both the diamagnetic and paramagnetic terms translation invariant [following the work of Ochsenfeld et al. J. Chem. Phys. 134, 074102 (2011)] and by making use of a local representation that is independent of the molecular size. Although only Hartree-Fock results are reported here, the idea can readily be extended to correlated wave function methods as well as the relativistic domain.