bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erythromycin leads to differential protein expression through differences in electrostatic and dispersion interactions with nascent proteins
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Linh , Pham Dang Lan , O’Brien Edward P. , Li Mai Suan
Published: April 2018

The antibiotic activity of erythromycin, which reversibly binds to a site within the bacterial ribosome exit tunnel, against many gram positive microorganisms indicates that it effectively inhibits the production of proteins. Similar to other macrolides, the activity of erythromycin is far from universal, as some peptides can bypass the macrolide-obstructed exit tunnel and become partially or fully synthesized. It is unclear why, at the molecular level, some proteins can be synthesized while others cannot. Here, we use steered molecular dynamics simulations to examine how erythromycin inhibits synthesis of the peptide ErmCL but not the peptide H-NS. By pulling these peptides through the exit tunnel of the E.coli ribosome with and without erythromycin present, we find that erythromycin directly interacts with both nascent peptides, but the force required for ErmCL to bypass erythromycin is greater than that of H-NS. The largest forces arise three to six residues from their N-terminus as they start to bypass Erythromycin. Decomposing the interaction energies between erythromycin and the peptides at this point, we find that there are stronger electrostatic and dispersion interactions with the more C-terminal residues of ErmCL than with H-NS. These results suggest that erythromycin slows or stalls synthesis of ErmCL compared to H-NS due to stronger interactions with particular residue positions along the nascent protein.
RNA-Seq analysis of interferon inducible p204-mediated network in anti-tumor immunity
Authors: Jian Jinlong , Wei Wei , Yin Guowei , Hettinghouse Aubryanna , Liu Chuanju , Shi Yongxiang
Published: April 2018

p204, a murine member of the interferon-inducible p200 protein family, and its human analogue, IFI16, have been shown to function as tumor suppressors in vitro, but the molecular events involved, in particular in vivo, remain unclear. Herein we induced the Lewis Lung carcinoma (LLC) murine model of human lung cancer in p204 null mice (KO) and their control littermates (WT). We compared the transcriptome in spleen from WT and p204 KO mice using a high-throughput RNA-sequencing array. A total 30.02 Gb of clean data were obtained, and overall Q30% was greater than 90.54%. More than 75% of clean data from 12 transcriptome samples were mapped to exons. The results showed that only 11 genes exhibited altered expression in untreated p204 KO mice relative to untreated WT mice, while 393 altered genes were identified in tumor-bearing p204 KO mice when compared with tumor-bearing WT mice. Further differentially expressed gene cluster and gene ontology consortium classification revealed that numerous cytokines and their receptors, chemoattractant molecules, and adhesion molecules were significantly induced in p204 KO mice. This study provides novel insights to the p204 network in anti-tumor immune response and also presents a foundation for future work concerning p204-mediated gene expressions and pathways.
Quantitative shadow compensated optical coherence tomography of choroidal vasculature
Authors: Vupparaboina Kiran Kumar , Dansingani Kunal K. , Goud Abhilash , Rasheed Mohammed Abdul , Jawed Fayez , Jana Soumya , Richhariya Ashutosh , Freund K. Bailey , Chhablani Jay
Published: April 2018

Conventionally rendered optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the posterior segment contain shadows which influence the visualization of deep structures such as the choroid. The purpose of this study was to determine whether OCT shadow compensation (SC) alters the appearance of the choroid and the apparent choroidal vascularity index (CVI), an OCT-derived estimated ratio of luminal to total choroidal volume. All scans were shadow compensated using a previously published algorithm, binarized using a novel validated algorithm and extracted binarized choroid to estimate CVI. On 27 raw swept-source OCT volume-scans of healthy subjects, the effect of SC on CVI was established both qualitatively and quantitatively. In shadow compensated scans, the choroid was visualized with greater brightness than the neurosensory retina and the masking of deep tissues by retinal blood vessels was greatly reduced. Among study subjects, significant mean difference in CVI of −0.13 was observed between raw and shadow compensated scans. Conventionally acquired OCT underestimates both choroidal reflectivity and calculated CVI. Quantitative analysis based on subjective grading demonstrated that SC increased the contrast between stromal and luminal regions and are in agreement with true tissue regions. This study is warranted to determine the effects of SC on CVI in diseased eyes.
PEDOT:PSS/graphene quantum dots films with enhanced thermoelectric properties via strong interfacial interaction and phase separation
Authors: Du Fei-Peng , Cao Nan-Nan , Zhang Yun-Fei , Fu Ping , Wu Yan-Guang , Lin Zhi-Dong , Shi Run , Amini Abbas , Cheng Chun
Published: April 2018

The typical conductive polymer of PEDOT:PSS has recently attracted intensive attention in thermoelectric conversion because of its low cost and low thermal conductivity as well as high electrical conductivity. However, compared to inorganic counterparts, the relatively poor thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS has greatly limited its development and high-tech applications. Here, we report a dramatic enhancement in the thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS by constructing unique composite films with graphene quantum dots (GQDs). At room temperature, the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS/GQDs reached to 7172 S/m and 14.6 μV/K, respectively, which are 30.99% and 113.2% higher than those of pristine PEDOT:PSS. As a result, the power factor of the optimized PEDOT:PSS/GQDs composite is 550% higher than that of pristine PEDOT:PSS. These significant improvements are attributed to the ordered alignment of PEDOT chains on the surface of GQDs, originated from the strong interfacial interaction between PEDOT:PSS and GQDs and the separation of PEDOT and PSS phases. This study evidently provides a promising route for PEDOT:PSS applied in high-efficiency thermoelectric conversion.
Assessing the Nature of the Distribution of Localised States in Bulk GaAsBi
Authors: Wilson Tom , Hylton Nicholas P. , Harada Yukihiro , Pearce Phoebe , Alonso-Álvarez Diego , Mellor Alex , Richards Robert D. , David John P. R. , Ekins-Daukes Nicholas J.
Published: April 2018

A comprehensive assessment of the nature of the distribution of sub band-gap energy states in bulk GaAsBi is presented using power and temperature dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy. The observation of a characteristic red-blue-red shift in the peak luminescence energy indicates the presence of short-range alloy disorder in the material. A decrease in the carrier localisation energy demonstrates the strong excitation power dependence of localised state behaviour and is attributed to the filling of energy states furthest from the valence band edge. Analysis of the photoluminescence lineshape at low temperature presents strong evidence for a Gaussian distribution of localised states that extends from the valence band edge. Furthermore, a rate model is employed to understand the non-uniform thermal quenching of the photoluminescence and indicates the presence of two Gaussian-like distributions making up the density of localised states. These components are attributed to the presence of microscopic fluctuations in Bi content, due to short-range alloy disorder across the GaAsBi layer, and the formation of Bi related point defects, resulting from low temperature growth.
Morphological parameters and anatomical locations associated with rupture status of small intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Duan Zhihui , Li Yuanhui , Guan Sheng , Ma Congmin , Han Yuezhen , Ren Xiangyang , Wei Liping , Li Wenbo , Lou Jiyu , Yang Zhiyuan
Published: April 2018

Characterization of the rupture risk factors for small intracranial aneurysms (SIAs, ≤5 mm) is clinically valuable. The present study aims to identify image-based morphological parameters and anatomical locations associated with the rupture status of SIAs. Two hundred and sixty-three patients with single SIAs (128 ruptured, 135 unruptured) were included, and six morphological parameters, including size, aspect ratio (AR), size ratio (SR), height–width ratio (H/W), flow angle (FA) and aneurysm width–parent artery diameter ratio, and the aneurysm locations were evaluated using three-dimensional geometry, and were used to identify a correlation with aneurysm rupture. Statistically significant differences were observed between ruptured and unruptured groups for AR, SR, H/W, FA, and aneurysm locations, from univariate analyses. Logistic regression analysis further revealed that AR (p = 0.034), SR (p = 0.004), H/W (p = 0.003), and FA (p < 0.001) had the strongest independent correlation with ruptured SIAs after adjustment for age, gender and other clinical risk factors. A future study on a larger SIA cohort need to establish to what extent the AR, SR, H/W and FA increase the risk of rupture in patients with unruptured SIAs in terms of absolute risks.
Graded pitch profile for the helicoidal broadband reflector and left-handed circularly polarizing cuticle of the scarab beetle Chrysina chrysargyrea
Authors: Mendoza-Galván A. , del Río L. Fernández , Järrendahl K. , Arwin H.
Published: April 2018

The cuticle of the beetle Chrysina chrysargyrea reflects left-handed polarized light in the broad spectral range from 340 to 1000 nm. Interference oscillations in the experimental Mueller-matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry data reveal that transparent materials comprise the cuticle. A spectral analysis of the interference oscillations makes evident that the pitch profile across the cuticle is graded. The graded pitch and effective refractive indices are determined through non-linear regression analysis of the experimental Mueller matrix by using a cuticle model based on twisted biaxial dielectric slices. Non-uniformity in cuticle thickness as well as in pitch profile near the cuticle surface account for depolarizance of the Mueller matrix. Transmission electron microscopy supports the reliability of the results.
Transcriptomic analysis of the liver of cholesterol-fed rabbits reveals altered hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory response
Authors: Wang Weirong , Chen Yulong , Bai Liang , Zhao Sihai , Wang Rong , Liu Baoning , Zhang Yali , Fan Jianglin , Liu Enqi
Published: April 2018

Rabbits are a suitable animal model for atherosclerosis due to their sensitivity to dietary cholesterol. Moreover, rabbits have lipoprotein profiles that are more similar to humans than those of other laboratory animals. However, little is known about the transcriptomic information related to atherosclerosis in rabbits. We aimed to determine the changes in the livers of rabbits fed a normal chow diet (control) or high cholesterol diet (HCD) by histological examinations and RNA sequencing analysis. Compared with the control group, the lipid levels and small LDL subfractions in plasma were increased, and aortic atherosclerotic plaques were formed in the HCD group. Most importantly, HCD resulted in lipid accumulation and inflammation in the livers. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver showed that HCD induces 1183 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that mainly participate in the regulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the signaling pathways involved in inflammation and lipid metabolism were enriched by KEGG pathway analysis. In addition, hepatic DEGs of the HCD group were further validated by real-time PCR. These results suggest that HCD causes liver lipid accumulation and inflammatory response. Although the relationships between these hepatic changes and atherogenesis need further investigation, these findings provide a fundamental framework for future research on human atherosclerosis using rabbit models.
Author Correction: Pyridoxine dipharmacophore derivatives as potent glucokinase activators for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dzyurkevich Mikhail S. , Babkov Denis A. , Shtyrlin Nikita V. , Mayka Olga Yu. , Iksanova Alfiya G. , Vassiliev Pavel M. , Balakin Konstantin V. , Spasov Alexander A. , Tarasov Vadim V. , Barreto George , Shtyrlin Yurii G. , Aliev Gjumrakch
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Impact of genetically engineered maize on agronomic, environmental and toxicological traits: a meta-analysis of 21 years of field data
Authors: Pellegrino Elisa , Bedini Stefano , Nuti Marco , Ercoli Laura
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Profiling Atlantic salmon B cell populations: CpG-mediated TLR-ligation enhances IgM secretion and modulates immune gene expression
Authors: Jenberie Shiferaw , Thim Hanna L. , Sunyer J. Oriol , Skjødt Karsten , Jensen Ingvill , Jørgensen Jorunn B.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Duck plague virus Glycoprotein J is functional but slightly impaired in viral replication and cell-to-cell spread
Authors: You Yu , Liu Tian , Wang Mingshu , Cheng Anchun , Jia Renyong , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Zhu Dekang , Chen Shun , Liu Mafeng , Zhao XinXin , Zhang Shaqiu , Liu Yunya , Yu Yanling , Zhang Ling
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Adsorption Properties of Granular Activated Carbon-Supported Titanium Dioxide Particles for Dyes and Copper Ions
Authors: Zheng Xin , Yu Nannan , Wang Xiaopeng , Wang Yuhong , Wang Linshan , Li Xiaowu , Hu Xiaomin
Published: April 2018

In the present paper, granular activated carbon (GAC) supported titanium dioxide (TiO2@GAC) particles were prepared by sol-gel process. Their performance in simultaneous adsorption of dye and Cu2+ from wastewater was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that TiO2 of the TiO2@GAC microsphere is anatase type, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that the samples have obvious characteristic peaks in 400–800 cm−1, which indicated that there are Ti-O-Ti bonds. The experimental results showed that the adsorption of TiO2@GAC for Methylene blue (MB) and Cu2+ were favorable under acidity condition, the adsorption of Methyl orange (MO) was favorable under alkalecent condition. The reaction kinetics of TiO2@GAC for MO, MB and Cu2+ were well described as pseudo-second-order kinetic model; The reaction isotherms for MO, MB and Cu2+ were well fitted by Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of TiO2@GAC for MO, MB and Cu2+ in the single systems were 32.36 mg/g, 25.32 mg/g and 23.42 mg/g, respectively. As for adsorption, Cu2+ had a suppression effect on MB, and a promotion effect on MO, however, the impact of MO and MB on Cu2+ were negligible.
Low Bilirubin Levels Indicate a High Risk of Cerebral Deep White Matter Lesions in Apparently Healthy Subjects
Authors: Higuchi Satoshi , Kabeya Yusuke , Uchida Junko , Kato Kiyoe , Tsukada Nobuhiro
Published: April 2018

Recent studies have reported that deep white matter lesions (DWMLs) on magnetic resonance imaging scans are related to the risk of developing impaired cognitive function in future. Bilirubin exhibits a potent antioxidant effect and an inverse relationship has been reported between bilirubin levels and the risk of several atherosclerotic diseases; however, there is limited evidence with regard to the effect of bilirubin levels on cerebrovascular diseases including DWMLs. This cross-sectional study included 1121 apparently healthy Japanese adults. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their bilirubin levels (low, <0.5 mg/dl; intermediate, ≥0.5 mg/dl and <1.0 mg/dl; and high, ≥1.0 mg/dl). The severity of DWMLs was evaluated according to Fazekas scale and their relation to bilirubin levels was examined. The association between bilirubin levels and the presence of severe DWMLs was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The analysis revealed that the low- and intermediate bilirubin groups indicated 2.36- and 1.33-fold increase in the prevalence of severe DWMLs compared with the high-bilirubin group, respectively (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–4.97 (the low-bilirubin group), 95% CI: 0.85–2.07 (the intermediate-bilirubin group). In conclusion, low total bilirubin levels could be associated with a high prevalence of severe DWMLs in apparent healthy subjects.
Unexpected impact of radiation friction: enhancing production of longitudinal plasma waves
Authors: Gelfer Evgeny , Elkina Nina , Fedotov Alexander
Published: April 2018

We study the penetration of ultra-intense (intensity I$$\simeq $$
≃
1023–24 W/cm2) circularly polarized laser pulses into a thick subcritical plasma layer with accounting for radiation friction. We show that radiation pressure is enhanced due to radiation friction in the direction transverse to the laser pulse propagation, and that for stronger and longer laser pulses this mechanism dominates over the ordinary ponderomotive pressure, thus resulting in a substantionaly stronger charge separation than anticipated previously. We give estimates of the effect and compare them with the results of one and two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. This effect can be important for laser-based acceleration schemes.
Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins impair pro-inflammatory macrophage responses
Authors: Bhattacharjee Pushpak , Keyel Peter A.
Published: April 2018

Necrotizing soft tissue infections are lethal polymicrobial infections. Two key microbes that cause necrotizing soft tissue infections are Streptococcus pyogenes and Clostridium perfringens. These pathogens evade innate immunity using multiple virulence factors, including cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). CDCs are resisted by mammalian cells through the sequestration and shedding of pores during intrinsic membrane repair. One hypothesis is that vesicle shedding promotes immune evasion by concomitantly eliminating key signaling proteins present in cholesterol-rich microdomains. To test this hypothesis, murine macrophages were challenged with sublytic CDC doses. CDCs suppressed LPS or IFNγ-stimulated TNFα production and CD69 and CD86 surface expression. This suppression was cell intrinsic. Two membrane repair pathways, patch repair and intrinsic repair, might mediate TNFα suppression. However, patch repair did not correlate with TNFα suppression. Intrinsic repair partially contributed to macrophage dysfunction because TLR4 and the IFNγR were partially shed following CDC challenge. Intrinsic repair was not sufficient for suppression, because pore formation was also required. These findings suggest that even when CDCs fail to kill cells, they may impair innate immune signaling responses dependent on cholesterol-rich microdomains. This is one potential mechanism to explain the lethality of S. pyogenes and C. perfringens during necrotizing soft tissue infections.
Molecular basis of autotrophic vs mixotrophic growth in Chlorella sorokiniana
Authors: Cecchin M. , Benfatto S. , Griggio F. , Mori A. , Cazzaniga S. , Vitulo N. , Delledonne M. , Ballottari M.
Published: April 2018

In this work, we investigated the molecular basis of autotrophic vs. mixotrophic growth of Chlorella sorokiniana, one of the most productive microalgae species with high potential to produce biofuels, food and high value compounds. To increase biomass accumulation, photosynthetic microalgae are commonly cultivated in mixotrophic conditions, adding reduced carbon sources to the growth media. In the case of C. sorokiniana, the presence of acetate enhanced biomass, proteins, lipids and starch productivity when compared to autotrophic conditions. Despite decreased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic properties were essentially unaffected while differential gene expression profile revealed transcriptional regulation of several genes mainly involved in control of carbon flux. Interestingly, acetate assimilation caused upregulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase enzyme, enabling potential recovery of carbon atoms lost by acetate oxidation. The obtained results allowed to associate the increased productivity observed in mixotrophy in C. sorokiniana with a different gene regulation leading to a fine regulation of cell metabolism.
Unrivalled diversity: the many roles and reactions of bacterial cytochromes P450 in secondary metabolism
Authors: Greule Anja , Stok Jeanette E. , De Voss James J. , Cryle Max J.
Published: April 2018

This review highlights the scope of chemical transformations that cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyse within bacterial secondary metabolism.
Metabolomics analysis of salvage chemotherapy on refractory acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Liu Pingyi , Xu Liting , Peng Zhiqiang , Zhang Yayue , Chen Xinyi , Hou Li , Cui Wenhao , Tou Fangfang , Rao Jun , Fan Xing
Published: April 2018

Salvage chemotherapy had minimal impact on the metabolomics for individual RAML patient.
Ionic liquid mediated micelle to vesicle transition of a cationic gemini surfactant: a spectroscopic investigation
Authors: Mondal Sonali , Pan Animesh , Patra Animesh , Mitra Rajib Kumar , Ghosh Soumen
Published: April 2018

In this contribution, we have examined a composition dependent self aggregated structural modification of a catanionic mixture of the surface active ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulphate and a cationic gemini surfactant (14-5-14) in aqueous medium.
Voltammetric determination ofN-hydroxysuccinimide at conductive diamond electrodes
Authors: Spataru Tanta , Radu Mihai Marian , Spataru Nicolae , Fujishima Akira
Published: April 2018

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were used to investigate the possibility of detectingN-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) by linear sweep anodic voltammetry.
Comparison of computational approaches for identification and quantification of urinary metabolites in 1H NMR spectra
Authors: Cassiède Marc , Mercier Pascal , Shipley Paul R. , Dueck Meghan , Kamravaei Samineh , Nair Sindhu , Mino James , Pei Lei , Broadhurst David , Lacy Paige , Quémerais Bernadette
Published: April 2018

A Monte Carlo simulation technique is used to accurately measure metabolite concentrations in urine.
Correction: Copper-mediated regioselective C–H etherification of naphthylamides with arylboronic acids using water as an oxygen source
Authors: Roy Subhasish , Pradhan Sourav , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam
Published: April 2018

Correction for ‘Copper-mediated regioselective C–H etherification of naphthylamides with arylboronic acids using water as an oxygen source’ by Subhasish Roy et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8cc02158a.
Diagrams for comprehensive molecular orbital-based chemical reaction analyses: reactive orbital energy diagrams
Authors: Tsuneda Takao , Singh Raman Kumar , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: April 2018

Reactive orbital energy diagrams resting on the reactive orbital energy theory correct conventional frontier orbital diagrams and make it possible to perform comprehensive orbital-based analyses of reactions.
Anab initiostudy of Cu-based delafossites as an alternative to nickel oxide in photocathodes: effects of Mg-doping and surface electronic features
Authors: Schiavo Eduardo , Latouche Camille , Barone Vincenzo , Crescenzi Orlando , Muñoz-García Ana B. , Pavone Michele
Published: April 2018

Mg-doped Cu-based delafossite oxides are investigated: the effects of dopants and surface features highlight CuGaO2as a promising alternative to NiO in p-DSSC.
Functional inks and printing of two-dimensional materials
Authors: Hu Guohua , Kang Joohoon , Ng Leonard W. T. , Zhu Xiaoxi , Howe Richard C. T. , Jones Christopher G. , Hersam Mark C. , Hasan Tawfique
Published: April 2018

Functional printing of graphene and related two-dimensional materials provides an ideal platform for next generation disruptive technologies and applications.
Constructing a ZnIn2S4nanoparticle/MoS2-RGO nanosheet 0D/2D heterojunction for significantly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2production
Authors: Guan Zhongjie , Wang Peng , Li Qiuye , Li Guoqiang , Yang Jianjun
Published: April 2018

Significantly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2production was achieved by constructing a ZnIn2S4/MoS2-RGO 0D/2D heterojunction.
Nanoparticle-induced structural changes in lung surfactant membranes: an X-ray scattering study
Authors: Behyan Shirin , Borozenko Olga , Khan Abdullah , Faral Manon , Badia Antonella , DeWolf Christine
Published: April 2018

Low concentrations of cationic silica nanoparticles impact lung surfactant membrane structure while anionic nanoparticles have minimal effect.
Application of graphene-based materials in water purification: from the nanoscale to specific devices
Authors: Yang Kaijie , Wang Jun , Chen Xiaoxiao , Zhao Qiang , Ghaffar Abdul , Chen Baoliang
Published: April 2018

The synthesis, multilevel structural features, adsorption performance and environmental applications of graphene nanosheets and 2D/3D graphene-based macrostructure material were summarized.
Parameterization and atomistic simulations of biomimetic membranes
Authors: Barden Daniel Ryan , Vashisth Harish
Published: April 2018

We have developed CHARMM force-field compatible parameters and conducted all-atom explicit-solvent MD simulations of biomimetic membranes composed of block copolymers of poly(butadiene), poly(isoprene), and poly(ethylene oxide).
Inhibition of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) by peptidic hybrids
Authors: Zhang Hao , Tomašič Tihomir , Shi Jie , Weiss Matjaž , Ruijtenbeek Rob , Anderluh Marko , Pieters Roland J.
Published: April 2018

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) attaches a GlcNAc moiety on specific substrate proteins using UDP-GlcNAc as the sugar donor.
Electrically driven lasers from van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Yang Xun , Shan Chong-Xin , Ni Pei-Nan , Jiang Ming-Ming , Chen An-Qi , Zhu Hai , Zang Jin-Hao , Lu Ying-Jie , Shen De-Zhen
Published: April 2018

Single ZnO microwire electrically driven lasers are realized from van der Waals heterostructures.
Atomically flat and thermally stable graphene on Si(111) with preserved intrinsic electronic properties
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Li Bin , Fan Xiaodong , Wei Laiming , Li Lin , Tao Ran , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Zhang Hui , Zhang Qiang , Zhu Hongbin , Zhang Shengbai , Zhang Zhenyu , Zeng Changgan
Published: April 2018

Atomically flat and thermally stable graphene is achieved on the chemically active Si(111) surface, with preserved intrinsic electronic properties.
Low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of 2-D MoS2: large area, thickness control and tuneable morphology
Authors: Sharma Akhil , Verheijen Marcel A. , Wu Longfei , Karwal Saurabh , Vandalon Vincent , Knoops Harm C. M. , Sundaram Ravi S. , Hofmann Jan P. , Kessels W. M. M. (Erwin) , Bol Ageeth A.
Published: April 2018

A low-temperature plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition process is demonstrated to synthesize high quality 2-D MoS2 films with tuneable morphology.
Facile synthesis of substituted diaryl sulfones via a [3 + 3] benzannulation strategy
Authors: Tang Xiang-zheng , Tong Lang , Liang Hua-ju , Liang Jie , Zou Yong , Zhang Xue-jing , Yan Ming , Chan Albert S. C.
Published: April 2018

A metal-free and efficient synthesis of highly substituted diaryl sulfones via a base-mediated [3 + 3] benzannulation strategy.
Synthesis of the [7-5-5] tricyclic core of Daphniphyllum alkaloids
Authors: Kitabayashi Yusuke , Fukuyama Tohru , Yokoshima Satoshi
Published: April 2018

The [7-5-5] tricyclic core of the Daphniphyllum alkaloids was constructed, featuring a Claisen-Ireland rearrangement to install the two contiguous stereogenic centers, E1cB elimination to form the tetrasubstituted C–C double bond, and a 2,3-Wittig rearrangement to construct the quaternary carbon.
Effect of grafted graphene nanosheets on morphology evolution and conductive behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) blends during isothermal annealing
Authors: Zhang Jifei , Zuo Min , Lv Xiong , Zhang Haimo , Zheng Qiang
Published: April 2018

The activation energy of conductive pathway formation for PMMA/SAN/PMMA-g-RGO nanocomposites is close to that of flow for PMMA, indicating that DC percolation is mainly related to the mobility of grafted PMMA chains, rather than that of SAN chains.
Uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous media by hydrogels and their conversion to nanoparticles for generation of a catalyst system: two-fold application study
Authors: Javed Rida , Shah Luqman Ali , Sayed Murtaza , Khan Muhammad Saleem
Published: April 2018

Poly(methacrylic acid) (P(MAA)), poly(acrylamide) (P(AAm)) and poly(3-acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (P(APTMACl)) were synthesized as anionic, neutral and cationic hydrogels respectively.
An optical pickup enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a microfluidic disk
Authors: Yoshikawa H. , Yoshinaga M. , Tamiya E.
Published: April 2018

Optical pickup ELISA with an original microfluidic disk, which enable semi-automatic sample loading and washing, was developed. The rapid and sensitive assay of C-reactive protein (CRP) was successfully performed.
Preparation of metallic monolithic Pt/FeCrAl fiber catalyst by suspension spraying for VOCs combustion
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Yue , Chen Xiao , Liu Shuo , Zhou Ying , Zhu Qiulian , Chen Yinfei , Lu Hanfeng
Published: April 2018

The catalyst was prepared by surface thermal treatment and spraying, and exhibited activity for the combustion of VOCs to CO2 and H2O.
A time-of-flight mass spectrometry based strategy to fast screen triterpenoids in Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge husks for bioactive substances against Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rong Weiwei , Ding Kewen , Guo Sirui , Yuan Ziyue , Li Qing , Bi Kaishun
Published: April 2018

An efficient strategy was developed to reveal the neuroprotective substances in X. sorbifolia husks.
Broadening the pore size of coal-based activated carbonviaa washing-free chem-physical activation method for high-capacity dye adsorption
Authors: Li Longxin , Sun Fei , Gao Jihui , Wang Lijie , Pi Xinxin , Zhao Guangbo
Published: April 2018

Aiming to overcome the limitations of the narrow pore size distributions of traditional activated carbon, we demonstrate a new type of activated carbon with a broadened pore size distribution for high-rate and high-capacity aqueous dye adsorption.
3-Nitro-4-(tetrazol-5-yl) furazan: theoretical calculations, synthesis and performance
Authors: Han Zhiyue , Jiang Qi , Du Zhiming , Zhang Yupeng , Yang Yuezhen
Published: April 2018

The synthesis mechanism of 3-nitro-4-(tetrazol-5-yl)furazan (NTZF) was calculated by Gaussian 09 for the first time, and NTZF was successfully synthesized based on the theoretical design.
Single particle states of colloidal particles in 2D periodic potentials
Authors: Sarmiento-Gómez E. , Rivera-Morán J. A. , Arauz-Lara J. L.
Published: April 2018

Colloidal particles when subjected to a periodic array of potential wells are observed to adopt discrete stable configurations depending on the particle size/array wavelength ratio.
Harmonic analysis of surface instability patterns on colloidal particles
Authors: Kämäräinen Tero , Ago Mariko , Seitsonen Jani , Raula Janne , Kauppinen Esko I. , Ruokolainen Janne , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: April 2018

Spectral topographical analysis of wrinkled and crumpled colloidal particle surfaces utilizing cryo-electron tomography and spherical harmonic models.
Host sensitized intense infrared emissions from Ln3+ doped GdVO4 nanocrystals: ranging from 950 nm to 2000 nm
Authors: Samanta Tuhin , Praveen Athma E. , Mahalingam Venkataramanan
Published: April 2018

In this communication we report the observation of intense near infrared (NIR) emissions in the 900 nm to 2000 nm range from colloidal water dispersible lanthanide (Ln3+) doped GdVO4 nanocrystals (Ln = Sm3+, Nd3+, Dy3+, Tm3+, Er3+ and Ho3+).
Aggregation-free sensitizer dispersion in rigid ionic crystals for efficient solid-state photon upconversion and demonstration of defect effects
Authors: Ogawa Taku , Yanai Nobuhiro , Fujiwara Saiya , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: April 2018

Accommodation of ionic sensitizers into emitter ionic crystals allows aggregation-free sensitizer dispersion and efficient photon upconversion.
Chemical and conformational control of the energy gaps involved in the thermally activated delayed fluorescence mechanism
Authors: dos Santos Paloma L. , Etherington Marc K. , Monkman Andrew P.
Published: April 2018

This review summarises the significant developments in our understanding and control of thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules and the spin–vibronic coupling mechanism, from which we have designed new generations of emitters.
Evaluation of the relevance of DILI predictive hypotheses in early drug development: review of in vitro methodologies vs. BDDCS classification
Authors: Chan Rosa , Benet Leslie Z.
Published: April 2018

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major safety concern; it occurs frequently; it is idiosyncratic; it cannot be adequately predicted; and a multitude of underlying mechanisms has been postulated. A number of experimental approaches to predict human DILI have been proposed utilizing in vitro screening such as inhibition of mitochondrial function, hepatobiliary transporter inhibition, reactive metabolite formation with and without covalent binding, and cellular health, but they have achieved only minimal success. Several studies have shown total administered dose alone or in combination with drug lipophilicity to be correlated with a higher risk of DILI. However, it would be best to have a predictive DILI methodology early in drug development, long before the clinical dose is known. Here we discuss the extent to which Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) defining characteristics, independent of knowing actual drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and dose, can be used to evaluate prior published predictive proposals. Our results show that BDDCS Class 2 drugs exhibit the highest DILI severity, and that all of the short-lived published methodologies evaluated here, except when daily dose is known, do not yield markedly better predictions than BDDCS. The assertion that extensively metabolized compounds are at higher risk of developing DILI is confirmed, but can be enhanced by differentiating BDDCS Class 2 from Class 1 drugs. Conclusion: Our published analyses suggest that comparison of proposed DILI prediction methodologies with BDDCS classification is a useful tool to evaluate the potential reliability of newly proposed algorithms, although BDDCS classification itself is not sufficiently predictive. Almost all of the predictive DILI metrics do no better than just avoiding BDDCS Class 2 drugs, although some early data with microliver platforms enabling long-enduring metabolic competency show promising results.
In vivotoxicology of carbon dots by1H NMR-based metabolomics
Authors: Hong Wei , Liu Yan , Li Ming-Hui , Xing Yue-Xiao , Chen Ting , Fu Yong-Hong , Jiang Lei , Zhao He , Jia Ai-qun , Wang Jun-Song
Published: April 2018

An NMR-based metabolomics approach combined with histopathology and correlation network analysis was adopted to explore the toxicity of C-dotsin vivo.
Targeting opioid receptor signaling in depression: do we need selective κ opioid receptor antagonists?
Authors: Bailey Sarah J. , Husbands Stephen M.
Published: April 2018

The opioid receptors are a family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with close structural homology. The opioid receptors are activated by a variety of endogenous opioid neuropeptides, principally β-endorphin, dynorphins, leu- and met-enkephalins. The clinical potential of targeting opioid receptors has largely focused on the development of analgesics. However, more recent attention has turned to the role of central opioid receptors in the regulation of stress responses, anhedonia and mood. Activation of the κ opioid receptor (KOP) subtype has been shown in both human and rodent studies to produce dysphoric and pro-depressive like effects. This has led to the idea that selective KOP antagonists might have therapeutic potential as antidepressants. Here we review data showing that mixed μ opioid (MOP) and KOP antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in rodent behavioural paradigms and highlight comparable studies in treatment-resistant depressed patients. We propose that developing multifunctional ligands which target multiple opioid receptors open up the potential for fine-tuning hedonic responses mediated by opioids. This alternative approach towards targeting multiple opioid receptors may lead to more effective treatments for depression.
Factors Contributing to Preschoolers' Communicative Participation Outcomes: Findings From a Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Cunningham Barbara Jane , Hanna Steven E. , Rosenbaum Peter , Thomas-Stonell Nancy , Oddson Bruce
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of communicative participation outcomes for a large cohort of preschoolers with speech and language impairments.

Method

A secondary analysis of longitudinal program evaluation data from Ontario, Canada's Preschool Speech and Language Program was done. Data available for 46,872 children 18–67 months of age (
M
= 41.76 months,
SD
= 11.92; 68% boys, 32% girls) were previously used to predict children's communicative participation skill development in 5 levels of function. Demographic and intervention-based variables were added to the models to identify new predictors of growth.

Results

Three demographic and 3 intervention-based variables were statistically significant predictors of children's communicative participation outcomes. Clinically significant predictors included participation in an early learning environment, receipt of speech-language interventions, and the amount of time spent in intervention. These variables impacted predicted outcomes differently, depending on a child's level of communicative function.

Conclusions

This population-based study of preschoolers with speech and language impairments identified predictors of growth in communicative participation skills—an outcome important and meaningful to families but not often explored. A broad picture emerged of factors that may influence the development of communicative participation skills and may be used to predict outcomes for preschoolers. Given the large sample size, these robust findings may be used to predict outcomes outside the Preschool Speech and Language Program as well.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6024422
A Systematic Review of Semantic Feature Analysis Therapy Studies for Aphasia
Authors: Efstratiadou Evangelia Antonia , Papathanasiou Ilias , Holland Rachel , Archonti Anastasia , Hilari Katerina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to review treatment studies of semantic feature analysis (SFA) for persons with aphasia. The review documents how SFA is used, appraises the quality of the included studies, and evaluates the efficacy of SFA.

Method

The following electronic databases were systematically searched (last search February 2017): Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, E-journals, Health Policy Reference Centre, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX. The quality of the included studies was rated. Clinical efficacy was determined by calculating effect sizes (Cohen's
d
) or percent of nonoverlapping data when
d
could not be calculated.

Results

Twenty-one studies were reviewed reporting on 55 persons with aphasia. SFA was used in 6 different types of studies: confrontation naming of nouns, confrontation naming of verbs, connected speech/discourse, group, multilingual, and studies where SFA was compared with other approaches. The quality of included studies was high (Single Case Experimental Design Scale average [range] = 9.55 [8.0–11]). Naming of trained items improved for 45 participants (81.82%). Effect sizes indicated that there was a small treatment effect.

Conclusions

SFA leads to positive outcomes despite the variability of treatment procedures, dosage, duration, and variations to the traditional SFA protocol. Further research is warranted to examine the efficacy of SFA and generalization effects in larger controlled studies.
Photonics‐based wideband Doppler frequency shift measurement by in‐phase and quadrature detection
Authors: Zhang Fangzheng , Shi Jingzhan , Pan Shilong
Published: April 2018

The authors propose and demonstrate a photonics‐based wideband Doppler frequency shift (DFS) measurement scheme through in‐phase and quadrature detection. The system has a compact structure applying cascaded phase modulation and polarisation modulation. It is easy to implement since both the value and sign of the DFS can be estimated by simple signal processing. More importantly, the proposed scheme is suitable for both DFS measurement and direction discrimination over a very wide frequency range. In the experiment, accurate DFS measurement with a large carrier frequency range from 5 to 40 GHz is demonstrated with the measurement error kept within ±12 Hz.
3D temperature field of high‐temperature gas cooled reactor cooling medium drive motor and ventilation structure improvement
Authors: Xiao Xu , Baojun Ge , Dajun Tao , Jichao Han , Likun Wang
Published: April 2018

High‐temperature gas cooled reactor cooling medium drive motor is a unique driving equipment for coolant circulation in a reactor. The reliability of the motor is becoming increasingly vital to the stable operation of the reactor. To study the influence of the ventilation structure on the temperature distribution of a drive motor, the ventilation network model of the motor was developed using the fluid network method, the results of the ventilation system calculations were applied to the physical model as boundary conditions, and the temperature distribution was determined using the finite volume method. Meanwhile, two improvement schemes were proposed for the ventilation structure, and the influence of the ventilation duct geometrical dimension on the temperature distribution was investigated. Results show that the use of the proposed improvement schemes improved the utilisation rate of the coolant and reduced the maximum temperature of the motor by 5.7°C compared with the original structure. Furthermore, the validity of the calculation results was verified by comparing its results with test data. The maximum calculation error between the calculated results and test data was ∼9%.
Hybrid distribution transformer based on a bipolar direct AC/AC converter
Authors: Kaniewski Jacek
Published: April 2018

Dynamic states in the power grid – deep voltage sags and swells, voltage fluctuation – can cause faults and defects in sensitive loads and in consequence financial losses. This study presents a voltage conditioner based on a direct PWM AC/AC converter with matrix chopper cooperating with a distribution transformer, called a hybrid distribution transformer (HDT). In comparison with other solutions of hybrid and smart distribution transformers, the proposed HDT is characterised by having a simple construction and small number of power electronic switches, a wide range and continuously variable voltage control character, and good dynamic properties, in combination with a high reliability. The study contains a detailed operational description and the experimental test results of a 1 kVA rated power laboratory model. The experimental tests were conducted in a closed control‐loop with a peak detector unit in a feedback path, as well as with various types of voltage perturbation with linear and non‐linear loads. In addition, some of the properties of the proposed HDT have been compared with other similar hybrid and smart distribution transformers described in the literature.
Calculation of self‐ and mutual inductances of rounded rectangular coils with rectangular cross‐sections and misalignments
Authors: Dehui Wu , Qisheng Sun , Xiaohong Wang , Fang Cheng
Published: April 2018

Rounded rectangular coils are more common in wireless power applications. It is important in practical engineering to calculate the self‐ and mutual inductances of rounded rectangular coils. A new model of the self‐ and mutual inductances of rounded rectangular coils with rectangular cross‐sections is derived in this study. The proposed formulae are applicable not only to the rounded rectangular coils, but also to the extreme cases such as circular, rectangular, and race‐track coils. The coil layouts including coaxial alignment and lateral misalignments are also discussed. Comparison of calculated self‐ and mutual inductances with experimental observations is provided and an excellent agreement between the two proves the feasibility of the proposed formulae.
Adaptive regulation of the weights of REQUEST used to magnetic and inertial measurement unit based on hidden Markov model
Authors: Rong Hailong , Zou Ling , Peng Cuiyun , Lv Jidong , Chen Yang , Zhu Yaping
Published: April 2018

An attitude algorithm is used by a given magnetic and inertial measurement unit (MIMU) for weight fusion of the outputs of gyroscope and the outputs of the subunit constructed by accelerometer and magnetometer for attitude calculation of a rigid body. It has been proved that the weight assigned to the outputs of gyroscope determines the overall performances of attitude algorithm. A new weight adaptive regulation method based on Kalman filter and hidden Markov model is proposed, and then a new attitude algorithm is constructed by the integration of that method with recursive quaternion estimation algorithm. The authors’ attitude algorithm is compared with some other related attitude algorithms in their experiments. With the outputs of the sensors in MTi as the inputs of the new attitude algorithm, the maximum attitude estimation errors in response to three‐dimensional random movements and the changes of their amplitudes are 2.85° and 6.82°, respectively, and the Allan variance of attitude drift in response to motionless conditions is 2.1×10−4°. Other attitude algorithms cannot simultaneously achieve similar dynamic and similar static performances comparing to their attitude algorithm. The results validate the overall performance improvement of their attitude algorithm.
Adaptive state estimation for tracking of civilian aircraft
Authors: Patra Nilanjan , Sadhu Smita , Ghoshal Tapan Kumar
Published: April 2018

Tracking of manoeuvring subsonic aerospace vehicles has traditionally been handled by state estimators. Ordinary state estimators perform poorly as the concerned process model can only be defined imprecisely. This contribution evaluates and compares the performance of adaptive single mode non‐linear estimators against several versions of other estimators. The primary comparison is with the recently introduced smooth variable structure filter (SVSF) which is claimed to inherit the robustness of variable structure approach. Both the above types of estimators are then benchmarked with a well‐known version of interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator which treats the manoeuvring aircraft as a hybrid system consisting of multiple modes. Monte Carlo simulation has been used and several descriptors have been used for comparison. The comparison demonstrates that a version of non‐linear adaptive estimators incorporating sigma points and a single constant turn model performs substantially better than the SVSF and its tracking performance approaches that obtainable by the IMM estimator. Novelty of this contribution lies in providing a detailed comparison of the above three families of estimators, which provides adequate insight for selecting tracking estimators by trading off estimation accuracy, algorithm complexity, tuning requirement, and computational load.