bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomics/phosphoproteomics of left ventricular biopsies from patients with surgical coronary revascularization and pigs with coronary occlusion/reperfusion: remote ischemic preconditioning
Authors: Gedik Nilgün , Krüger Marcus , Thielmann Matthias , Kottenberg Eva , Skyschally Andreas , Frey Ulrich H. , Cario Elke , Peters Jürgen , Jakob Heinz , Heusch Gerd , Kleinbongard Petra
Published: August 2017

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) by repeated brief cycles of limb ischemia/reperfusion reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In left ventricular (LV) biopsies from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), only the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 was associated with RIPC’s cardioprotection. We have now used an unbiased, non-hypothesis-driven proteomics and phosphoproteomics approach to analyze LV biopsies from patients undergoing CABG and from pigs undergoing coronary occlusion/reperfusion without (sham) and with RIPC. False discovery rate-based statistics identified a higher prostaglandin reductase 2 expression at early reperfusion with RIPC than with sham in patients. In pigs, the phosphorylation of 116 proteins was different between baseline and early reperfusion with RIPC and/or with sham. The identified proteins were not identical for patients and pigs, but in-silico pathway analysis of proteins with ≥2-fold higher expression/phosphorylation at early reperfusion with RIPC in comparison to sham revealed a relation to mitochondria and cytoskeleton in both species. Apart from limitations of the proteomics analysis per se, the small cohorts, the sampling/sample processing and the number of uncharacterized/unverifiable porcine proteins may have contributed to this largely unsatisfactory result.
Characteristics of the mechanosensitive bladder afferent activities in relation with microcontractions in male rats with bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Aizawa Naoki , Ichihara Koji , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Fujimura Tetsuya , Andersson Karl-Erik , Homma Yukio , Igawa Yasuhiko
Published: August 2017

We investigated the characteristics of bladder mechanosensitive single-unit afferent activities (SAAs) in rats with a bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and their relationship with bladder microcontractions. Male Wistar rats were divided into Sham and BOO groups. Four or 10 days after the surgery, rats were anesthetized with urethane. The SAAs of Aδ- or C-fibers from the L6 dorsal roots were recorded during bladder filling. The BOO group showed a higher number of microcontractions and lower SAAs of Aδ-fibers compared with those of the Sham group. These findings were significant at day 10 post-operatively. In contrast, SAAs of C-fibers were not significantly different between the groups at either day 4 or 10. In the BOO group at day 10, the SAAs of both Aδ- and C-fibers at the “ascending” phase of microcontractions were significantly higher than those at the other phases (descending or stationary), and a similar tendency was also observed at day 4. Taken together, during bladder filling, the bladder mechanosensitive SAAs of Aδ-fibers were attenuated, but SAAs of both Aδ- and C-fibers were intermittently enhanced by propagation of microcontractions.
Genetic variation at the CD28 locus and its impact on expansion of pro-inflammatory CD28 negative T cells in healthy individuals
Authors: Liaskou Evaggelia , Jeffery Louisa , Chanouzas Dimitrios , Soskic Blagoje , Seldin Michael F. , Harper Lorraine , Sansom David , Hirschfield Gideon M.
Published: August 2017

TheCD28locus is associated with susceptibility to a variety of autoimmune and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Previously, we linked the CD28 pathway in PSC disease pathology and found that vitamin D could maintain CD28 expression. Here, we assessed whether the PSC-associatedCD28risk variant A (rs7426056) affects CD28 expression and T cell function in healthy individuals (n = 14 AA, n = 14 AG, n = 14 GG). Homozygotes for the PSC disease risk allele (AA) showed significantly lowerCD28mRNA expressionex-vivothan either GG or AG (p < 0.001) in total peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, theCD28risk variant alone was not sufficient to explain CD28 protein loss on CD4+T cells. All genotypes responded equally to vitamin D as indicated by induction of a regulatory phenotype and an increased anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory cytokine ratio. A genotypic effect on response to TNFα stimuli was detected, which was inhibited by vitamin D. Together our results show: (a) an altered gene expression in carriers of the susceptible CD28 variant, (b) no differences in protein levels on CD4+T cells, and (c) a protective effect of the variant upon CD28 protein loss on CD4+T cells under inflammatory conditions.
Vitamin B12 as a carrier of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) into bacterial cells
Authors: Równicki Marcin , Wojciechowska Monika , Wierzba Aleksandra J. , Czarnecki Jakub , Bartosik Dariusz , Gryko Dorota , Trylska Joanna
Published: August 2017

Short modified oligonucleotides targeted at bacterial DNA or RNA could serve as antibacterial agents provided that they are efficiently taken up by bacterial cells. However, the uptake of such oligonucleotides is hindered by the bacterial cell wall. To overcome this problem, oligomers have been attached to cell-penetrating peptides, but the efficiency of delivery remains poor. Thus, we have investigated the ability of vitamin B12 to transport peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers into cells of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. Vitamin B12 was covalently linked to a PNA oligomer targeted at the mRNA of a reporter gene expressing Red Fluorescent Protein. Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was employed for the synthesis of PNA-vitamin B12 conjugates; namely the vitamin B12 azide was reacted with PNA possessing the terminal alkyne group. Different types of linkers and spacers between vitamin B12 and PNA were tested, including a disulfide bond. We found that vitamin B12 transports antisense PNA into E. coli cells more efficiently than the most widely used cell-penetrating peptide (KFF)3K. We also determined that the structure of the linker impacts the antisense effect. The results of this study provide the foundation for developing vitamin B12 as a carrier of PNA oligonucleotides into bacterial cells.
Hinge-initiated Primer-dependent Amplification of Nucleic Acids (HIP) – A New Versatile Isothermal Amplification Method
Authors: Fischbach Jens , Frohme Marcus , Glökler Jörn
Published: August 2017

The growing demand for cost-effective nucleic acid detection assays leads to an increasing number of different isothermal amplification reaction methods. However, all of the most efficient methods suffer from highly complex assay conditions due to the use of complicated primer sets and/or auxiliary enzymes. The present study describes the application of a new linker moiety that can be incorporated between a primer and a secondary target binding site which can act both as a block to polymerase extension as well as a hinge for refolding. This novel “hinge-primer” approach results in an efficient regeneration of the primer binding site and thus improves the strand-displacement and amplification process under isothermal conditions. Our investigations revealed that the reaction with forward and reverse hinge-primer including an abasic site is very efficient. The assay complexity can be reduced by combining the hinge-primer with a corresponding linear primer. Furthermore, the reaction speed can be increased by reducing the length of the amplified target sequence. We tested the sensitivity down to 104 copies and found a linear correlation between reaction time and input copy number. Our approach overcomes the usually cumbersome primer-design and extends the range of isothermal amplification methods using a polymerase with strand-displacement activity.
Unusual Inner-Salt Guaiazulene Alkaloids and bis-Sesquiterpene from the South China Sea Gorgonian Muriceides collaris
Authors: Li Pinglin , Liu Xiaoling , Zhu Hongyan , Tang Xuli , Shi Xuefeng , Liu Yonghong , Li Guoqiang
Published: August 2017

Three new guaiazulene alkaloids muriceidines A–C (1–3) and one new bis-sesquiterpene muriceidone A (4), were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian Muriceides collaris. Muriceidines are the first examples structurally architected by guaiazulene coupling with an inner-salt Δ1-pipecolic acid via a unique sp2 methine-bridged linkage, and the bis-sesquiterpene was comprised by a guaiazulene and a indene units linked through a unprecedented carbon-carbon σ-bond between the high steric bridgehead carbon C-10 of guaiazulene moiety and C-2′ of indene moiety. The chiral compounds 2–4 were obtained initially as racemates and further separated by chiral HPLC methods. The inner-salt structures of 1–3 and absolute configurations of 2–4 were fully elucidated by calculated 13C NMR, ECD and OR with quantum chemical calculation methods. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against K562 cell lines with IC50 value of 8.4 μM and antifouling activity against the larvae of the barnacle Balanus albicostatus with EC50 value of 11.9 μg/mL and potent therapeutic index (LC50/EC50 = 3.66). Also the racemic (±)-3 showed cytotoxicities against both HL-60 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.2 and 3.7 μM, respectively. A semisynthetic trial was performed to validate the proposed biosynthetic hypotheses.
A transcriptome atlas of rabbit revealed by PacBio single-molecule long-read sequencing
Authors: Chen Shi-Yi , Deng Feilong , Jia Xianbo , Li Cao , Lai Song-Jia
Published: August 2017

It is widely acknowledged that transcriptional diversity largely contributes to biological regulation in eukaryotes. Since the advent of second-generation sequencing technologies, a large number of RNA sequencing studies have considerably improved our understanding of transcriptome complexity. However, it still remains a huge challenge for obtaining full-length transcripts because of difficulties in the short read-based assembly. In the present study we employ PacBio single-molecule long-read sequencing technology for whole-transcriptome profiling in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We totally obtain 36,186 high-confidence transcripts from 14,474 genic loci, among which more than 23% of genic loci and 66% of isoforms have not been annotated yet within the current reference genome. Furthermore, about 17% of transcripts are computationally revealed to be non-coding RNAs. Up to 24,797 alternative splicing (AS) and 11,184 alternative polyadenylation (APA) events are detected within this de novo constructed transcriptome, respectively. The results provide a comprehensive set of reference transcripts and hence contribute to the improved annotation of rabbit genome.
Evidence of Energetic Optimization during Adaptation Differs for Metabolic, Mechanical, and Perceptual Estimates of Energetic Cost
Authors: Sánchez Natalia , Park Sungwoo , Finley James M.
Published: August 2017

The theory that the sensorimotor system minimizes energetic cost during locomotion has long been supported by both computational models and empirical studies. However, it has yet to be determined if the behavior to which people converge when exposed to a novel perturbation during locomotion is also energetically optimal. We address this issue in the context of adaptation to walking on a split-belt treadmill, which can impose a left-right asymmetry in step lengths. In response to this asymmetry, participants gradually adjust their foot placement to adopt steps of equal length. Here, we characterized metabolic, mechanical, and perceptual estimates of energetic cost associated with a range of asymmetries to determine whether symmetry is the energetically optimal strategy for walking on a split-belt treadmill. We found that taking steps of equal length did not minimize metabolic cost or mechanical cost. In addition, perceptual estimates of cost were not sensitive to changes in asymmetry. However, symmetry was identified as the optimal strategy when energetic cost was estimated from a composite metric that combined both metabolic and mechanical costs. These results suggest that adaptation may arise from optimization of a composite estimate of effort derived from feedback about the interaction between the body and environment.
Impaired endo-lysosomal membrane integrity accelerates the seeding progression of α-synuclein aggregates
Authors: Jiang Peizhou , Gan Ming , Yen Shu-Hui , McLean Pamela J. , Dickson Dennis W.
Published: August 2017

In neurodegenerative diseases, seeding is a process initiated by the internalization of exogenous protein aggregates. Multiple pathways for internalization of aggregates have been proposed, including direct membrane penetration and endocytosis. To decipher the seeding mechanisms of alpha-synuclein (αS) aggregates in human cells, we visualized αS aggregation, endo-lysosome distribution, and endo-lysosome rupture in real-time. Our data suggest that exogenous αS can seed endogenous cytoplasmic αS by either directly penetrating the plasma membrane or via endocytosis-mediated endo-lysosome rupture, leading to formation of endo-lysosome-free or endo-lysosome-associated αS aggregates, respectively. Further, we demonstrate that αS aggregates isolated from postmortem human brains with diffuse Lewy body disease (DLBD) preferentially show endocytosis-mediated seeding associated with endo-lysosome rupture and have significantly reduced seeding activity compared to recombinant αS aggregates. Colocalization of αS pathology with galectin-3 (a marker of endo-lysosomal membrane rupture) in the basal forebrain of DLBD, but not in age-matched controls, suggests endo-lysosome rupture is involved in the formation of αS pathology in humans. Interestingly, cells with endo-lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) are more vulnerable to the seeding effects of αS aggregates. This study suggests that endo-lysosomal impairment in neurons might play an important role in PD progression.
The organizing effects of elevated CO2 on competition among estuarine primary producers
Authors: Young Craig S. , Gobler Christopher J.
Published: August 2017

Fossil fuel combustion, eutrophication, and upwelling introduce excess CO2 into coastal zones. The extent to which marine autotrophs may benefit from elevated CO2 will be a function of their carbon limitation and, among other factors, competition with other primary producers. Here, we report on experiments performed with North Atlantic species of Ulva and Gracilaria grown in situ or exposed to ambient (~400 µatm) and elevated pCO2 (~2500 µatm) and/or subjected to competition with each other and/or with natural plankton assemblages. Elevated pCO2 significantly increased the growth rates of Gracilaria and Ulva and yielded significant declines in tissue δ13C, suggesting that increased growth was associated with increased CO2 use relative to HCO3−. Gracilaria growth was unaffected by competition with plankton or Ulva, while Ulva experienced significantly reduced growth when competing with Gracilaria or plankton. Dinoflagellates experienced significantly increased growth when exposed to elevated pCO2 but significantly slower growth when competing with Gracilaria. Elevated carbon-to-nitrogen ratios among macroalgae suggested that competition for nitrogen also shaped interactions among autotrophs, particularly Ulva. While some estuarine autotrophs benefit from elevated pCO2, the benefit can change when direct competition with other primary producers is considered with Gracilaria outcompeting Ulva and dinoflagellates outcompeting diatoms under elevated pCO2.
Manipulating magnetoelectric properties by interfacial coupling in La0.3Sr0.7MnO3/Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 superlattices
Authors: Guo Haizhong , Li Qingqing , Yang Zhengzhong , Jin Kui-juan , Ge Chen , Gu Lin , He Xu , Li Xiaolong , Zhao Ruiqiang , Wan Qian , Wang Jiesu , He Meng , Wang Can , Lu Huibin , Yang Yuping , Yang Guozhen
Published: August 2017

Artificial superlattices constructed with ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 layer and ferroelectric Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 layer were designed and fabricated on SrTiO3 substrates. An epitaxial growth with sharp interfaces between La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 layers was confirmed by scanning transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. An unambiguous charge transfer involving an electron transferring from the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 layers to Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 layers (Mn3+→Mn4+; Ti4+→Ti3+) across the interface were resolved by electron energy loss spectra analysis. These observations are attributed to the possible modification in the stereochemistry of the Ti and Mn ions in the interfacial region. The out-of-plane lattice parameter, Curie temperature, and magnetoresistance are strongly affected by the thicknesses of the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 layers. Huge magnetoresistance subsisting to low temperature was also observed in the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 superlattices. All spectral changes identified at a nanometer scale and their potential effect on the degradation of magnetic and transport properties at a macroscopic level. These findings highlight the importance of dependence on sublayer thickness, illustrating the high degree of tenability in these artificially low-dimensional oxide materials.
Surface-modified polymers for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Moorthi Ambigapathi , Tyan Yu-Chang , Chung Tze-Wen
Published: August 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), leading to myocardial infarction and heart failure, is one of the major causes of death worldwide.
Controlling ligand binding for tunable and switchable catalysis: cation-modulated hemilability in pincer-crown ether ligands
Authors: Miller Alexander J. M.
Published: August 2017

The development of cation-responsive “pincer-crown ether” complexes featuring tunable hemilability is reviewed in the context of switchable and tunable catalysis.
Optical reconfiguration and polarization control in semi-continuous gold films close to the percolation threshold
Authors: Frydendahl Christian , Repän Taavi , Geisler Mathias , Novikov Sergey M. , Beermann Jonas , Lavrinenko Andrei V. , Xiao Sanshui , Bozhevolnyi Sergey I. , Mortensen N. Asger , Stenger Nicolas
Published: August 2017

fs-Laser pulses can be used to locally alter the morphology and optical properties of semi-continuous metal films in a simple laser writing process.
Multifunctional nanoparticles for co-delivery of paclitaxel and carboplatin against ovarian cancer by inactivating the JMJD3-HER2 axis
Authors: Mo Jingxin , Wang Li , Huang Xiaojia , Lu Bing , Zou Changye , Wei Lili , Chu Junjun , Eggers Paul K. , Chen Shen , Raston Colin L. , Wu Jun , Lim Lee Yong , Zhao Wei
Published: August 2017

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic cancer.
Superior stability for perovskite solar cells with 20% efficiency using vacuum co-evaporation
Authors: Zhu Xuejie , Yang Dong , Yang Ruixia , Yang Bin , Yang Zhou , Ren Xiaodong , Zhang Jian , Niu Jinzhi , Feng Jiangshan , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: August 2017

Twenty percentage efficiency of Cs-substituted perovskite solar cells fabricated by vacuum co-evaporation exhibits superior stability even after storage for one year.
Carbazole-based BODIPYs with ethynyl substituents at the boron center: solid-state excimer fluorescence in the VIS/NIR region
Authors: Maeda Chihiro , Nagahata Keiji , Ema Tadashi
Published: August 2017

Carbazole-based BODIPYs 1–6 with several different substituents at the boron atom site were synthesized.
Investigation on electrochemical behaviors of NiCo2O4battery-type supercapacitor electrodes: the role of an aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Jiang Wei , Hu Fang , Yan Qingyu , Wu Xiang
Published: August 2017

The electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized mesoporous NiCo2O4flower-like products as electrode materials for battery-type supercapacitors is systematically investigated in detail.
Underlying mechanism for the modulation of apoptosis induced by a new benzoindole derivative on HT-29 colon cancer cells
Authors: Hajiaghaalipour Fatemeh , Bagheri Elham , Lafta Faraj Fadhil , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , Abdul Majid Nazia
Published: August 2017

DBID compound induced LDH leakage in HT-29 cells when compared to untreated cells.
Biotechnological production of the mussel byssus derived collagen preColD
Authors: Golser Adrian V. , Scheibel Thomas
Published: August 2017

preColD, a mussel byssus derived structural protein with a central collagen, was successfully produced recombinantly in the yeastPichia pastoris. It shows stable beta-sheet secondary structure (based on its silk-like terminal domains) and undergoes fibrillization as the natural preCols.
The in vivo hepato-recovery effects of the polyphenol-rich fermented food Xeniji™ on ethanol-induced liver damage
Authors: Zulkawi Noraisyah , Ng Kam Heng , Zamberi Rizi , Yeap Swee Keong , Jaganath Indu Bala , Satharasinghe Dilan , Yeah Yong Chean , Jamaluddin Anisah Binti , Tan Sheau Wei , Ho Wan Yong , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu , Long Kamariah
Published: August 2017

Xeniji that rich in caffeoylquinic acid and sakuranetin promoted recovery of the ethanol induced liver damage.
A new understanding of the failure of waterborne acrylic coatings
Authors: Wan Hongxia , Song Dongdong , Li Xiaogang , Zhang Dawei , Gao Jin , Du Cuiwei
Published: August 2017

Two waterborne coatings, a styrene–acrylic coating and a terpolymer coating based on acrylic acid, vinyl chloride and 1,1-dichloroethylene segments, had their barrier properties and wet adhesion compared after immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.
Physicochemical properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of lutein loaded emulsions stabilized by corn fiber gums
Authors: Feng Huimin , Li Chao , Tan Chin Ping , Fu Xiong , Zhang Bin , Huang Qiang
Published: August 2017

Corn fiber gum is a promising natural emulsifier, which has potential to fabricate emulsions for delivering lutein.
Real-time monitoring of granule properties during high shear wet granulation by near-infrared spectroscopy with a chemometrics approach
Authors: Shikata F. , Kimura S. , Hattori Y. , Otsuka M.
Published: August 2017

An in-line near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring method was developed for analyzing granule properties during a high shear wet granulation process.
Research progress of Mn doped phosphors
Authors: Li Yamin , Qi Shuai , Li Panlai , Wang Zhijun
Published: August 2017

In this review article, Mn applications have been divided into three parts.
One-step fabrication of a tunable nanofibrous well insert via electrolyte-assisted electrospinning
Authors: Eom Seongsu , Park Sang Min , Han Seon Jin , Kim Joon Wan , Kim Dong Sung
Published: August 2017

One-step fabrication process of a nanofibrous well insert is developed. Both fabrication and integration of the nanofiber membrane on a Transwell insert could be achieved by adopting electrolyte-assisted electrospinning.
Facile fabrication of flexible core–shell graphene/conducting polymer microfibers for fibriform supercapacitors
Authors: Meng Yuning , Jin Lin , Cai Bin , Wang Zhenling
Published: August 2017

We fabricated graphene core conductive polymer (PEDOT) shell fibers (GF@PEDOT). The unique cloth-like structure enabled the graphene fibers excellent electrochemical performance and greatly enhanced the flexibility.
An organic semiconductor as an anode-buffer for the improvement of small molecular photovoltaic cells
Authors: Wang Lu , Li Xin , Tan Tian Wen , Shi Ying , Zhao Xin Yan , Mi Bao Xiu , Gao Zhi Qiang
Published: August 2017

Organic semiconductor based anode buffer layers (ABLs) were studied. The physical and electrical properties of the device were investigated.
Preparation of cationic polymeric nanoparticles as an effective adsorbent for removing diclofenac sodium from water
Authors: Liu Tao , Xie Zhihai , Zhang Yu , Fan Jin , Liu Qing
Published: August 2017

New cationic polymeric nanoparticles were synthesised with high adsorption capacities for diclofenac sodium and showed fast adsorption and desorption.
A supramolecular self-assembly host–guest system from cyclodextrin as an absolute water-soluble fluorescence sensor for aluminium ions: synthesis, characterization and sensing activity
Authors: Liu Zengchen , Ren Kai , Chen Yahong , Li Yanxia , Xie Jianping , Ding Yongjie , Li Lili , Li Ke , Zhu Wenping , Yang Weijie , Xu Zhihong
Published: August 2017

In the study, an organic molecule derived from paeonol and anthraniloyl hydrazine (L) was synthesized via a Schiff-base reaction.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of flavonoid salicylate derivatives as potential anti-tumor agents
Authors: Deng Xiangping , Wang Zhe , Liu Juan , Xiong Shujuan , Xiong Runde , Cao Xuan , Chen Yanming , Zheng Xing , Tang Guotao
Published: August 2017

A series of flavonoid salicylate derivatives containing trimethoxybenzene and a series of chrysin salicylate derivatives were synthesized for use as anti-tumor agents, and evaluated for antiproliferative activity.
Highly efficient synthesis of chiral quaternary 3-aminooxindoles promoted by zinc(ii) chloride via Et2Zn-catalysed addition of Grignard reagents to isaltin-derived N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines
Authors: Yang Shiwei , Bian Guangling , Chen Zhongxiang , Xia Xiaohan , Zhou Mi , Cui Caiyan , Song Ling
Published: August 2017

An approach to chiral quaternary 3-aminooxindoles via Et2Zn catalyzed diastereoselective addition of various Grignard reagents to broad isaltin-derived N-tert-butanesulfinyl ketimines promoted by zinc(ii) chloride.
Experimental and theoretical studies on oxy-cracking of Quinolin-65 as a model molecule for residual feedstocks
Authors: Manasrah Abdallah D. , El-Qanni Amjad , Badran Ismail , Carbognani Ortega Lante , Perez-Zurita M. Josefina , Nassar Nashaat N.
Published: August 2017

Oxy-cracking is a combination of oxidation and cracking reactions for converting heavy hydrocarbons into commodity products with minimal emission of CO2.
Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of alkyl pyridiniums
Authors: Flanigan Darrin M. , Rovis Tomislav
Published: August 2017

NHC-catalyzed nucleophilic dearomatization of alkyl pyridiniums has been achieved to generate 1,4-dihydropyridines with high enantioselectivity.
Poly(styrene-co-butadiene) random copolymer thin films and nanostructures on a mica surface: morphology and contact angles of nanodroplets
Authors: McClements Jake , Buffone Cosimo , Shaver Michael P. , Sefiane Khellil , Koutsos Vasileios
Published: August 2017

The self-assembly of poly(styrene-co-butadiene) random copolymers on mica surfaces was studied by varying solution concentrations and polymer molecular weights.
Oxidative photo-deposition of chromia: tuning the activity for overall water splitting of the Rh/CrOxco-catalyst system
Authors: Menze J. , Mei B. , Weide P. , Muhler M.
Published: August 2017

By employing an oxidative photodeposition of CrOxthe Rh/CrOxco-catalyst system was prepared on Ga2O3and Ta2O5resulting in up to 25% higher overall water splitting activities.
A graphene quantum dot decorated SrRuO3mesoporous film as an efficient counter electrode for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Liu Tao , Yu Kun , Gao Lina , Chen Hui , Wang Ning , Hao Luhan , Li Tingxi , He Hongcai , Guo Zhanhu
Published: August 2017

The predominant synergic effect of GQDs and SrRuO3CEs drives faster ion diffusions and electron transfer, thereby contributing to excellent catalytic activity of the SRO–GQD CE towards I3−reduction.
Significant enhancement of photovoltaic performance through introducing S⋯N conformational locks
Authors: Yu Simiao , Chen Yusheng , Yang Lei , Ye Pan , Wu Jianfei , Yu Jianwei , Zhang Shiming , Gao Yongqian , Huang Hui
Published: August 2017

A novel high photovoltaic performance small molecule was achieved through introducing S⋯N noncovalent conformational locks.
Ag/diatomite for highly efficient solar vapor generation under one-sun irradiation
Authors: Fang Jing , Liu Qinglei , Zhang Wang , Gu Jiajun , Su Yishi , Su Huilan , Guo Cuiping , Zhang Di
Published: August 2017

Ag/diatomite exhibited excellent vapor generation performance, owing to the LSPR and confinement effect.
Enhanced nuclear delivery of anti-cancer drugs using micelles containing releasable membrane fusion peptide and nuclear-targeting retinoic acid
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Liu YanXi , Wu Lei , Li Lian , Huang Yuan
Published: August 2017

Biodegradable cross-linkedN-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer micelles can improve the accumulation of drug cargo in tumors by prolonging their circulation time.
Bionic ion channel and single-ion conductor design for artificial skin sensors
Authors: Han Song , Zhao Jingjing , Wang Dongxing , Lu Chao , Chen Wei
Published: August 2017

Ionic skin with a single-ion conductor and a bionic-ordered ion channel could detect human activities due to ion redistribution.
Si-doped zinc oxide transparent conducting oxides; nanoparticle optimisation, scale-up and thin film deposition
Authors: Howard D. P. , Marchand P. , Carmalt C. J. , Parkin I. P. , Darr J. A.
Published: August 2017

Si-doped ZnO was made by a continuous hydrothermal method and deposited by spin coating; ρ = 2.4 × 10−3 Ω cm, Tvis > 80%.
A sustainable approach to large area transfer of graphene and recycling of the copper substrate
Authors: Wang Michael Cai , Moestopo Widianto P. , Takekuma Satoshi , Barna Shama Farabi , Haasch Richard T. , Nam SungWoo
Published: August 2017

A carbonic acid electrolyte enables sustainable, clean, rinse-free, uniform large area electrochemical delamination transfer of graphene and recycling of the copper substrate.
A versatile approach to different colored photonic films generated from block copolymers and their conversion into polymer-grafted nanoplatelets
Authors: Huang Yucheng , Zheng Yang , Pribyl Julia , Benicewicz Brian C.
Published: August 2017

Polymer-grafted nanoplatelets made from block copolymers are new, versatile and stable materials for photonic films.
Combining 2D inorganic semiconductors and organic polymers at the frontier of the hard–soft materials interface
Authors: Ramasubramaniam A. , Selhorst R. , Alon H. , Barnes M. D. , Emrick T. , Naveh D.
Published: August 2017

Recent advances in combining functional organic polymers with inorganic 2D semiconductors for nanoscale electronics are highlighted.
CM suppression enhancement for balanced band‐notched UWB closed‐aperture antenna
Authors: Chen W.‐X. , Lee C.‐H. , Hsu C.‐I.G.
Published: August 2017

A strategy for enhancing the common‐mode (CM) suppression of a band‐notched UWB closed‐aperture antenna is proposed. The antenna circuit consists of a differentially coplanar‐waveguide‐fed hexagonal‐aperture antenna and a pair of wave‐trapping slotline resonators for producing a 5.5 GHz notch band. The enhancement of the CM suppression was achieved by setting the dimension of the aperture along the longitudinal direction (i.e. the direction parallel to the feedlines) small enough, so that the first resonant mode of the CM half‐circuit of the aperture antenna can be pushed beyond the differential‐mode (DM) UWB passband. A fabricated balanced band‐notched UWB antenna was measured to have a 10 dB DM passband of 3–11.2 GHz with a notch band of 5.1–6.1 GHz. Good measured CM suppression was observed with a maximum return loss of 2.9 dB in the DM UWB passband.
96 GHz 4.7 mW low‐power frequency tripler with 0.5 V supply voltage
Authors: Liang W. , Mukherjee A. , Sakalas P. , Pawlak A. , Schröter M.
Published: August 2017

Using forward‐biased base–collector voltage (VBC) in high‐speed circuits is usually not attractive due to the performance degradation compared with biasing heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) in the forward‐active region. However, the use of ultra‐low supply voltage in millimetre‐wave circuits provides an interesting application scenario not only for demonstrating the potential of modern silicon germanium (SiGe) HBT technologies in implementing severely power‐constrained wireless circuits on silicon but also for verifying the accuracy of compact models beyond standard characteristics typically measured by foundries. The results of a 96 GHz frequency tripler deliberately designed with a reduced supply voltage (0.5 V) in a 130 nm SiGe HBT technology are presented. With only 4.7 mW DC power consumption, this frequency tripler achieves a conversion loss of 3.8 dB, generating a 96 GHz output signal with only −10 dBm input signal at 32 GHz. The impact of transistor series resistances on the tripler performance is also analysed.
Robust head CT image registration pipeline for craniosynostosis skull correction surgery
Authors: Dangi Shusil , Shah Hina , Porras Antonio R. , Paniagua Beatriz , Linte Cristian A. , Linguraru Marius , Enquobahrie Andinet
Published: August 2017

Craniosynostosis is a congenital malformation of the infant skull typically treated via corrective surgery. To accurately quantify the extent of deformation and identify the optimal correction strategy, the patient‐specific skull model extracted from a pre‐surgical computed tomography (CT) image needs to be registered to an atlas of head CT images representative of normal subjects. Here, the authors present a robust multi‐stage, multi‐resolution registration pipeline to map a patient‐specific CT image to the atlas space of normal CT images. The proposed registration pipeline first performs an initial optimisation at very low resolution to yield a good initial alignment that is subsequently refined at high resolution. They demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method by evaluating its performance on 560 head CT images of 320 normal subjects and 240 craniosynostosis patients and show a success rate of 92.8 and 94.2%, respectively. Their method achieved a mean surface‐to‐surface distance between the patient and template skull of <2.5 mm in the targeted skull region across both the normal subjects and patients.
Application of an RGBD augmented C‐arm for minimally invasive scoliosis surgery assistance
Authors: Habert Séverine , Eck Ulrich , Fallavollita Pascal , Parent Stefan , Navab Nassir , Cheriet Farida
Published: August 2017

Minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) are gaining popularity as alternatives to conventional open surgeries. In thoracoscopic scoliosis MIS, fluoroscopy is used to guide pedicle screw placement and to visualise the effect of the intervention on the spine curvature. However, cosmetic external appearance is the most important concern for patients, while correction of the spine and achieving coronal and sagittal trunk balance are the top priorities for surgeons. The authors present the feasibility study of the first intra‐operative assistive system for scoliosis surgery composed of a single RGBD camera affixed on a C‐arm which allows visualising in real time the surgery effects on the patient trunk surface in the transverse plane. They perform three feasibility experiments from simulated data based on scoliotic patients to live acquisition from non‐scoliotic mannequin and person, all showing that the proposed system accuracy is comparable with scoliotic surface reconstruction state of art.
Open snake model based on global guidance field for embryo vessel location
Authors: Xie Weicheng , Duan Jinming , Shen Linlin , Li Yuexiang , Yang Meng , Lin Guojun
Published: August 2017

The development of vessels can provide important information about the growth status of animal embryos. It is, therefore, important to automatically locate the deformed vessel branches from the embryo images. However, very few vessel detectors can accurately locate all vessel branches when the captured images are low quality and the implied vessel shapes are complex. In this study, a new framework consisting of vessel region extraction and snake shape optimisation is proposed. The main contribution in this detector is a novel open snake model based on the global guidance field and deformation template initialisation. Experimental results on a specific application of an embryo vessel database [Database and source codes: https://github.com/wcxie/Egg‐embryro‐vessel‐location/.] demonstrate that the proposed algorithm not only locates the vessel shape properly but also obtains the orientations of embryo vessel branches accurately. Comparison to traditional guidance fields and the active appearance model illustrates the effectiveness and competitiveness of the proposed model.
Improved calculation model for swing angle of suspension insulator string
Authors: Zhou Ruixu , Gao Wensheng , Zhao Dongbo
Published: August 2017

In modern power systems, increasing faults of overhead transmission lines are caused by wind swing discharge especially in weather‐sensitive regions such as coastal hurricane‐prone areas. Since the vast majority of wind swing discharge accidents occur at the working voltage and existing models established for the suspension insulator wind swing discharge are not adequate to analyse all cases, an improved model under wind with arbitrary directions is proposed in this paper. Comprehensive factors are taken into consideration including exposure factor of wind pressure under different landforms and different elevations, wind pressure asymmetric factor, iced conductors, the coupling effect of conductors to insulators, the shielding wake flow effect of bundled conductor, the fluctuating wind amplification effect, mechanical oscillating of insulators, etc. IEEE model and design manual model are chosen as comparisons with the simulation results of ANSYS. Test results show that the improved model proposed in this paper coincides with ANSYS results better than the other two models almost in all the working conditions considering different spans and altitude differences. The results demonstrate that the improved model can make contribution to the economical and reasonable design of towers as well as early warning of wind swing discharge of suspension insulators.
Developing a simulation framework for safe and optimal trajectories considering drivers’ driving style
Authors: Gruber Thierry , Larue Grégoire S. , Rakotonirainy Andry , Poulsen Niels K.
Published: August 2017

Advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) have huge potential for improving road safety and travel times. However, their take‐up in the market is very slow; and these systems should consider driver's preferences to increase adoption rates. The aim of this study is to develop a model providing drivers with the optimal trajectory considering the motorist's driving style in real time. Travel duration and safety are the main parameters used to find the optimal trajectory. A simulation framework to determine the optimal trajectory was developed in which the ego car travels in a highway environment scenario, using an agent‐oriented approach. The performance of the algorithm was compared against optimal trajectories computed offline with the hybrid A* algorithm. The new framework provides trajectories close to the optimal trajectory and is computationally achievable. The agents were shown to follow safe and fast trajectories in three tests scenarios: emergency braking, overtaking and a complex situation with multiple vehicles around the ego vehicle. Different driver profiles were then tested in the complex scenario, showing that the proposed approach can adapt to driver preferences and provide a solution close to the optimal solution given the defined safety constraints.
Analysis of an experimental Doppler behaviour on a supersonic speed ground‐projectile channel
Authors: Boeglen Hervé , Milla Peinado Manuel , Schmoltzi Dirk , Bernard Loïc , Vauzelle Rodolphe
Published: August 2017

This study presents the Doppler shift behaviour on a supersonic wireless channel. Firstly, the authors present the instrumented projectile and the flight parameters influencing the Doppler shift of the RF carrier. In a second part, they start by analysing experimental results from a non‐dedicated measurement campaign. Doppler shift is extracted from the transmitted minimum shift keying digital data thanks to a classical phase‐tracking algorithm. To explain the particular shape of the Doppler curve obtained during the flight, they carry on with the study of multipath components in the propagation environment by performing a ray‐tracing simulation to identify them and evaluate their contribution. The study is completed by the analysis of the two remaining flight dynamics effects, namely spinning and nutation, on the Doppler spread. They finally draw some conclusions and present the remaining steps required to obtain a realistic supersonic speed ground‐projectile channel model.
Electrochemical immunosensor for alpha‐fetoprotein based on prussian blue‐carbon nanotube@polydopamine
Authors: Gao Ke , Sun Zhao , Pan Bo Guang , Qiao Xiuwen , Hong Chenglin
Published: August 2017

In this work, a new electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was developed by using glassy carbon electrode modified by prussian blue‐carbon nanotubes@ polydopamine (PB‐CNTs@PDA). PB was used to load and coated by CNT and PDA, respectively, to increase the conductivity and specific surface area of nanocomposite, and to prevent the unstable and outflow of PB on the surface of electrode. Additionally, gold nanoparticles were synthesised on the surface of PB‐CNTs@PDA dependent on excellent reduction ability of PDA coating without any other reducing agents, which provided a favourable microenvironment to increase the loading capacity of antibody without deactivation. Under optimal experimental conditions, the immunosensor shown excellent detection performance with a wide dynamic response range of AFP concentration from 0.005 to 80 ng ml−1 and a detection limit of 0.001 ng ml−1 (S /N = 3). The proposed electrochemical immunoassay method provides potential applications for other antigens or tumour markers in clinical diagnosis.
Kinder fördern – aber wie?
Authors: Renz-Polster Herbert
Published: August 2017

Welches Potenzial in der gezielten Förderung von Kindern steckt, zeigen die Erfahrungen mit sozial
benachteiligten Kindern: wenn sie in den richtigen Kindergarten und die richtige Schule gehen,
können sie aufholen – dank der dort erfahrenen Förderung. Auch ein Kind mit besonderen Talenten
blüht durch Förderung oft wunderbar auf – denken wir nur an musikalisch begabte Kinder, die ihre
Freude am Musizieren eben nur nutzen können, wenn sie auch ein Instrument, Unterricht und Ermutigung
haben, eben: Förderung!Damit ist eines klar: Förderung ist kein falsches Konzept. Und trotzdem haben
viele Fachleute Bauchweh, wenn es mal wieder um das Thema „Förderung“ geht. Und das zu Recht.
Wunderwerk Gebärmutter
Authors: Mack Susanne
Published: August 2017

Die Gebärmutter stellt in vielerlei Hinsicht ein ganz besonderes Organ dar. Für
ihre Hauptaufgabe (Schwangerschaft und Geburt) wird sie – wenn überhaupt – nur
für eine kurze Zeit im Leben einer Frau gebraucht und das nicht, um den
Organismus der Frau zu erhalten, sondern den der ganzen Art.
Erfahrungen mit der vaginalen Geburt von Zwillingen
Authors: Krause Michael , Köhler Wolfgang , Schächtele Melitta , Brucker Cosima
Published: August 2017

Der Wunsch einer Schwangeren, Zwillinge und ggf. auch Drillinge auf natürlichem
Weg zu gebären, wird von ärztlicher Seite zunehmend weniger unterstützt.
Aufgrund von fehlendem Fachwissen, fehlenden praktischen Erfahrungen und
gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen entscheiden sich Frauenärzte immer häufiger zu
einer Defensivmedizin und somit zu einer primären Sectio caesarea bei
Mehrlingsgeburten. Dies ist wissenschaftlich nicht begründet. Bei einer
adäquaten Risikoselektion ist auch bei Mehrlingsgeburten eine hohe vaginale
Entbindungsrate möglich.
CTG-Training: Fallbesprechung 4
Authors: Schwarz Christiane
Published: August 2017

In unserer CTG-Reihe stellen wir besondere CTG-Befunde und besondere
Fallgeschichten vor, aus denen wir alle lernen können.
Vaginale Drillingsgeburt – ein Fallbeispiel
Authors: Jörgens Matthias
Published: August 2017

Im St. Marien-Hospital Bonn (Perinatalzentrum Level I) steht die natürliche
vaginale Geburt im Vordergrund. Dies gilt auch für Mehrlingsschwangerschaften
(lageunabhängig), Beckenendlagen und Frühchen. Eine Drillingsschwangerschaft
sollte da keine Ausnahme sein.
Chemoenzymatic Formal Total Synthesis of Pancratistatin from Narciclasine-Type Compounds via Myers Transposition: Model Study for a Short Conversion of Narciclasine to Pancratistatin
Authors: Lapinskaite Ringaile , Ghavre Mukund , Rintelmann Chelsea , Bedard Korey , Dela Paz Helen , Hudlicky Tomas
Published: August 2017

A formal total synthesis of pancratistatin was accomplished by conversion of advanced intermediates, used in the synthesis of narciclasine, to pancratistatin precursors via Myers’ reductive transposition as the key strategic step. The synthesis began with the whole cell fermentation of m-dibromobenzene with JM109(pDTG601a), a recombinant strain that over-expresses toluene dioxygenase, which provided the corresponding cis-dihydrodiol 16 as a single isomer with complete optical purity. The key reductive transposition of the allylic alcohol 8a to olefin 9a allowed for further installation of the C-1/C-2 trans-diol, ­required for the pancratistatin scaffold, through the introduction of a cyclic sulfate and its subsequent opening. The formal synthesis of pancratistatin was accomplished in 14 steps (12 operations) from commercially available m-dibromobenzene. Experimental and spectral data are provided for all new compounds.
Impact of a Dedicated Research Rotation during Ophthalmology Residency
Authors: Valikodath Nita , Fausett Blake , Oren Gale , Whitney Katherine , Woodward Maria , Mian Shahzad
Published: August 2017

Background The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires that ophthalmology residents participate in scholarly activity during residency. However, residents lack protected time for research.

Objective This article aims to determine the impact of a dedicated research rotation on scholarly productivity and research experience during residency.

Methods This cohort study compared two groups of ophthalmology residents. Residents who graduated between 2004 and 2009 did not have dedicated research time and served as control residents (CR), while residents who graduated between 2010 and 2015 had a dedicated research rotation and served as the intervention group (research residents, RR). Primary outcomes included publications and presentations recorded over a 4-year period, spanning the 3 years of residency and the first year after graduation. These were analyzed by linear regression and t-tests. Residents also took surveys regarding research experience and chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to compare these results.

Results The RR had 0.97 more publications and 1.3 more presentations compared with the CR after adjusting for PhD status, pre-residency publications and presentations, age at graduation, gender, and race (p = 0.09 and p = 0.02, respectively). RR had higher odds of reporting adequate time to complete research (odds ratio [OR] = 13.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.58–48.03, p < 0.001) and satisfaction with their research experience (OR = 6.96, 95% CI = 2.104–23.053, p = 0.002).

Conclusion Residents with a research rotation had more time to complete research, were more satisfied with their research experience, and generated more publications and presentations compared with residents without the research rotation. A research rotation can help meet ACGME requirements and help residents achieve greater scholarly activity.