bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards the scale-up of the formation of nanoparticles on α-Ag2WO4 with bactericidal properties by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Assis Marcelo , Cordoncillo Eloisa , Torres-Mendieta Rafael , Beltrán-Mir Héctor , Mínguez-Vega Gladys , Oliveira Regiane , Leite Edson R. , Foggi Camila C. , Vergani Carlos E. , Longo Elson , Andrés Juan
Published: January 2018

In recent years, complex nanocomposites formed by Ag nanoparticles coupled to an α-Ag2WO4 semiconductor network have emerged as promising bactericides, where the semiconductor attracts bacterial agents and Ag nanoparticles neutralize them. However, the production rate of such materials has been limited to transmission electron microscope processing, making it difficult to cross the barrier from basic research to real applications. The interaction between pulsed laser radiation and α-Ag2WO4 has revealed a new processing alternative to scale up the production of the nanocomposite resulting in a 32-fold improvement of bactericidal performance, and at the same time obtaining a new class of spherical AgxWyOz nanoparticles.
APLP1 is endoproteolytically cleaved by γ-secretase without previous ectodomain shedding
Authors: Schauenburg Linda , Liebsch Filip , Eravci Murat , Mayer Magnus C. , Weise Christoph , Multhaup Gerhard
Published: January 2018

Regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its homologs, the APP like proteins APLP1 and APLP2, is typically a two-step process, which is initiated by ectodomain-shedding of the substrates by α- or β-secretases. Growing evidence, however, indicates that the cleavage process for APLP1 is different than for APP. Here, we describe that full-length APLP1, but not APP or APLP2, is uniquely cleaved by γ-secretase without previous ectodomain shedding. The new fragment, termed sAPLP1γ, was exclusively associated with APLP1, not APP, APLP2. We provide an exact molecular analysis showing that sAPLP1γ was uniquely generated by γ-secretase from full-length APLP1. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the sAPLP1γ fragment and the longest Aβ-like peptide share the C-terminus. This novel mechanism of γ-secretase action is consistent with an ϵ-cut based upon the nature of the reaction in APP. We further demonstrate that the APLP1 transmembrane sequence is the critical determinant for γ-shedding and release of full-length APLP1. Moreover, the APLP1 TMS is sufficient to convert larger type-I membrane proteins like APP into direct γ-secretase substrates. Taken together, the direct cleavage of APLP1 is a novel feature of the γ-secretase prompting a re-thinking of γ-secretase activity modulation as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer disease.
High surface recombination velocity limits Quasi-Fermi level splitting in kesterite absorbers
Authors: Redinger Alex , Unold Thomas
Published: January 2018

Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, Photoluminescence imaging and numerical simulations are used to study the surfaces of Cu2ZnSnSe4 absorber layers. In particular, the effect of NH4OH and annealing under ambient conditions is investigated. We observe drastic changes in the measured quasi Fermi-level splitting (QFLs) after chemical cleaning of the absorber surface with NH4OH, which is traced back to a removal of the surface inversion. Air annealing recovers surface inversion, which reduces the recombination current at the surface. Annealing above 200 °C leads to a permanent change in the work function which cannot be modified by NH4OH etching anymore. This modification makes the QFLs insensitive to surface cleaning and explains why air annealing in Cu2ZnSnSe4 is important. From numerical simulations we find that a large surface recombination velocity needs to be present in order to describe the experimental observations.
Template-free synthesis of porous carbon from triazine based polymers and their use in iodine adsorption and CO2 capture
Authors: Yao Chan , Li Guoyan , Wang Jiku , Xu Yanhong , Chang Limin
Published: January 2018

A series of novel triazine-containing pore-tunable carbon materials (NT-POP@800-1-6), which was synthesized via pyrolysis of porous organic polymers (POPs) without any templates. NT-POP@800-1-6 possess moderate BET surface areas of 475–736 m2 g−1, have permanent porosity and plenty of nitrogen units in the skeletons as effective sorption sites, and display relatively rapid guest uptake of 56–192 wt% in iodine vapour in the first 4 h. In addition, all the samples exhibit the outstanding CO2adsorption capacity of 2.83–3.96 mmol g−1at 273 K and 1.05 bar. Furthermore, NT-POP@800-1-6 show good selectivity ratios of 21.2–36.9 and 3.3–7.5 for CO2/N2or CH4/N2, respectively. We believe that our new building block design provides a general strategy for the construction of triazine-containing carbon materials from various extended building blocks, thereby greatly expanding the range of applicable molecules.
Generation of all-male-like sterile zebrafish by eliminating primordial germ cells at early development
Authors: Zhou Li , Feng Yongyong , Wang Fang , Dong Xiaohua , Jiang Lan , Liu Chun , Zhao Qinshun , Li Kaibin
Published: January 2018

Production of all-male and sterile fish may not only substantially improve yield but also be crucial for the application of genome modified species in aquaculture. Previously, it was reported that the fish lacking primordial germ cells (PGCs) becomes infertile, and nitroreductase, an enzyme converting non-toxic metronidazole (MTZ) into toxic metabolites, induces targeted toxicity to kill the cells expressing it. In this study, we generated a transgenic zebrafish line of Tg(nanos3:nfsB-mCherry-nanos3 3′UTR) in which the NfsB nitroreductase is solely expressed in PGCs. Treating the embryos derived from the female transgenic zebrafish with MTZ from 0 through 2 dpf (days post fertilization), we found that the germ cells were completely eliminated in the ones older than 2.5 dpf. At 20 dpf, the MTZ-treated juvenile had no germ cells in their gonads. At 100 dpf, the MTZ-treated adult exhibited male-like morphology and showed normal mating behaviors although they had no germ cells but only supporting cells in their gonads. Taken together, our results demonstrated that conditional elimination of PGCs during early development make the zebrafish male-like and infertile. It may provide an alternative strategy to make sterile and all-male farmed fish that is good for increasing aquaculture yield and preventing the genome modified species from potential ecological risks.
Detection of tick-borne bacteria and babesia with zoonotic potential in Argas (Carios) vespertilionis (Latreille, 1802) ticks from British bats
Authors: Lv Jizhou , Fernández de Marco Maria del Mar , Goharriz Hooman , Phipps L. Paul , McElhinney Lorraine M. , Hernández-Triana Luis M. , Wu Shaoqiang , Lin Xiangmei , Fooks Anthony R. , Johnson Nicholas
Published: January 2018

Ticks host a wide range of zoonotic pathogens and are a significant source of diseases that affect humans and livestock. However, little is known about the pathogens associated with bat ticks. We have collected ectoparasites from bat carcasses over a seven year period. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were extracted from 296 ticks removed from bats and the species designation was confirmed in all ticks as Argas (Carios) vespertilionis. A subset of these samples (n = 120) were tested for the presence of zoonotic pathogens by molecular methods. Babesia species, Rickettsia spp., within the spotted fever group (SFG), and Ehrlichia spp. were detected in ticks removed from 26 bats submitted from 14 counties across England. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was found to be highest in Pipistrellus pipistrellus from southern England. This study suggests that the tick species that host B. venatorum may include the genus Argas in addition to the genus Ixodes. As A. vespertilionis has been reported to feed on humans, detection of B. venatorum and SFG Rickettsia spp. could present a risk of disease transmission in England. No evidence for the presence of flaviviruses or Issyk-Kul virus (nairovirus) was found in these tick samples.
Effect of the consumption of green tea extract during pregnancy and lactation on metabolism of mothers and 28d-old offspring
Authors: Hachul Ana Claudia Losinskas , Boldarine Valter Tadeu , Neto Nelson Inácio Pinto , Moreno Mayara Franzoi , Carvalho Patricia Oliveira , Sawaya Alexandra C. H. F. , Ribeiro Eliane Beraldi , Oller do Nascimento Claudia Maria , Oyama Lila Missae
Published: January 2018

The objective was to investigate the effects of the maternal consumption of the green tea extract during pregnancy and lactation on mothers and offspring metabolism. The female Wistar rats, on the first day of pregnancy until the end of lactation, was divided into groups: MC– received water and ME– received green tea extract (400 mg/kg body weight/day), both ingested control diet. After lactation, at day 28th post-partum, the mothers and pups from each mother were euthanized and composed the groups: FC– pup from mother received water and FE– pup from mother received green tea extract. The ME group increased IL-10/TNF-α ratio and IL-1β content in the mesenteric and IL-1β content in retroperitoneal adipose tissues, and decreased catalase activity. The FE group decreased the retroperitoneal adipose tissue relative weight and SOD activity, but increased adiponectin, LPS, IL-10 and IL-6 content and IL-10/TNF-α ratio in retroperitoneal, IL-10 and TNF-α content in gonadal, and IL-6 content in mesenteric adipose tissues. In summary, the maternal consumption of green tea extract associated with control diet ingestion during pregnancy and lactation altered the inflammatory status of mothers and 28d-old offspring. These data elucidate the effects of green tea during pregnancy and lactation on maternal and offspring metabolism.
Borrelia burgdorferi surface protein Lmp1 facilitates pathogen dissemination through ticks as studied by an artificial membrane feeding system
Authors: Koci Juraj , Bernard Quentin , Yang Xiuli , Pal Utpal
Published: January 2018

In its natural infection cycle, the pathogen of Lyme borreliosis transits between a tick vector and a mammalian host. As relatively a minor fraction of spirochetes transits between the host and the vector precluding their reliable detection at early infection, artificial membrane feeders emerged as useful tools to study roles of spirochete proteins in pathogen entry, persistence, and exit through ticks. Here we report the development of a modified membrane feeder to study the role of a Borrelia burgdorferi surface protein called Lmp1 in spirochete transitions between the murine host and ticks. We show that our membrane feeder supports the blood meal engorgement process where ticks can acquire spirochetes from the feeder containing extremely low levels of pathogens (102 cells/ml of blood). Our data revealed that in comparison to wild-type spirochetes, lmp1 deletion mutants are significantly impaired for acquisition in naïve ticks as well as transmission from infected ticks. Taking together, our data suggest that Lmp1 plays an essential role in spirochete transitions between hosts and the vector. These studies also underscore the usefulness of artificial membrane feeding system as a valuable tool to study the role of B. burgdorferi gene-products in pathogen persistence in and passage through vector ticks.
Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acid glycoepitopes by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provides novel insights into the staphylococcal glycocode
Authors: Grunert Tom , Jovanovic Dijana , Sirisarn Wanchat , Johler Sophia , Weidenmaier Christopher , Ehling-Schulz Monika , Xia Guoqing
Published: January 2018

Surface carbohydrate moieties are essential for bacterial communication, phage-bacteria and host-pathogen interaction. Most Staphylococcus aureus produce polyribitolphosphate type Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) substituted with α- and/or β-O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (α-/β-O-GlcNAc) residues. GlcNAc modifications have attracted particular interest, as they were shown to govern staphylococcal adhesion to host cells, to promote phage susceptibility conferring beta-lactam resistance and are an important target for antimicrobial agents and vaccines. However, there is a lack of rapid, reliable, and convenient methods to detect and quantify these sugar residues. Whole cell Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy could meet these demands and was employed to analyse WTAs and WTA glycosylation in S. aureus. Using S. aureus mutants, we found that a complete loss of WTA expression resulted in strong FTIR spectral perturbations mainly related to carbohydrates and phosphorus-containing molecules. We could demonstrate that α- or β-O-GlcNAc WTA substituents can be clearly differentiated by chemometrically assisted FTIR spectroscopy. Our results suggest that whole cell FTIR spectroscopy represents a powerful and reliable method for large scale analysis of WTA glycosylation, thus opening up a complete new range of options for deciphering the staphylococcal pathogenesis related glycocode.
Lnc2Catlas: an atlas of long noncoding RNAs associated with risk of cancers
Authors: Ren Chao , An Gaole , Zhao Chenghui , Ouyang Zhangyi , Bo Xiaochen , Shu Wenjie
Published: January 2018

Lnc2Catlas (http://lnc2catlas.bioinfotech.org/) is an atlas of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with cancer risk. LncRNAs are a class of functional noncoding RNAs with lengths over 200 nt and play a vital role in diverse biological processes. Increasing evidence shows that lncRNA dysfunction is associated with many human cancers/diseases. It is therefore important to understand the underlying relationship between lncRNAs and cancers. To this end, we developed Lnc2Catlas to compile quantitative associations between lncRNAs and cancers using three computational methods, assessing secondary structure disruption, lncRNA-protein interactions, and co-expression networks. Lnc2Catlas was constructed based on 27,670 well-annotated lncRNAs, 31,749,216 SNPs, 1,473 cancer-associated proteins, and 10,539 expression profiles of 33 cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Lnc2Catlas contains 247,124 lncRNA-SNP pairs, over two millions lncRNA-protein interactions, and 6,902 co-expression clusters. We deposited Lnc2Catlas on Alibaba Cloud and developed interactive, mobile device-compatible, user-friendly interfaces to help users search and browse Lnc2Catlas with ultra-low latency. Lnc2Catlas can aid in the investigation of associations between lncRNAs and cancers and can provide candidate lncRNAs for further experimental validation. Lnc2Catlas will facilitate an understanding of the associations between lncRNAs and cancer and will help reveal the critical role of lncRNAs in cancer.
Cognitive Impairment In Treatment-Naïve Bipolar II and Unipolar Depression
Authors: Mak Arthur D. P. , Lau Domily T. Y. , Chan Alicia K. W. , So Suzanne H. W. , Leung Owen , Wong Sheila L. Y. , Lam Linda , Leung C. M. , Lee Sing
Published: January 2018

Cognition dysfunction may reflect trait characteristics of bipolarity but cognitive effects of medications have confounded previous comparisons of cognitive function between bipolar II and unipolar depression, which are distinct clinical disorders with some overlaps. Therefore, we examined the executive function (WCST), attention, cognitive speed (TMT-A) and memory (CAVLT, WMS-Visual reproduction) of 20 treatment-naïve bipolar II patients (BPII), 35 treatment-naïve unipolar depressed (UD) patients, and 35 age/sex/education matched healthy controls. The subjects were young (aged 18–35), and had no history of psychosis or substance use, currently depressed and meeting either RDC criteria for Bipolar II Disorder or DSM-IV-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. The patients were moderately depressed (MADRS) and anxious(HAM-A), on average within 3.44 years of illness onset. Sociodemographic data and IQ were similar between the groups. UD patients had significantly slower cognitive speed and cognitive flexibility (WCST perseverative error). BPII depressed patients showed relatively intact cognitive function. Verbal memory (CAVLT List A total) correlated with illness chronicity only in BPII depression, but not UD. In conclusion, young and treatment-naïve BPII depressed patients differed from unipolar depression by a relatively intact cognitive profile and a chronicity-cognitive correlation that suggested a stronger resemblance to Bipolar I Disorder than Unipolar Depression.
Extracellular DNA as a genetic recorder of microbial diversity in benthic deep-sea ecosystems
Authors: Corinaldesi C. , Tangherlini M. , Manea E. , Dell’Anno A.
Published: January 2018

Extracellular DNA in deep-sea sediments represents a major repository of genes, which previously belonged to living organisms. However, the extent to which these extracellular genes influence current estimates of prokaryotic biodiversity is unknown. We investigated the abundance and diversity of 16S rDNA sequences contained within extracellular DNA from continental margins of different biogeographic regions. We also compared the taxonomic composition of microbial assemblages through the analysis of extracellular DNA and DNA associated with living cells. 16S rDNA contained in the extracellular DNA pool contributed up to 50% of the total 16S rDNA copy number determined in the sediments. Ca. 4% of extracellular Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were shared among the different biogeographic regions revealing the presence of a core of preserved OTUs. A higher fraction of OTUs was exclusive of each region potentially due to its geographic and thermohaline characteristics. Ca. one third of the OTUs identified in the extracellular DNA were absent from living prokaryotic assemblages, possibly representing the signatures of past assemblages. Our findings expand the knowledge of the contribution of extracellular microbial sequences to current estimates of prokaryotic diversity obtained through the analyses of “environmental DNA”, and open new perspectives for understanding microbial successions in benthic ecosystems.
Antibody-mediated enhancement aggravates chikungunya virus infection and disease severity
Authors: Lum Fok-Moon , Couderc Thérèse , Chia Bing-Shao , Ong Ruo-Yan , Her Zhisheng , Chow Angela , Leo Yee-Sin , Kam Yiu-Wing , Rénia Laurent , Lecuit Marc , Ng Lisa F. P.
Published: January 2018

The arthropod-transmitted chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes a flu-like disease that is characterized by incapacitating arthralgia. The re-emergence of CHIKV and the continual risk of new epidemics have reignited research in CHIKV pathogenesis. Virus-specific antibodies have been shown to control virus clearance, but antibodies present at sub-neutralizing concentrations can also augment virus infection that exacerbates disease severity. To explore this occurrence, CHIKV infection was investigated in the presence of CHIKV-specific antibodies in both primary human cells and a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. Enhanced attachment of CHIKV to the primary human monocytes and B cells was observed while increased viral replication was detected in RAW264.7 cells. Blocking of specific Fc receptors (FcγRs) led to the abrogation of these observations. Furthermore, experimental infection in adult mice showed that animals had higher viral RNA loads and endured more severe joint inflammation in the presence of sub-neutralizing concentrations of CHIKV-specific antibodies. In addition, CHIKV infection in 11 days old mice under enhancing condition resulted in higher muscles viral RNA load detected and death. These observations provide the first evidence of antibody-mediated enhancement in CHIKV infection and pathogenesis and could also be relevant for other important arboviruses such as Zika virus.
Density-matrix evaluation of the enhancement to resonant Raman scattering and fluorescence of molecules confined in metallic nanoparticle dimers
Authors: Wei Yong , Li Li , Sun De-Xian , Wang Ming-Li , Zhu Yan-Ying
Published: January 2018

In the present work we study the surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering (SERRS) and fluorescence (SEF) spectra of a general model molecule confined in metallic dimers consisting of Ag, Au and hybrid AuAg nanoparticles (NPs). The electromagnetic (EM) enhancement factors were simulated by the generalized Mie scatting method and the scattering cross section of the molecules were obtained by density-matrix calculations. The influence of the size of the NPs and the separation between the dimer on the Raman scattering and fluorescence were systematically studied and analyzed in detail. It was found that the SERRS mainly related to EM enhancement and the SEF depended on the competition between EM enhancement and quantum yield, both of which could be controlled by tuning the radius and separation of the metallic dimers. The optimal radius of the NPs for SERRS were found to be around 30 nm for AgNPs, 40 nm for AuNPs and 50 nm for hybrid AuAgNPs. The strongest Raman enhancement as predicted by the theoretical simulations were 6.2 × 1010, 1.5 × 107 and 5.2 × 108 for the three types of structures, respectively. These results could offer valuable information for the design of metallic substrates for surface enhanced Raman and fluorescence measurements.
Neuroprotective alpha-cleavage of the human prion protein significantly impacts Cu(ii) coordination at its His111 site
Authors: Sánchez-López Carolina , Fernández Claudio O. , Quintanar Liliana
Published: January 2018

Alpha-cleavage proteolytic processing of human prion protein significantly impacts its Cu(ii) coordination properties at the His111 site.
Mixed-metal clusters with a {Re3Mo3Se8} core: from a polymeric solid to soluble species with multiple redox transitions
Authors: Muravieva Viktoria K. , Gayfulin Yakov M. , Ryzhikov Maxim R. , Novozhilov Igor N. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Piryazev Dmitry A. , Yanshole Vadim V. , Naumov Nikolay G.
Published: January 2018

Soluble compounds based on new heterometallic {Re3Mo3Se8}ncluster cores were synthesized and investigated.
Mg2+ incorporated Co-based MOF precursors for hierarchical CNT-containing porous carbons with ORR activity
Authors: Wu Zhao-Feng , Tan Bin , Ma Wen , Xiong Wei-Wei , Xie Zai-Lai , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: January 2018

The light and abundant Mg2+ was introduced as a heteroatom into a Co-MOF to synthesize a series of Mg-Co bimetallic MOFs, further acting as excellent precursors for hierarchically CNTs-containing nanoporous carbons.
Studies towards the synthesis of Pd(ii)-containing [2] and [3]catenanes in aqueous media
Authors: López-Vidal E. M. , Prokofjevs A. , Gibbs-Hall I. C. , Dale E. J. , Quintela J. M. , Peinador C.
Published: January 2018

Here is reported the investigation of a synthetic route for the preparation of Pd(ii)-containing catenanes in aqueous media.
Sensitive colorimetric immunoassay of Vibrio parahaemolyticus based on specific nonapeptide probe screening from a phage display library conjugated with MnO2 nanosheets with peroxidase-like activity
Authors: Liu Pei , Han Lei , Wang Fei , Li Xiangqian , Petrenko Valery A. , Liu Aihua
Published: January 2018

Colorimetric immunoassay for V. parahaemolyticus using screened phage pVIII fusion as capture probe coupled with MnO2 nanosheets as signal probe.
Surface functionalized nanostructures via position registered supramolecular polymer assembly
Authors: Cho Suk Man , Song Giyoung , Park Chanho , Lee Yujeong , Kang Han Sol , Lee Wooseop , Park Sungmin , Huh June , Ryu Du Yeol , Park Cheolmin
Published: January 2018

Versatile control of cylindrical nanostructures formed by supramolecular assembly of end-functionalized polymer blends is demonstrated not only in their orientation but also in their surface chemical functionalities.
Super-resolution localization microscopy of radiation-induced histone H2AX-phosphorylation in relation to H3K9-trimethylation in HeLa cells
Authors: Hausmann Michael , Wagner Emma , Lee Jin-Ho , Schrock Gerrit , Schaufler Wladimir , Krufczik Matthias , Papenfuß Franziska , Port Matthias , Bestvater Felix , Scherthan Harry
Published: January 2018

Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced damage confers functional and conformational changes to nuclear chromatin associated with DNA single and double strand breaks.
Transamidation of N-acyl-glutarimides with amines
Authors: Liu Yongmei , Achtenhagen Marcel , Liu Ruzhang , Szostak Michal
Published: January 2018

Herein, we report a new method for transamidation of N-acyl-glutarimides with amines under mild, metal-free conditions that relies on amide bond twist to weaken amidic resonance.
Monomer stoichiometry imbalance-promoted formation of multisubstituted polynaphthalenes by palladium-catalyzed polycouplings of aryl iodides and internal diynes
Authors: Han Ting , Zhao Zheng , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2018

A novel palladium-catalyzed polymerization route toward multisubstituted polynaphthalenes with high thermal stability and advanced functionalities in a monomer stoichiometry imbalance-promoted manner.
Synthesis and properties of poly(trifluoroethylene)viaa persistent radical mediated polymerization of trifluoroethylene
Authors: Colpaert Maxime , Banerjee Sanjib , Ladmiral Vincent , Ono Taizo , Améduri Bruno
Published: January 2018

Poly(trifluoroethylene) exhibiting excellent thermal stability was synthesized by the radical polymerization of trifluoroethylene initiated by an innovative persistent radical.
A theranostic nanocomposite system based on radial mesoporous silica hybridized with Fe3O4 nanoparticles for targeted magnetic field responsive chemotherapy of breast cancer
Authors: Gao Qin , Xie Wensheng , Wang Yu , Wang Dan , Guo Zhenhu , Gao Fei , Zhao Lingyun , Cai Qiang
Published: January 2018

Herein, we report a smart theranostic drug delivery system based on radial mesoporous silica, containing uIO for T2-weighted MRI and lIO for AMF-responsive chemotherapy.
Fabrication of magnetically separable NiFe2O4/BiOI nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible-light irradiation
Authors: Xia Yongmei , He Zuming , Su Jiangbin , Tang Bin , Hu Kejun , Lu Yaling , Sun Shunping , Li Xiaoping
Published: January 2018

SEM image of as-synthesized NiFe2O4/BiOI (NFO/BOI) nanocomposites (a) and schematic illustration of excitation and separation of photo-induced electron–hole pairs for NFO/BOI nanocomposites (b).
Mechanism and thermal rate constants for complete series reactions of bromochlorophenols with H
Authors: Zheng Siyuan , Zhao Xianwei , Li Yunfeng , Xu Fei , Zhang Qingzhu
Published: January 2018

Formation of bromochlorophenoxy radicals (BCPRs) from the reaction of bromochlorophenols (BCPs) with H can play the most central role in the formation of mixed polybrominated and chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBCDD/Fs).
ZnSe quantum dots modified with a Ni(cyclam) catalyst for efficient visible-light driven CO2 reduction in water
Authors: Kuehnel Moritz F. , Sahm Constantin D. , Neri Gaia , Lee Jonathan R. , Orchard Katherine L. , Cowan Alexander J. , Reisner Erwin
Published: January 2018

A robust precious metal-free photocatalyst system comprised of ligand-free ZnSe quantum dots and a phosphonic acid-functionalised Ni(cyclam) catalyst achieves efficient reduction of aqueous CO2 to CO.
Spherical network contraction forms microtubule asters in confinement
Authors: Juniper Michael P. N. , Weiss Marian , Platzman Ilia , Spatz Joachim P. , Surrey Thomas
Published: January 2018

Microtubules and motor proteins form active filament networks that are critical for a variety of functions in living cells.
Flexibility contribution of heat ventilation and air conditioning loads in a multi‐stage robust unit commitment with non‐deterministic variability‐oriented ramp reserves
Authors: Alizadeh Mohammad‐Iman , Parsa Moghaddam Mohsen , Amjady Nima
Published: January 2018

Aside from conventional generation units, heat ventilation and air‐conditioning (HVAC) loads, thanks to their inherent thermal capacity storage, are reasonable alternatives to mitigate short‐term variability impacts in power systems with high renewable energy sources (RES). Accordingly, HVAC loads are integrated into a multi‐stage multi‐resolution robust unit commitment considering non‐deterministic variability‐oriented reserves to address operational flexibility requirement in power systems. Since common two‐stage robust optimisations are over‐conservative, non‐causal and in general NP‐hard, a non‐conservative extended affinely adjustable robust optimisation approach is proposed to provide causality, enhance computational tractability and improve optimality in a multi‐stage robust decision‐making framework. In addition, since existing hourly resolution scheduling is unable to track fast and frequent variations in RES, the proposed framework is multi‐resolution including both hourly and sub‐hourly resolutions. Moreover, unlike conventional deterministic flexible ramp reserve procurement, a robust variability‐oriented reserve scheduling is presented to determine adequate while economic and technically deliverable flexible ramp reserves from both generation and demand sides. The effectiveness of the proposed model is illustrated on the IEEE 24‐bus reliability test system.
dPLL‐based control of a hybrid wind–solar grid connected inverter in the distribution system
Authors: Mishra Sanchit , Hussain Ikhlaq , Pathak Geeta , Singh Bhim
Published: January 2018

A novel differentiation phase locked loop (dPLL)‐based control technique is used for control of a three‐phase hybrid wind–solar grid connected inverter (HWS‐GCI) with a capacitor‐supported DC link. The DC link is simultaneously interfaced to a solar photovoltaic and permanent magnet brushless DC wind generator via unidirectional DC–DC converters, in a two‐stage topology, to channelise excess power generation to the grid, thus increasing the energy conversion capability. In addition, the HWS‐GCI is used as a distribution static compensator to enhance the dynamic performance of the system, by the use of a novel harmonics isolation control algorithm based on differentiation and variable coefficient proportional–integral–derivative controller. The algorithm possesses fast dynamic response and preserves the mutual relationship of the three‐phase currents, allowing the accurate detection of load side or source side phase unbalancing. A comparison of the proposed technique with previously known methods is provided to establish the competency of the algorithm. The experimental performance validation under non‐linear load unbalancing and sudden changes in solar insolation and power generated by a wind generator are considered using the real‐time implementation platform.
Towards Implementation of OMOP in a German University Hospital Consortium
Authors: Maier C. , Lang L. , Storf H. , Vormstein P. , Bieber R. , Bernarding J. , Herrmann T. , Haverkamp C. , Horki P. , Laufer J. , Berger F. , Höning G. , Fritsch H.W. , Schüttler J. , Ganslandt T. , Prokosch H.U. , Sedlmayr M.
Published: January 2018

Background In 2015, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research initiated a large data integration and data sharing research initiative to improve the reuse of data from patient care and translational research. The Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) common data model and the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) tools could be used as a core element in this initiative for harmonizing the terminologies used as well as facilitating the federation of research analyses across institutions.

Objective To realize an OMOP/OHDSI-based pilot implementation within a consortium of eight German university hospitals, evaluate the applicability to support data harmonization and sharing among them, and identify potential enhancement requirements.

Methods The vocabularies and terminological mapping required for importing the fact data were prepared, and the process for importing the data from the source files was designed. For eight German university hospitals, a virtual machine preconfigured with the OMOP database and the OHDSI tools as well as the jobs to import the data and conduct the analysis was provided. Last, a federated/distributed query to test the approach was executed.

Results While the mapping of ICD-10 German Modification succeeded with a rate of 98.8% of all terms for diagnoses, the procedures could not be mapped and hence an extension to the OMOP standard terminologies had to be made.

Overall, the data of 3 million inpatients with approximately 26 million conditions, 21 million procedures, and 23 million observations have been imported.

A federated query to identify a cohort of colorectal cancer patients was successfully executed and yielded 16,701 patient cases visualized in a Sunburst plot.

Conclusion OMOP/OHDSI is a viable open source solution for data integration in a German research consortium. Once the terminology problems can be solved, researchers can build on an active community for further development.
Outcomes of Spontaneous Labor in Women Undergoing Trial of Labor after Cesarean as Compared with Nulliparous Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Robinson Julian , Kaimal Anjali , Little Sarah , Lassey Sarah
Published: January 2018

Objective The objective of this study was to compare spontaneous labor outcomes in women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and nulliparas to better counsel women.

Study Design A 4-year retrospective cohort. We included women at term in spontaneous labor with vertex singletons and no more than one prior cesarean delivery. In planned secondary analysis, we focused on a subset of women with a prior cesarean and a predicted likelihood of a successful vaginal delivery of 70% or more based on the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units-vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) calculator.

Results Our cohort included 606 TOLACS and 606 nulliparas. Women undergoing TOLAC were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery (25.7 vs. 14.7%; p < 0.001). Severe maternal hemorrhage (1.5 vs. 0.2%; p = 0.02) and uterine rupture (1.9 vs. 0.0%; p < 0.01) were more likely in the TOLAC group. For the subset of women with a predicted likelihood of VBAC of 70% or more, there were no differences in cesarean delivery (16.7 vs. 14.7%; p = 0.51), maternal, or immediate neonatal complications.

Conclusion Women undergoing TOLAC were more likely to have a cesarean delivery, hemorrhage, or uterine rupture. Those with more than 70% predicted likelihood of VBAC were no more likely to experience these outcomes. These findings help contextualize the risks of TOLAC for women considering this option.
Confirming Maximal Oxygen Uptake: Is Heart Rate the Answer?
Authors: Keiller Don , Gordon Dan
Published: January 2018

This study investigates heart rate (HR), in 11 young adults (22.4±3.21yr), at V̇O2max, to ascertain whether measured maximal heart rate (HRmax), as determined by a plateau in HR (HRplat), can reliably confirm V̇O2max. V̇O2max and HRplat were determined, using the parameters of a V̇O2≤50 ml•min−1 and a ∆HR≤2b•min−1, respectively, over the final 60 s of sampling. V̇O2 was also independently determined using a verification phase protocol. A HRplat was achieved by 91% of participants (∆HR=1.3±1b•min−1) and critically the time at which HRmax was reached coincided with that at which V̇O2max was achieved. Moreover RER and ΔRER criteria were reached significantly earlier (p<0.05) than V̇O2max, whilst age-related heart rate maximums (HRage), were not achieved by many participants. The results suggest that a HRplat ≤2 b•min−1 is a more accurate method, within the group tested, to determine whether a ‘true’ V̇O2max has been achieved, than other secondary criteria and potentially avoids the requirement for an additional verification phase.
Berberine Modulates Gut Microbiota and Reduces Insulin Resistance via the TLR4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Dan , Zhang Yiyi , Liu Yunhui , Hou Liqiong , Li Sheyu , Tian Haoming , Zhao Tieyun
Published: January 2018

Berberine, a natural compound extracted from several Chinese herbs including Coptis chinensis, has been shown to have anti-obesity effects and prevents insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese rats by modulating the gut microbiota; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these activities remain unknown. We investigated the effects of berberine on obesity and insulin resistance by examining the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α signaling pathway in livers of HFD-fed obese rats. Our results showed that 8-week berberine (200 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and insulin resistance in HFD-fed obese rats. However, berberine had no significant effects on body weight, visceral fat mass or the visceral fat to body weight ratio. Berberine also attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. A prolonged HFD altered the gut microbiota composition by reducing protective bacteria like Bifidobacterium and increasing gram negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, which resulted in increased LPS release into plasma. Berberine reversed these effects and inhibited LPS-induced TLR4/TNF-α activation, resulting in increased insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 expression in the liver. These findings suggested that berberine may reduce insulin resistance, at least in part by modulating the gut microbiota along with inhibiting LPS/TLR4/TNF-α signaling in the liver.
Electric-field responsive contrast agent based on liquid crystals and magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Mair Lamar O. , Martinez-Miranda Luz J. , Kurihara Lynn K. , Nacev Aleksandar , Hilaman Ryan , Chowdhury Sagar , Jafari Sahar , Ijanaten Said , da Silva Claudian , Baker-McKee James , Stepanov Pavel Y. , Weinberg Irving N.
Published: January 2018

The properties of liquid crystal-magnetic nanoparticle composites have potential for sensing in the body. We study the response of a liquid crystal-magnetic nanoparticle (LC-MNP) composite to applied potentials of hundreds of volts per meter. Measuring samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and imaging composites using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we demonstrate that electric potentials applied across centimeter scale LC-MNP composite samples can be detected using XRD and MRI techniques.
Development of magnet configurations for magnetic immunostaining
Authors: Kaneko Miki , Chikaki Shinichi , Matsuda Sachiko , Kuwahata Akihiro , Namita Masayuki , Saito Itsuro , Sakamoto Satoshi , Kusakabe Moriaki , Sekino Masaki
Published: January 2018

Magnetic immunostaining using a magnet and antibody-labeled fluorescent ferrite (FF) beads is established as a rapid immunostaining. In this study, we proposed the novel configuration of magnets with the large magnetic field gradient and the strong magnetic force for magnetic immunostaining. To confirm the usefulness of the proposed magnet configuration, we performed numerical analysis of the magnetic characteristics of the proposed magnets, and the magnetic immunostaining with FF beads. It was revealed that the proposed magnets generated the strong magnetic force and promoted the immunoreaction rapidly.
Plasmonic enhancement of electroluminescence
Authors: Guzatov D. V. , Gaponenko S. V. , Demir H. V.
Published: January 2018

Here plasmonic effect specifically on electroluminescence (EL) is studied in terms of radiative and nonradiative decay rates for a dipole near a metal spherical nanoparticle (NP). Contribution from scattering is taken into account and is shown to play a decisive role in EL enhancement owing to pronounced size-dependent radiative decay enhancement and weak size effect on non-radiative counterpart. Unlike photoluminescence where local incident field factor mainly determines the enhancement possibility and level, EL enhancement is only possible by means of quantum yield rise, EL enhancement being feasible only for an intrinsic quantum yield Q0 < 1. The resulting plasmonic effect is independent of intrinsic emitter lifetime but is exclusively defined by the value of Q0, emission spectrum, NP diameter and emitter-metal spacing. For 0.1< Q0 < 0.25, Ag nanoparticles are shown to enhance LED/OLED intensity by several times over the whole visible whereas Au particles feature lower effect within the red-orange range only. Independently of positive effect on quantum yield, metal nanoparticles embedded in an electroluminescent device will improve its efficiency at high currents owing to enhanced overall recombination rate which will diminish manifestation of Auger processes. The latter are believed to be responsible for the known undesirable efficiency droop in semiconductor commercial quantum well based LEDs at higher current. For the same reason plasmonics can diminish quantum dot photodegradation from Auger process induced non-radiative recombination and photoionization thus opening a way to avoid negative Auger effects in emerging colloidal semiconductor LEDs.
Long-lived Single Excitons, Trions, and Biexcitons in CdSe/CdTe Type-II Colloidal Quantum Wells
Authors: Wang Jun-hui , Liang Gui-jie , Wu Kai-feng
Published: January 2018

Light-harvesters with long-lived excited states are desired for efficient solar energy conversion systems. Many solar-to-fuel conversion reactions, such as H2 evolution and CO2 reduction, require multiple sequential electron transfer processes, which leads to a complicated situation that excited states involves not only excitons (electron-hole pairs) but also multi-excitons and charged excitons. While long-lived excitons can be obtained in various systems (e.g., semiconductor nanocrystals), multi-excitons and charged excitons are typically shorted-lived due to nonradiative Auger recombination pathways whereby the recombination energy of an exciton is quickly transferred to the third carrier on a few to hundreds of picoseconds timescale. In this work, we report a study of excitons, trions (an exciton plus an additional charge), and biexcitons in CdSe/CdTe colloidal quantum wells or nanoplatelets. The type-II band alignment effectively separates electrons and holes in space, leading to a single exciton lifetime of 340 ns which is ∼2 order of magnitudes longer than that in plane CdSe nanoplatelets. More importantly, the electron-hole separation also dramatically slows down Auger decay, giving rise to a trion lifetime of 70 ns and a biexciton lifetime of 11 ns, among the longest values ever reported for colloidal nanocrystals. The long-lived exciton, trion, and biexciton states, combined with the intrinsically strong light-absorption capability of two-dimensional systems, enable the CdSe/CdTe type-II nanoplatelets as promising light harvesters for efficient solar-to-fuel conversion reactions.
Aquaporin 11 is related to cryotolerance and fertilising ability of frozen–thawed bull spermatozoa
Authors: Morató Roser , Prieto-Martínez Noelia , Muiño Rodrigo , Hidalgo Carlos O. , Rodríguez-Gil Joan E. , Bonet Sergi , Yeste Marc
Published: January 2018

Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins involved in the transport of water and solutes across biological membranes. In the present study we identified and localised aquaporin 11 (AQP11) in bull spermatozoa and investigated the relationship between the relative AQP11 content, sperm cryotolerance and the fertilising ability of frozen–thawed semen. Bull ejaculates were classified into two groups of good and poor freezability and assessed through immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses before and after cryopreservation. AQP11 was localised throughout the entire tail and along the sperm head. These findings were confirmed through immunoblotting, which showed a specific band of approximately 50 kDa corresponding to AQP11. The relative amount of AQP11 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in both fresh and frozen–thawed spermatozoa from bull ejaculates with good freezability compared with those with poorer freezability. In addition, in vitro oocyte penetration rates and non-return rates 56 days after AI were correlated with the relative AQP11 content in fresh spermatozoa. In conclusion, AQP11 is present in the head and tail of bull spermatozoa and its relative amount in fresh and frozen–thawed spermatozoa is related to the resilience of the spermatozoa to withstand cryopreservation and the fertilising ability of frozen–thawed spermatozoa. Further research is needed to elucidate the actual role of sperm AQP11 in bovine fertility.
Focal versus distributed temporal cortex activity for speech sound category assignment
Authors: Bouton Sophie , Chambon Valérian , Tyrand Rémi , Guggisberg Adrian G. , Seeck Margitta , Karkar Sami , van de Ville Dimitri , Giraud Anne-Lise
Published: January 2018

Significance

When listening to speech, phonemes are represented in a distributed fashion in our temporal and prefrontal cortices. How these representations are selected in a phonemic decision context, and in particular whether distributed or focal neural information is required for explicit phoneme recognition, is unclear. We hypothesized that focal and early neural encoding of acoustic signals is sufficiently informative to access speech sound representations and permit phoneme recognition. We tested this hypothesis by combining a simple speech-phoneme categorization task with univariate and multivariate analyses of fMRI, magnetoencephalography, intracortical, and clinical data. We show that neural information available focally in the temporal cortex prior to decision-related neural activity is specific enough to account for human phonemic identification.
Effectiveness of hand cooling and a cooling jacket on post‐exercise cooling rates in hyperthermic athletes
Authors: Maroni Tessa , Dawson Brian , Barnett Kimberley , Guelfi Kym , Brade Carly , Naylor Louise , Brydges Chris , Wallman Karen
Published: January 2018

This study compared the effects of a hand cooling glove (∼16°C water temperature; subatmospheric pressure of −40 mmHg) and a cooling jacket (CJ) on post‐exercise cooling rates (gastrointestinal core temperature, Tc; skin temperature, Tsk) and cognitive performance (the Stroop Colour–Word test). Twelve male athletes performed four trials (within subjects, counterbalanced design) involving cycling at a workload equivalent to 75% ⩒O2max in heat (35.7 ± 0.2°C, 49.2 ± 2.6% RH) until a Tc of 39°C or exhaustion occurred. A 30‐min cooling period (in 22.3 ± 0.3°C, 42.1 ± 3.6% RH) followed, where participants adopted either one‐hand cooling (1H), two‐hand cooling (2H), wore a CJ or no cooling (NC). No significant differences were seen in Tc and Tsk cooling rates between trials; however, moderate effect sizes (d = 0.50–0.76) suggested Tc cooling rates to be faster for 1H, 2H and CJ compared to NC after 5 min; 1H and CJ compared to NC after 10 min and for CJ to be faster than 2H at 25–30 min. Reaction times on the cognitive test were similar between all trials after the 30 min cooling/no‐cooling period (p > .05). In conclusion, Tc cooling rates were faster with 1H and CJ during the first 10 min compared to NC, with minimal benefit associated with 2H cooling. Reaction time responses were not impacted by the use of the glove(s) or CJ.