bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low proportion of follicular regulatory T cell in renal transplant patients with chronic antibody-mediated rejection
Authors: Chen Wen , Bai Jian , Huang Haiyan , Bi Lili , Kong Xiangrui , Gao Yu , Han Yong , Xiao Li , Shi Bingyi
Published: April 2017

Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cell can effectively regulate humoral immunity, but its function and mechanism in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after organ transplantation remains unclear. Here we detected follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subsets in 88 renal transplant patients with chronic renal allograft dysfunction (40 with AMR and 48 without AMR). The ratio of Tfr cells in renal graft tissues and peripheral blood of AMR patients significantly decreased, while the ratio of IL-21-producing Tfh cells (Tfh2 and Tfh17) significantly increased, compared to non-AMR patients. When tested in functional assays, Tfr cells from both AMR and non-AMR patients exerted equivalent inhibitory function. Tfr cell transplantation or CTLA-4 virus transfection could significantly inhibit IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells of these patients, further suppress the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. CTLA-4 blocking, IL-10 and TGF-β neutralization could partially weaken such inhibitory effect of Tfr cells. Besides, our study found that sirolimus reduced the ratio of Tfr cells, while cyclosporine and tacrolimus had no significant effect on Tfr cells. In a word, renal transplant patients with AMR have low proportion of Tfr cells but these cell exerted normal function.
Se-SAD serial femtosecond crystallography datasets from selenobiotinyl-streptavidin
Authors: Yoon Chun Hong , DeMirci Hasan , Sierra Raymond G. , Dao E. Han , Ahmadi Radman , Aksit Fulya , Aquila Andrew L. , Batyuk Alexander , Ciftci Halilibrahim , Guillet Serge , Hayes Matt J. , Hayes Brandon , Lane Thomas J. , Liang Meng , Lundström Ulf , Koglin Jason E. , Mgbam Paul , Rao Yashas , Rendahl Theodore , Rodriguez Evan , Zhang Lindsey , Wakatsuki Soichi , Boutet Sébastien , Holton James M. , Hunter Mark S.
Published: April 2017

We provide a detailed description of selenobiotinyl-streptavidin (Se-B SA) co-crystal datasets recorded using the Coherent X-ray Imaging (CXI) instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) for selenium single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (Se-SAD) structure determination. Se-B SA was chosen as the model system for its high affinity between biotin and streptavidin where the sulfur atom in the biotin molecule (C10H16N2O3S) is substituted with selenium. The dataset was collected at three different transmissions (100, 50, and 10%) using a serial sample chamber setup which allows for two sample chambers, a front chamber and a back chamber, to operate simultaneously. Diffraction patterns from Se-B SA were recorded to a resolution of 1.9 Å. The dataset is publicly available through the Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank (CXIDB) and also on LCLS compute nodes as a resource for research and algorithm development.
Correction: Corrigendum: An association between time-varying serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations and mortality rate in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: a five-year cohort study
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhu Jin-Gang , Cheng Ben-Chung , Liao Shang-Chih , Lee Chih-Hsiung , Chang Wen Xiu , Chen Jin-Bor
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43314; published online: 03 March 2017; updated: 25 April 2017 This Article contains an error in the IRB number. In the Methods section under the subheading ‘Subjects’, “The data review protocol for this study was approved by the Committee on Human Research at the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Taiwan (104–6357B), and the study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki”.
Modest and Severe Maternal Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy are Associated with Fetal Anaemia and Organ-Specific Hypoxia in Rats
Authors: Woodman Andrew G. , Care Alison S. , Mansour Yael , Cherak Stephana J. , Panahi Sareh , Gragasin Ferrante S. , Bourque Stephane L.
Published: April 2017

Prenatal iron-deficiency (ID) is known to alter fetal developmental trajectories, which predisposes the offspring to chronic disease in later life, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we sought to determine whether varying degrees of maternal anaemia could induce organ-specific patterns of hypoxia in the fetuses. Pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were fed iron-restricted or iron-replete diets to induce a state of moderate (M-ID) or severe ID (S-ID) alongside respective controls. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on gestational day (GD)20 to assess uterine and umbilical artery blood flow patterns. On GD21, tissues were collected and assessed for hypoxia using pimonidazole staining. Compared to controls, maternal haemoglobin (Hb) in M- and S-ID were reduced 17% (P < 0.01) and 48% (P < 0.001), corresponding to 39% (P < 0.001) and 65% (P < 0.001) decreases in fetal Hb. Prenatal ID caused asymmetric fetal growth restriction, which was most pronounced in S-ID. In both severities of ID, umbilical artery resistive index was increased (P < 0.01), while pulsatility index only increased in S-ID (P < 0.05). In both M-and S-ID, fetal kidneys and livers showed evidence of hypoxia (P < 0.01 vs. controls), whereas fetal brains and placentae remained normoxic. These findings indicate prenatal ID causes organ-specific fetal hypoxia, even in the absence of severe maternal anaemia.
The geometric phase of Zn- and T-symmetric nanomagnets as a classification toolkit
Authors: Prada M.
Published: April 2017

We derive the general form of the non-trivial geometric phase resulting from the unique combination of point group and time reversal symmetries. This phase arises e.g. when a magnetic adatom is adsorbed on a non-magnetic Cn crystal surface, where n denotes the fold of the principal axis. The energetic ordering and the relevant quantum numbers of the eigenstates are entirely determined by this quantity. Moreover, this phase allows to conveniently predict the protection mechanism of any prepared state, shedding light onto a large number of experiments and allowing a classification scheme. Owing to its robustness this geometric phase also has great relevance for a large number of applications in quantum computing, where topologically protected states bearing long relaxation times are highly desired.
Efficacy and safety of rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for prophylaxis against post-ERCP pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hou Yi-Chao , Hu Qiang , Huang Jiao , Fang Jing-Yuan , Xiong Hua
Published: April 2017

Rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not commonly used clinically for preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs for post-ERCP prophylaxis, we systematically reviewed sixteen randomized controlled trials (involving 6458 patients) that compared rectal NSAIDs with placebo or no treatment for post-ERCP pancreatitis prophylaxis updated to August 2016. GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence. There was “high quality” evidence that rectal NSAIDs were associated with significant reduction in the risk of overall post-ERCP pancreatitis (RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42–0.71). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that diclofenac (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.90) was probably superior to indomethacin (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45–0.75), post-ERCP administration (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.89) was probably superior to pre-ERCP (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42–0.67), and that mixed-risk population received more benefits (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33–0.88) than average-risk population (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41–0.88), but less than high-risk population (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.91). Moreover, “high quality” evidence showed that rectal NSAIDs were safe when given as a standard dose (RR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.47–1.36). In conclusion, this meta-analysis revealed that rectal NSAIDs are effective and safe in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in populations with all levels of risk.
Short channel effects on electrokinetic energy conversion in solid-state nanopores
Authors: Zhang Yan , He Yuhui , Tsutsui Makusu , Miao Xiang Shui , Taniguchi Masateru
Published: April 2017

The ion selectivity of nanopores due to the wall surface charges is capable of inducing strong coupling between fluidic and ionic motion within the system. This interaction opens up the prospect of operating nanopores as nanoscale devices for electrokinetic energy conversion. However, the very short channel lengths make the ionic movement and fluidics inside the pore to be substantially affected by the ion depletion/accumulation around the pore ends. Based on three-dimensional electrokinetic modeling and simulation, we present a systematic theoretical study of nanopore electrical resistance, fluidic impedance, and streaming conductance. Our results show that by utilizing the short channel effect and preparing slippery nanopores the energy conversion efficiency can be dramatically increased to about 9% under large salt concentrations.
Trends in perinatal mortality and its risk factors in Japan: Analysis of vital registration data, 1979–2010
Authors: Sugai Maaya Kita , Gilmour Stuart , Ota Erika , Shibuya Kenji
Published: April 2017

As Japan has achieved one of the lowest perinatal mortality rates (PMR), our study aims to estimate trends in and risk factors for perinatal mortality among singleton births in Japan. We used Japanese vital registration data to assess trends in and risk factors for perinatal outcomes between 1979 and 2010. Birth and death registration data were merged. An autoregressive integrated moving average model was fitted separately by sex to the PMR and the proportion of stillbirths. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to estimate risk factors for perinatal mortality. Between 1979 and 2010 there were 40,833,957 pregnancies and 355,193 perinatal deaths, the PMR decreased from 18.86 per 1,000 all births to 3.25 per 1,000 all births, and the proportion of stillbirths increased from 83.6% to 92.1%. Key risk factors for perinatal mortality were low or high birth weight, prematurity and post maturity, and being from poorer or unemployed families. A higher proportion of excess perinatal deaths could be averted by effective policies to prevent stillbirths and improved research into their interventions and risk factors. As the cost and challenge of maintaining perinatal mortality gains increases, policies need to be targeted towards higher risk groups and social determinants of health.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS41 Enhances the Intracellular Survival of M. smegmatis within Macrophages Via Blocking Innate Immunity and Inhibition of Host Defense
Authors: Deng Wanyan , Long Quanxin , Zeng Jie , Li Ping , Yang Wenmin , Chen Xinchun , Xie Jianping
Published: April 2017

The success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) as a pathogen is largely contributes to its ability to manipulate the host immune responses. The genome of M. tuberculosis encodes multiple immune-modulatory proteins, including several members of the multi-genic PE_PPE family. Despite of intense research, the roles of PE_PGRS proteins in mycobacterial pathogenesis remain elusive. The function of M. tuberculosis PE_PGRS41, characterized by an extended and unique C-terminal domain, was studied. Expression of PE_PGRS41 in Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic species intrinsically deficient of PE_PGRS, severely impaired the resistance of the recombinant to multiple stresses via altering the cell wall integrity. Macrophages infected by M. smegmatis harboring PE_PGRS41 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, PE_PGRS41 boosted the survival of M. smegmatis within macrophage accompanied with enhanced cytotoxic cell death through inhibiting the cell apoptosis and autophagy. Taken together, these results implicate that PE_PGRS41 is a virulence factor of M. tuberculosis and sufficient to confer pathogenic properties to M. smegmatis.
CYP2J2 and Its Metabolites EETs Attenuate Insulin Resistance via Regulating Macrophage Polarization in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Dai Meiyan , Wu Lujin , Wang Peihua , Wen Zheng , Xu Xizhen , Wang Dao Wen
Published: April 2017

Macrophages in adipose tissue are associated with obesity-induced low-grade inflammation, which contributed to insulin resistance and the related metabolic diseases. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) on metabolic disorders and inflammation. Here we investigated the effects of CYP2J2-EETs-sEH metabolic pathway on insulin resistance in mice and the potential mechanisms. High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity caused metabolic dysfunction with more weight gain, elevated glucose and lipids levels, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, while increase in EETs level by rAAV-mediated CYP2J2 overexpression, administration of sEH inhibit TUPS or EETs infusion significantly attenuated these metabolic disorders. EETs inhibited macrophages recruitment to adipose tissue and their switch to classically activated macrophage (M1) phenotype, while preserved the alternatively activated macrophage (M2) phenotype, which was accompanied by substantially reduced adipose tissue and systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. In vitro studies further clarified the effects of EETs on macrophage infiltration and polarization, and microarray assays showed that cAMP-EPAC signaling pathway was involved in these processes. Collectively, these results described key beneficial immune-regulatory properties and metabolic regulation of CYP2J2-EETs-sEH metabolic pathway, and indicated therapeutic potential of EETs in obesity-induced insulin resistance and related inflammatory diseases through modulating macrophage polarization targeting cAMP-EPAC signaling pathway.
Comparative genomics and metabolomics analyses of the adaptation mechanism in Ketogulonicigenium vulgare-Bacillus thuringiensis consortium
Authors: Jia Nan , Ding Ming-Zhu , Zou Yang , Gao Feng , Yuan Ying-Jin
Published: April 2017

Adaptive evolution by serial subcultivation of co-cultured Bacillus thuringiensis and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare significantly enhanced the productivity of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid in two-step vitamin C production. The adaptation mechanism in K. vulgare-B. thuringiensis consortium was investigated in this study based on comparative genomics and metabolomics studies. It was found that the growth, anti-oxidation, transcription and regulation were significantly enhanced in the adapted consortium. The mutation of the genes, which encode amidohydrolase in adapted K. vulgare (K150) and amino acid permease in adapted B. thuringiensis (B150), resulted in the increase of some amino acids levels in each species, and further enhanced the metabolic exchange and growth ability of the two species. Besides, the mutation of the gene encoding spore germination protein enhanced the metabolic levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle, and decreased the sporulation in B150, which induced its growth. The mutation of the genes, which encode NADPH nitroreductase in K150 and NADPH-dependent FMN reductase in B150, may enhance the ability of anti-oxidation. Overall, the long-term adaptation of K. vulgare and B. thuringiensis influenced the global regulation and made them more inseparable in metabolite exchange. Our work will provide ideas for the molecular design and optimization in microbial consortium.
Instability of default mode network connectivity in major depression: a two-sample confirmation study
Authors: Wise T , Marwood L , Perkins A M , Herane-Vives A , Joules R , Lythgoe D J , Luh W-M , Williams S C R , Young A H , Cleare A J , Arnone D
Published: April 2017

Major depression is associated with altered static functional connectivity in various brain networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN). Dynamic functional connectivity is a novel tool with little application in affective disorders to date, and holds the potential to unravel fluctuations in connectivity strength over time in major depression. We assessed stability of connectivity in major depression between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), key nodes in the DMN that are implicated in ruminative cognitions. Functional connectivity stability between the mPFC and PCC over the course of a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan was compared between medication-free patients with major depression and healthy controls matched for age, sex and handedness. We tested replicability of the results in an independent sample using multi-echo resting-state fMRI. The primary sample included 20 patients and 19 controls, while the validation sample included 19 patients and 19 controls. Greater connectivity variability was detected in major depression between mPFC and PCC. This was demonstrated in both samples indicating that the results were reliable and were not influenced by the fMRI acquisition approach used. Our results demonstrate that alterations within the DMN in major depression go beyond changes in connectivity strength and extend to reduced connectivity stability within key DMN regions. Findings were robustly replicated across two independent samples. Further research is necessary to better understand the nature of these fluctuations in connectivity and their relationship to the aetiology of major depression.
15q11.2 CNV affects cognitive, structural and functional correlates of dyslexia and dyscalculia
Authors: Ulfarsson M O , Walters G B , Gustafsson O , Steinberg S , Silva A , Doyle O M , Brammer M , Gudbjartsson D F , Arnarsdottir S , Jonsdottir G A , Gisladottir R S , Bjornsdottir G , Helgason H , Ellingsen L M , Halldorsson J G , Saemundsen E , Stefansdottir B , Jonsson L , Eiriksdottir V K , Eiriksdottir G R , Johannesdottir G H , Unnsteinsdottir U , Jonsdottir B , Magnusdottir B B , Sulem P , Thorsteinsdottir U , Sigurdsson E , Brandeis D , Meyer-Lindenberg A , Stefansson H , Stefansson K
Published: April 2017

Several copy number variants have been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and these variants have been shown to also influence cognitive abilities in carriers unaffected by psychiatric disorders. Previously, we associated the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion with specific learning disabilities and a larger corpus callosum. Here we investigate, in a much larger sample, the effect of the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion on cognitive, structural and functional correlates of dyslexia and dyscalculia. We report that the deletion confers greatest risk of the combined phenotype of dyslexia and dyscalculia. We also show that the deletion associates with a smaller left fusiform gyrus. Moreover, tailored functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments using phonological lexical decision and multiplication verification tasks demonstrate altered activation in the left fusiform and the left angular gyri in carriers. Thus, by using convergent evidence from neuropsychological testing, and structural and functional neuroimaging, we show that the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion affects cognitive, structural and functional correlates of both dyslexia and dyscalculia.
The impact of dark chocolate intake on arterial elasticity in individuals with HIV/AIDS undergoing ART: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial
Authors: Teixeira Andrea Mariana Nunes da Costa , Luzia Liania Alves , de Souza Suelen Jorge , de Almeida Petrilli Aline , Pontilho Patrícia de Moraes , de Souza Jose Maria Pacheco , Segurado Aluísio Augusto Cotrim , Efraim Priscila , Picone Camila de Melo , Rondo Patrícia Helen de Carvalho
Published: April 2017

An increase in the frequency of cardiovascular diseases has been observed in the HIV/AIDS population.
Characterizing the structure–function relationship reveals the mode of action of a novel antimicrobial peptide, P1, from jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula
Authors: Tseng Tien-Sheng , Tsai Keng-Chang , Chen Chinpan
Published: April 2017

Microbial infections of antibiotic-resistant strains cause serious diseases and have a significant impact on public health worldwide, so novel antimicrobial drugs are urgently needed.
A novel computational model based on super-disease and miRNA for potential miRNA–disease association prediction
Authors: Chen Xing , Jiang Zhi-Chao , Xie Di , Huang De-Shuang , Zhao Qi , Yan Gui-Ying , You Zhu-Hong
Published: April 2017

Considering the various disadvantages of previous computational models, we proposed a novel computational model based on super-disease and miRNA for potential miRNA–disease association prediction (SDMMDA) to predict potential miRNA–disease associations by integrating known associations, disease semantic similarity, miRNA functional similarity, and Gaussian interaction profile kernel similarity for diseases and miRNAs.
Effects of humidity on the sliding wear properties of Zn–Ni alloy coatings
Authors: Lee L. , Behera P. , Sriraman K. R. , Chromik R. R.
Published: April 2017

Formation of nanocrystalline ZnO film on sliding wear tracks at high humidity levels reduces the wear.
Electron-catalyzed radical perfluoroalkylation of organic sulfides: the serendipitous use of the TMEDA/I2 complex as a radical initiator
Authors: Yerien D. E. , Barata-Vallejo S. , Camps B. , Cristófalo A. E. , Cano M. E. , Uhrig M. L. , Postigo A.
Published: April 2017

The (TMEDA)I·I3 complex as a new radical initiator for the perfluoroalkylation of RSH.
Phosphido complexes derived from 1,1′-ferrocenediyl-bridged secondary diphosphines
Authors: Hitzel Sandra , Färber Christian , Bruhn Clemens , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: April 2017

Ferrocene-based diphosphides of the type [Fe{η5-C5H4(PR)}2]2−act as bridging chelate ligands, giving rise to compounds containing diamond-shaped cyclic M2P2units.
Electrocatalytic generation of H2 from neutral water in acetonitrile using manganese polypyridyl complexes with ligand assistance
Authors: Rao Gyandshwar Kumar , Jamshidi Mohammad Parsa , Dawkins Jeremy I. G. , Pell Wendy , Korobkov Ilia , Richeson Darrin
Published: April 2017

The earth-abundant element, manganese can be employed in electrocatalytically active complexes for H2 generation from neutral water added to acetonitrile solutions.
Outstanding electrochemical performance of highly N- and O-doped carbons derived from pine tannin
Authors: Sanchez-Sanchez Angela , Izquierdo Maria Teresa , Mathieu Sandrine , González-Álvarez Julia , Celzard Alain , Fierro Vanessa
Published: April 2017

N- and O-doped carbons obtained from water-extracted pine tannins exhibited high performance when applied as electrodes for supercapacitors.
Graphene as an electrode for solution-processed electron-transporting organic transistors
Authors: Parui Subir , Ribeiro Mário , Atxabal Ainhoa , Llopis Roger , Casanova Fèlix , Hueso Luis E.
Published: April 2017

High-performance lateral and vertical organic field-effect transistors are demonstrated based on graphene electrodes and solution-processed N2200 polymers for advanced organic-electronics.
A decade of DNA-hybrid catalysis: from innovation to comprehension
Authors: Duchemin Nicolas , Heath-Apostolopoulos Isabelle , Smietana Michael , Arseniyadis Stellios
Published: April 2017

Since the pioneering work of Roelfes and Feringa in the field of DNA-based asymmetric catalysis, the unique chirality of oligonucleotides has allowed the development of a variety of asymmetric synthetic transformations. This review offers a complete overview of the field.
Cu(i)/Fe(iii)-Catalyzed C–P cross-coupling of styrenes with H-phosphine oxides: a facile and selective synthesis of alkenylphosphine oxides and β-ketophosphonates
Authors: Gu Jian , Cai Chun
Published: April 2017

Cu(i)/Fe(iii)-Catalyzed phosphorylation and oxyphosphorylation of styrenes with H-phosphonates which can be controlled by varying the reaction temperature are developed.
Aerobic catalytic systems inspired by copper amine oxidases: recent developments and synthetic applications
Authors: Largeron Martine
Published: April 2017

Recently, chemists have developed aerobic quinone-based catalytic systems in order to reproduce enzymatic activity and selectivity of copper amine oxidases but also to expand the scope of amine substrates.
Copper-catalyzed fluoroalkylation of alkynes, and alkynyl & vinyl carboxylic acids with fluoroalkyl halides
Authors: Ma Jing-Jing , Yi Wen-Bin
Published: April 2017

Copper-catalyzed fluoroalkylation of alkynes and alkynyl carboxylic acids has been achieved with high functional-group tolerance and excellent regio- and stereoselectivities.
Synthesis of cyclooxygenase metabolites of 8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET): 11- and 15-hydroxy 8,9-EETs
Authors: Barnych Bogdan , Rand Amy A. , Cajka Tomas , Lee Kin Sing Stephen , Hammock Bruce D.
Published: April 2017

COX metabolites of 8,9-EET, previously observed as potent mitogenic lipid mediators, were synthesized for the first time by using two synthetic approaches.
Influence of nanoparticle shapes on cellular uptake of paclitaxel loaded nanoparticles in 2D and 3D cancer models
Authors: Zhao Jiacheng , Lu Hongxu , Wong Sandy , Lu Mingxia , Xiao Pu , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: April 2017

Enhanced cellular uptake and efficient penetration of nanocarriers inside tumors is paramount to successful anti-cancer therapy.
Deformable and flexible electrospun nanofiber-supported cross-linked gel polymer electrolyte membranes for high safety lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Tong Yongfen , Xu Yuzhong , Chen Dian , Xie Yu , Chen Lie , Que Mingming , Hou Yang
Published: April 2017

A deformable and flexible Li/CGPE/LiFePO4 cell based on CGPE-3 exhibited a high specific capacity and superior cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries.
The phosphorescence and excitation-wavelength dependent fluorescence kinetics of large-scale graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Zhao Litao , Yu Xiantong , Zhang Sanjun , He Xiaoxiao , Li Lei , Jia Menghui , Chang Mengfang , Pan Haifeng , Chen Jinquan , Wang Wenjun , Xu Jianhua
Published: April 2017

In this study, phosphorescence emission and a strong excitation-wavelength dependent fluorescence has been found in large-scale graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets.
Monocrystalline NiS nanowire arrays supported by Ni foam as binder-free electrodes with outstanding performances
Authors: Xu Yali , Du Weimin , Du Lulu , Zhu Wenjuan , Guo Wei , Chang Jingjing , Zhang Bing , Deng Dehua
Published: April 2017

Monocrystalline NiS nanowire arrays can achieve a higher areal capacitance of 8.7 F cm−2 and excellent capacitance retention (78.7% after 8000 cycles).
Electrospun nanofibrous membrane of porous fluorine-containing triptycene-based polyimides for oil/water separation
Authors: Zhai Tian-Long , Du Qing , Xu Sheng , Wang Yan , Zhang Chun
Published: April 2017

A novel nanofibrous membrane for oil/water separation was prepared from porous fluorine-containing triptycene-based polyimide.
Gold micromeshes as highly active electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Sun Jingying , Wang Feng , Liu Yuan , Ni Yizhou , Zhou Haiqing , Guo Chuan Fei , Chen Shuo
Published: April 2017

A high density of defects on the gold micromesh surface significantly enhances the electrochemical activity for the methanol oxidation reaction.
Statistical theory of polarizable target compound impregnation into a polymer coil under the influence of an electric field
Authors: Kolesnikov A. L. , Budkov Yu. A. , Basharova E. A. , Kiselev M. G.
Published: April 2017

We show a theoretical approach for describing the influence of an electric field on the impregnation of a polarizable target compound into a polarizable polymer chain.
Measurement with random sampling for solving EM scattering problems over a wide angle by compressed sensing
Authors: Wu Bo , Cao Xin‐yuan , Chen Ming‐Sheng
Published: April 2017

Rapid calculation of electromagnetic (EM) scattering problems over a wide incident angle is always a difficult task for computational electromagnetics (CEMs). As a new kind of excitations which include plenty of information about incident angles was constructed, a fast method by applying compressed sensing in conjugation with traditional method of moments has been proposed. Random sampling is firstly taken into the process of linear measurement to simplify the construction of the new excitations and accelerate the recovery of unknown induced currents. The basic principle is elaborated in detail, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated with numerical results.
Multi‐Watt high‐power THz frequency quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Li L.H. , Chen L. , Freeman J.R. , Salih M. , Dean P. , Davies A.G. , Linfield E.H.
Published: April 2017

Multi‐Watt high‐power terahertz (THz) frequency quantum cascade lasers are demonstrated, based on a single, epitaxially grown, 24‐μm‐thick active region embedded into a surface‐plasmon waveguide. The devices emit in pulsed mode at a frequency of ∼4.4 THz and have a maximum operating temperature of 132 K. The maximum measurable emitted powers from a single facet are ∼2.4 W at 10 K and ∼1.8 W at 77 K, with no correction being made for the optical collection efficiency of the apparatus, or absorption by the cryostat polyethylene window.
Design of miniaturised balun filter with tunable power division ratio and centre frequency
Authors: Zhu Chuanming , Xu Jin , Kang Wei , Hu Zhenxin , Wu Wen
Published: April 2017

A miniaturised balun filter with tunable power division ratio (PDR) and centre frequency is presented. Compared with the conventional balun filter, the proposed one with a varactor diode and a slide rheostat loaded onto transmission line (TL) reduces the electrical length of TL from 180° to 108°. Meanwhile, the varactor diode and slide rheostat are also utilised to control the PDR at two output ports. Moreover, passband frequency can be tuned by controlling the varactor diodes loaded onto the dual‐mode resonators. The proposed balun filter achieves a tunable power division from 1:1 to 3:1 and 28.6% wide frequency turning with better than 12 dB return loss. The total electrical size of fabricated circuit is 0.23 × 0.12λg.
Resonant voltage limiting technique of single‐ended resonant inverter for induction heating
Authors: Oh Y.S. , Yeon J.E. , Cho K.M. , Kim H.J.
Published: April 2017

Single‐ended resonant inverter topology is widely used in domestic induction heating (IH) application due to its concise structure and cost effectiveness. Whereas high resonant voltage caused by the energy transfer between load inductor and resonant capacitor in the IH system may negatively affect the operation of system and long‐term reliability. Generally, 1200 V rating IGBT is popularly used for single‐ended IH cookers. However, abnormal conditions of AC supply suddenly increases the resonant voltage thereby IGBT can be destructed. Resonant voltage limiting technology is proposed by restricting the maximum current flow to the load inductor in order to relieve the voltage stress across the IGBT. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified for AC supply distortion by using 1.35 kW single‐ended IH system.
Hidden cross‐subsidies of net energy metering practice: energy distribution losses reallocation due to prosumers’ and storsumers’ integration
Authors: Nikolaidis Alexandros I. , Charalambous Charalambos A.
Published: April 2017

This study evidently discloses a hidden cross‐subsidy that is embedded in the traditional net energy metering (NEM) practice with regard to how energy distribution losses are reallocated when NEM customers (i.e. prosumers and storsumers) are integrated at the distribution level. This cross‐subsidy springs from the fact that the NEM customers receive a one‐for‐one credit for the energy they export to the grid against their time‐diversified energy consumption that is imported from the grid. Even though such practices are appealing due to their relatively simple form, it is shown that this one‐for‐one credit exchange may entail additional losses‐related costs to the ones recovered from NEM customers through their net billing processes. Subsequently, a different net billing scheme is examined, bearing in mind the limitations of the existing metering infrastructure at the distribution level, in order to assess the effect of alternative practices on this hidden cross‐subsidy. Both practices are applied on a real system that benefits from prosumers and storsumers. For the scope of this work, the authors label storsumers as retail grid‐connected customers that exhibit increased energy controllability over their net demand profiles, owing to the pairing of their photovoltaic systems with energy storage devices.
A graph‐based computational framework for simulation and optimisation of coupled infrastructure networks
Authors: Jalving Jordan , Abhyankar Shrirang , Kim Kibaek , Hereld Mark , Zavala Victor M.
Published: April 2017

The authors present a graph‐based computational framework that facilitates the construction, instantiation, and analysis of large‐scale optimisation and simulation applications of coupled infrastructure networks. The framework integrates the optimisation modelling package PLASMO and the simulation package DMNetwork (built around PETSc). These tools use a common graph‐based modelling abstraction that enables them to achieve compatibility between interfaces and data structures and facilitates the modular creation and exchange of component models. The authors also describe how to embed these tools within complex computational workflows using SWIFT, which is a tool that facilitates parallel execution of multiple simulation runs and management of input and output data. Finally, the authors discuss how to use these capabilities to target coupled natural gas and electricity systems.
High‐resolution range estimation using time delays in ultra‐wideband M‐sequence radar
Authors: Fereidoony Foad , Mirtaheri Seyed Abdullah , Chamaani Somayyeh
Published: April 2017

Getting a high range resolution is an important issue in many research areas and applications especially for narrowband system. Although wideband systems have a better condition from this viewpoint, they have additional challenges in terms of cost and RF manufacturing. Thus, overcoming the bandwidth constraint on the resolution can be a game changer in the simplicity and feasibility aspects of a system. In this paper, an accurate and efficient approach for high resolution range measurement is proposed. An ultra‐wideband (UWB) M‐sequence system is established for its simplicity and cost effectiveness compared to other methods like frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and impulse technique. However, the limited usable bandwidth in the power spectrum of an M‐sequence signal degrades its resolution. We have alleviated this shortcoming by applying a Least squares (LS) estimator to improve the resolution and accuracy of the system. The acceptable performance of the presented method is verified experimentally and numerically by achieving 45% improvement in the resolution with the accuracy of more than 95%. By considering the effects of different parameters such as response of antenna, method of scan and systematic errors, the proposed method would be a good candidate for remote sensing applications.
Noise jamming of a FM band commensal sensor
Authors: Inggs Michael , Tong Craig , O'Hagan Daniel , Böniger Urs , Siegenthaler Urs , Schüpbach Christof , Pratisto Hans
Published: April 2017

We define commensal sensors (CSs) as a class of EM sensor that use the emissions of other systems to fulfil their sensing function, without having any impact or collaboration with the emitter of opportunity. The jamming of CS systems, and possible Electronic Protection (EP) responses to such jamming have not received more than a passing reference in the open literature. The authors examine a specific case of a sensor exploiting FM Band transmissions, with a multi‐receiver configuration (single transmit site, many spatially distributed receivers) and find that although modest jammer power can be very effective in jamming a single node of the CS, the unknown geometry and frequencies of operation of the CS will make it difficult to jam in practice. Simple null steering by the CS receivers is very effective. The authors also note that the CS sensor system requires excellent electronic support (ES) to be aware of electronic attack. The study reviews the tactical situation, and the very sparse literature. This is followed by some analysis of the effect of noise jamming, followed by simulations of jamming, with and without receiver null steering, as well as some self‐protection jamming.
Motion compensation on baseline oscillations for distributed array SAR by combining interferograms and inertial measurement
Authors: Wang Bingnan , Xiang Maosheng , Chen Longyong
Published: April 2017

Distributed array synthetic aperture radar (DASAR), in which multiple distributed antennas are mounted on a crosstrack, has applications that include multibaseline interferometry, multiple‐input multiple‐output SAR, and tomography. However, this flexible imaging geometry requires accurate measurement of the movements of each antenna. High‐precision navigation systems are commonly used, but configuring a separate navigational system for each antenna is challenging and costly. In this study, the authors proposed a novel motion compensation scheme for DASAR that combines inteferograms and inertial measurement. The authors fabricated a rigid baseline (RB) and multiple flexible baseline (FB) configuration, fitted with a large and accurate position and orientation system and with multiple smaller, low‐precision inertial navigation systems (INS) for motion measurement. The authors introduced a new robust algorithm based on a function relating RB and FB interferometry, and used this to estimate the relative movements. Finally, a Kalman filter was designed to integrate the results of databased estimation and inertial measurement. This combined the strengths of data estimation for slow movement and inertial measurement for fast movement. The results of both simulations and airborne experiments confirmed the success of this novel approach in allowing a small INS to be used for motion compensation in DASAR applications.
Microwave-Promoted Synthesis of 4-Arylpyrimidines by Pd-Catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling of 4-Pyrimidyl Tosylates in Water
Authors: Rodríguez-Aguilar José , Ordóñez Beatriz , Vidal Matías , Rezende Marcos , Domínguez Moisés
Published: April 2017

The Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of 4-pyrimidyl tosylates was investigated with aryl, heteroaryl and alkyl boronic acids. The reaction provided 4-substituted pyrimidines in good-to-excellent yields after one-hour microwave irradiation in water at 100 °C. The method constitutes a fast option for the synthesis of these heterocyclic systems.
Regioselective Domino Synthesis of 2-Alkylflavans via Hidden Brønsted Acid Catalysis
Authors: Kang Eun , Jin Ha , Kim Jae
Published: April 2017

A range of alkyl-substituted flavans, which are important structural elements in natural products and pharmaceutical molecules, were prepared by successive hidden Brønsted acid catalyzed domino reaction, intermolecular hydroarylation, and intramolecular hydroalkoxylation. 1,1-Disubstituted allenes were activated under mild acidic AgOTf/t-BuCl condition to initiate the regioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction with phenol derivatives, and the consecutive reaction triggered by the 6-endocyclization led to the formation of a new type of 2-alkylflavan. Mechanistic study of the reaction intermediates and control experiments support the catalytic pathway and advantage of hidden Brønsted acid catalysis.
Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy: Prediction of Prolonged Hospitalization and Maternal Morbidity using Prognostic Scoring Systems
Authors: Peticca Katie , DiMatteo Alexandra , Banks Shimeka , Shah Ronak , Chernicky Lindsey , Weitz Beth , Armistead Casey , Hill James , Towers Craig , Lewis David , Magann Everett , Chauhan Suneet , Hook James , Valent Amy
Published: April 2017

Objective This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of prognostic scoring systems to differentiate women admitted for pyelonephritis who develop maternal morbidity and require prolonged hospitalization.

Study Design Multicenter retrospective cohort study to compare the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Modified Obstetric Early Warning System (MOEWS) to predict prolonged hospitalization (> 4 days) and composite maternal morbidity for all pregnant women admitted with pyelonephritis between 2012 to 2013. One-way analysis of variance for continuous variables, Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used.

Results Among 123 pyelonephritis cases analyzed, 25 (20%) required prolonged hospitalization. Women with prolonged hospitalization had higher rates of composite maternal morbidity, required diagnostic imaging, and had delayed administration of intravenous antibiotics (292 ± 381 vs. 218 ± 233 min, p = 0.002). APACHE II and MOEWS scores calculated from data collected within the first 24 hours of admission had a modest ability to discriminate maternal morbidity (APACHE II: area under the curve [AUC], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–0.86 and MOEWS: AUC, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56–0.85).

Conclusion We observed that one in five pregnancies admitted for treatment of pyelonephritis requires hospitalization for over 4 days with significant maternal morbidities. Prognostic scoring systems may be useful clinical tools to assess these patients systematically and improve morbidity.
Influence of the SLCO1B3 Gene on Sulfonylurea Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in China
Authors: Ren Qian , Han Xueyao , Ren Jin , Liu Xinyu , Ji Linong
Published: April 2017

Sulfonylureas are widely used class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Recent research has demonstrated that SLCO1B3 functions as a determinant of the insulinotropic effect of glibenclamide at the tissue level. However, whether this gene can influence the efficacy of glibenclamide in type 2 diabetic patients is not currently well-understood.

All of our study subjects were enrolled from the Xiaoke Pills Clinical Trial. The subjects were treated with glibenclamide, and followed for 48 weeks. The rs4149117 genotype (T334G) in the SLCO1B3 gene was identified by direct sequencing. Relationships between genotype and efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated by logistic or linear regression models as appropriate.

A total of 374 subjects were enrolled in this study. The average age was 54.4±8.9 years, the percentage of males was 52.9%, and 91% of participants finished the genotype analysis successfully. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference between genotype and treatment failure of glibenclamide under an additive genetic model after adjusting for age, sex, renal function and diabetes duration (OR=1.009, 95% CI 0.692–1.473, P=0.961). The linear regression model demonstrated that the rs4149117 mutation in SLCO1B3 was significantly associated with a reduction in FPG after 48 weeks of treatment, independent of age, sex, renal function and diabetes duration (P=0.017, beta=0.130). In safety outcome analysis, we observed that rs4149117 had no association with hypoglycaemia.

The rs4149117 mutation in the SLCO1B3 gene is not associated with sulfonylurea efficacy.
The effect of the thermal reduction on the kinetics of low-temperature 4He sorption and the structural characteristics of graphene oxide
Authors: Dolbin A. V. , Khlistuck M. V. , Esel'son V. B. , Gavrilko V. G. , Vinnikov N. A. , Basnukaeva R. M. , Prokhvatilov A. I. , Legchenkova I. V. , Meleshko V. V. , Maser W. K. , Benito A. M.
Published: April 2017

The kinetics of the sorption and the subsequent desorption of 4He by the starting graphite oxide (GtO) and the thermally reduced graphene oxide samples (TRGO, Treduction = 200, 300, 500, 700 and 900 °C) have been investigated in the temperature interval 1.5–20 K. The effect of the annealing temperature on the structural characteristics of the samples was examined by the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. On lowering the temperature from 20 to 11–12 K, the time of 4He sorption increased for all the samples, which is typically observed under the condition of thermally activated diffusion. Below 5 K the characteristic times of 4He sorption by the GtO and TRGO-200 samples were only weakly dependent on temperature, suggesting the dominance of the tunnel mechanism. In the same region (T < 5 K) the characteristic times of the TRGOs reduced at higher temperatures (300, 500, 700 and 900 °C) were growing with lowering temperature, presumably due to the defects generated in the carbon planes on removing the oxygen functional groups (oFGs). The estimates of the activation energy (Ea) of 4He diffusion show that in the TRGO-200 sample the Ea value is 2.9 times lower as compared to the parent GtO, which is accounted for by GtO exfoliation due to evaporation of the water intercalated in the interlayer space of carbon. The nonmonotonic dependences Ea(T) for the GtO samples treated above 200 °C are determined by a competition between two processes—the recovery of the graphite carbon structure, which increases the activation energy, and the generation of defects, which decreases the activation energy by opening additional surface areas and ways for sorption. The dependence of the activation energy on Treduction correlates well with the contents of the crystalline phase in GtO varying with a rise of the annealing temperature.
Peierls barriers of a-type edge and screw dislocations moving on basal and prismatic planes in magnesium
Authors: Ostapovets Andriy , Vatazhuk Olena
Published: April 2017

Exact shape of Peierls barriers are calculated for ⟨a⟩ edge and screw dislocation gliding on basal and prismatic planes in magnesium by using of several popular interatomic potentials. Comparison of these potentials is performed in order to describe their abilities and limitations. Stability of different types of dislocation cores are analyzed as well as their mutual transformations during dislocation slip. It was found that the Peierls stresses and barrier height are dependent on core type. It was concluded that transformations of dislocation cores along minimal energy paths have to be taken into account for development of analytical models of the slip in magnesium. The results are compared with available first-principles calculations.
Higgs mechanism in superconducting structures
Authors: Kuplevakhsky S. B.
Published: April 2017

It is shown that in equilibrium superconducting structures with s-wave pairing, the unique part of the phase of the complex ordering parameter 〈ψ↑ψ↓〉 transforms into the longitudinal component of the vector potential as in the Abelian Higgs model of relativistic field theory. This analysis is based on a microscopic Hamiltonian of the system in the presence of an external static magnetic field and infinitely small Cooper pair sources. Impurities and nonsuperconducting barriers are assumed to be present, and the quantum nature of the induced electromagnetic field is taken into account. Quantization of the latter is done under the condition A0 = 0 (A0 is the scalar potential) that the invariance with respect to time-independent gauge transformations is not broken. Exact relations determining the quasi-averages 〈ψ↑ψ↓〉 are established. These relations play a key role in the new derivation of the mean-field equations discussed in this article. A new physical treatment of the Josephson effect (without a “phase difference”) is proposed on the basis of these results and some of its consequences are discussed.