bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole Exome Sequencing of HIV-1 long-term non-progressors identifies rare variants in genes encoding innate immune sensors and signaling molecules
Authors: Nissen Sara Konstantin , Christiansen Mette , Helleberg Marie , Kjær Kathrine , Jørgensen Sofie Eg , Gerstoft Jan , Katzenstein Terese L , Benfield Thomas , Kronborg Gitte , Larsen Carsten S , Laursen Alex , Pedersen Gitte , Jakobsen Martin R , Tolstrup Martin , Mogensen Trine H
Published: October 2018

CommonCCR5-∆32 and HLA alleles only explain a minority of the HIV long-term non-progressor (LTNP) and elite controller (EC) phenotypes. To identify rare genetic variants contributing to the slow disease progression phenotypes, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on seven LTNPs and four ECs. HLA andCCR5allele status, total HIV DNA reservoir size, as well as variant-related functional differences between the ECs, LTNPs, and eleven age- and gender-matched HIV-infected non-controllers on antiretroviral therapy (NCARTs) were investigated. Several rare variants were identified in genes involved in innate immune sensing, CD4-dependent infectivity, HIV trafficking, and HIV transcription mainly within the LTNP group. ECs and LTNPs had a significantly lower HIV reservoir compared to NCARTs. Furthermore, three LTNPs with variants affecting HIV nuclear import showed integrated HIV DNA levels below detection limit afterin vitroinfection. HIV slow progressors with variants in the TLR and NOD2 pathways showed reduced pro-inflammatory responses compared to matched controls. Low-range plasma levels of fibronectin was observed in a LTNP harboring twoFN1variants. Taken together, this study identified rare variants in LTNPs as well as in one EC, which may contribute to understanding of HIV pathogenesis and these slow progressor phenotypes, especially in individuals without protectingCCR5-∆32 and HLA alleles.
Synthetic cADPR analogues may form only one of two possible conformational diastereoisomers
Authors: Watt Joanna M. , Thomas Mark P. , Potter Barry V. L.
Published: October 2018

Cyclic adenosine 5′-diphosphate ribose (cADPR) is an emerging Ca2+-mobilising second messenger. cADPR analogues have been generated as chemical biology tools via both chemo-enzymatic and total synthetic routes. Both routes rely on the cyclisation of a linear precursor to close an 18-membered macrocyclic ring. We show here that, after cyclisation, there are two possible macrocyclic product conformers that may be formed, depending on whether cyclisation occurs to the “right” or the “left” of the adenine base (as viewed along the H-8 → C-8 base axis). Molecular modelling demonstrates that these two conformers are distinct and cannot interconvert. The two conformers would present a different spatial layout of binding partners to the cADPR receptor/binding site. For chemo-enzymatically generated analogues Aplysia californica ADP-ribosyl cyclase acts as a template to generate solely the “right-handed” conformer and this corresponds to that of the natural messenger, as originally explored using crystallography. However, for a total synthetic analogue it is theoretically possible to generate either product, or a mixture, from a given linear precursor. Cyclisation on either face of the adenine base is broadly illustrated by the first chemical synthesis of the two enantiomers of a “southern” ribose-simplified cIDPR analogue 8-Br-N9-butyl-cIDPR, a cADPR analogue containing only one chiral sugar in the “northern” ribose, i.e. 8-Br-D- and its mirror image 8-Br-L-N9-butyl-cIDPR. By replacing the D-ribose with the unnatural L-ribose sugar, cyclisation of the linear precursor with pyrophosphate closure generates a cyclised product spectroscopically identical, but displaying equal and opposite specific rotation. These findings have implications for cADPR analogue design, synthesis and activity.
Multi-scale digital soil mapping with deep learning
Authors: Behrens Thorsten , Schmidt Karsten , MacMillan Robert A. , Viscarra Rossel Raphael A.
Published: October 2018

We compared different methods of multi-scale terrain feature construction and their relative effectiveness for digital soil mapping with a Deep Learning algorithm. The most common approach for multi-scale feature construction in DSM is to filter terrain attributes based on different neighborhood sizes, however results can be difficult to interpret because the approach is affected by outliers. Alternatively, one can derive the terrain attributes on decomposed elevation data, but the resulting maps can have artefacts rendering the approach undesirable. Here, we introduce ‘mixed scaling’ a new method that overcomes these issues and preserves the landscape features that are identifiable at different scales. The new method also extends the Gaussian pyramid by introducing additional intermediate scales. This minimizes the risk that the scales that are important for soil formation are not available in the model. In our extended implementation of the Gaussian pyramid, we tested four intermediate scales between any two consecutive octaves of the Gaussian pyramid and modelled the data with Deep Learning and Random Forests. We performed the experiments using three different datasets and show that mixed scaling with the extended Gaussian pyramid produced the best performing set of covariates and that modelling with Deep Learning produced the most accurate predictions, which on average were 4–7% more accurate compared to modelling with Random Forests.
Probiotics and carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in Danish children, a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fjeldhøj Sine , Laursen Rikke Pilmann , Larnkjær Anni , Mølgaard Christian , Fuursted Kurt , Krogfelt Karen Angeliki , Slotved Hans-Christian
Published: October 2018

This study examined the carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in healthy Danish children aged 8–19 months and assessed the effect of the probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis on the pneumococcal carriage during daycare enrolment. Potential risk factors of pneumococcal carriage were analysed and the carriage study was compared with registered invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) data. This study is a part of the ProbiComp study, which was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, including 290 children allocated to probiotics or placebo for 6 months and recruited during two autumn seasons (2014/2015). Pneumococci were identified by optochin sensitivity, bile solubility, α-hemolysis and/or capsular reaction. Serotyping was performed by latex agglutination kit and Quellung reaction. The carriage rate of S. pneumoniae was 26.0% at baseline and 67.4% at the end of intervention. No significant difference was observed between the placebo group and the probiotics group (p = 0.508). Children aged 8–19 months were carriers of non-pneumococcal vaccine serotypes causing IPD in children aged 0–4 years. However, serotypes causing most IPD cases in Danish elderly were either not found or found with low prevalence suggesting that children are not the main reservoir of those serotypes and other age groups need to be considered as carriers.
Inspiratory Lung Expansion in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease: CT Histogram Analyses
Authors: Park Junghoan , Jung Julip , Yoon Soon Ho , Goo Jin Mo , Hong Helen , Yoon Jeong-Hwa
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to evaluate inspiratory lung expansion in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) using histogram analyses based on advanced image registration between inspiratory and expiratory CT scans. We included 16 female ILD patients and eight age- and sex-matched normal controls who underwent full-inspiratory and expiratory CT scans. The CT scans were sequentially aligned based on the surface, landmarks, and attenuation of the lung parenchyma. Histogram analyses were performed on the degree of lung expansion (DLE) of each pixel between the aligned images in x-, y-, z-axes, and 3-dimensionally (3D). The overall mean registration error was 1.9 mm between the CT scans. The DLE3D in ILD patients was smaller than in the controls (mean, 17.6 mm vs. 26.9 mm; p = 0.023), and less heterogeneous in terms of standard deviation, entropy, and uniformity (p < 0.05). These results were mainly due to similar results in the DLEZ of the lower lungs. A forced vital capacity tended to be weakly correlated with mean (r2 = 0.210; p = 0.074), and histogram parameters (r2 = 0.194–0.251; p = 0.048–0.100) of the DLE3D in the lower lung in ILD patients. Our findings indicate that reduced and less heterogeneous inspiratory lung expansion in ILD patients can be identified by using advanced accurate image registration.
Deep-RBPPred: Predicting RNA binding proteins in the proteome scale based on deep learning
Authors: Zheng Jinfang , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhao Xunyi , Tong Xiaoxue , Hong Xu , Xie Juan , Liu Shiyong
Published: October 2018

RNA binding protein (RBP) plays an important role in cellular processes. Identifying RBPs by computation and experiment are both essential. Recently, an RBP predictor, RBPPred, is proposed in our group to predict RBPs. However, RBPPred is too slow for that it needs to generate PSSM matrix as its feature. Herein, based on the protein feature of RBPPred and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), we develop a deep learning model called Deep-RBPPred. With the balance and imbalance training set, we obtain Deep-RBPPred-balance and Deep-RBPPred-imbalance models. Deep-RBPPred has three advantages comparing to previous methods. (1) Deep-RBPPred only needs few physicochemical properties based on protein sequences. (2) Deep-RBPPred runs much faster. (3) Deep-RBPPred has a good generalization ability. In the meantime, Deep-RBPPred is still as good as the state-of-the-art method. Testing in A. thaliana, S. cerevisiae and H. sapiens proteomes, MCC values are 0.82 (0.82), 0.65 (0.69) and 0.85 (0.80) for balance model (imbalance model) when the score cutoff is set to 0.5, respectively. In the same testing dataset, different machine learning algorithms (CNN and SVM) are also compared. The results show that CNN-based model can identify more RBPs than SVM-based. In comparing the balance and imbalance model, both CNN-base and SVM-based tend to favor the majority class in the imbalance set. Deep-RBPPred forecasts 280 (balance model) and 265 (imbalance model) of 299 new RBP. The sensitivity of balance model is about 7% higher than the state-of-the-art method. We also apply deep-RBPPred to 30 eukaryotes and 109 bacteria proteomes downloaded from Uniprot to estimate all possible RBPs. The estimating result shows that rates of RBPs in eukaryote proteomes are much higher than bacteria proteomes.
RAGE deficiency does not affect non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and atherosclerosis in Western type diet-fed Ldlr−/− mice
Authors: Bijnen Mitchell , Beelen Nicky , Wetzels Suzan , Gaar José van de , Vroomen Maria , Wijnands Erwin , Scheijen Jean L. , van de Waarenburg Marjo P. H , Gijbels Marion J. , Cleutjens Jack P. , Biessen Erik A. L. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Wouters Kristiaan
Published: October 2018

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from steatosis only to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The latter is characterized by hepatic inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is poorly understood which factors contribute to the onset of hepatic inflammation characterizing the progression from steatosis to NASH. Previously, we demonstrated increased advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in the livers of NASH patients. We hypothesise that AGEs play a key role in NASH development by activating their proinflammatory receptor, RAGE. RAGE-deficient mice and wildtype littermates, both on Ldlr−/− background, were fed a Western type diet (WTD) for 3 or 12 weeks. Flow cytometry, histology, gene expression and AGE measurements were performed to evaluate the effects of RAGE deficiency. RAGE-deficient mice displayed reduced weight gain and visceral fat expansion compared to control mice. No difference in adipose tissue inflammation was observed between groups. RAGE deficiency did not affect WTD-induced monocytosis, circulating lipids or hepatic steatosis. WTD-induced hepatic neutrophil and macrophage accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque development was comparable between control and RAGE-deficient mice. No difference in AGE levels was observed. RAGE does not seem to play a major role in the development of NASH or atherosclerosis in a hyperlipidemic mouse model.
Candidemia due to uncommon Candida species in children: new threat and impacts on outcomes
Authors: Tsai Ming-Horng , Hsu Jen-Fu , Yang Lan-Yan , Pan Yu-Bin , Lai Mei-Yin , Chu Shih-Ming , Huang Hsuan-Rong , Chiang Ming-Chou , Fu Ren-Huei , Lu Jang-Jih
Published: October 2018

Many uncommon Candida spp. (species other than C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei) have been shown to emerge in tertiary care facilities. We aimed to investigate these uncommon candidemia in children. Forty-six cases of candidemia caused by uncommon Candida spp. were identified during 2003–2015 from a medical center in Taiwan. The most common specie was C. guilliermondii (31.2%), followed by C. lusitaniae (18.8%) and C. metapsilosis (18.8%). These cases were analyzed and compared with 148 episodes of C. albicans candidemia. The incidence density of uncommon Candida spp. candidemia and the proportion to all candidemia episodes increased substantively during the study period. Prior exposure to azoles was uncommon in the 30 days prior to infection, but fluconazole resistant strains were significantly more common (n = 19, 41.3%). The increased incidence density of uncommon Candida spp. candidemia was associated with increasing use of antifungal agents. No differences in demographics, underlying comorbidities, risk factors, clinical features, dissemination, and 30-day mortality were found between uncommon Candida spp. and C. albicans candidemia. Patients with uncommon Candida spp. candidemia were more likely to require modifications in antifungal treatment and receive echinocandin drugs (43.5% vs 21.6%, p = 0.007). Candidemia caused by uncommon Candida spp. had poorer response to antifungal treatment, led to longer duration of candidemia (median 4.0 versus 2.5 days, p = 0.008), and had a higher treatment failure rate (56.5% vs 38.5%, p = 0.040).
Parasternal intercostal muscle ultrasound in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease correlates with spirometric severity
Authors: Wallbridge Peter , Parry Selina M. , Das Sourav , Law Candice , Hammerschlag Gary , Irving Louis , Hew Mark , Steinfort Daniel
Published: October 2018

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), loss of computed tomography (CT)-measured intercostal mass correlates with spirometric severity. Intercostal muscle ultrasound offers a repeatable and radiation-free alternative, however requires validation. We aimed to determine the reliability of parasternal intercostal muscle ultrasound, and the concurrent validity of parasternal ultrasound with clinicometric parameters. Twenty stable COPD patients underwent ultrasound measurement of thickness and echogenicity of 2nd and 3rd parasternal intercostal muscles, dominant pectoralis major and quadriceps, and diaphragm thickness; spirometry; and chest CT. Intra-rater intraclass correlation (ICC) for ultrasound intercostal thickness was 0.87–0.97 depending on site, with echogenicity ICC 0.63–0.91. Inter-rater ICC was fair to excellent. Ultrasound intercostal thickness moderately correlated with FEV1% predicted (r = 0.33) and quadriceps thickness (r = 0.31). Echogenicity correlated negatively with FEV1% predicted (r = −0.32). CT-measured lateral intercostal mass correlate negatively with parasternal ultrasound intercostal thickness. These data confirm ultrasound of parasternal intercostal musculature is reproducible. Lower intercostal muscle quantity and quality reflects greater COPD spirometric severity. This novel tool may have biomarker potential for both the systemic effects of COPD on muscle as well as local disruption of respiratory mechanics. The negative correlation between CT and ultrasound measurements may reflect complex site-dependent interactions between respiratory muscles and the chest wall.
Global-scale phylogenetic linguistic inference from lexical resources
Authors: Jäger Gerhard
Published: October 2018

Automatic phylogenetic inference plays an increasingly important role in computational historical linguistics. Most pertinent work is currently based onexpert cognate judgments. This limits the scope of this approach to a small number of well-studied language families. We used machine learning techniques to compile data suitable for phylogenetic inference from the ASJP database, a collection of almost 7,000 phonetically transcribed word lists over 40 concepts, covering two thirds of the extant world-wide linguistic diversity. First, we estimatedPointwise Mutual Informationscores between sound classes using weighted sequence alignment and general-purpose optimization. From this we computed a dissimilarity matrix over all ASJP word lists. This matrix is suitable fordistance-basedphylogenetic inference. Second, we appliedcognate clusteringto the ASJP data, using supervised training of an SVM classifier on expert cognacy judgments. Third, we defined two types of binarycharacters, based on automatically inferred cognate classes and on sound-class occurrences. Several tests are reported demonstrating the suitability of these characters forcharacter-basedphylogenetic inference.
A novel paper-based colorimetry device for the determination of the albumin to creatinine ratio
Authors: Chaiyo Sudkate , Kalcher Kurt , Apilux Amara , Chailapakul Orawon , Siangproh Weena
Published: October 2018

A novel paper-based analytical device (PAD) was fabricated and developed for the simple and rapid determination of the albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) in urine samples.
Acid-active supramolecular anticancer nanoparticles based on cyclodextrin polyrotaxanes damaging both mitochondria and nuclei of tumor cells
Authors: Bai Shuang , Zhang Xiaoli , Ma Xiaoqian , Chen Jiucun , Chen Qiubing , Shi Xiaoxiao , Hou Meili , Xue Peng , Kang Yuejun , Xu Zhigang
Published: October 2018

Acid-active supramolecular theranostics based on cyclodextrin polyrotaxanes for enhanced cancer therapy.
Glycyrrhetinic acid as a hepatocyte targeting unit for an anticancer drug delivery system with enhanced cell type selectivity
Authors: Singh Hardev , Kim Seo Jin , Kang Dong Hoon , Kim Hye-Ri , Sharma Amit , Kim Won Young , Kang Chulhun , Kim Jong Seung
Published: October 2018

Herein, we explore glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) as an active targeting ligand for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a small molecule approach.
Hyperpolarized fumarate via parahydrogen
Authors: Ripka Barbara , Eills James , Kouřilová Hana , Leutzsch Markus , Levitt Malcolm H. , Münnemann Kerstin
Published: October 2018

We produce hyperpolarized [1-13C]fumarate in the proton nuclear spin singlet state by pairwise trans-addition of parahydrogen to a molecular precursor using a ruthenium-based catalyst in water.
[(μ2-H)(η2-Ge4)ZnPh2]3−, an edge-on protonated E4 cluster establishing the first three-center two-electron Ge–H–Ge bond
Authors: Henneberger Thomas , Klein Wilhelm , Dums Jasmin V. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: October 2018

The first example of a protonated and a rare example of a metal complex of the tetrahedral tetrel cluster anion [Ge4]4− was obtained from a solution of K6Rb6Ge17 in liquid ammonia in the presence of ZnPh2 and [18]crown-6.
Ultra-stable binder-free rechargeable Li/I2 batteries enabled by “Betadine” chemical interaction
Authors: Meng Zhen , Tan Xiaojian , Zhang Shunlong , Ying Hangjun , Yan Xufeng , Tian Huajun , Wang Guoxiu , Han Wei-Qiang
Published: October 2018

ACC/PVP–I2 was employed as a cathode for Li/I2 batteries. The synergistic effect in the cathode enabled superior electrochemical performance of the cells.
Facile synthesis of porous spherical La0.8Sr0.2Mn1−xCuxO3(0 ≤x≤ 0.4) and nanocubic La0.8Sr0.2MnO3with high catalytic activity for CO
Authors: Huang Xuehui , Pan Hongyun , Chen Kui , Yin Zhilin , Hong Jing
Published: October 2018

A molten salt method has been used to prepare porous La0.8Sr0.2Mn1−xCuxO3(0 ≤x≤ 0.4) (LSMC-X) microspheres and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3(LSM) nanocubes using spherical and cubic MnCO3as templates, respectively.
Controlled synthesis of Fe3O4@ZIF-8 nanoparticles for drug delivery
Authors: Chen Guihuan , Yu Bing , Lu Chenghao , Zhang Haohao , Shen Youqing , Cong Hailin
Published: October 2018

A novel one-pot synthetic method is introduced to produce Fe3O4@ZIF-8 NPs, which are proven to have potential applications as drug delivery models.
Silver nanoparticles synthesized by UV-irradiation method using chloramine T as modifier: structure, formation mechanism and catalytic activity
Authors: Radoń Adrian , Łukowiec Dariusz
Published: October 2018

Two different formation mechanisms of Ag NPs by UV-irradiation method in the presence of chloramine T were identified.
C–O bond activation and splitting behaviours of CO2 on a 4H-SiC surface: a DFT study
Authors: Wang Dandan , Zhang Liangliang , Han Dongxue , Niu Li , Zhong Xin , Qu Xin , Yang Lihua , Zhao Jialong , Li Haibo
Published: October 2018

On a SiC surface, CO2 is activated and tends to split into a CO molecule and an O adatom with a low energy barrier.
CAl3X (X = B/Al/Ga/In/Tl) with 16 valence electrons: can planar tetracoordinate carbon be stable?
Authors: Zheng Hai-feng , Yu Shuang , Hu Tian-ding , Xu Jing , Ding Yi-hong
Published: October 2018

The first penta-atomic 16 valence electrons (16ve) global minimum ptC (CAl3Tl) was predicted in 16ve-CAl3X (X = B/Al/Ga/In/Tl) via an ionic strategy.
An improved descriptor of cluster stability: application to small carbon clusters
Authors: Martínez José I. , Alonso Julio A.
Published: October 2018

A novel cluster stability descriptor applied to small cation carbon clusters reveals a perfect correlation with the experimental mass spectrum.
Experimental determination of the diameter-dependent wettability of carbon nanotubes as studied using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Imadate Konan , Hirahara Kaori
Published: October 2018

The diameter-dependent wettability of carbon nanotubes was shown for diameters <10 nm by AFM measurements.
Photo-induced dual passivation via Usanovich acid–base on surface defects of methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite
Authors: Yu Yue , Wan Sushu , Hong Daocheng , Tian Yuxi
Published: October 2018

Usanovich acid–base (O2, acetone or acetonitrile) treatment can effectively passivate photoluminescence quenching defects in MAPbI3 perovskite by single-electron transfer mechanism. This electron transfer process allows the defect sites to function as photo-catalysts.
Rechargeable redox flow batteries: flow fields, stacks and design considerations
Authors: Ke Xinyou , Prahl Joseph M. , Alexander J. Iwan D. , Wainright Jesse S. , Zawodzinski Thomas A. , Savinell Robert F.
Published: October 2018

This review article summarizes the development of flow fields and stacks, and design considerations for next-generation flow batteries.
The peculiar effect of water on ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Ma Chunyan , Laaksonen Aatto , Liu Chang , Lu Xiaohua , Ji Xiaoyan
Published: October 2018

Comprehensive review of unique effects of water on ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents observed in experimental and theoretical studies.
HCl and O2 co-activated bis(8-quinolinolato) oxovanadium(iv) complexes as efficient photoactive species for visible light-driven oxidation of cyclohexane to KA oil
Authors: She Jialuo , Lin Xiangfeng , Fu Zaihui , Li Jianwei , Tang Senpei , Lei Ming , Zhang Xin , Zhang Chao , Yin Dulin
Published: October 2018

Photoactive species (PA) originating from HCl and O2 co-activated bis(8-quinolinolato) oxovanadium(iv) can effectively modulate the photocatalytic oxidation of cyclohexane.
Challenges and prospects of 3D micro-supercapacitors for powering the internet of things
Authors: Lethien Christophe , Le Bideau Jean , Brousse Thierry
Published: October 2018

The fabrication of miniaturized electrochemical energy storage systems is essential for the development of future electronic devices for Internet of Thing applications. This paper aims at reviewing the current micro-supercapacitor technologies and at defining the guidelines to produce high performance micro-devices with special focuses onto the 3D designs as well as the fabrication of solid state miniaturized devices to solve the packaging issue.
State-of-the-art on the production and application of carbon nanomaterials from biomass
Authors: Wang Zhanghong , Shen Dekui , Wu Chunfei , Gu Sai
Published: October 2018

Biomass serves as a green and low-cost source of carbon, catalysts and catalyst supports for the preparation of carbon nanomaterials.
Label-free isolation of rare tumor cells from untreated whole blood by interfacial viscoelastic microfluidics
Authors: Tian Fei , Cai Lili , Chang Jianqiao , Li Shanshan , Liu Chao , Li Tiejun , Sun Jiashu
Published: October 2018

Label-free, size-dependent, and high-throughput isolation of rare tumor cells from untreated whole blood is enabled by interfacial viscoelastic microfluidics.
[Fe(abpt)2(NCSe)2] polymorph A: structural studies into the spin crossover behaviour
Authors: Mason Helen E. , Hamilton Michelle L. , Howard Judith A. K. , Sparkes Hazel A.
Published: October 2018

Crystallographic and UV-Vis analysis of the thermal spin-transition in [Fe(abpt)2(NCSe)2], polymorph A, is presented alongside LIESST and high pressure structures.
New highly fluorescent silver complexes and their thin films obtained by spin coating method
Authors: Barwiolek Magdalena , Wojtczak Andrzej , Kozakiewicz Anna , Szczesny Robert , Babinska Magdalena , Skowronski Lukasz , Szlyk Edward
Published: October 2018

Thin, fluorescent films of novel silver(i) complexes were produced using a spin coating method.
Co2+ substituted La2CuO4/LaCoO3 perovskite nanocomposites: synthesis, properties and heterogeneous catalytic performance
Authors: Sukumar M. , Kennedy L. John , Vijaya J. Judith , Al-Najar B. , Bououdina M.
Published: October 2018

Cobalt substituted La2CuO4/LaCoO3 perovskite nanocomposites were prepared using a microwave combustion method.
Electronic effect of ligands vs. reduction potentials of Fischer carbene complexes of chromium: a molecular electrostatic potential analysis
Authors: Anjali Bai Amutha , Suresh Cherumuttathu H.
Published: October 2018

Molecular electrostatic potential at the chromium centre (VCr) emerges as a powerful predictor of reduction potential (E0).
Synthesis, luminescence and magnetic properties of tetranuclear lanthanide-based (Eu4, Gd4 and Dy4) clusters
Authors: Zhang Ya-Xin , Zhang Yue-Hua , Liu Bi-Ying , Wang Wen-Min , Tang Gong-Ping , Wei Hai-Ying , Wu Zhi-Lei
Published: October 2018

Three analogous tetranuclear lanthanide-containing complexes were isolated, and they exhibit interesting luminescent and magnetic properties.
Supercritical CO2-assisted deposition of NiO on (101)-anatase-TiO2 for efficient facet engineered photocatalysts
Authors: Kashiwaya S. , Aymonier C. , Majimel J. , Olivier C. , Klein A. , Jaegermann W. , Toupance T.
Published: October 2018

Deposition of NiO on the (101) facet of anatase nanocrystals by the SFCD route yields nanocomposites more efficient than pure anatase TiO2 for the photodecomposition of both anionic and cationic dyes.
Construction of J-type aggregates as multi-functional interlayers for nonfullerene polymer solar cells
Authors: Wu Minming , Zhou Jiadong , Luo Yinqi , Zheng Nan , Wang Cong , Liu Linlin , Xie Zengqi , Ma Yuguang
Published: October 2018

Light-absorbing J-aggregates: a new strategy to develop high performance cathode interlayers with solar concentrating functions.
A facile approach to synthesize azaindoline functionalized spirocarbocyclic scaffolds via a Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization/dearomatization process
Authors: Wu Xin-Xing , Tian Hui , Wang Yu , Liu Anjia , Chen Hengfan , Fan Zhixiang , Li Xuefeng , Chen Shufeng
Published: October 2018

Azaindoline functionalized spirocarbocyclic scaffolds bearing two all-carbon quaternary centers are synthesized.
Andrographolide-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles
Authors: Zhongyu Xu , Jiangmeng Ren , Qiufang Jing , Fuzheng Ren , Mengting Huang , Wenrui Ding , Bubing Zeng
Published: October 2018

Andrographolide (AP) is a diterpenoid separated from Andrographis paniculata with a wide spectrum of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antihyperlipidemic.
Synthesis of gamma radiation-induced PEGylated cisplatin for cancer treatment
Authors: González Torres Maykel , Cerna Cortez Jorge , Balam Muñoz Soto Rodrigo , Ríos Perez Alfonso , Pfeiffer Heriberto , Leyva Gómez Gerardo , Zúñiga Ramos Joaquín , Rivera Ana Leonor
Published: October 2018

The synthesis of gamma radiation-induced PEGylated cisplatin paves the way to a new alternative PEGylation of small drugs.
Amphiphilic polypeptides with prolonged enzymatic stability for the preparation of self-assembled nanobiomaterials
Authors: Tarasenko Irina , Zashikhina Natalia , Guryanov Ivan , Volokitina Maria , Biondi Barbara , Fiorucci Stefano , Formaggio Fernando , Tennikova Tatiana , Korzhikova-Vlakh Evgenia
Published: October 2018

Aib residue distribution in Lys/Aib polymers influences the morphology of forming nanoparticles and the rate of their enzymatic degradation.
Adsorption and visible-light photodegradation of organic dyes with TiO2/conjugated microporous polymer composites
Authors: Li Jisi , Wen Xianhui , Zhang Qiujing , Ren Shijie
Published: October 2018

A series of composite materials made of TiO2and conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) were prepared and used as both adsorbents and photocatalysts for the adsorption and visible-light photodegradation of organic dyes in aqueous solutions.
Accessing local structural disruption of Bid protein during thermal denaturation by absorption-mode ESR spectroscopy
Authors: Hung Chien-Lun , Lin Yu-Ying , Chang Hsin-Ho , Chiang Yun-Wei
Published: October 2018

The apoptotic function of Bid does not depend on its native structure.
Effect of Bi3+ ion on upconversion-based induced optical heating and temperature sensing characteristics in the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped La2O3 nano-phosphor
Authors: Yadav R. S. , Kumar Dinesh , Singh A. K. , Rai Ekta , Rai S. B.
Published: October 2018

The Er3+/Yb3+/Bi3+ tri-doped La2O3 nano-phosphor gives efficient induced optical heating and temperature sensing. This study is useful to understand these characteristics in different materials with various pump powers and temperatures.
Design and characterization of visible-light LED sources for microstructured photoreactors
Authors: Roibu Anca , Morthala Rishi Bharadwaj , Leblebici M. Enis , Koziej Dorota , Van Gerven Tom , Kuhn Simon
Published: October 2018

Experimental and modeling toolbox to quantify the light uniformity, photon flux and energy efficiency of microstructured photoreactors.
Segmental and secondary dynamics of nanoparticle-grafted oligomers
Authors: Holt Adam P. , Roland C. M.
Published: October 2018

The local segmental and secondary dynamics of tetramethylene oxide oligomer grafted to silica nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated as a function of grafting density and molecular weight.
Characteristics of water absorption in amine-cured epoxy networks: a molecular simulation and experimental study
Authors: Zhang Dujuan , Li Kai , Li Yan , Sun Hao , Cheng Jue , Zhang Junying
Published: October 2018

By tuning the curing conversion of the DGEBA/DETDA cured epoxy resin, the structure factors that control water absorption can be studied.
Pathways towards high performance Na–O2 batteries: tailoring graphene aerogel cathode porosity & nanostructure
Authors: Enterría Marina , Botas Cristina , Gómez-Urbano Juan Luis , Acebedo Begoña , López del Amo Juan Miguel , Carriazo Daniel , Rojo Teófilo , Ortiz-Vitoriano Nagore
Published: October 2018

We report graphene-derived porous aerogel cathodes for Na–O2 batteries demonstrating superior performance by tuning their porosity and nanostructure.
Constructing bundle-like Co-Mn oxides and Co-Mn selenides for efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Xu Hui , Wei Jingjing , Zhang Ke , Zhang Min , Liu Chaofan , Guo Jun , Du Yukou
Published: October 2018

A novel class of mesoporous CoMn oxide and CoMnSe nanobundles is successfully constructed to serve as highly efficient anode and cathode catalysts for overall water splitting.
Chitosan oligosaccharide lactate coated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as a vehicle for the delivery of steroid drugs and the targeting of breast cancer cells
Authors: Ignjatović Nenad L. , Sakač Marija , Kuzminac Ivana , Kojić Vesna , Marković Smilja , Vasiljević-Radović Dana , Wu Victoria M. , Uskoković Vuk , Uskoković Dragan P.
Published: October 2018

Chitosan oligosaccharide lactate – nano hydroxyaptite particles as vehicale of steroid derivatives against breast cancer cells.
Dynamic hydrogels mediated by macrocyclic host–guest interactions
Authors: Xiao Tangxin , Xu Lixiang , Zhou Ling , Sun Xiao-Qiang , Lin Chen , Wang Leyong
Published: October 2018

The recent progress in dynamic hydrogels mediated by macrocyclic host–guest interactions is reviewed.
Electric-field control of magnetic properties for amorphous Fe2O3/LiTaO3thin film
Authors: Cheng Bin , Qin Hongwei , Zhang Zhongli , Liu Weikang , Miao Tingting , Xie Jihao , Liu Liang , Zhou Guangjun , Hu Jifan
Published: October 2018

Amorphous-Fe2O3/LiTaO3film can exhibit weak ferromagnetism, which may arise from some inhomogeneous, non-collinear, ferromagnetic ordered clusters with short range order.
White magnetic paper based on a bacterial cellulose nanocomposite
Authors: Sriplai Nipaporn , Sirima Pornkanok , Palaporn Dulayawit , Mongkolthanaruk Wiyada , Eichhorn Stephen J. , Pinitsoontorn Supree
Published: October 2018

A newly proposed idea for the fabrication of white magnetic paper is presented.
Revealing the substitution mechanism in Eu3+:CaMoO4and Eu3+,Na+:CaMoO4phosphors
Authors: Becerro Ana Isabel , Allix Mathieu , Laguna Mariano , González-Mancebo Daniel , Genevois Cecile , Caballero Alfonso , Lozano Gabriel , Núñez Nuria O. , Ocaña Manuel
Published: October 2018

Why is the Eu3+:CaMoO4unit cell bigger than that of CaMoO4? Does Na+co-doping improve the quantum yield of Eu3+:CaMoO4phosphors?
New perspectives on IL-33 and IL-1 family cytokines as innate environmental sensors
Authors: Scott Ian C. , Rees D. Gareth , Cohen E. Suzanne
Published: October 2018

Interleukin (IL)-1 family cytokines are important initiators of innate immunity and host defence; however, their uncontrolled activities can cause tissue-damaging inflammation. Consequently, IL-1 family cytokines have sophisticated regulatory mechanisms to control their activities including proteolytic processing for their activation and the deployment of soluble receptors and receptor antagonists to limit their activities. IL-33 is a promoter of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation through its alarmin activity that can rapidly initiate local immune responses by stimulating innate immune cells following exposure to environmental insults, pathogens, or sterile injury. Recent publications have provided new insights into how the range and duration of IL-33 activity is regulated by direct sensing of host-derived and exogenous proteolytic activities as well as oxidative changes during tissue damage. Here, we discuss how this impacts our understanding of the roles of IL-33 in initiating immune responses and the evidence that these sensing mechanisms might regulate the activities of other IL-1 family cytokines and their biological functions. Finally, we discuss translational challenges these discoveries pose for the accurate detection of different forms of these cytokines.
Is mitochondrial gene expression coordinated or stochastic?
Authors: Lee Richard G. , Rudler Danielle L. , Rackham Oliver , Filipovska Aleksandra
Published: October 2018

Mitochondrial biogenesis is intimately dependent on the coordinated expression of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes that is necessary for the assembly and function of the respiratory complexes to produce most of the energy required by cells. Although highly compacted in animals, the mitochondrial genome and its expression are essential for survival, development, and optimal energy production. The machinery that regulates gene expression within mitochondria is localised within the same compartment and, like in their ancestors, the bacteria, this machinery does not use membrane-based compartmentalisation to order the gene expression pathway. Therefore, the lifecycle of mitochondrial RNAs from transcription through processing, maturation, translation to turnover is mediated by a gamut of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), all contained within the mitochondrial matrix milieu. Recent discoveries indicate that multiple processes regulating RNA metabolism occur at once but since mitochondria have a new complement of RBPs, many evolved de novo from nuclear genes, we are left wondering how co-ordinated are these processes? Here, we review recently identified examples of the co-ordinated and stochastic processes that govern the mitochondrial transcriptome. These new discoveries reveal the complexity of mitochondrial gene expression and the need for its in-depth exploration to understand how these organelles can respond to the energy demands of the cell.
Multiple Diels–Alder Transformations in Linear π-Conjugated Systems
Authors: Gidron Ori , Bedi Anjan
Published: October 2018

π-Conjugated molecules are the active materials in organic electronics, yet the range of available materials is limited by the nontrivial, multistep synthetic process required to obtain long π-conjugated backbones. Here, Diels–Alder cycloaddition and its reactivity and selectivity are evaluated as a means for obtaining long, novel, π-conjugated backbones. Particular attention is paid to the Diels–Alder conjugation products of furans, such as selectively substituted arenes and, potentially, carbon nanoribbons.

1 Introduction

2 Aromatic Transformations by Diels–Alder Cycloaddition

3 The Question of Regioselectivity

4 Outlook
Sensitivity and Specificity of a Weight Distribution Platform for the Detection of Objective Lameness and Orthopaedic Disease
Authors: Canapp Sherman , Taboada Luis , Dycus David , Leasure Christopher , Clough William
Published: October 2018

Introduction Weight distribution and off-loading at the stance are commonly used subjective assessments during the orthopaedic examination. The clinical relevance, sensitivity and specificity of limb off-loading have not yet been established. The aim of the study was to assess off-loading on a weight distribution platform (WDP) and determine the sensitivity and specificity at various cut-off points for the detection of objective lameness (OL) and orthopaedic disease (OD).

Materials and Methods The total pressure index was used to determine OL on a pressure-sensitive walkway (PSW). Normal weight distribution on both the PSW and WDP was considered 30/30/20/20. A total pressure index standard deviation of 2 was used. The sensitivity and specificity of the WDP for the identification of OL and OD was determined at cut-off points 1 to 6 below normal weight distribution values.

Results All patients in the study (n = 50) had confirmed OD. The PSW identified 36/50 (74%) patients as OL; these were deemed to be OL for sensitivity and specificity analysis of WDP data. At cut-off point 1, the WDP had the highest sensitivity for OD (84%) and OL (97%). At cut-off point 6, the WDP had the highest specificity for OD (98%) and OL (98%). The highest combination of sensitivity and specificity for both OD (1.65) and OL (1.80) was at cut-off point 2.

Discussion/Conclusion The WDP provided the highest combined sensitivity and specificity at cut-off point 2 below the normal value for the detection of both OL and OD.
Main Symptom that Led to Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Vestibular Schwannoma and Patient-Reported Tumor Size: Cross-sectional Study in 1,304 Patients
Authors: Peris-Celda Maria , Graffeo Christopher S. , Perry Avital , Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Tombers Nicole M. , Carlson Matthew L. , Link Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Objectives Although vestibular schwannomas (VS) are known to cause cranial nerve deficits, cerebellar symptoms, and hydrocephalus, the role of these symptoms as the key driver of presentation from the patient's perspective has not been described. Our objective was to survey a large, retrospective VS cohort to document the patient-reported principal initial symptom, and self-reported tumor size, and to study trends in VS patient presentation.

Methods Patients diagnosed with VS at our tertiary referral center and belonging to the Acoustic Neuroma Association (ANA) answered a questionnaire between 2015 and 2017. Demographic data, self-reported tumor size, and symptomatology were analyzed.

Results 1,304 patients completed the questionnaire. Tumors were diagnosed from 1966 to 2017 at a mean 51.8 years (range: 8–86 years); 66% were female, and 1.1% had confirmed neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Tumor size was reported using a 6-point scale: 0 to 1 cm (22.9%), 1 to 2 cm (28.7%), 2 to 3 cm (20.5%), 3 to 4 cm (10%), greater than 4 cm (7.2%), and unknown (10.6%). Hearing loss was the most common symptom that led to diagnosis (51.5%), followed by dizziness (17%), tinnitus (11.2%), and incidental diagnosis (10.2%); a fraction that has increased significantly in the last decade (p = 0.022). Larger tumors and NF2 were significantly associated with young age (p < 0.001).

Conclusion Our large-scale questionnaire-driven review of 1,304 patients confirms that VS presentations are stereotypical, with most individuals recalling hearing loss, dizziness, or tinnitus as their chief complaint. Many tumors were incidentally diagnosed; an expanding population, attributable to increased access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Large tumors were significantly more prevalent among younger patients at diagnosis, excluding NF2 patients, suggesting a more aggressive tumor biology that remains incompletely understood.
Self-diffusion coefficient of the square-well fluid from molecular dynamics simulations within the constant force approach
Authors: Torres-Carbajal Alexis , Trejos Victor M. , Nicasio-Collazo Luz Adriana
Published: October 2018

We present a systematic study of the self-diffusion coefficient for a fluid of particles interacting via the square-well pair potential by means of molecular dynamics simulations in the canonical (N, V, T) ensemble. The discrete nature of the interaction potential is modeled by the constant force approximation, and the self-diffusion coefficient is determined for several fluid densities at supercritical thermodynamic states. The dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient on the potential range λ is analyzed in the range of 1.1 ≤ λ ≤ 1.5. The obtained simulation results are in agreement with the self-diffusion coefficient predicted by the Enskog method. Additionally, we show that the diffusion coefficient is very sensitive to the potential range λ. Our results for the self-diffusion coefficient times density extrapolate well to the values in the zero-density limit obtained from the Chapman-Enskog theory for dilute gases. The constant force approximation used in this work to model the discrete pair potentials has shown to be an excellent scheme to compute the transport properties of square-well fluids using molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the simulation results presented here are useful for improving theoretical approaches, such as the Enskog method.
A review of algorithms for control and optimization for energy management of hybrid renewable energy systems
Authors: Jyoti Saharia Barnam , Brahma Honey , Sarmah Nabin
Published: October 2018

Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) can alleviate the grid dependence for power in rural and distant locations. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources acting alone does not make the system reliable; however, combining one or more sources (like solar, wind, diesel, biomass, micro-hydel, etc.) with adequate storage options or intelligent control of hybrid systems ensures power availability to the end user. As a result, it is imperative that the technical aspects of such a hybrid system can be analyzed with respect to optimal sizing of sources, proper control design and mechanism for energy management, and adequate backup via the storage option that ascertain reliable power supply to the consumer/end user or at the distributed generation end. This paper presents an overview of the applications of Genetic Algorithms, Fuzzy logic, Particle Swarm optimization, and similar other evolutionary and nature inspired algorithms that have been employed for the optimization, control, and power management strategies for renewable energy studies involving hybrid power generation schemes. Analysis of the algorithms and the potential applications of new improved algorithms for optimization, control, and power management of HRES is discussed and reported.
Capillary film and breakup mechanism in the squeezing to dripping transition regime at the mesoscale between micro and milli-fluidics
Authors: Freytes V. M. , Rosen M. , D’Onofrio A.
Published: October 2018

We report a study of droplet generation in two phase flows of non-miscible fluids in a T-shaped array of circular channels, at the mesoscale between micro- and milli-fluidics. Our experiments show that the balance between the different types of forces (capillary forces, shear viscous forces, etc.) may differ significantly from that found by previous authors in smaller, microfluidics channels. The results may, therefore, be applied to practical systems in which droplets act as small chemical reactors or help enhance mixing. We suggest a possible interesting extension to the generation of drops inside porous media. We report experiments in which the length of the droplets and the residual thickness of the surrounding fluid film are systematically measured as a function of the respective flow rates of the two fluids: These results are carefully compared to theoretical models taking into account in different ways the capillary and viscous effects and to results obtained by other authors for smaller channels. Several dimensionless control variables are tested (capillary number, ratio of the flow rates of the two fluids, etc.). Capillary film thickness is shown to be a useful variable to identify the different regimes of formation. Testing of the theoretical models with the experimental data showed that the change from one formation regime to the other is accompanied by a change in the role of viscous effects. Two models of breakup mechanisms were tested: on the one hand, the pressure buildup mechanism and, on the other hand, a second mechanism corresponds to the balance of tangential shear stresses and interfacial tension. According to the formation regimes, both models have provided satisfactory predictions of the experimental results. However, at this mesoscale, the experimental data were better described by the models dependent on the capillary number, as previously reported in systems with a low degree of confinement.
Improvement of infrared imaging video bolometer for application to deuterium experiment on the large helical device
Authors: Mukai K. , Abe R. , Peterson B. J. , Takayama S.
Published: October 2018

An infrared imaging video bolometer was improved for application to a neutron environment in fusion plasma devices, i.e., the Large Helical Device (LHD). In order to calibrate the thermal characteristics of the activated foil absorber inside the plasma vacuum vessel, the remote-controlled in situ calibration system was improved with high-surface-flatness mirrors. Furthermore, the carbon coating method was improved by introducing a vacuum evaporation technique instead of the conventional spray technique to realize the coating on both sides of the absorber with reproducibility and uniformity. The optimal thickness of the coating was also determined. Owing to these coating improvements, the reproducibility of the effective emissivity on both sides especially was improved. Finally, the variation with the neutron irradiation of the thermal characteristics of the foil absorber was investigated. It was found that the effect was not significant for the total neutron emission of 3.6 × 1018 on LHD.