bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wireless whispering-gallery-mode sensor for thermal sensing and aerial mapping
Authors: Xu Xiangyi , Chen Weijian , Zhao Guangming , Li Yihang , Lu Chenyang , Yang Lan
Published: September 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT)1,2 employs a large number of spatially distributed wireless sensors to monitor physical environments, e.g., temperature, humidity, and air pressure, and has many applications, including environmental monitoring3, health care monitoring4, smart cities5, and precision agriculture. A wireless sensor can collect, analyze, and transmit measurements of its environment1,2. Currently, wireless sensors used in the IoT are predominately based on electronic devices that may suffer from electromagnetic interference in many circumstances. Being immune to the electromagnetic interference, optical sensors provide a significant advantage in harsh environments6. Furthermore, by introducing optical resonance to enhance light–matter interactions, optical sensors based on resonators exhibit small footprints, extreme sensitivity, and versatile functionalities7,8, which can significantly enhance the capability and flexibility of wireless sensors. Here we provide the first demonstration of a wireless photonic sensor node based on a whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) optical resonator, in which light propagates along the circular rim of such a structure like a sphere, a disk, or a toroid by continuous total internal reflection. The sensor node is controlled via a customized iOS app. Its performance was studied in two practical scenarios: (1) real-time measurement of the air temperature over 12 h and (2) aerial mapping of the temperature distribution using a sensor node mounted on an unmanned drone. Our work demonstrates the capability of WGM optical sensors in practical applications and may pave the way for the large-scale deployment of WGM sensors in the IoT.
Evolution of the quantum Hall bulk spectrum into chiral edge states
Authors: Patlatiuk T. , Scheller C. P. , Hill D. , Tserkovnyak Y. , Barak G. , Yacoby A. , Pfeiffer L. N. , West K. W. , Zumbühl D. M.
Published: September 2018

One of the most intriguing and fundamental properties of topological systems is the correspondence between the conducting edge states and the gapped bulk spectrum. Here, we use a GaAs cleaved edge quantum wire to perform momentum-resolved spectroscopy of the quantum Hall edge states in a tunnel-coupled 2D electron gas. This reveals the momentum and position of the edge states with unprecedented precision and shows the evolution from very low magnetic fields all the way to high fields where depopulation occurs. We present consistent analytical and numerical models, inferring the edge states from the well-known bulk spectrum, finding excellent agreement with the experiment—thus providing direct evidence for the bulk to edge correspondence. In addition, we observe various features beyond the single-particle picture, such as Fermi level pinning, exchange-enhanced spin splitting and signatures of edge-state reconstruction.
Patterns of posterior ocular complications in myopic eyes of Indian population
Authors: Dhakal Rohit , Goud Abhilash , Narayanan Raja , Verkicharla Pavan K.
Published: September 2018

This is a retrospective study aimed to investigate the patterns of myopic fundus complications in Indian children and young adults. Electronic medical records of 29,592 patients, aged 10–40 years, who visited L V Prasad Eye Institute between 1st January to 31st December 2016 were analysed in the study. Data such as age, gender, refractive error and various pathologic lesions of posterior globe were considered for analysis. Among all the patients with different types of refractive errors, myopia was found in 47.4%, high myopia in 6.8% and pathologic myopia in 2.2%. There was no trend of the increased prevalence of pathologic myopia with increasing age, except for a significant difference between the children aged 10–15 years (2.7%) and those aged more than 15 years (>4%). . Although, the overall pattern of pathologic lesions was similar across different grades of myopia (2.5% in low myopes vs. 2.2% in severe myopes), lesions like staphyloma and retinal detachment increased with increasing degree of myopia. The proportion of pathologic lesions across different grades of myopia suggests the necessity for careful peripheral fundus examinations irrespective of the degree of myopia for better management and prognostic purposes.
Author Correction: CB1 receptor activation induces intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and 2-arachidonoylglycerol release in rodent spinal cord astrocytes
Authors: Hegyi Zoltán , Oláh Tamás , Kőszeghy Áron , Piscitelli Fabiana , Holló Krisztina , Pál Balázs , Csernoch László , Marzo Vincenzo Di , Antal Miklós
Published: September 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Role of extrinsic mechanical force in the development of the RA-I tactile mechanoreceptor
Authors: Pham Trung Quang , Kawaue Takumi , Hoshi Takayuki , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Miyata Takaki , Sano Akihito
Published: September 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
A Cambrian unarmoured lobopodian, †Lenisambulatrix humboldti gen. et sp. nov., compared with new material of †Diania cactiformis
Authors: Ou Qiang , Mayer Georg
Published: September 2018

Cambrian marine lobopodians are generally considered as predecessors of modern panarthropods (onychophorans, tardigrades, and arthropods). Hence, further study of their morphological diversity and early radiation may enhance our understanding of the ground pattern and evolutionary history of panarthropods. Here, we report a rare lobopodian species, †Lenisambulatrix humboldtigen. et sp. nov. (“Humboldt lobopodian”), from the early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte and describe new morphological features of †Diania cactiformis, a coeval armoured lobopodian nicknamed “walking cactus”. Both lobopodian species were similar in possessing rather thick, elongate lobopods without terminal claws. However, in contrast to †Diania cactiformis, the body of which was heavily armored with spines, the trunk and limbs of the Humboldt lobopodian were entirely unarmored. Our study augments the morphological diversity of Cambrian lobopodians and presents two evolutionary extremes of cuticular ornamentation: one represented by the Humboldt lobopodian, which was most likely entirely “naked”, the other epitomized by †D. cactiformis, which was highly “armoured”.
Mercury and arsenic attenuate canonical and non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Ahn Huijeong , Kim Jeongeun , Kang Seung Goo , Yoon Sung-il , Ko Hyun-Jeong , Kim Pyeung-Hyeun , Hong Eui-Ju , An Beum-Soo , Lee Eunsong , Lee Geun-Shik
Published: September 2018

Exposure to heavy metals can cause several diseases associated with the immune system. Although the effects of heavy metals on production of inflammatory cytokines have been previously studied, the role of heavy metals in inflammasome activation remains poorly studied. The inflammasome is an intracellular multi-protein complex that detects intracellular danger signals, resulting in inflammatory responses such as cytokine maturation and pyroptosis. In this study, we elucidated the effects of four heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb), on the activation of NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 inflammasomes. In our results, mercury and arsenic inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion resulting from canonical and non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages and attenuated elevation of serum IL-1β in response to LPS treatment in mice. In the mechanical studies, mercury interrupted production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, release of mitochondrial DNA, and activity of recombinant caspase-1, whereas arsenic down-regulated expression of promyelocytic leukemia protein. Both mercury and arsenic inhibited Asc pyroptosome formation and gasdermin D cleavage. Thus, we suggest that exposure to mercury and/or arsenic could disrupt inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses, which might cause unexpected side effects.
Novel digital signatures of tissue phenotypes for predicting distant metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Sirinukunwattana Korsuk , Snead David , Epstein David , Aftab Zia , Mujeeb Imaad , Tsang Yee Wah , Cree Ian , Rajpoot Nasir
Published: September 2018

Distant metastasis is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients at high risk of developing distant metastasis could benefit from appropriate adjuvant and follow-up treatments if stratified accurately at an early stage of the disease. Studies have increasingly recognized the role of diverse cellular components within the tumor microenvironment in the development and progression of CRC tumors. In this paper, we show that automated analysis of digitized images from locally advanced colorectal cancer tissue slides can provide estimate of risk of distant metastasis on the basis of novel tissue phenotypic signatures of the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, we determine what cell types are found in the vicinity of other cell types, and in what numbers, rather than concentrating exclusively on the cancerous cells. We then extract novel tissue phenotypic signatures using statistical measurements about tissue composition. Such signatures can underpin clinical decisions about the advisability of various types of adjuvant therapy.
Chimeric O1K foot-and-mouth disease virus with SAT2 outer capsid as an FMD vaccine candidate
Authors: Kotecha Abhay , Perez-Martin Eva , Harvey Yongjie , Zhang Fuquan , Ilca Serban L , Fry Elizabeth E. , Jackson Ben , Maree Francois , Scott Katherine , Hecksel Corey W. , Harmsen Michiel M. , Mioulet Valérie , Wood Britta , Juleff Nick , Stuart David I. , Charleston Bryan , Seago Julian
Published: September 2018

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is highly contagious and infects cloven-hoofed domestic livestock leading to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). FMD outbreaks have severe economic impact due to production losses and associated control measures. FMDV is found as seven distinct serotypes, but there are numerous subtypes within each serotype, and effective vaccines must match the subtypes circulating in the field. In addition, the O and Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes, are relatively more thermolabile and their viral capsids readily dissociate into non-immunogenic pentameric subunits, which can compromise the effectiveness of FMD vaccines. Here we report the construction of a chimeric clone between the SAT2 and O serotypes, designed to have SAT2 antigenicity. Characterisation of the chimeric virus showed growth kinetics equal to that of the wild type SAT2 virus with better thermostability, attributable to changes in the VP4 structural protein. Sequence and structural analyses confirmed that no changes from SAT2 were present elsewhere in the capsid as a consequence of the VP4 changes. Following exposure to an elevated temperature the thermostable SAT2-O1K chimera induced higher neutralizing-antibody titres in comparison to wild type SAT2 virus.
Improved fragment-based protein structure prediction by redesign of search heuristics
Authors: Kandathil Shaun M. , Garza-Fabre Mario , Handl Julia , Lovell Simon C.
Published: September 2018

Difficulty in sampling large and complex conformational spaces remains a key limitation in fragment-based de novo prediction of protein structure. Our previous work has shown that even for small-to-medium-sized proteins, some current methods inadequately sample alternative structures. We have developed two new conformational sampling techniques, one employing a bilevel optimisation framework and the other employing iterated local search. We combine strategies of forced structural perturbation (where some fragment insertions are accepted regardless of their impact on scores) and greedy local optimisation, allowing greater exploration of the available conformational space. Comparisons against the Rosetta Abinitio method indicate that our protocols more frequently generate native-like predictions for many targets, even following the low-resolution phase, using a given set of fragment libraries. By contrasting results across two different fragment sets, we show that our methods are able to better take advantage of high-quality fragments. These improvements can also translate into more reliable identification of near-native structures in a simple clustering-based model selection procedure. We show that when fragment libraries are sufficiently well-constructed, improved breadth of exploration within runs improves prediction accuracy. Our results also suggest that in benchmarking scenarios, a total exclusion of fragments drawn from homologous templates can make performance differences between methods appear less pronounced.
Thermoresponsive gels containing gold nanoparticles as smart antibacterial and wound healing agents
Authors: Arafa Mona G. , El-Kased Reham F. , Elmazar M. M.
Published: September 2018

Thermoresponsive gels containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared using Pluronic®127 alone (F1) and with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (F2) at ratios of 15% w/w and 15:1% w/w, respectively. AuNPs were evaluated for particle size, zeta-potential, polydispersity index (PDI), morphology and XRD pattern. AuNP-containing thermoresponsive gels were investigated for their gelation temperature, gel strength, bio-adhesive force, viscosity, drug content, in vitro release and ex-vivo permeation, in addition to in vitro antibacterial activity against bacteria found in burn infections, Staphylococcus aureus. In vivo burn healing and antibacterial activities were also investigated and compared with those of a commercial product using burn-induced infected wounds in mice. Spherical AuNPs sized 28.9–37.65 nm displayed a surface plasmon resonance band at 522 nm, a PDI of 0.461, and a zeta potential of 34.8 mV with a negative surface charge. F1 and F2 showed gelation temperatures of 37.2 °C and 32.3 °C, bio-adhesive forces of 2.45 ± 0.52 and 4.76 ± 0.84 dyne/cm2, viscosities of 10,165 ± 1.54 and 14,213 ± 2.31 cP, and gel strengths between 7.4 and 10.3 sec, respectively. The in vitro release values of F1 and F2 were 100% and 98.03% after 6 h, with permeation flux values of (J1) 0.2974 ± 2.85 and (J2) 0.2649 ± 1.43 (µg/cm2·h), respectively. The formulations showed antibacterial activity with the highest values for wound healing properties, as shown in vivo and by histopathological studies. This study demonstrates that a smart AuNPs thermoresponsive gel was successful as an antibacterial and wound healing transdermal drug delivery system.
Redox control and autoxidation of class 1, 2 and 3 phytoglobins from Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Mot Augustin C. , Puscas Cristina , Miclea Patricia , Naumova-Letia Galaba , Dorneanu Sorin , Podar Dorina , Dissmeyer Nico , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Radu
Published: September 2018

Despite a recent increase in interest towards phytoglobins and their importance in plants, much is still unknown regarding their biochemical/biophysical properties and physiological roles. The present study presents data on three recombinant Arabidopsis phytoglobins in terms of their UV-vis and Raman spectroscopic characteristics, redox state control, redox potentials and autoxidation rates. The latter are strongly influenced by pH for all three hemoglobins – (with a fundamental involvement of the distal histidine), as well as by added anion concentrations – suggesting either a process dominated by nucleophilic displacement of superoxide for AtHb2 or an inhibitory effect for AtHb1 and AtHb3. Reducing agents, such as ascorbate and glutathione, are found to either enhance– (presumably via direct electron transfer or via allosteric regulation) or prevent autoxidation. HbFe3+ reduction was possible in the presence of high (presumably not physiologically relevant) concentrations of NADH, glutathione and ascorbate, with differing behaviors for the three globins. The iron coordination sphere is found to affect the autoxidation, redox state interconversion and redox potentials in these three phytoglobins.
3D Shape Modeling for Cell Nuclear Morphological Analysis and Classification
Authors: Kalinin Alexandr A. , Allyn-Feuer Ari , Ade Alex , Fon Gordon-Victor , Meixner Walter , Dilworth David , Husain Syed S. , de Wet Jeffrey R. , Higgins Gerald A. , Zheng Gen , Creekmore Amy , Wiley John W. , Verdone James E. , Veltri Robert W. , Pienta Kenneth J. , Coffey Donald S. , Athey Brian D. , Dinov Ivo D.
Published: September 2018

Quantitative analysis of morphological changes in a cell nucleus is important for the understanding of nuclear architecture and its relationship with pathological conditions such as cancer. However, dimensionality of imaging data, together with a great variability of nuclear shapes, presents challenges for 3D morphological analysis. Thus, there is a compelling need for robust 3D nuclear morphometric techniques to carry out population-wide analysis. We propose a new approach that combines modeling, analysis, and interpretation of morphometric characteristics of cell nuclei and nucleoli in 3D. We used robust surface reconstruction that allows accurate approximation of 3D object boundary. Then, we computed geometric morphological measures characterizing the form of cell nuclei and nucleoli. Using these features, we compared over 450 nuclei with about 1,000 nucleoli of epithelial and mesenchymal prostate cancer cells, as well as 1,000 nuclei with over 2,000 nucleoli from serum-starved and proliferating fibroblast cells. Classification of sets of 9 and 15 cells achieved accuracy of 95.4% and 98%, respectively, for prostate cancer cells, and 95% and 98% for fibroblast cells. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to combine these methods for 3D nuclear shape modeling and morphometry into a highly parallel pipeline workflow for morphometric analysis of thousands of nuclei and nucleoli in 3D.
Interleukin-17D and Nrf2 mediate initial innate immune cell recruitment and restrict MCMV infection
Authors: Seelige Ruth , Saddawi-Konefka Robert , Adams Nicholas M. , Picarda Gaëlle , Sun Joseph C. , Benedict Chris A. , Bui Jack D.
Published: September 2018

Innate immune cells quickly infiltrate the site of pathogen entry and not only stave off infection but also initiate antigen presentation and promote adaptive immunity. The recruitment of innate leukocytes has been well studied in the context of extracellular bacterial and fungal infection but less during viral infections. We have recently shown that the understudied cytokine Interleukin (IL)-17D can mediate neutrophil, natural killer (NK) cell and monocyte infiltration in sterile inflammation and cancer. Herein, we show that early immune cell accumulation at the peritoneal site of infection by mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is mediated by IL-17D. Mice deficient in IL-17D or the transcription factor Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), an inducer of IL-17D, featured an early decreased number of innate immune cells at the point of viral entry and were more susceptible to MCMV infection. Interestingly, we were able to artificially induce innate leukocyte infiltration by applying the Nrf2 activatortert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), which rendered mice less susceptible to MCMV infection. Our results implicate the Nrf2/IL-17D axis as a sensor of viral infection and suggest therapeutic benefit in boosting this pathway to promote innate antiviral responses.
Gene expression analysis of Atlantic salmon gills reveals mucin 5 and interleukin 4/13 as key molecules during amoebic gill disease
Authors: Marcos-López Mar , Calduch-Giner Josep A. , Mirimin Luca , MacCarthy Eugene , Rodger Hamish D. , O’Connor Ian , Sitjà-Bobadilla Ariadna , Pérez-Sánchez Jaume , Piazzon M. Carla
Published: September 2018

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is one of the main diseases affecting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) mariculture. Hallmarks of AGD are hyperplasia of the lamellar epithelium and increased production of gill mucus. This study investigated the expression of genes involved in mucus secretion, cell cycle regulation, immunity and oxidative stress in gills using a targeted 21-gene PCR array. Gill samples were obtained from experimental and naturalNeoparamoeba peruransinfections, and sampling points included progressive infection stages and post-freshwater treatment. Up-regulation of genes related to mucin secretion and cell proliferation, and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes were associated with AGD severity, while partial restoration of the gill homeostasis was detected post-treatment. Mucins and Th2 cytokines accoun ted for most of the variability observed between groups highlighting their key role in AGD. Two mucins (muc5,muc18) showed differential regulation upon disease. Substantial up-regulation of the secretedmuc5was detected in clinical AGD, and the membrane boundmuc18showed an opposite pattern. Th2 cytokines,il4/13aandil4/13b2, were significantly up-regulated from 2 days post-infection onwards, and changes were lesion-specific. Despite the differences between experimental and natural infections, both yielded comparable results that underline the importance of the studied genes in the respiratory organs of fish, and during AGD progression.
The SCO1731 methyltransferase modulates actinorhodin production and morphological differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)
Authors: Pisciotta Annalisa , Manteca Angel , Alduina Rosa
Published: September 2018

Streptomyces coelicolor is a Gram-positive microorganism often used as a model of physiological and morphological differentiation in streptomycetes, prolific producers of secondary metabolites with important biological activities. In the present study, we analysed Streptomyces coelicolor growth and differentiation in the presence of the hypo-methylating agent 5′-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) in order to investigate whether cytosine methylation has a role in differentiation. We found that cytosine demethylation caused a delay in spore germination, aerial mycelium development, sporulation, as well as a massive impairment of actinorhodin production. Thus, we searched for putative DNA methyltransferase genes in the genome and constructed a mutant of the SCO1731 gene. The analysis of the SCO1731::Tn5062 mutant strain demonstrated that inactivation of SCO1731 leads to a strong decrease of cytosine methylation and almost to the same phenotype obtained after 5-aza-dC treatment. Altogether, our data demonstrate that cytosine methylation influences morphological differentiation and actinorhodin production in S. coelicolor and expand our knowledge on this model bacterial system.
Alterations of blood pulsations parameters in carotid basin due to body position change
Authors: Kamshilin Alexei A. , Krasnikova Tatiana V. , Volynsky Maxim A. , Miridonov Serguei V. , Mamontov Oleg V.
Published: September 2018

The velocity of the pulse wave (PWV) propagating through the vascular tree is an essential parameter for diagnostic the state of the cardiovascular system especially when it is measured in the pool of carotid arteries. In this research, we showed for the first time that the time of the blood-pressure-wave propagation from the heart to the face is a function of the body position. Significant asymmetry and asynchronicity of blood pulsations in the facial area were found in a recumbent position. Parameters of blood pulsations were measured by an advanced camera-based photoplethysmography system in 73 apparently healthy subjects. Most likely, observed changes of the blood-pulsation parameters are caused by variations of the arterial blood pressure due to hydrostatic pressure changes, and secondary reaction of blood vessels in response to these variations. Demonstrated feasibility of PWV measurements in the pool of carotid arteries provides considerable advantages over other technologies. Moreover, possibilities of the method to estimate physiological regulation of the peripheral blood flow (particularly, as a response to the gravitational changes) have been demonstrated. The proposed concept allows development of non-invasive medical equipment capable of solving a wide range of scientific and practical problems related to vascular physiology.
Long-reach 60-GHz MMWoF link with free-running laser diodes beating
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Ting , Li Chien-Cheng , Lin Chi-Hsiang , Lin Chun-Ting , Chi Sien , Lin Gong-Ru
Published: September 2018

With the remote beating of two mutually incoherent laser carriers, the local-oscillator-free long-reach millimeter-wave over fiber (MMWoF) link at 60-GHz band is demonstrated. The unique schemes of the proposed MMWoF are the wavelength-locked colorless laser diode (CLD) modulator, the mutually incoherent optical carrier for heterodyne MMW generation, and the square-law power envelope detection at receiving end. By directly encoding the single-mode with the CLD modulator, the single-carrier modulated QAM-OFDM data is achieved to release the RF power fading after fiber transmission. The mutually incoherent laser beating enables the optical heterodyne MMW generation with two independent optical carriers, which provides the advantages of local-oscillator-free operation and rules out the requirement of dual-mode optical carrier delivery from central office. At the wireless receiving end, the received QAM-OFDM data is self-down-converted to the baseband by employing the square-law power envelope detection. This eliminates the requirement of local oscillator and rules out the influence of the MMW carrier frequency fluctuation between two mutually incoherent lasers (used at central office and remote node), which effectively provides the MMW carrier immunity against the down-conversion instability caused by clock jitter or carrier incoherence. This architecture ensures the transmission of 16.5-Gbit/s 32-QAM OFDM data over 50 km in SMF and 3 m in free-space with the FEC certificated error vector magnitude of 12%, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 18.4 dB, and bit error rate of 3.8 × 10−3. For multi-channel DWDM-PON applications, the proposed local-oscillator-free MMWoF link can successfully perform 11 DWDM channels of 32-QAM OFDM data access at 16.5 Gbit/s per channel via the wavelength controlling of the CLD modulation stage and the detuning of the beating carrier at remote node.
Affective computing in virtual reality: emotion recognition from brain and heartbeat dynamics using wearable sensors
Authors: Marín-Morales Javier , Higuera-Trujillo Juan Luis , Greco Alberto , Guixeres Jaime , Llinares Carmen , Scilingo Enzo Pasquale , Alcañiz Mariano , Valenza Gaetano
Published: September 2018

Affective Computing has emerged as an important field of study that aims to develop systems that can automatically recognize emotions. Up to the present, elicitation has been carried out with non-immersive stimuli. This study, on the other hand, aims to develop an emotion recognition system for affective states evoked through Immersive Virtual Environments. Four alternative virtual rooms were designed to elicit four possible arousal-valence combinations, as described in each quadrant of the Circumplex Model of Affects. An experiment involving the recording of the electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) of sixty participants was carried out. A set of features was extracted from these signals using various state-of-the-art metrics that quantify brain and cardiovascular linear and nonlinear dynamics, which were input into a Support Vector Machine classifier to predict the subject’s arousal and valence perception. The model’s accuracy was 75.00% along the arousal dimension and 71.21% along the valence dimension. Our findings validate the use of Immersive Virtual Environments to elicit and automatically recognize different emotional states from neural and cardiac dynamics; this development could have novel applications in fields as diverse as Architecture, Health, Education and Videogames.
The induced by an electromagnetic field coexistence of types I and II spectra in Weyl semimetals
Authors: Alisultanov Zaur Z.
Published: September 2018

Due to their unique properties, Weyl semimetals (WSMs) are promising materials for the future electronics. Currently, the two types (I and II) of WSMs are discovered experimentally. These types of WSMs differ from each other in their topological properties. In this paper we showed that a coexistence of types I and II Weyls spectra is possible in some WSMs under crossed magnetic and electric fields. This is possible in systems with non-equivalent Weyl points (WPs). In particular, it is possible in strained WSMs. Such phase, controlled by electromagnetic field, is principally new for topological matter physics. It is obvious, that in this regime new features of electron transport will appear. We showed that this effect can also be considered as a mechanism of strain induced type-I-type-II transition.
Antimicrobial promotion of pig growth is associated with tissue-specific remodeling of bile acid signature and signaling
Authors: Ipharraguerre Ignacio R. , Pastor Jose J. , Gavaldà-Navarro Aleix , Villarroya Francesc , Mereu Alessandro
Published: September 2018

The spread of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials (AMA) have intensified efforts to discontinue the non-therapeutic use of AMA in animal production. Finding alternatives to AMA, however, is currently encumbered by the obscure mechanism that underlies their growth-promoting action. In this report, we demonstrate that combinations of antibiotics and zinc oxide at doses commonly used for stimulating growth or preventing post-weaning enteritis in pigs converge in promoting microbial production of bile acids (BA) in the intestine. This leads to tissue-specific modifications in the proportion of BA, thereby amplifying BA signaling in intestine, liver, and white adipose tissue (WAT). Activation of BA-regulated pathways ultimately reinforces the intestinal protection against bacterial infection and pathological secretion of fluids and electrolytes, attenuates inflammation in colon and WAT, alters protein and lipid metabolism in liver, and increases the circulating levels of the hormone FGF19. Conceivably, these alterations could spare nutrients for growth and improve the metabolic efficiency of AMA-treated animals. This work provides evidence that BA act as signaling molecules that mediate host physiological, metabolic, and immune responses to the AMA-induced alterations in gut microbial metabolism, eventually permitting the growth-promoting action of AMA. Consequently, BA emerge as a promising target for developing efficacious alternatives to AMA.
The serine/threonine kinase Stk and the phosphatase Stp regulate cell wall synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Jarick Marcel , Bertsche Ute , Stahl Mark , Schultz Daniel , Methling Karen , Lalk Michael , Stigloher Christian , Steger Mirco , Schlosser Andreas , Ohlsen Knut
Published: September 2018

The cell wall synthesis pathway producing peptidoglycan is a highly coordinated and tightly regulated process. Although the major components of bacterial cell walls have been known for decades, the complex regulatory network controlling peptidoglycan synthesis and many details of the cell division machinery are not well understood. The eukaryotic-like serine/threonine kinase Stk and the cognate phosphatase Stp play an important role in cell wall biosynthesis and drug resistance in S. aureus. We show that stp deletion has a pronounced impact on cell wall synthesis. Deletion of stp leads to a thicker cell wall and decreases susceptibility to lysostaphin. Stationary phase Δstp cells accumulate peptidoglycan precursors and incorporate higher amounts of incomplete muropeptides with non-glycine, monoglycine and monoalanine interpeptide bridges into the cell wall. In line with this cell wall phenotype, we demonstrate that the lipid II:glycine glycyltransferase FemX can be phosphorylated by the Ser/Thr kinase Stk in vitro. Mass spectrometric analyses identify Thr32, Thr36 and Ser415 as phosphoacceptors. The cognate phosphatase Stp dephosphorylates these phosphorylation sites. Moreover, Stk interacts with FemA and FemB, but is unable to phosphorylate them. Our data indicate that Stk and Stp modulate cell wall synthesis and cell division at several levels.
Achromatic linear polarization rotators by tandem twisted nematic liquid crystal cells
Authors: Chung Te-Yuan , Tsai Min-Cheng , Liu Cheng-Kai , Li Jia-Hao , Cheng Ko-Ting
Published: September 2018

An achromatic linear polarization rotator based on a tandem-2ϕ-twisted nematic liquid crystal cell (tandem-2ϕ-TNLC cell, where 2ϕ represents the total twisted angle) is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated. The tandem-2ϕ-TNLC cell comprises two conventional ϕ-TNLC cells with the required arrangement that the LC director close to the last layer of the first ϕ-TNLC cell should be perpendicular to that close to the first layer of the second ϕ-TNLC cell. With such a simple combination, the TNLC performances are considerably improved. According to the experimental results and theoretical analyses by Jones Calculus, the tandem-2ϕ-TNLC polarization rotator with suitable parameters is achromatic and insensitive to the polarization plane of incident light. Such properties provide these polarization rotators with potential for practical applications.
Agile research to complement agile development: a proposal for an mHealth research lifecycle
Authors: Wilson Kumanan , Bell Cameron , Wilson Lindsay , Witteman Holly
Published: September 2018

Mobile health (mHealth) technology is increasingly being used, but academic evaluations supporting its use are not keeping pace. This is partly due to the disconnect between the traditional pharmaceutical approach to product evaluation, with its incremental approach, and the flexible way in which mHealth products are developed. An important step to addressing these problems lies in establishing agile research methods that complement the agile development methodologies used to create modern digital health applications. We describe an mHealth research model that mirrors traditional clinical research methods in its attention to safety and efficacy, while also accommodating the rapid and iterative development and evaluation required to produce effective, evidence-based, and sustainable digital products. This approach consists of a project identification stage followed by four phases of clinical evaluation: Phase 1: User Experience Design, Development, & Alpha Testing; Phase 2: Beta testing; Phase 3: Clinical Trial Evaluation; and Phase 4: Post-Market Surveillance. These phases include sample gating questions and are adapted to accommodate the unique nature of digital product development.
Cellular-scale probes enable stable chronic subsecond monitoring of dopamine neurochemicals in a rodent model
Authors: Schwerdt Helen N. , Zhang Elizabeth , Kim Min Jung , Yoshida Tomoko , Stanwicks Lauren , Amemori Satoko , Dagdeviren Huseyin E. , Langer Robert , Cima Michael J. , Graybiel Ann M.
Published: September 2018

Chemical signaling underlies both temporally phasic and extended activity in the brain. Phasic activity can be monitored by implanted sensors, but chronic recording of such chemical signals has been difficult because the capacity to measure them degrades over time. This degradation has been attributed to tissue damage progressively produced by the sensors and failure of the sensors themselves. We report methods that surmount these problems through the development of sensors having diameters as small as individual neuronal cell bodies (<10 µm). These micro-invasive probes (µIPs) markedly reduced expression of detectable markers of inflammation and tissue damage in a rodent test model. The chronically implanted µIPs provided stable operation in monitoring sub-second fluctuations in stimulation-evoked dopamine in anesthetized rats for over a year. These findings demonstrate that monitoring of chemical activity patterns in the brain over at least year-long periods, long a goal of both basic and clinical neuroscience, is achievable.
A high-gain and high-fidelity coherent state comparison amplifier
Authors: Donaldson Ross J. , Mazzarella Luca , Collins Robert J. , Jeffers John , Buller Gerald S.
Published: September 2018

Optical signals are subject to a distance-dependent loss as they propagate through transmission media. High-intensity, classical, optical signals can routinely be amplified to overcome the degradation caused by this loss. However, quantum optical states cannot be deterministically amplified and any attempt to do so will introduce intrinsic noise that spoils the desired quantum properties. Non-deterministic optical amplification, based on post-selection of the output depending on certain conditioning detection outcomes, is an emerging enabling technology in quantum measurement and quantum communications. Here we present an investigation into the properties of a simple, modular optical state comparison amplifier operating on weak coherent states. This amplifier requires no complex quantum resources and is based on linear optical components allowing for a high amplification rate at high gain and fidelity. We examine the amplifier’s performance in different configurations and develop an accurate analytical model that accounts for typical experimental scenarios.
Efficient synthesis of riboflavin-imprinted magnetic nanoparticles by boronate affinity-based surface imprinting for the selective recognition of riboflavin
Authors: Li Daojin , Bie Zijun , Wang Fangfang , Guo Enhui
Published: September 2018

Riboflavin (vitamin B2), acis-diol-containing compound, is an essential vitamin for maintaining human health mainly in energy metabolism and is a critical component of enzyme cofactors and flavoproteins.
A fishhook probe-based rolling circle amplification (FP-RCA) assay for efficient isolation and detection of microRNA without total RNA extraction
Authors: Lu Wei , Wang Yusheng , Song Shanshan , Chen Chaoyu , Yao Bo , Wang Min
Published: September 2018

MicroRNA was detected from cell lysates without total RNA extraction based on fishhook probe-mediated rolling circle amplification and smartphone-based fluorescence imaging.
A non-reductive electrochemical sensor for ultrasensitive detection of pM-level TNT
Authors: Xi Juren , Zhang Baishun
Published: September 2018

Most of the current electrochemical sensors for the detection of nitroaromatic explosives directly exploit the reduction of nitro groups at the electrode.
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of iron nanoparticles as hydrogenation catalysts in alcohols and tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquids: do solvents matter?
Authors: Banerjee Abhinandan , Yao Yali , Durr Michael-Roy R. , Barrett William G. , Hu Yongfeng , Scott Robert W. J.
Published: September 2018

Best recyclability seen for Fe nanoparticles in alcohol solvents in which Fe-core, Fe oxide shell nanoparticles are formed.
Encapsulation of laccase within zwitterionic poly-carboxybetaine hydrogels for improved activity and stability
Authors: Zhu Yingnan , Song Jiayin , Zhang Jiamin , Yang Jing , Zhao Weiqiang , Guo Hongshuang , Xu Tong , Zhou Xiao , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2018

Encapsulation of laccase within zwitterionic PCB hydrogels for improved activity, affinity and stability.
Changes in the metabolite profile of breast milk over lactation stages and their relationship with dietary intake in Chinese women: HPLC-QTOFMS based metabolomic analysis
Authors: Li Kelei , Jiang Jiajing , Xiao Hailong , Wu Kejian , Qi Ce , Sun Jin , Li Duo
Published: September 2018

The metabolite profile of breast milk changes over lactation stages in Chinese women, independent of dietary intake.
Tannic acid directly targets pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 to attenuate colon cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Yang Peng , Ding Guo-Bin , Liu Wen , Fu Rong , Sajid Amin , Li Zhuoyu
Published: September 2018

Tannic acid, which ubiquitously exists in grapes and green tea, binds to K433 to trigger dissociation of PKM2 tetramers and further block the metabolic activity of PKM2 to suppress colorectal cancer cell proliferation.
Production of fermentable species by microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment of biomass carbohydrates: reactivity and fermentability assessments
Authors: Remón Javier , Santomauro Fabio , Chuck Christopher J. , Matharu Avtar S. , Clark James H.
Published: September 2018

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal depolymerisation: an efficient process for the production of fermentable liquids from biomass carbohydrates.
Metabolic deregulation in prostate cancer
Authors: Srihari Sriganesh , Kwong Ray , Tran Khoa , Simpson Rebecca , Tattam Paula , Smith Elliot
Published: September 2018

Using RNAseq data from prostate cancer tissues we identified up to six metabolic subtypes of prostate cancer that show distinct disease-free and/or metastasis-free survival.
Organelle-specific analysis of labile Fe(ii) during ferroptosis by using a cocktail of various colour organelle-targeted fluorescent probes
Authors: Hirayama Tasuku , Miki Ayaji , Nagasawa Hideko
Published: September 2018

Fluorescence imaging analysis of labile Fe(ii) during ferroptosis.
Thiolation in arsenic metabolism: a chemical perspective
Authors: Fan Changjun , Liu Guangliang , Long Yanmin , Rosen Barry , Cai Yong
Published: September 2018

In recent years, methylated thioarsenicals have been widely detected in various biological and environmental matrices, suggesting their broad involvement and biological importance in arsenic metabolism. However, very little is known about the formation mechanism of methylated thioarsenicals and the relation between arsenic methylation and thiolation processes. It is timely and necessary to summarize and synthesize the reported information on thiolated arsenicals for an improved understanding of arsenic thiolation. To this end, we examined the proposed formation pathways of methylated oxoarsenicals and thioarsenicals from a chemical perspective and proposed a novel arsenic metabolic scheme, in which arsenic thiolation is integrated with methylation (instead of being separated from methylation as currently reported). We suggest in the new scheme that protein-bound pentavalent arsenicals are critical intermediates that connect methylation and thiolation, with protein binding of pentavalent methylated thioarsenical being a key step for arsenic thiolation. This informative review on arsenic thiolation from the chemical perspective will be helpful to better understand the arsenic metabolism at the molecular level and the toxicological effects of arsenic species.
2-Methylol-12-crown-4 ether immobilized PolyHIPEs toward recovery of lithium(i)
Authors: Huang Wei , Liu Shucheng , Liu Jinxin , Zhang Wenli , Pan Jianming
Published: September 2018

A facile strategy to fabricate crown ether (2-methylol-12-crown-4, 2M12C4) immobilized porous polymers (PGMA-CE) was reported toward lithium(i) (Li+) recovery.
Protein–protein interactions in “cis-AT” polyketide synthases
Authors: Dodge Greg J. , Maloney Finn P. , Smith Janet L.
Published: September 2018

Protein–protein interactions of cis-AT polyketide synthases are dominated by the travels of the ACP domain to the active site entrance of each catalytic domain.
Membrane destruction and phospholipid extraction by using two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets
Authors: Wu Rongrong , Ou Xinwen , Tian Ranran , Zhang Jie , Jin Hangshuai , Dong Mingdong , Li Jingyuan , Liu Lei
Published: September 2018

MoS2 nanosheets are able to disrupt the structure of phospholipid membranes by forming dents on their surface, followed by the extraction of phospholipid molecules to reduce the integrity of the bacterial membrane.
Silver(i)/base-promoted propargyl alcohol-controlled regio- or stereoselective synthesis of furan-3-carboxamides and (Z)-enaminones
Authors: Sultana Sabera , Shim Jae-Jin , Kim Sung Hong , Lee Yong Rok
Published: September 2018

A silver/base-promoted regio- or stereoselective synthesis of diverse furan-3-carboxamides and (Z)-enaminones starting from 3-oxo-amides and propargyl alcohols has been developed.
Mutated variants of squalene-hopene cyclase: enzymatic syntheses of triterpenes bearing oxygen-bridged monocycles and a new 6,6,6,6,6-fusded pentacyclic scaffold, named neogammacerane, from 2,3-oxidosqualene
Authors: Fukuda Yoriyuki , Watanabe Takashi , Hoshino Tsutomu
Published: September 2018

First enzymatic syntheses of triterpenes bearing a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane moiety and a novel scaffold, named neogammacerane, by the mutated cyclases.
Metabolomic profiling of matured coconut water during post-harvest storage revealed discrimination and distinct changes in metabolites
Authors: Chen Weijun , Zhang Guanfei , Chen Wenxue , Zhong Qiuping , Chen Haiming
Published: September 2018

The metabolites of coconut water stored at room temperature were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis to identify the differential biomarkers and metabolic pathways during post-harvest storage.
Hierarchical porous ZnMnO3 yolk–shell microspheres with superior lithium storage properties enabled by a unique one-step conversion mechanism
Authors: Su Xiaoru , Huang Jian , Yan Bangyuan , Hong Zhouping , Li Siyuan , Pang Baocheng , Luo Yulin , Feng Li , Zhou Mingjiong , Xia Yongyao
Published: September 2018

ZnMnO3 has attracted enormous attention as a novel anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity.
Extracellular probiotic lipase capped silver nanoparticles as highly efficient broad spectrum antimicrobial agents
Authors: Khan Imran , Sivasankaran Nivetha , Nagarjuna Ravikiran , Ganesan Ramakrishnan , Dutta Jayati Ray
Published: September 2018

A series of Ag NPs capped with different concentrations of probiotic lipase have been synthesized. The obtained Ag NPs exhibited efficient broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at concentrations much lower than the LC50values of zebrafish.
Room temperature ferromagnetism in metallic Ti1−xVxO2thin films
Authors: Zeng Ze-Ting , Jiang Feng-Xian , Ji Li-Fei , Zheng Hai-Yun , Zhou Guo-Wei , Xu Xiao-Hong
Published: September 2018

Transition metal doped TiO2diluted magnetic semiconductors have attracted considerable interest due to their room temperature ferromagnetism.
Phenylene-bridged perylenediimide-porphyrin acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Zhang Quanquan , Xu‡ Xiaopeng , Chen‡ Song , Bodedla Govardhana Babu , Sun Mingzi , Hu Qin , Peng Qiang , Huang Bolong , Ke Hanzhong , Liu Feng , Russell Thomas P. , Zhu Xunjin
Published: September 2018

New perylenediimide-porphyrin acceptors, 4PDI-ZnP and 2PDI-ZnP, have been facilely synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of perylenediimide-substituted benzaldehyde with pyrrole and dipyrromethane, respectively, and subsequent Zn(ii)-complexation.
Integrative preparation of mesoporous epoxy resin–ceramic composite electrolytes with multilayer structure for dendrite-free lithium metal batteries
Authors: Li Mengjie , Li Hao , Lan Jin-Le , Yu Yunhua , Du Zhongjie , Yang Xiaoping
Published: September 2018

Multi-layered mesoporous epoxy resin–ceramic composite design simultaneously solves the problems of Li dendrites.
Shape control of core–shell MOF@MOF and derived MOF nanocages via ion modulation in a one-pot strategy
Authors: Wu Shenjie , Zhuang Guoxin , Wei Jinxin , Zhuang Zanyong , Yu Yan
Published: September 2018

Ion modulation aids the one-pot synthesis of core–shell PBA@PBA nanocrystals with tunable shapes, serving as templates for creating intricate PBA nanocages with uncommon configurations.
Iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted imaging of liver tumors with ultralow hepatotoxicity
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Cha Ruitao , Zhang Yulong , Guo Hongbo , Long Keying , Gao Pangye , Wang Xiaohui , Zhou Fengshan , Jiang Xingyu
Published: September 2018

Even though iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles are promising materials for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, their biocompatibility and targeting efficacy still need to be improved.