bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of the human 5-HT1B serotonin receptor bound to an inverse agonist
Authors: Yin Wanchao , Zhou X. Edward , Yang Dehua , de Waal Parker W. , Wang Meitian , Dai Antao , Cai Xiaoqing , Huang Chia-Ying , Liu Ping , Wang Xiaoxi , Yin Yanting , Liu Bo , Zhou Yu , Wang Jiang , Liu Hong , Caffrey Martin , Melcher Karsten , Xu Yechun , Wang Ming-Wei , Xu H. Eric , Jiang Yi
Published: March 2018

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, also known as serotonin) regulates many physiological processes through the 5-HT receptor family. Here we report the crystal structure of 5-HT1B subtype receptor (5-HT1BR) bound to the psychotropic serotonin receptor inverse agonist methiothepin (MT). Crystallization was facilitated by replacing ICL3 with a novel optimized variant of BRIL (OB1) that enhances the formation of intermolecular polar interactions, making OB1 a potential useful tool for structural studies of membrane proteins. Unlike the agonist ergotamine (ERG), MT occupies only the conserved orthosteric binding pocket, explaining the wide spectrum effect of MT on serotonin receptors. Compared with ERG, MT shifts toward TM6 and sterically pushes residues W3276.48, F3306.50 and F3316.51 from inside the orthosteric binding pocket, leading to an outward movement of the extracellular end and a corresponding inward shift of the intracellular end of TM6, a feature shared by other reported inactive G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structures. Together with the previous agonist-bound serotonin receptor structures, the inverse agonist-bound 5-HT1BR structure identifies a basis for the ligand-mediated switch of 5-HT1BR activity and provides a structural understanding of the inactivation mechanism of 5-HT1BR and some other class A GPCRs, characterized by ligand-induced outward movement of the extracellular end of TM6 that is coupled with inward movement of the cytoplasmic end of this helix.
Neural basis for categorical boundaries in the primate pre-SMA during relative categorization of time intervals
Authors: Mendoza Germán , Méndez Juan Carlos , Pérez Oswaldo , Prado Luis , Merchant Hugo
Published: March 2018

Perceptual categorization depends on the assignment of different stimuli to specific groups based, in principle, on the notion of flexible categorical boundaries. To determine the neural basis of categorical boundaries, we record the activity of pre-SMA neurons of monkeys executing an interval categorization task in which the limit between short and long categories changes between blocks of trials within a session. A large population of cells encodes this boundary by reaching a constant peak of activity close to the corresponding subjective limit. Notably, the time at which this peak is reached changes according to the categorical boundary of the current block, predicting the monkeys’ categorical decision on a trial-by-trial basis. In addition, pre-SMA cells also represent the category selected by the monkeys and the outcome of the decision. These results suggest that the pre-SMA adaptively encodes subjective duration boundaries between short and long durations and contains crucial neural information to categorize intervals and evaluate the outcome of such perceptual decisions.
Voltage gating of mechanosensitive PIEZO channels
Authors: Moroni Mirko , Servin-Vences M. Rocio , Fleischer Raluca , Sánchez-Carranza Oscar , Lewin Gary R.
Published: March 2018

Mechanosensitive PIEZO ion channels are evolutionarily conserved proteins whose presence is critical for normal physiology in multicellular organisms. Here we show that, in addition to mechanical stimuli, PIEZO channels are also powerfully modulated by voltage and can even switch to a purely voltage-gated mode. Mutations that cause human diseases, such as xerocytosis, profoundly shift voltage sensitivity of PIEZO1 channels toward the resting membrane potential and strongly promote voltage gating. Voltage modulation may be explained by the presence of an inactivation gate in the pore, the opening of which is promoted by outward permeation. Older invertebrate (fly) and vertebrate (fish) PIEZO proteins are also voltage sensitive, but voltage gating is a much more prominent feature of these older channels. We propose that the voltage sensitivity of PIEZO channels is a deep property co-opted to add a regulatory mechanism for PIEZO activation in widely different cellular contexts.
Author Correction: Identification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provides Founders for Species Restoration Program
Authors: Miller Joshua M. , Quinzin Maud C. , Poulakakis Nikos , Gibbs James P. , Beheregaray Luciano B. , Garrick Ryan C. , Russello Michael A. , Ciofi Claudio , Edwards Danielle L. , Hunter Elizabeth A. , Tapia Washington , Rueda Danny , Carrión Jorge , Valdivieso Andrés A. , Caccone Adalgisa
Published: March 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 Direct Method for Determining Toricity Ratios of Toric Intraocular Lens Calculators
Authors: Gabra Lauren G. , Sayegh Samir I.
Published: March 2018

This study develops a method to determine toricity ratios used by arbitrary toric intraocular lens calculators. Access to this information allows for the improvement of refractive results. We derive the Sayegh-Gabra formula, which uses input and output parameters in a toric calculator to extract toricity ratios that are typically not disclosed. We illustrate the method on a number of commercial calculators. For each calculator, high, average, and low axial length values are crossed with high, average, and low mean corneal power values to generate a 3 × 3 matrix. A toricity ratio is generated for each axial length and mean corneal power pair. We thus identify several toric lens manufacturers’ calculators that use a constant toricity ratio, often 1.46. Some others use a variable ratio centered at 1.46, but varying as axial length and mean K increases over a range of values corresponding to physiological myopia and hyperopia. There is an emerging trend away from constant toricity ratios. Using our methodology, it is possible to extract the toricity ratio used by specific calculators/manufacturers, distinguish those using constant versus variable toricity ratios, and use this information to improve surgical outcomes by refining current and future toric intraocular lens calculators.
Rapid Synthesis and Correlative Measurements of Electrocatalytic Nickel/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Jeerage Kavita M. , Candelaria Stephanie L. , Stavis Samuel M.
Published: March 2018

Electrocatalytic core-shell nanoparticles, such as nickel/iron oxides for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes, require rapid synthesis and measurement for practical use. To meet this challenge, we investigated a novel process of adding Ni(II) species to Fe nanoparticles immediately after synthesis, which we expected to yield Ni-rich shells around Fe-rich cores. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the overpotential decreased as the molar ratio of Ni to Fe in the synthesis vessel increased from 0.2 mol Ni:1 mol Fe to 1.5 mol Ni:1 mol Fe, consistent with an increase of Ni composition. Unexpectedly, the overpotential increased abruptly at 2.0 mol Ni:1 mol Fe. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that this synthesis ratio resulted in less Ni at the nanoparticle surfaces than lower synthesis ratios. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of rapid electrochemical measurements to surface composition, and the limits of Ni(II) adsorption and reduction to rapidly form Ni-rich shells around Fe-rich cores. Cyclic voltammetry also showed that the onset of the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) correlates with the oxidation of Ni(OH)2 to NiOOH. Therefore, tuning materials to improve performance as OER catalysts also improves their performance as MOR catalysts.
Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs as Patient Controlled Analgesia on Early Bowel Function Recovery after Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Yu Young Dong , Hwang Jin Ho , Seo Young Eun , Song Byung Do , Jung Yeon Soo , Lee Dong Hwan , Hong Sung Kyu , Byun Seok-Soo , Lee Sang Eun , Oh Jong Jin
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ketorolac, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as patient controlled intravenous infusion analgesia (PCIA) for the patients underwent radical cystectomy (RC) due to bladder cancer regarding post-operational indices of recovery. Total seventy patients who underwent radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer were included in the study. 35 patients received ketorolac as PCIA (NSAIDS group) and 35 patients had morphine infusion as PCIA (morphine group). Pain intensity, bowel function recovery and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Early postoperative complications were analyzed according to surgical types (robot RC vs. open RC). Demographics were similar between two groups. NSAIDS group showed a significant reduction in postoperative vomiting (p = 0.001), time to flatus (p = 0.028), time to first bowel movement (p = 0.001) and time to first clear liquid diet (p = 0.002) compared with morphine group. No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups regarding length of hospitalization, and postoperative complications. For 48 hours after RC, pain relief was slightly better in morphine group (p < 0.001). Both open RC and robot RC cases showed significantly better bowel function recovery with NSAIDS groups. Ketorolac as PCIA is relatively effective in pain management with better gastrointestinal recovery after RC.
Voltage dependence of synaptic plasticity is essential for rate based learning with short stimuli
Authors: Weissenberger Felix , Gauy Marcelo Matheus , Lengler Johannes , Meier Florian , Steger Angelika
Published: March 2018

In computational neuroscience, synaptic plasticity rules are often formulated in terms of firing rates. The predominant description of in vivo neuronal activity, however, is the instantaneous rate (or spiking probability). In this article we resolve this discrepancy by showing that fluctuations of the membrane potential carry enough information to permit a precise estimate of the instantaneous rate in balanced networks. As a consequence, we find that rate based plasticity rules are not restricted to neuronal activity that is stable for hundreds of milliseconds to seconds, but can be carried over to situations in which it changes every few milliseconds. We illustrate this, by showing that a voltage-dependent realization of the classical BCM rule achieves input selectivity, even if stimulus duration is reduced to a few milliseconds each.
Neurogenetic asymmetries in the catshark developing habenulae: mechanistic and evolutionary implications
Authors: Lagadec Ronan , Lanoizelet Maxence , Sánchez-Farías Nuria , Hérard Fanny , Menuet Arnaud , Mayeur Hélène , Billoud Bernard , Rodriguez-Moldes Isabel , Candal Eva , Mazan Sylvie
Published: March 2018

Analysis of the establishment of epithalamic asymmetry in two non-conventional model organisms, a cartilaginous fish and a lamprey, has suggested that an essential role of Nodal signalling, likely to be ancestral in vertebrates, may have been largely lost in zebrafish. In order to decipher the cellular mechanisms underlying this divergence, we have characterised neurogenetic asymmetries during habenular development in the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula and addressed the mechanism involved in this process. As in zebrafish, neuronal differentiation starts earlier on the left side in the catshark habenulae, suggesting the conservation of a temporal regulation of neurogenesis. At later stages, marked, Alk4/5/7 dependent, size asymmetries having no clear counterparts in zebrafish also develop in neural progenitor territories, with a larger size of the proliferative, pseudostratified neuroepithelium, in the right habenula relative to the left one, but a higher cell number on the left of a more lateral, later formed population of neural progenitors. These data show that mechanisms resulting in an asymmetric, preferential maintenance of neural progenitors act both in the left and the right habenulae, on different cell populations. Such mechanisms may provide a substrate for quantitative variations accounting for the variability in size and laterality of habenular asymmetries across vertebrates.
Secretome analysis of in vitro aged human mesenchymal stem cells reveals IGFBP7 as a putative factor for promoting osteogenesis
Authors: Infante Arantza , Rodríguez Clara I.
Published: March 2018

Aging is a complex biological process, which involves multiple mechanisms with different levels of regulation. Senescent cells are known to secrete senescence-associated proteins, which exert negative influences on surrounding cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the common progenitors for bone, cartilage and adipose tissue (which are especially affected tissues in aging), are known to secrete a broad spectrum of biologically active proteins with both paracrine and autocrine functions in many biological processes. In this report, we have studied the secreted factors (secretome) from human MSCs (hMSCs) and hMSCs-derived adipocytes which were induced to accumulate prelamin A, the immature form of the nuclear lamina protein called Lamin A, known to induce premature aging syndromes in humans and in murine models. Proteomic analysis from two different techniques, antibody arrays and LS-MS, showed that prelamin A accumulation in hMSCs promotes the differential secretion of factors previously identified as secreted by hMSCs undergoing osteogenesis. Moreover, this secretome was able to modulate osteogenesis of normal hMSCs in vitro. Finally, we found that one of the overexpressed secreted factors of this human aging in vitro stem cell model, IGFBP-7, is an osteogenic factor, essential for the viability of hMSCs during osteogenesis.
TDP43 nuclear export and neurodegeneration in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Archbold Hilary C. , Jackson Kasey L. , Arora Ayush , Weskamp Kaitlin , Tank Elizabeth M.-H. , Li Xingli , Miguez Roberto , Dayton Robert D. , Tamir Sharon , Klein Ronald L. , Barmada Sami J.
Published: March 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders marked in most cases by the nuclear exclusion and cytoplasmic deposition of the RNA binding protein TDP43. We previously demonstrated that ALS–associated mutant TDP43 accumulates within the cytoplasm, and that TDP43 mislocalization predicts neurodegeneration. Here, we sought to prevent neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD models using selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) compounds that target exportin-1 (XPO1). SINE compounds modestly extend cellular survival in neuronal ALS/FTD models and mitigate motor symptoms in an in vivo rat ALS model. At high doses, SINE compounds block nuclear egress of an XPO1 cargo reporter, but not at lower concentrations that were associated with neuroprotection. Neither SINE compounds nor leptomycin B, a separate XPO1 inhibitor, enhanced nuclear TDP43 levels, while depletion of XPO1 or other exportins had little effect on TDP43 localization, suggesting that no single exporter is necessary for TDP43 export. Supporting this hypothesis, we find overexpression of XPO1, XPO7 and NXF1 are each sufficient to promote nuclear TDP43 egress. Taken together, our results indicate that redundant pathways regulate TDP43 nuclear export, and that therapeutic prevention of cytoplasmic TDP43 accumulation in ALS/FTD may be enhanced by targeting several overlapping mechanisms.
Intravenous C16 and angiopoietin-1 improve the efficacy of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for EAE
Authors: Tian Ke-wei , Zhang Yuan-yuan , Jiang Hong , Han Shu
Published: March 2018

The placenta has emerged as an attractive source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because of the absence of ethical issues, non-invasive access, and abundant yield. However, inflammatory cell invasion into grafts negatively impacts the survival and efficacy of transplanted cells. Previous studies have shown that synthetic C16 peptide can competitively block the transmigration of leukocytes into the central nerve system, while angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) can inhibit inflammation-induced blood vessel leakage and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study, we investigated the effects of intravenous administration of C16 and Ang-1 on the efficacy of placenta-derived MSC (PMSC) transplantation in a rat model of EAE. We found that, compared with PMSCs alone, treatment with PMSCs along with intravenously administered C16 and Ang-1 was more effective at ameliorating demyelination/neuronal loss and neurological dysfunction, reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, perivascular edema, and reactive astrogliosis (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that intravenous C16 and Ang-1 increased PMSC engraftment in the central nervous system and promoted expression of the neurotropic proteins brain-derived neurotrophic factor, growth-associated protein 43, and p75 neurotrophin receptor as well as the neuronal-glial lineage markers neurofilament protein 200 and myelin basic protein in the engrafted PMSCs.
On the Precise Tuning of Optical Filtering Features in Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Distributed Bragg Reflectors
Authors: Law Cheryl Suwen , Lim Siew Yee , Santos Abel
Published: March 2018

This study presents a nanofabrication approach that enables the production of nanoporous anodic alumina distributed Bragg reflectors (NAA-DBRs) with finely engineered light filtering features across the spectral regions. The photonic stopband (PSB) of these NAA-based photonic crystal (PC) structures is precisely tuned by an apodization strategy applied during stepwise pulse anodization with the aim of engineering the effective medium of NAA-DBRs in depth. We systematically assess the effect of different fabrication parameters such as apodization function (i.e. linear positive, linear negative, logarithmic positive and logarithmic negative), amplitude difference (from 0.105 to 0.420 mA cm−2), current density offset (from 0.140 to 0.560 mA cm−2), anodization period (from 1100 to 1700 s), and pore widening time (from 0 to 6 min) on the quality and central wavelength of the PSB of NAA-DBRs. The PSB’s features these PC structures are demonstrated to be highly tunable with the fabrication parameters, where a logarithmic negative apodization is found to be the most effective function to produce NAA-DBRs with high quality PSBs across the UV-visible-NIR spectrum. Our study establishes that apodized NAA-DBRs are more sensitive to changes in their effective medium than non-apodized NAA-DBRs, making them more suitable sensing platforms to develop advanced optical sensing systems.
Extended depth-resolved imaging through a thin scattering medium with PSF manipulation
Authors: Xie Xiangsheng , Zhuang Huichang , He Hexiang , Xu Xiaoqing , Liang Haowen , Liu Yikun , Zhou Jianying
Published: March 2018

Human ability to visualize an image is usually hindered by optical scattering. Recent extensive studies have promoted imaging technique through turbid materials to a reality where color image can be restored behind scattering media in real time. The big challenge now is to recover objects in a large field of view with depth resolving ability. Based on the existing research results, we systematically study the physical relationship between speckles generated from objects at different planes. By manipulating a given single point spread function, depth-resolved imaging through a thin scattering medium can be extended beyond the original depth of field (DOF). Experimental testing of standard scattering media shows that the DOF can be extended up to 5 times and the physical mechanism is depicted. This extended DOF is benefit to 3D imaging through scattering environment, and it is expected to have important applications in science, technology, bio-medical, security and defense.
Author Correction: Ringing phenomenon based measurement of weak mode-coupling strength in an optical microresonator
Authors: Ye Ming-Yong , Shen Mei-Xia , Lin Xiu-Min
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Grass Carp Prolactin Gene: Structural Characterization and Signal Transduction for PACAP-induced Prolactin Promoter Activity
Authors: Lin Chengyuan , Bai Jin , He Mulan , Wong Anderson O. L.
Published: March 2018

In this study, structural analysis of grass carp prolactin (PRL) gene was performed and the signaling mechanisms for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) regulation of PRL promoter activity were investigated. In αT3-1 cells, PRL promoter activity could be induced by oPACAP38which was blocked by PACAP antagonist but not the VIP antagonist. The stimulatory effect of oPACAP38was mimicked by activation of AC/cAMP and voltage-sensitive Ca2+channel (VSCC) signaling, or induction of Ca2+entry. In parallel, PACAP-induced PRL promoter activity was negated or inhibited by suppressing cAMP production, inhibiting PKA activity, removal of extracellular Ca2+, VSCC blockade, calmodulin (CaM) antagonism, and inactivation of CaM kinase II. Similar sensitivity to L-type VSCC, CaM and CaM kinase II inhibition were also observed by substituting cAMP analog for oPACAP38as the stimulant for PRL promoter activity. Moreover, PACAP-induced PRL promoter activity was also blocked by inhibition of PLC signaling, attenuation of [Ca2+]i immobilization via IP3 receptors, and blockade of PI3K/P70S6Kpathway. The PACAP-induced PRL promoter activation may involve transactivation of the transcription factor CREB. These results suggest that PACAP can stimulate PRL promoter activation by PAC1 mediated functional coupling of the Ca2+/CaM/CaM kinase II cascades with the AC/cAMP/PKA pathway. Apparently, other signaling pathways, including PLC/IP3 and PI3K/P70S6Kcascades, may also be involved in PACAP induction of PRL gene transcription.
Multifunctional trastuzumab–chlorin e6 conjugate for the treatment of HER2-positive human breast cancer
Authors: Kim Kyoung Sub , Kim Jiyoung , Kim Da Hye , Hwang Hee Sook , Na Kun
Published: March 2018

Effective penetration and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs into tumor tissues are limiting factors for achieving enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
Supramolecular assembly of oxalatomolybdates controlled by the hydrogen bonding potential of Co(iii)-ammine cations
Authors: Cindrić Marina , Stilinović Vladimir , Rubčić Mirta , Medak Glorija , Šišak Jung Dubravka , Vrdoljak Višnja
Published: March 2018

Six oxalatomolybdate anions of different nuclearities have been obtained in reactions of {[MoO3(ox)]}n2n− and [Mo2O5(ox)2(H2O)2]2− anions with a series of Co(iii)-ammine cations.
The effect of water on the physicochemical properties of an ethylene glycol and choline chloride mixture containing Cu2+ ions: electrochemical results and dynamic molecular simulation approach
Authors: Bezerra-Neto João R. , Sousa Natalia G. , dos Santos Luis P. M. , Correia Adriana N. , de Lima-Neto Pedro
Published: March 2018

The molecular dynamic indicated that the water molecules replace the ethylene glycol molecules that are coordinated with Cu2+ ions.
First-principles investigation of polarization and ion conduction mechanisms in hydroxyapatite
Authors: Kasamatsu Shusuke , Sugino Osamu
Published: March 2018

Competing and cooperating polarization and ion migration mechanisms in hydroxyapatite are visualized and analyzed using first-principles simulation.
Construction of a chiral macromolecular catalyst in hollow silica nanoreactors for efficient and recyclable asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Jing Lingyan , Zhang Xiaoming , Guan Ruqun , Yang Hengquan
Published: March 2018

A novel strategy for immobilizing a Noyori–Ikariya catalyst is developed by constructing a macromolecular polymer in hollow silica nanoreactors.
Rapid detection of nutrients with electronic sensors: a review
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Zhou Guihua , Mao Shun , Chen Junhong
Published: March 2018

Electronic sensors can detect nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that are key indexes in evaluating water eutrophication.
Pyridine/pyridinium symmetrical bisamides as functional materials: aggregation, selective sensing and drug release
Authors: Panja Santanu , Ghosh Sumit , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: March 2018

We report the design, synthesis and gelation behavior of some 3-amino pyridine/pyridinium-based bisamides. As an application, gels are useful in the visual detection of cations, anions, biomolecules and in drug release.
Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole based artemisinin derivatives and their antiproliferative activity
Authors: Kapkoti Deepak Singh , Singh Shilpi , Luqman Suaib , Bhakuni Rajendra Singh
Published: March 2018

Novel artemisinin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives show significant antiproliferative activity, and induce apoptosis and ROS generation and arrest the cell cycle at the G2/M phase.
Covalent immobilization of doxorubicin in glycine functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for pH-responsive release
Authors: Verma Gunjan , Shetake Neena G. , Barick K. C. , Pandey B. N. , Hassan P. A. , Priyadarsini K. I.
Published: March 2018

Development and therapeutic evaluation of glycine functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles having a covalently conjugated anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride.
Water splitting to hydrogen over epitaxially grown InGaN nanowires on a metallic titanium/silicon template: reduced interfacial transfer resistance and improved stability to hydrogen
Authors: Ebaid Mohamed , Min Jung-Wook , Zhao Chao , Ng Tien Khee , Idriss Hicham , Ooi Boon S.
Published: March 2018

InGaN NWs were grown on a metallic Ti/Si template that improved the photoelectrochemical performance and stability, and reduced the interfacial transfer resistance.
Multifunctional cellulose-paper for light harvesting and smart sensing applications
Authors: T. Vicente António , Araújo Andreia , Mendes Manuel J. , Nunes Daniela , Oliveira Maria J. , Sanchez-Sobrado Olalla , Ferreira Marta P. , Águas Hugo , Fortunato Elvira , Martins Rodrigo
Published: March 2018

Opto-electronics on/with paper is fostering a novel generation of flexible and recyclable devices for sunlight harvesting and intelligent optical sensing.
2-Oxoglutarate regulates binding of hydroxylated hypoxia-inducible factor to prolyl hydroxylase domain 2
Authors: Abboud Martine I. , McAllister Tom E. , Leung Ivanhoe K. H. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Jorgensen Christian , Domene Carmen , Mecinović Jasmin , Lippl Kerstin , Hancock Rebecca L. , Hopkinson Richard J. , Kawamura Akane , Claridge Timothy D. W. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: March 2018

The binding of prolyl-hydroxylated HIF-α to PHD2 is hindered by prior 2OG binding; likely, leading to the inhibition of HIF-α degradation under limiting 2OG conditions.
Spontaneous chirality through mixing achiral components: a twist-bend nematic phase driven by hydrogen-bonding between unlike components
Authors: Walker R. , Pociecha D. , Abberley J. P. , Martinez-Felipe A. , Paterson D. A. , Forsyth E. , Lawrence G. B. , Henderson P. A. , Storey J. M. D. , Gorecka E. , Imrie C. T.
Published: March 2018

The spontaneous formation of a chiral structure in a mixture consisting of achiral components is attributed to the formation of a hydrogen-bonded complex between the unlike components.
Ordered meso- and macroporous perovskite oxide catalysts for emerging applications
Authors: Arandiyan Hamidreza , Wang Yuan , Sun Hongyu , Rezaei Mehran , Dai Hongxing
Published: March 2018

Hierarchically ordered perovskite materials which have potential applications in chemistry, energy and materials science.
Intramolecular hydrogen-bond activation for the addition of nucleophilic imines: 2-hydroxybenzophenone as a chemical auxiliary
Authors: Choubane Houcine , Garrido-Castro Alberto F. , Alvarado Cuauhtemoc , Martín-Somer Ana , Guerrero-Corella Andrea , Daaou Mortada , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Carmen Maestro M. , Fraile Alberto , Alemán José
Published: March 2018

The addition of nucleophilic imines, using 2-hydroxybenzophenone as a chemical auxiliary, is presented.
Intermolecular insertion reactions of azides into 9-borafluorenes to generate 9,10-B,N-phenanthrenes
Authors: Yruegas Sam , Martinez Jesse J. , Martin Caleb D.
Published: March 2018

The reactions of 9-borafluorenes with organic azides result in either the insertion of the α-nitrogen and elimination of N2 or the insertion of the γ-nitrogen to generate the corresponding phenanthrene analogues with boron and nitrogen in the 9- and 10-positions, respectively.
Direct access to a cAAC-supported dihydrodiborene and its dianion
Authors: Arrowsmith Merle , Mattock James D. , Böhnke Julian , Krummenacher Ivo , Vargas Alfredo , Braunschweig Holger
Published: March 2018

The stepwise reduction of cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene-supported (dihalo)hydroboranes provides access to a highly sensitive (halo)hydroboryl anion, followed by a dihydrodiborene and, finally, a bis(alkylidene-borane) dianion.
A divergent and concise total synthesis of (−)-lycoposerramine R and (+)-lycopladine A
Authors: Chen Sheng , Wang Jinming , Qiu Fayang G.
Published: March 2018

A concise, asymmetric and divergent synthesis of lycoposerramine R and lycopladine A is presented.
Framework flexibility of ZIF-8 under liquid intrusion: discovering time-dependent mechanical response and structural relaxation
Authors: Sun Yueting , Li Yibing , Tan Jin-Chong
Published: March 2018

The structural flexibility of ZIF-8 has been elucidated by liquid intrusion under moderate pressures of tens of MPa.
Predicting global scale exposure of humans to PCB 153 from historical emissions
Authors: McLachlan Michael S. , Undeman Emma , Zhao Fangyuan , MacLeod Matthew
Published: March 2018

Modeled global concentrations of PCB-153 in human milk agree with measurements within a factor 4 for 49 of 78 observations.
Transition-metal-free C–N and C–C formation: synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and 2-pyridones from ynones
Authors: Teng Qing-Hu , Peng Xiang-Jun , Mo Zu-Yu , Xu Yan-Li , Tang Hai-Tao , Wang Heng-Shan , Sun Hong-Bin , Pan Ying-Ming
Published: March 2018

We have developed a facile method for the synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and 2-pyridones from readily available ynones and 2-methylbenzimidazoles or acetamides.
Rare earth metal oxide (RE2O3; RE = Nd, Gd, and Yb) incorporated polyindole composites: gravimetric and volumetric capacitive performance for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Majumder Mandira , Choudhary Ram B. , Thakur Anukul K. , Rout Chandra Sekhar , Gupta Govind
Published: March 2018

The modified morphology and the extra pseudocapacitive contribution from RE2O3 particles lead to enhanced capacitive performance of polyindole.
A cation-selective and anion-controlled benzothiazolyl-attached macrocycle for NLO-based cation detection: variational first hyperpolarizabilities
Authors: Ye Jinting , Wang Li , Wang Hongqiang , Pan Xiumei , Xie Haiming , Qiu Yongqing
Published: March 2018

The addition of Hg2+ leads to a significant decrement in the NLO response with respect to the corresponding macrocycle L.
Exploring the multifunctionality in metal–organic framework materials: how do the stilbenedicarboxylate and imidazolyl ligands tune the characteristics of coordination polymers?
Authors: Barsukova Marina O. , Sapchenko Sergey A. , Kovalenko Konstantin A. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Potapov Andrei S. , Dybtsev Danil N. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: March 2018

A synergistic effect causes MOF materials to demonstrate excellent iodine vapor retention and luminescence properties.
Organic nanoparticles of acetohydrazides as novel inhibitors for mild steel corrosion
Authors: Mandour Howida S. , Nazeer Ahmed Abdel , Al-Hetlani Entesar , Madkour Metwally , Abdel-Monem Yasser K.
Published: March 2018

Novel organic nanoparticles were successfully prepared using the re-precipitation method and showed superior protection against mild steel corrosion in acidic media.
Element sensitive reconstruction of nanostructured surfaces with finite elements and grazing incidence soft X-ray fluorescence
Authors: Soltwisch Victor , Hönicke Philipp , Kayser Yves , Eilbracht Janis , Probst Jürgen , Scholze Frank , Beckhoff Burkhard
Published: March 2018

The geometry of a Si3N4 lamellar grating was investigated experimentally with reference-free grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Effects of 2-substitution on 14-epi-19-nortachysterol-mediated biological events: based on synthesis and X-ray co-crystallographic analysis with the human vitamin D receptor
Authors: Sawada Daisuke , Kakuda Shinji , Takeuchi Akiko , Kawagoe Fumihiro , Takimoto-Kamimura Midori , Kittaka Atsushi
Published: March 2018

Interaction of the 2-functional group of tachysterol analogs in the vitamin D receptor ligand binding domain: X-ray co-crystallographic analysis.
Synthesis of POSS-functionalized liquid crystalline block copolymersviaRAFT polymerization for stabilizing blue phase helical soft superstructures
Authors: Jin Jianqiu , Tang Mingjie , Zhang Zhenghe , Zhou Kang , Gao Yun , Zheng Zhi-Gang , Zhang Weian
Published: March 2018

A study of the phase transition behaviors of blue phase liquid crystals containing different amounts of POSS-functionalized LC BCPs.
Experimental insight into the chemical corrosion mechanism of copper with an oil-in-water emulsion solution
Authors: Yan Xudong , Sun Jianlin , Meng Yanan
Published: March 2018

Chemical corrosion mechanism of copper in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion is worthy of study since it would contribute to emulsion-lubrication in a metal-working process and for copper storage.
Porous superstructures constructed from ultrafine FeP nanoparticles for highly active and exceptionally stable hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Lin Chong , Gao Zhengfei , Yang Jianhui , Liu Bin , Jin Jian
Published: March 2018

We report the fabrication of porous FeP microsphere superstructures (SS) made up of ultrafine FeP NPs through a self-templated gas–solid phosphorization reaction. The FeP SS exhibit highly active and exceptionally stable HER performance at small electrocatalyst loading mass.
Interfacial synergism of Pd-decorated BiOCl ultrathin nanosheets for the selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols
Authors: Li Benxia , Shao Liangzhi , Wang Renshan , Dong Xiaoping , Zhao Fugang , Gao Peng , Li Zhengquan
Published: March 2018

Pd-decorated BiOCl ultrathin nanosheets exhibited improved photocatalysis for the selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols due to the remarkable interfacial synergism.
Cobalt telluride/graphene composite nanosheets for excellent gravimetric and volumetric Na-ion storage
Authors: Zhang Guanjun , Liu Kunhong , Zhou Jisheng
Published: March 2018

The CoTe2/G composite obtained by solvothermal synthesis exhibits a high gravimetric capacity of 382 mA h g−1, volumetric capacity of 695.2 mA h cm−3, and excellent rate-performance.
Fibrous all-in-one monolith electrodes with a biological gluing layer and a membrane shell for weavable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Ha Sung Hoon , Kim Soo Jin , Kim Hyoungjun , Lee Chae Won , Shin Kyu Hang , Park Hae Won , Kim Soonwoo , Lim Yein , Yi Hyunjung , Lim Jung Ah , Lee Yun Jung
Published: March 2018

Weavable Li-ion batteries and stretchable battery fabrics are developed based on fibrous all-in-one electrodes of carbon fiber–biological glue–active materials–membrane.
Antioxidant activity of nanomaterials
Authors: Valgimigli Luca , Baschieri Andrea , Amorati Riccardo
Published: March 2018

In this review, the main families of nanoantioxidants and the chemical methods used to measure their antioxidant activity are reported.
Marriage of artificial catalase and black phosphorus nanosheets for reinforced photodynamic antitumor therapy
Authors: Ouyang Jiang , Deng Yuanyuan , Chen Wansong , Xu Qunfang , Wang Liqiang , Liu Zhenjun , Tang Feiying , Deng Liu , Liu You-Nian
Published: March 2018

Pt nanoparticle-based artificial catalase is decorated on black phosphorus nanosheets, achieving reinforced photodynamic antitumor performance.
Co-substitution in Ca1−xYxAl12−xMgxO19phosphors: local structure evolution, photoluminescence tuning and application for plant growth LEDs
Authors: Zheng Yinjian , Zhang Haiming , Zhang Haoran , Xia Zhiguo , Liu Yingliang , Molokeev Maxim S. , Lei Bingfu
Published: March 2018

Compounds prepared using a high-temperature solid-state reaction method exhibit red to far-red emission under UV excitation. Therefore, these compounds have potential as supplemental or sole-source lighting systems for plant growth.
Biomimetic engineering of spider silk fibres with graphene for electric devices with humidity and motion sensitivity
Authors: Li Xiankai , Zong Lu , Wu Xiaochen , You Jun , Li Mingjie , Li Chaoxu
Published: March 2018

Electronic bio-inspired spidroin sensors with high humidity/motion sensitivity are engineered by forming graphene coatings with morphological ripples or overlapped cracks.
Switchable behaviors of quadratic nonlinear optical properties originating from bi-step phase transitions in a molecule-based crystal
Authors: Tao Kewen , Wu Zhenyue , Han Shiguo , Zhang Jing , Ji Chengmin , Wang Yuyin , Zhang Weichuan , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: March 2018

An organic molecular crystal exhibits remarkable switching behaviors of quadratic NLO properties with a large contrast.
Stretchable conductors based on three-dimensional microcoils for tunable radio-frequency antennas
Authors: Li Xinghao , Cai Jun , Lu Xiaozhu , Shi Yingying , Gong De , Su Donglin , Zhang Deyuan
Published: March 2018

3D deformable metallic microcoils were aligned and nano-welded to fabricate stretchable conductors for flexible tunable antennas.
Association between serum copper levels and cervical cancer risk: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Min , Shi Min , Zhao Yan
Published: March 2018

Whether serum copper levels were higher in patients with cervical cancer than that in controls was controversial. Hence, we conducted the present study to explore the relationship between serum copper levels and cervical cancer. We searched PubMed, WanFang, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) for relevant studies before November 30, 2017. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to combine results across studies using the random-effect model. A total of 14 publications involving 747 patients with cervical cancer and 1014 controls were eligible through inclusion criteria. In comparison with controls, serum copper levels were significantly higher in patients with cervical cancer [summary SMD = 1.35; 95%CI: 0.10–2.59], with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 98.8%; P<0.001) was found. Significant association was also found among Asian populations [summary SMD = 1.39; 95%CI: 0.06–2.71]. The association was positive in subgroup analysis of population-based case–control studies (PBCC) [summary SMD = 1.64; 95%CI: 0.02–3.34], but not in hospital-based case–control studies (HBCC). Through a sensitivity analysis, we did not identify any single study to strongly influence the results of our serum copper levels and cervical cancer risk. No publication bias was found in our analysis. In conclusion, our study provided significant evidence of higher serum copper levels in patients with cervical cancer than in controls, suggesting that serum copper exposure was a risk factor on cervical cancer.
Data‐oriented calibration method to reduce measurement bias in SFAP‐based GNSS receivers
Authors: Xu Hailong , Cui Xiaowei , Lu Mingquan
Published: March 2018

Spatial frequency adaptive processing (SFAP) is the dimension‐reduced alternative of spatial temporal adaptive processing (STAP), which can achieve good interference mitigation capability with less computational cost. However, just as STAP, the biases of the ranging code phase and carrier phase induced by the adaptive array restrict SFAP from being applied in high‐precision global navigation satellite system receivers. To address this issue, a new data‐oriented calibration method is proposed. Unlike previous bias reduction methods, which compensate the measurement biases with estimated values in the tracking loop, this method carries out calibration directly on the received data in the frequency domain, thus avoids modification to the rest parts of the receiver other than the SFAP module. The calibration value in each frequency bin is determined from the transfer function of the SFAP array. Simulations are performed on a practical array antenna designed by the high‐frequency structure simulator software with high fidelity, and the results verify the effectiveness of this method.
Approximate capacity of symmetric two‐pair one‐way relay channel with overhearing links
Authors: Liao Xiangbai , Liu Yingzhuang
Published: March 2018

The capacity region of the symmetric two‐pair one‐way relay channel with overhearing links (OLs) is studied. First, the problem is explored in the linear shift deterministic channel model and the capacity region of the deterministic channel model is characterised. The upper bound is proven tightly by authors' designed transmit strategy. With the gains obtained from the deterministic network, the transmit strategy for this relay channel in Gaussian setup is proposed. According to the strength of OLs, this strategy applies the corresponding superposition of nested lattice codes and random Gaussian codes at the source nodes and successive interference cancellation at all receive nodes. The achievable rate of this scheme is analysed according to the quality of these OLs. It is shown that this scheme achieves the single user rate to within 1.15 bits/s/Hz of the upper bound for all channel gains.
Local HMM for indoor positioning based on fingerprinting and displacement ranging
Authors: Ye Ayong , Shao Jianfei , Xu Li , Chen Jianwei , Xiong Jinbo
Published: March 2018

Received signal strength (RSS) in wireless networks is widely adopted for indoor positioning purpose because of its low cost and open access properties. However due to the sophisticated propagation of radio signals, the RSS shows a significant variation during pedestrian walking, which introduces critical errors in deterministic indoor positioning. To solve this problem, the authors present a novel method to improve the indoor pedestrian positioning accuracy by modelling fingerprinting and information on the movement into a hidden Markov models (HMMs). They divide the whole continuous positioning process into specified‐size sub‐processes, which could efficiently reduce the accumulative and resonance error caused by iterative estimation. They use an accelerometer sensor to provide the information on the movement distance to calculate the transition probability of the HMMs. In their experiments, they demonstrate that, compared with the deterministic pattern matching algorithm, the proposed method greatly improves the positioning accuracy and shows robust environmental adaptability.
Uncoordinated chaotic channel scrambling scheme for multiple‐input, multiple‐output‐based VLC system
Authors: Wang Yiru , Zhang Lin
Published: March 2018

Due to the broadcasting property of visible light communication (VLC) channels, VLC systems are under the threat of eavesdropping and malicious attack. In this study, the authors present an uncoordinated chaotic channel scrambling scheme to enhance the physical layer security for a multiple‐input, multiple‐output based VLC system. With the authors design, the legitimate receiver can self‐descramble the data with the location information shared between the transceivers, and the eavesdroppers cannot retrieve the information without the secret key. The authors firstly embed the location information into the chaotic channel scrambling matrix, and then apply the non‐negative orthogonal factorisation method to improve both the reliability and the security. Notably, with the aid of the shared location information, the received data can be self‐descrambled and thus the uncoordinated channel scrambling could be realised. The theoretical security performances including the information leakage and the secrecy capacity are analysed and the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves higher security and more reliable performances compared with the counterpart schemes.
Enhancement techniques for abnormality detection using thermal image
Authors: Kumar Ushus S. , Sudharsan Natteri M.
Published: March 2018

Digital thermal imaging is considered as a non‐invasive diagnostic tool and a real‐time monitoring technique for indicating the physiological changes of the underlying tissue from the superficial thermal signature. A thermal camera can detect temperature variations in the body, as low as 0.1°C. The observed colour pattern depends on the prevailing temperature of the target in a controlled environment. This colour‐based thermal pattern is further processed for identifying abnormalities. This process of identification is done by applying various methods such as histogram equalisation, Otsu thresholding and morphologic function. These steps are applied to thermal images of a foot acquired from volunteers and abnormalities were identified. The identification process was based on a threshold obtained from the histogram and it was found to be in the range of 76–80.
Comminuted Fracture of the Body of the Trapezium and Thumb Carpometacarpal Dislocation: A Particular Pattern
Authors: Alonso Laura , Couceiro José
Published: March 2018

Trapezium fractures are uncommon injuries. Our case is that of a thumb carpometacarpal joint dislocation associated to a partly comminuted fracture of the body of the trapezium. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this particular variation has not been previously reported in the indexed literature.
Cystic Encephalomalacia following Vasculopathy and Vasospasm of Proximal Intracranial Arteries Due to Pneumococcal Meningitis in a Infant
Authors: Janzarik Wibke , Franck Peter , Hufnagel Markus , Beck Christopher , Korinthenberg Rudolf , Pschibul Alexander
Published: March 2018

Despite the availability of modern antibiotics, pneumococcal meningitis in both children and adults remains a severe disease—one known to frequently cause grave complications and residual disability. Although the appearance of arterial vasospasms in bacterial meningitis systematically has been investigated and reported on for adult patients, such research is lacking when it comes to infants. We report on a 4-week-old infant who, 6 days after onset of pneumococcal meningitis, suffered severe neurological deterioration with treatment-resistant seizures and coma. Generalized cortical and subcortical edema developed in conjunction with diminished cerebral blood flow, as depicted in magnetic resonance angiography and serial Doppler-sonographic examinations. The ischemia resulted in extensive cystic encephalomalacia. We propose that the degree of variation in cerebral blood flow in the acute phase was the result of an extensive arterial vasculopathy involving vasospasms. Awareness of this complication and prospective serial Doppler-sonographic examinations may improve our understanding of the connection between brain edema and vasculopathy. At present, however, no effective treatment appears available.