bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of phosphate on iron oxide doped halloysite nanotubes
Authors: Almasri Dema A. , Saleh Navid B. , Atieh Muataz A. , McKay Gordon , Ahzi Said
Published: March 2019

Excess phosphate in water is known to cause eutrophication, and its removal is imperative. Nanoclay minerals are widely used in environmental remediation due to their low-cost, adequate availability, environmental compatibility, and adsorption efficiency. However, the removal of anions with nanoclays is not very effective because of electrostatic repulsion from clay surfaces with a net negative charge. Among clay minerals, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) possess a negatively charged exterior and a positively charged inner lumen. This provides an increased affinity for anion removal. In this study, HNTs are modified with nano-scale iron oxide (Fe2O3) to enhance the adsorption capacity of the nanosorbent. This modification allowed for effective distribution of these oxide surfaces, which are known to sorb phosphate via ligand exchange and by forming inner-sphere complexes. A detailed characterization of the raw and (Fe2O3) modified HNTs (Fe-HNT) is conducted. Influences of Fe2O3loading, adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, initial phosphate concentration, and coexisting ions on the phosphate adsorption capacity are studied. Results demonstrate that adsorption on Fe-HNT is pH-dependent with fast initial adsorption kinetics. The underlying mechanism is identified as a combination of electrostatic attraction, ligand exchange, and Lewis acid-base interactions. The nanomaterial provides promising results for its application in water/wastewater treatment.
Prognostic Value of Preoperative Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index in Patients with Cervical Cancer
Authors: Huang Huaping , Liu Qin , Zhu Lixia , Zhang Yan , Lu Xiaojuan , Wu Yawei , Liu Li
Published: March 2019

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) based on peripheral lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts has been considered a good index that reflects the local immune response and systemic inflammation. However, the use of the SII has not been reported in cervical cancer. In this study, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that a high SII was associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients in the primary and validation cohorts. A higher SII had a significant correlation with larger tumours but had no correlation with other clinicopathological parameters. Among all systemic immune indexes, the SII is the only independent prognostic factor for cervical cancer patients. Compared with the area under the curve for the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), the area for the SII was larger at 3 and 5 years. In addition, the SII still retains it prognostic values across all FIGO stages. The SII can independently predict the overall survival of patients with cervical cancer receiving radical resection and is thus superior to existing systemic inflammatory indexes. The prognostic nomogram based on the SII is a reliable model for predicting the postoperative survival of patients with cervical cancer.
Identification of key lncRNAs contributing to diabetic nephropathy by gene co-expression network analysis
Authors: Shang Jin , Wang Shuai , Jiang Yumin , Duan Yiqi , Cheng Genyang , Liu Dong , Xiao Jing , Zhao Zhanzheng
Published: March 2019

LncRNA is reported to have important role in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Here, we aim to identify key lncRNAs of DN using bioinformatics and systems biological methods. Method: Five microarray data sets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were included. Probe sets were re-annotated. In the training set, differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was constructed to screen diabetic-related hub genes and reveal their potential biological function. Two more human data sets and mouse data sets were used as validation sets. Results: A total of 424 DEGs, including 10 lncRNAs, were filtered in the training data set. WGCNA and enrichment analysis of hub genes showed that inflammation and metabolic disorders are prominent in DN. Three key lncRNAs (NR_130134.1, NR_029395.1 and NR_038335.1) were identified. These lncRNAs are also differently expressed in another two human data sets. Functional enrichment of the mouse data sets showed consistent changes with that in human, indicating similar changes in gene expression pattern of DN and confirmed confidence of our analysis. Human podocytes and mesangial cells were culture in vitro. QPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization were taken out to validate the expression and relationship of key lncRNAs and their related mRNAs. Results were also consistent with our analysis. Conclusions: Inflammation and metabolic disorders are prominent in DN. We identify three lncRNAs that are involved in these processes possibly by interacting with co-expressed mRNAs.
Modelling environmentally suitable areas for the potential introduction and cultivation of the emerging oil crop Paeonia ostii in China
Authors: Peng Li-Ping , Cheng Fang-Yun , Hu Xian-Ge , Mao Jian-Feng , Xu Xing-Xing , Zhong Yuan , Li San-Yuan , Xian Hong-Li
Published: March 2019

Paeonia ostii is a traditional ornamental and medicinal species that has attracted considerable interest for its high oil value. To facilitate the effective and rational cultivation and application of P. ostii in China, it is necessary to determine its potential spatial habitat distribution and environmental requirements. Using high-resolution environmental data for current and future climate scenarios, the potential suitable area and climatic requirements of P. ostii were modelled. Among the 11 environmental variables investigated, growing degree days, precipitation of the wettest month, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, global UV-B radiation, annual precipitation, and soil pH played major roles in determining the suitability of a habitat for the cultivation of P. ostii. Under the current environmental conditions in China, a total area of 20.31 × 105 km2 is suitable for growing P. ostii, accounting for 21.16% of the country’s total land area. Under the two future climate scenario/year combinations (i.e., representative concentration pathways [RCPs], RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 in 2050), this species would increase its suitable area at high latitudes while decrease at low latitudes. These results present valuable information and a theoretical reference point for identifying the suitable cultivation areas of P. ostii.
Infants’ advances in speech perception shape their earliest links between language and cognition
Authors: Perszyk Danielle R. , Waxman Sandra R.
Published: March 2019

The power of human language derives not only from the precision of its signal or the complexity of its grammar, but also from its links to cognition. Infants as young as 3 months have begun to link language and core cognitive capacities. At 3 and 4 months, this link is not exclusive to human language: listening to vocalizations of nonhuman primates also supports infant cognition. By 6 months, infants have tuned this link to human speech alone. Here we provide evidence that infants’ increasing precision in speech perception shapes which signals they will link to cognition. Infants listening to German, a nonnative language that shares key rhythmic and prosodic properties with their own native language (English), successfully formed object categories. In contrast, those listening to Cantonese, a language that differs considerably in these suprasegmental properties, failed. This provides the first evidence that infants’ increasingly precise perceptual tuning to the sounds of their native language sets constraints on the range of human languages they will link to cognition: infants begin to specify which human languages they will link to core cognitive capacities even before they sever the link between nonhuman primate vocalizations and cognition.
Activation of the PERK-ATF4 pathway promotes chemo-resistance in colon cancer cells
Authors: Shi Zhong , Yu Xiaofu , Yuan Meiqin , Lv Wangxia , Feng Tingting , Bai Rui , Zhong Haijun
Published: March 2019

Colon cancer is a major health problem worldwide. While chemotherapy remains a main approach for treating late-stage colon cancer patients, most, if not all, of them will develop drug resistance and die of uncontrollable disease progression eventually. Therefore, identification of mechanism of drug resistance and development of overcoming strategy hold great significance in management of colon cancer. In this study, we discovered that activation of the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways is required for colon cancer cells to survive treatment of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), one of the first-line chemotherapeutics for late-stage colon cancer patients. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PERK or its downstream factors greatly sensitize colon cancer cells to 5-FU. Most importantly, in vivo use of PERK inhibitor synergizes with 5-FU in suppressing the growth of colon cancer cells in mouse models. In summary, our findings established a promising way to overcome resistance to chemotherapy in colon cancer.
Mutations in DNA repair genes are associated with increased neoantigen burden and a distinct immunophenotype in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chae Young Kwang , Anker Jonathan F. , Oh Michael S. , Bais Preeti , Namburi Sandeep , Agte Sarita , Giles Francis J. , Chuang Jeffrey H.
Published: March 2019

Deficiencies in DNA repair pathways, including mismatch repair (MMR), have been linked to higher tumor mutation burden and improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the significance of MMR mutations in lung cancer has not been well characterized, and the relevance of other processes, including homologous recombination (HR) and polymerase epsilon (POLE) activity, remains unclear. Here, we analyzed a dataset of lung squamous cell carcinoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Variants in DNA repair genes were associated with increased tumor mutation and neoantigen burden, which in turn were linked with greater tumor infiltration by activated T cells. The subset of tumors with DNA repair gene variants but without T cell infiltration exhibited upregulation of TGF-β and Wnt pathway genes, and a combined score incorporating these genes and DNA repair status accurately predicted immune cell infiltration. Finally, high neoantigen burden was positively associated with genes related to cytolytic activity and immune checkpoints. These findings provide evidence that DNA repair pathway defects and immunomodulatory genes together lead to specific immunophenotypes in lung squamous cell carcinoma and could potentially serve as biomarkers for immunotherapy.
3-Dimensional characterization of cortical bone microdamage following placement of orthodontic microimplants using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Lakshmikantha Hemanth Tumkur , Ravichandran Naresh Kumar , Jeon Mansik , Kim Jeehyun , Park Hyo-Sang
Published: March 2019

Microimplants are being used extensively in clinical practice to achieve absolute anchorage. Success of microimplant mainly depend on its primary stability onto the cortical bone surface and the associated Microdamage of the cortical bone during insertion procedure leads to many a microimplants to fail and dislodge from the cortical bone leading to its failure. Even though, previous studies showed occurrence of microdamage in the cortical bone, they were mainly 2-dimension studies or studies that were invasive to the host. In the present study, we used a non-invasive, non-ionizing imaging technique- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), to image and analyze the presence of microdamage along the cortical bone surrounding the microimplant. We inserted 80 microimplants in two different methods (drill and drill free method) and in two different angulations onto the cortical bone surface. Images were obtained in both 2D and 3D imaging modes. In the images, microdamage in form of microcracks on the cortical bone surface around the bone-microimplant interface and micro-elevations of the cortical bone in angulated microimplant insertions and the presence of bone debris due to screwing motion of the microimplant on insertion can be appreciated visually and quantitatively through the depth intensity profile analysis of the images.
An uncharacterized FMAG_01619 protein from Fusobacterium mortiferum ATCC 9817 demonstrates that some bacterial macrodomains can also act as poly-ADP-ribosylhydrolases
Authors: García-Saura Antonio Ginés , Zapata-Pérez Rubén , Hidalgo José Francisco , Cabanes Juana , Gil-Ortiz Fernando , Sánchez-Ferrer Álvaro
Published: March 2019

Macrodomains constitute a conserved fold widely distributed that is not only able to bind ADP-ribose in its free and protein-linked forms but also can catalyse the hydrolysis of the latter. They are involved in the regulation of important cellular processes, such as signalling, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, and in host-virus response, and for this, they are considered as promising therapeutic targets to slow tumour progression and viral pathogenesis. Although extensive work has been carried out with them, including their classification into six distinct phylogenetically clades, little is known on bacterial macrodomains, especially if these latter are able to remove poly(ADP-ribose) polymer (PAR) from PARylated proteins, activity that only has been confirmed in human TARG1 (C6orf130) protein. To extend this limited knowledge, we demonstrate, after a comprehensive bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis, that Fusobacterium mortiferum ATCC 9817 TARG1 (FmTARG1) is the first bacterial macrodomain shown to have high catalytic efficiency towards O-acyl-ADP-ribose, even more than hTARG1, and towards mono- and poly(ADPribosyl)ated proteins. Surprisingly, FmTARG1 gene is also inserted into a unique operonic context, only shared by the distantly related Fusobacterium perfoetens ATCC 29250 macrodomain, which include an immunity protein 51 domain, typical of bacterial polymorphic toxin systems.
Long term corrosion estimation of carbon steel, titanium and its alloy in backfill material of compacted bentonite for nuclear waste repository
Authors: Zhang Qichao , Zheng Min , Huang Yanliang , Kunte Hans Joerg , Wang Xiutong , Liu Yuemiao , Zheng Chuanbo
Published: March 2019

The container of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) being in deep geological disposal, the backfill material is needed to serve as the second defense for HLRW and the highly compacted bentonite is generally selected. As the time goes, the underground water will infiltrate the backfill, causing the corrosion of materials for the building of containers in the formed electrolyte. Carbon steel, titanium and its alloy are the potential candidate materials for the fabrication of HLRW containers. The current investigation aims at assessing the safety of HLRW container in deep geological disposal for hundreds of thousands of years and facilitating the material selection for future container fabrication by estimating their corrosion behavior in compacted bentonite with a series of moisture content at different temperatures through electrochemical methods including open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization curve (PC) measurements. The corrosion rates were estimated for a carbon steel, a pure titanium and a titanium alloy in compacted Gaomiaozi Bentonite infiltrated with simulated underground water in Beishan area of China over an expected disposal period up to 106 years respectively, showing that titanium and its alloy are more reliable materials for building HLRW containers than carbon steel.
Effects of FSH and the weather during induced ovulation and timed artificial insemination to increase jenny conception rates
Authors: Chang Zhong-Le , Li Bao-Xing , Liu Bing , Yao Luo , Yu Jie , Jiang G. M. , Tan Jing-He
Published: March 2019

Experiments were conducted to improve jenny conception rates through induced ovulation and timed insemination. Jennies in control, hCG and LH groups were injected intramuscularly with saline alone or saline containing hCG or LH, respectively, when the dominant follicle diameter reached 35 mm. Then, follicle development was checked every 8 h until the dominant follicle ovulated. While 76% of the hCG-treated jennies ovulated between 24 and 48 h, and 84% of the LH-treated ovulated between 24 and 40 h after injection, ovulations in control jennies scattered over an extended period after injection. Conception rates after insemination were significantly higher in LH- or hCG-treated jennies than in the conventionally-bred jennies. The LH preparation used in this study contained more FSH than the hCG preparation did, and supplementing the hCG treatment with FSH significantly improved ovulation synchronization. Ovulations in jennies treated on rainy days were significantly postponed and less synchronized compared to those in jennies treated on sunny days. Together, the results suggested that jenny conception could be significantly improved by inducing ovulation with LH or hCG treatment followed by timed insemination and that FSH and the weather during treatment had profound effects on ovulation induction of jennies.
Mapping a novel positive allosteric modulator binding site in the central vestibule region of human P2X7
Authors: Bidula Stefan M. , Cromer Brett A. , Walpole Samuel , Angulo Jesus , Stokes Leanne
Published: March 2019

P2X7 receptors are important in the regulation of inflammatory responses and immune responses to intracellular pathogens such asMycobacterium tuberculosisandToxoplasma gondii. Enhancement of P2X7 receptor responses may be useful in pathogen clearance particularly in individuals with defective microbial killing mechanisms. Ginsenosides fromPanax ginsenghave been discovered to act as positive allosteric modulators of P2X7. Here we describe a novel modulator binding site identified by computational docking located in the central vestibule of P2X7 involving S60, D318, and L320 in the lower body β-sheets lining the lateral portals. Potentiation of ATP-mediated responses by ginsenosides CK and Rd caused enhanced ionic currents, Ca2+influx and YOPRO-1 uptake in stably transfected HEK-293 cells (HEK-hP2X7) plus enhanced cell death responses. Potentiation of ATP responses by CK and Rd was markedly reduced by mutations S59A, S60A, D318L and L320A supporting the proposed allosteric modulator binding site. Furthermore, mutation of the conserved residues S60 and D318 led to alterations in P2X7 response and a higher sensitivity to ATP in the absence of modulators suggesting residues in the connecting rods play an important role in regulating P2X7 gating. Identification of this novel binding site location in the central vestibule may also be relevant for structurally similar channels.
Tensor Decomposition for Colour Image Segmentation of Burn Wounds
Authors: Cirillo Marco D. , Mirdell Robin , Sjöberg Folke , Pham Tuan D.
Published: March 2019

Research in burns has been a continuing demand over the past few decades, and important advancements are still needed to facilitate more effective patient stabilization and reduce mortality rate. Burn wound assessment, which is an important task for surgical management, largely depends on the accuracy of burn area and burn depth estimates. Automated quantification of these burn parameters plays an essential role for reducing these estimate errors conventionally carried out by clinicians. The task for automated burn area calculation is known as image segmentation. In this paper, a new segmentation method for burn wound images is proposed. The proposed methods utilizes a method of tensor decomposition of colour images, based on which effective texture features can be extracted for classification. Experimental results showed that the proposed method outperforms other methods not only in terms of segmentation accuracy but also computational speed.
Correlation between preoperative factors and final visual acuity after successful rhegmatogenous retinal reattachment
Authors: Hirata Norifumi , Iwase Takeshi , Kobayashi Misato , Yamamoto Kentaro , Ra Eimei , Terasaki Hiroko
Published: March 2019

We evaluated the preoperative optical coherence tomographic (OCT) findings in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and determined the factors that were significantly correlated with the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was defined as the distance between the external limiting membrane (ELM) and the outer end of the outer segments of the photoreceptors in the OCT images. The mean length of the photoreceptors was 102.8 ± 28.7 µm with a range of 20 to 159 µm in eyes with RRD. The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was not significantly correlated with the preoperative BCVA but it was significantly correlated with the postoperative BCVA (r = −0.353, P = 0.003). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that the length of the photoreceptors (β = −0.388, P = 0.001) and the preoperative BCVA (β = 0.274, P = 0.021) were the only independent factors that were significantly associated with the postoperative BCVA. The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was significantly correlated with the postoperative photoreceptor length (r = 0.486, P < 0.001). Longer preoperative photoreceptors were significantly correlated with longer postoperative photoreceptors and better BCVA after successful reattachment. These results suggest that the preoperative length of the photoreceptors can be good factor to use for predicting the final BCVA following successful reattachment of macula-off RRD.
Laser-wakefield accelerators for high-resolution X-ray imaging of complex microstructures
Authors: Hussein A. E. , Senabulya N. , Ma Y. , Streeter M. J. V. , Kettle B. , Dann S. J. D. , Albert F. , Bourgeois N. , Cipiccia S. , Cole J. M. , Finlay O. , Gerstmayr E. , González I. Gallardo , Higginbotham A. , Jaroszynski D. A. , Falk K. , Krushelnick K. , Lemos N. , Lopes N. C. , Lumsdon C. , Lundh O. , Mangles S. P. D. , Najmudin Z. , Rajeev P. P. , Schlepütz C. M. , Shahzad M. , Smid M. , Spesyvtsev R. , Symes D. R. , Vieux G. , Willingale L. , Wood J. C. , Shahani A. J. , Thomas A. G. R.
Published: March 2019

Laser-wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) are high acceleration-gradient plasma-based particle accelerators capable of producing ultra-relativistic electron beams. Within the strong focusing fields of the wakefield, accelerated electrons undergo betatron oscillations, emitting a bright pulse of X-rays with a micrometer-scale source size that may be used for imaging applications. Non-destructive X-ray phase contrast imaging and tomography of heterogeneous materials can provide insight into their processing, structure, and performance. To demonstrate the imaging capability of X-rays from an LWFA we have examined an irregular eutectic in the aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) system. The lamellar spacing of the Al-Si eutectic microstructure is on the order of a few micrometers, thus requiring high spatial resolution. We present comparisons between the sharpness and spatial resolution in phase contrast images of this eutectic alloy obtainedviaX-ray phase contrast imaging at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) synchrotron and X-ray projection microscopyviaan LWFA source. An upper bound on the resolving power of 2.7 ± 0.3 μm of the LWFA source in this experiment was measured. These results indicate that betatron X-rays from laser wakefield acceleration can provide an alternative to conventional synchrotron sources for high resolution imaging of eutectics and, more broadly, complex microstructures.
A micropatterning platform for quantifying interaction kinetics between the T cell receptor and an intracellular binding protein
Authors: Motsch Viktoria , Brameshuber Mario , Baumgart Florian , Schütz Gerhard J. , Sevcsik Eva
Published: March 2019

A complete understanding of signaling processes at the plasma membrane depends on a quantitative characterization of the interactions of the involved proteins. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a widely used and convenient technique to obtain kinetic parameters on protein interactions in living cells. FRAP experiments to determine unbinding time constants for proteins at the plasma membrane, however, are often hampered by non-specific contributions to the fluorescence recovery signal. On the example of the interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the Syk kinase ZAP70, we present here an approach based on protein micropatterning that allows the elimination of such non-specific contributions and considerably simplifies analysis of FRAP data. Specifically, detection and reference areas are created within single cells, each being either enriched or depleted in TCR, which permits the isolation of ZAP70-TCR binding in a straight-forward manner. We demonstrate the applicability of our method by comparing it to a conventional FRAP approach.
Src in endosomal membranes promotes exosome secretion and tumor progression
Authors: Hikita Tomoya , Kuwahara Atsushi , Watanabe Risayo , Miyata Mamiko , Oneyama Chitose
Published: March 2019

c-Src is a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase that has key roles in the signaling transduction that controls cell growth, adhesion, and migration. In the early stage of carcinogenesis, c-Src is activated under the plasma membrane and transduces oncogenic signals. Here we show that c-Src localized to the endosomal membrane has unique functions in c-Src–transformed cells. Our results indicate that activated c-Src in the endosomal membrane promoted the secretion of exosomes, in which c-Src was encapsulated. In addition, the ESCRT-interacting molecule, Alix was identified as a c-Src–interacting protein in exosomes. We revealed that the interaction between the SH3 domain of c-Src and the proline-rich region of Alix activates ESCRT–mediated intra-luminal vesicle (ILV) formation, resulting in the upregulation of exosome secretion in c-Src–transformed cells. We observed also a correlation between malignant phenotypes and Alix–dependent aberrant exosome secretion in Src–upregulated cancer cells. Collectively, our findings provide a unique mechanism for the upregulation of exosomes in cancer cells, as well as new insights into the significance of exosome secretion in cancer progression.
Glycosylation of Staphylococcus aureus cell wall teichoic acid is influenced by environmental conditions
Authors: Mistretta Noëlle , Brossaud Marina , Telles Fabienne , Sanchez Violette , Talaga Philippe , Rokbi Bachra
Published: March 2019

Wall teichoic acid (WTA) are major constituents of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cell envelopes with important roles in the bacteria’s physiology, resistance to antimicrobial molecules, host interaction, virulence and biofilm formation. They consist of ribitol phosphate repeat units in which the ribitol residue is substituted with D-alanine (D-Ala) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). The complete S. aureus WTA biosynthesis pathways was recently revealed with the identification of the two glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, respectively responsible for the α- and β-GlcNAc anomeric substitutions. We performed structural analyses to characterize WTAs from a panel of 24 S. aureus strains responsible for invasive infections. A majority of the S. aureus strains produced the β-GlcNAc WTA form in accordance with the presence of the tarS gene in all strains assessed. The β-GlcNAc anomer was preferentially expressed at the expense of the α-GlcNAc anomer when grown on stress-inducing culture medium containing high NaCl concentration. Furthermore, WTA glycosylation of the prototype S. aureus Newman strain was characterized in vivo in two different animal models, namely peritonitis and deep wound infection. While the inoculum used to infect animals produced almost exclusively α-GlcNAc WTA, a complete switch to β-glycosylation was observed in infected kidneys, livers and muscles. Overall, our data demonstrate that S. aureus WTA glycosylation is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and suggest that β-GlcNAc WTA may bring competitive advantage in vivo.
Growth and competitive interaction between seedlings of an invasive Rumex confertus and of co-occurring two native Rumex species in relation to nutrient availability
Authors: Kołodziejek Jeremi
Published: March 2019

Rumex confertus is an alien invasive perennial plant that has increased its range rapidly within central Europe in the last 100 years. This study examined the effects of a commercial fertilizer on the competition between the invasive Rumex confertus and two non-invasive native species R. acetosa or R. conglomeratus in terms of morphological and physiological traits and relative yield. All three Rumex species were grown in the open field with two levels of nutrient availability in field plots. Competition and fertilizer had significant effects on height, relative growth rate (RGR), specific leaf area (SLA) as well as shoot and root biomass of all three species. The fertilized plants had high macronutrient and nitrate contents in leaf tissue. Relative yield of R. confertus was <1, indicating that for this species the effects of interspecific competition were greater than those of intraspecific competition. The results of this experiment indicate that there is interaction between the nutrient status of the soil and the competition between species. Competitive superiority of R. confertus could explain its dominance in grasslands and in disturbed areas, and might explain its great influence on the occurrence of native species because competition intensity was high in fertilized plots.
Designing color in metallic glass
Authors: Na Jong Hyun , Han Kyung Hee , Garrett Glenn R. , Launey Maximilien E. , Demetriou Marios D. , Johnson William L.
Published: March 2019

“Designing” metallic glasses to exhibit properties beyond those offered within the narrow composition ranges where glass formation is possible poses a formidable scientific challenge. This challenge may be tackled by forming composite structures comprising a metallic glass matrix and homogeneously precipitated dendrites, known as “metallic glass matrix composites” (MGMCs). In principle, MGMCs can be designed to exploit the attractive performance characteristics of the metallic glass while alleviating its negative undesirable attributes. In this work we introduce a MGMC development concept for designing color in metallic glass. MGMCs consisting of a white-gold metallic glass matrix with finely dispersed yellow-gold microdendrites are explored. A series of gold MGMCs is developed displaying uniform and visually-unresolved yellow colors over a broad range of chromaticity, along with high overall hardness. This design concept paves the way for the development of a new generation of metal alloys that combine advanced engineering performance with attractive cosmetic attributes.
Children Attending Day Care Centers are a Year-round Reservoir of Gastrointestinal Viruses
Authors: Hebbelstrup Jensen Betina , Jokelainen Pikka , Nielsen Alex Christian Yde , Franck Kristina Træholt , Rejkjær Holm Dorthe , Schønning Kristian , Petersen Andreas M. , Krogfelt Karen A.
Published: March 2019

Viral gastroenteritis causes high morbidity worldwide. In this study, stool samples from 179 children aged 0–6 years attending Danish day care centers were investigated for gastrointestinal viruses. Each child was observed for one year with submission of samples and questionnaires every two months. Adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and sapovirus were detected in samples using real-time PCR. A total of 229 (33%) of the 688 samples collected tested positive for at least one virus. At the first sampling point, adenovirus was shed by 6%, norovirus genotype I by 3% and genotype II by 12%, rotavirus A by 9%, and sapovirus by 21% of the 142 children included in the risk factor analyses. Increasing age was identified as a protective factor against testing positive for gastrointestinal virus, whereas nausea during the previous two months was positively associated with testing positive. Odds of shedding adenovirus were 9.6 times higher among children treated with antibiotics within the previous two months than among children who were not. Gastrointestinal viruses were shed year-round and high viral loads were observed in samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic children, suggesting children in day care as a reservoir and a possible source of spreading of viruses into the community.
Morphological, genetic and epigenetic aspects of homoploid hybridization between Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill.
Authors: Radosavljević Ivan , Bogdanović Sandro , Celep Ferhat , Filipović Maja , Satovic Zlatko , Surina Boštjan , Liber Zlatko
Published: March 2019

The inheritance of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic traits in hybridization events is difficult to predict, as numerous evolutionary, ecological, and genetic factors can play a crucial role in the process of hybridization. In the middle Adriatic island of Vis, we investigated hybridization betweenSalvia officinalisandS.fruticosaat morphological, genetic and epigenetic levels. SSR results revealed that hybrid individuals were characterized by diploid set of chromosomes suggesting homoploid hybridization. A well-defined group that mostly comprised of F1generation individuals was detected. For the majority of analysed morphological characteristics, hybrids were placed in-between parental taxa, while at the same time, values of different genetic parameters were mostly higher in hybrids than in parental species. The results revealed a high contrast in the levels of phenotypic variability and epigenetic excitation between parental taxa. Environmental niche modelling confirmed that in the studied locationS.officinalisexperiences optimal climatological conditions, whileS.fruticosastruggles with unsuitable conditions. Very low levels of gene flow between the parental species were detected. In addition, contrasting levels of epigenetic excitation in the studied groups clearly demonstrated the importance of an epigenetic response to an altered environment and confirmed the trans-generational nature of the epigenetic changes.
Formation of solid helical filaments at temperatures of superfluid helium as self-organization phenomena in ultracold dusty plasma
Authors: Boltnev Roman E. , Vasiliev Mikhail M. , Kononov Evgenii A. , Petrov Oleg F.
Published: March 2019

A multimodal dusty plasma formed in a positive column of the direct current glow discharge at superfluid helium temperatures has been studied for the first time. Formation of a liquid-like dusty plasma structure occurred after injection of polydisperse cerium oxide particles in the glow discharge. The coupling parameter ~10 determined for the dusty plasma structure corresponds very well to its liquid-like type. The cloud of nanoparticles and non-linear waves within the cloud were observed at T < 2 K. Solid helical filaments with length up to 5 mm, diameter up to 22 μm, total charges ~106е, levitating in the gas discharge at the temperature ~2 K and pressure 4 Pa have been observed for the first time. Analysis of the experimental conditions and the filament composition allows us to conclude that the filaments and nanoclusters were formed due to ion sputtering of dielectric material during the experiments.
A Revised View on Growth and Remodeling in the Retinal Vasculature
Authors: Rust Ruslan , Grönnert Lisa , Dogançay Berre , Schwab Martin E.
Published: March 2019

The mouse retina provides an excellent model for studying angiogenesis. Recent advancements in high-throughput microscopy and image analysis provide great tools to visualize and describe the complexity of the retinal vascular architecture in a detailed and comprehensive way. Most developmental studies have focused on only a few parameters mostly in the inner-most layers that do not describe the entirety of the three-dimensional vascular network. Here, we analyzed the entire three-dimensional retinal vascular architecture and its growth and remodeling starting from the age of postnatal day 3 to 4 months in mice. We show plexus specific characteristics of the vasculature in terms of vascular tissue fraction, branching and length of the blood vessels, and distance and distribution between single capillaries. Such detailed knowledge is of particular interest, as it has become apparent that disease-specific mechanisms and treatments affect the retinal vasculature often in a plexus specific way.
Relative abundance of Akkermansia spp. and other bacterial phylotypes correlates with anxiety- and depressive-like behavior following social defeat in mice
Authors: McGaughey Kara D. , Yilmaz-Swenson Tulay , Elsayed Nourhan M. , Cruz Dianne A. , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Kritzer Michael D. , Peterchev Angel V. , Roach Jeffrey , Wetsel William C. , Williamson Douglas E.
Published: March 2019

As discussion of stress and stress-related disorders rapidly extends beyond the brain, gut microbiota have emerged as a promising contributor to individual differences in the risk of illness, disease course, and treatment response. Here, we employed chronic mild social defeat stress and 16S rRNA gene metagenomic sequencing to investigate the role of microbial composition in mediating anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. In socially defeated animals, we found significant reductions in the overall diversity and relative abundances of numerous bacterial genera, including Akkermansia spp., that positively correlated with behavioral metrics of both anxiety and depression. Functional analyses predicted a reduced frequency of signaling molecule pathways, including G-protein-coupled receptors, in defeated animals. Collectively, our data suggest that shifts in microbial composition may play a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression.
Cost-effectiveness of first-line versus delayed use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chin Ken Lee , Ofori-Asenso Richard , Si Si , Hird Thomas R. , Magliano Dianna J. , Zoungas Sophia , Liew Danny
Published: March 2019

The present study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line (immediate) versus delayed use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, from the perspective of the Australian healthcare system. We developed a Markov model to simulate the progress of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Decision analysis was applied to assess the cost-effectiveness of first-line combination dapagliflozin and metformin versus first-line metformin monotherapy followed by gradual addition of dapagliflozin over time. Transition probabilities, costs (in Australian dollars) and utility data were derived from published sources. All costs, years of life lived and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) lived were discounted at an annual rate of 5%. Over a 20-year model period, first-line use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin was predicted to reduce the onset of hospitalisation of heart failure, cardiovascular deaths and all cause deaths by 5.5%, 57.6% and 29.6%, respectively. An additional 2.5 years of life (discounted) and 1.9 QALYs (discounted) would be gained per patient, at a cost of AUD $23,367 (discounted) per person. These figures equated to AUD $9,535 per years of life saved (YoLS) and AUD $12,477 per QALYs saved. Sensitivity analyses indicated the results to be robust. Compared to first-line metformin monotherapy followed by gradual addition of dapagliflozin, first-line use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin is likely to be a cost-effective approach to the management of Australians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Kinematic profiles suggest differential control processes involved in bilateral in-phase and anti-phase movements
Authors: Shih Pei-Cheng , Steele Christopher J. , Nikulin Vadim , Villringer Arno , Sehm Bernhard
Published: March 2019

In-phase and anti-phase movements represent two basic coordination modes with different characteristics: during in-phase movements, bilateral homologous muscle groups contract synchronously, whereas during anti-phase movements, they contract in an alternating fashion. Previous studies suggested that in-phase movements represent a more stable and preferential bilateral movement template in humans. The current experiment aims at confirming and extending this notion by introducing new empirical measures of spatiotemporal dynamics during performance of a bilateral circle drawing task in an augmented-reality environment. First, we found that anti-phase compared to in-phase movements were performed with higher radial variability, a result that was mainly driven by the non-dominant hand. Second, the coupling of both limbs was higher during in-phase movements, corroborated by a lower inter-limb phase difference and higher inter-limb synchronization. Importantly, the movement acceleration profile between bilateral hands followed an in-phase relationship during in-phase movements, while no specific relationship was found in anti-phase condition. These spatiotemporal relationships between hands support the hypothesis that differential neural processes govern both bilateral coordination modes and suggest that both limbs are controlled more independently during anti-phase movements, while bilateral in-phase movements are elicited by a common neural generator.
Bio-inspired heterogeneous sensitization of bimetal oxides on SnO2 scaffolds for unparalleled formaldehyde detection
Authors: Jeong Yong Jin , Kim Dong-Ha , Jang Ji-Soo , Kang Joon-Young , Kim Rheehyun , Kim Il-Doo
Published: March 2019

NiO/Fe2O3–SnO2 fiber-in-tubes showed remarkably enhanced sensing properties and superior cross-sensitivity toward sub-ppm levels of formaldehyde.
Hysteresis and its impact on characterization of mechanical properties of suspended monolayer molybdenum-disulfide sheets
Authors: Pang Haosheng , Huang Peng , Zhuo Weirong , Li Minglin , Gao Chenghui , Guo Dan
Published: March 2019

The hysteresis phenomenon frequently arises in two-dimensional (2D) material nanoindentation, which is generally expected to be excluded from characterizing the elastic properties due to the imperfect elastic behaviour.
Multiscale time-resolved fluorescence study of a glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor combined with quantum chemistry calculations
Authors: Maffeis Valentin , Mavreas Konstantinos , Monti Filippo , Mamais Michael , Gustavsson Thomas , Chrysina Evangelia D. , Markovitsi Dimitra , Gimisis Thanasis , Venturini Alessandro
Published: March 2019

A study of the first fluorescent potent inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase showcases how emission is controlled by two independent rotations of two aromatic moieties.
Photocatalytic degradation of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) on metal doped TiO2 nanocomposites in aqueous environments: mechanisms and solution effects
Authors: Wang Rui , Tang Ting , Lu Guining , Huang Kaibo , Feng Siyuan , Zhang Xin , Tao Xueqin , Yin Hua , Lin Zhang , Dang Zhi
Published: March 2019

This study investigated the photocatalytic degradation of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) by metal doped titanium dioxide (M/TiO2).
A quantitative one-pot synthesis method for industrial azo pigments with recyclable wastewater
Authors: Feng Guangyuan , Zhu Meiling , Liu Lei , Li Chunbao
Published: March 2019

A quantitative one-pot synthesis method for industrial azo pigments with recyclable granular PTFE, wastewater and excess HCl is reported.
Electronic and optical properties of perovskite compounds MA1−αFAαPbI3−βXβ (X = Cl, Br) explored for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Chang Junli , Chen Hong , Wang Guangzhao , Wang Biao , Chen Xiaorui , Yuan Hongkuan
Published: March 2019

The absorption performance of perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 can be significantly improved via mono-, or co-doping of organic cations and halide ions.
Migration of mesenchymal stem cells tethered with carbon nanotubes under a chemotactic gradient
Authors: Zhang Jun , Peng Ching-An
Published: March 2019

Chemotactic migration of biotinylated mesenchymal stem cells tethered with streptavidin-functionalized carbon nanotubes.
Insight into the origin of carbon corrosion in positive electrodes of supercapacitors
Authors: Tang Rui , Taguchi Kaishi , Nishihara Hirotomo , Ishii Takafumi , Morallón Emilia , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Asada Toshihiro , Kobayashi Naoya , Muramatsu Yasuji , Kyotani Takashi
Published: March 2019

The carbon corrosion sites at positive electrodes of supercapacitors are identified as H-terminated edge sites, ether, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups.
Adsorption dominant sodium storage in three-dimensional coal-based graphite microcrystal/graphene composites
Authors: Kang Mengmeng , Zhao Hanqing , Ye Jianqi , Song Wei , Shen Hanting , Mi Jie , Li Zhong
Published: March 2019

Various oxygen functional groups could provide plentiful reactive sites, which contribute significantly to sodium storage.
Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-DPP based near-infrared nanotheranostic agent for dual imaging-guided photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy
Authors: Yang Xue , Yu Qing , Yang Nan , Xue Lei , Shao Jiawei , Li Buhong , Shao Jinjun , Dong Xiaochen
Published: March 2019

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based organic molecules have drawn significant research attention as phototheranostic agents.
A self-powered high-performance photodetector based on a MoS2/GaAs heterojunction with high polarization sensitivity
Authors: Jia Cheng , Wu Di , Wu Enping , Guo Jiawen , Zhao Zhihui , Shi Zhifeng , Xu Tingting , Huang Xiaowen , Tian Yongtao , Li Xinjian
Published: March 2019

A high-performance self-powered photodetector based on a MoS2/GaAs heterojunction was demonstrated, which demonstrated a high responsivity, specific detectivity, fast response speeds, as well as high polarization sensitivity.
Autonomously isolated pseudo-polyrotaxane nanosheets fabricated via hierarchically ordered supramolecular self-assembly
Authors: Uenuma Shuntaro , Maeda Rina , Yokoyama Hideaki , Ito Kohzo
Published: March 2019

Autonomously isolated PPR nanosheets are fabricated via complexation between β-CD and a carboxyl-terminated poloxamer and the structural coloration was exhibited.
A new rechargeable battery based on a zinc anode and a NaV6O15 nanorod cathode
Authors: Islam Saiful , Alfaruqi Muhammad Hilmy , Sambandam Balaji , Putro Dimas Yunianto , Kim Sungjin , Jo Jeonggeun , Kim Seokhun , Mathew Vinod , Kim Jaekook
Published: March 2019

A NaV6O15 nanorod cathode exhibits long-term cyclability with nearly 100% coulombic efficiency at 50/100 mA g−1 current density.
Photo-writing self-erasable phosphorescent images using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) as a photochemically deoxygenating matrix
Authors: Lin Jinxiong , Wan Shigang , Liu Wenfeng , Lu Wei
Published: March 2019

Light and oxygen dancing the rhumba: phosphorescent images could be written in PVP by photo-activation and be competitively erased by diffusional oxygen quenching.
Shape adaptation of quinine in cyclodextrin cavities: NMR studies
Authors: Wójcik Jacek , Ejchart Andrzej , Nowakowski Michał
Published: March 2019

Complex formation between quinine and natural cyclodextrins (CD) was studied using NMR spectroscopy.
Carbon nitride nested tubes with graphene as a dual electron mediator in Z-scheme photocatalytic deoxynivalenol degradation
Authors: Bai Xiaojuan , Li Haiyan , Zhang Ziyang , Zhang Xiaoran , Wang Cong , Xu Jing , Zhu Yongfa
Published: March 2019

Schematic illustration of the electronic energy level structure and mechanism in the photocatalytic reaction of Z-scheme CNTZG systems under light irradiation.
Visible-light-induced tandem radical addition–cyclization of 2-aryl phenyl isocyanides catalysed by recyclable covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Liu Shuyang , Pan Wenna , Wu Songxiao , Bu Xiubin , Xin Shigang , Yu Jipan , Xu Hao , Yang Xiaobo
Published: March 2019

A heterogeneous visible-light-induced tandem radical addition–cyclization of isocyanides by photoactive covalent organic frameworks was developed, delivering diverse phenanthridines with high reaction efficiency and easy catalyst recyclability.
A versatile strategy for the synthesis and mechanical property manipulation of networked biodegradable polymeric materials composed of well-defined alternating hard and soft domains
Authors: Tsuji Hideto , Tamura Ken-ichi , Arakawa Yuki
Published: March 2019

Networked materials composed of well-defined alternating domains of two types of biodegradable polymers, hard poly(l-lactide) and soft poly(ε-caprolactone), were successfully synthesized.