bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nickel and cobalt resistance properties of Sinorhizobium meliloti isolated from Medicago lupulina growing in gold mine tailing
Authors: Li Zhefei , Song Xiuyong , Wang Juanjuan , Bai Xiaoli , Gao Engting , Wei Gehong
Published: July 2018

Sinorhizobium meliloti CCNWSX0020, isolated from root nodules of Medicago lupulina growing in gold mine tailings in the northwest of China, displayed multiple heavy metal resistance and growth promotion of M. lupulina. In our previous work, the expression level of dmeR and dmeF genes were induced by Cu2+ through comparative transcriptome approach. Based on protein analysis, the dmeF encoded for a protein which showed a 37% similarity to the cation transporter DmeF of Cupriavidus metallidurans, whereas dmeR encoded transcriptional regulator which was highly homologous with DmeR belonging to RcnR/CsoR family metal-responsive transcriptional regulator. In addition to copper, quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that dmeR and dmeF were also induced by nickel and cobalt. To investigate the functions of dmeR and dmeF in S. meliloti CCNWSX0020, the dmeR and dmeF deletion mutants were constructed. The dmeF mutant was more sensitive to Co2 + and Ni2 + than the wild type strain. Pot experiments were carried out to determine whether the growth of M. lupulina was affected when the dmeF gene was knocked out in the presence of nickel or cobalt. Results indicated that the nodule number of the host plant inoculated with the dmeF deletion mutant was significantly less than the S. meliloti CCNWSX0020 wild-type in the presence of Co2 + or Ni2 +. However, when standardized by nodule fresh weight, the nitrogenase activities of nodules infected by the dmeF deletion mutant was similar to nitrogenase activity of the wild type nodule.
Coordination‐Responsive Longitudinal Relaxation Tuning as a Versatile MRI Sensing Protocol for Malignancy Targets
Authors: Zhang Kun , Cheng Yu , Ren Weiwei , Sun Liping , Liu Chang , Wang Dan , Guo Lehang , Xu Huixiong , Zhao Yongxiang
Published: July 2018

Biomarkers (e.g., acidity, H2O2, hypoxia, and specific molecules) as one primary component of tumor microenvironments are closely associated with occurrence, invasion, and metastasis of malignancy, thus can act as biological targets. However, their monitoring remains a challenging task. Herein, a coordination‐dependent longitudinal relaxation tuning (CLRT) that occurs between a Mn2+ “donor” and a Mn2+ “acceptor” is established to enable biological target sensing. Relying on the differences of coordination ability and spatial structure between donors and acceptors, the biological targets as Mn2+ acceptor can take Mn2+ away from the donors (i.e., modified ligands) in nanoscale probes, which consequently varies T1‐weighted (T1W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal. The coordination ability and spatial structure of the modified Mn2+ “donor” and the pore diameter of donor carrier are demonstrated to determine the feasibility, specificity, and generality of CLRT. With CLRT, this MRI‐based ruler is demonstrated for the successful specific detection of biological targets (i.e., hyaluronic acid and glutathione) of malignancy, and its potential in quantitative measurement of hyaluronic acid is further demonstrated. CLRT can serve as a novel and general sensing principle to augment the exploration of a wide range of biological systems.
In Situ Grain Boundary Functionalization for Stable and Efficient Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zeng Zhaobing , Zhang Jing , Gan Xinlei , Sun Hongrui , Shang Minghui , Hou Dagang , Lu Chaojie , Chen Renjie , Zhu Yuejin , Han Liyuan
Published: July 2018

The phase instability and large energy loss are two obstacles to achieve stable and efficient inorganic‐CsPbI3−xBrxperovskite solar cells. In this work, stable cubic perovskite (α)‐phase CsPbI2Br is successfully achieved by Pb(Ac)2functioning at the grain boundary under low temperature. Ac−strongly coordinates with CsPbI2Br to stabilize the α‐phase and also make the grain size smaller and film uniform by fast nucleation. PbO is formed in situ at the grain boundary by decomposing Pb(Ac)2at high‐temperature annealing. The semiconducting PbO effectively passivates the surface states, reduces the interface recombination, and promotes the charge transport in CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells. A 12% efficiency and good stability are obtained for in situ PbO‐passivated CsPbI2Br solar cells, while Pb(Ac)2‐passivated device exhibits 8.7% performance and the highest stability, much better than the control device with 8.5% performance and inferior stability. This article highlights the extrinsic ionic grain boundary functionalization to achieve stable and efficient inorganic CsPbI3−xBrxmaterials and the devices.
Are geomorphological typologies for estuaries also useful for classifying their ecosystems?
Authors: Mahoney Peter C. , Bishop Melanie J.
Published: July 2018

With the large number of estuaries within many jurisdictions, it is not always feasible to develop estuary‐specific management plans. Typologies that identify ecologically similar estuaries may assist in delineating groups of estuaries across which common conservation strategies may be developed, where key threatening processes are also similar.

Estuarine typologies have been implemented in many countries, but most are based on hydrology and/or geomorphology rather than ecology. This study assessed the extent to which an Australian estuarine ternary classification scheme, which assigns estuaries to geomorphic classes according to wave, tidal and riverine influences, also captures differences in the mosaic of habitat types present.

An analysis of 352 Australian estuaries and coastal waterways, for which geomorphological classifications and areas of key habitats were available, revealed strong differences in habitat mosaics among geomorphic classes. These differences among classes in habitat mosaics were independent of the extent of anthropogenic modification.

The areal extent of mangrove and saltmarsh habitats displayed particularly large differences among estuarine geomorphic classes, being greatest in tide‐dominated estuaries and deltas, and being smallest in wave‐dominated estuaries, deltas, and strandplains.

Overall, results suggest that geomorphic classification schemes may be useful in identifying groups of ecologically similar estuaries, for which common conservation strategies might be developed, depending on stressors. This approach will be particularly useful in developing management strategies for estuaries where detailed habitat maps are not available.
Peculiar Triarylamine‐Based Co‐assembled Supramolecular Polymers That Exhibit Two Transition Temperatures in the Formation of a Coiled Helical Bundle
Authors: Seo Hyowon , Go Misun , Choi Heekyoung , Kim Ka Young , Choi Yeonweon , Lee Shim Sung , Jung Sung Ho , Jung Jong Hwa
Published: July 2018

This paper describes the peculiar co‐assembly supramolecular polymerization behavior of triphenylamine trisamide derivatives with d‐alanine (T‐ala) or glycine (T‐gly) moieties. Concentration and temperature‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that the heating curves of co‐assemblies obtained at various molar ratios of T‐ala to T‐gly exhibited two distinct transition temperatures. The first transition was due to the transformation from coiled helical bundles to single helical fibers without handedness. The second was due to a change from typical elongation to nucleation. These phenomena were confirmed by solvent‐dependent decoiling of coiled helical structures and concentration‐dependent morphological analysis. The two transitioning temperatures were dependent on the concentration of T‐ala in the co‐assemblies, suggesting that T‐ala concentration plays an important role in the formation of coiled helical bundles. Our study demonstrated the first observation of two distinct transition temperatures in supramolecular polymers.
Energy Storage at Groundwater Banks
Authors: House Lon W. , Beuhler Mark , Ahinga Zachary , Iqbal Naheed , Ta Tommy
Published: July 2018

This study investigated adding energy storage (pumped storage) at a groundwater bank, Willow Springs Water Bank, in Southern California. Two different technologies were evaluated. Aquifer pumped hydro (APH) uses reversible pump turbines, the aquifer as the lower storage reservoir, and a surface storage reservoir as the upper reservoir. APH and peak hour pumped storage (PHPS) can be used with or without demand response (DR), which deliberately curtails pumping to limit energy use at times when energy use and prices are high and shifts pumping to times when energy use and prices are lower. PHPS uses a surface storage reservoir as the lower reservoir, an upper elevation surface reservoir as the upper reservoir, and pumps and a hydroelectric generator to connect the two. Three different water bank operating modes were assessed (wet year—recharge, dry year—extraction, and neutral year—pumped storage). The results of the analysis are that APH was not cost‐effective. PHPS was, but the ability to curtail/adjust pumping and participate in DR was the most valuable resource, more valuable than the ability to generate electricity.
Identification of an unknown glycoprotein from whole cell lysate using conA and mass spectrometry*
Authors: Yan Jianghong , Hu Shupeng , Xu Xiudan , Zhao Dezhang , Wu Mingjun , Luo Suxin , Xia Yong
Published: July 2018

Medical laboratory technology major was set up to meet rapid development of science and medical research technology in 2013. Students majoring in medical laboratory had learnt a lot of techniques distributed among different specialized courses. But, they did not understand why they had to learn these techniques and how they were applied in a real‐world research setting. In a one‐month innovation experimental practice described herein, students had learnt to induce, purify and identify an unknown glycoprotein from whole cell lysate using conA‐based affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. Unlike in a traditional cookbook‐style experiment, students chose a research subject on their own and did experiment using their selected variables. Over the one‐month laboratory periods, students used sterile technique to cultivate cells, induced glycoprotein expression using LPS and IFN‐γ, purified glycoprotein from cell lysate using agarose‐conA beads, identified a glycoprotein via mass spectrometry, and confirmed the result using western blotting. At end of the practice, students were asked to evaluate their experiences via an anonymous survey. All students declared that this experimental practice was interesting and meaningful to them. The process of completing the project was to apply the learnt techniques to real‐world biochemistry research, so they became aware of the importance and significance of techniques. © 2018 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46:373–381, 2018.
Thermodynamics of the Interactions of Aminobisphosphonates and Their Calcium Complexes with Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Gałęzowska Joanna , Chmielewska Ewa
Published: July 2018

Binding of bisphosphonates (BPs) to plasma proteins was investigated in the 1990s as a pharmacokinetic issue in order to fully understand bio‐distribution of BP drugs which are successfully used for the treatment of several bone‐related diseases. It has been hypothesized that binding to these proteins occurs with low to moderate affinity despite of unfavorable hydrophilicity of BPs, and Ca2+ was identified as a strong catalyst of this binding. However, these studies mainly consisted in the separation and quantification of bound and unbound drug or protein fractions using chromatographic techniques without an outcome on the molecular level. Presented thermodynamic studies analyze the interactions of three N‐BPs as well as their Ca2+ complexes with bovine serum albumine (BSA) by means of isothermal calorimetry. The studies reveal spontaneous enthalpy favored interactions of N‐BPs (amino‐containing BPs) with BSA, which are enhanced by the presence of Ca2+ ions up to ~15‐fold, strongly depending on N‐BP. Those are low affinity binding events, comparable to Ca2+‐N‐BP interactions, which most likely occur at Ca2+ binding site(s). It is a first example of estimation of thermodynamic forces of interactions of free and calcium‐bound N‐BPs with albumin.
Safe delivery of lung stereotactic body radiation therapy in a patient with a left ventricular assist device and implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Ostertag‐Hill Claire A. , Mudd James , Werle Daniel P. , Tieu Brandon H. , Nabavizadeh Nima
Published: July 2018

Key Clinical Message

This is the first case to discuss the safe delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy to a left lower lobe lung nodule in a patient with a third generation left ventricular assist device (Heartware®) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Pedunculated small bowel lipoma with heterotopic pancreas causing intussusception
Authors: Papageorge Marianna , Waghray Abhijeet , Chen Lilian , Yoo James
Published: July 2018

Key Clinical Message

Small bowel intussusception is a relatively uncommon cause of abdominal pain. The diagnosis is often delayed due to vague symptoms and limitations with current endoscopic and radiographic approaches to evaluate the small bowel lumen. Treatment often requires surgical resection, which can usually be performed in a minimally invasive fashion.
Optimizing Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 on Fe2O3/WO3 via Redox‐Acid Synergy
Authors: Li Chao , Huang Zhiwei , Chen Yaxin , Liu Xiaona , Chen Junxiao , Qu Weiye , Ma Zhen , Tang Xingfu
Published: July 2018

An iron‐tungsten oxide catalyst was developed for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 (NH3‐SCR) by supporting Fe2O3 nanoparticles onto hexagonal WO3 nanorods. The Fe2O3/WO3 catalyst showed much higher catalytic activity than Fe2O3 and WO3, as explained by the synergistic effects caused by acid sites (provided by WO3) and redox sites (provided by Fe2O3). X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques revealed that the crystal structures and morphologies of Fe2O3 and WO3 kept unchanged during the preparation of Fe2O3/WO3. NH3 adsorption curves, NH3 temperature programmed desorption, and temperature programmed surface reaction of NO demonstrated that WO3 possessed strong acidity but poor redox ability, whereas Fe2O3 had high redox ability but inadequate acidic property. Therefore, the enhancement in catalytic activity (when using Fe2O3/WO3 as a catalyst) should originate from the redox‐acid synergy, as further evidenced by the low SCR activity of pure Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/TiO2 with low capacity for adsorbing NH3. In addition, Fe2O3/WO3 showed high activity and stability in the presence of K+, SO2, and H2O, demonstrating its potential in practical applications.
Unexpected High Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Activity of Metal Complexes with Three‐Branched Hexadentate 2,2′‐Bipyridine Ligands
Authors: Wolff Marie C. , van Steerteghem Nick , Clays Koen , Heck Jürgen
Published: July 2018

Two hexadentate bipyridine ligands and their RuII and NiII complexes were prepared. The helical alignment of the three electron‐donor–π‐bridge–electron‐acceptor (d‐π‐A) single‐strands with bundle architecture in cooperation with the metal center can strongly enhance the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. The complexation of the novel cage‐type hexadentate ligands with a paramagnetic NiII‐core almost doubles the βHRS values compared with the corresponding diamagnetic RuII complexes. The hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) was performed with a highly sensitive setup for simultaneous discrimination between multi‐photon fluorescence and the molecular first hyperpolarizability.
A Solvation/Desolvation Indicator Based on van der Waals Interactions between Solvents and Porphyrins
Authors: Satake Akiharu , Suzuki Yuki , Sugimoto Motonobu , Shimazaki Tatsumi , Ishii Hidekazu , Kuramochi Yusuke
Published: July 2018

Solvation is a ubiquitous phenomenon associated with molecules in solutions. It often determines the equilibria of molecular systems and the rates of chemical reactions. Van der Waals interactions (a general term) includes weak interactions among noncharged compounds and it contributes significantly to solvation. The distinct observation of van der Waals interaction between solvent and porphyrin derivatives is reported herein. Bis(imidazolylporphyrinatozinc) structures connected through a 1,3‐butadiyne moiety give two types of coordination polymers, E (extended) and S (stacked) polymers, exclusively. E polymers have larger solvent‐accessible surface areas than the corresponding S polymers. Therefore, E polymers are better solvated than S polymers, providing an indicator of solvation and desolvation for the solvents used. A simple method (like a litmus test) was developed to evaluate the solvation ability of various solvents. Sixty‐seven solvents and liquid compounds were tested, under the same conditions, using a conventional UV/Vis spectrometer. The results revealed a new liquid group with high solvation ability towards the porphyrins, and clarified van der Waals interaction assisted by secondary interaction on the substituents. The indicator system should contribute to the solution chemistry of molecules and materials, and to supramolecular chemistry interactions among hetero components.
Exploitation of Environment‐Sensitive Luminophores in the Design of Sydnone‐Based Bioorthogonal Imaging Reagents
Authors: Lee Lawrence Cho‐Cheung , Cheung Hugo Man‐Hin , Liu Hua‐Wei , Lo Kenneth Kam‐Wing
Published: July 2018

Although the strain‐promoted sydnone–alkyne cycloaddition reaction has been utilized for bioconjugation, its potential applications in bioorthogonal labeling and imaging in live cells have not been explored. This communication reports novel bioorthogonal imaging reagents with environment‐sensitive emission properties through the modification of sydnone with cyclometalated iridium(III) polypyridine complexes. These complexes displayed significant emission enhancement and lifetime elongation upon reaction with strained alkyne derivatives, and were utilized to label cyclooctyne‐modified proteins and ceramide molecules in live cells. Additionally, the manipulation of the photocytotoxicity of the complexes through the use of a bioorthogonal reagent was demonstrated.
Getting Closer to Absolute Molar Masses of Technical Lignins
Authors: Zinovyev Grigory , Sulaeva Irina , Podzimek Stepan , Rössner Dierk , Kilpeläinen Ilkka , Sumerskii Ivan , Rosenau Thomas , Potthast Antje
Published: July 2018

Determination of molecular weight parameters of native and, in particular, technical lignins are based on size exclusion chromatography (SEC) approaches. However, no matter which approach is used, either conventional SEC with a refractive index detector and calibration with standards or multi‐angle light scattering (MALS) detection at 488 nm, 633 nm, 658 nm, or 690 nm, all variants can be severely erroneous. The lack of calibration standards with high structural similarity to lignin impairs the quality of the molar masses determined by conventional SEC, and the typical fluorescence of (technical) lignins renders the corresponding MALS data rather questionable. Application of MALS detection at 785 nm by using an infrared laser largely overcomes those problems and allows for a reliable and reproducible determination of the molar mass distributions of all types of lignins, which has been demonstrated in this study for various and structurally different analytes, such as kraft lignins, milled‐wood lignin, lignosulfonates, and biorefinery lignins. The topics of calibration, lignin fluorescence, and lignin UV absorption in connection with MALS detection are critically discussed in detail, and a reliable protocol is presented. Correction factors based on MALS measurements have been determined for commercially available calibration standards, such as pullulan and polystyrene sulfonate, so that now more reliable mass data can be obtained also if no MALS system is available and these conventional calibration standards have to be resorted to.
In silico and in vivo investigation of ferrocene‐incorporated acyl ureas and homoleptic cadmium carboxylate derivatives for anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and sedative potential
Authors: Adil Sadia , Khan Arif‐ullah , Badshah Haroon , Asghar Faiza , Usman Muhammad , Badshah Amin , Ali Saqib
Published: July 2018

In this study different derivatives of ferrocene‐incorporated acyl ureas and homoleptic cadmium carboxylates were investigated for potential anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative properties, using in‐silico and in‐vivo techniques. The molecular docking studies reveled that ferrocene compounds derivative 1‐(4‐bromobenzoyl)‐3‐(4‐ferrocenylphenyl) urea (PB1) and cadmium compounds derivative bis (diphenylacetato) cadmium (II) (DPAA) exhibit binding affinities against various neurotherapeutic molecular targets involved in epilepsy, anxiety, and sedation. Both PB1 and DPAA showed high binding affinities against protein targets like mammalian shaker voltage dependent potassium channel beta subunit complex, calcium release‐activated calcium channel, sodium channel 2A inactivation gate, human sodium/hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor, and gamma amino butyric acid A receptor associated protein. PB1 (2–10 mg/kg) and DPAA (1–5 mg/kg) delayed onset time of pentylenetetrazole‐induced myoclonic jerks and tonic‐clonic seizures in mice while decreased duration of tonic‐clonic seizures, determining the anticonvulsant effect of these compounds. PB1 and DPAA (0.5–1 mg/kg) exhibited anxiolytic effect by increasing time spent and number of animals entries into open arms, while decreasing time spent in dark compartment. Furthermore, PB1 (0.5–1 mg/kg) and DPAA (0.1–1 mg/kg) reduced onset time of sleep and increased duration time of sleep in mice, showing sedative effect. Taken together, our results indicate that aforementioned derivatives of ferrocene and cadmium are potent neurotherapeutic agents possessing anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative properties.
The Virtuous Cycle of Axon Growth: Axonal Transport of Growth‐Promoting Machinery as an Intrinsic Determinant of Axon Regeneration
Authors: Petrova Veselina , Eva Richard
Published: July 2018

Injury to the brain and spinal cord has devastating consequences because adult central nervous system (CNS) axons fail to regenerate. Injury to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) has a better prognosis, because adult PNS neurons support robust axon regeneration over long distances. CNS axons have some regenerative capacity during development, but this is lost with maturity. Two reasons for the failure of CNS regeneration are extrinsic inhibitory molecules, and a weak intrinsic capacity for growth. Extrinsic inhibitory molecules have been well characterized, but less is known about the neuron‐intrinsic mechanisms which prevent axon re‐growth. Key signaling pathways and genetic/epigenetic factors have been identified which can enhance regenerative capacity, but the precise cellular mechanisms mediating their actions have not been characterized. Recent studies suggest that an important prerequisite for regeneration is an efficient supply of growth‐promoting machinery to the axon; however, this appears to be lacking from non‐regenerative axons in the adult CNS. In the first part of this review, we summarize the evidence linking axon transport to axon regeneration. We discuss the developmental decline in axon regeneration capacity in the CNS, and comment on how this is paralleled by a similar decline in the selective axonal transport of regeneration‐associated receptors such as integrins and growth factor receptors. In the second part, we discuss the mechanisms regulating selective polarized transport within neurons, how these relate to the intrinsic control of axon regeneration, and whether they can be targeted to enhance regenerative capacity. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 00: 000–000, 2018
The effects of hypolimnetic anoxia on the diel vertical migration of freshwater crustacean zooplankton
Authors: Doubek Jonathan P. , Campbell Kylie L. , Doubek Kaitlyn M. , Hamre Kathleen D. , Lofton Mary E. , McClure Ryan P. , Ward Nicole K. , Carey Cayelan C.
Published: July 2018

Lakes and reservoirs worldwide are increasingly experiencing depletion of dissolved oxygen (anoxia) in their bottom waters (the hypolimnion) because of climate change and eutrophication, which is altering the dynamics of many freshwater ecological communities. Hypolimnetic anoxia may substantially alter the daily migration and distribution of zooplankton, the dominant grazers of phytoplankton in aquatic food webs. In waterbodies with oxic hypolimnia, zooplankton exhibit diel vertical migration (DVM), in which they migrate to the dark hypolimnion during the day to escape fish predation or ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage in the well‐lit surface waters (the epilimnion). However, due to the physiologically stressful conditions of anoxic hypolimnia, we hypothesized that zooplankton may be forced to remain in the epilimnion during daylight, trading oxic stress for increased predation risk or UV radiation damage. To examine how anoxia impacts zooplankton vertical migration, distribution, biomass, and community composition over day–night periods, we conducted multiple diel sampling campaigns on reservoirs that spanned oxic, hypoxic, and anoxic hypolimnetic conditions. In addition, we sampled the same reservoirs fortnightly during the daytime to examine the vertical position of zooplankton throughout the summer stratified season. Under anoxic conditions, most zooplankton taxa were predominantly found in the epilimnion during the day and night, did not exhibit DVM, and had lower seasonal biomass than in reservoirs with oxic hypolimnia. Only the phantom midge larva, Chaoborus spp., was consistently anoxia‐tolerant. Consequently, our results suggest that hypolimnetic anoxia may alter zooplankton migration, biomass, and behavior, which may in turn exacerbate water quality degradation due to the critical role zooplankton play in freshwater ecosystems.
PHYLACINE 1.2: The Phylogenetic Atlas of Mammal Macroecology
Authors: Faurby Søren , Davis Matt , Pedersen Rasmus Ø. , Schowanek Simon D. , Antonelli1 Alexandre , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: July 2018

Data needed for macroecological analyses are difficult to compile and often hidden away in supplementary material under non‐standardized formats. Phylogenies, range data, and trait data often use conflicting taxonomies and require ad hoc decisions to synonymize species or fill in large amounts of missing data. Furthermore, most available data sets ignore the large impact that humans have had on species ranges and diversity. Ignoring these impacts can lead to drastic differences in diversity patterns and estimates of the strength of biological rules. To help overcome these issues, we assembled PHYLACINE, The Phylogenetic Atlas of Mammal Macroecology. This taxonomically integrated platform contains phylogenies, range maps, trait data, and threat status for all 5,831 known mammal species that lived since the last interglacial (~130,000 years ago until present). PHYLACINE is ready to use directly, as all taxonomy and metadata are consistent across the different types of data, and files are provided in easy‐to‐use formats. The atlas includes both maps of current species ranges and present natural ranges, which represent estimates of where species would live without anthropogenic pressures. Trait data include body mass and coarse measures of life habit and diet. Data gaps have been minimized through extensive literature searches and clearly labelled imputation of missing values. The PHYLACINE database will be archived here as well as hosted online so that users may easily contribute updates and corrections to continually improve the data. This database will be useful to any researcher who wishes to investigate large‐scale ecological patterns. Previous versions of the database have already provided valuable information and have, for instance, shown that megafauna extinctions caused substantial changes in vegetation structure and nutrient transfer patterns across the globe.
Improvement of Interfacial Stability for LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode: Insight into the Effect and Mechanism of Additive with Special Structure
Authors: Zhao Dongni , Wang Peng , Zhao Qiuping , Li Shiyou , Zhou Zhifang
Published: July 2018

The development of a suitable high voltage electrolyte system is of great importance for high energy density system. However, solving the interfacial stability of high voltage cathode materials remains a challenge. Herein, methyl benzenesulfonate (MBS) with a special structure as a “victim” additive has been introduced to construct a protective interface film on the surface of lithium nickel manganese oxide (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4, LNMO) cathode. Charge‐discharge cycling and rate capability performances demonstrate that introducing MBS additive has positive effect on interfacial stability, especially for power property. In 3.0 C rate, the cell with MBS electrolyte has about 63.5 % of capacity retention compared with the discharge capacity using 0.2 C rate, nevertheless, the baseline electrolyte is only 24.2 %. Besides, electrolyte with MBS additive shows some advantages in suppressing overcharge. The excellent performance can be attributed to the special molecular structure of MBS, which can further optimize the properties of interface film. The preferential oxidizability of MBS is able to construct a protective film on the electrode to hinder the further breakdown of electrolyte. The aromatic ring ensures the chemical stability of interface film and the sulfur provides the interface film with high ionic conductivity. These contributions are confirmed by further electrochemical measurements, detailed physical characterizations and theoretical calculations.
Suppression of PROX1‐mediated TERT expression in hepatitis B viral hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kim Young‐Joo , Yoo Jeong Eun , Jeon Youngsic , Chong Jae Uk , Choi Gi Hong , Song Dae‐Geun , Jung Sang Hoon , Oh Bong‐Kyeong , Park Young Nyun
Published: July 2018

Somatic mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter are related to telomerase activation and frequently occur at two hot spots located at −124 and −146 bp relative to the start codon in various cancers. Here, we investigated the occurrence and implications of genetic alterations in the TERT promoter in hepatitis B viral hepatocellular carcinoma (B viral HCC). TERT promoter mutations, especially −124C>T, clearly enhanced transcriptional activity in HCC cell lines. In contrast, TERT mRNA expression was lower in B viral HCC patients with TERT promoter mutations than in those without. We identified prospero homeobox protein 1 (PROX1) as a novel transcriptional activator of TERT; this protein was shown to have particularly strong binding affinity for the mutant TERT promoter. However, stable expression of the hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein inhibited PROX1‐mediated TERT expression in vitro. Our data suggest that TERT promoter mutations can enhance the promoter activity in HCC cell lines expressing PROX1 but are not the predominant mechanism of TERT upregulation in B viral HCC patients, based on the inhibition of PROX1‐dependent transcriptional activation by HBx.
Physicians’ challenges under El Salvador's criminal abortion prohibition
Authors: Zureick Alyson , Khan Amber , Chen Angeline , Reyes Astrid
Published: July 2018

El Salvador's criminal abortion law—one of the few in the world that prohibits all abortions and that is actively enforced against women—harms women's health and undermines the ethical duties of Salvadoran physicians and the standing of the medical profession. Under the criminal abortion regime, physicians are incentivized to disclose their patients’ confidential medical information, in violation of their ethical duties, and public healthcare facilities have become sites of criminal investigation. These investigations target women not only for illegal abortions, but also for miscarriages and obstetric emergencies. The ban further prevents physicians from providing medical care that is often necessary to preserve a woman's life or health. Finally, by criminalizing women's pregnancy outcomes, the regime undermines the country's recent public health improvement efforts and compounds the marginalization of women and girls from its most vulnerable communities, in violation of the state's international human rights obligations.
Ultrafast cell edge detection by line‐scan time‐stretch microscopy
Authors: Dai Bo , He Lu , Zheng Lulu , Fu Yongfeng , Wang Kaimin , Sui Guodong , Zhang Dawei , Zhuang Songlin , Wang Xu
Published: July 2018

Ultrafast time‐stretch imaging technique recently attracts an increasing interest for applications in cell classification due to high throughput and high sensitivity. A novel imaging modality of time‐stretch imaging technique for edge detection is proposed. Edge detection based on the directional derivative is realized using differential detection. As the image processing is mainly implemented in the physical layer, the computation complexity of edge extraction is significantly reduced. An imaging system for edge detection with the scan rate of 77.76 MHz is experimentally demonstrated. Resolution target is first measured to verify the feasibility of the edge extraction. Furthermore, various cells, including red blood cells, lung cancer cells and breast cancer cells, are detected. The edges of cancerous cells present in a completely different form. The imaging system for edge detection would be a good candidate for high‐throughput cell classification.
In vivo estimation of water diffusivity in occluded human skin using terahertz reflection spectroscopy
Authors: Sun Qiushuo , Stantchev Rayko I. , Wang Jiarui , Parrott Edward P. J. , Cottenden Alan , Chiu Tor‐Wo , Ahuja Anil T. , Pickwell‐MacPherson Emma
Published: July 2018

Water diffusion and the concentration profile within the skin significantly affect the surrounding chemical absorption and molecular synthesis. Occluding the skin causes water to accumulate in the top layer of the skin (the stratum corneum [SC]) and also affects the water diffusivity. Scar treatments such as silicone gel and silicone sheets make use of occlusion to increase skin hydration. However with existing techniques, it is not possible to quantitatively measure the diffusivity of the water during occlusion: current methods determine water diffusivity by measuring the water evaporated through the skin and thus require the skin to breathe. In this work, we use the high sensitivity of terahertz light to water to study how the water content in the SC changes upon occlusion. From our measurements, we can solve the diffusion equations in the SC to deduce the water concentration profile in occluded skin and subsequently to determine the diffusivity. To our knowledge, this is the first work showing how the diffusivity of human skin can be measured during occlusion and we envisage this paper as being used as a guide for non‐invasively determining the diffusivity of occluded human skin in vivo.
Emerging tools, enabling technologies, and future opportunities for the bioproduction of aromatic chemicals
Authors: Machas Michael , Kurgan Gavin , Jha Amit K , Flores Andrew , Schneider Aidan , Coyle Sean , Varman Arul M , Wang Xuan , Nielsen David R
Published: July 2018

Aromatic compounds, which are traditionally derived from petroleum feedstocks, represent a diverse class of molecules with a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Significant progress has been made to alternatively and sustainably produce many aromatics from renewable substrates using microbial biocatalysts. While the construction of both natural and non‐natural pathways has expanded the number and diversity of aromatic bioproducts, pathway modularization in both single‐ and multi‐strain systems continues to support the enhancement of key production metrics towards economically‐viable levels. Emerging tools for implementing more precise metabolic control (e.g. CRISPRi, sRNA) as well as the engineering of novel high‐throughput screening platforms utilizing in vivo aromatic biosensors, meanwhile, continue to facilitate further optimization of both pathways and hosts. While product toxicity persists as a key challenge limiting the production of many aromatics, various successful strategies have been demonstrated towards improving tolerance, including via membrane and efflux pump engineering as well as by exploiting alternative production hosts. Finally, as a further step towards sustainable and economical aromatic bioproduction, non‐model substrates including lignin‐derived compounds continue to emerge as viable feedstocks. This review highlights recent and notable achievements related to such efforts while offering future outlooks towards engineering microbial cell factories for aromatic production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Pharmacist prescribing in England: acting on history to address current challenges in pharmacy practice
Authors: Strickland‐Hodge Barry , Kennedy Mary‐Claire , Baines Darrin
Published: July 2018

Historically, doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense, but these clear lines are rapidly eroding. The view that pharmacists should work closely with general practitioners and hospital doctors is a reality: it is encouraged by surveys and major reports, such as that of Lord Carter. This shift is mediated by the need to balance the authority of doctors and patient safety with a shortage of doctors and a need to use the skills of pharmacists appropriately. As the population ages, more pharmacists, with the necessary skills and knowledge, will be required.
Plant sn‐Glycerol‐3‐Phosphate Acyltransferases: Biocatalysts Involved in the Biosynthesis of Intracellular and Extracellular Lipids
Authors: Jayawardhane Kethmi N. , Singer Stacy D. , Weselake Randall J. , Chen Guanqun
Published: July 2018

Acyl‐lipids such as intracellular phospholipids, galactolipids, sphingolipids, and surface lipids play a crucial role in plant cells by serving as major components of cellular membranes, seed storage oils, and extracellular lipids such as cutin and suberin. Plant lipids are also widely used to make food, renewable biomaterials, and fuels. As such, enormous efforts have been made to uncover the specific roles of different genes and enzymes involved in lipid biosynthetic pathways over the last few decades. sn‐Glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferases (GPAT) are a group of important enzymes catalyzing the acylation of sn‐glycerol‐3‐phosphate at the sn‐1 or sn‐2 position to produce lysophosphatidic acids. This reaction constitutes the first step of storage‐lipid assembly and is also important in polar‐ and extracellular‐lipid biosynthesis. Ten GPAT have been identified in Arabidopsis, and many homologs have also been reported in other plant species. These enzymes differentially localize to plastids, mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum, where they have different biological functions, resulting in distinct metabolic fate(s) for lysophosphatidic acid. Although studies in recent years have led to new discoveries about plant GPAT, many gaps still exist in our understanding of this group of enzymes. In this article, we highlight current biochemical and molecular knowledge regarding plant GPAT, and also discuss deficiencies in our understanding of their functions in the context of plant acyl‐lipid biosynthesis.
Association of low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 rs11613352 and angiopoietin‐like 3 rs2131925 with hypertension in men—the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study
Authors: Kunnas Tarja , Solakivi Tiina , Nikkari Seppo T.
Published: July 2018

Background

We examined the association of three known genome‐wide association study loci for blood lipids that have lead traits for triglycerides with hypertension in the Tampere adult population cardiovascular risk study.

Methods

A Finnish cohort of 190 men with diagnosed hypertension and 279 controls were analyzed. Samples were genotyped for low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 rs11613352 (C>T), angiopoietin‐like 3 rs2131925 (T>G), and fatty acid desaturase 1 rs174546 (C>T) polymorphisms using competitive allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction technique.

Results

At the age of 50, subjects with low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 rs11613352 (C>T) minor genotype TT had significantly more hypertension than those with the C allele (OR 5.17, CI 2.03–12.74, p < 0.001). Subjects with angiopoietin‐like 3 rs2131925 (T>G) T allele had more hypertension than those with the minor genotype GG (OR 5.02, CI 1.40–17.98, p = 0.013). Fatty acid desaturase 1 rs174546 (C>T) did not associate with hypertension.

Conclusion

Association of low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 rs11613352 and angiopoietin‐like 3 rs2131925 with hypertension might imply a direct effect at the artery wall.
Surface Segregation of NbAl3 Alloys by Boron Doping
Authors: Hong Dan , Jiao Zhen , Liu Qi‐Jun , Liu Fu‐Sheng , Tang Bin
Published: July 2018

First‐principles calculations have been performed to investigate the segregation energies and electronic structures of boron element in the NbAl3 surfaces. The calculated results show that the boron can spontaneously segregate from bulk to surface, which is good for the high‐temperature oxidation resistance. The bonding interactions between boron and its neighboring Nb atoms are enhanced, indicating that the boron stability in NbAl3 surfaces becomes stronger when boron atoms move from interior to surface. Moreover, the electronic structures before and after boron substitutions have been analyzed, which favor the possible migration path.
Reading Recovery's unrecovered learners: Characteristics and issues
Authors: Chapman James W. , Tunmer William E.
Published: July 2018

Reading Recovery (RR) was developed in New Zealand in the early 1980s to provide 30 minutes of daily individualised literacy instruction over 20 weeks for students struggling with learning to read after one year of formal schooling. Considerable research has been undertaken on the RR programme. While results indicate short‐term success for some students, each year 15–30% of students do not successfully complete the programme and are therefore ‘unrecovered’. Research on the characteristics of these unrecovered students is sparse. This review examines findings on the characteristics of unrecovered students. These RR students typically have limited phonemic awareness and phonemically based decoding skills, and lower scores on RR screening measures on entry to RR than ‘recovered’ students. In New Zealand, unrecovered students tend to be enrolled in schools serving lower socio‐economic neighbourhoods, and tend to be from Māori or Pasifika (Polynesian Pacific Island heritage) backgrounds. These students typically receive more RR lessons than recovered students. We conclude that RR does not tailor instruction to meet the needs of individual students, as claimed. The RR instructional model, developed in the 1970s, fails to recognise the importance of explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and the use of letter–sound relations. Such instruction is essential for most students who struggle with literacy learning during their early years of schooling and especially important for students who experience the most difficulty with learning to read. Suggestions are presented for strengthening the RR programme and for reducing the number of unrecovered students.
Zelthallen aus PVC‐beschichtetem Polyestergewebe nach aktualisierter Normenreihe DIN 18204
Authors: Uhlemann Jörg , Stranghöner Natalie
Published: July 2018

Die Normenreihe DIN 18204 „Bauteile aus textilen Flächengebilden und Folien” wurde in den letzten zwei Jahren umfassend überarbeitet. Neben der Aktualisierung von Normenbezügen wurde die Struktur grundlegend geändert, so dass sie in zukünftig zu entwickelnden weiteren Normenteilen neben den Zelthallen weitere Strukturen aus textilen Flächengebilden und Folien regeln kann. Die Materialspezifikationen wurden entschlackt und auf neue Prüfnormen angepasst. Des Weiteren wurde das Bemessungskonzept behutsam überarbeitet. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die Hintergründe, zeigt detailliert die Änderungen zur Vorgängernorm und gibt einen Ausblick auf die endgültige Fassung.
Besonderheiten der Stahlverbundkonstruktion des Parkhauses Coulinstraße in Wiesbaden
Authors: Springer Johannes , Reuke Hendrik , Wolters Kevin , Kopp Maik
Published: July 2018

Das neue Parkhaus Coulinstraße in der Wiesbadener Innenstadt ist eine Stahlverbundkonstruktion mit einer Reihe von Besonderheiten. Neben der Beschreibung der Konstruktion mit Deckenträgern als oberflanschlose Verbundträger mit PZ‐Verbunddübelleiste in Kombination mit einer Verbunddecke berichtet der Beitrag über Bemerkenswertes der Tragwerksplanung und der Stahlbaukonstruktion. Dabei wird auch besonders auf die Brandschutzbemessung des Stahlbaus nach DIN EN 1993 eingegangen.
Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous media using adsorption onto polyaniline coated sisal fibers
Authors: Teklu Tesfamariam , Wangatia Lodrick M. , Alemayehu Esayas
Published: July 2018

Lead is one of the toxic metals that cause detrimental health disorders. Polyaniline (PAni) coated sisal fibers were prepared via in situ polymerization and used to remove Pb(II) from wastewater. PAni/SF was investigated on batch experiment to remove Pb(II) from wastewater as a function of contact time, pH, particle size, adsorbent, and adsorbate dose. Studies on kinetics revealed adsorption of Pb(II) obeyed pseudo second order. Adsorption equilibrium was suitably fitted in Langmuir isotherm with linear coefficient 0.99. Finally, PAni/SF composites show appreciable removal efficiency with a maximum adsorption capacity of 6.53 mg/g, consistent with adsorption capacity obtained from pseudo second order. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:189–197, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Heavy neutral fermions at the high-luminosity LHC
Authors: Helo Juan Carlos , Hirsch Martin , Wang Zeren Simon
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Long-lived light particles (LLLPs) appear in many extensions of the standard model. LLLPs are usually motivated by the observed small neutrino masses, by dark matter or both. Typical examples for fermionic LLLPs (a.k.a. heavy neutral fermions, HNFs) are sterile neutrinos or the lightest neutralino in R-parity violating supersymmetry. The high luminosity LHC is expected to deliver up to 3/ab of data. Searches for LLLPs in dedicated experiments at the LHC could then probe the parameter space of LLLP models with unprecedented sensitivity. Here, we compare the prospects of several recent experimental proposals, FASER, CODEX-b and MATHUSLA, to search for HNFs and discuss their relative merits.s
Perturbing AdS6 ×w S4: linearised equations and spin-2 spectrum
Authors: Passias Achilleas , Richmond Paul
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We initiate the analysis of the Kaluza-Klein mass spectrum of massive IIA supergravity on the warped AdS6 ×
w

S
4 background, by deriving the linearised equations of motion of bosonic and fermionic fluctuations, and determining the mass spectrum of those of spin-2. The spin-2 modes are given in terms of hypergeometric functions and a careful analysis of their boundary conditions uncovers the existence of two branches of mass spectra, bounded from below. The modes that saturate the bounds belong to short multiplets which we identify in the representation theory of the

$$ \mathfrak{f}(4) $$

f

4

symmetry superalgebra of the AdS6 ×
w

S
4 solution.