bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single point mutations reveal amino acid residues important for Chromobacterium violaceum transaminase activity in the production of unnatural amino acids
Authors: Almahboub Sarah A. , Narancic Tanja , Fayne Darren , O’Connor Kevin E.
Published: November 2018

Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) are chiral amines with high application potential in drug discovery and synthesis of other valuable chemicals. Biocatalysis offers the possibility to synthesise novel optically pure UAAs with different physical and chemical properties. While the biocatalytic potential of transaminases in the synthesis of UAAs has been demonstrated, there is still a need to improve the activity with non-native substrates and to understand which amino acids residues are important for activity with these UAAs. Using a rational design approach, six variants of Chromobacterium violaceum DSM30191 transaminase (CV_TA) carrying a single and one variant carrying two substitutions were generated. Among the variants with a single substitution, CV_Y168F showed a 2 to 2.6-fold increased affinity for 2-oxooctanoic acid (2-OOA) and 3-oxobutyric acid (3-OBA) methyl ester used to synthesise an α- and β-UAA. Analysis of the first half of the transaminase reaction showed no change in the activity with the donor (S)-1-phenylethylamine. The combination of W60C and Y168F substitutions improved the CV_TA affinity for 2-OOA 10-fold compared to the wild type. Other substitutions showed no change, or reduced activity with the tested substrates. Our findings provide structural information on CV_TA and demonstrate the potential of rational design for biosynthesis of UAAs.
Adaptive hindlimb split-belt treadmill walking in rats by controlling basic muscle activation patterns via phase resetting
Authors: Fujiki Soichiro , Aoi Shinya , Funato Tetsuro , Sato Yota , Tsuchiya Kazuo , Yanagihara Dai
Published: November 2018

To investigate the adaptive locomotion mechanism in animals, a split-belt treadmill has been used, which has two parallel belts to produce left–right symmetric and asymmetric environments for walking. Spinal cats walking on the treadmill have suggested the contribution of the spinal cord and associated peripheral nervous system to the adaptive locomotion. Physiological studies have shown that phase resetting of locomotor commands involving a phase shift occurs depending on the types of sensory nerves and stimulation timing, and that muscle activation patterns during walking are represented by a linear combination of a few numbers of basic temporal patterns despite the complexity of the activation patterns. Our working hypothesis was that resetting the onset timings of basic temporal patterns based on the sensory information from the leg, especially extension of hip flexors, contributes to adaptive locomotion on the split-belt treadmill. Our hypothesis was examined by conducting forward dynamic simulations using a neuromusculoskeletal model of a rat walking on a split-belt treadmill with its hindlimbs and by comparing the simulated motions with the measured motions of rats.
Transmission of Cricket paralysis virus via exosome-like vesicles during infection of Drosophila cells
Authors: Kerr Craig H. , Dalwadi Udit , Scott Nichollas E. , Yip Calvin K. , Foster Leonard J. , Jan Eric
Published: November 2018

Viruses are classically characterized as being either enveloped or nonenveloped depending on the presence or absence of a lipid bi-layer surrounding their proteinaceous capsid. In recent years, many studies have challenged this view by demonstrating that some nonenveloped viruses (e.g. hepatitis A virus) can acquire an envelope during infection by hijacking host cellular pathways. In this study, we examined the role of exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) during infection of Drosophilia melanogaster S2 cells by Cricket paralysis virus (CrPV). Utilizing quantitative proteomics, we demonstrated that ELVs can be isolated from both mock- and CrPV-infected S2 cells that contain distinct set of proteins compared to the cellular proteome. Moreover, 40 proteins increased in abundance in ELVs derived from CrPV-infected cells compared to mock, suggesting specific factors associate with ELVs during infection. Interestingly, peptides from CrPV capsid proteins (ORF2) and viral RNA were detected in ELVs from infected cells. Finally, ELVs from CrPV-infected cells are infectious suggesting that CrPV may hijack ELVs to acquire an envelope during infection of S2 cells. This study further demonstrates the diverse strategies of nonenveloped viruses from invertebrates to vertebrates to acquire an envelope in order to evade the host response or facilitate transmission.
Levels of plasma neurofilament light chain and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer or Parkinson disease
Authors: Lin Yung-Shuan , Lee Wei-Ju , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Fuh Jong-Ling
Published: November 2018

Plasma neurofilament light (NFL) has been proposed as a blood-based biomarker for neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and parkinsonian disorders. However, the relationship between plasma NFL and cognitive decline in dementia due to Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains to be elucidated. In this research, 119 AD, 56 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 26 non-demented PD (PDND), and 23 Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) patients, as well as 59 cognitively healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Each subject underwent a battery of neuropsychological testing. Plasma NFL levels were measured in duplicate using an NF-Light assay and transferred onto the Simoa platform with a home-brew kit. Plasma NFL was significantly increased in the AD group, compared with the control, MCI, PDND, and PDD groups. Plasma NFL was significantly higher in the PDD group, compared with the PDND group. High plasma NFL correlated with poor cognition in AD and PD, but not with motor symptoms in PD. Plasma NFL may represent a biomarker of cognitive decline in AD and PD, with more specificity for AD.
Ultrastructural visualization of Orientia tsutsugamushi in biopsied eschars and monocytes from scrub typhus patients in South Korea
Authors: Ro Hyun-Joo , Lee Hayoung , Park Edmond Changkyun , Lee Chang-Seop , Il Kim Seung , Jun Sangmi
Published: November 2018

Scrub typhus, which is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a public health problem in the Asian-Pacific region and is the third most frequently reported infectious disease in South Korea. While ultrastructural studies have been performed on O. tsutsugamushi in murine fibroblasts, its variable locations in patients have hampered similar studies in humans. Two patients with scrub typhus agreed to provide an eschar biopsy and peripheral blood, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was performed separately on the necrotic crust and perifocal skin of the eschar, the peripheral blood, and the infected murine L cells. O. tsutsugamushi was located within or adjacent to the outermost layer of the perifocal inflamed skin of the eschar but not in the necrotic centre. O. tsutsugamushi in peripheral blood monocytes exhibited the characteristic features of O. tsutsugamushi in L cells, namely, nearly round shaped bacteria with a size of 1–2 µm and a double membrane bearing a clear halo-like outer layer. The findings confirmed that the bacterium was predominantly located in the inflamed skin around the eschar and that the bacterium had the same ultrastructural features in human monocytes as in L cells. These findings suggest that the perifocal area, not the necrotic centre, should be sampled for diagnosis.
Usp9X Regulates Cell Death in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Bianchetti E. , Bates S. J. , Carroll S. L. , Siegelin M. D. , Roth K. A.
Published: November 2018

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are the leading cause of death in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. Current treatment modalities have been largely unsuccessful in improving MPNST patient survival, making the identification of new therapeutic targets urgent. In this study, we found that interference with Usp9X, a deubiquitinating enzyme which is overexpressed in nervous system tumors, or Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family whose degradation is regulated by Usp9X, causes rapid death in human MPNST cell lines. Although both Usp9X and Mcl-1 knockdown elicited some features of apoptosis, broad spectrum caspase inhibition was ineffective in preventing knockdown-induced MPNST cell death suggesting that caspase-independent death pathways were also activated. Ultrastructural examination of MPNST cells following either Usp9X interference or pharmacological inhibition showed extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria most consistent with paraptotic cell death. Finally, the Usp9X pharmacological inhibitor WP1130 significantly reduced human MPNST growth and induced tumor cell death in an in vivo xenograft model. In total, these findings indicate that Usp9X and Mcl-1 play significant roles in maintaining human MPNST cell viability and that pharmacological inhibition of Usp9X deubiquitinase activity could be a therapeutic target for MPNST treatment.
Interpersonal Variations in Gut Microbiota Profiles Supersedes the Effects of Differing Fecal Storage Conditions
Authors: Bundgaard-Nielsen Caspar , Hagstrøm Søren , Sørensen Suzette
Published: November 2018

Due to ease of acquisition, fecal samples are often used in studies investigating gut microbiota. Improper handling of these samples can lead to bacterial growth and alter bacterial composition. While freezing samples at −80 °C is considered gold standard, this is not suitable for studies utilizing self-sampling by lay participants or field studies. Thus to effectively prevent bacterial growth, techniques that allow efficient fecal storage outside laboratory facilities are needed. Fecal samples were collected from three donors. From each donor feces, 45 samples were collected and stored either freshly frozen at −80 or −20 °C, or in three separate storage buffers at room temperature or 4 °C for 24 or 72 hours. Bacterial composition was analyzed using Illumina amplicon sequencing of the V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene. While storage conditions did affect bacterial composition and diversity compared to storage at −80 °C, the variation between donors superseded the variations introduced by storage. Samples stored at −20 °C most closely resembled those stored at −80 °C. When investigating variations in bacterial composition between separate study populations, fecal samples can efficiently be stored in −20 °C freezers or in one of the presented storage buffers, without severe alterations in bacterial composition.
Radar micro-Doppler signatures of drones and birds at K-band and W-band
Authors: Rahman Samiur , Robertson Duncan A.
Published: November 2018

Due to the substantial increase in the number of affordable drones in the consumer market and their regrettable misuse, there is a need for efficient technology to detect drones in airspace. This paper presents the characteristic radar micro-Doppler properties of drones and birds. Drones and birds both induce micro-Doppler signatures due to their propeller blade rotation and wingbeats, respectively. These distinctive signatures can then be used to differentiate a drone from a bird, along with studying them separately. Here, experimental measurements of micro-Doppler signatures of different types of drones and birds are presented and discussed. The data have been collected using two radars operating at different frequencies; K-band (24 GHz) and W-band (94 GHz). Three different models of drones and four species of birds of varying sizes have been used for data collection. The results clearly demonstrate that a phase coherent radar system can retrieve highly reliable and distinctive micro-Doppler signatures of these flying targets, both at K-band and W-band. Comparison of the signatures obtained at the two frequencies indicates that the micro-Doppler return from the W-band radar has higher SNR. However, micro-Doppler features in the K-band radar returns also reveal the micro-motion characteristics of drones and birds very effectively.
A reference set of curated biomedical data and metadata from clinical case reports
Authors: Caufield J. Harry , Zhou Yijiang , Garlid Anders O. , Setty Shaun P. , Liem David A. , Cao Quan , Lee Jessica M. , Murali Sanjana , Spendlove Sarah , Wang Wei , Zhang Li , Sun Yizhou , Bui Alex , Hermjakob Henning , Watson Karol E. , Ping Peipei
Published: November 2018

Clinical case reports (CCRs) provide an important means of sharing clinical experiences about atypical disease phenotypes and new therapies. However, published case reports contain largely unstructured and heterogeneous clinical data, posing a challenge to mining relevant information. Current indexing approaches generally concern document-level features and have not been specifically designed for CCRs. To address this disparity, we developed a standardized metadata template and identified text corresponding to medical concepts within 3,100 curated CCRs spanning 15 disease groups and more than 750 reports of rare diseases. We also prepared a subset of metadata on reports on selected mitochondrial diseases and assigned ICD-10 diagnostic codes to each. The resulting resource, Metadata Acquired from Clinical Case Reports (MACCRs), contains text associated with high-level clinical concepts, including demographics, disease presentation, treatments, and outcomes for each report. Our template and MACCR set render CCRs more findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) while serving as valuable resources for key user groups, including researchers, physician investigators, clinicians, data scientists, and those shaping government policies for clinical trials.
A data citation roadmap for scientific publishers
Authors: Cousijn Helena , Kenall Amye , Ganley Emma , Harrison Melissa , Kernohan David , Lemberger Thomas , Murphy Fiona , Polischuk Patrick , Taylor Simone , Martone Maryann , Clark Tim
Published: November 2018

This article presents a practical roadmap for scholarly publishers to implement data citation in accordance with the Joint Declaration of Data Citation Principles (JDDCP), a synopsis and harmonization of the recommendations of major science policy bodies. It was developed by the Publishers Early Adopters Expert Group as part of the Data Citation Implementation Pilot (DCIP) project, an initiative of FORCE11.org and the NIH BioCADDIE program. The structure of the roadmap presented here follows the “life of a paper” workflow and includes the categories Pre-submission, Submission, Production, and Publication. The roadmap is intended to be publisher-agnostic so that all publishers can use this as a starting point when implementing JDDCP-compliant data citation. Authors reading this roadmap will also better know what to expect from publishers and how to enable their own data citations to gain maximum impact, as well as complying with what will become increasingly common funder mandates on data transparency.
Complementary proteomics strategies capture an ataxin-1 interactome in Neuro-2a cells
Authors: Zhang Sunyuan , Williamson Nicholas A. , Bogoyevitch Marie A.
Published: November 2018

Ataxin-1 mutation, arising from a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract expansion, is the underlying genetic cause of the late-onset neurodegenerative disease Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). To identify protein partners of polyQ-ataxin-1 in neuronal cells under control or stress conditions, here we report our complementary proteomics strategies of proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) and affinity purification (via GFP-Trap pulldown) in Neuro-2a cells expressing epitope-tagged forms of ataxin-1[85Q]. These approaches allowed our enrichment of proximal proteins and interacting partners, respectively, with the subsequent protein identification performed by liquid chromatography-MS/MS. Background proteins, not dependent on the presence of the polyQ-ataxin-1 protein, were additionally defined by their endogenous biotinylation (for the BioID protocol) or by their non-specific interaction with GFP only (in the GFP-Trap protocol). All datasets were generated from biological replicates. Following the removal of the identified background proteins from the acquired protein lists, our experimental design has captured a comprehensive polyQ-ataxin-1 proximal and direct protein partners under normal and stress conditions. Data are available via ProteomeXchange, with identifier PXD010352.
Azide-tagged sphingolipids for the proteome-wide identification of C16-ceramide-binding proteins
Authors: Schulte-Zweckel Janine , Schneidewind Tabea , Abad Jose Luis , Brockmeyer Andreas , Janning Petra , Triola Gemma
Published: November 2018

Unknown ceramide-binding proteins can be identified by combining azide-tagged sphingolipids with MS-based proteomic profiling and protein array analysis.
A mitochondria-targeted nitric oxide donor triggered by superoxide radical to alleviate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Hou Jingli , He Haiyan , Huang Saipeng , Qian Meng , Wang Jie , Tan Xiaoli , Han Guifang , Song Yuguang , Xu Zhelong , Liu Yangping
Published: November 2018

We report a mitochondria-targeted and superoxide-responsive nitric oxide donor with good protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in H9c2 cells and isolated rat hearts.
Facile synthesis of unnatural β-germyl-α-amino amides via Pd(ii)-catalyzed primary and secondary C(sp3)–H bond germylation
Authors: Zhou Zheng-Xin , Rao Wei-Hao , Zeng Ming-Hua , Liu Yue-Jin
Published: November 2018

Pd(ii)-Catalyzed direct C(sp3)–H germylation of α-AA derivatives with the assistance of a bidentate auxiliary for the efficient synthesis of β-germyl-α-amino amides is reported.
Thieno[3,2-b]indole-based hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells with photovoltages exceeding 1.11 V
Authors: Liu Liyuan , Wu Yungen , Li Mengyuan , Zong Xueping , Sun Zhe , Liang Mao , Xue Song
Published: November 2018

Thieno[3,2-b]indole-based hole transporting materials were developed for efficient perovskite solar cells.
A novel approach to design febuxostat-salicylic acid eutectic system: evaluation and characterization
Authors: Srivastava Anubha , Zode Sandeep S. , Pandey Jaya , Srivastava Karnica , Tandon Poonam , Ayala Alejandro P. , Bansal Arvind K.
Published: November 2018

The current study was aimed at investigating the febuxostat-salicylic acid (FXT-SAA) eutectic system using two polymorphs of FXT, form Q and form A.
Crystallographic studies of 2-picolyl substituted naphthalene diimide and bis-phthalimide ligands and their supramolecular coordination chemistry
Authors: Lovitt June I. , Hawes Chris S. , Gunnlaugsson Thorfinnur
Published: November 2018

The coordination chemistry of two 2-picolyl substituted bis-imide ligands is explored, revealing fascinating metallosupramolecular assemblies but an apparent barrier to chelation compared to monoimide congeners.
Molecular dynamics investigation of the local structure in iron melts and its role in crystal nucleation during rapid solidification
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Jincheng , Tang Sai , Wang Yujian , Li Junjie , Zhou Wenquan , Wang Zhijun
Published: November 2018

Nucleation process of a bcc crystal after the formation of an MRO cluster.
Even–odd oscillation of bandgaps in GeP3 nanoribbons and a tunable 1D lateral homogenous heterojunction
Authors: Li Rui , Huang Xiaowei , Ma Xiaoyu , Zhu Zhili , Li Chong , Xia Congxin , Zeng Zaiping , Jia Yu
Published: November 2018

Band gap of armchair GeP3 nanoribbons shows strong even-odd oscillation as a function of ribbon width. Based on this unique feature, a one dimensional lateral homogenous heterojunction is designed to investigate the potential application.
Novel nonmetal catalyst of supported tetraphenylphosphonium bromide for acetylene hydrochlorination
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Nian Yao , Shang Shanshan , Zhang Haiyang , Zhang Jinli , Han You , Li Wei
Published: November 2018

HCl is preferentially activated by accepting electrons from TPPB, which can promote catalytic performance and inhibit carbon deposition.
Membrane-separated electrochemical latrine wastewater treatment
Authors: Yang Yang , Lin Lin , Tse Leda Katebian , Dong Heng , Yu Shaokun , Hoffmann Michael R.
Published: November 2018

Membrane electrolysis is shown to be durable over one month of continuous operation.
High-throughput, non-equilibrium studies of single biomolecules using glass-made nanofluidic devices
Authors: Fontana Mattia , Fijen Carel , Lemay Serge G. , Mathwig Klaus , Hohlbein Johannes
Published: November 2018

Single-molecule detection schemes offer powerful means to overcome static and dynamic heterogeneity inherent to complex samples.
Synthesis of multifunctional miktoarm star polymers via an RGD peptide-based RAFT agent
Authors: Chen Chao , Guo Xiaofeng , Du Jinhong , Choi Bonnie , Tang Houliang , Feng Anchao , Thang San H.
Published: November 2018

A “grafting from” approach for facile access of multifunctional miktoarm star polymers containing peptide arms.
Dual carbon-modified nickel sulfide composites toward high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: He Jiapeng , Guo Can , Zhou Shaowen , Zhao Yinlong , Wang Qingpeng , Yang Shun , Yang Jiaqin , Wang Qinghong
Published: November 2018

Dual carbon-modified nickel sulfide composites have been facilely prepared and they deliver excellent energy storage performance for supercapacitors.
Supramolecular forces and their interplay in stabilizing complexes of organic anions: tuning binding selectivity in water
Authors: Savastano Matteo , Bazzicalupi Carla , García-Gallarín Celeste , López de la Torre Maria Dolores , Bianchi Antonio , Melguizo Manuel
Published: November 2018

The interplay of different supramolecular forces in stabilizing organic anion complexes withs-tetrazine-based ligands in aqueous solution: a microscopic description.
Application of high EPA-producingMortierella alpinain laying hen feed for egg DHA accumulation
Authors: Tang Xin , Chen Haiqin , Ge Chengfeng , Dong Shijian , Si Shaohong , Liu Jiarong , Gu Zhennan , Zhang Hao , Chen Yong Q. , Chen Wei
Published: November 2018

A high EPA-producingM. alpinawas fermented and added to laying hen feed for egg yolk DHA accumulation.
Overall reaction mechanism for a full atomic layer deposition cycle of W films on TiN surfaces: first-principles study
Authors: Park Hwanyeol , Lee Sungwoo , Kim Ho Jun , Woo Daekwang , Lee Jong Myeong , Yoon Euijoon , Lee Gun-Do
Published: November 2018

We investigated the overall ALD reaction mechanism for W deposition on TiN surfaces based on DFT calculation as well as the detailed dissociative reactions of WF6.
Boosting solid-state flexible supercapacitors by employing tailored hierarchical carbon electrodes and a high-voltage organic gel electrolyte
Authors: Liu Wenhao , Wang Kai , Li Chen , Zhang Xiong , Sun Xianzhong , Han Jianwei , Wu Xing-Long , Li Feng , Ma Yanwei
Published: November 2018

We developed a 3.5 V solid-state flexible supercapacitor prototype by employing tailored hierarchical carbon electrodes and an organic gel electrolyte.
Benzothiadiazole functionalized D–A type covalent organic frameworks for effective photocatalytic reduction of aqueous chromium(vi)
Authors: Chen Weiben , Yang Zongfan , Xie Zhen , Li Yusen , Yu Xiang , Lu Fanli , Chen Long
Published: November 2018

Photocatalytic covalent organic frameworks were facilely constructed via the integration of alternative donor–acceptor units into the 2D extended and crystalline scaffolds, which exhibit excellent photodegradation efficiency toward aqueous Cr(vi).
First-principles calculations and high thermoelectric performance of La–Nb doped SrTiO3ceramics
Authors: Li Yan , Hou Qing-Yu , Wang Xiao-Huan , Kang Hui-Jun , Yaer Xinba , Li Jian-Bo , Wang Tong-Min , Miao Lei , Wang Jun
Published: November 2018

SrTiO3is a promising thermoelectric material for high temperature application of waste heat electrical generation.
A biodegradable functional water-responsive shape memory polymer for biomedical applications
Authors: Guo Yifan , Lv Ziying , Huo Yiru , Sun Lijie , Chen Shuo , Liu Zenghe , He Chuanglong , Bi Xiaoping , Fan Xianqun , You Zhengwei
Published: November 2018

A biodegradable water-responsive shape memory polymer, which can be readily functionalized.
Transition from antiferromagnetic ground state to robust ferrimagnetic order with Curie temperatures above 420 K in manganese-based antiperovskite-type structures
Authors: Zhang Xinghong , Yuan Quan , Gao Tangling , Ren Yang , Wu Hui , Huang Qingzhen , Zhao Jinggeng , Wang Xianjie , Yuan Ye , Xu Chi , Hu Yongfeng , Dynes James J. , Zhou Jigang , Zhou Shengqiang , Liu Yu , Song Bo
Published: November 2018

Robust ferrimagnetic order is found in Mn3GaxNxwhenx= 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 with Curie temperature in the range of ∼390–420 K.
Impact of solution temperature-dependent aggregation on the solid-state packing and electronic properties of polymers for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Ashokan Ajith , Wang Tonghui , Ravva Mahesh Kumar , Brédas Jean-Luc
Published: November 2018

The impact of solution temperature-dependent aggregation of PffBT4T-2OD and PBT4T-2OD polymers on their electronic and solid-state packing properties is investigated using MD simulations and DFT calculations.
NFAT1 enhances the effects of tumor-associated macrophages on promoting malignant melanoma growth and metastasis
Authors: Liu Hao , Yang Liping , Qi Min , Zhang Jianglin
Published: November 2018

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play substantial roles in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT1) has been shown to promote melanoma growth and metastasis in vivo. We herein aim to investigate whether NFAT1 is capable to promote melanoma growth and metastasis by influencing TAM properties. Melanoma-conditioned TAMs were obtained from human monocytes after incubation with conditioned medium from A375 cell culture. The phenotype of the macrophages was detected. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated. Human malignant melanoma tissues exhibited increased CD68+-macrophage infiltration and NFAT1 expression compared with the normal pigmented nevus tissues. Melanoma-conditioned TAMs displayed M2-like phenotype. Melanoma-conditioned TAMs also promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of human malignant melanoma cell lines A375 and WM451. Furthermore, NFAT1 expression in TAMs was significantly increased compared with the M0 group. NFAT1 overexpression significantly strengthened the melanoma-conditioned TAM-mediated promotion of cell migration and invasion in A375 and WM451 cells, whereas NFAT1 knockdown exerted the opposite effects. Moreover, NFAT1 overexpression in melanoma-conditioned TAMs promoted CD68+-macrophage infiltration, tumor growth, and metastasis in vivo. NFAT1 may play a critical role in enhancing the TAM-mediated promotion of growth and metastasis in malignant melanoma.
Bidirectional silicon‐controlled rectifier for advanced ESD protection applications
Authors: Du Feibo , Hou Fei , Liu Zhiwei , Liu Jizhi , Liou Juin J.
Published: November 2018

In this Letter, an enhanced bidirectional modified lateral silicon‐controlled rectifier (EBMLSCR) is proposed for advanced dual‐directional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection applications. The ESD characteristics of the novel EBMLSCR and conventional bidirectional modified lateral silicon‐controlled rectifier (BMLSCR) are measured using the transmission line pulsing tester. Compared with the BMLSCR, the EBMLSCR owns a lower trigger voltage down to 7.7 V, a higher failure current up to 6.5 A, a suitable holding voltage as well as the same superior leakage current. Based on these advantages, the proposed EBMLSCR can provide an effective ESD protection for the advanced 2.5 V/3.3 V input/output circuits, while the traditional BMLSCR becomes invalid for these applications due to its high trigger voltage and low robustness. In addition, the impact of some critical dimensions of the EBMLSCR has also been evaluated to further optimise the device performances.
A streamline derivative POD-ROM for advection-diffusion-reaction equations
Authors: Rubino Samuele
Published: November 2018

We introduce a new streamline derivative projection-based closure modeling strategy for the numerical stabilization of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition-Reduced Order Models (POD-ROM). As a first preliminary step, the proposed model is analyzed and tested for advection-dominated advection-diffusion-reaction equations. In this framework, the numerical analysis for the Finite Element (FE) discretization of the proposed new POD-ROM is presented, by mainly deriving the corresponding error estimates. Numerical tests for advection-dominated regime show the effciency of the proposed method, as well the increased accuracy over the standard POD-ROM that discovers its well-known limitations very soon in the numerical settings considered, i.e. for low diffusion coeffcients.
Kinderanästhesie mit Sicherheit: Update Medikamentensicherheit
Authors: Kaufmann Jost , Laschat Michael , Wappler Frank
Published: November 2018

Medikamentenfehler kommen in allen Versorgungsbereichen vor. Bei Kindern steigt die Fehlerwahrscheinlichkeit im Vergleich zu Erwachsenen aufgrund altersgruppenspezifischer Besonderheiten und der erforderlichen Dosisberechnung. Wesentliche Aspekte sind: die Erkenntnis, dass jeder Versorger fehlbar ist, und die Akzeptanz von Sicherheitsstrukturen. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt einen Katalog alltagstauglicher Maßnahmen zur Medikamentensicherheit.
Tetraplegie nach radikaler Zystektomie
Authors: Hachenberg Thomas , Schaffartzik Walter , Wohlers Christine
Published: November 2018

Schlichtungsstellen für Arzthaftpflichtfragen bieten Patienten, Ärzten und Versicherern eine Möglichkeit, Arzthaftungsstreitigkeiten außergerichtlich zu klären. In der Rubrik „Fälle der Schlichtungsstelle“ stellen wir abgeschlossene Fälle aus der Schlichtungsstelle für Arzthaftpflichtfragen der norddeutschen Ärztekammern vor.
Genetische Ursachen und genetische Diagnostik bei hereditären Optikusatrophien
Authors: Wissinger Bernd
Published: November 2018

Hereditäre Optikusatrophien stellen eine heterogene Gruppe seltener degenerativer Erkrankungen der retinalen Ganglienzellen und ihrer Axone, welche den Sehnerv bilden, dar. Mit einer geschätzten Prävalenz von 1 : 10 000 bis 1 : 20 000 betreffen die hereditären Optikusatrophien in ihrer Gesamtheit etwa 4000 – 8000 Menschen in Deutschland. Am verbreitetsten sind die Leberʼsche Optikusatrophie (LHON) und die autosomal-dominante Optikusatrophie (ADOA). Neben den isolierten Optikusatrophien, deren Symptomatik sich auf das visuelle System beschränkt, gibt es zahlreiche Krankheitsbilder, bei welchen die Optikusatrophie Teil einer syndromalen Erkrankung mit vornehmlich neurosensorischer, neurologischer und/oder neuromuskulärer Symptomatik ist. Der Vererbungsmodus ist heterogen mit einer rein maternalen Vererbung bei der LHON und autosomal-dominanter Vererbung bei der ADOA. Deutlich seltener sind Fälle mit autosomal-rezessiver oder X-chromosomal-rezessiver Vererbung. Die Penetranz ist jedoch unvollständig. Bei der LHON erkranken zudem weitaus häufiger Männer als Frauen. Die genetischen Ursachen der hereditären Optikusatrophien sind heterogen, aber größtenteils bekannt. Die molekulargenetische Diagnostik liefert daher in der Mehrzahl der untersuchten Fälle ein aussagekräftiges Ergebnis, mit welchem die klinische Diagnose abgesichert, das Wiederholungsrisiko in der Familie konkret kalkuliert oder im Falle der Bestätigung einer LHON eine therapeutische Behandlung initiiert werden kann. Dieser Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die genetischen Ursachen der hereditären Optikusatrophien und die Optionen und Modalitäten einer molekulargenetischen Diagnostik einschließlich Hinweisen zu deren Implementierung in der Praxis.
Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis of (+)-Oxycodone from Phenethyl Acetate
Authors: Endoma-Arias Mary Ann , Makarova Mariia , Dela Paz Helen , Hudlicky Tomas
Published: November 2018

The stereoselective total synthesis of unnatural (+)-oxy­codone from phenethyl acetate is described. Absolute stereochemistry was established via microbial dihydroxylation of phenethyl acetate with the recombinant strain JM109 (pDTG601A) to the corresponding cis-cyclohexadienediol­ whose configuration provides for the absolute stereo­chemistry of the ring C of (+)-oxycodone. Intramolecular Heck cyclization was employed to establish the quaternary carbon at C-13, along with the dibenzodihydrofuran functionality. The C-14 hydroxyl was installed via SmI2-mediated radical cyclization. The synthesis of (+)-oxy­codone was completed in a total of 13 steps and an overall yield of 1.5%. Experimental and spectral data are provided for all new compounds.
Magnetic field distortion and particle optics in quadrupole magnets when placed close to dipole magnets
Authors: Sinha Gautam , Malik Ritesh , Sharma Amalendu , Ruwali Kailash
Published: November 2018

The field quality of quadrupole magnets (QPMs) in the ring is affected when accompanied by various corrector dipole magnets (CDMs). Variations of integrated quadrupole field strength in presence of CDMs are measured at various field excitations and by varying the distance between the magnets, using a rotating coil. Experimental results are compared with the results obtained from 3D simulations for better understanding of the results. Possibility of studying the interference effect by scanning the field with a Hall probe is explored. Dependence of field interference on the distance between magnets, pole gap and the steel length are studied. Based on these experimental results the basic cause of such field distortion is discussed. Effects of the adjacent magnets on the higher order multipoles of QPMs are also measured. After knowing the field distortion and having the detailed fringe field data, the trajectory of the charged particle while passing through a QPM is found by solving the differential equations in the first order approximation. The fringe field is utilised to solve the particle trajectory equations and to calculate various lens parameters. The equivalent hard edge models are derived and compared with the conventional hard edge approximation. Presence of the CDM may break the magnetic field symmetry of a QPM. Appropriate technique is developed to treat this asymmetric field and convert this into equivalent hard edge models to be used as input of any existing beam dynamics code. The effect of such field modification of QPM in presence of adjacent magnet in the ring and the variation of different optical parameters are reported.
Improving detection efficiency of superconducting nanowire single-photon detector using multilayer antireflection coating
Authors: Li Hao , Yang Xiaoyan , You Lixing , Wang Heqing , Hu Peng , Zhang Weijun , Wang Zhen , Xie Xiaoming
Published: November 2018

Optical cavity with backside optical coupling is one of the prevalent optical structures for superconducting nanowire single photon detector. A single layer anti-reflection coating (ARC) on the backside of the substrate is often adopted to enhance the transmittance to the substrate. We here apply a multilayer ARC to further increase the transmittance from 94.5% to 99.5%. An NbTiN SNSPD made on such a substrate with cavity structure presents a system detection efficiency of 90.1% at a dark count rate (DCR) of 100 Hz, which is the best value reported for backside optical coupled SNSPD at 1550 nm. It shows a timing jitter of ∼40.7 ps and the recovery time constant of ∼22.9 ns.
Formation of AgGaTe2 films from (Ag2Te+Ga2Te3)/Ag2Te or Ga2Te3/Ag2Te bilayer structures
Authors: Uruno Aya , Kobayashi Masakazu
Published: November 2018

AgGaTe2 is a novel photovoltaic material, and thin films can be prepared by the close spaced sublimation (CSS) method. AgGaTe2 films are formed from two types of bilayer structures, namely (Ag2Te+Ga2Te3)/Ag2Te and Ga2Te3/Ag2Te. The latter structure would exhibit simpler mole ratio controllability for the preparation of the AgGaTe2 film. The characteristics of AgGaTe2 layers formed from the Ga2Te3/Ag2Te bilayer structure and the (Ag2Te+Ga2Te3)/Ag2Te bilayer structure are compared. The formation of AgGaTe2 is confirmed from both structures, and a remarkable difference in the surface morphologies is observed. Control of the source mole ratio between Ga and Te is also shown to be important for the preparation of Ga2Te3 films, because Te vapor leaks from the boat during the sublimation process.
Molecular tunneling in large tubes of 3D nitrogenated micropore materials
Authors: Pimachev Artem , Dahnovsky Yuri
Published: November 2018

We study new 3D materials, π-conjugated microporous polymers (aza-CMPs), where 2D layers are connected by methanoic and ethanoic acid groups. The crystal parameters and the band structures are calculated. The energy gaps for a 3D crystal with the ethanoic (Eg3D=1.04eV) and methanoic (Eg3D=1.26eV) acid connecting groups are smaller than those for a 2D material (Eg2D=1.64eV). The symmetry of a 3D crystal becomes lower than for a 2D aza-CMP by changing selection rules and optical spectra. The upper hole bands become non-degenerate for an aza-CMP with ethanoic acid and are doubly degenerate for an aza-CMP with methanoic acid connecting groups. The upper bands in the valence zone become more flat implying heavier hole masses that lead to lower hole mobilities. We also investigate molecular transport through the channels. We find that a CH4 molecule moves easily along the tube in a large pore material and is hindered in a small pore (with ethanoic acid connecting groups) crystal. The ammonia molecule is attached to the tube walls with a large activation energy (about 0.39eV). For the large molecules NR4 (R=CH3, C2H5), chemical reactions take place in the narrow tubes. In particular, an N(CH3)4 molecule decays in the fragments. The two atoms, N and C, are attached to the tube walls, and the three molecular fragments, CH4, C2H6, and H2, can further tunnel along the channels. The low energy gaps and tunable transport properties of π-conjugated microporous polymeric structures can be used for electronics, energy harvesting, gas separation, selective gas transport, hydrogen storage, and biomedicine (drug delivery).
Large anomalous Nernst effect in thin films of the Weyl semimetal Co2MnGa
Authors: Reichlova Helena , Schlitz Richard , Beckert Sebastian , Swekis Peter , Markou Anastasios , Chen Yi-Cheng , Kriegner Dominik , Fabretti Savio , Hyeon Park Gyu , Niemann Anna , Sudheendra Shashank , Thomas Andy , Nielsch Kornelius , Felser Claudia , Goennenwein Sebastian T. B.
Published: November 2018

The magneto-thermoelectric properties of Heusler compound thin films are very diverse. Here, we discuss the anomalous Nernst response of Co2MnGa thin films. We systematically study the anomalous Nernst coefficient as a function of temperature, and we show that unlike the anomalous Hall effect, the anomalous Nernst effect in Co2MnGa strongly varies with temperature. We exploit the on-chip thermometry technique to quantify the thermal gradient, which enables us to directly evaluate the anomalous Nernst coefficient. We compare these results to a reference CoFeB thin film. We show that the 50-nm-thick Co2MnGa films exhibit a large anomalous Nernst effect of −2 μV/K at 300 K, whereas the 10-nm-thick Co2MnGa film exhibits a significantly smaller anomalous Nernst coefficient despite having similar volume magnetizations. These findings suggest that the microscopic origin of the anomalous Nernst effect in Co2MnGa is complex and may contain contributions from skew-scattering, side-jump, or intrinsic Berry phase. In any case, the observed anomalous Nernst coefficient of −2 μV/K at 300 K is large compared to the values measured in other thin films and makes this material system a very promising candidate for efficient spin-caloritronic devices.
Non-adiabatic mass-correction functions and rovibrational states of 4He2+ (X 2Σu+)
Authors: Mátyus Edit
Published: November 2018

The mass-correction functions in the second-order non-adiabatic Hamiltonian are computed for the 4He2+ molecular ion using the variational method, floating explicitly correlated Gaussian functions, and a general coordinate-transformation formalism. When non-adiabatic rovibrational energy levels are computed using these (coordinate-dependent) mass-correction functions and a highly accurate potential energy and diagonal Born–Oppenheimer correction curve, significantly improved theoretical results are obtained for the nine rotational and two rovibrational intervals known from high-resolution spectroscopy experiments.
Numerical investigation of internal solitary waves of elevation type propagating on a uniform slope
Authors: Zhu Hai , Lin Chang , Wang Lingling , Kao Mingjer , Tang Hongwu , Williams J. J. R.
Published: November 2018

Numerous laboratory-scale physical experiments and numerical simulations have been carried out to explore the shoaling dynamics of internal solitary waves (ISWs) on slope topographies. Detailed features during wave breaking have been investigated under relatively low Reynolds numbers, but for real ocean-scale or lake-scale scenarios with a much higher Reynolds number, laboratory-scale modeling is inadequate to capture the three-dimensional turbulent characteristics in the wave shoaling process. As a result, a three-dimensional large-eddy simulation (LES) is performed in the present study to investigate the shoaling process of the elevation-typed ISWs traveling on uniform slopes in a two-layer fluid system. Scale effects due to the Reynolds numbers (varied from 103 to 105) and three-dimensional characteristics during wave shoaling are also explored and discussed. Detailed ISW-slope interaction dynamics, including the typical shoaling features, the characteristics of internal boluses, and both the velocity field and the energy transformation, are systematically obtained and analyzed. It is found that, while reaching the maximum vertical displacement (i.e., maximum run-up height), the frontal part of the heavier lower-layer fluid can evolve into the internal bolus if the internal Iribarren number, Ir, defined as the ratio of the topographic slope and the square root of the incident wave steepness, is less than 0.65. The maximum wave-induced velocities and energy loss are also well related to Ir. Empirical regressed equations for seven important physical parameters during the shoaling process are also proposed. The extreme velocities, wave energy loss, and three-dimensionality of the flow field are all identified to be very sensitive to Reynolds numbers, indicating that traditional two-dimensional laboratory-scale modeling tools may be insufficient to accurately capture the shoaling mechanisms of the ISWs of elevation type.
Microwave dual-mode resonators for coherent spin-photon coupling
Authors: Bonizzoni C. , Troiani F. , Ghirri A. , Affronte M.
Published: November 2018

We implement superconducting Yttrium barium copper oxide planar resonators with two fundamental modes for circuit quantum electrodynamics experiments. We first demonstrate good tunability in the resonant microwave frequencies and in their interplay, as emerges from the dependence of the transmission spectra on the device geometry. We then investigate the magnetic coupling of the resonant modes with bulk samples of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl organic radical spins. The transmission spectroscopy performed at low temperature shows that the coherent spin-photon coupling regime with the spin ensembles can be achieved by each of the resonator modes. The analysis of the results within the framework of the input-output formalism and by means of entropic measures demonstrates coherent mixing of the degrees of freedom corresponding to two remote spin ensembles and, with a suitable choice of the geometry, the approaching of a regime with spin-induced mixing of the two photon modes.
Nonlinearity modulation based multiple Fano resonance and multi-spectral switching in a nanoplasmonic waveguide-coupled cavity system
Authors: Paul S. , Ray M.
Published: November 2018

Dual and multiple asymmetric Fano resonance are theoretically explored in a subwavelength plasmonic cavity-coupled waveguide system incorporated with a third order Kerr nonlinear medium. The degree of asymmetry and the number of multiple resonances are controlled by an external pump beam which modulates the Kerr permittivity thereby dictating the resonant behavior. Electromagnetically induced transparency in plasmonic systems, referred to as plasmon induced transparency, is a special case of Fano resonance and plays a key role for the occurrence of multiple Fano excitations. Plasmon induced transparency appears as induced reflectance dips when analyzed in reflection mode. Though geometrical dependency of dual and multiple Fano effect is demonstrated, the main interest and importance is focused on the generation and manipulation of multiple Fano resonances by intensity modulation of the pump beam and its application in multispectral switching and quality factor tuning at a fixed operating frequency.
Combustion instability effect on sound generation by jet diffusion flame
Authors: Xiong Caiyi , Jiang Yong
Published: November 2018

This paper presented a numerical study of flow instability effects on the sound generation by jet diffusion flames. Numerical simulation coupled with the acoustic analogy based on Lilley’s equation was employed to predict the sound radiation. A parametric study by varying the Froude number was carried out, and simulations were performed with different levels of external forcing to shed light on the competing acoustic responses of the buoyant and jet preferred instabilities. The detailed sound source structure was provided by the flow details. It is shown that the increase of buoyancy is responsible for the development of the acoustic source in the downstream flame region. When the Froude number is larger than unity, only low-frequency noise will be affected, and when the Froude number is less than unity, combustion-induced buoyancy has a further positive impact on the noise level in the high-frequency region. The jet preferred instability caused by external disturbance can improve the intensity of the sound source and may further be amplified as the noise peak, depending on the buoyancy level. An acoustic transfer function was therefore analyzed to characterize the different acoustic responses. The results showed that there is a positive correlation between the buoyancy level and the acoustical response rate of external disturbance, and the high-frequency disturbance is much easier to be amplified by flame than that with low frequency, especially in the downstream flow field.
Construction of high Tc BiScO3-BiFeO3-PbTiO3 and its enhanced piezoelectric properties by sintering in oxygen atmosphere
Authors: Zhao Haiyan , Hou Yudong , Yu Xiaole , Zheng Mupeng , Zhu Mankang
Published: November 2018

The high-temperature piezoelectric ceramics 0.36[(1 − x)BiScO3-xBiFeO3]-0.64PbTiO3 was constructed by introducing BiFeO3 with a high Curie temperature (Tc ∼ 830 °C) in the 0.36BiScO3-0.64PbTiO3 binary system. In terms of microstructure, low-melting BiFeO3 plays a role as a sintering aid, lowering the sintering temperature of the ceramic and significantly increasing the grain size. At the same time, the crystal structure shifts from the initial morphotropic phase boundary to the tetragonal phase side, and the Tc increased gradually with increasing BiFeO3 content. Under the conventional air atmosphere sintering conditions, the Tc of the sample with x = 0.3 can reach ∼500 °C, and the piezoelectric constant d33 is 125 pC/N. Compared with that, the d33 of the same composition sample sintered in an oxygen atmosphere is increased to 165 pC/N, which is mainly due to the decrease in the content of oxygen vacancies that helps to increase poling electrical field. Moreover, the oxygen-sintered specimen exhibits an excellent thermal stability in a wide temperature range from room temperature to 450 °C, indicating that it is a promising candidate for ultra-high-temperature piezoelectric devices applications.