bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Quaternary Metal Sulfide Nanoparticles Derived from Thiourea
Authors: Bhunia Manas K. , Abou‐Hamad Edy , Anjum Dalaver H. , Gurinov Andrei , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: August 2017

The synthesis of metal sulfide (MS) materials with sizes in the sub‐10 nm regime often requires capping agents with long hydrocarbon chains that affect their structures and properties. Herein, this study presents a molten‐state synthesis method for a series of transition‐MS nanoparticles using thiourea as a reactive precursor without capping agents. This study also reports the synthesis of MS with single metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and quaternary CuGa2In3S8 using the same synthesis protocol. Thiourea first melts to form a molten‐state condition to serve as the reaction medium at a relatively low temperature (<200 °C), followed by its thermal decomposition to induce a reaction with the metal precursor to form different MS. This synthesis protocol, owing to its dynamic characteristics, involves the formation of a variety of organic carbon nitride polymeric complexes around the MS particles. Dynamic nuclear polarization surface‐enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is effective to identify the polymeric compositions and structures as well as their interactions with the MS. These results provided thorough structural descriptions of the MS nanoparticles surrounded by the carbon nitride species derived from thiourea, which may find various applications, including photocatalytic water splitting.
Density Tunable Graphene Aerogels Using a Sacrificial Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
Authors: Turner Sally , Long Hu , Shevitski Brian , Pham Thang , Lorenzo Maydelle , Kennedy Ellis , Aloni Shaul , Worsley Marcus , Zettl Alex
Published: August 2017

We demonstrate a new strategy to tune the density of graphene aerogels. This facile method is capable of producing graphene aerogels over a wide density range without compromising the morphology or quality of the material. Perylenetetracarboxylic acid dianydride serves as a sacrificial filler material that can be thermally decomposed to yield a graphene aerogel with tunable density.
“I'll Show You How to Write My Name”: The Contribution of Naturalistic Sibling Teaching to the Home Literacy Environment
Authors: Segal Aviva , Howe Nina , Persram Ryan J. , Martin‐Chang Sandra , Ross Hildy
Published: August 2017

Research on the home literacy environment has typically involved parents as teachers with little attention given to siblings’ roles in teaching each other. This study examines naturalistic language and literacy teaching by 39 sibling dyads, at two timepoints, when children were ages 2 and 4 (time 1; T1) and again at ages 4 and 6 (time 2; T2). Each family was observed for a total of six 90‐minute sessions at both timepoints. First, all sibling‐directed teaching sequences were identified, including instances of formal and informal teaching. Second, sequences were coded for evidence of language (i.e., vocabulary, book concepts, songs, phonological awareness) and literacy concepts (i.e., alphabetic principle, reading, writing, spelling). Over 40% of the T1 and T2 teaching sequences involved language and literacy concepts. Older siblings taught the majority of the time at T1 and T2; however, the number of sequences taught by younger siblings increased proportionally over time. Because siblings taught vocabulary concepts significantly most often at both T1 and T2, further analyses were conducted on vocabulary subcategories (i.e., expansion, discussing pictures, relaying word meaning, checking for listener understanding, second‐language instruction). Significantly more teaching sequences involved expansion than other vocabulary subcategories at both timepoints. Finally, at T2, literacy concepts (i.e., writing, spelling) were taught significantly more than at T1. Our findings demonstrate that siblings are interested in teaching each other a variety of language and literacy concepts during naturalistic interactions in the home, indicating that siblings contribute to the richness of the home literacy environment.
Ring Functionalization and Molecular Hybridization of Quinolinyl Pyrazole: Design, Synthesis and Antimycobacterial Activity
Authors: Rachakonda Venkatesham , Kotapalli Sudha Sravanti , Ummanni Ramesh , Alla Manjula
Published: August 2017

Synthesis of quinolinyl pyrazole analogues by ring functionalization as well as molecular hybridization strategy is adopted. Diverse functional groups were assembled around the privileged scaffold viz., 2‐methyl‐3‐(1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)quinoline. A series of quinolinyl pyrazole analogues with 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole moiety, were synthesized employing Click reaction conditions. All 29 synthesized were evaluated for antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis strain; wherein eight compounds were active and two promising. Compounds also exhibited the low cytotoxicity against A549 cell line.
Thin Film Polyamide Membranes with Photoresponsive Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Duong Phuoc H. H. , Hong Pei‐Ying , Musteata Valentina , Peinemann Klaus Viktor , Nunes Suzana P.
Published: August 2017

Membranes containing a photosensitizer molecule as part of the selective layer are proposed with demonstrated anti‐biofouling activity. For the membrane preparation, mixtures of an amine‐functionalized photosensitizer molecule, (5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐4‐aminophenyl)porphyrin) and m‐phenylene diamine (MPD) reacted with trimesoyl chloride (TMC) by interfacial polymerization to form thin polyamide films on top of an asymmetric porous support. A highly permeable membrane (35.4 Lm−2h−1bar−1) with 99 % rejection of Brilliant Blue R (826 g/mol) was obtained using 0.25 wt% porphyrin and 0.75 wt% MPD as amine monomers. Under visible light exposure, singlet oxygen (1O2) is generated in the porphyrin containing‐polyamide film, reaching the bacteria in the feed by diffusion and enhancing the biofouling resistance and anti‐microbial activity. Anti‐biofouling and anti‐microbial photoactivity in solution are demonstrated on Staphylococcus aureus at different porphyrin concentrations and light exposure time.
Theoretical Investigations of the Spiro‐Annulated Triphenylamine/ N‐Phenylcarbazole‐Based Ambipolar Host Materials for OLEDs
Authors: Zhang Dongmei , Shen Wei , Sun Huili , He Rongxing , Li Ming
Published: August 2017

A series of spiro‐annulated triphenylamine/N‐phenylcarbazole derivatives as ambipolar host molecules have been designed by linking different electron acceptors (i. e., diphenylphosphine, phenylsulfone, triphenylsilane and diphenylborane). To reveal their electronic structures, optoelectronic properties and structure‐property relationships of the host materials, a throughout investigation was implied using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Results show that the triplet energy (ET), HOMO and LUMO energy levels, as well as some other properties i. e. ionization potentials (IPs), electron affinities (EAs), reorganization energies (λ) can be tuned by chemical modifications of different electron acceptors. The host‐guest models have also been built to investigate the match of the hosts and the reference guests. Comprehensively considering these indexes, the potential performance of 10‐phenyl‐2′‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐10H‐spiro[acridine‐9, 9′‐fluorene] (SOSTF) is a big leap in comparison with experimental host material diphenyl(10‐phenyl‐10H‐spiro[acridine‐9, 9′‐fluoren]‐2′‐yl)phosphine oxide (POSTF). It has been proved that a spiro‐annulated structure can be modified in constructing high ET host material for blue phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes.
Metal‐Free, Oxidant‐Free, Site‐Selective C−H Halogenations to Aminoquinolines at Room Temperature using N‐Halosaccharins
Authors: Dutta Himangsu Sekhar , Khan Bhuttu , Khan Afsar Ali , Raziullah  , Ahmad Ashfaq , Kant Ruchir , Koley Dipankar
Published: August 2017

We report a metal‐free, oxidant‐free, highly regioselective halogenations protocol (chlorination, bromination and iodination) to amidoquinolines using N‐halosaccharin derivatives. Various amidoquinolines are tolerated by the method and delivered C5‐haloamidoquinoline derivates in excellent yields. A homo and hetero bis‐halogenation protocol has also been established. Late stage drug molecule diversification has also been demonstrated using the developed protocol.
Fluorescent Polymer Nanoparticles for Cell Barcoding In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Andreiuk Bohdan , Reisch Andreas , Lindecker Marion , Follain Gautier , Peyriéras Nadine , Goetz Jacky G. , Klymchenko Andrey S.
Published: August 2017

Fluorescent polymer nanoparticles for long‐term labeling and tracking of living cells with any desired color code are developed. They are built from biodegradable poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) polymer loaded with cyanine dyes (DiO, DiI, and DiD) with the help of bulky fluorinated counterions, which minimize aggregation‐caused quenching. At the single particle level, these particles are ≈20‐fold brighter than quantum dots of similar color. Due to their identical 40 nm size and surface properties, these nanoparticles are endocytosed equally well by living cells. Mixing nanoparticles of three colors in different proportions generates a homogeneous RGB (red, green, and blue) barcode in cells, which is transmitted through many cell generations. Cell barcoding is validated on 7 cell lines (HeLa, KB, embryonic kidney (293T), Chinese hamster ovary, rat basophilic leucemia, U97, and D2A1), 13 color codes, and it enables simultaneous tracking of co‐cultured barcoded cell populations for >2 weeks. It is also applied to studying competition among drug‐treated cell populations. This technology enabled six‐color imaging in vivo for (1) tracking xenografted cancer cells and (2) monitoring morphogenesis after microinjection in zebrafish embryos. In addition to a robust method of multicolor cell labeling and tracking, this work suggests that multiple functions can be co‐localized inside cells by combining structurally close nanoparticles carrying different functions.
An adaptive numerical scheme based on the Craig–Bampton method for the dynamic analysis of tall buildings
Authors: Fang Ming , Wang Jian , Li Hui
Published: August 2017

A new numerical scheme is proposed to perform a nonlinear dynamic analysis for tall buildings. The structural components (beams and columns) of tall buildings gradually enter the inelastic phase under strong seismic excitation. Because the distribution of nonlinear components is initially unknown due to the randomness of earthquake inputs, a group of linear and nonlinear substructures are automatically figured out during the time‐history analysis of a structure. Then a modified Craig–Bampton method is proposed to condense the DOFs of the linear substructures in modal coordinates at each time step while keeping the governing equation of the nonlinear substructure in physical coordinates. The dominant modes of the linear substructures are selected to capture the main dynamic characteristics of the structure. The time step integration analysis is used to solve the governing equation of the structures in hybrid coordinates. A 20‐story building is employed as the numerical simulation test to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed numerical scheme. This scheme provides a new method for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of tall buildings with acceptable simulation accuracy and high computational efficiency.
A Prospective Study of 7‐Year Experience Using Percutaneous 14‐French Pigtail Catheters for Traumatic Hemothorax/Hemopneumothorax at a Level‐1 Trauma Center: Size Still Does Not Matter
Authors: Bauman Zachary M. , Kulvatunyou Narong , Joseph Bellal , Jain Arpana , Friese Randall S. , Gries Lynn , O’Keeffe Terence , Tang Andy L. , Vercruysse Gary , Rhee Peter
Published: August 2017

Background

The effectiveness of 14‐French (14F) pigtail catheters (PCs) compared to 32‐40F chest tubes (CTs) in patients with traumatic hemothorax (HTX) and hemopneumothorax (HPTX) is becoming more well known but still lacking. The aim of our study was to analyze our cumulative experience and outcomes with PCs in patients with traumatic HTX/HPTX. We hypothesized that PCs would be as effective as CTs.

Methods

Using our PC database, we analyzed all trauma patients who required chest drainage for HTX/HPTX from 2008 to 2014. Primary outcomes of interest, comparing PCs to CTs, included initial drainage output in milliliters (mL), tube insertion‐related complications, and failure rate. For our statistical analysis, we used the unpaired Student’s t test, Chi‐square test, and Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. We defined statistical significance as P < 0.05.

Results

During the 7‐year period, 496 trauma patients required chest drainage for traumatic HTX/HPTX: 307 by CTs and 189 by PCs. PC patients were older (52 ± 21 vs. 42 ± 19, P < 0.001), demonstrated a significantly higher occurrence of blunt trauma (86 vs. 55%, P ≤ 0.001), and had tubes placed in a non‐emergent fashion (Day 1 [interquartile range (IQR) 1–3 days] for PC placement vs. Day 0 [IQR 0–1 days] for CT placement, P < 0.001). All primary outcomes of interest were similar, except that the initial drainage output for PCs was higher (425 mL [IQR 200–800 mL] vs. 300 mL [IQR 150–500], P < 0.001). Findings for subgroup analysis among emergent and non‐emergent PC placement were also similar to CT placement.

Conclusion

PCs had similar outcomes to CTs in terms of failure rate and tube insertion‐related complications, and the initial drainage output from PCs was not inferior to that of CTs. The usage of PCs was, however, selective. A future multi‐center study is needed to provide additional support and information for PC usage in traumatic HTX/HPTX.
Cocrystallization coefficients of Cr, V, and Fe in hydrothermal ore systems (from experimental data)
Authors: Tauson V.L. , Smagunov N.V. , Lipko S.V.
Published: August 2017

The cocrystallization coefficients of Cr, V, and Fe (DMe/Fe) in magnetite and sulfide minerals (pyrite, chalcopyrite, and Fe-containing sphalerite) in multiphase associations are determined in hydrothermal-growth experiments with internal sampling at 450 °C and 100 MPa (1 kbar). The results are compared with previous data on DMn/Fe. Magnetite and pyrite are characterized by the highest DMe/Fe values for both Cr (1.2 and 2) and V (6.6 and 1.1). These minerals also show the highest mineral/solution distribution coefficients of Cr and V. For V and Cr in chalcopyrite, much lower DMe/Fe values (0.03 and 0.04, respectively) were obtained, which, however, are slightly higher than those for Mn in magnetite (0.01). Although the deposition of magnetite and iron sulfides has no significant effect on the evolution of Mn in solution and Mn–Fe partitioning, crystallization of magnetite and pyrite favors a decrease in Cr and V contents relative to Fe content in solution.

The data obtained can be used to reconstruct the chemical composition of paleofluids. Spinel minerals with close contents of Mn, V, and Cr can form through a hydrothermal process provided that the solutions are highly enriched in Mn relative to Fe and have V and Cr contents close to the Fe one. Such solutions seem to be exotic. Usually, a magnetite-forming hydrothermal fluid contains V and Cr as millionths of Fe, while the Mn content in it can be of the same order of magnitude as the Fe content. The data obtained may be of interest for reconstructing the evolution of the chemical composition of the World Ocean in different geologic periods.

The study has shown that the bulk distribution coefficient of variable-valence elements between mineral and hydrothermal solution varies over a wide range of values even at constant pressure, temperature, and solution composition and can be used only for qualitative estimation of the element compatibility. In contrast, the bulk cocrystallization coefficient of chemically similar elements is less dependent on physicochemical conditions, has a nearly three times lower variation coefficient, and permits an element partitioning analysis in heterogeneous mineral–fluid systems.
Natural electric fields in Siberian gold deposits: structure, origin, and relationship with gold orebodies
Authors: Erofeev L.Ya. , Orekhov A.N. , Erofeeva G.V.
Published: August 2017

Characteristics of the constant natural electric field in the Siberian gold ore areas are given. The regularities of spatial variations in the electric-field potential and the parameters and properties of anomalies have been established. The cause of the natural electric field in deposits of major genotypes has been elucidated. It is shown that the electric field is induced mainly by physicochemical processes running in electron-conducting syn-ore metasomatites and by circulation of groundwaters. Orebodies do not influence significantly the structure of the observed electric fields. We give recommendations on application of the electric-field method at various gold ore objects.
Quantitative sensory tests fairly reflect immediate effects of oxycodone in chronic low-back pain
Authors: Schliessbach Jürg , Siegenthaler Andreas , Bütikofer Lukas , Vuilleumier Pascal , Jüni Peter , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Curatolo Michele
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Quantitative sensory tests (QST) can be used for profiling anti-nociceptive effects of analgesics. However, anti-nociceptive effects detected by QST are not necessarily associated with analgesic effects in pain patients. As part of a large investigation on low back pain, this paper describes the immediate analgesic and anti-nociceptive effects of oxycodone in chronic low-back pain and ranks different QST according to their ability to reflect this effect. The results are expected to support the selection of QST for future studies on potential novel opioid agonists in human pain.

Methods

In this randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blinded cross-over study, 50 patients with chronic low-back pain received a single oral dose of oxycodone 15 mg or active placebo, and underwent multiple QST testing. The intensity of low-back pain was recorded during 2 h. The areas under the ROC curves and 95% confidence intervals were determined, whereby responder status (≤30% pain reduction) was set as reference variable and changes in QST from baseline were set as classifiers.

Results

Significant analgesic effect on low-back pain as well as anti-nociceptive effects for almost all QST parameters were observed. The QST with the highest area under the curve were heat pain detection threshold (0.65,95%-CI 0.46 to 0.83), single-stimulus electrical pain threshold (0.64,95%-CI 0.47 to 0.80) and pressure pain detection threshold (0.63,95%-CI 0.48 to 0.79).

Conclusions

The results suggest that anti-nociceptive effects assessed by QST fairly reflect clinical efficacy of oxycodone on low-back pain. Pressure pain detection threshold, heat pain detection threshold and single-stimulus electrical pain threshold may be more suitable to sort out potential non-responders rather than identifying potential responders to opioid medication. Future pre-clinical human research may consider these results when investigating the analgesic effect of opioid agonists by means of QST.
CHOOSING A PATH TO THE ANCIENT WORLD IN A MODERN MARKET: THE REALITY OF FACULTY JOBS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Authors: Speakman Robert J. , Hadden Carla S. , Colvin Matthew H. , Cramb Justin , Jones K.C. , Jones Travis W. , Kling Corbin L. , Lulewicz Isabelle , Napora Katharine G. , Reinberger Katherine L. , Ritchison Brandon T. , Rivera-Araya Maria Jose , Smith April K. , Thompson Victor D.
Published: August 2017

Over the past 30 years, the number of US doctoral anthropology graduates has increased by about 70%, but there has not been a corresponding increase in the availability of new faculty positions. Consequently, doctoral degree-holding archaeologists face more competition than ever before when applying for faculty positions. Here we examine where US and Canadian anthropological archaeology faculty originate and where they ultimately end up teaching. Using data derived from the 2014–2015 AnthroGuide, we rank doctoral programs whose graduates in archaeology have been most successful in the academic job market; identify long-term and ongoing trends in doctoral programs; and discuss gender division in academic archaeology in the US and Canada. We conclude that success in obtaining a faculty position upon graduation is predicated in large part on where one attends graduate school.
An asymptotic approach to the crenulation instability
Authors: Camporeale Carlo
Published: August 2017

A novel linear stability analysis for the pattern formation of ripple-like corrugations, over the surface of stalactites due to calcite-laden falling films, is presented by using a modified version of the gradient expansion technique. A fully analytical theory combining thin film hydrodynamics, Kármán–Pohlhausen solution of the advection–diffusion equation for calcium concentration and an evolution equation for the shape of the liquid–solid interface is developed. Analytical formulas for the selected wavelength and the corresponding phase velocity are provided, which match previous numerical solutions. The obtained easy-to-use mathematical results have a potential for developing a novel set of paleo-reconstruction proxies based on the link between morphological patterns and paleo-flows.
Socioeconomic Status and Race Outperform Concussion History and Sport Participation in Predicting Collegiate Athlete Baseline Neurocognitive Scores
Authors: Houck Zac , Asken Breton , Clugston James , Perlstein William , Bauer Russell
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of socioeconomic status (SES) and other multivariate predictors to baseline neurocognitive functioning in collegiate athletes. Methods: Data were obtained from the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium. Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) baseline assessments for 403 University of Florida student-athletes (202 males; age range: 18–23) from the 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 seasons were analyzed. ImPACT composite scores were consolidated into one memory and one speed composite score. Hierarchical linear regressions were used for analyses. Results: In the overall sample, history of learning disability (β=−0.164; p=.001) and attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (β=−0.102; p=.038) significantly predicted worse memory and speed performance, respectively. Older age predicted better speed performance (β=.176; p<.001). Black/African American race predicted worse memory (β=−0.113; p=.026) and speed performance (β=−.242; p<.001). In football players, higher maternal SES predicted better memory performance (β=0.308; p=.007); older age predicted better speed performance (β=0.346; p=.001); while Black/African American race predicted worse speed performance (β=−0.397; p<.001). Conclusions: Baseline memory and speed scores are significantly influenced by history of neurodevelopmental disorder, age, and race. In football players, specifically, maternal SES independently predicted baseline memory scores, but concussion history and years exposed to sport were not predictive. SES, race, and medical history beyond exposure to brain injury or subclinical brain trauma are important factors when interpreting variability in cognitive scores among collegiate athletes. Additionally, sport-specific differences in the proportional representation of various demographic variables (e.g., SES and race) may also be an important consideration within the broader biopsychosocial attributional model. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1–10)
Shift current photovoltaic effect in a ferroelectric charge-transfer complex
Authors: Nakamura M. , Horiuchi S. , Kagawa F. , Ogawa N. , Kurumaji T. , Tokura Y. , Kawasaki M.
Published: August 2017

Shift current is a steady-state photocurrent generated in non-centrosymmetric single crystals and has been considered to be one of the major origins of the bulk photovoltaic effect. The mechanism of this effect is the transfer of photogenerated charges by the shift of the wave functions, and its amplitude is closely related to the polarization of the electronic origin. Here, we report the photovoltaic effect in an organic molecular crystal tetrathiafulvalene-p-chloranil with a large ferroelectric polarization mostly induced by the intermolecular charge transfer. We observe a fairly large zero-bias photocurrent with visible-light irradiation and switching of the current direction by the reversal of the polarization. Furthermore, we reveal that the travel distance of photocarriers exceeds 200 μm. These results unveil distinct features of the shift current and the potential application of ferroelectric organic molecular compounds for novel optoelectric devices.
Characterisation of sterol biosynthesis and validation of 14α-demethylase as a drug target in Acanthamoeba
Authors: Thomson Scott , Rice Christopher A. , Zhang Tong , Edrada-Ebel RuAngelie , Henriquez Fiona L. , Roberts Craig W.
Published: August 2017

The soil amoebae Acanthamoeba causes Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe sight-threatening infection of the eye and the almost universally fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. More effective treatments are required. Sterol biosynthesis has been effectively targeted in numerous fungi using azole compounds that inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme sterol 14α-demethylase. Herein, using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), we demonstrate that the major sterol of Acanthamoeba castellanii is ergosterol and identify novel putative precursors and intermediate sterols in its production. Unlike previously reported, we find no evidence of 7-dehydrostigmasterol or any other phytosterol in Acanthamoeba. Of five azoles tested, we demonstrate that tioconazole and voriconazole have the greatest overall inhibition for all isolates of Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga tested. While miconazole and sulconazole have intermediate activity econazole is least effective. Through GCMS, we demonstrate that voriconazole inhibits 14α-demethylase as treatment inhibits the production of ergosterol, but results in the accumulation of the lanosterol substrate. These data provide the most complete description of sterol metabolism in Acanthamoeba, provide a putative framework for their further study and validate 14α-demethylase as the target for azoles in Acanthamoeba.
PhageTerm: a tool for fast and accurate determination of phage termini and packaging mechanism using next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Garneau Julian R. , Depardieu Florence , Fortier Louis-Charles , Bikard David , Monot Marc
Published: August 2017

The worrying rise of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is leading to a renewed interest in bacteriophages as a treatment option. Novel sequencing technologies enable description of an increasing number of phage genomes, a critical piece of information to understand their life cycle, phage-host interactions, and evolution. In this work, we demonstrate how it is possible to recover more information from sequencing data than just the phage genome. We developed a theoretical and statistical framework to determine DNA termini and phage packaging mechanisms using NGS data. Our method relies on the detection of biases in the number of reads, which are observable at natural DNA termini compared with the rest of the phage genome. We implemented our method with the creation of the software PhageTerm and validated it using a set of phages with well-established packaging mechanisms representative of the termini diversity, i.e. 5′cos (Lambda), 3′cos (HK97), pac (P1), headful without a pac site (T4), DTR (T7) and host fragment (Mu). In addition, we determined the termini of nine Clostridium difficile phages and six phages whose sequences were retrieved from the Sequence Read Archive. PhageTerm is freely available (https://sourceforge.net/projects/phageterm), as a Galaxy ToolShed and on a Galaxy-based server (https://galaxy.pasteur.fr).
Decadal trends in Red Sea maximum surface temperature
Authors: Chaidez V. , Dreano D. , Agusti S. , Duarte C. M. , Hoteit I.
Published: August 2017

Ocean warming is a major consequence of climate change, with the surface of the ocean having warmed by 0.11 °C decade−1 over the last 50 years and is estimated to continue to warm by an additional 0.6 – 2.0 °C before the end of the century1. However, there is considerable variability in the rates experienced by different ocean regions, so understanding regional trends is important to inform on possible stresses for marine organisms, particularly in warm seas where organisms may be already operating in the high end of their thermal tolerance. Although the Red Sea is one of the warmest ecosystems on earth, its historical warming trends and thermal evolution remain largely understudied. We characterized the Red Sea’s thermal regimes at the basin scale, with a focus on the spatial distribution and changes over time of sea surface temperature maxima, using remotely sensed sea surface temperature data from 1982 – 2015. The overall rate of warming for the Red Sea is 0.17 ± 0.07 °C decade−1, while the northern Red Sea is warming between 0.40 and 0.45 °C decade−1, all exceeding the global rate. Our findings show that the Red Sea is fast warming, which may in the future challenge its organisms and communities.
Anomalous in situ Activation of Carbon-Supported Ni2P Nanoparticles for Oxygen Evolving Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Media
Authors: Chung Young-Hoon , Jang Injoon , Jang Jue-Hyuk , Park Hyun S. , Ham Hyung Chul , Jang Jong Hyun , Lee Yong-Kul , Yoo Sung Jong
Published: August 2017

Electrochemical water splitting is one of the most promising systems by which to store energy produced from sustainable sources, such as solar and wind energy. Designing robust and stable electrocatalysts is urgently needed because of the relatively sluggish kinetics of the anodic reaction, i.e. the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, we investigate the anomalous in situ activation behaviour of carbon-supported Ni2P nanoparticles (Ni2P/C) during OER catalysis in alkaline media. The activated Ni2P/C shows an exceptionally high activity and stability under OER conditions in which the overpotential needed to achieve 10 mA cm−2 was reduced from approximately 350 mV to approximately 300 mV after 8,000 cyclic voltammetric scans. In situ and ex situ characterizations indicate that the activity enhancement of Ni2P catalysts is due to a favourable phase transformation of the Ni centre to β-NiOOH, including increases in the active area induced by structural deformation under the OER conditions. These findings provide new insights towards designing transition metal/phosphide-based materials for an efficient water splitting catalyst.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of Osmotin in a Baculovirus-Insect System: Purified Osmotin Mitigates Amyloid-beta Deposition in Neuronal Cells
Authors: Abid Noman Bin , Yoon Gwangho , Kim Myeong Ok
Published: August 2017

Osmotin is a pathogenesis-related plant protein, have gained focus of research because of its homology with mammalian adiponectin. The therapeutic properties of osmotin have been explored in recent years as it exhibits neuroprotective effects against amyloid beta-, glutamate- and ethanol-induced synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. In the present study, the full-length gene of the tobacco plant osmotin was cloned and expressed in the Sf9 insect cell line using the baculovirus expression system. In vitro analysis of purified Osmotin protein showed excellent cell viability, p-AMPK activation and a reduction in amyloid-beta deposition. Immunofluorescent analysis showed significant reduction in amyloid beta deposition in APP over expressing neuronal cells. Osmotin inhibited amyloid beta deposition by influencing expression of APP processing genes including APP, ADAM 10 and BACE 1. Purified Osmotin showed reduction in amyloid beta deposition in different in vitro models as well. Osmotin showed similar mechanism when compared with mammalian adiponectin in different in vitro models. The present method will be an excellent approach for the efficient and cost-effective production of the functional protein to be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Reduction in amyloid beta deposition by activation of p-AMPK influencing APP processing genes makes osmotin a potent therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative diseases.
Injectable Phosphorescence-based Oxygen Biosensors Identify Post Ischemic Reactive Hyperoxia
Authors: Chien Jennifer S. , Mohammed Mahmoud , Eldik Hysem , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Martinez Jeremy , Nichols Scott P. , Wisniewski Natalie , Klitzman Bruce
Published: August 2017

Novel injectable biosensors were used to measure interstitial oxygenation before, during, and after transient ischemia. It is well known that reactive hyperemia occurs following a period of ischemia. However, increased blood flow does not necessarily mean increased oxygen tension in the tissue. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that tissue reactive hyperoxia occurs following release of hind-limb tourniquet occlusions. Rats were injected with bilateral hind-limb biosensors and were simultaneously subjected to a unilateral femoral vessel ligation. After approximately one and three months, the rats underwent a series of oxygenation challenges, including transient hind-limb tourniquet occlusion. Along with the biosensors, near infrared spectroscopy was used to measure percent oxyhemoglobin in capillaries and laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure blood flow. Post-occlusion reactive hyperemia was observed. It was accompanied by tissue reactive hyperoxia, affirming that the post-occlusion oxygen supply must have exceeded the expected increased oxygen consumption. The measurement of the physiologic phenomenon of reactive hyperoxia could prove clinically beneficial for both diagnosis and optimizing therapy.
Evolutionary mechanisms of runaway chromosome number change in Agrodiaetus butterflies
Authors: Vershinina Alisa O. , Lukhtanov Vladimir A.
Published: August 2017

Despite predictions of the classic, hybrid-sterility model of chromosomal speciation, some organisms demonstrate high rate of karyotype evolution. This rate is especially impressive in Agrodiaetus butterflies that rapidly evolved the greatest chromosome number diversity known in animal kingdom within a single subgenus. Here we analyzed karyotype evolution in Agrodiaetus using phylogenetic comparative methods. We found that chromosome numbers possess a strong phylogenetic signal. This disproves the chromosome megaevolution model that proposes multiple chromosome rearrangements to accumulate independently in each of closely related species. We found that Brownian motion gives a more adequate description of observed trait changes than Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model. This indicates that chromosome numbers evolve via random walk along branches of the phylogeny. We discovered a correlation between karyotype changes and phylogeny branch lengths. This gradual pattern is inconsistent with the hybrid-sterility model which, due to association of major chromosome changes with cladogenetic events, predicts a high degree of punctualism in karyotype evolution. Thus, low underdominace of chromosomal rearrangements and/or prevalence of the recombination-suppression model over the hybrid-sterility model of chromosome speciation are the most common engines of the runaway chromosome number change observed.
Development of a Primary Human Co-Culture Model of Inflamed Airway Mucosa
Authors: Yonker Lael M. , Mou Hongmei , Chu Kengyeh K. , Pazos Michael A. , Leung Huimin , Cui Dongyao , Ryu Jinhyeob , Hibbler Rhianna M. , Eaton Alexander D. , Ford Tim N. , Falck J. R. , Kinane T. Bernard , Tearney Guillermo J. , Rajagopal Jayaraj , Hurley Bryan P.
Published: August 2017

Neutrophil breach of the mucosal surface is a common pathological consequence of infection. We present an advanced co-culture model to explore neutrophil transepithelial migration utilizing airway mucosal barriers differentiated from primary human airway basal cells and examined by advanced imaging. Human airway basal cells were differentiated and cultured at air-liquid interface (ALI) on the underside of 3 µm pore-sized transwells, compatible with the study of transmigrating neutrophils. Inverted ALIs exhibit beating cilia and mucus production, consistent with conventional ALIs, as visualized by micro-optical coherence tomography (µOCT). µOCT is a recently developed imaging modality with the capacity for real time two- and three-dimensional analysis of cellular events in marked detail, including neutrophil transmigratory dynamics. Further, the newly devised and imaged primary co-culture model recapitulates key molecular mechanisms that underlie bacteria-induced neutrophil transepithelial migration previously characterized using cell line-based models. Neutrophils respond to imposed chemotactic gradients, and migrate in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of primary ALI barriers through a hepoxilin A3-directed mechanism. This primary cell-based co-culture system combined with µOCT imaging offers significant opportunity to probe, in great detail, micro-anatomical and mechanistic features of bacteria-induced neutrophil transepithelial migration and other important immunological and physiological processes at the mucosal surface.
Dynamic X-ray radiography reveals particle size and shape orientation fields during granular flow
Authors: Guillard François , Marks Benjy , Einav Itai
Published: August 2017

When granular materials flow, the constituent particles segregate by size and align by shape. The impacts of these changes in fabric on the flow itself are not well understood, and thus novel non-invasive means are needed to observe the interior of the material. Here, we propose a new experimental technique using dynamic X-ray radiography to make such measurements possible. The technique is based on Fourier transformation to extract spatiotemporal fields of internal particle size and shape orientation distributions during flow, in addition to complementary measurements of velocity fields through image correlation. We show X-ray radiography captures the bulk flow properties, in contrast to optical methods which typically measure flow within boundary layers, as these are adjacent to any walls. Our results reveal the rich dynamic alignment of particles with respect to streamlines in the bulk during silo discharge, the understanding of which is critical to preventing destructive instabilities and undesirable clogging. The ideas developed in this paper are directly applicable to many other open questions in granular and soft matter systems, such as the evolution of size and shape distributions in foams and biological materials.
High-performance therapeutic quercetin-doped adhesive for adhesive–dentin interfaces
Authors: Yang Hongye , Li Kang , Yan Huiyi , Liu Siying , Wang Yake , Huang Cui
Published: August 2017

Almost half of dental restorations have failed in less than 10 years, and approximately 60% of practice time has been consumed to replace these dental restorations. As such, contemporary dentin adhesives should be modified to treat secondary caries and prevent the degradation of adhesive–dentin interfaces. To achieve this goal, we developed a versatile therapeutic adhesive in the present study by incorporating quercetin, which is a naturally derived plant extract, into a commercial adhesive at three concentrations (100, 500 and 1000 µg/mL). An unmodified adhesive served as a control. The antibacterial ability on Streptococcus mutans biofilm, conversion degree, microtensile bond strength, failure modes, in situ zymography, nanoleakage expression and cytotoxicity of quercetin-doped adhesive were comprehensively evaluated. Results showed that the quercetin-doped adhesive (500 µg/mL) preserved its bonding properties against collagenase ageing and inhibited the growth of S. mutans biofilm. Efficient bonding interface sealing ability, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and acceptable biocompatibility were also achieved. Thus, a simple, safe and workable strategy was successfully developed to produce therapeutic adhesives for the extension of the service life of adhesive restorations.
Patients with IgG1-anti-red blood cell autoantibodies show aberrant Fc-glycosylation
Authors: Sonneveld Myrthe E. , de Haas Masja , Koeleman Carolien , de Haan Noortje , Zeerleder Sacha S. , Ligthart Peter C. , Wuhrer Manfred , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Vidarsson Gestur
Published: August 2017

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a potentially severe disease in which red blood cells (RBC) are destroyed by IgG anti-RBC autoantibodies which can lead to hemolysis. We recently found IgG Fc-glycosylation towards platelet and RBC alloantigens to be skewed towards decreased fucosylation, increased galactosylation and sialylation. The lowered core-fucosylation increases the affinity of the pathogenic alloantibodies to FcγRIIIa/b, and hence RBC destruction. It is known that in autoimmune diseases plasma IgG1 galactosylation and sialylation are lowered, but Fc-glycosylation of RBC-specific autoantibodies has never been thoroughly analyzed. We investigated by mass spectrometry the N-linked RBC autoantibody and plasma IgG1 Fc-glycosylation in relation to occurrence of hemolysis for 103 patients with a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). We observed that total IgG1 purified from plasma of patients with RBC-bound antibodies showed significantly decreased galactosylation and sialylation levels compared to healthy controls, similar to what previously has been shown for other autoimmune diseases. The anti-RBC- autoantibodies showed a profile with even lower galactosylation, but higher sialylation and lower bisection levels. In contrast to alloantibodies against RBCs, RBC-bound IgG1 Fc-fucosylation was not different between healthy controls and patients. Analysis of anti-RBC Fc-glycoprofiles suggested that lower bisection and higher galactosylation associate with lower Hb levels.
Political Pressures Increased Vulnerability to Climate Hazards for Nomadic Livestock in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Li Ang , Chen Shi , Zhang Xueyao , Huang Jianhui
Published: August 2017

Herders in Inner Mongolia experienced two completely different political periods during their last nomadic period between 1961 and 1986. However, climate and technical factors were very similar between these two periods according to statistical analyses. We retrieved historical climate and livestock population data and performed a retrospective study using generalized additive models to analyze three major livestock population demographic metrics changes between these two periods. We found that the sociopolitical factors significantly impacted all three major demographic metrics (adult mortality, neonatal mortality and birthrate) between the two periods for both large (cattle, horse, and camel) and small livestock (sheep and goat). We also identified the interaction effects between sociopolitical factor and climate factors for adult and neonatal mortality, while birthrate was not affected by these interactions. When exposed to climate hazards, adult and neonatal livestock mortality rates were significantly higher, while birthrate was significantly lower in social movement period than in peaceful period. We concluded that political movements had indeed increased the vulnerability of herders’ livestock to climate hazards. External political pressures deprived hazard-resistance entitlements of herders, which may explain the elevated effects of political pressures on livestock vulnerability.
The CpG dinucleotide content of the HIV-1 envelope gene may predict disease progression
Authors: Wasson Mishi Kaushal , Borkakoti Jayanta , Kumar Amit , Biswas Banhi , Vivekanandan Perumal
Published: August 2017

The clinical course of HIV-1 varies greatly among infected individuals. Despite extensive research, virus factors associated with slow-progression remain poorly understood. Identification of unique HIV-1 genomic signatures linked to slow-progression remains elusive. We investigated CpG dinucleotide content in HIV-1 envelope gene as a potential virus factor in disease progression. We analysed 1808 HIV-1 envelope gene sequences from three independent longitudinal studies; this included 1280 sequences from twelve typical-progressors and 528 sequences from six slow-progressors. Relative abundance of CpG dinucleotides and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) for CpG-containing codons among HIV-1 envelope gene sequences from typical-progressors and slow-progressors were analysed. HIV-1 envelope gene sequences from slow-progressors have high-CpG dinucleotide content and increased number of CpG-containing codons as compared to typical-progressors. Our findings suggest that observed differences in CpG-content between typical-progressors and slow-progressors is not explained by differences in the mononucleotide content. Our results also highlight that the high-CpG content in HIV-1 envelope gene from slow-progressors is observed immediately after seroconversion. Thus CpG dinucleotide content of HIV-1 envelope gene is a potential virus-related factor that is linked to disease progression. The CpG dinucleotide content of HIV-1 envelope gene may help predict HIV-1 disease progression at early stages after seroconversion.
Comparative mitogenomic analysis of Aposthonia borneensis and Aposthonia japonica (Embioptera: Oligotomidae) reveals divergent evolution of webspinners
Authors: Chen Zhi-Teng , Lü Liang , Lu Ming-Xing , Du Yu-Zhou
Published: August 2017

In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome, mtDNA) ofAposthonia borneensisand compare it with another sequenced webspinner,Aposthonia japonica. TheA. borneensismitogenome is smaller thanA. japonica, but the size of each gene and the A + T content of protein-coding genes (PCGs) are almost identical in the two mitogenomes. Among the PCGs,atp6shows the highest evolutionary rate andcox1the lowest. The mtDNA map inA. borneensisis similar toDrosophila yakuba, but distinctly different fromA. japonica, which has extensive rearrangement. Phylogenetic analyses dated the divergence time of the two webspinners at ca. 103 Ma. We speculate that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) ofA. borneensisandA. japonicawas divided into several geographic groups during the Pangea breakup. Geographic isolation between the Japanese islands and the continental southeastern Asia resulted in the divergent evolution ofA. borneensisandA. japonica, thus generating mtDNA structural variations between the two species. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and specific distributional features, the genusAposthoniawas supported as non-monophyly, and we speculate that both highly rearranged and relatively conserved mitogenomes exist in other webspinners.
Coupling solid-phase microextractions and surface-enhanced Raman scattering: towards a point-of-need tool for hepatic cancer screening
Authors: Granger Jennifer H. , Skuratovsky Aleksander , Porter Marc D. , Scaife Courtney L. , Shea Jill E. , Li Qun , Wang Sean
Published: August 2017

A method for rapid, highly portable immunoassays at low limits of detection has been developed by combining solid-phase microextraction membranes, gold nanoparticle labels, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
Atomic-scaled cobalt encapsulated in P,N-doped carbon sheaths over carbon nanotubes for enhanced oxygen reduction electrocatalysis under acidic and alkaline media
Authors: Guo Shiyu , Yuan Pengfei , Zhang Jianan , Jin Pengbo , Sun Hongming , Lei Kaixiang , Pang Xinchang , Xu Qun , Cheng Fangyi
Published: August 2017

Atomic-scaled Co were distributed in N,P co-doped C@CNT coaxial nanocables, exhibiting superior electrocatalytic performance for ORR both in acid and alkaline media.
Self-assembly of M7L2 metal–organic nanocapsules using mixed macrocycles
Authors: Zhang Chen , Sikligar Kanishka , Patil Rahul S. , Barnes Charles L. , Teat Simon J. , Atwood Jerry L.
Published: August 2017

The solvothermal synthesis of two M7L2 metal–organic nanocapsules from C-alkyl pyrogallol[3]resorcin[1]arene is reported.