bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actinobacteria associated with Chinaberry tree are diverse and show antimicrobial activity
Authors: Zhao Ke , Li Jing , Shen Meiling , Chen Qiang , Liu Maoke , Ao Xiaolin , Liao Decong , Gu Yunfu , Xu Kaiwei , Ma Menggen , Yu Xiumei , Xiang Quanju , Chen Ji , Zhang Xiaoping , Penttinen Petri
Published: July 2018

Many actinobacteria produce secondary metabolites that include antimicrobial compounds. Since most of the actinobacteria cannot be cultivated, their antimicrobial potential awaits to be revealed. We hypothesized that the actinobacterial endophyte communities insideMelia toosendan(Chinaberry) tree are diverse, include strains with antimicrobial activity, and that antimicrobial activity can be detected using a cultivation independent approach and co-occurrence analysis. We isolated and identified actinobacteria from Chinaberry, tested their antimicrobial activities, and characterized the communities using amplicon sequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis as cultivation independent methods. Most of the isolates were identified asStreptomycesspp., whereas based on amplicon sequencing the most abundant OTU was assigned toRhodococcus, andTomitellawas the most diverse genus. Out of the 135 isolates, 113 inhibited the growth of at least one indicator organism. Six out of the 7577 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) matched 46 cultivated isolates. Only three OTUs,StreptomycesOTU4, OTU11, and OTU26, and their corresponding isolate groups were available for comparing co-occurrences and antimicrobial activity.StreptomycesOTU4 correlated negatively with a high number of OTUs, and the isolates corresponding toStreptomycesOTU4 had high antimicrobial activity. However, for the other two OTUs and their corresponding isolate groups there was no clear relation between the numbers of negative correlations and antimicrobial activity. Thus, the applicability of co-occurrence analysis in detecting antimicrobially active actinobacteria could not be proven.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Entropy Alloy Co20Cr26Fe20Mn20Ni14 Processed by High-Pressure Torsion at 77 K and 300 K
Authors: Moon Jongun , Qi Yuanshen , Tabachnikova Elena , Estrin Yuri , Choi Won-Mi , Joo Soo-Hyun , Lee Byeong-Joo , Podolskiy Aleksey , Tikhonovsky Mikhail , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: July 2018

In this work, the mechanical characteristics of high-entropy alloy Co20Cr26Fe20Mn20Ni14 with low-stacking fault energy processed by cryogenic and room temperature high-pressure torsion (HPT) were studied. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were performed to identify the phase and microstructure variation and the mechanical properties characterized by Vickers hardness measurements and tensile testing. Cryogenic HPT was found to result in a lower mechanical strength of alloy Co20Cr26Fe20Mn20Ni14 than room temperature HPT. Microstructure analysis by SEM and TEM was conducted to shed light on the microstructural changes in the alloy Co20Cr26Fe20Mn20Ni14 caused by HPT processing. Electron microscopy data provided evidence of a deformation-induced phase transformation in the alloy processed by cryogenic HPT. Unusual softening phenomena induced by cryogenic HPT were characterized by analyzing the dislocation density as determined from X-Ray diffraction peak broadening.
MDM4 contributes to the increased risk of glioma susceptibility in Han Chinese population
Authors: Sun Peng , Yan Feng , Fang Wei , Zhao Junjie , Chen Hu , Ma Xudong , Song Jinning
Published: July 2018

Recently, MDM4 gene has been reported to be a susceptibility gene for glioma in Europeans, but the molecular mechanism of glioma pathogenesis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether common variants of MDM4 contribute to the risk of glioma in Han Chinese individuals. A total of 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MDM4 gene were assessed in a dataset of 562 glioma patients (non-glioblastoma) and 1,192 cancer-free controls. The SNP rs4252707 was found to be strongly associated with the risk of non-GBM (P = 0.000101, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–1.55). Further analyses indicated that there was a significant association between A allele of rs4252707 associated with the increased non-GBM risk. Haplotype analysis also confirmed a result similar to that of the single-SNP analysis. Using stratification analyses, we found the association of rs4252707 with an increased non-GBM risk in adults (≥18 years, P = 0.0016) and individuals without IR exposure history (P = 0.0013). Our results provide strong evidence that the MDM4 gene is tightly linked to genetic susceptibility for non-GBM risk in Han Chinese population, indicating a important role for MDM4 gene in the etiology of glioma.
Life-history strategies in zooplankton promote coexistence of competitors in extreme environments with high metal content
Authors: Aránguiz-Acuña Adriana , Pérez-Portilla Pablo , De la Fuente Ana , Fontaneto Diego
Published: July 2018

The toxicity of pollutants on aquatic communities is determined by the specific sensitivities and by the ecological relationships between species, although the role of ecological interactions on the specific sensitivity to pollutants is complex. We tested the effect of exposure to copper on the life-history strategies of two coexisting rotifer species of the genusBrachionusfrom Inca-Coya lagoon, an isolated water body located in Atacama Desert. The experiments looked at differences in the response to the stress by chemical pollution mimicking field conditions of copper exposure, levels of food, and salinity, between single-species cultures and coexisting species. Under single species cultures,B. ‘Nevada’ had lower densities, growth rates, and resting eggs production thanB.quadridentatus; when in competition,B. ‘Nevada’ performed better thanB.quadridentatusin most life-history traits.B. ‘Nevada’ was a copper-tolerant species, which outcompetedB.quadridentatus, more copper-sensitive, with higher levels of copper. Species-specific responses to environmental conditions and pollution, plus differential relationships between population density and production of resting eggs, resulted in reduced niche overlap between species, allowing stabilized coexistence. The extreme environmental conditions and the isolation of the Inca-Coya lagoon, make it an excellent model to understand the adaption of aquatic organisms to stressed environments.
A comprehensive database of thermal developmental plasticity in reptiles
Authors: Noble Daniel W. A. , Stenhouse Vaughn , Riley Julia L. , Warner Daniel A. , While Geoffrey M. , Du Wei-Guo , Uller Tobias , Schwanz Lisa E.
Published: July 2018

How temperature influences development has direct relevance to ascertaining the impact of climate change on natural populations. Reptiles have served as empirical models for understanding how the environment experienced by embryos can influence phenotypic variation, including sex ratio, phenology and survival. Such an understanding has important implications for basic eco-evolutionary theory and conservation efforts worldwide. While there is a burgeoning empirical literature of experimental manipulations of embryonic thermal environments, addressing widespread patterns at a comparative level has been hampered by the lack of accessible data in a format that is amendable to updates as new studies emerge. Here, we describe a database with nearly 10, 000 phenotypic estimates from 155 species of reptile, collected from 300 studies manipulating incubation temperature (published between 1974–2016). The data encompass various morphological, physiological, behavioural and performance traits along with growth rates, developmental timing, sex ratio and survival (e.g., hatching success). This resource will serve as an important data repository for addressing overarching questions about thermal plasticity of reptile embryos.
Combined solid-state NMR, FT-IR and computational studies on layered and porous materials
Authors: Paul Geo , Bisio Chiara , Braschi Ilaria , Cossi Maurizio , Gatti Giorgio , Gianotti Enrica , Marchese Leonardo
Published: July 2018

This review covers comprehensively the 2D layered and 3D porous materials that have been reported in the past 5 years where combined solid-state NMR, FT-IR and computational methods have been employed for their characterization.
An electrochemiluminescence cytosensor for sensitive detection of HeLa cells based on a signal amplification strategy of Au-NaYF4:Yb,Er nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Jinzha , Shen Yang , Liu Yuhong , Hou Zaiying , Gu Yuanqing , Zhao Wenbo
Published: July 2018

A novel Au-NaYF4:Yb,Er nanocomposite-based electrochemiluminescence cytosensor for the detection of HeLa cells using a signal amplification technique.
A bio-inspired photonic nitrocellulose array for ultrasensitive assays of single nucleic acids
Authors: Chi Junjie , Ma Biao , Dong Xing , Gao Bingbing , Elbaz Abdelrahman , Liu Hong , Gu Zhongze
Published: July 2018

Here we report a bio-inspired photonic nitrocellulose array for ultrasensitive nucleic-acid detection.
Enzyme-containing spin membranes for rapid digestion and characterization of single proteins
Authors: Liu Weijing , Pang Yongle , Tan Hui-Yin , Patel Nitin , Jokhadze Gia , Guthals Adrian , Bruening Merlin L.
Published: July 2018

Centrifugation of antibodies through enzyme-containing spin membranes yields large proteolytic peptides that enable confirmation of protein sequences and post-translational modifications.
Convenient synthesis of selenyl-indoles via iodide ion-catalyzed electrochemical C–H selenation
Authors: Zhang Xing , Wang Chenguang , Jiang Hong , Sun Linhao
Published: July 2018

Reported herein is a transition metal- and oxidant-free method for the synthesis of selenyl heteroarenes with diselenides through iodide ion-catalyzed electrolytic selenation.
Peptide self-cleavage at a canaline residue: application to a solubilizing tag system for native chemical ligation
Authors: Tsuda Shugo , Nishio Hideki , Yoshiya Taku
Published: July 2018

Taking advantage of the pH-dependent cleavage properties of canaline (Can), a novel solubilizing tag system for native chemical ligation using (Lys/Arg)n-Can was developed.
TfNHNHBoc as a SCF3 source for the sulfenylation of indoles
Authors: Guo Jing-Yu , Dai Rui-Han , Xu Wen-Cong , Wu Ruo-Xin , Tian Shi-Kai
Published: July 2018

An unprecedented use of TfNHNHBoc as an effective SCF3 source has been established in the copper-catalyzed oxidative sulfenylation of indoles.
Blue light-promoted cross-coupling of aryldiazoacetates and diazocarbonyl compounds
Authors: Xiao Tiebo , Mei Mingjing , He Yuwei , Zhou Lei
Published: July 2018

A blue light-promoted cross-coupling of two distinct diazo compounds was described. The reaction producesE-configured trisubstituted alkenes in good yields in the absence of catalysts and additives. The reactive free carbene intermediates were generatedviaselective photolysis of one of the two diazo compounds upon blue light irradiation.
Stronger host–guest binding does not necessarily give brighter particles: a case study on polymeric AIEE-tunable and size-tunable supraspheres
Authors: Xu Linxian , Wang Rongrong , Cui Wei , Wang Lingyun , Meier Herbert , Tang Hao , Cao Derong
Published: July 2018

Compared with the tritopic guest without chains, the tritopic guest with flexible alkyl chains bound to the polymeric host more strongly and induced the formation of larger but duller supraspheres.
Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations of β-halo-α-keto esters byN,N′-dioxide/Ni(ii)-catalyzed carbonyl-ene reaction
Authors: Liu Wen , Cao Weidi , Hu Haipeng , Lin Lili , Feng Xiaoming
Published: July 2018

An effective dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of racemic β-halo-α-keto esters through carbonyl-ene reaction was realised.
Thermosalient effect of two polymorphs of a diketopyrrolopyrrole dye with different crystal systems and molecular arrangements
Authors: So Hee-Soo , Minami Takaya , Jindo Takumi , Matsumoto Shinya
Published: July 2018

Two polymorphs of a diketopyrrolopyrrole dye, one yellow and the other orange, were obtained.
Threshold for shattering fragmentation in collision-induced dissociation of the doubly protonated tripeptide TIK(H+)2
Authors: Macaluso Veronica , Homayoon Zahra , Spezia Riccardo , Hase William L.
Published: July 2018

Determination of shattering threshold for unimolecular dissociation of a model tripeptide.
Phase transition-like behavior of the water monolayer close to the polarized surface of a nanotube
Authors: Zeng Li , Zhou Xiaoyan , Huang Xiao , Lu Hangjun
Published: July 2018

By molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated effects of temperature on the dynamical behavior of water layers at the charged surface of a nanotube.
Black phosphorus quantum dots: synthesis, properties, functionalized modification and applications
Authors: Gui Rijun , Jin Hui , Wang Zonghua , Li Jinghong
Published: July 2018

This review article provides the first systematic summary of zero-dimensional black phosphorus quantum dots, from their synthetic methods, properties, and functionalized modification to their applications.
Synthesis of higher alcohols by CO hydrogenation on a K-promoted Ni–Mo catalyst derived from Ni–Mo phyllosilicate
Authors: Zhang Fanfan , Li Yuyang , Gao Shan , Fang Huihuang , Liang Xuelian , Yuan Youzhu
Published: July 2018

A K0.5-(Ni1Mo0.25)Si-PS catalyst derived from Ni–Mo phyllosilicate exhibits excellent catalytic performance and stability for the synthesis of HAs by CO hydrogenation relative to the catalysts prepared by conventional co-deposition and wetness impregnation methods.
An amorphous CoSxmodified Mn0.5Cd0.5S solid solution with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2-production activity
Authors: Wang Mengdi , Liu Qianwen , Xu Nan , Su Ningxi , Wang Xuxu , Su Wenyue
Published: July 2018

Amorphous noble metal-free CoSxmodified Mn0.5Cd0.5S with excellent photocatalytic hydrogen production activity has been successfully synthesized.
Emerging investigator series: dispersed transition metals on a nitrogen-doped carbon nanoframework for environmental hydrogen peroxide detection
Authors: Li Zehui , Jiang Yuheng , Liu Chenming , Wang Zhuoya , Cao Zhiqin , Yuan Yi , Li Mingjie , Wang Yaling , Fang Daliang , Guo Zhuang , Wang Dongbin , Zhang Guangjin , Jiang Jingkun
Published: July 2018

A Cu/Mn immobilized carbon nanoframework modified sensor was used for continuously detecting the H2O2 concentration in an electro-Fenton system.
Facet-dependent contaminant removal properties of hematite nanocrystals and their environmental implications
Authors: Huang Xiaopeng , Hou Xiaojing , Zhang Xin , Rosso Kevin M. , Zhang Lizhi
Published: July 2018

Hematite nanocrystals exhibit facet-dependent contaminant removal properties and are of important environmental implications.
Removal of antibiotic resistance genes in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor treating primary clarifier effluent at 20 °C
Authors: Kappell Anthony D. , Kimbell Lee K. , Seib Matthew D. , Carey Daniel E. , Choi Melinda J. , Kalayil Tino , Fujimoto Masanori , Zitomer Daniel H. , McNamara Patrick J.
Published: July 2018

Antibiotic resistance genes are removed by anaerobic membrane bioreactors at 20 °C.
Hydrogen consumption and methanogenic community evolution in anodophilic biofilms in single chamber microbial electrolysis cells under different startup modes
Authors: Liu Wenzong , Piao Yongjian , Zhang Fugui , Liu Lin , Meng Dongfang , Nan Jun , Deng Ye , Wang Aijie
Published: July 2018

GeoChips based onmcrAand cytochrome genes to evaluate community structure variety of methanogens and electron transfer process.
Ambient stable naphthalenediimide radical ions: synthesis by solvent-free, sonication, mechanical grinding or milling protocols
Authors: Kumar Sharvan , Mukhopadhyay Pritam
Published: July 2018

Green synthetic routes to a library of twenty four diphosphonium substituted naphthalenediimide (NDI) radical ions [NDI(PR3)2]˙+ Br− (R = alkyl/aryl) with excellent yields and stability are reported.
Real-time detection of stimulus response in cultured neurons by high-intensity intermediate-frequency magnetic field exposure
Authors: Saito Atsushi , Terai Tatsuya , Makino Kei , Takahashi Masayuki , Yoshie Sachiko , Ikehata Masateru , Jimbo Yasuhiko , Wada Keiji , Suzuki Yukihisa , Nakasono Satoshi
Published: July 2018

Stimulus response of cultured neurons during high-intensity intermediate-frequency magnetic field exposure was detected by a non-conductive fibre-optic imaging system.
Identification and classification of meteorites using a handheld LIBS instrument coupled with a fuzzy logic-based method
Authors: Senesi Giorgio Saverio , Manzari Paola , Consiglio Arianna , De Pascale Olga
Published: July 2018

A handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument associated to a fuzzy logic-based method is proposed as a novel tool that is able to provide information on the nature of meteorites and discriminate among iron, stone, stony-iron meteorites and meteorwrongs.
Size-based sorting of hydrogel droplets using inertial microfluidics
Authors: Li Ming , van Zee Mark , Goda Keisuke , Di Carlo Dino
Published: July 2018

We demonstrate passive, continuous, and high-throughput separation of hydrogel droplets by size using inertial microfluidics.
Surface modification of a hole transporting layer for an efficient perovskite solar cell with an enhanced fill factor and stability
Authors: Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Tavakoli Rouhollah , Prochowicz Daniel , Yadav Pankaj , Saliba Michael
Published: July 2018

The improvement of the quality of the hole transporting layer (HTL) plays a key role in the fabrication of highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Pyroelectric nanoplatform for NIR-II-triggered photothermal therapy with simultaneous pyroelectric dynamic therapy
Authors: Tang Zhongmin , Zhao Peiran , Ni Dalong , Liu Yanyan , Zhang Meng , Wang Han , Zhang Hua , Gao Hongbo , Yao Zhenwei , Bu Wenbo
Published: July 2018

SnSe displaying a photothermal conversion capability and pyroelectric conversion capability for efficient treatment of tumors.
Novel properties and applications of carbon nanodots
Authors: Xiao Lian , Sun Handong
Published: July 2018

Overview of the optical properties and versatile applications of carbon dots.
NMR-spectroscopic investigation of the complex between tetraazoniapentapheno[6,7-h]pentaphene and quadruplex DNA Tel26
Authors: Ihmels Heiko , Löhl Katharina , Paululat Thomas , Uebach Sandra
Published: July 2018

The tetraazoniapentapheno[6,7-h]pentaphene binds to the hybrid-1 quadruplex structure of the oligonucleotide Tel26 by terminal π stacking, likely on top of the A3–A9–A21 triplet.
Synthesis and cytotoxic characteristics displayed by a series of Ag(i)-, Au(i)- and Au(iii)-complexes supported by a common N-heterocyclic carbene
Authors: Jhulki Lalmohan , Dutta Parul , Santra Manas Kumar , Cardoso Marlon H. , Oshiro Karen G. N. , Franco Octávio L. , Bertolasi Valerio , Isab Anvarhusein A. , Bielawski Christopher W. , Dinda Joydev
Published: July 2018

The design, synthesis and anticancer properties of a series of Ag(i), Au(i) and Au(iii)–NHC complexes supported by pyridyl[1,2-a]{2-acetylylphenylimidazol}-3-ylidene are described.
A family of [Cu2], [Cu4] and [Cu5] aggregates: alteration of reaction conditions, ancillary bridges and capping anions
Authors: Das Manisha , Craig Gavin A. , Escudero Daniel , Murrie Mark , Frontera Antonio , Ray Debashis
Published: July 2018

Enforced coordination by NO3−, ClO4− and CF3COO− groups resulted in the formation of [Cu2] (1), [Cu4] (2) and [Cu5] (3) complexes using H5L1.
Crystal structures of N6-modified-aminoacid/peptide nucleobase analogs: hybrid adenine–glycine and adenine–glycylglycine molecules
Authors: García-Raso Angel , Terrón Angel , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Molina Jhon J. , Vázquez-López Ezequiel M. , Fiol Juan J.
Published: July 2018

Anion–π interactions in crystal structures of N6-modified-aminoacid and dipeptide adenine analogs are investigated using X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations.
A new fluorescent probe for quick and highly selective detection of hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells
Authors: Ren Yanshen , Zhang Lulu , Zhou Ziyan , Wang Suilou , Xu Yungen , Gu Yueqing , Zha Xiaoming
Published: July 2018

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the endogenous regulators of many physiological processes.
A systematic series of fluorescence chemosensors with multiple binding sites for Hg(ii) based on pyrenyl-functionalized cyclotriphosphazenes and their application in live cell imaging
Authors: Tümay Süreyya Oğuz , Uslu Aylin , Ardıç Alidağı Hüsniye , Kazan Hasan Hüseyin , Bayraktar Cansu , Yolaçan Tutku , Durmuş Mahmut , Yeşilot Serkan
Published: July 2018

A systematic series of fluorescence chemosensors based on cyclotriphosphazene derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their sensing behaviors toward metal ions.
Facile and robust methods for the regioselective acylation of N-acetylneuraminic acid
Authors: Shadrick Melanie , Yu Charlene , Geringer Scott , Ritter Sean , Behm Alexanndra , Cox Abby , Lohman Matt , De Meo Cristina
Published: July 2018

The regioselective synthesis of a diverse library of picoloylated and acetylated thiosialosides is described.
New porphyrin dyes containing a hydrazide anchor for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jia Hai-Lang , Peng Zhi-Jie , Guan Ming-Yun
Published: July 2018

The PCE of the DSSC based on JA5 containing a hydrazide anchor showed a high value of 5.49%, more importantly, the hydrazide anchor was much more stable than a COOH anchor under various aqueous conditions, especially under alkaline conditions.
Fluorescence-based tools to probe G-quadruplexes in cell-free and cellular environments
Authors: Manna Sudeshna , Srivatsan Seergazhi G.
Published: July 2018

Environment-sensitive nucleoside analogs and structure-specific antibodies and small molecule probes have provided efficient fluorescence-based tools to study G-quadruplexes.
Characterization of interaction between scoparone and bovine serum albumin: spectroscopic and molecular docking methods
Authors: Cao Xiangyu , He Yonglin , Liu Dan , He Yin , Hou Xiao , Cheng Ye , Liu Jianli
Published: July 2018

The interaction of scoparone with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by utilizing spectroscopic and molecular docking methodologies.
Photoluminescence color stability of green-emitting InP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots embedded in silica prepared via hydrophobic routes
Authors: Watanabe Taichi , Iso Yoshiki , Isobe Tetsuhiko , Sasaki Hirokazu
Published: July 2018

We prepared and characterized green-emitting silica composites containing InP/ZnS QDs with excellent quantum yield, emission color purity, and photostability.
Correction: Adsorption properties of NO molecules on the hexagonal LaCoO3 (0 0 1) surface: a density functional theory study
Authors: Liu Zhijie , Wang Yanxin , Gao Hongwei
Published: July 2018

Correction for ‘Adsorption properties of NO molecules on the hexagonal LaCoO3 (0 0 1) surface: a density functional theory study’ by Zhijie Liu et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 34714–34721.
The influence of the explicit nature of science instruction embedded in the Argument-Driven Inquiry method in chemistry laboratories on high school students’ conceptions about the nature of science
Authors: Eymur Guluzar
Published: July 2018

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the explicit nature of science instruction embedded in the Argument-Driven Inquiry method compared with an implicit inquiry method on eleventh-grade students’ conceptions of NOS. The study used a pre-/post-test control group design to investigate the influence of the explicit nature of science instruction embedded in the Argument-Driven Inquiry method on eleventh grade students’ understanding of NOS. The qualitative method was used to identify the students’ views of NOS. The study involved 45 students (grade 11) enrolled in a chemistry course at a public Anatolian high school in the northeast of Turkey. The explicit group included 24 students (10 girls and 14 boys) and the implicit group included 21 students (12 girls and 9 boys) with their ages ranging from 17 to 18 years. Both groups were instructed for two 45 minute sessions per week over the course of 9 weeks. However, the explicit group participated in laboratory activities designed by the ADI method with explicit NOS instruction, whereas the implicit group was taught by a structured inquiry (SI) instructional model. Students were interviewed using the VNOS-B interview schedule to evaluate the students’ understanding of NOS. In data analysis, we coded views as an informed view that had the accepted views, a transitional view that had partially accepted views or a naïve view that had unaccepted views of the seven characteristics of NOS based on the literature. The results of the study showed significant differences between the pre- to post-test scores for the explicit group in terms of NOS views. However, the post-instruction views of the implicit group were not different from their previous NOS views. We believe that the explicit nature of science instruction embedded in the ADI method has a noticeable potential in order to improve high school students’ views about NOS.
Probing the oxidation state of transition metal complexes: a case study on how charge and spin densities determine Mn L-edge X-ray absorption energies
Authors: Kubin Markus , Guo Meiyuan , Kroll Thomas , Löchel Heike , Källman Erik , Baker Michael L. , Mitzner Rolf , Gul Sheraz , Kern Jan , Föhlisch Alexander , Erko Alexei , Bergmann Uwe , Yachandra Vittal , Yano Junko , Lundberg Marcus , Wernet Philippe
Published: July 2018

A combined experimental and theoretical approach reveals correlations of metal L-edge X-ray absorption energies to local charge and spin densities.
Conjugated double helicesviaself-dimerization of α,α′-dianilinotripyrrins
Authors: Umetani Masataka , Tanaka Takayuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: July 2018

A new motif for artificial double helices was developed on the basis of α,α′-disubstituted tripyrrin.
Highly selective, red emitting BODIPY-based fluorescent indicators for intracellular Mg2+imaging
Authors: Lin Qitian , Buccella Daniela
Published: July 2018

New fluorescent sensors with excellent turn-on ratio and low energy excitation provide Mg2+detection in live cells with high selectivity.
Outage and BER performances of indoor relay‐assisted hybrid RF/VLC systems
Authors: Namdar Mustafa , Basgumus Arif , Tsiftsis Theodoros , Altuncu Ahmet
Published: July 2018

In this study, the authors analyse the outage performance of the indoor relay‐assisted hybrid radio frequency (RF)/visible light communication (VLC) systems. They derive closed‐form expressions for the outage probability of the end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio. Then they obtain the optimal approximation parameter with optimising the outage probability using the differential evolution algorithm. Moreover, they analysed the average bit error rate (BER) performance of the hybrid RF/optical system using pulse position modulation method while assuming the timing error in synchronisation. Finally, they present some numerical results utilising the newly derived exact closed‐form expressions.
Fifth‐degree continuous–discrete cubature Kalman filter for radar
Authors: Santos‐Díaz Eduardo , Haykin Simon , Hurd Thomas R.
Published: July 2018

In this study, the authors extend the high‐degree cubature Kalman filter to operate with continuous‐time non‐linear stochastic systems with discrete measurements. For this purpose, they utilise two known approximations to solve the stochastic differential equation used in the modelling of continuous‐time dynamics. The first approach is grounded in an ordinary differential equations solver. The second approach is based on the Itô–Taylor expansion of order 1.5. In addition, the errors presented in each approach were classified. Finally, the proposed filters were compared with the continuous–discrete cubature Kalman filter in a challenging radar‐tracking experiment. The results of the experiment show an improvement in the accuracy of the proposed method, and more importantly, a better performance of the filters based on the Itô–Taylor expansion.
Research of rectal dynamic function diagnosis based on FastICA‐STFT
Authors: Zan Peng , Liu Yankai , Chang Meihan
Published: July 2018

Aiming at the lack of signal preprocessing in current rectal signal research, a new 15th‐order Newton iterative fast independent component analysis (FastICA) algorithm is proposed to separate the signal. To solve the incomplete problem of the single channel rectal pressure signal, C‐C phase space reconstruction technology is used for multi‐dimensional signal reconstruction. In order to achieve the diagnosis of rectal dynamic after artificial anal sphincter implantation, the preprocessed rectal signal component is subjected to short‐time Fourier transforms for time–frequency analysis. This constitutes a complete rectal dynamic function diagnosis process. The non‐stationary simulation signal is constructed to verify the preprocessing method. A complete diagnostic experiment is performed on two rectal signals of different gut dynamic. Simulation results show that the proposed method can realise the preprocessing of non‐stationary signals. Through the rectal dynamic function experiment based FastICA‐STFT, two different rectal signals are distinguished, and the results are consistent with the clinical diagnosis, which has achieved the diagnosis of rectal motility. This study will provide support for the recovery of rectal dynamic function in patients with artificial anal sphincter implants.
Design and performance of a capacitance sensor for filling rate in screw feeding pipes
Authors: Zhang Xiliang , Cui Shoujuan , Xu Kun , Sun Xiang
Published: July 2018

Powder flow abounds in industrial and agricultural production such as in chemical industry, food processing, and agricultural methods, where filling rate is an important operating parameter, especially for screw quantitative feeding of powder. In order to test the filling rate in screw feeding pipe with a special feed divider, a new capacitance sensor consisted of 12 spiral electrodes, 12 radial electrodes, and a shield cover is presented. Then to optimise the geometry of the capacitance sensor, the influence of parameters such as the radius of the sensor shield, radial electrode inserted depth, and electrode field angle on the sensor is analysed through finite‐element analysis. The optimal geometry dimensions are as follows: radius of the shield is 27 mm, electrode field angle is 27° and radial electrode insert depth is 3 mm. On the basis of these parameters, the sensor is developed and its performance is evaluated. The results show that the relative errors of the measured values are no more than 7%. The developed capacitance sensor can be applied in filling rate measurement of screw feeding production.
The nature of molecular cloud boundary layers from SOFIA [O I] observations
Authors: Langer W. D. , Goldsmith P. F. , Pineda J. L. , Chambers E. T. , Jacobs K. , Richter H.
Published: July 2018

Context. Dense highly ionized boundary layers (IBLs) outside of the neutral Photon Dominated Regions (PDRs) have recently been detected via the 122 and 205 μm transitions of ionized nitrogen. These layers have higher densities than in the Warm Ionized Medium (WIM) but less than typically found in H II regions. Observations of [C II] emission, which is produced in both the PDR and IBL, do not fully define the characteristics of these sources. Observations of additional probes which just trace the PDRs, such as the fine structure lines of atomic oxygen, are needed derive their properties and distinguish among different models for [C II] and [N II] emissison.

Aims. We derive the properties of the PDRs adjacent to dense highly ionized boundary layers of molecular clouds.

Methods. We combine high-spectral resolution observations of the 63 μm [O I] fine structure line taken with the upGREAT HFA-band instrument on SOFIA with [C II] observations to constrain the physical conditions in the PDRs. The observations consist of samples along four lines of sight (LOS) towards the inner Galaxy containing several dense molecular clouds. We interpret the conditions in the PDRs using radiative transfer models for [C II] and [O I].

Results. We have a 3.5-σ detection of [O I] toward one source but only upper limits towards the others. We use the [O I] to [C II] ratio, or their upper limits, and the column density of C+ to estimate the thermal pressure, Pth, in these PDRs. In two LOS the thermal pressure is likely in the range 2–5 × 105 in units of K cm−3, with kinetic temperatures of order 75–100 K and H2 densities, n(H2) ~ 2–4 × 103 cm−3. For the other two sources, where the upper limits on [O I] to [C II] are larger, Pth ≲105 (K cm−3). We have also used PDR models that predict the [O I] to [C II] ratio, along with our observations of this ratio, to limit the intensity of the Far UV radiation field.

Conclusions. The [C II] and [N II] emission with either weak, or without any, evidence of [O I] indicates that the source of dense highly ionized gas traced by [N II] most likely arises from the ionized boundary layers of clouds rather than from H II regions.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in commensal rodents sampled across Senegal, West Africa
Authors: Brouat Carine , Diagne Christophe Amidi , Ismaïl Khadija , Aroussi Abdelkrim , Dalecky Ambroise , Bâ Khalilou , Kane Mamadou , Niang Youssoupha , Diallo Mamoudou , Sow Aliou , Galal Lokman , Piry Sylvain , Dardé Marie-Laure , Mercier Aurélien
Published: July 2018

Risks related to Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans remain poorly known in Senegal. Although rodent surveys could help to assess the circulation of T. gondii, they have seldom been set up in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to examine Toxoplasma seroprevalence in rodents from villages and towns across Senegal. Rodents were sampled in 40 localities using a standardised trapping protocol. Detection of T. gondii antibodies was performed on 1205 rodents, using a modified agglutination test (MAT) technique. Seroprevalence data were analysed depending on geography, the local rodent community, and individual characteristics of the rodent hosts. We found 44 seropositive rodents from four different species (Mastomys erythroleucus, Mastomys natalensis, Mus musculus domesticus, Rattus rattus). Toxoplasma seroprevalence was low, averaging 4% in the localities. Higher Toxoplasma seroprevalence (up to 24%) was found in northern Senegal, a region known to be the heart of pastoral herding in the country.
High-dose ivermectin in malaria and other parasitic diseases: a new step in the development of a neglected drug
Authors: Chosidow Olivier , Bernigaud Charlotte , Do-Pham Giao
Published: July 2018

We highlight the absence of high-level evidence from dose-ranging studies regarding the use of oral ivermectin in susceptible parasitic diseases. We provide published data supporting the use of a higher dosage regimen of ivermectin in malaria and difficult-to-treat head lice, and announce an ongoing randomized clinical trial in severe scabies.
India's Obsession with Kashmir: Democracy, Gender, (Anti-)Nationalism
Authors: Kaul Nitasha
Published: July 2018

This article attempts to make sense of India's obsession with Kashmir by way of a gendered analysis. I begin by drawing attention to the historical and continuing failure of Indian democracy in Kashmir that results in the violent and multifaceted dehumanisation of Kashmiris and, in turn, domesticates dissent on the question of Kashmir within India. This scenario has been enabled by the persuasive appeal of a gendered masculinist nationalist neoliberal state currently enhanced in its Hindutva avatar. I focus on understanding how the violence enacted upon Kashmiri bodies is connected to feminised understandings of the body of Kashmir in India's imagination of itself as a nation state. I argue that the gendered discourses of representation, cartography and possession are central to the way in which such nationalism works to legitimise and normalise the violence in Kashmir. I conclude with a few reflections on how Kashmir is a litmus test for the discourse on (anti-)nationalism in contemporary India.
Transgender Identity, Sexual versus Gender ‘Rights’ and the Tools of the Indian State
Authors: Ung Loh Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Sexual and gender minorities in contemporary India are formed in the interstices between the neoliberal, Hindutva state; transnational discourses of liberal democracy and sexual ‘rights’; as well as cosmopolitan culture and global LGBT movements. As is evident in recent court judgments and legislation, particularly since 2014, postcolonial Hindu nationalism has created cultural conditions where forms of queer gender are permissible while queer sexuality is generally unacceptable. In recent years, significant developments have focused on transgender communities, complicating activism surrounding sexual and gender identities. By positing some identities as state-sanctioned acceptable citizens and others as not, certain ‘transgender’ individuals are conceptualised as bearers of rights while finding other facets of their identities discriminated against and maintained as illegal. The 2014 Supreme Court NALSA v. Union of India judgment and The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 passed by the Lok Sabha, alongside further judgments and legislation affecting wider LGBT communities, have kept discourses fixed on sexual and gender identities and their relationship to Indian citizenship at the forefront of discussions of gender justices and injustices in India today. Focusing on recent judicial and legislative developments, this paper examines how transgender rights are being granted in the context of the neoliberal, Hindutva state and considers which forms of transgender identity are currently being conceptualised as legitimate and authentic in such discourses, which can serve to bolster larger right-wing visions and ideologies of the nation and its citizens. It contemplates the ways in which gender ‘justices’, framed in relation to both transnational LGBT rights discourses and right-wing agendas, are conceptualised and played out on the bodies of sexual and gender minorities.
Development of a Long-Wave Infrared Band-Edge (LWIR BE) thermometry instrument
Authors: Marquis J. , Roodenko K. , Pinsukanjana P. , Frensley W.
Published: July 2018

Accurate measurement of substrate temperature is one of the most critical process control parameters for molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth. Band-edge thermometry instruments have proven to be a valuable tool for process control during MBE growth of semiconductor films, providing as high as ±1 °C temperature resolution. The increasing use of InAs, GaSb, and AlSb iii-v materials necessitates a method for accurately measuring the temperature of their closely lattice-matched GaSb substrates. Current-technology instruments typically rely on InGaAs detector materials which have a maximum wavelength λ detection of ∼1.7 μm, but GaSb substrates have a band gap energy corresponding to λ > 2 μm. A band-edge thermometry instrument capable of λ > 2 μm has been developed using an InAs/InGaSb strained-layer superlattice detector sensitive to 2-9.5 μm long-wave IR wavelengths.
A rotary scanning method to evaluate grooves and porosity for nerve guide conduits based on ultrasound microscopy
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Sun Anyu , Ju Bing-feng , Xu Shaoning
Published: July 2018

Grooved nerve guide conduits (NGCs) have been effective in the clinical treatment of peripheral nerve injury. They are generally fabricated from a micro-structured spinneret using a spinning process, which easily can cause a variety of pores and morphological deviation. The topography of internal grooves as well as the porosity can greatly influence the therapeutic effect. Traditional optical or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods can be used to image the grooves; however, these methods are destructive and require slicing NGCs to prepare specimens suitable for imaging. Moreover, lengthy experiments and large batches of NGCs are required to ensure reliable results from both in vitro experiments and clinical studies. In this paper, a non-destructive method for evaluating the grooves and porosity of NGCs is proposed using ultrasonic imaging combined with rotary scanning and an image analysis algorithm. Two ultrasonic methods were used: a 25-MHz point-focus ultrasonic transducer applied to observe axial cross sections of the conduits and a 100-MHz point-focus ultrasonic transducer to detect large pores caused by defects. Furthermore, a theoretical algorithm for detecting the local porosity of a conduit based on density is proposed. Herein, the proposed acoustic method and traditional optical methods are evaluated and compared. A parameter representing the specific surface area of the internal grooves is introduced and computed for both the optical and acoustic methods, and the relative errors of the computed parameter values for three different NGCs were 7.0%, 7.9%, and 15.3%. The detected location and shape of pores were consistent between the acoustic and optical methods, and greater porosity was observed in the middle of the conduit wall. In this paper, the results of the acoustic and optical methods are presented and the errors relating to the acoustic factors, device characteristics, and image processing method are further analyzed.
Fibroblast migration correlates with matrix softness. A study in knob-hole engineered fibrin
Authors: Leon-Valdivieso Christopher Y. , Wedgwood Jennifer , Lallana Enrique , Donno Roberto , Roberts Iwan , Ghibaudi Matilde , Tirella Annalisa , Tirelli Nicola
Published: July 2018

The invasion of a matrix by migrating cells is a key step in its remodelling. At least in 2D migration models, cells tend to localize in stiffer areas (durotaxis). Here, we show that mechanical properties affect differently the 3D migration rate: non-proteolytic 3D cell migration is facilitated in softer matrices. In these gels, the modulus was varied by introducing defects in fibres, leaving largely intact the nanostructure. The matrices derive from fibrin via functionalization with a bioinert polymer [poly(ethylene glycol), PEG] through an affinity mechanism identical to that presiding to fibrin own self-assembly. Peptidic end groups on PEG were used to bind fibrinogen globular D regions [GPRP (glycine-proline-arginine-proline) for a holes, GHRP (glycine-histidine-arginine-proline) for b holes; Kd evaluated via isothermal titration calorimetry or fluorescence anisotropy]. In a dose-dependent manner, both PEGylated peptides decreased gel stiffness, but most other properties at a macroscopic [e.g., overall elastic character, strain hardening, and high (>0.5) Poisson ratio] or nano/micro level (fibre dimension and pore size) were largely unaffected, suggesting that the softening effect was due to the introduction of defects within fibres, rather than to differences in the network architecture. In these matrices, the key determinant of fibroblast migration was found to be the elastic modulus, rather than the identity or the dose of the PEGylated peptide; softer materials allowed a faster invasion, even if this meant a higher content of non-adhesive PEG. This does not conflict with fibroblast durotaxis (where stiffness controls accumulation but not necessarily the speed of migration) and indicates a way to fine tune the speed of cell colonization.
Numerical analysis of plasma structure observed in atmospheric millimeter-wave discharge at under-critical intensity
Authors: Nakamura Yusuke , Komurasaki Kimiya , Fukunari Masafumi , Koizumi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

Atmospheric millimeter-wave discharge at intensity on the order of 1 GW/m2, which is lower than the critical intensity for breakdown by one order, was computed numerically using a tuning parameter to reproduce a wavelength-scale discrete plasmoid structure in a propagating ionization front observed in experiments. In this structure, the plasmoids line up along the E field of the incident beam in the same pitch of 0.9λ. Computational results showed that the structure appears when the electron number density in the plasmoid is greater than the cutoff density of 2.5 × 1020/m3. Interference among an incident wave and reflection waves from a plasmoids produces fringes around the plasmoid. Neighboring plasmoids come to the enhanced point, which is placed at a distance of 0.9λ from the plasmoid center. This knowledge related to the structure is expected to be correct irrespective of the plasma modeling because the revealed forming mechanism is dependent only on the geometrical interference between the incident and reflection.
Collisions of non-explosive dissipative solitons can induce explosions
Authors: Descalzi Orazio , Brand Helmut R.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the interaction of stationary and oscillatory dissipative solitons in the framework of two coupled cubic-quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation for counter-propagating waves. We analyze the case of a stabilizing as well as a destabilizing cubic cross-coupling between the counter-propagating dissipative solitons. The three types of interacting localized solutions investigated are stationary, oscillatory with one frequency, and oscillatory with two frequencies. We show that there is a large number of different outcomes as a result of these collisions including stationary as well as oscillatory bound states and compound states with one and two frequencies. The two most remarkable results are (a) the occurrence of bound states and compound states of exploding dissipative solitons as outcome of the collisions of stationary and oscillatory pulses; and (b) spatiotemporal disorder due to the creation, interaction, and annihilation of dissipative solitons for colliding oscillatory dissipative solitons as initial conditions.
Perspective: Magnetoresistive sensors for biomedicine
Authors: Giouroudi Ioanna , Hristoforou Evangelos
Published: July 2018

Currently, there is a plethora of sensors (e.g., electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric) used in life sciences for either analyte detection or diagnostic purposes, but in the last decade, magnetic biosensors have received extended interest as a promising candidate for the development of next-generation, highly sensitive biomedical platforms. This approach is based on magnetic labeling, replacing the otherwise classic fluorescence labeling, combined with magnetic sensors that detect the stray field of the superparamagnetic markers (e.g., magnetic micro-nanoparticles or magnetic nanostructures). Apart from the increased sensitivity, magnetic biosensors exhibit the unique ability of controlling and modulating the superparamagnetic markers by an externally applied magnetic force as well as the capability of compact integration of their electronics on a single chip. The magnetic field sensing mechanism most widely investigated for applications in life sciences is based on the magnetoresistance (MR) effect that was first discovered in 1856 by Lord Kelvin. However, it is the giant magnetoresistance effect, discovered by Grünberg and Fert in 1988, that actually exhibits the greatest potential as a biosensing principle. This perspective will shortly explain the magnetic labeling method and will provide a brief overview of the different MR sensor technologies (giant magnetoresistive, spin valves, and tunnel magnetoresistive) mostly used in biosensing applications as well as a compact assessment of the state of the art. Newly implemented innovations and their broad-ranging implications will be discussed, challenges that need to be addressed will be identified, and new hypotheses will be proposed.