bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mate choice and gene expression signatures associated with nutritional adaptation in the medfly (Ceratitis capitata)
Authors: Nash Will , Mohorianu Irina , Chapman Tracey
Published: April 2019

Evolutionary responses to nutrition are key to understanding host shifts and the resulting potential for reproductive isolation. Experimental evolution has previously been used to describe the responses of the medfly (Ceratitis capitata) to larval diets with different nutritional properties. Within 30 generations this led to divergence in larval development time, egg to adult survival and adaptation in adult body size. Here we used mRNA-seq to identify differences in gene expression patterns in these same populations, using males from the 60thgeneration of nutritional selection. We validated differential expression by using qRT-PCR and found that genes linked to metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and proteolysis were significantly over-represented among the differentially expressed genes. The results provide the first genome-wide survey of the putative mechanisms underpinning evolved responses to nutritional adaptation. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that nutritional adaptation can alter mating patterns. We found evidence for assortative mating by diet at generation 60, but not 90. Hence, the pattern was variable across generations and there was no evidence overall for any isolating mating divergence between the lines. Overall, the results provide insight into the mechanisms underpinning dietary adaptation and extend our knowledge of which traits represent core responses to nutritional selection.
The Structural Dynamics of Engineered β-Lactamases Vary Broadly on Three Timescales yet Sustain Native Function
Authors: Gobeil Sophie M. C. , Ebert Maximillian C. C. J. C. , Park Jaeok , Gagné Donald , Doucet Nicolas , Berghuis Albert M. , Pleiss Jürgen , Pelletier Joelle N.
Published: April 2019

Understanding the principles of protein dynamics will help guide engineering of protein function: altering protein motions may be a barrier to success or may be an enabling tool for protein engineering. The impact of dynamics on protein function is typically reported over a fraction of the full scope of motional timescales. If motional patterns vary significantly at different timescales, then only by monitoring motions broadly will we understand the impact of protein dynamics on engineering functional proteins. Using an integrative approach combining experimental and in silico methodologies, we elucidate protein dynamics over the entire span of fast to slow timescales (ps to ms) for a laboratory-engineered system composed of five interrelated β-lactamases: two natural homologs and three laboratory-recombined variants. Fast (ps-ns) and intermediate (ns-µs) dynamics were mostly conserved. However, slow motions (µs-ms) were few and conserved in the natural homologs yet were numerous and widely dispersed in their recombinants. Nonetheless, modified slow dynamics were functionally tolerated. Crystallographic B-factors from high-resolution X-ray structures were partly predictive of the conserved motions but not of the new slow motions captured in our solution studies. Our inspection of protein dynamics over a continuous range of timescales vividly illustrates the complexity of dynamic impacts of protein engineering as well as the functional tolerance of an engineered enzyme system to new slow motions.
Assessing neural responses towards objectified human targets and objects to identify processes of sexual objectification that go beyond the metaphor
Authors: Vaes Jeroen , Cristoforetti Giulia , Ruzzante Daniela , Cogoni Carlotta , Mazza Veronica
Published: April 2019

Objectification – reducing a someone to a something – represents a powerful and potentially damaging way in which we can see and treat others. Women are often victims of processes of objectification that occur whenever a woman is reduced to her body or certain body parts. What remains unclear is the extent to which a woman becomes an object when objectified. Using the oddball paradigm in three experiments, participants’ neural activity was measured while they analyzed frequently presented male and female human stimuli and infrequently presented gender-matched doll-like objects. The infrequent doll-like objects were expected to trigger a late event-related neurophysiological response (P300) the more they were perceived different from the repeated, human stimuli (i.e., the oddball effect). In Experiment 1, the oddball effect was significantly smaller for objectified women compared to objectified men. Results of Experiment 2 confirmed that this effect was confined to objectified depictions of women. In Experiment 3, no semantic references to the human-object divide were provided, but objectified women were still perceived more similar to real objects. Taken together, these results are the first to demonstrate that the perception of women, when objectified, changes in essence beyond the metaphor.
Long-term trends, current status, and transitions of water quality in Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Harding Lawrence W. , Mallonee Michael E. , Perry Elgin S. , Miller W. David , Adolf Jason E. , Gallegos Charles L. , Paerl Hans W.
Published: April 2019

Coincident climatic and human effects strongly influence water-quality properties in estuarine-coastal ecosystems around the world. Time-series data for a number of ecosystems reveal high spatio-temporal variability superimposed on secular trends traceable to nutrient over-enrichment. In this paper, we present new analyses of long-term data for Chesapeake Bay directed at several goals: (1) to distinguish trends from spatio-temporal variability imposed by climatic effects; (2) to assess long-term trends of water-quality properties reflecting degradation and recovery; (3) to propose numerical water-quality criteria as targets for restoration; (4) to assess progress toward attainment of these targets. The bay has experienced multiple impairments associated with nutrient over-enrichment since World War II, e.g., low dissolved oxygen (DO), decreased water clarity, and harmful algal blooms (HAB). Anthropogenic eutrophication has been expressed as increased chlorophyll-a (chl-a) driven by accelerated nutrient loading from 1945 to 1980. Management intervention led to decreased loading thereafter, but deleterious symptoms of excess nutrients persist. Climatic effects exemplified by irregular “dry” and “wet” periods in the last 30+ years largely explain high inter-annual variability of water-quality properties, requiring adjustments to resolve long-term trends. Here, we extend these analyses at a finer temporal scale to six decades of chl-a, Secchi depth, and nitrite plus nitrate (NO2 + NO3) data to support trend analyses and the development of numerical water-quality criteria. The proposed criteria build on a conceptual model emphasizing the need to distinguish climatic and human effects in gauging progress to reverse eutrophication in estuarine-coastal ecosystems.
A fixation method for the optimisation of western blotting
Authors: Xu Jing , Sun Hebin , Huang Guoling , Liu Gang , Li Zhi , Yang Hui , Jin Lingling , Cui Xiaolin , Shi Lei , Ma Tonghui , Kameyama Akihiko , Dong Weijie
Published: April 2019

Western blotting is the most extensively used technique for the identification and characterisation of proteins and their expression levels. One of the major issues with this technique is the loss of proteins from the blotted membrane during the incubation and washing steps, which affects its sensitivity and reproducibility. Here, we have optimised the fixation conditions for immunoblotting and lectin blotting on electroblotted polyvinylidene difluoride and nitrocellulose membranes, using a combination of organic solvents and heating. Loss of proteins from polyvinylidene difluoride membranes was greatly reduced using this approach, the intensity of lectin blotting and immunoblotting was shown to increase 2.8- to 15-fold and 1.8- to 16-fold, respectively, compared with that samples without treated. Using the optimised method, cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator and hypoxia-inducible factor 1, two difficult-to-analyse proteins with important physiological and pathological roles, were effectively detected. Additionally, it may help the identification of novel diagnostic markers for prostate cancer.
Spatial analysis to assess the relationship between human and bovine brucellosis in South Korea, 2005–2010
Authors: Lim Jun-Sik , Min Kyung-Duk , Ryu Sukhyun , Hwang Seung-Sik , Cho Sung-Il
Published: April 2019

The first case of human brucellosis in South Korea was reported in 2002, and cases of human infection continue to occur. Although an association between human and bovine brucellosis has been identified, the spatial relationship has not been studied in South Korea. Here, we analysed the spatial patterns of human and bovine brucellosis retrieved from the human and veterinary surveillance data, as well as the spatial correlation between human and bovine brucellosis and associated factors that contribute to its occurrence. The risk of human brucellosis was analysed using a Bayesian spatial model with potential risk factors. Our results show that, for both human and bovine brucellosis, hotspots were clustered in the southeast regions of Korea, whereas coldspots were clustered in the northwest regions of Korea. Our study suggests that the risk of human brucellosis increases in rural regions with the highest risk of bovine brucellosis. Collaborative strategies between human and veterinary health sectors (e.g, public health intervention and region-specific eradication programs for bovine brucellosis) would reduce the burden of brucellosis in South Korea.
Observation of η-Al41Sm5 reveals motif-aware structural evolution in Al-Sm alloys
Authors: Ye Z. , Meng F. , Zhang F. , Sun Y. , Yang L. , Zhou S. H. , Napolitano R. E. , Mendelev M. I. , Ott R. T. , Kramer M. J. , Wang C. Z. , Ho K. M.
Published: April 2019

Using an effective genetic algorithm, we uncover the structure of a metastable Al41Sm5 phase that supplements its family sharing similar short-range orders. The phase evolves upon heating an amorphous Al-9.7 at.% Sm ribbon, produced by melt-spinning. The dynamical phase selection is discussed with respect to the structural connections between the short-range packing motifs in the amorphous precursor and those observed in the selected phases. The phase elucidated here is one of several newly discovered large-unit-cell phases found to form during devitrification from the glass in this binary system, further illustrating the power and efficiency of our approach, the important role of structural hierarchy in phase selection, and the richness of the metastable phase landscape accessible from the glassy structure.
Effect of D-cysteine on dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis
Authors: Guo Xiao , Liu Shiyu , Zhou Xuedong , Hu Hongying , Zhang Keke , Du Xinmei , Peng Xian , Ren Biao , Cheng Lei , Li Mingyun
Published: April 2019

Dental caries is a highly prevalent disease worldwide. It is caused by the cariogenic biofilms composed of multiple dynamic bacteria on dental surface. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis are resident members within the biofilms and an antagonistic relationship has been shown between these two species. S. mutans, as the major causative microorganism of dental caries, has been reported to be inhibited by free D-cysteine (D-Cys). However, whether D-Cys could affect S. sanguinis and the interspecies relationship between S. mutans and S. sanguinis remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of D-Cys on the growth and cariogenicity of dual-species biofilms formed by S. mutans and S. sanguinis. We measured dual-species biofilms biomass, metabolic activity, lactate production. We also detected the biofilms structure, the ratio of live/dead bacteria, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis and bacterial composition in the dual-species biofilms. We found that D-Cys could reduce the metabolic activity and lactic acid production of dual-species biofilms (p < 0.05). In addition, biofilms formation, the proportion of S. mutans in dual-species biofilms, and EPS synthesis were decreased with D-Cys treatment. The results suggested that D-Cys could inhibit the growth and cariogenic virulence of dual-species biofilms formed by S. mutans and S. sanguinis, indicating the potential of D-Cys in clinical application for caries prevention and treatment.
First muography of Stromboli volcano
Authors: Tioukov Valeri , Alexandrov Andrey , Bozza Cristiano , Consiglio Lucia , D’Ambrosio Nicola , De Lellis Giovanni , De Sio Chiara , Giudicepietro Flora , Macedonio Giovanni , Miyamoto Seigo , Nishiyama Ryuichi , Orazi Massimo , Peluso Rosario , Sheshukov Andrey , Sirignano Chiara , Stellacci Simona Maria , Strolin Paolo , Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M.
Published: April 2019

Muography consists in observing the differential absorption of muons – elementary particles produced through cosmic-ray interactions in the Earth atmosphere – going through the volcano and can attain a spatial resolution of tens of meters. We present here the first experiment of nuclear emulsion muography at the Stromboli volcano. Muons have been recorded during a period of five months by a detector of 0.96 m2 area. The emulsion films were prepared at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory and were analyzed at Napoli, Salerno and Tokyo scanning laboratories. Our results highlight a significant low-density zone at the summit of the volcano with density contrast of 30–40% with respect to bedrock. The structural setting of this part of the volcanic edifice controls the eruptive dynamics and the stability of the “Sciara del Fuoco” slope, which is affected by recurrent tsunamigenic landslides. Periodical imaging of the summit of the Stromboli volcano such as that provided by muography can become a useful method for studying the evolution of the internal structure of the volcanic edifice.
Annexin A7 is required for ESCRT III-mediated plasma membrane repair
Authors: Sønder Stine Lauritzen , Boye Theresa Louise , Tölle Regine , Dengjel Jörn , Maeda Kenji , Jäättelä Marja , Simonsen Adam Cohen , Jaiswal Jyoti K. , Nylandsted Jesper
Published: April 2019

The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells forms the essential barrier to the extracellular environment, and thus plasma membrane disruptions pose a fatal threat to cells. Here, using invasive breast cancer cells we show that the Ca2+ - and phospholipid-binding protein annexin A7 is part of the plasma membrane repair response by enabling assembly of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) III. Following injury to the plasma membrane and Ca2+ flux into the cytoplasm, annexin A7 forms a complex with apoptosis linked gene-2 (ALG-2) to facilitate proper recruitment and binding of ALG-2 and ALG-2-interacting protein X (ALIX) to the damaged membrane. ALG-2 and ALIX assemble the ESCRT III complex, which helps excise and shed the damaged portion of the plasma membrane during wound healing. Our results reveal a novel function of annexin A7 – enabling plasma membrane repair by regulating ESCRT III-mediated shedding of injured plasma membrane.
Intraperitoneal administration of fosfomycin, metronidazole, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients undergoing appendectomy is safe: a phase II clinical trial
Authors: Fonnes Siv , Holzknecht Barbara Juliane , Arpi Magnus , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: April 2019

We aimed to investigate the safety of intraperitoneal administration of the combination of fosfomycin, metronidazole, and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) in patients undergoing appendectomy. We conducted a prospective phase II clinical trial in 14 otherwise healthy men suffering from uncomplicated appendicitis. After appendectomy, the trial treatment was administered intraperitoneally and left in the abdominal cavity. Trial treatment consisted of 4 g fosfomycin, 1 g metronidazole, and 50 µg rhGM-CSF in a total volume of 500 ml. Safety was evaluated through white blood cell count where a toxic effect was predefined. We evaluated harms and adverse events, repeated biochemical markers, vital signs, and length of stay. White blood cell count did not drop below the toxic range. The recorded harms were dizziness, discomfort when breathing deeply, no flatus, and bloating. Adverse events included three patients with diarrhoea after discharge and one patient with a hypotensive episode. No serious adverse events or infectious complications occurred. Intraperitoneal administration of fosfomycin, metronidazole, and rhGM-CSF was safe in otherwise healthy men undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. There were some possible harms and adverse events but we were unable to assess if they were related to anaesthesia, surgery, or the trial treatment.
SOD1-positive aggregate accumulation in the CNS predicts slower disease progression and increased longevity in a mutant SOD1 mouse model of ALS
Authors: Gill Cindy , Phelan James P. , Hatzipetros Theo , Kidd Joshua D. , Tassinari Valerie R. , Levine Beth , Wang Monica Z. , Moreno Andrew , Thompson Kenneth , Maier Marcel , Grimm Jan , Gill Alan , Vieira Fernando G.
Published: April 2019

Non-natively folded variants of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however the relative toxicities of these variants are controversial. Here, we aimed to decipher the relationships between the different SOD1 variants (aggregated, soluble misfolded, soluble total) and the clinical presentation of ALS in the SOD1G93A mouse. Using a multi-approach strategy, we found that the CNS regions least affected by disease had the most aggregated SOD1. We also found that the levels of aggregated SOD1 in the spinal cord were inversely correlated with the disease progression. Conversely, in the most affected regions, we observed that there was a high soluble misfolded/soluble total SOD1 ratio. Taken together, these findings suggest that soluble misfolded SOD1 may be the disease driver in ALS, whereas aggregated SOD1 may serve to sequester the toxic species acting in a neuroprotective fashion.
Enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism and green photoluminescence in Cu doped ZnO thin film synthesised by neutral beam sputtering
Authors: Agarwal D. C. , Singh U. B. , Gupta Srashti , Singhal Rahul , Kulriya P. K. , Singh Fouran , Tripathi A. , Singh Jitendra , Joshi U. S. , Avasthi D. K.
Published: April 2019

The Cu (3 to 15 at%) is incorporated into ZnO thin film by atomic beam co-sputtering has been investigated for enhancement in room temperature ferromagnetism and green photo-luminance. These Cu-ZnO thin films examined with Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Hall measurement, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and magnetic hysteresis. Raman spectroscopy, XRD confirms wurtzite structure and improvement in the crystallinity of ZnO upto 7% Cu. Further increase in Cu concentration results in growth in Cu nanoparticles. On increasing Cu concentration, there is decrement in transparency and increase in band gap with increase in n-type carrier concentration as confirmed from UV-Visible and Hall measurement studies. Magnetic measurement exhibited unique feature of room temperature ferromagnetic ordering in undoped and doped sample upto 3% Cu. The enhancement in magnetic moment as well as green emission in photoluminescence response with increase in Cu doping indicates that generation of large defects in ZnO by Cu doping, which can be attributed to combined effect of the presence of oxygen vacancies and/or structural inhomogeneity as well as formation of bound magnetic polarons. Importantly, synthesised Cu doped ZnO thin films can be used as spin LEDs and switchable spin-laser diodes.
High dose of dexamethasone protects against EAE-induced motor deficits but impairs learning/memory in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: dos Santos Nilton , Novaes Leonardo S. , Dragunas Guilherme , Rodrigues Jennifer R. , Brandão Wesley , Camarini Rosana , Peron Jean Pierre Schatzmann , Munhoz Carolina Demarchi
Published: April 2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and neuroinflammatory disease characterized by demyelination of the Central Nervous System. Immune cells activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in the disease modulation, decisively contributing to the neurodegeneration observed in MS and the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the widely used MS animal model. Synthetic glucocorticoids, commonly used to treat the MS attacks, have controversial effects on neuroinflammation and cognition. We sought to verify the influence of dexamethasone (DEX) on the EAE progression and on EAE-induced cognitive deficits. In myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55)-induced EAE female mice, treated once with DEX (50 mg/kg) or not, on the day of immunization, DEX decreased EAE-induced motor clinical scores, infiltrating cells in the spinal cord and delayed serum corticosterone peak. At the asymptomatic phase (8-day post-immunization), DEX did not protected from the EAE-induced memory consolidation deficits, which were accompanied by increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity and decreased EGR-1 expression in the hippocampus. Blunting hippocampal GR genomic activation with DnGR vectors prevented DEX effects on EAE-induced memory impairment. These data suggest that, although DEX improves clinical signs, it decreases cognitive and memory capacity by diminishing neuronal activity and potentiating some aspects of neuroinflammation in EAE.
Comparison of Once-Daily Administration of Edoxaban and Rivaroxaban in Asian Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lee So-Ryoung , Choi Eue-Keun , Han Kyung-Do , Jung Jin-Hyung , Oh Seil , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: April 2019

It is unclear whether the two once-daily dosing non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), edoxaban and rivaroxaban, have similar effectiveness and safety in Asian patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of edoxaban and rivaroxaban in a Korean population with non-valvular AF. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from January 2014 to December 2016, we compared the risk of ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), hospitalization for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, hospitalization for major bleeding, all-cause death, and composite outcome in a 3:1 propensity score matched cohort in patients with AF who were naïve to rivaroxaban (n = 12,369) and edoxaban (n = 4,123). Hazard ratios for the six clinical outcomes were analyzed using Cox regression analysis with rivaroxaban as the reference. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups (median age, 71 years; median CHA2DS2-VASc score, 3; 56% of patients received a reduced dose). Edoxaban users showed comparable results in all six clinical outcomes (all p = nonsignificant) when compared to rivaroxaban users for total, standard, and reduced doses. We provide for the first time the comparison of effectiveness and safety between the two once-daily NOACs in a large-scale Asian AF population. In both standard and reduced dose regimens, edoxaban showed comparable effectiveness and safety compared to rivaroxaban.
Disaccharides obtained from carrageenans as potential antitumor agents
Authors: Calvo Gustavo H. , Cosenza Vanina A. , Sáenz Daniel A. , Navarro Diego A. , Stortz Carlos A. , Céspedes Mariela A. , Mamone Leandro A. , Casas Adriana G. , Di Venosa Gabriela M.
Published: April 2019

Carrageenans are sulfated galactans found in certain red seaweeds with proven biological activities. In this work, we have prepared purified native and degraded κ-, ι-; and λ-carrageenans, including the disaccharides (carrabioses) and disaccharide-alditols (carrabiitols) from seaweed extracts as potential antitumor compounds and identified the active principle of the cytotoxic and potential antitumor properties of these compounds. Both κ and ι-carrageenan, as well as carrageenan oligosaccharides showed cytotoxic effect over LM2 tumor cells. Characterized disaccharides (carrabioses) and the reduced product carrabiitols, were also tested. Only carrabioses were cytotoxic, and among them, κ-carrabiose was the most effective, showing high cytotoxic properties, killing the cells through an apoptotic pathway. In addition, the cells surviving treatment with κ-carrabiose, showed a decreased metastatic ability in vitro, together with a decreased cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, thus suggesting possible antitumor potential. Overall, our results indicate that most cytotoxic compounds derived from carrageenans have lower molecular weights and sulfate content. Potential applications of the results emerging from the present work include the use of disaccharide units such as carrabioses coupled to antineoplasics in order to improve its cytotoxicity and antimetastatic properties, and the use of ι-carrageenan as adjuvant or carrier in anticancer treatments.
Estrogen-related receptor alpha induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition through cancer-stromal interactions in endometrial cancer
Authors: Yoriki Kaori , Mori Taisuke , Kokabu Tetsuya , Matsushima Hiroshi , Umemura Shiori , Tarumi Yosuke , Kitawaki Jo
Published: April 2019

Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), which shares structural similarities with estrogen receptors, is associated with tumor progression in endometrial cancer, but little is known about the detailed underlying mechanism. We investigated whether ERRα, in cooperation with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), could participate in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in endometrial cancer through cancer-stromal interactions. Two endometrial cancer cell lines, Ishikawa and HEC-1A, transfected with ERRα/PGC-1α expression plasmids or silenced for ERRα expression, were co-cultured with telomerase-transformed human endometrial stromal cells (T-HESCs). We found that EMT-associated factors including vimentin, Snail, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 were upregulated in cancer cells overexpressing ERRα/PGC-1α and that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) was induced in T-HESCs in the same conditions. In contrast, ERRα knockdown suppressed EMT-associated factors in cancer cells and TGF-β in T-HESCs. ERRα/PGC-1α overexpression increased the expression of EMT-associated factors after TGF-β exposure; however, it decreased E-cadherin at protein level. ERRα knockdown suppressed EMT-associated factors in the presence of TGF-β, whereas E-cadherin remained unchanged. Matrigel invasion assays revealed that ERRα knockdown attenuated the stimulation of migration and invasion by TGF-β. These findings suggest that ERRα is a potential target for inhibiting TGF-β-induced EMT through cancer-stromal interactions in endometrial cancer.
National income inequality predicts cultural variation in mouth to mouth kissing
Authors: Watkins Christopher D. , Leongómez Juan David , Bovet Jeanne , Żelaźniewicz Agnieszka , Korbmacher Max , Varella Marco Antônio Corrêa , Fernandez Ana Maria , Wagstaff Danielle , Bolgan Samuela
Published: April 2019

Romantic mouth-to-mouth kissing is culturally widespread, although not a human universal, and may play a functional role in assessing partner health and maintaining long-term pair bonds. Use and appreciation of kissing may therefore vary according to whether the environment places a premium on good health and partner investment. Here, we test for cultural variation (13 countries from six continents) in these behaviours/attitudes according to national health (historical pathogen prevalence) and both absolute (GDP) and relative wealth (GINI). Our data reveal that kissing is valued more in established relationships than it is valued during courtship. Also, consistent with the pair bonding hypothesis of the function of romantic kissing, relative poverty (income inequality) predicts frequency of kissing across romantic relationships. When aggregated, the predicted relationship between income inequality and kissing frequency (r = 0.67, BCa 95% CI[0.32,0.89]) was over five times the size of the null correlations between income inequality and frequency of hugging/cuddling and sex. As social complexity requires monitoring resource competition among large groups and predicts kissing prevalence in remote societies, this gesture may be important in the maintenance of long-term pair bonds in specific environments.
Enhanced target normal sheath acceleration using colliding laser pulses
Authors: Ferri J. , Siminos E. , Fülöp T.
Published: April 2019

Laser-solid interaction can lead to the acceleration of protons to tens of MeV. Here, we show that a strong enhancement of this acceleration can be achieved by splitting the laser pulse to two parts of equal energy and opposite incidence angles. Through the use of two- and three-dimensional Particle-In-Cell simulations, we find that the multi-pulse interaction leads to a standing wave pattern at the front side of the target, with an enhanced electric field and a substantial modification of the hot electron generation process. This in turn leads to significant improvement of the proton spectra, with an almost doubling of the accelerated proton energy and five-fold enhancement of the number of protons. The proposed scheme is robust with respect to incidence angles for the laser pulses, providing flexibility to the scheme, which should facilitate its experimental implementation.
Use of a fluorinated probe to quantitatively monitor amino acid binding preferences of ruthenium(ii) arene complexes
Authors: Biggs George S. , O'Neill Michael J. , Carames Mendez Pablo , Scrase Thomas G. , Lin Yulu , Bin-Maarof Amzar Muzani , Bond Andrew D. , Boss Sally R. , Barker Paul D.
Published: April 2019

Speciation of Ru(ii) arene complexes in mixtures of amino acids with coordinating sidechains is easily resolved by 19F NMR.
Fisetin supplementation prevents high fat diet-induced diabetic nephropathy by repressing insulin resistance and RIP3-regulated inflammation
Authors: Ge Chenxu , Xu Minxuan , Qin Yuting , Gu Tingting , Lou Deshuai , Li Qiang , Hu Linfeng , Nie Xuyuan , Wang Mingxing , Tan Jun
Published: April 2019

Obesity-related renal disease is related to caloric excess promoting deleterious cellular responses.
A phenothiazine–silver hybrid system exhibiting switching and photo-induced enhancement in nonlinear optical absorption
Authors: E. Shiju , N. K. Siji Narendran , D. Narayana Rao , K. Chandrasekharan
Published: April 2019

A novel photo-responsive hybrid system made of phenothiazine and silver nanoparticles showing enhanced nonlinear absorption and switching.
Biophysical investigation into the antibacterial action of modelin-5-NH2
Authors: Dennison Sarah R. , Hauß Thomas , Badiani Kamal , Harris Frederick , Phoenix David A.
Published: April 2019

Neutron diffraction studies showed that modelin-5-CONH2has potent antibacterial activity which involves membrane interactive, tilted α-helical structure.
A ribose modification of Spinach aptamer accelerates lead(ii) cation association in vitro
Authors: Savage Jonathan C. , Shinde Pushkar , Bächinger Hans Peter , Davare Monika A. , Shinde Ujwal
Published: April 2019

A 2′F ribose modification of pyrimidine residues in Spinach aptamer produces a construct with increased RNA chemical stability, but reduced structural stability of the G-quadruplex, resulting in accelerated association kinetics with model cation Pb2+.
Synchronous screening of multiplexed biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease by a length-encoded aerolysin nanopore-integrated triple-helix molecular switch
Authors: Zou Zhen , Yang Hua , Yan Qi , Qi Peng , Qing Zhihe , Zheng Jing , Xu Xuan , Zhang Lihua , Feng Feng , Yang Ronghua
Published: April 2019

A label-free triple-helix molecular switch-mediated nanopore sensor is developed for the synchronous screening of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.
Nickel(ii)-catalyzed direct olefination of benzyl alcohols with sulfones with the liberation of H2
Authors: Landge Vinod G. , Yadav Vinita , Subaramanian Murugan , Dangarh Pragya , Balaraman Ekambaram
Published: April 2019

A nickel(ii)-catalyzed direct olefination of benzyl alcohols with sulfones to access various terminal and internal olefins with the liberation of hydrogen gas is reported. The present protocol has been used for E-selective synthesis of DMU-212, and Resveratrol.
Quantitative in situ13C NMR studies of the electro-catalytic oxidation of ethanol
Authors: Richter Jana Beatrice , Eßbach Claudia , Senkovska Irena , Kaskel Stefan , Brunner Eike
Published: April 2019

The newly developed pouch cells offer a sensitive method to analyse various products of electrocatalytic reactions, especially of the alcohol oxidation reaction.
Highly diastereoselective synthesis of enantioenriched anti-α-allyl-β-fluoroamines
Authors: Chevis Philip J. , Wangngae Sirilak , Thaima Thanaphat , Carroll Anthony W. , Willis Anthony C. , Pattarawarapan Mookda , Pyne Stephen G.
Published: April 2019

A highly diastereoselective synthesis (dr = 99 : 1 97 : 3) of enantioenriched anti-α-allyl-β-fluoroamines (ee = 86–92%) has been developed involving a highly diastereoselective Petasis allyl borono-Mannich reaction of (S)- or (R)-α-fluoroaldehydes.
Controllable thioester-based hydrogen sulfide slow-releasing donors as cardioprotective agents
Authors: Yao Hong , Luo Shanshan , Liu Junkai , Xie Shaowen , Liu Yanpeng , Xu Jinyi , Zhu Zheying , Xu Shengtao
Published: April 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule with promising protective effects in many physiological and pathological processes.
A multivalent mixed-metal strategy for single-Cu+-ion-bridged cluster-based chalcogenide open frameworks for sensitive nonenzymatic detection of glucose
Authors: Zhang Jiaxu , Wang Xiang , Lv Jing , Li Dong-Sheng , Wu Tao
Published: April 2019

Here we report two new metal-chalcogenide open frameworks (MCOFs) with large-sized supertetrahedral clusters bridged by an accessible single-cuprous ion via a multivalent mixed-metal strategy.
Crown ether alkali metal TCNQ complexes revisited – the impact of smaller cation complexes on their solid-state architecture and properties
Authors: Yan Bingjia , Horton Peter N. , Russell Andrea E. , Wedge Christopher J. , Weston Simon C. , Grossel Martin C.
Published: April 2019

Water molecules play a key structure-organising role in the crystallisation of 15-crown-5 complexes of lithium and sodium TCNQ in the presence of excess TCNQ0.
Transfer of chirality in N-triphenylacetylamino acids and chiral derivatives of N-triphenylacetyl Gly–Gly dipeptide and control of their assembly with steric constraints
Authors: Bendzińska-Berus Wioletta , Jelecki Maciej , Kwit Marcin , Rychlewska Urszula
Published: April 2019

The N-triphenylacetyl group is utilized as a reporter of chirality and as a supramolecular protecting group for α-amino acid and peptide derivatives.
Sub-100 nanometer silver doped gold–cysteine supramolecular assemblies with enhanced nonlinear optical properties
Authors: Fakhouri Hussein , Perić Martina , Bertorelle Franck , Dugourd Philippe , Dagany Xavier , Russier-Antoine Isabelle , Brevet Pierre-François , Bonačić-Koutecký Vlasta , Antoine Rodolphe
Published: April 2019

The ability of gold(i) thiolates to self-assemble into supramolecular architectures opens the route for a new class of nanomaterials with a unique structure–optical property relationship.
In situ quasi-elastic neutron scattering study on the water dynamics and reaction mechanisms in alkali-activated slags
Authors: Gong Kai , Cheng Yongqiang , Daemen Luke L. , White Claire E.
Published: April 2019

Determination of key amorphous–amorphous phase transformations in alkali-activated slags by combining in situ quasi-elastic neutron scattering and isothermal calorimetry.
Pair-delocalization in trigonal mixed-valence clusters: new insight into the vibronic origin of broken-symmetry ground states
Authors: Palii Andrew , Tsukerblat Boris
Published: April 2019

A new vibronic mechanism for the stabilization of pair-delocalized electronic states in trigonal trimeric mixed valence complexes (such as iron–sulfur [Fe3S4]0 proteins) is proposed.
A comparative test of different density functionals for calculations of NH3-SCR over Cu-Chabazite
Authors: Chen Lin , Janssens Ton V. W. , Grönbeck Henrik
Published: April 2019

A general challenge in density functional theory calculations is to simultaneously account for different types of bonds. Here, different exchange–correlation functionals are explored for O2dissociation over Cu(NH3)2+complexes in Cu-Chabazite.
Demonstration of Baird's rule complementarity in the singlet state with implications for excited-state intramolecular proton transfer
Authors: Lampkin Bryan J. , Nguyen Yen H. , Karadakov Peter B. , VanVeller Brett
Published: April 2019

Greater aromaticity in the ground state leads to greater antiaromaticity in the excited state (and vice versa) which helps rationalize previously unexplained behavior of ESIPT fluorophores.
Reasons for the disintegration of microspherical precursor MnCO3 for soot combustion catalysts Ptδ+/MnOx
Authors: Zhao Han , Li Hongcheng , Pan Zaifu , Feng Feng , Gu Yongwan , Chang Shiying , Du Junchen , Zhao Yunkun
Published: April 2019

Facile Pt(NO3)2- or NH3-treatment optimizes soot combustion catalyst MnOx by disintegrating oversized microspheres and tuning the phase-composition and physiochemical properties.
Auxiliary ligand-induced structural diversities of octacyanometalate-based heterobimetallic coordination polymers towards diverse magnetic properties
Authors: Qian Jun , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Hu Jingchun , Humphrey Mark G. , Zhang Jinfang , Awaga Kunio , Zhang Chi
Published: April 2019

Three 3D heterobimetallic coordination polymers with different magnetic properties are constructed in the absence and presence of 4,4′-azpy ligand.
Iron-loaded amine/thiol functionalized polyester fibers with high catalytic activities: a comparative study
Authors: Morshed Mohammad Neaz , Bouazizi Nabil , Behary Nemeshwaree , Vieillard Julien , Thoumire Olivier , Nierstrasz Vincent , Azzouz Abdelkrim
Published: April 2019

Dispersion of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) was achieved on polyester fabrics (PET) by diverse stabilizing agents.
Unexpected hydrolytic transformation of new type hybrid bromobismuthates with methylpyrazinium dications
Authors: Kotov Vitalii Yu. , Ilyukhin Andrey B. , Buikin Petr A. , Simonenko Nikolay P. , Korlyukov Alexander A. , Smol'yakov Alexander F. , Yorov Khursand E. , Gavrikov Andrey V.
Published: April 2019

The hydrolytic transformation of doubly charged methylpyrazinium bromobismutates proceeds with the formation of singly charged cations bromobismutates.
Experimental and computational studies on a three-membered diphosphido thorium metallaheterocycle [η5-1,3-(Me3C)2C5H3]2Th[η2-P2(2,4,6-iPr3C6H2)2]
Authors: Zhang Congcong , Wang Yongsong , Hou Guohua , Ding Wanjian , Zi Guofu , Walter Marc D.
Published: April 2019

A three-membered diphosphido thorium metallaheterocycle complex was prepared and its reactivity was investigated.
One-pot synthesis of stable Pd@mSiO2 core–shell nanospheres with controlled pore structure and their application to the hydrogenation reaction
Authors: Lv Mingxin , Yu Shitao , Liu Shiwei , Li Lu , Yu Hailong , Wu Qiong , Pang Jinhui , Liu Yuxiang , Xie Congxia , Liu Yue
Published: April 2019

A new type of Pd@mSiO2 composite nanospheres with controlled pore structure, consisting of internal Pd cores and controlled mesoporous silica shells, has been prepared by a facile one-pot method.
In situ Raman spectroscopy of uranyl peroxide nanoscale cage clusters under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Lobeck Haylie L. , Traustason Hrafn , Julien Patrick A. , FitzPatrick John R. , Mana Sara , Szymanowski Jennifer E. S. , Burns Peter C.
Published: April 2019

The behaviours of two uranyl peroxide nanoclusters in water heated to 180 °C were examined by in situ Raman spectroscopy.
Single cell arrays of hematological cancer cells for assessment of lymphocyte cytotoxicity dynamics, serial killing, and extracellular molecules
Authors: Kim Seong-Eun , Kim HyeMi , Doh Junsang
Published: April 2019

A new microwell assays to asses lymphocyte cytotoxicity against hematological cancer cells.
Development of near-infrared sensitized core–shell–shell upconverting nanoparticles as pH-responsive probes
Authors: Mahata Manoj Kumar , Lee Kang Taek
Published: April 2019

FITC-conjugated core–shell–shell upconverting nanoparticles as pH-responsive nanoprobes.
Simple label-free and sensitive fluorescence determination of human 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase 1 activity and inhibitionviaTdT-assisted sequence extension amplification
Authors: Wang Sujing , Li Daxiu , Yuan Ruo , Xiang Yun
Published: April 2019

Label-free and sensitive detection of hOGG1 activity and inhibitionviaTdT-assisted sequence extension signal amplification.
Ion-selective molecular inclusion of organic dyes into pH-responsive gel assemblies of zwitterionic surfactants
Authors: Morita-Imura Clara , Sakurai Yuka , Uchiumi Anna , Shindo Hitoshi
Published: April 2019

The pH-Responsive sol–gel transition of a surfactant gel took place along with ion-selective capture and release of dye molecules.
Multifunctional inhibitors of β-amyloid aggregation based on MoS2/AuNR nanocomposites with high near-infrared absorption
Authors: Wang Xinhuan , Han Qiusen , Liu Xueliang , Wang Chen , Yang Rong
Published: April 2019

MoS2/AuNR nanocomposites are constructed for the modulation of β-amyloid aggregation, photothermal destabilization of mature fibrils and reduction of their cell-toxicity.
Cellular uptake of covalent and non-covalent DNA nanostructures with different sizes and geometries
Authors: Raniolo Sofia , Croce Stefano , Thomsen Rasmus P. , Okholm Anders H. , Unida Valeria , Iacovelli Federico , Manetto Antonio , Kjems Jørgen , Desideri Alessandro , Biocca Silvia
Published: April 2019

DNA nanostructures of different sizes and forms are internalized in cells through the LOX-1 receptor with different intracellular fate and lifetime.
Decorating WSe2 nanosheets with ultrafine Ru nanoparticles for boosting electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution in alkaline electrolytes
Authors: Zhao Yuanmeng , Mao Guixiang , Huang Chaozhang , Cai Ping , Cheng Gongzhen , Luo Wei
Published: April 2019

Ultrafine Ru nanoparticle decorated WSe2 nanosheets have been synthesized through a colloidal synthetic approach, which exhibit superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in alkaline media due to the interfacial synergy effect.
High-pressure synthesis of highly oxidized Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δcubic perovskite
Authors: Yamada Ikuya , Odake Takao , Asai Kaisei , Oka Kengo , Kawaguchi Shogo , Wada Kouhei , Yagi Shunsuke
Published: April 2019

A highly oxidized Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ(δ= 0.12) cubic perovskite was obtained in high-pressure and moderate-temperature conditions.
Ionic liquid crystals with aggregation-induced emission properties based on pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole salt compounds
Authors: Peng Zhe , Dai Shuangxiong , Ji Yingchun , Tong Bin , Shi Jianbing , Cai Zhengxu , Zhi Junge , Dong Yuping
Published: April 2019

The emission behaviors of AIE–ILC molecules (DPP-2Py-9) in different aggregation states were affected by their molecular stacking arrangements.
Cobalt catalyzed regioselective C–H methylation/acetoxylation of anilides: new routes for C–C and C–O bond formation
Authors: Li Ze-lin , Wu Peng-Yu , Cai Chun
Published: April 2019

The first cobalt-catalyzed regioselective C–H methylation/acetoxylation reactions of anilides using peroxides and acetic acid respectively as attacking reagents have been developed herein.
Clouding observed for surface active, mPEG-grafted silica nanoparticles
Authors: Björkegren Sanna , Nordstierna Lars , Sundblom Andreas , Palmqvist Anders
Published: April 2019

Temperature-dependent phase-separation, clouding, has been observed in suspensions of silica nanoparticles surface-functionalized with methyl-poly(ethylene glycol) silane.
Elastic and hydrostatic behaviour of a zinc dietary supplement, zinc glycinate hydrate
Authors: Azeem Muhammad , Asif Muhammad , Gui Di , Dong Liyuan , Pei Chunlei , Lu Peixiang , Li Wei
Published: April 2019

Coordination polymer based dietary supplement tablets are commonly consumed in our daily life and play an important role in the pharmaceutical industry.
A facile method for fabricating a three-dimensional aligned fibrous scaffold for vascular application
Authors: Ng Feng Lin , Ong Yee Oon , Chen Hui Zhi , Tran Le Quan Ngoc , Cao Ye , Tay Bee Yen , Tan Lay Poh
Published: April 2019

Collection of circumferentially aligned and 3D fibrous scaffold on a newly designed electrospinning auxiliary jig. The aligned fibres served as a signaling modality to induce cell alignment and the maintenance of a contractile phenotype for hSMCs.
Structural insights into the calcium dependence of Stig cyclases
Authors: Tang Xueke , Xue Jing , Yang Yunyun , Ko Tzu-Ping , Chen Chin-Yu , Dai Longhai , Guo Rey-Ting , Zhang Yonghui , Chen Chun-Chi
Published: April 2019

Crystal structure of a calcium-depleted Stig cyclase revealing the mechanism of metal-dependence of enzyme activity.
Modified core–shell magnetic mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles formed through a facile “outside-to-inside” way for CT/MRI dual-modal imaging and magnetic targeting cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Lufeng , Zhong Hongshan , Qi Xun , Shao Haibo , Xu Ke
Published: April 2019

Magnetic mesoporous zirconia nanoparticle was synthesized by producing multiple iron oxide cores inside the cavity of mesoporous ZrO2 hollow nanospheres and was used for CT/MRI dual-modal imaging and magnetic targeting chemotherapy.
Facile anion-exchange reaction in mixed-cation lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Pisanu Ambra , Quadrelli Paolo , Malavasi Lorenzo
Published: April 2019

The present paper reports a facile and fast anion exchange reaction approach for perovskite nanocrystals (NCs).
Green electrochemical strategy for one-step synthesis of new catechol derivatives
Authors: Toghan Arafat , Abo-Bakr Ahmed M. , Rageh Hesham M. , Abd-Elsabour Mohamed
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we present promising results in the green electrochemical oxidation of catechol in the presence of three different thiol nucleophiles at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode in an aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV).
Emissions and the application of a series of twisted fluorophores with intramolecular weak hydrogen bonds
Authors: Yu Binhong , Liu Danyang , Zhang Jinyan , Li Zhize , Zhang Yu-Mo , Li Minjie , Zhang Sean Xiao-An
Published: April 2019

A series of twisted fluorophores with intramolecular weak hydrogen bonds were synthesized to investigate how different substituents on outer benzenes influence their emissive properties.
Development of self-stratified antibacterial polymers via click chemistry
Authors: Peng Kaimei , Hu Jianqing , Dai Xuexin , Yang Zaibo , Wang Runping , Tu Weiping
Published: April 2019

A new self-stratified contact-killing antimicrobial polyurethane was synthesized via efficient and orthogonal click-chemistry.
Highly efficient hydrogen peroxide direct synthesis over a hierarchical TS-1 encapsulated subnano Pd/PdO hybrid
Authors: Lyu Jinghui , Wei Jun , Niu Lei , Lu Chunshan , Hu Yiwei , Xiang Yizhi , Zhang Guofu , Zhang Qunfeng , Ding Chengrong , Li Xiaonian
Published: April 2019

A hierarchical TS-1 encapsulated subnano Pd/PdO hybrid catalyst that shows unprecedented activity in H2O2 direct synthesis from H2 and O2.
Continuous nonenzymatic cross-replication of DNA strands with in situ activated DNA oligonucleotides
Authors: Edeleva Evgeniia , Salditt Annalena , Stamp Julian , Schwintek Philipp , Boekhoven Job , Braun Dieter
Published: April 2019

A nonenzymatic DNA cross-replicator uses temperature cycling to overcome product inhibition and thus survives exponential dilution conditions.
Dependence of the fluorination intercalation of graphene toward high-quality fluorinated graphene formation
Authors: Fan Kun , Fu Jiemin , Liu Xikui , Liu Yang , Lai Wenchuan , Liu Xiangyang , Wang Xu
Published: April 2019

High-quality fluorinated graphene with an ultrahigh interlayer distance (9.7 Å) after exfoliating was achieved utilizing fluorination intercalation dependence.