bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired development of the cerebral cortex in infants with congenital heart disease is correlated to reduced cerebral oxygen delivery
Authors: Kelly Christopher J. , Makropoulos Antonios , Cordero-Grande Lucilio , Hutter Jana , Price Anthony , Hughes Emer , Murgasova Maria , Teixeira Rui Pedro A. G. , Steinweg Johannes K. , Kulkarni Sagar , Rahman Loay , Zhang Hui , Alexander Daniel C. , Pushparajah Kuberan , Rueckert Daniel , Hajnal Joseph V. , Simpson John , Edwards A. David , Rutherford Mary A. , Counsell Serena J.
Published: November 2017

Neurodevelopmental impairment is the most common comorbidity associated with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), while the underlying biological mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesised that impaired cerebral oxygen delivery in infants with CHD is a cause of impaired cortical development, and predicted that cardiac lesions most associated with reduced cerebral oxygen delivery would demonstrate the greatest impairment of cortical development. We compared 30 newborns with complex CHD prior to surgery and 30 age-matched healthy controls using brain MRI. The cortex was assessed using high resolution, motion-corrected T2-weighted images in natural sleep, analysed using an automated pipeline. Cerebral oxygen delivery was calculated using phase contrast angiography and pre-ductal pulse oximetry, while regional cerebral oxygen saturation was estimated using near-infrared spectroscopy. We found that impaired cortical grey matter volume and gyrification index in newborns with complex CHD was linearly related to reduced cerebral oxygen delivery, and that cardiac lesions associated with the lowest cerebral oxygen delivery were associated with the greatest impairment of cortical development. These findings suggest that strategies to improve cerebral oxygen delivery may help reduce brain dysmaturation in newborns with CHD, and may be most relevant for children with CHD whose cardiac defects remain unrepaired for prolonged periods after birth.
A Thermodynamic Model of Diameter- and Temperature-dependent Semiconductor Nanowire Growth
Authors: Li Xinlei , Ni Jun , Zhang Ruiqin
Published: November 2017

Creating and manipulating nanowires (NWs) with controllable growth direction and crystal orientation is important to meeting the urgent demands of emerging applications with designed properties. Revealing the underlying mechanisms of the experimentally demonstrated effects of NW diameter and growth temperature on growth direction is crucial for applications. Here, we establish a thermodynamic model to clarify the dependence of NW growth direction on diameter and temperature via the vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism, enabling analysis of NW critical length between unstable and stable states. At a small critical length, NWs with a large diameter or grown at low temperature tend to grow along the <111> direction, while at a large critical length, NWs with a small diameter or grown at high temperature favor the <110> direction. Specific growth parameters of ZnSe NW have been obtained which can guide the design of functional NWs for applications.
Influence of hydrocarbon oil structure on adjuvanticity and autoimmunity
Authors: Yau Anthony C. Y. , Lönnblom Erik , Zhong Jianghong , Holmdahl Rikard
Published: November 2017

Mineral oils are extensively used in our daily life, in food, cosmetics, biomedicine, vaccines and in different industrial applications. However, exposure to these mineral oils has been associated with immune adjuvant effects and the development of autoimmune diseases. Here we investigate the structural impacts of the hydrocarbon oil molecules on their adjuvanticity and autoimmunity. First, we showed that hydrocarbon oil molecules with small atomic differences could result in experimental arthritis in DA rats differing in disease severity, incidence, weight change and serum levels of acute phase proteins. Injection of these hydrocarbon oils resulted in the activation, proliferation and elevated expression of Th1 and especially Th17 cytokines by the T cells, which correlate with the arthritogenicity of the T cells. Furthermore, the more arthritogenic hydrocarbon oils resulted in an increased production of autoantibodies against cartilage joint specific, triple-helical type II collagen epitopes. When injected together with ovalbumin, the more arthritogenic hydrocarbon oils resulted in an increased production of αβ T cell-dependent anti-ovalbumin antibodies. This study shows the arthritogenicity of hydrocarbon oils is associated with their adjuvant properties with implications to not only arthritis research but also other diseases and medical applications such as vaccines in which oil adjuvants are involved.
Gravitational Field effects on the Decoherence Process and the Quantum Speed Limit
Authors: Dehdashti Sh. , Avazzadeh Z. , Xu Z. , Shen J. Q. , Mirza B. , Wang H.
Published: November 2017

In this paper we use spinor transformations under local Lorentz transformations to investigate the curvature effect on the quantum-to-classical transition, described in terms of the decoherence process and of the quantum speed limit. We find that gravitational fields (introduced adopting the Schwarzschild and anti-de Sitter geometries) affect both the decoherence process and the quantum speed limit of a quantum particle with spin-1/2. In addition, as a tangible example, we study the effect of the Earth’s gravitational field, characterized by the Rindler space-time, on the same particle. We find that the effect of the Earth’s gravitational field on the decoherence process and quantum speed limit is very small, except when the mean speed of the quantum particle is comparable to the speed of light.
Behavioral changes after nicotine challenge are associated with α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-stimulated glutamate release in the rat dorsal striatum
Authors: Ryu In Soo , Kim Jieun , Seo Su Yeon , Yang Ju Hwan , Oh Jeong Hwan , Lee Dong Kun , Cho Hyun-Wook , Yoon Seong Shoon , Seo Joung-Wook , Chang Suchan , Kim Hee Young , Shim Insop , Choe Eun Sang
Published: November 2017

Neurochemical alterations associated with behavioral responses induced by re-exposure to nicotine have not been sufficiently characterized in the dorsal striatum. Herein, we report on changes in glutamate concentrations in the rat dorsal striatum associated with behavioral alterations after nicotine challenge. Nicotine challenge (0.4 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous) significantly increased extracellular glutamate concentrations up to the level observed with repeated nicotine administration. This increase occurred in parallel with an increase in behavioral changes in locomotor and rearing activities. In contrast, acute nicotine administration and nicotine withdrawal on days 1 and 6 did not alter glutamate levels or behavioral changes. Blockade of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) significantly decreased the nicotine challenge-induced increases in extracellular glutamate concentrations and locomotor and rearing activities. These findings suggest that behavioral changes in locomotor and rearing activities after re-exposure to nicotine are closely associated with hyperactivation of the glutamate response by stimulating α7 nAChRs in the rat dorsal striatum.
Influence of non-thermal plasma on structural and electrical properties of globular and nanostructured conductive polymer polypyrrole in water suspension
Authors: Galář Pavel , Khun Josef , Kopecký Dušan , Scholtz Vladimír , Trchová Miroslava , Fučíková Anna , Jirešová Jana , Fišer Ladislav
Published: November 2017

Non-thermal plasma has proved its benefits in medicine, plasma assisted polymerization, food industry and many other fields. Even though, the ability of non-thermal plasma to modify surface properties of various materials is generally known, only limited attention has been given to exploitations of this treatment on conductive polymers. Here, we show study of non-thermal plasma treatment on properties of globular and nanostructured polypyrrole in the distilled water. We observe that plasma presence over the suspension level doesn’t change morphology of the polymer (shape), but significantly influences its elemental composition and physical properties. After 60 min of treatment, the relative concentration of chloride counter ions decreased approximately 3 and 4 times for nanostructured and globular form, respectively and concentration of oxygen increased approximately 3 times for both forms. Simultaneously, conductivity decrease (14 times for globular and 2 times for nanostructured one) and changes in zeta potential characteristics of both samples were observed. The modification evolution was dominated by multi-exponential function with time constants having values approximately 1 and 10 min for both samples. It is expected that these time constants are related to two modification processes connected to direct presence of the spark and to long-lived species generated by the plasma.
Gut remediation: a potential approach to reducing chromium accumulation using Lactobacillus plantarum TW1-1
Authors: Wu Gaofeng , Xiao Xingpeng , Feng Pengya , Xie Fuquan , Yu Zhengsheng , Yuan Wenzhen , Liu Pu , Li Xiangkai
Published: November 2017

Some lactobacilli have protective effects against some heavy metals in mammals, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. To evaluate the remediation potency and the mechanism of Lactobacillus against chromium (Cr) in mice, Lactobacillus plantarum TW1-1 was orally administrated to Kunming mice for 7 weeks during exposure to 1 mM K2Cr2O7 in drinking water. Results showed that TW1-1 helped to decrease Cr accumulation in tissues and increase Cr excretion in feces, and may also attenuate alterations in oxidative stress and histopathological changes caused by Cr exposure. Moreover, the chromate reduction ability of fecal bacteria doubled after administration of TW1-1 upon Cr induction. MiSeq sequencing of fecal bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed that the overall structures of gut microbiota was shifted by Cr exposure and partially restored by TW1-1. The abundances of 49 of the 79 operational taxonomic units altered by Cr were reversed by TW1-1. Based on these, we proposed a working model of TW1-1 against Cr: TW1-1 helps to remove Cr from the host and meanwhile acts as a regulator of gut microbiota, which aids in chromate reduction and provide protection against Cr. We call this process of remediation of heavy metal in the gut “gut remediation”.
Measurements of ultrafast spin-profiles and spin-diffusion properties in the domain wall area at a metal/ferromagnetic film interface
Authors: Sant T. , Ksenzov D. , Capotondi F. , Pedersoli E. , Manfredda M. , Kiskinova M. , Zabel H. , Kläui M. , Lüning J. , Pietsch U. , Gutt C.
Published: November 2017

Exciting a ferromagnetic material with an ultrashort IR laser pulse is known to induce spin dynamics by heating the spin system and by ultrafast spin diffusion processes. Here, we report on measurements of spin-profiles and spin diffusion properties in the vicinity of domain walls in the interface region between a metallic Al layer and a ferromagnetic Co/Pd thin film upon IR excitation. We followed the ultrafast temporal evolution by means of an ultrafast resonant magnetic scattering experiment in surface scattering geometry, which enables us to exploit the evolution of the domain network within a 1/e distance of 3 nm to 5 nm from the Al/FM film interface. We observe a magnetization-reversal close to the domain wall boundaries that becomes more pronounced closer to the Al/FM film interface. This magnetization-reversal is driven by the different transport properties of majority and minority carriers through a magnetically disordered domain network. Its finite lateral extension has allowed us to measure the ultrafast spin-diffusion coefficients and ultrafast spin velocities for majority and minority carriers upon IR excitation.
Transparent, abrasion-insensitive superhydrophobic coatings for real-world applications
Authors: Helmer Dorothea , Keller Nico , Kotz Frederik , Stolz Friederike , Greiner Christian , Nargang Tobias M. , Sachsenheimer Kai , Rapp Bastian E.
Published: November 2017

Superhydrophobic surfaces and surface coatings are of high interest for many applications in everyday life including non-wetting and low-friction coatings as well as functional clothing. Manufacturing of these surfaces is intricate since superhydrophobicity requires structuring of surfaces on a nano- to microscale. This delicate surface structuring makes most superhydrophobic surfaces very sensitive to abrasion and renders them impractical for real-life applications. In this paper we present a transparent fluorinated polymer foam that is synthesized by a simple one-step photoinitiated radical polymerization. We term this material “Fluoropor”. It possesses an inherent nano-/microstructure throughout the whole bulk material and is thus insensitive to abrasion as its superhydrophobic properties are not merely due to a thin-layer surface-effect. Due to its foam-like structure with pore sizes below the wavelength of visible light Fluoropor appears optically transparent. We determined contact angles, surface energy, wear resistance and Vickers hardness to highlight Fluoropor’s applicability for real-word applications.
Mesenchymal stem cells internalize Mycobacterium tuberculosis through scavenger receptors and restrict bacterial growth through autophagy
Authors: Khan Arshad , Mann Lovepreet , Papanna Ramesha , Lyu Mi-Ae , Singh Christopher R. , Olson Scott , Eissa N. Tony , Cirillo Jeffrey , Das Gobardhan , Hunter Robert L. , Jagannath Chinnaswamy
Published: November 2017

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) express scavenger receptors that internalize lipids, including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). We report that MSCs phagocytoseMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) through two types of scavenger receptors (SRs; MARCO and SR-B1), as blockade of the receptors with antibodies or siRNA knockdown decreased the uptake of Mtb. MSCs also expressed mannose receptor (MR) that was found to endocytose rhodamine-labeled mannosylated BSA (rMBSA), though the receptor was not involved in the uptake of Mtb. Dil-oxLDL and rMBSA taken up into MSC endosomes colocalized with Mtb phagosomes, thus suggesting that the latter were fusion competent. Phagocytosed Mtb did not replicate within MSCs, thus suggesting an intrinsic control of bacterial growth. Indeed, MSCs exhibited intrinsic autophagy, which was up-regulated after activation with rapamycin. SiRNA knockdown of autophagy initiator beclin-1 enhanced Mtb survival, whereas rapamycin-induced autophagy increased intracellular killing of Mtb. In addition, MSCs secreted nitric oxide after Mtb infection, and inhibition of NO by N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine enhanced intracellular survival of Mtb. MSCs can be grown in large numbersin vitro, and autologous MSCs transfused into tuberculosis patients have been found to be safe and improve lung immunity. Thus, MSCs are novel phagocytic cells with a potential for immunotherapy in treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Disordered Nanohole Patterns in Metal-Insulator Multilayer for Ultra-broadband Light Absorption: Atomic Layer Deposition for Lithography Free Highly repeatable Large Scale Multilayer Growth
Authors: Ghobadi Amir , Hajian Hodjat , Dereshgi Sina Abedini , Bozok Berkay , Butun Bayram , Ozbay Ekmel
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate a facile, lithography free, and large scale compatible fabrication route to synthesize an ultra-broadband wide angle perfect absorber based on metal-insulator-metal-insulator (MIMI) stack design. We first conduct a simulation and theoretical modeling approach to study the impact of different geometries in overall stack absorption. Then, a Pt-Al2O3 multilayer is fabricated using a single atomic layer deposition (ALD) step that offers high repeatability and simplicity in the fabrication step. In the best case, we get an absorption bandwidth (BW) of 600 nm covering a range of 400 nm–1000 nm. A substantial improvement in the absorption BW is attained by incorporating a plasmonic design into the middle Pt layer. Our characterization results demonstrate that the best configuration can have absorption over 0.9 covering a wavelength span of 400 nm–1490 nm with a BW that is 1.8 times broader compared to that of planar design. On the other side, the proposed structure retains its absorption high at angles as wide as 70°. The results presented here can serve as a beacon for future performance enhanced multilayer designs where a simple fabrication step can boost the overall device response without changing its overall thickness and fabrication simplicity.
Genetic association analysis of microRNA137 and its target complex 1 with schizophrenia in Han Chinese
Authors: Lu Weihong , Zhang Yi , Fang Xinyu , Fan Weixing , Tang Wei , Cai Jun , Song Lisheng , Zhang Chen
Published: November 2017

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a strong association signal of microRNA137 host gene (MIR137) with schizophrenia. MIR137 dysfunction results in downregulation of presynaptic target gene complexin 1 (CPLX1) and impairs synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the variants of MIR137 and CPLX1 confer susceptibility to schizophrenia in Han Chinese. This study employed 736 patients with schizophrenia patients and 751 well-matched healthy subjects for genetic analysis, and genotyped 12 SNPs within MIR137 and CPLX1. SZDB database was used to performed brain eQTL analysis. There were no significant differences of CPLX1 expression in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex or stratum between the schizophrenia patients and control subjects. No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies in studied SNPs between the case and control groups. Gene interaction analysis showed that MIR137 SNP rs1625579 did not affect schizophrenia susceptibility in interaction with the CPLX1 polymorphic variants. Our findings do not support MIR137 and CPLX1 conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia in Han Chinese.
Combining membrane proteomics and computational three-way pathway analysis revealed signalling pathways preferentially regulated in human iPSCs and human ESCs
Authors: Tien Wei-Sheng , Chen Pei-Mien , Chuang Ching-Yu , Lui Shook-Mun , Kuo Hung-Chih , Chen Yu-Ju , Wu Kun-Pin
Published: November 2017

Owing to the clinical potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in regenerative medicine, a thorough examination of the similarities and differences between hiPSCs and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has become indispensable. Moreover, as the important roles of membrane proteins in biological signalling, functional analyses of membrane proteome are therefore promising. In this study, a pathway analysis by the bioinformatics tool GSEA was first performed to identify significant pathways associated with the three comparative membrane proteomics experiments: hiPSCs versus precursor human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), hESCs versus precursor HFF, and hiPSCs versus hESCs. A following three-way pathway comparison was conducted to identify the differentially regulated pathways that may contribute to the differences between hiPSCs and hESCs. Our results revealed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and focal adhesion may undergo incomplete regulations during the reprogramming process. This hypothesis was supported by another public proteomics dataset to a certain degree. The identified pathways and their core enriched proteins could serve as the starting point to explore the possible ways to make hiPSCs closer to hESCs.
All-Materials-Inclusive Flash Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Manière Charles , Lee Geuntak , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: November 2017

A new flash (ultra-rapid) spark plasma sintering method applicable to various materials systems, regardless of their electrical resistivity, is developed. A number of powders ranging from metals to electrically insulative ceramics have been successfully densified resulting in homogeneous microstructures within sintering times of 8–35 s. A finite element simulation reveals that the developed method, providing an extraordinary fast and homogeneous heating concentrated in the sample’s volume and punches, is applicable to all the different samples tested. The utilized uniquely controllable flash phenomenon is enabled by the combination of the electric current concentration around the sample and the confinement of the heat generated in this area by the lateral thermal contact resistance. The presented new method allows: extending flash sintering to nearly all materials, controlling sample shape by an added graphite die, and an energy efficient mass production of small and intermediate size objects. This approach represents also a potential venue for future investigations of flash sintering of complex shapes.
Code-modulated visual evoked potentials using fast stimulus presentation and spatiotemporal beamformer decoding
Authors: Wittevrongel Benjamin , Van Wolputte Elia , Van Hulle Marc M.
Published: November 2017

When encoding visual targets using various lagged versions of a pseudorandom binary sequence of luminance changes, the EEG signal recorded over the viewer’s occipital pole exhibits so-called code-modulated visual evoked potentials (cVEPs), the phase lags of which can be tied to these targets. The cVEP paradigm has enjoyed interest in the brain-computer interfacing (BCI) community for the reported high information transfer rates (ITR, in bits/min). In this study, we introduce a novel decoding algorithm based on spatiotemporal beamforming, and show that this algorithm is able to accurately identify the gazed target. Especially for a small number of repetitions of the coding sequence, our beamforming approach significantly outperforms an optimised support vector machine (SVM)-based classifier, which is considered state-of-the-art in cVEP-based BCI. In addition to the traditional 60 Hz stimulus presentation rate for the coding sequence, we also explore the 120 Hz rate, and show that the latter enables faster communication, with a maximal median ITR of 172.87 bits/min. Finally, we also report on a transition effect in the EEG signal following the onset of the stimulus sequence, and recommend to exclude the first 150 ms of the trials from decoding when relying on a single presentation of the stimulus sequence.
Maximum temperature drove snow cover expansion from the Arctic, 2000–2008
Authors: Lin Yi , Jiang Miao
Published: November 2017

Investigating annual phenology of snow cover around the circumpolar Arctic is of significance for better grasping the effect of environment variation on global climate change, and previous studies found that temperature is the kernel climate feature interlinking with snow onset. However, how temperature closely drives snow cover expansion has not been fully exploited. Our analysis based on the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) (i.e., SSM/I-SSMIS) data during 2000–2008 showed that the snow onset date (Do) was primarily driven by the maximum temperature approximately at the 22nd day in advance (termed as the optimal period, OP) in the Northern Hemisphere. Specifically, the spatial patterns of the Do trends are similar with the previous finding, e.g., east Europe and west Asia exhibiting the most notable Do delay, and the OP days in latitude show the principal trend of first decreasing and then increasing. These characteristics can be attributed to the variation of the maximum temperature feature in latitude. Overall, the derivation of the statistical rules of temperature driving snow cover expansion from the Arctic facilitates predicting the occurrence of snow and understanding various terrestrial processes.
In-situ synthesis of amorphous silver silicate/carbonate composites for selective visible-light photocatalytic decomposition
Authors: Cao Ruya , Yang Hongcen , Deng Xiaolong , Zhang Shouwei , Xu Xijin
Published: November 2017

Coupling two different semiconductors to form composite photocatalysts is an extremely significant technique for environmental remediation. Here, a one-step in-situ precipitation method has been developed to prepare amorphous silver silicate/carbonate (AgSiO/Ag2CO3) nanoparticles (NPs) composites, which are well dispersed sphere-like particles with the sizes of around ~50–100 nm. The high-efficiency photocatalytic activities under visible light (VL) have been carefully evaluated, and the AgSiO/Ag2CO3 NPs composites exhibit selective photocatalytic degradations on Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB). The maximum degradation rate for MB can reach ~99.1% within ~40 min under VL irradiation, much higher than that of RhB (~12%) in the same condition, which can be ascribed to (I) the smaller molecule size of MB than that of RhB, (II) the fast charge separation between AgSiO NPs and Ag2CO3 NPs, abundant heterojunction interfaces as well as fully exposed reactive sites. These composites are proposed to be an example for the preparation of other silicate composite photocatalysts for practical applications in environmental remediation.
Methods for Scarless, Selection-Free Generation of Human Cells and Allele-Specific Functional Analysis of Disease-Associated SNPs and Variants of Uncertain Significance
Authors: Coggins Nicole B. , Stultz Jacob , O’Geen Henriette , Carvajal-Carmona Luis G. , Segal David J.
Published: November 2017

With the continued emergence of risk loci from Genome-Wide Association studies and variants of uncertain significance identified from patient sequencing, better methods are required to translate these human genetic findings into improvements in public health. Here we combine CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing with an innovative high-throughput genotyping pipeline utilizing KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) genotyping technology to create scarless isogenic cell models of cancer variants in ~1 month. We successfully modeled two novel variants previously identified by our lab in the PALB2 gene in HEK239 cells, resulting in isogenic cells representing all three genotypes for both variants. We also modeled a known functional risk SNP of colorectal cancer, rs6983267, in HCT-116 cells. Cells with extremely low levels of gene editing could still be identified and isolated using this approach. We also introduce a novel molecular assay, ChIPnQASO (Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and Quantitative Allele-Specific Occupation), which uses the same technology to reveal allele-specific function of these variants at the DNA-protein interaction level. We demonstrated preferential binding of the transcription factor TCF7L2 to the rs6983267 risk allele over the non-risk. Our pipeline provides a platform for functional variant discovery and validation that is accessible and broadly applicable for the progression of efforts towards precision medicine.
Flat-band light dynamics in Stub photonic lattices
Authors: Real Bastián , Cantillano Camilo , López-González Dany , Szameit Alexander , Aono Masashi , Naruse Makoto , Kim Song-Ju , Wang Kai , Vicencio Rodrigo A.
Published: November 2017

We experimentally study a Stub photonic lattice and excite their localized linear states originated from an isolated Flat Band at the center of the linear spectrum. By exciting these modes in different regions of the lattice, we observe that they do not diffract across the system and remain well trapped after propagating along the crystal. By using their wave nature, we are able to combine – in phase and out of phase – two neighbor states into a coherent superposition. These observations allow us to propose a novel setup for performing three different all-optical logical operations such as OR, AND, and XOR, positioning Flat Band systems as key setups to perform all-optical operations at any level of power.
Vanillin Affects Amyloid Aggregation and Non-Enzymatic Glycation in Human Insulin
Authors: Iannuzzi Clara , Borriello Margherita , Irace Gaetano , Cammarota Marcella , Di Maro Antimo , Sirangelo Ivana
Published: November 2017

Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity, as well as for its ability to interfere with amyloid aggregation and non-enzymatic glycation reaction, that makes it an attractive potential drug. However, curcumin therapeutic use is limited because of its low systemic bioavailability and chemical stability as it undergoes rapid hydrolysis in physiological conditions. Recently, much attention has been paid to the biological properties of curcumin degradation products as potential bioactive molecules. Between them, vanillin, a natural vanilla extract, is a stable degradation product of curcumin that could be responsible for mediating its beneficial effects. We have analyzed the effect of vanillin, in comparison with curcumin, in the amyloid aggregation process of insulin as well as its ability to prevent the formation of the advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Employing biophysical, biochemical and cell based assays, we show that vanillin and curcumin similarly affect insulin amyloid aggregation promoting the formation of harmless fibrils. Moreover, vanillin restrains AGE formation and protects from AGE-induced cytotoxicity. Our novel findings not only suggest that the main health benefits observed for curcumin can be ascribed to its degradation product vanillin, but also open new avenues for developing therapeutic applications of curcumin degradation products.
Supramolecular polymeric biomaterials
Authors: Mann Joseph L. , Yu Anthony C. , Agmon Gillie , Appel Eric A.
Published: November 2017

This review highlights how the dynamic chemistry of supramolecular polymeric hydrogels affords macroscopic properties implemented in emerging biomaterials.
Crystallisation temperature control of stoichiometry and selectivity in host–guest compounds
Authors: Sykes Nicole M. , Su Hong , Weber Edwin , Bourne Susan A. , Nassimbeni Luigi R.
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘Crystallisation temperature control of stoichiometry and selectivity in host–guest compounds’ by Nicole M. Sykes et al., CrystEngComm, 2017, 19, 5892–5896.
Exploring the geometric, magnetic and electronic properties of Hofmann MOFs for drug delivery
Authors: Mandal Bikash , Chung Jin Suk , Kang Sung Gu
Published: November 2017

The geometric, magnetic, and electronic properties and the drug capturing abilities of Hofmann-type metal organic frameworks (MOFs) were examined using theoretical calculations.
Ultrafast dynamics of UV-excited trans- and cis-ferulic acid in aqueous solutions
Authors: Wang Shuangqing , Schatz Sebastian , Stuhldreier Mayra C. , Böhnke Hendrik , Wiese Joss , Schröder Carsten , Raeker Tim , Hartke Bernd , Keppler Julia K. , Schwarz Karin , Renth Falk , Temps Friedrich
Published: November 2017

The comprehensive study of both UV-excited ferulic acid isomers in different protonation states revealed sequential excited-state deactivation pathways involving a cis–trans isomerisation coordinate.
Field-, strain- and light-induced superconductivity in organic strongly correlated electron systems
Authors: Suda Masayuki , Yamamoto Hiroshi M.
Published: November 2017

In this perspective, our recent progress in the development of novel SC organic FETs was reviewed, in which organic strongly correlated electron materials were utilised as channel materials.
Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalysis from WS2 quantum dots coupled to BiOCl nanosheets: synergistic effect and mechanism insight
Authors: Xiao Peiyuan , Lou Jufeng , Zhang Huixian , Song Weili , Wu Xi-Lin , Lin Hongjun , Chen Jianrong , Liu Shoujie , Wang Xiangke
Published: November 2017

Novel 0D/2D heterojunctions of WS2 QDs/BiOCl exhibited enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic activity.
Dynamic kinetic resolution of aromaticsec-alcohols by using a heterogeneous palladium racemization catalyst and lipase
Authors: Xu Yuanfeng , Wang Meng , Feng Bo , Li Ziyang , Li Yuanhua , Li Hexing , Li Hui
Published: November 2017

A novel recyclable chemoenzymatic catalyst combination has been designed, which successfully convertedsec-alcohols to chiral acetates under microwave irradiation.
Chasing the agostic interaction in ligand assisted cyclometallation reactions of palladium(ii)
Authors: Sajjad M. Arif , Christensen Kirsten E. , Rees Nicholas H. , Schwerdtfeger Peter , Harrison John A. , Nielson Alastair J.
Published: November 2017

Computations show that a possible aromatic ring agostic intermediate seen by NMR spectroscopy in a cyclometallation reaction by palladium(ii) can involve CCπ electron density close to the agostic carbon being donated to the metal.
Highly efficient antibody purification with controlled orientation of protein A on magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Sunghyun , Sung Daekyung , Chang Jeong Ho
Published: November 2017

In this study, we prepared protein A grafted magnetic nanoparticles for industrial large-scale purification of antibodies with enhancement of binding capacity and immobilization by controlled orientation with chlorophenylsilane (CPTMS) on the surface.
A phototactic micromotor based on platinum nanoparticle decorated carbon nitride
Authors: Ye Zhenrong , Sun Yunyu , Zhang Hui , Song Bo , Dong Bin
Published: November 2017

We report a phototactic micromotor based on platinum nanoparticle decorated carbon nitride, which exhibits both positive and negative phototaxis based on the self-diffusiophoretic mechanism and different surface modifications.
Analogues ofPseudomonas aeruginosasignalling molecules to tackle infections
Authors: Ó Muimhneacháin Eoin , Reen F. Jerry , O'Gara Fergal , McGlacken Gerard P.
Published: November 2017

The emergence of antibiotic resistance coupled with the lack of investment by pharmaceutical companies necessitates a new look at how we tackle bacterial infections.
Functional group manoeuvring for tuning stability and reactivity: synthesis of cicerfuran, moracins (D, E, M) and chromene-fused benzofuran-based natural products
Authors: Rao Maddali L. N. , Murty Venneti N. , Nand Sachchida
Published: November 2017

The protecting group manoeuvring as a strategy was applied in tuning the stability and reactivity of substituted gem-dibromovinylphenols (12a and 22) for the domino synthesis of benzofuran-based natural products. (1–8).
Synthesis, characterization and the paramagnetic properties of bottle-brush copolymers with shielding TEMPO radicals
Authors: Wang Jian , Wu Zhigang , Shen Hongying , Wang Guowei
Published: November 2017

Bottle-brush copolymers PHEMA-g-[(PAA-g-TEMPO)-b-PMA] and PHEMA-g-(PAA-g-TEMPO) with shielding TEMPO radicals were synthesized. The paramagnetic properties in bulk and solution were studied, and the results confirmed that the presence of the outer segment played an important role on the EPR spectra of copolymers.
A water-stable Tb(iii)-based metal–organic gel (MOG) for detection of antibiotics and explosives
Authors: Qin Zheng-Sheng , Dong Wen-Wen , Zhao Jun , Wu Ya-Pan , Zhang Qichun , Li Dong-Sheng
Published: November 2017

A luminescent Tb-based metal organic gel was prepared by in situ metal node metathesis and it exhibited sensitive detection ability effectively towards antibiotics and explosives in water.
A microporous cationic metal–organic framework for the efficient removal of dichromate and the selective adsorption of dyes from water
Authors: Guo Mingming , Guo Huadong , Liu Siyu , Sun Yingying , Guo Xianmin
Published: November 2017

A microporous anionic metal–organic framework has been synthesized, which can be used as the effective adsorbent to methyl orange and Cr2O72− from aqueous solutions.
Applications of graphene-based composite hydrogels: a review
Authors: Lu Hao , Zhang Shengtao , Guo Lei , Li Weihua
Published: November 2017

Graphene-based hydrogels, which utilize graphene as a filler to blend with various molecules, have been widely applied in many fields such as drug delivery, water purification, and energy storage.
A novel Nb2O5/Bi2WO6 heterojunction photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization catalyst with high visible light-induced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Wu Jing , Li Jian , Liu Jin , Bai Jin , Yang Lina
Published: November 2017

A novel Nb2O5/Bi2WO6 heterojunction catalyst was synthesized and applied in PODS of DBT. It shows higher activity than pure Nb2O5 and Bi2WO6 in visible light induced PODS of DBT, in which holes and superoxide radicals are the main reactive species.
Aqueous synthesis of highly fluorescent and stable Cu–In–S/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals for cell imaging
Authors: Zhu Chun-Nan , Zheng Dong-Yun , Cao Hui-Min , Zhu Shan-Ying , Liu Xiao-Jun
Published: November 2017

An aqueous synthesis route has been presented to prepare hydrophilic Cu–In–S/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals with bright and stable fluorescence.
Mesoporous Ag1(NH4)2PW12O40 heteropolyacids as effective catalysts for the esterification of oleic acid to biodiesel
Authors: Zhang Qiu-yun , Wei Fang-fang , Li Qian , Huang Jin-shu , Feng Yun-mei , Zhang Yu-tao
Published: November 2017

A mesoporous Ag1(NH4)2PW12O40 catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity and reusability in an esterification reaction.
Adsorption of gas molecules on a graphitic GaN sheet and its implications for molecule sensors
Authors: Yong Yongliang , Cui Hongling , Zhou Qingxiao , Su Xiangying , Kuang Yanmin , Li Xiaohong
Published: November 2017

Motivated by the recent realization of two-dimensional nanomaterials as gas sensors, we have investigated the adsorption of gas molecules (SO2, NO2, HCN, NH3, H2S, CO, NO, O2, H2, CO2, and H2O) on the graphitic GaN sheet (PL-GaN) using density functional theory calculations.
Enhancing intramolecular features and identifying defects in organic and hybrid nanoarchitectures on a metal surface at room temperature using a NaCl-functionalized scanning tunneling microscopy tip
Authors: Peyrot David , Silly Fabien
Published: November 2017

Scanning tunneling microscopy using an NaCl-functionalised tip is a powerful method to assess the morphology of two-dimensional nanoarchitectures and their local variations of electronic properties.
A multicomponent reaction of 2-aminoimidazoles: microwave-assisted synthesis of novel 5-aza-7-deaza-adenines
Authors: Lim Felicia Phei Lin , Low Szy Teng , Ho Elvina Lee King , Halcovitch Nathan R. , Tiekink Edward R. T. , Dolzhenko Anton V.
Published: November 2017

An efficient and highly selective multicomponent synthesis of 4-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]triazines, which are 5-aza-7-deaza-isosteres of adenine, was developed.
The harpooning mechanism as evidenced in the oxidation reaction of the Al atom
Authors: Li Fangfang , Dong Changwu , Chen Jun , Liu Jiaxing , Wang Fengyan , Xu Xin
Published: November 2017

The harpooning model is firstly evidenced by the maximum impact parameter derived from AlO(Nmax) products with speed v′ ≈ 0 from the Al + O2 reaction.
Qubit crossover in the endohedral fullerene Sc3C2@C80
Authors: Liu Zheng , Dong Bo-Wei , Meng Hai-Bing , Xu Mei-Xing , Wang Tai-Shan , Wang Bing-Wu , Wang Chun-Ru , Jiang Shang-Da , Gao Song
Published: November 2017

The qubit crossover behavior of the endohedral fullerene Sc3C2@C80in CS2solution is characterized from 5 K to room temperature.
Calcium containing iron oxide as an efficient and robust catalyst in (photo-)electrocatalytic water oxidation at neutral pH
Authors: Chiu Hung-Chun , Huang Wei-Hsiang , Hsu Liang-Ching , Lin Yan-Gu , Lai Yi-Hsuan , Lin Chia-Yu
Published: November 2017

The amorphous nature and in situ formation of iron phosphate render CaFeOx with high activity and stability for the OER at neutral pH.
High-energy-density hybrid sol–gel dielectric film capacitors with a polymeric charge blocking layer
Authors: Kim Yunsang , Kathaperumal Mohanalingam , Park Yohan , Pan Ming-Jen , Perry Joseph W.
Published: November 2017

A dielectric bilayer structure based on a hybrid sol–gel film (2-cyanoethyltrimethoxysilane) with a nano-scale polymeric charge blocking layer (poly(p-phenylene oxide)) has been developed for dielectric energy storage.
Mg(OH)2–MgO@reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites: the roles of composition and nanostructure in arsenite sorption
Authors: Purwajanti Swasmi , Huang Xiaodan , Liu Yang , Yang Yannan , Noonan Owen , Song Hao , Zhang Jun , Zhang Jing , Fu Jianye , Liang Changhao , Yu Chengzhong
Published: November 2017

Novel Mg(OH)2–MgO@rGO nanocomposites have been prepared for As(iii) removal, reaching a maximum As(iii) adsorption capacity of 681.3 mg g−1.
A multifunctional gold doped Co(OH)2electrocatalyst tailored for water oxidation, oxygen reduction, hydrogen evolution and glucose detection
Authors: Sayeed Md Abu , O'Mullane Anthony P.
Published: November 2017

Electrocatalytic reactions are central to many energy and sensing applications and therefore the development of materials that show functionality for more than one reaction are of significant interest.
Towards the prediction of the transport properties of cluster-based molybdenum chalcogenides
Authors: Al Rahal Al Orabi Rabih , Boucher Benoît , Fontaine Bruno , Gall Philippe , Candolfi Christophe , Lenoir Bertrand , Gougeon Patrick , Halet Jean-François , Gautier Régis
Published: November 2017

The transport properties of cluster-based molybdenum chalcogenides are studied using a computational approach based on density functional theory calculations and the Boltzmann equation.
Flow and Grit by Design: Exploring Gamification in Facilitating Adherence to Swallowing Therapy
Authors: Constantinescu Gabriela , Rieger Jana , Mummery Kerry , Hodgetts William
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Delivery of swallowing therapy is faced with challenges regarding access to in-clinic services and adherence to prescribed home programs. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies are being developed at a rapid pace to address these difficulties. Whereas some benefits to using these modern tools for therapy are obvious (e.g., electronic reminders), other advantages are not as well understood. One example is the potential for mHealth devices and apps to enhance adherence to treatment regimens.

Method

This article introduces a number of psychological concepts that relate to adherence and that can be leveraged by mHealth. Elements that contribute to flow (optimal experience) during an activity and those that reinforce grit (perseverance to achieve a long-term goal) can be used to engage patients in their own rehabilitation.

Results

The experience of flow can be targeted by presenting the rehabilitation exercise as an optimally challenging game, one that offers a match between challenge and ability. Grit can be supported by reinforcing routine and by varying the therapy experience using different games.

Conclusions

A combination of hardware and software design approaches have the potential to transform uninteresting and repetitive activities, such as those that make up swallowing therapy regimens, into engaging ones. The field of gamification, however, is still developing, and gamified mHealth apps will need to withstand scientific testing of their claims and demonstrate effectiveness in all phases of outcome research.
Neural Indices of Semantic Processing in Early Childhood Distinguish Eventual Stuttering Persistence and Recovery
Authors: Kreidler Kathryn , Hampton Wray Amanda , Usler Evan , Weber Christine
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Maturation of neural processes for language may lag in some children who stutter (CWS), and event-related potentials (ERPs) distinguish CWS who have recovered from those who have persisted. The current study explores whether ERPs indexing semantic processing may distinguish children who will eventually persist in stuttering (CWS-ePersisted) from those who will recover from stuttering (CWS-eRecovered).

Method

Fifty-six 5-year-old children with normal receptive language listened to naturally spoken sentences in a story context. ERP components elicited for semantic processing (N400, late positive component [LPC]) were compared for CWS-ePersisted, CWS-eRecovered, and children who do not stutter (CWNS).

Results

The N400 elicited by semantic violations had a more focal scalp distribution (left lateralized and less anterior) in the CWS-eRecovered compared with CWS-ePersisted. Although the LPC elicited in CWS-eRecovered and CWNS did not differ, the LPC elicited in the CWS-ePersisted was smaller in amplitude compared with that in CWNS.

Conclusions

ERPs elicited in 5-year-old CWS-eRecovered compared with CWS-ePersisted suggest that future recovery from stuttering may be associated with earlier maturation of semantic processes in the preschool years. Subtle differences in ERP indices offer a window into neural maturation processes for language and may help distinguish the course of stuttering development.
Effective outlier matches pruning algorithm for rigid pairwise point cloud registration using distance disparity matrix
Authors: Luo Nan , Wang Quan
Published: November 2017

This study focuses on fast and robust outlier matches removal strategy to improve the efficiency and precision of initial alignment and further the quality of pairwise registration. Starts from the point matches obtained via feature detecting and matching, the distance disparity matrix derived from Euclidean invariants of rigid transformation is introduced, based on which a fast and effective pruning method is proposed to eliminate the outlier correspondences, especially the sharp ones. Then, the remaining matches are sent into the enhanced least‐square backward method to estimate an initial transformation in lesser attempts. Since most of the outliers are rejected, presented backward method could provide a finer alignment to input point clouds in higher efficiency than existing methods, and the following refining procedure converges to a more precise registration consuming fewer iterations, which have been proved in designed experiments. The thresholds employed in the pipeline are all automatically determined according to the actual resolution of input point clouds. Users are just required to control the error precision through a scale factor, in which way the inaccuracy and inconvenience of manually threshold defining are avoided.
Rapid multi‐objective design optimisation of switched reluctance motors exploiting magnetic flux tubes
Authors: Stuikys Aleksas , Sykulski Jan
Published: November 2017

The magnetic design of switched reluctance (SR) motors is inherently a hierarchical process. The design cycle progresses through distinct stages where the accuracy improves but computing times increase greatly, thus it often becomes impractical to furnish extensive multi‐objective optimisation required to accomplish the optimal design. In order to enable rapid and accurate optimisation of SR motors, an improved reduced‐order computational method of flux tubes is implemented to complement and practically replace the time‐consuming 2D finite‐element‐based magnetic analysis. This study demonstrates how the use of the improved flux tubes approach to evaluate objective functions results in substantially faster while still accurate multi‐objective optimisation of SR motors.
Monolithic fabrication of an insect‐scale self‐lifting flapping‐wing robot
Authors: Zou Yang , Zhang Weiping , Zhou Sui , Ke Xijun , Cui Feng , Liu Wu
Published: November 2017

Robots on the order of insect‐scale are difficult to manufacture using MEMS technologies for sub‐millimetre structures or conventional methods for large devices beyond centimetres. This work presents an electromagnetically driven, monolithically fabricated, insect‐scale self‐lifting flapping‐wing robot for the first time. This robot is created using a simple monolithic method, by which most of the components are integrated and fabricated from a single sheet. Finally, the monolithic insect‐scale flapping‐wing robot can generate sufficient lift to take off.
Überflieger
Authors: Bleher Chris
Published: November 2017

EIN BUDDY FÜR SPITZENATHLETEN Herbert Leitner hat als Sportphysio bei den
österreichischen Super-Adlern alle Höhen und Tiefen erlebt. In Australien lernte
er, wo er Hand anlegen muss, aber auch, wie man die Seele streichelt.