bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maraba virus-vectored cancer vaccines represent a safe and novel therapeutic option for cats
Authors: Hummel Jeff , Bienzle Dorothee , Morrison Annette , Cieplak Michelle , Stephenson Kyle , DeLay Josepha , Woods J. Paul , Lichty Brian D. , Bridle Byram W.
Published: November 2017

Direct killing of malignant cells combined with induction of tumour-specific immune responses makes oncolytic vaccines attractive for cancer therapy. We previously developed a heterologous cancer immunization strategy that utilized a replication-defective adenovirus-vectored primary vaccine encoding a tumour antigen followed by boosting with a replication-competent Maraba virus expressing the same antigen. To assess the safety of oncolytic Maraba virus-based booster vaccines and inform the design of clinical trials, we conducted translational studies in cats, which have immune systems that are similar to people and spontaneously develop cancers of comparable types and etiologies. A dose of Maraba virus up to 2.5 × 1011 pfu per cat was well-tolerated, with adverse effects limited to mild, transient pyrexia, weight loss, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. Maraba viral genomes were present in some urine, stool and most plasma samples up to one week post-infection, but no infectious viruses were recovered. Post-mortem analysis showed one heart, one lung and all spleen samples contained Maraba virus genomes. No replication-competent viruses were recovered from any tissues. Post-mortem histopathological analyses revealed hyperplasia of lymphoid tissues, but no abnormal lesions were attributed to vaccination. This study demonstrated that Maraba virus-vectored cancer vaccines were well-tolerated and supports their use in treating cats.
Identification and characterization of serine protease inhibitors in a parasitic wasp, Pteromalus puparum
Authors: Yang Lei , Mei Yaotian , Fang Qi , Wang Jiale , Yan Zhichao , Song Qisheng , Lin Zhe , Ye Gongyin
Published: November 2017

Serine protease inhibitors (SPIs) regulate protease-mediated activities by inactivating their cognate proteinases, and are involved in multiple physiological processes. SPIs have been extensively studied in vertebrates and invertebrates; however, little SPI information is available in parasitoids. Herein, we identified 57 SPI genes in total through the genome of a parasitoid wasp, Pteromalus puparum. Gene structure analyses revealed that these SPIs contain 7 SPI domains. Depending on their mode of action, these SPIs can be categorized into serpins, canonical inhibitors and alpha-2-macroglobulins (A2Ms). For serpins and canonical inhibitors, we predicted their putative inhibitory activities to trypsin/chymotrypsin/elastase-like enzymes based on the amino acids in cleaved reactive sites. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree indicated that some serpins similar to known functional inhibitory serpins may participate in immune responses. Transcriptome analysis also showed some canonical SPI genes displayed distinct expression patterns in the venom gland and this was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis, suggesting their specific physiological functions as venom proteins in suppressing host immune responses. The study provides valuable information to clarify the functions of SPIs in digestion, development, reproduction and innate immunity.
Genome-scale modeling and transcriptome analysis of Leuconostoc mesenteroides unravel the redox governed metabolic states in obligate heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Koduru Lokanand , Kim Yujin , Bang Jeongsu , Lakshmanan Meiyappan , Han Nam Soo , Lee Dong-Yup
Published: November 2017

Obligate heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are well-known for their beneficial health effects in humans. To delineate the incompletely characterized metabolism that currently limits their exploitation, at systems-level, we developed a genome-scale metabolic model of the representative obligate heterofermenting LAB, Leuconostoc mesenteroides (iLME620). Constraint-based flux analysis was then used to simulate several qualitative and quantitative phenotypes of L. mesenteroides, thereby evaluating the model validity. With established predictive capabilities, we subsequently employed iLME620 to elucidate unique metabolic characteristics of L. mesenteroides, such as the limited ability to utilize amino acids as energy source, and to substantiate the role of malolactic fermentation (MLF) in the reduction of pH-homeostatic burden on F0F1-ATPase. We also reported new hypothesis on the MLF mechanism that could be explained via a substrate channelling-like phenomenon mainly influenced by intracellular redox state rather than the intermediary reactions. Model simulations further revealed possible proton-symporter dependent activity of the energy efficient glucose-phosphotransferase system in obligate heterofermentative LAB. Moreover, integrated transcriptomic analysis allowed us to hypothesize transcriptional regulatory bias affecting the intracellular redox state. The insights gained here about the low ATP-yielding metabolism of L. mesenteroides, dominantly controlled by the cellular redox state, could potentially aid strain design for probiotic and cell factory applications.
Heterologous expression and characterization of a new lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0–1 and used for biodiesel production
Authors: Liu Wu , Li Menggang , Yan Yunjun
Published: November 2017

As a kind of important biocatalysts, Pseudomonas lipases are commonly applied in various industrial fields. Pflip1, a new extracellular lipase gene from Pseudomonas. fluorescens Pf0–1, was first cloned and respectively expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and Pichia pastoris KM71, the recombinant proteins Pflip1a and Pflip1b were later purified separately. Then Pflip1a was further characterized. The optimum pH of Pflip1a was 8.0 and its optimal temperature was 70 °C. After incubation at 70 °C for 12 h, Pflip1a could retain over 95% of its original activity. It showed the highest activity towards p-nitrophenyl caprylate. Moreover, its activity was profoundly affected by metal ion, ionic surfactants and organic solvents. Furthermore, the two obtained recombinant lipases were immobilized on the magnetic nanoparticles for biodiesel preparation. The GC analysis showed that for the immobilized lipases Pflip1b and Pflip1a, the biodiesel yield within 24 h respectively attained 68.5% and 80.5% at 70 °C. The activities of the two immobilized lipases still remained 70% and 82% after 10 cycles of operations in non-solvent system. These characteristics and transesterification capacity of the recombinant protein indicated its great potential for organic synthesis, especially for biodiesel production.
Development and physiological effects of an artificial diet for Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti
Authors: Dutra Heverton Leandro Carneiro , Rodrigues Silvia Lomeu , Mansur Simone Brutman , de Oliveira Sofia Pimenta , Caragata Eric Pearce , Moreira Luciano Andrade
Published: November 2017

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia spreads rapidly through populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and strongly inhibits infection with key human pathogens including the dengue and Zika viruses. Mosquito control programs aimed at limiting transmission of these viruses are ongoing in multiple countries, yet there is a dearth of mass rearing infrastructure specific to Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. One example is the lack of a blood meal substitute, which accounts for the Wolbachia-specific physiological changes in infected mosquitoes, that allows the bacterium to spread, and block viral infections. To that end, we have developed a blood meal substitute specifically for mosquitoes infected with the wMel Wolbachia strain. This diet, ADM, contains milk protein, and infant formula, dissolved in a mixture of bovine red blood cells and Aedes physiological saline, with ATP as a phagostimulant. Feeding with ADM leads to high levels of viable egg production, but also does not affect key Wolbachia parameters including, bacterial density, cytoplasmic incompatibility, or resistance to infection with Zika virus. ADM represents an effective substitute for human blood, which could potentially be used for the mass rearing of wMel-infected A. aegypti, and could easily be optimized in the future to improve performance.
Quantitative Evaluation of Nanosecond Pulsed Laser-Induced Photomodification of Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Fales Andrew M. , Vogt William C. , Pfefer T. Joshua , Ilev Ilko K.
Published: November 2017

The rapid growth of gold nanoparticle applications in laser therapeutics and diagnostics has brought about the need for establishing innovative standardized test methods for evaluation of safety and performance of these technologies and related medical products. Furthermore, given the incomplete and inconsistent data on nanoparticle photomodification thresholds provided in the literature, further elucidation of processes that impact the safety and effectiveness of laser-nanoparticle combination products is warranted. Therefore, we present a proof-of-concept study on an analytical experimental test methodology including three approaches (transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and spectrophotometry) for experimental evaluation of damage thresholds in nanosecond pulsed laser-irradiated gold nanospheres, and compared our results with a theoretical model and prior studies. This thorough evaluation of damage threshold was performed based on irradiation with a 532 nm nanosecond-pulsed laser over a range of nanoparticle diameters from 20 to 100 nm. Experimentally determined damage thresholds were compared to a theoretical heat transfer model of pulsed laser-irradiated nanoparticles and found to be in reasonably good agreement, although some significant discrepancies with prior experimental studies were found. This study and resultant dataset represent an important foundation for developing a standardized test methodology for determination of laser-induced nanoparticle damage thresholds.
Hypomethylation of HOXA4 promoter is common in Silver-Russell syndrome and growth restriction and associates with stature in healthy children
Authors: Muurinen Mari , Hannula-Jouppi Katariina , Reinius Lovisa E. , Söderhäll Cilla , Merid Simon Kebede , Bergström Anna , Melén Erik , Pershagen Göran , Lipsanen-Nyman Marita , Greco Dario , Kere Juha
Published: November 2017

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a growth retardation syndrome in which loss of methylation on chromosome 11p15 (11p15 LOM) and maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 [UPD(7)mat] explain 20–60% and 10% of the syndrome, respectively. To search for a molecular cause for the remaining SRS cases, and to find a possible common epigenetic change, we studied DNA methylation pattern of more than 450 000 CpG sites in 44 SRS patients. Common to all three SRS subgroups, we found a hypomethylated region at the promoter region of HOXA4 in 55% of the patients. We then tested 39 patients with severe growth restriction of unknown etiology, and found hypomethylation of HOXA4 in 44% of the patients. Finally, we found that methylation at multiple CpG sites in the HOXA4 promoter region was associated with height in a cohort of 227 healthy children, suggesting that HOXA4 may play a role in regulating human growth by epigenetic mechanisms.
Frailty is an independent predictor of incident dementia: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Rogers Nina T. , Steptoe Andrew , Cadar Dorina
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to determine whether frailty in older adults is associated with the risk of subsequent dementia. A total of 8,722 older adults from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were followed-up every two years until they reported a diagnosis of dementia, died, or were right censored. Frailty was defined using a frailty index comprised of 47 health deficits. To test if cognitive function influences the relationship between frailty and incident dementia, the analyses were repeated according to lower or upper three quartiles of baseline cognitive function. Competing risks regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate whether the degree of baseline frailty was associated with incident dementia. Compared with non-frail participants, pre-frail (HR: 1.51 95%CI [1.12–2.02]) and frail participants (HR: 1.73 95%CI [1.22–2.43]) had a higher risk of developing dementia, after adjustment for covariates. The association between frailty and incident dementia was significant for adults in the upper three quartiles of global cognitive function (HR: 3.48 95%CI [1.98–6.12]), but not for adults who were in the lowest quartile of cognitive function (HR: 1.13 95%CI [0.74–1.71]). Frailty should be monitored alongside cognitive functioning when assessing risk factors for dementia in older adults.
Thermal expansion of Pd-based metallic glasses by ab initio methods and high energy X-ray diffraction
Authors: Evertz Simon , Music Denis , Schnabel Volker , Bednarcik Jozef , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: November 2017

Metallic glasses are promising structural materials due to their unique properties. For structural applications and processing the coefficient of thermal expansion is an important design parameter. Here we demonstrate that predictions of the coefficient of thermal expansion for metallic glasses by density functional theory based ab initio calculations are efficient both with respect to time and resources. The coefficient of thermal expansion is predicted by an ab initio based method utilising the Debye-Grüneisen model for a Pd-based metallic glass, which exhibits a pronounced medium range order. The predictions are critically appraised by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and excellent agreement is observed. Through this combined theoretical and experimental research strategy, we show the feasibility to predict the coefficient of thermal expansion from the ground state structure of a metallic glass until the onset of structural changes. Thereby, we provide a method to efficiently probe a potentially vast number of metallic glass alloying combinations regarding thermal expansion.
Continuous multi-step synthesis by extrusion – telescoping solvent-free reactions for greater efficiency
Authors: Crawford Deborah E. , Miskimmin Clodagh K. , Cahir John , James S. L.
Published: November 2017

Herein, we demonstrate that several reactions can be telescoped into a single continuous process and/or be carried out as a continuous multi-component reaction (MCR), by twin screw extrusion (TSE), in the complete absence of solvent.
A surprising substituent effect in corroles on the electrochemical activation of oxygen reduction
Authors: Levy Naomi , Shpilman Jennifer S. , Honig Hilah C. , Major Dan T. , Elbaz Lior
Published: November 2017

An unexpected trend in oxygen reduction reaction activity with four different beta-substituted cobalt-corroles.
Synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped hierarchical porous carbons and metal-free oxidative coupling of silanes with alcohols
Authors: Chen Bingfeng , Li Fengbo , Mei Qingqing , Yang Youdi , Liu Huizhen , Yuan Guoqing , Han Buxing
Published: November 2017

Hierarchically porous N and S co-doped carbon was used as an efficient and robust metal-free catalyst for oxidative coupling of silanes with alcohols.
Phosphine catalysed (5 + 1) annulation of ynone/cinnamates with primary amines
Authors: Ametovski Jhi , Dutta Uttam , Burchill Laura , Maiti Debabrata , Lupton David W. , Hooper Joel F.
Published: November 2017

The (5 + 1) annulation of ynone/cinnamates with protected primary amines gives rise to various heterocycles in good to excellent yields under phosphine catalysis.
Luminescent sulfonate coordination polymers: synthesis, structural analysis and selective sensing of nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Singh Neetu , Singh Udai P. , Butcher Ray J.
Published: November 2017

Enhanced fluorescence intensity of sulfonate coordination polymers on addition of picric acid.
In situhigh pressure study of an elastic crystal by FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Mishra Manish Kumar , Ghalsasi Pallavi , Deo M. N. , Bhatt Himal , Poswal Himanshu K. , Ghosh Soumyajit , Ganguly Somnath
Published: November 2017

Anin situhigh pressure-FTIR study on a 2,3-dichlorobenzylidine-4-bromoaniline elastic crystal shows significant structural changes at high pressure which revert back to the ambient structure on decompression.
Towards stable porous crystalline phases of molecular belts
Authors: Bernabei Marco , Pérez-Soto Raúl , Gómez García Ismael , Haranczyk Maciej
Published: November 2017

A chemical modification of a molecular belt (M1) renders the molecule (M2) into a stable supramolecular nanotube porous crystal.
Metal–organic frameworks based on halogen-bridged dinuclear-Cu-nodes as promising materials for high performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Xiong Xin , Zhou Liuyin , Cao Wenjie , Liang Jiyuan , Wang Yazhen , Hu Siqian , Yu Fan , Li Bao
Published: November 2017

Two halogen-bridged di-nuclear Cu-based 3D porous frameworks present high specific capacitance and good cycling stability.
Direct estimation of the transfer integral for photoinduced electron transfer from TD DFT calculations
Authors: Blancafort Lluís , Voityuk Alexander A.
Published: November 2017

A simple approach to estimate the electronic coupling for photoinduced charge separation in materials and biomolecules is proposed.
The effect of structural modifications on the thermal stability, melting points and ion interactions for a series of tetraaryl-phosphonium-based mesothermal ionic liquids
Authors: Cassity Cody A. , Siu Benjamin , Soltani Mohammad , McGeehee Jimmy L. , Strickland Katie J. , Vo Matt , Salter E. Alan , Stenson Alexandra C. , Wierzbicki Andrzej , West Kevin N. , Rabideau Brooks D. , Davis James H.
Published: November 2017

New mesothermal ionic liquids (left).
Vesicle to micelle transition in the ternary mixture of L121/SDS/D2O: NMR, EPR and SANS studies
Authors: Prameela G. K. S. , Phani Kumar B. V. N. , Reddy R. Ravikanth , Pan A. , Subramanian J. , Kumar Sugam , Aswal V. K. , Kohlbrecher Joachim , Mandal A. B. , Moulik S. P.
Published: November 2017

Proposed model depicting vesicle to mixed micelle transformation in a ternary mixture of L121/SDS/D2O.
α-Substituted vinyl azides: an emerging functionalized alkene
Authors: Fu Junkai , Zanoni Giuseppe , Anderson Edward A. , Bi Xihe
Published: November 2017

Vinyl azides are highly versatile synthons that provide access to numerous N-heterocycles and other functional groups.
Regioisomerism in coordination chemistry: oxidative addition of a bifunctional ligand to palladium, stabilized with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane
Authors: Martyanov K. A. , Cherkasov V. K. , Abakumov G. A. , Baranov E. V. , Shavyrin A. S. , Kuropatov V. A.
Published: November 2017

A unique phenomenon of regioisomerism in coordination chemistry was discovered: the reaction of o-quinone annelated with dithiete ring with Pd2dba3 and dppe gave mixture of catecholate and dithiolate regioisomers.
Cobalt modified N-doped carbon nanotubes for catalytic CC bond formation via dehydrogenative coupling of benzyl alcohols and DMSO
Authors: Li Jinlei , Liu Guoliang , Shi Lijun , Xing Qi , Li Fuwei
Published: November 2017

The development of heterogeneous, cost-effective and environmentally benign catalysts to construct CC bonds is highly desirable.
Reduced graphene oxide/platinum nanoparticles/nafion nanocomposite as a novel 2D electrochemical sensor for voltammetric determination of aliskiren
Authors: Ateş Ali Kemal , Er Engin , Çelikkan Hüseyin , Erk Nevin
Published: November 2017

A highly sensitive and selective 2D electrochemical sensor based on an rGO/PtNPs/NFN nanocomposite was developed for routine detection of renin inhibitors such as aliskiren in biological samples.
Fabrication of MoS2/WO3nanocomposite films for enhanced electro-chromic performance
Authors: Rakibuddin Md. , Kim Haekyoung
Published: November 2017

A novel MoS2nanocomposite for electrochromic devices was synthesized, showing enhanced transmittance variation, colouration efficiency and switching times.
An electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of rifampicin and isoniazid using a C-dots@CuFe2O4nanocomposite modified carbon paste electrode
Authors: Shiri Sajad , Pajouheshpoor Niyoosha , Khoshsafar Hosein , Amidi Salimeh , Bagheri Hasan
Published: November 2017

In this study, a sensitive carbon paste electrode based on a novel nanocomposite of carbon dots/CuFe2O4(C-dots@CuFe2O4) was developed for the simultaneous determination of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INZ).
Redox-dependent properties of DTF-endcapped π-oligomers
Authors: Mehrani Sepideh , Mulla Karimulla , Johnson Matthew A. , Merschrod S. Erika F. , Zhao Yuming
Published: November 2017

Solid films of electroactive π-conjugated oligomers show distinct redox behaviour from that in solution, with interesting morphological changes accompanying oxidation.
A nanocrystalline structured NiO/MnO2@nitrogen-doped graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposite for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Karuppasamy K. , Msolli Sabeur , Kim Hyun-Seok , Kim Heung Soo , Kim Joo-Hyung
Published: November 2017

A nanocrystalline NiO@MnO2/NGO hybrid composite electrode showed specific capacitance of 1490 Fg−1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag−1 and retains 98% up to 2000 cycles indicating its good cyclic stability.
Step-by-step build-up of covalent poly(ethylene oxide) nanogel films
Authors: Zahouani S. , Hurman L. , De Giorgi M. , Vigier-Carrière C. , Boulmedais F. , Senger B. , Frisch B. , Schaaf P. , Lavalle P. , Jierry L.
Published: November 2017

Alternated deposition of bifunctional and tetra functional PEGs to build new types of covalent multilayered architectures functionalized with bioactive molecules.
Environmentally friendly, aqueous processed ZnO as an efficient electron transport layer for low temperature processed metal–halide perovskite photovoltaics
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Morbidoni Maurizio , Huang Keke , Feng Shouhua , McLachlan Martyn A.
Published: November 2017

The aqueous processed ZnO/PCBM modified ETLs enable low-temperature processed, thermally stable and efficient perovskite solar cells showing negligible hysteresis.
Synthesis and properties of open-cage fullerene C60 derivatives: impact of the extended π-conjugation
Authors: Hashikawa Yoshifumi , Yasui Hidefumi , Kurotobi Kei , Murata Yasujiro
Published: November 2017

Novel open-cage fullerene C60 derivatives with extended π-conjugation bearing thiophene rings exhibit long wavelength absorption due to characteristic intramolecular charge transfer transitions.
Towards understanding the salt-intercalation exfoliation of graphite into graphene
Authors: Wang Shufen , Wang Chao , Ji Xiang
Published: November 2017

Both anions and cations were proved to be able to enhance the exfoliation yields of graphene in inorganic salt-intercalated exfoliation of graphite into graphene and the mechanism of co-intercalation exfoliation was investigated in this work.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives as novel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and histone deacetylase dual inhibitors
Authors: Wu Yichao , Dai Weichen , Chen Xin , Geng Aixin , Chen Yadong , Lu Tao , Zhu Yong
Published: November 2017

A novel design approach by combination of PI3K and HDAC inhibitory activity in one molecule to produce dual inhibitors.
Laser irradiation-induced construction of Pt/Ag bimetallic nanourchins with improved electrocatalytic properties
Authors: Zhang Hua , Chen Ming , Xu Linlin , Hou Wanda , Liu Xiangdong , Chen Feng
Published: November 2017

Convenient synthesis of Pt/Ag bimetallic nanourchins is demonstrated by laser irradiation-induced photochemical reaction. The novel nanocatalyst exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties for the methanol oxidation reaction.
Superhard B2CO phases derived from carbon allotropes
Authors: Liu Chao , Chen Mingwei , He Julong , Yu Shuangshuang , Liang Tongxiang
Published: November 2017

Two new superhard orthorhombic B2CO structures (oP16- andoC16-B2CO) have been predicted theoretically by manual construction.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis and selective etching method of a porous MoSe2 sand rose-like structure for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Tran Xuan Thai , Poorahong Sujittra , Siaj Mohamed
Published: November 2017

A simple approach to fabricate a porous MoSe2 by a two-step-solvothermal/etching method was proposed. The etching process leads to a MoSe2 porous 3D structure formation with high electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution.
Antimicrobial effect of gallium nitrate against bacteria encountered in burn wound infections
Authors: Xu Zhaorong , Zhao Xiaolong , Chen Xiaodong , Chen Zhaohong , Xia Zhaofan
Published: November 2017

The MICs of gallium ions against nine bacteria strains in burn wound infections were determined, and TEM found visual evidence of gallium ions' attacking mechanism.
Synthesis and structure–activity relationship of N4-benzylamine-N2-isopropyl-quinazoline-2,4-diamines derivatives as potential antibacterial agents
Authors: Jiang Zhengyun , Hong W. David , Cui Xiping , Gao Hongcan , Wu Panpan , Chen Yingshan , Shen Ding , Yang Yang , Zhang Bingjie , Taylor Mark J. , Ward Stephen A. , O'Neill Paul M. , Zhao Suqing , Zhang Kun
Published: November 2017

This paper investigated the SAR of the N4-benzylamine-N2-isopropyl-quinazoline-2,4-diamines derivatives with heterocyclic scaffold which showed good activities against S. aureus, E. coli, MRSA, S. epidermidis and S. typhimurium.
Sensitive detection of cardiac troponin T based on superparamagnetic bead-labels using a flexible micro-fluxgate sensor
Authors: Guo Lei , Yang Zhen , Zhi Shaotao , Feng Zhu , Lei Chong , Zhou Yong
Published: November 2017

In this study, we describe an innovative micro-fluxgate immunosensor based on superparamagnetic Dynabeads for the detection of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), an important biomarker for cardiovascular diseases.
Mimicking horseradish peroxidase and oxidase using ruthenium nanomaterials
Authors: Cao Gao-Juan , Jiang Xiumei , Zhang Hui , Croley Timothy R. , Yin Jun-Jie
Published: November 2017

Ru NPs could catalyze the oxidation of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine, o-phenylenediamine and dopamine hydrochloride in the presence of H2O2, and also catalyze the oxidization of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine and sodium l-ascorbate by dissolved oxygen.
Controlled synthesis of EuPO4 nano/microstructures and core–shell SiO2@EuPO4 nanostructures with improved photoluminescence
Authors: Yang Kui-Suo , Wu An-Ping , Zhao Xin , Yan Yu , Guo Xue-Yuan , Bian Yu-Long , Bao Jin-Rong , Li Wen-Xian , Zhu Xiao-Wei
Published: November 2017

EuPO4 nanoparticles coated on SiO2 submicro-spheres not only improve the photoluminescence properties but also change the symmetry of the Eu3+ ions.
A novel strategy to promote photo-oxidative and reductive abilities via the construction of a bipolar Bi2WO6/N-SrTiO3 material
Authors: Gu Huayu , Xing Guanjie , Gu Huimin , Chai Zhanli , Wang Xiaojing
Published: November 2017

The oxidative and reductive performance of Bi2WO6/N-SrTiO3 composites for TC oxidation and Cr(vi) ion reduction was substantially improved in comparison to the individual components through coupling design.
Control of the intrinsic microstructure in AP-PECVD synthesised amorphous silica thin films
Authors: Elam F. M. , van der Velden-Schuermans B. C. A. M. , Starostin S. A. , van de Sanden M. C. M. , de Vries H. W.
Published: November 2017

The lattice porosity of flexible silica encapsulation films can be regulated by varying the specific energy during the AP-PECVD process.
Molecular simulations of MOF membranes for separation of ethane/ethene and ethane/methane mixtures
Authors: Altintas Cigdem , Keskin Seda
Published: November 2017

Molecular simulations were used to assess the membrane-based C2H6/C2H4 and C2H6/CH4 separation performances of 175 different MOF structures.
Deciphering the incognito role of water in a light driven proton coupled electron transfer process
Authors: Thiyagarajan Senthil Kumar , Suresh Raghupathy , Ramanan Vadivel , Ramamurthy Perumal
Published: November 2017

The incognito role of solvent water as a proton transfer bridge in a multi-site electron proton transfer process was depicted.
Van't Hoff's law for active suspensions: the role of the solvent chemical potential
Authors: Rodenburg Jeroen , Dijkstra Marjolein , van Roij René
Published: November 2017

We extend Van’t Hoff's law for the osmotic pressure to active suspensions, and show that the osmotic pressure increases with activity as a result of an increase in the chemical potential of the solvent.
AFM-IR insights into the chemistry of interfacial tracking
Authors: Morsch Suzanne , Bastidas Pablo D. , Rowland Simon M.
Published: November 2017

AFM-IR provides detailed sub-micron chemical maps of the local damage inflicted by partial discharges.
A new 3D-printed photoelectrocatalytic reactor combining the benefits of a transparent electrode and the Fenton reaction for advanced wastewater treatment
Authors: Mousset Emmanuel , Huang Weiqi Victor , Foong Yang Kai Brandon , Koh Jun Shyang , Tng Jun Wei , Wang Zuxin , Lefebvre Olivier
Published: November 2017

A new TiO2-coated stirred glass reactor was designed, comprising a film of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated on a transparent glass anode.
Aligned and stable metallic MoS2 on plasma-treated mass transfer channels for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Yang Lei , Mukhopadhyay Alolika , Jiao Yucong , Hamel Jonathan , Benamara Mourad , Xing Yingjie , Zhu Hongli
Published: November 2017

Ultra-thin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have attracted intensive attention due to their catalytic properties.
Networked Pt–Sn nanowires as efficient catalysts for alcohol electrooxidation
Authors: Song Pingping , Cui Xiaoneng , Shao Qi , Feng Yonggang , Zhu Xing , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: November 2017

A wet-chemical method was developed to synthesize bimetallic aerogels of networked Pt–Sn NWs with modulated compositions. The optimized Pt6Sn3 NWs had higher activity and better stability for alcohol electrooxidation compared with Pt/C, showing a new class of efficient catalysts for electrocatalysis and beyond.
Correction: Gas induced conversion of hybrid perovskite single crystal to single crystal for great enhancement of their photoelectric properties
Authors: Ju Dianxing , Zhao Tianyu , Dang Yangyang , Zhang Guodong , Hu Xiaobo , Cui Deliang , Tao Xutang
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘Gas induced conversion of hybrid perovskite single crystal to single crystal for great enhancement of their photoelectric properties’ by Dianxing Ju et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7ta07413a.
Gene editing in tomatoes
Authors: Van Eck Joyce
Published: November 2017

Tomato is an effective model plant species because it possesses the qualities necessary for genetic and functional studies, but is also a food crop making what is learned more translatable for crop improvement when compared with other non-food crop models. The availability of genome sequences for many genotypes and amenability to transformation methodologies (Agrobacterium-mediated, direct DNA uptake via protoplasts, biolistics) make tomato the perfect platform to study the application of gene-editing technologies. This review includes information related to tomato transformation methodology, one of the necessary requirements for gene editing, along with the status of site-directed mutagenesis by TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases) and CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated Proteins). In addition to the reports on proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of gene editing in tomato, there are many reports that show the power of these technologies for modification of traits, such as fruit characteristics (ripening, size, and parthenocarpy), pathogen susceptibility, architecture (plant and inflorescence), and metabolic engineering. Also highlighted in this review are reports on the application of a recent CRISPR technology called base editing that allows the modification of one base pair in a gene sequence and a strategy that takes advantage of a geminivirus replicon for delivery of DNA repair template.
Impacts of K‐fading on the performance of massive MIMO systems
Authors: Mushtaq M.T. , Hassan S.A. , Saleem S. , Jayakody D.N.K.
Published: November 2017

Massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) has been identified as a key technology for next generation cellular systems. The performance of a multi‐cellular system with large antenna arrays at the base station and single antenna user terminals, operating under a composite fading‐shadowing environment are considered. The outage probability of the considered system is evaluated for the uplink transmission that uses a maximum ratio combining receiver.
Synthesis of hybrid AuNPs functionalised superparamagnetic NPs
Authors: Thimiri Govinda Raj Deepak B. , Ali Khan Niamat
Published: November 2017

In recent times, superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPMNPs) are of tremendous interest due to its physical and chemical properties. To apply SPMNPs for biological applications, SPMNPs are surface functionalised with biocompatible and water‐dispersible shell. However, most of the surface functionalisation are limited in its stability and durability. This work elaborates innovative approach for surface functionalisation of SPMNPs with gold NPs (AuNPs). Using this methodology, amino end‐group phospholipid functionalised SPMNPs (SPMNP 2.0) are coupled with AuNPs as an alternative strategy to retain highly biocompatible NPs. As a future perspective, gold functionalised SPMNP 2.0 could be used for protein or peptide bioconjugation, magnetic cell separation and subcellular fractionation.
Primary Dural Closure for Retrosigmoid Approaches
Authors: Venable Garrett , Roberts Mallory , Lee Ryan , Michael L.
Published: November 2017

Object Primary closure of posterior fossa dura can be challenging, and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks continue to represent a common complication of the retrosigmoid approach. We describe a simple technique to allow for primary closure of the dura following retrosigmoid approaches. The incidence of CSF leaks using this method is reported.

Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on all cases of retrosigmoid craniotomies performed by the senior surgeon from February 2009 to February 2015. The primary outcome was development of postoperative CSF leak or pseudomeningocele. Length of stay, lesion type, and other surgical complications were also reported.

Results Eighty-six patients underwent a retrosigmoid craniotomy during the study period. The most common indications for retrosigmoid craniotomy were microvascular decompression (58%) and tumor resection (36%). No allo- or autografts to repair the dural defect were needed, and no lumbar drains were used. No patients developed CSF otorrhea, rhinorrhea, or incisional leak postoperatively.

Conclusion Primary dural closure is possible in retrosigmoid approaches without the use of allo- or autografts and may prevent postoperative CSF leaks when combined with other posterior fossa closure techniques. Careful attention to the handling of the dural flap is necessary to achieve this.
Impact of Cochlear Dose on Hearing Preservation following Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Chung Lawrance , Ung Nolan , Sheppard John , Nguyen Thien , Lagman Carlito , Choy Winward , Tenn Stephen , Pouratian Nader , Lee Percy , Kaprealian Tania , Selch Michael , De Salles Antonio , Gopen Quinton , Yang Isaac
Published: November 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effect of cochlear dose on hearing preservation in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) for vestibular schwannoma (VS).

Design This is a retrospective case–control study.

Setting This study was completed at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, a university-affiliated tertiary care center.

Participants Patients who underwent SRS (marginal dose of 12 Gy) or fSRT (marginal dose of 50.4 Gy) procedures for VS were included in the study.

Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measure was hearing preservation. Audiometric data, when available, were used to determine the level of hearing according to the Gardner Robertson scale.

Results A total of 38 patients (14 SRS and 24 fSRT) were analyzed. SRS patients with decreased hearing received a significantly higher minimum cochlear dose (7.41 vs. 4.24 Gy, p = 0.02) as compared with those with stable hearing. In fSRT patients, there were no significant differences in cochlear dose for patients with decreased hearing as compared with those with stable hearing. For SRS patients, who received a minimum cochlear dose above 6 Gy, there was a significant risk of decreased hearing preservation (odds ratio: 32, p = 0.02).

Conclusion Higher minimum cochlear dose was predictive of decreased hearing preservation following SRS. Though the study is low powered, the radiation dose to the cochlea should be a parameter that is considered when planning SRS or fSRT therapies for patients with VS.
Soziale Entwicklung in den ersten Lebensjahren – Vom Ich zum Du
Authors: Benz Caroline , Jenni Oskar
Published: November 2017

Soziale Entwicklung in den ersten Lebensjahren Trotzig sein, Regeln missachten, lügen – was auf den ersten Blick wie ein schlechtes Verhalten anmutet, gehört zur normalen sozialen Entwicklung eines Kindes dazu. Ebenso wie Mitgefühl zeigen oder das eigene Spielzeug mit anderen zu teilen. Bei der Entwicklung der sozialen Fähigkeiten treten häufig Besonderheiten auf, die nicht auf eine Verhaltensstörung hinweisen, sondern einfach nur eine Entwicklungsvariante darstellen.
Juvenile idiopathische Arthritis – „Für Normalität sorgen ist das Beste, was man tun kann“
Authors: Becker Marion Anna
Published: November 2017

Sarah Gründel lebt seit 26 Jahren mit der Diagnose Rheuma. Von ihren Zielen abbringen ließ sie sich dadurch allerdings nie: Sie ist Mama geworden und hat ihren Traumberuf Ergotherapeutin erlernt. So hilft sie heute anderen Rheumapatienten, besser mit ihrer Krankheit umzugehen.
Factors Predicting Lower Leg Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in a Large Population
Authors: de Bruijn Johan , van Zantvoort Aniek , van Klaveren David , Winkes Michiel , van der Cruijsen-Raaijmakers Marike , Hoogeveen Adwin , Teijink Joep , Scheltinga Marc
Published: November 2017

Knowledge about lower leg chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is largely obtained from highly selected populations. Patient characteristics may therefore not be appropriate for the general population. Our purpose was to describe a heterogeneous population of individuals suspected of lower leg CECS and to identify predictors of CECS. Charts of individuals who were analyzed for exercise-induced lower leg pain in a referral center between 2001 and 2013 were retrospectively studied. Patients were included if history and physical examination were suggestive of CECS and if they had undergone a dynamic intracompartmental pressure measurement. Six hundred ninety-eight of 1411 individuals were diagnosed with CECS in one or more of three lower leg muscle compartments (anterior tibial, deep flexor, lateral). Prevalence of CECS peaked around the age of 20–25 years and decreased thereafter, although a plateau around 50 years was found. Age, gender, bilateral symptoms, previous lower leg pathology, sports (running and skating) and tender muscle compartments were identified as independent predictors of lower leg CECS. The proposed predictive model has moderate discriminative ability (AUC 0.66) and good calibration over the complete range of predicted probabilities. The predictive model, displayed as a nomogram, may aid in selecting individuals requiring an invasive dynamic intracompartmental muscle pressure measurement.
Lokale Vibrationstherapie in der Handtherapie – Good Vibrations
Authors: Paschedag Barbara , Brandt Vivien
Published: November 2017

Klienten mit schmerzhaften Einschränkungen der Arme und Hände Kompensationstechniken zu vermitteln, ist das eine. Ihre Lebensqualität durch Schmerzreduktion zu verbessern, das andere. Deshalb kommt das Novafon bei Klienten in der Handtherapie gerne begleitend zum Einsatz.
Improved numerical AC superposition method for electron energy distribution functions
Authors: Kang Hyun-Ju , Kim Dong-Hwan , Lee Moo-Young , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: November 2017

An improved AC superposition method is proposed to obtain the electron energy distribution functions (EEPFs) by reducing the effect of the high order derivative terms. In the AC superposition method, a small AC voltage is applied to the current-voltage curve, and the EEPF is obtained by the second harmonic current which is proportional to the second derivative of the current. If the AC voltage is not small compared to the electron temperature, the EEPF can be distorted by high derivative terms that are not ignorable. Thus, the proposed method uses the DC component and the second harmonics of the current to reduce the influence of the high order derivative terms. The fourth derivative term is removed and the coefficients of the higher order derivative terms become ignorable. The EEPF by this method shows that the resolution of the low energy part in the EEPFs is greatly improved.
Higher order corrections to dust-acoustic shock waves in a strongly coupled cryogenic dusty plasma
Authors: El-Borie M. A. , Atteya A.
Published: November 2017

To investigate the contribution of higher-order nonlinearity and dissipation to nonlinear ultra-low-frequency dust-acoustic shock waves (DASWs), a reductive perturbation technique is employed in a strongly coupled cryogenic dusty plasma. The model consists of Boltzmann distributed electrons and ions, as well as equations for strongly coupled charged dust grains. A nonlinear Burger equation and a linear inhomogeneous Burger-type equation are derived. The present model admits both compressive and rarefactive dust-acoustic (DA) shocks. Including these higher-order corrections results in creating new shock wave structures called “humped DASWs.” It is shown that the effects of kinematic viscosity, the number of electrons residing on the dust grain surface, Zd, and the dust number density via β have important roles in the basic features of the produced DA shocks and the associated electric fields. It has been shown that it is more important to be included. These findings are devoted to explaining the observed waves propagating in the laboratory plasma experiments at cryogenic temperature. This kind of plasma is used for etching nano-patterns without defects, used in nonideal systems, and physics of nucleation to deposit nanosize Si compounds.
Discharge characteristics of high voltage pulses inside rocks with increasing their applied number
Authors: Zhang Rui-Qiang , Hu Qiong , Liu Shao-Jun , Hu Xiao-Zhou
Published: November 2017

By conducting experiments for granite and sandstone samples under different conditions, such as voltage amplitude and electrodes gap, the discharge characteristics of high voltage pulses inside the rocks with increasing their applied number have been investigated. In each of the experiments, a certain value for voltage amplitude and electrodes gap is set separately and then, pulses are applied on same surface of the rocks continuously. The time dependent voltage between the electrodes, the current in plasma and the transient states around the electrode tips are measured and recorded separately when each of the pulses is applied. By means of the wave forms of the voltage and the current, variation laws of the discharging time and the energy release into the plasma with increasing applied pulses number have been obtained. The relation between the number of applied pulses and the critical condition of discharge inside of the rocks has been found. Further, the relation between the number of applied pulses required to discharge and the voltage amplitude has been also analyzed. The reasons of why increasing applied pulses number has such effects on discharge characteristics of them inside the granite and sandstone samples have been found and demonstrated.
Quantitative detection of the respective concentrations of chiral compounds with weak measurements
Authors: Xie Linguo , Qiu Xiaodong , Luo Lan , Liu Xiong , Li Zhaoxue , Zhang Zhiyou , Du Jinglei , Wang Deqiang
Published: November 2017

In this letter, we determine the respective concentrations of glucose and fructose in the mixed chiral solution by simultaneously measuring the optical rotation angle (ORA) and the refractive index change (RIC) with weak measurements. The photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) serves as a probe in our scheme. The measurement of ORA is based on the high sensitivity of the amplification factor to the polarization state in weak measurements. The measurement of RIC is based on the rapid variation of spin splitting of the PSHE. The measurement precision of the respective concentrations can be achieved to be 0.02 mg/ml. This method can detect traces of enantiomeric impurities and has a potential application in chiral sensing.
Lateral traction of laminar flow between sliding pair with heterogeneous slip/no-slip surface
Authors: Wu Zhenpeng , Zeng Liangcai , Chen Xiaolan , Chen Keying , Ding Xianzhong
Published: November 2017

The problem of shaft axial motion which significantly affects the lubrication performance has been a common phenomenon in journal bearing systems. The existing work involved in the solution of shaft axial motion is also very rare. In this study, we choose to examine the flow between sliding pair in which regard we present a unique heterogeneous surface consisting of a slip zone and a no-slip zone. The results reveal the following points: 1) By appropriately arranging the slip zone to change the angle between the borderline and the moving direction of the upper plate, it is possible to control the direction of the lateral traction in which the liquid film acts on the upper plate. 2) Exponent of the power function of the borderline and aspect ratio of the computational domain are large or small are not conducive to increasing the effect of lateral traction. For the object of this study, the final results of the optimization are shown that the lateral traction can account for 20% of the resistance.
Effect of heat treatment on the nanoporosity of silica PECVD films elucidated by low-energy positron annihilation and ellipsometric porosimetry
Authors: Yoshimoto Shigeru , Kumagai Kazuhiro , Hosomi Hiroyuki , Takeda Masaaki , Tsuru Toshinori , Ito Kenji
Published: November 2017

The nanoporosity of silica thin films, prepared through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with different flow rates of tetraethyl orthosilicate, was investigated by means of vapor-adsorption ellipsometric porosimetry (EP) and pulsed, low-energy positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The effect of heat treatment on the subnano-scaled pore structure was observed via changes in the porosity and the pore dimension, obtained from EP and PALS, respectively. The open porosity of the as-deposited films, elucidated from the methanol (MeOH) adsorption isotherms at 26 °C, was found to range up to 5%. After annealing, the open porosity was reduced to almost zero, whereas the film total porosity was not significantly changed. This suggests that bottlenecks connecting pores near the film surface were developed by heat treatment, so that those bottlenecks prevented the MeOH molecules from diffusing into the open pores. On the other hand, the PALS results indicated that subnano-scaled pores of the films were enlarged along with the heat treatment; as a result, their sizes, evaluated from the lifetimes of ortho-positronium, were in the range of 0.31 nm to 0.37 nm in radius. These results from EP and PALS signified that the heat treatment enhanced the structural non-uniformity with respect to nanoporosity of the silica films.