bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Environment on the Toxicity of Glyphosate to Johnsongrass(Sorghum halepense)and Soybeans(Glycine max)
Authors: McWhorter C. G. , Azlin W. R.
Published: May 2018

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers.] and soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Lee 68’] were treated over-the-top with glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 0.2 and 0.4 kg/ha with surfactant in spray solutions and 0.4 and 0.7 kg/ha without surfactant in spray solutions. Treated plants were maintained in the growth chamber for 2 weeks after treatment at 24, 29, and 35 C; 45 and 100% relative humidity (RH); and 12 and 20% soil moisture. Glyphosate at 0.4 kg/ha applied without surfactant controlled johnsongrass better at 100% than at 45% RH. Johnsongrass control was better with 20% than with 12% soil moisture. Averaged over all evironments, the order of glyphosate toxicity to johnsongrass at 0.4 and 0.7 kg/ha was 35 C > 29 C > 24 C. The environmental condition of 45% RH and 12% soil, moisture resulted in least johnsongrass control regardless of temperature. The order of glyphosate toxicity to soybeans when applied without surfactant was 24 C > 29 C > 35 C. Glyphosate applied without surfactant was more toxic to soybeans at 100% than at 45% RH and more toxic at 12% than at 20% soil moisture. Surfactant in spray solutions increased glyphosate toxicity to johnsongrass and soybeans.
Multiple Herbicide Treatments for Grassy Weed Control in Turf
Authors: Johnson B. J.
Published: May 2018

Two applications of benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α,-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine), profluralin [N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine], prosulfalin N-[[4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrophenyl]sulfonyl]-S,S-dimethylsulfilimine, and napropamide [2-(α-naphthoxy)-N,N-diethylpropionamide] provided full-season large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] control in turfgrass. Benefin was applied at 3.3 kg/ha in March and 2.2 kg/ha in May while other herbicides were applied at 2.2 kg/ha in March and May. Satisfactory goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] control was obtained with a single March treatment with prosulfalin, but two applications of napropamide in March and May were required for similar control. None of the herbicide treatments severely injured common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] or Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.) ‘Common’] in these studies. Prosulfalin at 6.6 kg/ha applied as single treatment or 3.3 kg/ha in each of two applications resulted in moderate injury to Kentucky bluegrass in 1 of 2 yr.
Simulation of Foxtail(Setaria viridisvar.robusta-alba, Setaria viridisvar.robusta-purpurea)Growth: The Development of SETSIM
Authors: Orwick P. L. , Schreiber M. M. , Holt D. A.
Published: May 2018

We developed a model and subsequently simulated robust white foxtail(Setaria viridisvar.robusta-albaSchreiber) or robust purple foxtail(Setaria viridisvar.robusta-purpureaSchreiber) growth. SETSIM(SETariaSIMulation) uses the GASP IV simulation language which allows for both continuously changing variables and discrete events. GASP IV provides the necessary integrations and automatic time-stepping essential in simulation. SETSIM uses the materials-flow concept to simulate foxtail growth and development on a population basis. Carbohydrate flow among six compartments (leaf, stem, and root total nonstructural carbohydrate pools; leaf, stem, and root tissue) is governed by nine physiological rates. Each rate is dependent on the physiological state of the foxtail population and the environmental conditions prevailing. Simulation of carbohydrate flow in and out of each compartment results in the net growth of that compartment. By considering all six compartments simultaneously, the vegetative growth and development of a foxtail population can be simulated. Validation of SETSIM with field data recorded over a 2-yr period has shown that this simulator can accurately predict foxtail growth parameters such as dry matter accumulation, plant height, leaf area index, and leaf to stem ratio. SETSIM could serve as a framework for other weed models because of its modular structure. Such models can benefit weed science by predicting the active stage of weed growth, predicting whether a weed could become a problem under different climatic conditions, interfacing with existing crop models to predict yield and harvest restriction, pointing out gaps in our present knowledge in weed biology, and serving as teaching aids.
A person-centered approach to the assessment of early life stress: Associations with the volume of stress-sensitive brain regions in early adolescence
Authors: King Lucy S. , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Camacho M. Catalina , Gotlib Ian H.
Published: May 2018

Researchers are becoming increasingly interested in linking specific forms of early life stress (ELS) to specific neurobiological markers, including alterations in the morphology of stress-sensitive brain regions. We used a person-centered, multi-informant approach to investigate the associations of specific constellations of ELS with hippocampal and amygdala volume in a community sample of 211 9- to 13-year-old early adolescents. Further, we compared this approach to a cumulative risk model of ELS, in which ELS was quantified by the total number of stressors reported. Using latent class analysis, we identified three classes of ELS (labeled typical/low, family instability, and direct victimization) that were distinguished by experiences of family instability and victimization. Adolescents in the direct victimization class had significantly smaller hippocampal volume than did adolescents in the typical/low class; ELS classes were not significantly associated with amygdala volume. The cumulative risk model of ELS had a poorer fit than did the person-centered model; moreover, cumulative ELS was not significantly associated with hippocampal or amygdala volume. Our results underscore the utility of taking a person-centered approach to identify alterations in stress-sensitive brain regions based on constellations of ELS, and suggest victimization is specifically associated with hippocampal hypotrophy observed in early adolescence.
Subexponentials in non-commutative linear logic
Authors: KANOVICH MAX , KUZNETSOV STEPAN , NIGAM VIVEK , SCEDROV ANDRE
Published: May 2018

Linear logical frameworks with subexponentials have been used for the specification of, among other systems, proof systems, concurrent programming languages and linear authorisation logics. In these frameworks, subexponentials can be configured to allow or not for the application of the contraction and weakening rules while the exchange rule can always be applied. This means that formulae in such frameworks can only be organised as sets and multisets of formulae not being possible to organise formulae as lists of formulae. This paper investigates the proof theory of linear logic proof systems in the non-commutative variant. These systems can disallow the application of exchange rule on some subexponentials. We investigate conditions for when cut elimination is admissible in the presence of non-commutative subexponentials, investigating the interaction of the exchange rule with the local and non-local contraction rules. We also obtain some new undecidability and decidability results on non-commutative linear logic with subexponentials.
Dietary patterns and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Wei Zhi-Yong , Liu Jun-Jie , Zhan Xue-Mei , Feng Hao-Miao , Zhang Yuan-Yuan
Published: May 2018

Objective

Data on dietary patterns in relation to the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a middle-aged Chinese population are sparse. The present study was performed to determine the major dietary patterns among a population aged 45–59 years and to evaluate their associations with MetS risk in China.

Design

Cross-sectional examination of the association between dietary patterns and MetS. Face-to-face interviews were used to assess dietary intake using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. OR and 95 % CI for MetS were calculated across quartiles of dietary pattern scores using multivariate logistic regression analysis models.

Setting

City of Linyi, Shandong Province, China.

Subjects

Adults (n 1918) aged 45–59 years.

Results

Three major dietary patterns were identified: traditional Chinese, animal food and high-energy. After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals in the highest quartile of the traditional Chinese pattern had a reduced risk of MetS relative to the lowest quartile (OR=0·72, 95 % CI 0·596, 0·952; P<0·05). Compared with those in the lowest quartile, individuals in the highest quartile of the animal food pattern had a greater risk of MetS (OR=1·28; 95 % CI 1·103, 1·697; P<0·05). No significant association was observed between the high-energy pattern and risk of MetS.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the traditional Chinese pattern was associated with a reduced risk, while the animal food pattern was associated with increased risk of MetS. Given the cross-sectional nature of our study, further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
A Field Guide to Finding Fossils on Mars
Authors: McMahon S. , Bosak T. , Grotzinger J. P. , Milliken R. E. , Summons R. E. , Daye M. , Newman S. A. , Fraeman A. , Williford K. H. , Briggs D. E. G.
Published: May 2018

The Martian surface is cold, dry, exposed to biologically harmful radiation and apparently barren today. Nevertheless, there is clear geological evidence for warmer, wetter intervals in the past that could have supported life at or near the surface. This evidence has motivated National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency to prioritize the search for any remains or traces of organisms from early Mars in forthcoming missions. Informed by (1) stratigraphic, mineralogical and geochemical data collected by previous and current missions, (2) Earth's fossil record, and (3) experimental studies of organic decay and preservation, we here consider whether, how, and where fossils and isotopic biosignatures could have been preserved in the depositional environments and mineralizing media thought to have been present in habitable settings on early Mars. We conclude that Noachian‐Hesperian Fe‐bearing clay‐rich fluvio‐lacustrine siliciclastic deposits, especially where enriched in silica, currently represent the most promising and best understood astropaleontological targets. Siliceous sinters would also be an excellent target, but their presence on Mars awaits confirmation. More work is needed to improve our understanding of fossil preservation in the context of other environments specific to Mars, particularly within evaporative salts and pore/fracture‐filling subsurface minerals.
Understanding the Effects of Anthropogenic Space Weather
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: May 2018

A large plasma hole generated by the vertical launch of the Formosat-5 satellite created temporary navigating and positioning errors of up to 1 meter, according to a new study.
New Book Conveys Details and Flavor of First Mission to Pluto
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2018

New Horizons principal investigator tells Eos that the mission has revolutionized our understanding of small planets.
Reprocessable thermosets for sustainable three-dimensional printing
Authors: Zhang Biao , Kowsari Kavin , Serjouei Ahmad , Dunn Martin L. , Ge Qi
Published: May 2018

Among all three-dimensional (3D) printing materials, thermosetting photopolymers claim almost half of the market, and have been widely used in various fields owing to their superior mechanical stability at high temperatures, excellent chemical resistance as well as good compatibility with high-resolution 3D printing technologies. However, once these thermosetting photopolymers form 3D parts through photopolymerization, the covalent networks are permanent and cannot be reprocessed, i.e., reshaped, repaired, or recycled. Here, we report a two-step polymerization strategy to develop 3D printing reprocessable thermosets (3DPRTs) that allow users to reform a printed 3D structure into a new arbitrary shape, repair a broken part by simply 3D printing new material on the damaged site, and recycle unwanted printed parts so the material can be reused for other applications. These 3DPRTs provide a practical solution to address environmental challenges associated with the rapid increase in consumption of 3D printing materials.
Can osmotic membrane bioreactor be a realistic solution for water reuse?
Authors: Blandin Gaetan , Le-Clech Pierre , Cornelissen Emile , Verliefde Arne R. D. , Comas Joaquim , Rodriguez-Roda Ignasi
Published: May 2018

A growing emphasis on water recycling resulted in intense research activity, aiming to develop and validate reliable and high-quality water treatment processes at lowest cost. In parallel, significant advances in the field of osmotically driven processes have been obtained in the past decade. While the combination of membrane bioreactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) has become the preferred choice for water reuse, the osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) has begun to be considered as a promising alternative. Based on the current state of knowledge, this paper critically asses the potential for OMBR to be implemented for water reuse application and highlights challenges to reach full scale operation. The initial vision of an energy-free osmotic gradient process is not realistic and its low fouling behaviour is still to be properly assessed. However, OMBR demonstrated unique features such as high rejection of contaminants and an absence of RO brine stream that can support its implementation, especially in the context of high end (potable, industrial) water reuse. However, to become a viable and effective technology for water reuse, significant research and development is still required. Tackling the salinity build-up, developing membranes and modules adapted to OMBR, evaluating long term performance and economics, validating removal of contaminants and developing design, maintenance and automatic control systems constitute critical topics to be considered in future research.
Bioelectrochemical conversion of CO2 to value added product formate using engineered Methylobacterium extorquens
Authors: Jang Jungho , Jeon Byoung Wook , Kim Yong Hwan
Published: May 2018

The conversion of carbon dioxide to formate is a fundamental step for building C1 chemical platforms. Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 was reported to show remarkable activity converting carbon dioxide into formate. Formate dehydrogenase 1 from M. extorquens AM1 (MeFDH1) was verified as the key responsible enzyme for the conversion of carbon dioxide to formate in this study. Using a 2% methanol concentration for induction, microbial harboring the recombinant MeFDH1 expressing plasmid produced the highest concentration of formate (26.6 mM within 21 hours) in electrochemical reactor. 60 μM of sodium tungstate in the culture medium was optimal for the expression of recombinant MeFDH1 and production of formate (25.7 mM within 21 hours). The recombinant MeFDH1 expressing cells showed maximum formate productivity of 2.53 mM/g-wet cell/hr, which was 2.5 times greater than that of wild type. Thus, M. extorquens AM1 was successfully engineered by expressing MeFDH1 as recombinant enzyme to elevate the production of formate from CO2 after elucidating key responsible enzyme for the conversion of CO2 to formate.
Detection of cervical lymph node metastasis from oral cavity cancer using a non-radiating, noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system
Authors: Dong Fan , Tao Chuansibo , Wu Ji , Su Ying , Wang Yuguang , Wang Yong , Guo Chuanbin , Lyu Peijun
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a non-radiating, noninvasive infrared (IR) thermal imaging system in the detection of cervical lymph node metastasis from oral cavity cancer. In this prospective clinical trial, a total of 90 oral cavity cancer patients suspected of having cervical lymph node metastasis underwent IR imaging of the neck prior to neck dissection. Analysis of the IR images was performed by two methods: manual qualitative analysis and automatic analysis by an entropy-gradient support vector machine (EGSVM). The efficacies of the EGSVM-based infrared thermal imaging system and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) were compared by using the Noninferiority Testing. Compared with manual qualitative analysis, the EGSVM-based automatic analysis had a higher sensitivity (84.8% vs. 71.7%), specificity (77.3% vs. 72.7%), accuracy (81.1% vs. 72.2%), positive predictive value (79.6% vs. 73.3%) and negative predictive value (82.9% vs. 71.1%). The EGSVM-based infrared thermal imaging system was noninferior to contrast-enhanced CT (P < 0.05). The EGSVM-based infrared thermal imaging system showed a trend of higher sensitivity, whereas contrast-enhanced CT showed a trend of higher specificity. The EGSVM-based infrared thermal imaging system is a promising non-radiating, noninvasive tool for the detection of lymph node metastasis from oral cavity cancer.
Sika deer (Cervus nippon)-specific real-time PCR method to detect fraudulent labelling of meat and meat products
Authors: Kaltenbrunner Maria , Hochegger Rupert , Cichna-Markl Margit
Published: May 2018

Since game meat is more valuable and expensive than meat from domesticated animal species it is a potential target for adulteration. Analytical methods must allow the identification and quantification of meat species to be applicable for the detection of fraudulent labelling. We developed a real-time PCR assay for the authentication of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and products thereof. The primer/probe system amplifies a 71 bp fragment of the kappa-casein precursor gene. Since the target sequence contained only one sika deer-specific base, we introduced a deliberate base mismatch in the forward primer. The real-time PCR assay did not show cross-reactivity with 19 animal and 49 plant species tested. Low cross-reactivity was observed with red deer, fallow deer, reindeer and moose. However, with a ΔCt value of ≥11.79 between sika deer and the cross-reacting species, cross-reactivity will not affect the accuracy of the method. LOD and LOQ, determined by analysing serial dilutions of a DNA extract containing 1% (w/w) sika deer DNA in pig DNA, were 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively. The accuracy was evaluated by analysing DNA mixtures and DNA isolates from meat extract mixtures and meat mixtures. In general, recoveries were in the range from 70 to 130%.
Virulence-inhibitory activity of the degradation product 3-hydroxybutyrate explains the protective effect of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate against the major aquaculture pathogen Vibrio campbellii
Authors: Defoirdt Tom , Mai Anh Nguyen Thi , De Schryver Peter
Published: May 2018

The bacterial storage compound poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, a polymer of the short-chain fatty acid 3-hydroxybutyrate, has been reported to protect various aquatic animals from bacterial disease. In order to obtain a better mechanistic insight, we aimed to (1) investigate whether 3-hydroxybutyrate is released from poly-β-hydroxybutyrate within sterile brine shrimp larvae, (2) determine the impact of 3-hydroxybutyrate on the virulence of Vibrio campbellii to brine shrimp larvae and on its cell density in the shrimp, and (3) determine the impact of this compound on virulence factor production in the pathogen. We detected 3-hydroxybutyrate in poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-fed brine shrimp, resulting in 24 mM 3-hydroxybutyrate in the intestinal tract of shrimp reared in the presence of 1000 mg l−1 poly-β-hydroxybutyrate. We further demonstrate that this concentration of 3-hydroxybutyrate does not affect the growth of V. campbellii, whereas it decreases the production of different virulence factors, including hemolysin, phospholipase and protease activities, and swimming motility. We hypothesize that by affecting all these virulence factors at once, 3-hydroxybutyrate (and thus also poly-β-hydroxybutyrate) can exert a significant impact on the virulence of V. campbellii. This hypothesis was confirmed in a challenge test showing that 3-hydroxybutyrate protected gnotobiotic brine shrimp from pathogenic V. campbellii, without affecting the number of host-associated vibrios.
The effect of high fat diet and metformin treatment on liver lipids accumulation and their impact on insulin action
Authors: Zabielski Piotr , Hady Hady Razak , Chacinska Marta , Roszczyc Kamila , Gorski Jan , Blachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka U.
Published: May 2018

We sought to determine whether metformin treatment reverses a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic insulin resistance (IRes) and to identify lipid intermediates involved in induction of liver IRes. The experiments were conducted on male Wistar rats divided into three groups: 1. Control, 2. fed HFD and 3. fed HFD and treated with metformin. The animals were infused with a [U-13C]palmitate to measure fractional lipid synthesis rate. This allowed for the calculation of fractional synthesis rate of signaling lipids (FSR) through the estimation of their isotopic enrichment. Liver ceramide (Cer), diacylglycerol (DAG) and acyl-carnitine concentration and enrichment were analyzed by LC/MS/MS. The content of proteins involved in lipid metabolism and insulin signaling were analyzed by Western Blot. HFD treatment increased the content and FSR of DAG and Cer in the liver which was accompanied by systemic insulin resistance and inhibition of hepatic insulin signaling pathway under insulin stimulation. Metformin treatment ameliorated systemic insulin resistance and augmented the hepatic insulin signaling cascade. It reduced both the concentration and FSR of Cer, DAG, and increased acyl-carnitine content and the expression of mitochondrial markers. We postulate, that in liver, the insulin sensitizing effect of metformin depends on augmentation of mitochondrial β-oxidation, which protects from hepatic accumulation of both the Cer and DAG and preserves insulin sensitivity under HFD consumption. Moreover, we showed that hepatic content of Cer and DAG corresponds with their respective FSR.
The role of pH on the biological struvite production in digested sludge dewatering liquors
Authors: Simoes Francisco , Vale Peter , Stephenson Tom , Soares Ana
Published: May 2018

Struvite production mediated by bacteria has opened up a new route for phosphorus recovery from wastewater streams but its application to digested sludge dewatering liquors is not yet well understood. This study investigates the growth and biological struvite production of selected bacteria in wastewater liquors with pHs between 5.7 to 9.1. The bacterial growth was assessed through flow cytometry.Bacillus pumilus, Halobacterium salinarumandBrevibacterium antiquumremained viable at pHs between 5.7 to 9.1 butB. antiquumwas able to grow at pHs between 7.3 to 7.8. Further analysis allowed the identification of crystals as struvite in tests between pH 7.3 to 8.3. All strains were capable of producing struvite at a range of pHs, but the highest production of 135–198 mg/L was observed for pHs between 7.3 to 8.3. At pHs > 8.3, precipitation of struvite and calcium compounds was observed in inoculated and non-inoculated tests. This study demonstrates that biological struvite production can occur at a wide range of pHs, hence significantly different from chemical struvite precipitation that occurs at pH > 8.3, making it a potentially viable process for phosphorus recovery as struvite from wastewater streams and sludge liquors without strict pH control.
Molecular targets of Chinese herbs: a clinical study of metastatic colorectal cancer based on network pharmacology
Authors: Zhu Hongxu , Hao Jian , Niu Yangyang , Liu Dan , Chen Dan , Wu Xiongzhi
Published: May 2018

Increasing evidence has shown that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has promising therapeutic effects in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the active ingredients and potential targets remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relative molecular targets of the Chinese herbs that have been found effective in treating metastatic CRC (mCRC) based on clinical data and network pharmacology. In multivariate analysis CHM resulted an independent prognostic factor. The hazard ratio was 0.103 (95% confidence interval = 0.064–0.164; P < 0.001). Compared with the non-CHM group, the median survival time of the CHM group was also improved (40 versus 12 months; P < 0.001). Eighteen out of 295 herbs showed significant correlation with survival results (P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the 18 herbs realize anti-CRC activity mainly through suppressing the proliferative activity of ERBB2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and retinoid X receptor, suppressing angiogenesis via inhibition of VEGFR and VEGFA expression, inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT1 signaling pathway directly through SRC and AKT1, and reducing tumor necrosis factor-induced inflammation.
Efficient and surface site-selective ion desorption by positron annihilation
Authors: Tachibana Takayuki , Yamashita Takashi , Nagira Masaru , Yabuki Hisakuni , Nagashima Yasuyuki
Published: May 2018

We compared positron- and electron-stimulated desorption (e+SD and ESD) of positive ions from a TiO2(110) surface. Although desorption of O+ ions was observed in both experiments, the desorption efficiency caused by positron bombardment was larger by one order of magnitude than that caused by electron bombardment at an incident energy of 500 eV. e+SD of O+ ions remained highly efficient with incident positron energies between 10 eV and 600 eV. The results indicate that e+SD of O+ ions is predominantly caused by pair annihilation of surface-trapped positrons with inner-shell electrons. We also tested e+SD from water chemisorbed on the TiO2 surface and found that the desorption of specific ions was enhanced by positron annihilation, above the ion yield with electron bombardment. This finding corroborates our conclusion that annihilation-site selectivity of positrons results in site-selective ion desorption from a bombarded surface.
Active solution of homography for pavement crack recovery with four laser lines
Authors: Xu Guan , Chen Fang , Wu Guangwei , Li Xiaotao
Published: May 2018

An active solution method of the homography, which is derived from four laser lines, is proposed to recover the pavement cracks captured by the camera to the real-dimension cracks in the pavement plane. The measurement system, including a camera and four laser projectors, captures the projection laser points on the 2D reference in different positions. The projection laser points are reconstructed in the camera coordinate system. Then, the laser lines are initialized and optimized by the projection laser points. Moreover, the plane-indicated Plücker matrices of the optimized laser lines are employed to model the laser projection points of the laser lines on the pavement. The image-pavement homography is actively determined by the solutions of the perpendicular feet of the projection laser points. The pavement cracks are recovered by the active solution of homography in the experiments. The recovery accuracy of the active solution method is verified by the 2D dimension-known reference. The test case with the measurement distance of 700 mm and the relative angle of 8° achieves the smallest recovery error of 0.78 mm in the experimental investigations, which indicates the application potentials in the vision-based pavement inspection.
Synergistic combination of two antimicrobial agents closing each other’s mutant selection windows to prevent antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Xu Xuejie , Xu Li , Yuan Ganjun , Wang Yimin , Qu Yunqiu , Zhou Meijing
Published: May 2018

Antimicrobial resistance seriously threatened human health. Combination therapy is generally an effective strategy to fight resistance, while some data on its effects are conflicting. To explore the reasons, the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FICIs) of three designed combinations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were determined using checkerboard method, and their minimal concentrations inhibiting colony formation by 99% (MIC99%s) and mutant prevention concentrations (MPCs) alone or in combinations including different proportions were first determined using agar plates. The results indicated that different proportions of a combination had presented different MPCs and mutant selection window (MSWs), and also showed that the smaller the FICIs of two agents in combinations were, the more probable their MSWs were to close each other. As two agents of a combination had different pharmacokinetic characters, the ratios of two agents in blood and infectious sites were likely different even though a specific proportion was administrated, which would lead to different effects preventing resistance. Thereby, these experimental results theoretically indicated that synergistic combination closing each other’s MSWs had a great potency to prevent resistance according to the hypotheses of MSW and MPC, and deduced that in vivo synergistic validity of a combination was likely a key to prevent resistance. Moreover, a synergistic combination of roxithromycin/doxycycline with the FICIs of 0.26–0.50 and 0.28–0.38 respectively against MRSA 01 and 02 was obtained, and the MSWs of these two agents could be simultaneously closed each other in a certain range of proportions, but for others. Meanwhile, its effect preventing resistance needs to be further verified.
Novel sequences, structural variations and gene presence variations of Asian cultivated rice
Authors: Hu Zhiqiang , Wang Wensheng , Wu Zhichao , Sun Chen , Li Min , Lu Jinyuan , Fu Binying , Shi Jianxin , Xu Jianlong , Ruan Jue , Wei Chaochun , Li Zhikang
Published: May 2018

Genomic diversity within a species genome is the genetic basis of its phenotypic diversity essential for its adaptation to environments. The big picture of the total genetic diversity within Asian cultivated rice has been uncovered since the sequencing of 3,000 rice genomes, including the SNP data publicly available in the SNP-Seek database. Here we report other aspects of the genetic diversity, including rice sequences assembled from over 3,000 accessions but absent in the Nipponbare reference genome, structural variations (SVs) and gene presence/absence variations (PAVs) in 453 accessions with sequencing depth over 20x. Using either SVs or gene PAVs, we were able to reconstruct the population structure of O. sativa, which was consistent with previous result based on SNPs. Moreover, we demonstrated the usefulness of the new data sets by successfully detecting the strong association of the “Green Revolution gene”, sd1, with plant height. Our data provide a more comprehensive view of the genetic diversity within rice, as well as additional genomic resources for research in rice breeding and plant biology.
Synthesis of naphthyridin-2(1H)-one derivativesviaring expansion of 3-substituted-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one derivatives
Authors: Croix C. , Massip S. , Viaud-Massuard M.-C.
Published: May 2018

The reaction of 3-aryl or 3-heteroaryl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-2(3H)-one derivatives with an azide source under microwave irradiation provided 3- and 4-amino-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one derivatives through cycloaddition–rearrangement ring expansion.
In vitro selection of electrochemical peptide probes using bioorthogonal tRNA for influenza virus detection
Authors: K. C. Tara Bahadur , Tada Seiichi , Zhu Liping , Uzawa Takanori , Minagawa Noriko , Luo Shyh-Chyang , Zhao Haichao , Yu Hsiao-hua , Aigaki Toshiro , Ito Yoshihiro
Published: May 2018

An electro-polymerizable peptide probe containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-conjugated aminophenylalanine was developed for “turn-on” detection of influenza virus.
Redox properties of alluaudite sodium cobalt manganese sulfates as high-voltage electrodes for rechargeable batteries
Authors: Marinova D. M. , Kostov V. V. , Nikolova R. P. , Kukeva R. R. , Zhecheva E. N. , Stoyanova R. K.
Published: May 2018

This is the first experimental evidence for the operation of sodium cobalt-manganese sulfate, Na2+2δ(Co0.63Mn0.37)2−δ(SO4)3, at potentials higher than 4.0 V vs. Li/Li+.
Proton and ammonia intercalation into layered iron chalcogenides
Authors: Zhou Xiuquan , Wilfong Brandon , Liou Sz-Chian , Hodovanets Halyna , Brown Craig M. , Rodriguez Efrain E.
Published: May 2018

Hydrothermal synthesis of ammonia-intercalated iron chalcogenides using an alkali-free route.
Electrolyte-gated transistors based on phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) films: bridging redox properties, charge carrier transport and device performance
Authors: Lan Tian , Soavi Francesca , Marcaccio Massimo , Brunner Pierre-Louis , Sayago Jonathan , Santato Clara
Published: May 2018

We shed light on the correlation between electron transfer properties, ionic and electronic transport as well as device performance in ionic liquid (IL)-gated PCBM transistors.
Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl-, primary alkyl-, and secondary alkylboranes with heteroaryl bromides
Authors: Bergmann Allison M. , Oldham Adam M. , You Wei , Brown M. Kevin
Published: May 2018

A method for the Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling of both aryl and alkylboranes with aryl bromides is described.
Optical spectroscopy study of nano- and microstructures fabricated by femtosecond laser pulses on ZnO based systems
Authors: de Prado Esther , Florian Camilo , Sotillo Belén , Siegel Jan , Solis Javier , Fernández Paloma
Published: May 2018

Self-organized nanowires with large aspect ratios and beehive-like structures with well preserved luminescence properties.
Microwave plasma enabled synthesis of free standing carbon nanostructures at atmospheric pressure conditions
Authors: Bundaleska N. , Tsyganov D. , Dias A. , Felizardo E. , Henriques J. , Dias F. M. , Abrashev M. , Kissovski J. , Tatarova E.
Published: May 2018

Schematic representation of the physico-chemical processes involved in the formation of carbon nanostructures in the microwave plasma environment.
SO2absorption in EmimCl–TEG deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Yang Dezhong , Zhang Shaoze , Jiang De-en , Dai Sheng
Published: May 2018

The C2–H on imidazolium ring mainly interacted with the hydroxyl group of TEG, and the EmimCl–TEG DESs have a high SO2absorption capacity.
Halogen bonding and triiodide asymmetry in cocrystals of triphenylmethylphosphonium triiodide with organoiodines
Authors: Kobra Khadijatul , O’Donnell Shaun , Ferrari Andrew , McMillen Colin D. , Pennington William T.
Published: May 2018

Halogen bonding in triiodide–organoiodine cocrystals.
A new nanomatrix based on functionalized fullerene and porous bimetallic nanoparticles for electrochemical chiral sensing
Authors: Ma Jiao , Yang Chengcheng , Zhu Shu , Song Jinyi , Fu Yingzi
Published: May 2018

A simple, functionalized fullerene and porous Au@Pd nanoparticle-based chiral sensor for tyrosine enantiomer recognition.
Highly enantioselective Ir/f-amphox-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketoamides: efficient access to chiral hydroxy amides
Authors: Hu Yang , Yin Xuguang , Chen Ziyi , Dong Xiu-Qin , Zhang Xumu
Published: May 2018

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral hydroxy amides has been successfully accomplished by asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral α-, β-, γ-, δ-keto amides catalyzed by Ir/f-amphox with up to >99% conversion and >99% ee.
Crystalline niobium phosphates with water-tolerant and adjustable Lewis acid sites for the production of lactic acid from triose sugars
Authors: Wang Xincheng , Song Yongji , Huang Chongpin , Wang Bin
Published: May 2018

Crystalline niobium phosphates: water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts for the conversion of trioses to lactic acid under aqueous conditions.
Magneto-capillary dynamics of amphiphilic Janus particles at curved liquid interfaces
Authors: Fei Wenjie , Driscoll Michelle M. , Chaikin Paul M. , Bishop Kyle J. M.
Published: May 2018

Static homogeneous fields drive motions of magnetic particles along curved liquid interfaces.
Metachronal motion of artificial magnetic cilia
Authors: Hanasoge Srinivas , Hesketh Peter J. , Alexeev Alexander
Published: May 2018

Bio-mimetic metachronal motion can be created in arrays of artificial magnetic cilia actuated by a rotating magnetic field.
Compact mechanically frequency and pattern reconfigurable patch antenna
Authors: Boukarkar Abdelheq , Lin Xian Qi , Jiang Yuan , Chen Yi Jun , Nie Li Ying , Mei Peng
Published: May 2018

The authors propose the design of a compact mechanically frequency and pattern reconfigurable patch antenna. The frequency tuning is achieved by changing the positions of two adjustable shorting screws which are used to modify the length of the antenna radiating patch. Simulated and measured results are carried out to validate the proposed approach. When the screws are symmetrically positioned, the measured operating frequency can be tuned from 2.95 to 5.16 GHz without degrading the radiation characteristics over the entire comparatively wide measured tuning range of 54.5%. The antenna main radiating beam can be tilted from θ = 0° to θ = 30° when the screws are asymmetrically positioned. The measured gains and efficiencies range from 3.01 to 5.53 dBi and 68 to 74%, respectively. The overall antenna size is only 0.39λ0 × 0.39λ0 × 0.02λ0.
Sicherheit der Blutdrucksenkung bei Hämodialysepatienten
Authors: van der Giet Markus
Published: May 2018

Das optimale Blutdruckziel für Patienten mit Hämodialyse ist nicht bekannt. 126 hypertensive Patienten unter Hämodialysetherapie wurden standardisiert mit einem prädialytischen systolischen Blutdruck von 110–140 mmHg (intensiver Arm) oder von 155–165 mmHg (Standardarm) eingeteilt. Das primäre Ziel war es, sowohl die Machbarkeit als auch die Sicherheit für eine komplette Studie zu etablieren. Ein sekundäres Ziel war, die Veränderung der linksventrikulären Hypertrophie zu messen. Die mediane Nachbeobachtungsphase war 365 Tage.
Evaluation of Multimedia Medication Reconciliation Software: A Randomized Controlled, Single-Blind Trial to Measure Diagnostic Accuracy for Discrepancy Detection
Authors: Lesselroth Blake , Adams Kathleen , Church Victoria , Tallett Stephanie , Russ Yelizaveta , Wiedrick Jack , Forsberg Christopher , Dorr David
Published: May 2018

Background The Veterans Affairs Portland Healthcare System developed a medication history collection software that displays prescription names and medication images.

Objective This article measures the frequency of medication discrepancy reporting using the medication history collection software and compares with the frequency of reporting using a paper-based process. This article also determines the accuracy of each method by comparing both strategies to a best possible medication history.

Study Design Randomized, controlled, single-blind trial.

Setting Three community-based primary care clinics associated with the Veterans Affairs Portland Healthcare System: a 300-bed teaching facility and ambulatory care network serving Veteran soldiers in the Pacific Northwest United States.

Participants Of 212 patients with primary care appointments, 209 patients fulfilled the study requirements.

Intervention Patients randomized to a software-directed medication history or a paper-based medication history. Randomization and allocation to treatment groups were performed using a computer-based random number generator. Assignments were placed in a sealed envelope and opened after participant consent. The research coordinator did not know or have access to the treatment assignment until the time of presentation.

Main Outcome Measures The primary analysis compared the discrepancy detection rates between groups with respect to the health record and a best possible medication history.

Results Of 3,500 medications reviewed, we detected 1,435 discrepancies. Forty-six percent of those discrepancies were potentially high risk for causing an adverse drug event. There was no difference in detection rates between treatment arms. Software sensitivity was 83% and specificity was 91%; paper sensitivity was 81% and specificity was 94%. No participants were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion The medication history collection software is an efficient and scalable method for gathering a medication history and detecting high-risk discrepancies. Although it included medication images, the technology did not improve accuracy over a paper list when compared with a best possible medication history.

Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02135731.
Lineare IgA-Dermatose mit hormonell bedingter Verschlechterung
Authors: Alhmali N. , Bahla R. , Heronimus K.
Published: May 2018

Wir berichten über eine 17-jährige Patientin, die sich mit seit ca. 2 Jahren bestehenden Hautveränderungen vorstellte.

Histologisch konnte die Diagnose einer linearen IgA-Dermatose gesichert werden, die Antikörper zeigten sich jedoch negativ. Die Erkrankung tritt typischerweise in der Kindheit auf, aber auch ältere Patienten können betroffen sein. Die meisten Formen treten idiopathisch auf, aber auch Medikamente wie Vancomycin können ursächlich sein.

Dapson stellt die etablierte Therapieform dar. Auffällig war bei unserer Patientin die deutliche und auch bilddokumentierte Verschlechterung während der Menstruation.
Multifunctional hybrid diode: Study of photoresponse, high responsivity, and charge injection mechanisms
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Singh R. G. , Gautam Subodh K. , Singh Fouran
Published: May 2018

A multifunctional hybrid heterojunction diode is developed on porous silicon and its current density-voltage characteristics reveal a good rectification ratio along with other superior parameters such as ideality factor, barrier height and series resistance. The diode also functions as an efficient photodiode to manifest high photosensitivity with high responsivity under illumination with broadband solar light, UV light, and green light. The diode is also carefully scrutinized for its sensitivity and repeatability over many cycles under UV and green light and is found to have a quick response and extremely fast recovery times. The notable responsivity is attributed to the generation of high density of excitons in the depletion region by the absorption of incident photons and their separation by an internal electric field besides an additional photocurrent due to the charging of polymer chains. The mechanisms of generation, injection and transport of charge carriers are explained by developing a schematic energy band diagram. The transport phenomenon of carriers is further investigated from room temperature down to a very low temperature of 10 K. An Arrhenius plot is made to determine the Richardson constant. Various diode parameters as mentioned above are also determined and the dominance of the transport mechanism of charge carriers in different temperature regimes such as diffusion across the junction and/or quantum tunneling through the barriers are explained. The developed multifunction heterojunction hybrid diodes have implications for highly sensitive photodiodes in the UV and visible range of electromagnetic spectrum that can be very promising for efficient optoelectronic devices.
Direct measurement of the transition from edge to core power coupling in a light-ion helicon source
Authors: Piotrowicz P. A. , Caneses J. F. , Showers M. A. , Green D. L. , Goulding R. H. , Caughman J. B. O. , Biewer T. M. , Rapp J. , Ruzic D. N.
Published: May 2018

We present time-resolved measurements of an edge-to-core power transition in a light-ion (deuterium) helicon discharge in the form of infra-red camera imaging of a thin stainless steel target plate on the Proto-Material Exposure eXperiment device. The time-resolved images measure the two-dimensional distribution of power deposition in the helicon discharge. The discharge displays a mode transition characterized by a significant increase in the on-axis electron density and core power coupling, suppression of edge power coupling, and the formation of a fast-wave radial eigenmode. Although the self-consistent mechanism that drives this transition is not yet understood, the edge-to-core power transition displays characteristics that are consistent with the discharge entering a slow-wave anti-resonant regime. RF magnetic field measurements made across the plasma column, together with the power deposition results, provide direct evidence to support the suppression of the slow-wave in favor of core plasma production by the fast-wave in a light-ion helicon source.
Time correlation functions of simple liquids: A new insight on the underlying dynamical processes
Authors: Garberoglio Giovanni , Vallauri Renzo , Bafile Ubaldo
Published: May 2018

Extensive molecular dynamics simulations of liquid sodium have been carried out to evaluate correlation functions of several dynamical quantities. We report the results of a novel analysis of the longitudinal and transverse correlation functions obtained by evaluating directly their self- and distinct contributions at different wavevectors k. It is easily recognized that the self-contribution remains close to its k → 0 limit, which turns out to be exactly the autocorrelation function of the single particle velocity. The wavevector dependence of the longitudinal and transverse spectra and their self- and distinct parts is also presented. By making use of the decomposition of the velocity autocorrelation spectrum in terms of longitudinal and transverse parts, our analysis is able to recognize the effect of different dynamical processes in different frequency ranges.
Efficient propagation of the hierarchical equations of motion using the matrix product state method
Authors: Shi Qiang , Xu Yang , Yan Yaming , Xu Meng
Published: May 2018

We apply the matrix product state (MPS) method to propagate the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM). It is shown that the MPS approximation works well in different type of problems, including boson and fermion baths. The MPS method based on the time-dependent variational principle is also found to be applicable to HEOM with over one thousand effective modes. Combining the flexibility of the HEOM in defining the effective modes and the efficiency of the MPS method thus may provide a promising tool in simulating quantum dynamics in condensed phases.
Communication: xDH double hybrid functionals can be qualitatively incorrect for non-equilibrium geometries: Dipole moment inversion and barriers to radical-radical association using XYG3 and XYGJ-OS
Authors: Hait Diptarka , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: May 2018

Double hybrid (DH) density functionals are amongst the most accurate density functional approximations developed so far, largely due to the incorporation of correlation effects from unoccupied orbitals via second order perturbation theory (PT2). The xDH family of DH functionals calculate energy directly from orbitals optimized by a lower level approach like B3LYP, without self-consistent optimization. XYG3 and XYGJ-OS are two widely used xDH functionals that are known to be quite accurate at equilibrium geometries. Here, we show that the XYG3 and XYGJ-OS functionals can be ill behaved for stretched bonds well beyond the Coulson-Fischer point, predicting unphysical dipole moments and humps in potential energy curves for some simple systems like the hydrogen fluoride molecule. Numerical experiments and analysis show that these failures are not due to PT2. Instead, a large mismatch at stretched bond-lengths between the reference B3LYP orbitals and the optimized orbitals associated with the non-PT2 part of XYG3 leads to an unphysically large non-Hellman-Feynman contribution to first order properties like forces and electron densities.