bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using smartphone accelerometry to assess the relationship between cognitive load and gait dynamics during outdoor walking
Authors: Ho Simon , Mohtadi Amelia , Daud Kash , Leonards Ute , Handy Todd C.
Published: February 2019

Research has demonstrated that an increase in cognitive load can result in increased gait variability and slower overall walking speed, both of which are indicators of gait instability. The external environment also imposes load on our cognitive systems; however, most gait research has been conducted in a laboratory setting and little work has demonstrated how load imposed by natural environments impact gait dynamics during outdoor walking. Across four experiments, young adults were exposed to varying levels of cognitive load while walking through indoor and outdoor environments. Gait dynamics were concurrently recorded using smartphone-based accelerometry. Results suggest that, during indoor walking, increased cognitive load impacted a range of gait parameters such as step time and step time variability. The impact of environmental load on gait, however, was not as pronounced, with increased load associated only with step time changes during outdoor walking. Overall, the present work shows that cognitive load is related to young adult gait during both indoor and outdoor walking, and importantly, smartphones can be used as gait assessment tools in environments where gait dynamics have traditionally been difficult to measure.
Efficacy of aldose reductase inhibitors is affected by oxidative stress induced under X-ray irradiation
Authors: Castellví Albert , Crespo Isidro , Crosas Eva , Cámara-Artigas Ana , Gavira José A. , Aranda Miguel A. G. , Parés Xavier , Farrés Jaume , Juanhuix Judith
Published: February 2019

Human aldose reductase (hAR, AKR1B1) has been explored as drug target since the 1980s for its implication in diabetic complications. An activated form of hAR was found in cells from diabetic patients, showing a reduced sensitivity to inhibitors in clinical trials, which may prevent its pharmacological use. Here we report the conversion of native hAR to its activated form by X-ray irradiation simulating oxidative stress conditions. Upon irradiation, the enzyme activity increases moderately and the potency of several hAR inhibitors decay before global protein radiation damage appears. The catalytic behavior of activated hAR is also reproduced as the KM increases dramatically while the kcat is not much affected. Consistently, the catalytic tetrad is not showing any modification. The only catalytically-relevant structural difference observed is the conversion of residue Cys298 to serine and alanine. A mechanism involving electron capture is suggested for the hAR activation. We propose that hAR inhibitors should not be designed against the native protein but against the activated form as obtained from X-ray irradiation. Furthermore, since the reactive species produced under irradiation conditions are the same as those produced under oxidative stress, the described irradiation method can be applied to other relevant proteins under oxidative stress environments.
Environmental structure drives resistance to phages and antibiotics during phage therapy and to invading lysogens during colonisation
Authors: Sousa Jorge A. Moura de , Rocha Eduardo P. C.
Published: February 2019

Microbial communities are shaped by bacteriophages through predation and lysogeny. A better understanding of the interactions between these processes across different types of environments is key to elucidate how phages mediate microbial competition and to design efficient phage therapies. We introduce an individual-based model (eVIVALDI) to investigate the role of environmental structure in the elimination of a population with a combined treatment of antibiotics and virulent phages, and in the invasion of a population of phage-sensitive bacteria by lysogens. We show that structured environments facilitate the emergence of double resistance, to antibiotics and phages, due to limited diffusion of phage particles and increased nutrient availability from dead cells. They also hinder phage amplification, thus decreasing the generation of phage genetic diversity and increasing the unpredictability of phage-bacteria arms-races. We used a machine learning approach to determine the variables most important for the invasion of sensitive populations by lysogens. They revealed that phage-associated traits and environmental structure are the key drivers of the process. Structured environments hinder invasions, and accounting for their existence improves the fit of the model to publishedin vivoexperimental data. Our results underline environmental structure as key to understandin vivophage-bacteria interactions.
Isolation of photoprotective signal transduction mutants by systematic bioluminescence screening in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Tokutsu Ryutaro , Fujimura-Kamada Konomi , Yamasaki Tomohito , Matsuo Takuya , Minagawa Jun
Published: February 2019

In photosynthetic organisms, photoprotection to avoid overexcitation of photosystems is a prerequisite for survival. Green algae have evolved light-inducible photoprotective mechanisms mediated by genes such as light-harvesting complex stress-related (LHCSR). Studies on the light-dependent regulation of LHCSR expression in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have revealed that photoreceptors for blue light (phototropin) and ultraviolet light perception (UVR8) play key roles in initiating photoprotective signal transduction. Although initial light perception via phototropin or UVR8 is known to result in increased LHCSR3 and LHCSR1 gene expression, respectively, the mechanisms of signal transduction from the input (light perception) to the output (gene expression) remain unclear. In this study, to further elucidate the signal transduction pathway of the photoprotective response of green algae, we established a systematic screening protocol for UV-inducible LHCSR1 gene expression mutants using a bioluminescence reporter assay. Following random mutagenesis screening, we succeeded in isolating mutants deficient in LHCSR1 gene and protein expression after UV illumination. Further characterization revealed that the obtained mutants could be separated into 3 different phenotype groups, the “UV-specific”, “LHCSR1-promoter/transcript-specific” and “general photoprotective” mutant groups, which provided further insight into photoprotective signal transduction in C. reinhardtii.
A genome-wide analysis of desferrioxamine mediated iron uptake in Erwinia spp. reveals genes exclusive of the Rosaceae infecting strains
Authors: Polsinelli Ivan , Borruso Luigimaria , Caliandro Rosanna , Triboli Luca , Esposito Alfonso , Benini Stefano
Published: February 2019

Erwinia amylovora is the etiological agent of fire blight, a devastating disease which is a global threat to commercial apple and pear production. The Erwinia genus includes a wide range of different species belonging to plant pathogens, epiphytes and even opportunistic human pathogens. The aim of the present study is to understand, within the Erwinia genus, the genetic differences between phytopathogenic strains and those strains not reported to be phytopathogenic. The genes related to the hydroxamate siderophores iron uptake have been considered due to their potential druggability. In E. amylovora siderophore-mediated iron acquisition plays a relevant role in the progression of Fire blight. Here we analyzed the taxonomic relations within Erwinia genus and the relevance of the genes related to the siderophore-mediated iron uptake pathway. The results of this study highlight the presence of a well-defined sub-group of Rosaceae infecting species taxonomically and genetically related with a high number of conserved core genes. The analysis of the complete ferrioxamine transport system has led to the identification of two genes exclusively present in the Rosaceae infecting strains.
Automatic Choroid Layer Segmentation from Optical Coherence Tomography Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Masood Saleha , Fang Ruogu , Li Ping , Li Huating , Sheng Bin , Mathavan Akash , Wang Xiangning , Yang Po , Wu Qiang , Qin Jing , Jia Weiping
Published: February 2019

The choroid layer is a vascular layer in human retina and its main function is to provide oxygen and support to the retina. Various studies have shown that the thickness of the choroid layer is correlated with the diagnosis of several ophthalmic diseases. For example, diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Despite contemporary advances, automatic segmentation of the choroid layer remains a challenging task due to low contrast, inhomogeneous intensity, inconsistent texture and ambiguous boundaries between the choroid and sclera in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images. The majority of currently implemented methods manually or semi-automatically segment out the region of interest. While many fully automatic methods exist in the context of choroid layer segmentation, more effective and accurate automatic methods are required in order to employ these methods in the clinical sector. This paper proposed and implemented an automatic method for choroid layer segmentation in OCT images using deep learning and a series of morphological operations. The aim of this research was to segment out Bruch’s Membrane (BM) and choroid layer to calculate the thickness map. BM was segmented using a series of morphological operations, whereas the choroid layer was segmented using a deep learning approach as more image statistics were required to segment accurately. Several evaluation metrics were used to test and compare the proposed method against other existing methodologies. Experimental results showed that the proposed method greatly reduced the error rate when compared with the other state-of-the-art methods.
Weight change after smoking cessation and incident metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Korean men: an observational study
Authors: Kim Kyuwoong , Choi Seulggie , Lee Jong-Koo , Choi Ji-Yeob , Shin Aesun , Park Sue Kyung , Kang Daehee , Park Sang Min
Published: February 2019

We aimed to examine the effect of weight change attributable to cessation of cigarette smoking on newly diagnosed metabolic syndrome (MetS). We prospectively followed 5,809 men aged between 40 to 69 years without MetS at baseline in the Health Examinees-Gem (HEXA-G) study up to 4 years. The participants were grouped into continual smokers, quitters with weight gain, quitters without weight change, quitters with weight loss, and never smokers. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, health status, and health conditions to estimate the odds of newly diagnosed MetS. During the follow-up, there were 609 cases of newly diagnosed MetS in 5,809 men of the HEXA-G study. After adjustment for potential confounders, the odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for MetS were 1.90 (95% CI: 1.43–2.52) in quitters with weight gain, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.60–1.00) in quitters without weight change, and 0.40 (95% CI: 0.28–0.57) in quitters with weight loss compared with continual smokers. Never smokers also had lower odds of MetS (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.42–0.71) compared to continual smokers. Weight management program following smoking cessation may be necessary in clinical practice to reduce worsening of cardiometabolic risk factors related to post-cessation weight gain.
Body-limb coordination mechanism underlying speed-dependent gait transitions in sea roaches
Authors: Kano Takeshi , Ikeshita Yoshihito , Fukuhara Akira , Ishiguro Akio
Published: February 2019

The sea roach is an isopod with 14 legs; owing to its many degrees of freedom and coordination thereof, it can walk rapidly on rough terrain. Although there likely exists a remarkable decentralized control mechanism that facilitates fast and adaptive locomotion of sea roaches, it still remains elusive. To address this issue, we performed behavioural experiments and revealed that sea roaches often change their gait patterns depending on the locomotion speed. We suggest that the bending of the body trunk in the pitch direction is essential for the gait transitions, and we propose a decentralized control mechanism for body-limb coordination. We demonstrate this with a sea-roach-like robot whose gait transition is achieved by the proposed mechanism. This mechanism has some points in common with control mechanisms proposed for other legged animals. Thus, our findings will help unveil the common principle of legged locomotion and aid the design of multi-legged robots that move like animals.
ENLIVE: An Efficient Nonlinear Method for Calibrationless and Robust Parallel Imaging
Authors: Holme H. Christian M. , Rosenzweig Sebastian , Ong Frank , Wilke Robin N. , Lustig Michael , Uecker Martin
Published: February 2019

Robustness against data inconsistencies, imaging artifacts and acquisition speed are crucial factors limiting the possible range of applications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, we report a novel calibrationless parallel imaging technique which simultaneously estimates coil profiles and image content in a relaxed forward model. Our method is robust against a wide class of data inconsistencies, minimizes imaging artifacts and is comparably fast, combining important advantages of many conceptually different state-of-the-art parallel imaging approaches. Depending on the experimental setting, data can be undersampled well below the Nyquist limit. Here, even high acceleration factors yield excellent imaging results while being robust to noise and the occurrence of phase singularities in the image domain, as we show on different data. Moreover, our method successfully reconstructs acquisitions with insufficient field-of-view. We further compare our approach to ESPIRiT and SAKE using spin-echo and gradient echo MRI data from the human head and knee. In addition, we show its applicability to non-Cartesian imaging on radial FLASH cardiac MRI data. Using theoretical considerations, we show that ENLIVE can be related to a low-rank formulation of blind multi-channel deconvolution, explaining why it inherently promotes low-rank solutions.
Anopheline antiplatelet protein from mosquito saliva regulates blood feeding behavior
Authors: Islam Ashekul , Emran Talha Bin , Yamamoto Daisuke S. , Iyori Mitsuhiro , Amelia Fitri , Yusuf Yenni , Yamaguchi Ririka , Alam Md. Shah , Silveira Henrique , Yoshida Shigeto
Published: February 2019

The saliva of hematophagous arthropods is enriched with a complex mixture of antihemostatic molecules, the biological functions of which are largely unknown. Anopheline antiplatelet protein (AAPP) from malaria vector mosquito exhibits strong antiplatelet activity when bound directly to host collagen by its C-terminus and through its N-terminus with Ca2+-binding activity. To investigate the biological functions of AAPP in blood feeding behavior and malaria transmission, we generated transgenic Anopheles stephensi mosquito lines expressing anti-AAPP antibody single-chain fragment (scFv) in their salivary glands. The AAPP-specific collagen-binding activity was completely abolished by AAPP-scFv complex formation in the saliva. Probing and prediuresis time, feeding success, blood meal size, and fecundity, which are all fitness characteristics, were significantly reduced in the transgenic mosquitoes. However, oocysts number in these mosquitoes were not significantly reduced following blood meal intake from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. These results show that although AAPP plays an important role in mosquito blood feeding, its neutralizing activity did not affect sporogonic development in our laboratory model, but its high fitness cost would pose a survival risk for parasite-infected mosquitoes in nature.
Identification of P2Y receptors involved in oleamide-suppressing inflammatory responses in murine microglia and human dendritic cells
Authors: Kita Masahiro , Ano Yasuhisa , Inoue Asuka , Aoki Junken
Published: February 2019

Microglia, a type of immune cell in the central nervous system, are involved in inflammation leading to neurodegenerative diseases. We previously identified oleamide from fermented dairy products as a neuroprotective compound suppressing microglial inflammation. Oleamide is an endocannabinoid and displays anti-inflammatory activity via the cannabinoid-2 (CB2) receptor; however, the mechanism underlying this anti-inflammatory activity has not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that the suppressive effect of oleamide on microglial tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production was canceled by inhibitors of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) downstream signaling but not by a CB2 antagonist, suggesting that GPCRs other than CB2 are involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of oleamide. An extensive screen for GPCRs using a transforming growth factor-α shedding assay system identified P2Y1, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y10, and P2Y11 as candidates for the oleamide target. P2Y1 and P2Y10 agonists suppressed microglial TNF-α production, while a pan P2 receptor antagonist canceled the suppressive effect. Furthermore, we observed a relationship between the P2Y1 agonistic activities and the suppressive activities of oleamide and its analogs. Taken together, our results suggest that, in addition to CB2, P2Y type receptors are the potential targets of oleamide, and P2Y1 plays a role in the suppression of microglial inflammatory responses by oleamide. (200/200 words)
Poly-stable energy harvesting based on synergetic multistable vibration
Authors: Deng Huaxia , Du Yu , Wang Zhemin , Ye Jingchang , Zhang Jin , Ma Mengchao , Zhong Xiang
Published: February 2019

Distributed energy sources, for example the ambient broadband vibrations, are of great importance for the development of the Internet of Things. However, for multistable vibrational energy harvesters, increasing the number of stable equilibrium states to broaden working frequency bands is very difficult. Here we present a poly-stable vibrational energy harvesting approach capable of achieving an exponentially growing maximum number of stable equilibrium states. Unlike the traditional multistable harvesters relying on an external static magnetic field, the nonlinear dynamical behaviours achieved by the proposed approach are synergetic poly-stable motions without the need of external magnets. Comparison experiments in contrast with a linear harvester demonstrate the working bandwidth widened by a factor of 41.0, the power density increased to 760% and the electricity generation raised to 178%. This demonstration of new multistable energy harvester expands the approach to achieving multistable motion and provides a new design philosophy for nonlinear vibrational energy harvesters.
Map of physical interactions between extracellular domains of Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases
Authors: Mott G. Adam , Smakowska-Luzan Elwira , Pasha Asher , Parys Katarzyna , Howton Timothy C. , Neuhold Jana , Lehner Anita , Grünwald Karin , Stolt-Bergner Peggy , Provart Nicholas J. , Mukhtar M. Shahid , Desveaux Darrell , Guttman David S. , Belkhadir Youssef
Published: February 2019

Plants use surface receptors to perceive information about many aspects of their local environment. These receptors physically interact to form both steady state and signalling competent complexes. The signalling events downstream of receptor activation impact both plant developmental and immune responses. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the physical interactions between the extracellular domains of leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) in Arabidopsis. Using a sensitized assay, we tested reciprocal interactions among 200 of the 225 Arabidopsis LRR-RKs for a total search space of 40,000 interactions. Applying a stringent statistical cut-off and requiring that interactions performed well in both bait-prey and prey-bait orientations resulted in a high-confidence set of 567 bidirectional interactions. Additionally, we identified a total of 2,586 unidirectional interactions, which passed our stringent statistical cut-off in only one orientation. These datasets will guide further investigation into the regulatory roles of LRR-RKs in plant developmental and immune signalling decisions.
Assessing data availability and research reproducibility in hydrology and water resources
Authors: Stagge James H. , Rosenberg David E. , Abdallah Adel M. , Akbar Hadia , Attallah Nour A. , James Ryan
Published: February 2019

There is broad interest to improve the reproducibility of published research. We developed a survey tool to assess the availability of digital research artifacts published alongside peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g. data, models, code, directions for use) and reproducibility of article results. We used the tool to assess 360 of the 1,989 articles published by six hydrology and water resources journals in 2017. Like studies from other fields, we reproduced results for only a small fraction of articles (1.6% of tested articles) using their available artifacts. We estimated, with 95% confidence, that results might be reproduced for only 0.6% to 6.8% of all 1,989 articles. Unlike prior studies, the survey tool identified key bottlenecks to making work more reproducible. Bottlenecks include: only some digital artifacts available (44% of articles), no directions (89%), or all artifacts available but results not reproducible (5%). The tool (or extensions) can help authors, journals, funders, and institutions to self-assess manuscripts, provide feedback to improve reproducibility, and recognize and reward reproducible articles as examples for others.
Single-cell RNA-seq of cultured human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Liu Xuanyu , Xiang Qinqin , Xu Fen , Huang Jiuzuo , Yu Nanze , Zhang Qixu , Long Xiao , Zhou Zhou
Published: February 2019

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) show considerable promise for clinical applications in regenerative medicine. We performed a large-scale single-cell transcriptomic sequencing of 24,358 cultured human ADSCs from three donors. We provide a high-quality dataset, which would be a valuable resource for dissecting the intrapopulation heterogeneity of cultured ADSCs as well as interrogating lineage priming patterns for any interested lineages at single-cell resolution.
A 1980–2018 global fire danger re-analysis dataset for the Canadian Fire Weather Indices
Authors: Vitolo Claudia , Di Giuseppe Francesca , Krzeminski Blazej , San-Miguel-Ayanz Jesus
Published: February 2019

This data descriptor documents a dataset containing over 38 years of global reanalysis of wildfire danger. It consists of seven fields to assess fuel moisture as well as fire behavior. The methodology employed to generate these data is based on the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Danger Rating and utilizes weather forcing from ERA-Interim, a global reanalysis dataset produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts. Global fire danger reanalysis data are used to quantify the climatological expectation of fire danger at a certain time of the year and for any location on the globe. It can be regarded as a complementary product to the fire danger forecasts issued daily by the Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) under the umbrella of the European Copernicus program.
Microfluidic array surface ion-imprinted monolithic capillary microextraction chip on-line hyphenated with ICP-MS for the high throughput analysis of gadolinium in human body fluids
Authors: Ou Xiaoxiao , He Man , Chen Beibei , Wang Han , Hu Bin
Published: February 2019

A novel method by hyphenating chip-based array ion-imprinted monolithic capillary microextraction with ICP-MS was proposed for the online analysis of trace Gd in biological samples.
The energy level of the Fe2+/3+-transition in BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Suzuki Issei , Gura Leonard , Klein Andreas
Published: February 2019

The energy level of the Fe2+/3+ transition in BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 does not follow the general trend of defect level alignment.
Comparative analysis of active ingredients and effects of the combination of Panax ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus at different proportions on chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression mouse
Authors: Zhang Shengbo , Sun Hengyu , Wang Chunyun , Zheng Xiaoman , Jia Xiaohuan , Cai Enbo , Zhao Yan
Published: February 2019

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the combination of Panax ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus (PG–OJ) herbs at different ratios on myelosuppression induced by chemotherapy.
Tautomerism and bioactivities of curcumenol, a common sesquiterpenoid widely existing in edible plants
Authors: Zhang Li-Sha , Shen Sheng-Nan , Gao Yu-Li , Shi Shui-Yang , Zhou Chang-Xin , Mo Jian-Xia , Xu You-Kai , Lin Li-Gen , Gan Li-She
Published: February 2019

Curcumenol was discovered as hemiacetal–ketone tautomers with enhanced antioxidative activity and it markedly promoted myogenic differentiation and mitochondrial function.
Electrochemically initiated intermolecular C–N formation/cyclization of ketones with 2-aminopyridines: an efficient method for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Authors: Feng Mei-Lin , Li Shu-Qi , He Hui-Zi , Xi Long-Yi , Chen Shan-Yong , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: February 2019

Electrochemical intermolecular C–N formation for the synthesis of imidazopyridines.
Engineered “coffee-rings” of reduced graphene oxide as ultrathin contact guidance to enable patterning of living cells
Authors: Kang Seok Hee , Shin Yong Cheol , Hwang Eun Young , Lee Jong Ho , Kim Chang-Seok , Lin Zhiqun , Hur Seung Hyun , Han Dong-Wook , Hong Suck Won
Published: February 2019

The generation of ultrathin nanotextured films in the form of micropatterns (i.e., concentric gradient rGO coffee rings) is effectively tailored, and these patterned rGO arrays can be utilized as promising cell-responsive templates.
Continuous mesoporous Pd films with tunable pore sizes through polymeric micelle-assisted assembly
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Kashimura Kenji , Yoshino Masahiro , Jiang Bo , Li Cuiling , Yuliarto Brian , Bando Yoshio , Sugahara Yoshiyuki , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: February 2019

The fabrication of continuous mesoporous Pd films with larger open pores and tunable pore sizes have been successfully demonstrated via a facile polymeric micelle-assisted electrochemical deposition.
Coordinated stress management and dislocation control in GaN growth on Si (111) substrates by using a carbon nanotube mask
Authors: Wang Kun , Yu Tongjun , Wei Yang , Li Mengda , Zhang Guoyi , Fan Shoushan
Published: February 2019

A novel method based on a unique CNT mask is proposed to realize coordinated stress management and dislocation control.
Chiral, thermal-responsive hydrogels containing helical hydrophilic polyacetylene: preparation and enantio-differentiating release ability
Authors: Wang Huilei , Yong Xueyong , Huang Huajun , Yu Huli , Wu Youping , Deng Jianping
Published: February 2019

Chiral hydrogels constructed from helical hydrophilic polyacetylene demonstrate chirality, thermo-responsivity, biocompatibility and enantio-selective release ability towards chiral drugs.
Formation of nickel–cobalt sulphide@graphene composites with enhanced electrochemical capacitive properties
Authors: Qiu Junjie , Bai Zhongxiong , Liu Shucheng , Liu Yi
Published: February 2019

Ni–Co–S@graphene composites, derived from a metallocene/MOF precursor, presents high energy density and excellent cycling stability.
Facile synthesis of polypyrrole nanofiber (PPyNF)/NiOx composites by a microwave method and application in supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Huijun , Zhao Qiang , Wang Kewei , Lu Zhen , Feng Feng , Guo Yong
Published: February 2019

In this study, polypyrrole nanofiber (PPyNF)/NiOx composites were synthesized by a simple and fast microwave method.
Determining the maximum lanthanum incorporation in the fluorite structure of La-doped ceria nanocubes for enhanced redox ability
Authors: Loche Danilo , Morgan Lucy M. , Casu Alberto , Mountjoy Gavin , O'Regan Colm , Corrias Anna , Falqui Andrea
Published: February 2019

Ceria nanocubes have been doped with increasing amounts of lanthanum to enhance their redox ability.
A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for sequentially detecting Cu2+ and arginine based on a coumarin–rhodamine B derivative and its application for bioimaging
Authors: Wang Shuai , Ding Haichang , Wang Yuesong , Fan Congbin , Liu Gang , Pu Shouzhi
Published: February 2019

A FRET-based colorimetric and ratiometric coumarin–rhodamine B fluorescent sensor was designed, and its sensing behaviors for sequentially detecting Cu2+ and arginine were studied systematically.
Fungal community analysis in seawater of the Mariana Trench as estimated by Illumina HiSeq
Authors: Wang Zhi-Peng , Liu Zeng-Zhi , Wang Yi-Lin , Bi Wang-Hua , Liu Lu , Wang Hai-Ying , Zheng Yuan , Zhang Lin-Lin , Hu Shu-Gang , Xu Shan-Shan , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2019

Using Illumine Hiseq sequencing assessed the diversity and distribution of fungal communities in seawater of the Mariana Trench, with depth ranging 1000–4000 meters.
Improvement of activated sludge dewatering properties using green conditioners: chitosan hydrochloride and lysozyme
Authors: Lin Feng , Zhu Xiaolin , Luo Yong , Yu Peiran , Liu Mengru
Published: February 2019

CTSCL showed a similar effect on sludge dewatering ability to CPAM, and LZM exhibited superiority in improving the sludge dewatering extent.
Retracted Article: TMEM88 inhibits fibrosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by suppressing the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signaling pathway
Authors: Li Huicong , Wang Yunqian , Chen Baoping , Shi Jun
Published: February 2019

Transmembrane protein 88 (TMEM88) belongs to a member of the TMEM family, and was reported to be involved in fibrogenesis.
Structural characterization and immunoregulatory activity of a new polysaccharide from Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis
Authors: Gao Yue , Peng Bao , Xu Yafang , Yang Jia-ning , Song Li-yan , Bi Si-xue , Chen Yiyu , Zhu Jian-hua , Wen Yao , Yu Rong-min
Published: February 2019

A new homogeneous heteropolysaccharide (CMSPA90-1) was purified from bergamot by DEAE sepharose fast flow and Sephadex G-75 columns, and was shown to have a molecular weight of 17.6 kDa.
Synthesis and scale-up of water-soluble quaternary cationic monomers in a continuous flow system
Authors: Fang Zheng , Yang Yuhang , Gu Jiajia , Yang Zhao , Dai Feiyang , Zheng Haoliang , He Wei , Liu Chengkou , Zhu Ning , Guo Kai
Published: February 2019

A novel, simple, power-saving and effective method for the synthesis and scale-up of cationic water-soluble polyelectrolytes represented by dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC) with commercially available reagents in a two-step continuous flow system has been developed.
Origin of the low-frequency plateau and the light-scattering slow mode in semidilute poly(ethylene glycol) solutions
Authors: Koziol Martha , Fischer Karl , Seiffert Sebastian
Published: February 2019

The low-frequency plateau often found in the rheological spectra of semidilute polymer solutions is shown to be an artifact due to imprecise phase-angle determination; furthermore, the slow mode in the dynamic light scattering autocorrelation function of such solutions is shown to result from minor fractions of 20–200 nm sized impurities.
Vapor transport deposited tin monosulfide for thin-film solar cells: effect of deposition temperature and duration
Authors: Lee Dajeong , Cho Jae Yu , Yun Hee-Sun , Lee Doh-Kwon , Kim Taehoon , Bang Kijoon , Lee Yun Seog , Kim Ho-Young , Heo Jaeyeong
Published: February 2019

Proper control of the morphology and preferred orientation of the SnS absorber is crucial for increasing the open-circuit voltage of thin-film solar cells.
Metal–organic framework-derived Co9S8 embedded in N, O and S-tridoped carbon nanomaterials as an efficient oxygen bifunctional electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhao Jin-Yan , Wang Rui , Wang Shan , Lv Ya-Ru , Xu Hong , Zang Shuang-Quan
Published: February 2019

Designing a tailor-made MOF to prepare Co9S8 embedded in N, O and S-tridoped carbon nanomaterials, which has a highly efficient electrocatalytic oxygen reaction activity.
Functionalised iron oxide nanoparticles for multimodal optoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bell Gavin , Balasundaram Ghayathri , Attia Amalina Binte Ebrahim , Mandino Francesca , Olivo Malini , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: February 2019

The synthesis of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles conjugated with an optoacoustic molecule to give multimodal imaging of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT).
Therapeutic effects of ethanolic extract from the green cocoon shell of silkwormBombyx morion type 2 diabetic mice and its hypoglycaemic mechanism
Authors: Zhao Jin-Ge , Wang Hai-Yan , Wei Zheng-Guo , Zhang Yu-Qing
Published: February 2019

Diabetes mellitus is a clinically complex disease characterized by hyperglycaemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.
A general strategy via chemically covalent combination for constructing heterostructured catalysts with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhou Gang , Zheng Ling-Ling , Wang Dengke , Xing Qiu-Ju , Li Fei , Ye Peng , Xiao Xiao , Li Yan , Zou Jian-Ping
Published: February 2019

A general strategy via chemically covalent combination was reported to fabricate heterostructures of carbon nitride/covalent organic frameworks (CN/COFs), which show superior photocatalytic activity and higher stability.
Amperometric monitoring of vesicular dopamine release using a gold nanocone electrode
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zhao Wei , Xu Cong-Hui , Xu Jing-Juan , Chen Hong-Yuan
Published: February 2019

Amperometric monitoring of vesicular dopamine release from live cells using a facilely fabricated gold nanocone electrode.
Computational analysis of non-heme iron–oxo formation by direct NO release in nitrite reduction
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhao Yuan-yuan , Lee Po-Heng , Wu Kechen
Published: February 2019

The conversion of Fe(ii) → Fe(iii)–O was depicted for the formation of [N(afaCy)3FeO]+with three (Fe)O⋯H–N bonds.
Synthesis of DNA-coupled isoquinolones and pyrrolidines by solid phase ytterbium- and silver-mediated imine chemistry
Authors: Potowski Marco , Kunig Verena B. K. , Losch Florian , Brunschweiger Andreas
Published: February 2019

A solid phase-based strategy gave access to DNA-tagged heterocycles by metal-mediated imine chemistry, exemplified by Cushman- and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.
Tight-binding modeling of excitonic response in van der Waals stacked 2D semiconductors
Authors: Yip Cho Tung , Lo Tsz Wing , Zhu Si-Cong , Jia Guang Yi , Sun Huarui , Lam Chi-Hang , Lei Dangyuan
Published: February 2019

A phenomenological tight-binding model can quantitatively predict the exciton response of van der Waals stacked 2D semiconductors.
Multicompartmentalized vesosomes containing DOX loaded liposomes and 5FU loaded liposomes for synergistic tumor treatment
Authors: Zhang Xunan , Zong Wei , Wang Jialiang , Dong Mingdong , Cheng Wenlong , Sun Tianmeng , Han Xiaojun
Published: February 2019

A multicompartmentalized vesosome drug delivery system was developed for enhanced cancer treatments.
Enhancing the kinetics of hydrazone exchange processes: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Higgs Patrick L. , Ruiz-Sanchez Antonio J. , Dalmina Milene , Horrocks Benjamin R. , Leach Andrew G. , Fulton David A.
Published: February 2019

Hydrogen-bond acceptors (A) stabilize the transition state, lowering the energy barrier to rapid hydrazone exchange, without need for exogenous catalyst.
N-Hydroxyphthalimide/benzoquinone-catalyzed chlorination of hydrocarbon C–H bond usingN-chlorosuccinimide
Authors: Li Zi-Hao , Fiser Béla , Jiang Biao-Lin , Li Jian-Wei , Xu Bao-Hua , Zhang Suo-Jiang
Published: February 2019

A metal-free protocol of chlorination of C–H bond with NCS is presented. Both experiments and theoretical analysis suggest NHPI functions as a catalyst rather than an initiator.
Structural colors in metasurfaces: principle, design and applications
Authors: Yang Bo , Cheng Hua , Chen Shuqi , Tian Jianguo
Published: February 2019

The comparison between chemical pigments and structural colors of male Morpho rhetenor wings.
Dimerization of substituted 4-aryl-1,3-diacetylenes – quantum chemical calculations and kinetic studies
Authors: Janiszewski Alexandra , Fax Jonas , Haberhauer Gebhard
Published: February 2019

Thermal dimerization of 4-aryl-1,3-diacetylenes resulting in diradical intermediates were investigated by experimental and quantum chemical studies.
Comparative study of the extrinsic properties of poly(lactic acid)-based biocomposites filled with talc versus sustainable biocarbon
Authors: Snowdon Michael R. , Wu Feng , Mohanty Amar K. , Misra Manjusri
Published: February 2019

PLA composites containing sustainable biocarbon providing wear resistance and flame-retardant capabilities on par or superior to conventional talc filler.
Synthesis of fluorescent drug molecules for competitive binding assay based on molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Wubulikasimu Muyasier , Muhammad Turghun , Imerhasan Mukhtar , Hudaberdi Nurmemet , Yang Wenwu , Zhao Jianzhang , Peng Xiaojun
Published: February 2019

Drug molecules (metronidazole, zidovudine and lamivudine) were successfully labelled with a fluorescent reagent and used to develop fluorescent biomimetic immunosorbent assays using molecularly imprinted polymers in the place of natural antibody.
Janus membranes with controllable asymmetric configurations for highly efficient separation of oil-in-water emulsions
Authors: Yang Jing , Li Hao-Nan , Chen Zhi-Xiong , He Ai , Zhong Qi-Zhi , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: February 2019

Demulsification-type Janus membranes are constructed with controllable asymmetric configurations for highly efficient separation of oil-in-water emulsions. A mechanism is proposed as demulsification followed by rapid unidirectional oil transportation.
A copperohydrogel as a chemosensor for selective detection of oxometalate anions in water
Authors: Khavasi Hamid Reza , Jelokhani Elham
Published: February 2019

A copperohydrogel as a chemosensor has been successfully prepared by an easy method to allow highly efficient and selective naked eye sensing of biologically relevant MoO42−, WO42− and VO43− anions over simple anions in water.
Elastomeric conductive hybrid hydrogels with continuous conductive networks
Authors: Hu Shiqian , Zhou Lei , Tu Lingjie , Dai Cong , Fan Lei , Zhang Kejia , Yao Tiantian , Chen Junqi , Wang Zhengao , Xing Jun , Fu Ruming , Yu Peng , Tan Guoxin , Du Jianqiang , Ning Chengyun
Published: February 2019

The DA–PPy–GP ECHs with continuous conductive networks show high force and strain sensitivity.
Correction: Strontium-incorporated mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds stimulating in vitro proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and in vivo regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Wei Lingfei , Chang Jiang , Miron Richard J. , Shi Bin , Yi Siqi , Wu Chengtie
Published: February 2019

Correction for ‘Strontium-incorporated mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds stimulating in vitro proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and in vivo regeneration of osteoporotic bone defects’ by Yufeng Zhang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2013, 1, 5711–5722.
Size dependence in two-dimensional lateral heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Jin Hao , Michaud-Rioux Vincent , Gong Zhi-Rui , Wan Langhui , Wei Yadong , Guo Hong
Published: February 2019

Lateral heterostructures (LHSs) of semiconductors can give rise to novel electronic and optoelectronic properties, which may open up unforeseen opportunities in materials science and device physics.
In situ growth and pyrolysis synthesis of super-hydrophobic graphene aerogels embedded with ultrafine β-Co nanocrystals for microwave absorption
Authors: Xu Dongwei , Liu Jialiang , Chen Ping , Yu Qi , Wang Jing , Yang Sen , Guo Xiang
Published: February 2019

High-performance, lightweight, and broadband microwave absorption materials have drawn significant research focus.
A promising nonlinear optical material and its applications for all-optical switching and information converters based on the spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) effect of TaSe2 nanosheets
Authors: Shan Youxian , Wu Leiming , Liao Yunlong , Tang Jie , Dai Xiaoyu , Xiang Yuanjiang
Published: February 2019

Few-layer TaSe2 nanosheets are prepared by liquid-phase exfoliation, the nonlinear optical response of which is researched based on the spatial self-phase modulation effect.
Efficient phosphorescent red iridium(iii) complexes containing a four-membered Ir–S–C–S ring backbone and large hindered spacers for high-performance OLEDs
Authors: Lu Guang-Zhao , Li Xiaokang , Liu Liang , Zhou Liang , Zheng You-Xuan , Zhang Wen-Wei , Zuo Jing-Lin , Zhang Hongjie
Published: February 2019

The OLEDs doped of two red iridium(iii) complexes containing the four-membered Ir–S–C–S backbone exhibit an EQEmax of 26.66% with low efficiency roll-off.
Mucosal immune responses induced by oral administration recombinantBacillus subtilisexpressing the COE antigen of PEDV in newborn piglets
Authors: Wang Jialu , Huang Lulu , Mou Chunxiao , Zhang En , Wang Yongheng , Cao Yanan , Yang Qian
Published: February 2019

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious disease in newborn piglets and causes substantial economic losses in the world. PED virus (PEDV) spreads by fecal–oral contact and can be prevented by oral immunization. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective oral vaccine against PEDV infection. Currently, Bacillus subtilis as recombinant vaccine carrier has been used for antigen delivery and proved well in immune effect and safety. The present study evaluated the immunogenicity of recombinant Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis-RC) in piglets via oral administration. After oral immunization in piglets, B. subtilis-RC significantly increased the local mucosal immune responses. Oral administration with B. subtilis-RC significantly improved the level of specific mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies against PEDV infection, through enlarging the area of Peyer’s patches (PPs) and increasing the number of ileum IgA+ secreting (SIgA) cells. In the meantime, B. subtilis-RC remarkably increased the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). We also observed that oral administration of B. subtilis-RC significantly increased CD3+T lymphocytes’ numbers and up-regulated the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, high titers of specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) revealed satisfactory systemic immune response against PEDV infection. In summary, our study demonstrated that oral administration of B. subtilis-RC could trigger a high level of local and systemic immune responses and would be a promising candidate vaccine against PEDV infection in piglets.
Analysis of a uniform rectangular array for generation of arbitrary orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes
Authors: Cho Y.H. , Byun W.J.
Published: February 2019

Using the array antenna theory, theoretical radiation and near‐field characteristics of a uniform rectangular array (URA) for high‐gain or wide‐beamwidth orbital angular momentum waves have been rigorously studied. Closed‐form weighting factors of URA elements are derived based on the Hankel transform proposed for aperture antennas. Simulated radiation patterns and near‐field distributions show that a URA configuration is superior to a uniform circular array in terms of antenna gain, beamwidth, and beam‐scanning capability.
Research on PMSM harmonic coupling models based on magnetic co‐energy
Authors: Yi Peng , Sun Zechang , Wang Xinjian
Published: February 2019

Modelling of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) torque ripple and PMSM current harmonics controlling technology are important branches of PMSM research. Based on the existing linear PMSM model derived from magnetic co‐energy, this study considers the variation of PMSM parameters (inductance, permanent magnet flux and cogging torque) caused by magnetic saturation. Then, the harmonic coupling models including flux–current coupling model, voltage–current coupling model and torque–current coupling model are deduced. In these harmonic coupling models, the PMSM parameters no longer vary with rotor position but only with current amplitude and phase. Based on the torque–current coupling model, a novel method of obtaining the required injecting currents which could suppress torque ripple is proposed. The validity of the harmonic coupling models and the injecting current solution method is verified by finite‐element method.
Optimal siting and sizing of distributed generators to retain the existing protection setup along with their technical and economic aspects
Authors: Srividhya Subramanian , Murali Venkatakirthiga
Published: February 2019

Now‐a‐days, most studies strive towards high penetration of distributed generators (DGs) in distribution systems. Interestingly, the deployment of DGs has the potential to question the selectivity between the relays and also the interrupting capacity of circuit breakers (CBs) upon increased penetration. Furthermore, the integration of DGs leads to sympathetic tripping during faults, which mandates the DGs to be disconnected from the grid, which in turn conflicts the reliability of the distribution systems. Gradually, this facilitates the need for fault ride through of DGs without affecting the security and technical benefits of the system. Hence, to get the best out of DGs and to pull through their challenges, this work optimally sites and sizes the DGs to retain the existing relay settings and CBs and to avoid mal‐operations during faults due to reverse power flow along with their potential benefits and their economic impacts. Besides minimising the CB replacements and sympathetic tripping of relays during optimisation of DGs, few fault current limiters are incorporated to avoid these issues completely. Furthermore, this work also explores optimal penetration using a fuzzy logic tool. The proposed methodology is validated for the standard 33 bus radial distribution system using particle swarm optimisation algorithm.
Unified strategy for electric vehicles participate in voltage and frequency regulation with active power in city grid
Authors: Wang Xiang , He Zhengyou Y. , Yang Jianwei W.
Published: February 2019

Voltage and frequency are both significant index of city grid. Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to provide ancillary services for power grid since they are in stop state at most time during a day. This paper proposes a novel unified EV charging and discharging strategy by controlling active power to provide voltage and frequency regulation in city power grid. The objective of the strategy is to solve the voltage drop/rise and frequency fluctuation in city power grid with minimum influence on EV owners travelling demand. The available V2G regulation power is obtained according to the EV owners' transportation demand, initial and real‐time battery SOC and departure time. In case of voltage and frequency deviation out of the limitation, the EVs can participate in correspondence regulation by fast adjustment of charging or discharging power within the limitation. Simulations on an urban distribution network and an urban power grid are presented for voltage regulation and frequency regulation, respectively. The results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. It can be concluded from the results that EV can be scheduled to solve the city grid voltage drop/rise and frequency fluctuation with the proposed strategy.