bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MapB, the Brucella suis TamB homologue, is involved in cell envelope biogenesis, cell division and virulence
Authors: Bialer Magalí Graciela , Ruiz-Ranwez Verónica , Sycz Gabriela , Estein Silvia Marcela , Russo Daniela Marta , Altabe Silvia , Sieira Rodrigo , Zorreguieta Angeles
Published: February 2019

Brucella species are Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogens responsible for a worldwide zoonosis. The envelope of Brucella exhibits unique characteristics that make these bacteria furtive pathogens and resistant to several host defence compounds. We have identified a Brucella suis gene (mapB) that appeared to be crucial for cell envelope integrity. Indeed, the typical resistance of Brucella to both lysozyme and the cationic lipopeptide polymyxin B was markedly reduced in a ∆mapB mutant. MapB turned out to represent a TamB orthologue. This last protein, together with TamA, a protein belonging to the Omp85 family, form a complex that has been proposed to participate in the translocation of autotransporter proteins across the outer membrane (OM). Accordingly, we observed that MapB is required for proper assembly of an autotransporter adhesin in the OM, as most of the autotransporter accumulated in the mutant cell periplasm. Both assessment of the relative amounts of other specific outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and a proteome approach indicated that the absence of MapB did not lead to an extensive alteration in OMP abundance, but to a reduction in the relative amounts of a protein subset, including proteins from the Omp25/31 family. Electron microscopy revealed that ∆mapB cells exhibit multiple anomalies in cell morphology, indicating that the absence of the TamB homologue in B. suis severely affects cell division. Finally, ∆mapB cells were impaired in macrophage infection and showed an attenuated virulence phenotype in the mouse model. Collectively, our results indicate that the role of B. suis TamB homologue is not restricted to participating in the translocation of autotransporters across the OM but that it is essential for OM stability and protein composition and that it is involved in cell envelope biogenesis, a process that is inherently coordinated with cell division.
A method for combining multiple-units readout of optogenetic control with natural stimulation-evoked eyeblink conditioning in freely-moving mice
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Kai-Yuan , Zhang Li-Bin , Zhang Wei-Wei , Feng Hua , Yao Zhong-Xiang , Hu Bo , Chen Hao
Published: February 2019

A growing pool of transgenic mice expressing Cre-recombinases, together with Cre-dependent opsin viruses, provide good tools to manipulate specific neural circuits related to eyeblink conditioning (EBC). However, currently available methods do not enable to get fast and precise readout of optogenetic control when the freely-moving mice are receiving EBC training. In the current study, we describe a laser diode (LD)-optical fiber (OF)-Tetrode assembly that allows for simultaneous multiple units recording and optical stimulation. Since the numbers of various cables that require to be connected are minimized, the LD-OF-Tetrode assembly can be combined with CS-US delivery apparatus for revealing the effects of optical stimulation on EBC in freely- moving mice. Moreover, this combination of techniques can be utilized to optogenetically intervene in hippocampal neuronal activities during the post-conditioning sleep in a closed-loop manner. This novel device thus enhances our ability to explore how specific neuronal assembly contributes to associative motor memory in vivo.
Facile Fabrication of Size-Tunable Core/Shell Ferroelectric/Polymeric Nanoparticles with Tailorable Dielectric Properties via Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Driven by Visible Light
Authors: You Ning , Zhang Chenxi , Liang Yachao , Zhang Qi , Fu Peng , Liu Minying , Zhao Qingxiang , Cui Zhe , Pang Xinchang
Published: February 2019

An unconventional but facile approach to prepare size-tunable core/shell ferroelectric/polymeric nanoparticles with uniform distribution is achieved by metal-free atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) driven by visible light under ambient temperature based on novel hyperbranched aromatic polyamides (HBPA) as a functional matrix. Cubic BaTiO3/HBPA nanocomposites can be prepared by in-situ polycondensation process with precursors (barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) and titanium(IV) tetraisopropoxide (TTIP)) of ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanocrystals, because precursors can be selectively loaded into the domain containing the benzimidazole rings. At 1200 °C, the aromatic polyamide coating of cubic BaTiO3 nanoparticles are carbonized to form carbon layer in the inert environment, which prevents regular nanoparticles from gathering. In addition, cubic BaTiO3 nanoparticles are simultaneously transformed into tetragonal BaTiO3 nanocrystals after high temperature calcination (1200 °C). The outer carbon shell of tetragonal BaTiO3 nanoparticles is removed via 500 °C calcination in air. Bi-functional ligand can modify the surface of tetragonal BaTiO3 nanoparticles. PMMA polymeric chains are growing from the initiating sites of ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanocrystal surface via the metal-free ATRP technique to obtain core/shell ferroelectric BaTiO3/PMMA hybrid nanoparticles. Changing the molar ratio between benzimidazole ring units and precursors can tune the size of ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles in the process of polycondensation, and the thickness of polymeric shell can be tailored by changing the white LED irradiation time in the organocatalyzed ATRP process. The dielectric properties of core/shell BaTiO3/PMMA hybrid nanoparticles can be also tuned by adjusting the dimension of BaTiO3 core and the molecular weight of PMMA shell.
A biophysical model explains the spontaneous bursting behavior in the developing retina
Authors: Matzakos-Karvouniari Dora , Gil Lionel , Orendorff Elaine , Marre Olivier , Picaud Serge , Cessac Bruno
Published: February 2019

During early development, waves of activity propagate across the retina and play a key role in the proper wiring of the early visual system. During a particular phase of the retina development (stage II) these waves are triggered by a transient network of neurons, called Starburst Amacrine Cells (SACs), showing a bursting activity which disappears upon further maturation. The underlying mechanisms of the spontaneous bursting and the transient excitability of immature SACs are not completely clear yet. While several models have attempted to reproduce retinal waves, none of them is able to mimic the rhythmic autonomous bursting of individual SACs and reveal how these cells change their intrinsic properties during development. Here, we introduce a mathematical model, grounded on biophysics, which enables us to reproduce the bursting activity of SACs and to propose a plausible, generic and robust, mechanism that generates it. The core parameters controlling repetitive firing are fast depolarizing V-gated calcium channels and hyperpolarizing V-gated potassium channels. The quiescent phase of bursting is controlled by a slow after hyperpolarization (sAHP), mediated by calcium-dependent potassium channels. Based on a bifurcation analysis we show how biophysical parameters, regulating calcium and potassium activity, control the spontaneously occurring fast oscillatory activity followed by long refractory periods in individual SACs. We make a testable experimental prediction on the role of voltage-dependent potassium channels on the excitability properties of SACs and on the evolution of this excitability along development. We also propose an explanation on how SACs can exhibit a large variability in their bursting periods, as observed experimentally within a SACs network as well as across different species, yet based on a simple, unique, mechanism. As we discuss, these observations at the cellular level have a deep impact on the retinal waves description.
Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in plasma: from late pregnancy to early postpartum
Authors: Bränn Emma , Edvinsson Åsa , Rostedt Punga Anna , Sundström-Poromaa Inger , Skalkidou Alkistis
Published: February 2019

During pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes in immune system adaptation. The immunological shifts that occur in pregnancy can partially be explained by alterations in hormonal levels. Furthermore, during pregnancy, many autoimmune diseases go into remission, only to flare again in the early postpartum period. Given these important changes in the clinical course of a number of autoimmune disorders, surprisingly little has been done to investigate the inflammatory profile changes across pregnancy and the postpartum period. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe how inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers change from late pregnancy to the early postpartum period, using a multiplexed assay consisting of both well-known as well as exploratory proteins. Two-hundred-and-ninety women were included in this study and donated a total of 312 blood samples; 198 in late pregnancy (~gw38) and 114 in the postpartum period (~w8). The plasma blood samples were analyzed for 92 immune system related protein markers using Proseek Multiplex Inflammation I panel, a high-sensitivity assay based on proximity extension assay technology. Fifty-six inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were significantly different between pregnancy and the postpartum, of which 50 survived corrections for multiple comparisons. Out of these 50 markers, 41 decreased from pregnancy to postpartum, while the remaining 9 increased in the postpartum period. The top five markers with the greatest decrease in the postpartum period were Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIF-R), Latency-associated peptide Transforming growth factor beta-1 (LAP TGF-beta-1), C-C motif chemokine 28 (CCL28), Oncostatin M (OSM) and Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Top three markers that increased in the postpartum period were Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TRANCE), Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 (TWEAK), and C-C motif chemokine/Eotaxin (CCL11). This study revealed that the majority of the markers decreased from pregnancy to postpartum, and only a few increased. Several of the top proteins that were higher in pregnancy than postpartum have anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory properties promoting pregnancy progress. These results clearly reflect the tremendous change in the immune system in the pregnancy to postpartum transition.
PRSS3/Mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 are associated with poor prognosis and contribute to tumor cell invasion and growth in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ma Honghai , Hockla Alexandra , Mehner Christine , Coban Matt , Papo Niv , Radisky Derek C. , Radisky Evette S.
Published: February 2019

Serine proteases have been implicated as key drivers and facilitators of lung cancer malignancy, and while these proteins represent straightforward targets for therapeutic inhibitors, identification of optimal points for intervention has been complicated by the complex networks in which these enzymes function. Here we implicate a signaling pathway consisting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin and kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5) in lung adenocarcinoma malignancy. We show that elevated PRSS3/mesotrypsin expression is prognostic for poor outcome for patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and that genetic or pharmacologic targeting of PRSS3/mesotrypsin reduces lung adenocarcinoma cell invasiveness and proliferation. We further show that genetic targeting of KLK5, a known target of PRSS3/mesotrypsin, phenocopies the effect of PRSS3/mesotrypsin knockdown, and also that elevated expression of KLK5 is similarly prognostic for outcome in lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we use transcriptional profiling experiments to show that PRSS3/mesotrypsin and KLK5 control a common malignancy-promoting pathway. These experiments implicate a potential PRSS3/mesotrypsin-KLK5 signaling module in lung adenocarcinoma and reveal the potential therapeutic benefit of selectively targeting these pathways.
Evolution of Superconductivity with Sr-Deficiency in Antiperovskite Oxide Sr3−xSnO
Authors: Oudah Mohamed , Hausmann Jan Niklas , Kitao Shinji , Ikeda Atsutoshi , Yonezawa Shingo , Seto Makoto , Maeno Yoshiteru
Published: February 2019

Bulk superconductivity was recently reported in the antiperovskite oxide Sr3−xSnO, with a possibility of hosting topological superconductivity. We investigated the evolution of superconducting properties such as the transition temperature Tc and the size of the diamagnetic signal, as well as normal-state electronic and crystalline properties, with varying the nominal Sr deficiency x0. Polycrystalline Sr3−xSnO was obtained up to x0 = 0:6 with a small amount of SrO impurities. The amount of impurities increases for x0 > 0.6, suggesting phase instability for high deficiency. Mössbauer spectroscopy reveals an unusual Sn4− ionic state in both stoichiometric and deficient samples. By objectively analyzing superconducting diamagnetism data obtained from a large number of samples, we conclude that the optimal x0 lies in the range 0.5 < x0 < 0.6. In all superconducting samples, two superconducting phases appear concurrently that originate from Sr3−xSnO but with varying intensities. These results clarify the Sr deficiency dependence of the normal and superconducting properties of the antiperovskite oxide Sr3−xSnO will ignite future work on this class of materials.
Elastic net-based prediction of IFN-β treatment response of patients with multiple sclerosis using time series microarray gene expression profiles
Authors: Fukushima Arika , Sugimoto Masahiro , Hiwa Satoru , Hiroyasu Tomoyuki
Published: February 2019

INF-β has been widely used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in relapse. Accurate prediction of treatment response is important for effective personalization of treatment. Microarray data have been frequently used to discover new genes and to predict treatment responses. However, conventional analytical methods suffer from three difficulties: high-dimensionality of datasets; high degree of multi-collinearity; and achieving gene identification in time-course data. The use of Elastic net, a sparse modelling method, would decrease the first two issues; however, Elastic net is currently unable to solve these three issues simultaneously. Here, we improved Elastic net to accommodate time-course data analyses. Numerical experiments were conducted using two time-course microarray datasets derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from patients with MS. The proposed methods successfully identified genes showing a high predictive ability for INF-β treatment response. Bootstrap sampling resulted in an 81% and 78% accuracy for each dataset, which was significantly higher than the 71% and 73% accuracy obtained using conventional methods. Our methods selected genes showing consistent differentiation throughout all time-courses. These genes are expected to provide new predictive biomarkers that can influence INF-β treatment for MS patients.
Metabotyping as a Stopover in Genome-to-Phenome Mapping
Authors: Handakumbura Pubudu P. , Stanfill Bryan , Rivas-Ubach Albert , Fortin Dan , Vogel John P. , Jansson Christer
Published: February 2019

Predicting phenotypic expression from genomic and environmental information is arguably the greatest challenge in today’s biology. Being able to survey genomic content, e.g., as single-nucleotide polymorphism data, within a diverse population and predict the phenotypes of external traits, represents the holy grail across genome-informed disciplines, from personal medicine and nutrition to plant breeding. In the present study, we propose a two-step procedure in bridging the genome to phenome gap where external phenotypes are viewed as emergent properties of internal phenotypes, such as molecular profiles, in interaction with the environment. Using biomass accumulation and shoot-root allometry as external traits in diverse genotypes of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon, we established correlative models between genotypes and metabolite profiles (metabotypes) as internal phenotypes, and between metabotypes and external phenotypes under two contrasting watering regimes. Our results demonstrate the potential for employing metabotypes as an integrator in predicting external phenotypes from genomic information.
Impact of post-hatching maturation on the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol in zebrafish larvae
Authors: van Wijk Rob C. , Krekels Elke H. J. , Kantae Vasudev , Harms Amy C. , Hankemeier Thomas , van der Graaf Piet H. , Spaink Herman P.
Published: February 2019

Zebrafish larvae are increasingly used in pharmacological and toxicological studies, but it is often overlooked that internal exposure to exogenous compounds, rather than the incubation medium concentration, is driving observed effects. Moreover, as the zebrafish larva is a developing organism, continuous physiological changes impact pharmacokinetic or toxicokinetic processes like the absorption and elimination of exogenous compounds, influencing the interpretation of observations and conclusions drawn from experiments at different larval ages. Here, using paracetamol as paradigm compound, mathematical modelling is used to quantify absorption and elimination rates from internal exposure over time profiles after waterborne treatment, as well as changes in these parameters in post-hatching larvae of 3, 4, and 5 days post fertilisation (dpf). An increase of 106% in absorption rate was observed between 3 and 4 dpf, but no further increase at 5 dpf, and an increase of 17.5% in elimination rate for each dpf. Paracetamol clearance, determined from elimination rate constants and reported total larval volumes of 253, 263, and 300 nL at 3, 4, and 5 dpf respectively, correlates best with higher vertebrates at 5 dpf. This suggests that when studying direct effects of exogenous compounds, experiments with zebrafish larvae are best performed at 5 dpf.
Ocean variability and air-sea fluxes produced by atmospheric rivers
Authors: Shinoda Toshiaki , Zamudio Luis , Guo Yanjuan , Metzger E. Joseph , Fairall Chris W.
Published: February 2019

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) cause heavy precipitation and flooding in the coastal areas of many mid-latitude continents, and thus the atmospheric processes associated with the AR have been intensively studied in recent years. However, AR-associated ocean variability and air-sea fluxes have received little attention because of the lack of high-resolution ocean data until recently. Here we demonstrate that typical ARs can generate strong upper ocean response and substantial air-sea fluxes using a high-resolution (1/12°) ocean reanalysis. AR events observed during the CalWater 2015 field campaign generate large-scale on-shore currents that hit the coast, generating strong narrow northward jets along the west coast of North America, in association with a substantial rise of sea level at the coast. In the open ocean, the AR generates prominent changes of mixed layer depth, especially south of 30°N due to the strong surface winds and air-sea heat fluxes. The prominent cooling of SST is observed only in the vicinity of AR upstream areas primarily due to the large latent heat flux. Using a long-term AR dataset, composite structure and variations of upper ocean and air-sea fluxes are presented, which are consistent with those found in the events during CalWater 2015.
Three Dimensional Glomerular Reconstruction: A Novel Approach to Evaluate Renal Microanatomy in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Torkamani Niloufar , Jerums George , Crammer Paul , Skene Alison , Power David A. , Panagiotopoulos Sianna , Clarke Michele , MacIsaac Richard J. , Ekinci Elif I.
Published: February 2019

Mesangial metrics reflect glomerular filtration surface area in diabetes. The point-sampled intercept (PSI) method is the conventional method to calculate these parameters. However, this is time consuming and subject to underestimation. We introduce a novel three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method applicable to light microscopy to measure mesangial metrics. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), PSI and our new 3D imaging methods were used to quantify mesangial metrics from 22 patients with type 2 diabetes, normo-, micro- and macroalbuminuria and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Repeated-measures ANOVA test was used to test the equality of the measurement means from the three methods and the degree of inter method variability. Repeated-measures and post-estimation ANOVA tests together with correlation coefficient measurements were used to compare the methods with TEM as reference. There was a statistically significant difference in mesangial volume measurements (F(2, 16) = 15.53, p = 0.0002). The PSI method underestimated measurements compared to TEM and 3D methods by 30% (p = 0.001) and 15%, respectively (p < 0.001). 3D and TEM measurements did not differ significantly. 3D reconstruction is a reliable and time efficient method for calculating mesangial metrics. It may prove to be a useful tool in clinical and experimental diabetic kidney disease.
Multicentre MDR Elizabethkingia anophelis isolates: Novel random amplified polymorphic DNA with capillary electrophoresis systems to rapid molecular typing compared to genomic epidemiology analysis
Authors: Jian Ming-Jr , Perng Cherng-Lih , Sun Jun-Ren , Cheng Yun-Hsiang , Chung Hsing-Yi , Cheng Yu-Hsuan , Lee Shih-Yi , Kuo Shu-Chen , Shang Hung-Sheng
Published: February 2019

Elizabethkingia species are ubiquitous bacteria that uncommonly cause human infection. Elizabethkingia anophelis was first identified in 2011 from the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The currently available bacterial typing systems vary greatly with respect to labour, cost, reliability, and ability to discriminate among bacterial strains. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is commonly used to identify genetic markers. To our knowledge, no system coupling RAPD-PCR and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) has been utilized for the epidemiological typing of E. anophelis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to establish a reliable and reproducible molecular typing technique for E. anophelis isolates based on a multi-centre assessment of bacteraemia patients. Here, we used a rapid CGE-light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence (LEDIF)-based method in conjunction with RAPD-PCR to genotype E. anophelis with a high level of discrimination. All clinical isolates of E. anophelis were found to be typeable, and isolates from two hospitals formed two distinct clusters. The results demonstrated the potential of coupling RAPD and CGE as a rapid and efficient molecular typing tool, providing a reliable method for surveillance and epidemiological investigations of bacterial infections. The proposed method shows promise as a novel, cost-effective, high-throughput, first-pass typing method.
Using redox-sensitive mitochondrial cytochrome Raman bands for label-free detection of mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Morimoto Takeshi , Chiu Liang-da , Kanda Hiroyuki , Kawagoe Hiroyuki , Ozawa Takeaki , Nakamura Makoto , Nishida Kohji , Fujita Katsumasa , Fujikado Takashi
Published: February 2019

We present a label-free imaging technique that detects mitochondrial activities with a sub-cellular spatial resolution.
A polydopamine-based platform for anti-cancer drug delivery
Authors: Ambekar Rushikesh S. , Kandasubramanian Balasubramanian
Published: February 2019

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world with around 9.6 million deaths in 2018, approximately 70% of which occurred in the middle- and low-income countries; moreover, the economic impact of cancer is significant and escalating day by day.
Plasmon-induced charge separation at the interface between ITO nanoparticles and TiO2under near-infrared irradiation
Authors: Lee Seung Hyuk , Nishi Hiroyasu , Tatsuma Tetsu
Published: February 2019

Plasmon-induced charge separation by continuous electron injection was achieved from ITO nanoparticles to TiO2under 1500–2200 nm near-infrared light.
Magnetic circular dichroism spectra of transition metal complexes calculated from restricted active space wavefunctions
Authors: Heit Yonaton N. , Sergentu Dumitru-Claudiu , Autschbach Jochen
Published: February 2019

Multiconfigurational restricted active space (RAS) self-consistent field (SCF) or configuration interaction (CI) approaches, augmented with a treatment of spin–orbit coupling by state interaction, were used to calculate the magnetic circular dichroism , , and/or for closed- and open-shell transition metal complexes.
Streamlining routine organic chemistry reactions by the employment of high shear mixers
Authors: Zeferino-Díaz Reyna , Hilario-Martínez J. Ciciolil , Sánchez-Cantú Manuel , Fernández-Herrera María A. , Sandoval-Ramirez Jesus
Published: February 2019

High shear mixing contributes to Green Chemistry, saves cost, and reduces long organic reaction times and solvent volume.
Graphene hybrid materials? The role of graphene materials in the final structure of hydrogels
Authors: Martín Cristina , Martín-Pacheco Ana , Naranjo Alicia , Criado Alejandro , Merino Sonia , Díez-Barra Enrique , Herrero M. Antonia , Vázquez Ester
Published: February 2019

Graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been introduced into a three-dimensional polymeric network based on polyacrylamide in order to ascertain the role of each nanomaterial in hydrogels.
End-group ionisation enables the use of poly(N-(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone) as an electrosteric stabiliser block for polymerisation-induced self-assembly in aqueous media
Authors: Gibson R. R. , Armes S. P. , Musa O. M. , Fernyhough A.
Published: February 2019

End-group ionisation enables use of PNMEP as a steric stabiliser in aqueous PISA: colloidal stability depends on solution pH, with flocculation occurring below pH 4.5.
Measuring dielectric properties for microwave-assisted extraction of essential oils using single-mode and multimode reactors
Authors: Parizotto Carlos A. , Dall'Oglio Evandro L. , de Vasconcelos Leonardo G. , de Sousa Paulo T. , Taques Filho Eduardo G. R. , Kuhnen Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2019

Dielectric properties of plants/water mixtures enables the design of single mode cavities for microwave assisted extraction of essentials oils.
Orbital-dependent redox potential regulation of quinone derivatives for electrical energy storage
Authors: Niu Zhihui , Wu Huaxi , Lu Yihua , Xiong Shiyun , Zhu Xi , Zhao Yu , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: February 2019

Various quinone derivatives are investigated to determine the suitability for application in organic redox-flow batteries.
Pressure-induced metallization in MoSe2 under different pressure conditions
Authors: Yang Linfei , Dai Lidong , Li Heping , Hu Haiying , Liu Kaixiang , Pu Chang , Hong Meiling , Liu Pengfei
Published: February 2019

Our experimental results clearly indicate that the metallization behavior of MoSe2 exhibits significant dependence on the pressure environments.
Novel red-emitting phosphor Li2MgZrO4:Mn4+,Ga3+ for warm white LEDs based on blue-emitting chip
Authors: Yan Wen , Xiao Siguo , Yang Xiaoliang
Published: February 2019

PLE spectra of the phosphors. Inset (a) excitation intensity at 352 nm and 468 nm as function of doping Ga3+ concentration. Inset (b) ratio of excitation intensity at 468 nm to that at 352 nm as function of Ga3+ concentration.
Cross coupling of benzylammonium salts with boronic acids using a well-defined N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium(ii) precatalyst
Authors: Wang Tao , Guo Jiarui , Wang Xiaojuan , Guo Han , Jia Dingli , Wang Hengjin , Liu Lantao
Published: February 2019

N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium(ii)-catalyzed cross-coupling of benzylammonium salts with arylboronic acids for the synthesis of diarylmethane derivatives via C–N bond activation has been developed.
Flux melting of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Longley Louis , Collins Sean M. , Li Shichun , Smales Glen J. , Erucar Ilknur , Qiao Ang , Hou Jingwei , Doherty, Cara M. , Thornton Aaron W. , Hill Anita J. , Yu Xiao , Terrill Nicholas J. , Smith Andrew J. , Cohen Seth M. , Midgley Paul A. , Keen David A. , Telfer Shane G. , Bennett Thomas D.
Published: February 2019

We show flux melting by using a liquid MOF as a solvent for a secondary, non-melting MOF component.
Revising the measurement process in the variational quantum eigensolver: is it possible to reduce the number of separately measured operators?
Authors: Izmaylov Artur F. , Yen Tzu-Ching , Ryabinkin Ilya G.
Published: February 2019

We have introduced two approaches to reduce the number of separately measured terms in molecular Hamiltonians within the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) technique for solving the electronic structure problem.
DEM simulation of the local ordering of tetrahedral granular matter
Authors: Zhao Bo , An Xizhong , Zhao Haiyang , Shen Lingling , Sun Xudong , Zhou Zongyan
Published: February 2019

The formation and growth of local order clusters in a tetrahedral granular assembly driven by 3D mechanical vibrations were captured in DEM (discrete element method) dynamic simulation using a multi-sphere model.
Templated growth of vertically aligned 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets
Authors: Li Hui , Hou Jingwei , Bennett Thomas D. , Liu Jindun , Zhang Yatao
Published: February 2019

This work demonstrates the use of a bottom-up templated growth technique to prepare a continuous, vertically aligned 2D MOF coating.
Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals in energy transfer reactions
Authors: Moroz Pavel , Royo Romero Luis , Zamkov Mikhail
Published: February 2019

Excitonic energy transfer is a versatile mechanism by which colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals can interact with a variety of nanoscale species. This feature article will discuss the latest research on the key scenarios under which semiconductor nanocrystals can engage in energy transfer with other nanoparticles, organic fluorophores, and plasmonic nanostructures, highlighting potential technological benefits to be gained from such processes.
Highly selective imaging of lysosomal azoreductase under hypoxia using pH-regulated and target-activated fluorescent nanoprobes
Authors: Zhu Cong , Zou Zhen , Huang Caixia , Zheng Jing , Liu Na , Li Jishan , Yang Ronghua
Published: February 2019

A pH-regulated and target-activated nanoprobe for highly selective monitoring of lysosomal azoreductase under hypoxia.
Highly selective CO2 removal for one-step liquefied natural gas processing by physisorbents
Authors: Madden David G. , O’Nolan Daniel , Chen Kai-Jie , Hua Carol , Kumar Amrit , Pham Tony , Forrest Katherine A. , Space Brian , Perry John J. , Khraisheh Majeda , Zaworotko Michael J.
Published: February 2019

Industrial specifications require CO2 concentrations in natural gas below 50 ppm during liquefaction because of corrosion and CO2 freezing.
Synthesis of renewable acetic acid from CO2and lignin over an ionic liquid-based catalytic system
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhao Yanfei , Ke Zhengang , Yu Bo , Li Ruipeng , Wu Yunyan , Wang Zhenpeng , Han Juanjuan , Liu Zhimin
Published: February 2019

Renewable acetic acid can be synthesized from CO2and lignin over an ionic liquid-based catalytic system containing Ru–Rh bimetal catalyst.
Substrate-independent and catalyst-free synthesis of magnesium nanowires
Authors: Vijayakumar Sheela Haritha , Madhusudhanan Vimal , Krishnan Gopi
Published: February 2019

We report a catalyst free and substrate independent synthesis of magnesium nanowires using a simple thermal evaporation method.
Structurally characterized homo-trinuclear ZnII and hetero-pentanuclear [ZnII4LnIII] complexes constructed from an octadentate bis(Salamo)-based ligand: Hirshfeld surfaces, fluorescence and catalytic properties
Authors: Li Xiao-Yan , Kang Quan-Peng , Liu Chang , Zhang Yang , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: February 2019

One 3d and five 3d-4f complexes were synthesized. Complexes 1–6 were characterized via elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, and their fluorescence properties, catalytic activities and Hirshfeld surface analyses were studied.
Continuous flow synthesis of core cross-linked star polymers via photo-induced copper mediated polymerization
Authors: Vrijsen Jeroen H. , Osiro Medeiros Camila , Gruber Jonas , Junkers Tanja
Published: February 2019

A convenient method to synthesize core cross-linked star polymers via a continuous flow photopolymerization process is developed.
Low-temperature synthesized self-supported single-crystalline LiCoO2 nanoflake arrays as advanced 3D cathodes for flexible lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xia Qiuying , Ni Mingzhu , Chen Minghua , Xia Hui
Published: February 2019

Self-supported single-crystalline LiCoO2 nanoflake arrays are fabricated at low temperature as promising 3D cathodes for flexible lithium-ion batteries.
Semi‐blind receiver for two‐way MIMO relaying systems based on joint channel and symbol estimation
Authors: Han Xi , de Almeida André L.F. , Liu An , Bai Wenle
Published: February 2019

This study proposes a semi‐blind receivers for two‐way multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) relaying systems capable of jointly estimating the channels and symbols in a direct‐data approach. Resorting to a Khatri‐Rao coding scheme applied at both uplink and downlink transmission phases, the authors show that the signals received at the relay and user node are third‐order tensors satisfying the parallel factor (PARAFAC) and PARATUCK2 models, respectively. Combining these two tensor models, a semi‐blind receiver based on an integrated alternating least squares algorithm is proposed to estimate the channels and symbols transmitted by the user nodes without training sequences. The effectiveness of the proposed semi‐blind receiver is corroborated with numerical results, which show that the proposed semi‐blind receiver outperforms state‐of‐the‐art two‐stage training sequence estimator, while operating close to the tensor‐based channel estimator.
QoS guaranteed online management of battery swapping station under dynamic energy pricing
Authors: Wang Luhao , Pedram Massoud
Published: February 2019

Further popularisation of electric vehicles (EVs) is hindered by their relatively short driving distance and long battery charging time. To overcome these shortcomings, the battery swapping station (BSS) has been proposed as a means of satisfying the increasing demands for fast EV battery recharging. At a BSS, (partially) depleted batteries from EVs can be replaced with partially or fully charged ones almost instantaneously. Recharging scheduling and maintenance of batteries are done by the operator of BSS, with the target of minimising electrical energy costs while satisfying customer demands. In this study, the authors consider a realistic BSS framework in which EVs can arrive at BSS with time of day dependent rates having different battery state‐of‐charges. They investigate the battery charging scheduling problem in the BSS under a dynamic energy pricing. They solve (i) an online optimal BSS control problem to minimise the energy cost with a quality‐of‐service (QoS) guarantee, and (ii) an offline optimal BSS design problem to determine the optimal number of stored batteries so as to achieve a desirable tradeoff between flexibility in charging and amortised battery costs. The experimental results show that the total charging energy cost can be reduced significantly under different traffic scenarios.
Visual inference of flow flux via free surface PDE model and image sequence assimilation
Authors: Guo Shan , Xu Chao , Yiu Ka Fai Cedric
Published: February 2019

The free‐surface flows, such as flows in rivers, lakes, and tides, play an important role in hydraulic engineering and environmental monitoring. However, due to their complex and changeable characters, the precise evolution procedure is quite difficult to reconstruct. In this study, the authors propose a novel framework to reconstruct the free‐surface flow modelled by the shallow water equations by assimilating the images sequences. In particular, the ensemble Kalman filter framework is employed to implement the assimilation process. The efficiency of the proposed strategy has been verified through numerical simulations in which the accurate flow field in different situations could be obtained within limited assimilation steps.
Wide area inter‐area oscillation control system in a GB electric power system
Authors: Cai Deyu , Ding Lei , Zhang Xin , Terzija Vladimir
Published: February 2019

A wide area control system (WACS) for the Great Britain (GB) power system is presented. This WACS is designed to enhance the GB system's small signal stability, i.e. improve the damping of the inter‐area oscillatory mode between Scotland and England. This study mainly consists of two parts. In the first part, the conventional concept of high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) and supplementary damping control modelling is presented. The model of HVDC and supplementary damping control are tested through the classic two‐area model. In the second part, the operation of the proposed WACS is demonstrated using a full model of the GB power system. In addition to the demonstration of the major applications, some key factors that will influence the operation of the wide area inter‐area oscillation damping control scheme will be tested and discussed. These factors include the time delay involved in wide area data transmission and the reactions between the additional HVDC damping controller and conventional power system stabilisers.
Research on topological structure and simulation of hybrid DC circuit breaker
Authors: Zhuang Chu , Bing Xu , Zhanqing Yu , Nianhua Wang
Published: February 2019

At present, the hybrid DC circuit breaker (ABB company's Hybrid DC circuit breaker as the representative scheme) must be equipped with the radiator because of a long‐time current passing through the power electronic devices in the load‐control‐switch (LCS). Therefore, the daily operation and maintenance work is increased, and the reliability of the whole circuit breaker is reduced，in order to solve the problem, a topological structure of hybrid DC circuit breaker was designed here. This design combines two current transfer ways. When circuit need to be cut‐off, current transfer was from main branch to the branch of LCS, and then to the solid‐state switch branch in which the current was cut‐off by series of power electronic devices. A simulation model was built on PSCAD to verify the feasibility of this topological structure.
Understanding the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of LDPE‐clay nanocomposites
Authors: Mallayan Sundara , Raja Prabhu Ramachandran , Desai Belaguppa Manjunath Ashwin , Velmurugan Ramachandran , Sarathi Ramanujam , Rao Burjupati Nageshwar
Published: February 2019

The performance of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) clay nanocomposites was analysed. The inclusion of nano montmorillonite (MMT) clay in LDPE material has significantly increased the contact angle, corona ageing resistance, water droplet initiated corona inception voltage and surface discharge inception voltage of the composites. The surface charge decay rate of the samples significantly reduced on the inclusion of clay indicating modified trap distribution characteristics due to the inclusion of the filler. Dynamical mechanical analysis indicates increased storage modulus and reduced tan (δ) due to nanofillers inclusion. Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy indicates that on inclusion of nanofillers the plasma temperature increases and crater depth decreases. In particular, increased discharge resistance, improved thermomechanical properties are observed with LDPE–MMT clay composites compared to pure LDPE.
Solar wind charge exchange in cometary atmospheres
Authors: Simon Wedlund Cyril , Behar Etienne , Nilsson Hans , Alho Markku , Kallio Esa , Gunell Herbert , Bodewits Dennis , Heritier Kevin , Galand Marina , Beth Arnaud , Rubin Martin , Altwegg Kathrin , Volwerk Martin , Gronoff Guillaume , Hoekstra Ronnie
Published: February 2019

Context. Solar wind charge-changing reactions are of paramount importance to the physico-chemistry of the atmosphere of a comet. The ESA/Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) provides a unique opportunity to study charge-changing processes in situ.

Aims. To understand the role of these reactions in the evolution of the solar wind plasma and interpret the complex in situ measurements made by Rosetta, numerical or analytical models are necessary.

Methods. We used an extended analytical formalism describing solar wind charge-changing processes at comets along solar wind streamlines. The model is driven by solar wind ion measurements from the Rosetta Plasma Consortium-Ion Composition Analyser (RPC-ICA) and neutral density observations from the Rosetta Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis-Comet Pressure Sensor (ROSINA-COPS), as well as by charge-changing cross sections of hydrogen and helium particles in a water gas.

Results. A mission-wide overview of charge-changing efficiencies at comet 67P is presented. Electron capture cross sections dominate and favor the production of He and H energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), with fluxes expected to rival those of H+ and He2+ ions.

Conclusions. Neutral outgassing rates are retrieved from local RPC-ICA flux measurements and match ROSINA estimates very well throughout the mission. From the model, we find that solar wind charge exchange is unable to fully explain the magnitude of the sharp drop in solar wind ion fluxes observed by Rosetta for heliocentric distances below 2.5 AU. This is likely because the model does not take the relative ion dynamics into account and to a lesser extent because it ignores the formation of bow-shock-like structures upstream of the nucleus. This work also shows that the ionization by solar extreme-ultraviolet radiation and energetic electrons dominates the source of cometary ions, although solar wind contributions may be significant during isolated events.
Infinitely many periodic solutions for a semilinear wave equation with x-dependent coefficients
Authors: Wei Hui , Ji Shuguan
Published: February 2019

This paper is devoted to the study of periodic (in time) solutions to an one-dimensional semilinear wave equation with x-dependent coefficients under various homogeneous boundary conditions. Such a model arises from the forced vibrations of a nonhomogeneous string and propagation of seismic waves in nonisotropic media. By combining variational methods with an approximation argument, we prove that there exist infinitely many periodic solutions whenever the period is a rational multiple of the length of the spatial interval. The proof is essentially based on the spectral properties of the wave operator with x-dependent coefficients.
Ionic parameters identification of an inverse problem of strongly coupled PDE’s system in cardiac electrophysiology using Carleman estimates
Authors: Abidi Yassine , Bellassoued Mourad , Mahjoub Moncef , Zemzemi Nejib
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we consider an inverse problem of determining multiple ionic parameters of a 2 × 2 strongly coupled parabolic–elliptic reaction–diffusion system arising in cardiac electrophysiology modeling. We use the bidomain model coupled to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) system and we consider a general formalism of physiologically detailed cellular membrane models to describe the ionic exchanges at the microscopic level. Our main result is the uniqueness and a Lipschitz stability estimate of the ion channels conductance parameters of the model using subboundary observations over an interval of time. The key ingredients are a global Carleman-type estimate with a suitable observations acting on a part of the boundary.
New aspects of fractional Biswas–Milovic model with Mittag-Leffler law
Authors: Singh Jagdev , Kumar Devendra , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: February 2019

This article deals with a fractional extension of Biswas–Milovic (BM) model having Kerr and parabolic law nonlinearities. The BM model plays a key role in describing the long-distance optical communications. The fractional homotopy analysis transform technique (FHATM) is applied to examine the BM equation involving Atangana–Baleanu (AB) derivative of fractional order. The FHATM is constructed by using homotopy analysis technique, Laplace transform algorithm and homotopy polynomials. The numerical simulation work is performed with the aid of maple software package. In order to demonstrate the effects of order of AB operator, variables and parameters on the displacement, the results are shown graphically. The outcomes of the present investigation are very encouraging and show that the AB fractional operator is very useful in mathematical modelling of natural phenomena.
Lungensonografie für Anästhesie, Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin
Authors: Armbruster Wolf , Eichholz Rüdiger , Notheisen Thomas
Published: February 2019

Die Lungensonografie ist in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin ein unterschätztes Werkzeug: Bei bestimmten klinischen Fragestellungen ist ihre Sensitivität drastisch höher als die der Röntgen-Thoraxuntersuchung 1. Ein standardisierter Untersuchungsgang verbessert dabei die Untersuchungsqualität 2. Dieser Artikel vermittelt Grundlagenwissen der Lungensonografie und stellt die Überlegenheit des Ultraschalls gegenüber Röntgenverfahren heraus.
Wie man angemessene Privatpreise durchsetzt
Authors: Buchner Ralf
Published: February 2019

Etwa 20 Prozent der Einnahmen ambulanter Heilmittelpraxen stammen von Privatpatienten, das entspricht mehr als 1,5 Milliarden Euro im Jahr. Die Höhe der Privatpreise können Praxisinhaber selbst festlegen, was die privaten Krankenversicherungen jedoch immer wieder bestreiten und die Erstattungen kürzen. Das führt zu unerwünschten Diskussionen in der Praxis, die sich mit wenig Aufwand umgehen lassen.
Das richtige Maß finden – Evidenz-Update: Therapien in der Neuroreha richtig dosieren
Authors: Thieme Holm
Published: February 2019

Ob Spiegeltherapie, Laufbandtraining oder robotergestützte Maßnahmen – zahlreiche Übersichtsarbeiten bewerten Interventionen in der Neuroreha. Wie man die empfohlenen Therapien richtig dosiert, ist jedoch oft nicht klar definiert. Physiotherapeut Dr. Holm Thieme zeigt, worauf Therapeuten achten müssen.
Influence of 18F-FDG-PET/CT on staging of
cervical cancer
Authors: Cegla Paulina , Urbanski Bartosz , Burchardt Ewa , Roszak Andrzej , Cholewinski Witold
Published: February 2019

Aim Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers of the female
reproductive system. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the
18F-FDG-PET/CT study in staging of cervical cancer, with focus on
the primary tumor parameters.

Material & Methods 105 patients (mean age 56 ± 11y) with newly
diagnosed cervical cancer underwent PET/CT examination which was performed
60 min after IV injection of 18F-FDG with a mean activity of
364 ± 75MBq. 68 patients were diagnosed with stage IIIA/IIIB, 19 patients with
IIB, 10 patients with IB, 8 patients with stage IVA/IVB. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney
test and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis.

Results In 35 cases 18F-FDG-PET/CT did not show active
proliferative process outside the cervix. In 38 cases metastases were found in
iliac lymph nodes and in 32 patients scans showed metastases above the aortic
bifurcation including lymph nodes and other organs. The largest volumes of
primary tumor occurred in patients with distant metastases, while the lowest in
patients with disease limited only to cervix. In 63 % of the patients PET/CT
result was compatible with FIGO classification, in 20 % patients PET/CT result
showed less advanced disease and in 17 % of the patients PET/CT results were
higher than FIGO classification.

Conclusion PET/CT using 18F-FDG has an important impact on the
assessment of the stage of cervical cancer. In over 30 % of patients, this study
resulted in a radical change in the treatment plan.