bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method for the Measurement of Fibrinolytic Activity Based on One Dimensional Diffusion Using Small Glass Tubes
Authors: Yasukouchi Taro , Fujine Masaru , Kohn Sukehiro , Sakurama Shoki , Morioka Tokiyo , Mikami Akio , Iju Morimasa , Nakagawa Shoichi
Published: July 2018

The optimal conditions for the measurement of the fibrinolytic factors of plasma were examined using human and bovine plasminogen-rich fibrinogen or plasminogen-free fibrinogen as the substrates using the one dimensional diffusion method.

The results were as follows:

1. There was no essential difference found between using human or bovine fibrinogen.

2. The levels of proactivator-plasminogen and plasminogen could be measured while using either plasminogen-rich or plasminogen-free fibrinogen. But, in using the latter, the proactivator-plasminogen level could not be measured, if a final concentration of more than 2,000 Christensen units of streptokinase were employed.

3. When using plasminogen-rich fibrinogen, anti-plasmin(s) and anti-activator(s) could be measured while using urokinase and plasmin, but not while using streptokinase. However, further study should be given to the measurement of the inhibitors, when using plasminogen-free fibrinogen.
The Effect of Antithrombin III-Independent Thrombin Inhibitors and Heparin on Fibrin Accretion onto Fibrin-Coated Polyethylene
Authors: Rubens F D , Weitz J I , Brash J L , Kinlough-Rathbone R L
Published: July 2018

Prosthetic vascular grafts become coated with a layer of fibrin that contributes to graft thrombosis and occlusion. We compared the effect of antithrombin III-independent inhibitors of thrombin with heparin for their ability to prevent fibrin accretion onto a model of a vascular graft formed in vitro by coating polyethylene tubing with thrombin bound to a layer of polymerized fibrin. Equivalent antithrombin concentrations of heparin, D-Phe-Pro-Arg CH2Cl (PPACK), recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin), and Hirulog-1 were added to barium chloride-adsorbed plasma containing radiolabelled fibrinogen. Whereas, PPACK and r-hirudin persistently inhibited fibrin accretion, the inhibition by heparin was transient. Hirulog-1 had no effect on early fibrin accretion and was actually associated with enhanced accretion at 30 min (control 11.7 ± 2.0 μg fibrin/cm2; Hirulog-1, 18.4 ± 3.5 μg fibrin/cm2, p <0.001). Both Hirulog-1 and r-hirudin displaced radiolabelled thrombin from the fibrin surface. Whereas hirudin-thrombin complexes are stable, Hirulog-1 produces only transient inhibition of the displaced thrombin thereby accounting for the enhanced fibrin accretion with this anticoagulant. These studies show that the antithrombin III-independent inhibitors, r-hirudin and PPACK, are more effective inhibitors of fibrin accretion onto fibrin-coated polyethylene than heparin or Hirulog-1. In addition, they emphasize the importance of determining the ability of anticoagulants to displace thrombin from fibrin and to form stable thrombin-inhibitor complexes; lack of stability of thrombin-inhibitor complexes must be countered by levels of anticoagulant that are adequate to maintain its effectiveness.
Assessment of the Relative Contribution of Different Protease Inhibitors to the Inhibition of Plasmin In Vivo
Authors: Levi Marcel , Roem Dorina , Kamp Angela M , de Boer Jan Paul , Hack C Erik , ten Cate Jan Wouter
Published: July 2018

It has been shown that the most important inhibitor of plasmin is α2-antiplasmin, however, other protease inhibitors are able to inhibit this proteolytic enzyme as well. The contribution of the various protease inhibitors to the inhibition of plasmin in vivo has never been quantitatively assessed.

To assess the relative contribution of the different protease inhibitors on the inhibition of plasmin we developed a series of sensitive immunoassays for the detection of complexes between plasmin and the protease inhibitors α2-antiplasmin, α2-macroglobulin, antithrombin III, α1antitrypsin and C1-inhibitor, utilizing monoclonal antibodies that are specifically directed against complexed protease inhibitors and a monoclonal antibody against plasmin.

It was confirmed that α2-antiplasmin is the most important inhibitor of plasmin in vivo, however, complexes of plasmin with α2-macroglobulin, antithrombin III, α1antitrypsin- and C1-inhibitor were also detected. Particularly during activation of fibrinolysis complexes between plasmin and inhibitors other than α2-antiplasmin were detected. It was observed that during different situations the inhibition profile of plasmin was not constant e.g. in patients with diffuse intravascular coagulation plasma levels of plasmin-α1-antitrypsin and plasmin-C1-inhibitor were increased whereas in plasma from patients who were treated with thrombolytic agents complexes of plasmin with α2-macroglobulin and with antithrombin III were significantly elevated.

In conclusion, we confirmed the important role of α2-antiplasmin in the inhibition of plasmin, however, in situations in which fibrinolysis is activated other protease inhibitors also account for the inhibition of plasmin in vivo. Further investigations to assess the role of the various protease inhibitors in the fibrinolytic system can be assisted by the assays described in this study.
Von Willebrand Disease: A Database of Point Mutations, Insertions, and Deletions
Authors: Ginsburg David , Sadler Evan J
Published: July 2018

The current system for the diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand disease (vWD) is quite complex, with more than 20 distinct variants described. Over the past few years considerable progress has been made toward an understanding of vWD at the molecular level. A small cluster of mutations within the vWF A1 homologous repeat appears responsible for over 90% of type IIB vWD. A similar cluster of mutations in the vWF A2 homologous repeat accounts for the majority of type II A vWD. By RFLP analysis, several type II vWD mutations have been shown to be recurrent on distinct haplotype backgrounds, suggesting independent genetic origins (see accompanying manuscript for a complete list of known polymorphisms). Several mutations at the N-terminus of the mature vWF subunit have been identified in association with abnormal factor VIII binding. Homozygotes for this abnormal vWF present with a hemophilia-like phenotype that is autosomal recessive in inheritance. In a small subset of patients with type III vWD large gene deletions have been identified on one or both vWF alleles. Carriers heterozygous for a deleted locus and one normal vWF gene are generally asymptomatic. Nonsense mutations and other defects resulting in loss of vWF mRNA expression from one allele have also been associated with a recessive type III vWD phenotype. No distinct molecular defect responsible for classic type I vWD has yet been defined.
A Role for von Willebrand Factor Proline Residues 702-704 in Ristocetin-Mediated Binding to Platelet Glycoprotein Ib
Authors: Azuma Hiroyuki , Sugimoto Mitsuhiko , Ruggeri Zaverio M , Ware Jerry
Published: July 2018

Mutant domains of von Willebrand factor (vWF) were constructed to determine the effects of altering net charge, and presumably conformation, within a peptide sequence (residues 694-708) previously shown to be involved in the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ib binding function of vWF. Non-conservative substitutions replaced a triplet of proline residues (proline702–704) with either a triplet of arginine (positively-charged) or aspartic acid (negatively-charged) residues. After establishing stable CHO cell transformants, we observed the secretion of covalently-linked dimeric molecules analogous to a domain with native sequence. Functional assays using immunopurified molecules revealed that the ristocetin-dependent binding to GP Ib was abolished with both charge mutants. However, in the absence of disulfide-bond dependent conformation both mutant molecules and the molecule with native sequence interacted with GP Ib. The results demonstrate that vWF proline702–704 are important for the ristocetin-mediated interaction between vWF and GP Ib, but are not essential residues of the GP Ib binding site within vWF.
Reactivated Recombinant Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (rPAI-1) Effectively Prevents Thrombolysis In Vivo
Authors: Vaughan Douglas E , Declerck Paul J , Van Houtte Elizabeth , De Mol Maria , Collen Désiré
Published: July 2018

The effects of human recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor (rPAI-1) on thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were studied in a rabbit model of jugular vein thrombosis. Two functionally distinct rPAI-1 preparations were used in these experiments, including latent rPAI-1 (~2 units of t-PA neutralizing activity per µg protein) and reactivated rPAI-1 (~150 units/µg).

Simultaneous intravenous infusion over 4 h of 1.7 mg/kg of reactivated rPAI-1 (inhibitory capacity ~0.5 mg/kg rt-PA) with 0.5 mg/kg of rt-PA completely prevented lysis of a jugular venous thrombus, whereas an equivalent amount of latent PAI-1 did not significantly influence clot lysis. These findings demonstrate that reactivated human rPAI-1 efficiently neutralizes thrombolysis with rt-PA in vivo. Since previous studies have suggested that elevated endogenous levels of PAI-1 do not attenuate the thrombolytic potency of rt-PA in the endotoxin-treated model, we compared the stability of complexes formed by 125I-rt-PA with reactivated human rPAI-1 and with rabbit PAI-1 in vitro. Our findings indicate that both forms of PAI-1 form SDS-stable complexes following incubation with 125I-rt-PA. Thus, it seems likely that elevated levels of active PAI-1 can negate the thrombolytic effects of rt-PA in vivo and argues against the possibility that t-PA can dissociate from PAI-1 and have its activity restored in the presence of a thrombus. We propose that the present model may be a valuable tool in monitoring and evaluating the in vivo thrombolytic efficacy of various t-PA mutants designed to be less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of PAI-1.
Monocyte Tissue Factor Expression Induced by Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes
Authors: Pernod Gilles , Polack Benoît , Peyron François , Luisy Annick , Kolodié Lucien , Ambroise-Thomas Pierre , Santoro Ferrucio
Published: July 2018

Monocytes are active elements of the host response against Plasmodium falciparum. They are able to express tissue factor and trigger the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation the activation of which remained unclear in malaria. Our aim was to assess the tissue factor expression of purified blood monocytes stimulated by cultured Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Malaria parasite induced an early generation of tissue factor with a peak between 8 and 12 h of stimulation. Maximum expression was observed for parasitemia ranging from 1 to 2%. Plasmodium falciparum culture supernatants had the same effect showing the existence of a soluble factor able to induce the tissue factor expression. These data, demonstrating an activation of the tissue factor pathway by the malaria parasite, emphasize thrombin generation. Therefore, thrombin could participate in malaria pathology either in the microcirculatory blockade via platelet and fibrinogen activation or as a mitotic.
Multicenter Evaluation of Three Commercial Methods for Measuring Protein S Antigen
Authors: Tripodi Armando , Bertina Rogier M , Conard Jacqueline , Pabinger Ingrid , Sala Nuria , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio
Published: July 2018

This collaborative study was designed to assess the performance of commercial methods for protein S (PS) antigen measurement. Twenty-five different samples were distributed deep-frozen (24 plasmas) or lyophilized (one plasma) to five laboratories. They were analyzed blind in each laboratory by the method used locally and by three commercial methods which included two electroimmunoassays (EIA), Asseraplate-PS (Diagnostica Stago), Rellplate-S (American Diagnostica) and an ELISA system, Asserachrom-PS (Diagnostica Stago). 1. Reproducibility. Average between-laboratory coefficients of variation were 15.4%, 17.6% and 25.3% for Asserachrom-PS, Asseraplate-PS and Rellplate-S. 2. Specificity. Results of all methods showed that PS is underestimated when C4b binding protein is high. This influence was particularly evident for the ELISA Asserachrom-PS and disappeared when the antibody-antigen incubation period was prolonged to overnight. 3. Sensitivity. In all laboratories ELISA detected even the lowest PS concentration (4 U/dl), whereas the two EIAs were less sensitive (lower detection limit 14 U/dl). All methods and laboratories correctly diagnosed a plasma sample from a PS congenitally deficient patient. Conclusions. This study shows that better standardization of PS immunoassays is necessary to improve accuracy and reduce interlaboratory variability before a candidate plasma standard can be successfully calibrated in an international collaborative study.
Relationship Between Total Prothrombin, Native Prothrombin and the International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Authors: Braun P J , Szewczyk K M
Published: July 2018

Plasma levels of total prothrombin and fully-carboxylated (native) prothrombin were compared with results of prothrombin time (PT) assays for patients undergoing oral anticoagulant therapy. Mean concentrations of total and native prothrombin in non-anticoagulated patients were 119 ± 13 µg/ml and 118 ± 22 µg/ml, respectively. In anticoagulated patients, INR values ranged as high as 9, and levels of total prothrombin and native prothrombin decreased with increasing INR to minimum values of 40 µg/ml and 5 µg/ml, respectively. Des-carboxy-prothrombin increased with INR, to a maximum of 60 µg/ml. The strongest correlation was observed between native prothrombin and the reciprocal of the INR (1/INR) (r = 0.89, slope = 122 µg/ml, n = 200). These results indicated that native prothrombin varied over a wider range and was more closely related to INR values than either total or des-carboxy-prothrombin. Levels of native prothrombin were decreased 2-fold from normal levels at INR = 2, indicating that the native prothrombin antigen assay may be a sensitive method for monitoring low-dose oral anticoagulant therapy. The inverse relationship between concentration of native prothrombin and INR may help in identification of appropriate therapeutic ranges for oral anticoagulant therapy.
Thrombolytic and Pharmacokinetic Properties of a Recombinant Chimeric Plasminogen Activator Consisting of a Fibrin Fragment D-Dimer Specific Humanized Monoclonal Antibody and a Truncated Single-Chain Urokinase
Authors: Dewerchin M , Vandamme A-M , Holvoet P , De Cock F , Lemmens G , Lijnen H R , Stassen J-M , Collen D
Published: July 2018

A recombinant chimeric plasminogen activator consisting of a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for cross-linked human fibrin (MA-15C5Hu) and a 32 kDa single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA-32k) comprising amino acids Leu144-Leu411, MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k, was previously found to have a 12-fold higher fibrinolytic potency than recombinant scu-PA-32k towards a human plasma clot in a human plasma milieu in vitro (Vandamme et al., Eur J Biochem 1992; 205: 139–46). Therefore, the thrombolytic and pharmacokinetic properties of MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k were compared with those of recombinant single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) in 3 different venous thrombosis models in vivo. In hamsters with a pulmonary embolus consisting of a human plasma clot, the thrombolytic potency (% lysis per dose in mg/kg administered) of MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k was 23-fold higher than that of scu-PA (p <0.0005). In rabbits with a jugular vein clot prepared from human plasma, the thrombolytic potency of MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k was 11-fold higher than that of scu-PA (p = 0.012). In baboons with an autologous whole blood clot in the femoral vein, the chimera had a 5-fold higher thrombolytic potency than scu-PA. In all three animal species, the clearance of the chimera was 10- to 27-fold reduced as compared to scu-PA. The specific thrombolytic activity (% lysis per µg/ml steady-state plasma u-PA antigen) was increased up to 7-fold with MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k as compared with scu-PA, which is indicative of targeting of the chimera to the clot. No fibrinogen breakdown or α2-antiplasmin depletion was observed during thrombolysis with the chimera.

Thus, MA-15C5Hu/scu-PA-32k constitutes a recombinant chimeric plasminogen activator with a significantly enhanced thrombolytic potency in 3 different animal models of venous thrombosis.
Ridogrel Inhibits Systemic and Renal Formation of Thromboxane A2 and Antagonizes Platelet Thromboxane A2/Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Receptors upon Chronic Administration to Man
Authors: Weber C , Beetens J R , Tegtmeier F , Van Rooy P , Vercammen E , Wouters L , De Clerck F
Published: July 2018

The effects of ridogrel, a dual thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthase inhibitor and TXA2/prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide receptor antagonist, on systemic and renal production of prostaglandins and on platelet TXA2/PG endoperoxide receptors was evaluated upon chronic administration (300 mg b. i. d. orally, for 8 and 29 days) to man. Such a medication with ridogrel inhibits the systemic as well as the renal production of TXA2 as measured by the urinary excretion of 2,3-dinor-TXB2 and TXB2 respectively without inducing significant changes in systemic or renal PGI2 production. Simultaneously with the latter effects, the production of TXB2 by spontaneously coagulated whole blood ex vivo is inhibited (>99%) while that of PGE2 and PGF2α is largely increased. Administration of ridogrel causes a three- to five-fold shift to the right of concentration-response curves for U46619 in eliciting platelet aggregation; no tachyphylaxis is observed after 29 days of treatment in this respect. Apart from a reduction of serum uric acid levels with a concomitant increase in urinary uric acid excretion during the first days of treatment, no clinically significant changes in hematological, biochemical, hemodynamic and coagulation parameters occur during the 8 days or 29 days study. The study demonstrates that ridogrel is a potent inhibitor of the systemic as well as renal TXA2 synthase and an antagonist of platelet TXA2/PG endoperoxide receptor in man, covering full activity during 24 h at steady-state plasma level conditions without tachyphylaxis during 29 days of medication. The compound is well tolerated, at least during 1 month of administration.
Enhanced energy extraction in an open loop single-axis solar tracking PV system with optimized tracker rotation about tilted axis
Authors: Khan Rafid Adnan , Mahmood M. Rezwanul , Haque Anisul
Published: July 2018

We compare the energy extracted from single-axis solar tracking systems employing optimized rotation about the tilted axis and the azimuth axis, respectively. It is shown that the optimized rotation about the tilted axis has the potential to extract significantly higher energy, particularly at lower latitudes. An open loop single-axis solar tracking system that tracks the sun through optimized rotation about the tilted axis is proposed and demonstrated. The system takes the location parameters, axis tilt, and the initial time and date as inputs and calculates the solar position at any given time. The solar position in turn decides the optimized rotation. In a prototype using a single potentiometer based angle determination method, the error between the computed and implemented rotation angles remains within ±3°. The tracking system with optimized rotation about the tilted axis extracted 20.01% more energy than a fixed panel system as opposed to 11.72% for that of the azimuth tracking system at the same tilt angle under identical conditions on a clear day at a latitude of 23.81°N. These percentage enhancements are in agreement with theoretical predictions. On a partially cloudy day, the advantages of the optimized rotational tracking about the tilted axis are diminished as the optimized rotational tracking system extracted 8.59% more energy than the fixed panel, whereas the azimuth tracking system extracted 7.86% more energy with respect to the fixed panel system at the same tilt angle at the same latitude.
Semiconductor property imaging on as-grown wafer with monochromatic tunable THz-wave source
Authors: Hamano Akihide , Ohno Seigo , Minamide Hiroaki , Ito Hiromasa
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we propose the use of a tunable monochromatic terahertz (THz) wave source to measure the carrier properties of semiconductors. We also report on the recent improvement of our measurement system and demonstrate its ability to measure an as-grown sample; our system involves reference mirror-free reflective measurement. In our method, carrier properties, such as resistivity and mobility in semiconductors relating to the carrier density, can be determined by reflective measurement. This method was applied to composite semiconductors—GaN, GaAs, and SiC. In the measurement system, we improved the filter to block the infrared beam co-linearly propagating with the desired THz-wave. Consequently, the signal intensity was 13 times higher than that achieved in our previous work. We demonstrated the measured carrier properties in an as-grown n-type GaN wafer. We observed flat features via our THz-reflective measurement, whereas the sample showed prominent surface roughness in a picture taken with visible light.
Effect of the surface wettability changes on nanostructured polymer film for heat exchanger applications
Authors: Lee Cheonji , Abbasi Muhammad Salman , Park Seungchul , Lim Hyuneui , Lee Jinkee
Published: July 2018

Polymer heat exchangers have drawn attention due to their special characteristics such as flexibility, low weight, corrosion, and bio-fouling resistance, as well as their ease of manufacturing. However, since their thermal conductivity is low, they require a way to increase their heat transfer rate. We investigated the effect of modifying the surface wettability of polymer films on the heat transfer rate during the condensation process, both theoretically and experimentally. Condensed water formation on the film surface depends on the surface wettability control, and thus, hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces can induce film-wise or drop-wise condensation, respectively. Generally, the polymer surface shows a hydrophobic property due to the intrinsic C-C and C-H bonding of polymer frames. Here, we used four different types of polymer films, which have different thermal conductivity and controlled wettability properties, including polyimide film, polyimide film containing aluminum nanoparticles, and both films with super-hydrophobic treatment. The results show that nanostructured polymers with hydrophobic treatment have a 25% lower wetted area fraction than those without hydrophobic treatment, independent of the thermal conductivity of the polymer films. To compare the heat transfer rates, we designed a thermal resistance model considering vapor convection, vapor-water interfaces and curvatures, and conductions of the droplet, nanostructure, and polymer. We found that the convective thermal resistance dominantly affects the heat transfer rate and treated polymers showed over 200% higher total heat transfer than bare polymer.
A comparison of dynamic mean field theory and grand canonical molecular dynamics for the dynamics of pore filling and capillary condensation of fluids in mesopores
Authors: Rathi A. , Kikkinides E. S. , Ford D. M. , Monson P. A.
Published: July 2018

We use results from grand canonical molecular dynamics (GCMD) to test the predictions from dynamic mean field theory (DMFT) for the pore filling and capillary condensation mechanisms of a fluid confined in slit shaped mesopores. The theory predicts that capillary condensation occurs by a nucleation process in which a liquid bridge forms between the two walls, and the pore is filled via the growth of this bridge. For longer pores, multiple bridging is seen. These mechanisms are confirmed by the molecular dynamics simulations. The primary difference between the theory and simulations lies in the role of fluctuations. DMFT predicts a single nucleation time and location, while in GCMD (and in nature) a distribution of nucleation times and locations is seen.
Precision temperature sensing in the presence of magnetic field noise and vice-versa using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond
Authors: Wojciechowski Adam M. , Karadas Mürsel , Osterkamp Christian , Jankuhn Steffen , Meijer Jan , Jelezko Fedor , Huck Alexander , Andersen Ulrik L.
Published: July 2018

We demonstrate a technique for precision sensing of the temperature or the magnetic field by simultaneously driving two hyperfine transitions involving distinct electronic states of the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond. Frequency modulation of both driving fields is used with either the same or opposite phase, resulting in the immunity to fluctuations in either the magnetic field or the temperature, respectively. In this way, a sensitivity of 1.4 nT Hz−1∕2 or 430 μK Hz−1∕2 is demonstrated. The presented technique only requires a single frequency demodulator and enables the use of phase-sensitive camera imaging sensors. A simple extension of the method utilizing two demodulators allows for simultaneous, independent, and high-bandwidth monitoring of both the magnetic field and the temperature.
Numerical investigation of the breakup behavior of an oscillating two-phase jet
Authors: Schmidt S. , Krüger O. , Göckeler K. , Paschereit C. O.
Published: July 2018

Low emission combustion is critically influenced by fuel-air mixing quality. In the case of liquid fuels, atomization of the injected liquid is a vital component. Compared to standard injector nozzles, a spatially oscillating jet, as produced by a fluidic oscillator, has shown superior performance. To better understand and control breakup mechanisms of turbulent oscillating two-phase jets, numerical investigations are conducted for a jet with liquid Reynolds number Rel = 8701 and liquid Weber number Wel = 4759. Simulations are performed using a volume of fluid method. No explicit turbulence modeling is incorporated, but numerical viscosity of the discretization acts as an implicit subgrid scale model. Octree discretization in space in combination with adaptive mesh refinement allows for high-resolution interface capturing while allowing for moderate usage of computational resources. Two grid resolutions and refinement criteria are used to investigate the influence of spatial resolution and resolved turbulence on jet breakup. Inlet boundary conditions for the two-phase simulations are obtained from preceding single-phase, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations of a fluidic oscillator. The highest grid resolution shows an accurate representation of surface-tension- and inertia-induced breakup mechanisms, and turbulence effects along the interface appear sufficiently resolved. Besides Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, induced from jet oscillation, are observed. Superposition of these characterizes jet degradation and leads to early breakup. For validation, data from preceding flow experiments of a fluidic oscillator are used to compare droplet sizes and spatial development of the jet. Good agreement is found for all relevant properties.
Ultrathin amorphous ZnGexSnO films for high performance ultra-thin-film transistors
Authors: Yue Shilu , Lu Jianguo , Lu Rongkai , Li Siqin , Li Xifeng , Zhang Jianhua , Chen Lingxiang , Ye Zhizhen
Published: July 2018

Ultrathin amorphous ZnSnO (a-ZTO) films and ultrathin amorphous ZnGeSnO (a-ZGTO) films with various Ge contents were deposited by pulsed laser deposition for ultra-thin-film transistors (UTFTs). The thicknesses of the channel layers are approximately 3.2 nm. The properties of these ultrathin films and behaviors of these UTFTs were comparatively studied in detail. The a-ZTO ultrathin film exhibited a low concentration of the oxygen vacancy (VO) compared to a-ZGTO ultrathin films. Among all the UTFTs, the a-ZTO UTFT demonstrated the undoubtedly best performance with an on/off current ratio of more than 107, the largest field-effect mobility of 23.2 cm2 V−1 s−1, a positive threshold voltage of 2.0 V, a very small subthreshold swing of 0.31 V/decade, and the best long-term stability under bias stress, suggesting that the introduction of VO suppressors is dispensable with such a small thickness. Above all, the concentration of the oxygen vacancy is easily controlled in the ultrathin a-ZTO nanofilms, leading to the UTFTs operating in the enhancement mode with a high field-effect mobility of 23.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and excellent long-term stability. The a-ZTO ultrathin film and ultra-thin-film transistor are very potential for future electrical applications with their excellent properties.
An artificial placenta type microfluidic blood oxygenator with double-sided gas transfer microchannels and its integration as a neonatal lung assist device
Authors: Dabaghi Mohammadhossein , Fusch Gerhard , Saraei Neda , Rochow Niels , Brash John L. , Fusch Christoph , Ravi Selvaganapathy P.
Published: July 2018

Preterm neonates suffering from respiratory distress syndrome require assistive support in the form of mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which may lead to long-term complications or even death. Here, we describe a high performance artificial placenta type microfluidic oxygenator, termed as a double-sided single oxygenator unit (dsSOU), which combines microwire stainless-steel mesh reinforced gas permeable membranes on both sides of a microchannel network, thereby significantly reducing the diffusional resistance to oxygen uptake as compared to the previous single-sided oxygenator designs. The new oxygenator is designed to be operated in a pumpless manner, perfused solely due to the arterio-venous pressure difference in a neonate and oxygenate blood through exposure directly to ambient atmosphere without any air or oxygen pumping. The best performing dsSOUs showed up to ∼343% improvement in oxygen transfer compared to a single-sided SOU (ssSOU) with the same height. Later, the dsSOUs were optimized and integrated to build a lung assist device (LAD) that could support the oxygenation needs for a 1–2 kg neonate under clinically relevant conditions for the artificial placenta, namely, flow rates ranging from 10 to 60 ml/min and a pressure drop of 10–60 mmHg. The LAD provided an oxygen uptake of 0.78–2.86 ml/min, which corresponded to the increase in oxygen saturation from 57 ± 1% to 93%–100%, under pure oxygen environment. This microfluidic lung assist device combines elegant design with new microfabrication methods to develop a pumpless, microfluidic blood oxygenator that is capable of supporting 30% of the oxygen needs of a pre-term neonate.
Entanglement control and magic angles for acceptor qubits in Si
Authors: Abadillo-Uriel J. C. , Salfi Joe , Hu Xuedong , Rogge Sven , Calderón M. J. , Culcer Dimitrie
Published: July 2018

Full electrical control of quantum bits could facilitate fast, low-power, scalable quantum computation. Although electric dipoles are highly attractive to couple spin qubits electrically over long distances, mechanisms identified to control two-qubit couplings do not permit single-qubit operations while two-qubit couplings are off. Here, we identify a mechanism to modulate electrical coupling of spin qubits which overcomes this drawback for hole spin qubits in acceptors which is based on the electrical tuning of the direction of the spin-dependent electric dipole by a gate. This allows the inter-qubit coupling to be turned off electrically by tuning to a “magic angle” of vanishing electric dipole-dipole interactions, while retaining the ability to manipulate the individual qubits. This effect stems from the interplay of the Td symmetry of the acceptor state in the Si lattice with the magnetic field orientation and the spin-3/2 characteristic of hole systems. The magnetic field direction also allows us to greatly suppress spin relaxation by phonons that limit single qubit performance, while retaining sweet spots where the qubits are insensitive to charge noise. We propose suitable protocols to practically achieve full electrical tunability of entanglement and the isolation of the qubit.
Dipolar and chain of vortices in quantum plasmas with electrons exchange-correlation effects
Authors: Haque Q.
Published: July 2018

The study of linear and nonlinear drift ion acoustic waves in a quantum plasma with electrons exchange correlation and pressure degeneracy effects is presented. A modified linear dispersion relation is obtained for an inhomogeneous degenerate plasma. In the nonlinear regime, dipolar and chain of vortices of drift ion waves are investigated. It is noticed that the amplitude of the dipolar vortices increases as the drift velocity decreases. The present results are compared with the previous studies. The relevance of the research work to laboratory and astrophysical plasmas is also pointed out.
Grain-yield stability among tropical maize hybrids derived from doubled-haploid inbred lines under random drought stress and optimum moisture conditions
Authors: Sserumaga Julius Pyton , Beyene Yoseph , Pillay Kiru , Kullaya Alois , Oikeh Sylvester O. , Mugo Stephen , Machida Lewis , Ngolinda Ismail , Asea Godfrey , Ringo Justin , Otim Michael , Abalo Grace , Kiula Barnabas
Published: July 2018

Drought is a devastating environmental stress in agriculture and hence a common target of plant breeding. A review of breeding progress on drought tolerance shows that, to a certain extent, selection for high yield in stress-free conditions indirectly improves yield in water-limiting conditions. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess the genotype × environment (GE) interaction for grain yield (GY) and other agronomic traits for maize (Zea mays L.) across East African agro-ecologies; and (ii) evaluate agronomic performance and stability in Uganda and Tanzania under optimum and random drought conditions. Data were recorded for major agronomic traits. Genotype main effect plus GE (GGE) biplot analysis was used to assess the stability of varieties within various environments and across environments. Combined analysis of variance across optimum moisture and random drought environments indicated that locations, mean-squares for genotypes and GE were significant for most measured traits. The best hybrids, CKDHH1097 and CKDHH1090, gave GY advantages of 23% and 43%, respectively, over the commercial hybrid varieties under both optimum-moisture and random-drought conditions. Across environments, genotypic variance was less than the GE variance for GY. The hybrids derived from doubled-haploid inbred lines produced higher GY and possessed acceptable agronomic traits compared with the commercial hybrids. Hybrid CKDHH1098 ranked second-best under optimum-moisture and drought-stress environments and was the most stable with broad adaptation to both environments. Use of the best doubled-haploids lines in testcross hybrids make-up, well targeted to the production environments, could boost maize production among farmers in East Africa.
Survival and cause-specific mortality of translocated female mule deer in southern New Mexico, USA
Authors: Cain III James W. , Ashling Jana B. , Liley Stewart G.
Published: July 2018

Context
Many mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in New Mexico have failed to recover from previous population declines, while some populations near urban areas have increased, resulting in more frequent human–wildlife conflicts. Translocations were used in an effort to simultaneously reduce an urban mule deer population and augment two low-density populations in south-western New Mexico, USA.

Aims
Because of insufficient monitoring, the efficacy of many ungulate translocations is unknown. Our goal was to monitor cause-specific mortality and 1 year post-release survival of mule deer translocated during 2013 and 2014. We compared survival rates of mule deer released with a hard- versus soft-release during the 2014 translocation.

Methods
. We translocated 218 mule deer in 2013 and 2014 into the Peloncillo Mountains (PM) and San Francisco River Valley (SFRV); 106 adult female mule deer were fitted with telemetry collars to determine cause-specific mortality and estimate survival 1 year post-release. All deer were hard-released in 2013. In 2014, translocated mule deer were either held in a soft-release pen (0.81 ha) for approximately 3 weeks or hard-released into their new environment. We used a Kaplan–Meier approach to estimate survival of translocated mule deer at each release area and to compare survival of mule deer translocated using each release method (i.e. hard- versus soft-release).

Key results
In 2013–14, survival of hard-released deer in the PM was 0.627 (s.e. = 0.09), compared with 0.327 (s.e. = 0.10) in the SFRV. In 2014–15, survival of hard–released deer in the PM was 0.727 (s.e. = 0.13) and survival of soft-released deer was 0.786 (s.e. = 0.11). In the SFRV, survival of hard- and soft-released deer was 0.656 (s.e. = 0.14) and 0.50 (s.e. = 0.16), respectively. Causes of mortality were predation (51%), potential disease (9%; blue tongue or epizootic haemorrhagic disease), accident (5%), poaching (5%) and unknown (20%).

Conclusions
Translocations can be an effective management tool to augment populations of mule deer while reducing overabundant urban populations. Soft-released mule deer did not have higher survival than hard-released mule deer, although the length and conditions of the acclimation period were limited in our study.

Implications
Overabundant mule deer populations in urban areas may serve as sources of animals to bolster declining populations. Soft-release pens of smaller size and short period of acclimation did not influence survival.
Universal folding pathways of polyhedron nets
Authors: Dodd Paul M. , Damasceno Pablo F. , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: July 2018

Significance

What makes an object successful at thermal folding? Protein scientists study how sequence affects the pathways by which chained amino acids fold and the structures into which they fold. Here we investigate the inverse problem: Starting with a 3D object as a polyhedron we ask, which ones, among the many choices of 2D unfoldings, are able to fold most consistently? We find that these “nets” follow a universal balance between entropy loss and potential energy gain, allowing us to explain why some of their geometrical attributes (such as compactness) represent a good predictor for the folding propensity of a given shape. Our results can be used to guide the stochastic folding of nanoscale objects into drug-delivery devices and thermally folded robots.
Ergosterol and its derivatives from Grifola frondosa inhibit antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells by suppressing the aggregation of high affinity IgE receptors
Authors: Kawai Junya , Higuchi Yuka , Hirota Mitsuru , Hirasawa Noriyasu , Mori Koichiro
Published: July 2018

Grifola frondosa is an edible mushroom consumed as a health food and/or traditional medicine in Asia. However, the anti-allergic effects of G. frondosa are not yet understood. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of G. frondosa extract (GFE) on IgE-mediated allergic responses, using antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Three active compounds: ergosterol, 6β-methoxyergosta-7,22-dien-3β,5α-diol (MEDD), and 6-oxoergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol (6-OXO) were isolated from GFE and shown to inhibit the antigen-induced release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine. Among the three active components, we focused on ergosterol because of its high content in GFE. Ergosterol inhibited the aggregation of high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI), which is the first step in the activation of mast cells and antigen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, ergosterol suppressed antigen-increased IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA. Taken together, our findings suggest that G. frondosa, including ergosterol and its derivatives as active components, has the potential to be a novel functional food that prevents type I allergies.
Purification, cDNA cloning, and characterization of plant chitinase with a novel domain combination from lycophyte Selaginella doederleinii
Authors: Kuba Yumani , Takashima Tomoya , Uechi Keiko , Taira Toki
Published: July 2018

Chitinase-A from a lycophyte Selaginella doederleinii (SdChiA), having molecular mass of 53 kDa, was purified to homogeneity by column chromatography. The cDNA encoding SdChiA was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and polymerase chain reaction. It consisted of 1477 nucleotides and its open reading frame encoded a polypeptide of 467 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated that SdChiA consisted of two N-terminal chitin-binding domains and a C-terminal plant class V chitinase catalytic domain, belonging to the carbohydrate-binding module family 18 (CBM18) and glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18), respectively. SdChiA had chitin-binding ability. The time-dependent cleavage pattern of (GlcNAc)4 by SdChiA showed that SdChiA specifically recognizes the β-anomer in the + 2 subsite of the substrate (GlcNAc)4 and cleaves the glycoside bond at the center of the substrate. This is the first report of the occurrence of a family 18 chitinase containing CBM18 chitin-binding domains.

Abbreviations: AtChiC: Arabidopsis thaliana class V chitinase; CBB: Coomassie brilliant blue R250; CBM: carbohydrate binding module family; CrChi-A: Cycas revolute chitinase-A; EaChiA: Equisetum arvense chitinase-A; GH: glycoside hydrolase family, GlxChi-B: gazyumaru latex chitinase-B; GlcNAc: N-acetylglucosamine; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; LysM; lysin motif; MtNFH1: Medicago truncatula ecotypes R108-1 chitinase; NCBI: national center for biotechnology information; NF: nodulation factor; NtChiV: Nicotiana tabacum class V chitinase; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; PrChi-A: Pteris ryukyuensis chitinase-A; RACE: rapid amplification of cDNA ends; SDS-PAGE: sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SdChiA: Selaginella doederleinii chitinase-A.
Inhibition of CRTH2-mediated Th2 activation attenuates pulmonary hypertension in mice
Authors: Chen Guilin , Zuo Shengkai , Tang Juan , Zuo Caojian , Jia Daile , Liu Qian , Liu Guizhu , Zhu Qian , Wang Yuanyang , Zhang Jian , Shen Yujun , Chen Dongrui , Yuan Ping , Qin Zhiqiang , Ruan Chengchao , Ye Jue , Wang Xiao-Jian , Zhou Yuping , Gao Pingjin , Zhang Peng , Liu Jinming , Jing Zhi-Cheng , Lu Ankang , Yu Ying
Published: July 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by progressive pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling. T helper 2 cell (Th2) immune response is involved in PA remodeling during PAH progression. Here, we found that CRTH2 (chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cell) expression was up-regulated in circulating CD3+CD4+ T cells in patients with idiopathic PAH and in rodent PAH models. CRTH2 disruption dramatically ameliorated PA remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in different PAH mouse models. CRTH2 deficiency suppressed Th2 activation, including IL-4 and IL-13 secretion. Both CRTH2+/+ bone marrow reconstitution and CRTH2+/+ CD4+ T cell adoptive transfer deteriorated hypoxia + ovalbumin–induced PAH in CRTH2−/− mice, which was reversed by dual neutralization of IL-4 and IL-13. CRTH2 inhibition alleviated established PAH in mice by repressing Th2 activity. In culture, CRTH2 activation in Th2 cells promoted pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation through activation of STAT6. These results demonstrate the critical role of CRTH2-mediated Th2 response in PAH pathogenesis and highlight the CRTH2 receptor as a potential therapeutic target for PAH.
Calnexin revealed as an ether-a-go-go chaperone by getting mutant worms up and going
Authors: Pierce Jonathan T.
Published: July 2018

The role of ion channels in cell excitability was first revealed in a series of voltage clamp experiments by Hodgkin and Huxley in the 1950s. However, it was not until the 1970s that patch-clamp recording ushered in a revolution that allowed physiologists to witness how ion channels flicker open and closed at angstrom scale and with microsecond resolution. The unexpectedly tight seal made by the patch pipette in the whole-cell configuration later allowed molecular biologists to suck up the insides of identified cells to unveil their unique molecular contents. By refining these techniques, researchers have scrutinized the surface and contents of excitable cells in detail over the past few decades. However, these powerful approaches do not discern which molecules are responsible for the dynamic control of the genesis, abundance, and subcellular localization of ion channels. In this dark territory, teams of unknown and poorly understood molecules guide specific ion channels through translation, folding, and modification, and then they shuttle them toward and away from distinct membrane domains via different subcellular routes. A central challenge in understanding these processes is the likelihood that these diverse regulatory molecules may be specific to ion channel subtypes, cell types, and circumstance. In work described in this issue, Bai et al. (2018. J. Gen. Physiol. https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.201812025) begin to shed light on the biogenesis of UNC-103, a K+ channel found in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Finnish adolescents’ self-efficacy in peer interactions: a critical incident study
Authors: Nyman Johanna , Parisod Heidi , Axelin Anna , Salanterä Sanna
Published: July 2018

Peers play a significant role in influencing adolescent self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, in turn, has been considered to influence health behavior. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe adolescents’ perceptions about their self-efficacy in peer interactions to strengthen the theoretical understanding about the sources of self-efficacy during adolescence. The sample comprised of 155 adolescents (13 − 17 years) in three upper comprehensive schools within two Finnish cities. The data were collected using the critical incident technique with an open-ended questionnaire. Adolescents were asked to describe two situations: one in which they had, and another in which they had not been able to act according to their own choice in peer interactions. Adolescents’ written descriptions were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The data suggests that adolescents’ perceptions about their self-efficacy in peer interactions manifests itself as a dynamic process characterized by debating with oneself and reflecting on information relevant for judging personal abilities. Debating with oneself consisted of five themes which influenced the adolescents’ self-efficacy in peer interactions: adolescents’ self-identity, social atmosphere, adolescents’ cognitive and emotional aspects as well as evaluating the consequences of the intended action. Adolescents’ self-identity, which included self-confidence and morals, appeared to be the most solid theme, whereas social atmosphere varied according to the situation. Social atmosphere often diminished the adolescents’ self-efficacy in peer interactions. Although the findings are partly consistent with previous literature, they also put more emphasis on adolescents’ own active role in the formation of self-efficacy in the context of peer interactions.