bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective analysis of mucosal microbiome-metabonome interactions in colorectal cancer using a combined MAS 1HNMR and metataxonomic strategy
Authors: Kinross James , Mirnezami Reza , Alexander James , Brown Richard , Scott Alasdair , Galea Dieter , Veselkov Kirill , Goldin Rob , Darzi Ara , Nicholson Jeremy , Marchesi Julian R.
Published: August 2017

Colon cancer induces a state of mucosal dysbiosis with associated niche specific changes in the gut microbiota. However, the key metabolic functions of these bacteria remain unclear. We performed a prospective observational study in patients undergoing elective surgery for colon cancer without mechanical bowel preparation (n = 18). Using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing we demonstrated that microbiota ecology appears to be cancer stage-specific and strongly associated with histological features of poor prognosis. Fusobacteria (p < 0.007) and ε- Proteobacteria (p < 0.01) were enriched on tumour when compared to adjacent normal mucosal tissue, and fusobacteria and β-Proteobacteria levels increased with advancing cancer stage (p = 0.014 and 0.002 respecitvely). Metabonomic analysis using 1H Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonsance  (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy, demonstrated increased abundance of taurine, isoglutamine, choline, lactate, phenylalanine and tyrosine and decreased levels of lipids and triglycerides in tumour relative to adjacent healthy tissue. Network analysis revealed that bacteria associated with poor prognostic features were not responsible for the modification of the cancer mucosal metabonome. Thus the colon cancer mucosal microbiome evolves with cancer stage to meet the demands of cancer metabolism. Passenger microbiota may play a role in the maintenance of cancer mucosal metabolic homeostasis but these metabolic functions may not be stage specific.
Neodiversification of homeologous CLAVATA1-like receptor kinase genes in soybean leads to distinct developmental outcomes
Authors: Mirzaei Saeid , Batley Jacqueline , El-Mellouki Tarik , Liu Shiming , Meksem Khalid , Ferguson Brett J. , Gresshoff Peter M.
Published: August 2017

The CLAVATA pathway that regulates stem cell numbers of the shoot apical meristem has exclusively been studied in Arabidopsis; as such insight into other species is warranted. In this study, aGmCLV1Amutant (F-S562L) with altered lateral organ development, and two mutants ofGmNARK, isolated from a Forrest M2 population (EMS-mutated soybean) were studied.GmCLV1AandGmNARKencode for LRR receptor kinases, and share 92% of protein sequence. WhileGmNARKis critical for systemic regulation of nodulation (new organ made on the root through symbiosis), we show thatGmCLV1Afunctions locally and has no apparent function in nodulation or root development. However, a recessive, loss-of-function mutation (S562L) in a putative S-glycosylation site ofGmCLV1Acauses stem nodal identity alterations as well as flower and pod abnormalities (deformed flower and pod). The mutant also exhibits a homeotic phenotype, displaying abnormal leaf development/number, vein-derived leaf emergence, and a thick, faciated stem. The mutant phenotype is also temperature-sensitive. Interestingly, a novel truncated version ofGmCLV1Awas identified upstream ofGmCLV1Athat is absent fromGmNARK, but is present upstream of theGmNARKorthologues,MtSUNNandPvNARK. Taken together, our findings indicate thatGmCLV1Aacts on shoot architecture, whereasGmNARK, functions in controlling nodule numbers.
Copper ferrites@reduced graphene oxide anode materials for advanced lithium storage applications
Authors: Wang Junyong , Deng Qinglin , Li Mengjiao , Jiang Kai , Zhang Jinzhong , Hu Zhigao , Chu Junhao
Published: August 2017

Copper ferrites are emerging transition metal oxides that have potential applications in energy storage devices. However, it still lacks in-depth designing of copper ferrites based anode architectures with enhanced electroactivity for lithium-ion batteries. Here, we report a facile synthesis technology of copper ferrites anchored on reduced graphene oxide (CuFeO2@rGO and Cu/CuFe2O4@rGO) as the high-performance electrodes. In the resulting configuration, reduced graphene offers continuous conductive channels for electron/ion transfer and high specific surface area to accommodate the volume expansion of copper ferrites. Consequently, the sheet-on-sheet CuFeO2@rGO electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity (587 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g−1). In particular, Cu/CuFe2O4@rGO hybrid, which combines the advantages of nano-copper and reduced graphene, manifests a significant enhancement in lithium storage properties. It reveals superior rate capability (723 mAh g−1 at 800 mA g−1; 560 mAh g−1 at 3200 mA g−1) and robust cycling capability (1102 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles at 800 mA g−1). This unique structure design provides a strategy for the development of multivalent metal oxides in lithium storage device applications.
Quality of non-expert citizen science data collected for habitat type conservation status assessment in Natura 2000 protected areas
Authors: Kallimanis A. S. , Panitsa M. , Dimopoulos P.
Published: August 2017

EU biodiversity conservation policy is based on the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC), which aims that habitat types and species of Community interest should reach ‘favourable conservation status’. To this end, Member States are obliged to perform periodic assessment of species and habitat conservation status through biodiversity monitoring, which, in almost all cases, was performed by experts implementing standardized field protocols. Here, we examine the quality of data collected in the field by non-experts (citizen scientists) for the conservation status assessment of habitat types, and specifically for the criteria ‘typical species’, ‘specific structures and functions’, and ‘pressures and threats’. This task is complicated and demands different types of field data. We visited two Natura 2000 sites and investigated four habitat types (two in each site) with non-experts and compared their data to the data collected by experts for accuracy, completeness and spatial arrangement. The majority of the non-expert data were accurate (i.e. non-experts recorded information they observed in the field), but they were incomplete (i.e. non-experts detected less information than the experts). Also, non-experts chose their sampling locations closer to the edge of the habitat, i.e. in more marginal conditions and thus in potentially more degraded conditions, than experts.
Multi-scale crystallographic ordering in the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa
Authors: Mouchi Vincent , Vonlanthen Pierre , Verrecchia Eric P. , Crowley Quentin G.
Published: August 2017

Lophelia pertusa is a widespread colonial cold-water coral which can form large three-dimensional habitats for benthic communities. Although it is known to construct an aragonite skeleton with optically opaque and translucent bands, details of its biomineralized structure are unclear. New crystallographic data obtained from Lophelia pertusa using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) reveal a remarkably high degree of multiscale self-ordering and provide unprecedented detail on crystallographic orientations within the coral skeleton. The EBSD data unequivocally demonstrate a self-regulated architecture across a range of spatial scales, resulting in a specific structure which contributes to the physical robustness of its skeleton and an evolutionary advantage in such habitats.
A Poly(ethylenglycol) Functionalized ZIF-8 Membrane Prepared by Coordination-Based Post-Synthetic Strategy for the Enhanced Adsorption of Phenolic Endocrine Disruptors from Water
Authors: Wu Mian , Guo Xiafei , Zhao Faqiong , Zeng Baizhao
Published: August 2017

Metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes have received increasing attention as adsorbents, yet single phase MOF membranes have certain limitations, which frustrate their capacity performance. In this work a MOF composite membrane was successfully prepared by a facile and green strategy through reasonable design. At first, a defect-free ZIF-8 membrane was fabricated on an ionic liquid modified pencil bar by a solvothermal method. Then, a novel poly(ethylenglycol) functionalized ZIF-8 composite membrane (ZIF-8/PEG-NH2) was prepared through a flexible coordination-based post-synthetic modification strategy. We found that reaction time and temperature were two crucial factors for successfully fabricating well-defined ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane. Besides, the adsorption of phenolic endocrine disruptors (e.g., 4-nonylphenol) on original ZIF-8 membrane and ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane was investigated, and the good adsorption selectivity of ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane towards 4-nonylphenol was demonstrated, with high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption dynamics. Excitingly, such ZIF-8/PEG-NH2 membrane was successfully employed for the selective detection of 4-nonylphenol from environmental water samples, demonstrating its great application potential in environmental monitoring.
Host-Adaptation of Burkholderia pseudomallei Alters Metabolism and Virulence: a Global Proteome Analysis
Authors: Mariappan Vanitha , Vellasamy Kumutha Malar , Vadivelu Jamuna
Published: August 2017

Little is known about the evolution, adaptation and pathogenesis of Burkholderia pseudomallei within host during acute melioidosis infection. Melioidosis is a potential life threatening disease contracted through inhalation, ingestion, inoculation or direct entry of the organism into the blood stream via wounds or skin abrasions from contaminated soil and water. Environmental B. pseudomallei strain (Bp
MARAN
), isolated during a melioidosis outbreak in Pahang, Malaysia was injected intra-peritoneally into a mouse and passaged strain was recovered from spleen (Bpmouse-adapted). A gel-based comparative proteomics profiling approach was used, to map and identify differentially expressed proteins (fold-change ≥ 2; p-value ≤ 0.05) between the strains. A total of 730 and 685 spots were visualised in the Bp
MARAN
and Bpmouse-adapted strains, respectively. Of the 730 spots (Bp
MARAN
as reference gel), 87 spots were differentially regulated (44 up- and 43 down-regulated). The identified proteins were classified as proteins related to metabolism, stress response, virulence, signal transduction, or adhesion. In comparison, it was found that those proteins related to adhesins, virulence factors and stress- response were up-regulated and could possibly explain the adaptation of the bacteria in the host. Investigating the differentially expressed proteins may provide better perspective of bacterial factors which aid survivability of B. pseudomallei in host.
Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples in awake mice are entrained by respiration
Authors: Liu Yu , McAfee Samuel S. , Heck Detlef H.
Published: August 2017

Several recent studies have shown that respiration modulates oscillatory neuronal activity in the neocortex and hippocampus on a cycle-by-cycle basis. It was suggested that this respiratory influence on neuronal activity affects cognitive functions, including memory. Sharp-wave ripples (SWRs) are high-frequency local field potential activity patterns characteristic for the hippocampus and implicated in memory consolidation and recall. Here we show that the timing of SWR events is modulated by the respiratory cycle, with a significantly increased probability of SWRs during the early expiration phase. This influence of respiration on SWR occurrence was eliminated when olfactory bulb activity was inhibited. Our findings represent a possible neuronal mechanism for a direct influence of the respiratory cycle on memory function.
Degradation of cofilin is regulated by Cbl, AIP4 and Syk resulting in increased migration of LMP2A positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Gainullin Murat R. , Zhukov Ilya Yu , Zhou Xiaoying , Mo Yingxi , Astakhova Lidiia , Ernberg Ingemar , Matskova Liudmila
Published: August 2017

Expression of cofilin is directly associated with metastatic activity in many tumors. Here, we studied the role of Latent Membrane Protein 2 A (LMP2A) of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the accumulation of cofilin observed in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) tumor cells. We used LMP2A transformed NPC cell lines to analyze cofilin expression. We used mutation analysis, ectopic expression and down-regulation of Cbl, AIP4 and Syk in these cell lines to determine the effect of the LMP2A viral protein on cofilin degradation and its role in the assembly of a cofilin degrading protein complex. The LMP2A of EBV was found to interfer with cofilin degradation in NPC cells by accelerating the proteasomal degradation of Cbl and Syk. In line with this, we found significantly higher cofilin expression in NPC tumor samples as compared to the surrounding epithelial tissues. Cofilin, as an actin severing protein, influences cellular plasticity, and facilitates cellular movement in response to oncogenic stimuli. Thus, under relaxed cellular control, cofilin facilitates tumor cell movement and dissemination. Interference with its degradation may enhance the metastatic potential of NPC cells.
Optical bistability via an external control field in all-fiber ring cavity
Authors: Li Shili , Ge Qiang , Wang Zhiping , Martín Juan Carlos , Yu Benli
Published: August 2017

We demonstrate a new scheme for realizing the Optical Bistability (OB) inside an all-fiber ring cavity with an external control field. In the absence of the external control field, the pump power is fixed below the threshold value of laser, and there is no laser in the cavity. However, when the control signal of 1505 nm to 1520 nm is injected into the cavity, laser begins to oscillate and OB appears. We found that the wavelength and power of the control signal can affect the OB behavior dramatically, which can be used to manipulate efficiently the threshold intensity and the hysteresis loop. We also give an explanation of the bistability phenomenon based on numerical simulations, which are agreed very well with our experimental results. Our scheme may provide some new possibilities for technological applications in optical power limiters, switches or memories.
Genome-wide expression datasets of anti-VEGF and dexamethasone treatment of angiogenesis in the rat cornea
Authors: Mukwaya Anthony , Mirabelli Pierfrancesco , Lennikov Anton , Xeroudaki Maria , Schaupper Mira , Peebo Beatrice , Lagali Neil
Published: August 2017

Therapeutics against pathologic new blood vessel growth, particularly those targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are of enormous clinical interest. In the eye, where anti-VEGF agents are in widespread clinical use for treating retinal and corneal blindness, only partial or transient efficacy and resistance to anti-VEGF agents are among the major drawbacks. Conversely, corticosteroids have long been used in ophthalmology for their potency in suppressing inflammation and angiogenesis, but their broad biological activity can give rise to side effects such as glaucoma and cataract. To aid in the search for more targeted and effective anti-angiogenic therapies in the eye, we present here a dataset comparing gene expression changes in dexamethasone versus anti-Vegfa treatment of inflammation leading to angiogenesis in the rat cornea. Global gene expression analysis with GeneChip Rat 230 2.0 microarrays was conducted and the metadata submitted to Expression Omnibus repository. Here, we present a high-quality validated dataset enabling genome-wide comparison of genes differentially targeted by dexamethasone and anti-Vegf treatments, to identify potential alternative therapeutic targets for evaluation.
Profiling and quantifying endogenous molecules in single cells using nano-DESI MS
Authors: Bergman Hilde-Marléne , Lanekoff Ingela
Published: August 2017

Nano-DESI MS enables sensitive molecular profiling and quantification of endogenous species in single cells in a higher throughput manner.
Applications of vibrational tags in biological imaging by Raman microscopy
Authors: Zhao Zhilun , Shen Yihui , Hu Fanghao , Min Wei
Published: August 2017

In this article, we review the recent successful applications of SRS and vibrational tags for solving biological problems.
An Aptamer Bio-barCode (ABC) assay using SPR, RNase H, and probes with RNA and gold-nanorods for anti-cancer drug screening
Authors: Loo Jacky , Yang Chengbin , Tsang Hing Lun , Lau Pui Man , Yong Ken-Tye , Ho Ho Pui , Kong Siu Kai
Published: August 2017

We have developed a next generation aptamer-based bio-barcode (ABC) assay to detect cytochrome-c (Cyto-c), a cell death marker released from cancer cells, for anti-cancer drug screening.
Clot-entrapped blood cells in synergy with human mesenchymal stem cells create a pro-angiogenic healing response
Authors: Burkhardt Melanie A. , Gerber Isabel , Moshfegh Cameron , Lucas Miriam S. , Waser Jasmin , Emmert Maximilian Y. , Hoerstrup Simon P. , Schlottig Falko , Vogel Viola
Published: August 2017

Blood clots stop bleeding and provide cell-instructive microenvironments.
Discovery of synthetic small molecules that enhance the number of stomata: C–H functionalization chemistry for plant biology
Authors: Ziadi Asraa , Uchida Naoyuki , Kato Hiroe , Hisamatsu Rina , Sato Ayato , Hagihara Shinya , Itami Kenichiro , Torii Keiko U.
Published: August 2017

The first-in-class synthetic small molecules enhancing the number of stomata in Arabidopsis thaliana have been discovered.
Change in the structure and function of lectin by photodissociation of NO
Authors: Kurota T. , Sato I. , Kuroi K. , Hiramatsu H. , Nakabayashi T.
Published: August 2017

We have shown here that the structure and sugar-binding activity of lectin can be changed by the photodissociation of NO.
Metal-free redox active deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Goeltz J. C. , Matsushima L. N.
Published: August 2017

Metal-free deep eutectic solvents composed of hydrogen bond donors and viologen-based ammonium salts exhibit reversible electrochemistry with viologen concentrations of 4.2 M and freezing points near room temperature.
Methylthionated benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophenes: a model study to control packing structures and molecular orientation in thienoacene-based organic semiconductors
Authors: Wang Chengyuan , Nakamura Hiroshi , Sugino Hiroyoshi , Takimiya Kazuo
Published: August 2017

Methylthionation on BDT is developed as a promising functionalization strategy to selectively tune the packing structure, molecular orientation and therefore, the semiconducting properties.
Biotin-tagged platinum(iv) complexes as targeted cytostatic agents against breast cancer cells
Authors: Muhammad Nafees , Sadia Nasreen , Zhu Chengcheng , Luo Cheng , Guo Zijian , Wang Xiaoyong
Published: August 2017

Mono-biotinylated PtIV complex with one hydroxyl ligand in the axial position shows potent inhibition against cisplatin-insensitive breast cancer cells.
Controllable assembly of Cu(ii) coordination compounds based on a flexible zwitterionic benzimidazole–dicarboxylate ligand: synthesis, structural diversity, reversible SCSC transformation and magnetic properties
Authors: Feng Yan-Fang , Tang Qi , Luo Kai-Liang , Wu Ji-Qing , Zhang Zhong , Liang Yu-Ning , Liang Fu-Pei
Published: August 2017

The reversible SCSC transformation of a paddle-wheel cluster to a 1D linear polymer could be accomplished.
Ability of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation to capture molecular dynamics predicted ion distribution around polyelectrolytes
Authors: Batys Piotr , Luukkonen Sohvi , Sammalkorpi Maria
Published: August 2017

Ion condensation around polyelectrolytes is examined computationally at all-atom and mean field detail levels to extract the practical limits of a PB model; the condensed ion layer thickness is found to depend solely on polyelectrolyte line charge density.
Modelling pH and potential in dynamic structures of the water/Pt(111) interface on the atomic scale
Authors: Hansen Martin Hangaard , Nilsson Anders , Rossmeisl Jan
Published: August 2017

Modelling liquid structures averages of water in the interface with Pt(111) as grand canonical averages, that are functions of pH and electrode potential, using work functions as the absolute potential scale.
Kinetics of the BrO + HO2 reaction over the temperature range T = 246–314 K
Authors: Ward Michael K. M. , Rowley David M.
Published: August 2017

The kinetics of the reaction between gas phase BrO and HO2 radicals, BrO + HO2 → HOBr + O2 (1), have been studied over the atmospherically relevant temperature range T = 246–314 K and at ambient pressure, p = 760 ± 20 Torr, using laser flash photolysis coupled with ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy.
A new insight into the thermodynamical criterion for the preparation of semiconductor and metal nanocrystals using a polymerized complexing method
Authors: Li Pingyun , Wang Qingqing , Deng Guodong , Guo Xiaode , Jiang Wei , Liu Hongying , Li Fengsheng , Thanh Nguyen Thi Kim
Published: August 2017

This work reports the intrinsic thermodynamical criterion for the preparation of metal and semiconductor nanocrystals using a polymerized complexing method.
Influence of co-non-solvency on hydrophobic molecules driven by excluded volume effect
Authors: Mochizuki Kenji , Sumi Tomonari , Koga Kenichiro
Published: August 2017

We demonstrate by molecular dynamics simulation that co-non-solvency of hydrophobic molecules arises from solvent-excluded volume effect.
Structural features of monohydrated 2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylamine: a combined spectroscopic and computational study
Authors: Shachar Afik , Mayorkas Nitzan , Bar Ilana
Published: August 2017

A jet-cooled singly hydrated 2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylamine (4-FPEA–H2O) cluster has been studied by ionization-loss stimulated Raman spectroscopy of the 4-FPEA photofragment and density functional calculations of the parent.
Underpotential deposition of Cu on Au(111) from neutral chloride containing electrolyte
Authors: Aitchison Hannah , Meyerbröker Nikolaus , Lee Tien-Lin , Zegenhagen Jörg , Potter Thomas , Früchtl Herbert , Cebula Izabela , Buck Manfred
Published: August 2017

Highly ordered: a commensurate (5 × 5) overlayer of chloride on top of a (1 × 1) pseudomorphic monolayer of copper.
Enhanced stability and water solubilizing capacity of water-in-oil microemulsions based on protic ionic liquids
Authors: Singh Akhil Pratap , Kundu Kaushik , Singh Vikram , Gardas Ramesh L. , Senapati Sanjib
Published: August 2017

In view of this limited research on pILs in microemulsions, here we study the formation and characterization of a series of pIL–water/oil microemulsions with specific questions on the effect of pILs on water uptake capacity and thermal stability of W/O microemulsions.
Monolayer BC2: an ultrahigh capacity anode material for Li ion batteries
Authors: Das Deya , Hardikar Rahul P. , Han Sang Soo , Lee Kwang-Ryeol , Singh Abhishek K.
Published: August 2017

Uniformly doped monolayered BC2sheets show the highest ever reported specific capacity of 1667 mA h g−1for B doped graphene sheets.
Spatial separation of the hydrogen evolution center from semiconductors using a freestanding silica-sphere-supported Pt composite
Authors: Yu Guiyang , Zhang Wenxiang , Cao Jungang , Yan Wenfu , Liu Gang
Published: August 2017

A heterogeneous material based on silica-sphere-supported Pt nanoparticles was designed and used as an efficient freestanding hydrogen evolution cocatalyst for semiconductor photocatalysts.
Determinants of the efficiency of photon upconversion by triplet–triplet annihilation in the solid state: zinc porphyrin derivatives in PVA
Authors: Rautela Ranjana , Joshi Neeraj K. , Novakovic Sacha , Wong Wallace W. H. , White Jonathan M. , Ghiggino Kenneth P. , Paige Matthew F. , Steer Ronald P.
Published: August 2017

Differences in efficiencies of photon upconversion are explained for a series of alkyl-substituted diphenyl and tetraphenyl zinc porphyrins.
Theoretical insights into the effect of a conjugated core on the hole transport properties of hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Zemin , Hu Weixia , Cui Jianyu , He Rongxing , Shen Wei , Li Ming
Published: August 2017

An improved hole transport ability is obtained by introducing a conjugated core into the structure of HTMs.
Reduction of carbon dioxide with a superalkali
Authors: Park Heejune , Meloni Giovanni
Published: August 2017

The ability of the superalkali Li3F2 to reduce CO2 and N2 is investigated using the CBS-QB3 composite method and intriguing results are presented.
Doxycycline transformation and emergence of antibacterially active products during water disinfection with chlorine
Authors: Kennedy Neth Nicole L. , Carlin Clifford M. , Keen Olya S.
Published: August 2017

This study identified transformation products of doxycycline that formed during chlorine disinfection and evaluated the antibacterial properties of the products.
Gold and palladium oxidation/complexation in water by a thioamide–iodine leaching system
Authors: Isaia Francesco , Aragoni Maria Carla , Arca Massimiliano , Caltagirone Claudia , Castellano Carlo , De Filippo Greta , Garau Alessandra , Lippolis Vito , Pivetta Tiziana
Published: August 2017

This paper concerns the oxidative dissolution ability of a thioamide/iodine leaching system in water towards gold, palladium and silver metals by using reaction conditions safe for the health and environment.
Self-assembly of a novel Cu(ii) coordination complex forms metallo-vesicles that are able to transfect mammalian cells
Authors: Pal Sarit , Islam Md Tariqul , Moore James T. , Reyes Jesus , Pardo Andrew , Varela-Ramirez Armando , Noveron Juan C.
Published: August 2017

Coordination-directed self-assembly of a Cu(ii) amphiphilic complex forms homogeneous nanometer-sized metallo-vesicles in water with low toxicity and gene transfection properties.
2,4-Diamino-1,3,5-triazine-enabled Cu-catalyzed direct sulfonamidation of aromatic C–H bonds
Authors: Song Chan , Wang Tao , Yu TingTing , Cui Dong-Mei , Zhang Chen
Published: August 2017

An efficient copper acetate catalyzed sulfonamidation of arenes via C–H bond activation directed by a 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine chelating group under oxygen as a terminal oxidant has been developed. The reaction shows good regioselectivity and can be performed with a good yield at the gram scale.
Asymmetric SN2′-type C–H functionalization of arenes with propargylic alcohols
Authors: Wu Shangze , Huang Xin , Fu Chunling , Ma Shengming
Published: August 2017

The first example of transition metal-catalyzed stereo-defined syn-β-OH elimination! A [Cp*RhCl2]2-catalyzed allenylation reaction of available arenes with propargylic alcohols afforded fully substituted allenes with excellent ees.
Interplay between membrane elasticity and active cytoskeleton forces regulates the aggregation dynamics of the immunological synapse
Authors: Dharan Nadiv , Farago Oded
Published: August 2017

We use lattice Monte Carlo simulations to study the formation of the immunological synapse. The process is regulated by the interplay between membrane-mediated interactions and ATP-driven actin retrograde flow.
Reference switching pre‐emphasis‐based successive approximation register ADC with enhanced DAC settling
Authors: Cai S. , Zhu Y. , Kiran S. , Hoyos S. , Palermo S.
Published: August 2017

A reference switching pre‐emphasis (RSP) technique is proposed for successive approximation register (SAR) ADC in order to improve the SAR DAC settling time, which limits the conversion speed of conventional SAR ADCs. While SAR ADCs that employ redundancy techniques relax DAC settling requirements by overlapping search spaces, this requires more conversion steps which offsets the benefit from the DAC settling relaxation, especially for low–medium resolution SAR ADCs. The proposed RSP technique improves DAC settling by breaking its dependence on ADC resolution and achieves up to 71% speedup of DAC settling relative to a conventional DAC switching scheme without introducing additional conversion steps or significant hardware overhead.
Parallel CRC architecture for broadband communication systems
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Tao , Xu Jin , Wang Fang
Published: August 2017

Parallel cyclic redundancy check (CRC) architecture for high‐throughput forward error correction decoders in broadband communication systems is proposed. Large amount of data bits are needed to be transmitted in a unit of a transport block (TB) in broadband communication systems. Owing to implementation complexity, TB is segmented into multiple small units of code blocks (CBs). The parallel CRC architecture proposed recursively calculates the TB CRC using individual CB CRCs. The proposed parallel CRC architecture is used to balance optimally between memory requirement and computational complexity.
Fog level estimation using non‐parametric intensity curves in road environments
Authors: Lee Y. , Kim G.
Published: August 2017

A fog level estimation method using intensity curves arranged with geometrical information is proposed. The curves, extracted from pixels in the road region and reflecting the tendency of intensity convergence under foggy conditions, are provided to the stacked auto‐encoders and the encoded features are classified into four fog levels by a neural network. Experimental results with clear and foggy road images of various places show that the intensity curve feature of the proposed method is effectively working not only in detecting the presence of fog, but also in estimating the fog level accurately.
Joint base stations clustering and feedback bits allocation for multi‐cell coordinated beamforming systems
Authors: Du Pengfei , Yang Qinghai , He Qingsu , Kwak Kyung Sup
Published: August 2017

In this study, the authors investigate the problem of maximising the mean rate in a multi‐cell coordinated beamforming system considering practical delayed limited feedback and constrained backhaul. To tackle this hard problem, they first derive the analytical expression of the upper bound on the mean rate loss due to the clustered coordination and the imperfect channel feedback. Particularly, this upper bound quantitatively reveals a key tradeoff between decreasing inter‐cell interference with larger base station (BS) cluster and decreasing inter‐user interference with smaller BS cluster but improved channel state information accuracy. In light of this, they jointly optimise the BSs clustering and feedback bits allocation (BCFA) with the objective of minimising the upper bound on mean rate loss, which is equivalent to the problem of maximising the mean rate. Utilising the relaxation‐and‐rounding approach, a BSs clustering and feedback bits allocation algorithm, referred to as BCFA, is designed, which has good performance with low complexity. Finally, extensive simulation results are provided to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm.
A novel feed‐forward segmented digital automatic gain control algorithm for long‐term evolution digital radio‐over‐fibre systems
Authors: Wang Jie , Hu XiaoGuang , Guan Enyi , Li Tongyun , Ding ZhuShun , Yao Yidong
Published: August 2017

This study describes a novel feed‐forward segmented digital automatic gain control (FSD‐AGC) algorithm for long term evolution (LTE) digital radio‐over‐fibre (DRoF) systems. It experimentally demonstrates the algorithm using a DRoF platform based on real‐time field programmable gate arrays. The FSD‐AGC algorithm is able to update power status accurately with a short delay (about 100 samples) and adjust the gain precisely by only one step. It can make full use of analogue‐to‐digital converter quantisation bits width without oversaturation and maintain a stable peak‐to‐average ratio to reduce the overall cost and energy consumption of digital links and to minimise the deterioration of error vector magnitude (EVM) in LTE systems. Compared with conventional solutions, the proposed algorithm shows significant improvement in the dynamic range (a 20 dB improvement is demonstrated experimentally) of 4G‐LTE radio frequency signals in a DRoF system. This is a major step forward for the future commercialisation of DRoF systems for 4G and 5G network deployments. Meanwhile, FSD‐AGC can be applied in both LTE time division duplexing and frequency division duplexing signals. Experimental results have shown a mean EVM of the DRoF system below 4.5%, which is well below the 8% required by 3rd generation partnership project.
Optimised Q‐learning for WiFi offloading in dense cellular networks
Authors: Fakhfakh Emna , Hamouda Soumaya
Published: August 2017

WiFi traffic offloading is becoming especially appealing because of the upcoming ultra‐dense cellular networks. However, WiFi offloading decision as well as WiFi‐Access Points (W‐AP) selection should be carefully studied in order not to affect the offloaded users’ experience. Here, a new reinforcement‐learning framework is presented. The authors propose a distributed Q‐learning algorithm in which each cellular user learns about his local environment and selects the best base station (macro‐BS or W‐AP) after reaching convergence. They introduce a new reward parameter which takes into account the load of each detected W‐AP, the duration of the vertical handover, the offered gain, as well as the achieved signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio. With the Q‐learning scheme, each user decides to join the WiFi offloading or not, depending on the received reward from his environment and from his previous learning. In addition, since the AP's load value is very important in the reward parameter, an optimal value of the weight given to the channel load is solved under quality of service constraint. Simulation results showed the effectiveness of the proposed Q‐learning‐based scheme when compared with common WiFi offloading scheme in terms of cellular residence time.
Traffic light control using deep policy‐gradient and value‐function‐based reinforcement learning
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Sajad , Schukat Michael , Howley Enda
Published: August 2017

Recent advances in combining deep neural network architectures with reinforcement learning (RL) techniques have shown promising potential results in solving complex control problems with high‐dimensional state and action spaces. Inspired by these successes, in this study, the authors built two kinds of RL algorithms: deep policy‐gradient (PG) and value‐function‐based agents which can predict the best possible traffic signal for a traffic intersection. At each time step, these adaptive traffic light control agents receive a snapshot of the current state of a graphical traffic simulator and produce control signals. The PG‐based agent maps its observation directly to the control signal; however, the value‐function‐based agent first estimates values for all legal control signals. The agent then selects the optimal control action with the highest value. Their methods show promising results in a traffic network simulated in the simulation of urban mobility traffic simulator, without suffering from instability issues during the training process.
Compact and wideband millimetre wave circularly polarised antenna array based on a SICL to waveguide transition
Authors: Cheng Li , Fan Kui‐Kui , Hao Zhang‐Cheng , Hong Wei
Published: August 2017

In this study, a planar compact circularly polarised antenna array is proposed for 71–78 GHz E‐band applications. The antenna array consists of four cavity‐backed patch antennas, which are fed by substrate integrated coaxial line (SICL). A novel waveguide‐to‐SICL transition is introduced to serve as a power divider for simplifying the sequential‐rotation feed network. The achieved bandwidth with S11 < −10 dB is 19.9% (68.1–83.2 GHz). The measured axial ratio bandwidth below 3 dB is about 9.3% (71–78 GHz) and the measured peak gain is 12.3 dBi. The measured data are in good agreement with the simulated results.
Multi‐tasking dc–dc and dc–ac converters for dc voltage tapping and power control in highly meshed multi‐terminal HVDC networks
Authors: Adam Grain Philip , Abdelsalam Ibrahim , Xu Lie , Fletcher John , Burt Graeme , Williams Barry
Published: August 2017

This study extends a recently proposed dc auto‐transformer to a true multi‐port converter that can function simultaneously as dc auto‐transformer and a dc/ac converter for dc voltage matching and tapping, and power control in highly meshed multi‐terminal dc grids. The presented multi‐port converter can generate multiple adjustable dc voltages from a fixed or variable input dc voltage, or from an active ac grid. Theoretical discussions and simulations indicate that when the proposed multi‐port converter is used as a hybrid dc and ac hub to manage congestions and resolve loop flow issues in a highly meshed multi‐terminal dc network, large dc power can be fed to the lower dc terminal, without exposing the switching devices of the lower subconverter to excessive current stress. Its increased control flexibility and response to dc faults at high and low dc terminals are validated using simulations and experiments.
A One-Pot Methodology for the Synthesis of the Yohimban Skeleton
Authors: Parra Claudio , Solís Pablo , Bonjoch Josep , Bradshaw Ben
Published: August 2017

A simple and straightforward assembly of the yohimban skeleton was achieved by condensation of an acyclic β-keto ester with tryptamine, followed by consecutive cross metathesis and tandem cyclization reactions, leading to the formation of three new rings. The whole process was readily carried out in the one-flask providing a rapid entry to the pentacyclic scaffold of yohimbine alkaloids.
Tricuspid Valve Repair after Previous Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: Misfeld Martin , Haensig Martin , Davierwala Piroze , Mohr Friedrich , Pfannmueller Bettina
Published: August 2017

Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation in patients after previous mitral valve surgery is usually a secondary failure and conditioned by a long-lasting left-sided valve failure. TV surgery in these patients represents a high-risk procedure regarding the operative strategy and perioperative management. This article will discuss the indication for TV surgery in patients with secondary TV regurgitation and previous mitral valve surgery, the choice of surgical access, as well as TV repair techniques and their postoperative results.
Intersektorale Konzepte zur außerklinischen Beatmung
Authors: Nafe Miranda , Herberger Kristian , Wiesner Barbara , Grohé Christian
Published: August 2017

The care of patients with extraclinical mechanical ventilation has to be improved particularly with regard to their specialist care. One care option is the empowering of clinicians at the respiratory centers to enable ambulant care of patients and home visits. An intersectoral linkage in the form of transfer management is the basis for competent coordination. Aim is to ensure the necessary multidisciplinary collaboration in the outpatient care of multimorbid chronically ill patients. For the optimal care of chronically ill patients, sectoral limits should become more permeable.
Pflegepraktikum Innere Medizin: Evaluation und Einflüsse auf die Einstellung zum Fach
Authors: Wirkner Janine , Stracke Sylvia , Lange Anja , Dabers Thomas , Merk Harry , Kasch Richard
Published: August 2017

Hintergrund Im Rahmen des Medizinstudiums ist in Deutschland ein dreimonatiges Pflegepraktikum vorgeschrieben. Obwohl kontrovers diskutiert, fehlen bundesweite Daten zur studentischen Evaluation.

Fragestellung Hier wurde erstmals untersucht, wie Medizinstudierende das Pflegepraktikum auf einer Station der Inneren Medizin (IM) beurteilen. Zusätzlich stellte sich die Frage, inwiefern die frühzeitigen Erfahrungen im Pflegepraktikum bereits die studentische Einstellung zum Fachgebiet beeinflussen.

Material und Methoden In einer bundesweiten Online-Umfrage bewerteten 767 Studierende (mittleres Alter 22,8 Jahre; 58 % weiblich) ihr Pflegepraktikum auf einer Station der IM in Bezug auf Integration ins Team, Lehrende, die Struktur und Qualität der Lehre und Zufriedenheit. Anhand der Frage, ob sich Studierende infolge des Pflegepraktikums auch eine Famulatur in der IM vorstellen können, wurden multivariate Gruppenvergleiche durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse 71 % der Studierenden fühlten sich gut ins Team integriert, am meisten wurde vom Pflegepersonal gelernt, wobei die Mehrheit angab, pflegerische Kompetenzen erworben zu haben. Nur 19 % bewerteten Aufbau und Struktur des Praktikums als gut, 40 % gaben an, die Lernziele erreicht zu haben. Studierende, die sich eine Famulatur in der IM vorstellen können (52 %), gaben in allen Bereichen die besten Bewertungen ab.

Schlussfolgerungen Ein erfolgreiches Pflegepraktikum kann das Interesse für Innere Medizin fördern. Es besteht jedoch ein deutlicher struktureller und inhaltlicher Verbesserungsbedarf einschließlich einer bislang nicht vorliegenden, klaren Formulierung von Lernzielen für diese erste praktische Erfahrung im Medizinstudium.
Chronische Hufrehe bei Pferden
Authors: Torp Christian
Published: August 2017

Bei der chronischen oder rezidivierenden Hufrehe von Pferden und Ponys handelt es sich fast immer um eine Trauerproblematik. Schulmedizinisch orientierte Kollegen sollten in diesen Fällen versierte Kollegen der Homöopathie oder der Akupunktur zu Rate ziehen. Homöopathen und Akupunkteuren mag dieser Beitrag dazu dienen, vermehrt auf die psychischen Faktoren bei chronischen Krankheiten, in diesem Beitrag speziell die Komponente „Trauer“ bei dem Krankheitsbild Hufrehe, zu achten.
Vergleich von Diskriminanzanalyse und Entscheidungsbäumen zur Erkennung des frühen Keratokonus
Authors: Kleinhans Sonja , Herrmann Eva , Kohnen Thomas , Bühren Jens
Published: August 2017

Hintergrund Eine der gefürchtetsten Komplikationen von refraktiv-chirurgischen Eingriffen ist die iatrogene Keratektasie. Eine iatrogene Keratektasie entsteht in den meisten Fällen nach Eingriffen bei Augen mit frühen Keratokonusformen, die wenige oder keine klinischen Zeichen aufweisen (subklinischer Keratokonus). Leider gibt es bis heute noch kein hinreichend sicheres diagnostisches Verfahren zur Früherkennung eines subklinischen Keratokonus. In dieser Studie werden binäre Entscheidungsbäume (rekursive Partitionierungsalgorithmen) angewendet und auf die Eignung der Unterscheidung normaler Augen von Augen mit subklinischem Keratokonus überprüft.

Patienten und Methode Die Methodik der Entscheidungsbäume wurde mit dem Verfahren der Diskriminanzanalyse verglichen, das in früheren Studien gute Ergebnisse zeigte. Die Eingangsdaten basierten auf 32 Augen von 32 Patienten mit einer Erstdiagnose „Keratokonus“ auf dem Partnerauge und den präoperativen Daten von 10 Augen von 5 Patienten mit Keratektasie nach Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis (LASIK). Als Kontrollgruppe dienten 245 normale Augen mit Z. n. LASIK und unauffälligen Nachkontrollen innerhalb von 12 Monaten.

Ergebnisse Die korrekte Klassifikationsrate und die Spezifität konnten durch Entscheidungsbäume im Vergleich zur Diskriminanzanalyse leicht gesteigert werden. Die Sensitivität war jedoch deutlich geringer.

Schlussfolgerungen Im vorliegenden Patientenkollektiv erwiesen sich Entscheidungsbäume nicht als vorteilhaft gegenüber der linearen Diskriminanzanalyse zur Erkennung des subklinischen Keratokonus.
The true-weird and the dreadful “large”: post millennium American horror literature
Authors: Ray Dibyakusum
Published: August 2017

Debate is rife on the knowability of “true” horror, especially that which is stemmed into the “beyond”, “vast” or “sublime”. European Enlightenment purports that even the overwhelming Nature can be ultimately recuperated by supersensible reason. It may be the unknown, but knowing that it is so, is a “gift”. You know to die, because you exist and reflect on your transience. The basic idea of the “beyond” always imagined a central role of the sentient “man”— he saw the world, and it has its meaning. We are safe or have an illusion of safety within what we know (even at the moment of peril in genre horror, we are assured that we know the nature of evil). A school of post millennial horror-thought, however, considers H.P. Lovecraft as a formidable dissent to this vein as he opines that the Nature does not care to be known/understood. The present study is on the “world-without-us” in the modern “true-weird” literature—especially in its post-millennial revival. Although Lovecraft has a considerable scholastic heritage, the revival of his peculiar nihilism in modern American horror is largely unexplored. “World-without-us” speaks of “the negative without any positive”—the “true” supernatural is manifested through the cold, relentless and utterly non-caring machinations of the “Large”. The literature axial to the Large is the “true-weird”—says Lovecraft, dealing with a “defeat” of human rationality against the assaults of chaos. Likewise, the resurgence of the uncaring “Large” in literature has an important commentary on the modern society, philosophy and the critical approach to both. The recent trend consisting of Michael Wehunt, Brian Evenson, John Langan, Laird Barron or to a certain extent, Thomas Ligotti treats the eldritch (emerging from the recesses of an uncaring nature) as what Levinas might call the “absolutely other”—never (in)human, not even belligerent: but distant, hibernal and immersive. An invasive entity beyond negotiation that signals the failure of the language of rationality, thus, finds an appropriation in the post 9/11 American Horror. Therefore, is the knowledge of the Large “never one, nor homogeneous, nor totalizable, but… catastrophic”? Is the Large=Nature=Indifferent? Is Nature the “true-weird”? Is the “true weird” viable—thematically or linguistically? Is a total disregard for semantics possible at all? This article aims to open an argument over the “Nature” and the “Being” in the context of American horror literature, and how it transmutes the genre expectations of the canon.
Room temperature quantum spin Hall insulator: Functionalized stanene on layered PbI2 substrate
Authors: Zhang Huisheng , Wang Zhe , Xu Xiaohong
Published: August 2017

Quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulators carry spin current at the edge of the sample even without charge current, indicating that they have great potential applications in spintronics and spin memory. In this work, we investigate the electronic and topological properties of functionalized stanene growing on layered PbI2. It is found that a large energy gap (0.3 eV) is opened at the Γ point with consideration of spin-orbital coupling. The band evolution mechanism shows that the band inversions occur between px,y and s of Sn atoms. The existence of gapless helical edge states together with Z2 = 1 consistently demonstrates that the room temperature QSH effect is achieved on the SnI/PbI2 heterostructure system. Our findings point out a way for searching high temperature QSH insulators.
Toward the laboratory identification of the not-so-simple NS2 neutral and anion isomers
Authors: Fortenberry Ryan C. , Thackston Russell , Francisco Joseph S. , Lee Timothy J.
Published: August 2017

The NS2 radical is a simple arrangement of atoms with a complex electronic structure. This molecule was first reported by Hassanzadeh and Andrew’s group [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114, 83 (1992)] through Ar matrix isolation experiments. In the quarter century since this seminal work was published, almost nothing has been reported about nitrogen disulfide even though NS2 is isovalent with the common NO2. The present study aims to shed new insight into possible challenges with the characterization of this radical. No less than three potential energy surfaces all intersect in the C2v region of the SNS radical isomer. A type-C Renner-Teller molecule is present for the linear 2Πu state where the potential energy surface is fully contained within the 2.05 kcal/mol lower energy X̃ 2A1 state. A C2v, 1 2B1 state is present in this same region, but a double excitation is required to access this state from the X̃ 2A1 state of SNS. Additionally, a 1 2A′ NSS isomer is also present but with notable differences in the geometry from the global minimum. Consequently, the rovibronic spectrum of these NS2 isomers is quite complicated. While the present theory and previous Ar matrix experiments agree well on isotopic shifts, they differ notably for the absolute fundamental vibrational frequency transitions. These differences are likely a combination of matrix shifts and issues associated with the neglect of non-adiabatic coupling in the computations. In either case, it is clear that high-resolution gas phase experimental observations will be complicated to sort. The present computations should aid in their analysis.