bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and Geochronological Constraints on the Early Mesozoic North Longmen Shan Thrust Belt: Foreland Fold‐Thrust Propagation of the SW Qinling Orogenic Belt, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yan Dan‐Ping , Qiu Liang , Wells Michael L. , Zhou Mei‐Fu , Meng Xiangkun , Lu Song , Zhang Sen , Wang Yu , Li Shu‐Bing
Published: November 2018

The NE striking Longmen Shan Thrust Belt (LSTB) forms the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau and merges northward with the southwestern Qinling orogenic belt. The LSTB is characterized by the Late Cenozoic SE‐ward overthrusting and a current 60‐ to 70‐km crustal thickness. Structural constraints link the Late Cenozoic deformation and crustal thickening of the LSTB to the formation of the Tibetan plateau. However, although older Mesozoic deformations are widely identified, including Triassic shortening, they remain underappreciated in the development of the LSTB as the Cenozoic history has been the recent research focus. Thus, it is important to document the early Mesozoic tectonics of the LSTB to better understand the Cenozoic orogeny along the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Here we synthesize existing and new mapping, structural analyses and geochronology of three regions of the northern LSTB: the Bikou, Tangwangzhai, and Longwangmiao regions. Our observations suggest that the Bikou, Tangwangzhai, and Longwangmiao thrust complexes have similar kinematic styles of southward foreland fold‐and‐thrust propagation. New 40Ar/39Ar dating results show that these thrust complexes have deformational ages at circa 237 Ma to circa 180 Ma, respectively, and diachronously emplaced before 201–174 Ma. Triassic shortening structures involving metamorphic rocks are unconformably overlain by Lower to Middle Jurassic strata. We propose a new kinematic model in which Middle to Late Triassic, top‐to‐the south, in‐sequence imbricate thrusts developed in the northern and central LSTB, suggesting that the LSTB was initially built in the early Mesozoic by the southward propagation of the foreland belt of the SW Qinling orogenic belt.
Seismic Anisotropy and Its Geodynamic Implications in Iran, the Easternmost Part of the Tethyan Belt
Authors: Sadeghi‐Bagherabadi Amir , Margheriti Lucia , Aoudia Abdelkrim , Sobouti Farhad
Published: November 2018

In this study, we use the results of seismic anisotropy as inferred from shear wave splitting analyses of SKS phases to propose a geodynamical model of the Arabia‐Eurasia collision zone. A detailed analysis of the 202 non‐null splitting and 196 null splitting measurements obtained from a dense temporary network are utilized to investigate the possibility of lateral and vertical variations in the anisotropic parameters and the hypothesis of a dipping anisotropic layer. A 2‐D geodynamical model of the western part of the collision zone is constructed. The preferred 2‐D model suggests that the belt‐parallel orientation of fast axes in the western Zagros originates from a lithospheric transpressional deformation. The plate motion‐parallel pattern in central Iran and western Alborz coincides with the decrease in the lithospheric thickness. Thus, we believe this trend has its origin in the asthenosphere. A combination of the keel effect of the thickened Zagros lithosphere, the asthenospheric edge‐driven convection flow and the lithospheric deformation in the shear zones can cause the NW‐SE‐oriented splitting pattern reported in some parts of central Iran. The asthenospheric flow beneath the thinner lithosphere to the south of the Bitlis suture in northern Iraq is likely the causative mechanism for our observed plate motion‐parallel splittings there. The variation of the convergence obliquity along the Alborz and Zagros inferred from analysis of geodetic data implies that a change in the pattern of lithospheric deformation and the consequent anisotropy is expected.
Sugar-based bactericides targeting phosphatidylethanolamine-enriched membranes
Authors: Dias Catarina , Pais João P. , Nunes Rafael , Blázquez-Sánchez Maria-Teresa , Marquês Joaquim T. , Almeida Andreia F. , Serra Patrícia , Xavier Nuno M. , Vila-Viçosa Diogo , Machuqueiro Miguel , Viana Ana S. , Martins Alice , Santos Maria S. , Pelerito Ana , Dias Ricardo , Tenreiro Rogério , Oliveira Maria C. , Contino Marialessandra , Colabufo Nicola A. , de Almeida Rodrigo F. M. , Rauter Amélia P.
Published: November 2018

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bioterrorism agent that develops resistance to clinically used antibiotics. Therefore, alternative mechanisms of action remain a challenge. Herein, we disclose deoxy glycosides responsible for specific carbohydrate-phospholipid interactions, causing phosphatidylethanolamine lamellar-to-inverted hexagonal phase transition and acting over B. anthracis and Bacillus cereus as potent and selective bactericides. Biological studies of the synthesized compound series differing in the anomeric atom, glycone configuration and deoxygenation pattern show that the latter is indeed a key modulator of efficacy and selectivity. Biomolecular simulations show no tendency to pore formation, whereas differential metabolomics and genomics rule out proteins as targets. Complete bacteria cell death in 10 min and cellular envelope disruption corroborate an effect over lipid polymorphism. Biophysical approaches show monolayer and bilayer reorganization with fast and high permeabilizing activity toward phosphatidylethanolamine membranes. Absence of bacterial resistance further supports this mechanism, triggering innovation on membrane-targeting antimicrobials.
Ecology and evolution of facilitation among symbionts
Authors: Zélé Flore , Magalhães Sara , Kéfi Sonia , Duncan Alison B.
Published: November 2018

Facilitation occurs when one species positively impacts the fitness of another, and has predominantly been studied in free-living species like plants. Facilitation can also occur among symbiont (mutualistic or parasitic) species or strains, but equivalent studies are scarce. To advance an integrated view of the effect of facilitation on symbiont ecology and evolution, we review empirical evidence and their underlying mechanisms, explore the factors favouring its emergence, and discuss its consequences for virulence and transmission. We argue that the facilitation concept can improve understanding of the evolutionary forces shaping symbiont communities and their effects on hosts.
Shockwave generates < 100 > dislocation loops in bcc iron
Authors: Peng Qing , Meng Fanjiang , Yang Yizhong , Lu Chenyang , Deng Huiqiu , Wang Lumin , De Suvranu , Gao Fei
Published: November 2018

The formation mechanism of < 100 > interstitial dislocation loops in ferritic steels stemming from irradiation remains elusive, as their formations are either too short for experiments, or too long for molecular dynamics simulations. Here, we report on the formation of both interstitial and vacancy dislocation loops in high energy displacement cascades using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations with up to 220 million atoms. Riding the supersonic shockwave generated in the cascade, self-interstitial atoms are punched out to form < 100 > dislocation loops in only a few picoseconds during one single cascade event, which is several orders of magnitude faster than any existing mechanisms. The energy analysis suggests that the formation of the interstitial loops depends on kinetic energy redistribution, where higher incidence energy or larger atom mass could improve the probability of the direct nucleation of interstitial dislocation loops.
Orthogonal Cas9–Cas9 chimeras provide a versatile platform for genome editing
Authors: Bolukbasi Mehmet Fatih , Liu Pengpeng , Luk Kevin , Kwok Samantha F. , Gupta Ankit , Amrani Nadia , Sontheimer Erik J. , Zhu Lihua Julie , Wolfe Scot A.
Published: November 2018

The development of robust, versatile and accurate toolsets is critical to facilitate therapeutic genome editing applications. Here we establish RNA-programmable Cas9-Cas9 chimeras, in single- and dual-nuclease formats, as versatile genome engineering systems. In both of these formats, Cas9-Cas9 fusions display an expanded targeting repertoire and achieve highly specific genome editing. Dual-nuclease Cas9-Cas9 chimeras have distinct advantages over monomeric Cas9s including higher target site activity and the generation of predictable precise deletion products between their target sites. At a therapeutically relevant site within theBCL11Aerythroid enhancer, Cas9-Cas9 nucleases produced precise deletions that comprised up to 97% of all sequence alterations. Thus Cas9-Cas9 chimeras represent an important tool that could be particularly valuable for therapeutic genome editing applications where a precise cleavage position and defined sequence end products are desirable.
Hydrogen production by Sulfurospirillum species enables syntrophic interactions of Epsilonproteobacteria
Authors: Kruse Stefan , Goris Tobias , Westermann Martin , Adrian Lorenz , Diekert Gabriele
Published: November 2018

Hydrogen-producing bacteria are of environmental importance, since hydrogen is a major electron donor for prokaryotes in anoxic ecosystems. Epsilonproteobacteria are currently considered to be hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria exclusively. Here, we report hydrogen production upon pyruvate fermentation for free-living Epsilonproteobacteria, Sulfurospirillum spp. The amount of hydrogen produced is different in two subgroups of Sulfurospirillum spp., represented by S. cavolei and S. multivorans. The former produces more hydrogen and excretes acetate as sole organic acid, while the latter additionally produces lactate and succinate. Hydrogen production can be assigned by differential proteomics to a hydrogenase (similar to hydrogenase 4 from E. coli) that is more abundant during fermentation. A syntrophic interaction is established between Sulfurospirillum multivorans and Methanococcus voltae when cocultured with lactate as sole substrate, as the former cannot grow fermentatively on lactate alone and the latter relies on hydrogen for growth. This might hint to a yet unrecognized role of Epsilonproteobacteria as hydrogen producers in anoxic microbial communities.
Signal peptide represses GluK1 surface and synaptic trafficking through binding to amino-terminal domain
Authors: Duan Gui-Fang , Ye Yaxin , Xu Sha , Tao Wucheng , Zhao Shiping , Jin Tengchuan , Nicoll Roger A. , Shi Yun Stone , Sheng Nengyin
Published: November 2018

Kainate-type glutamate receptors play critical roles in excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain. GluK1 and GluK2 possess fundamentally different capabilities in surface trafficking as well as synaptic targeting in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Here we find that the excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) are significantly increased by the chimeric GluK1(SPGluK2) receptor, in which the signal peptide of GluK1 is replaced with that of GluK2. Coexpression of GluK1 signal peptide completely suppresses the gain in trafficking ability of GluK1(SPGluK2), indicating that the signal peptide represses receptor trafficking in a trans manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the signal peptide directly interacts with the amino-terminal domain (ATD) to inhibit the synaptic and surface expression of GluK1. Thus, we have uncovered a trafficking mechanism for kainate receptors and propose that the cleaved signal peptide behaves as a ligand of GluK1, through binding with the ATD, to repress forward trafficking of the receptor.
Author Correction: The prognostic effects of somatic mutations in ER-positive breast cancer
Authors: Griffith Obi L. , Spies Nicholas C. , Anurag Meenakshi , Griffith Malachi , Luo Jingqin , Tu Dongsheng , Yeo Belinda , Kunisaki Jason , Miller Christopher A , Krysiak Kilannin , Hundal Jasreet , Ainscough Benjamin J , Skidmore Zachary L. , Campbell Katie , Kumar Runjun , Fronick Catrina , Cook Lisa , Snider Jacqueline E. , Davies Sherri , Kavuri Shyam M. , Chang Eric C. , Magrini Vincent , Larson David E. , Fulton Robert S , Liu Shuzhen , Leung Samuel , Voduc David , Bose Ron , Dowsett Mitch , Wilson Richard K. , Nielsen Torsten O. , Mardis Elaine R , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: November 2018

The original version of this Article contained errors in the depiction of confidence intervals in the NF1 BCSS data illustrated in Figure 3b. These have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article. The incorrect version of Figure 3b is presented in the associated Author Correction.
Personality Traits in Patients with Neuroepithelial Tumors – A Prospective Study
Authors: Gempt Jens , Bette Stefanie , Albertshauser Jennifer , Cammardella Jasmin Hernandez , Gradtke Corinna , Wiestler Benedikt , Schirmer Lucas , Ryang Yu-Mi , Meyer Bernhard , Ringel Florian
Published: November 2018

Aim of this study was to analyze personality traits in patients with neuroepithelial brain tumors. Personality alteration is a common feature in brain tumor patients, but not much is known about associations between specific personality changes and brain tumors. We assessed potential factors influencing personality such as tumor location, tumor grade and tumor volume. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) for the five factors of personality were acquired. Patients had lower scores regarding the factor openness and higher scores regarding the BDI-II compared to the norm population. No significant influencing factors (tumor entity, location) were found regarding personality traits. Neuroticism was associated with depression, whereas extraversion showed an opposed association. Patients with intrinsic brain tumors have differences in personality traits compared to the control population, with an emphasis on the factor openness. No significant confounding factors like tumor grade, entity, or location were found for personality traits.
Convective forces increase CXCR4-dependent glioblastoma cell invasion in GL261 murine model
Authors: Cornelison R. Chase , Brennan Caroline E. , Kingsmore Kathryn M. , Munson Jennifer M.
Published: November 2018

Glioblastoma is the most common and malignant form of brain cancer. Its invasive nature limits treatment efficacy and promotes inevitable recurrence. Previous in vitro studies showed that interstitial fluid flow, a factor characteristically increased in cancer, increases glioma cell invasion through CXCR4-CXCL12 signaling. It is currently unknown if these effects translate in vivo. We used the therapeutic technique of convection enhanced delivery (CED) to test if convective flow alters glioma invasion in a syngeneic GL261 mouse model of glioblastoma. The GL261 cell line was flow responsive in vitro, dependent upon CXCR4 and CXCL12. Additionally, transplanting GL261 intracranially increased the populations of CXCR4+ and double positive cells versus 3D culture. We showed that inducing convective flow within implanted tumors indeed increased invasion over untreated controls, and administering the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 (5 mg/kg) effectively eliminated this response. These data confirm that glioma invasion is stimulated by convective flow in vivo and depends on CXCR4 signaling. We also showed that expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 is increased in patients having received standard therapy, when CED might be elected. Hence, targeting flow-stimulated invasion may prove beneficial as a second line of therapy, particularly in patients chosen to receive treatment by convection enhanced delivery.
Automatic detection of major depressive disorder using electrodermal activity
Authors: Kim Ah Young , Jang Eun Hye , Kim Seunghwan , Choi Kwan Woo , Jeon Hong Jin , Yu Han Young , Byun Sangwon
Published: November 2018

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder and the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, current methods used to diagnose depression mainly rely on clinical interviews and self-reported scales of depressive symptoms, which lack objectivity and efficiency. To address this challenge, we present a machine learning approach to screen for MDD using electrodermal activity (EDA). Participants included 30 patients with MDD and 37 healthy controls. Their EDA was measured during five experimental phases consisted of baseline, mental arithmetic task, recovery from the stress task, relaxation task, and recovery from the relaxation task, which elicited multiple alterations in autonomic activity. Selected EDA features were extracted from each phase, and differential EDA features between two distinct phases were evaluated. By using these features as input data and performing feature selection with SVM-RFE, 74% accuracy, 74% sensitivity, and 71% specificity could be achieved by our decision tree classifier. The most relevant features selected by SVM-RFE included differential EDA features and features from the stress and relaxation tasks. These findings suggest that automatic detection of depression based on EDA features is feasible and that monitoring changes in physiological signal when a subject is experiencing autonomic arousal and recovery may enhance discrimination power.
Genetic and pharmacological validation of TAK1 inhibition in macrophages as a therapeutic strategy to effectively inhibit TNF secretion
Authors: Scarneo Scott A. , Mansourati Antoine , Eibschutz Liesl S. , Totzke Juliane , Roques Jose R. , Loiselle David , Carlson David , Hughes Philip , Haystead Timothy A. J.
Published: November 2018

Immune challenge of invading macrophages at sites of infection is associated with release of TNF, which triggers a local cytokine storm as part of the normal inflammatory response. Whereas this response maybe beneficial in fighting off infections, similar responses triggered in autoimmune diseases contribute significantly to the underlying damaging pathology associated with these diseases. Here we show that Takinib, a highly discriminatory inhibitor of transforming growth factor Beta- activated kinase 1 (TAK1), selectively and potently reduces TNF production in pro-inflammatory THP-1 macrophages. A complete survey of 110 cytokines, showed robust loss of proinflammatory cytokine responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) challenge in response to Takinib. The mechanisms of action of Takinib was recapitulated in TAK1 KO macrophages. TAK1 KO cells showed significant loss of TNF production as well as release of IL-6 in response to LPS challenge. Furthermore, Takinib blocked the ability of exogenously added LPS to promote phosphorylation of, c-Jun, p38 protein kinases as well as downstream transcription factors regulated by nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). In a mouse LPS challenge model, Takinib significantly reduced TNF serum levels. Our findings demonstrate that Takinib has utility in the treatment inflammatory disease by locally suppressing TNF production from invading macrophages.
Observing the devastating coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) inside the coffee berry using micro-computed tomography
Authors: Alba-Alejandre Ignacio , Alba-Tercedor Javier , Vega Fernando E.
Published: November 2018

The coffee berry borer is the most devastating insect pest of coffee throughout the world. The insect spends most of its life cycle inside the coffee berry, which makes it quite difficult to observe its behaviour. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to observe all developmental stages of the coffee berry borer inside coffee berries (Coffea canephora). An interesting oviposition pattern involving a sequential placement of eggs starting in the periphery of the seed and moving inwards was observed. Micro-CT should be useful in elucidating unknown life history aspects of other seed-feeding bark beetles as well as of bark and ambrosia beetles in general.
Extracellular microRNAs profile in human follicular fluid and IVF outcomes
Authors: Martinez Rosie M. , Liang Liming , Racowsky Catherine , Dioni Laura , Mansur Abdallah , Adir Michal , Bollati Valentina , Baccarelli Andrea A. , Hauser Russ , Machtinger Ronit
Published: November 2018

Encapsulated microRNAs (i.e., miRNAs within the extracellular vesicles, i.e., EV-miRNAs) have been detected in follicular fluid in both animal and human studies and different profiles have been associated with IVF cycle characteristics. However, limited studies to date have investigated other IVF outcomes, including fertilization status and embryo quality on day three”. In this cohort, we performed a cross-sectional analysis on 126 women who contributed follicular fluid from a single follicle during a single IVF cycle. One hundred and ninety-two EV-miRNAs were assessed by univariable fold-change and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Hsa-miR-92a and hsa-miR-130b, were over-expressed in follicular fluid samples from oocytes that failed to fertilize compared to those that were normally fertilized. Additionally, hsa-miR-888 was over-expressed and hsa-miR-214 and hsa-miR-454 were under-expressed in samples that resulted in impaired day-3 embryo quality compared to top-quality day-3 embryos. After adjusting for confounders as BMI, smoking and total motile sperm, associations of these EV-miRNAs remained significant. In-silico KEGG pathway analyses assigned the identified EV-miRNAs to pathways of follicular growth and development, cellular signaling, oocyte meiosis, and ovarian function. Our findings suggest that EV-miRNAs may play a role in pathways of ovarian function and follicle development, which could be essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms that could lead to a successful pregnancy and birth.
Study on Nature-inspired Fractal Design-based Flexible Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Fabricated using Additive Manufacturing
Authors: James Sagil , Contractor Rinkesh
Published: November 2018

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) are third generation solar cells used as an alternative to traditional silicon solar cells. DSSCs are characterized by their durability, easy handling and ability to perform better under diverse lighting conditions which makes them an ideal choice for indoor applications. However, DSSCs suffer from several limitations including low efficiencies, susceptibility to electrolyte leakage under extreme weather conditions, and the need for expensive materials and fabrication techniques which limits their large-scale industrial applications. Addressing these limitations through efficient design and manufacturing techniques are critical in ensuring that the DSSCs transform from the current small-scale laboratory levels to sizeable industrial production. This research attempts to address some of these significant limitations by introducing the concepts of nature-inspired fractal-based design followed by the additive manufacturing process to fabricate cost-effective, flexible counter electrodes for DSSCs. The new conceptual fractal-based design counter electrodes overcome the limitations of conventional planar designs by significantly increasing the number of active reaction sites which enhances the catalytic activity thereby improving the performance. The fabrication of these innovative fractal designs is realized through cost-effective manufacturing techniques including additive manufacturing and selective electrochemical co-deposition processes. The results of the study suggest that the fractal-based counter electrodes perform better than conventional designs. Additionally, the fractal designs and additive manufacturing technology help in addressing the problems of electrolyte leakage, cost of fabrication, and scalability of DSSCs.
Peculiar features of the plastids of the colourless alga Euglena longa and photosynthetic euglenophytes unveiled by transcriptome analyses
Authors: Záhonová Kristína , Füssy Zoltán , Birčák Erik , Novák Vanclová Anna M. G. , Klimeš Vladimír , Vesteg Matej , Krajčovič Juraj , Oborník Miroslav , Eliáš Marek
Published: November 2018

Euglenophytes are a familiar algal group with green alga-derived secondary plastids, but the knowledge of euglenophyte plastid function and evolution is still highly incomplete. With this in mind we sequenced and analysed the transcriptome of the non-photosynthetic species Euglena longa. The transcriptomic data confirmed the absence of genes for the photosynthetic machinery, but provided candidate plastid-localised proteins bearing N-terminal bipartite topogenic signals (BTSs) of the characteristic euglenophyte type. Further comparative analyses including transcriptome assemblies available for photosynthetic euglenophytes enabled us to unveil salient aspects of the basic euglenophyte plastid infrastructure, such as plastidial targeting of several proteins as C-terminal translational fusions with other BTS-bearing proteins or replacement of the conventional eubacteria-derived plastidial ribosomal protein L24 by homologs of archaeo-eukaryotic origin. Strikingly, no homologs of any key component of the TOC/TIC system and the plastid division apparatus are discernible in euglenophytes, and the machinery for intraplastidial protein targeting has been simplified by the loss of the cpSRP/cpFtsY system and the SEC2 translocon. Lastly, euglenophytes proved to encode a plastid-targeted homolog of the termination factor Rho horizontally acquired from a Lambdaproteobacteria-related donor. Our study thus further documents a substantial remodelling of the euglenophyte plastid compared to its green algal progenitor.
Zika virus infection perturbs osteoblast function
Authors: Mumtaz Noreen , Koedam Marijke , van den Doel Petra B. , van Leeuwen Johannes P. T. M. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , van der Eerden Bram C. J. , Rockx Barry
Published: November 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is typically characterized by a mild self-limiting disease presenting with fever, rash, myalgia and arthralgia and severe fetal complications during pregnancy such as microcephaly, subcortical calcifications and arthrogyropsis. Virus-induced arthralgia due to perturbed osteoblast function has been described for other arboviruses. In case of ZIKV infection, the role of osteoblasts in ZIKV pathogenesis and bone related pathology remains unknown. Here, we study the effect of ZIKV infection on osteoblast differentiation, maturation and function by quantifying activity and gene expression of key biomarkers, using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs, osteoblast precursors). MSCs were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and we found that osteoblasts were highly susceptible to ZIKV infection. While infection did not cause a cytopathic effect, a significant reduction of key osteogenic markers such asALP,RUNX2, calcium contents and increased expression of IL6 in ZIKV-infected MSCs implicated a delay in osteoblast development and maturation, as compared to uninfected controls. In conclusion, we have developed and characterized a newin vitromodel to study the role of bone development in ZIKV pathogenesis, which will help to identify possible new targets for developing therapeutic and preventive measures.
Author Correction: Probing spermiogenesis: a digital strategy for mouse acrosome classification
Authors: Taloni Alessandro , Font-Clos Francesc , Guidetti Luca , Milan Simone , Ascagni Miriam , Vasco Chiara , Pasini Maria Enrica , Gioria Maria Rosa , Ciusani Emilio , Zapperi Stefano , La Porta Caterina A. M.
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Heterogeneous chemistry in the 3-D state: an original approach to generate bioactive, mechanically-competent bone scaffolds
Authors: Tampieri Anna , Ruffini Andrea , Ballardini Alberto , Montesi Monica , Panseri Silvia , Salamanna Francesca , Fini Milena , Sprio Simone
Published: November 2018

Heterogeneous gas–solid reactions drive the biomorphic transformation of natural wood into large 3-D osteoinductive hydroxyapatite scaffolds with damage-tolerant mechanical performance.
Targeting small molecule drugs to T cells with antibody-directed cell-penetrating gold nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Yu-Sang Sabrina , Moynihan Kelly D. , Bekdemir Ahmet , Dichwalkar Tanmay M. , Noh Michelle M. , Watson Nicki , Melo Mariane , Ingram Jessica , Suh Heikyung , Ploegh Hidde , Stellacci Francesco R. , Irvine Darrell J.
Published: November 2018

We sought to develop a nanoparticle vehicle that could deliver small molecule drugs to T cells.
New transmetalation reagents for the gold-catalyzed visible light-enabled C(sp or sp2)–C(sp2) cross-coupling with aryldiazonium salts in the absence of a photosensitizer
Authors: Witzel Sina , Sekine Kohei , Rudolph Matthias , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: November 2018

The scope of photosensitizer-free visible light-driven gold-catalyzed cross-coupling was evaluated by a wide variety of organoboron and organosilicon species using four equivalents of aryldiazonium salts and (4-CF3-C6H4)3PAuCl in MeOH.
Tuning the dimensionality of organometallic–organic hybrid polymers assembled from [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(η2-P2)], bipyridyl linkers and AgI ions
Authors: Elsayed Moussa Mehdi , Peresypkina Eugenia , Virovets Alexander V. , Venus Dominik , Balázs Gábor , Scheer Manfred
Published: November 2018

The first of its kind study of the effect of the organic linker length and reaction temperature on aggregation reactions leading to organometallic–organic hybrid polymers is presented.
Immobilization of a porphyrinic Mn(iii) catalyst on a new type of silica support comprising a three-dimensionally interconnected network with two different sizes of pores
Authors: Shin Dae Yong , Yoon Jong Ho , Kim Sung Hwan , Baik Hionsuck , Lee Suk Joong
Published: November 2018

A 3-D networked novel MPSM with pores of two distinct sizes has prepared and used as a support for a heterogeneous catalyst.
Using in vivo nickel to direct the pyrolysis of hyperaccumulator plant biomass
Authors: Doroshenko Alisa , Budarin Vitaliy , McElroy Robert , Hunt Andrew J. , Rylott Elizabeth , Anderson Christopher , Waterland Mark , Clark James
Published: November 2018

The effects of naturally occurring nickel in hyperaccumulator plants used for phytoremediation of contaminated soils on the microwave (MW) biomass pyrolysis are described for the first time.
An ultra-sensitive and selective nitrogen dioxide sensor based on a novel P2C2monolayer from a theoretical perspective
Authors: Wang Jin , Lei Jian-ming , Yang Guo-feng , Xue Jun-jun , Cai Qing , Chen Dun-jun , Lu Hai , Zhang Rong , Zheng You-dou
Published: November 2018

The sensing properties of an α phase black phosphorus carbide (P2C2) monolayer for the adsorption of various gases are theoretically investigated.
Terahertz phase jumps for ultra-sensitive graphene plasmon sensing
Authors: Huang Yi , Zhong Shuncong , Shen Yao-chun , Yu Yingjie , Cui Daxiang
Published: November 2018

Phase behavior of the reflected terahertz radiation (THz) under surface plasmon resonance (SPR) supported by doped graphene has been comprehensively investigated via theoretical analysis with simulation verifications.
Multicomponent reactions: a sustainable tool to 1,2- and 1,3-azoles
Authors: Preeti Preeti , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: November 2018

The present review outlines the recent advancements and pioneering efforts on the synthesis of 1,2/1,3-azoles employing a multicomponent strategy.
Sensitive fluorescent assay for copper(ii) determination in aqueous solution using quercetin–cyclodextrin inclusion
Authors: Yang Shilong , Jiang Weina , Tang Ying , Xu Li , Gao Buhong , Xu Haijun
Published: November 2018

Environmentally friendly probe materials for detecting copper ions were studied in this research.
Facile synthesis of indole heterocyclic compounds based micellar nano anti-cancer drugs
Authors: Ali Imran , Mukhtar Sofi Danish , Hsieh Ming Fa , Alothman Zeid A. , Alwarthan Abdulrahman
Published: November 2018

Facile synthesis of micellar “nano” indole heterocyclic anti-cancer compounds is described.
Using accelerated molecular dynamics simulation to shed light on the mechanism of activation/deactivation upon mutations for CCR5
Authors: Zhang Fuhui , Yuan Yuan , Li Haiyan , Shen Liting , Guo Yanzhi , Wen Zhining , Pu Xuemei
Published: November 2018

In this work, accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations were used to study different effects of G286F and R126 mutations on the activity of CCR5.
Water recycling efficacies of extremely hygroscopic, antifouling hydrogels
Authors: Kabir Anayet , Dunlop Matthew J. , Acharya Bishnu , Bissessur Rabin , Ahmed Marya
Published: November 2018

Water recycling efficacies of B5AMA hydrogels at ambient temperature.
Chemiluminescence-initiated and in situ-enhanced photoisomerization for tissue-depth-independent photo-controlled drug release
Authors: Tang Yufu , Lu Xiaomei , Yin Chao , Zhao Hui , Hu Wenbo , Hu Xiaoming , Li Yuanyuan , Yang Zhen , Lu Feng , Fan Quli , Huang Wei
Published: November 2018

Tissue-penetration-depth-independent self-luminescence is highly expected to perform photoisomerization-related bioapplications in vivo to overcome the limitation of shallow tissue-penetration from external photoexcitation.
A metal–organic framework film with a switchable anodic and cathodic behaviour in a photo-electrochemical cell
Authors: Ifraemov Raya , Shimoni Ran , He Wenhui , Peng Guiming , Hod Idan
Published: November 2018

We show that a single MOF-based electrode can act as both a photo-anode and photo-cathode in a photo-electrochemical cell.
Correction: Metal-based nanostructured materials for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Balach Juan , Linnemann Julia , Jaumann Tony , Giebeler Lars
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘Metal-based nanostructured materials for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries’ by Juan Balach et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8ta07220e.
Multifunctional GdVO4:Eu core–shell nanoparticles containing225Ac for targeted alpha therapy and molecular imaging
Authors: Toro-González M. , Copping R. , Mirzadeh S. , Rojas J. V.
Published: November 2018

Development of actinium-225 doped Gd0.8Eu0.2VO4core–shell nanoparticles as multifunctional platforms for multimodal molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy.
Theranostic radioiodine-labelled melanin nanoparticles inspired by clinical brachytherapy seeds
Authors: Sheng Jie , Wang Xinyu , Yan Junjie , Pan Donghui , Yang Runlin , Wang Lizhen , Xu Yuping , Yang Min
Published: November 2018

Inspired by brachytherapy radioiodine seeds, radioiodine-labelled melanin nanoparticles with several advantages were developed for theranostic applications.
X‐band right‐angle coaxial‐to‐single ridge waveguide compact transition with capacitive coupling
Authors: Vincenti Gatti R. , Rossi R. , Dionigi M.
Published: November 2018

A novel right‐angle coaxial‐to‐single ridge waveguide transition with capacitive coupling is presented at X band. Contrarily to the state of the art, the coaxial inner conductor is not in DC contact with the ridge, and such a feature can be a considerable mechanical advantage in the manufacturing of high‐performance systems. In addition to this, few geometrical parameters need to be optimised, thus simplifying the overall design with respect to traditional counterparts. Nevertheless, the whole X band can be potentially covered with a return loss better than 20 dB. An ultra‐compact transition is designed, manufactured with stereolithography technology and tested in a back‐to‐back configuration. Good agreement between simulated and measured results is observed for a proof‐of‐concept prototype.
Millimetre wave band time domain channel sounder
Authors: Vychodil Josef , Pospisil Martin , Prokes Ales , Blumenstein Jiri
Published: November 2018

This study describes a time domain channel sounder based on binary sequences. The channel sounder system consists of several off‐the‐shelf laboratory instruments and is controlled by a PC. The frequency band of interest is the unlicensed millimetre wave band, 57–64 GHz. A crucial feature of the proposed system is its fast measurement speed enabling measurements of realistic vehicular scenarios. The main part of the study is dedicated to the description and analysis of the system behaviour when nonlinear components, such as mixers, low noise amplifiers or power amplifiers are used. The contributions of this study are the description of how to mitigate these effects utilising several different excitation signals and the evaluation and comparison of the channel sounder performance in terms of the spurious‐free dynamic range parameter.
Intelligent system with dragonfly optimisation for caries detection
Authors: Patil Shashikant , Kulkarni Vaishali , Bhise Archana
Published: November 2018

Recently, tooth decay detection is considered as one of the emerging topics. Many diagnostic techniques have been successfully presented to diagnose the problems. However, the complexity in the tooth decaying diagnosis ascends when the environs are moderately difficult. Thus, this study introduces a novel caries detecting model for the accurate detection of tooth cavities. The model is divided into two phases: feature extraction and classification. Here, the feature extraction is based on multi‐linear principal component analysis (MPCA), and the classification is processed using renowned neural network (NN) classifier. The NN classifier is trained using the adaptive dragonfly algorithm (ADA) algorithm. The proposed MPCA model Non‐linear Programming with ADA (MNP‐ADA) performance is compared with other existing methods and the performance of the approach is analysed in terms of measures such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, false positive rate, false negative rate, negative predictive value, false discovery rate, F1‐score, and Mathews correlation coefficient. The performance of the proposed model is analysed in terms of feature analysis and classifier analysis by comparing other models and proves the superiority of the developed caries detection model.
Weighted similarity and distance metric learning for unconstrained face verification with 3D frontalisation
Authors: Xu Xin , Liang Jiuzhen , Chen Chen , Hou Zhenjie
Published: November 2018

In this study, the authors focus on the challenging problem of verifying faces captured under unconstrained conditions. Unconstrained face images often vary largely in poses, illuminations, expressions, occlusions, and ages. To address these challenges, they combine face frontalisation method with metric learning. To deal with the variations of poses, they apply an improved 3D face frontalisation method to generate the frontal view of the face images. Recent studies observed that bilinear similarity and Mahalanobis distance have a promising performance on measuring the similarity of two images. Based on these studies, they propose a weighted similarity and distance metric learning method which balances the role of bilinear similarity and Mahalanobis distance to better measure the similarity of an image pair. All the experiments are conducted based on the labelled faces in the wild database, and the experimental results show the effectiveness of their method.
Low‐loss inverted taper edge coupler in silicon nitride
Authors: Fernández Juan , Baños Rocío , Doménech David , Domínguez Carlos , Muñoz Pascual
Published: November 2018

An inverted lateral taper with one vertical discrete step was designed for a medium confinement silicon nitride waveguide platform in the C‐band, as a chip edge coupler, with a predicted insertion loss of 0.58 dB. The design is supported by an extensive study to evaluate the impact of fabrication process variations on the performance of such a coupler. The device was manufactured and measured, showing an insertion loss of 1.47 dB, which was traced back to fabrication process variations as cross‐checked with simulations. To the authors’ knowledge, the reported edge coupler is the shortest and among the best performing found for silicon nitride platforms.
Modular‐multilevel converter topologies and applications – a review
Authors: Priya Murthy , Ponnambalam Pathipooranam , Muralikumar Kola
Published: November 2018

Recently developed modular‐multilevel converter (M‐MC) has a major attention in the industry and research works which is moving into feasible technology for many medium and high‐power applications. M‐MCs have been improved by existing power conversion technology in several aspects, including efficiency, modular structure, power quality, transformerless operational capability, fault tolerant and redundancy operations having a low expense, standard components utilisation, high availability, excellent quality of output wave forms. However, as several challenges combined with M‐MC topologies, include reduced voltage stress, compact size, and substantially lower semiconductor losses. These attributes the lower operating cost for high‐power applications such as distribution systems and high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. The main contribution of this study is to bring the scrutiny of M‐MC applications and different circuit topologies. These M‐MC configurations consist of converter structures with sub‐module converters and M‐MC family members. In such a way, the M‐MC applications are generalised and it results the size and cost halved, reduced conduction and switching losses and increases system reliabilities. Moreover, in each application of M‐MC, drawbacks, and advantages have been discussed in detail. This review presents the latest performance of M‐MC with respect to the mentioned research areas and new applications.
HRR profile estimation using SLIM
Authors: Addabbo Pia , Aubry Augusto , De Maio Antonio , Pallotta Luca , Ullo Silvia Liberata
Published: November 2018

In this study, authors address high‐range‐resolution (HRR) profile reconstruction, when stepped‐frequency waveforms are eventually used to maintain a narrow instantaneous bandwidth, resorting to the sparse learning via iterative minimisation (SLIM) paradigm, a regularised minimisation approach with an ‐norm constraint (for ), providing a variant to the original method. Particularly, the proposed method resorts to the regularised maximum‐likelihood estimation paradigm including a term promoting the sparsity of the profile and related to the ‐norm of the vector containing the scatterers’ reflectivities. A priori information on the interference power level is also accounted for, at the design stage, and, assuming that each range cell under test contains at most one scatterer, the actual active scatterers composing the target are determined by exploiting the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). BIC is also used to automatically select the optimised q, so as to make the procedure adaptive with respect to q. Once the location of the active scatterers has been determined, a least‐squares approach is also used to obtain even more precise HRR reconstruction. Furthermore, an efficient algorithm to define optimised frequency hopping patterns, in the presence of a continuous and coordinated feedback between the transmitter and receiver, is presented and assessed. The carried out analysis shows that the SLIM‐based procedure presents higher accuracy in the HRR profile recovery than other widely used techniques, i.e. the iterative adaptive approach (IAA). Moreover, results demonstrate that the target range profile estimation capabilities are enhanced, both for SLIM and IAA, when the cognitive paradigm is employed.
Prinzipien der Frakturbehandlung beim Kind
Authors: Fernandez Francisco , Eberhardt Oliver
Published: November 2018

Die Behandlungsprinzipien von Frakturen beim Kind richten sich nach den besonderen Eigenschaften der Frakturheilung am wachsenden Skelett. Das Skelett des Kindes stellt ein vom Alter abhängiges dynamisch wachsendes Organ dar, mit der Fähigkeit, schnell knöcherne Verletzungen zu heilen, mit hoher Toleranz gegen Weichteilverletzung, geringen Immobilitätsschäden und altersabhängig möglicher Korrektur von posttraumatische Fehlstellungen. Diese Fähigkeiten sind am Skelett des Kindes nicht überall gleich, sie sind direkt abhängig von Potenz der angrenzenden Wachstumsfuge bzw. ihrem Anteil an der Gesamtlänge der Extremität und dem Alter des Kindes. Der Behandler von Frakturen und Verletzungen des Kindes benötigt spezielle Kenntnisse über die Besonderheiten des wachsende Organs „Skelett“, muss aber auch über die Bedürfnisse des Kindes und seiner Bezugspersonen reflektieren können. Bestehen Ungereimtheiten hinsichtlich des Unfallmechanismus und der Verletzung, eine verzögerte Vorstellung nach Fraktur oder spezielle Frakturen, dann muss an eine Kindesmisshandlung gedacht werden. Es gilt, die Balance zu halten zwischen den Polen „bei Kindern wächst sich alles aus“ und der apodiktischen Entscheidung einer primären definitiven Versorgung, die überspannt in jedem Lebensalter zu einer operativen Versorgung führt.
Posttraumatische Fehlstellungen an der oberen Extremität im Kindesalter
Authors: Mörs Katharina , Frank Johannes , Sundermann Britta , Marzi Ingo
Published: November 2018

Korrekturbedürftige Fehlstellungen an der oberen Extremität sind bei Beachtung der Repositionskriterien und Osteosynthesetechniken im Kindesalter selten. Dennoch kann es durch posttraumatische Deformitäten, Fugenverletzungen, anhaltende Luxationen oder kaum sichtbare Biegungsbrüche zu erheblichen Funktionseinbußen kommen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die häufigsten korrekturbedürftigen Fehlstellungen an der oberen Extremität beim Kind und Jugendlichen und deren Behandlungsmöglichkeiten.
Wissen praktisch vermitteln – Praxisanleitung
Authors: Schaub Anette
Published: November 2018

Hört man das Wort „Praktikant“, denken viele sofort an ungelernte Hilfskräfte, die Kaffee kochen oder am Kopierer stehen. Die praktische Ausbildung von angehenden Therapeuten sollte aber mehr als das bieten. Anette Schaub erläutert drei Methoden, die Praxisanleitern dabei helfen, Lernende angemessen zu unterstützen und zu begleiten.
Efficacy of a paclitaxel-eluting biliary metal stent with sodium caprate in malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective randomized comparative study
Authors: Jang Sung Ill , Lee Kyu Taek , Choi Jung Sik , Jeong Seok , Lee Don Haeng , Kim Yong Tae , Lee Sang Hyub , Yu Jeong-Sik , Lee Dong Ki
Published: November 2018

Backgrounds The placement of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is widely used in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstructions, but SEMSs are susceptible to occlusion by tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. The efficacy and safety of a novel paclitaxel-eluting biliary metal stent incorporating sodium caprate (MSCPM-III) were compared prospectively with those of a covered metal stent (CMS) in patients with malignant biliary obstructions.

Methods Patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstructions (n = 106) were prospectively enrolled in this study at multiple treatment centers. Stents were placed endoscopically: MSCPM-III in 54 patients and CMS in 51 patients. The patients received systemic chemotherapy regimens according to their disease characteristics.

Results The two groups did not differ significantly in basic characteristics or mean follow-up period. Stent occlusion occurred in 14 patients who received MSCPM-III and in 11 patients who received CMS. Time to recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) and survival time did not differ significantly between the two groups (P  = 0.84 and P = 0.29, respectively). However, tumor size at 2 months after stent insertion was significantly decreased in patients in the MSCPM-III group with bile duct cancers or those who experienced stent migration compared with the CMS group. Complications, including cholangitis and pancreatitis, were found to be acceptable in both groups.

Conclusions Although compared with a CMS the MSCPM-III did not significantly influence time to RBO or survival duration in patients with malignant biliary obstructions, MSCPM-III reduced tumor volume and was used safely in humans.