bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serpent/dGATAb regulates Laminin B1 and Laminin B2 expression during Drosophila embryogenesis
Authors: Töpfer Uwe , Bischoff Maik C. , Bartkuhn Marek , Holz Anne
Published: November 2019

Transcriptional regulation of Laminin expression during embryogenesis is a key step required for proper ECM assembly. We show, that in Drosophila the Laminin B1 and Laminin B2 genes share expression patterns in mesodermal cells as well as in endodermal and ectodermal gut primordia, yolk and amnioserosa. In the absence of the GATA transcription factor Serpent, the spatial extend of Laminin reporter gene expression was strongly limited, indicating that Laminin expression in many tissues depends on Serpent activity. We demonstrate a direct binding of Serpent to the intronic enhancers of Laminin B1 and Laminin B2. In addition, ectopically expressed Serpent activated enhancer elements of Laminin B1 and Laminin B2. Our results reveal Serpent as an important regulator of Laminin expression across tissues.
Unveiling the electronic transformations in the semi-metallic correlated-electron transitional oxide Mo8O23
Authors: Nasretdinova V. , Gerasimenko Ya. A. , Mravlje J. , Gatti G. , Sutar P. , Svetin D. , Meden A. , Kabanov V. , Kuntsevich A. Yu. , Grioni M. , Mihailovic D.
Published: November 2019

Mo8O23is a low-dimensional chemically robust transition metal oxide coming from a prospective family of functional materials, MoO3−x, ranging from a wide gap insulator (x = 0) to a metal (x = 1). The large number of stoichometric compounds with intermediatexhave widely different properties. In Mo8O23, an unusual charge density wave transition has been suggested to occur above room temperature, but its low temperature behaviour is particularly enigmatic. We present a comprehensive experimental study of the electronic structure associated with various ordering phenomena in this compound, complemented by theory. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal a cross-over from a semi-metal with vanishing band overlap to narrow-gap semiconductor behaviour with decreasing temperature. A buried Dirac crossing at the zone boundary is confirmed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). Tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) reveals a gradual gap opening corresponding to a metal-to-insulator transition at 343 K in resistivity, consistent with CDW formation and DFT results, but with large non-thermal smearing of the spectra implying strong carrier scattering. At low temperatures, the CDW picture is negated by the observation of a metallic Hall contribution, a non-trivial gap structure in STS below ∼170 K and ARPES spectra, that together represent evidence for the onset of the correlated state at 70 K and the rapid increase of gap size below ∼30 K. The intricate interplay between electronic correlations and the presence of multiple narrow bands near the Fermi level set the stage for metastability and suggest suitability for memristor applications.
Dynamic Tuning of a Thin Film Electrocatalyst by Tensile Strain
Authors: Benson Eric E. , Ha Mai-Anh , Gregg Brian. A. , van de Lagemaat Jao , Neale Nathan R. , Svedruzic Drazenka
Published: November 2019

We report the ability to tune the catalytic activities for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by applying mechanical stress on a highly n-type doped rutile TiO2 films. We demonstrate through operando electrochemical experiments that the low HER activity of TiO2 can reversibly approach those of the state-of-the-art non-precious metal catalysts when the TiO2 is under tensile strain. At 3% tensile strain, the HER overpotential required to generate a current density of 1 mA/cm2 shifts anodically by 260 mV to give an onset potential of 125 mV, representing a drastic reduction in the kinetic overpotential. A similar albeit smaller cathodic shift in the OER overpotential is observed when tensile strain is applied to TiO2. Results suggest that significant improvements in HER and OER activities with tensile strain are due to an increase in concentration of surface active sites and a decrease in kinetic and thermodynamics barriers along the reaction pathway(s). Our results highlight that strain applied to TiO2 by precisely controlled and incrementally increasing (i.e. dynamic) tensile stress is an effective tool for dynamically tuning the electrocatalytic properties of HER and OER electrocatalysts relative to their activities under static conditions.
Biochemical characterisation of four rhamnosidases from thermophilic bacteria of the genera Thermotoga, Caldicellulosiruptor and Thermoclostridium
Authors: Baudrexl Melanie , Schwarz Wolfgang H. , Zverlov Vladimir V. , Liebl Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

Carbohydrate active enzymes are classified in databases based on sequence and structural similarity. However, their function can vary considerably within a similarity-based enzyme family, which makes biochemical characterisation indispensable to unravel their physiological role and to arrive at a meaningful annotation of the corresponding genes. In this study, we biochemically characterised the four related enzymes Tm_Ram106B, Tn_Ram106B, Cb_Ram106B and Ts_Ram106B from the thermophilic bacteria Thermotoga maritima MSB8, Thermotoga neapolitana Z2706-MC24, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii DSM 6725 and Thermoclostridium stercorarium DSM 8532, respectively, as α-l-rhamnosidases. Cobalt, nickel, manganese and magnesium ions stimulated while EDTA and EGTA inhibited all four enzymes. The kinetic parameters such as Km, Vmax and kcat were about average compared to other rhamnosidases. The enzymes were inhibited by rhamnose, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) between 5 mM and 8 mM. The α-l-rhamnosidases removed the terminal rhamnose moiety from the rutinoside in naringin, a natural flavonone glycoside. The Thermotoga sp. enzymes displayed the highest optimum temperatures and thermostabilities of all rhamnosidases reported to date. The four thermophilic and divalent ion-dependent rhamnosidases are the first biochemically characterised orthologous enzymes recently assigned to glycoside hydrolase family 106.
Therapeutic potential of peptides from Ole e 1 in olive-pollen allergy
Authors: Calzada David , Cremades-Jimeno Lucía , Pedro María Ángeles de , Baos Selene , Rial Manuel , Sastre Joaquín , Quiralte Joaquín , Florido Fernando , Lahoz Carlos , Cárdaba Blanca
Published: November 2019

Olive-pollen allergy is one of the leading causes of respiratory allergy in Mediterranean countries and some areas of North America. Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only etiophatogenic treatment. However, this approach is not fully optimal, safe, or effective. Thus, efforts continue in the search for novel immunotherapy strategies, being one of the most promising the use of peptides derived from major allergens. This work tries to determine the therapeutic potential and safety of 5 dodecapeptides derived from the main allergen of olive-pollen allergy, Ole e 1. The immunomodulatory capacity of these peptides was studied using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 19 olive-pollen-allergic patients and 10 healthy controls. We determined the capacity of these peptides to inhibit the proliferative response toward olive-pollen allergenic extract and to induce the regulatory cytokines, IL-10 and IL-35. To test the safety and absence of allergenicity of the peptides, the basophil activation was analyzed by flow-cytometry, using peripheral blood. The results showed that two of five peptides inhibited near to 30% the proliferative response against the total olive-pollen allergenic extract in olive-pollen-allergic patients. Inhibition increased to nearly 35% when the 5 peptides were used in combination. In both cases, a statistically significant induction of IL-10 and IL-35 secretion was observed in the supernatants of allergic patients PBMCs cultures. None of the 5 peptides induced basophil activation and cross-link inflammatory cell-bound IgE. In conclusion, these results open up new possibilities in the treatment of olive-pollen allergy, which could solve some of the problems facing current therapy approaches.
N-GlyDE: a two-stage N-linked glycosylation site prediction incorporating gapped dipeptides and pattern-based encoding
Authors: Pitti Thejkiran , Chen Ching-Tai , Lin Hsin-Nan , Choong Wai-Kok , Hsu Wen-Lian , Sung Ting-Yi
Published: November 2019

N-linked glycosylation is one of the predominant post-translational modifications involved in a number of biological functions. Since experimental characterization of glycosites is challenging, glycosite prediction is crucial. Several predictors have been made available and report high performance. Most of them evaluate their performance at every asparagine in protein sequences, not confined to asparagine in the N-X-S/T sequon. In this paper, we present N-GlyDE, a two-stage prediction tool trained on rigorously-constructed non-redundant datasets to predict N-linked glycosites in the human proteome. The first stage uses a protein similarity voting algorithm trained  on both glycoproteins and non-glycoproteins to predict a score for a protein to improve glycosite prediction. The second stage uses a support vector machine to predict N-linked glycosites by utilizing features of gapped dipeptides, pattern-based predicted surface accessibility, and predicted secondary structure. N-GlyDE’s final predictions are derived from a weight adjustment of the second-stage prediction results based on the first-stage prediction score. Evaluated on N-X-S/T sequons of an independent dataset comprised of 53 glycoproteins and 33 non-glycoproteins, N-GlyDE achieves an accuracy and MCC of 0.740 and 0.499, respectively, outperforming the compared tools. The N-GlyDE web server is available at http://bioapp.iis.sinica.edu.tw/N-GlyDE/.
Towards elucidating the radiochemistry of astatine – Behavior in chloroform
Authors: Aneheim Emma , Palm Stig , Jensen Holger , Ekberg Christian , Albertsson Per , Lindegren Sture
Published: November 2019

Targeted alpha therapy of disseminated cancer is an emerging technique where astatine-211 is one of the most promising candidate nuclides. Although astatine has been known for over 70 years, its chemistry is still largely unexplored, mainly due to the lack of stable or long-lived isotopes. However, substantial amounts of astatine-211 can be produced in cyclotrons by the bombardment of natural bismuth. The astatine can be recovered from the resulting irradiated target material through either wet extraction or dry-distillation. Chloroform has become an important intermediate solvent for the recovery of astatine after production, especially following dry distillation. In this work, the radiochemistry of astatine in chloroform was investigated using evaporation, solvent extraction, chromatographic methods and molecular modeling. The extraction of astatine in chloroform led to the formation of multiple astatine species, allowing for evaporation of the solvent to dryness without any loss of activity. Radiolysis products of chloroform were shown to play an important role in the speciation of astatine forming both reactive and kinetically stable compounds. It was hypothesized that reactions with chlorine, as well as trichloromethyl hydroperoxide, forming polar astatine compounds are important reactions under the current experimental conditions.
Superior properties in room-temperature colloidal-dot quantum emitters revealed by ultralow-dark-count detections of temporally-purified single photons
Authors: Ihara Toshiyuki , Miki Shigehito , Yamada Toshiki , Kaji Takahiro , Otomo Akira , Hosako Iwao , Terai Hirotaka
Published: November 2019

The realization of high-quality quantum emitters that can operate at room temperature is important for accelerating the application of quantum technologies, such as quantum communication, quantum information processing, and quantum metrology. In this work, we study the photon-antibunching properties on room-temperature emission from individual colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) using superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors and temporal filtering of the photoluminescence decay curve. We find that high single-photon purities and high photon-generation rates can be simultaneously achieved by removing the signals originating from the sequential two-photon emission of biexcitons created by multiple excitation pulses. We successfully demonstrate that the ultrahigh performance of the room-temperature single-photon sources showing g(2)(0) ≪ 10−2 can be confirmed by the ultralow-dark-count detection of the temporally purified single photons. These findings provide strong evidence for the attractiveness of CQDs as candidates for high-quality room-temperature quantum light sources.
Multi-symplectic integrator of the generalized KdV-type equation based on the variational principle
Authors: Wei Yi , Zhang Xing-Qiu , Shao Zhu-Yan , Gao Jian-Qiang , Yang Xiao-Feng
Published: November 2019

The variational principle is used to construct a multi-symplectic structure of the generalized KdV-type equation. Accordingly, the local energy conservation law, the local momentum conservation law, and the Cartan form of the generalized KdV-type equation are given. An explicit multi-symplectic scheme for the generalized KdV equation based on the Fourier pseudo-spectral method and the symplectic Euler scheme is constructed. Through a numerical examination, the explicit multi-symplectic Fourier pseudo-spectral scheme for the generalized KdV equation not only preserve the discrete global energy conservation law and the global momentum conservation law with high accuracy, but show long-time numerical stability as well.
Typeface Reveals Spatial Economical Patterns
Authors: Ma Ruixian , Wang Wei , Zhang Fan , Shim Kyuha , Ratti Carlo
Published: November 2019

Understanding the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of an urban region is vital for policy-making, urban management, and urban planning. Auditing socioeconomic and demographic patterns traditionally entails producing a large portion of data by human-participant surveys, which are usually costly and time consuming. Even with newly developed computational methods, amenity characteristics such as typeface, color, and graphic element choices are still missing at the city scale. However, they have a huge impact on personalized preferences. Currently, researchers tend to use large-scale street view imagery to uncover physical and socioeconomic patterns. In this research, we first propose a framework that uses deep convolutional neural network to recognize the typeface from street view imagery in London. Second, we analyze the relationship between 11 typefaces and the average household income in 77 wards of London. The result show that the typefaces used in the neighborhood are highly correlated with economic and demographic factors. Typeface could be an alternative metric to evaluate economic and demographic status in large-scale urban regions. More generally, typeface can also act as a key visual characteristic of a city.
Effects of modified aerobic training on muscle metabolism in individuals with peripheral arterial disease: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Monteiro Débora Pantuso , Ribeiro-Samora Giane Amorim , Britto Raquel Rodrigues , Pereira Danielle Aparecida Gomes
Published: November 2019

The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects on muscle metabolism of two types of aerobic training, with and without a load on the lower limbs, in adults with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A simple blind randomized clinical trial was conducted using two groups: conventional aerobic (CG) and modified aerobic with a load on the lower limbs (MG). Both groups underwent training by walking three times a week over a 12-week period. The ratings of muscle metabolism were determined after a treadmill test with constant velocity and inclination concomitant with the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Altogether 40 individuals with PAD (CG = 65.45 ± 10.60 and MG = 63.10 ± 10.54) were included in the study. After the intervention, in both groups, there was a reduction in the relative time to recovery (p = 0.002), an improvement in the re-oxygenation rate (p = 0.017), an increased time of resistance after reaching the lowest muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) (p < 0.001), an increase in the distance walked (p < 0.001), and an improvement of the walking economy relative to StO2 (p < 0.001). After 12 weeks of training, an improvement in the deoxygenation rate was observed in both groups (p = 0.002), but with a greater magnitude in the CG (p = 0.017). Only the CG presented an increase in time to reach the lowest StO2 on the treadmill after the intervention (p = 0.010). The traditional aerobic training was superior to the modified training in relation to the improvement of muscle metabolism in patients with PAD.
Unraveling oxidative stress response in the cestode parasite Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: Cancela Martín , Paes Jéssica A. , Moura Hercules , Barr John R. , Zaha Arnaldo , Ferreira Henrique B.
Published: November 2019

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is a worldwide neglected zoonotic disease caused byEchinococcus granulosus. The parasite is well adapted to its host by producing protective molecules that modulate host immune response. An unexplored issue associated with the parasite’s persistence in its host is how the organism can survive the oxidative stress resulting from parasite endogenous metabolism and host defenses. Here, we used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress inE. granulosusprotoescoleces (PSCs) to identify molecular pathways and antioxidant responses during H2O2exposure. Using proteomics, we identified 550 unique proteins; including 474 in H2O2-exposed PSCs (H-PSCs) samples and 515 in non-exposed PSCs (C-PSCs) samples. Larger amounts of antioxidant proteins, including GSTs and novel carbonyl detoxifying enzymes, such as aldo-keto reductase and carbonyl reductase, were detected after H2O2exposure. Increased concentrations of caspase-3 and cathepsin-D proteases and components of the 26S proteasome were also detected in H-PSCs. Reduction of lamin-B and other caspase-substrate, such as filamin, in H-PSCs suggested that molecular events related to early apoptosis were also induced. We present data that describe proteins expressed in response to oxidative stress in a metazoan parasite, including novel antioxidant enzymes and targets with potential application to treatment and prevention of CHD.
Wheat bran and oat hulls have dose-dependent effects on ad-libitum feed intake in pigs related to digesta hydration and colonic fermentation
Authors: Ratanpaul Vishal , Zhang Dagong , Williams Barbara A. , Diffey Simon , Black John L. , Gidley Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Undigested nutrients and fermentable fibre in the distal ileum and colon stimulate intestinal brakes, which reduce gastric-emptying and digesta-passage-rate, and subsequently limit feed/food-intake.
NanoMIP-based approach for the suppression of interference signals in electrochemical sensors
Authors: Rapini Riccardo , Canfarotta Francesco , Mazzotta Elisabetta , Malitesta Cosimino , Marrazza Giovanna , Piletsky Sergey , Piletska Elena
Published: November 2019

Herein, we describe the use of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) as sequestering (masking) agents, to suppress the signal coming from interfering molecules and facilitate the electrochemical detection of the target analyte.
Pyridine-hydrazone-controlled cyanide detection in aqueous media and solid-state: tuning the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorescence modulated by intramolecular NH⋯Br hydrogen bonding
Authors: Rao Caihui , Wang Zhichao , Li Zheyao , Chen Lu , Fu Chao , Zhu Tingting , Chen Xi , Wang Zhonghua , Liu Chuanxiang
Published: November 2019

A new efficient pyridine-hydrazone-substituted naphthalimide receptor 4a-E has been synthesized as a selective colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for cyanide sensing in aqueous environments through a unique ESIPT mechanism.
Simultaneous quantification of the CYP2D6 substrate yohimbine, its metabolite 11-OH-yohimbine, and the CYP2D6 inhibitor paroxetine in human plasma
Authors: Vay Manuela , Skopp Gisela , Mikus Gerd , Burhenne Jürgen
Published: November 2019

We developed and validated a human plasma LC-MS/MS assay according to FDA guidelines to determine the impact of the CYP2D6 inhibitor paroxetine on the pharmacokinetics of the assumed specific CYP2D6 substrate yohimbine.
A label-free small molecular hydrogel-based electrochemical immunosensor for ultrasensitive detection of deoxynivalenol
Authors: Peng Yu , Geng Lifang , Liu Xinyi , Liu Min , Wu Haoru , Li Jingjing
Published: November 2019

A guanosine-based small-molecular hydrogel is developed as a label-free electrochemical immunosensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of deoxynivalenol.
A Au@Pt bimetallic nanoparticle and blue silica nanoparticle nanocomposite as a probe of immunochromatographic assay for HBsAg detection
Authors: Liu Jing , Yu Qiongqiong , Zhao Guangying , Dou Wenchao
Published: November 2019

In this article, a sensitive, visual and quantitative immunochromatographic assay (ICA) is described by using a novel Au@Pt-nanoparticle-decorated blue-silica-nanoparticle nanocomposite (Au@Pt/blue SiNPs) as a reporter probe.
Cellulose nanocrystals decorated with gold nanoparticles immobilizing GOx enzyme for non-invasive biosensing of human salivary glucose
Authors: Saeed Ayman Ali , Abbas Mohammed Nooredeen , Singh Baljit , Abou-Zeid Ragab E. , Kamel Samir
Published: November 2019

A cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) material was converted into its dialdehyde before being decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through an aminothiophenol linker.
The synthesis of bottlebrush cellulose-graft-diblock copolymer elastomers via atom transfer radical polymerization utilizing a halide exchange technique
Authors: Zhang Juan , Wang Zhongkai , Wang Xuehui , Wang Zhigang
Published: November 2019

A novel kind of bottlebrush cellulose-graft-diblock copolymer elastomer (Cell-g-PBA-b-PMMA) was made with cellulose as the backbone chain and poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PBA-b-PMMA) as the diblock copolymer brushes.
Photo-uncaging of BODIPY oxime ester for histone deacetylases induced apoptosis in tumor cells
Authors: Sambath Karthik , Zhao Tinghan , Wan Zhaoxiong , Zhang Yuanwei
Published: November 2019

A new photo-uncaging platform to guide drug delivery with enhanced therapeutic effect.
Visible light-induced palladium-catalyzed ring opening β-H elimination and addition of cyclobutanone oxime esters
Authors: Xing Wei-Long , Shang Rui , Wang Guang-Zu , Fu Yao
Published: November 2019

A photo-excited Pd(0) complex activates cyclobutanone oxime esters to induce radical ring opening for the generation of products of β-H elimination and addition with silyl enol ether.
Highlights from Faraday Discussion 301: Nanolithography of Biointerfaces, London, UK, July 3–5 2019
Authors: Mahon Clare S. , Huang Mia L.
Published: November 2019

In this report, we will give an overview of the topics and discussions covered during the 2019 Faraday Discussion on the Nanolithography of Biointerfaces, and highlight the content of each session.
Rational design, crystal structures and sensing properties of a series of luminescent MOFs based on a flexible tetracarboxylate ligand and N-donor ligands
Authors: Chen Xiao-Li , Cui Hua-Li , Yang Hua , Wang Xiao , Liu Ling , Ren Yi-Xia , Wang Ji-Jiang
Published: November 2019

Six Zn/Cd MOFs were synthesized and characterized. 1–3 are 1D ring chains. 4–5 show 2D bilayer network. 6 possesses a 3D network structure. In particular, 2 demonstrates highly selective and sensitive luminescent sensor towards acetone and Fe3+ ion.
Structural relations in (1 : 1) and (2 : 1) cyanobenzene-ethylenedithio-TTF radical salts; the role of CN⋯H interactions
Authors: Lopes Gonçalo , Gama Vasco , Simão Dulce , Santos Isabel C. , Lopes Elsa B. , Pereira Laura C. J. , Almeida Manuel , Rabaça Sandra
Published: November 2019

Radical cation salts of 4-CNB-EDT-TTF presenting CN⋯H pairing interactions, semiconducting properties and chains of antiferromagnetically coupled donor dimers.
Hollow nanostructures of metal oxides as emerging electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Biswas Sudipta , Sharma Vikas , Mandal Debabrata , Chowdhury Ananya , Chakravarty Mayukh , Priya Surbhi , Gowda Chinmayee Chowde , De Puja , Singh Inderjeet , Chandra Amreesh
Published: November 2019

Comparative study of TMO based hollow and solid nanostructures for supercapacitor applications.
Thermodynamically stable and metastable coordination polymers synthesized from solution and the solid state
Authors: Neumann Tristan , Gallo Gianpiero , Jess Inke , Dinnebier Robert E. , Näther Christian
Published: November 2019

Different Fe(ii) and Cd(ii) thiocyanate coordination compounds with unusual topology including isomeric modifications were synthesized with 4-picoline and investigated in regard to their thermodynamic relations.
Dendronised Ni(ii) porphyrins as photoswitchable contrast agents for MRI
Authors: Dommaschk Marcel , Gröbner Jens , Wellm Vanessa , Hövener Jan-Bernd , Riedel Christian , Herges Rainer
Published: November 2019

On–off photoswitching of MRI contrast in water and gels with spatial resolution.
Site-selective-induced isomerization of formamide
Authors: Oberli S. , González-Vázquez J. , Rodríguez-Perelló E. , Sodupe M. , Martín F. , Picón A.
Published: November 2019

We theoretically demonstrate the possibility to site-selectively induce and track isomerization in formamide by using a femtosecond X-ray-pump/X-ray-probe scheme.
Theoretical study of the optical and thermodynamic properties of LaxSr1−xCo1−yFeyO3−δ (x/y = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) perovskites
Authors: Jia Ting , Ohodnicki Paul , Chorpening Benjamin , Lekse Jonathan , Hackett Gregory , Duan Yuhua
Published: November 2019

The performance of LaxSr1−xCo1−yFeyO3−δ perovskite systems in applications such as solid oxide fuel cells and catalysis is related to the proportion of substitution atoms.
Molecular motions, structure and hydration behaviour of glucose oligomers in aqueous solution
Authors: Arai Kengo , Shikata Toshiyuki
Published: November 2019

The presence of helical fragment configurations is confirmed for glucose oligomers in aqueous solution at temperatures lower than 40 °C.
Interactions between alloy elements and oxygen at the steel–liquid LBE interface determined from first-principles molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Ding Wenyi , Jiang Zhizhong , Xin Jingping , Zhang Min , Zheng Mingjie
Published: November 2019

Lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) alloy shows high potential for application in advanced nuclear systems such as lead-alloy-cooled fast reactors.
Molecular behaviour of phenol in zeolite Beta catalysts as a function of acid site presence: a quasielastic neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Hernandez-Tamargo Carlos , O'Malley Alexander , Silverwood Ian P. , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: November 2019

The dynamic behaviour of phenol in zeolite Beta is strongly influenced by the presence of Brønsted acid sites.
Synthesis and characterization of a new organic–inorganic hybrid ferroelectric: (C4H10N)6[InBr6][InBr4]3·H2O
Authors: Xin Wen-Bo , Xu Guan-Cheng , Li Min
Published: November 2019

Compound (C4H10N)6[InBr6][InBr4]3·H2O undergoes a paraelectric–ferroelectric phase transition at 232 K, which triggered by the disorder–order transition of Br atoms in [InBr4]− anions.
Assessing pharmaceutical removal and reduction in toxicity provided by advanced wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Angeles Luisa F. , Mullen Rachel A. , Huang Irvin J. , Wilson Christopher , Khunjar Wendell , Sirotkin Howard I. , McElroy Anne E. , Aga Diana S.
Published: November 2019

Despite large differences in removal efficiencies, all treatment processes investigated were sufficient in preventing short-term behavioral effects in zebrafish larvae.
The shell matters: one step synthesis of core–shell silicon nanoparticles with room temperature ultranarrow emission linewidth
Authors: Fucikova Anna , Sychugov Ilya , Linnros Jan
Published: November 2019

Here we present a one-step synthesis that provides silicon nanocrystals with a thin shell composed of a ceramic-like carbonyl based compound, embedded in a porous organosilicon film.
micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output
Authors: Longwell Scott A. , Fordyce Polly M.
Published: November 2019

MicrIO is a low-cost, open-source hardware and software solution for automated sample input/output, bridging the gap between microfluidic devices and standard multiwell plates.
A polyoxy group branched diazo dye as an alternative material for the fabrication of an electrochemical epinephrine sensor
Authors: Avcı Okan , Perk Benay , Ören Varol Tuğba , Tepeli Büyüksünetçi Yudum , Hakli Özgül , Anik Ülkü
Published: November 2019

A polyoxy group attached diazo dye on an electrode surface improved the voltammetric response of epinephrine.
Liquid infused surfaces with anti-icing properties
Authors: Wang Guowei , Guo Zhiguang
Published: November 2019

In this review, we detail the excellent anti-icing performance of liquid infused surfaces inspired fromNepenthes. These icephobic surfaces possess promising potential for applying to solve the serious trouble caused by ice formation on solid surfaces.
3D printing of polymeric materials based on photo-RAFT polymerization
Authors: Bagheri Ali , Engel Kyle Edward , Bainbridge Chris William Anderson , Xu Jiangtao , Boyer Cyrille , Jin Jianyong
Published: November 2019

For the first time, we report 3D printing of RAFT-based formulations to fabricate functional objects in a layer-by-layer fashion.
A wide-bandgap copolymer donor based on a phenanthridin-6(5H)-one unit
Authors: Wang Ju , Gao Yaxin , Xiao Zuo , Meng Xianyi , Zhang Lixiu , Liu Ling , Zuo Chuantian , Yang Shangfeng , Zou Yingping , Yang Junliang , Shi Shengwei , Ding Liming
Published: November 2019

An ultra-wide bandgap copolymer donor based on a phenanthridin-6(5H)-one unit offered an 8.54% PCE in nonfullerene organic solar cells.
Kinetic and spectroscopic responses of pH-sensitive nanoparticles: influence of the silica matrix
Authors: Clasen Anne , Wenderoth Sarah , Tavernaro Isabella , Fleddermann Jana , Kraegeloh Annette , Jung Gregor
Published: November 2019

Self-calibrating, fluorescent nanoparticles with diameter far below 50 nm are synthesized with embedding a new ratiometric and pH sensitive indicator dye. The prompt response of the fluorophore allows for determining the intracellular pH.
Strain-tunable magnetic anisotropy in two-dimensional Dirac half-metals: nickel trihalides
Authors: Li Zheng , Zhou Baozeng , Luan Chongbiao
Published: November 2019

Combining complete spin-polarization, high-speed conduction electrons, high TC, robust ferromagnetic state and strain-tunable magnetic anisotropy in the monolayer NiX3.
Novel stretchable thermochromic transparent heaters designed for smart window defroster applications by spray coating silver nanowire
Authors: Veeramuthu Loganathan , Chen Bo-Yu , Tsai Ching-Yi , Liang Fang-Cheng , Venkatesan Manikandan , Jiang Dai-Hua , Chen Chin-Wen , Cai Xingke , Kuo Chi-Ching
Published: November 2019

The as-designed heaters proved to be excellent candidates for employment in window defrosters, as they satisfy the essential prerequisites such as lower sheet resistance, high transparency, mechanical robustness and good stability to tensile strain.
Promoted dispersion and uniformity of active species on Fe–Ce–Al catalysts for efficient NO abatement
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Jiang Caojian , Wang Jia , Gui Keting , Thomas Hywel R.
Published: November 2019

Fe–Ce–Al catalysts were synthesized by the co-precipitation method (labeled as Fe–Ce–Al–P), co-impregnation method (Fe–Ce–Al–I), and direct mixing method (Fe–Ce–Al–M), respectively, and used for effective removal of NO.
Function of pathway specific regulators in the ACE1 and pyrichalasin H biosynthetic gene clusters
Authors: Hantke Verena , Wang Chongqing , Skellam Elizabeth J. , Cox Russell J.
Published: November 2019

Transcription factors from the biosynthesis of fungal metabolites were investigated by ectopic expression: pyiR from the pyrichalasin cluster enhanced titres of pyrichalasin H 1; but BC1 from the ACE1 cluster unexpectedly induced hinnulin A 4.
Birnessite-coated sand filled vertical flow constructed wetlands improved nutrients removal in a cold climate
Authors: Zhang Ning , Yang Yixiao , Huang Lihua , Xie Huijun , Hu Zhen
Published: November 2019

At low temperature, plants wither and microbial activities decrease, leading to a decline in the pollutant-treatment performance of constructed wetlands (CWs).
Recent advances in phenolic–protein conjugates: synthesis, characterization, biological activities and potential applications
Authors: Liu Jun , Yong Huimin , Yao Xiyu , Hu Huixia , Yun Dawei , Xiao Lixia
Published: November 2019

This review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, biological activities and potential applications of phenolic–protein conjugates.
Protein-based microsphere biolasers fabricated by dehydration
Authors: Nguyen Toan Van , Pham Nhat Van , Mai Hanh Hong , Duong Dung Chi , Le Hai Hoang , Sapienza Riccardo , Ta Van-Duong
Published: November 2019

We demonstrate dehydration as a very fast-processing and straightforward method for the mass production of high-quality protein-based microsphere biolasers.
Microscopic precursors of failure in soft matter
Authors: Cipelletti Luca , Martens Kirsten , Ramos Laurence
Published: November 2019

In analogy to a Dali-style clock that suddenly breaks under gravitational stress, soft matter under a mechanical load may exhibit delayed failure. We discuss recent works unveiling microscopic precursors of failure in amorphous soft solids.
Equip the hydrogel with armor: strong and super tough biomass reinforced hydrogels with excellent conductivity and anti-bacterial performance
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Liu Weifeng , Cai Junqi , Huang Jinhao , Qiu Xueqing
Published: November 2019

Inspired by the hard-shelled pangolins, a bionic hydrogel structure with hard nano silver armor and soft interior was fabricated with outstanding tensile strength and toughness, excellent electrical conductivity and good antibacterial properties.
Pt nanoparticles embedded in flowerlike NH2-UiO-68 for enhanced photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Guo Fan , Wei Yuan-Ping , Wang Shi-Qing , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Wang Fang-Ming , Sun Wei-Yin
Published: November 2019

The hybrid catalyst of NH2-UiO-68 with 2 wt% Pt nanoparticles exhibits the highest photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity under visible light irradiation.
Use of an Application to Verify Classroom Acoustic Recommendations for Children Who Are Hard of Hearing in a General Education Setting
Authors: Spratford Meredith , Walker Elizabeth A. , McCreery Ryan W.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Classrooms including children who are hard of hearing (CHH) may be modified to manage noise and reverberation and improve speech perception. Little is known about the acoustic characteristics of contemporary general education classrooms that include CHH compared to classrooms of typical peers. We proposed the following research questions about the acoustic environment of general education classrooms including CHH: (a) How reliable are acoustic measurements collected using an iOS device, application, and external microphone? (b) What proportion of classrooms meet the American National Standards Institute's standards for unoccupied noise levels and reverberation?

Method

A smartphone application was used to measure sound levels, reverberation, and clarity for 164 general education classrooms including CHH. Linear mixed models were used to examine the following: (a) reliability of acoustic measures made using an application and external microphone and (b) predictors of sound levels, reverberation, and clarity for elementary classrooms including CHH.

Results

Results indicate the application reliably measures classroom acoustics. Classrooms exceeded the American National Standards Institute's recommended noise levels, but met reverberation time guidelines. Grade; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning status; and room volume predicted classroom acoustics.

Conclusions

As a screening tool, the application was shown to be effective in reliably measuring reverberation and classroom noise levels. The high levels of noise in unoccupied classrooms indicate a need for increased use of noise abatement strategies and the use of remote-microphone systems, especially in classrooms where noise levels cannot feasibly be reduced. Using an application may be a cost-effective method for monitoring important acoustic features that impact children's ability to understand speech in the classroom.
Körperliches Training zur Demenzprävention
Authors: Theil Clara
Published: November 2019

Die Alzheimer-Demenz und andere Demenzerkrankungen stellen aufgrund der steigenden Prävalenzraten immer größer werdende Gesundheitsprobleme dar. Untersuchungen zeigen, dass sich eine hohe körperliche Fitness positiv auf die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit von Personen auswirkt. Körperliche Fitness kann nicht nur neuronale Prozesse stimulieren, sondern geht zudem mit einer guten Leistung in kognitiven Tests einher. Folglich ist es plausibel, dass sich körperliche Trainings zur Demenzprävention eignen. Aktuelle metaanalytische und längsschnittliche Befunde liefern Evidenz dafür, dass eine Kombination aus körperlichen und kognitiven Interventionen eher zur Aufrechterhaltung kognitiver Funktionen beiträgt, als eine ausschließliche Verbesserung der körperlichen Fitness.
Selbstwahrnehmung als Hilfsmittel zur Früherkennung der Alzheimer-Demenz
Authors: Adler Georg
Published: November 2019

Selbst wahrgenommene Gedächtnisstörungen oder kognitive Einschränkungen korrelieren mit den typischen neurobiologischen Veränderungen der Alzheimer-Krankheit und sind mit einem erhöhten Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Alzheimer-Demenz verbunden. Der individuelle Vorhersagewert solcher subjektiven kognitiven Störungen ist jedoch wegen zahlreicher konfundierender Faktoren wie Depression und Angst gering. Er lässt sich möglicherweise durch die Erhebung von kognitiven Blackouts mit einem geeigneten Fragebogen verbessern.
Bluttests für die Alzheimer-Erkrankung
Authors: Jessen Frank
Published: November 2019

Bislang stehen für die Darstellung der Pathologie der Alzheimer Krankheit beim Patienten Liquor- und Bildgebungsmarker zur Verfügung. Diese Methoden sind durch Invasivität bzw. Kosten limitiert. In jüngster Zeit ist es gelungen mit verschiedenen Technologie die Kernpathologie der Alzheimer Krankheit in Form des Aß1-42 bzw. der Ratio Aß1-42/Aß1-40 sowie des Tau-Proteins und des Neurofilament light chain (NFL) im Blut messbar zu machen. Aktuell handelt es sich noch um Ansätze der Forschung, es ist aber absehbar, dass diese Blutmarker in die klinische Praxis kommen werden. In dem Artikel werden aktuelle Studien zu blutbasierten Biomarkern vorgestellt, sowie zwei Initiativen, die sich mit den ethischen Implikationen der Anwendung von Alzheimer-Bluttests bei gesunden Personen beschäftigen.
Comparison of Two Autoimmune Dysglycemia Syndromes: Insulin
Autoimmune Syndrome (IAS) and Type B Insulin Resistance Syndrome
(B-IRS)
Authors: Yu Sui , Yang Guoqing , Dou Jingtao , Wang Baoan , Gu Weijun , Lv Zhaohui , Ba Jianming , Mu Yiming , Lu Juming
Published: November 2019

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) and type B insulin resistance syndrome (B-IRS)
are rare autoimmune dysglycemia syndromes, but their treatment and prognosis are
different. This study aimed to provide a basis for the clinical differential
diagnosis of IAS and B-IRS. This was a retrospective study of the medical
records of all patients diagnosed with IAS or B-IRS between January 2006 and
March 2018 at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Demographic, clinical,
biochemistry, treatment, and follow-up data were examined. There were several
different biochemical parameters between IAS (n=13) and B-IRS
(n=6): white blood count (WBC, 7.05±3.06 vs.
2.70±0.73×109/l, p=0.004),
platelet (249±56.6 vs.
111±68.0×109/l, p<0.001), serum
creatine (59.0±17.8 vs. 43.1±7.05 μmol/l,
p=0.013), serum albumin (42.3±5.17 vs. 33.6±3.40
g/l, p=0.002), triglyceride (median, 1.33 (1.01, 1.93) vs. 0.56
(0.50, 0.79) mmol/l, p=0.002), plasma IgG (1183±201 vs.
1832±469 mg/ml, p=0.018), IgA (328±140 vs.
469±150 mg/ml, p=0.018), and C3
(128±23.4 vs. 45.3±13.5 mg/l, p<0.001).
Fasting insulin in the IAS and B-IRS patients was high (299–4708 vs.
118–851 mU/l, p=0.106), and there was a
difference in 2 h oral glucose tolerance test insulin
(4217–8343 mU/l vs.
274–1143 mU/l, p=0.012). Glycated hemoglobin
(HbA1c) in the B-IRS patients was higher than in IAS patients (114±14.4.
vs. 40.6±8.89 mmol/mol, p<0.001). Serum
insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was lower in all B-IRS patients
(25±0.00 vs. 132±52.7 ng/ml, p<0.001).
Although IAS and B-IRS are autoimmune hyperinsulinemic dysglycemic syndromes,
several clinical parameters (body mass index, HbA1c, WBC, platelet, albumin,
triglyceride, IgG, C3, and IGF-1) are different between these two syndromes.
Intraoperative Use of Analgesics in Tonsillar Fossa and Postoperative Evaluation with Visual analogue Scale Scores—A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Junaid Montasir , Halim Muhammad Sohail , Onali Maisam Abbas Shiraz , Qadeer Sadaf , Khan Hareem Usman , Ali Naeem Sultan
Published: November 2019

Introduction Posttonsillectomy pain results in significant morbidity to the patients. There is a disagreement in the literature regarding the use of local anesthetics during tonsillectomy. The aim of this placebo-controlled, double-blind study is to evaluate the effect of peritonsillar administration of local anesthetics.

Objective To evaluate the role of intraoperative use of analgesics in tonsillar fossa and postoperative evaluation with visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in achieving pain relief after tonsillectomy procedure

Methods In this study, 180 patients were randomized to 1 of the 6 groups: bupivacaine infiltration, lidocaine infiltration, normal saline infiltration, bupivacaine packing, lidocaine packing, and normal saline packing. Pain caused by speaking, swallowing, and on rest was assessed using VAS at 4, 8, 12, 16 hours, and at discharge.

Results Significant analgesia was obtained in patients who received bupivacaine infiltration and packing compared with placebo (p < 0.05). The majority of the study subjects had no postoperative complications, and patients receiving bupivacaine infiltration required less additional analgesics in the first 24 hours after surgery.

Conclusion We advocate the use of bupivacaine infiltration or packing immediately following the procedure to achieve adequate postoperative analgesia.
Copper Aluminate Spinel in Click Chemistry: An Efficient Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst for the Highly Regioselective Synthesis of Triazoles in Water
Authors: Khalili Dariush , Kavoosi Leila , Khalafi-Nezhad Ali
Published: November 2019

An expeditious protocol for the one-pot synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted (β-hydroxy)-1,2,3-triazoles in an aqueous medium has been developed using copper aluminate nanoparticles. This heterogeneous catalytic system was found to drive a multicomponent click reaction between organic azides (generated in situ from epoxides or halides) and terminal aliphatic or aromatic alkynes in up to 96% yield without the need for a reducing agent. Structurally diverse 1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized in good to excellent yields, and the catalyst could be easily separated by simple filtration, recycled, and reused in six subsequent cycles.
Can Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Predict Various Levels of Echelon Nodes in Oral Cancers?
Authors: Rathod Ramya , Bakshi Jaimanti , Panda Naresh Kumar , Verma Roshan , Bhattacharya Anish , Bal Amanjit
Published: November 2019

Introduction The efficacy of sentinel node biopsy in early stage oral cancer is well established. Its evolving role can be reinforced by further studies.

Objective Analyzing the predictability of the levels of echelon nodes for various oral cavity tumor subsites on sentinel node biopsy.

Methods A prospective study of 20 patients with stage I/II oral squamous cell carcinoma who underwent sentinel node biopsy-guided neck dissection between January 2017 and 2018 at our institute. The procedure included radiotracer injection, imaging (lymphoscintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography), and gamma probe application. Sentinel node detection on imaging and gamma probe were compared.

Results Out of 20 patients, 13 (65%) had carcinoma of the tongue, 6 (30%) had buccal mucosa carcinoma, and 1 (5%) had retromolar trigone carcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 52.3 years. A total of 13 (65%) patients were male, and 7 (35%) were female. The sentinel node identification rates with imaging and gamma probe were of 70% and 100% respectively. In tongue and retromolar trigone primaries, the most common first-echelon nodes in both modalities were levels IIA and IB respectively. For buccal mucosa primaries, first-echelon nodes were detected only with the gamma probe, which was level IB. On imaging, second-echelon nodes were detected only for tongue primaries, and had equivalent incidence of levels II, III, and IV. On the gamma probe, level IIA, followed by III, and IV for the tongue, and level IIA were the most common second-echelon nodes for the buccal mucosa. Third-echelon nodes were detected only with the gamma probe for tongue carcinoma at level IV.

Conclusion The combined use of imaging and gamma probe provides the best results, with high identification rate and predictability of echelon levels.
Importance of Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Gain and Refixation Saccade Analysis in Individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sinha Sujeet Kumar , Neupane Anuj Kumar , Gururaj Krithika
Published: November 2019

Introduction Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) features the presence of otoacoustic emissions, poor speech identification score and absent auditory brainstem response.

Objective The present study was designed to evaluate the functioning of all six semicircular canals in individuals with ANSD and to compare it with those of normal-hearing individuals.

Methods A total of 50 individuals participated in the present study, in which Group I comprised 25 normal-hearing individuals, and Group II comprised 25 individuals with ANSD. All of the participants underwent case history, pure tone audiometry, immittance, otoacoustic emissions, auditory evoked response and video head impulse test (vHIT).

Results The independent sample t-test revealed significantly lower vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values in individuals with ANSD. A presence of 100% corrective refixation saccades was observed in the same group. The Pearson correlation test revealed no significant correlation between vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain with duration of hearing loss and pure tone thresholds for any of the three orthogonal planes. The chi-squared test revealed no association between the VOR gain values and the presence or absence of saccades in any of the semicircular canals (p > 0.05).

Conclusion Huge percentages of individuals with ANSD have been found to have associated vestibular dysfunction as well. Therefore, the vHIT can be used as one of the important tests of the vestibular test battery to evaluate all six semicircular canals in individuals with ANSD.