bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remarkable Improvement in Water Oxidation Catalysis by Moderate Heat Treatment of a Crystalline Silver‐Based Thin Film Developed In‐Situ From Silver‐ions in Acetate Solution
Authors: Majumder Samit , Haleem Ashraf Abdel , Nagaraju Perumandla , Naruta Yoshinori
Published: January 2018

Water oxidation is an important half‐reaction to achieve overall water splitting. Therefore, the development of efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation is an avenue to improve the competence of fuel generation technology. In this study, a crystalline silver‐based film (AgxO), electrodeposited in‐situ on FTO electrodes from a sodium acetate solution containing silver ions at pH ∼6, shows a remarkable improvement in the water oxidation catalysis after heat treatment at moderate temperature (100 °C). The morphology, nature and composition of the thin films were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies. The electrode, annealed at 100 °C, generates a sustain current density ∼2.25 mA•cm–2 for at least 12 h, which is almost two order of magnitude larger than the as‐deposited electrode in a sodium borate buffer solution of pH 9.2.
Catalyst Free Selective Monobenzoylation of Diols with Benzoyl Cyanide: A Robust and Regioselective Strategy
Authors: Waseem Malik Abdul , Lone Ali Mohd , Teli Bisma , Bhat Bilal A.
Published: January 2018

A general and robust strategy for regio‐ and chemoselective benzoylation of diols and polyols was developed under catalyst‐free reaction conditions. This approach is highly flexible in generating a diverse range of 1,2‐, 1,3‐, and 1,4‐monobenzoylated‐adducts in excellent yields without the involvement of expensive catalysts. Collectively, these results have implications in reducing the burden of cost and toxicity associated with the catalysts used in earlier methods.
Strategic Design and Utilization of Molecular Flexibility for Straddling the Application of Organic Superbases: A DFT Study
Authors: Singh Ajeet , Ojha Animesh K. , Jang Hyun Myung
Published: January 2018

The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for a series of new molecular frameworks that have potential to work as organic superbases. In the present report, we have exploited and strategically substituted 2 and 6 positions of the pyridine by a potential anchoring group, 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD). The value of proton affinities (PAs) of the molecular frameworks was calculated in the gas phase as well as in acetonitrile solution. The designed non‐ionic and neutral organic superbases were found to have higher basicity than that of the benchmarked molecule, 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)‐naphthalene (DMAN). The zero‐point vibrational energy (ZPVE) and PAs values were calculated for the designed molecular frameworks at B3LYP/6‐311+G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* level of theory. For compression, we have also performed the optimization of all the structures at M06‐2X/6‐311 +G**//M06‐2X/6‐31+G* level of theory. The molecular framework 9 has highest PAs values 1151.2 and 1246.3 kJ mol−1 in the gas phase and in acetonitrile solution, respectively at B3LYP/6‐311+G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* level of theory. The designed molecular frameworks have better flexibility, which enables it for selective extraction of the smaller to larger size molecules by varying the size of the cavity, as required for the various applications. In this context, we have explored the application of designed molecular frameworks for the selective extraction of UO22+ over VO2+.
Strategies for Stabilizing Atomically Dispersed Metal Catalysts
Authors: Qin Ruixuan , Liu Pengxin , Fu Gang , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: January 2018

Atomically dispersing metal atoms on supports provides an ideal strategy for maximizing metal utilization for catalysis, which is particularly important for fabricating cost‐effective catalysts based on Earth‐scarce metals. However, due to the high surface energy and thus instability of single atoms, it remains challenging to fabricate stable atomically dispersed metal catalysts. Here, strategies for stabilizing atomically dispersed metal catalysts on various supports are summarized. Based on strategies to enhance the interaction between the metal and the support to prevent the sintering of metal atoms, several approaches to stabilize supported atomically dispersed metal catalysts are then extensively discussed. To close, the importance of the interface species surrounding single atoms in determining the catalytic properties of atomically dispersed metal catalysts is discussed, together with a summary of the prospects for the development of the field.
Management and performance evaluation of DSR aggregator based on a bi‐level optimization model
Authors: Li Bosong , Jiang Chuanwen , Zhang Gao , He Yang
Published: January 2018

The vast potential of demand‐side resources (DSR)—including flexible loads and distributed energy resources—in the optimal operation of a power system is being increasingly recognized. Such potential can be fully realized through the access of a DSR aggregator to the power market. In this paper, a DSR aggregator is introduced for the collective management of DSRs in the power system. A bi‐level optimization model consisting of power market clearing and DSR aggregator internal scheduling is formulated and solved through stochastic programing. A thorough evaluation of the DSR aggregator's performance under three different operation modes, namely energy consumer mode, energy prosumer mode, and eco‐friendliness mode, is carried out to study its influence on system operation concerning social welfare, system purchase cost, carbon emission, and so on. Simulation results show that even though DSR acquires a segment of the market social welfare, it brings in benefits in economic and environmental operation of the system and contributes to DSR uncertainty alleviation. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Propel student‐veterans to degree with framework to articulate military credit
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2018

SAN DIEGO — If your institution is unable to successfully articulate your student‐veterans' military credit to course credit that applies to their degree, your students are losing time and money. That was the message from Danny Gourley, director of the Center for Adult Learners and Veterans at the University of West Georgia, during his presentation at the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning annual meeting on how UWG has successfully articulated military credit into credit for prior learning. “Elective credit does you no good; we want you to graduate,” Gourley said.
Focus on student needs when considering credit documentation
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2018

When Cathy Punchello‐Cobos started working in the Registrar's Office at Thomas Edison State University 23 years ago, the university had approximately 100 employees total. Now TESU serves more than 18,000 adult students worldwide.
Veno‐Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO) for Acute Respiratory Failure Following Injury: Outcomes in a High‐Volume Adult Trauma Center with a Dedicated Unit for VV ECMO
Authors: Menaker Jay , Tesoriero Ronald B. , Tabatabai Ali , Rabinowitz Ronald P. , Cornachione Christopher , Lonergan Terence , Dolly Katelyn , Rector Raymond , O’Connor James V. , Stein Deborah M. , Scalea Thomas M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

The use of veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) has increased over the past decade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes in adult trauma patients requiring VV ECMO.

Methods

Data were collected on adult trauma patients admitted between January 1, 2015, and November 1, 2016. Demographics, injury‐specific data, ECMO data, and survival to discharge were recorded. Medians [interquartile range (IQR)] were reported. A p value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Eighteen patients required VV ECMO during the study period. Median age was 28.5 years (IQR 24–43). Median injury severity score (ISS) was 27 (IQR 21–41); median PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) prior to ECMO cannulation was 61 (IQR 50–70). Median time from injury to cannulation was 3 (IQR 0–6) days. Median duration of ECMO was 266 (IQR 177–379) hours. Survival to discharge was 78%. Survivors had a significantly higher ISS (p = 0.03), longer intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) (p < 0.0004), hospital LOS (p < 0.000004), and time on the ventilator (p < 0.0003). Median time of injury to cannulation was significantly longer in patients who survived to discharge (p = 0.01). There was no difference in P/F ratio prior to cannulation (p = ns).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated improved outcome of patients requiring VV ECMO following injury compared to historical data. Although shorter time from injury to cannulation for VV ECMO was associated with death, select patients who meet criteria for VV ECMO early following injury should be referred/transferred to a tertiary care facility that specializes in trauma and ECMO care.
Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in Child Abuse and Neglect Research within the Child Welfare System in Australia
Authors: Hameed Mohajer Abbass
Published: January 2018

Child abuse and neglect is a preventable public health issue, yet a complex global phenomenon with considerable adverse impacts on children, families, health and social services, as well as the Australian community. Despite the widespread adverse impact of child abuse and neglect, the research in this field within Australian child welfare systems is relatively scarce. What is needed is to understand the various challenges, barriers and limitations that face child abuse and neglect researchers and impede methodologically rigorous research within child welfare systems in Australia. This paper provides a brief overview of the key methodological limitations, barriers and challenges, as well as the strengths of the research methods used in studying child abuse and neglect. This paper also explores the potential gains from adopting a national translational research framework. Innovative translation of research and knowledge into effective care system responses and evidence-based practices for children remains a pressing issue. Further advances in Australian research and the evidence base will require substantial investment in research and evaluation activities, with a new emphasis on translational research and active collaboration between researchers and practitioners. Finally, this paper concludes with key recommendations and directions for future Australian-based research with the ultimate goal of improving practices and policies.
Observing network characteristics in mass collaboration design projects
Authors: Ball Zachary , Lewis Kemper
Published: January 2018

Mass collaboration efforts can increase innovation and design possibilities. Incorporation of open innovation into the product development process allows for a vast array of unique perspectives and ideas. However, with the broad expansion of design possibilities, coordination of these development processes is paramount. To best make use of open innovation in product development, increased organizational efforts must be considered. The mass collaboration of individuals must account for individual intellectual abilities (competencies), working experience and even personality traits or idiosyncrasies. Approaches to this problem require the fusion of social network analysis with quantifiable design impacts. This work proposes a simulation framework that evaluates the design potential of a project team based on individual attributes and the team network structure. The overall contribution of this work comes from the exploration of team structure, focusing on network composition metrics such as centrality and network density, while attempting to understand the role of individual ability and positioning on the success of the design process. This work aims to garner a more thorough understanding of how the network structure of design teams correlates with their potential performance through a generalized simulation framework, applicable to future crowd and design initiatives.
Hurricane Katrina's Families and Children: Before, during and after the Deluge
Authors: IVERSEN ROBERTA REHNER
Published: January 2018

Left to Chance: Hurricane Katrina and the Story of Two New Orleans Neighborhoods and Children of Katrina are two titles in an important University of Texas Press series called the Katrina Bookshelf. Series editor Kai Erikson is well known for his seminal book Everything in Its Path: Destruction of Community in the Buffalo Creek Flood (1976), about the Buffalo Creek flood disaster on 26 February 1972 in which over 132 million US gallons of black waste water broke through three dams and virtually wiped out sixteen coal towns in West Virginia, demolishing (as Erikson's book title indicates) everything in its path. Similarly, and with the same aim as Everything in Its Path of combining broadly relevant findings with the particulars that inhere to every catastrophe, these books in the Katrina Bookshelf series of five (to date) focus on how families in two particular New Orleans neighborhoods (Left to Chance) and on how children and youth in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast (Children of Katrina) navigated and negotiated their lives before and after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Louisiana on 29 August 2005. Both books, then, track how people and neighborhoods were impacted during the hurricane, immediately afterward, and up to seven years after the floodwaters receded. Valuably for future policy and prevention efforts, the stance in both books is the continuous juxtaposition of individual and structural influences on disaster outcomes.
Hidden Archives: Revealing Untold Stories
Authors: POWELL KATRINA M.
Published: January 2018

Archives are power-laden spaces. For Foucault, the archive is “the first law of what can be said, the system that governs the appearance of statements as unique events.” In this way, the archive is not merely a neutral repository. It is a system governed by those who have the power to choose what gets archived and therefore produce meaning through that discursive formation.
The Mid-Victorian Revolution in Wesleyan Methodist Home Mission
Authors: BEBBINGTON DAVID W.
Published: January 2018

Wesleyan Methodists in Victorian Britain are supposed to have been hampered by traditional methods of mission. From the 1850s onwards, however, they launched a strategy of appointing home missionary ministers. Although Wesleyans adopted no new theology, left structures unchanged and still relied on wealthy laymen, they developed fresh work in cities, employed paid lay agents, used women more and recruited children as fundraisers. Organised missions, temperance activity and military chaplaincies bolstered their impact. District Missionaries and Connexional Evangelists were appointed and, in opposition to ritualist clergy, Wesleyans increasingly saw themselves as Nonconformists. They experienced a quiet revolution in home mission.
The Indispensable Indian: Edwin Forrest, Pushmataha, andMetamora
Authors: Hughes Bethany
Published: January 2018

Edwin Forrest, then a not-yet-famous actor, spent the summer of 1825 living in the greater New Orleans area among the Choctaw. It has been alleged that he spent these months with his friend Choctaw chief Pushmataha. From this relationship, Forrest learned how to play “Indian,” acquiring knowledge that informed his later interpretation of the title character in John August Stone's 1829 playMetamora; or, The Last of the Wampanoags. Accounts of Forrest's time with Pushmataha appear in biographies of the actor and critical assessments of his acting. In none of these texts is the fact of their relationship disputed.
Emotionsregulation bei ADHS – kardiovagale Kontrolle als Biomarker?
Authors: Chavanon Mira-Lynn , Riechmann Elke , Sattler Frank A. , Priester Simon , Albrecht Björn , Kis Bernhard , Christiansen Hanna
Published: January 2018

Zusammenfassung. In den letzten Jahren wurden die kardiovagale Kontrolle und die damit assoziierten Indizes der vagal-mediierten Herzratenvariabilität als Biomarker der physiologischen und emotionalen Aktiviertheit sowie der Emotionsregulation herausgestellt. Gerade Patienten mit einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) weisen in diesen emotionalen Facetten häufig Schwierigkeiten auf, sodass das Ziel der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit ist, die physiologische Ebene der emotionalen Reaktivität und Emotionsregulation am Beispiel der vagal-mediierten Herzratenvariabilität systematisch für Patienten mit ADHS zusammenzufassen. In einer Literaturrecherche konnten sieben Arbeiten (k = 5 mit Kindern und Jugendlichen; k = 2 mit Erwachsenen) identifiziert werden. Während die Studien für das Erwachsenenalter keine eindeutigen Schlüsse zulassen, weisen die Ergebnisse für das Kindes- und Jugendalter darauf hin, dass die Psychophysiologie einen Beitrag zur Identifizierung von Mechanismen der emotionalen Reaktivität und Emotionsregulation bei ADHS leisten könnte. Die größte Studie in diesem Bereich weist unterscheidbare Patientencluster mit differentiellen kardiovaskulären Profilen der Emotionsreaktivität und -regulation aus. Diese physiologische Heterogenität birgt – wenn sie sich als robust erweist – das Potential für die Entwicklung neuer Behandlungsansätze sowie für die Verbesserung bei der Zuweisung zu bestehenden Interventionen.
Das Trauma aus zweiter Hand
Authors: Reichel Anja Maria
Published: January 2018

Zusammenfassung. In der psychiatrischen Pflege stellt sich immer wieder die Frage nach sekundären Traumatisierungen für die helfenden Personen. Die Studie von Rixe und Luderer (2017) geht dem Phänomen auf den Grund und wird hier vorgestellt.
Lebensqualität psychisch erkrankter pflegebedürftiger betagter Menschen im Pflegeheim
Authors: Egger Andreas , Hahn Sabine
Published: January 2018

Zusammenfassung. Chronisch psychisch kranke Betagte benötigen wegen ihren psychiatrischen Verhaltensauffälligkeiten eine spezialisierte Alterspflege. Bewohnende eines spezialisierten Wohnbereichs wurden ein Jahr nach der Eröffnung nach ihrer Lebensqualität befragt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine Betreuung durch spezialisiertes Personal, mit geringfügig erhöhtem Personalschlüssel und spezifischen baulichen Maßnahmen zu einer durch die Betroffenen als gut beurteilten Pflege- und Lebensqualität führt.
Long-acting injectable atovaquone nanomedicines for malaria prophylaxis
Authors: Bakshi Rahul P. , Tatham Lee M. , Savage Alison C. , Tripathi Abhai K. , Mlambo Godfree , Ippolito Matthew M. , Nenortas Elizabeth , Rannard Steve P. , Owen Andrew , Shapiro Theresa A.
Published: January 2018

Chemoprophylaxis is currently the best available prevention from malaria, but its efficacy is compromised by non-adherence to medication. Here we develop a long-acting injectable formulation of atovaquone solid drug nanoparticles that confers long-lived prophylaxis againstPlasmodium bergheiANKA malaria in C57BL/6 mice. Protection is obtained at plasma concentrations above 200 ng ml-1and is causal, attributable to drug activity against liver stage parasites. Parasites that appear after subtherapeutic doses remain atovaquone-sensitive. Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic analysis indicates protection can translate to humans at clinically achievable and safe drug concentrations, potentially offering protection for at least 1 month after a single administration. These findings support the use of long-acting injectable formulations as a new approach for malaria prophylaxis in travellers and for malaria control in the field.
Southern Ocean warming and Wilkes Land ice sheet retreat during the mid-Miocene
Authors: Sangiorgi Francesca , Bijl Peter K. , Passchier Sandra , Salzmann Ulrich , Schouten Stefan , McKay Robert , Cody Rosemary D. , Pross Jörg , van de Flierdt Tina , Bohaty Steven M. , Levy Richard , Williams Trevor , Escutia Carlota , Brinkhuis Henk
Published: January 2018

Observations and model experiments highlight the importance of ocean heat in forcing ice sheet retreat during the present and geological past, but past ocean temperature data are virtually missing in ice sheet proximal locations. Here we document paleoceanographic conditions and the (in)stability of the Wilkes Land subglacial basin (East Antarctica) during the mid-Miocene (~17–13.4 million years ago) by studying sediment cores from offshore Adélie Coast. Inland retreat of the ice sheet, temperate vegetation, and warm oligotrophic waters characterise the mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO; 17–14.8 Ma). After the MCO, expansion of a marine-based ice sheet occurs, but remains sensitive to melting upon episodic warm water incursions. Our results suggest that the mid-Miocene latitudinal temperature gradient across the Southern Ocean never resembled that of the present day. We demonstrate that a strong coupling of oceanic climate and Antarctic continental conditions existed and that the East Antarctic subglacial basins were highly sensitive to ocean warming.
Engineering the vibrational coherence of vision into a synthetic molecular device
Authors: Gueye Moussa , Manathunga Madushanka , Agathangelou Damianos , Orozco Yoelvis , Paolino Marco , Fusi Stefania , Haacke Stefan , Olivucci Massimo , Léonard Jérémie
Published: January 2018

The light-induced double-bond isomerization of the visual pigment rhodopsin operates a molecular-level optomechanical energy transduction, which triggers a crucial protein structure change. In fact, rhodopsin isomerization occurs according to a unique, ultrafast mechanism that preserves mode-specific vibrational coherence all the way from the reactant excited state to the primary photoproduct ground state. The engineering of such an energy-funnelling function in synthetic compounds would pave the way towards biomimetic molecular machines capable of achieving optimum light-to-mechanical energy conversion. Here we use resonance and off-resonance vibrational coherence spectroscopy to demonstrate that a rhodopsin-like isomerization operates in a biomimetic molecular switch in solution. Furthermore, by using quantum chemical simulations, we show why the observed coherent nuclear motion critically depends on minor chemical modifications capable to induce specific geometric and electronic effects. This finding provides a strategy for engineering vibrationally coherent motions in other synthetic systems.
Quasi-continuous transition from a Fermi liquid to a spin liquid in κ-(ET)2Cu2(CN)3
Authors: Furukawa Tetsuya , Kobashi Kazuhiko , Kurosaki Yosuke , Miyagawa Kazuya , Kanoda Kazushi
Published: January 2018

The Mott metal-insulator transition—a manifestation of Coulomb interactions among electrons—is known as a discontinuous transition. Recent theoretical studies, however, suggest that the transition is continuous if the Mott insulator carries a spin liquid with a spinon Fermi surface. Here, we demonstrate the case of a quasi-continuous Mott transition from a Fermi liquid to a spin liquid in an organic triangular-lattice system κ-(ET)2Cu2(CN)3. Transport experiments performed under fine pressure tuning have found that as the Mott transition is approached, the Fermi liquid coherence temperature continuously falls to the scale of kelvins, with a divergent quasi-particle decay rate on the metal side, and the charge gap continuously closes on the insulator side. A Clausius-Clapeyron analysis provides thermodynamic evidence for the extremely weak first-order nature of the transition. These results provide additional support for the existence of a spinon Fermi surface, which becomes an electron Fermi surface when charges are delocalized.
Pharmacogenetic stimulation of neuronal activity increases myelination in an axon-specific manner
Authors: Mitew Stanislaw , Gobius Ilan , Fenlon Laura R. , McDougall Stuart J. , Hawkes David , Xing Yao Lulu , Bujalka Helena , Gundlach Andrew L. , Richards Linda J. , Kilpatrick Trevor J. , Merson Tobias D. , Emery Ben
Published: January 2018

Mounting evidence suggests that neuronal activity influences myelination, potentially allowing for experience-driven modulation of neural circuitry. The degree to which neuronal activity is capable of regulating myelination at the individual axon level is unclear. Here we demonstrate that stimulation of somatosensory axons in the mouse brain increases proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) within the underlying white matter. Stimulated axons display an increased probability of being myelinated compared to neighboring non-stimulated axons, in addition to being ensheathed with thicker myelin. Conversely, attenuating neuronal firing reduces axonal myelination in a selective activity-dependent manner. Our findings reveal that the process of selecting axons for myelination is strongly influenced by the relative activity of individual axons within a population. These observed cellular changes are consistent with the emerging concept that adaptive myelination is a key mechanism for the fine-tuning of neuronal circuitry in the mammalian CNS.
Heuristic and optimal policy computations in the human brain during sequential decision-making
Authors: Korn Christoph W. , Bach Dominik R.
Published: January 2018

Optimal decisions across extended time horizons require value calculations over multiple probabilistic future states. Humans may circumvent such complex computations by resorting to easy-to-compute heuristics that approximate optimal solutions. To probe the potential interplay between heuristic and optimal computations, we develop a novel sequential decision-making task, framed as virtual foraging in which participants have to avoid virtual starvation. Rewards depend only on final outcomes over five-trial blocks, necessitating planning over five sequential decisions and probabilistic outcomes. Here, we report model comparisons demonstrating that participants primarily rely on the best available heuristic but also use the normatively optimal policy. FMRI signals in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) relate to heuristic and optimal policies and associated choice uncertainties. Crucially, reaction times and dorsal MPFC activity scale with discrepancies between heuristic and optimal policies. Thus, sequential decision-making in humans may emerge from integration between heuristic and optimal policies, implemented by controllers in MPFC.
Stress-dependent miR-980 regulation of Rbfox1/A2bp1 promotes ribonucleoprotein granule formation and cell survival
Authors: Kucherenko Mariya M. , Shcherbata Halyna R.
Published: January 2018

Upon stress, profound post-transcriptional adjustments of gene expression occur in spatially restricted, subcellular, membraneless compartments, or ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, which are formed by liquid phase separation of RNA-binding proteins with low complexity sequence domains (LCDs). Here, we show that Rbfox1 is an LCD-containing protein that aggregates into liquid droplets and amyloid-like fibers and promiscuously joins different nuclear and cytoplasmic RNP granules. Using Drosophila oogenesis as an in vivo system for stress response, we demonstrate a mechanism by which Rbfox1 promotes cell survival. The stress-dependent miRNA miR-980 acts to buffer Rbfox1 levels, since it targets only those Rbfox1 transcripts that contain extended 3′UTRs. Reduced miR-980 expression during stress leads to increased Rbfox1 levels, widespread formation of various RNP granules, and increased cell viability. We show that human RBFOX proteins also contain multiple LCDs and form membraneless compartments, suggesting that the RNP granule-linked control of cellular adaptive responses may contribute to a wide range of RBFOX-associated pathologies in humans.
Simple and cost-effective method of highly conductive and elastic carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane composite for wearable electronics
Authors: Kim Jeong Hun , Hwang Ji-Young , Hwang Ha Ryeon , Kim Han Seop , Lee Joong Hoon , Seo Jae-Won , Shin Ueon Sang , Lee Sang-Hoon
Published: January 2018

The development of various flexible and stretchable materials has attracted interest for promising applications in biomedical engineering and electronics industries. This interest in wearable electronics, stretchable circuits, and flexible displays has created a demand for stable, easily manufactured, and cheap materials. However, the construction of flexible and elastic electronics, on which commercial electronic components can be mounted through simple and cost-effective processing, remains challenging. We have developed a nanocomposite of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. To achieve uniform distributions of CNTs within the polymer, an optimized dispersion process was developed using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and methyl-terminated PDMS in combination with ultrasonication. After vaporizing the IPA, various shapes and sizes can be easily created with the nanocomposite, depending on the mold. The material provides high flexibility, elasticity, and electrical conductivity without requiring a sandwich structure. It is also biocompatible and mechanically stable, as demonstrated by cytotoxicity assays and cyclic strain tests (over 10,000 times). We demonstrate the potential for the healthcare field through strain sensor, flexible electric circuits, and biopotential measurements such as EEG, ECG, and EMG. This simple and cost-effective fabrication method for CNT/PDMS composites provides a promising process and material for various applications of wearable electronics.
Evolutionary analyses of myosin genes in trypanosomatids show a history of expansion, secondary losses and neofunctionalization
Authors: de Souza Denise Andréa Silva , Pavoni Daniela Parada , Krieger Marco Aurélio , Ludwig Adriana
Published: January 2018

Myosins are motor proteins that comprise a large and diversified family important for a broad range of functions. Two myosin classes, I and XIII, were previously assigned in Trypanosomatids, based mainly on the studies of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei and Leishmania major, and important human pathogenic species; seven orphan myosins were identified in T. cruzi. Our results show that the great variety of T. cruzi myosins is also present in some closely related species and in Bodo saltans, a member of an early divergent branch of Kinetoplastida. Therefore, these myosins should no longer be considered “orphans”. We proposed the classification of a kinetoplastid-specific myosin group into a new class, XXXVI. Moreover, our phylogenetic data suggest that a great repertoire of myosin genes was present in the last common ancestor of trypanosomatids and B. saltans, mainly resulting from several gene duplications. These genes have since been predominantly maintained in synteny in some species, and secondary losses explain the current distribution. We also found two interesting genes that were clearly derived from myosin genes, demonstrating that possible redundant or useless genes, instead of simply being lost, can serve as raw material for the evolution of new genes and functions.
Mice use robust and common strategies to discriminate natural scenes
Authors: Yu Yiyi , Hira Riichiro , Stirman Jeffrey N. , Yu Waylin , Smith Ikuko T. , Smith Spencer L.
Published: January 2018

Mice use vision to navigate and avoid predators in natural environments. However, their visual systems are compact compared to other mammals, and it is unclear how well mice can discriminate ethologically relevant scenes. Here, we examined natural scene discrimination in mice using an automated touch-screen system. We estimated the discrimination difficulty using the computational metric structural similarity (SSIM), and constructed psychometric curves. However, the performance of each mouse was better predicted by the mean performance of other mice than SSIM. This high inter-mouse agreement indicates that mice use common and robust strategies to discriminate natural scenes. We tested several other image metrics to find an alternative to SSIM for predicting discrimination performance. We found that a simple, primary visual cortex (V1)-inspired model predicted mouse performance with fidelity approaching the inter-mouse agreement. The model involved convolving the images with Gabor filters, and its performance varied with the orientation of the Gabor filter. This orientation dependence was driven by the stimuli, rather than an innate biological feature. Together, these results indicate that mice are adept at discriminating natural scenes, and their performance is well predicted by simple models of V1 processing.
Role of helical edge modes in the chiral quantum anomalous Hall state
Authors: Mani Arjun , Benjamin Colin
Published: January 2018

Although indications are that a single chiral quantum anomalous Hall(QAH) edge mode might have been experimentally detected. There have been very many recent experiments which conjecture that a chiral QAH edge mode always materializes along with a pair of quasi-helical quantum spin Hall (QSH) edge modes. In this work we deal with a substantial ‘What If?’ question- in case the QSH edge modes, from which these QAH edge modes evolve, are not topologically-protected then the QAH edge modes wont be topologically-protected too and thus unfit for use in any applications. Further, as a corollary one can also ask if the topological-protection of QSH edge modes does not carry over during the evolution process to QAH edge modes then again our ‘What if?’ scenario becomes apparent. The ‘how’ of the resolution of this ‘What if?’ conundrum is the main objective of our work. We show in similar set-ups affected by disorder and inelastic scattering, transport via trivial QAH edge mode leads to quantization of Hall resistance and not that via topological QAH edge modes. This perhaps begs a substantial reinterpretation of those experiments which purported to find signatures of chiral(topological) QAH edge modes albeit in conjunction with quasi helical QSH edge modes.
Ex Vivo Tracer Efficacy in Optical Imaging of Staphylococcus Aureus Nuclease Activity
Authors: Rosman Colin W. K. , Romero Pastrana Francisco , Buist Girbe , Heuker Marjolein , van Oosten Marleen , McNamara James O. , van Dam Gooitzen M. , van Dijl Jan Maarten
Published: January 2018

The key to effective treatment of bacterial infections is a swift and reliable diagnosis. Current clinical standards of bacterial diagnosis are slow and laborious. There are several anatomical imaging modalities that can detect inflammation, but none can distinguish between bacterial and sterile inflammation. Novel tracers such as smart activatable fluorescent probes represent a promising development that allow fast and specific testing without the use of ionizing radiation. Previously, a smart activatable probe was developed that is a substrate for the micrococcal nuclease as produced by Staphylococcus aureus. In the present study, the function of this probe was validated. Practical applicability in terms of sensitivity was assessed by incubation of the probe with 26 clinical S. aureus isolates, and probe specificity was verified by incubation with 30 clinical isolates and laboratory strains of various bacterial pathogens. The results show that the nuclease-specific probe was activated by all tested S. aureus isolates and laboratory strains with a threshold of ~106–107 cells/mL. The probe was also activated by certain opportunistic staphylococci. We therefore propose that the studied nuclease probe represents a significant step forward to address the need for a rapid, practical, and precise method to detect infections caused by S. aureus.
Design of novel materials for additive manufacturing - Isotropic microstructure and high defect tolerance
Authors: Günther J. , Brenne F. , Droste M. , Wendler M. , Volkova O. , Biermann H. , Niendorf T.
Published: January 2018

Electron Beam Melting (EBM) is a powder-bed additive manufacturing technology enabling the production of complex metallic parts with generally good mechanical properties. However, the performance of powder-bed based additively manufactured materials is governed by multiple factors that are difficult to control. Alloys that solidify in cubic crystal structures are usually affected by strong anisotropy due to the formation of columnar grains of preferred orientation. Moreover, processing induced defects and porosity detrimentally influence static and cyclic mechanical properties. The current study presents results on processing of a metastable austenitic CrMnNi steel by EBM. Due to multiple phase transformations induced by intrinsic heat-treatment in the layer-wise EBM process the material develops a fine-grained microstructure almost without a preferred crystallographic grain orientation. The deformation-induced phase transformation yields high damage tolerance and, thus, excellent mechanical properties less sensitive to process-induced inhomogeneities. Various scan strategies were applied to evaluate the width of an appropriate process window in terms of microstructure evolution, porosity and change of chemical composition.
Nitrogen cycling during secondary succession in Atlantic Forest of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Winbourne Joy B. , Feng Aida , Reynolds Lovinia , Piotto Daniel , Hastings Meredith G. , Porder Stephen
Published: January 2018

Carbon accumulation in tropical secondary forests may be limited in part by nitrogen (N) availability, but changes in N during tropical forest succession have rarely been quantified. We explored N cycle dynamics across a chronosequence of secondary tropical forests in the Mata Atlântica of Bahia, Brazil in order to understand how quickly the N cycle recuperates. We hypothesized that N fixation would decline over the course of succession as N availability and N gaseous losses increased. We measured N fixation, KCl-extractable N, net mineralization and nitrification, resin-strip sorbed N, gaseous N emissions and the soil δ15N in stands that were 20, 35, 50, and > 50 years old. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, we found no significant differences between stand ages in any measured variable. Our findings suggest that secondary forests in this region of the Atlantic forest reached pre-disturbance N cycling dynamics after just 20 years of succession. This result contrasts with previous study in the Amazon, where the N cycle recovered slowly after abandonment from pasture reaching pre-disturbance N cycling levels after ~50 years of succession. Our results suggest the pace of the N cycle, and perhaps tropical secondary forest, recovery, may vary regionally.
Optimized Spintronic Terahertz Emitters Based on Epitaxial Grown Fe/Pt Layer Structures
Authors: Torosyan Garik , Keller Sascha , Scheuer Laura , Beigang René , Papaioannou Evangelos Th.
Published: January 2018

We report on generation of pulsed broadband terahertz radiation utilizing the inverse spin hall effect in Fe/Pt bilayers on MgO and sapphire substrates. The emitter was optimized with respect to layer thickness, growth parameters, substrates and geometrical arrangement. The experimentally determined optimum layer thicknesses were in qualitative agreement with simulations of the spin current induced in the ferromagnetic layer. Our model takes into account generation of spin polarization, spin diffusion and accumulation in Fe and Pt and electrical as well as optical properties of the bilayer samples. Using the device in a counterintuitive orientation a Si lens was attached to increase the collection efficiency of the emitter. The optimized emitter provided a bandwidth of up to 8 THz which was mainly limited by the low-temperature-grown GaAs (LT-GaAS) photoconductive antenna used as detector and the pulse length of the pump laser. The THz pulse length was as short as 220 fs for a sub 100 fs pulse length of the 800 nm pump laser. Average pump powers as low as 25 mW (at a repetition rate of 75 MHz) have been used for terahertz generation. This and the general performance make the spintronic terahertz emitter compatible with established emitters based on optical rectification in nonlinear crystals.
The nasal microbiome mirrors and potentially shapes olfactory function
Authors: Koskinen Kaisa , Reichert Johanna L. , Hoier Stefan , Schachenreiter Jochen , Duller Stefanie , Moissl-Eichinger Christine , Schöpf Veronika
Published: January 2018

Olfactory function is a key sense for human well-being and health, with olfactory dysfunction having been linked to serious diseases. As the microbiome is involved in normal olfactory epithelium development, we explored the relationship between olfactory function (odor threshold, discrimination, identification) and nasal microbiome in 67 healthy volunteers. Twenty-eight subjects were found to have normal olfactory function, 29 had a particularly good sense of smell (“good normosmics”) and 10 were hyposmic. Microbial community composition differed significantly between the three olfactory groups. In particular, butyric acid-producing microorganisms were found to be associated with impaired olfactory function. We describe the first insights of the potential interplay between the olfactory epithelium microbial community and olfactory function, and suggest that the microbiome composition is able to mirror and potentially shape olfactory function by producing strong odor compounds.
Hydroclimatic conditions trigger record harmful algal bloom in western Patagonia (summer 2016)
Authors: León-Muñoz Jorge , Urbina Mauricio A. , Garreaud René , Iriarte José Luis
Published: January 2018

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) of the raphidophyta alga Pseudochattonella cf. verruculosa during the 2016 austral summer (February-March) killed nearly 12% of the Chilean salmon production, causing the worst mass mortality of fish and shellfish ever recorded in the coastal waters of western Patagonia. The HAB coincided with a strong El Niño event and the positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode that altered the atmospheric circulation in southern South America and the adjacent Pacific Ocean. This led to very dry conditions and higher than normal solar radiation reaching the surface. Using time series of atmospheric, hydrologic and oceanographic data we show here that an increase in surface water temperature and reduced freshwater input resulted in a weakening of the vertical stratification in the fjords and sounds of this region. This allowed the advection of more saline and nutrient-rich waters, ultimately resulting in an active harmful algal bloom in coastal southern Chile.
Effects of soil water and heat relationship under various snow cover during freezing-thawing periods in Songnen Plain, China
Authors: Fu Qiang , Hou Renjie , Li Tianxiao , Jiang Ruiqi , Yan Peiru , Ma Ziao , Zhou Zhaoqiang
Published: January 2018

In this study, the spatial variations of soil water and heat under bare land (BL), natural snow (NS), compacted snow (CS) and thick snow (TS) treatments were analyzed. The relationship curve between soil temperature and water content conforms to the exponential filtering model, by means of the functional form of the model, it was defined as soil water and heat relation function model. On this basis, soil water and heat function models of 10, 20, 40, 60, 100, and 140 cm were established. Finally, a spatial variation law of the relationship effect was described based on analysising of the differences between the predicted and measured results. During freezing period, the effects of external factors on soil were hindered by snow cover. As the snow increased, the accuracy of the function model gradually improved. During melting period, infiltration by snowmelt affected the relationship between the soil temperature and moisture. With the increasing of snow, the accuracy of the function models gradually decreased. The relationship effects of soil water and heat increased with increasing depth within the frozen zone. In contrast, below the frozen layer, the relationship of soil water and heat was weaker, and the function models were less accurate.
Sperm-borne phospholipase C zeta-1 ensures monospermic fertilization in mice
Authors: Nozawa Kaori , Satouh Yuhkoh , Fujimoto Takao , Oji Asami , Ikawa Masahito
Published: January 2018

Sperm entry in mammalian oocytes triggers intracellular Ca2+ oscillations that initiate resumption of the meiotic cell cycle and subsequent activations. Here, we show that phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCζ1) is the long-sought sperm-borne oocyte activation factor (SOAF). Plcz1 gene knockout (KO) mouse spermatozoa fail to induce Ca2+ changes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In contrast to ICSI, Plcz1 KO spermatozoa induced atypical patterns of Ca2+ changes in normal fertilizations, and most of the fertilized oocytes ceased development at the 1–2-cell stage because of oocyte activation failure or polyspermy. We further discovered that both zona pellucida block to polyspermy (ZPBP) and plasma membrane block to polyspermy (PMBP) were delayed in oocytes fertilized with Plcz1 KO spermatozoa. With the observation that polyspermy is rare in astacin-like metalloendopeptidase (Astl) KO female oocytes that lack ZPBP, we conclude that PMPB plays more critical role than ZPBP in vivo. Finally, we obtained healthy pups from male mice carrying human infertile PLCZ1 mutation by single sperm ICSI supplemented with Plcz1 mRNA injection. These results suggest that mammalian spermatozoa have a primitive oocyte activation mechanism and that PLCζ1 is a SOAF that ensures oocyte activation steps for monospermic fertilization in mammals.
Identification of disulfiram as a secretase-modulating compound with beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks
Authors: Reinhardt Sven , Stoye Nicolai , Luderer Mathias , Kiefer Falk , Schmitt Ulrich , Lieb Klaus , Endres Kristina
Published: January 2018

ADAM10 is a metalloproteinase acting on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) as an alpha-secretase in neurons. Its enzymatic activity results in secretion of a neuroprotective APP cleavage product (sAPP-alpha) and prevents formation of the amyloidogenic A-beta peptides, major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Elevated ADAM10 levels appeared to contribute to attenuation of A-beta-plaque formation and learning and memory deficits in AD mouse models. Therefore, it has been assumed that ADAM10 might represent a valuable target in AD therapy. Here we screened a FDA-approved drug library and identified disulfiram as a novel ADAM10 gene expression enhancer. Disulfiram increased ADAM10 production as well as sAPP-alpha in SH-SY5Y human neuronal cells and additionally prevented A-beta aggregation in an in vitro assay in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, acute disulfiram treatment of Alzheimer model mice induced ADAM10 expression in peripheral blood cells, reduced plaque-burden in the dentate gyrus and ameliorated behavioral deficits. Alcohol-dependent patients are subjected to disulfiram-treatment to discourage alcohol-consumption. In such patients, enhancement of ADAM10 by disulfiram-treatment was demonstrated in peripheral blood cells. Our data suggest that disulfiram could be repurposed as an ADAM10 enhancer and AD therapeutic. However, efficacy and safety has to be analyzed in Alzheimer patients in the future.