bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional periodontal tissue regeneration using a bone-ligament complex cell sheet
Authors: Raju Resmi , Oshima Masamitsu , Inoue Miho , Morita Tsuyoshi , Huijiao Yan , Waskitho Arief , Baba Otto , Inoue Masahisa , Matsuka Yoshizo
Published: February 2020

Periodontal tissue is a distinctive tissue structure composed three-dimensionally of cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone. Severe periodontal diseases cause fundamental problems for oral function and general health, and conventional dental treatments are insufficient for healing to healthy periodontal tissue. Cell sheet technology has been used in many tissue regenerations, including periodontal tissue, to transplant appropriate stem/progenitor cells for tissue regeneration of a target site as a uniform tissue. However, it is still difficult to construct a three-dimensional structure of complex tissue composed of multiple types of cells, and the transplantation of a single cell sheet cannot sufficiently regenerate a large-scale tissue injury. Here, we fabricated a three-dimensional complex cell sheet composed of a bone-ligament structure by layering PDL cells and osteoblast-like cells on a temperature responsive culture dish. Following ectopic and orthotopic transplantation, only the complex cell sheet group was demonstrated to anatomically regenerate the bone-ligament structure along with the functional connection of PDL-like fibers to the tooth root and alveolar bone. This study represents successful three-dimensional tissue regeneration of a large-scale tissue injury using a bioengineered tissue designed to simulate the anatomical structure.
Diagnostic information Profiling and Evaluation of Causative Fungi of Fungal Keratitis Using High-throughput Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequencing
Authors: Ren Zhichao , Liu Qing , Wang Yuqian , Dong Yanling , Huang Yusen
Published: February 2020

Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for the targeted management of fungal keratitis (FK), which is one of the major blinding eye diseases worldwide. To elucidate the diagnostic information of high-throughput internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing for identifying causative fungi of FK, 38 patients who were highly suspected of having FK were included in this research. In vivo confocal microscopy, potassium hydroxide smear, and fungal culture were performed to diagnose FK. Culture and ITS sequencing were used to identify causative fungi. We hypothesized that the dominant genus was the result of pathogen identification by ITS sequencing. Thirty-five patients were eventually diagnosed with FK, with fungal pathogens found by confocal microscopy in 27 patients (77.14%), by smear examination in 27 patients (77.14%), by culture in 25 patients (71.43%), and by ITS sequencing in 26 patients (74.29%). Eight causative fungal genera were determined by ITS sequencing, while five causative fungal genera were identified based on the morphology of the cultured pathogens. The results of ITS sequencing and culture were coincident in 10 patients with FK (28.57%). It is concluded that ITS sequencing, to some extent, challenged fungal culture and might be an optional complement in identifying fungal pathogens in corneas.
Fate of subducted argon in the deep mantle
Authors: Ono Shigeaki
Published: February 2020

The physical properties of argon (Ar) are investigated to 382 GPa and 3000 K using diamond anvil cell experiments and first-principles molecular dynamics. The estimated density of Ar is smaller that of the Preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) mantle, which indicates that the density crossover does not occur at the bottom of the lower mantle. A large volume dependence of the thermal pressure of Ar is revealed at pressures higher than 200 GPa, and a significant temperature dependence of the calculated effective Grüneisen parameters is confirmed at high pressures. A melting temperature of Ar is estimated from the calculation data and a significant pressure dependence is confirmed. If the pressure-temperature path of the subducted slab is lower than the critical condition, ~750 K and ~7.5 GPa, solid Ar can be carried down into the deep mantle. Melting of solid Ar in the upwelling mantle plume occurs at the bottom of the transition zone. Thus, solid Ar plays an important role in Ar recycling in the Earth’s interior.
Rebamipide promotes lacrimal duct epithelial cell survival via protecting barrier function
Authors: Tanaka Hiroshi , Nakayama Tomomichi , Tsukamoto Michiko , Watanabe Akihide , Nakamura Takahiro , Yokoi Norihiko , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru
Published: February 2020

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is thought to be due to inflammation and fibrosis of lacrimal duct epithelial cells (LDECs). Here we investigated the effect of rebamipide, a drug that is used for the protection of the mucosa and the treatment of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers, on LDECs, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, LDECs were cultured from rabbit lacrimal duct tissues, and the barrier function of LEDCs was examined in vitro via transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurement, with or without interleukin (IL)-6 and/or rebamipide. For the in vivo examination, benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was injected into the rabbit lacrimal ducts, followed by the application of rebamipide or a placebo vehicle alone. The results of the in vitro examination revealed a significant decrease in TER in the group treated with IL-6 alone compared with the placebo-vehicle group (p < 0.05) and the group treated with IL-6 and rebamipide (p < 0.01). The results of the in vivo examination revealed that the infiltration of neutrophils under the basement membrane and the disruption of tight junction proteins with BAC injection and rebamipide attenuates the disturbance of tissue construction. These results suggest that rebamipide protects LDECs via an anti-inflammatory effect and preserves the barrier function of those cells.
Divergent genes encoding the putative receptors for growth hormone and prolactin in sea lamprey display distinct patterns of expression
Authors: Gong Ningping , Ferreira-Martins Diogo , McCormick Stephen D. , Sheridan Mark A.
Published: February 2020

Growth hormone receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in jawed vertebrates were thought to arise after the divergence of gnathostomes from a basal vertebrate. In this study we have identified two genes encoding putative GHR and PRLR in sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum), extant members of one of the oldest vertebrate groups, agnathans. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lamprey GHR and PRLR cluster at the base of gnathostome GHR and PRLR clades, respectively. This indicates that distinct GHR and PRLR arose prior to the emergence of the lamprey branch of agnathans. In the sea lamprey, GHR and PRLR displayed a differential but overlapping pattern of expression; GHR had high expression in liver and heart tissues, whereas PRLR was expressed highly in the brain and moderately in osmoregulatory tissues. Branchial PRLR mRNA levels were significantly elevated by stage 5 of metamorphosis and remained elevated through stage 7, whereas levels of GHR mRNA were only elevated in the final stage (7). Branchial expression of GHR increased following seawater (SW) exposure of juveniles, but expression of PRLR was not significantly altered. The results indicate that GHR and PRLR may both participate in metamorphosis and that GHR may mediate SW acclimation.
Dynamic response of the Greenland ice sheet to recent cooling
Authors: Williams Joshua J. , Gourmelen Noel , Nienow Peter
Published: February 2020

The subglacial hydrological system critically controls ice motion at the margins of the Greenland Ice Sheet. However, over multi-annual timescales, the net impact of hydro-dynamic coupling on ice motion remains poorly understood. Here, we present annual ice velocities from 1992–2019 across a ~10,600 km2 land-terminating area of southwest Greenland. From the early-2000s through to ~2012, we observe a slowdown in ice motion in response to increased surface melt, consistent with previous research. From 2013 to 2019 however, we observe an acceleration in ice motion coincident with atmospheric cooling and a ~15% reduction in mean surface melt production relative to 2003–2012. We find that ice velocity speed-up is greater in marginal areas, and is strongly correlated with ice thickness. We hypothesise that under thinner ice, increases in basal water pressure offset a larger proportion of the ice overburden pressure, leading to reduced effective pressure and thus greater acceleration when compared to thicker ice further inland. Our findings indicate that hydro-dynamic coupling provides the major control on changes in ice motion across the ablation zone of land terminating margins of the Greenland Ice Sheet over multi-annual timescales.
Standardized phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analysis applied to species across the microbial tree of life
Authors: Shakya Migun , Ahmed Sanaa A. , Davenport Karen W. , Flynn Mark C. , Lo Chien-Chi , Chain Patrick S. G.
Published: February 2020

There is growing interest in reconstructing phylogenies from the copious amounts of genome sequencing projects that target related viral, bacterial or eukaryotic organisms. To facilitate the construction of standardized and robust phylogenies for disparate types of projects, we have developed a complete bioinformatic workflow, with a web-based component to perform phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary (PhaME) analysis from sequencing reads, draft assemblies or completed genomes of closely related organisms. Furthermore, the ability to incorporate raw data, including some metagenomic samples containing a target organism (e.g. from clinical samples with suspected infectious agents), shows promise for the rapid phylogenetic characterization of organisms within complex samples without the need for prior assembly.
Urban geochemical changes and pollution with potentially harmful elements in seven Russian cities
Authors: Seleznev Andrian A. , Yarmoshenko Ilia V. , Malinovsky Georgy P.
Published: February 2020

This paper presents results of an analysis of potentially harmful elements (PHEs, Pb, Zn and Cu) and conservative element (CE, Fe) concentrations in urban surface deposited sediment (USDS). The study was conducted in seven large Russian cities located in different geographic and climatic zones, and in territories with different geology and anthropogenic pressures: Chelyabinsk, Magnitogorsk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhniy Tagil, Rostov-on-Don, Tyumen, and Ufa. The initial geochemical baseline relationships between PHEs and CE concentrations in the USDS were reconstructed for each city applying an approach based on linear weighted fitting of PHE as a function of CE with lower weights assigned to more polluted samples. The reconstructed average initial baseline Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations varied between 17–52, 25–196, and 91–413 mg kg−1, respectively. Several new criteria for assessing the degree of geochemical transformation and pollution of the urban environment, such as the percentage of polluted samples, average pollutant concentration in polluted samples, and weighting degree index δ, were suggested and compared with common criteria, such as the PHE concentration and the geo-accumulation index. The environmental rank of a city significantly differed depending on whether the criterion for ranking was total PHE pollution or changes in comparison with the initial geochemical baseline.
Common variation in FAM155A is associated with diverticulitis but not diverticulosis
Authors: Reichert Matthias C. , Kupcinskas Juozas , Schulz Antje , Schramm Christoph , Weber Susanne N. , Krawczyk Marcin , Jüngst Christoph , Casper Markus , Grünhage Frank , Appenrodt Beate , Zimmer Vincent , Tamelis Algimantas , Lukosiene Jaune I. , Pauziene Neringa , Kiudelis Gediminas , Jonaitis Laimas , Goeser Tobias , Malinowski Maciej , Glanemann Matthias , Kupcinskas Limas , Lammert Frank
Published: February 2020

Colonic diverticulosis is a very common condition. Many patients develop diverticulitis or other complications of diverticular disease. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) consistently identified three major genetic susceptibility factors for both conditions, but did not discriminate diverticulititis and diverticulosis in particular due the limitations of registry-based approaches. Here, we aimed to confirm the role of the identified variants for diverticulosis and diverticulitis, respectively, within a well-phenotyped cohort of patients who underwent colonoscopy. Risk variants rs4662344 in Rho GTPase-activating protein 15 (ARHGAP15), rs7609897 in collagen-like tail subunit of asymmetric acetylcholinesterase (COLQ) and rs67153654 in family with sequence similarity 155 A (FAM155A) were genotyped in 1,332 patients. Diverticulosis was assessed by colonoscopy, and diverticulitis by imaging, clinical symptoms and inflammatory markers. Risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis was analyzed in regression models adjusted for cofactors. Overall, the variant inFAM155Awas associated with diverticulitis, but not diverticulosis, when controlling for age, BMI, alcohol consumption, and smoking status (ORadjusted0.49 [95% CI 0.27–0.89], p = 0.002). Our results contribute to the assessment specific genetic variants identified in GWAS in the predisposition to the development of diverticulitis in patients with diverticulosis.
Enhanced effect of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin by ultrasound irradiation in acute liver failure
Authors: Hoshino Kota , Nakamura Yoshihiko , Nakano Takafumi , Watanabe Akiko , Sheng Hong , Tachibana Katsuro , Ishikura Hiroyasu
Published: February 2020

The administration of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhsTM) significantly improves liver inflammation and increases the survival rate of patients with acute liver failure (ALF). However, rhsTM is dose-dependently correlated to the risk of bleeding. Recently, ultrasound (US) was found to enhance the effect of various drugs. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the enhancement effect of US irradiation on rhsTM in ALF. rhsTM (1 mg/kg) and US (1 MHz, 0.3 W/cm2) were irradiated to the liver of lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced ALF mice model. The post-treatment aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and high-mobility group box 1 levels were significantly lower in the rhsTM + US group than in the rhsTM alone group. Histopathological findings revealed significantly reduced liver injury and apoptosis in the rhsTM + US group. By contrast, US irradiation had no effect on rhsTM and TNF-α concentration in the liver tissue. In conclusion, US irradiation enhanced the effect of rhsTM in the ALF mice model. However, further studies must be conducted to determine the exact mechanism of such enhancement effect.
Peri-Personal Space Tracing by Hand-Blink Reflex Modulation in Patients with Chronic Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Chillura Antonino , Billeri Luana , Cannavò Antonino , Buda Antonio , Molonia Francesco , Manuli Alfredo , Bramanti Placido , Naro Antonino
Published: February 2020

The assessment of awareness in patients with chronic Disorders of Consciousness (DoC), including Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) and Minimally Conscious State (MCS), is challenging. The level of awareness impairment may depend on the degree of deterioration of the large-scale cortical-thalamo-cortical networks induced by brain injury. Electrophysiological approaches may shed light on awareness presence in patients with DoC by estimating cortical functions related to the cortical-thalamo-cortical networks including, for example, the cortico-subcortical processes generating motor responses to the perturbation of the peri-personal space (PPS). We measured the amplitude, latency, and duration of the hand-blink reflex (HBR) responses by recording electromyography (EMG) signals from both the orbicularis oculi muscles while electrically stimulating the median nerve at the wrist. Such a BR is thought to be mediated by a neural circuit at the brainstem level. Despite its defensive-response nature, HBR can be modulated by the distance between the stimulated hand and the face. This suggests a functional top-down control of HBR as reflected by HBR features changes (latency, amplitude, and magnitude). We therefore estimated HBR responses in a sample of patients with DoC (8 MCS and 12 UWS, compared to 15 healthy controls −HC) while performing a motor task targeting the PPS. This consisted of passive movements in which the hand of the subject was positioned at different distances from the participant’s face. We aimed at demonstrating a residual top-down modulation of HBR properties, which could be useful to differentiate patients with DoC and, potentially, demonstrate awareness preservation. We found a decrease in latency, and an increase in duration and magnitude of HBR responses, which were all inversely related to the hand-to-face distance in HC and patients with MCS, but not in individuals with UWS. Our data suggest that only patients with MCS have preserved, residual, top-down modulation of the processes related to the PPS from higher-order cortical areas to sensory-motor integration network. Although the sample size was relatively small, being thus our data preliminary, HBR assessment seems a rapid, easy, and first-level tool to differentiate patients with MCS from those with UWS. We may also hypothesize that such a HBR modulation suggests awareness preservation.
Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of telocytes in human scalp tissue
Authors: Wang Li , Xiao Li , Zhang Ruzhi , Jin Huiling , Shi Haixia
Published: February 2020

This study was designed to characterize the location, morphology and ultrastructure of telocytes (TCs) in human scalp tissue. After obtaining approval for this study and informed consent from the patient, a scalp specimen was obtained. The distribution and morphology of TCs in human scalp tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and CD117/c-KIT, and the ultrastructure of TCs was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 revealed that TCs were located in the connective tissue of human scalp, and were concentrated around hair follicles (HFs), blood vessels, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and adipose lobules. Immunohistochemical staining of CD117 revealed that TCs were mainly located in the dermis of human scalp, surrounding the HFs and sweat glands. Under TEM, TCs were seen and confirmed by their special morphological features. These cells were spindle-shaped, had small cell bodies and long thin processes, and surrounded stem cell clusters in the bulge region of HFs. These results demonstrate that TCs in human scalp were positive for CD34 and CD117, and their strategic positioning surrounding stem cells suggests their possible involvement in local regeneration, remodeling and homeostasis of the skin.
Prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths in Dominican patients of varying social classes treated in university clinics
Authors: Aragoneses J. M. , Suárez A. , Aragoneses J. , Brugal V. A. , Fernández-Domínguez M.
Published: February 2020

The relevance of tonsils lies not only in local but also in systemic immunity. One of the most common ailments afflicting the tonsils are palatine tonsilloliths (PT), dystrophic calcifications found in the tonsillar crypts. PT prevalence reports have been conducted for Caucasian and Asian patients, but not for black patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to gauge the prevalence of PT in patients who sought treatment at two university clinics in the Dominican Republic, and to analyze any links with the race of patients. Two hundred and nine consecutive patients attending the dental services of two clinics located in different cities in the Dominican Republic, from March 1 to April 30, 2019, were selected. Computed tomography scans of patients were evaluated for a PT diagnosis. Determined prevalence of PT in this population sample was 5.85%. A non-significant relationship between occurrence of PT and race or kind of health service utilized was found. Nonetheless, more white patients used private health clinics while more black patients used the public health system. Previous tonsillitis was the only factor showing a significant correlation with the occurrence of PT. Also, PT prevalence was significantly higher in patients under 40 years of age. General prevalence of PT was significantly lower than reported in previous studies involving other countries/races. Considering the limitations of this study, when comparing it to a previous similar study and taking into account the Asian- and Caucasian-centric results obtained, a race influence on prevalence of calcifications may be suggested. Despite our results showing no racial differences within the Dominican Republic, black patients appear to present a lower prevalence of PT than Caucasian and Asian patients.
Impact of Definitive Radiotherapy and Surgical Debulking on Treatment Outcome and Prognosis for Locally Advanced Masaoka-Koga stage III Thymoma
Authors: Fan Chengcheng , Ge Hong , Zhang Shaokai , Xing Wenqun , Ye Ke , Zheng Yan , Sun Haibo , Wang Hao , Zheng Xiaoli , Zhang Ruiyun , Liu Meiling
Published: February 2020

The role of definitive radiotherapy (dRT) and debulking surgery (DS) for patients with locally advanced, unresectable, Masaoka-Koga stage III thymomas was not well studied. Unresectable tumor refers to tumor that could not be completely resected because of invasion of surrounding organs. Consecutive patients with unresectable stage III thymomas between 2000 and 2017 were reviewed. According to the treatment intent and radiation dose, patients were categorized into a dRT group and a non-dRT group. The former group included patients who received radiotherapy at doses ≥ 54 Gy after DS or biopsy. The latter group included patients who did not receive radiotherapy and those who received a radiation dose < 54 Gy. A total of 82 patients were included. Compared with non-dRT, dRT significantly improved 5-year overall survival (OS, P = 0.003), progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.008), and freedom from locoregional failure (FFLF, P < 0.001). Compared with biopsy alone, DS did not improve OS, PFS, FFLF. On multivariate analysis, dRT was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.37, P = 0.024), PFS (HR: 2.40, P = 0.004), and FFLF (HR: 3.83, P = 0.001). In conclusion, dRT was an effective and beneficial treatment for patients with unresectable Masaoka-Koga stage III thymoma.
Near Infrared-Triggered Liposome Cages for Rapid, Localized Small Molecule Delivery
Authors: Shin Jeong Eun , Ogunyankin Maria O. , Zasadzinski Joseph A.
Published: February 2020

Photolabile chelating cages or protecting groups need complex chemical syntheses and require UV, visible, or two-photon NIR light to trigger release. Different cages have different solubilities, reaction rates,  and energies required for triggering. Here we show that liposomes containing calcium, adenosine triphosphate, or carboxyfluorescein are tethered to plasmon-resonant hollow gold nanoshells (HGN) tuned to absorb light from 650–950 nm. Picosecond pulses of near infrared (NIR) light provided by a two-photon microscope, or by a stand-alone laser during flow through microfluidic channels, trigger contents release with spatial and temporal control. NIR light adsorption heats the HGN, inducing vapor nanobubbles that rupture the liposome, releasing cargo within milliseconds. Any water-soluble molecule can be released at essentially the same rate from the liposome-HGN. By using liposomes of different composition, or HGN of different sizes or shapes with different nanobubble threshold fluences, or irradiating on or off resonance, two different cargoes can be released simultaneously, one before the other, or in a desired ratio. Calcium release from liposome-HGN can be spatially patterned to crosslink alginate gels and trap living cells. Liposome-HGN provide stable, biocompatible isolation of the bioactive compound from its surroundings with minimal interactions with the local environment.
Industrial applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: a review
Authors: Legnaioli S. , Campanella B. , Poggialini F. , Pagnotta S. , Harith M. A. , Abdel-Salam Z. A. , Palleschi V.
Published: February 2020

A short review on LIBS industrial applications.
Ionic liquid-induced nanoporous structures of polymer films
Authors: Gong Xiao , Zhang Jixi , Jiang Shaohua
Published: February 2020

Nanoporous polymer thin films can be fabricated using strong polyelectrolyte pairs in ionic liquid aqueous solutions.
Methylation of geometrically constrained lysine analogues by histone lysine methyltransferases
Authors: Al Temimi Abbas H. K. , White Paul B. , Mulders Marcus J. M. , van der Linden Nicole G. A. , Blaauw Richard H. , Wegert Anita , Rutjes Floris P. J. T. , Mecinović Jasmin
Published: February 2020

Histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) exhibit substrate specificity for lysine and its geometrically constrained mimics.
A first new porous d–p HMOF material with multiple active sites for excellent CO2capture and catalysis
Authors: Liu Jiao , Yang Guo-Ping , Jin Jing , Wu Dan , Ma Lu-Fang , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: February 2020

A first new porous d–p HMOF has been yielded by the monometallic MOF as the precursor. The results of the gas sorption and CO2cycloaddition indicate that this work may supply an effective approach to obtain new functional HMOF materials.
Fused tetraphenylethylene–triphenylamine as an efficient hole transporting material in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Xianfu , Zhou Zi’an , Ma Shuang , Wu Gao , Liu Xuepeng , Mateen Muhammad , Ghadari Rahim , Wu Yunzhao , Ding Yong , Cai Molang , Dai Songyuan
Published: February 2020

A new facile fused tetraphenylethylene–triphenylamine hole transporting material has been developed, which shows obviously higher performance than the non-fused counterpart in perovskite solar cells.
Control of the morphology, specific surface area and agglomeration of precipitated calcium carbonate crystals through a multiphase carbonation process
Authors: Ghiasi Meisam , Abdollahy Mahmoud , Khalesi Mohammad Reza , Ghiasi Ehsan
Published: February 2020

The morphology of precipitated calcium carbonate is a function of conductivity.
Synthesis of fatty ketoesters by tandem epoxidation–rearrangement with heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Dorado Vicente , Gil Lena , Mayoral José A. , Herrerías Clara I. , Fraile José M.
Published: February 2020

Fatty ketoesters are obtained from unsaturated fatty esters in a tandem two-step process with a combination of two heterogeneous catalysts, without intermediate purification and with maximum productivity of the catalysts through recycling and reuse.
Ginsenoside Rg5/Rk1 ameliorated sleep via regulating the GABAergic/serotoninergic signaling pathway in a rodent model
Authors: Shao Jingjing , Zheng Xiaoyan , Qu Linlin , Zhang Hui , Yuan Huifang , Hui Junfeng , Mi Yu , Ma Pei , Fan Daidi
Published: February 2020

As the most common sleep disorder, insomnia seriously affects people's everyday lives.
Visible-light-induced selective aerobic oxidation of sp3C–H bonds catalyzed by a heterogeneous AgI/BiVO4catalyst
Authors: Jiang Li-Ya , Ming Jing-Jing , Wang Lian-Yue , Jiang Yuan-Yuan , Ren Lan-Hui , Wang Zi-Cheng , Cheng Wen-Chen
Published: February 2020

An efficient oxidation of sp3C–H bonds to esters and ketones has been developed using AgI/BiVO4as the photocatalyst and O2as the oxidant in water.
Acoustic tweezers based on circular, slanted-finger interdigital transducers for dynamic manipulation of micro-objects
Authors: Kang Putong , Tian Zhenhua , Yang Shujie , Yu Wenzhuo , Zhu Haodong , Bachman Hunter , Zhao Shuaiguo , Zhang Peiran , Wang Zeyu , Zhong Ruoyu , Huang Tony Jun
Published: February 2020

Acoustic tweezers based on circular, slanted-finger interdigital transducers enable programmable, dynamic, biocompatible manipulation of micro-objects.
Anisotropic PCL nanofibers embedded with nonlinear nanocrystals as strong generators of polarized second harmonic light and piezoelectric currents
Authors: Bernardo César R. , Baptista Rosa M. F. , de Matos Gomes Etelvina , Lopes Paulo E. , Raposo Maria Manuela M. , Costa Susana P. G. , Belsley Michael S.
Published: February 2020

Intense second harmonic generation emission was observed from a single nanofiber, corresponding to an effective 2nd order susceptibility of 80 pm V−1, 4 times greater than the largest 2nd order susceptibility tensor element (21 pm V−1) for a macroscopic 3NA crystal.
Effect of the structure and morphology of carbon nanotubes on the vibration damping characteristics of polymer-based composites
Authors: Joy Anand , Varughese Susy , Kanjarla Anand K. , S. Sankaran , Haridoss Prathap
Published: February 2020

The structure of carbon nanotubes synthesized by the arc discharge technique is favorable for inner tube oscillation. The observed dissipation in energy has its origins in the interaction between atoms that constitute the inner and outer tubes.
Novel combustion-carbonization preparation of mesoporous tungsten carbide as a highly active catalyst for oxygen reduction
Authors: Gao Yufei , Cheng Jigui , Chen Pengqi , Wei Bangzheng , Gao Dalu , Xu Dang
Published: February 2020

The mesoporous WC catalyst synthesized by a novel method showed a high rate and stability for oxygen reduction performance.
Plasma production of nanomaterials for energy storage: continuous gas-phase synthesis of metal oxide CNT materials via a microwave plasma
Authors: Graves Brian , Engelke Simon , Jo Changshin , Baldovi Herme G. , de la Verpilliere Jean , De Volder Michael , Boies Adam
Published: February 2020

Scalable, facile, and cost-effective plasma-based process for synthesis of energy storage materials.
Dynamic covalent bonds in self-healing, shape memory, and controllable stiffness hydrogels
Authors: Perera M. Mario , Ayres Neil
Published: February 2020

A review of hydrogels containing dynamic bonds that are shown to provide benefits for applications including self-healing and stimuli-induced stiffness changes.
Merits of photocatalytic and antimicrobial applications of gamma-irradiated CoxNi1−xFe2O4/SiO2/TiO2;x= 0.9 nanocomposite for pyridine removal and pathogenic bacteria/fungi disinfection: implication for wastewater treatment
Authors: El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Abd Elkodous M. , El-Khawaga Ahmed M. , Elsayed Mohamed A. , El-Batal Ahmed I. , Gobara Mohamed
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we report a layer-by-layer approach for the preparation of a concentric recyclable composite (CoxNi1−xFe2O4/SiO2/TiO2;x= 0.9) designed for wastewater treatment.
Study of the discharge/charge process of lithium–sulfur batteries by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Qiu Xiangyun , Hua Qingsong , Zheng Lili , Dai Zuoqiang
Published: February 2020

Schematic model for the electrochemical reaction mechanism of a sulfur electrode in the discharge process.
Fast and efficient upgrading of levulinic acid into long-chain alkyl levulinate fuel additives with a tungsten salt catalyst at low temperature
Authors: Jia Songyan , Ma Jiao , Wang Dongping , Wang Kangjun , Zheng Qiang , Song Chunshan , Guo Xinwen
Published: February 2020

Levulinic acid (LA) is a promising biobased platform compound. Long-chain levulinate esters are a class of valuable fuel additives. Tungsten chloride catalyst can fast and efficiently convert LA into long-chain levulinate esters at low temperature.
Effect of conjugated polymer electrolytes with diverse acid derivatives as a cathode buffer layer on photovoltaic properties
Authors: Jin Ho Cheol , Salma Sabrina Aufar , Moon Doo Kyung , Kim Joo Hyun
Published: February 2020

The performances of polymer solar cells follow the trend of the acid dissociation constant of acid derivatives.
Artificial peptides for antitumoral siRNA delivery
Authors: Luo Jie , Wagner Ernst , Wang Yanfang
Published: February 2020

Assembly of artificial amino acids into sequence-defined oligoaminoamides generates siRNA nanoplex or lipopolyplex carriers for tumor-directed gene silencing.
Alkoxy chain regulated stimuli-responsive AIE luminogens based on tetraphenylethylene substituted phenanthroimidazoles and non-doped OLEDs with negligible efficiency roll-off
Authors: Qiu Zhipeng , Yang Zhiwen , Chen Wen-Cheng , Xing Longjiang , Hu Sheng , Ji Shaomin , Yang Qingdan , Cai Ning , Ouyang Xinhua , Huo Yanping
Published: February 2020

Three novel tetraphenylethylene derivatives with different lengths of alkoxy chains, named TPEO1-PPI, TPEO4-PPI and TPEO6-PPI, are synthesized and fully characterized.
Design of large π-conjugated α-cyanostilbene derivatives as colorimetric sensors for volatile acids and organic amine gases
Authors: Cao Xinhua , Li Yiran , Han Qingqing , Gao Aiping , Wang Bingya , Chang Xueping , Hou Ji-ting
Published: February 2020

Two large π-conjugated α-cyanostilbene derivative isomers (M-PDC and P-PDC) could sensitively and continuously detect volatile acids and organic amine gases.
Printable carbon nanotube-based elastic conductors for fully-printed sub-1 V stretchable electrolyte-gated transistors and inverters
Authors: Cho Kyung Gook , Kwon Yeong Kwan , Jang Seong Su , Seol Kyoung Hwan , Park Jong Hyuk , Hong Kihyon , Lee Keun Hyung
Published: February 2020

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based hybrid electrodes are promising for fully-printed stretchable thin-film transistors and inverters.
Boron-containing D–A–A type TADF materials with tiny singlet–triplet energy splittings and high photoluminescence quantum yields for highly efficient OLEDs with low efficiency roll-offs
Authors: Qu Cheng , Xia Guoqi , Xu Yincai , Zhu Yunlong , Liang Jixiong , Zhang Hao , Wang Jiaxuan , Zhang Zuolun , Wang Yue
Published: February 2020

D–A–A type TADF materials possessing concurrently a small ΔEST and a high ΦPL for efficient OLEDs were constructed by utilizing boryl-containing tandem acceptors.
The structure optimization of phenanthroimidazole based isomers with external quantum efficiency approaching 7% in non-doped deep-blue OLEDs
Authors: Zhu Jie-Ji , Chen Yuwen , Xiao Yong-Hong , Lian Xin , Yang Guo-Xi , Tang Shan-Shun , Ma Dongge , Wang Ying , Tong Qing-Xiao
Published: February 2020

In this work, four phenanthroimidazole (PI) based isomers TPA-PPI-PBI, TPA-PPI-NPBI, PBI-PPI-TPA and NPBI-PPI-TPA for high-efficiency deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been designed and synthesized.
C–F bond activation by pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-aluminium(i): a combined experimental/computational exercise
Authors: Kysliak Oleksandr , Görls Helmar , Kretschmer Robert
Published: February 2020

Although (AlCp*)4 is one of the longest known stable aluminium(i) compounds, it still has surprising reactivities in store as illustrated by the ability to break strong C–F bonds.
Porous graphitic carbon nitride for solar photocatalytic applications
Authors: Li Yang , Li Xin , Zhang Huaiwu , Xiang Quanjun
Published: February 2020

This review summarizes the development of PCN,i.e., synthesis, morphology, modification, and application in recent years. This review can provide a comprehensive view of PCN and lay a foundation for the design of ideal photocatalysts in the future.
Dual-self-recognizing, stimulus-responsive and carrier-free methotrexate–mannose conjugate nanoparticles with highly synergistic chemotherapeutic effects
Authors: Fan Zhongxiong , Wang Yinqiang , Xiang Sijin , Zuo Wenbao , Huang Doudou , Jiang Beili , Sun Heng , Yin Wen , Xie Liya , Hou Zhenqing
Published: February 2020

Stimulus-responsive carrier-free MTX–MAN conjugate nanoparticles could be expected to achieve dual-receptor-mediated self-recognizing, reduced drug dosage, and enhanced synergistic chemotherapeutic effects.
Structural and biochemical evaluation of bisubstrate inhibitors of protein arginine N-methyltransferases PRMT1 and CARM1 (PRMT4)
Authors: Gunnell Emma A. , Al-Noori Alaa , Muhsen Usama , Davies Clare C. , Dowden James , Dreveny Ingrid
Published: February 2020

Attenuating the function of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) is an objective for the investigation and treatment of several diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Bisubstrate inhibitors that simultaneously target binding sites for arginine substrate and the cofactor (S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)) have potential utility, but structural information on their binding is required for their development. Evaluation of bisubstrate inhibitors featuring an isosteric guanidine replacement with two prominent enzymes PRMT1 and CARM1 (PRMT4) by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), activity assays and crystallography are reported. Key findings are that 2-aminopyridine is a viable replacement for guanidine, providing an inhibitor that binds more strongly to CARM1 than PRMT1. Moreover, a residue around the active site that differs between CARM1 (Asn-265) and PRMT1 (Tyr-160) is identified that affects the side chain conformation of the catalytically important neighbouring glutamate in the crystal structures. Mutagenesis data supports its contribution to the difference in binding observed for this inhibitor. Structures of CARM1 in complex with a range of seven inhibitors reveal the binding modes and show that inhibitors with an amino acid terminus adopt a single conformation whereas the electron density for equivalent amine-bearing inhibitors is consistent with preferential binding in two conformations. These findings inform the molecular basis of CARM1 ligand binding and identify differences between CARM1 and PRMT1 that can inform drug discovery efforts.
The caveolar-mitochondrial interface: regulation of cellular metabolism in physiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Foster Cerrone R. , Satomi Shiho , Kato Yuko , Patel Hemal H.
Published: February 2020

The plasma membrane is an important cellular organelle that is often overlooked in terms of a primary factor in regulating physiology and pathophysiology. There is emerging evidence to suggest that the plasma membrane serves a greater purpose than a simple barrier or transporter of ions. New paradigms suggest that the membrane serves as a critical bridge to connect extracellular to intracellular communication particularly to regulate energy and metabolism by forming physical and biochemical associations with intracellular organelles. This review will focus on the relationship of a particular membrane microdomain — caveolae — with mitochondria and the particular implication of this to physiology and pathophysiology.
The Golgi ribbon: mechanisms of maintenance and disassembly during the cell cycle
Authors: Ayala Inmaculada , Mascanzoni Fabiola , Colanzi Antonino
Published: February 2020

The Golgi complex (GC) has an essential role in the processing and sorting of proteins and lipids. The GC of mammalian cells is composed of stacks of cisternae connected by membranous tubules to create a continuous network, the Golgi ribbon, whose maintenance requires several core and accessory proteins. Despite this complex structural organization, the Golgi apparatus is highly dynamic, and this property becomes particularly evident during mitosis, when the ribbon undergoes a multistep disassembly process that allows its correct partitioning and inheritance by the daughter cells. Importantly, alterations of the Golgi structure are associated with a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we review the core mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in both the maintenance and disassembly of the Golgi ribbon, and we also report on the signaling pathways that connect the disassembly of the Golgi ribbon to mitotic entry and progression.
A Novel Method for Classifying Hearing Impairment in Epidemiological Studies of Aging: The Wisconsin Age-Related Hearing Impairment Classification Scale
Authors: Cruickshanks Karen J. , Nondahl David M. , Fischer Mary E. , Schubert Carla R. , Tweed Ted S.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Longitudinal population-based cohort data were used to develop a standardized classification system for age-related hearing impairment using thresholds for frequencies (0.5–8 kHz) typically measured in cohort studies.

Method

Audiometric testing data collected in the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study from participants (n= 1,369) with four visits (1993–1995, 1998–2000, 2003–2005, and 2009–2010) were included (10,952 audiograms). Cluster analyses (Wald's method) were used to identify audiometric patterns. Maximum allowable threshold values were defined for each cluster to create an ordered scale. Progression was defined as a two-step change.

Results

An eight-step scale was developed to capture audiogram shape and severity of hearing impairment. Of the 1,094 participants classified as having normal hearing based on a pure-tone average, only 25% (n= 277) were classified as Level 1 (all thresholds ≤ 20 dB HL) on the new scale, whereas 17% (n= 182) were Levels 4–6. During the 16-year follow-up, 64.9% of those at Level 1 progressed. There was little regression using this scale.

Conclusions

This is the first scale developed from population-based longitudinal cohort data to capture audiogram shape across time. This simple, standardized scale is easy to apply, reduces misclassification of normal hearing, and may be a useful method for identifying risk factors for early, preclinical, age-related changes in hearing.
Hybrid modelling routine for metal‐oxide TFTs based on particle swarm optimisation and artificial neural network
Authors: Peng You , Deng Wanling , Wu Weijing , Luo Zhi , Huang Junkai
Published: February 2020

An effective and robust hybrid algorithm consisting of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) and limited memory Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (L‐BFGS) method based on artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed for modelling flexible metal‐oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs). The L‐BFGS method as an optimiser is exploited to update the parameters of ANN and speed up the training process. A mutation strategy for PSO is derived to enhance the searching ability further. With the great global searching ability, PSO is implemented to find a hopeful initial position in solution space for the next ANN model. The simulation result shows a high accuracy not only in I–V curve fitting but also in small‐signal parameter (, , etc.) predictions, which have not been exposed in the training process. The measured DC characteristics of In–Zn–O TFTs are used to verify the proposed ANN model, which has the benefits of rapid fitting from the L‐BFGS algorithm and universal searching ability from PSO.
Placement optimisation method for multi‐UAV relay communication
Authors: Hu Yanzhi , Zhang Fengbin , Tian Tian , Ma Dawei
Published: February 2020

With the popularisation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, relay communication based on multi‐UAVs has advantages and application prospects. However, determining the location of UAV relay nodes is a fundamental problem. In particular, when multiple UAVs are required, it is important to design an efficient node placement method that optimises the layout of UAV nodes to minimise the number of required UAVs and provide reliable connectivity for all ground terminals. In this study, the node placement models for multi‐UAV relay communication are constructed based on the non‐linear constraint optimisation problem for typical application scenarios, and the solving algorithm of the models is proposed based on the smallest enclosing circle and genetic algorithm. Through the new placement method, the authors can locate UAV relay nodes and optimise the network topology with the minimum number of UAVs required. Finally, the implementation process and results are validated by simulation.
Performance analysis of OCDMA wireless communication system based on double length modified prime code for security improvement
Authors: Morsy Morsy A. , Alsayyar Abdulaziz S.
Published: February 2020

In this study, a construction analysis and design of a new spreading code set are presented. This code is designed to be used as a source code in optical wireless communication (OWC) system to achieve better performance and security enhancement. The new proposed code is called double length modified prime code (DLMPC), which is constructed based on the popular modified prime code that is commonly applied in the optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) networks. The correlation properties and characteristics of the DLMPC are investigated in this study. Based on the new code, the OWC system architecture and channel model are illustrated and further analysed. Additionally, the transmitted and received data bits encoding and decoding scenarios are discussed. Moreover, a low power consumption optical light source and photo‐detector are utilised for a transmitter and receiver, respectively. The overall OWC performance in terms of the bit error rate (BER) has been evaluated considering the multi‐user interference as the only source of noise. Finally, the results show that the proposed DLMPC outperforms the popular codes with respect to the channel capacity, security, and system BER performance.
BER performance of OCDMA system based on optimised 2D PhC passive encoder
Authors: Morsy Morsy Ahmed , Alsayyari Abdulaziz S.
Published: February 2020

This study introduces an accurate design and optimisation of a passive optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) network encoder using the coupled cavity waveguide (CCW) as an optical delay line. Such CCW has the capability of providing more time delay with minimum encoder size. The proposed design and analysis are based on the two‐dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PhC) structure. Additionally, two different 2D‐PhC structures are studied, in which a silicon material with an effective refractive index of 3.487 is used. The first structure is a silicon bar in air background, whereas the second one is air holes in a silicon substrate. Furthermore, the behaviour of the proposed 2D‐PhC structures is studied over the wavelength, ranging from 1300 to 1600 nm. Since the structure geometry is simple with a clear operating principle, it is sufficient to use in the photonic integrated circuits. Moreover, the performance analysis of such design is investigated in terms of the bit error rate (BER) calculations. Finally, the results showed that a 21% BER performance enhancement was achieved using the optimised silicon bars in air background encoder model and this model can be utilised for the multimedia applications in the OCDMA networks.
Random linear network coding based physical layer security for relay‐aided device‐to‐device communication
Authors: Khan Amjad Saeed , Chatzigeorgiou Ioannis , Zheng Gan , Basutli Bokamoso , Chuma Joseph M. , Lambotharan Sangarapillai
Published: February 2020

The authors investigate physical layer security design, which employs a random linear network coding with opportunistic relaying and jamming to exploit the secrecy benefit of both source and relay transmissions. The proposed scheme requires the source to transmit artificial noise along with a confidential message. Moreover, in order to further improve the dynamical behaviour of the network against an eavesdropping attack, aggregated power controlled transmissions with optimal power allocation strategy is considered. The network security is accurately characterised by the probability that the eavesdropper will manage to intercept a sufficient number of coded packets to partially or fully recover the confidential message.