bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PV1, a novel Plasmodium falciparum merozoite dense granule protein, interacts with exported protein in infected erythrocytes
Authors: Morita Masayuki , Nagaoka Hikaru , Ntege Edward H. , Kanoi Bernard N. , Ito Daisuke , Nakata Takahiro , Lee Ji-Won , Tokunaga Kazuaki , Iimura Tadahiro , Torii Motomi , Tsuboi Takafumi , Takashima Eizo
Published: February 2018

Upon invasion, Plasmodium falciparum exports hundreds of proteins across its surrounding parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) to remodel the infected erythrocyte. Although this phenomenon is crucial for the parasite growth and virulence, elucidation of precise steps in the export pathway is still required. A translocon protein complex, PTEX, is the only known pathway that mediates passage of exported proteins across the PVM. P. falciparum Parasitophorous Vacuolar protein 1 (PfPV1), a previously reported parasitophorous vacuole (PV) protein, is considered essential for parasite growth. In this study, we characterized PfPV1 as a novel merozoite dense granule protein. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) analyses demonstrated that PfPV1 partially co-localized with EXP2, suggesting the protein could be a PTEX accessory molecule. Furthermore, PfPV1 and exported protein PTP5 co-immunoprecipitated with anti-PfPV1 antibody. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed the proteins’ direct interaction. Additionally, we identified a PfPV1 High-affinity Region (PHR) at the C-terminal side of PTP5 where PfPV1 dominantly bound. SIM analysis demonstrated an export arrest of PTP5ΔPHR, a PTP5 mutant lacking PHR, suggesting PHR is essential for PTP5 export to the infected erythrocyte cytosol. The overall results suggest that PfPV1, a novel dense granule protein, plays an important role in protein export at PV.
Regulation of neuroblast proliferation by surface glia in the Drosophila larval brain
Authors: Kanai Makoto I. , Kim Myung-Jun , Akiyama Takuya , Takemura Masahiko , Wharton Kristi , O’Connor Michael B. , Nakato Hiroshi
Published: February 2018

Despite the importance of precisely regulating stem cell division, the molecular basis for this control is still elusive. Here, we show that surface glia in the developing Drosophila brain play essential roles in regulating the proliferation of neural stem cells, neuroblasts (NBs). We found that two classes of extracellular factors, Dally-like (Dlp), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and Glass bottom boat (Gbb), a BMP homologue, are required for proper NB proliferation. Interestingly, Dlp expressed in perineural glia (PG), the most outer layer of the surface glia, is responsible for NB proliferation. Consistent with this finding, functional ablation of PG using a dominant-negative form of dynamin showed that PG has an instructive role in regulating NB proliferation. Gbb acts not only as an autocrine proliferation factor in NBs but also as a paracrine survival signal in the PG. We propose that bidirectional communication between NBs and glia through TGF-β signaling influences mutual development of these two cell types. We also discuss the possibility that PG and NBs communicate via direct membrane contact or transcytotic transport of membrane components. Thus, our study shows that the surface glia acts not only as a simple structural insulator but also a dynamic regulator of brain development.
Enhanced synaptic plasticity and spatial memory in female but not male FLRT2-haplodeficient mice
Authors: Cicvaric Ana , Yang Jiaye , Bulat Tanja , Zambon Alice , Dominguez-Rodriguez Manuel , Kühn Rebekka , Sadowicz Michael G. , Siwert Anjana , Egea Joaquim , Pollak Daniela D. , Moeslinger Thomas , Monje Francisco J.
Published: February 2018

The Fibronectin Leucine-Rich Transmembrane protein 2 (FLRT2) has been implicated in several hormone -and sex-dependent physiological and pathological processes (including chondrogenesis, menarche and breast cancer); is known to regulate developmental synapses formation, and is expressed in the hippocampus, a brain structure central for learning and memory. However, the role of FLRT2 in the adult hippocampus and its relevance in sex-dependent brain functions remains unknown. We here used adult single-allele FLRT2 knockout (FLRT2+/−) mice and behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular/biological assays to examine the effects of FLRT2 haplodeficiency on synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Female and male FLRT2+/− mice presented morphological features (including body masses, brain shapes/weights, and brain macroscopic cytoarchitectonic organization), indistinguishable from their wild type counterparts. However, in vivo examinations unveiled enhanced hippocampus-dependent spatial memory recall in female FLRT2+/− animals, concomitant with augmented hippocampal synaptic plasticity and decreased levels of the glutamate transporter EAAT2 and beta estrogen receptors. In contrast, male FLRT2+/− animals exhibited deficient memory recall and decreased alpha estrogen receptor levels. These observations propose that FLRT2 can regulate memory functions in the adulthood in a sex-specific manner and might thus contribute to further research on the mechanisms linking sexual dimorphism and cognition.
Characteristics of pulsed runoff-erosion events under typical rainstorms in a small watershed on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wu Lei , Jiang Jun , Li Gou-xia , Ma Xiao-yi
Published: February 2018

The pulsed events of rainstorm erosion on the Loess Plateau are well-known, but little information is available concerning the characteristics of superficial soil erosion processes caused by heavy rainstorms at the watershed scale. This study statistically evaluated characteristics of pulsed runoff-erosion events based on 17 observed rainstorms from 1997–2010 in a small loess watershed on the Loess Plateau of China. Results show that: 1) Rainfall is the fundamental driving force of soil erosion on hillslopes, but the correlations of rainfall-runoff and rainfall-sediment in different rainstorms are often scattered due to infiltration-excess runoff and soil conservation measures. 2) Relationships between runoff and sediment for each rainstorm event can be regressed by linear, power, logarithmic and exponential functions. Cluster Analysis is helpful in classifying runoff-erosion events and formulating soil conservation strategies for rainstorm erosion. 3) Response characteristics of sediment yield are different in different levels of pulsed runoff-erosion events. Affected by rainfall intensity and duration, large changes may occur in the interactions between flow and sediment for different flood events. Results provide new insights into runoff-erosion processes and will assist soil conservation planning in the loess hilly region.
A New Pleistocene Hominin Tracksite from the Cape South Coast, South Africa
Authors: Helm Charles W. , McCrea Richard T. , Cawthra Hayley C. , Lockley Martin G. , Cowling Richard M. , Marean Curtis W. , Thesen Guy H. H. , Pigeon Tammy S. , Hattingh Sinèad
Published: February 2018

A Late Pleistocene hominin tracksite has been identified in coastal aeolianite rocks on the Cape south coast of South Africa, an area of great significance for the emergence of modern humans. The tracks are in the form of natural casts and occur on the ceiling and side walls of a ten-metre long cave. Preservation of tracks is of variable quality. Up to forty hominin tracks are evident. Up to thirty-five hominin tracks occur on a single bedding plane, with potential for the exposure of further tracks. Five tracks are apparent on a second hominin track-bearing bedding plane. A number of individuals made the tracks while moving down a dune surface. A geological investigation at the site and stratigraphic comparison to published geochronological studies from this area suggest that the tracks are ~90 ka in age. If this is the case, the shoreline at the time would have been approximately 2 km distant. This is the first reported hominin tracksite from this time period. It adds to the relatively sparse global record of early hominin tracks, and represents the largest and best preserved archive of Late Pleistocene hominin tracks found to date. The tracks were probably made byHomo sapiens.
Physics of the mechanical toy Gee-Haw Whammy Diddle
Authors: Marek Martin , Badin Matej , Plesch Martin
Published: February 2018

Gee-Haw Whammy Diddle is a seemingly simple mechanical toy consisting of a wooden stick and a second stick that is made up of a series of notches with a propeller at its end. When the wooden stick is pulled over the notches, the propeller starts to rotate. Despite its simplicity, physical principles governing the motion of the stick and the propeller are rather complicated and interesting. Here we provide a thorough analysis of the system and parameters influencing the motion. We show that contrary to the results published on this topic so far, neither elliptic motion of the stick nor frequency synchronization is needed for starting a stable motion of the propeller.
Chronic helminth infection burden differentially affects haematopoietic cell development while ageing selectively impairs adaptive responses to infection
Authors: Babayan Simon A. , Sinclair Amy , Duprez Jessica S. , Selman Colin
Published: February 2018

Throughout the lifespan of an individual, the immune system undergoes complex changes while facing novel and chronic infections. Helminths, which infect over one billion people and impose heavy livestock productivity losses, typically cause chronic infections by avoiding and suppressing host immunity. Yet, how age affects immune responses to lifelong parasitic infection is poorly understood. To disentangle the processes involved, we employed supervised statistical learning techniques to identify which factors among haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), and both innate and adaptive responses regulate parasite burdens and how they are affected by host age. Older mice harboured greater numbers of the parasites’ offspring than younger mice. Protective immune responses that did not vary with age were dominated by HSPC, while ageing specifically eroded adaptive immunity, with reduced numbers of naïve T cells, poor T cell responsiveness to parasites, and impaired antibody production. We identified immune factors consistent with previously-reported immune responses to helminths, and also revealed novel interactions between helminths and HSPC maturation. Our approach thus allowed disentangling the concurrent effects of ageing and infection across the full maturation cycle of the immune response and highlights the potential of such approaches to improve understanding of the immune system within the whole organism.
Dual-band transmission polarization converter based on planar-dipole pair frequency selective surface
Authors: Wang Shen-Yun , Liu Wei , Geyi Wen
Published: February 2018

A novel linear polarization converter operating in C- and X-bands with high polarization conversion ratio is described and demonstrated based on frequency selective surface. The building element is a planar-dipole pair, which is orthogonally printed on a double-layer substrate and vertically connected by a pair of through-via holes functioning as a quasi-two-wire transmission line coupler. A perforated metal shielding layer is sandwiched between the double-layer structure to only support a transverse electric and magnetic (TEM) mode coupling between the top and bottom dipolar components. The front dipole responds to the incident transverse electric (TE) wave, and sends the induced current into the two-wire transmission line to feed the bottom dipole. The bottom dipole is orthogonal or oriented at an arbitrary angle with respect to the top one, and a resultant outgoing transverse magnetic (TM) wave or arbitrary orientation polarized wave can be achieved. In addition, a bidirectional orthogonal polarization converter is realized by using double orthogonally arranged planar-dipole pairs, which are also printed on the same double-layer substrate.
Xiexin Tang improves the symptom of type 2 diabetic rats by modulation of the gut microbiota
Authors: Wei Xiaoyan , Tao Jinhua , Xiao Suwei , Jiang Shu , Shang Erxin , Zhu Zhenhua , Qian Dawei , Duan Jinao
Published: February 2018

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disease which severely impairs peoples’ quality of life, currently attracted worldwide concerns. There are growing evidences that gut microbiota can exert a great impact on the development of T2DM. Xiexin Tang (XXT), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been clinically used to treat diabetes for thousands of years. However, few researches are investigated on the modulation of gut microbiota community by XXT which will be very helpful to unravel how it works. In this study, bacterial communities were analyzed based on high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results indicated that XXT could notably shape the gut microbiota. T2DM rats treated with XXT exhibited obvious changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, especially for some short chain fatty acids producing and anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Adlercreutzia, Alloprevotella, Barnesiella, [Eubacterium] Ventriosum group, Blautia, Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, Papillibacter and Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group. Additionally, XXT could also significantly ameliorate hyperglycemia, lipid metabolism dysfunction and inflammation in T2DM rats. Moreover, the correlation analysis illustrated that the key microbiota had a close relationship with the T2DM related indexes. The results probably provided useful information for further investigation on its active mechanism and clinical application.
Homoarginine and inhibition of human arginase activity: kinetic characterization and biological relevance
Authors: Tommasi S. , Elliot D. J. , Da Boit M. , Gray S. R. , Lewis B. C. , Mangoni A. A.
Published: February 2018

The inhibition of arginase, resulting in higher arginine (ARG) availability for nitric oxide synthesis, may account for the putative protective effect of homoarginine (HOMOARG) against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, uncertainty exists regarding the significance of HOMOARG-induced arginase inhibition in vivo. A novel UPLC-MS method, measuring the conversion of ARG to ornithine (ORN), was developed to determine arginase 1 and arginase 2 inhibition by HOMOARG, lysine (LYS), proline (PRO), agmatine (AG), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Plasma HOMOARG, ARG and ORN concentrations were further measured in 50 healthy older adults >65 years (27 males and 23 females). HOMOARG inhibited arginase 1 with IC50 and Ki values of 8.14 ± 0.52 mM and 6.1 ± 0.50 mM, and arginase 2 with IC50 and Ki values of 2.52 ± 0.01 mM and 1.73 ± 0.10 mM, respectively. Both arginase isoforms retained 90% activity vs. control when physiological HOMOARG concentrations (1–10 µM) were used. In partial correlation analysis, plasma HOMOARG was not associated with ARG (P = 0.38) or ARG/ORN ratio (P = 0.73) in older adults. Our results suggest that arginase inhibition is unlikely to play a significant role in the reported cardio-protective effects of HOMOARG.
Chimeric peptide EP45 as a dual agonist at GLP-1 and NPY2R receptors
Authors: Chepurny Oleg G. , Bonaccorso Ron L. , Leech Colin A. , Wöllert Torsten , Langford George M. , Schwede Frank , Roth Christian L. , Doyle Robert P. , Holz George G.
Published: February 2018

We report the design and target validation of chimeric peptide EP45, a novel 45 amino acid monomeric dual agonist peptide that contains amino acid sequence motifs present within the blood glucose-lowering agent exendin-4 (Ex-4) and the appetite-suppressing agent PYY(3–36). In a new high-throughput FRET assay that provides real-time kinetic information concerning levels of cAMP in living cells, EP45 recapitulates the action of Ex-4 to stimulate cAMP production via the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), while also recapitulating the action of PYY(3–36) to inhibit cAMP production via the neuropeptide Y2receptor (NPY2R). EP45 fails to activate glucagon or GIP receptors, whereas for cells that co-express NPY2R and adenosine A2Breceptors, EP45 acts in an NPY2R-mediated manner to suppress stimulatory effects of adenosine on cAMP production. Collectively, such findings are remarkable in that they suggest a new strategy in which the co-existing metabolic disorders of type 2 diabetes and obesity will be treatable using a single peptide such as EP45 that lowers levels of blood glucose by virtue of its GLP-1R-mediated effect, while simultaneously suppressing appetite by virtue of its NPY2R-mediated effect.
Genetic heterogeneity of primary lesion and metastasis in small intestine neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Walter Dirk , Harter Patrick N. , Battke Florian , Winkelmann Ria , Schneider Markus , Holzer Katharina , Koch Christine , Bojunga Jörg , Zeuzem Stefan , Hansmann Martin Leo , Peveling-Oberhag Jan , Waidmann Oliver
Published: February 2018

Data on intratumoral heterogeneity of small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) and related liver metastasis are limited. The aim of this study was to characterize genetic heterogeneity of 5 patients with SI-NETs. Therefore, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of primary and metastatic lesions as well as benign liver of five patients with synchronously metastasized, well differentiated SI-NETs were analyzed with whole exome sequencing. For one patient, chip based 850k whole DNA methylome analysis was performed of primary and metastatic tumor tissue as well as control tissue. Thereby, 156 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 150 genes were identified and amount of mutations per sample ranged from 9–34 (mean 22). The degree of common (0–94%) and private mutations per sample was strongly varying (6–100%). In all patients, copy number variations (CNV) were found and the degree of intratumoral heterogeneity of CNVs corresponded to SNV analysis. DNA methylation analysis of a patient without common SNVs revealed a large overlap of common methylated CpG sites. In conclusion, SI-NET primary and metastatic lesions show a highly varying degree of intratumoral heterogeneity. Driver events might not be detectable with exome analysis only, and further comprehensive studies including whole genome and epigenetic analyses are warranted.
Nestedness patterns and the role of morphodynamics and spatial distance on sandy beach fauna: ecological hypotheses and conservation strategies
Authors: Checon Helio H. , Corte Guilherme N. , Shah Esmaeili Yasmina M. L. , Amaral A. Cecilia Z.
Published: February 2018

Sandy beach fauna is hypothesized to be mainly structured by environmental variables. As such, it is expected that morphodynamic characteristics are limiting factors, and the species pool inhabiting harsher reflective beaches would be a subset of (i.e., nested in) the fauna of nearby dissipative beaches. We investigated the existence of a nestedness pattern in sandy beach assemblages, as well as the contribution of environmental and spatial variables (i.e., factors that potentially affect an assemblage regardless of environmental conditions - typically related to distance between sites and dispersal of organisms) on sandy beach macrobenthic fauna. Dissipative beaches had higher species richness than reflective beaches but we found no nestedness pattern. Furthermore, almost every beach showed exclusive species. Spatial variables exerted stronger influence on macrobenthic assemblages than local environmental variables. Our results therefore suggest that local and small-scale recruitment is the predominant process structuring macrobenthic assemblages. These results bring important implications for sandy beach conservation: given that spatial distance is an important factor structuring macrobenthic fauna and different sandy beaches harbor different pools of species, conservation programs need to focus on sandy beaches across large spatial scales and with varied morphodynamic characteristics in order to preserve coastal biodiversity.
Target delivery of doxorubicin tethered with PVP stabilized gold nanoparticles for effective treatment of lung cancer
Authors: Ramalingam Vaikundamoorthy , Varunkumar Krishnamoorthy , Ravikumar Vilwanathan , Rajaram Rajendran
Published: February 2018

Development of drug delivery system conjugated with doxorubicin (dox) on the surface of AuNPs with polyvinylpyrrolidone (Dox@PVP-AuNPs), we have demonstrated that human lung cancer cells can significantly overcome by the combination of highly effective cellular entry and responsive intracellular release of doxorubicin from Dox@PVP-AuNPs complex. Previously drug release from doxorubicin-conjugated AuNPs was confirmed by the recovered fluorescence of doxorubicin from quenching due to the nanosurface energy transfer between doxorubicinyl groups and AuNPs. Dox@PVP-AuNPs achieved enhanced inhibition of lung cancer cells growth than free Doxorubicin and PVP-AuNPs. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of PVP-AuNPs, free Dox and Dox@PVP-AuNPs inhibited the proliferation of human lung cancer cells with IC50 concentration. Compared with control cells, PVP-AuNPs and free Dox, Dox@PVP-AuNPs can increases ROS generation, sensitize mitochondrial membrane potential and induces both early and late apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Moreover, Dox@PVP-AuNPs highly upregulates the expression of tumor suppressor genes than free Dox and PVP-AuNPs and induces intrinsic apoptosis in lung cancer cells. From the results, Dox@PVP-AuNPs can be considered as an potential drug delivery system for effective treatment of human lung cancer.
TRPV4-mediates oscillatory fluid shear mechanotransduction in mesenchymal stem cells in part via the primary cilium
Authors: Corrigan Michele A. , Johnson Gillian P. , Stavenschi Elena , Riffault Mathieu , Labour Marie-Noelle , Hoey David A.
Published: February 2018

Skeletal homeostasis requires the continued replenishment of the bone forming osteoblast from a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population, a process that has been shown to be mechanically regulated. However, the mechanisms by which a biophysical stimulus can induce a change in biochemical signaling, mechanotransduction, is poorly understood. As a precursor to loading-induced bone formation, deciphering the molecular mechanisms of MSC osteogenesis is a critical step in developing novel anabolic therapies. Therefore, in this study we characterize the expression of the mechanosensitive calcium channel Transient Receptor Potential subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) in MSCs and demonstrate that TRPV4 localizes to areas of high strain, specifically the primary cilium. We demonstrate that TRPV4 is required for MSC mechanotransduction, mediating oscillatory fluid shear induced calcium signaling and early osteogenic gene expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TRPV4 can be activated pharmacologically eliciting a response that mirrors that seen with mechanical stimulation. Lastly, we show that TRPV4 localization to the primary cilium is functionally significant, with MSCs with defective primary cilia exhibiting an inhibited osteogenic response to TRPV4 activation. Collectively, this data demonstrates a novel mechanism of stem cell mechanotransduction, which can be targeted therapeutically, and further highlights the critical role of the primary cilium in MSC biology.
Collision sensitive niche profile of the worst affected bird-groups at wind turbine structures in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany
Authors: Bose Anushika , Dürr Tobias , Klenke Reinhard A. , Henle Klaus
Published: February 2018

Biodiversity-related impacts at wind energy facilities have increasingly become a cause of conservation concern, central issue being the collision of birds. Utilizing spatial information of their carcass detections at wind turbines (WTs), we quantified the detections in relation to the metric distances of the respective turbines to different land-use types. We used ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) to identify combinations of land-use distances with respect to the spatial allocation of WTs that led to higher proportions of collisions among the worst affected bird-groups: Buntings, Crows, Larks, Pigeons and Raptors. We also assessed their respective similarities to the collision phenomenon by checking for overlaps amongst their distance combinations. Crows and Larks showed the narrowest “collision sensitive niche”; a part of ecological niche under higher risk of collisions with turbines, followed by that of Buntings and Pigeons. Raptors had the broadest niche showing significant overlaps with the collision sensitive niches of the other groups. This can probably be attributed to their larger home range combined with their hunting affinities to open landscapes. Identification of collision sensitive niches could be a powerful tool for landscape planning; helping avoid regions with higher risks of collisions for turbine allocations and thus protecting sensitive bird populations.
Regulatory Toxicology for Human Medicines in the European Union
Authors: Stemplewski Henry E.
Published: February 2018

A medicine intended for human use must first be authorised before it can be placed on the market in the European Union (EU). The basis by which these medicines are authorised is on the results of quality, non-clinical and clinical data conducted and submitted by the applicant. This chapter discusses the regulatory toxicology of human medicines. The consideration, in a regulatory context, of all non-clinical data plays an essential role in protecting human health, particularly at the early stages of drug development. Non-clinical data include not only the data on toxicity but also on the primary and secondary pharmacology, safety pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. Ultimately, in order for a medicine to be granted marketing authorisation, the benefit to risk balance, from both clinical and non-clinical data, must be in favour of the medicine.
Veterinary Medicinal Products
Authors: Woodward Kevin N.
Published: February 2018

In the European Union, veterinary medicinal products are assessed for their safety prior to being issued with a marketing authorisation, and in this context, safety includes toxicological safety. The results of toxicity testing are used to assess the safety of a product for the animal patient, for the consumer of food derived from treated animals and for the users of animal medicines or to those indirectly exposed, including people stroking pets given topical treatments. The requirements for testing, and advice on the methods and approaches to testing, are set out in European Union guidance and other documents. This chapter discusses the major requirements and approaches for safety testing, paying particular regard to consumer and user safety.
Occupational Toxicology in the European Union
Authors: Dewhurst Ian C.
Published: February 2018

This chapter presents information on the history, legislation and current approaches to assessing and controlling the potential hazards and risk of exposure to chemicals in the workplace. Historically, investigations of workplace exposures were post hoc, i.e. looking to identify the causes of diseases seen with increased prevalence in workers in particular sectors. The modern approach is to utilise data generated from in silico, in vitro and/or in vivo tests to set workplace exposure limits and control exposures such that they should not lead to any significant adverse effects. Exposure controls are mainly determined by limits, termed occupational exposure limits (OELs), based on airborne exposures. In the 1990s, there was a move to set OELs on a European Union (EU) basis with a harmonised value, rather than having individual Member States setting their own values for individual chemicals. The procedures for setting OELs adopted by the responsible EU body, the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL), are described, including special considerations of carcinogens and mutagens, respiratory sensitisers, skin exposures, interactions with noise and the use of biological monitoring. Interactions with overlapping legislation such as classification and labelling and the setting of derived no effect levels (DNELs) under REACH (see also Chapter 10) are addressed. Challenges for the future of occupational toxicology and occupational hygiene include clearing the backlog of chemicals currently without a harmonised consideration of OELs and dealing with new forms of occupational exposures e.g. the expansion of technologies using nanoparticles.
Food Additives
Authors: Aggett Peter J.
Published: February 2018

Food additives have been categorised as colours, sweeteners and miscellaneous additives. Overall, additives have 27 functions, amongst which preservation of foodstuffs is a major role. Additives are required to be safe and beneficial for the consumer at the intended level of use, have a justifiable technological function in foodstuffs and not to be used to mislead consumers. The overall benefit of additives is that they preserve the nutritional quality of a foodstuff. Regulated cross Union harmonisation of food additives, their level of usage and the conditions and food categories with which they could, and could not, be used was achieved in 2008. They are subject to transparent and objective risk analysis, in which risk assessment is conducted in the European Food Safety Authority, which determines an acceptable daily intake for each additive. Exposure assessment is determined based on expected consumption patterns for a new additive, or for authorised additives, on usage data. Risk management and communication are undertaken by the Commission in consultation with Member States. All additives that were authorised before January 2009 are being re-evaluated by this process. Any change in the production, properties or purity characteristics of an additive must be notified to the Commission and the additive needs to be re-evaluated as a new compound. Labelling of additives is required to be unambiguous and comprehensible for the users, and to enable traceability of any additives, and to warn about possible side effects in some consumers.
Electrochemical and surface plasmon insulin assays on clinical samples
Authors: Singh Vini , Krishnan Sadagopan
Published: February 2018

This review describes the development of insulin assays based on electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance techniques utilizing biological selectivity and nanotechnology for sensitivity.
Photoelectrochemical overall water splitting with textured CuBi2O4as a photocathode
Authors: Li Jiangtian , Griep Mark , Choi YuSong , Chu Deryn
Published: February 2018

Tailoring CuBi2O4photocathodes demonstrates their applicability in a photoelectrochemical tandem cell for entirely solar-driven overall water splitting.
Al-Doped Ni2P nanosheet array: a superior and durable electrocatalyst for alkaline hydrogen evolution
Authors: Du Huitong , Xia Lian , Zhu Shuyun , Qu Fei , Qu Fengli
Published: February 2018

Al-Ni2P/TM exhibits superior catalytic HER performance, requiring an overpotential of 129 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH.
Role of the doping level in localized proton motions in acceptor-doped barium zirconate proton conductors
Authors: Noferini Daria , Koza Michael M. , Rahman Seikh M. H. , Evenson Zach , Nilsen Gøran J. , Eriksson Sten , Wildes Andrew R. , Karlsson Maths
Published: February 2018

Quasielastic neutron scattering reveals the atomic-scale motions of protons in In-doped BaZrO3 proton conductors.
Real time evolution of unprotected protonated galactosamine probed by IRMPD spectroscopy
Authors: Fraschetti C. , Guarcini L. , Zazza C. , Mannina L. , Circi S. , Piccirillo S. , Chiavarino B. , Filippi A.
Published: February 2018

The conformations of unprotected α- and β-galactosamine has been investigated in the gas-phase by ESI-IRMPD-MS measurements and the electrospray ionization effect on the α/β distribution evaluated.
Reaction kinetics of hydrogen atom abstraction from isopentanol by the H atom and HO2˙ radical
Authors: Parab Prajakta Rajaram , Heufer K. Alexander , Fernandes Ravi Xavier
Published: February 2018

The formation of the transition state for the H-abstraction reaction from isopentanol by the HO2˙ radical.
A theoretical study on the mechanism of hydrogen evolution on non-precious partially oxidized nickel-based heterostructures for fuel cells
Authors: Pan Xinju , Zhou Gang
Published: February 2018

It was shown that interfacial effects dramatically enhance the hydrogen evolution performance of partially oxidized nickel-based heterostructures (NiO/Ni NHSs)viaa competitive charge transfer mechanism.
Hydrogen evolution by cobalt hangman porphyrins under operating conditions studied by vibrational spectro-electrochemistry
Authors: Kielb Patrycja , Horch Marius , Wrzolek Pierre , Goetz Robert , Ly Khoa H. , Kozuch Jacek , Schwalbe Matthias , Weidinger Inez M.
Published: February 2018

The structure of cobalt hangman complexes adsorbed on electrodes during HER was analysed via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
Highly efficient and time economical purification of olefin metathesis products from metal residues using an isocyanide scavenger
Authors: Szczepaniak Grzegorz , Ruszczyńska Anna , Kosiński Krzysztof , Bulska Ewa , Grela Karol
Published: February 2018

A convenient chromatography-free method for the efficient removal of ruthenium impurities from olefin metathesis products.
Tungstate catalysis: pressure-switched 2- and 6-electron reductive functionalization of CO2 with amines and phenylsilane
Authors: Wang Mei-Yan , Wang Ning , Liu Xiao-Fang , Qiao Chang , He Liang-Nian
Published: February 2018

A tungstate catalyst for reductive functionalization of CO2 with amines and phenylsilane is successfully developed by simply varying the pressure to respectively form formamides and methylamines.
Photocatalytic conversion of biomass into valuable products: a meaningful approach?
Authors: Granone L. I. , Sieland F. , Zheng N. , Dillert R. , Bahnemann D. W.
Published: February 2018

Latest achievements in the field of photocatalytic conversion of biomass are reviewed, and experimental conditions and results are critically evaluated.
Dynamic monitoring of transmembrane potential changes: a study of ion channels using an electrical double layer-gated FET biosensor
Authors: Pulikkathodi Anil Kumar , Sarangadharan Indu , Chen Yi-Hong , Lee Geng-Yen , Chyi Jen-Inn , Lee Gwo-Bin , Wang Yu-Lin
Published: February 2018

In this research, we have designed, fabricated and characterized an electrical double layer (EDL)-gated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) biosensor array to study the transmembrane potential changes of cells.
A robust and repairable superhydrophobic Co5Zn21 alloy surface on a zinc substrate
Authors: Wu Bei , Lu Shixiang , Xu Wenguo , Cheng Yuanyuan , Cui Shuo
Published: February 2018

Repairable Co5Zn21 superhydrophobic surface was successfully prepared on zinc substrate and showed good corrosion resistance and antifriction.
Dwindling the re-stacking by simultaneous exfoliation of boron nitride and decoration of α-Fe2O3nanoparticles using a solvothermal route
Authors: Thangasamy Pitchai , Sathish Marappan
Published: February 2018

The decoration of cube-like α-Fe2O3nanoparticles onin situexfoliated h-BN nanosheets was demonstrated using a solvothermal method.
An auxin–tyrosine derivative based biocompatible supergelator: a template for fabrication of nanoparticles for sustained release of model drugs
Authors: Tiwari Priyanka , Basu Anindya , Sahu Sonu , Gound Sadhna , Christman Ryann M. , Tiwari Amit K. , Trivedi Piyush , DuttKonar Anita
Published: February 2018

This report reveals the supergelating ability of an auxin-tyrosine derivative based biocompatible hydrogel in drug delivery.
Impact of the in situ rise in hydrogen partial pressure on graphene shape evolution during CVD growth of graphene
Authors: Gebeyehu Zewdu M. , Arrighi Aloïs , Costache Marius V. , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia M. , Esplandiu Maria J. , Valenzuela Sergio O.
Published: February 2018

Growth to etching transformation following in situ rise in hydrogen with time results in dendritic graphene.
Theoretical studies on glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in ionic liquids
Authors: Ju Zhaoyang , Xiao Weihua , Lu Xingmei , Liu Xiaomin , Yao Xiaoqian , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhang Suojiang
Published: February 2018

Co-interaction lead to glycolysis of ethylene terephthalate (PET) in ionic liquids (ILs): H-bonds and π-stacking.
Engaging sulfinate salts via Ni/photoredox dual catalysis enables facile Csp2–SO2R coupling
Authors: Cabrera-Afonso María Jesús , Lu Zhi-Peng , Kelly Christopher B. , Lang Simon B. , Dykstra Ryan , Gutierrez Osvaldo , Molander Gary A.
Published: February 2018

A new, mild, functional-group tolerant approach to the construction aryl- and heteroaryl sulfones via Ni/photoredox dual catalysis is described.
Revisiting the colloidal fundamentals of water-dispersible polyesters: interactions and self-assembly of polymer nanoaggregates in water
Authors: Islam Sabina , Inglefield David L. , Velev Orlin D.
Published: February 2018

When suspended in water, polyester ionomers self-assemble into soft nanoaggregates, whose colloidal properties can be predicted by classical DLVO theory.
Tracking precursor degradation during the photo-induced formation of amorphous metal oxide films
Authors: Dettelbach Kevan E. , Salvatore Danielle A. , Bottomley Adam , Berlinguette Curtis P.
Published: February 2018

Resolving the different decomposition pathways of metal organic precursors when exposed to ultraviolet or near-infrared light.
Biomass chitosan derived cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes for the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Zhang Yijie , Lu Luhua , Zhang Si , Lv Zaozao , Yang Dantong , Liu Jinghai , Chen Ying , Tian Xiaocong , Jin Hongyun , Song Weiguo
Published: February 2018

Biomass chitosan was used for the scalable synthesis of cobalt/nitrogen doped carbon nanotube composites with impressive oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability.
Multiplexed ratiometric photoluminescent detection of pyrophosphate using anisotropic boron-doped nitrogen-rich carbon rugby ball-like nanodots
Authors: Wang Zhong-Xia , Yu Xian-He , Li Feng , Kong Fen-Ying , Lv Wei-Xin , Wang Wei
Published: February 2018

B-doped N-rich carbon rugby ball-like nanodots have been synthesized by a heterophase polymerization route and can act not only as a ratiometric sensor for Hg2+ but also as a dual-mode PPi-selective sensor.
Extracellular retention of a cyclopamine nanoformulation leveraging larger size and more negative charge for improved breast cancer treatment
Authors: Feng Chan , Wang Kun , Lin Yun , Song Zhiwang , Lu Yonglin , Liu Jie , Zhu Donglei , Li Yongyong , Dong Chunyan
Published: February 2018

We achieved greater extracellular retention of nanoparticles, by leveraging their larger size and negative charge, for improving the effects of a drug with extracellular targeting sites.
The electronic and optical properties of a narrow-band red-emitting nanophosphor K2NaGaF6:Mn4+for warm white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Jiang Chunyan , Brik Mikhail G. , Li Lihua , Li Liyi , Peng Jie , Wu Jianan , Molokeev Maxim S. , Wong Ka-Leung , Peng Mingying
Published: February 2018

Here, we report a narrow band but efficient red nanophosphor K2NaGaF6:Mn4+for high quality warm white LEDs.
Visible-light and thermal driven double hydrophosphination of terminal alkynes using a commercially available iron compound
Authors: Ackley Brandon J. , Pagano Justin K. , Waterman Rory
Published: February 2018

An air-stable, commercially available iron catalyst provides fast efficient double hydrophosphination of alkynes under thermal or photochemical conditions.
Six novel coordination polymers based on the 5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isophthalic acid ligand: structures, luminescence, and magnetic properties
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Mei , Liu Feng , Gao Wei , Huang Hong , Liu Jie-Ping
Published: February 2018

Six coordination polymers containing clusters or chains have been synthesized by a combination of one tetrazolate-isophthalate ligand and N-donor ligands. Their structures, magnetic properties and luminescence properties were discussed in detail.
Mechanisms ruling the partition of solutes in ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems – the multiple effects of ionic liquids
Authors: Passos Helena , Dinis Teresa B. V. , Capela Emanuel V. , Quental Maria V. , Gomes Joana , Resende Judite , Madeira Pedro P. , Freire Mara G. , Coutinho João A. P.
Published: February 2018

The partition of solutes in ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems is due a multiple effect resulting from both solute–solvent and specific solute–ionic-liquid interactions.
Optical spectroscopy of isolated flavins: photodissociation of protonated lumichrome
Authors: Sheldrick Alexander , Müller David , Günther Alan , Nieto Pablo , Dopfer Otto
Published: February 2018

Cryogenic ion spectroscopy of protonated lumichrome realized by photodissociation of mass selected ions in a tandem mass spectrometer provides the first optical spectrum of a flavin molecule isolated in the gas phase.
Template synthesis of graphitic hollow carbon nanoballs as supports for SnOxnanoparticles towards enhanced lithium storage performance
Authors: Wang Hongkang , Wang Jinkai , Xie Sanmu , Liu Wenxing , Niu Chunming
Published: February 2018

Hollow carbon nanoballs with graphitic crystallization and flexibility were prepared, which showed superior lithium storage performance, especially when they served as supports for SnOx nanoparticles.
Enhanced physical properties of γ-Al2O3–rGO hybrids prepared by solvothermal and hot-press processing
Authors: Ikram Mujtaba , Tao Zhuchen , Ye Jianglin , Qayyum Hafiz Adil , Sun Xuemei , Xu Jin
Published: February 2018

After calcination and hot-press processing, monoliths of γ-Al2O3–rGO hybrids are obtained with improved physical properties.
Magnetic steering of liquid metal mobiles
Authors: Liu Hao , Li Moxiao , Li Yuhui , Yang Hui , Li Ang , Lu Tian Jian , Li Fei , Xu Feng
Published: February 2018

In this study, we proposed a magnetic actuation scenario for steering liquid metal locomotion in an easily accessible and highly directed manner. And it could have potential applications in flexible electronics, matter transfer, as well as vessel cleaning.
Two-dimensional GeSe for high performance thin-film solar cells
Authors: Lv Xingshuai , Wei Wei , Mu Cong , Huang Baibiao , Dai Ying
Published: February 2018

Multilayer GeSe can be a promising candidate for flexible photovoltaic devices because of the low Schottky barrier at the back electrode and high PCE of ∼18%.
A fast responsive, highly selective and light-up fluorescent probe for the two-photon imaging of carboxylesterase in living cells
Authors: Wang Jianguo , Chen Qingqing , Tian Na , Zhu Wenping , Zou Hang , Wang Xuesong , Li Xiaokang , Fan Xiaolin , Jiang Guoyu , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: February 2018

A fast responsive and two photon fluorescent probe (HCyNAc) for carboxylesterase (CaE) has been designed and used for the two-photon imaging of the endogenous CaE level in living HeLa cells under 800 nm NIR excitation.
Alterations in placental long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in human intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Chassen Stephanie Skuby , Ferchaud-Roucher Veronique , Gupta Madhulika B. , Jansson Thomas , Powell Theresa L.
Published: February 2018

Fatty acids (FA) are critical for fetal brain development and are transferred across the placenta by membrane-bound FA transport proteins (FATP), translocases (FAT/CD36), and cytosolic binding proteins (FABP). The cytosolic protein perilipin-2 aids in neutral lipid storage within lipid droplets. Decreased placental nutrient transport is believed to contribute to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); however, IUGR placental lipid transport and metabolism are poorly understood. We hypothesized that protein expression of FATPs, FABPs, and perilipin-2 in human placenta is decreased and placental lipid content and incorporation into lipid classes are reduced in IUGR. Placental tissue of idiopathic IUGR (n=25) and gestational age-matched, appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) fetuses (n=19) was collected. We determined protein expression of FABP4 and perilipin-2 in placental homogenate and FATPs (2, 4, 6, CD36) in syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) by Western blot. Lipid droplet area (Oil Red O stain) and cellular FA content (GC/MS) were measured in chorionic villous tissue. MVM expression of FATP6 and CD36 was significantly increased in IUGR. The concentrations of seven n−6 and n−3 species long chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFA) were significantly increased in the triglyceride fraction in IUGR vs AGA placenta. In summary, MVM FATP6 and CD36 protein expression is increased and LCPUFA are preferentially routed toward cellular storage in TG in the IUGR placenta, possibly to protect against oxidative stress associated with cellular FA accumulation. We speculate that these changes may be caused by impaired efflux of FA across the fetal-facing syncytiotrophoblast basal plasma membrane in IUGR placenta.
Study on the effects of distortions and common‐mode noise in high‐speed PAM‐4 systems
Authors: Luo Duona , Kalantari Milad , Yue Patrick
Published: February 2018

A study of different distortions in high‐speed differential PAM‐4 signals, including the linear distortions, i.e. amplitude mismatch, channel skew and bandwidth mismatch, and the non‐linear distortion, i.e. the mismatch between rising and falling edges is presented. It is observed that only the non‐linear distortion introduces a large common‐mode (CM) noise at the double Nyquist frequency, which causes electromagnetic interference (EMI) in high‐speed serial links. At last, Monte‐Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the impact of signal distortions on the EMI‐related CM noise.
Optimal fuzzy adaptive control for uncertain flexible joint manipulator based on D ‐operation
Authors: Dong Fangfang , Zhao Xiaomin , Han Jiang , Chen Ye‐Hwa
Published: February 2018

A fuzzy approach to the optimal control design for a kind of uncertain flexible joint manipulator is proposed. The system contains mismatched uncertainty which is described by fuzzy set theory and is assumed to be bounded. By implanting a fictitious control and transforming the system with new state variables, an adaptive robust controller is designed to guarantee the uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness of the transformed system. The proposed control is only based on the existence of the uncertainty bound and is not if–then heuristic rules‐based. Furthermore, the performance of the original system is also proven theoretically. By applying D ‐operation, the optimal design problem associated with the control can then be solved by minimising a constrained performance index. The performance index, which is based on the fuzzy information, includes average fuzzy system performance and control effort. The resulting control design is systematic and is able to assure the deterministic performance as well as the fuzzy performance. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the authors' conclusions.
Flying small target detection in IR images based on adaptive toggle operator
Authors: Marvasti Fereshteh Seyed , Mosavi Mohammad Reza , Nasiri Mahdi
Published: February 2018

Automatic detection and tracking of a small target in infrared (IR) images are of great importance. Toggle operator (TO) is the newest class of non‐linear operator morphology that has been widely used in detection and tracking the target in IR images. The most important problem in improving the efficiency of the TO is to use structural elements (SEs) in accordance with signal‐to‐clutter ratio (SCR) of each image. Generally, the clutters and targets are different in case of each image; therefore, for images with different SCRs, using SEs with fixed pixels and dimensions cannot lead to successful target detection. In this study, a new method is presented based on genetic algorithm to achieve adaptive SE for target detection in IR images. In this method, by designing the SE in accordance with the characteristics of each image, a large amount of background clutter and noise is suppressed and the contrast between target and background is increased. The results of a large set of real IR images including moving targets show that the proposed algorithm is effective in target detection. In the proposed method, the contrast between the target and background clutter is greatly increased while maintaining a low false alarm rate.