bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MERTK mediated novel site Akt phosphorylation alleviates SAV1 suppression
Authors: Jiang Yao , Zhang Yanqiong , Leung Janet Y. , Fan Cheng , Popov Konstantin I. , Su Siyuan , Qian Jiayi , Wang Xiaodong , Holtzhausen Alisha , Ubil Eric , Xiang Yang , Davis Ian , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Wu Gang , Perou Charles M. , Kim William Y. , Earp H. Shelton , Liu Pengda
Published: April 2019

Akt plays indispensable roles in cell proliferation, survival and metabolism. Mechanisms underlying posttranslational modification-mediated Akt activation have been extensively studied yet the Akt interactome is less understood. Here, we report that SAV1, a Hippo signaling component, inhibits Akt, a function independent of its role in Hippo signaling. Binding to a proline-tyrosine motif in the Akt-PH domain, SAV1 suppresses Akt activation by blocking Akt’s movement to plasma membrane. We further identify cancer-associated SAV1 mutations with impaired ability to bind Akt, leading to Akt hyperactivation. We also determine that MERTK phosphorylates Akt1-Y26, releasing SAV1 binding and allowing Akt responsiveness to canonical PI-3K pathway activation. This work provides a mechanism underlying MERTK-mediated Akt activation and survival signaling in kidney cancer. Akt activation drives oncogenesis and therapeutic resistance; this mechanism of Akt regulation by MERTK/SAV1 provides yet another complexity in an extensively studied pathway, and may yield prognostic information and therapeutic targets.
Structures of the wild-type MexAB–OprM tripartite pump reveal its complex formation and drug efflux mechanism
Authors: Tsutsumi Kenta , Yonehara Ryo , Ishizaka-Ikeda Etsuko , Miyazaki Naoyuki , Maeda Shintaro , Iwasaki Kenji , Nakagawa Atsushi , Yamashita Eiki
Published: April 2019

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MexAB–OprM plays a central role in multidrug resistance by ejecting various drug compounds, which is one of the causes of serious nosocomial infections. Although the structures of the components of MexAB–OprM have been solved individually by X-ray crystallography, no structural information for fully assembled pumps from P. aeruginosa were previously available. In this study, we present the structure of wild-type MexAB–OprM in the presence or absence of drugs at near-atomic resolution. The structure reveals that OprM does not interact with MexB directly, and that it opens its periplasmic gate by forming a complex. Furthermore, we confirm the residues essential for complex formation and observed a movement of the drug entrance gate. Based on these results, we propose mechanisms for complex formation and drug efflux.
Zero-temperature glass transition in two dimensions
Authors: Berthier Ludovic , Charbonneau Patrick , Ninarello Andrea , Ozawa Misaki , Yaida Sho
Published: April 2019

Liquids cooled towards the glass transition temperature transform into amorphous solids that have a wide range of applications. While the nature of this transformation is understood rigorously in the mean-field limit of infinite spatial dimensions, the problem remains wide open in physical dimensions. Nontrivial finite-dimensional fluctuations are hard to control analytically, and experiments fail to provide conclusive evidence regarding the nature of the glass transition. Here, we develop Monte Carlo methods for two-dimensional glass-forming liquids that allow us to access equilibrium states at sufficiently low temperatures to directly probe the glass transition in a regime inaccessible to experiments. We find that the liquid state terminates at a thermodynamic glass transition which occurs at zero temperature and is associated with an entropy crisis and a diverging static correlation length. Our results thus demonstrate that a thermodynamic glass transition can occur in finite dimensional glass-formers.
The compressive strength of crumpled matter
Authors: Croll Andrew B. , Twohig Timothy , Elder Theresa
Published: April 2019

Crumpling a sheet creates a unique, stiff and lightweight structure. Use of crumples in engineering design is limited because there are not simple, physically motivated structure-property relations available for crumpled materials; one cannot trust a crumple. On the contrary, we demonstrate that an empirical model reliably predicts the reaction of a crumpled sheet to a compressive force. Experiments show that the prediction is quantitative over 50 orders of magnitude in force, for purely elastic and highly plastic polymer films. Our data does not match recent theoretical predictions based on the dominance of building-block structures (bends, folds, d-cones, and ridges). However, by directly measuring substructures, we show clearly that the bending in the stretching ridge is responsible for the strength of both elastic and plastic crumples. Our simple, predictive model may open the door to the engineering use of a vast range of materials in this state of crumpled matter.
In vivo topology converts competition for cell-matrix adhesion into directional migration
Authors: Bajanca Fernanda , Gouignard Nadège , Colle Charlotte , Parsons Maddy , Mayor Roberto , Theveneau Eric
Published: April 2019

When migrating in vivo, cells are exposed to numerous conflicting signals: chemokines, repellents, extracellular matrix, growth factors. The roles of several of these molecules have been studied individually in vitro or in vivo, but we have yet to understand how cells integrate them. To start addressing this question, we used the cephalic neural crest as a model system and looked at the roles of its best examples of positive and negative signals: stromal-cell derived factor 1 (Sdf1/Cxcl12) and class3-Semaphorins. Here we show that Sdf1 and Sema3A antagonistically control cell-matrix adhesion via opposite effects on Rac1 activity at the single cell level. Directional migration at the population level emerges as a result of global Semaphorin-dependent confinement and broad activation of adhesion by Sdf1 in the context of a biased Fibronectin distribution. These results indicate that uneven in vivo topology renders the need for precise distribution of secreted signals mostly dispensable.
Metabolic reaction network-based recursive metabolite annotation for untargeted metabolomics
Authors: Shen Xiaotao , Wang Ruohong , Xiong Xin , Yin Yandong , Cai Yuping , Ma Zaijun , Liu Nan , Zhu Zheng-Jiang
Published: April 2019

Large-scale metabolite annotation is a challenge in liquid chromatogram-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics. Here, we develop a metabolic reaction network (MRN)-based recursive algorithm (MetDNA) that expands metabolite annotations without the need for a comprehensive standard spectral library. MetDNA is based on the rationale that seed metabolites and their reaction-paired neighbors tend to share structural similarities resulting in similar MS2 spectra. MetDNA characterizes initial seed metabolites using a small library of MS2 spectra, and utilizes their experimental MS2 spectra as surrogate spectra to annotate their reaction-paired neighbor metabolites, which subsequently serve as the basis for recursive analysis. Using different LC-MS platforms, data acquisition methods, and biological samples, we showcase the utility and versatility of MetDNA and demonstrate that about 2000 metabolites can cumulatively be annotated from one experiment. Our results demonstrate that MetDNA substantially expands metabolite annotation, enabling quantitative assessment of metabolic pathways and facilitating integrative multi-omics analysis.
Reduced nitrogenase efficiency dominates response of the globally important nitrogen fixer Trichodesmium to ocean acidification
Authors: Luo Ya-Wei , Shi Dalin , Kranz Sven A. , Hopkinson Brian M. , Hong Haizheng , Shen Rong , Zhang Futing
Published: April 2019

The response of the prominent marine dinitrogen (N2)-fixing cyanobacteria Trichodesmium to ocean acidification (OA) is critical to understanding future oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Recent studies have reported conflicting findings on the effect of OA on growth and N2 fixation of Trichodesmium. Here, we quantitatively analyzed experimental data on how Trichodesmium reallocated intracellular iron and energy among key cellular processes in response to OA, and integrated the findings to construct an optimality-based cellular model. The model results indicate that Trichodesmium growth rate decreases under OA primarily due to reduced nitrogenase efficiency. The downregulation of the carbon dioxide (CO2)-concentrating mechanism under OA has little impact on Trichodesmium, and the energy demand of anti-stress responses to OA has a moderate negative effect. We predict that if anthropogenic CO2 emissions continue to rise, OA could reduce global N2 fixation potential of Trichodesmium by 27% in this century, with the largest decrease in iron-limiting regions.
Ca2+-dependent regulation of sodium channels NaV1.4 and NaV1.5 is controlled by the post-IQ motif
Authors: Yoder Jesse B. , Ben-Johny Manu , Farinelli Federica , Srinivasan Lakshmi , Shoemaker Sophie R. , Tomaselli Gordon F. , Gabelli Sandra B. , Amzel L. Mario
Published: April 2019

Skeletal muscle voltage-gated Na+ channel (NaV1.4) activity is subject to calmodulin (CaM) mediated Ca2+-dependent inactivation; no such inactivation is observed in the cardiac Na+ channel (NaV1.5). Taken together, the crystal structures of the NaV1.4 C-terminal domain relevant complexes and thermodynamic binding data presented here provide a rationale for this isoform difference. A Ca2+-dependent CaM N-lobe binding site previously identified in NaV1.5 is not present in NaV1.4 allowing the N-lobe to signal other regions of the NaV1.4 channel. Consistent with this mechanism, removing this binding site in NaV1.5 unveils robust Ca2+-dependent inactivation in the previously insensitive isoform. These findings suggest that Ca2+-dependent inactivation is effected by CaM’s N-lobe binding outside the NaV C-terminal while CaM’s C-lobe remains bound to the NaV C-terminal. As the N-lobe binding motif of NaV1.5 is a mutational hotspot for inherited arrhythmias, the contributions of mutation-induced changes in CDI to arrhythmia generation is an intriguing possibility.
Role of fluid cohesiveness in safe swallowing
Authors: Nishinari Katsuyoshi , Turcanu Mihaela , Nakauma Makoto , Fang Yapeng
Published: April 2019

In patients with dysphagia, it has been a practice to thicken fluid food to prevent aspiration—the transport of a bolus into the trachea instead of the oesophagus. In these patients, aspiration is a risk behaviour and is closely related to pneumonia (caused by the aspiration of oral bacteria into the lungs). Since excessive thickening of fluids can cause adverse effects, such as lowering the palatability of food, subsequent reduction of liquid intake, dehydration and malnutrition, identifying the optimum thickening level is vital. Thickening might not only increase fluid viscosity, but could also modify its cohesiveness, which is another key factor affecting aspiration. Even though cohesiveness is more of a concept than a well-defined measurable parameter, this property describes the degree of coherency provided by the internal structure of a material against its fractional breakup. In fluids, this concept is less explored than in solids, powders and granules, and during the last decade few scientists have tackled this topic. Although the role of cohesiveness in the swallowing of heterogeneous solid foods is briefly overviewed, the aim of the present paper is to introduce the concept of cohesiveness for a relatively homogeneous fluid bolus and its effect on swallowing. Cohesiveness is highly correlated with the extensibility and yield stress of the fluid, suggesting that a high cohesiveness could have an important role in preventing aspiration.
A 204-subject multimodal neuroimaging dataset to study language processing
Authors: Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs , Oostenveld Robert , Lam Nietzsche H. L. , Uddén Julia , Hultén Annika , Hagoort Peter
Published: April 2019

This dataset, colloquially known as the Mother Of Unification Studies (MOUS) dataset, contains multimodal neuroimaging data that has been acquired from 204 healthy human subjects. The neuroimaging protocol consisted of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to derive information at high spatial resolution about brain anatomy and structural connections, and functional data during task, and at rest. In addition, magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to obtain high temporal resolution electrophysiological measurements during task, and at rest. All subjects performed a language task, during which they processed linguistic utterances that either consisted of normal or scrambled sentences. Half of the subjects were reading the stimuli, the other half listened to the stimuli. The resting state measurements consisted of 5 minutes eyes-open for the MEG and 7 minutes eyes-closed for fMRI. The neuroimaging data, as well as the information about the experimental events are shared according to the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) format. This unprecedented neuroimaging language data collection allows for the investigation of various aspects of the neurobiological correlates of language.
Geo-referenced population-specific microsatellite data across American continents, the MacroPopGen Database
Authors: Lawrence Elizabeth R. , Benavente Javiera N. , Matte Jean-Michel , Marin Kia , Wells Zachery R. R. , Bernos Thaïs A. , Krasteva Nia , Habrich Andrew , Nessel Gabrielle A. , Koumrouyan Ramela Arax , Fraser Dylan J.
Published: April 2019

Population genetic data from nuclear DNA has yet to be synthesized to allow broad scale comparisons of intraspecific diversity versus species diversity. The MacroPopGen database collates and geo-references vertebrate population genetic data across the Americas from 1,308 nuclear microsatellite DNA studies, 897 species, and 9,090 genetically distinct populations where genetic differentiation (FST) was measured. Caribbean populations were particularly distinguished from North, Central, and South American populations, in having higher differentiation (FST = 0.12 vs. 0.07–0.09) and lower mean numbers of alleles (MNA = 4.11 vs. 4.84–5.54). While mammalian populations had lower MNA (4.86) than anadromous fish, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, and birds (5.34–7.81), mean heterozygosity was largely similar across groups (0.57–0.63). Mean FST was consistently lowest in anadromous fishes (0.06) and birds (0.05) relative to all other groups (0.09–0.11). Significant differences in Family/Genera variance among continental regions or taxonomic groups were also observed. MacroPopGen can be used in many future applications including latitudinal analyses, spatial analyses (e.g. central-margin), taxonomic comparisons, regional assessments of anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity, and conservation of wild populations.
Collected mass spectrometry data on monoterpene indole alkaloids from natural product chemistry research
Authors: Fox Ramos Alexander E. , Le Pogam Pierre , Fox Alcover Charlotte , Otogo N’Nang Elvis , Cauchie Gaëla , Hazni Hazrina , Awang Khalijah , Bréard Dimitri , Echavarren Antonio M. , Frédérich Michel , Gaslonde Thomas , Girardot Marion , Grougnet Raphaël , Kirillova Mariia S. , Kritsanida Marina , Lémus Christelle , Le Ray Anne-Marie , Lewin Guy , Litaudon Marc , Mambu Lengo , Michel Sylvie , Miloserdov Fedor M. , Muratore Michael E. , Richomme-Peniguel Pascal , Roussi Fanny , Evanno Laurent , Poupon Erwan , Champy Pierre , Beniddir Mehdi A.
Published: April 2019

This Data Descriptor announces the submission to public repositories of the monoterpene indole alkaloid database (MIADB), a cumulative collection of 172 tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra from multiple research projects conducted in eight natural product chemistry laboratories since the 1960s. All data have been annotated and organized to promote reuse by the community. Being a unique collection of these complex natural products, these data can be used to guide the dereplication and targeting of new related monoterpene indole alkaloids within complex mixtures when applying computer-based approaches, such as molecular networking. Each spectrum has its own accession number from CCMSLIB00004679916 to CCMSLIB00004680087 on the GNPS. The MIADB is available for download from MetaboLights under the identifier: MTBLS142 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/MTBLS142).
MarTurtSI, a global database of stable isotope analyses of marine turtles
Authors: Figgener Christine , Bernardo Joseph , Plotkin Pamela T.
Published: April 2019

Marine turtles are both flagship species of conservation concern and indicators of ocean health. As highly migratory species, and despite substantial research effort focusing on nesting females and satellite tagging studies, we still know little about the trophic ecology and habitat use of immature stages and males. Consequently, marine turtle biologists began using stable isotope analyses in the last decade to elucidate various aspects of trophic ecology, including habitat use and trophic position. This has resulted in a burgeoning but largely disconnected literature of mostly single-species case studies. Here we comprehensively synthesize this body of work into a unified data repository, the MarTurtSI database. MarTurtSI contains stable isotope data from six of seven marine turtle species ranging from juveniles to adults, in different developmental, feeding, and breeding habitats across multiple ocean basins. MarTurtSI will be curated and updated with the aim of enabling continued comprehensive and global investigations into the trophic ecology of marine turtles especially in the face of climate change and other conservation challenges.
Author Correction: The influence of haemoglobin and iron on in vitro mycobacterial growth inhibition assays
Authors: Tanner Rachel , O’Shea Matthew K. , White Andrew D. , Müller Julius , Harrington-Kandt Rachel , Matsumiya Magali , Dennis Mike J. , Parizotto Eneida A. , Harris Stephanie , Stylianou Elena , Naranbhai Vivek , Bettencourt Paulo , Drakesmith Hal , Sharpe Sally , Fletcher Helen A. , McShane Helen
Published: April 2019

A correction has been published and is appended to both the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Comparison of lower extremity joint mechanics between healthy active young and middle age people in walking and running gait
Authors: Jin Li , Hahn Michael E.
Published: April 2019

Progression of age can influence gait characteristics. Previous research has investigated lower extremity joint mechanics between young and elderly people in locomotion, however little is known about whether differences exist between young and middle age people. Ten young healthy subjects (22.8 ± 5.3 years) and ten middle age healthy subjects (50.7 ± 6.0 years) engaged in treadmill walking (from 0.8 to 2.0 m/s) and running (from 1.8 to 3.8 m/s). The middle age group had higher ankle plantar flexor moment angular impulse (p = 0.002), total support moment impulse (p = 0.016), and hip stance positive work (p = 0.029) across walking speeds. Additionally, the middle age group had higher knee flexion angle at ground contact in walking (p = 0.005) and running (p = 0.037). These findings indicate that moderate age affects changes in ankle and hip kinetic characteristics in walking, and knee kinematic patterns in both walking and running.
The influence of gaze direction on food preferences
Authors: Madipakkam Apoorva Rajiv , Bellucci Gabriele , Rothkirch Marcus , Park Soyoung Q.
Published: April 2019

In our information-rich environment, the gaze direction of another indicates their current focus of attention. Following the gaze of another, results in gaze-evoked shifts in joint attention, a phenomenon critical for the functioning of social cognition. Previous research in joint attention has shown that objects that are attended by another are more liked than ignored objects. Here, we investigated this effect of gaze-cueing on participants’ preferences for unknown food items. Participants provided their willingness to pay (WTP), taste and health preferences for food items before and after a standard gaze-cueing paradigm. We observed a significant effect of gaze-cueing on participants’ WTP bids. Specifically, participants were willing to pay more money for the food items that were looked at by another person. In contrast, there was a decrease in preference for the food items that were ignored by another person. Interestingly, this increase in WTP occurred without participants’ awareness of the contingency between the cue and target. These results highlight the influence of social information on human choice behavior and lay the foundation for experiments in neuromarketing and consumer decision making.
3D Structure and Processing Methods Direct the Biological Attributes of ECM-Based Cardiac Scaffolds
Authors: Efraim Yael , Schoen Beth , Zahran Sharbel , Davidov Tzila , Vasilyev Gleb , Baruch Limor , Zussman Eyal , Machluf Marcelle
Published: April 2019

High hopes are held for cardiac regenerative therapy, driving a vast research effort towards the development of various cardiac scaffolds using diverse technologies and materials. Nevertheless, the role of factors such as fabrication process and structure in determining scaffold’s characteristics is yet to be discovered. In the present study, the effects of 3D structure and processing method on cardiac scaffolds are addressed using three distinct scaffolds made through different production technologies from the same biomaterial: decellularized porcine cardiac extracellular matrix (pcECM). pcECM patch, injectable pcECM hydrogel, and electrospun pcECM scaffolds were all proven as viable prospective therapies for MI, thus generally preserving pcECM beneficial properties. Yet, as we demonstrate, minor differences in scaffolds composition and micro-morphology as well as substantial differences in their mechanical properties, which arise from their production process, highly affect the interactions of the scaffold with both proliferating cells and functional cells. Hence, the rates of cell attachment, survival, and proliferation significantly vary between the different scaffolds. Moreover, major differences in cell morphology and alignment as well as in matrix remodeling are obtained. Overall, the effects revealed herein can guide a more rational scaffold design for the improved cellular or acellular treatment of different cardiac disease scenarios.
GRSF1 is an age-related regulator of senescence
Authors: Kim Su-Jeong , Chun Maria , Wan Junxiang , Lee Changhan , Yen Kelvin , Cohen Pinchas
Published: April 2019

Senescent cells that accumulate in multiple tissues with age are thought to increase pathological phenotypes. The removal of senescent cells can improve lifespan and/or healthspan in mouse models. Global hypomethylation and local hypermethylation in DNA are hallmarks of aging but it is unclear if such age-dependent methylation changes affect specific genes that regulate cellular senescence. Because mitochondria play important roles in aging and senescence, we tested if age-associated methylation changes in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins were involved in regulating cellular senescence. Here, we examined the role of hypermethylation of the G-rich sequence factor 1 (GRSF1) promoter region, a mitochondrial RNA binding protein, in replication- and doxorubicin-induced cellular senescence. GRSF1 expression was lower in senescent fibroblasts, and GRSF1 knockdown induced senescence in human primary fibroblasts. These results suggest that the age-dependent hypermethylation of GRSF1 reduces its expression, which can potentially contribute to cellular senescence during aging.
Tailoring exceptional points with one-dimensional graphene-embedded photonic crystals
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Zhang Weixuan , Yang Bing , Wu Tong , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: April 2019

We theoretically demonstrate that tunable exceptional points (EPs) can be realized by using graphene-embedded one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystals with optical pumping in the terahertz (THz) frequency range. By tuning the Fermi level of graphene sheet, the energy band are altered significantly and the EP appears. In particular, multiple EPs at different frequencies can be selectively produced via subtly adjusting the band structure. Furthermore, topological features of these EPs, such as crossing and anti-crossing of the real and imaginary parts of the eigenvalues, have been analyzed in detail. We expect that tunable EPs can provide an instructive method to design active optical devices based on photoexcited graphene sheets in the THz frequency range.
Interlayer charge transport controlled by exciton–trion coherent coupling
Authors: Kallatt Sangeeth , Das Sarthak , Chatterjee Suman , Majumdar Kausik
Published: April 2019

The possibility of electrical manipulation and detection of a charged exciton (trion) before its radiative recombination makes it promising for excitonic devices. Using a few-layer graphene/monolayer WS2/monolayer graphene vertical heterojunction, we report interlayer charge transport from top few-layer graphene to bottom monolayer graphene, mediated by a coherently formed trion state. This is achieved by using a resonant excitation and varying the sample temperature; the resulting change in the WS2 bandgap allows us to scan the excitation around the exciton–trion spectral overlap with high spectral resolution. By correlating the vertical photocurrent and in situ photoluminescence features at the heterojunction as a function of the spectral position of the excitation, we show that (1) trions are anomalously stable at the junction even up to 463 K due to enhanced doping, and (2) the photocurrent results from the ultrafast formation of a trion through exciton–trion coherent coupling, followed by its fast interlayer transport. The demonstration of coherent formation, high stabilization, vertical transportation, and electrical detection of trions marks a step toward room-temperature trionics.
Introduction
Authors: Chu Liang-Yin
Published: April 2019

In this chapter, several important questions about smart membranes are answered, including the following: why are smart membranes captivating and desired? How are smart membranes designed? How are smart membranes fabricated? What kinds of smart membranes are currently available? What can smart membranes do?
CO2-responsive Membranes
Authors: Che Hailong , Yuan Jinying
Published: April 2019

As a widespread, non-toxic and renewable gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) has been widely used to reversibly switch a variety of functional materials. Compared to conventional stimuli, such as temperature, pH, light, or redox agents, a CO2 stimulus is truly “green” for responsive systems owing to its distinct advantages: it is easy to remove gas from the system without any chemical contamination and dilution; the stimulating magnitude can be precisely modulated by controlling gas bubbling; it could act as a convenient physiological signal to make the materials less harmful to biological molecules or living systems. In view of the irreplaceable feature of CO2-responsive systems, CO2-switching functional surfaces or membranes and their potential applications in the area of molecular absorption, wetting regulation and oil/water separation have been reported. In this chapter, we first discuss the CO2-responsive mechanism and functional groups including amidines, tertiary amines, imidazoles, and guanidines. Then, synthesis of CO2-responsive polymers will be revealed. Subsequently, CO2-responsive surfaces and membranes will be summarized and their applications, such as gas-controlled oil/water separation and biological agent capture and release, will be highlighted. Finally, we forecast the potential applications and challenges for CO2-responsive surfaces and membranes.
Solute- and Temperature-responsive Smart Membranes Formed by Covalent Layer-by-layer Assembly
Authors: Skiles S. , Wan A. , Fu H. , Allen A. L. , Elinski M. B. , Batteas  , Bergbreiter D. E.
Published: April 2019

Surfaces with Hofmeister-like anion-responsive wettability were prepared by covalent layer-by-layer assembly of PNIPAM-c-PNASI with 10 and 100 nm diameter aminated silica nanoparticles on Si surfaces. Their morphologies and surface roughness were investigated in a step-wise fashion by tapping mode AFM. The roughness of the polymer nanocomposite surface was found to increase when the nanoparticles were functionalized to the substrate. Significant aggregation of the nanoparticles occurred in the process of assembling multiple layers of the copolymer and nanoparticles on the substrate. The change in surface roughness increased the contact angle of 1.2 M Na2SO4 solution on the surface by ∼40° compared to pure water. Aggregation of the polymer/nanoparticles composites plays a major role in the enlargement of the surface roughness, which leads to changes in the surface wettability. These films also show variations in the Young's modulus induced by external stimuli, where temperature variation and counter ion addition to the surrounding solution were both studied to investigate their effect, as determined by colloidal probe force microscopy. Here, the elastic modulus was found to be in the range of ∼3 MPa to 189 MPa; dependent on the exposure of the polymer composite to various temperatures, counter ions and rinsing procedures.
Smart Membrane in a Microchip
Authors: Wang Wei , Chu Liang-Yin
Published: April 2019

In this chapter, smart membranes in microchips are developed by integration of in situ-formed and pre-fabricated smart-nanogel-containing membranes for flux control as well as sensitive detection. Based on the stimuli-responsive swelling/shrinking of smart nanogels in the membrane pores, these smart membranes in microchips can adjust their pore size to change the membrane permeability as well as the trans-membrane flux. The stimuli-induced flux change can be measured for quantitative detection of a stimuli signal, such as ethanol, as demonstrated in this chapter. Moreover, based on the smart-nanogel-based strategy for adjustment of pore size for flux control, a smart-microgel-containing capillary microchannel, used as a single smart membrane pore, is developed for ultrasensitive, highly selective and real-time on-line detection of trace Pb2+.
Biomolecule-recognition Smart Gating Membranes
Authors: Sugawara Y. , Yamaguchi T.
Published: April 2019

Smart gating membranes can regulate their permeability with high selectivity by controlling pore sizes based on the opening and closing behavior of their pores in response to external stimuli. This function arises from the volume change of stimuli-responsive polymers, which are immobilized inside the nano-sized pores. Among smart gating membranes, ion-recognition gating membranes are inspired by biomembranes that recognize ion signals; these artificial membranes can control their permeability in response to specific ions. Furthermore, biomolecule-recognition gating membranes, which work in protein recognition with high selectivity, have recently attracted attention because such membranes are of interest for biomedical applications, e.g., diagnostic devices. This chapter explains the design of and the principles underlying ion- and biomolecule-recognition smart gating membranes.
Smart Polymeric Membranes with Magnetic Nanoparticles for Switchable Separation
Authors: Ulbricht Mathias
Published: April 2019

This chapter provides an overview on the topic of magneto-responsive membranes for switchable mass separation. The combination of concepts, materials and methods in the field of filtration membranes with the application of magnetic materials and magnetic fields is described. Combining organic polymer-based membranes with inorganic magnetic nanoparticles is the most efficient approach to obtain “smart” membranes that can show large and reversible changes in barrier and surface properties upon activation with static or alternating magnetic fields of different frequencies. Two general approaches can be distinguished: (i) addressing secondary interactions during membrane separation such as concentration polarization or fouling, or (ii) focussing on intrinsic membrane barrier properties. Until now, the most progress toward switchable separations has been achieved by membranes that change effective pore size in the micro- or ultrafiltration range, either via reversible deformations induced by static or low frequency magnetic fields or via the synergistic combination of magneto-heating by stimulation with high frequency alternating magnetic fields and thermo-responsive hydrogels as building blocks for mixed matrix composite membranes. This pioneering work will trigger much more research and development toward real applications, e.g., in bioseparations and/or for bioanalytical or biomedical applications, wherever the option of remote-controlled switching of separation selectivity is of interest.
Thermo-responsive Membranes with Switchable Superhydrophilicity and Superhydrophobicity for Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Ou Ranwen , Simon George P. , Wang Huanting
Published: April 2019

Oil–water separation remains key in the development of technology for a range of applications. In this chapter, thermally responsive membranes with switchable superwettabilities used for controllable oil–water separation will be discussed. Superwetting membranes have been shown to be energy-efficient and cost-effective for the separation of oil–water mixtures or oil–water emulsions because the separation mechanism is based on the different interfacial effects of oil or water on the superwetting surface. These membranes show not only excellent separation efficiency, but also ultrahigh permeation flux. In recent years, on–off switchable separation of oil–water mixtures, separation of different kinds of oil-in-water emulsions and water-in-oil emulsions with the same membrane, and tuneable permeation flux have been achieved by introduction of a thermally responsive ability into the superwetting membranes. The challenges in this area are also outlined for further development of thermo-responsive membranes with superwetting surfaces for controllable oil–water separation and practical applications.
Smart Biomedical Membranes for Blood Separation
Authors: Venault A. , Yeh C.-C. , Hsieh N.-T. , Chang Y.
Published: April 2019

This chapter presents current efforts to design smart materials for blood separation, which do not rely on molecular sieving only, but on mechanisms of interactions between the membrane and the blood component to isolate. Although concepts have been introduced, there is more to do than has ever been done on this topic. This chapter stresses the need for a specific combination of materials to separate the component of interest from the bloodstream without inducing blood coagulation. PEGylated, zwitterionic and pseudo-zwitterionic materials can all improve the hemocompatibility of the membrane design. But to perform a smart separation, a charge bias has to be introduced by incorporating charged polymers, or a stimuli-responsive polymer has to be grafted which interactions with the blood component are tuned by environmental conditions. Attention is also given to methods for preparing supporting layers, poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based or polypropylene-based. Finally, examples of reported smart blood separations are scrutinized, including the separation of proteins from whole blood, the development of leukocyte depletion or platelet concentration filters. We end this chapter with an identification of the current challenges to overcome to expand the development of smart membranes for blood separation.
Summary and Perspectives
Authors: Chu Liang-Yin
Published: April 2019

In this chapter, the development of smart membranes, essential elements for smart membranes and the application prospects of smart membranes will be presented and discussed in brief.
C–H functionalization reactions under flow conditions
Authors: Santoro Stefano , Ferlin Francesco , Ackermann Lutz , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: April 2019

This review summarizes the application of flow technologies for the realization of C–H functionalization reactions, focusing on the main features and benefits of the use of flow compared to batch conditions.
Mechanistic insights into C2 and C3 product generation using Ni3Al and Ni3Ga electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction
Authors: Paris Aubrey R. , Bocarsly Andrew B.
Published: April 2019

Systematic variations in catalyst structure and electrolyte isotopic labeling narrow down mechanistic possibilities for CO2 reduction using Ni–Group 13 electrocatalysts
Development of a DNA aptamer selection method based on the heterogeneous sandwich form and its application in a colorimetric assay for influenza A virus detection
Authors: Kang Juyoung , Yeom Gyuho , Ha Su-Ji , Kim Min-Gon
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce an effective method for selecting aptamer that increases the signal-to-noise ratio in a heterogenous sandwich-type immunosensor and confirm the efficiency of selected aptamer candidates in the colorimetric assay. Using the proposed method, four aptamer candidates withKdvalues ranging from 77.6 nM to 125.7 nM were obtained.
Phase-dependent shear-induced order of nanorods in isotropic and nematic wormlike micelle solutions
Authors: Mhanna Ramona , Lee Jonghun , Narayanan Suresh , Reich Daniel H. , Leheny Robert L.
Published: April 2019

Gold nanorods in wormlike micelle solutions under shear assemble into ordered structures that depend on the micelle phase.
4-(Pyridin-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine as an efficient non-toxic inhibitor for mild steel in hydrochloric acid solutions
Authors: Yang Xifeng , Li Feng , Zhang Weiwei
Published: April 2019

The corrosion inhibition performance and mechanism of 4-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine toward mild steel in hydrochloric acid were studied for the first time.
Alleviating concentration polarization: a micro three-electrode interdigitated glucose sensor based on nanoporous gold from a mild process
Authors: Fan Guokang , Sun Peng , Zhao Jie , Han Dongxue , Niu Li , Cui Guofeng
Published: April 2019

An interdigitated three-electrode non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on nanoporous gold is achieved and presents excellent sensing performance including great sensitivity, high stability and low detective limit.
Confinement templates for hierarchical nanoparticle alignment prepared by azobenzene-based surface relief gratings
Authors: Schedl Andreas E. , Probst Patrick T. , Meichner Christoph , Neuber Christian , Kador Lothar , Fery Andreas , Schmidt Hans-Werner
Published: April 2019

Substrate-assisted nanoparticle alignment via surface relief gratings. Modulation of the grating height allows control over the formed particle patterns.
Recent advances in open tubular capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Lam Shing Chung , Sanz Rodriguez Estrella , Haddad Paul R. , Paull Brett
Published: April 2019

This review covers advances and applications of open tubular capillary liquid chromatography (OT-LC) over the period 2007–2018.
A highly stable nanofibrous Eu-MOF membrane as a convenient fluorescent test paper for rapid and cyclic detection of nitrobenzene
Authors: Li Ting-Ting , Liu Lin , Gao Ming-Liang , Han Zheng-Bo
Published: April 2019

In situ growing Eu-MOF crystals on electrospun nanofibers as a convenient fluorescent test paper for rapid and cyclic detection of nitrobenzene.
Heterogeneous nickel-catalysed reversible, acceptorless dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles for hydrogen storage
Authors: Ryabchuk Pavel , Agapova Anastasiya , Kreyenschulte Carsten , Lund Henrik , Junge Henrik , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: April 2019

Nickel catalyst for hydrogen storage in N-heterocycles: a heterogeneous nickel catalyst promotes both hydrogenation and subsequent dehydrogenation of quinoline derivatives.
Emission enhancement and high sensitivity of a π-conjugated dye towards pressure: the synergistic effect of supramolecular interactions and H-aggregation
Authors: Sun Zhanghua , Zang Qiguang , Luo Qing , Lv Chunyan , Cao Feng , Song Qingbao , Zhao Ruiyang , Zhang Yujian , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: April 2019

We prepared a HLCT-type dye with high PL efficiency in solid solutions. In the crystalline state, the H-aggregated dye with weak supramolecular interactions showed enhanced emission under low pressures (5 MPa).
A scalable electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of P(O)H compounds with RSH/ROH
Authors: Li Yujun , Yang Qi , Yang Liquan , Lei Ning , Zheng Ke
Published: April 2019

A practical, scalable electrochemical dehydrogenative cross coupling of P(O)H compounds with thiols, phenols and alcohols.
Photocontrolled endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation
Authors: Sharma Ajay Kumar , Singh Harshit , Chakrapani Harinath
Published: April 2019

A photocleavable small molecule for superoxide generation.
Trifunctional organometallic frameworks and cages based on all-cis-1,3,5-triethynyl-1,3,5-trisilacyclohexanes
Authors: Weisheim Eugen , Weigel Simon , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: April 2019

All-cis-1,3,5-triethynyl-1,3,5-triorganyl-1,3,5-trisilacyclohexanes offer flexible scaffolds with three concordantly oriented ethynyl groups that can be lithiated and transformed into a range of other cage-like compounds, like the trimercury cage compounds [CH2Si(R)C2HgC2(R)SiCH2]3shown in the picture.
Destructive role of oxygen in growth of molybdenum disulfide determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Michałowski Paweł Piotr , Knyps Piotr , Ciepielewski Paweł , Caban Piotr , Dumiszewska Ewa , Baranowski Jacek
Published: April 2019

Oxygen out-diffusion from substrates containing oxygen leads to the formation of an amorphous MoOS layer in addition to MoS2.
Physical origin underlying the prenucleation-cluster-mediated nonclassical nucleation pathways for calcium phosphate
Authors: Yang Xiao , Wang Mingzhu , Yang Yang , Cui Beiliang , Xu Zhijun , Yang Xiaoning
Published: April 2019

We employed free energy calculations to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the non-classical nucleation process and phase separation for calcium phosphate.
Dissociative electron attachment to HNO3 and its hydrates: energy-selective electron-induced chemistry
Authors: Lengyel Jozef , Fedor Juraj , Fárník Michal
Published: April 2019

The chemistry of mixed nitric acid–water clusters triggered by electron attachment depends on clustering and the electron energy.
Azole-containing cationic bis-cyclometallated iridium(iii) isocyanide complexes: a theoretical insight into the emission energy and emission efficiency
Authors: Giussani Angelo , Pla Paula , Junquera-Hernández José M. , Ortí Enrique
Published: April 2019

Blue-emission of Ir(iii) isocyanide complexes was quenched by a metal-centred d–d* triplet state.
Reactivity of an NHC-stabilized pyramidal hydrosilylene with electrophilic boron sources
Authors: Dübek Gizem , Franz Daniel , Eisenhut Carsten , Altmann Philipp J. , Inoue Shigeyoshi
Published: April 2019

An NHC-stabilized three-coordinate hydrosilylene dehydrogenates ammonia borane and forms more stable complexes with BH3, BPh3, BBr3 and BPhBr2 but less stable ones with BF3, and BCl3 for which ligand scrambling occurs.
Unusual formation of NiCo2O4@MnO2/nickel foam/MnO2 sandwich as advanced electrodes for hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Guo Chunli , Li Jie , Chu Yanting , Li Haibo , Zhang Huaiping , Hou Lifeng , Wei Yinghui , Liu Jing , Xiong Shenglin
Published: April 2019

A NiCo2O4@MnO2/NF/MnO2 sandwich with robust adhesion can prevent NiCo2O4 from falling off from the conductive substrate, so the electrode material indicates a satisfactory cycling stability.
Photocatalytic 4-nitrophenol degradation and oxygen evolution reaction in CuO/g-C3N4 composites prepared by deep eutectic solvent-assisted chlorine doping
Authors: Verma Atul , Jaihindh Dhayanantha Prabu , Fu Yen-Pei
Published: April 2019

Heterostructured Cl-CuO/g-C3N4 composite for OER and photocatalytic 4-nitrophenol degradation.
Best Papers from 2018 in the Environmental Science family of journals: great science with a global reach
Authors: Vikesland Peter J. , McNeill Kristopher , Novak Paige J.
Published: April 2019

The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Best Papers of 2018.
Metal-free nitrogen -doped carbon nanosheets: a catalyst for the direct synthesis of imines under mild conditions
Authors: Wang Kaizhi , Jiang Pengbo , Yang Ming , Ma Ping , Qin Jiaheng , Huang Xiaokang , Ma Lei , Li Rong
Published: April 2019

Herein, a highly stable, porous, multifunctional and metal-free catalyst was developed, which exhibited significant catalytic performance in the oxidation of amines and the transfer hydrogenation of nitriles under mild conditions.
The importance of phase equilibrium for doping efficiency: iodine doped PbTe
Authors: Male James , Agne Matthias T. , Goyal Anuj , Anand Shashwat , Witting Ian T. , Stevanović Vladan , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: April 2019

Drastic effects of phase equilibrium on semiconductor doping efficiency are demonstrated in n-type PbTe.
First-in-class ruthenium anticancer drug (KP1339/IT-139) induces an immunogenic cell death signature in colorectal spheroids in vitro
Authors: Wernitznig Debora , Kiakos Konstantinos , Del Favero Giorgia , Harrer Nathalie , Machat Herwig , Osswald Annika , Jakupec Michael A , Wernitznig Andreas , Sommergruber Wolfgang , Keppler Bernhard K
Published: April 2019

The ruthenium complex sodium trans-[tetrachloridobis(1H-indazole)ruthenate(iii)] (KP1339/IT-139) showed preclinical activity in a variety of in vivo tumor models including a highly predictive colon cancer model. The compound has entered clinical trials, where patients experienced disease stabilization accompanied by mild side effects. KP1339, a GRP78 inhibitor, disrupts endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis leading to cell death. The PERK/eIF2α-branch of the ER plays an essential role in the cascade of events triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD). ICD makes dying cancer cells ‘visible’ to the immune system, initiating a prolonged immune response against the tumor. As some metal-based chemotherapeutics such as oxaliplatin are able to induce ICD, we investigate whether KP1339 could also trigger induction of the ICD signature. For this, we employ a three-dimensional colon cancer spheroid model and show for the first time that the treatment with KP1339, a ruthenium-based complex, triggers an ICD signature hallmarked by phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α, exposure of calreticulin on the cell membrane, release of high mobility group box 1 and secretion of ATP.
The effect of the electrophilic group on the hierarchy of nucleofuges in the aminolysis reactions of thiol- and dithiocarbonates with secondary alicyclic amines: A kinetic and theoretical study
Authors: Montecinos Rodrigo , Gazitúa Marcela , Santos José G.
Published: April 2019

Thiol- and dithiocarbonates react with amines, forming tetrahedral intermediates and then different product ratios. Theoretical results show that the product ratio depends on the water microsolvation of the electrophilic group in the anionic intermediate.
In situ decoration of plasmonic silver nanoparticles on poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane for versatile SERS detection
Authors: Liu Ruiyu , Tang Jia , Yang Hui , Jin Wei , Liu Mei , Liu Shijun , Hu Jiugang
Published: April 2019

A new strategy based on a polymer sol was proposed for the in situ fabrication of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for application in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
The solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of mildly oxidized graphene oxide and its application as a novel conductive surfactant
Authors: Chen Jianhui , Chen Wufeng , Song Dongcheng , Lai Bin , Sheng Yuanyuan , Yan Lifeng
Published: April 2019

A solvent-free mechanochemical synthetic mildly oxidized graphene oxide (MOGO) can act as an electrically conductive surfactant for dispersing nanoparticles.
Novel molecularly imprinted polymers on metal–organic frameworks as sensors for the highly selective detection of zearalenone in wheat
Authors: Du Qiuzheng , Wu Pu , Hu Fan , Li Geyuan , Shi Jianrong , He Hua
Published: April 2019

This work provides a rapid and simple method for the determination of trace substances in complex systems.