bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living upside down: patterns of red coral settlement in a cave
Authors: Costantini Federica , Rugiu Luca , Cerrano Carlo , Abbiati Marco
Published: May 2018

Background

Larval settlement and intra-specific interactions during the recruitment phase are crucial in determining the distribution and density of sessile marine populations. Marine caves are confined and stable habitats. As such, they provide a natural laboratory to study the settlement and recruitment processes in sessile invertebrates, including the valuable Mediterranean red coralCorallium rubrum. In the present study, the spatial and temporal variability of red coral settlers in an underwater cave was investigated by demographic and genetic approaches.

Methods

Sixteen PVC tiles were positioned on the walls and ceiling of the Colombara Cave, Ligurian Sea, and recovered after twenty months. A total of 372 individuals of red coral belonging to two different reproductive events were recorded. Basal diameter, height, and number of polyps were measured, and seven microsatellites loci were used to evaluate the genetic relationships among individuals and the genetic structure.

Results

Significant differences in the colonization rate were observed both between the two temporal cohorts and between ceiling and walls. No genetic structuring was observed between cohorts. Overall, high levels of relatedness among individuals were found.

Conclusion

The results show thatC. rubrumindividuals on tiles are highly related at very small spatial scales, suggesting that nearby recruits are likely to be sibs. Self-recruitment and the synchronous settlement of clouds of larvae could be possible explanations for the observed pattern.
Understanding mitochondrial myopathies: a review
Authors: Ahuja Abhimanyu S.
Published: May 2018

Mitochondria are small, energy-producing structures vital to the energy needs of the body. Genetic mutations cause mitochondria to fail to produce the energy needed by cells and organs which can cause severe disease and death. These genetic mutations are likely to be in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), or possibly in the nuclear DNA (nDNA). The goal of this review is to assess the current understanding of mitochondrial diseases. This review focuses on the pathology, causes, risk factors, symptoms, prevalence data, symptomatic treatments, and new research aimed at possible preventions and/or treatments of mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondrial myopathies are mitochondrial diseases that cause prominent muscular symptoms such as muscle weakness and usually present with a multitude of symptoms and can affect virtually all organ systems. There is no cure for these diseases as of today. Treatment is generally supportive and emphasizes symptom management. Mitochondrial diseases occur infrequently and hence research funding levels tend to be low in comparison with more common diseases. On the positive side, quite a few genetic defects responsible for mitochondrial diseases have been identified, which are in turn being used to investigate potential treatments. Speech therapy, physical therapy, and respiratory therapy have been used in mitochondrial diseases with variable results. These therapies are not curative and at best help with maintaining a patient’s current abilities to move and function.
On the efficiency of the genetic code after frameshift mutations
Authors: Geyer Regine , Madany Mamlouk Amir
Published: May 2018

Statistical and biochemical studies of the standard genetic code (SGC) have found evidence that the impact of mistranslations is minimized in a way that erroneous codes are either synonymous or code for an amino acid with similar polarity as the originally coded amino acid. It could be quantified that the SGC is optimized to protect this specific chemical property as good as possible. In recent work, it has been speculated that the multilevel optimization of the genetic code stands in the wider context of overlapping codes. This work tries to follow the systematic approach on mistranslations and to extend those analyses to the general effect of frameshift mutations on the polarity conservation of amino acids. We generated one million random codes and compared their average polarity change over all triplets and the whole set of possible frameshift mutations. While the natural code—just as for the point mutations—appears to be competitively robust against frameshift mutations as well, we found that both optimizations appear to be independent of each other. For both, better codes can be found, but it becomes significantly more difficult to find candidates that optimize all of these features—just like the SGC does. We conclude that the SGC is not only very efficient in minimizing the consequences of mistranslations, but rather optimized in amino acid polarity conservation for all three effects of code alteration, namely translational errors, point and frameshift mutations. In other words, our result demonstrates that the SGC appears to be much more than just “one in a million”.
Near Reflex Paresis - A Rare Presentation of Arachnoid Cyst
Authors: Chandran Vidhya
Published: May 2018

Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid covered by arachnoidal cells and collagen that may develop between the surface of the brain and the cranial base or on the arachnoid membrane, one of the 3 meningeal layers that cover the brain and the spinal cord.1 In this article, we describe a 10-year-old boy with an arachnoid cyst of the right fronto-temporal area that led to a near reflex paresis in the eyes. This presentation has been never reported in the literature.
Processos Interativos dos Órgãos e Sistemas: perspectivas de evolução e tendências
Authors: Araújo Roberto Paulo Correia de
Published: May 2018

Os Programas de Pós-graduação têm como objetivo permanente formar docentes, através dos seus Cursos de Mestrado, e pesquisadores, através dos seus Cursos de Doutorado, devendo assegurar-lhes as condições essenciais à construção e reconstrução do conhecimento científico e tecnológico inovador, inter e multidisciplinar, em ambientações e espaços acadêmicos propícios ao estudo dos mais diversos processos, dentre os quais os biológicos e moleculares envolvendo os órgãos e sistemas, em se tratando da área de saúde. .......

.....esta Revista reconhece a qualidade da produção científica desenvolvida pelos professores e pós-graduandos do Programa de Pós-Graduação Processos Interativos dos Órgãos e Sistemas valorizando-a, publicando-a e disseminando-a, nacionalmente e internacionalmente.
Perfil Epidemiológico de Idosos com Osteoartrose
Authors: Silveira Michele Marinho da , Sachetti Amanda , Vidmar Marlon Francys , Venâncio Giovani , Tombini Daniel Kochenborger , Sordi Sabrina , Pilla Sabrina , Wibelinger Lia Mara
Published: May 2018

A osteoartrose (OA) constitui-se no grupo de doenças que mais afeta a população mundial, levando a uma diminuição da qualidade de vida. Pesquisas têm encontrado associações de várias condições de saúde dos idosos com os fatores ambientais, demográficos e socioeconômicos. O estudo desses diversos fatores é capaz de fornecer informações relevantes para o desenvolvimento de programas que visam à promoção de um envelhecimento ativo e saudável. O objetivo deste trabalho foi traçar um perfil dos idosos com osteoartrose atendidos no serviço de fisioterapia reumatológica da Universidade de Passo Fundo. Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo de natureza documental, de coleta de dados em prontuários de pacientes idosos que foram atendidos no serviço de Fisioterapia Reumatológica da Universidade de Passo Fundo, com as variáveis analisadas: sexo, localização da osteoartrose, queixa principal, uso de medicamentos e doenças associadas. A amostra foi composta por 78 pacientes, sendo 48 (62%) deles com faixa etária de 60 a 69 anos, 28 (35%) dentro da faixa etária de 70 à 79 anos e 2 (3%) da amostra com mais de 80 anos. Quanto ao gênero, 86% deles são do sexo feminino e 14% do sexo masculino. Quanto às queixas relatadas, a dor foi referida por 94% dos pacientes e fraqueza muscular em 6%. O joelho foi a articulação acometida com maior frequência. Nas doenças associadas, 26 indicam que possuem HAS, 12 são portadores de diabetes mellitus e 11 referem ter outra doença cardíaca. A osteoartrose foi mais comum nos indivíduos do sexo feminino, o joelho a articulação mais acometida e a dor a queixa principal mais comum, o que deve servir para gerar ações de prevenção e aumento da qualidade de vida para esses indivíduos.
Condições sanitárias e ambientais das águas de irrigação de hortas e de Lactuca sativa (alface) nas cidades de Catu e Alagoinhas – Bahia, Brasil.
Authors: Silva Priscila Itaitiana Azevedo Pinheiro , Carvalho Joelza Silva , Moura-Costa Lili Ferreira , Dominguez Guiomar Ferreira , Carvalho Maria Roseleide Bezerra , Orge Maria Dolores , Vale Vera Lúcia Costa
Published: May 2018

O consumo de hortaliças folhosas, em especial a Lactuca sativa (alface), tem aumentado devido à crescente preocupação em se obter uma alimentação mais saudável. Entretanto, quando contaminadas, elas são responsáveis pela transmissão de grande número de doenças infecciosas. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar as condições sanitárias ambientais de hortaliças comercializadas nos municípios de Catu e Alagoinhas (Bahia, Brasil). Foi realizada uma avaliação ambiental para detectar possíveis fontes de contaminação das hortas. Após serem coletadas as amostras de alfaces e da água de irrigação, elas foram levadas para análises parasitológicas (técnica de sedimentação) e análises microbiológicas (número mais provável) na Universidade do Estado da Bahia (Campus II). As águas de irrigação obtidas eram provenientes de rios, nascentes e poços, sendo utilizados, como material de adubação, esterco de galinha e bovino, não existindo esgotamento sanitário nas hortas estudadas. As análises parasitológicas da alface mostraram 20% de contaminação por ancilostomídeos. Quando avaliado o grau microbiológico, os resultados mostram que 100% são positivos para coliformes na alface e 88,9% positivos para coliformes na água de irrigação, em desacordo, portanto, com a legislação vigente.
Consumo de ácidos graxos n-3 e função renal: indicativos de efeitos protetores em situações patológicas
Authors: Coelho Isabela , Nunes Everson A.
Published: May 2018

Com o aumento do consumo de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) n-6 em detrimento dos n-3, há maior produção de metabólitos que apresentam potentes características pró-inflamatórias, trombóticas e agregadoras. Tais efeitos são distintos das ações dos derivados dos AGPI n-3. Atualmente, estudos em modelos animais e humanos portadores de doença investigam o uso dos AGPI n-3 como potenciais modulares da função renal, que pode estar frequentemente alterada em doenças com cunho inflamatório. Em animais, a suplementação com AGPI n-3 foi capaz de prevenir o desenvolvimento de doença renal em ratos diabéticos do tipo I, melhorar o quadro de caquexia e parâmetros renais em ratos portadores de tumor, melhorar o perfil lipídico em ratos hipertensos espontâneos e também em ratos diabéticos do tipo II. Já em humanos, mesmo que a suplementação com óleo de peixe não seja completamente encorajada, existem evidências de que pacientes em diálise apresentam melhora da dislipidemia que os acomete, o que pode potencialmente prevenir alterações cardiovasculares. Tendo em vista que pesquisas utilizando AGPI  n-3 mostram modificações positivas, podendo levar a uma melhora no quadro de doenças renais já instaladas, estudos com esse foco devem ser encorajados a fim de esclarecer mecanismos de ação e revelar conclusões sobre suas aplicabilidades em diversas doenças. Nesta revisão, potenciais evidências e mecanismos envolvidos no uso do AGPI n-3 para modular a função renal modificada por doença são discutidos.
Transposição dentária maxilar bilateral: relato de um caso
Authors: Gomberg Evelyn , Pontes José Roberto De Menezes , Israel Mônica , Ramos Maria Eliza
Published: May 2018

A transposição dentária é uma anomalia rara, que consiste na troca de posição entre dois dentes permanentes em um mesmo quadrante do arco dental. Sua etiologia ainda não é clara, mas há algumas teorias para explicá-la. O diagnóstico se dá pelo exame clínico. Radiograficamente, pode-se determinar se a transposição é completa ou incompleta. O tratamento pode ser protético, restaurador ou ortodôntico. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso de transposição bilateral na maxila, que acometeu os caninos e primeiros pré-molares superiores nos dois lados. Nesse caso, a transposição foi diagnosticada em consulta odontológica com objetivo de tratar doença periodontal. Foi realizado exame clínico e radiográfico, assim como tratamento periodontal e restaurador. Em relação à transposição dentária, o paciente relatou não se incomodar com a situação e optou por não intervir. Após a discussão de alguns fatores relacionados à condição, concluiu-se que a transposição tem difícil tratamento, já que a correção ortodôntica e a modificação da anatomia dental são procedimentos complexos. Os riscos do tratamento devem ser avaliados e, caso não incomode o paciente e não gere distúrbios funcionais, não há necessidade de intervir.
Cyclin E2‐CDK2 mediates SAMHD1 phosphorylation to abrogate its restriction of HBV replication in hepatoma cells
Authors: Hu Jie , Qiao Miao , Chen Yanmeng , Tang Hua , Zhang Wenlu , Tang Dan , Pi Sidie , Dai Juan , Tang Ni , Huang Ailong , Hu Yuan
Published: May 2018

SAMHD1 inhibits Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by reducing the intracellular dNTP levels. However, how SAMHD1 phosphorylation is regulated to abrogate its restriction of HBV replication in hepatoma cells is poorly understood. Here, we show that HBV replication and SAMHD1 phosphorylation levels are significantly reduced by knocking down cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 2 expression or in the presence of a CDK2 inhibitor. SAMHD1 binds to CDK2 in hepatocarcinoma cells, and this interaction does not require the HBV core protein. Furthermore, cyclin E2 participates in regulating viral replication through the CDK2/SAMHD1 phosphorylation pathway in an HBV infection system. Collectively, our results provide evidence that CDK2 has a greater role in regulating SAMHD1 phosphorylation and HBV replication than CDK1 or CDK6.
Opening Doors to Future Electrochemical Energy Devices: The Anion‐Conducting Polyketone Polyelectrolytes
Authors: Nawn Graeme , Vezzù Keti , Cavinato Gianni , Pace Giuseppe , Bertasi Federico , Pagot Gioele , Negro Enrico , Di Noto Vito
Published: May 2018

The numerous potential benefits of incorporating anion‐exchange membranes (AEMs), in place of proton‐exchange membranes (PEMs), in energy storage and conversion technologies renders their development of fundamental importance for the continued evolution of alternative energy systems. However, the widespread implementation of AEMs is currently plagued by a range of problems including lower conductivity (with respect to PEMs), poor stability, and high cost. This study reports the conversion of polyketone, one of the world's most mass produced and cheap polymers, to a new highly tuneable polymer architecture, functionalized polyketone (FPK), that demonstrates a range of excellent properties rendering it a significant prospect for AEM materials. The thermal, processing, and ion‐conducting properties of FPK are governed by the amount and nature of the newly formed N‐substituted pyrrole pendant side groups. At 80 °C, the quarternized pyridyl FPK derivative (4MPyrFPK) yields ion‐conductivities of 8.6 and 10.5 mS cm−1 in the iodide and hydroxide forms. In addition, the hydroxide form of 4MPyr‐FPK demonstrates remarkable stability toward the typically problematic alkaline conditions. No chemical decomposition is observed to the membrane after imbibing it in KOH solution for 72 h, and furthermore, the ion‐conductivity is demonstrated to remain constant for at least 30 d at 80 °C.
Cu Metal/Mn Phthalocyanine Organic Spinterfaces atop Co with High Spin Polarization at Room Temperature
Authors: Urbain E. , Ibrahim F. , Studniarek M. , Nyakam F. Ngassam , Joly L. , Arabski J. , Scheurer F. , Bertran F. , Le Fèvre P. , Garreau G. , Denys E. , Wetzel P. , Alouani M. , Beaurepaire E. , Boukari S. , Bowen M. , Weber W.
Published: May 2018

The organic spinterface describes the spin‐polarized properties that develop, due to charge transfer, at the interface between a ferromagnetic metal (FM) and the molecules of an organic semiconductor. However, assembling this interface may degrade the properties of its constituents. To circumvent this issue, one can separate the molecular and FM films using a less reactive nonmagnetic metal (NM). Spin‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on the prototypical system Co(001)//Cu/Mn‐phthalocyanine (MnPc) reveal at room temperature a high spin polarization P of the Cu/MnPc spinterface atop ferromagnetic Co. Surprisingly, it is found that the Cu thickness dependence of P remains essentially constant up to 10 monolayers (ML), which is inconsistent with the description of indirect exchange coupling between the Co layer and the molecule's Mn site. Ab initio calculations account for this fundamental discrepancy by showing that the topmost Cu layer before MnPc adsorption is already significantly spin‐polarized, and contributes to the formation of the Cu/MnPc spinterface atop Co. The results open a route toward 1) integrating electronically fragile molecules within organic spinterfaces and 2) electrically manipulating molecular spin chains using the well‐documented spin‐transfer torque properties of the FM/NM bilayer.
High Performance p‐ and n‐Type Light‐Emitting Field‐Effect Transistors Employing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence
Authors: Sobus Jan , Bencheikh Fatima , Mamada Masashi , Wawrzinek Robert , Ribierre Jean‐Charles , Adachi Chihaya , Lo Shih‐Chun , Namdas Ebinazar B.
Published: May 2018

Light‐emitting field‐effect transistors (LEFETs) are an emerging type of devices that combine light‐emitting properties with logical switching function. One of the factors limiting their efficiency stems from the spin statistics of electrically generated excitons. Only 25% of them, short lived singlet states, are capable of light emission, with the other 75% being long lived triplet states that are wasted as heat due to spin‐forbidden processes. Traditionally, the way to overcome this limitation is to use phosphorescent materials as additional emission channel harnessing the triplet excitons. Here, an alternative strategy for triplet usage in LEFETs in the form of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is presented. Devices employing a TADF capable material, 4CzIPN (2,4,5,6‐tetra[9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl]isophthalonitrile), in both n‐type and p‐type configurations are shown. They manifest excellent electrical characteristics, consistent brightness in the range of 100–1,000 cd m‐2 and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 0.1%, which is comparable to the equivalent organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) based on the same materials. Simulation identifies the poor light out‐coupling as the main reason for lower than expected EQEs. Transmission measurements show it can be partially alleviated using a more transparent top contact, however more structural optimization is needed to tap the full potential of the device.
Towards Sub‐Microscale Liquid Metal Patterns: Cascade Phase Change Mediated Pick‐n‐Place Transfer of Liquid Metals Printed and Stretched over a Flexible Substrate
Authors: Kim Doyoon , Yoon Young , Kauh Sang Ken , Lee Jungchul
Published: May 2018

Eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) is actively investigated toward wearable and stretchable electronic devices due to the high fluidity, high electrical conductivity, and low toxicity. However, high surface tension along with spontaneous oxidation makes fine patterning below ≈10 µm challenging. In this paper, a novel manufacturing technique that enables EGaIn patterns of single‐digit micrometer widths on planar elastomeric substrates is presented. First, a custom direct printing setup is constructed for continuous and uniform printing of EGaIn by feedback control of the distance between the dispensing needle and the substrate. With this setup, a 120 µm wide linear pattern is printed on the Ecoflex, a stretchable elastomer. Then, the initial printed line is stretched, frozen with deionized water, and transferred to an unstretched Ecoflex substrate. Upon gentle heating after the pick‐n‐place of the EGaIn line frozen with deionized water, only the stretched EGaIn line is left on the new Ecoflex substrate. The aforementioned pick‐n‐place transfer of the stretched EGaIn frozen with water is cascaded multiple times until a target width is obtained. Finally, a 2 µm wide linear pattern, 60‐fold reduction with respect to the initial dimension, is acquired. For practical applications, strain and tactile sensors are demonstrated by width‐reduced EGaIn patterns.
Asymmetric Schottky Contacts in Bilayer MoS2 Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Antonio , Grillo Alessandro , Urban Francesca , Iemmo Laura , Giubileo Filippo , Luongo Giuseppe , Amato Giampiero , Croin Luca , Sun Linfeng , Liang Shi‐Jun , Ang Lay Kee
Published: May 2018

The high‐bias electrical characteristics of back‐gated field‐effect transistors with chemical vapor deposition synthesized bilayer MoS2 channel and Ti Schottky contacts are discussed. It is found that oxidized Ti contacts on MoS2 form rectifying junctions with ≈0.3 to 0.5 eV Schottky barrier height. To explain the rectifying output characteristics of the transistors, a model is proposed based on two slightly asymmetric back‐to‐back Schottky barriers, where the highest current arises from image force barrier lowering at the electrically forced junction, while the reverse current is due to Schottky‐barrier‐limited injection at the grounded junction. The device achieves a photoresponsivity greater than 2.5 A W−1 under 5 mW cm−2 white‐LED light. By comparing two‐ and four‐probe measurements, it is demonstrated that the hysteresis and persistent photoconductivity exhibited by the transistor are peculiarities of the MoS2 channel rather than effects of the Ti/MoS2 interface.
Ultrathin Supported Lipid Monolayer with Unprecedented Mechanical and Dielectric Properties
Authors: Kenaan Ahmad , El Zein Racha , Kilinc Volkan , Lamant Sébastien , Raimundo Jean‐Manuel , Charrier Anne M.
Published: May 2018

The development of ultrathin dielectrics for low power electronics operations, flexible and printed electronics, and field‐effect‐transistor‐based sensors is still a challenge. Here, monolayers of engineered lipids supported on silicon are reported presenting exceptional mechanical and dielectric properties. The lipid monolayers are stabilized using a simple procedure based on a two‐stage reticulation process in both their aliphatic chains and their head‐group. With a thickness lower than 3 nm, such layers are demonstrated to offer exceptional mechanical and dielectric stability with unprecedented low leakage current and dielectric strength. Surprisingly, the mechanical and dielectric pressures required to rupture/breakdown the monolayers are shown to be similar. These results suggest the presence of a strong correlation between mechanical and dielectric properties, as well as between the mechanisms of rupture and breakdown.
Solution‐Processed High‐Performance Tetrathienothiophene‐Based Small Molecular Blends for Ambipolar Charge Transport
Authors: Vegiraju Sureshraju , Lin Chih‐Yu , Priyanka Pragya , Huang Deng‐Yi , Luo Xian‐Lun , Tsai Hsiang‐Chi , Hong Shao‐Huan , Yeh Chia‐Jung , Lien Wei‐Chieh , Wang Chien‐Lung , Tung Shih‐Huang , Liu Cheng‐Liang , Chen Ming‐Chou , Facchetti Antonio
Published: May 2018

Four soluble dialkylated tetrathienoacene (TTAR)‐based small molecular semiconductors featuring the combination of a TTAR central core, π‐conjugated spacers comprising bithiophene (bT) or thiophene (T), and with/without cyanoacrylate (CA) end‐capping moieties are synthesized and characterized. The molecule DbT‐TTAR exhibits a promising hole mobility up to 0.36 cm2 V−1 s−1 due to the enhanced crystallinity of the microribbon‐like films. Binary blends of the p‐type DbT‐TTAR and the n‐type dicyanomethylene substituted dithienothiophene‐quinoid (DTTQ‐11) are investigated in terms of film morphology, microstructure, and organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) performance. The data indicate that as the DbT‐TTAR content in the blend film increases, the charge transport characteristics vary from unipolar (electron‐only) to ambipolar and then back to unipolar (hole‐only). With a 1:1 weight ratio of DbT‐TTAR DTTQ‐11 in the blend, well‐defined pathways for both charge carriers are achieved and resulted in ambipolar transport with high hole and electron mobilities of 0.83 and 0.37 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. This study provides a viable way for tuning microstructure and charge carrier transport in small molecules and their blends to achieve high‐performance solution‐processable OFETs.
Photoelectric Synergetic Responsive Slippery Surfaces Based on Tailored Anisotropic Films Generated by Interfacial Directional Freezing
Authors: Wang Zubin , Liu Yao , Guo Pu , Heng Liping , Jiang Lei
Published: May 2018

Smart responsive slippery surfaces are highly desirable for their potential applications in many fields. Although slippery surfaces that respond to a single external stimulus are reported, challenges in fabricating synergetic responsive anisotropic slippery surfaces remain due to limitations in the preparation of the underlying anisotropic substrate. Here, photoelectric synergetic responsive slippery surfaces are fabricated based on anisotropic porous films that are tailored by using an interfacial directional freezing technique using a poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl)/[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) binary system. The anisotropic surface structure of P3HT/PCBM films is facilely tailored by simply tuning the freezing speed, the P3HT/PCBM mass ratio, and the total concentration of solution. A detailed formation mechanism is proposed and elucidated. Moreover, anisotropic slippery surfaces demonstrate remarkable photoelectric synergetic behavior, which is used for the photoelectric synergetic control of droplet sliding and interfacial sentinel oxidative degradation. The in‐depth understanding of the formation mechanism of the anisotropic porous film may enable the interfacial directional freezing method to be extended to the design of other multifunctional anisotropic surfaces. This work will provide a theoretical basis for the design of new types of smart slippery surfaces, which are potentially useful in microfluidics, lab‐on‐chips, photoelectric displays, interfacial microreactors, and other related fields.
Liquid Crystals with Interfacial Ordering that Enhances Responsiveness to Chemical Targets
Authors: Nayani Karthik , Rai Prabin , Bao Nanqi , Yu Huaizhe , Mavrikakis Manos , Twieg Robert J. , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: May 2018

The development of stimuli‐responsive materials suitable for use in wearable sensors is a key unresolved challenge. Liquid crystals (LCs) are particularly promising, as they do not require power, are light‐weight, and can be tuned to respond to a range of targeted chemical stimuli. Here, an advance is reported in the design of LCs for chemical sensors with the discovery of LCs that assume parallel orientations at free surfaces and yet retain their chemoresponsiveness. The resulting LC‐based sensors are more sensitive and exhibit faster responses than previous LC sensor designs.
NiFe (Oxy) Hydroxides Derived from NiFe Disulfides as an Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries: The Effect of Surface S Residues
Authors: Wang Tanyuan , Nam Gyutae , Jin Yue , Wang Xingyu , Ren Pengju , Kim Min Gyu , Liang Jiashun , Wen Xiaodong , Jang Haeseong , Han Jiantao , Huang Yunhui , Li Qing , Cho Jaephil
Published: May 2018

A facile H2O2 oxidation treatment to tune the properties of metal disulfides for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity enhancement is introduced. With this method, the degree of oxidation can be readily controlled and the effect of surface S residues in the resulted metal (oxy)hydroxides for the OER is revealed for the first time. The developed NiFe (oxy)hydroxide catalyst with residual S demonstrates an extraordinarily low OER overpotential of 190 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 after coupling with carbon nanotubes, and outstanding performance in Zn–air battery tests. Theoretical calculation suggests that the surface S residues can significantly reduce the adsorption free energy difference between O* and OH* intermediates on the Fe sites, which should account for the high OER activity of NiFe (oxy)hydroxide catalysts. This work provides significant insight regarding the effect of surface heteroatom residues in OER electrocatalysis and offers a new strategy to design high‐performance and cost‐efficient OER catalysts.
Self‐Suspended Nanomesh Scaffold for Ultrafast Flexible Photodetectors Based on Organic Semiconducting Crystals
Authors: Zhang Lei , Pasthukova Nadiia , Yao Yifan , Zhong Xiaolan , Pavlica Egon , Bratina Gvido , Orgiu Emanuele , Samorì Paolo
Published: May 2018

Self‐standing nanostructures are of fundamental interest in materials science and nanoscience and are widely used in (opto‐)electronic and photonic devices as well as in micro‐electromechanical systems. To date, large‐area and self‐standing nanoelectrode arrays assembled on flexible substrates have not been reported. Here the fabrication of a hollow nanomesh scaffold on glass and plastic substrates with a large surface area over 1 mm2 and ultralow leakage current density (≈1–10 pA mm−2 @ 2 V) across the empty scaffold is demonstrated. Thanks to the continuous sub‐micrometer space formed in between the nanomesh and the bottom electrode, highly crystalline and dendritic domains of 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethinyl)pentacene growing within the hollow cavity can be observed. The high degree of order at the supramolecular level leads to efficient charge and exciton transport; the photovoltaic detector supported on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates exhibits an ultrafast photoresponse time as short as 8 ns and a signal‐to‐noise ratio approaching 105. Such a hollow scaffold holds great potential as a novel device architecture toward flexible (opto‐)electronic applications based on self‐assembled micro/nanocrystals.
Thin, Porous, and Conductive Networks of Metal Nanoparticles through Electrochemical Welding on a Liquid Metal Template
Authors: Tang Jianbo , Zhao Xi , Li Jing , Liu Jing
Published: May 2018

Manipulating particles using a fluid interface has both fundamental implications and technological promises. However, the stabilization of interfacial particle structures remains challenging. This study proposes a room‐temperature particle cross‐linking strategy achieved by introducing a surface transition process to metal particles confined at a liquid metal–electrolyte template, which is electrochemically reducing. The method enables cross‐linking Cu nanoparticles into nanoporous networks of micrometric thickness. It is shown that the particle networks possess remarkable mechanical strength and can be readily isolated and then be transferred onto desired substrates. The electrical properties of the material due to network formation are further highlighted, with a focus on an anomalous electric‐field‐induced resistance reduction effect. Such favorable mechanical property and intriguing conducting behavior forecast promising perspectives of the material for smart sensor applications or novel electronic devices. Meanwhile, the proposed particle cross‐linking method can provide general implications for particle‐based, interface‐assisted fabrication.
Enhancing Molecular Alignment and Charge Transport of Solution‐Sheared Semiconducting Polymer Films by the Electrical‐Blade Effect
Authors: Molina‐Lopez Francisco , Wu Hung‐Chin , Wang Ging‐Ji Nathan , Yan Hongping , Shaw Leo , Xu Jie , Toney Michael F. , Bao Zhenan
Published: May 2018

Controlling polymer chain alignment through processing is a means of tuning the charge transport of solution‐based conjugated polymers. In this work, a processing strategy is proposed in which an external electric field (E‐field) is applied to the coating blade (E‐blade) to align polymer chain during solution‐shearing, a meniscus‐guided coating technique. A theoretical model based on dielectrophoresis quantitatively describes and predicts the alignment process and is used to guide the selection of the optimal conditions of the applied E‐field. Using these conditions, more than twofold increase in chain alignment is observed for E‐bladed thin films of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) semiconducting polymer without affecting other morphological aspects such as film thickness, film coverage, or fiber‐like aggregation. Organic field effect transistors based on the E‐bladed DPP polymer are fabricated at ambient conditions and over areas of a few cm2. They display a threefold improvement in their mobilities and a strong enhancement in charge transport anisotropy compared to films prepared without E‐field. These results reveal a synergistic alignment effect from both the solution‐shearing process and the applied E‐field, and introduce a novel and general approach to control the morphology and the electrical properties of solution‐coated conjugated polymer thin films.
Analytical and triangular solutions to operational flexibility analysis using quantifier elimination
Authors: Zhao Fei , Chen Xi
Published: May 2018

The main purpose of operational flexibility analysis is to determine and describe the flexibility region. The existing methods are mainly developed by numerical calculation methods to estimate the contour of the flexibility region. In this article, a novel method is proposed for solving operational flexibility models described by polynomials. The proposed method can accurately describe the flexibility region and explicitly express the functional relationships between uncertain parameters and control variables. First, the original flexibility analysis model is represented as an existential quantifier formula. Then, a technique of quantifier elimination is introduced to deduce the formula to a series of explicitly triangular quantifier‐free formulas. Last, a logical combination of the quantifier‐free formulas can be used to depict the complete flexibility region. The case studies show that the deduced explicit expressions can accurately and effectively describe the flexibility region and guide the steady‐state control operations, regardless of convex or nonconvex systems. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3894–3911, 2018
Evolving patterns in the diagnosis and management of allergy‐mediated disorders
Authors: Arianpour Khashayar , Svider Peter F. , Yuhan Brian , Hooda Zamaan , Eloy Jean Anderson , Folbe Adam J.
Published: May 2018

Background

This analysis explores the increasing heterogeneity of trends in allergy management under the premise that the practice of allergy has undergone significant changes in national economics, healthcare delivery, and treatment options from 2007 to 2016.

Methods

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data were obtained for: (1) temporal trends in allergy immunotherapy injection (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 95115, 95117) and testing (CPT 95004, 95024) from 2007 to 2016; (2) geographic trends; and (3) practitioners administering immunotherapy. Although there are no sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) CPT codes, billing for unlisted allergy/immunologic services (CPT 95199) were obtained.

Results

Since 2007, there were 99.5 million allergy tests and 33.5 million immunotherapy injections billed to Medicare beneficiaries. Increases in testing have outpaced rising immunotherapy administration (49.7% vs 19.6% increase). Significant regional variation in testing rates was noted, with the greatest ratio of testing to immunotherapy in the South (0.35) and smallest ratio in the Northeast (0.18). The maximum unlisted allergy services billed was 594 (of which includes SLIT), compared to annual subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) totals in the millions. The majority of immunotherapy in 2016 was administered by allergists/immunologists (51.6%) followed by otolaryngologists (31.2%), trends that have remained consistent since 2012.

Conclusion

Physicians have been more aggressive in the workup of allergy‐mediated disorders in recent years. Although differences in allergen load exist, there is tremendous geographic variation in the ratio of testing to immunotherapy. While the role otolaryngologists play in immunotherapy remains stable, allergists manage the majority of patients, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and outreach. SLIT does not appear to play a significant role in this population.
Vielfältige Nanostrukturen aus Reishülsen‐Biomasse für Energieanwendungen
Authors: Wang Zhaofeng , Smith Andrew T. , Wang Weixing , Sun Luyi
Published: May 2018

Die Umwandlung von Biomasse in hochwertige Produkte hat in jüngster Zeit beträchtliche Aufmerksamkeit erhalten. Biomasse aus Reishülsen (“rice husks”, RH) wurde ursprünglich dazu verwendet, Schüttgüter für konventionelle Anwendungen herzustellen, während in den letzten Jahren daraus eine Vielzahl von modernen Nanostrukturen (NS) hergestellt wurden. RH‐basierte Nanostrukturen (RH‐NS) sind kostengünstig und umweltfreundlich, und sie haben viele Eigenschaften, die für Anwendungen in verschiedenen Bereichen vielversprechend sind. Basierend auf der einzigartigen Struktur und den Komponenten der RH wurde eine Reihe von neuartigen, auf Kohlenstoff/Silicium basierenden NS mit herausragenden Eigenschaften erschlossen, die mit herkömmlichen chemischen Reagenzien nur schwer zu synthetisieren sind. Hier werden neueste Forschungsergebnisse zu RH‐NS zusammengefasst, die sich auf Design, Herstellung, Eigenschaften und Anwendungen im modernen Energiebereich beziehen.
Aberrant Expansion and Function of Follicular Helper T Cell Subsets in IgG4‐Related Disease
Authors: Chen Yu , Lin Wei , Yang Hongxian , Wang Mu , Zhang Panpan , Feng Ruie , Chen Hua , Peng Linyi , Zhang Xuan , Zhao Yan , Zeng Xiaofeng , Zhang Fengchun , Zhang Wen , Lipsky Peter E.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the number and function of follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subsets in IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD).

Methods

Mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood and involved tissue of patients with IgG4‐RD were assessed for Tfh cells and their subsets, and levels of B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl‐6), B lymphocyte–induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP‐1), and interleukin‐21 (IL‐21) messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques were used to assess the involved tissue of patients to determine the location of IL‐21, Bcl‐6, and CD4+CXCR5+ Tfh cells. Furthermore, the ability of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cell subsets to induce B cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation and to produce IgG4 was explored in cell cocultures in vitro.

Results

Frequencies of cTfh cells were significantly increased in the peripheral blood of patients with IgG4‐RD, and even higher frequencies were observed in the involved tissue. Percentages of programmed cell death protein 1 in CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+ cTfh cells were positively correlated with the serum levels of IgG and IgG4, IgG4:IgG ratio, number of involved organs, and frequency of CD19+CD24−CD38high plasmablasts/plasma cells. Levels of BLIMP‐1 and IL‐21 mRNA in peripheral CD4+ T cells were increased in patients with IgG4‐RD compared to healthy controls, and this was correlated with the levels of serum IgG4. Moreover, in the involved tissue, Bcl‐6, IL‐21, and Tfh cells were highly expressed. Compared to cTfh cells from healthy controls, cTfh cells from patients with IgG4‐RD could facilitate B cell proliferation and inhibit B cell apoptosis more efficiently, and enhanced the differentiation of naive B cells into switched memory B cells and plasmablasts/plasma cells, with a resultant increase in the secretion of IgG4. Notably, the cTfh1 and cTfh2 cell subsets were the most effective at providing B cell help.

Conclusion

Tfh cell subsets are expanded in IgG4‐RD and may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Sphingosine 1‐Phosphate Receptor 1 Signaling Maintains Endothelial Cell Barrier Function and Protects Against Immune Complex–Induced Vascular Injury
Authors: Burg Nathalie , Swendeman Steven , Worgall Stefan , Hla Timothy , Salmon Jane E.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Immune complex (IC) deposition activates polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), increases vascular permeability, and leads to organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The bioactive lipid sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P), acting via S1P receptor 1 (S1P1), is a key regulator of endothelial cell (EC) barrier function. This study was undertaken to investigate whether augmenting EC integrity via S1P1 signaling attenuates inflammatory injury mediated by ICs.

Methods

In vitro barrier function was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by electrical cell‐substrate impedance sensing. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (p–MLC‐2) and VE‐cadherin staining in HUVECs were assessed by immunofluorescence. A reverse Arthus reaction (RAR) was induced in the skin and lungs of mice with S1P1 deleted from ECs (S1P1 EC‐knockout [ECKO] mice) and mice treated with S1P1 agonists and antagonists.

Results

S1P1 agonists prevented loss of barrier function in HUVECs treated with IC‐activated PMNs. S1P1 ECKO and wild‐type (WT) mice treated with S1P1 antagonists had amplified RAR, whereas specific S1P1 agonists attenuated skin and lung RAR in WT mice. ApoM‐Fc, a novel S1P chaperone, mitigated EC cell barrier dysfunction induced by activated PMNs in vitro and attenuated lung RAR. Expression levels of p–MLC‐2 and disruption of VE‐cadherin, each representing manifestations of cell contraction and destabilization of adherens junctions, respectively, that were induced by activated PMNs, were markedly reduced by treatment with S1P1 agonists and ApoM‐Fc.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that S1P1 signaling in ECs modulates vascular responses to IC deposition. S1P1 agonists and ApoM‐Fc enhance the EC barrier, limit leukocyte escape from capillaries, and provide protection against inflammatory injury. The S1P/S1P1 axis is a newly identified target to attenuate tissue responses to IC deposition and mitigate end‐organ damage.
Triple Positivity for Anti–Citrullinated Protein Autoantibodies, Rheumatoid Factor, and Anti–Carbamylated Protein Antibodies Conferring High Specificity for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Verheul Marije K. , Böhringer Stefan , van Delft Myrthe A. M. , Jones Jonathan D. , Rigby William F. C. , Gan Ryan W. , Holers V. Michael , Edison Jess D. , Deane Kevin D. , Janssen Koen M. J. , Westra Johanna , Brink Mikael , Rantapää‐Dahlqvist Solbritt , Huizinga Tom W. J. , van der Helm‐van Mil Annette H. M. , van der Woude Diane , Toes Rene E. M. , Trouw Leendert A.
Published: May 2018

Objective

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are commonly used to aid in the diagnosis. Although these autoantibodies are mainly found in RA, their specificity is not optimal. It is therefore difficult to identify RA patients, especially in very early disease, based on the presence of ACPAs and RF alone. In addition, anti–carbamylated protein (anti‐CarP) antibodies have diagnostic and prognostic value, since their presence is associated with joint damage in RA patients and also associated with the future development of RA in patients with arthralgia. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the value of combined antibody testing in relation to prediction and diagnosis of (early) RA.

Methods

A literature search resulted in identification of 12 relevant studies, consisting of RA patients, pre‐RA individuals, disease controls, healthy first‐degree relatives of RA patients, and healthy control subjects, in which data on RF, ACPAs, and anti‐CarP antibody status were available. Using these data, random effects meta‐analyses were carried out for several antibody combinations.

Results

The individual antibodies were highly prevalent in patients with RA (34–80%) compared to the control groups, but were also present in non‐RA controls (0–23%). For the classification of most subjects correctly as having RA or as a non‐RA control, the combination of ACPAs and/or RF often performed well (specificity 65–100%, sensitivity 59–88%). However, triple positivity for ACPAs, RF, and anti‐CarP antibodies resulted in a higher specificity for RA (98–100%), accompanied by a lower sensitivity (11–39%).

Conclusion

As the rheumatology field is moving toward very early identification of RA and possible screening for individuals at maximum risk of RA in populations with a low pretest probability, an autoantibody profile of triple positivity for ACPAs, RF, and anti‐CarP provides interesting information that might help identify individuals at risk of developing RA.
How important is scientific software in bioinformatics research? A comparative study between international and Chinese research communities
Authors: Yang Bo , Rousseau Ronald , Wang Xue , Huang Shuiqing
Published: May 2018

Software programs are among the most important tools in data‐driven research. The popularity of well‐known packages and corresponding large numbers of citations received bear testimony of the contribution of scientific software to academic research. Yet software is not generally recognized as an academic outcome. In this study, a usage‐based model is proposed with varied indicators including citations, mentions, and downloads to measure the importance of scientific software. We performed an investigation on a sample of international bioinformatics research articles, and on a sample from the Chinese community. Our analysis shows that scientists in the field of bioinformatics rely heavily on scientific software: the major differences between the international community and the Chinese example being how scientific packages are mentioned in publications and the time gap between the introduction of a package and its use. Biologists publishing in international journals tend to apply the latest tools earlier; Chinese scientists publishing in Chinese tend to follow later. Further, journals with higher impact factors tend to publish articles applying the latest tools earlier.
Manganese‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation Reactions
Authors: Yang Xiaoxu , Wang Congyang
Published: May 2018

Over the past few decades, manganese‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of C=O or C=C/C≡C unsaturated bonds have undergone enormous developments. In this focus review, the hydrosilylation reactions of alkenes, alkynes, and carbonyl‐containing substrates catalyzed by manganese complexes are summarized. Moreover, the mechanisms of the manganese‐catalyzed hydrosilylation are briefly discussed.
An Optimal Tracking Performance of MIMO NCS with Quantization and Bandwidth Constraints
Authors: Cheng Ling‐Li , Zhan Xi‐Sheng , Wu Jie , Han Tao
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an optimal tracking performance of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) networked control systems (NCSs) with quantization and bandwidth constraints. In this study, we simultaneously consider the encoding‐decoding, quantization and bandwidth of communication channel. The optimal tracking performance of NCSs is obtained by spectral factorization technique and partial fraction. The obtained results demonstrate that the optimal tracking performance is influenced by the nonminimum phase zeros and unstable poles as well as their directions for a given plant. In addition, it is shown that characteristics of reference signal, encoding‐decoding, quantization, and bandwidth of communication channel are also closely related to tracking performance. Finally, the efficiency of proposed tracking performance is verified by typical examples.