bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-energy shock waves evoke intracellular Ca2+ increases independently of sonoporation
Authors: Takahashi Toru , Nakagawa Keiichi , Tada Shigeru , Tsukamoto Akira
Published: March 2019

Low-energy shock waves (LESWs) accelerate the healing of a broad range of tissue injuries, including angiogenesis and bone fractures. In cells, LESW irradiations enhance gene expression and protein synthesis. One probable mechanism underlying the enhancements is mechanosensing. Shock waves also can induce sonoporation. Thus, sonoporation is another probable mechanism underlying the enhancements. It remains elusive whether LESWs require sonoporation to evoke cellular responses. An intracellular Ca2+increase was evoked with LESW irradiations in endothelial cells. The minimum acoustic energy required for sufficient evocation was 1.7 μJ/mm2. With the same acoustic energy, sonoporation, by which calcein and propidium iodide would become permeated, was not observed. It was found that intracellular Ca2+increases evoked by LESW irradiations do not require sonoporation. In the intracellular Ca2+increase, actin cytoskeletons and stretch-activated Ca2+channels were involved; however, microtubules were not. In addition, with Ca2+influx through the Ca2+channels, the Ca2+release through the PLC-IP3-IP3R cascade contributed to the intracellular Ca2+increase. These results demonstrate that LESW irradiations can evoke cellular responses independently of sonoporation. Rather, LESW irradiations evoke cellular responses through mechanosensing.
High density linkage map construction and QTL mapping for runner production in allo-octoploid strawberry Fragaria × ananassa based on ddRAD-seq derived SNPs
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Rashed , Natarajan Sathishkumar , Kim Hoy-Taek , Jesse Denison Michael Immanuel , Lee Cheol-Gyu , Park Jong-In , Nou Ill-Sup
Published: March 2019

Recent advances in high-throughput genome sequencing technologies are now making the genetic dissection of the complex genome of cultivated strawberry easier. We sequenced Maehyang (short-day cultivar) × Albion (day-neutral cultivar) crossing populations using double digest restriction-associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing technique that yielded 978,968 reads, 80.2% of which were aligned to strawberry genome allowing the identification of 13,181 high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Total 3051 SNPs showed Mendelian segregation in F1, of which 1268 were successfully mapped to 46 linkage groups (LG) spanning a total of 2581.57 cM with an average interval genetic distance of 2.22 cM. The LGs were assigned to the 28 chromosomes ofFragaria × ananassaas determined by positioning the sequence tags onF. vescagenome. In addition, seven QTLs namely,qRU-5D, qRU-3D1, qRU-1D2, qRU-4D, qRU-4C, qRU-5CandqRU-2D2were identified for runner production with LOD value ranging from 3.5–7.24 that explained 22–38% of phenotypic variation. The key candidate genes having putative roles in meristem differentiation for runnering and flowering within these QTL regions were identified. These will enhance our understanding of the vegetative vs sexual reproductive behavior in strawberry and will aid in setting breeding targets for developing perpetual flowering and profuse runnering cultivar.
All-optical implementation of collision-based evolutions of open quantum systems
Authors: Cuevas Álvaro , Geraldi Andrea , Liorni Carlo , Bonavena Luís Diego , De Pasquale Antonella , Sciarrino Fabio , Giovannetti Vittorio , Mataloni Paolo
Published: March 2019

We present a new optical scheme enabling the implementation of highly stable and configurable non-Markovian dynamics. Here one photon qubit can circulate in a multipass bulk geometry consisting of two concatenated Sagnac interferometers to simulate the so called collisional model, where the system interacts at discrete times with a vacuum environment. We show the optical features of our apparatus and three different implementations of it, replicating a pure Markovian scenario and two non-Markovian ones, where we quantify the information backflow by tracking the evolution of the initial entanglement between the system photon and an ancillary one.
Detection of stable QTLs for grain protein content in rice (Oryza sativa L.) employing high throughput phenotyping and genotyping platforms
Authors: Chattopadhyay Krishnendu , Behera Lambodar , Bagchi Torit Baran , Sardar Sushree Sibanee , Moharana Nutan , Patra Niraja Rani , Chakraborti Mridul , Das Avijit , Marndi Bishnu Charan , Sarkar Ananta , Ngangkham Umakanta , Chakraborty Koushik , Bose Lotan Kumar , Sarkar Sutapa , Ray Soham , Sharma Srigopal
Published: March 2019

Lack of appropriate donors, non-utilization of high throughput phenotyping and genotyping platforms with high genotype × environment interaction restrained identification of robust QTLs for grain protein content (GPC) in rice. In the present investigation a  BC3F4 mapping population was developed using grain protein donor, ARC10075 and high-yielding cultivar Naveen and 190 lines were genotyped using 40 K Affimetrix custom SNP array with the objective to identify stable QTLs for protein content. Three of the identified QTLs, one for GPC (qGPC1.1) and the other two for single grain protein content (qSGPC2.1, qSGPC7.1) were stable over the environments explaining  13%, 14% and 7.8% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. Stability and repeatability of these additive QTLs were supported by the synergistic additive effects of multi-environmental-QTLs. One epistatic-QTL, independent of  the  main effect QTL was detected over the environment for SGPC. A few functional genes governing seed storage protein were hypothesised inside these identified QTLs. The qGPC1.1 was validated by NIR Spectroscopy-based high throughput phenotyping in BC3F5 population. Higher glutelin content was estimated in high-protein lines with the introgression of qGPC1.1 in telomeric region of short arm of chromosome 1. This was supported by the postulation of probable candidate gene inside this QTL region encoding glutelin family proteins.
The Essentiality Status of Mouse Duplicate Gene Pairs Correlates with Developmental Co-Expression Patterns
Authors: Kabir Mitra , Wenlock Stephanie , Doig Andrew J. , Hentges Kathryn E.
Published: March 2019

During the evolution of multicellular eukaryotes, gene duplication occurs frequently to generate new genes and/or functions. A duplicated gene may have a similar function to its ancestral gene. Therefore, it may be expected that duplicated genes are less likely to be critical for the survival of an organism, since there are multiple copies of the gene rendering each individual copy redundant. In this study, we explored the developmental expression patterns of duplicate gene pairs and the relationship between development co-expression and phenotypes resulting from the knockout of duplicate genes in the mouse. We define genes that generate lethal phenotypes in single gene knockout experiments as essential genes. We found that duplicate gene pairs comprised of two essential genes tend to be expressed at different stages of development, compared to duplicate gene pairs with at least one non-essential member, showing that the timing of developmental expression affects the ability of one paralogue to compensate for the loss of the other. Gene essentiality, developmental expression and gene duplication are thus closely linked.
Device Thrombogenicity Emulation: An In Silico Predictor of In Vitro and In Vivo Ventricular Assist Device Thrombogenicity
Authors: Chiu Wei Che , Tran Phat L. , Khalpey Zain , Lee Eric , Woo Yi-Ren , Slepian Marvin J. , Bluestein Danny
Published: February 2019

Ventricular assist devices (VAD), a mainstay of therapy for advanced and end-stage heart failure, remain plagued by device thrombogenicity. Combining advanced in silico and in vitro methods, Device Thrombogenicity Emulation (DTE) is a device design approach for enhancing VAD thromboresistance. Here we tested DTE efficacy in experimental VAD designs. DTE incorporates iterative design modifications with advanced CFD to compute the propensity of large populations of platelets to activate by flow-induced stresses (statistically representing the VAD ‘Thrombogenic Footprint’). The DTE approach was applied to a VAD (MINDTE) design with a favorable thromboresistance profile and compared against a design (MAXDTE) that generated an intentionally poor thromboresistance profile. DTE predictions were confirmed by testing physical prototypes in vitro by measuring VAD thrombogenicity using the modified prothrombinase assay. Chronic in vivo studies in VAD implanted calves, revealed MINDTE calf surviving well with low platelet activation, whereas the MAXDTE animal sustained thromboembolic strokes. DTE predictions were confirmed, correlating with in vitro and in vivo thrombogenicity, supporting utility in guiding device development, potentially reducing the need for animal studies.
Glycemic control and survival in peritoneal dialysis patients with diabetes: A 2-year nationwide cohort study
Authors: Abe Masanori , Hamano Takayuki , Hoshino Junichi , Wada Atsushi , Nakai Shigeru , Masakane Ikuto
Published: March 2019

For glycemic control in patients with diabetes on peritoneal dialysis (PD), the level of glycated albumin (GA) associated with mortality is unclear. Accordingly, we examined the difference in the association of GA and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with 2-year mortality in a Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy cohort. We examined 1601 patients with prevalent diabetes who were on PD. Of these, 1282 had HbA1c (HbA1c cohort) and 725 had GA (GA cohort) measured. We followed them for 2 years from 2013 to 2015 and used Cox regression to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 2-year mortality after adjusting for potential confounders in each cohort. No significant association was found between HbA1c levels and all-cause death HRs before and after adjustment for confounders in the HbA1c cohort. In contrast, the adjusted all-cause death HRs and 95% CIs for GAs < 12.0%, 12.0–13.9%, 16.0–17.9%, 18.0–19.9%, 20.0–21.9%, and ≥22.0%, compared with 14.0–15.9% (reference), were 1.56 (0.32–7.45), 1.24 (0.32–4.83), 1.32 (0.36–4.77), 2.02 (0.54–7.53), 4.36 (1.10–17.0), and 4.10 (1.20–14.0), respectively. In the GA cohort, GA ≥ 20.0% was significantly associated with a higher death HR compared with the reference GA. Thus, GA ≥ 20.0% appears to be associated with a decrease in survival in diabetic patients on PD. There were no associations between HbA1c levels and 2-year mortality in PD patients.
Most of the Northern Hemisphere Permafrost Remains under Climate Change
Authors: Wang Chenghai , Wang Zhilan , Kong Ying , Zhang Feimin , Yang Kai , Zhang Tingjun
Published: March 2019

Degradation of cryospheric components such as arctic sea ice and permafrost may pose a threat to the Earth’s climate system. A rise of 2 °C above pre-industrial global surface temperature is considered to be a risk-level threshold. This study investigates the impacts of global temperature rises of 1.5 °C and 2 °C on the extent of the permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), based on the 17 models of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Results show that, when global surface temperature rises by 1.5 °C, the average permafrost extent projected under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios would decrease by 23.58% for RCP2.6 (2027–2036), 24.1% for RCP4.5 (2026–2035) and 25.55% for RCP8.5 (2023–2032). However, uncertainty in the results persists because of distinct discrepancies among the models. When the global surface temperature rises by 2 °C, about one-third of the permafrost would disappear; in other words, most of the NH permafrost would still remain even in the RCP8.5 (2037–2046) scenario. The results of the study highlight that the NH permafrost might be able to stably exist owing to its relatively slow degradation. This outlook gives reason for hope for future maintenance and balance of the cryosphere and climate systems.
Origins of All-Optical Generation of Plasmons in Graphene
Authors: Tollerton C. J. , Bohn J. , Constant T. J. , Horsley S. A. R. , Chang D. E. , Hendry E. , Li D. Z.
Published: March 2019

Graphene, despite its centrosymmetric structure, is predicted to have a substantial second order nonlinearity, arising from non-local effects. However, there is disagreement between several published theories and experimental data. Here we derive an expression for the second order conductivity of graphene in the non-local regime using perturbation theory, concentrating on the difference frequency mixing process, and compare our results with those already published. We find a second-order conductivity (σ(2) ≈ 10−17AmV−2) that is approximately three orders of magnitude less than that estimated from recent experimental results. This indicates that nonlinear optical coupling to plasmons in graphene cannot be described perturbatively through the electronic nonlinearity, as previously thought. We also show that this discrepancy cannot be attributed to the bulk optical nonlinearity of the substrate. As a possible alternative, we present a simple theoretical model of how a non-linearity can arise from photothermal effects, which generates a field at least two orders of magnitude larger than that found from perturbation theory.
Mutational profile of Brazilian lung adenocarcinoma unveils association of EGFR mutations with high Asian ancestry and independent prognostic role of KRAS mutations
Authors: Leal Letícia Ferro , de Paula Flávia Escremim , De Marchi Pedro , de Souza Viana Luciano , Pinto Gustavo Dix Junqueira , Carlos Carolina Dias , Berardinelli Gustavo Noriz , Miziara José Elias , da Silva Carlos Maciel , Silva Eduardo Caetano Albino , Pereira Rui , de Oliveira Marco Antonio , Scapulatempo-Neto Cristovam , Reis Rui Manuel
Published: March 2019

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide. The mutational frequency of EGFR and KRAS genes in lung adenocarcinoma varies worldwide per ethnicity and smoking. The impact of EGFR and KRAS mutations in Brazilian lung cancer remains poorly explored. Thus, we investigated the frequency of EGFR and KRAS mutations in a large Brazilian series of lung adenocarcinoma together with patients’ genetic ancestry, clinicopathological and sociodemographic characteristics. The mutational frequency of EGFR was 22.7% and KRAS was 20.4%. The average ancestry proportions were 73.1% for EUR, 13.1% for AFR, 6.5% for AME and 7.3% for ASN. EGFR mutations were independently associated with never-smokers, high-Asian ancestry, and better performance status. KRAS mutations were independently associated with tobacco exposure and non-Asian ancestry. EGFR-exon 20 mutations were associated with worse outcome. The Cox regression model indicated a worse outcome for patients whose were older at diagnosis (>61 y), solid histological subtype, loss of weight (>10%), worse performance status (≥2), and presence of KRAS mutations and EGFR mutational status in TKi non-treated patients. In conclusion, we assessed the clinicopathological and ethnic impact of EGFR and KRAS mutations in the largest series reported of Brazilian lung adenocarcinomas. These findings can support future clinical strategies for Brazilian lung cancer patients.
Chitosan complements entrapment of silicon inside nitrogen doped carbon to improve and stabilize the capacity of Li-ion batteries
Authors: Prasanna K. , Subburaj T. , Jo Yong Nam , Santhoshkumar P. , Karthikeyan S. K. S. Saravana , Vediappan Kumaran , Gnanamuthu R. M. , Lee Chang Woo
Published: March 2019

A facile strategy to entrap milled silicon (m-Si) particles using nitrogen-doped-carbon (N-C@m-Si) to overcome the dramatic volume changes in Si during intercalation of lithium ions and to improve its electronic conductivity is reported here. The only natural nitrogen containing biomaterial alkaline polysaccharide, i.e., chitosan, is used as the carbon source. Simple hydrothermal technique followed by a subsequent carbonization process is used to synthesize N-C and N-C@m-Si particles. N-C@m-Si exhibited significantly improved electrochemical performance as compared to bare m-Si, which is confirmed by the obtained discharge capacity of 942.4 mAh g−1 and columbic efficiency of 97% after 50 cycles at 0.1C rate. With regard to the N-C electrodes, the obtained discharge capacity of 485.34 mAh g−1 and columbic efficiency of 99.78%, after 50 cycles at 0.1C rate is superior to the commercial graphite electrodes. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that formed over m-Si and N-C@m-Si electrodes is characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Compared to the SEI layer that formed over m-Si electrode after 10 charge-discharge cycles, the N-C@m-Si electrode had a stable lithium fluoride and carbonate species. Brief reaction mechanisms, representing the formation of different species in the SEI layer, is derived to explain its behavior during the electrochemical processes.
Targeted delivery of TLR3 agonist to tumor cells with single chain antibody fragment-conjugated nanoparticles induces type I-interferon response and apoptosis
Authors: Schau Isabell , Michen Susanne , Hagstotz Alexander , Janke Andreas , Schackert Gabriele , Appelhans Dietmar , Temme Achim
Published: March 2019

Application of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists is a promising approach to treat cancer. In particular, nucleic acid-based TLR agonists such as short ssRNA and dsRNA molecules, which activate endosomal TLRs, can be delivered to tumors by use of nanoparticle delivery systems. However, such delivery systems bear unspecific side effects and poor pharmacokinetics. To overcome these limitations we developed a system for targeted delivery of a 50 bp dsRNA TLR3 agonist (Riboxxol) to treat PSCA-positive tumor cells, which consists of neutravidin conjugated to mono-biotinylated dsRNA and to humanized mono-biotinylated anti-PSCA single chain antibody derivative scFv(h-AM1)-BAP. The assembly of the components resulted in the formation of nanoparticle-like immunoconjugates designated Rapid Inducer of Cellular Inflammation and Apoptosis (RICIA). Anti-PSCA-RICIA exclusively delivered Riboxxol to PSCA-positive tumor cells as well as subcutaneous tumors. Uptake of anti-PSCA-RICIA induced a type I-interferon response and apoptosis in HEK-BluehTLR3/PSCA reporter cells and PSCA-positive HT1376 bladder cancer cells in vitro. No such effects were observed when using RICIA coupled to an unspecific control antibody or when using Riboxxol alone. Treatment of HT1376 xenografts in immune-deficient hosts with targeted delivery of TLR3 agonist did not induce adverse effects and only modestly inhibited tumor growth when compared to controls. These results suggest promising activation of innate immune response and apoptosis upon selective delivery of TLR3 agonists in tumor cells. Yet, further studies using syngeneic and orthotopic tumor models are needed to fully exploit the potential of RICIA immunoconjugates.
Inflammatory cytokines and change of Th1/Th2 balance as prognostic indicators for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Lee Hae Lim , Jang Jeong Won , Lee Sung Won , Yoo Sun Hong , Kwon Jung Hyun , Nam Soon Woo , Bae Si Hyun , Choi Jong Young , Han Nam Ik , Yoon Seung Kew
Published: March 2019

Tumor-associated immune response plays a critical role in cancer pathogenesis. This study evaluated clinical implications of T cell cytokines and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in HCC patients treated with TACE. Whole blood was obtained for analysis of T cell cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and Tregs from 142 HCC patients. Patients with CTP class A had a significantly lower proportion of detectable IL-4 or IL-6, but a higher proportion of detectable IL-22 than patients with CTP class B/C. IL-6 level was well correlated with tumor stage and undetectable IL-17A was associated with extrahepatic metastasis. The overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients who had undetectable IL-6 or detectable IL-22 than patients who did not. IL-6 among cytokines remained independently predictive factor for survival. Increased IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio and no increase in IL-6 level following TACE were associated with prolonged survival, and baseline Tregs could affect Th1/Th2 balance. T cell cytokines are associated with a variety of clinical aspects of HCC, and IL-6 is the most significant predictor of survival. A shift toward increased Th1 response and no increase in IL-6 level exert favorable immunologic effects on HCC prognosis.
Lifeact-TagGFP2 alters F-actin organization, cellular morphology and biophysical behaviour
Authors: Flores Luis R. , Keeling Michael C. , Zhang Xiaoli , Sliogeryte Kristina , Gavara Núria
Published: March 2019

Live-imaging techniques are at the forefront of biology research to explore behaviour and function from sub-cellular to whole organism scales. These methods rely on intracellular fluorescent probes to label specific proteins, which are commonly assumed to only introduce artefacts at concentrations far-exceeding routine use. Lifeact, a small peptide with affinity for actin microfilaments has become a gold standard in live cell imaging of the cytoskeleton. Nevertheless, recent reports have raised concerns on Lifeact-associated artefacts at the molecular and whole organism level. We show here that Lifeact induces dose-response artefacts at the cellular level, impacting stress fibre dynamics and actin cytoskeleton architecture. These effects extend to the microtubule and intermediate filament networks as well as the nucleus, and ultimately lead to altered subcellular localization of YAP, reduced cell migration and abnormal mechanical properties. Our results suggest that reduced binding of cofilin to actin filaments may be the underlying cause of the observed Lifeact-induced cellular artefacts.
Light-emitting diodes with surface gallium nitride p–n homojunction structure formed by selective area regrowth
Authors: Lee Ming-Lun , Wang Shih-Sian , Yeh Yu-Hsiang , Liao Po-Hsun , Sheu Jinn-Kong
Published: March 2019

In this study, the blue light-emitting diode (LED) structures based on gallium nitride (GaN) were presented. Each structure possessed a surface GaN p–n junction, which was formed through selective area regrowth on an InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structure and served as the carrier injector. The LEDs that showed efficient hole injection and current spreading were configured to form a p-type GaN layer between the MQW and regrown n-type GaN top layer. These LEDs exhibited higher luminous efficiency and lower operation voltage than the LEDs with regrown p-type GaN top layers. The LEDs with n-type GaN top layers emitted single-peak spectra at approximately 450 nm under a forward bias. The UV peak at 365 nm (i.e., the GaN band-edge emission) was absent because the regrown surface GaN p–n junctions behaved as carrier injectors rather than photon injectors. In other words, the single-peak blue emission was not generated by the optical pumping of UV light emitted from the surface p–n GaN homojunction.
Martensitic transformation of Ti50(Ni50−xCux) and Ni50(Ti50−xZrx) shape-memory alloys
Authors: Yang Xiaolan , Ma Lei , Shang Jiaxiang
Published: March 2019

Martensitic transformation and phase stability of Ti50(Ni50−xCux) and Ni50(Ti50−xZrx) shape memory alloys are investigated based on density functional theory (DFT). According to the results of formation energy we calculated, upon substitution of Ni by Cu at levels of about 10.4 at.%, Ti50(Ni50−xCux) alloys lose the monoclinic martensite in favor of the orthorhombic martensite structure. The martensite monoclinic B19´ structure of Ni50(Ti50−xZrx) becomes more stable with increasing of the Zr content. The energy difference between austenite and martensite decreases when Cu < 10.4 at.%, and then increases slightly, which suggesting that Cu addition reduces the composition sensitivity of martensitic transformation temperature comparing with binary NiTi alloys. The energy difference decreases slightly firstly when Zr < 10.4 at.% and then increases sharply, which indicates that Zr addition increases martensitic transformation temperature dramatically. Furthermore, a geometric model is used to evaluate the thermal hysteresis. More interestingly, it is found that the lowest thermal hysteresis is achieved at 10.4 at.% for Cu-doped NiTi; whereas the thermal hysteresis increases with increasing of Zr. The electronic structures of austenite phase are also discussed in detail.
Intracellular delivery of mRNA to human primary T cells with microfluidic vortex shedding
Authors: Jarrell Justin A. , Twite Amy A. , Lau Katherine H. W. J. , Kashani Moein N. , Lievano Adrian A. , Acevedo Julyana , Priest Craig , Nieva Jorge , Gottlieb David , Pawell Ryan S.
Published: March 2019

Intracellular delivery of functional macromolecules, such as DNA and RNA, across the cell membrane and into the cytosol, is a critical process in both biology and medicine. Herein, we develop and use microfluidic chips containing post arrays to induce microfluidic vortex shedding, or μVS, for cell membrane poration that permits delivery of mRNA into primary human T lymphocytes. We demonstrate transfection with μVS by delivery of a 996-nucleotide mRNA construct encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and assessed transfection efficiencies by quantifying levels of EGFP protein expression. We achieved high transfection efficiency (63.6 ± 3.44% EGFP + viable cells) with high cell viability (77.3 ± 0.58%) and recovery (88.7 ± 3.21%) in CD3 + T cells 19 hrs after μVS processing. Importantly, we show that processing cells via μVS does not negatively affect cell growth rates or alter cell states. We also demonstrate processing speeds of greater than 2.0 × 106 cells s−1 at volumes ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 milliliters. Altogether, these results highlight the use of μVS as a rapid and gentle delivery method with promising potential to engineer primary human cells for research and clinical applications.
Thermodynamic cycles in Josephson junctions
Authors: Vischi Francesco , Carrega Matteo , Virtanen Pauli , Strambini Elia , Braggio Alessandro , Giazotto Francesco
Published: March 2019

A superconductor/normal metal/superconductor Josephson junction is a coherent electron system where the thermodynamic entropy depends on temperature and difference of phase across the weak-link. Here, exploiting the phase-temperature thermodynamic diagram of a thermally isolated system, we argue that a cooling effect can be achieved when the phase drop across the junction is brought from 0 to π in a iso-entropic process. We show that iso-entropic cooling can be enhanced with proper choice of geometrical and electrical parameters of the junction, i.e. by increasing the ratio between supercurrent and total junction volume. We present extensive numerical calculations using quasi-classical Green function methods for a short junction and we compare them with analytical results. Interestingly, we demonstrate that phase-coherent thermodynamic cycles can be implemented by combining iso-entropic and iso-phasic processes acting on the weak-link, thereby engineering the coherent version of thermal machines such as engines and cooling systems. We therefore evaluate their performances and the minimum temperature achievable in a cooling cycle.
Myocardial lipofuscin accumulation in ageing and sudden cardiac death
Authors: Kakimoto Yu , Okada Chisa , Kawabe Noboru , Sasaki Ayumi , Tsukamoto Hideo , Nagao Ryoko , Osawa Motoki
Published: March 2019

Lipofuscin is an intracellular aggregate of highly oxidized proteins that cannot be digested in the ubiquitin-proteasome system and accumulate mainly in lysosomes, especially in aged cells and pathological conditions. However, no systematic study has evaluated the cardiac accumulation of lipofuscin during human ageing and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Age estimation in unidentified bodies and postmortem SCD diagnosis are important themes in forensics. Thus, we aimed to elucidate their correlations with myocardial lipofuscin accumulation. We collected 76 cardiac samples from autopsy patients aged 20–97 years. After histopathological examination, myocardial lipofuscin was measured using its autofluorescence. Lipofuscin accumulated mainly in the perinuclear zone, and its accumulation rate positively correlated with chronological ageing (r = 0.82). Meanwhile, no significant change in lipofuscin level was observed with different causes of death, including SCD. There was also no significant change in lipofuscin level in relation to body mass index, serum brain natriuretic peptide level, or heart weight. Moreover, we performed LC3 and p62 immunoblotting to evaluate autophagic activity, and no change was observed in ageing. Therefore, lipofuscin accumulation more directly reflects chronological ageing rather than human cardiac pathology. Our study reveals the stability and utility of cardiac lipofuscin measurement for age estimation during autopsy.
Color tunable pressure sensors based on polymer nanostructured membranes for optofluidic applications
Authors: Escudero P. , Yeste J. , Pascual-Izarra C. , Villa R. , Alvarez M.
Published: March 2019

We demonstrate an integrated optical pressure sensing platform for multiplexed optofluidics applications. The sensing platform consists in an array of elastomeric on-side nanostructured membranes -effectively 2D photonic crystal- which present colour shifts in response to mechanical stress that alter their nanostructure characteristical dimensions, pitch or orientation. The photonic membranes are prepared by a simple and cost-effective method based on the infiltration of a 2D colloidal photonic crystal (CPC) with PDMS and their integration with a microfluidic system. We explore the changes in the white light diffraction produced by the nanostructured membranes when varying the pneumatic pressure in the microfluidics channels as a way to achieve a power-free array of pressure sensors that change their reflective colour depending on the bending produced on each sensor. The structural characterization of these membranes was performed by SEM, while the optical properties and the pressure-colour relation were evaluated via UV-Vis reflection spectrometry. Maximum sensitivities of 0.17 kPa−1 is obtained when measuring at Littrow configuration (θin = −θout), and close to the border of the membranes. The reflected colour change with pressure is as well monitorized by using a smartphone camera.
A computer vision system for deep learning-based detection of patient mobilization activities in the ICU
Authors: Yeung Serena , Rinaldo Francesca , Jopling Jeffrey , Liu Bingbin , Mehra Rishab , Downing N. Lance , Guo Michelle , Bianconi Gabriel M. , Alahi Alexandre , Lee Julia , Campbell Brandi , Deru Kayla , Beninati William , Fei-Fei Li , Milstein Arnold
Published: March 2019

Early and frequent patient mobilization substantially mitigates risk for post-intensive care syndrome and long-term functional impairment. We developed and tested computer vision algorithms to detect patient mobilization activities occurring in an adult ICU. Mobility activities were defined as moving the patient into and out of bed, and moving the patient into and out of a chair. A data set of privacy-safe-depth-video images was collected in the Intermountain LDS Hospital ICU, comprising 563 instances of mobility activities and 98,801 total frames of video data from seven wall-mounted depth sensors. In all, 67% of the mobility activity instances were used to train algorithms to detect mobility activity occurrence and duration, and the number of healthcare personnel involved in each activity. The remaining 33% of the mobility instances were used for algorithm evaluation. The algorithm for detecting mobility activities attained a mean specificity of 89.2% and sensitivity of 87.2% over the four activities; the algorithm for quantifying the number of personnel involved attained a mean accuracy of 68.8%.
Chemical potential formalism for polymer entropic forces
Authors: Xie Hong-Qing , Chang Cheng-Hung
Published: March 2019

The entropic force is one of the most elusive interactions in macromolecules. It is clearly defined theoretically, but practically difficult to evaluate, thus restricting our knowledge of it often to a qualitative level. Here, we propose a formula for entropic force, f = f$${\hskip0.3pt}^{\rm -{\hskip-4.3pt}o}$$

-
o

 + T ln(α), for confined polymers and demonstrate its mathematical equivalence to the widely used chemical potential formula for solutions, μ = μ$$^{\rm -{\hskip-4.3pt}o} +R\tilde T\,{\mathrm{ln}}(a)$$

-
o

+
R

T

̃

ln

(

a

)

. A systematic analysis based on this formalism clarifies the force magnitudes obtained in several recent experiments on polymers and granular chains and elucidates the common force scales for polymers studied in nanoscience and biological systems. This work provides a practical tool for instantaneously evaluating the entropic forces in polymer science and indicates the possibility of using a reference-based strategy to tackle general entropic problems beyond chemical solutions.
Spin-orbit coupling induced valley Hall effects in transition-metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Zhou Benjamin T. , Taguchi Katsuhisa , Kawaguchi Yuki , Tanaka Yukio , Law K. T.
Published: March 2019

In transition-metal dichalcogenides, electrons in the K-valleys can experience both Ising and Rashba spin-orbit couplings. In this work, we show that the coexistence of Ising and Rashba spin-orbit couplings leads to a special type of valley Hall effect, which we call spin-orbit coupling induced valley Hall effect. Importantly, near the conduction band edge, the valley-dependent Berry curvatures generated by spin-orbit couplings are highly tunable by external gates and dominate over the intrinsic Berry curvatures originating from orbital degrees of freedom under accessible experimental conditions. We show that the spin-orbit coupling induced valley Hall effect is manifested in the gate dependence of the valley Hall conductivity, which can be detected by Kerr effect experiments.
A unique copper coordination structure with both mono- and bi-dentate ethylenediamine ligands
Authors: Sharma Jai , Jiang Zhelong , Bhutani Ankita , Behera Piush , Shoemaker Daniel P.
Published: March 2019

A new crystal structure achieving penta-coordination using exclusively ethylenediamine ligands is discovered and characterized.
Substituent effects in the so-called cation⋯π interaction of benzene and its boron–nitrogen doped analogues: overlooked role of σ-skeleton
Authors: Yourdkhani Sirous , Chojecki Michał , Korona Tatiana
Published: February 2019

By decomposing IQA atom–atom interaction energies to σ and π contributions, we have shown that the substituent effect in cation⋯π interactions is a nonlocal classical effect in which σ-polarization plays an important role.
Studies on spiro[4.5]decanone prolyl hydroxylase domain inhibitors
Authors: Holt-Martyn James P. , Tumber Anthony , Rahman Mohammed Z. , Lippl Kerstin , Figg William , McDonough Michael A. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

Structure–activity relationship and crystallographic studies on HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors reveal spiro[4.5]decanones as useful templates for generation of potent and selective 2OG oxygenase inhibitors.
Flexible and transparent graphene complementary logic gates
Authors: Dathbun Ajjiporn , Kim Seongchan , Lee Sungjoo , Hwang Do Kyung , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: March 2019

Flexible and transparent monolithic graphene transistors and complementary logic gates were fabricated using chemically doped graphene.
High-efficiency transfer of fingerprints from various surfaces using nanofibrillated cellulose
Authors: Liu Yang , Long Keying , Mi Hanbing , Cha Ruitao , Jiang Xingyu
Published: March 2019

Fingerprint transfer and detection by fluorescent NFC/CDs paper. Compared with cyanoacrylate fuming and dusting with black powder, we can transfer clear fingerprint patterns from rubber substrate onto NFC/CDs paper. The results of feature points extraction and similarity assessment show that 80% of the feature can transfer from smooth substrates and 60% from rough substrates.
Surface functionalization-induced photoresponse characteristics of monolayer MoS2 for fast flexible photodetectors
Authors: Pak Sangyeon , Jang A-Rang , Lee Juwon , Hong John , Giraud Paul , Lee Sanghyo , Cho Yuljae , An Geon-Hyoung , Lee Young-Woo , Shin Hyeon Suk , Morris Stephen M. , Cha SeungNam , Sohn Jung Inn , Kim Jong Min
Published: February 2019

Effect of a surface-functionalization on the photoresponse of a MoS2 photodetector was studied.
High speed atomic force microscopy to investigate the interactions between toxic Aβ1-42 peptides and model membranes in real time: impact of the membrane composition
Authors: Ewald M. , Henry S. , Lambert E. , Feuillie C. , Bobo C. , Cullin C. , Lecomte S. , Molinari M.
Published: March 2019

For investigating Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, high-speed atomic force microscopy is a proper tool to monitor the interactions between toxic peptides and lipid model membranes.
Watching nanostructure growth: kinetically controlled diffusion and condensation of Xe in a surface metal organic network
Authors: Ahsan Aisha , Fatemeh Mousavi S. , Nijs Thomas , Nowakowska Sylwia , Popova Olha , Wäckerlin Aneliia , Björk Jonas , Gade Lutz H. , Jung Thomas A.
Published: March 2019

Diffusion, nucleation and growth provide the fundamental access to control nanostructure growth.
3D chiral color prints for anti-counterfeiting
Authors: Liu H. L. , Zhang Bing , Gao Tian , Wu Xijun , Cui Fayi , Xu Wei
Published: March 2019

3D chiral color printing displays a color image under left-handed circular-polarized light, while revealing a different appearance under right-handed light.
Tailoring Ti3C2Txnanosheets to tune local conductive network as an environmentally friendly material for highly efficient electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: He Peng , Wang Xi-Xi , Cai Yong-Zhu , Shu Jin-Cheng , Zhao Quan-Liang , Yuan Jie , Cao Mao-Sheng
Published: February 2019

Atomic layer tailoring (ALT) the layer thickness of Ti3C2TxMXenes to induce the formation of a local conductive network, as an environmentally friendly material for high-performance EMI shielding.
A mitochondria-targeted red-emitting probe for imaging hydrogen sulfide in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Ismail Ismail , Wang Dan , Wang Dawei , Niu Cuili , Huang Haojie , Yi Long , Xi Zhen
Published: March 2019

A mitochondria-targeted red-emitting probe is designed and prepared for H2S detection in living cells and zebrafish.
Simple construction of core–shell MnO2@TiO2with highly enhanced U(vi) adsorption performance and evaluated adsorption mechanism
Authors: Ma Junping , Zhao Qiuyu , Wei Dongli , Liu Haiqiang , Wang Xiangke , Chen Zhe , Wang Jianjun
Published: March 2019

Simple construction of core–shell MnO2@TiO2with highly enhanced U(vi) adsorption performance and evaluation of its adsorption mechanism.
Surface properties of ceria synthesised using Triton-X based reverse microemulsions
Authors: Paschalidou Polyxeni , Theocharis Charis R.
Published: March 2019

The effect of the tail length of Triton-X surfactants on the surface properties of ceria prepared by means of reversed micelles and Ce(OiPr)4 has been systematically studied.
Reversible water driven chirality inversion in cellulose-based helices isolated fromErodiumawns
Authors: Almeida Ana P. C. , Querciagrossa Lara , Silva Pedro E. S. , Gonçalves Filipa , Canejo João P. , Almeida Pedro L. , Godinho Maria Helena , Zannoni Claudio
Published: March 2019

Water-responsive materials, obtained from chemically treatedErodiumawns, form left- and right-handed helical birefringent transparent ribbons.
Frustrated binding of biopolymer crosslinkers
Authors: Mulla Yuval , Wierenga Harmen , Alkemade Celine , ten Wolde Pieter Rein , Koenderink Gijsje H.
Published: March 2019

By combining rheology and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching with theoretical modeling, we find that the unbinding rate of crosslinkers from only one filament is nearly two orders of magnitude slower than for doubly bound ones. We attribute the increased unbinding rate of doubly bound crosslinkers to the high stiffness of biopolymers, which frustrates crosslinker binding.
Support of modified Archimedes' law theory in granular media
Authors: Feng Yajie , Blumenfeld Raphael , Liu Caishan
Published: March 2019

We study the resistance force of cylindrical objects penetrating quasi-statically into granular media experimentally and numerically.
A novel colorimetric assay based on the peroxidase-like properties of amino functionalized copper metal–organic framework nanoparticles for ascorbic acid sensing
Authors: Yao Zhixia , Li Zhen , Liu Hanmeng , Liu Yaosheng , Sun Yujing , Li Zhuang
Published: February 2019

A novel sensing system using Cu-BDC-NH2 provides an effective strategy for AA detection with a lower LOD than that of many conventional methods.
SuFEx-based strategies for the preparation of functional particles and cation exchange resins
Authors: Kassick Andrew J. , Chen Li , Kovaliov Marina , Mathers Robert T. , Locklin Jason , Averick Saadyah
Published: March 2019

A predictable and reproducible number of sulfuric acid sites have been achieved for cation exchange resins by employing a mild SuFEx-based reagent system to effect the hydrolysis of fluorosulfonated polymer beads.
A novel geopolymer route to porous carbon: high CO2 adsorption capacity
Authors: Pei Yi-Rong , Choi Goeun , Asahina Shunsuke , Yang Jae-Hun , Vinu Ajayan , Choy Jin-Ho
Published: February 2019

We report the synthesis of porous carbon through a novel geopolymer route, starting from natural clay kaolin.
Ultrafine and monodispersed iridium nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-functionalized carbon: an efficient oxidase mimic for glutathione colorimetric detection
Authors: Huang Mujia , Wang Hua , He Daiping , Jiang Ping , Zhang Yun
Published: March 2019

Ultrafine and monodispersed Ir NPs supported on nitrogen-functionalized carbon served as an efficient oxidase mimic for glutathione colorimetric detection.
Gold(ii) in redox-switchable gold(i) catalysis
Authors: Veit Philipp , Volkert Carla , Förster Christoph , Ksenofontov Vadim , Schlicher Steffen , Bauer Matthias , Heinze Katja
Published: March 2019

Gold(ii) species catalyse the cyclisation of N(2-propyn-1-yl)benzamide to 2-phenyl-5-vinylidene-2-oxazoline without halide abstraction while the neutral gold(i) complex is inactive indicating a gold(ii/i) redox-switch.
A stable filamentous coaxial microelectrode for Li-ion batteries: a case of olivine LiFePO4
Authors: Guo Xiaolong , Lan Tu , Zhang Liang , Tan Jingwei , Feng Xiang , Li De , Chen Yong
Published: February 2019

A stable filamentous coaxial microelectrode of olivine LiFePO4 was fabricated by using a facile spray drying method.
Traceable cancer cell photoablation with a new mitochondria-responsive and -activatable red-emissive photosensitizer
Authors: Yang Chenlin , Hu Rui , Lu Fengxian , Guo Xudong , Wang Shuangqing , Zeng Yi , Li Yi , Yang Guoqiang
Published: March 2019

A mitochondria-responsive and -activatable photosensitizer, MPS, with a built-in tracer for cancer cell photoablation was constructed.
A disk-type polyarene containing four B←N units
Authors: Min Yang , Dou Chuandong , Tian Hongkun , Liu Jun , Wang Lixiang
Published: March 2019

A disk-type polyarene containing four B←N units is reported, which exhibits both intensive red fluorescence and n-type semiconductor characteristics.
Nucleophilic addition of phosphorus(iii) derivatives to squaraines: colorimetric detection of transition metal-mediated or thermal reversion
Authors: Bacher Emily P. , Lepore Antonio J. , Pena-Romero Deisy , Smith Bradley D. , Ashfeld Brandon L.
Published: February 2019

Nucleophilic addition of phosphorus(iii) agents to the electrophilic core of intensely colored squaraine dyes gives a bleached zwitterionic adduct in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) at room temperature.
The impact of species, respiration type, growth phase and genetic inventory on absolute metal content of intact bacterial cells
Authors: Budhraja Rohit , Ding Chang , Walter Philipp , Wagner Stephan , Reemtsma Thorsten , Gary Sawers R , Adrian Lorenz
Published: March 2019

Metal ions are abundant in microbial proteins and have structural, catalytic or electron-transferring roles. Metalloproteins are especially prevalent in respiratory chains where they couple electron flow with proton translocation across the membrane. Here, we explore the hypothesis that anaerobic respiratory chains can be investigated by quantitative whole-cell metallomics of the key metals Fe, Co, Ni and Mo. Sensitive and strictly quantitative data were obtained by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry when using a triple quadrupole instrument (ICP-QqQ-MS). Our experiments provide data on the absolute cellular metal content of E. coli, an enrichment culture of “Ca. Kuenenia stuttgartiensis”, Dehalococcoides mccartyi, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, Geobacter sulfurreducens and Geobacter metallireducens. A major obstacle in whole-cell metallomics is the interference caused by metal precipitates, observed for G. metallireducens and D. vulgaris. In the other investigated organisms, whole-cell metallomics gave biologically meaningful information, e.g. high Fe and Co content in “Ca. K. stuttgartiensis” and higher Mo content in E. coli when grown under nitrate-reducing conditions. The content of all four metals was almost constant in E. coli from the late exponential phase allowing precise measurements independent of the exact duration of cultivation. Deletion or overexpression of genes involved in metal homeostasis (Ni transport or Mo-cofactor metabolism) was mirrored by dramatic changes in whole-cell metal content. Deletion of genes encoding abundant metalloproteins or heterologous overexpression of metalloproteins was also reflected in the whole-cell metal content. Our study provides a reference point for absolute microbial metallomics and paves the way for the development of fast and easy mutation screens.
Highly porous structured polyaniline nanocomposites for scalable and flexible high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Oh Jungkyun , Kim Yun Ki , Lee Jun Seop , Jang Jyongsik
Published: February 2019

Recently, flexible energy devices have been used to power up portable electronics such as E-skins, smart clothes, and bendable displays.
Deviations from Vegard's law and evolution of the electrocatalytic activity and stability of Pt-based nanoalloys inside fuel cells byin operandoX-ray spectroscopy and total scattering
Authors: Petkov Valeri , Maswadeh Yazan , Vargas Jorge A. , Shan Shiyao , Kareem Haval , Wu Zhi-Peng , Luo Jin , Zhong Chuan-Jian , Shastri Sarvjit , Kenesei Peter
Published: March 2019

Deviations from Vegard's law inherent for nanoalloy catalysts can explain their behavior under operating conditions.
Photoacoustic-imaging-guided therapy of functionalized melanin nanoparticles: combination of photothermal ablation and gene therapy against laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Fan Bo , Yang Xi , Li Xiaoyan , Lv Shuxin , Zhang Huanhu , Sun Jinghua , Li Liping , Wang Lingjie , Qu Botao , Peng Xiaoyang , Zhang Ruiping
Published: March 2019

A photoacoustic imaging-guided anticancer strategy was developed based on poly-l-lysine functionalized melanin nanoparticles by integrating thermo-gene therapies.
Cu(ii)- or Co(ii)-Catalyzed C(SP3)–H oxidation of N,N-dimethylaminoethanol: facile synthesis of methylene-bridged biindoles and 3-formylindoles selectively
Authors: Yan Min , Hider Robert C. , Ma Yongmin
Published: March 2019

Methylene-bridged biindoles and 3-formylindoles were synthesized with high conversion rate and good regioselectivity using a new carbon donor N,N-dimethylethanolamine, catalyzed by CuCl2 and CoCl2 respectively.
Immunomodulatory mechanism of α-d-(1→6)-glucan isolated from banana
Authors: Wen Lingrong , Shi Dingding , Zhou Ting , Liu Huiling , Jiang Yueming , Yang Bao
Published: March 2019

Banana is a delicious fruit with potent immunomodulatory function.
Optimizing the average power factor of p-type (Na, Ag) co-doped polycrystalline SnSe
Authors: Wang Si , Su Xianli , Bailey Trevor P. , Hu Tiezheng , Zhang Zhengkai , Tan Gangjian , Yan Yonggao , Liu Wei , Uher Ctirad , Tang Xinfeng
Published: March 2019

(Na, Ag) co-doping combines the advantages of Ag and Na single doping in terms of the electronic properties.