bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene–environment interplay in depressive symptoms: moderation by age, sex, and physical illness
Authors: Petkus A. J. , Beam C. R. , Johnson W. , Kaprio J. , Korhonen T. , McGue M. , Neiderhiser J. M. , Pedersen N. L. , Reynolds C. A. , Gatz M. ,   for the IGEMS Consortium
Published: February 2017

Background

Numerous factors influence late-life depressive symptoms in adults, many not thoroughly characterized. We addressed whether genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms differed by age, sex, and physical illness.

Method

The analysis sample included 24 436 twins aged 40–90 years drawn from the Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies (IGEMS) Consortium. Biometric analyses tested age, sex, and physical illness moderation of genetic and environmental variance in depressive symptoms.

Results

Women reported greater depressive symptoms than men. After age 60, there was an accelerating increase in depressive symptom scores with age, but this did not appreciably affect genetic and environmental variances. Overlap in genetic influences between physical illness and depressive symptoms was greater in men than in women. Additionally, in men extent of overlap was greater with worse physical illness (the genetic correlation ranged from near 0.00 for the least physical illness to nearly 0.60 with physical illness 2s.d.above the mean). For men and women, the same environmental factors that influenced depressive symptoms also influenced physical illness.

Conclusions

Findings suggested that genetic factors play a larger part in the association between depressive symptoms and physical illness for men than for women. For both sexes, across all ages, physical illness may similarly trigger social and health limitations that contribute to depressive symptoms.
What influences the home range size of free-roaming domestic dogs?
Authors: DÜRR S. , DHAND N. K. , BOMBARA C. , MOLLOY S. , WARD M. P.
Published: February 2017

In many regions of the world domestic dogs are free roaming and live in close relationship with humans. These free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) can cause public health problems such as dog bites and transmission of infectious diseases. To effectively control diseases transmitted by FRDD, knowledge on the dogs’ behaviour is required. To identify predictors of home range (HR) size, we collected global positioning system data from 135 FRDD living in eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Northern Australia. The core HR size ranged from 0·17 to 2·33 ha and the extended HR size from 0·86 to 40·46 ha. Using a linear mixed effect model with a Restricted Maximum Likelihood approach, the dog's sex and reproductive status were identified as predictors of roaming. Non-castrated males had the largest HRs, followed by neutered females. Also, FRDDs were found to roam further during the pre- than the post-wet season. These findings have implications for infectious disease spread. Identification of risk groups for disease spread within a population allows for more targeted disease response and surveillance. Further investigation of predictors of roaming in other FRDD populations worldwide would increase the external validity of such studies.
Isolation unit for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in a low endemic country, a step towards the World Health Organization End TB Strategy
Authors: PAYEN M. C. , VAN VOOREN J. P. , VANDENBERG O. , CLUMECK N. , DE WIT S.
Published: February 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to public health and is the second cause of death due to a single infectious agent after HIV/AIDS. The worldwide distribution of TB is heterogeneous. The incidence is decreasing in most high-income regions, but the situation remains worrying in many parts of the world. The emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to key agents used in treatment (rifampin and isoniazid) contributes to TB transmission around the world. To achieve TB elimination, both high and low endemic countries must upscale their efforts to decrease disease transmission and improve cure rates. Management of drug-resistant TB is of particular importance. In this paper, we discuss the different models of care of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), the ethical considerations and the specific constraints present in high income countries. The management model chosen by the Belgian TB specialists in accordance with public health authorities as well as building of a specific MDR/XDR-TB isolation unit are also discussed.
Language Deficits as a Preclinical Window into Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence from Asymptomatic Parkin and Dardarin Mutation Carriers
Authors: García Adolfo M. , Sedeño Lucas , Trujillo Natalia , Bocanegra Yamile , Gomez Diana , Pineda David , Villegas Andrés , Muñoz Edinson , Arias William , Ibáñez Agustín
Published: February 2017

Objectives:The worldwide spread of Parkinson’s disease (PD) calls for sensitive and specific measures enabling its early (or, ideally, preclinical) detection. Here, we use language measures revealing deficits in PD to explore whether similar disturbances are present in asymptomatic individualsat riskfor the disease.Methods:We administered executive, semantic, verb-production, and syntactic tasks to sporadic PD patients, genetic PD patients with PARK2 (parkin) or LRRK2 (dardarin) mutation, asymptomatic first-degree relatives of the latter with similar mutations, and socio-demographically matched controls. Moreover, to detectsui generislanguage disturbances, we ran analysis of covariance tests using executive functions as covariate.Results:The two clinical groups showed impairments in all measures, most of which survived covariation with executive functions. However, the key finding concerned asymptomatic mutation carriers. While these subjects showed intact executive, semantic, and action-verb production skills, they evinced deficits in a syntactic test with minimal working memory load.Conclusions:We propose that thissui generisdisturbance may constitute a prodromal sign anticipating eventual development of PD. Moreover, our results suggest that mutations on specific genes (PARK2 and LRRK2) compromising basal ganglia functioning may be subtly related to language-processing mechanisms. (JINS, 2017,23, 150–158)
Low-income adults’ perceptions of farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture programmes
Authors: Cotter Elizabeth W , Teixeira Carla , Bontrager Annessa , Horton Kasharena , Soriano Deyanira
Published: February 2017

Objective

To better understand low-income adults’ attitudes towards participating in farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) and nutrition education programming.

Design

Focus groups were held with a diverse sample of adults. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Three affordable housing communities in Washington, DC, USA.

Subjects

Participants included twenty-eight residents of the three affordable housing communities.

Results

Four major themes emerged across groups, along with several sub-themes within each theme. These included: (i) perceptions of farmers’ markets (benefits, barriers, current participation and knowledge); (ii) perceptions of CSA (benefits, barriers and questions/concerns); (iii) need/interest in additional programming (nutrition education, non-nutrition education, qualities of programming and perceived barriers); and (iv) current health knowledge and behaviours (dietary behaviours, health recommendations and health concerns).

Conclusion

Adults living in urban, affordable housing communities desire access to healthy foods, but are limited by cost. Programmes could have a higher likelihood of success if they accept benefits like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), are heavily marketed and incorporate culturally relevant nutrition education components.
RAMEAU'S CARTESIAN WONDER
Authors: DILL CHARLES
Published: February 2017

While Rameau alluded to contemporary notions of musical expression in his theoretical writings, he devoted little effort to explaining how music acted on listeners expressively. This article reviews Rameau's writings to establish and clarify his beliefs about this process, finding that they less resemble what we would think of as the leading edge of contemporary thought – exemplified by Dubos, Estève and the Encyclopedists – than they do the earlier descriptions of Descartes and Malebranche. Following long-standing philosophical tradition, the latter privileged the passion wonder (admiration) as the structural basis for all passions. Rameau in turn staged his theoretical discoveries and responses to music in precisely the same way, as an initial, constitutive experience of wonder that then merged mimetically with subtler passionate responses. He assumed similar responses for those who listened to music. We can attribute Rameau's preference for an old-fashioned explanation of the passions to several factors. Notably, according to the principles of his theoretical system, he needed to isolate and describe music as an object that acted on the beholder's mind, whereas later writers concerned themselves more with the beholder's sensory and emotional responses. Moreover, Rameau's argument was an effective response to conservative music critics, who attacked him for introducing overly sensual elements into music.
Silencing c‐Rel in macrophages dampens Th1 and Th17 immune responses and alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Zhang Hongling , Bi Jiacheng , Yi Huqiang , Fan Tingting , Ruan Qingguo , Cai Lintao , Chen Youhai H , Wan Xiaochun
Published: February 2017

Autoimmune Th1 and Th17 responses are critical for the development of central nervous system (CNS) pathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for human multiple sclerosis. Although macrophages play important roles in the development of Th1 and Th17 responses, whether modulating macrophage gene transcription can diminish the Th1‐ and Th17 cell‐induced CNS pathology is unclear. In this study, we successfully silenced the expression of the transcription factor c‐Rel in macrophages of mice with EAE (including those infiltrating the CNS) using chemically modified c‐Rel‐specific siRNAs delivered by nanoparticles. Knocking down c‐Rel in macrophages in vitro inhibited expression of NF‐κB targets, such as pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) and p40 of interleukin 12 (IL‐12)/interleukin 23 (IL‐23), in macrophages, leading to reduced interferon γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin 17A (IL‐17A) production by co‐cultured MOG‐specific T cells from EAE mice. Such effects correlated with diminished T‐cell infiltration in the CNS, reduced clinical symptoms, as well as downregulated pathogenic Th1 and Th17 responses in EAE mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that targeting c‐Rel in macrophages dampens CNS‐specific Th1 and Th17 immune responses, and can be effective for treating autoimmune diseases of the CNS.
CRISPR/Cpf1-mediated DNA-free plant genome editing
Authors: Kim Hyeran , Kim Sang-Tae , Ryu Jahee , Kang Beum-Chang , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Sang-Gyu
Published: February 2017

Cpf1, a type V CRISPR effector, recognizes a thymidine-rich protospacer-adjacent motif and induces cohesive double-stranded breaks at the target site guided by a single CRISPR RNA (crRNA). Here we show that Cpf1 can be used as a tool for DNA-free editing of plant genomes. We describe the delivery of recombinant Cpf1 proteins with in vitro transcribed or chemically synthesized target-specific crRNAs into protoplasts isolated from soybean and wild tobacco. Designed crRNAs are unique and do not have similar sequences (≤3 mismatches) in the entire soybean reference genome. Targeted deep sequencing analyses show that mutations are successfully induced in FAD2 paralogues in soybean and AOC in wild tobacco. Unlike SpCas9, Cpf1 mainly induces various nucleotide deletions at target sites. No significant mutations are detected at potential off-target sites in the soybean genome. These results demonstrate that Cpf1–crRNA complex is an effective DNA-free genome-editing tool for plant genome editing.
Zero-gap semiconductor to excitonic insulator transition in Ta2NiSe5
Authors: Lu Y. F. , Kono H. , Larkin T. I. , Rost A. W. , Takayama T. , Boris A. V. , Keimer B. , Takagi H.
Published: February 2017

The excitonic insulator is a long conjectured correlated electron phase of narrow-gap semiconductors and semimetals, driven by weakly screened electron–hole interactions. Having been proposed more than 50 years ago, conclusive experimental evidence for its existence remains elusive. Ta2NiSe5 is a narrow-gap semiconductor with a small one-electron bandgap EG of <50 meV. Below TC=326 K, a putative excitonic insulator is stabilized. Here we report an optical excitation gap Eop ∼0.16 eV below TC comparable to the estimated exciton binding energy EB. Specific heat measurements show the entropy associated with the transition being consistent with a primarily electronic origin. To further explore this physics, we map the TC–EG phase diagram tuning EG via chemical and physical pressure. The dome-like behaviour around EG∼0 combined with our transport, thermodynamic and optical results are fully consistent with an excitonic insulator phase in Ta2NiSe5.
Local pH oscillations witness autocatalytic self-organization of biomorphic nanostructures
Authors: Montalti M. , Zhang G. , Genovese D. , Morales J. , Kellermeier M. , García-Ruiz J. M.
Published: February 2017

Bottom-up self-assembly of simple molecular compounds is a prime pathway to complex materials with interesting structures and functions. Coupled reaction systems are known to spontaneously produce highly ordered patterns, so far observed in soft matter. Here we show that similar phenomena can occur during silica-carbonate crystallization, the emerging order being preserved. The resulting materials, called silica biomorphs, exhibit non-crystallographic curved morphologies and hierarchical textures, much reminiscent of structural principles found in natural biominerals. We have used a fluorescent chemosensor to probe local conditions during the growth of such self-organized nanostructures. We demonstrate that the pH oscillates in the local microenvironment near the growth front due to chemical coupling, which becomes manifest in the final mineralized architectures as intrinsic banding patterns with the same periodicity. A better understanding of dynamic autocatalytic crystallization processes in such simple model systems is key to the rational development of advanced materials and to unravel the mechanisms of biomineralization.
Reversed thermo-switchable molecular sieving membranes composed of two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets for gas separation
Authors: Wang Xuerui , Chi Chenglong , Zhang Kang , Qian Yuhong , Gupta Krishna M. , Kang Zixi , Jiang Jianwen , Zhao Dan
Published: February 2017

It is highly desirable to reduce the membrane thickness in order to maximize the throughput and break the trade-off limitation for membrane-based gas separation. Two-dimensional membranes composed of atomic-thick graphene or graphene oxide nanosheets have gas transport pathways that are at least three orders of magnitude higher than the membrane thickness, leading to reduced gas permeation flux and impaired separation throughput. Here we present nm-thick molecular sieving membranes composed of porous two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets. These membranes possess pore openings parallel to gas concentration gradient allowing high gas permeation flux and high selectivity, which are proven by both experiment and molecular dynamics simulation. Furthermore, the gas transport pathways of these membranes exhibit a reversed thermo-switchable feature, which is attributed to the molecular flexibility of the building metal-organic nanosheets.
Superconductivity in a chiral nanotube
Authors: Qin F. , Shi W. , Ideue T. , Yoshida M. , Zak A. , Tenne R. , Kikitsu T. , Inoue D. , Hashizume D. , Iwasa Y.
Published: February 2017

Chirality of materials are known to affect optical, magnetic and electric properties, causing a variety of nontrivial phenomena such as circular dichiroism for chiral molecules, magnetic Skyrmions in chiral magnets and nonreciprocal carrier transport in chiral conductors. On the other hand, effect of chirality on superconducting transport has not been known. Here we report the nonreciprocity of superconductivity—unambiguous evidence of superconductivity reflecting chiral structure in which the forward and backward supercurrent flows are not equivalent because of inversion symmetry breaking. Such superconductivity is realized via ionic gating in individual chiral nanotubes of tungsten disulfide. The nonreciprocal signal is significantly enhanced in the superconducting state, being associated with unprecedented quantum Little-Parks oscillations originating from the interference of supercurrent along the circumference of the nanotube. The present results indicate that the nonreciprocity is a viable approach toward the superconductors with chiral or noncentrosymmetric structures.
Mitochondrial ATP transporter depletion protects mice against liver steatosis and insulin resistance
Authors: Cho Joonseok , Zhang Yujian , Park Shi-Young , Joseph Anna-Maria , Han Chul , Park Hyo-Jin , Kalavalapalli Srilaxmi , Chun Sung-Kook , Morgan Drake , Kim Jae-Sung , Someya Shinichi , Mathews Clayton E. , Lee Young Jae , Wohlgemuth Stephanie E. , Sunny Nishanth E. , Lee Hui-Young , Choi Cheol Soo , Shiratsuchi Takayuki , Oh S. Paul , Terada Naohiro
Published: February 2017

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder in obese individuals. Adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) exchanges ADP/ATP through the mitochondrial inner membrane, and Ant2 is the predominant isoform expressed in the liver. Here we demonstrate that targeted disruption of Ant2 in mouse liver enhances uncoupled respiration without damaging mitochondrial integrity and liver functions. Interestingly, liver specific Ant2 knockout mice are leaner and resistant to hepatic steatosis, obesity and insulin resistance under a lipogenic diet. Protection against fatty liver is partially recapitulated by the systemic administration of low-dose carboxyatractyloside, a specific inhibitor of ANT. Targeted manipulation of hepatic mitochondrial metabolism, particularly through inhibition of ANT, may represent an alternative approach in NAFLD and obesity treatment.
A viral protease relocalizes in the presence of the vector to promote vector performance
Authors: Bak Aurélie , Cheung Andrea L. , Yang Chunling , Whitham Steven A. , Casteel Clare L.
Published: February 2017

Vector-borne pathogens influence host characteristics relevant to host–vector contact, increasing pathogen transmission and survival. Previously, we demonstrated that infection withTurnip mosaic virus, a member of one of the largest families of plant-infecting viruses, increases vector attraction and reproduction on infected hosts. These changes were due to a single viral protein, NIa-Pro. Here we show that NIa-Pro responds to the presence of the aphid vector during infection by relocalizing to the vacuole. Remarkably, vacuolar localization is required for NIa-Pro’s ability to enhance aphid reproduction on host plants, vacuole localization disappears when aphids are removed, and this phenomenon occurs for another potyvirus,Potato virus Y, suggesting a conserved role for the protein in vector–host interactions. Taken together, these results suggest that potyviruses dynamically respond to the presence of their vectors, promoting insect performance and transmission only when needed.
Pathways of N removal and N2O emission from a one-stage autotrophic N removal process under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Li Kai , Fang Fang , Wang Han , Wang Chao , Chen Youpeng , Guo Jinsong , Wang Xixi , Jiang Fuyang
Published: February 2017

To investigate the pathways of nitrogen (N) removal and N2O emission in a one-stage autotrophic N removal process during the non-aeration phase, biofilm from an intermittent aeration sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) and organic carbon-free synthetic wastewater were applied to two groups of lab-scale batch experiments in anaerobic conditions using a15N isotopic tracer and specific inhibitors, respectively. Then, the microbial composition of the biofilm was analysed using high-throughput sequencing. The results of the15N isotopic experiments showed that anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) was the main pathway of N transformation under anaerobic conditions and was responsible for 83–92% of N2production within 24 h. Furthermore, experiments using specific inhibitors revealed that when nitrite was the main N source under anaerobic conditions, N2O emissions from heterotrophic denitrification (HD) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) denitrification were 64% and 36%, respectively. Finally, analysing the microbial composition demonstrated that Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Nitrospirae were the dominant microbes, corresponding to 21%, 13%, and 7% of the microbial community, respectively, and were probably responsible for HD, Anammox, and AOB denitrification, respectively.
Insect herbivory (Choristoneura fumiferana, Tortricidea) underlies tree population structure (Picea glauca, Pinaceae)
Authors: Parent Geneviève J. , Giguère Isabelle , Germanos Gaby , Lamara Mebarek , Bauce Éric , MacKay John J.
Published: February 2017

Variation in insect herbivory can lead to population structure in plant hosts as indicated by defence traits. In annual herbaceous, defence traits may vary between geographic areas but evidence of such patterns is lacking for long-lived species. This may result from the variety of selection pressures from herbivores, long distance gene flow, genome properties, and lack of research. We investigated the antagonistic interaction between white spruce (Picea glauca) and spruce budworm (SBW, Choristoneura fumiferana) the most devastating forest insect of eastern North America in common garden experiments. White spruces that are able to resist SBW attack were reported to accumulate the acetophenones piceol and pungenol constitutively in their foliage. We show that levels of these acetophenones and transcripts of the gene responsible for their release is highly heritable and that their accumulation is synchronized with the most devastating stage of SBW. Piceol and pungenol concentrations negatively correlate with rate of development in female SBW and follow a non-random geographic variation pattern that is partially explained by historical damage from SBW and temperature. Our results show that accumulation of acetophenones is an efficient resistance mechanism against SBW in white spruce and that insects can affect population structure of a long-lived plant.
Quantitative bioassay to identify antimicrobial drugs through drug interaction fingerprint analysis
Authors: Weinstein Zohar B. , Zaman Muhammad H.
Published: February 2017

Drug interaction analysis, which reports the extent to which the presence of one drug affects the efficacy of another, is a powerful tool to select potent combinatorial therapies and predict connectivity between cellular components. Combinatorial effects of drug pairs often vary even for drugs with similar mechanism of actions. Therefore, drug interaction fingerprinting may be harnessed to differentiate drug identities. We developed a method to analyze drug interactions for the application of identifying active pharmaceutical ingredients, an essential step to assess drug quality. We developed a novel approach towards the identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients by comparing drug interaction fingerprint similarity metrics such as correlation and Euclidean distance. To expedite this method, we used bioluminescent E. coli in a simplified checkerboard assay to generate unique drug interaction fingerprints of antimicrobial drugs. Of 30 antibiotics studied, 29 could be identified based on their drug interaction fingerprints. We present drug interaction fingerprint analysis as a cheap, sensitive and quantitative method towards substandard and counterfeit drug detection.
Lyn regulates mucus secretion and MUC5AC via the STAT6 signaling pathway during allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Wang Xiaoyun , Li Yin , Luo Deyu , Wang Xing , Zhang Yun , Liu Zhigang , Zhong Nanshan , Wu Min , Li Guoping
Published: February 2017

Hypersecretion of mucus is an important component of airway remodeling and contributes to the mucus plugs and airflow obstruction associated with severe asthma phenotypes. Lyn has been shown to down-regulate allergen-induced airway inflammation. However, the role of Lyn in mucin gene expression remains unresolved. In this study, we first demonstrate that Lyn overexpression decreased the mucus hypersecretion and levels of themuc5actranscript in mice exposed to ovalbumin (OVA). Lyn overexpression also decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the levels of IL-13 and IL-4 in OVA-challenged airways. Whereas Lyn knockdown increased the IL-4 or IL-13-induced MUC5AC transcript and protein levels in the human bronchial epithelial cell line, 16HBE, Lyn overexpression decreased IL-4- or IL-13-induced MUC5AC transcript and protein levels. Overexpression of Lyn also decreased the expression and phosphorylation of STAT6 in OVA-exposed mice, whereas Lyn knockdown increased STAT6 and MUC5AC levels in 16HBE cells. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed that Lyn overexpression decreased the binding of STAT6 to the promoter region ofMuc5acin mice exposed to OVA. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Lyn overexpression ameliorated airway mucus hypersecretion by down-regulating STAT6 and its binding to the MUC5AC promoter.
Immature mice are more susceptible than adult mice to acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury
Authors: Lu Yan , Zhang Cheng , Chen Yuan-Hua , Wang Hua , Zhang Zhi-Hui , Chen Xi , Xu De-Xiang
Published: February 2017

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose induces acute liver injury. The aim of the present study was to analyze the difference of susceptibility between immature and adult mice to APAP-induced acute liver injury. Weanling immature and adult mice were injected with APAP (300 mg/kg). As expected, immature mice were more susceptible than adult mice to APAP-induced acute liver injury. APAP-evoked hepatic c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation was stronger in immature mice than in adult mice. Hepatic receptor-interacting protein (RIP)1 was obviously activated at APAP-exposed immature and adult mice. Interestingly, hepatic RIP3 activation was more obvious in APAP-treated immature mice than adult mice. Although there was no difference on hepatic GSH metabolic enzymes between immature and adult mice, immature mice were more susceptible than adult mice to APAP-induced hepatic GSH depletion. Of interest, immature mice expressed a much higher level of hepatic Cyp2e1 and Cyp3a11 mRNAs than adult mice. Correspondingly, immature mice expressed a higher level of hepatic CYP2E1, the key drug metabolic enzyme that metabolized APAP into the reactive metabolite NAPQI. These results suggest that a higher level of hepatic drug metabolic enzymes in immature mice than adult mice might contribute to the difference of susceptibility to APAP-induced acute liver injury.
Ionic conductivity and mixed-ion effect in mixed alkali metaphosphate glasses
Authors: Tsuchida Jefferson Esquina , Ferri Fabio Aparecido , Pizani Paulo Sergio , Martins Rodrigues Ana Candida , Kundu Swarup , Schneider José Fabián , Zanotto Edgar Dutra
Published: February 2017

Experimental evidence has confirmed that the mixed-ion effect (MIE) can be explained as a natural consequence of random ion mixing and that the cation size mismatch is not the only factor that determines the intensity of MIE.
Humidity-induced formation of water channels in supramolecular assemblies of wedge-shaped amphiphiles: the effect of the molecular architecture on the channel topology
Authors: Dolgopolov A. , Grafskaia K. N. , Anokhin D. V. , Demco D. E. , Zhu X. , Ivanov D. A. , Möller M.
Published: February 2017

Absorption of water by wedge-shaped amphiphilic mesogens results in the formation of nanometer-sized water channels in the supramolecular structure that can have 1D or 2D-shape.
Paper-based microfluidic system for tear electrolyte analysis
Authors: Yetisen Ali K. , Jiang Nan , Tamayol Ali , Ruiz-Esparza Guillermo U. , Zhang Yu Shrike , Medina-Pando Sofía , Gupta Aditi , Wolffsohn James S. , Butt Haider , Khademhosseini Ali , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: February 2017

This article describes a paper-based microfluidic system that quantifies the concentrations of tear electrolytes using a smartphone-based reader.
New binuclear Ni(ii) metallates containing ONS chelators: synthesis, characterisation, DNA binding, DNA cleavage, protein binding, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial and in vitro cytotoxicity
Authors: Kalaiarasi G. , Jain Ruchi , Puschman H. , Poorna Chandrika S. , Preethi K. , Prabhakaran R.
Published: February 2017

Four new binuclear nickel(ii) metallates showed promising antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines and were much less toxic against HaCaT.
Investigation on the ability of heteroatom-doped graphene for biorecognition
Authors: Tian Huidi , Sofer Zdenek , Pumera Martin , Bonanni Alessandra
Published: February 2017

In heteroatom doped graphene, the structural features such as amount of oxygen functionalities may have stronger influence on the sensitivity for biorecognition rather than the kind and amount of dopant.
Flexible micro-supercapacitors prepared using direct-write nanofibers
Authors: Shen Caiwei , Wang Chun-Ping , Sanghadasa Mohan , Lin Liwei
Published: February 2017

A direct-write flexible micro-supercapacitor with high performance was demonstrated using a simple and versatile approach.
Metal acetate based synthesis of small-sized Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals: effect of injection temperature and synthesis time
Authors: Irkhina A. , Levcenko S. , Hinrichs V. , Plate P. , Unold T.
Published: February 2017

The metal precursor reactivity is shown to tune the Cu2ZnSnS4formation mechanism, and a synthesis with preferential formation of small-sized nanocrystals is demonstrated.
Ultrafast photochemistry of the bc1complex
Authors: Vos Marten H. , Reeder Brandon J. , Daldal Fevzi , Liebl Ursula
Published: February 2017

We present a full investigation of ultrafast light-induced events in the membraneous cytochromebc1complex by transient absorption spectroscopy. We highlight internal-ligand dissociation and picosecond rebinding from all hemes and novel light-induced signals assigned to Fe–S clusters.
The excited-state decay mechanism of 2,4-dithiothymine in the gas phase, microsolvated surroundings, and aqueous solution
Authors: Xie Bin-Bin , Wang Qian , Guo Wei-Wei , Cui Ganglong
Published: February 2017

We have employed computational methods to systematically explore the excited-state decay mechanism of 2,4-dithiothymine.
Anion–π recognition between [M(CN)6]3− complexes and HAT(CN)6: structural matching and electronic charge density modification
Authors: Kobylarczyk Jedrzej , Pinkowicz Dawid , Srebro-Hooper Monika , Hooper James , Podgajny Robert
Published: February 2017

The first example of an anion–π charge transfer (CT) system between an anionic complex and a multisite anion receptor in the solid state and in solution was constructed based on prediction of structural and electronic matching of the building blocks.
Ternary gradient metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Liu Chong , Rosi Nathaniel L.
Published: February 2017

Gradient MOFs contain directional gradients of either structure or functionality. We have successfully prepared two ternary gradient MOFs based on bMOF-100 analogues, namely bMOF-100/102/106 and bMOF-110/100/102, via cascade ligand exchange reactions. The cubic unit cell parameter discrepancy within an individual ternary gradient MOF crystal is as large as ∼1 nm, demonstrating the impressive compatibility and flexibility of the component MOF materials. Because of the presence of a continuum of unit cells, the pore diameters within individual crystals also change in a gradient fashion from ∼2.5 nm to ∼3.0 nm for bMOF-100/102/106, and from ∼2.2 nm to ∼2.7 nm for bMOF-110/100/102, indicating significant porosity gradients. Like previously reported binary gradient MOFs, the composition of the ternary gradient MOFs can be easily controlled by adjusting the reaction conditions. Finally, X-ray diffraction and microspectrophotometry were used to analyse fractured gradient MOF crystals by comparing unit cell parameters and absorbance spectra at different locations, thus revealing the profile of heterogeneity (i.e. gradient distribution of properties) and further confirming the formation of ternary gradient MOFs.
Continuous flow ring-closing metathesis, an environmentally-friendly route to 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates
Authors: Drop Marcin , Bantreil Xavier , Grychowska Katarzyna , Mahoro Gilbert Umuhire , Colacino Evelina , Pawłowski Maciej , Martinez Jean , Subra Gilles , Zajdel Pawel , Lamaty Frédéric
Published: February 2017

Ring-closing metathesis, realized in continuous flow using dimethyl carbonate as a solvent, allowed us to convert up to 10 g of dienes into important building blocks.
New tricks for human farnesyltransferase inhibitor: cancer and beyond
Authors: Wang Jingyuan , Yao Xue , Huang Jin
Published: February 2017

This article reviews recent progress of human farnesyltransferase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye under sunlight irradiation of porous titanosilicate (TS)/bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanocomposite hybrid catalyst
Authors: Adepu Ajay Kumar , Katta Vamsi , Narayanan Venkatathri
Published: February 2017

Present work focuses on the development of hybrid nanocomposites and its application as photocatalyst in the degradation of organic dyes.
Synthesis, structural studies and stability of model cysteine containing DNA–protein cross-links
Authors: Salus Kinga , Hoffmann Marcin , Siodła Tomasz , Wyrzykiewicz Bożena , Pluskota-Karwatka Donata
Published: February 2017

In the presence ofNα-acetyllysine, cross-links of aldehydic adenine nucleoside adducts withN-acetylcysteine lose anN-acetylcysteine moiety undergoing transformation into amino derivatives.
Fungal volatiles – a survey from edible mushrooms to moulds
Authors: Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: February 2017

This review summarises the accumulated knowledge about fungal volatiles including their biosynthesis and bioactivity.
Biosynthetic 4,6-dehydratase gene deletion: isolation of a glucosylated jadomycin natural product provides insight into the substrate specificity of glycosyltransferase JadS
Authors: Forget S. M. , Na Jungwook , McCormick N. E. , Jakeman D. L.
Published: February 2017

A 2,6-dideoxy-l-sugar glycosyltransferase is able to transfer d-glucose in a deletion mutant strain.
Palladium–nickel catalysts based on ordered titanium dioxide nanorod arrays with high catalytic peformance for formic acid electro-oxidation
Authors: Jiang Shangfeng , Yi Baolian , Zhao Qing , Yu Hongmei , Shao Zhigang
Published: February 2017

Here, a novel DFAFC anode catalyst is presented. Due to the 3D catalytic structure and alloying effect, the mass activity and long-term stability of the Pd2Ni3–TiO2 towards FAO are higher than that of Pd–TiO2 and commercial PdC.
Minimally Invasive Aortic Root Replacement with Valved Conduits through Partial Upper Sternotomy
Authors: Alshakaki Mosab , Martens Sven , Scherer Mirela , Hillebrand Julia
Published: February 2017

Background Minimally invasive surgical access through limited sternotomy reduces trauma and morbidity in cardiosurgical patients. However, until now, it is not the standard access for aortic root replacement. This study details our clinic's experience with minimally invasive implantation of valved conduits through partial upper sternotomy and the comparison to conventional full median sternotomy.

Methods Between January 2012 and March 2016, a total of 187 patients underwent aortic root replacement with valved conduits in our department. Minimally invasive access through partial upper sternotomy (group A) was performed in 33 patients (9 female, 24 male; mean age: 55.68 ± 13.24 years). Four of these patients received concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve interventions. The results were compared with similar procedures through conventional approach (group B): 25 patients (7 female, 18 male; mean age: 59.09 ± 12.32 years).

Results In all 33 cases of minimally invasive access and 25 cases of conventional approach, aortic root replacement was successful. Operative times were as follows (in minutes; groups A and B)—cardiopulmonary bypass: 166.12 ± 40.61 and 162.88 ± 45.89; cross-clamp time: 122.24 ± 27.42 and 113.44 ± 22.57, respectively. In both groups, two patients needed postoperative reexploration due to secondary bleeding. One multimorbid patient suffered from postoperative stroke and died on the ninth postoperative day due to heart failure. The observed operation times and clinical results after minimally invasive surgery are comparable to conduit implantation through full median sternotomy.

Conclusions Partial upper sternotomy is a feasible access for safe aortic root replacement with valved conduits. Nevertheless, minimally invasive aortic root replacement is a challenging operative procedure.
Heart Rate and Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Type 2 Diabetes Patients – A Pilot Study on the Influence of Cardiovascular Medication on Regulatory Processes
Authors: Koschate Jessica , Drescher Uwe , Baum Klaus , Brinkmann Christian , Schiffer Thorsten , Latsch Joachim , Brixius Klara , Hoffmann Uwe
Published: February 2017

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether there are differences in heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics in type 2 diabetes patients, considering their cardiovascular medication. It was hypothesized that cardiovascular medication would affect heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics and that this could be detected using a standardized exercise test. 18 subjects were tested for maximal oxygen uptake. Kinetics were measured in a single test session with standardized, randomized moderate-intensity work rate changes. Time series analysis was used to estimate kinetics. Greater maxima in cross-correlation functions indicate faster kinetics. 6 patients did not take any cardiovascular medication, 6 subjects took peripherally acting medication and 6 patients were treated with centrally acting medication. Maximum oxygen uptake was not significantly different between groups. Significant main effects were identified regarding differences in muscular oxygen uptake kinetics and heart rate kinetics. Muscular oxygen uptake kinetics were significantly faster than heart rate kinetics in the group with no cardiovascular medication (maximum in cross-correlation function of muscular oxygen uptake vs. heart rate; 0.32±0.08 vs. 0.25±0.06; p=0.001) and in the group taking peripherally acting medication (0.34±0.05 vs. 0.28±0.05; p=0.009) but not in the patients taking centrally acting medication (0.28±0.05 vs. 0.30±0.07; n.s.). It can be concluded that regulatory processes for the achievement of a similar maximal oxygen uptake are different between the groups. The used standardized test provided plausible results for heart rate and oxygen uptake kinetics in a single measurement session in this patient group.
Cross-Border Capacity Assessment in Dementia Care
Authors: Jongen Wesley , Commers Matthew , Schols Jos , Burazeri Genc , Brand Helmut
Published: February 2017

Within the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, cross-border cooperation in the healthcare sector has taken place on different occasions and at different levels. However, it still proving to be difficult to have an overview of the existing structures and activities of Euregio in specific healthcare fields, such as for instance, dementia care. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent cooperation in the Dutch province of Limburg in the field of dementia care can be considered Euregionally oriented.

In order to create more cross-border transparency within the Euregional dementia care field, we conducted a capacity assessment analysis. Capacity assessment is the first step in the further development of healthcare capacities by mapping current as well as desired capacities. Although we related the model as applied in this study explicitly to dementia care in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, the model could be applicable in other cross-border settings and/or healthcare fields as well.

Despite the apparently well-functioning system of regional dementia care networks in the Dutch province of Limburg, none of the respondents declared to have structural contacts with similar organizations in the other (German and Belgian) parts of the Euregio. Moreover, many of our respondents argued that cross-border cooperation in the field of dementia care could be interesting in various ways, but at the same time there is currently no direct necessity to actively pursue such cooperation.

Despite the absence of structural cross-border cooperation initiatives in the field of dementia care in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, some suggestions can be made for the formulation of a potential capacity development response on the basis of the results of the capacity assessment as conducted in this study (showing gaps between current and desired capacities). Even if it is subsequently decided not to formulate a concrete capacity development response (for example due to the lack of a mutual objective need amongst organizations to engage in cross-border cooperation), a capacity assessment offers at the least a reflection on an organization’s own performance as well as providing transparency between organizations. The main opportunities for the formulation of a capacity development response on a Euregional level in the field of dementia care are related to knowledge development and the creation of partnerships.
Development of an alkali chloride vapour-generating apparatus for calibration of ultraviolet absorption measurements
Authors: Leffler T. , Brackmann C. , Berg M. , Aldén M. , Li Z. S.
Published: February 2017

A novel design of alkali chloride vapour-generating cell has been developed, which can serve as a calibration cell for quantitative ultraviolet absorption concentration measurements and meticulous spectral investigations of alkali compounds. The calibration cell was designed to provide alkali vapour of well-controlled concentrations and temperatures, and consisted of a sealed quartz cell measuring 0.4 m in length with a temperature-controlled reservoir containing solid alkali salt. The cell was placed in a furnace and the alkali vapours generated from the reservoir have direct access to the measuring chamber. Investigations of potassium chloride (KCl) were made on sublimated vapour at temperatures 650, 700, 750, 780, and 800 °C while the reservoir temperature was kept 50 °C lower to avoid condensation. The cell provides stable KCl vapour pressures, and the furnace provides a homogenous temperature profile along the cell. KCl vapour pressures are well characterised and conform the base for determination of the KCl concentration in the cell. The alkali chloride levels matched the concentration range of the absorption setup and indicated a previously employed calibration method to overestimate KCl concentrations. The KCl absorption cross sections for wavelengths λ=197.6 nm and λ=246.2 nm were calculated to be 3.4 × 10−17 and 2.9 × 10−17 cm2/molecule, respectively. The absorption cross section spectra did not show any structural differences with increasing temperature, which could indicate influence of dimers or significant changes of the population in the KCl vibrational states. The KCl absorption cross sections thus did not show any temperature dependence in the temperature region of 700–800 °C. Moreover, the applicability of the calibration cell for measurement of other alkali chlorides and hydroxides is discussed.
Effect of asymmetric strain relaxation on dislocation relaxation processes in heteroepitaxial semiconductors
Authors: Andersen D. , Hull R.
Published: February 2017

The effect of asymmetric interfacial strain configurations upon the generation of misfit dislocation arrays in lattice mismatched epitaxy is considered. For example, elastic strain relaxation for Si1−xGex/Si(110) films is uniaxial, assuming glide on {111} planes as expected for the diamond cubic system, which leads to asymmetric strain relief. Here, we extend our previously developed relaxation model for generation of dislocation arrays in SiGe/Si, by accounting for how the different energetics of asymmetrically strained films affect the kinetics of the relaxation process. Similarly, non-polar III-nitride epitaxial films have asymmetric strain from the outset of growth due to the different c/a lattice parameter ratios. In both systems, the asymmetric strain is represented by an additional term in the misfit dislocation applied stress equation. In SiGe/Si(110), a simple elasticity analysis of the strain produced by the uniaxial array of dislocations predicts that the relaxation orthogonal to the dislocation line direction occurs at a faster rate than predicted by purely biaxial strain relief due to the contributions of the strain parallel to the dislocations. This difference is because the strain parallel to the dislocation line directions continues to resolve stress onto the misfit dislocations even as the orthogonal strain is minimized. As a result, the minimum strain energy is predicted to occur for a dislocation spacing, which produces tensile layer strain in the orthogonal direction. Such tensile strain may modify the (opto)electronic properties of a Si, Ge, or GeSi epilayer but is only predicted to occur for advanced stages of relaxation. These asymmetric derivations are applicable to any thin film system where strain is not strictly biaxial.
Inelastic cotunneling with energy-dependent contact transmission
Authors: Blok S. , Agundez Mojarro R. R. , Maduro L. A. , Blaauboer M. , Van Der Molen S. J.
Published: February 2017

We investigate inelastic cotunneling in a model system where the charging island is connected to the leads through molecules with energy-dependent transmission functions. To study this problem, we propose two different approaches. The first is a pragmatic approach that assumes Lorentzian-like transmission functions that determine the transmission probability to the island. Using this model, we calculate current versus voltage (IV) curves for increasing resonance level positions of the molecule. We find that shifting the resonance energy of the molecule away from the Fermi energy of the contacts leads to a decreased current at low bias, but as bias increases, this difference decreases and eventually inverses. This is markedly different from IV behavior outside the cotunneling regime. The second approach involves multiple cotunneling where also the molecules are considered to be in the Coulomb blockade regime. We find here that when Ec≫eV,kBT, the IV behavior approaches the original cotunneling behavior proposed by Averin and Nazarov [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 2446–2449 (1990)].
Two-color pyrometry for low amplitude periodic heating
Authors: Bennett T. D. , Silveira V. B. , Valdes R.
Published: February 2017

Specimens subject to periodic heating must be probed for a calibrated temperature response if standard measurements of thermal diffusivity are to be extended to determine thermal conductivity. A variation on two-color pyrometry is developed to measure both the offset and harmonic amplitudes of temperature fluctuations caused by periodic heating. The requisite pyrometric formulae are derived for low amplitude heating using an expansion of the nonlinear thermal emission. Well-defined uncertainties in the temperature values are determined from experimental uncertainties in radiometric measurements. The accuracy demonstrated in this work is better than 2% for the temperature offset and 3%-8% for the fluctuating temperature amplitude.