bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant detritus is selectively consumed by estuarine copepods and can augment their survival
Authors: Harfmann Jennifer , Kurobe Tomofumi , Bergamaschi Brian , Teh Swee , Hernes Peter
Published: June 2019

Particulate material comprising the detrital remains of terrestrial plants and macrophytes is a substantial source of organic matter to estuaries and therefore has the potential to support the energy demands of the pelagic aquatic food web. Despite the prevalence of macrophytic or terrestrial particulate organic carbon (tPOC), phytoplankton are nutritionally superior and are thought to be the primary food resource for zooplankton. However, estuarine phytoplankton primary productivity abundances can wax and wane, and often production cannot meet heterotrophic energy needs. In this study, we examined how tPOC (detritus of macrophytes and grasses) may affect survival of a calanoid copepod (Eurytemora affinis) common in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE), an estuary with relatively low phytoplankton primary productivity. Using chemical biomarkers and a targeted DNA metagenomic methodology, we show that E. affinis consumed tPOC (dominated by Schoenoplectus sp., or tule) even when phytoplankton were abundant and tPOC was scarce. Furthermore, we found that a mixed diet of phytoplankton and terrestrial material (1:3 carbon ratio) enhanced the survival of E. affinis over a diet of phytoplankton alone. These data show that tPOC can be a vital supplementary food source for zooplankton, perhaps extending survival during low phytoplankton periods, and may help explain elevated zooplankton abundances in tidal wetlands and other detrital-dominated regions.
Functional trade-offs in cribellate silk mediated by spinning behavior
Authors: Michalik Peter , Piorkowski Dakota , Blackledge Todd A. , Ramírez Martín J.
Published: June 2019

Web-building spiders are an extremely diverse predatory group due to their use of physiologically differentiated silk types in webs. Major shifts in silk functional properties are classically attributed to innovations in silk genes and protein expression. Here, we disentangle the effects of spinning behavior on silk performance of the earliest types of capture threads in spider webs for the first time. Progradungula otwayensis produces two variations of cribellate silk in webs: ladder lines are stereotypically combed with the calamistrum while supporting rail lines contain silk that is naturally uncombed, spun without the intervention of the legs. Combed cribellate silk is highly extensible and adhesive suggesting that the reserve warp and cribellate fibrils brings them into tension only near or after the underlying axial fibers are broken. In contrast, these three fiber components are largely aligned in the uncombed threads and deform as a single composite unit that is 5–10x stronger, but significantly less adhesive, allowing them to act as structural elements in the web. Our study reveals that cribellate silk can occupy a surprisingly diverse performance space, accessible through simple changes in spider behavior, which may have facilitated the impressive diversification of web architectures utilizing this ancient silk.
miRNA-302s may act as oncogenes in human testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Das Mrinal K. , Evensen Herman S. F. , Furu Kari , Haugen Trine B.
Published: June 2019

Testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) represents the most common malignancy in young men in large parts of the world, but the aetiology is yet unclear. Multiple TGCT susceptibility loci have been identified, and we have shown that one of these, SPRY4, may act as a TGCT oncogene. Furthermore, many of the loci are in non-coding regions of the genome. miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNAs may play a crucial role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and alteration in their expression may lead to oncogenesis. Differential expression of miRNAs in TGCT and normal testis has been reported in previous studies. In this study, we used qPCR to analyse, in normal and malignant testis tissue, the expression of the ten miRNAs that we had previously identified by sequencing to be the most upregulated in TGCT. We found high expression of these miRNAs also by qPCR analysis. The levels of miR-302a-3p, miR-302b-3p, and miR-302c-3p were downregulated after treatment of the TGCT cell lines NT2-D1 and 833 K with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. By using miRNA inhibitor-mediated transient transfection, we inhibited the expression of the three members of miR-302 family (miR-302s). Inhibition of miR-302s resulted in a decreased cell proliferation in NT2-D1 cells, but not in 833 K cells. In both cell lines, inhibition of miR-302s resulted in decreased expression of SPRY4, which we have previously shown to regulate MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways in these cells. Inhibition of miR-302b-3p and miR-302c-3p decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, whereas inhibition of miR-302a-3p and miR-302b-3p led to decreased expression of the apoptosis inhibitor, survivin. Our findings suggest that miR-302s act as TGCT oncogenes by inducing the expression of SPRY4 and activating MAPK/ERK pathway while inhibiting apoptosis via increased survivin expression.
Hepatocyte PRMT1 protects from alcohol induced liver injury by modulating oxidative stress responses
Authors: Zhao Jie , Adams Abby , Weinman Steven A. , Tikhanovich Irina
Published: June 2019

Protein Arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is the main enzyme of cellular arginine methylation. Previously we found that PRMT1 activity in the liver is altered after alcohol exposure resulting in epigenetic changes. To determine the impact of these PRMT1 changes on the liver’s response to alcohol, we induced a hepatocyte specific PRMT1 knockout using AAV mediated Cre delivery in mice fed either alcohol or control Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet. We found that in alcohol fed mice, PRMT1 prevents oxidative stress and promotes hepatocyte survival. PRMT1 knockout in alcohol fed mice resulted in a dramatic increase in hepatocyte death, inflammation and fibrosis. Additionally, we found that alcohol promotes PRMT1 dephosphorylation at S297. Phosphorylation at this site is necessary for PRMT1-dependent protein arginine methylation. PRMT1 S297A, a dephosphorylation mimic of PRMT1 had reduced ability to promote gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-apoptotic genes BIM and TRAIL and expression of a suppressor of hepatocyte proliferation, Hnf4α. On the other hand, several functions of PRMT1 were phosphorylation-independent, including expression of oxidative stress response genes, Sod1, Sod2 and others. In vitro, both wild type and S297A PRMT1 protected hepatocytes from oxidative stress induced apoptosis, however S297D phosphorylation mimic PRMT1 promoted cell death. Taken together these data suggest that PRMT1 is an essential factor of liver adaptation to alcohol; alcohol-induced dephosphorylation shifts PRMT1 toward a less pro-inflammatory, more pro-proliferative and pro-survival form.
The acetotrophic pathway dominates methane production in Zoige alpine wetland coexisting with hydrogenotrophic pathway
Authors: Zhang Yanfen , Ma Anzhou , Zhuang Guoqiang , Zhuang Xuliang
Published: June 2019

As a typical alpine wetland on the Tibetan Plateau, the Zoige wetland processes a large carbon stock and is a hotspot of methane emission. To date, many studies have investigated the methane flux in this wetland; however, the research on the source of methane in the soils of Zoige wetland is not clear enough. In this study, we determined the dynamic characteristics of the stable carbon isotopes during the methanogenesis of Zoige wetland soil and the corresponding microbial changes. The results showed that the δ13CH4 varied between −19.86‰ and −28.32‰ and the αC ranged from 1.0029 to 1.0104 in the methanogenesis process, which suggests the dominance of acetotrophic methanogenesis. And among the increased methanogens, acetotrophic methanogens multiplied more obviously than hydrogenotrophic menthanogens. In addition, the results of structural equation models showed that the variations in stable carbon isotopes during the process were mainly affected by acetotrophic methanogens. Although the acetotrophic pathway was dominate, the varied isotope characteristics, increased methanogens and ratio of carbon dioxide to methane all showed that hydrogenotrophic and acetotrophic methanogenesis coexisted in the Zoige wetland. Overall, our study provided a detailed and definitive information to the source of methane in the soil of the Zoige wetland and laid a foundation of mechanism to the research of greenhouse gas in this alpine wetland.
Weight control behaviors according to body weight status and accuracy of weight perceptions among Korean women: a nationwide population-based survey
Authors: Park Boyoung , Cho Ha Na , Choi Eunji , Seo Da Hea , Kim Nam-Soon , Park Eunja , Kim Sue , Park Yeong-Ran , Choi Kui Son , Rhee Yumie
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to identify associations among self-perceived weight status, accuracy of weight perceptions, and weight control behaviors, including both healthy and unhealthy behaviors, in a large, nationally representative sample from an East Asian country. Data were collected from the 2016 Korean Study of Women’s Health Related Issues, a population-based, nationwide survey. Accurate weight perceptions were investigated by comparing body mass index (BMI) categories, based on self-reported height and weight, and weight perceptions. Weight control behaviors over the previous 12 months were additionally surveyed. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented as an index of associations. Among normal weight, overweight, and obese women, 12.8%, 44.3%, and 17.4% under-assessed their weight; 17.9% of normal weight women over-assessed their weight. Both weight status according to BMI category and weight perceptions were strongly associated with having tried to lose weight. Exercise and diet (ate less) were the most commonly applied weight control behaviors. Misperception of weight was related to more unhealthy weight control behaviors and less healthy behaviors: Women who under-assessed their weight showed a lower tendency to engage in dieting (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.43–0.75) and a greater tendency to fast/skip meals (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07–1.99). Meanwhile, normal weight or overweight women who over-assessed their weight were more likely to have engaged in fasting/skipping meals or using diet pills (OR = 5.72, 95% CI = 2.45–13.56 for fasting/skipping meal in overweight women; OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.15–2.29 and OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.15–8.23 for using diet pills in normal and overweight women). Inaccuracy of weight perceptions in any direction (over/under) were related to more unhealthy weight control behaviors and less healthy weight control behaviors, especially in normal and overweight women.
The radiation environment of anaesthesiologists in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography room
Authors: Lee Bora , Kim Min-Soo , Eum Darhae , Min Kyeong Tae
Published: June 2019

Anaesthesiologists are increasingly involved in nonoperating room anaesthesia (NORA) for fluoroscopic procedures. However, the radiation exposure of medical staff differs among NORA settings. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the radiation environment generated by fluoroscopic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the radiation exposure of anaesthesiologists. The dose area product (DAP), radiation entrance dose (RED), and fluoroscopy time (FT) according to the procedures and monthly cumulative radiation exposure were analysed at two sites (neck and wrist) from 363 procedures in 316 patients performed within 3 months. The total RED and DAP were 43643.1 mGy and 13681.1 Gy cm2, respectively. DAP and RED (r = 0.924) were strongly correlated and DAP and FT (r = 0.701) and RED and FT (r = 0.749) were moderately correlated. The radiation environment per procedure varied widely, DAP and RED per FT were the highest during stent insertion with esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Monthly cumulative deep dose equivalents at the wrist and neck ranged between 0.31–1.27 mSv and 0.33–0.59 mSv, respectively, but they were related to jaw thrust manipulation (r = 0.997, P = 0.047) and not to the radiation environment. The anaesthesiologists may be exposed to high dose of radiation in the ERCP room, which depends on the volume of procedures performed and perhaps the anaesthesiologists’ practice patterns.
Anxious behaviour in a demonstrator affects observational learning
Authors: Selbing Ida , Olsson Andreas
Published: June 2019

Humans can acquire fear through the observation of others’ (learning models’) threat responses. These responses can be direct responses to aversive stimuli, or anticipatory responses to threats. Most research focuses on learning from observation of direct responses only. Here, we investigated how observational fear conditioning is influenced by a learning model’s typically anxious anticipatory responses. High anxiety individuals often display typically anxious anticipatory behaviour, such as worsened discrimination between safe and unsafe stimuli, characterized by increased threat responses to safe stimuli. We hypothesized that observation of an anxiously behaving model would worsen discriminatory learning. To this end, we developed an observational conditioning paradigm where a learning model was exposed to one safe and one unsafe stimuli. The learning model displayed anticipatory aversion to either to the unsafe stimulus only (Non-Anxious Model group) or to both the safe and unsafe stimuli (Anxious Model group) in addition to reacting directly to an aversive stimulus paired with the unsafe stimulus. Contrary to expectations, discriminatory learning was not worsened in the Anxious Model group compared to the Non-Anxious Model group. Rather, we saw more robust discriminatory learning in the Anxious Model group. The study provides a first step towards understanding the effect of other’s anticipatory responses in general and typically anxious anticipatory responses in particular, on observational fear learning.
Binary Silanization and Silver Nanoparticle Encapsulation to Create Superhydrophobic Cotton Fabrics with Antimicrobial Capability
Authors: Shen William , Zhang Lishen , Li Xiaochun , Yu Hua-Zhong
Published: June 2019

Cotton fabrics are functionalized with a binary solution of fluorine-free organosilanes and “encapsulated” with silver nanoparticles to achieve both superhydrophobic and antimicrobial properties. Derived from cellulose, cotton is one of the most abundant biologically generated materials and has been used in a wide variety of consumer goods. Nonetheless, cotton fabrics are not waterproof and prone to microbial contamination. Herein we report the rapid functionalization of cotton fabrics with a binary hexane solution of methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) at low concentration (0.17% v/v) followed by coating with colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNP). The combined effects of binary silanization and AgNP encapsulation produced a surface that has remarkable water contact angle of 153 ± 2° and antimicrobial properties (against gram-negative Escherichia coli). The superior performance of the modified cotton fabrics produced with fluorine-free organosilanes and silver nanoparticles augments the potential of improving the functionality of abundant biopolymers to be waterproof and contamination-resistant.
Small Molecule IL-36γ Antagonist as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Todorović Viktor , Su Zhi , Putman C. Brent , Kakavas Stevan J. , Salte Katherine M. , McDonald Heath A. , Wetter Joseph B. , Paulsboe Stephanie E. , Sun Qi , Gerstein Clare E. , Medina Limary , Sielaff Bernhard , Sadhukhan Ramkrishna , Stockmann Henning , Richardson Paul L. , Qiu Wei , Argiriadi Maria A. , Henry Rodger F. , Herold J. Martin , Shotwell J. Brad , McGaraughty Steve P. , Honore Prisca , Gopalakrishnan Sujatha M. , Sun Chaohong C. , Scott Victoria E.
Published: June 2019

IL-36 cytokines are pro-inflammatory members of the IL-1 family that are upregulated in inflammatory disorders. Specifically, IL-36γ is highly expressed in active psoriatic lesions and can drive pro-inflammatory processes in 3D human skin equivalents supporting a role for this target in skin inflammation. Small molecule antagonists of interleukins have been historically challenging to generate. Nevertheless, we performed a small molecule high-throughput screen to identify IL-36 antagonists using a novel TR-FRET binding assay. Several compounds, including 2-oxypyrimidine containing structural analogs of the marketed endothelin receptor A antagonist Ambrisentan, were identified as hits from the screen. A-552 was identified as a the most potent antagonist of human IL-36γ, but not the closely related family member IL-36α, was capable of attenuating IL-36γ induced responses in mouse and human disease models. Additionally, x-ray crystallography studies identified key amino acid residues in the binding pocket present in human IL-36γ that are absent in human IL-36α. A-552 represents a first-in-class small molecule antagonist of IL-36 signaling that could be used as a chemical tool to further investigate the role of this pathway in inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.
Determination of melatonin by a whole cell bioassay in fermented beverages
Authors: Morcillo-Parra María Ángeles , Beltran Gemma , Mas Albert , Torija María-Jesús
Published: June 2019

Melatonin is a bioactive compound that is present in fermented beverages, such as wine and beer, at concentrations ranging from picograms to nanograms per mL of product. The purpose of this study was to optimize a novel fluorescent bioassay for detecting melatonin based on a cell line that contains the human melatonin receptor 1B gene and to compare these results with LC-MS/MS as a reference method. Conditions that could affect cell growth and detection (cell number per well, stimulation time, presence or absence of fetal bovine serum and adhesion of cells) were tested in the TANGO®cell line. Food matrices (wine and grape must) could not be directly used for the cell line due to low response. Therefore, for the determination of melatonin in food samples, an extraction procedure was required before conducting the assay. We demonstrated an improvement in melatonin determination by the cell-based bioassay due to increased sensitivity and specificity and improved quantification in complex matrices. Therefore, this method is a good alternative to determine melatonin content in some food samples, especially for those containing very low melatonin levels.
Remote physiological monitoring provides unique insights on the cardiovascular performance and stress responses of freely swimming rainbow trout in aquaculture
Authors: Brijs Jeroen , Sandblom Erik , Axelsson Michael , Sundell Kristina , Sundh Henrik , Kiessling Anders , Berg Charlotte , Gräns Albin
Published: June 2019

Investigating the mechanisms that fish employ to maintain homeostasis in their everyday life requires measurements of physiological and behavioural responses in the field. With multivariate bio-loggers, we continuously measured gastrointestinal blood flow (GBF), heart rate, activity and body temperature in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) swimming freely amongst ~5000 conspecifics in a sea cage. Our findings clearly demonstrate that while both acute aquaculture-related stress and spontaneous activity resulted in transient reductions in GBF (i.e. reductions of up to 65%), recovery from stressful handling practices subsequently involved a substantial and prolonged gastrointestinal hyperemia far beyond the level observed prior to the stressor. The gastrointestinal hyperemia may be necessary to repair the damage to the gastrointestinal tract caused by acute stress. Furthermore, heart rate responses to acute stress or voluntary activity differed depending on the individual’s physiological state. Stressed fish (i.e. mean heart rates >70 beats min−1) exhibited a bradycardic response to acute stress or activity, whereas fish with mean heart rates <60 beats min−1 instead demonstrated strong tachycardic responses. Remote monitoring of physiological and behavioural variables using bio-loggers can provide unique insights into ‘real-life’ responses of animals, which can largely differ from the responses observed in confined laboratory settings.
Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy Composites Filled with 2D Transition Metal Carbides (MXenes) with Ultralow Loading
Authors: Kang Ruiyang , Zhang Zhenyu , Guo Liangchao , Cui Junfeng , Chen Yapeng , Hou Xiao , Wang Bo , Lin Cheng-Te , Jiang Nan , Yu Jinhong
Published: June 2019

With the development of electronic devices such as integrated circuits toward the continual increase in power density and consumption, the efficient heat dissipation and low thermal expansion of materials become one of the most important issue. However, conventional polymers have the problem of poor thermal dissipation performance, which hinder application for electronic devices. In this work, the two-dimensional material, MXene (Ti3C2), is used as the reinforcement additive to optimize the thermal properties of polymers. We reported the preparation of multilayer Ti3C2 MXene by HF etching method and obtained few-layer Ti3C2 MXene by simple ultrasonication. Meanwhile, Ti3C2/epoxy composites were prepared by a solution blending method. The results show that the thermal properties of the composites are improved in comparison with the neat epoxy. Thermal conductivity value (0.587 W/mK) of epoxy composite with only 1.0 wt% Ti3C2 MXene fillers, is increased by 141.3% compared with that of neat epoxy. In addition, the composite presents an increased glass transition temperature, high thermal stability and lower coefficient of thermal expansion. This work is of great significance for the research of high-performance composite materials.
Ag/Au Alloyed Nanoislands for Wafer-Level Plasmonic Color Filter Arrays
Authors: Hwang Charles Soon Hong , Ahn Myeong-Su , Lee Youngseop , Chung Taerin , Jeong Ki-Hun
Published: June 2019

Alloyed metals in nanoscale exhibit some intriguing features that are absent in mono-metallic nanostructures. Here we report silver and gold alloyed nanoislands with high tunability of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength in the visible range for wafer-level plasmonic color filter arrays. The nanofabrication includes two simple steps of concurrent thermal evaporation of Ag and Au grains and solid-state dewetting of the as-deposited nanocomposite thin film. The alloy ratio during the evaporation precisely tunes the LSPR wavelengths within 415–609 nm spectrum range. The elemental composition map reveals that alloyed nanoislands are completely miscible while preserving uniform size, regardless of the alloy ratio. Besides, the multiple lift-off processes and thermal dewetting of Ag/Au nanocomposite thin films successfully demonstrate the wafer-level nanofabrication of plasmonic color filter mosaic. Each plasmonic color pixel comprises different alloy ratio and efficiently transmits colors ranging from cyan, yellow, and magenta. The transmission spectra transposed onto a CIE 1931 color map show comparable color diversity to the plasmonic color filters fabricated by conventional e-beam lithographic techniques. This novel method provides a new direction for large-scale and visible plasmonic color filter arrays in advanced display or imaging applications.
Response of phytoplankton to banana cultivation: A case study of Lancang-Mekong River, southwestern China
Authors: Dai Juan , Zhou Yinjun , Wu Haipeng , Zhang Yunchao , Zhu Kongxian
Published: June 2019

This study examined the possible effects of banana cultivation on phytoplankton biomass and community structure in southwest China along the Lancang-Mekong River. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected on March (dry season) and August (rainy season), and physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass and community structure were determined. The results indicated that the banana cultivation resulted in increases in sediment, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations at estuaries of Lancang-Mekong River branches. Cultivation decreased phytoplankton diversity, abundance and biomass, as well as changed the phytoplankton community structure at estuaries of branches. Sediment concentration (increased by cultivation) was considered as the dominant influence factor of phytoplankton biomass and community structure. However, at downstream sites (primary channel), banana cultivation did not cause (result from its huge flow) the significant changes in physical-chemical properties of water, phytoplankton biomass or community structure.
A Swiss nationwide survey shows that dual guidance is the preferred approach for peripheral nerve blocks
Authors: Luedi Markus M. , Upadek Vanessa , Vogt Andreas P. , Steinfeldt Thorsten , Eichenberger Urs , Sauter Axel R.
Published: June 2019

Ultrasound has significantly increased safety and effectiveness in regional anesthesia. However, little is known about its clinical use. We studied clinical approaches currently used by anesthesiologists, conducted a nationwide survey, and analyzed data collected in ordered logistic regression models. All active members of the Swiss Society for Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation (SSAR/SGAR) were asked to participate. Reported practice in nerve localization, safety, and techniques used for peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) were main outcome measures. Experience ranged from 3 to >30 years. The mean number of block techniques mastered was 11.5 ± 5.9. Standard monitoring was regularly used, whereas sterile coats were less frequently used by anesthesiologists who self-estimated a higher level of expertise in PNB (ordered logit coefficient −0.05, 95% CI −0.07 to −0.02, P < 0.001; pseudo r2 = 0.019; probability > Chi2 = 0.02). The more self-estimated expertise anesthesiologists had, the less likely they were to use nerve stimulation in combination with ultrasound (dual guidance) (ordered logit coefficient −0.31; 95% CI −0.85 to −0.03: P = 0.03; pseudo r2 = 0.007; probability > Chi2 = 0.05). The high share of reported standard monitoring meets the recommendations of the Helsinki Patient Safety Declaration. Dual guidance appears to be the preferred approach for safely localizing nerves for PNB in Switzerland.
Simultaneous assay for protease activities of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus based on fluorescence detection
Authors: Kabashima Tsutomu , Tonooka Keiko , Takada Makoto , Kai Masaaki , Shibata Takayuki
Published: June 2019

Hepatitis C virus protease (HCV-PR) and human immunodeficiency virus protease (HIV-PR) are important for virus maturation, and thus can be used as potential target molecules for the development of antiviral drugs for the treatment of viral infections. In this study, a novel assay was developed to determine HCV-PR activity. This assay is based on a fluorogenic reaction, in which peptide fragments generated from an acetyl peptide substrate by HCV-PR can be selectively converted into a fluorescent derivative, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. Herein, several acetyl-peptides can be used as substrates for HPLC. The application of this assay was further validated by simultaneous detection of HCV-PR and HIV-PR in a reaction mixture. The proposed method can differentiate the enzyme activities of HCV-PR and HIV-PR in a sample using their corresponding substrates. The results suggest that this assay can detect various proteases by employing set of substrate peptides under the same reaction conditions.
Certain polynomials and related topological indices for the series of benzenoid graphs
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Yousaf Awais , Alolaiyan Hanan , Razaq Abdul
Published: June 2019

A topological index of a molecular structure is a numerical quantity that differentiates between a base molecular structure and its branching pattern and helps in understanding the physical, chemical and biological properties of molecular structures. In this article, we quantify four counting polynomials and their related topological indices for the series of a concealed non-Kekulean benzenoid graph. Moreover, we device a new method to calculate the PI and Sd indices with the help of Theta and Omega polynomials.
Suit-type Wearable Robot Powered by Shape-memory-alloy-based Fabric Muscle
Authors: Park Seong Jun , Park Cheol Hoon
Published: June 2019

A suit-type wearable robot (STWR) is a new type of soft wearable robot (SWR) that can be worn easily anywhere and anytime to assist the muscular strength of wearers because it can be worn like normal clothes and is comfortable to wear even with no power supply. This paper proposes an STWR, in which a shape-memory-alloy-based fabric muscle (SFM) is used as the actuator. The STWR, which weighs less than 1 kg, has a simple structure, with the following components: SFMs, wire encoders for measuring the contraction length of the SFMs, and BOA that fix the actuators on the forearms. In this study, a position controller for the SFM using the wire encoder was developed, and a prototype STWR was fabricated using this position controller. Moreover, by putting the STWR on a mannequin, step-response experiments were performed in which the arms of the mannequin lifted barbells weighing 2 kg and 4 kg to a certain target position. A fast response of moving to the target position in less than 1 s was observed in all steps except for the initial heating step for the 2 kg barbell. The response speed of the SFM was noticeably slower for the 4 kg barbell compared to that for the 2 kg barbell; it moved to the target position in approximately 3 s in all the steps except for the initial heating step. The SFM-applied STWR could overcome the limitations of conventional robots in terms of weight and inconvenience, thereby demonstrating the application potential of STWRs.
Orbital angular momentum transformation of optical vortex with aluminum metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Yuchao , Yang Xiaodong , Gao Jie
Published: June 2019

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) transformation of optical vortex is realized upon using aluminum metasurfaces with phase distributions derived from the caustic theory. The generated OAM transformation beam has the well-defined Bessel-like patterns with multiple designed topological charges from −1 to +2.5 including both the integer-order and fractional-order optical vortices along the propagation. The detailed OAM transformation process is observed in terms of the variations of both beam intensity and phase profiles. The dynamic distributions of OAM mode density in the transformation are further analyzed to illustrate the conservation of the total OAM. The demonstration of transforming OAM states arbitrarily for optical vortex beams will lead to many new applications in optical manipulation, quantum optics, and optical communication.
Current trends on microextraction by packed sorbent – fundamentals, application fields, innovative improvements and future applications
Authors: Pereira Jorge A. M. , Gonçalves João , Porto-Figueira Priscilla , Figueira José A. , Alves Vera , Perestrelo Rosa , Medina Sonia , Câmara José S.
Published: June 2019

MEPS, the acronym of microextraction by packed sorbent, is a simple, fast and user- and environmentally-friendly miniaturization of the popular solid-phase extraction technique (SPE).
Magnetism in bimetallic PtxNiN−x clusters via cross-atomic coupling
Authors: Zhang Wei , Deibert David L. , Cheng Daojian , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: June 2019

Due to the cross-atomic coupling interaction between neighbouring Pt and Ni atoms, PtxNiN−x cluster with the crown chemical ordering in the icosahedral morphology possesses higher magnetic moment than other chemical ordering or morphologies.
aza-BODIPY synthesis towards vis/NIR functional chromophores based on a Schiff base forming reaction protocol using lactams and heteroaromatic amines
Authors: Shimizu Soji
Published: June 2019

The Schiff base forming reaction of lactams and heteroaromatic amines led to creation of a new class of aza-BODIPY analogues as visible and near infrared functional chromophores.
Preferential immobilization of size-controlled anatase nanoparticles in mesopores
Authors: Vibulyaseak Kasimanat (GUY) , Chiou Wen-An , Ogawa Makoto
Published: June 2019

Precise and systematic structural design of host–guest complexes of mesoporous silica and immobilized anatase nanoparticles was achieved by carefully designed syntheses.
Predicted superhard phases of Zr–B compounds under pressure
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Peng Feng
Published: June 2019

Boron-rich zirconium borides are potential candidates for superhard or multifunctional materials with excellent physical properties.
Enhancing effects of Te substitution on the thermoelectric power factor of nanostructured SnSe1−xTex
Authors: Sidharth D. , Alagar Nedunchezhian A. S. , Rajkumar R. , Yalini Devi N. , Rajasekaran P. , Arivanandhan M. , Fujiwara K. , Anbalagan G. , Jayavel R.
Published: June 2019

Nanostructured SnSe1−xTex shows higher power factors than pure SnSe.
Tuning electronic properties of boron phosphide nanoribbons by edge passivation and deformation
Authors: Dai Xinyue , Zhang Lishu , Jiang Yanyan , Li Hui
Published: June 2019

Negative differential resistance in boron phosphide nanoribbons originates from bending deformation.
Quaternary CZTS nanoparticle decorated CeO2 as a noble metal free p–n heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Sridharan M. , Kamaraj P. , Huh Yun Suk , Devikala S. , Arthanareeswari M. , Selvi J. Arockia , Sundaravadivel E.
Published: June 2019

Practical implementation of photocatalytic hydrogen production has been required for the invention of efficient visible light absorption and low cost photocatalyst materials.
Copper coordination polymer electrocatalyst for strong hydrogen evolution reaction activity in neutral medium: influence of coordination environment and network structure
Authors: Muthukumar Pandi , Moon Dohyun , Anthony Savarimuthu Philip
Published: June 2019

Water-coordinated copper coordination polymer exhibited strong enhancement of HER activity in neutral medium with good stability compared to non-water-coordinated coordination polymer.
Electrostatic polarization of nonpolar substrates: a study of interactions between simple cations and Mo-bound N2
Authors: Pap Levente G. , Couldridge Adam , Arulsamy Navamoney , Hulley Elliott
Published: June 2019

Dinitrogen, one of the most nonpolar ligands in coordination chemistry, is known to be affected by electrostatic interactions in both heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions, but the significance of these effects is still poorly understood.
High-performance fuel cell cathodes exclusively containing atomically dispersed iron active sites
Authors: Zhang Hanguang , Chung Hoon T. , Cullen David A. , Wagner Stephan , Kramm Ulrike I. , More Karren L. , Zelenay Piotr , Wu Gang
Published: June 2019

Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with atomically dispersed FeN4 sites have emerged as a potential replacement for low-PGM catalysts in acidic polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs).
Dissecting the allosteric FXR modulation: a chemical biology approach using guggulsterone as a chemical tool
Authors: Passeri Daniela , Carotti Andrea , Pittol Jose M. Ramos , Ciaccioli Gianmario , Pellicciari Roberto , van Mil Saskia W. C. , Gioiello Antimo
Published: June 2019

FXR allosteric pockets might act as potential targets for small molecules to selectively interfere with the metabolic action of the receptor.
A reversible and turn-on type fluorescence behaviour of hydrogen sulfide via a redox cycle between selenoxide and selenide
Authors: Annaka Tatsuro , Nakata Norio , Ishii Akihiko
Published: June 2019

Upon treatment with H2S in MeCN–PBS, the fluorescence dormant selenoxides of dibenzobarrelene- and benzobarrelene-based 1-seleno-1,3-butadiene derivatives are rapidly converted to strongly fluorescent selenides.
Mild and efficient rhodium-catalyzed deoxygenation of ketones to alkanes
Authors: Argouarch Gilles
Published: June 2019

Chlorodicarbonylrhodium(i) dimer: a simple catalyst for the reduction of carbonyl compounds also.
Nanobiomaterials: from 0D to 3D for tumor therapy and tissue regeneration
Authors: Liu Yaqin , Yu Qingqing , Chang Jiang , Wu Chengtie
Published: June 2019

Illustration of nanobiomaterials: from single tumor therapy and single tissue regeneration to simultaneous tumor therapy and tissue regeneration.
An ultra-thin carbon-fabric/graphene/poly(vinylidene fluoride) film for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Mei Xiaokang , Lu Longsheng , Xie Yingxi , Wang Wentao , Tang Yong , Teh Kwok Siong
Published: June 2019

A carbon-fabric/graphene/poly(vinylidene fluoride) film that is light weight, highly flexible, and mechanically robust with outstanding electromagnetic shielding properties and thermal conductivity.
A high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor electrode based on a three-dimensional ZnMoO4/CoO nanohybrid on nickel foam
Authors: Li Pengxi , Ruan Chaohui , Xu Jing , Xie Yibing
Published: June 2019

A three-dimensional criss-crossed ZnMoO4/CoO nanohybrid was synthesized to deliver high energy storage performance.
A highly active (102) surface-induced rapid degradation of a CuS nanotheranostic platform for in situ T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging-guided synergistic therapy
Authors: Dong Lile , Li Kai , Wen Ding , Lu Yu , Du Kaimin , Zhang Manli , Gao Xuan , Feng Jing , Zhang Hongjie
Published: June 2019

CuS nanocrystals with pH and near-infrared light-triggered degradation properties are promising nanotheranostic platform for in situ T1-weighted MRI guided synergistic therapy of cancer.
Fe-Catalyzed enaminone synthesis from ketones and amines
Authors: Wu Wenfeng , Wang Zhuxian , Shen Qun , Liu Qiang , Chen Huoji
Published: June 2019

A novel Fe-catalyzed β-functionalization of ketones with amines for constructing enaminones has been demonstrated.
Phase-specific bioactivity and altered Ostwald ripening pathways of calcium carbonate polymorphs in simulated body fluid
Authors: Myszka Barbara , Schüßler Martina , Hurle Katrin , Demmert Benedikt , Detsch Rainer , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Wolf Stephan E.
Published: June 2019

Calcium carbonate shows polymorph-specific bioactivity, reactivity, and Ostwald–Lussac ripening in simulated body fluid which can be conveniently tuned via incorporation of trace elements, such as Mg.
A graphene/Si Schottky diode for the highly sensitive detection of protein
Authors: Noroozi Ali Akbar , Abdi Yaser
Published: June 2019

Herein, a graphene/Si-based device was introduced for bovine serum albumin (BSA) sensing.
The critical role of oxygen-evolution kinetics in the electrochemical stability of oxide superionic conductors
Authors: Wang Tiantian , Qiu Wujie , Feng Qi , Huang Kui , Zhao Xiaolin , Bao Qisheng , Wang Youwei , Zhu Guannan , Liu Jianjun
Published: June 2019

Electron holes occurring above the O-p Fermi level result in high-barrier kinetics of electrochemical oxygen evolution, which is a major contributor to the wide EW in LLZO.
Alkyl chain assisted thin film growth of 2,7-dioctyloxy-benzothienobenzothiophene
Authors: Spreitzer Harald , Kaufmann Benjamin , Ruzié Christian , Röthel Christian , Arnold Thomas , Geerts Yves H. , Teichert Christian , Resel Roland , Jones Andrew O. F.
Published: June 2019

An understanding of the thin film growth modes of substrate-induced polymorphs allows a deeper insight into the origin of this class of materials.
Complementary substrate specificity and distinct quaternary assembly of the Escherichia coli aerobic and anaerobic β-oxidation trifunctional enzyme complexes
Authors: Sah-Teli Shiv K. , Hynönen Mikko J. , Schmitz Werner , Geraets James A. , Seitsonen Jani , Pedersen Jan Skov , Butcher Sarah J. , Wierenga Rik K. , Venkatesan Rajaram
Published: June 2019

The trifunctional enzyme (TFE) catalyzes the last three steps of the fatty acid β-oxidation cycle. Two TFEs are present in Escherichia coli, EcTFE and anEcTFE. EcTFE is expressed only under aerobic conditions, whereas anEcTFE is expressed also under anaerobic conditions, with nitrate or fumarate as the ultimate electron acceptor. The anEcTFE subunits have higher sequence identity with the human mitochondrial TFE (HsTFE) than with the soluble EcTFE. Like HsTFE, here it is found that anEcTFE is a membrane-bound complex. Systematic enzyme kinetic studies show that anEcTFE has a preference for medium- and long-chain enoyl-CoAs, similar to HsTFE, whereas EcTFE prefers short chain enoyl-CoA substrates. The biophysical characterization of anEcTFE and EcTFE shows that EcTFE is heterotetrameric, whereas anEcTFE is purified as a complex of two heterotetrameric units, like HsTFE. The tetrameric assembly of anEcTFE resembles the HsTFE tetramer, although the arrangement of the two anEcTFE tetramers in the octamer is different from the HsTFE octamer. These studies demonstrate that EcTFE and anEcTFE have complementary substrate specificities, allowing for complete degradation of long-chain enoyl-CoAs under aerobic conditions. The new data agree with the notion that anEcTFE and HsTFE are evolutionary closely related, whereas EcTFE belongs to a separate subfamily.
Association of microRNAs genes polymorphisms with arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiao Yingqi , Liu Hui , Chen Li , Wang Yang , Yao Xiang , Jiang Xiaolian
Published: June 2019

Objective: To investigate whether microRNAs genes’ polymorphisms are associated with arthritis. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library et al. were systematically searched to identify case–control studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs), and confidence intervals (CIs) at 95% using fixed-effect model or random-effects model. Results: Twenty-two case–control studies involving 10489 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. MiR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) was not significantly associated with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in any model. Significant associations were found between miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) and the risk of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the heterozygous model and the dominant model. The heterozygous model showed a significant association between the miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). And there was no significant association of miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) with risk of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at any model. Additionally, there was a significant association of miR-499 rs3746444 (T/C) with risk of RA at two genetic models, and with a moderate heterogeneity. When subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant associations were almost found between miR-499 rs3746444 (T/C) and the risk of RA in any model in Caucasian populations, and there is no heterogeneity. Conclusions: The association of miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) with RA was not found. And there was a significant association between miR-146a rs2910164(G/C) and PsA or AS. MiR-499 rs3746444 (T/C) was associated with RA in Caucasian populations. These findings did not support the genetic association between miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) and JRA susceptibility, as well as the association of miR-196a-2 rs11614913 (C/T), miR-146a rs2431697, miR-146a rs57095329, miR-149 rs22928323 with arthritis.
The pseudogene PTENP1 regulates smooth muscle cells as a competing endogenous RNA
Authors: Lai Yanxian , Li Jianyong , Zhong Lintao , He Xiang , Si Xiaoyun , Sun Yili , Chen Yanmei , Zhong Jiayuan , Hu Yinlan , Li Bing , Liao Wangjun , Liu Cheng , Liao Yulin , Xiu Jiancheng , Bin Jianping
Published: June 2019

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) PTENP1 is a pseudogene of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), has been implicated in smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and apoptosis. PTENP1 is the pseudogene of PTEN. However, it is unclear whether and how PTENP1 functions in the proliferation and apoptosis of human aortic SMCs (HASMCs). Here, we hypothesised that PTENP1 inhibits HASMC proliferation and enhances apoptosis by promoting PTEN expression. PCR analysis and Western blot assays respectively showed that both PTENP1 and PTEN were up-regulated in human aortic dissection (AD) samples. PTENP1 overexpression significantly increased the protein expression of PTEN, promoted apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of HASMCs. PTENP1 silencing exhibited the opposite effects and mitigated H2O2-induced apoptosis of HASMCs. In an angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced mouse aortic aneurysm (AA) model, PTENP1 overexpression potentiated aortic SMC apoptosis, exacerbated aneurysm formation. Mechanistically, RNA pull-down assay and a series of luciferase reporter assays using miR-21 mimics or inhibitors identified PTENP1 as a molecular sponge for miR-21 to endogenously compete for the binding between miR-21 and the PTEN transcript, releasing PTEN expression. This finding was further supported by in vitro immunofluorescent evidence showing decreased cell apoptosis upon miR-21 mimic administration under baseline PTENP1 overexpression. Ex vivo rescue of PTEN significantly mitigated the SMC apoptosis induced by PTENP1 overexpression. Finally, Western blot assays showed substantially reduced Akt phosphorylation and cyclin D1 and cyclin E levels with up-regulated PTENP1 in HASMCs. Our study identified PTENP1 as a mediator of HASMC homeostasis and suggests that PTENP1 is a potential target in AD or AA intervention.
Evidence from stellar rotation for early disc dispersal owing to close companions
Authors: Messina S.
Published: June 2019

Context. Young (≲600 Myr) low-mass stars (M ≲ 1 M⊙) of equal mass exhibit a distribution of rotation periods. At the very early phases of stellar evolution, this distribution is set by the star-disc locking mechanism, which forces stars to rotate at the same rate as the inner edge of the disc. The primordial disc lifetime and consequently the duration of the disc-locking mechanism, can be significantly shortened by the presence of a close companion, making the rotation period distribution of close binaries different from that of either single stars or wide binaries.

Aims. We use new data to investigate and better constrain the range of ages, the components separation, and the mass ratio dependence at which the rotation period distribution has been significantly affected by the disc dispersal that is enhanced by close companions.

Methods. We select a sample of close binaries in the Upper Scorpius association (age ∼8 Myr) whose components have measured the separation and the rotation periods and compare their period distribution with that of coeval stars that are single stars.

Results. We find that components of close binaries have, on average, rotation periods that are shorter than those of single stars. More precisely, binaries with approximately equal-mass components (0.9 ≤ M2/M1 ≤ 1.0) have rotation periods that are shorter than those of single stars by ∼0.4 d on average; the primary and secondary components of binaries with smaller mass ratios (0.8 < M2/M1 < 0.9) have rotation periods that are shorter than those of single stars by ∼1.9 d and ∼1.0 d on average, respectively. A comparison with the older 25 Myr β Pictoris association shows that whereas in the latter, all close binaries with projected separation ρ ≤ 80 AU rotate faster than single stars, in the Upper Scorpius this is only the case for about 70% of stars.

Conclusions. We interpret the enhanced rotation in close binaries with respect to single stars as the consequence of an early disc dispersal induced by the presence of close companions. The enhanced rotation suggests that disc dispersal timescales are longest for single stars and shorter for close binaries.