bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social thermoregulation as a potential mechanism linking sociality and fitness: Barbary macaques with more social partners form larger huddles
Authors: Campbell Liz A. D. , Tkaczynski Patrick J. , Lehmann Julia , Mouna Mohamed , Majolo Bonaventura
Published: April 2018

Individuals with more or stronger social bonds experience enhanced survival and reproduction in various species, though the mechanisms mediating these effects are unclear. Social thermoregulation is a common behaviour across many species which reduces cold stress exposure, body heat loss, and homeostatic energy costs, allowing greater energetic investment in growth, reproduction, and survival, with larger aggregations providing greater benefits. If more social individuals form larger thermoregulation aggregations due to having more potential partners, this would provide a direct link between sociality and fitness. We conducted the first test of this hypothesis by studying social relationships and winter sleeping huddles in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), wherein individuals with more social partners experience greater probability of winter survival. Precipitation and low temperature increased huddle sizes, supporting previous research that huddle size influences thermoregulation and energetics. Huddling relationships were predicted by social (grooming) relationships. Individuals with more social partners therefore formed larger huddles, suggesting reduced energy expenditure and exposure to environmental stressors than less social individuals, potentially explaining how sociality affects survival in this population. This is the first evidence that social thermoregulation may be a direct proximate mechanism by which increased sociality enhances fitness, which may be widely applicable across taxa.
Break the Interacting Bridge between Eu3+ Ions in the 3D Network Structure of CdMoO4: Eu3+ Bright Red Emission Phosphor
Authors: Ran Weiguang , Noh Hyeon Mi , Park Sung Heum , Moon Byung Kee , Jeong Jung Hyun , Kim Jung Hwan , Shi Jinsheng
Published: April 2018

Eu3+ doped CdMoO4 super red emission phosphors with charge compensation were prepared by the traditional high temperature solid-state reaction method in air atmosphere. The interrelationships between photoluminescence properties and crystalline environments were investigated in detail. The 3D network structure which composed by CdO8 and MoO4 polyhedra can collect and efficiently transmit energy to Eu3+ luminescent centers. The relative distance between Eu3+ ions decreased and energy interaction increased sharply with the appearance of interstitial occupation of O2− ions ($${O^{\prime\prime} }_{i}$$

O

″

i

). Therefore, fluorescence quenching occurs at the low concentration of Eu3+ ions in the 3D network structure. Fortunately, the charge compensator will reduce the concentration of $${O^{\prime\prime} }_{i}$$

O

″

i

which can break the energetic interaction between Eu3+ ions. The mechanism of different charge compensators has been studied in detail. The strong excitation band situated at ultraviolet and near-ultraviolet region makes it a potential red phosphor candidate for n-UV based LED.
First-Principle Study of the Optical Properties of Dilute-P GaN1−xPx Alloys
Authors: Borovac Damir , Tan Chee-Keong , Tansu Nelson
Published: April 2018

An investigation on the optical properties of dilute-P GaN1−xPx alloys by First-Principle Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods is presented, for phosphorus (P) content varying from 0% up to 12.5%. Findings on the imaginary and real part of the dielectric function are analyzed and the results are compared with previously reported theoretical works on GaN. The complex refractive index, normal-incidence reflectivity and birefringence are presented and a difference in the refractive index in the visible regime between GaN and GaNP alloys of ~0.3 can be engineered by adding minute amounts of phosphorus, indicating strong potential for refractive index tunability. The optical properties of the GaN1−xPx alloys indicate their strong potential for implementation in various III-nitride-based photonic waveguide applications and Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBR).
Hippophae rhamnoides as novel phytogenic feed additive for broiler chickens at high altitude cold desert
Authors: Kalia Sahil , Bharti Vijay K. , Giri Arup , Kumar Bhuvnesh , Arora Achin , Balaje S. S.
Published: April 2018

Extremes of climate and hypobaric hypoxia cause poor growth performance in broiler chickens at high altitude. The present study examined the potential ofHippophae rhamnoidesextract as phytogenic feed additive for broilers reared at 3500 m above mean sea level (MSL). Higher content of phytomolecules were recorded during characterization of the extract. Immunomodulatory activity of extract was observed in chicken lymphocytes throughin-vitrostudies. Thereafter, forin vivostudy, 105 day old Rhode Island Red (RIR) Cross-bred chicks were randomly distributed in to control and treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 which were supplemented withH. rhamnoidesaqueous extract along with basal diet, at level of 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of chicken, respectively. Among the experimental groups, birds in the T3 group represent the highest body weight. Furthermore, treatment group birds had shown better physio-biochemical indices as compared to control group birds. Interestingly, lower mortality rate due to ascites and coccidiosis was recorded in treatment groups and therefore, higher net return was observed. Hence, present investigation demonstrated the beneficial effect ofH. rhamnoidesextract (@200 mg/kg) at high altitude and therefore, may be used in formulation of feed additive for poultry ration.
Regions of open water and melting sea ice drive new particle formation in North East Greenland
Authors: Dall´Osto M. , Geels C. , Beddows D. C. S. , Boertmann D. , Lange R. , Nøjgaard J. K. , Harrison Roy. M. , Simo R. , Skov H. , Massling A.
Published: April 2018

Atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) and growth significantly influences the indirect aerosol-cloud effect within the polar climate system. In this work, the aerosol population is categorised via cluster analysis of aerosol number size distributions (9–915 nm, 65 bins) taken at Villum Research Station, Station Nord (VRS) in North Greenland during a 7 year record (2010–2016). Data are clustered at daily averaged resolution; in total, we classified six categories, five of which clearly describe the ultrafine aerosol population, one of which is linked to nucleation events (up to 39% during summer). Air mass trajectory analyses tie these frequent nucleation events to biogenic precursors released by open water and melting sea ice regions. NPF events in the studied regions seem not to be related to bird colonies from coastal zones. Our results show a negative correlation (r = −0.89) between NPF events and sea ice extent, suggesting the impact of ultrafine Arctic aerosols is likely to increase in the future, given the likely increased sea ice melting. Understanding the composition and the sources of Arctic aerosols requires further integrated studies with joint multi-component ocean-atmosphere observation and modelling.
Episodic records of jellyfish ingestion of plastic items reveal a novel pathway for trophic transference of marine litter
Authors: Macali A. , Semenov A. , Venuti V. , Crupi V. , D’Amico F. , Rossi B. , Corsi I. , Bergami E.
Published: April 2018

Invertebrates represent the most plentiful component of marine biodiversity. To date, only few species have been documented for marine litter intake. Here, we report for the first time the presence of macroplastic debris in a jellyfish species. Such novel target to plastic pollution highlights an under studied vector of marine litter along marine trophic web, raising further concern over the impact on marine wildlife.
Icosahedra clustering and short range order in Ni-Nb-Zr amorphous membranes
Authors: Sarker S. , Isheim D. , King G. , An Q. , Chandra D. , Morozov S. I. , Page K. , Wermer J. N. , Seidman D. N. , Dolan M.
Published: April 2018

Crystalline Pd/Pd-Ag membranes are widely used for hydrogen separation from CO2 and other gases in power generation applications. To substitute these high cost noble metal alloy membranes, the Ni-Nb-Zr amorphous alloys are being developed that exhibit relatively high permeability of hydrogen between 200–400 °C. Atom probe tomography (APT) experiments performed on these ribbons revealed nm-scale Nb-rich and Zr-rich regions (clusters) embedded in a ternary matrix, indicating phase separation within the Ni-Nb-Zr amorphous alloy. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations have predicted that these clusters are composed of icosahedral coordination polyhedra. The interatomic distances and correlation lengths of the short range order of these alloys were determined by neutron total scattering which match well with our DFT based molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) simulations.
Attenuated DNA damage responses and increased apoptosis characterize human hematopoietic stem cells exposed to irradiation
Authors: Biechonski Shahar , Olender Leonid , Zipin-Roitman Adi , Yassin Muhammad , Aqaqe Nasma , Marcu-Malina Victoria , Rall-Scharpf Melanie , Trottier Magan , Meyn M. Stephen , Wiesmüller Lisa , Beider Katia , Raz Yael , Grisaru Dan , Nagler Arnon , Milyavsky Michael
Published: April 2018

Failure to precisely repair DNA damage in self-renewing Hematopoietic Stem and early Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) can disrupt normal hematopoiesis and promote leukemogenesis. Although HSPCs are widely considered a target of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced hematopoietic injury, definitive data regarding cell death, DNA repair, and genomic stability in these rare quiescent cells are scarce. We found that irradiated HSPCs, but not lineage-committed progenitors (CPs), undergo rapid ATM-dependent apoptosis, which is suppressed upon interaction with bone-marrow stroma cells. Using DNA repair reporters to quantify mutagenic Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) processes, we found that HSPCs exhibit reduced NHEJ activities in comparison with CPs. HSPC-stroma interactions did not affect the NHEJ capacity of HSPCs, emphasizing its cell autonomous regulation. We noted diminished expression of multiple double strand break (DSB) repair transcripts along with more persistent 53BP1 foci in irradiated HSPCs in comparison with CPs, which can account for low NHEJ activity and its distinct control in HSPCs. Finally, we documented clonal chromosomal aberrations in 10% of IR-surviving HSPCs. Taken together, our results revealed potential mechanisms contributing to the inherent susceptibility of human HSPC to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of DNA damage.
APOBEC3-mediated restriction of RNA virus replication
Authors: Milewska Aleksandra , Kindler Eveline , Vkovski Philip , Zeglen Slawomir , Ochman Marek , Thiel Volker , Rajfur Zenon , Pyrc Krzysztof
Published: April 2018

APOBEC3 family members are cytidine deaminases with roles in intrinsic responses to infection by retroviruses and retrotransposons, and in the control of other DNA viruses, such as herpesviruses, parvoviruses and hepatitis B virus. Although effects of APOBEC3 members on viral DNA have been demonstrated, it is not known whether they edit RNA genomes through cytidine deamination. Here, we investigated APOBEC3-mediated restriction of Coronaviridae. In experiments in vitro, three human APOBEC3 proteins (A3C, A3F and A3H) inhibited HCoV-NL63 infection and limited production of progeny virus, but did not cause hypermutation of the coronaviral genome. APOBEC3-mediated restriction was partially dependent on enzyme activity, and was reduced by the use of enzymatically inactive APOBEC3. Moreover, APOBEC3 proteins bound to the coronaviral nucleoprotein, and this interaction also affected viral replication. Although the precise molecular mechanism of deaminase-dependent inhibition of coronavirus replication remains elusive, our results further our understanding of APOBEC-mediated restriction of RNA virus infections.
The unique functioning of a pre-Columbian Amazonian floodplain fishery
Authors: Blatrix Rumsaïs , Roux Bruno , Béarez Philippe , Prestes-Carneiro Gabriela , Amaya Marcelo , Aramayo Jose Luis , Rodrigues Leonor , Lombardo Umberto , Iriarte Jose , de Souza Jonas Gregorio , Robinson Mark , Bernard Cyril , Pouilly Marc , Durécu Mélisse , Huchzermeyer Carl F. , Kalebe Mashuta , Ovando Alex , McKey Doyle
Published: April 2018

Archaeology provides few examples of large-scale fisheries at the frontier between catching and farming of fish. We analysed the spatial organization of earthen embankments to infer the functioning of a landscape-level pre-Columbian Amazonian fishery that was based on capture of out-migrating fish after reproduction in seasonal floodplains. Long earthen weirs cross floodplains. We showed that weirs bear successive V-shaped features (termed ‘Vs’ for the sake of brevity) pointing downstream for outflowing water and that ponds are associated with Vs, the V often forming the pond’s downstream wall. How Vs channelled fish into ponds cannot be explained simply by hydraulics, because Vs surprisingly lack fishways, where, in other weirs, traps capture fish borne by current flowing through these gaps. We suggest that when water was still high enough to flow over the weir, out-migrating bottom-hugging fish followed current downstream into Vs. Finding deeper, slower-moving water, they remained. Receding water further concentrated fish in ponds. The pond served as the trap, and this function shaped pond design. Weir-fishing and pond-fishing are both practiced in African floodplains today. In combining the two, this pre-Columbian system appears unique in the world.
Elimination of TDP-43 inclusions linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by a misfolding-specific intrabody with dual proteolytic signals
Authors: Tamaki Yoshitaka , Shodai Akemi , Morimura Toshifumi , Hikiami Ryota , Minamiyama Sumio , Ayaki Takashi , Tooyama Ikuo , Furukawa Yoshiaki , Takahashi Ryosuke , Urushitani Makoto
Published: April 2018

Aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is implicated in the pathogenesis of sporadic and certain familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting elimination of TDP-43 aggregates as a possible therapeutic strategy. Here we generated and investigated a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from the 3B12A monoclonal antibody (MAb) that recognises D247 of the TDP-43 nuclear export signal, an epitope masked in the physiological state. In transfected HEK293A cells, 3B12A scFv recapitulated the affinity of the full-length MAb to mislocalised TDP-43 with a defective nuclear localising signal and to a TDP-43 inclusion mimic with cysteine-to-serine substitution at RRM1. Moreover, 3B12A scFv accelerated proteasome-mediated degradation of aggregated TDP-43, likely due to an endogenous PEST-like proteolytic signal sequence in the VH domain CDR2 region. Addition of the chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA)-related signal to 3B12A scFv induced HSP70 transcription, further enhancing TDP-43 aggregate clearance and cell viability. The 3B12A scFv also reduced TDP-43 aggregates in embryonic mouse brain followingin uteroelectroporation while causing no overt postnatal brain pathology or developmental anomalies. These results suggest that a misfolding-specific intrabody prone to synergistic proteolysis by proteasomal and autophagic pathways is a promising strategy for mitigation of TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS.
Cystoid edema, neovascularization and inflammatory processes in the murine Norrin-deficient retina
Authors: Beck Susanne C. , Karlstetter Marcus , Garcia Garrido Marina , Feng Yuxi , Dannhausen Katharina , Mühlfriedel Regine , Sothilingam Vithiyanjali , Seebauer Britta , Berger Wolfgang , Hammes Hans-Peter , Seeliger Mathias W. , Langmann Thomas
Published: April 2018

Mutations in the Norrin (NDP) gene cause severe developmental blood vessel defects in the retina leading to congenital blindness. In the retina of Ndph-knockout mice only the superficial capillary network develops. Here, a detailed characterization of this mouse model at late stages of the disease usingin vivoretinal imaging revealed cystoid structures that closely resemble the ovoid cysts in the inner nuclear layer of the human retina with cystoid macular edema (CME). In human CME an involvement of Müller glia cells is hypothesized. In Ndph-knockout retinae we could demonstrate that activated Müller cells were located around and within these cystoid spaces. In addition, we observed extensive activation of retinal microglia and development of neovascularization. Furthermore,ex vivoanalyses detected extravasation of monocytic cells suggesting a breakdown of the blood retina barrier. Thus, we could demonstrate that also in the developmental retinal vascular pathology present in the Ndph-knockout mouse inflammatory processes are active and may contribute to further retinal degeneration. This observation delivers a new perspective for curative treatments of retinal vasculopathies. Modulation of inflammatory responses might reduce the symptoms and improve visual acuity in these diseases.
Highly extended filaments in aqueous gold nano-particle colloidals
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Liu Feng J. , Wang Li R. , Nan Jun Y. , Li Min , He Bo Q. , Zeng He P.
Published: April 2018

A new regime of filamentation has been discovered in aqueous gold nanoparticle colloidals (AGNC). Different from filamentation in liquids, in this regime, by doping water with gold nanoparticles, there is no observable multiple small-scale filaments, but instead a spatially continuous plasma channel is formed. The length of the filament is more than ten times as compared with that in water. Filamentation in AGNC is characterized by a colorful light channel, with generated supercontinuum ranging from 400 nm to 650 nm which is scattered along a cyan-orange path.
Selection of stable reference genes for RT-qPCR in Rhodococcus opacus PD630
Authors: DeLorenzo Drew M. , Moon Tae Seok
Published: April 2018

Rhodococcus opacus PD630 is a gram-positive bacterium with promising attributes for the conversion of lignin into valuable fuels and chemicals. To develop an organism as a cellular factory, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of its metabolism and any heterologous pathways being expressed. For the purpose of quantifying gene transcription, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard due to its sensitivity and reproducibility. However, RT-qPCR requires the use of reference genes whose expression is stable across distinct growth or treatment conditions to normalize the results. Unfortunately, no in-depth analysis of stable reference genes has been conducted in Rhodococcus, inhibiting the utilization of RT-qPCR in R. opacus. In this work, ten candidate reference genes, chosen based on previously collected RNA sequencing data or literature, were examined under four distinct growth conditions using three mathematical programs (BestKeeper, Normfinder, and geNorm). Based on this analysis, the minimum number of reference genes required was found to be two, and two separate pairs of references genes were identified as optimal normalization factors for when ribosomal RNA is either present or depleted. This work represents the first validation of reference genes for Rhodococcus, providing a valuable starting point for future research.
Unique coexistence of dispersion stability and nanoparticle chemisorption in alkylamine/alkylacid encapsulated silver nanocolloids
Authors: Aoshima Keisuke , Hirakawa Yuya , Togashi Takanari , Kurihara Masato , Arai Shunto , Hasegawa Tatsuo
Published: April 2018

Surface encapsulation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) is fundamental to achieve sufficient dispersion stability of metal nanocolloids, or metal nanoink. However, the feature is incompatible with surface reactive nature of the metal NPs, although these features are both essential to realizing the functional applications into printed electronics technologies. Here we show that two different kinds of encapsulation for silver NPs (AgNPs) by alkylamine and alkylacid together are the key to achieve unique compatibility between the high dispersion stability as dense nanoclolloids and the AgNP chemisorption printing on activated patterned polymer surfaces. Advanced confocal dynamic light scattering study reveals that an additive trace amount of oleic acid is the critical parameter for controlling the dispersion and coagulative (or surface-reactive) characteristics of the silver nanocolloids. The composition of the disperse media is also important for obtaining highly concentrated but low-viscosity silver nanocolloids that show very stable dispersion. The results demonstrate that the high-resolution AgNP chemisorption printing is possible only by using unique silver nanocolloids composed of an exceptional balance of ligand formulation and dispersant composition.
Photoluminescence quenching of dye molecules near a resonant silicon nanoparticle
Authors: Zyuzin Mikhail V. , Baranov Denis G. , Escudero Alberto , Chakraborty Indranath , Tsypkin Anton , Ushakova Elena V. , Kraus Florain , Parak Wolfgang J. , Makarov Sergey V.
Published: April 2018

Luminescent molecules attached to resonant colloidal particles are an important tool to study light-matter interaction. A traditional approach to enhance the photoluminescence intensity of the luminescent molecules in such conjugates is to incorporate spacer-coated plasmonic nanoantennas, where the spacer prevents intense non-radiative decay of the luminescent molecules. Here, we explore the capabilities of an alternative platform for photoluminescence enhancement, which is based on low-loss Mie-resonant colloidal silicon particles. We demonstrate that resonant silicon particles of spherical shape are more efficient for photoluminescence enhancement than their plasmonic counterparts in spacer-free configuration. Our theoretical calculations show that significant enhancement originates from larger quantum yields supported by silicon particles and their resonant features. Our results prove the potential of high-index dielectric particles for spacer-free enhancement of photoluminescence, which potentially could be a future platform for bioimaging and nanolasers.
Emergence of Human G2P[4] Rotaviruses in the Post-vaccination Era in South Korea: Footprints of Multiple Interspecies Re-assortment Events
Authors: Thanh Hien Dang , Tran Van Trung , Lim Inseok , Kim Wonyong
Published: April 2018

After the introduction of two global rotavirus vaccines, RotaTeq in 2007 and Rotarix in 2008 in South Korea, G1[P8] rotavirus was the major rotavirus genotype in the country until 2012. However, in this study, an emergence of G2P[4] as the dominant genotype during the 2013 to 2015 season has been reported. Genetic analysis revealed that these viruses had typical DS-1-like genotype constellation and showed evidence of re-assortment in one or more genome segments, including the incorporation of NSP4 genes from strains B-47/2008 from a cow and R4/Haryana/2007 from a buffalo in India, and the VP1 and VP3 genes from strain GO34/1999 from a goat in Bangladesh. Compared to the G2 RotaTeq vaccine strain, 17–24 amino acid changes, specifically A87T, D96N, S213D, and S242N substitutions in G2 epitopes, were observed. These results suggest that multiple interspecies re-assortment events might have contributed to the emergence of G2P[4] rotaviruses in the post-vaccination era in South Korea.
Identifying peptide sequences that can control the assembly of gold nanostructures
Authors: Lee Hye-Eun , Lee Jaehun , Ju Misong , Ahn Hyo-Yong , Lee Yoon Young , Jang Hyung-Seok , Nam Ki Tae
Published: April 2018

We have investigated the role of peptide folding and developed strategies to make assembled gold nanostructures.
Ru nanodendrites composed of ultrathin fcc/hcp nanoblades for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solutions
Authors: Gao Kai , Wang Yao , Wang Zhiwei , Zhu Zhaohua , Wang Jialiang , Luo Zhimin , Zhang Cong , Huang Xiao , Zhang Hua , Huang Wei
Published: April 2018

Ru nanodendrites composed of ultrathin fcc/hcp nanoblades showed excellent electrochemical activity and better stability than Pt/C in an alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.
Synthesis of homochiral zeolitic imidazolate frameworks via solvent-assisted linker exchange for enantioselective sensing and separation
Authors: Zhuo Chao , Wang Fei , Zhang Jian
Published: April 2018

Two homochiral zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (S- and R-ZIF-78h) of GME topology are synthesized via solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) of ZIF-78, which exhibit permanent porosity and enantioselective sensing and separation of proline.
Physiological changes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after 1000 generations of selection of cadmium exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Yu Zhen , Wei Huiling , Hao Rui , Chu Huashuo , Zhu Yi
Published: April 2018

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii failed to evolve specific adaptation to high cadmium concentrations after 1000 generations of selection of cadmium exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Modeling and simulating networks of interdependent protein interactions
Authors: Stöcker Bianca K. , Köster Johannes , Zamir Eli , Rahmann Sven
Published: April 2018

Constrained protein interaction networks model dependencies between protein interactions and enable investigating how the interplay of network topology and constraints influences the propagation of perturbation effects.
Triazole–diindolylmethane conjugates as new antitubercular agents: synthesis, bioevaluation, and molecular docking
Authors: Danne Ashruba B. , Choudhari Amit S. , Chakraborty Shakti , Sarkar Dhiman , Khedkar Vijay M. , Shingate Bapurao B.
Published: April 2018

We describe the synthesis of novel triazole-incorporated diindolylmethanes (DIMs) using a molecular hybridization approach.
Silver nanowires as infrared-active materials for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Becucci Maurizio , Bracciali Monica , Ghini Giacomo , Lofrumento Cristiana , Pietraperzia Giangaetano , Ricci Marilena , Tognaccini Lorenzo , Trigari Silvana , Gellini Cristina , Feis Alessandro
Published: April 2018

We relate SERS from Ag nanowires to absorption and scattering properties using laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy.
Realisation of small molecule libraries based on frameworks distantly related to natural products
Authors: Aimon Anthony , Karageorgis George , Masters Jacob , Dow Mark , Craven Philip G. E. , Ohsten Martin , Willaume Anthony , Morgentin Rémy , Ruiz-Llamas Nicolas , Lemoine Hugues , Kalliokoski Tuomo , Eatherton Andrew J. , Foley Daniel J. , Marsden Stephen P. , Nelson Adam
Published: April 2018

Design and synthesis of compound libraries with focused molecular properties, based on NP-like scaffolds.
One-pot synthesis of 1,5-diketones from 3-acetyl-4-hydroxycoumarin and effective cyclization to unexpected 3,4-dihydropyridines
Authors: Waheed Mohd , Ahmed Naseem , Alsharif Meshari A. , Alahmdi Mohammed Issa , Mukhtar Sayeed
Published: April 2018

A one-pot synthesis of new 4-hydroxycoumarin-based 1,5-diketones and effective cyclization to quite stable and unexpected 3,4-dihydropyridines has been developed.
The design of rigid cyclic tripyrrins: the importance of intermolecular interactions on aggregation and luminescence
Authors: Wang Jun-Fei , Yao Yuhang , Ning Yingying , Meng Yin-Shan , Hou Chun-Liang , Zhang Jing , Zhang Jun-Long
Published: April 2018

Cyclic tripyrrin “locked” by a bridging benzyl moiety: enhancing the molecular rigidity and tuning aggregation and fluorescence via intermolecular halogen interactions.
Fabrication and characterization of DDAB/PLA-alginate composite microcapsules as single-shot vaccine
Authors: Yang Meiyang , Yang Tingyuan , Jia Jilei , Lu Ting , Wang Hailin , Yan Xueying , Wang Lianyan , Yu Lian , Zhao Yue
Published: April 2018

The most effective method to reduce chronic hepatitis B virus infection is the universal implementation of vaccination.
Modification of low temperature magnetic interactions in Dy1−xEuxMnO3
Authors: Yadagiri K. , Nithya R. , Sharma Shilpam , Satya A. T.
Published: April 2018

Solid solutions of rare earth ion (Eu3+) substituted DyMnO3, Dy1−xEuxMnO3 (x = 0.0–1.0) have been synthesized by ceramic method.
Water-soluble and adjustable fluorescence copolymers containing a hydrochromic dye: synthesis, characterization and properties
Authors: Ju Le , Qin Tianyou , Zhang Ting , Wang Peng , Sheng Lan , Xiao-An Zhang Sean
Published: April 2018

Water solubility and adjustable fluorescence adjustable properties have been successfully endowed to established in a hydrochromic dyeviacopolymerization.
Adsorbing the magnetic superhalogen MnCl3 to realize intriguing half-metallic and spin-gapless-semiconducting behavior in zigzag or armchair SiC nanoribbon
Authors: Li Hui , Yu Guangtao , Zhang Zengsong , Ma Yanfeng , Huang Xuri , Chen Wei
Published: April 2018

Adsorbing a magnetic superhalogen can be an effective strategy to achieve intriguing half-metallicity and spin-gapless-semiconductor behavior in SiC nanoribbon.
New insight into the selective photocatalytic oxidation of RhB through a strategy of modulating radical generation
Authors: Liang Huijun , Liu Shengnan , Zhang Hucheng , Wang Xiaobing , Wang Jianji
Published: April 2018

A new photocatalytic mechanism of RhB was proposed according to the effect of reactive radical under different light irradiation.
Partially reduced graphene oxide and chitosan nanohybrid membranes for selective retention of divalent cations
Authors: Wei Yangyang , Wang Jian , Li Hao , Zhao Man , Zhang Huifeng , Guan Yipeng , Huang Hai , Mi Baoxia , Zhang Yushan
Published: April 2018

Partially reduced graphene oxide and chitosan nanohybrid membranes were fabricated to exhibit selective retention of divalent cations.
Tricomponent brookite/anatase TiO2/g-C3N4 heterojunction in mesoporous hollow microspheres for enhanced visible-light photocatalysis
Authors: Wei Hao , McMaster William A. , Tan Jeannie Z. Y. , Chen Dehong , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: April 2018

Improving photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation by using multicomponent heterojunctions.
Direct observation of cation-exchange in liquid-to-solid phase transformation in FA1−xMAxPbI3 based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xie Yue-Min , Yu Binbin , Ma Chunqing , Xu Xiuwen , Cheng Yuanhang , Yuan Shuai , Wang Zhao-Kui , Chandran Hrisheekesh Thachoth , Lee Chun-Sing , Liao Liang-Sheng , Tsang Sai-Wing
Published: April 2018

Organic-cation-exchange in liquid-to-solid phase transformation in FA1−xMAxPbI3 based perovskite solar cells.
Organic nanoparticles with ultrahigh quantum yield and aggregation-induced emission characteristics for cellular imaging and real-time two-photon lung vasculature imaging
Authors: Liu Jie , Evrard Maximilien , Cai Xiaolei , Feng Guangxue , Tomczak Nikodem , Ng Lai Guan , Liu Bin
Published: April 2018

Organic nanoparticles with a high quantum yield of 90% and aggregation-induced emission characteristics were prepared for cellular imaging and real-time two-photon vasculature imaging of the lungs.
Evolution of short- and medium-range order in the melt-quenching amorphization of Ge2Sb2Te5
Authors: Qiao Chong , Guo Y. R. , Dong F. , Wang J. J. , Shen H. , Wang S. Y. , Xu Ming , Miao X. S. , Zheng Y. X. , Zhang R. J. , Chen L. Y. , Wang C. Z. , Ho K. M.
Published: April 2018

Five structures (a tetrahedron and 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-fold octahedrons) are shown in the upper panel of the figure. Figures in the lower panel show the fractions of the five structures in Ge- and Sb-centered clusters with temperature.
Modeling the Nature of Grammar and Vocabulary Trajectories From Prekindergarten to Third Grade
Authors:   Language and Reading Research Consortium (LARRC) Laura Justice Kate Cain Hui Jiang Jessica Logan Rongfang Jia, Jiang Hui , Logan Jessica A. , Jia Rongfang
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This study investigated the longitudinal development of 2 important contributors to reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary skills. The primary interest was to examine the trajectories of the 2 skill areas from preschool to 3rd grade.

Method

The study involved a longitudinal sample of 420 children from 4 sites. Language skills, including grammar and vocabulary, were assessed annually with multiple measures. Multivariate latent growth curve modeling was used to examine the developmental trajectories of grammar and vocabulary, to test the correlation between the 2 domains, and to investigate the effects of demographic predictors on language growth.

Results

Results showed that both grammar and vocabulary exhibited decelerating growth from preschool to Grade 2. In Grade 3, grammar growth further flattened, whereas vocabulary continued to grow stably. Growth of vocabulary and grammar were positively correlated. Demographic characteristics, such as child gender and family socioeconomic status, were found to predict the intercept but not the slope of the growth trajectories.

Conclusions

Children's growth in grammar skills is differentiated in a number of important ways from their growth in vocabulary skills. Results of this study suggest the need to differentiate these dimensions of language when seeking to closely examine growth from preschool to primary grades.
3D printed microwave cavity for atomic clock applications: proof of concept
Authors: Pellaton M. , Affolderbach C. , Skrivervik A.K. , Ivanov A.E. , Debogovic T. , de Rijk E. , Mileti G.
Published: April 2018

The authors present the realisation and characterisation of an additively manufactured (AM) microwave resonator cavity for double‐resonance (DR) vapour‐cell atomic clocks. The design of the compact microwave cavity is based on the loop‐gap resonator approach, previously demonstrated for conventionally‐machined aluminium components. In the present study, the resonator is fabricated by AM using a metal‐coated polymer. A resonance frequency at the desired 6.835 GHz rubidium atomic frequency is obtained. When employed in an atomic clock setup, the AM cavity enables a DR signal of <500 Hz linewidth and of nearly 20% contrast, thus fulfilling the stringent requirements for DR atomic clocks. A clock short‐term stability of 1 × 10−12 τ−1/2 is demonstrated, comparable to state‐of‐the‐art clock performances.
Microstructure and dynamic mechanical properties of magnetorheological elastomer based on ethylene/acrylic elastomer prepared using different manufacturing methods
Authors: Gao Tianming , Xie Ruihong , Chung Kyungho
Published: April 2018

Magneto‐rheological elastomer (MRE) is a kind of smart material based on elastomer matrix and it is divided into isotropic (i‐MRE) and anisotropic MRE (a‐MRE) depending on the magnetic particle arrangement. In the i‐MRE, carbonyl iron particles (CIP) are randomly dispersed, while they form a chain‐like structure in the a‐MRE. Two manufacturing procedures of a‐MRE have been introduced. The a‐MRE‐1 was manufactured by one‐step process involving application of magnetic field and curing of matrix simultaneously. On the other hand, a‐MRE‐2 was manufactured by two‐step process in which the magnetic field was applied to induce CIP orientation and then the matrix was cured. The microstructure and mechanical properties of MRE were characterised by scanning electron microscope, universal testing machine and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that the CIP content in MRE had no effect on the cure properties. A chain‐like structure existed in a‐MRE‐1, whereas the orientation structure of CIP in the a‐MRE‐2 was not as clear as that in a‐MRE‐1. The tensile strength of a‐MRE‐1 was the lowest because no interfacial reaction occurred between the CIP and the rubber molecules chain, whereas i‐MRE had the highest tensile strength.
A complete sample of LSP blazars fully described in γ-rays
Authors: Arsioli B. , Polenta G.
Published: April 2018

Context. We study the γ-ray and broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) properties of a complete sample of 104 bright, radio-selected low-synchrotron peaked (LSP) blazars, which have well-characterized SEDs from radio to X-rays. Most of the sources have already been detected in the γ-ray band by Fermi-LAT, however almost 20% of these blazars have no counterpart in any of the Fermi catalogs published so far.

Aims. Using the Fermi Science Tools, we look for γ-ray emission for those objects not yet reported in any Fermi-LAT catalog, finding new detections and associations. We then study the multifrequency SED for all sources in our sample, fitting their synchrotron (Syn) and inverse Compton (IC) components. A complete sample of LSP blazars with a full description in γ-ray is unique. We use this sample to derive the distribution of the Compton dominance (CD) along with population properties such as Syn and IC peak power, and frequency distributions.

Methods. We performed a binned likelihood analysis in the 0.3–500 GeV energy band with Fermi-LAT Pass 8 data, integrating over 7.5 yr of observations. We studied γ-ray light curves and test statistic (TS) maps to validate new detections and associations, thereby building a better picture of the high-energy activity in radio-selected LSP blazars. We fit the IC component for the new detections using all data at our disposal from X-rays to GeV γ-rays, enhancing the amount of information available to study the Syn to IC peak-power correlations.

Results. We deliver a unique characterization in γ-rays for a complete sample of LSP blazars. We show that three previously unidentified 3FGL sources can be associated with blazars when using improved γ-ray positions obtained from TS maps. Six previously unreported γ-ray sources are detected at TS > 20 level, while another three show TS values between 10–20. We evaluate two cases in which source confusion is likely present. In four cases there is no significant γ-ray signature when integrating over 7.5 yr. Short-lived flares at ~1 month scale, however, have been detected in these sources. Finally, we measure the log(CD) for the sample, which has a Gaussian-like distribution with median log(CD) ≈ 0.1, implying that on average the peak-power for the Syn and IC components in LSP blazars is similar.
Main sequence of star forming galaxies beyond the Herschel confusion limit
Authors: Pearson W. J. , Wang L. , Hurley P. D. , Małek K. , Buat V. , Burgarella D. , Farrah D. , Oliver S. J. , Smith D. J. B. , van der Tak F. F. S.
Published: April 2018

Context. Deep far-infrared (FIR) cosmological surveys are known to be affected by source confusion, causing issues when examining the main sequence (MS) of star forming galaxies. In the past this has typically been partially tackled by the use of stacking. However, stacking only provides the average properties of the objects in the stack.

Aims. This work aims to trace the MS over 0.2 ≤ z < 6.0 using the latest de-blended Herschel photometry, which reaches ≈10 times deeper than the 5σ confusion limit in SPIRE. This provides more reliable star formation rates (SFRs), especially for the fainter galaxies, and hence a more reliable MS.

Methods. We built a pipeline that uses the spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling and fitting tool CIGALE to generate flux density priors in the Herschel SPIRE bands. These priors were then fed into the de-blending tool XID+ to extract flux densities from the SPIRE maps. In the final step, multi-wavelength data were combined with the extracted SPIRE flux densities to constrain SEDs and provide stellar mass (M⋆) and SFRs. These M⋆ and SFRs were then used to populate the SFR-M⋆ plane over 0.2 ≤ z < 6.0.

Results. No significant evidence of a high-mass turn-over was found; the best fit is thus a simple two-parameter power law of the form log(SFR) = α[log(M⋆) − 10.5] + β. The normalisation of the power law increases with redshift, rapidly at z ≲ 1.8, from 0.58 ± 0.09 at z ≈ 0.37 to 1.31 ± 0.08 at z ≈ 1.8. The slope is also found to increase with redshift, perhaps with an excess around 1.8 ≤ z < 2.9.

Conclusions. The increasing slope indicates that galaxies become more self-similar as redshift increases. This implies that the specific SFR of high-mass galaxies increases with redshift, from 0.2 to 6.0, becoming closer to that of low-mass galaxies. The excess in the slope at 1.8 ≤ z < 2.9, if present, coincides with the peak of the cosmic star formation history.
Pilot Study of Intra-Aortic Balloon Occlusion to Limit Morbidity in Patients with Adherent Placentation Undergoing Cesarean Hysterectomy
Authors: Blumenthal Elizabeth , Rao Rashmi , Murphy Aisling , Gornbein Jeffrey , Hong Richard , Moriarty John , Kahn Daniel , Janzen Carla
Published: April 2018

Objective We study whether using an intra-aortic balloon (IAB) during cesarean hysterectomy decreases delivery morbidity in patients with suspected morbidly adherent placentation.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of deliveries complicated by suspected abnormal placentation between 2009 and 2016 comparing maternal and neonatal outcomes with an IAB placed prior to cesarean hysterectomy versus no IAB. The primary outcome included quantified blood loss (QBL).

Results Thirty-five cases were reviewed, 16 with IAB and 19 without IAB. No difference was seen in median QBL between the two groups (1,351 vs. 1,397 mL; p = 0.90). There were no significant differences in overall surgical complications (19% IAB, 21% no IAB; p = 0.86), bladder complications (12 vs. 21%; p = 0.66), intensive care unit admissions (12 vs. 26%; p = 0.41), surgical duration (2.9 vs. 2.8 hour; p = 0.83), or blood transfusions (median 2 vs. 2; p = 0.27) between the two groups. There was one groin hematoma at the balloon site that was managed conservatively. There were no complications involving thrombosis or limb ischemia in the IAB group.

Conclusion While we did not detect statistically significant differences, larger studies may be warranted given the potential for extreme morbidity in these cases. This study highlights the potential use of an IAB in the management of these cases.
Reaktion der Endothelzellen auf kurzzeitig physiologisch erhöhte hydrostatische Drücke und oxidativen Stress in vitro
Authors: Mann Carolina , Thanos Solon , Brockhaus Katrin , Grus Franz H. , Pfeiffer Norbert , Prokosch Verena
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund Im Rahmen der Pathogenese des Glaukoms wird die endotheliale Dysfunktion zunehmend diskutiert. Peripapilläre Blutungen sind diagnostisch wegweisend. Die Korrelation von Glaukomerkrankungen mit vaskulärem Dysregulationssyndrom ist eindeutig. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die genaue Reaktion der Endothelzellen auf erhöhten hydrostatischen und oxidativen Stress zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden In vitro wurden primär dissoziierte BMECs (brain microvascular endothelial cells) für 3 Tage normalem und leicht erhöhtem hydrostatischem Druck von 60 und 120 mmHg in einer Druckkammer ausgesetzt. Zusätzlich wurden sowohl druckbelastete als auch nicht druckbelastete Zellen oxidativem Stress in Form von geringen Konzentrationen H2O2 ausgesetzt. Ein Live/Dead Assay wurde durchgeführt, um die Zellviabilität zu messen. Morphologisch wurden die Zellen mit immunhistochemischer Aktinfärbung beurteilt.

Ergebnisse Interessanterweise zeigten die Endothelzellen sowohl unter 60 mmHg als auch unter 120 mmHg kein vermehrtes Absterben im Vergleich zu den Zellen ohne Belastung. Auch morphologisch zeigten sich keine großen Unterschiede. Gegenüber oxidativem Stress wurden alle Zellen schon bei kleinen Mengen geschädigt. Keinen Unterschied konnte man zwischen oxidativem Stress ohne vorherige Druckbelastung und oxidativem Stress mit vorheriger Druckbelastung von 120 mmHg für 3 Tage feststellen.

Schlussfolgerung Wir konnten keinen direkten Effekt in Form von vermehrtem Zelluntergang der Endothelzellen auf erhöhten hydrostatischen Druck feststellen. Allerdings zeigt die Reaktion auf die geringen Konzentrationen von oxidativem Stress, dass die Zellen im Rahmen der Pathogenese des Glaukoms doch in Mitleidenschaft gezogen werden. Der oxidative Stress scheint hier eine besondere Rolle zu spielen.
Endogene Endophthalmitis: Ursachen, Keimspektrum, Therapie und Visusverlauf
Authors: Mayer Christian , Loos Daria , Feucht Nikolaus , Zapp Daniel , Prahs Philipp Maximilian , Tandogan Tamer , Khoramnia Ramin
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund Die endogene Endophthalmitis ist eine seltene und schwere Entzündung des Auges im Rahmen einer infektiösen Allgemeinerkrankung, die im schlimmsten Fall zum Verlust des betroffenen Auges führen kann.

Material und Methoden In einem 5-Jahres-Zeitraum wurden 20 Augen mit einer endogenen Endophthalmitis behandelt und retrospektiv untersucht. Auswertungsparameter waren epidemiologische Daten, Ursachen, Begleiterkrankungen, Keimspektrum, Therapie und Visusverlauf.

Ergebnisse Der Anteil endogener an allen Endophthalmitiden betrug 13,2% (n = 20/152; 20 Augen von 17 Patienten). Bei 15% (n = 3/20) lag eine bilaterale endogene Endophthalmitis vor. Bei 9 von 17 der Patienten lag die Ursache in einer generalisierten Sepsis, bei 2 von 17 im Urogenitaltrakt und bei jeweils 1 Fall in einer Endokarditis und Leberabszess. Bei 4 von 17 wurden keine ursächlichen Herde gefunden. Acht der 17 Patienten litten an einem Diabetes mellitus, 6 an Niereninsuffizienz und je 2 Patienten an Malignomen, Pneumonie oder Rheuma. Eine Organtransplantation erhielten 2 Patienten, 15 hatten kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen, 3 der Patienten waren medikamentös immunsupprimiert und 2 gaben einen Drogenabusus an. Die Infektionen waren in 4 von 17 Patienten durch Streptokokken, in 3 durch Candida, in 2 durch Herpesviren und jeweils einmal durch gramnegative Stäbchen, Staphylococcus aureus bzw. Bacillus cereus verursacht. Ohne Keimnachweis verblieben 5 Fälle. Das Zeitintervall vom Beginn der Beschwerden bis zur Diagnose und Intervention war mit 4 Tagen (min.: 1; max.: 39) im Vergleich zu den anderen Endophthalmitisursachen am längsten (p < 0,001). Der Visus lag bei Erstvorstellung im Median bei logMAR 2,0 (n = 19/20), nach 1 Monat bei logMAR 1,3 (n = 15/20), nach 3 Monaten ebenfalls bei logMAR 1,3 (n = 15/20) und 1 Jahr nach Behandlungsbeginn bei logMAR 0,1 (n = 9/20). Innerhalb eines Jahres trat bei 2 von 20 Augen eine Netzhautablösung auf und einmal ein Endophthalmitisrezidiv; 5 der 17 der Patienten verstarben. Eine Enukleation war nie erforderlich.

Schlussfolgerung Die endogene Endophthalmitis wird oft aufgrund einer begleitenden schweren nicht ophthalmologischen Grunderkrankung zu spät erkannt. Ein fehlender Verdacht bei den nicht ophthalmologisch erfahrenen behandelnden Kollegen und verspätete Vorstellung mit später Diagnosestellung ist ein ungelöstes Problem und mitverantwortlich für die ohnehin schlechte Visusprognose. Für den Augenarzt beeinflussbar ist meist nur die Wahl der richtigen Therapie.
Geschichten über Pocken
Authors: Jung E.
Published: April 2018

Die WHO erklärte die Welt als „pockenfrei“ ab 1980. Zuvor aber traten in Deutschland noch mehrere Kleinepidemien auf, von denen der Einzelfall in Hamburg 1957 der Kleinepidemie in Heidelberg gegenübergestellt wird mit 20 Pockenkranken, von denen zwei verstarben. Zur Verbesserung von Diagnose und Prozedere wurde eine mobile Pockenkommission gegründet, deren Einsatz hier dargestellt wird. Diese Bemühungen wurden beendet, weil die Welt ab 1980 pockenfrei geblieben ist.
Comparison of methods applied in photoinduced transient spectroscopy to determining the defect center parameters: The correlation procedure and the signal analysis based on inverse Laplace transformation
Authors: Suproniuk M. , Pawłowski M. , Wierzbowski M. , Majda-Zdancewicz E. , Pawłowski Ma.
Published: April 2018

The procedure for determination of trap parameters by photo-induced transient spectroscopy is based on the Arrhenius plot that illustrates a thermal dependence of the emission rate. In this paper, we show that the Arrhenius plot obtained by the correlation method is shifted toward lower temperatures as compared to the one obtained with the inverse Laplace transformation. This shift is caused by the model adequacy error of the correlation method and introduces errors to a calculation procedure of defect center parameters. The effect is exemplified by comparing the results of the determination of trap parameters with both methods based on photocurrent transients for defect centers observed in tin-doped neutron-irradiated silicon crystals and in gallium arsenide grown with the Vertical Gradient Freeze method.