bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum oscillations of robust topological surface states up to 50 K in thick bulk-insulating topological insulator
Authors: Zhao Weiyao , Chen Lei , Yue Zengji , Li Zhi , Cortie David , Fuhrer Michael , Wang Xiaolin
Published: November 2019

As personal electronic devices increasingly rely on cloud computing for energy-intensive calculations, the power consumption associated with the information revolution is rapidly becoming an important environmental issue. Several approaches have been proposed to construct electronic devices with low-energy consumption. Among these, the low-dissipation surface states of topological insulators (TIs) are widely employed. To develop TI-based devices, a key factor is the maximum temperature at which the Dirac surface states dominate the transport behavior. Here, we employ Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations (SdH) as a means to study the surface state survival temperature in a high-quality vanadium doped Bi1.08Sn0.02Sb0.9Te2S single crystal system. The temperature and angle dependence of the SdH show that: (1) crystals with different vanadium (V) doping levels are insulating in the 3–300 K region; (2) the SdH oscillations show two-dimensional behavior, indicating that the oscillations arise from the pure surface states; and (3) at 50 K, the V0.04 single crystals (Vx:Bi1.08-xSn0.02Sb0.9Te2S, where x = 0.04) still show clear sign of SdH oscillations, which demonstrate that the surface dominant transport behavior can survive above 50 K. The robust surface states in our V doped single crystal systems provide an ideal platform to study the Dirac fermions and their interaction with other materials above 50 K.
Enhanced biodegradation of n-hexane by Pseudomonas sp. strain NEE2
Authors: He Shanying , Ni Yaoqi , Lu Li , Chai Qiwei , Liu Haiyang , Yang Chunping
Published: November 2019

Pseudomonas sp. strain NEE2 isolated from oil-polluted soils could biodegrade n-hexane effectively. In this study, the secretory product of n-hexane biodegradation by NEE2 was extracted, characterized, and investigated on the secretory product’s enhanced effect on n-hexane removal. The effects of various biodegradation conditions on n-hexane removal by NEE2, including nitrogen source, pH value, and temperature were also investigated. Results showed that the secretory product lowered surface tension of water from 72 to 40 mN/m, with a critical micelle concentration of 340 mg/L, demonstrating that there existed biosurfactants in the secretory product. The secretory product at 50 mg/L enhanced n-hexane removal by 144.4% within 48 h than the control group. The optimum conditions for n-hexane removal by NEE2 were at temperature of 25–30 °C, pH value of 7–8, and (NH4)2SO4 as nitrogen source. Besides n-hexane, NEE2 could also utilize a variety of carbon sources. These results proved that NEE2 can consume hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to produce biosurfactants which can further enhance hydrophobic VOCs degradation.
SeeTB: A novel alternative to sputum smear microscopy to diagnose tuberculosis in high burden countries
Authors: Pandey Vikas , Singh Pooja , Singh Saumya , Arora Naresh , Quadir Neha , Singh Saurabh , Das Ayan , Dudeja Mridu , Kapur Prem , Ehtesham Nasreen Zafar , Elangovan Ravikrishnan , Hasnain Seyed E.
Published: November 2019

Microscopy-based tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis i.e. Ziehl-Neelsen screening still remains the primary diagnostic method in resource poor and high TB burden countries, however this method has poor sensitivity (~60%). Bringing three million TB patients who are left undiagnosed under the treatment has been a major focus as part of END-TB strategy across the world. We have developed a portable set-up called ‘SeeTB’ that converts a bright-field microscope into fluorescence microscope (FM) with minimal interventions. SeeTB, a total internal reflection-based fluorescence excitation system allows visualization of auramine-O stained bacilli efficiently with high signal-to-noise ratio. Along with the device, we have developed a sputum-processing reagent called ‘CLR’ that homogenizes and digests the viscous polymer matrix of sputum. We have compared the performance of SeeTB system in 237 clinical sputum samples along with FM, GeneXpert and liquid culture. In comparison with culture as gold standard, FM has sensitivity of 63.77% and SeeTB has improved sensitivity to 76.06%. In comparison with GeneXpert, FM has sensitivity of 73.91% while SeeTB has improved sensitivity to 85.51%. However, there is no significant change in the specificity between FM and SeeTB system. In short, SeeTB system offers the most realistic option for improved TB case identification in resource-limited settings.
A New Class of Scandium Carbide Nanosheet
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Tian-Tian , Li Chen-Ling , Liu Ying
Published: November 2019

A new class of two-dimensional scandium carbide nanosheet has been identified by using first-principles density functional theory. It has a primitive cell of Sc3C10, in which there are two pentagonal carbon rings surrounded by one scandium octagon. Being as the precussor of Volleyballene Sc20C60 and ScC nanotubes, the Sc3C10 nanosheet is exceptionally stable. By rolling up this Sc3C10 sheet, a series of stable ScC nanotubes have been obtained. All the nanotubes studied have been found to be metallic. Furthermore, the hydrogen storage capacity of the ScC nanotubes has been explored. The calculated results show that one unit of the (0,3) ScC nanotube can adsorb a maximum of 51 hydrogen molecules, reaching up to a 6.25 wt% hydrogen gravimetric density with an average binding energy of 0.23 eV/H2.
Photonic integration based on a ferroelectric thin-film platform
Authors: Abe Shunsuke , Joichi Tomoki , Uekusa Kouichiro , Hara Hideo , Masuda Shin
Published: November 2019

Photonic-integrated circuits (PICs) using ferroelectric materials are expected to be used in many applications because of its unique optical properties such as large electro-optic coefficients. In this study, a novel PIC based on a ferroelectric thin-film platform was designed and fabricated, where high-speed optical modulator, spot-size converters (SSCs), and a variable optical attenuator (VOA) were successfully integrated. A ferroelectric lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) thin film was epitaxially-grown by using a modified sol-gel method, and it exhibits large electro-optic coefficients (>120 pm/V) and low propagation loss (1.1 dB/cm). The optical modulator, a Mach-Zehnder type, exhibited a half-wave voltage (Vπ) of 6.0 V (VπL = 4.5 Vcm) and optical modulation up to 56 Gb/s. Also, the VOA (with attenuation range of more than 26 dB) was successfully integrated with the modulator. As a result, it is concluded that the developed ferroelectric platform can pave the way for photonic integration.
Blocking connexin43 hemichannels protects mice against tumour necrosis factor-induced inflammatory shock
Authors: Delvaeye Tinneke , De Smet Maarten A. J. , Verwaerde Stijn , Decrock Elke , Czekaj Aleksandra , Vandenbroucke Roosmarijn E. , Lemeire Kelly , Gonçalves Amanda , Declercq Wim , Vandenabeele Peter , Krysko Dmitri V. , Leybaert Luc
Published: November 2019

Upon intravenous injection of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in mice, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is initiated, characterized by an acute cytokine storm and induction of vascular hyperpermeability. Connexin43 hemichannels have been implicated in various pathological conditions, e.g. ischemia and inflammation, and can lead to detrimental cellular outcomes. Here, we explored whether targeting connexin43 hemichannels could alleviate TNF-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and lethality in SIRS. Therefore, we verified whether administration of connexin43-targeting-peptides affected survival, body temperature and vascular permeability in vivo. In vitro, TNF-effects on connexin43 hemichannel function were investigated by single-channel studies and Ca2+-imaging. Blocking connexin43 hemichannels with TAT-Gap19 protected mice against TNF-induced mortality, hypothermia and vascular leakage, while enhancing connexin43 hemichannel function with TAT-CT9 provoked opposite sensitizing effects. In vitro patch-clamp studies revealed that TNF acutely activated connexin43 hemichannel opening in endothelial cells, which was promoted by CT9, and inhibited by Gap19 and intracellular Ca2+-buffering. In vivo experiments aimed at buffering intracellular Ca2+, and pharmacologically targeting Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II, a known modulator of endothelial barrier integrity, demonstrated their involvement in permeability alterations. Our results demonstrate significant benefits of inhibiting connexin43 hemichannels to counteract TNF-induced SIRS-associated vascular permeability and lethality.
Interactions in the bond-frustrated helimagnet ZnCr2Se4 investigated by NMR
Authors: Park Sejun , Kwon Sangil , Lee Soonchil , Khim Seunghyun , Bhoi Dilip , Park Chang Bae , Kim Kee Hoon
Published: November 2019

The zero field 53Cr nuclear magnetic resonance was measured at low temperatures to investigate the interactions in the bond-frustrated S = 3/2 Heisenberg helimagnet ZnCr2Se4. A quadratic decrease of the sublattice magnetization was determined from the temperature dependence of the isotropic hyperfine field. We calculated the magnetization using linear spin wave theory for the incommensurate spiral spin order and compared this outcome with experimental results to estimate the coupling constants. The hyperfine fields at Cr and Se ions provide evidences that the spin polarization of Cr ions is transferred to neighboring Se ions due to the covalent bonding between them, resulting in reduced magnetic moment in the Cr ion. This observation indicates that the Jahn-Teller effect, which leads to distortion inducing spin-lattice coupling, is not completely missing in ZnCr2Se4.
Effect of High-dose Antithrombin Supplementation in Patients with Septic Shock and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Kim Youn-Jung , Ko Byuk Sung , Park Seo Young , Oh Dong Kyu , Hong Sang-Bum , Jang Seongsoo , Kim Won Young
Published: November 2019

The efficacy of antithrombin (AT) administration in patients with septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was uncertain. This study aimed to investigate whether high-dose AT administration improves outcomes in patients with septic shock and DIC. This observational, prospective cohort study included consecutive adult septic shock patients with DIC who showed AT activity <70% between March 2016 and August 2018. The 28 day mortality of the patients treated with AT and without AT was evaluated by propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting. Among 142 patients with septic shock and DIC, 45 patients (31.7%) received AT supplementation and 97 did not. The 28 day mortality rate was lower in the AT group, but no statistically significant difference persisted after matching. Multivariable analysis showed that AT supplementation was independently associated with 28 day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.342; 95% CI [confidence interval], 0.133−0.876; P = 0.025); however, no such association was observed after matching (OR, 0.480; 95% CI, 0.177−1.301; P = 0.149). High-dose AT administration in septic shock patients with DIC showed the improvement in survival, but the improvement was not observed after matching. Further larger studies are needed to conclusively confirm these findings.
Inertial Focusing and Separation of Particles in Similar Curved Channels
Authors: Ying Yue , Lin Ying
Published: November 2019

Inertial particle focusing in curved channels has enormous potential for lab-on-a-chip applications. This paper compares a zigzag channel, which has not been used previously for inertial focusing studies, with a serpentine channel and a square wave channel to explore their differences in terms of focusing performance and separation possibilities. The particle trajectories and fluid fields in the curved channels are studied by a numerical simulation. The effects of different conditions (structure, Reynolds number, and particle size) on the competition between forces and the focusing performance are studied. The results indicate that the zigzag channel has the best focusing effect at a high Reynolds number and that the serpentine channel is second in terms of performance. Regarding the particle separation potential, the zigzag channel has a good performance in separating 5 μm and 10 μm particles at ReC = 62.5. In addition, the pressure drop of the channel is also considered to evaluate the channel performance, which has not been taken into account in the literature on inertial microfluidics. This result is expected to be instructive for the selection and optimization of inertial microchannel structures.
Recognition memory reconsolidation requires hippocampal Zif268
Authors: Gonzalez Maria Carolina , Rossato Janine I. , Radiske Andressa , Pádua Reis Marina , Cammarota Martín
Published: November 2019

Object recognition memory (ORM) serves to distinguish familiar items from novel ones. Reconsolidation is the process by which active memories are updated. The hippocampus is engaged in ORM reconsolidation through a mechanism involving induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). The transcription factor Zif268 is essential for hippocampal LTP maintenance and has been frequently associated with memory processes. However, its possible involvement in ORM reconsolidation has not been determined conclusively. Using Zif268 antisense oligonucleotides in combination with behavioural, biochemical and electrophysiological tools in rats, we found that hippocampal Zif268 is necessary to update ORM through reconsolidation but not to retrieve it or keep it stored. Our results also suggest that knocking down hippocampal Zif268 during ORM reconsolidation deletes the active recognition memory trace.
Contribution of syndecans to cellular uptake and fibrillation of α-synuclein and tau
Authors: Hudák Anett , Kusz Erzsébet , Domonkos Ildikó , Jósvay Katalin , Kodamullil Alpha Tom , Szilák László , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Letoha Tamás
Published: November 2019

Scientific evidence suggests that α-synuclein and tau have prion-like properties and that prion-like spreading and seeding of misfolded protein aggregates constitutes a central mechanism for neurodegeneration. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the plasma membrane support this process by attaching misfolded protein fibrils. Despite of intense studies, contribution of specific HSPGs to seeding and spreading of α-synuclein and tau has not been explored yet. Here we report that members of the syndecan family of HSPGs mediate cellular uptake of α-synuclein and tau fibrils via a lipid-raft dependent and clathrin-independent endocytic route. Among syndecans, the neuron predominant syndecan-3 exhibits the highest affinity for both α-synuclein and tau. Syndecan-mediated internalization of α-synuclein and tau depends heavily on conformation as uptake via syndecans start to dominate once fibrils are formed. Overexpression of syndecans, on the other hand, reduces cellular uptake of monomeric α-synuclein and tau, yet exerts a fibril forming effect on both proteins. Data obtained from syndecan overexpressing cellular models presents syndecans, especially the neuron predominant syndecan-3, as important mediators of seeding and spreading of α-synuclein and tau and reveal how syndecans contribute to fundamental molecular events of α-synuclein and tau pathology.
Impact of Sarcopenia on Clinical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression Surgery
Authors: Toyoda Hiromitsu , Hoshino Masatoshi , Ohyama Shoichiro , Terai Hidetomi , Suzuki Akinobu , Yamada Kentaro , Takahashi Shinji , Hayashi Kazunori , Tamai Koji , Hori Yusuke , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical impact of sarcopenia on the outcome of minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. The records of 130 patients who were >65 years and underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery were retrospectively reviewed. We collected the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before surgery and at the final follow-up and measured appendicular muscle mass using bioimpedance analysis, hand-grip strength and gait speed. We diagnosed the patients with sarcopenia, dynapenia and normal stages using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition and used cutoff thresholds according to the algorithm set by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The average age of patients undergoing surgery was 76.9 years old. The JOA score improved from 12.6 points preoperatively to 24.3 points at final follow up. The prevalence of the sarcopenia, dynapenia and normal stages was 20.0, 31.6 and 43.8%. Clinical outcomes, such as JOA score, JOA score improvement ratio, visual analog scale for low back pain, leg pain and numbness, were not significantly different among each group. Multiple regression analysis showed that preoperative JOA score and low physical performance (low gait speed) were independently associated with poor clinical outcomes. The JOA score improved after minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery even when the patients were diagnosed as being at different stages of sarcopenia. Low physical performance had the greater clinical impact on the clinical outcome of lumbar surgery than low skeletal muscle index.
Metabolic Effects of JAK1/2 Inhibition in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Sapre Manali , Tremblay Douglas , Wilck Eric , James Annie , Leiter Amanda , Coltoff Alexander , Koshy Anita G. , Kremyanskaya Marina , Hoffman Ronald , Mascarenhas John O. , Gallagher Emily J.
Published: November 2019

Ruxolitinib is an FDA approved janus kinase (JAK)1/2 inhibitor used to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. We aimed to determine the metabolic consequences of ruxolitinib treatment in patients with MPNs. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study utilizing an electronic medical record based database of patients who began treatment with ruxolitinib for MPNs from January 2010 to March 2017. We also examined the effects of ruxolitinib on adipose tissue JAK/STAT signaling in a mouse model. 127 patients were identified, of which 69 had data available for weight, and at least one other parameter of interest before, and 72 weeks after starting ruxolitinib. Mean baseline weight was 73.9 ± 17.0 kg, and 78.54 ± 19.1 kg at 72 weeks (p < 0.001). 50% of patients gained >5% body weight. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was 25.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2, and 27.5 ± 5.5 kg/m2 at 72 weeks (p < 0.001). Patients treated with ruxolitinib had a higher systolic blood pressure, serum AST, and ALT at 72 weeks, compared with baseline (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). In mice, ruxolitinib decreased basal and GH-stimulated STAT5 phosphorylation in adipose tissue. As pharmacological JAK1/2 inhibitors are being developed and used in clinical practice, it is important to understand their long-term metabolic consequences.
Dysmenorrhea increased the risk of postpartum depression in Chinese Han parturients
Authors: Meng Liping , Li Jianmei , Cheng Yuli , Wei Tingting , Du Yukai , Peng Songxu
Published: November 2019

Several studies have shown that dysmenorrhea increased the risk of depression. However, the association between dysmenorrhea and postpartum depression (PPD) is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of dysmenorrhea on the development of PPD among Chinese women. A case-control study was performed on parturients who delivered from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, at Bao an Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shenzhen, China. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for maternal postpartum depression. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between dysmenorrhea and the risk of PPD. A total of 360 women including 120 cases and 240 controls were enrolled. Our study showed that parturients with PPD had a higher percentage of dysmenorrhea than women without PPD (64.2% vs 47.9%, P = 0.004). In univariate analysis, we observed that dysmenorrhea increased the risk for PPD (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.24–3.06; P = 0.004). In the fully adjusted model, dysmenorrhea was still significantly associated with an increased risk of PPD (OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.36–4.54; P = 0.003). Our data confirmed that dysmenorrhea may be a risk factor for PPD. Therefore, screening for postpartum depression should be considered in parturients with a history of dysmenorrhea.
A Comparative Evaluation of the New Genexpert MTB/RIF Ultra and other Rapid Diagnostic Assays for Detecting Tuberculosis in Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary Specimens
Authors: Osei Sekyere John , Maphalala Nontobeko , Malinga Lesibana A. , Mbelle Nontombi M. , Maningi Nontuthuko E.
Published: November 2019

Studies evaluating the new GeneXpert Ultra with other rapid diagnostic assays are limited, particularly in different geographical settings. The performance of the GeneXpert Ultra, the GeneXpert G4, the Line probe assays (LPA) and auramine smear microscopy in detecting TB in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples were thus evaluated. Remnants (n = 205 samples) of pulmonary (n = 125 samples) and extra-pulmonary (n = 80 samples) specimens from TB suspects were prospectively collected. Each sample was divided for diagnosis using microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assays, and LPA; these were all comparatively evaluated, using the MGIT 960 culture as a gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopy, Xpert Ultra, Xpert G4 and MTBDRplus (ver 2) in pulmonary samples were respectively: 82.00% and 90.28%; 88.00% and 58.57%; 79.59% and 90.28%; 80.00% and 11.11%. For extra-pulmonary specimen, the sensitivity and specificity were respectively: 53.85% and 98.51%; 69.23% and 49.25%; 50.00% and 97.01%; 69.23% and 25.37%. The new and improved GeneXpert Ultra assay was more sensitive than GeneXpert G4 and LPA in both pulmonary and extra pulmonary samples, albeit with lower specificity than the GeneXpert G4. The auramine and LPA tests were also highly sensitive, although the LPA was less specific.
LKB1/p53/TIGAR/autophagy-dependent VEGF expression contributes to PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammatory responses
Authors: Xu Huan , Xu Xiuduan , Wang Hongli , Qimuge Aodeng , Liu Shasha , Chen Yuanlian , Zhang Chongchong , Hu Meiru , Song Lun
Published: November 2019

One of the health hazards of PM2.5 exposure is to induce pulmonary inflammatory responses. In our previous study, we demonstrated that exposing both the immortalized and primary human bronchial epithelial cells to PM2.5 results in a significant upregulation of VEGF production, a typical signaling event to trigger chronic airway inflammation. Further investigations showed that PM2.5 exposure strongly induces ATR/CHK1/p53 cascade activation, leading to the induction of DRAM1-dependent autophagy to mediate VEGF expression by activating Src/STAT3 pathway. In the current study, we further revealed that TIGAR was another transcriptional target of p53 to trigger autophagy and VEGF upregulation in Beas-2B cells after PM2.5 exposure. Furthermore, LKB1, but not ATR and CHK1, played a critical role in mediating p53/TIGAR/autophagy/VEGF pathway activation also by linking to Src/STAT3 signaling cascade. Therefore, on combination of the previous report, we have identified both ATR/CHK1/p53/DRAM1- and LKB1/p53/TIGAR- dependent autophagy in mediating VEGF production in the bronchial epithelial cells under PM2.5 exposure. Moreover, the in vivo study further confirmed VEGF induction in the airway potentially contributed to the inflammatory responses in the pulmonary vascular endothelium of PM2.5-treated rats. Therefore, blocking VEGF expression or autophagy induction might be the valuable strategies to alleviating PM2.5-induced respiratory injuries.
Investigation of phase transformations and corrosion resistance in Co/CoCo2O4 nanowires and their potential use as a basis for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zdorovets M. V. , Kozlovskiy A. L.
Published: November 2019

The paper is devoted to the study of the effect of thermal annealing on the change in the structural properties and phase composition of metal Co nanostructures, as well as the prospects of their use as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. During the study, a four-stage phase transition in the structure of nanowires consisting of successive transformations of the structure (Со-FCC/Co-HCP) → (Со-FCС) → (Со-FCC/СоСо2О4) → (СоСо2О4), accompanied by uniform oxidation of the structure of nanowires with an increase in temperature above 400 °C. In this case, an increase in temperature to 700 °C leads to a partial destruction of the oxide layer and surface degradation of nanostructures. During life tests, it was found that the lifetime for oxide nanostructures exceeds 500 charge/discharge cycles, for the initial nanostructures and annealed at a temperature of 300 °С, the lifetimes are 297 and 411 cycles, respectively. The prospects of using Co/CoCo2O4nanowires as the basis for lithium-ion batteries is shown.
Robust non-covalent and covalent anchored N,N,N′,N’-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine derivative on electrode surface via spontaneous physical immobilization and in situ generated aryldiazonium ion electro-grafting: implication for on-surface chemistry and electro-catalytic determinations
Authors: Taleghan Ghafari Mahsa , Varmaghani Fahimeh , Karimi Babak , Khakyzadeh Vahid
Published: November 2019

Redox active electrodes were fabricated via robust adsorption and electro-grafting of an electroactive diazonium ion. The electrodes have implications in post-functionalization as well as electro-catalytic activity.
Ultra-sensitive gas phase detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by non-covalently functionalized graphene field effect transistors
Authors: Gajarushi Ashwini S. , Surya Sandeep G. , Walawalkar Mrinalini G. , Ravikanth M. , Rao V. Ramgopal , Subramaniam Chandramouli
Published: November 2019

Dirac point of non-covalently functionalized graphene field effect transistors has been demonstrated as a reliable parameter for rapid (∼40 s), reliable and ultra-sensitive (ppm-level) detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene under ambient conditions.
Halogenated tetraphenylethene with enhanced aggregation-induced emission: an anomalous anti-heavy-atom effect and self-reversible mechanochromism
Authors: Xu Pengfei , Qiu Qianqian , Ye Xinru , Wei Mengru , Xi Wenbin , Feng Hui , Qian Zhaosheng
Published: November 2019

Halogenated tetraphenylethene derivatives show an anomalous anti-heavy-atom effect where introducing heavy halogens into the typical AIEgen greatly improves the fluorescence quantum yield upon aggregation, and a self-reversible mechanochromism.
2D covalent organic frameworks with built-in amide active sites for efficient heterogeneous catalysis
Authors: Li Yang , Chen Weiben , Gao Ruidong , Zhao Ziqiang , Zhang Ting , Xing Guolong , Chen Long
Published: November 2019

Two new amide functionalized covalent organic frameworks (COFs) were synthesized via a bottom-up strategy and used as heterogeneous catalysts toward Knoevenagel condensation with excellent performance.
One-pot synthesis of monodisperse Cu2O nanoparticle aggregates through an in situ seed generation process
Authors: Jiang Jianwei , Park Sanghyuk , Piao Longhai
Published: November 2019

One-pot synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticle aggregates (NPAs) remains challenging due to the difficulty of the separation of the nucleation and growth processes. Herein, uniform spherical Cu2O NPAs were synthesized using a simple one-pot strategy.
Induced crystallographic changes in Cd1−xZnxO films grown on r-sapphire by AP-MOCVD: the effects of the Zn content when x ≤ 0.5
Authors: Martínez-Tomás Maria del Carmen , Huerta-Barberà Adelaida , Agouram Saïd , Muñoz-Sanjosé Vicente
Published: November 2019

HRXRD, SEM and TEM techniques were used to investigate crystallographic characteristics of Cd1−xZnxO films grown by MOCVD on r-plane sapphire in the transition process from the rock-salt to the wurtzite structure.
Low temperature growth of (AlGa)2O3 films by oxygen radical assisted pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Zhang Fabi , Hu Congyu , Arita Makoto , Saito Katsuhiko , Tanaka Tooru , Guo Qixin
Published: November 2019

Low temperature growth of β-(AlGa)2O3 films has been realized by oxygen radical assisted pulsed laser deposition.
Enhanced solvent resistance and electrical performance of electrohydrodynamic jet printed PEDOT:PSS composite patterns: effects of hardeners on the performance of organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Tang Xiaowu , Kwon Hyeok-jin , Ye Heqing , Kim Jae Young , Lee Jaewoong , Jeong Yong Jin , Kim Se Hyun
Published: November 2019

The addition of hardeners to the PEDOT:PSS composites enhances both electrical and physical properties to satisfy the requirements for electrode usages in organic electronic devices.
Observation of hydroperoxyethyl formate from the reaction between the methyl Criegee intermediate and formic acid
Authors: Cabezas Carlos , Endo Yasuki
Published: November 2019

The hydroperoxide ester, hydroperoxyethyl formate, has been characterized as the nascent reaction product obtained from the reaction of the Criegee intermediate, CH3CHOO, and formic acid.
The absolute photoionization cross section of the mercapto radical (SH) from threshold up to 15.0 eV
Authors: Hrodmarsson Helgi Rafn , Garcia Gustavo A. , Nahon Laurent , Loison Jean-Christophe , Gans Bérenger
Published: November 2019

We present the absolute photoionization cross-section of the mercapto radical, SH, recorded from its first ionization energy at 10.4 eV up to a photon energy of 15 eV.
Correction: Weakening hydrogen adsorption on nickel via interstitial nitrogen doping promotes bifunctional hydrogen electrocatalysis in alkaline solution
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Miao , Yang Hao , Xu Mingquan , Zuo Chuandong , Feng Kun , Xie Miao , Deng Jun , Zhong Jun , Zhou Wu , Cheng Tao , Li Yanguang
Published: November 2019

Correction for ‘Weakening hydrogen adsorption on nickel via interstitial nitrogen doping promotes bifunctional hydrogen electrocatalysis in alkaline solution’ by Tingting Wang et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9ee01743g.
Quantifying the sol–gel process and detecting toxic gas in an array of anchored microfluidic droplets
Authors: Mugherli Laurent , Lety-Stefanska Adelaide , Landreau Nina , Tomasi Raphael F.-X. , Baroud Charles N.
Published: November 2019

The production of sol–gel beads, in situ within a microfluidic device, allows us to study the sol–gel transition with exquisite detail, as well measuring the presence of toxic gases using microfluidics.
Mechanochemical synthesis, luminescent and magnetic properties of lanthanide benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate coordination polymers (Ln0.5Gd0.5)2 (1,4-BDC)3(H2O)4; Ln = Sm, Eu, Tb
Authors: Alammar Tarek , Hlova Ihor Z. , Gupta Shalabh , Biswas Anis , Ma Tao , Zhou Lin , Balema Viktor , Pecharsky Vitalij K. , Mudring Anja-Verena
Published: November 2019

Solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis yields MOFs with high luminescent and magnetic response.
Conjugated microporous polymer nanosheets and nanotubes as novel absorbents for microcystin-LR: insights from theoretical investigations
Authors: Fan Wen-Jie , Liu Ying , Tian Ye , Tan Da-Zhi
Published: November 2019

Our calculations demonstrated that CMP nanosheet and nanotube materials can be developed as novel adsorbents for harmful microcystin-LR adsorption/removal.
Nontoxic amphiphilic carbon dots as promising drug nanocarriers across the blood–brain barrier and inhibitors of β-amyloid
Authors: Zhou Yiqun , Liyanage Piumi Y. , Devadoss Dinesh , Rios Guevara Linda Rebeca , Cheng Ling , Graham Regina M. , Chand Hitendra S. , Al-Youbi Abdulrahman O. , Bashammakh Abdulaziz S. , El-Shahawi Mohammad S. , Leblanc Roger M.
Published: November 2019

Unique nontoxic amphiphilic carbon dots have been developed as an excellent drug nanocarrier targeting the Alzheimer's disease by crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) while inhibiting the production of β-amyloid.
Synthesis ofmeta-substituted anilinesviaa three-component reaction of acetone, amines, and 1,3-diketones
Authors: Galeev Andrew R. , Dmitriev Maksim V. , Mokrushin Ivan G. , Mashevskaya Irina V. , Maslivets Andrey N. , Rubin Michael
Published: November 2019

A facilede novosynthesis ofmeta-substituted arylamines based on three-component cyclo-condensation/aromatization ofin situgenerated imines with 1,3-diketones is described.
Porous Pt–Rh–Te nanotubes: an alleviated poisoning effect for ethanol electrooxidation
Authors: Jin Liujun , Xu Hui , Chen Chunyan , Shang Hongyuan , Wang Yong , Wang Caiqin , Du Yukou
Published: November 2019

A series of uniform and well-defined ternary 1D Pt–Rh–Te nanotubes with different compositions have been developed.
Defect-induced abnormal enhanced upconversion luminescence in BiOBr:Yb3+/Er3+ ultrathin nanosheets and its influence on visible-NIR light photocatalysis
Authors: Li Yongjin , Yao Lu , Yin Zhaoyi , Cheng Zhiyuan , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: November 2019

In oxygen vacancy-rich BiOBr:Yb3+/Er3+ ultrathin nanosheets, the oxygen vacancy induced intermediate band effectively enhances UC luminescence.
Photodriven CO dimerization on Cu2O from an electronic-structure perspective
Authors: Hedström Svante , Halldin Stenlid Joakim , Liu Chang , Pettersson Lars G. M.
Published: November 2019

Photodimerization of two adjacently chemisorbed COs on Cu2O is facilitated by the photopopulation of a deep, C–C-bonding LUMO.
Correction: Capillary assemblies in a rotating magnetic field
Authors: Grosjean Galien , Hubert Maxime , Collard Ylona , Sukhov Alexander , Harting Jens , Smith Ana-Sunčana , Vandewalle Nicolas
Published: November 2019

Correction for ‘Capillary assemblies in a rotating magnetic field’ by Galien Grosjean et al., Soft Matter, 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01414d.
Evidenzbasierte Stimmtherapieprogramme bei Dysphonien: eine Literaturstudie
Authors: Barsties v Latoszek Ben
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present study was a systematic literature review on selected evidence-based voice therapy programs for the treatment of various types of dysphonia. The results showed that nine of seventeen voice therapy programs complied the selection criteria. All nine voice therapy programs revealed significant improvements in various aspects of laryngeal evaluation, voice quality, vocal function, and/or self-evaluation. These improvements might be expected between one day to ten weeks. Mostly, the voice therapy programs based on physiological voice therapy.
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Sickle Cell Trait
Authors: Wellenstein Whitney L. , Sullivan Shannon , Darbinian Jeanne , Ritterman Weintraub Miranda L. , Greenberg Mara
Published: November 2019

Objective To compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between women with sickle cell trait (SCT) and women with normal hemoglobin.

Study Design A retrospective cohort study of women who delivered within Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2006 and 2013. Using hemoglobin electrophoretic profiles, we defined women with hemoglobin AS (HbAS) as having SCT and those with hemoglobin AA (HbAA) as having normal hemoglobin. Outcomes were pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), small for gestational age (SGA), gestational diabetes (GDM), and preterm delivery (PTD). Demographic and pregnancy outcome variations were assessed in bivariate analyses. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to estimate odds ratios for the association between primary outcomes and selected characteristics.

Results Of 31,840 eligible women, 868 (2.7%) had SCT. Women with SCT were more likely to have PIH (15.6% vs. 12.2%, p value = 0.003) and SGA (8.3% vs. 6.1%, p value = 0.008), less likely to have GDM (6.8% vs. 9.8%, p value = 0.003) and had similar PTD prevalence (8.1% vs. 7.6%, p value = 0.600). In multivariable analyses, SCT was not an independent predictor of these outcomes. Racial/ethnic minorities had higher adjusted odds of PIH, SGA, and GDM.

Conclusion SCT alone does not appear to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Race/ethnicity is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Metrics for the sustainable development goals: renewable energy and transportation
Authors: Buonocore Jonathan J. , Choma Ernani , Villavicencio Aleyda H. , Spengler John D. , Koehler Dinah A. , Evans John S. , Lelieveld Jos , Klop Piet , Sanchez-Pina Ramon
Published: November 2019

The private sector is interested in contributing to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); however, they lack credible objective metrics to measure progress, which hinders making a case for financial investing toward the SDGs. A set of science-based metrics could allow corporations and interested investors to meaningfully align their actions with the SDGs in locations around the world where they can make the greatest positive impact. Using existing data on country-level electricity generation and land transportation, we develop a set of simple-to-implement and user-friendly metrics to evaluate the benefits that investments in renewable electricity generation and improvements in land transportation can make toward reducing CO2 and air pollutant emissions and the health impacts of air pollution. We then apply these metrics to a set of renewable electricity companies and find meaningful differences in their progress toward the SDGs on health, energy, and climate. We found that under half of the renewable energy companies in our dataset disclose country-level data on where equipment is being sold, and that there is substantial variability in the CO2 reductions and health benefits of renewable energy based on where these companies have installed capacity. There was not a close statistical relationship between country CO2 emissions rates and country health impact rates, indicating that these metrics cannot serve as good proxies for one another. Future improvements to this methodology should be to implement explicit tracking of air pollution from sources to the locations where it has eventual health impacts, updating the underlying dataset, and improving the degree of detail in emissions inventories. Application of this methodology across the renewable energy sector is limited by the availability of country-level data on where a company has renewable energy capacity installed. The methodology developed here can serve as a basis for better measurement of progress toward climate, energy, and health-related SDGs in financial investing and other applications.
Enhanced piezoresponse and nonlinear optical properties of fluorinated self-assembled peptide nanotubes
Authors: Khanra Soma , Vassiliades Sandra V. , Alves Wendel A. , Yang Kaidi , Glaser Rainer , Ghosh Kartik , Bhattacharya Payal , Yu Ping , Guha Suchismita
Published: November 2019

Self-assembled L,L-diphenylalanine (FF) nanostructures offer an attractive platform for photonics and nonlinear optics. The nonlinear optical (NLO) coefficients of FF nanotubes depend on the diameter of the tube [S. Khanra et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 19(4), 3084–3093 (2017)]. To further enhance the NLO properties of FF, we search for structural modifications. Here, we report on the synthesis of fluorinated FF dipeptides by replacing one ortho-hydrogen atom in each of the phenyl groups of FF by a fluorine atom. Density-functional theoretical calculations yield insights into minimum energy conformers of fluorinated FF (Fl-FF). Fl-FF self-assembles akin to FF into micron-length tubes. The effects of fluorination are evaluated on the piezoelectric response and nonlinear optical properties. The piezoelectric d15 coefficient of Fl-FF is found to be more than 10 times higher than that of FF nanotubes, and the intensity of second harmonic generation (SHG) polarimetry from individual Fl-FF nanotubes is more than 20 times that of individual FF nanotubes. Furthermore, we obtain SHG images to compare the intensities of FF and Fl-FF tubes. This work demonstrates the potential of fluorine substitution in other self-assembled biomimetic peptides for enhancing nonlinear optical response and piezoelectricity.
A novel complex network link prediction framework via combining mutual information with local naive Bayes
Authors: Chen Zengqiang , Wang Runfang , Liu Zhongxin
Published: November 2019

As an important research direction of complex networks and data mining, link prediction has attracted more and more scholars’ attention. In the early research, the common neighbor is regarded as a key factor affecting the formation of links, and the prediction accuracy is improved by distinguishing the contribution of each common neighbor more accurately. However, there is a drawback that the interactions between common neighbors are ignored. Actually, it is not just the interactions between common neighbors, but all the interactions between neighbor sets contribute to the formation of links. Therefore, the core of this work is how to better quantify and balance the contributions caused by common neighbors and the interactions between neighbor sets, so as to improve the accuracy of prediction. Specifically, local naive Bayes and mutual information are utilized to quantify the influence of the two aspects, and an adjustable parameter is introduced to distinguish the two contributions in this paper. Subsequently, the mutual information-based local naive Bayes algorithm is proposed. Simulation experiments are conducted on 5 datasets belonging to different fields, and 9 indexes are utilized for comparison. Numerical simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for improving link prediction performance.
Machine learning algorithms for predicting the amplitude of chaotic laser pulses
Authors: Amil Pablo , Soriano Miguel C. , Masoller Cristina
Published: November 2019

Forecasting the dynamics of chaotic systems from the analysis of their output signals is a challenging problem with applications in most fields of modern science. In this work, we use a laser model to compare the performance of several machine learning algorithms for forecasting the amplitude of upcoming emitted chaotic pulses. We simulate the dynamics of an optically injected semiconductor laser that presents a rich variety of dynamical regimes when changing the parameters. We focus on a particular dynamical regime that can show ultrahigh intensity pulses, reminiscent of rogue waves. We compare the goodness of the forecast for several popular methods in machine learning, namely, deep learning, support vector machine, nearest neighbors, and reservoir computing. Finally, we analyze how their performance for predicting the height of the next optical pulse depends on the amount of noise and the length of the time series used for training.
Dynamics studies of the H + HBr reaction: Based on a new potential energy surface
Authors: Li Wentao , He Di , Sun Zhigang
Published: November 2019

The initial state specific quantum wave packet dynamics studies of the H + HBr (v0 = 0, j0 = 0–2) reaction were performed using a new global potential energy surface (PES) of the ground state of the BrH2 system for the collision energy ranging from 0.01 to 2.0 eV. The PES was constructed using the permutation invariant polynomial neural network method based on approximately 63 000 ab initio points, which were calculated by the multireference configuration interaction method with AVTZ and AVQZ basis sets. To improve the accuracy of the PES, Davidson’s correction and spin-orbit coupling effects were considered in the ab initio calculation and the basis set was extrapolated to complete basis set limit. The new PES was compared with the previous ones and also the available experimental data, which suggests that the new PES is more accurate. The state-to-state quantum wave packet dynamics was carried out using the reactant-coordinate based approach. The reaction probabilities, integral and differential cross sections, rovibrational state distributions of product and rate constants, etc., were compared with the available theoretical and experimental studies. In general, the present work is in better agreement with the available experimental data. The quantum dynamics studies suggest that the rotational excitation of HBr has little effect on the reaction.
Sonic black hole horizon formation for Bose-Einstein condensates with higher-order nonlinear effects
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Ying , Zhao Li , Song Dongpo , Zhou Qingchun , Wang Wei
Published: November 2019

We study sonic horizon formation dynamics for Bose-Einstein condensate systems with higher-order nonlinear interaction. Based on the Gross-Pitaevskii equation incorporating higher-order nonlinear effects and through a variational method, we derived the criteria formula for sonic horizon occurrence. The key features of the sonic horizon are pictorially demonstrated, and we identified the stabilization and widening metastable effects of the higher-order nonlinear interaction, from which the quantitative results can be used to guide relevant experimental observations of sonic black holes with higher-order nonlinear effects.
Unconventional topological Hall effect in high-topological-number skyrmion crystals
Authors: Zhu Rui , Liu Weinan
Published: November 2019

Skyrmions with the topological number Q equal to an integer larger than 1 are called high-topological-number skyrmions or high-Q skyrmions. In this work, we theoretically study the topological Hall effect in square-lattice high-Q skyrmion crystals (SkXs) with Q = 2 and Q = 3. As a result of the emergent magnetic field, the Landau-level-like electronic band structure gives rise to quantized Hall conductivity when the Fermi energy is within the gaps between the adjacent single band and intertwined multiple bands. We found that different from the conventional (Q = 1) SkX, the Hall quantization number increases by 1/Q on average when the elevating Fermi energy crosses each band. We attribute the result to the fact that the Berry phase C is measured in the momentum space and the topological number of a single skyrmion Q is measured in the real space. The reciprocality does not affect the conventional SkX because Q = 1 = 1/Q.
“Optical mill”—A tool for the massive transfer of airborne light-absorbing particles
Authors: Porfirev Alexey
Published: November 2019

We present an all-optical tool for the massive transfer of airborne light-absorbing particles. A generated light sheet trap can be used as an “optical mill” for guiding particles via photophoretic forces. We show the possibility of transferring hundreds to thousands of trapped particles from one cuvette to another in a controllable manner. Two different types of particles were used for demonstration—nonspherical agglomerations of carbon nanoparticles and printer toner particles with a more regular shape. The proposed tool can be used for the transportation of light-absorbing particles, such as biological nano- and micro-objects, or for the touch-free sampling of airborne particles being measured.
The true spectrum of tribo-generated X-rays from peeling tape
Authors: Hernández-Hernández M. C. , Escobar Juan Valentin
Published: November 2019

X-rays generated through tribological processes differ from those obtained with conventional X-ray tubes in that a substantial portion of the total energy is emitted in pulses of order 10 ns in duration. The short duration of these pulses usually causes solid-state detectors to register pileup events that can make the corresponding spectrum unreliable as a characterization tool. In this work, we find that a solid angle subtended by the detector of 5×10−6 is necessary to obtain the true spectra of X-rays generated from peeling adhesive tape in a moderate vacuum. The maximum individual photon energy is found to be 30 keV, which is about half of that reported in previous studies that overlook the effects of pileup. Being able to obtain a reliable spectrum may help us understand the physical processes behind this phenomenon so that it can be optimized for present and future applications.