bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conduction-band effective mass and bandgap of ZnSnN2 earth-abundant solar absorber
Authors: Cao Xiang , Kawamura Fumio , Ninomiya Yoshihiko , Taniguchi Takashi , Yamada Naoomi
Published: November 2017

Pseudo III-V nitride ZnSnN2 is an earth-abundant semiconductor with a high optical absorption coefficient in the solar spectrum. Its bandgap can be tuned by controlling the cation sublattice disorder. Thus, it is a potential candidate for photovoltaic absorber materials. However, its important basic properties such as the intrinsic bandgap and effective mass have not yet been quantitatively determined. This paper presents a detailed optical absorption analysis of disordered ZnSnN2 degenerately doped with oxygen (ZnSnN2−x
O
x
) in the ultraviolet to infrared region to determine the conduction-band effective mass (mc*) and intrinsic bandgap (Eg). ZnSnN2−x
O
x
epilayers are n-type degenerate semiconductors, which exhibit clear free-electron absorption in the infrared region. By analysing the free-electron absorption using the Drude model, mc* was determined to be (0.37 ± 0.05)m0 (m0 denotes the free electron mass). The fundamental absorption edge in the visible to ultraviolet region shows a blue shift with increasing electron density. The analysis of the blue shift in the framework of the Burstein-Moss effect gives the Eg value of 0.94 ± 0.02 eV. We believe that the findings of this study will provide important information to establish this material as a photovoltaic absorber.
Updating the Geologic Barcodes for South China: Discovery of Late Archean Banded Iron Formations in the Yangtze Craton
Authors: Ye Hui , Wu Chang-Zhi , Yang Tao , Santosh M. , Yao Xi-Zhu , Gao Bing-Fei , Wang Xiao-Lei , Li Weiqiang
Published: November 2017

Banded iron formations (BIFs) in Archean cratons provide important “geologic barcodes” for the global correlation of Precambrian sedimentary records. Here we report the first finding of late Archean BIFs from the Yangtze Craton, one of largest Precambrian blocks in East Asia with an evolutionary history of over 3.3 Ga. The Yingshan iron deposit at the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Craton, displays typical features of BIF, including: (i) alternating Si-rich and Fe-rich bands at sub-mm to meter scales; (ii) high SiO2 + Fe2O3total contents (average 90.6 wt.%) and Fe/Ti ratios (average 489); (iii) relative enrichment of heavy rare earth elements and positive Eu anomalies (average 1.42); (iv) and sedimentary Fe isotope compositions (δ56FeIRMM-014 as low as −0.36‰). The depositional age of the BIF is constrained at ~2464 ± 24 Ma based on U-Pb dating of zircon grains from a migmatite sample of a volcanic protolith that conformably overlied the Yingshan BIF. The BIF was intruded by Neoproterozoic (805.9 ± 4.7 Ma) granitoids that are unique in the Yangtze Craton but absent in the North China Craton to the north. The discovery of the Yingshan BIF provides new constraints for the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Craton and has important implications in the reconstruction of Pre-Nuna/Columbia supercontinent configurations.
Spatial Distribution of Carbon Stored in Forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Xu Liang , Saatchi Sassan S. , Shapiro Aurélie , Meyer Victoria , Ferraz Antonio , Yang Yan , Bastin Jean-Francois , Banks Norman , Boeckx Pascal , Verbeeck Hans , Lewis Simon L. , Muanza Elvis Tshibasu , Bongwele Eddy , Kayembe Francois , Mbenza Daudet , Kalau Laurent , Mukendi Franck , Ilunga Francis , Ebuta Daniel
Published: November 2017

National forest inventories in tropical regions are sparse and have large uncertainty in capturing the physiographical variations of forest carbon across landscapes. Here, we produce for the first time the spatial patterns of carbon stored in forests of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by using airborne LiDAR inventory of more than 432,000 ha of forests based on a designed probability sampling methodology. The LiDAR mean top canopy height measurements were trained to develop an unbiased carbon estimator by using 92 1-ha ground plots distributed across key forest types in DRC. LiDAR samples provided estimates of mean and uncertainty of aboveground carbon density at provincial scales and were combined with optical and radar satellite imagery in a machine learning algorithm to map forest height and carbon density over the entire country. By using the forest definition of DRC, we found a total of 23.3 ± 1.6 GtC carbon with a mean carbon density of 140 ± 9 MgC ha−1 in the aboveground and belowground live trees. The probability based LiDAR samples capture variations of structure and carbon across edaphic and climate conditions, and provide an alternative approach to national ground inventory for efficient and precise assessment of forest carbon resources for emission reduction (ER) programs.
Serology reflects a decline in the prevalence of trachoma in two regions of The Gambia
Authors: Migchelsen Stephanie J. , Sepúlveda Nuno , Martin Diana L. , Cooley Gretchen , Gwyn Sarah , Pickering Harry , Joof Hassan , Makalo Pateh , Bailey Robin , Burr Sarah E. , Mabey David C. W. , Solomon Anthony W. , Roberts Chrissy h.
Published: November 2017

Trachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem. In 2014, a population-based cross-sectional study was performed in two previously trachoma-endemic areas of The Gambia. Participants of all ages from Lower River Region (LRR) (N = 1028) and Upper River Region (URR) (N = 840) underwent examination for trachoma and had blood collected for detection of antibodies against the Ct antigen Pgp3, by ELISA. Overall, 30 (1.6%) individuals had active trachoma; the prevalence in children aged 1–9 years was 3.4% (25/742) with no statistically significant difference in prevalence between the regions. There was a significant difference in overall seroprevalence by region: 26.2% in LRR and 17.1% in URR (p < 0.0001). In children 1–9 years old, seroprevalence was 4.4% in LRR and 3.9% in URR. Reversible catalytic models using information on age-specific seroprevalence demonstrated a decrease in the transmission of Ct infection in both regions, possibly reflecting the impact of improved access to water, health and sanitation as well as mass drug administration campaigns. Serological testing for antibodies to Ct antigens is potentially useful for trachoma programmes, but consideration should be given to the co-endemicity of sexually transmitted Ct infections.
Visualization of lipid directed dynamics of perilipin 1 in human primary adipocytes
Authors: Hansen Jesper S. , de Maré Sofia , Jones Helena A. , Göransson Olga , Lindkvist-Petersson Karin
Published: November 2017

Perilipin 1 is a lipid droplet coating protein known to regulate lipid metabolism in adipocytes by serving as a physical barrier as well as a recruitment site for lipases to the lipid droplet. Phosphorylation of perilipin 1 by protein kinase A rapidly initiates lipolysis, but the detailed mechanism on how perilipin 1 controls lipolysis is unknown. Here, we identify specific lipid binding properties of perilipin 1 that regulate the dynamics of lipolysis in human primary adipocytes. Cellular imaging combined with biochemical and biophysical analyses demonstrate that perilipin 1 specifically binds to cholesteryl esters, and that their dynamic properties direct segregation of perilipin 1 into topologically distinct micro domains on the lipid droplet. Together, our data points to a simple unifying mechanism that lipid assembly and segregation control lipolysis in human primary adipocytes.
The Bacillus BioBrick Box 2.0: expanding the genetic toolbox for the standardized work with Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Popp Philipp F. , Dotzler Mona , Radeck Jara , Bartels Julia , Mascher Thorsten
Published: November 2017

Standardized and well-characterized genetic building blocks allow the convenient assembly of novel genetic modules and devices, ensuring reusability of parts and reproducibility of experiments. In the first Bacillus subtilis-specific toolbox using the BioBrick standard, we presented integrative vectors, promoters, reporter genes and epitope tags for this Gram-positive model bacterium. With the Bacillus BioBrick Box 2.0, we significantly expand the range of our toolbox by providing new integrative vectors, introducing novel tools for fine-tuning protein expression, and carefully evaluating codon-adapted fluorescence proteins in B. subtilis, which cover the whole spectrum of visible light. Moreover, we developed new reporter systems to allow evaluating the strength of promoters and ribosome binding sites. This well-evaluated extension of our BioBrick-based toolbox increases the accessibility of B. subtilis and will therefore promote the use of this model bacterium and biotechnological workhorse as a host for fundamental and applied Synthetic Biology projects.
Reconstruction of Complex Network based on the Noise via QR Decomposition and Compressed Sensing
Authors: Li Lixiang , Xu Dafei , Peng Haipeng , Kurths Jürgen , Yang Yixian
Published: November 2017

It is generally known that the states of network nodes are stable and have strong correlations in a linear network system. We find that without the control input, the method of compressed sensing can not succeed in reconstructing complex networks in which the states of nodes are generated through the linear network system. However, noise can drive the dynamics between nodes to break the stability of the system state. Therefore, a new method integrating QR decomposition and compressed sensing is proposed to solve the reconstruction problem of complex networks under the assistance of the input noise. The state matrix of the system is decomposed by QR decomposition. We construct the measurement matrix with the aid of Gaussian noise so that the sparse input matrix can be reconstructed by compressed sensing. We also discover that noise can build a bridge between the dynamics and the topological structure. Experiments are presented to show that the proposed method is more accurate and more efficient to reconstruct four model networks and six real networks by the comparisons between the proposed method and only compressed sensing. In addition, the proposed method can reconstruct not only the sparse complex networks, but also the dense complex networks.
The genomic landscape of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: diverse drivers of Ras pathway activation
Authors: Brohl Andrew S. , Kahen Elliot , Yoder Sean J. , Teer Jamie K. , Reed Damon R.
Published: November 2017

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. To more fully characterize the genomic landscape of this tumor type, we performed next generation sequencing studies for mutational and copy number analysis. We analyzed whole exome sequencing data from 12 MPNST and SNP arrays for a subset of these. We additionally conducted a literature review of prior next generation sequencing studies in this disease and compared to the current study. We report recurrent mutations in NF1, SUZ12, EED, TP53 and CDKN2A in our study cohort. Combined with prior studies, we calculate the disease specific incidence of mutation in these genes to be: NF1 (56/64 = 87.5%). SUZ12 (69/123 = 56.1%), EED (40/123 = 32.5%), TP53 (29/72 = 40.3%), and CDKN2A (54/72 = 75.0%). Notably, we also identified frequent Ras pathway activating somatic mutations outside of these previously reported recurrently mutated genes. Five of the 12 MPNST in our cohort (42%) contained such a mutation. In conclusion, our study adds to the growing understanding of the genomic complexity of MPNST. We report a previously underappreciated frequency and variety of secondary or tertiary Ras pathway activating mutations, though not highly recurrent in a single gene.
Novel Plasmodium antigens identified via genome-based antibody screen induce protection associated with polyfunctional T cell responses
Authors: Schussek Sophie , Trieu Angela , Apte Simon H. , Sidney John , Sette Alessandro , Doolan Denise L.
Published: November 2017

The development of vaccines against complex intracellular pathogens, such as Plasmodium spp., where protection is likely mediated by cellular immune responses, has proven elusive. The availability of whole genome, proteome and transcriptome data has the potential to advance rational vaccine development but yet there are no licensed vaccines against malaria based on antigens identified from genomic data. Here, we show that the Plasmodium yoelii orthologs of four Plasmodium falciparum proteins identified by an antibody-based genome-wide screening strategy induce a high degree of sterile infection-blocking protection against sporozoite challenge in a stringent rodent malaria model. Protection increased in multi-antigen formulations. Importantly, protection was highly correlated with the induction of multifunctional triple-positive T cells expressing high amounts of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF. These data demonstrate that antigens identified by serological screening are targets of multifunctional cellular immune responses that correlate with protection. Our results provide experimental validation for the concept of rational vaccine design from genomic sequence data.
Protein nutrition governs within-host race of honey bee pathogens
Authors: Tritschler Manuel , Vollmann Jutta J. , Yañez Orlando , Chejanovsky Nor , Crailsheim Karl , Neumann Peter
Published: November 2017

Multiple infections are common in honey bees, Apis mellifera, but the possible role of nutrition in this regard is poorly understood. Microsporidian infections, which are promoted by protein-fed, can negatively correlate with virus infections, but the role of protein nutrition for the microsporidian-virus interface is unknown. Here, we challenged naturally deformed wing virus - B (DWV-B) infected adult honey bee workers fed with or without pollen ( = protein) in hoarding cages, with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae. Bee mortality was recorded for 14 days and N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers were quantified. Amongst the groups inoculated with N. ceranae, more spores were counted in protein-fed bees. However, N. ceranae infected bees without protein-diet had reduced longevity compared to all other groups. N. ceranae infection had no effect on protein-fed bee’s longevity, whereas bees supplied only with sugar-water showed reduced survival. Our data also support that protein-feeding can have a significant negative impact on virus infections in insects. The negative correlation between N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers was stronger expressed in protein-fed hosts. Proteins not only enhance survival of infected hosts, but also significantly shape the microsporidian-virus interface, probably due to increased spore production and enhanced host immunity.
Establishing zebrafish as a model to study the anxiolytic effects of scopolamine
Authors: Hamilton Trevor J. , Morrill Adam , Lucas Kayla , Gallup Joshua , Harris Megan , Healey Meghan , Pitman Taylor , Schalomon Melike , Digweed Shannon , Tresguerres Martin
Published: November 2017

Scopolamine (hyoscine) is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist that has traditionally been used to treat motion sickness in humans. However, studies investigating depressed and bipolar populations have found that scopolamine is also effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. The potential anxiety-reducing (anxiolytic) effects of scopolamine could have great clinical implications for humans; however, rats and mice administered scopolamine showed increased anxiety in standard behavioural tests. This is in direct contrast to findings in humans, and complicates studies to elucidate the specific mechanisms of scopolamine action. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of zebrafish as a model system to test anxiety-like compounds using scopolamine. Similar to humans, scopolamine acted as an anxiolytic in individual behavioural tests (novel approach test and novel tank diving test). The anxiolytic effect of scopolamine was dose dependent and biphasic, reaching maximum effect at 800 µM. Scopolamine (800 µM) also had an anxiolytic effect in a group behavioural test, as it significantly decreased their tendency to shoal. These results establish zebrafish as a model organism for studying the anxiolytic effects of scopolamine, its mechanisms of action and side effects.
Decreased absolute numbers of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells during aging in herpes zoster patients
Authors: Wei Li , Zhao Jianguang , Wu Wei , Zhang Yu , Fu Xuyan , Chen Lifeng , Wang Xiaoting
Published: November 2017

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an infectious dermatosis with high incidence worldwide. Age is a key risk factor for HZ, and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the main sequelae. Until now, no index has been available to predict the pathogenesis of PHN, and rare reports have focused on the immune response during aging and PHN. In this study, we selected immunoglobulin and complement proteins as markers for humoral immunity, while T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cells were selected as markers for cell immunity, to systematically study the characteristics of immune responses in the peripheral blood of HZ patients. Our data showed that the absolute number of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells decreased during aging and PHN. This implies that more attention should be paid to prevent the occurrence of PHN, especially in the aged population.
Incidence, Predictors and Outcome of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Liao Yan-biao , Li Yi-jian , Jun-li Li , Zhao Zhen-gang , Wei Xin , Tsauo Jiay-yu , Xiong Tian-yuan , Xu Yuan-ning , Feng Yuan , Chen Mao
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors and outcome of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A total of 30 articles incorporating 4,691 patients were identified. The pooled incidences of overall, moderate and severe PPM following TAVR were 33.0%, 25.0% and 11.0% respectively. Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) had lower incidence of overall (32% vs: 40%, P < 0.0001) and moderate (23% vs 32%, P < 0.0001) than Edwards Sapien (ESV). PPM was associated with a younger age, smaller annulus diameter and lower left ventricular ejection fraction in comparison with those patients without PPM. Post-dilation (OR, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.68, p < 0.001) during TAVR would decrease the incidence of PPM. Although PPM was common after TAVR, no significant differences were observed both in short- and mid-term all-cause mortality (30 day: OR: 1.1, 95% CI, 0.70 to 1.73 and 2 year: OR: 1.01, 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.38) between patients with PPM and those without PPM. In conclusion, despite being common after TAVR, the incidence of PPM was lower than that of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and decreased with the experience accumulating, and PPM was not seen to impact on short- and mid-term survival, regardless of its magnitude.
Magnesium homeostasis protects Salmonella against nitrooxidative stress
Authors: Bourret Travis J. , Liu Lin , Shaw Jeff A. , Husain Maroof , Vázquez-Torres Andrés
Published: November 2017

The PhoPQ two-component regulatory system coordinates the response of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to diverse environmental challenges encountered during infection of hosts, including changes in Mg2+ concentrations, pH, and antimicrobial peptides. Moreover, PhoPQ-dependent regulation of gene expression promotes intracellular survival of Salmonella in macrophages, and contributes to the resistance of this pathogen to reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated from the nitric oxide produced by the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase of macrophages. We report here that Salmonella strains with mutations of phoPQ are hypersensitive to killing by RNS generated in vitro. The increased susceptibility of ∆phoQ Salmonella to RNS requires molecular O2 and coincides with the nitrotyrosine formation, the oxidation of [4Fe-4S] clusters of dehydratases, and DNA damage. Mutations of respiratory NADH dehydrogenases prevent nitrotyrosine formation and abrogate the cytotoxicity of RNS against ∆phoQ Salmonella, presumably by limiting the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) arising from the diffusion-limited reaction of exogenous NO and endogenous superoxide (O2•−) produced in the electron transport chain. The mechanism underlying PhoPQ-mediated resistance to RNS is linked to the coordination of Mg2+ homeostasis through the PhoPQ-regulated MgtA transporter. Collectively, our investigations are consistent with a model in which PhoPQ-dependent Mg2+ homeostasis protects Salmonella against nitrooxidative stress.
Single-cell Co-expression Subnetwork Analysis
Authors: Bartlett Thomas E. , Müller Sören , Diaz Aaron
Published: November 2017

Single-cell transcriptomic data have rapidly become very popular in genomic science. Genomic science also has a long history of using network models to understand the way in which genes work together to carry out specific biological functions. However, working with single-cell data presents major challenges, such as zero inflation and technical noise. These challenges require methods to be specifically adapted to the context of single-cell data. Recently, much effort has been made to develop the theory behind statistical network models. This has lead to many new models being proposed, and has provided a thorough understanding of the properties of existing models. However, a large amount of this work assumes binary-valued relationships between network nodes, whereas genomic network analysis is traditionally based on continuous-valued correlations between genes. In this paper, we assess several established methods for genomic network analysis, we compare ways that these methods can be adapted to the single-cell context, and we use mixture-models to infer binary-valued relationships based on gene-gene correlations. Based on these binary relationships, we find that excellent results can be achieved by using subnetwork analysis methodology popular amongst network statisticians. This methodology thereby allows detection of functional subnetwork modules within these single-cell genomic networks.
A fast fabrication of copper nanowire transparent conductive electrodes by using pulsed laser irradiation
Authors: Tran Nguyen-Hung , Duong Thanh-Hung , Kim Hyun-Chul
Published: November 2017

Copper nanowires have shown promise for use in next-generation conducting materials for transparent electrodes owing to their low sheet resistance, natural abundance, and high transmittance properties. Additionally, copper nanowires can be easily synthesized via low-cost solution-based processes. However, copper requires a uniform film to coat the nanowires on the substrate and removing film former residue in the post-treatment process remains a challenge. This lead to the high cost and complexity of fabricating transparent electrode. In this study, we demonstrate a simple, time-saving production method using a combination of laser irradiation and acid dipping to fabricate high-quality copper nanowire transparent electrodes. Preparation of electrodes was achieved by scanning pulsed laser on a copper nanowire film and then dipping in glacial acetic acid. The electrode exhibited excellent properties and the film former was totally erased from the electrode surface. Moreover, to demonstrate their capability, the as-fabricated electrodes were applied in touch-sensor fabrication.
Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of two mixed ligand copper(ii) complexes by regulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway
Authors: Qin Xiu-Ying , Wang Ya-Nan , Yang Xin-Ping , Liang Juan-Juan , Liu Ji-Lin , Luo Zhao-Hui
Published: November 2017

Two mixed-ligand copper-based complexes significantly exhibit anti-cervical cancer activity by regulating the important signalling molecules downstream of the VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling pathway.
Dual phosphorescence emission of dinuclear platinum(ii) complex incorporating cyclometallating pyrenyl-dipyridine-based ligand and its application in near-infrared solution-processed polymer light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hao Zhaoran , Meng Fanyuan , Wang Pu , Wang Yafei , Tan Hua , Pei Yong , Su Shijian , Liu Yu
Published: November 2017

Enhanced room-temperature dual phosphorescence emission caused by LMCT transition in a bimetallic system.
Alkyne–azide cycloaddition analogues of dehydrozingerone as potential anti-prostate cancer inhibitors via the PI3K/Akt/NF-kB pathway
Authors: Kumar Chetan , Rasool Reyaz Ur , Iqra Zainab , Nalli Yedukondalu , Dutt Prabhu , Satti Naresh K. , Sharma Neha , Gandhi Sumit G. , Goswami Anindya , Ali Asif
Published: November 2017

Alkyne–azide cycloaddition derivatives of DHZ (1) were synthesized and screened for cytotoxic potential in which the derivatives, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15 displayed most potent with IC50 value ranging from 1.8–3.0 μM.
Improved Li-storage performance with PEDOT-decorated MnO2 nanoboxes
Authors: Chen Xiaoqiao , Cao Zhiguang , Xing Lidan , Liao Youhao , Qiu Yongcai , Li Weishan
Published: November 2017

In this paper, MnO2 nanoboxes coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) film (denoted as MnO2@PEDOT) are investigated as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries.
Reversible strain alignment and reshuffling of nanoplatelet stacks confined in a lamellar block copolymer matrix
Authors: Beaudoin E. , Davidson P. , Abecassis B. , Bizien T. , Constantin D.
Published: November 2017

The position and orientation of stacked fluorescent nanoplatelets confined in a block-copolymer matrix is reversibly controlled by an applied strain.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of hydroxyl-containing isoquinolines by metal-free radical cyclization of vinyl isocyanides with alcohols
Authors: Xue Dengqi , Chen Hao , Xu Yulong , Yu Haihua , Yu Linqian , Li Wei , Xie Qiong , Shao Liming
Published: November 2017

A convenient microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of hydroxyl-containing isoquinolines from a metal-free radical cyclization reaction of vinyl isonitriles with alcohols was developed with moderate-to-excellent yields.
Rational design and synthesis of a novel laterally-tetrafluorinated tricyclic mesogen with large negative dielectric anisotropy
Authors: Yamada Shigeyuki , Tamamoto Ken , Kida Takumi , Asai Tomoyuki , Ishihara Takashi , Konno Tsutomu
Published: November 2017

Laterally-tetrafluorinated tricyclic molecule was successfully developed and found to exhibit large negative dielectric anisotropy in the binary mixture.
A photoredox-neutral Smiles rearrangement of 2-aryloxybenzoic acids
Authors: Gonzalez-Gomez Jose. C. , Ramirez Nieves P. , Lana-Villarreal Teresa , Bonete Pedro
Published: November 2017

The radical Smiles rearrangement of 2-aryloxybenzoic acids can be promoted by visible light at room temperature, in the presence of air and water, and free of noble metals.
Photosensitive poly(o-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine)-b-PEO polypeptide copolymers: synthesis, multiple self-assembly behaviors, and the photo/pH-thermo-sensitive hydrogels
Authors: Li Pan , Zhang Jiacheng , Dong Chang-Ming
Published: November 2017

We synthesize a photosensitive poly(o-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer and fabricate three kinds of dual-sensitive (i.e., photo/pH-thermo) polypeptide normal and reverse micellar hydrogels.
A rapid construction of a specific quino[4,3-b] carbazolone system and its application for the synthesis of calothrixin B
Authors: Lin Kai , Jian Yong , Zhao Peng , Zhao Chun-shen , Pan Wei-dong , Liu Sheng
Published: November 2017

An efficient methodology is developed for the synthesis of functionalized specific carbazole lactams related to pyrido[4,3-b]- and quino[4,3-b] carbazole alkaloids.
Real-time visualization of cardiac cell beating behaviour on polymer diffraction gratings
Authors: Gibbons A. , Lang O. , Kojima Y. , Ito M. , Ono K. , Tanaka K. , Sivaniah E.
Published: November 2017

Cardiotoxicity is a major adverse effect to pharmaceuticals. A new method to prepare optically sensitive substrates for measuring the beating of cardiac cells and their response to pharmaceuticals is reported.
An arginine functionalized magnetic nano-sorbent for simultaneous removal of three metal ions from water samples
Authors: Verma Renu , Asthana Anupama , Singh Ajaya Kumar , Prasad Surendra
Published: November 2017

The feasibility of using eco-friendly biodegradable arginine functionalized magnetic nanoparticle entrapped chitosan beads (AFMNPECBs) for simultaneous removal of three metal ions from water samples was evaluated under different conditions.
High-pressure salt templating strategy toward intact isochoric hierarchically porous carbon monoliths from ionic liquids
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Feng Junzong , Jiang Yonggang , Feng Jian
Published: November 2017

Using a high-pressure salt templating approach, a crack-free, hierarchically porous carbon monolith with good monolithic formability and integrity was prepared from an ionic liquid.
The characteristics of mineralogy, morphology and sintering during co-combustion of Zhundong coal and oil shale
Authors: Lu Yang , Wang Ying , Zhao Yuqiong , Wei Zheng , Li Yuan , Hao Wuxing , Zhang Yongfa
Published: November 2017

The high-sodium coal from the Zhundong region induces severe ash-related problems during combustion.
Air-oxidation of phenolic resin aerogels: backbone reorganization, formation of ring-fused pyrylium cations, and the effect on microporous carbons with enhanced surface areas
Authors: Far Hojat Majedi , Donthula Suraj , Taghvaee Tahereh , Saeed Adnan Malik , Garr Zachary , Sotiriou-Leventis Chariklia , Leventis Nicholas
Published: November 2017

Air-oxidation at 240 °C, followed by pyrolytic carbonization, revealed that carbons from phenolic resins contain fused pyrylium rings and phenoxides.
Continuous direct anodic flow oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons to benzyl amides
Authors: Kabeshov Mikhail A. , Musio Biagia , Ley Steven V.
Published: November 2017

No oxidant needed – just electric current! Continuous synthesis of benzyl amides directly from aromatic hydrocarbons.
Surface functionalized UiO-66/Pebax-based ultrathin composite hollow fiber gas separation membranes
Authors: Sutrisna Putu Doddy , Hou Jingwei , Zulkifli Muhammad Yazid , Li Hongyu , Zhang Yatao , Liang Weibin , D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Chen Vicki
Published: November 2017

Pebax-based composite hollow fiber membranes are fabricated with functionalized MOFs, and the effect of MOF rigidity is discussed.
Multi-color perovskite nanowire lasers through kinetically controlled solution growth followed by gas-phase halide exchange
Authors: He Xianxiong , Liu Peng , Wu Suning , Liao Qing , Yao Jiannian , Fu Hongbing
Published: November 2017

We report multi-color perovskite nanowire lasers on arbitrary substrates through kinetically controlled growth followed by gas-phase halide exchange.
Blue laser diode-initiated photosensitive resins for 3D printing
Authors: Cui Ke-Jian , Zhu Cai-Zhen , Zhang Huan , Xuan Qin , Zou Wei-Zhi , Zhang Zhi-Yan , Lin Xue-Chun , Zhao Ning , Xu Jian
Published: November 2017

The promising application of blue LD-initiated photosensitive resins in 3D printing is developed. Compared with traditional UV 3D printing, a safer and inexpensive light source, a higher polymerization efficiency, and more available precursors are presented.
Extracting statistically significant behaviour from fish tracking data with and without large dataset cleaning
Authors: Beyan Cigdem , Katsageorgiou Vasiliki‐Maria , Fisher Robert B
Published: November 2017

Extracting a statistically significant result from video of natural phenomenon can be difficult for two reasons: (i) there can be considerable natural variation in the observed behaviour and (ii) computer vision algorithms applied to natural phenomena may not perform correctly on a significant number of samples. This study presents one approach to clean a large noisy visual tracking dataset to allow extracting statistically sound results from the image data. In particular, analyses of 3.6 million underwater trajectories of a fish with the water temperature at the time of acquisition are presented. Although there are many false detections and incorrect trajectory assignments, by a combination of data binning and robust estimation methods, reliable evidence for an increase in fish speed as water temperature increases are demonstrated. Then, a method for data cleaning which removes outliers arising from false detections and incorrect trajectory assignments using a deep learning‐based clustering algorithm is proposed. The corresponding results show a rise in fish speed as temperature goes up. Several statistical tests applied to both cleaned and not‐cleaned data confirm that both results are statistically significant and show an increasing trend. However, the latter approach also generates a cleaner dataset suitable for other analysis.
Fabrication of PU/AC microcapsule for controlling electrical property and diisooctyl terephthalate migration from flexible PVC materials
Authors: Zhang Bin , Jiang Yujie , Han Jian
Published: November 2017

A synthetic approach for the preparation and conductive polyurethane (PU)/activated carbon (AC) microcapsule to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is described. The developed flexible PVC/PU/AC microcapsule composites are economically and ecologically viable, because it is based on AC as inexpensive starting material; the reactions can be carried out one‐pot with quantitative yields of the PU/AC microcapsule. The approach is furthermore highly versatile and allows for the preparation of excellent plasticiser migration stability, electrical property and mechanical properties that may be adjusted to a broad range of applications from highly flexible to semi‐rigid PVC.
Isoprenylated Phenolic Compounds from Morus macroura as Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Authors: Wang Yifan , Xu Liangjin , Gao Wen , Niu Lixin , Huang Chunyue , Yang Peiming , Hu Xiao
Published: November 2017

Three new Diels-Alder adducts, macrourins E – G (1–3), one new 2-arylbenzofuran, macrourin H (4), and eight known Diels-Alder adducts (5–12) were isolated from Morus macroura. Their structures were elucidated through extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. The 1H NMR and ECD trends in the determination of the configurations of these Diels-Alder adducts were summarized. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of all compounds isolated were evaluated, and the new compounds (1–4) as well as the eight known compounds (5–12) were found to be potent with IC50 values ranging from 0.39 to 4.54 µM. Among them, 1 showed the best tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.39 µM, approximately 50 times stronger than the positive control, kojic acid.
Hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B magnet with macroscopic composite structure
Authors: Wang Zexuan , Yin Wenzong , Wang Jinzhi , Jin Chaoxiang , Chen Renjie , Ju Jinyun , Tang Xu , Lee Don , Yan Aru
Published: November 2017

Hot-deformed Nd-Fe-B magnets with a larger maximum energy product at higher operating temperature are desirable in a wide range of applications but are very challenging to realize in a common “single phase” structure. Here, we show the macroscopic structural design in hot-deformed magnets by using two kinds of melt-spun powders with/without heavy rare earth. Higher coercivity with a remarkably improved maximum energy product is obtained in the separated multilayer magnet. We find that the multilayer structure can improve the c-axis alignment of platelet-shaped grains in each layer and propose the possible interlayer's long-range magnetic interaction explaining the recoil loop open of designed magnets, coupled with visible field-induced domain evolution. This experimental approach reveals exciting applications of structural design in ultrafine-grained hot-deformed magnets.
Realization of manipulating acoustic surface waves radiation direction with rectangular-groove structure
Authors: Cui Jun , Liu Jiehui , Mao Yiwei , Li Yifeng , Liu Xiaozhou
Published: November 2017

Acoustic surface waves (ASWs) can be generated through a one-dimensional array of grooves. Sound can be collimated by ASWs. However, in previous studies, the groove period and grating period have been the same. In this work, we propose a structure where the groove period is different from the grating period, and collimates sound waves with very small side lobes. The structure can alter the acoustic wave radiation direction by manipulating ASWs and the relationship between the radiation direction and the frequency for different groove depths are investigated. Furthermore the incident direction of the sound wave, which can be coupled into ASWs, can be manipulated by changing the period of rectangular grating. We theoretically illustrate the physical mechanism of controlling the ASW radiation direction by wave-number analysis. These theoretical predictions are verified using numerical simulations. Using this proposed structure, we can manipulate the ASW radiation direction, which is very important for practical applications of directional acoustic propagation.
First-principles calculations of GaN:Gd nanowires: Carbon-dopants-induced room-temperature ferromagnetism
Authors: Xie Ruikuan , Xing Huaizhong , Zeng Yijie , Liang Yuan , Huang Yan , Chen Xiaoshuang
Published: November 2017

First-principle calculations of the electronic structure and magnetic interaction of C-Gd co-doped GaN nanowires have been performed. The room-temperature ferromagnetism in GaN:Gd nanowires is observed after the substitution of N atoms by C atoms. A p-d coupling is considered as the reason of the observed ferromagnetism. The striking feature is that such coupling is effected greatly by the position where the C atoms dope in. As the C-Gd distance increases this coupling decreases and the system won’t gain enough energy to stabilize the ferromagnetism.
Spherical harmonics bring 2-D into 3-D for imaging fusion implosions
Authors: Bello Mark
Published: November 2017

Innovative application of spherical harmonics advances tomographic imaging of inertial confinement fusion, while enabling comparison between experiment and theory.
Numerical investigations of internal stresses on carbon steel based on ultrasonic LCR waves
Authors: Ramasamy R , Ibrahim Z , Chai H K
Published: October 2017

Internal stresses or residual stresses in the structural elements are very crucial in carrying out in-service evaluations and fitness-for-purpose assessments. The generation of these internal stresses can occur as result of the fabrication of the steel members, installation sequence or other ad-hoc events such as accidents or impact. The accurate prediction of the internal stresses will contribute towards estimating the integrity state of the structural elements, with respect to their material allowable stresses. This paper investigates the explicit FE based numerical modelling of the ultrasonic based non-destructive technique, utilising the measurable longitudinal critical refracted wave (LCR) and relating these to the internal stresses within the structural elements by the evaluation of the material dependent acoustoelastic factors. The subsurface travel path of the LCR wave inside the structural elements makes it a sub-surface stress measurement technique and the linearised relationship with corresponding internal stresses can be systematically applied repeatedly. The numerical results are compared against laboratory tests data to correlate the findings and to establish modelling feasibility for future proof-of-concepts. It can be concluded from this numerical investigation, that the subsurface ultrasonic LCR wave has great potential to be implemented for in-situ structural residual stress measurements, as compared to other available surface measurements such as strain gauges or x-ray diffraction.
Fundamental solutions for second-order parabolic systems with drift terms
Authors: Dong Hongjie , Kim Seick
Published: November 2017

We construct fundamental solutions of second-order parabolic systems of divergence form with bounded and measurable leading coefficients and divergence free first-order coefficients in the class of

B
M
O

x

−
1

\mathrm {BMO}^{-1}_x

, under the assumption that weak solutions of the system satisfy a certain local boundedness estimate. We also establish Gaussian upper bounds for such fundamental solutions under the same conditions.
CommWalker: correctly evaluating modules in molecular networks in light of annotation bias
Authors: Luecken M D , Page M J T , Crosby A J , Mason S , Reinert G , Deane C M
Published: November 2017

Motivation

Detecting novel functional modules in molecular networks is an important step in biological research. In the absence of gold standard functional modules, functional annotations are often used to verify whether detected modules/communities have biological meaning. However, as we show, the uneven distribution of functional annotations means that such evaluation methods favor communities of well-studied proteins.

Results

We propose a novel framework for the evaluation of communities as functional modules. Our proposed framework, CommWalker, takes communities as inputs and evaluates them in their local network environment by performing short random walks. We test CommWalker’s ability to overcome annotation bias using input communities from four community detection methods on two protein interaction networks. We find that modules accepted by CommWalker are similarly co-expressed as those accepted by current methods. Crucially, CommWalker performs well not only in well-annotated regions, but also in regions otherwise obscured by poor annotation. CommWalker community prioritization both faithfully captures well-validated communities and identifies functional modules that may correspond to more novel biology.

Availability and implementation

The CommWalker algorithm is freely available at opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/resources or as a docker image on the Docker Hub at hub.docker.com/r/lueckenmd/commwalker/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Short sea migration and precocious maturation in reared Atlantic salmon post-smolts in the northern Baltic Sea
Authors: Orell Panu , Erkinaro Jaakko , Kiljunen Mikko , Torniainen Jyrki , Sutela Tapio , Jaukkuri Mikko , Mäki-Petäys Aki
Published: November 2017

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) display significant variation in life history traits, including migration patterns and age at maturity. Hatchery rearing has been shown to affect the life history, and rearing-induced changes may include unfavourable consequences, e.g. shortened sea migration period and smaller size at maturity. We report on a new phenomenon of life history of reared Atlantic salmon in the Baltic Sea area: small-sized salmon returning to freshwater only a few months after release as smolts. These “one-sea-summer (1SS)” salmon were ca. 35 cm in length and weighed ca. 400 g, being clearly larger than smolts, but substantially smaller than one-sea-winter (1SW) salmon from the same cohorts. Almost all 1SS salmon were mature males and, at release, had been longer than the overall mean. Stable isotope analysis suggested that the 1SS salmon had been feeding in different sea areas than 1SW and multi-sea-winter salmon, likely in nearby Bothnian Bay, which is typically not a salmon feeding area. If an increasing proportion of the released salmon are not undertaking a normal marine migration (≥1SW) and are returning to estuaries and rivers as 1SS fish, the success and profitability of the reared salmon releases will decline even more than the reduced post-smolt survival is suggesting. We suggest that alternative rearing practices (e.g. enriched rearing environments and advanced diets) should be considered in hatchery production for shaping the reared smolts towards a closer resemblance to wild smolts.
Impact of donor and recipient human cytomegalovirus status on kidney transplantation
Authors: Zieliński Maciej , Tarasewicz Agnieszka , Zielińska Hanna , Jankowska Magdalena , Moszkowska Grażyna , Dębska-Ślizień Alicja , Rutkowski Bolesław , Trzonkowski Piotr
Published: November 2017

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is considered to be a major pathogen that affects the outcome of solid organ transplantation (TX). Both recipient and donor may be HCMV positive, therefore HCMV re-infection is possible after TX. However, little is known how cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmitted from an infected donor to an infected recipient modulates the recipient’s already suppressed immunity, and what the clinical consequences are. To investigate these issues, 52 kidney recipients were followed up for 2 years after TX. T, B and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes, naive and memory T subsets, CD28 expression, relative telomere length, CMV-specific lymphocytes and serum cytokines were measured several times post-TX. Patients were monitored for signs of CMV viremia and other infections. The most important observation was that CMV-specific lymphocytes expand vastly in HCMV-infected recipients who received kidneys from infected donors, in comparison with uninfected donors. Despite this, a higher rate of HCMV viremia was found. Immune deterioration was confirmed by an increased number of CD28-negative T lymphocytes, inverted CD4/CD8 index and shortened telomeres. This was superior in HCMV-infected recipients transplanted from infected donors, when compared with uninfected. In conclusion, CMV alters the immune system in kidney transplant recipients and promotes immune exhaustion.
Applications of community detection techniques to brain graphs: Algorithmic considerations and implications for neural function
Authors: Garcia Javier O. , Ashourvan Arian , Muldoon Sarah F. , Vettel Jean M. , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: October 2017

The human brain can be represented as a graph in which neural units such as cells or small volumes of tissue are heterogeneously connected to one another through structural or functional links. Brain graphs are parsimonious representations of neural systems that have begun to offer fundamental insights into healthy human cognition, as well as its alteration in disease. A critical open question in network neuroscience lies in how neural units cluster into densely interconnected groups that can provide the coordinated activity that is characteristic of perception, action, and adaptive behaviors. Tools that have proven particularly useful for addressing this question are community detection approaches, which can be used to identify communities or modules in brain graphs: groups of neural units that are densely interconnected with other units in their own group but sparsely interconnected with units in other groups. In this paper, we describe a common community detection algorithm known as modularity maximization, and we detail its applications to brain graphs constructed from neuroimaging data. We pay particular attention to important algorithmic considerations, especially in recent extensions of these techniques to graphs that evolve in time. After recounting a few fundamental insights that these techniques have provided into brain function, we highlight potential avenues of methodological advancements for future studies seeking to better characterize the patterns of coordinated activity in the brain that accompany human behavior. This tutorial provides a naive reader with an introduction to theoretical considerations pertinent to the generation of brain graphs, an understanding of modularity maximization for community detection, a resource of statistical measures that can be used to characterize community structure, and an appreciation of the utility of these approaches in uncovering behaviorally-relevant network dynamics in neuroimaging data.