bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Recent Emissions Controls on Road Vehicles in Europe and Implications for Public Health
Authors: Harrison Roy M. , Beddows David C.
Published: April 2017

Road traffic is a major source of urban air pollution responsible for substantial premature mortality. Until recently, attention has focussed primarily on exhaust emissions of particulate matter from traffic as a causal factor. From analysis of air quality measurement data from the UK and France, we demonstrate that road traffic exhaust has a far greater impact on concentrations of nitrogen dioxide than of PM2.5. PM2.5 and carbonaceous particle concentrations have been declining appreciably since 2010/11 due to the use of diesel particle filters, but little change is seen in nitrogen dioxide over the period from 1995 to 2015. It is shown that the effect of NO2 from road traffic upon premature mortality was ten-fold greater than that of PM2.5 even before the widespread use of diesel particle filters, and is now considerably larger. The overwhelming contribution of diesel compared to gasoline-fuelled vehicles to emissions of both PM2.5 and NO2 emphasises the importance of further controls on emissions from diesels.
Deterministic Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging
Authors: Pavlov Konstantin M. , Punegov Vasily I. , Morgan Kaye S. , Schmalz Gerd , Paganin David M.
Published: April 2017

A deterministic variant of Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging is introduced in its kinematical approximation, for X-ray scattering from an imperfect crystal whose imperfections span no more than half of the volume of the crystal. This approach provides a unique analytical reconstruction of the object’s structure factor and displacement fields from the 3D diffracted intensity distribution centred around any particular reciprocal lattice vector. The simple closed-form reconstruction algorithm, which requires only one multiplication and one Fourier transformation, is not restricted by assumptions of smallness of the displacement field. The algorithm performs well in simulations incorporating a variety of conditions, including both realistic levels of noise and departures from ideality in the reference (i.e. imperfection-free) part of the crystal.
Vortex dynamics and frequency splitting in vertically coupled nanomagnets
Authors: Stebliy M. E. , Jain S. , Kolesnikov A. G. , Ognev A. V. , Samardak A. S. , Davydenko A. V. , Sukovatitcina E. V. , Chebotkevich L. A. , Ding J. , Pearson J. , Khovaylo V. , Novosad V.
Published: April 2017

We explored the dynamic response of a vortex core in a circular nanomagnet by manipulating its dipole-dipole interaction with another vortex core confined locally on top of the nanomagnet. A clear frequency splitting is observed corresponding to the gyrofrequencies of the two vortex cores. The peak positions of the two resonance frequencies can be engineered by controlling the magnitude and direction of the external magnetic field. Both experimental and micromagnetic simulations show that the frequency spectra for the combined system is significantly dependent on the chirality of the circular nanomagnet and is asymmetric with respect to the external bias field. We attribute this result to the strong dynamic dipole-dipole interaction between the two vortex cores, which varies with the distance between them. The possibility of having multiple states in a single nanomagnet with vertical coupling could be of interest for magnetoresistive memories.
Remarkably High Mobility Thin-Film Transistor on Flexible Substrate by Novel Passivation Material
Authors: Shih Cheng Wei , Chin Albert
Published: April 2017

High mobility thin-film transistor (TFT) is crucial for future high resolution and fast response flexible display. Remarkably high performance TFT, made at room temperature on flexible substrate, is achieved with record high field-effect mobility (μ
FE
) of 345 cm2/Vs, small sub-threshold slope (SS) of 103 mV/dec, high on-current/off-current (I
ON
/I
OFF
) of 7 × 106, and a low drain-voltage (VD) of 2 V for low power operation. The achieved mobility is the best reported data among flexible electronic devices, which is reached by novel HfLaO passivation material on nano-crystalline zinc-oxide (ZnO) TFT to improve both I
ON
and I
OFF
. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the non-passivated device has high OH-bonding intensity in nano-crystalline ZnO, which damage the crystallinity, create charged scattering centers, and form potential barriers to degrade mobility.
Effects of the continuous use of organic manure and chemical fertilizer on soil inorganic phosphorus fractions in calcareous soil
Authors: Song Ke , Xue Yong , Zheng Xianqing , Lv Weiguang , Qiao Hongxia , Qin Qin , Yang Jianjun
Published: April 2017

A 4-year field trial with three treatments and three types of annually rotated vegetables was conducted in calcareous soil in a greenhouse using a phosphorus (P) fractionation method based on the inorganic P fraction classification system described by Jiang-Gu. With the same nutrient input, vegetable yields and P uptake were more stable under the chemical fertilizer (CF) treatment than under the organic manure (OM) treatment, and the average utilization rate of P fertilizer (URP) values were 5.27% and 11.40% under the OM and CF treatments, respectively, over the 4 years. Compared with the values in 2009, the values of the inorganic P (Pi) fractionation, including Ca-P, Al-P and Fe-P, significantly increased over time by 310.89 mg·kg−1, 36.21 mg·kg−1, and 18.77 mg·kg−1, respectively, with OM treatment and by 86.92 mg·kg−1, 175.87 mg·kg−1, and 24.27 mg·kg−1 with CF treatment. These results suggest that 1) large amounts of P were released from Ca2-P, Ca8-P and Al-P and were taken up by vegetables in the calcareous soil, and 2) the excessive application of P fertilizer, especially OM, resulted in a substantial accumulation of Pi (Ca2-P, Ca8-P and Al-P), which increased the risk of pollution from organic farming diffusing into the surface water.
Phosphorylation of the mitochondrial autophagy receptor Nix enhances its interaction with LC3 proteins
Authors: Rogov Vladimir V. , Suzuki Hironori , Marinković Mija , Lang Verena , Kato Ryuichi , Kawasaki Masato , Buljubašić Maja , Šprung Matilda , Rogova Natalia , Wakatsuki Soichi , Hamacher-Brady Anne , Dötsch Volker , Dikic Ivan , Brady Nathan R. , Novak Ivana
Published: April 2017

The mitophagy receptor Nix interacts with LC3/GABARAP proteins, targeting mitochondria into autophagosomes for degradation. Here we present evidence for phosphorylation-driven regulation of the Nix:LC3B interaction. Isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR indicate a ~100 fold enhanced affinity of the serine 34/35-phosphorylated Nix LC3-interacting region (LIR) to LC3B and formation of a very rigid complex compared to the non-phosphorylated sequence. Moreover, the crystal structure of LC3B in complex with the Nix LIR peptide containing glutamic acids as phosphomimetic residues and NMR experiments revealed that LIR phosphorylation stabilizes the Nix:LC3B complex via formation of two additional hydrogen bonds between phosphorylated serines of Nix LIR and Arg11, Lys49 and Lys51 in LC3B. Substitution of Lys51 to Ala in LC3B abrogates binding of a phosphomimetic Nix mutant. Functionally, serine 34/35 phosphorylation enhances autophagosome recruitment to mitochondria in HeLa cells. Together, this study provides cellular, biochemical and biophysical evidence that phosphorylation of the LIR domain of Nix enhances mitophagy receptor engagement.
Human bipedal instability in tree canopy environments is reduced by “light touch” fingertip support
Authors: Johannsen L. , Coward S. R. L. , Martin G. R. , Wing A. M. , Casteren A. van , Sellers W. I. , Ennos A. R. , Crompton R. H. , Thorpe S. K. S.
Published: April 2017

Whether tree canopy habitats played a sustained role in the ecology of ancestral bipedal hominins is unresolved. Some argue that arboreal bipedalism was prohibitively risky for hominins whose increasingly modern anatomy prevented them from gripping branches with their feet. Balancing on two legs is indeed challenging for humans under optimal conditions let alone in forest canopy, which is physically and visually highly dynamic. Here we quantify the impact of forest canopy characteristics on postural stability in humans. Viewing a movie of swaying branches while standing on a branch-like bouncy springboard destabilised the participants as much as wearing a blindfold. However “light touch”, a sensorimotor strategy based on light fingertip support, significantly enhanced their balance and lowered their thigh muscle activity by up to 30%. This demonstrates how a light touch strategy could have been central to our ancestor’s ability to avoid falls and reduce the mechanical and metabolic cost of arboreal feeding and movement. Our results may also indicate that some adaptations in the hand that facilitated continued access to forest canopy may have complemented, rather than opposed, adaptations that facilitated precise manipulation and tool use.
Deciphering the mode of action of cell wall-inhibiting antibiotics using metabolic labeling of growing peptidoglycan in Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Sugimoto Atsushi , Maeda Asuka , Itto Kaori , Arimoto Hirokazu
Published: April 2017

Because of the scanty pipeline of antibiotics newly obtained from nature, chemical modification of established drugs is one of the major streams of current antibacterial research. Intuitive and easy-to-use assays are critical for identifying drug candidates with novel modes of action. In this study, we demonstrated that metabolic fluorescent staining of growing cell walls is a powerful tool for mode-of-action analyses of antibiotics using Streptococcus pyogenes. A set of major cell-wall-inhibiting antibiotics (bacitracin, d-cycloserine, flavomycin, oxacillin, ramoplanin, and vancomycin) was employed to validate the potential of the assay. The mechanistic differences of these antibiotics were successfully observed. For instance, d-cycloserine treatment induced fluorescently stained, excessive peripheral cell wall growth. This may indicate that the switch from the peripheral growth stage to the succeeding septal growth was disturbed by the treatment. We then applied this assay to analyze a series of vancomycin derivatives. The assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect the effects of single-site chemical modification of vancomycin on its modes of action. This metabolic fluorescent labeling method is easy to perform, especially because it does not require radiolabeled substrates. Thus, it is suitable for the preliminary evaluation of antibacterial mechanisms during antibacterial research.
Direct, rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test from positive blood cultures based on microscopic imaging analysis
Authors: Choi Jungil , Jeong Hyun Yong , Lee Gi Yoon , Han Sangkwon , Han Shinhun , Jin Bonghwan , Lim Taegeun , Kim Shin , Kim Dong Young , Kim Hee Chan , Kim Eui-Chong , Song Sang Hoon , Kim Taek Soo , Kwon Sunghoon
Published: April 2017

For the timely treatment of patients with infections in bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid, a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) is urgently needed. Here, we describe a direct and rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (dRAST) system, which can determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria from a positive blood culture bottle (PBCB) in six hours. The positive blood culture sample is directly mixed with agarose and inoculated into a micropatterned plastic microchip with lyophilized antibiotic agents. Using microscopic detection of bacterial colony formation in agarose, the total time to result from a PBCB for dRAST was only six hours for a wide range of bacterial concentrations in PBCBs. The results from the dRAST system were consistent with the results from a standard AST, broth microdilution test. In tests of clinical isolates (n = 206) composed of 16 Gram-negative species and seven Gram-positive species, the dRAST system was accurate compared to the standard broth microdilution test, with rates of 91.11% (2613/2868) categorical agreement, 6.69% (192/2868) minor error, 2.72% (50/1837) major error and 1.45% (13/896) very major error. Thus, the dRAST system can be used to rapidly identify appropriate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of blood stream infection (BSI) and antibiotic-resistant strain infections.
Mutational screening of SLC39A5, LEPREL1 and LRPAP1 in a cohort of 187 high myopia patients
Authors: Feng Chun-Yun , Huang Xiao-Qiong , Cheng Xue-Wen , Wu Rong-Han , Lu Fan , Jin Zi-Bing
Published: April 2017

High myopia (HM) is a leading cause of mid-way blindness with a high heritability in East Asia. Although only a few disease genes have been reported, a small proportion of patients could be identified with genetic predispositions. In order to expand the mutation spectrum of the causative genes in Chinese adult population, we investigated three genes, SLC39A5, LEPREL1 and LRPAP1, in a cohort of 187 independent Chinese patients with high myopia. Sanger sequencing was used to find possible pathogenic mutations, which were further screened in normal controls. After a pipeline of database and predictive assessments filtering, we, thereby, identified totally seven heterozygous mutations in the three genes. Among them, three novel missense mutations, c.860C > T, p.Pro287Leu and c.956G > C, p.Arg319Thr in SLC39A5, c.1982A > G, p.Lys661Arg in LEPREL1, were identified as potentially causative mutations. Additionally, the two heterozygous mutations (c.1582G > A, p.Ala528Thr; c.1982A > G, p.Lys661Arg) in one patient in LEPREL1 gene were reported in this study. Our findings will not only augment the mutation spectrum of these three genes, but also provide insights of the contribution of these genes to adult high myopia in Chinese. However, further studies are still needed to address the pathogenicity of each of the mutations reported in this study.
Hunter-Gatherer Social Networks and Reproductive Success
Authors: Page Abigail E. , Chaudhary Nikhil , Viguier Sylvain , Dyble Mark , Thompson James , Smith Daniel , Salali Gul. D. , Mace Ruth , Migliano Andrea Bamberg
Published: April 2017

Individuals’ centrality in their social network (who they and their social ties are connected to) has been associated with fertility, longevity, disease and information transmission in a range of taxa. Here, we present the first exploration in humans of the relationship between reproductive success and different measures of network centrality of 39 Agta and 38 BaYaka mothers. We collected three-meter contact (‘proximity’) networks and reproductive histories to test the prediction that individual centrality is positively associated with reproductive fitness (number of living offspring). Rather than direct social ties influencing reproductive success, mothers with greater indirect centrality (i.e. centrality determined by second and third degree ties) produced significantly more living offspring. However, indirect centrality is also correlated with sickness in the Agta, suggesting a trade-off. In complex social species, the optimisation of individuals’ network position has important ramifications for fitness, potentially due to easy access to different parts of the network, facilitating cooperation and social influence in unpredictable ecologies.
Structural and biochemical insights of CypA and AIF interaction
Authors: Farina Biancamaria , Di Sorbo Gianluigi , Chambery Angela , Caporale Andrea , Leoni Guido , Russo Rosita , Mascanzoni Fabiola , Raimondo Domenico , Fattorusso Roberto , Ruvo Menotti , Doti Nunzianna
Published: April 2017

The Cyclophilin A (CypA)/Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) complex is implicated in the DNA degradation in response to various cellular stress conditions, such as oxidative stress, cerebral hypoxia-ischemia and traumatic brain injury. The pro-apoptotic form of AIF (AIF(Δ1-121)) mainly interacts with CypA through the amino acid region 370–394. The AIF(370-394) synthetic peptide inhibits complex formation in vitro by binding to CypA and exerts neuroprotection in a model of glutamate-mediated oxidative stress. Here, the binding site of AIF(Δ1-121) and AIF(370-394) on CypA has been mapped by NMR spectroscopy and biochemical studies, and a molecular model of the complex has been proposed. We show that AIF(370-394) interacts with CypA on the same surface recognized by AIF(Δ1-121) protein and that the region is very close to the CypA catalytic pocket. Such region partially overlaps with the binding site of cyclosporin A (CsA), the strongest catalytic inhibitor of CypA. Our data point toward distinct CypA structural determinants governing the inhibitor selectivity and the differential biological effects of AIF and CsA, and provide new structural insights for designing CypA/AIF selective inhibitors with therapeutic relevance in neurodegenerative diseases.
Improved phylogenetic resolution for Y-chromosome Haplogroup O2a1c-002611
Authors: Yao Xiaotian , Tang Senwei , Bian Beilei , Wu Xiaoli , Chen Gang , Wang Chuan-Chao
Published: April 2017

Y-chromosome Haplogroup O2a1c-002611 is one of the dominant lineages of East Asians and Southeast Asians. However, its internal phylogeny remains insufficiently investigated. In this study, we genotyped 89 new highly informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 305 individuals with Haplogroup O2a1c-002611 identified from 2139 Han Chinese males. Two major branches were identified, O2a1c1-F18 and O2a1c2-L133.2 and the first was further divided into two main subclades, O2a1c1a-F11 and O2a1c1b-F449, accounting for 11.13% and 2.20% of Han Chinese, respectively. In Haplogroup O2a1c1a-F11, we also determined seven sublineages with quite different frequency distributions in Han Chinese ranging from 0.187% to 3.553%, implying they might have different demographic history. The reconstructed haplogroup tree for all the major clades within Haplogroup O2a1c-002611 permits better resolution of male lineages in population studies of East Asia and Southeast Asia. The dataset generated in the present study are also valuable for forensic identification and paternity tests in China.
Synergistic effect of nitrate-doped TiO2 aerosols on the fast photochemical oxidation of formaldehyde
Authors: Shang Jing , Xu Wei Wei , Ye Chun Xiang , George Christian , Zhu Tong
Published: April 2017

The uptake of formaldehyde (HCHO) on mineral dust affects its budget as well as particle properties, yet the process has not yet been fully investigate. Here, TiO2 and nitrate-doped TiO2 aerosols were used as proxies for mineral dust, and the uptake of HCHO was explored in a chamber under both dark and illuminated conditions. The uptake loss of HCHO on UV-illuminated aerosols is 2–9 times faster than its gaseous photolysis in our experimental system. The uptake coefficient in the range of 0.43–1.68 × 10−7 is 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than previous reports on model mineral dust particles. The reaction rate exhibits a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-type dependence on nitrate content and relative humidity, suggesting the competitive role of nitrate salts, water vapor and HCHO on the TiO2 surface. The reaction produces carbon dioxide as the main product and gaseous formic acid as an important intermediate. The hydroxyl radical produced on illuminated TiO2 primarily drives the fast oxidation of HCHO. The nitrate radical arising from the TiO2-catalyzed photoreaction of nitrate synergistically promotes the oxidation process. This study suggests a novel oxidation route for HCHO in the atmosphere, taking into account high abundance of both mineral dust and anthropogenic TiO2 aerosols.
Risk and Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death and Ventricular Arrhythmias for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation – A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Chao Tze-Fan , Liu Chia-Jen , Tuan Ta-Chuan , Chen Su-Jung , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Chen Shih-Ann
Published: April 2017

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most devastating manifestation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), and is the leading cause of mortality among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The goal of the present study was to investigate the incidence of SCD/VAs amongst patients with and without AF. We also aimed to identify important risk factors of SCD/VAs among AF patients. Using the “National Health Insurance Research Database” in Taiwan, a total of 352,656 AF and 352,656 non-AF patients without antecedent SCD/VAs were identified. The annual risk of SCD/VAs was higher in AF than non-AF groups (0.97% versus 0.47%) with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.64. The increased risk of SCD/VAs in AF patients was consistently observed in different age strata, various comorbidities and patients without use of class I/III anti-arrhythmic drugs or digoxin. Among AF patients, age ≥75 years, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were important risk factors for SCD/VAs. In conclusion, the risk of SCD/VAs amongst AF patients was 1.64-fold higher compared to non-AF patients, which was associated with the number of clinical risk factors associated with the particular AF patient.
Exome Analysis of Rare and Common Variants within the NOD Signaling Pathway
Authors: Andreoletti Gaia , Shakhnovich Valentina , Christenson Kathy , Coelho Tracy , Haggarty Rachel , Afzal Nadeem A , Batra Akshay , Petersen Britt-Sabina , Mort Matthew , Beattie R. Mark , Ennis Sarah
Published: April 2017

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD) is a chronic heterogeneous disorder. This study looks at the burden of common and rare coding mutations within 41 genes comprising the NOD signaling pathway in pIBD patients. 136 pIBD and 106 control samples underwent whole-exome sequencing. We compared the burden of common, rare and private mutation between these two groups using the SKAT-O test. An independent replication cohort of 33 cases and 111 controls was used to validate significant findings. We observed variation in 40 of 41 genes comprising the NOD signaling pathway. Four genes were significantly associated with disease in the discovery cohort (BIRC2p = 0.004,NFKB1p = 0.005,NOD2p = 0.029 andSUGT1p = 0.047). Statistical significance was replicated for BIRC2 (p = 0.041) andNOD2(p = 0.045) in an independent validation cohort. A gene based test on the combined discovery and replication cohort confirmed association forBIRC2(p = 0.030). We successfully applied burden of mutation testing that jointly assesses common and rare variants, identifying two previously implicated genes (NFKB1andNOD2) and confirmed a possible role in disease risk in a previously unreported gene (BIRC2). The identification of this novel gene provides a wider role for the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family in IBD pathogenesis.
The evolutionary history of bears is characterized by gene flow across species
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Lammers Fritjof , Bidon Tobias , Pfenninger Markus , Kolter Lydia , Nilsson Maria A. , Janke Axel
Published: April 2017

Bears are iconic mammals with a complex evolutionary history. Natural bear hybrids and studies of few nuclear genes indicate that gene flow among bears may be more common than expected and not limited to polar and brown bears. Here we present a genome analysis of the bear family with representatives of all living species. Phylogenomic analyses of 869 mega base pairs divided into 18,621 genome fragments yielded a well-resolved coalescent species tree despite signals for extensive gene flow across species. However, genome analyses using different statistical methods show that gene flow is not limited to closely related species pairs. Strong ancestral gene flow between the Asiatic black bear and the ancestor to polar, brown and American black bear explains uncertainties in reconstructing the bear phylogeny. Gene flow across the bear clade may be mediated by intermediate species such as the geographically wide-spread brown bears leading to large amounts of phylogenetic conflict. Genome-scale analyses lead to a more complete understanding of complex evolutionary processes. Evidence for extensive inter-specific gene flow, found also in other animal species, necessitates shifting the attention from speciation processes achieving genome-wide reproductive isolation to the selective processes that maintain species divergence in the face of gene flow.
Construction of a high-density linkage map and fine mapping of QTLs for growth and gonad related traits in blunt snout bream
Authors: Wan Shi-Ming , Liu Hong , Zhao Bo-Wen , Nie Chun-Hong , Wang Wei-Min , Gao Ze-Xia
Published: April 2017

High-density genetic maps based on SNPs are essential for fine mapping loci controlling specific traits for fish species. Using restriction-site associated DNA tag sequencing (RAD-Seq) technology, we identified 42,784 SNPs evenly distributed across theMegalobrama amblycephalagenome. Based on 2 parents and 187 intra-specific hybridization progenies, a total of 14,648 high-confidence SNPs were assigned to 24 consensus linkage groups (LGs) of maternal and paternal map. The total length of the integrated map was 3,258.38 cM with an average distance of 0.57 cM among 5676 effective loci, thereby representing the first high-density genetic map reported forM. amblycephala. A total of eight positive quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected in QTL analysis. Of that, five QTL explained ≥35% of phenotypic variation for growth traits and three QTL explained ≥16% phenotypic variation for gonad related traits. A total of 176 mapped markers had significant hits in the zebrafish genome and almost all of the 24 putative-chromosomes ofM. amblycephalawere in relatively conserved synteny with chromosomes of zebrafish. Almost allM. amblycephalaand zebrafish chromosomes had a 1:1 correspondence except for putative-chromosome 4, which mapped to two chromosomes of zebrafish caused by the difference in chromosome numbers between two species.
Detection of a new pyrethroid resistance mutation (V410L) in the sodium channel of Aedes aegypti: a potential challenge for mosquito control
Authors: Haddi Khalid , Tomé Hudson V. V. , Du Yuzhe , Valbon Wilson R. , Nomura Yoshiko , Martins Gustavo F. , Dong Ke , Oliveira Eugênio E.
Published: April 2017

The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, particularly in Neotropical regions, is the principal vector of dengue, yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. Pyrethroids remain one of the most used insecticides to control Aedes mosquitoes, despite the development of pyrethroid resistance in many mosquito populations worldwide. Here, we report a Brazilian strain of A. aegypti with high levels (approximately 100–60,000 fold) of resistance to both type I and type II pyrethroids. We detected two mutations (V410L and F1534C) in the sodium channel from this resistant strain. This study is the first report of the V410L mutation in mosquitoes. Alone or in combination with the F1534C mutation, the V410L mutation drastically reduced the sensitivity of mosquito sodium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes to both type I and type II pyrethroids. The V410L mutation presents a serious challenge for the control of A. aegypti and will compromise the use of pyrethroids for the control of A. aegypti in Brazil; therefore, early monitoring of the frequency of the V410L mutation will be a key resistance management strategy to preserve the effectiveness of pyrethroid insecticides.
Chemical and Bioactive Profiling, and Biological Activities of Coral Fungi from Northwestern Himalayas
Authors: Kumar Sharma Sapan , Gautam Nandini
Published: April 2017

Ramaria Fr. and Clavaria L. are the two major genera of coral mushrooms within families Gomphaceae and Clavariaceae, respectively. Besides having important role in forest ecology, some species of these are reported to possess high nutraceutical and bioactive potential. There is a hidden diversity of coral mushrooms in Northwestern Himalayas. Present studies describe the detailed biochemical profiling and antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of twelve coral mushroom species. Biochemical profiling of nutrients and nutraceuticals was done with standard techniques and by using HPLC, UPLC and GC. Experiments were also conducted to check the toxic metals detection. Antioxidant activities were calculated using EC50 values from mushroom extracts. Antibacterial activities were checked on six pathogenic bacterial strains through minimum inhibition concenterations. Although, differences were observed in the net values of individual species but all the species were found to be rich in protein, macro and micro minerals, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, phenolics, tocopherols, anthocynadins and carotenoids. All the species showed significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities. These species are reported to free from heavy toxic metals. Present studies will open the way for their large scale commercial exploitations and use in pharmaceutical industries as antioxidant, antibacterial and nutraceutical constituents.
A comparative analysis of human and mouse islet G-protein coupled receptor expression
Authors: Amisten Stefan , Atanes Patricio , Hawkes Ross , Ruz-Maldonado Inmaculada , Liu Bo , Parandeh Fariborz , Zhao Min , Huang Guo Cai , Salehi Albert , Persaud Shanta J.
Published: April 2017

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential for islet function, but most studies use rodent islets due to limited human islet availability. We have systematically compared the GPCR mRNA expression in human and mouse islets to determine to what extent mouse islets can be used as surrogates for human islets to study islet GPCR function, and we have identified species-specific expression of several GPCRs. The A3 receptor (ADORA3) was expressed only in mouse islets and the A3 agonist MRS 5698 inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion from mouse islets, with no effect on human islets. Similarly, mRNAs encoding the galanin receptors GAL1 (GALR1), GAL2 (GALR2) and GAL3 GALR3) were abundantly expressed in mouse islets but present only at low levels in human islets, so that it reads (GALR3) and galanin inhibited insulin secretion only from mouse islets. Conversely, the sst1 receptor (SSTR1) was abundant only in human islets and its selective activation by CH 275 inhibited insulin secretion from human islets, with no effect on mouse islets. Our comprehensive human and mouse islet GPCR atlas has demonstrated that species differences do exist in islet GPCR expression and function, which are likely to impact on the translatability of mouse studies to the human context.
Current carried by the Slc26 family member prestin does not flow through the transporter pathway
Authors: Bai Jun-Ping , Moeini-Naghani Iman , Zhong Sheng , Li Fang-Yong , Bian Shumin , Sigworth Fred J. , Santos-Sacchi Joseph , Navaratnam Dhasakumar
Published: April 2017

Prestin in the lateral membrane of outer hair cells, is responsible for electromotility (EM) and a corresponding nonlinear capacitance (NLC). Prestin’s voltage sensitivity is influenced by intracellular chloride. A regulator of intracellular chloride is a stretch-sensitive, non-selective conductance within the lateral membrane, GmetL. We determine that prestin itself possesses a stretch-sensitive, non-selective conductance that is largest in the presence of thiocyanate ions. This conductance is independent of the anion transporter mechanism. Prestin has been modeled, based on structural data from related anion transporters (SLC26Dg and UraA), to have a 7 + 7 inverted repeat structure with anion transport initiated by chloride binding at the intracellular cleft. Mutation of residues that bind intracellular chloride, and salicylate treatment which prevents chloride binding, have no effect on thiocyanate conductance. In contrast, other mutations reduce the conductance while preserving NLC. When superimposed on prestin’s structure, the location of these mutations indicates that the ion permeation pathway lies between the core and gate ring of helices, distinct from the transporter pathway. The uncoupled current is reminiscent of an omega current in voltage-gated ion channels. We suggest that prestin itself is the main regulator of intracellular chloride concentration via a route distinct from its transporter pathway.
Optical control of a receptor-linked guanylyl cyclase using a photoswitchable peptidic hormone
Authors: Podewin Tom , Broichhagen Johannes , Frost Christina , Groneberg Dieter , Ast Julia , Meyer-Berg Helena , Fine Nicholas H. F. , Friebe Andreas , Zacharias Martin , Hodson David J. , Trauner Dirk , Hoffmann-Röder Anja
Published: April 2017

The photoswitchable peptidomimetic hormone TOP271 allows the precise optical control of cGMP generation via the receptor-linked enzyme NPR-A in explanted aortic rings and islets of Langerhans.
Energy and charge transfer cascade in methylammonium lead bromide perovskite nanoparticle aggregates
Authors: Bouduban Marine E. F. , Burgos-Caminal Andrés , Ossola Rachele , Teuscher Joël , Moser Jacques-E.
Published: April 2017

Evidence for an ultrafast light-induced cascade of energy and charge transfer between aggregated quantum-confined nanoplatelets and nanoparticles of CH3NH3PbBr3perovskite.
Gismondine cobalt phosphate (CoPO4) as a monovalent-ion battery cathode material: a first-principles study
Authors: Emmeline Yeo Pei Shan , Ng Man-Fai
Published: April 2017

First-principles study suggests that gismondine cobalt phosphate (CoPO4) is a promising cathode material for Na-ion batteries.
Gold nanoparticle aggregation enables colorimetric sensing assays for enzymatic decarboxylation
Authors: Nilam Mohamed , Hennig Andreas , Nau Werner M. , Assaf Khaleel I.
Published: April 2017

Monitoring enzymatic processes is of fundamental importance for the understanding of the associated biological phenomena.
Flexible and highly interconnected, multi-scale patterned chitosan porous membrane produced in situ from mussel shell to accelerate wound healing
Authors: Song Xiaoping , Mei Jie , Zhang Xingying , Wang Leyu , Singh Gurankit , Xing Malcolm M. Q. , Qiu Xiaozhong
Published: April 2017

Mussel shell-derived dressing for full-thickness wound healing. The mussel shell-derived, in situ formed flexible membrane dressing promotes wound healing processes.
Bismuth-based ternary nanowires as efficient electrocatalysts for dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Wu Yihui , Zhou Bin , Yang Chi , Zhou Xin , Zhang Wen-Hua
Published: April 2017

Bismuth based ternary colloidal nanowires have been employed as highly efficient electrocatalysts and demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity in the redox reaction of I3−/I−, showing superior photovoltaic performance to Pt in DSSCs.
Retraction: Synthesis and facet-dependent photocatalytic activity of BiOBr single-crystalline nanosheets
Authors: Lin Wenwen , Wang Xian , Wang Yonghao , Zhang Jiye , Lin Zhang , Zhang Bintian , Huang Feng
Published: April 2017

Retraction of ‘Synthesis and facet-dependent photocatalytic activity of BiOBr single-crystalline nanosheets’ by Wenwen Lin et al., Chem. Commun., 2014, DOI: 10.1039/c3cc41498a.
Adamantyl metal complexes: new routes to adamantyl anions and new transmetallations
Authors: Armstrong David , Taullaj Fioralba , Singh Kamalpreet , Mirabi Bijan , Lough Alan J. , Fekl Ulrich
Published: April 2017

We report new approaches to carbanionic metal adamantyls, along with successful transmetallations onto bismuth, gold, and mercury.
Assembling hierarchical metal–oxygen building units with a semirigid tetracarboxylate ligand into a three-dimensional framework for nitrobenzene sensing
Authors: Song Xue-Zhi , Gao Li-Guo , Wang Yu-Xiang , Chen Xiao-Lei , Qiao Liang , Tan Zhenquan
Published: April 2017

A three-dimensional framework collecting hierarchical metal–oxygen multicluster, macrocyclic, and infinite chain-like building units was fabricated and investigated as efficient luminescent sensor towards nitrobenzene.
Silver(i)–organic frameworks constructed from silver(i) 3,6-pyrazyldiethynide and 3,8-1,10-phenanthrolyldiethynide complexes
Authors: Zhu Jin-jin , Hu Peng , Zhou Ke-ke , Li Bao , Zhang Tianle
Published: April 2017

A 2D silver network and sine wave-like organometallic chains are assembled based on silver(i)-ethynide complexes as the building units to investigate the relationship between the structure of the silver-ethynide compound and the binding mode of the ligand.
Use of AlCl3 in Friedel Crafts arylation type reactions and beyond: an overview on the development of unique methodologies leading to N-heteroarenes
Authors: Sunke Rajnikanth , Nallapati Suresh Babu , Kumar Jetta Sandeep , Shiva Kumar K. , Pal Manojit
Published: April 2017

An overview on the development of unique methodologies that highlight the use of AlCl3 in reactions leading to new N-heteroarenes of biological significance is presented.
Structure–cytotoxicity relationship of drug-initiated polymer prodrug nanoparticles
Authors: Bao Yinyin , Nicolas Julien
Published: April 2017

Cladribine (CdA)-based polymer prodrug nanoparticles were obtained by “drug-initiated” RAFT polymerization of squalenyl methacrylate (SqMA) from two different CdA-bearing chain transfer agents (CTAs) to evaluate the influence of the nature of the linkage between CdA and the CTA, and the bulkiness of the polymer, on the drug release and the biological performance.
A novel high-strength polymer hydrogel with identifiability prepared via a one-pot method
Authors: Jing Muzi , Fu Yang , Fei Xu , Tian Jing , Zhi Hui , Zhang Haiyang , Xu Longquan , Wang Xiuying , Wang Yi
Published: April 2017

A simple one-pot method was developed to fabricate a novel hydrogel with good biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties, and identifiability via photopolymerization and sol–gel processes.
Functionalized reduced graphene oxide (fRGO) for removal of fulvic acid contaminant
Authors: Ray Soumya Kanta , Majumder Chanchal , Saha Prosenjit
Published: April 2017

Iron-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (fRGO)-coated sand was used for the adsorption of natural organic matter, such as fulvic acid (FA), from synthetic water.
Preparation of Ru–Pt bimetallic monolayer on nanoporous gold film electrode and its application as an ultrasensitive sensor for determination of methionine
Authors: Tavakkoli Nahid , Soltani Nasrin , Khorshidi Elahe
Published: April 2017

We report here the fabrication of ruthenium/platinum (RuPt) bimetallic monolayer coated on a nanoporous gold film electrode (RuPtNPGF) by underpotential deposition of copper (UPD) with the Cu layer then replaced spontaneously by Ru and Pt.
Biosilicate scaffolds for bone regeneration: influence of introducing SrO
Authors: Shuai Cijun , Sun Hang , Wu Ping , Gao Chengde , Yang Youwen , Guo Wang , Yang Dafeng , Xu Feng , Feng Pei , Peng Shuping
Published: April 2017

Strontium (Sr), a bioactive element in natural bone, plays a crucial role in stimulating bone remodeling and inhibiting bone resorption.
ZnO nested shell magic clusters as tetrapod nuclei
Authors: Dmytruk Andriy , Dmitruk Igor , Shynkarenko Yevhen , Belosludov Rodion , Kasuya Atsuo
Published: April 2017

Experimentally found magic clusters, built of nested Goldberg polyhedra and subjected to Jahn–Teller distortion, were suggested as ZnO tetrapod nuclei.
Acidic hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 supported Ru catalyst with high activity and selectivity in the seleno-functionalization of alkenes
Authors: Dong Hai , Zhang Lei , Fang Zhongxue , Fu Wenqian , Tang Ting , Feng Yu , Tang Tiandi
Published: April 2017

The acidic hierarchical zeolite ZSM-5 (HZSM-5-H) was synthesized for preparation of a supported Ru catalyst that was applied in the eleno-functionalization of alkenes with high efficiency.
Generation of a co-culture cell micropattern model to simulate lung cancer bone metastasis for anti-cancer drug evaluation
Authors: Zhong Huixiang , Xuan Liuyang , Wang Dandan , Zhou Jianhua , Li Yan , Jiang Qing
Published: April 2017

A549/OB co-culture micropattern was fabricated through μ-eraser strategy to mimic lung cancer bone metastasis for DOX efficacy evaluation.
Silk/agarose scaffolds with tunable properties via SDS assisted rapid gelation
Authors: Lu Yue , Zhang Shupeng , Liu Xiangyang , Ye Shefang , Zhou Xi , Huang Qiaoling , Ren Lei
Published: April 2017

We developed a simple approach to fabricate silk/agarose scaffolds with tunable properties via controlling the gelation degree of silk fibroin.
Synthesis and characterization of partially fluorinated aerogels and xerogels from environmentally-compatible precursors
Authors: Jennings Abby R. , McCollum Jena , Wilkins Adam J. , Manni Stacy M. , Iacono Scott T.
Published: April 2017

A new fluorocyclic monomer, prepared from environmentally benign starting materials, was used to synthesize the first known fluorocyclic aero- and xerogels.
Ervaoffines E–G, three iboga-type alkaloids featuring ring C cleavage and rearrangement from Ervatamia officinalis
Authors: Liu Zhi-Wen , Tang Ben-Qin , Zhang Qing-Hua , Wang Wen-Jing , Huang Xiao-Jun , Zhang Jian , Shi Lei , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Ye Wen-Cai
Published: April 2017

Three novel alkaloids (1–3) reveal the high structural plasticity of ring C in iboga-type alkaloids.
Ratiometric quantitation of redox status with a molecular Fe2 magnetic resonance probe
Authors: Du Kang , Waters Emily A. , Harris T. David
Published: April 2017

We demonstrate the ability of a molecular Fe2 complex to enable magnetic resonance-based ratiometric quantitation of redox status.
Importance of double-resonance effects in two-photon absorption properties of Au25(SR)18−
Authors: Hu Zhongwei , Jensen Lasse
Published: April 2017

We show that double-resonance effects for Au25(SR)18− are less pronounced and do not lead to significantly enhanced two-photon absorption cross-sections.
Colloidal thallium halide nanocrystals with reasonable luminescence, carrier mobility and diffusion length
Authors: Mir Wasim J. , Warankar Avinash , Acharya Ashutosh , Das Shyamashis , Mandal Pankaj , Nag Angshuman
Published: April 2017

Colloidal TlI and TlBr nanocrystals are prepared, which show violet-blue luminescence, high carrier mobility and long diffusion lengths thus suggesting the suppression of deep-trap states.
Bifunctional porous non-precious metal WO2hexahedral networks as an electrocatalyst for full water splitting
Authors: Shu Chang , Kang Shuai , Jin Yanshuo , Yue Xin , Shen Pei Kang
Published: April 2017

This work describes a non-precious metal-based electrocatalyst that porous WO2hexahedral networks supported on Ni foam possess remarkably electrochemical performance for HER, OER, and full water-splitting by a simple two-step synthesis.
Dual Förster resonance energy transfer effects in non-fullerene ternary organic solar cells with the third component embedded in the donor and acceptor
Authors: Bi Pengqing , Zheng Fei , Yang Xiaoyu , Niu Mengsi , Feng Lin , Qin Wei , Hao Xiaotao
Published: April 2017

An investigation of phase distribution demonstrated that PCDTBT was embedded in PTB7-Th and ITIC, and hence introduced dual FRET effects in the resulting ternary system.
Photoinduced enzymatic conversion of CO2gas to solar fuel on functional cellulose nanofiber films
Authors: Shah Kinjal J. , Imae Toyoko
Published: April 2017

Functional cellulose nanofiber films for the production of solar fuel from CO2gas were prepared by immobilizing dendrimer and porphyrin derivative and loading an electron donor and enzymes (formate, aldehyde, and alcohol dehydrogenases) on the films.
Engineering an N-doped Cu2O@N–C interface with long-lived photo-generated carriers for efficient photoredox catalysts
Authors: Han Xiao , He Xiaoxiao , Wang Fan , Chen Jinquan , Xu Jianhua , Wang Xiaojun , Han Xiguang
Published: April 2017

An interface between N-doped Cu2O nanoparticles and a N-doped C matrix was successfully engineered, which exhibited extraordinary photoredox catalysis in C–C bond forming reactions.
Hollow structural effect of microporous organocatalytic polymers with pyrrolidines: dramatic enhancement of catalytic performance
Authors: Cho Kyoungil , Yoo Jin , Noh Hyeong-Wan , Lee Sang Moon , Kim Hae Jin , Ko Yoon-Joo , Jang Hye-Young , Son Seung Uk
Published: April 2017

Hollow and microporous organocatalytic polymers bearing pyrrolidines (H-MOP-P) were prepared by template synthesis and post-synthetic modification and showed enhanced performance, compared to nonhollow ones.
Three-dimensional hyaluronic acid hydrogel-based models for in vitro human iPSC-derived NPC culture and differentiation
Authors: Wu Shaohua , Xu Ranjie , Duan Bin , Jiang Peng
Published: April 2017

Stiffness tunable 3D HA-based hydrogel models were implemented to control the progenitor properties and neuronal differentiation of hiPSC-NPCs or DS-NPCs.
Synergistic and targeted drug delivery based on nano-CeO2 capped with galactose functionalized pillar[5]arene via host–guest interactions
Authors: Wu Xiaowen , Zhang Ying , Lu Yuchao , Pang Shuang , Yang Kui , Tian Zhimin , Pei Yuxin , Qu Yongquan , Wang Feng , Pei Zhichao
Published: April 2017

A novel drug delivery system based on porous CeO2 nano-rods (CeONRs) capped with galactose functionalized pillar[5]arene showed GSH-responsiveness, synergism with anticancer drugs and cancer targeting ability.
Enhancement of leak detection in pipelines through time‐domain reflectometry/ground penetrating radar measurements
Authors: Cataldo Andrea , De Benedetto Egidio , Cannazza Giuseppe , Leucci Giovanni , De Giorgi Lara , Demitri Christian
Published: April 2017

The authors have recently developed a time‐domain reflectometry (TDR)‐based leak‐localisation system which, being based on an electromagnetic technique, overcomes the well‐known downsides (sensitivity to environmental noise, to pipe material and geometry etc.) of traditional, electro‐acoustic leak‐localisation techniques. Starting from the positive results obtained so far, in this work, the authors investigate the possibility of implementing an integrated TDR/ground penetrating radar (TDR/GPR) approach. The TDR would allow the preliminary leak localisation, while the GPR technique would be used to have a countercheck for possible false positives. Also, GPR would allow to assess the quantity of the leaked water (thus scheduling a priority order for repair) and to obtain a three‐dimensional view of the subsurface soil around the pipes, so as to assess their health status. In this work, the combined TDR/GPR approach is tested on a pipe section in the presence of two leaks. In addition to this, in this study, also a different configuration of the TDR sensing element (SE) is experimented. As described in what follows, this new SE configuration is expected to expedite considerably the implementation and the use of the TDR‐based leak detection system.
Evaluation of directional relay algorithms in the presence of FCL
Authors: Jafarabadi Ashtiani Hamid , Samet Haidar , Ghanbari Teymoor
Published: April 2017

Integration of distributed generations into distribution systems has various impacts on power networks such as reconstruction of distribution networks and increase in short‐circuit capacity. Reconstruction of distribution networks magnifies importance of detecting faults directions, which is relegated to directional relay. On the other hand, one of the most attractive approaches to mitigate the increased short‐circuit capacity is utilising fault current limiters (FCLs). Since FCLs can drastically affect voltage and current signals during the first quarter cycle after fault occurrence and due to overlap between operation time of FCLs and directional relays, the affected voltage and current signals can lead to mal‐operation of directional relays. To investigate this issue, performance of some well‐known directional relay algorithms is investigated with and without the presence of FCL using plenty of simulations and some experiments. It is concluded that the FCL has different impacts on the investigated algorithms, so that some of them are not affected and some others are considerably affected.