bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Video Games and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Ossenfort Kathryn L. , Isaacowitz Derek M.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Research on age differences in media usage has shown that older adults are more likely than younger adults to select positive emotional content. Research on emotional aging has examined whether older adults also seek out positivity in the everyday situations they choose, resulting so far in mixed results. We investigated the emotional choices of different age groups using video games as a more interactive type of affect-laden stimuli. Participants made multiple selections from a group of positive and negative games. Results showed that older adults selected the more positive games, but also reported feeling worse after playing them. Results supplement the literature on positivity in situation selection as well as on older adults’ interactive media preferences.
Mouse MRI shows brain areas relatively larger in males emerge before those larger in females
Authors: Qiu Lily R. , Fernandes Darren J. , Szulc-Lerch Kamila U. , Dazai Jun , Nieman Brian J. , Turnbull Daniel H. , Foster Jane A. , Palmert Mark R. , Lerch Jason P.
Published: June 2018

Sex differences exist in behaviors, disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. Sexual dimorphisms however, have yet to be studied across the whole brain and across a comprehensive time course of postnatal development. Here, we use manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) to longitudinally image male and female C57BL/6J mice across 9 time points, beginning at postnatal day 3. We recapitulate findings on canonically dimorphic areas, demonstrating MEMRI’s ability to study neuroanatomical sex differences. We discover, upon whole-brain volume correction, that neuroanatomical regions larger in males develop earlier than those larger in females. Groups of areas with shared sexually dimorphic developmental trajectories reflect behavioral and functional networks, and expression of genes involved with sex processes. Also, post-pubertal neuroanatomy is highly individualized, and individualization occurs earlier in males. Our results demonstrate the ability of MEMRI to reveal comprehensive developmental differences between male and female brains, which will improve our understanding of sex-specific predispositions to various neuropsychiatric disorders.
Aerosol trace metal leaching and impacts on marine microorganisms
Authors: Mahowald Natalie M. , Hamilton Douglas S. , Mackey Katherine R. M. , Moore J. Keith , Baker Alex R. , Scanza Rachel A. , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2018

Metal dissolution from atmospheric aerosol deposition to the oceans is important in enhancing and inhibiting phytoplankton growth rates and modifying plankton community structure, thus impacting marine biogeochemistry. Here we review the current state of knowledge on the causes and effects of the leaching of multiple trace metals from natural and anthropogenic aerosols. Aerosol deposition is considered both on short timescales over which phytoplankton respond directly to aerosol metal inputs, as well as longer timescales over which biogeochemical cycles are affected by aerosols.
Feeders facilitate telomere maintenance and chromosomal stability of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Guo Renpeng , Ye Xiaoying , Yang Jiao , Zhou Zhongcheng , Tian Chenglei , Wang Hua , Wang Haiying , Fu Haifeng , Liu Chun , Zeng Ming , Yang Jun , Liu Lin
Published: June 2018

Feeder cells like mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) have been widely applied for culture of pluripotent stem cells, but their roles remain elusive. Noticeably, ESCs cultured on the feeders display transcriptional heterogeneity. We investigated roles of feeder cells by examining the telomere maintenance. Here we show that telomere is longer in mESCs cultured with than without the feeders. mESC cultures without MEF feeders exhibit telomere loss, chromosomal fusion, and aneuploidy with increasing passages. Notably, feeders facilitate heterogeneous transcription of 2-cell genes including Zscan4 and telomere elongation. Moreover, feeders produce Fstl1 that together with BMP4 periodically activate Zscan4. Interestingly, Zscan4 is repressed in mESCs cultured in 2i (inhibitors of Mek and Gsk3β signaling) media, associated with shorter telomeres and increased chromosome instability. These data suggest the important role of feeders in maintaining telomeres for long-term stable self-renewal and developmental pluripotency of mESCs.
A window of opportunity for cooperativity in the T Cell Receptor
Authors: Martin-Blanco N. , Blanco R. , Alda-Catalinas C. , Bovolenta E. R. , Oeste C. L. , Palmer E. , Schamel W. W. , Lythe G. , Molina-París C. , Castro M. , Alarcon B.
Published: June 2018

The T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) is pre-organised in oligomers, known as nanoclusters. Nanoclusters could provide a framework for inter-TCR cooperativity upon peptide antigen-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) binding. Here we have used soluble pMHC oligomers in search for cooperativity effects along the plasma membrane plane. We find that initial binding events favour subsequent pMHC binding to additional TCRs, during a narrow temporal window. This behaviour can be explained by a 3-state model of TCR transition from Resting to Active, to a final Inhibited state. By disrupting nanoclusters and hampering the Active conformation, we show that TCR cooperativity is consistent with TCR nanoclusters adopting the Active state in a coordinated manner. Preferential binding of pMHC to the Active TCR at the immunological synapse suggests that there is a transient time frame for signal amplification in the TCR, allowing the T cells to keep track of antigen quantity and binding time.
Photonic crystal cavities from hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Kim Sejeong , Fröch Johannes E. , Christian Joe , Straw Marcus , Bishop James , Totonjian Daniel , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Toth Milos , Aharonovich Igor
Published: June 2018

Development of scalable quantum photonic technologies requires on-chip integration of photonic components. Recently, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has emerged as a promising platform, following reports of hyperbolic phonon-polaritons and optically stable, ultra-bright quantum emitters. However, exploitation of hBN in scalable, on-chip nanophotonic circuits and cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) experiments requires robust techniques for the fabrication of high-quality optical resonators. In this letter, we design and engineer suspended photonic crystal cavities from hBN and demonstrate quality (Q) factors in excess of 2000. Subsequently, we show deterministic, iterative tuning of individual cavities by direct-write EBIE without significant degradation of the Q-factor. The demonstration of tunable cavities made from hBN is an unprecedented advance in nanophotonics based on van der Waals materials. Our results and hBN processing methods open up promising avenues for solid-state systems with applications in integrated quantum photonics, polaritonics and cavity QED experiments.
Composition and Use of Cannabis Extracts for Childhood Epilepsy in the Australian Community
Authors: Suraev A. , Lintzeris N. , Stuart J. , Kevin R. C. , Blackburn R. , Richards E. , Arnold J. C. , Ireland C. , Todd L. , Allsop D. J. , McGregor I. S.
Published: June 2018

Recent surveys suggest that many parents are using illicit cannabis extracts in the hope of managing seizures in their children with epilepsy. In the current Australian study we conducted semi-structured interviews with families of children with diverse forms of epilepsy to explore their attitudes towards and experiences with using cannabis extracts. This included current or previous users of cannabis extracts to treat their child’s seizures (n = 41 families), and families who had never used (n = 24 families). For those using cannabis, extracts were analysed for cannabinoid content, with specific comparison of samples rated by families as “effective” versus those rated “ineffective”. Results showed that children given cannabis extracts tended to have more severe epilepsy historically and had trialled more anticonvulsants than those who had never received cannabis extracts. There was high variability in the cannabinoid content and profile of cannabis extracts rated as “effective”, with no clear differences between extracts perceived as “effective” and “ineffective”. Contrary to family’s expectations, most samples contained low concentrations of cannabidiol, while Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol was present in nearly every sample. These findings highlight profound variation in the illicit cannabis extracts being currently used in Australia and warrant further investigations into the therapeutic value of cannabinoids in epilepsy.
Spontaneous reactivation of latent HIV-1 promoters is linked to the cell cycle as revealed by a genetic-insulators-containing dual-fluorescence HIV-1-based vector
Authors: Kok Yik Lim , Schmutz Stefan , Inderbitzin Anne , Neumann Kathrin , Kelley Audrey , Jörimann Lisa , Shilaih Mohaned , Vongrad Valentina , Kouyos Roger D. , Günthard Huldrych F. , Berens Christian , Metzner Karin J.
Published: June 2018

Long-lived latently HIV-1-infected cells represent a barrier to cure. We developed a dual-fluorescence HIV-1-based vector containing a pair of genetic insulators flanking a constitutive fluorescent reporter gene to study HIV-1 latency. The protective effects of these genetic insulators are demonstrated through long-term (up to 394 days) stable fluorescence profiles in transduced SUP-T1 cells. Analysis of 1,941 vector integration sites confirmed reproduction of HIV-1 integration patterns. We sorted monoclonal cells representing latent HIV-1 infections and found that both vector integration sites and integrity of the vector genomes influence the reactivation potentials of latent HIV-1 promoters. Interestingly, some latent monoclonal cells exhibited a small cell subpopulation with a spontaneously reactivated HIV-1 promoter. Higher expression levels of genes involved in cell cycle progression are observed in these cell subpopulations compared to their counterparts with HIV-1 promoters that remained latent. Consistently, larger fractions of spontaneously reactivated cells are in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. Furthermore, genistein and nocodazole treatments of these cell clones, which halted cells in the G2 phase, resulted in a 1.4–2.9-fold increase in spontaneous reactivation. Taken together, our HIV-1 latency model reveals that the spontaneous reactivation of latent HIV-1 promoters is linked to the cell cycle.
Visual Osteoclast Fusion via A Fluorescence Method
Authors: Li Boer , Yu Fanyuan , Wu Fanzi , Wang Ke , Lou Feng , Zhang Demao , Liao Xueyang , Yin Bei , Wang Chenglin , Ye Ling
Published: June 2018

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells. Fusion is an essential element in the formation of osteoclasts. However, the exact cellular events and mechanisms remain largely unknown because of limited and insufficient methods for observing fusion process. In this work, a fluorescence reporter strategy was established to monitor osteoclast fusion. After fusing with cells expressing Cre recombinase, those cells with double fluorescence switch its expression from red to green fluorescent protein. The effect of RANKL and PTH on osteoclast fusion were both quantitatively and visually detected utilizing this strategy. Furthermore, a combination of this strategy with a technique of fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed two different populations of fused osteoclasts, tdTomato+ GFP+ cells (TG cells) and GFP+ cells (G cells). The results argue for the potential of combining this technique with other bio-technologies to gain more information about osteoclast fusion. Overall, these data demonstrated that this visual fluorescence switch strategy is useful for further analysis of osteoclast fusion mechanisms.
Synthetic antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus inhibit caries formation
Authors: Alam Md. Kausar , Zheng Li , Liu Ruirui , Papagerakis Silvana , Papagerakis Petros , Geyer C. Ronald
Published: June 2018

Streptococcus mutansandStreptococcus sobrinusare the main causative agents of human dental caries. Current strategies for treating caries are costly and do not completely eradicate them completely. Passive immunization using nonhuman antibodies against Streptococcal surface antigens has shown success in human trials, however they often invoke immune reactions. We used phage display to generate human antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) againstS.mutansandS.sobrinus. These Fabs were readily expressed inE.coliand bound to the surfaceS.mutansandS.sobrinus. Fabs inhibited sucrose-inducedS.mutansandS.sobrinusbiofilm formationin vitroand a combination ofS.mutansandS.sobrinusFabs prevented dental caries formation in a rat caries model. These results demonstrated thatS.mutansandS.sobrinusFabs could be used in passive immunization strategies to prevent dental caries. In the future, this strategy may be applied towards a caries therapy, whereby Fabs are topically applied to the tooth surface.
Human IgM monoclonal antibodies block HIV-transmission to immune cells in cervico-vaginal tissues and across polarized epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Devito Claudia , Ellegård Rada , Falkeborn Tina , Svensson Lennart , Ohlin Mats , Larsson Marie , Broliden Kristina , Hinkula Jorma
Published: June 2018

The importance of natural IgM antibodies in protection against infections is still emerging and these antibodies have a potential role in the maintenance of homeostasis through clearance of apoptotic bodies, complement-dependent mechanisms, inflammation and exclusion of misfolded proteins. Natural IgM act as a first line of defence against unknown hazardous factors and are present in most vertebrates. We investigated the functional capacity of anti-HIV-1 IgM monoclonal antibodies, from a combinatorial Fab library derived from healthy individuals, and evaluated their protective role in inhibiting HIV-1in vitrowhen passing across the human mucosal epithelial barrier. Primary HIV-1 isolates were efficiently transmitted over the tight polarized epithelial cells when added to their apical surface. Efficient inhibition of HIV-1 transmission was achieved when anti-HIV-1 IgM monoclonal antibodies were added to the basolateral side of the cells. Two of these human IgM MoAbs had the ability to neutralize HIV and reduced infection of dendritic cells in primary cervico-vaginal tissue biopsiesin vitro. This indicates a potential role of natural IgM antibodies in the reduction of HIV-1 transmission in mucosal tissues and improve our understanding of how natural IgM antibodies against a neutralizing epitope could interfere with viral transmission.
Using machine learning tools for protein database biocuration assistance
Authors: König Caroline , Shaim Ilmira , Vellido Alfredo , Romero Enrique , Alquézar René , Giraldo Jesús
Published: June 2018

Biocuration in the omics sciences has become paramount, as research in these fields rapidly evolves towards increasingly data-dependent models. As a result, the management of web-accessible publicly-available databases becomes a central task in biological knowledge dissemination. One relevant challenge for biocurators is the unambiguous identification of biological entities. In this study, we illustrate the adequacy of machine learning methods as biocuration assistance tools using a publicly available protein database as an example. This database contains information on G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), which are part of eukaryotic cell membranes and relevant in cell communication as well as major drug targets in pharmacology. These receptors are characterized according to subtype labels. Previous analysis of this database provided evidence that some of the receptor sequences could be affected by a case of label noise, as they appeared to be too consistently misclassified by machine learning methods. Here, we extend our analysis to recent and quite substantially modified new versions of the database and reveal their now extremely accurate labeling using several machine learning models and different transformations of the unaligned sequences. These findings support the adequacy of our proposed method to identify problematic labeling cases as a tool for database biocuration.
Neonatal corticosterone mitigates autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus in mice
Authors: Macrì Simone , Spinello Chiara , Widomska Joanna , Magliozzi Roberta , Poelmans Geert , Invernizzi Roberto William , Creti Roberta , Roessner Veit , Bartolini Erika , Margarit Immaculada , Glennon Jeffrey , Laviola Giovanni
Published: June 2018

Increased glucocorticoid concentrations have been shown to favor resilience towards autoimmune phenomena. Here, we addressed whether experimentally induced elevations in circulating glucocorticoids mitigate the abnormalities exhibited by an experimental model of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS). This is a pathogenic hypothesis linking repeated exposures to Group-A-beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS), autoantibodies targeting selected brain nuclei and neurobehavioral abnormalities. To persistently elevate glucocorticoid concentrations, we supplemented lactating SJL/J mice with corticosterone (CORT; 80 mg/L) in the drinking water. Starting in adolescence (postnatal day 28), developing offspring were exposed to four injections - at bi-weekly intervals - of a GAS homogenate and tested for behavioral, immunological, neurochemical and molecular alterations. GAS mice showed increased perseverative behavior, impaired sensorimotor gating, reduced reactivity to a serotonergic agonist and inflammatory infiltrates in the anterior diencephalon. Neonatal CORT persistently increased circulating glucocorticoids concentrations and counteracted these alterations. Additionally, neonatal CORT increased peripheral and CNS concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-9. Further, upstream regulator analysis of differentially expressed genes in the striatum showed that the regulatory effect of estradiol is inhibited in GAS-treated mice and activated in GAS-treated mice exposed to CORT. These data support the hypothesis that elevations in glucocorticoids may promote central immunomodulatory processes.
Structural determination of bilayer graphene on SiC(0001) using synchrotron radiation photoelectron diffraction
Authors: Razado-Colambo I. , Avila J. , Vignaud D. , Godey S. , Wallart X. , Woodruff D. P. , Asensio M. C.
Published: June 2018

In recent years there has been growing interest in the electronic properties of ‘few layer’ graphene films. Twisted layers, different stacking and register with the substrate result in remarkable unconventional couplings. These distinctive electronic behaviours have been attributed to structural differences, even if only a few structural determinations are available. Here we report the results of a structural study of bilayer graphene on the Si-terminated SiC(0001) surface, investigated using synchrotron radiation-based photoelectron diffraction and complemented by angle-resolved photoemission mapping of the electronic valence bands. Photoelectron diffraction angular distributions of the graphene C 1s component have been measured at different kinetic energies and compared with the results of multiple scattering simulations for model structures. The results confirm that bilayer graphene on SiC(0001) has a layer spacing of 3.48 Å and an AB (Bernal) stacking, with a distance between the C buffer layer and the first graphene layer of 3.24 Å. Our work generalises the use of a versatile and precise diffraction method capable to shed light on the structure of low-dimensional materials.
Innate and adaptive immune dysregulation in critically ill ICU patients
Authors: Duggal Niharika Arora , Snelson Catherine , Shaheen Ulfath , Pearce Victoria , Lord Janet M.
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to evaluate whether ICU patients who developed persistent critical illness displayed an immune profile similar to an aged immune phenotype and any associations with patient outcomes. Twenty two critically ill ICU patients (27–76 years, 15 males), at day 5 of mechanical ventilation, and 22 healthy age-matched controls (27–77 years, 13 males) were recruited. Frequency and phenotype of innate and adaptive immune cells and telomere length in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured. An elevated granulocyte count (p < 0.0001), increased numbers of immature granulocytes (p < 0.0001), increased CD16++ve monocytes (p = 0.003) and CD14+ve HLADRdim/low monocytes (p = 0.004) and lower NK cell numbers (p = 0.007) were observed in ICU patients compared to controls. Critically ill patients also had lower numbers of total T lymphocytes (p = 0.03), naïve CD4 T cells (p = 0.003) and PTK7+ve recent thymic emigrants (p = 0.002), and increased senescent CD28−ve CD57+ve CD4 T cells (p = 0.02), but there was no difference in PBMC telomere length. Regulatory immune cell frequency was affected with reduced circulating CD19+veCD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells (p = 0.02). However, only a raised neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and reduced frequency of CD14+ve HLADRdim/low monocytes were associated with poor outcomes. We conclude that persistent critical illness results in changes to immune cell phenotype only some of which are similar to that seen in physiological ageing of the immune system.
Metastable phase formation of Pt-X (X = Ir, Au) thin films
Authors: Saksena Aparna , Chien Yu-Chuan , Chang Keke , Kümmerl Pauline , Hans Marcus , Völker Bernhard , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: June 2018

The dependence of phase formation and mechanical properties on the chemical composition has been investigated for Pt-Ir and Pt-Au combinatorial thin films. The formation of a single, metastable Pt-Ir solid solution has been observed for all experimental compositions and temperatures. Upon Ir addition to Pt the experimentally determined changes in lattice parameter and Young’s modulus display rule of mixture behavior which is in good agreement with ourab initiodata. Whereas, in the Pt-Au system, the single metastable solid solution decomposes into two phases as the growth temperature is raised to ≥600 °C. The lattice parameters in the dual phase region are independent of chemical composition. The substrate temperature and chemical composition dependent phase formation in Pt-Ir and Pt-Au thin films can be rationalized based on CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) results combined with estimations of the activation energy required for surface diffusion: The metastable phase formation during film growth is caused by kinetic limitations, where Ir atoms (in Pt-Ir) need to overcome an up to factor 6 higher activation energy barrier than Au (in Pt-Au) to enable surface diffusion.
The multidomain flavodiiron protein from Clostridium difficile 630 is an NADH:oxygen oxidoreductase
Authors: Folgosa Filipe , Martins Maria C. , Teixeira Miguel
Published: June 2018

Flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) are enzymes with a minimal core of two domains: a metallo-β-lactamase-like, harbouring a diiron center, and a flavodoxin, FMN containing, domains. FDPs are O2 or NO reducing enzymes; for many pathogens, they help mitigate the NO produced by the immune system of the host, and aid survival during fluctuating concentrations concentrations of oxygen. FDPs have a mosaic structure, being predicted to contain multiple extra domains. Clostridium difficile, a threatening human pathogen, encodes two FDPs: one with the two canonical domains, and another with a larger polypeptide chain of 843 amino acids, CD1623, with two extra domains, predicted to be a short-rubredoxin-like and an NAD(P)H:rubredoxin oxidoreductase. This multi-domain protein is the most complex FDP characterized thus far. Each of the predicted domains was characterized and the presence of the predicted cofactors confirmed by biochemical and spectroscopic analysis. Results show that this protein operates as a standalone FDP, receiving electrons directly from NADH, and reducing oxygen to water, precluding the need for extra partners. CD1623 displayed negligible NO reductase activity, and is thus considered an oxygen selective FDP, that may contribute to the survival of C. difficile in the human gut and in the environment.
Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus in regulation of stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats
Authors: Sun Haiji , Zhao Pan , Liu Wenkai , Li Lei , Ai Hongbin , Ma Xiaoli
Published: June 2018

Previous studies showed that restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS) increases the expression of Fos protein in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), indicating the VMH involving in the stress-induced gastric mucosal injury (SGMI). The present study was designed to investigate its possible neuro-regulatory mechanisms in rats receiving either VMH lesions or sham surgery. The model for SGMI was developed by restraint and water (21 ± 1 °C) immersion for 2 h. Gastric mucosal injury index, gastric motility, gastric acid secretion and Fos expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem were examined on the 15th postoperative day in RWIS rats. Gastric mucosal injury in VMH-lesioned rats was obviously aggravated compared to the control. Gastric acidity under RWIS was obviously higher in VMH-lesioned rats than that in sham rats. Meantime, the VMH-lesioned rats exhibited marked increases in the amplitude of gastric motility in the VMH lesions group after RWIS. In VMH-lesioned rats, Fos expression significantly increased in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV), the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the area postrema (AP), the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in response to RWIS. These results indicate that VMH lesions can aggravate the stress-induced gastric mucosal injury through the VMH-dorsal vagal complex (DVC)-vagal nerve pathway.
Integument CYP genes of the largest genome-wide cytochrome P450 expansions in triatomines participate in detoxification in deltamethrin-resistant Triatoma infestans
Authors: Dulbecco Andrea B. , Moriconi Débora E. , Calderón-Fernández Gustavo M. , Lynn Soledad , McCarthy Andrés , Roca-Acevedo Gonzalo , Salamanca-Moreno Jhon A. , Juárez M. Patricia , Pedrini Nicolás
Published: June 2018

Insect resistance to chemical insecticides is attributed to a combination of different mechanisms, such as metabolic resistance, knockdown resistance, and the cuticular resistance or penetration factor. The insect integument offers an efficient barrier against contact insecticides and its role as penetration factor has been previously reported; however, there is no information about its potential function in the metabolic resistance. Cytochrome P450 genes (CYP) are highly expressed in the fat body of several insects and thus play a key role in their metabolic resistance. Here, we describe new members that belong to the highly genome-wide expanded CYP3093A and CYP4EM subfamilies in the Chagas disease vectors Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans. We modeled the docking of deltamethrin in their active site and detected differences in some amino acids between both species that are critical for a correct interaction with the substrate. We also knocked down the two constitutively most expressed genes in the integument of resistant T. infestans nymphs (CYP3093A11 and CYP4EM10) in order to find clues on their participation in deltamethrin resistance. This is the first report on the role of the insect integument in detoxification events; although these two CYP genes do not fully explain the resistance observed in T. infestans.
Phasic and sustained interactions of multisensory interplay and temporal expectation
Authors: Ball Felix , Fuehrmann Fabienne , Stratil Fenja , Noesselt Toemme
Published: June 2018

Every moment organisms are confronted with complex streams of information which they use to generate a reliable mental model of the world. There is converging evidence for several optimization mechanisms instrumental in integrating (or segregating) incoming information; among them are multisensory interplay (MSI) and temporal expectation (TE). Both mechanisms can account for enhanced perceptual sensitivity and are well studied in isolation; how these two mechanisms interact is currently less well-known. Here, we tested in a series of four psychophysical experiments for TE effects in uni- and multisensory contexts with different levels of modality-related and spatial uncertainty. We found that TE enhanced perceptual sensitivity for the multisensory relative to the best unisensory condition (i.e. multisensory facilitation according to the max-criterion). In the latter TE effects even vanished if stimulus-related spatial uncertainty was increased. Accordingly, computational modelling indicated that TE, modality-related and spatial uncertainty predict multisensory facilitation. Finally, the analysis of stimulus history revealed that matching expectation at trial n-1 selectively improves multisensory performance irrespective of stimulus-related uncertainty. Together, our results indicate that benefits of multisensory stimulation are enhanced by TE especially in noisy environments, which allows for more robust information extraction to boost performance on both short and sustained time ranges.
Synergy of AERONET and MODIS AOD products in the estimation of PM2.5 concentrations in Beijing
Authors: Fu Disong , Xia Xiangao , Wang Jun , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Xiaojing , Liu Jianzhong
Published: June 2018

Satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) is widely used to estimate particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) mass concentrations. Polar orbiting satellite retrieval 1–2 times each day is frequently affected by cloud, snow cover or misclassification of heavy pollution. Novel methods are therefore required to improve AOD sampling. Sunphotometer provides much more AODs than satellite at a fixed point. Furthermore, much of the aerosol pollution is regional. Both factors indicate that sunphotometer has great potential for PM2.5 concentration estimation. The spatial representativeness of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) AOD at Beijing site is investigated by linear regression analysis of 13-year daily paired AODs at each grid from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Aqua and Beijing AERONET. The result suggests a good correlation for the whole Beijing Administrative region, with regional mean correlation coefficient exceeding 0.73. Pixel AODs are then estimated from AERONET AOD using linear equations, which are verified to have the same accuracy as that of MODIS AOD. Either AOD from MODIS retrieval or estimation from AERONET AOD in the absence of MODIS pixel AOD is finally used to predict PM2.5 concentration. Daily AOD sampling in average is enhanced by 59% in winter when MODIS AODs are very limited. More importantly, synergy of AERONET and MODIS AOD is able to improve the estimation of regional mean PM2.5 concentrations, which indicates this method would play a significant role in monitoring regional aerosol pollution.
A multifunctional DNA nano-scorpion for highly efficient targeted delivery of mRNA therapeutics
Authors: Li Dandan , Mo Fei , Wu Jiangling , Huang Yong , Zhou Huihao , Ding Shijia , Chen Weixian
Published: June 2018

The highly efficient cancer cell targeted delivery plays an important role in precise targeted therapies. Herein, a multifunctional DNA nano-scorpion nanostructure (termed AptDzy-DNS) functioned with aptamers and DNAzyme is developed for highly efficient targeted delivery of mRNA therapeutics in gene therapy. The designed AptDzy-DNS is self-assembled with specific aptamers as “scorpion stingers” for targeting tumor cell and DNAzymes as “scorpion pincers” for targeted gene therapy by cleaving mRNA into fragments. The as-prepared AptDzy-DNS can effectively distinguish cancer cells from normal cells by specific cross-talking between aptamers on AptDzy-DNS and overexpressed cell-surface receptors. In the process of gene therapy, by reacting with Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme on AptDzy-DNS, the mRNA oligonucleotide in cancer cell is auto-cleaved into broken strand, failing to be translated into corresponding protein. Following, the downregulation protein can block cancer cell growth and realize highly efficient targeted therapies. The results demonstrate that the multifunctional AptDzy-DNS shows promise for targeted cancer cell discrimination, highly efficient targeted delivery of mRNA therapeutics in gene therapy. Thus, this developed strategy provides impressive improvement on gene targeted therapy and paves the way for application of AptDzy-DNS in human cancer targeted therapies.
Exposure to podophyllotoxin inhibits oocyte meiosis by disturbing meiotic spindle formation
Authors: Hu Lin-Lin , Zhou Xin , Zhang Hao-Lin , Wu Lan-Lan , Tang Lian-Sheng , Chen Ling-Li , Duan Jin-Liang
Published: June 2018

Podophyllotoxin is used as medical cream which is widely applied to genital warts and molluscum contagiosum. Although previous study showed that podophyllotoxin had minimal toxicity, it was forbidden to use during pregnancy since it might be toxic to the embryos. In present study we used mouse as the model and tried to examine whether podophyllotoxin exposure was toxic to oocyte maturation, which further affected embryo development. Our results showed that podophyllotoxin exposure inhibited mouse oocyte maturation, showing with the failure of polar body extrusion, and the inhibitory effects of podophyllotoxin on oocytes was dose-depended. Further studies showed that the meiotic spindle formation was disturbed, the chromosomes were misaligned and the fluorescence signal of microtubule was decreased, indicating that podophyllotoxin may affect microtubule dynamics for spindle organization. Moreover, the oocytes which reached metaphase II under podophyllotoxin exposure also showed aberrant spindle morphology and chromosome misalignment, and the embryos generated from these oocytes showed low developmental competence. We also found that the localization of p44/42 MAPK and gamma-tubulin was disrupted, which further confirmed the effects of podophyllotoxin on meiotic spindle formation. In all, our results indicated that podophyllotoxin exposure could affect mouse oocyte maturation by disturbing microtubule dynamics and meiotic spindle formation.
Chronotype and social jetlag influence human circadian clock gene expression
Authors: Takahashi Masaki , Tahara Yu , Tsubosaka Miku , Fukazawa Mayuko , Ozaki Mamiho , Iwakami Tamao , Nakaoka Takashi , Shibata Shigenobu
Published: June 2018

We examined the relationships between chronotype or social jetlag and clock gene expression. Twenty-four young men [Chronotype: morningness, n = 8; intermediate, n = 8, eveningness, n = 8], aged 27 ± 2 years old (mean ± SE), completed two trials in a randomized order: (1) a Friday trial and (2) a Monday trial. In both trials, hair follicle cells were collected to evaluate the expression of clock genes over a 24-hour period at 4-hour intervals. There was a significant main effect of time on the expression of NR1D1, NR1D2, and PER3 (P < 0.001) in the morningness group, but not in the eveningness group. Changes in the peak time of expression of NR1D1 (r = 0.434, P = 0.034), NR1D2 (r = 0.481, P = 0.017), and PER3 (r = 0.457, P = 0.025) from the Friday to Monday trials were positively correlated with social jetlag (SJL) time. Our findings indicate that there was no change in the patterns of clock gene expression between workdays and the day after the holiday in the morningness group, and that SJL time influences the peak time of clock gene expression, moving it from the early to late workday, after a holiday.
Theoretical study of a series of 4,4′-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one based nitrogen-rich salts as potential energetic compounds
Authors: Cao Wenli , Ding Zimei , Hang Xiaojing , Xu Kangzhen , Song Jirong , Huang Jie , Guo Jiajia
Published: June 2018

The structural, physicochemical parameters, detonation performances and safeties of 4,4′-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one and its nitrogen-rich salts were investigated theoretically, and these compounds may serve as modern energetic compounds.
Tumor-selective catalytic nanosystem for activatable theranostics
Authors: Duan Lu-Ying , Wang Yu-Jie , Liu Jin-Wen , Wang Yu-Min , Li Na , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: June 2018

A novel catalytic nanosystem which successfully realizes efficient CDT and activatable fluorescence imaging in H2O2-rich tumor microenvironments was developed.
A simple and versatile strategy for realizing bright multicolor mechanoluminescence
Authors: Sun Qikun , Zhang Kai , Zhang Zhenzhen , Tang Linagliang , Xie Zongliang , Chi Zhenguo , Xue Shanfeng , Zhang Haichang , Yang Wenjun
Published: June 2018

Bright multicolor mechanoluminescence (ML) was first realized using a stable organic blue ML emitter, N-phenylcarbazole, as the host.
Copper-catalyzed cyclization of 2-cyanobenzaldehydes and 2-isocyanoacetates: an efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines
Authors: Bao Wen , Wang Jun-Qi , Xu Xue-Tao , Zhang Bang-Hong , Liu Wei-Ting , Lei Lin-Sheng , Liang Huan , Zhang Kun , Wang Shao-Hua
Published: June 2018

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinoline has been developed.
Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks: design, structures and potential applications
Authors: Luo Jie , Wang Jia-Wei , Zhang Ji-Hong , Lai Shan , Zhong Di-Chang
Published: June 2018

This paper highlights the current key progress on HOF-based materials, including their design, structural characteristics, and applications.
Controlled morphology of ZnSe nanostructures by varying Zn/Se molar ratio: the effects of different morphologies on optical properties and photocatalytic performance
Authors: Bigdeli Tabar Mohammad , Elahi S. M. , Ghoranneviss Mahmood , Yousefi Ramin
Published: June 2018

Synthesis of ZnSe nanostructures with different morphologies by changing the Zn/Se ratio in a co-precipitation method.
Terbium complexes encapsulated in hierarchically organized hybrid MOF particles toward stable luminescence in aqueous media
Authors: Wang Yiquan , Zhou Wei , Chen Feng , Sun Kaiyao , Zhang Jixi , Özliseli Ezgi , Rosenholm Jessica M.
Published: June 2018

Hierarchically organized hybrid MOF particles were mediated by hydrophobic ligands for the stable luminescence of lanthanide complexes.
Dynamical resonances in chemical reactions
Authors: Wang Tao , Yang Tiangang , Xiao Chunlei , Sun Zhigang , Zhang Donghui , Yang Xueming , Weichman Marissa L. , Neumark Daniel M.
Published: June 2018

The transition state is a key concept in the field of chemistry and is important in the study of chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics.
Deactivation of bimetallic nickel–copper alloy catalysts in thermocatalytic decomposition of methane
Authors: Shen Yi , Ge Moyan , Lua Aik Chong
Published: June 2018

The deactivation of NiCu in the CDM process could involve three deactivation mechanisms – atomic erosion, fragmentation and copper segregation.
Correction: Food-grade monoglyceride oil foams: the effect of tempering on foamability, foam stability and rheological properties
Authors: Heymans Robbe , Tavernier Iris , Danthine Sabine , Rimaux Tom , Van der Meeren Paul , Dewettinck Koen
Published: June 2018

Correction for ‘Food-grade monoglyceride oil foams: the effect of tempering on foamability, foam stability and rheological properties’ by Robbe Heymans et al., Food Funct., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8fo00536b.
Rapid pretreatment of Miscanthus using the low-cost ionic liquid triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate at elevated temperatures
Authors: Gschwend Florence J. V. , Malaret Francisco , Shinde Somnath , Brandt-Talbot Agnieszka , Hallett Jason P.
Published: June 2018

Deconstruction with low-cost ionic liquids (ionoSolv) is a promising method to pre-condition lignocellulosic biomass for the production of renewable fuels, materials and chemicals.
A fluorometric skin-interfaced microfluidic device and smartphone imaging module for in situ quantitative analysis of sweat chemistry
Authors: Sekine Yurina , Kim Sung Bong , Zhang Yi , Bandodkar Amay J. , Xu Shuai , Choi Jungil , Irie Masahiro , Ray Tyler R. , Kohli Punit , Kozai Naofumi , Sugita Tsuyoshi , Wu Yixin , Lee KunHyuck , Lee Kyu-Tae , Ghaffari Roozbeh , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2018

A wearable microfluidic system and smartphone optics module enabled in situ analysis of sweat.
Microwave assisted one-pot synthetic route to imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives of imidazo/triazole clubbed pyrazole and their pharmacological screening
Authors: Prasad Pratibha , Kalola Anirudhdha G. , Patel Manish P.
Published: June 2018

An efficient synthetic microwave-assisted, one-pot three-component condensation route for imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives of imidazole 4/triazole 5 clubbed pyrazole catalysed by ecofriendly base KOH.
Synthesis, photophysical, antibacterial and larvicidal studies on triazolophanes with 5-nitro isophthalate functionality at the intraannular position
Authors: Selvarani Sivasamy , Rajakumar Perumal , Nagaraj Subramani , Choudhury Manisha , Velmurugan Devadasan
Published: June 2018

1 : 1 and 2 : 2 oligomeric triazolophanes have been successfully synthesized from the corresponding propargylic esters and various aryl alkyl azides.
Synthesis of efficient Co and N co-doped carbon catalysts with high surface areas for selective oxidation of ethylbenzene
Authors: Li Yuan , Jie Shanshan , Li Kun , Liu Zhigang
Published: June 2018

In this manuscript, Co and N co-doped carbon catalysts with high surface areas were prepared via the pyrolysis of cobalt nitrate and 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate, using Mg(OH)2 as a pore former, followed by acid etching.
A graphene-based fluorescent nanoprobe for simultaneous monitoring of miRNA and mRNA in living cells
Authors: Pan Wei , Liu Bo , Gao Xiaonan , Yu Zhengze , Liu Xiaohan , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: June 2018

A graphene-based fluorescent nanoprobe was developed to monitor miRNA and mRNA simultaneously in living cells.
1,8-Diamidocarbazoles: an easily tuneable family of fluorescent anion sensors and transporters
Authors: Bąk Krzysztof M. , Chabuda Krzysztof , Montes Helena , Quesada Roberto , Chmielewski Michał J.
Published: June 2018

Simple and easy to make diamidocarbazoles have been shown to be highly active anion transporters and sensitive turn-ON fluorescent sensors for H2PO4−and AcO−.
Enantioselective total synthesis of pyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,4]-benzodiazepine monomers (S)-(−)-barmumycin and (S)-(+)-boseongazepine B
Authors: Bhosale Viraj A. , Waghmode Suresh B.
Published: June 2018

An efficient enantioselective total synthesis of pyrrolo-[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) monomers (S)-(−)-barmumycin and (S)-(+)-boseongazepine B was achieved through a stereocontrolled strategy, which relies on a proline catalysed asymmetric α-amination and ester α-ethylenation.
Nut-like MOF/hydroxylated graphene hybrid materials for adsorptive desulfurization of thiophene
Authors: Yang Ke , Yan Yu , Chen Wen , Kang Hongtao , Han Yi , Zhang Wenquan , Fan Yafeng , Li Zhenxing
Published: June 2018

A series of novel metal–organic framework/hydroxylated graphene hybrid materials were successfully designed and synthesized with different ratios of Cu-BTC and hydroxylated graphene and their adsorption performances for thiophene from oils were evaluated.
Complete assignment of the vibrational spectra of borazine: the inorganic benzene
Authors: Parker Stewart F.
Published: June 2018

Inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy has detected all of the internal modes of borazine, including the infrared and Raman forbidden modes.
Interfacing porphyrins and carbon nanotubes through mechanical links
Authors: de Juan-Fernández Leire , Münich Peter W. , Puthiyedath Arjun , Nieto-Ortega Belén , Casado Santiago , Ruiz-González Luisa , Pérez Emilio M. , Guldi Dirk M.
Published: June 2018

U-shaped bisporphyrin molecules are clipped around SWCNTs using ring-closing metathesis yielding rotaxane-type derivatives, in which porphyrins and SWCNTs are connected through mechanical links.
Correlation between grafted nanoparticle–matrix polymer interface wettability and slip in polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Ibrahim Mohd , Begam Nafisa , Padmanabhan Venkat , Basu J. K.
Published: June 2018

Controlling the nanoparticle–matrix interface slip by varying the interface wettability between the two in a polymer nanocomposite which is crucial in realizing their potential in various application.
Reactive gas atmospheres as a tool for the synthesis of MOFs: the creation of a metal hybrid fumarate with a controlled Fe/Al composition profile
Authors: Monteagudo-Olivan Rebeca , Arruebo Manuel , López-Ram-de-Viu Pilar , Sebastian Victor , Coronas Joaquín
Published: June 2018

Reactive gas atmospheres have been used as a new tool for the synthesis of MOFs, allowing the creation of a metal hybrid fumarate with a controlled Fe/Al composition profile.
An anti-overturn Janus sponge with excellent floating stability for simultaneous pollutant remediation and oil/water separation
Authors: Lee Yo Seph , Kaang Byung Kwon , Han Nara , Lee Ha-Jin , Choi Won San
Published: June 2018

This paper reports an anti-overturn Janus sponge that can absorb oil under harsh conditions such as high waves and strong winds, remediate pollutants in three liquid multiphases, and successively separate and remediate three liquid layers (light oil/water/heavy oil).
Chemically driven supramolecular self-assembly of porphyrin donors for high-performance organic solar cells
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Tang Wei , Bi Pengqing , Yan Lei , Wang Xingzhu , Wong Wai-Kwok , Hao Xiaotao , Ong Beng S. , Zhu Xunjin
Published: June 2018

Supramolecular self-assembly of a porphyrin donor with J-aggregates affords higher performance with a PC71BM acceptor in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells.
On the understanding of energetic disorder, charge recombination and voltage losses in all-polymer solar cells
Authors: Yin Ao , Zhang Dongyang , Cheung Sin Hang , So Shu Kong , Fu Zhiqiang , Ying Lei , Huang Fei , Zhou Huiqiong , Zhang Yuan
Published: June 2018

Based on comparisons of two all-polymer solar cells based on PTzBI:N2200 and PNDN-T:N2200 blends, factors limiting the device characteristics are investigated.
Correction: Experimental and computational conductivity study of multilayer graphene in polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: del Castillo Roxana M. , del Castillo Luis F. , Calles Alipio G. , Compañ Vicente
Published: June 2018

Correction for ‘Experimental and computational conductivity study of multilayer graphene in polypropylene nanocomposites’ by Roxana M. del Castillo et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8tc01135d.
The slow rise of complex life as revealed through biomarker genetics
Authors: Gold David A.
Published: June 2018

Organic molecules preserved in ancient rocks can function as ‘biomarkers’, providing a unique window into the evolution of life. While biomarkers demonstrate intriguing patterns through the Neoproterozoic, it can be difficult to constrain particular biomarkers to specific organisms. The goal of the present paper is to demonstrate the utility of biomarkers when we focus less on which organisms produce them, and more on how their underlying genetic pathways evolved. Using this approach, it becomes clear that there are discrepancies between the biomarker, fossil, and molecular records. However, these discrepancies probably represent long time periods between the diversification of eukaryotic groups through the Neoproterozoic and their eventual rise to ecological significance. This ‘long fuse’ hypothesis contrasts with the adaptive radiations often associated with the development of complex life.