bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjustable Propagation Length Enhancement of the Surface Plasmon Polariton Wave via Phase Sensitive Optical Parametric Amplification
Authors: Izadi Mohammad Amin , Nouroozi Rahman
Published: October 2018

The adjustable propagation length enhancement of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) mode under the effects of the initial relative phase (ψ0) between interacting waves in difference frequency generation (DFG) based optical parametric amplification (OPA) are numerically considered. The waveguide is a silver coated PPLN planar waveguide. Obtained results indicate ultra long propagation length for the SPP mode could be achieved via manipulation of ψ0 in exact quasi phase matching (QPM) case up to 30 mm for initial pump intensity about 66 MW/cm for degenerate DFG (dDFG). For chirped QPM by mitigating the high depletion of the pump intensity, it is possible to enhance the SPP propagation length up to 43 mm for initial pump intensity about 135 MW/cm. In this case ψ0 does not affect the SPP propagation length except around a narrow range of unsuitable phases. The unsuitable phase is $$\frac{\pi }{2}$$

π
2

for exact QPM but is pump dependent for chirped QPM case. Using this unsuitable phase is the key parameter to the SPP propagation length enhancement via controlling ψ0. In this case with a high pump intensity, the pump and the SPP modes interact at longer distances which leads to the SPP propagation length enhancement.
Exact explosive synchronization transitions in Kuramoto oscillators with time-delayed coupling
Authors: Wu Hui , Kang Ling , Liu Zonghua , Dhamala Mukesh
Published: October 2018

Synchronization commonly occurs in many natural and man-made systems, from neurons in the brain to cardiac cells to power grids to Josephson junction arrays. Transitions to or out of synchrony for coupled oscillators depend on several factors, such as individual frequencies, coupling, interaction time delays and network structure-function relation. Here, using a generalized Kuramoto model of time-delay coupled phase oscillators with frequency-weighted coupling, we study the stability of incoherent and coherent states and the transitions to or out of explosive (abrupt, first-order like) phase synchronization. We analytically derive the exact formulas for the critical coupling strengths at different time delays in both directions of increasing (forward) and decreasing (backward) coupling strengths. We find that time-delay does not affect the transition for the backward direction but can shift the transition for the forward direction of increasing coupling strength. These results provide valuable insights into our understanding of dynamical mechanisms for explosive synchronization in presence of often unavoidable time delays present in many physical and biological systems.
SICT: automated detection and supervised inspection of fast Ca2+ transients
Authors: Mancini Roberta , van der Bijl Tobias , Bourgeois-Jaarsma Quentin , Lasabuda Rizky , Groffen Alexander J.
Published: October 2018

Recent advances in live Ca2+ imaging with increasing spatial and temporal resolution offer unprecedented opportunities, but also generate an unmet need for data processing. Here we developed SICT, a MATLAB program that automatically identifies rapid Ca2+ rises in time-lapse movies with low signal-to-noise ratios, using fluorescent indicators. A graphical user interface allows visual inspection of automatically detected events, reducing manual labour to less than 10% while maintaining quality control. The detection performance was tested using synthetic data with various signal-to-noise ratios. The event inspection phase was evaluated by four human observers. Reliability of the method was demonstrated in a direct comparison between manual and SICT-aided analysis. As a test case in cultured neurons, SICT detected an increase in frequency and duration of spontaneous Ca2+ transients in the presence of caffeine. This new method speeds up the analysis of elementary Ca2+ transients.
Bacterial periplasmic nitrate and trimethylamine-N-oxide respiration coupled to menaquinol-cytochrome c reductase (Qcr): Implications for electrogenic reduction of alternative electron acceptors
Authors: Garg Nitanshu , Taylor Aidan J. , Kelly David J.
Published: October 2018

The periplasmic reduction of the electron acceptors nitrate (Em +420 mV) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO; Em +130 mV) by Nap and Tor reductases is widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and is usually considered to be driven by non-energy conserving quinol dehydrogenases. The EpsilonproteobacteriumCampylobacter jejuni can grow by nitrate and TMAO respiration and it has previously been assumed that these alternative pathways of electron transport are independent of the proton-motive menaquinol-cytochrome c reductase complex (QcrABC) that functions in oxygen-linked respiration. Here, we show that a qcrABC deletion mutant is completely deficient in oxygen-limited growth on both nitrate and TMAO and is unable to reduce these oxidants with physiological electron donors. As expected, the mutant grows normally on fumarate under oxygen-limited conditions. Thus, the periplasmic Nap and Tor reductases receive their electrons via QcrABC in C. jejuni, explaining the general absence of NapC and TorC quinol dehydrogenases in Epsilonproteobacteria. Moreover, the specific use of menaquinol (Em −75 mV) coupled with a Qcr complex to drive reduction of nitrate or TMAO against the proton-motive force allows the process to be electrogenic with a H+/2e− ratio of 2. The results have general implications for the role of Qcr complexes in bacterial oxygen-independent respiration and growth.
Automatic liver tumor segmentation in CT with fully convolutional neural networks and object-based postprocessing
Authors: Chlebus Grzegorz , Schenk Andrea , Moltz Jan Hendrik , van Ginneken Bram , Hahn Horst Karl , Meine Hans
Published: October 2018

Automatic liver tumor segmentation would have a big impact on liver therapy planning procedures and follow-up assessment, thanks to standardization and incorporation of full volumetric information. In this work, we develop a fully automatic method for liver tumor segmentation in CT images based on a 2D fully convolutional neural network with an object-based postprocessing step. We describe our experiments on the LiTS challenge training data set and evaluate segmentation and detection performance. Our proposed design cascading two models working on voxel- and object-level allowed for a significant reduction of false positive findings by 85% when compared with the raw neural network output. In comparison with the human performance, our approach achieves a similar segmentation quality for detected tumors (mean Dice 0.69 vs. 0.72), but is inferior in the detection performance (recall 63% vs. 92%). Finally, we describe how we participated in the LiTS challenge and achieved state-of-the-art performance.
Correlation analysis of sagittal alignment and skeletal muscle mass in patients with spinal degenerative disease
Authors: Hiyama Akihiko , Katoh Hiroyuki , Sakai Daisuke , Sato Masato , Tanaka Masahiro , Nukaga Tadashi , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: October 2018

We investigated how skeletal muscle mass (SMM) affects spinal sagittal balance (radiographic parameters) in symptomatic spinal patients. The first purpose of this study was to evaluate the body composition and the spinal sagittal alignment in symptomatic spinal patients. The second purpose of this study was to compare whether the body composition and the spinal sagittal alignment is different in patients with cervical spine disease and lumbar spine disease. We retrospectively evaluated 313 patients who were hospitalized for surgery to treat spinal degenerative disease, who were divided into cervical and lumbar spine disease groups. All patients underwent full-length standing whole-spine radiography and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) before surgery. We used standard measurements to assess the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), cervical lordosis (CL; C2–C7), lumbar lordosis (LL; T12–S1), thoracic kyphosis (TK; T5–12), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS). We also analyzed radiological and body composition parameters, patient characteristics, and the correlation between SMM and each sagittal parameters. In the overall cohort, the mean age at the time of operation was 66.5 ± 15.3 years and 59.2% of the patients were men. The correlation coefficients (r) between SMM and PT were negative weak correlation (r = −0.343, P < 0.001). The correlation with SMM for other LL, PI, SS, and SVA was statistically significant, but the correlation was none. In addition, our results also suggested strong correlations (r > 0.5) between LL and SS (r = 0.744), between LL and SVA (r = −0.589), between PT and SS (r = −0.580), and LL and PT (r = −0.506). Fifty-seven patients (18.2%, cervical group) had cervical spine disease and 256 patients (81.8%, lumbar group) had lumbar spine disease. No significant differences in age, height, body weight, and body mass index were observed between the two groups. The SMM of patients with cervical and lumbar spine disease also did not differ significantly. In the lumbar group, correlations were found between SMM and PT (r = −0.288, P < 0.001), between SMM and LL (r = 0.179, P < 0.01), and between SMM and SS (r = 0.170, P < 0.01), while only PT (r = −0.480, P < 0.001) was negatively correlated with SMM in the cervical group. This analysis indicated that PT is the sagittal parameter most closely related to SMM in patients with the spinal degenerative disease. The SMM might be one of the important factors that influenced the posterior inclination of the pelvis in symptomatic spinal patients, especially in cervical spine disease.
Small non-coding RNA landscape of extracellular vesicles from human stem cells
Authors: Kaur Sippy , Abu-Shahba Ahmed G. , Paananen Riku O. , Hongisto Heidi , Hiidenmaa Hanna , Skottman Heli , Seppänen-Kaijansinkko Riitta , Mannerström Bettina
Published: October 2018

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are reported to be involved in stem cell maintenance, self-renewal, and differentiation. Due to their bioactive cargoes influencing cell fate and function, interest in EVs in regenerative medicine has rapidly increased. EV-derived small non-coding RNA mimic the functions of the parent stem cells, regulating the maintenance and differentiation of stem cells, controlling the intercellular regulation of gene expression, and eventually affecting the cell fate. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to provide a comprehensive overview of the expression profiles of small non-coding transcripts carried by the EVs derived from human adipose tissue stromal/stem cells (AT-MSCs) and human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Both hPSCs and AT-MSCs were characterized and their EVs were extracted using standard protocols. Small non-coding RNA sequencing from EVs showed that hPSCs and AT-MSCs showed distinct profiles, unique for each stem cell source. Interestingly, in hPSCs, most abundant miRNAs were from specific miRNA families regulating pluripotency, reprogramming and differentiation (miR-17-92, mir-200, miR-302/367, miR-371/373, CM19 microRNA cluster). For the AT-MSCs, the highly expressed miRNAs were found to be regulating osteogenesis (let-7/98, miR-10/100, miR-125, miR-196, miR-199, miR-615-3p, mir-22-3p, mir-24-3p, mir-27a-3p, mir-193b-5p, mir-195-3p). Additionally, abundant small nuclear and nucleolar RNA were detected in hPSCs, whereas Y- and tRNA were found in AT-MSCs. Identification of EV-miRNA and non-coding RNA signatures released by these stem cells will provide clues towards understanding their role in intracellular communication, and well as their roles in maintaining the stem cell niche.
Nanosecond range electric pulse application as a non-viral gene delivery method: proof of concept
Authors: Ruzgys Paulius , Novickij Vitalij , Novickij Jurij , Šatkauskas Saulius
Published: October 2018

Current electrotransfection protocols are well-established for decades and, as a rule, employ long micro-millisecond range electric field pulses to facilitate DNA transfer while application of nanosecond range pulses is limited. The purpose of this paper is to show that the transfection using ultrashort pulses is possible by regulating the pulse repetition frequency. We have used 200 ns pulses (10–18 kV/cm) in bursts of ten with varied repetition frequency (1 Hz–1 MHz). The Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells were used as a cell model. Experiments were performed using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase (LUC) coding plasmids. Transfection expression levels were evaluated using flow cytometry or luminometer. It was shown that with the increase of frequency from 100 kHz to 1 MHz, the transfection expression levels increased up to 17% with minimal decrease in cell viability. The LUC coding plasmid was transferred more efficiently using high frequency bursts compared to single pulses of equivalent energy. The first proof of concept for frequency-controlled nanosecond electrotransfection was shown, which can find application as a new non-viral gene delivery method.
A novel homozygous mutation in GAD1 gene described in a schizophrenic patient impairs activity and dimerization of GAD67 enzyme
Authors: Magri Chiara , Giacopuzzi Edoardo , La Via Luca , Bonini Daniela , Ravasio Viola , Elhussiny Mohammed E. A. , Orizio Flavia , Gangemi Fabrizio , Valsecchi Paolo , Bresciani Roberto , Barbon Alessandro , Vita Antonio , Gennarelli Massimo
Published: October 2018

Recently, by whole exome sequencing of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients, we identified a subject that was homozygous for a novel missense substitution (c.391 A > G) in the glutamate acid decarboxylase 1 (GAD1) gene. GAD1 encodes for GAD67 enzyme, catalyzing the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from L-glutamic acid. Here, we studied the impact of this mutation on GAD67 activity, dimerization and subcellular localization. Biochemical assay revealed that c.391 A > G reduces GAD67 enzymatic activity by ~30%, probably due to the impaired homodimerization of homozygous mutants as highlighted by proximity ligation assays. The mutational screening of 120 genes of the “GABAergic system” in a cohort of 4,225 SCZ cases and 5,834 controls (dbGaP: phs000473.v1.p2), did not identify other cases that were homozygous for ultra-rare variants in GAD1, but highlighted an increased frequency of cases that were homozygous for rare variants in genes of the GABA system (SCZ: 0.14% vs. Controls: 0.00%; p-value = 0.0055). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the functional impact of c.391 A > G variant and its biological effect makes it a good candidate as risk variant for SCZ. This study also supports an involvement of ultra-rare variants in GABAergic genes in the etiopathogenesis of SCZ.
SB772077B, A New Rho Kinase Inhibitor Enhances Aqueous Humour Outflow Facility in Human Eyes
Authors: Ashwinbalaji Soundararajan , Senthilkumari Srinivasan , Gowripriya Chidambaranathan , Krishnadas Subbaiah , Gabelt B’ Ann T. , Kaufman Paul L. , Muthukkaruppan Veerappan
Published: October 2018

We investigated the effect of a new Rho kinase inhibitor, SB772077B (SB77) on aqueous outflow facility (OF) in human eyes using human organ-cultured anterior segment (HOCAS). IOP was monitored for 24 h post-treatment with either SB77 (0.1/10/50 µM) or vehicle after a stable baseline pressure. The hydrodynamic pattern of aqueous outflow was analysed by labelling outflow pathway with red fluorescent microspheres. The effect of SB77 on cell morphology, actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, ECM, status of RhoA activation and myosin light chain phosphorylation (p-MLC) were evaluated and compared with Y27632, by immunostaining using primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. Following 24 h treatment, SB77 increased OF by 16% at 0.1 µM (N = 6), 29% at 10 µM (N = 8; p = 0.018) and 39% at 50 µM (N = 8; p = 0.004) in human eyes. There was an overall increase in tracer quantity and in area along inner wall of Schlemm’s canal. Treatment with SB77 showed no evidence of cytotoxicity and caused a significant reduction in the expression of fibrotic markers compared to Y27632. The present findings indicate that SB77 treatment was effective in enhancing OF and reducing fibrotic markers in an ex vivo model. Thus SB77 may be a potential clinical candidate for the management of glaucoma.
Genome wide mapping of ETV6 binding sites in pre-B leukemic cells
Authors: Neveu Benjamin , Caron Maxime , Lagacé Karine , Richer Chantal , Sinnett Daniel
Published: October 2018

Genetic alterations in the transcriptional repressor ETV6 are associated with hematological malignancies. Notably, the t(12;21) translocation leading to an ETV6-AML1 fusion gene is the most common genetic alteration found in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Moreover, most of these patients also lack ETV6 expression, suggesting a tumor suppressor function. To gain insights on ETV6 DNA-binding specificity and genome wide transcriptional regulation capacities, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments coupled to deep sequencing in a t(12;21)-positive pre-B leukemic cell line. This strategy led to the identification of ETV6-bound regions that were further associated to gene expression. ETV6 binding is mostly cell type-specific as only few regions are shared with other blood cell subtypes. Peaks localization and motif enrichment analyses revealed that this unique binding profile could be associated with the ETV6-AML1 fusion protein specific to the t(12;21) background. This study underscores the complexity of ETV6 binding and uncovers ETV6 transcriptional network in pre-B leukemia cells bearing the recurrent t(12;21) translocation.
SUMOgo: Prediction of sumoylation sites on lysines by motif screening models and the effects of various post-translational modifications
Authors: Chang Chi-Chang , Tung Chi-Hua , Chen Chi-Wei , Tu Chin-Hau , Chu Yen-Wei
Published: October 2018

Most modern tools used to predict sites of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) binding (referred to as SUMOylation) use algorithms, chemical features of the protein, and consensus motifs. However, these tools rarely consider the influence of post-translational modification (PTM) information for other sites within the same protein on the accuracy of prediction results. This study applied the Random Forest machine learning method, as well as motif screening models and a feature selection combination mechanism, to develop a SUMOylation prediction system, referred to as SUMOgo. With regard to prediction method, PTM sites were coded as new functional features in addition to structural features, such as sequence-based binary coding, encoded chemical features of proteins, and encoded secondary structure information that is important for PTM. Twenty cycles of prediction were conducted with a 1:1 combination of positive test data and random negative data. Matthew’s correlation coefficient of SUMOgo reached 0.511, which is higher than that of current commonly used tools. This study further verified the important role of PTM in SUMOgo and includes a case study on CREB binding protein (CREBBP). The website for the final tool is http://predictor.nchu.edu.tw/SUMOgo.
A systems biology network analysis of nutri(epi)genomic changes in endothelial cells exposed to epicatechin metabolites
Authors: Milenkovic Dragan , Berghe Wim Vanden , Morand Christine , Claude Sylvain , van de Sandt Annette , Gorressen Simone , Monfoulet Laurent-Emmanuel , Chirumamilla Chandra S. , Declerck Ken , Szic Katarzyna Szarc vel , Lahtela-Kakkonen Maija , Gerhauser Clarissa , Merx Marc W. , Kelm Malte
Published: October 2018

Although vasculo-protective effects of flavan-3-ols are widely accepted today, their impact on endothelial cell functions and molecular mechanisms of action involved is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the potential endothelium-protective effects of circulating epicatechin metabolites and to define underlying mechanisms of action by an integrated systems biology approach. Reduced leukocyte rolling over vascular endothelium was observed following epicatechin supplementation in a mouse model of inflammation. Integrative pathway analysis of transcriptome, miRNome and epigenome profiles of endothelial cells exposed to epicatechin metabolites revealed that by acting at these different levels of regulation, metabolites affect cellular pathways involved in endothelial permeability and interaction with immune cells. In-vitro experiments on endothelial cells confirmed that epicatechin metabolites reduce monocyte adhesion and their transendothelial migration. Altogether, our in-vivo and in-vitro results support the outcome of a systems biology based network analysis which suggests that epicatechin metabolites mediate their vasculoprotective effects through dynamic regulation of endothelial cell monocyte adhesion and permeability. This study illustrates complex and multimodal mechanisms of action by which epicatechin modulate endothelial cell integrity.
White-nose syndrome is associated with increased replication of a naturally persisting coronaviruses in bats
Authors: Davy Christina M. , Donaldson Michael E. , Subudhi Sonu , Rapin Noreen , Warnecke Lisa , Turner James M. , Bollinger Trent K. , Kyle Christopher J. , Dorville Nicole A. S.-Y. , Kunkel Emma L. , Norquay Kaleigh J. O. , Dzal Yvonne A. , Willis Craig K. R. , Misra Vikram
Published: October 2018

Spillover of viruses from bats to other animals may be associated with increased contact between them, as well as increased shedding of viruses by bats. Here, we tested the prediction that little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) co-infected with the M. lucifugus coronavirus (Myl-CoV) and with Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes bat white-nose syndrome (WNS), exhibit different disease severity, viral shedding and molecular responses than bats infected with only Myl-CoV or only P. destructans. We took advantage of the natural persistence of Myl-CoV in bats that were experimentally inoculated with P. destructans in a previous study. Here, we show that the intestines of virus-infected bats that were also infected with fungus contained on average 60-fold more viral RNA than bats with virus alone. Increased viral RNA in the intestines correlated with the severity of fungus-related pathology. Additionally, the intestines of bats infected with fungus exhibited different expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and cytokine related transcripts, irrespective of viral presence. Levels of coronavirus antibodies were also higher in fungal-infected bats. Our results suggest that the systemic effects of WNS may down-regulate anti-viral responses in bats persistently infected with M. lucifugus coronavirus and increase the potential of virus shedding.
16S rRNA amplicon sequencing reveals a polymicrobial nature of complicated claw horn disruption lesions and interdigital phlegmon in dairy cattle
Authors: Bay V. , Griffiths B. , Carter S. , Evans N. J. , Lenzi L. , Bicalho R. C. , Oikonomou G.
Published: October 2018

Lameness represents an intractable problem for the dairy industry. Complicated claw horn disruption lesions, interdigital hyperplasia, and interdigital phlegmon are important lameness causing foot lesions. Their aetiology is multifactorial, but infectious processes are likely implicated in disease pathogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the bacterial profiles of these lesions using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of samples obtained from 51 cattle across ten farms in the UK. In this study, interdigital hyperplasia, interdigital hyperplasia with signs of interdigital dermatitis, interdigital phlegmon, complicated sole ulcers, complicated toe ulcers lesions, and complicated white line lesions were investigated; corresponding healthy skin control samples were also analysed. All diseased tissues displayed reduced microbial richness and diversity (as described by Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson alpha-diversity indices) compared to their healthy skin control samples. Our results confirm the association ofTreponemaspp with some of these disorders. Other anaerobic bacteria includingFusobacteriumspp.,Fastidiosipilaspp. andPorphyromonasspp. were implicated in the aetiology of all these lesions with the exception of interdigital hyperplasia. Complicated claw horn disruption lesions, and interdigital phlegmon were found to have similar bacterial profiles. Such sharing of bacterial genera suggests many of the infectious agents detected in these foot lesions are acting opportunistically; this finding could contribute towards future treatment and control strategies.
Kinetic control of molecular assembly on surfaces
Authors: Paris Chiara , Floris Andrea , Aeschlimann Simon , Neff Julia , Kling Felix , Kühnle Angelika , Kantorovich Lev
Published: October 2018

It is usually assumed that molecules deposited on surfaces assume the most thermodynamically stable structure. Here we show, by considering a model system of dihydroxybenzoic acid molecules on the (10.4) surface of calcite, that metastable molecular architectures may also be accessed by choosing a suitable initial state of the molecules which defines the observed transformation path. Moreover, we demonstrate that the latter is entirely controlled by kinetics rather than thermodynamics. We argue that molecules are deposited as dimers that undergo, upon increase of temperature, a series of structural transitions from clusters to ordered striped and then dense networks, and finally to a disordered structure. Combining high-resolution dynamic atomic force microscopy experiments and density-functional theory calculations, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental principles driving this sequence of transitions. Our study may open new avenues based on kinetic control as a promising strategy for achieving tailored molecular architectures on surfaces.
An efficient approach for selective electromembrane extraction of benzoic and sorbic acids and saccharin in soft drinks
Authors: Zhu Yin , Bao Cong , Shen Xiaoxia , Wang Muhua , Cai Jialing , Ding Yingjie , Cai Qiang
Published: October 2018

An efficient method for the determination of benzoic and sorbic acids and saccharin in soft drinks was developed using the technique of electromembrane extraction coupled with HPLC.
Microfluidics systems with societal impact in Analytical Methods
Authors: Roper Michael G. , Easley Christopher J. , Regan Fiona , Southall Maria E.
Published: October 2018

Guest Editors Michael Roper, Christopher Easley and Fiona Regan, alongside Deputy Editor Maria Southall, introduce the Analytical Methods themed collection on microfluidic systems.
Further enhancement of the clickability of doubly sterically-hindered aryl azides by para-amino substitution
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Tanaka Junko , Nishiyama Yoshitake , Hazama Yuki , Matsushita Takeshi , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: October 2018

Introduction of an amino group at the para position of doubly sterically-hindered aryl azides significantly enhances their clickability with cyclooctynes.
A versatile colloidal Janus platform: surface asymmetry control, functionalization, and applications
Authors: Wu Chengjiao , Deng Ziwei , Shang Bin , Ikkala Olli , Peng Bo
Published: October 2018

A versatile colloidal Janus platform with tunable surface asymmetries and functions was achieved and can play multiple roles as Pickering emulsifiers, catalysts and magnetic vectors in wastewater remedy.
Enhanced lithium dendrite suppressing capability enabled by a solid-like electrolyte with different-sized nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Ke , Yang Luyi , Wang Ziqi , Zhao Yan , Wang Zijian , Han Lei , Song Yongli , Pan Feng
Published: October 2018

A solid-like electrolyte consisting of two different-sized Li-ion conductors is prepared, exhibiting superior ionic conductivity and dendrite suppressing capability.
Catalytic stereoselective total synthesis of a spiro-oxindole alkaloid and the pentacyclic core of tryptoquivalines
Authors: Wei Tao , Dixon Darren J.
Published: October 2018

An expedient route to the pentacyclic core of the tryptoquivaline alkaloids and the total synthesis of natural product (+)-3′-(4-oxoquinazolin-3-yl)spiro[1H-indole-3,5′-oxolane]-2,2′-dione (1) have been achieved.
Increasing the nuclearity and spin ground state in a new family of ferromagnetically-coupled {Ni10} disk-like complexes bearing exclusively end-on bridging azido ligands
Authors: Krause Jasmin , Alexandropoulos Dimitris I. , Carrella Luca M. , Rentschler Eva , Stamatatos Theocharis C.
Published: October 2018

A new family of ferromagnetically-coupled {Ni10} complexes was unveiled from the exclusive use of azido bridging ligands; the extended disk-like complexes are stabilized by the presence of various bulky [Ln(NO3)5]2−counterions (Ln = lanthanide).
Tuning oxygen electrocatalysis via strain on LaNiO3(001)
Authors: Yuk Simuck F. , Cooper Valentino R.
Published: October 2018

Theoretical insights into the influence of strain on the mechanisms of the oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions on LaNiO3(001).
Protecting quantum anomalous Hall state from thermal fluctuation via the giant magnetic anisotropy of Os-based dimers
Authors: Zhang Kai-Cheng , Li Yong-Feng , Liu Yong , Zhu Yan
Published: October 2018

Graphene with adsorbed Os-based dimers possesses both giant magnetic anisotropy and a large topological band gap.
Tailor-made catalytically active inclusion bodies for different applications in biocatalysis
Authors: Kloss Ramona , Karmainski Tobias , Jäger Vera D. , Hahn Doris , Grünberger Alexander , Baumgart Meike , Krauss Ulrich , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Wiechert Wolfgang , Pohl Martina
Published: October 2018

CatIB properties can be tailored to the requirements of different reaction systems using two different coiled-coil domains as fusion tags.
Mechanochemical routes for the synthesis of acetyl- and bis-(imino)pyridine ligands and organometallics
Authors: Shaw Thomas E. , Shultz Lorianne R. , Garayeva Louiza R. , Blair Richard G. , Noll Bruce C. , Jurca Titel
Published: October 2018

Mechanochemical synthesis, conducted by ball milling, affords rapid access to acetyl- and bis(imino)pyridine ligands and acetyl(imino)pyridine cobalt species.
Cooperative metal–ligand influence on the formation of coordination polymers, and conducting and photophysical properties of Tl(i) β-oxodithioester complexes
Authors: Yadav Chote Lal , Rajput Gunjan , Manar Krishna K. , Kumari Kavita , Drew Michael G. B. , Singh Nanhai
Published: October 2018

Eight novel luminescent and semiconducting Tl(i) β-oxodithioester complexes forming 1D/2D coordination polymeric structures were investigated using single crystal X-ray diffraction.
The role of the hydrogen evolution reaction in the solid–electrolyte interphase formation mechanism for “Water-in-Salt” electrolytes
Authors: Dubouis Nicolas , Lemaire Pierre , Mirvaux Boris , Salager Elodie , Deschamps Michael , Grimaud Alexis
Published: October 2018

Water reduction products catalyze the formation of a passivating layer that protects negative electrodes for batteries in aqueous superconcentrated electrolytes.
Transfer of assembled collagen fibrils to flexible substrates for mechanically tunable contact guidance cues
Authors: Wang Juan , Koelbl Joseph , Boddupalli Anuraag , Yao Zhiqi , Bratlie Kaitlin M. , Schneider Ian C.
Published: October 2018

Contact guidance or bidirectional migration along aligned fibers modulates many physiological and pathological processes such as wound healing and cancer invasion.
Large-scale colloidal films with robust structural colors
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhu Zhijie , Yu Ziyi , Ling Luting , Wang Cai-Feng , Chen Su
Published: October 2018

“Milk skin”-analogous ensembles enable fine control over colloid deposition processes, allowing their universal use for uniform nanomaterial patterning.
Soft stimuli-responsive grippers and machines with high load-to-weight ratios
Authors: Sun Yajuan , Chen Linfeng , Jiang Yan , Zhang Xuan , Yao Xiukai , Soh Siowling
Published: October 2018

A general class of stimuli-responsive grippers and actuators (e.g., temperature- and pH-responsive) with surprisingly high gripping strengths is introduced.
Origins of the variability of the electrical characteristics of solution-processed carbon nanotube thin-film transistors and integrated circuits
Authors: Hirotani Jun , Kishimoto Shigeru , Ohno Yutaka
Published: October 2018

Carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film transistors based on solution processing have great potential for use in future flexible and wearable device technologies.
Fluorescence turn-on of salicylaldimine ligands by co-ordination with magnesium and amines
Authors: Gao Zideng , Feng Haojie , Wang Shunyi , Huang Yuanfang , Ren Xueqin , Pang Long , Hu Shuwen
Published: October 2018

A novel and easily available fluorescent chemosensor that showed highly selective recognition toward magnesium and amines in ethanol is established.
Iron(iii)-catalyzed radical α,β-aminophosphinoylation of styrenes with diphenylphosphine oxides and anilines
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Wei , Tang Ruyun , Liu Zhenhua , Tao Weihua , Fang Zhongxue
Published: October 2018

A Fe-catalyzed highly regioselective α,β-difunctionalization of vinylarenes with diphenylphosphine oxides and anilines is disclosed, in which α,β-aminophosphinoylation is efficiently and conveniently constructed with good functional compatibility and a broad substrate scope.
Light trapping and power conversion efficiency of P3HT : nano Si hybrid solar cells
Authors: Vinoth Murugan , Arunmetha Sundaramoorthy , Sridharpanday Mathu , Karthik Subramani , Rajendran Venkatachalam
Published: October 2018

In this study, the hybrid solar cells (HSCs) were fabricated with high-purity nano Si from nano SiO2 precursor extracted from natural minerals, that is, quartz sand.
The stability and bioaccessibility of fucoxanthin in spray-dried microcapsules based on various biopolymers
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Xu Ying , Zhao Lili , Yan Hongxue , Wang Shuhui , Wang Dongfeng
Published: October 2018

Fucoxanthin is a major marine carotenoid with many biological activities.
Activated carbon fiber/Fe3O4 composite with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption properties
Authors: Sun Qilong , Sun Lei , Cai YingYing , Ji Tao , Zhang Guangyu
Published: October 2018

To obtain a low-density material that is capable of absorbing electromagnetic waves over a wide bandwidth, an activated carbon fiber/Fe3O4 composite material (ACF/Fe3O4) was prepared using an in situ reduction method.
Efficient in situ generation of H2O2 by novel magnesium–carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Yang Zhao , Gong Xiaobo , Wang Bingqing , Yang Dan , Fu Tao , Liu Yong
Published: October 2018

Mg–CNTs composite prepared by ball milling with PVDF promoted the in situ synthesis of H2O2.
Facile fabrication of zinc oxide coated superhydrophobic and superoleophilic meshes for efficient oil/water separation
Authors: Zhang Yuezhong , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Chunhui , Liu Jiangjiang , Zhai Hongbiao , Liu Baosheng , Zhao Xudong , Fang Daqing
Published: October 2018

Zinc oxide coated superhydrophobic and superoleophilic stainless steel mesh was fabricated by a simple and inexpensive approach for efficient oil/water separation.
Highly hydrophilic carbon nanoparticles: uptake mechanism by mammalian and plant cells
Authors: Chen Lijuan , Wang Hongbo , Li Xiang , Nie Cong , Liang Taibo , Xie Fuwei , Liu Kejian , Peng Xiaojun , Xie Jianping
Published: October 2018

Carbon nanoparticles entered cells via different endocytic pathways depending on the cell type.
NuRD subunit MTA1 interacts with the DNA non-homologous end joining Ku complex in cancer cells
Authors: Liu Jian , Liu Qun , Wang Haijuan , Li Chunxiao , Wen Tao , An Guangyu , Qian Haili
Published: October 2018

MTA1 interacts with Ku complex mainly in the nucleus at interphase and surrounding the chromosome during mitosis.
Significantly enhanced photoluminescence and thermal stability of La3Si8N11O4:Ce3+,Tb3+via the Ce3+ → Tb3+ energy transfer: a blue-green phosphor for ultraviolet LEDs
Authors: Xu Hui-Bing , Zhuang Wei-Dong , Liu Rong-Hui , Liu Yuan-Hong , Zhou Tian-Liang , Cho Yujin , Gao Wei , Yan Chun-Pei , Hirosaki Naoto , Xie Rong-Jun
Published: October 2018

The peak emission intensity and thermal stability of Tb3+ in codoped La3Si8N11O4:Ce,Tb sample are strongly enhanced via Ce3+ to Tb3+ energy transfer.
Enhanced and tunable white light emission from Ag nanoclusters and Eu3+-co-doped CaBAl glasses
Authors: Sandrini Marcelo , Muniz Robson Ferrari , Zanuto Vitor Santaella , Pedrochi Franciana , Guyot Yannick , Bento Antonio Carlos , Baesso Mauro Luciano , Steimacher Alysson , Neto Antonio Medina
Published: October 2018

In this work, Ag:Eu-co-doped calcium boroaluminate glasses were prepared and submitted to further heat treatment to form different Ag species. The optical and luminescence properties were investigated in terms of heat treatment times.
An unexpected dual-response pH probe based on acridine
Authors: Xu Liang , Yan Xiangzhen , Yuan Chunxue
Published: October 2018

A novel pH fluorescence probe for monitoring extreme acidic and alkaline pH which responds linearly to extreme conditions in the pH ranges of 1.4–3.4 and 12.5–15.0 by utilizing only the acridine moiety.
Improvement in interlayer structure of p–i–n-type organic solar cells with the use of fullerene-linked tetrabenzoporphyrin as additive
Authors: Tamura Yuto , Suzuki Mitsuharu , Nakagawa Takaki , Koganezawa Tomoyuki , Masuo Sadahiro , Hayashi Hironobu , Aratani Naoki , Yamada Hiroko
Published: October 2018

The power conversion efficiency of p–i–n-type OPV was improved by 50% by addition of 5 wt% of BP–C60 to the interlayer, composed of BP and PC61BM, by increasing the miscibility and interface area of the two components.
Epoxy composites with functionalized molybdenum disulfide nanoplatelet additives
Authors: Zhao Ming , Liu Lizhu , Zhang Bin , Sun Mingming , Zhang Xugang , Zhang Xue , Li Jianhui , Wang Lei
Published: October 2018

As a typical layered inorganic analogue of graphene, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has gained intensive attention and become a research hotspot due to its unique two dimensional nanostructure and excellent properties.
Novel caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Lonicera japonica Thunb. flower buds exert pronounced anti-HBV activities
Authors: Ge Lanlan , Wan Haoqiang , Tang Shuming , Chen Haixia , Li Jiemei , Zhang Keda , Zhou Boping , Fei Jia , Wu Shiping , Zeng Xiaobin
Published: October 2018

Lonicera japonica Thunb., possesses antiviral and hepatoprotective activities, and is widely used as a health food and in cosmetics.
Penetration depth tunable BODIPY derivatives for pH triggered enhanced photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy
Authors: Zou Jianhua , Wang Peng , Wang Ya , Liu Gongyuan , Zhang Yewei , Zhang Qi , Shao Jinjun , Si Weili , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: October 2018

Improving the deep-tissue phototherapy (PDT) efficiency in the near-infrared (NIR) region has become one of the major challenges in clinics for cancer treatment.
Colloidal tectonics for tandem synergistic Pickering interfacial catalysis: oxidative cleavage of cyclohexene oxide into adipic acid
Authors: Yang Bingyu , Leclercq Loïc , Schmitt Véronique , Pera-Titus Marc , Nardello-Rataj Véronique
Published: October 2018

Supramolecular preorganization can provide useful architectures for colloidal building and catalytic applications.
Comment on “A symmetrical method to obtain shear moduli from microrheology” by K. Nishi, M. L. Kilfoil, C. F. Schmidt, and F. C. MacKintosh, Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 3716
Authors: Tassieri Manlio
Published: October 2018

We clarify some issues that were raised by an article that appeared in this journal (K. Nishi, M. L. Kilfoil, C. F. Schmidt, and F. C. MacKintosh, Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 3716).
Calculation of critical nucleation rates by the persistent embryo method: application to quasi hard sphere models
Authors: Ren Shang , Sun Yang , Zhang Feng , Travesset Alex , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Ho Kai-Ming
Published: October 2018

Using the persistent embryo method (PEM), we investigate the nucleation of quasi hard-sphere liquids and the shape of the critical nucleus.
Biodegradable nano carbon-based smart filters for efficient remediation of pharmaceutical contaminants
Authors: Tripathi Indu , Dodgen Laurel K. , Ostadhossein Fatemeh , Misra Santosh K. , Daza Enrique , Sharma Brajendra K. , Zheng Wei , Pan Dipanjan
Published: October 2018

Emerging chemical contaminants such as pharmaceutical residues in water resources continue to threaten the homeostasis of our ecosystem. Here a carbon based nanoplatform is developed to provide a desirable solution.
Chemically soft solid electrolyte interphase forming additives for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jankowski Piotr , Poterała Marcin , Lindahl Niklas , Wieczorek Władysław , Johansson Patrik
Published: October 2018

Chemically soft additives promote the reduction process, making the SEI-formation more controlled and ultimately resulting in protective SEI-layers.
Ultrasmall C-TiO2−x nanoparticle/g-C3N4 composite for CO2 photoreduction with high efficiency and selectivity
Authors: Zhou Jie , Wu Han , Sun Chun-Yi , Hu Cheng-Ying , Wang Xin-Long , Kang Zhen-Hui , Su Zhong-Min
Published: October 2018

A three-component photocatalyst (C-TiO2−x@g-C3N4) is designed with polyoxotitanium as a precursor which exhibits excellent performance towards in converting CO2 to CO under H2O vapor via coupling with a two-electron/two-step oxidative pathway.
An ordered mesoporous silica framework based electrolyte with nanowetted interfaces for solid-state lithium batteries
Authors: Han Lei , Wang Ziqi , Kong Defei , Yang Luyi , Yang Kai , Wang Zijian , Pan Feng
Published: October 2018

An ionic liquid incorporated mesoporous silica has been developed as electrolyte to suppress dendrite formation in solid Li metal batteries.
Directing osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by cell-secreted decellularized extracellular matrixes from different cell types
Authors: Gao Chen-Yuan , Huang Zhao-Hui , Jing Wei , Wei Peng-Fei , Jin Le , Zhang Xue-Hui , Cai Qing , Deng Xu-Liang , Yang Xiao-Ping
Published: October 2018

Cell-secreted decellularized extracellular matrixes (D-ECM) are promising for conferring bioactivity and directing cell fate to facilitate tissue regeneration.
Selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for metal ions based on AIE dots in aqueous media
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Zhou Fan , Gui Chen , Wang Jing , Zhao Zujin , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2018

Two fluorescent probes developed from AIE dots exhibit good selectivity and sensitivity towards Cu2+ under aqueous conditions. And their composite probes can quantitatively detect Hg2+, and show potential application as logic gates.
Sensing ensembles for nitroaromatics
Authors: Chhatwal Megha , Mittal Rupali , Gupta Rinkoo D. , Awasthi Satish K.
Published: October 2018

The recent advancement in the field of sensing ensembles for nitroaromatics.
Unconventional formation of dual-colored InP quantum dot-embedded silica composites for an operation-stable white light-emitting diode
Authors: Jang Eun-Pyo , Jo Jung-Ho , Lim Seung-Won , Lim Han-Byule , Kim Hwi-Jae , Han Chang-Yeol , Yang Heesun
Published: October 2018

Using unconventionally formed silica composites embedded with both green and red InP/ZnSeS/ZnS QDs, an operation-stable, on-chip-packaged white light-emitting diode is demonstrated.
A phototactic liquid micromotor
Authors: Zhang Dongmei , Sun Yunyu , Li Mingtong , Zhang Hui , Song Bo , Dong Bin
Published: October 2018

We report a water-based micromotor with both positive and negative phototaxis under light illumination, which not only enables controlled cargo capture and transportation but also allows droplet coalescence so that it may function as a microreactor.
Reliability and relevance evaluations of REACH data
Authors: Ingre-Khans Ellen , Ågerstrand Marlene , Beronius Anna , Rudén Christina
Published: October 2018

This study highlights that the procedures for evaluating data under REACH and reporting these evaluations are neither systematic nor transparent.
Magnetic bipoles in rotating turbulence with coronal envelope
Authors: Losada I. R. , Warnecke J. , Brandenburg A. , Kleeorin N. , Rogachevskii I.
Published: October 2018

Context. The formation mechanism of sunspots and starspots is not yet fully understood. It is a major open problem in astrophysics.

Aims. Magnetic flux concentrations can be produced by the negative effective magnetic pressure instability (NEMPI). This instability is strongly suppressed by rotation. However, the presence of an outer coronal envelope was previously found to strengthen the flux concentrations and make them more prominent. It also allows for the formation of bipolar regions (BRs). We aim to understand the important issue of whether the presence of an outer coronal envelope also changes the excitation conditions and the rotational dependence of NEMPI.

Methods. We have used direct numerical simulations and mean-field simulations. We adopted a simple two-layer model of turbulence that mimics the jump between the convective turbulent and coronal layers below and above the surface of a star, respectively. The computational domain is Cartesian and located at a certain latitude of a rotating sphere. We investigated the effects of rotation on NEMPI by changing the Coriolis number, the latitude, the strengths of the imposed magnetic field, and the box resolution.

Results. Rotation has a strong impact on the process of BR formation. Even rather slow rotation is found to suppress BR formation. However, increasing the imposed magnetic field strength also makes the structures stronger and alleviates the rotational suppression somewhat. The presence of a coronal layer itself does not significantly reduce the effects of rotational suppression.
Research on the welded seams of aluminum alloys using super-miniature eddy current transducers
Authors: Dmitriev Sergey , Malikov Vladimir , Sagalakov Anatoly
Published: October 2018

Based on the eddy current transducer of the transformer type, a measuring system has been developed that makes it possible to investigate the welded joints obtained by friction stir welding (FSW). The main technical information about the eddy current converter being used is given, and a measurement procedure is described that allows to search for defects in welded seams of aluminum plates. The device allows to automatically change the main operating frequency of the device and the cutoff frequency of the filtration system. The experiments were carried out on aluminum-magnesium alloy plates being connected by friction welding. In the article, the results of measurements are presented, allowing to estimate the quality of a welded seam and to answer a question on reliability of welding.
Sterile effect in foam concrete
Authors: Gorbach Pavel , Shcherbin Sergey , Savenkov Andrei
Published: October 2018

The paper considers the effect of a foaming agent and the steric effect initiated by it on the strength of a cement matrix and foam concrete under the classical technology of producing heat insulating cellular concrete of non-autoclaved hardening.
Constructive properties of concrete being finely reinforced with polypropylene fibers
Authors: Korneyeva Inna
Published: October 2018

The paper presents results of the statistical generalization of experimental data on the strength and deformability of fiber-reinforced concrete with different levels of bulk dispersion reinforcement. The range of the optimal content of reinforcing elements is established according to the criteria for ensuring maximum crack resistance and strength of the matrix (concrete).