bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allogeneic Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: Safety Profile and Effect on Cytokine Levels
Authors: Riordan Neil H. , Hincapié Maria Luisa , Morales Isabela , Fernández Giselle , Allen Nicole , Leu Cindy , Madrigal Marialaura , Paz Rodríguez Jorge , Novarro Nelson
Published: June 2019

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffer from developmental disabilities that impact communication, behavior, and social interaction. Immune dysregulation and inflammation have been linked to children with ASD, the latter manifesting in serum levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and thymus, and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). Mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UC-MSCs) have immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and have been safely used to treat a variety of conditions. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of UC-MSCs administered to children diagnosed with ASD. Efficacy was evaluated with the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and with measurements of MDC and TARC serum levels. Twenty subjects received a dose of 36 million intravenous UC-MSCs every 12 weeks (four times over a 9-month period), and were followed up at 3 and 12 months after treatment completion. Adverse events related to treatment were mild or moderate and short in duration. The CARS and ATEC scores of eight subjects decreased over the course of treatment, placing them in a lower ASD symptom category when compared with baseline. MDC and TARC inflammatory cytokine levels also decreased for five of these eight subjects. The mean MDC, TARC, ATEC, and CARS values attained their lowest levels 3 months after the last administration. UC-MSC administration in children with ASD was therefore determined to be safe. Although some signals of efficacy were observed in a small group of children, possible links between inflammation levels and ASD symptoms should be further investigated. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1008–1016
Synergistic Effects of Novel Superparamagnetic/Upconversion HA Material and Ti/Magnet Implant on Biological Performance and Long‐Term In Vivo Tracking
Authors: Li Xiyu , Zou Qin , Man Yi , Li Wei
Published: June 2019

To solve the clinical challenges presented by the long‐term tracking of implanted hydroxyapatite (HA) bone repair material and to investigate the synergistic effects of superparamagnetic HA and a static magnetic field (SMF) on the promotion of osteogenesis, herein a new type of superparamagnetic/upconversion‐generating HA material (HYH‐Fe) is developed via a two‐step doping method, as well as a specially‐designed titanium implant with a built‐in magnet to provide a local static magnetic field in vivo. The results show that the prepared HYH‐Fe material maintains the crystal structure of HA and exhibits good cytocompatibility. The combined use of the superparamagnetic HYH‐Fe material and SMF can effectively and synergistically promote osteogenesis/osteointegration surrounding the Ti implants. In addition, the HYH‐Fe material exhibits distinct advantages in terms of both long‐term fluorescence tracking and microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) tracking. The new material and tracking strategy in this study provide scientific feasibility and will have important clinical value for long‐term tracking and evaluation of implanted materials and the bone repair effect.
Identity, Intersectionality, and Educational Development
Authors: Little Deandra , Green David A. , Felten Peter
Published: June 2019

This chapter introduces intersectionality as a framework for understanding how educational developers’ personal identities inform both individual practice and the broader field.
Assessment of the adsorption kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamic for Pb(II) removal using a low‐cost hybrid biowaste adsorbent, eggshell/coffee ground/sericite
Authors: Choi Hee‐Jeong
Published: June 2019

A hybrid adsorbent (CES), coffee grounds, eggshell powder and sericite as a binder, was prepared to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the CES contained a large amount of OH groups and had a favorable structure for adsorbing heavy metals. The value of pHpzc of CES was estimated at 7.08. In the neutral pH region, the surface of CES is negatively charged and favorable for adsorption of Pb(II). The maximum Langmuir adsorption amount was 155.67 mg/g, and the adsorption process of Pb(II) using CES fitted pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, the analysis of adsorption energy, free energy, enthalpy, and entropy found that the adsorption of Pb(II) onto CES was physical and a spontaneous exothermic reaction. CES is a hybrid adsorbent using general municipal waste and has great advantages in terms of environmental conservation and sustainable environmental circulation. This allows it to compete with other adsorbents.

Practitioner points

A hybrid adsorbent, coffee grounds, eggshell, and sericite (CES), was used to remove Pb(II)

Adsorption of Pb(II) using CES in an aqueous solution was physical rather than chemical

CES contained a large amount of OH groups and had a favorable structure for adsorbing heavy metals

The reactivity and strength of the adsorption of Pb(II) onto CES was very good

CES has great advantages in terms of environmental conservation and sustainable environmental circulation.
Sulfide and arsenic compounds removal from liquid digestate by ferric coagulation and toxicity evaluation
Authors: Qiu Zonglian , Zheng Tianxiang , Dai Qizhou , Chen Jianmeng
Published: June 2019

The liquid digestate has been regarded as a potential organic fertilizer for its benefit in nutrients recovery. However, the potential risk of hazardous substances remaining in the wastewater was still one of the main obstacles for the wastewater application in the circular agriculture. The pretreatment is important to remove pollutants with relatively satisfied results. Ferric coagulation was a feasible way to simultaneously remove various contaminants in the wastewater with few residuals of ferric ions under alkaline and neutral conditions. In special, it could reduce the residues of sulfide and arsenic compounds. We gained insights into the mechanism of ferric coagulation in removing sulfide and arsenic compounds. Redox reaction and precipitation were the reasons resulting in removing sulfide. The formation of precipitate by combining with iron(III) contributes to the removal of arsenic compounds. Toxicity tests using Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella pyrenoidosa showed an obvious reduction of toxicity for the liquid digestate after ferric coagulation. Besides, ferric coagulation could efficiently remove turbidity, reduce COD, and eliminate dissolved organic matters correlated with the fate of heavy metal and antibiotics. Therefore, this paper could give basic data and technique supports for the secure utilization and pollution control of liquid digestate.

Practitioner points

Most sulfide and arsenic compounds were removed by 0.01 M ferric coagulation.

Mechanisms on removing hazardous substances by ferric coagulation were discussed based on analysis of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR.

The evaluation by two algae showed the toxicity of liquid digestate could be reduced obviously after ferric coagulation.
Seasonal and interspecific landscape use of sympatric greater prairie‐chickens and plains sharp‐tailed grouse
Authors: Hiller Tim L. , McFadden Jamie E. , Powell Larkin A. , Schacht Walter H.
Published: June 2019

Native grasslands throughout the Great Plains, USA, have undergone varying levels of fragmentation. The prairie ecosystems of Nebraska, USA, provide habitat for culturally and economically important galliforms, including greater prairie‐chicken (GRPC; Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) and plains sharp‐tailed grouse (STGR; Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi). The Sandhills region in north‐central Nebraska remains largely intact as grasslands, but cropland development at the margins has provided potential for alternative winter forage sites. Our objectives were to describe intraspecific seasonal shifts and interspecific differences in landscape use of these 2 species of prairie grouse in the Sandhills. We captured and radiomarked 87 birds (68 STGR, 19 GRPC) during 2015–2016 and used aerial telemetry to collect location data on birds. We used presence‐only location data and ecological and anthropogenic variables (e.g., land‐cover types, topography, vegetation productivity, and roads) in a maximum entropy (using MaxEnt software) approach to construct and compare seasonal species distribution models. During the breeding season, GRPC distribution probabilities were greater in areas more distant from center‐pivot irrigation locations, proximate to wet meadows, and at moderate distances from crop fields, whereas during the nonbreeding season, distributions were positively influenced by conifer and mixed‐grass (generally areas on peripheries of wetlands or meadows) land‐cover types. For STGR during both seasons, distribution probabilities were greatest in areas more distant from wet meadows, whereas during the nonbreeding season the probabilities were also greater in areas more distant from sandy ecological sites. Using an ecological‐niche‐similarity approach to examine interspecific use of the landscape, we found evidence that landscape use on our study area differed between species during the breeding season, but not during the nonbreeding season. Our results provide support for coordinated, landscape‐level management of galliforms, which can now be extended to seasonal priorities during management decisions on publicly and privately managed lands. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Dualities and inhomogeneous phases in dense quark matter with chiral and isospin imbalances in the framework of effective model
Authors: Khunjua T. G. , Klimenko K. G. , Zhokhov R. N.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

It has been shown in [15, 70] in the framework of Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with the assumption of spatially homogeneous condensates that in the large-N

c
limit (N

c
is the number of quark colours) there exist three dual symmetries of the thermodynamic potential, which describes dense quark matter with chiral and isospin imbalances. The main duality is between the chiral symmetry breaking and the charged pion condensation phenomena. There have been a lot of studies and hints that the ground state could be characterized by spatially inhomogeneous condensates, so the question arises if duality is a rather deep property of the phase structure or just accidental property in the homogeneous case. In this paper we have shown that even if the phase diagram contains phases with spatially inhomogeneous condensates, it still possesses the property of this main duality. Two other dual symmetries are not realized in the theory if it is investigated within an inhomogeneous approach to a ground state. Based on various previously studied aspects of the QCD phase diagram of dense isospin asymmetric matter with possible inhomogeneous condensates, in the present paper a unified picture and full phase diagram of dense quark matter with isospin imbalance have been assembled. Acting on this diagram by a dual transformation, we obtained, in the framework of an approach with spatially inhomogeneous condensates and without any calculations, a full phase diagram of chirally asymmetric dense medium. This example shows that the duality is not just entertaining mathematical property but an instrument with very high predictivity power. The obtained phase diagram is quite rich and contains various spatially inhomogeneous phases.
Unitary and non-unitary N = 2 minimal models
Authors: Creutzig Thomas , Liu Tianshu , Ridout David , Wood Simon
Published: June 2019

Abstract

The unitary N = 2 superconformal minimal models have a long history in string theory and mathematical physics, while their non-unitary (and logarithmic) cousins have recently attracted interest from mathematicians. Here, we give an efficient and uniform analysis of all these models as an application of a type of Schur-Weyl duality, as it pertains to the well-known Kazama-Suzuki coset construction. The results include straight-forward classifications of the irreducible modules, branching rules, (super)characters and (Grothendieck) fusion rules.
Scalar-fermion analytic bootstrap in 4D
Authors: Elkhidir Emtinan , Karateev Denis
Published: June 2019

Abstract

In this work we discuss an analytic bootstrap approach [1, 2] in the context of spinning 4D conformal blocks [3, 4]. As an example we study the simplest spinning case, the scalar-fermion correlator

$$ \left\langle \phi\ \psi\ \phi\ \overline{\psi}\right\rangle $$

ϕ

ψ

ϕ

ψ
¯

. We find that to every pair of primary scalar ϕ and fermion ψ correspond two infinite towers of fermionic large spin primary operators. We compute their twists and products of OPE coefficients using both s-t and u-t bootstrap equations to the leading and sub-leading orders. We find that the leading order is represented by the scalar-fermion generalized free theory and the sub-leading order is governed by the minimal twist bosonic (light scalars, currents and the energy-momentum tensor) and fermionic (light fermions and the suppersymmetric current) operators present in the spectrum.
Extraction of unpolarized quark transverse momentum dependent parton distributions from Drell-Yan/Z-boson production
Authors: Bertone Valerio , Scimemi Ignazio , Vladimirov Alexey
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We present the extraction of unpolarized quark transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDPDFs) and the non-perturbative part of TMD evolution kernel from the global analysis of Drell-Yan and Z-boson production data. The analysis is performed at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD, using the ζ-prescription. The estimation of the error-propagation from the experimental uncertainties to non-perturbative function is made by the replica method. The importance of the inclusion of the precise LHC data and its influence on the determination of non-perturbative functions is discussed.
High-temperature domain walls of QCD with imaginary chemical potentials
Authors: Nishimura Hiromichi , Tanizaki Yuya
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We study QCD with massless quarks on ℝ3 × S
1 under symmetry-twisted boundary conditions with small compactification radius, i.e. at high temperatures. Under suitable boundary conditions, the theory acquires a part of the center symmetry and it is spontaneously broken at high temperatures. We show that these vacua at high temperatures can be regarded as different symmetry-protected topological orders, and the domain walls between them support nontrivial massless gauge theories as a consequence of anomaly-inflow mechanism. At sufficiently high temperatures, we can perform the semi-classical analysis to obtain the domain-wall theory, and 2d U(N
c − 1) gauge theories with massless fermions match the ’t Hooft anomaly. We perform these analysis for the high-temperature domain wall of

$$ {\mathbb{Z}}_{N_{\mathrm{c}}} $$

ℤ

N
c

-QCD and also of Roberge-Weiss phase transitions.
Significance of Leaders for Sustained Use of Evidence-Based Practices: A Qualitative Focus-Group Study with Mental Health Practitioners
Authors: Egeland Karina M. , Hauge Mona-Iren , Ruud Torleif , Ogden Terje , Heiervang Kristin Sverdvik
Published: June 2019

Evidence-based practices that are implemented in mental health services are often challenging to sustain. In this focus-group study, 26 mental health practitioners with high fidelity scores were interviewed regarding their experiences with implementing the illness management and recovery, an evidence-based practice for people with severe mental disorders, in their services and how this could influence further use. Findings indicate that high fidelity is not equivalent to successful implementation. Rather, to sustain the practice in services, the practitioners emphasized the importance of their leaders being positive and engaged in the intervention, and hold clear goals and visions for the intervention in the clinic. In addition, the practitioners’ understanding of outcome monitoring as a resource for practice improvement must be improved to avoid random patient experiences becoming the decisive factor in determining further use.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02077829. Registered 25 February 2014.
Recurrence of Trisomic Pregnancies in Four Families: A Cytogenetic and Molecular Study
Authors: Nampoothiri Sheela , Saadi Abdul Vahab , Girisha Katta M. , Padmanabhan Laxmi , Yesodharan Dhanya , Thampi M. V. , Hamza Zareena , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu
Published: June 2019

The risk for recurrence of non disjunction trisomy 21 is conventionally considered to be less than 1%. Within a span of 3 years, we observed recurrence of non disjunction trisomies in four families. The objective of the present study was to determine low level mosaicism in either of the couple and to identify the parental origin of additional chromosome 21/18. The four couples who had recurrent trisomic conceptions were investigated for the underlying mosaicism by analysis of 100 cells from peripheral blood of the couple and the parental origin of supernumerary chromosome 21/18 were identified using microsatellite markers. Low level mosaicisms in peripheral lymphocytes of couple were ruled out for all four families. Microsatellite markers have shown maternal origin of chromosomal nondisjunction for all the families and defective first meiotic division as the most common mechanism for nondisjunction. This observation raises the need for discussing the option of invasive testing while counseling the couple with an affected child with non-disjunction trisomy as the risk for recurrence of trisomies in subsequent pregnancy might not be as low as 1%.
Beautiful Botanicals: Art from the Australian National Botanic Gardens Library and Archives
Authors: Black Jane
Published: June 2019

The Australian National Botanic Gardens plays an important role in the study and promotion of Australia's diverse range of unique plants through its living collection, scientific research activities and also through the art collection held in the institution's Library and Archives. Australia's history of formal botanical illustration began with the early voyages of discovery with its popularity then declining until the modern day revival in botanical art. The Australian National Botanic Gardens Library and Archives art collection holds works from the Endeavour voyage through to the more contemporary artists of Celia Rosser, Collin Woolcock, Gillian Scott and Aboriginal artists including Teresa Purla McKeeman as well as photographs and outdoor installations.
High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Women in South China
Authors: Li Xueli , Wang Yuanliu , Gao Gan , Guan Xiaoyong , Qin Peixu , Liu Chunming
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Objective: To investigate the vitamin D status of pregnant women in the Liuzhou area and assess the effects of maternal vitamin D status on the cord blood of their newborns. Subjects and methods: This study included 8852 pregnant women and 2000 newborns. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels of the 8852 pregnant women and the cord blood of 2000 newborns were measured. Results: The results showed that the average level of 25(OH)D in pregnant women in this area was 76.55 nmol/L, and women in different trimesters had different vitamin D levels ( p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<75 nmol/L) in pregnant women was 62.34%, and the proportion of severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L) was 0.25%. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in the winter and spring than in the summer and autumn ( p < 0.001). Pregnant women who had regular vitamin D supplementation had higher levels of 25(OH)D than the women with discontinuous supplementation or no supplementation ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in pregnant women in the Liuzhou area. There were differences in vitamin D levels between the three trimesters and different seasons. For pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency, it is important to scientifically determine the appropriate level of vitamin D supplementation to ensure the health of mothers and babies.
PPARγ Pro12Ala Polymorphism Influences the Relationship between Dietary Fat Intake, Adiposity and Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Koohdani Fariba , Sotoudeh Gity , Kalantar Zahra , Mansoori Anahita
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) Pro12Ala polymorphism (rs1801282) has been associated with metabolic syndrome components in some studies. Moreover, the PPARγ gene may mediate the physiological response to dietary fat intake in a ligand-dependent manner. Methods: Metabolic syndrome components (body mass index, waist circumference, and lipid profile) were determined in 290 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a cross-sectional study. DNA genotyping for determining PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism method. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ dietary intakes in the previous year. Results: There were significant differences between the two genotype groups of PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism, Ala carriers (Pro/Ala + Ala/Ala) versus non-Ala carriers (Pro/Pro), in terms of mean body mass index (p = 0.04) and waist circumference (p = 0.02). Below the median percentage of energy from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, Ala carriers had a higher body mass index (p = 0.01) compared to non-Ala carriers. Furthermore, a significant interaction between this single-nucleotide polymorphism and polyunsaturated fatty acids intake on serum triglyceride levels (p = 0.01) was seen, and in higher polyunsaturated fatty acids intake (≥ median) Ala carriers had lower triglyceride levels than non-Ala carriers (p = 0.007). Conclusions: The findings of the current study support a significant association between PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism and metabolic syndrome components, and they suggest that this polymorphism can modulate the biological response of dietary fat intake on body mass index and triglyceride levels.
Ketogene Diät: evidenzbasierte therapeutische Anwendung bei endokrinologischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Stocker Rahel Kristina , Reber Aubry Emilie , Bally Lilly , Nuoffer Jean-Marc , Stanga Zeno
Published: June 2019

Zusammenfassung. Zusammenfassung: Die ketogene Diät (KD) ist eine sehr fettreiche und stark kohlenhydratreduzierte Ernährungsform, die bisher vor allem bei Kindern mit therapierefraktärer Epilepsie eingesetzt wird. Die Anwendung der KD bei anderen Krankheitsbildern wird zunehmend diskutiert. Diese Übersicht zeigt, dass erste Hinweise für einen klinischen Nutzen der KD beim Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 (T2DM) und beim Polyzystischen Ovarialsyndrom (PCOS) bestehen. In vielen analysierten Studien führte die KD zu einem signifikanten Gewichtsverlust und hatte eine günstige Wirkung auf das Lipoproteinprofil und die Insulinresistenz. Der HbA1c-Wert nahm durch die KD bei der Hälfte der kontrollierten T2DM-Studien signifikant stärker ab (HbA1c-Differenz: –0,5 bis –1,5 %) als durch Vergleichsdiäten (HbA1c-Differenz: +0,2 bis –0,5 %). Insgesamt sind die Studienresultate jedoch für eine allgemeine Empfehlung der KD bei diesem Patientenkollektiv zu heterogen.
Superoscillation: from physics to optical applications
Authors: Chen Gang , Wen Zhong-Quan , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: June 2019

The resolution of conventional optical elements and systems has long been perceived to satisfy the classic Rayleigh criterion. Paramount efforts have been made to develop different types of superresolution techniques to achieve optical resolution down to several nanometres, such as by using evanescent waves, fluorescence labelling, and postprocessing. Superresolution imaging techniques, which are noncontact, far field and label free, are highly desirable but challenging to implement. The concept of superoscillation offers an alternative route to optical superresolution and enables the engineering of focal spots and point-spread functions of arbitrarily small size without theoretical limitations. This paper reviews recent developments in optical superoscillation technologies, design approaches, methods of characterizing superoscillatory optical fields, and applications in noncontact, far-field and label-free superresolution microscopy. This work may promote the wider adoption and application of optical superresolution across different wave types and application domains.
The transcription factor Slug represses p16Ink4a and regulates murine muscle stem cell aging
Authors: Zhu Pei , Zhang Chunping , Gao Yongxing , Wu Furen , Zhou Yalu , Wu Wen-Shu
Published: June 2019

Activation of the p16Ink4a-associated senescence pathway during aging breaks muscle homeostasis and causes degenerative muscle disease by irreversibly dampening satellite cell (SC) self-renewal capacity. Here, we report that the zinc-finger transcription factor Slug is highly expressed in quiescent SCs of mice and functions as a direct transcriptional repressor of p16Ink4a. Loss of Slug promotes derepression of p16Ink4a in SCs and accelerates the entry of SCs into a fully senescent state upon damage-induced stress. p16Ink4a depletion partially rescues defects in Slug-deficient SCs. Furthermore, reduced Slug expression is accompanied by p16Ink4a accumulation in aged SCs. Slug overexpression ameliorates aged muscle regeneration by enhancing SC self-renewal through active repression of p16Ink4a transcription. Our results identify a cell-autonomous mechanism underlying functional defects of SCs at advanced age. As p16Ink4a dysregulation is the chief cause for regenerative defects of human geriatric SCs, these findings highlight Slug as a potential therapeutic target for aging-associated degenerative muscle disease.
2DMatPedia, an open computational database of two-dimensional materials from top-down and bottom-up approaches
Authors: Zhou Jun , Shen Lei , Costa Miguel Dias , Persson Kristin A. , Ong Shyue Ping , Huck Patrick , Lu Yunhao , Ma Xiaoyang , Chen Yiming , Tang Hanmei , Feng Yuan Ping
Published: June 2019

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been a hot research topic in the last decade, due to novel fundamental physics in the reduced dimension and appealing applications. Systematic discovery of functional 2D materials has been the focus of many studies. Here, we present a large dataset of 2D materials, with more than 6,000 monolayer structures, obtained from both top-down and bottom-up discovery procedures. First, we screened all bulk materials in the database of Materials Project for layered structures by a topology-based algorithm and theoretically exfoliated them into monolayers. Then, we generated new 2D materials by chemical substitution of elements in known 2D materials by others from the same group in the periodic table. The structural, electronic and energetic properties of these 2D materials are consistently calculated, to provide a starting point for further material screening, data mining, data analysis and artificial intelligence applications. We present the details of computational methodology, data record and technical validation of our publicly available data (http://www.2dmatpedia.org/).
Data Correction of Intensity Modulated Small Angle Scattering
Authors: Li Fankang , Parnell Steven R. , Dalgliesh Robert , Washington Adam , Plomp Jeroen , Pynn Roger
Published: June 2019

To investigate long length scale structures using neutron scattering, real space techniques have shown certain advantages over the conventional methods working in reciprocal space. As one of the real space measurement techniques, spin echo modulated small angle neutron scattering (SEMSANS) has attracted attention, due to its relaxed constraints on sample environment and the possibility to combine SEMSANS and a conventional small angle neutron scattering instrument. In this report, we present the first implementation of SEMSANS at a pulsed neutron source and discuss important corrections to the data due to the sample absorption. These corrections allow measurements made with different neutron wavelengths and SEMSANS configurations to be overlaid and give confidence that the measurements provide an accurate representation of the density correlations in the sample.
Vitamins (A&D) and Isoprenoid (Chenodeoxycholic acid) molecules are accompanied by Th1 immunostimulatory response and therapeutic cure in vivo: possible antileishmanial drugs
Authors: Gogulamudi Venkateswara Reddy , Dubey Mohan Lal , Kaul Deepak , Hubert Donfack Jean , Kandimalla Ramesh , Sehgal Rakesh
Published: June 2019

Investigation of immune modulatory anti-leishmanial molecules is now being strongly encouraged to overcome the immunosuppression manifested during visceral leishmaniasis (VL), resistance, toxicity and high cost associated with conventional therapeutics. In the present study, we explored the protective efficacy of vitamin D3, retinoic acid and isoprenoid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) combinations againstL.donovaniinfected BALB/c mice. We also probed the immune modulatory response (Th1 & Th2 cytokines) and infection dynamics following experimental infections with drug treated animals. Our results indicate that Vit.D3/RA and CDCA/RA combination treatment led to significant inhibition of parasite load on days 21 and 28 post treatment. Furthermore, there was a marked inhibition of Th2 type immune responses in IL-4, IL-5 and polarization of Th1 biased immunity along with upregulation of IL-1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels on day 28 post treatment. In addition, mice treated with Vit.D3/RA and CDCA/RA demonstrates here that splenic histological recovery against the virulent challenge ofL.donovaniby day 28 was comparable to control group. The conclusions derived from this study suggests that a combination of vitamin A, D3and isoprenoids may have a potential immunomodulatory therapeutic role against leishmaniasis.
Theta band high definition transcranial alternating current stimulation, but not transcranial direct current stimulation, improves associative memory performance
Authors: Lang Stefan , Gan Liu Shi , Alrazi Tazrina , Monchi Oury
Published: June 2019

Associative memory (AM) deficits are common in neurodegenerative disease and novel therapies aimed at improving these faculties are needed. Theta band oscillations within AM networks have been shown to be important for successful memory encoding and modulating these rhythms represents a promising strategy for cognitive enhancement. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) has been hypothesized to entrain and increase power of endogenous brain rhythms. For this reason, we hypothesized that focal delivery of theta band electrical current, using high-definition TACS, would result in improved AM performance compared to sham stimulation or transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS). In this pilot study, 60 healthy subjects were randomized to receive high definition TACS, high definition TDCS, or sham stimulation delivered to the right fusiform cortex during encoding of visual associations. Consistent with our hypothesis, improved AM performance was observed in the TACS group, while TDCS had no effect. However, TACS also resulted in improved correct rejection of never seen items, reduced false memory, and reduced forgetting, suggesting the effect may not be specific for AM processes. Overall, this work informs strategies for improving associative memory and suggests alternating current is more effective than direct current stimulation in some contexts.
Non-invasive visualization of physiological changes of insects during metamorphosis based on biophoton emission imaging
Authors: Usui Shoko , Tada Mika , Kobayashi Masaki
Published: June 2019

Spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission from living organisms, designated as biophoton emission, is a generally observed phenomenon irrespective of the organism species. Biophoton emission is attributed to the production of excited molecules in a metabolic biochemical reaction, especially in processes involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although many plant and mammal subjects have reportedly been used to study its application to biological measurements, biophoton emission properties of insects remain unclear. For this study, we strove to measure the variation of two-dimensional images of biophoton emission during the metamorphosis of lepidopterous insects as a moving picture to elucidate the physiological changes underlying the mechanism of drastic changes of morphological and ecological characteristics of the insects. We used our developed biophoton imaging system incorporating a cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a specially designed lens system to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of biophoton emission during metamorphosis, larval–pupal ecdysis/pupation ofPapilio protenor, suggesting its applicability forin vivoobservation of physiological changes during the regulation of metamorphosis.
Strategies for designing organic fluorescent probes for biological imaging of reactive carbonyl species
Authors: Tang Yonghe , Ma Yanyan , Yin Junling , Lin Weiying
Published: June 2019

This review highlights the design strategies of typical organic fluorescent probes for reactive carbonyl species and their application in biological imaging.
A surface-modified EDTA-reduced graphene oxide membrane for nanofiltration and anti-biofouling prepared by plasma post-treatment
Authors: Lee Byeongho , Suh Dong Woo , Hong Sung Pil , Yoon Jeyong
Published: June 2019

Plasma post-treatment is a facile method to tune performances of functionalized reduced graphene oxide membranes for nanofiltration.
Combinatorics of proanthocyanidins in wine
Authors: Cave Jonathan R. , Waterhouse Andrew L.
Published: June 2019

Condensed tannin are polymers comprised of procyanidin and prodelphinidin units found in wine, chocolate, apples and many other foods.
A dual-responsive luminescent metal–organic framework as a recyclable luminescent probe for the highly effective detection of pyrophosphate and nitrofurantoin
Authors: Li Hui , Ren Jie , Xu Xiufang , Ning Liangmin , Tong Ruoyan , Song Yao , Liao Shengyun , Gu Wen , Liu Xin
Published: June 2019

Luminescent ZTMOF-1 can discriminately detect PPi and NFT with high selectivity, sensitivity and stability.
A highly selective fluorogenic substrate for imaging glutathione S-transferase P1: development and cellular applicability in epigenetic studies
Authors: Mori Masaya , Fujikawa Yuuta , Kikkawa Manami , Shino Moeho , Sawane Mei , Sato Shiho , Inoue Hideshi
Published: June 2019

A highly selective fluorogenic substrate was designed for the specific visualization of intracellular GSTP1 activity in cancer cells.
Optimizing optoelectronic performances by controlling halide compositions of MAPb(ClxI1−x)3 single crystals
Authors: Xu Zhiwen , Li Huadong , Zhao Hongyang , Fu Qiuming , Tao Hong , Wang Shenggao , Ma Zhibin , Ding Jianxu , Ma Yongfu , Han Yibo
Published: June 2019

This article aims at investigating the structures of iodide/chloride mixed-halide perovskites and correlating the I : Cl ratio with their optoelectronic performances.
Construction of spindle structured CeO2 modified with rod-like attapulgite as a high-performance photocatalyst for CO2 reduction
Authors: Zheng Jia , Zhu Zhi , Gao Ge , Liu Zhi , Wang Qiu , Yan Yongsheng
Published: June 2019

In this study, a spindle structured CeO2 photocatalyst modified with rod-like attapulgite (CeO2/ATP) was successfully prepared by simple high temperature calcination.
The smaller, the better? How the aggregate size affects the reactivity of (trimethylsilyl)methyllithium
Authors: Knauer Lena , Wattenberg Jonathan , Kroesen Ulrike , Strohmann Carsten
Published: June 2019

An unexpected influence of the nature of stabilizing additives to alkyllithium compounds on an aggregate's reactivity was examined experimentally and theoretically.
The electrostatic potential as a descriptor for the protonation propensity in automated exploration of reaction mechanisms
Authors: Grimmel Stephanie A. , Reiher Markus
Published: June 2019

We discuss the possibility of exploiting local minima of the molecular electrostatic potential for locating protonation sites in molecules in a fully automated manner.
Red yeast rice ameliorates high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in Apoe−/− mice in association with improved inflammation and altered gut microbiota composition
Authors: Dong Yanhan , Cheng Huimin , Liu Ying , Xue Meilan , Liang Hui
Published: June 2019

Red yeast rice could significantly protect against atherosclerosis, which were possibly associated with the alterations in the gut microbiota composition.
Tough, strong, and biodegradable composite film with excellent UV barrier performance comprising soy protein isolate, hyperbranched polyester, and cardanol derivative
Authors: Gu Weidong , Liu Xiaorong , Li Feng , Shi Sheldon Q. , Xia Changlei , Zhou Wenrui , Zhang Derong , Gong Shanshan , Li Jianzhang
Published: June 2019

Tough and biodegradable soy protein isolate film with excellent UV barrier performance by hyperbranched polyester, and cardanol derivative.
Copper-mediated cascade radical cyclization of olefins with naphthalenyl iododifluoromethyl ketones
Authors: Peng Peng , Huang Guo-zhi , Sun Ying-xin , Wang Xing , Wu Jing-jing , Wu Fan-hong
Published: June 2019

Copper-mediated radical cyclization of naphthalenyl iododifluoromethyl ketones with olefins was developed to generate a series of unprecedented gem-difluorodihydrophenanthrenones with excellent regioselectivity.
Facile synthesis of chiral ε-sultams via an organocatalytic aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction
Authors: Zhao Zi-Biao , Shi Lei , Li Yaming , Meng Fan-Jie , Zhou Yong-Gui
Published: June 2019

A facile enantioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction has been developed for the synthesis of chiral ε-sultams with an enantiomeric excess of up to 92%.
Valorisation of waste to yield recyclable composites of elemental sulfur and lignin
Authors: Karunarathna Menisha S. , Lauer Moira K. , Thiounn Timmy , Smith Rhett C. , Tennyson Andrew G.
Published: June 2019

Lignin is the second-most abundant biopolymer in nature and remains a severely underutilized waste product of agriculture and paper production.
Recent progress in Co9S8-based materials for hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysis
Authors: Dong Dongqi , Wu Zexing , Wang Jie , Fu Gengtao , Tang Yawen
Published: June 2019

Co9S8-based materials have attracted tremendous attention owing to their unique physical properties, which are widely adopted as electrocatalysts in hydrogen- and oxygen-related electrocatalysis.
A novel biomass-based reusable AIE material: AIE properties and potential applications in amine/ammonia vapor sensing and information storage
Authors: Zhang Ensheng , Hou Xiufang , Zhang Ze , Zhang Yuqi , Wang Jijiang , Yang Hua , You Jinmao , Ju Ping
Published: June 2019

A novel biomass-based reusable AIE material and its potential applications in amine/ammonia vapor sensing and information storage were revealed.
3D-printed continuous flow reactor for high yield synthesis of CH3NH3PbX3(X = Br, I) nanocrystals
Authors: Li Chong , Ding Baojun , Zhang Lijing , Song Kepeng , Tao Shengyang
Published: June 2019

Continuous high yield production of perovskite nanocrystals using a 3D printed microreactor.
Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher model for charging dynamics in an organic electrochemical transistor
Authors: Shiri Parisa , Dacanay Earl Jon S. , Hagen Brennan , Kaake Loren G.
Published: June 2019

The dynamics of organic electrochemical transistors were studied usingin situinfrared spectroscopy. The diffusivity of mixed ion-carrier pairs were quantified and fit with the VTF equation by considering the enthalpy of mixing of the process.
Down-regulation of SOX18 inhibits laryngeal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through JAK2/STAT3 signaling
Authors: Xu Yice , Zhang Qingyuan , Zhou Jie , Li Zhaolong , Guo Junyu , Wang Weina , Wang Wei
Published: June 2019

Laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head, neck, and respiratory tract. The aim of the present study is to explore the biological function of SRY-related HMG-box 18 (SOX18) in laryngeal carcinoma cells and study the molecular mechanism involved. Initial findings indicate that the expression of SOX18 was increased in laryngeal carcinoma cell lines and tissues. The effect of SOX18 on laryngeal carcinoma cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, and migration was also identified. The results indicated that down-regulation of SOX18 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell-cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells. However, overexpression of SOX18 promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibited cell apoptosis. The expression of cyclin D1, active-caspase-3, N-cadherin, MTA1, MMP-2, and MMP-7 was also regulated by the overexpression of siSOX18 or SOX18. In addition, it was found that SOX18 could also accelerate the phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling in laryngeal carcinoma cells. Furthermore, our study indicated that SOX18 could stimulate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells via regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling, which could provide a new strategy for laryngeal carcinoma diagnosis and molecular therapies.
DEPDC1 promotes cell proliferation and suppresses sensitivity to chemotherapy in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Chao , Wang Pu , Tu Mengtian , Huang Yi , Xiong Fei , Wu Yue
Published: June 2019

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of tumor-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Accumulating evidence has revealed that aberrant expression of crucial cancer-related genes contributes to hepatocellular carcinogenesis. This study aimed to characterize the biological role of DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1), a novel cancer-related gene, in HCC and illuminate the potential molecular mechanisms involved.

Materials and methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used to characterize the expression patterns of DEPDC1 in tumorous tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was launched to evaluate the relationship between DEPDC1 expression and overall survival. CCK8 assay, colony formation and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the effects of DEPDC1 on HCC cell viability, clonogenic capability and cell apoptosis. Murine xenograft models were established to determine the effect of DEPDC1 on tumor growth in vivo. SP600125, a JNK specific inhibitor, was applied to carriy out mechanistic studies.

Results: DEPDC1 was significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues compared with para-cancerous tissues. Besides, patients with high DEPDC1 expression experienced a significantly shorter overall survival. Functional investigations demonstrated that DEPDC1 overexpression facilitated HCC cell proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis, whereas DEPDC1 depletion inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, DEPDC1 ablation suppressed tumorigenecity of HCC cells in murine xenograft models. Mechanistic studies uncovered that JNK signaling pathway mediated the promoting effects of DEPDC1 on HCC cell viability and chemotherapy resistance.

Conclusion: Collectively, our data may provide some evidence for DEPDC1 as a candidate therapeutic target for HCC.
Position effects on promoter activity inEscherichia coliand their consequences for antibiotic-resistance determinants
Authors: Cooke Karen , Browning Douglas F. , Lee David J. , Blair Jessica M.A. , McNeill Helen E. , Huber Damon , Busby Stephen J.W. , Bryant Jack A.
Published: June 2019

The activity of any bacterial promoter is generally supposed to be set by its base sequence and the different transcription factors that bind in the local vicinity. Here, we review recent data indicating that the activity of the Escherichia coli lac operon promoter also depends upon its chromosomal location. Factors that affect promoter activity include the binding of nucleoid-associated proteins to neighbouring sequences, supercoiling and the activity of neighbouring promoters. We suggest that many bacterial promoters might be susceptible to similar position-dependent effects and we review recent data showing that the expression of mobile genes encoding antibiotic-resistance determinants is also location-dependent, both when carried on a bacterial chromosome or a conjugative plasmid.
Overexpression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator partially rescues fetoplacental angiogenesis in severe fetal growth restriction
Authors: Ji Shuhan , Xin Hong , Su Emily J.
Published: June 2019

Pregnancies complicated by severe fetal growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry (FGRadv) are at substantial risk for adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. Impaired angiogenesis of the placental vasculature in these pregnancies results in a sparse, poorly branched vascular tree, which structurally contributes to the abnormally elevated fetoplacental vascular resistance that is clinically manifested by absent or reversed umbilical artery Doppler indices. Previous studies have shown that aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a key mediator of proper placental angiogenesis, and within placental endothelial cells (ECs) from human FGRadv pregnancies, low expression of ARNT leads to decreased vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression and deficient tube formation. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of VEGFA administration or ARNT overexpression on angiogenic potential of FGRadv ECs. ECs were isolated and cultured from FGRadv or gestational age-matched control placentas and subjected to either vehicle vs VEGFA treatment or transduction with adenoviral-CMV (ad-CMV) vs adenoviral-ARNT (ad-ARNT) constructs. They were then assessed via wound scratch and tube formation assays. We found that VEGFA administration nominally improved FGRadv EC migration (P<0.01) and tube formation (P<0.05). ARNT overexpression led to significantly enhanced ARNT expression in FGRadv ECs (P<0.01), to a level similar to control ECs. Despite this, FGRadv EC migration (P<0.05) and tube formation (P<0.05) were still only partially rescued. This suggests that although ARNT does play a role in fetoplacental EC migration, other factors in addition to ARNT are likely also important in placental angiogenesis.
MO‐CSO‐based load‐balanced routing in MRMC WMN
Authors: Rathan Karunya , Roslin SusaiMichael Emalda , Brumancia Easpin
Published: June 2019

The multi‐radio–multi‐channel wireless mesh networks (MRMC WMNs) have attracted much attention due to their low cost, reliable coverage, stable topology, and so forth. Load balancing among gateways (GWs) is a challenging task in MRMC WMNs. The GW nodes with higher loads will lead to disconnected network. GW and shortest path selection may increase traffic concentration which leads to congestion and collision in network. In this study, a multi‐objective competitive swarm optimiser (MO‐CSO) with analytic hierarchy process‐based (AHP) load‐balancing technique is proposed among the multiple GW nodes that provide communication between server and user to select the lightly loaded GWs, so that more packets will be delivered to the fixed host in Internet. The proposed method selects four GW parameters that are GW connecting degree, GW capacity indicator, traffic in collision domain, and path cost. The objective functions are minimisation of delay and maximising the channel utilisation, network throughput, and balancing network traffic. The MO‐CSO with AHP method is utilised to select the best GW and path which combines all four parameters. Simulation results show that the proposed MO‐CSO improves the network performance by maximum throughput while compared with the existing routing strategies such as SBR, ETX, LG, NG, and IR.