bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Plattenepithelkarzinom des Naseneingangs – Eine Literaturübersicht
Authors: Koopmann Mario , Rudack Claudia , Weiss Daniel , Stenner Markus
Published: June 2018

Hintergrund Das Plattenepithelkarzinom des Naseneingangs (Vestibulum nasi) ist eine sehr seltene Tumorentität. In der Konsequenz herrscht bezüglich der
Ätiologie, des Stagings und der notwendigen Therapie dieser Tumoren nach wie vor Uneinigkeit. Insbesondere die Mitbehandlung regionaler Lymphknotenstationen ist
Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Diskussionen.

Methode Alle via Pubmed gefundenen Artikel zum Thema wurden hinsichtlich folgender Themenschwerpunkte untersucht: Lymphatische Versorgung, Metastasierung,
Inzidenz, Prognose, Risikofaktoren (Leder, Nickel, Nikotin, Humane Papillomaviren), Tumorklassifikationssystem (UICC-, AJCC-, Wang-Klassifikation), Therapie des
Primärtumors, Therapie regionaler Lymphknoten und Immunhistochemie.

Ergebnisse Im vorliegenden Übersichtsartikel wurden 55 Veröffentlichungen ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse hinsichtlich der untersuchten Aspekte sind in sich
inhomogen.

Schlussfolgerungen Als Klassifikationssystem wird die Wang-Klassifikation empfohlen. Für die Behandlung kleinerer Tumoren (T1-T2-Wang) kommen operative
Resektionen oder Bestrahlungen in Betracht. Größere Tumoren (T3-Wang) sollten reseziert und einer adjuvanten Bestrahlung zugeführt werden. Im Falle einer
cT1-cT2cN0-Situation kann – eine dezidierte bildgebende Diagnostik vorausgesetzt – auf eine elektive Therapie der regionalen Lymphknoten verzichtet werden.
Severe eosinophilic colitis caused by neuropathic agents in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional abdominal pain: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Fragkos Konstantinos , Barragry John , Fernando Charisma , Novelli Marco , Begent Joanna , Zárate-Lopez Natalia
Published: June 2018

Eosinophilic colitis is a rare clinical condition that belongs to the group of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. Its occurrence can be primary or secondary to infection, medications, or autoimmune/hematological conditions. We present a case of a young female adult with severe chronic fatigue syndrome, widespread chronic pain, including functional abdominal pain, who developed severe eosinophilic colitis following successive treatments with gabapentin and pregabalin. On both occasions, symptoms manifested as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and eosinophilia and improved upon discontinuation of the medications. Magnetic resonance imaging of the small bowel demonstrated an ascending colon colitis, and endoscopic investigations confirmed florid colitis mainly in the ascending colon with biopsies demonstrating a dense eosinophilic infiltrate with micro-abscesses. Serum eosinophil counts correlated well with the timing of the agents’ administration. There was no other organ involvement. Symptoms improved upon discontinuation of the drugs and steroid administration. Eosinophilic colitis is an exceptionally rare entity and its mechanism of action is still unclear. Suspicion of eosinophilic colitis should be raised if a patient presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and peripheral eosinophilia following treatment with pregabalin or gabapentin.
Psychosomatik in der Gastroenterologie – Stellungnahme der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosomatik in der Gastroenterologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten (DGVS)
Authors: Auer Peter , Enck Paul , Häuser Winfried , Stengel Andreas , Storr Martin , Langhorst Jost ,   AG Psychosomatik in der Gastroenterologie der DGVS
Published: June 2018

Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosomatik in der Gastroenterologie der DGVS hat das Anliegen, das Profil psychosomatischer Anteile in Diagnostik, Differenzialdiagnostik und Therapie gastroenterologischer Krankheitsbilder zu schärfen, vermehrt psychosomatische Aspekte in Weiterbildungsordnung und Leitlinienarbeit zu etablieren, die Zusammenarbeit mit psychosomatischen Fachgesellschaften zu vertiefen und nicht zuletzt die Arbeitszufriedenheit und psychische Gesundheit der Gastroenterologinnen und Gastroenterologen in Deutschland zu stärken.
Euphrasia officinalis L.
Authors: Chrubasik-Hausmann Sigrun
Published: June 2018

Augentrost – zur lokalen Anwendung bei gereizten Augen
The Effect of Metformin Therapy for Preventing Gestational Diabetes
Mellitus in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Jing , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Wenhua
Published: June 2018

Objective This study was to analyze the efficacy of metformin
intervention in preventing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials or
observational studies of metformin intervention in preventing symptoms of
GDM during pregnancy were performed. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library
were searched through to now. The main evaluated primary outcomes were
incident of GDM, miscarriage, preterm delivery, and neonatal mortality. The
evaluated secondary outcomes were mean difference of gestational age at
birth and birth weight between metformin group and control group.

Results We included 6 studies including 3 randomized clinical trials
(RCTs), 2 observational studies, and 1 non-RCT in our meta-analysis. A total
of 643 patients were enrolled for a follow-up study with continued metformin
therapy (n=341) or not (n=302) during pregnancy. Metformin
therapy reduced the proportion of patients developing GDM (log Odds Ratio:
-1.27; 95%CI: -2.24 to -0.30) but had no significant effect on
reducing the proportion of abortion, preterm delivery, and neonatal death in
pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Also, it did not cause
a significant difference in gestational age at birth and birth weight in
metformin group versus control/placebo group.

Conclusions Metformin was associated with less frequent GDM
development than control diets, suggesting that it is the appropriate
intervention to be prescribed to prevent GDM in patients with PCOS.
Antientzündliches Essen
Authors: Martin Hans-Helmut , Bansner Julia , Schäfer Sylva
Published: June 2018

Viele Erkrankungen gehen mit chronischen Entzündungsreaktionen einher, z. B. Atherosklerose, viszerale Adipositas, Dislipoproteinämie oder Gicht. Die sog. Low-Grade-Inflammation entsteht u. a. als Reaktion auf Umweltbedingungen und ungesunden Lebensstil. Auch Ernährungsfaktoren spielen eine Rolle, die eine anhaltende Hyperglykämie begünstigen können und in der Folge negative Auswirkungen auf den Stoffwechsel haben. Der Grundlagenbeitrag behandelt entzündungsfördernde Ernährungsfehler und gibt Empfehlungen, welche Nahrungsmittel antioxidatives Potenzial aufweisen.
The Role of Different Molecular Markers in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients with Acromegaly
Authors: Keskin Fatma Ela , Ozkaya Hande Mefkure , Ferahman Sina , Haliloglu Ozlem , Karatas Adem , Aksoy Figen , Kadioglu Pinar
Published: June 2018

Purpose Prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is increased in patients with acromegaly. We aimed to determine the protein expression of BRAF, RAS, RET, insulin like growth factor 1(IGF1), Galectine 3, CD56 in patients with PTC related acromegaly and to compare the extensity of these expressions with normal PTC patients and benign thyroid nodules.

Methods We studied 313 patients with acromegaly followed in Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinic between 1998 and 2015. On the basis of availability of pathological specimen of thyroid tissues, thyroid samples of 13 patients from 19 with acromegaly related PTC (APTC), 20 normal PTC and 20 patients with multinodulary goiter (MNG) were histopathologically evaluated. Protein expressions were determined via immunohistochemical staining in ex-vivo tumor samples and benign nodules.

Results The incidence of PTC in acromegaly patients were 6% (n=19). Among patients with PTC, APTC and MNG, all the immunohistochemical protein expressions we have studied were higher in papillary thyroid cancer groups (p<0.01, for all). Between PTC group without acromegaly and APTC, galectin 3 and IGF1 expression was significantly higher in acromegalic patients (p<0.01 for all) while RAS was predominantly higher in PTC patients without acromegaly (p<0.01).

Conclusion BRAF expression was not higher in PTC with acromegaly patients compared to PTC patients without acromegaly. Galectine 3 and IGF1 were expressed more intensively in APTC. These positive protein expressions may have more influence on determining malign nodules among acromegaly patients.
Long Non-Coding RNA CASC2 Improves Diabetic Nephropathy by Inhibiting JNK Pathway
Authors: Yang Huihui , Kan Quan e , Su Yong , Man Hua
Published: June 2018

It’s known that long non-coding RNA CASC2 overexpression inhibit the JNK pathway in some disease models, while JNK pathway activation exacerbates diabetic nephropathy. Therefore we speculate that long non-coding RNA CASC2 can improve diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting JNK pathway. Thus, our study was carried out to investigate the involvement of CASC2 in diabetic nephropathy. We found that serum level of CASC2 was significantly lower in diabetic nephropathy patients than in normal people, and serum level of CASC2 showed no significant correlations with age, gender, alcohol consumption and smoking habits, but was correlated with course of disease. ROC curve analysis showed that serum level of CASC2 could be used to accurately predict diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes mellitus has many complications. This study also included a series of complications of diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic foot infections and diabetic cardiopathy, while serum level of CASC2 was specifically reduced in diabetic nephropathy. CASC2 expression level decreased, while JNK1 phosphorylation level increased in mouse podocyte cells treated with high glucose. CASC2 overexpression inhibited apoptosis of podocyte cells and reduced phosphorylation level of JNK1. We conclude that long non-coding RNA CASC2 may improve diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting JNK pathway.
Recent Advances in NMR: Aggregation, Solvation, and Dynamics of Selected Organolithium Compounds
Authors: Oulyadi Hassan
Published: June 2018

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most widely used analytical technique to study the structure and dynamics of organolithium compounds, which are the most popular reagents in organic synthesis due to their great diversity and high reactivity. The main strength of this method is that it allows direct analysis in solution of the aggregation, dynamic, and solvation state of reactive intermediates. In this review, we present the NMR tools (nD) involving the 6Li isotope and DOSY experiments with internal references and illustrate their contribution in the structural and dynamic characterization of organolithium compounds in solution through some selected example.

1 Introduction

2 Advantages of the 6Li isotope

3 NMR Experiments Involving the 6Li Isotope

4 Diffusion Ordered NMR Experiments

5 Application of NMR to the Structural Characterization of Organolithium Species

6 Conclusion
Use of the Animal Trauma Triage Score, RibScore, Modified RibScore and Other Clinical Factors for Prognostication in Canine Rib Fractures
Authors: Bacek Lenore , Kim Kyoung , Miller George , Gaillard Philippe , Kuo Kendon , McCarthy Daniel
Published: June 2018

Objectives To characterize the clinical features among dogs sustaining rib fractures and to determine if age, type and severity of injury, entry blood lactate, trauma score and rib fracture score were associated with outcome.

Methods A retrospective study was performed to include dogs that were presented with rib fractures. Risk factors evaluation included breed, age, body weight, diagnosis, presence of a flail chest, bandage use, puncture wound presence, rib fracture number, location of the fracture along the thoracic wall, hospital stay length, body weight, other fractures, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusions, pneumothorax and occurrence of an anaesthetic event. A retrospective calculation of an animal trauma triage (ATT) score, RibScore and Modified RibScore was assigned.

Results Forty-one medical records were collected. Motor vehicular trauma represented 56% of the rib fracture aetiology, 41% of patients sustained dog bites and one case was of an unknown aetiology. Significant correlations with risk factors were found only with the ATT score. All patients that died had an ATT score ≥ 5. The ATT score correlated positively with mortality (p < 0.05) with an ATT score ≥ 7 was 88% sensitive and 81% specific for predicting mortality. A 1-point increase in ATT score corresponded to 2.1 times decreased likelihood of survival. Mean hospital stay was 3 days longer for dog bite cases.

Clinical Significance There was no increased mortality rate in canine patients that presented with the suspected risk factors. The only risk factor that predicted mortality was the ATT score.
A Rare Syndrome and a Rare Association: Dandy–Walker Malformation and Cockayne Syndrome in a Child
Authors: Işıkay Sedat , Bilgin Burak , Karaer Kadri , Şirikçi Akif
Published: June 2018

Cockayne syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Herein, we will describe a patient diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome by genetic testing who was also determined to be having Dandy–Walker malformation in brain imaging. In this article, we aimed to highlight the general characteristic findings of Cockayne syndrome and to report the togetherness of these two rare entities.
Functional Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap following Resection of an Extensive Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Shoulder Region: A Case Report
Authors: Paprottka Felix , Klimas Dalius , Hebebrand Detlev
Published: June 2018

Large and ulcerating skin tumors have become a rarity in the modern Western world. However, these conditions can cause serious life-threatening complications. The case of a 60-year-old male Caucasian patient is reported, who had suffered from an extensive basal cell carcinoma in the right shoulder region for several years. The patient kept the lesion secret from his friends and family and delayed presentation to health care services. After an episode of tumor-related heavy bleeding, the patient was referred to our clinic and received a radical surgical tumor resection—followed by defect coverage with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. An alternative treatment option that could be offered to the patient would have been a mutilating surgical procedure with an arm amputation. By using this plastic reconstructive surgical technique, the main function of the shoulder joint was conserved. The presented case demonstrates options for defect coverage of problematic wounds in anatomically complex body regions—like the shoulder—by using a functional reconstruction using myocutaneous flaps.
Recurrent Pituicytoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Maldonado-Morán Miguel , Ospina Jeisson , Vega Juan , Restrepo Claudia , Rico Daniela , Zubieta Camilo , Penagos Pedro
Published: June 2018

Pituicytoma is a rare tumor that arises from the glial cells of the neurohypophysis. For a long time, it was believed that pituicytomas only appeared in adults. Currently, at least three cases of this entity occurring in children have been reported in the literature. The aim of the present report is to describe the case of a 5-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with visual disturbances, and the diagnosis was a recurrent pituicytoma. Therefore, the clinical presentation, the radiological features of the tumor, and the corresponding surgical management are described. Additionally, a brief review of the management of this unusual entity was performed.
Ausleitung nach Großvaters Rezeptur
Authors: Priebsch Chris
Published: June 2018

Derivatio der Firma Pflüger – ein Komplexmittel als Basis-Therapie: 18 Wirkstoffe regen sämtliche Ausscheidungsorgane an und helfen so, Therapieblockaden zu lösen.
Diagnostik und Therapie von Clostridium-difficile-Infektionen auf deutschen Intensivstationen – eine Umfrage unter Intensivmedizinern
Authors: Bruensing Jan , Buendgens Lukas , Jochum Christoph , Herbers Ulf , Canbay Ali , Braun Georg , Trautwein Christian , Huber Wolfgang , Koch Alexander , Tacke Frank
Published: June 2018

Einleitung Die Clostridium-difficile-assoziierte Kolitis ist eine häufige nosokomiale Durchfallerkrankung auf Intensivstationen mit relevantem Einfluss auf die Prognose kritisch kranker Patienten. In der Intensivmedizin gibt es derzeit kaum kontrollierte Studien zum rationalen Einsatz der verfügbaren Therapieoptionen oder zur Adhärenz gegenüber Leitlinienempfehlungen.

Methode Im Auftrag der AG Gastroenterologische Intensivmedizin der DGVS haben wir eine Online-basierte Befragung von Führungskräften deutscher Intensivstationen durchgeführt, um das aktuelle Management der Clostridium-difficile-Infektion auf Intensivstationen zu erfassen.

Ergebnis Die Erhebung erzielte einen Rücklauf von 24,2 % (85/351), überwiegend von (leitenden) Oberärzten/innen aus Krankenhäusern verschiedener Versorgungsstufen. Während für die Diagnostik größtenteils (79,3 %) Standards entsprechend der Leitlinien existierten (Toxinnachweis im Stuhl, ggfs. GDH-Screening und Endoskopie), gab es unterschiedliche therapeutische Strategien. Als Erstlinienbehandlung der Clostridium-difficile-Infektion auf der Intensivstation nannten 48,3 % orales Vancomycin, 34,5 % orales Metronidazol; der Therapieerfolg der Erstlinientherapie wurde mit 67 % für primäres Ansprechen, 15 % für persistierende Kolitis, 5 % für Sepsis oder Megakolon, 10 % für Rezidiv und 3 % für Tod abgeschätzt. Krankenhäuser der Grund-/Spezial- und Maximalversorgung setzten häufiger Metronidazol ein als Universitätskliniken. Die Standardbehandlung des Rezidivs bestand überwiegend aus Vancomycin oral (40 % allein, 29,1 % plus Metronidazol), seltener aus Fidaxomicin (25,5 %). Fidaxomicin wurde von 79 % der Befragten bereits mindestens einmal auf der Intensivstation eingesetzt, meist bei schwerem Krankheitsverlauf oder Rezidiv(risiko). Der fäkale Mikrobiomtransfer („Stuhltransplantation“) wurde von 11 % der Befragten bereits auf der Intensivstation in Einzelfällen eingesetzt.

Diskussion Die Umfrage unter Führungskräften deutscher Intensivstationen zeigt damit insgesamt eine hohe Sensibilisierung für die Clostridium-difficile-assoziierte Kolitis, allerdings auch deutliche Unterschiede in den lokalen Behandlungsstandards, insbesondere in der Erstlinientherapie.
The tapestry of Chinese capital in the Global South
Authors: Hung Ho-fung
Published: June 2018

Though China’s capital export is not as big as many journalistic and think tank reports portray, it is definitely a rising force in shaping the context of development in many developing countries. Excluding capital flight to financial centers, most Chinese outward investment to developing regions is in the extractive, infrastructure, and trade sectors. Chinese governmental foreign aid, mostly in the form of grants and loans, has been rising in the developing world too. The form and size of China’s inroad into the Global South vary from country to country, depending on individual countries’ geopolitical and geoeconomic relation with China, as well as the countries’ natural resources endowment. The existing literature on China in the Global South focuses mostly on Africa. This paper accompanies an article collection that expands our knowledge on China’s variegated impact by looking into Argentina, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Central Asia. It also looks into how China is reshaping the structure of global politics at large.
Institutional dimensions of the future of philosophy of religion
Authors: Whitney Lawrence A.
Published: June 2018

If there is going to be a future for the philosophy of religion, it is going to have to emerge out of and speak into a set of contested disciplinary, institutional, and ideological spaces as their boundaries are in the process of being renegotiated. In the first instance, philosophy of religion has traditionally been located somewhere among the disciplines of philosophy, theology, and religion, but each of these fields is undergoing transformation to which philosophy of religion must respond. At the same time, accreditation standards are requiring humanities disciplines to shift their pedagogical practices even as the commodification of higher education culturally and institutionally calls into question the value of humanistic formation. This paper outlines the points of tension that put pressure on philosophy of religion and suggests ways in which the subdiscipline might understand and locate itself at the heart of liberal and general education in the future.
Resource theory of contextuality for arbitrary prepare-and-measure experiments
Authors: Duarte Cristhiano , Amaral Barbara
Published: June 2018

Contextuality has been identified as a potential resource responsible for the quantum advantage in several tasks. It is then necessary to develop a resource-theoretic framework for contextuality, both in its standard and generalized forms. Here we provide a formal resource-theoretic approach for generalized contextuality based on a physically motivated set of free operations with an explicit parametrization. Then, using an efficient linear programming characterization for the noncontextual set of prepared-and-measured statistics, we adapt known resource quantifiers for contextuality and nonlocality to obtain natural monotones for generalized contextuality in arbitrary prepare-and-measure experiments.
Nucleation-controlled low-temperature solid-phase crystallization for Sn-doped polycrystalline-Ge film on insulator with high carrier mobility (∼550 cm2/V s)
Authors: Xu Chang , Gao Hongmiao , Sugino Takayuki , Miyao Masanobu , Sadoh Taizoh
Published: June 2018

High-speed thin-film transistors (TFTs) are required to develop the next generation of electronics, such as three-dimensional large-scale integrated circuits and advanced system-in-displays. For this purpose, high-carrier-mobility semiconductor films on insulator structures should be fabricated with low-temperature processing conditions (≤500 °C). To achieve this, we investigate solid-phase crystallization of amorphous-GeSn (a-GeSn) films (Sn concentration: 2% and thickness: 50–200 nm) on insulating substrates, where thin a-Si under-layers (thickness: 0–20 nm) are introduced between a-GeSn films and insulating substrates. The GeSn films are polycrystallized by annealing (450 °C, 20 h) for all samples irrespective of a-GeSn and a-Si thickness conditions, while the Si films remain amorphous. Analysis of crystal structures of GeSn films (thickness: 50 nm) reveals that grain sizes decrease from ∼10 μm to 2–3 μm by the introduction of a-Si under-layers (thickness: 3–20 nm). This phenomenon is attributed to the change in dominant nucleation sites from the interface to the bulk, which significantly decreases grain-boundary scattering of carriers through a decrease in the barrier heights at grain boundaries. Bulk-nucleation further becomes dominant by increasing the GeSn film thickness. As a result, a high carrier mobility of ∼550 cm2/V s is realized for GeSn films (thickness: 100 nm) grown with a-Si under-layers. This mobility is the largest among ever reported data for Ge and GeSn grown on an insulator. This technique will facilitate realization of high-speed TFTs for use in the next generation of electronics.

At the request of the authors, this article is being retracted effective 11 July 2018.
Building machine learning force fields for nanoclusters
Authors: Zeni Claudio , Rossi Kevin , Glielmo Aldo , Fekete Ádám , Gaston Nicola , Baletto Francesca , De Vita Alessandro
Published: June 2018

We assess Gaussian process (GP) regression as a technique to model interatomic forces in metal nanoclusters by analyzing the performance of 2-body, 3-body, and many-body kernel functions on a set of 19-atom Ni cluster structures. We find that 2-body GP kernels fail to provide faithful force estimates, despite succeeding in bulk Ni systems. However, both 3- and many-body kernels predict forces within an ∼0.1 eV/Å average error even for small training datasets and achieve high accuracy even on out-of-sample, high temperature structures. While training and testing on the same structure always provide satisfactory accuracy, cross-testing on dissimilar structures leads to higher prediction errors, posing an extrapolation problem. This can be cured using heterogeneous training on databases that contain more than one structure, which results in a good trade-off between versatility and overall accuracy. Starting from a 3-body kernel trained this way, we build an efficient non-parametric 3-body force field that allows accurate prediction of structural properties at finite temperatures, following a newly developed scheme [A. Glielmo et al., Phys. Rev. B 95, 214302 (2017)]. We use this to assess the thermal stability of Ni19 nanoclusters at a fractional cost of full ab initio calculations.
Molecular exchange Monte Carlo: A generalized method for identity exchanges in grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Soroush Barhaghi Mohammad , Torabi Korosh , Nejahi Younes , Schwiebert Loren , Potoff Jeffrey J.
Published: June 2018

A generalized identity exchange algorithm is presented for Monte Carlo simulations in the grand canonical ensemble. The algorithm, referred to as molecular exchange Monte Carlo, may be applied to multicomponent systems of arbitrary molecular topology and provides significant enhancements in the sampling of phase space over a wide range of compositions and temperatures. Three different approaches are presented for the insertion of large molecules, and the pros and cons of each method are discussed. The performance of the algorithms is highlighted through grand canonical Monte Carlo histogram-reweighting simulations performed on a number of systems, which include methane+n-alkanes, butane+perfluorobutane, water+impurity, and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane+neopentane. Relative acceptance efficiencies for molecule transfers of up to 400 times that of standard configurational-bias Monte Carlo are obtained.
Minimal effect of stacking number on intrinsic cleavage and shear behavior of Tin+1AlCn and Tan+1AlCn MAX phases
Authors: Son Woongrak , Duong Thien , Talapatra Anjana , Prehn Evan , Tan Zeyi , Radovic Miladin , Arróyave Raymundo
Published: June 2018

MAX phases are layered carbides or nitrides with the general formula Mn+1AXn, which exhibit a unique combination of ceramic- and metal-like properties. The effect of stacking a number (determined by n) remains to be elucidated and a priori is not clear whether, for a given chemistry, n significantly changes the intrinsic deformation behavior of these systems. In this work, we have studied the intrinsic deformation behavior of Tin+1AlCn and Tan+1AlCn (n = 1 … 5) using DFT-based calculations. Surprisingly, the results suggest that the stacking number tends to have a minimal effect on the intrinsic mechanical behavior of the systems studied.
Optical signatures of deep level defects in Ga2O3
Authors: Gao Hantian , Muralidharan Shreyas , Pronin Nicholas , Karim Md Rezaul , White Susan M. , Asel Thaddeus , Foster Geoffrey , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Rajan Siddharth , Cao Lei R. , Higashiwaki Masataka , von Wenckstern Holger , Grundmann Marius , Zhao Hongping , Look David C. , Brillson Leonard J.
Published: June 2018

We used depth-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy to measure the effects of near-surface plasma processing and neutron irradiation on native point defects in β-Ga2O3. The near-surface sensitivity and depth resolution of these optical techniques enabled us to identify spectral changes associated with removing or creating these defects, leading to identification of one oxygen vacancy-related and two gallium vacancy-related energy levels in the β-Ga2O3 bandgap. The combined near-surface detection and processing of Ga2O3 suggests an avenue for identifying the physical nature and reducing the density of native point defects in this and other semiconductors.
Chiral anisotropic magnetoresistance of ferromagnetic helices
Authors: Maurenbrecher Henrik , Mendil Johannes , Chatzipirpiridis George , Mattmann Michael , Pané Salvador , Nelson Bradley J. , Gambardella Pietro
Published: June 2018

We investigate the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) of ferromagnetic CoNi microhelices fabricated by electrodeposition and laser printing. We find that the geometry of the three-dimensional winding determines a characteristic angular and field-dependence of the AMR due to the competition between helical shape anisotropy and an external magnetic field. Moreover, we show that there is an additional contribution to the AMR that scales proportionally to the applied current and depends on the helical chirality. We attribute this contribution to the self-magnetic field induced by the current, which modifies the orientation of the magnetization relative to the current flow along the helix. Our results underline the interest of three-dimensional curved geometries to tune the AMR and realize tubular magnetoresistive devices.
Note: Effect of the parasitic forced vibration in an atom gravimeter
Authors: Chen Le-Le , Luo Qin , Zhang Heng , Duan Xiao-Chun , Zhou Min-Kang , Hu Zhong-Kun
Published: June 2018

The vibration isolator usually plays an important role in atom interferometry gravimeters to improve their sensitivity. We show that the parasitic forced vibration of the Raman mirror, which is induced by external forces acting on the vibration isolator, can cause a bias in atom gravimeters. The mechanism of how this effect induces an additional phase shift in our interferometer is analyzed. Moreover, modulation experiments are performed to measure the dominant part of this effect, which is caused by the magnetic force between the passive vibration isolator and the coil of the magneto-optic trap. In our current apparatus, this forced vibration contributes a systematic error of −2.3(2) × 10−7 m/s2 when the vibration isolator works in the passive isolation mode. Even suppressed with an active vibration isolator, this effect can still contribute −6(1) × 10−8 m/s2; thus, it should be carefully considered in precision atom gravimeters.
Probing flexoelectricity via a split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment
Authors: Hu Taotao , Deng Qian , Shen Shengping
Published: June 2018

Flexoelectricity is thought of as a universal property of all dielectric materials that couples polarization with the inhomogeneous deformation. However, at the macroscale, this coupling is usually very weak and the direct observation of flexoelectricity always suffers from a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At the micron or submicron scale, both the flexoelectric effect and some surface effects may get pronounced simultaneously. To separate the flexoelectric effect from those surface effects and accurately measure the bulk flexoelectric coefficients are challenging. In this paper, we propose a high SNR method for measuring the bulk flexoelectric coefficient μ11 of millimeter-sized samples through split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments. Our experimental results show that for a normal impact speed (17 m/s) of the striker bar, the induced voltage difference is as high as 70 mV, which can be easily measured without using signal amplifiers. In most of previous works on measuring flexoelectric coefficients, strain gradients are introduced through the design of samples' shape such as thin beams, thin films, truncated cones and pyramids. In a different way, the proposed SHPB based approach introduces time varied strains to the system and then converts time gradients of strains into their spatial gradients through elastic waves. As a promising way of measuring bulk flexoelectric coefficients, this approach produces high SNR flexoelectric signals, reduces interferences from surface effects, and avoids difficulties in fabricating nanostructures.
Local carrier distribution imaging on few-layer MoS2 exfoliated on SiO2 by scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy
Authors: Yamasue Kohei , Cho Yasuo
Published: June 2018

We demonstrate that scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy (SNDM) can be used for the nanoscale characterization of dominant carrier distribution on atomically thin MoS2 mechanically exfoliated on SiO2. For stable imaging without damaging microscopy tips and samples, SNDM was combined with peak-force tapping mode atomic force microscopy. The identification of dominant carriers and their spatial distribution becomes possible even for single and few-layer MoS2 on SiO2 using the proposed method allowing differential capacitance (dC/dV) imaging. We can expect that SNDM can also be applied to the evaluation of other two-dimensional semiconductors and devices.
Biological tissue-inspired tunable photonic fluid
Authors: Li Xinzhi , Das Amit , Bi Dapeng
Published: June 2018

Significance

We design an amorphous material with a full photonic bandgap inspired by how cells pack in biological tissues. The size of the photonic bandgap can be manipulated through thermal and mechanical tuning. These directionally isotropic photonic bandgaps persist in solid and fluid phases, hence giving rise to a photonic fluid-like state that is robust with respect to fluid flow, rearrangements, and thermal fluctuations in contrast to traditional photonic crystals. This design should lead to the engineering of self-assembled nonrigid photonic structures with photonic bandgaps that can be controlled in real time via mechanical and thermal tuning.
Future warming increases probability of globally synchronized maize production shocks
Authors: Tigchelaar Michelle , Battisti David S. , Naylor Rosamond L. , Ray Deepak K.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Climate-induced shocks in grain production are a major contributor to global market volatility, which creates uncertainty for cereal farmers and agribusiness and reduces food access for poor consumers when production falls and prices spike. Our study, by combining empirical models of maize production with future warming scenarios, shows that in a warmer climate, maize yields will decrease and become more variable. Because just a few countries dominate global maize production and trade, simultaneous production shocks in these countries can have tremendous impacts on global markets. We show that such synchronous shocks are rare now but will become much more likely if the climate continues to warm. Our results underscore the need for continued investments in breeding for heat tolerance.
Genomic and environmental determinants and their interplay underlying phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Li Xin , Guo Tingting , Mu Qi , Li Xianran , Yu Jianming
Published: June 2018

Significance

Integrated analysis of genotype by environment can reveal the pattern and mechanistic interplay underlying the observed phenotype dynamics. A critical question needs to be answered to enhance our ability to conduct genomic and environmental analysis of varied phenotypic plasticity observed in natural field conditions: How to uncover patterns at different levels to facilitate complex trait dissection and performance prediction. In this study, we first uncovered the pattern of genotype response to different environments. We then uncovered the pattern generated by the combination of environmental factors and the pattern of genetic effects at the individual gene level across environments. Finally, we demonstrated that trait dissection to individual genes and genome-wide performance prediction can be conducted through a joint genomic regression analysis framework.
Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused
Authors: Bratsberg Bernt , Rogeberg Ole
Published: June 2018

Significance

Using administrative register data with information on family relationships and cognitive ability for three decades of Norwegian male birth cohorts, we show that the increase, turning point, and decline of the Flynn effect can be recovered from within-family variation in intelligence scores. This establishes that the large changes in average cohort intelligence reflect environmental factors and not changing composition of parents, which in turn rules out several prominent hypotheses for retrograde Flynn effects.
Oxygen isotope composition of the Phanerozoic ocean and a possible solution to the dolomite problem
Authors: Ryb Uri , Eiler John M.
Published: June 2018

Significance

The elemental and isotopic compositions of seawater have evolved throughout Earth’s history, in tandem with major climatic, tectonic and biologic events, including the emergence and diversification of life. Over geological timescales, the oxygen isotope composition of seawater reflects a global balance between mineral–rock reactions occurring at the Earth’s surface (weathering and sedimentation) and crustal (hydrothermal alteration) environments. We put constraints on the oxygen isotope composition of seawater throughout the Phanerozoic and demonstrate that this value has remained stable. This stability suggests that the fluxes of globally averaged oxygen isotope exchange, associated with weathering and hydrothermal alteration reactions, have remained proportional through time and is consistent with the hypothesis that a steady-state balance exists between seafloor hydrothermal activity and surface weathering.
Stochastic Turing patterns in a synthetic bacterial population
Authors: Karig David , Martini K. Michael , Lu Ting , DeLateur Nicholas A. , Goldenfeld Nigel , Weiss Ron
Published: June 2018

Significance

In 1952, Alan Turing proposed that biological morphogenesis could arise from a dynamical process in reaction systems with a rapidly diffusing inhibitor and a slowly diffusing activator. Turing’s conditions are disappointingly hard to achieve in nature, but recent stochastic extension of the theory predicts pattern formation without such strong conditions. We have forward-engineered bacterial populations with signaling molecules that form a stochastic activator–inhibitor system that does not satisfy the classic Turing conditions but exhibits disordered patterns with a defined length scale and spatial correlations that agree quantitatively with stochastic Turing theory. Our results suggest that Turing-type mechanisms, driven by gene expression or other source of stochasticity, may underlie a much broader range of patterns in nature than currently thought.
Flagellum couples cell shape to motility inTrypanosoma brucei
Authors: Sun Stella Y. , Kaelber Jason T. , Chen Muyuan , Dong Xiaoduo , Nematbakhsh Yasaman , Shi Jian , Dougherty Matthew , Lim Chwee Teck , Schmid Michael F. , Chiu Wah , He Cynthia Y.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Trypanosoma bruceiis a highly invasive pathogen capable of penetrating deeply into host tissues. To understand how flagellar motility facilitates cell penetration, we used cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to visualize two genetically anucleate mutants with different flagellar motility behaviors. We found that theT. bruceicell body is highly deformable as defined by changes in cytoskeletal twist and spacing, in response to flagellar beating and environmental conditions. Based on the cryo-ET models, we proposed a mechanism of how flagellum motility is coupled to cell shape changes, which may facilitate penetration through size-limiting barriers.
Mechanism of gasdermin D recognition by inflammatory caspases and their inhibition by a gasdermin D-derived peptide inhibitor
Authors: Yang Jie , Liu Zhonghua , Wang Chuanping , Yang Rui , Rathkey Joseph K. , Pinkard Otis W. , Shi Wuxian , Chen Yinghua , Dubyak George R. , Abbott Derek W. , Xiao Tsan Sam
Published: June 2018

Significance

The inflammasomes are signaling platforms that promote the activation of inflammatory caspases such as caspases-1, -4, -5, and -11, which cleave gasdermin D (GSDMD) to induce pyroptotic cell death. The mechanisms of GSDMD recognition by inflammatory caspases remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the catalytic domains of inflammatory caspases can directly bind to GSDMD or its cleavage site peptide, FLTD. A GSDMD-derived inhibitor,
N
-acetyl-Phe-Leu-Thr-Asp-chloromethylketone (Ac-FLTD-CMK), inhibits GSDMD cleavage in vitro and suppresses pyroptosis downstream of both canonical and noncanonical inflammasomes. By contrast, the inhibitor does not target caspase-3 or apoptosis, suggesting that it is specific for inflammatory caspases. Structure of caspase-1 in complex with Ac-FLTD-CMK reveals extensive enzyme–inhibitor interactions that shed light on GSDMD recognition by inflammatory caspases.
Unveiling the high-activity origin of single-atom iron catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Yang Liu , Cheng Daojian , Xu Haoxiang , Zeng Xiaofei , Wan Xin , Shui Jianglan , Xiang Zhonghua , Cao Dapeng
Published: June 2018

Significance

We propose a surfactant-assisted method to synthesize single-atom iron catalysts (SA-Fe/NG) supported on nitrogen-doped graphitic carbons, and experimentally demonstrated that the SA-Fe/NG catalyst possesses extremely outstanding catalytic activities for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in both acidic and alkaline media. Impressively, both the SA-Fe/NG-based acidic proton exchange membrane fuel cell and Zn-air battery show excellent performance. Combining experimental results and density-functional calculations, we reveal that the origin of high-ORR activity of SA-Fe/NG is from the Fe-pyrrolic-N
4
active species. The universal surfactant-assisted method can be easily extended to synthesis of other single-atom catalysts, and unveiling the origin of high-ORR activity of SA-Fe/NG will open an approach for developing other heterogeneous catalysts.
Shaping reverberating sound fields with an actively tunable metasurface
Authors: Ma Guancong , Fan Xiying , Sheng Ping , Fink Mathias
Published: June 2018

Significance

Wavefront shaping with spatial light modulators has recently motivated many studies in the field of light manipulation in diffusive media. Here, we extend this concept to acoustic waves by designing and building a binary phase-modulating spatial sound modulator (SSM). The SSM is an acoustic metasurface consisting of unit cells with two states, switchable through programmed electronics. We demonstrate in audible frequencies, and in a reverberating environment, the capability of controlling and reshaping any complex sound field. Our work will not only open avenues to study wave propagation in complex and chaotic media but also inspire applications in acoustic engineering.
SUMO2 and SUMO3 redundantly prevent a noncanonical type I interferon response
Authors: Crowl John T. , Stetson Daniel B.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Type I interferons (IFNs) are cytokines that are essential for host defense against virus infection, but when they are inappropriately produced, they can cause severe autoimmune disease in humans. We have found that the sumoylation pathway of protein modification is essential for preventing an ectopic IFN response. Specifically, we have identified SUMO2 and SUMO3 as the two SUMO proteins that redundantly prevent IFN production. Remarkably, the potent IFN response caused by loss of SUMO2/3 is independent of all known inducers of the antiviral response, revealing a distinct mechanism of IFN production that has implications for our understanding of antiviral immunity.
Glycosylation-dependent galectin–receptor interactions promote
Chlamydia trachomatis
infection
Authors: Lujan Agustin L. , Croci Diego O. , Gambarte Tudela Julián A. , Losinno Antonella D. , Cagnoni Alejandro J. , Mariño Karina V. , Damiani María T. , Rabinovich Gabriel A.
Published: June 2018

Significance

Chlamydia trachomatis
(
Ct
) is the most common bacterium responsible for sexually transmitted infections. It constitutes a major public health burden, with the greatest clinical impact occurring in women of reproductive age. A vast proportion of
Ct
infections are underestimated because they are asymptomatic in nature. This leads to chronic infections with severe consequences, such as ectopic pregnancy, tubal obstruction, infertility, and blindness.
Ct
is an obligate intracellular pathogen that completes its entire developmental cycle in humans. Here, we demonstrate that galectin-1 (Gal1), an endogenous glycan-binding protein, promotes
Ct
–host adhesion and invasion. Through glycosylation-dependent mechanisms, Gal1 enhances chlamydial infection by favoring
Ct
–host cell interactions. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches aimed at disrupting Gal1–
N
-glycan interactions may reduce the severity of
Ct
infections.
Structure and mutagenic analysis of the lipid II flippase MurJ from
Escherichia coli
Authors: Zheng Sanduo , Sham Lok-To , Rubino Frederick A. , Brock Kelly P. , Robins William P. , Mekalanos John J. , Marks Debora S. , Bernhardt Thomas G. , Kruse Andrew C.
Published: June 2018

Significance

A peptidoglycan cell wall provides bacteria with protection from environmental stresses, and interfering with assembly of the cell wall is among the most effective strategies for antibiotic development. To build a cell wall, bacteria first synthesize lipid II on the inner leaflet of their membrane and then flip it across to the outer leaflet, where it is used to make peptidoglycan. Here, we report the structure of the lipid II flippase MurJ from
Escherichia coli
, and we use high-throughput mutagenesis to identify functionally important regions of the protein. Together with evolutionary covariation analysis, these data show that MurJ must exist in at least two discrete conformational states, providing a framework for understanding lipid II flipping.
All-atom simulations disentangle the functional dynamics underlying gene maturation in the intron lariat spliceosome
Authors: Casalino Lorenzo , Palermo Giulia , Spinello Angelo , Rothlisberger Ursula , Magistrato Alessandra
Published: June 2018

Significance

Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is a crucial step of gene expression, enabling the maturation of pre-mRNA transcripts into protein-coding mRNAs. In humans, a majestic ribonucleoprotein machinery—the spliceosome—governs this fundamental process, the defects and misregulation of which lead to over 200 human diseases. A thorough understanding of splicing is pivotal for biology and medicine, holding the promise of harnessing it for genome modulation applications. Despite the recent breakthroughs gained by cryo-EM, an atomic-resolution picture of the spliceosome functional plasticity is still missing. Here, all-atom simulations elucidate the cooperative motions underlying the functional dynamics of the spliceosome at a late stage of the splicing cycle, suggesting the role of specific proteins involved in the spliceosome disassembly from an atomic-level perspective.
Recurrent symbiont recruitment from fungal parasites in cicadas
Authors: Matsuura Yu , Moriyama Minoru , Łukasik Piotr , Vanderpool Dan , Tanahashi Masahiko , Meng Xian-Ying , McCutcheon John P. , Fukatsu Takema
Published: June 2018

Significance

Cicadas are dependent on the essential bacterial symbiontsSulciaandHodgkinia. The symbiont genomes are extremely streamlined for provisioning of essential amino acids and other nutrients. In some cicada lineages,Hodgkiniagenomes are fragmented into numerous minicircles, which may represent a critical stage of genomic erosion close to collapse. What would happen subsequently? Our survey of the Japanese cicada diversity revealed that whileSulciais conserved among all species, the majority of them have lostHodgkiniaand instead harbor yeast-like fungal associates. The fungal symbionts are phylogenetically intermingled with cicada-parasitizingOphiocordycepsfungi, indicating recurrent symbiont replacements by entomopathogens in cicadas and providing insights into the mechanisms underlying the parasitism-symbiosis evolutionary continuum, compensation of symbiont genome erosion, and diversification of host-symbiont associations.