bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of monkeys in the sylvatic cycle of chikungunya virus in Senegal
Authors: Althouse Benjamin M. , Guerbois Mathilde , Cummings Derek A. T. , Diop Ousmane M. , Faye Ousmane , Faye Abdourahmane , Diallo Diawo , Sadio Bakary Djilocalisse , Sow Abdourahmane , Faye Oumar , Sall Amadou A. , Diallo Mawlouth , Benefit Brenda , Simons Evan , Watts Douglas M. , Weaver Scott C. , Hanley Kathryn A.
Published: March 2018

Arboviruses spillover into humans either as a one-step jump from a reservoir host species into humans or as a two-step jump from the reservoir to an amplification host species and thence to humans. Little is known about arbovirus transmission dynamics in reservoir and amplification hosts. Here we elucidate the role of monkeys in the sylvatic, enzootic cycle of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the region around Kédougou, Senegal. Over 3 years, 737 monkeys were captured, aged using anthropometry and dentition, and tested for exposure to CHIKV by detection of neutralizing antibodies. Infant monkeys were positive for CHIKV even when the virus was not detected in a concurrent survey of mosquitoes and when population immunity was too high for monkeys alone to support continuous transmission. We conclude that monkeys in this region serve as amplification hosts of CHIKV. Additional efforts are needed to identify other hosts capable of supporting continuous circulation.
Bioimpedance-defined overhydration predicts survival in end stage kidney failure (ESKF): systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis
Authors: Tabinor Matthew , Elphick Emma , Dudson Michael , Kwok Chun Shing , Lambie Mark , Davies Simon J.
Published: March 2018

Both overhydration and comorbidity predict mortality in end-stage kidney failure (ESKF) but it is not clear whether these are independent of one another. We undertook a systematic review of studies reporting outcomes in adult dialysis patients in which comorbidity and overhydration, quantified by whole body bioimpedance (BI), were reported. PubMed, EMBASE, PsychInfo and the Cochrane trial database were searched (1990–2017). Independent reviewers appraised studies including methodological quality (assessed using QUIPS). Primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes including hospitalisation and cardiovascular events. Of 4028 citations identified, 46 matched inclusion criteria (42 cohorts; 60790 patients; 8187 deaths; 95% haemodialysis/5% peritoneal dialysis). BI measures included phase angle/BI vector (41%), overhydration index (39%) and extra:intracellular water ratio (20%). 38 of 42 cohorts had multivariable survival analyses (MVSA) adjusting for age (92%), gender (66%), diabetes (63%), albumin (58%), inflammation (CRP/IL6–37%), non-BI nutritional markers (24%) and echocardiographic data (8%). BI-defined overhydration (BI-OH) independently predicted mortality in 32 observational cohorts. Meta-analysis revealed overhydration >15% (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.56–3.34, P < 0.001) and a 1-degree decrease in phase angle (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.37–2.21, P < 0.001) predicted mortality. BI-OH predicts mortality in dialysis patients independent of the influence of comorbidity.
Identification and characterization of evolutionarily conserved alternative splicing events in a mangrove genus Sonneratia
Authors: Yang Yuchen , Guo Wuxia , Shen Xu , Li Jianfang , Yang Shuhuan , Chen Sufang , He Ziwen , Zhou Renchao , Shi Suhua
Published: March 2018

Alternative splicing (AS), which produces multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development and environmental stress responses. Functional significances of conserved AS events among congeneric species have not been well characterized. In this study, we performed transcriptome sequencing to characterize AS events in four common species of Sonneratia, a mangrove genus excellently adaptive to intertidal zones. 7,248 to 12,623 AS events were identified in approximately 25% to 35% expressed genes in the roots of the four species. The frequency of AS events in Sonneratia was associated with genomic features, including gene expression level and intron/exon number and length. Among the four species, 1,355 evolutionarily conserved AS (ECAS) events were identified from 1,170 genes. Compared with non-ECAS events, ECAS events are of shorter length and less possibility to introduce premature stop codons (PTCs) and frameshifts. Functional annotations of the genes containing ECAS events showed that four of the 26 enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms are involved in proton transport, signal transduction and carbon metabolism, and 60 genes from another three GO terms are implicated in responses to osmotic, oxidative and heat stresses, which may contribute to the adaptation of Sonneratia species to harsh intertidal environments.
Deafness and loss of cochlear hair cells in the absence of thyroid hormone transporters Slc16a2 (Mct8) and Slc16a10 (Mct10)
Authors: Sharlin David S. , Ng Lily , Verrey François , Visser Theo J. , Liu Ye , Olszewski Rafal T. , Hoa Michael , Heuer Heike , Forrest Douglas
Published: March 2018

Transmembrane proteins that mediate the cellular uptake or efflux of thyroid hormone potentially provide a key level of control over neurodevelopment. In humans, defects in one such protein, solute carrier SLC16A2 (MCT8) are associated with psychomotor retardation. Other proteins that transport the active form of thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) or its precursor thyroxine (T4) have been identified in vitro but the wider significance of such transporters in vivo is unclear. The development of the auditory system requires thyroid hormone and the cochlea is a primary target tissue. We have proposed that the compartmental anatomy of the cochlea would necessitate transport mechanisms to convey blood-borne hormone to target tissues. We report hearing loss in mice with mutations in Slc16a2 and a related gene Slc16a10 (Mct10, Tat1). Deficiency of both transporters results in retarded development of the sensory epithelium similar to impairment caused by hypothyroidism, compounded with a progressive degeneration of cochlear hair cells and loss of endocochlear potential. Administration of T3 largely restores the development of the sensory epithelium and limited auditory function, indicating the T3-sensitivity of defects in the sensory epithelium. The results indicate a necessity for thyroid hormone transporters in cochlear development and function.
Highly efficient heritable targeted deletions of gene clusters and non-coding regulatory regions in Arabidopsis using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Durr Julius , Papareddy Ranjith , Nakajima Keiji , Gutierrez-Marcos Jose
Published: March 2018

Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 is considered the best instrument for genome engineering in plants. This methodology is based on the nuclease activity of Cas9 that is guided to specific genome sequences by single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) thus enabling researchers to engineer simple mutations or large chromosomal deletions. Current methodologies for targeted genome editing in plants using CRISPR/Cas9 are however largely inefficient, mostly due to low Cas9 activity, variable sgRNA efficiency and low heritability of genetic lesions. Here, we describe a newly developed strategy to enhance CRISPR/Cas9 efficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana focusing on the design of novel binary vectors (pUbiCAS9-Red and pEciCAS9-Red), the selection of highly efficient sgRNAs, and the use of direct plant regeneration from induced cell cultures. Our work demonstrates that by combining these three independent developments, heritable targeted chromosomal deletions of large gene clusters and intergenic regulatory sequences can be engineered at a high efficiency. Our results demonstrate that this improved CRISPR/Cas9 methodology can provide a fast, efficient and cost-effective tool to engineer targeted heritable chromosomal deletions, which will be instrumental for future high-throughput functional genomics studies in plants.
Herpesviruses possess conserved proteins for interaction with Nedd4 family ubiquitin E3 ligases
Authors: Koshizuka Tetsuo , Kobayashi Takahiro , Ishioka Ken , Suzutani Tatsuo
Published: March 2018

Nedd4 is a family of ubiquitin E3 ligases that regulate numerous cellular processes. In this report, we showed that alpha- and beta-herpesviruses have membrane proteins that regulate the function of the Nedd4 family members. Although the homology search score was quite low, UL56 of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, ORF0 of varicella-zoster virus, UL42 of human cytomegalovirus, and U24 of human herpesvirus 6A, 6B, and 7 all possess at least one PPxY (PY) motif in their cytoplasmic domain, and are able to bind with Itch, a member of the Nedd4 family. These viral proteins altered the localization of Itch and decreased Itch expression in co-expressing cells. In addition, these viral proteins reduced the production of retrovirus vectors through the regulation of the Nedd4 family of proteins. U24, but not the other proteins, effectively reduced CD3ε expression on the T cell surface. These viral molecules are thought to contribute to the specific function of each virus through the regulation of Nedd4 family activity.
Exploring the effects of anodal and cathodal high definition transcranial direct current stimulation targeting the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: To Wing Ting , Eroh Justin , Hart John , Vanneste Sven
Published: March 2018

The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) has been identified as a core region affected by many disorders, representing a promising target for neuromodulation. High Definition-transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has already shown promising outcomes and has been tested to engage deeper structures. This study investigates whether it is possible to modulate dACC activity using anodal and cathodal HD-tDCS. Furthermore, it examines what effects anodal and cathodal HD-tDCS targeting dACC have on cognitive and emotional processing. Forty-five healthy subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: anodal, cathodal, and sham. Resting-state electroencephalography (rsEEG) and a cognitive and emotional Counting Stroop task were administered before and after HD-tDCS. RsEEG showed changes: anodal HD-tDCS showed significant increase in beta frequency band activity in dACC, while cathodal HD-tDCS led to significant increase in activity at dorsal and rostral ACC in the theta frequency band. Behavioral changes were also found after anodal HD-tDCS in the cognitive Counting Stroop for incongruent trials and after cathodal HD-tDCS in the emotional Counting Stroop for emotional trials. This study demonstrated that HD-tDCS is able to modulate dACC activity, suggesting that it has the potential to be used as a treatment tool.
Tailoring light delivery for optogenetics by modal demultiplexing in tapered optical fibers
Authors: Pisanello Marco , Pisano Filippo , Sileo Leonardo , Maglie Emanuela , Bellistri Elisa , Spagnolo Barbara , Mandelbaum Gil , Sabatini Bernardo L. , De Vittorio Massimo , Pisanello Ferruccio
Published: March 2018

Optogenetic control of neural activity in deep brain regions ideally requires precise and flexible light delivery with non-invasive devices. To this end, Tapered Optical Fibers (TFs) represent a versatile tool that can deliver light over either large brain volumes or spatially confined sub-regions, while being sensibly smaller than flat-cleaved optical fibers. In this work, we report on the possibility of further extending light emission length along the taper in the range 0.4 mm-3.0 mm by increasing the numerical aperture of the TFs to NA = 0.66. We investigated the dependence between the input angle of light (θin) and the output position along the taper, finding that for θin > 10° this relationship is linear. This mode-division demultiplexing property of the taper was confirmed with a ray tracing model and characterized for 473 nm and 561 nm light in quasi-transparent solution and in brain slices, with the two wavelengths used to illuminate simultaneously two different regions of the brain using only one waveguide. The results presented in this manuscript can guide neuroscientists to design their optogenetic experiments on the base of this mode-division demultiplexing approach, providing a tool that potentially allow for dynamic targeting of regions with diverse extension, from the mouse VTA up to the macaque visual cortex.
Drosophila Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase Knockdown Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Tran Hiep H. , Dang Suong N. A. , Nguyen Thanh T. , Huynh Anh M. , Dao Linh. M. , Kamei Kaeko , Yamaguchi Masamitsu , Dang Thao T. P.
Published: March 2018

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Many factors have been shown to contribute to its pathogenesis including genetic and environmental factors. Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is also known to be involved in the pathogenesis of PD. We herein modeled the study of UCHL1 in Drosophila melanogaster and investigated its functions in PD. The specific knockdown of the Drosophila ortholog of UCHL1 (dUCH) in dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) led to the underdevelopment and/or degeneration of these neurons, specifically in DL1 DA neuron cluster in the larval brain lobe and PPM2, PPM3, PPL2ab, and VUM DA neuron clusters in the adult brain. These defects were followed by a shortage of dopamine in the brain, which subsequently resulted in locomotor dysfunction. The degeneration of DA neurons in dUCH knockdown adult brain, which occurred progressively and severely during the course of aging, mimics the epidemiology of PD. DA neuron and locomotor defects were rescued when dUCH knockdown flies were treated with vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant. These results suggest that dUCH knockdown fly is a promising model for studying the pathogenesis and epidemiology of PD as well as the screening of potential antioxidants for PD therapeutics.
The dynamics of TGF-β in dental pulp, odontoblasts and dentin
Authors: Niwa Takahiko , Yamakoshi Yasuo , Yamazaki Hajime , Karakida Takeo , Chiba Risako , Hu Jan C.-C. , Nagano Takatoshi , Yamamoto Ryuji , Simmer James P. , Margolis Henry C. , Gomi Kazuhiro
Published: March 2018

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is critical for cell proliferation and differentiation in dental pulp. Here, we show the dynamic mechanisms of TGF-β in porcine dental pulp, odontoblasts and dentin. The mRNA of latent TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 is predominantly expressed in odontoblasts, whereas the mRNA expression level of latent TGF-β2 is high in dental pulp. TGF-β1 is a major isoform of TGF-β, and latent TGF-β1, synthesized in dental pulp, is primarily activated by matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP11). Activated TGF-β1 enhances the mRNA expression levels of MMP20 and full-length dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) in dental pulp cells, coinciding with the induction of odontoblast differentiation. Latent TGF-β1 synthesized in odontoblasts is primarily activated by MMP2 and MMP20 in both odontoblasts and dentin. The activity level of TGF-β1 was reduced in the dentin of MMP20 null mice, although the amount of latent TGF-β1 expression did not change between wild-type and MMP20 null mice. TGF-β1 activity was reduced with the degradation of DSPP-derived proteins that occurs with ageing. We propose that to exert its multiple biological functions, TGF-β1 is involved in a complicated dynamic interaction with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and/or DSPP-derived proteins present in dental pulp, odontoblasts and dentin.
The Impact of Alkaliphilic Biofilm Formation on the Release and Retention of Carbon Isotopes from Nuclear Reactor Graphite
Authors: Rout S. P. , Payne L. , Walker S. , Scott T , Heard P. , Eccles H. , Bond G. , Shah P. , Bills P. , Jackson B. R. , Boxall S. A. , Laws A. P. , Charles C. , Williams S. J. , Humphreys P. N.
Published: March 2018

14C is an important consideration within safety assessments for proposed geological disposal facilities for radioactive wastes, since it is capable of re-entering the biosphere through the generation of 14C bearing gases. The irradiation of graphite moderators in the UK gas-cooled nuclear power stations has led to the generation of a significant volume of 14C-containing intermediate level wastes. Some of this 14C is present as a carbonaceous deposit on channel wall surfaces. Within this study, the potential of biofilm growth upon irradiated and 13C doped graphite at alkaline pH was investigated. Complex biofilms were established on both active and simulant samples. High throughput sequencing showed the biofilms to be dominated by Alcaligenes sp at pH 9.5 and Dietzia sp at pH 11.0. Surface characterisation revealed that the biofilms were limited to growth upon the graphite surface with no penetration of the deeper porosity. Biofilm formation resulted in the generation of a low porosity surface layer without the removal or modification of the surface deposits or the release of the associated 14C/13C. Our results indicated that biofilm formation upon irradiated graphite is likely to occur at the pH values studied, without any additional release of the associated 14C.
Safer lithium–sulfur battery based on nonflammable electrolyte with sulfur composite cathode
Authors: Yang Huijun , Li Qinyu , Guo Cheng , Naveed Ahmad , Yang Jun , Nuli Yanna , Wang Jiulin
Published: March 2018

Nonflammable solvent triethyl phosphate (TEP) is firstly used as co-solvent in Li–S batteries to satisfy the demand for safety and electrochemical performance.
Interfacial engineering in graphene bandgap
Authors: Xu Xiaozhi , Liu Chang , Sun Zhanghao , Cao Ting , Zhang Zhihong , Wang Enge , Liu Zhongfan , Liu Kaihui
Published: March 2018

This review summarises recent advances in interfacial engineering of the graphene bandgapviachemical engineering and physical engineering.
Graphene hybridization for energy storage applications
Authors: Li Xianglong , Zhi Linjie
Published: March 2018

Graphene hybridization principles and strategies for various energy storage applications are reviewed from the view point of material structure design, bulk electrode construction, and material/electrode collaborative engineering.
Phenethyl isothiocyanate in combination with dibenzoylmethane inhibits the androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Huang Huarong , He Yan , Zhang Lanyue , Xiang Hongping , Li Dongli , Liu Wenfeng , Xu Xue-Tao , Goodin Susan , Zhang Kun , Zheng Xi
Published: March 2018

This study investigates the inhibitory effect of PEITC and DBM in combination on the progression of androgen-dependent VCaP prostate tumors to androgen independence.
Fluorescent analysis of bioactive molecules in single cells based on microfluidic chips
Authors: Fan Yuanyuan , Dong Defang , Li Qingling , Si Haibin , Pei Haimeng , Li Lu , Tang Bo
Published: March 2018

Fluorescence labelling, sensing and detection device for multiple single-cell components analysis on microfluidic chip.
Constrained saccharides: a review of structure, biology, and synthesis
Authors: Rodriguez Jacob , O'Neill Sloane , Walczak Maciej A.
Published: March 2018

Conformationally restricted natural products containing hydrocarbon tethers attached to an oligosaccharide chain display intriguing structural and biological properties.
One-pot synthesis of N-doped carbon dots by pyrolyzing the gel composed of ethanolamine and 1-carboxyethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and their selective fluorescence sensing for Cr(vi) ions
Authors: Wang Baogang , Lin Yan , Tan Hui , Luo Mina , Dai Shanshan , Lu Hongsheng , Huang Zhiyu
Published: March 2018

N-Doped carbon dots were synthesized by a one-pot pyrolysis method and used as a fluorescent sensor towards Cr(vi) ions.
Dispersive solid-phase imprinting of proteins for the production of plastic antibodies
Authors: Ashley Jon , Feng Xiaotong , Halder Arnab , Zhou Tongchang , Sun Yi
Published: March 2018

A new imprinting technique, so called dispersive solid-phase imprinting, has been developed for the production of nano-sized molecularly imprinted polymers (nanoMIPs) as plastic antibodies.
Influence of a cobalt additive in spiro-OMeTAD on charge recombination and carrier density in perovskite solar cells investigated using impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Qiong
Published: March 2018

In the presence of the cobalt dopant, the Helmholtz layer capacitance, CH, at the spiro-OMeTAD/perovskite interface can be significantly reduced to a similar level of chemical capacitance at the TiO2/perovskite interface, which leads to a new equivalent circuit proposed in this study for the interpretation of the IS data.
Elucidating the amphiphilic character of graphene oxide
Authors: Paulista Neto Antenor J. , Fileti Eudes E.
Published: March 2018

The amphiphilic character of graphene oxide was analysed in terms of its interfacial activities, using atomistic molecular dynamics.
Correction: Synthesis and evaluation of nuciferine and roemerine enantiomers as 5-HT2 and α1 receptor antagonists
Authors: Heng Hui Li , Chee Chin Fei , Chin Sek Peng , Ouyang Yifan , Wang Hao , Buckle Michael J. C. , Herr Deron R. , Paterson Ian C. , Doughty Stephen W. , Abd. Rahman Noorsaadah , Chung Lip Yong
Published: March 2018

Correction for ‘Synthesis and evaluation of nuciferine and roemerine enantiomers as 5-HT2 and α1 receptor antagonists’ by Hui Li Heng et al., Med. Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7md00629b.
Functionalized chitosan with self-assembly induced and subcellular localization-dependent fluorescence ‘switch on’ property
Authors: Mandal Kuheli , Jana Debabrata , Ghorai Binay K. , Jana Nikhil R.
Published: March 2018

A chitosan-based probe was developed that offers a self-assembly-induced and subcellular localization-dependent fluorescence ‘switch on’ property.
ESIPT emission behavior of methoxy-substituted 2-hydroxyphenylbenzimidazole isomers
Authors: Takagi Koji , Yamada Yoshihiro , Fukuda Ryoichi , Ehara Masahiro , Takeuchi Daisuke
Published: March 2018

Double intramolecular hydrogen bonding enables efficient ESIPT emission both in solution and solid states.
Fabrication of the graphene honeycomb structure as a scaffold for the study of cell growth
Authors: Yin Shengyan , Chen Peng , Sun Hang , Sun Kai , Wu Yilun , Shi Chenyang , He Yuejian , Fu Yunhao , Guo Xingyuan
Published: March 2018

The good biocompatibility of the graphene honeycomb structure was evaluated by the proliferation of HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines.
Urtica dioica L. extracts as a green catalyst for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles: characterization and cytotoxic effects on fibroblast and MCF-7 cell lines
Authors: Akbarian Maedeh , Mahjoub Soleiman , Elahi Seyed Mohammad , Zabihi Ebrahim , Tashakkorian Hamed
Published: March 2018

Green synthesis of ZnO NPs using ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Urtica dioica L.: characterization, evaluation of the cytotoxicity effects and hemolytic activity.
Correction: Guest-regulated chirality switching of planar chiral pseudo[1]catenanes
Authors: Yang Ya-Fen , Hu Wei-Bo , Shi Lei , Li Sheng-Gang , Zhao Xiao-Li , Liu Yahu A. , Li Jiu-Sheng , Jiang Biao , Wen Ke
Published: March 2018

Correction for ‘Guest-regulated chirality switching of planar chiral pseudo[1]catenanes’ by Ya-Fen Yang et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8ob00156a.
Protein–protein interaction studies reveal thePlasmodium falciparummerozoite surface protein-1 region involved in a complex formation that binds to human erythrocytes
Authors: Paul Gourab , Deshmukh Arunaditya , Kumar Chourasia Bishwanath , Kalamuddin Md , Panda Ashutosh , Kumar Singh Susheel , Gupta Puneet K. , Mohmmed Asif , Chauhan Virender S. , Theisen Michael , Malhotra Pawan
Published: March 2018

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein (PfMSP) 1 has been studied extensively as a vaccine candidate antigen. PfMSP-1 undergoes proteolytic processing into four major products, such as p83, p30, p38, and p42, that are associated in the form of non-covalent complex(s) with other MSPs. To delineate MSP1 regions involved in the interaction with other MSPs, here we expressed recombinant proteins (PfMSP-165) encompassing part of p38 and p42 regions and PfMSP-119. PfMSP-165 interacted strongly with PfMSP-3, PfMSP-6, PfMSP-7, and PfMSP-9, whereas PfMSP-119 did not interact with any of these proteins. Since MSP-1 complex binds human erythrocytes, we examined the ability of these proteins to bind human erythrocyte. Among the proteins of MSP-1 complex, PfMSP-6 and PfMSP-9 bound to human erythrocytes. Serological studies showed that PfMSP-165 was frequently recognized by sera from malaria endemic regions, whereas this was not the case for PfMSP-119. In contrast, antibodies against PfMSP-119 showed much higher inhibition of merozoite invasion compared with antibodies against the larger PfMSP-165 fragment. Importantly, anti-PfMSP-119 antibodies recognized both recombinant proteins, PfMSP-119 and PfMSP-165; however, anti-PfMSP-165 antibody failed to recognize the PfMSP-119 protein. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PfMSP-1 sequences upstream of the 19 kDa C-terminal region are involved in molecular interactions with other MSPs, and these sequences may probably serve as a smoke screen to evade antibody response to the membrane-bound C-terminal 19 kDa region.
Ecology‐based coexistence scheme for heterogeneous cognitive radio networks over TV white space
Authors: Song Min , Zheng Meng
Published: March 2018

Heterogeneous cognitive radio networks (H‐CRNs) operating in the same TV white space (TVWS) spectrum cause severe mutual interferences, which heavily degrades the network performance of coexisting H‐CRNs. Inspired by the Lotka–Volterra competition model of different species in a biological ecosystem, this study formulates the coexistence of H‐CRNs over TVWS as an equilibrium assignment problem of a discrete non‐linear control system (DNCS). By using the local linearisation method, the authors can find an approximate linear control system (ALCS) model to the DNCS. Further, they obtain an effective feedback control to the equilibrium assignment of the ALCS via solving a sufficient condition in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Third, they propose a novel ecology‐inspired heterogeneous coexistence algorithm (EHCA) based on the obtained feedback control. It is shown in simulations that the proposed EHCA could guarantee any desired but feasible spectrum share among H‐CRNs.
High‐throughput and compact FFT architectures using the Good–Thomas and Winograd algorithms
Authors: Bhagat Nikhilesh , Valencia Daniel , Alimohammad Amirhossein , Harris Fred
Published: March 2018

This study presents two hardware architectures for the efficient implementation of fast Fourier transform (FFT) based on the combined Good–Thomas and Winograd Fourier transform algorithms. The combined algorithms require fewer multiplications compared with the other FFT algorithms by eliminating twiddle factor multiplications. Two hardware architectures are presented: one is a fully‐pipelined architecture using multi‐dimensional Chinese remainder theorem for a high‐throughput implementation and the other is a time‐multiplexed architecture, which utilises the folding transformation for the compact realisation of short‐length Winograd Fourier transforms. Both designs are fully‐parameterisable and have been verified against their synthesisable Verilog descriptions. The characteristics and the implementation results of the two hardware architectures on a Xilinx field‐programmable gate array are presented. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study presents the first hardware realisation of FFT based on the combined Good–Thomas and Winograd FFT algorithms. The application of the proposed FFT architectures in the physical layer of the long‐term evolution wireless standard is discussed.
Estimating B‐coefficients of power loss formula considering volatile power injections: an enhanced least square approach
Authors: Liu Bin , Liu Feng , Wei Wei , Wang Jingran
Published: March 2018

In power system analysis and optimisation, the B‐coefficient loss formula is frequently used to estimate network losses. However, given the rapidly increasing penetration of renewable generations and responsive demands, nodal power injections of modern power systems appear to be highly variable, deteriorating the accuracy of the traditional B‐coefficients loss formula. To address this issue, several typical variants of direct current power flow approximations combining with two different least square methods are streamlined in a unified framework, spawning several improved least square‐based methods to estimate B‐coefficients in network loss formula. The improved methods relax the restrictive assumption in existing literature that bus load is linearly dependent on system load, and account for load distribution variability, hence remarkably enhance the accuracy of B‐coefficients estimation with highly volatile nodal power injections. Case studies performed on IEEE‐39 and RTS‐96 bus systems demonstrate that the enhanced methods outperform traditional ones.
XPOMET Tag 1: Die Digitale Revolution in der Gesundheit
Authors: Bauer Mirjam , Reiter Michael
Published: March 2018

Was sind die Treiber, wo liegen die Auswirkungen von „Digital Health“? Vordenker Paul Sonnier stellt am ersten Tag der XPOMET Fakten und Perspektiven vor. Der Kardiologe Prof. Dr. Friedrich Köhler zeigt, wie man Telemedizin konzipiert, umsetzt und evaluiert. Und Prof. Dr. Jan Ehlers erklärt, was sich an der Medizinerausbildung ändern muss, damit der Nachwuchs Innovationen anwenden kann.
XPOMET Tag 2: Regenerative Medizin und Präzisionsmedizin
Authors: Bauer Mirjam , Reiter Michael
Published: March 2018

Von Zukunftsträumen hin zur Realität zugelassener Verfahren: Expertenvorträge zur regenerativen Medizin – mit ihren Erfolgen beim Nachbau auch komplexer Organe und bei der Verjüngung – und zur Präzisionsmedizin, die mit individualisierten molekularen Therapien Patienten hilft, bei denen herkömmliche Therapien versagen.
XPOMET Tag 3: Spannende Assistenz-Technologie der Zukunft
Authors: Bauer Mirjam , Reiter Michael
Published: March 2018

Assistenztechniken bieten Patienten enorme Vorteile für Therapie und Alltag – das zeigen die Präsentationen auf der XPOMET. So spricht John S. Pezaris, Ph.D., vom Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School über innovative Sehprothetik. Constantin Wiesener, Wissenschaftler an der TU Berlin / Startups stimyo, erläutert wie Neurotechnologien Querschnittsgelähmte unterstützen.
Multiple Low Doses of Intravenous Corticosteroids to Improve Early Rehabilitation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Yang Zhouyuan , Shen Bin , Pei Fuxing , Li Donghai , Zhao Jinhai , Kang Pengde
Published: March 2018

Low doses of corticosteroids have been proved to be effective in decreasing the inflammatory cytokines and relieving the pain. However, the optimal dosage of corticosteroids in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is undetermined. A total of 103 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group A containing 32 patients received normal saline. Group B including 36 patients used two doses of 100 mg hydrocortisone, given 2 hours before and 8 hours after surgery. Group C involving 35 patients received four doses of 100 mg hydrocortisone, 8 hours apart.

The level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were lower in group C than those in group A when detected at 12, 24, and 48 hours after operation and even lower than that in group B at 24 and 48 hours (p < 0.05, all). The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were significantly reduced by using two doses of hydrocortisone at the first 12 hours compared with group A (p > 0.05), but it did not show statistic difference 24 hours later (p > 0.05). For comparison, patients with multiple doses achieved continuously better outcomes on pain management than the blank control group within postoperative 36 hours at rest and at 24 hours with activity. In addition, patients using multiple doses of hydrocortisone achieved fewer occurrences of nausea and vomiting, fever, and sleeplessness, better knee function recovery, better patient satisfaction, and shorter length of hospital stays (p < 0.05, all).

Multiple dose of hydrocortisone was benefit to the pain management and early rehabilitation in TKA and may be recommended to the clinical practice.
Zweitlinienoptionen im Therapie alltag angekommen
Authors: Schmale Ine
Published: March 2018

Eine der Herausforderungen in der Behandlung des Nierenzellkarzinoms ist die Entscheidung in Bezug auf die zur Verfügung stehenden Therapieoptionen als auch auf die Therapiesequenz. Auf dem DGU diskutierten Experten die Möglichkeiten neuer Therapiestrategien mit Fokus auf die Zweitlinientherapie.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection to relieve a flexure of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy
Authors: Yamamoto Katsumi , Noro Hiroshi , Sato Yu , Kusakabe Akira , Tatsumi Nobuyuki , Michida Tomoki , Ito Toshifumi
Published: March 2018

Background and study aims A 70-year-old-man underwent an esophagectomy and posterior mediastinal reconstruction for esophageal cancer that was curatively resected. Although the patient was allowed to eat after surgery, he repeatedly vomited after drinking water or eating meals and required continuous hospitalization. An upper gastrointestinal series and endoscopic examination revealed an obstruction due to the flexure of the gastric conduit, which was repeatedly treated with endoscopic balloon dilation. Endoscopic balloon dilation was completely ineffective, however, because the obstruction was not due to a small lumen diameter, but rather to severe flexure. We hypothesized that the power of contraction provided by ulcer scar formation after mucosal resection could straighten the flexure, and thus removed a piece of the mucosa 8 cm in diameter on the oral side of the flexure by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) 4 months after the esophagectomy. Endoscopic examination on post-ESD Day 10 revealed that the gastric conduit flexure was straightened due to ulcer scarring, and obstruction at the flexure opened over time. Meals were restarted and the patient could eat without vomiting. He was discharged from the hospital 5 weeks after ESD. This is the first case report of obstruction due to flexure of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy that was successfully treated with mucosectomy using ESD. Mucosectomy using ESD may be an effective treatment option for obstruction due to flexure of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy.
Ganz neu aufgestellt
Authors: Wortha-Hoyer Jenny
Published: March 2018

Neuausrichtung der Pflege Um den aktuellen Entwicklungen in der
Intensivpflege in Bezug auf Patientenzahlen und zunehmende Anforderungen an die
intensivpflegerische Versorgung zu begegnen, hat die Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin einen vielversprechenden Lösungsansatz gefunden. Doch
die geplante Neuordnung von Aufgaben und die Kombination unterschiedlicher
Qualifikationsniveaus in der Intensivpflege bringt neben vielen Vorteilen auch
eine Reihe von Schwierigkeiten mit sich. Wir stellen den Prozess zur
Implementierung eines erfolgversprechenden Qualifikationen-Mix vor.
Wir zeigen die rote Karte!
Authors: Wittler Tobias , Milius Berthold , Klassen Marina , Hermes Carsten
Published: March 2018

Hilfsmittel für einen ethischen interdisziplinären Dialog Bei der
Behandlung von Patienten gibt es gerade auf der Intensivstation oft
unterschiedliche Ansichten. Sollte wirklich immer alles getan werden, was durch
den medizinischen Fortschritt heute möglich ist? Um ethischen Konflikten adäquat
zu begegnen, hat eine operative Intensivstation das Prinzip der „roten Karte“
etabliert. Damit wird es möglich, ohne große Umwege den Behandlungsweg zu
hinterfragen, zu durchbrechen oder ggf. in eine andere Richtung zu lenken –
unabhängig einer Hierarchie, frei von persönlichen Bewertungen und anonym.
Risk factors for post-colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) coagulation syndrome: a multicenter, prospective, observational study
Authors: Arimoto Jun , Higurashi Takuma , Kato Shingo , Fuyuki Akiko , Ohkubo Hidenori , Nonaka Takashi , Yamaguchi Yoshikazu , Ashikari Keiichi , Chiba Hideyuki , Goto Shungo , Taguri Masataka , Sakaguchi Takashi , Atsukawa Kazuhiro , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: March 2018

Background and study aims Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common neoplasms and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment for early-stage CRC. However, it has been observed that patients undergoing ESD often complain of pain, even if ESD has been successfully performed. Risk factors for such pain still remain unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors for post-colorectal ESD coagulation syndrome (PECS).

Patients and methods This was a prospective multicenter observational trial (UMIN000016781) conducted in 106 of 223 patients who underwent ESD between March 2015 and April 2016. We investigated age, sex, tumor location, ESD operation time, lesion size, duration of hospitalization, and frequency of PECS. We defined PECS as local abdominal pain (evaluated on a visual analogue scale) in the region corresponding to the site of the ESD that occurred within 4 days of the procedure.

Results PECS occurred in 15/106 (14.2 %), and 10 were women (P = 0.01, OR: 7.74 [1.6 – 36.4]), 7 had lesions in the cecum (P < 0.001, OR: 20.6 [3.7 – 115.2]), and 9 in whom ESD operation time was > 90 min (P = 0.002, OR: 10.3 [2.4 – 44.6]). Frequency of deviation from the prescribed clinical path was significantly higher (47 % [7/15] vs. 2 % [2/91], P < 0.001, OR: 38.9 [6.9 – 219.6]), and hospital stay was significantly longer in the PECS group. 

Conclusions Female gender, location of lesion in the cecum, and ESD operation time > 90 minutes were significant risk factors independent of PECS. These findings are important to management of PECS.
Solubility prediction of naphthalene in carbon dioxide from crystal microstructure
Authors: Sang Jiarong , Jin Junsu , Mi Jianguo
Published: March 2018

Crystals dissolved in solvents are ubiquitous in both natural and artificial systems. Due to the complicated structures and asymmetric interactions between the crystal and solvent, it is difficult to interpret the dissolution mechanism and predict solubility using traditional theories and models. Here we use the classical density functional theory (DFT) to describe the crystal dissolution behavior. As an example, naphthalene dissolved in carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered within the DFT framework. The unit cell dimensions and microstructure of crystalline naphthalene are determined by minimizing the free-energy of the crystal. According to the microstructure, the solubilities of naphthalene in CO2 are predicted based on the equality of naphthalene’s chemical potential in crystal and solution phases, and the interfacial structures and free-energies between different crystal planes and solution are determined to investigate the dissolution mechanism at the molecular level. The theoretical predictions are in general agreement with the available experimental data, implying that the present model is quantitatively reliable in describing crystal dissolution.
Forced-rupture of cell-adhesion complexes reveals abrupt switch between two brittle states
Authors: Toan Ngo Minh , Thirumalai D.
Published: March 2018

Cell adhesion complexes (CACs), which are activated by ligand binding, play key roles in many cellular functions ranging from cell cycle regulation to mediation of cell extracellular matrix adhesion. Inspired by single molecule pulling experiments using atomic force spectroscopy on leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), expressed in T-cells, bound to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM), we performed constant loading rate (rf) and constant force (F) simulations using the self-organized polymer model to describe the mechanism of ligand rupture from CACs. The simulations reproduce the major experimental finding on the kinetics of the rupture process, namely, the dependence of the most probable rupture forces (f*s) on ln rf (rf is the loading rate) exhibits two distinct linear regimes. The first, at low rf, has a shallow slope, whereas the slope at high rf is much larger, especially for a LFA-1/ICAM-1 complex with the transition between the two occurring over a narrow rf range. Locations of the two transition states (TSs) extracted from the simulations show an abrupt change from a high value at low rf or constant force, F, to a low value at high rf or F. This unusual behavior in which the CACs switch from one brittle (TS position is a constant over a range of forces) state to another brittle state is not found in forced-rupture in other protein complexes. We explain this novel behavior by constructing the free energy profiles, F(Λ)s, as a function of a collective reaction coordinate (Λ), involving many key charged residues and a critical metal ion (Mg2+). The TS positions in F(Λ), which quantitatively agree with the parameters extracted using the Bell-Evans model, change abruptly at a critical force, demonstrating that it, rather than the molecular extension, is a good reaction coordinate. Our combined analyses using simulations performed in both the pulling modes (constant rf and F) reveal a new mechanism for the two loading regimes observed in the rupture kinetics in CACs.
Tunneling current in HfO2 and Hf0.5Zr0.5O2-based ferroelectric tunnel junction
Authors: Dong Zhipeng , Cao Xi , Wu Tong , Guo Jing
Published: March 2018

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) have been intensively explored for future low power data storage and information processing applications. Among various ferroelectric (FE) materials studied, HfO2 and H0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) have the advantage of CMOS process compatibility. The validity of the simple effective mass approximation, for describing the tunneling process in these materials, is examined by computing the complex band structure from ab initio simulations. The results show that the simple effective mass approximation is insufficient to describe the tunneling current in HfO2 and HZO materials, and quantitative accurate descriptions of the complex band structures are indispensable for calculation of the tunneling current. A compact k · p Hamiltonian is parameterized to and validated by ab initio complex band structures, which provides a method for efficiently and accurately computing the tunneling current in HfO2 and HZO. The device characteristics of a metal/FE/metal structure and a metal/FE/semiconductor (M-F-S) structure are investigated by using the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism with the parameterized effective Hamiltonian. The result shows that the M-F-S structure offers a larger resistance window due to an extra barrier in the semiconductor region at off-state. A FTJ utilizing M-F-S structure is beneficial for memory design.
Visualization of the collective vortex-like motions in liquid argon and water: Molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Anikeenko A. V. , Malenkov G. G. , Naberukhin Yu. I.
Published: March 2018

We propose a new measure of collectivity of molecular motion in the liquid: the average vector of displacement of the particles, ⟨ΔR⟩, which initially have been localized within a sphere of radius Rsph and then have executed the diffusive motion during a time interval Δt. The more correlated the motion of the particles is, the longer will be the vector ⟨ΔR⟩. We visualize the picture of collective motions in molecular dynamics (MD) models of liquids by constructing the ⟨ΔR⟩ vectors and pinning them to the sites of the uniform grid which divides each of the edges of the model box into equal parts. MD models of liquid argon and water have been studied by this method. Qualitatively, the patterns of ⟨ΔR⟩ vectors are similar for these two liquids but differ in minor details. The most important result of our research is the revealing of the aggregates of ⟨ΔR⟩ vectors which have the form of extended flows which sometimes look like the parts of vortices. These vortex-like clusters of ⟨ΔR⟩ vectors have the mesoscopic size (of the order of 10 nm) and persist for tens of picoseconds. Dependence of the ⟨ΔR⟩ vector field on parameters Rsph, Δt, and on the model size has been investigated. This field in the models of liquids differs essentially from that in a random-walk model.
Acetate ion and its interesting solvation shell structure and dynamics
Authors: Zhang Xiaoliu , Kumar Revati , Kuroda Daniel G.
Published: March 2018

The asymmetric stretch of the carboxylate group located near 1560 cm−1 in solutions of sodium acetate in water and 6M sodium chloride was investigated by linear and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopies. The linear IR spectra showed that the carboxylate asymmetric stretch central frequency and bandwidth are not significantly perturbed by the presence of a large amount of sodium chloride. Similarly, the frequency-frequency autocorrelation functions extracted from the time evolution of two-dimensional infrared spectra revealed a dynamical component having a picosecond time constant which is also not affected by the presence of high salt concentrations. A comparative study on the asymmetric stretch of the azide ion showed that the lack of change in the vibrational spectroscopy of the ion in the presence of large concentration of sodium chloride is particular to the acetate ion. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and a frequency map confirmed our experimental observations and linked the observed vibrational phenomenon to the hydrogen bond structure and dynamics of the acetate first solvation shell, which is governed by the thermal rotation of its methyl group (—CH3).
Thermal imaging of high power diode lasers subject to back-irradiance
Authors: Li C. , Pipe K. P. , Cao C. , Thiagarajan P. , Deri R. J. , Leisher P. O.
Published: March 2018

CCD-based thermoreflectance imaging and finite element modeling are used to study the two-dimensional (2D) temperature profile of a junction-down broad-area diode laser facet subject to back-irradiance. By determining the temperature rise in the active region (ΔΤAR) at different diode laser optical powers, back-irradiance reflectance levels, and back-irradiance spot locations, we find that ΔΤAR increases by nearly a factor of three when the back-irradiance spot is centered in the absorbing substrate approximately 5 μm away from the active region, a distance roughly equal to half of the back-irradiance spot FWHM (9 μm). This corroborates prior work studying the relationship between the back-irradiance spot location and catastrophic optical damage, suggesting a strong thermal basis for reduced laser lifetime in the presence of back-irradiance for diode lasers fabricated on absorbing substrates.
Reduced-cost second-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction method for excitation energies and transition moments
Authors: Mester Dávid , Nagy Péter R. , Kállay Mihály
Published: March 2018

A reduced-cost implementation of the second-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction [ADC(2)] method is presented. We introduce approximations by restricting virtual natural orbitals and natural auxiliary functions, which results, on average, in more than an order of magnitude speedup compared to conventional, density-fitting ADC(2) algorithms. The present scheme is the successor of our previous approach [D. Mester, P. R. Nagy, and M. Kállay, J. Chem. Phys. 146, 194102 (2017)], which has been successfully applied to obtain singlet excitation energies with the linear-response second-order coupled-cluster singles and doubles model. Here we report further methodological improvements and the extension of the method to compute singlet and triplet ADC(2) excitation energies and transition moments. The various approximations are carefully benchmarked, and conservative truncation thresholds are selected which guarantee errors much smaller than the intrinsic error of the ADC(2) method. Using the canonical values as reference, we find that the mean absolute error for both singlet and triplet ADC(2) excitation energies is 0.02 eV, while that for oscillator strengths is 0.001 a.u. The rigorous cutoff parameters together with the significantly reduced operation count and storage requirements allow us to obtain accurate ADC(2) excitation energies and transition properties using triple-ζ basis sets for systems of up to one hundred atoms.