bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological, epigenetic and genetic regulation in some olive cultivars under salt stress
Authors: Mousavi Soraya , Regni Luca , Bocchini Marika , Mariotti Roberto , Cultrera Nicolò G. M. , Mancuso Stefano , Googlani Jalaladdin , Chakerolhosseini Mohammad Reza , Guerrero Consolación , Albertini Emidio , Baldoni Luciana , Proietti Primo
Published: January 2019

Cultivated olive, a typical fruit crop species of the semi-arid regions, could successfully face the new scenarios driven by the climate change through the selection of tolerant varieties to salt and drought stresses. In the present work, multidisciplinary approaches, including physiological, epigenetic and genetic studies, have been applied to clarify the salt tolerance mechanisms in olive. Four varieties (Koroneiki, Royal de Cazorla, Arbequina and Picual) and a related form (O. europaea subsp. cuspidata) were grown in a hydroponic system under different salt concentrations from zero to 200 mM. In order to verify the plant response under salt stress, photosynthesis, gas exchange and relative water content were measured at different time points, whereas chlorophyll and leaf concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions, were quantified at 43 and 60 days after treatment, when stress symptoms became prominent. Methylation sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique was used to assess the effects of salt stress on plant DNA methylation. Several fragments resulted differentially methylated among genotypes, treatments and time points. Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed significant expression changes related to plant response to salinity. Four genes (OePIP1.1, OePetD, OePI4Kg4 and OeXyla) were identified, as well as multiple retrotransposon elements usually targeted by methylation under stress conditions.
MITF has a central role in regulating starvation-induced autophagy in melanoma
Authors: Möller Katrin , Sigurbjornsdottir Sara , Arnthorsson Asgeir O. , Pogenberg Vivian , Dilshat Ramile , Fock Valerie , Brynjolfsdottir Solveig H. , Bindesboll Christian , Bessadottir Margret , Ogmundsdottir Helga M. , Simonsen Anne , Larue Lionel , Wilmanns Matthias , Thorsson Vesteinn , Steingrimsson Eirikur , Ogmundsdottir Margret H.
Published: January 2019

The MITF transcription factor is a master regulator of melanocyte development and a critical factor in melanomagenesis. The related transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 regulate lysosomal activity and autophagy processes known to be important in melanoma. Here we show that MITF binds the CLEAR-box element in the promoters of lysosomal and autophagosomal genes in melanocytes and melanoma cells. The crystal structure of MITF bound to the CLEAR-box reveals how the palindromic nature of this motif induces symmetric MITF homodimer binding. In metastatic melanoma tumors and cell lines, MITF positively correlates with the expression of lysosomal and autophagosomal genes, which, interestingly, are different from the lysosomal and autophagosomal genes correlated with TFEB and TFE3. Depletion of MITF in melanoma cells and melanocytes attenuates the response to starvation-induced autophagy, whereas the overexpression of MITF in melanoma cells increases the number of autophagosomes but is not sufficient to induce autophagic flux. Our results suggest that MITF and the related factors TFEB and TFE3 have separate roles in regulating a starvation-induced autophagy response in melanoma. Understanding the normal and pathophysiological roles of MITF and related transcription factors may provide important clinical insights into melanoma therapy.
Hydrocephalus in a rat model of Meckel Gruber syndrome with a TMEM67 mutation
Authors: Shim Joon W. , Territo Paul R. , Simpson Stefanie , Watson John C. , Jiang Lei , Riley Amanda A. , McCarthy Brian , Persohn Scott , Fulkerson Daniel , Blazer-Yost Bonnie L.
Published: January 2019

Transmembrane protein 67 (TMEM67) is mutated in Meckel Gruber Syndrome type 3 (MKS3) resulting in a pleiotropic phenotype with hydrocephalus and renal cystic disease in both humans and rodent models. The precise pathogenic mechanisms remain undetermined. Herein it is reported for the first time that a point mutation of TMEM67 leads to a gene dose-dependent hydrocephalic phenotype in the Wistar polycystic kidney (Wpk) rat. Animals with TMEM67 heterozygous mutations manifest slowly progressing hydrocephalus, observed during the postnatal period and continuing into adulthood. These animals have no overt renal phenotype. The TMEM67 homozygous mutant rats have severe ventriculomegaly as well as severe polycystic kidney disease and die during the neonatal period. Protein localization in choroid plexus epithelial cells indicates that aquaporin 1 and claudin-1 both remain normally polarized in all genotypes. The choroid plexus epithelial cells may have selectively enhanced permeability as evidenced by increased Na+, K+ and Cl− in the cerebrospinal fluid of the severely hydrocephalic animals. Collectively, these results suggest that TMEM67 is required for the regulation of choroid plexus epithelial cell fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. The Wpk rat model, orthologous to human MKS3, provides a unique platform to study the development of both severe and mild hydrocephalus.
Graphene/semi-insulating single crystal CdTe Schottky-type heterojunction X- and γ-Ray Radiation Detectors
Authors: Brus V. V. , Maslyanchuk O. L. , Solovan M. M. , Maryanchuk P. D. , Fodchuk I. , Gnatyuk V. A. , Vakhnyak N. D. , Melnychuk S. V. , Aoki T.
Published: January 2019

We developed a new concept of X- and γ-ray radiation semiconductor detectors based on a large area graphene/semi-insulating single crystal CdTe Schottky-type heterojunction. These two terminal electronic devices can be easily fabricated by forming a Van der Waals contact between large area chemical vapor deposited graphene and CdTe substrates in air and at room temperature. This approach significantly reduces the fabrication cost and improves the reproducibility and stability of electrical properties. A detailed analysis of their AC and DC electrical properties was carried out in order to determine the width of the space charge region and dominant charge transport mechanisms at reverse bias. The unoptimized graphene/CdTe heterojunction detectors exhibited a promising spectral resolution of 241Am (59 keV) and 137Cs (662 keV) isotope radiation at room temperature.
Multivariate Analysis on the Effects of Diabetes and related Clinical Parameters on Cervical Cancer Survival Probability
Authors: Gillani Syed Wasif , Zaghloul Hisham A. , Ansari Irfan Altaf , Abdul Mohi Iqbal Mohammad , Sulaiman Syed Azhar Syed , Baig Mirza R. , Rathore Hassaan Anwar
Published: January 2019

We aimed to evaluate and determine the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in early stage cervical cancer (CC) patients. Patients with primary cervical cancer and newly diagnosed were selected from ten different cancer specialist hospitals of Malaysia. Patients’ demographic and clinical data were obtained for the prognostic analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate patients’ survival time (CSS and OS) with DM status and values were compared using the log-rank test. A total of 19,785 newly diagnosed CC patients were registered during 2010–2016, among them only 16,946 (85.6%) with primary CC tumor. There was no difference in treatment modality between DM and non-DM patients. However intergroup assessment showed that type 2DM have significantly higher rate of mortality in both overall mortality (28.3%) and CC-specific (11.7%) as compared to Type 1DM (17.3%; 5.5%) and non DM patients (12.7%; 9.1%) (p < 0.001). Within group assessments showed that Type 2DM patients have better quality of life (mean 7.13 ± 3.67) (p < 0.001) and less distress levels (mean 2.41 ± 0.63) (p < 0.011) as compared to type1 DM (meant 10.54 ± 2.11; 3.19 ± 1.07). This study concluded that T2DM prognostic effect still remained after adjusting demographic and clinical parameters. Type 1 diabetes mellitus showed better OS and CSS then type2 DM.
Sibling sex, but not androgens, shapes phenotypes in perinatal common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Frye Brett M. , Rapaport Lisa G. , Melber Talia , Sears Michael W. , Tardif Suzette D.
Published: January 2019

When offspring share a womb, interactions among fetuses can impart lasting impressions on phenotypic outcomes. Such intrauterine interactions often are mediated by sex steroids (estrogens and androgens) produced by the developing fetuses. In many mammals, intrauterine interactions between brothers and sisters lead to masculinization of females, which can induce fitness consequences. Many litter-bearing primates, though, seem to escape androgen-mediated litter effects, begging why? Here, we investigated how the sex composition (i.e., same- or mixed-sex) of litters influences perinatal outcomes in the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), using a combination of physiological, morphological, and behavioural assays. We hypothesized that androgens from male fetuses would mediate developmental differences across litter types. We found that newborns (24–36 hours old) from same- and mixed-sex litters were indistinguishable by urinary androgen profiles, birth weights, morphometrics, and behaviour. However, monkeys born into same- and mixed-sex litters exhibited subtle morphological and neurobehavioral differences later in the perinatal period, independent of their androgen profiles. Our findings suggest that while androgens from male fetuses likely do not organize their siblings’ phenotypes, perinatal stimuli may initiate divergent developmental trajectories among siblings, which, in turn, promotes inter-individual variability within families.
High resolution mapping of a cold water coral mound
Authors: Conti Luis A. , Lim Aaron , Wheeler Andrew J.
Published: January 2019

Cold-water coral (CWC) mounds are biogenic, long-lived morphostructures composed primarily by scleractinian CWC’s and hemipelagic sediments that form complex deep-sea microhabitats found globally but specifically along the European-Atlantic margin. In this work, high-resolution mapping was applied to identify individual organismal distribution and zonation across a CWC Piddington Mound within the Porcupine Seabight, Ireland Margin. Marine Object-Based Image Analysis (MOBIA) and different machine learning classification methods (decision tree, logistic regression, and deep neural network) were applied to a high-resolution (2 mm) reef-scale video mosaic and ROV-mounted multibeam data in order to provide new insights into the spatial organization of coral frameworks and environmental factors on CWC mounds. The results showed an accurate quantification of the amount of Coral Framework (14.5%; ~2% live and ~12.5% dead) and sponges (~3.5%) with heterogeneous distribution, restricted to a certain portion of the mound. This is the first object level quantification of live and dead coral framework facies and individual sponges across an entire CWC mound. This approach has application for habitat and conservation studies, provides a quantification tool for carbon budget assessments and can provide a baseline to assess CWC mound change. The approach can also be modified for application in other habitats.
Colloidal Gels with Tunable Mechanomorphology Regulate Endothelial Morphogenesis
Authors: Nair Smruti K. , Basu Sukanya , Sen Ballari , Lin Meng-Hsuan , Kumar Arati N. , Yuan Yuan , Cullen Paul J. , Sarkar Debanjan
Published: January 2019

Endothelial morphogenesis into capillary networks is dependent on the matrix morphology and mechanical properties. In current 3D gels, these two matrix features are interdependent and their distinct roles in endothelial organization are not known. Thus, it is important to decouple these parameters in the matrix design. Colloidal gels can be engineered to regulate the microstructural morphology and mechanics in an independent manner because colloidal gels are formed by the aggregation of particles into a self-similar 3D network. In this work, gelatin based colloidal gels with distinct mechanomorphology were developed by engineering the electrostatic interaction mediated aggregation of particles. By altering the mode of aggregation, colloidal gels showed either compact dense microstructure or tenuous strand-like networks, and the matrix stiffness was controlled independently by varying the particle fraction. Endothelial Cell (EC) networks were favored in tenuous strand-like microstructure through increased cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, while compact dense microstructure inhibited the networks. For a given microstructure, as the gel stiffness was increased, the extent of EC network was reduced. This result demonstrates that 3D matrix morphology and mechanics provide distinct signals in a bidirectional manner during EC network formation. Colloidal gels can be used to interrogate the angiogenic responses of ECs and can be developed as a biomaterial for vascularization.
Antibody-free digital influenza virus counting based on neuraminidase activity
Authors: Tabata Kazuhito V. , Minagawa Yoshihiro , Kawaguchi Yuko , Ono Mana , Moriizumi Yoshiki , Yamayoshi Seiya , Fujioka Yoichiro , Ohba Yusuke , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Noji Hiroyuki
Published: January 2019

There is large demand for a quantitative method for rapid and ultra-sensitive detection of the influenza virus. Here, we established a digital influenza virus counting (DIViC) method that can detect a single virion without antibody. In the assay, a virion is stochastically entrapped inside a femtoliter reactor array device for the fluorogenic assay of neuraminidase, and incubated for minutes. By analyzing 600,000 reactors, the practical limit of detection reached the order of 103 (PFU)/mL, only 10-times less sensitive than RT-PCR and more than 1000-times sensitive than commercial rapid test kits (RIDTs). Interestingly, neuraminidase activity differed among virions. The coefficient of variance was 30–40%, evidently broader than that of alkaline phosphatase measured as a model enzyme for comparison, suggesting the heterogeneity in size and integrity among influenza virus particles. Sensitivity to oseltamivir also differed between virions. We also tested DIViC using clinical gargle samples that imposes less burden for sampling while with less virus titre. The comparison with RIDTs showed that DIViC was largely superior to RIDTs in the sensitivity with the clinical samples although a few false-positive signals were observed in some clinical samples that remains as a technical challenge.
CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding
Authors: Tripathi Jaindra N. , Ntui Valentine O. , Ron Mily , Muiruri Samwel K. , Britt Anne , Tripathi Leena
Published: January 2019

Presence of the integrated endogenous banana streak virus (eBSV) in the B genome of plantain (AAB) is a major challenge for breeding and dissemination of hybrids. As the eBSV activates into infectious viral particles under stress, the progenitor Musa balbisiana and its derivants, having at least one B genome, cannot be used as parents for crop improvement. Here, we report a strategy to inactivate the eBSV by editing the virus sequences. The regenerated genome-edited events of Gonja Manjaya showed mutations in the targeted sites with the potential to prevent proper transcription or/and translational into functional viral proteins. Seventy-five percent of the edited events remained asymptomatic in comparison to the non-edited control plants under water stress conditions, confirming inactivation of eBSV into infectious viral particles. This study paves the way for the improvement of B genome germplasm and its use in breeding programs to produce hybrids that can be globally disseminated.
A cascade toehold-mediated strand displacement strategy for label-free and sensitive non-enzymatic recycling amplification detection of the HIV-1 gene
Authors: Li Qiong , Liu Zhi , Zhou Danhua , Pan Jiafeng , Liu Chengshuai , Chen Junhua
Published: January 2019

A label-free biosensor was proposed for HIV-1 gene detection based on cascade toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions.
Rapid classification of plastics by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with partial least squares discrimination analysis based on variable importance (VI-PLS-DA)
Authors: Liu Ke , Tian Di , Wang Hongxia , Yang Guang
Published: January 2019

Combination of LIBS and VI-PLS-DA is a promising approach to achieve the online analysis and process control of waste plastic recycling.
A near infrared-modulated thermosensitive hydrogel for stabilization of indocyanine green and combinatorial anticancer phototherapy
Authors: Liu Chanjuan , Ruan Changping , Shi Rui , Jiang Bang-Ping , Ji Shichen , Shen Xing-Can
Published: January 2019

A novel injectable NIR-modulated thermosensitive hydrogel was prepared for the stabilization of phototheranostics and repeatable combinatorial anticancer phototherapy.
Halogen bonding effects on the outcome of reactions at metal centres
Authors: Carreras Lucas , Benet-Buchholz Jordi , Franconetti Antonio , Frontera Antonio , van Leeuwen Piet W. N. M. , Vidal-Ferran Anton
Published: January 2019

Key findings regarding the effects of ligand preorganisation via halogen bonding on the outcome of reactions at rhodium are reported.
A biofunctionalized viral delivery patch for spatially defined transfection
Authors: Kim Su-Hwan , Yu Seung Jung , Kim Inseon , Choi Jaehoon , Choi Young Hwan , Im Sung Gap , Hwang Nathaniel S.
Published: January 2019

A robust system of biofunctionalized polymeric layer-mediated lentiviral delivery was designed for the site-specific spatial and temporal control of viral gene delivery.
One-pot synthesized Cu/Au/Pt trimetallic nanoparticles with enhanced catalytic and plasmonic properties as a universal platform for biosensing and cancer theranostics
Authors: Ye Xiaosheng , He Xiaoxiao , Lei Yanli , Tang Jinlu , Yu Yanru , Shi Hui , Wang Kemin
Published: January 2019

Novel Cu/Au/Pt trimetallic nanoparticles (TMNPs) with enhanced catalytic activity and intense plasmonic absorption in the NIR-I biowindow (650–950 nm) have been prepared using a fast, gentle and one-pot protocol, and applied in biosensing and cancer theranostics.
Benchmarking DFT approaches for the calculation of polarizability inputs for refractive index predictions in organic polymers
Authors: Afzal Mohammad Atif Faiz , Hachmann Johannes
Published: January 2019

We benchmark DFT model chemistries to identify approaches that optimize the balance between accuracy and efficiency for this virtual high-throughput studies of polymers with high index of refraction.
Metal/graphene heterobilayers as hydrogen evolution reaction cathodes: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhou Gang
Published: January 2019

Rh atoms in the interaction region facilitate hydrogen evolution reaction, whereas others in the deformation and transition regions do not, due to the interlayer charge transfer between single-layer Rh sheet and graphene.
Impact of dissolved organic matter on mercury and methylmercury sorption to activated carbon in soils: implications for remediation
Authors: Schwartz Grace E. , Sanders James P. , McBurney Alyssa M. , Brown Steven S. , Ghosh Upal , Gilmour Cynthia C.
Published: January 2019

In sulfidic soil, increasing concentrations of dissolved organic matter decreased Hg sorption to AC but did not impact MeHg sorption.
Selective synthesis of citrus flavonoids prunin and naringenin using heterogeneized biocatalyst on graphene oxide
Authors: Carceller Jose Miguel , Martínez Galán Julián Paul , Monti Rubens , Bassan Juliana Cristina , Filice Marco , Iborra Sara , Yu Jihong , Corma Avelino
Published: January 2019

Citrus flavonoids, prunin and naringenin, are selectively produced from hydrolysis of naringin using the enzyme naringinase supported on graphene oxide.
Ultra-high precision silicon isotope micro-analysis using a Cameca IMS-1280 SIMS instrument by eliminating the topography effect
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Xian-Hua , Tang Guo-Qiang , Li Qiu-Li , Liu Xiao-Chi , Yu Hui-Min , Huang Fang
Published: January 2019

During very high precision analyses using SIMS, sample surface flatness is one of the major factors in degradation of external analytical repeatability. An additional correction using a secondary ion beam centering parameter (DTCA-X) was used to minimize this. External precision and accuracy were improved.
Tailored 3D printed micro-crystallization chip for versatile and high-efficiency droplet evaporative crystallization
Authors: Han Mingguang , Li Jin , He Gaohong , Lin Meng , Xiao Wu , Li Xiangcun , Wu Xuemei , Jiang Xiaobin
Published: January 2019

Droplet evaporative crystallization on a micro-structured platform with limited interfacial area has potential applications in crystallization theory, bioengineering, and particle drug preparation.
A code with a twist: supraparticle microrod composites with direction dependent optical properties as anti-counterfeit labels
Authors: Wintzheimer Susanne , Granath Tim , Eppinger Antonia , Goncalves Manuel Rodrigues , Mandel Karl
Published: January 2019

Superparamagnetic microrod supraparticles can be aligned in a magnetic field whose direction can be fixed in a matrix. These anisotropic composites reveal anisotropic optical properties, usefully to create anti-counterfeit labels.
Bifunctional hexagonal Ni/NiO nanostructures: influence of the core–shell phase on magnetism, electrochemical sensing of serotonin, and catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Manigandan R. , Dhanasekaran T. , Padmanaban A. , Giribabu K. , Suresh R. , Narayanan V.
Published: January 2019

Ni0/NiO (nickel/nickel oxide) core–shell nanostructures were synthesized through a facile combustible redox reaction.
In situ reversible color variation of a ready-made upconversion material using the designed component of a three-state fluorescence switching system
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhai Yiwen , Wang Min , Dong Shaojun , Fang Youxing , Zhang Lingling
Published: January 2019

The in situ reversible color variation of a ready-made UC material was demonstrated for the first time.
Two-dimensional C60 nano-meshes via crystal transformation
Authors: Lei Yilong , Wang Shaoyan , Lai Zhuangchai , Yao Xin , Zhao Yanli , Zhang Hua , Chen Hongyu
Published: January 2019

The C60 mesh networks were transformed from C60 microplates by removing a solvent molecule and embedding another solvent molecule.
Stabilizing the structure of LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4via the formation of concentration-gradient hollow spheres with Fe-rich surfaces
Authors: Ruan Tingting , Wang Bo , Wang Fei , Song Rensheng , Jin Fan , Zhou Yu , Wang Dianlong , Dou Shixue
Published: January 2019

A hollow concentration-gradient LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 sphere material is synthesized with a Mn-enriched inner shell to maximize the energy density and an Fe-enriched surface to improve the electrochemical activity and chemical stability.
Quantitative evaluation of relationships between adsorption and partition of atrazine in biochar-amended soils with biochar characteristics
Authors: Zhao Zhendong , Wu Qianqian , Nie Tiantian , Zhou Wenjun
Published: January 2019

Adsorption of atrazine (ATZ) in two natural soils amended with different biochars was investigated, and the relationships of adsorption capacity of biochar-amended soils with biochar characteristics were also quantitatively evaluated.
Enhancement of thermoelectric properties over a wide temperature range by lattice disorder and chemical potential tuning in a (CuI)y(Bi2Te3)0.95−x(Bi2Se3)x(Bi2S3)0.05quaternary system
Authors: Cho Hyunyong , Back Song Yi , Kim Jin Hee , Inturu Omkaram , Lee Ho Seong , Rhyee Jong-Soo
Published: January 2019

Temperature-dependentZTvalues of (CuI)y(Bi2Te3)0.95−x(Bi2Se3)x(Bi2S3)0.05(x= 0.05, 0.2;y= 0.0, 0.003) compounds compared with other related n-type compounds.
Expanded graphene oxide fibers with high strength and increased elongation
Authors: Ugale Ashok D. , Chi LinLin , Kim Min-Kyu , Chae Sudong , Choi Jae-Young , Yoo Ji-Beom
Published: January 2019

The increased interplanar distance between the EGO sheets favored the edge-to-edge than basal plane interaction within the fiber, resulting in high mechanical strength (492 MPa) and increased elongation (6.1%).
Effect of anion in carboxylate-based ionic liquids on catalytic activity of transesterification with vinyl esters and the solubility of cellulose
Authors: Hirose Daisuke , Wardhana Kusuma Samuel Budi , Nomura Shuhei , Yamaguchi Makoto , Yasaka Yoshiro , Kakuchi Ryohei , Takahashi Kenji
Published: January 2019

The role of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium carboxylate-type ionic liquid as the solvent and organocatalyst for transesterification reaction of cellulose was investigated.
Surface reactivity and cation non-stoichiometry in BaZr1−xYxO3−δ (x = 0–0.2) exposed to CO2 at elevated temperature
Authors: Sažinas Rokas , Sunding Martin F. , Thøgersen Annett , Sakaguchi Isao , Norby Truls , Grande Tor , Polfus Jonathan M.
Published: January 2019

Surface formation of BaCO3 mainly proceeds by transfer of Y to the Ba-site while a BaZrO3 formula unit is consumed.
Bismuth nanospheres embedded in three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene frameworks as high performance anodes for sodium- and potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Cheng Xiaolong , Li Dongjun , Wu Ying , Xu Rui , Yu Yan
Published: January 2019

A robust composite with Bi nanoparticles embedded in 3D graphene frameworks is designed and shows extraordinary performance in Na/K-ion batteries.
Defect-rich and ultrathin CoOOH nanolayers as highly efficient oxygen evolution catalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Huang Xiaojuan , Hu Hongyan , Chou Lingjun , Bi Yingpu
Published: January 2019

Plasma-exfoliation of CoOOH catalysts into defect-rich and ultrathin nanolayers (∼2 nm) significantly improved the photoelectrochemical activities of BiVO4 photoanodes.
Covalent triazine frameworks: synthesis and applications
Authors: Liu Manying , Guo Liping , Jin Shangbin , Tan Bien
Published: January 2019

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) represent an exciting new type of porous organic material (POP), which have some unique characteristics, i.e., aromatic CN linkage (triazine unit) and the absence of any weak bonds.
Naphthalimide–arylamine derivatives with aggregation induced delayed fluorescence for realizing efficient green to red electroluminescence
Authors: Chen Shuo , Zeng Pengju , Wang Weigao , Wang Xuedong , Wu Yukun , Lin Pengju , Peng Zhengchun
Published: January 2019

Naphthalimide–arylamine derivative hybrid fluorophores NAI–BiFA and NAI–PhBiFA with AIDF characteristics have been successfully designed and synthesized. Host-free and doped organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) employing the compounds display green to red emission.
Liquid phase exfoliation of carbonate-intercalated layered double hydroxides
Authors: Carrasco Jose A. , Harvey Andrew , Hanlon Damien , Lloret Vicent , McAteer Dave , Sanchis-Gual Roger , Hirsch Andreas , Hauke Frank , Abellán Gonzalo , Coleman Jonathan N. , Coronado Eugenio
Published: January 2019

Direct exfoliation of carbonate layered double hydroxides has been achieved by using a novel horn-probe sonic tip, avoiding the development of time-consuming anion-exchange reactions.
Atomic Spectrometry Update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages
Authors: Taylor Andrew , Barlow Nicola , Day Martin P. , Hill Sarah , Martin Nicholas , Patriarca Marina
Published: January 2019

This review discusses developments in elemental mass spectrometry, atomic absorption, emission and fluorescence, XRF and LIBS, as applied to the analysis of specimens of clinical interest, foods and beverages. Sample preparation procedures and quality assurance are also included.
Paper-based multiplexed vertical flow assay for point-of-care testing
Authors: Joung Hyou-Arm , Ballard Zachary S. , Ma Alice , Tseng Derek K. , Teshome Hailemariam , Burakowski Spencer , Garner Omai B. , Di Carlo Dino , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: January 2019

The developed platform could serve as a diagnostic tool for point-of-care Lyme diagnosis and can be applied to other diagnoses which require a multiplexed measurement in resource-limited settings.
Correction: Glycosylated naphthalimides and naphthalimide Tröger's bases as fluorescent aggregation probes for Con A
Authors: Calatrava-Pérez Elena , Delente Jason M. , Shanmugaraju Sankarasekaran , Hawes Chris S. , Williams Clive D. , Gunnlaugsson Thorfinnur , Scanlan Eoin M.
Published: January 2019

Correction for ‘Glycosylated naphthalimides and naphthalimide Tröger's bases as fluorescent aggregation probes for Con A’ by Elena Calatrava-Pérez et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c8ob02980f.
Solar hydrogen production: a bottom-up analysis of different photovoltaic–electrolysis pathways
Authors: Reuß M. , Reul J. , Grube T. , Langemann M. , Calnan S. , Robinius M. , Schlatmann R. , Rau U. , Stolten D.
Published: January 2019

Integrated systems for hydrogen production from photovoltaics and electrolysis could offer a solution for cost-efficient systems by omitting power electronics, but necessitate additional optimisation demand for real-world applications.
Omeprazole prevents CDX2 and SOX9 expression by inhibiting hedgehog signaling in Barrett’s esophagus cells
Authors: Huang Jiao , Liu Hua , Sun Tiantian , Fang Jing-Yuan , Wang Jilin , Xiong Hua
Published: January 2019

Activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling contributes to the progression of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), which increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Recent clinical studies revealed that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) but not H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) were associated with a decreased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We would like to know whether PPIs interfere with BE progression during BE treatment. Here, we explored the role of omeprazole on Hh signaling and expression of two crucial biomarkers of BE, SOX9 and CDX2. We demonstrated that bile acids elevated expression of Hh pathway target genes, such as GLI1 and PTCH1, and induced SOX9 and CDX2 up-regulation in both CP-A and CP-B cells. Omeprazole, but not famotidine, down-regulated these genes induced by bile acids. In addition, omeprazole-induced down-regulation of SOX9 and CDX2 was mediated by Hh signaling. To explore the mechanisms by which omeprazole inhibits Hh signaling, we performed luciferase assay but did not find any effects of omeprazole on the activity of GLI1 promoter, the critical transcription factor of Hh signaling. Therefore, we used miRNA sequencing and a bioinformatics tool in our study to identify the differently expressed miRNAs in BE organoids treated with or without omeprazole, and we identified miR-2116-3p was involved in omeprazole-mediated inhibition of Hh signaling and subsequent down-regulation of SOX9 and CDX2. Collectively, our data indicate omeprazole inhibits Hh signaling and subsequent SOX9 and CDX2 expression via up-regulating miR-2116-3p. We have demonstrated a novel acid-independent mechanism of omeprazole that might yield valuable insight into clinical management of BE progression, irrespective of acid reflux symptoms.
Activation of G protein–coupled estrogen receptor protects intestine from ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice by protecting the crypt cell proliferation
Authors: Chai Shiquan , Liu Kaixuan , Feng Wanbing , Liu Tiantian , Wang Qian , Zhou Rong , Chen Shiming , Wang Liyan , Chen Guanyu , Ming Tian , Zhao Jiandong , Liu Chuanyong , Xue Bing
Published: January 2019

The intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common clinical event related with high mortality in patients undergoing surgery or trauma. Estrogen exerts salutary effect on intestinal I/R injury, but the receptor type is not totally understood. We aimed to identify whether the G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) could protect the intestine against I/R injury and explored the mechanism. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to intestinal I/R injury by clamping (45 min) of the superior mesenteric artery followed by 4 h of intestinal reperfusion. Our results revealed that the selective GPER blocker abolished the protective effect of estrogen on intestinal I/R injury. Selective GPER agonist G-1 significantly alleviated I/R-induced intestinal mucosal damage, neutrophil infiltration, up-regulation of TNF-α and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression, and restored impaired intestinal barrier function. G-1 could ameliorate the impaired crypt cell proliferation ability induced by I/R and restore the decrease in villus height and crypt depth. The up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression after I/R treatment was attenuated by G-1 administration. Moreover, selective iNOS inhibitor had a similar effect with G-1 on promoting the proliferation of crypt cells in the intestinal I/R model. Both GPER and iNOS were expressed in leucine-rich repeat containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) positive stem cells in crypt. Together, these findings demonstrate that GPER activation can prompt epithelial cell repair following intestinal injury, which occurred at least in part by inhibiting the iNOS expression in intestinal stem cells (ISCs). GPER may be a novel therapeutic target for intestinal I/R injury.
Effects of Task Difficulty on Neural Processes Underlying Semantics: An Event-Related Potentials Study
Authors: Kemp Amy , Eddins David , Shrivastav Rahul , Hampton Wray Amanda
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Improving the ability to listen efficiently in noisy environments is a critical goal for hearing rehabilitation. However, understanding of the impact of difficult listening conditions on language processing is limited. The current study evaluated the neural processes underlying semantics in challenging listening conditions.

Method

Thirty adults with normal hearing completed an auditory sentence processing task in 4-talker babble. Event-related brain potentials were elicited by the final word in high- or low-context sentences, where the final word was either highly expected or not expected, followed by a 4-alternative forced-choice response with either longer (1,000 ms), middle (700 ms), or shorter (400 ms) response time deadlines (RTDs).

Results

Behavioral accuracy was reduced, and reactions times were faster for shorter RTDs. N400 amplitudes, reflecting ease of lexical access, were larger when elicited by target words in low-context sentences followed by shorter compared with longer RTDs.

Conclusions

These results reveal that more neural resources are allocated for semantic processing/lexical access when listening difficulty increases. Differences between RTDs may reflect increased attentional allocation for shorter RTDs. These findings suggest that situational listening demands can impact the demands for cognitive resources engaged in language processing, which could significantly impact listener experiences across environments.
Secondary Voice Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Two Head/Neck Strengthening Exercises in Healthy Older Adults: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Fujiki Robert Brinton , Oliver Abby J. , Sivasankar M. Preeti , Craig Bruce A. , Malandraki Georgia A.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate secondary voice outcomes and detraining effects of 2 head and neck strengthening exercises, which have been used in swallowing rehabilitation, that is, the head-lift exercise (HLE) and the recline exercise (RE), in healthy older adults.

Method

Twenty-seven healthy older adults (between 60 and 85 years of age) were randomized to perform either the RE or the HLE for a 6-week period. Isometric and isokinetic portions of the exercise were performed 3 times daily. Patients were evaluated at baseline, postexercise, and following a 6-week detraining period. Acoustic outcome measures included the highest and lowest frequencies of vocal range on pitch glides (measured in hertz) and cepstral peak prominence on sustained vowels and connected speech. Self-perceptual measures included perceived phonatory effort.

Results

Twenty-two individuals completed their assigned exercise regimen. No significant differences between exercise groups were observed at baseline for age, body mass index, or body fat percentage. A significant postexercise increase was seen in the highest frequency of vocal range on pitch glide,
t
(2, 56.79) = −10.28,
p
≤ .0001, for both groups. This increase was not fully maintained following the 6-week detraining period; however, data remained significantly above baseline at this time point,
t
(2, 57.01) = −4.70,
p
≤ .0001. Seventeen of the individuals who made postexercise gains were followed postdetraining. On average, these 17 individuals maintained 51% of their postexercise gains in the highest frequency of vocal range. No differences were observed between exercise groups. In addition, no significant changes in the lowest frequency of vocal range, cepstral peak prominence on sustained vowels or connected speech, or perceived phonatory effort were observed following the exercise regimens.

Conclusions

Both the HLE and the RE produced gains in the highest frequency of vocal range in healthy older adults. This finding is promising; however, further research is required to understand how suprahyoid muscle strengthening influences upper pitch range and whether this relationship has potential clinical implications for patients with dysphonia.
Simulation‐based verification of bounded‐horizon safety for hybrid systems using dynamic number of simulations
Authors: Ren Hao , Kumar Ratnesh
Published: January 2019

The authors present a simulation‐based bounded‐horizon verification framework for hybrid systems with Lipschitz continuity on the continuous dynamics. In this framework, the bounded initial set is covered by a finite set of representative states, whose forward simulations are used to generate an over‐approximation of all the reachable states. A novel feature of the proposed approach is that the representative states are generated dynamically, on‐the‐fly, along with the forward simulations. This key innovation refines the current ‘reachability‐face’ by a new partition only when needed. This approach works for hybrid systems with state‐triggered discrete jumps and allows piecewise constant bounded inputs, extending the existing work applied to switched systems with neither state‐triggered discrete jumps nor inputs. Additionally, when the continuous dynamics is incremental (input‐to‐state) stable, the algorithm uses a simple Lipschitz‐based discrepancy function to provide a constant error bound of over‐approximation. This is of practical significance since a Lipschitz‐based discrepancy function is easily computable, while a more precise discrepancy function may not be available. Because of the constant error bound, the number of representative simulations also converges to a constant. A prototype verifier, HS3V, has been developed, implementing the proposed algorithms and providing verification results from several benchmarks for performance demonstration.
Undisruptive load curtailment scheme to ensure voltage stability margin
Authors: Jalali Ahvand , Sepasian Mohammad Sadegh , Sheikh‐El‐Eslami Mohammad Kazem
Published: January 2019

Curtailable loads (CLs) are regarded as one of the last lines of defence to maintain the security and stability of power systems. Nevertheless, if organised carefully, they can also be exploited as preventive security procurement measures for power systems. This is especially true for heavily loaded power systems in which the normal control schemes are already exhausted. In this study, a new power market approach is proposed to utilise CLs’ potential in ensuring voltage stability margin (VSM) for heavily‐loaded power systems. The proposed method aims to provide a mechanism to engage CLs as active players in the power market, and hence, minimise the disruptive effect of the load curtailment. Next, CLs participation in the power market is utilised to minimise the cost of achieving a desired level of VSM, at normal and N − 1 contingency conditions, in a preventive manner. The most efficient load curtailment and power generation pattern are determined, using a modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm, to minimise the system's total cost, while meeting grid's VSM requirements. The simulation results verify that the desired level of VSM can be effectively obtained using the proposed approach, with much less operational cost compared to the established methods.
Voltage instability prediction based on reactive power reserve of generating units and zone selection
Authors: Dalali Milad , Kazemi Karegar Hossein
Published: January 2019

In this study, a voltage instability prediction algorithm is proposed based on Thevenin impedance matching theorem. This algorithm consists of three important parts: an adaptive network zoning algorithm, the Thevenin‐based voltage instability risk predictor (VIRP) and a third‐order extrapolation technique. The zoning algorithm, based on the concept of electrical distance, is proposed to divide the main network into several zones after the occurrence of any large event. Each zone consists of some load buses and generating units have the most influences on their voltage stability. The proposed VIRP is defined similarly to the Thevenin indicator multiplied with a contribution factor. This factor is calculated for each zone, based on the lack of the reactive power reserve in its generating units, to increase the predictor value, especially in the proximity of the instability. So, VIRP could reduce the instability detection time with respect to the Thevenin indicator. The further reduction in the instability detection time is obtained by the well known cubic spline extrapolation technique. This function is applied to the values of VIRP to predict the instant of the instability. The proposed algorithm is tested on the modified New England 39‐bus test system supplied with the voltage‐source converter‐high‐voltage dc link.
Evaluation whether photovoltaic distributed generation postpones or anticipates reinforcements detected by distribution network expansion planning
Authors: Camargos Ronaldo Sergio Chacon , Shayani Rafael Amaral , de Oliveira Marco Aurélio Gonçalves
Published: January 2019

There is a growth of distributed generation (DG) impacting the network. There are several studies which focus on defining the location and size of DG to optimise network performance. However, this approach is only possible in a market regulation where utilities can control the DG. Otherwise, this information depends on the consumer and not on the utilities. In this case, the optimisation studies do not make sense anymore. This work aims to identify if the distribution network expansion planning (DNEP) will be changed by the DG integration in a scenario where DG is not controlled by the utilities. The method consists of performing load flows in the feeder considering the load growth during the planning horizon to calculate voltage levels, currents and technical losses. Then, the procedures are repeated considering DG integration in many penetration levels, after that, the results are compared. The results showed that, for the feeder under study, the critical hours do not necessarily occur at the period of peak load, but in the moments with greater generation and smaller load. Therefore, the focus of the DNEP should be changed when considering DG integration.
Electrical properties of FCVA deposited nano-crystalline graphitic carbon thin films with in situ treatment techniques
Authors: Tan Chong Wei , Zhu Ye , Chua Shen Lin , Shakerzadeh Maziar , Tan Chuan Seng , Tay Beng Kang
Published: January 2019

In this report, detailed studies of the nano-crystalline graphitic (NCG) carbon thin films deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) following its first discovery and first electrical characterization have been performed. The microstructure of carbon thin film can be modified by applying in situ treatment techniques (such as altering the thermal and carbon ion deposition energy). It was found that highly electrical conductive carbon thin films with graphitic planes can also be deposited at a low deposition temperature instead of the previously reported high deposition temperature with a 20% improvement in electrical characteristic. The detailed electrical characterization comparison between amorphous carbon and NCG has been conducted. To conclude, NCG carbon can be fabricated at deposition temperature above 400 °C and exhibits increasing through film Ohmic electrical conductivity with increasing deposition temperature. At low temperatures, NCG carbon can be produced by increasing the negative substrate bias above 300 V (impinging carbon ion energy). Higher negative substrate bias leads to thinner amorphous interface layer hence better electrical conductivity.
Validierung der ICD-11 Betaversion im Bereich
Handchirurgie
Authors: Eisele Angelika , Dereskewitz Caroline , Oberhauser Cornelia , Kus Sandra , Coenen Michaela
Published: January 2019

Hintergrund Die Handchirurgie zeichnet sich durch die Versorgung eines
Patientenguts mit einem breiten Spektrum an Einfach- und häufig komplexen
Mehrfachverletzungen sowie Erkrankungen der Hand aus. Bisher stellt vor allem
die Kodierung von Mehrfachverletzungen in der Internationalen statistischen
Klassifikation der Krankheiten und verwandter Gesundheitsprobleme, 10. Revision
(ICD-10) eine Herausforderung dar. Um eine exakte, eindeutige und reliable
Kodierung von Patientenfällen vornehmen zu können, ist die Abbildbarkeit dieser
Fälle in der 11. Revision der ICD eine unabdingbare Voraussetzung. Ziel dieser
Studie war die Überprüfung der Abbildbarkeit von Verletzungen und Erkrankungen
der Hand in der ICD-11 Betaversion.

Methoden Es wurde eine fallbezogene Validierungsstudie durchgeführt.
Basierend auf realen Patientenfällen wurden klinische Fallszenarien
unterschiedlicher Länge (kurze diagnostische Statements: „Lines“; umfangreichere
Fallbeschreibungen: „Cases“) zur Kodierung mittels ICD-11 Betaversion erstellt.
Zusätzlich zur Kodierung von Fällen wurden die Teilnehmenden in
Telefoninterviews zu ihren Erfahrungen mit dem Kodierungsprozess befragt.

Ergebnisse Dreiundzwanzig Handchirurgen aus neun teilnehmenden
Einrichtungen kodierten insgesamt 315 Fallszenarien in der ICD-11, 210 Lines und
105 Cases. Mit einer Interrater-Reliabilität (Krippendorff’s Alpha) von 0,67
sowohl für Lines als auch für Cases erzielte die Kodierung mittels ICD-11
substanzielle Übereinstimmung zwischen den kodierenden Ärzten. Die Teilnehmenden
der Studie gaben in etwa einem Drittel der Fälle Schwierigkeiten bei der
Kodierung an (Lines: 27 % beziehungsweise Cases: 35 %). Mit neun der
Teilnehmenden wurden ergänzende Telefoninterviews geführt. Probleme beim
Kodieren mit der ICD-11 Betaversion sowie spezifische Änderungsvorschläge wurden
basierend auf den Telefoninterviews und Anmerkungen der Teilnehmenden gesammelt,
von einer Arbeitsgruppe verifiziert und durch weitere Vorschläge ergänzt.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse der Studie haben im Bereich Handchirurgie
zu wichtigen Anpassungen der ICD-11 geführt und werden zukünftig eine eindeutige
und spezifische Kodierung vor allem von Mehrfachverletzungen ermöglichen. Die
erreichte Interrater-Reliabilität bei der Kodierung mit der ICD-11 Betaversion
ist zufriedenstellend. Die Benennung konkreter Probleme und Änderungsvorschläge
konnte die Finalisierung der ICD-11 unterstützen.