bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High efficiency planar-type perovskite solar cells with negligible hysteresis using EDTA-complexed SnO2
Authors: Yang Dong , Yang Ruixia , Wang Kai , Wu Congcong , Zhu Xuejie , Feng Jiangshan , Ren Xiaodong , Fang Guojia , Priya Shashank , Liu Shengzhong
Published: August 2018

Even though the mesoporous-type perovskite solar cell (PSC) is known for high efficiency, its planar-type counterpart exhibits lower efficiency and hysteretic response. Herein, we report success in suppressing hysteresis and record efficiency for planar-type devices using EDTA-complexed tin oxide (SnO2) electron-transport layer. The Fermi level of EDTA-complexed SnO2 is better matched with the conduction band of perovskite, leading to high open-circuit voltage. Its electron mobility is about three times larger than that of the SnO2. The record power conversion efficiency of planar-type PSCs with EDTA-complexed SnO2 increases to 21.60% (certified at 21.52% by Newport) with negligible hysteresis. Meanwhile, the low-temperature processed EDTA-complexed SnO2 enables 18.28% efficiency for a flexible device. Moreover, the unsealed PSCs with EDTA-complexed SnO2 degrade only by 8% exposed in an ambient atmosphere after 2880 h, and only by 14% after 120 h under irradiation at 100 mW cm−2.
An integrated clinical program and crowdsourcing strategy for genomic sequencing and Mendelian disease gene discovery
Authors: Haghighi Alireza , Krier Joel B. , Toth-Petroczy Agnes , Cassa Christopher A. , Frank Natasha Y. , Carmichael Nikkola , Fieg Elizabeth , Bjonnes Andrew , Mohanty Anwoy , Briere Lauren C. , Lincoln Sharyn , Lucia Stephanie , Gupta Vandana A. , Söylemez Onuralp , Sutti Sheila , Kooshesh Kameron , Qiu Haiyan , Fay Christopher J. , Perroni Victoria , Valerius Jamie , Hanna Meredith , Frank Alexander , Ouahed Jodie , Snapper Scott B. , Pantazi Angeliki , Chopra Sameer S. , Leshchiner Ignaty , Stitziel Nathan O. , Feldweg Anna , Mannstadt Michael , Loscalzo Joseph , Sweetser David A. , Liao Eric , Stoler Joan M. , Nowak Catherine B. , Sanchez-Lara Pedro A. , Klein Ophir D. , Perry Hazel , Patsopoulos Nikolaos A. , Raychaudhuri Soumya , Goessling Wolfram , Green Robert C. , Seidman Christine E. , MacRae Calum A. , Sunyaev Shamil R. , Maas Richard L. , Vuzman Dana ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Brigham and Women’s Hospital FaceBase Project, Brigham Genomic Medicine (BGM)
Published: August 2018

Despite major progress in defining the genetic basis of Mendelian disorders, the molecular etiology of many cases remains unknown. Patients with these undiagnosed disorders often have complex presentations and require treatment by multiple health care specialists. Here, we describe an integrated clinical diagnostic and research program using whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing (WES/WGS) for Mendelian disease gene discovery. This program employs specific case ascertainment parameters, a WES/WGS computational analysis pipeline that is optimized for Mendelian disease gene discovery with variant callers tuned to specific inheritance modes, an interdisciplinary crowdsourcing strategy for genomic sequence analysis, matchmaking for additional cases, and integration of the findings regarding gene causality with the clinical management plan. The interdisciplinary gene discovery team includes clinical, computational, and experimental biomedical specialists who interact to identify the genetic etiology of the disease, and when so warranted, to devise improved or novel treatments for affected patients. This program effectively integrates the clinical and research missions of an academic medical center and affords both diagnostic and therapeutic options for patients suffering from genetic disease. It may therefore be germane to other academic medical institutions engaged in implementing genomic medicine programs.
Comparative analysis of surface coating properties of five hydrophobins from Aspergillus nidulans and Trichoderma reseei
Authors: Winandy Lex , Hilpert Felix , Schlebusch Oleksandra , Fischer Reinhard
Published: August 2018

Fungal hydrophobins are small amphiphilic proteins that self-assemble into monolayers on hydrophobic:hydrophilic interfaces and can be used for surface coatings. Because e.g. Aspergillus nidulans contains six different hydrophobins, it is likely that they have different properties and are used for different “applications” in the fungus. We established a method for recombinant production of different class hydrophobins in Escherichia coli. We produced DewA, DewC, DewD, DewE from A. nidulans and HFBI from Trichoderma reesei and compared surface coating properties of these hydrophobins. All tested proteins formed coatings on glass, strongly increasing the hydrophobicity of the surface, and showed emulsion-stabilizing properties. But whereas the typical class I hydrophobin DewA formed the most stable coating on glass, the intermediate class hydrophobins DewE and DewD were more effective in stabilization of oil:water emulsions. This work gives insights into correlations between structural characteristics of hydrophobins and their behaviour as surface binding agents. It could help with the clarification of their biological functions and lead to novel biotechnological applications.
Early-onset liver cancer in South America associates with low hepatitis B virus DNA burden
Authors: Marchio Agnès , Cerapio Juan Pablo , Ruiz Eloy , Cano Luis , Casavilca Sandro , Terris Benoît , Deharo Eric , Dejean Anne , Bertani Stéphane , Pineau Pascal
Published: August 2018

In Peru, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in young non-cirrhotic patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is suspected to be the prominent etiological agent. We thus performed a comprehensive molecular study of HBV infection in 65 Peruvian HCC patients. Only 51% were considered as persistently infected at the onset. HBV DNA was found by PCR in the tumor and/or matched non-tumor liver tissues in more than 80% of cases (n = 53/65). HBV DNA was significantly more abundant in livers of younger patients than in those of the older ones. We consistently observed low viral DNA burden (0.1–6.5 copies for 100 cells), with viral genomes in younger patients displaying higher proportion of mutations at di-pyrimidines (TpT and CpC, P = 0.006). A drastic activation of multiple DNA repair pathways in tumors of younger patients was observed. Our observations clearly challenge the current vision that associates high HBV DNA load with earlier tumor development. We concluded that in Peru, and maybe in other populations with Americas’ indigenous ancestry, HBV-associated liver tumorigenesis might differ significantly from that generally observed in the rest of the world. Procedures used to screen for HCC development in subjects at risk should be adapted to the local situation.
Cooperativity in Plant Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Proteins (PIPs): Mechanism of Increased Water Transport in Maize PIP1 Channels in Hetero-tetramers
Authors: Vajpai Manu , Mukherjee Mishtu , Sankararamakrishnan Ramasubbu
Published: August 2018

Plant aquaporins (AQPs) play vital roles in several physiological processes. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) belong to the subfamily of plant AQPs. They are further subdivided into two closely related subgroups PIP1s and PIP2s. While PIP2 members are efficient water channels, PIP1s from some plant species have been shown to be functionally inactive. Aquaporins form tetramers under physiological conditions. PIP2s can enhance the water transport of PIP1s when they form hetero-tetramers. However, the role of monomer-monomer interface and the significance of specific residues in enhancing the water permeation of PIP1s have not been investigated at atomic level. We have performed all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of homo-tetramers and four different hetero-tetramers containing ZmPIP1;2 and ZmPIP2;5 from Zea mays. ZmPIP1;2 in a tetramer assembly will have two interfaces, one formed by transmembrane segments TM4 and TM5 and the other formed by TM1 and TM2. We have analyzed channel radius profiles, water transport and potential of mean force profiles of ZmPIP1;2 monomers. Results of MD simulations clearly revealed the influence of TM4-TM5 interface in modulating the water transport of ZmPIP1;2. MD simulations indicate the importance of I93 residue from the TM2 segment of ZmPIP2;5 for the increased water transport in ZmPIP1;2.
Patient stratification in clinical glaucoma trials using the individual tear proteome
Authors: Nättinen Janika , Jylhä Antti , Aapola Ulla , Parkkari Minna , Mikhailova Alexandra , Beuerman Roger W. , Uusitalo Hannu
Published: August 2018

Glaucoma patients are prone to concomitant ocular surface diseases; however, switching from preserved to preservative-free medication can often alleviate these symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine how the adverse effects and tear proteome change for glaucoma patients (n = 28) during a 12-month drug switch from preserved latanoprost (Xalatan) to preservative-free tafluprost (Taflotan). We hypothesized that patient stratification could help identify novel recovery patterns in both tear proteomics and clinical data. In order to accomplish patient stratification, we implemented sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS) as a tool for quantitative analysis of individual tear protein profiles. During each visit (baseline and four follow-up visits), the patients’ tears were sampled and the state of their ocular surface was evaluated clinically. Altogether 785 proteins were quantified from each tear sample using SWATH strategy and as these protein expression levels were compared between baseline and 12-month follow-up, three distinct patient groups were identified. We evaluated how these patient groups differed in their protein expression levels at baseline and discovered that the patients with increased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins and decreased levels of protective proteins benefitted most from the medication switch.
Differential expression of miRNA199b-5p as a novel biomarker for sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors
Authors: Hwang Sena , Jeong Jong Ju , Kim Se Hoon , Chung Yoon Jung , Song Sun Yong , Lee Yang Jong , Rhee Yumie
Published: August 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in many tumors; however, miRNA regulation in parathyroid tumors remains poorly understood. To identify differentially expressed miRNAs between sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors and to analyze their correlation with clinicopathological features, a microarray containing 887 miRNAs was performed; then, the differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR using 25 sporadic and 12 hereditary parathyroid tumors and 24 normal parathyroid tissue samples. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied to evaluate the utility of the miRNAs for distinguishing parathyroid tumor types. Compared to the miRNAs in the normal parathyroid tissues, 10 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors. Seven of these miRNAs (let-7i, miR-365, miR-125a-3p, miR-125a-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-193b, and miR-199b-5p) were validated in the parathyroid tumor samples. Among these miRNAs, only miR-199b-5p was differentially expressed (P < 0.001); miR-199b-5p was significantly downregulated and negatively associated with PTH levels (γ = −0.579, P = 0.002) in the sporadic tumors but was upregulated in the hereditary tumors. This miRNA showed 67% sensitivity and 100% specificity for distinguishing sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors. These results reveal altered expression of a miRNA between sporadic and hereditary parathyroid tumors and the potential role of miR-199b-5p as a novel biomarker for distinguishing these two types of parathyroid tumors.
Electromagnetic wave absorption and structural properties of wide-band absorber made of graphene-printed glass-fibre composite
Authors: Marra F. , Lecini J. , Tamburrano A. , Pisu L. , Sarto M. S.
Published: August 2018

Lightweight composites combining electromagnetic wave absorption and excellent mechanical properties are required in spacecraft and aircraft. A one- dimensional metamaterial absorber consisting of a stack of glass fibre/epoxy layers and graphene nanoplatelets/epoxy films was proposed and fabricated through a facile air-spraying based printing technology and a liquid resin infusion method. The production process allows an optimum dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets, promoting adhesion and mechanical integration of the glass fibre/epoxy layers with the graphene nanoplatelets/epoxy films. According to experimental results, the proposed wide-band absorber provides a reflection coefficient lower than −10 dB in the range 8.5–16.7 GHz and an improvement of flexural modulus of more than 15%, with a total thickness of ∼1 mm. Outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption and mechanical performance make the proposed absorber more competitive in aeronautical and aerospace applications.
PLGA-encapsulated CpG ODN and Campylobacter jejuni lysate modulate cecal microbiota composition in broiler chickens experimentally challenged with C. jejuni
Authors: Taha-Abdelaziz Khaled , Yitbarek Alexander , Alkie Tamiru Negash , Hodgins Douglas C. , Read Leah R. , Weese J. Scott , Sharif Shayan
Published: August 2018

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis. Reducing Campylobacter numbers in the intestinal tract of chickens will minimize transmission to humans, thereby reducing the incidence of infection. We have previously shown that oral pre-treatment of chickens with C. jejuni lysate and Poly D, L-lactide-co-glycolide polymer nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) containing CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) can reduce the number of C. jejuni in infected chickens. In the current study, the effects of these pre-treatments on the composition and functional diversity of the cecal microbiota, in chickens experimentally infected with C. jejuni, were investigated using next-generation sequencing. The taxonomic composition analysis revealed a reduction in cecal microbial diversity and considerable changes in the taxonomic profiles of the microbial communities of C. jejuni-challenged chickens. On the other hand, irrespective of the dose, the microbiota of PLGA-encapsulated CpG ODN- and C. jejuni lysate-treated chickens exhibited higher microbial diversity associated with high abundance of members of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and lower numbers of Campylobacter than untreated-chickens. These findings suggest that oral administration of encapsulated CpG ODN and C. jejuni lysate can reduce colonization by C. jejuni by enhancing the proliferation of specific microbial groups. The mechanisms that mediate these changes remain, however, to be elucidated.
Effect of maternal pre-pregnancy underweight and average gestational weight gain on physical growth and intellectual development of early school-aged children
Authors: Li Chao , Zhu Ni , Zeng Lingxia , Dang Shaonong , Zhou Jing , Pei Leilei , Watson Victoria , Chen Tao , Wang Duolao , Yan Hong
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low maternal weight at pre-pregnancy and the average gestational weight gain on undernourished children and their intellectual development. From October 2012 to September 2013, we followed 1744 offspring of women who participated in a trial conducted from 2002 to 2006. Pregnant women recruited in the original trial could receive three prenatal health checks for free, at which maternal weight and height were measured. WISC-IV was used to estimate the intellectual development of children. Weight and height of both pregnant women and children were measured by trained anthropometrists using standard procedures. Having low maternal weight at pre-pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of undernutrition amongst children (underweight: OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.14–3.56, thinness: OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.50–5.17) and a decrease in verbal comprehension index (−2.70 points, 95%CI: −4.95–0.44) of children. The effect of average gestational weight gain on occurrences of underweight children (OR = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.01–0.55) was also found. We identified the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy underweight on impairment of the separate intellectual domains (verbal comprehension index) and increasing occurrence of undernourished children. Average gestational weight gain was positively associated with a decreased prevalence of underweight children but not with the intellectual development of children in rural China.
Room temperature processed high mobility W-doped In2O3 electrodes coated via in-line arc plasma ion plating for flexible OLEDs and quantum dots LEDs
Authors: Kim Jae-Gyeong , Lee Ji-Eun , Jo Sung Min , Chin Byung Doo , Baek Ju-Yeoul , Ahn Kyung-Jun , Kang Seong Jun , Kim Han-Ki
Published: August 2018

We fabricated W-doped In2O3 (IWO) films at room temperature on a flexible PET substrate using an in-line arc plasma ion plating system for application as flexible transparent conducting electrodes (FTCEs) in flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and quantum dots light emitting diodes (QDLEDs). Due to the high-energy flux of the sublimated ions generated from the plasma region, the IWO films showed a well-developed crystalline structure with a low sheet resistance of 36.39 Ohm/square and an optical transmittance of 94.6% even though they were prepared at room temperature. The low sheet resistance of the IWO film processed at room temperature is attributed to the high mobility (59 cm2/V-s) in the well-developed crystalline structure of the ion-plated IWO film and screening effect of W dopants. In addition, the better adhesion of the ion-plated IWO film on the PET substrate led to small critical outer and inner bending radii of 6 and 3 mm, respectively, against substrate bending. Due to the low sheet resistance, high optical transmittance, better crystallinity, better adhesion, and outstanding flexibility of the ion-plated IWO films, the flexible OLEDs and QDLEDs with the IWO electrodes showed better performances than flexible OLEDs and QDLEDs with sputtered flexible ITO anodes. This indicates that in-line arc plasma ion plating is a promising large area coating technique to realize room temperature processed high-quality FTCEs for flexible OLEDs and QDLEDs.
Clinical Manifestations and Ophthalmic Outcomes of Ocular Syphilis at a Time of Re-Emergence of the Systemic Infection
Authors: Furtado João M. , Arantes Tiago E. , Nascimento Heloisa , Vasconcelos-Santos Daniel V. , Nogueira Natalia , de Pinho Queiroz Rafael , Brandão Luana P. , Bastos Thaís , Martinelli Ricardo , Santana Rodrigo C. , Muccioli Cristina , Belfort Rubens , Smith Justine R.
Published: August 2018

Recent reports from different world regions suggest ocular syphilis is re-emerging, in parallel with an increasing incidence of the systemic infection globally. We conducted a large observational study of 127 persons consecutively treated for ocular syphilis at public medical centers in Brazil over a 2.5-year period ending July 2015. Of 104 individuals serologically tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 34.6% were positive. Ophthalmological evaluations included measurement of Snellen visual acuity and intraocular pressure, and assessment of inflammation by slit lamp examination and dilated posterior eye examination. Involvements in 214 eyes were anterior (6.1%), intermediate (8.4%), posterior (76.2%) and pan- (8.4%) uveitis, and scleritis (0.9%). Multiple anterior and posterior eye complications were observed, including cataract in the anterior eye (incidence rate, 0.18/eye-year) and epiretinal membrane in the posterior eye (incidence rate, 0.09/eye-year); incidence rates of reduction in best-corrected visual acuity to ≤20/50 and ≤20/200 were 0.10 and 0.06/eye-year, respectively. Rates of complications and visual acuity loss did not differ significantly between HIV- positive and negative individuals. In an era of re-emergence, syphilis has ocular complications that may compromise vision, despite treatment with appropriate anti-microbial drugs.
Snake Venom Extracellular vesicles (SVEVs) reveal wide molecular and functional proteome diversity
Authors: Carregari Victor Corassolla , Rosa-Fernandes Livia , Baldasso Paulo , Bydlowski Sergio Paulo , Marangoni Sergio , Larsen Martin R. , Palmisano Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

Proteins constitute almost 95% of snake venom’s dry weight and are produced and released by venom glands in a solubilized form during a snake bite. These proteins are responsible for inducing several pharmacological effects aiming to immobilize and initiate the pre-digestion of the prey. This study shows that proteins can be secreted and confined in snake venom extracellular vesicles (SVEVs) presenting a size distribution between 50 nm and 500 nm. SVEVs isolated from lyophilized venoms collected from four different species of snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix, Crotalus atrox, Crotalus viridis and Crotalus cerberus oreganus) were analyzed by mass spectrometry-based proteomic, which allowed the identification of proteins belonging to eight main functional protein classes such as SVMPs, serine proteinases, PLA2, LAAO, 5′nucleotidase, C-type lectin, CRISP and Disintegrin. Biochemical assays indicated that SVEVs are functionally active, showing high metalloproteinase and fibrinogenolytic activity besides being cytotoxic against HUVEC cells. Overall, this study comprehensively depicts the protein composition of SVEVs for the first time. In addition, the molecular function of some of the described proteins suggests a central role for SVEVs in the cytotoxicity of the snake venom and sheds new light in the envenomation process.
Biomimetic Super Anti-Wetting Coatings from Natural Materials: Superamphiphobic Coatings Based on Nanoclays
Authors: Dong Jie , Zhang Junping
Published: August 2018

Superamphiphobic coatings (SAPCs) that resist wetting of water and low-surface-tension liquids have generated widespread attention in academia, but are very challenging to invent. Liquid adhesion, low stability, complicated and expensive preparation methods are the typical characteristics of SAPCs, which seriously hinder real-world applications of SAPCs. Here, we report a comprehensive study about preparation of SAPCs from abundant nanoclays with fibrous, plate-like and porous microstructures. The SAPCs are prepared simply by hydrolytic condensation of silanes in the presence of nanoclays, followed by spray-coating the as-formed suspensions onto substrates. The SAPCs feature high superamphiphobicity for various liquids down to a surface tension of 23.8 mN m−1 (n-decane), and high mechanical, chemical and thermal stability. The superamphiphobicity and stability depend on microscale and nanoscale surface morphology of the coatings, which are controllable by the microstructures of nanoclays and their acid activation. The fibrous nanoclays with moderate aspect ratio like palygorskite are the most suitable building blocks for the preparation of SAPCs by effectively forming the reentrant surface morphology. We believe that the findings will promote the progress of SAPCs, and pave the way for the development of clay-based super anti-wetting coatings.
Electronic and optical properties of heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides and graphene-like zinc oxide
Authors: Wang Sake , Tian Hongyu , Ren Chongdan , Yu Jin , Sun Minglei
Published: August 2018

The structural, electronic, and optical properties of heterostructures formed by transition metal dichalcogenides MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se) and graphene-like zinc oxide (ZnO) were investigated using first-principles calculations. The interlayer interaction in all heterostructures was characterized by van der Waals forces. Type-II band alignment occurs at the MoS2/ZnO and WS2/ZnO interfaces, together with the large built-in electric field across the interface, suggesting effective photogenerated-charge separation. Meanwhile, type-I band alignment occurs at the MoSe2/ZnO and WSe2/ZnO interfaces. Moreover, all heterostructures exhibit excellent optical absorption in the visible and infrared regions, which is vital for optical applications.
Ground reference data for sugarcane biomass estimation in São Paulo state, Brazil
Authors: Molijn Ramses A. , Iannini Lorenzo , Rocha Jansle Vieira , Hanssen Ramon F.
Published: August 2018

In order to make effective decisions on sustainable development, it is essential for sugarcane-producing countries to take into account sugarcane acreage and sugarcane production dynamics. The availability of sugarcane biophysical data along the growth season is key to an effective mapping of such dynamics, especially to tune agronomic models and to cross-validate indirect satellite measurements. Here, we introduce a dataset comprising 3,500 sugarcane observations collected from October 2014 until October 2015 at four fields in the São Paulo state (Brazil). The campaign included both non-destructive measurements of plant biometrics and destructive biomass weighing procedures. The acquisition plan was designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and minimize field-invasiveness, hence the non-destructive measurements outnumber the destructive ones. To compensate for such imbalance, a method to convert the measured biometrics into biomass estimates, based on the empirical adjustment of allometric models, is proposed. In addition, the paper addresses the precisions associated to the ground measurements and derived metrics. The presented growth dynamics and associated precisions can be adopted when designing new sugarcane measurement campaigns.
Pesticides in the atmospheric environment: an overview on their determination methodologies
Authors: Nascimento Madson M. , da Rocha Gisele O. , de Andrade Jailson B.
Published: August 2018

This review brings new trends in analytical methodologies for extraction and determination of pesticides in atmospheric samples.
A comparative study of dissolving hyaluronic acid microneedles with trehalose and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) for efficient peptide drug delivery
Authors: Kim Hong Kee , Lee Soo Hyeon , Lee Boo Yong , Kim Sung Jin , Sung Chang Yub , Jang Na Keum , Kim Jung Dong , Jeong Do Hyeon , Ryu Hyeon Yeol , Lee Somin
Published: August 2018

We studied the role of the additives trehalose and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in the physical and pharmacokinetic properties of peptide drug incorporated microneedles.
Compositional evolution of the NaZn13 structure motif in the systems La–Ni–Ga and Ce–Ni–Ga
Authors: Prots Yurii , Vasylechko Leonid , Carrillo-Cabrera Wilder , Drathen Christina , Coduri Mauro , Kaczorowski Dariusz , Burkhardt Ulrich , Grin Yuri
Published: August 2018

The sequence of morphotropic phase transformations has been found in the series LaNi13−xGax and CeNi13−xGax resulting in five varieties of the NaZn13 structure.
Biologic effects of nanoparticle-allergen conjugates: time-resolved uptake using anin vitrolung epithelial co-culture model of A549 and THP-1 cells
Authors: Grotz Bettina , Geppert Mark , Mills-Goodlet Robert , Hofer Sabine , Hofstätter Norbert , Asam Claudia , Feinle Andrea , Kocsis Krisztina , Berger Thomas , Diwald Oliver , Hüsing Nicola , Wallner Michael , Ferreira Fatima , Duschl Albert , Himly Martin
Published: August 2018

Nanotechnology is a fast growing field and already a multi-billion dollar market with numerous consumer products.
High-concentration organic dye removal using Fe2O3·3.9MoO3 nanowires as Fenton-like catalysts
Authors: Su Yingchun , Zhao Xiaole , Bi Yajun , Li Chao , Feng Yujie , Han Xiaojun
Published: August 2018

Fe2O3·nMoO3 nanowires with different morphologies were synthesized as efficient Fenton-like catalysts for organic pollutant removal.
Targeting Brd4 for cancer therapy: inhibitors and degraders
Authors: Duan Yingchao , Guan Yuanyuan , Qin Wenping , Zhai Xiaoyu , Yu Bin , Liu Hongmin
Published: August 2018

This review summarizes recent developments of Brd4 inhibitors and degraders for cancer treatment.
Mechanisms behind the enhancement of thermal properties of graphene nanofluids
Authors: Rodríguez-Laguna M. R. , Castro-Alvarez A. , Sledzinska M. , Maire J. , Costanzo F. , Ensing B. , Pruneda M. , Ordejón P. , Sotomayor Torres C. M. , Gómez-Romero P. , Chávez-Ángel E.
Published: August 2018

While the dispersion of nanomaterials is known to be effective in enhancing the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of fluids, the mechanisms behind this enhancement remain to be elucidated.
A core–shell structure of polydopamine-coated phosphorus–carbon nanotube composite for high-performance sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Weili , Yuan Xianxia , Yu Xuebin
Published: August 2018

A phosphorus–carbon nanotube hybrid@polydopamine (P–CNT@PD) core–shell nanoarchitecture is designed for a stable and prolonged cycle life in sodium ion batteries (NIBs).
Multi-layer nanoarrays sandwiched by anodized aluminium oxide membranes: an approach to an inexpensive, reproducible, highly sensitive SERS substrate
Authors: Zhao Chengchun , Zhu Yuan , Chen Li , Zhou Shaoxin , Su Yuquan , Ji Xu , Chen Anqi , Gui Xuchun , Tang Zikang , Liu Zhaowei
Published: August 2018

A novel nanofabrication technique based on double layer ultra-thin anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes is demonstrated.
Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of arylethyl 1,3,5-triazines from arylallyl alcohols and biguanides
Authors: Zeng Ming , Xie Zhong Pao , Cui Dong-Mei , Zhang Chen
Published: August 2018

An efficient ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of alkyl-1,3,5-triazines from arylallyl alcohols and biguanides has been developed. The reaction occurred in moderate to good yields and tolerated heterocyclic or aryl allyl alcohols containing functionalities such as alkanes, ethers, and halogens.
Ternary PtVCo dendrites for the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, overall water splitting and rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Ding Zhaoqing , Tang Zhenghua , Li Ligui , Wang Kai , Wu Wen , Chen Xiaoning , Wu Xiao , Chen Shaowei
Published: August 2018

Designing a highly active, robust and cost-effective electrocatalyst with multiple functionalities toward overall water splitting and rechargeable Zn–air battery applications is crucial and urgent for the development of sustainable energy sources.
One pot synthesis of two cobalt(iii) Schiff base complexes with chelating pyridyltetrazolate and exploration of their bio-relevant catalytic activities
Authors: Ghosh Kousik , Banerjee Abhisek , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: August 2018

Two cobalt(iii) tetrazolato complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Noncovalent interactions have been analysed by DFT and MEP calculations and characterized using Bader's theory of AIM. Both complexes catalyze the aerial oxidation of 3,5-DTBC and OAPH.
Removal of cadmium from a citrate-bearing solution by floatable microsized garlic peel
Authors: Sun Jiangang , Yin Lipu , Huang Kai , Li Xiaohui , Ai Xianbin , Huang Ying , Yin Yanli , Liu Junyou
Published: August 2018

Garlic peel was chosen as an effective adsorbent for a cadmium-contaminated soil remediation process.
Regio-selective and stereo-selective hydrosilylation of internal alkynes catalyzed by ruthenium complexes
Authors: Dai Wenhao , Wu Xiaowei , Li Chunpu , Zhang Rui , Wang Jiang , Liu Hong
Published: August 2018

In this study, ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed direct hydrosilylation of internal alkynes with high regio-selectivity and stereo-selectivity is reported.
The structure and configuration changes of multifunctional peptide vectors enhance gene delivery efficiency
Authors: Yang Sen , Meng Zhao , Kang Ziyao , Sun Chao , Wang Taoran , Feng Siliang , Meng Qingbin , Liu Keliang
Published: August 2018

The R9 containing peptide vectors can improve the gene transfection efficiency.
Microstructure and characterization of aluminum-incorporated calcium silicate hydrates (C–S–H) under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Qu Xiaoling , Zhao Zhiguang , Zhao Xuguang
Published: August 2018

The phase assembly and microstructure of the aluminum-incorporated CaO–SiO2–H2O system were investigated using XRD, SEM, FTIR and NMR depending on aluminum addition, reaction temperature and curing time.
Synthesis of DNA-guided silver nanoparticles on a graphene oxide surface: enhancing the antibacterial effect and the wound healing activity
Authors: Tong Chunyi , Zou Wei , Ning Weimin , Fan Jialong , Li Li , Liu Bin , Liu Xuanming
Published: August 2018

A simple two-step approach to synthesize a new nanocomposite by directly loading single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-guided silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on graphene oxide (ssDNA-AgNPs@GO) is developed.
De novocoiled-coil peptides as scaffolds for disrupting protein–protein interactions
Authors: Fletcher Jordan M. , Horner Katherine A. , Bartlett Gail J. , Rhys Guto G. , Wilson Andrew J. , Woolfson Derek N.
Published: August 2018

Homo- and hetero-dimeric coiled coils as scaffolds for the presentation of α-helical protein-binding motifs.
Multiplex microRNA imaging in living cells using DNA-capped-Au assembled hydrogels
Authors: Meng Xiangdan , Zhang Kai , Dai Wenhao , Cao Yu , Yang Fan , Dong Haifeng , Zhang Xueji
Published: August 2018

We designed a porous 3D Au–DNA hydrogel network for simultaneously imaging multiplex miRNAs in living cells through dual-signal amplification.
Conformational selectivity and high-affinity binding in the complexation of N-phenyl amides in water by a phenyl extended calix[4]pyrrole
Authors: Escobar L. , Díaz-Moscoso A. , Ballester P.
Published: August 2018

We report the synthesis of a tetrapyridinium phenyl extended calix[4]pyrrole receptor that shows high binding affinity and selectivity for the complexation of the cis-conformers of N-phenyl amides in water.
Tin–lead halide perovskites with improved thermal and air stability for efficient all-perovskite tandem solar cells
Authors: Leijtens Tomas , Prasanna Rohit , Bush Kevin A. , Eperon Giles E. , Raiford James A. , Gold-Parker Aryeh , Wolf Eli J. , Swifter Simon A. , Boyd Caleb C. , Wang Hsin-Ping , Toney Michael F. , Bent Stacey F. , McGehee Michael D.
Published: August 2018

We report the fabrication of monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with a stabilized power conversion efficiency of 19.1% and demonstrate improved thermal, atmospheric, and operational stability of the tin–lead perovskite (FA0.75Cs0.25Sn0.5Pb0.5I3) used as the low gap absorber.
Emergence of s-heptazines: from trichloro-s-heptazine building blocks to functional materials
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Sharma Neha , Kailasam Kamalakannan
Published: August 2018

The article briefly summarizes the development of material designs including molecular and polymeric frameworks from trichloro-s-heptazine.
Redox inactive ion meliorated BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ perovskite oxides as efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Xiangnan , Zhang Jie , Feng Qi , Pu Chunying , Zhang Luozheng , Hu Manman , Zhou Xianyong , Zhong Xiongwei , Yi Wendi , Tang Jun , Li Zhiwei , Zhao Xingzhong , Li Hui , Xu Baomin
Published: August 2018

Redox-inactive Zr and Y introduced in BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ meliorated redox capability of active ions, so highly improving its OER activity and stability.
Lipid-coated mesoporous silica microparticles for the controlled delivery of β-galactosidase into intestines
Authors: Pavel Ileana-Alexandra , Girardon Maxime , El Hajj Sarah , Parant Stéphane , Amadei Federico , Kaufmann Stefan , Tanaka Motomu , Fierro Vanessa , Celzard Alain , Canilho Nadia , Pasc Andreea
Published: August 2018

Coating of mesoporous silica carriers with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine allowed triggering of the selective delivery of functional enzymes by lipolysis under simulated intestinal conditions.
Lost‐shell casting for rapid prototyping in RF and microwave applications
Authors: Mitchell D.S. , Ruyle J.E. , Sigmarsson H.H.
Published: August 2018

Lost‐shell casting as a novel fabrication technique is examined, providing the durability of solid metal components with the shape flexibility of additive manufacturing. The feasibility of lost‐shell casting is established for use in microwave and RF applications. A well known, standard rectangular cavity resonator design was used to validate this novel method of fabrication. Using lost‐shell casting, a cavity resonator with a quality factor of 2200 was constructed. The results shown in this work confirm the validity of lost‐shell casting as a novel method of rapid fabrication for completely metalised components in RF and microwave applications.
CMOS depth sensor with programmable filter circuits for environment‐adaptive noise suppression
Authors: Seo H. , Kim B. , Chun J.‐H. , Kim S.‐J. , Choi J.
Published: August 2018

This Letter introduces a CMOS depth sensor with a multi‐resolution single‐photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array and area‐efficient filter circuit with a programmable reference for environment‐adaptive noise suppression. Four SPADs compose a macro‐pixel for detecting targets at a short distance with high resolution, whereas 4 × 4 SPADs are reconfigured to a super‐pixel for a long distance with enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio. To provide environment‐adaptive noise suppression in the miniaturised SPAD array, an area‐efficient filter circuit with a programmable reference is proposed: a digital macro‐filter corresponding to a macro‐pixel and an analogue super filter corresponding to a super‐pixel. The prototype chip was fabricated with a 110 nm CMOS image‐sensor process, including 128 SPAD farm arrays and 128 analogue front‐end circuits. With high background light of over 90 klx and a high dark‐count rate of over 27.1 kHz, the time‐of‐flight could be measured by filtering out invalid pulses from noise without using multiple time‐to‐digital converters per pixel, which enables the implementation of miniaturised LiDAR‐sensor systems on a chip.
Automated approach for indirect immunofluorescence images classification based on unsupervised clustering method
Authors: Vivona Letizia , Cascio Donato , Taormina Vincenzo , Raso Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a collection of many complex disorders of unknown aetiology resulting in immune responses to self‐antigens and are thought to result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. ADs collectively are amongst the most prevalent diseases in the U.S., affecting at least 7% of the population. The diagnosis of ADs is very complex, the standard screening methods provides seeking and recognizing of Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) by Indirect ImmunoFluorescence (IIF) based on HEp‐2 cells. In this paper an automatic system able to identify and classify the Centromere pattern is presented. The method is based on the grouping of centromeres present on the cells through a clustering K‐means algorithm. The performances were obtained on two public database of IIF images (A.I.D.A. and MIVIA). Our results showed a sensitivity for image of (90 ± 5)% and a Accuracy equal to (98.0 ± 0.5)%. Results demonstrate that the system is able to identify and classify Centromere pattern with accuracy better or comparable with some representative state of the art works. Moreover, it should be noted that for the classification phase the works used for the comparison used an expert‐manual segmentation while, in the present work, the segmentation was obtained automatically.
Polarisation independent chipless RFID tag based on circular arrangement of dual‐spiral capacitively‐loaded dipoles with robust RCS response
Authors: Svanda Milan , Havlicek Jaroslav , Machac Jan , Polivka Milan
Published: August 2018

The study deals with the novel polarisation‐independent 20‐bit chipless radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponder that is based on a circularly arranged array of electrically small dual‐spiral capacitively‐loaded dipole scatterers with improved robustness of radar cross‐section (RCS) response. A single scatterer exhibits a better performance in terms of electrical size and RCS than the earlier introduced U‐dipole type scatterers occupying the same footprint area. In order to investigate the frequency stability and amplitude uniformity of RCS curve, two arrangements of scatterer arrays were analysed: rearranged side‐by‐side and circular. In comparison to the other arrangements, the latter provides an excellent amplitude RCS stability over the whole operational frequency band and, at the same time enables the polarisation independence of identification. However, it requires the two‐channel orthogonal polarisation measurement.
Sparsity aware dynamic gesture recognition using radar sensors with angular diversity
Authors: Yang Le , Li Gang
Published: August 2018

In this study, two radar sensors with angular diversity are used to recognise dynamic hand gestures by analysing the sparse micro‐Doppler signatures. The radar echoes are firstly mapped into the time–frequency domain through the Gaussian‐windowed Fourier dictionary at each radar sensor. Then the sparse time–frequency features are extracted via the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm. Finally, the sparse time–frequency features at two radar sensors are fused and input into the modified‐Hausdorff‐distance‐based nearest neighbour classifier to achieve the dynamic hand gesture recognition. The experimental results based on the measured data under three different experimental scenes demonstrate that (i) the recognition accuracy can be improved by fusing the features extracted at two radar sensors when each radar sensor works well on its own; (ii) the recognition accuracy produced by feature fusion keeps satisfactory even if one of the radar sensors has poor performance, which means that the feature fusion can improve the robustness of the recognition system; and (iii) it would be more helpful if the line‐of‐sights of the two radar sensors are set to be orthogonal to each other.
VLT/SPHERE astrometric confirmation and orbital analysis of the brown dwarf companion HR 2562 B
Authors: Maire A.-L. , Rodet L. , Lazzoni C. , Boccaletti A. , Brandner W. , Galicher R. , Cantalloube F. , Mesa D. , Klahr H. , Beust H. , Chauvin G. , Desidera S. , Janson M. , Keppler M. , Olofsson J. , Augereau J.-C. , Daemgen S. , Henning T. , Thébault P. , Bonnefoy M. , Feldt M. , Gratton R. , Lagrange A.-M. , Langlois M. , Meyer M. R. , Vigan A. , D’Orazi V. , Hagelberg J. , Le Coroller H. , Ligi R. , Rouan D. , Samland M. , Schmidt T. , Udry S. , Zurlo A. , Abe L. , Carle M. , Delboulbé A. , Feautrier P. , Magnard Y. , Maurel D. , Moulin T. , Pavlov A. , Perret D. , Petit C. , Ramos J. R. , Rigal F. , Roux A. , Weber L.
Published: August 2018

Context. A low-mass brown dwarf has recently been imaged around HR 2562 (HD 50571), a star hosting a debris disk resolved in the far infrared. Interestingly, the companion location is compatible with an orbit coplanar with the disk and interior to the debris belt. This feature makes the system a valuable laboratory to analyze the formation of substellar companions in a circumstellar disk and potential disk-companion dynamical interactions.

Aims. We aim to further characterize the orbital motion of HR 2562 B and its interactions with the host star debris disk.

Methods. We performed a monitoring of the system over ~10 months in 2016 and 2017 with the VLT/SPHERE exoplanet imager.

Results. We confirm that the companion is comoving with the star and detect for the first time an orbital motion at high significance, with a current orbital motion projected in the plane of the sky of 25 mas (~0.85 au) per year. No orbital curvature is seen in the measurements. An orbital fit of the SPHERE and literature astrometry of the companion without priors on the orbital plane clearly indicates that its orbit is (quasi-)coplanar with the disk. To further constrain the other orbital parameters, we used empirical laws for a companion chaotic zone validated by N-body simulations to test the orbital solutions that are compatible with the estimated disk cavity size. Non-zero eccentricities (>0.15) are allowed for orbital periods shorter than 100 yr, while only moderate eccentricities up to ~0.3 for orbital periods longer than 200 yr are compatible with the disk observations. A comparison of synthetic Herschel images to the real data does not allow us to constrain the upper eccentricity of the companion.
Interaction of infalling solid bodies with primordial atmospheres of disk-embedded planets
Authors: Ragossnig Florian , Stökl Alexander , Dorfi Ernst , Johnstone Colin P. , Steiner Daniel , Güdel Manuel
Published: August 2018

Context. Planets that form early enough to be embedded in the circumstellar gas disk accumulate thick atmospheres of nebular gas. Models of these atmospheres need to specify the surface luminosity (i.e. energy loss rate) of the planet. This luminosity is usually associated with a continuous inflow of solid bodies, where the gravitational energy released from these bodies is the source of energy. However, if these bodies release energy in the atmosphere instead of at the surface, this assumption might not be justified.

Aims. Our aim is to explore the interactions of infalling planetesimals with primordial atmospheres at an embedded phase of evolution. We investigate effects of atmospheric interaction on the planetesimals (mass loss) and the atmosphere (heating/cooling).

Methods. We used atmospheric parameters from a snapshot of time-dependent evolution simulations for embedded atmospheres and simulated purely radial, infall events of siliceous planetesimals in a 1D, explicit code. We implemented energy transfer between friction, radiation transfer by the atmosphere and the body, and thermal ablation; this gives us the possibility to examine the effects on the planetesimals and the atmosphere.

Results. We find that a significant amount of gravitational energy is indeed dissipated into the atmosphere, especially for larger planetary cores, which consequently cannot contribute to the atmospheric planetary luminosity. Furthermore, we examine that planetesimal infall events for cores, MC > 2M⊕, which actually result in a local cooling of the atmosphere; this is totally in contradiction with the classical model.
Leaf morphoanatomy traits in white grapevine cultivars with distinct geographical origin
Authors: Teixeira Generosa , Monteiro Ana , Santos Cristina , Lopes Carlos M.
Published: August 2018

This study aims to compare the leaf morphoanatomical characteristics of sevenVitis viniferasubsp.viniferawhite cultivars with different geographical origin, grown side by side at the same “terroir”. The leaf morphoanatomical traits analyzed under light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed large variability among genotypes. Significant differences between cultivars were observed in single leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf density and in the thickness of cuticle, upper and lower epidermal cells and mesophyll. Leaf dry mass per area presented a significant positive correlation with leaf density but showed no correlation with leaf thickness, results that can be explained by the quite different mesophyll structure, epidermal cells and cuticle thickness. ‘Alvarinho’, ‘Encruzado’, ‘Macabeu’ and ‘Viosinho’ were the cultivars with the highest thickness of cuticle and mesophyll tissues. Under SEM magnification three types of stomata were identified: sunken, at the same level and raised above, with the same level type presenting the higher percentage in all cultivars. Stomata density presented significant differences between cultivars, with ‘Macabeu’ showing the highest value and ‘Alvarinho’ and ‘Arinto’ the lowest ones. The hairs on the lower surface presented a similar woolly aspect in all cultivars. Calcium oxalate crystals, raphids and druses were visible and widely distributed in the parenchyma tissues. The observed differences in leaf traits among genotypes suggest a major role of leaf anatomy in determining grapevine capacity for coping with different environmental conditions.