bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chopper-modulated gas chromatography electroantennography enabled using high-temperature MEMS flow control device
Authors: Zhou Ming-Da , Akbar Muhammad , Myrick Andrew J. , Xia Yiqiu , Khan Waleed J. , Gao Xiang , Baker Thomas C. , Zheng Si-Yang
Published: December 2017

We report the design, fabrication and characterization of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) flow control device for gas chromatography (GC) with the capability of sustaining high-temperature environments. We further demonstrate the use of this new device in a novel MEMS chopper-modulated gas chromatography-electroantennography (MEMS-GC-EAG) system to identify specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at extremely low concentrations. The device integrates four pneumatically actuated microvalves constructed via thermocompression bonding of the polyimide membrane between two glass substrates with microstructures. The overall size of the device is 32 mm×32 mm, and it is packaged in a 50 mm×50 mm aluminum housing that provides access to the fluidic connections and allows thermal control. The characterization reveals that each microvalve in the flow control chip provides an ON to OFF ratio as high as 1000:1. The device can operate reliably for more than 1 million switching cycles at a working temperature of 300 °C. Using the MEMS-GC-EAG system, we demonstrate the successful detection of cis-11-hexadecenal with a concentration as low as 1 pg at a demodulation frequency of 2 Hz by using an antenna harvested from the male Helicoverpa Virescens moth. In addition, 1 μg of a green leafy volatile (GLV) is barely detected using the conventional GC-EAG, while MEMS-GC-EAG can readily detect the same amount of GLV, with an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of ~22 times. We expect that the flow control device presented in this report will allow researchers to explore new applications and make new discoveries in entomology and other fields that require high-temperature flow control at the microscale.
Pre-critical fluctuations and what they disclose about heterogeneous crystal nucleation
Authors: Fitzner Martin , Sosso Gabriele C. , Pietrucci Fabio , Pipolo Silvio , Michaelides Angelos
Published: December 2017

Heterogeneous crystal nucleation is ubiquitous in nature and at the heart of many industrial applications. At the molecular scale, however, major gaps in understanding this phenomenon persist. Here we investigate through molecular dynamics simulations how the formation of precritical crystalline clusters is connected to the kinetics of nucleation. Considering heterogeneous water freezing as a prototypical scenario of practical relevance, we find that precritical fluctuations connote which crystalline polymorph will form. The emergence of metastable phases can thus be promoted by templating crystal faces characteristic of specific polymorphs. As a consequence, heterogeneous classical nucleation theory cannot describe our simulation results, because the different substrates lead to the formation of different ice polytypes. We discuss how the issue of polymorphism needs to be incorporated into analysis and comparison of heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation. Our results will help to interpret and analyze the growing number of experiments and simulations dealing with crystal polymorph selection.
Extracellular ATP elicits DORN1-mediated RBOHD phosphorylation to regulate stomatal aperture
Authors: Chen Dongqin , Cao Yangrong , Li Hong , Kim Daewon , Ahsan Nagib , Thelen Jay , Stacey Gary
Published: December 2017

In addition to acting as a cellular energy source, ATP can also act as a damage-associated molecular pattern in both animals and plants. Stomata are leaf pores that control gas exchange and, therefore, impact critical functions such as photosynthesis, drought tolerance, and also are the preferred entry point for pathogens. Here we show the addition of ATP leads to the rapid closure of leaf stomata and enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Psuedomonas syringae. This response is mediated by ATP recognition by the receptor DORN1, followed by direct phosphorylation of the NADPH oxidase RBOHD, resulting in elevated production of reactive oxygen species and stomatal closure. Mutation of DORN1 phosphorylation sites on RBOHD eliminates the ability of ATP to induce stomatal closure. The data implicate purinergic signaling via DORN1 in the control of stomatal aperture with important implications for the control of plant photosynthesis, water homeostasis, pathogen resistance, and ultimately yield.
TNFα blockade overcomes resistance to anti-PD-1 in experimental melanoma
Authors: Bertrand Florie , Montfort Anne , Marcheteau Elie , Imbert Caroline , Gilhodes Julia , Filleron Thomas , Rochaix Philippe , Andrieu-Abadie Nathalie , Levade Thierry , Meyer Nicolas , Colacios Céline , Ségui Bruno
Published: December 2017

Antibodies against programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) have considerably changed the treatment for melanoma. However, many patients do not display therapeutic response or eventually relapse. Moreover, patients treated with anti-PD-1 develop immune-related adverse events that can be cured with anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) antibodies. Whether anti-TNF antibodies affect the anti-cancer immune response remains unknown. Our recent work has highlighted that TNFR1-dependent TNF signalling impairs the accumulation of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) in mouse melanoma. Herein, our results indicate that TNF or TNFR1 blockade synergizes with anti-PD-1 on anti-cancer immune responses towards solid cancers. Mechanistically, TNF blockade prevents anti-PD-1-induced TIL cell death as well as PD-L1 and TIM-3 expression. TNF expression positively correlates with expression of PD-L1 and TIM-3 in human melanoma specimens. This study provides a strong rationale to develop a combination therapy based on the use of anti-PD-1 and anti-TNF in cancer patients.
VGLUT1 functions as a glutamate/proton exchanger with chloride channel activity in hippocampal glutamatergic synapses
Authors: Martineau Magalie , Guzman Raul E. , Fahlke Christoph , Klingauf Jürgen
Published: December 2017

Glutamate is the major excitatory transmitter in the vertebrate nervous system. To maintain synaptic efficacy, recycling synaptic vesicles (SV) are refilled with glutamate by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). The dynamics and mechanism of glutamate uptake in intact neurons are still largely unknown. Here, we show by live-cell imaging with pH- and chloride-sensitive fluorescent probes in cultured hippocampal neurons of wild-type and VGLUT1-deficient mice that in SVs VGLUT functions as a glutamate/proton exchanger associated with a channel-like chloride conductance. After endocytosis most internalized Cl− is substituted by glutamate in an electrically, and presumably osmotically, neutral manner, and this process is driven by both the Cl− gradient itself and the proton motive force provided by the vacuolar H+-ATPase. Our results shed light on the transport mechanism of VGLUT under physiological conditions and provide a framework for how modulation of glutamate transport via Cl− and pH can change synaptic strength.
Near-field spectroscopic investigation of dual-band heavy fermion metamaterials
Authors: Gilbert Corder Stephanie N. , Chen Xinzhong , Zhang Shaoqing , Hu Fengrui , Zhang Jiawei , Luan Yilong , Logan Jack A. , Ciavatti Thomas , Bechtel Hans A. , Martin Michael C. , Aronson Meigan , Suzuki Hiroyuki S. , Kimura Shin-ichi , Iizuka Takuya , Fei Zhe , Imura Keiichiro , Sato Noriaki K. , Tao Tiger H. , Liu Mengkun
Published: December 2017

Broadband tunability is a central theme in contemporary nanophotonics and metamaterials research. Combining metamaterials with phase change media offers a promising approach to achieve such tunability, which requires a comprehensive investigation of the electromagnetic responses of novel materials at subwavelength scales. In this work, we demonstrate an innovative way to tailor band-selective electromagnetic responses at the surface of a heavy fermion compound, samarium sulfide (SmS). By utilizing the intrinsic, pressure sensitive, and multi-band electron responses of SmS, we create a proof-of-principle heavy fermion metamaterial, which is fabricated and characterized using scanning near-field microscopes with <50 nm spatial resolution. The optical responses at the infrared and visible frequency ranges can be selectively and separately tuned via modifying the occupation of the 4f and 5d band electrons. The unique pressure, doping, and temperature tunability demonstrated represents a paradigm shift for nanoscale metamaterial and metasurface design.
Structure of a Wbl protein and implications for NO sensing by M. tuberculosis
Authors: Kudhair Bassam K. , Hounslow Andrea M. , Rolfe Matthew D. , Crack Jason C. , Hunt Debbie M. , Buxton Roger S. , Smith Laura J. , Le Brun Nick E. , Williamson Michael P. , Green Jeffrey
Published: December 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and claims ~1.8 million human lives per annum. Host nitric oxide (NO) is important in controlling TB infection. M. tuberculosis WhiB1 is a NO-responsive Wbl protein (actinobacterial iron–sulfur proteins first identified in the 1970s). Until now, the structure of a Wbl protein has not been available. Here a NMR structural model of WhiB1 reveals that Wbl proteins are four-helix bundles with a core of three α-helices held together by a [4Fe-4S] cluster. The iron–sulfur cluster is required for formation of a complex with the major sigma factor (σA) and reaction with NO disassembles this complex. The WhiB1 structure suggests that loss of the iron–sulfur cluster (by nitrosylation) permits positively charged residues in the C-terminal helix to engage in DNA binding, triggering a major reprogramming of gene expression that includes components of the virulence-critical ESX-1 secretion system.
Type-II Dirac semimetal stabilized by electron-phonon coupling
Authors: Möller Mirko M. , Sawatzky George A. , Franz Marcel , Berciu Mona
Published: December 2017

There is major interest, in condensed matter physics, in understanding the role of topology: remarkable progress has been made in classifying topological properties of non-interacting electrons, and on understanding the interplay between topology and electron–electron interactions. We extend such studies to interactions with the lattice, and predict non-trivial topological effects in infinitely long-lived polaron bands. Specifically, for a two-dimensional many-band model with realistic electron–phonon coupling, we verify that sharp level crossings are possible for polaron eigenstates, and prove that they are responsible for a novel type of sharp transition in the ground state of the polaron that can occur at a fixed momentum. Furthermore, they result in the appearance of Dirac cones stabilized by electron–phonon coupling. Thus, electron–phonon coupling opens an avenue to create and control Dirac and Weyl semimetals.
Antimicrobial peptide capsids of de novo design
Authors: De Santis Emiliana , Alkassem Hasan , Lamarre Baptiste , Faruqui Nilofar , Bella Angelo , Noble James E. , Micale Nicola , Ray Santanu , Burns Jonathan R. , Yon Alexander R. , Hoogenboom Bart W. , Ryadnov Maxim G.
Published: December 2017

The spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses the need for antimicrobial discovery. With traditional search paradigms being exhausted, approaches that are altogether different from antibiotics may offer promising and creative solutions. Here, we introduce a de novo peptide topology that—by emulating the virus architecture—assembles into discrete antimicrobial capsids. Using the combination of high-resolution and real-time imaging, we demonstrate that these artificial capsids assemble as 20-nm hollow shells that attack bacterial membranes and upon landing on phospholipid bilayers instantaneously (seconds) convert into rapidly expanding pores causing membrane lysis (minutes). The designed capsids show broad antimicrobial activities, thus executing one primary function—they destroy bacteria on contact.
Anomalous Decay of Nanomechanical Modes Going Through Nonlinear Resonance
Authors: Shoshani O. , Shaw S. W. , Dykman M. I.
Published: December 2017

Because of the small size of nanomechanical systems, their vibrations become nonlinear already for small amplitudes. Many nontrivial aspects of the vibration dynamics arise from the coexistence of several nonlinearly coupled modes. We show that such coupling can lead to anomalous decay of the modes where they go through nonlinear resonance, so that their amplitude-dependent frequencies become commensurate. We demonstrate the possibility of a strongly nonmonotonic dependence of the decay rate on the amplitude if one of the modes serves as a thermal reservoir for another mode. Where the decay of both modes is slow compared to the rate of resonant energy exchange, the decay is accompanied by amplitude oscillations. Depending on the initial conditions, with increasing time it can display an extremely sharp or a comparatively smooth crossover between different regimes. The results provide insight into recent experimental results by several groups and suggest new ways of characterizing and controlling nanomechanical systems.
Proximity of signallers can maintain sexual signal variation under stabilizing selection
Authors: van Wijk Michiel , Heath Jeremy , Lievers Rik , Schal Coby , Groot Astrid T.
Published: December 2017

How sexual communication systems can evolve under stabilizing selection is still a paradox in evolutionary biology. In moths, females emit a species-specific sex pheromone, consisting of a blend of biochemically related components, to which males are attracted. Although males appear to exert strong stabilizing selection on female pheromone, these blends seem to have evolved rapidly, as evidenced by ~120,000 moth species. Here we propose and test a “proximity model” wherein two females that vary in their relative attractiveness to males, can both benefit from calling in close proximity to each other. In a field study, we show that (1) artificially selected unattractive females can achieve mating rates comparable to attractive females if they signal in close proximity to attractive females, and (2) attractive females benefit from higher mating rates when signalling in close proximity to unattractive females. We propose that frequency-dependent behavioural and spatial interactions can sustain signal variation within populations even when these signals are under stabilizing selection.
New Seeding Approach Reduces Costs and Time to Outplant Sexually Propagated Corals for Reef Restoration
Authors: Chamberland Valérie F. , Petersen Dirk , Guest James R. , Petersen Udo , Brittsan Mike , Vermeij Mark J. A.
Published: December 2017

The use of sexually propagated corals is gaining popularity as an approach for reef restoration. However, manually attaching substrates with recently settled corals to the reef using binding materials is both time-consuming and expensive, limiting the use of this technique to small spatial scales. We present a novel approach whereby young corals are ‘seeded’ on the reef without the need for manual attachment to the benthos. We tested two tetrapod-shaped concrete substrates (7.9 and 9.8 cm in diameter) on which coral larvae were settled. The tetrapods were efficiently deployed by wedging them in reef crevices, in 1.5 to 7% of the time required for traditional outplanting techniques. Seeding tetrapods was most effective in reefs with moderately to highly complex topographies, where they rapidly became lodged in crevices or cemented to the benthos by encrusting organisms. After one year, average recruit survival was 9.6% and 67% of tetrapods still harboured at least one coral colony, and overall, this approach resulted in a 5 to 18 fold reduction in outplanting costs compared to common outplanting methods. This seeding approach represents a substantial reduction in costs and time required to introduce sexually propagated corals to reefs, and could possibly enable larger scale reef restoration.
Flat lens effect on seismic waves propagation in the subsoil
Authors: Brûlé Stéphane , Javelaud Emmanuel H. , Enoch Stefan , Guenneau Sébastien
Published: December 2017

We show that seismic energy simulated by an artificial source that mainly propagates Rayleigh surface waves, is focused in structured soil made of a grid of holes distributed in the ground. We carry out large-scale field tests with a structured soil made of a grid consisting of cylindrical and vertical holes in the ground and a low frequency artificial source (<10 Hz). This allows the identification of a distribution of energy inside the grid, which can be interpreted as the consequence of a dynamic anisotropy akin to an effective negative refraction index. Such a flat lens reminiscent of what Veselago and Pendry envisioned for light opens avenues in seismic metamaterials to counteract partially or totally the most devastating components of seismic signals.
Elimination of Antibiotic Resistant Surgical Implant Biofilms Using an Engineered Cationic Amphipathic Peptide WLBU2
Authors: Mandell Jonathan B. , Deslouches Berthony , Montelaro Ronald C. , Shanks Robert M. Q. , Doi Yohei , Urish Kenneth L.
Published: December 2017

Antibiotics are unable to remove biofilms from surgical implants. This high antibiotic tolerance is related to bacterial persisters, a sub-population of bacteria phenotypically tolerant to antibiotics secondary to a reduced metabolic state. WLBU2 is an engineered cationic amphipathic peptide designed to maximize antimicrobial activity with minimal mammalian cell toxicity. The objective of this study was to test the ability of WLBU2 to remove Staphylococcus aureus surgical implant biofilms. WLBU2 effectively treated S. aureus biofilms formed by a variety of clinical MSSA and MRSA strains and created culture-negative implants in the in vitro biofilm model. Blocking bacterial metabolism by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation did not affect WLBU2 killing compared to decreased killing by cefazolin. In the surgical implant infection animal model, WLBU2 decreased biofilm mass as compared to control, untreated samples. WLBU2 could rapidly eliminate implants in vitro and had sufficient efficacy in vivo with minimal systemic toxicity.
Motion and Interaction of Magnetic Dislocations in Alternating Magnetic Field
Authors: Pamyatnykh L. A. , Filippov B. N. , Agafonov L. Y. , Lysov M. S.
Published: December 2017

The behavior of magnetic dislocations (MDs) in an alternating harmonic magnetic field in iron garnets has been experimentally investigated. The results are presented for single-crystal plates in which the drift of domain walls is observed in fields of sound frequencies. It is found that MDs in a stripe domain structure are able to move not only along but also across domain walls. A pairwise interaction between magnetic dislocations when they approach each other to distances on the order of the sizes of the cores of MDs is revealed. The processes of the annihilation, mutual passing of magnetic dislocations through each other and overtaking are found. The features of the dynamic behavior of MDs are explained using a mechanism based on the presence of vertical Bloch lines in a structure of domain walls. MDs are formed at nucleation centers, and their nucleation field is lower than the drift-starting field, which corresponds to previously proposed dislocational mechanism of the drift. The dependencies of quantitative parameters of the drift and MDs on amplitude and frequency of the pumping field are determined. The behavior of MDs should be considered when analyzing the mechanisms for magnetization and temperature-dependent phase transitions in magnetic layers.
Urinary potassium is a potential biomarker of disease activity in Ulcerative colitis and displays in vitro immunotolerant role
Authors: Goyal Sandeep , Rampal Ritika , Kedia Saurabh , Mahajan Sandeep , Bopanna Sawan , Yadav Devesh P. , Jain Saransh , Singh Amit Kumar , Wari Md. Nahidul , Makharia Govind , Awasthi Amit , Ahuja Vineet
Published: December 2017

We evaluated the in-vitro effect of potassium on CD4+ T cells and the role of urinary potassium as a potential biomarker of disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). This prospective observational cohort study included healthy controls (n = 18) and UC patients [n = 30, median age: 40 (IQR: 28–46) years, 17 males)] with active disease(assessed by Mayo score) from September 2015–May 2016. Twenty-four hours urinary potassium along with fecal calprotectin (FCP) were estimated in UC patients (at baseline and follow-up after 3–6 months) and controls. In healthy volunteers, we also assessed the effect of potassium on CD4+ T cells differentiated in the presence of Th17 polarizing condition. UC patients had significantly higher FCP (368.2 ± 443.04 vs 12.44 ± 27.51, p < 0.001) and significantly lower urinary potassium (26.6 ± 16.9 vs 46.89 ± 35.91, p = 0.01) levels than controls. At follow-up, a significant increase in urinary potassium among patients who had clinical response [n = 22, 21.4 (14.4–39.7) to 36.5 (20.5–61.6), p = 0.04] and remission [n = 12, 18.7 (9.1–34.3) to 36.5 (23.4–70.5), p = 0.05] was accompanied with a parallel decline in FCP. On in-vitro analysis, potassium under Th17 polarizing conditions significantly inhibited IL-17 and interferon-$$\gamma $$

γ

expression while favoring the induction of FoxP3+ T cells. Therefore, urinary potassium levels are inversely associated with disease activity in UC with in-vitro data supporting an immune-tolerant role of potassium.
Differential miRNA expression in the three-spined stickleback, response to environmental changes
Authors: Rastorguev S. M. , Nedoluzhko A. V. , Gruzdeva N. M. , Boulygina E. S. , Sharko F. S. , Ibragimova A. S. , Tsygankova S. V. , Artemov A. V. , Skryabin K. G. , Prokhortchouk E. B.
Published: December 2017

miRNAs play important role in the various physiological and evolutionary processes, however, there is no data allowing comparison of evolutionary differences between various ecotypes adapted to different environmental conditions and specimen demonstrating immediate physiological response to the environmental changes. We compared miRNA expression profiles between marine and freshwater stickleback populations of the three-spined stickleback to identify the evolutionary differences. To study the immediate physiological response to foreign environment, we explored the changes induced by transfer of marine sticklebacks into freshwater environment and vice versa. Comparative analysis of changes in miRNA expression suggested that they are driven by three independent factors: (1) non-specific changes in miRNA expression under different environmental conditions; (2) specific response to freshwater conditions in the marine stickleback ecotype; (3) specific response to extreme osmotic conditions for both marine and freshwater ecotypes during the contact with non-native environment. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of differential expressed miRNA targets supports our current hypothesis.
Topographical diversity of common skin microflora and its association with skin environment type: An observational study in Chinese women
Authors: Li Xi , Yuan Chao , Xing Licong , Humbert Philippe
Published: December 2017

This study evaluated cutaneous microbial distribution, and microbial co-occurrence at different body sites and skin environments in Chinese women (39.6 ± 11.9 years, N = 100) during the winter season. Microbial distribution (Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonadaceae, and Malassezia furfur), association with biomarkers (antimicrobial peptides: LL-37, β-defensins [HBD-2, HBD-3]), and claudin-1) and skin biophysical parameters (transepidermal water loss, pH, skin scaliness and roughness, sebum and hydration levels) were also determined. Skin sites (glabella [GL], hand-back [HB], interdigital web-space [IS], antecubital fossa [AF], volar forearm [VF], back [BA]) were classified as normal, oily or dry based on two-step cluster analysis and exposed or unexposed (uncovered or covered by clothes, respectively) based on seasonal apparel. Pseudomonadaceae and Staphylococcus aureus had the highest and lowest detection rate respectively at all sites. Cluster analysis identified skin sites as ‘normal’ (HB, BA, AF, VF), ‘dry’ (IS) and ‘oily’ (GL). Bacterial alpha diversity was higher in exposed (HB, IS, and GL) compared with unexposed sites (BA, AF and VF). Co-occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus with any of the other five microorganisms was lower in dry and oily skin versus normal skin. Skin exposure, biophysical/barrier profile and biomarkers were found to be associated with bacterial distribution and co-occurrence.
LUCS (Light-Up Cell System), a universal high throughput assay for homeostasis evaluation in live cells
Authors: Derick Sylvain , Gironde Camille , Perio Pierre , Reybier Karine , Nepveu Françoise , Jauneau Alain , Furger Christophe
Published: December 2017

Observations of fluorescent cyanine dye behavior under illumination at 500 nm lead to a novel concept in cell biology allowing the development of a new live cell assay called LUCS, for Light-Up Cell System, measuring homeostasis in live cells. Optimization of the LUCS process resulted in a standardized, straightforward and high throughput assay with applications in toxicity assessment. The mechanisms of the LUCS process were investigated. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance experiments showed that the singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical are involved downstream of the light effect, presumably leading to deleterious oxidative stress that massively opens access of the dye to its intracellular target. Reversible modulation of LUCS by both verapamil and proton availability indicated that plasma membrane proton/cation antiporters, possibly of the MATE drug efflux transport family, are involved. A mechanistic model is presented. Our data show that intracellular oxidation can be controlled by tuning light energy, opening applications in regulatory purposes, anti-oxidant research, chemotherapy efficacy and dynamic phototherapy strategies.
Lack of acclimatization to chronic hypoxia in humans in the Antarctica
Authors: Porcelli Simone , Marzorati Mauro , Healey Beth , Terraneo Laura , Vezzoli Alessandra , Bella Silvia Della , Dicasillati Roberto , Samaja Michele
Published: December 2017

The study was carried out at Concordia Station (Antarctic Plateau). The aim was to investigate the respiratory and haematological responses to hypoxia in healthy subjects living at constant altitude. Thirteen men and women (34.1 ± 3.1 years) were exposed for 10 months to hypobaric hypoxia (oxygen level equivalent to 3800 m asl). These unique conditions enable a greater accuracy of monitoring human responses to chronic hypoxia than can be achieved elsewhere. Blood haemoglobin and erythropoietin concentrations were determined at sea level (Pre), and after 3, 7, 20, 90 and 300 days at altitude. Blood gas analysis, base excess and arterial oxygen saturation were measured at Pre, and after 150 and 300 days at altitude. Erythropoietin returned quickly to baseline level after a transient increase in the first days. Blood haemoglobin concentration started increasing at day 7 and remained markedly higher for the entire duration of the mission. At day 150 the blood carbon dioxide partial pressure was markedly reduced, and consequently blood pH remained higher at negative base excess until day 300. The arterial oxygen saturation remained lower than Pre throughout. In conclusion, humans display little capacity of hypoxia acclimatization even after ten months of constant exposure to low oxygen partial pressure.
Quantitative predictions of diverse wrinkling patterns in film/substrate systems
Authors: Xu Fan , Potier-Ferry Michel
Published: December 2017

A basic characteristic of stiff film/soft substrate systems is their ability to experience large deformation under compressive stresses, which inevitably leads to formation of patterns on the surface. Such pattern formation is the result of loss of stability and symmetry breaking. Knowledge on how such instabilities arise and evolve is essential to describe, understand, predict, and ultimately to design complex functional materials and structures, for example the fabrication of stretchable electronic devices and micro/nano-scale surface patterning control. In this paper, quantitative predictions of various instability pattern formations and evolutions, which involve highly nonlinear deformation and multiple bifurcations, will be presented based on advanced mechanical models and methods, from planar to curved geometry. The results can provide further insight into fundamental understanding in a whole view of a variety of surface patterning morphology and imply a potential way to facilitate the design of functional materials and structures by quantitatively harnessing surface instabilities.
Orientation in Virtual Reality Does Not Fully Measure Up to the Real-World
Authors: Kimura Kazushige , Reichert James F. , Olson Ashley , Pouya Omid Ranjbar , Wang Xikui , Moussavi Zahra , Kelly Debbie M.
Published: December 2017

Adult participants learned to reorient to a specific corner inside either a real or virtual rectangular room containing a distinct featural object in each corner. Participants in the virtual-reality (VR) condition experienced an immersive virtual version of the physical room using a head-mounted display (HMD) and customized manual wheelchair to provide self-movement. Following a disorientation procedure, people could reorient by using either the geometry of the room and/or the distinct features in the corners. Test trials in which the different spatial cues were manipulated revealed participants encoded features and geometry in both the real and VR rooms. However, participants in the VR room showed less facility with using geometry. Our results suggest caution must be taken when interpreting the nuances of spatial cue use in virtual environments. Reduced reliability of geometric cues in VR environments may result in greater reliance on feature cues than would normally be expected under similar real-world conditions.
Hierarchical Porous Chitosan Sponges as Robust and Recyclable Adsorbents for Anionic Dye Adsorption
Authors: Wang Mei , Ma Yifei , Sun Yan , Hong Sung Yong , Lee Stephanie K. , Yoon Bumyong , Chen Long , Ci Lijie , Nam Jae-Do , Chen Xuyuan , Suhr Jonghwan
Published: December 2017

Biomass waste treatment and detrimental dye adsorption are two of the crucial environmental issues nowadays. In this study, we investigate to simultaneously resolve the aforementioned issues by synthesizing chitosan sponges as adsorbents toward rose bengal (RB) dye adsorption. Through a temperature-controlled freeze-casting process, robust and recyclable chitosan sponges are fabricated with hierarchical porosities resulted from the control of concentrations of chitosan solutions. Tested as the adsorbents for RB, to the best of our knowledge, the as-prepared chitosan sponge in this work reports the highest adsorption capacity of RB (601.5 mg/g) ever. The adsorption mechanism, isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics are comprehensively studied by employing statistical analysis. Importantly and desirably, the sponge type of chitosan adsorbents exceedingly facilitates the retrieving and elution of chitosan sponges for recyclable uses. Therefore, the chitosan sponge adsorbent is demonstrated to possess dramatically squeezable capability with durability for 10,000 cycles and recyclable adsorption for at least 10 cycles, which provides an efficient and economical way for both biomass treatment and water purification.
Diagnosis and typing of influenza using fluorescent barcoded probes
Authors: Huang Bixing , West Nicholas P. , Vider Jelena , Cox Amanda J. , Constantino Tanya , Harrower Bruce J. , Pyke Alyssa T. , McMahon Jamie , Northill Judith A. , Riordan Tim , Warrilow David
Published: December 2017

In this work, we explore a new hybridization technology using barcoded probes which has large-scale multiplexing capability. We used influenza virus to test whether the technology has application in virus diagnostics. Typing of influenza virus strains is an important aspect of global health surveillance. Standard typing procedures use serological or amplification-based assays performed sequentially. By comparison, the hybridization technology was correctly able to detect, type and subtype influenza A and B virus strains directly from clinical samples in a single reaction without prior virus isolation or amplification. Whilst currently not as sensitive as amplification-based assays, these results are a first-step towards application of this technology to the detection and typing of influenza and other viruses.
Resequencing of the Leishmania infantum (strain JPCM5) genome and de novo assembly into 36 contigs
Authors: González-de la Fuente Sandra , Peiró-Pastor Ramón , Rastrojo Alberto , Moreno Javier , Carrasco-Ramiro Fernando , Requena Jose M. , Aguado Begoña
Published: December 2017

Leishmania parasites are the causative of leishmaniasis, a group of potentially fatal human diseases. Control strategies for leishmaniasis can be enhanced by genome based investigations. The publication in 2005 of the Leishmania major genome sequence, and two years later the genomes for the species Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum were major milestones. Since then, the L. infantum genome, although highly fragmented and incomplete, has been used widely as the reference genome to address whole transcriptomics and proteomics studies. Here, we report the sequencing of the L. infantum genome by two NGS methodologies and, as a result, the complete genome assembly on 36 contigs (chromosomes). Regarding the present L. infantum genome-draft, 495 new genes have been annotated, a hundred have been corrected and 75 previous annotated genes have been discontinued. These changes are not only the result of an increase in the genome size, but a significant contribution derives from the existence of a large number of incorrectly assembled regions in current chromosomal scaffolds. Furthermore, an improved assembly of tandemly repeated genes has been obtained. All these analyses support that the de novo assembled L. infantum genome represents a robust assembly and should replace the currently available in the databases.
The interaction of fat mass and obesity associated gene polymorphisms and dietary fiber intake in relation to obesity phenotypes
Authors: Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Koochakpoor Gelareh , Daneshpour Maryam S. , Mirmiran Parvin , Sedaghati-khayat Bahareh , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: December 2017

Controversies surrounding the effectiveness of fiber intake for prevention of obesity can be attributed to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals. This study aims to examining the interaction between dietary fiber intake and common fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in relation to obesity. Subjects of this nested case-control study were selected from among adult participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Cases (n = 627) were individually matched with controls, who had normal weight. Six selected SNPs (rs1421085, rs1121980, rs17817449, rs8050136, rs9939973, and rs3751812) were genotyped by tetra-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genetic risk scores (GRS) were calculated using the weighted method. A significant interaction was observed between total fiber intake and the GRS in relation to obesity (Pinteraction = 0.01); the difference in the risk for obesity was more pronounced in individuals with GRS ≥ 6 who consumed ≥ 14 grams of fiber a day (OR: 2.74, CI: 2.40–3.35 vs Ref.; P trend = 0.0005) than in individuals with GRS < 6 (P trend = 0.34). Dietary fiber intakes modified the association of FTO SNPs and the GRS with general obesity, an effect which was more pronounced in those who consumed high levels of dietary fiber and had a high number of risk alleles.
Developing and diagnosing climate change indicators of regional aerosol optical properties
Authors: Sullivan Ryan C. , Levy Robert C. , da Silva Arlindo M. , Pryor Sara C.
Published: December 2017

Given the importance of aerosol particles to radiative transfer via aerosol-radiation interactions, a methodology for tracking and diagnosing causes of temporal changes in regional-scale aerosol populations is illustrated. The aerosol optical properties tracked include estimates of total columnar burden (aerosol optical depth, AOD), dominant size mode (Ångström exponent, AE), and relative magnitude of radiation scattering versus absorption (single scattering albedo, SSA), along with metrics of the structure of the spatial field of these properties. Over well-defined regions of North America, there are generally negative temporal trends in mean and extreme AOD, and SSA. These are consistent with lower aerosol burdens and transition towards a relatively absorbing aerosol, driven primarily by declining sulfur dioxide emissions. Conversely, more remote regions are characterized by increasing mean and extreme AOD that is attributed to increased local wildfire emissions and long-range (transcontinental) transport. Regional and national reductions in anthropogenic emissions of aerosol precursors are leading to declining spatial autocorrelation in the aerosol fields and increased importance of local anthropogenic emissions in dictating aerosol burdens. However, synoptic types associated with high aerosol burdens are intensifying (becoming more warm and humid), and thus changes in synoptic meteorology may be offsetting aerosol burden reductions associated with emissions legislation.
Ferromagnetic Phase in Nonequilibrium Quantum Dots
Authors: Hou WenJie , Wang YuanDong , Wei JianHua , Yan YiJing
Published: December 2017

By nonperturbatively solving the nonequilibrium Anderson two-impurity model with the hierarchical equations of motion approach, we report a robust ferromagnetic (FM) phase in series-coupled double quantum dots, which can suppress the antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase and dominate the phase diagram at finite bias and detuning energy in the strongly correlated limit. The FM exchange interaction origins from the passive parallel spin arrangement caused by the Pauli exclusion principle during the electrons transport. At very low temperature, the Kondo screening of the magnetic moment in the FM phase induces some nonequilibrium Kondo effects in magnetic susceptibility, spectral functions and current. In the weakly correlated limit, the AFM phase is found still stable, therefore, a magnetic-field-free internal control of spin states can be expected through the continuous FM–AFM phase transition.
Entropy is a Simple Measure of the Antibody Profile and is an Indicator of Health Status: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Wang Lu , Whittemore Kurt , Johnston Stephen Albert , Stafford Phillip
Published: December 2017

We have previously shown that the diversity of antibodies in an individual can be displayed on chips on which 130,000 peptides chosen from random sequence space have been synthesized. This immunosignature technology is unbiased in displaying antibody diversity relative to natural sequence space, and has been shown to have diagnostic and prognostic potential for a wide variety of diseases and vaccines. Here we show that a global measure such as Shannon’s entropy can be calculated for each immunosignature. The immune entropy was measured across a diverse set of 800 people and in 5 individuals over 3 months. The immune entropy is affected by some population characteristics and varies widely across individuals. We find that people with infections or breast cancer, generally have higher entropy values than non-diseased individuals. We propose that the immune entropy as measured from immunosignatures may be a simple method to monitor health in individuals and populations.
Residues His172 and Lys238 are Essential for the Catalytic Activity of the Maleylacetate Reductase from Sphingobium chlorophenolicum Strain L-1
Authors: Chen Lifeng , Krol Ed S. , Sakharkar Meena K. , Khan Haseeb A. , Alhomida Abdullah S. , Yang Jian
Published: December 2017

Maleylacetate reductase (PcpE), the last enzyme in the pentachlorophenol biodegradation pathway in Sphingobium chlorophenolicum L-1, catalyzes two consecutive reductive reactions, reductive dehalogenation of 2-chloromaleylacetate (2-CMA) to maleylacetate (MA) and subsequent reduction of MA to 3-oxoadipate (3-OXO). In each reaction, one molecule of NADH is consumed. To better understand its catalytic function, we undertook a structural model-based site-directed mutagenesis and steady-state kinetics study of PcpE. Our results showed that the putative catalytic site of PcpE is located in a positively charged solvent channel at the interface of the two domains and the binding of 2-CMA/MA involves seven basic amino acids, His172, His236, His237, His241 and His251, Lys140 and Lys238. Mutagenesis studies showed that His172 and Lys238 are essential for the catalytic activity of PcpE. However, the mutation of His236 to an alanine can increase the catalytic efficiency (k
cat
/K
m
) of PcpE by more than 2-fold, implying that PcpE is still in an early stage of molecular evolution. Similar to tetrachlorobenzoquinone reductase (PcpD), PcpE is also inhibited by pentachlorophenol in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, our studies showed that PcpE exhibits an extremely low but detectable level of alcohol dehalogenase activity toward ethanol and supports the notion that it is evolved from an iron-containing alcohol dehydrogenase.
Hydrothermal transformation of SnSe crystal to Se nanorods in oxalic acid solution and the outstanding thermoelectric power factor of Se/SnSe composite
Authors: Ju Hyun , Park Dabin , Kim Jooheon
Published: December 2017

The present work demonstrates the synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) Se nanorods with ~50 nm diameter by hydrothermal transformation of SnSe crystals in oxalic acid solution and suggests the reaction mechanism for this chemical transformation. SnSe particles react with oxalic acid to generate numerous Se nuclei, which crystallize into Se nanorods due to the intrinsic character of the 1D growth of Se. The resulting Se/SnSe composite exhibits outstanding thermoelectric power factor without the aid of any rare dopants, which is higher than both undoped polycrystalline SnSe and SnSe doped with Pb and Cu.
The Co3O4 nanoparticle-enhanced luminol-O2 chemiluminescence reaction used for the determination of nortriptyline hydrochloride and lamotrigine in pharmaceutical and environmental samples
Authors: Iranifam Mortaza , Hendekhale Nasim Rahmati , Al Lawati Haider A. J.
Published: December 2017

Co3O4 NPs possess oxidase-like activity and could enhance the intensity of the CL reaction. The enhancing effect of Co3O4 NPs on the CL reaction was dependent on the shape of the Co3O4 NPs.
Coordination-driven self-assembly of a Pt(iv) prodrug-conjugated supramolecular hexagon
Authors: Yue Zhizhou , Wang Han , Li Yiming , Qin Yi , Xu Lin , Bowers David J. , Gangoda Mahinda , Li Xiaopeng , Yang Hai-Bo , Zheng Yao-Rong
Published: December 2017

A supramolecular hexagon obtained from coordination-driven self-assembly can be used to deliver platinum-based anticancer agents and promote their therapeutic index.
Electrochemical recognition of alkylimidazolium-mediated ultrafast charge transfer on graphene surfaces
Authors: Zhang Hucheng , Wang Mengmeng , Zhao Jing , Han Shitao , Cheng Haixia , Wang Jianji
Published: December 2017

The charge transfer and active sites of metal-free imidazolium-based composites were unveiled by an electrochemical method with high sensitivity and selectivity due to the specific donor–acceptor coupling of imidazolium with NO2−.
Stacking-interaction-induced host–guest chemistry and Borromean rings based on a polypyridyl ligand
Authors: Zhang Hai-Ning , Gao Wen-Xi , Deng Yu-Xin , Lin Yue-Jian , Jin Guo-Xin
Published: December 2017

Template-free molecular Borromean rings and open-ended molecular capsules were constructed via precisely controlled stacking interactions.
In situ growth of ZnO/SnO2(ZnO:Sn)m binary/superlattice heterojunction nanowire arrays
Authors: Jiang Song , Ge Binghui , Xu Bojia , Wang Qinggang , Cao Baobao
Published: December 2017

This work presents a novel growth design of an in situ epitaxially grown SnO2(ZnO:Sn)m superlattice segment on top of ZnO nanowires.
Reply to the ‘Comment on “On the positional and orientational order of water and methanol around indole: a study on the microscopic origin of solubility” Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, DOI: 10.1039/C7CP03698A’
Authors: Pardo L. C. , McLain S. E.
Published: December 2017

In this work we show that a theory aiming to describe solubility must have into account both steric and molecular interaction effects.
Spin-selectable, region-tunable negative differential resistance in graphene double ferromagnetic barriers
Authors: Song Yu , Liu Yang , Feng Xiaolong , Yan Fei , Zhang Weizhi
Published: December 2017

We propose a negative differential resistance that adds a spin and a bias degree of freedom to the traditional one.
Simulations of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and small hydrocarbon sorption in a nitrogen-rich rht-metal–organic framework
Authors: Franz Douglas M. , Dyott Zachary E. , Forrest Katherine A. , Hogan Adam , Pham Tony , Space Brian
Published: December 2017

Detailed theoretical insights into the gas-sorption mechanism of Cu-TDPAH are presented for the first time.
Mechanistic insights into the formation of oxenium ions and radical intermediates through the photolysis of phenylhydroxylamine and its derivatives
Authors: Yang Yumei , Fang Weihai , Chen Xuebo
Published: December 2017

The electronic structures and related properties, as well as reactivities, of generated oxenium ions and radicals are analyzed by calculating the minimum energy profiles of the photolysis of different precursors.
A systematic examination of classical and multi-center bonding in heteroborane clusters
Authors: Melichar Petr , Hnyk Drahomír , Fanfrlík Jindřich
Published: December 2017

A systematic revision of bonding types on a broad series of heteroboranes covering closo, nido, arachno and hypho architectures with incorporated tetrel, pnictogen or chalcogen heterovertices.
Methyl substitution enhanced photoisomerization of trans,trans-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene: direct ab initio trajectory surface hopping dynamic simulations
Authors: Fan Yueqian , Chen Juan , Yu Le , Li Anyang , Zhai Gaohong , Lei Yibo , Zhu Chaoyuan
Published: December 2017

Methyl substitution on the butadienyl double bond carbon enhances the photoisomerization of tt-DPB remarkably.
Electro-click construction of hybrid nanocapsule films with triggered delivery properties
Authors: Sciortino Flavien , Rydzek Gaulthier , Grasset Fabien , Kahn Myrtil L. , Hill Jonathan P. , Chevance Soizic , Gauffre Fabienne , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: December 2017

Nanocapsule films composed of hollow PAA/IONPs hybridosomes were covalently assembled in one-pot by electro-click, enabling the encapsulation and triggered release of bodipy.
Three-dimensional porous graphene networks expand graphene-based electronic device applications
Authors: Ito Yoshikazu , Tanabe Yoichi , Sugawara Katsuaki , Koshino Mikito , Takahashi Takashi , Tanigaki Katsumi , Aoki Hideo , Chen Mingwei
Published: December 2017

In recent years, there has been increasing demand for 3D porous graphene structures with excellent 2D characteristics for developing attractive graphene device applications.
Photochromism into nanosystems: towards lighting up the future nanoworld
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Quan
Published: December 2017

This review provides a state-of-the-art account of photochromism into diverse functional nanosystems such as nanomachines, nanoparticles, nanoelectronics, nanoassemblies and biological nanosystems.
Photoluminescence and energy transfer behavior of narrow band red light emitting Li3Ba2Tb3(MoO4)8:Eu3+
Authors: Böhnisch David , Baur Florian , Jüstel Thomas
Published: December 2017

The emission integral of efficient red emitting Li3Ba2Eu3(MoO4)8was strongly increased by partly substituting Eu3+with Tb3+.