bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Campylobacter infection and association with growth and enteric inflammation in children under 2 years of age in low-resource settings
Authors: Haque Md Ahshanul , Platts-Mills James A. , Mduma Estomih , Bodhidatta Ladaporn , Bessong Pascal , Shakoor Sadia , Kang Gagandeep , Kosek Margaret N. , Lima Aldo A. M. , Shrestha Sanjaya K. , Alam Md. Ashraful , Havt Alexandre , Samie Amidou , Guerrant Richard L. , Lang Dennis , Mahfuz Mustafa , Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Houpt Eric R. , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: November 2019

Campylobacter species infections have been associated with malnutrition and intestinal inflammation among children in low-resource settings. However, it remains unclear whether that association is specific to Campylobacter jejuni/coli. The aim of this study was to assess the association between both all Campylobacter species infections and Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections on growth and enteric inflammation in children aged 1–24 months. We analyzed data from 1715 children followed from birth until 24 months of age in the MAL-ED birth cohort study, including detection of Campylobacter species by enzyme immunoassay and Campylobacter jejuni/coli by quantitative PCR in stool samples. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration in stool, used as a quantitative index of enteric inflammation, was measured. The incidence rate per 100 child-months of infections with Campylobacter jejuni/coli and Campylobacter species during 1–24 month follow up were 17.7 and 29.6 respectively. Female sex of child, shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding, lower maternal age, mother having less than 3 living children, maternal educational level of <6 years, lack of routine treatment of drinking water, and unimproved sanitation were associated with Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection. The cumulative burden of both Campylobacter jejuni/coli infections and Campylobacter species were associated with poor growth and increased intestinal inflammation.
Ultra high dose rate (35 Gy/sec) radiation does not spare the normal tissue in cardiac and splenic models of lymphopenia and gastrointestinal syndrome
Authors: Venkatesulu Bhanu Prasad , Sharma Amrish , Pollard-Larkin Julianne M. , Sadagopan Ramaswamy , Symons Jessica , Neri Shinya , Singh Pankaj K. , Tailor Ramesh , Lin Steven H. , Krishnan Sunil
Published: November 2019

Recent reports have shown that very high dose rate radiation (35–100 Gy/second) referred to as FLASH tends to spare the normal tissues while retaining the therapeutic effect on tumor. We undertook a series of experiments to assess if ultra-high dose rate of 35 Gy/second can spare the immune system in models of radiation induced lymphopenia. We compared the tumoricidal potency of ultra-high dose rate and conventional dose rate radiation using a classical clonogenic assay in murine pancreatic cancer cell lines. We also assessed the lymphocyte sparing potential in cardiac and splenic irradiation models of lymphopenia and assessed the severity of radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity triggered by the two dose rate regimes in vivo. Ultra-high dose rate irradiation more potently induces clonogenic cell death than conventional dose rate irradiation with a dose enhancement factor at 10% survival (DEF10) of 1.310 and 1.365 for KPC and Panc02 cell lines, respectively. Ultra-high dose rate was equally potent in depleting CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD19 lymphocyte populations in both cardiac and splenic irradiation models of lymphopenia. Radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity was more pronounced and mouse survival (7 days vs. 15 days, p = 0.0001) was inferior in the ultra-high dose rate arm compared to conventional dose rate arm. These results suggest that, contrary to published data in other models of radiation-induced acute and chronic toxicity, dose rates of 35 Gy/s do not protect mice from the detrimental side effects of irradiation in our models of cardiac and splenic radiation-induced lymphopenia or gastrointestinal mucosal injury.
A QUBO Formulation of Minimum Multicut Problem Instances in Trees for D-Wave Quantum Annealers
Authors: Cruz-Santos William , Venegas-Andraca Salvador E. , Lanzagorta Marco
Published: November 2019

Quantum annealing algorithms were introduced to solve combinatorial optimization problems by taking advantage of quantum fluctuations to escape local minima in complex energy landscapes typical of NP − hard problems. In this work, we propose using quantum annealing for the theory of cuts, a field of paramount importance in theoretical computer science. We have proposed a method to formulate the Minimum Multicut Problem into the QUBO representation, and the technical difficulties faced when embedding and submitting a problem to the quantum annealer processor. We show two constructions of the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization functions for the Minimum Multicut Problem and we review several tradeoffs between the two mappings and provide numerical scaling analysis results from several classical approaches. Furthermore, we discuss some of the expected challenges and tradeoffs in the implementation of our mapping in the current generation of D-Wave machines.
PCSK9 inhibition as a novel therapeutic target for alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Lee Ji Soo , Mukhopadhyay Partha , Matyas Csaba , Trojnar Eszter , Paloczi Janos , Yang Yuan Ru , Blank Brandon A. , Savage Cody , Sorokin Alexander V. , Mehta Nehal N. , Vendruscolo Janaina C. M. , Koob George F. , Vendruscolo Leandro F. , Pacher Pal , Lohoff Falk W.
Published: November 2019

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) causes significant morbidity and mortality, and pharmacological treatment options are limited. In this study, we evaluated the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab, a monoclonal antibody that robustly reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), for the treatment of ALD using a rat model of chronic alcohol exposure. Alirocumab (50 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered weekly for 6 weeks to rats receiving a 12% alcohol liquid diet or an isocaloric control diet. At the end of the alcohol exposure protocol, serum and liver samples were obtained for molecular characterization and histopathological analysis. PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab attenuated alcohol-induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation through regulation of lipid metabolism (mRNA expression of modulators of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and catabolism (PPARα and CPT1)), hepatocellular injury (ALT), hepatic inflammation (mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (TNFa, IL-1β, IL-22, IL-33, IL-17α, IL-2, MIP-2, and MCP-1), and neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase staining)). Alirocumab treatment also attenuated alcohol-induced PCSK9 mRNA elevation and upregulated LDL-receptor (LDL-R) via modulation of the transcription factors (SREBP-1, SREBP-2, and E2F1) in liver. We demonstrated that chronic anti-PCSK9 treatment using the monoclonal antibody alirocumab attenuated alcohol-induced steatohepatitis in the rat model. Given the large unmet clinical need for effective and novel treatments for ALD, anti-PCSK9 treatment with the monoclonal antibody that spares liver metabolism is a viable new therapeutic possibility. Future studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of PCSK9 in ALD and alcohol use disorder (AUD) and to evaluate efficacy and safety of anti-PCSK9 treatment in clinical populations with ALD/AUD.
Genome analysis of Ranavirus frog virus 3 isolated from American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) in South America
Authors: Candido Marcelo , Tavares Loiane Sampaio , Alencar Anna Luiza Farias , Ferreira Cláudia Maris , Queiroz Sabrina Ribeiro de Almeida , Fernandes Andrezza Maria , Sousa Ricardo Luiz Moro de
Published: November 2019

Ranaviruses (family Iridoviridae) cause important diseases in cold-blooded vertebrates. In addition, some occurrences indicate that, in this genus, the same virus can infect animals from different taxonomic groups. A strain isolated from a Ranavirus outbreak (2012) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, had its genome sequenced and presented 99.26% and 36.85% identity with samples of Frog virus 3 (FV3) and Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) ranaviruses, respectively. Eight potential recombination events among the analyzed sample and reference FV3 samples were identified, including a recombination with Bohle iridovirus (BIV) sample from Oceania. The analyzed sample presented several rearrangements compared to FV3 reference samples from North America and European continent. We report for the first time the complete genome of Ranavirus FV3 isolated from South America, these results contribute to a greater knowledge related to evolutionary events of potentially lethal infectious agent for cold-blooded animals.
Neuropathological characterization of Lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (LMTK2) in Alzheimer’s disease and neocortical Lewy body disease
Authors: Bencze János , Szarka Máté , Bencs Viktor , Szabó Renáta Nóra , Smajda Máté , Aarsland Dag , Hortobágyi Tibor
Published: November 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and neocortical Lewy body disease (LBD) are the most common neurodegenerative dementias, with no available curative treatment. Elucidating pathomechanism and identifying novel therapeutic targets are of paramount importance. Lemur tyrosine kinase 2 (LMTK2) is involved in several physiological and pathological cellular processes. Herewith a neuropathological characterization is presented in AD and neocortical LBD samples using chromogenic and fluorescent LMTK2 immunohistochemistry on post-mortem brain tissues and compared them to age-matched controls (CNTs). LMTK2 immunopositivity was limited to the neuronal cytoplasm. Neurons, including tau-positive tangle-bearing ones, showed decreased chromogenic and immunofluorescent labelling in AD in every cortical layer compared to CNT and neocortical LBD. Digital image analysis was performed to measure the average immunopositivity of groups. Mean grey values were calculated for each group after measuring the grey scale LMTK2 signal intensity of each individual neuron. There was significant difference between the mean grey values of CNT vs. AD and neocortical LBD vs. AD. The moderate decrease in neocortical LBD suggests the effect of coexisting AD pathology. We provide neuropathological evidence on decreased neuronal LMTK2 immunolabelling in AD, with implications for pathogenesis.
Radiation reaction as an energy enhancement mechanism for laser-irradiated electrons in a strong plasma magnetic field
Authors: Gong Z. , Mackenroth F. , Yan X. Q. , Arefiev A. V.
Published: November 2019

Conventionally, friction is understood as a mechanism depleting a physical system of energy and as an unavoidable feature of any realistic device involving moving parts. In this work, we demonstrate that this intuitive picture loses validity in nonlinear quantum electrodynamics, exemplified in a scenario where spatially random friction counter-intuitively results in a highly directional energy flow. This peculiar behavior is caused by radiation friction, i.e., the energy loss of an accelerated charge due to the emission of radiation. We demonstrate analytically and numerically how radiation friction can dramatically enhance the energy gain by electrons from a laser pulse in a strong magnetic field that naturally arises in dense laser-irradiated plasma. We find the directional energy boost to be due to the transverse electron momentum being reduced through friction whence the driving laser can accelerate the electron more efficiently. In the considered example, the energy of the laser-accelerated electrons is enhanced by orders of magnitude, which then leads to highly directional emission of gamma-rays induced by the plasma magnetic field.
Stress-induced changes in group behaviour
Authors: Kleinhappel Tanja K. , Pike Thomas W. , Burman Oliver H. P.
Published: November 2019

Testing animals in groups can provide valuable data for investigating behavioural stress responses. However, conventional measures typically focus on the behaviour of individual animals or on dyadic interactions. Here, we aimed to determine metrics describing the behaviour of grouping animals that can reveal differences in stress responses. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model, we observed replicated shoals both immediately and 24 hours after exposure to a novel environment, as an assessment of temporal change in response to an acute stressor. We quantified various standard behavioural measures in combination with metrics describing group structure, including different proximity, social, and spatial metrics. Firstly, we showed a high collinearity between most of the analysed metrics, suggesting that they describe similar aspects of the group dynamics. After metric selection, we found that under acute stress shoals had significantly higher shoal densities, a lower variation in nearest neighbour distances and were in closer proximity to the walls compared to the same groups tested 24 hours later, indicating a reduction in acute stress over time. Thus, the use of group metrics could allow for the refinement of behavioural protocols carried out in a range of research areas, by providing sensitive and rich data in a more relevant social context.
Asymmetrical than symmetrical cerebral arterial bifurcations are more vulnerable to aneurysm presence
Authors: Zhang Xue-Jing , Hao Wei-Li , Zhang Dong-Hai , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: November 2019

In order to investigate the role of lateral angle ratio (LA ratio) and daughter artery ratio (DA ratio) for predicting aneurysmal presence in main cerebral arterial bifurcations, three-dimensional cerebral angiographic data of major cerebral artery bifurcations were used for measurement of artery diameters and bifurcation angles including 115 middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), 59 basilar arteries (BAs), 35 internal carotid arteries (ICAs) and 115 anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) with bifurcation aneurysms and control subjects of 1921 bifurcations with no aneurysms. The LA ratio (larger lateral angle/smaller lateral angle) and DA ratio (larger branch diameter/smaller branch diameter) were calculated, and ROC curve analysis of LA and DA ratios between normal and aneurysmal cases was performed. The LA and DA ratios of MCA bifurcations and the LA ratios of BA and ICA bifurcations with aneurysms were all significantly larger than normal bifurcations (P < 0.05), and the DA ratio of ACA bifurcations with aneurysms was significantly smaller than normal cases (P < 0.01). Moreover, the LA ratio or DA ratio between the normal and aneurysm cases in MCA, BA and ACA bifurcations demonstrated significant differences by ROC analysis (P < 0.01) except in the ICA bifurcations. No significant difference was observed (P > 0.05) between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms in MCA, BA, ICA and ACA bifurcations. In summary, normal MCA, BA and ICA bifurcations show symmetrical morphology in the lateral angles and daughter branches, whereas aneurysmal bifurcations show asymmetrical morphology. Normal ACA bifurcations have asymmetrical bilateral daughter branches while symmetrical branches are associated with ACA bifurcation aneurysm presence.
Truncated TALE-FP as DNA Staining Dye in a High-salt Buffer
Authors: Shin Eunji , Kim Woojung , Lee Seonghyun , Bae Jaeyoung , Kim Sanggil , Ko Wooseok , Seo Ho Seong , Lim Sangyong , Lee Hyun Soo , Jo Kyubong
Published: November 2019

Large DNA molecules are a promising platform for in vitro single-molecule biochemical analysis to investigate DNA-protein interactions by fluorescence microscopy. For many studies, intercalating fluorescent dyes have been primary DNA staining reagents, but they often cause photo-induced DNA breakage as well as structural deformation. As a solution, we previously developed several fluorescent-protein DNA-binding peptides or proteins (FP-DBP) for reversibly staining DNA molecules without structural deformation or photo-induced damage. However, they cannot stain DNA in a condition similar to a physiological salt concentration that most biochemical reactions require. Given these concerns, here we developed a salt-tolerant FP-DBP: truncated transcription activator-like effector (tTALE-FP), which can stain DNA up to 100 mM NaCl. Moreover, we found an interesting phenomenon that the tTALE-FP stained DNA evenly in 1 × TE buffer but showed AT-rich specific patterns from 40 mM to 100 mM NaCl. Using an assay based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrated that this binding pattern is caused by a higher DNA binding affinity of tTALE-FP for AT-rich compared to GC-rich regions. Finally, we used tTALE-FP in a single molecule fluorescence assay to monitor real-time restriction enzyme digestion of single DNA molecules. Altogether, our results demonstrate that this protein can provide a useful alternative as a DNA stain over intercalators.
Improving Performance of Tin-Doped-Zinc-Oxide Thin-Film Transistors by Optimizing Channel Structure
Authors: Chen Zhuofa , Han Dedong , Zhang Xing , Wang Yi
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we investigated the performance of thin-film transistors (TFTs) with different channel configurations including single-active-layer (SAL) Sn-Zn-O (TZO), dual-active-layers (DAL) In-Sn-O (ITO)/TZO, and triple-active-layers (TAL) TZO/ITO/TZO. The TAL TFTs were found to combine the advantages of SAL TFTs (a low off-state current) and DAL TFTs (a high mobility and a low threshold voltage). The proposed TAL TFTs exhibit superior electrical performance, e.g. a high on-off state current ratio of 2 × 108, a low threshold voltage of 0.63 V, a high field effect mobility of 128.6 cm2/Vs, and a low off-state current of 3.3 pA. The surface morphology and characteristics of the ITO and TZO films were investigated and the TZO film was found to be C-axis-aligned crystalline (CAAC). A simplified resistance model was deduced to explain the channel resistance of the proposed TFTs. At last, TAL TFTs with different channel lengths were also discussed to show the stability and the uniformity of our fabrication process. Owing to its low-processing temperature, superior electrical performance, and low cost, TFTs with the proposed TAL channel configuration are highly promising for flexible displays where the polymeric substrates are heat-sensitive and a low processing temperature is desirable.
Experimental and mechanistic research on methane adsorption in anthracite modified by electrochemical treatment using selected electrode materials
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhang Runxu , Kang Tianhe , Hu Yaoqing , Li Chao
Published: November 2019

The strong adsorption capacity of methane in anthracite can seriously affect the methane extraction. Electrochemical treatment is an effective way to weaken the capacity of methane adsorption in coal. Iron, copper, aluminum and graphite as four kinds of electrode materials were selected to modify anthracite by electrochemical treatment. The adsorption of methane in anthracite, before and after modification, was tested under different adsorption pressure. Based on the changes of pore characteristics and chemical groups of anthracite, the modification process of different electrode materials was analyzed. The results showed that after electrochemical modification, the adsorption of methane decreased, when the graphite electrode was used, the methane adsorption decreases the most, followed by copper and iron electrodes, and the aluminum electrode decreased the least. After electrochemical modification using aluminum, iron, copper and graphite electrodes, the Langmuir constantareduced by 5.22%, 8.48%, 9.24% and 11.33%, respectively, and the degree of reduction is graphite > copper > iron > aluminum. After electrochemical modification using the graphite electrode, the Langmuir constantbwas reduced by 23.52%. On the contrary, after electrochemical modification using the mental electrodes, the Langmuir constantbwas increased by about 5%. The surface free energy of anthracite decreased with the adsorption of CH4, the higher the pressure, the more the free energy decreased, and the reduction of surface energy decreased after electrochemical modification. The difference of the electrode reactions was the main reason for the electrochemical results, the Mn+ions generated in the anode changed the properties of the clay mineral in the coal, and the H+ions corroded the calcite minerals in the coal. The results obtained from this work indicate that the selection of electrode materials is crucial for the electrochemical modification, and graphite electrode is optimum for anthracite when accelerating methane extraction by electrochemical method.
Extraction of magnetic circular dichroism effects from blended mixture of magnetic linear dichroism signals in the cobalt/Scotch tape system
Authors: Huang Chien-Hua , Hsu Hua-Shu , Sun Shih-Jye , Chang Yu-Ying , Misiuna Paweł , Baczewski Lech Tomasz
Published: November 2019

Circular dichroism (CD) signals revealed in some materials may arise from different origins during measurements. Magnetic field dependent CD (MCD) emanating from the spin-polarized band provides direct insight into the spin–spin interband transitions in magnetic materials. On the contrary, natural CD effects which are artefactual signals resulting from the linear polarization (LP) components during the polarization modulation with a photo-elastic modulator in anisotropic polymer systems were usually observed. There is no simple method to reliably distinguish MCD effect due to spin polarized band structures from natural CD effect, which limits our understanding of the magnetic material/polymer hybrid structures. This paper aims to introduce a general strategy of averaging out the magnetic linear dichroism (MLD) contributions due to the anisotropic structure and disentangling MCD signal(s) from natural MCD signal(s). We demonstrate the effectiveness of separating MCD from natural MCD using rotational MCD measurement and presented the results of a sample with Co thin film on polymer Scotch tape (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) glued on a quartz substrate. We demonstrate that the proposed method can be used as an effective tool in disentangling MCD and natural MCD effects, and it opens prospects to study the magnetic material /polymer hybrid systems.
A truncated form of a transcription factor Mamo activates vasa in Drosophila embryos
Authors: Nakamura Shoichi , Hira Seiji , Fujiwara Masato , Miyagata Nasa , Tsuji Takuma , Kondo Akane , Kimura Hiroshi , Shinozuka Yuko , Hayashi Makoto , Kobayashi Satoru , Mukai Masanori
Published: November 2019

Expression of the vasa gene is associated with germline establishment. Therefore, identification of vasa activator(s) should provide insights into germline development. However, the genes sufficient for vasa activation remain unknown. Previously, we showed that the BTB/POZ-Zn-finger protein Mamo is necessary for vasa expression in Drosophila. Here, we show that the truncated Mamo lacking the BTB/POZ domain (MamoAF) is a potent vasa activator. Overexpression of MamoAF was sufficient to induce vasa expression in both primordial germ cells and brain. Indeed, Mamo mRNA encoding a truncated Mamo isoform, which is similar to MamoAF, was predominantly expressed in primordial germ cells. The results of our genetic and biochemical studies showed that MamoAF, together with CBP, epigenetically activates vasa expression. Furthermore, MamoAF and the germline transcriptional activator OvoB exhibited synergy in activating vasa transcription. We propose that a Mamo-mediated network of epigenetic and transcriptional regulators activates vasa expression.
Biomimetic antimicrobial material strategies for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria
Authors: Chee Eunice , Brown Ashley C.
Published: November 2019

Antibiotic drugs have revolutionized the field of medicine for almost 90 years. However, continued use has led to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria. To combat these bacteria, biomimetic material strategies have been investigated.
Co-crystals of 9,9′-bianthracene-10,10′-dicarboxylic acid with linear bidentate basic ligand molecules: synthesis, crystal structure, and properties based on the layer structure exfoliated by water
Authors: Okayasu Misaki , Kikkawa Shoko , Hikawa Hidemasa , Azumaya Isao
Published: November 2019

Co-crystals of the title compound with bases formed 1D and layer structures and the layer structure was separated by water.
9,9′-Spirobifluorene based zinc coordination polymers: a study on linker geometry and topology
Authors: Moreau Florian , Audebrand Nathalie , Poriel Cyril
Published: November 2019

We report four Zn-based coordination polymers (CPs), synthesized from three spirobifluorene (SBF) tetracarboxylate ligands, possessing different topologies and dimensionalities.
How did the bacterial community respond to the level of urbanization along the Yangtze River?
Authors: Li Yi , Fan Luhuan , Zhang Wenlong , Zhu Xiaoxiao , Lei Mengting , Niu Lihua
Published: November 2019

The response of bacteria communities to the urbanization level.
Volumetric, acoustic, viscometric, calorimetric and spectroscopic studies to elucidate the effects of citrate and tartrate based food preservatives on the solvation behaviors of acidic amino acids at different temperatures
Authors: Beri Aashima , Kaur Gagandeep , Singh Palwinder , Banipal Parampaul K. , Banipal Tarlok S.
Published: November 2019

The effects of trisodium citrate and disodium tartrate based food preservatives on the hydration behavior of the l-aspartic acid and l-glutamic acid.
Mallotus oblongifolius extracts ameliorate ischemic nerve damage by increasing endogenous neural stem cell proliferation through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Li Shu-ran , Song Yu-jia , Deng Ran , Li Xiao-wan , Cheng Yong , Zhang Zi-qian , Sun Fang-yun , Liu Qing-shan
Published: November 2019

Extracts of Mallotus oblongifolius (MO) could promote the proliferation of NSCs and alleviate ischemic nerve injury. MO could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic stroke.
Supramolecular assembly by time-programmed acid autocatalysis
Authors: Panzarasa Guido , Sai Tianqi , Torzynski Alexandre L. , Smith-Mannschott Katrina , Dufresne Eric R.
Published: November 2019

Coupling an acid-autocatalyzed clock reaction with the hydrolysis of a cyclic ester enables the time-domain programming of supramolecular pH-driven self-assembly.
Nanoscale lipid vesicles functionalized with a nitro-aniline derivative for photoinduced nitric oxide (NO) delivery
Authors: Sharma Nancy , Dhyani Ajay Kumar , Marepally Srujan , Jose D. Amilan
Published: November 2019

Photo-controllable, non-toxic and bio-compatible nano-scale vesicles for the controllable release of nitric oxide (NO) have been reported.
Synthesis of low-symmetry 2D Ge(1−x)SnxSe2 alloy flakes with anisotropic optical response and birefringence
Authors: Liu Yijun , Wu Minghui , Sun Zhaoyang , Yang Shengxue , Hu Chunguang , Huang Li , Shen Wanfu , Wei Bin , Wang Zhongchang , Yang Shiqi , Ye Yu , Li Yan , Jiang Chengbao
Published: November 2019

Here we present a novel group IVA–VIA 2D alloy material Ge(1−x)SnxSe2 with a low-symmetry monoclinic structure, and emphatically investigate its in-plane optical anisotropy and birefringence characteristics.
Real-time near-infrared fluorescence reporting the azoreductase-triggered drug release
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Yu Jiawei , Wang Zhe , Iqbal Shahid , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhou Nianchen , Zhu Xiulin
Published: November 2019

Herein, real-time near-infrared fluorescence reporting drug release was demonstrated by the azoreductase-induced cleavage of azo bonds and the subsequent disassembly of aggregates, which caused an enhancement in fluorescence intensity.
A new member of a class of rod-like Mn12 single molecule magnets using 2-(pyridine-2-ly)propan-2-ol
Authors: Yang En-Che , Huang Shi-Yi , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Hong Ling-Xuan , Damjanovic Marko , Niekamp Lukas , Lee Gene-Hsiang
Published: November 2019

A new member of rod-like Mn12 molecules functions as a single molecule magnet.
Response surface methodology for optimization of methylene blue adsorption onto carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel beads: adsorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamics and reusability studies
Authors: Allouss Dalia , Essamlali Younes , Amadine Othmane , Chakir Achraf , Zahouily Mohamed
Published: November 2019

Environment-friendly composite hydrogel beads based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), alginate (Alg) and graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized by an ionotropic gelation technique and studied as an efficient adsorbent for methylene blue (MB).
Counterion coupled (COCO) gemini surfactant capped Ag/Au alloy and core–shell nanoparticles for cancer therapy
Authors: Siddiq A. Mohammed , Thangam Ramar , Madhan Balaraman , Alam Md. Sayem
Published: November 2019

In this work hybrid silver (Ag)–gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes and compositions were synthesized and applied for anticancer evaluations and which is effectively involved in cancer cell apoptosis through DNA damage.
A novel method of sample homogenization with the use of a microtome-cryostat apparatus
Authors: Zelentsova Ekaterina A. , Yanshole Vadim V. , Tsentalovich Yuri P.
Published: November 2019

A novel method of homogenization of elastic tissues does not cause sample heating and material losses.
Cellular imaging using emission-tuneable conjugated polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Bourke Struan , Teijeiro Gonzalez Yurema , Donà Federico , Panamarova Maryna , Suhling Klaus , Eggert Ulrike , Dailey Lea Ann , Zammit Peter , Green Mark A.
Published: November 2019

In this report, we report the synths of colour tuneable conjugated polymer nanoparticles.
Regioselective electrosynthesis of tetra- and hexa-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with unprecedented addition patterns
Authors: Liu Kai-Qing , Wang Jun-Jie , Yan Xing-Xing , Niu Chuang , Wang Guan-Wu
Published: November 2019

The regioselective electrosynthesis of tetra- and hexa-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with unprecedented 1,2,4,17-(cis-3′) and 1,2,3,4,9,10-(“S”-shaped) addition patterns is achieved.
Modulation of circularly polarized luminescence through excited-state symmetry breaking and interbranched exciton coupling in helical push–pull organic systems
Authors: Dhbaibi Kais , Favereau Ludovic , Srebro-Hooper Monika , Quinton Cassandre , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Arrico Lorenzo , Roisnel Thierry , Jamoussi Bassem , Poriel Cyril , Cabanetos Clément , Autschbach Jochen , Crassous Jeanne
Published: November 2019

Solvent polarity effect on circularly polarized luminescence intensity was assessed in helical push–pull organic systems through excited-state symmetry breaking and interbranched exciton coupling.
Ultra-thin NiFeSe nanosheets as a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Sun Yu-Yang , Jiang Mei-Yan , Wu Lian-Kui , Hou Guang-Ya , Tang Yi-Ping , Liu Min
Published: November 2019

Developing a bifunctional electrocatalyst with a facile method, low cost, excellent performance and good stability for overall water splitting is essential for the wide application of hydrogen production.
A one-dimensional channel self-standing MOF cathode for ultrahigh-energy-density flexible Ni–Zn batteries
Authors: Man Ping , He Bing , Zhang Qichong , Zhou Zhenyu , Li Chaowei , Li Qiulong , Wei Lei , Yao Yagang
Published: November 2019

A one-dimensional channel self-standing Ni-MOF-74@CNTF cathode is prepared through a facile solvothermal method for application in high-energy-density flexible Ni–Zn batteries.
10 cm2 nonfullerene solar cells with efficiency over 10% using HxMoO3-assisted growth of silver electrodes with a low threshold thickness of 4 nm
Authors: Jiang Xueshi , Sun Lulu , Wang Wen , Qin Fei , Xie Cong , Hu Lin , Zhou Yinhua
Published: November 2019

10 cm2 nonfullerene solar cells show an efficiency up to 10.24% using silver electrodes grown on a chemically reactive HxMoO3 surface with a percolation threshold thickness as low as 4 nm for Ag films.
Recent developments in emerging two-dimensional materials and their applications
Authors: Khan Karim , Tareen Ayesha Khan , Aslam Muhammad , Wang Renheng , Zhang Yupeng , Mahmood Asif , Ouyang Zhengbiao , Zhang Han , Guo Zhongyi
Published: November 2019

The technological evolution has been progressing for centuries and will possibly increase at a higher rate in the 21st century.
Fluorescent microdiamonds conjugated with hollow gold nanoparticles as photothermal fiducial markers in tissue
Authors: Kuo Shan-Jen , Chang Sih-Wei , Hui Yuen Yung , Chen Oliver Y. , Chen Yen-Wei , Lin Ching-Che , Wan Dehui , Chen Hsuen-Li , Chang Huan-Cheng
Published: November 2019

The dual functions—photo-thermal therapy and fluorescent imaging—of the surface-functionalized fluorescent microdiamonds (FMDs) with hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNs) were performed when applying two distinct excitation laser wavelengths.
White-light-emitting flexible display devices based on double network hydrogels crosslinked by YAG:Ce phosphors
Authors: Xu Yawen , Chen Jing , Zhang Hua , Wei Hua , Zhou Linjie , Wang Zhenwu , Pan Yuexiao , Su Xinyan , Zhang Afang , Fu Jun
Published: November 2019

Stretchable and tough double network hydrogels with YAG:Ce phosphors as crosslinkers are synthesized for flexible white-light-emitting display devices.
Phytochemicals protect L02 cells against hepatotoxicity induced by emodin via the Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Yan Yan , Wang Kang , Tang Xu , Gao Jun-feng , Wen Bin-yu
Published: November 2019

Dihydromyricetin (DMY), hyperoside and silybin are phytochemicals that belong to a class called flavonoids, and they have been used in liver protection pharmaceutical preparations, but the specific mechanism of these chemicals is still unclarified. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effects and potential mechanism of these phytochemicals. The immortalized human hepatocyte cell line L02 was treated with 200 μM emodin for 48 h, and this was used as a hepatocyte injury model. The L02 cells were treated with both 200 μM emodin and different concentrations of DMY/hyperoside/silybin for 48 h to investigate the protective effects of these phytochemicals. The CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability. RT-qPCR and western blotting were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expression, respectively, of the classic bile acid synthetic pathway gene CYP7A1, the bile acid efflux transporter bile salt export pump (BSEP), the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the drug processing gene CYP1A2. DMY, hyperoside and silybin prevented the impairment of cell viability that was caused by emodin-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, and at a low concentration (10 μM), the protective effect followed the order hyperoside > DMY > silybin, while at a high concentration (160 μM), the protective effect followed the order DMY > hyperoside > silybin. These phytochemicals reduced the expression of CYP7A1 at both the mRNA and protein levels. BSEP was not influenced by the phytochemical intervention. When 200 μM emodin was used for 48 h with the addition of the phytochemicals at 200 μM, the nuclear protein expression of Nrf2 significantly increased and CYP1A2 expression decreased. DMY, hyperoside and silybin prevented the hepatotoxicity induced by emodin in the L02 cells, potentially, via the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Cytotoxic effect of silica nanoparticles against hepatocellular carcinoma cells through necroptosis induction
Authors: Niu Yuexiang , Tang Engong , Zhang Qingan
Published: November 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer that affects people worldwide with high morbidity and mortality, and its resistance to current chemotherapeutic drugs is a serious concern. Cytotoxicity of silica nanoparticles (Nano-SiO2) towards cancer cells has been reported previously, but the specific mechanism is not fully clear. In this study, Nano-SiO2 showed a remarkable cytotoxic effect against HCC cells, regardless of whether the cells were drug resistant or not. Further study showed that Nano-SiO2 treatment leads to cell cycle arrest, apoptosis enhancement and necroptosis induction in the HCC cells. RNA-seq data, together with bioinformatics analysis, revealed that a series of genes involved in cancer cell death could be regulated by Nano-SiO2, among which ZBP-1 was up-regulated the most by Nano-SiO2 treatment. The siRNA based experiments demonstrated that ZBP-1 might play a key role in mediating Nano-SiO2 cytotoxic functions against HCC cells. These results have evidently signified the anti-tumor potential of Nano-SiO2 in the treatment of HCC.
Application of the direct peptide reactivity assay (DPRA) to inorganic compounds: a case study of platinum species
Authors: Hemming Jocelyn D. C. , Hosford Mark , Shafer Martin M.
Published: November 2019

The in chemico Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA) was developed as a non-animal, relatively high throughput, screening tool for skin sensitization potential. Although the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for respiratory sensitization remains to be fully elucidated, it is recognized that the molecular initiation event for both skin and respiratory sensitization to low molecular weight chemicals involves haptenation with proteins. The DPRA examines the reactivity of a test compound to two model peptides (containing either cysteine or lysine) and consequently is able to screen for both skin and respiratory sensitization potential. The DPRA was primarily developed for and validated with organic compounds and assessment of the applicability of the assay to metal compounds has received only limited attention. This paper reports the successful application of the DPRA to a series of platinum compounds, including hexachloroplatinate and tetrachloroplatinate salts, which are some of the most potent chemical respiratory sensitizers known. Eleven platinum compounds were evaluated using the DPRA protocol as detailed by Lalko et al., with only minor modification. Two palladium compounds with structures similar to that of the platinum species studied and cobalt chloride were additionally tested for comparison. The hexachloroplatinate and tetrachloroplatinate salts showed exceptionally high reactivity with the cysteine peptide (EC15 values of 1.4 and 14 μM, respectively). However, for platinum compounds (e.g. hydrogen hexahydroxyplatinate and tetraammineplatinum) where clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates limited sensitization potential, the cysteine DPRA showed only minor or no reactivity (EC15 values of 24 600 and >30 000 μM, respectively). The outcomes of the lysine peptide assays were less robust and where EC15 was measurable, values were substantially higher than the corresponding results from the cysteine assay. This work supports the value of in chemico peptide reactivity as a metric for assessment of platinum sensitization potential and therefore in screening of new platinum compounds for low or absent sensitization potential. Additional studies are required to determine whether the DPRA may be successfully applied to other metals. We provide details on method modifications and precautions important to the success of the DPRA in the assessment of metal reactivity.
Distinctiveness and Assimilation in Vowel Perception in a Second Language
Authors: Hu Wei , Tao Sha , Li Mingshuang , Liu Chang
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the distinctive establishment of 2nd language (L2) vowel categories (e.g., how distinctively an L2 vowel is established from nearby L2 vowels and from the native language counterpart in the 1st formant [F1] × 2nd formant [F2] vowel space) affected L2 vowel perception.

Method

Identification of 12 natural English monophthongs, and categorization and rating of synthetic English vowels /i/ and /ɪ/ in the F1 × F2 space were measured for Chinese-native (CN) and English-native (EN) listeners. CN listeners were also examined with categorization and rating of Chinese vowels in the F1 × F2 space.

Results

As expected, EN listeners significantly outperformed CN listeners in English vowel identification. Whereas EN listeners showed distinctive establishment of 2 English vowels, CN listeners had multiple patterns of L2 vowel establishment: both, 1, or neither established. Moreover, CN listeners' English vowel perception was significantly related to the perceptual distance between the English vowel and its Chinese counterpart, and the perceptual distance between the adjacent English vowels.

Conclusions

L2 vowel perception relied on listeners' capacity to distinctively establish L2 vowel categories that were distant from the nearby L2 vowels.
HV isolated power supply system for complex multiple electrical potential equipment in 500 kV hybrid DC breaker
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Yu Zhanqing , Zeng Rong , Zhang Meng , Zhang Yuehuang , Xiao Fengliang , Li Wei
Published: November 2019

High‐voltage direct current circuit breakers (HVDC CB) are one of the key technologies of multi‐terminal DC systems and DC grids. Different from other equipment that use a large number of power electronic devices, the HVDC CB cannot obtain its power from the primary system at high potential, making the power supply of the complex multiple electrical potential equipment in HVDC CB a challenge. In this study, the authors propose an HV isolated power supply system based on the multi‐output high‐frequency isolated power supply unit and the cascaded isolation transformer network. This power supply system can support the 500 kV CB to turn‐off 25 kA current with 800 kV overvoltage.
No‐reference image quality assessment via structural information fluctuation
Authors: Yang Xichen , Wang Tianshu , Ji Genlin
Published: November 2019

Image quality assessment (IQA) is a meaningful research topic to meet the increasing demand of high‐quality image. The degradation of image quality will cause changes in image structural information. Meanwhile, human visual system is sensitive to changes in structural information. This finding motivates us to utilise structural information for proposing IQA method which is consistent with human visual perception. Recently, IQA methods are mainly focused on individual image type, e.g. natural image or screen content image (SCI), thus, the authors proposed a novel no‐reference IQA method which can be suitable for both natural image and SCI. The proposed method is based on structural information analysis. For each image, they first obtain the grey‐scale fluctuation maps (GFMs) in four detection directions. After that, the grey‐scale fluctuation direction map (GFD) of certain image can be acquired via its GFMs. Based on the GFMs and GFD, the structural features of each image are extracted, and then collected and transformed to feature vectors. Subsequently, the IQA model is trained by support vector regression. The experimental results on the public databases demonstrate the proposed method can predict image quality accurately for both natural image and SCI, and the performance is competitive with prevalent methods.
Fast and robust video stabilisation with preserved intentional camera motion and smear removal for infrared video
Authors: Khare Sudhir , Singh Manvendra , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar
Published: November 2019

Border military surveillance is one of the demanding and challenging tasks for any nation. Thermal (infrared) camera, which works on the infrared domain, provides complete visual sequences even in pitch dark night conditions. When the video is recorded from a thermal camera mounted on a vehicle, the output video is unstabilised with poor visual quality due to unintentional camera motion. These unwanted motions also introduce smear. Furthermore, there may be situations when a camera is moved intentionally to capture target. This study proposes a fast and robust algorithm for auto stabilisation of videos with smear removal while keeping the intentional motion of camera. This algorithm is developed under the framework of speeded up robust features matching. The proposed algorithm is capable of correcting both motions, i.e. translation as well as rotational. Quality improvement of up to 21 dB is achieved in the stabilised output videos.
Lightweight localisation approach for WSNs: performance analysis and validation
Authors: Santic Marco , Pomante Luigi , Rinaldi Claudia
Published: November 2019

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become very popular in recent years due to their wide applications’ spectrum. One of the main issues arising while conceiving with WSNs functionality is the opportunity of developing a proper localisation algorithm that has to be tailored basing on hw /sw nodes limitations. This study proposes a localisation algorithm for WSNs based on received signal strength measurements whose results, although comparable with existing localisation algorithms, proves here to be of practical implementation on devices with very low computational capabilities as well as efficient in real‐time usages. Extensive simulations and indoor/outdoor experimental measurements have been performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, taking also into account implementation issues on commercial sensor nodes.
Two stage ejector as a pre-stage of the water ring vacuum pump
Authors: Olšiak Róbert , Mlkvik Marek , Ridzoň František , Slovák Pavol
Published: November 2019

A supersonic gas ejector in conjunction with a liquid ring vacuum pump is used for creating and maintaining a vacuum in a chamber for technological purposes. In this paper, the authors submit an overview of the problematics of suction pressure reduction with a supersonic gas ejector used as a pre-stage of a liquid ring vacuum pump. This system has also the function of a cavitation protection due to the higher pressure present at the suction throat of the vacuum pump. A part of this paper is devoted to the governing equations used at the definition of the flow through an ejector. The CFD analysis of the problem was implemented with the package Fluent in 2 dimensions using the axisymmetric approach. The parts of the physical model were printed on a STRATASYS 3D printer, or were cast from technical resin. The experimental studies are then carried out in our own laboratory for validation purposes.
Pseudarthrosen am Unterarm
Authors: Rausch Valentin , Hackl Michael , Ries Christian , Müller Lars P.
Published: November 2019

Unterarmfrakturen treten häufig auf und werden regelhaft operativ versorgt. Für gute funktionelle Ergebnisse müssen Unterarmfrakturen anatomisch reponiert werden, was im Falle einer Revision weiter erschwert wird. Daher ist eine ausbleibende Frakturheilung bei diesen Verletzungen besonders problematisch.

Die operative Therapie dieser Pseudarthrosen besteht aus einem Debridement und der stabil osteosynthetischen Versorgung. In der Regel ist zudem eine Augmentation des knöchernen Defekts erforderlich: Kleinere Defekte können erfolgreich mit einer Spongiosaplastik behandelt werden, für größere Defekte werden vaskularisierte und nicht vaskularisierte Späne verwendet. In seltenen Ausnahmen können auch Reserveverfahren wie der Segmenttransport oder das Masquelet-Verfahren Anwendung finden. Mit diesen Strategien ist meist eine erfolgreiche Ausheilung der Pseudarthrose möglich. Ziel dieses Artikels ist die Häufigkeit von Pseudarthrosen am Unterarm und Therapiestrategien zusammenzufassen.