bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Off-Job Activities on Recovery and Sleep: A Two-Wave Panel Study among Health Care Employees
Authors: De Jonge Jan , Shimazu Akihito , Dollard Maureen
Published: September 2018

This study examined whether particular recovery activities after work have a positive or negative effect on employee recovery from work (i.e., cognitive, emotional, and physical detachment) and sleep quality. We used a two-wave panel study of 230 health care employees which enabled looking at both short-term and long-term effects (i.e., two-year time interval). Gender, age, marital status, children at home, education level, management position, and working hours were used as control variables. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that work-related off-job activities were negatively associated with cognitive and emotional detachment in both the short and long run, whereas low-effort off-job activities were positively related to cognitive detachment in the short run. Moreover, household/care off-job activities were positively related to sleep quality in the long run, whereas physical off-job activities were negatively associated with sleep quality in the long run. The long-term findings existed beyond the strong effects of baseline detachment and sleep quality. This study highlights the importance of off-job recovery activities for health care employees’ detachment from work and sleep quality. Practical implications and avenues for further research are discussed.
Air Pollutant and Health-Efficiency Evaluation Based on a Dynamic Network Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chiu Yung-ho , Li Ying , Lin Tai-Yu
Published: September 2018

Environmental pollution and the associated societal health issues have attracted recent research attention. While most research has focused on the effect of air pollution on human health and local economies, few articles have discussed the environment, health, and economic development in in an integrated analysis. This paper used a Dynamic Network SBM Model to evaluate production and health efficiencies in Chinese cities and found that the production efficiency scores were slightly higher than the health efficiency scores, with the two-stage efficiency scores in most cities having significant fluctuations. Labor, fixed assets, energy, GDP, and lung disease and mortality reduction efficiencies in the first stage were generally high; however, the medical input efficiencies in the second stage were low, indicating that there was there significant room for improvement in many cities.
ATP-Induced Increase in Intracellular Calcium Levels and Subsequent Activation of mTOR as Regulators of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
Authors: Ito Naoki , Ruegg Urs T. , Takeda Shin’ichi
Published: September 2018

Intracellular signaling pathways, including the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, are activated by exercise, and promote skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms by which these pathways are activated by physiological stimulation are not fully understood. Here we show that extracellular ATP activates these pathways by increasing intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i), and promotes muscle hypertrophy. [Ca2+]i in skeletal muscle was transiently increased after exercise. Treatment with ATP induced the increase in [Ca2+]i through the P2Y2 receptor/inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor pathway, and subsequent activation of mTOR in vitro. In addition, the ATP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i coordinately activated Erk1/2, p38 MAPK and mTOR that upregulated translation of JunB and interleukin-6. ATP also induced an increase in [Ca2+]i in isolated soleus muscle fibers, but not in extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers. Furthermore, administration of ATP led to muscle hypertrophy in an mTOR- and Ca2+-dependent manner in soleus, but not in plantaris muscle, suggesting that ATP specifically regulated [Ca2+]i in slow muscles. These findings suggest that ATP and [Ca2+]i are important mediators that convert mechanical stimulation into the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, and point to the P2Y receptor as a therapeutic target for treating muscle atrophy.
Origanum vulgare Terpenoids Induce Oxidative Stress and Reduce the Feeding Activity of Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Agliassa Chiara , Maffei Massimo E.
Published: September 2018

Terpenoids are toxic compounds produced by plants as a defense strategy against insect herbivores. We tested the effect of Origanum vulgare terpenoids on the generalist herbivore Spodoptera littoralis and the response of the plant to herbivory. Terpenoids were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS and quantitative gene expression (qPCR) was evaluated on selected plant genes involved in both terpene biosynthesis. The insect detoxification response to terpenes was evaluated by monitoring antioxidant enzymes activity and expression of insect genes involved in terpene detoxification. O. vulgare terpenoid biosynthesis and gene expression was modulated by S. littoralis feeding. The herbivore-induced increased level of terpenoids (particularly carvacrol and p-cymene) interacted with the herbivore by decreasing larval survival and growth rate. The assimilation by S. littoralis of more than 50% of ingested terpenes correlated with the possible toxic effects of O. vulgare terpenoids. In choice test experiments, carvacrol and γ-terpinene mediated the larval feeding preferences, wherease the prolonged feeding on O. vulgare terpenoids (particularly on γ-terpinene) exerted relevant antinutritional effects on larvae. S. littoralis was found to react to O. vulgare terpenoids by increasing its antioxidant enzymes activities and gene expression, although this was not sufficient to sustain the toxicity of O. vulgare terpenoids.
lncRNA NTT/PBOV1 Axis Promotes Monocyte Differentiation and Is Elevated in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Yang Chin-An , Li Ju-Pi , Yen Ju-Chen , Lai I-Lu , Ho Yu-Chen , Chen Yu-Chia , Lan Joung-Liang , Chang Jan-Gowth
Published: September 2018

Monocytes/macrophages are important in orchestrating inflammatory responses. However, knowledge of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulation of monocytic cell differentiation and diseases remains limited. We aimed to elucidate the role of the 17 kb lncRNA noncoding transcript in T cells (NTT) in monocyte functions. Knockdown and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays in THP-1 cells (human monocytic leukemia cell line) revealed that NTT is regulated by the monocyte key transcription factor C/EBPβ and that it binds to the promoter of nearby gene PBOV1 via hnRNP-U. Overexpression of PBOV1 in THP-1 cells resulted in cell cycle G1 arrest, differentiation into macrophages, a marked increase in IL-10 and CXCL10 mRNA levels, and upregulation of the costimulatory molecules. In contrast to the downregulated NTT observed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated THP-1 cells, the C/EBPβ/NTT/PBOV1 axis was found to be hyperactivated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of first-time diagnosed untreated early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and their gene expression levels decreased markedly after treatment. Higher initial C/EBPβ/NTT/PBOV1 expression levels were associated with a trend of higher disease activity DAS28 scores. In conclusion, our study suggests that the lncRNA NTT is a regulator of inflammation in monocytes, and its activation participates in monocyte/macrophage differentiation and the pathogenesis of RA.
Genome-Wide Identification, Molecular Evolution, and Expression Divergence of Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporters in Apples
Authors: Ma Baiquan , Yuan Yangyang , Gao Meng , Qi Tonghui , Li Mingjun , Ma Fengwang
Published: September 2018

Aluminum-activated malate transporters (ALMTs) play an important role in aluminum tolerance, stomatal opening, and fruit acidity in plants. However, the evolutionary pattern of the ALMT gene family in apples remains relatively unknown. In this study, a total of 25 MdALMT genes were identified from the apple reference genome of the “Golden Delicious” doubled-haploid tree (GDDH13). The physiological and biochemical properties, gene structure, and conserved motifs of MdALMT genes were examined. Chromosome location and gene-duplication analysis indicated that whole-genome duplication/segmental duplication played an important role in the expansion of the MdALMT gene family. The Ka/Ks ratio of duplicated MdALMT genes showed that members of this family have undergone strong purifying selection. Through exploration of the phylogenetic relationships, seven subgroups were classified, and higher old gene duplication frequency and significantly different evolutionary rates of the ALMT gene families were detected. In addition, the functional divergence of ALMT genes occurred during the evolutionary process of Rosaceae species. Furthermore, the functional divergence of MdALMT genes was confirmed by expression discrepancy and different subcellular localizations. This study provides the foundation to better understand the molecular evolution of MdALMT genes and further facilitate functional analysis to unravel their exact role in apples.
The Dynamic Changes of Gut Microbiota in Muc2 Deficient Mice
Authors: Wu Minna , Wu Yaqi , Li Jianmin , Bao Yonghua , Guo Yongchen , Yang Wancai
Published: September 2018

Gut dysbiosis is associated with colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis, and the genetic deficiency of the Muc2 gene causes spontaneous development of colitis and colorectal cancer. Whether there are changes of gut microbiota and a linkage between the changes of microbiota and intestinal pathology in Muc2−/− mice are unclear. Muc2−/− and Muc2+/+ mice were generated by backcrossing from Muc2+/− mice, and the fecal samples were collected at different dates (48th, 98th, 118th, 138th, and 178th day). Gut microbiota were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing with the universal 16S rRNA primers (V3–V5 region). All mice were sacrificed at day 178 to collect colonic tissue and epithelial cells for the analysis of histopathology and inflammatory cytokines. On the 178th day, Muc2−/− mice developed colorectal chronic colitis, hyperplasia, adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and inflammatory cytokines (e.g., cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), i-kappa-B-kinase β (IKKβ)) were significantly increased in colonic epithelial cells of Muc2−/− mice. In general, structural segregation of gut microbiota was observed throughout the experimental time points between the Muc2−/− and Muc2+/+ mice. Impressively, in Muc2−/− mice, Alpha diversities reflected by Shannon and Chao indexes were higher, the phylum of Firmicutes was enriched and Bacteroidetes was decreased, and Desulfovibrio, Escherichia, Akkermansia, Turicibacter, and Erysipelotrichaceae were significantly increased, but Lactobacilli and Lachnospiraceae were significantly decreased. Moreover, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae and butyrate-producing bacteria was significantly higher in the Muc2−/− mice. There were significant differences of gut microbiota between Muc2−/− and Muc2+/+ mice. The dynamic changes of microbiota might contribute to the development of colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis. Therefore, this study revealed specific functional bacteria in the development of colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis, which will benefit the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammation and its malignant transformation.
SA4503, A Potent Sigma-1 Receptor Ligand, Ameliorates Synaptic Abnormalities and Cognitive Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of ATR-X Syndrome
Authors: Yamaguchi Kouya , Shioda Norifumi , Yabuki Yasushi , Zhang Chen , Han Feng , Fukunaga Kohji
Published: September 2018

α-thalassemia X-linked intellectual disability (ATR-X) syndrome is caused by mutations in ATRX. An ATR-X model mouse lacking Atrx exon 2 displays phenotypes that resemble symptoms in the human intellectual disability: cognitive defects and abnormal dendritic spine formation. We herein target activation of sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) that can induce potent neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects by promoting the activity of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We demonstrated that treatment with SA4503, a potent activator of Sig-1R, reverses axonal development and dendritic spine abnormalities in cultured cortical neurons from ATR-X model mice. Moreover, the SA4503 treatment rescued cognitive deficits exhibited by the ATR-X model mice. We further found that significant decreases in the BDNF-protein level in the medial prefrontal cortex of ATR-X model mice were recovered with treatment of SA4503. These results indicate that the rescue of dendritic spine abnormalities through the activation of Sig-1R has a potential for post-diagnostic therapy in ATR-X syndrome.
Effects of Acute Cold Stress on Liver O-GlcNAcylation and Glycometabolism in Mice
Authors: Yao Ruizhi , Yang Yuying , Lian Shuai , Shi Hongzhao , Liu Peng , Liu Yang , Yang Huanmin , Li Shize
Published: September 2018

Protein O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) regulates many biological processes. Studies have shown that O-GlcNAc modification levels can increase during acute stress and suggested that this may contribute to the survival of the cell. This study investigated the possible effects of O-GlcNAcylation that regulate glucose metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy in the liver after acute cold stress. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to cold conditions (4 °C) for 0, 2, 4, and 6 h, then their livers were extracted and the expression of proteins involved in glucose metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy was determined. It was found that acute cold stress increased global O-GlcNAcylation and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation levels. This was accompanied by significantly increased activation levels of the glucose metabolism regulators 160 kDa AKT substrate (AS160), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β). The levels of glycolytic intermediates, fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) and pyruvic acid (PA), were found to show a brief increase followed by a sharp decrease. Additionally, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), as the main cellular energy source, had a sharp increase. Furthermore, the B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) ratio was found to increase, whereas cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (caspase-3) and light chain 3-II (LC3-II) levels were reduced after acute cold stress. Therefore, acute cold stress was found to increase O-GlcNAc modification levels, which may have resulted in the decrease of the essential processes of apoptosis and autophagy, promoting cell survival, while altering glycose transport, glycogen synthesis, and glycolysis in the liver.
Nitric Oxide Enhancing Resistance to PEG-Induced Water Deficiency is Associated with the Primary Photosynthesis Reaction in Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: Shao Ruixin , Zheng Huifang , Jia Shuangjie , Jiang Yanping , Yang Qinghua , Kang Guozhang
Published: September 2018

Photosynthesis is affected by water-deficiency (WD) stress, and nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical that participates in the photosynthesis process. Previous studies have suggested that NO regulates excitation-energy distribution of photosynthesis under WD stress. Here, quantitative phosphoproteomic profiling was conducted using iTRAQ. Differentially phosphorylated protein species (DEPs) were identified in leaves of NO- or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-treated wheat seedlings (D), and in control seedlings. From 1396 unique phosphoproteins, 2257 unique phosphorylated peptides and 2416 phosphorylation sites were identified. Of these, 96 DEPs displayed significant changes (≥1.50-fold, p < 0.01). These DEPs are involved in photosynthesis, signal transduction, etc. Furthermore, phosphorylation of several DEPs was upregulated by both D and NO treatments, but downregulated only in NO treatment. These differences affected the chlorophyll A–B binding protein, chloroplast post-illumination chlorophyll-fluorescence-increase protein, and SNT7, implying that NO indirectly regulated the absorption and transport of light energy in photosynthesis in response to WD stress. The significant difference of chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl a fluorescence-transient, photosynthesis index, and trapping and transport of light energy further indicated that exogenous NO under D stress enhanced the primary photosynthesis reaction compared to D treatment. A putative pathway is proposed to elucidate NO regulation of the primary reaction of photosynthesis under WD.
Zinc Supplementation Stimulates Red Blood Cell Formation in Rats
Authors: Chen Yen-Hua , Feng Hui-Lin , Jeng Sen-Shyong
Published: September 2018

In rats, mice, and humans, it is known that zinc deficiency may be related to anemia, and zinc supplementation influences hemoglobin production. Our previous studies indicate that in fish, zinc supplementation stimulates red blood cell (RBC) formation (erythropoiesis). However, it is not clear whether the mechanism of zinc-induced erythropoiesis stimulation in fish also occurs in rats. We induced anemia in rats using phenylhydrazine (PHZ) and injected either saline or ZnSO4 solution. We found that an appropriate amount of zinc stimulated erythropoiesis in the PHZ-induced anemic rats. The effects of ZnSO4 injection were dose-dependent. When the concentration of ZnSO4 was higher than 2.8 mg zinc/kg body weight, the RBC level of the anemic rats increased from 60 ± 7% to 88 ± 10% that of the normal rats in two days. Rat bone marrow cells with or without ZnCl2 supplementation were cultured in suspension in vitro. In the cell culture when the zinc concentration was at 0.3 mM, a 1.6-fold proliferation of nascent immature reticulocytes (new RBCs) was observed after one day. In the rat blood, zinc was combined with serum transferrin to induce erythropoiesis. The stimulation of RBC formation by zinc appears to be common among different animals.
Stepwise Introduction of Different Substituents to α-Chloro-ω-hydrooligosilanes: Convenient Synthesis of Unsymmetrically Substituted Oligosilanes
Authors: Kanno Ken-ichiro , Aikawa Yumi , Niwayama Yuka , Ino Misaki , Kawamura Kento , Kyushin Soichiro
Published: September 2018

A series of unsymmetrically substituted oligosilanes were synthesized via stepwise introduction of different substituents to α-chloro-ω-hydrooligosilanes. The reactions of α-chloro-ω-hydrooligosilanes with organolithium or Grignard reagents gave hydrooligosilanes having various alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and aryl groups. Thus-obtained hydrooligosilanes were converted into alkoxyoligosilanes by ruthenium-catalyzed dehydrogenative alkoxylation with alcohols.
The Role of Tourism in the Ecosystem Services Framework
Authors: Pueyo-Ros Josep
Published: September 2018

The Ecosystem Services Framework (ESF) is a powerful tool for understanding the relationship between nature and society, and tourism is an important expression of this. However, the scientific literature focusing on the relationship between tourism and the ESF is limited. Hence, there is a need to bring the tourism research community and the ESF together, not only as a cultural service but as an economic sector that consumes natural resources. This paper aims to do this by analyzing discourse on tourism in institutional reports produced by the ESF. Additionally, how the tourism research community has approached the ESF is analyzed by reviewing the literature that has used it and literature addressing nature-based tourism. The results suggest a “schizophrenic” approach to tourism, which is defined as either a cultural ES (nonmaterial) or as a nature-based industry (consumptive). Moreover, a disconnect has been found between tourism research and the ESF. The tourism research community may not feel comfortable with the inaccurate definition of tourism in the ESF and may prefer to use freer terms. However, the aforementioned community should integrate the ESF within their studies on natural resources. At the same time, the ESF should be more accurate in using tourism-related concepts.
The Effect of Gradient Bias Design on Electrochemistry and Tribology Behaviors of PVD CrN Film in a Simulative Marine Environment
Authors: Cen Shihong , Lv Xiaogai , Xu Beibei , Xu Ying
Published: September 2018

CrN films with various bias voltage designs (−20, −50, −80, −20~−80 V gradient change) were prepared via arc ion plating. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoIndentor, electrochemistry workstation and tribo-meter were selected to evaluate the microstructure, mechanics, electrochemistry and tribology behaviors of as-prepared specimens in a simulative marine environment. By comparison, the adhesion force and anti-corrosion ability of CrN film with a gradient bias design were greatly enhanced compared with other films. The tribology behaviors of as-prepared specimens under various normal loads and sliding frequencies were deeply discussed. The result showed that the bias design played a critical role to impact the friction and wear behavior of film. Meanwhile, the CrN film with gradient bias design could bear a load of 25 N while other single CrN films failed, implying the strongest load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, at the same test condition, the lowest friction coefficient (COF) and wear loss were observed for CrN film with a gradient bias design, implying outstanding anti-friction and anti-wear abilities.
Role of Magnesium Perrhenate in an Oil/Solid Mixed System for Tribological Application at Various Temperatures
Authors: Wang Junhai , Li Ting , Yan Tingting , Zhang Lixiu , Zhang Ke , Qu Xin
Published: September 2018

Magnesium perrhenate used as a lubricating additive was prepared by an aqueous solution method in this paper, and was suspended in a base oil poly alpha olefin (PAO6) with the aid of surface active agents (SA). The thermal stability of the mixed oil with/without magnesium perrhenate and surface active agents was investigated by thermogravimetry testing. The influences of magnesium perrhenate as solid lubricating additive on the extreme pressure performance and the friction-reducing properties over a wide temperature range of the mixed lubricants were determined by four-ball tests and ball-on-disc frictional tests for the commercially available silicon nitride ball and a Ni-base superalloy frictional pair. The results revealed that the added magnesium perrhenate did not obviously affect the thermostability and oxidation resistance of the base oil. Meanwhile, it minimized the coefficients of friction and wear scar diameter to a certain extent in the four-ball experimental conditions. Ball-on-disc rubbing tests suggested the mixed oil had a similar lubricating performance to the base oil below the decomposition temperature point. The most significant advancement was the impressive antifriction improvement at the high temperature range, while the friction coefficients of the oil containing magnesium perrhenate compound were obviously below that of the base stock. This better tribological performance of the mixed lubricant was attributed to the native shear susceptible property and chemical stability of magnesium perrhenate under high temperature conditions, which could form an effective durable and stable antifriction layer with the oxides from the superalloy matrix, thereby decreasing the friction in the high-temperature environment.
A Facile Synthesis Procedure for Sulfonated Aniline Oligomers with Distinct Microstructures
Authors: Karunagaran Ramesh , Coghlan Campbell , Tran Diana , Tung Tran Thanh , Burgun Alexandre , Doonan Christian , Losic Dusan
Published: September 2018

Well-defined sulfonated aniline oligomer (SAO) microstructures with rod and flake morphologies were successfully synthesized using an aniline and oxidant with a molar ratio of 10:1 in ethanol and acidic conditions (pH 4.8). The synthesized oligomers showed excellent dispersibility and assembled as well-defined structures in contrast to the shapeless aggregated material produced in a water medium. The synergistic effects among the monomer concentration, oxidant concentration, pH, and reaction medium are shown to be controlling parameters to generate SAO microstructures with distinct morphologies, whether micro sheets or micro rods.
Preparing the Degradable, Flame-Retardant and Low Dielectric Constant Nanocomposites for Flexible and Miniaturized Electronics with Poly(lactic acid), Nano ZIF-8@GO and Resorcinol Di(phenyl phosphate)
Authors: Zhang Mi , Gao Yu , Zhan Yixing , Ding Xiaoqing , Wang Ming , Wang Xinlong
Published: September 2018

Degradable, flame retardant, and flexible nanocomposite films with low dielectric constant were prepared with poly (lactic acid) (PLA), nano ZIF-8@GO, and degradable flame-retardant resorcinol di(phenyl phosphate) (RDP). The SEM results of the fractured surfaces indicated that ZIF-8@GO and RDP were dispersed uniformly in the PLA matrix. The prepared films had good mechanical properties and the tensile strength of the film with 1.5 wt% of ZIF-8@GO was increased to 48.2 MPa, compared with 38.5 MPa of pure PLA. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite films were flexible due to the toughing effect of RDP. Moreover, above 27.0% of limited oxygen index (LOI) and a VTM-0 rating were achieved for the nanocomposite films. The effects of nano ZIF-8@GO hybrids and RDP on the dielectric properties were investigated, and the results showed that ZIF-8@GO and RDP were beneficial in reducing the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the nanocomposites.
Acoustic Emissions in 3D Printed Parts under Mode I Delamination Test
Authors: Barile Claudia , Casavola Caterina , Cazzato Alberto
Published: September 2018

This paper applies an innovative approach based on the acoustic emission technique to monitor the delamination process of 3D parts. Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is currently one of the most widespread techniques for additive manufacturing of a solid object from a computer model. Fundamentally, this process is based on a layer-by-layer deposition of a fused filament. The FDM technique has evolved to the point where it can now be proposed, not only as a prototyping technique, but also as one applicable to direct manufacturing. Nonetheless, a deeper comprehension of mechanical behavior and its dependence on process parameters must include the determination of material properties as a function of the service load. In this work, the effects of extrusion temperature on inter-layer cohesion are studied using a method employing a double cantilever beam (DCB). The ASTM D5528 standard was used to determine the delamination energy, GI. In addition, the acoustic emission technique was employed to follow the delamination process during testing. Finally, a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and a calibrated grid was employed to evaluate crack propagation during testing.
Effects of Interfacial Passivation on the Electrical Performance, Stability, and Contact Properties of Solution Process Based ZnO Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Wan Liaojun , He Fuchao , Qin Yu , Lin Zhenhua , Su Jie , Chang Jingjing , Hao Yue
Published: September 2018

This paper reports low temperature solution processed ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs), and the effects of interfacial passivation of a 4-chlorobenzoic acid (PCBA) layer on device performance. It was found that the ZnO TFTs with PCBA interfacial modification layers exhibited a higher electron mobility of 4.50 cm2 V−1 s−1 compared to the pristine ZnO TFTs with a charge carrier mobility of 2.70 cm2 V−1 s−1. Moreover, the ZnO TFTs with interfacial modification layers could significantly improve device shelf-life stability and bias stress stability compared to the pristine ZnO TFTs. Most importantly, interfacial modification layers could also decrease the contact potential barrier between the source/drain electrodes and the ZnO films when using high work-function metals such as Ag and Au. These results indicate that high performance TFTs can be obtained with a low temperature solution process with interfacial modification layers, which strongly implies further potential for their applications.
Experimental Investigation of Compression Properties of Composites with Printed Braiding Structure
Authors: Li Zhengning , Chen Ge , Lyu Haichen , Ko Frank
Published: September 2018

A kind of composite was designed and additive manufacturing (AM) technology was utilized in the braiding structure fabrication. The printed polylactic acid (PLA) braiding structures were integrated with two types of resins (Epon 828 resin and urethane dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (UDMA/TEDGMA) resin) used as the matrix to make composite specimens. The compression test of the composite specimens showed that the printed PLA braiding structures had the effect of varying the compression properties of pure resins: it decreased the compression properties of Epon 828 resin, but increased those of UDMA/TEGDMA resin. Observing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, it was noted that the decreasing and increasing in the compression properties of the specimens were related to the bonding compactness between the printed braiding structure and resins. Our results may suggest a new methods for the fast manufacturing of AM-based composites, further research directions, and potential applications of this kind of composites.
Phase Transformation and Morphology Evolution of Ti50Cu25Ni20Sn5 during Mechanical Milling
Authors: Janovszky Dora , Kristaly Ferenc , Miko Tamas , Racz Adam , Sveda Maria , Sycheva Anna , Koziel Tomasz
Published: September 2018

Nanocrystalline/amorphous powder was produced by ball milling of Ti50Cu25Ni20Sn5 (at.%) master alloy. Both laser diffraction particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to monitor the changes in the particle size as well as in the shape of particles as a function of milling time. During ball milling, the average particle size decreased with milling time from >320 µm to ~38 µm after 180 min of milling. The deformation-induced hardening and phase transformation caused the hardness value to increase from 506 to 779 HV. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to observe the changes in the phases/amorphous content as a function of milling time. The amount of amorphous fraction increased continuously until 120 min milling (36 wt % amorphous content). The interval of crystallite size was between 1 and 10 nm after 180 min of milling with 25 wt % amorphous fractions. Cubic Cu(Ni,Cu)Ti2 structure was transformed into the orthorhombic structure owing to the shear/stress, dislocations, and Cu substitution during the milling process.
Binding Performance of Human Intravenous Immunoglobulin and 20(S)-7-Ethylcamptothecin
Authors: Liu Yong-Chun , Li Ying-Ying , Yao Xiao-Jun , Qi Hui-Li , Wei Xiao-Xia , Liu Jian-Ning
Published: September 2018

A previous study showed that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) could preserve higher levels of biologically active lactone moieties of topotecan, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) and 10-hydroxycamptothecin at physiological pH 7.40. As one of camptothecin analogues (CPTs), the interaction of 7-ethylcamptothecin and IVIG was studied in vitro in this study. It was shown that the main binding mode of IVIG to 7-ethylcamptothecin was hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding, which is a non-specific and spontaneous interaction. The hydrophobic antigen-binding cavity of IgG would enwrap the drug into a host-guest inclusion complex and prevent hydrolysis of the encapsulated drug, while the drug is adjacent to the chromophores of IgG and may exchange energy with chromophores and quench the fluorescence of the protein. Also, the typical β-sheet structure of IVIG unfolded partially after binding to 7-ethylcamptothecin. Additionally, the binding properties of IVIG and six CPTs with different substituents at A-ring and/or B-ring including camptothecin, topotecan, irinotecan, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, 7-ethylcamptothecin and SN-38 were collected together and compared each other. Synergizing with anti-cancer drugs, IVIG could be used as a transporter protein for 7-ethylcamptothecin and other CPTs, allowing clinicians to devise new treatment protocols for patients.
The Effect of Ultrasound, Oxygen and Sunlight on the Stability of (−)-Epigallocatechin Gallate
Authors: Zeng Jiajun , Xu Huanhua , Cai Yu , Xuan Yan , Liu Jia , Gao Yue , Luan Qingxian
Published: September 2018

(−)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is the main catechin found in green tea, and has several beneficial effects. This study investigated the stability of EGCG aqueous solution under different stored and ultrasonic conditions to determine whether it can be used with an ultrasonic dental scaler to treat periodontal infection. Four concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 2 mg/mL) of EGCG aqueous solution were prepared and stored under four different conditions (A: Exposed to neither sunlight nor air, B: Exposed to sunlight, but not air, C: Not exposed to sunlight, but air, D: Exposed to sunlight and air) for two days. The degradation rate of EGCG was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). On the other hand, an ultrasonic dental scaler was used to atomize the EGCG solution under four different conditions (a: Exposed to neither air nor sunlight, b: Not exposed to air, but sunlight, c: Not exposed to sunlight, but air, d: Exposed to air and sunlight), the degradation of EGCG was measured by HPLC. We found that the stability of EGCG was concentration-dependent in water at room temperature. Both sunlight and oxygen influenced the stability of EGCG, and oxygen had a more pronounced effect on stability of EGCG than sunlight. The most important conclusion was that the ultrasound may accelerate the degradation of EGCG due to the presence of oxygen and sunlight, but not because of the ultrasonic vibration. Thus, EGCG aqueous solution has the potential to be used through an ultrasonic dental scaler to treat periodontal infection in the future.
Exfoliation and Characterization of V2Se9 Atomic Crystals
Authors: Kim Bum Jun , Jeong Byung Joo , OH Seungbae , Chae Sudong , Choi Kyung Hwan , Nasir Tuqeer , Lee Sang Hoon , Kim Kwan-Woo , Lim Hyung Kyu , Choi Ik Jun , Moon Ji-Yun , Yu Hak Ki , Lee Jae-Hyun , Choi Jae-Young
Published: September 2018

Mass production of one-dimensional, V2Se9 crystals, was successfully synthesized using the solid-state reaction of vanadium and selenium. Through the mechanical exfoliation method, the bulk V2Se9 crystal was easily separated to nanoribbon structure and we have confirmed that as-grown V2Se9 crystals consist of innumerable single V2Se9 chains linked by van der Waals interaction. The exfoliated V2Se9 flakes can be controlled thickness by the repeated-peeling method. In addition, atomic thick nanoribbon structure of V2Se9 was also obtained on a 300 nm SiO2/Si substrate. Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy analysis was used to explore the variation of work function depending on the thickness of V2Se9 flakes. We believe that these observations will be of great help in selecting suitable metal contacts for V2Se9 and that a V2Se9 crystal is expected to have an important role in future nano-electronic devices.
The Non-Coding RNA Journal Club: Highlights on Recent Papers—6
Authors: Xiao Hua , Shiu Patrick , Shu Jun , Santulli Gaetano , Gheybi Mohammad , Conn Simon , Bogard Baptiste , Hubé Florent , Taube Joseph , Mani Sendurai , Song Luo , Calin George , Zhang Shuxing
Published: September 2018

We are delighted to share with you our sixth Journal Club and highlight some of the most interesting papers published recently [...]
Breakfast Consumption in Spain: Patterns, Nutrient Intake and Quality. Findings from the ANIBES Study, a Study from the International Breakfast Research Initiative
Authors: Ruiz Emma , Ávila José Manuel , Valero Teresa , Rodriguez Paula , Varela-Moreiras Gregorio
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to investigate energy, nutrient and food group intakes at breakfast in Spain and to examine for the first time, their relationship to the overall Diet Quality (DQ). The data used were from the Spanish ANIBES (anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles in Spain), a cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of the Spanish population (9–75 years old). DQ was assessed using the Nutrient Rich Foods Index, adapted to total diets (NRF9.3d). Most (>85%) of the Spanish population were regular breakfast consumers, although one in five adolescents were breakfast skippers. Breakfast provides just 16–19% of the daily intake of energy. Relative to its daily energy contribution, the Spanish breakfast contributed a higher proportion of daily total carbohydrates, added sugars, sodium, thiamin, riboflavin, folates, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and especially in calcium. By contrast, the breakfast is low in water intake, protein, dietary fibre, total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, beta-carotene and vitamins E and D. In children and teenagers, the most commonly consumed breakfast food was chocolate (mainly as chocolate-flavoured milk and powder), followed by bakery and pastry, whole milk and semi-skimmed milk. In the older groups, a bigger variety of foods were reported. Consumers in the highest NRF9.3d tertile for diet quality tended to have a higher intake of positive nutrients at breakfast than other tertiles, most notably among adults.
Molecular and Physiological Study of Candida albicans by Quantitative Proteome Analysis
Authors: Shibasaki Seiji , Karasaki Miki , Aoki Wataru , Ueda Mitsuyoshi
Published: September 2018

Candida albicans is one of the major pathogens that cause the serious infectious condition known as candidiasis. C. albicans was investigated by proteome analysis to systematically examine its virulence factors and to promote the development of novel pharmaceuticals against candidiasis. Here, we review quantitative time-course proteomics data related to C. albicans adaptation to fetal bovine serum, which were obtained using a nano-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry system equipped with a long monolithic silica capillary column. It was revealed that C. albicans induced proteins involved in iron acquisition, detoxification of oxidative species, energy production, and pleiotropic stress tolerance. Native interactions of C. albicans with macrophages were also investigated with the same proteome-analysis system. Simultaneous analysis of C. albicans and macrophages without isolating individual living cells revealed an attractive strategy for studying the survival of C. albicans. Although those data were obtained by performing proteome analyses, the molecular physiology of C. albicans is discussed and trials related to pharmaceutical applications are also examined.
Monitoring the Impact of Land Cover Change on Surface Urban Heat Island through Google Earth Engine: Proposal of a Global Methodology, First Applications and Problems
Authors: Ravanelli Roberta , Nascetti Andrea , Cirigliano Raffaella Valeria , Di Rico Clarissa , Leuzzi Giovanni , Monti Paolo , Crespi Mattia
Published: September 2018

All over the world, the rapid urbanization process is challenging the sustainable development of our cities. In 2015, the United Nation highlighted in Goal 11 of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) the importance to “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. In order to monitor progress regarding SDG 11, there is a need for proper indicators, representing different aspects of city conditions, obviously including the Land Cover (LC) changes and the urban climate with its most distinct feature, the Urban Heat Island (UHI). One of the aspects of UHI is the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI), which has been investigated through airborne and satellite remote sensing over many years. The purpose of this work is to show the present potential of Google Earth Engine (GEE) to process the huge and continuously increasing free satellite Earth Observation (EO) Big Data for long-term and wide spatio-temporal monitoring of SUHI and its connection with LC changes. A large-scale spatio-temporal procedure was implemented under GEE, also benefiting from the already established Climate Engine (CE) tool to extract the Land Surface Temperature (LST) from Landsat imagery and the simple indicator Detrended Rate Matrix was introduced to globally represent the net effect of LC changes on SUHI. The implemented procedure was successfully applied to six metropolitan areas in the U.S., and a general increasing of SUHI due to urban growth was clearly highlighted. As a matter of fact, GEE indeed allowed us to process more than 6000 Landsat images acquired over the period 1992–2011, performing a long-term and wide spatio-temporal study on SUHI vs. LC change monitoring. The present feasibility of the proposed procedure and the encouraging obtained results, although preliminary and requiring further investigations (calibration problems related to LST determination from Landsat imagery were evidenced), pave the way for a possible global service on SUHI monitoring, able to supply valuable indications to address an increasingly sustainable urban planning of our cities.
Assessing the Variability of Corn and Soybean Yields in Central Iowa Using High Spatiotemporal Resolution Multi-Satellite Imagery
Authors: Gao Feng , Anderson Martha , Daughtry Craig , Johnson David
Published: September 2018

The utility of remote sensing data in crop yield modeling has typically been evaluated at the regional or state level using coarse resolution (>250 m) data. The use of medium resolution data (10–100 m) for yield estimation at field scales has been limited due to the low temporal sampling frequency characteristics of these sensors. Temporal sampling at a medium resolution can be significantly improved, however, when multiple remote sensing data sources are used in combination. Furthermore, data fusion approaches have been developed to blend data from different spatial and temporal resolutions. This paper investigates the impacts of improved temporal sampling afforded by multi-source datasets on our ability to explain spatial and temporal variability in crop yields in central Iowa (part of the U.S. Corn Belt). Several metrics derived from vegetation index (VI) time-series were evaluated using Landsat-MODIS fused data from 2001 to 2015 and Landsat-Sentinel2-MODIS fused data from 2016 and 2017. The fused data explained the yield variability better, with a higher coefficient of determination (R2) and a smaller relative mean absolute error than using a single data source alone. In this study area, the best period for the yield prediction for corn and soybean was during the middle of the growing season from day 192 to 236 (early July to late August, 1–3 months before harvest). These findings emphasize the importance of high temporal and spatial resolution remote sensing data in agricultural applications.
Recent Progress in Quantitative Land Remote Sensing in China
Authors: Liang Shunlin , Shi Jiancheng , Yan Guangjian
Published: September 2018

During the past forty years, since the first book with a title mentioning quantitative and remote sensing was published [1], quantitative land remote sensing has advanced dramatically, and numerous books have been published since then [2–6] although some of them did not use quantitative land remote sensing in their titles. [...]
From Signal to Image: Enabling Fine-Grained Gesture Recognition with Commercial Wi-Fi Devices
Authors: Zhou Qizhen , Xing Jianchun , Chen Wei , Zhang Xuewei , Yang Qiliang
Published: September 2018

Gesture recognition acts as a key enabler for user-friendly human-computer interfaces (HCI). To bridge the human-computer barrier, numerous efforts have been devoted to designing accurate fine-grained gesture recognition systems. Recent advances in wireless sensing hold promise for a ubiquitous, non-invasive and low-cost system with existing Wi-Fi infrastructures. In this paper, we propose DeepNum, which enables fine-grained finger gesture recognition with only a pair of commercial Wi-Fi devices. The key insight of DeepNum is to incorporate the quintessence of deep learning-based image processing so as to better depict the influence induced by subtle finger movements. In particular, we make multiple efforts to transfer sensitive Channel State Information (CSI) into depth radio images, including antenna selection, gesture segmentation and image construction, followed by noisy image purification using high-dimensional relations. To fulfill the restrictive size requirements of deep learning model, we propose a novel region-selection method to constrain the image size and select qualified regions with dominant color and texture features. Finally, a 7-layer Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and SoftMax function are adopted to achieve automatic feature extraction and accurate gesture classification. Experimental results demonstrate the excellent performance of DeepNum, which recognizes 10 finger gestures with overall accuracy of 98% in three typical indoor scenarios.
The Role of Proton Transport in Gating Current in a Voltage Gated Ion Channel, as Shown by Quantum Calculations
Authors: Kariev Alisher M. , Green Michael E.
Published: September 2018

Over two-thirds of a century ago, Hodgkin and Huxley proposed the existence of voltage gated ion channels (VGICs) to carry Na+ and K+ ions across the cell membrane to create the nerve impulse, in response to depolarization of the membrane. The channels have multiple physiological roles, and play a central role in a wide variety of diseases when they malfunction. The first channel structure was found by MacKinnon and coworkers in 1998. Subsequently, the structure of a number of VGICs was determined in the open (ion conducting) state. This type of channel consists of four voltage sensing domains (VSDs), each formed from four transmembrane (TM) segments, plus a pore domain through which ions move. Understanding the gating mechanism (how the channel opens and closes) requires structures. One TM segment (S4) has an arginine in every third position, with one such segment per domain. It is usually assumed that these arginines are all ionized, and in the resting state are held toward the intracellular side of the membrane by voltage across the membrane. They are assumed to move outward (extracellular direction) when released by depolarization of this voltage, producing a capacitive gating current and opening the channel. We suggest alternate interpretations of the evidence that led to these models. Measured gating current is the total charge displacement of all atoms in the VSD; we propose that the prime, but not sole, contributor is proton motion, not displacement of the charges on the arginines of S4. It is known that the VSD can conduct protons. Quantum calculations on the Kv1.2 potassium channel VSD show how; the key is the amphoteric nature of the arginine side chain, which allows it to transfer a proton. This appears to be the first time the arginine side chain has had its amphoteric character considered. We have calculated one such proton transfer in detail: this proton starts from a tyrosine that can ionize, transferring to the NE of the third arginine on S4; that arginine’s NH then transfers a proton to a glutamate. The backbone remains static. A mutation predicted to affect the proton transfer has been qualitatively confirmed experimentally, from the change in the gating current-voltage curve. The total charge displacement in going from a normal closed potential of −70 mV across the membrane to 0 mV (open), is calculated to be approximately consistent with measured values, although the error limits on the calculation require caution in interpretation.