bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple Surface Modification of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) via Surface Segregating Smart Polymers for Biomicrofluidics
Authors: Gökaltun Aslıhan , Kang Young Bok , Yarmush Martin L. , Usta O. Berk , Asatekin Ayse
Published: May 2019

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is likely the most popular material for microfluidic devices in lab-on-a-chip and other biomedical applications. However, the hydrophobicity of PDMS leads to non-specific adsorption of proteins and other molecules such as therapeutic drugs, limiting its broader use. Here, we introduce a simple method for preparing PDMS materials to improve hydrophilicity and decrease non-specific protein adsorption while retaining cellular biocompatibility, transparency, and good mechanical properties without the need for any post-cure surface treatment. This approach utilizes smart copolymers comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PDMS segments (PDMS-PEG) that, when blended with PDMS during device manufacture, spontaneously segregate to surfaces in contact with aqueous solutions and reduce the hydrophobicity without any added manufacturing steps. PDMS-PEG-modified PDMS samples showed contact angles as low as 23.6° ± 1° and retained this hydrophilicity for at least twenty months. Their improved wettability was confirmed using capillary flow experiments. Modified devices exhibited considerably reduced non-specific adsorption of albumin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin G. The modified PDMS was biocompatible, displaying no adverse effects when used in a simple liver-on-a-chip model using primary rat hepatocytes. This PDMS modification method can be further applied in analytical separations, biosensing, cell studies, and drug-related studies.
COPII proteins exhibit distinct subdomains within each ER exit site for executing their functions
Authors: Maeda Miharu , Kurokawa Kazuo , Katada Toshiaki , Nakano Akihiko , Saito Kota
Published: May 2019

Secretory proteins are exported from special domains of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) termed ER exit sites, via COPII-coated carriers. We recently showed that TANGO1 and Sec16 cooperatively organize mammalian ER exit sites for efficient secretion. However, the detailed spatial organization of mammalian ER exit sites is yet to be revealed. Here, we used super-resolution confocal live imaging microscopy (SCLIM) to investigate the localization of endogenous proteins, and we identified domains abundant in transmembrane complexes (TANGO1/cTAGE5/Sec12) juxtaposed to Sec16. Interestingly, this domain can be distinguished from the inner and the outer coats of COPII proteins within each mammalian ER exit site. Cargoes are partially concentrated in the domain for secretion. Our results suggest that mammalian ER exit sites compartmentalize proteins according to their function in COPII vesicle formation.
Improving performance of 3D speckle tracking in arterial hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by using novel strain parameters
Authors: Esposito G. , Piras P. , Evangelista A. , Nuzzi V. , Nardinocchi P. , Pannarale G. , Torromeo C. , Puddu P. E.
Published: May 2019

The function of left atrium (LA) is closely related to LA remodeling and one of the most important mechanisms is an increased deposition of fibrous tissue that often is the basis for LA electro-mechanical changes before the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated LA shape and function, by investigating standard and novel strain parameters calculated by a new approach based on homologous times derived from 3D speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) in hypertensive (HT) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) patients with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), compared to control (C) subjects. LA function was assessed using homologous times to compare strain variables among different individuals, acquired at different physiological time periods. Standard global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) strains were measured at peak of atrial diastole, while longitudinal and circumferential strains (GLSh, GCSh), strain rate (GLSr, GCSr), volume (Vh) and volume rate (Vr) were measured during the atrial telediastolic phase (fifth homologous time) and atrial pre-active phase (tenth homologous time). Using ANOVA, we found an impaired LA deformation detected by standard, interpolated strains and strain rates in both HT and PAF groups compared to C. We also performed ROC analysis to identify different performances of each parameter to discriminate groups (GLSr10 + GCSr10: C vs PAF 0.935; C vs PAF_LVH 0.924; C vs HT_LVH 0.844; C vs HT 0.756). Our study showed anatomical and functional LA remodeling in patients with PAF and HT. 3D strains and strain rates derived from the homologous times approach provide more functional information with improved performance to identify among the explored groups, in particular PAF patients.
Decomposition and oligomerization of 2,3-naphthyridine under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions
Authors: Shinozaki Ayako , Mimura Koichi , Nishida Tamihito
Published: May 2019

The chemical reaction of 2,3-naphthyridine, a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound, was investigated at pressures ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 GPa and temperatures from 473 to 573 K. A distinct decrease in the amount of residual 2,3-naphthyridine was observed in the samples recovered after reaction at ˃523 K at 0.5 and 1.0 GPa, and ˃548 K at 1.5 GPa. The formation of o-xylene and o-tolunitrile accompanied a decreasing N/C ratio of the reaction products, indicating decomposition of the aromatic ring and release of nitrogen. Precise analysis of the reaction products indicated the oligomerization of decomposed products with the residual 2,3-naphthyridine to form larger molecules up to 7mers. Nitrogen in the aromatic ring accelerated reactions to decompose the molecule and to oligomerize at lower temperatures than those typically reported for aromatic hydrocarbon oligomerization. The major reaction mechanism was similar between 0.5 and 1.5 GPa, although larger products preferentially formed in the samples at higher pressure.
Mortality rate-dependent variations in the survival without major morbidities rate of extremely preterm infants
Authors: Kim Jin Kyu , Chang Yun Sil , Sung Sein , Park Won Soon
Published: May 2019

The effects of improved survival of EPT infants on morbidity among survivors remain largely controversial. This retrospective cohort study of the Korean Neonatal Network data investigated whether the mortality rate of 23–24 weeks’ gestation was associated with survival without major morbidities in periviable 25–26 weeks’ gestation infants. The 2,083 eligible infants with 23–26 weeks’ gestation were grouped based on institutional mortality rate (group 1 and 2 ≤50% and >50% mortality rate, respectively, for 23–24 weeks’ gestation) and were further divided into 23–24 and 25–26 weeks’ gestation subgroups. The mortality rate of 23–24 weeks’ gestation infants was significantly lower in group 1 (32.7%) than in group 2 (69.9%). The survival without major morbidities rate for 25–26 weeks’ gestation infants was significantly higher in group 1 (31.2%) than in group 2 (18.5%). Antenatal steroid use and Apgar score at 5 min in group 1 were associated with decreased mortality and survival without major morbidities in 23–24 and 25–26 weeks’ gestation infants, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, decreased mortality rates in 23–24 weeks’ gestation infants were associated with higher survival without major morbidities rates in 25–26 weeks’ gestation infants due to decreased bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, and late-onset sepsis. Evidence-based perinatal and neonatal practices, including antenatal steroid use and better delivery room care contributing to decreased mortality in periviable 23–24 weeks’ gestation infants, were associated with lower morbidity and higher survival without major morbidities in more mature 25–26 weeks’ gestation infants.
Effects of exogenous sulfur on alleviating cadmium stress in tartary buckwheat
Authors: Lu Yang , Wang Qi-fu , Li Jun , Xiong Jiang , Zhou Luo-na , He Sheng-ling , Zhang Jie-qiong , Chen Zhong-ai , He Song-gang , Liu Hui
Published: May 2019

Supplying exogenous sulfur-rich compounds increases the content of glutathione(GSH) and phytochelatins(PCs) in plant tissues, enabling plants to enhance their cellular defense capacity and/or compartmentalize Cadmium(Cd) into vacuoles. However, the mechanism by which surplus S modulates tolerance to Cd stress in different tissues need further investigation. In the present study, we found that supplementing the tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tararicum) exposed to Cd with surplus S reversed Cd induced adverse effects, and increased Cd concentrations in roots, but decreased in leaves. Further analysis revealed that exogenous S significantly mitigated Cd-induced oxidative stress with the aids of antioxidant enzymes and agents both in leaves and roots, including peroxidase(POD), ascorbate peroxidase(APX), glutathione peroxidase(GPX), glutathione S-transferase(GST), ascorbic acid(AsA), and GSH, but not superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT). The increased Cd uptake in root vacuoles and decreased translocation in leaves of exogenous S treated plants could be ascribed to the increasing Cd binding on cell walls, chelation and vacuolar sequestration with helps of non-protein thiols(NPT), PCs and heavy metal ATPase 3(FtHMA3) in roots, and inhibiting expression of FtHMA2, a transporter that helps Cd translocation from roots to shoots. Results provide the fundamental information for the application of exogenous S in reversal of heavy metal stress.
The Preparation and Properties of Porous Sepiolite Ceramics
Authors: Tian Li , Wang Lijuan , Wang Kailei , Zhang Yuedan , Liang Jinsheng
Published: May 2019

In this paper, a new type of porous ceramics was prepared using the raw sepiolite mineral. The porous ceramics was shaped by the dry pressing method and sintered in the range of 700 ~ 1200 °C. The temperature-microstructure evolution and the properties of porous sepiolite ceramics were investigated by thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), bending strength, compressive strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP). The sintering kinetics of the porous ceramics from sepiolite was investigated by means of stepwise isothermal dilatometry (SID). The mechanical properties improved with the increasing sintering temperature, and the bending strength and compression strength reached a maximum of 52 MPa and 32 MPa respectively at 1200 °C. The porosity increased with the sintering temperature until 1100 °C attaining the value of 55.40% and then decreased to a value of 46.48% at 1200 °C. The main crystal phases of the porous ceramics were akermanite and diopside. At 1200 °C, the pores inside the ceramics basically follows a unimodal distribution, which was mainly located near 553 nm. The sintering activation energy of porous sepiolite ceramics was measured by step isothermal thermal expansion with a value of 791.42 kJ/mol in the range of 1000 °C to 1200 °C.
A novel approach to determine generalist nematophagous microbes reveals Mortierella globalpina as a new biocontrol agent against Meloidogyne spp. nematodes
Authors: DiLegge Michael J. , Manter Daniel K. , Vivanco Jorge M.
Published: May 2019

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) such as Meloidogyne spp. are among the most detrimental pests in agriculture affecting several crops. New methodologies to manage RKN are needed such as efficient discovery of nematophagous microbes. In this study, we developed an in vitro high-throughput method relying on the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the infection of those nematodes with a soil slurry containing a microbiome likely to house nematophagous microbes. Nematodes were monitored for presence of infection and sub-cultured repeatedly for the purpose of isolating pure cultures of the microbe responsible for conferring the nematicidal activity. Once soil microbes were confirmed to be antagonistic to C. elegans, they were tested for pathogenicity against Meloidogyne chitwoodi. Using this methodology, the fungal isolate Mortierella globalpina was confirmed to be pathogenic in vitro against M. chitwoodi by nematode trapping via hyphal adhesion to the cuticle layer, penetration of the cuticle layer, and subsequently digestion of its cellular contents. M. globalpina was also observed to reduce disease symptomology of RKNs in vivo via significant reduction of root-galls on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Rutgers).
diffcyt: Differential discovery in high-dimensional cytometry via high-resolution clustering
Authors: Weber Lukas M. , Nowicka Malgorzata , Soneson Charlotte , Robinson Mark D.
Published: May 2019

High-dimensional flow and mass cytometry allow cell types and states to be characterized in great detail by measuring expression levels of more than 40 targeted protein markers per cell at the single-cell level. However, data analysis can be difficult, due to the large size and dimensionality of datasets as well as limitations of existing computational methods. Here, we present diffcyt, a new computational framework for differential discovery analyses in high-dimensional cytometry data, based on a combination of high-resolution clustering and empirical Bayes moderated tests adapted from transcriptomics. Our approach provides improved statistical performance, including for rare cell populations, along with flexible experimental designs and fast runtimes in an open-source framework.
Comment on “Novel formation of Bi@BiFe-glycolate hollow spheres and their conversion into Bi2O3/BiFeO3 composite hollow spheres with enhanced activity and durability in visible photocatalysis” by X. Yang, J. Meng, Y. Wang, Q. Meng, Y. Hu, A. Di, Y. Wu and G. Chen, New J. Chem., 2018, 42, 10697
Authors: Huang Chuanfu , Zhang Heng , Zhang Xiaoli , Wang Zhihui , Zhao Ying
Published: May 2019

In this comment, we found that the explanations in the paper of X. Yang et al. were not accurately stated, which could cause confusion and misunderstanding.
Enhancement of rotator cuff tendon–bone healing using combined aligned electrospun fibrous membranes and kartogenin
Authors: Zhu Qi , Ma Zhijie , Li Haiyan , Wang Haiming , He Yaohua
Published: May 2019

Aligned PCL scaffolds loaded with an adequate amount KGN (KGN-PCL) could enhance tendon–bone healing enthesis in rotator cuff tears.
A fast method for determination of surface area of zeolite-based catalysts and zeolites using near infrared emission spectroscopy
Authors: Rebouças Jicarla Portela , Rodrigues Rohwedder Jarbas José , Pasquini Celio
Published: May 2019

A new, fast and reagent-free method for determination of the surface area of zeolite-based catalysts and zeolites using direct spectral information from near infrared emission spectroscopy and chemometrics is described.
Fluorophore-quencher interactions effect on hybridization characteristics of complementary oligonucleotides
Authors: Zimmers Zackary A. , Adams Nicholas M. , Gabella William E. , Haselton Frederick R.
Published: May 2019

The distance between fluorophore and quencher affects the melting temperature of fluorescently-labeled DNA.
Polydopamine nanoparticles carrying tumor cell lysate as a potential vaccine for colorectal cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Wang Ning , Yang Ying , Wang Xiaoxiao , Liang Jiayi , Tian Xinxin , Zhang Hailing , Leng Xigang
Published: May 2019

Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) were preparedviadopamine self-polymerization; then, tumor cell lysate (TCL) was covalently attached onto the PDA NPs.
Pd-catalyzed enantioselective cyclopropanation of nitriles with mono substituted allyl carbonates enabled by the bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand
Authors: Zhang Gao-Peng , Huang Shuai , Jiang Yang-Jie , Liu Xiu-Yan , Ding Chang-Hua , Wei Yin , Hou Xue-Long
Published: May 2019

Enantioselective cyclopropanation of nitriles with allyl reagents was realized using Pd/NHC as a catalyst and the reasons for the cyclopropanation were investigated.
Anion exchange of a cationic Cd(ii)-based metal–organic framework with potassium ferricyanide towards highly active Fe3C-containing Fe/N/C catalysts for oxygen reduction
Authors: Huang Jia-Wei , Chen Yu-Bin , Liu Xiao , Huang Yi-Chen , Ding Ye-Lin , Xu Yang , Yao Hong-Chang , Zhu Hai-Bin , Yang Hui
Published: May 2019

An efficient Fe3C-containing Fe/N/C catalyst towards oxygen reduction was pyrolyzed from a cationic Cd(ii)-based metal–organic framework modified by anion-exchange with potassium ferricyanide.
Non-adiabatic molecular dynamics investigation of the size dependence of the electronic relaxation in polyacenes
Authors: Posenitskiy Evgeny , Rapacioli Mathias , Lepetit Bruno , Lemoine Didier , Spiegelman Fernand
Published: May 2019

Electronic relaxation from the brightest excited state has been investigated for neutral polyacenes ranging in size from naphthalene to heptacene.
Insight into the selective binding mechanism of DNMT1 and DNMT3A inhibitors: a molecular simulation study
Authors: Xie Tianli , Yu Jie , Fu Weitao , Wang Zhe , Xu Lei , Chang Shan , Wang Ercheng , Zhu Feng , Zeng Su , Kang Yu , Hou Tingjun
Published: May 2019

Molecular simulation techniques help with the rational design of novel selective inhibitors targeting certain DNA methyltransferase isoforms, which is beneficial for more refined treatments of epigenetic related cancer and other diseases.
The catalytic mechanism ofS-acyltransferases: acylation is triggered on by a loose transition state and deacylation is turned off by a tight transition state
Authors: Wang Xia , Bakanina Kissanga Grace Mercure , Li E. , Li Qiang , Yao Jianzhuang
Published: May 2019

The reaction ofS-acyltransferase is characterized by a loose transition state.
Atomistic insight into the inhibition mechanisms of suppressors of cytokine signaling on Janus kinase
Authors: Wei Yaru , Zhang Zhiyang , She Nai , Chen Xin , Zhao Yuan , Zhang Jinglai
Published: May 2019

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) act as negative feedback regulators of the Janus kinase/signal transducer (JAK–STAT) signaling pathway by inhibiting the activity of JAK kinase.
Luminescence mechanochromism of copper iodide clusters: a rational investigation
Authors: Huitorel Brendan , Utrera-Melero Raquel , Massuyeau Florian , Mevelec Jean-Yves , Baptiste Benoit , Polian Alain , Gacoin Thierry , Martineau-Corcos Charlotte , Perruchas Sandrine
Published: May 2019

A photoluminescent copper iodide cluster has been characterized, and its luminescence mechanochromic properties have been anticipated.
Ambient and aerobic carbon–carbon bond cleavage toward α-ketoester synthesis by transition-metal-free photocatalysis
Authors: Yu Qing , Zhang Yating , Wan Jie-Ping
Published: May 2019

With a low loading of Rose Bengal (1 mol%) and green LED irradiation, α-ketoesters are efficiently synthesized with excellent product diversity and selectivityviathe ambient cleavage of the enaminone CC double bond.
Rapid separation and identification of beer spoilage bacteria by inertial microfluidics and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Condina Mark R. , Dilmetz Brooke A. , Razavi Bazaz Sajad , Meneses Jon , Ebrahimi Warkiani Majid , Hoffmann Peter
Published: May 2019

Microfluidics and MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid, high-throughput, and accurate method for the identification of beer spoilage bacteria.
Tailored therapeutics based on 1,2,3-1H-triazoles: a mini review
Authors: Prasher Parteek , Sharma Mousmee
Published: May 2019

Contemporary drug discovery approaches rely on library synthesis coupled with combinatorial methods and high-throughput screening to identify leads.
Parameters affecting the synthesis of carbon dots for quantitation of copper ions
Authors: Lin Yu-Syuan , Lin Yaling , Periasamy Arun Prakash , Cang Jinshun , Chang Huan-Tsung
Published: May 2019

A simple, eco-friendly, and low-cost electrochemical approach has been applied to the synthesis of carbon dots from histidine hydrochloride in the absence or presence of halides at various potentials up to 10 V.
A stable polymeric chain configuration producing high performance PEBAX-1657 membranes for CO2 separation
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Kim Young-Jin , Kim Min-Zy , Alam Syed Fakhar , Cho Churl Hee
Published: May 2019

By improving the polymeric structure and reforming the free-volume of pristine PEBAX films, the permeability, as well as CO2 selectivity, can be enhanced simultaneously.
Photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy in the second near-infrared window
Authors: Ge Xiaoguang , Fu Qinrui , Bai Lin , Chen Bin , Wang Renjie , Gao Shi , Song Jibin
Published: May 2019

This review summarizes the recent progress of PA imaging and PTT agents in the second NIR window.
Porous composite CMC–KCuFC–PEG spheres for efficient cesium removal from wastewater
Authors: Hu Jiayin , Chen Shangqing , Zhang Ningluo , Wang Zheng , Shi Jian , Guo Yafei , Deng Tianlong
Published: May 2019

Highly stable porous composite CMC–KCuFC–PEG was used for Cs+ recovery from wastewater, and showed excellent adsorption performance.
Thin-layer chromatography/metal underlayer-ATR FTIR methodology for the study of synthetic dyes extracted from degraded wool fibres
Authors: Quintero Balbas Diego , Prati Silvia , Sciutto Giorgia , Catelli Emilio , Mazzeo Rocco
Published: May 2019

The integration of an enhanced FTIR method with a multi-step micro-extraction protocol and the use of AgI@Au supports are proposed to analyse dyes in aged fibres.
An atomistic mechanism for the degradation of perovskite solar cells by trapped charge
Authors: Kwak Kwisung , Lim Eunhak , Ahn Namyoung , Heo Jiyoung , Bang Kijoon , Kim Seong Keun , Choi Mansoo
Published: May 2019

Diverse reaction pathways were identified by experiment and theory toward trapped charge-induced degradation of perovskite solar cells.
A gold-catalyzed facile intramolecular rearrangement and cyclization sequence for synthesis of 2,5-dihydrofurans
Authors: Sunil Komalla , Thummala Yadagiri , Dalovai Purnachandar , Balasubramanian Sridhar , Karunakar Galla V.
Published: May 2019

An efficient gold-catalyzed intramolecular rearrangement and cyclization protocol was developed for synthesis of 2,5-dihydrofuran derivatives via formation of a new C–C and C–O bond with a quaternary centre.
Triazole functionalized acyclic cucurbit[n]uril-type receptors: host·guest recognition properties
Authors: Xue Weijian , Zavalij Peter Y. , Isaacs Lyle
Published: May 2019

The synthesis, characterization, and molecular recognition properties of 2–4 toward organic ammonium ions in water is reported.
Mono-selective β-C–H arylation of N-methylated amino acids and peptides promoted by the 2-(methylthio)aniline directing group
Authors: Kinsinger Thorsten , Kazmaier Uli
Published: May 2019

2-(Methylthio)aniline (MTA) directed C(sp3)–H functionalisations are efficient and straightforward protocols for the selective β-modification of N-methylated amino acids.
Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural (2S,3S)-6-hydroxy-4-sphingenine-containing sphingolipids
Authors: Leichnitz Daniel , Pflanze Sebastian , Beemelmanns Christine
Published: May 2019

Concise total synthesis of unnatural (2S,3S)-6-hydroxy-4-sphingenine containing sphingolipids using a hydrozirconationtransmetalation reaction and an unusual three-step-one-pot deprotection sequence.
Metal-free synthesis of gem-silylboronate esters and their Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryliodides
Authors: Wu Chaoqiang , Bao Zhicheng , Xu Xing , Wang Jianbo
Published: May 2019

An efficient method for the synthesis of gem-silylboronate esters based on transition-metal-free reaction of arylboronic acids and trimethylsilyldiazomethane is developed, and Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of gem-silylboronate esters with aryliodides is described.
Selective hydrogenation of CO2 over a Ce promoted Cu-based catalyst confined by SBA-15
Authors: Hu Xiaosong , Zhao Chaoyue , Guan Qingxin , Hu Xin , Li Wei , Chen Jun
Published: May 2019

Highly efficient generation of methanol and CO relying on the synergistic effect of Cu, ZnO, and CeOx dispersed in SBA-15.
Steric hindrance classified: treatment of isothiocyanatoallene with secondary amines bearing bulky substituents to generate 2-aminothiazoles
Authors: Banert Klaus , Seifert Jennifer
Published: May 2019

Based on the reaction of allenyl isothiocyanate with secondary amines, the influence of strong steric hindrance on the nucleophilicity of amines was measured.
Investigation of the adsorption behavior of BSA with tethered lipid layer-modified solid-state nanopores in a wide pH range
Authors: Tian Haibing , Xie Wanyi , He Shixuan , Zhou Daming , Fang Shaoxi , Liang Liyuan , Wang Deqiang
Published: May 2019

Nanopore technology was introduced for the study of the interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) phospholipids.
Enhanced electrochemical properties of cellular CoPS@C nanocomposites for HER, OER and Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Miao , Tang Kaibin
Published: May 2019

A novel porous CoPS@C nanocomposite show excellent electrochemical properties for HER, OER, Li-storage.
Modifying the microstructure of algae-based active carbon and modelling supercapacitors using artificial neural networks
Authors: Wang Jiashuai , Li Zhe , Yan Shaocun , Yu Xue , Ma Yanqing , Ma Lei
Published: May 2019

An artificial neutral network has been applied to predict the specific capacitance of biomass-carbon supercapacitors.
Pyridylbenzimidazole based Re(i)(CO)3 complexes: antimicrobial activity, spectroscopic and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Mansour Ahmed M.
Published: May 2019

Mono- and binuclear pyridylbenzimidazole based Re(i) tricarbonyl complexes exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram(+) bacterium. TDDFT calculation, in singlet and triplet states, assigned the lowest energy transition to MLCT and MLCT/3IL, respectively.
Ti2PTe2 monolayer: a promising two-dimensional anode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Jie , Qiao Man , Zhu Xiaorong , Jing Yu , Li Yafei
Published: May 2019

Two-dimensional Ti2PTe monolayer is a quite promising anode material for emerging sodium ion batteries.
Retracted Article: PKM2 overexpression protects against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell injury in the PC12 cell model of Parkinson's disease via regulation of the brahma-related gene 1/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Jiang Lei , Gao Yuanlin , Wang Gaiying , Zhong Jie
Published: May 2019

According to published estimates, pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) was expressed in low amounts in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared with the control health humans.
Nanostructured bulk Si for thermoelectrics synthesized by surface diffusion/sintering doping
Authors: Tanusilp Sora-at , Sadayori Naoki , Kurosaki Ken
Published: May 2019

Nanostructured bulk silicon (bulk nano-Si) has attracted attention as an advanced thermoelectric (TE) material due to its abundance and low toxicity.
Correction: Photoelectrochemical study of carbon-modified p-type Cu2O nanoneedles and n-type TiO2−x nanorods for Z-scheme solar water splitting in a tandem cell configuration
Authors: Kaneza Nelly , Shinde Pravin S. , Ma Yanxiao , Pan Shanlin
Published: May 2019

Correction for ‘Photoelectrochemical study of carbon-modified p-type Cu2O nanoneedles and n-type TiO2−x nanorods for Z-scheme solar water splitting in a tandem cell configuration’ by Nelly Kaneza et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 13576–13585.
Molecular mechanism of polyketide shortening in anthraquinone biosynthesis of Photorhabdus luminescens
Authors: Zhou Qiuqin , Bräuer Alois , Adihou Hélène , Schmalhofer Maximilian , Saura Patricia , Grammbitter Gina L. C. , Kaila Ville R. I. , Groll Michael , Bode Helge B.
Published: May 2019

Anthraquinones, produced by a type II polyketide synthase in Photorhabdus luminescens, are derived from polyketide chain shortening.
s-Block cooperative catalysis: alkali metal magnesiate-catalysed cyclisation of alkynols
Authors: Fairley Michael , Davin Laia , Hernán-Gómez Alberto , García-Álvarez Joaquín , O'Hara Charles T. , Hevia Eva
Published: May 2019

Through mixed metal cooperativity, alkali metal magnesiates efficiently catalyse the cyclisation of alkynols.
Oblique interface shearing (OIS): single-step microdroplet generation and on-demand positioning
Authors: Huang Fangsheng , Niu Ye , Zhu Zhiqiang , Huang Hanyang , Xue Yue , Si Ting , Xu Ronald X. , Zhao Yi
Published: May 2019

Shearing a continuous stream at the air/liquid interface with an oblique angle allows for generation and on-demand positioning of microdroplets.
Facile and mild preparation of brookite-rutile heterophase-junction TiO2 with high photocatalytic activity based on a deep eutectic solvent (DES)
Authors: Wang Qian , Ren Huaiyan , Zhao Yingqiang , Xia Xinyuan , Huang Fang , Cui Guanwei , Dong Bohui , Tang Bo
Published: May 2019

Green and mild preparation of highly active brookite-rutile heterophase-junction TiO2 with defects based on a deep eutectic solvent (DES).
Data mining process for predicting diabetes mellitus based model about other chronic diseases: a case study of the northwestern part of Nigeria
Authors: Uba Muhammad Musa , Jiadong Ren , Sohail Muhammad Noman , Irshad Muhammad , Yu Kaifei
Published: May 2019

To predict diabetes mellitus model data mining (DM) based approaches on the dataset collected from the seven northwestern states of Nigeria. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources through questionnaires and verbal interviews from patients with diabetic mellitus and other chronic diseases. Some hospital data were also used from the records of patients involved in this work. The dataset comprises 281 instances with 8 attributes. R programming software (version 5.3.1) was used in the experiments. The DM techniques used in this research were binomial logistic regression, classification, confusion matrix and correlation coefficient. The data were partitioned into training and testing sets. Training data were used in building the model while testing data were used to validate the model. The algorithm for the best‐fitted model converges with null deviance: 281.951, residual deviance: 16.476 and AIC: 30.476. The significance variables are AGE, GLU, DBP and KDYP with 0.025, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.025 P values, respectively. The predicted model accounted for the accuracy of ∼97.1%. The correlation analysis results revealed that diabetic patients are more likely to be hypertensive than patients with other chronic diseases considered in the research.
Weighted cooperative reinforcement learning‐based energy‐efficient autonomous resource selection strategy for underlay D2D communication
Authors: Sharma Sandeepika , Singh Brahmjit
Published: May 2019

Underlay Device‐to‐Device (D2D) communication is a key technology responsible for high data rate, ultra‐low latency with high spectral and energy efficiency in 5G cellular networks. But to achieve its full potential, optimal channel allocation and effective co‐channel interference management must be accomplished. To address this challenge, we propose a multi‐agent reinforcement learning based autonomous channel selection scheme for D2D communication. The proposed scheme, Weighted Cooperative Q‐Learning based Resource Selection (WCopQLRS), allows a D2D pair to learn to select a channel from the available resources autonomously. Learning process of each D2D transmitter involves cooperation from neighboring D2D agents by exchanging their latest Q‐values. An additional parameter called cooperation range is used to determine the neighboring pairs whose Q‐values can be used for learning the optimal policy. The limited prior information prevents a linear increase in the dimensions of Q‐value matrix of each learning agent when the number of D2D pairs within the cell is huge. Though WCopQL‐RS involves additional information exchange among agents as compared to independent learning but also provides improved system throughput and convergence speed. It is shown through simulation results that WCopQL‐RS outperforms other existing schemes in terms of average D2D user throughput, energy consumption and fairness value.
Deep neural network‐based underwater OFDM receiver
Authors: Zhang Jing , Cao Yu , Han Guangyao , Fu Xiaomei
Published: May 2019

Due to the characteristics of the underwater acoustic (UWA) channel, the process at the receiver is complicated to match the channel. To simplify receiver design and match UWA channel better, this study proposes a deep neural network‐based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing receiver for UWA communication. Different from existing receivers needing a neural network and several other processing parts, the proposed receiver only uses a single neural network to implement the whole signal processing. Moreover, it is a general receiver which is suitable for other modulation schemes. Simulation results show that the proposed receiver offers better bit error rate performance over traditional ones.
Relay dueling network for visual tracking with broad field‐of‐view
Authors: Jiang Yifan , Han David K. , Ko Hanseok
Published: May 2019

A deep reinforcement‐learning‐based method is presented for visual object tracking tasks. The key objective is to generate a sequence of actions which can move or scale the bounding box in the previous frame to track the target in the current frame. Two intelligent agents are trained to accomplish the above task with a special dueling deep Q‐learning network (Dueling DQN), referred to as a relay dueling network. The proposed model is divided into two agents: the movement agent and the scaling agent. The former performs horizontal or vertical movements and the latter generates scaling actions to change the size of the bounding box. The model has multiple inputs that cover both the bounding box region and the enlarged search region to improve the agents’ perception of the surroundings. The proposed method has a broader field of vision than other similar trackers and its distribution of actions makes it easy to train and improve its tracking performance. The proposed network is tested on popular standard tracker benchmarks and its performance is compared with state‐of‐the‐art trackers. The proposed network is found to be competitive in tracking accuracy and execution effectiveness when compared to conventional methods.
Robust PI controller design for frequency stabilisation in a hybrid microgrid system considering parameter uncertainties and communication time delay
Authors: Samy Jeya Veronica Arockya Jaya , Senthil Kumar Natarajan , Gonzalez‐Longatt Francisco
Published: May 2019

One of the major issues in the operation of an islanded microgrid is the frequency deviations caused by the variation of power production coming from non‐dispatchable renewable energy sources. Using an appropriate control system may allow the system to deal with the frequency deviation and allow the system frequency to be restored to its rated value. A wide‐area system frequency controller sends a control signal to each of the dispatchable generating sources to enforce the frequency control by using communication channels. However, the communication channels are susceptible to the time delays, which affect the performance of the frequency control system and potentially the system security. Also, the system parameters are uncertain due to the error in the modelling, variation in network topology, generations, loads etc. This study proposes a robust proportional and integral (PI) system frequency controller based on Kharitonov theorem (KT) considering the time delay of the communication system and the system parametric uncertainties. Simulation results demonstrate that the KT‐based controller model has enhanced robustness compared to the conventional approaches of controller design.
Three‐level GaN inverter with SiC diodes for a possible three‐phase high power solution
Authors: Aguilar Vega F. , Mukherjee N. , Carter R. , Fuerst J. , Diepold F.
Published: May 2019

GaN device is a potential alternative to SiC as a wide band gap device. At present, there are almost no high‐voltage GaN devices above 650 V, which makes an inverter design difficult for three‐phase input using the standard two‐level (2L) inverters. Therefore, at present, a three‐level (3L) inverter is an obvious choice for the GaN inverter for three‐phase 400/480 V input applications. Moreover, a 2L inverter suffers from drawbacks like increased filtering efforts, high dv /dt and limited switching frequency due to the effect of power loss on semiconductors. Therefore, at the medium‐to‐high‐power level, a hard switched GaN inverter with a 2L structure is still questionable. To address some of the challenges, this study brings in a 700 V dc‐link‐based three‐phase, 3L inverter with GaN and SiC diodes. This study discusses multiple aspects of the design such as (a) advantages over the 2L design at a higher power, (b) filters designs, (c) power losses in the devices and (d) design challenges of the inverter through comprehensive simulation models and experimental investigations. The study claims that the GaN inverter for the medium‐to‐high‐power level makes more sense with a 3L design.
Three-dimensional analysis of spatial resolution of MIRO/Rosetta measurements at 67P/Churyumov-Gersimenko
Authors: Rezac L. , Zhao Y. , Hartogh P. , Ji J. , Marshall D. , Shi X.
Published: May 2019

Context. The MIRO instrument’s remote sensing capability is integral to constraining water density, temperature, and velocity fields in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gersimenko.

Aims. Our aim is to quantify how much water density originates from the facets of the shape model within the field of view of MIRO versus the water contribution from all the other facets. This information is crucial to understanding the MIRO derived coma production rates and their relation to the nucleus characteristics, and to understanding the spatial resolution of the measurements.

Methods. This study relies on a detailed 3D nucleus shape model, illumination conditions, and the pointing information of the viewing geometry. With these parameters we can evaluate the relative contribution of water density originating from facets directly inside the MIRO beam and outside the beam as a function of distance along the MIRO line of sight. We also calculate the ratio of in-beam versus out-of-beam water gas number density.

Results. We demonstrate that despite the rather small MIRO field of view there is only a small fraction of molecules that originate from facets within the MIRO beam. This is true for the nadir, but a similar conclusion can also be applied to the limb observing geometry.

Conclusions. The MIRO instrument cannot discriminate active from inactive regions directly from observations. This study also suggests that the beam averaged solar incidence angle, local time, and mean normal vectors are not necessarily related to molecules within the MIRO beam. These results also illustrate why the 1D spherical Haser model can be applied with relative success to analyzing the MIRO data (and generally any Rosetta measurements). The future possibilities of constraining gas activity distribution on the surface should use 3D codes extracting information from the MIRO spectral line shapes which contain additional information. The results presented here are applicable to remote sensing instruments on board Rosetta.
Transiting exocomets detected in broadband light by TESS in the β Pictoris system
Authors: Zieba S. , Zwintz K. , Kenworthy M. A. , Kennedy G. M.
Published: May 2019

Aims. We search for signs of falling evaporating bodies (FEBs, also known as exocomets) in photometric time series obtained for β Pictoris after fitting and removing its δ Scuti-type pulsation frequencies.

Methods. Using photometric data obtained by the TESS satellite we determined the pulsational properties of the exoplanet host star β Pictoris through frequency analysis. We then pre-whitened the 54 identified δ Scuti p-modes and investigated the residual photometric time series for the presence of FEBs.

Results. We identify three distinct dipping events in the light curve of β Pictoris over a 105-day period. These dips have depths from 0.5 to 2 millimagnitudes and durations of up to 2 days for the largest dip. These dips are asymmetric in nature and are consistent with a model of an evaporating comet with an extended tail crossing the disc of the star

Conclusions. We present the first broadband detections of exocomets crossing the disc of β Pictoris, complementing the predictions made 20 years earlier by Lecavelier Des Etangs et al. (1999, A&A, 343, 916). No periodic transits are seen in this time series. These observations confirm the spectroscopic detection of exocomets in calcium H and K lines that have been seen in high resolution spectroscopy.
AugerPrime: the Pierre Auger Observatory Upgrade
Authors: Castellina Antonella ,   for the Pierre Auger Collaboration
Published: May 2019

The world largest exposure to ultra-high energy cosmic rays accumulated by the Pierre Auger Observatory led to major advances in our understanding of their properties, but the many unknowns about the nature and distribution of the sources, the primary composition and the underlying hadronic interactions prevent the emergence of a uniquely consistent picture. The new perspectives opened by the current results call for an upgrade of the Observatory, whose main aim is the collection of new information about the primary mass of the highest energy cosmic rays on a shower-by-shower basis. The evaluation of the fraction of light primaries in the region of suppression of the flux will open the window to charged particle astronomy, allowing for compositionselected anisotropy searches. In addition, the properties of multiparticle production will be studied at energies not covered by man-made accelerators and new or unexpected changes of hadronic interactions will be searched for. After a discussion of the motivations for upgrading the Pierre Auger Observatory, a description of the detector upgrade is provided. We then discuss the expected performances and the improved physics sensitivity of the upgraded detectors and present the first data collected with the already running Engineering Array.
Intertester-Reliabilität des Upper Limb Neural Tension Tests (ULNT) 1
Authors: Schüßler Beate , Pfingsten Andrea , Schöttker-Königer Thomas
Published: May 2019

Zur Überprüfung der Nervenleitfähigkeit werden Kraft, Reflexe und Sensibilität getestet. Bei der Untersuchung der Mechanosensitivität eines Nervs kommen neurodynamische Tests zum Einsatz. Der Upper Limb Neural Tension Test (ULNT) 1 bestimmt die Mechanosensitivität des N. medianus.

Ziel der Studie war die Untersuchung der Intertester-Reliabilität des ULNT 1 von nicht spezialisierten Physiotherapeuten bei Probanden mit unilateralen Nacken- und/oder Armsymptomen.

Die Therapeuten beurteilten binär und metrisch die Kriterien patientenspezifische Symptome, strukturelle Differenzierung und Bewegungsausmaß sowie das Gesamtergebnis bei 33 Patienten mit unilateralen Nacken- und/oder Armsymptomen. Bei den binären Daten bestimmte der Fleiss-Kappa und bei den metrischen Daten der Intraklassen-Korrelationskoeffizient die Reliabilität. Die zusätzlich erstellten Regressionsmodelle sollten den Einfluss der einzelnen Beurteilungskriterien auf die Gesamtentscheidung herausfiltern.

Mit Ausnahme der Reproduzierbarkeit patientenspezifischer Symptome scheint die Beurteilung des ULNT 1 durch nicht spezialisierte Therapeuten nur schlecht vergleichbar zu sein. Da die metrische Bewertungsweise die individuellen Schwellenwerte besser darstellt, ist diese der binären vorzuziehen.
Mid- and long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection for submucosal esophageal cancer types pT1b-SM1 and pT1b-SM2
Authors: Mora Andres , Kawada Kenro , Nakajima Yasuaki , Okada Takuya , Tokairin Yutaka , Kawano Tatsuyuki
Published: May 2019

Background and study aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) are promising therapeutic options for early esophageal cancer (EC). The factors that can affect mid- and long-term survival in patients with submucosal EC (SM1 and SM2) have not been described in the literature. We aim to describe clinicopathological outcomes and factors that can affect the mid- and long-term survival in patients with resected submucosal tumors.

Patients and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent endoscopic resection (ER) for submucosal tumors over a 20-year period. The final study population included 119 cases with 137 lesions. Information was collected according to the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer 11-edition and factors affecting survival for 2 and 5 years after ER were analyzed.

Results EMR was performed in 99 cases (72.3 %), ESD in 38 cases (27.7 %). There were no significant complications. Two- and 5-year survival rates were 91 % and 82 %, respectively. Mean age was 67.22 years (± 9.49 years), mortality caused by EC occurred in 13 cases (11 %). Factors that had a significant impact on long-term survival were age > 65 years (P = 0.0026), number of resected specimens (P = 0.0031), presence of another progressive disease (not EC) (P ≤ 0.001), recurrence (P = 0.0002), and relation between histopathological positive vertical margin and recurrence (P = 0.0112).

Conclusions ER is viable treatment for esophageal submucosal cancer, selection between ESD/EMR can depend on tumor size and patient condition, and en bloc ER is the recommended technique for submucosal tumors. Long-term survival factors were identified.
Double-Tract-Rekonstruktion nach Resektion des gastroösophagealen Übergangs wegen AEG-II- und -III-Tumoren
Authors: Hölscher Arnulf , Berlth Felix , Hemmerich Martin , Minot Stephen , Schmidt Henner
Published: May 2019

Bei selektionierten AEG-Typ-II- und -III-Tumoren (AEG: Adenokarzinome des ösophagogastralen Übergangs) der T-Kategorien 1 und 2 kann der distale Magen nach proximaler Resektion ohne Beeinträchtigung der Radikalität und der Prognose erhalten werden. Als Rekonstruktion wird die Doppeltraktanlage mit Seit-zu-Seit-Anastomosierung des distalen Magens in die Roux-Y-Jejunumschlinge nach Ösophagojejunostomie dargestellt. Nach der Literatur hat dieses Verfahren eine niedrige Rate von postoperativer Refluxösophagitis und erfordert gegenüber der totalen Gastrektomie signifikant geringere Dosen an Vitamin-B12-Substitution, und die Hämoglobinwerte sind signifikant höher.
Erbgut beeinflusst Blutglukosereaktion
Authors: Rathmann Wolfgang , Strassburger Klaus , Bongaerts Brenda , Kuss Oliver , Müssig Karsten , Burkart Volker , Szendroedi Julia , Kotzka Jörg , Knebel Birgit , Al-Hasani Hadi , Roden Michael
Published: May 2019

Der Glukosetransporter GLUT-2 wird unter anderem vom Gen SLC2A2 kodiert. Bei Trägern des C-Allels ließ sich unter Metformin Monotherapie die Blutglukose (nüchtern) besser absenken (Differenz: 114 mg/dl vs 70 mg/dl). In einer Studie des Metformin Genetics (MetGen) Konsortiums mit mehr als 13 000 Menschen mit Typ-2-Diabetes hat sich gezeigt, dass diese Variante im Glukosetransporter-Gen GLUT-2 bei einer Behandlung mit Metformin Auswirkungen auf den Langzeit-Blutglukosewert (HbA1c-Wert) hat. Diese Genvariante ist mit einer verbesserten Glukosereaktion auf Metformin-Monotherapie im ersten Jahr nach der Diagnose bei Typ-2-Diabetes verbunden.
Electrochemical Regioselective Bromination of Electron-Rich Aromatic Rings Using
n
Bu4NBr
Authors: Xie Wenxia , Ning Shulin , Liu Nian , Bai Ya , Wang Shutao , Wang Siyu , Shi Lingling , Che Xin , Xiang Jinbao
Published: May 2019

Electrochemical regioselective bromination of electron-rich aromatic rings using stoichiometric tetrabutylammonium bromide (
n
Bu4NBr) has been accomplished under mild conditions. This protocol provides an environmentally friendly and simple way for the construction of C–Br bond in moderate to high yields with wide functional group tolerance.