bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-assisted gatifloxacin delivery in mouse cornea, in vivo
Authors: Jegal Uk , Lee Jun Ho , Lee Jungbin , Jeong Hyerin , Kim Myoung Joon , Kim Ki Hean
Published: October 2019

Gatifloxacin is a 4th generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in the clinic to treat ocular infection. One limitation of gatifloxacin is its relatively poor corneal penetration, and the increase of its trans-corneal delivery would be beneficial to reduce the amount or frequency of daily dose. In this study, ultrasound treatment was applied to enhance the trans-corneal delivery of gatifloxacin without damage. Experiments were conducted on mouse eyes in ex vivo and in vivo conditions. Ultrasound waves with 1 MHz in frequency, 1.3 W/cm2 in intensity were applied onto the mouse cornea for 5 minutes, and then gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution was instilled and left there for 10 minutes. 3D gatifloxacin distribution in the cornea was measured by two-photon microscopy (TPM) imaging based on its intrinsic fluorescence. Longitudinal TPM imaging of ultrasound treated mouse corneas showed the increase of initial gatifloxacin intensities on the corneal surface compared to untreated mouse corneas by 67%, and then the increased gatifloxacin delivery into the cornea from the surface at later time. The delivered gatifloxacin in the corneal epithelium stayed longer in the ultrasound treated corneas than in the untreated corneas. The enhanced trans-corneal delivery and extended stay of gatifloxacin in the mouse cornea by ultrasound treatment could be beneficial for therapeutic effects. This study demonstrated the detail process of enhanced trans-corneal gatifloxacin delivery by ultrasound treatment.
Differential interleukin-1β induction by uropathogenic Escherichia coli correlates with its phylotype and serum C-reactive protein levels in Korean infants
Authors: Jung Jong-Hyeok , Hong Hyun Jung , Gharderpour Aziz , Cho Jae Young , Baek Bum-Seo , Hur Yong , Kim Byoung Choul , Kim Donghyun , Seong Seung-Yong , Lim Jae-Young , Seo Sang-Uk
Published: October 2019

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in infants less than age 1 year. UTIs frequently recur and result in long-term effects include sepsis and renal scarring. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most prevalent organism found in UTIs, can cause host inflammation via various virulence factors including hemolysin and cytotoxic necrotizing factors by inducing inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β. However, the ability of each UPEC organism to induce IL-1β production may differ by strain. Furthermore, the correlation between differential IL-1β induction and its relevance in pathology has not been well studied. In this study, we isolated UPEC from children under age 24 months and infected bone-marrow derived macrophages with the isolates to investigate secretion of IL-1β. We found that children with higher concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were more likely to harbor phylotype B2 UPEC strains that induced more IL-1β production than phylotype D. We also observed a significant correlation between serum CRP level and in vitro IL-1β induction by phylotype B2 UPEC bacteria. Our results highlight the diversity of UPEC in terms of IL-1β induction capacity in macrophages and suggest a potential pathogenic role in UTIs by inducing inflammation in infants.
Between-subject variability in the influence of mental imagery on conscious perception
Authors: Dijkstra N. , Hinne M. , Bosch S. E. , van Gerven M. A. J.
Published: October 2019

Mental imagery and visual perception rely on similar neural mechanisms, but the function of this overlap remains unclear. One idea is that imagery can influence perception. Previous research has shown that imagining a stimulus prior to binocular presentation of rivalling stimuli increases the chance of perceiving the imagined stimulus. In this study we investigated how this effect interacts with bottom-up sensory input by comparing psychometric response curves for congruent and incongruent imagery in humans. A Bayesian hierarchical model was used, allowing us to simultaneously study group-level effects as well as effects for individual participants. We found strong effects of both imagery as well as its interaction with sensory evidence within individual participants. However, the direction of these effects were highly variable between individuals, leading to weak effects at the group level. This highlights the heterogeneity of conscious perception and emphasizes the need for individualized investigation of such complex cognitive processes.
Decadal acidification in Atlantic and Mediterranean water masses exchanging at the Strait of Gibraltar
Authors: Flecha Susana , Pérez Fiz F. , Murata Akihiko , Makaoui Ahmed , Huertas I. Emma
Published: October 2019

Seawater pH is undergoing a decreasing trend due to the absorption of atmospheric CO2, a phenomenon known as ocean acidification (OA). Biogeochemical processes occurring naturally in the ocean also change pH and hence, for an accurate assessment of OA, the contribution of the natural component to the total pH variation must be quantified. In this work, we used 11 years (2005–2015) of biogeochemical measurements collected at the Strait of Gibraltar to estimate decadal trends of pH in two major Mediterranean water masses, the Western Mediterranean Deep Water (WMDW) and the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) and assess the magnitude of natural and anthropogenic components on the total pH change. The assessment was also performed in the North Atlantic Central Water (NACW) feeding the Mediterranean Sea. Our analysis revealed a significant human impact on all water masses in terms of accumulation of anthropogenic CO2. However, the decadal pH decline found in the WMDW and the NACW was markedly affected by natural processes, which accounted for by nearly 60% and 40% of the total pH decrease, respectively. The LIW did not exhibit a significant pH temporal trend although data indicated natural and anthropogenic perturbations on its biogeochemical signatures.
Natural phenolic compounds potentiate hypoglycemia via inhibition of Dipeptidyl peptidase IV
Authors: Huang Po-Kai , Lin Shian-Ren , Chang Chia-Hsiang , Tsai May-Jwan , Lee Der-Nan , Weng Ching-Feng
Published: October 2019

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is a surface glycoprotein that can degrade glucagon like pepetide-1 (GLP-1) by decreasing blood sugar. Herbal medicines for diabetic therapy are widely used with acceptable efficacy but unsatisfied in advances. DPP IV was chosen as a template to employ molecular docking via Discovery Studio to search for natural phenolic compounds whether they have the inhibitory function of DPP IV. Then, docking candidates were validated and further performed signal pathway via Caco-2, C2C12, and AR42J cells. Lastly, a diet-induced diabetes in mice were applied to examine the efficacy and toxicity of hit natural phenolic products in long-term use (in vivo). After screening, curcumin, syringic acid, and resveratrol were found in high affinity with DPP IV enzymes. In enzymatic tests, curcumin and resveratrol showed potential inhibition of DPP IV. In vitro assays, curcumin inhibited of DPP IV activity in Caco-2 cells and ERK phosphorylation in C2C12 cells. Additionally, curcumin attenuated blood sugar in S961-treated C57BL/6 mice and in diet-induced diabetic ICR mice and long-term regulate HbA1c in diabetic mice. Curcumin targeted to DPP IV for reducing blood glucose, it possesses potential and alternative substitution of synthetic clinical drugs for the medication of diabetes.
Metabolic and gut microbiome changes following GLP-1 or dual GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor agonist treatment in diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Madsen Mette Simone Aae , Holm Jacob Bak , Pallejà Albert , Wismann Pernille , Fabricius Katrine , Rigbolt Kristoffer , Mikkelsen Martin , Sommer Morten , Jelsing Jacob , Nielsen Henrik Bjørn , Vrang Niels , Hansen Henrik H.
Published: October 2019

Enteroendocrine L-cell derived peptide hormones, notably glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), have become important targets in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity and intestinal diseases. As gut microbial imbalances and maladaptive host responses have been implicated in the pathology of obesity and diabetes, this study aimed to determine the effects of pharmacologically stimulated GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptor function on the gut microbiome composition in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. DIO mice received treatment with a selective GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide, 0.2 mg/kg, BID) or dual GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor agonist (GUB09–145, 0.04 mg/kg, BID) for 4 weeks. Both compounds suppressed caloric intake, promoted a marked weight loss, improved glucose tolerance and reduced plasma cholesterol levels. 16S rDNA sequencing and deep-sequencing shotgun metagenomics was applied for comprehensive within-subject profiling of changes in gut microbiome signatures. Compared to baseline, DIO mice assumed phylogenetically similar gut bacterial compositional changes following liraglutide and GUB09-145 treatment, characterized by discrete shifts in low-abundant species and related bacterial metabolic pathways. The microbiome alterations may potentially associate to the converging biological actions of GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptor signaling on caloric intake, glucose metabolism and lipid handling.
Metallic edge states in zig-zag vertically-oriented MoS2 nanowalls
Authors: Tinoco Miguel , Maduro Louis , Conesa-Boj Sonia
Published: October 2019

The remarkable properties of layered materials such as MoS2 strongly depend on their dimensionality. Beyond manipulating their dimensions, it has been predicted that the electronic properties of MoS2 can also be tailored by carefully selecting the type of edge sites exposed. However, achieving full control over the type of exposed edge sites while simultaneously modifying the dimensionality of the nanostructures is highly challenging. Here we adopt a top-down approach based on focus ion beam in order to selectively pattern the exposed edge sites. This strategy allows us to select either the armchair (AC) or the zig-zag (ZZ) edges in the MoS2 nanostructures, as confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. The edge-type dependence of the local electronic properties in these MoS2 nanostructures is studied by means of electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements. This way, we demonstrate that the ZZ-MoS2 nanostructures exhibit clear fingerprints of their predicted metallic character. Our results pave the way towards novel approaches for the design and fabrication of more complex nanostructures based on MoS2 and related layered materials for applications in fields such as electronics, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and photocatalysts.
Roles of monocarboxylate transporter subtypes in promotion and suppression of osteoclast differentiation and survival on bone
Authors: Imai Hiroko , Yoshimura Kentaro , Miyamoto Yoichi , Sasa Kiyohito , Sugano Marika , Chatani Masahiro , Takami Masamichi , Yamamoto Matsuo , Kamijo Ryutaro
Published: October 2019

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) provide transmembrane transport of monocarboxylates such as lactate and pyruvate. The present results showed that α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), an inhibitor of MCTs, promoted osteoclast differentiation from macrophages at lower concentrations (0.1–0.3 mM) and suppressed that at a higher concentration (1.0 mM). On the other hand, CHC reduced the number of mature osteoclasts on the surface of dentin in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, macrophages and osteoclasts were found to express the Mct1, Mct2, and Mct4 genes, with Mct1 and Mct4 expression higher in macrophages, and that of Mct2 higher in osteoclasts. Although Mct1 gene knockdown in macrophages enhanced osteoclast formation induced by RANKL, Mct2 gene knockdown suppressed that. Finally, Mct2 gene silencing in mature osteoclasts decreased their number and, thereby, bone resorption. These results suggest that MCT1 is a negative regulator and MCT2 a positive regulator of osteoclast differentiation, while MCT2 is required for bone resorption by osteoclasts.
An Automated, Quantitative, and Multiplexed Assay Suitable for Point-of-Care Hepatitis B Virus Diagnostics
Authors: Gani Adi Wijaya , Wei Wei , Shi Run-Zhang , Ng Elaine , Nguyen Mindie , Chua Mei-Sze , So Samuel , Wang Shan X.
Published: October 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has a global reach with high prevalence in resource-limited areas like China and Africa. HBV patients in these areas have limited access to the currently used, costly HBV assays, which are performed in centralized clinical laboratories using single-plexed assays with bulky and expensive instruments. We aim to overcome these limitations by developing a simple and affordable HBV diagnostic platform to allow for timelier diagnosis and intervention of HBV infection. Using giant magnetoresistive (GMR) biosensor chips, we developed an automated and multiplexed quantitative platform for the measurement of a panel of HBV serology markers, including HBV “e” antigen (HBeAg), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and the antibody against HBsAg (anti-HBs). Our assay platform was able to detect each HBV marker with high specificity and sensitivity (with three orders of magnitude in dynamic range for each marker). Blinded analysis of HBV patient sera showed excellent correlation between our multiplexed quantitative HBsAg results and the qualitative results obtained using FDA-approved immunoassays, as well as those obtained using quantitative, single-plexed, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The portable, automated, multiplexed, quantitative HBV serology assay platform we designed shows great promise as a more accessible alternative for HBV screening, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.
Impacts of Maize Domestication and Breeding on Rhizosphere Microbial Community Recruitment from a Nutrient Depleted Agricultural Soil
Authors: Brisson Vanessa L. , Schmidt Jennifer E. , Northen Trent R. , Vogel John P. , Gaudin Amélie C. M.
Published: October 2019

Maize domestication and breeding have resulted in drastic and well documented changes in aboveground traits, but belowground effects on root system functioning and rhizosphere microbial communities remain poorly understood, despite their critical importance for nutrient and water acquisition. We investigated the rhizosphere microbial community composition and structure of ten Zea mays accessions along an evolutionary transect (two teosinte, three inbred maize lines, and five modern maize hybrids) grown in nutrient depleted soil from a low input agricultural system. Microbial community analysis revealed significant differences in community composition between soil compartments (proximal vs. distal rhizosphere) and between plant genetic groups (teosinte, inbred, and modern hybrid). Only a small portion of the microbial community was differentially selected across plant genetic groups: 3.7% of prokaryotic community members and 4.9% of fungal community members were significantly associated with a specific plant genetic group. Indicator species analysis showed the greatest differentiation between modern hybrids and the other two plant genetic groups. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that microbial co-occurrence patterns of the inbred maize lines’ rhizosphere were significantly more similar to those of the teosintes than to the modern hybrids. Our results suggest that advances in hybrid development significantly impacted rhizosphere microbial communities and network assembly.
Allogeneic dendritic cells induce potent antitumor immunity by activating KLRG1+CD8 T cells
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Zhengyuan , Zhu Zhongli , Chai Yijie , Wu Yiqing , Yuan Zhenglong , Chang Zhijie , Wang Zhao , Zhang Minghui
Published: October 2019

The graft-versus-leukemia effect reminds us to observe the allogeneic cell elicited anti-tumor immune responses. Here we immunized recipient B6 mice with different types of allogenic leukocytes and found that vaccination with allogenic dendritic cells (alloDC) elicited the most efficient protection against broad-spectrum tumors. The recipient lymphocytes were analyzed and the data showed that CD8 T cells increased significantly after immunization and expressed effector memory T cell marker KLRG1. Functional evaluation demonstrated that these KLRG1+CD8 T cells could kill tumor cells in vitro and in vivo in Granzyme B- and Fas/FasL-dependent manners with no tumor antigen specificity, and tend to migrate into tumor sites by high expression of heparanase. Adoptive transfer of these cells could provide antitumor protection against tumors. AlloDC could also treat mice with residual tumors and combination of anti-PD1 antibody could enhance this effects. Together, our study showed that alloDC-immunization could induce potent antitumor effect through the expansion of KLRG1+CD8 T cells, which can work as both preventive and therapeutic tumor vaccines.
Bispectrum and Recurrent Neural Networks: Improved Classification of Interictal and Preictal States
Authors: Gagliano Laura , Bou Assi Elie , Nguyen Dang K. , Sawan Mohamad
Published: October 2019

This work proposes a novel approach for the classification of interictal and preictal brain states based on bispectrum analysis and recurrent Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks. Two features were first extracted from bilateral intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) recordings of dogs with naturally occurring focal epilepsy. Single-layer LSTM networks were trained to classify 5-min long feature vectors as preictal or interictal. Classification performances were compared to previous work involving multilayer perceptron networks and higher-order spectral (HOS) features on the same dataset. The proposed LSTM network proved superior to the multilayer perceptron network and achieved an average classification accuracy of 86.29% on held-out data. Results imply the possibility of forecasting epileptic seizures using recurrent neural networks, with minimal feature extraction.
Existence of multiple scales in uncertainty of numerical weather prediction
Authors: Song Hyo-Jong
Published: October 2019

Numerical weather prediction provides essential information of societal influence. Advances in the initial condition estimation have led to the improvement of the prediction skill. The process to produce the better initial condition (analysis) with the combination of short-range forecast and observation over the globe requires information about uncertainty of the forecast results to decide how much observation is reflected to the analysis and how far the observation information should be propagated. Forecast ensemble represents the error of the short-range forecast at the instance. The influence of observation propagating along with forecast ensemble correlation needs to be restricted by localized correlation function because of less reliability of sample correlation. So far, solitary radius of influence is usually used since there has not been an understanding about the realism of multiple scales in the forecast uncertainty. In this study, it is explicitly shown that multiple scales exist in short-range forecast error and any single-scale localization approach could not resolve this situation. A combination of Gaussian correlation functions of various scales is designed, which more weighs observation itself near the data point and makes ensemble perturbation, far from the observation position, more participate in decision of the analysis. Its outstanding performance supports the existence of multi-scale correlation in forecast uncertainty.
Diaminoquinazoline MMV675968 from Pathogen Box inhibits Acinetobacter baumannii growth through targeting of dihydrofolate reductase
Authors: Songsungthong Warangkhana , Yongkiettrakul Suganya , Bohan Louise E. , Nicholson Eric S. , Prasopporn Sunisa , Chaiyen Pimchai , Leartsakulpanich Ubolsree
Published: October 2019

Antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is a major global health threat. New drugs with novel chemical structures are needed to overcome a myriad of resistance mechanisms in A. baumannii. In this study, we screened an open-source Pathogen Box library for anti-A. baumannii compounds. Compound MMV675968 (a diaminoquinazoline analog) was the only non-reference compound found to inhibit the growth of all four A. baumannii test strains with IC50 of 0.6–2.7 μM, IC90 of 0.7–3.9 μM, and MIC of 1.6–10 μM. We showed that MMV675968 targeted A. baumannii dihydrofolate reductase (AbDHFR) as determined by an E. coli surrogate whose growth was dependent on AbDHFR function and by an in vitro DHFR activity assay. Additionally, chemical scaffolds of DHFR inhibitors that are effective as antibiotics against A. baumannii were identified using an in vitro DHFR activity assay and A. baumannii growth inhibition. MMV675968 was the most potent among DHFR inhibitors tested in inhibiting A. baumannii growth. This study shows for the first time that MMV675968 inhibits A. baumannii growth via selective inhibition of AbDHFR and is therefore a promising scaffold for further antibiotic development against A. baumannii.
Postoperative Hypoparathyroidism in Thyroid Surgery: Anatomic-Surgical Mapping of the Parathyroids and Implications for Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Burger Florian , Fritsch Helga , Zwierzina Marit , Prommegger Rupert , Konschake Marko
Published: October 2019

Hypoparathyroidism remains one of the most common complications in thyroid surgery. This study aims for an improved understanding of the complexity of the blood supply and the localisation of the parathyroids compared to the two most important intraoperative landmarks: the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) and Zuckerkandl’s tubercle (ZT). We examined 103 laryngeal compounds to classify the blood supply and the localisation of the parathyroids. For intraoperative localisation we defined a Cartesian coordinate system with the ZT plane as x-axis and the course of the inferior laryngeal nerve as y-axis. The inferior thyroid artery (ITA) mainly supplies the parathyroids, whereas the superior thyroid artery provides a backup supply. It must be pointed out that 8.2% of parathyroids receive their blood directly from the thyroid gland. 73.5% of all parathyroids lie within 1 cm of the ILN and 1 cm cranial and 2.5 cm caudal to the ZT plane. Our described perimeters mark the most crucial areas during surgery and provide the surgeon with an anatomic mapping showing areas of special carefulness needed. One should keep bearing in mind all possible blood supply types of the parathyroids and therefore all branches should be handled with care.
Osteopontin Expression in Small Airway Epithelium in Copd is Dependent on Differentiation and Confined to Subsets of Cells
Authors: Ali Mohamad N. , Mori Michiko , Mertens Tinne C. J. , Siddhuraj Premkumar , Erjefält Jonas S. , Önnerfjord Patrik , Hiemstra Pieter S. , Egesten Arne
Published: October 2019

Osteopontin (OPN) plays a role in inflammation via recruitment of neutrophils and tissue remodeling. In this study, we investigated the distribution of OPN-expressing cells in the airway epithelium of normal lung tissue and that from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OPN was detected on the epithelial cell surface of small airways and in scattered cells within the epithelial cell layer. Staining revealed higher OPN concentrations in tissue showing moderate to severe COPD compared to that in controls. In addition, OPN expression was confined to goblet and club cells, and was absent from ciliated and basal cells as detected via immunohistochemistry. However, OPN expression was up-regulated in submerged basal cells cultures exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) extract. Cell fractioning of air-liquid interface cultures revealed increased OPN production from basal compartment cells compared to that in luminal fraction cells. Furthermore, both constitutive and CS-induced expression of OPN decreased during differentiation. In contrast, cultures stimulated with interleukin (IL)-13 to promote goblet cell hyperplasia showed increased OPN production in response to CS exposure. These results indicate that the cellular composition of the airway epithelium plays an important role in OPN expression and that these levels may reflect disease endotypes in COPD.
Lef1 regulates caveolin expression and caveolin dependent endocytosis, a process necessary for Wnt5a/Ror2 signaling during Xenopus gastrulation
Authors: Puzik Katharina , Tonnier Veronika , Opper Isabell , Eckert Antonia , Zhou Lu , Kratzer Marie-Claire , Noble Ferdinand le , Nienhaus Gerd Ulrich , Gradl Dietmar
Published: October 2019

The activation of distinct branches of the Wnt signaling network is essential for regulating early vertebrate development. Activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway stimulates expression of β-catenin-Lef/Tcf regulated Wnt target genes and a regulatory network giving rise to the formation of the Spemann organizer. Non-canonical pathways, by contrast, mainly regulate cell polarization and migration, in particular convergent extension movements of the trunk mesoderm during gastrulation. By transcriptome analyses, we found caveolin1, caveolin3 and cavin1 to be regulated by Lef1 in the involuting mesoderm of Xenopus embryos at gastrula stages. We show that caveolins and caveolin dependent endocytosis are necessary for proper gastrulation, most likely by interfering with Wnt5a/Ror2 signaling. Wnt5a regulates the subcellular localization of receptor complexes, including Ror2 homodimers, Ror2/Fzd7 and Ror2/dsh heterodimers in an endocytosis dependent manner. Live-cell imaging revealed endocytosis of Ror2/caveolin1 complexes. In Xenopus explants, in the presence of Wnt5a, these receptor clusters remain stable exclusively at the basolateral side, suggesting that endocytosis of non-canonical Wnt/receptor complexes preferentially takes place at the apical membrane. In support of this blocking endocytosis with inhibitors prevents the effects of Wnt5a. Thus, target genes of Lef1 interfere with Wnt5a/Ror2 signaling to coordinate gastrulation movements.
Effect of selective-precipitations process on the corrosion resistance and hardness of dual-phase high-carbon steel
Authors: Handoko Wilson , Anurag Aayush , Pahlevani Farshid , Hossain Rumana , Privat Karen , Sahajwalla Veena
Published: October 2019

It is commonly known that precipitation of secondary phase in non-ferrous alloys will affect the mechanical properties of them. But due to the nature of dual-phase low-alloy high-carbon steel and its high potential of precipitation of cementite, there is limited study on tailoring the mechanical and corrosion properties of this grade of steel by controlling the precipitation of different phases. Predicting and controlling precipitation behaviour on this grade of steel is of great importance towards producing more advanced applications using this low-cost alloy. In this study the new concept of selective-precipitation process for controlling the mechanical and corrosion behaviour of dual-phase low-alloy high-carbon steel has been introduced. We have investigated the precipitation of different phases using in-situ observation ultra-high temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy, image analyser – ImageJ, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Volume fraction of each phase including retained austenite, martensite and precipitated phases was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical corrosion test by Tafel extrapolation method and hardness performance by nanoindentation hardness measurement. The experimental results demonstrated that, by controlling the precipitations inside the matrix and at grain boundaries through heat treatment, we can increase the hardness of steel from 7.81 GPa to 11.4 GPa. Also, corrosion resistance of steel at different condition has been investigated. This new approach will open new possibility of using this low-cost steel for high performance applications.
An investigation of microstructural, magnetic and microwave absorption properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4
Authors: Mustaffa Muhammad Syazwan , Azis Raba’ah Syahidah , Abdullah Nor Hapishah , Ismail Ismayadi , Ibrahim Idza Riati
Published: October 2019

The enhancement of microwave absorbing properties in nickel zinc ferrite (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) via multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) growth is studied in this research work. Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 was initially synthesized by mechanical alloying followed by sintering at 1200 °C and the microstructural, electromagnetic and microwave characteristics have been scrutinized thoroughly. The sintered powder was then used as a catalyst to grow MWCNT derived from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The sample was mixed with epoxy resin and a hardener for preparation of composites. The composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 shown a maximum reflection loss (RL) of −19.34 dB at the frequency and bandwidth of 8.46 GHz and 1.24 GHz for an absorber thickness of 3 mm for losses less than −10 dB. This acquired result indicates that multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 could be used as a microwave absorber application in X-band.
Role of macrophages and activated microglia in neuropathic pain associated with chronic progressive spinal cord compression
Authors: Takeura Naoto , Nakajima Hideaki , Watanabe Shuji , Honjoh Kazuya , Takahashi Ai , Matsumine Akihiko
Published: October 2019

Neuropathic pain (NeP) is commonly encountered in patients with diseases associated with spinal cord damage (e.g., spinal cord injury (SCI) and compressive myelopathy). Recent studies described persistent glial activation and neuronal hyperactivity in SCI, but the pathomechanisms of NeP in chronic compression of the spinal cord remains elusive. The purpose of the present study was to determine the roles of microglia and infiltrating macrophages in NeP. The study was conducted in chimeric spinal hyperostotic mice (ttw/ttw), characterized by chronic progressive compression of the spinal cord as a suitable model of human compressive myelopathy. The severity of spinal cord compression correlated with proportion of activated microglia and hematogenous macrophages. Spinal cord compression was associated with overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in infiltrating macrophages and reversible blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption in the dorsal horns. Our results suggested that chronic neuropathic pain in long-term spinal cord compression correlates with infiltrating macrophages, activated microglial cells and the associated damage of BSCB, together with overexpression of p-38 MAPK and p-ERK1/2 in these cells. Our findings are potentially useful for the design of new therapies to alleviate chronic neuropathic pain associated with compressive myelopathy.
Fluence-map generation for prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy planning using a deep-neural-network
Authors: Lee Hoyeon , Kim Hojin , Kwak Jungwon , Kim Young Seok , Lee Sang Wook , Cho Seungryong , Cho Byungchul
Published: October 2019

A deep-neural-network (DNN) was successfully used to predict clinically-acceptable dose distributions from organ contours for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). To provide the next step in the DNN-based plan automation, we propose a DNN that directly generates beam fluence maps from the organ contours and volumetric dose distributions, without inverse planning. We collected 240 prostate IMRT plans and used to train a DNN using organ contours and dose distributions. After training was done, we made 45 synthetic plans (SPs) using the generated fluence-maps and compared them with clinical plans (CP) using various plan quality metrics including homogeneity and conformity indices for the target and dose constraints for organs at risk, including rectum, bladder, and bowel. The network was able to generate fluence maps with small errors. The qualities of the SPs were comparable to the corresponding CPs. The homogeneity index of the target was slightly worse in the SPs, but there was no difference in conformity index of the target, V60Gy of rectum, the V60Gy of bladder and the V45Gy of bowel. The time taken for generating fluence maps and qualities of SPs demonstrated the proposed method will improve efficiency of the treatment planning and help maintain the quality of plans.
Formation of phase separated vesicles by double layer cDICE
Authors: Dürre Katharina , Bausch Andreas R.
Published: October 2019

Here we present a modified version of cDICE that allows incorporation of cholesterol into lipid bilayers and enables the reproducible formation of phase-separated vesicles.
A simulation study of the influence of the traveling wave patterns on ion mobility separations in structures for lossless ion manipulations
Authors: Li Ailin , Garimella Sandilya V. B. , Ibrahim Yehia M.
Published: October 2019

Probing molecular properties in the gas phase requires the integration of complementary ion manipulation approaches such as ion mobility spectrometry.
Metal salt assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the soft ionization of GAP polymers in negative ion mode
Authors: Muyizere Theoneste , Zheng Yajun , Liu Hongni , Zhao Jia , Li Jin , Lu Xianming , Austin Daniel E. , Zhang Zhiping
Published: October 2019

A soft metal salt assisted electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been developed to characterize directly GAP polymers through the complexing effect of anions from metal salts with glycidyl azide polymers (GAP) in a negative ion mode.
Electrochemical detection of aflatoxin B1: an aptasensor prepared using graphene oxide and gold nanowires
Authors: Mousavi Nodoushan Somayeh , Nasirizadeh Navid , Kachuei Reza , Imani Fooladi Abbas Ali
Published: October 2019

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 using a nanocomposite of graphene oxide and gold nanowires.
Rapid and high-sensitivity determination of phenylarsine oxide in environmental samples by a new technique: solid-phase microextraction followed by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Asadi Sajad , Maddah Bozorgmehr
Published: October 2019

A new, rapid and sensitive method using solid-phase microextraction coupled with corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry was employed for determining phenylarsine oxide in environmental samples after derivatization with 1,3-propanedithiol.
Microenvironment-activated nanoparticles for oxygen self-supplemented photodynamic cancer therapy
Authors: Liu Hang , Jiang Wei , Wang Qin , Xia Jinxing , Yu Wenhao , Wang Yucai , Wang Yanmei
Published: October 2019

O2@DANPCe6+PFOB has the potential to overcome hypoxia-limited PDT via O2 self-supplementation and significantly improve anticancer PDT efficacy.
Polyethyleneimine coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles induce autophagy, NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathway activation in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells via reactive oxygen species generation
Authors: Man Shuli , Li Miao , Zhou Jin , Wang Haiyue , Zhang Jinyan , Ma Long
Published: October 2019

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are proved to induce autophagy, NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways activation in cancer cells, which is switched on by induced ROS.
Triggering the dynamics of a carbazole-p-[phenylene-diethynyl]-xylene rotor through a mechanically induced phase transition
Authors: Aguilar-Granda Andrés , Colin-Molina Abraham , Jellen Marcus J. , Núñez-Pineda Alejandra , Cifuentes-Quintal M. Eduardo , Toscano Rubén Alfredo , Merino Gabriel , Rodríguez-Molina Braulio
Published: October 2019

A crystalline molecular machine with several solid phases where only one is able to show intramolecular rotation.
Reverse capture for selectively and sensitively revealing the N-glycome of serum exosomes
Authors: Lv Jing , Wang Zhenxin , Li Feng , Zhang Ying , Lu Haojie
Published: October 2019

The N-glycome of human serum exosome is reported and its perspective as a source of biomarker discovery is revealed.
Chirality transfer in a cage controls the clockwise/anticlockwise propeller arrangement of the tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand
Authors: Qiu Gege , Colomban Cédric , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Giorgi Michel , Martinez Alexandre
Published: October 2019

A predictable control of the propeller arrangement of the tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) ligand was achieved in the smallest hemicryptophane 1. Coordination of Cu(i) result in a rare T-shaped complex with controlled helicity of the TPA-Cu core.
A multi-stimuli-responsive metallohydrogel applied in chiral recognition, adsorption of poisonous anions, and construction of various chiral metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Xu Xuebin , Xiao Jiannan , Liu Meiying , Liu Zhiliang
Published: October 2019

A multi-stimuli-responsive chiral metallohydrogel applied to chiral recognition, adsorption of poisonous anions, and construction of various chiral metal–organic frameworks.
Proximate stochastic chiral symmetry breaking is mechanically tunable: formation of enantiomeric hetero-double-helices and aggregates from racemic oxymethylenehelicene oligomers
Authors: Sawato Tsukasa , Saito Nozomi , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: October 2019

A mixture of oxymethylenehelicene (P)-hexamer and (M)-hexamer in solution exhibited chiral symmetry breaking, which was induced by mechanical stirring, during the formation of enantiomeric hetero-double-helices and their aggregates.
Colloidal metal–organic framework particles: the pioneering case of ZIF-8
Authors: Troyano Javier , Carné-Sánchez Arnau , Avci Civan , Imaz Inhar , Maspoch Daniel
Published: October 2019

As a pioneering MOF constituent of colloidal science, this tutorial summarizes the advances in the synthesis of colloidal ZIF-8.
Ultra-small subnano TiOx clusters as excellent cocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline on plasmonic Ag/AgCl
Authors: He Wenlu , Wang Kaiwen , Zhu Zhu , Zou Hanjun , Zhou Kai , Hu Zhao , Duan Youyu , Feng Yajie , Gan Liyong , Lv Kangle , Wang Cong , Han Xiaodong , Zhou Xiaoyuan
Published: October 2019

Subnano TiOx clusters as cocatalysts on Ag/AgCl exhibit an unparalleled TC photodegradation reaction rate under simulated sunlight irradiation.
Porous-sheet-assembled Ni(OH)2/NiS arrays with vertical in-plane edge structure for supercapacitors with high stability
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Hui , Ji Shan , Wang Xuyun , Wang Rongfang
Published: October 2019

The use of hierarchical arrays of transition metal compounds to fabricate a binder-free electrode is a promising strategy to achieve hybrid supercapacitors owing to their high surface area.
Carbon nanotube and graphene fiber artificial muscles
Authors: Foroughi Javad , Spinks Geoffrey
Published: October 2019

Recent advances in artificial muscles based on twisted and coiled carbon nanotube yarns and graphene fibers.
Synthesis and thermotropic properties of new green electrochromic ionic liquid crystals
Authors: Veltri Lucia , Cavallo Gabriella , Beneduci Amerigo , Metrangolo Pierangelo , Corrente Giuseppina Anna , Ursini Maurizio , Romeo Roberto , Terraneo Giancarlo , Gabriele Bartolo
Published: October 2019

New liquid crystal viologens, which exhibit green electrochromic behavior in the LC phase, rarely observed for small molecules, have been developed.
Structural studies on the stereoisomerism of a natural dye miraxanthin I
Authors: Niziński Stanisław , Popenda Łukasz , Rode Michał F. , Kumorkiewicz Agnieszka , Fojud Zbigniew , Paluch-Lubawa Ewelina , Wybraniec Sławomir , Burdziński Gotard
Published: October 2019

Fluorescence in miraxanthin I is enhanced by intramolecular hydrogen bond formation hampering torsional motion around the central bonds.
Thieno[1,3,2]oxazaborinine-containing aza-BODIPYs with near infrared absorption bands: synthesis, photophysical properties, and device applications
Authors: Kubo Yuji , Shimada Takuma , Maeda Kentaro , Hashimoto Yuta
Published: October 2019

Structurally constrained NIR aza-BODIPYs with thieno[1,3,2]oxazaborinine were synthesized for the first time, enabling their evaluation as NIR photodetectors through fabrication of a single-component device.
Boron clusters as a platform for new materials: composites of nucleic acids and oligofunctionalized carboranes (C2B10H12) and their assembly into functional nanoparticles
Authors: Kaniowski Damian , Ebenryter-Olbinska Katarzyna , Kulik Katarzyna , Janczak Slawomir , Maciaszek Anna , Bednarska-Szczepaniak Katarzyna , Nawrot Barbara , Lesnikowski Zbigniew
Published: October 2019

The building blocks based on boron cluster spanning two short DNA adapters assemble into functional nanoparticles due to the formation of DNA helices. They offer dual-action therapeutic potential,e.g., in the BNCT and gene expression regulation.
A ratiometric fluorescent probe for simultaneous detection of Cys/Hcy and GSH
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Benhua , Ye Yong , Chen Wenqiang , Song Xiangzhi
Published: October 2019

A novel ratiometric fluorescent probeCPRwas developed with good selectivity and sensitivity for the simultaneous detection of Cys/Hcy and GSH from different fluorescence channels.
Facile terminal functionalization of peptides by protease-catalyzed chemoenzymatic polymerization toward synthesis of polymeric architectures consisting of peptides
Authors: Tsuchiya Kousuke , Numata Keiji
Published: October 2019

Terminal functionalized polypeptides were synthesized in one-pot chemoenzymatic polymerization using protease for constructing special polymeric architectures.
Recent advances in MOF-based photocatalysis: environmental remediation under visible light
Authors: Wang Qi , Gao Qiaoyuan , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Nafady Ayman , Ma Shengqian
Published: October 2019

Highly photoactive MOFs can be engineered via various strategies for the purpose of extended visible light absorption, more efficient generation, separation and transfer of charge carriers, as well as good recyclability.
La-Doped ZnWO4 nanorods with enhanced photocatalytic activity for NO removal: effects of La doping and oxygen vacancies
Authors: Nie Junli , Hassan Qadeer-Ul , Jia Yuefa , Gao Jianzhi , Peng Jianhong , Lu Jiangbo , Zhang Fuchun , Zhu Gangqiang , Wang Qizhao
Published: October 2019

La3+-Doped ZnWO4 nanorods were prepared via a hydrothermal method for the photocatalytic NO removal under simulated solar light irradiation.
Optimization of a hybrid plasmonic configuration: particle on a corrugated film and its SERS application
Authors: Zhuo Ming , Wang Chaoguang , Dong Peitao , Chen Jian , Wu Xuezhong
Published: October 2019

A plasmonic hybrid structure of particles on a Au film over nanoparticles (particle-AuFON) configuration was studied for application in SERS. It showed great potential in SERS-based sensing and it provides outstanding uniformity, repeatability and stability.
Replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation of the coordination of Pt(ii)-Phenanthroline to amyloid-β
Authors: Turner Matthew , Mutter Shaun T. , Kennedy-Britten Oliver D. , Platts James A.
Published: October 2019

Replica exchange molecular dynamics are used to explore the conformational freedom of amyloid-βbound to Pt(phenanthroline), highlighting important differences in secondary and tertiary structure from the metal-free peptide.
Development of miniaturized fluorimetric device for caffeine determination using a smartphone
Authors: Luchiari Natália da Costa , da Silva Gabrielen Alves , Marasco Júnior César Augusto , Lima Gomes Paulo Clairmont Feitosa de
Published: October 2019

This study proposes a miniaturized fluorimetric device to determine caffeine in an energy drink and medicines by digital image using a smartphone.
Synthesis of hydroxyethyl tetrathiatriarylmethyl radicals OX063 and OX071
Authors: Poncelet Martin , Huffman Justin L. , Khramtsov Valery V. , Dhimitruka Ilirian , Driesschaert Benoit
Published: October 2019

Synthesis of OX063 and OX063-d24 spin probes and DNP agents.
Reactivity control of a photocatalytic system by changing the light intensity
Authors: Kerzig Christoph , Wenger Oliver S.
Published: October 2019

By using simple optics such as a lens, switching between one- and two-photon driven reaction mechanisms became feasible, which allows the control over the main products of photochemical reactions.
Enhanced performance of tin-based perovskite solar cells induced by an ammonium hypophosphite additive
Authors: Cao Jiupeng , Tai Qidong , You Peng , Tang Guanqi , Wang Tianyue , Wang Naixiang , Yan Feng
Published: October 2019

Bi-functional ammonium hypophosphite (AHP) is introduced to improve the performance and long term stability of FASnI3 solar cells.
Optimising oxygen diffusion in non-cubic, non-dilute perovskite oxides based on BiFeO3
Authors: Zhang Haiwu , De Souza Roger A.
Published: October 2019

Through molecular-dynamics simulations of rhombohedral BiFeO3, substituent cations were identified that could optimize the oxygen diffusivity and the limits of the standard crystal-chemical approach were revealed.
A novel flexible phase change composite with electro-driven shape memory, energy conversion/storage and motion sensing properties
Authors: Umair Malik Muhammad , Zhang Yuang , Zhang Shufen , Jin Xin , Tang Bingtao
Published: October 2019

A flexible shape memory composite for electrothermal energy storage and motion sensing applications.
Highly efficient walking perovskite solar cells based on thermomechanical polymer films
Authors: Qi Jiabin , Li Linpeng , Xiong Hao , Wang Aurelia Chi , Hou Chengyi , Zhang Qinghong , Li Yaogang , Wang Hongzhi
Published: October 2019

Inspired by heliotropism in nature, a passive walking perovskite solar cell is constructed as a prototype actuator with an advanced structure.
Vacancy engineering of AuCu cocatalysts for improving the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CH4
Authors: Liu Qian , Chen Qin , Li Tianyu , Ren Qinhao , Zhong Shuxian , Zhao Yuling , Bai Song
Published: October 2019

Vacancy engineering has been performed on AuCu cocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic CO2-to-CH4 conversion through tailoring the electron structure and surface configuration simultaneously.
A lithium carboxylate grafted dendrite-free polymer electrolyte for an all-solid-state lithium-ion battery
Authors: Zhao Zhongke , Zhang Yingmeng , Li Shaojun , Wang Suhang , Li Yongliang , Mi Hongwei , Sun Lingna , Ren Xiangzhong , Zhang Peixin
Published: October 2019

A novel solid polymer electrolyte was designed and synthesized based on a hybrid copolymer matrices grafting with lithium carboxylate branched chains, which ensures a homogeneous Li ion deposition and successfully inhibits the Li dendrite growth.
Band structure engineering in Sn1.03Te through an In-induced resonant level
Authors: Misra Shantanu , Wiendlocha Bartlomiej , Tobola Janusz , Fesquet Florian , Dauscher Anne , Lenoir Bertrand , Candolfi Christophe
Published: October 2019

In substitution in Sn1.03Te forms a resonant level that strongly affects the thermoelectric properties at high temperatures.
A large magnetocaloric effect of GdCoO3−δ epitaxial thin films prepared by a polymer assisted spin-coating method
Authors: Jia Jiang-Heng , Ke Ya-Jiao , Li Xu , Zhang Hong-Rui , Yu Zhi-Peng , Cheng Zhao-Hua , Zhai Kun , Liu Zhong-Yuan , Wang Jia-Fu
Published: October 2019

We have investigated the magnetic properties and the magnetocaloric effect of GdCoO3−δ epitaxial thin films which were successfully grown on a (001) LaAlO3 substrate by a simple polymer assisted deposition (PAD) method.
Vapochromic luminescent proton conductors: switchable vapochromism and proton conduction of luminescent Pt(ii) complexes with proton-exchangeable sites
Authors: Kobayashi Atsushi , Imada Shin-ichiro , Shigeta Yasuhiro , Nagao Yuki , Yoshida Masaki , Kato Masako
Published: October 2019

New switchable vapochromic luminescent and highly-proton-conducting Pt(ii) complexes [PtCl(tpypy)]Cl and [PtCl(tpypyH)]Cl2 are reported.