bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrevista a Víctor Esteban, ingeniero técnico de sistemas
Authors: G. Sedó Ramon
Published: March 2019

Para tratar sobre la dificultad en la gestión de los proyectos multimedia y sobre las diferentes metodologías ágiles entrevistamos a Víctor Esteban (Barcelona, 1971), ingeniero técnico informático de sistemas.
Functional proteomic atlas of HIV infection in primary human CD4+ T cells
Authors: Naamati Adi , Williamson James C , Greenwood Edward JD , Marelli Sara , Lehner Paul J , Matheson Nicholas J
Published: March 2019

Viruses manipulate host cells to enhance their replication, and the identification of cellular factors targeted by viruses has led to key insights into both viral pathogenesis and cell biology. In this study, we develop an HIV reporter virus (HIV-AFMACS) displaying a streptavidin-binding affinity tag at the surface of infected cells, allowing facile one-step selection with streptavidin-conjugated magnetic beads. We use this system to obtain pure populations of HIV-infected primary human CD4+ T cells for detailed proteomic analysis, and quantitate approximately 9000 proteins across multiple donors on a dynamic background of T cell activation. Amongst 650 HIV-dependent changes (q < 0.05), we describe novel Vif-dependent targets FMR1 and DPH7, and 192 proteins not identified and/or regulated in T cell lines, such as ARID5A and PTPN22. We therefore provide a high-coverage functional proteomic atlas of HIV infection, and a mechanistic account of host factors subverted by the virus in its natural target cell.
A conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of nociceptive sensory neurites
Authors: Jiang Nan , Rasmussen Jeffrey P , Clanton Joshua A , Rosenberg Marci F , Luedke Kory P , Cronan Mark R , Parker Edward D , Kim Hyeon-Jin , Vaughan Joshua C , Sagasti Alvaro , Parrish Jay Z
Published: March 2019

Interactions between epithelial cells and neurons influence a range of sensory modalities including taste, touch, and smell. Vertebrate and invertebrate epidermal cells ensheath peripheral arbors of somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors, yet the developmental origins and functional roles of this ensheathment are largely unknown. Here, we describe an evolutionarily conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of somatosensory neurites. We found that somatosensory neurons in Drosophila and zebrafish induce formation of epidermal sheaths, which wrap neurites of different types of neurons to different extents. Neurites induce formation of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate microdomains at nascent sheaths, followed by a filamentous actin network, and recruitment of junctional proteins that likely form autotypic junctions to seal sheaths. Finally, blocking epidermal sheath formation destabilized dendrite branches and reduced nociceptive sensitivity in Drosophila. Epidermal somatosensory neurite ensheathment is thus a deeply conserved cellular process that contributes to the morphogenesis and function of nociceptive sensory neurons.
Draft Aphaenogaster genomes expand our view of ant genome size variation across climate gradients
Authors: Lau Matthew K. , Ellison Aaron M. , Nguyen Andrew , Penick Clint , DeMarco Bernice , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Sanders Nathan J. , Dunn Robert R. , Helms Cahan Sara
Published: March 2019

Given the abundance, broad distribution, and diversity of roles that ants play in many ecosystems, they are an ideal group to serve as ecosystem indicators of climatic change. At present, only a few whole-genome sequences of ants are available (19 of >16,000 species), mostly from tropical and sub-tropical species. To address this limited sampling, we sequenced genomes of temperate-latitude species from the genus Aphaenogaster, a genus with important seed dispersers. In total, we sampled seven colonies of six species: Aphaenogaster ashmeadi, Aphaenogaster floridana, Aphaenogaster fulva, Aphaenogaster miamiana, Aphaenogaster picea, and Aphaenogaster rudis. The geographic ranges of these species collectively span eastern North America from southern Florida to southern Canada, which encompasses a latitudinal gradient in which many climatic variables are changing rapidly. For the six genomes, we assembled an average of 271,039 contigs into 47,337 scaffolds. The Aphaenogaster genomes displayed high levels of completeness with 96.1% to 97.6% of Hymenoptera BUSCOs completely represented, relative to currently sequenced ant genomes which ranged from 88.2% to 98.5%. Additionally, the mean genome size was 370.5 Mb, ranging from 310.3 to 429.7, which is comparable to that of other sequenced ant genomes (212.8–396.0 Mb) and flow cytometry estimates (210.7–690.4 Mb). In an analysis of currently sequenced ant genomes and the new Aphaenogaster sequences, we found that after controlling for both spatial autocorrelation and phylogenetics ant genome size was marginally correlated with sample site climate similarity. Of all examined climate variables, minimum temperature, and annual precipitation had the strongest correlations with genome size, with ants from locations with colder minimum temperatures and higher levels of precipitation having larger genomes. These results suggest that climate extremes could be a selective force acting on ant genomes and point to the need for more extensive sequencing of ant genomes.
Quality-of-life among Syrian refugees residing outside camps in Jordan relative to Jordanians and other countries
Authors: Abdo Nour , Sweidan Faten , Batieha Anwar
Published: March 2019

Background

Since the beginning of the Syrian humanitarian crisis, Syrians sought refuge in many safer countries. Many aspects of Syrian refugees’ lives have been affected, hence affecting the overall quality of their lives. However, only one study has investigated their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to assess the QOL of Syrian refugees residing outside camps in Jordan and compare it to the QOL of Jordanians and to other refugees and populations around the globe.

Methods

Data were obtained from Syrian refugees residing outside camps in Jordan, and from two Jordanian groups; low socioeconomic status (LSES) Jordanians and average socioeconomic status (ASES) Jordanians in 2017. A total of 661 Syrians, 208 LSES Jordanians and 714 ASES Jordanians, aged between 18 and 75 years were included. The World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used as the QOL assessment tool. Analysis of Variance “ANOVA” and post hoc Tukey-Honest tests were used to find the differences between the means of QOL questions in the three groups (Syrians, ASES, and LSES). Stepwise multivariate linear regression was performed for each domain to determine the most associated risk factors.

Results

No significant difference was found between Syrian refugees and LSES Jordanians in the physical health domain. Syrian refugees scored significantly lower than LSES Jordanians in the psychological health and social relationship domain. Syrian refugees scored significantly higher than LSES Jordanians in the environmental domain. ASES Jordanians scored significantly higher than the other two groups in all domains, with all its scores above the average.

Discussion

Despite the support Jordan provides to the Syrian refugees, they still seem to suffer from poor psychological health, social relationships and environmental domains, with scores below 50 on (0–100) scale. Nonetheless, no significant difference was found between Syrian refugees and LSES Jordanians in the physical health domain, furthermore they scored significantly higher than LSES Jordanians in the environmental domain despite both scoring below 50 on (0–100) scale in this domain. Physical, psychological, and social domains were mainly affected by having a job, having higher income, and being married and free from diseases.
Numerical ability and improvement through interindividual cooperation varied between two cyprinid fish species, qingbo and crucian carp
Authors: Xiong Wei , Yi Lian-Chun , Tang Zhong-Hua , Fu Shi-Jian
Published: March 2019

We used qingbo (Spinibarbus sinensis) and Chinese crucian carp (Carassius auratus) to test whether numerical discrimination could be improved by the coexistence and possible cooperation of conspecies or heterospecies. We conducted a spontaneous shoal choice test of singletons, conspecific dyads and heterospecific dyads under different numerical comparisons (8 vs. 12, 9 vs. 12 and 10 vs. 12). Singletons of qingbo could discriminate only 8 vs. 12, whereas the dyads of qingbo showed better numerical acuity, as they could discriminate 10 vs. 12. Crucian carp may have poor numerical ability, as both singleton and dyads showed no significant preference for larger stimulus shoals, even at the ‘easier’ numerical discrimination, that is, 8 vs. 12. Furthermore, heterospecific dyads of crucian carp and qingbo did not show significant preference for larger shoals at any numerical comparison in the present study. It is suggested that both the numerical ability and the possibility for improvement by interindividual interaction and hence cooperation might vary among fish species, and the interaction between heterospecies in the present study showed negative effect on numerical ability possibly due to the different behavioural and cognitive traits which make the information transfer and consensus difficult to reach.
Effects of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Marine Water from Niger Delta on the β-Galactosidase Activity of Mutant Escherichia coli
Authors: Uba Bright Obidinma
Published: March 2019

Aims: To determine effects of aromatic hydrocarbons and marine water from Niger Delta on the β-Galactosidase activity mutant Escherichia coli.

Study Design: Fifteen treatments and the control designs were set up in triplicates in microtitre plates containing 200 µL of the 100% concentration of samples (three marine waters and distilled water spiked each with xylene, anthracene and pyrene). The fifteen treatments and control (HgCl2) set ups designated as A, B, C, D, E, F and G were used to determine their median effective concentration (EC50) for the inhibition of β-Galactosidase activity of mutant Escherichia coli.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria between February, 2017 to July, 2017.

Methodology: A laboratory scale study was carried on the water samples from the three studied areas using physicochemical analyses and bacterial Toxi-chromo test.

Results: The findings revealed that the three sampling sites contain higher quantities of aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other physico-chemical parameters in the sediment samples than water samples. Xylene distilled water had the highest EC50 of 3.417 ± 0.094 mg/l while pyrene Onne water had the least EC50 of 0.015 ± 0.002 mg /L. Also, pyrene and anthracene are significantly (P = .05) highly toxic aromatic hydrocarbons (EC50 < 1 mg /L) while xylene is a significantly (P = .05) toxic aromatic hydrocarbon (1 mg /L < EC50 ≤ 10 mg /L) compare to the positive control (HgCl2) (EC50 < 1 mg /L) indicating that enzyme inhibition among test samples were much different from the positive control.

Conclusion: Thus, the toxicity results (< 0.1 mg /L < EC50 ≤ 10 mg /L) in this study indicate that the potential eco-toxicity and environmental health effects of these toxicants should be given attention in order to get rid of their dangerous outcomes.
How Does Adoption of Crop Variety Reduce the Impact of Drought in Agriculture and Mitigate Food Insecurity of Smallholder Farmers? A Case Study on BUdhan1 Rice Variety in Bangladesh
Authors: Nasim Fardus Ahamed , Hoque Muhammad Ziaul , Haque Md. Enamul , Islam Md. Shariful , Parveen Nymphaea , Chakma Sulogna , Afrad Md. Safiul Islam
Published: March 2019

Adaptation to climate change impacts in agriculture sector is a particular challenge in the coming decades. Erratic rainfall causes prolonged drought period in the north-western part of Bangladesh which hampers crop production and creates uncertainty of food security.  Adoption of drought-tolerant crop variety could be an effective strategy to overcome the challenges of food insecurity. This study examines the adoption quotient of BUdhan1 rice variety and its effect on food insecurity status of the beneficiary farmers in Gaibandha district through a questionnaire survey of 60 sampled respondents. The results reveal that respondent farmers are slowly adopting BUdhan1 rice variety although they provided positive feedback regarding its profitability and attributive characteristics. The farm holding size, knowledge, access to information sources and annual household income was positively related to changes in the adoption of BUdhan1 rice variety.  However, the productivity and economic returns from BUdhan1 influenced farmers' decision to continue or discontinue of the rice variety in the future.  Notably, the study found a very significant impact of BUdhan1 adoption in eradicating food insecurity from the study area. This study highlighted some other strengths and weaknesses of BUdhan1 rice variety that can be included in the further development, multiplication and dissemination process of this rice variety to make it more climate-smart innovation.
Environmental Accounting and Economic Development: A Survey of Quoted Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria
Authors: Moses Temple , Nkwazema Ogbonna, Gabriel
Published: March 2019

This research paper investigated the effect of environmental accounting on the economic development of Nigeria. The data were carefully collected from secondary sources and they were primarily used for content analysis. These were applied to the annual reports of five manufacturing companies to ascertain the level of compliance and costs associated with accounting for their environmental activities. The multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The findings indicate that Environmental Protection Costs, Environmental Management Costs and Environmental Research and Development Costs all have a considerable effect on the gross domestic product of Nigeria. No effects, however, were exhibited by these variables which were statistically significant. These imply that environmental accountings as enumerated above do not significantly affect economic development in Nigeria. Thus, environmental accounting as practiced by companies in Nigeria does not play an important role in advancing the Nigerian economy. This is largely because of the fact that companies flout environmental laws in the country with impunity. These companies are aided by corrupt government officials. Government should, therefore, enhance the implementation of environmental laws in the country to make it more difficult for business organizations to avoid/evade their environmental responsibilities.
Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoite Rates in Anopheles gambiae s.l. at a University Teaching Hospital and Contiguous Village, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Noutcha M. Aline E. , Emumejakpor Melina O. , Okiwelu Samuel N.
Published: March 2019

Malaria is a major burden to human health in tropical and sub-tropical areas. In Nigeria, the entire population is at risk. Over the past decade, there had been persistent reports of mosquito nuisance and an increase in malaria prevalence at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in lowland rainforest, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was therefore decided to obtain provisional malaria risk data, by determining the sporozoite rates of anthropophilic, endophlic and endophagic Anopheles gambiae s.l. in the hospital wards and rooms in the contiguous village. Standard keys and guides were used for mosquito identification and dissection to observe sporozoites in their salivary glands. More than half of all female Anopheles gambiae caught at the hospital had fed; similarly, 40.9% of Anopheles gambiae collected from the contiguous village had fed. The sporozoite rates were 75.0% and 73.29% at the hospital and the village respectively. These high sporozoite rates and the preponderance of endophilic, endophagic, anthropophilic An. gambiae s.l. among anophelines indicate high malaria risk at both sites. Since indoor residual spraying is not advisable in hospitals, physical (bed/outlet netting) and chemical (ITNs/LLINs) barriers and larval source management are the recommended alternatives.
Comparative Analysis of Haematological Parameters in Hookworm and Plasmodium falciparum Co-Infected Individuals in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Amoani Benjamin , Gyan Ben , Armah Francis A. , Otabil Cecil , Tchum Kofi , Frempong Margaret T. , Wilson Michael D.
Published: March 2019

Background: Hookworm and Plasmodium falciparum are endemic in Ghana, especially in the north-east and middle belt areas. Haematological parameters have been shown to predict the presence of these infections in patients. This study investigated the effect of hookworm-P. falciparum co-infection on haematological parameters among the patients.

Methodology: Stool and blood samples from 984 participants in a cross-sectional study conducted in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana were examined for hookworm and Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Malaria parasitaemia was estimated by microscopy and Plasmodium falciparum-specific 18S rRNA gene by polymerase chain reaction. Hookworm eggs in faecal samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. Hookworm speciation was done by PCR. Estimation of haematological parameters was done by automated haematology analyzer. Tukey multiple comparisons test was used to compare continuous variables among the infected groups and Spearman’s rank correlation test determined the relationships between variables.

Results: The overall mean (SD) age of the study participants was 22.8 (17.4). Mean lymphocytes and eosinophils counts were higher while mean neutrophil and monocytes counts were lower in the co-infected individuals compared to the single infections. The mean red blood cell (RBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) levels were higher in the co-infected individuals than in those with malaria only infection. However, white blood cell count and platelet counts were not statistically significant among the groups. There was a significant negative correlation between malaria parasite density and Hb level (r = - 0.239, p = 0.001)

Conclusion: Hookworm and Plasmodium falciparum co-infections showed an increased in lymphocyte, eosinophil count and Haemoglobin levels, but a decrease in neutrophil and monocyte levels compared to malaria only infection. The possible mechanisms accounting for the variations in haematological levels remain to be elucidated.
A Study on the Photocatalytic Reduction of Some Metal Ions in Aqueous Solution Using UV- Titanium Dioxide System
Authors: Ekwere I. O. , Horsfall M. , Otaigbe J. O. E.
Published: March 2019

The photocatalytic reduction of Cu (II), Pb (II), Cd (II) and Cr (VI) ions in aqueous solution has been investigated. The photocatalyst utilized was nano titanium dioxide, composed of 80% anatase and 20% rutile; the UV light source was a 15 W UV bulb with a wavelength of 254 nm. The results obtained indicated a reduction efficiency order as follows; Cr6+ > Cu2+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+. It was observed that these results correlate with the respective reduction potentials of the metal ions. The effect of pH on the photocatalytic reduction of the metal ions was also carried out and results obtained indicated that with the exception of Cr (VI) ions, higher percentage removal of metal ions from their aqueous solution was recorded at alkaline pH than at acidic pH. This was attributed to an extensive formation of precipitate by the metal ions at alkaline pH. Kinetic studies revealed that the removal of metal ions from their solutions largely followed the pseudo- first-order kinetics. Therefore, the results of this study will be useful in metal ion removal from industrial waste water using photocatalytic process.
Biological Screening of Traditional Medicinal Plants from Villages of Akkuş (Ordu) in Turkey on the Effects of Tyrosinase
Authors: Badem Merve , Korkmaz Nuriye , Sener Sıla Ozlem , Kanbolat Seyda , Ozgen Ufuk , Sevgi Serhat , Aliyazicioglu Rezzan , Coskun Maksut
Published: March 2019

In the present study, ethnomedicinal uses of the plants naturally growing in 35 villages of Akkuş District have been determined. Informations about the uses of the plants have been obtained from villagers using a questionnaire. At the end of the identification of the plants collected from villages, 58 taxa belong to 32 families have been determined. Furthermore, tyrosinase enzyme activity studies of methanolic extracts of all the species carried out spectroscopicallly. Eventually, the plants has been demonstrated to be used as folk medicine, food animal feed, ornamental,  stuff, dyeing, odour, insecticide  and fishing. According to the biological screening studies, some species have been indicated to have inhibitory effect, but the others have activator effect on tyrosinase enzyme.
JAK/STAT signaling is involved in air sac primordium development of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Powers Nathan , Srivastava Ajay
Published: March 2019

The dorsal thoracic air sacs in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are functionally and developmentally comparable to human lungs. The progenitors of these structures, air sac primordia (ASPs), invasively propagate into wing imaginal disks, employing mechanisms similar to those that promote metastasis in malignant tumors. We investigated whether Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription JAK/STAT signaling plays a role in the directed morphogenesis of ASPs. We find that JAK/STAT signaling occurs in ASP tip cells and misexpression of core components in the JAK/STAT signaling cascade significantly impedes ASP development. We further identify Upd2 as an activating ligand for JAK/STAT activity in the ASP. Together, these data constitute a considerable step forward in understanding the role of JAK/STAT signaling in ASPs and similar structures in mammalian models.
Alternative splicing in a presenilin 2 variant associated with Alzheimer disease
Authors: Braggin Jacquelyn E. , Bucks Stephanie A. , Course Meredith M. , Smith Carole L. , Sopher Bryce , Osnis Leah , Shuey Kiel D. , Domoto‐Reilly Kimiko , Caso Christina , Kinoshita Chizuru , Scherpelz Kathryn P. , Cross Chloe , Grabowski Thomas , Nik Seyyed H. M. , Newman Morgan , Garden Gwenn A. , Leverenz James B. , Tsuang Debby , Latimer Caitlin , Gonzalez‐Cuyar Luis F. , Keene Christopher Dirk , Morrison Richard S. , Rhoads Kristoffer , Wijsman Ellen M. , Dorschner Michael O. , Lardelli Michael , Young Jessica E. , Valdmanis Paul N. , Bird Thomas D. , Jayadev Suman
Published: March 2019

Objective

Autosomal‐dominant familial Alzheimer disease (AD) is caused by by variants in presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), and amyloid precursor protein (APP). Previously, we reported a rare PSEN2 frameshift variant in an early‐onset AD case (PSEN2 p.K115Efs*11). In this study, we characterize a second family with the same variant and analyze cellular transcripts from both patient fibroblasts and brain lysates.

Methods

We combined genomic, neuropathological, clinical, and molecular techniques to characterize the PSEN2 K115Efs*11 variant in two families.

Results

Neuropathological and clinical evaluation confirmed the AD diagnosis in two individuals carrying the PSEN2 K115Efs*11 variant. A truncated transcript from the variant allele is detectable in patient fibroblasts while levels of wild‐type PSEN2 transcript and protein are reduced compared to controls. Functional studies to assess biological consequences of the variant demonstrated that PSEN2 K115Efs*11 fibroblasts secrete less Aβ1–40 compared to controls, indicating abnormal γ‐secretase activity. Analysis of PSEN2 transcript levels in brain tissue revealed alternatively spliced PSEN2 products in patient brain as well as in sporadic AD and age‐matched control brain.

Interpretation

These data suggest that PSEN2 K115Efs*11 is a likely pathogenic variant associated with AD. We uncovered novel PSEN2 alternative transcripts in addition to previously reported PSEN2 splice isoforms associated with sporadic AD. In the context of a frameshift, these alternative transcripts return to the canonical reading frame with potential to generate deleterious protein products. Our findings suggest novel potential mechanisms by which PSEN variants may influence AD pathogenesis, highlighting the complexity underlying genetic contribution to disease risk.
Conformational Domain Wall Switch
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Sando Daniel , Zhang Qi , Cheng Xiaoxing , Prosandeev Sergey , Bulanadi Ralph , Prokhorenko Sergei , Bellaiche Laurent , Chen Long‐Qing , Nagarajan Valanoor , Seidel Jan
Published: March 2019

Domain walls in ferroelectric materials have tantalizing potential in disruptive memory and reconfigurable nanoelectronics technologies. Here, a ferroelectric domain wall switch with three distinct addressable resistance states is demonstrated. The device operation hinges on fully controllable and reversible conformational changes of the domain wall. As validated by atomistic simulations consistent with the experiments, using electric field, the shape—and hence the charge state—of the domain wall and ultimately its conduction are altered. Sequential nanoscale transitions of the walls are visualized directly using stroboscopic‐piezoresponse force microscopy and Kelvin probe microscopy. Anisotropic head‐to‐head domain wall injection, stabilized by the majority carrier type of the ferroelectric, BiFeO3, is identified as the key factor that enables conformational control.
Sodium Storage and Electrode Dynamics of Tin–Carbon Composite Electrodes from Bulk Precursors for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Palaniselvam Thangavelu , Goktas Mustafa , Anothumakkool Bihag , Sun Ya‐Nan , Schmuch Richard , Zhao Li , Han Bao‐Hang , Winter Martin , Adelhelm Philipp
Published: March 2019

Here, a Sn–C composite material prepared from bulk precursors (tin metal, graphite, and melamine) using ball milling and annealing is reported. The composite (58 wt% Sn and 42 wt% N‐doped carbon) shows a capacity up to 445 mAh gSn+C−1 and an excellent cycle life (1000 cycles). For the graphite, the ball milling leads to graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) for which the storage mechanism changes from solvent co‐intercalation to conventional intercalation. The final composite (Sn at nitrogen‐doped graphite nanoplatelets (SnNGnP)) is obtained by combining the GnPs with Sn and melamine as the nitrogen source. Rate‐dependent measurements and in situ X‐ray diffraction are used to study the asymmetric storage behavior of Sn, which shows a more sloping potential profile during sodiation and more defined steps during desodiation. The disappearance of two redox plateaus during desodiation is linked to the preceding sodiation current density (memory effect). The asymmetric behavior is also found by in situ electrochemical dilatometry. This method also shows that the effective electrode expansion during sodiation is much smaller (about +14%) compared to what is expected from Sn (+420%), which gives a reasonable explanation for the excellent cycle life for the SnNGnP (and likely other nanocomposites in general). Next to the advantages, challenges, which result from the nanocomposite approach, are also discussed.
Biconcave Carbon Nanodisks for Enhanced Drug Accumulation and Chemo‐Photothermal Tumor Therapy
Authors: Mu Qingxin , Wang Hui , Gu Xinyu , Stephen Zachary R. , Yen Charles , Chang Fei‐Chien , Dayringer Christopher J. , Zhang Miqin
Published: March 2019

It is considered a significant challenge to construct nanocarriers that have high drug loading capacity and can overcome physiological barriers to deliver efficacious amounts of drugs to solid tumors. Here, the development of a safe, biconcave carbon nanodisk to address this challenge for treating breast cancer is reported. The nanodisk demonstrates fluorescent imaging capability, an exceedingly high loading capacity (947.8 mg g−1, 94.78 wt%) for doxorubicin (DOX), and pH‐responsive drug release. It exhibits a higher uptake rate by tumor cells and greater accumulation in tumors in a mouse model than its carbon nanosphere counterpart. In addition, the nanodisk absorbs and transforms near‐infrared (NIR) light to heat, which enables simultaneous NIR‐responsive drug release for chemotherapy and generation of thermal energy for tumor cell destruction. Notably, this NIR‐activated dual therapy demonstrates a near complete suppression of tumor growth in a mouse model of triple‐negative breast cancer when DOX‐loaded nanodisks are administered systemically.
Regulating Bulk‐Heterojunction Molecular Orientations through Surface Free Energy Control of Hole‐Transporting Layers for High‐Performance Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Jianqiu , Zheng Zhong , Zhang Dongyang , Zhang Jianqi , Zhou Jiyu , Liu Jingchong , Xie Shenkun , Zhao Yong , Zhang Yuan , Wei Zhixiang , Hou Jianhui , Tang Zhiyong , Zhou Huiqiong
Published: March 2019

Interface properties are of critical importance for high‐performance bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, a universal interface approach to tune the surface free energy (γS) of hole‐transporting layers (HTLs) in a wide range through introducing poly(styrene sulfonic acid) sodium salts or nickel formate dihydrate into poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is reported. Based on the optimal γS of HTLs and thus improved face‐on molecular ordering in BHJs, enhanced fill factor and power conversion efficiencies in both fullerene and nonfullerene OSCs are achieved, which is attributed to the increased charge carrier mobility and sweepout with reduced recombination. It is found that the face‐on orientation‐preferred BHJs (PBDB‐TF:PC71BM, PBDB‐T:PC71BM, and PBDB‐TF:IT‐4F) favor HTLs with higher γS while the edge‐on orientation‐preferred BHJs (PDCDT:PC71BM, P3HT:PC71BM and PDCBT:ITIC) are partial to HTLs with lower γS. Based on the surface property–morphology–device performance correlations, a suggestion to select a suitable HTL in terms of γS for a specific BHJ with favored molecular arrangement is provided. This work enriches the fundamental understandings on the interface characteristics and morphological control toward high‐efficiency OSCs based on a wide range of BHJ materials.
MOF‐Based Hierarchical Structures for Solar‐Thermal Clean Water Production
Authors: Ma Qinglang , Yin Pengfei , Zhao Meiting , Luo Zhiyong , Huang Ying , He Qiyuan , Yu Yifu , Liu Zhengqing , Hu Zhaoning , Chen Bo , Zhang Hua
Published: March 2019

Solar‐thermal water evaporation, as a promising method for clean water production, has attracted increasing attention. However, solar water evaporators that exhibit both high water vapor generation ability and anti‐oil‐fouling ability have not been reported. Here, a unique metal–organic‐framework‐based hierarchical structure, referred to as MOF‐based hierarchical structure (MHS), is rationally designed and prepared, which simultaneously displays a high solar absorption and a superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic surface property. As a proof‐of‐concept application, a device prepared from the MHS can achieve a high solar‐thermal water evaporation rate of 1.50 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun illumination. Importantly, the MHS also possesses an excellent anti‐oil‐fouling property, ensuring its superior water evaporation performance even in oil‐contaminated water. The high solar‐thermal water evaporation rate and anti‐oil‐fouling property make the MHS a promising material for the solar‐thermal water production.
Pain in individuals with RASopathies: Prevalence and clinical characterization in a sample of 80 affected patients
Authors: Leoni Chiara , Triumbari Elizabeth Katherine Anna , Vollono Catello , Onesimo Roberta , Podagrosi Maria , Giorgio Valentina , Kuczynska Eliza , Veltri Stefania , Tartaglia Marco , Zampino Giuseppe
Published: March 2019

Pain in individuals with RASopathies is a neglected topic in literature. In this article, we assessed prevalence and profile of pain in a sample of 80 individuals affected by RASopathies. The study sample included individuals with Noonan syndrome (N = 42), Costello syndrome (N = 17), and cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome (N = 21). A set of standardized questionnaires and scales were administered (VAS/numeric scale, r‐FLACC, Wang‐Baker scale, NPSI, BPI, NCCPC‐R) to detect and characterize acute and chronic pain and to study the influence of pain on quality of life (PEDs‐QL, SF‐36) and sleeping patterns (SDSC); revision of past medical history and multisystemic evaluation was provided. Available clinical data were correlated to the presence of pain. High prevalence of acute (44%) and chronic (61%) pain was documented in the examined sample. Due to age and intellectual disability, acute pain was localized in 18/35 individuals and chronic pain in 33/49. Muscle‐skeletal and abdominal pain was more frequently reported. The intensity of acute and chronic pain interfered with daily activities in 1/3 of the sample. Pain negatively impacted on QoL and sleeping patterns. This work documents that pain is highly prevalent in RASopathies. Future studies including subjective and objective measures of pain are required to discriminate a somatosensory abnormality from an abnormal elaboration of painful stimuli at a central level.
Deep cerebellar stimulation reduces ataxic motor symptoms in the shaker rat
Authors: Anderson Collin J. , Figueroa Karla P. , Dorval Alan D. , Pulst Stefan M.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Degenerative cerebellar ataxias (DCAs) affect up to 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, leading to incoordination, tremor, and falls. Loss of Purkinje cells, nearly universal across DCAs, dysregulates the dentatothalamocortical network. To address the paucity of treatment strategies, we developed an electrical stimulation‐based therapy for DCAs targeting the dorsal dentate nucleus.

Methods

We tested this therapeutic strategy in the Wistar Furth shaker rat model of Purkinje cell loss resulting in tremor and ataxia. We implanted shaker rats with stimulating electrodes targeted to the dorsal dentate nucleus and tested a spectrum of frequencies ranging from 4 to 180 Hz.

Results

Stimulation at 30 Hz most effectively reduced motor symptoms. Stimulation frequencies >100 Hz, commonly used for parkinsonism and essential tremor, worsened incoordination, and frequencies within the tremor physiologic range may worsen tremor.

Interpretation

Low‐frequency deep cerebellar stimulation may provide a novel strategy for treating motor symptoms of degenerative cerebellar ataxias. Ann Neurol 2019;85:681–690
Forecasting Laurent Polynomial in the Chern–Simons Current of V3 Loop Time Series
Authors: Pinčák Richard , Kanjamapornkul Kabin , Bartoš Erik
Published: March 2019

The genetic variation in the V3 loop obstruction component of gp120 HIV glycoprotein is defined as a solitary standing wave function with the transition state between the interaction of wave function in the DNA and RNA hidden states. It is a parasitism co‐state generated from the coupling between two pairs of hidden 8 states of Laurent polynomial in the Chern–Simons current of HIV genotypes. A modified Nahm equation for a biology with Lax pairs is defined as the pairs of viral glycoprotein states with the transition between DNA and RNA in the reverse transcription process. The direction in the spinor field with genetic variation in 30 samples of the V3 loop time series with hidden 8 states of Laurent polynomial over the Chern–Simons current is predicted using a support spinor machine and convolutional neural network based on the imaging technique generated from tensor correlation network.
Controlled Release of a Micelle Payload via Sequential Enzymatic and Bioorthogonal Reactions in Living Systems
Authors: Porte Karine , Renoux Brigitte , Péraudeau Elodie , Clarhaut Jonathan , Eddhif Balkis , Poinot Pauline , Gravel Edmond , Doris Eric , Wijkhuisen Anne , Audisio Davide , Papot Sébastien , Taran Frédéric
Published: March 2019

A bioorthogonal approach is explored to release the content of nanoparticles on demand. Exploiting our recently described click‐and‐release technology, we developed a new generation of cleavable micelles able to disassemble through a sequential enzymatic and bioorthogonal activation process. Proof‐of‐concept experiments showed that this new approach could be successfully used to deliver the substances encapsulated into micelles in living cells as well as in mice by two complementary targeted strategies.
Water quality–pipe deposit relationships in Midwestern lead pipes
Authors: Tully Jennifer , DeSantis Michael K. , Schock Michael R.
Published: March 2019

The conventional wisdom of lead‐scale solubility has been built over the years by geochemical solubility models, experimental studies, and field sampling using multiple protocols. Rarely have the mineral phases from scales formed in real‐world drinking water lead service lines (LSLs) been compared with theoretical predictions. In this study, model predictions are compared with LSL scales from 22 drinking water distribution systems. The results show that only 9 of the 22 systems had LSL scales that followed model predictions. The remaining systems had unpredictable scales, some with unknown lead release characteristics, demonstrating that predicting scale formation and lead release solely by models cannot be relied on in all cases to protect human health. Therefore, for many systems with LSLs, pilot studies with existing LSL scales will be necessary to evaluate and optimize corrosion control, and correspondingly, appropriate residential water sampling will be needed to demonstrate consistent and optimal system corrosion control.
Mechanism of a Standalone β‐Lactone Synthetase: New Continuous Assay for a Widespread ANL Superfamily Enzyme
Authors: Robinson Serina L. , Christenson James K. , Richman Jack E. , Jenkins Dominick J. , Neres João , Fonseca Dallas R. , Aldrich Courtney C. , Wackett Lawrence P.
Published: March 2019

Enzyme‐catalyzed β‐lactone formation from β‐hydroxy acids is a crucial step in bacterial biosynthesis of β‐lactone natural products and membrane hydrocarbons. We developed a novel, continuous assay for β‐lactone synthetase activity using synthetic β‐hydroxy acid substrates with alkene or alkyne moieties. β‐Lactone formation is followed by rapid decarboxylation to form a conjugated triene chromophore for real‐time evaluation by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The assay was used to determine steady‐state kinetics of a long‐chain β‐lactone synthetase, OleC, from the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris. Site‐directed mutagenesis was used to test the involvement of conserved active site residues in Mg2+ and ATP binding. A previous report suggested OleC adenylated the substrate hydroxy group. Here we present several lines of evidence, including hydroxylamine trapping of the AMP intermediate, to demonstrate the substrate carboxyl group is adenylated prior to making the β‐lactone final product. A panel of nine substrate analogues were used to investigate the substrate specificity of X. campestris OleC by HPLC and GC‐MS. Stereoisomers of 2‐hexyl‐3hydroxyoctanoic acid were synthesized and OleC preferred the (2R,3S) diastereomer consistent with the stereo‐preference of upstream and downstream pathway enzymes. This biochemical knowledge was used to guide phylogenetic analysis of the β‐lactone synthetases to map their functional diversity within the acyl‐CoA synthetase, NRPS adenylation domain, and luciferase superfamily.
Mixed‐Matrix Membranes Formed from Multi‐Dimensional Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Gas Transport and Plasticization Resistance
Authors: Chi Won Seok , Sundell Benjamin J. , Zhang Ke , Harrigan Daniel J. , Hayden Steven C. , Smith Zachary P.
Published: March 2019

Mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) formed by incorporating metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into polymers have a general limitation in that the MOFs are typically formed into rather simple dimensionalities (such as 1D, 2D, or 3D). Each design approach has intrinsic—albeit independent—benefits, such as network percolation (1D), access to high‐aspect ratios (2D), and ease of processability (3D). However, a design strategy is needed to combine multiple dimensionalities and, thereby, access the full range of transport and compositing benefits of these high‐performance materials. Herein, a facile method to form multi‐dimensional HKUST‐1 nanoparticles is introduced by using a modulator to tune the MOF nucleation and growth mechanism. At 30 wt % multidimensional MOF loading, the MMM shows CO2 permeabilities of approximately 2500 Barrer, which represents a 2.5‐fold increase compared to that of a pure polymer without a large loss of selectivity for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2. Additionally, almost no plasticization pressure response is observed for CO2 up to 750 psi, suggesting an unusual stability to high activity feeds.
Evaluation of engineering properties for waste control of tomato during harvesting and postharvesting
Authors: Jahanbakhshi Ahmad , Rasooli Sharabiani Vali , Heidarbeigi Kobra , Kaveh Mohammad , Taghinezhad Ebrahim
Published: March 2019

In Iran, more than 30% of agricultural products turn into waste at different stages from harvesting to consumption. Thus, main factors for performing of this present study are including of: (a) the importance of tomato as an agricultural product and (b) lack of information about reducing waste during tomato processing. In this study, some physical, nutritional, mechanical, and hydrodynamic properties of tomato were measured under standard conditions. Physical properties included the length, width, thickness, mean diameter (geometric and arithmetic), mass, volume, density, sphericity, surface area, and aspect ratio. Also, nutritional properties, moisture, dry matter, pH, total soluble solid (TSS), and titration acidity (TA) of tomato were evaluated. The mechanical properties of tomato (compression and shear) were measured using Instron instrument. The hydrodynamic properties were measured with water in transportation, separation, and sorting of tomatoes. The physical properties were including of length, width, thickness, mass, volume, and geometric and arithmetic mean diameters showed a direct relationship with the size of tomatoes. Also, volumetric mass (density) had an inverse relation with tomato size. Yield point and shear force were obtained 51.27 and 22.20 N, respectively. The nutritional properties such as pH value, TSS, and TA were equal to 4.22, 22.23οBrix, and 2%, respectively. The hydrodynamic properties of tomatoes such as the terminal velocity, the tomatoes' rise time in the water column, the buoyancy force, and the drag force were obtained to be equal to 0.05 m/s, 10.11 S, 0.52 N, and 0.17 N, respectively.
Large‐scale production of nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐containing activated carbon microspheres for supercapacitors
Authors: Shan Mingli
Published: March 2019

A main issue in the production of robust supercapacitors is the creation of efficient and cost‐effective electrodes. We present here the realization of a kind of nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐containing activated carbon microspheres made from divinylbenzene, diallyl phthalate, and acrylonitrile monomers, which can be produced on a large scale for use in supercapacitors. The supercapacitor's performance is optimized by adjusting the carbonization temperature of the microspheres. Our preliminary result shows that the supercapacitor displays a maximum capacitance of 300 F/g at the current density of 1.0 A/g and retains ~82% of the capacitance after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles.
Multifractal characterization of meteorological drought in India using detrended fluctuation analysis
Authors: Adarsh S. , Kumar D. Nagesh , Deepthi B. , Gayathri G. , Aswathy S. S. , Bhagyasree S.
Published: March 2019

This study presents multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF‐DFA) to describe the multifractality of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) series from 30 meteorological subdivisions of India estimated at different aggregation timescales (3, 6 and 12 months) based on long‐term monthly rainfall data sets of 1871–2016 period. The plots of fluctuation function and generalized Hurst exponents confirmed that multifractality is evident in most of the SPI series; however, it is found that its strength and persistency differ with timescale and space. The Hurst exponents of long‐term (SPI‐12) and medium‐term (SPI‐6) drought series of all subdivisions showed long‐term persistence irrespective of the climatic conditions of the region, while the short‐term droughts (SPI‐3) of six subdivisions displayed short‐term persistence. Further, the analysis by partitioning the data to four time spells: 1871–1905, 1906–1940, 1941–1975 and 1976–2016 showed that the persistency of long‐ and medium‐term drought is rather permanent. The analysis on changes in multifractal properties with respect to the climatic shift of 1976/1977 period showed that there is a clear increase in multifractal properties of all types of drought series in the recent past (post‐1976 period). This study also finds that the Hurst exponents and degree of multifractality of all types of droughts increase with increase in aggregation timescales. The multifractality of all the long‐term drought series (SPI‐12) and most of the SPI‐6 series are found to be due to correlation properties, while that of SPI‐3 is because of joint effect of correlation properties and the broadness of probability distribution.
Rheo‐NMR in food science—Recent opportunities
Authors: Galvosas Petrik , Brox Timothy I. , Kuczera Stefan
Published: March 2019

For over 25 years, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been used to study materials under mechanical deformation. Collectively, these methods are referred to as Rheo‐NMR. In many cases, it provides spatially and temporally resolved maps of NMR spectra, intrinsic NMR parameters (such as relaxation times), or motion (such as diffusion or flow). Therefore, Rheo‐NMR is complementary to conventional rheological measurements. This review will briefly summarize current capabilities and limitations of Rheo‐NMR in the context of material science and food science in particular. It will report on recent advances such as the incorporation of torque sensors or the implementation of large amplitude oscillatory shear and point out future opportunities for Rheo‐NMR in food science.
Synthesis and mechanical properties of para‐aramid nanofibers
Authors: Trexler Morgana M. , Hoffman Christopher , Smith Douglas A. , Montalbano Timothy J. , Yeager Matthew P. , Trigg Douglas , Nimer Salahudin , Calderón‐Colón Xiomara , Peitsch Christopher , Xia Zhiyong
Published: March 2019

Scalable, bottom‐up chemical synthesis and electrospinning of novel Cl‐substituted poly(para‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) nanofibers are herein reported. To achieve Cl‐PPTA nanofibers, the chemical reaction between the monomers was precisely controlled, and dissolution of the polymer into solvent was tailored to enable anisotropic solution formation and sufficient entanglement molecular weight. Electrospinning processing parameters were studied to understand their effects on fiber formation and mat morphology and then optimized to yield consistently high quality fibers. Importantly, the control of relative humidity during the fiber formation process was found to be critical, likely because water promotes hydrogen bond formation between the PPTA chains. The fiber and mat morphologies resulting from different combinations of chemistry and spinning conditions were observed using scanning electron microscopy, and observations were used as inputs to the optimization process. Tensile properties of single Cl‐PPTA nanofibers were characterized for the first time using a nanomanipulator mounted inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and fiber moduli measuring up to 70 GPa, and strengths exceeding 1 GPa were achieved. Given the excellent mechanical properties measured for the nanofibers, this chemical synthesis procedure and electrospinning protocol appear to be a promising route for producing a new class of nanofibers with ultrahigh strength and stiffness. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 563–573