bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Citizen Science Network for Measurements of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation Levels
Authors: Clewer B. J. , Ryden K. A. , Dyer A. C. R. , Hands A. D. P. , Jackson D. R.
Published: April 2019

Historically, gathering data on atmospheric radiation levels during solar particle events has been difficult, as there is little or no time warning of events. Being able to accurately quantify radiation levels within the atmosphere during solar events is of significance to the aviation industry, as described in the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Space Weather manual. Particularly during a large ground‐level enhancement (GLE) where the ionizing dose to passengers and crew can exceed the recommended general public annual dose limits, set by the International Commission for Radiological Protection (Barlett, Beck, Bilski, Bottollier‐Depois, & Lindborg, 2004, https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/nch232), in a single flight. The Smart Atmospheric Ionizing RAdiation (SAIRA) Monitoring Network is a new system of handheld radiation detectors that can be carried on aircraft to monitor and record atmospheric radiation levels. The system operates via citizen science volunteers, who record radiation data as they travel for normal purposes. Over 30 flights have been conducted with volunteers to demonstrate that a citizen science network is possible. Volunteers have used a new Android application to record and upload data to a central server to form a database of flight measurements. The demonstration has shown that there is a willingness in public volunteers to use radiation detectors and engage in science outreach. A fully developed system will ideally provide the capability to quantify radiation levels during a solar particle event or ground‐level enhancement and the data can be used by relevant organizations to minimize potential risks.
SP-8356, a (1S)-(–)-verbenone derivative, exerts in vitro and in vivo anti-breast cancer effects by inhibiting NF-κB signaling
Authors: Mander Sunam , Kim Dong Hwi , Thi Nguyen Huong , Yong Hyo Jeong , Pahk Kisoo , Kim Eun-Yeong , Lee Kiho , Seong Jae Young , Kim Won-Ki , Hwang Jong-Ik
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer exhibits high lethality in women because it is frequently detected at an advanced stage and aggressive forms such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which are often characterized by metastasis through colonization of secondary tumors. Thus, developing therapeutic agents that target the metastatic process is crucial to successfully treat aggressive breast cancer. We evaluated SP-8356, an anti-inflammatory synthetic verbenone derivative, with respect to its regulation of breast cancer cell behavior and cancer progression. Treatment of SP-8356 arrested cell cycle and reduced growth in various types of breast cancer cells with mild cytotoxicity. Particularly, SP-8356 significantly reduced the motility and invasiveness of TNBC cells. Assays using an in vivo xenograft mouse model confirmed the cell-specific anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activity of SP-8356. Functional studies revealed that SP-8356 suppressed serum response element-dependent reporter gene expression and NF-κB-related signaling, resulting in downregulation of many genes related to cancer invasion. We conclude that SP-8356 suppresses breast cancer progression through multimodal functions, including inhibition of NF-κB signaling and growth-related signaling pathways.
Computer vision enables short- and long-term analysis of Lophelia pertusa polyp behaviour and colour from an underwater observatory
Authors: Osterloff Jonas , Nilssen Ingunn , Järnegren Johanna , Van Engeland Tom , Buhl-Mortensen Pål , Nattkemper Tim W.
Published: April 2019

An array of sensors, including an HD camera mounted on a Fixed Underwater Observatory (FUO) were used to monitor a cold-water coral (Lophelia pertusa) reef in the Lofoten-Vesterålen area from April to November 2015. Image processing and deep learning enabled extraction of time series describing changes in coral colour and polyp activity (feeding). The image data was analysed together with data from the other sensors from the same period, to provide new insights into the short- and long-term dynamics in polyp features. The results indicate that diurnal variations and tidal current influenced polyp activity, by controlling the food supply. On a longer time-scale, the coral’s tissue colour changed from white in the spring to slightly red during the summer months, which can be explained by a seasonal change in food supply. Our work shows, that using an effective integrative computational approach, the image time series is a new and rich source of information to understand and monitor the dynamics in underwater environments due to the high temporal resolution and coverage enabled with FUOs.
Hypergravity and microgravity exhibited reversal effects on the bone and muscle mass in mice
Authors: Tominari Tsukasa , Ichimaru Ryota , Taniguchi Keita , Yumoto Akane , Shirakawa Masaki , Matsumoto Chiho , Watanabe Kenta , Hirata Michiko , Itoh Yoshifumi , Shiba Dai , Miyaura Chisato , Inada Masaki
Published: April 2019

Spaceflight is known to induce severe systemic bone loss and muscle atrophy of astronauts due to the circumstances of microgravity. We examined the influence of artificially produced 2G hypergravity on mice for bone and muscle mass with newly developed centrifuge device. We also analyzed the effects of microgravity (mostly 0G) and artificial produced 1G in ISS (international space station) on mouse bone mass. Experiment on the ground, the bone mass of humerus, femur and tibia was measured using micro-computed tomography (μCT), and the all bone mass was significantly increased in 2G compared with 1G control. In tibial bone, the mRNA expression of bone formation related genes such as Osx and Bmp2 was elevated. The volume of triceps surae muscle was also increased in 2G compared with 1G control, and the mRNA expression of myogenic factors such as Myod and Myh1 was elevated by 2G. On the other hand, microgravity in ISS significantly induced the loss of bone mass on humerus and tibia, compared with artificial 1G induced by centrifugation. Here, we firstly report that bone and muscle mass are regulated by the gravity with loaded force in both of positive and negative on the ground and in the space.
Localised states and their capture characteristics in amorphous phase-change materials
Authors: Rütten Martin , Geilen Andreas , Sebastian Abu , Krebs Daniel , Salinga Martin
Published: April 2019

As phase-change materials are poised to play a key role in next-generation computing systems, improving the current understanding of electrical transport in their amorphous phase can further strengthen their technological competitiveness. Even though the interaction of charge carriers with disorder-induced localised states largely affect the field-dependent conductivity, a clear link between electrical transport and specific features of the electronic density of states (DOS) could not be established yet due to a lack of knowledge of the capture characteristics of trap states. Here, we address this knowledge gap and employ modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (MPC) to investigate localised states in the frequently studied amorphous phase of Ge2Sb2Te5. Additionally, we present results on the DOS in the bandgap of amorphous AgIn-doped Sb2Te, which has not been subject to high-resolution DOS spectroscopy before. We find experimental evidence for clearly non-constant capture coefficients among a continuous spectrum of localised states in both studied materials. According to this observation especially in AgIn-doped Sb2Te, where no pronounced defect can be detected as main channel for carrier emission, we point out the necessity of modifying the current Poole-Frenkel-based transport modelling.
Amino acid derangements in adults with severe falciparum malaria
Authors: Leopold Stije J. , Apinan Siribha , Ghose Aniruddha , Kingston Hugh W. , Plewes Katherine A. , Hossain Amir , Dutta Asok Kumar , Paul Sujat , Barua Anupam , Sattar Abdus , Day Nicholas P. J. , Tarning Joel , Winterberg Markus , White Nicholas J. , Dondorp Arjen M.
Published: April 2019

Amino acid derangements are common in severe falciparum malaria and have been associated with endothelial dysfunction (L-arginine), metabolic acidosis (alanine and lactate), and disease severity (phenylalanine and tryptophan metabolites). Whether these amino acid perturbations reflect isolated pathogenic mechanisms or if they are part of overall changes in amino acid metabolism is unclear. To investigate this, we prospectively simultaneously quantified a broad range of plasma free amino acids (PFAA) using HPLC-MRM-Mass spectrometry in relation to presenting symptoms in adults with severe malaria (n = 88), septicaemia (n = 88), uncomplicated malaria (n = 71), and healthy controls (n = 48) from Bangladesh. The total plasma concentration of measured amino acids was significantly reduced in each of the patient groups when compared to normal levels observed in healthy local controls: uncomplicated malaria −54%, severe malaria −23%, and sepsis −32%, (p = <0.001). Inspection of amino acid profiles revealed that in each group the majority of amino acids were below normal levels, except for phenylalanine. Among patients with severe malaria, L-lactate was strongly associated with an increase of the total amino acid concentration, likely because this reflects tissue hypoxia. Our data confirm previously described amino acid abnormalities, likely resulting from overall changes in the concentration of PFAA.
Characterization of the physical properties of tumor-derived spheroids reveals critical insights for pre-clinical studies
Authors: Guillaume Ludivine , Rigal Lise , Fehrenbach Jérôme , Severac Childérick , Ducommun Bernard , Lobjois Valérie
Published: April 2019

Three-dimensional spheroids are widely used as cancer models to study tumor cell proliferation and to evaluate new anticancer drugs. Growth-induced stress (i.e., stress that persists in tumors after external loads removal) influences tumor growth and resistance to treatment. However, it is not clear whether spheroids recapitulate the tumor physical properties. Here, we demonstrated experimentally and with the support of mathematical models that, like tumors, spheroids accumulate growth-induced stress. Moreover, we found that this stress is lower in spheroids made of 5,000 cancer cells and grown for 2 days than in spheroids made of 500 cancer cells and grown for 6 days. These two culture conditions associated with different growth-induced stress levels also had different effects on the spheroid shape (using light sheet microscopy) and surface topography and stiffness (using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy). Finally, the response to irinotecan was different in the two spheroid types. Taken together, our findings bring new insights into the relationship between the spheroid physical properties and their resistance to antitumor treatment that should be taken into account by the experimenters when assessing new therapeutic agents using in vitro 3D models or when comparing studies from different laboratories.
Influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on EMT mediated migration and invasion of breast cancer cells
Authors: Riaz Syeda Kiran , Ke Yuepeng , Wang Fen , Kayani Mahmood Akhtar , Malik Muhammad Faraz Arshad
Published: April 2019

Sonic Hedgehog signaling is critical for breast morphogenesis and cancer. The present study was conducted to explore the influence of SHH/GLI1 axis on epithelial mesenchymal transition and invasion in breast cancer cells. SHH/GLI1 positive samples demonstrated high expression of Snail and Vimentin with relatively low expression of E-cadherin. Overexpression of Vimentin and Snail in SHH/GLI1 positive patients was also associated with poor overall survival. Interestingly, GANT61 (GLI1 inhibitor) exposure significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis at 10 µM. Suppression of Hedgehog pathway either by CRISPR mediated SHH knock out or GANT61 altered regulation of EMT markers in breast cancer cells. Moreover, in-activation of SHH/GLI1 axis also significantly restricted cell migration and invasiveness. These findings suggest that targeting SHH/GLI1 axis alters expression of EMT markers and abrogates neoplastic invasion in breast cancer cells.
High information capacity DNA-based data storage with augmented encoding characters using degenerate bases
Authors: Choi Yeongjae , Ryu Taehoon , Lee Amos C. , Choi Hansol , Lee Hansaem , Park Jaejun , Song Suk-Heung , Kim Seojoo , Kim Hyeli , Park Wook , Kwon Sunghoon
Published: April 2019

DNA-based data storage has emerged as a promising method to satisfy the exponentially increasing demand for information storage. However, practical implementation of DNA-based data storage remains a challenge because of the high cost of data writing through DNA synthesis. Here, we propose the use of degenerate bases as encoding characters in addition to A, C, G, and T, which augments the amount of data that can be stored per length of DNA sequence designed (information capacity) and lowering the amount of DNA synthesis per storing unit data. Using the proposed method, we experimentally achieved an information capacity of 3.37 bits/character. The demonstrated information capacity is more than twice when compared to the highest information capacity previously achieved. The proposed method can be integrated with synthetic technologies in the future to reduce the cost of DNA-based data storage by 50%.
Gut microbiota and butyrate level changes associated with the long-term administration of proton pump inhibitors to old rats
Authors: Lee Sun Min , Kim Nayoung , Nam Ryoung Hee , Park Ji Hyun , Choi Soo In , Park Young-Tae , Kim Yeon-Ran , Seok Yeong-Jae , Shin Cheol Min , Lee Dong Ho
Published: April 2019

The association between adverse effects of PPI and gut microbiota in old age has yet to be elucidated. We assessed changes in the gut microbiota and butyrate levels following the long-term administration of PPIs to old rats and investigated their associations. F344 aged male rats were fed a PPI-supplemented diet for 50 weeks. The ileal microbiota was analysed by metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA, while the butyrate concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. We observed a significant decrease in microbial diversity following PPI administration in the 2-year-old rats but not in the 74-week-old rats. PPI treatment reduced both commensal bacteria and opportunistic pathogens, particularly in the 2-year-old rats. Enterotypes comprising the majority of the control samples were enriched in Lactobacillus, while other enterotypes in the PPI group were dominated by Turicibacter or Romboutsia. The PPI treatment reduced the butyrate concentrations in the intestines and colons of 74-week-old rats compared to the control group. The abundance of Lactobacillus significantly correlated with butyrate concentrations in 74-week-old rats. In conclusion, long-term administration of PPIs alters the gut microbiota and butyrate concentrations in rats, particularly in old age, which may be an underlying mechanism of PPI-induced adverse effects such as pseudomembranous colitis.
Exome sequencing in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Schellevis Rosa L. , Breukink Myrte B. , Gilissen Christian , Boon Camiel J. F. , Hoyng Carel B. , de Jong Eiko K. , den Hollander Anneke I.
Published: April 2019

Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) is a multifactorial eye disease characterized by subretinal fluid accumulation that leads to vision loss. Clinically, cCSC is associated with stress, hypercortisolism and corticosteroid use, and is more frequent in males (80%) than in females (20%). Current genetic studies on cCSC have thus far focussed on common variants, but familial occurrence of cCSC also suggests a role for rare variants in the disease susceptibility. Therefore, in this study, we performed exome sequencing of cCSC patients to elucidate the role of rare (protein-altering) variants in the disease. Exome sequencing was performed on 269 cCSC patients and 1,586 controls. Data were processed according to the Genome-Analysis-Toolkit (GATK) best practices. Principal component analysis was performed to check for genetic ancestry and only unrelated subjects of European descent were retained. Burden, SKAT and SKAT-O tests were performed using 2 different grouping criteria. One group included protein-altering variants only, while the other contained synonymous and splice site variants as well. The gene-based analyses were performed using the SKAT R-package correcting for two principal components using two approaches; (1) on the entire cohort correcting for sex and (2) on males and females separately. Additionally, the gene-based associations of genes at previously reported cCSC loci were investigated. After filtering, the dataset contained 263 cCSC patients (208 males [79%]) and 1352 controls (671 males [50%]) carrying 197,915 protein-altering variants in 16,370 genes and 330,689 exonic variants in 18,173 genes. Analysis stratified by sex identified significant associations with the PIGZ (PSKAT = 9.19 × 10−7 & PSKAT-O = 2.48 × 10−6), DUOX1 (PSKAT = 1.03 × 10−6), RSAD1 (PSKAT = 1.92 × 10−7 & PSKAT-O = 8.57 × 10−8) and LAMB3 (PBurden = 1.40 × 10−6 & PSKAT-O = 1.14 × 10−6) genes in female cCSC patients, after correction for multiple testing. The number of rare variant carriers in these genes was significantly higher in the female cCSC cohort compared to female controls (45,5% vs. 18.5%, P = 1.92 × 10−6, OR = 3.67 [95% CI = 2.09–6.46]). No significant associations were identified in the entire cohort nor in the male patients. In this exome study on cCSC patients, we have identified PIGZ, DUOX1, RSAD1 and LAMB3 as potential new candidate genes for cCSC in females. The sex-specific associations identified here suggest a possible interaction between rare genetic factors and sex for cCSC, but replication of these findings in additional cohorts of cCSC patients is necessary.
Influence of shape, size and magnetostatic interactions on the hyperthermia properties of permalloy nanostructures
Authors: Ferrero Riccardo , Manzin Alessandra , Barrera Gabriele , Celegato Federica , Coïsson Marco , Tiberto Paola
Published: April 2019

We present a detailed study of permalloy (Ni80Fe20) nanostructures with variable shape (disk, cylinder and sphere) for magnetic hyperthermia application, exploiting hysteresis losses for heat release. The study is performed modifying nanostructure aspect ratio and size (up to some hundreds of nanometres), to find the optimal conditions for the maximization of specific heating capabilities. The parameters are also tuned to guarantee negligible magnetic remanence and fulfilment of biophysical limits on applied field amplitude and frequency product, to avoid aggregation phenomena and intolerable resistive heating, respectively. The attention is first focused on disk-shaped nanostructures, with a comparison between micromagnetic simulations and experimental results, obtained on nanodisks still attached on the lithography substrate (2D array form) as well as dispersed in ethanol solution (free-standing). This analysis enables us to investigate the role of magnetostatic interactions between nanodisks and to individuate an optimal concentration for the maximization of heating capabilities. Finally, we study magnetization reversal process and hysteresis properties of nanocylinders (diameter between 150 nm and 600 nm, thickness from 30 nm up to 150 nm) and nanospheres (size between 100 nm and 300 nm), to give instructions on the best combination of geometrical parameters for the design of novel hyperthermia mediators.
Maximum standardized uptake value on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography improves outcome prediction in retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Hyun Seung Hyup , Lee Kyung-Han , Jo Sung Jun , Lee Kyo Won , Park Jae Berm , Kim Sung Joo
Published: April 2019

While 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has been investigated in extremity sarcomas, there is no evidence on its usefulness in retroperitoneal sarcoma. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting aggressiveness of retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Patients experienced surgery for retroperitoneal liposarcoma from November 2007 to February 2018 and underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT were included. Preoperative maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated. To evaluate the predictability of SUVmax for Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) grade 3, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed. To analyze whether SUVmax can be a risk factor for prognosis, multivariable Cox regression was performed including potential risk factors regarding operation and histopathology. A total of 133 patients were included. ROC curve showed area under the curve of 0.877 (P < 0.001), with a cut-off point of 4.5 SUVmax showing 85.7% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity. Cox analyses showed that SUVmax > 4.5 was a significant factor for recurrence-free survival (HR = 2.148, CI 1.301–3.546, P = 0.003) and overall survival (HR = 5.052, CI 1.854–13.766, P = 0.002). SUVmax is highly predictive of FNCLCC grade 3 and SUVmax > 4.5 can be used as a prognostic factor before obtaining the histopathology.
Isolation and mass spectrometry based hydroxyproline mapping of type II collagen derived from Capra hircus ear cartilage
Authors: Maity Priti Prasanna , Dutta Debabrata , Ganguly Sayan , Kapat Kausik , Dixit Krishna , Chowdhury Amit Roy , Samanta Ramapati , Das Narayan Chandra , Datta Pallab , Das Amit Kumar , Dhara Santanu
Published: April 2019

Collagen II (COLII), the most abundant protein in vertebrates, helps maintain the structural and functional integrity of cartilage. Delivery of COLII from animal sources could improve cartilage regeneration therapies. Here we show that COLII can be purified from the Capra ear cartilage, a commonly available bio-waste product, with a high yield. MALDI-MS/MS analysis evidenced post-translational modifications of the signature triplet, Glycine-Proline-Hydroxyproline (G-P-Hyp), in alpha chain of isolated COLII (COLIIA1). Additionally, thirty-two peptides containing 59 Hyp residues and a few G-X-Y triplets with positional alterations of Hyp in COLIIA1 are also identified. Furthermore, we show that an injectable hydrogel formulation containing the isolated COLII facilitates chondrogenic differentiation towards cartilage regeneration. These findings show that COLII can be isolated from Capra ear cartilage and that positional alteration of Hyp in its structural motif, as detected by newly developed mass spectrometric method, might be an early marker of cartilage disorder.
City-scale decarbonization experiments with integrated energy systems
Authors: de Chalendar Jacques A. , Glynn Peter W. , Benson Sally M.
Published: April 2019

Decarbonization of electricity generation together with electrification of energy-and-carbon-intensive services such as heating and cooling is needed to address ambitious climate goals. Urban energy centers are a prime target for these efforts.
Sealing effect of surface porosity of Ti–P composite films on tinplates
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Kong Delong , Wang Minghao , Wang Guixiang , Li Ning , Li Deyu
Published: April 2019

A novel chrome-free Ti–P composite film was coated on tinplates to seal the pores on the tinplate surface.
Spreading dynamics of reactive surfactants driven by Marangoni convection
Authors: Bickel Thomas
Published: April 2019

Enhanced diffusion of volatile, surface-active species at the water–air interface is explained by Marangoni convection.
A 0.05 V driven ammonia gas sensor based on an organic diode with a top porous layered electrode and an air-stable sensing film
Authors: Madhaiyan Govindasamy , Chen Chao-Hsuan , Wu Yi-Chu , Horng Sheng-Fu , Zan Hsiao-Wen , Meng Hsin-Fei , Lin Hong-Cheu
Published: April 2019

In this work, we successfully demonstrated an extremely-low-voltage (0.05 V) gas sensor based on a vertical organic diode with work-function-matched electrodes.
Boosting axiality in stable high-coordinate Dy(iii) single-molecule magnets
Authors: Canaj Angelos B. , Singh Mukesh Kumar , Regincós Marti Emma , Damjanović Marko , Wilson Claire , Céspedes Oscar , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Rajaraman Gopalan , Murrie Mark
Published: April 2019

A combined synthetic, structural, magnetic and computational study gives insight into improving the single-molecule magnet behaviour of stable high-coordinate Dy(iii) complexes.
A new interpretation of the structure and solvent dependence of the far UV circular dichroism spectrum of short oligopeptides
Authors: Kumar Anshuman , Schweitzer-Stenner Reinhard , Wong Bryan M.
Published: April 2019

Classical excitonic models are unsuitable for describing the electronic structure of polypeptides, and explicit consideration of water is essential.
Nitrogen-doped graphene stabilized copper nanoparticles for Huisgen [3+2] cycloaddition “click” chemistry
Authors: Siva Prasanna Sanka R. V. , K. Balaji , Leterrier Yves , Pandey Shyam , Srivastava Monika , Srivastava Anurag , Binder Wolfgang H. , Rana Sravendra , Michaud Véronique
Published: April 2019

N-doped reduced graphene oxide stabilized copper nanoparticles are designed as a heterogeneous catalyst for achieving Cu(i)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition “click” chemistry.
Phosphinate-containing rhodol and fluorescein scaffolds for the development of bioprobes
Authors: Fang Yuan , Good Gillian N. , Zhou Xinqi , Stains Cliff I.
Published: April 2019

A series of phosphinate-containing rhodol and fluorescein dyes are disclosed.
Antisolvent addition at extreme conditions
Authors: Ward Martin R. , Oswald Iain D. H.
Published: April 2019

Antisolvent addition at high pressure (0.8 GPa) allows crystallization and recovery to ambient pressures of metastable form II paracetamol.
Interfacially driven transport theory: a way to unify Marangoni and osmotic flows
Authors: Bacchin Patrice , Glavatskiy Kirill , Gerbaud Vincent
Published: April 2019

A model of microscopic colloid–interface interactions unifies the interfacially driven transport phenomena by varying the degree of colloid–interface attraction.
Structural analyses of blended Nafion/PVDF electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Nawn G. , Vezzù K. , Negro E. , Pace G. , Park J. W. , Wycisk R. , Cavinato G. , Pintauro P. N. , Di Noto V.
Published: April 2019

A new type of polymer blend, prepared by electrospinning nanofibers containing the immiscible polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, 10 wt%) and Nafion® perfluorosulfonic acid (90 wt%), has been characterized experimentally.
Enhancing electrostatic interactions to activate polar molecules: ammonia borane methanolysis on a Cu/Co(OH)2 nanohybrid
Authors: Chen Qian-Qian , Li Qiang , Hou Chun-Chao , Wang Chuan-Jun , Peng Cheng-Yun , López Núria , Chen Yong
Published: April 2019

Cu/Co(OH)2 was prepared from an in situ method and the electrostatic interaction arising from the MSI was controlled by the Cu/Co ratio. The optimized catalyst exhibits a high catalytic performance for AB methanolysis.
Phosphorus dendrimers functionalised with nitrogen ligands, for catalysis and biology
Authors: Caminade Anne-Marie , Majoral Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2019

Phosphorus dendrimers (dendrimers having one phosphorus atom at each branching point) possess versatile properties, depending on the type of their terminal functions.
Reprogramming of cancer invasiveness and macrophage education via a nanostructured antagonist of the TGFβ receptor
Authors: Liu Chang , Hu Xingjie , Li Xiaojiao , Zhou Yanfeng , Wang Hui , Fan Chunhai , Song Haiyun
Published: April 2019

An interactome network analysis reveals functional intervention of TGFβ signaling by nanodiamonds, which diminishes cancer metastasis, tumor-associated macrophage recruitment and M2 macrophage polarization.
Antidiabeticin vitroandin vivoevaluation of cyclodipeptides isolated fromPseudomonas fluorescensIB-MR-66e
Authors: Lozano-González M. , Ovalle-Magallanes B. , Rangel-Grimaldo M. , De la Torre-Zavala S. , Noriega L. G. , Tovar-Palacio C. , Tovar A. R. , Mata R.
Published: April 2019

Cyclodipeptides cyclo(l-Pro-l-Leu),1; cyclo(l-Pro-l-Val),2; and cyclo (l-Pro-l-Phe),3fromPseudomonas fluorescensIB-MR-66e showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
Preparation of graphene/Au aerogel film through the hydrothermal process and application for H2O2 detection
Authors: Shen Ting , Zhao Zhiyong , Zhong Qishi , Qin Yujun , Zhang Pu , Guo Zhi-Xin
Published: April 2019

Graphene/gold nanoparticle aerogel film was prepared through the hydrothermal method, and could be used as an electrochemical sensor for detecting H2O2.
Synthesis and characterization of photocrosslinkable hydrogels from bovine skin gelatin
Authors: Suvarnapathaki Sanika , Nguyen Michelle A. , Wu Xinchen , Nukavarapu Syam P. , Camci-Unal Gulden
Published: April 2019

Gelatin from bovine skin was chemically modified to synthesize biocompatible photolabile hydrogels for tissue engineering applications.
Microwave absorption enhancement by adjusting reactant ratios and filler contents based on 1D K–MnO2@PDA and poly(vinylidene fluoride) matrix
Authors: Lv Shu-Qing , Xu Wei , Huang Wujisiguleng , Lv Guo-Cheng , Wang Guang-Sheng
Published: April 2019

The microwave absorption properties of K–MnO2@PDA/PVDF composites are greatly enhanced due to appropriate reactant amount ratios and filler contents, which result in an effective internal polarization process.
Bio-based, biodegradable and amorphous polyurethanes with shape memory behavior at body temperature
Authors: Dou Hui-Min , Ding Ji-Heng , Chen Hao , Wang Zhen , Zhang A.-Fang , Yu Hai-Bin
Published: April 2019

A series of bio-based, biodegradable and amorphous polyurethanes with shape memory behavior at body temperature were synthesized.
NIR laser-responsive liquid metal-loaded polymeric hydrogels for controlled release of doxorubicin
Authors: Fan Linlin , Sun Xuyang , Wang Xuelin , Wang Hongzhang , Liu Jing
Published: April 2019

NIR laser-responsive liquid metal-loaded polymeric hydrogel exhibits its superiority in drug carrier of controlled release.
A combined LX-NMR and molecular dynamics investigation of the bulk and local structure of ionic liquid crystals
Authors: Di Pietro Maria Enrica , Margola Tommaso , Celebre Giorgio , De Luca Giuseppina , Saielli Giacomo
Published: April 2019

The unique power of NMR spectroscopy in anisotropic media (LX-NMR) as a tool to obtain local and bulk structural information, combined with the effectiveness of molecular dynamics simulations at the atomistic level, shows very attractive potentialities for the study of Ionic Liquid Crystals.
Cu and Co nanoparticle-Co-decorated N-doped graphene nanosheets: a high efficiency bifunctional electrocatalyst for rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Liu Peitao , Hu Yating , Liu Xiaokai , Wang Tongtong , Xi Pinxian , Xi Shibo , Gao Daqiang , Wang John
Published: April 2019

It is still a great challenge to explore and reasonably design an efficient, economic and long-term stable oxygen electrochemical reaction catalyst.
Harnessing MOF materials in photovoltaic devices: recent advances, challenges, and perspectives
Authors: Chueh Chu-Chen , Chen Chih-I , Su Yu-An , Konnerth Hannelore , Gu Yu-Juan , Kung Chung-Wei , Wu Kevin C.-W.
Published: April 2019

The application of MOF materials in photovoltaic devices is comprehensively summarized and discussed.
Synergistic electrocatalytic N2 reduction using a PTCA nanorod–rGO hybrid
Authors: Li Peipei , Wang Jianwei , Chen Hongyu , Sun Xuping , You Jinmao , Liu Shanhu , Zhang Youyu , Liu Meiling , Niu Xiaobin , Luo Yonglan
Published: April 2019

As a non-noble-metal electrocatalyst for the N2 reduction reaction, a perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid nanorod-reduced graphene oxide hybrid offers a large NH3 yield of 24.7 μg h−1 mgcat.−1 with a high faradaic efficiency of 6.9%.
Precipitation of Er3+-doped Na5Y9F32crystals from fluoro-phosphate glasses: an advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopic study
Authors: Zhang Xuyang , Zhang Ruili , Hu Lili , Ren Jinjun
Published: April 2019

Cations with complex ligands M(OxFy) decompose during crystallization as follows: (x+y)M(OxFy) →xM(Ox+y) +yM(Fx+y).
TMC (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) monolayers with planar pentacoordinate carbon and their potential applications
Authors: Zhu Changyan , Lv Haifeng , Qu Xin , Zhang Min , Wang Jianyun , Wen Shizheng , Li Quan , Geng Yun , Su Zhongmin , Wu Xiaojun , Li Yafei , Ma Yanming
Published: April 2019

A class of stable TMC (TM = Co, Ni, and Cu) monolayers with entirely planar pentacoordinate carbon in their ground states and their promising functional applications in spintronics, electronics, and mechanics are identified through the swarm-intelligence structure search method and first-principles calculations.
Smart, chiral, and nonconjugated cyclohexane-based bis-salicylaldehyde hydrazides: multi-stimuli-responsive, turn-on, ratiometric, and thermochromic fluorescence, single-crystal structures via DFT calculations
Authors: Wang Man , Cheng Caiqi , Li Chunbo , Wu Dehua , Song Jintong , Wang Jun , Zhou Xiangge , Xiang Haifeng , Liu Jin
Published: April 2019

Multidentate and environmentally sensitive dyes show turn-on, ratiometric, and thermochromic fluorescence.
Acetylcysteine in paracetamol poisoning: a perspective of 45 years of use
Authors: Bateman D. Nicholas , Dear James W.
Published: April 2019

Matthew and Rumack (200 mg or UK ‘Prescott’ line) and the 150 mg Treatment line, both on log scales.
Quantitative assessment of the high-light tolerance in plants with an impaired photosystem II donor side
Authors: Wilson Sam , Ruban Alexander V.
Published: April 2019

Photoinhibition is the light-induced down-regulation of photosynthetic efficiency, the primary target of which is photosystem II (PSII). Currently, there is no clear consensus on the exact mechanism of this process. However, it is clear that inhibition can occur through limitations on both the acceptor- and donor side of PSII. The former mechanism is caused by electron transport limitations at the PSII acceptor side. Whilst, the latter mechanism relies on the disruption of the oxygen-evolving complex. Both of these mechanisms damage the PSII reaction centre (RC). Using a novel chlorophyll fluorescence methodology, RC photoinactivation can be sensitively measured and quantified alongside photoprotection in vivo. This is achieved through estimation of the redox state of QA, using the parameter of photochemical quenching in the dark (qPd). This study shows that through the use of PSII donor-side inhibitors, such as UV-B and Cd2+, there is a steeper gradient of photoinactivation in the systems with a weakened donor side, independent of the level of NPQ attained. This is coupled with a concomitant decline in the light tolerance of PSII. The native light tolerance is partially restored upon the use of 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC), a PSII electron donor, allowing for the balance between the inhibitory pathways to be sensitively quantified. Thus, this study confirms that the impact of donor-side inhibition can be detected alongside acceptor-side photoinhibition using the qPd parameter and confirms qPd as a valid, sensitive and unambiguous parameter to sensitively quantify the onset of photoinhibition through both acceptor- or donor-side mechanisms.
Praesepe (NGC 2632) and its tidal tails
Authors: Röser Siegfried , Schilbach Elena
Published: April 2019

Aims. Within a 400 pc sphere around the Sun, we search for Praesepe’s tidal tails in the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) data set.

Methods. We used a modified convergent-point method to find stars with space velocities close to the space velocity of the Praesepe cluster.

Results. We find a clear indication for the existence of Praesepe’s tidal tails, both extending up to 165 pc from the centre of the cluster. A total of 1393 stars populate the cluster and its tails, giving a total mass of 794 M⊙. We determined a tidal radius of 10.77 pc for the cluster and a tidal mass of 483 M⊙. The corresponding half-mass radius is 4.8 pc. We also found a clear indication for mass segregation in the cluster. The tidal tails outside 2 tidal radii are populated by 389 stars. The total contamination of our sample by field stars lies between 50 and 100 stars or 3.6–7.2%. We used an astrometrically and photometrically clean subsample of Gaia DR2, which makes our Praesepe sample incomplete beyond MG ≈ 12.0 mag; this corresponds to about 0.25 M⊙. A comparison with an N-body model of the cluster and its tails shows remarkably good coincidence. Three new white dwarfs are found in the tails.
Patient Satisfaction with General versus Local Anesthesia during Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Mracek Jan , Kletecka Jakub , Holeckova Irena , Dostal Jiri , Mrackova Jolana , Mork Jan , Priban Vladimir
Published: April 2019

Background and Study Aims Both general and local anesthesia are used in our department for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The decision as to which anesthetic technique to use during surgery is made individually. The aim of our study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and preference with the anesthesia type used.

Material and Methods The satisfaction of a group of 205 patients with regard to anesthesia used and their future preferences were evaluated prospectively through a questionnaire. The reasons for dissatisfaction were assessed.

Results CEA was performed under general anesthesia (GA) in 159 cases (77.6%) and under local anesthesia (LA) in 46 cases (22.4%). In the GA group, 148 patients (93.1%) were satisfied; 30 patients (65.2%) in the LA group were satisfied (p < 0.0001). The reason for dissatisfaction with GA were postoperative nausea and vomiting (7 patients), postoperative psychological alteration (3), and fear of GA (1). The reasons for dissatisfaction with LA were intraoperative pain (9 patients), intraoperative discomfort and stress (5), and intraoperative breathing problems (2). Of the GA group, 154 (96.9%) patients would prefer GA again, and of the LA group, 28 (60.9%) patients would prefer LA if operated on again (p < 0.0001). Overall, 172 patients (83.9%) would prefer GA in the future, and 33 patients (16.1%) would prefer LA.

Conclusion Overall patient satisfaction with CEA performed under both GA and LA is high. Nevertheless, in the GA group, patient satisfaction and future preference were significantly higher. Both GA and LA have advantages and disadvantages for CEA. An optimal approach is to make use of both anesthetic techniques based on their individual indications and patient preference.
Insights into the physics of dominating frequency modes for flow past a stationary sphere: Direct numerical simulations
Authors: Tiwari Shashank S. , Bale Shivkumar , Patwardhan Ashwin W. , Nandakumar Krishnaswamy , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B.
Published: April 2019

Direct numerical simulations are carried out for an incompressible flow past a stationary sphere, in the range of 100 ≤ Re ≤ 1000. It is found that the first instability occurs as the axisymmetric wake undergoes breakage at Re ≥ 250. Adding small perturbations to the flow showed that the preferred direction of breakage of the axisymmetric wake and the corresponding contribution of the y and z-direction lift coefficients are highly sensitive and get randomly affected even due to slightest perturbations that might get induced. The second instability arises at Re = 300 as large-scale hairpin shaped structures are formed and shed periodically at frequency StVS = 0.134. At Re = 350, the highly regular hairpin shedding pattern undergoes a quasiperiodic change. From the Q-criterion isosurface, we observed that the quasiperiodicity is induced due to the formation and shedding of secondary hairpin structures which are alongside the primary ones. These secondary hairpin structures are of discernable orientations and are shed 4 times slower as compared to the primary hairpins at Re = 350. Identification of these secondary hairpin structures confirms the hypothesis of wake modulation. The low-frequency mode (Stm) is captured when energy spectral analysis is performed on the surface integrated instantaneous force coefficients and on the radial velocities. The low-frequency mode further exists at all higher Re, exhibiting a gradual increase in Stm. At Re ≥ 800, shear layer instabilities are manifested, demonstrating a characteristic peak at StKH = 0.32 in the energy spectra, rendering the mean lift coefficients to become zero again.
Two-dimensional transient model and mechanism of the self-discharging of zinc–nickel single-flow batteries
Authors: Yao Shouguang , Sun Xiaofei , Chen Yong , Xiao Min , Cheng Jie , Shen Yaju
Published: April 2019

A two-dimensional transient simulation model was proposed to investigate the effect of self-discharging on the performance of zinc–nickel single-flow batteries. The model was used to examine the dynamic characteristics of these batteries under no-load conditions and sustained electrolyte flow. The model was also applied to investigate changes in the battery voltage with time and coulombic efficiency under charge–discharge conditions with different current densities. The simulation results were verified in experiments involving a 250 mA h beaker battery under different working conditions. The following results were obtained: (1) the self-discharge effect was controlled mainly by the negative side reaction and drastically affected the battery potential at the initial stage of self-discharge; (2) during the charge–discharge process, the self-discharge effect decelerated the increase in battery voltage at the later stages of charging and exerted negligible effects at other stages; and (3) the cell coulombic efficiency can be increased by increasing the discharge current density to an appropriate value.
Instability of two-dimensional square eddy flows
Authors: Chen Zhi-Min
Published: April 2019

Plane nonparallel flow in a square fluid domain satisfying free-slip boundary condition is examined. The energy dissipation of the flow is controlled by viscosity and linear friction, which is from the friction effect of Hartmann bottom boundary layer in three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic experiment in a cell bottomed with the square domain. For the four eddy basic flow of the problem, there exist two bicritical parameters corresponding to the existence of two neutral eigenfunction spaces, respectively. The first neutral eigenfunction is one-dimensional and gives rise to the bifurcation of the basic flows into a pair of secondary flow, while the second one is two-dimensional and leads to the occurrence of a circle of secondary flows. These results are obtained numerically and can be approximated by elementary functions in a simple form. The secondary flows with respect to the first bicritical parameter exhibits the merging of diagonal eddies observed by Sommeria’s experiments on an inverse energy cascade to turbulence. More instability phenomena are displayed from the secondary flows with respect to the second bicritical parameter.
Study of a nanodroplet breakup through many-body dissipative particle dynamics
Authors: Nie Qichun , Zhong Yonghong , Fang Haisheng
Published: April 2019

Breakup of a nanodroplet is a common phenomenon of great importance in the nanoprinting and the electrohydrodynamic jet printing, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of droplet delivery. When the diameter of a decaying jet reduces to nanometers, the breakup mechanism remains unclear because the traditional continuum theory fails. In this work, a mesoscale method, many-body dissipative particle dynamics, has been developed to investigate the breakup process of water, glycerol, and ethanol nanodroplets. Generally, a falling nanodroplet deforms and breaks up with the following stages, symmetrical deformation, thin-neck appearance, and drop-tip motion. The breakup time, the neck length, the minimum diameter of the neck before breakup, and the tip velocity of the formed tail after breakup have been examined. It is found that the neck length shows an exponential relationship with the time. Compared to the similarity solution near the separation point, the exponent relation between the minimum diameter of the neck and the reduced time has been verified. Moreover, the exponent (n) for different fluids can be roughly estimated by the Ohnesorge (Oh) number as n = 0.1015 log(Oh) + 0.6776. The tip velocity varies as the inverse square root of the reduced time when the tip shrinks slowly. When the tip shrinks rapidly, the exponential relationship between the tip velocity and the reduced time is predicted, which is also valid for shrinking a satellite droplet. This study provides a fundamental understanding of the nanodroplet breakup for improvement of their dynamical behaviors in a real application.
A new look at the question of the bilingual advantage
Authors: Dash Tanya , Berroir Pierre , Ghazi-Saidi Ladan , Adrover-Roig Daniel , Ansaldo Ana Inés
Published: April 2019

Bilingualism has been associated with age-related cognitive advantage. It is important to study cognitive control mechanisms to better understand this phenomenon. We sought to examine proactive and reactive control, as measured by fast and slow responses, respectively. The neural underpinnings of these modes of control were studied in rigorously matched elderly monolinguals and bilinguals, using fMRI performance on a Simon task. The results indicate that bilinguals performed efficiently in proactive mode, as more activation and connectivity were observed in the monolinguals. On the other hand, the monolinguals functioned more efficiently in reactive mode, recruiting fewer brain areas than the bilinguals. These results suggest that bilinguals’ function effortlessly and economically in proactive mode, which is preserved through lifelong use of languages, whereas monolinguals are efficient in reactive mode, which they use more often as a consequence of aging. Thus, frequent use in daily life contributes to efficient functioning in the respective mode of control.
Oil production, environmental pressures and other sources of violent conflict in Nigeria
Authors: Udoh Isidore
Published: April 2019

Globally, environmental overexploitation and degradation constitute both threats to human development and sources of tension and conflicts. In Nigeria, the degradation of the Niger Delta environment by oil production has exacerbated long-standing grievances among communities competing for scarce resources. This article seeks to examine the theoretical and existential explanations for the mobilisation by groups from Nigeria’s oil-producing communities to pursue armed struggle in engaging with the Nigerian state and multinational oil companies. Using 10 focus groups with 85 participants, the author tests the argument that violent conflicts in the Niger Delta are related to the negative pressures placed on the environment and communities by pollution of land and water resources by oil production. These pressures expose the population of the area to poverty, hunger, malnutrition, anxiety, distrust and violence. The ensuing widening inequalities have spawned simmering grievances, a survivalist culture and a politics of ethnic mobilisation.
A Friend in Need? Exploring the Influence of Disease and Disability Onset on the Number of Close Friends Among Older Adults
Authors: Latham-Mintus Kenzie
Published: April 2019

Objectives

This research examines whether onset of life-threatening disease (i.e., cancer, lung disease, heart disease, or stroke) or activities of daily living disability influences the reported number of close friends.

Method

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 2006–2012), this research capitalizes on panel data to assess changes in number of close friends over a 4-year period. Lagged dependent variable (LDV) and change score (CS) approaches were used.

Results

Both the LDV and CS models provide evidence that onset of life-threatening disease was associated with reporting more friends 4 years later. In particular, onset of cancer was associated with reporting more close friends.

Discussion

This research provides evidence of the network activation hypothesis following onset of life-threatening disease among older adults.