bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Low-Dose Alcohol Consumption on Inflammation Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Authors: McCarter Kimberly D. , Li Chun , Jiang Zheng , Lu Wei , Smith Hillary A. , Xu Guodong , Mayhan William G. , Sun Hong
Published: September 2017

Increasing evidence suggest that low-dose alcohol consumption (LAC) reduces the incidence and improves the functional outcome of ischemic stroke. We determined the influence of LAC on post-ischemic inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups, an ethanol (13.5% alcohol) group, a red wine (Castle Rock Pinot Noir, 13.5% alcohol) group, and a control group. The amount of alcohol given to red wine and ethanol groups was 1.4 g/kg/day. After 8 weeks, the animals were subjected to a 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and sacrificed at 24 hours of reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, expression of adhesion molecules and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, microglial activation and neutrophil infiltration were evaluated. The total infarct volume and neurological deficits were significantly reduced in red wine- and ethanol-fed rats compared to control rats. Both red wine and ethanol suppressed post-ischemic expression of adhesion molecules and microglial activation. In addition, both red wine and ethanol upregulated expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1), downregulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, and significantly alleviated post-ischemic expression of inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, red wine significantly reduced post-ischemic neutrophil infiltration. Our findings suggest that LAC may protect the brain against its I/R injury by suppressing post-ischemic inflammation.
Algorithmic Management for Improving Collective Productivity in Crowdsourcing
Authors: Yu Han , Miao Chunyan , Chen Yiqiang , Fauvel Simon , Li Xiaoming , Lesser Victor R.
Published: September 2017

Crowdsourcing systems are complex not only because of the huge number of potential strategies for assigning workers to tasks, but also due to the dynamic characteristics associated with workers. Maximizing social welfare in such situations is known to be NP-hard. To address these fundamental challenges, we propose the surprise-minimization-value-maximization (SMVM) approach. By analysing typical crowdsourcing system dynamics, we established a simple and novel worker desirability index (WDI) jointly considering the effect of each worker’s reputation, workload and motivation to work on collective productivity. Through evaluating workers’ WDI values, SMVM influences individual workers in real time about courses of action which can benefit the workers and lead to high collective productivity. Solutions can be produced in polynomial time and are proven to be asymptotically bounded by a theoretical optimal solution. High resolution simulations based on a real-world dataset demonstrate that SMVM significantly outperforms state-of-the-art approaches. A large-scale 3-year empirical study involving 1,144 participants in over 9,000 sessions shows that SMVM outperforms human task delegation decisions over 80% of the time under common workload conditions. The approach and results can help engineer highly scalable data-driven algorithmic management decision support systems for crowdsourcing.
Rapid Categorization of Human and Ape Faces in 9-Month-Old Infants Revealed by Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation
Authors: Peykarjou Stefanie , Hoehl Stefanie , Pauen Sabina , Rossion Bruno
Published: September 2017

This study investigates categorization of human and ape faces in 9-month-olds using a Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation (FPVS) paradigm while measuring EEG. Categorization responses are elicited only if infants discriminate between different categories and generalize across exemplars within each category. In study 1, human or ape faces were presented as standard and deviant stimuli in upright and inverted trials. Upright ape faces presented among humans elicited strong categorization responses, whereas responses for upright human faces and for inverted ape faces were smaller. Deviant inverted human faces did not elicit categorization. Data were best explained by a model with main effects of species and orientation. However, variance of low-level image characteristics was higher for the ape than the human category. Variance was matched to replicate this finding in an independent sample (study 2). Both human and ape faces elicited categorization in upright and inverted conditions, but upright ape faces elicited the strongest responses. Again, data were best explained by a model of two main effects. These experiments demonstrate that 9-month-olds rapidly categorize faces, and unfamiliar faces presented among human faces elicit increased categorization responses. This likely reflects habituation for the familiar standard category, and stronger release for the unfamiliar category deviants.
Three-screw versus two-screw fixation of distal fragment in fifth metacarpal neck fractures stabilized with locking plate
Authors: Zhu Hongyi , Bao Bingbo , Zheng Xianyou
Published: September 2017

Fifth metacarpal neck fracture commonly requires open reduction and internal fixation. Locking plate was widely adopted in the treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fracture as first-line choice for fixation. Patients with fifth metacarpal neck fracture receiving locking plate fixation were included for analysis. Features of internal fixation including number of distal and proximal locking screws, diameter of the screws and usage of lag screws were recorded. Clinical and radiographic outcomes included final volar angulation, grip strength, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and range of motion (ROM) of fifth metacarpophalangeal joint. Three-screw fixation was less frequently presented in the group with increased volar angulation (≥30 degrees). Consistently, three-screw fixation of distal fragment could improve the prognosis compared with two-screw fixation (MHQ 95.4 ± 5.1 versus 80.4 ± 12.3, ROM 83.5 ± 7.2 versus 69.6 ± 7.7). In conclusion, the metacarpal head should be fixed by three locking screws instead of two locking screws.
Local disorder in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-piezoceramic determined by 3D electron diffuse scattering
Authors: Neagu Alexandra , Tai Cheuk-Wai
Published: September 2017

Local structural distortions in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based solid solutions have been proved to play a crucial role in understanding and tuning their enhanced piezoelectric properties near the morphotropic phase boundary. In this work all local structural disorders in a lead-free ternary system, namely 85%Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-10%Bi0.5K0.5TiO3-5%BaTiO3, were mapped in reciprocal space by 3D electron diffraction. Furthermore, a comprehensive model of the local disorder was developed by analysing the intensity and morphology of the observed weak diffuse scattering. We found that the studied ceramics consists of plate-like in-phase oxygen octahedral nanoscale domains randomly distributed in an antiphase tilted matrix. In addition, A-site chemical short-range order of Na/Bi and polar displacements contribute to different kinds of diffuse scattering. The proposed model explains all the observed diffraction features and offers insight into the ongoing controversy over the nature of local structural distortions in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-based solid solutions.
Superconductivity in Ti4O7 and γ-Ti3O5 films
Authors: Yoshimatsu K. , Sakata O. , Ohtomo A.
Published: September 2017

Titanium dioxide is one of the most popular compounds among simple oxides. Except for the fully oxidized titanate, titanium oxides have partially filled d states and their exotic properties have captured attention. Here, we report on the discovery of superconductivity in Ti4O7 and γ-Ti3O5 in a thin film form. The epitaxial Ti4O7 and γ-Ti3O5 thin films were grown using pulsed-laser deposition on (LaAlO3)0.3–(SrAl0.5Ta0.5O3)0.7 and α-Al2O3 substrates, respectively. The highest superconducting transition temperatures are 3.0 K and 7.1 K for Ti4O7 and γ-Ti3O5, respectively. The mechanism behind the superconductivity is discussed on the basis of electrical measurements and previous theoretical predictions. We conclude that the superconductivity arises from unstabilized bipolaronic insulating states with the assistance of oxygen non-stoichiometry and epitaxial stabilization.
Role of the particle size polydispersity in the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube-epoxy composites
Authors: Majidian Maryam , Grimaldi Claudio , Forró László , Magrez Arnaud
Published: September 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CTNs) with large aspect-ratios are extensively used to establish electrical connectedness in polymer melts at very low CNT loadings. However, the CNT size polydispersity and the quality of the dispersion are still not fully understood factors that can substantially alter the desired characteristics of CNT nanocomposites. Here we demonstrate that the electrical conductivity of polydisperse CNT-epoxy composites with purposely-tailored distributions of the nanotube length L is a quasiuniversal function of the first moment of L. This finding challenges the current understanding that the conductivity depends upon higher moments of the CNT length. We explain the observed quasiuniversality by a combined effect between the particle size polydispersity and clustering. This mechanism can be exploited to achieve controlled tuning of the electrical transport in general CNT nanocomposites.
Consecutive entosis stages in human substrate-dependent cultured cells
Authors: Garanina Anastasiia S. , Kisurina-Evgenieva Olga P. , Erokhina Maria V. , Smirnova Elena A. , Factor Valentina M. , Onishchenko Galina E.
Published: September 2017

Entosis, or cell death by invading another cell, is typical for tumor epithelial cells. The formation of cell-in-cell structures is extensively studied in suspension cultures, but remains poorly understood in substrate-dependent cells. Here, we used electron, confocal and time-lapse microscopy in combination with pharmacological inhibition of intracellular components to study the kinetics of entosis using two human substrate-dependent tumor cultures, A431 and MCF7. In total, we identified and characterized five consecutive stages of entosis, which were common for both examined cell lines. We further demonstrated that actin filaments in the entotic as well as invading cells were crucial for entosis. Microtubules and the Golgi apparatus of entotic cells provided membrane expansion required for internalization of the invading cell. Depolymerization of microfilaments and microtubules, and disintegration of the Golgi complex inhibited entosis. We confirmed the presence of adhesive junctions and discovered the formation of desmosomes between the invading and entotic cells. The internalized cell was shown to be degraded due to the lysosomal activation in both cells whereas the disintegration of the Golgi apparatus did not affect the process. Thus, in the substrate-dependent cultures, entosis requires microfilaments, microtubules and the Golgi complex for cell invasion, but not for internalized cell degradation.
Tomographic in vivo microscopy for the study of lung physiology at the alveolar level
Authors: Lovric Goran , Mokso Rajmund , Arcadu Filippo , Vogiatzis Oikonomidis Ioannis , Schittny Johannes C. , Roth-Kleiner Matthias , Stampanoni Marco
Published: September 2017

Lungs represent the essential part of the mammalian respiratory system, which is reflected in the fact that lung failure still is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Establishing the connection between macroscopic observations of inspiration and expiration and the processes taking place at the microscopic scale remains crucial to understand fundamental physiological and pathological processes. Here we demonstrate for the first time in vivo synchrotron-based tomographic imaging of lungs with pixel sizes down to a micrometer, enabling first insights into high-resolution lung structure. We report the methodological ability to study lung inflation patterns at the alveolar scale and its potential in resolving still open questions in lung physiology. As a first application, we identified heterogeneous distension patterns at the alveolar level and assessed first comparisons of lungs between the in vivo and immediate post mortem states.
Imaging of Patients with Complex Hemodialysis Arterio-Venous Fistulas using Time-Resolved Dynamic CT Angiography: Comparison with Duplex Ultrasound
Authors: Meyer Mathias , Geiger Nicole , Benck Urs , Rose Daniela , Sudarski Sonja , Ong Melissa M. , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Henzler Thomas
Published: September 2017

To evaluate the feasibility and potential on therapy management of time-resolved dynamic computed tomography angiography (dCTA) in patients with forearm arterio-venous fistula (AVF)/arterio-venous grafts (AVG). Thirty-five patients with complex failing forearm AVF/AVGs were examined with ultrasound and a dCTA protocol. Diagnosis and therapy management was evaluated versus duplex ultrasound (DUS) in three different readouts: 1. all dCTA datasets; 2. one arterial phase of the dCTA dataset; 3. one arterial and one venous dataset out of the dCTA dataset. All reads were performed >30 days apart from each other. Using all data of the dCTA examination, 20 patients were classified as having a stenosis >50%, 12 high-shunt flow, 11 partial thrombosis, 5 venous aneurysms and 5 complete thrombosis of their AVF/AVG grafts. This lead to 13 additional pathologic findings not visible on DUS and reclassification as normal in one patient with suspected AVF stenosis and complete thrombus on DUS. These additional findings lead to a direct change of therapeutic management in 8 patients. Compared to readout 1 (53 pathologies), readout number 2 and 3 revealed only 33 and 41 pathologies, respectively. dCTA provides additional information, improving diagnostic confidence and leading to changes in therapy management when compared to DUS alone.
Serotonin-1A receptor C-1019G polymorphism affects brain functional networks
Authors: Zheng Haixia , Onoda Keiichi , Wada Yasuko , Mitaki Shingo , Nabika Toru , Yamaguchi Shuhei
Published: September 2017

The serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor is strongly implicated in major depression and other affective disorders due to its negative regulation of serotonin neurone firing rates. Behavioural and clinical studies have repeatedly reported that the −1019G allele carries a high susceptibility for affective disorders. However, the underlying pathophysiology remains unknown. Here, we employed a genetic neuroimaging strategy in 99 healthy human subjects to explore the effect of serotonin-1A receptor polymorphism on brain resting-state functional connectivity (FC). We used functional magnetic resonance imaging, along with a seed-based approach, to identify three main brain networks: the default mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN) and the central executive network. We observed a significant decrease in the FC of the DMN within the dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices in G-carriers. Furthermore, compared with the C-homozygote group, we observed decreased FC of the SN within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in the G-carrier group. Our results indicate that 5-HT1A receptor genetic polymorphism modulates the activity of resting-state FC within brain networks including the DMN and SN. These genotype-related alterations in brain networks and FC may provide novel insights into the neural mechanism underlying the predisposition for affective disorders in G allele carriers.
Microstructural network alterations of olfactory dysfunction in newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wen Ming-Ching , Xu Zheyu , Lu Zhonghao , Chan Ling Ling , Tan Eng King , Tan Louis C. S.
Published: September 2017

Olfactory dysfunction is a robust and early sign for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous studies have revealed its association with dementia and related neural changes in PD. Yet, how olfactory dysfunction affects white matter (WM) microstructure in newly diagnosed and untreated PD remains unclear. Here we comprehensively examined WM features using unbiased whole-brain analyses. 88 newly diagnosed PD patients without dementia (70 with hyposmia and 18 without hyposmia) and 33 healthy controls underwent clinical assessment and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scanning. Tract-based special statistics (TBSS), graph-theoretic methods and network-based statistics (NBS) were used to compare regional and network-related WM features between groups. TBSS analysis did not show any differences in fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity between groups. Compared with controls, PD patients without hyposmia showed a significant decrease in global efficiency, whilst PD patients with hyposmia exhibited significantly reduced global and local efficiency and additionally a disrupted connection between the right medial orbitofrontal cortex and left rectus and had poorer frontal-related cognitive functioning. These results demonstrate that hyposmia-related WM changes in early PD only occur at the network level. The confined disconnectivity between the bilateral olfactory circuitry may serve as a biomarker for olfactory dysfunction in early PD.
Development of African swine fever epidemic among wild boar in Estonia - two different areas in the epidemiological focus
Authors: Nurmoja Imbi , Schulz Katja , Staubach Christoph , Sauter-Louis Carola , Depner Klaus , Conraths Franz J. , Viltrop Arvo
Published: September 2017

African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar emerged in Estonia for the first time in September 2014. The first affected region was located in the South of Estonia close to the border with Latvia. It was considered to be epidemiologically connected to the outbreaks in the North of Latvia. About two weeks later, cases were detected in the North of Estonia, close to the Russian border. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiological courses of the disease in the South and in the North of Estonia. Potential associations between risk factors and the laboratory test results for ASF were examined. A hierarchical Bayesian space–time model was used to analyze the temporal trend of the ASF seroprevalence in the two areas. Young wild boar were statistically significant more likely to be ASF-positive by both, serology and virus detection, than older animals. A statistically significant difference between the two areas in the temporal course of the seroprevalence was found. While the seroprevalence clearly increased in the South, it remained relatively constant in the North. These findings led to the hypothesis that ASF might have been introduced earlier into the North of Estonia then into the South of the country.
Salt Adaptation and Evolutionary Implication of a Nah-related PAHs Dioxygenase cloned from a Halophilic Phenanthrene Degrading Consortium
Authors: Wang Chongyang , Guo Guang , Huang Yong , Hao Han , Wang Hui
Published: September 2017

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollutions often occur in marine and other saline environment, largely due to anthropogenic activities. However, study of the PAHs-degradation genotypes in halophiles is limited, compared with the mesophilic terrestrial PAHs degraders. In this study, a bacterial consortium (CY-1) was enriched from saline soil contaminated with crude oil using phenanthrene as the sole carbon source at 10% salinity. CY-1 was dominated by the moderate halophilic Marinobacter species, and its dominant PAHs ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD) genotypes shared high identity to the classic nah-related RHDs found in the mesophilic species. Further cloning of a 5.6-kb gene cluster from CY-1 unveiled the existence of a new type of PAHs degradation gene cluster (hpah), which most probably evolves from the nah-related gene clusters. Expression of the RHD in this gene cluster in E. coli lead to the discovery of its prominent salt-tolerant properties compared with two RHDs from mesophiles. As a common structural feature shared by all halophilic and halotolerant enzymes, higher abundance of acidic amino acids was also found on the surface of this RHD than its closest nah-related alleles. These results suggest evolution towards saline adaptation occurred after horizontal transfer of this hpah gene cluster into the halophiles.
Risk factors for unintentional injuries among the rural elderly: a county-based cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhang Hongping , Wei Feng , Han Mo , Chen Jianquan , Peng Songxu , Du Yukai
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to provide evidence for the prevention and reduction of unintentional injuries in the rural elderly by analysing epidemiological data of injuries among rural older adults (65+) and identifying the involved risk and protective factors. This study analysed all information, including the social demographic characteristics, chronic disease condition, lifestyle, living environment, mental health, activities of daily living and detailed information about the nature of the injuries. Chi-square tests, rank tests and a multivariate logistic regression were performed. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was 44.4%; according to the multivariate regression analysis, ten variables, including gender, floor tiles, cane use, sleeping duration, roughage intake frequency, mental health status, diabetes, arthritis and cataracts, were involved in the injury patterns. Low roughage intake (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.64–3.35), the use of a cane (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.31–2.41), a sleeping duration of five hours (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.27–2.42) and severe mental disorders (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.01–2.57) were the top 4 risk factors. In conclusion, we found that unintentional injuries among the rural elderly were closely related to chronic disease, mental health and residence environment. These findings could be beneficial for the prevention of unintentional injuries and for policy makers and health service managers.
A global reference database of crowdsourced cropland data collected using the Geo-Wiki platform
Authors: Laso Bayas Juan Carlos , Lesiv Myroslava , Waldner François , Schucknecht Anne , Duerauer Martina , See Linda , Fritz Steffen , Fraisl Dilek , Moorthy Inian , McCallum Ian , Perger Christoph , Danylo Olha , Defourny Pierre , Gallego Javier , Gilliams Sven , Akhtar Ibrar ul Hassan , Baishya Swarup Jyoti , Baruah Mrinal , Bungnamei Khangsembou , Campos Alfredo , Changkakati Trishna , Cipriani Anna , Das Krishna , Das Keemee , Das Inamani , Davis Kyle Frankel , Hazarika Purabi , Johnson Brian Alan , Malek Ziga , Molinari Monia Elisa , Panging Kripal , Pawe Chandra Kant , Pérez-Hoyos Ana , Sahariah Parag Kumar , Sahariah Dhrubajyoti , Saikia Anup , Saikia Meghna , Schlesinger Peter , Seidacaru Elena , Singha Kuleswar , Wilson John W
Published: September 2017

A global reference data set on cropland was collected through a crowdsourcing campaign using the Geo-Wiki crowdsourcing tool. The campaign lasted three weeks, with over 80 participants from around the world reviewing almost 36,000 sample units, focussing on cropland identification. For quality assessment purposes, two additional data sets are provided. The first is a control set of 1,793 sample locations validated by students trained in satellite image interpretation. This data set was used to assess the quality of the crowd as the campaign progressed. The second data set contains 60 expert validations for additional evaluation of the quality of the contributions. All data sets are split into two parts: the first part shows all areas classified as cropland and the second part shows cropland average per location and user. After further processing, the data presented here might be suitable to validate and compare medium and high resolution cropland maps generated using remote sensing. These could also be used to train classification algorithms for developing new maps of land cover and cropland extent.
Dietary fish, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption, and depression risk in Japan: a population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Matsuoka Y J , Sawada N , Mimura M , Shikimoto R , Nozaki S , Hamazaki K , Uchitomi Y , Tsugane S ,   for the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study Group
Published: September 2017

Systematic review of observational studies has revealed that fish consumption and levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid are associated with a reduced risk of depression. A reverse J-shaped effect of n-3 PUFAs was suggested. However, there is limited evidence from populations with high fish consumption and no studies have used a standard psychiatrist-based diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, this population-based, prospective study investigated the association of dietary fish, n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA consumption with risk of psychiatrist-diagnosed MDD in Japan. A total of 12 219 subjects were enrolled from the Saku area in 1990. Of these, we extracted 1181 participants aged 63–82 years who completed food frequency questionnaires in both 1995 and 2000 and also underwent a mental health examination in 2014–2015. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for MDD according to fish intake and PUFA quartiles were calculated. Current MDD was diagnosed in 95 patients. We found a reduced risk of MDD in the third quartile for fish intake (111.1 g per day, OR=0.44, 95% CI=0.23–0.84), second quartile for EPA (307.7 mg per day, OR=0.54, 95% CI=0.30–0.99) and third quartile for docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (123.1 mg per day, OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.22–0.85). ORs adjusted for cancer, stroke, myocardial infarction and diabetes remained significant for fish and DPA intake. Our results suggest that moderate fish intake could be recommended for the prevention of MDD in aged Japanese individuals.
Identification of a plasma signature of psychotic disorder in children and adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort
Authors: O'Gorman A , Suvitaival T , Ahonen L , Cannon M , Zammit S , Lewis G , Roche H M , Mattila I , Hyotylainen T , Oresic M , Brennan L , Cotter D R
Published: September 2017

The identification of an early biomarker of psychotic disorder is important as early treatment is associated with improved patient outcome. Metabolomic and lipidomic approaches in combination with multivariate statistical analysis were applied to identify plasma alterations in children (age 11) (38 cases vs 67 controls) and adolescents (age 18) (36 cases vs 117 controls) preceeding or coincident with the development of psychotic disorder (PD) at age 18 in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Overall, 179 lipids were identified at age 11, with 32 found to be significantly altered between the control and PD groups. Following correction for multiple comparisons, 8 of these lipids remained significant (lysophosphatidlycholines (LPCs) LPC(18:1), LPC(18:2), LPC(20:3); phosphatidlycholines (PCs) PC(32:2; PC(34:2), PC(36:4), PC(0-34-3) and sphingomyelin (SM) SM(d18:1/24:0)), all of which were elevated in the PD group. At age 18, 23 lipids were significantly different between the control and PD groups, although none remained significant following correction for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the lipidome is altered in the blood during childhood, long before the development of psychotic disorder. LPCs in particular are elevated in those who develop PD, indicating inflammatory abnormalities and altered phospholipid metabolism. These findings were not found at age 18, suggesting there may be ongoing alterations in the pathophysiological processes from prodrome to onset of PD.
Multicolor protein FRET with tryptophan, selective coumarin-cysteine labeling, and genetic acridonylalanine encoding
Authors: Ferrie John J. , Ieda Naoya , Haney Conor M. , Walters Christopher R. , Sungwienwong Itthipol , Yoon Jimin , Petersson E. James
Published: September 2017

A combination of labeling techniques enables site-specific installation of fluorescent probes for measuring distances within proteins by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET).
Facile access to efficiently luminescent Ln3+ phosphonic ester coordination polymers (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy)
Authors: Krekić Kristijan , Klintuch Dieter , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: September 2017

Efficiently luminescent coordination polymers containing lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+) can be easily obtained using a suitable bisphosphonic ester from which a heterometallic version can be elaborated showing white light emission.
Oxyfluoride glass–ceramic fibers doped with Nd3+: structural and optical characterization
Authors: Gorni G. , Balda R. , Fernández J. , Iparraguirre I. , Velázquez J. J. , Castro Y. , Pascual L. , Chen G. , Sundararajan M. , Pascual M. J. , Durán A.
Published: September 2017

Selective excitation in an oxyfluoride glass–ceramic optical fiber containing LaF3nanocrystals doped with Nd3+.
A two-dimensional layered CdS/C2N heterostructure for visible-light-driven photocatalysis
Authors: Luo Xukai , Wang Guangzhao , Huang Yuhong , Wang Biao , Yuan Hongkuan , Chen Hong
Published: September 2017

A CdS/C2N heterojunction possesses a type-II band alignment with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode potentials.
The ionic versus metallic nature of 2D electrides: a density-functional description
Authors: Dale Stephen G. , Johnson Erin R.
Published: September 2017

The two-dimensional (2D) electrides are a highly unusual class of materials, possessing interstitial electron layers sandwiched between cationic atomic layers of the solid.
Fine-structure transitions of interstellar atomic sulfur and silicon induced by collisions with helium
Authors: Lique F. , Kłos J. , Le Picard S. D.
Published: September 2017

First collisional data for the fine-structure relaxation of interstellar S and Si by collisions with He.
Untangling the methane chemistry in interstellar and solar system ices toward ionizing radiation: a combined infrared and reflectron time-of-flight analysis
Authors: Abplanalp Matthew J. , Jones Brant M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: September 2017

PI-ReTOF-MS product analysis of methane ice processed with ionizing radiation shows that complex molecules never detected before are easily produced.
Exploiting a single intramolecular conformational switching Ni-TPP molecule to probe charge transfer dynamics at the nanoscale on bare Si(100)-2 × 1
Authors: Labidi Hatem , Pinto Henry P. , Leszczynski Jerzy , Riedel Damien
Published: September 2017

Acquiring quantitative information on charge transfer is performed on a single intramolecular switch. Using local electronic excitations allow to trigger (CT) process and tune its switching efficiency. Our method can be applied to investigate various molecular systems.
Light-driven micro/nanomotors: from fundamentals to applications
Authors: Xu Leilei , Mou Fangzhi , Gong Haotian , Luo Ming , Guan Jianguo
Published: September 2017

This review summarizes the recent advances in light-driven micro/nanomotors and highlights the challenges and perspectives toward environmental, biomedical and micro/nanoengineering applications.
Novel heterostructured InN/TiO2 submicron fibers designed for high performance visible-light-driven photocatalysis
Authors: Su Zhen , Li Heping , Chen Peng , Hu Sanyuan , Yan Youwei
Published: September 2017

InN phase was successfully integrated into TiO2 fiber, which greatly improved its visible-light photocatalytic property.
Improvement of thermal stability and photoluminescence in Sr0.8Ca0.2Al2Si2O8:Eu2+ by the substitution of Si–Na # Al–Sr and Ca # Sr for structural modifications
Authors: Li Zhenling , Wang Zhijun , Li Panlai , Cheng Jinge , Tian Miaomiao , Wang Chao , Yang Zhiping
Published: September 2017

The improved thermal stability and tunable emitting are obtained by the substitution of Si–Na # Al–Sr and Ca # Sr.
Photochemical intramolecular amination for the synthesis of heterocycles
Authors: Parisien-Collette Shawn , Cruché Corentin , Abel-Snape Xavier , Collins Shawn K.
Published: September 2017

Polycyclic heterocycles can be formed in good to excellent yields via photochemical conversion of the corresponding substituted aryl azides under irradiation with purple LEDs in a continuous flow reactor.
Accurate determination of sulfur isotopes (δ33S and δ34S) in sulfides and elemental sulfur by femtosecond laser ablation MC-ICP-MS with non-matrix matched calibration
Authors: Fu Jiali , Hu Zhaochu , Li Jianwei , Yang Lu , Zhang Wen , Liu Yongsheng , Li Qiuli , Zong Keqing , Hu Shenghong
Published: September 2017

In this study, the laser- and ICP-induced S isotopic fractionation in different S-rich minerals was investigated by using femtosecond (fs) and nanosecond (ns) laser ablation MC-ICP-MS.
Thiol–ene–epoxy thermoset for low-temperature bonding to biofunctionalized microarray surfaces
Authors: Zhou Xiamo C. , Sjöberg Ronald , Druet Amaury , Schwenk Jochen M. , van der Wijngaart Wouter , Haraldsson Tommy , Carlborg Carl Fredrik
Published: September 2017

We demonstrate a novel dual-cure polymer featuring long shelf life with direct room-temperature bonding, and its application in protein microarrays.
The Henipavirus V protein is a prevalently unfolded protein with a zinc-finger domain involved in binding to DDB1
Authors: Salladini Edoardo , Delauzun Vincent , Longhi Sonia
Published: September 2017

PNT remains disordered also within the V protein. V binds to DDB1, with the ZnFD playing an important role.
A systematic analysis of atomic protein–ligand interactions in the PDB
Authors: Ferreira de Freitas Renato , Schapira Matthieu
Published: September 2017

We compiled a list of 11 016 unique structures of small-molecule ligands bound to proteins representing 750 873 protein–ligand atomic interactions, and analyzed the frequency, geometry and the impact of each interaction type. The most frequent ligand–protein atom pairs can be clustered into seven interaction types.
Study on the interaction between the 1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide–spermine conjugate (NDIS) and DNA using a spectroscopic approach and molecular docking
Authors: Tian Zhiyong , Cui Hailong , Liu He , Dong Jun , Dong Huanyang , Zhao Luyao , Li Xueting , Zhang Yan , Huang Yingying , Song Lina , Bian Longxiang , Wang Yuxia , Xu Xuejun , Wang Chaojie
Published: September 2017

NDIS has obvious differences from NIS in the process of its binding to DNA.
Synthesis and comparative charge transfer studies in porphyrin–fullerene dyads: mode of attachment effect
Authors: Gupta Neha , Sharma Chhavi , Kumar Mahesh , Kumar Rachana
Published: September 2017

Two types of dyads having different modes of attachment i.e. cyclopropanation vs. pyrrolidine type in porphyrin–fullerene linked systems are compared for their photophysical properties. Dyad II with pyrrolidine type of linkage shows faster charge separation and generation of long lived charge separated states. It also shows a new property of thermally activated electrical conductivity which makes it potential candidate for organic electronic devices.
Boratriazines: inducing luminescence through boron incorporation into a terpy-type framework
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Yutronkie Nathan J. , Castañeda Raúl , Klein Jacob A. , Brusso Jaclyn
Published: September 2017

The synthesis and physicochemical properties of pyridyl and pyrimidyl functionalized 1,3,5,2-triazaborinines are reported, along with the Lewis acid–base adduct pyrimidine-2-carboximidamide trifluoroborane, which forms as a side product in the reaction with the pyrimidyl substituents.
Molecular packing and the handedness of the self-assemblies of C17H35CO-Ala-Phe sodium salts
Authors: Lin Shuwei , Li Yi , Li Baozong , Yang Yonggang
Published: September 2017

Molecular packing structure dominates the handedness of the self-assemblies of a series of lipodipeptide sodium salts.
Structural diversity of Zn(ii) based coordination polymers constructed from a flexible carboxylate linker and pyridyl co-linkers: fluorescence sensing of nitroaromatics
Authors: Gupta Anoop K. , Tomar Kapil , Bharadwaj Parimal K.
Published: September 2017

Five new Zn(ii) based coordination polymers have been synthesized that were used in the sensing of nitroaromatic compounds via luminescence quenching.
Lanthanide functionalized hybrid materials of polyoxometallate based metal–organic frameworks for multi-color luminescence
Authors: Jia G. D. , Yan B.
Published: September 2017

Lanthanide functionalized hybrids of polyoxometallate based MOF Ln3+⊂COK-15 are prepared and display multi-color light, together with a white luminescence (x = 0.3845, y = 0.303) by tuning an appropriate amount of Eu3+ and a suitable excitation wavelength.
Surface-engineered quantum dots/electrospun nanofibers as a networked fluorescence aptasensing platform toward biomarkers
Authors: Yang Tong , Hou Peng , Zheng Lin Ling , Zhan Lei , Gao Peng Fei , Li Yuan Fang , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: September 2017

QD-lit and networked electrospun nanofibrous membranes were employed as an aptasensor to facilely, sensitively and specifically detect biomarkers based on NSET between QDs and AuNPs.
Aluminium nanopillars reduce thermal conductivity of silicon nanobeams
Authors: Anufriev R. , Yanagisawa R. , Nomura M.
Published: September 2017

Aluminium nanopillars, placed on suspended silicon nanobeams, reduce thermal conductivity of the nanobeams, which opens new possibilities in thermoelectrics.
Double-grooved nanofibre surfaces with enhanced anisotropic hydrophobicity
Authors: Liang Meimei , Chen Xin , Xu Yang , Zhu Lei , Jin Xiangyu , Huang Chen
Published: September 2017

Anisotropic hydrophobicity is enhanced on a double-grooved fibrous surface that contains aligned nanofibers having oriented surface nanogrooves.
Boosting up the electrical performance of low-grade PEDOT:PSS by optimizing non-ionic surfactants
Authors: Kim Sunghee , Cho Sunghwan , Lee Su Jeong , Lee Gilwoon , Kong Minsik , Moon Sungmin , Myoung Jae-Min , Jeong Unyong
Published: September 2017

Under the optimum conditions of a surfactant, the conductivity of a low value product could be improved to a high value.
Stereocontrolled synthesis and investigation of the biosynthetic transformations of 16(S),17(S)-epoxy-PDn-3 DPA
Authors: Primdahl Karoline Gangestad , Tungen Jørn Eivind , De Souza Patricia Regina Soares , Colas Romain Alexandre , Dalli Jesmond , Hansen Trond Vidar , Vik Anders
Published: September 2017

Biomolecular investigations using synthetic ePDn-3 DPAhave been performed to study its role in the biosynthesis of the specialized pro-resolving mediator PD1n-3 DPA.
Evidencing the diversity and needs of adjustment of the nutritional requirements for hydrocarbon-degrading activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adapted to harsh conditions using 2nfull factorial design
Authors: Attar Al Zahraa , Jaoua Samir , Ahmed Talaat A. , Al Disi Zulfa , Zouari Nabil
Published: September 2017

Nutritional requirements of the most widely used bacterium,P. aeruginosa, was shown to be necessary to predict in advance to prevent failure of oil hydrocarbon bioremediation due to weathering processes.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment under sophorolipid application and their effects on oil behaviour end-results in marine environment
Authors: Li Haoshuai , Zhuang Xiaohong , Bao Mutai
Published: September 2017

The behaviour end-result of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons (DPHs) is known to interact with sediments in marine environments.
Regioisomer effects of [70]PCBM on film structures and photovoltaic properties of composite films with a crystalline conjugated polymer P3HT
Authors: Umeyama Tomokazu , Shibata Sho , Miyata Tetsushi , Igarashi Kensho , Koganezawa Tomoyuki , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: September 2017

The β-isomer of [70]PCBM induced a face-on P3HT packing, resulting in the superior hole mobility and photovoltaic properties.
Magnetically activated adhesives: towards on-demand magnetic triggering of selected polymerisation reactions
Authors: Davies Gemma-Louise , Govan Joseph , Tekoriute Renata , Serrano-García Raquel , Nolan Hugo , Farrell David , Hajatpour Ory , Gun'ko Yurii K.
Published: September 2017

We demonstrate a new strategy to inhibit and trigger polymerisation of an adhesive formulation, utilising colloidal core@shell CoFe2O4@MnO2 magnetic nanoparticles.
Template-directed self-assembly of dynamic covalent capsules with polar interiors
Authors: Galán Albano , Escudero-Adán Eduardo C. , Ballester Pablo
Published: September 2017

A covalent molecular capsule based on reversible imine bonds and polar interior is prepared by the template-directed self-assembly of a tetraaldehyde calix[4]pyrrole scaffold with a diamine linker.
Towards quantifying the role of hydrogen bonding within amphiphile self-association and resultant aggregate formation
Authors: White L. J. , Wells N. J. , Blackholly L. R. , Shepherd H. J. , Wilson B. , Bustone G. P. , Runacres T. J. , Hiscock J. R.
Published: September 2017

The role of hydrogen bonding within aggregate formation and CMC: can these properties be predicted by low level computational modelling?
Enhancing the solar energy conversion efficiency of solution-deposited Bi2S3 thin films by annealing in sulfur vapor at elevated temperature
Authors: Zhu Zhehao , Iyemperumal Satish Kumar , Kushnir Kateryna , Carl Alexander D. , Zhou Lite , Brodeur Drew R. , Grimm Ronald L. , Titova Lyubov V. , Deskins N. Aaron , Rao Pratap M.
Published: September 2017

We enhanced the solar energy conversion efficiency of solution-deposited Bi2S3 by annealing in sulfur vapor at elevated temperature.
Structuralization of magnetic nanoparticles in 5CB liquid crystals
Authors: Gdovinová Veronika , Schroer Martin A. , Tomašovičová Natália , Appel Ingo , Behrens Silke , Majorošová Jozefína , Kováč Jozef , Svergun Dmitri I. , Kopčanský Peter
Published: September 2017

This work is devoted to the study of highly stable composite systems of the liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) doped with CoFe2O4magnetic nanoparticles.
Acceleration and suppression of banana-shaped-protein-induced tubulation by addition of small membrane inclusions of isotropic spontaneous curvatures
Authors: Noguchi Hiroshi
Published: September 2017

Membrane tubulation induced by banana-shaped protein rods is investigated by using coarse-grained meshless membrane simulations.
Electrochemical etching of Ti2AlC to Ti2CTx (MXene) in low-concentration hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Sun W. , Shah S. A. , Chen Y. , Tan Z. , Gao H. , Habib T. , Radovic M. , Green M. J.
Published: September 2017

In this study, we successfully demonstrate the electrochemical etching of Al from porous Ti2AlC electrodes in dilute hydrochloric acid to form a layer of Ti2CTx MXene on Ti2AlC.
Theoretical design of solid electrolytes with superb ionic conductivity: alloying effect on Li+ transportation in cubic Li6PA5X chalcogenides
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Shao Guosheng
Published: September 2017

It is of great importance to develop solid inorganic electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, which would thus enable solid-state Li-ion batteries to overcome the notorious safety issues with the current technology due to the use of highly flammable liquid organic electrolytes.
Size- and shape-dependent effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the permeabilization of the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Liu Xin , Sui Baiyan , Sun Jiao
Published: September 2017

Spherical TiO2-NPs permeabilize the BBB most efficiently by inducing cytoskeletal re-organization, and the neurotoxicity of TiO2-NPs appears minimal.
Metal–elastomer bilayered switches by utilizing the superexponential behavior of crack widening
Authors: Lee Gunhee , Lee Taemin , Choi Yong Whan , Pikhitsa Peter V. , Park Sei Jin , Kim Sang Moon , Kang Daeshik , Choi Mansoo
Published: September 2017

We developed a metal–elastomer bilayer based reversible switch system utilizing the super-exponential behavior of crack widening.
Stamp recyclable contact printing of liquid droplet matrix on various surfaces
Authors: Wang Shuguang , Zhang Kai , Wu Minghong , Chen Jianmei , Jiang Lin , Li Liqiang , Chi Lifeng , Wang Wenchong
Published: September 2017

We report a direct printing of liquid droplet matrix onto various surfaces with a stamp which can be recycled up to 100 times.
Bright white electroluminescence from a single polymer containing a thermally activated delayed fluorescence unit and a solution-processed orange OLED approaching 20% external quantum efficiency
Authors: Wang Yanjie , Zhu Yunhui , Xie Guohua , Zhan Hongmei , Yang Chuluo , Cheng Yanxiang
Published: September 2017

Efficient white and orange emissions have been achieved in doped OLEDs using TADF conjugated polymers with a backbone-donor/pendant-acceptor architecture.
Regulating protein breakdown through proteasome phosphorylation
Authors: VerPlank Jordan J.S. , Goldberg Alfred L.
Published: September 2017

The ubiquitin proteasome system degrades the great majority of proteins in mammalian cells. Countless studies have described how ubiquitination promotes the selective degradation of different cell proteins. However, there is a small but growing literature that protein half-lives can also be regulated by post-translational modifications of the 26S proteasome. The present study reviews the ability of several kinases to alter proteasome function through subunit phosphorylation. For example, PKA (protein kinase A) and DYRK2 (dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 2) stimulate the proteasome's ability to degrade ubiquitinated proteins, peptides, and adenosine triphosphate, while one kinase, ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1), inhibits proteasome function during apoptosis. Proteasome phosphorylation is likely to be important in regulating protein degradation because it occurs downstream from many hormones and neurotransmitters, in conditions that raise cyclic adenosine monophosphate or cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels, after calcium influx following synaptic depolarization, and during phases of the cell cycle. Beyond its physiological importance, pharmacological manipulation of proteasome phosphorylation has the potential to combat various diseases. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterases by activating PKA or PKG (protein kinase G) can stimulate proteasomal degradation of misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative or myocardial diseases and even reduce the associated pathology in mouse models. These observations are promising since in many proteotoxic diseases, aggregation-prone proteins impair proteasome function, and disrupt protein homeostasis. Conversely, preventing subunit phosphorylation by DYRK2 slows cell cycle progression and tumor growth. However, further research is essential to determine how phosphorylation of different subunits by these (or other) kinases alters the properties of this complex molecular machine and thus influence protein degradation rates.