bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural variations in hyperbranched polymers prepared via thermal polycondensation of lysine and histidine and their effects on DNA delivery
Authors: Alazzo Ali , Lovato Tatiana , Collins Hilary , Taresco Vincenzo , Stolnik Snjezana , Soliman Mahmoud , Spriggs Keith , Alexander Cameron
Published: June 2018

The successful clinical translation of nonviral gene delivery systems has yet to be achieved owing to the biological and technical obstacles to preparing a safe, potent, and cost‐effective vector. Hyperbranched polymers, compared with other polymers, have emerged as promising candidates to address gene delivery barriers owing to their relatively simple synthesis and ease of modification, which makes them more feasible for scale‐up and manufacturing. Here, we compare hyperbranched poly(amino acids) synthesised by copolymerising histidine and lysine, with hyperbranched polylysine prepared using the well‐known “ultrafacile” thermal polycondensation route, to investigate the effects of histidine units on the structure and gene delivery applications of the resultant materials. The conditions of polymerisation were optimised to afford water‐soluble hyperbranched polylysine‐co‐histidine of three different molar ratios with molecular masses varying from 13 to 30 kDa. Spectroscopic, rheological, and thermal analyses indicated that the incorporation of histidine modulated the structure of hyperbranched polylysine to produce a more dendritic polymer with less flexible branches. Experiments to probe gene delivery to A549 cells indicated that all the new hyperbranched polymers were well tolerated, but, surprisingly, the copolymers containing histidine were not more effective in transfecting a luciferase gene than were hyperbranched polylysines synthesised as established literature comparators. We attribute the variations in gene delivery efficacy to the changes induced in polymer architecture by the branching points at histidine residues, and we obtain structure–function information relating histidine content with polymer stiffness, pKa, and ability to form stable polyplexes with DNA. The results are of significance to nanomedicine design as they indicate that addition of histidine as a co‐monomer in the synthetic route to hyperbranched polymers not only changes the buffering capacity of the polymer but has significant effects on the overall structure, architecture, and gene delivery efficacy.
Leveraging coffee‐ring effect on plasmonic paper substrate for sensitive analyte detection using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Zufang , Nagpal Arun , Siddhanta Soumik , Barman Ishan
Published: June 2018

Raman spectroscopy has demonstrated immense promise as a molecular fingerprinting tool in biomedical diagnostics. However, the utility of conventional Raman scattering for ultrasensitive measurements of biofluids is limited by intrinsically weak signals and has spurred advances in and wider applications of plasmon‐enhanced measurements. Here, we propose a label‐free methodology that leverages drop coating deposition on a silver ink‐based plasmonic paper substrate with tunable hydrophobic attributes to combine two distinct sources of enhancement, namely, solute preconcentration and excitation of localized surface plasmons. The facile modulation of the hydrophobicity of the plasmonic silver paper facilitates investigations into the coffee‐ring effect that results from the interplay of contact line pinning, solvent evaporation, and capillary flow. We show that the Raman spectra acquired from the hydrated ring deposits show clear enhancement beyond that obtained from surface‐enhancement owing to the presence of the silver nanofilm. In light of the superior sensitivity and lack of substantive sample preparation requirements, our findings open the door for a complementary low‐cost paper‐based analytical device for molecular sensing.
Response surface design as a powerful tool for the development of environmentally benign HPLC methods for the determination of two antihypertensive combinations: Greenness assessment by two green analytical chemistry evaluation tools
Authors: Hemdan Ahmed , Magdy Ragaa , Farouk Maha
Published: June 2018

Interest in implementing green chemistry principles in analytical chemistry has grown dramatically in the past few years. The solvents used have the major influence on the greenness of the method. Most conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography methods employed utilize solvents that are “hazardous for the environment”. In the present study, two‐factor three‐level response surface design was exploited to develop eco‐friendly chromatographic methods for two different mixtures. The first one was atorvastatin and amlodipine and the second one was amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide. As it is nontoxic to the environment, ethanol was used as the organic modifier in the mobile phase. The separation of the first mixture was attained using phosphate buffer (pH 7)/ethanol (42:58 v/v), and the second mixture was fully resolved using phosphate buffer (pH 5)/ethanol (40:60 v/v). The use of high‐performance liquid chromatography allows excellent resolution in a short run time, hence, less waste was produced. The greenness of the developed methods was assessed by two evaluation tools, namely, National Environmental Methods Index and analytical eco‐scale, and found to be excellent green analytical methods. Moreover, the developed methods were compared with other reported methods regarding accuracy and greenness and were found to be perfect alternatives to reported methods for separation and quantification of the mixtures.
Rehabilitation of calcareous saline‐sodic soil by means of biochars and acidified biochars
Authors: Sadegh‐Zadeh Fardin , Parichehreh Maedeh , Jalili Bahi , Bahmanyar Mohammad Ali
Published: June 2018

Saline‐sodic soils comprise a large area worldwide, and these areas are increasing annually; therefore, reclamation of these soils is necessary. The present study investigated the effects of adding various biochars and acidified biochars on selected characteristics of saline‐sodic soil and rehabilitation of this soil. The biochars were produced from rice straw (RSB) and dicer wood chips (DWCB) at 300°C. The acidified biochars were prepared by adding HCl to the biochars. The biochars and acidified biochars were incorporated to the soil at 0 and 50 g kg−1. Soil columns were prepared and saturated from the bottom, and then the flow was reversed by keeping a 5‐cm constant head of leaching water on top of the columns. The leachates were taken at every one‐third interval of the pore volume fraction. Then, the concentrations of cations and anions, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the collected leachates were determined. At the end of the leaching process, the soil in the column was analyzed for the same parameters as the leachates. The results indicated that the application of the biochars and acidified biochars reduced the soil EC and sodium adsorption ratio. The biochars, especially the RSB, which contains a high amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+, were able to remediate the saline‐sodic soil. The Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the biochar can exchange the Na+ on the surface of the soil colloids and, therefore, enhance the Na+ leaching from the saline‐sodic soil. Acidified biochar induced CaCO3 dissolution, which will add Ca2+ and H+ ions to soil solution. The Ca2+ and H+ ions in the soil solution replace the Na+ from the soil colloid surfaces and facilitate the leaching of Na+ from the saline‐sodic soil. From the results, it can be concluded that RSB, acidified RSB, and acidified DWCB were feasible to ameliorate calcareous saline‐sodic soil.
Myelomeningocele closure by unilateral lumbar artery perforator flap: Experience with thirty‐eight patients
Authors: Ucak Murat
Published: June 2018

Background

Repair of large soft tissue defects in meningomyelocele is difficult and its morbidity is high. By applying unilateral lumbar artery perforator transposition flap for closing these defects, we aimed to investigate effects on the repair procedure, duration of surgery and recovery period, with the rates of bleeding and morbidity.

Patients and Methods

Our report was conducted in 38 patients between the years 2013 and 2017. All soft tissue defects were repaired with unilateral lumbar artery perforator flap (LAPF) in meningomyelocele. Fourteen patients were female and 24 patients were male. The youngest patient was a 5.5 month premature female baby and weighing 570 g. The oldest was weighing 3,700 g and at 1.5 months old.

Results

Mean flap size was 32 ± 29.4 cm2 (ranged: 4 × 3–8 × 7 cm2). The mean rotation angle was 126.7° (ranged: 90°–170°). Flap positions were separated as 9 (23%) thoracodorsal and 29 (77%) lumbosacral. None of the patients had flap necrosis, infection, or hematoma. The operation took 23 ± 5.3 minutes on average and bleeding was minimal as 16 cc. All patients were discharged within around 9 ± 2 days. The follow‐up period of the patient ranged from 4 to 21 months. Flap survival was at the rate of 100%. There was no flap or postoperative complications. Final outcome for all patients were assessed as complete healing. All patients recovered fast with minimal blood lose, and satisfied the outcomes.

Conclusions

As a result, unilateral lumbar perforator flap can be performed successfully in every center. This report suggests using LAPF for reconstruction of meningomyelocele by surgeons as a safe and reliable option, allowing surgeons strong results.
Matrix‐valued radial basis functions for the Lamé system
Authors: Grzhibovskis R. , Michel C. , Rjasanow S.
Published: June 2018

The problem of finding an approximate particular solution of an elliptic system of partial differential equations is considered. To construct the approximation, the differential operator is applied to a vector of radial basis functions. The resulting vectors are linearly combined to interpolate the function on the right hand side. The solvability of the interpolation problem is established. Additionally, stability, and accuracy estimates for the method are given. These theoretical results are illustrated on several numerical examples related to the Lamé system.
Suture causing urethral meatus stricture: A novel animal model of partial bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Chen Lin , Yang Yafei , Yang Jin , He Pinglin , Amend Bastian , Stenzl Arnulf , Hu Jianyun , Zhang Yamei , Wang Zili
Published: June 2018

Aims

Open surgery is the most commonly used methodological approach for generating a partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) animal model. Surgical suturing closing a part of the urethral meatus induces comparable pathophysiological changes in bladder and renal functions, but the optimum degree of obstruction that closely mimics the clinical pathology of pBOO has not been elucidated. We investigated the optimum obstruction level by performing a comprehensive time‐dependent analysis of the stability and reliability of this novel animal model.

Methods

Six‐ to eight‐week‐old female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups according to the degree of urethral meatus stricture (UMS). Non‐operated mice served as controls, and a pBOO model generated using the traditional method served as a positive control. A cystometric evaluation and long‐term studies were performed to evaluate the validity and reliability of this novel animal model. An additional 35 mice were used to investigate the protein expression levels and histopathological features 24 h and 14 days postoperatively, respectively.

Results

The characteristic cystometry features in the UMS group revealed increased changes in pressure‐related parameters compared with the control. The 1/3 UMS model is an optional pBOO animal model because the cystometric evaluation and histopathological studies revealed a striking resemblance between the 1/3 UMS model and the model generated using the traditional open‐surgery method.

Conclusions

The minimally invasive UMS model required less time and produced minimal alterations in pathophysiologically relevant processes compared with the traditional surgery model. Suturing to cause UMS produced effective and repeatable patterns in bladder function investigations in mice.
Test‐retest reliability of clitoral blood flow measurements using color Doppler ultrasonography at rest and after a pelvic floor contraction task in healthy adult women
Authors: Mercier Joanie , Tang An , Morin Mélanie , Khalifé Samir , Lemieux Marie‐Claude , Reichetzer Barbara , Dumoulin Chantale
Published: June 2018

Aims

Test‐retest reliability assessment of the dorsal clitoral artery's blood flow at rest and after muscle activation has never been documented. If this outcome measure is to be used in conditions impeding vascularity, it requires a psychometric evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the inter‐session test‐retest reliability of clitoral blood flow in healthy women using color Doppler ultrasonography at rest and after a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction task.

Methods

Two assessment sessions were conducted using a clinical ultrasound system. Clitoral blood flow measurements were repeated at rest and after a PFM contraction task. Measurements of the peak systolic velocity (PSV), time‐averaged maximum velocity (TAMX), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) were taken. The test‐retest reliability was assessed using paired t‐test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland‐Altman plots.

Results

For reliability at rest, ICC values were 0.95 for PSV, 0.87 for TAMX, and 0.67 for both PI and RI. The variability between measurements, as per Bland‐Altman plots, was small for PSV, TAMX, and RI and acceptable for PI. For reliability after the PFM contractions task, ICC values were 0.85 for PSV, 0.77 for TAMX, 0.79 for PI, and 0.81 for RI. The variability between measurements was small for PSV and RI and acceptable for TAMX and PI. EDV parameter did not perform as well in both conditions.

Conclusions

Assessment of the clitoral blood flow with color Doppler ultrasound is reliable at rest and after a PFM contraction task.
New technology assessment and current and upcoming therapies for underactive bladder
Authors: Chancellor Michael B. , Bartolone Sarah N. , DeVries Elise M. , Diokno Ananias C. , Gibbons Mark , Jankowski Ronald , Lamb Laura E. , Pruchnic Ryan , Thor Karl , Dmochowski Roger
Published: June 2018

Background and Aims

Stakeholders from around the world came together to address the unmet needs of underactive bladder (UAB) at the 3rd International Congress for Underactive Bladder.

Methods

The main recommendation from the regulatory working group is a need for a meeting of UAB stakeholders and regulatory agencies including the FDA to discuss guidance for regulatory trial design for devices, drugs, and/or biologics for UAB.

Results

The following issues to be discussed and agreed upon for UAB trials: 1) Appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. 2) Should residual urine volume be the primary outcome parameter and how often should it be measured? 3) Are there secondary measures that should have a place in UAB trials, such as change in the number of catheterizations, quality of life measures, etc.? 4) Use and format of bladder voiding and catheterization diary for trials. 5) Define role and technique of urodynamics in UAB trials. Are urodynamics required to monitor, and possibly exclude, individuals with high pressure voiding induced by bladder prokinetic therapies? 6) Development and use of UAB questionnaires.

Discussion and Conclusion

The UAB regulatory working group recognizes the path forward should include engaging the FDA and other regulatory organizations that may harmonize and formalize guidance for regulatory trial designs for therapeutics for UAB.
Exploring variation in infant feeding practices in Byzantine Greece using stable isotope analysis of dentin serial sections
Authors: Kwok Cynthia S. , Garvie‐Lok Sandra , Katzenberg M. Anne
Published: June 2018

Infant feeding practices are explored in the early Byzantine Greek site of Nemea (5th–6th centuries) to better understand breastfeeding, weaning, and early diet of children in ancient Greece. Dentin serial sections were obtained from the permanent first molars and first premolars of 26 adults (seven males, eight females, and 11 of unknown sex) and analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. The isotopic data demonstrated that most individuals were breastfed and were fully weaned by around 2.6 years on average (range 1.8 to 3.6 years). A range of infant feeding practices was observed at Nemea. Some individuals were breastfed, while others were never breastfed or consumed breast milk for a short period of time, yet survived to adulthood. Sex‐based differences were not found as males and females were fully weaned at an average of 2.5 (1.9–3.3 years) and 2.4 (1.9–3.6 years) years, respectively. This is an important finding given the contradictory evidence of written sources regarding preferential treatment of male and female infants. Compared with traditional bulk analyses of subadult bone collagen, this study illustrates the utility of additional information obtained from dentin serial sections for capturing the nuances of infant feeding practices in ancient societies.
High‐order observers‐based LQ control scheme for wind speed and uncertainties estimation in WECSs
Authors: Le Anh Vu , Do Ton Duc
Published: June 2018

Tip speed ratio control is a popular method in wind energy conversion systems in order to capture the maximum power. This method, however, requires wind speed information, which is difficult in practice to accurately measure it. Therefore, estimation methods are usually applied, where a high‐precision estimate leads to a high‐efficient system. Based on the fact that the wind speed varies in a random way, this paper proposes a generalized high‐order observer to estimate the aerodynamic torque and the wind speed accordingly. This observer algorithm releases the assumption that the wind speed should be slowly varying, which is required in previous observer designs. Moreover, two other generalized high‐order observers are also applied to estimate the uncertainties, which depend on state variables and cannot be considered as slow‐varying disturbances. Using the outputs of these observers, a robust high‐performance optimal control system is developed for the rotor speed to keep the optimal tip speed ratio. The stability analysis of the designed control system is fully presented. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is validated via simulation studies.
Empirical validation of the reverse parametric waiting time distribution and standard methods to estimate prescription durations for warfarin
Authors: Thrane Julie Maria , Støvring Henrik , Hellfritzsch Maja , Hallas Jesper , Pottegård Anton
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In many prescription databases, the duration of treatment for the single prescription is not recorded. This study aimed to validate 2 different types of approaches for estimating prescription durations, using the oral anticoagulant warfarin as a case.

Methods

The approaches undergoing empirical validation covered assumptions of a fixed daily intake of either 0.5 or 1.0 defined daily dose (DDD), as well as estimates based on the reverse parametric waiting time distribution (rWTD), with different sets of covariates. We converted estimates of prescription duration to daily dose and compared them to prescribed daily dose as recorded in a clinical registry (using Bland‐Altman plots). Methods were compared based on their average prediction error (logarithmic scale) and their limit of agreement ratio (ratio of mean error ± 1.96 SD after transformation to original scale).

Results

Estimates of daily doses were underestimated by 19% or overestimated by 62% when assumptions of 0.5 or 1.0 DDD were applied. The limit of agreement ratio was 6.721 for both assumptions. The rWTD‐based approaches performed better when using the estimated mean value of the inter‐arrival density, yielding on average negligible bias (relative difference of 0 to 2%) and with limit of agreement ratios decreasing upon additional covariate adjustment (from 6.857 with no adjustment to 4.036 with the fully adjusted model).

Conclusions

Comparing the different methods, the rWTD algorithm performed best and led to unbiased estimates of prescribed doses and thus prescription durations and reduced misclassification on the individual level upon inclusion of covariates.
Using the “proportion of patients covered” and the Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis to describe treatment persistence
Authors: Rasmussen Lotte , Pratt Nicole , Hansen Morten Rix , Hallas Jesper , Pottegård Anton
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Standard Kaplan‐Meier (KM) survival analysis is often used to study treatment persistence estimating the proportion of patients who have not yet experienced a treatment break by a given day after treatment initiation. This method only allows patients to be studied until their first treatment break. The “proportion of patients covered” (PPC) method is another approach to study treatment persistence. It measures the proportion of live patients currently covered by treatment. We aimed to describe the PPC method, show how the KM survival analysis and the PPC method can describe treatment persistence, and discuss the interpretation/application of the methods.

Methods

We identified new users of statins, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, hormone replacement therapy, and ibuprofen. We used KM estimates and the PPC to describe persistence in the 3 years post treatment initiation, using a grace period of 90 days to define a treatment break.

Results

Three years after statin initiation, approximately 40% of patients were still in continuous treatment (KM survival) and 60% of patients still alive were in current treatment (PPC). Corresponding numbers were 12% and 25% for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and 9% and 29% for hormone replacement therapy. At 1 year, numbers were 5% and 10% for ibuprofen. The PPC showed markedly less variability than the KM survival analysis with different choices of grace periods.

Conclusions

The KM survival analysis and the PPC method can be used to study different aspects of treatment persistence. Together, they provide a more complete picture of treatment persistence and drug use patterns.
How individual and environmental factors influence teachers’ bullying intervention
Authors: Song Keng‐Hie , Lee Seung‐Yeon , Park Shinwon
Published: June 2018

Although most teachers realize the seriousness of bullying and try to intervene, some take a passive stance, while others take active action. The present study examined individual and environmental factors that make teachers either passive or active interveners. Self‐reported questionnaires were collected from 200 middle school teachers in South Korea. Teachers were classified into either active (54.5%) or passive action clusters according to differences in individual (learned helplessness, attributional style, preparedness) and environmental (social support) factors. In each cluster, the moderation effects of social support between teacher preparedness and bullying intervention were analyzed. Results indicate that adequate social support from school administrators is critical for passive teachers. However, in the case of active teachers, social support from colleagues was the most important moderator. For both groups of teachers, preparedness in bullying is necessary to increase their bullying intervention. The results indicate that the implementation of differential strategies for each teacher cluster is key to promoting bullying intervention.
The Utility of Nanopore Technology for Protein and Peptide Sensing
Authors: Robertson Joseph W. F. , Reiner Joseph E.
Published: June 2018

Resistive pulse nanopore sensing enables label‐free single‐molecule analysis of a wide range of analytes. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of nanopore sensing for protein and peptide characterization. Nanopores offer the potential to study a variety of protein‐related phenomena that includes unfolding kinetics, differences in unfolding pathways, protein structure stability, and free‐energy profiles of DNA–protein and RNA–protein binding. In addition to providing a tool for fundamental protein characterization, nanopores have also been used as highly selective protein detectors in various solution mixtures and conditions. This review highlights these and other developments in the area of nanopore‐based protein and peptide detection.
Proteomic Profiling of Enteroid Cultures Skewed toward Development of Specific Epithelial Lineages
Authors: Luu Lisa , Matthews Zoe J. , Armstrong Stuart D. , Powell Penelope P. , Wileman Tom , Wastling Jonathan M. , Coombes Janine L.
Published: June 2018

Recently, 3D small intestinal organoids (enteroids) have been developed from cultures of intestinal stem cells which differentiate in vitro to generate all the differentiated epithelial cell types associated with the intestine and mimic the structural properties of the intestine observed in vivo. Small‐molecule drug treatment can skew organoid epithelial cell differentiation toward particular lineages, and these skewed enteroids may provide useful tools to study specific epithelial cell populations, such as goblet and Paneth cells. However, the extent to which differentiated epithelial cell populations in these skewed enteroids represent their in vivo counterparts is not fully understood. This study utilises label‐free quantitative proteomics to determine whether skewing murine enteroid cultures toward the goblet or Paneth cell lineages results in changes in abundance of proteins associated with these cell lineages in vivo. Here, proteomics data confirms that skewed enteroids recapitulate important features of the in vivo gut environment, demonstrating that they can serve as useful models for the investigation of normal and disease processes in the intestine. Furthermore, comparison of mass spectrometry data with histology data contained within the Human Protein Atlas identifies putative novel markers for goblet and Paneth cells.
Long‐chain branched random polyethylene via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) copolymerization
Authors: Li Hong , Rojas Giovanni , Wagener Kenneth B.
Published: June 2018

Five types of ethylene/α‐alkene model copolymers containing 21‐carbon alkyl branches have been synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) copolymerization. The overall branch content is controlled by varying the feedstock ratio of the long‐chain branched symmetrical α, ω‐diene and 1,9‐decadiene. Well‐defined melting transitions are present at low branch incorporation, followed by the broadening of the endotherms as the branch contents increase. However, instead of making the material amorphous, further increasing of the branch contents leads to the retrieval of the semi‐crystalline material creating a new crystalline domain, branches that co‐crystallize. Detailed IR spectra analyses suggest a crystal morphology transformation from orthorhombic to hexagonal phase as the branch content increases in these polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018
Synthesis of aniline‐terminated polyethers and resulting polyurethane/polyurea elastomers
Authors: Sonnenschein Mark F. , Virgili Justin M. , Larive Matthew Z. , Wendt Benjamin L.
Published: June 2018

Functionalization of polyols with aromatic amines offers a potential route to modify properties of polyurethanes, polyamides, and epoxies. Additionally, aniline termination of polyether backbones provides the opportunity to speed up reactions with isocyanates relative to hydroxyl functionalization and slow down epoxy reactions compared to reactions with primary and secondary amines. In this article, the synthesis, characterization, and physical properties of aniline‐terminated polyols with varying molecular weight, monomer type, and functionality is described. Numerous analytical techniques are employed to track the chemical modification kinetics and the resulting aniline functionalized polyol properties. In addition, synthesis and properties of poly(urethane‐urea) elastomers from several of the modified polyols are presented. The effect of hard segment composition and process temperature on tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties, phase morphology, and chemical resistance is explored. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1730–1742
Synthesis and biological activity of analogs of the antifungal antibiotic UK‐2A. I. Impact of picolinamide ring replacement
Authors: Owen W John , Meyer Kevin G , Slanec Thomas J , Wang Nick X , Meyer Stacy T , Niyaz Noormohamed M , Rogers Richard B , Bravo‐Altamirano Karla , Herrick Jessica L , Yao Chenglin
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

The antifungal antibiotic UK‐2A strongly inhibits mitochondrial electron transport at the Qi site of the cytochrome bc1 complex. Previous reports have described semi‐synthetic modifications of UK‐2A to explore the structure–activity relationship (SAR), but efforts to replace the picolinic acid moiety have been limited.

RESULTS

Nineteen UK‐2A analogs were prepared and evaluated for Qi site (cytochrome c reductase) inhibition and antifungal activity. While the majority are weaker Qi site inhibitors than UK‐2A (IC50, 3.8 nM), compounds 2, 5, 13 and 16 are slightly more active (IC50, 3.3, 2.02, 2.89 and 1.55 nM, respectively). Compared to UK‐2A, compounds 13 and 16 also inhibit growth of Zymoseptoria tritici and Leptosphaeria nodorum more strongly, while 2 and 13 provide stronger control of Z. tritici and Puccinia triticina in glasshouse tests. The relative activities of compounds 1‐19 are rationalized based on a homology model constructed for the Z. tritici Qi binding site. Physical properties of compounds 1‐19 influence translation of intrinsic activity to antifungal growth inhibition and in planta disease control.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxy picolinic acid moiety of UK‐2A can be replaced by a variety of o‐hydroxy‐substituted arylcarboxylic acids that retain strong activity against Z. tritici and other agriculturally relevant fungi. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A Simple Approach to Recognize Axial Direction of ReS2 Single Crystals Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Chen Peng , Wang Jianyu , Lu Yan , Zhang Sihong , Wang Zhendong , Wang Li
Published: June 2018

It is important to recognize the axial direction of ReS2 single crystals, with considerable anisotropy in electrical and optical properties, which are expected to have a wide application in photoelectric devices. Here, we successfully synthesize ReS2 single crystals with triangle and parallelogram shapes on SiO2 substrate by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and propose a simple approach to recognize the axial direction of ReS2 single crystals just by comparing the ratio of the edge lengths, which are confirmed by transmission electron microscopy images. In addition, the mobility of a prepared ReS2 field effect transistor is 8.16 cm2 V−1 s−1 and the on/off ratio is up to 105.
Local Homoepitaxial Growth in Sputtered NiO Thin Films: An Effective Approach to Tune the Crystallization, Preferred Growth Orientation, and Electrical Properties
Authors: Wang Yong , Ghanbaja Jaafar , Soldera Flavio , Boulet Pascal , Horwat David , Mücklich Frank , Pierson Jean‐Francois
Published: June 2018

We report the local homoepitaxial growth of NiO thin films with simultaneously tunable crystallization, preferred growth orientation, and electrical properties by reactive sputtering. Using a seed layer with fiber texture previously deposited on glass and silicon substrates, the room temperature growth of highly ‐oriented NiO thin films with good crystallization has been achieved. Microstructure analyses evidence that the columns of the top layer are homoepitaxially grown on the columns of seed one. The resistivity of ‐oriented homoepitaxial layer is lower than the seed one and higher than that of single layer of multiple orientations deposited with the same condition.
Two Novel Deep‐Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Crystals with Shorter Phase‐Matching Second Harmonic Generation than KBe2BO3F2: A First‐Principles Prediction
Authors: Kang Lei , Liang Fei , Gong Pifu , Lin Zheshuai , Liu Feng , Huang Bing
Published: June 2018

In this work, we propose a strategy to design new deep‐ultraviolet (deep‐UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials through the combination of borate and phosphate NLO material genome. Accordingly, a series of borophosphates are predicted with very large energy bandgaps, strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effects, and moderate birefringence in the deep‐UV region. In particular, two novel fluoride borophosphates, PBO3F2 and PB3O6F2, are able to achieve the deep‐UV SHG laser output with shorter phase‐matching wavelengths (≈155 and 137 nm) than that of KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF, ≈161 nm). Further calculations show that these two structures are dynamically and thermodynamically stable, thus triggering possible synthesis, growth, and applications of them. The results attest that the proposed strategy is instructive and pave a comprehensive road map for us to discover new NLO crystals, especially in the borophosphate catalog with excellent deep‐UV phase‐matching capabilities beyond KBBF.
Toosendanin, a natural product, inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition through ERK/Snail pathway
Authors: Luo Weiwei , Liu Xin , Sun Wen , Lu Jin‐Jian , Wang Yitao , Chen Xiuping
Published: June 2018

Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays important roles in the metastasis of solid tumors. In this study, the effect of toosendanin (TSN), a natural insecticide extracted from Melia toosendan Sieb et Zucc, on transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced EMT was investigated. EMT was induced by TGF‐β1 in A549 and H1975 lung cancer cells. The morphological alterations were observed with a microscopy. The protein expression and localization of EMT biomarkers were determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The migration, invasion, and adhesion were determined by wound‐healing, transwell, and adhesion assays. TGF‐β1 treatment induced spindle‐shaped alterations of cells, upregulation of N‐cadherin, Vimentin, p‐ERK1/2, and downregulation of E‐cadherin. The abilities of migration, invasion, and adhesion were also enhanced. These effects were significantly reversed by TSN at very low concentration (<10 nM). Furthermore, silence Snail significantly reversed TGF‐β1‐induced EMT biomarkers. In addition, TGF‐β1‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without affecting p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases and Jun N‐terminal kinase. PD98059 and U0126, inhibitors of ERK1/2, showed similar inhibitory effect to that of TSN. In summary, TSN significantly inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced EMT and migration, invasion, and adhesion through ERK/Snail pathway in lung cancer cells. This study provides novel anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms for TSN.
Accuracy of the femoral tunnel position in robot‐assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a magnetic resonance imaging‐based navigation system: A preliminary report
Authors: Cho Won‐Joon , Kim Jong‐Min , Kim Dong‐Eun , Lee June‐Goo , Park Jun‐Woo , Han Yong‐Hee , Seo Hyun‐Gi
Published: June 2018

Background

Tunnel misplacement is a common cause of failed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In this study, the accuracy of the femoral tunnel position was evaluated in robot‐assisted ACL reconstruction using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based navigation system. We hypothesized that a difference of less than 2 mm between the planned femoral tunnel position and the created one was achievable.

Methods

Four cadaveric knees underwent robot‐assisted ACL reconstruction. A 3‐dimensional model using pre‐operative MRI images was used for preoperative planning, and a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed postoperatively. The planned and the created femoral tunnels were compared to assess the accuracy of the femoral tunnel position.

Results

The distance between the intra‐articular points of the planned and the created tunnels was 7.78 mm in the first experiment and 1.47 mm in the last one. The difference in tunnel length was 4.62 mm in the first experiment and 0.99 mm in the last one.

Conclusions

Accuracy of the femoral tunnel position improved with each robot‐assisted ACL reconstruction using an MRI‐based navigation system. In the last experiment, the accuracy of the femoral tunnel position was satisfactory.
Ultrathin Bi2MoO6 Nanosheets for Photocatalysis: Performance Enhancement by Atomic Interfacial Engineering
Authors: Huang Yongchao , Li Kunshan , Li Siqi , Lin Ying , Liu Hong , Tong Yexiang
Published: June 2018

Atomically thin two‐dimensional semiconductors provide an ideal platform to establish clear structure‐property relationships in the field of photocatalysis. Herein, we fabricated the atomically thin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets by a facile and scalable wet‐chemical synthesis approach. Oxygen vacancies were inevitably induced into the nanosheets as the thickness of the nanosheets exposed interior atoms, which are clearly identified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. More intriguingly, the oxygen vacancies formed on the open interfaces could enhance charge transport, further improving the photocatalytic performance. Benefiting from the large surface areas and increased visible light absorption, the present atomically thin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets display extraordinary high‐performance of photocatalytic degradation of phenol and cycling stability. More importantly, we believe that this achievement in ultrathin two‐dimensional material (atomically thin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets) could bring new insights into designing high‐performance photocatalysts.
Nanoparticles for Detection and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Noukeu Linda C. , Wolf Joseph , Yuan Baohong , Banerjee Subhash , Nguyen Kytai T.
Published: June 2018

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is defined as a slow, progressive disorder of the lower extremity arterial vessels characterized by chronic narrowing that often results in occlusion and is associated with loss of functional capacity. Although the PAD occurrence rate is increasing in the elderly population, outcomes with current treatment strategies are suboptimal. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new technologies that overcome limitations of traditional modalities for PAD detection and therapy. In this Review, the application of nanotechnology as a tool that bridges the gap in PAD diagnosis and therapy is in focus. Several materials including synthetic, natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible materials are used to develop nanoparticles for PAD diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications. Moreover, various recent research approaches are being explored to diagnose PAD through multimodality imaging with different nanoplatforms. Further efforts include targeted delivery of various therapeutic agents using nanostructures as carriers to treat PAD. Last, but not least, despite being a fairly new field, researchers are exploring the use of nanotheranostics for PAD detection and therapy.
Photonics and Optoelectronics of 2D Metal‐Halide Perovskites
Authors: Qi Xiang , Zhang Yupeng , Ou Qingdong , Ha Son Tung , Qiu Cheng‐Wei , Zhang Han , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Xiong Qihua , Bao Qiaoliang
Published: June 2018

In the growing list of 2D semiconductors as potential successors to silicon in future devices, metal‐halide perovskites have recently joined the family. Unlike other conversional 2D covalent semiconductors such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, etc., 2D perovskites are ionic materials, affording many distinct properties of their own, including high photoluminescence quantum efficiency, balanced large exciton binding energy and oscillator strength, and long carrier diffusion length. These unique properties make 2D perovskites potential candidates for optoelectronic and photonic devices such as solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, photodetectors, nanolasers, waveguides, modulators, and so on, which represent a relatively new but exciting and rapidly expanding area of research. In this Review, the recent advances in emerging 2D metal‐halide perovskites and their applications in the fields of optoelectronics and photonics are summarized and insights into the future direction of these fields are offered.
The Role of Liquid Ink Transport in the Direct Placement of Quantum Dot Emitters onto Sub‐Micrometer Antennas by Dip‐Pen Nanolithography
Authors: Dawood Farah , Wang Jun , Schulze Peter A. , Sheehan Chris J. , Buck Matthew R. , Dennis Allison M. , Majumder Somak , Krishnamurthy Sachi , Ticknor Matthew , Staude Isabelle , Brener Igal , Goodwin Peter M. , Amro Nabil A. , Hollingsworth Jennifer A.
Published: June 2018

Dip‐pen nanolithography (DPN) is used to precisely position core/thick‐shell (“giant”) quantum dots (gQDs; ≥10 nm in diameter) exclusively on top of silicon nanodisk antennas (≈500 nm diameter pillars with a height of ≈200 nm), resulting in periodic arrays of hybrid nanostructures and demonstrating a facile integration strategy toward next‐generation quantum light sources. A three‐step reading‐inking‐writing approach is employed, where atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the pre‐patterned substrate topography are used as maps to direct accurate placement of nanocrystals. The DPN “ink” comprises gQDs suspended in a non‐aqueous carrier solvent, o‐dichlorobenzene. Systematic analyses of factors influencing deposition rate for this non‐conventional DPN ink are described for flat substrates and used to establish the conditions required to achieve small (sub‐500 nm) feature sizes, namely: dwell time, ink‐substrate contact angle and ink volume. Finally, it is shown that the rate of solvent transport controls the feature size in which gQDs are found on the substrate, but also that the number and consistency of nanocrystals deposited depends on the stability of the gQD suspension. Overall, the results lay the groundwork for expanded use of nanocrystal liquid inks and DPN for fabrication of multi‐component nanostructures that are challenging to create using traditional lithographic techniques.
Naturalness and dark matter in a realistic intersecting D6-brane model
Authors: Ahmed Waqas , Calibbi Lorenzo , Li Tianjun , Raza Shabbar , Niu Jia-Shu , Wang Xiao-Chuan
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We revisit a three-family Pati-Salam model with a realistic phenomenology from intersecting D6-branes in Type IIA string theory compactified on a T
6
/(ℤ2 × ℤ2) orientifold, and study its naturalness in view of the current LHC and dark matter searches. We discuss spectrum and phenomenological features of this scenario demanding fine tuning better than 1%. This requirement restricts the lightest neutralino to have mass less than about 600 GeV. We observe that the viable parameter space is tightly constrained by the requirements of naturalness and consistency with the observed dark matter relic density, so that it is fully testable at current and future dark matter searches, unless a non-thermal production mechanism of dark matter is at work. We find that Z-resonance, h-resonance, A-funnel and light stau/stop-neutralino coannihilation solutions are consistent with current LHC and dark matter constraints while the “well-tempered” neutralino scenario is ruled out in our model. Moreover, we observe that only Bino, Higgsinos, right-handed staus and stops can have mass below 1 TeV.
Four-loop splitting functions at small x
Authors: Bonvini Marco , Marzani Simone
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We consider the expansion of small-x resummed DGLAP splitting functions at next-to-leading logarithmic (NLL) accuracy to four-loop order, namely next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO). From this, we extract the exact LL and NLL small-x contributions to the yet unknown N3LO splitting functions, both in the standard

$$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$

M
S

¯

scheme and in the Q
0

$$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$

M
S

¯

scheme usually considered in small-x literature. We show that the impact of unknown subleading logarithmic contributions (NNLL and beyond) at N3LO is significant, thus motivating future work towards their computation. Our results will be also needed in future to match NLL resummation to N3LO evolution. In turn, we propose an improved implementation of the small-x resummation and therefore release a new version of the resummation code (HELL 3.0) which contains these changes.
Updated global SMEFT fit to Higgs, diboson and electroweak data
Authors: Ellis John , Murphy Christopher W. , Sanz Verónica , You Tevong
Published: June 2018

Abstract

The ATLAS and CMS collaborations have recently released significant new data on Higgs and diboson production in LHC Run 2. Measurements of Higgs properties have improved in many channels, while kinematic information for h → γγ and h → ZZ can now be more accurately incorporated in fits using the STXS method, and W
+
W
− diboson production at high p

T
gives new sensitivity to deviations from the Standard Model. We have performed an updated global fit to precision electroweak data, W
+
W
− measurements at LEP, and Higgs and diboson data from Runs 1 and 2 of the LHC in the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), allowing all coefficients to vary the combined dataset, and present the results in both the Warsaw and SILH operator bases. We exhibit the improvement in the constraints on operator coefficients provided by the LHC Run 2 data, and discuss the correlations between them. We also explore the constraints our fit results impose on several models of physics beyond the Standard Model, including models that contribute to the operator coefficients at the tree level and stops in the MSSM that contribute via loops.
Physeal bar resection using a patient-specific guide with intramedullary endoscopic assistance for partial physeal arrest of the distal radius
Authors: Miyamura Satoshi , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Oka Kunihiro , Shigi Atsuo , Abe Shingo , Yoshikawa Hideki , Murase Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2018

The partial physeal arrest of the distal radius could result in progressive deformities and functional problems of the wrist. Despite being the most preferred surgical intervention, physeal bar resection (Langenskiöld procedure) is technically demanding. This manuscript aims to illustrate the technical tricks and present an illustrative case of premature physeal arrest of the distal radius managed with a novel method for the Langenskiöld procedure, involving complete removal of the bar using a patient-specific guide in combination with an intramedullary endoscopy technique that facilitated direct observation.