bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Cases of Prenatally Diagnosed Membranous and Muscular Ventricular Septal Aneurysms
Authors: Ivanitskaya Olga , Andreeva Elena , Odegova Natalia
Published: September 2017

A ventricular septal aneurysm is a rare heart defect located in the muscular or membranous part of the septum. Muscular ventricular septal aneurysms are usually isolated, with a favorable prognosis. Membranous ventricular septal aneurysms are often associated with other heart anomalies, could result in serious complications, and may require surgical treatment. We describe 2 cases of prenatally diagnosed ventricular septal aneurysms: an isolated membranous ventricular septal aneurysm with a good outcome, which was initially misdiagnosed as an atrioventricular septal defect; and a muscular ventricular septal aneurysm associated with a hypoplastic aortic arch and severe hydrocephaly, which resulted in termination of the pregnancy. To our knowledge, the combination of a muscular ventricular septal aneurysm with an extracardiac anomaly has not been reported previously.
Ultrastretchable, Tough, and Notch‐Insensitive Hydrogels Formed with Spherical Polymer Brush Crosslinker
Authors: Zhang Rui , Wang Lei , Shen Zheqi , Li Min , Guo Xuhong , Yao Yuan
Published: September 2017

Spherical polymer brushes, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)‐grafted polystyrene nanoparticle (PAA@PS), are employed as the macro‐crosslinker to prepare PAA hydrogels. Benefitting from the innumerable hydrogen bonds between highly entangled PAA chains both in bulk and on the polymer brush, the PAA/PAA@PS hydrogels combine desirable stretchability, toughness, and notch‐insensitivity. The uniaxial tensile tests show a very high fracture elongation up to 9.1 × 103% while the fracture toughness reaches 3.0 MJ m−3 and the maximum swelling ratio of the hydrogel can be 2.0 × 103 as well. After being loaded with silver nanoparticles, the PAA/PAA@PS hydrogels are employed as a recyclable catalyst successfully.
Physiological Gut Oxygenation Alters GLP‐1 Secretion from the Enteroendocrine Cell Line STC‐1
Authors: Kondrashina Alina , Papkovsky Dmitri , Giblin Linda
Published: September 2017

Scope

Enteroendocrine cell lines are routinely assayed in simple buffers at ≈20% oxygen to screen foods for bioactives that boost satiety hormone levels. However, in vivo, enteroendocrine cells are exposed to different phases of food digestion and function at low oxygen concentration, ranging from 7.5% in the stomach to 0.5% in the colon–rectal junction.

Methods and results

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of physiologically relevant O2 concentrations of the gut on the production and secretion of the satiety hormone, glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), from the murine enteroendocrine cell line, secretin tumor cell line (STC‐1), in response to dairy macronutrients as they transit the gut. GLP‐1 exocytosis from STC‐1 cells is influenced by both oxygen concentration and by individual macronutrients. At low oxygen, STC‐1 cell viability is significantly improved for all macronutrient stimulations and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels are dampened. GLP‐1 secretion from STC‐1 cells is influenced by both the phase of yogurt digestion and corresponding O2 concentration. Atmospheric oxygen at 4.5% combined with upper gastric digesta, which simulates ileum conditions, yields the highest GLP‐1 response.

Conclusion

This demonstrates the importance of considering physiological oxygen levels and food digestion along gastrointestinal tract for reliable in vitro analysis of gut hormone secretion.
Screening for trauma‐related symptoms via a smartphone app: The validity of Smart Assessment on your Mobile in referred police officers
Authors: van der Meer Christianne A.I. , Bakker Anne , Schrieken Bart A.L. , Hoofwijk Marthe C. , Olff Miranda
Published: September 2017

To facilitate easily accessible screening for trauma‐related symptoms, a web‐based application called Smart Assessment on your Mobile (SAM) was developed. In this study, we examined whether SAM was able to accurately identify posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in adults. Eighty‐nine referred police officers completed SAM, containing the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)‐5 (PCL‐5) and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‐21), on their own device prior to a diagnostic interview where the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5 (CAPS‐5) and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID‐I/P) were administered. Results showed a substantial agreement between SAM and the diagnostic interview in the assessment of PTSD and depression. An optimal trade‐off between sensitivity (89%) and specificity (68%) levels was found at a cut‐off score of 31 on the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (area under the curve = 0.845, 95% CI [0.765, 0.925], diagnostic odds ratio = 15.97). This is one of the first studies to support the validity and reliability of a mobile screener following trauma. SAM may facilitate screening for trauma‐related symptoms on a large scale and could be a first step in a stepped‐care model for trauma survivors to help identify individuals who need further diagnostics and care.
Development of gene expression system in egg cells and zygotes isolated from rice and maize
Authors: Koiso Narumi , Toda Erika , Ichikawa Masako , Kato Norio , Okamoto Takashi
Published: September 2017

Polyethylene glycol calcium (PEG‐Ca2+) transfection‐mediated analysis allows rapid and efficient examination of gene function. To investigate the diverse cellular functions of genes of interest in plant cells, macromolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, are delivered into protoplasts prepared from somatic tissues or calli using a PEG‐Ca2+ transfection procedure. To take advantage of this macromolecule delivery system in the reproductive and developmental biology of angiosperms, this study established a PEG‐Ca2+ transfection system with isolated egg cells and zygotes. The conditions for PEG and plasmid DNA concentrations for transfection of rice egg cells were first addressed, and ~30% of PEG‐Ca2+‐transfected egg cells showed exogenous and transient expressions of fluorescent proteins from plasmid DNA delivered into the cells. Interestingly, a dual expression of two different fluorescent proteins in the same egg cell using two kinds of plasmid DNAs was also observed. For PEG‐Ca2+ transfection with maize zygotes, ~80% of zygotes showed expression of GFP proteins from plasmid DNA. Importantly, PEG‐transfected zygotes developed normally into cell masses and mature plants. These results suggest that the present PEG‐Ca2+‐mediated transient expression system provides a novel and effective platform for expressing and analyzing genes of interest in egg cells and zygotes. Moreover, combined with the CRISPR/Cas9 approach, the present transient expression system in zygotes will become a powerful and alternative tool for the preparation of gene‐edited plants.
Surface States in a Simple Crystal Model
Authors: TOMÁŠEK M.
Published: September 2017

A very simple crystal model of a semi‐infinite heteroatomic planar lattice like boronitride is investigated for the energy, wave functions and existence conditions of surface states, using the one‐electron Green function method. σ and π electrons are treated separately. For π electrons, we find two surface state bands, both for the electropositive and the electronegative surface. The consequence is the existence of Shockley “subsurface” states. For σ electrons, similar results were found as for the sphalerite‐type lattice.

The investigated model can also be used to draw qualitative conclusions about the effect of electronic correlation on surface states of planar graphite. The possibility of finding a certain type of “antiferromagnetism” with π electrons localized on the planar graphite boundary is suggested.

On étudie un modèle très simple d'un cristal avec un réseau sémi‐infini, héteroatomique, comme le boronitride. L'énergie, les fonctions d'onde et des conditions d'existence d'états de surface ont été obtenus par la méthode de la fonction de Green à un électron. Les électrons σ et π ont été traités séparément. Pour les électrons π on trouve deux bandes d'états de surface pour la surface électropositive ainsi que pour la surface électronégative, ce qui implique l'existence d'états de “sous‐surface” de Shockley. Pour les électrons σ on trouve des résultats semblables aux ceux qu'on a obtenu pour le réseau de type sphalérite.

Le modèle étudié ici peut aussi être employé pour tirer des conclusions qualitatives sur l'effet de la corrélation électronique sur les états de surface du graphite plan. On propose qu'il serait possible de trouver un certain type de “antiferromagnétisme” avec les électrons π localisés sur le bord du graphite plan.

Es wurde ein einfaches Modell für ein halb‐unendliches, heteroatomares Kristallgitter, wie Boronitrid untersucht. Die Energie, die Wellenfunktionen und Existenzbedingungen für Oberflächenzustände wurden mit der Einelektron‐Green‐Funktionsmethode erhalten. Die σ‐ und π‐Electronen wurden getrennt behandelt. Für die π‐Elektronen finden wir zwei Bände für Oberflächenzustände, sowohl für die elektropositive als für die elektronegative Oberfläche. Als Folgerung erhalten wir die Shockleysche unteroberflächenzustände. Für die σ‐Elektronen wurden ähnliche Resultate als für das Sphaleritgitter gefunden.

Das untersuchte Modell kann auch dafür angewendet werden, urn den Effekt der elektronischen Korrelation auf die Oberflächenzustände planares Graphits in qualitativer Weise zu diskutieren. Es wurde vorgeschlagen, dass es möglich wäre, eine gewisse Art von “Antiferromagnetismus” der π‐Elektronen die auf der Grenze planares Graphits lokalisiert sind, zu finden.
Effect of the Hydrogen Bond and the Solvent on Kinetics and the Mechanism of Intermolecular Proton Transitions
Authors: PSHENICHNOV E. A. , SOKOLOV N. D.
Published: September 2017

Abstracts A reaction involving an intermolecular proton transition RAH + BR1 → RA− + HB+ in a polar solvent is considered as a process of many consecutive steps. The formation of a hydrogen‐bonded complex and stepwise vibrational proton excitation in a double minimum well play a basic part in the reaction. Vibrational transitions occur under the effect of a random force imparted from the medium.

A general expression for the rate constant of the multistep reaction is obtained without making the quasistationarity assumption. The rate constant for the reaction considered is obtained from the theory of random processes.

By comparing it with experimental data conclusions are made about the overbarrier or tunnelling nature of some proton‐transfer reactions.

Une réaction comportant une transition protonique intermoléculaire RAH + BR1 RA‐ + HB+ dans un dissolvant polaire peut être considéréé comme un procès de plusieurs pas consécutifs. Dans cette réaction la formation d'un complexe avec des liaisons d'hydrogène ainsi que l'excitation vibrationelle graduelle du proton dans le puits de potentiel à deux minimums joue un rôle essentiel. Les transitions vibrationelles résultent d'une force aléatoire provenant de milieu.

On obtient une expression générale de la vitesse de la réaction à plusieurs pas sans aucun recours à l'hypothèse de quasi‐stationarité. Les methodes employées sont basées sur la théorie des procès aléatoires.

On compare la valeur théorique de cette vitesse aux données expérimentales et on discute la nature de quelques réactions de transfert protonique.

Eine Reaktion die intermolekulare Protonübergänge RAH + BR1 → RA‐ + HB+ in einem polaren Lösungsmittel mit sick bringt, wird als ein Prozess vieler aufeinanderfolgende Stufen angesehen. In dieser Reaktion spielt die Bildung eines Komplexes mit Wasserstoffbrücken and stufenweise Schwingungsanregungen des Protons eine fundamentale Rolle. Schwingungsübergänge geschehen, die von Kraften zufälliger Art erzeugt sind.

Ein allgemeiner Ausdruck der Reaktionsrate für diese Reaktion wird mittels der Theorie von Zufalisprozessen ohne die Quasistationaritätsannahme hergeleitet.

Dieser theoretische Ausdruck wird mit experimentellen Werten verglichen; die Natur gewisser Protontransferreaktionen wird diskutiert.
Electrochemical Behavior of U(VI) in Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Medium Containing Tri‐n‐butyl Phosphate and Chloride Ion and Spectroscopic Characterization of Uranyl Species
Authors: Krishna Gajula Murali , Suneesh Asokan Sudha , Kumaresan Radhakrishnan , Venkatesan Konda Athmaram , Antony Malpan Pailo
Published: September 2017

The electrochemical behaviour of UO2(NO3)2in a solution of tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) present in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (C4mimNTf2) ionic liquid was studied in the presence of chloride ion, to understand the decomplexation behaviour of uranyl ion (UO22+)from TBP coordination, and to examine the possibility of underpotential reduction of UO22+. The mole ratio of U : NO3 : TBP : Cl in ionic liquid solution was varied from 1 : 2 : 2 : 0to 1 : 2 : 2 : 6 in the study. The cyclic voltammogram of UO2(NO3)2 present in TBP/C4mimNTf2, was compared with the voltammograms obtained in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (C4mimCl). The current density of UO22+ reduction increased with increase in the chloride content of ionic liquid phase, which was attributed to the formation of chloro complexes of uranium (VI), and these chloro complexes were found to undergo facile and favourable reduction at the working electrode. The diffusion coefficient of uranylspecies was determined at various concentrations of chloride ion and the nature of uranylspecies diffusing at the working electrode at various mole ratios of U : NO3 : TBP : Cl was characterized by UV–Visible, ATR‐FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.
Crystal Structure and Luminescence Properties of the First Hydride Oxide Chloride with Divalent Europium: LiEu2HOCl2
Authors: Rudolph Daniel , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Schleid Thomas
Published: September 2017

The mixed‐anionic hydride oxide chloride LiEu2HOCl2 with divalent europium was synthesized by the reduction of Eu2O3 with LiH in a LiCl flux at 750 °C for 4 d in silica‐jacketed niobium capsules. According to structure determination by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction the yellow compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (a = 1492.30(11) pm, b = 570.12(4) pm, c = 1143.71(8) pm, Z = 8) with a crystal structure closely related to that one of the quaternary hydride oxide LiLa2HO3 and the hydride nitride LiSr2H2N. On the other hand it can also be derived from the PbFCl‐type structure of EuHCl showing astonishingly short Eu2+···Eu2+ contacts of 326 and 329 pm. Both crystallographically different Eu2+ cations have nine anionic neighbors, while all other ions (Li+, H–, O2– and Cl–) reside in six‐membered coordination spheres. LiEu2OCl2H exhibits a bright yellow luminescence with an emission maximum at 581 nm upon excitation at 440 nm.
Two‐dimensional Silicon‐Carbon Compounds: Structure Prediction and Band Structures
Authors: Gutzler Rico , Schön J. Christian
Published: September 2017

Materials research is currently one of the most interdisciplinary fields that drive scientific exploration of functional and usable structures. In addition to experimental approaches, computational studies are becoming ever more important in predicting compounds with desired properties. In particular two‐dimensional materials have received enormous interest in recent years. Herein, we study the energy landscape of silicon‐carbon compounds in two‐dimensions. Predicting energetically (meta)stable structures is the foundation upon which in a second step the electronic structure of some selected networks is explored. We show how topology, geometry, and stoichiometry in the networks can be used as parameters to design 2D silicon carbide materials with tunable band structure, ranging from metallic, to semimetallic, and to finite bandgaps.
Value of adenosine test to reveal dormant conduction or adenosine‐induced atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Iqbal Mohammad , Jena Anupam , Park Hee‐Soon , Baek Yong‐Soo , Lee Kwang‐No , Roh Seung‐Young , Shim Jae‐Min , Choi Jong‐Il , Kim Young‐Hoon
Published: September 2017

Background

Recent studies investigating the implications of additional ablation guided by dormant pulmonary vein (PV) conduction testing using adenosine showed conflicting results, and the data about atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after trigger site elimination in adenosine‐induced AF are still lacking.

Methods

Of 846 patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) who underwent PV isolation (PVI), adenosine test after PVI was performed in 148 patients.

Results

PVI was successfully achieved in 846 patients. We excluded 58 patients due to loss to the follow‐up. A higher rate of AF recurrence was found in the group without adenosine test (136/644, 21%) compared to the group with adenosine test (20/144, 13%, log‐rank P=0.047). In multivariate analysis model for AF freedom during the follow‐up period, the only significant clinical predictor of AF freedom was adenosine test (hazard ratio [HR] 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–3.23; P=0.007).

Among 148 patients with adenosine test, 114 (77%) patients showed neither dormant conductions nor AF‐induced, 22 (15%) showed positive dormant conductions only, and 12 (8%) revealed adenosine‐induced AF (6 of them also showed dormant conduction). After additional ablation in positive dormant conduction group and adenosine‐induced AF group, AF recurrence was noted in 4/21 (19%) patients in positive dormant conduction group and 2/11 (18%) patients in adenosine‐induced AF group, which was not different from that of patients in negative dormant conduction/ no AF‐induced group (14/112, 12%, log‐rank P=0.67).

Conclusions

Adenosine test after PVI to confirm the absence of dormant conduction and triggers initiating AF is beneficial to improve the outcomes after catheter ablation of PAF.
A Comparison of Approach and Avoidance Sexual Goals in Couples with Vulvodynia and Community Controls
Authors: Dubé Justin P. , Bergeron Sophie , Muise Amy , Impett Emily A. , Rosen Natalie O.
Published: September 2017

Background

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent form of vulvodynia that interferes with the sexual and relational functioning of affected couples. Approach and avoidance sexual goals are associated with the sexual and relationship well-being of women with PVD and their partners. However, whether sexual goals differ in couples coping with PVD compared with community couples is unknown.

Aims

To compare the approach and avoidance sexual goals of women with PVD and their partners with a control sample of community women and their partners to build on an established motivational model and to compare the sexual goals of women with PVD with those of their partners.

Methods

Women diagnosed with PVD and their partners (n = 161) and control couples (n = 172) completed measures of approach and avoidance sexual goals.

Outcome

Approach and Avoidance Sexual Goals Questionnaire.

Results

Women with PVD reported lower approach and higher avoidance sexual goals than control women, whereas partners of women with PVD did not differ from control partners in their sexual goals. Women with PVD also reported lower approach and higher avoidance sexual goals compared with their partners, whereas there were no differences between partners in the control sample.

Clinical Implications

Given that avoidance sexual goals have been linked to negative sexual and relational outcomes, clinicians could strive to help couples with PVD become aware of their sexual motives, with the aim of weakening avoidance sexual goals and bolstering approach sexual goals.

Strengths and Limitations

This is the first study to empirically document differences in sexual goals between couples affected by PVD and community couples. Limitations include the study's correlational design, differences in demographic characteristics between samples, and the homogeneity of participants' sexual orientation.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the sexual goals of women affected by PVD differ from those of community women and from their partners and support sexual goals as targets for psychological interventions to help couples coping with PVD.
Perseverance in the Parish?
Authors: Davis Darren W. , Pope-Davis Donald
Published: September 2017

African American Catholics, though small in number and historically the targets of racial intolerance, are now the backbone of the church. The vast majority of African American Catholics do not perceive racial marginalization and intolerance in the church. African American Catholics are among the strongest religious identifiers in the church, while whites show a more fragile Catholic identity. The Catholic church may have finally overcome its racist past for the vast majority of African American Catholics, but serious concerns remain for white Catholics. Based on data from a national religion survey, this book explores religious attitudes from an African American Catholic perspective.
High-frequency wavepackets in turbulent jets
Authors: Sasaki Kenzo , Cavalieri André V. G. , Jordan Peter , Schmidt Oliver T. , Colonius Tim , Brès Guillaume A.
Published: September 2017

Wavepackets obtained as solutions of the flow equations linearised around the mean flow have been shown in recent work to yield good agreement, in terms of amplitude and phase, with those educed from turbulent jets. Compelling agreement has been demonstrated, for the axisymmetric and first helical mode, up to Strouhal numbers close to unity. We here extend the range of validity of wavepacket models to Strouhal number $St=4.0$ and azimuthal wavenumber $m=4$ by comparing solutions of the parabolised stability equations with a well-validated large-eddy simulation of a Mach 0.9 turbulent jet. The results show that the near-nozzle dynamics can be correctly described by the homogeneous linear model, the initial growth rates being accurately predicted for the entire range of frequencies and azimuthal wavenumbers considered. Similarly to the lower-frequency wavepackets reported prior to this work, the high-frequency linear waves deviate from the data downstream of their stabilisation locations, which move progressively upstream as the frequency increases.
Who Gets into the Papers? Party Campaign Messages and the Media
Authors: Meyer Thomas M. , Haselmayer Martin , Wagner Markus
Published: September 2017

Parties and politicians want their messages to generate media coverage and thereby reach voters. This article examines how attributes related to content and sender affect whether party messages are likely to get media attention. Based on content analyses of 1,613 party press releases and 6,512 media reports in a parliamentary, multiparty context, we suggest that party messages are more likely to make it into the news if they address concerns that are already important to the media or other parties. Discussing these issues may particularly help opposition parties and lower-profile politicians get media attention. These results confirm the importance of agenda setting and gatekeeping, shed light on the potential success of party strategies, and have implications for political fairness and representation.
Social Theory and Everyday Marxists: Russian Perspectives on Epistemology and Ethics
Authors: Kruglova Anna
Published: September 2017

Scholars have long tracked how the USSR, a laboratory of social engineering, was deeply informed by local readings of Marxist social theory. Why, then, in recent years, have so many historical and anthropological studies of Russia excluded “Marxist” from the list of main descriptors, or optics, through which they view their material? In this essay, I argue that in much contemporary scholarship Marxism and its many afterlives have evidenced a kind of blind spot, reducing Marxism to “just” an ideology. I assert that rediscovering the presence of Marxism in Russia as a Gramscian hegemonic process and a vernacular that emerged among “laymen” can help us understand how a wide range of Russians continue to make sense of their worlds today. Drawing on several years of research in the city of Perm, I interpret everyday conversations among middle-age urbanites about morality, and demonstrate how this rediscovery of Marxism can elucidate what things matter for Russians today, and how. If social scientists proceed by acknowledging that “professional” and “lay” social knowledge increasingly share sources of “theoretical” inspiration, then we face a range of narrative challenges.
Settler-Humanitarianism: Healing the Indigenous Child-Victim
Authors: Maxwell Krista
Published: September 2017

Victims of colonial, Indigenous child-removal policies have attracted public expressions of compassion from Indigenous and settler-state political leaders in Canada since the 1990s. This public compassion has fueled legal and political mechanisms, leveraging resources for standardized interventions said to “heal” these victims: cash payments, a truth-telling forum, therapy. These claims to healing provide an entry-point for analyzing how and why the figure of the Indigenous child-victim, past and present, is morally and politically useful for settler-states and their public cultures. I use the formulation of “settler-humanitarianism” to express how liberal interventions of care and protection, intended to ameliorate Indigenous suffering, align with settler-colonialism's enduring goal of Indigenous elimination (Wolfe 2006). Removal of Indigenous children was integral to the late nineteenth-century formation of the Canadian and Australian settler-states. Missionaries and colonial administrators represented these practices as humanitarian rescue from depraved familial conditions. Settler-humanitarians have long employed universalizing moral registers, such as “idleness” and “neglect,” to compel state interventions into Indigenous families. More recently, “trauma” has emerged as a humanitarian signifier compelling urgent action. These settler-humanitarian registers do political work. Decontextualized representations of Indigenous children as victims negate children as social actors, obscure the particularities of how collective Indigenous suffering flows from settler-colonial dispossession, and oppose children's interests with those of their kin, community, and nation. I analyze how and why Aboriginal healing as settler-humanitarianism has been taken up by many Indigenous leaders alongside settler-state agents, and examine the ongoing social and political effects of the material and discursive interventions it has spawned.
Die Lern- und Arbeitsgemeinschaft als Ausbildungsstation
Authors: Panfil Eva-Maria , Küng Rosmarie , Zürcher Barbara , Key Michaela
Published: September 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die Organisationsstruktur der Lern- und Arbeitsgemeinschaft (LAG) ermöglicht ein kontinuierliches situiertes Lernen, das Lernen von fachlichen und sozialen Kompetenzen bei gleichzeitiger Versorgung von Patienten, das selbstverständliche Arbeiten im Grade-Skill-Mix, interdisziplinäres Lernen und Arbeiten, kollaboratives sowie intergenerationelle Lernen. Die Auszubildenden sollten bis zu 80% ihres Praktikums in der LAG ausgebildet werden. Damit kann die LAG als Ausbildungsstation bewertet werden.
Low-Temperature Growth of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbide Solar Cell by Inductively Coupled Plasma Deposition Toward High Conversion Efficiency in Indoor Lighting
Authors: Kao Ming-Hsuan , Shen Chang-Hong , Yu Pei-chen , Huang Wen-Hsien , Chueh Yu-Lun , Shieh Jia-Min
Published: September 2017

A p-a-SiC:H window layer was used in amorphous Si thin film solar cells to boost the conversion efficiency in an indoor lighting of 500 lx. The p-a-SiC:H window layer/p-a-Si:H buffer layer scheme moderates the abrupt band bending across the p/i interface for the enhancement of VOC, JSC and FF in the solar spectra of short wavelengths. The optimized thickness of i-a-Si:H absorber layer is 400 nm to achieve the conversion efficiency of ~9.58% in an AM1.5 G solar spectrum. However, the optimized thickness of the absorber layer can be changed from 400 to 600 nm in the indoor lighting of 500 lx, exhibiting the maximum output power of 25.56 μW/cm2. Furthermore, various durability tests with excellent performance were investigated, which are significantly beneficial to harvest the indoor lights for applications in the self-powered internet of thing (IoT).
Can intestinal microbiota be associated with non-intestinal cancers?
Authors: Jacqueline Camille , Brazier Lionel , Faugère Dominique , Renaud François , Thomas Frédéric , Roche Benjamin
Published: September 2017

While the role of intestinal microbiota is increasingly recognized in the etiology of digestive cancers, its effects on the development of cancer in other parts of the body have been little studied. Through new-generation sequencing, we aimed to identify an association between the structure of intestinal microbiota and the presence of eye disc tumor in Drosophila larvae. First, we observed a parental effect on the diversity and structure of bacterial communities. Second, we identified a bacterial signature (at the family level) of cancer: cancerous larvae host a significantly lower relative abundance of Bacillaceae than individuals that did not develop the tumor. Thus, for the first time, we showed that a non-digestive cancer, i.e., in the brain, could be associated with an altered composition of the gut microbial community. Finally, we discuss the potential implications of the immune system in the gut–brain axis concept to explain the long-distant effect of intestinal microbiota on brain tumors. We also highlight the potential of our results in a therapeutic perspective for brain cancer that could be generalized for other cancers.
Therapeutic potential of human minor salivary gland epithelial progenitor cells in liver regeneration
Authors: Zhang Chen , Li Yan , Zhang Xiang-yu , Liu Lei , Tong Hai-zhou , Han Ting-lu , Li Wan-di , Jin Xiao-lei , Yin Ning-bei , Song Tao , Li Hai-dong , Zhi Juan , Zhao Zhen-min , Lu Lin
Published: September 2017

Liver disease is a serious problem affecting millions of people with continually increasing prevalence. Stem cell therapy has become a promising treatment for liver dysfunction. We previously reported on human minor salivary gland mesenchymal stem cells (hMSGMSCs), which are highly self-renewable with multi-potent differentiation capability. In this study, keratinocyte-like cells with self-regeneration and hepatic differentiation potential were isolated and characterized, and named human minor salivary gland epithelial progenitor cells (hMSG-EpiPCs). hMSG-EpiPCs were easily obtained via minor intraoral incision; they expressed epithelial progenitor/stem cell and other tissue stem cell markers such as CD29, CD49f, cytokeratins, ABCG2, PLET-1, salivary epithelial cell markers CD44 and CD166, and the Wnt target related gene LGR5 and LGR6. The cells were induced into functional hepatocytes in vitro which expressed liver-associated markers ALB, CYP3A4, AAT, and CK18. Upon transplantation in vivo, they ameliorated severe acute liver damage in SCID mice caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection. In a two-thirds partial hepatectomy mouse model, the transplanted cells survived at least 4 weeks and exhibited hepatic potential. These findings demonstrate that hMSG-EpiPCs have potential as a cellular therapy basis for hepatic diseases, physiological and toxicology studies and regenerative medicine.
Climate of doubt: A re-evaluation of Büntgen and Di Cosmo’s environmental hypothesis for the Mongol withdrawal from Hungary, 1242 CE
Authors: Pinke Zsolt , Ferenczi László , Romhányi Beatrix F. , Laszlovszky József , Pow Stephen
Published: September 2017

In their recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports, Büntgen and Di Cosmo have attempted to solve the historical mystery of the sudden Mongol withdrawal from Hungary after a year-long occupation. We cannot share the authors’ viewpoint that environmental circumstances contributed to the decision of the Mongols to abandon Hungary since the hypothesis lacks support from environmental, archaeological and historical evidence. Historical source material in particular suggests that the Mongols were able to settle and sustain their herds in Hungary as is clearly stated in a letter by King Bela IV to the pope. The Mongol army arrived in the kingdom at the end of a severe drought, and we present empirical evidence that the abundant rain in the spring of 1242 CE did not worsen but rather improved their prospects for sufficient food supplies and pasturage. The marshy terrain of the Hungarian Plain likely did not precipitate the Mongol withdrawal as the Mongol high command ultimately stationed their main forces around the marshy Volga Delta. In contrast to what Büntgen and Di Cosmo have suggested, we argue that the reasons for the sudden withdrawal cannot be explained largely by environmental factors.
Dynamical regimes and stability of circular granular ratchets
Authors: Müller Patric , Gallas Jason A. C. , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: September 2017

Ratchets are simple mechanical devices which combine spatial asymmetry and nonequilibrium to produce counterintuitive transport of particles. The operation and properties of linear ratchets have already been extensively explored. However, very little is known about circular granular ratchets, startling devices able to convert vertical vibrations into rotations of the device. Here, we report results of systematic numerical investigations of the operational characteristics of circular granular ratchets. Several distinct behaviors are identified and explained in terms of the inner flow fields of the ratchet. All dynamical regimes found are robust and should not be difficult to observe in laboratory experiments.
Emergence and clonal spread of colistin resistance due to multiple mutational mechanisms in carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in London
Authors: Otter Jonathan A. , Doumith Michel , Davies Frances , Mookerjee Siddharth , Dyakova Eleonora , Gilchrist Mark , Brannigan Eimear T. , Bamford Kathleen , Galletly Tracey , Donaldson Hugo , Aanensen David M. , Ellington Matthew J. , Hill Robert , Turton Jane F. , Hopkins Katie L. , Woodford Neil , Holmes Alison
Published: September 2017

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are emerging worldwide, limiting therapeutic options. Mutational and plasmid-mediated mechanisms of colistin resistance have both been reported. The emergence and clonal spread of colistin resistance was analysed in 40 epidemiologically-related NDM-1 carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates identified during an outbreak in a group of London hospitals. Isolates from July 2014 to October 2015 were tested for colistin susceptibility using agar dilution, and characterised by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Colistin resistance was detected in 25/38 (65.8%) cases for which colistin susceptibility was tested. WGS found that three potential mechanisms of colistin resistance had emerged separately, two due to different mutations in mgrB, and one due to a mutation in phoQ, with onward transmission of two distinct colistin-resistant variants, resulting in two sub-clones associated with transmission at separate hospitals. A high rate of colistin resistance (66%) emerged over a 10 month period. WGS demonstrated that mutational colistin resistance emerged three times during the outbreak, with transmission of two colistin-resistant variants.
Regulation of root patterns in mammalian teeth
Authors: Seo Hyejin , Kim Jinsun , Hwang Jae Joon , Jeong Ho-Gul , Han Sang-Sun , Park Wonse , Ryu Kanghyun , Seomun Hong , Kim Jae-Young , Cho Eui-Sic , Park Joo-Cheol , Hu Kyung-Seok , Kim Hee-Jin , Kim Dong-Hyun , Cho Sung-Won
Published: September 2017

Mammalian teeth have diverse pattern of the crown and root. The patterning mechanism of the root position and number is relatively unknown compared to that of the crown. The root number does not always match to the cusp number, which has prevented the complete understanding of root patterning. In the present study, to elucidate the mechanism of root pattern formation, we examined (1) the pattern of cervical tongues, which are tongue-like epithelial processes extending from cervical loops, (2) factors influencing the cervical tongue pattern and (3) the relationship among patterns of cusp, cervical tongue and root in multi-rooted teeth. We found a simple mechanism of cervical tongue formation in which the lateral growth of dental mesenchyme in the cuspal region pushes the cervical loop outward, and the cervical tongue appears in the intercuspal region subsequently. In contrast, when lateral growth was physically inhibited, cervical tongue formation was suppressed. Furthermore, by building simple formulas to predict the maximum number of cervical tongues and roots based on the cusp pattern, we demonstrated a positive relationship among cusp, cervical tongue and root numbers. These results suggest that the cusp pattern and the lateral growth of cusps are important in the regulation of the root pattern.
High-throughput analysis unveils a highly shared satellite DNA library among three species of fish genus Astyanax
Authors: Silva Duílio M. Z. de A. , Utsunomia Ricardo , Ruiz-Ruano Francisco J. , Daniel Sandro Natal , Porto-Foresti Fábio , Hashimoto Diogo Teruo , Oliveira Claudio , Camacho Juan Pedro M. , Foresti Fausto
Published: September 2017

The high-throughput analysis of satellite DNA (satDNA) content, by means of Illumina sequencing, unveiled 45 satDNA families in the genome of Astyanax paranae, with repeat unit length (RUL) ranging from 6 to 365 bp and marked predominance of short satellites (median length = 59 bp). The analysis of chromosomal location of 35 satDNAs in A. paranae, A. fasciatus and A. bockmanni revealed that most satellites are shared between the three species and show highly similar patterns of chromosome distribution. The high similarity in satellite DNA content between these species is most likely due to their recent common descent. Among the few differences found, the ApaSat44-21 satellite was present only on the B chromosome of A. paranae, but not on the A or B chromosomes of the two other species. Likewise, the ApaSat20-18 satellite was B-specific in A. paranae but was however present on A and B chromosomes of A. fasciatus and A. bockmanni. The isochromosome nature of B chromosomes in these species was evidenced by the symmetric location of many satDNAs on both B chromosome arms, and the lower symmetry observed in the A. fasciatus BfMa chromosome suggests that it is older than those analyzed in A. paranae and A. bockmanni.
An easy route to the massive karyotyping of complex chromosomal arrangements in Drosophila
Authors: Orengo Dorcas J. , Puerma Eva , Cereijo Unai , Salguero David , Aguadé Montserrat
Published: September 2017

Inversion polymorphism is widespread in the Drosophila genus as well as in other dipteran genera. The presence of polytene chromosomes in some insect organs and, thus, the possibility to observe the different arrangements generated by inversions through a microscope enhanced the cytological study of this structural polymorphism. In several Drosophila species, these studies provided evidence for the adaptive character of this polymorphism, which together with the standing interest to uncover targets of natural selection has led to a renewed interest for inversion polymorphism. Our recent molecular characterization of the breakpoint regions of five inversions of the E chromosome of D. subobscura has allowed us to design a PCR-based strategy to molecularly identify the different chromosomal arrangements and, most importantly, to determine the E chromosome karyotype of medium- and large-sized samples from natural populations. Individuals of a test sample that were both cytologically and molecularly karyotyped were used to establish the strategy that was subsequently applied to karyotype a larger sample. Our strategy has proved to be robust and time efficient, and it lays therefore the groundwork for future studies of the E chromosome structural polymorphism through space and time, and of its putative contribution to adaptation.
Anchorage of Au3+ into Modified Isoreticular Metal–Organic Framework-3 as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Propargylamines
Authors: Liu Lili , Tai Xishi , Zhou Xiaojing , Xin Chunling , Yan Yongmei
Published: September 2017

Postsynthetic modification of metal-organic framework is a general and practical approach to access MOF-based catalysts bearing multiple active sites. The isoreticular metal–organic framework-3 (IRMOF-3) was modified with lactic acid through condensation reaction of the carboxyl group of lactic acid and amino group present in IRMOF-3 frameworks. Au3+was subsequently anchored onto the metal–organic framework IRMOF-3 using postsynthetic modification. The synthezized IRMOF-3-LA-Au (LA = lactic acid) was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N2adsorption-desorption, infrared spectroscopy, liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, H2-temperature programmed reduction, transmission electro microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. IRMOF-3-LA-Au acted as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of propargylamines by three-component coupling reaction of aldehyde, alkyne, and amine. Moreover, the catalyst is applicable to various substituted substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, alkyl- and aryl-substituted terminal alkynes, and alicyclic amines. In addition, the catalyst can be easily separated from the mixture and can be reused for four consecutive cycles.
IFN-α-mediated Base Excision Repair Pathway Correlates with Antiviral Response Against Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Li Yong , Xia Yuchen , Han Meifang , Chen Guang , Zhang Dake , Thasler Wolfgang E. , Protzer Ulrike , Ning Qin
Published: September 2017

Previous studies identified APOBEC deaminases as enzymes targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the nucleus thus affecting its persistence. Interferon (IFN)-α treated chimpanzees and hepatitis C patients showed elevated APOBEC expression. We thus hypothesized that the responses to IFN-α treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is influenced by IFN-induced base excision repair (BER). CHB-treatment naïve patients, patients treated with PEGylated IFN-α, and patients with sequential treatment of Entecavior and PEGylated IFN-α were recruited. Blood and liver biopsy samples were collected before treatment and at treatment endpoint. BER genes were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. BER gene expression levels and IFN treatment responses were correlated in patient liver biopsies. APOBEC3A, -B, -C, -D/E, and-G mRNA levels were up-regulated in IFN-treated patients. APOBEC3A expression was significantly higher in IFN-responders than in non-responders. BER genes NEIL3 was down-regulated in IFN-treated patients. APOBEC3 and BER gene expression at treatment endpoints partially correlated with the corresponding absolute DNA level or degree of HBsAg and HBV DNA decline. Our study suggests that the expression of APOBEC3A positively correlates with IFN-treatment responses in CHB patients, while NEIL3 shows negative correlation. These genes may involve to IFN mediated viral suppression and serve as biomarkers for CHB disease management.
Role of Oceanic and Terrestrial Atmospheric Moisture Sources in Intraseasonal Variability of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall
Authors: Pathak Amey , Ghosh Subimal , Kumar Praveen , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: September 2017

Summer Monsoon Rainfall over the Indian subcontinent displays a prominent variability at intraseasonal timescales with 10–60 day periods of high and low rainfall, known as active and break periods, respectively. Here, we study moisture transport from the oceanic and terrestrial sources to the Indian landmass at intraseasonal timescales using a dynamic recycling model, based on a Lagrangian trajectory approach applied to the ECMWF–ERA–interim reanalysis data. Intraseasonal variation of monsoon rainfall is associated with both a north-south pattern from the Indian landmass to the Indian Ocean and an east-west pattern from the Core Monsoon Zone (CMZ) to eastern India. We find that the oceanic sources of moisture, namely western and central Indian Oceans (WIO and CIO) contribute to the former, while the major terrestrial source, Ganga basin (GB) contributes to the latter. The formation of the monsoon trough over Indo-Gangetic plain during the active periods results in a high moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal and GB into the CMZ in addition to the existing southwesterly jet from WIO and CIO. Our results indicate the need for the correct representation of both oceanic and terrestrial sources of moisture in models for simulating the intraseasonal variability of the monsoon.
Targeting cellular pathways in glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Pearson Joshua R D , Regad Tarik
Published: September 2017

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a debilitating disease that is associated with poor prognosis, short median patient survival and a very limited response to therapies. GBM has a very complex pathogenesis that involves mutations and alterations of several key cellular pathways that are involved in cell proliferation, survival, migration and angiogenesis. Therefore, efforts that are directed toward better understanding of GBM pathogenesis are essential to the development of efficient therapies that provide hope and extent patient survival. In this review, we outline the alterations commonly associated with GBM pathogenesis and summarize therapeutic strategies that are aimed at targeting aberrant cellular pathways in GBM.
Improving the activity of endoglucanase I (EGI) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by DNA shuffling
Authors: Wang Xu , Rong Liang , Wang Mingfu , Pan Yingjie , Zhao Yong , Tao Fang
Published: September 2017

To enhance the endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity of three mixedTrichodermasp. (Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, andTrichoderma pseudokoningii), we optimized the efficiency of the encoding gene using DNA shuffling andSaccharomyces cerevisiaeINVSc1 as a host.
Secondary diamines as a monomer from bis-hydroaminomethylation of industrial cyclic dienes
Authors: Fuchs S. , Steffen M. , Dobrowolski A. , Rösler T. , Johnen L. , Meier G. , Strutz H. , Behr A. , Vorholt A. J.
Published: September 2017

Acetic acid gives amines wings: bis-hydroaminomethylation of dienes to provide industrial secondary diamine monomers. Application of reactive extraction as a recycling method for the rhodium catalyst.
Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling of aryl diazonium salts with formic acid as the CO source: the effect of 1,3-butadiene
Authors: Wu Fu-Peng , Peng Jin-Bao , Qi Xinxin , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2017

An efficient carbonylative cross-coupling of aryl diazonium salts with terminal alkynes using formic acid as the CO source has been developed. And 1,3-butadiene was found to play a crucial role in this transformation.
Desolvation and aggregation of sterically demanding alkali metal diarylphosphides
Authors: Izod Keith , Evans Peter , Waddell Paul G.
Published: September 2017

Variable-temperature NMR studies reveal that sterically bulky alkali metal diarylphosphides are subject to a monomer–dimer equilibrium in solution, where the monomer is favoured at low temperatures.
Remarkable lowering in the synthesis temperature of LiMn2O4via citrate solution–gel synthesis facilitated by ethanol
Authors: Maino G. , Carleer R. , Marchal W. , Bonneux G. , Hardy A. , Van Bael M. K.
Published: September 2017

Low temperature synthesis routes for cathode materials, such as LMO, are currently very important. Here, through an elaborate study on the chemistry behind the precursor and EtOH interaction, the thermal budget was drastically reduced at 250 °C.
Two ruthenium complexes capable of storing multiple electrons on a single ligand – photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical properties of [Ru(phen)2(TAPHAT)]2+ and [Ru(phen)2(TAPHAT)Ru(phen)2]4+
Authors: Troian-Gautier L. , Marcélis L. , De Winter J. , Gerbaux P. , Moucheron C.
Published: September 2017

The photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical properties of two newly synthesized ruthenium(ii) complexes are reported.