bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First trimester screening for major cardiac defects based on the ductus venosus flow in fetuses with trisomy 21
Authors: Wagner Philipp , Sonek Jiri , Eberle Katrin , Abele Harald , Hoopmann Markus , Prodan Natalia , Kagan Karl Oliver
Published: April 2018

Objective

To examine whether in fetuses with trisomy 21 (T21), the ductus venosus (DV) flow differs in presence of a major cardiac defect (congenital cardiac defect [CHD]) and whether this affects the risk distribution in first trimester screening for T21.

Methods

This retrospective study included pregnant women who underwent first trimester screening. This involves an examination of the crown‐rump length, the nuchal translucency, the ductus venosus (DV) flow, and the heart. Three groups of fetuses were examined: euploid without CHD, T21 with CHD, and T21 without CHD. We examined the DV pulsatility index for veins, the direction of the a‐wave, and ratios of velocities: v/S, v/D, a/S, a/D, and S/D.

Results

The study population consisted of 410 euploid fetuses and 136 with T21 (51 with CHD and 85 without CHD). In the 3 groups, the a‐wave was reversed in 3.2%, 66.7%, and 57.6%. The DV flow ratios in T21 with and without CDH were significantly different compared with normal fetuses. When comparing the ratios between the 2 T21 groups, only the a/S and a/D ratio were significantly different. The risk distributions in screening for T21 with and without CDH were similar.

Conclusion

There are some small differences in the DV flow of T21 fetuses with and without CHD, but they are not clinically useful.
Exploration of the fifth position of leu‐enkephalin and its role in binding and activating delta (DOP) and mu (MOP) opioid receptors
Authors: Bella Ndong Dominique , Blais Véronique , Holleran Brian J. , Proteau‐Gagné Arnaud , Cantin‐Savoie Isabelle , Robert William , Nadon Jean‐François , Beauchemin Sophie , Leduc Richard , Piñeyro Graciela , Guérin Brigitte , Gendron Louis , Dory Yves L.
Published: April 2018

Enkephalins are pentapeptidic endogenous ligands that regulate nociception by binding to mu (MOP) and delta (DOP) opioid receptors. To further explore the role of the leucine residue of Leu‐enkephalin, 12 peptidomimetic analogs were synthesized by systematically replacing this residue with non‐natural amino acids. The analogs were tested for their ability to bind DOP and MOP. We also investigated the potency of these analogs to inhibit cAMP production and to recruit β‐arrestin 2 via both receptors. We found that replacement of the leucine residue by substituted non‐natural amino acid derivatives of alanine, cycloleucine, or isoleucine was generally well tolerated. By contrast, substituting leucine with homoproline greatly reduced the affinity for DOP and, to a lesser extent, for MOP. Interestingly, when compared to Leu‐enkephalin, analogs containing either aza‐β‐homoleucine or cycloleucine showed a bias toward inhibition of cAMP production through the activation of DOP but not MOP. By contrast, derivatives containing 4,5‐dehydroleucine or d‐allo‐isoleucine conferred a bias toward β‐arrestin 2 at MOP, but not DOP. Our results suggest that position 5 in Leu‐enkephalin analogs can be further exploited to develop compounds with the potential to produce bias toward G protein or β‐arrestin 2.
Silyl‐functionalized polyolefins via co‐polymerization of vinylsilanes with ethylene or propylene catalyzed by group IV metallocene complexes
Authors: Fu Peng‐Fei , Yang Shengtian
Published: April 2018

Vinylsilanes CH2CHSiR3 (R = Me, NMe2, OMe, OTMS) copolymerize with ethylene rapidly in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Cp′2ZrMe][MeB(C6F5)3] (Cp′ = η5‐C5Me5) (I) to give high molecular weight silyl‐functionalized polyethylene. The molecular weight of the polymer can be controlled by varying the comonomer concentration as well as the reaction temperature. Relatively low molecular weight polymer was produced at a higher silyl monomer concentration and a higher polymerization temperature. The incorporation of silyl monomer in the polymer is in the range of 0.1‐ 6.0%. On the other hands, catalysts [Cp2ZrMe][MeB(C6F5)3] (Cp′ = η5‐C5H5) (II) and [Cp″2ZrMe][MeB(C6F5)3] (Cp″ = η5‐1,2‐C5Me2H3) (III) show much lower activity. With the use of more coordinatively unsaturated constrained geometry catalysts (CGC), Me2Si(η5‐C5Me4)(NtBu)MMe][MeB(C6F5)3] (IV, M = Zr; V, M = Ti), the silyl monomer incorporation in the polymer was increased to 40%. The Ti catalyst is more active and produces polymer with a higher molecular weight with a higher silyl monomer incorporation at 23 °C. The copolymerization of vinyltrimethylsilane with propylene was also investigated with these catalysts, yielding high silyl‐functionalized propylene copolymer/oligmer. The microstructure of the copolymers/oligomers has been thoroughly investigated by 1D and 2D NMR techniques (1H, 13C, NOE, DEPT, HETCOR, and FLOCK). The results show that the backbone of the copolymers/oligomers is essentially random. Several termination pathways have been identified. In particular, two unsaturated silyl terminations, cis and/or trans‐TMSCHCH, were identified with the constrained geometry catalysts. Their formation was rationalized based on transition state models. It was found that occasional 1,2‐insertion of either propylene or vinyltrimethylsilane into the chain propagation process has a high probability serving as the trigger for polymer chain termination via β‐H elimination. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1308–1321
Characteristics and self‐assembly behaviors of photochromic triblock azo‐copolymers based on hard‐soft‐hard segments synthesized via RAFT process
Authors: Zenati Athmen , Thammalangsy Soulighothai
Published: April 2018

A novel series of hard‐soft‐hard triblock azo‐copolymers (TBCs) composed of poly(2‐[2‐(4‐cyano‐azobenzene‐4‐oxy)ethylene‐oxy]ethyl methacrylate) (PCEAMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(p‐dodecylphenyl‐N‐acrylamide) (PDOPAM) were synthesized by employing reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Chemical structures and molecular weights were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermal behavior, mesophase, photochemistry and morphology were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (OPM), ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS). Kinetic studies confirmed characteristic of controlled/living radical polymerization with low polydispersities (≤1.40). TBCs manifested both endothermic and exothermic transition peaks assigned to smectic to nematic, nematic to smectic, and smectic‐A to smectic‐C phases. TBCs having hight azo fractions of 39 and 34 wt % revealed textures of smectic phase whereas TBC possessing 30 wt % of azo content exhibited poor texture, suggesting nematic phase. Regarding TBC with low azo ratio (25 wt %), neither mesophase texture was found. All TBCs showed photoresponsive behavior under UV–vis irradiation or thermal relaxation. TBC‐1 with PCAEMA (39 wt %), PMMA (40 wt %) and PDOPAM (21 wt %) generated a mixture of cylinder and lamellar nanostructures compared to TBC‐2 and TBC‐3 which formed lamellae. However, TBC‐4 having the highest PDOPAM fraction (50 wt %) produced hexagonal cylindrical nanostructure. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1617–1629
Frequent border‐crossing children and cultural membership
Authors: Chiu Tuen Yi , Choi Susanne Y.P.
Published: April 2018

Migration studies typically conceptualise children as either “stayers” or “movers.” However, such binary conceptualisation is at odds with the experiences of children who cross borders frequently. Using the case of children with Hong Kong right of abode who live in southern China but commute daily to Hong Kong to pursue education, this paper examines the structural and family factors leading to this form of frequent border crossing and identifies 4 major strategies that mothers of these children use to help them overcome the barriers to acculturation. These strategies underscore the salience of the rhetoric of cultural membership as symbolic boundaries that delegitimise claims to citizenship of the perceived outsiders and the situated agency of parents in maximising the life chances of their children by helping them permeate the rigid symbolic boundary, and overcome identity ambivalence associated with their simultaneous existence in 2 politically and socially divided territories.
Aqueous Solution‐Processed Vanadium Oxide for Efficient Hole Injection Interfacial Layer in Organic Light‐Emitting Diode
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Wanshu , Xu Kai , Zheng Qinghong , Xu Jiwen , Zhang Xiaowen , Li Haiou , Liu Liming
Published: April 2018

Solution‐processing techniques have effectively promoted low‐cost and large‐scale manufacturing of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). An ecofriendly process is demonstrated here to obtain aqueous solution‐processed vanadium oxide (s‐VOx) for effective hole injection interfacial layer (HIL) by using commercial V2O5 powders. Atomic force microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that s‐VOx exhibits superior film morphology and non‐stoichiometry with slight oxygen deficiency which account for exceptional electronic properties in tailoring hole injection. With tris(8‐hydroxy‐quinolinato)aluminum as emitter, s‐VOx‐based OLED gives a maximum luminous efficiency of 6.4 cd A−1 and power efficiency of 4.1 lm W−1, which are comparable to those (6.1 cd A−1 and 3.6 lm W−1) of vacuum thermally deposited VOx‐based counterpart. The current versus voltage characteristics and impedance spectroscopy of hole‐only devices elucidate that s‐VOx possesses robust hole injection capacity and thereby promotes the OLED performance. Our results pave an alternative approach for broadening VOx application with solution process and accelerating OLED development.
Surface and redox characterization of new nanostructured ZrO2@CeO2 systems with potential catalytic applications
Authors: Barroso‐Bogeat Adrián , Núñez‐Pérez Bernardo , Blanco Ginesa , Pintado José María , Hernández‐Garrido Juan Carlos , Calvino José Juan
Published: April 2018

Ceria‐zirconia mixed oxides are widely used as catalysts and catalytic supports. Nevertheless, due to economic and geo‐strategic concerns, reducing and optimizing the lanthanide content in these formulations while preserving or even improving their excellent redox and catalytic properties has become a challenge for current research. In this context, the design of core@shell nanostructures arises as a feasible alternative to achieve the aforesaid goal. In the present work, a new nanostructured ZrO2@CeO2 system based on spherical and mesoporous zirconia cores coated by a well‐dispersed nanometer‐thick ceria layer has been prepared by a novel synthetic approach in 2 different steps: (1) synthesis of the zirconia cores by a sol‐gel method and (2) coating with a thin ceria shell by controlled chemical precipitation. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by several techniques, which clearly reveal its perfect core@shell nanostructure and enhanced reducibility as compared with pure ceria.
Improved interfacial properties of PI composites through graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber surface
Authors: Yongqiang Lv , Chunzheng Peng
Published: April 2018

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been identified as excellent nanoreinforcements for carbon fiber (CF)–reinforced polymers regarding a wide range of engineering applications. The outstanding properties of CNTs, such as their large surface area, high mechanical strength, and low manufacturing cost bring them to be distinguished nanoreinforcements for carbon fiber–reinforced polymers to form multifunctional and multiscale composites. Electrophoretic deposition of graphene oxide for CNTs onto the CF surface was conducted. The presence of graphene oxide–CNTs may effectively increase both the roughness and wettability of the CF surface, resulting in an improvement to the interfacial bonding strength between the CF and the polyimide (PI).
A comparison of approaches for simultaneous inference of fixed effects for multiple outcomes using linear mixed models
Authors: Jensen Signe M. , Ritz Christian
Published: April 2018

Longitudinal studies with multiple outcomes often pose challenges for the statistical analysis. A joint model including all outcomes has the advantage of incorporating the simultaneous behavior but is often difficult to fit due to computational challenges. We consider 2 alternative approaches to quantify and assess the loss in efficiency as compared with joint modelling when evaluating fixed effects. The first approach is pairwise fitting of pseudolikelihood functions for pairs of outcomes. The second approach recovers correlations between parameter estimates across multiple marginal linear mixed models. The methods are evaluated in terms of a data example both from a study on the effects of milk protein on health in young adolescents and in an extensive simulation study. We find that the 2 alternatives give similar results in settings where an exchangeability condition is met, but otherwise, pairwise fitting shows a larger loss in efficiency than the marginal models approach. Using an alternative to the joint modelling strategy will lead to some but not necessarily a large loss of efficiency for small sample sizes.
Tunable Spectrum Selectivity for Multiphoton Absorption with Enhanced Visible Light Trapping in ZnO Nanorods
Authors: Tan Kok Hong , Lim Fang Sheng , Toh Alfred Zhen Yang , Zheng Xia‐Xi , Dee Chang Fu , Majlis Burhanuddin Yeop , Chai Siang‐Piao , Chang Wei Sea
Published: April 2018

Observation of visible light trapping in zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) correlated to the optical and photoelectrochemical properties is reported. In this study, ZnO NR diameter and c‐axis length respond primarily at two different regions, UV and visible light, respectively. ZnO NR diameter exhibits UV absorption where large ZnO NR diameter area increases light absorption ability leading to high efficient electron–hole pair separation. On the other hand, ZnO NR c‐axis length has a dominant effect in visible light resulting from a multiphoton absorption mechanism due to light reflection and trapping behavior in the free space between adjacent ZnO NRs. Furthermore, oxygen vacancies and defects in ZnO NRs are associated with the broad visible emission band of different energy levels also highlighting the possibility of the multiphoton absorption mechanism. It is demonstrated that the minimum average of ZnO NR c‐axis length must satisfy the linear regression model of Z
p,min = 6.31d to initiate the multiphoton absorption mechanism under visible light. This work indicates the broadening of absorption spectrum from UV to visible light region by incorporating a controllable diameter and c‐axis length on vertically aligned ZnO NRs, which is important in optimizing the design and functionality of electronic devices based on light absorption mechanism.
Scaling Effect on Silicon Nitride Memristor with Highly Doped Si Substrate
Authors: Kim Sungjun , Jung Sunghun , Kim Min‐Hwi , Chen Ying‐Chen , Chang Yao‐Feng , Ryoo Kyung‐Chang , Cho Seongjae , Lee Jong‐Ho , Park Byung‐Gook
Published: April 2018

A feasible approach is reported to reduce the switching current and increase the nonlinearity in a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)‐compatible Ti/SiNx/p+‐Si memristor by simply reducing the cell size down to sub‐100 nm. Even though the switching voltages gradually increase with decreasing device size, the reset current is reduced because of the reduced current overshoot effect. The scaled devices (sub‐100 nm) exhibit gradual reset switching driven by the electric field, whereas that of the large devices (≥1 µm) is driven by Joule heating. For the scaled cell (60 nm), the current levels are tunable by adjusting the reset stop voltage for multilevel cells. It is revealed that the nonlinearity in the low‐resistance state is attributed to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling dominating in the high‐voltage regime (≥1 V) for the scaled cells. The experimental findings demonstrate that the scaled metal–nitride–silicon memristor device paves the way to realize CMOS‐compatible high‐density crosspoint array applications.
Mechanically Assisted Self‐Healing of Ultrathin Gold Nanowires
Authors: Wang Binjun , Han Ying , Xu Shang , Qiu Lu , Ding Feng , Lou Jun , Lu Yang
Published: April 2018

As the critical feature sizes of integrated circuits approaching sub‐10 nm, ultrathin gold nanowires (diameter <10 nm) have emerged as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation interconnects in nanoelectronics. Also due to their ultrasmall dimensions, however, the structures and morphologies of ultrathin gold nanowires are more prone to be damaged during practical services, for example, Rayleigh instability can significantly alter their morphologies upon Joule heating, hindering their applications as interconnects. Here, it is shown that upon mechanical perturbations, predamaged, nonuniform ultrathin gold nanowires can quickly recover into uniform diameters and restore their smooth surfaces, via a simple mechanically assisted self‐healing process. By examining the local self‐healing process through in situ high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, the underlying mechanism is believed to be associated with surface atomic diffusion as evidenced by molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, mechanical manipulation can assist the atoms to overcome the diffusion barriers, as suggested by ab initio calculations, to activate more surface adatoms to diffuse and consequently speed up the self‐healing process. This result can provide a facile method to repair ultrathin metallic nanowires directly in functional devices, and quickly restore their microstructures and morphologies by simple global mechanical perturbations.
Combining Multiplex SERS Nanovectors and Multivariate Analysis for In Situ Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cell Phenotype Using a Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Zhang Yizhi , Wang Zhuyuan , Wu Lei , Zong Shenfei , Yun Binfeng , Cui Yiping
Published: April 2018

Isolating and in situ profiling the heterogeneous molecular phenotype of circulating tumor cells are of great significance for clinical cancer diagnosis and personalized therapy. Herein, an on‐chip strategy is proposed that combines size‐based microfluidic cell isolation with multiple spectrally orthogonal surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis for in situ profiling of cell membrane proteins and identification of cancer subpopulations. With the developed microfluidic chip, tumor cells are sieved from blood on the basis of size discrepancy. To enable multiplex phenotypic analysis, three kinds of spectrally orthogonal SERS aptamer nanovectors are designed, providing individual cells with composite spectral signatures in accordance with surface protein expression. Next, to statistically demultiplex the complex SERS signature and profile the cellular proteomic phenotype, a revised classic least square algorithm is employed to obtain the 3D phenotypic information at single‐cell resolution. Combined with categorization algorithm partial least square discriminate analysis, cells from different human breast cancer subtypes can be reliably classified with high sensitivity and selectivity. The results demonstrate that this platform can identify cancer subtypes with the spectral information correlated to the clinically relevant surface receptors, which holds great potential for clinical cancer diagnosis and precision medicine.
Simplified Perovskite Solar Cell with 4.1% Efficiency Employing Inorganic CsPbBr3 as Light Absorber
Authors: Duan Jialong , Zhao Yuanyuan , He Benlin , Tang Qunwei
Published: April 2018

Perovskite solar cells with cost‐effectiveness, high power conversion efficiency, and improved stability are promising solutions to the energy crisis and environmental pollution. However, a wide‐bandgap inorganic–semiconductor electron‐transporting layer such as TiO2 can harvest ultraviolet light to photodegrade perovskite halides, and the high cost of a state‐of‐the‐art hole‐transporting layer is an economic burden for commercialization. Here, the building of a simplified cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) perovskite solar cell with fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO)/CsPbBr3/carbon architecture by a multistep solution‐processed deposition technology is demonstrated, achieving an efficiency as high as 4.1% and improved stability upon interfacial modification by graphene quantum dots and CsPbBrI2 quantum dots. This work provides new opportunities of building next‐generation solar cells with significantly simplified processes and reduced production costs.
Synergistic Targeting and Efficient Photodynamic Therapy Based on Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot‐Upconversion Nanocrystal Hybrid Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Yan , Xu Yawen , Geng Xiangshuai , Huo Yingying , Chen Dexin , Sun Kang , Zhou Guangdong , Chen Biqiong , Tao Ke
Published: April 2018

Locating nanotherapeutics at the active sites, especially in the subcellular scale, is of great importance for nanoparticle‐based photodynamic therapy (PDT) and other nanotherapies. However, subcellular targeting agents are generally nonspecific, despite the fact that the accumulation of a nanoformulation at active organelles leads to better therapeutic efficacy. A PDT nanoformulation is herein designed by using graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) with rich functional groups as both the supporter for dual targeting modification and the photosensitizer for generating reactive oxygen species, and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNs) as the transducer of excitation light. A tumor‐targeting agent, folic acid, and a mitochondrion‐targeting moiety, carboxybutyl triphenylphosphonium, are simultaneously attached onto the UCNs–GOQDs hybrid nanoparticles by surface modification, and a synergistic targeting effect is obtained for these nanoparticles according to both in vitro and in vivo experiments. More significant cell death and a higher extent of mitochondrion damage are observed compared to the results of UCNs–GOQDs nanoparticles with no or just one targeting moiety. Furthermore, the PDT efficacy on tumor‐bearing mice is also effectively improved. Overall, the current work presents a synergistic strategy to enhance subcellular targeting and the PDT efficacy for cancer therapy, which may also shed light on other kinds of nanotherapies.
Charge‐Trap Memory Based on Hybrid 0D Quantum Dot–2D WSe2 Structure
Authors: Hou Xiang , Zhang Heng , Liu Chunsen , Ding Shijin , Bao Wenzhong , Zhang David Wei , Zhou Peng
Published: April 2018

Recently, layered ultrathin 2D semiconductors, such as MoS2 and WSe2 are widely studied in nonvolatile memories because of their excellent electronic properties. Additionally, discrete 0D metallic nanocrystals and quantum dots (QDs) are considered to be outstanding charge‐trap materials. Here, a charge‐trap memory device based on a hybrid 0D CdSe QD–2D WSe2 structure is demonstrated. Specifically, ultrathin WSe2 is employed as the channel of the memory, and the QDs serve as the charge‐trap layer. This device shows a large memory window exceeding 18 V, a high erase/program current ratio (reaching up to 104), four‐level data storage ability, stable retention property, and high endurance of more than 400 cycles. Moreover, comparative experiments are carried out to prove that the charges are trapped by the QDs embedded in the Al2O3. The combination of 2D semiconductors with 0D QDs opens up a novelty field of charge‐trap memory devices.
A White Light‐Emitting Quantum Dot Complex for Single Particle Level Interaction with Dopamine Leading to Changes in Color and Blinking Profile
Authors: Pramanik Sabyasachi , Bhandari Satyapriya , Pan Uday Narayan , Roy Shilaj , Chattopadhyay Arun
Published: April 2018

The interaction of the neurotransmitter dopamine is reported with a single particle white light‐emitting (WLE) quantum dot complex (QDC). The QDC is composed of yellow emitting ZnO quantum dots (Qdots) and blue emitting Zn(MSA)2 complex (MSA = N‐methylsalicylaldimine) synthesized on their surfaces. Sensing is achieved by the combined changes in the visual luminescence color from white to blue, chromaticity color coordinates from (0.31, 0.33) to (0.24, 0.23) and the ratio of the exponents (αon/αoff) of on/off probability distribution (from 0.24 to 3.21) in the blinking statistics of WLE QDC. The selectivity of dopamine toward ZnO Qdots, present in WLE QDC, helps detect ≈13 dopamine molecules per Qdot. Additionally, the WLE QDC exhibits high sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 3.3 × 10−9m (in the linear range of 1–100 × 10−9m) and high selectivity in presence of interfering biological species. Moreover, the single particle on–off bilking statistics based detection strategy may provide an innovative way for ultrasensitive detection of analytes.
Defect‐Free, Highly Uniform Washable Transparent Electrodes Induced by Selective Light Irradiation
Authors: Zhong Zhaoyang , Woo Kyoohee , Kim Inhyuk , Kim Hyuntae , Ko Pyeongsam , Kang Dongwoo , Kwon Sin , Kim Hyunchang , Youn Hongseok , Moon Jooho
Published: April 2018

A simple route to fabricate defect‐free Ag‐nanoparticle–carbon‐nanotube composite‐based high‐resolution mesh flexible transparent conducting electrodes (FTCEs) is explored. In the selective photonic sintering‐based patterning process, a highly soft rubber or thin plastic substrate is utilized to achieve close and uniform contact between the composite layer and photomask, with which uniform light irradiation can be obtained with diminished light diffraction. This well‐controlled process results in developing a fine and uniform mesh pattern (≈12 μm). The mesh patternability is confirmed to be dependent on heat distribution in the selectively light‐irradiated film and the pattern design for FTCE could be adopted for more precise patterns with desired performance. Moreover, using a very thin substrate could allow the mesh to be positioned closer to the strain‐free neutral mechanical plane. Due to strong interfacial adhesion between the mesh pattern and substrate, the mesh FTCE could tolerate severe mechanical deformation without performance degradation. It is demonstrated that a transparent heater with fine mesh patterns on thin substrate can maintain stability after 100 repeated washing test cycles in which a variety of stress situations occurring in combination. The presented highly durable FTCE and simple fabrication processes may be widely adoptable for various flexible, large‐area, and wearable optoelectronic devices.
Photothermal Therapy Generates a Thermal Window of Immunogenic Cell Death in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Sweeney Elizabeth E. , Cano‐Mejia Juliana , Fernandes Rohan
Published: April 2018

A thermal “window” of immunogenic cell death (ICD) elicited by nanoparticle‐based photothermal therapy (PTT) in an animal model of neuroblastoma is described. In studies using Prussian blue nanoparticles to administer photothermal therapy (PBNP‐PTT) to established localized tumors in the neuroblastoma model, it is observed that PBNP‐PTT conforms to the “more is better” paradigm, wherein higher doses of PBNP‐PTT generates higher cell/local heating and thereby more cell death, and consequently improved animal survival. However, in vitro analysis of the biochemical correlates of ICD (ATP, high‐motility group box 1, and calreticulin) elicited by PBNP‐PTT demonstrates that PBNP‐PTT triggers a thermal window of ICD. ICD markers are highly expressed within an optimal temperature (thermal dose) window of PBNP‐PTT (63.3–66.4 °C) as compared with higher (83.0–83.5 °C) and lower PBNP‐PTT (50.7–52.7 °C) temperatures, which both yield lower expression. Subsequent vaccination studies in the neuroblastoma model confirm the in vitro findings, wherein PBNP‐PTT administered within the optimal temperature window results in long‐term survival (33.3% at 100 d) compared with PBNP‐PTT administered within the higher (0%) and lower (20%) temperature ranges, and controls (0%). The findings demonstrate a tunable immune response to heat generated by PBNP‐PTT, which should be critically engaged in the administration of PTT for maximizing its therapeutic benefits.
Effects of Continuous Annealing Process Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Dual Phase Steel
Authors: Kong Zheng , Zhang Jie , Li Hongbo , Kong Ning
Published: April 2018

Due to the difference in chemistries and manufacturing processes applied, the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP780 steel produced by different production lines may be inconsistent. Annealing experiments are designed and carried out in the laboratory based on the actual industrial production process in order to investigate the effects of continuous annealing process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP steel quantitatively. The results show that the effect of intercritical temperature is continuous while the sensitive interval and non‐sensitive interval should be considered in terms of the effect of slow cooling temperature, over‐aging temperature, and strip speed. The influence degree is defined to quantitatively compare the effects of the influencing factors, which find that the over‐aging temperature has the most influential effect on the tensile strength while the effect of the slow cooling temperature ranks second and the intercritical temperature has a minimal impact. The influence degrees on elongation of all the three factors are similar. The results from this study are helpful to efficiently adjust the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP steel.
Concise Review: The Effect of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation on Stem Cell Biology: A Contribution to Radiation Risk
Authors: Squillaro Tiziana , Galano Giovanni , De Rosa Roberto , Peluso Gianfranco , Galderisi Umberto
Published: April 2018

Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation (IR) (>0.5 Gy) negatively affects health, but less is known about the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR). Recent evidence suggests that it may have profound effects on cellular functions. People are commonly exposed to LDIR over natural background levels from numerous sources, including LDIR from medical diagnosis and therapy, air travel, illegal IR waste dumpsites, and occupational exposures in the nuclear and medical sectors. Stem cells reside for long periods of time in our bodies, and this increases the possibility that they may accumulate genotoxic damage derived from extrinsic LDIR or intrinsic sources (such as DNA replication). In this review, we provide an overview of LDIR effects on the biology of stem cell compartments. The principal findings and issues reported in the scientific literature are discussed in order to present the current understanding of the LDIR exposure risk and assess whether it may impact human health. We first consider the general biological consequences of LDIR exposure. Following this, we discuss the effects of LDIR on stem cells as discovered through in vitro and in vivo studies.
High‐velocity impact experiment of concrete panels reinforced with crimped wire mesh and steel fibers
Authors: Kim Sanghee , Kang Thomas H.‐K. , Jang Seok Joon , Kim Kang Su , Yun Hyun Do
Published: April 2018

This experimental research aims to evaluate the impact resistance of the crimped wire mesh‐ and steel fiber‐reinforced concrete panels that receive the impact load of the high‐velocity projectile. The concrete panel's impact resistance was evaluated by using variables such as the steel fiber volume fraction, presence of crimped wire‐mesh reinforcement, thickness of panel, impact velocity, and the size of aggregates. The impact resistance was evaluated by using the nondimensional impact factor where various variables could be integrated. Although the improvement of the impact resistance particularly regarding its penetration depth caused by the steel fiber mix was insufficient, there was a visible effect of improvement in impact resistance for scabbing and perforation. This occurred as the steel fiber had a bridging effect within the concrete matrix. Moreover, when reinforced with crimped wire mesh, the area loss of the front and rare face decreased. While it was effective for perforation and scabbing, it was insufficient for improving the resistance of penetration. Meanwhile, there were some cases where a splitting bond failure occurred along the cover of the rear face in a few specimens. The outcomes suggest that if steel fibers are mixed with the wire mesh‐reinforced concrete panels, this, in turn, increases the splitting bond strength based on a bridging effect, thereby preventing a splitting bond failure.
Influence of infill configurations on seismic responses of steel self‐centering moment resisting frames
Authors: Huang Xiaogang , Zhou Zhen , Hua Kun , Guo Congming , Zhu Dongping , Xia Tianyang
Published: April 2018

Steel self‐centering moment resisting frames (SC‐MRFs) have been validated experimentally as resilient structural systems, mainly highlighting the minimized residual drift responses but are prone to suffering high‐mode effects. In this paper, the influence of infill configurations on seismic responses of steel SC‐MRFs was first analyzed. A comparison of the previous experimental results was conducted to investigate the effect of infills on the residual drift of steel frames. In the numerical simulation, the infills were modeled as the equivalent strut diagonals, and the force–displacement of the infills was modeled using the combination of Elastic‐No Tension Material and Hysteretic Material offered by the OpenSees program. The seismic analyses of 3‐ and 9‐story SC‐MRFs with and without infills were carried out to analyze the effects of infills on the residual drift responses and high‐mode contribution under the selected ground motions. Finally, the different infill types and infill irregularities on the seismic responses were investigated to obtain general conclusions. The plastic deformations of columns and infills are also compared in the different cases of infill configurations. The results reveal that all infilled cases experience reduced peak‐story drift and force demands at the upper stories.
Brane SUSY breaking and the gravitino mass
Authors: Kitazawa Noriaki
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Supergravity models with spontaneously broken supersymmetry have been widely investigated over the years, together with some notable non-linear limits. Although in these models the gravitino becomes naturally massive absorbing the degrees of freedom of a Nambu-Goldstone fermion, there are cases in which the naive counting of degrees of freedom does not apply, in particular because of the absence of explicit gravitino mass terms in unitary gauge. The corresponding models require non-trivial de Sitter-like backgrounds, and it becomes of interest to clarify the fate of their Nambu-Goldstone modes. We elaborate on the fact that these non-trivial backgrounds can accommodate, consistently, gravitino fields carrying a number of degrees of freedom that is intermediate between those of massless and massive fields in a flat spacetime. For instance, in a simple supergravity model of this type with de Sitter background, the overall degrees of freedom of gravitino are as many as for a massive spin-3/2 field in flat spacetime, while the gravitino remains massless in the sense that it undergoes null-cone propagation in the stereographic picture. On the other hand, in the ten-dimensional USp(32) Type I Sugimoto model with “brane SUSY breaking”, which requires a more complicated background, the degrees of freedom of gravitino are half as many of those of a massive one, and yet it somehow behaves again as a massless one.
Heterotic line bundle models on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau three-folds
Authors: Braun Andreas P. , Brodie Callum R. , Lukas Andre
Published: April 2018

Abstract

We analyze heterotic line bundle models on elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau three-folds over weak Fano bases. In order to facilitate Wilson line breaking to the standard model group, we focus on elliptically fibered three-folds with a second section and a freely-acting involution. Specifically, we consider toric weak Fano surfaces as base manifolds and identify six such manifolds with the required properties. The requisite mathematical tools for the construction of line bundle models on these spaces, including the calculation of line bundle cohomology, are developed. A computer scan leads to more than 400 line bundle models with the right number of families and an SU(5) GUT group which could descend to standard-like models after taking the ℤ2 quotient. A common and surprising feature of these models is the presence of a large number of vector-like states.
Helicity amplitudes for QCD with massive quarks
Authors: Ochirov Alexander
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The novel massive spinor-helicity formalism of Arkani-Hamed, Huang and Huang provides an elegant way to calculate scattering amplitudes in quantum chromodynamics for arbitrary quark spin projections. In this note we compute two families of tree-level QCD amplitudes with one massive quark pair and n − 2 gluons. The two cases include all gluons with identical helicity and one opposite-helicity gluon being color-adjacent to one of the quarks. Our results naturally incorporate the previously known amplitudes for both quark spins quantized along one of the gluonic momenta. In the all-multiplicity formulae presented here the spin quantization axes can be tuned at will, which includes the case of the definite-helicity quark states.
The asymptotic response of soil water holding capacity along restoration duration of artificial grasslands from degraded alpine meadows in the Three River Sources, Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: He Huidan , Li Hongqin , Zhu Jingbin , Wei Yaxi , Zhang Fawei , Yang Yongsheng , Li Yingnian
Published: April 2018

The artificial grassland is one of the most important practices to restore degraded alpine meadow. However, it is still not clear how the water conservation capacity respond along the restoration duration. We conducted the experiment for soil water holding capacity along the restoration duration of 0 year (extremely degradation, CK), 2 years (2Y), 4 years (4Y), 6 years (6Y) and 12 years (12Y), as well as light degradation (CK1). Along the restoration duration, aboveground biomass, soil porosity, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen increased while soil bulk density decreased. The saturated soil water holding capacity increased and plateaued at 6Y restoration duration. The total porosity and soil bulk density played a predominated role in the soil water‐holding capacity variations. Our results revealed that the asymptotic response of soil water‐holding capacity to restoration duration in artificial grasslands and indicated that 6‐year restoration would be appropriate in rehabilitating water conservation for extremely degraded alpine meadow.
Species‐specific detection of the endangered piscivorous cyprinid fish Opsariichthys uncirostris uncirostris, three‐lips, using environmental DNA analysis
Authors: Yamanaka Hiroki , Takao Daiki , Maruyama Atsushi , Imamura Akio
Published: April 2018

Opsariichthys uncirostris uncirostris is a subspecies of Amur three‐lips Opsariichthys uncirostris (Temminck and Schlegel, 1846) and endemic to Japan. This only piscivorous fish among Cyprinidae in Japan, hereafter three‐lips, is in a unique ecological situation, that is, the species is endangered in the native habitats such as Lake Biwa water system and Lake Mikata, but on the other hand, three‐lips is threatening the other native species as an intra‐nation invasive species in introduced habitats. In this study, a species‐specific primer–probe set was developed for detecting three‐lips using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for monitoring the species distribution. Ten out of 11 sites in Futatsugawa River system, Kyusyu, and 15 out of 28 sites in Lake Biwa tested positive. In the Futatsugawa, three‐lips was confirmed to occupy both of the lotic sites in the main stem of the river and the lentic sites in the inner part of small ditches. In Lake Biwa, positives were biased to the sites in north basin of the lake than smaller south basin. The PCR amplicons in the positive samples were confirmed to have DNA sequences of the target species, suggesting the accuracy of this species‐specific analysis. The eDNA detection system developed in this study will contribute to future follow‐up monitoring by providing a cost‐effective and less labor‐intensive method for determining the distribution of three‐lips with dual identities as a threatened and invasive species.
The development of HIV vaccines targeting gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER): challenges and prospects
Authors: Liu Huan , Su Xiaojie , Si Lulu , Lu Lu , Jiang Shibo
Published: April 2018

A human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) vaccine which is able to effectively prevent infection would be the most powerful method of extinguishing pandemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Yet, achieving such vaccine remains great challenges. The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is a highly conserved region of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp41 subunit near the viral envelope surface, and it plays a key role in membrane fusion. It is also the target of some reported broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Thus, MPER is deemed to be one of the most attractive vaccine targets. However, no one can induce these bNAbs by immunization with immunogens containing the MPER sequence(s). The few attempts at developing a vaccine have only resulted in the induction of neutralizing antibodies with quite low potency and limited breadth. Thus far, vaccine failure can be attributed to various characteristics of MPER, such as those involving structure and immunology; therefore, we will focus on these and review the recent progress in the field from the following perspectives: (1) MPER structure and its role in membrane fusion, (2) the epitopes and neutralization mechanisms of MPER-specific bNAbs, as well as the limitations in eliciting neutralizing antibodies, and (3) different strategies for MPER vaccine design and current harvests.
Sex differences in behavioral and psychological expression of grief during adolescence: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Shulla Rachel M. , Toomey Russell B.
Published: April 2018

This meta‐analysis synthesizes the results of 14 independent studies conducted in the U.S. (N = 6979 participants) that examined sex differences in internalized, externalized, and PTSD symptoms associated with grief during adolescence. The mean age of participants was 12.22 years (SD = 2.31) with 50% male and 50% female sex assigned at birth. While no mean‐level differences were found between adolescent females and males in externalizing behaviors associated with grief (d = 0.03), on average, females reported higher levels of internalized grief responses (d = 0.18) and higher levels of PTSD symptoms (d = 0.36) than their male counterparts. Findings suggest the need for additional, more nuanced research to investigate possible sex differences in externalized behaviors relating to grief. In addition, research should examine whether tailored therapeutic and intervention measures and resources are needed for adolescents experiencing internalized grief and PTSD symptoms given sex differences in these reactions.
Effects of postnatal handling on adult behavior and brain mRNA expression of serotonin receptor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and GABA‐A receptor subunit
Authors: Li Haiyan , Ishikawa Chihiro , Shiga Takashi
Published: April 2018

Development of brain and behavior is influenced by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Postnatal handling, a manipulation that briefly separates mouse offspring from their mother during the postnatal period, has been reported to yield beneficial effects on the behavior of adult offspring. However, brain mechanisms underlying the effects on the behavior have not been well understood. Here we first examined effects of postnatal handling on the behavior of adult male BALB/c mice. Offspring were separated for 15 min every day between postnatal day 1 (P1) and P14 and then various behaviors were tested in the adulthood. Postnatal handling reduced anxiety‐like behavior in elevated plus maze and improved spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze without effects on depression‐like behavior in forced swim test. Next, to elucidate mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects, we evaluated mRNA expression of the serotonin 1A (5‐HT1A) receptor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and GABA‐A receptor subunits in the medial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, dorsal and ventral hippocampi, and dorsal raphe nucleus by quantitative RT‐PCR, since these genes and brain regions have been shown to be involved in cognition and emotion. Postnatal handling up‐regulated mRNA expression of the 5‐HT1A receptor in the dorsal raphe nucleus and down‐regulated 5‐HT1A receptor mRNA expression in the amygdala on P15 and P71. In adulthood, mRNA expression of BDNF was up‐regulated in the amygdala and dorsal hippocampus and down‐regulated in the dorsal raphe nucleus, whereas that of GABA‐A receptor α2 subunit was down‐regulated in the amygdala. Taken together, the present study suggests that postnatal handling reduced anxiety‐like behavior and improved learning and memory, which were accompanied by changes in mRNA expression of 5‐HT1A receptor, BDNF and GABA‐A receptor α2 subunit in the amygdala, 5‐HT1A receptor in the dorsal raphe nucleus and BDNF in the dorsal hippocampus.
The genetics and molecular biology of fever-associated seizures or epilepsy
Authors: Deng Hao , Zheng Wen , Song Zhi
Published: April 2018

Fever-associated seizures or epilepsy (FASE) is primarily characterised by the occurrence of a seizure or epilepsy usually accompanied by a fever. It is common in infants and children, and generally includes febrile seizures (FS), febrile seizures plus (FS+), Dravet syndrome (DS) and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFSP). The aetiology of FASE is unclear. Genetic factors may play crucial roles in FASE. Mutations in certain genes may cause a wide spectrum of phenotypical overlap ranging from isolated FS, FS+ and GEFSP to DS. Synapse-associated proteins, postsynaptic GABAAreceptor, and sodium channels play important roles in synaptic transmission. Mutations in these genes may involve in the pathogenesis of FASE. Elevated temperature promotes synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling and enlarges SV size, which may enhance synaptic transmission and contribute to FASE occurring. This review provides an overview of the loci, genes, underlying pathogenesis and the fever-inducing effect of FASE. It may provide a more comprehensive understanding of pathogenesis and contribute to the clinical diagnosis of FASE.