bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface structure promoted high-yield growth and magnetotransport properties of Bi2Se3 nanoribbons
Authors: Kunakova Gunta , Meija Raimonds , Andzane Jana , Malinovskis Uldis , Petersons Gvido , Baitimirova Margarita , Bechelany Mikhael , Bauch Thilo , Lombardi Floriana , Erts Donats
Published: August 2019

In the present work, a catalyst-free physical vapour deposition method is used to synthesize high yield of Bi2Se3 nanoribbons. By replacing standard glass or quartz substrates with aluminium covered with ultrathin porous anodized aluminium oxide (AAO), the number of synthesized nanoribbons per unit area can be increased by 20–100 times. The mechanisms of formation and yield of the nanoribbons synthesized on AAO substrates having different arrangement and size of pores are analysed and discussed. It is shown that the yield and average length of the nanoribbons can base tuned by adjustment of the synthesis parameters. Analysis of magnetotransport measurements for the individual Bi2Se3 nanoribbons transferred on a Si/SiO2 substrate show the presence of three different populations of charge carriers, originating from the Dirac surface states, bulk carriers and carriers from a trivial 2DEG from an accumulation layer at the Bi2Se3 nanoribbon interface with the substrate.
Coordinated community structure among trees, fungi and invertebrate groups in Amazonian rainforests
Authors: Vleminckx Jason , Schimann Heidy , Decaëns Thibaud , Fichaux Mélanie , Vedel Vincent , Jaouen Gaëlle , Roy Mélanie , Lapied Emmanuel , Engel Julien , Dourdain Aurélie , Petronelli Pascal , Orivel Jérôme , Baraloto Christopher
Published: August 2019

Little is known regarding how trophic interactions shape community assembly in tropical forests. Here we assess multi-taxonomic community assembly rules using a rare standardized coordinated inventory comprising exhaustive surveys of five highly-diverse taxonomic groups exerting key ecological functions: trees, fungi, earthworms, ants and spiders. We sampled 36 1.9-ha plots from four remote locations in French Guiana including precise soil measurements, and we tested whether species turnover was coordinated among groups across geographic and edaphic gradients. All species group pairs exhibited significant compositional associations that were independent from soil conditions. For some of the pairs, associations were also partly explained by soil properties, especially soil phosphorus availability. Our study provides evidence for coordinated turnover among taxonomic groups beyond simple relationships with environmental factors, thereby refining our understanding regarding the nature of interactions occurring among these ecologically important groups.
Modern Anesthetic Ethers Demonstrate Quantum Interactions
with Entangled Photons
Authors: Burdick Ryan K. , Villabona-Monsalve Juan P. , Mashour George A. , Goodson Theodore
Published: August 2019

Despite decades of research, the mechanism of anesthetic-induced
unconsciousness remains incompletely understood, with some advocating for a quantum
mechanical basis. Despite associations between general anesthesia and changes in
physical properties such as electron spin, there has been no empirical demonstration
that general anesthetics are capable of functional quantum interactions. In this
work, we studied the linear and non-linear optical properties of the halogenated
ethers sevoflurane (SEVO) and isoflurane (ISO), using UV-Vis spectroscopy, time
dependent-density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations, classical two-photon
spectroscopy, and entangled two-photon spectroscopy. We show that both of these
halogenated ethers interact with pairs of 800 nm entangled photons while neither
interact with 800 nm classical photons. By contrast, nonhalogenated diethyl ether
does not interact with entangled photons. This is the first experimental evidence
that halogenated anesthetics can directly undergo quantum interaction mechanisms,
offering a new approach to understanding their physicochemical properties.
Colorectal cancer cells respond differentially to autophagy inhibition in vivo
Authors: Lauzier Annie , Normandeau-Guimond Josiann , Vaillancourt-Lavigueur Vanessa , Boivin Vincent , Charbonneau Martine , Rivard Nathalie , Scott Michelle S. , Dubois Claire M. , Jean Steve
Published: August 2019

Autophagy has both tumor-promoting and -suppressing effects in cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), with transformed cells often exhibiting high autophagic flux. In established tumors, autophagy inhibition can lead to opposite responses resulting in either tumor cell death or hyperproliferation. The functional mechanisms underlying these differences are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the autophagic capacities of CRC cells and their sensitivities to autophagy inhibition. All studied CRC cell lines showed high basal autophagic flux. However, only HCT116 and Caco-2/15 cells displayed regulated autophagic flux upon starvation. Knockdown of ATG5 (which disrupts autophagosome elongation) or RAB21 (which decreases autophagosome/lysosome fusion) had little effect on CRC cell proliferation in vitro. Nonetheless, inhibition of autophagy in vivo had a substantial cell line-dependent impact on tumor growth, with some cells displaying decreased (HCT116 and Caco-2/15) or increased (SW480 and LoVo) proliferation. RNA sequencing and Western blot analyses in hyperproliferative SW480 tumors revealed that the mTORC2 and AKT pathways were hyperactivated following autophagy impairment. Inhibition of either mTOR or AKT activities rescued the observed hyperproliferation in autophagy-inhibited SW480 and reduced tumor growth. These results highlight that autophagy inhibition can lead, in specific cellular contexts, to compensatory mechanisms promoting tumor growth.
A comparative study of curated contents by knowledge-based curation system in cancer clinical sequencing
Authors: Sakai Kazuko , Takeda Masayuki , Shimizu Shigeki , Takahama Takayuki , Yoshida Takeshi , Watanabe Satomi , Iwasa Tsutomu , Yonesaka Kimio , Suzuki Shinichiro , Hayashi Hidetoshi , Kawakami Hisato , Nonagase Yoshikane , Tanaka Kaoru , Tsurutani Junji , Saigoh Kazumasa , Ito Akihiko , Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Nakagawa Kazuhiko , Nishio Kazuto
Published: August 2019

Medical oncologists are challenged to personalize medicine with scientific evidence, drug approvals, and treatment guidelines based on sequencing of clinical samples using next generation sequencer (NGS). Knowledge-based curation systems have the potential to help address this challenge. We report here the results of examining the level of evidence regarding treatment approval and clinical trials between recommendations made by Watson for Genomics (WfG), QIAGEN Clinical Insight Interpret (QCII), and Oncomine knowledge-based reporter (OKR). The tumor samples obtained from the solid cancer patients between May to June 2018 at Kindai University Hospital. The formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples (n = 31) were sequenced using Oncomine Comprehensive Assay v3. Variants including copy number alteration and gene fusions identified by the Ion reporter software were used commonly on three curation systems. Curation process of data were provided for 25 solid cancers using three curation systems independently. Concordance and distribution of curated evidence levels of variants were analyzed. As a result of sequencing analysis, nonsynonymous mutation (n = 58), gene fusion (n = 2) or copy number variants (n = 12) were detected in 25 cases, and subsequently subjected to knowledge-based curation systems (WfG, OKR, and QCII). The number of curated information in any systems was 51/72 variants. Concordance of evidence levels was 65.3% between WfG and OKR, 56.9% between WfG and QCII, and 66.7% between OKR and QCII. WfG provided great number of clinical trials for the variants. The annotation of resistance information was also observed. Larger differences were observed in clinical trial matching which could be due to differences in the filtering process among three curation systems. This study demonstrates knowledge-based curation systems (WfG, OKR, and QCII) could be helpful tool for solid cancer treatment decision making. Difference in non-concordant evidence levels was observed between three curation systems, especially in the information of clinical trials. This point will be improved by standardized filtering procedure and enriched database of clinical trials in Japan.
Seismic loading of fault-controlled fluid seepage systems by great subduction earthquakes
Authors: Bonini Marco
Published: August 2019

Various types of fluid expulsion features (mud volcanoes, pockmarks, authigenic carbonate mounds and associated gas pipes, etc.) are often found above subduction zones, which have the highest seismic potential on Earth. Faults potentially control the liberation of deep-seated greenhouse gases into the feeder systems of seepage features located above subduction thrusts. These feeder systems could be stressed by large earthquakes, yet the mechanisms that can drive episodic mobilization of stored hydrocarbon gases remain poorly understood. Here I address the potential stress loading on fluid expulsion systems created by past earthquakes nucleated at both accretionary and erosive subduction margins. The most significant effects occur in the epicentral area where subduction earthquakes can produce normal stress changes as high as 20–100 bar, although these are generally restricted to relatively small regions. Coseismic normal stress changes and elastic strain relaxation upon a ruptured subduction thrust could increase crustal permeability by dilating fault-controlled conduits, and channelling fluids to the seafloor. Fluid pressure pulses released during subduction earthquakes can greatly contribute to the rupture of fluid pathways that have been brought closer to failure from coseismic static stress changes, although the inaccessible location of most submarine seepage systems has so far hampered probing these relationships.
Unnatural spirocyclic oxindole alkaloids biosynthesis in Uncaria guianensis
Authors: Lopes Adriana A. , Chioca Bianca , Musquiari Bruno , Crevelin Eduardo J. , França Suzelei de C. , Fernandes da Silva Maria Fatima das G. , Pereira Ana Maria S.
Published: August 2019

Spiro-oxindole scaffolds have been studied due to their promising therapeutic potential. In the Amazon rainforest there are two important Uncaria species known as “cat’s claw”, which biosynthesize spirocyclic oxindole alkaloids; Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC. and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) Gmell. We carried out a precursor-directed biosynthesis approach with U. guianensis and successfully obtained oxindole alkaloid analogues with molecular mass corresponding to the addition of a methyl or fluorine group on the oxindole ring using tryptamine analogue precursors. Two of these novel oxindole alkaloid analogues (3b-7-methyl-isomitraphylline and 3c-6-fluoro-isomitraphylline) were isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Having established a substrate feeding protocol for these plantlets, the biosynthetic route for mitraphylline (1), rhynchophylline (2), isomitraphylline (3) and isorhynchophylline (4) was also investigated using 13C-precursors (1-13C-D-glucose, 2-13C-tryptophan, 1-13C-DL-glyceraldehyde, and methyl-13C-D-methionine).
Niclosamide reverses adipocyte induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells via suppression of the interleukin-6/STAT3 signalling axis
Authors: Gyamfi Jones , Lee Yun-Hee , Min Byung Soh , Choi Junjeong
Published: August 2019

The microenvironment of breast cancer comprises predominantly of adipocytes. Adipocytes drive cancer progression through the secretion adipocytokines. Adipocytes induce epithelial mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells through paracrine IL-6/Stat3 signalling. Treatment approaches that can target adipocytes in the microenvironment and abrogate paracrine signals that drive breast cancer growth and metastasis are urgently needed. Repositioning of old drugs has become an effective approach for discovering new cancer drugs. In this study, niclosamide, an FDA approved anthelminthic drug was evaluated for its anti-breast cancer activity and its ability to inhibit adipocytes induced EMT. Niclosamide potently inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion at low concentration and induced significant apoptosis at high concentrations in human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7. Additionally, niclosamide reversed adipocyte-induced EMT with a correlated inhibition of IL-6/Stat3 activation and downregulation of EMT-TFs TWIST and SNAIL. Moreover, niclosamide markedly impaired MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 migration and invasion. We further found that the inhibitory effects of niclosamide on MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 motility was closely related to destabilization of focal adhesion complex formation. With decreased co-localization of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated paxillin (pPAX). Collectively, these results demonstrate that niclosamide could be used to inhibit adipocyte-induced breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Association between grandparent co-residence, socioeconomic status and dental caries among early school-aged children in Japan: A population-based prospective study
Authors: Morita Ayako , Matsuyama Yusuke , Isumi Aya , Doi Satomi , Ochi Manami , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: August 2019

Globally many children are living with grandparents, and it has been suggested that grandparent co-residence may be associated with dental caries in infants and toddlers possibly through passive parenting style, accompanied by children’s cariogenic behaviors such as feeding sugary sweets. However, little is known about this association in schoolchildren, adjusted for socioeconomic status. Therefore, this study investigates the association between grandparent co-residence, socioeconomic status, and dental caries among schoolchildren. All caregivers of first-grade children (age 6–7 years) in Adachi City, Tokyo, were administered a questionnaire about children’s grandparent co-residence status and oral health-related behaviors, and responses were linked with dental examination records conducted by school dentists (N = 3,578). Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was applied to examine the association between grandparent co-residence, socioeconomic status, and dental caries status for each individual tooth, adjusting for potential covariates. The percentage of dental caries experience was higher among children living with grandparents (48.9%) than among children living without grandparents (44.0%). The risk for caries, however, did not differ according to grandparent co-residence status when tooth type, child’s age and sex, and parental socio-economic status and structure were adjusted (PR, 1.13; 95%CI, 0.90, 1.42). The association between grandparent co-residence and dental caries among early school-aged children in urban Japan was confounded by socioeconomic status.
The association between frailty and MRI features of cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Kant Ilse M. J. , Mutsaerts Henri J. M. M. , van Montfort Simone J. T. , Jaarsma-Coes Myriam G. , Witkamp Theodoor D. , Winterer Georg , Spies Claudia D. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Slooter Arjen J. C. , de Bresser Jeroen ,   BioCog Consortium, Armbruster Franz Paul , Böcher Axel , Boraschi Diana , Borchers Friedrich , Della Camera Giacomo , van Dellen Edwin , Diehl Ina , Dschietzig Thomas Bernd , Feinkohl Insa , Fillmer Ariane , Gallinat Jürgen , Hafen Bettina , Hartmann Katarina , Heidtke Karsten , Helmschrodt Anja , Italiani Paola , Ittermann Bernd , Krause Roland , Kronabel Marion , Kühn Simone , Lachmann Gunnar , Melillo Daniela , Menon David K. , Moreno-López Laura , Mörgeli Rudolf , Nürnberg Peter , Ofosu Kwaku , Olbert Maria , Pietzsch Malte , Pischon Tobias , Preller Jacobus , Ruppert Jana , Schneider Reinhard , Stamatakis Emmanuel A. , Weber Simon , Weyer Marius , Winzeck Stefan , Wolf Alissa , Yürek Fatima , Zacharias Norman
Published: August 2019

Frailty is a common syndrome in older individuals that is associated with poor cognitive outcome. The underlying brain correlates of frailty are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between frailty and MRI features of cerebral small vessel disease in a group of non-demented older individuals. We included 170 participants who were classified as frail (n = 30), pre-frail (n = 85) or non-frail (n = 55). The association of frailty and white matter hyperintensity volume and shape features, lacunar infarcts and cerebral perfusion was investigated by regression analyses adjusted for age and sex. Frail and pre-frail participants were older, more often female and showed higher white matter hyperintensity volume (0.69 [95%-CI 0.08 to 1.31], p = 0.03 respectively 0.43 [95%-CI: 0.04 to 0.82], p = 0.03) compared to non-frail participants. Frail participants showed a non-significant trend, and pre-frail participants showed a more complex shape of white matter hyperintensities (concavity index: 0.04 [95%-CI: 0.03 to 0.08], p = 0.03; fractal dimensions: 0.07 [95%-CI: 0.00 to 0.15], p = 0.05) compared to non-frail participants. No between group differences were found in gray matter perfusion or in the presence of lacunar infarcts. In conclusion, increased white matter hyperintensity volume and a more complex white matter hyperintensity shape may be structural brain correlates of the frailty phenotype.
Defining a Core Genome for the Herpesvirales and Exploring their Evolutionary Relationship with the Caudovirales
Authors: Andrade-Martínez Juan S. , Moreno-Gallego J. Leonardo , Reyes Alejandro
Published: August 2019

The order Herpesvirales encompasses a wide variety of important and broadly distributed human pathogens. During the last decades, similarities in the viral cycle and the structure of some of their proteins with those of the order Caudovirales, the tailed bacterial viruses, have brought speculation regarding the existence of an evolutionary relationship between these clades. To evaluate such hypothesis, we used over 600 Herpesvirales and 2000 Caudovirales complete genomes to search for the presence or absence of clusters of orthologous protein domains and constructed a dendrogram based on their compositional similarities. The results obtained strongly suggest an evolutionary relationship between the two orders. Furthermore, they allowed to propose a core genome for the Herpesvirales, composed of 4 proteins, including the ATPase subunit of the DNA-packaging terminase, the only protein with previously verified conservation. Accordingly, a phylogenetic tree constructed with sequences derived from the clusters associated to these proteins grouped the Herpesvirales strains accordingly to the established families and subfamilies. Overall, this work provides results supporting the hypothesis that the two orders are evolutionarily related and contributes to the understanding of the history of the Herpesvirales.
Neoceroplatus betaryiensis nov. sp. (Diptera: Keroplatidae) is the first record of a bioluminescent fungus-gnat in South America
Authors: Falaschi Rafaela L. , Amaral Danilo T. , Santos Isaias , Domingos Adão H. R. , Johnson Grant A. , Martins Ana G. S. , Viroomal Imran B. , Pompéia Sérgio L. , Mirza Jeremy D. , Oliveira Anderson G. , Bechara Etelvino J. H. , Viviani Vadim R. , Stevani Cassius V.
Published: August 2019

Blue shining fungus gnats (Diptera) had been long reported in the Waitomo caves of New Zealand (Arachnocampa luminosaSkuse), in stream banks of the American Appalachian Mountains (Orfelia fultoniFisher) in 1939 and in true spore eating EurasiaticKeroplatusBosc species. This current report observes that similar blue light emitting gnat larvae also occur nearby the Betary river in the buffer zone of High Ribeira River State Park (PETAR) in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, where the larvae were found when on fallen branches or trunks enveloped in their own secreted silk. The new species is namedNeoceroplatus betaryiensisnov. sp. (Diptera: Keroplatidae: Keroplatinae: Keroplatini) based on a morphological analysis.Neoceroplatus betaryiensisnov. sp. larvae emit blue bioluminescence that can be seen from their last abdominal segment and from two photophores located laterally on the first thoracic segment. When touched, the larvae can actively stop its luminescence, which returns when it is no longer being agitated. Thein vitrobioluminescence spectrum ofN.betaryiensisnov. sp. peaks at 472 nm, and cross-reactivity of hot and cold extracts with the luciferin-luciferase fromOrfelia fultoniindicate significant similarity in both enzyme and substrate of the two species, and that the bioluminescence system in the subfamily Keroplatinae is conserved.
Salivary glands require Aurora Kinase B for regeneration after transient innate immune-mediated injury
Authors: Shaalan Abeer , Proctor Gordon
Published: August 2019

Severe, irreversible salivary gland disease and oral dryness is experienced by sufferers of Sjögren’s syndrome and those treated with irradiation for head and neck cancer. Therefore, major efforts have been made in the last decade to unravel key molecular signals that can drive salivary gland (SG) regeneration and functional restoration. However, the earliest molecular determinants that accompany SG regeneration remain incompletely defined. The present study examined the initial mitogenic events marking the regenerative response of the murine submandibular gland (SMG), following innate immune-mediated injury. Local intraductal administration of the synthetic double stranded (ds) RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) widely, but transiently, depleted the acinar and progenitor cells, 24 hours post poly (I:C) introduction. While the progenitor and duct cells started to proliferate and expand at 72 hours, the Mist1-positve acinar cells did not re-appear until 96 hours post poly (I:C) injury. The cellular replenishment during regeneration involved significant upregulation of the cell cycle promoter Aurora kinase B (AURKB). AURKB, which is expressed in healthy proliferating and cancerous cells, is a serine/threonine protein kinase, well known to orchestrate key events in cell division and cytokinesis. However, the expression and role of AURKB in regeneration of post mitotic salivary gland cells has not been previously explored. In vivo inhibition of AURKB using the selective inhibitor Barasertib (AZD1152-HQPA) interfered with SMG recovery from the transient, but severe poly (I:C)-mediated injury and cellular depletion. AURKB deficiency during regeneration of the injured tissues: disrupted cell cycle progression, repressed renewal of Mist1-positive acinar cells and prevented recovery of salivary secretion. The knowledge gained in this study may be utilized in the development of therapeutic targets for irreversible salivary gland disease.
Tunable diameter and spacing of double Ge quantum dots using highly-controllable spacers and selective oxidation of SiGe
Authors: Huang Tsung-Lin , Peng Kang-Ping , Chen Ching-Lun , Lin Horng-Chih , George Tom , Li Pei-Wen
Published: August 2019

We report the novel tunability of the diameters and spacings of paired Ge double quantum dots (DQDs) using nano-spacer technology in combination with selective oxidation of Si0.85Ge0.15 at high temperature. Pairs of spherical-shaped Ge QDs were formed by the selective oxidation of poly-SiGe spacer islands at each sidewall corner of the nano-patterned Si3N4/poly-Si ridges. The diameters of the Ge spherical QDs are essentially determined by geometrical conditions (height, width, and length) of the nano-patterned spacer islands of poly-SiGe, which are tunable by adjusting the process times of deposition and etch back for poly-SiGe spacer layers in combination with the exposure dose of electron-beam lithography. Most importantly, the separations between the Ge DQDs are controllable by adjusting the widths of the poly-Si/Si3N4 ridges and the thermal oxidation times. Our self-organization and self-alignment approach achieved high symmetry within the Ge DQDs in terms of the individual QD diameters as well as the coupling barriers between the QDs and external electrodes in close proximity.
Influence of Roasting Condition on Flavor Profile of Sunflower Seeds: A flavoromics approach
Authors: Guo Shuangshuang , Na Jom Kriskamol , Ge Yan
Published: August 2019

Sunflower see/ds (Helianthus annuus L.) were roasted in an electric forced air oven for 15, 30, 45, and 60 min at 125, 135 and 145 °C. The effect of temperature and time on the flavor profile of the samples were evaluated by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Unsupervised Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) multivariate statistical methods were used to visualize, group and classify the samples. 114 volatiles were identified in the roasted sunflower seeds (RSF), with terpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene), heterocyclic compounds (2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, pyridine), aldehydes (2-methylbutanal, furfural, hexanal, phenylacetaldehyde), hydrocarbons (octane, 2-isobutyl-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane, 6,6-dimethylundecane), alcohol (3-methyl-2-propyl-1-pentanol), and γ-butyrolactone being dominant compounds. The content of most volatile compounds increased with increase in roasting temperature and time, such as esters, terpenes, pyrazines, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols. 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine contributed to be the major role in roast and nutty flavor of the roasted sunflower seeds. Roasting at 125 °C for 45 min was found to be the better condition for roasted sunflower seeds, which gave the lowest off-flavor and burnt tastes.
Fast-switching laterally virtual-moving microlens array for enhancing spatial resolution in light-field imaging system without degradation of angular sampling resolution
Authors: Park Min-Kyu , Park Heewon , Joo Kyung-Il , Lee Tae-Hyun , Kwon Ki-Chul , Erdenebat Munkh-Uchral , Lim Young-Tae , Kim Nam , Kim Hak-Rin
Published: August 2019

We present an electrically controllable fast-switching virtual-moving microlens array (MLA) consisting of a stacked structure of two polarization-dependent microlens arrays (PDMLAs) with optical orthogonality, where the position of the two stacked PDMLAs is shifted by half the elemental pitch in the diagonal direction. By controlling the polarization of the incident light without the physical movement of the molecules comprising the virtual-moving MLA, the periodic sampling position of the MLA can be switched fast using a polarization-switching layer based on a fast-switching liquid crystal cell. Using the fast-switching virtual-moving MLA, the spatial-resolution-enhanced light-field (LF) imaging system was demonstrated without a decrease in the angular sampling resolution as compared to the conventional LF imaging system comprising a passive MLA; two sets of elemental image arrays were captured quickly owing to the short switching time of the virtual-moving MLA of 450 μs. From the two captured sets of the elemental array image, four-times resolution-enhanced reconstruction images of the directional-view and depth-slice images could be obtained.
Investigating the effect of clinical history before electrocardiogram interpretation on the visual behavior and interpretation accuracy of clinicians
Authors: Davies Alan , Harper Simon , Vigo Markel , Jay Caroline
Published: August 2019

We examine the impact of the presentation of a patient’s clinical history on subsequent visual appraisal and interpretation accuracy of electrocardiograms (ECGs). Healthcare-practitioners (N = 31) skilled in 12-lead ECG interpretation took part in a repeated-measures experiment with counterbalancing viewing 9 ECGs on a computer screen in two separate conditions: with/without an associated patient-history. A Hellinger-distance calculation was applied using a permutation test to eye-movement transitions at two granularity levels: between the ECG leads, and between smaller grid-cells, whose size was determined via data-driven clustering of the fixation points. Findings indicate that presentation of clinical-history does affect accuracy of interpretation in one ECG. Visual-behavior differed as a function of both history presentation and accuracy when considering transitions between the data-driven grid units (using a fine granularity, and able to show attention to parts of the waveform). Differences in visual-behavior at waveform level demonstrate an influence of patient-history and expertise that are not detected at the lead level. Visual-behaviour differs according to whether a patient-history is presented, and whether a clinician provides an accurate interpretation. This difference is evident in how the waveform itself is viewed, and is less present at the coarse granularity of visual transitions between leads. To understand how clinicians interpret ECGs, and potentially other medical images, visual transitions should be considered at a fine level of granularity, determined in a data-driven fashion.
Heterogeneity in fetal growth velocity
Authors: Sato Noriko , Miyasaka Naoyuki
Published: August 2019

Fetal growth quality is associated with susceptibility to non-communicable diseases. Fetal size has been conventionally assessed using the averaged growth chart, but fetal growth velocity has recently been attracting attention as another important aspect of fetal development. Since fetal growth velocity may reflect fetal response to various conditions during the developmental process within the maternal constraint, it is reasonable to imagine that there might exist a physiological diversity in growth velocity patterns over time, which has never been explored. We conducted a retrospective cohort study designed to evaluate the heterogeneity of fetal growth velocity in singleton pregnancies in the Japanese population. We leveraged the high frequency of prenatal checkup to collect large numbers of ultrasound measurements of every fetus (N = 801) and computationally analyzed individual changes in growth per week. Latent class trajectory analysis identified three distinct velocity patterns. The variation in growth velocity appeared in the third trimester and corresponded to the differences in neonatal size. This heterogeneity was not simply explained by maternal factors and fetal sex, although those factors had time-varying effects on fetal size. Our findings regarding the heterogeneity in fetal growth velocity will aid in the comprehensive understanding of fetal development quality.
Comparison of light-induced formation of reactive oxygen species and the membrane destruction of two mesoporphyrin derivatives in liposomes
Authors: Bőcskei-Antal Barnabás , Zolcsák Ádám , Kósa Nikoletta , Voszka István , Csík Gabriella , Tóth Katalin , Herenyi Levente
Published: August 2019

The photodynamic effect requires the simultaneous presence of light, photosensitizer (PS) and molecular oxygen. In this process, the photoinduced damage of cells is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Besides DNA, the other target of ROS is the membranes, separating internal compartments in living cells. Hence, the ability of ROS formation of porphyrins as PSs, in liposomes as simple models of cellular membranes is of outstanding interest. Earlier we compared the binding parameters and locations of mesoporphyrin IX dihydrochloride (MPCl) and mesoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (MPE), in small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) made from various saturated phosphatidylcholines. In this study, we used the same kinds of samples for comparing the ROS forming ability. Triiodide production from potassium iodide because of light-induced ROS in the presence of molybdate catalyst was applied, and the amount of product was quantitatively followed by optical spectrometry. Furthermore, we demonstrated and carefully studied SUVs disruption as direct evidence of membrane destruction by the methods of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), applying unsaturated phosphatidylcholines as membrane components. Although the ROS forming ability is more pronounced in the case of MPCl, we found that the measured disruption was more effective in the samples containing MPE.
Distribution and ecological risk assessment of PEDCs in the water, sediment and Carex cinerascens of Poyang Lake wetland, China
Authors: Yang Pinghua
Published: August 2019

Phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (PEDCs), such as 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-t-octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), and nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate (NP2EO), can cause feminization and carcinogenesis. This study assessed the distributions of NP, OP, BPA, and NP2EO in the water, sediment, and Carex cinerascens of Poyang Lake wetland. The four PEDCs were ubiquitous. The concentrations of NP and OP in the water and sediment of the wetland were significantly lower than those in other regions of China. Average BPA concentrations in the water, sediment, and Carex cinerascens samples were 40.49 ± 18.42 ng/L, 9.840 ± 3.149 ng/g, and 3.25 ± 1.40 ng/g, respectively; the BPA concentration in the water was similar to that of other rivers in China. Average NP2EO concentrations in the wetland were 3125.9 ± 478.1 ng/L, 650.0 ± 209.9 ng/g, and 275.8 ± 59.0 ng/g in the water, sediment, and Carex cinerascens samples, respectively. The predicted no-effect concentrations in sediment for NP, OP, BPA, and NP2EO were estimated to be 75.41, 45.25, 8.22, and 237.5 ng/g, respectively. The risk quotient (RQ) method was used to characterise the ecological risk from these PEDCs. A high ecological risk (RQ ≥ 1) from BPA was observed for 0%, 57.69%, and 5.00% of water, sediment, and C. cinerascens samples, respectively, while a high risk from NP2EO was observed for 71.43%, 96.15%, and 55.00% of samples. Ecological risk varied spatially. The high ecological risk from NP2EO in Poyang Lake wetland may be a result of non-point pollution from rural areas and sewage from Poyang Lake basin.
Iron-rich Smectite Formation in Subseafloor Basaltic Lava in Aged Oceanic Crust
Authors: Yamashita Seiya , Mukai Hiroki , Tomioka Naotaka , Kagi Hiroyuki , Suzuki Yohey
Published: August 2019

Basalt weathering in oceanic crust controls long-term elemental cycling on Earth. It is unknown whether basalt weathering tends to continue in unsedimented oceanic crust with formation ages of >10–20 million years (Ma), when fluid circulation is restricted by the formation of secondary minerals in fractures/veins. We investigated basalt weathering in 13.5-, 33.5- and 104-Ma oceanic crust below the South Pacific Gyre by combining bulk and in-situ clay mineral characterisations. Here we show the formation of iron-rich smectite at the rims of fractures/veins in 33.5-Ma and 104-Ma core samples from depths as great as 121 metres below the seafloor. In contrast, iron-rich smectite formation was not observed in three 13.5-Ma core samples, which suggests that iron-rich smectite formation may be affected by the dilution of aqueous silica supplied from basalt dissolution by actively circulating fluid. As iron-rich smectite from the 33.5-Ma and 104-Ma core samples was more enriched in Mg and K than that typically found at hydrothermal mounds, iron-rich smectite formation appears to result from basalt weathering rather than hydrothermal alteration. Our results suggest that unsedimented basaltic basement is permeable and reactive to host microbial life in aged oceanic crust on Earth and possibly in the deep subsurface on Mars.
Extra virgin olive oil diet intervention improves insulin resistance and islet performance in diet-induced diabetes in mice
Authors: Jurado-Ruiz Enrique , Álvarez-Amor Leticia , Varela Lourdes M. , Berná Genoveva , Parra-Camacho María S. , Oliveras-Lopez María J. , Martínez-Force Enrique , Rojas Anabel , Hmadcha Abdelkrim , Soria Bernat , Martín Franz
Published: August 2019

Dietary composition plays an important role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Monounsaturated fatty acid consumption has been positively associated with improved insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. We examined whether an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) high fat diet (HFD) can improve glucose homeostasis. C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet or a lard-based HFD to induce type 2 diabetes. Then, HFD mice were fed with three different based HFD (lard, EVOO and EVOO rich in phenolic compounds) for 24 weeks. HFD-EVOO diets significantly improved glycemia, insulinemia, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and insulin degradation. Moreover, EVOO diets reduced β-cell apoptosis, increased β-cell number and normalized islet glucose metabolism and glucose induced insulin secretion. No additional effects were observed by higher levels of phenolic compounds. Thus, EVOO intake regulated glucose homeostasis by improving insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell function, in a type 2 diabetes HFD animal model.
Rapid extraction of free fatty acids from edible oil after accelerated storage based on amino-modified magnetic silica nanospheres
Authors: Zhao Qi , Li Jian , Xu Yang , Lv Dandan , Rakariyatham Kanyasiri , Zhou Dayong
Published: August 2019

Amino-modified magnetic silica nanospheres were prepared and used for the extraction of free fatty acids from edible oil samples for the first time.
Voltammetric behavior of mycotoxin zearalenone at a single walled carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode
Authors: Radi Abd-Elgawad , Eissa Alsayed , Wahdan Tarek
Published: August 2019

A voltammetric method at a single walled carbon nanotube screen-printed electrode was applied for the determination of zearalenone in food samples.
Spontaneous implantation of gold nanoparticles on graphene oxide for salivary SERS sensing
Authors: Zhang Amin , Chang Jie , Chen Yunsheng , Huang Zhicheng , Alfranca Gabriel , Zhang Qian , Cui Daxiang
Published: August 2019

Clean SERS substrates could be prepared without using polymer stabilizers and highly toxic reducing agents, and they play a pivotal role in trace amount detection.
Probing the active sites of newly predicted stable Janus scandium dichalcogenides for photocatalytic water-splitting
Authors: Yang Xiaoyong , Banerjee Amitava , Ahuja Rajeev
Published: August 2019

The Janus structures of transition metal dichalcogenides with intrinsic dipoles have recently drawn attention as efficient candidates in the class of non-precious metal photocatalysts for water splitting.
Core–shell g-C3N4/Pt/TiO2 nanowires for simultaneous photocatalytic H2 evolution and RhB degradation under visible light irradiation
Authors: Dou Hailong , Qin Yumei , Pan Feng , Long Dan , Rao Xi , Xu Guo Qin , Zhang Yongping
Published: August 2019

Core–shell structural diagram (a) and proposed photocatalytic mechanism (b) for the CN/Pt/TiO2 composite.
Molecular-level understanding of reaction path optimization as a function of shape concerning the metal–support interaction effect of Co/CeO2 on water-gas shift catalysis
Authors: Zhan Yingying , Liu Yi , Peng Xuanbei , Zhao Weitao , Zhang Yongfan , Wang Xiuyun , Au Chak-tong , Jiang Lilong
Published: August 2019

In this work, the active sites generated in hydrogen reduction and the reaction pathways for the water gas shift (WGS) reaction over Co/CeO2 catalysts were studied by in situ XAS and XPS coupled with DFT+U calculations.
Interfacial charge-transfer doping of metal halide perovskites for high performance photovoltaics
Authors: Noel Nakita K. , Habisreutinger Severin N. , Pellaroque Alba , Pulvirenti Federico , Wenger Bernard , Zhang Fengyu , Lin Yen-Hung , Reid Obadiah G. , Leisen Johannes , Zhang Yadong , Barlow Stephen , Marder Seth R. , Kahn Antoine , Snaith Henry J. , Arnold Craig B. , Rand Barry P.
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate a method for controlled p-doping of the halide perovskite surface using molecular dopants, resulting in reduced non-radiative recombination losses and improved device performance.
Varied doses and chemical forms of selenium supplementation differentially affect mouse intestinal physiology
Authors: Zhai Qixiao , Xiao Yue , Li Peng , Tian Fengwei , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei
Published: August 2019

Varied doses and chemical forms of selenium supplementation differentially affect mouse intestinal physiology and perturbed the fecal metabolic profiles of and jejunal protein expression in mice.
A “simple” donor–acceptor AIEgen with multi-stimuli responsive behavior
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Aisen , Zou Hang , Peng Junhui , Guo Jiali , Wu Wenjie , Zhang Haoke , Zhang Jun , Gu Xinggui , Xu Weiqing , Xu Shuping , Liu Sheng Hua , Qin Anjun , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: August 2019

A simple but versatile AIEgen with multi-stimuli responsive functions and multifarious real-life application potentials is reported.
Epitaxial graphene/silicon carbide intercalation: a minireview on graphene modulation and unique 2D materials
Authors: Briggs Natalie , Gebeyehu Zewdu M. , Vera Alexander , Zhao Tian , Wang Ke , De La Fuente Duran Ana , Bersch Brian , Bowen Timothy , Knappenberger Kenneth L. , Robinson Joshua A.
Published: August 2019

Intercalation of atomic species through epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide began only a few years following its initial report in 2004.
a-MoS3@CNT nanowire cathode for rechargeable Mg batteries: a pseudocapacitive approach for efficient Mg-storage
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Chen Dong , Li Xue , Shen Jingwei , Chen Zhongxue , Cao Shun-an , Li Ting , Xu Fei
Published: August 2019

a-MoS3@CNT nanowire is used as a pseudocapacitive Mg-storage material, which exhibits fast solid-state Mg2+ ions diffusion kinetics.
Enhancing the stability of DNA origami nanostructures: staple strand redesignversusenzymatic ligation
Authors: Ramakrishnan Saminathan , Schärfen Leonard , Hunold Kristin , Fricke Sebastian , Grundmeier Guido , Schlierf Michael , Keller Adrian , Krainer Georg
Published: August 2019

Merging of bridging staples with adjacent oligonucleotide sequences leads to a moderate increase of DNA origami stability, while enzymatic ligation after assembly yields a reinforced nanostructure with superior stability at up to 37 °C and in the presence of 6 M urea.
Wafer-scale and deterministic patterned growth of monolayer MoS2via vapor–liquid–solid method
Authors: Li Shisheng , Lin Yung-Chang , Liu Xu-Ying , Hu Zehua , Wu Jing , Nakajima Hideaki , Liu Song , Okazaki Toshiya , Chen Wei , Minari Takeo , Sakuma Yoshiki , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Suenaga Kazu , Taniguchi Takaaki , Osada Minoru
Published: August 2019

2-Inch-wafer-scale MoS2 films and patterned MoS2 monolayers were achieved via a vapor-liquid-solid growth using non-volatile precursors.
Identifying the rate-determining step of the electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination reaction on palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Fu Wenyang , Shu Song , Li Junxi , Shi Xuelin , Lv Xiaoshu , Huang Yu-Xi , Dong Fan , Jiang Guangming
Published: August 2019

Identifying the rate-determining step over the catalysts and clarifying the underlying mechanisms are crucial for maximizing the electrocatalytic hydrodechlorination (EHDC) efficiency for detoxification of the chlorophenol pollutants in water.
Contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging by nature-inspired ultrastable echogenic nanobubbles
Authors: de Leon Al , Perera Reshani , Hernandez Christopher , Cooley Michaela , Jung Olive , Jeganathan Selva , Abenojar Eric , Fishbein Grace , Sojahrood Amin Jafari , Emerson Corey C. , Stewart Phoebe L. , Kolios Michael C. , Exner Agata A.
Published: August 2019

We report an ultrasound contrast agent for which we engineered the shell structure to impart much better stability under intense stress and deformation.
Opto-thermophoretic separation and trapping of plasmonic nanoparticles
Authors: Setoura Kenji , Tsuji Tetsuro , Ito Syoji , Kawano Satoyuki , Miyasaka Hiroshi
Published: August 2019

We have succeeded in the selective trapping of single gold nanoshells with specific sizes and sweeping others out completely, only by irradiating the dense colloidal suspension of gold nanoshells with a focused near infrared continuous-wave laser.
Efficient photocatalytic water splitting through titanium silicalite stabilized CoO nanodots
Authors: Zhu Mengmeng , Zhu Cheng , Wu Dan , Wang Xiao , Wang Huibo , Gao Jin , Huang Hui , Shi Chunfeng , Liu Yang , Kang Zhenhui
Published: August 2019

CoO-TS-1 exhibited an efficient photocatalytic water splitting ability and was capable of in situ H2O2 harvesting for full utilization.
2D hybrid networks of gold nanoparticles: mechanoresponsive optical humidity sensors
Authors: Squillaci Marco A. , Zhong Xiaolan , Peyruchat Léo , Genet Cyriaque , Ebbesen Thomas W. , Samorì Paolo
Published: August 2019

2D all-covalent networks of Au nanoparticles, interconnected with hygroscopic organic linkers, act as highly sensitive humidity sensor. The interparticle distance changes in presence of moisture to reversibly trigger plasmonic coupling collectively.
A single-molecule atomic force microscopy study reveals the antiviral mechanism of tannin and its derivatives
Authors: Wang Huijie , Chen Ying , Zhang Wenke
Published: August 2019

We explore the antiviral mechanism of tannin and its derivatives on TMV using single-molecule atomic force microscopy.
Recent advances in plasma modification of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Nan Haiyan , Zhou Renwu , Gu Xiaofeng , Xiao Shaoqing , (Ken) Ostrikov Kostya
Published: August 2019

Plasma processing is effective in diverse modifications of nanoscale 2D-TMDC materials, owing to its uniquely controllable, effective and clean characteristics.
Embracing high performance potassium-ion batteries with phosphorus-based electrodes: a review
Authors: Yang Dan , Liu Chuntai , Rui Xianhong , Yan Qingyu
Published: August 2019

The ever-increasing global energy demand and rising price of raw materials adopted in currently prevalent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have boosted the development of potassium ion batteries (KIBs).
Impact of magnetic nanoparticle surface coating on their long-term intracellular biodegradation in stem cells
Authors: Plan Sangnier Anouchka , Van de Walle Aurore B. , Curcio Alberto , Le Borgne Rémi , Motte Laurence , Lalatonne Yoann , Wilhelm Claire
Published: August 2019

A polymer coating with multiple binding sites provides iron oxide nanoparticles with protection against intracellular degradation.
BPO-promoted direct oxidative C–H functionalization of unactivated alkanes into 6-alkyl-6H-benzo[c]chromenes under transition-metal-free conditions
Authors: Ji Lei , Deng Qinfei , Liu Ping , Sun Peipei
Published: August 2019

A simple and efficient BPO-promoted free radical-based cascade reaction of biaryl vinyl ethers with easily available unactivated alkanes has been developed.
Bulky yet flexible substituents in insertion polymerization with α-diimine nickel and palladium systems
Authors: Guo Lihua , Sun Wenting , Li Shuaikang , Xu Guoyong , Dai Shengyu
Published: August 2019

The bulky yet flexible substituent on the N-aryl moieties of α-diimine ligands may adopt different conformations and provide dynamic steric hindrance in the process of ethylene (co)polymerization.
Direct characterization of a polymer network through its retainable units
Authors: Xu Xiaoyan , Wang Qi
Published: August 2019

A partially decrosslinkable network provides a general protocol for full, direct and quantitative characterization of polymer networks through its retainable units.
An enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of trifluoromethyl ketimines catalyzed by phase-transfer catalysts
Authors: Wang Xiaonan , Gao Yuan , Wei Zhonglin , Cao Jungang , Liang Dapeng , Lin Yingjie , Duan Haifeng
Published: August 2019

An enantioselective aza-Henry reaction of acyclic trifluoromethyl ketimines was performed using a bifunctional catalyst. The products were converted to diamines and imidazolidine-2-ones.
α-Fe2O3 hollow meso–microspheres grown on graphene sheets function as a promising counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhao Guomin , Xu Guangji , jin Shuang
Published: August 2019

Although nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanosheets of α-Fe2O3 on graphene sheets have been synthesized, it remains a challenge to grow 3D α-Fe2O3 nanomaterials with more sophisticated compositions and structures on the graphene sheets.