bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrauterine administration of peripheral mononuclear cells in recurrent implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yakin Kayhan , Oktem Ozgur , Urman Bulent
Published: March 2019

It has been proposed that intrauterine administration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) modulates maternal immune response through a cascade of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors to favor implantation. We conducted a meta-analysis to verify the effect of intrauterine PBMC administration on the outcome of embryo transfer in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). All relevant trials published in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases were searched. Two randomized controlled trials and three cohort studies (1173 patients in total) matched the inclusion criteria. No differences in live birth rates were seen between the PBMC-treated patients and controls (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.84–3.25; p = 0.14; I2: 66.3%). The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in women who received intrauterine PBMCs before embryo transfer compared with those who did not (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.30–2.10; p = 0.001, heterogeneity; I2: 60.6%). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant increase in clinical pregnancy rates with the administration of PBMCs in women with ≥3 previous failures compared with controls (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.53–4.72; p = 0.001, I2: 38.3%). In summary, the data did not demonstrate an association between the administration of PBMCs into the uterine cavity before fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer and live birth rates in women with RIF. Whether intrauterine PBMC administration significantly changes live birth and miscarriage rates requires further investigation.
Selective Atomic-Level Etching on Short S-Glass Fibres to Control Interfacial Properties for Restorative Dental Composites
Authors: Cho Kiho , Wang Guannan , Raju  , Fang Jian , Rajan Ginu , Stenzel Martina H. , Farrar Paul , Prusty B. Gangadhara
Published: March 2019

Interfacial bonding between fibre and matrix is most critical to obtain enhanced mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Here we present a new surface tailoring method of selective wet etching and organosilicon monomers (3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate, TMSPMA) deposition process on the short S-Glass fibre as a reinforcing material, resulting in increased mechanical retention and strong chemical bonding between glass fibres and polymer resin (a mixture of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) monomers). The effect of surface modification on fibre matrix interfacial strength was investigated through microdroplet tests. An S-Glass fibre treated with piranha solution (a mixture of H2O2 and H2SO4) for 24 hours followed by TMSPMA surface silanization shows highest increase up to 39.6% in interfacial shear strength (IFSS), and critical fibre length could be reduced from 916.0 µm to 432.5 µm. We find the optimal surface treatment condition in that the flexural strength of dental composites reinforced by the S-Glass fibres enhanced up to 22.3% compared to the composites without fibre surface treatments. The significant elevation in strength is attributed to changes in the surface roughness of glass fibres at atomic scale, specifically by providing the multiplied spots of the chemical bridge and nano-mechanical interlocking. The findings offer a new strategy for advanced tailoring of short S-Glass fibres to maximise the mechanical properties of biomedical and dental composites.
Prognostic significance of CD103+ immune cells in solid tumor: a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Younghoon , Shin Yunjoo , Kang Gyeong Hoon
Published: March 2019

CD103 is a transmembrane heterodimer complex that mediates cell adhesion, migration, and lymphocyte homing of cell through interaction with E-cadherin. Recently, CD103+ immune cells in human carcinoma has been investigated as a prognostic factor, however, the correlation between CD103+ immune cells and survival are still elusive. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to determine the prognostic value of CD103+ immune cells in solid tumor. Studies relevant to the subject was searched from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Ten studies including 2,824 patients were eligible for the analysis. Tumors positive for CD103+ immune cells were associated with favorable overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival. Subgroup analysis revealed that assessing CD103+ immune cells in epithelial and total (both epithelial and stromal) areas or using whole slide section were associated with good prognosis. Furthermore, stromal CD103+ immune cells or CD103+ immune cells evaluated by tissue microarrays were not always significantly prognostic. In conclusion, these results show that CD103+ immune cells are associated with prognosis in solid tumor. However, the region of assessment and selection of material for the evaluation could affect the value of CD103 as a prognostic biomarker.
Combined study of the ground and excited states in the transformation of nanodiamonds into carbon onions by electron energy-loss spectroscopy
Authors: Feng Zhenbao , Lin Yangming , Tian Cunwei , Hu Haiquan , Su Dangsheng
Published: March 2019

The electron momentum density and sp2/sp3 ratio of carbon materials in the thermal transformation of detonation nanodiamonds (ND) into carbon nano-onions are systematically studied by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Electron energy-loss near-edge structures of the carbon K-ionization in the electron energy-loss spectroscopy are measured to determine the sp2 content of the ND-derived samples. We use the method developed by Titantah and Lamoen, which is based on the ability to isolate the π* spectrum and has been shown to give reliable and accurate results. Compton profiles (CPs) of the ND-derived carbon materials are obtained by performing EELS on the electron Compton scattering region. The amplitude of the CPs at zero momentum increases with increasing annealing temperature above 500 °C. The dramatic changes occur in the temperature range of 900–1300 °C, which indicates that the graphitization process mainly occurs in this annealing temperature region. Our results complement the previous work on the thermal transformation of ND-derived carbon onions and provide deeper insight into the evolution of the electronic properties in the graphitization process.
Characterisation of nonlinear receptive fields of visual neurons by convolutional neural network
Authors: Ukita Jumpei , Yoshida Takashi , Ohki Kenichi
Published: March 2019

A comprehensive understanding of the stimulus-response properties of individual neurons is necessary to crack the neural code of sensory cortices. However, a barrier to achieving this goal is the difficulty of analysing the nonlinearity of neuronal responses. Here, by incorporating convolutional neural network (CNN) for encoding models of neurons in the visual cortex, we developed a new method of nonlinear response characterisation, especially nonlinear estimation of receptive fields (RFs), without assumptions regarding the type of nonlinearity. Briefly, after training CNN to predict the visual responses to natural images, we synthesised the RF image such that the image would predictively evoke a maximum response. We first demonstrated the proof-of-principle using a dataset of simulated cells with various types of nonlinearity. We could visualise RFs with various types of nonlinearity, such as shift-invariant RFs or rotation-invariant RFs, suggesting that the method may be applicable to neurons with complex nonlinearities in higher visual areas. Next, we applied the method to a dataset of neurons in mouse V1. We could visualise simple-cell-like or complex-cell-like (shift-invariant) RFs and quantify the degree of shift-invariance. These results suggest that CNN encoding model is useful in nonlinear response analyses of visual neurons and potentially of any sensory neurons.
Association between Dry Eye Disease and Psychological Stress among Paramedical Workers in Korea
Authors: Hyon Joon Young , Yang Hee Kyung , Han Sang Beom
Published: March 2019

This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease (DED) among paramedical workers at a university hospital in Korea. This cross-sectional study included 566 paramedical workers at a university hospital in Korea. Dry eye symptoms were assessed using a 9-item questionnaire, and DED was defined as having 1 or more dry eye symptoms often or all the time. A survey including demographic data and potential risk factors of DED was also performed. Psychological stress was measured using stress VAS and perceived stress scale 4 (PSS-4) questionnaires. Of the 566 paramedical workers, 232 (35 male and 197 female) completed the survey. Prevalence of DED was 42.7% (99/232). Univariate analysis revealed that female sex (P < 0.001), prolonged computer use (P = 0.003) and higher stress VAS (P < 0.001) and PSS-4 (P = 0.009) scores had significant association with DED. In multivariate analysis, DED had significant association with female sex (P = 0.003) and stress VAS (P = 0.013) after adjustment for sex, duration of computer use and stress VAS, and had significant association with female sex (P = 0.003) and durations of computer use (P = 0.029) after adjustment for sex, duration of computer use and PSS-4 score. In conclusion, DED was prevalent among paramedical workers in Korea. Its risk increased among females and workers with increased psychological stress. Prolonged use of computer was possibly associated with DED.
Indole Pulse Signalling Regulates the Cytoplasmic pH of E. coli in a Memory-Like Manner
Authors: Zarkan Ashraf , Caño-Muñiz Santiago , Zhu Jinbo , Al Nahas Kareem , Cama Jehangir , Keyser Ulrich F. , Summers David K.
Published: March 2019

Bacterial cells are critically dependent upon pH regulation. Here we demonstrate that indole plays a critical role in the regulation of the cytoplasmic pH ofEscherichia coli. Indole is an aromatic molecule with diverse signalling roles. Two modes of indole signalling have been described: persistent and pulse signalling. The latter is illustrated by the brief but intense elevation of intracellular indole during stationary phase entry. We show that under conditions permitting indole production, cells maintain their cytoplasmic pH at 7.2. In contrast, under conditions where no indole is produced, the cytoplasmic pH is near 7.8. We demonstrate that pH regulation results from pulse, rather than persistent, indole signalling. Furthermore, we illustrate that the relevant property of indole in this context is its ability to conduct protons across the cytoplasmic membrane. Additionally, we show that the effect of the indole pulse that occurs normally during stationary phase entry in rich medium remains as a “memory” to maintain the cytoplasmic pH until entry into the next stationary phase. The indole-mediated reduction in cytoplasmic pH may explain why indole providesE.coliwith a degree of protection against stresses, including some bactericidal antibiotics.
Considering tumour volume for motion corrected DWI of colorectal liver metastases increases sensitivity of ADC to detect treatment-induced changes
Authors: Pathak Ryan , Tian Jingduo , Thacker Neil A. , Morris David M. , Ragheb Hossein , Saunders Charles , Saunders Mark , Jackson Alan
Published: March 2019

ADC is a potential post treatment imaging biomarker in colorectal liver metastasis however measurements are affected by respiratory motion. This is compounded by increased statistical uncertainty in ADC measurement with decreasing tumour volume. In this prospective study we applied a retrospective motion correction method to improve the image quality of 15 tumour data sets from 11 patients. We compared repeatability of ADC measurements corrected for motion artefact against non-motion corrected acquisition of the same data set. We then applied an error model that estimated the uncertainty in ADC repeatability measurements therefore taking into consideration tumour volume. Test-retest differences in ADC for each tumour, was scaled to their estimated measurement uncertainty, and 95% confidence limits were calculated, with a null hypothesis that there is no difference between the model distribution and the data. An early post treatment scan (within 7 days of starting treatment) was acquired for 12 tumours from 8 patients. When accounting for both motion artefact and statistical uncertainty due to tumour volumes, the threshold for detecting significant post treatment changes for an individual tumour in this data set, reduced from 30.3% to 1.7% (95% limits of agreement). Applying these constraints, a significant change in ADC (5th and 20th percentiles of the ADC histogram) was observed in 5 patients post treatment. For smaller studies, motion correcting data for small tumour volumes increased statistical efficiency to detect post treatment changes in ADC. Lower percentiles may be more sensitive than mean ADC for colorectal metastases.
Src activation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus may play an important role in pain hypersensitivity
Authors: Ma Hanpei , Yao Chunxu , Ma Peng , Zhou Ju , Gong Shan , Tao Jin , Yu Xian-Min , Jiang Xinghong
Published: March 2019

Src family of kinases (SFKs) has been found to play an important role in the regulation of nociception. However, how each member of this family acts in the central nervous system (CNS) structures involved in the relay and/or modulation of nociceptive signals, and thereby contributes to the formation and maintenance of pain hypersensitivity, is still a challenge. In this work, a combined study using biochemical, genetic and behavioral approaches was conducted. We found that the expression of activated SFKs in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) area was significantly increased following the development of inflammation induced by injection of complete freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw of rats. Furthermore, we identified that Src, but not Fyn or Lyn in the Src family, was activated, and that Src knockdown in the ARC area blocked the inflammation-induced increases in the expression of activated SFKs, the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) GluN2B subunit and phosphorylated GluN2B at Y1472 in this region. Moreover, the CFA injection-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia, and the analgesic effect produced by systemic application of the SFK inhibitor, SU6656, were significantly diminished. However, the Src knockdown did not induce any change in the expression of activated SFKs  and the NMDAR GluN2B subunit in normal rats which were not injected with CFA. Neither the Src knockdown nor the systemic application of SU6656 affected the mechanical and thermal sensitivity of the normal rats. Thus, Src activation in the ARC may be a key event for formation and maintenance of pain hypersensitivity associated with peripheral inflammation.
Temporal road closures improve habitat quality for wildlife
Authors: Whittington Jesse , Low Petah , Hunt Bill
Published: March 2019

Increasing levels of human activity threaten wildlife populations through direct mortality, habitat degradation, and habitat fragmentation. Area closures can improve habitat quality for wildlife, but may be difficult to achieve where tourism or other economic drivers are a priority. Temporal closures that limit human use during specific times of day have potential to increase habitat quality for wildlife, while continuing to provide opportunities for human use. However, the effectiveness of daily temporal closures has not been tested. We assessed how implementation of a temporal road closure affected wildlife movements in Banff National Park. Parks Canada closed a popular 17 km stretch of road between 2000 and 0800 hours to improve habitat quality for wildlife. We assessed the effectiveness of the closure on nine mammal species using three sets of data: remote cameras, road surveys, and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) GPS data. In all three analyses, wildlife detection rates on the road doubled during the closure while remaining unchanged in reference areas. Our strong and consistent results suggest temporal closures are an important conservation tool that can increase habitat quality for wildlife while minimizing effects on people.
Imitating the winner leads to discrimination in spatial prisoner’s dilemma model
Authors: Jensen Gorm Gruner , Bornholdt Stefan
Published: March 2019

The occurrence of discrimination is an important problem in the social and economical sciences. Much of the discrimination observed in empirical studies can be explained by the theory of in-group favouritism, which states that people tend to act more positively towards peers whose appearances are more similar to their own. Some studies, however, find hierarchical structures in inter-group relations, where members of low-status groups also favour the high-status group members. These observations cannot be understood in the light of in-group favouritism. Here we present an agent based model in which evolutionary dynamics can result in a hierarchical discrimination between two groups characterized by a meaningless, but observable binary label. We find that discriminating strategies end up dominating the system when the selection pressure is high, i.e. when agents have a much higher probability of imitating their neighbour with the highest payoff. These findings suggest that the puzzling persistence of hierarchical discrimination may result from the evolutionary dynamics of the social system itself, namely the social imitation dynamics. It also predicts that discrimination will occur more often in highly competitive societies.
Targeting Coagulation Factor Xa Promotes Regression of Advanced Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein-E Deficient Mice
Authors: Posthuma Jelle J. , Posma Jens J. N. , van Oerle Rene , Leenders Peter , van Gorp Rick H. , Jaminon Armand M. G. , Mackman Nigel , Heitmeier Stefan , Schurgers Leon J. , ten Cate Hugo , Spronk Henri M. H.
Published: March 2019

Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory vascular disorder, complicated by plaque rupture and subsequently atherothrombosis. In vitro studies indicate that key clotting proteases, such as factor Xa (FXa), can promote atherosclerosis, presumably mediated through protease activated receptors (PARs). Although experimental studies showed reduced onset of atherosclerosis upon FXa inhibition, the effect on pre-existing plaques has never been studied. Therefore, we investigated effects of FXa inhibition by rivaroxaban on both newly-formed and pre-existing atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein-e deficient (ApoE−/−) mice. Female ApoE−/− mice (age: 8–9 weeks, n = 10/group) received western type diet (WTD) or WTD supplemented with rivaroxaban (1.2 mg/g) for 14 weeks. In a second arm, mice received a WTD for 14 weeks, followed by continuation with either WTD or WTD supplemented with rivaroxaban (1.2 mg/g) for 6 weeks (total 20 weeks). Atherosclerotic burden in aortic arch was assessed by haematoxilin & eosin immunohistochemistry (IHC); plaque vulnerability was examined by IHC against macrophages, collagen, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In addition, PAR1 and -2 expressions and their main activators thrombin and FXa in the plaque were determined in the plaque. Administration of rivaroxaban at human therapeutic concentrations reduced the onset of atherosclerosis (−46%, p < 0.05), and promoted a regression of pre-existing plaques in the carotids (−24%, p < 0.001). In addition, the vulnerability of pre-existing plaques was reduced by FXa inhibition as reflected by reduced macrophages (−39.03%, p < 0.05), enhanced collagen deposition (+38.47%, p < 0.05) and diminished necrotic core (−31.39%, p < 0.05). These findings were accompanied with elevated vascular smooth muscle cells and reduced MMPs. Furthermore, expression of PARs and their activators, thrombin and FXa was diminished after rivaroxaban treatment. Pharmacological inhibition of FXa promotes regression of advanced atherosclerotic plaques and enhances plaque stability. These data suggest that inhibition of FXa may be beneficial in prevention and regression of atherosclerosis, possibly mediated through reduced activation of PARs.
Characterizing the role of adjoining twins at grain boundaries in hexagonal close packed materials
Authors: Arul Kumar M. , Capolungo L. , McCabe R. J. , Tomé C. N.
Published: March 2019

Hexagonal close packed (HCP) Mg and Zr are being used in transportation and nuclear industries, respectively. The ductility and formability of these materials is significantly limited by the activation of prevalent deformation twinning. Twins in HCP polycrystals usually nucleate at grain boundaries (GBs), propagate into the grain, and they either terminate at opposing GBs (isolated-twins) or transmit into a neighboring grain (adjoining-twin-pairs: ATPs). Because twin interfaces provide a path for crack propagation, twin transmission is relevant to material ductility. This study combines electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) based statistical analysis of twinning microstructures and crystal plasticity modeling, to characterize twin thickening processes away from and near GBs. Analysis of deformed Mg and Zr microstructures reveals that local twin thicknesses at GBs are statistically larger for ATPs compared to isolated-twins. Further, thicknesses are found to decrease with increasing GB misorientation angle. Full-field Fast-Fourier-Transform micromechanics modeling shows that shear-transformation induced backstress are locally relaxed at GBs for ATPs, but not for isolated-twins. As a consequence, ATPs can thicken locally at GBs and the preferential site for twin thickening shifts from the middle of the twin to common GB.
Probing chemotaxis activity in Escherichia coli using fluorescent protein fusions
Authors: Roggo Clémence , Carraro Nicolas , van der Meer Jan Roelof
Published: March 2019

Bacterial chemotaxis signaling may be interesting for the development of rapid biosensor assays, but is difficult to quantify. Here we explore two potential fluorescent readouts of chemotactically active Escherichia coli cells. In the first, we probed interactions between the chemotaxis signaling proteins CheY and CheZ by fusing them individually with non-fluorescent parts of stable or unstable ‘split’-Green Fluorescent Protein. Wild-type chemotactic cells but not mutants lacking the CheA kinase produced distinguishable fluorescence foci, two-thirds of which localize at the cell poles with the chemoreceptors and one-third at motor complexes. Fluorescent foci based on stable split-eGFP displayed small fluctuations in cells exposed to attractant or repellent, but those based on an unstable ASV-tagged eGFP showed a higher dynamic behaviour both in the foci intensity changes and the number of foci per cell. For the second readout, we expressed the pH-sensitive fluorophore pHluorin in the cyto- and periplasm of chemotactically active E. coli. Calibrations of pHluorin fluorescence as a function of pH demonstrated that cells accumulating near a chemo-attractant temporally increase cytoplasmic pH while decreasing periplasmic pH. Both readouts thus show promise for biosensor assays based on bacterial chemotaxis activity.
Subacute to chronic Alzheimer-like alterations after controlled cortical impact in human tau transgenic mice
Authors: Zhang Yanchong , Wu Feng , Iqbal Khalid , Gong Cheng-Xin , Hu Wen , Liu Fei
Published: March 2019

Repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been linked to late life development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disorder histopathologically characterized by perivascular tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau at the depth of sulci to later widespread neurofibrillary pathology. Although tau hyperphosphorylation and neurofibrillary-like pathology have been observed in the brain of transgenic mice overexpressing human tau with aggregation-prone mutation after TBI, they have not been consistently recapitulated in rodents expressing wild-type tau only. Here, we characterized Alzheimer-like alterations behaviorally, biochemically and immunohistochemically 6 weeks and 7 months after unilateral mild-to-moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI) in 5–7-month-old Tg/htau mice, which express all six isoforms of non-mutated human tau in a mouse tau null background. We detected hyperphosphorylation of tau at multiple sites in ipsilateral hippocampus 6 weeks but not 7 months after CCI. However, neuronal accumulation of AT8 positive phospho-tau was sustained in the chronic phase, in parallel to prolonged astrogliosis, and decreased neural and synaptic markers. The mice with CCI also exhibited cognitive and locomotor impairment. These results indicate subacute to chronic Alzheimer-like alterations after CCI in Tg/htau mice. This is the first known study providing insight into the role of CCI in Alzheimer-like brain alterations in young adult mice expressing only non-mutated human tau.
Prospective decision making for randomly moving visual stimuli
Authors: Yashiro Ryuto , Sato Hiromi , Motoyoshi Isamu
Published: March 2019

Humans persist in their attempts to predict the future in spite of the fact that natural events often involve a fundamental element of uncertainty. The present study explored computational mechanisms underlying biases in prospective decision making by using a simple psychophysical task. Observers viewed a randomly moving Gabor target for T sec and anticipated its future position ΔT sec following stimulus offset. Applying reverse correlation analysis, we found that observer decisions focused heavily on the last part of target velocity and especially on velocity information following the last several direction reversals. If target random motion explicitly contained an additional linear trend, observers tended to utilize information of the linear trend as well. These behavioral data are well explained by a leaky-integrator model of perceptual decision making based on evidence accumulation with adaptive gain control. The results raise the possibility that prospective decision making toward future events follows principles similar to those involved in retrospective decision making toward past events.
Genome analysis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae biovar 6, which produces the phytotoxins, phaseolotoxin and coronatine
Authors: Fujikawa Takashi , Sawada Hiroyuki
Published: March 2019

The kiwifruit bacterial canker pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), causes enormous economic damages in many kiwifruit producing countries. In 2015, biovar 6, the novel biovar of Psa, was found in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The genomes of two representative strains of biovar 6 (MAFF 212134 and MAFF 212141) were sequenced and analysed, indicating that their genomes are the most similar to that of biovar 3 among the known Psa biovars, based on average nucleotide identity analysis. Biovar 3 has neither the phaseolotoxin synthesis gene cluster nor the coronatine synthesis gene cluster, whereas biovar 6 has both clusters and produces both phytotoxins. We found that biovar 6 possesses 29 type III secreted effector (T3SE) genes, among which avrRps4 and hopBI1 are unique to biovar 6. The expression of T3SE genes and two phytotoxin synthesis gene clusters of biovar 6 during the early stages of host infection was investigated using RNA-Seq analysis, showing that these genes could be grouped into three categories: constantly expressed genes, constantly suppressed genes, and temporarily induced genes. A PCR assay was established to differentiate biovar 6 strains from the other Psa biovars and the closely related pathovar, pv. actinidifoliorum, by using avrRps4 as a biovar 6-specific marker gene.
Cytoskeletal actin patterns shape mast cell activation
Authors: Colin-York Huw , Li Dong , Korobchevskaya Kseniya , Chang Veronica T. , Betzig Eric , Eggeling Christian , Fritzsche Marco
Published: March 2019

Activation of immune cells relies on a dynamic actin cytoskeleton. Despite detailed knowledge of molecular actin assembly, the exact processes governing actin organization during activation remain elusive. Using advanced microscopy, we here show that Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL) cells, a model mast cell line, employ an orchestrated series of reorganization events within the cortical actin network during activation. In response to IgE antigen-stimulation of FCε receptors (FCεR) at the RBL cell surface, we observed symmetry breaking of the F-actin network and subsequent rapid disassembly of the actin cortex. This was followed by a reassembly process that may be driven by the coordinated transformation of distinct nanoscale F-actin architectures, reminiscent of self-organizing actin patterns. Actin patterns co-localized with zones of Arp2/3 nucleation, while network reassembly was accompanied by myosin-II activity. Strikingly, cortical actin disassembly coincided with zones of granule secretion, suggesting that cytoskeletal actin patterns contribute to orchestrate RBL cell activation.
A simple one-step synthetic route to access a range of metal-doped polyoxovanadate clusters
Authors: Lu Haijiao , Jethwa Rajesh B. , Jenkinson Kellie J. , Wheatley Andrew E. H. , Hao Hongxun , Wright Dominic S. , Pike Sebastian D.
Published: March 2019

A simple one-step synthetic route to access a range of metal-doped polyoxovanadate clusters.
Chemical stability and instability of inorganic halide perovskites
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhao Yixin
Published: March 2019

Insights into the chemical stability and instability of inorganic halide perovskites are provided.
Biochar amendment and Calamagrostis angustifolia planting affect sources and production pathways of N2O in agricultural ditch systems
Authors: Cheng Qianding , Cheng Hongguang , Wu Zhenzhen , Pu Xiao , Lu Lu , Wang Jian , Zhao Jinbo , Zheng Aihua
Published: March 2019

Biochar amendment and Calamagrostis angustifolia planting affect N2O emissions derived from nitrification and denitrification pathways in agricultural ditch systems.
Screening of intestinal peristalsis-promoting probiotics based on a zebrafish model
Authors: Lu Youyou , Zhang Junxue , Yi Huaxi , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Lanwei
Published: March 2019

The retention ability of strains was evaluated by fluorescence labelling and was elaborated on intestinal peristalsis-promoting probiotics, using zebrafish as a model.
Influence of the Maillard-type caseinate glycation with lactose on the intestinal barrier activity of the caseinate digest in IEC-6 cells
Authors: Shi Jia , Zhao Xin-Huai
Published: March 2019

The glycated caseinate digest of the Maillard-type shows lower capability than the caseinate digest to enhance the intestinal barrier function of IEC-6 cells.
Nanoscale organization of tetraspanins during HIV-1 budding by correlative dSTORM/AFM
Authors: Dahmane Selma , Doucet Christine , Le Gall Antoine , Chamontin Célia , Dosset Patrice , Murcy Florent , Fernandez Laurent , Salas Desiree , Rubinstein Eric , Mougel Marylène , Nollmann Marcelo , Milhiet Pierre-Emmanuel
Published: March 2019

Membrane partition and remodeling play a key role in numerous cell mechanisms, especially in viral replication cycles where viruses subvert the plasma membrane to enter and escape from the host cell.
Extracellular vesicles induce minimal hepatotoxicity and immunogenicity
Authors: Saleh Amer F. , Lázaro-Ibáñez Elisa , Forsgard Malin A.-M. , Shatnyeva Olga , Osteikoetxea Xabier , Karlsson Fredrik , Heath Nikki , Ingelsten Madeleine , Rose Jonathan , Harris Jayne , Mairesse Maelle , Bates Stephanie M. , Clausen Maryam , Etal Damla , Leonard Emilyanne , Fellows Mick D. , Dekker Niek , Edmunds Nicholas
Published: March 2019

The absence of any significant toxicity associated with EVs in vitro and in vivo support the prospective use of EVs for therapeutic applications and for drug delivery.
A robust, modular approach to produce graphene–MOx multilayer foams as electrodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Xia Zhen Yuan , Christian Meganne , Arbizzani Catia , Morandi Vittorio , Gazzano Massimo , Quintano Vanesa , Kovtun Alessandro , Palermo Vincenzo
Published: March 2019

Multilayer hierarchical electrodes for lithium batteries, made of vertically aligned nanowalls of hematite (Fe2O3), alternated with horizontal spacers of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on a 3D, conductive graphene foam.
Perovskite-related (CH3NH3)3Sb2Br9 for forming-free memristor and low-energy-consuming neuromorphic computing
Authors: Yang June-Mo , Choi Eun-Suk , Kim So-Yeon , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Park Jin-Hong , Park Nam-Gyu
Published: March 2019

Perovskite-related (CH3NH3)3Sb2Br9 exhibits forming free properties in memristor devices and low energy consuming artificial synaptic behavior for neuromorphic computing.
Trehalose-cored amphiphiles for membrane protein stabilization: importance of the detergent micelle size in GPCR stability
Authors: Das Manabendra , Du Yang , Mortensen Jonas S. , Ramos Manuel , Ghani Lubna , Lee Ho Jin , Bae Hyoung Eun , Byrne Bernadette , Guan Lan , Loland Claus J. , Kobilka Brian K. , Chae Pil Seok
Published: March 2019

A novel class of non-chromophoric trehalose-cored amphiphiles was developed and some of the detergents displayed favorable behavior in stabilizing membrane proteins.
Ni/Ni3C core–shell nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped bamboo-like carbon nanotubes towards efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Dong Tao , Zhang Xiao , Cao Yongqiang , Chen Hsueh-Shih , Yang Ping
Published: March 2019

A novel electrocatalyst of Ni/Ni3C core–shell nanoparticles embedded in bamboo-like N-doped carbon nanotubes has been successfully synthesized, which exhibits superior overall water splitting performance in alkaline solution.
Progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes
Authors: Nowak-Król Agnieszka , Würthner Frank
Published: March 2019

Rapid progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes gave an old scaffold new life.
Design and synthesis of cysteine-specific labels for photo-crosslinking studies
Authors: Walko Martin , Hewitt Eric , Radford Sheena E. , Wilson Andrew J.
Published: March 2019

The design and synthesis of cysteine specific diazirine containing labels is described.
Effect of Cu, Ni and Pb doping on the photo-electrochemical activity of ZnO thin films
Authors: Aboud Ahmed A. , Shaban Mohamed , Revaprasadu Neerish
Published: March 2019

In the present study, the effects of metallic doping on the photoelectron\chemical properties of zinc oxide thin films have been studied.
Removal of arsenic from a denitration catalyst by reduction using methanol as a carbon source
Authors: Kato Takahiro , Sakusabe Kosuke , Mochizuki Yuki , Okawa Hirokazu , Sugawara Katsuyasu
Published: March 2019

Reduction–volatilization of arsenic from a denitration catalyst obtained from a coal-fired power plant using a gaseous reducing agent was investigated to develop a dry arsenic removal process.
Lanthanide complexes with phenanthroline-based ligands: insights into cell death mechanisms obtained by microscopy techniques
Authors: Cabral Campello Maria Paula , Palma Elisa , Correia Isabel , Paulo Pedro M. R. , Matos António , Rino José , Coimbra Joana , Pessoa João Costa , Gambino Dinorah , Paulo António , Marques Fernanda
Published: March 2019

The biological properties of four lanthanide complexes with phenanthroline derivatives in ovarian cancer cells.
Correction: Thermal energy grid storage using multi-junction photovoltaics
Authors: Amy Caleb , Seyf Hamid Reza , Steiner Myles A. , Friedman Daniel J. , Henry Asegun
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘Thermal energy grid storage using multi-junction photovoltaics’ by Caleb Amyet al.,Energy Environ. Sci., 2019,12, 334–343.
A dual-modal nanoprobe based on Eu(iii) complex–MnO2nanosheet nanocomposites for time-gated luminescence–magnetic resonance imaging of glutathionein vitroandin vivo
Authors: Song Bo , Shi Wenjing , Shi Wenbo , Qin Xiaodan , Ma Hua , Tan Mingqian , Zhang Wenzhu , Guo Lianying , Yuan Jingli
Published: March 2019

A novel nanoprobe based on Eu(iii) complex–MnO2nanosheet nanocomposites has been prepared for dual-modal TGL/MR imaging of GSHin vitroandin vivo.
Beta-lead oxide quantum dot (β-PbO QD)/polystyrene (PS) composite films and their applications in ultrafast photonics
Authors: Ge Yanqi , Huang Weichun , Yang Fumei , Liu Jiefeng , Wang Cong , Wang Yunzheng , Guo Jia , Zhang Feng , Song Yufeng , Xu Shixiang , Fan Dianyuan , Zhang Han
Published: March 2019

A waterproof β-PbO QD/PS composite film with strong nonlinear properties is developed as a saturable absorber for ultrafast pulse generation.
I2-Catalyzed oxidative synthesis of N,4-disubstituted quinazolines and quinazoline oxides
Authors: Jatangi Nagesh , Palakodety Radha Krishna
Published: March 2019

An easy and efficient synthetic approach to the title compounds is described, proceeding smoothly in the presence of molecular iodine. The metal-free protocol is insensitive to air moisture, is operationally simple and broadly applicable to a variety of N,4-disubstituted quinazoline-2-amine and oxides and synthesized in good to excellent yields starting from readily available inexpensive precursors.
Multiple magnetic relaxation pathways in T-shaped N-heterocyclic carbene-supported Fe(i) single-ion magnets
Authors: Meng Yin-Shan , Ouyang Zhengwu , Yang Mu-Wen , Zhang Yi-Quan , Deng Liang , Wang Bing-Wu , Gao Song
Published: March 2019

The magnetic properties of T-shaped N-heterocyclic carbene-supported Fe(i) complexes were studied. Both of them exhibited multi-pathway magnetic relaxation behaviors.
Improving gas sensing performance by oxygen vacancies in sub-stoichiometric WO3−x
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Shen Zhenguang , Peng Fang , Lu Yue , Ge Meiying , Fu Xiuli , Sun Yan , Chen Xin , Dai Ning
Published: March 2019

We present an experimental study on the influence of sub-stoichiometric WO3−x phase upon gas sensing performance. Our work shows that the sub-stoichiometric WO3−x can be used to enhance the low temperature sensing performance.
PIDA-mediated intramolecular oxidative C–N bond formation for the direct synthesis of quinoxalines from enaminones
Authors: Zhang Hong , Shen Jinhai , Yang Zhenhui , Cui Xiuling
Published: March 2019

An expedient hypervalent iodine(iii)-mediated approach to obtain substituted quinoxalines from readily available enaminones has been developed under mild conditions.
Oriented crystallization of PEG induced by confinement in cylindrical nanopores: structural and thermal properties
Authors: Grefe Ann-Kathrin , Kuttich Björn , Stühn Lukas , Stark Robert , Stühn Bernd
Published: March 2019

SAXS measurements allow for the identification of the morphology of polyethylene glycol confined in highly oriented ion track-etched nanopores.
Hydroxypropyl cellulose as a green polymer for thermo-responsive aqueous foams
Authors: Weißenborn Eric , Braunschweig Björn
Published: March 2019

Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a surface active polymer that can change its solubility as a function of temperature.
A highly sensitive wireless nitrogen dioxide gas sensor based on an organic conductive nanocomposite paste
Authors: Kim Sung Gun , Jun Jaemoon , Lee Jun Seop , Jang Jyongsik
Published: March 2019

The conducting nanocomposite paste composed of multidimensional hollow nanoparticles and PANI:PSS easily forms sensing area in the wireless sensor tag.
A robust Janus fibrous membrane with switchable infrared radiation properties for potential building thermal management applications
Authors: Yue Xuejie , Zhang Tao , Yang Dongya , Qiu Fengxian , Wei Gengyao , Lv Yuanfei
Published: March 2019

A tri-layered Janus membrane with switchable infrared radiation properties was designed for building energy saving.
Atomic iridium@cobalt nanosheets for dinuclear tandem water oxidation
Authors: Babu Dickson D. , Huang Yiyin , Anandhababu Ganesan , Wang Xu , Si Rui , Wu Maoxiang , Li Qiaohong , Wang Yaobing , Yao Jiannian
Published: March 2019

Atomic Ir@Co nanosheets were synthesized by an atomically confined alloying strategy for effectively catalyzing the OER via a new dinuclear cooperative mechanism.
Selective electroless deposition of cobalt using amino-terminated SAMs
Authors: Zyulkov Ivan , Armini Silvia , Opsomer Karl , Detavernier Christophe , De Gendt Stefan
Published: March 2019

Selective electroless deposition of Co directly on dielectric surfaces, promoted by amino-terminated organic films in combination with a selective Pd catalyst.
NIR-excited all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr3) for a white light-emitting device
Authors: Ma Jiao , Wu Hao , Qiu Jianbei , Wang Jing , Wang Qi , Yang Yong , Zhou Dacheng , Han Jin
Published: March 2019

All-inorganic CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) perovskite quantum dots have great potential in the field of white light emission owing to their excellent optical properties.
Controllable switching properties in an individual CH3NH3PbI3 micro/nanowire-based transistor for gate voltage and illumination dual-driving non-volatile memory
Authors: Hong Zhen , Zhao Jie , Huang Kaifa , Cheng Baochang , Xiao Yanhe , Lei Shuijin
Published: March 2019

For the field effect transistor based on an individual CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) micro/nanowire, the conductance can accurately be controlled by gate voltage and visible light, showing gate voltage and illumination dual-drive non-volatile memory feature.
Correction: Recent developments in photonic, plasmonic and hybrid nanowire waveguides
Authors: Kim Sanggon , Yan Ruoxue
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘Recent developments in photonic, plasmonic and hybrid nanowire waveguides’ by Sanggon Kim et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, 6, 11795–11816.
Helping Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Understand Dysphagia: Exploring the Use of Video-Animation
Authors: Govender Roganie , Taylor Stuart A. , Smith Christina H. , Gardner Benjamin
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer should be informed of the ramifications of cancer treatment on swallowing function during their pretreatment consultation. The purpose of this study was to explore (a) the usefulness and (b) the acceptability of video-animation in helping patients to understand the basics of the swallowing mechanism and dysphagia.

Method

Thirteen patients treated for head and neck cancer participated in this study. Think-aloud, a type of qualitative methodology, was used to encourage patients to verbalize their thoughts while watching two short video-animations showing the process of normal/abnormal swallowing. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes were identified as follows: (a) patient interest and engagement, (b) acceptability of visual imagery and narration, (c) information provision and learning, and (d) personal relevance and intended action. Patients appeared interested and engaged in the video-animations, asking several spontaneous questions about how to maintain or improve swallowing function. Learning was evident from patients' recognition and verbalizations of grossly disordered swallowing patterns. Most patients reported the images to be visually acceptable and could often relate what they were seeing to their own swallowing experience. Many patients also verbalized recognition of the need to keep muscles active through exercises.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the video-animations of swallowing were acceptable, interesting, informative, and relevant for most patients. It was therefore useful not only as an education tool, but also showed potential to influence patients' intentions to undertake preventative interventions that may preserve better swallowing function after cancer treatment.
Energy and spectral efficiency of secure massive MIMO downlink systems
Authors: Al‐nahari Azzam , Sakran Hefdhallah , Su Weifeng , Tarbosh Sami
Published: March 2019

Spectral efficiency, energy efficiency, and security are cornerstones for the upcoming 5G systems. In this study, the issue of how the energy and spectral efficiency of multiuser massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (Ma‐MIMO) systems are affected in the presence of a secrecy constraint is addressed. The performance of the two most prominent linear precoding techniques, the matched filter (MF) and zero‐forcing (ZF) precoders, for secure downlink multiuser Ma‐MIMO in the presence of multi‐antenna passive eavesdropper is investigated. The authors consider three performance metrics, namely, the achievable ergodic secrecy rate, the secrecy spectral efficiency (SSE), and the secrecy energy efficiency (SEE), assuming perfect and imperfect channel state information. The tradeoff between SSE and SEE is also studied. Moreover, the authors derive tight lower bounds on the achievable ergodic secrecy rate for MF and ZF precoding techniques. The derived lower bounds provide insights on the tradeoff between the SSE and SEE. It is shown that ZF precoder outperforms MF precoder at high transmit power, whereas at very low transmit power, MF outperforms ZF. Moreover, it is shown that using large number of transmit antennas can improve the SSE and the SEE with orders of magnitude compared to a single‐input single‐output system.
Robust and computationally efficient online image stabilisation framework based on adaptive dual motion vector integration
Authors: Yousaf Adeel , Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Khan Muhammad Jaleed , Iqbal Mahboob , Khurshid Khurram
Published: March 2019

Image stabilisation aims to compensate and smoothen the effects of undesired trembling motion of cameras mounted on non‐static platforms. It becomes quite a challenging task in the case of moving platforms, such as ground vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and handheld devices. Many satisfactory solutions to the image stabilisation problem are proposed in the recent literature, but most of these methods are not adaptable for handling a wide range of intentional motions with minimum lag, especially in real‐time scenarios. In this study, the authors propose an online two‐dimensional image stabilisation technique based on dual motion vector integration, which is a novel adaptive motion smoothing technique that employs an average length of motion vectors to estimate the intentional motion. The overall computational cost of the proposed system is significantly reduced by employing frame‐shaking judgment that only allows processing of jittering frames. Promising experimental results have been obtained on challenging videos obtained from hand‐held and vehicle‐mounted cameras which demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed technique against feature point mismatching and presence of moving objects within the scene at a frame rate of 30 frames per second.
Minimising number of perturbed elements in linear and planar adaptive arrays with broad nulls using compressed sensing approach
Authors: El‐Khamy Said E. , Korany Noha O. , Abdelhay Magdy A.
Published: March 2019

Here, a new algorithm, based on compressed sensing (CS), is presented for generating broad nulls in linear and planar adaptive antenna arrays through the control of only a small number of elements. In particular, sparse recovery theorem and convex optimisation are used to generate the broad nulls by perturbing the complex weights of a minimum number of elements. The problem is first formulated as a sparse recovery problem and then relaxed to the form of a convex optimisation problem. In addition to the nulling constraints, another constraint is added to ensure that the perturbed elements do not cause a pointing error in the synthesised array pattern. Also, one more constraint is used to set a predefined peak value for the array response in the sidelobe region. The optimisation problem is then solved iteratively using the iterative re‐weighted ‐norm minimisation technique to reduce the number of perturbed array elements to the lowest possible number while satisfying the constraints on the radiation pattern. Simulations were conducted for linear and planar arrays. The results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of forming the required nulls by changing the complex weights of only a small percentage of the array elements.