bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-surface synthesis of a nitrogen-embedded buckybowl with inverse Stone–Thrower–Wales topology
Authors: Mishra Shantanu , Krzeszewski Maciej , Pignedoli Carlo A. , Ruffieux Pascal , Fasel Roman , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: April 2018

Curved π-conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, buckybowls, constitute an important class of materials with wide applications in materials science. Heteroatom doping of buckybowls is a viable route to tune their intrinsic physicochemical properties. However, synthesis of heteroatom-doped buckybowls is a challenging task. We report on a combined in-solution and on-surface synthetic strategy toward the fabrication of a buckybowl containing two fused nitrogen-doped pentagonal rings. We employ ultra-high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory calculations to characterize the final compound. The buckybowl contains a unique combination of non-hexagonal rings at its core, identified as the inverse Stone–Thrower–Wales topology, resulting in a distinctive bowl-opening-down conformation of the buckybowl on the surface. Our controlled design of non-alternant, heteroatom-doped polycyclic aromatic frameworks with established bottom-up fabrication techniques opens new opportunities in the synthesis of carbon nanostructures with the perspective of engineering properties of graphene-based devices.
Quasi-cyclic multi-edge LDPC codes for long-distance quantum cryptography
Authors: Milicevic Mario , Feng Chen , Zhang Lei M. , Gulak P. Glenn
Published: April 2018

The speed at which two remote parties can exchange secret keys in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) is currently limited by the computational complexity of key reconciliation. Multi-dimensional reconciliation using multi-edge low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes with low code rates and long block lengths has been shown to improve error-correction performance and extend the maximum reconciliation distance. We introduce a quasi-cyclic code construction for multi-edge codes that is highly suitable for hardware-accelerated decoding on a graphics processing unit (GPU). When combined with an 8-dimensional reconciliation scheme, our LDPC decoder achieves an information throughput of 7.16 Kbit/s on a single NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPU, at a maximum distance of 142 km with a secret key rate of 6.64 × 10−8 bits/pulse for a rate 0.02 code with block length of 106 bits. The LDPC codes presented in this work can be used to extend the previous maximum CV-QKD distance of 100 km to 142 km, while delivering up to 3.50× higher information throughput over the tight upper bound on secret key rate for a lossy channel.
High-density lipoprotein suppresses tumor necrosis factor alpha production by mycobacteria-infected human macrophages
Authors: Inoue Manabu , Niki Mamiko , Ozeki Yuriko , Nagi Sachiyo , Chadeka Evans Asena , Yamaguchi Takehiro , Osada-Oka Mayuko , Ono Kenji , Oda Tetsuya , Mwende Faith , Kaneko Yukihiro , Matsumoto Makoto , Kaneko Satoshi , Ichinose Yoshio , Njenga Sammy M. , Hamano Shinjiro , Matsumoto Sohkichi
Published: April 2018

Immune responses to parasitic pathogens are affected by the host physiological condition. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are transporters of lipids between the liver and peripheral tissues, and modulate pro-inflammatory immune responses. Pathogenic mycobacteria are parasitic intracellular bacteria that can survive within macrophages for a long period. Macrophage function is thus key for host defense against mycobacteria. These basic facts suggest possible effects of HDL and LDL on mycobacterial diseases, which have not been elucidated so far. In this study, we found that HDL and not LDL enhanced mycobacterial infections in human macrophages. Nevertheless, we observed that HDL remarkably suppressed production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) upon mycobacterial infections. TNF-α is a critical host-protective cytokine against mycobacterial diseases. We proved that toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 is responsible for TNF-α production by human macrophages infected with mycobacteria. Subsequent analysis showed that HDL downregulates TLR2 expression and suppresses its intracellular signaling pathways. This report demonstrates for the first time the substantial action of HDL in mycobacterial infections to human macrophages.
Author Correction: Systematic Assessment of the Climate Sensitivity of Important Human and Domestic Animals Pathogens in Europe
Authors: McIntyre K. Marie , Setzkorn Christian , Hepworth Philip J. , Morand Serge , Morse Andrew P. , Baylis Matthew
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Assessment of selected media supplements to improve F/HN lentiviral vector production yields
Authors: Gélinas Jean-François , Davies Lee A. , Gill Deborah R. , Hyde Stephen C.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Fine Structure of Posterior Alpha Rhythm in Human EEG: Frequency Components, Their Cortical Sources, and Temporal Behavior
Authors: Barzegaran Elham , Vildavski Vladimir Y. , Knyazeva Maria G.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Cryoconite as a temporary sink for anthropogenic species stored in glaciers
Authors: Baccolo Giovanni , Di Mauro Biagio , Massabò Dario , Clemenza Massimiliano , Nastasi Massimiliano , Delmonte Barbara , Prata Michele , Prati Paolo , Previtali Ezio , Maggi Valter
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Disequilibrium of fire-prone forests sets the stage for a rapid decline in conifer dominance during the 21st century
Authors: Serra-Diaz Josep M. , Maxwell Charles , Lucash Melissa S. , Scheller Robert M. , Laflower Danelle M. , Miller Adam D. , Tepley Alan J. , Epstein Howard E. , Anderson-Teixeira Kristina J. , Thompson Jonathan R.
Published: April 2018

The impacts of climatic changes on forests may appear gradually on time scales of years to centuries due to the long generation times of trees. Consequently, current forest extent may not reflect current climatic patterns. In contrast with these lagged responses, abrupt transitions in forests under climate change may occur in environments where alternative vegetation states are influenced by disturbances, such as fire. The Klamath forest landscape (northern California and southwest Oregon, USA) is currently dominated by high biomass, biodiverse temperate coniferous forests, but climate change could disrupt the mechanisms promoting forest stability (e.g. growth, regeneration and fire tolerance). Using a landscape simulation model, we estimate that about one-third of the Klamath forest landscape (500,000 ha) could transition from conifer-dominated forest to shrub/hardwood chaparral, triggered by increased fire activity coupled with lower post-fire conifer establishment. Such shifts were widespread under the warmer climate change scenarios (RCP 8.5) but were surprisingly prevalent under the climate of 1949–2010, reflecting the joint influences of recent warming trends and the legacy of fire suppression that may have enhanced conifer dominance. Our results demonstrate that major forest ecosystem shifts should be expected when climate change disrupts key stabilizing feedbacks that maintain the dominance of long-lived, slowly regenerating trees.
Publisher Correction: Purification of replicating pancreatic β-cells for gene expression studies
Authors: Carballar Reyes , de Lluc Canyelles Maria , Fernández Claudia , Martí Yasmina , Bonnin Sarah , Castaño Esther , Montanya Eduard , Téllez Noèlia
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: Pathways of cellular internalisation of liposomes delivered siRNA and effects on siRNA engagement with target mRNA and silencing in cancer cells
Authors: Alshehri Abdullah , Grabowska Anna , Stolnik Snow
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: miR-3140 suppresses tumor cell growth by targeting BRD4 via its coding sequence and downregulates the BRD4-NUT fusion oncoprotein
Authors: Tonouchi Erina , Gen Yasuyuki , Muramatsu Tomoki , Hiramoto Hidekazu , Tanimoto Kousuke , Inoue Jun , Inazawa Johji
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Evolution of Metastable Defects and Its Effect on the Electronic Properties of MoS2 Films
Authors: Precner M. , Polaković T. , Qiao Qiao , Trainer D. J. , Putilov A. V. , Di Giorgio C. , Cone I. , Zhu Y. , Xi X. X. , Iavarone M. , Karapetrov G.
Published: April 2018

We report on structural and electronic properties of defects in chemical vapor-deposited monolayer and few-layer MoS2 films. Scanning tunneling microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to obtain high resolution images and quantitative measurements of the local density of states, work function and nature of defects in MoS2 films. We track the evolution of defects that are formed under heating and electron beam irradiation. We observe formation of metastable domains with different work function values after annealing the material in ultra-high vacuum to moderate temperatures. We attribute these metastable values of the work function to evolution of crystal defects forming during the annealing. The experiments show that sulfur vacancies formed after exposure to elevated temperatures diffuse, coalesce, and migrate bringing the system from a metastable to equilibrium ground state. The process could be thermally or e-beam activated with estimated energy barrier for sulfur vacancy migration of 0.6 eV in single unit cell MoS2. Even at equilibrium conditions, the work function and local density of states values are strongly affected near grain boundaries and edges. The results provide initial estimates of the thermal budgets available for reliable fabrication of MoS2-based integrated electronics and indicate the importance of defect control and layer passivation.
Appetitive and reactive aggression are differentially associated with the STin2 genetic variant in the serotonin transporter gene
Authors: Hemmings Sian Megan Joanna , Xulu Khethelo , Sommer Jessica , Hinsberger Martina , Malan-Muller Stefanie , Tromp Gerard , Elbert Thomas , Weierstall Roland , Seedat Soraya
Published: April 2018

Appetitive aggression is a sub-category of instrumental aggression, characterised by the primary intrinsic enjoyment of aggressive activity. Aggression is heritable, and serotonergic and monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems have been found to contribute to the underlying molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the role that genetic variants in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genes play in the aetiology of appetitive aggression in South African Xhosa males (n = 290).SLC6A45-HTTLPR, rs25531, and STin2 variants, as well asMAOA-uVNTR were investigated for their association with levels of appetitive aggression using Poisson regression analysis. The STin2 VNTR12 allele was found to be associated with increased levels of appetitive aggression (p = 0.003), but with decreased levels of reactive aggression (p = 7 × 10−5). This study is the first to investigate genetic underpinnings of appetitive aggression in a South African population, with preliminary evidence suggesting thatSCL6A4STin2 variants play a role in its aetiology, and may also be important in differentiating between appetitive and reactive aggression. Although the results require replication, they shed some preliminary light on the molecular dichotomy that may underlie the two forms of aggression.
Gaining new insights into nanoporous gold by mining and analysis of published images
Authors: McCue Ian , Stuckner Joshua , Murayama Mitsu , Demkowicz Michael J.
Published: April 2018

One way of expediting materials development is to decrease the need for new experiments by making greater use of published literature. Here, we use data mining and automated image analysis to gather new insights on nanoporous gold (NPG) without conducting additional experiments or simulations. NPG is a three-dimensional porous network that has found applications in catalysis, sensing, and actuation. We assemble and analyze published images from among thousands of publications on NPG. These images allow us to infer a quantitative description of NPG coarsening as a function of time and temperature, including the coarsening exponent and activation energy. They also demonstrate that relative density and ligament size in NPG are not correlated, indicating that these microstructure features are independently tunable. Our investigation leads us to propose improved reporting guidelines that will enhance the utility of future publications in the field of dealloyed materials.
Annexin A5 reduces infarct size and improves cardiac function after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppression of the cardiac inflammatory response
Authors: de Jong Rob C. M. , Pluijmert Niek J. , de Vries Margreet R. , Pettersson Knut , Atsma Douwe E. , Jukema J. Wouter , Quax Paul H. A.
Published: April 2018

Annexin A5 (AnxA5) is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. Inflammation and apoptosis are key processes in post-ischemic cardiac remodeling. In this study, we investigated the effect of AnxA5 on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling three weeks after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI-R) injury in hypercholesterolemic ApoE*3-Leiden mice. Using a mouse model for MI-R injury, we demonstrate AnxA5 treatment resulted in a 27% reduction of contrast-enhanced MRI assessed infarct size (IS). End-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were decreased by 22% and 38%, respectively. LV ejection fraction was increased by 29% in the AnxA5 group compared to vehicle. Following AnxA5 treatment LV fibrous content after three weeks was reduced by 42%, which was accompanied by an increase in LV wall thickness of the infarcted area by 17%. Two days and three weeks after MI-R injury the number of cardiac macrophages was significantly reduced in both the infarct area and border zones following AnxA5 treatment compared to vehicle treatment. Finally, we found that AnxA5 stimulation leads to a reduction of IL-6 production in bone-marrow derived macrophages in vitro. AnxA5 treatment attenuates the post-ischemic inflammatory response and ameliorates LV remodeling which improves cardiac function three weeks after MI-R injury in hypercholesterolemic ApoE*3-Leiden mice.
Lignite coal burning seam in the remote Altai Mountains harbors a hydrogen-driven thermophilic microbial community
Authors: Kadnikov Vitaly V. , Mardanov Andrey V. , Ivasenko Denis A. , Antsiferov Dmitry V. , Beletsky Alexey V. , Karnachuk Olga V. , Ravin Nikolay V.
Published: April 2018

Thermal ecosystems associated with underground coal combustion sites are rare and less studied than geothermal features. Here we analysed microbial communities of near-surface ground layer and bituminous substance in an open quarry heated by subsurface coal fire by metagenomic DNA sequencing. Taxonomic classification revealed dominance of only a few groups of Firmicutes. Near-complete genomes of three most abundant species, ‘Candidatus Carbobacillus altaicus’ AL32, Brockia lithotrophica AL31, and Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii AL33, were assembled. According to the genomic data, Ca. Carbobacillus altaicus AL32 is an aerobic heterotroph, while B. lithotrophica AL31 is a chemolithotrophic anaerobe assimilating CO2 via the Calvin cycle. H. schlegelii AL33 is an aerobe capable of both growth on organic compounds and carrying out CO2 fixation via the Calvin cycle. Phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit of RuBisCO of B. lithotrophica AL31 and H. schlegelii AL33 showed that it belongs to the type 1-E. All three Firmicutes species can gain energy from aerobic or anaerobic oxidation of molecular hydrogen, produced as a result of underground coal combustion along with other coal gases. We propose that thermophilic Firmicutes, whose spores can spread from their original geothermal habitats over long distances, are the first colonizers of this recently formed thermal ecosystem.
Impact of HIV and Type 2 diabetes on Gut Microbiota Diversity, Tryptophan Catabolism and Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Hoel Hedda , Hove-Skovsgaard Malene , Hov Johannes R. , Gaardbo Julie Christine , Holm Kristian , Kummen Martin , Rudi Knut , Nwosu Felix , Valeur Jørgen , Gelpi Marco , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Ueland Per Magne , Gerstoft Jan , Ullum Henrik , Aukrust Pål , Nielsen Susanne Dam , Trøseid Marius
Published: April 2018

HIV infection and type 2 diabetes are associated with altered gut microbiota, chronic inflammation, and increased cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate the combined effect of these diseases on gut microbiota composition and related metabolites, and a potential relation to endothelial dysfunction in individuals with HIV-infection only (n = 23), diabetes only (n = 16) or both conditions (n = 21), as well as controls (n = 24). Fecal microbiota was analyzed by Illumina sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene. Markers of endothelial dysfunction (asymmetric dimethylarginine [ADMA]), tryptophan catabolism (kynurenine/tryptophan [KT]-ratio), and inflammation (neopterin) were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The combination of HIV and type 2 diabetes was associated with reduced gut microbiota diversity, increased plasma KT-ratio and neopterin. Microbial genes related to tryptophan metabolism correlated with KT-ratio and low alpha diversity, in particular in HIV-infected with T2D. In multivariate analyses, KT-ratio associated with ADMA (β = 4.58 [95% CI 2.53–6.63], p < 0.001), whereas microbiota composition per se was not associated with endothelial dysfunction. Our results indicate that tryptophan catabolism may be related to endothelial dysfunction, with a potentially detrimental interaction between HIV and diabetes. The potential contribution of gut microbiota and the impact for cardiovascular risk should be further explored in prospective studies powered for clinical end points.
Author Correction: Formation and purification of tailored liposomes for drug delivery using a module-based micro continuous-flow system
Authors: Dimov Nikolay , Kastner Elisabeth , Hussain Maryam , Perrie Yvonne , Szita Nicolas
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Identification and pathogenomic analysis of an Escherichia coli strain producing a novel Shiga toxin 2 subtype
Authors: Bai Xiangning , Fu Shanshan , Zhang Ji , Fan Ruyue , Xu Yanmei , Sun Hui , He Xiaohua , Xu Jianguo , Xiong Yanwen
Published: April 2018

Shiga toxin (Stx) is the key virulent factor in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). To date, three Stx1 subtypes and seven Stx2 subtypes have been described in E. coli, which differed in receptor preference and toxin potency. Here, we identified a novel Stx2 subtype designated Stx2h in E. coli strains isolated from wild marmots in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Stx2h shares 91.9% nucleic acid sequence identity and 92.9% amino acid identity to the nearest Stx2 subtype. The expression of Stx2h in type strain STEC299 was inducible by mitomycin C, and culture supernatant from STEC299 was cytotoxic to Vero cells. The Stx2h converting prophage was unique in terms of insertion site and genetic composition. Whole genome-based phylo- and patho-genomic analysis revealed STEC299 was closer to other pathotypes of E. coli than STEC, and possesses virulence factors from other pathotypes. Our finding enlarges the pool of Stx2 subtypes and highlights the extraordinary genomic plasticity of E. coli strains. As the emergence of new Shiga toxin genotypes and new Stx-producing pathotypes pose a great threat to the public health, Stx2h should be further included in E. coli molecular typing, and in epidemiological surveillance of E. coli infections.
Structures of Angptl3 and Angptl4, modulators of triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease
Authors: Biterova Ekaterina , Esmaeeli Mariam , Alanen Heli I. , Saaranen Mirva , Ruddock Lloyd W.
Published: April 2018

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death globally and is linked to a number of risk factors including serum low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a). Recently two proteins, angiopoietin-like protein 3 and 4, have emerged from genetic studies as being factors that significantly modulate plasma triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease. The exact function and mechanism of action of both proteins remains to be elucidated, however, mutations in these proteins results in up to 34% reduction in coronary artery disease and inhibition of function results in reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Here we report the crystal structures of the fibrinogen-like domains of both proteins. These structures offer new insights into the reported loss of function mutations, the mechanisms of action of the proteins and open up the possibility for the rational design of low molecular weight inhibitors for intervention in coronary artery disease.
Postoperative Rehabilitation May Reduce the Risk of Readmission After Groin Hernia Repair
Authors: Mercier Grégoire , Spence Jessica , Ferreira Christelle , Delay Jean-Marc , Meunier Charles , Millat Bertrand , Nguyen Tri-Long , Seguret Fabienne
Published: April 2018

Thirty-day readmission after surgery has been proposed as a quality-of-care indicator. We explored the effect of postoperative rehabilitation on readmission risk after groin hernia repair. We used the French National Discharge Database to identify all index hospitalizations for groin hernia repair in 2011. Readmissions within 30 days of discharge were clinically classified in terms of their relationship to the index stay. We used logistic regression to adjust the risk of readmission for patient, procedure and hospital factors. Among 122,952 index hospitalizations for inguinal hernia repair, 3,357 (2.7%) related 30-day readmissions were recorded. Reiterated analyses indicated that readmission risk was consistently associated with patient complexity: age (per year after 60 years, OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02–1.03, P < 0.001), hospitalization within the previous year (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.44–1.69, P < 0.001), and increasing severity and combination of co-morbidities. Postoperative rehabilitation was identified as a protective factor (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.46–0.69, P < 0.001). Older patients and those with greater comorbidity are at elevated risk of readmission after inguinal hernia repair. Postoperative rehabilitation may reduce this risk. Further studies are warranted to confirm the protective effect of postoperative rehabilitation.
The effects of sequencing platforms on phylogenetic resolution in 16 S rRNA gene profiling of human feces
Authors: Whon Tae Woong , Chung Won-Hyong , Lim Mi Young , Song Eun-Ji , Kim Pil Soo , Hyun Dong-Wook , Shin Na-Ri , Bae Jin-Woo , Nam Young-Do
Published: April 2018

High-quality and high-throughput sequencing technologies are required for therapeutic and diagnostic analyses of human gut microbiota. Here, we evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of the various commercial sequencing platforms for studying human gut microbiota. We generated fecal bacterial sequences from 170 Korean subjects using the GS FLX+ (V1–4), Illumina MiSeq (V1–3, V3–4 and V4), and PacBio (V1–9) systems. Comparative analyses revealed that the PacBio data showed the weakest relationship with the reference whole-metagenome shotgun datasets. The PacBio system generated sequences with a significantly higher level of deletions than datasets generated by other platforms, with an abnormally high proportion of sequences assigned to the phylum Proteobacteria. Low sequencing accuracy and low coverage of terminal regions in public 16 S rRNA databases deteriorate the advantages of long read length, resulting in low taxonomic resolution in amplicon sequencing of human gut microbiota.
Spatiotemporal incidence of Zika and associated environmental drivers for the 2015-2016 epidemic in Colombia
Authors: Siraj Amir S. , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Barker Christopher M. , Tejedor-Garavito Natalia , Harding Dennis , Lorton Christopher , Lukacevic Dejan , Oates Gene , Espana Guido , Kraemer Moritz U.G. , Manore Carrie , Johansson Michael A. , Tatem Andrew J. , Reiner Robert C. , Perkins T. Alex
Published: April 2018

Despite a long history of mosquito-borne virus epidemics in the Americas, the impact of the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic of 2015–2016 was unexpected. The need for scientifically informed decision-making is driving research to understand the emergence and spread of ZIKV. To support that research, we assembled a data set of key covariates for modeling ZIKV transmission dynamics in Colombia, where ZIKV transmission was widespread and the government made incidence data publically available. On a weekly basis between January 1, 2014 and October 1, 2016 at three administrative levels, we collated spatiotemporal Zika incidence data, nine environmental variables, and demographic data into a single downloadable database. These new datasets and those we identified, processed, and assembled at comparable spatial and temporal resolutions will save future researchers considerable time and effort in performing these data processing steps, enabling them to focus instead on extracting epidemiological insights from this important data set. Similar approaches could prove useful for filling data gaps to enable epidemiological analyses of future disease emergence events.
A mobile brain-body imaging dataset recorded during treadmill walking with a brain-computer interface
Authors: He Yongtian , Luu Trieu Phat , Nathan Kevin , Nakagome Sho , Contreras-Vidal Jose L.
Published: April 2018

We present a mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI) dataset acquired during treadmill walking in a brain-computer interface (BCI) task. The data were collected from eight healthy subjects, each having three identical trials. Each trial consisted of three conditions: standing, treadmill walking, and treadmill walking with a closed-loop BCI. During the BCI condition, subjects used their brain activity to control a virtual avatar on a screen to walk in real-time. Robust procedures were designed to record lower limb joint angles (bilateral hip, knee, and ankle) using goniometers synchronized with 60-channel scalp electroencephalography (EEG). Additionally, electrooculogram (EOG), EEG electrodes impedance, and digitized EEG channel locations were acquired to aid artifact removal and EEG dipole-source localization. This dataset is unique in that it is the first published MoBI dataset recorded during walking. It is useful in addressing several important open research questions, such as how EEG is coupled with gait cycle during closed-loop BCI, how BCI influences neural activity during walking, and how a BCI decoder may be optimized.
Wide-field corneal subbasal nerve plexus mosaics in age-controlled healthy and type 2 diabetes populations
Authors: Lagali Neil S. , Allgeier Stephan , Guimarães Pedro , Badian Reza A. , Ruggeri Alfredo , Köhler Bernd , Utheim Tor Paaske , Peebo Beatrice , Peterson Magnus , Dahlin Lars B. , Rolandsson Olov
Published: April 2018

A dense nerve plexus in the clear outer window of the eye, the cornea, can be imaged in vivo to enable non-invasive monitoring of peripheral nerve degeneration in diabetes. However, a limited field of view of corneal nerves, operator-dependent image quality, and subjective image sampling methods have led to difficulty in establishing robust diagnostic measures relating to the progression of diabetes and its complications. Here, we use machine-based algorithms to provide wide-area mosaics of the cornea’s subbasal nerve plexus (SBP) also accounting for depth (axial) fluctuation of the plexus. Degradation of the SBP with age has been mitigated as a confounding factor by providing a dataset comprising healthy and type 2 diabetes subjects of the same age. To maximize reuse, the dataset includes bilateral eye data, associated clinical parameters, and machine-generated SBP nerve density values obtained through automatic segmentation and nerve tracing algorithms. The dataset can be used to examine nerve degradation patterns to develop tools to non-invasively monitor diabetes progression while avoiding narrow-field imaging and image selection biases.
109 years of forest growth measurements from individual Norway spruce trees
Authors: Kindermann Georg E. , Kristöfel Ferdinand , Neumann Markus , Rössler Günter , Ledermann Thomas , Schueler Silvio
Published: April 2018

In 1892 a forest spacing experiment with four different spacing patterns was established with Norway spruce (Picea abies). From 1923 until 1997, when the stand was harvested, diameter, height and height to crown base of in total 4507 trees were measured up to 23 times. The original aim of the experiment during establishment was to analyse short term effects of different spacing patterns. The thinning regime followed state of the art forestry practises. During the observation time of more than 100 years, the individual observers and the measurement technology changed several times. Thus, the raw measurement data contain systematic and unsystematic measurement errors as well as missing data. We developed methods to complete missing data, smoothen implausible developments, and correct measurement errors. The data provided in the present study include spatially explicit individual-tree growth data which can be used to analyse the development of forest stands and its individual trees during one rotation period. The data can be used e.g. to parameterize and validate forest growth and competition models.
Facile synthesis of high purity anhydrous complex rare earth halides by the modified mixed-salt-dehydration method
Authors: Yu Jinqiu , Diao Chengpeng , Xue Liqing , Wang Chenger , Zhang Hui , Wu Hao , He Huaqiang , Cui Lei , Liu Yuzhu
Published: April 2018

A novel and facile method to produce high purity anhydrous complex rare earth halides was introduced.
UV shielding performance of illite/TiO2nanocomposites
Authors: Ju Hao , Jiang Yinshan , Xue Bing , Xu Yuanjun , Guo Honggang , Huo Mingyuan , Li Fangfei
Published: April 2018

Illite/TiO2composites that presented enhanced UV shielding properties and decreased photocatalytic activity were synthesized by the hydrothermal method.
Protein stabilization by tuning the steric restraint at the reverse turn
Authors: Lahiri Priyanka , Verma Hitesh , Ravikumar Ashraya , Chatterjee Jayanta
Published: April 2018

The incorporation of pseudoallylic strain byN-methylation at the solvent exposed loop in proteins leads to a stark increase in their thermodynamic stability that can be tuned by altering the amino acid composition.
Protonic surface conduction controlled by space charge of intersecting grain boundaries in porous ceramics
Authors: Stub Sindre Ø. , Vøllestad Einar , Norby Truls
Published: April 2018

Two different time constants of surface protonic conduction in porous YSZ are assigned to transport along grain surfaces and across intersects of grain boundaries.
Metal ions induced secondary structure rearrangements: mechanically interlocked lassovs.unthreaded branched-cyclic topoisomers
Authors: Jeanne Dit Fouque Kevin , Moreno Javier , Hegemann Julian D. , Zirah Séverine , Rebuffat Sylvie , Fernandez-Lima Francisco
Published: April 2018

Metal ions can play a significant role in a variety of important functions in protein systems including cofactor for catalysis, protein folding, assembly, structural stability and conformational change.
An improved detection limit and working range of lateral flow assays based on a mathematical model
Authors: Liu Zhi , Qu Zhiguo , Tang Ruihua , He Xiaocong , Yang Hui , Bai Dan , Xu Feng
Published: April 2018

The detection limit and working range of lateral flow assays are investigated experimentally and numerically.
Hg(ii) interactions with T-rich regions in oligonucleotides: effects of positional variations on the electrochemical properties
Authors: Kamal Ajar , Sharma Renu , She Zhe , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard
Published: April 2018

Hg(ii) binding to thymine-rich oligonucleotides (ODNs) is investigated electrochemically.
Exploiting the conformational-selection mechanism to control the response kinetics of a “smart” DNA hydrogel
Authors: Simon Anna J. , Walls-Smith Luke T. , Plaxco Kevin W.
Published: April 2018

The sequence-specific hybridization and molecular recognition properties of DNA support the construction of stimulus-responsive hydrogels with precisely controlled crosslink stability and response properties.
A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for monitoring labile ferrous iron in living systems
Authors: Long Lingliang , Wang Ning , Han Yuanyuan , Huang Meiyu , Yuan Xiangqi , Cao Siyu , Gong Aihua , Wang Kun
Published: April 2018

A fluorescent probe for sensing labile Fe2+levels has been rationally constructed based on a novel Fe2+mediated cyclization reaction.
Dual-quenching strategy for determination of ATP based on aptamer and exonuclease I-assisted electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Xu Heng-Yu , Jin Long-Sheng , Xu Ning , Chen Jing-Ru , Wu Mei-Sheng
Published: April 2018

A dual-quenching strategy was proposed based on the exonuclease-assisted reduction in amounts of both ferrocene and ECL-RET acceptor.
Easily accessible lithium compound catalyzed mild and facile hydroboration and cyanosilylation of aldehydes and ketones
Authors: Bisai Milan Kumar , Das Tamal , Vanka Kumar , Sen Sakya S.
Published: April 2018

Simple and readily accessible lithium compounds are found to be efficient single site catalysts for cyanosilylation and hydroboration of a range of aldehydes and ketones under ambient conditions.
Cu(ii) coordination polymers with nitrogen catenation ligands for efficient photocatalytic water oxidation
Authors: Jiang Xin , Yang Bing , Yang Qing-Qing , Tung Chen-Ho , Wu Li-Zhu
Published: April 2018

Cu(ii) coordination polymers with nitrogen catenation ligands can photocatalyze water oxidation with the highest TOF (1.68 s−1) among copper-based photocatalysts.
The ortho-substituent on 2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylboronic acid catalyzed dehydrative condensation between carboxylic acids and amines
Authors: Wang Ke , Lu Yanhui , Ishihara Kazuaki
Published: April 2018

The ortho-substituent of boronic acid plays a key role in preventing the coordination of amines to the boron atom.
Two-step chiral transfer from d-penicillamine to metallosupramolecular ionic crystals
Authors: Yasukawa Yuhei , Yoshinari Nobuto , Konno Takumi
Published: April 2018

Optically pure ionic crystals composed of complex cations and anions are created from a racemic complex and an amino acid.
A random forest model for predicting crystal packing of olanzapine solvates
Authors: Bhardwaj Rajni M. , Reutzel-Edens Susan M. , Johnston Blair F. , Florence Alastair J.
Published: April 2018

A random forest (RF) classification model obtained from physicochemical properties of solvents and crystal structures of olanzapine has for the first time enabled the prediction of 3-D crystal packings of solvates. A novel solvate was obtained by targeted crystallization from the solvent identified by RF model.
Structure, color-tunable luminescence, and UV-vis/NIR benzaldehyde detection of lanthanide coordination polymers based on two fluorinated ligands
Authors: Yao Xu , Wang Xinyu , Han Yongqiang , Yan Pengfei , Li Yuxin , Li Guangming
Published: April 2018

A series of 1D lanthanide coordination polymers exhibits white-light emission and detects benzaldehyde in the UV-visible and NIR region.
Cerium oxide immobilized reduced graphene oxide hybrids with excellent microwave absorbing performance
Authors: Wang Zhongqi , Zhao Pengfei , He Dongning , Cheng Yuan , Liao Lusheng , Li Sidong , Luo Yongyue , Peng Zheng , Li Puwang
Published: April 2018

Microwave absorbing materials with high absorption over a broad bandwidth when they have a small thickness are strongly desired due to their widespread applications.
Interaction between amino-functionalized inorganic nanoshells and acid-autocatalytic reactions
Authors: Lantos Emese , Das Nirmali Prabha , Berkesi Dániel Simon , Dobó Dorina , Kukovecz Ákos , Horváth Dezső , Tóth Ágota
Published: April 2018

In distributed systems, the characteristics of the reactive interface can be controlled by the addition of nanoparticles.
Highly efficient catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction on pristine and monovacancy defected WP systems: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Ma Yanfeng , Yu Guangtao , Wang Ting , Zhang Chenghui , Huang Xuri , Chen Wei
Published: April 2018

A deep understanding of HER catalytic activity of tungsten phosphide at the atomic level and its effective improvement by introducing a monovacancy.
Adipic acid production catalyzed by a combination of a solid acid and an iodide salt from biomass-derived tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid
Authors: Gilkey Matthew J. , Balakumar Rachana , Vlachos Dionisios G. , Xu Bingjun
Published: April 2018

We recently reported biomass-derived tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (THFDCA) as a potential renewable feedstock for adipic acid (AA) production by combining HI and molecular H2 in organic acid solvents.
Recent advances in semi-transparent polymer and perovskite solar cells for power generating window applications
Authors: Xue Qifan , Xia Ruoxi , Brabec Christoph J. , Yip Hin-Lap
Published: April 2018

Semi-transparent photovoltaic (ST-PV) technologies can be applied to replace facades and roofs in conventional buildings and coatings on vehicles to produce energy from sunlight.
Evidence for the natural origins of anomalously high chromium levels in soils of the Cecina Valley (Italy)
Authors: Tassi Eliana , Grifoni Martina , Bardelli Fabrizio , Aquilanti Giuliana , La Felice Sonia , Iadecola Antonella , Lattanzi Pierfranco , Petruzzelli Gianniantonio
Published: April 2018

XANES spectra of soils and Cr vs. Ni correlations indicated significant findings on the occurrence of a geogenic origin of chromium in soils from the Cecina Valley, Tuscany (Italy).
Screening tools for the bioconcentration potential of monovalent organic ions in fish
Authors: Bittermann Kai , Linden Lukas , Goss Kai-Uwe
Published: April 2018

Screening of bioconcentration potential for ions and ionic species – calculation of log Kfish/water.
Impact of water quality parameters on bacteria inactivation by low-voltage electroporation: mechanism and control
Authors: Huo Zheng-Yang , Li Guo-Qiang , Yu Tong , Lu Yun , Sun Hao , Wu Yin-Hu , Yu Cecilia , Xie Xing , Hu Hong-Ying
Published: April 2018

Nanowire-modified low-voltage electroporation enables high-efficiency disinfection and the impact of water quality parameters were analyzed.
Real-time reaction control for solar production of chemicals under fluctuating irradiance
Authors: Zhao Fang , Cambié Dario , Hessel Volker , Debije Michael G. , Noël Timothy
Published: April 2018

A simple and inexpensive reaction control system mitigates the impact of solar irradiance fluctuations on the conversion of a sunlight-powered photochemical reaction, affording constant product quality.
One-pot synthesis of amines from biomass resources catalyzed by HReO4
Authors: Caetano João A. T. , Fernandes Ana C.
Published: April 2018

HReO4 as an efficient catalyst for one-pot conversion of xylose and xylan into a large variety of amines with good overall yields.
Real-time measurement of constituents in solid materials using particle flow spark induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Yao Shunchun , Xu Jialong , Zhang Xiang , Zhang Lifeng , Lu Zhimin , Lu Jidong
Published: April 2018

A scheme for the real-time measurement of solid materials by combining particle flow and spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (PF-SIBS) is proposed.
Comprehensive insights into the interaction mechanism between perfluorodecanoic acid and human serum albumin
Authors: Gao Sichen , Liu Rutao
Published: April 2018

In this investigation, we explored the toxic effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) on human serum albumin (HSA), established the interaction mode of PFDA with HSA, and provided a new strategy for the evaluation of toxicity of PFDA on functional proteins.
A combined density functional theory and numerical simulation investigation of levels of chirality transfer and regioselectivity for the radical cyclizations of N-methyl-, N-ethyl- and N-isopropyl-substituted ortho-halo-N-acryloylanilides
Authors: Wang Xiao-xu , Yuan Lang , Jia Cai-xin , Qu Hong-jie , Li Bai-jian , Chi Yu-juan , Yu Hai-tao
Published: April 2018

There is a high chirality transfer ratio when the N-alkyl substituent is larger in volume than isopropyl.
Synthesis of low to high molecular weight poly(1-hexene); rigid/flexible structures in a di- and mononuclear Ni-based catalyst series
Authors: Khoshsefat M. , Ahmadjo S. , Mortazavi S. M. M. , Zohuri G. H. , Soares J. B. P.
Published: April 2018

Poly(1-hexene)s with a wide range of Mw and MWD using mono- and dinuclear rigid/flexible bridged Ni catalysts; structure–property relation.
Binding of aluminium/cacodylate complexes with DNA and RNA. Experimental and “in silico”study
Authors: Lozano H. J. , Busto N. , Lari M. , Leal J. M. , García B.
Published: April 2018

Mechanism of the interaction of a dinuclear aluminium/cacodylate complex with nucleic acids.
Ultrathin tellurium dioxide: emerging direct bandgap semiconductor with high-mobility transport anisotropy
Authors: Guo Shiying , Zhu Zhen , Hu Xuemin , Zhou Wenhan , Song Xiufeng , Zhang Shengli , Zhang Kan , Zeng Haibo
Published: April 2018

Ultrathin TeO2exhibits a wide direct band-gap and high hole mobility for both power electronics and short-wavelength optoelectronic applications.
Bipolar magnetic semiconductors among intermediate states during the conversion from Sc2C(OH)2to Sc2CO2MXene
Authors: Zha Xian-Hu , Ren Ji-Chang , Feng Li , Bai Xiaojing , Luo Kan , Zhang Yaqing , He Jian , Huang Qing , Francisco Joseph S. , Du Shiyu
Published: April 2018

Bipolar magnetic semiconductors for spintronics determined in the intermediate states Sc2C(OH)xO2−xfrom Sc2C(OH)2to Sc2CO2.
Synthesis of CF3-containing spiro-epoxyoxindoles via the Corey–Chaykovsky reaction of N-alkyl isatins with Ph2S+CH2CF3OTf−
Authors: Cheng Bin , Zu Bing , Li Yuntong , Tao Cheng , Zhang Chen , Wang Renqi , Li Yun , Zhai Hongbin
Published: April 2018

CF3-containing spiro-epoxyoxindoles were successfully prepared via Corey–Chaykovsky reaction of N-alkyl isatins with the ylide generated from Ph2S+CH2CF3OTf− with almost exclusive diastereoselectivity.
Studies on the interactions of 5-R-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazines with arynes: inverse demand aza-Diels–Alder reaction versus aryne-mediated domino process
Authors: Kopchuk Dmitry S. , Nikonov Igor L. , Khasanov Albert F. , Giri Kousik , Santra Sougata , Kovalev Igor S. , Nosova Emiliya V. , Gundala Sravya , Venkatapuram Padmavathi , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Majee Adinath , Chupakhin Oleg N.
Published: April 2018

The interactions between substituted 5-R-3-(pyridyl-2)-1,2,4-triazines with in situ generated substituted aryne intermediates have been studied.
Preparation of biorenewable poly(γ-butyrolactone)-b-poly(l-lactide) diblock copolyesters via one-pot sequential metal-free ring-opening polymerization
Authors: Shen Yong , Zhang Jinbo , Zhao Na , Liu Fusheng , Li Zhibo
Published: April 2018

Biorenewable block copolyesters were prepared from l-LA and non-polymerizable γBL via a one-pot strategy.
A meta-diisocyanide benzene-based aryl gold isocyanide complex exhibiting multiple solid-state molecular arrangements and luminescent mechanochromism
Authors: Seki Tomohiro , Ida Kentaro , Ito Hajime
Published: April 2018

A meta-disubstituted aryl gold isocyanide complex showing pseudopolymorphism exhibit various emission properties. These pseudopolymorphs also show reversible luminescent mechanochromism.
Catalytic asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition of in situ generated para-quinone methides with tritylthiol
Authors: Fan Ya-Jing , Zhou Lei , Li Shen
Published: April 2018

An asymmetric phase-transfer catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of in situ generated para-quinone methides with tritylthiol has been developed.
Efficient catalytic vicinal diamination of arylene diimides
Authors: Kremer Michael , Kersten Maximilian , Höger Sigurd
Published: April 2018

New substitution patterns for rylene diimides by catalytic diamination.
Pd-Catalyzed one-pot dehydroxylative coupling of phenols with K4[Fe(CN)6] mediated by SO2F2: a practical method for the direct conversion of phenols to aryl nitriles
Authors: Zhao Chuang , Fang Wan-Yin , Rakesh K. P. , Qin Hua-Li
Published: April 2018

A SO2F2 mediated Pd-catalyzed one-pot dehydroxylative cyanation of phenols to aryl nitriles was accomplished by employing (K4[Fe(CN)6]) as the cyanating reagent.
A series of 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene-based tetraarylethenes: synthesis, structures and solid-state emission behavior
Authors: Zhang Zhao-Ming , Miao Bao-Xi , Tang Xin-Xue , Ni Zhong-Hai
Published: April 2018

Tetraarylethenes with different π-conjugation degrees can be realized by controlling the number of 4,5,9,10-tetrahydropyrene segments. However, the fluorescence quantum yield of these compounds in films doesn't increase with the π-conjugation degree.
A rapid and cost-effective metallization technique for 3C–SiC MEMS using direct wire bonding
Authors: Md Foisal Abu Riduan , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Dinh Toan , Nguyen Tuan-Khoa , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Dao Dzung Viet
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a simple, rapid and cost-effective wire bonding technique for single crystalline silicon carbide (3C–SiC) MEMS devices.
The antimicrobial peptide KR-12 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells by stimulating BMP/SMAD signaling
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Shutao , Nie Bin'en , Du Zhe , Long Teng , Yue Bing
Published: April 2018

KR-12 is the smallest fragment of human antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (LL-37), and could play key roles in the treatment of multiple infections, including osteomyelitis.
The formulation and characterization of 3D printed grafts as vascular access for potential use in hemodialysis
Authors: Cheng Bill , Xing Yue-Min , Shih Nai-Chia , Weng Jen-Po , Lin Hsin-Chieh
Published: April 2018

An arteriovenous graft that was successfully 3D printed with a novel printing ink formulation that displayed excellent mechanical and anti-fouling properties.
Facile synthesis of porous Fe3O4@C core/shell nanorod/graphene for improving microwave absorption properties
Authors: Fu Chen , He Dawei , Wang Yongsheng , Zhao Xuan
Published: April 2018

Porous Fe3O4@C core/shell nanorods decorated with reduced graphene oxide were synthesized by a facile one-pot method, and exhibit high microwave absorption performance: maximum reflection loss reaches −48.6 dB.
Trans crystallization behavior and strong reinforcement effect of cellulose nanocrystals on reinforced poly(butylene succinate) nanocomposites
Authors: Kim Taeho , Jeon Hyeonyeol , Jegal Jonggeon , Kim Joo Hyun , Yang Hoichang , Park Jeyoung , Oh Dongyeop X. , Hwang Sung Yeon
Published: April 2018

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites are polymerizedvia in situpolymerization of succinic acid (SA) with cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-loaded 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) mixtures.