bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping knowledge gaps in marine diversity reveals a latitudinal gradient of missing species richness
Authors: Menegotto André , Rangel Thiago F.
Published: November 2018

A reliable description of any spatial pattern in species richness requires accurate knowledge about species geographical distribution. However, sampling bias may generate artefactual absences within species range and compromise our capacity to describe biodiversity patterns. Here, we analysed the spatial distribution of 35,000 marine species (varying from copepods to sharks) to identify missing occurrences (gaps) across their latitudinal range. We find a latitudinal gradient of species absence peaking near the equator, a pattern observed in both shallow and deep waters. The tropical gap in species distribution seems a consequence of reduced sampling effort at low latitudes. Overall, our results suggest that spatial gaps in species distribution are the main cause of the bimodal pattern of marine diversity. Therefore, only increasing sampling effort at low latitudes will reveal if the absence of species in the tropics, and the consequent dip in species richness, are artefacts of sampling bias or a natural phenomenon.
Leveraging heterogeneity across multiple datasets increases cell-mixture deconvolution accuracy and reduces biological and technical biases
Authors: Vallania Francesco , Tam Andrew , Lofgren Shane , Schaffert Steven , Azad Tej D. , Bongen Erika , Haynes Winston , Alsup Meia , Alonso Michael , Davis Mark , Engleman Edgar , Khatri Purvesh
Published: November 2018

In silico quantification of cell proportions from mixed-cell transcriptomics data (deconvolution) requires a reference expression matrix, called basis matrix. We hypothesize that matrices created using only healthy samples from a single microarray platform would introduce biological and technical biases in deconvolution. We show presence of such biases in two existing matrices, IRIS and LM22, irrespective of deconvolution method. Here, we present immunoStates, a basis matrix built using 6160 samples with different disease states across 42 microarray platforms. We find that immunoStates significantly reduces biological and technical biases. Importantly, we find that different methods have virtually no or minimal effect once the basis matrix is chosen. We further show that cellular proportion estimates using immunoStates are consistently more correlated with measured proportions than IRIS and LM22, across all methods. Our results demonstrate the need and importance of incorporating biological and technical heterogeneity in a basis matrix for achieving consistently high accuracy.
Inflammation-induced Id2 promotes plasticity in regulatory T cells
Authors: Hwang Sung-Min , Sharma Garima , Verma Ravi , Byun Seohyun , Rudra Dipayan , Im Sin-Hyeog
Published: November 2018

TH17 cells originating from regulatory T (Treg) cells upon loss of the Treg-specific transcription factor Foxp3 accumulate in sites of inflammation and aggravate autoimmune diseases. Whether an active mechanism drives the generation of these pathogenic ‘ex-Foxp3 TH17’ cells, remains unclear. Here we show that pro-inflammatory cytokines enhance the expression of transcription regulator Id2, which mediates cellular plasticity of Treg into ex-Foxp3 TH17 cells. Expression of Id2 in in vitro differentiated iTreg cells reduces the expression of Foxp3 by sequestration of the transcription activator E2A, leading to the induction of TH17-related cytokines. Treg-specific ectopic expression of Id2 in mice significantly reduces the Treg compartment and causes immune dysregulation. Cellular fate-mapping experiments reveal enhanced Treg plasticity compared to wild-type, resulting in exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis pathogenesis or enhanced anti-tumor immunity. Our findings suggest that controlling Id2 expression may provide a novel approach for effective Treg cell immunotherapies for both autoimmunity and cancer.
R430: A potent inhibitor of DNA and RNA viruses
Authors: D’Aiuto Leonardo , McNulty James , Hartline Caroll , Demers Matthew , Kalkeri Raj , Wood Joel , McClain Lora , Chattopadhyay Ansuman , Zhi Yun , Naciri Jennifer , Smith Adam , Yolken Robert , Chowdari Kodavali , Zepeda-Velazquez Carlos , Dokuburra Chanti Babu , Marques Ernesto , Ptak Roger , Kinchington Paul , Watkins Simon , Prichard Mark , Bloom David , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit
Published: November 2018

Acyclovir (ACV) is an effective antiviral agent for treating lytic Herpes Simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) infections, and it has dramatically reduced the mortality rate of herpes simplex encephalitis. However, HSV-1 resistance to ACV and its derivatives is being increasingly documented, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. The burgeoning drug resistance compels the search for a new generation of more efficacious anti-herpetic drugs. We have previously shown that trans-dihydrolycoricidine (R430), a lycorane-type alkaloid derivative, effectively inhibits HSV-1 infections in cultured cells. We now report that R430 also inhibits ACV-resistant HSV-1 strains, accompanied by global inhibition of viral gene transcription and enrichment of H3K27me3 methylation on viral gene promoters. Furthermore, we demonstrate that R430 prevents HSV-1 reactivation from latency in an ex vivo rodent model. Finally, among a panel of DNA viruses and RNA viruses, R430 inhibited Zika virus with high therapeutic index. Its therapeutic index is comparable to standard antiviral drugs, though it has greater toxicity in non-neuronal cells than in neuronal cells. Synthesis of additional derivatives could enable more efficacious antivirals and the identification of active pharmacophores.
Genetic diversity and distribution dynamics of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Nepal
Authors: Maharjan Bhagwan , Nakajima Chie , Isoda Norikazu , Thapa Jeewan , Poudel Ajay , Shah Yogendra , Yamaguchi Tomoyuki , Shrestha Bhabana , Hoffmann Harald , Avsar Korkut , Shrestha Ashish , Gordon Stephen V. , Suzuki Yasuhiko
Published: November 2018

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging public health problem in Nepal. Despite the implementation of a successful TB control program in Nepal, notifications of MDR-TB are increasing, yet the reasons are unknown. The objective of this study was to understand the genetic diversity and epidemiological characteristics of MDR-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates in Nepal. We isolated and genotyped 498 MDR-MTB isolates collected from April 2009 to March 2013 and analyzed the patients’ background information. Our results showed that the lineage 2 (Beijing family) was the most predominant lineage (n = 241; 48.4%), followed by lineage 3 (n = 153, 30.7%). Lineage 4 was the third most prevalent (n = 73, 14.5%) followed by lineage 1 (n = 32, 6.4%). The lineages were significantly associated with geographic region, ethnic group, age and sex of patients. The Beijing genotype was found to have an important role in transmitting MDR-TB in Nepal and was significantly associated with the eastern region, mongoloid ethnic group and younger age group. We conclude that early diagnosis and treatment including molecular-epidemiological surveillance of MDR-TB cases will help to control transmission of MDR-TB in Nepal.
Cryptic binding sites become accessible through surface reconstruction of the type I collagen fibril
Authors: Zhu Jie , Hoop Cody L. , Case David A. , Baum Jean
Published: November 2018

Collagen fibril interactions with cells and macromolecules in the extracellular matrix drive numerous cellular functions. Binding motifs for dozens of collagen-binding proteins have been determined on fully exposed collagen triple helical monomers. However, when the monomers are assembled into the functional collagen fibril, many binding motifs become inaccessible, and yet critical cellular processes occur. Here, we have developed an early stage atomic model of the smallest repeating unit of the type I collagen fibril at the fibril surface that provides a novel framework to address questions about these functionally necessary yet seemingly obstructed interactions. We use an integrative approach by combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments and show that reconstruction of the collagen monomers within the complex fibril play a critical role in collagen interactions. In particular, the fibril surface shows three major conformational changes, which allow cryptic binding sites, including an integrin motif involved in platelet aggregation, to be exposed. The observed dynamics and reconstruction of the fibril surface promote its role as a “smart fibril” to keep certain binding sites cryptic, and to allow accessibility of recognition domains when appropriate.
Implications of high rates of sexual recruitment in driving rapid reef recovery in Mo’orea, French Polynesia
Authors: Edmunds Peter J.
Published: November 2018

Coral abundance continues to decline on tropical reefs around the world, and this trend suggests that coral reefs may not persist beyond the current century. In contrast, this study describes the near-complete mortality of corals on the outer reef (10 m and 17 m depth) of the north shore of Mo’orea, French Polynesia, from 2005 to 2010, followed by unprecedented recovery from 2011 to 2017. Intense corallivory and a cyclone drove coral cover from 33–48% to <3% by 2010, but over the following seven years, recovery occurred through rapid population growth (up to 12% cover y−1) to 25–74% cover by 2017. The thirteen-year, U-shape trajectory of coral cover over time created by the loss and replacement of millions of corals through sexual reproduction underscores the potential for beneficial genetic responses to environmental conditions for at least one genus, Pocillopora. The high ecological resilience of this coral community appears to have been enhanced by variation among genera in the susceptibility to declining cover, and the capacity for population growth (i.e., response diversity). These results suggest that the outer coral communities of Mo’orea may be poised for genetic changes that could affect their capacity to persistence.
Unlocking conserved and diverged metabolic characteristics in cassava carbon assimilation via comparative genomics approach
Authors: Siriwat Wanatsanan , Kalapanulak Saowalak , Suksangpanomrung Malinee , Saithong Treenut
Published: November 2018

Globally, cassava is an important source of starch, which is synthesized through carbon assimilation in cellular metabolism whereby harvested atmospheric carbon is assimilated into macromolecules. Although the carbon assimilation pathway is highly conserved across species, metabolic phenotypes could differ in composition, type, and quantity. To unravel the metabolic complexity and advantage of cassava over other starch crops, in terms of starch production, we investigated the carbon assimilation mechanisms in cassava through genome-based pathway reconstruction and comparative network analysis. First, MeRecon — the carbon assimilation pathway of cassava was reconstructed based upon six plant templates: Arabidopsis, rice, maize, castor bean, potato, and turnip. MeRecon, available at http://bml.sbi.kmutt.ac.th/MeRecon, comprises 259 reactions (199 EC numbers), 1,052 proteins (870 genes) and 259 metabolites in eight sub-metabolisms. Analysis of MeRecon and the carbon assimilation pathways of the plant templates revealed the overall topology is highly conserved, but variations at sub metabolism level were found in relation to complexity underlying each biochemical reaction, such as numbers of responsible enzymatic proteins and their evolved functions, which likely explain the distinct metabolic phenotype. Thus, this study provides insights into the network characteristics and mechanisms that regulate the synthesis of metabolic phenotypes of cassava.
Species richness and taxonomic composition of trawl macrofauna of the North Pacific and its adjacent seas
Authors: Volvenko Igor V. , Orlov Alexei M. , Gebruk Andrey V. , Katugin Oleg N. , Vinogradov Georgy M. , Maznikova Olga A.
Published: November 2018

A checklist is presented of animal species obtained in 68,903 trawl tows during 459 research surveys performed by the Pacific Research Fisheries Center (TINRO-Center) over an area measuring nearly 25 million km2 in the Chukchi and Bering seas, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan and North Pacific Ocean in 1977–2014 at depths of 5 to 2,200 m. The checklist comprises 949 fish species, 588 invertebrate species, and four cyclostome species (some specimens were identified only to genus or family level). For each species details are given on the type of trawl (benthic and/or pelagic) and basins where the species was found. Comprehensiveness of data, taxonomic composition of catches, dependence of species richness on the survey area, sample size, and habitat, are considered. Ratios of various taxonomic groups of trawl macrofauna in pelagic and benthic zones and in different basins are analysed. Basins are compared based on species composition.
Divergent short-chain fatty acid production and succession of colonic microbiota arise in fermentation of variously-sized wheat bran fractions
Authors: Tuncil Yunus E. , Thakkar Riya D. , Marcia Arianna D. Romero , Hamaker Bruce R. , Lindemann Stephen R.
Published: November 2018

Though the physical structuring of insoluble dietary fiber sources may strongly impact their processing by microbiota in the colon, relatively little mechanistic information exists to explain how these aspects affect microbial fiber fermentation. Here, we hypothesized that wheat bran fractions varying in size would be fermented differently by gut microbiota, which would lead to size-dependent differences in metabolic fate (as short-chain fatty acids; SCFAs) and community structure. To test this hypothesis, we performed an in vitro fermentation assay in which wheat bran particles from a single source were separated by sieving into five size fractions and inoculated with fecal microbiota from three healthy donors. SCFA production, measured by gas chromatography, uncovered size fraction-dependent relationships between total SCFAs produced as well as the molar ratios of acetate, propionate, and butyrate. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that these size-dependent metabolic outcomes were accompanied by the development of divergent microbial community structures. We further linked these distinct results to subtle, size-dependent differences in chemical composition. These results suggest that physical context can drive differences in microbiota composition and function, that fiber-microbiota interaction studies should consider size as a variable, and that manipulating the size of insoluble fiber-containing particles might be used to control gut microbiome composition and metabolic output.
Analysis of the Genome and Metabolome of Marine Myxobacteria Reveals High Potential for Biosynthesis of Novel Specialized Metabolites
Authors: Amiri Moghaddam Jamshid , Crüsemann Max , Alanjary Mohammad , Harms Henrik , Dávila-Céspedes Antonio , Blom Jochen , Poehlein Anja , Ziemert Nadine , König Gabriele M. , Schäberle Till F.
Published: November 2018

Comparative genomic/metabolomic analysis is a powerful tool to disclose the potential of microbes for the biosynthesis of novel specialized metabolites. In the group of marine myxobacteria only a limited number of isolated species and sequenced genomes is so far available. However, the few compounds isolated thereof so far show interesting bioactivities and even novel chemical scaffolds; thereby indicating a huge potential for natural product discovery. In this study, all marine myxobacteria with accessible genome data (n = 5), including Haliangium ochraceum DSM 14365, Plesiocystis pacifica DSM 14875, Enhygromyxa salina DSM 15201 and the two newly sequenced species Enhygromyxa salina SWB005 and SWB007, were analyzed. All of these accessible genomes are large (~10 Mb), with a relatively small core genome and many unique coding sequences in each strain. Genome analysis revealed a high variety of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) between the strains and several resistance models and essential core genes indicated the potential to biosynthesize antimicrobial molecules. Polyketides (PKs) and terpenes represented the majority of predicted specialized metabolite BGCs and contributed to the highest share between the strains. BGCs coding for non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), PK/NRP hybrids and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) were mostly strain specific. These results were in line with the metabolomic analysis, which revealed a high diversity of the chemical features between the strains. Only 6–11% of the metabolome was shared between all the investigated strains, which correlates to the small core genome of these bacteria (13–16% of each genome). In addition, the compound enhygrolide A, known from E. salina SWB005, was detected for the first time and structurally elucidated from Enhygromyxa salina SWB006. The here acquired data corroborate that these microorganisms represent a most promising source for the detection of novel specialized metabolites.
Targeting CD40 enhances antibody- and CD8-mediated protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Muralidharan Abenaya , Russell Marsha , Larocque Louise , Gravel Caroline , Li Changgui , Chen Wangxue , Cyr Terry , Lavoie Jessie R. , Farnsworth Aaron , Rosu-Myles Michael , Wang Lisheng , Li Xuguang
Published: November 2018

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infects almost all children under the age of one and is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants. Despite several decades of research with dozens of candidate vaccines being vigorously evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical studies, there is no licensed vaccine available to date. Here, the RSV fusion protein (F) was fused with CD40 ligand and delivered by an adenoviral vector into BALB/c mice where the CD40 ligand serves two vital functions as a molecular adjuvant and an antigen-targeting molecule. In contrast to a formaldehyde-inactivated vaccine, the vectored vaccine effectively protected animals against RSV without inducing enhanced respiratory disease. This protection involved a robust induction of neutralizing antibodies and memory CD8 T cells, which were not observed in the inactivated vaccine group. Finally, the vectored vaccine was able to elicit long-lasting protection against RSV, one of the most challenging issues in RSV vaccine development. Further studies indicate that the long lasting protection elicited by the CD40 ligand targeted vaccine was mediated by increased levels of effector memory CD8 T cell 3 months post-vaccination.
A Research on Preparation and Application of the Monolithic Catalyst with Interconnecting Pore Structure
Authors: Tsai Sang-Bing , Ma Hailing
Published: November 2018

In recent years, the monolithic material has been developed increasingly in the high performance liquid phase field, and it could also be applied in the field of catalyst, as a monolithic catalyst carrier, since it has a large specific surface area, and could be customized based on the mould. The monolithic catalyst is characterized with many advantages such as low bed pressure, high physical efficiency and small amplification effect. The most impotant part refers to the preparation of copper-based catalyst. The impregnation method is used to produce CuO-ZnO monolithic catalyst and CuO-ZnO-ZrO2 monolithic catalyst with the prepared monolithic silica-alumina carrier. The fixed bed microreactor is used to investigate the effect of copper-based catalyst on the process in which carbon dioxide is used to produce methanol through hydrogenation. The metal salt is added into the sol-gel process, which could form the M-O-Si bond, thus make the metal-containing catalytic material obtain good mechanical strength, and make it possible to be introduced into the acidic center generally. The metal-containing catalytic material carrier also has macropores and mesopores. The presence of large pores could make the molecular mass transfer more effective, while the presence of mesopores could increase the specific surface area of the material. In this paper, the experimental study has been conducted on the production of methanol through hydrogenation of CO2 under different catalysts, to mainly investigate the effect of catalysts with different catalytic performance on the reaction.
Sympatric Ixodes-tick species: pattern of distribution and pathogen transmission within wild rodent populations
Authors: Cayol Claire , Jääskeläinen Anu , Koskela Esa , Kyröläinen Sami , Mappes Tapio , Siukkola Anja , Kallio Eva R.
Published: November 2018

The generalist tick Ixodes ricinus is the most important vector for tick-borne pathogens (TBP), including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in Europe. However, the involvement of other sympatric Ixodes ticks, such as the specialist vole tick I. trianguliceps, in the enzootic circulations of TBP remains unclear. We studied the distribution of I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps in Central Finland and estimated the TBP infection likelihood in the most common rodent host in relation with the abundance of the two tick species. Ixodes trianguliceps was encountered in all 16 study sites whereas I. ricinus was frequently observed only at a quarter of the study sites. The abundance of I. ricinus was positively associated with open water coverage and human population density around the study sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s. l.-infected rodents were found only in sites where I. ricinus was abundant, whereas the occurrence of other TBP was independent of I. ricinus presence. These results suggest that I. trianguliceps is not sufficient, at least alone, in maintaining the circulation of B. burgdorferi s. l. in wild hosts. In addition, anthropogenic factors might affect the distribution of I. ricinus ticks and, hence, their pathogens, thus shaping the landscape of tick-borne disease risk for humans.
Head inversion technique to restore physiological conjunctival structure for surgical treatment of primary pterygium
Authors: Yoshitomi Fumiaki , Oshika Tetsuro
Published: November 2018

We describe a new surgical technique to treat primary pterygium, the head inversion technique, with its surgical outcomes. Seventy-five eyes of 75 consecutive patients with primary pterygium undergoing surgical treatment were included. The pterygium head and body were bluntly separated from the cornea and inverted onto the nasal conjunctival area. By injecting a balanced salt solution subconjunctivally, the conjunctiva was ballooned and smoothed. Two or three interrupted 8–0 virgin silk sutures were placed to secure the inverted conjunctiva in place. No adjunctive therapy was used during and after surgery. Postoperatively, one eye showed pterygium recurrence at 233 days, in which an unintended conjunctival hole was made during surgery. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the recurrence rate at 1 year was 2.4%. In 43 eyes which were followed up for longer than 6 months, the vascular loop, which is characteristic of normal limbal structure, appeared on the nasal conjunctiva in 41 eyes (95.3%). The palisades of Vogt were found on the nasal limbus postoperatively in 13 eyes (30.2%). The pterygium head inversion technique was an effective treatment for primary pterygium. By separating the pterygium from the cornea and inverting the intact pterygium head onto the nasal conjunctival site, the conjunctiva restored near physiological status after surgery.
Image-based luminescence detection for quantitative determinations in continuous flow analysis microsystems
Authors: de Souza Ramos Pontes Moura Hadassa , Mól Alan Ribeiro , Sampaio Thiago Rosa , Fonseca Alexandre
Published: November 2018

The use of an ordinary webcam to detect luminescence in continuous flow analysis microsystems is described, as well as evaluation of the proposed strategy for determining acetaminophen in tablets and to assess the hardness of mineral waters.
Template-promoted self-replication in dynamic combinatorial libraries made from a simple building block
Authors: Bartolec B. , Altay M. , Otto S.
Published: November 2018

Self-assembly driven self-replication based on a very simple building block is facilitated by a template.
A homochiral Zn–Dy heterometallic left-handed helical chain complex without chiral ligands: anion-induced assembly and multifunctional integration
Authors: Liu Cai-Ming , Zhang De-Qing , Xiong Ren-Gen , Hao Xiang , Zhu Dao-Ben
Published: November 2018

The Zn3Dy2 pentanuclear complex evolved into a heterometallic left-handed helical chain multifunctional complex by the template action of perchlorate anion.
Difunctionalization of ketones via gem-bis(boronates) to synthesize quaternary carbon with high selectivity
Authors: Zheng Purui , Zhai Yujie , Zhao Xiaoming , XU Tao
Published: November 2018

A transformation of gem-bis(boronate) compounds with different electrophiles through a tertiary boronate intermediate to concurrently introduce aldehyde and allylic groups, which provides an efficient protocol to difunctionalize ketones, was reported.
Synergistic plasma-assisted electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia
Authors: Kumari Sudesh , Pishgar Sahar , Schwarting Marcus E. , Paxton William F. , Spurgeon Joshua M.
Published: November 2018

A nitrogen plasma was incorporated into the cathode side of an electrolyzer to provide energetically activated N2 species to the electrocatalyst surface.
Supramolecular delivery systems based on pillararenes
Authors: Feng Weiwei , Jin Ming , Yang Kui , Pei Yuxin , Pei Zhichao
Published: November 2018

This article summarizes pillararene-based supramolecular delivery systems constructed through host–guest interactions and outlines the future challenges for their broader applications.
Correction: One pot ligand exchange method for a highly stable Au–SBA-15 catalyst and its room temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Soni Yogita , Kavya I. , Ajithkumar T. G. , Vinod C. P.
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘One pot ligand exchange method for a highly stable Au–SBA-15 catalyst and its room temperature CO oxidation’ by Yogita Soni et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8cc06887a.
Facile fabrication of alveolate Cu2−xSe microsheets as a new visible-light photocatalyst for discoloration of Rhodamine B
Authors: Zhong Wenwu , Shen Shijie , Feng Shangshen , Lin Zhiping , Wang Zongpeng , Fang Baizeng
Published: November 2018

A new photocatalyst, alveolate Cu2−xSe microsheets, is developed, which reveals superior photocatalytic discoloration of Rhodamine B.
The HKrCCH⋯CO2 complex: an ab initio and matrix-isolation study
Authors: Ryazantsev Sergey V. , Tyurin Daniil A. , Nuzhdin Kirill B. , Feldman Vladimir I. , Khriachtchev Leonid
Published: November 2018

Structure of the HKrCCH⋯CO2 complex prepared in a low-temperature krypton matrix.
Factors governing when a metal-bound water is deprotonated in proteins
Authors: Grauffel Cédric , Lim Carmay
Published: November 2018

We evaluate the extent to which the pKwdepends on the type, number, and metal-binding mode of the first-shell ligands, the metal–ligand bond distances, first-shell⋯second-shell H-bonding interactions, and the protein environment.
Photoabsorption spectra of small mercury clusters: a computational study
Authors: Ćosić Rajko , Vítek Aleš , Kalus René
Published: November 2018

Photoabsorption spectra of small HgN clusters (N = 2–5) have been calculated using a diatomics-in-molecules interaction model and an atoms-in-molecules approach for transition probability calculations.
Effect of dark states on the fluorescence of carbon nanodots
Authors: Starukhin A. N. , Nelson D. K. , Kurdyukov D. A. , Eurov D. A. , Golubev V. G.
Published: November 2018

The nonlinear fluorescence properties of colloidal carbon dot solutions in glycerol were investigated at T = 298 K and 77 K.
Simulation of the gastric digestion of proteins of meat bolus using a reaction–diffusion model
Authors: Sicard Jason , Mirade Pierre-Sylvain , Portanguen Stéphane , Clerjon Sylvie , Kondjoyan Alain
Published: November 2018

A mathematical model predicts the gastric digestion of meat proteins and quantifies the impacts of physiological factors on digestibility.
The antifungal activity of extracts of Osmundea pinnatifida, an edible seaweed, indicates its usage as a safe environmental fungicide or as a food additive preventing post-harvest fungal food contamination
Authors: Silva Paulo , Fernandes Chantal , Barros Lillian , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Pereira Leonel , Gonçalves Teresa
Published: November 2018

Extracts of the edible seaweed Osmundea pinnatifida impair Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria infectoria conidiation.
High surface area 3D-MgO flowers as the modifier for the working electrode for efficient detection of 4-chlorophenol
Authors: Ahmad Khursheed , Mobin Shaikh M.
Published: November 2018

MgO 3D-flowers have been prepared under facile conditions and employed as an electrode modifier for a 4-chlorophenol sensor.
Effects of precursor pre-treatment on the vapor deposition of WS2 monolayers
Authors: Pam Mei Er , Shi Yumeng , Hu Junping , Zhao Xiaoxu , Dan Jiadong , Gong Xue , Huang Shaozhuan , Geng Dechao , Pennycook Stephen , Ang Lay Kee , Yang Hui Ying
Published: November 2018

Transition metal oxide powders have been widely used as the growth precursors for monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) in chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
The recognition and electrochemiluminescence response of benzo[6]urils to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Li Hai-Ling , Wang Fang , Ge Qing-Mei , Qiu Fei , Cong Hang , Tao Zhu
Published: November 2018

The electrochemiluminescence of benzo[6]urils was discovered and applied for molecular recognition based on the host–guest interactions with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Synthesis, structures, electrochemical and quantum chemical investigations of Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes with a tetradentate Schiff base derived from 1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione
Authors: Ahumada Guillermo , Oyarce Jocelyn , Roisnel Thierry , Kahlal Samia , del Valle María Angélica , Carrillo David , Saillard Jean-Yves , Hamon Jean-René , Manzur Carolina
Published: November 2018

Electrochemical oxidation of four-coordinate square planar Schiff-base Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes leads to the formation of oligomers at the electrode.
Self-assembly on optical fibers: a powerful nanofabrication tool for next generation “lab-on-fiber” optrodes
Authors: Galeotti F. , Pisco M. , Cusano A.
Published: November 2018

A comprehensive review of the self-assembly techniques applied to the development of nanostructured sensing devices based on optical fibers.
pH-Dependent growth of atomic Pd layers on trisoctahedral gold nanoparticles to realize enhanced performance in electrocatalysis and chemical catalysis
Authors: Song Yahui , Xiang Chensheng , Bi Cuixia , Wu Chenshuo , He Hongpeng , Du Wei , Huang Lihui , Tian He , Xia Haibing
Published: November 2018

Trisoctahedral gold nanoparticles with atomic Pd layers by the pH-dependent growth can be used in catalysis and in situ SERS monitoring.
Integrating in situ formation of nanozymes with three-dimensional dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres for hypoxia-overcoming photodynamic therapy
Authors: Cai Xiaoli , Luo Yanan , Song Yang , Liu Dong , Yan Hongye , Li He , Du Dan , Zhu Chengzhou , Lin Yuehe
Published: November 2018

A mitochondria-targeting and O2-evolving PDT nanoplatform based on 3D-dendritic MSNs was proposed for highly efficient cancer PDT treatment.
N-Doped carbon shelled bimetallic phosphates for efficient electrochemical overall water splitting
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Shao Qi , Zhang Ying , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: November 2018

N-Doped carbon shelled bimetallic Fe–Co phosphides with controlled atomic ratios via simple synthesis methods for efficient overall water splitting.
Boosting reversible oxygen electrocatalysis with enhanced interfacial pyridinic-N–Co bonding in cobalt oxide/mesoporous N-doped graphene hybrids
Authors: Feng Ting , Zhao Xue-Ru , Dong Cun-Ku , Liu Hui , Du Xi-Wen , Yang Jing
Published: November 2018

A hybrid catalyst CoO/mesoporous N-doped graphene with enhanced pyridinic-N–Co bonding is designed and it exhibits superior bi-functional ORR/OER performance.
On the role of driving force in water transport through nanochannels within graphene oxide laminates
Authors: Wang Fei , You Yi , Jin Xiaoheng , Joshi Rakesh
Published: November 2018

The comprehensive understanding of water transport in GO membranes is of great interest.
Experimental and theoretical investigations of regioselective functionalization of 3-hydroxy bisindoles with thiols
Authors: Sharma Nitika , Peddinti Rama Krishna
Published: November 2018

An instant and efficientp-TSA·H2O-catalyzed sulfenylation reaction of 3-hydroxy bisindole derivatives is reported.
Rh(iii)-Catalyzed dual C–H functionalization of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with sulfoxonium ylides or diazo compounds toward polysubstituted carbazoles
Authors: Xiao Yan , Xiong Hao , Sun Song , Yu Jintao , Cheng Jiang
Published: November 2018

A rhodium-catalyzed annulation of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles with sulfoxonium ylides or diazo compounds has been developed, leading to a series of polysubstituted carbazoles in moderate to good yields.
Chiral selenide-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated 2,5-disubstituted oxazolines
Authors: Qin Tian , Jiang Quanbin , Ji Jieying , Luo Jie , Zhao Xiaodan
Published: November 2018

Chiral selenide-catalyzed enantioselective trifluoromethylthiolation of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes is disclosed. Various chiral trifluoromethylthiolated 2,5-disubstituted oxazolines were obtained in good yields with high enantioselectivities.
Photodeamination to quinone methides in cucurbit[n]urils: potential application in drug delivery
Authors: Škalamera Đani , Matković Marija , Uzelac Lidija , Kralj Marijeta , Mlinarić-Majerski Kata , Bohne Cornelia , Basarić Nikola
Published: November 2018

A prodrug is encapsulated in CB[7] and is photochemically transformed into an active drug inside this supramolecular complex.
A Viedma ripening route to an enantiopure building block for Levetiracetam and Brivaracetam
Authors: Baglai Iaroslav , Leeman Michel , Kellogg Richard M. , Noorduin Willem L.
Published: November 2018

A simple route to enantiomerically pure (S)-2-aminobutyramide – the chiral component of the anti-epileptic drugs Levetiracetam and Brivaracetam has been developed. This approach is based on the rational design and application of a Viedma ripening process. The practical potential of the process is demonstrated on a large scale.
Copper-catalyzed oxidative phosphonation of 3,4-dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones
Authors: Wang Jie , Li Jun , Wei Yuanyuan , Yang Jingya , Huo Congde
Published: November 2018

A straight-forward and atom-economical Cu(ii)/PBQ-catalyzed oxidative Pudovik reaction of 3,4-dihydro-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones has been developed to construct new Csp3–P bonds.
Mechanistic insights into geniposide regulation of bile salt export pump (BSEP) expression
Authors: Wu Guixin , Wen Min , Sun Lin , Li Huitao , Liu Yubei , Li Rui , Wu Feihua , Yang Rong , Lin Yining
Published: November 2018

PGC-1α and CARM1 interact with FXR to increase FXR-dependent BSEP expression upon GE treatment.
Visible-light-driven Ag/Bi3O4Cl nanocomposite photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of tetracycline
Authors: Jiang Enhui , Liu Xiaoteng , Che Huinan , Liu Chunbo , Dong Hongjun , Che Guangbo
Published: November 2018

A novel Ag/Bi3O4Cl photocatalyst has been synthesized by a facile photodeposition process. The Ag/Bi3O4Cl photocatalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline.
Enzymatic synthesis and self-assembly of glycolipids: robust self-healing and wound closure performance of assembled soft materials
Authors: Prasad Yadavali Siva , Saritha Balasubramani , Tamizhanban Ayyapillai , Lalitha Krishnamoorthy , Kabilan Sakthivel , Maheswari C. Uma , Sridharan Vellaisamy , Nagarajan Subbiah
Published: November 2018

In this report, we present a new class of injectable oleogels and a composite gel derived from glycolipids that provide a reversible interlinked 3D fiberous network architecture for effective wound closure by tissue regrowth and regeneration.
A novel and efficient synthetic route to perfluoroisobutyronitrile from perfluoroisobutyryl acid
Authors: Wang Yi , Sun Mengting , Gao Zhanyang , Zou Lilin , Zhong Lingyu , Peng Ruichao , Yu Ping , Luo Yunbai
Published: November 2018

The route of perfluoroisobutyronitrile from perfluoroisobutyryl acid and the route to raw materials.
A novel switchable-hydrophilicity, natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES)-based system for bio-safe biorefinery
Authors: Sed Giorgia , Cicci Agnese , Jessop Philip G. , Bravi Marco
Published: November 2018

A switchable-hydrophilicity solvent system, consisting of a fatty acid-based natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES), complemented by a bio-friendly dilute amine solution, has been introduced and used for extractions from microalgal biomass.
Selective electrochemical functionalization of the graphene edge
Authors: Yadav Anur , Iost Rodrigo M. , Neubert Tilmann J. , Baylan Sema , Schmid Thomas , Balasubramanian Kannan
Published: November 2018

We report the direct exclusive modification of the edge of a single graphene monolayer with nanoparticles or organic functionalities under ambient conditions.
Impregnation of paper with cellulose nanocrystal reinforced polyvinyl alcohol: synergistic effect of infrared drying and CNC content on crystallinity
Authors: Desmaisons Johanna , Rueff Martine , Bras Julien , Dufresne Alain
Published: November 2018

Cellulose nanocrystals and drying conditions impact the crystallinity and properties of a PVOH-based layer used for paper coating.
Tunable interactions between particles in conically rotating electric fields
Authors: Komarov Kirill A. , Kryuchkov Nikita P. , Yurchenko Stanislav O.
Published: November 2018

Tunable interactions between colloidal particles in external conically rotating electric fields are calculated, while the (vertical) axis of the field rotation is normal to the (horizontal) particle motion plane.
Rapidly tunable and highly reversible bio-inspired dry adhesion for transfer printing in air and a vacuum
Authors: Linghu Changhong , Wang Chengjun , Cen Nuo , Wu Jiaming , Lai Zhengfeng , Song Jizhou
Published: November 2018

Magnetically actuated aphid-inspired dry adhesion is developed with rapid tunability and high reversibility and demonstrated in transfer printing both in air and in a vacuum.
The effect of particle wettability on the stick-slip motion of the contact line
Authors: Kim Dong-Ook , Pack Min , Rokoni Arif , Kaneelil Paul , Sun Ying
Published: November 2018

Contact line dynamics and deposition pattern of a colloidal drop are strong functions of the particle wettability.
Rethinking sodium-ion anodes as nucleation layers for anode-free batteries
Authors: Cohn Adam P. , Metke Thomas , Donohue Jennifer , Muralidharan Nitin , Share Keith , Pint Cary L.
Published: November 2018

The anode-free sodium battery with a nucleation layer is presented as a low-cost, high-performance option for stationary electric storage.
Simple-structured small molecule acceptors constructed by a weakly electron-deficient thiazolothiazole core for high-efficiency non-fullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Peng Wenhong , Zhang Guangjun , Shao Lin , Ma Chao , Zhang Bin , Chi Weijie , Peng Qiang , Zhu Weiguo
Published: November 2018

A novel strategy is proposed to construct simple-structured SMAs using a weakly electron-deficient thiazolothiazole (TTz) core. The highest PCE of 8.77% is recorded for TTz1-based OSCs, which is the highest efficiency to date among non-fullerene OSCs with simple-structured SMAs.
Low-fouling, mixed-charge poly-l-lysine polymers with anionic oligopeptide side-chains
Authors: Bellassai Noemi , Marti Almudena , Spoto Giuseppe , Huskens Jurriaan
Published: November 2018

A mixed-charge polymer, with anionic oligopeptide moieties attached to a cationic poly-l-lysine backbone, provides antifouling surfaces for human plasma samples.
Materials interaction in aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based fluorescent resin for smart coatings
Authors: Yao Wei , Tebyetekerwa Mike , Bian Xuehao , Li Weili , Yang Shengyuan , Zhu Meifang , Hu Rong , Wang Zhiming , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: November 2018

Next generation smart coatings with the ability to signal changes in the environment are hugely anticipated in a variety of applications.
Improved thermochromic properties in bilayer films of VO2with ZnO, SnO2and WO3coatings for energy efficient glazing
Authors: Top Işıl , Binions Russell , Sol Christian , Papakonstantinou Ioannis , Holdynski Marcin , Gaiaschi Sofia , Abrahams Isaac
Published: November 2018

Bilayer VO2films made using ElFi-AACVD and sol–gel spin coating with ZnO, SnO2or WO3top-layers show superior thermochromic properties.
Dense-gas tracers and carbon isotopes in five 2.5 < z < 4 lensed dusty star-forming galaxies from the SPT SMG sample
Authors: Béthermin M. , Greve T. R. , De Breuck C. , Vieira J. D. , Aravena M. , Chapman S. C. , Chen Chian-Chou , Dong C. , Hayward C. C. , Hezaveh Y. , Marrone D. P. , Narayanan D. , Phadke K. A. , Reuter C. A. , Spilker J. S. , Stark A. A. , Strandet M. L. , Weiß A.
Published: November 2018

The origin of the high star formation rates (SFR) observed in high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxies is still unknown. Large fractions of dense molecular gas might provide part of the explanation, but there are few observational constraints on the amount of dense gas in high-redshift systems dominated by star formation. In this paper, we present the results of our Atacama large millimeter array (ALMA) program targeting dense-gas tracers (HCN(5-4), HCO+(5-4), and HNC(5-4)) in five strongly lensed galaxies from the South Pole Telescope (SPT) submillimeter galaxy sample. We detected two of these lines (S/N > 5) in SPT-125-47 at z = 2.51 and tentatively detected all three (S/N ∼ 3) in SPT0551-50 at z = 3.16. Since a significant fraction of our target lines is not detected, we developed a statistical method to derive unbiased mean properties of our sample taking into account both detections and non-detections. On average, the HCN(5-4) and HCO+(5-4) luminosities of our sources are a factor of ∼1.7 fainter than expected, based on the local L′HCN(5-4) − LIR relation, but this offset corresponds to only ∼2σ if we consider sample variance. We find that both the HCO+/HCN and HNC/HCN flux ratios are compatible with unity. The first ratio is expected for photo-dominated regions (PDRs) while the second is consistent with PDRs or X-ray dominated regions (XDRs) and/or mid-infrared (IR) pumping of HNC. Our sources are at the high end of the local relation between the star formation efficiency, determined using the LIR/[CI] and LIR/CO ratios, and the dense-gas fraction, estimated using the HCN/[CI] and HCN/CO ratios. Finally, in SPT0125-47, which has the highest signal-to-noise ratio, we found that the velocity profiles of the lines tracing dense (HCN, HCO+) and lower-density (CO, [CI]) molecular gas are similar. In addition to these lines, we obtained one robust and one tentative detection of 13CO(4-3) and found an average I
12CO(4-3)/I13CO(4-3) flux ratio of 26.1−3.5+4.5, indicating a young but not pristine interstellar medium. We argue that the combination of large and slightly enriched gas reservoirs and high dense-gas fractions could explain the prodigious star formation in these systems.
A possible observational bias in the estimation of the virial parameter in virialized clumps
Authors: Traficante A. , Lee Y.-N. , Hennebelle P. , Molinari S. , Kauffmann J. , Pillai T.
Published: November 2018

The dynamics of massive clumps, the environment where massive stars originate, is still unclear. Many theories predict that these regions are in a state of near-virial equilibrium, or near energy equi-partition, while others predict that clumps are in a sub-virial state. Observationally, the majority of the massive clumps are in a sub-virial state with a clear anti-correlation between the virial parameter αvir and the mass of the clumps Mc, which suggests that the more massive objects are also the more gravitationally bound. Although this trend is observed at all scales, from massive clouds down to star-forming cores, theories do not predict it. In this work we show how, starting from virialized clumps, an observational bias is introduced in the specific case where the kinetic and the gravitational energies are estimated in different volumes within clumps and how it can contribute to the spurious αvir-Mc anti-correlation in these data. As a result, the observed effective virial parameter
$ \tilde{\alpha}_{\mathrm{eff}} $
< αvir, and in some circumstances it might not be representative of the virial state of the observed clumps.
Overdensity of submillimeter galaxies around the z ≃ 2.3 MAMMOTH-1 nebula
Authors: Arrigoni Battaia F. , Chen Chian-Chou , Fumagalli M. , Cai Zheng , Calistro Rivera G. , Xu Jiachuan , Smail I. , Prochaska J. X. , Yang Yujin , De Breuck C.
Published: November 2018

In the hierarchical model of structure formation, giant elliptical galaxies form through merging processes within the highest density peaks known as protoclusters. While high-redshift radio galaxies usually pinpoint the location of these environments, we have recently discovered at z ∼ 2−3 three enormous (> 200 kpc) Lyman-α nebulae (ELANe) that host multiple active galactic nuclei (AGN) and that are surrounded by overdensities of Lyman-α emitters (LAE). These regions are prime candidates for massive protoclusters in the early stages of assembly. To characterize the star-forming activity within these rare structures – both on ELAN and protocluster scales – we have initiated an observational campaign with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) and the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescopes. In this paper we report on sensitive SCUBA-2/JCMT 850 and 450 μm observations of a ∼128 arcmin2 field comprising the ELAN MAMMOTH-1, together with the peak of the hosting BOSS1441 LAE overdensity at z = 2.32. These observations unveil 4.0 ± 1.3 times higher source counts at 850 μm with respect to blank fields, likely confirming the presence of an overdensity also in obscured tracers. We find a strong detection at 850 μm associated with the continuum source embedded within the ELAN MAMMOTH-1, which – together with the available data from the literature – allow us to constrain the spectral energy distribution of this source to be of an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) with a far-infrared luminosity of LFIRSF = 2.4−2.1+7.4×1012 L⊙, and hosting an obscured AGN. Such a source is thus able to power a hard photoionization plus outflow scenario to explain the extended Lyman-α, He IIλ1640, and C IVλ1549 emission, and their kinematics. In addition, the two brightest detections at 850 μm (f850 >  18 mJy) sit at the density peak of the LAEs’ overdensity, likely pinpointing the core of the protocluster. Future multiwavelength and spectroscopic datasets targeting the full extent of the BOSS1441 overdensity have the potential to firmly characterize a cosmic nursery of giant elliptical galaxies, and ultimately of a massive cluster.