bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Normal faulting and viscous buckling in the Tibetan Plateau induced by a weak lower crust
Authors: Bischoff Sarah H. , Flesch Lucy M.
Published: November 2018

Flow of weak lower crust has been invoked to reconcile observed topographic gradients, uniform elevations, slow seismic velocity, and high conductivity measured in the Tibetan Plateau, with viscosity estimates of 1016–1021 Pa·s. Here we investigate the dynamic response resulting from a range of lower crust viscosities in a 3-D lithospheric-scale geodynamic simulation of the India–Eurasia collision zone to determine bounds of physically viable lower crustal strengths. We show that thickening of the plateau is accommodated through viscous buckling of the upper crust in response to lower crustal flow for a lower crustal viscosity on the order of 1020 Pa·s. This generates two east–west trending bands of surface subsidence and dilatation consistent with observed normal faulting and estimates of vertical velocity. These results suggest viscous buckling of the upper crust, induced by lower crustal flow from gravitational pressure gradients due to high topography, is responsible for the observed extension in Tibet.
Author Correction: Misestimation of heritability and prediction accuracy of male-pattern baldness
Authors: Yap Chloe X. , Sidorenko Julia , Marioni Riccardo E. , Yengo Loic , Wray Naomi R. , Visscher Peter M.
Published: November 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Julia Sidorenko, which was incorrectly given as Julia Sirodenko. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article. Further, the sixth sentence of the second paragraph of the Correspondence and the legend to Fig. 1 incorrectly omitted citation of work by Heilmann-Helmbach, S. et al. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Pulsed axial epitaxy of colloidal quantum dots in nanowires enables facet-selective passivation
Authors: Li Yi , Zhuang Tao-Tao , Fan Fengjia , Voznyy Oleksandr , Askerka Mikhail , Zhu Haiming , Wu Liang , Liu Guo-Qiang , Pan Yun-Xiang , Sargent Edward H. , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: November 2018

Epitaxially stacking colloidal quantum dots in nanowires offers a route to selective passivation of defective facets while simultaneously enabling charge transfer to molecular adsorbates – features that must be combined to achieve high-efficiency photocatalysts. This requires dynamical switching of precursors to grow, alternatingly, the quantum dots and nanowires – something not readily implemented in conventional flask-based solution chemistry. Here we report pulsed axial epitaxy, a growth mode that enables the stacking of multiple CdS quantum dots in ZnS nanowires. The approach relies on the energy difference of incorporating these semiconductor atoms into the host catalyst, which determines the nucleation sequence at the catalyst-nanowire interface. This flexible synthetic strategy allows precise modulation of quantum dot size, number, spacing, and crystal phase. The facet-selective passivation of quantum dots in nanowires opens a pathway to photocatalyst engineering: we report photocatalysts that exhibit an order-of-magnitude higher photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates than do plain CdS quantum dots.
Publisher Correction: In vivo neutralization of dendrotoxin-mediated neurotoxicity of black mamba venom by oligoclonal human IgG antibodies
Authors: Laustsen Andreas H. , Karatt-Vellatt Aneesh , Masters Edward W. , Arias Ana Silvia , Pus Urska , Knudsen Cecilie , Oscoz Saioa , Slavny Peter , Griffiths Daniel T. , Luther Alice M. , Leah Rachael A. , Lindholm Majken , Lomonte Bruno , Gutiérrez José María , McCafferty John
Published: November 2018

In the original version of this Article, the sixth sentence of the first paragraph of the Introduction incorrectly read ‘Particularly, elapid antivenoms often have an unbalanced antibody content with relatively low amounts of antibodies against small neurotoxic venom components that have low immunogenicity, which often leads to low immune cgqtns in production animals8–10’. The correct version states ‘responses’ instead of ‘cgqtns’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Cobalt-catalyzed difluoroalkylation of tertiary aryl ketones for facile synthesis of quaternary alkyl difluorides
Authors: Li Chao , Cao Yi-Xuan , Wang Rui , Wang Yi-Ning , Lan Quan , Wang Xi-Sheng
Published: November 2018

The selective incorporation of gem-difluoroalkyl groups into biologically active molecules has long been used as an efficient strategy for drug design and discovery. However, the catalytic C(sp3)-CF2 bond-forming cross-coupling reaction for selective incorporation of difluoromethylene group into diverse alkyl chains, especially more sterically demanding secondary and tertiary functionalized alkanes, still remains as a major challenge. Herein, we describe a cobalt-catalyzed difluoroalkylation of tertiary aryl ketones for facile synthesis of quaternary alkyl difluorides, which exhibited high efficiency, broad scope and mild conditions. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by late-stage difluoroalkylation of donepezil, a well-known acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat the Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that a difluoroalkyl radical is involved in a Co(I)/Co(III) catalytic cycle. This cobalt-catalyzed fluoroalkylation thus offers insights into an efficient way for the synthesis of fluoroalkylated bioactive molecules for drug discovery.
On the use of abiotic sialic acids to attenuate cell inflammation
Authors: Xue Zhongwei , Zhao Hu , Zhu Rui , Chen Congcong , Cao Hongzhi , Han Jiahuai , Han Shoufa
Published: November 2018

Sialic acid (Sia) residues on cell surface are critical for myriad cellular events such as immunity and inflammation. We herein reported the use of abiotic Sia to raise the thresholds of inflammatory cell responses. Identified from a panel of structurally diversified Sia analogs via a cell inflammation assay, Sia-2, with N-butyryl moiety at C-5, markedly lowered LPS-stimulated NF-κB activity in macrophages. Further analysis shows that Sia-2 attenuates phosphorylation of IκB and Erk1/2/p38/JNK, critical for NF-κB signaling and MAPK signaling, and lowers gene transcription of proinflammatory interleukin-6. These results support the use of abiotic Sia as promising agents to modulate cell surface Sia-pertinent cell signaling.
RNAm5Cfinder: A Web-server for Predicting RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) Sites Based on Random Forest
Authors: Li Jianwei , Huang Yan , Yang Xiaoyue , Zhou Yiran , Zhou Yuan
Published: November 2018

5-methylcytosine (m5C) is a common nucleobase modification, and recent investigations have indicated its prevalence in cellular RNAs including mRNA, tRNA and rRNA. With the rapid accumulation of m5C sites data, it becomes not only feasible but also important to build an accurate model to predict m5C sites in silico. For this purpose, here, we developed a web-server named RNAm5Cfinder based on RNA sequence features and machine learning method to predict RNA m5C sites in eight tissue/cell types from mouse and human. We confirmed the accuracy and usefulness of RNAm5Cfinder by independent tests, and the results show that the comprehensive and cell-specific predictors could pinpoint the generic or tissue-specific m5C sites with the Area Under Curve (AUC) no less than 0.77 and 0.87, respectively. RNAm5Cfinder web-server is freely available at http://www.rnanut.net/rnam5cfinder.
Associations between sleep parameters, non-communicable diseases, HIV status and medications in older, rural South Africans
Authors: Gómez-Olivé F. Xavier , Rohr Julia K. , Roden Laura C. , Rae Dale E. , von Schantz Malcolm
Published: November 2018

As part of the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI), we investigated sleep habits and their interactions with HIV or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 5059 participants (median age: 61, interquartile range: 52—71, 54% females). Self-reported sleep duration was 8.2 ± 1.6h, and bed and rise times were 20:48 ± 1:15 and 05:31 ± 1:05 respectively. Ratings of insufficient sleep were associated with older age, lack of formal education, unemployment, and obesity (p < 0.05). Ratings of restless sleep were associated with being older, female, having more education, being unemployed, and single. Hypertension was associated with shorter self-reported sleep duration, poor sleep quality, restless sleep, and periods of stopping breathing during the night (p < 0.05). HIV positive individuals not on antiretroviral treatment (ART) reported more nocturnal awakenings than those on ART (p = 0.029) and HIV negative individuals (p = 0.024), suggesting a negative net effect of untreated infection, but not of ART, on sleep quality. In this cohort, shorter, poor-quality sleep was associated with hypertension, but average self-reported sleep duration was longer than reported in other regions globally. It remains to be determined whether this is particular to this cohort, South Africa in general, or low- to middle-income countries undergoing transition.
Changes of Percent Body Fat as a Useful Surrogate for Risk of Declined Renal Function
Authors: Chen Yuan-Yuei , Fang Wen-Hui , Wang Chung-Ching , Kao Tung-Wei , Chang Yaw-Wen , Yang Hui-Fang , Wu Chen-Jung , Sun Yu-Shan , Chen Wei-Liang
Published: November 2018

The association between anthropometric indices with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was examined previously. However, the effect of body fat on renal function was not determined clearly. Our aim was to investigate the association of percent body fat (PBF) and renal function in adult population from health examination in Tri-Service General Hospital (2010–2016). 35087 participants aged 20 years and older were enrolled in the study. PBF was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Estimation of renal function was performed by Taiwanese MDRD equation. Optimal cut-off values of PBF was accessed by a receiver–operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Multivariate regression models were used in the relationship among changes of PBF, renal function, and future CKD. In terms of baseline PBF for CKD, optimal cut-off values of PBF in males and females were 21.55 and 40.75. The changes of PBF were more closely associated with renal function decline than waist circumference (WC) with β values of −0.173 (95% CI: −0.233, −0.112) and −0.077 (95% CI: −0.104, −0.049), respectively. After stratified by gender, this relationship remained significant in male population with β values of −0.276 (95% CI: −0.371, −0.181) and −0.159 (95% CI: −0.207, −0.112), respectively. Female subjects with increased baseline PBF over cut-off values had increased risk for predicting the future CKD with odd ratios (ORs) of 2.298 (95% CI: 1.006–5.252). Body fat had detrimental impact on renal function and development of CKD in adult population. Measurement of PBF for surveillance of renal function impairment was warranted.
Galiellalactone inhibits the STAT3/AR signaling axis and suppresses Enzalutamide-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Thaper Daksh , Vahid Sepideh , Kaur Ramandeep , Kumar Sahil , Nouruzi Shaghayegh , Bishop Jennifer L. , Johansson Martin , Zoubeidi Amina
Published: November 2018

Most prostate cancer patients will progress to a castration-resistant state (CRPC) after androgen ablation therapy and despite the development of new potent anti-androgens, like enzalutamide (ENZ), which prolong survival in CRPC, ENZ-resistance (ENZR) rapidly occurs. Re-activation of the androgen receptor (AR) is a major mechanism of resistance. Interrogating our in vivo derived ENZR model, we discovered that transcription factor STAT3 not only displayed increased nuclear localization but also bound to and facilitated AR activity. We observed increased STAT3 S727 phosphorylation in ENZR cells, which has been previously reported to facilitate AR binding. Strikingly, ENZR cells were more sensitive to inhibition with STAT3 DNA-binding inhibitor galiellalactone (GPA500) compared to CRPC cells. Treatment with GPA500 suppressed AR activity and significantly reduced expression of Cyclin D1, thus reducing cell cycle progression into S phase and hindering cell proliferation. In vivo, GPA500 reduced tumor volume and serum PSA in ENZR xenografts. Lastly, the combination of ENZ and GPA500 was additive in the inhibition of AR activity and proliferation in LNCaP and CRPC cells, providing rationale for combination therapy. Overall, these results suggest that STAT3 inhibition is a rational therapeutic approach for ENZR prostate cancer, and could be valuable in CRPC in combination with ENZ.
Epigenetic Heterogeneity in Human Colorectal Tumors Reveals Preferential Conservation And Evidence of Immune Surveillance
Authors: Ryser Marc D. , Yu Ming , Grady William , Siegmund Kimberly , Shibata Darryl
Published: November 2018

Genomic intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) is common in cancers, but the extent of phenotypic ITH is uncertain because most subclonal mutations are passengers. Since tumor phenotypes are largely driven by epigenetics, methylomic analyses can provide insights into phenotypic ITH. Following this principle, we determined the extent of epigenetic ITH in 16 human colorectal tumors by comparing the methylomes from spatially separated regions in each tumor. Methylomes from opposite tumor sides were similar (Pearson correlation >0.95) with little evidence of ITH or stepwise selection during growth, suggesting that the epigenome of a sampled tumor largely reflects that of its founder cell. Epigenetic conservation was functional, with higher conservation at promoters and expressed genes compared to non-coding regions. Despite epigenomic conservation, RNA expression varied between individual tumor glands, indicating continued adaption during growth. Because many promoters and enhancers were unmethylated, continued adaptation may be due to phenotypic plasticity. Gene enrichment analyses identified that interferon signaling and antigen-processing and presenting pathways were strongly conserved during tumor growth, suggesting a mechanism for immune evasion. In summary, our findings suggest that epigenomes are preferentially conserved during tumor growth and that early tumor cells are poised for rapid growth, phenotypic adaptation, and immune evasion.
Introduction of a leguminous shrub to a rubber plantation changed the soil carbon and nitrogen fractions and ameliorated soil environments
Authors: Liu Chang-An , Nie Yu , Zhang Yan-Ming , Tang Jian-Wei , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: November 2018

The conversion of monoculture rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations into rubber-based agroforestry systems has become a common trend in forestry management in the past few decades. Rubber–Flemingia macrophylla (a leguminous shrub) systems are popular in southwestern China’s Xishuangbanna region. The biogeochemical cycles of soil carbon and nitrogen in forests are mainly affected by their fractions. This study investigated the effect of introducing Flemingia macrophylla to rubber plantations of different ages on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions. The experimental treatments included R1 (young rubber plantation), RF1 (young rubber–Flemingia macrophylla system), R2 (mature rubber plantation) and RF2 (mature rubber–Flemingia macrophylla system). The results showed that the introduction of Flemingia macrophylla to rubber plantations of different ages significantly changed soil carbon and nitrogen fractions, improved soil labile organic carbon and nitrogen contents, and ameliorated soil environments. The average soil microbial biomass organic carbon, nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen in the 0–10 cm soil layer during the experimental period was 38.9%, 55.5%, and 214.7% higher in RF1 than R1, respectively, and 22.1%, 22.2%, and 652.2% higher in RF2 than R2, respectively. Therefore, Flemingia macrophylla can be used as an alternative interplanted tree species within rubber plantations in similar environments of southeastern Asia.
Modeling Diabetic Corneal Neuropathy in a 3D In Vitro Cornea System
Authors: Deardorff Phillip M. , McKay Tina B. , Wang Siran , Ghezzi Chiara E. , Cairns Dana M. , Abbott Rosalyn D. , Funderburgh James L. , Kenyon Kenneth R. , Kaplan David L.
Published: November 2018

Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by innate or acquired insulin deficiency, resulting in altered glucose metabolism and high blood glucose levels. Chronic hyperglycemia is linked to development of several ocular pathologies affecting the anterior segment, including diabetic corneal neuropathy and keratopathy, neovascular glaucoma, edema, and cataracts leading to significant visual defects. Due to increasing disease prevalence, related medical care costs, and visual impairment resulting from diabetes, a need has arisen to devise alternative systems to study molecular mechanisms involved in disease onset and progression. In our current study, we applied a novel 3D in vitro model of the human cornea comprising of epithelial, stromal, and neuronal components cultured in silk scaffolds to study the pathological effects of hyperglycemia on development of diabetic corneal neuropathy. Specifically, exposure to sustained levels of high glucose, ranging from 35 mM to 45 mM, were applied to determine concentration-dependent effects on nerve morphology, length and density of axons, and expression of metabolic enzymes involved in glucose metabolism. By comparing these metrics to in vivo studies, we have developed a functional 3D in vitro model for diabetic corneal neuropathy as a means to investigate corneal pathophysiology resulting from prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia.
Optimised spectral pre-processing for discrimination of biofluids via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Butler Holly J. , Smith Benjamin R. , Fritzsch Robby , Radhakrishnan Pretheepan , Palmer David S. , Baker Matthew J.
Published: November 2018

Pre-processing is an essential step in the analysis of spectral data.
Does deamidation of islet amyloid polypeptide accelerate amyloid fibril formation?
Authors: Lam Yuko P. Y. , Wootton Christopher A. , Hands-Portman Ian , Wei Juan , Chiu Cookson K. C. , Romero-Canelon Isolda , Lermyte Frederik , Barrow Mark P. , O’Connor Peter B.
Published: November 2018

Deamidation sites of hIAPP were determined and the amount of fibril formed in mutant hIAPPs was higher than in wild-type hIAPP.
Tacticity effects in side-chain photoluminescent polymers
Authors: Chiang Cheng-Hung , Huang Shih-Hung , Nien Po-Chun , Chiang Yeo-Wan , Tsai Jing-Cherng
Published: November 2018

A significant red shift (or blue shift) can be observed by increasing the degree of isotacticity (or syndiotacticity).
Polydopamine-wrapped, silicon nanoparticle-impregnated macroporous CNT particles: rational design of high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Gueon Donghee , Moon Jun Hyuk
Published: November 2018

We report simple yet rationally designed, polydopamine-wrapped, silicon nanoparticle-impregnated macroporous CNT particles for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries.
Visible transparent white light emitting ink from a Ce3+ sensitized monodispersed Tb,Sm co-doped LaF3@C-dot nanocomposite
Authors: Ghosh Sirshendu , Pal Chandrani , Paul Sumana , Saha Manas , Barman Dulal , De Subodh Kumar
Published: November 2018

A bright white light emitting WLED has been fabricated based on colloidal C-dots decorated with d-SiO2 coated Ce, Tb and Sm doped LaF3 nanoparticles.
Small-molecules that covalently react with a human prolyl hydroxylase – towards activity modulation and substrate capture
Authors: Bush Jacob T. , Leśniak Robert K. , Yeh Tzu-Lan , Belle Roman , Kramer Holger , Tumber Anthony , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Flashman Emily , Mecinović Jasmin , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: November 2018

We describe covalently binding modulators of the activity of human prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) and studies towards a strategy for photocapture of PHD2 substrates.
Conformational changes underlying variation in the structural dynamics of materials confined at the nanometric scale
Authors: Minecka Aldona , Kaminska Ewa , Tarnacka Magdalena , Talik Agnieszka , Grudzka-Flak Iwona , Wolnica Kamila , Dulski Mateusz , Kaminski Kamil , Paluch Marian
Published: November 2018

Herein, it was shown that the equilibration phenomenon observed in Ben-IBU is related to thecis–translike conformational variation within the molecule induced most likely by the processes taken place at the interface.
A review of crystalline silicon bifacial photovoltaic performance characterisation and simulation
Authors: Liang Tian Shen , Pravettoni Mauro , Deline Chris , Stein Joshua S. , Kopecek Radovan , Singh Jai Prakash , Luo Wei , Wang Yan , Aberle Armin G. , Khoo Yong Sheng
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a review on crystalline silicon bifacial PV performance characterisation and simulation to facilitate new research developments for bifacial PV technology and implementation in the global market.
Thermal energy grid storage using multi-junction photovoltaics
Authors: Amy Caleb , Seyf Hamid Reza , Steiner Myles A. , Friedman Daniel J. , Henry Asegun
Published: November 2018

The storage of liquid silicon above 2000 °C and multi-junction photovoltaics enable affordable, geographically independent grid level energy storage.
Collective dynamics of red blood cells on anin vitromicrofluidic platform
Authors: M. Kiran Raj , Bhattacharya Soumya , DasGupta Sunando , Chakraborty Suman
Published: November 2018

Understanding the dynamics of blood flow in physiologically relevant confinements turns out to be an outstanding proposition in biomedical research.
Synthesis and biological evaluation against Leishmania donovani of novel hybrid molecules containing indazole-based 2-pyrone scaffolds
Authors: El Ghozlani M. , Bouissane L. , Berkani M. , Mojahidi S. , Allam A. , Menendez C. , Cojean S. , Loiseau P. M. , Baltas M. , Rakib E. M.
Published: November 2018

A series of novel indazole–pyrone hybrids are synthesized and tested in vitro against both Leishmania donovani axenic and intramacrophage amastigotes.
Cascade recognition of Hg2+ and cysteine using a naphthalene based ESIPT sensor and its application in a set/reset memorized device
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Jindal Gitanjali , Sukhvinder Sukhvinder , Kumar Subodh
Published: November 2018

An optical ESIPT sensor for Hg2+ and cysteine based on a naphthalene platform (1) was designed and synthesized by a one step reaction and characterized by using common spectroscopic techniques.
In situ formation of AuNPs using fatty N-acylamino hydrazide organogelators as templates
Authors: Ongaratto Renata , Conte Naiane , Montes D’Oca Caroline R. , Brinkerhoff Rafael C. , Ruas Caroline Pires , Gelesky Marcos Alexandre , Montes D’Oca Marcelo G.
Published: November 2018

This work reports, for the first time, the synthesis of new fatty N-acylamino hydrazides and demonstrates the activity of these compounds as low-molecular-weight organic gelators and templates for preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Strong red-emitting gold nanoclusters protected by glutathione S-transferase
Authors: Fu Ding-Yi , Xue Ya-Rong , Guo Yongqing , Qu Zhiyu , Li Hong-Wei , Wu Hui , Wu Yuqing
Published: November 2018

Au-NCs@GST, a strong red-emitting nanomaterial, was newly fabricated and applied to detect metronidazole in solution and living cells.
Controlling the phase transition in nanocrystalline ferroelectric thin films via cation ratio
Authors: Golovina Iryna S. , Falmbigl Matthias , Hawley Christopher J. , Ruffino Anthony J. , Plokhikh Aleksandr V. , Karateev Igor A. , Parker Thomas C. , Gutierrez-Perez Alejandro , Vasiliev Alexandre L. , Spanier Jonathan E.
Published: November 2018

We demonstrate a novel approach for tuning the ferroelectric phase transition in nanograined thin films utilizing enhanced cation solubility.
3D self-supported Ni(PO3)2–MoO3nanorods anchored on nickel foam for highly efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Li Kai , Ma Jingwen , Guan Xinglong , He Hongwei , Wang Min , Zhang Guoliang , Zhang Fengbao , Fan Xiaobin , Peng Wenchao , Li Yang
Published: November 2018

Electrolyzing water as a sustainable energy source is a promising and appealing method to resolve the environmental crisis.
Photochromic control of a plasmon–quantum dots coupled system
Authors: Lamri Gwénaëlle , Movsesyan Artur , Figueiras Edite , Nieder Jana B. , Aubard Jean , Adam Pierre-Michel , Couteau Christophe , Felidj Nordin , Baudrion Anne-Laure
Published: November 2018

The enhancement and the control of quantum dot (QD) light emission is a challenge for many applications.
Characterization of reactive intermediates formation in dacomitinib metabolism and bioactivation pathways elucidation by LC-MS/MS: in vitro phase I metabolic investigation
Authors: Attwa Mohamed W. , Kadi Adnan A. , Abdelhameed Ali S.
Published: November 2018

Dacomitinib (DCB) is a second generation irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that is claimed to overcome the disadvantages of the resistance developed by the first line epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) TKIs.
Efficient visible-light full-color tuning of self-organized helical superstructures enabled by fluorinated chiral switches
Authors: Qin Lang , Gu Wei , Chen Yingying , Wei Jia , Yu Yanlei
Published: November 2018

Reversible dynamic tuning of the reflection color from cholesteric liquid crystals within the entire visible spectrum is driven by green and blue light via newly designed chiral switches.
Immobilized copper nanoparticles on nitrogen-rich porous activated carbon from egg white biomass: a robust hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance catalyst for click reaction
Authors: Saeidian Hamid , Khajeh Saleh Vahdati , Mirjafary Zohreh , Eftekhari-Sis Bagher
Published: November 2018

Nitrogen-rich porous carbon (NAC) material was synthesized from egg white biomass via pyrolysis, followed by chemical activation with KOH. Then, the copper nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of the NAC by chemical reduction method.
Linking lignin source with structural and electrochemical properties of lignin-derived carbon materials
Authors: Li Wenqi , Zhang Yan , Das Lalitendu , Wang Yikai , Li Mi , Wanninayake Namal , Pu Yunqiao , Kim Doo Young , Cheng Yang-Tse , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Shi Jian
Published: November 2018

This study demonstrates the effect of lignin source on the structural and electrochemical properties of lignin-derived carbon materials.
The influences of V and Gd dopants on the structures and electrical and magnetic properties of PbPdO2 thin films
Authors: Jia Hai , Yang Yanmin , Zheng Weifeng , Zhang Jian-Min , Chen Shuiyuan , Huang Zhigao
Published: November 2018

PbPdO2, PbPd0.9V0.1O2 and PbPd0.9Gd0.1O2 films with the preferred orientation of (002) and room temperature ferromagnetism were prepared by PLD technique.
Sodium-coupled electron transfer reactivity of metal–organic frameworks containing titanium clusters: the importance of cations in redox chemistry
Authors: Saouma Caroline T. , Tsou Chih-Chin , Richard Sarah , Ameloot Rob , Vermoortele Frederik , Smolders Simon , Bueken Bart , DiPasquale Antonio G. , Kaminsky Werner , Valdez Carolyn N. , De Vos Dirk E. , Mayer James M.
Published: November 2018

Storage of electrons in the Ti8O8 nodes of MOF MIL-125 is controlled by the presence of charge-balancing Na+ cations.
Learning continuous and data-driven molecular descriptors by translating equivalent chemical representations
Authors: Winter Robin , Montanari Floriane , Noé Frank , Clevert Djork-Arné
Published: November 2018

Translation between semantically equivalent but syntactically different line notations of molecular structures compresses meaningful information into a continuous molecular descriptor.
Rapid chemiexcitation of phenoxy-dioxetane luminophores yields ultrasensitive chemiluminescence assays
Authors: Hananya Nir , Reid Jolene P. , Green Ori , Sigman Matthew S. , Shabat Doron
Published: November 2018

Rational design of phenoxy-dioxetane luminophores with rapid chemiexcitation is described; these next generation luminophores yielded chemiluminescent probes with considerably increased sensitivity.
Synergistic interaction of perovskite oxides and N-doped graphene in versatile electrocatalyst
Authors: Bu Yunfei , Jang Haeseong , Gwon Ohhun , Kim Su Hwan , Joo Se Hun , Nam Gyutae , Kim Seona , Qin Yong , Zhong Qin , Kwak Sang Kyu , Cho Jaephil , Kim Guntae
Published: November 2018

A new catalyst, P-3G simultaneously exhibited outstanding multifunctional catalytic activities for the ORR, OER, and HER. The synergistic effects between perovskite oxides and 3DNG was firstly proposed by DFT calculations.
Correction: Octahedral Pd nanocages with porous shells converted from Co(OH)2 nanocages with nanosheet surfaces as robust electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation
Authors: Sheng Jiali , Kang Jiahui , Hu Zhixiong , Yu Yan , Fu Xian-Zhu , Sun Rong , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘Octahedral Pd nanocages with porous shells converted from Co(OH)2 nanocages with nanosheet surfaces as robust electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation’ by Jiali Sheng et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 15789–15796.
Correction: Boosting the oxygen reduction activity of a three-dimensional network Co–N–C electrocatalyst via space-confined control of nitrogen-doping efficiency and the molecular-level coordination effect
Authors: Guo Chaozhong , Li Yanrong , Liao Wenli , Liu Yao , Li Zhongbin , Sun Lingtao , Chen Changguo , Zhang Jin , Si Yujun , Li Lu
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘Boosting the oxygen reduction activity of a three-dimensional network Co–N–C electrocatalyst via space-confined control of nitrogen-doping efficiency and the molecular-level coordination effect’ by Chaozhong Guo et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 13050–13061.
Semicrystalline physical hydrogels with shape-memory and self-healing properties
Authors: Okay Oguz
Published: November 2018

Synthetic hydrogels are generally amorphous in nature without any order at the molecular level.
Down-regulation of ABCE1 inhibits temozolomide resistance in glioma through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Peng , Chen Xiao-Bing , Ding Bing-Qian , Liu Hong-Lin , He Tao
Published: November 2018

The ATP binding cassette (ABC) E1 (ABCE1), a member of the ABC family, was originally described as the RNase L inhibitor. Through forming a heterodimer with RNase L, ABCE1 participates in the negative regulation of the 2-5A/RNase L system and thus mediates a wide range of biological functions. Recent evidence has shown the new roles of ABCE1 in tumorigenesis. However, there have been no investigations on the specific effect of ABCE1 on glioma. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern and possible role of ABCE1 in glioma. Our study demonstrated that ABCE1 was up-regulated in glioma tissues and cell lines. Down-regulation of ABCE1 inhibited temozolomide (TMZ) resistance of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we found that the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway was involved in ABCE1-mediated chemoresistance of glioma cells. Taken together, our study suggested ABCE1 as a promising target for glioma chemotherapy.
Geographic Distribution of the Hearing Aid Dispensing Workforce: A Teleaudiology Planning Assessment for Arizona
Authors: Coco Laura , Titlow Kyle Sorlie , Marrone Nicole
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Teleaudiology helps connect patients in rural and underresourced areas to hearing health care providers, minimizing the barrier of geography (Swanepoel et al., 2010). In the United States, teleaudiology is at the initial stages of implementation (Bush, Thompson, Irungu, & Ayugi, 2016). Telehealth researchers recommend conducting a comprehensive planning assessment to optimize implementation and adoption (AlDossary, Martin-Khan, Bradford, Armfield, & Smith, 2017; Alverson et al., 2008; Krupinski, 2015). A geographic analysis of the hearing aid dispensing workforce served as the initial stage of a teleaudiology planning assessment in Arizona.

Method

The analysis used publically available data sets from the U.S. Census, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the U.S. Veterans Administration. Geographic information system tools were used to analyze and visually represent population, potential teleaudiology site data, and
hearing aid dispensing workforce
(defined as audiologists and hearing instrument specialists licensed to dispense hearing aids in Arizona). ArcGIS was used to generate road networks and travel distance estimations.

Results

The number of audiologists per county ranged from 0 to 216 (average 22.1). Six out of Arizona's 15 counties lacked a single audiologist, and 2 counties lacked a hearing instrument specialist. Potential expansion sites for teleaudiology were located in areas of the state that lacked practice locations for hearing aid services.

Conclusions

There are geographic areas of Arizona that lack licensed hearing aid locations yet are populated by individuals who may need services. Resource availability data inform teleaudiology program expansion. Future research will include data from providers and community members on their perceived needs for services.
Empowering Senior Cochlear Implant Users at Home via a Tablet Computer Application
Authors: Philips Birgit , Smits Cas , Govaerts Paul J. , Doorn Inge , Vanpoucke Filiep
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The introduction of connectivity technologies in hearing implants allows new ways to support cochlear implant (CI) users remotely. Some functionalities and services that are traditionally only available in an in-clinic care model can now also be accessed at home. This study explores the feasibility of a prototype of a tablet computer application (MyHearingApp [MHA]) in a group of senior experienced CI users at home, evaluating usability and user motivation.

Method

Based on user feedback, a tablet computer application (MHA) for the Cochlear Nucleus 6 CP910 sound processor was designed implementing six different functionalities: (a) My Hearing Tests, (b) My Environment, (c) My Hearing Journey, (d) Tip of the Day, (e) Recipient Portal, and (f) Program Use and Events. The clinical evaluation design was a prospective study of the MHA in 16 senior experienced CI users. During 4 weeks, participants could freely explore the functionalities. At the end, the usability and their motivation for uptake and adherence were measured using a baseline and follow-up questionnaire.

Results

Based on the System Usability Score (as part of the follow-up questionnaire), a good level of usability was indicated (M= 75.6, range: 62.5–92.5,SD= 8.6). The ability to perform hearing tests at home is ranked as the most relevant functionality within the MHA. According to the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (Deci, Eghrari, Patrick, & Leone, 1994) questionnaire (as part of the follow-up questionnaire), participants reported high levels of interest and enjoyment, found themselves competent, and did not experience pressure while working with the app.

Conclusions

This study evaluated a tablet computer application (MHA) for experienced senior CI users by means of a prospective design, which provided novel insights into delivering CI care into the home of the CI user. The user feedback from this small-scale study suggests that the participants are open to take more responsibility for and to become a more active actor in their own hearing care, if only this is facilitated with the right tools. This may foster the evolution from a clinic-led to a more patient-centered care model, where CI users feel more empowered in the self-management of their hearing implant device.
Identification and Management of Middle Ear Disorders in a Rural Cleft Care Program: A Telemedicine Approach
Authors: Ramkumar Vidya , Rajendran Akilan , Nagarajan Roopa , Balasubramaniyan Subramaniyan , Suresh Dhulase Krithega
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to devise a grassroots-level strategy for identification and management of middle ear disorders in a community-based program for individuals with cleft lip and palate in 2 rural districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.

Method

Community workers underwent training to conduct video otoscopy using the ENTraview device. Community workers conducted video otoscopy on 160 individuals with cleft lip and palate between 3 and 35 years old in the community. Middle ear conditions were identified using store-and-forward telepractice. Diagnostic telehearing evaluation was conducted using synchronous pure tone audiometry and tympanometry for those who were identified with tympanic membrane (TM) and/or middle ear diseases (MEDs). A review of data collected over a 13-month period was carried out to assess coverage and follow-up intervention rates.

Results

The program was successful in achieving 80% coverage for identification of TM and MEDs within 13 months of program implementation. TM and/or MEDs were identified in 26% (82/320 ears) of those who underwent video otoscopy. Telehearing evaluations were completed on 42 ears of individuals with TM and/or MEDs; 52% (22/42 ears) of these individuals had a minimal, mild, or moderate degree of hearing loss. Regarding follow-up for intervention, 78% qualified for surgical intervention, and 31% qualified for medication.

Conclusions

This grassroots-level telemedicine approach was successful in achieving better coverage, and store-and-forward telepractice helped in providing remote diagnosis and recommendation by otolaryngologists to all individuals with TM/MEDs in the rural community. The follow-up for otological intervention significantly improved from that achieved in the previous years.
A Smartphone National Hearing Test: Performance and Characteristics of Users
Authors: De Sousa Karina C. , Swanepoel De Wet , Moore David R. , Smits Cas
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The smartphone digits-in-noise hearing test, called
hearZA
, was made available as a self-test in South Africa in March 2016. This study determined characteristics and test performance of the listeners who took the test.

Method

A retrospective analysis of 24,072 persons who completed a test between March 2016 and August 2017 was conducted. User characteristics, including age, English-speaking competence, and self-reported hearing difficulty, were analyzed. Regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of the speech reception threshold.

Results

Overall referral rate of the hearZA test was 22.4%, and 37% of these reported a known hearing difficulty. Age distributions showed that 33.2% of listeners were ages 30 years and younger, 40.5% were between ages 31 and 50 years, and 26.4% were older than 50 years. Age, self-reported English-speaking competence, and self-reported hearing difficulty were significant predictors of the speech reception threshold.

Conclusions

High test uptake, particularly among younger users, and high overall referral rate indicates that the hearZA app addresses a public health need. The test also reaches target audiences, including those with self-reported hearing difficulty and those with normal hearing who should monitor their hearing ability.
Complexity and accuracy analysis of common artificial neural networks on pedestrian detection
Authors: Wu Jiatu
Published: November 2018

With the development of computer version, deep learning and artificial neural networks approaches like SPP-net, Faster-RCNN and YOLO are proposed. This paper compares them in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. By analyzing the network architecture, SPP-net is more complex than Faster-RCNN and YOLO. By analyzing the experiments, SPP-net and Faster-RCNN are more accurate than YOLO in static detection while opposite in real-time system. Therefore, in real-time pedestrian detection situation, YOLO can perform better. In static pedestrian detection situation, Faster-RCNN or SPP-net can perform better.
Regular Neural Network Based Machining Parameters Optimization Model Of NC Machine Tool
Authors: Wang Sanping , Chen Junwen , Yan Wei
Published: November 2018

Energy consumption process is the basis for energy efficiency improvement of machine tools. Most of the existing researches focus on the static modelling of energy consumption of a machine tool; however, there are a few studies that paid attention to that how process parameters influence the energy consumption of machine tools during processing. It is noted that the process parameters can be selected to reduce energy consumption during machining processes without additional investment. In this paper, a characteristic energy consumption model for NC machine tool was proposed. Then, the mapping rule between process parameters and energy consumption of machine tool was studied, and the model was solved with the regular neural network (RNN). Finally, the result was verified with an experiment of milling the surface of aluminium block, which can effectively improve the energy efficiency of machine tool. The experiment results are shown that regular neural network is used to optimize the process parameters and process the same machining characteristics; we analyze the in machining process of machine tool based on the three cutting parameters, and then, a model of energy consumption. We employ to learn, and use this trained model to select optimal parameters.
Comparison of Non-linear Signals Analysis Methods
Authors: Qu Yanhuai , Zhang Shuai , Han Qingkai
Published: November 2018

In modern engineering, linear is relative, while non-linear and non-stationary is absolute. There are many methods in non-linear signals processing. How to select a most suitable analysis method quickly for the nonlinear signal is particularly important, which can improve the signal processing efficiently. In this paper, three common analysis methods for nonlinear signals, Wavelet spectrum, Hilbert spectral analysis (HSA) and Poincaré mapping are researched and analyzed by some typical nonlinear signals from the complex electromechanical model test system. The effectiveness and application scopes of these approaches are obtained, which can provide a theoretical and practical basis for engineering application.
Comparative Study Of Complex Network Community Structure Algorithms In network Pharmacology Analysis
Authors: Xiong Wangping , Zhou Xian , Nie Bin , Du Jianqiang
Published: November 2018

Community structure is an extremely important characteristic of complex networks composed of network pharmacology. The mining of network community structure is of great importance in many fields such as biology, computer science and sociology. In recent years, for different types of large-scale complex networks, researchers had proposed many algorithms for finding community structures. This paper reviewed some of the most representative algorithms in the field of network pharmacology, and focused on the analysis of the improved algorithms based on the modularity index and the new algorithms that could reflect the level and overlap of the community. Finally, a benchmark was established to measure the quality of the community classification algorithm.
Research on Key Development Technologies for SPOC Platform
Authors: Yu Jiujiu
Published: November 2018

As the derivation and innovation of MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), the development of SPOC (Small Private Online Course) platform which is based on MOOC idea can be better applied to the blended teaching of various courses in local universities in post-MOOC era. Based on the analysis of the current application of SPOC platform, from the view of technology in implementation, we explore the key technologies of identification on face recognition based on emotion calculation,course creating, editing and sharing, analysis of online learning behaviour and exercising or examining on subjective items for developing of a SPOC platform. Finally, further researches on how to construct on the targeted and distinctive mobile learning resources and smart education mode which is based on SPOC, how to provide formative assessment data and consciousness assessment data for learners accurately and function of data statistics and motivational observation that could be completed by teachers, how to cut some non-essential auxiliary functions of an existed MOOC platform for a certain local user group to form a flexible and usable SPOC platform with good expansibility are expected in the paper.
Review of the Classification of Massive Chinese Texts Based on Spark
Authors: Yu Liu
Published: November 2018

As the Internet develops rapidly, the number of texts is also growing rapidly. Whether it is the content of online emails exchanged by people, or the online novels and other literary contents, or news reports, personal blogs, Weibo or comments, they are constantly increasing the amount of text at all times. However, most of the data is not classified or processed, which causes a lot of spam, junk information, meaningless articles or advertisements. Their production not only consumes a lot of Internet resources, but also affects users' online experience and reduces the users' work and study efficiency. Therefore, it is vital accurately classify a large amount of text, judge its nature according to the classification result, and carry out targeted treatment. The classification of massive texts based on Spark framework is reviewed in this paper.
Image Captioning Based on Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Liu Shuang , Bai Liang , Hu Yanli , Wang Haoran
Published: November 2018

With the development of deep learning, the combination of computer vision and natural language process has aroused great attention in the past few years. Image captioning is a representative of this filed, which makes the computer learn to use one or more sentences to understand the visual content of an image. The meaningful description generation process of high level image semantics requires not only the recognition of the object and the scene, but the ability of analyzing the state, the attributes and the relationship among these objects. Though image captioning is a complicated and difficult task, a lot of researchers have achieved significant improvements. In this paper, we mainly describe three image captioning methods using the deep neural networks: CNN-RNN based, CNN-CNN based and Reinforcement-based framework. Then we introduce the representative work of these three top methods respectively, describe the evaluation metrics and summarize the benefits and major challenges.
Crack Identification of Infrared Thermal Imaging Steel Sheet Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Qing
Published: November 2018

Aiming at the low efficiency and poor anti-interference ability of traditional non-destructive testing technology in steel plate crack detection, a crack recognition method based on convolutional neural network for infrared thermal imager is proposed. Firstly, a rolling electric heating rod is developed as a thermal excitation source, and a new excitation method was used to thermally excite the surface to be inspected. Then, according to the principle of abnormal temperature generated during the heat transfer process, the temperature of the detected surface is analyzed. It is concluded that the temperature gradient on both sides of the crack is always the largest. Finally, the infrared thermal image after thermal excitation is collected as a training sample, and a convolutional neural network is built to train the sample. Experiments show that the convolutional neural network model can accurately identify the infrared image cracks. The detection efficiency is high and the robustness is strong. And the recognition accuracy on the test set reaches 96.82%.