bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Further Concepts in Mass Disaster Planning for the Eighties
Authors: Star Leon D. , Abelson Louis C. , DelGuercio Louis R.M.
Published: May 2019

What exactly comprises a “disaster?” The American College of Emergency Physicians has defined the term as “a sudden massive disproportion between hostile elements of any kind and survival resources that are available to counterbalance these hostile elements in the shortest period of time” (1).

In a small airport supporting a town of 10,000 an aircraft accident involving 4 or 5 casualties can constitute a disaster by this definition, whereas at Kennedy Airport (JKF) with its large depots of medical support, and where our experience in this area has been considerable, it would take many more casualties to qualify as a disaster. “Black Sunday” at Tenerife, with 500 casualties in a single incident (2), focused world attention on the need for more adequate casualty care of air crashes at airports, particularly at airports that handle wide-bodied jets. In our efforts to improve the methods of “bringing the hospital to the emergency rather than the emergency to the hospital,” the “workshop” at Kennedy Airport has evolved over the years from a cumbersome inflatable unit with limited mobility, to a Mobile Emergency Hospital with a capacity of 100 beds and an operating room (3).

In the past year, we have developed an even more practicable Mobile Emergency Hospital, the size of a standard cargo container, 40 feet long by 8 feet wide and 8 feet high with 4-wheel drive and self-propelled at 55 miles per hour, capable of being lifted by helicopter, flown in a Lockheed C130 or cargo 747, placed on a railroad flat-bed or transported as a container on the deck of a ship (4,5).
Recommendations for Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation
Authors: von Janik R.
Published: May 2019

Irreversible brain damage may occur when cessation of circulation (cardiac arrest) lasts longer than a few minutes. Resuscitative measures, however, can be initiated anywhere without use of equipment, by trained individuals, ranging from the lay public to the physician specialist. The history of modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) includes the following steps during the past 30 years:

1. Proof that ventilation with the operator's exhaled air is physiologically sound and superior to manual chestpressure arm-lift maneuvers (Elam, Safar, Gordon).

2. Re-discovery and development of external cardiac compression (Kouwenhoven).

3. Demonstration of the need to combine positive pressure ventilation with external cardiac compression (Safar).

4. Intrathoracic and external electric defibrillation of the heart (Prevost, Zoll, Beck).

For didactic purposes, Safar has divided cardiopulmonary - cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) into three phases and nine steps, using the letters of the alphabet from A to I.

Basic Life Support is for emergency tissue oxygenation and consists of: A) airway control; B) breathing support, artificial ventilation of the lungs; and C) circulation support, recognition of pulselessness and establishment of an artificial circulation by cardiac compressions.

Advanced Life Support addresses restarting spontaneous circulation and stabilizing the cardiopulmonary system. Phase II consists of steps: D) drugs and fluids by intravenous infusion; E) electrocardiography; and F) fibrillation treatment by electric countershock.

Prolonged Life Support represents brainoriented intensive care for multiple organ failure in the post-resuscitative period. Phase III should be continued until the patient regains consciousness, brain death has been certified, or his underlying disease makes further resuscitation efforts useless.
The Medical Significance of the Narcotic SomsanitRDuring Disasters
Authors: Heller W. , Köhler G.
Published: May 2019

Major disasters, during which large numbers of injured must be hospitalized, require specific medical measures. To obtain the most efficient results, the simplest means must be used at the site of the disaster to provide: the prevention of pain and shock; the maintenance of vital metabolic functions; the administration of local and general anesthesia; and the medical supervision of the transport of critically injured and the post-operative care of the patients. It must be taken into account that the use of non-physicians to help anesthesiologists may be necessary. These individuals work under the direction of the physician.

Pain relief must be provided by sedatives and analgesics which cause minimal central respiratory depression, no increased stimulation to cardiac patients, and no increase in intracranial pressure in head injuries. An additional requirement is that no unwieldly apparatus is required. These criteria are met with the narcotic, sodium-4-hydroxybutyrate (SomsanitR).

In 1950, Roberts and Frankel (1) investigated the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the regulating system for the sleep rhythm of the mammalian cerebrum. Two years later, Roberts and his co-workers (2-4) showed that GABA is reduced in the brain by a specific transaminase to a semial-dehyde of succinic acid (succinylsemialdehyde) and this, in turn, is reduced to a dehydrogenase, which is probably identical with lactate dehydrogenase, to gamma- or 4-hydroxybutyric acid. Since parenterally administered amino butyric acid is unable to pass through the blood-brain barrier, Laborit and his team (5,6) searched for derivatives which could reach the central nervous system via the cardiovascular system and found that 4-hydroxy-butyric acid has this property.
Recommendations on Medical Preparedness for Aeroplane and Airport Disasters
Authors: Baskett Peter J.F. , Frey Rudolf , Baker Frank J. , Linde H.J. , Star Loen D. , Dürner Peter , Achilles B.
Published: May 2019

Every airport large and small should have a disaster plan to involve all rescue and medical services. (Jessen, Reich, Rørmark, Fahey, Bergot)

Communications between participants at a disaster must be of the highest caliber if patients are to receive optimal care. Communications between fixed operational bases should be by dedicated telephone (intercom lines) and radio on an appropriate frequency. Redundancy must be incorporated into the system. Education for personnel must be reinforced by regular drills. (Baker)

Disaster planning must take into account the fact that in many cases there will be survivors even from “hard impact” crashes taking place away from the airport. (Domres, Baker)

Regular disaster drills using actual aircraft and involving all agencies for disaster management, including physicians, must occur. (Fahey, Jessen, Star)

The principles of triage, field stabilization, and rational evacuation through an ambulance dispatch area must be incorporated into all plans. (Baker, Bergot, Fisher, Oyen)

In a major disaster triage is essential in order for medical help to be most effective. (DeSinnger, Oyen, Matthews.) Triage should be carried out by the most experienced person available. Casualties should be categorized into the following groups: 1) those dead or about to die; 2) those who will benefit from immediate resuscitation and treatment; 3) those who will benefit from treatment at any early stage; and 4) those who have trivial or no injuries.
The “World Association for Emergency and Disaster Medicine” (WAEDM) (Club of Mainz)
Authors: Frey Rudolf , Safar Peter , Fahey Morgan
Published: May 2019

The “Club of Mainz” for Improved Emergency and Disaster Medicine Worldwide was conceived in 1973 and founded in 1976 by about 10 reanimatologists under the leadership of the late Rudolf Frey (Crit Care Med 6:389, 1978). Its objectives are: “(1) to foster optimal resuscitation and life support methodologies worldwide; (2) to concern itself with a range from everyday emergencies to mass disasters, with appropriate consideration for differences in populations, available resources and other factors; and (3) to informally pursue the objectives by combining the resources of scientific, social and related information and experiences, together with international communication and collaboration.”

The Club of Mainz recognizes the experiences and contributions of other organizations for public health related disaster relief, which particularly helps uninjured survivors and rehabilitates regions, but wishes to add the potentials of modern resuscitation (emergency and critical care medicine), focusing on the acutely ill or injured individual victim in distress.

The Club of Mainz was inspired by the Club of Rome, which was initiated in 1968 by the late Aurelio Peccei and some other concerned non-medical leaders and scientists. The 10 non-medical key problems identified by the Club of Rome have equivalents for disaster medicine: (1) overpopulation (starvation); (2) no long range planning; (3) destruction of the environment (destruction of people); (4) business crises; (5) competitive armament leading to wars; (6) poverty (starvation, epidemics); (7) chaotic development in science and technology; (8) antiquated institutions; (9) schisms between East and West and between North and South; and (10) lacking moral leadership.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation — The Need for National Surveys
Authors: Zideman D.A.
Published: May 2019

At the Second World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine in Pittsburgh in 1981, Professor Negovsky talked about the Science of Resuscitation. Science is defined as systematic and formulated knowledge. Therefore, to be a science, resuscitation must be presented in accurate and concise terms. The introduction of Standards in the methodology of Resuscitation has achieved this. In 1977, the American Heart Association published Standards for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care (1) and revised them in 1980 as Standards and Guidelines (2). Organizations in other countries have also introduced such standards: the Canadian Heart Foundation, the Heart Foundation of New Zealand, the Australian Resuscitation Council, and the Resuscitation Advisory Council in the United Kingdom; they all have systematic and formulated methodologies. The value of these standards and guidelines in Resuscitation methods can only be gauged by the results of various individual surveys. The definition of Resuscitation as a science runs into problems when one begins to examine these results. This paper will illustrate the difficulties of evaluating Resuscitation results.

Figure 1 shows a comparison of survival rates in5 centers (3-7) when Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was initiated by a rescue team or a bystander. It would appear that Seattle had the best overall survival rate, followed by Oslo. But Thompson and colleagues (5) from Seattle studied survival from cardiac arrest only when ventricular fibrillation was present when the paramedical personnel arrived. Lund and Skulberg (7) from Oslo did not state their type of victim, whereas Cobb and his colleagues (4) in suburban Seattle, with the lowest survival rates, looked at all forms of cardiac arrests.
Italian Aid in Qorioley Refugee Camps, Somalia
Authors: DeStefanis B. , Lucia A.G.
Published: May 2019

Italian physicians who, from Oct. 1979 to April 1981 directed an emergency medical team in the Ogaden refugee camps of the Qorioley district of Somalia, report on location, general set-up, vital statistics, health aspects, water and food supply, sanitation, disposal of waste matter, health hazards, spread and control of diseases, health education, and planning of health services and health teams.

Invited by the Caritas of Somalia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Mogadishu, Somalia, from October 15, 1979 to December 31, 1980, two Italian medical teams of the Associazione Universitaria per la Cooperazione Internazionale (AUCI) worked among the Ogaden Refugees in 3 camps of the Qorioley District, lower Shabelli Region of Somalia. Each team consisted of one physician and 2 registered nurses. The Qorioley district, about 140 km SW of Mogadishu, has high day-time temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The day to night temperature gradients are high. Strong winds are blowing to and from the Indian Ocean.

The 3 camps had been set up in the bush, on the right bank of the Shabelli river, about 8 km NW of Qorioley Town. The refugees in these camps were of Somali extraction and of Muslin culture and religion. They were housed in large military tents, aqal (round roofed skin covered hut of nomads), “mundul” (circular grass-thatched hut built around a central pole) and “arysh” (rectangular hut, corrugated iron tile roofs), aggregated at a very high density. More than 5000 people lived on one hectar. It was so crowded lhat there was no more space than 1.5 m2 of shelter per person. They lacked all hygienic services.

Each camp had a food storage hut (mud walled with corrugated iron roof) and 2-3 water collection ponds, fed from the river. At the time of our arrival, two “arysh” with a total of 20 beds were in use for non-ambulatory patients. Scattered in the camps there were 6 “medical posts.”
The structure of mature mounds of the termite Macrotermes michaelseni in Kenya
Authors: Darlington Johanna P. E. C.
Published: May 2019

The termite Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt) builds conical earth mounds with no external openings. The structure of the nests is described. The fungus combs and the nursery are in separate parts of a single hive chamber, and thus occupy the same air space. A closed system of inter-connected passages in the mound facilitates loss of metabolic heat to the atmosphere.
Effect of host plant on moulting in the African armywormSpodoptera exempta(Walk.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at constant temperature and humidity conditions
Authors: Yarro Jacob G.
Published: May 2019

There are five caterpillar instars in the life cycle ofSpodoptera exempta(Walk.) when they feed upon star grass,Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers., maize,Zea maisL. and Kikuyu grass,Pennisetum clandestinumChiov. at 25–30°C. When the temperature is 18°C, however, there was an additional instar in the cycle. Similarly extra instars are formed on Guinea grass,Panicum maximumJacq.,Setaria plicatilis(Hochst.) Hack, and a sedge,Cyperus maranguensisK. Schm. even when the temperature appears to be sufficiently high for normal development. Occasionally the additional sixth instar is also too small to pupate, in which case a seventh instar is formed. It appears that caterpillars on nutritionally inadequate host plants or those at low temperatures are being partially starved and must continue moulting until the appropriate size is attained or exceeded. Measurements of the head capsule widths or distances between the frontal clypeal setae suggest that only individuals reaching or exceeding a species specific threshold size pupate. Extra moults appear to be an adaptation to environmental fluctuations obtaining within the range of occurrence ofS. exempta.
Control of cereal aphids on wheat in People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
Authors: Ba-Angood S. A.
Published: May 2019

Loss estimates for wheat insects in Africa and Asia have not received adequate attention. However, in PDR of Yemen, pests including insects, diseases, weeds and birds can cause 10™70% loss of wheat crop. Aphids are considered to be the major insect pests of wheat in the country. A survey of indigenous natural enemies has shown that they may contribute to overall aphid control. Sowing date experiments have shown that sowing in November led to higher yields and lower insect infestation than sowing in October and December. The insecticides tested achieved a significant control of aphids and higher yields when compared with unsprayed plots. A single application of malathion or dimethoate before mid-January was recommended for chemical control.
A novel dual-band filter based on single-cavity CTSRR-loaded triangular substrate-integrated waveguide
Authors: Geng Q. F. , Guo H. J. , Zhu Y. Y. , Huang W. , Deng S. S. , Yang T.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, a novel single-cavity triangular substrate-integrated waveguide (TSIW) dual-band filter loading a complementary triangular split ring resonator (CTSRR) is proposed, which has three transmission zeros (TZs) in the stopband in total. The dual-band response is achieved by the CTSRR and the degenerate modes of the TSIW cavity. In order to control the TZs, we propose two adjustment techniques, shift feeding technique and adding via perturbation. In addition, the CTSRR etched on the surface can produce a new TZ in the upper first-passband. Finally, a dual-band filter with three TZs is simulated, fabricated, and measured. There is a good agreement between the simulated results and measured ones.
Die Urininkontinenz der Frau: Einführung in die Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Humburg Jörg
Published: May 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die Urininkontinenz der Frau ist eine häufige Erkrankung, die in allen Lebensabschnitten auftreten kann. Die beiden Hauptformen sind die Belastungsurininkontinenz und die hyperaktive Blase (OAB: overactive bladder), respektive die Dranginkontinenz. Bei der Belastungsurininkontinenz besteht eine muskuläre Schwäche des Beckenbodens, sodass der Harnröhrenverschlussdruck tiefer ist als der intravesikale Druck, worauf es bei Belastung zum Urinverlust kommt. Bei der überaktiven Blase besteht eine Übererregbarkeit der Blase. Die Diagnosestellung erfolgt durch eine Erhebung der Anamnese, eine körperliche Untersuchung, Führen eines Miktions- und Trinkkalenders, Bestimmung des Resturins und einen Infekt Ausschluss. Die Therapie der Belastungsurininkontinenz erfolgt durch eine Physiotherapie des Beckenbodens, Anpassen von Pessaren oder bei Versagen der konservativen Therapie in der Einlage einer suburethralen Schlinge (Goldstandard). Die Therapie der hyperaktiven Blase besteht ebenfalls in physiotherapeutischen Massnahmen, Anticholinergikagabe oder der Verordnung eines beta-3-Adrenozeptoragonist, gegebenenfalls einer intravesikalen Botoxbehandlung bei Therapieversagen. Die Therapie komplexer Inkontinenzformen, zum Beispiel in Kombination mit einer Algurie oder Hämaturie sollte, ebenso wie bei Therapieversagern, durch Spezialisten oder spezialisierte, interdisziplinär orientierte, Zentren erfolgen.
Delay Discounting in Impulsive Behavior
Authors: Moreira Diana , Barbosa Fernando
Published: May 2019

Abstract. Delay discounting (DD) is the process of devaluing results that happen in the future. With this review, we intend to identify specificities in the processes of DD in impulsive behavior. Studies were retrieved from multiple literature databases, through rigorous criteria (we included systematic reviews and empirical studies with adult human subjects), following the procedures of the Cochrane Collaboration initiative. Of the 174 documents obtained, 19 were considered eligible for inclusion and were retained for in-depth analysis. In addition, 13 studies from the manual search were included. Thus, a total of 32 studies were selected for review. The objectives/hypotheses, results, and the main conclusion(s) were extracted from each study. Results show that people with pronounced traits of impulsivity discount rewards more markedly, that is, they prefer immediate rewards, though of less value, or postponed losses, even though they worsen in the future. Taken together, the existing data suggest the importance of inserting DD as a tool for initial assessment in conjunction with measures of addiction and stress level, as well as the consideration of new therapies.
New Book Examines the Legacy of Apollo
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2019

Nearing the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, a new book looks back on the race to the Moon.
Compositional Constraints on the North Polar Cap of Mars from Gravity and Topography
Authors: Ojha Lujendra , Nerozzi Stefano , Lewis Kevin
Published: May 2019

The polar ice caps are the largest reservoir of water ice on Mars. The north polar ice cap is composed of the ice‐rich north polar layered deposit (NPLD) and a lower‐lying, silicate‐rich basal unit (BU). Together, these units represent a record of Martian climate history throughout the Amazonian period. Here we place a bulk compositional constraint on the BU by modeling its gravity signature in both spatial and spectral domains using two independent approaches. We find the density of the BU to be
kg/m3, suggesting that it may contain 55 + 25% water ice. We estimate that the BU contains ~1.5‐m global equivalent layer of water making it one of the largest reservoir of water‐ice on Mars. Our compositional constraint suggests that the north pole of Mars was not only a cold trap for ices but also an aeolian trap for silicates during the Amazonian period.
50 years of scanning electron microscopy of bone—a comprehensive overview of the important discoveries made and insights gained into bone material properties in health, disease, and taphonomy
Authors: Shah Furqan A. , Ruscsák Krisztina , Palmquist Anders
Published: May 2019

Bone is an architecturally complex system that constantly undergoes structural and functional optimisation through renewal and repair. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is among the most frequently used instruments for examining bone. It offers the key advantage of very high spatial resolution coupled with a large depth of field and wide field of view. Interactions between incident electrons and atoms on the sample surface generate backscattered electrons, secondary electrons, and various other signals including X-rays that relay compositional and topographical information. Through selective removal or preservation of specific tissue components (organic, inorganic, cellular, vascular), their individual contribution(s) to the overall functional competence can be elucidated. With few restrictions on sample geometry and a variety of applicable sample-processing routes, a given sample may be conveniently adapted for multiple analytical methods. While a conventional SEM operates at high vacuum conditions that demand clean, dry, and electrically conductive samples, non-conductive materials (e.g., bone) can be imaged without significant modification from the natural state using an environmental scanning electron microscope. This review highlights important insights gained into bone microstructure and pathophysiology, bone response to implanted biomaterials, elemental analysis, SEM in paleoarchaeology, 3D imaging using focused ion beam techniques, correlative microscopy and in situ experiments. The capacity to image seamlessly across multiple length scales within the meso-micro-nano-continuum, the SEM lends itself to many unique and diverse applications, which attest to the versatility and user-friendly nature of this instrument for studying bone. Significant technological developments are anticipated for analysing bone using the SEM.
Combinatorial recognition of clustered RNA elements by the multidomain RNA-binding protein IMP3
Authors: Schneider Tim , Hung Lee-Hsueh , Aziz Masood , Wilmen Anna , Thaum Stephanie , Wagner Jacqueline , Janowski Robert , Müller Simon , Schreiner Silke , Friedhoff Peter , Hüttelmaier Stefan , Niessing Dierk , Sattler Michael , Schlundt Andreas , Bindereif Albrecht
Published: May 2019

How multidomain RNA-binding proteins recognize their specific target sequences, based on a combinatorial code, represents a fundamental unsolved question and has not been studied systematically so far. Here we focus on a prototypical multidomain RNA-binding protein, IMP3 (also called IGF2BP3), which contains six RNA-binding domains (RBDs): four KH and two RRM domains. We establish an integrative systematic strategy, combining single-domain-resolved SELEX-seq, motif-spacing analyses, in vivo iCLIP, functional validation assays, and structural biology. This approach identifies the RNA-binding specificity and RNP topology of IMP3, involving all six RBDs and a cluster of up to five distinct and appropriately spaced CA-rich and GGC-core RNA elements, covering a >100 nucleotide-long target RNA region. Our generally applicable approach explains both specificity and flexibility of IMP3-RNA recognition, allows the prediction of IMP3 targets, and provides a paradigm for the function of multivalent interactions with multidomain RNA-binding proteins in gene regulation.
Killer-like receptors and GPR56 progressive expression defines cytokine production of human CD4+ memory T cells
Authors: Truong Kim-Long , Schlickeiser Stephan , Vogt Katrin , Boës David , Stanko Katarina , Appelt Christine , Streitz Mathias , Grütz Gerald , Stobutzki Nadja , Meisel Christian , Iwert Christina , Tomiuk Stefan , Polansky Julia K. , Pascher Andreas , Babel Nina , Stervbo Ulrik , Sauer Igor , Gerlach Undine , Sawitzki Birgit
Published: May 2019

All memory T cells mount an accelerated response on antigen reencounter, but significant functional heterogeneity is present within the respective memory T-cell subsets as defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression, thereby warranting further stratification. Here we show that several surface markers, including KLRB1, KLRG1, GPR56, and KLRF1, help define low, high, or exhausted cytokine producers within human peripheral and intrahepatic CD4+ memory T-cell populations. Highest simultaneous production of TNF and IFN-γ is observed in KLRB1+KLRG1+GPR56+ CD4 T cells. By contrast, KLRF1 expression is associated with T-cell exhaustion and reduced TNF/IFN-γ production. Lastly, TCRβ repertoire analysis and in vitro differentiation support a regulated, progressive expression for these markers during CD4+ memory T-cell differentiation. Our results thus help refine the classification of human memory T cells to provide insights on inflammatory disease progression and immunotherapy development.
Form vision from melanopsin in humans
Authors: Allen Annette E. , Martial Franck P. , Lucas Robert J.
Published: May 2019

Detection and discrimination of spatial patterns is thought to originate with photoreception by rods and cones. Here, we investigated whether the inner-retinal photoreceptor melanopsin could represent a third origin for form vision. We developed a 4-primary visual display capable of presenting patterns differing in contrast for melanopsin vs cones, and generated spectrally distinct stimuli that were indistinguishable for cones (metamers) but presented contrast for melanopsin. Healthy observers could detect sinusoidal gratings formed by these metamers when presented in the peripheral retina at low spatial (≤0.8 cpd) and temporal (≤0.45 Hz) frequencies, and Michelson contrasts ≥14% for melanopsin. Metameric gratings became invisible at lower light levels (<1013 melanopsin photons cm−2 sr−1 s−1) when rods are more active. The addition of metameric increases in melanopsin contrast altered appearance of greyscale representations of coarse gratings and a range of everyday images. These data identify melanopsin as a new potential origin for aspects of spatial vision in humans.
Power generation from the interaction of a liquid droplet and a liquid membrane
Authors: Nie Jinhui , Wang Ziming , Ren Zewei , Li Shuyao , Chen Xiangyu , Lin Wang Zhong
Published: May 2019

Triboelectric nanogenerators are an energy harvesting technology that relies on the coupling effects of contact electrification and electrostatic induction between two solids or a liquid and a solid. Here, we present a triboelectric nanogenerator that can work based on the interaction between two pure liquids. A liquid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator is achieved by passing a liquid droplet through a freely suspended liquid membrane. We investigate two kinds of liquid membranes: a grounded membrane and a pre-charged membrane. The falling of a droplet (about 40 μL) can generate a peak power of 137.4 nW by passing through a pre-charged membrane. Moreover, this membrane electrode can also remove and collect electrostatic charges from solid objects, indicating a permeable sensor or charge filter for electronic applications. The liquid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator can harvest mechanical energy without changing the object motion and it can work for many targets, including raindrops, irrigation currents, microfluidics, and tiny particles.
Double-shelled hollow rods assembled from nitrogen/sulfur-codoped carbon coated indium oxide nanoparticles as excellent photocatalysts
Authors: Sun Liming , Li Rong , Zhan Wenwen , Yuan Yusheng , Wang Xiaojun , Han Xiguang , Zhao Yanli
Published: May 2019

Excellent catalytic activity, high stability and easy recovery are three key elements for fabricating efficient photocatalysts, while developing a simple method to fabricate such photocatalysts with these three features at the same time is highly challenging. In this study, we successfully synthesized double-shelled hollow rods (DHR) assembled by nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S)-codoped carbon coated indium(III) oxide (In2O3) ultra-small nanoparticles (N,S-C/In2O3 DHR). N,S-C/In2O3 DHR exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity, high stability and easy recovery for oxidative hydroxylation reaction of arylboronic acid substrates. The catalyst recovery and surface area were well balanced through improved light harvesting, contributed by concurrently enhancing the reflection on the outer porous shell and the diffraction in the inside double-shelled hollow structure, and increased separation rate of photogenerated carriers. Photocatalytic mechanism was investigated to identify the main reactive species in the catalytic reactions. The electron separation and transfer pathway via N,S-codoped graphite/In2O3 interface was revealed by theoretical calculations.
Predicting protein-ligand interactions based on bow-pharmacological space and Bayesian additive regression trees
Authors: Li Li , Koh Ching Chiek , Reker Daniel , Brown J. B. , Wang Haishuai , Lee Nicholas Keone , Liow Hien-haw , Dai Hao , Fan Huai-Meng , Chen Luonan , Wei Dong-Qing
Published: May 2019

Identifying potential protein-ligand interactions is central to the field of drug discovery as it facilitates the identification of potential novel drug leads, contributes to advancement from hits to leads, predicts potential off-target explanations for side effects of approved drugs or candidates, as well as de-orphans phenotypic hits. For the rapid identification of protein-ligand interactions, we here present a novel chemogenomics algorithm for the prediction of protein-ligand interactions using a new machine learning approach and novel class of descriptor. The algorithm applies Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) on a newly proposed proteochemical space, termed the bow-pharmacological space. The space spans three distinctive sub-spaces that cover the protein space, the ligand space, and the interaction space. Thereby, the model extends the scope of classical target prediction or chemogenomic modelling that relies on one or two of these subspaces. Our model demonstrated excellent prediction power, reaching accuracies of up to 94.5–98.4% when evaluated on four human target datasets constituting enzymes, nuclear receptors, ion channels, and G-protein-coupled receptors . BART provided a reliable probabilistic description of the likelihood of interaction between proteins and ligands, which can be used in the prioritization of assays to be performed in both discovery and vigilance phases of small molecule development.
Interaction of SNARE Mimetic Peptides with Lipid bilayers: Effects of Secondary Structure, Bilayer Composition and Lipid Anchoring
Authors: Wagle Swapnil , Georgiev Vasil N. , Robinson Tom , Dimova Rumiana , Lipowsky Reinhard , Grafmüller Andrea
Published: May 2019

The coiled-coil forming peptides ‘K’ enriched in lysine and ‘E’ enriched in glutamic acid have been used as a minimal SNARE mimetic system for membrane fusion. Here we describe atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the interactions of these peptides with lipid bilayers for two different compositions. For neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC)/phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) bilayers the peptides experience a strong repulsive barrier against adsorption, also observed in potential of mean force (PMF) profiles calculated with umbrella sampling. Forpeptide K, a minimum of −12kBTin the PMF provides an upper bound for the binding free energy whereas no stable membrane bound state could be observed forpeptide E. In contrast, the electrostatic interactions with negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol (PG) lipids lead to fast adsorption of both peptides at the head-water interface. Experimental data using fluorescently labeled peptides confirm the stronger binding to PG containing bilayers. Lipid anchors have little effect on the peptide-bilayer interactions or peptide structure, when the peptide also binds to the bilayer in the absence of a lipid anchor. Forpeptide E, which does not bind to the PC bilayer without a lipid anchor, the presence of such an anchor strengthens the electrostatic interactions between the charged side chains and the zwitterionic head-groups and leads to a stabilization of the peptide’s helical fold by the membrane.
Publisher Correction: Mendelian randomisation study of the relationship between vitamin D and risk of glioma
Authors: Takahashi Hannah , Cornish Alex J. , Sud Amit , Law Philip J. , Kinnersley Ben , Ostrom Quinn T. , Labreche Karim , Eckel-Passow Jeanette E. , Armstrong Georgina N. , Claus Elizabeth B. , Il’yasova Dora , Schildkraut Joellen , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Olson Sara H. , Bernstein Jonine L. , Lai Rose K. , Schoemaker Minouk J. , Simon Matthias , Hoffmann Per , Nöthen Markus M. , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Chanock Stephen , Rajaraman Preetha , Johansen Christoffer , Jenkins Robert B. , Melin Beatrice S. , Wrensch Margaret R. , Sanson Marc , Bondy Melissa L. , Turnbull Clare , Houlston Richard S.
Published: May 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Multiplexed detection of RNA using MERFISH and branched DNA amplification
Authors: Xia Chenglong , Babcock Hazen P. , Moffitt Jeffrey R. , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: May 2019

Multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) allows simultaneous imaging of numerous RNA species in their native cellular environment and hence spatially resolved single-cell transcriptomic measurements. However, the relatively modest brightness of signals from single RNA molecules can become limiting in a number of applications, such as increasing the imaging throughput, imaging shorter RNAs, and imaging samples with high degrees of background, such as some tissue samples. Here, we report a branched DNA (bDNA) amplification approach for MERFISH measurements. This approach produces a drastic signal increase in RNA FISH samples without increasing the fluorescent spot size for individual RNAs or increasing the variation in brightness from spot to spot, properties that are important for MERFISH imaging. Using this amplification approach in combination with MERFISH, we demonstrated RNA imaging and profiling with a near 100% detection efficiency. We further demonstrated that signal amplification improves MERFISH performance when fewer FISH probes are used for each RNA species, which should allow shorter RNAs to be imaged. We anticipate that the combination of bDNA amplification with MERFISH should facilitate many other applications and extend the range of biological questions that can be addressed by this technique in both cell culture and tissues.
Field evaluation of synthetic and neem-derived alternative insecticides in developing action thresholds against cauliflower pests
Authors: Shah Farhan Mahmood , Razaq Muhammad , Ali Qasim , Shad Sarfraz Ali , Aslam Muhammad , Hardy Ian C. W.
Published: May 2019

Synthetic chemical pesticides can enhance crop yields but also have undesired effects. Alternative ‘botanical insecticides’ may also have non-target effects on pollinators and biocontrol services. Employing action thresholds (ATs) can reduce pesticide (whether synthetic or botanical) use compared to fixed-interval applications. Here the azadirachtin-based botanical formulation NeemAzal and a neem seed extract (NSE) were evaluated in field spraying trials alongside commonly-used synthetics (Voliam Flexi [chlorentraniliprole plus thiamethoxam] and imidacloprid) in developing ATs for the regular and cosmopolitan cauliflower pests Brevicoryne brassicae, Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura. We considered the size of the S. litura larvae infesting the crop in order to derive ATs. ATs per plant were higher for NeemAzal (0.55 larvae for P. xylostella and 3 larvae for large-sized S. litura) than for Voliam Flexi (0.30 larvae for P. xylostella and 0.80 larvae for S. litura) but were similar for B. brassicae (50 individuals). Higher ATs when using azadirachtin were associated with the diverse modes of action of botanicals, for instance NeemAzal and NSE deterred oviposition of S. litura. Although the exact values of ATs are likely to have regional limits, our approach can be applied for determining ATs against common lepidopteran and aphid pests in many other vegetable crop agro-ecosystems.
Differential Immune Activation in Fetal Macrophage Populations
Authors: Lakhdari Omar , Yamamura Asami , Hernandez Gilberto E. , Anderson Kathryn K. , Lund Sean J. , Oppong-Nonterah Gertrude O. , Hoffman Hal M. , Prince Lawrence S.
Published: May 2019

Distinct macrophage subsets populate the developing embryo and fetus in distinct waves. However little is known about the functional differences between in utero macrophage populations or how they might contribute to fetal and neonatal immunity. Here we tested the innate immune response of mouse macrophages derived from the embryonic yolk sac and from fetal liver. When isolated from liver or lung, CD11bHI fetal liver derived macrophages responded to the TLR4 agonist LPS by expressing and releasing inflammatory cytokines. However F4/80HI macrophages from the yolk sac did not respond to LPS treatment. While differences in TLR4 expression did not appear to explain these data, F4/80HI macrophages had much lower NLRP3 inflammasome expression compared to CD11bHI macrophages. Gene expression profiling also demonstrated LPS-induced expression of inflammatory genes in CD11bHI macrophages, but not in F4/80HI cells. Genes expressed in LPS-treated CD11bHI macrophages were more likely to contain predicted NF-κB binding sites in their promoter regions. Our data show that CD11bHI macrophages derived from fetal liver are the major pro-inflammatory cells in the developing fetus. These findings could have important implications in better understanding the fetal inflammatory response and the unique features of neonatal immunity.
Preliminary design of a new degradable medical device to prevent the formation and recurrence of intrauterine adhesions
Authors: Leprince Salome , Huberlant Stéphanie , Allegre Lucie , Warembourg Sophie , Leteuff Isabelle , Bethry Audrey , Paniagua Cedric , Taillades Hubert , De Tayrac Renaud , Coudane Jean , Letouzey Vincent , Garric Xavier
Published: May 2019

Intrauterine adhesions lead to partial or complete obliteration of the uterine cavity and have life-changing consequences for women. The leading cause of adhesions is believed to be loss of stroma resulting from trauma to the endometrium after surgery. Adhesions are formed when lost stroma is replaced by fibrous tissue that join the uterine walls. Few effective intrauterine anti-adhesion barriers for gynecological surgery exist. We designed a degradable anti-adhesion medical device prototype to prevent adhesion formation and recurrence and restore uterine morphology. We focused on ideal degradation time for complete uterine re-epithelialization for optimal anti-adhesion effect and clinical usability. We developed a triblock copolymer prototype [poly(lactide) combined with high molecular mass poly(ethylene oxide)]. Comparative pre-clinical studies demonstrated in vivo anti-adhesion efficacy. Ease of introduction and optimal deployment in a human uterus confirmed clinical usability. This article provides preliminary data to develop an intrauterine medical device and conduct a clinical trial.
Solvent viscosity-dependent isomerization equilibrium of tetramethoxy-substituted bianthrone
Authors: Hirao Yasukazu , Hamamoto Yosuke , Nagamachi Nobuhiro , Kubo Takashi
Published: May 2019

The designed and synthesized tetramethoxy-substituted bianthrone exists as an equilibrium mixture of the folded and twisted conformers in solution.
Visible light active Bi3TaO7 nanosheets for water splitting
Authors: Razavi-Khosroshahi Hadi , Mohammadzadeh Sara , Hojamberdiev Mirabbos , Kitano Sho , Yamauchi Miho , Fuji Masayoshi
Published: May 2019

Bi3TaO7 nanosheets were able to produce hydrogen by splitting water under visible light, while Bi3TaO7 nanoparticles failed to generate hydrogen.
Polyvinyl alcohol-assisted high-flux thin film nanocomposite membranes incorporated with halloysite nanotubes for nanofiltration
Authors: Jia Lulu , Zhang Xuke , Zhu Junyong , Cong Shenzhen , Wang Jing , Liu Jindun , Zhang Yatao
Published: May 2019

A novel halloysite nanotube functionalized TFN membrane with superior nanofiltration performance which is double that of the commercial product.
Luminescent behavior of pyrene-allied calix[4]arene for the highly pH-selective recognition and determination of Zn2+, Hg2+ and I−via the CHEF-PET mechanism: computational experiment and paper-based device
Authors: Sutariya Pinkesh G. , Soni Heni , Gandhi Sahaj A. , Pandya Alok
Published: May 2019

In this article, for the first time, we have reported a novel CHEF-PET fluorescence sensor L based on calix[4]arene containing four pyrene groups as binding sites, which is highly selective and sensitive towards Zn2+, Hg2+ and I−.
Influence of carbon nanodots encapsulated polycarbazole hybrid on the corrosion inhibition performance of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Khatoon Halima , Iqbal Sajid , Ahmad Sharif
Published: May 2019

Carbon nanodots encapsulated in a polycarbazole hybrid-dispersed polyurethane nanocomposite coating with new exciting perspectives for high-performance anticorrosive coatings are shown.
Direct fabrication of bimetallic AuPt nanobrick spherical nanoarchitectonics for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Narendra Kumar Alam Venugopal , Yin Shuli , Wang Ziqiang , Qian Xiaoqian , Yang Dandan , Xu You , Li Xiaonian , Wang Hongjing , Wang Liang
Published: May 2019

Bimetallic AuPt nanobrick spherical nanoarchitectonics synthesized via a one-step method show excellent ORR performance.
Biocompatible conjugation of Tris base to 2-acetyl and 2-formyl phenylboronic acid
Authors: Li Kaicheng , Kelly Michael A. , Gao Jianmin
Published: May 2019

Tris, a commonly used buffering agent, readily reacts with 2-acetyl/formyl phenylboronic acid in complex biological media, yielding conjugates with kinetic stability similar to oximes.
Solvent-free ruthenium-catalysed triflate coupling as a convenient method for selective azole-o-C–H monoarylation
Authors: Abidi Oumaima , Boubaker Taoufik , Hierso Jean-Cyrille , Roger Julien
Published: May 2019

A convenient ruthenium-catalysed N-directed C–H monoarylation of arylpyrazoles with a good selectivity of up to 96% is reported.
A computational study on H2S release and amide formation from thionoesters and cysteine
Authors: Jiang Yuan-Ye , Zhu Ling , Fan Xia , Zhang Qi , Fu Ya-Jie , Li He , Hu Bing , Bi Siwei
Published: May 2019

A computational study clarified the detailed mechanisms of H2S release and amide bond formation from thionoesters and cysteine.
Conjugated molecular dyads with diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated backbones for single-component organic solar cells
Authors: Xia Dongdong , Yang Fan , Li Junyu , Li Cheng , Li Weiwei
Published: May 2019

A series of conjugated molecular dyads were developed for single-component organic solar cells, and they exhibited well-ordered lamellar structures and power conversion efficiencies up to 2.52%.
Photocatalyzed transfer hydrogenation and deuteriation of cyclic N-sulfonylimines
Authors: Zhang Xuexin , Chen Jingchao , Gao Yang , Li Kangkui , Zhou Yongyun , Sun Weiqing , Fan Baomin
Published: May 2019

Photocatalyzed transfer hydrogenation of cyclic N-sulfonylimines by using water as the hydrogen source is described.
Gold(i) sulfide: unusual bonding and an unexpected computational challenge in a simple solid
Authors: Santamaría-Pérez D. , Daisenberger D. , Ruiz-Fuertes J. , Marqueño T. , Chulia-Jordan R. , Muehle C. , Jansen M. , Rodriguez-Hernandez P. , Muñoz A. , Johnson Erin R. , Otero-de-la-Roza A.
Published: May 2019

Cubic cuprite-type gold(i) sulfide presents unique chemical bonding, which makes it unmodelable using current DFT methods, and a computational challenge.
Potent and selective in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative effects of metal–organic trefoil knots
Authors: Benyettou Farah , Prakasam Thirumurugan , Ramdas Nair Anjana , Witzel Ini-Isabee , Alhashimi Marwa , Skorjanc Tina , Olsen John-Carl , Sadler Kirsten C. , Trabolsi Ali
Published: May 2019

A set of metal–organic trefoil knots (M-TKs) generated by metal-templated self-assembly of a simple pair of chelating ligands were well tolerated in vitro by non-cancer cells but were significantly more potent than cisplatin in both human cancer cells––including those resistant to cisplatin––and in zebrafish embryos.
Light-regulated molecular diffusion in a liquid crystal network
Authors: Cao Anping , van Raak Roel J. H. , Broer Dirk J.
Published: May 2019

Photo-responsive liquid crystal polymer networks offer promising means to generate useful functional devices, but many of them focus on their mechanical response so as to generate surface features or shape change. Here, we present the photomechanical effect of the polymer network for molecular transport purposes.
Precise morphology control and fast merging of a complex multi-emulsion system: the effects of AC electric fields
Authors: Huang Yi , Yin Shuai , Chong Wen Han , Wong Teck Neng , Ooi Kim Tiow
Published: May 2019

We showed a full morphology control over complex emulsions through an AC electric field by non-contact type of electrodes.
Investigation of reciprocating friction characteristics between different bionic surfaces of prosthesis materials and skin
Authors: Feng Quanping , Li Wei , Liu Xidong , Ji Wei , Zhou Zhongrong
Published: May 2019

In this study, three types of bionic texture surfaces were designed, based on the microstructure of tree frog and gecko feet, for two typical prosthetic substrates: silicone rubber and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). The surface energy of all bionic texture surfaces, and the relative displacement and energy dissipation of the reciprocating friction between these bionic surfaces and skin, were investigated. The results revealed that the bionic texture of the prosthetic socket surface had an obvious influence on the surface characteristics and reciprocating characteristics of friction with the skin. According to the comprehensive weight rating method, the optimal bionic textures for the silicone rubber substrate were a regular hexagonal prism and a quadrangular prism; for the TPU substrate, only the regular quadrangular prism texture was optimal. These textures can effectively increase the surface energy of the surface of the prosthetic socket, thereby increasing its adhesion to skin and reducing the dissipation of friction energy when it interacts with the stump. This bionic prosthetic socket surface design helps improve the adaptation between the prosthetic socket and the stump.