bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ginsenoside improves papillary thyroid cancer cell malignancies partially through upregulating connexin 31
Authors: Xu Li , Chen Su‐Wan , Qi Xiao‐Yan , Li Xin‐Xin , Sun Yuan‐Bo
Published: January 2018

Connexin 31 (Cx31) is considered a suppressor for many tumors. Ginsenoside (Rg1) is a traditional Chinese herb that is widely acknowledged due to its anti‐tumor characteristics. However, limited studies have focused on the role of Rg1 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cells. In the current study, we found that the expression of Cx31 in thyroid cancer tissues and thyroid cancer cell lines was significantly lower than that in normal thyroid epithelial tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of Cx31 reduced thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, we found that Rg1 significantly enhanced the expression of Cx31. Moreover, the proliferation and migration of IHH‐4 and BCPAP cells were significantly reduced by Rg1 treatment. In contrast, the silencing of Cx31 enhanced the expression of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Meanwhile, treatment with Rg1 significantly decreased the protein levels of Ki67 and PCNA, but these effects could be abolished by transfection with si‐Cx31. In summary, we provide novel evidence that the expression of Cx31 was decreased in thyroid cancer cells, but Rg1 treatment could significantly enhance the expression of Cx31 thereby suppressing thyroid cancer cell proliferation and migration.
A Mistake in the Commodification Debate
Authors: SEMRAU LUKE
Published: January 2018

A significant debate has developed around the question: What are the moral limits of the market? This paper argues that this debate proceeds on a mistake. Both those who oppose specific markets and those who defend them, adopt the same deficient approach. Participants illicitly proceed from an assessment of the transactions making up a market to a judgment of that market's permissibility. This inference is unlicensed. We may know everything there is to know about the transactions in a specific market—they might all be absolutely bad—but we will not yet know whether that market should be prohibited. To discern this, to establish that intervention into some specific market is justifiable, one must supply a rather different assessment. One must compare the outcome in which that market is permitted with the best outcome available in its absence. None in this debate has offered such a judgment.
Effects of krill oil and lean and fatty fish on cardiovascular risk markers: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rundblad Amanda , Holven Kirsten B. , Bruheim Inge , Myhrstad Mari C. , Ulven Stine M.
Published: January 2018

Fish consumption and supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduce CVD risk. Krill oil is an alternative source of marine n-3 fatty acids and few studies have investigated its health effects. Thus, we compared krill oil supplementation with the intake of fish with similar amounts of n-3 fatty acids on different cardiovascular risk markers. In an 8-week randomised parallel study, thirty-six healthy subjects aged 18–70 years with fasting serum TAG between 1·3 and 4·0 mmol/l were randomised to receive either fish, krill oil or control oil. In the fish group, subjects consumed lean and fatty fish, according to dietary guidelines. The krill and control group received eight capsules per d containing 4 g oil per d. The weekly intake of marine n-3 fatty acids from fish given in the fish group and from krill oil in the krill group were 4103 and 4654 mg, respectively. Fasting serum TAG did not change between the groups. The level of total lipids (P = 0·007), phospholipids (P = 0·015), cholesterol (P = 0·009), cholesteryl esters (P = 0·022) and non-esterified cholesterol (P = 0·002) in the smallest VLDL subclass increased significantly in response to krill oil supplementation. Blood glucose decreased significantly (P = 0·024) in the krill group and vitamin D increased significantly in the fish group (P = 0·024). Furthermore, plasma levels of marine n-3 fatty acids increased significantly in the fish and krill groups compared with the control (all P ≤ 0·0003). In conclusion, supplementation with krill oil and intake of fish result in health-beneficial effects. Although only krill oil reduced fasting glucose, fish provide health-beneficial nutrients, including vitamin D.
Statistical evidence on the effect of production changes on induced seismicity
Authors: Sijacic Danijela , Pijpers Frank , Nepveu Manuel , van Thienen-Visser Karin
Published: January 2018

Depletion of the Groningen gas field has induced earthquakes, although the north of the Netherlands is a tectonically inactive region. Increased seismic activity raised public concern which led the government to initiate a number of studies with the aim of understanding the cause(s) of the earthquakes. If the relationship between production and seismicity were understood then production could be optimized in such a way that the risk of induced seismicity would be minimal. The main question remains how production is correlated with induced seismicity. The Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands decided to reduce production starting from 17 January 2014, specifically in the centre of the gas field as it has the highest rates of seismicity, the largest-magnitude events and the highest compaction values of the field.

A reduction in production could possibly lead to a reduced rate of compaction. Additionally a reduction of production rate could lead to a reduced stress rate increase on the existing faults and consequently fewer seismic events per year. One might envisage a ‘bonus effect’ in the events reduction in the sense that the total number of events will be less, with the same total production smeared out over a longer period. This is as yet unclear.

In this paper we apply different statistical methods to look for evidence supporting or disproving a decrease in the number of seismic events due to production reduction.
From checking deterministic predictions to probabilities, scenarios and control loops for regulatory supervision
Authors: de Waal J.A. , Muntendam-Bos A.G. , Roest J.P.A.
Published: January 2018

Prediction of gas-production-induced subsidence and seismicity is much more difficult and uncertain than generally recognised in the past. It is now widely accepted that uncertainties in predicted subsidence and seismicity are large prior to and during the initial stages of production. At later stages, predictions remain highly uncertain for periods more than three to five years into the future. This requires a different regulatory framework to ensure that associated risks remain within accepted boundaries. Previously, single-scenario operator predictions were checked against field measurements. When subsidence or seismicity started to deviate beyond claimed uncertainties, the operator was asked to provide prediction updates. The practice was long considered acceptable, as structural damage to buildings and infrastructure or personal risk to people was not expected. This all changed following the 2012 Huizinge seismic event, necessitating better identification, assessment and ranking of risks, the use of scenarios, probabilistic forecasting and a much intensified field monitoring and control loop. It requires that the regulator becomes actively involved in assuring the integrated control loop of risk identification, predictions, monitoring, updating, mitigation measures and the closing of knowledge gaps, to ensure that subsidence (rate) and induced seismicity remain within acceptable limits. And it requires that this increased involvement of the regulator is supported in the mining law and by appropriate conditions in the Production Plan assent.
The effect of salt in dilatant faults on rates and magnitudes of induced seismicity – first results building on the geological setting of the Groningen Rotliegend reservoirs
Authors: Kettermann Michael , Abe Steffen , Raith Alexander F. , de Jager Jan , Urai Janos L.
Published: January 2018

The presence of salt in dilatant normal faults may have a strong influence on fault mechanics in the Groningen field and on the related induced seismicity. At present, little is known of the structure of these fault zones. This study starts with the geological evolution of the Groningen area, where, during tectonic faulting, rock salt may have migrated downwards into dilatant faults. These fault zones therefore may contain inclusions of rock salt. Because of its rate-dependent mechanical properties, the presence of salt in a fault may introduce a loading-rate dependency into fault movement and affect the distribution of magnitudes of seismic events. We present a first-look study showing how these processes can be investigated using a combination of analogue and numerical modelling. Full scaling of the models and quantification of implications for induced seismicity in Groningen require further, more detailed studies: an understanding of fault zone structure in the Groningen field is required for improved predictions of induced seismicity. The analogue experiments are based on a simplified stratigraphy of the Groningen area, where it is generally thought that most of the Rotliegend faulting has taken place in the Jurassic, after deposition of the Zechstein. This suggests that, at the time of faulting, the sulphates were already transformed into brittle anhydrite. If these layers were sufficiently brittle to fault in a dilatant fashion, rock salt was able to flow downwards into the dilatant fractures. To test this hypothesis, we use sandbox experiments where we combine cohesive powder as analogue for brittle anhydrites and carbonates with viscous salt analogues to explore the developing fault geometry and the resulting distribution of salt in the faults. Using the observations from analogue models as input, numerical models investigate the stick-slip behaviour of fault zones containing ductile material qualitatively with the discrete element method (DEM). Results show that the DEM approach is suitable for modelling the seismicity of faults containing salt. The stick-slip motion of the fault becomes dependent on shear loading rate with a modification of the frequency–magnitude distribution of the generated seismic events.
Research into induced seismicity in the Groningen field – further studies
Authors: Jansen Jan-Dirk , Herber Rien
Published: January 2018

Further research into seismicity caused by natural gas production from the Groningen field is necessary to improve the assessment of seismic risk and develop means to control and reduce it. Research into subsurface aspects is primarily of relevance to assess the seismic hazard component in the cause-and-effect chain that governs the seismic risk. It requires a wide range of research activities that can be broadly classified as follows:

•

Increasing understanding of the physical mechanisms that govern production-induced seismicity, in particular source mechanisms, compaction behaviour, propagation of energy to the surface, and the effects of fluctuating production.

•

Reducing uncertainty by acquiring additional field data to improve statistical inference, and developing statistical methods and procedures that can cope with the non-stationary nature of the process.

•

Developing tools and techniques to improve risk management, and support operational control and policy measures under uncertainty.

An essential requirement for further research will be the possibility of developing competing theories for many aspects of the modelling chain. This requires an overall hazard and risk assessment methodology that can accommodate multiple models, and an organisational structure that facilitates the comparison of competing approaches while safeguarding their independent development. This will have to be supported by the availability of reliable data via shared databases. Finally, the scientific community should be prepared to make a major effort to translate their research results into popular scientific versions in order to keep stakeholders abreast of progressive insight into the origin, predictability and prevention of induced seismicity.
New approaches in experimental research on rock and fault behaviour in the Groningen gas field
Authors: Spiers Christopher J. , Hangx Suzanne J.T. , Niemeijer André R.
Published: January 2018

This paper describes a research programme recently initiated at Utrecht University that aims to contribute new, fundamental physical understanding and quantitative descriptions of rock and fault behaviour needed to advance understanding of reservoir compaction and fault behaviour in the context of induced seismicity and subsidence in the Groningen gas field. The NAM-funded programme involves experimental rock and fault mechanics work, microscale observational studies to determine the processes that control reservoir rock deformation and fault slip, modelling and experimental work aimed at establishing upscaling rules between laboratory and field scales, and geomechanical modelling of fault rupture and earthquake generation at the reservoir scale. Here, we focus on describing the programme and its intended contribution to understanding the response of the Groningen field to gas production. The key knowledge gaps that drive the programme are discussed and the approaches employed to address them are highlighted. Some of the first results emerging from the work in progress are also reported briefly and are providing important new insights.
How immediate and significant is the outcome of training on diversified diets, hygiene and food safety? An effort to mitigate child undernutrition in rural Malawi
Authors: Seetha Anitha , Tsusaka Takuji W , Munthali Timalizge W , Musukwa Maggie , Mwangwela Agnes , Kalumikiza Zione , Manani Tinna , Kachulu Lizzie , Kumwenda Nelson , Musoke Mike , Okori Patrick
Published: January 2018

Objective

The present study examined the impacts of training on nutrition, hygiene and food safety designed by the Nutrition Working Group, Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group (CORE).

Design

Adapted from the 21d Positive Deviance/Hearth model, mothers were trained on the subjects of appropriate complementary feeding, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices, and aflatoxin contamination in food. To assess the impacts on child undernutrition, a randomised controlled trial was implemented on a sample of 179 mothers and their children (<2 years old) in two districts of Malawi, namely Mzimba and Balaka.

Settings

A 21d intensive learning-by-doing process using the positive deviance approach.

Subjects

Malawian children and mothers.

Results

Difference-in-difference panel regression analysis revealed that the impacts of the comprehensive training were positive and statistically significant on the Z-scores for wasting and underweight, where the effects increased constantly over time within the 21d time frame. As for stunting, the coefficients were not statistically significant during the 21d programme, although the level of significance started increasing in 2 weeks, indicating that stunting should also be alleviated in a slightly longer time horizon.

Conclusions

The study clearly suggests that comprehensive training immediately guides mothers into improved dietary and hygiene practices, and that improved practices take immediate and progressive effects in ameliorating children’s undernutrition.
Transformation of the Japanese State in Antimonopoly Regulation after the 1980s
Authors: MOGAKI MASAHIRO
Published: January 2018

Although state transformation after the 1980s has been a major topic of debate in political science, the transformation of the Japanese state has not been fully explored, with the pluralist and rational choice approaches dominating within the Japanese politics literature. This article addresses the lacuna by exploring state transformation in Japan's antimonopoly regulation after the 1980s, focusing on the state at the macro level through analysing evolving power relations within the core executive in response to the challenges of governance. The case study reveals the flexible change of power relations within the core executive; the core executive retained its dominance within policy-making arenas through this adaptation, which is regarded as the reconstitution of the state. Drawing on that, the article argues that the nature of state transformation in Japan is the sustained dominance of the core executive as a collective group over the sector through reconstituting the state.
Glimmers of hope: A report on the Philippine Criminal Justice System
Authors: Valenzuela Roy Panti
Published: January 2018

There is a saying: “Justice delayed is justice denied.” The perception of a continuing failure of the Philippine criminal justice system to deliver fast and efficient justice has inevitably led to the erosion of public trust in the government. As a consequence, citizens are laden with anxiety because of unabated criminality and violence in their communities. The type of justice that leads to peace and prosperity continues to be elusive in the Philippines as the worsening scenario of jail congestion continues to manifest its malevolent implications for the human rights of prisoners. It appears that the culprit is an overwhelmed machinery of criminal justice that has not been able to keep pace with growing rates of population, urbanization and criminality. There is also an apparent imbalance in the justice structure where there are too few judges, prosecutors and public defence attorneys to process the cases filed by the numerous law enforcers who file criminal cases. This leads to bottlenecks in criminal justice procedures and has resulted, in not a few instances, in human rights crises in jails. However, emerging developments give some hope to Filipinos.
Krebsbedingte Schmerzen – Unterstützung des Selbstmanagements von Patienten und Angehörigen
Authors: Spichiger Elisabeth , Valenta Sabine
Published: January 2018

Zusammenfassung. Krebsbedingte Schmerzen sind häufig, für Betroffene sehr belastend und oft ungenügend behandelt. Krebs ist zur chronischen Krankheit geworden; viele Patienten sind gefordert zu Hause selber oder mit Unterstützung von Angehörigen mit Therapien und Auswirkungen der Erkrankung zurechtzukommen. Dazu gehört auch das Schmerz-Selbstmanagement. Dieses ist komplex und verlangt spezifisches Wissen und Können, um eine Schmerztherapie im Alltag erfolgreich umzusetzen. Oft gelingt dies nicht, weil patientenbezogene Barrieren wie Bedenken gegenüber Opiaten eine gute Schmerzkontrolle verhindern. Mit getesteten Interventionen konnten teilweise moderate Schmerzreduktionen erreicht werden. Wegen unterschiedlichen methodischen Ansätzen und Interventionen bleibt offen, wie eine Unterstützung von Patienten und pflegenden Angehörigen am wirksamsten erfolgt. Es empfiehlt sich, Patienten zu informieren, dabei bekannte Barrieren anzugehen, Können zu vermitteln und pflegende Angehörige einzubeziehen.
Virtual craniotomy for high-resolution optoacoustic brain microscopy
Authors: Estrada Héctor , Huang Xiao , Rebling Johannes , Zwack Michael , Gottschalk Sven , Razansky Daniel
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound-mediated transcranial images of the brain often suffer from acoustic distortions produced by the skull bone. In high-resolution optoacoustic microscopy, the skull-induced acoustic aberrations are known to impair image resolution and contrast, further skewing the location and intensity of the different absorbing structures. We present a virtual craniotomy deconvolution algorithm based on an ultrasound wave propagation model that corrects for the skull-induced distortions in optically-resolved optoacoustic transcranial microscopy data. The method takes advantage of the geometrical and spectral information of a pulse-echo ultrasound image of the skull simultaneously acquired by our multimodal imaging system. Transcranial mouse brain imaging experiments confirmed the ability to accurately account for the signal amplitude decay, temporal delay and pulse broadening introduced by the rodent’s skull. Our study is the first to demonstrate skull-corrected transcranial optoacoustic imaging in vivo.
Platelet subpopulations remain despite strong dual agonist stimulation and can be characterised using a novel six-colour flow cytometry protocol
Authors: Södergren Anna Linnea , Ramström Sofia
Published: January 2018

It is recognised that platelets respond differently to activation, where a subpopulation of platelets adopt a procoagulant phenotype while others are aggregatory. However, it has not been thoroughly tested whether these subpopulations will remain in maximally activated samples, or if they are merely a result of different platelet sensitivities to agonist activation. Here platelets were activated with gradually increasing concentrations of thrombin and/or the GPVI agonist cross-linked collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL). Platelet activation was investigated using a novel six-colour flow cytometry protocol evaluating exposure of phosphatidylserine, active conformation of the fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3, α-granule and lysosomal release (P-selectin and LAMP-1 exposure), mitochondrial membrane integrity and platelet fragmentation. Upon activation by CRP-XL or thrombin+CRP-XL, platelets formed three differently sized subpopulations. Normal-sized platelets showed high exposure of aggregatory active αIIbβ3 and intact mitochondria, while the smaller platelets and platelet fragments showed high exposure of procoagulant phosphatidylserine. The distribution of platelets between the differently sized subpopulations remained stable despite high agonist concentrations. All three were still present after 30 and 60 min of activation, showing that all platelets will not have the same characteristics even after maximal stimulation. This suggests that platelet subpopulations with distinct activation patterns exist within the total platelet population.
A Discontinuous Galerkin Model for Fluorescence Loss in Photobleaching
Authors: Hansen Christian V. , Schroll Hans J. , Wüstner Daniel
Published: January 2018

Fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) is a modern microscopy method for visualization of transport processes in living cells. This paper presents the simulation of FLIP sequences based on a calibrated reaction–diffusion system defined on segmented cell images. By the use of a discontinuous Galerkin method, the computational complexity is drastically reduced compared to continuous Galerkin methods. Using this approach on green fluorescent protein (GFP), we can determine its intracellular diffusion constant, the strength of localized hindrance to diffusion as well as the permeability of the nuclear membrane for GFP passage, directly from the FLIP image series. Thus, we present for the first time, to our knowledge, a quantitative computational FLIP method for inferring several molecular transport parameters in parallel from FLIP image data acquired at commercial microscope systems.
Comparison between direct contact and extract exposure methods for PFO cytotoxicity evaluation
Authors: Srivastava Girish K. , Alonso-Alonso Maria L. , Fernandez-Bueno Ivan , Garcia-Gutierrez Maria T. , Rull Fernando , Medina Jesús , Coco Rosa M. , Pastor J. Carlos
Published: January 2018

A series of recent acute blindness cases following non–complicated retinal detachment surgery caused the release of several health alerts in Spain. The blindness was attributed to certain lots of perfluoro-octane (PFO; a volatile and transient medical device). Similar cases have been reported in other countries. This has raised questions regarding the validity of cytotoxicity test methods currently used to certify the safety of PFO lots. The tests were performed according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) norms, using the extract dilution method or the indirect contact method as applied to L929 cells, a line derived from mouse fibroblasts. The limitations of those methods have been resolved in this study by proposing a new cytotoxicity test method for volatile substances. The new method requires direct contact of the tested substance with cells that are similar to those exposed to the substance in the clinical setting. This approach includes a few new technical steps that are crucial for detecting cytotoxicity. Our new method detected toxic PFO lots that corresponded to the lots producing clinical blindness, which previous methods failed to detect. The study suggests applying this new method to avoid occurrence of such cases of blindness.
Low cost, microcontroller based heating device for multi-wavelength differential scanning fluorimetry
Authors: Hoeser Jo , Gnandt Emmanuel , Friedrich Thorsten
Published: January 2018

Differential scanning fluorimetry is a popular method to estimate the stability of a protein in distinct buffer conditions by determining its ‘melting point’. The method requires a temperature controlled fluorescence spectrometer or a RT-PCR machine. Here, we introduce a low-budget version of a microcontroller based heating device implemented into a 96-well plate reader that is connected to a standard fluorescence spectrometer. We demonstrate its potential to determine the ‘melting point’ of soluble and membranous proteins at various buffer conditions.
Clinical Evaluation of the Immunochromatographic System Using Silver Amplification for the Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Namkoong Ho , Yamazaki Masahiko , Ishizaki Masami , Endo Ikumi , Harada Noriaki , Aramaki Megumi , Tanaka Yuko , Kaburagi Sachiko , Ichikawa Masataka , Ohata Takanori , Sakaguchi Shinji , Saito Fumitake , Nakao Ayumi , Yuki Hideki , Mitamura Keiko
Published: January 2018

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is conventionally diagnosed using serum antibody testing, microbial culture, and genetic testing. Recently, immunochromatography-based rapid mycoplasma antigen test kits have been developed and commercialised for rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection. However, as these kits do not provide sufficient sensitivity and specificity, a rapid test kit with improved accuracy is desired. The present prospective study evaluated a rapid M. pneumoniae diagnostic system utilizing a newly developed silver amplification immunochromatography (SAI) system. We performed dilution sensitivity test and the prospective clinical study evaluating the SAI system. The subjects of the clinical study included both children and adults. All patients suspected to have mycoplasma pneumonia (169 patients) were sequentially enrolled. Twelve patients did not agree to participate and 157 patients were enrolled in the study. The results demonstrate excellent performance of this system with 90.4% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity compared with real-time polymerase chain reaction. When compared with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods, the results also demonstrate a high performance of this system with 93.0% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity. The SAI system uses a dedicated device for automatic analysis and reading, making it highly objective, and requires less human power, supporting its usefulness in clinical settings.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with dysbiosis independent of body mass index and insulin resistance
Authors: Da Silva Hannah E. , Teterina Anastasia , Comelli Elena M. , Taibi Amel , Arendt Bianca M. , Fischer Sandra E. , Lou Wendy , Allard Johane P.
Published: January 2018

This study aimed to determine if there is an association between dysbiosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) independent of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). This is a prospective cross-sectional study assessing the intestinal microbiome (IM) of 39 adults with biopsy-proven NAFLD (15 simple steatosis [SS]; 24 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) and 28 healthy controls (HC). IM composition (llumina MiSeq Platform) in NAFLD patients compared to HC were identified by two statistical methods (Metastats, Wilcoxon). Selected taxa was validated using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Metabolites in feces and serum were also analyzed. In NAFLD, 8 operational taxonomic units, 6 genera, 6 families and 2 phyla (Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes) were less abundant and; 1 genus (Lactobacillus) and 1 family (Lactobacillaceae) were more abundant compared to HC. Lower abundance in both NASH and SS patients compared to HC were confirmed by qPCR forRuminococcus, Faecalibacterium prausnitziiandCoprococcus. No difference was found between NASH and SS. This lower abundance in NAFLD (NASH+SS) was independent of BMI and IR. NAFLD patients had higher concentrations of fecal propionate and isobutyric acid and serum 2-hydroxybutyrate and L-lactic acid. These findings suggest a potential role for a specific IM community and functional profile in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
Improvement in creep life of a nickel-based single-crystal superalloy via composition homogeneity on the multiscales by magnetic-field-assisted directional solidification
Authors: Ren Weili , Niu Chunlin , Ding Biao , Zhong Yunbo , Yu Jianbo , Ren Zhongming , Liu Wenqing , Ren Liangpu , Liaw Peter K.
Published: January 2018

The improvement of the creep properties of single-crystal superalloys is always strongly motivated by the vast growing demand from the aviation, aerospace, and gas engine. In this study, a static magnetic-field-assisted solidification process significantly improves the creep life of single-crystal superalloys. The mechanism originates from an increase in the composition homogeneity on the multiscales, which further decreases the lattice misfit of γ/γ′ phases and affects the phase precipitation. The phase-precipitation change is reflected as the decrease in the γ′ size and the contents of carbides and γ/γ′ eutectic, which can be further verified by the variation of the cracks number and raft thickness near the fracture surface. The variation of element partition decreases the dislocation quantity within the γ/γ′ phases of the samples during the crept deformation. Though the magnetic field in the study destroys the single-crystal integrity, it does not offset the benefits from the compositional homogeneity. The proposed means shows a great potential application in industry owing to its easy implement. The uncovered mechanism provides a guideline for controlling microstructures and mechanical properties of alloys with multiple components and multiple phases using a magnetic field.
Lethal mutagenesis of an RNA plant virus via lethal defection
Authors: Díaz-Martínez Luis , Brichette-Mieg Isabel , Pineño-Ramos Axier , Domínguez-Huerta Guillermo , Grande-Pérez Ana
Published: January 2018

Lethal mutagenesis is an antiviral therapy that relies on increasing the viral mutation rate with mutagenic nucleoside or base analogues. Currently, the molecular mechanisms that lead to virus extinction through enhanced mutagenesis are not fully understood. Increasing experimental evidence supports the lethal defection model of lethal mutagenesis of RNA viruses, where replication-competent-defectors drive infective virus towards extinction. Here, we address lethal mutagenesis in vivo using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) during the establishment of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) systemic infections in N. tabacum. The results show that 5-FU decreased the infectivity of TMV without affecting its viral load. Analysis of molecular clones spanning two genomic regions showed an increase of the FU-related base transitions A → G and U → C. Although the mutation frequency or the number of mutations per molecule did not increase, the complexity of the mutant spectra and the distribution of the mutations were altered. Overall, our results suggest that 5-FU antiviral effect on TMV is associated with the perturbation of the mutation-selection balance in the genomic region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Our work supports the lethal defection model for lethal mutagenesis in vivo in a plant RNA virus and opens the way to study lethal mutagens in plant-virus systems.
On the thermodynamic origin of metabolic scaling
Authors: Ballesteros Fernando J. , Martinez Vicent J. , Luque Bartolo , Lacasa Lucas , Valor Enric , Moya Andrés
Published: January 2018

The origin and shape of metabolic scaling has been controversial since Kleiber found that basal metabolic rate of animals seemed to vary as a power law of their body mass with exponent 3/4, instead of 2/3, as a surface-to-volume argument predicts. The universality of exponent 3/4 -claimed in terms of the fractal properties of the nutrient network- has recently been challenged according to empirical evidence that observed a wealth of robust exponents deviating from 3/4. Here we present a conceptually simple thermodynamic framework, where the dependence of metabolic rate with body mass emerges from a trade-off between the energy dissipated as heat and the energy efficiently used by the organism to maintain its metabolism. This balance tunes the shape of an additive model from which different effective scalings can be recovered as particular cases, thereby reconciling previously inconsistent empirical evidence in mammals, birds, insects and even plants under a unified framework. This model is biologically motivated, fits remarkably well the data, and also explains additional features such as the relation between energy lost as heat and mass, the role and influence of different climatic environments or the difference found between endotherms and ectotherms.
Supercritical Fluid Pasteurization and Food Safety
Authors: Spilimbergo Sara , Matthews Michael A. , Zambon Allesandro
Published: January 2018

Processes based on supercritical fluids, especially carbon dioxide, have been extensively investigated for their utility in pasteurizing milk, fruit and vegetable juices, raw vegetables, meat, and fish. This chapter initially reviews current issues in food pasteurization, then presents the thermodynamic fundamentals of supercritical fluid behavior and how SCFs can be utilized for pasteurization. The chapter includes possible mechanisms and models for the inactivation of a variety of hazardous microorganisms. This is followed by a comprehensive overview of specific studies of applications to a wide range of foodstuffs. Finally, the commercial viability of SCF pasteurization and the recent patent literature is discussed. The goal of this chapter is to enable both researchers and process developers to understand the scientific fundamentals behind the use of supercritical fluids for food pasteurization and assess the breadth of applications that have been considered.
New rare earth hafnium oxynitride perovskites with photocatalytic activity in water oxidation and reduction
Authors: Black Ashley P. , Suzuki Hajime , Higashi Masanobu , Frontera Carlos , Ritter Clemens , De Chandan , Sundaresan A. , Abe Ryu , Fuertes Amparo
Published: January 2018

RHfO2N perovskites with R = La, Nd, and Sm represent the first examples of quaternary hafnium oxynitrides and are active as photocatalysts in the overall water splitting reaction.
Consequences of realistic embedding for the L2,3 edge XAS of α-Fe2O3
Authors: Bagus Paul S. , Nelin Connie J. , Sassi Michel , Ilton Eugene S. , Rosso Kevin M.
Published: January 2018

Cluster models of condensed systems are often used to simulate the core-level spectra obtained with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, XPS, or with X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy, XAS, especially for near edge features.
Reactivity of hydropersulfides toward the hydroxyl radical unraveled: disulfide bond cleavage, hydrogen atom transfer, and proton-coupled electron transfer
Authors: Anglada Josep M. , Crehuet Ramon , Adhikari Sarju , Francisco Joseph S. , Xia Yu
Published: January 2018

Hydropersulfides (RSSH) are highly reactive towards OH radical, and depending on the nature of R substitute, a selective OH substitution with S–S bond cleavage competes with the hydrogen abstraction by the radical.
Zr2Si: an antiferromagnetic Dirac MXene
Authors: Shao Xiaofei , Liu Xiaobiao , Zhang Xiaoming , Wang Junru , Zhao Mingwen
Published: January 2018

The antiferromagnetic ground state of Zr2Si MXene was determined to exhibit anisotropic Dirac cones with Fermi velocities comparable to that in graphene.
Harvesting visible light with MoO3 nanorods modified by Fe(iii) nanoclusters for effective photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Alam U. , Kumar S. , Bahnemann D. , Koch J. , Tegenkamp C. , Muneer M.
Published: January 2018

Fe(iii) grafted MoO3 nanorods were prepared by a hydrothermal-cum-impregnation technique.
The effect of connectivity on information in neural networks
Authors: Onesto V. , Narducci R. , Amato F. , Cancedda L. , Gentile F.
Published: January 2018

A mathematical model quantifies the amount of information/exchanged in neural networks as a function of network connectivityQ.
Enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity of CdO–graphene oxide heterostructures for the degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Ahmad Jahangir , Majid Kowsar
Published: January 2018

Synthesis of efficient CdO based photocatalysts for enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants mostly emphasize on (1) increase of surface area of the photocatalyst and (2) high charge separation and suppressed recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs.
A multinuclear NMR perspective on the complexation between bisboronic acids and bisbenzoxaboroles withcis-diols
Authors: Larcher Adèle , Lebrun Aurélien , Smietana Michael , Laurencin Danielle
Published: January 2018

A new way of using solution NMR (especially19F NMR) to study organoboron molecule/cis-diol equilibria is presented.
A general and convenient method for the synthesis of 2,4-dinitrobenzyl ketones. Almost unlimited access to 2-substituted 6-nitroindoles from 2,4-dinitrotoluene and aldehydes
Authors: Bujok Robert , Wiszniewski Marcin , Cmoch Piotr , Wróbel Zbigniew
Published: January 2018

Starting from 2,4-dinitrotoluene and aldehydes, 2-substituted 6-nitroindoles with alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl (thienyl, furyl, pyridyl) substituents in the 2-position of the indole ring were synthesized. This methodology can be used for synthesis of indoles with non-racemic substituents.
Analysis of redox states of protic and aprotic solutions irradiated by low linear energy transfer carbon-ion beams using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical
Authors: Nakanishi Ikuo , Yamashita Shinichi , Shimokawa Takashi , Kamibayashi Masato , Sekine-Suzuki Emiko , Ueno Megumi , Ogawa Yukihiro , Ozawa Toshihiko , Matsumoto Ken-ichiro
Published: January 2018

The redox states of protic and aprotic solutions were evaluated after carbon-ion irradiation.
Evaluation of the taste-masking effects of (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin on ranitidine hydrochloride; a combined biosensor, spectroscopic and molecular modelling assessment
Authors: Chay Sai Kin , Keating Alison V. , James Colin , Aliev Abil E. , Haider Shozeb , Craig Duncan Q. M.
Published: January 2018

A correlation between taste masking, assessed using a taste sensor system, and inclusion complex formation, assessed using NMR and molecular docking studies, has been identified for ranitidine HCl and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin.
Synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide sheets integrated with gold nanoparticles and their applications to adsorptive removal and catalytic reduction of water contaminants
Authors: Naeem H. , Ajmal M. , Muntha S. , Ambreen J. , Siddiq M.
Published: January 2018

Preparation of graphene oxide–gold (GO–Au) nanocomposites as adsorbents and catalysts for decontamination of water.
Antioxidative and antimicrobial edible chitosan films blended with stem, leaf and seed extracts of Pistacia terebinthus for active food packaging
Authors: Kaya Murat , Khadem Sanaz , Cakmak Yavuz Selim , Mujtaba Muhammad , Ilk Sedef , Akyuz Lalehan , Salaberria Asier M. , Labidi Jalel , Abdulqadir Ako Hamasaeed , Deligöz Engin
Published: January 2018

Chitosan films blended with stem, leaf and seed extracts of Pistacia terebinthus for active food packaging.
Tunable emission from green to red in the GdSr2AlO5:Tb3+,Eu3+phosphorviaefficient energy transfer
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Xuejie , Zhang Haoran , Zheng Lingling , Zeng Yuan , Lin Yu , Liu Yingliang , Lei Bingfu
Published: January 2018

The emission spectra of GdSr2AlO5:2%Tb3+,x%Eu3+(x= 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5) under 275 nm excitation. (b) Variation tendency of the green emission of Tb3+and the red emission of Eu3+.
Theoretical and experimental evidence for rGO-4-PP Nc as a metal-free Fenton-like catalyst by tuning the electron distribution
Authors: Yu Guangfei , Lyu Lai , Zhang Fagen , Yan Dengbiao , Cao Wenrui , Hu Chun
Published: January 2018

A new metal-free Fenton-like catalyst (rGO-4-PP Nc) was investigated by DFT, a dual-reaction-center mechanism was proposed and verified during the Fenton reaction.
Effect of relative humidity on the gas transport properties of zeolite A/PTMSP mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Fernández-Barquín Ana , Rea Riccardo , Venturi Davide , Giacinti-Baschetti Marco , De Angelis Maria Grazia , Casado-Coterillo Clara , Irabien Ángel
Published: January 2018

CO2 permeability of zeolite A/PTMSP MMM increases with water content in the system, enhancing CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 selectivities of PTMSP.
Depth profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy of Cd(ii)- and Pb(ii)-selective electrodes based on nano metal sulfides
Authors: Ajadi Abdulhakeem A. , Shuaib Nadia M. , Shoukry Adel F.
Published: January 2018

Nanoparticles of CdS and PbS as ionophres for plastic membrane metal cations electrodes.
A novel qualitative method to improve access, elicitation, and sample diversification for enhanced transferability applied to studying chemistry outreach
Authors: Pratt Justin M. , Yezierski Ellen J.
Published: January 2018

Conducting qualitative research in any discipline warrants two actions: accessing participants and eliciting their ideas. In chemistry education research, survey techniques have been used to increase access to participants and diversify samples. Interview tasks (such as card sorting, using demonstrations, and using simulations) have been used to elicit participant ideas. While surveys can increase participation and remove geographic barriers from studies, they typically lack the ability to obtain detailed, thick description of participant ideas, which are possible from in-person interviews. Minimal research in CER has examined how to harness technology to synthesize traditionally diverse research approaches to advance the field. This paper presents a novel method for interviewing research participants employing freely available technology to investigate student ideas about the purposes of conducting chemistry outreach, how success of an outreach event is evaluated, and student understanding of the chemistry content embedded in activities facilitated at events. As the outreach practitioner population comes from numerous institutions and is therefore geographically diverse, technology is necessary in order to gain access to these students. To elicit their ideas and remove barriers associated with rapport, interview tasks are adapted and implemented electronically. The description of a novel set of methods is coupled with evidence from the interviews to illustrate the trustworthiness of the data obtained and to support the method as a means to improve qualitative data collection in chemistry education research. These methods create a unique data collection environment for off-site investigations and are applicable to all disciplines, as they shed light on how qualitative research in the 21st century can increase the diversity of samples and improve the transferability of findings.
Porphyrin-based imine gels for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Liao Peisen , Hu Ya , Liang Ziwei , Zhang Jianyong , Yang Hao , He Lan-Qi , Tong Ye-Xiang , Liu Jun-Min , Chen Liuping , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: January 2018

Porphyrin-based imine gels assembled from small molecular precursors are stable and active for visible-light driven hydrogen production.
Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)–inorganic hybrid systems: synthesis, properties and applications
Authors: Islam M. S. , Chen L. , Sisler J. , Tam K. C.
Published: January 2018

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), a class of sustainable nanomaterial derived from forest and agro-biomass can serve as nature's storage for carbon dioxide.
Towards unique shear thinning behaviors under electric and magnetic fields achieved by TiO2decorated magnetic MoS2nanosheets: lubricating effects
Authors: Zheng Wen , Jia Wenpeng , Deng Li , Wang Baoxiang , Tian Yu , Zhang Aitang , Mao Lei , Liu Jingquan , Zhang Wenling
Published: January 2018

Fe3O4@MoS2@TiO2nanoparticles exhibited unique rheological behaviors under external electric and magnetic fields owing to their special hierarchical structures.
A novel bichromophore based on julolidine chromophores with enhanced transferring efficiency from hyperpolarizability β to electro-optic activity
Authors: He Yanling , Chen Lu , Zhang Hua , Chen Zhuo , Huo Fuyang , Li Bing , Zhen Zhen , Liu Xinhou , Bo Shuhui
Published: January 2018

Novel bichromophores YL3 based on julolidine donor chromophores were synthesized via a Cu(i) catalyzed click-reaction and systematically characterized in this paper.
A vinyl flanked difluorobenzothiadiazole–dithiophene conjugated polymer for high performance organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Liang Xianfeng , Sun Wandong , Chen Yanlin , Tan Luxi , Cai Zhengxu , Liu Zitong , Wang Lin , Li Jing , Chen Wei , Dong Lichun
Published: January 2018

A vinyl flanked conjugated polymer PTFBTV exhibits a hole mobility up to 2.0 cm2 V−1 s−1 containing possible C–H⋯F hydrogen bonds
Tailored fabrication of a prospective acousto–optic crystal TiTe3O8endowed with high performance
Authors: Lu Weiqun , Gao Zeliang , Wu Qian , Tian Xiangxin , Sun Youxuan , Liu Yang , Tao Xutang
Published: January 2018

A prospective acousto–optic crystal TiTe3O8with superior thermal features and appreciable transparency is rationally fabricated.
Combining emissions of hole- and electron-transporting layers simultaneously for simple blue and white organic light-emitting diodes with superior device performance
Authors: Miao Yanqin , Wang Kexiang , Gao Long , Zhao Bo , Wang Zhongqiang , Zhao Yaping , Zhang Aiqin , Wang Hua , Hao Yuying , Xu Bingshe
Published: January 2018

Combining emissions of hole- and electron-transporting layers simultaneously, a simple four-color hybrid white OLED realizes good white emission with a maximum CRI of 93–94 over a wide luminance range of 83.68–17 050 cd m−2, and also achieves a high EQE of 18.44%.
Correction: Impact of the synthesis method on the solid-state charge transport of radical polymers
Authors: Zhang Yiren , Park Albert , Cintora Alicia , McMillan Stephen R. , Harmon Nicholas J. , Moehle Austin , Flatté Michael E. , Fuchs Gregory D. , Ober Christopher K.
Published: January 2018

Correction for ‘Impact of the synthesis method on the solid-state charge transport of radical polymers’ by Yiren Zhang et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, 6, 111–118.