bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bearing of Structural Anisotropy on Deformation and Mechanical Response of Rocks: An Experimental Example of Rocksalt Deformation Under Variable Compression Rates
Authors: Dubey R. K.
Published: January 2018

The deformation and mechanical responses of rocks are prime concern in development of varieties of civil and mining engineering structures. The deformation and mechanical properties of both natural and artificial materials are strongly depend on mineral constituents and their arrangements, temperatures and pressures, stress rates and structural anisotropy. This study elaborates an understanding of structural anisotropy, compression rates and mechanical attributes relationship in rocks with specific examples of deformed rocksalt. The cubical samples (5X5X5 cm3) with three kinds of structural anisotropy were subjected to quasistatic compressive stress at rates 0.00035 MPa/min, 0.0035 MPa/min, 0.035 MPa/min, 0.35 MPa/min, 3.5MPa/min, 5 MPa/min, 7MPa/min and 9 MPa/min on servo-controlled Material Testing System (MTS). The stress-strain curves prepared from deformation of rocksalt’s samples under different rates of compressions are used to determine major mechanical parameters viz., strengths, strains, and modulus of elasticity. A micro-mechanical en-echelon crack array model is proposed to explain the influence of structural anisotropy on deformation patterns and mechanical properties of rocksalt. According to the proposed model the deformation progresses due to different proportional contributions of tensile and shear crack arrays under the influence of structural anisotropy. The control of structural anisotropy loses with respect to increment in rate of compression with enhance contribution of shear crack arrays in comparison to tensile crack arrays and ultimately fails in shear where the structurally anisotropic rock show isotropic behaviour.
The Amazon River’s Ecosystem: Where Land Meets the Sea
Authors: Ward Nicholas , Sawakuchi Henrique , Richey Jeffrey
Published: January 2018

What happens to plant matter on its journey down the Amazon River to the Atlantic Ocean? One research group investigated the region where river and ocean meet to fill in this part of the story.
Climate Change Is National Security Risk, Congress Members Warn
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: January 2018

The Trump administration’s recently released National Security Strategy differs sharply from Obama’s strategy, which identified climate change as a top strategic risk to the country.
Psychosocial characteristics as potential predictors of suicide in adults: an overview of the evidence with new results from prospective cohort studies
Authors: Batty G. David , Kivimäki Mika , Bell Steven , Gale Catharine R. , Shipley Martin , Whitley Elise , Gunnell David
Published: January 2018

In this narrative overview of the evidence linking psychosocial factors with future suicide risk, we collected results from published reports of prospective studies with verified suicide events (mortality or, less commonly, hospitalisation) alongside analyses of new data. There is abundant evidence indicating that low socioeconomic position, irrespective of the economic status of the country in question, is associated with an increased risk of suicide, including the suggestion that the recent global economic recession has been responsible for an increase in suicide deaths and, by proxy, attempts. Social isolation, low scores on tests of intelligence, serious mental illness (both particularly strongly), chronic psychological distress, and lower physical stature (a marker of childhood exposures) were also consistently related to elevated suicide rates. Although there is some circumstantial evidence for psychosocial stress, personality disposition, and early-life characteristics such as bullying being risk indices for suicide, the general paucity of studies means it is not currently possible to draw clear conclusions about their role. Most suicide intervention strategies have traditionally not explored the modification of psychosocial factors, partly because evidence linking psychosocial factors with suicide risk is, as shown herein, largely in its infancy, or, where is does exist, for instance for intelligence and personality disposition, the characteristics in question do not appear to be easily malleable.
SAMHD1 is recurrently mutated in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Johansson Patricia , Klein-Hitpass Ludger , Choidas Axel , Habenberger Peter , Mahboubi Bijan , Kim Baek , Bergmann Anke , Scholtysik René , Brauser Martina , Lollies Anna , Siebert Reiner , Zenz Thorsten , Dührsen Ulrich , Küppers Ralf , Dürig Jan
Published: January 2018

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is an aggressive malignancy with a median survival of the patients of less than two years. Besides characteristic chromosomal translocations, frequent mutations affect the ATM gene, JAK/STAT pathway members, and epigenetic regulators. We here performed a targeted mutation analysis for 40 genes selected from a RNA sequencing of 10 T-PLL in a collection of 28 T-PLL, and an exome analysis of five further cases. Nonsynonymous mutations were identified in 30 of the 40 genes, 18 being recurrently mutated. We identified recurrently mutated genes previously unknown to be mutated in T-PLL, which are SAMHD1, HERC1, HERC2, PRDM2, PARP10, PTPRC, and FOXP1. SAMHD1 regulates cellular deoxynucleotide levels and acts as a potential tumor suppressor in other leukemias. We observed destructive mutations in 18% of cases as well as deletions in two further cases. Taken together, we identified additional genes involved in JAK/STAT signaling (PTPRC), epigenetic regulation (PRDM2), or DNA damage repair (SAMHD1, PARP10, HERC1, and HERC2) as being recurrently mutated in T-PLL. Thus, our study considerably extends the picture of pathways involved in molecular pathogenesis of T-PLL and identifies the tumor suppressor gene SAMHD1 with ~20% of T-PLL affected by destructive lesions likely as major player in T-PLL pathogenesis.
SOCE induced calcium overload regulates autophagy in acute pancreatitis via calcineurin activation
Authors: Zhu Zhen-Dong , Yu Tao , Liu Hua-Jing , Jin Jing , He Jun
Published: January 2018

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas that is characterized by inflammation, edema, vacuolization and necrosis, which has significant morbidity and lethality. The pathogenesis of AP has not been established completely. An early and critical feature of AP is the aberrant signaling of Calcium (Ca2+) within the pancreatic acinar cell, termed Ca2+ overload. Store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels are the principal Ca2+ influx channels that contribute to Ca2+ overload in pancreatic acinar cells. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) has been proved to be a key pathogenic step in AP development that leads to trypsin activation, inflammation and vacuolization. However, the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. By establishing Ca2+ overload model and mouse AP model using caerulein, we found that caerulein triggered SOCE via inducing interaction between STIM1 and Orai1, which activated calcineurin (CaN); CaN activated the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and transcription factor EB (TFEB), thus promoting the transcriptional activation of multiple chemokines genes and autophagy-associated genes respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that SOCE activates TFEB via CaN activation, which may have noticeable longer-term effects on autophagy and vacuolization in AP development. Our findings reveal the role for SOCE/CaN in AP development and provide potential targets for AP treatment.
Autophagy promotes MSC-mediated vascularization in cutaneous wound healing via regulation of VEGF secretion
Authors: An Y. , Liu W. J. , Xue P. , Ma Y. , Zhang L. Q. , Zhu B. , Qi M. , Li L. Y. , Zhang Y. J. , Wang Q. T. , Jin Y.
Published: January 2018

Vascularization deficiency caused a lot of diseases, such as diabetes ulcer and myocardial infarction. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with the self-renewal and multipotent differentiation capacities, have been used for many diseases treatment through regulation microenvironment. Numerous studies reported that MSCs transplantation could largely improve cutaneous wound healing via paracrine secretion of growth factors. However, whether MSCs take part in the angiogenesis process directly remains elusive. Previous study proved that autophagy inhibited immunosuppressive function of MSCs and prevented the degradation of MSCs function in inflammatory and senescent microenvironment. Here, we proved that autophagy determines the therapeutic effect of MSCs in cutaneous wound healing through promoting endothelial cells angiogenesis and demonstrated that the paracrine of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in MSCs was required in wound site. We further revealed that autophagy enhanced the VEGF secretion from MSCs through ERK phosphorylation directly. Collectively, we put forward that autophagy mediated paracrine of VEGF plays a central role in MSCs cured cutaneous wound healing and may provide a new therapeutic method for angiogenesis-related diseases.
Glycolysis promotes caspase-3 activation in lipid rafts in T cells
Authors: Secinaro Michael A. , Fortner Karen A. , Dienz Oliver , Logan Angela , Murphy Michael P. , Anathy Vikas , Boyson Jonathan E. , Budd Ralph C.
Published: January 2018

Resting T cells undergo a rapid metabolic shift to glycolysis upon activation in the presence of interleukin (IL)-2, in contrast to oxidative mitochondrial respiration with IL-15. Paralleling these different metabolic states are striking differences in susceptibility to restimulation-induced cell death (RICD); glycolytic effector T cells are highly sensitive to RICD, whereas non-glycolytic T cells are resistant. It is unclear whether the metabolic state of a T cell is linked to its susceptibility to RICD. Our findings reveal that IL-2-driven glycolysis promotes caspase-3 activity and increases sensitivity to RICD. Neither caspase-7, caspase-8, nor caspase-9 activity is affected by these metabolic differences. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose reduces caspase-3 activity as well as sensitivity to RICD. By contrast, IL-15-driven oxidative phosphorylation actively inhibits caspase-3 activity through its glutathionylation. We further observe active caspase-3 in the lipid rafts of glycolytic but not non-glycolytic T cells, suggesting a proximity-induced model of self-activation. Finally, we observe that effector T cells during influenza infection manifest higher levels of active caspase-3 than naive T cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that glycolysis drives caspase-3 activity and susceptibility to cell death in effector T cells independently of upstream caspases. Linking metabolism, caspase-3 activity, and cell death provides an intrinsic mechanism for T cells to limit the duration of effector function.
The silent healer: miR-205-5p up-regulation inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition in colon cancer cells by indirectly up-regulating E-cadherin expression
Authors: Gulei Diana , Magdo Lorand , Jurj Ancuta , Raduly Lajos , Cojocneanu-Petric Roxana , Moldovan Alin , Moldovan Cristian , Florea Adrian , Pasca Sergiu , Pop Laura-Ancuta , Moisoiu Vlad , Budisan Liviuta , Pop-Bica Cecilia , Ciocan Cristina , Buiga Rares , Muresan Mihai-Stefan , Stiufiuc Rares , Ionescu Calin , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: January 2018

EMT represents the dominant program within advanced stages of colon cancer, where cells acquire migratory characteristics in order to invade secondary tissues and form metastasis. Where the majority of the therapeutic strategies are concentrated on the reduction of the tumor mass through different apoptotic mechanisms, the present study advocates an important role for miR-205-5p in impairment of colon cancer cells migration and restoration of the epithelial phenotype. Upon identification of a homogenous downregulated profile for miR-205-5p in colon adenocarcinoma patients, functional studies demonstrated that experimental upregulation of this sequence is able to significantly raise the levels of E-cadherin through direct inhibition of ZEB1. Moreover, the elevation in CDH1 expression was translated into functional parameters where cells lost their invasion and migratory characteristics and formed homogenous clusters through adhesion interactions. Survival analysis of colon adenocarcinoma patients revealed that low levels of miR-205-5p are associated with an unfavorable prognostic compared to those with increased expression, demonstrating the possible clinical utility of miR-205-5p replacement. Exogenous administration of miRNA mimics was not associated with significant changes in cell viability or inflammatory pathways. Therefore, the proposed strategy is aiming towards inhibition of metastasis and limitation of the tumor borders in advanced stages patients in order to prolong the survival time and to increase the efficiency of the current therapeutic strategies.
A global ocean atlas of eukaryotic genes
Authors: Carradec Quentin , Pelletier Eric , Da Silva Corinne , Alberti Adriana , Seeleuthner Yoann , Blanc-Mathieu Romain , Lima-Mendez Gipsi , Rocha Fabio , Tirichine Leila , Labadie Karine , Kirilovsky Amos , Bertrand Alexis , Engelen Stefan , Madoui Mohammed-Amin , Méheust Raphaël , Poulain Julie , Romac Sarah , Richter Daniel J. , Yoshikawa Genki , Dimier Céline , Kandels-Lewis Stefanie , Picheral Marc , Searson Sarah ,   Tara Oceans Coordinators, Acinas Silvia G. , Boss Emmanuel , Follows Michael , Gorsky Gabriel , Grimsley Nigel , Karp-Boss Lee , Krzic Uros , Pesant Stephane , Reynaud Emmanuel G. , Sardet Christian , Sieracki Mike , Speich Sabrina , Stemmann Lars , Velayoudon Didier , Weissenbach Jean , Jaillon Olivier , Aury Jean-Marc , Karsenti Eric , Sullivan Matthew B. , Sunagawa Shinichi , Bork Peer , Not Fabrice , Hingamp Pascal , Raes Jeroen , Guidi Lionel , Ogata Hiroyuki , de Vargas Colomban , Iudicone Daniele , Bowler Chris , Wincker Patrick
Published: January 2018

While our knowledge about the roles of microbes and viruses in the ocean has increased tremendously due to recent advances in genomics and metagenomics, research on marine microbial eukaryotes and zooplankton has benefited much less from these new technologies because of their larger genomes, their enormous diversity, and largely unexplored physiologies. Here, we use a metatranscriptomics approach to capture expressed genes in open ocean Tara Oceans stations across four organismal size fractions. The individual sequence reads cluster into 116 million unigenes representing the largest reference collection of eukaryotic transcripts from any single biome. The catalog is used to unveil functions expressed by eukaryotic marine plankton, and to assess their functional biogeography. Almost half of the sequences have no similarity with known proteins, and a great number belong to new gene families with a restricted distribution in the ocean. Overall, the resource provides the foundations for exploring the roles of marine eukaryotes in ocean ecology and biogeochemistry.
Laser-accelerated particle beams for stress testing of materials
Authors: Barberio M. , Scisciò M. , Vallières S. , Cardelli F. , Chen S. N. , Famulari G. , Gangolf T. , Revet G. , Schiavi A. , Senzacqua M. , Antici P.
Published: January 2018

Laser-driven particle acceleration, obtained by irradiation of a solid target using an ultra-intense (I > 1018 W/cm2) short-pulse (duration <1 ps) laser, is a growing field of interest, in particular for its manifold potential applications in different domains. Here, we provide experimental evidence that laser-generated particles, in particular protons, can be used for stress testing materials and are particularly suited for identifying materials to be used in harsh conditions. We show that these laser-generated protons can produce, in a very short time scale, a strong mechanical and thermal damage, that, given the short irradiation time, does not allow for recovery of the material. We confirm this by analyzing changes in the mechanical, optical, electrical, and morphological properties of five materials of interest to be used in harsh conditions.
Endothelial deletion of Ino80 disrupts coronary angiogenesis and causes congenital heart disease
Authors: Rhee Siyeon , Chung Jae I. , King Devin A. , D’amato Gaetano , Paik David T. , Duan Anna , Chang Andrew , Nagelberg Danielle , Sharma Bikram , Jeong Youngtae , Diehn Maximilian , Wu Joseph C. , Morrison Ashby J. , Red-Horse Kristy
Published: January 2018

During development, the formation of a mature, well-functioning heart requires transformation of the ventricular wall from a loose trabecular network into a dense compact myocardium at mid-gestation. Failure to compact is associated in humans with congenital diseases such as left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC). The mechanisms regulating myocardial compaction are however still poorly understood. Here, we show that deletion of the Ino80 chromatin remodeler in vascular endothelial cells prevents ventricular compaction in the developing mouse heart. This correlates with defective coronary vascularization, and specific deletion of Ino80 in the two major coronary progenitor tissues—sinus venosus and endocardium—causes intermediate phenotypes. In vitro, endothelial cells promote myocardial expansion independently of blood flow in an Ino80-dependent manner. Ino80 deletion increases the expression of E2F-activated genes and endothelial cell S-phase occupancy. Thus, Ino80 is essential for coronary angiogenesis and allows coronary vessels to support proper compaction of the heart wall.
Biosensing with the singular phase of an ultrathin metal-dielectric nanophotonic cavity
Authors: Sreekanth Kandammathe Valiyaveedu , Sreejith Sivaramapanicker , Han Song , Mishra Amita , Chen Xiaoxuan , Sun Handong , Lim Chwee Teck , Singh Ranjan
Published: January 2018

The concept of point of darkness has received much attention for biosensing based on phase-sensitive detection and perfect absorption of light. The maximum phase change is possible at the point of darkness where the reflection is almost zero. To date, this has been experimentally realized using different material systems through the concept of topological darkness. However, complex nanopatterning techniques are required to realize topological darkness. Here, we report an approach to realize perfect absorption and extreme phase singularity using a simple metal-dielectric multilayer thin-film stack. The multilayer stack works on the principle of an asymmetric Fabry–Perot cavity and shows an abrupt phase change at the reflectionless point due to the presence of a highly absorbing ultrathin film of germanium in the stack. In the proof-of-concept phase-sensitive biosensing experiments, we functionalize the film surface with an ultrathin layer of biotin-thiol to capture streptavidin at a low concentration of 1 pM.
Abnormal grain growth mediated by fractal boundary migration at the nanoscale
Authors: Braun Christian , Dake Jules M. , Krill Carl E. , Birringer Rainer
Published: January 2018

Modern engineered materials are composed of space-filling grains or domains separated by a network of interfaces or boundaries. Such polycrystalline microstructures have the capacity to coarsen through boundary migration. Grain growth theories account for the topology of grains and the connectivity of the boundary network in terms of the familiar Euclidian dimension and Euler’s polyhedral formula, both of which are based on integer numbers. However, we recently discovered an unusual growth mode in a nanocrystalline Pd-Au alloy, in which grains develop complex, highly convoluted surface morphologies that are best described by a fractional dimension of ∼1.2 (extracted from the perimeters of grain cross sections). This fractal value is characteristic of a variety of domain growth scenarios—including explosive percolation, watersheds of random landscapes, and the migration of domain walls in a random field of pinning centers—which suggests that fractal grain boundary migration could be a manifestation of the same universal behavior.
In silico profiling of systemic effects of drugs to predict unexpected interactions
Authors: Yoo Sunyong , Noh Kyungrin , Shin Moonshik , Park Junseok , Lee Kwang-Hyung , Nam Hojung , Lee Doheon
Published: January 2018

Identifying unexpected drug interactions is an essential step in drug development. Most studies focus on predicting whether a drug pair interacts or is effective on a certain disease without considering the mechanism of action (MoA). Here, we introduce a novel method to infer effects and interactions of drug pairs with MoA based on the profiling of systemic effects of drugs. By investigating propagated drug effects from the molecular and phenotypic networks, we constructed profiles of 5,441 approved and investigational drugs for 3,833 phenotypes. Our analysis indicates that highly connected phenotypes between drug profiles represent the potential effects of drug pairs and the drug pairs with strong potential effects are more likely to interact. When applied to drug interactions with verified effects, both therapeutic and adverse effects have been successfully identified with high specificity and sensitivity. Finally, tracing drug interactions in molecular and phenotypic networks allows us to understand the MoA.
Retinoic acid prevents immunogenicity of milk lipocalin Bos d 5 through binding to its immunodominant T-cell epitope
Authors: Hufnagl Karin , Ghosh Debajyoti , Wagner Stefanie , Fiocchi Alessandro , Dahdah Lamia , Bianchini Rodolfo , Braun Nina , Steinborn Ralf , Hofer Martin , Blaschitz Marion , Roth Georg A. , Hofstetter Gerlinde , Roth-Walter Franziska , Pacios Luis F. , Jensen-Jarolim Erika
Published: January 2018

The major cow’s milk allergen Bos d 5 belongs to the lipocalin protein family, with an intramolecular pocket for hydrophobic ligands. We investigated whether Bos d 5 when loaded with the active vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA), would elicit differential immune responses compared to the unloaded state. Byin silicodocking an affinity energy of −7.8 kcal/mol was calculated for RA into Bos d 5. Loading of RA to Bos d 5 could be achievedin vitro, as demonstrated by ANS displacement assay, but had no effect on serum IgE binding in tolerant or challenge-positive milk allergic children. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that RA binds to the immunodominant T-cell epitope region of Bos d 5. In accordance, Bos d 5 significantly suppressed the CD3+ CD4+ cell numbers, proliferative response and IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ secretion from stimulated human PBMCs only when complexed with RA. This phenomenon was neither associated with apoptosis of T-cells nor with the activation of Foxp3+ T-cells, but correlated likely with enhanced stability to lysosomal digestion due to a predicted overlap of Cathepsin S cleavage sites with the RA binding site. Taken together, proper loading of Bos d 5 with RA may suppress its immunogenicity and prevent its allergenicity.
Urban environment predisposes dogs and their owners to allergic symptoms
Authors: Hakanen Emma , Lehtimäki Jenni , Salmela Elina , Tiira Katriina , Anturaniemi Johanna , Hielm-Björkman Anna , Ruokolainen Lasse , Lohi Hannes
Published: January 2018

Our companion-animals, dogs, suffer increasingly from non-communicable diseases, analogous to those common in humans, such as allergic manifestations. In humans, living in rural environments is associated with lower risk of allergic diseases. Our aim was to explore whether a similar pattern can be found in dogs, using a nation-wide survey in Finland (n = 5722). We characterised the land-use around dog’s home at the time of birth as well as around its current home, and described several lifestyle factors. The severity of owner-reported allergic symptoms in dogs was estimated with a comprehensive set of questions, developed by experts of canine dermatology. Also, the prevalence of diagnosed allergies in dog owners was recorded. The results indicate that allergic symptoms are more prevalent in urban environments both in dog owners and in dogs (accounting the effect of dog breed). Several factors related to rural living, such as bigger family size and regular contact with farm animals and other pets, were also protective against allergic symptoms in dogs. Interestingly, allergic dogs were more likely to have allergic owners than healthy dogs were. Therefore, we suggest that the mutual presence of allergic symptoms in both species indicates common underlying causal factors of allergic diseases.
Distinct distribution patterns of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in sediment and water column of the Yellow River estuary
Authors: Li Mingcong , Wei Guangshan , Shi Wenchong , Sun Zhongtao , Li Han , Wang Xiaoyun , Gao Zheng
Published: January 2018

Ammonia oxidation is a critical process of estuarine nitrogen cycling involving ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB). However, the distribution patterns of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOMs) between different habitats in the same area remain unclear. The present study investigated the AOMs’ abundance and community compositions in both sediment and water habitats of the Yellow River estuary. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that AOA showed significant higher abundance than AOB both in sediment and water samples. AOA and AOB abundance distribution trends were consistent in sediment but distinct in water along the sampling sites. Clone library-based analyses showed that AOA sequences were affiliated withNitrososphaera, NitrosopumilusandNitrosotaleaclusters. Generally,Nitrososphaerawas predominant in sediment, whileNitrosopumilusandNitrosotaleadominated in water column. AOB sequences were classified into generaNitrosospiraandNitrosomonas, andNitrosospiradominated in both habitats. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) also indicated AOA community structures exhibited significant differences between two habitats, while AOB were not. Ammonium and carbon contents were the potential key factors to influence AOMs’ abundance and compositions in sediment, while no measured variables were determined to have major influences on communities in water habitat. These findings increase the understanding of the AOMs’ distribution patterns in estuarine ecosystems.
Delivery systems for agriculture: Fe-EDDHSA/CaCO3hybrid crystals as adjuvants for prevention of iron chlorosis
Authors: Baldi Elena , Marino Grazia , Toselli Moreno , Marzadori Claudio , Ciavatta Claudio , Tavoni Marta , Di Giosia Matteo , Calvaresi Matteo , Falini Giuseppe , Zerbetto Francesco
Published: January 2018

Fe-EDDHSA/CaCO3hybrid crystals are synthesized and testedin vitroto determine their effect in treating iron chlorosis in kiwifruit plants, used as a proof of concept.
Molecular dynamics of the halloysite nanotubes
Authors: Prishchenko Danil A. , Zenkov Evgeniy V. , Mazurenko Vladimir V. , Fakhrullin Rawil F. , Lvov Yuri M. , Mazurenko Vladimir G.
Published: January 2018

Halloysite nanotube rolling was modelled using molecular dynamics.
Electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS) study of the interaction between protein aggregates and biomimetic membranes
Authors: Karaballi Reem Ahmed , Merchant Soraya , Power Sasha R. , Brosseau Christa L.
Published: January 2018

EC-SERS is used for the first time to characterize protein aggregate–biomembrane interactions.
First principles study of electronic transport properties in novel FeB2 flake-based nanodevices
Authors: Li Jie , Duan Yunrui , Li Yifan , Li Tao , Yin Long-Wei , Li Hui
Published: January 2018

First-principles calculations provide theoretical support for the promising applications of innovative two-probe devices based on FeB2 flakes and reveal the superiority of devices with FeB2 flakes at temperatures not above 1000 K in transport properties.
In situsynchrotron XRD analysis of the kinetics of spodumene phase transitions
Authors: L. Moore Radhika , Mann Jason P. , Montoya Alejandro , Haynes Brian S.
Published: January 2018

A kinetic model for the decomposition of α-spodumene and γ-spodumene is derived usingin situXRD to monitor the transitions.
A review on fabricating heterostructures from layered double hydroxides for enhanced photocatalytic activities
Authors: Wu M. J. , Wu J. Z. , Zhang J. , Chen H. , Zhou J. Z. , Qian G. R. , Xu Z. P. , Du Z. , Rao Q. L.
Published: January 2018

LDH is a controllable 2D material for fabricating heterostructures with another semiconductor.
Concentric electrodes improve microfluidic droplet sorting
Authors: Clark Iain C. , Thakur Rohan , Abate Adam R.
Published: January 2018

Concentric electrodes generate a uniform dielectrophoretic force that enhances droplet sorting reliability.
Proteomic profile of 4-PBA treated human neuronal cells during ER stress
Authors: Kaur Bhavneet , Bhat Ajay , Chakraborty Rahul , Adlakha Khushboo , Sengupta Shantanu , Roy SoumyaSinha , Chakraborty Kausik
Published: January 2018

Global proteomics supports the role of 4-PBA as a chemical chaperone in alleviating neurotoxicity during ER stress.
Theoretical study on the interaction of CO2 and H2O molecules with metal doped-fluorinated phthalocyanines
Authors: Arokiyanathan Agnes Lincy , Lakshmipathi Senthilkumar
Published: January 2018

This investigation reports the molecular properties of metal (M = Mg, Sc, Cu, Zn) doped-fluorinated phthalocyanines (M-FPcs) and their ability to separate and capture CO2 in the presence of H2O using DFT studies.
Synthesis, optical properties, and antioxidant and anticancer activity of benzoheterazole dendrimers with triazole bridging unit
Authors: Rajavelu Kannan , Subaraja Mamangam , Rajakumar Perumal
Published: January 2018

Benzoheterazole dendrimers with triazole bridges and bisphenol A/benzophenone core units have been successfully synthesized by click chemistry. Higher generation dendrimers exhibit better antioxidant and anticancer activities than the lower generation dendrimers.
Lignin nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and corrosion protection performance
Authors: Rahman Obaid ur , Shi Shubin , Ding Jiheng , Wang Donglin , Ahmad Sharif , Yu Haibin
Published: January 2018

Lignin nanoparticles were synthesized in natural polyols for the first time with high yield and were used as anticorrosive nanofillers.
Doping controlled pyro-phototronic effect in self-powered zinc oxide photodetector for enhancement of photoresponse
Authors: Deka Boruah Buddha , Naidu Majji Shanmukh , Nandi Sukanta , Misra Abha
Published: January 2018

Pyro-phototronic effect of self-powered ZnO UV photodetector is modulated by tuning the charge carrier density via doping of halogen elements.
Rigorous analysis of Casimir and van der Waals forces on a silicon nano-optomechanical device actuated by optical forces
Authors: Rodrigues Janderson R. , Gusso Andre , Rosa Felipe S. S. , Almeida Vilson R.
Published: January 2018

We show how van der Waals and Casimir forces affect nano-optomechanical devices, by changing their operation and design limits.
Supramolecular chirality induced by chiral solvation in achiral cyclic Azo-containing polymers: topological effects on chiral aggregation
Authors: Yin Lu , Liu Meng , Zhao Yin , Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Xiulin
Published: January 2018

The supramolecular chirality of linear and cyclic Azo aggregates was successfully induced by chiral limonene, demonstrating that the topological structural constraint and molecular mass of cyclic polymers have clear effects on the supramolecular chirality driven by a chiral solvent.
Tuning the performance of the non-fullerene organic solar cells by the polarizability
Authors: Li Manman , Qin Yuancheng , Dai Weili , Luo Xubiao
Published: January 2018

The PCE of solar cells has a direct relationship with the polarizability is also directly related to the PL lifetime. The performance of non-fullerene solar cells can be controlled by polarizability.
Modelling, analysis and virtual parallel resistor damping control of VSC‐based DC grid using master–slave control mode
Authors: Wan Xun , Li Yunfeng , Peng Minfang
Published: January 2018

This study presents a generic linearised modelling method and a virtual parallel resistor damping control for a voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) system including a direct current (DC) grid. The generic modelling method is composed of DC network's equivalent node‐admittance matrix and the Thévenin equivalent matrix of all converters. A simplified two‐terminal HVDC system is used to identify the key factors influencing the stability of the DC grid easily. Those key factors are proved by two methods, namely, root locus and participation factors analysis. The parameters of the virtual parallel resistor damping control are designed using the simplified HVDC system. The performance of the proposed damping control is studied employing the linearised model of the DC grid. Time simulations such as instability suppressing, power‐controlled station N  −  1 fault, and DC system faults are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the damping control.
Structural analysis of a Petri net model of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis
Authors: Kozak Adam , Formanowicz Dorota , Formanowicz Piotr
Published: January 2018

Atherosclerosis is a complex process of gathering sub‐endothelial plaques decreasing lumen of the blood vessels. This disorder affects people of all ages, but its progression is asymptomatic for many years. It is regulated by many typical and atypical factors including the immune system response, a chronic kidney disease, a diet rich in lipids, a local inflammatory process and a local oxidative stress that is here one of the key factors. In this study, a Petri net model of atherosclerosis regulation is presented. This model includes also some information about stoichiometric relationships between its components and covers all mentioned factors. For the model, a structural analysis based on invariants was made and biological conclusions are presented. Since the model contains inhibitor arcs, a heuristic method for analysis of such cases is presented. This method can be used to extend the concept of feasible t‐invariants.
Synthesis of Novel Oxazolyl Amino Acids and Their Use in the Parallel Synthesis of Disubstituted Oxazole Libraries
Authors: Nefzi Adel , Murru Siva , Bista Ramesh
Published: January 2018

Novel chiral oxazolyl alanine and homologues are synthesized and utilized as building blocks for the solid-phase parallel synthesis of novel trifunctional oxazole small molecules in good to excellent overall yields and with high purity. The orthogonal deprotection strategy of oxazolyl amino acids, prepared from serine methyl ester and amino acids such as aspartic and glutamic acids, allows multiple sites of diversification to make a variety of pharmacologically relevant small molecules. The general nature of this approach allows the preparation of a large number of small molecules and peptidomimetics.
Refractory Ascites: Treatment and Complications Utilizing Peritoneovenous (Denver) Shunt
Authors: Shadkam-Farrokhi Parvaneh , Lee Edward
Published: January 2018

Intractable ascites has long been an antagonizing problem for patients and medical providers. It is debilitating and frequently cannot be prevented by standard medical therapy. Ascites is primarily managed with salt restrictions, diuretics, and repeated paracentesis for symptomatic relief. However, 10% of patients become refractory to this first line of treatment. Several surgical methods such as the insertion of peritoneovenous shunts and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts have become popularized treatment modalities for the control of refractory ascites. Nevertheless, controversy resides over what is the best treatment method for the improvement in patients' quality of life and survival rate. We herein explore the different medical and surgical methods available for the control of refractory ascites with a focus on the advantages and complications associated with the usage of Denver peritoneovenous shunts.
„Der weisse Andorn ist zur Lungesucht gar gut“
Authors: Niedenthal Tobias , Mayer Johannes
Published: January 2018

Der Gewöhnliche oder Weiße Andorn (Marrubium vulgare L.) gehörte von der Antike bis weit in die Neuzeit zu den bedeutendsten Heilpflanzen in Europa. Trotz positiver Monografien von Kommission E, ESCOP und HMPC ist der Andorn heute weitgehend aus dem Blickfeld der Phytotherapie verschwunden.
Die Heidelbeere (Vaccinium myrtillus) als Heilpflanze bei Colitis ulcerosa
Authors: Koch Anna , Hapke Jennifer , Langhorst Jost
Published: January 2018

Die Heidelbeere ist reich an Anthocyanen und zur Behandlung der Colitis ulcerosa trotz mangelnder qualitativ hochwertiger klinischer Studien im Alltag der Patienten längst im Einsatz. Die EMA (European Medicines Agency) spricht für getrocknete Heidelbeeren eine Empfehlung zur Behandlung von Diarrhö auf der Grundlage des traditional use aus und die bisherigen In-vitro-Studien sowie eine klinische Pilotstudie zeigen vielversprechende Ergebnisse. Randomisiert kontrollierte Studien sind jedoch dringend nötig, um die Anwendung auch evidenzbasiert zu rechtfertigen.
Orthogonal polynomials derived from the tridiagonal representation approach
Authors: Alhaidari A. D.
Published: January 2018

The tridiagonal representation approach is an algebraic method for solving second order differential wave equations. Using this approach in the solution of quantum mechanical problems, we encounter two new classes of orthogonal polynomials whose properties give the structure and dynamics of the corresponding physical system. For a certain range of parameters, one of these polynomials has a mix of continuous and discrete spectra making it suitable for describing physical systems with both scattering and bound states. In this work, we define these polynomials by their recursion relations and highlight some of their properties using numerical means. Due to the prime significance of these polynomials in physics, we hope that our short expose will encourage experts in the field of orthogonal polynomials to study them and derive their properties (weight functions, generating functions, asymptotics, orthogonality relations, zeros, etc.) analytically.
Ultrahigh energy storage in lead-free BiFeO3/Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 thin film capacitors by solution processing
Authors: Yang B. B. , Guo M. Y. , Jin L. H. , Tang X. W. , Wei R. H. , Hu L. , Yang J. , Song W. H. , Dai J. M. , Lou X. J. , Zhu X. B. , Sun Y. P.
Published: January 2018

Thin film ferroelectric capacitors (TFFCs) with excellent energy storage have attracted increasing attention due to the electronic devices toward miniaturization and integration. BiFeO3 (BF)/Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BL) based thin films are prepared by chemical solution deposition for energy storage. Ultrahigh energy storage with a recoverable energy density Ure of 54.9 J/cm3 and an efficiency η of 74.4% is observed in the bilayered BF/BL thin films. Further improvement of energy storage is realized in trilayered BL/BF/BL thin films with a Ure of 65.5 J/cm3 and an efficiency η of 74.2% at an electric field of 2753 kV/cm as well as excellent fatigue endurance up to 109 cycles. The results suggest that BF/BL based thin films can be used as lead-free TFFCs in energy storage applications.
Novel hydrogen decrepitation behaviors of (La, Ce)-Fe-B strips
Authors: Jin Jiaying , Bai Guohua , Zhang Yujing , Peng Baixing , Liu Yongsheng , Ma Tianyu , Yan Mi
Published: January 2018

La and Ce substitution for Nd in the 2:14:1-type sintered magnet is of commercial interest to reduce the material cost and to balance the utilization of rare earth (RE) sources. As hydrogen decrepitation (HD) is widely utilized to prepare the magnetic powders during magnets fabrication, incorporating La and Ce into the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets, however, may exert complex influences on the decrepitation behavior. In the present work, through a comparative study of the HD behaviors between the (La, Ce)-Fe-B strips and the conventional Nd-Fe-B ones, we find that similar to the Nd-Fe-B system, increasing hydrogen pressures from 2.5 to 5.5 MPa do not break the 2:14:1 tetragonal structure of (La, Ce)-Fe-B strips. The enhanced hydrogen absorption behaviors are observed with increasing pressure, which are still inferior to that of the Nd-Fe-B strips. This should be ascribed to the higher oxygen affinity of La and Ce than that of Nd, leading to the decreased amount of active RE-rich phase and limited hydrogen diffusion channel. As a result, the hydrogen absorption of 2:14:1 matrix phase is significantly suppressed, dramatically weakening the exothermic effect. This finding suggests that La and Ce with stable 2:14:1 tetragonal structure upon HD process are promising alternatives for Nd, despite that more precise oxygen control is necessary for the microstructure modification and magnetic performance enhancement of (La, Ce)-Fe-B sintered magnets.
Effect of deformation ratios on grain alignment and magnetic properties of hot pressing/hot deformation Nd-Fe-B magnets
Authors: Guo Zhaohui , Li Mengyu , Wang Junming , Jing Zheng , Yue Ming , Zhu Minggang , Li Wei
Published: January 2018

The magnetic properties, microstructure and orientation degrees of hot pressing magnet and hot deformation Nd-Fe-B magnets with different deformation ratios have been investigated in this paper. The remanence (Br) and maximum magnetic energy product ((BH)max) were enhanced gradually with the deformation ratio increasing from 0% to 70%, whereas the coercivity (HCj) decreased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of fractured surfaces parallel to the pressure direction during hot deformation show that the grains tend to extend perpendicularly to the c-axes of Nd2Fe14B grains under the pressure, and the aspect ratios of the grains increase with the increase of deformation ratio. Besides, the compression stress induces the long axis of grains to rotate and the angle (θ) between c-axis and pressure direction decreases. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveal that orientation degree improves with the increase of deformation ratio, agreeing well with the SEM results. The hot deformation magnet with a deformation ratio of 70% has the best Br and (BH)max, and the magnetic properties are as followed: Br=1.40 T, HCj=10.73 kOe, (BH)max=42.30 MGOe.
Electroplated Fe-Co-Ni films prepared in ammonium-chloride-based plating baths
Authors: Yanai T. , Koda K. , Kaji J. , Aramaki H. , Eguchi K. , Takashima K. , Nakano M. , Fukunaga H.
Published: January 2018

We electroplated Fe-Co-Ni films in ammonium-chloride-based plating baths, and investigated the effect of the Co content on the magnetic properties and the structural ones of the as-plated films. The coercivity increased abruptly when the Co content become more than 60 at.%. As the rough surfaces were observed in the high Co content region, we considered that degradation of the surface is a factor of the abrupt increase in the coercivity. From the XRD analysis, we found that another factor of the abrupt increase is fcc-bcc phase transformation, and concluded that we need to keep the fcc structure to obtain Fe-Co-Ni films with low coercivity.
A wave shaping approach of ferrite inductors exhibiting hysteresis using orthogonal field bias
Authors: Adly A. A. , Abd-El-Hafiz S. K. , Mahgoub A. O.
Published: January 2018

Advances in power electronic systems have considerably contributed to a wide spectrum of applications. In most power electronic circuits, inductors play crucial functions. Utilization of ferrite cores becomes a must when large inductances are required. Nevertheless, this results in an additional complexity due to their hysteresis nature. Recently, an efficient approach for modeling vector hysteresis using tri-node Hopfield neural networks (HNNs) has been introduced. This paper presents a wave shaping approach using hollow cylindrical ferrite core inductors having axial and toroidal windings. The approach investigates the possibility of tuning the inductor permeability to minimize circuit harmonics. Details of the approach are given in the paper.
Preferential nucleation, guiding, and blocking of self-propelled droplets by dislocations
Authors: Kanjanachuchai Songphol , Wongpinij Thipusa , Kijamnajsuk Suphakan , Himwas Chalermchai , Panyakeow Somsak , Photongkam Pat
Published: January 2018

Lattice-mismatched layers of GaAs/InGaAs are grown on GaAs(001) using molecular beam epitaxy and subsequently heated in vacuum while the surface is imaged in situ using low-energy electron microscopy, in order to study (i) the nucleation of group-III droplets formed as a result of noncongruent sublimation and (ii) the dynamics of these self-propelled droplets as they navigate the surface. It is found that the interfacial misfit dislocation network not only influences the nucleation sites of droplets, but also exerts unusual steering power over their subsequent motion. Atypical droplet flow patterns including 90° and 180° turns are found. The directions of these dislocations-guided droplets are qualitatively explained in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane stress fields associated with the buried dislocations and the driving forces due to chemical potential and stress gradients typical of Marangoni flow. The findings would benefit processes and devices that employ droplets as catalysts or active structures such as droplet epitaxy of quantum nanostructures, vapor-liquid-solid growth of nanowires, or the fabrication of self-integrated circuits.
Modification of the histone tetramer at the H3-H3 interface impacts tetrasome conformations and dynamics
Authors: Ordu Orkide , Kremser Leopold , Lusser Alexandra , Dekker Nynke H.
Published: January 2018

Nucleosomes consisting of a short piece of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) wrapped around an octamer of histone proteins form the fundamental unit of chromatin in eukaryotes. Their role in DNA compaction comes with regulatory functions that impact essential genomic processes such as replication, transcription, and repair. The assembly of nucleosomes obeys a precise pathway in which tetramers of histones H3 and H4 bind to the DNA first to form tetrasomes, and two dimers of histones H2A and H2B are subsequently incorporated to complete the complex. As viable intermediates, we previously showed that tetrasomes can spontaneously flip between a left-handed and right-handed conformation of DNA-wrapping. To pinpoint the underlying mechanism, here we investigated the role of the H3-H3 interface for tetramer flexibility in the flipping process at the single-molecule level. Using freely orbiting magnetic tweezers, we studied the assembly and structural dynamics of individual tetrasomes modified at the cysteines close to this interaction interface by iodoacetamide (IA) in real time. While such modification did not affect the structural properties of the tetrasomes, it caused a 3-fold change in their flipping kinetics. The results indicate that the IA-modification enhances the conformational plasticity of tetrasomes. Our findings suggest that subnucleosomal dynamics may be employed by chromatin as an intrinsic and adjustable mechanism to regulate DNA supercoiling.