bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting potential evapotranspiration by combining numerical weather predictions and visible and near-infrared satellite images: an application in southern Italy
Authors: Chirico G. B. , Pelosi A. , De Michele C. , Falanga Bolognesi S. , D'Urso G.
Published: February 2018

Irrigation according to reliable estimates of crop water requirements (CWR) is one of the key strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture. In southern Mediterranean regions, during the irrigation season, CWR is almost totally controlled by the potential evapotranspiration of the irrigated crop. An innovative system for forecasting crop potential evapotranspiration (ETp) has been implemented recently in the Campania region (southern Italy). The system produces ETp forecasts with a lead time of up to 5 days, by coupling the visible and near-infrared crop imagery with numerical weather prediction outputs of a limited area model. The forecasts are delivered to farmers with a simple and intuitive web app interface, which makes daily real-time ETp maps accessible from desktop computers, tablets and smartphones. Forecast performances were evaluated for maize fields of two farms in two irrigation seasons (2014–2015). The mean absolute bias of the forecasted ETp was <0.3 mm/day and the RMSE was <0.6 mm/day, both for lead times up to 5 days.
Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the ear canal: our experience and a review of the literature
Authors: McCadden L , Leonard C G , Primrose W J
Published: February 2018

Background:

Oesophageal disorders and osteonecrosis of the jaw are recognised complications of the commonly prescribed medication bisphosphonate. Despite these diagnoses being seen comparatively frequently within the ENT clinic, osteonecrosis of the external ear is a less well reported complication.

Methods:

The current literature is reviewed and our experience with six cases of bisphosphonate-related ear canal osteonecrosis is presented.

Results:

Six cases were identified as suffering from ear canal osteonecrosis as a result of bisphosphonate treatment. One of our cases suffered bilateral ear canal osteonecrosis after only 20 months of oral alendronic acid treatment. Management ranged from bisphosphonate cessation and topical treatment, to surgical debridement in the operating theatre.

Conclusion:

Bisphosphonate-related ear canal osteonecrosis is undoubtedly under-diagnosed. For such a commonly prescribed medication, the risks and side effects of bisphosphonate should be better known and long-term treatment should be avoided if possible.
Analysing Chinese Civil–Military Relations: A Bottom-Up Approach
Authors: Ledberg Sofia K.
Published: February 2018

This article examines Chinese civil–military relations using a bottom-up analytical approach and hitherto untapped sources, including interviews with military personnel in active service. It argues that traditional approaches to political control, which generally interpret the changing political–military relationship through military professionalism and institutional autonomy, miss out on important aspects and may generate erroneous conclusions. Here, focus is instead on the professional autonomy of the Chinese officer corps. Through an empirical study of the organization of military work at two of China's top military education institutes, the article illustrates how professional autonomy and direct political control vary, both between hierarchical levels and issue areas. This highlights the multidimensionality of both control and professional manoeuvrability and underlines the fruitfulness of including an intra-organizational perspective in order to reach better informed conclusions about political control and civil–military relations in today's China.
A Case of Impaction of a Knob of Wood in ósophagus, which had been swallowed with suicidal intent. ósophagotomy—Death
Authors: Rorie
Published: February 2018

M. M., female; single, æt. 37; admitted into Dundee Asylum 24th December, 1874. Patient had been more or less insane for eight months, during which time she had frequently threatened suicide, and declared that she had often tried to poison herself, but could never succeed in doing so. Has been in the habit of taking laudanum freely, although the quantities consumed could never be ascertained, Has taken no solid food for three days, giving as a reason that she could not get it over, as she had swallowed the knob of a mirror, and which was sticking in her throat. Her friends assured me that this must be a delusion, as she swallowed fluids easily. The first medical certificate on patient's admission paper testified that she “is highly nervous and excitable, insists that she has swallowed a round ball of mahogany to destroy herself;” the second one that she “says she has swallowed something that will be sure to kill her, and although quite able to swallow, declares that she is not able to let over even a mouthful of water. She has various other delusions.”
Shoe's Classification of Mental Diseases. a Critique
Authors: Browne J. Crichton
Published: February 2018

Of all the classifications of insanity with which we have been afflicted in recent times, none has been more diligently vaunted, or more frequently obtruded upon attention, than that of the late Dr. Skae. Emanating from an able and accomplished physician—not in the first blush of his juvenile enthusiasm, but in the maturity of his powers, and the ripeness of his experience—it at once commanded respectful consideration, and was placed in a position of authority. And there, in the progress of time, a strong body of sentiment has gathered about it. Dr. Skae's old pupils, with a fervour which speaks volumes for his influence over his colleagues, and for their loyalty and gratitude, now rally round it, and vigorously repel any attack upon it, and even any approach to it for the purpose of a critical examination. Under their jealous guardianship it has become a sacred edifice—a monument of wisdom which may be adorned or enriched by the initiated few, but which it is sacrilege in the vulgar to attempt to demolish. Its great principles have been pronounced binding by the ócumenical council of Morningside, and he who profanely questions them places his promotion in jeopardy. Fortified, developed, illustrated, by the labours of many distinguished followers, this classification of Dr. Skae's is extolled by some on all possible occasions, and there is an undoubted danger that it may be somewhat widely adopted.
Lower limb exercise generates pulsatile flow into the pulmonary vascular bed in the setting of the Fontan circulation
Authors: Cordina Rachael , Celermajer David S. , d’Udekem Yves
Published: February 2018

The absence of a subpulmonary ventricle in the Fontan circulation results in non-pulsatile pulmonary blood flow. Lower limb exercise in this setting can generate pulsatile pulmonary blood flow.
Collecting amino acids in the Enceladus plume
Authors: Guzman Melissa , Lorenz Ralph , Hurley Dana , Farrell William , Spencer John , Hansen Candice , Hurford Terry , Ibea Jassmine , Carlson Patrick , McKay Christopher P.
Published: February 2018

We numerically model the dynamics of the Enceladus plume ice grains and define our nominal plume model as having a particle size distributionn(R) ~R−qwithq= 4 and a total particulate mass rate of 16 kg s−1. This mass rate is based on average plume brightness observed by Cassini across a range of orbital positions. The model predicts sample volumes of ~1600 µg for a 1 m2collector on a spacecraft making flybys at 20–60 km altitudes above the Enceladus surface. We develop two scenarios to predict the concentration of amino acids in the plume based on these assumed sample volumes. We specifically consider Glycine, Serine, α-Alanine, α-Aminoisobutyric acid and Isovaline. The first ‘abiotic’ model assumes that Enceladus has the composition of a comet and finds abundances between 2 × 10−6to 0.003 µg for dissolved free amino acids and 2 × 10−5to 0.3 µg for particulate amino acids. The second ‘biotic’ model assumes that the water of Enceladus's ocean has the same amino acid composition as the deep ocean water on Earth. We compute the expected captured mass of amino acids such as Glycine, Serine, and α-Alanine in the ‘biotic’ model to be between 1 × 10−5to 2 × 10−5µg for dissolved free amino acids and dissolved combined amino acids and about 0.0002 µg for particulate amino acids. Both models consider enhancements due to bubble bursting. Expected captured mass of amino acids is calculated for a 1 m2collector on a spacecraft making flybys with a closest approach of 20 km during mean plume activity for the given nominal particle size distribution.
Diversity of lichen-associated filamentous fungi preserved in European Paleogene amber
Authors: Kettunen Elina , Schmidt Alexander R. , Diederich Paul , Grabenhorst Heinrich , Rikkinen Jouko
Published: February 2018

A diversity of filamentous microfungi was discovered from thallus surfaces of epiphytic lichens preserved in Bitterfeld and Baltic amber. We report seven distinct morphologies of dematiaceous hyphomycetes, some of which closely resemble species of the extant generaSporidesmium,Taeniolellas. lat. andTaeniolina. Both the placement of the fungi on their substrates and the exquisite preservation of delicate structures indicate that the fungi were fully developed before they were engulfed by fresh resin. The lichens probably grew on the trunks of resin producing trees and became embedded in resin flows together with their fungal associates. The findings demonstrate that a wide range of presumably specialised fungi have lived on living and decomposing lichen thalli at least since the Paleogene. The findings add an interesting new component to the as yet poorly known mycota of the ancient European amber forests.
CME
Authors: Keller Kristina
Published: February 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die aktive Teilnahme am Strassenverkehr setzt gemäss Strassenverkehrsgesetz (SVG) immer eine ausreichende körperliche und geistige Leistungsfähigkeit voraus. Durch die Verordnung von psychotropen Medikamenten, wie z.B. Psychopharmaka und Schlafmitteln, kann diese Leistungsfähigkeit bei verschiedenen Erkrankungen verbessert werden, es kann aber auch zu Leistungseinbussen kommen. Immer wieder stellt sich daher die Frage nach der Fahrfähigkeit und der Fahreignung unter der Einnahme von Psychopharmaka und Schlafmitteln. In diesem Artikel möchten wir auf die Problematik der Verordnung dieser Medikamente unter den Aspekten der Leistungsfähigkeit eingehen.
Fossil Energy Sources Win Out in Interior and Energy Budgets
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2018

The budgets reflect the administration’s energy and environment priorities by boosting research and development for coal and oil while decreasing funding for clean and renewable energies and environmental protection.
Pan-cancer genome and transcriptome analyses of 1,699 paediatric leukaemias and solid tumours
Authors: Ma Xiaotu , Liu Yu , Liu Yanling , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Edmonson Michael N. , Gawad Charles , Zhou Xin , Li Yongjin , Rusch Michael C. , Easton John , Huether Robert , Gonzalez-Pena Veronica , Wilkinson Mark R. , Hermida Leandro C. , Davis Sean , Sioson Edgar , Pounds Stanley , Cao Xueyuan , Ries Rhonda E. , Wang Zhaoming , Chen Xiang , Dong Li , Diskin Sharon J. , Smith Malcolm A. , Guidry Auvil Jaime M. , Meltzer Paul S. , Lau Ching C. , Perlman Elizabeth J. , Maris John M. , Meshinchi Soheil , Hunger Stephen P. , Gerhard Daniela S. , Zhang Jinghui
Published: February 2018

Analysis of molecular aberrations across multiple cancer types, known as pan-cancer analysis, identifies commonalities and differences in key biological processes that are dysregulated in cancer cells from diverse lineages. Pan-cancer analyses have been performed for adult1,2,3,4 but not paediatric cancers, which commonly occur in developing mesodermic rather than adult epithelial tissues5. Here we present a pan-cancer study of somatic alterations, including single nucleotide variants, small insertions or deletions, structural variations, copy number alterations, gene fusions and internal tandem duplications in 1,699 paediatric leukaemias and solid tumours across six histotypes, with whole-genome, whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing data processed under a uniform analytical framework. We report 142 driver genes in paediatric cancers, of which only 45% match those found in adult pan-cancer studies; copy number alterations and structural variants constituted the majority (62%) of events. Eleven genome-wide mutational signatures were identified, including one attributed to ultraviolet-light exposure in eight aneuploid leukaemias. Transcription of the mutant allele was detectable for 34% of protein-coding mutations, and 20% exhibited allele-specific expression. These data provide a comprehensive genomic architecture for paediatric cancers and emphasize the need for paediatric cancer-specific development of precision therapies.
Mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) and lysosomal storage diseases
Authors: Annunziata Ida , Sano Renata , d’Azzo Alessandra
Published: February 2018

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) comprise a large group of disorders of catabolism, mostly due to deficiency of a single glycan-cleaving hydrolase. The consequent endo-lysosomal accumulation of undigested or partially digested substrates in cells of virtually all organs, including the nervous system, is diagnostic of these diseases and underlies pathogenesis. A subgroup of LSDs, the glycosphingolipidoses, are caused by deficiency of glycosidases that process/degrade sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids (GSLs). GSLs are among the lipid constituents of mammalian membranes, where they orderly distribute and, together with a plethora of membrane proteins, contribute to the formation of discrete membrane microdomains or lipid rafts. The composition of intracellular membranes enclosing organelles reflects that at the plasma membrane (PM). Organelles have the tendencies to tether to one another and to the PM at specific membrane contact sites that, owing to their lipid and protein content, resemble PM lipid rafts. The focus of this review is on the MAMs, mitochondria associated ER membranes, sites of juxtaposition between ER and mitochondria that function as biological hubs for the exchange of molecules and ions, and control the functional status of the reciprocal organelles. We will focus on the lipid components of the MAMs, and highlight how failure to digest or process the sialylated GSL, GM1 ganglioside, in lysosomes alters the lipid conformation and functional properties of the MAMs and leads to neuronal cell death and neurodegeneration.
Mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) and inflammation
Authors: Missiroli Sonia , Patergnani Simone , Caroccia Natascia , Pedriali Gaia , Perrone Mariasole , Previati Maurizio , Wieckowski Mariusz R. , Giorgi Carlotta
Published: February 2018

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are tightly associated with very dynamic platforms termed mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). MAMs provide an excellent scaffold for crosstalk between the ER and mitochondria and play a pivotal role in different signaling pathways that allow rapid exchange of biological molecules to maintain cellular health. However, dysfunctions in the ER–mitochondria architecture are associated with pathological conditions and human diseases. Inflammation has emerged as one of the various pathways that MAMs control. Inflammasome components and other inflammatory factors promote the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that sustain pathological conditions. In this review, we summarize the critical role of MAMs in initiating inflammation in the cellular defense against pathogenic infections and the association of MAMs with inflammation-mediated diseases.
Redox crosstalk at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane contact sites (MCS) uses toxic waste to deliver messages
Authors: Yoboue Edgar Djaha , Sitia Roberto , Simmen Thomas
Published: February 2018

Many cellular redox reactions housed within mitochondria, peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). The contribution of each organelle to the total cellular ROS production is considerable, but varies between cell types and also over time. Redox-regulatory enzymes are thought to assemble at a “redox triangle” formed by mitochondria, peroxisomes and the ER, assembling “redoxosomes” that sense ROS accumulations and redox imbalances. The redoxosome enzymes use ROS, potentially toxic by-products made by some redoxosome members themselves, to transmit inter-compartmental signals via chemical modifications of downstream proteins and lipids. Interestingly, important components of the redoxosome are ER chaperones and oxidoreductases, identifying ER oxidative protein folding as a key ROS producer and controller of the tri-organellar membrane contact sites (MCS) formed at the redox triangle. At these MCS, ROS accumulations could directly facilitate inter-organellar signal transmission, using ROS transporters. In addition, ROS influence the flux of Ca2+ ions, since many Ca2+ handling proteins, including inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), SERCA pumps or regulators of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) are redox-sensitive. Fine-tuning of these redox and ion signaling pathways might be difficult in older organisms, suggesting a dysfunctional redox triangle may accompany the aging process.
Direct observation of orbital hybridisation in a cuprate superconductor
Authors: Matt C. E. , Sutter D. , Cook A. M. , Sassa Y. , Månsson M. , Tjernberg O. , Das L. , Horio M. , Destraz D. , Fatuzzo C. G. , Hauser K. , Shi M. , Kobayashi M. , Strocov V. N. , Schmitt T. , Dudin P. , Hoesch M. , Pyon S. , Takayama T. , Takagi H. , Lipscombe O. J. , Hayden S. M. , Kurosawa T. , Momono N. , Oda M. , Neupert T. , Chang J.
Published: February 2018

The minimal ingredients to explain the essential physics of layered copper-oxide (cuprates) materials remains heavily debated. Effective low-energy single-band models of the copper–oxygen orbitals are widely used because there exists no strong experimental evidence supporting multi-band structures. Here, we report angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on La-based cuprates that provide direct observation of a two-band structure. This electronic structure, qualitatively consistent with density functional theory, is parametrised by a two-orbital ($$d_{x^2 - y^2}$$

d

x

2

-

y

2

and $$d_{z^2}$$

d

z

2

) tight-binding model. We quantify the orbital hybridisation which provides an explanation for the Fermi surface topology and the proximity of the van-Hove singularity to the Fermi level. Our analysis leads to a unification of electronic hopping parameters for single-layer cuprates and we conclude that hybridisation, restraining d-wave pairing, is an important optimisation element for superconductivity.
Industrial brewing yeast engineered for the production of primary flavor determinants in hopped beer
Authors: Denby Charles M. , Li Rachel A. , Vu Van T. , Costello Zak , Lin Weiyin , Chan Leanne Jade G. , Williams Joseph , Donaldson Bryan , Bamforth Charles W. , Petzold Christopher J. , Scheller Henrik V. , Martin Hector Garcia , Keasling Jay D.
Published: February 2018

Flowers of the hop plant provide both bitterness and “hoppy” flavor to beer. Hops are, however, both a water and energy intensive crop and vary considerably in essential oil content, making it challenging to achieve a consistent hoppy taste in beer. Here, we report that brewer’s yeast can be engineered to biosynthesize aromatic monoterpene molecules that impart hoppy flavor to beer by incorporating recombinant DNA derived from yeast, mint, and basil. Whereas metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathways is commonly enlisted to maximize product titers, tuning expression of pathway enzymes to affect target production levels of multiple commercially important metabolites without major collateral metabolic changes represents a unique challenge. By applying state-of-the-art engineering techniques and a framework to guide iterative improvement, strains are generated with target performance characteristics. Beers produced using these strains are perceived as hoppier than traditionally hopped beers by a sensory panel in a double-blind tasting.
Characterization of gene regulation and protein interaction networks for Matrin 3 encoding mutations linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myopathy
Authors: Iradi M. Carolina Gallego , Triplett Judy C. , Thomas James D. , Davila Rachel , Crown Anthony M. , Brown Hilda , Lewis Jada , Swanson Maurice S. , Xu Guilian , Rodriguez-Lebron Edgardo , Borchelt David R.
Published: February 2018

To understand how mutations in Matrin 3 (MATR3) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and distal myopathy, we used transcriptome and interactome analysis, coupled with microscopy. Over-expression of wild-type (WT) or F115C mutant MATR3 had little impact on gene expression in neuroglia cells. Only 23 genes, expressed at levels of >100 transcripts showed ≥1.6-fold changes in expression by transfection with WT or mutant MATR3:YFP vectors. We identified ~123 proteins that bound MATR3, with proteins associated with stress granules and RNA processing/splicing being prominent. The interactome of myopathic S85C and ALS-variant F115C MATR3 were virtually identical to WT protein. Deletion of RNA recognition motif (RRM1) or Zn finger motifs (ZnF1 or ZnF2) diminished the binding of a subset of MATR3 interacting proteins. Remarkably, deletion of the RRM2 motif caused enhanced binding of >100 hundred proteins. In live cells, MATR3 lacking RRM2 (ΔRRM2) formed intranuclear spherical structures that fused over time into large structures. Our findings in the cell models used here suggest that MATR3 with disease-causing mutations is not dramatically different from WT protein in modulating gene regulation or in binding to normal interacting partners. The intra-nuclear localization and interaction network of MATR3 is strongly modulated by its RRM2 domain.
Direct Detection of Unamplified Pathogen RNA in Blood Lysate using an Integrated Lab-in-a-Stick Device and Ultrabright SERS Nanorattles
Authors: Ngo Hoan T. , Freedman Elizabeth , Odion Ren Abelard , Strobbia Pietro , De Silva Indrasekara Agampodi Swarnapali , Vohra Priya , Taylor Steve M. , Vo-Dinh Tuan
Published: February 2018

Direct detection of genetic biomarkers in body fluid lysate without target amplification will revolutionize nucleic acid-based diagnostics. However, the low concentration of target sequences makes this goal challenging. We report a method for direct detection of pathogen RNA in blood lysate using a bioassay using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based detection integrated in a “lab-in-a-stick” portable device. Two levels of signal enhancement were employed to achieve the sensitivity required for direct detection. Each target sequence was tagged with an ultrabright SERS-encoded nanorattle with ultrahigh SERS signals, and these tagged target sequences were concentrated into a focused spot for detection using hybridization sandwiches with magnetic microbeads. Furthermore, the washing process was automated by integration into a “lab-in-a-stick” portable device. We could directly detect synthetic target with a limit of detection of 200 fM. More importantly, we detected plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite RNA directly in infected red blood cells lysate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SERS-based direct detection of pathogen nucleic acid in blood lysate without nucleic acid extraction or target amplification. The results show the potential of our integrated bioassay for field use and point-of-care diagnostics.
Increased Glutamine Consumption in Cisplatin-Resistant Cells Has a Negative Impact on Cell Growth
Authors: Duan Guihua , Shi Mengyue , Xie Lijuan , Xu Mingcui , Wang Yun , Yan Hongli , Zhuge Yuzheng , Zou Xiaoping
Published: February 2018

The emergence of drug-resistant subclones remains the primary reason for tumor treatment failure. Some theories suggest that drug-resistant cell growth can be suppressed by drug-sensitive cells because resistant cells are less fit than sensitive cells in the absence of drug. We investigated fitness differences and their underlying mechanisms in cisplatin (ddp)-resistant cells and parental cells. We found that glutamine (Gln) consumption was substantially higher in ddp-resistant cells than that in sensitive cells, indicating that significantly fewer ddp-resistant cells than sensitive cells could be generated under the same Gln conditions. Interestingly, the antioxidant capacity of ddp-resistant cells was also significantly enhanced and was directly related to the presence of Gln. Then, we found that enhanced antioxidant capacity was sustained by accelerated Gln catabolism in resistant cells through oncogenic KRAS. Further analysis indicated that rapid Gln catabolism directly mediated ddp resistance through enhanced antioxidant capacity, but the maximum number of resistant cells that could be produced with the same amount of Gln was significantly reduced due to increased Gln catabolism. Collectively, our study revealed that rapid Gln catabolism provided ddp-resistant cells with the ability to tolerate cytotoxic treatment but also hindered the growth of ddp-resistant cells due to excessive Gln consumption.
Author Correction: Low oxygen eddies in the eastern tropical North Atlantic: Implications for N2O cycling
Authors: Grundle D. S. , Löscher C. R. , Krahmann G. , Altabet M. A. , Bange H. W. , Karstensen J. , Körtzinger A. , Fiedler B.
Published: February 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
The pharmacokinetic advantage of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate for minimization of the risk for birth defects
Authors: Bailey Steven W. , Ayling June E.
Published: February 2018

Despite efforts to increase folic acid (FA) intake, even within countries mandating FA fortification, there remain pregnant women with folate levels inadequate to minimize congenital disorders (e.g., of the neural tube, heart, and lip/palate). The pharmacokinetics of FA and [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) were examined to find a reliable and minimal dose for rapidly rescuing folate status prior to critical periods of embryonic development. Serum total folate increased much more rapidly over the first four days in insufficient women given 7.5 mg doses of 5-MTHF than the same regimen of FA (P for trend <0.0001). Nearly all women given 7.5 mg 5-MTHF (every 12 hours, five doses total) almost immediately reached 50 nM serum total folate. Moreover, this level could be maintained by subsequent administration of 0.4 mg/d of folic acid. Thus, 5-MTHF enables repletion of folate stores more quickly and uniformly than FA and without exposure to unmetabolized FA.
Tunable Dielectric Properties of Poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Films with Embedded Fluorinated Barium Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles
Authors: Han Wooje , Kim Taehee , Yoo Byungwook , Park Hyung-Ho
Published: February 2018

Fluoropolymer nanocomposites of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) were prepared using fluorinated barium strontium titanate (Ba1−xSrxTiO3, BSTO) nanoparticles (NPs) by low-temperature synthesis using a modified liquid–solid solution process. The exact stoichiometry of as-synthesized BSTO NPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis along with lattice parameter calculations. The synthesized BSTO NPs were fluorinated using 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic acid as a fluorous ligand. The BSTO NPs showed high solubility in the fluorous system (polymer and solvent) on account of their modified surface. The root-mean-square roughness of the fluorinated BSTO/PVdF-HFP nanocomposite was 76 times lower than that of the nonfluorinated BSTO/PVdF-HFP nanocomposite. The dielectric constant of the fluorinated BSTO/PVdF-HFP nanocomposite exhibited Curie temperature behavior. The dielectric constant of the nanocomposite predicted using the modified Kerner model at room temperature agreed well with the experimental values.
Comparison of non-insulin antidiabetic agents as an add-on drug to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Yoon Jeong-Hwa , Min Se Hee , Ahn Chang Ho , Cho Young Min , Hahn Seokyung
Published: February 2018

We aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), or thiazolidinedione (TZD) as an adjunctive treatment in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on insulin therapy. We searched Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov through April 2016. Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed with covariate adjustment. The primary outcome was the change in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline. Fifty randomized controlled trials covering 15,494 patients were included. GLP-1RA showed the greatest HbA1c-lowering effect compared to the control (−0.84%; 95% credible interval, −1.00% to −0.69%), followed by TZD (−0.73%; −0.93 to −0.52%), SGLT2i (−0.66%; −0.84% to −0.48%), and DPP4i (−0.54%; −0.68% to −0.39%). SGLT2i showed the greatest fasting plasma glucose reduction. GLP-1RA and SGLT2i showed greater body weight reduction, whereas TZD increased body weight. TZD was ranked the highest in terms of insulin dose reduction. The risk of hypoglycemia was increased with TZD or GLP-1RA. The study provides the best available evidence on the comparative efficacy and safety of non-insulin anti-diabetic agents on top of pre-existing insulin therapy for inadequately controlled T2DM patients.
Isolation of levoglucosan-utilizing thermophilic bacteria
Authors: Iwazaki Shintaro , Hirai Hirokazu , Hamaguchi Norihisa , Yoshida Nobuyuki
Published: February 2018

We previously developed an industrial production process for novel water-soluble indigestible polysaccharides (resistant glucan mixture, RGM). During the process, an anhydrosugar—levoglucosan —is formed as a by-product and needs to be removed to manufacture a complete non-calorie product. Here, we attempted to isolate thermophilic bacteria that utilize levoglucosan as a sole carbon source, to establish a removing process for levoglucosan at higher temperature. Approximately 800 natural samples were used to isolate levoglucosan-utilizing microorganisms. Interestingly, levoglucosan-utilizing microorganisms—most of which were filamentous fungi or yeasts—could be isolated from almost all samples at 25°C. We isolated three thermophilic bacteria that grew well on levoglucosan medium at 60°C. Two of them and the other were identified as Bacillus smithii and Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius, respectively, by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Using B. smithii S-2701M, which showed best growth on levoglucosan, glucose and levoglucosan in 5% (wt/vol) RGM were completely diminished at 50°C for 144 h. These bacteria are known to have a biotechnological potential, given that they can ferment a range of carbon sources. This is the first report in the utilization of levoglucosan by these thermophiles, suggesting that our results expand their biotechnological potential for the unutilized carbon resources.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the successful three-phase photocatalytic reduction of CO2 by H2O over heterogeneous photocatalysts
Authors: Teramura Kentaro , Tanaka Tsunehiro
Published: February 2018

Artificial photosynthesis has recently drawn an increasing amount of attention due to the fact that it allows for direct solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
Interconversion between KSc2F7:Yb/Er and K2NaScF6:Yb/Er nanocrystals: the role of chemistry
Authors: Wang Yangbo , Yang Bingxiao , Chen Kun , Zhou Enlong , Zhang Qinghua , Yin Lisha , Xie Xiaoji , Gu Lin , Huang Ling
Published: February 2018

Interconversion between nanocrystals of orthorhombic KSc2F7:Yb/Er and cubic K2NaScF6:Yb/Er was realized by adjusting the according chemical reaction conditions.
Cationic peroxidase from proso millet induces human colon cancer cell necroptosis by regulating autocrine TNF-α and RIPK3 demethylation
Authors: Cui Xiaodong , Wang Ru , Wang Zhuanhua
Published: February 2018

Two distinct mechanisms are involved in PmPOD-induced necroptosis, including the autocrine production of TNF-α and the restoration of RIPK3 expression in RIPK3-silenced cells.
Redox-active diaminoazobenzene complexes of rhodium(iii): synthesis, structure and spectroscopic characterization
Authors: Roy Sima , Pramanik Shuvam , Ghorui Tapas , Dinda Soumitra , Patra Sarat Chandra , Pramanik Kausikisankar
Published: February 2018

Coordination diversity of an aromatic diamine with Rh(iii) is presented together with the elucidation of the molecular and electronic structures, electron transfer, and electronic transitions.
Graphene-coated polymer foams as tuneable impact sensors
Authors: Boland Conor S. , Khan Umar , Binions Mathew , Barwich Sebastian , Boland John B. , Weaire Denis , Coleman Jonathan N.
Published: February 2018

Displaying a strain-dependent electrical response, the porous graphene-based nanocomposite ‘G-foam’ was found to be an effective pressure sensor and sensitive impact-sensing material.
Dual effects of water vapor on ceria-supported gold clusters
Authors: Li Zhimin , Li Weili , Abroshan Hadi , Ge Qingjie , Li Gao , Jin Rongchao
Published: February 2018

Atomically precise nanocatalysts are currently being intensely pursued in catalysis research.
Synthesis of ordered, functional, robust nanoporous membranes from liquid crystalline brush-like triblock copolymers
Authors: Ndaya Dennis , Bosire Reuben , Mahajan Lalit , Huh Scarlet , Kasi Rajeswari
Published: February 2018

The fabrication of mechanically robust nanoporous polymeric membrane materials with aligned, accessible functionalized nanopores is extremely important for many applications.
Carbonyl–olefin metathesis: a key review
Authors: Ravindar Lekkala , Lekkala Revathi , Rakesh K. P. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Marwani Hadi M. , Qin Hua-Li
Published: February 2018

In organic chemistry, olefin–olefin metathesis of two unsaturated substrates for the formation of a new carbon–carbon bond has been widely explored and applied.
Ruthenium-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transfer hydrogenation: stereoselective access to syn 2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-isoquinolyl)ethanol derivatives
Authors: Zheng Long-Sheng , Phansavath Phannarath , Ratovelomanana-Vidal Virginie
Published: February 2018

An efficient, stereoselective route to 2-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-isoquinolyl)ethanol derivatives through a Ru-mediated asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ring-substituted β-amino ketones via DKR has been developed.
Adsorption of Cd2+ by an ion-imprinted thiol-functionalized polymer in competition with heavy metal ions and organic acids
Authors: Kong Qiaoping , Xie Binbin , Preis Sergei , Hu Yun , Wu Haizhen , Wei Chaohai
Published: February 2018

A Cd2+-imprinted thiol-functionalized polymer in competition with heavy metal ions and low molecular weight organic acids was investigated.
Treatment adherence among sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Xinjiang, China: a prospective study
Authors: Gong Xinji , Li Yuehua , Wang Jing , Wu Gang , Mohemaiti Ayinuer , Wushouer Qimanguli , Yao Lidan , Lv Jianghua , Li Rongrong , Li Pengfei , Wang Buqing
Published: February 2018

Background: Despite great effort to control tuberculosis (TB), low treatment adherence threatens the success of drug therapy, increases the risk of TB transmission, and leads to the development of drug resistance.
Sustained delivery of anti-VEGF from injectable hydrogel systems provides a prolonged decrease of endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesisin vitro
Authors: Fletcher Nathan A. , Krebs Melissa D.
Published: February 2018

Sustained delivery of bioactive anti-VEGF antibodies is demonstrated using a polyelectrolyte complex of alginate and chitosan. The released anti-VEGF inhibited VEGF induced-proliferation and angiogenesis in HUVECs over a 30-day period.
Collagen-based three-dimensional culture microenvironment promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition and drug resistance of human ovarian cancerin vitro
Authors: Liu Ming , Zhang Xiuzhen , Long Canling , Xu Hong , Cheng Xu , Chang Jingjie , Zhang Chengzhao , Zhang Chenghong , Wang Xiuli
Published: February 2018

OV-NC and OV-206 cells cultured in collagen I hydrogel scaffolds, could gradually generate multicellular spheroids.
Selective molecular-gating adsorption in a novel copper-based metal–organic framework
Authors: Kondo Atsushi , Yashiro Taiki , Okada Naoya , Hiraide Shotaro , Ohkubo Takahiro , Tanaka Hideki , Maeda Kazuyuki
Published: February 2018

A novel Cu-based MOF shows selective molecular accommodation in 1D pores partitioned by movable molecular gates.
The coordinative state of aluminium alkyls in Ziegler–Natta catalysts
Authors: Blaakmeer E. S. (Merijn) , van Eck Ernst R. H. , Kentgens Arno P. M.
Published: February 2018

Multinuclear solid-state NMR provides insight in the interactions of aluminium alkyl based cocatalysts in MgCl2-supported Ziegler–Natta catalysts.
Correction: Prediction of topological property in TlPBr2 monolayer with appreciable Rashba effect
Authors: Yuan Min , Ji Wei-xiao , Ren Miao-juan , Li Ping , Li Feng , Zhang Shu-feng , Zhang Chang-wen , Wang Pei-ji
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Prediction of topological property in TlPBr2 monolayer with appreciable Rashba effect’ by Min Yuan et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 4308–4316.
Correction: Interpretation and evolution of open-circuit voltage, recombination, ideality factor and subgap defect states during reversible light-soaking and irreversible degradation of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Tress Wolfgang , Yavari Mozhgan , Domanski Konrad , Yadav Pankaj , Niesen Bjoern , Baena Juan Pablo Correa , Hagfeldt Anders , Graetzel Michael
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Interpretation and evolution of open-circuit voltage, recombination, ideality factor and subgap defect states during reversible light-soaking and irreversible degradation of perovskite solar cells’ by Wolfgang Tress et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 151–165.
Chitosan binding onto the epigallocatechin-loaded ferritin nanocage enhances its transport across Caco-2 cells
Authors: Yang Rui , Tian Jing , Wang Desheng , Blanchard Chris , Zhou Zhongkai
Published: February 2018

The binding of chitosan to epigallocatechin-encapsulated ferritin enhances epigallocatechin transport across Caco-2 cells through the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1)-mediated absorption pathway.
Design and application of a tripodal on–off type chemosensor for discriminative and selective detection of Fe2+ ions
Authors: Farhi Atika , Firdaus Farha , Shakir Mohammad
Published: February 2018

A simple and cost effective tris 2(amino ethyl) amine based chemosensor is synthesized via a single-step procedure.
Nitroolefin-modified cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes for tunable detection of biothiols with deep-red emission
Authors: Zhao Mengying , Pan Yaping , Wang Xingbo , Gao Xue-Wang , Chao Duobin
Published: February 2018

Two nitroolefin-modified cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes were employed as turn-on probes for the rapid (1 min) detection of biothiols with tunable emission.
A sensitive two-photon ratiometric fluorescent probe for γ-glutamyltranspeptidase activity detection and imaging in living cells and cancer tissues
Authors: Liu Wei , Huang Bo , Tong Zong-Xuan , Wang Shuanglong , Li Yi-Jin , Dai Yu-You
Published: February 2018

We develop a novel ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probe that allows highly sensitive and selective detection and imaging of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase activities.
Preparation of pyrrolizinone derivatives via sequential transformations of cyclic allyl imides: synthesis of quinolactacide and marinamide
Authors: Simic Milena , Tasic Gordana , Jovanovic Predrag , Petkovic Milos , Savic Vladimir
Published: February 2018

A facile synthetic route toward the preparation of pyrrolizinone derivatives has been developed and applied for the synthesis of quinolactacide/marinamide.
Base-promoted [3 + 3] cyclization of cyclopropenones and cyclopropenethiones with amides for the synthesis of 6H-1,3-oxazin-6-ones and 6H-1,3-thiazin-6-ones
Authors: Niu Ben , Jiang Bo , Yu Liu-Zhu , Shi Min
Published: February 2018

A facile synthesis of 6H-1,3-oxazin-6-ones and 6H-1,3-thiazin-6-ones has been achieved in the base-promoted [3 + 3] cyclization of cyclopropenones and cyclopropenethiones with amides.
Lithium fluoride recovery from cathode material of spent lithium-ion battery
Authors: Zheng Ying , Song Wei , Mo Wen-ting , Zhou Lai , Liu Jian-Wen
Published: February 2018

Recoveries of cobalt and lithium metals from spent lithium-ion batteries are very important for prevention of environmental pollution and alleviation of resource shortage.
A techno-economic analysis method for guiding research and investment directions for c-Si photovoltaics and its application to Al-BSF, PERC, LDSE and advanced hydrogenation
Authors: Chang Nathan L. , Ho-Baillie Anita , Wenham Stuart , Woodhouse Michael , Evans Rhett , Tjahjono Budi , Qi Fred , Chong Chee Mun , Egan Renate J.
Published: February 2018

Uncertainty analysis combines cost, performance and market factors to guide research and investment decisions for selected c-Si PV technologies.
Nesprin-1/2: roles in nuclear envelope organisation, myogenesis and muscle disease
Authors: Zhou Can , Rao Li , Shanahan Catherine M. , Zhang Qiuping
Published: February 2018

Nesprins (nuclear envelope spectrin repeat proteins) are multi-isomeric scaffolding proteins. Nesprin-1 and -2 are highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles and together with SUN (Sad1p/UNC84) domain-containing proteins form the LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex at the nuclear envelope in association with lamin A/C and emerin. Mutations in nesprin-1/2 have been found in patients with autosomal dominant Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) as well as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several lines of evidence indicate that compromised LINC complex function is the critical step leading to muscle disease. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the functions of nesprin-1/2 in the LINC complex and mechanistic insights into how mutations in nesprin-1/2 lead to nesprin-related muscle diseases, in particular DCM and EDMD.
Image‐based localisation using shared‐information double stream hourglass networks
Authors: Ding Yinzhang , Tao Qiuyan , Wang Lianghao , Li Dongxiao , Zhang Ming
Published: February 2018

A shared‐information double stream hourglass network architecture for camera localisation is proposed. The contributions are two folds, first, the ordinary single stream decoder is replaced by double streams for regressing location and orientation of camera separately, and the information is shared at the end. Secondly, uncertainty estimation of loss to balance the error of location and orientation is used. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves better performance compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Robust sampled‐data control of non‐linear LPV systems: time‐dependent functional approach
Authors: Hooshmandi Kaveh , Bayat Farhad , Jahed‐Motlagh Mohammad Reza , Jalali AliAkbar
Published: February 2018

This study addresses the problem of robust exponential stability and stabilisation of sampled‐data linear parameter varying (LPV) systems with an aperiodic sampling rate. Utilising the input delay approach and taking the distance between real and measured parameters into account, new stability and stabilisation conditions are derived for LPV systems with arbitrary dependence on the parameters. By means of a modified parameter dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, stability conditions are formulated as a set of parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequalities (PLMIs) which are suitable to investigate the effect of the sampling rate on the closed‐loop stability. Furthermore, sufficient conditions to guarantee the feasibility of PLMIs over the set of whole parameters are derived that lead to the feasibility of a finite number of linear matrix inequalities. Applying the projection lemma new stability analysis conditions are obtained and shown to be suitable for the stabilisation problem. Under the new stability criteria, an efficient procedure developed for robust sampled‐data controller design in the presence of uncertainty on the varying parameters and unknown time varying sampling rate. The proposed method is applied to a sampled‐data fuzzy control problem of a non‐linear system and multi‐rate sampled‐data LPV systems. Several examples show the efficiency of the method.
Metro timetable optimisation for minimising carbon emission and passenger time: a bi‐objective integer programming approach
Authors: Wang Huan , Yang Xin , Wu Jianjun , Sun Huijun , Gao Ziyou
Published: February 2018

Timetable optimisation in metro systems is typically a multi‐objective decision problem involving both social and passengers’ benefits. Based on the train operation and passenger demand data, this study develops a bi‐objective timetable optimisation model to reduce both passenger time and carbon emission of train operation. Firstly, the cooperative scheduling rule of multiple trains within the same electricity supply section is analysed. The tractive energy consumption and utilisation of regenerative braking energy are calculated with a set of kinematical equations. The carbon emission is formulated according to the calculations of energy consumption. Meanwhile, a passenger time calculation function is established by analysing the real‐world passenger demand data. Secondly, a bi‐objective integer programming model with dwell time control is formulated, and a linearly weighted compromise algorithm and a heuristic algorithm are designed to find the optimal solution. Finally, a numerical example is presented based on the passenger and operation data from the Beijing Metro Yizhuang Line. The results show that the best found timetable can achieve a good performance on both carbon emission and passenger time in comparison with the currently used timetable.
Accessibility measure of bus transit networks
Authors: Ding Jishiyu , Zhang Yi , Li Li
Published: February 2018

A novel gravity‐based measure method is proposed for accessibility analysis in transit networks. Trip characteristics of travellers (i.e. waiting time, transfer time, and times of transfer) and spatial distribution of transit stops are usually ignored in the traditional methods; thus, it is necessary and significant to taken them into consideration. The newly proposed method, which utilises service level factors together with transit stop reachability to measure the accessibility, is designed to make up this deficiency. Moreover, the principal component analysis method is innovatively used to determine the weights of service level factors. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a case study is carried out in the real‐world bus transit network in Beijing. Transit accessibility of the network is analysed and some possible reasons for the regions with poor accessibility are summarised. The analysis results are helpful in providing suggestions for policy makers and city planners, which may further improve the service level of bus transit networks. In addition, the concentration of transit accessibility in the selected network is further analysed. With the proposed measure method, the calculated equity results show that Beijing has an equitable bus transit network.