bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resonant Tunneling Induced Enhancement of Electron Field Emission by Ultra-Thin Coatings
Authors: Henkel Christian , Zierold Robert , Kommini Adithya , Haugg Stefanie , Thomason Chris , Aksamija Zlatan , Blick Robert H.
Published: May 2019

The emission of electrons from the surface of a material into vacuum depends strongly on the material’s work function, temperature, and the intensity of electric field. The combined effects of these give rise to a multitude of related phenomena, including Fowler-Nordheim tunneling and Schottky emission, which, in turn, enable several families of devices, ranging from vacuum tubes, to Schottky diodes, and thermionic energy converters. More recently, nanomembrane-based detectors have found applications in high-resolution mass spectrometry measurements in proteomics. Progress in all the aforementioned applications critically depends on discovering materials with effective low surface work functions. We show that a few atomic layer deposition (ALD) cycles of zinc oxide onto suspended diamond nanomembranes, strongly reduces the threshold voltage for the onset of electron field emission which is captured by resonant tunneling from the ZnO layer. Solving the Schroedinger equation, we obtain an electrical field- and thickness-dependent population of the lowest few subbands in the thin ZnO layer, which results in a minimum in the threshold voltage at a thickness of 1.08 nm being in agreement with the experimentally determined value. We conclude that resonant tunneling enables cost-effective ALD coatings that lower the effective work function and enhance field emission from the device.
Thymosin β-4 is a novel regulator for primary cilium formation by nephronophthisis 3 in HeLa human cervical cancer cells
Authors: Lee Jae-Wook , Kim Hong Sug , Moon Eun-Yi
Published: May 2019

Thymosinβ-4(Tβ4) is an actin-sequestering protein involved in tumor malignancy. Primary cilia, microtubule-based organelles, are present in most eukaryotic cells, which might be related to tumor cell transformation. Here, we investigated whether ciliogenesis is affected by Tβ4 in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. The inhibition of Tβ4 attenuated primary cilia formation. The frequency of cilia was increased by Tβ4 overexpression. When yeast two-hybrid assay was performed by using Tβ4 as a bait, we rescued nephronophthisis 3(NPHP3), one of the components of primary cilia. Interaction of Tβ4 with NPHP3 in mammalian cells was confirmed by GST-pulldown assay. Their intracellular co-localization was observed by immunofluorescence staining at peripheral surface of cells. In addition, the number of ciliated cells was reduced by the inhibition of NPHP3. Moreover, NPHP3 expression was decreased by the inhibition of Tβ4 but it was increased by Tβ4 overexpression. Taken together, the results demonstrate that primary cilia formation could be regulated by Tβ4 through its interaction with NPHP3 and/or the control of NPHP3 expression. It suggests that Tβ4 is a novel regulator for primary cilia formation by NPHP3. It also suggests that tumorigenesis could be associated with inappropriate regulation of Tβ4 and/or NPHP3 expression to maintain primary cilia formation normally.
Bio-Fenton reaction involved in the cleavage of the ethoxylate chain of nonionic surfactants by dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1
Authors: Hung Kuo-Chan , Nguyen Ngoc Tuan , Sun Yu-Ling , Huang Shir-Ly
Published: May 2019

Bacteria in the environment play a major role in the degradation of widely used man-made recalcitrant organic compounds. Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 is of special interest because of its high efficiency to remove nonionic ethoxylated surfactants. In this study, a novel approach was demonstrated by a bacterial enzyme involved in the formation of radicals to attack ethoxylated surfactants. The dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase was purified from the crude extract of strain TX1 by using octylphenol polyethoxylate (OPEOn) as substrate. The extent of removal of OPEOs during the degradation process was conducted by purified recombinant enzyme from E. coli BL21 (DE3) in the presence of the excess of metal mixtures (Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+). The metabolites and the degradation rates were analyzed and determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The enzyme was demonstrated to form Fenton reagent in the presence of an excess of metals. Under this in vitro condition, it was shown to be able to shorten the ethoxylate chains of OPEOn. After 2 hours of reaction, the products obtained from the degradation experiment revealed a prominent ion peak at m/z = 493.3, namely the ethoxylate chain unit is 6 (OPEO6) compared to OPEO9 (m/z = 625.3), the main undegraded surfactant in the no enzyme control. It revealed that the concentration of OPEO15 and OPEO9 decreased by 90% and 40% after 4 hours, respectively. The disappearance rates for the OPEOn homologs correlated to the length of the exothylate chains, suggesting it is not a specific enzymatic reaction which cleaves one unit by unit from the end of the ethoxylate chain. The results indicate the diverse and novel strategy by bacteria to catabolize organic compounds by using existing housekeeping enzyme(s).
The relationship between Plasma Markers and Essential Hypertension in Middle-aged and Elderly Chinese Population: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Hidru Tesfaldet Habtemariam , Yang Xiaolei , Xia Yunlong , Ma Li , Li Hui-Hua
Published: May 2019

Plasma markers have been continuously advocated as pointers to estimate the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population. We examined the relationship between plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and serum uric acid (SUA) levels and hypertension in middle and old aged population. A total of 2624 Chinese (62.02 ± 5.73 years old) were recruited into a population-based, cross-sectional study. Plasma hs-CRP, Hcy, HbA1c, and SUA levels were significantly higher in the hypertension group compared with control in the entire population and men (P = 0.05 for all). We observed a positive association between the highest quartiles of Hcy, NT-proBNP, HBA1c concentrations, and the prevalence of hypertension, OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.16–1.90), 1.62 (1.27–2.07) and 1.94 (1.49–2.52), respectively. The multivariable-adjusted OR of hypertension for the fourth versus the first quartile of homocysteine were 2.00 and 1.39 in men and women, respectively. In conclusion, our study found an independent and robust association between elevated Hcy, NT-ProBNP, and HBA1c levels and prevalence of hypertension in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. A follow-up study is necessary to endorse the observed association.
Associations of the adrenomedullin gene polymorphism with prehypertension and hypertension in Lithuanian children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Simonyte Sandrita , Kuciene Renata , Dulskiene Virginija , Lesauskaite Vaiva
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association ofADMgenetic variant and HBP among Lithuanian adolescents aged 12–15 years. This is a cross-sectional study of a randomly selected sample of 675 12–15-years-old schoolchildren who were surveyed during November 2010 to April 2012 in the baseline survey. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ofADMgene (rs7129220) was evaluated using real-time PCR. Logistic regression analyses were used to test the associations ofADM(rs7129220) polymorphism with HBP under four inheritance models based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and to calculate the odds ratios. In the multivariate analysis, boys carryingADMAG genotype (vs. carriers ofADMGG genotype),ADMAG + AA genotype (vs. carriers ofADMGG genotype) andADMAG genotype (vs. carriers ofADMGG + AA genotype) had higher odds of having hypertension in codominant, dominant, and overdominant inheritance models. Girls withADMAG + AA had increased odds of prehypertension compared to girls with theADMGG genotype carriers in dominant inheritance model. Significant associations were observed in additive models separately for boys (hypertension) and girls (prehypertension). Our results indicate thatADMgene polymorphism was significantly associated with higher odds of HBP in Lithuanian adolescents aged 12–15 years.
Beta-band activity in medial prefrontal cortex predicts source memory encoding and retrieval accuracy
Authors: Subramaniam Karuna , Hinkley Leighton B. N. , Mizuiri Danielle , Kothare Hardik , Cai Chang , Garrett Coleman , Findlay Anne , Houde John F. , Nagarajan Srikantan S.
Published: May 2019

Reality monitoring is defined as the ability to distinguish internally self-generated information from externally-derived information. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a key brain region subserving reality monitoring and has been shown to be activated specifically during the retrieval of self-generated information. However, it is unclear if mPFC is activated during the encoding of self-generated information into memory. If so, it is important to understand whether successful retrieval of self-generated information critically depends on enhanced neural activity within mPFC during initial encoding of this self-generated information. We used magnetoencephalographic imaging (MEGI) to determine the timing and location of cortical activity during a reality-monitoring task involving self generated contextual source memory encoding and retrieval. We found both during encoding and retrieval of self-generated information, when compared to externally-derived information, mPFC showed significant task induced oscillatory power modulation in the beta-band. During initial encoding of self-generated information, greater mPFC beta-band power reductions occurred within a time window of −700 ms to −500 ms prior to vocalization. This increased activity in mPFC was not observed during encoding of externally-derived information. Additionally, increased mPFC activity during encoding of self-generated information predicted subsequent retrieval accuracy of this self-generated information. Beta-band activity in mPFC was also observed during the initial retrieval of self-generated information within a time window of 300 to 500 ms following stimulus onset and correlated with accurate retrieval performance of self-generated information. Together, these results further highlight the importance of mPFC in mediating the initial generation and awareness of participants’ internal thoughts.
Ampicillin Silver Nanoformulations against Multidrug resistant bacteria
Authors: Khatoon Nafeesa , Alam Hammad , Khan Afreen , Raza Khalid , Sardar Meryam
Published: May 2019

The present study reported a single step synthesis of silver nanoparticles using ampicillin (Amp-AgNps), a second-generation β lactam antibiotic to get nanoformulation having dual properties that of antibiotic and silver. The Amp-AgNps was characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA. FTIR and TGA results suggested that amine group of Ampicllin reduce the metalic silver into nano form. These results were further validated by computational molecular dynamics simulation. The antibacterial potential of Amp-AgNps was investigated against sensitive and drug resistant bacteria. MIC of Amp-AgNps against 6 different bacterial strains were in the range of 3–28 µg/ml which is much lower than the MIC of ampicillin (12–720 µg/ml) and chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (280–640 µg/ml). The repeated exposure to drugs may lead to development of resistance mechanism in bacteria against that drug, so the efficacy of Amp-AgNps after repeated exposure to bacterial strains were also studied. The results indicate that bacterial strains do not show any resistance to these Amp-AgNps even after exposure up to 15 successive cycles. The biocompatibility of these Amp-AgNps was checked against cell lines by using Keratinocytes cell lines (HaCaT).
Comparing ant behaviour indices for fine-scale analyses
Authors: Krapf Patrick , Hochenegger Nadine , Arthofer Wolfgang , Schlick-Steiner Birgit C. , Steiner Florian M.
Published: May 2019

Animal behaviour often is characterised by standardised assays. In social insects such as ants, behaviour assays are for example used to characterise aggressive and peaceful behaviour. Such assays differ in the number of individuals, the duration and place of assays, and the scoring scales. Also the behaviour indices used to summarise the results differ. Here, we compared five behaviour indices (Aggression Index, Mean Maximum Aggression Index; and the newly introduced Mean Maximum Peace Index, Mean Behaviour Index aggressive, and Mean Behaviour Index peaceful) using a scoring scale that comprises peaceful and aggressive behaviour. The indices were applied on eight simulations and three observed data sets. The five indices were correlated but frequently differed in their means. Multiple indices were needed to capture the complete behaviour range. Furthermore, subtle differences in workers’ behaviour, that is, differences that go beyond the presence/absence of aggression, were only identified when considering multiple indices. We infer that the indices applied are differently suited for different analyses. Fine-scale analyses of behavioural variation profit from using more than one index. The particular choice of index or indices likely influences the interpretation of behaviour and should be carefully done in the light of study species and research question.
Quantification of Thermal Oxidation in Metallic Glass Powder using Ultra-small Angle X-ray Scattering
Authors: Paul Tanaji , Zhang Linqi , Biswas Sourabh , Loganathan Archana , Frith Matthew G. , Ilavsky Jan , Kuzmenko Ivan , Puckette Jim , Kalkan A. Kaan , Agarwal Arvind , Harimkar Sandip P.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, the composition, structure, morphology and kinetics of evolution during isothermal oxidation of Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 metallic glass powder in the supercooled region are investigated by an integrated ex-situ and in-situ characterization and modelling approach. Raman and X-ray diffraction spectra established that oxidation yielded a hierarchical structure across decreasing length scales. At larger scale, Fe2O3 grows as a uniform shell over the powder core. This shell, at smaller scale, consists of multiple grains. Ultra-small angle X-ray scattering intensity acquired during isothermal oxidation of the powder over a wide Q-range delineated direct quantification of oxidation behavior. The hierarchical structure was employed to construct a scattering model that was fitted to the measured intensity distributions to estimate the thickness of the oxide shell. The relative gain in mass during oxidation, computed theoretically from this model, relatively underestimated that measured in practice by a thermogravimetric analyzer due to the distribution in sizes of the particles. Overall, this paper presents the first direct quantification of oxidation in metallic glass powder by ultra-small angle X-ray scattering. It establishes novel experimental environments that can potentially unfold new paradigms of research into a wide spectrum of interfacial reactions in powder materials at elevated temperatures.
WKYMVm hexapeptide, a strong formyl peptide receptor 2 agonist, attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injuries in newborn mice
Authors: Kim Young Eun , Park Won Soon , Ahn So Yoon , Sung Dong Kyung , Sung Se In , Kim Jae Ho , Chang Yun Sil
Published: May 2019

The hexapeptide WKYMVm, which is a strong formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2 agonist, exhibits pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. However, its therapeutic efficacy in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been tested to date. Here, we investigated whether WKYMVm attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung inflammation and ensuing injuries by upregulating FPR2. The proliferation and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), along with the level of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, were evaluated in vitro. Newborn mice were randomly exposed to 80% oxygen or room air for 14 days starting at birth. WKYMVm (2.5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administrated daily from postnatal day (P) 5 to P8. At P14, mice were sacrificed for histopathological and morphometric analyses. Along with upregulation of FPR2 and p-ERK, WKYMVm promoted HUVEC cell proliferation and tube formation in vitro. Additionally, WKYMVm promoted proliferation of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HULEC-5a) and murine pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cells in vitro. WKYMVm significantly attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung inflammation, as evidenced by increased inflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, and alveolar macrophages, and resultant lung injuries, which included impaired alveolarization and angiogenesis, an increased number of apoptotic cells, and reduced levels of growth factors in vivo, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor. WKYMVm attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injuries and lung inflammation by upregulating FPR2 and p-ERK.
Impaired smooth muscle cell contractility as a novel concept of abdominal aortic aneurysm pathophysiology
Authors: Bogunovic Natalija , Meekel Jorn P. , Micha Dimitra , Blankensteijn Jan D. , Hordijk Peter L. , Yeung Kak K.
Published: May 2019

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are associated with overall mortality rates up to 90%. Despite extensive research, mechanisms leading to AAA formation and advancement are still poorly understood. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are predominant in the aortic medial layer and maintain the wall structure. Apoptosis of SMC is a well-known phenomenon in the pathophysiology of AAA. However, remaining SMC function is less extensively studied. The aim of this study is to assess the in vitro contractility of human AAA and non-pathologic aortic SMC. Biopsies were perioperatively harvested from AAA patients (n = 21) and controls (n = 6) and clinical data were collected. Contractility was measured using Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) upon ionomycin stimulation. Additionally, SMC of 23% (5 out of 21) of AAA patients showed impaired maximum contraction compared to controls. Also, SMC from patients who underwent open repair after earlier endovascular repair and SMC from current smokers showed decreased maximum contraction vs. controls (p = 0.050 and p = 0.030, respectively). Our application of ECIS can be used to study contractility in other vascular diseases. Finally, our study provides with first proof that impaired SMC contractility might play a role in AAA pathophysiology.
Acute respiratory responses to the use of e-cigarette: an intervention study
Authors: Brożek Grzegorz M. , Jankowski Mateusz , Zejda Jan E.
Published: May 2019

The goal of our study was to assess acute respiratory responses to using e-cigarettes in exclusive e-cigarette users (E-Group) and dual users (T/E-Group) and to compare these effects with responses to smoking tobacco-cigarettes in tobacco smokers (T-Group). The study included 120 adults (age: 21.7 ± 2.1 years) divided into 4 groups (n = 30 each): Controls, T-, E-, T/E-Group. Spirometric status, O2 saturation, exhaled FeNO levels, exhaled CO levels, and airway temperature were assessed before the use of an e-cigarette (E-, T/E-Group) or tobacco cigarette as well as ‘minute 1’ and ‘minute 30’ after smoking. Controls used an e-cigarette without e-liquid. Lower (p < 0.05) baseline values of FeNO were found in T-Group (15.4 ppb) and in T/E-Group (15.0 ppb) than in Controls (19.6 ppb). Following exposure, and compared with Controls, T-, and T/E-Group had a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in PEF and MEF75. Mean FeNO values decreased on ‘minute 1’ in T-Group (by 2.1 ppb), E-Group (by 1.5 ppb) and in T/E-Group (by 2.2 ppb). Other effects included increase in temperature of exhaled air (p < 0.05). The use of e-cigarettes is associated with decreased FeNO and airflow indices (PEF, MEF75), but an increase in airway temperature. These changes are similar to those after exposure to tobacco cigarette smoke.
Remotely sensed indicators and open-access biodiversity data to assess bird diversity patterns in Mediterranean rural landscapes
Authors: Ribeiro Inês , Proença Vânia , Serra Pere , Palma Jorge , Domingo-Marimon Cristina , Pons Xavier , Domingos Tiago
Published: May 2019

Biodiversity monitoring at simultaneously fine spatial resolutions and large spatial extents is needed but limited by operational trade-offs and costs. Open-access data may be cost-effective to address those limitations. We test the use of open-access satellite imagery (NDVI texture variables) and biodiversity data, assembled from GBIF, to investigate the relative importance of variables of habitat extent and structure as indicators of bird community richness and dissimilarity in the Alentejo region (Portugal). Results show that, at the landscape scale, forest bird richness is better indicated by the availability of tree cover in the overall landscape than by the extent or structure of the forest habitats. Open-land birds also respond to landscape structure, namely to the spectral homogeneity and size of open-land patches and to the presence of perennial vegetation amid herbaceous habitats. Moreover, structure variables were more important than climate variables or geographic distance to explain community dissimilarity patterns at the regional scale. Overall, summer imagery, when perennial vegetation is more discernible, is particularly suited to inform indicators of forest and open-land bird community richness and dissimilarity, while spring imagery appears to be also useful to inform indicators of open-land bird richness.
Cortical tissue loss and major structural reorganization as result of distal middle cerebral artery occlusion in the chronic phase of nude mice
Authors: Minassian Anuka , Dobrivojevic Radmilovic Marina , Vogel Stefanie , Diedenhofen Michael , Nelles Melanie , Stoeber Maren , Wiedermann Dirk , Hoehn Mathias
Published: May 2019

The stroke model of distal middle cerebral artery occlusion is considered a reliable stroke model with high reproducibility and low mortality rate. Thus, it is preferred for assessments of therapeutic strategies, in particular for neurorepair and regeneration studies. However, present literature has reported only on the lesion behavior and behavioral deficits during the acute and subacute phase of maximally three weeks. We have here aimed to characterize the lesion expansion and consequent, potential tissue displacements using structural magnetic resonance imaging modalities, histology, and behavioral tests, during the chronic time window of 12 weeks following stroke induction. We found a severe cortical thinning resulting in 15% tissue loss of the ipsilateral cortex by 6 weeks. After two weeks, massive hippocampus displacement was found, into the cortical tissue void and, in this process, pushing the corpus callosum to the brain surface showing an almost radial direction towards the surface. These massive chronic morphological changes and rearrangements, not known from other stroke models, have relevant consequences for decision of stem cell graft placement for cerebral regeneration to assure persistent graft vitality during a longitudinal investigation in the chronic phase.
Yield performance of machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape
Authors: Huang Min , Tian Alin , Zhou Xuefeng , Gao Wei , Li Zhibin , Chen Ge , Li Zusheng , Chen Yumei , Liu Longsheng , Yin Xiaohong , Zou Yingbin
Published: May 2019

Growing oilseed rape in the fallow season may be a feasible alternative to growing green manure (e.g. Chinese milk vetch) for improving rice productivity. The objective of this study was to determine the yield performance of machine-transplanted double-season rice (i.e. early- and late-season rice) grown following oilseed rape. Field experiments were conducted to compare machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape, Chinese milk vetch and fallow (i.e. no crop) at Hengyang and Yueyang, Hunan Province, China in three cropping cycles from 2014 to 2017. Results showed that machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape and Chinese milk vetch produced similar grain yield, which was higher than that grown following fallow across two sites and three cropping cycles. The higher grain yield of machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape and Chinese milk vetch was attributable to improvement in both sink size (spikelet number per m2) and source capacity (total biomass). However, the reasons for the improved sink size of machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape and Chinese milk vetch were not entirely the same. Growing oilseed rape increased panicle size (spikelet number per panicle) and panicle number in early- and late-season rice, respectively, while growing Chinese milk vetch increased panicle number in both the early- and late-season rice. Our study suggests that growing oilseed rape in the fallow season is a useful alternative strategy for improving productivity of machine-transplanted double-season rice.
Blended host ink for solution processing high performance phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Lin Tong , Sun Xue , Hu Yongxu , Mu Wanying , Sun Yuling , Zhang Dongyu , Su Zisheng , Chu Bei , Cui Zheng
Published: May 2019

In order to solve the interface issues in solution deposition of multilayer OLED devices, a blended host concept was developed and applied to both spin-coating and inkjet printing of phosphorescent OLEDs. The blended host consists of 1,3-bis(carbazolyl)benzene (mCP) and1,3,5-tri(phenyl-2-benzimidazoly)-benzene (TPBi). Maximum current efficiency (CE) of 24.2 cd A−1 and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.0% have been achieved for spin-coated device. Maximum CE and EQE of 23.0 cd A−1 and 6.7% have been achieved for inkjet printed device. The films deposited by printing and spin-casting were further researched to explore the effect of those different processing methods on device performance.
Stacking stability of C2N bilayer nanosheet
Authors: Dabsamut Klichchupong , T-Thienprasert Jiraroj , Jungthawan Sirichok , Boonchun Adisak
Published: May 2019

In recent years, a 2D graphene-like sheet: monolayer C2N was synthesized via a simple wet-chemical reaction. Here, we studied the stability and electronic properties of bilayer C2N. According to a previous study, a bilayer may exist in one of three highly symmetric stacking configurations, namely as AA, AB and AB′-stacking. For the AA-stacking, the top layer is directly stacked on the bottom layer. Furthermore, AB- and AB′-stacking can be obtained by shifting the top layer of AA-stacking by a/3-b/3 along zigzag direction and by a/2 along armchair direction, respectively, where a and b are translation vectors of the unit cell. By using first-principles calculations, we calculated the stability of AA, AB and AB′-stacking C2N and their electronic band structure. We found that the AB-stacking is the most favorable structure and has the highest band gap, which appeared to agree with previous study. Nevertheless, we furthermore examine the energy landscape and translation sliding barriers between stacking layers. From energy profiles, we interestingly found that the most stable positions are shifted from the high symmetry AB-stacking. In electronic band structure details, band characteristic can be modified according to the shift. The interlayer shear mode close to local minimum point was determined to be roughly 2.02 × 1012 rad/s.
Synergetic strengthening of layered steel sheet investigated using an in situ neutron diffraction tensile test
Authors: Kim Jung Gi , Bae Jae Wung , Park Jeong Min , Woo Wanchuck , Harjo Stefanus , Chin Kwang-Geun , Lee Sunghak , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: May 2019

Synergetic strengthening induced by plastic strain incompatibility at the interface, and the resulting extra geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) generated during plastic deformation, were investigated to understand the origin of extra strength in heterogeneous structured (HS) materials. The mechanism of extra GND generation in twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP)-interstitial free (IF) steel layered sheet was quantitatively analyzed by conducting in situ neutron scattering tensile test. Load partitioning due to the different mechanical properties between the TWIP-steel core and IF-steel sheath at the TWIP/IF interface was observed during the in situ tensile testing. Because of the plastic strain incompatibility from load partitioning, extra GNDs are generated and saturate during tensile deformation. The extra GNDs can be correlated with the back-stress evolution of the HS materials, which contributes to the strength of layered materials. Because of the back-stress evolution caused by load partitioning, the strength of TWIP-IF layered steel is higher than the strength estimated by the rule-of-mixtures. This finding offers a mechanism by which extra GNDs are generated during load partitioning and shows how they contribute to the mechanical properties of HS materials.
Mathematical expertise modulates the architecture of dorsal and cortico-thalamic white matter tracts
Authors: Jeon Hyeon-Ae , Kuhl Ulrike , Friederici Angela D.
Published: May 2019

To what extent are levels of cognitive expertise reflected in differential structural connectivity of the brain? We addressed this question by analyzing the white matter brain structure of experts (mathematicians) versus non-experts (non-mathematicians) using probabilistic tractography. Having mathematicians and non-mathematicians as participant groups enabled us to directly compare profiles of structural connectivity arising from individual levels of expertise in mathematics. Tracking from functional seed regions activated during the processing of complex arithmetic formulas revealed an involvement of various fiber bundles such the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle, arcuate fasciculus/superior longitudinal fasciculus (AF/SLF), cross-hemispheric connections of frontal lobe areas through the corpus callosum and cortico-subcortical connectivity via the bilateral thalamic radiation. With the aim of investigating expertise-dependent structural connectivity, the streamline density was correlated with the level of expertise, defined by automaticity of processing complex mathematics. The results showed that structural integrity of the AF/SLF was higher in individuals with higher automaticity, while stronger cortico-thalamic connectivity was associated with lower levels of automaticity. Therefore, we suggest that expertise in the domain of mathematics is reflected in plastic changes of the brain’s white matter structure, possibly reflecting a general principle of cognitive expertise.
Semantic integration of clinical laboratory tests from electronic health records for deep phenotyping and biomarker discovery
Authors: Zhang Xingmin Aaron , Yates Amy , Vasilevsky Nicole , Gourdine J. P. , Callahan Tiffany J. , Carmody Leigh C. , Danis Daniel , Joachimiak Marcin P. , Ravanmehr Vida , Pfaff Emily R. , Champion James , Robasky Kimberly , Xu Hao , Fecho Karamarie , Walton Nephi A. , Zhu Richard L. , Ramsdill Justin , Mungall Christopher J. , Köhler Sebastian , Haendel Melissa A. , McDonald Clement J. , Vreeman Daniel J. , Peden David B. , Bennett Tellen D. , Feinstein James A. , Martin Blake , Stefanski Adrianne L. , Hunter Lawrence E. , Chute Christopher G. , Robinson Peter N.
Published: May 2019

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems typically define laboratory test results using the Laboratory Observation Identifier Names and Codes (LOINC) and can transmit them using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) standards. LOINC has not yet been semantically integrated with computational resources for phenotype analysis. Here, we provide a method for mapping LOINC-encoded laboratory test results transmitted in FHIR standards to Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms. We annotated the medical implications of 2923 commonly used laboratory tests with HPO terms. Using these annotations, our software assesses laboratory test results and converts each result into an HPO term. We validated our approach with EHR data from 15,681 patients with respiratory complaints and identified known biomarkers for asthma. Finally, we provide a freely available SMART on FHIR application that can be used within EHR systems. Our approach allows readily available laboratory tests in EHR to be reused for deep phenotyping and exploits the hierarchical structure of HPO to integrate distinct tests that have comparable medical interpretations for association studies.
Enterococcus faecalis YM0831 suppresses sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in a silkworm model and in humans
Authors: Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Ishii Masaki , Hasegawa Setsuo , Sekimizu Kazuhisa
Published: May 2019

Hyperglycemia caused by excessive intake of sucrose leads to lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes. Administration of a lactic acid bacterial strain to mice suppresses sucrose-induced hyperglycemia, but evidence for a similar effect in humans is lacking. Here we show that Enterococcus faecalis YM0831, identified using an in vivo screening system with silkworms, suppressed sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in humans. E. faecalis YM0831 also suppressed glucose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. E. faecalis YM0831 inhibited glucose uptake by the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2. A transposon insertion mutant of E. faecalis YM0831, which showed decreased inhibitory activity against glucose uptake by Caco-2 cells, also exhibited decreased inhibitory activity against both sucrose-induced and glucose-induced hyperglycemia in silkworms. In human clinical trials, oral ingestion of E. faecalis YM0831 suppressed the increase in blood glucose in a sucrose tolerance test. These findings suggest that E. faecalis YM0831 inhibits intestinal glucose transport and suppresses sucrose-induced hyperglycemia in humans.
The role of adsorbates in the green emission and conductivity of zinc oxide
Authors: Röhr Jason A. , Sá Jacinto , Konezny Steven J.
Published: May 2019

Zinc oxide is a versatile semiconductor with an expansive range of applications including lighting, sensing and solar energy conversion. Two central phenomena coupled to its performance that remain heavily investigated are the origin of its sub-band-gap green emission and the nature of its conductivity. We report photoluminescence and dark conductivity measurements of zinc oxide nanoparticle films under various atmospheric conditions that demonstrate the vital role of adsorbates. We show that the UV emission and conductivity can be tuned reversibly by facilitating the adsorption of species that either donate or extract electrons from the conduction band. When the conductivity data are compared with photoluminescence spectra taken under the same ambient conditions, the green emission can be directly linked to surface superoxide formation, rather than surface hydroxylation or native defects such as oxygen vacancies. This demonstrates how and explains why the green emission can be controlled by surface reactivity and chemical environment.
Modulating the thermal conductivity in hexagonal boron nitride via controlled boron isotope concentration
Authors: Yuan Chao , Li Jiahan , Lindsay Lucas , Cherns David , Pomeroy James W. , Liu Song , Edgar James H. , Kuball Martin
Published: May 2019

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been predicted to exhibit an in-plane thermal conductivity as high as ~ 550 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature, making it a promising thermal management material. However, current experimental results (220–420 W m−1 K−1) have been well below the prediction. Here, we report on the modulation of h-BN thermal conductivity by controlling the B isotope concentration. For monoisotopic 10B h-BN, an in-plane thermal conductivity as high as 585 W m−1 K−1 is measured at room temperature, ~ 80% higher than that of h-BN with a disordered isotope concentration (52%:48% mixture of 10B and 11B). The temperature-dependent thermal conductivities of monoisotopic h-BN agree well with first principles calculations including only intrinsic phonon-phonon scattering. Our results illustrate the potential to achieve high thermal conductivity in h-BN and control its thermal conductivity, opening avenues for the wide application of h-BN as a next-generation thin-film material for thermal management, metamaterials and metadevices.
The potential of electrolyte filled MOF membranes as ionic sieves in rechargeable batteries
Authors: He Yibo , Qiao Yu , Chang Zhi , Zhou Haoshen
Published: May 2019

The application of electrolyte filled MOF-based membranes as ionic sieves in rechargeable batteries.
Reduction mechanism of Au metal ions into Au nanoparticles on molybdenum disulfide
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Yang Bingqiao , Jia Feifei , Song Shaoxian
Published: May 2019

Electrons of MoS2 generated under light irradiation are contributors to the reduction of Au3+ ions into Au nanoparticles on MoS2.
Oligoprolines guide the self-assembly of quaterthiophenes
Authors: Ochs Nellie A. K. , Lewandowska Urszula , Zajaczkowski Wojciech , Corra Stefano , Reger Stephan , Herdlitschka Andreas , Schmid Sylvia , Pisula Wojciech , Müllen Klaus , Bäuerle Peter , Wennemers Helma
Published: May 2019

Oligoprolines of differing lengths control the self-assembly of quaterthiophenes into mono-layered or double-layered sheets, or helically twisted ribbons.
An untargeted lipidomic approach for qualitative determination of latent fingermark glycerides using UPLC-IMS-QToF-MSE
Authors: Frick Amanda A. , Weyermann Céline
Published: May 2019

An untargeted, lipidomics-based UPLC-IMS-QToF-MSE method was used to identify over 100 di- and triglycerides in latent fingermarks.
Quantification of sucralose in groundwater well drinking water by silylation derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Voss Stefan , Newman Elisabeth , Miller-Schulze Justin P.
Published: May 2019

Sucralose is an increasingly popular artificial sweetener and has been found in the environment in groundwater, surface water, and wastewater treatment plant effluent.
Unexplored reactivity of (Sn)2− oligomers with transition metals in low-temperature solid-state reactions
Authors: Sasaki Shunsuke , Lesault Mélanie , Grange Elodie , Janod Etienne , Corraze Benoît , Cadars Sylvian , Caldes Maria Teresa , Guillot-Deudon Catherine , Jobic Stéphane , Cario Laurent
Published: May 2019

We demonstrate here the low temperature topochemical insertion of transition elements (Fe, Ni, and Cu) in precursors containing pre-formed (Sn)2− (n = 2 and 3) oligomers.
Engineering surface oxygen defects on tungsten oxide to boost photocatalytic oxygen evolution from water splitting
Authors: Chew Yi-Hao , Tang Jie-Yinn , Tan Li-Jie , Choi Bryan Wei Jian , Tan Lling-Lling , Chai Siang-Piao
Published: May 2019

This study showcases a facile approach for tuning the degree of surface oxygen vacancies in WO3 and its prominent role in enhancing the performance of WO3 in photocatalytic O2 evolution.
Regioselective installation of fluorosulfate (–OSO2F) functionality into aromatic C(sp2)–H bonds for the construction of para-amino-arylfluorosulfates
Authors: Fang Wan-Yin , Zha Gao-Feng , Zhao Chuang , Qin Hua-Li
Published: May 2019

The synthesis of novel para-amino-arylfluorosulfates was achieved through installing fluorosulfate functionality into aromatic C(sp2)–H bonds mediated by sulfuryl fluoride.
Reversible insertion of CO into an aluminium–carbon bond
Authors: Kong Richard Y. , Crimmin Mark R.
Published: May 2019

A [2.2.1] aluminium metallobicycle is capable of reversibly inserting CO to form a [2.2.2] metallobicycle at 100 °C.
A two-photon active chevron-shaped type I photoinitiator designed for 3D stereolithography
Authors: Zhou Ruchun , Malval Jean-Pierre , Jin Ming , Spangenberg Arnaud , Pan Haiyan , Wan Decheng , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Knopf Stephan
Published: May 2019

A highly reactive two-photon cleavable initiator with a chevron-shaped architecture has been designed which presents very promising performances for three-dimensional multiphoton fabrication.
Hydrogen quenches the size effects in carbon clusters
Authors: Martínez José I. , Alonso Julio A.
Published: May 2019

Hydrogenation of carbon clusters induces a softening in the non-smooth trends of their properties with the cluster size.
High-speed tracking of fast chemical precipitations
Authors: Zahorán Réka , Kukovecz Ákos , Tóth Ágota , Horváth Dezső , Schuszter Gábor
Published: May 2019

We present a high-speed camera supported experimental procedure capable of determining the characteristic time scales of heterogeneous reactions in the range of 10 ms to 1 s.
Catalytic upgrading of ethanol to n-butanol using an aliphatic Mn–PNP complex: theoretical insights into reaction mechanisms and product selectivity
Authors: Rawat Kuber Singh , Mandal Shyama Charan , Bhauriyal Preeti , Garg Priyanka , Pathak Biswarup
Published: May 2019

Understanding the product selectivity, conversion, and rate-determining steps in the catalytic upgrading of ethanol to butanol.
Hg2+and Cd2+binding of a bioinspired hexapeptide with two cysteine units constructed as a minimalistic metal ion sensing fluorescent probe
Authors: Szekeres Levente I. , Bálint Sára , Galbács Gábor , Kálomista Ildikó , Kiss Tamás , Larsen Flemming H. , Hemmingsen Lars , Jancsó Attila
Published: May 2019

Efficient and selective Hg2+binding of a hexapeptide containing two cysteine residues is demonstrated both in solution and immobilized forms.
Phase-transition induced giant negative electrocaloric effect in a lead-free relaxor ferroelectric thin film
Authors: Peng Biaolin , Zhang Qi , Gang Bai , Leighton Glenn J. T. , Shaw Christopher , Milne Steven J. , Zou Bingsuo , Sun Wenhong , Huang Haitao , Wang Zhonglin
Published: May 2019

Ferroelectric/antiferroelectric thin/thick films with large positive or negative electrocaloric (EC) effects could be very useful in designing commercial refrigeration devices.
Multi-anionic and -cationic compounds: new high entropy materials for advanced Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Qingsong , Sarkar Abhishek , Wang Di , Velasco Leonardo , Azmi Raheleh , Bhattacharya Subramshu S. , Bergfeldt Thomas , Düvel Andre , Heitjans Paul , Brezesinski Torsten , Hahn Horst , Breitung Ben
Published: May 2019

For the first time, a multi-anionic and multi-cationic high entropy oxyhalide is presented as high capacity cathode for Li-ion batteries.
Introductory lecture: advances in ion spectroscopy: from astrophysics to biology
Authors: Zeng Helen J. , Yang Nan , Johnson Mark A.
Published: May 2019

This introduction provides a historical context for the development of ion spectroscopy over the past half century by following the evolution of experimental methods to the present state-of-the-art.
Convergent production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from biomass and CO2
Authors: Zhou Hua , Xu Huanghui , Wang Xueke , Liu Yun
Published: May 2019

We report a rationally designed process for complete lignocellulose conversion and CO2 utilization to convergently produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) that can be used in bioplastics and resins.
Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of copper, zinc, lead and chromium species after preconcentration on graphene oxide chemically modified with mercapto-groups
Authors: Pytlakowska Katarzyna , Pilch Michał , Hachuła Barbara , Nycz Jacek E. , Kornaus Kamil , Pisarski Wojciech A.
Published: May 2019

Graphene oxide modified with mercapto-groups for the preconcentration of copper, zinc, lead and chromium species prior to EDXRF determination in surface and seawaters.
Core-in-cage structure regulated properties of ultra-small gold nanoparticles
Authors: Goswami Nirmal , Bright Richard , Visalakshan Rahul Madathiparambil , Biswas Bhabananda , Zilm Peter , Vasilev Krasimir
Published: May 2019

The core-in-cage structure of ultra-small AuNPs can be used to define their functions without compromising their size and surface functionalities.
Heterogeneous photocatalytic water reduction using a QD-cluster pentacobalt polyoxotungstate complex
Authors: Askari Parvin , Mohebbi Sajjad
Published: May 2019

Efficient, robust, and heterogeneous WRC QD-cluster Cs12[Co3W(H2O)2(CoW9O34)2]·46H2O, as a unique alternative of homogeneous WRCs by incident visible light.
Evaluation of anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo of iridium(iii) polypyridyl complexes
Authors: He Miao , Yi Qiao-Yan , Zhang Wen-Yao , Bai Lan , Du Fan , Gu Yi-Ying , Liu Yun-Jun , Wei Peng
Published: May 2019

Three new iridium(iii) polypyridyl complexes were synthesized. The cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS and the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins were investigated.
Polynitro-1,2,4-triazole-functionalized azo-furazans as high-performance and insensitive energetic materials
Authors: Ma Jinchao , Zhang Guojie , Gu Hao , Tang Jie , Wang Bohan , Yang Hongwei , Cheng Guangbin
Published: May 2019

Polynitro-1,2,4-triazoles were introduced into the azo-furazan backbones to boost their energetic performance and to simultaneously keep these compounds from exhibiting hazardous sensitivity.
N-Arylated bisferrocene pyrazole for the dual-mode detection of hydrogen peroxide: an AIE-active fluorescent “turn ON/OFF” and electrochemical non-enzymatic sensor
Authors: David Ezhumalai , Viswanathan Thamodharan , Prabu Selvam , Palanisami Nallasamy
Published: May 2019

N-Arylated bisferrocene pyrazoles for the dual-mode detection of H2O2 by AIE-active fluorescence and non-enzymatic electrochemical methods.
Extracting value: mechanistic insights into the formation of natural product artifacts – case studies in marine natural products
Authors: Capon Robert J.
Published: May 2019

This review highlights the importance of valuing natural product handling artifacts, to open a new window into, and provide a unique perspective of, bioactive chemical space.
Smart inverse design of graphene-based photonic metamaterials by an adaptive artificial neural network
Authors: Chen Yingshi , Zhu Jinfeng , Xie Yinong , Feng Naixing , Liu Qing Huo
Published: May 2019

We establish an adaptive batch-normalized neural network, aiming to implement smart and rapid inverse design for graphene-based metamaterials with on-demand optical responses.
Development of a hybrid nanocarrier-recognizing tumor vasculature and penetrating the BBB for glioblastoma multi-targeting therapy
Authors: Fan Rangrang , Chuan Di , Hou Huan , Chen Haifeng , Han Bo , Zhang Xiaoning , Zhou Liangxue , Tong Aiping , Xu Jianguo , Guo Gang
Published: May 2019

The multi-targeting hybrid nanocarriers have been developed as excellent anticancer drug delivery system with enhanced BBB transporting, glioma targeting and tumor penetrating effect.
Fully inkjet printed ultrathin microsupercapacitors based on graphene electrodes and a nano-graphene oxide electrolyte
Authors: Sollami Delekta Szymon , Adolfsson Karin H. , Benyahia Erdal Nejla , Hakkarainen Minna , Östling Mikael , Li Jiantong
Published: May 2019

Ultrathin all-solid-state microsupercapacitors with graphene electrodes and a graphene oxide electrolyte are fabricated entirely by inkjet printing.
Synthesis of carbohydrate building blocksviaregioselective uniform protection/deprotection strategies
Authors: Wang Tinghua , Demchenko Alexei V.
Published: May 2019

Scope 1: sugar is uniformly protected leaving only one (or two) free hydroxyl group; scope 2: uniformly protected sugar is deprotected to liberate only one (or two) hydroxyl group.
Low threshold room-temperature UV surface plasmon polariton lasers with ZnO nanowires on single-crystal aluminum films with Al2O3 interlayers
Authors: Liao Yun-Jhen , Cheng Chang-Wei , Wu Bao-Hsian , Wang Chun-Yuan , Chen Chih-Yen , Gwo Shangjr , Chen Lih-Juann
Published: May 2019

Ultralow threshold room-temperature UV surface plasmon polariton lasers using ZnO nanowires on single-crystal aluminum films with Al2O3 interlayers.
Investigating the draw ratio and velocity of an electrically charged liquid jet during electrospinning
Authors: Ding Chenhui , Fang Hong , Duan Gaigai , Zou Yan , Chen Shuiliang , Hou Haoqing
Published: May 2019

Theoretical calculations and experiments were performed to determine the draw ratio and velocity of an electrospinning jet.