bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists in human samples
Authors: Rothhammer Veit , Borucki Davis M. , Kenison Jessica E. , Hewson Patrick , Wang Zhongyan , Bakshi Rohit , Sherr David H. , Quintana Francisco J.
Published: March 2018

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with important functions in the immune response and cancer. AHR agonists are provided by the environment, the commensal flora and the metabolism. Considering AHR physiological functions, AHR agonists may have important effects on health and disease. Thus, the quantification of AHR agonists in biological samples is of scientific and clinical relevance. We compared different reporter systems for the detection of AHR agonists in serum samples of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, and assessed the influence of transfection methods and cell lines in a reporter-based in vitro assay. While the use of stable or transient reporters did not influence the measurement of AHR agonistic activity, the species of the cell lines used in these reporter assays had important effects on the reporter readings. These observations suggest that cell-specific factors influence AHR activation and signaling. Thus, based on the reported species selectivity of AHR ligands and the cell species-of-origin effects that we describe in this manuscript, the use of human cell lines is encouraged for the analysis of AHR agonistic activity in human samples. These findings may be relevant for the analysis of AHR agonists in human samples in the context of inflammatory and neoplastic disorders.
Investigating the state dependence of drug binding in hERG channels using a trapped-open channel phenotype
Authors: Thouta Samrat , Lo Garman , Grajauskas Lukas , Claydon Tom
Published: March 2018

The hERG channel is a key player in repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Pharmacological blockade of hERG channels depletes the cardiac repolarization reserve, increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. The promiscuous nature of drug interactions with hERG presents a therapeutic challenge for drug design and development. Despite considerable effort, the mechanisms of drug binding remain incompletely understood. One proposed mechanism is that high-affinity drug binding preferentially occurs when channels are in the inactivated state. However, this has been difficult to test, since inactivation is rapid in hERG and access to the drug binding site is limited by slower opening of the activation gate. Here, we have directly assessed the role of inactivation in cisparide and terfenadine drug binding in mutant (I663P) hERG channels where the activation gate is trapped-open. We firstly demonstrate the utility of this approach by showing that inactivation, ion selectivity and high affinity drug binding are preserved in I663P mutant channels. We then assess the role of inactivation by applying cisapride and terfenadine at different membrane voltages, which induce varying degrees of inactivation. We show that the extent of block does not correlate with the extent of inactivation. These data suggest that inactivation is not a major determinant of cisapride or terfenadine binding in hERG channels.
Modelling the sensory space of varietal wines: Mining of large, unstructured text data and visualisation of style patterns
Authors: Valente Carlo C. , Bauer Florian F. , Venter Fritz , Watson Bruce , Nieuwoudt Hélène H.
Published: March 2018

The increasingly large volumes of publicly available sensory descriptions of wine raises the question whether this source of data can be mined to extract meaningful domain-specific information about the sensory properties of wine. We introduce a novel application of formal concept lattices, in combination with traditional statistical tests, to visualise the sensory attributes of a big data set of some 7,000 Chenin blanc and Sauvignon blanc wines.Complexitywas identified as an important driver of style in hereto uncharacterised Chenin blanc, and the sensory cues for specific styles were identified. This is the first study to apply these methods for the purpose of identifying styles within varietal wines. More generally, our interactive data visualisation and mining driven approach opens up new investigations towards better understanding of the complex field of sensory science.
The effects of promoter variations of the N-Methylcanadine 1-Hydroxylase (CYP82Y1) gene on the noscapine production in opium poppy
Authors: Abedini Davar , Monfared Sajad Rashidi , Abbasi Alireza
Published: March 2018

Noscapine is an antitumor alkaloid produced in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and some members of the Papaveraceae family. It has been primarily used for its antitussive effects; more recently, its anticancer properties were shown. Herein, we detected an SSR embedded in the promoter region of the CYP82Y1 gene, which was found to be the first committed-step enzyme in the noscapine biosynthesis pathway, using the MISA program. Some collected ecotypes of P. somniferum were investigated for understanding of SSRs role in the regulation of gene expression and metabolite content. Quantitative PCR showed that a variation in the motif repeat number (either a decrease or increase) down-regulated the expression of the CYP82Y1 gene. Furthermore, the analysis of noscapine content suggested that a variation in the promoter region influence noscapine amount. Moreover, P. bracteatum was analyzed in both transcript and metabolite levels, and illustrated much less expression and metabolite level in comparison to P. somniferum. By exploiting the transcriptome data from the eight genera of the Papaveraceae family, we found that noscapine biosynthesis genes are present in P. bracteatum and are not shared in other genera of the Papaveraceae family. This results may explain production of a confined metabolite within a genus.
Ucma/GRP inhibits phosphate-induced vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via SMAD-dependent BMP signalling
Authors: Willems Brecht A. , Furmanik Malgorzata , Caron Marjolein M. J. , Chatrou Martijn L. L. , Kusters Dennis H. M. , Welting Tim J. M. , Stock Michael , Rafael Marta S. , Viegas Carla S. B. , Simes Dina C. , Vermeer Cees , Reutelingsperger Chris P. M. , Schurgers Leon J.
Published: March 2018

Vascular calcification (VC) is the process of deposition of calcium phosphate crystals in the blood vessel wall, with a central role for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VC is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and thought, in part, to be induced by phosphate imbalance. The molecular mechanisms that regulate VC are not fully known. Here we propose a novel role for the mineralisation regulator Ucma/GRP (Upper zone of growth plate and Cartilage Matrix Associated protein/Gla Rich Protein) in phosphate-induced VSMC calcification. We show that Ucma/GRP is present in calcified atherosclerotic plaques and highly expressed in calcifying VSMCs in vitro. VSMCs from Ucma/GRP−/− mice showed increased mineralisation and expression of osteo/chondrogenic markers (BMP-2, Runx2, β-catenin, p-SMAD1/5/8, ALP, OCN), and decreased expression of mineralisation inhibitor MGP, suggesting that Ucma/GRP is an inhibitor of mineralisation. Using BMP signalling inhibitor noggin and SMAD1/5/8 signalling inhibitor dorsomorphin we showed that Ucma/GRP is involved in inhibiting the BMP-2-SMAD1/5/8 osteo/chondrogenic signalling pathway in VSMCs treated with elevated phosphate concentrations. Additionally, we showed for the first time evidence of a direct interaction between Ucma/GRP and BMP-2. These results demonstrate an important role of Ucma/GRP in regulating osteo/chondrogenic differentiation and phosphate-induced mineralisation of VSMCs.
The pure rotational spectrum of the T-shaped AlC2 radical (X̃2A1)
Authors: Halfen D. T. , Ziurys L. M.
Published: March 2018

The pure rotational spectrum of the AlC2 radical (X̃2A1) has been measured using Fourier transform microwave/millimeter-wave (FTMmmW) techniques in the frequency range 21–65 GHz.
Enrichment of trace rare earth elements from the leaching liquor of ion-absorption minerals using a solid complex centrifugal separation process
Authors: Wang Yanliang , Guo Xiangguang , Bi Yanfeng , Su Jia , Kong Weichang , Sun Xiaoqi
Published: March 2018

A novel solid complex centrifugal separation (SCCS) process has been developed to enrich trace rare earth (RE) elements from the leaching liquor of ion-absorption RE minerals.
Synergistic effect of CB and GO/CNT hybrid fillers on the mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of NR composites
Authors: Wei Laiyun , Fu Xuan , Luo Mingchao , Xie Zhengtian , Huang Cheng , Zhou Junjun , Zhu Yong , Huang Guangsu , Wu Jinrong
Published: March 2018

Graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid fillers were used to replace partial carbon black (CB), and GO/CNT/CB/NR composites were prepared with excellent crack growth resistance, low heat build-up and superior mechanical properties.
AMF responsive DOX-loaded magnetic microspheres: transmembrane drug release mechanism and multimodality postsurgical treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Xue Weiming , Liu Xiao-Li , Ma Heping , Xie Wensheng , Huang Saipeng , Wen Huiyun , Jing Guangyin , Zhao Lingyun , Liang Xing-Jie , Fan Hai Ming
Published: March 2018

DOX-loaded magnetic alginate–chitosan microspheres were developed to evaluate alternating magnetic field-responsive, synergistic chemo-thermal cancer therapy.
A Ni3N–Co3N hybrid nanowire array electrode for high-performance nonenzymatic glucose detection
Authors: Dai Xinglu , Deng Wenqing , You Chao , Shen Zhen , Xiong Xiaoli , Sun Xuping
Published: March 2018

In this communication, we report a new type of nickel cobalt nitride hybrid nanowire array in situ grown on a Ti plate (Ni3N–Co3N NW/Ti) topotactically converted from Ni–Co hydroxide as a high-active catalyst electrode for glucose electrooxidation in alkaline media.
The inhibitory effect of Manuka honey on human colon cancer HCT-116 and LoVo cell growth. Part 1: the suppression of cell proliferation, promotion of apoptosis and arrest of the cell cycle
Authors: Afrin Sadia , Giampieri Francesca , Gasparrini Massimiliano , Forbes-Hernández Tamara Y. , Cianciosi Danila , Reboredo-Rodriguez Patricia , Amici Adolfo , Quiles Josè L. , Battino Maurizio
Published: March 2018

Manuka honey suppresses human colon cancer cell proliferation through the promotion of apoptosis.
Nanoporous TiO2 containing an ionic liquid bridge as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of N,N′-diarylformamidines, benzoxazoles, benzothiazoles and benzimidazoles
Authors: Mazloumi M. , Shirini F. , Goli-Jolodar O. , Seddighi M.
Published: March 2018

Nanoporous TiO2 modified with an ionic liquid was used for efficient coupling of amines, 1,2-phenylene diamines, 2-aminophenol and 2-aminothiophenol with orthoesters.
Two luminescent transition-metal–organic frameworks with a predesigned ligand as highly sensitive and selective iron(iii) sensors
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhao Lili , Liu Yinxia , Li Mingyue , Li Gang , Meng Xiangru
Published: March 2018

The water-stable imidazole dicarboxylated-based MOFs are excellent luminescent probes for the Fe3+ ion in an aqueous solution.
A supramolecular self-assembly material based on a quinoline derivative and its sensitive response toward volatile acid and organic amine vapors
Authors: Cao Xinhua , Ding Qianqian , Gao Aiping , Li Yiran , Chang Xueping , Wu Yongquan
Published: March 2018

A new gelator 1, containing a quinoline group, was designed, synthesized, and fully characterized.
One-step, visual and sensitive detection of phorate in blood based on a DNA–AgNC aptasensor
Authors: Li Xingmei , Shi Jian , Chen Ceng , Li Weichen , Han Leiming , Lan Lingmei , Guo Yadong , Chang Yunfeng , Cai Jifeng , Ding Yanjun
Published: March 2018

A one-step, visual and sensitive aptasensor based on DNA–AgNCs can be used to detect phorate in blood.
Concentration-induced multi-colored emissions in carbon dots: origination from triple fluorescent centers
Authors: Chen Yeqing , Lian Hongzhou , Wei Yi , He Xin , Chen Yan , Wang Bo , Zeng Qingguang , Lin Jun
Published: March 2018

Color-tunable carbon dots have been synthesized via a one pot hydrothermal synthesis and re-dispersed in dimethylformamide solution after purification.
Layer-by-layer assembly of MXene and carbon nanotubes on electrospun polymer films for flexible energy storage
Authors: Zhou Zehang , Panatdasirisuk Weerapha , Mathis Tyler S. , Anasori Babak , Lu Canhui , Zhang Xinxing , Liao Zhiwei , Gogotsi Yury , Yang Shu
Published: March 2018

Highly flexible and foldable supercapacitor electrodes were fabricated by the layer-by-layer assembly of Ti3C2Tx(MXene) nanoflakes with carbon nanotubes on electrospun polymer fiber networks.
Transport mechanisms in a puckered graphene-on-lattice
Authors: Xu T. , Díaz Álvarez A. , Wei W. , Eschimese D. , Eliet S. , Lancry O. , Galopin E. , Vaurette F. , Berthe M. , Desremes D. , Wei B. , Xu J. , Lampin J. F. , Pallecchi E. , Happy H. , Vignaud D. , Grandidier B.
Published: March 2018

Nanoscale study of the chemical interaction versus strain in a suspended graphene monolayer on SiO2 nanopillar arrays for higher piezoresistive sensitivity.
A lead-free two-dimensional perovskite for a high-performance flexible photoconductor and a light-stimulated synaptic device
Authors: Qian Liu , Sun Yilin , Wu Mingmao , Li Chun , Xie Dan , Ding Liming , Shi Gaoquan
Published: March 2018

A high-performance flexible photoconductor based on a lead-free perovskite was made and it can be used as a light-stimulated synaptic device.
Photothermal Möbius aromatic metallapentalenofuran and its NIR-responsive copolymer
Authors: Lu Zhengyu , Cai Yuanting , Wei Yuanqing , Lin Qin , Chen Jiangxi , He Xumin , Li Shunhua , Wu Weitai , Xia Haiping
Published: March 2018

A novel thermally and NIR-light responsive metallopolymer was copolymerized from a photothermal aromatic metallapentalenofuran and a glycol methyl ether methacrylate.
Asperones A–E, five dimeric polyketides with new carbon skeletons from the fungus Aspergillus sp. AWG 1–15
Authors: Yin Guo-Ping , Wu Ya-Rong , Han Chao , Wang Xiao-Bing , Gao Hong-Liang , Yin Yong , Kong Ling-Yi , Yang Ming-Hua
Published: March 2018

Five dimeric polyketides with two novel skeletons, generated by the crucial [3 + 2] and [3 + 3] cycloadditions, were isolated from Aspergillus sp.
Asymmetric total syntheses of callistrilones B, G and J
Authors: Hu Li-Jun , Cheng Min-Jing , Cao Jia-Qing , Zhong Li-Ping , Hu Ya-Jian , Wang Ying , Wang Lei , Ye Wen-Cai , Li Chuang-Chuang
Published: March 2018

A highly concise approach for the first asymmetric and gram-scale total syntheses of callistrilones B, G and J is reported.
Domino construction of a bullataketal coreviadouble bond cleavage in activated dihydrofurans
Authors: Ivanov Konstantin L. , Vatsouro Ivan M. , Bezzubov Stanislav I. , Melnikov Mikhail Ya. , Budynina Ekaterina M.
Published: March 2018

A new rapid approach to structurally challenging and biologically relevant methanobenzodioxepines was developedviaa Brønsted acid-triggered domino transformation of 3-carbonyl-4,5-dihydrofurans, substituted with MOM-protectedo-hydroxyaryls at the C4 atom.
Total synthesis of C19-diterpenoid alkaloid: construction of a functionalized ABCDE-ring system
Authors: Liu Mengchen , Cheng Chuanxu , Xiong Weiyan , Cheng Hang , Wang Jian-Li , Xu Liang
Published: March 2018

An efficient synthetic approach for the ABCDE ring system of methyllycaconitine starting from a BCD tricycle precursor was developed.
Novel carbazole derivatives designed by an ortho-linkage strategy for efficient phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Liu Xiang-Yang , Ge Hui-Ting , Zhao Yue , Zhao Danli , Fan Jian , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: March 2018

ortho-Linkage type carbazole/cyanobiphenyl hybrid materials were used as hosts for efficient blue and green phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes.
Comparison of growth characteristics of in vitro cultured granulosa cells from geese follicles at different developmental stages
Authors: Deng Yan. , Gan Xiang. , Chen Da. , Huang Hulian. , Yuan Junsong. , Qiu Jiamin. , Hu Shenqiang. , Hu Jiwei. , Wang Jiwen.
Published: March 2018

Granulosa cells (GCs) are essential components of follicles and are involved in regulating the process of follicles development. However, comparative studies on GCs isolated from different staged follicles have not been conducted in goose. The aim of the present study was to identify the growth characteristics of goose GCs from pre-hierarchical (6–10 mm) and hierarchical (F4–F2, F1) follicles. Our results showed that the three cohorts of cells had different tolerance to collagenase and had noticeable morphological differences. The F1 granulosa layers were fully digested by 0.1% collagenase, while higher concentration (0.3%) was used for both F4–F2 and pre-hierarchical granulosa layers. In the state of suspension, the diameter of F1 individual cell was larger than the other two cohorts. However, after adhering to the culture plate, cells of F1 just had changes in the diameter accompanied by small bright spots, while both pre-hierarchical and F4–F2 GCs proliferated rapidly with spreading and irregularly shaped voids. Furthermore, all attached cells could be stained by the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor antibody. Analyses of both growth curve and the mRNA expression profiles of genes related to cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis suggested that three cohorts of in vitro cultured GCs had different physiological viability and functions. Taken together, the present study not only revealed differences of the growth characteristics among three cohorts of goose GCs from pre-hierarchical, F4–F2 and F1 follicles, but also optimized the in vitro culture system of geese different staged GCs.
Validation and application of a novel cholesterol efflux assay using immobilized liposomes as a substitute for cultured cells
Authors: Horiuchi Yuna , Lai Shao-Jui , Yamazaki Azusa , Nakamura Ayaka , Ohkawa Ryunosuke , Yano Kouji , Kameda Takahiro , Okubo Shigeo , Shimano Shitsuko , Hagihara Michio , Tohda Shuji , Tozuka Minoru
Published: March 2018

Estimation of the function as well as the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is required to predict the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the key metric for determining the antiatherosclerotic function of HDL. However, the assay methods currently used to calculate CEC are not ideal for clinical use as they require the culture of cells. In the present study, we developed a novel CEC assay using immobilized liposome-bound gel beads (ILGs), containing fluorescently labeled cholesterol, as a substitute for cultured cells. When apolipoprotein B-100 depleted serum, obtained by polyethylene glycol precipitation, was used as the cholesterol acceptors, the basic properties of this method, such as the available range of HDL-cholesterol, efflux temperature and time, and normalization parameters, indicate that this method is sufficient to estimate CEC. Furthermore, the CEC values obtained with this ILG method were also correlated with those obtained with a conventional method using THP-1 macrophages derived foam cells and 3H-cholesterol as a tracer (r = 0.932). Overall, this novel cholesterol efflux assay method is a realistic and effective alternative to current methods in the field while also being easier to use in clinical laboratories as neither cell culture, radioisotope nor ultracentrifugation is required.
Liver inflammation and regeneration in drug-induced liver injury: sex matters!
Authors: Sutti Salvatore , Tacke Frank
Published: March 2018

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains a clinical challenge due to the poorly predictable outcomes. Accordingly, considerable efforts have been devoted to unravel the risk factors responsible for DILI worsening toward acute liver failure (ALF), liver transplantation (LT), and/or death. From a pathogenic point of view, exhaustion of drug metabolizing pathways, cell death mechanisms, activation of local immune cells, such as Kupffer cells, and recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes including monocytes and lymphocytes are key drivers of DILI progression. Taking into account that the liver is a sexually dimorphic organ, in the recent past several studies aimed to investigate the implications of gender differences in promoting DILI. While sex discrepancies in DILI include the hepatic drug metabolism or direct effects of steroid hormones (e.g. androgens and estrogens) on signaling pathways in the liver, relatively little is known on gender differences in modulating liver innate immune responses. In a previous issue of Clinical Science, Bizzaro and co-workers, analyzed sex-dependent differences in experimental acute liver injury and regeneration in mice. The authors observed a time-delay in the recovery process in male animals associated with a higher recruitment of monocytes expressing the androgen receptor (AR) as compared with females. Treatment of male mice with the pharmacological AR antagonist flutamide reduced monocyte recruitment in mice. Likewise, human male patients suffering from DILI displayed higher circulating immature and potentially more inflammatory monocytes. Altogether, these observations provide new insights into sex-dependent immune mechanisms in the context of acute liver injury, suggesting gender disparate inflammatory and regenerative responses following DILI.
Do Participants Report Any Undesired Effects in Ultrasound Speech Therapy?
Authors: Preston Jonathan L. , Holliman-Lopez Gabriela , Leece Megan C.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Ultrasound visual feedback of the tongue is increasingly used as a component of speech therapy in clinical research and practice. The purpose is to offer a preliminary summary of the nature of participant-reported undesired effects related to ultrasound visual feedback.

Method

Sixty-two participants across 3 sites (mean age = 11.9 years) and 38 parents responded to a 2-item verbal questionnaire following 14–16 hr of treatment regarding any aspects of the treatment they did not like. Responses were thematically categorized.

Results

The 62 participants provided 65 distinct responses, which were categorized as follows: 31% no concerns, 40% gel-related (e.g., cold, sticky), 21% positioning of the probe (e.g., uncomfortable, annoying), 3% chin hurting (qualified as being minor in nature), and 5% other (i.e., unrelated to the use of the ultrasound). Responses from all parents suggested no concerns about the use of ultrasound; however, 8% expressed concerns unrelated to ultrasound use (e.g., fatigue).

Conclusion

These data inform clinicians and researchers about participant's experience and highlight the type of comments most likely to be encountered with ultrasound in speech therapy. Although the reported adverse effects can be considered minor, they should be weighed against the potential benefits of visual feedback in treatment.
Effective Use of Auditory Bombardment as a Therapy Adjunct for Children With Developmental Language Disorders
Authors: Plante Elena , Tucci Alexander , Nicholas Katrina , Arizmendi Genesis D. , Vance Rebecca
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Modeling of grammatical forms has been used in conjunction with conversational recast treatment in various forms. This study tests the relative effect of providing bombardment prior to or after recast treatment.

Method

Twenty-eight children with developmental language disorder participated in daily conversational recast treatment for morpheme errors. This treatment was either preceded or followed by a brief period of intensive auditory bombardment. Generalization to untreated lexical contexts was measured throughout the treatment period to assess the degree of learning and how quickly the onset of measurable learning occurred.

Results

There were no significant differences in elicited use of morphemes for the groups of children who received auditory bombardment before or after enhanced conversational recast treatment. However, there was a difference in the number of children who could be considered treatment responders versus nonresponders, favoring those who received auditory bombardment after recast treatment.

Conclusion

A brief period of auditory bombardment is a relatively low cost addition to recast treatment methods, given how little time it takes. There is a small but measurable advantage to following recast treatment with a period of auditory bombardment.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5960005
Extended scale invariant local binary pattern for background subtraction
Authors: Zeng Dongdong , Zhu Ming , Xu Fang , Zhou Tongxue
Published: March 2018

Background subtraction based on change detection is the first step in many video surveillance systems, an effective background subtraction algorithm should distinguish foreground from the background sensitively, and adapt to the variation of background scenes robustly. In this study, the authors propose a robust background subtraction algorithm which takes advantages of local texture features represented by an extended scale invariant local binary pattern and colour intensities to characterise pixel representations. Local texture features achieve good tolerance against illumination variations in rich texture regions but not so efficiently on uniform regions, so a photometric invariant colour measurement is proposed to overcome its limitation. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations carried out on a well‐known change detection dataset are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Chromospheric activity catalogue of 4454 cool stars
Authors: Boro Saikia S. , Marvin C. J. , Jeffers S. V. , Reiners A. , Cameron R. , Marsden S. C. , Petit P. , Warnecke J. , Yadav A. P.
Published: March 2018

Context.Chromospheric activity monitoring of a wide range of cool stars can provide valuable information on stellar magnetic activity and its dependence on fundamental stellar parameters such as effective temperature and rotation.

Aims.We compile a chromospheric activity catalogue of 4454 cool stars from a combination of archival HARPS spectra and multiple other surveys, including the Mount Wilson data that have recently been released by the NSO. We explore the variation in chromospheric activity of cool stars along the main sequence for stars with different effective temperatures. Additionally, we also perform an activity-cycle period search and investigate its relation with rotation.

Methods.The chromospheric activity index, S-index, was measured for 304 main-sequence stars from archived high-resolution HARPS spectra. Additionally, the measured and archived S-indices were converted into the chromospheric flux ratio logRHK'. The activity-cycle periods were determined using the generalised Lomb-Scargle periodogram to study the active and inactive branches on the rotation – activity-cycle period plane.

Results.The global sample shows that the bimodality of chromospheric activity, known as the Vaughan-Preston gap, is not prominent, with a significant percentage of the stars at an intermediate-activity level aroundR'HK= −4.75. Independently, the cycle period search shows that stars can lie in the region intermediate between the active and inactive branch, which means that the active branch is not as clearly distinct as previously thought.

Conclusions.The weakening of the Vaughan-Preston gap indicates that cool stars spin down from a higher activity level and settle at a lower activity level without a sudden break at intermediate activity. Some cycle periods are close to the solar value between the active and inactive branch, which suggests that the solar dynamo is most likely a common case of the stellar dynamo.
Lipid Nanocarriers for Oral Delivery of Serenoa repens CO2 Extract: A Study of Microemulsion and Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Guccione Clizia , Bergonzi Maria , Awada Khaled , Piazzini Vieri , Bilia Anna
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was the development and characterization of lipid nanocarriers using food grade components for oral delivery of Serenoa repens CO2 extract, namely microemulsions (MEs) and self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDSs) to improve the oral absorption. A commercial blend (CB) containing 320 of S. repens CO2 extract plus the aqueous soluble extracts of nettle root and pineapple stem was formulated in two MEs and two SMEDDSs. The optimized ME loaded with the CB (CBM2) had a very low content of water (only 17.3%). The drug delivery systems were characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode-array detector analyses in order to evaluate the size, the homogeneity, the morphology, and the encapsulation efficiency. β-carotene was selected as marker for the quantitative HPLC analysis. Additionally, physical and chemical stabilities were acceptable during 3 wk at 4 °C. Stability of these nanocarriers in simulated stomach and intestinal conditions was proved. Finally, the improvement of oral absorption of S. repens was studied in vitro using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. An enhancement of oral permeation was found in both CBM2 and CBS2 nanoformulations comparing with the CB and S. repens CO2 extract. The best performance was obtained by the CBM2 nanoformulation (~ 17%) predicting a 30 – 70% passive oral human absorption in vivo.
Addison-Krise – Risiko erkennen und rasch behandeln
Authors: Meyer Gesine , Badenhoop Klaus
Published: March 2018

An adrenal crisis (Addisonian crisis) is an acute life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency. It occurs when hydrocortisone demand is not met by supplementation in the context of an infection – often gastrointestinal, fever, trauma, acute psychological or physical stress. Symptoms of weakness, nausea, muscle/joint pain and drowsiness may develop out of robust health within few hours. If overlooked, treated too late, with insufficient dose or route of application, there exists a considerable risk of mortality. Treatment consists of immediate parenteral hydrocortisone (100 mg bolus) and subsequent continuous infusion until the underlying precipitating cause is cured and/or when regular supplementation can be continued. Physicians and nurses must not underestimate the condition, since diagnosis and treatment must not be delayed. Patients, relatives and spouses need to be trained in prevention and early recognition through educational programs and emergency cards.
Analyse der medizinischen Versorgung onkologischer und nichtonkologischer Palliativpatienten in der spezialisierten ambulanten Palliativversorgung (SAPV)
Authors: Geist Marcus , Keßler Jens , Bardenheuer Hubert
Published: March 2018

Hintergrund Neben der Behandlung von Tumorpatienten spielt die Versorgung nichtonkologischer Patienten in der SAPV eine immer größere Rolle. Um der wachsenden Nachfrage zu begegnen, ist eine differenzierte Analyse der aktuellen Versorgungsstrukturen und Charakteristiken onkologischer und nichtonkologischer Palliativpatienten erforderlich.

Methodik Im Rahmen einer retrospektiven epidemiologischen Untersuchung wurden Diagnosen, Symptome, Alter, Allgemeinzustand, Versorgungsdauer sowie die für die Beendigung der Betreuung zugrunde liegende Ursache aller in den Jahren 2015 und 2016 durch ein SAPV-Team betreuten Patienten analysiert. Die Auswertung erfolgte mithilfe einer deskriptiven Statistik. Unterschiede zwischen onkologischen und nichtonkologischen Patienten wurden mittels ungepaartem t-Test auf statistische Signifikanz geprüft.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 315 Patienten untersucht. Davon waren 9 % Nichttumorpatienten. Fatigue war in beiden Gruppen das am häufigsten vorkommende Symptom. Deutlich mehr Tumor- als Nichttumorpatienten litten an Schmerzen (47,6 % vs. 17,2 %). Nichtonkologische Patienten waren um 5 Jahre älter, zeigten einen 8,9 % niedrigeren ersten erhobenen Karnofsky-Index und wurden 16,5 Tage kürzer betreut. In beiden Gruppen verstarb der überwiegende Anteil der Patienten während der aktiven Versorgung.

Schlussfolgerungen Obgleich durch das untersuchte SAPV-Team außerordentlich viele Tumorpatienten versorgt wurden, sollte dem Betreuungsbedarf von Nichttumorpatienten in der ambulanten Palliativversorgung zukünftig vermehrt Beachtung geschenkt werden. Nichtonkologische Patienten können sich bezüglich der symptombezogenen Therapie von Tumorpatienten unterscheiden. Im Vergleich zu Patienten mit malignen Erkrankungen werden Nichttumorpatienten erst in einem weitaus fortgeschritteneren Krankheitsstadium in die Palliativbetreuung integriert.
Will the Sustainable Development Goals be fulfilled? Assessing present and future global poverty
Authors: Crespo Cuaresma Jesús , Fengler Wolfgang , Kharas Homi , Bekhtiar Karim , Brottrager Michael , Hofer Martin
Published: March 2018

Monitoring progress towards the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires the assessment of potential future trends in poverty. This paper presents an econometric tool that provides a methodological framework to carry out projections of poverty rates worldwide and aims at assessing absolute poverty changes at the global level under different scenarios. The model combines country-specific historical estimates of the distribution of income, using Beta–Lorenz curves, with projections of population changes by age and education attainment level, as well as GDP projections to provide the first set of internally consistent poverty projections for all countries of the world. Making use of demographic and economic projections developed in the context of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, we create poverty paths by country up to the year 2030. The differences implied by different global scenarios span worldwide poverty rates ranging from 4.5% (around 375 million persons) to almost 6% (over 500 million persons) by the end of our projection period. The largest differences in poverty headcount and poverty rates across scenarios appear for Sub-Saharan Africa, where the projections for the most optimistic scenario imply over 300 million individuals living in extreme poverty in 2030. The results of the comparison of poverty scenarios point towards the difficulty of fulfilling the first goal of the SDGs unless further development policy efforts are enacted.
Spatiotemporal distribution of surface charges in square-grid state in a dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Hao Fang , Dong Lifang , Du Tian , Liu Ying , Fan Weili , Pan Yuyang
Published: March 2018

The spatiotemporal distribution of surface charges in the square-grid state in a dielectric barrier discharge system is investigated at the sub-microsecond time scale using a spectrograph combined with a high-speed framing camera. With increasing driving parameter, the square-grid state transforms from a square pattern into one composed of three sub-lattices: a core sub-lattice with square symmetry and two marginal lattices with lower symmetry. In essence, this breaks the symmetry of the square-grid state—a highly symmetric state. From this perspective, the square pattern trifurcates to a square-grid state of lower symmetry. The electron density of the square-grid state changes periodically, both temporally and spatially, resulting in a periodic distribution of surface charges over the dielectric layer. The calculation of the surface-charge field further verifies that the surface charges have a significant influence on the formation of the square-grid state consistent with the experimental results.
Stable amplitude chimera states in a network of locally coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators
Authors: Premalatha K. , Chandrasekar V. K. , Senthilvelan M. , Lakshmanan M.
Published: March 2018

We investigate the occurrence of collective dynamical states such as transient amplitude chimera, stable amplitude chimera, and imperfect breathing chimera states in a locally coupled network of Stuart-Landau oscillators. In an imperfect breathing chimera state, the synchronized group of oscillators exhibits oscillations with large amplitudes, while the desynchronized group of oscillators oscillates with small amplitudes, and this behavior of coexistence of synchronized and desynchronized oscillations fluctuates with time. Then, we analyze the stability of the amplitude chimera states under various circumstances, including variations in system parameters and coupling strength, and perturbations in the initial states of the oscillators. For an increase in the value of the system parameter, namely, the nonisochronicity parameter, the transient chimera state becomes a stable chimera state for a sufficiently large value of coupling strength. In addition, we also analyze the stability of these states by perturbing the initial states of the oscillators. We find that while a small perturbation allows one to perturb a large number of oscillators resulting in a stable amplitude chimera state, a large perturbation allows one to perturb a small number of oscillators to get a stable amplitude chimera state. We also find the stability of the transient and stable amplitude chimera states and traveling wave states for an appropriate number of oscillators using Floquet theory. In addition, we also find the stability of the incoherent oscillation death states.
Continuous-wave operation of m-plane GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with a tunnel junction intracavity contact
Authors: Forman Charles A. , Lee SeungGeun , Young Erin C. , Kearns Jared A. , Cohen Daniel A. , Leonard John T. , Margalith Tal , DenBaars Steven P. , Nakamura Shuji
Published: March 2018

We have achieved continuous-wave (CW) operation of an optically polarized m-plane GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with an ion implanted current aperture, a tunnel junction intracavity contact, and a dual dielectric distributed Bragg reflector design. The reported VCSEL has 2 quantum wells, with a 14 nm quantum well width, 1 nm barriers, a 5 nm electron-blocking layer, and a 23λ total cavity thickness. The thermal performance was improved by increasing the cavity length and using Au-In solid-liquid interdiffusion bonding, which led to lasing under CW operation for over 20 min. Lasing wavelengths under pulsed operation were observed at 406 nm, 412 nm, and 419 nm. Only the latter two modes appeared under CW operation due to the redshifted gain at higher temperatures. The peak output powers for a 6 μm aperture VCSEL under CW and pulsed operation were 140 μW and 700 μW, respectively. The fundamental transverse mode was observed without the presence of filamentary lasing. The thermal impedance was estimated to be ∼1400 °C/W for a 6 μm aperture 23λ VCSEL.
Time-lagged autoencoders: Deep learning of slow collective variables for molecular kinetics
Authors: Wehmeyer Christoph , Noé Frank
Published: March 2018

Inspired by the success of deep learning techniques in the physical and chemical sciences, we apply a modification of an autoencoder type deep neural network to the task of dimension reduction of molecular dynamics data. We can show that our time-lagged autoencoder reliably finds low-dimensional embeddings for high-dimensional feature spaces which capture the slow dynamics of the underlying stochastic processes—beyond the capabilities of linear dimension reduction techniques.
Review of inductively coupled plasmas: Nano-applications and bistable hysteresis physics
Authors: Lee Hyo-Chang
Published: March 2018

Many different gas discharges and plasmas exhibit bistable states under a given set of conditions, and the history-dependent hysteresis that is manifested by intensive quantities of the system upon variation of an external parameter has been observed in inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs). When the external parameters (such as discharge powers) increase, the plasma density increases suddenly from a low- to high-density mode, whereas decreasing the power maintains the plasma in a relatively high-density mode, resulting in significant hysteresis. To date, a comprehensive description of plasma hysteresis and a physical understanding of the main mechanism underlying their bistability remain elusive, despite many experimental observations of plasma bistability conducted under radio-frequency ICP excitation. This fundamental understanding of mode transitions and hysteresis is essential and highly important in various applied fields owing to the widespread use of ICPs, such as semiconductor/display/solar-cell processing (etching, deposition, and ashing), wireless light lamp, nanostructure fabrication, nuclear-fusion operation, spacecraft propulsion, gas reformation, and the removal of hazardous gases and materials. If, in such applications, plasma undergoes a mode transition and hysteresis occurs in response to external perturbations, the process result will be strongly affected. Due to these reasons, this paper comprehensively reviews both the current knowledge in the context of the various applied fields and the global understanding of the bistability and hysteresis physics in the ICPs. At first, the basic understanding of the ICP is given. After that, applications of ICPs to various applied fields of nano/environmental/energy-science are introduced. Finally, the mode transition and hysteresis in ICPs are studied in detail. This study will show the fundamental understanding of hysteresis physics in plasmas and give open possibilities for applications to various applied fields to find novel control knob and optimizing processing conditions.
Ferroelectric critical size and vortex domain structures of PbTiO3 nanodots: A density functional theory study
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Yan Yabin , Shimada Takahiro , Wang Jie , Kitamura Takayuki
Published: March 2018

The ferroelectric critical size and microscopic domain structure of PbTiO3 nanodots with unit cells of N × N × N (N = 1–3) have been investigated by ab initio (first-principles) density functional theory calculations. Nanodots with PbO and TiO surface terminations are investigated, and the ground state of TiO-terminated nanodots is found to be paraelectric regardless of the size. However, for PbO-terminated nanodots, the ferroelectric state is energetically favorable even in the smallest nanodot, indicating the absence of an intrinsic critical size for ferroelectricity in the nanodot structure. Moreover, the distributions of polarizations in nanodots with different sizes are analyzed. The vortex polarizations rotating around both the central [001] axis and diagonal [11¯1] directions of nanodots can stably exist. The vortex polarization arises from the opposite rotation between the cations and anions around the [001] and the [11¯1] directions of nanodots, respectively. On the other hand, the toroidal moments of vortex polarizations both around the [001] and [11¯1] directions increase with the increment of nanodot size, and these vortex polarizations are energetically favorable in small and large nanodots, respectively.
Magnetic skyrmion bubble motion driven by surface acoustic waves
Authors: Nepal Rabindra , Güngördü Utkan , Kovalev Alexey A.
Published: March 2018

We study the dynamical control of a magnetic skyrmion bubble by using counter-propagating surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in a ferromagnet. First, we determine the bubble mass and derive the force due to SAWs acting on a magnetic bubble using Thiele's method. The force that pushes the bubble is proportional to the strain gradient for the major strain component. We then study the dynamical pinning and motion of magnetic bubbles by SAWs in a nanowire. In a disk geometry, we propose a SAWs-driven skyrmion bubble oscillator with two resonant frequencies.
Low Young’s moduli induced D–E loop dispersion and its effect on the energy discharging performance of PVDF and P(VDF-co-HFP) films
Authors: Xia Weimin , Chen Bing , Liu Yang , Wang Qing , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: March 2018

Large-scale stretched films of PVDF and its copolymer P(VDF-co-HFP) with various molar contents of VDF were found to possess the considerable breakdown electric fields of about 900 MV/m. Under such a high electric field, soft polymer films with lower Young’s moduli are larger compressed, giving rise to a constraining of reversal of dipoles and thereby a depressing of the dielectric response. Consequently, the displacement–electric field loops at above 700 MV/m show a dispersion phenomenon, which agrees with the reduction of in phase dielectric constant from 10 to 7 in soft P(VDF-co-HFP) 85/15mol% thick film caused by ultra-high isostatic pressure of about 400Mpa. Comparatively, in mechanically stretched PVDF and 95.5/4.5mol% P(VDF-co-HFP) thick films with a relatively high hardness, the considerable discharged energy densities of 27.1 J/cm3 and 27.7 J/cm3 were obtained, providing an effective way to achieve high discharging performance for these fluoropolymers.
A reactive, scalable, and transferable model for molecular energies from a neural network approach based on local information
Authors: Unke Oliver T. , Meuwly Markus
Published: March 2018

Despite the ever-increasing computer power, accurate ab initio calculations for large systems (thousands to millions of atoms) remain infeasible. Instead, approximate empirical energy functions are used. Most current approaches are either transferable between different chemical systems, but not particularly accurate, or they are fine-tuned to a specific application. In this work, a data-driven method to construct a potential energy surface based on neural networks is presented. Since the total energy is decomposed into local atomic contributions, the evaluation is easily parallelizable and scales linearly with system size. With prediction errors below 0.5 kcal mol−1 for both unknown molecules and configurations, the method is accurate across chemical and configurational space, which is demonstrated by applying it to datasets from nonreactive and reactive molecular dynamics simulations and a diverse database of equilibrium structures. The possibility to use small molecules as reference data to predict larger structures is also explored. Since the descriptor only uses local information, high-level ab initio methods, which are computationally too expensive for large molecules, become feasible for generating the necessary reference data used to train the neural network.
Weak polyelectrolyte complexation driven by associative charging
Authors: Rathee Vikramjit S. , Zervoudakis Aristotle J. , Sidky Hythem , Sikora Benjamin J. , Whitmer Jonathan K.
Published: March 2018

Weak polyelectrolytes are relevant for a wide range of fields; in particular, they have been investigated as “smart” materials for chemical separations and drug delivery. The charges on weak polyelectrolytes are dynamic, causing polymer chains to adopt different equilibrium conformations even with relatively small changes to the surrounding environment. Currently, there exists no comprehensive picture of this behavior, particularly where polymer–polymer interactions have the potential to affect charging properties significantly. In this study, we elucidate the novel interplay between weak polyelectrolyte charging and complexation behavior through coupled molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations. Specifically, we investigate a model of two equal-length and oppositely charging polymer chains in an implicit salt solution represented through Debye–Hückel interactions. The charging tendency of each chain, along with the salt concentration, is varied to determine the existence and extent of cooperativity in charging and complexation. Strong cooperation in the charging of these chains is observed at large Debye lengths, corresponding to low salt concentrations, while at lower Debye lengths (higher salt concentrations), the chains behave in apparent isolation. When the electrostatic coupling is long-ranged, we find that a highly charged chain strongly promotes the charging of its partner chain, even if the environment is unfavorable for an isolated version of that partner chain. Evidence of this phenomenon is supported by a drop in the potential energy of the system, which does not occur at the lower Debye lengths where both potential energies and charge fractions converge for all partner chain charging tendencies. The discovery of this cooperation will be helpful in developing “smart” drug delivery mechanisms by allowing for better predictions for the dissociation point of delivery complexes.