An open automation system for predatory journal detection.

The growing number of online open-access journals promotes academic exchanges, but the prevalence of predatory journals is undermining the scholarly reporting process. Data collection, feature extraction, and model prediction are common steps in tools designed to distinguish between legitimate and predatory academic journals and publisher websites. The authors include them in their proposed academic journal predatory checking (AJPC) system based on machine learning methods.

Role of Moesin Phosphorylation in Retinal Pericyte Migration and Detachment Induced by Advanced Glycation Endproducts.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) involves persistent, uncontrolled formation of premature blood vessels with reduced number of pericytes. Our previous work showed that advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, mouse retina, and aortic ring, which was associated with moesin phosphorylation. Here we investigated whether moesin phosphorylation may contribute to pericyte detachment and the development of PDR.

NIR Remote-Controlled "Lock-Unlock" Nanosystem for Imaging Potassium Ions in Living Cells.

Despite great achievements in sensitive and selective detection of important biomolecules in living cells, it is still challenging to develop smart and controllable sensing nanodevices for cellular studies that can be activated at desired time in target sites. To address this issue, we have constructed a remote-controlled "lock-unlock" nanosystem for visual analysis of endogenous potassium ions (K), which employed a dual-stranded aptamer precursor (DSAP) as recognition molecules, SiO based gold nanoshells (AuNS) as nanocarriers, and near-infrared ray (NIR) as the remotely applied stimulus. With the well-designed and activatable DSAP-AuNS, the deficiencies of traditional aptamer-based sensors have been successfully overcome, and the undesired response during transport has been avoided, especially in complex physiological microenvironments.

[The risk factors and preventive measures of hospital infections on preoperative children with cleft lips and palates].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of preoperative upper respiratory infections in children with cleft lips and palate (CLP) and investigate preventive measures to reduce infections and improve the quality of treatments.

Methods: A total of 510 children with CLP of ages 3 years old or younger were selected from hospital cases from June to December 2017. The test group comprised 50 children with upper respiratory infections, whereas the control group comprised 460 children without upper respiratory infections.

One-pot controlled synthesis of AuPd@Pd core-shell nanocrystals with enhanced electrocatalytic performances for formic acid oxidation and glycerol oxidation.

In this work, AuPd@Pd core-shell nanocrystals (AuPd@Pd NCs) were fabricated by a one-pot co-reduction approach, where theophylline-7-acetic acid (TAA) acted asa new structure-directing agent. The crystal structure and composition were mainly characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), together with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The growth mechanism of AuPd@Pd NCs was investigated in detail.

Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of composition-tunable cross-linked AgPt aerogels with enhanced electrocatalysis.

A facile one-pot coreduction strategy was developed to synthesize composition-tunable cross-linked AgPt aerogels, where ionic liquid (1-aminopropyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [APMIm]Br) played a significant role in controlling the morphology and structure. During the synthesis progress, Br easily reacted with Ag to form AgBr precipitate and consequently slowed down the reducing rate of Ag, as well as acting as a capping agent to promote the anisotropic growth of AgPt aerogels, as mainly demonstrated by the electronic microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The architectures showed superior catalytic activity and enhanced durability toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) in contrast with commercial Pt black, owing to the tailored composition, morphology and electronic structure of the prepared AgPt aerogels.

Theophylline-assisted, eco-friendly synthesis of PtAu nanospheres at reduced graphene oxide with enhanced catalytic activity towards Cr(VI) reduction.

Theophylline as a naturally alkaloid is commonly employed to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Herein, a facile theophylline-assisted green approach was firstly developed for synthesis of PtAu nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide (PtAu NSs/rGO), without any surfactant, polymer, or seed involved. The obtained nanocomposites were applied for the catalytic reduction and removal of highly toxic chromium (VI) using formic acid as a model reductant at 50°C, showing the significantly enhanced catalytic activity and improved recyclability when compared with commercial Pt/C (50%) and home-made Au nanocrystals supported rGO (Au NCs/rGO).

Autoxidative C(sp(2))-P Formation: Direct Phosphorylation of Heteroarenes under Oxygen, Metal-Free, and Solvent-Free Conditions.

We reveal here a direct autoxidative phosphorylation of heteroarenes induced by oxygen under metal-free and solvent-free conditions. This new methodology provides an economical, operationally simple, and environmentally friendly approach toward (Het)C(sp(2))-P formation with medium to excellent yields. Heteroarenes including thiazole and quinoxaline derivatives are applicable under standard conditions, which is testified via a radical mechanism.

Facile synthesis of porous bimetallic alloyed PdAg nanoflowers supported on reduced graphene oxide for simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid.

Porous bimetallic alloyed palladium silver (PdAg) nanoflowers supported on reduced graphene oxide (PdAg NFs/rGO) were prepared via a facile and simple in situ reduction process, with the assistance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a structure directing agent. The as-prepared nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (PdAg NFs/rGO/GCE) showed enhanced catalytic currents and enlarged peak potential separations for the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) as compared to those of PdAg/GCE, rGO/GCE, commercial Pd/C/GCE, and bare GCE. The as-developed sensor can selectively detect AA, DA, and UA with a good anti-interference ability, wide concentration ranges of 1.

[Calculation of the avuncular index].

Objective: To introduce the method of avuncular index (AI) calculation.

Methods: Identity by decent coefficient, coancestry coefficient and AI law were employed in identification of uncle-niece relationship, when autosomal STR loci were detected to determine controversial uncle-niece relationship.

Results: The results of AI calculation were coincidental using identity by descent coefficien, coancestry coefficient and AI law.

[Types and frequencies of variants in Amelogenin gene in Chinese population].

Objective: To investigate the types and frequencies of variants in Amelogenin gene in Chinese population and to explore the mutations' influence to the sex test.

Methods: The Amelogenin gene of 8850 unrelated Chinese individuals was typed with PowerPlex 16 system. The samples with abnormal typing results were calculated directly, validated with different primer sets, Y-STR typing and sequencing.

[Genetics of heteroplasmy in the mtDNA control region among the Chinese Han population].

Objective: To explore the distribution and genetic pattern of heteroplasmy of mtDNA control region among Chinese Han population.

Methods: The human mtDNA control region was amplified into 6 amplicons overlapped partially each other. Then these amplicons were analyzed by DHPLC which we developed to detect low heteroplasmic signals.

[Comparation on Haversian system between human and animal bones by imaging analysis].

Objective: To explore the differences in Haversian system between human and animal bones through imaging analysis and morphology description.

Methods: Thirty-five slices grinding from human being as well as dog, pig, cow and sheep bones were observed to compare their structure, then were analysed with the researchful microscope.

Results: Plexiform bone or oeston band was not found in human bones; There were significant differences in the shape, size, location, density of Haversian system, between human and animal bones.

Mutations of 15 short tandem repeat loci in Chinese population.

Objective: To explore the mutations of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in PlowerPlex16 System which are world-widely used in parentage testing.

Methods: Mutations of 15 STR loci in PlowerPlex16 System were investigated in 1921 parentage testing cases from Chinese population.

Results: In 1921 parentage cases, seventy cases (3.

[Seven Y-specific loci haplotypes and their usefulness in forensic casework].

Objective: To study genetic polymorphism of 7 Y-specific short tandem repeats (STR) and assess their usefulness in forensic casework.

Methods: 7 Y-STR have been amplified in two multiplex reactions, (Multiplex I:DYS391, GATA-A4, GATA-A10 and GATA-H4. Multiplex II:DYS439,DYS437 and DYS434).

[Genotype reliability of short tandem repeats typing from minute DNA].

Objective: To understand the forensic practice of DNA profiling from minimal amount of DNA.

Methods: Serial dilutions of DNA were amplified with the PowerPlex 16 System Kit, then the genotyping of short tandem repeat(STR) was performed by ABI 377 DNA automated Sequencer.

Results: When the mount of DNA template was less than 250 pg, allelic drop-out apparently occurred at several loci.