bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of CTGF ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis through suppression of fibroblast and myofibroblast accumulation and angiogenesis
Authors: Sakai Norihiko , Nakamura Miki , Lipson Kenneth E. , Miyake Taito , Kamikawa Yasutaka , Sagara Akihiro , Shinozaki Yasuyuki , Kitajima Shinji , Toyama Tadashi , Hara Akinori , Iwata Yasunori , Shimizu Miho , Furuichi Kengo , Kaneko Shuichi , Tager Andrew M. , Wada Takashi
Published: July 2017

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a serious complication in various clinical settings, but the mechanisms driving it remain to be fully determined. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is known to regulate fibroblast activities. We therefore examined if CTGF inhibition has anti-fibrotic effects in PF. PF was induced by repetitive intraperitoneal injections of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) in mice with type I pro-collagen promoter-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression to identify fibroblasts. FG-3019, an anti-CTGF monoclonal antibody, was used to inhibit CTGF. CG-induced PF was significantly attenuated in FG-3019-treated mice. CG challenges induced marked accumulations of proliferating fibroblasts and of myofibroblasts, which were both reduced by FG-3019. Levels of peritoneal CTGF expression were increased by CG challenges, and suppressed in FG-3019-treated mice. FG-3019 treatment also reduced the number of CD31+ vessels and VEGF-A-positive cells in fibrotic peritoneum. In vitro studies using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) showed that CTGF blockade suppressed TGF-β1-induced fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation, PMC mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and VEGF-A production. These findings suggest that the inhibition of CTGF by FG-3019 might be a novel treatment for PF through the regulation of fibroblast and myofibroblast accumulation and angiogenesis.
Wave manipulation with magnetically tunable metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Hujiang , Yu Tianlin , Wang Qingmin , Lei Ming
Published: July 2017

Tunable metasurfaces have emerged as an efficient approach to manipulate the wave propagation. Different from previous work concentrating on electrically tunable mechanisms, here we demonstrate a magnetically tunable metasurface composed of ferrite rods and metallic foils. By tuning the thickness of ferrite rods, metasurfaces with different rod thickness gradients are obtained. The incident wave can propagate through the metasurfaces due to the extraordinary transmission. The deflection angle of the transmission wave is not only influenced by the rod thickness gradient, but also tuned by the applied magnetic field. This approach opens a way for the design of tunable metasurfaces.
Targeting of dopamine transporter to filopodia requires an outward-facing conformation of the transporter
Authors: Ma Shiqi , Cheng Mary H. , Guthrie Daryl A. , Newman Amy H. , Bahar Ivet , Sorkin Alexander
Published: July 2017

Dopamine transporter (DAT) has been shown to accumulate in filopodia in neurons and non-neuronal cells. To examine the mechanisms of DAT filopodial targeting, we used quantitative live-cell fluorescence microscopy, and compared the effects of the DAT inhibitor cocaine and its fluorescent analog JHC1-64 on the plasma membrane distribution of wild-type DAT and two non-functional DAT mutants, R60A and W63A, that do not accumulate in filopodia. W63A did not bind JHC1-64, whereas R60A did, although less efficiently compared to the wild-type DAT. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted that R60A preferentially assumes an outward-facing (OF) conformation through compensatory intracellular salt bridge formation, which in turn favors binding of cocaine. Imaging analysis showed that JHC1-64-bound R60A mutant predominantly localized in filopodia, whereas free R60A molecules were evenly distributed within the plasma membrane. Cocaine binding significantly increased the density of R60A, but not that of W63A, in filopodia. Further, zinc binding, known to stabilize the OF state, also increased R60A concentration in filopodia. Finally, amphetamine, that is thought to disrupt DAT OF conformation, reduced the concentration of wild-type DAT in filopodia. Altogether, these data indicate that OF conformation is required for the efficient targeting of DAT to, and accumulation in, filopodia.
Selection of complementary foods based on optimal nutritional values
Authors: Sen Partho , Mardinogulu Adil , Nielsen Jens
Published: July 2017

Human milk is beneficial for growth and development of infants. Several factors result in mothers ceasing breastfeeding which leads to introduction of breast-milk substitutes (BMS). In some communities traditional foods are given as BMS, in others they are given as complementary foods during weaning. Improper food selection at this stage is associated with a high prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years. Here we listed the traditional foods from four continents and compared them with human milk based on their dietary contents. Vitamins such as thiamine (~[2–10] folds), riboflavin (~[4–10] folds) and ascorbic acid (<2 folds) contents of Asian and African foods were markedly lower. In order to extend the search for foods that includes similar dietary constituents as human milk, we designed a strategy of screening 8654 foods. 12 foods were identified and these foods were evaluated for their ability to meet the daily nutritional requirement of breastfed and non-breastfed infants during their first year of life. Genome-scale models of infant’s hepatocytes, adipocytes and myocytes were then used to simulate in vitro growth of tissues when subjected to these foods. Key findings were that pork ham cured, fish pudding, and egg lean white induced better tissue growth, and quark with fruit, cheese quarg 45% and cheese cream 60% had similar lactose content as human milk.
Determination of individual contact interfaces in carbon nanotube network-based transistors
Authors: Yoon Jinsu , Lim Meehyun , Choi Bongsik , Kim Dong Myong , Kim Dae Hwan , Kim Sungho , Choi Sung-Jin
Published: July 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used as semiconducting channels induce high mobility, thermal conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and chemical stability in field-effect, thin-film transistors (TFTs). However, the contact interfaces in CNT-TFTs have contact resistances that are difficult to reduce; this contact resistance can eventually limit the overall performance of CNT-TFTs. The contact interface between the source/drain electrodes and CNTs, especially for those CNT-TFTs in which the channel comprises randomly networked CNTs, plays a particularly dominant role in determining the performance and degree of variability in CNT-TFTs. However, no studies have reported a determination method that individually extracts each contact resistance at the source/drain electrodes. The present work presents an efficient method for directly determining the contact interfaces in CNT-TFTs by extracting each contact resistance produced at the source (R
S
) and drain (R
D
) electrodes. Moreover, we comprehensively simulated the randomly networked CNTs using an in-depth Monte-Carlo method, which provides an efficient method for visualizing the uniformity of a CNT network with various controllable CNT parameters. The proposed method provides guidance and a means for optimizing the design of the CNT network channel in CNT-TFTs and additional insights into improving the performance of CNT-TFTs.
Plasticity in the Oxidative Folding Pathway of the High Affinity Nerita Versicolor Carboxypeptidase Inhibitor (NvCI)
Authors: Esperante Sebastián A. , Covaleda Giovanni , Trejo Sebastián A. , Bronsoms Sílvia , Aviles Francesc X. , Ventura Salvador
Published: July 2017

Nerita Versicolor carboxypeptidase inhibitor (NvCI) is the strongest inhibitor reported so far for the M14A subfamily of carboxypeptidases. It comprises 53 residues and a protein fold composed of a two-stranded antiparallel β sheet connected by three loops and stabilized by three disulfide bridges. Here we report the oxidative folding and reductive unfolding pathways of NvCI. Much debate has gone on whether protein conformational folding guides disulfide bond formation or instead they are disulfide bonds that favour the arrangement of local or global structural elements. We show here that for NvCI both possibilities apply. Under physiological conditions, this protein folds trough a funnelled pathway involving a network of kinetically connected native-like intermediates, all sharing the disulfide bond connecting the two β-strands. In contrast, under denaturing conditions, the folding of NvCI is under thermodynamic control and follows a “trial and error” mechanism, in which an initial quasi-stochastic population of intermediates rearrange their disulfide bonds to attain the stable native topology. Despite their striking mechanistic differences, the efficiency of both folding routes is similar. The present study illustrates thus a surprising plasticity in the folding of this extremely stable small disulfide-rich inhibitor and provides the basis for its redesign for biomedical applications.
A method for validating Rent’s rule for technological and biological networks
Authors: Alcalde Cuesta Fernando , González Sequeiros Pablo , Lozano Rojo Álvaro
Published: July 2017

Rent’s rule is empirical power law introduced in an effort to describe and optimize the wiring complexity of computer logic graphs. It is known that brain and neuronal networks also obey Rent’s rule, which is consistent with the idea that wiring costs play a fundamental role in brain evolution and development. Here we propose a method to validate this power law for a certain range of network partitions. This method is based on the bifurcation phenomenon that appears when the network is subjected to random alterations preserving its degree distribution. It has been tested on a set of VLSI circuits and real networks, including biological and technological ones. We also analyzed the effect of different types of random alterations on the Rentian scaling in order to test the influence of the degree distribution. There are network architectures quite sensitive to these randomization procedures with significant increases in the values of the Rent exponents.
Sub-nanometer surface chemistry and orbital hybridization in lanthanum-doped ceria nano-catalysts revealed by 3D electron microscopy
Authors: Collins Sean M. , Fernandez-Garcia Susana , Calvino José J. , Midgley Paul A.
Published: July 2017

Surface chemical composition, electronic structure, and bonding characteristics determine catalytic activity but are not resolved for individual catalyst particles by conventional spectroscopy. In particular, the nano-scale three-dimensional distribution of aliovalent lanthanide dopants in ceria catalysts and their effect on the surface electronic structure remains unclear. Here, we reveal the surface segregation of dopant cations and oxygen vacancies and observe bonding changes in lanthanum-doped ceria catalyst particle aggregates with sub-nanometer precision using a new model-based spectroscopic tomography approach. These findings refine our understanding of the spatially varying electronic structure and bonding in ceria-based nanoparticle aggregates with aliovalent cation concentrations and identify new strategies for advancing high efficiency doped ceria nano-catalysts.
TALEN based HPV-E7 editing triggers necrotic cell death in cervical cancer cells
Authors: Shankar Sumitra , Prasad Deepti , Sanawar Rahul , Das Ani V. , Pillai M. Radhakrishna
Published: July 2017

Human Papillomavirus E7 and E6 oncoproteins have been considered as suitable candidate anti-viral targets since they cause malignant conversion in cervical cancers. Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) are recent editing tools to knockout genes by inducing double stranded breaks at specific sites in the genome. In here, we have designed specific TALENs to target E7 and analyzed their efficiency in inducing cell death in cervical cancer cells. We found that designed TALENs could yield about 10–12% editing activity as observed from T7E1 and nuclease resistance assays. Down-regulation of E7 and E6 was further evident at the transcript as well as proteins levels indicating that the selected TALENs were effective. TALEN-mediated E7 editing led to cell death as ascertained by cell cycle and Annexin V assays. Annexin profiling suggested that cell death could be due to necrosis as observed by upregulation of necrotic markers such as LDH A, Rip-1, and Cyclophilin A. Necrosis appears to be a better therapeutic response as it could further activate pro-inflammatory cytokines to attract immune cells to eliminate HPV-integrated cells and therefore TALEN editing strategy has the potential to be a promising tool as an adjuvant therapy in cervical cancer along with surgery.
Metadiffusers: Deep-subwavelength sound diffusers
Authors: Jiménez Noé , Cox Trevor J. , Romero-García Vicent , Groby Jean-Philippe
Published: July 2017

We present deep-subwavelength diffusing surfaces based on acoustic metamaterials, namely metadiffusers. These sound diffusers are rigidly backed slotted panels, with each slit being loaded by an array of Helmholtz resonators. Strong dispersion is produced in the slits and slow sound conditions are induced. Thus, the effective thickness of the panel is lengthened introducing its quarter wavelength resonance in the deep-subwavelength regime. By tuning the geometry of the metamaterial, the reflection coefficient of the panel can be tailored to obtain either a custom reflection phase, moderate or even perfect absorption. Using these concepts, we present ultra-thin diffusers where the geometry of the metadiffuser has been tuned to obtain surfaces with spatially dependent reflection coefficients having uniform magnitude Fourier transforms. Various designs are presented where, quadratic residue, primitive root and ternary sequence diffusers are mimicked by metadiffusers whose thickness are 1/46 to 1/20 times the design wavelength, i.e., between about a twentieth and a tenth of the thickness of traditional designs. Finally, a broadband metadiffuser panel of 3 cm thick was designed using optimization methods for frequencies ranging from 250 Hz to 2 kHz.
Novel data analysis method for multicolour flow cytometry links variability of multiple markers on single cells to a clinical phenotype
Authors: Tinnevelt Gerjen H. , Kokla Marietta , Hilvering Bart , van Staveren Selma , Folcarelli Rita , Xue Luzheng , Bloem Andries C. , Koenderman Leo , Buydens Lutgarde M. C. , Jansen Jeroen J.
Published: July 2017

Multicolour Flow Cytometry (MFC) produces multidimensional analytical data on the quantitative expression of multiple markers on single cells. This data contains invaluable biomedical information on (1) the marker expressions per cell, (2) the variation in such expression across cells, (3) the variability of cell marker expression across samples that (4) may vary systematically between cells collected from donors and patients. Current conventional and even advanced data analysis methods for MFC data explore only a subset of these levels. The Discriminant Analysis of MultiAspect CYtometry (DAMACY) we present here provides a comprehensive view on health and disease responses by integrating all four levels. We validate DAMACY by using three distinct datasets: in vivo response of neutrophils evoked by systemic endotoxin challenge, the clonal response of leukocytes in bone marrow of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, and the complex immune response in blood of asthmatics. DAMACY provided good accuracy 91–100% in the discrimination between health and disease, on par with literature values. Additionally, the method provides figures that give insight into the marker expression and cell variability for more in-depth interpretation, that can benefit both physicians and biomedical researchers to better diagnose and monitor diseases that are reflected by changes in blood leukocytes.
Evaluation of eLIFT for Non-invasive Assessment of Liver fibrosis and Cirrhosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Li Qiang , Lu Chuan , Li Weixia , Huang Yuxian , Chen Liang
Published: July 2017

Recently, the easy Liver Fibrosis Test (eLIFT), a sum of points attributed to age, gender, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate transaminase, platelets, and prothrombin time, was developed for diagnosing advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic liver disease. We aimed to evaluate the performance of eLIFT to predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Histologic and laboratory data of 747 CHB patients were analyzed. The performance of eLIFT for diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis was compared with that of aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4). To predict advanced fibrosis, the AUROC of eLIFT was comparable with that of APRI (0.66 vs 0.71, p = 0.095) and FIB-4 (0.66 vs 0.67, p = 0.612). To predict severe fibrosis, the AUROC of eLIFT was lower than that of APRI (0.65 vs 0.83, p < 0.001) and FIB-4 (0.65 vs 0.82, p < 0.001). To predict cirrhosis, the AUROC of eLIFT was also lower than that of APRI (0.64 vs 0.85, p = 0.001) and FIB-4 (0.64 vs 0.76, p = 0.033). The eLIFT is not a good non-invasive test for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in CHB patients.
Deviation of the typical AAA substrate-threading pore prevents fatal protein degradation in yeast Cdc48
Authors: Esaki Masatoshi , Islam Md. Tanvir , Tani Naoki , Ogura Teru
Published: July 2017

Yeast Cdc48 is a well-conserved, essential chaperone of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activity (AAA) proteins, which recognizes substrate proteins and modulates their conformations to carry out many cellular processes. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying the diverse pivotal roles of Cdc48 remain unknown. Almost all AAA proteins form a ring-shaped structure with a conserved aromatic amino acid residue that is essential for proper function. The threading mechanism hypothesis suggests that this residue guides the intrusion of substrate proteins into a narrow pore of the AAA ring, thereby becoming unfolded. By contrast, the aromatic residue in one of the two AAA rings of Cdc48 has been eliminated through evolution. Here, we show that artificial retrieval of this aromatic residue in Cdc48 is lethal, and essential features to support the threading mechanism are required to exhibit the lethal phenotype. In particular, genetic and biochemical analyses of the Cdc48 lethal mutant strongly suggested that when in complex with the 20S proteasome, essential proteins are abnormally forced to thread through the Cdc48 pore to become degraded, which was not detected in wild-type Cdc48. Thus, the widely applicable threading model is less effective for wild-type Cdc48; rather, Cdc48 might function predominantly through an as-yet-undetermined mechanism.
Experimental investigation on preconditioned rate induced tipping in a thermoacoustic system
Authors: Tony J. , Subarna S , Syamkumar K. S. , Sudha G. , Akshay S. , Gopalakrishnan E. A. , Surovyatkina E. , Sujith R. I.
Published: July 2017

Many systems found in nature are susceptible to tipping, where they can shift from one stable dynamical state to another. This shift in dynamics can be unfavorable in systems found in various fields ranging from ecology to finance. Hence, it is important to identify the factors that can lead to tipping in a physical system. Tipping can mainly be brought about by a change in parameter or due to the influence of external fluctuations. Further, the rate at which the parameter is varied also determines the final state that the system attains. Here, we show preconditioned rate induced tipping in experiments and in a theoretical model of a thermoacoustic system. We provide a specific initial condition (preconditioning) and vary the parameter at a rate higher than a critical rate to observe tipping. We find that the critical rate is a function of the initial condition. Our study is highly relevant because the parameters that dictate the asymptotic behavior of many physical systems are temporally dynamic.
RNA structure refinement using NMR solvent accessibility data
Authors: Hartlmüller Christoph , Günther Johannes C. , Wolter Antje C. , Wöhnert Jens , Sattler Michael , Madl Tobias
Published: July 2017

NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique to study ribonucleic acids (RNAs) which are key players in a plethora of cellular processes. Although the NMR toolbox for structural studies of RNAs expanded during the last decades, they often remain challenging. Here, we show that solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (sPRE) induced by the soluble, paramagnetic compound Gd(DTPA-BMA) provide a quantitative measure for RNA solvent accessibility and encode distance-to-surface information that correlates well with RNA structure and improves accuracy and convergence of RNA structure determination. Moreover, we show that sPRE data can be easily obtained for RNAs with any isotope labeling scheme and is advantageous regarding sample preparation, stability and recovery. sPRE data show a large dynamic range and reflect the global fold of the RNA suggesting that they are well suited to identify interaction surfaces, to score structural models and as restraints in RNA structure determination.
Can weather generation capture precipitation patterns across different climates, spatial scales and under data scarcity?
Authors: Breinl Korbinian , Di Baldassarre Giuliano , Girons Lopez Marc , Hagenlocher Michael , Vico Giulia , Rutgersson Anna
Published: July 2017

Stochastic weather generators can generate very long time series of weather patterns, which are indispensable in earth sciences, ecology and climate research. Yet, both their potential and limitations remain largely unclear because past research has typically focused on eclectic case studies at small spatial scales in temperate climates. In addition, stochastic multi-site algorithms are usually not publicly available, making the reproducibility of results difficult. To overcome these limitations, we investigated the performance of the reduced-complexity multi-site precipitation generator TripleM across three different climatic regions in the United States. By resampling observations, we investigated for the first time the performance of a multi-site precipitation generator as a function of the extent of the gauge network and the network density. The definition of the role of the network density provides new insights into the applicability in data-poor contexts. The performance was assessed using nine different statistical metrics with main focus on the inter-annual variability of precipitation and the lengths of dry and wet spells. Among our study regions, our results indicate a more accurate performance in wet temperate climates compared to drier climates. Performance deficits are more marked at larger spatial scales due to the increasing heterogeneity of climatic conditions.
Cryo-EM reconstruction of the Cafeteria roenbergensis virus capsid suggests novel assembly pathway for giant viruses
Authors: Xiao Chuan , Fischer Matthias G. , Bolotaulo Duer M. , Ulloa-Rondeau Nancy , Avila Gustavo A. , Suttle Curtis A.
Published: July 2017

Whereas the protein composition and overall shape of several giant virus capsids have been described, the mechanism by which these large capsids assemble remains enigmatic. Here, we present a reconstruction of the capsid of Cafeteria roenbergensis virus (CroV), one of the largest viruses analyzed by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to date. The CroV capsid has a diameter of 3,000 Å and a Triangulation number of 499. Unlike related mimiviruses, the CroV capsid is not decorated with glycosylated surface fibers, but features 30 Å-long surface protrusions that are formed by loops of the major capsid protein. Based on the orientation of capsomers in the cryo-EM reconstruction, we propose that the capsids of CroV and related giant viruses are assembled by a newly conceived assembly pathway that initiates at a five-fold vertex and continuously proceeds outwards in a spiraling fashion.
Colored and fluorescent nanofibrous silk as a physically transient chemosensor and vitamin deliverer
Authors: Min Kyungtaek , Kim Sookyoung , Kim Chang Gun , Kim Sunghwan
Published: July 2017

Biodegradable and physically transient optics represent an emerging paradigm in healthcare devices by harnessing optically active system and obviating issues with chronic uses. Light emitting components that can efficiently interact with their environments have advantages of high sensitivity, visibility, and wireless operation. Here, we report a novel combination of silk biopolymer and optically active organic dyes resulting in versatile fluorescent silk nanofibers (FSNs). FSNs generated by the electrospinning method exhibit attractive functions of the doped organic dyes along with programming the system that physically disappear at prescribed time. Red-green-blue (RGB) fluorescent nanofibrous mats, eco-friendly and transient fluorescent chemosensors for acid vapor detection, and disposable membranes for nutrition delivery were successfully demonstrated using FSNs. These functions introduced using four water soluble dyes: rhodamine B, sodium fluorescein, stilbene 420, and riboflavin. The FSN with sodium fluorescein especially, showed a sensing capability for hazardous and volatile hydrochloric acid vapors. Delivering riboflavin (vitamin B2, an important nutrient for skin care) in the FSN to a biological tissue could be observed by tracing the fluorescence of riboflavin.
TRAIL regulatory receptors constrain human hepatic stellate cell apoptosis
Authors: Singh Harsimran D. , Otano Itziar , Rombouts Krista , Singh Kasha P. , Peppa Dimitra , Gill Upkar S. , Böttcher Katrin , Kennedy Patrick T. F. , Oben Jude , Pinzani Massimo , Walczak Henning , Fusai Giuseppe , Rosenberg William M. C. , Maini Mala K.
Published: July 2017

The TRAIL pathway can mediate apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells to promote the resolution of liver fibrosis. However, TRAIL has the capacity to bind to regulatory receptors in addition to death-inducing receptors; their differential roles in liver fibrosis have not been investigated. Here we have dissected the contribution of regulatory TRAIL receptors to apoptosis resistance in primary human hepatic stellate cells (hHSC). hHSC isolated from healthy margins of liver resections from different donors expressed variable levels of TRAIL-R2/3/4 (but negligible TRAIL-R1) ex vivo and after activation. The apoptotic potential of TRAIL-R2 on hHSC was confirmed by lentiviral-mediated knockdown. A functional inhibitory role for TRAIL-R3/4 was revealed by shRNA knockdown and mAb blockade, showing that these regulatory receptors limit apoptosis of hHSC in response to both oligomerised TRAIL and NK cells. A close inverse ex vivo correlation between hHSC TRAIL-R4 expression and susceptibility to apoptosis underscored its central regulatory role. Our data provide the first demonstration of non-redundant functional roles for the regulatory TRAIL receptors (TRAIL-R3/4) in a physiological setting. The potential for these inhibitory TRAIL receptors to protect hHSC from apoptosis opens new avenues for prognostic and therapeutic approaches to the management of liver fibrosis.
Comparative study of Arabidopsis PBS1 and a wheat PBS1 homolog helps understand the mechanism of PBS1 functioning in innate immunity
Authors: Sun Jianhang , Huang Guozhong , Fan Fenggui , Wang Shuangfeng , Zhang Yingying , Han Yufang , Zou Yanmin , Lu Dongping
Published: July 2017

Arabidopsis AVRPPHB SUSCEPTIBLE1 (PBS1) serves as a “decoy” in activating RESISTANCE TO PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE5 (RPS5) upon cleavage by Pseudomonas phaseolicola B (AvrPphB), a Pseudomonas syringae effector. The SEMPH motif in PBS1 was thought to allow it to be distinguished by RPS5 from the closely related Arabidopsis kinases. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we isolated and characterized a wheat PBS1 homolog, TaPBS1. Although this plasma membrane-localized kinase could be cleaved by AvrPphB and could associate with RPS5, it failed to trigger RPS5-mediated hypersensitive response (HR) in a transient assay. TaPBS1 harbors a STRPH motif. The association of RPS5 with TaPBS1 was weaker than with PBS1. Change of the STRPH motif to the SEMPH motif allowed TaPBS1 to trigger HR. However, the SEMPH motif is not required for association of PBS1 with RPS5. The difference between “SEMPH” and “STRPH” points to the importance of “EM” in PBS1. Furthermore we found that a negatively charged amino acid at the position of “E” in the SEMPH motif was required for recognition of PBS1 by RPS5. Additionally, both PBS1 and TaPBS1 undergo the flagellin-induced phosphorylation. Therefore, our work will help understand the mechanism of PBS1 functioning in plant innate immunity.
Electro-mechanical light modulator based on controlling the interaction of light with a metasurface
Authors: Cencillo-Abad Pablo , Ou Jun-Yu , Plum Eric , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: July 2017

We demonstrate a reflective light modulator, a dynamic Salisbury screen where modulation of light is achieved by moving a thin metamaterial absorber to control its interaction with the standing wave formed by the incident wave and its reflection on a mirror. Electrostatic actuation of the plasmonic metamaterial absorber’s position leads to a dynamic change of the Salisbury screen’s spectral response and 50% modulation of the reflected light intensity in the near infrared part of the spectrum. The proposed approach can also be used with other metasurfaces to control the changes they impose on the polarization, intensity, phase, spectrum and directional distribution of reflected light.
Genomic insights into the virulence and salt tolerance of Staphylococcus equorum
Authors: Jeong Do-Won , Heo Sojeong , Ryu Sangryeol , Blom Jochen , Lee Jong-Hoon
Published: July 2017

To shed light on the genetic background behind the virulence and salt tolerance of Staphylococcus equorum, we performed comparative genome analysis of six S. equorum strains. Data on four previously published genome sequences were obtained from the NCBI database, while those on strain KM1031 displaying resistance to multiple antibiotics and strain C2014 causing haemolysis were determined in this study. Examination of the pan-genome of five of the six S. equorum strains showed that the conserved core genome retained the genes for general physiological processes and survival of the species. In this comparative genomic analysis, the factors that distinguish the strains from each other, including acquired genomic factors in mobile elements, were identified. Additionally, the high salt tolerance of strains enabling growth at a NaCl concentration of 25% (w/v) was attributed to the genes encoding potassium voltage-gated channels. Among the six strains, KS1039 does not possess any of the functional virulence determinants expressed in the other strains.
Capture of microparticles by bolus flow of red blood cells in capillaries
Authors: Takeishi Naoki , Imai Yohsuke
Published: July 2017

Previous studies have concluded that microparticles (MPs) can more effectively approach the microvessel wall than nanoparticles because of margination. In this study, however, we show that MPs are not marginated in capillaries where the vessel diameter is comparable to that of red blood cells (RBCs). We numerically investigated the behavior of MPs with a diameter of 1 μm in various microvessel sizes, including capillaries. In capillaries, the flow mode of RBCs shifted from multi-file flow to bolus (single-file) flow, and MPs were captured by the bolus flow of the RBCs instead of being marginated. Once MPs were captured, they rarely escaped from the vortex-like flow structures between RBCs. These capture events were enhanced when the hematocrit was decreased, and reduced when the shear rate was increased. Our results suggest that microparticles may be rather inefficient drug carriers when targeting capillaries because of capture events, but nanoparticles, which are more randomly distributed in capillaries, may be more effective carriers.
From molecules to macrostructures: recent development of bioinspired hard tissue repair
Authors: Ding Chunmei , Chen Zhuoxin , Li Jianshu
Published: July 2017

This review summarizes the bioinspired strategies for hard tissue repair, ranging from molecule-induced mineralization, to microscale assembly to macroscaffold fabrication.
Cascade reaction of alkynols with 1-(2-aminophenyl)prop-2-ynols to form a fused 5,5,6-tricyclic system: formation of four bonds in a single reaction
Authors: Mao Xiao-Feng , Zhu Xiao-Ping , Li Deng-Yuan , Jiang Liang-Liang , Liu Pei-Nian
Published: July 2017

A novel cascade reaction of internal alkynols with 1-(2-aminophenyl)prop-2-ynols has been developed to form a new N,O-containing fused 5,5,6-tricyclic skeleton.
Manganese-catalyzed synthesis of monofluoroalkenes via C–H activation and C–F cleavage
Authors: Cai Sai-Hu , Ye Lu , Wang Ding-Xing , Wang Yi-Qiu , Lai Lin-Jie , Zhu Chuan , Feng Chao , Loh Teck-Peng
Published: July 2017

A redox-neutral manganese-catalyzed α-fluoroalkenylation of arenes via C–H activation and C–F cleavage has been described.
Solvent-dependent photo-induced dynamics in a non-rigidly linked zinc phthalocyanine–perylenediimide dyad probed using ultrafast spectroscopy
Authors: Kudisch Bryan , Maiuri Margherita , Blas-Ferrando Vicente M. , Ortiz Javier , Sastre-Santos Ángela , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: July 2017

A solvent dependent pump–probe study on an artificial light harvesting dyad reveals static and dynamic system-bath interactions observed in ultrafast photoinduced energy and electron transfer.
Elucidating nuclear motions in a plant sunscreen during photoisomerization through solvent viscosity effects
Authors: Horbury M. D. , Quan W.-D. , Flourat A. L. , Allais F. , Stavros V. G.
Published: July 2017

We explore the effects of solvent viscosity on the trans–cis photoisomerization of sinapoyl malate, which is utilized as a sunscreen molecule in plants.
Metal-mediated reactions between dialkylcyanamides and acetamidoxime generate unusual (nitrosoguanidinate)nickel(ii) complexes
Authors: Bikbaeva Zarina M. , Novikov Alexander S. , Suslonov Vitalii V. , Bokach Nadezhda A. , Kukushkin Vadim Yu.
Published: July 2017

Nitrosoguanidinate NiIIcomplexes were generatedviaa hitherto unreported reaction between nickel(ii) salts,N,N-disubstituted cyanamides NCNR2, and the amidoxime MeC(NOH)NH2in MeOH.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting by oxides heterojunction photocathode coupled with Ag
Authors: Lu Xue , Liu Zhifeng
Published: July 2017

A novel one-dimensional Co3O4/CuO/Ag composite structure film was directly grown on indium tin oxide glass substrate by a simple hydrothermal method and electrodeposition method.
The influence of ionic strength on the characteristics of heat-induced soy protein aggregate nanoparticles and the freeze–thaw stability of the resultant Pickering emulsions
Authors: Zhu Xue-Feng , Zheng Jie , Liu Fu , Qiu Chao-Ying , Lin Wei-Feng , Tang Chuan-He
Published: July 2017

Soy protein nanoparticles as Pickering stabilizers can be induced by heating in the presence of NaCl. The Pickering emulsions with NaCl exhibited much better freeze-thaw stability than those without NaCl.
One-pot conversion of biomass-derived xylose to furfuralcohol by a chemo-enzymatic sequential acid-catalyzed dehydration and bioreduction
Authors: He Yucai , Ding Yun , Ma Cuiluan , Di Junhua , Jiang Chunxia , Li Aitao
Published: July 2017

One-pot furfuralcohol (FOL) productionviadehydration of corncob-derived xylose followed by bioreduction of furfural has been described.
A novel strategy to fabricate a hierarchical Ni–Al LDH platinum nanocatalyst with enhanced thermal stability
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhou Yuming , Zhang Yiwei , Fang Jiasheng
Published: July 2017

A novel strategy has been proposed to fabricate a hierarchical Ni–Al LDH platinum nanocatalyst (LDH-Pt).
A novel sandwich-type immunosensor based on three-dimensional graphene–Au aerogels and quaternary chalcogenide nanocrystals for the detection of carcino embryonic antigen
Authors: Liu Lei , Du Ruifeng , Zhang Yihe , Yu Xuelian
Published: July 2017

Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals were firstly used as electrocatalysts in H2O2 reduction for ultrasensitive detection of carcino embryonic antigen.
Comment on “An unexpected formation of the novel 7-oxa-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene skeleton during the reaction of furfurylamine with maleimides and their bioprospection using a zebrafish embryo model” by C. E. Puerto Galvis and V. V. Kouznetsov, Org. Biomol. Chem., 2013, 11, 407
Authors: Zubkov F. I. , Kvyatkovskaya E. A. , Nikitina E. V. , Amoyaw P. N.-A. , Kouznetsov V. V. , Lazarenko V. A. , Khrustalev V. N.
Published: July 2017

It has been proved that the reaction between furfuryl amines and N-R-maleimides leads to the formation of aza-Michael addition products – 3-(furylmethylamino)-N-R-pyrrolidine-2,5-diones, instead of 7-oxa-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes, as this journal reported previously.
Protective effect and mechanistic evaluation of linalool against acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Hui , Liu Chun-Ping , Hao Zeng-Guang , Wang Yan-Fang , Li Xian-Li
Published: July 2017

Linalool causes attenuation of IR induced cell death and apoptosis eitherin vitroorin vivo.
Porous Li-containing biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds fabricated by three-dimensional plotting for bone repair
Authors: Guo Xiaoheng , Gao Huichang , Liu Xiao , Diao Jingjing , Shi Xuetao , Zhao Naru , Wang Yingjun
Published: July 2017

A well designed Li-BCP scaffolds by 3D plotting possessed an elaborate pore structure, porosity and interconnection for bone repair application.
A water-soluble pillar[5]arene-based chemosensor for highly selective and sensitive fluorescence detection ofl-methionine
Authors: Lin Qi , Liu Lu , Zheng Feng , Mao Peng-Peng , Liu Juan , Zhang You-Ming , Yao Hong , Wei Tai-Bao
Published: July 2017

Cationic pillar[5]arene (AWP5) was employed as a water-soluble chemosensor for recognition of amino acids.AWP5could fluorescently detectl-methionine in water with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Microcosmic understanding on thickening capability of copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide: the key role of π–π stacking
Authors: Sun Wenchao , Sun Baojiang , Li Ying , Fan Haiming , Gao Yonghai , Sun Haoyang , Li Guangchao
Published: July 2017

Thickening capability evaluations and microscopic understanding of St–HFDA copolymers in SC-CO2.
Investigation of polyacrylamide based hydroxide ion-conducting electrolyte and its application in all-solid electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Li Jak , Qiao Jinli , Lian Keryn
Published: July 2017

A hydroxide ion-conducting polymer electrolyte using tetraethylammonium hydroxide and polyacrylamide as a replacement for liquid electrolytes in supercapacitors.
Naturally three-dimensional laminated porous carbon network structured short nano-chains bridging nanospheres for energy storage
Authors: Wang Chao , Xiong Ye , Wang Hanwei , Jin Chunde , Sun Qingfeng
Published: July 2017

Naturally three-dimensional laminated porous carbon network structured short nano-chains bridging nanospheres for energy storage.
Growth and properties of large-area sulfur-doped graphene films
Authors: Zhou Jinhao , Wang Zegao , Chen Yuanfu , Liu Jingbo , Zheng Binjie , Zhang Wanli , Li Yanrong
Published: July 2017

Sulfur doping can effectively tune the structure and properties of graphene.
Controllable dielectric performance of polymer composites via the Coulomb-blockade effect with core–shell structured nano-particles
Authors: Yang Dan , Huang Shuo , Ruan Mengnan , Wu Yibo , Li Shuxin , Wang Hao , Zhang Jinyu , Ma Haonan , Guo Wenli , Zhang Liqun
Published: July 2017

Controllable dielectric performance of polymer composites filled with core–shell structured TiO2–PDA-Ag particles via the Coulomb-blockade effect.
Self-stripping of free-standing microparticle gel membranes driven by asymmetric swelling
Authors: Tian Lei , Li Xue , Wang Wenyan , Ali Zafar , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: July 2017

A series of free-standing superparticle-gel membranes are fabricated on various polymer substrates, which assembled with acidified microsized patchy particles synthetized by unique seeded emulsion polymerization. These membranes with remarkable swelling property possess self-stripping ability.
Perovskite light-emitting devices with a metal–insulator–semiconductor structure and carrier tunnelling
Authors: Li Jing , Yu Qianqian , Gan Lu , Chen Diyan , Lu Bin , Ye Zhizhen , He Haiping
Published: July 2017

A CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite LED based on a metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) structure emits green light and reveals a working mechanism of electron tunneling.
Effects of morphology evolution on solution-processed small molecule photovoltaics via a solvent additive
Authors: Hoang Quoc Viet , Rasool Shafket , Oh Sora , Van Vu Doan , Kim Da Hun , Lee Hang Ken , Song Chang Eun , Lee Sang Kyu , Lee Jong-Cheol , Moon Sang-Jin , Shin Won Suk
Published: July 2017

A newly synthesized small molecule donor, BDTT-2DPPBFu, is designed for incorporation into the photo-active layer in solution-processed small molecule organic photovoltaics (SM-OPVs).
Polarimetric object‐level SAR imaging method with canonical scattering characterisation by exploiting joint sparsity
Authors: Yang Yue , Cong Xunchao , Gui Guan , Long Keyu , Huang Zhongtao , Wan Qun
Published: July 2017

To identify potential man‐made objects, traditional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging techniques are used to consider the dependence in either frequency or azimuth domain. However, these existing methods may result in inaccurate scattering estimation without utilising the inherent polarimetric diversity property. To improve the imaging performance, a polarimetric object‐level SAR imaging algorithm is proposed. In the scheme, the polarimetric SAR imaging with canonical scattering characterisation is transferred into a simultaneous sparse approximation (SSA) problem by virtual of incorporating sparse representation and canonical shape feature model. Then the SSA problem is solved via an efficient ‐norm () regularisation algorithm. The main advantages of the proposed method are twofold: (i) considering the dispersive, anisotropic and polarimetric scattering characteristics of scatterers allows for more accurate estimation of physically relevant scattering geometry information of scattering centres in comparison with the method ignoring polarisation dependence; and (ii) by exploiting joint sparsity of the multiple polarisation measurements, it can effectively enhance the recovery accuracy in the consistency of the canonical scatterers’ number and locations in different channels. Experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
From 3D topological quantum field theories to 4D models with defects
Authors: Delcamp Clement , Dittrich Bianca
Published: July 2017

(2 + 1) dimensional topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) with defect excitations are by now quite well understood, while many questions are still open for (3 + 1) dimensional TQFTs. Here we propose a strategy to lift states and operators of a (2 + 1) dimensional TQFT to states and operators of a (3 + 1) dimensional theory with defects. The main technical tool is Heegaard splittings, which allow us to encode the topology of a three-dimensional manifold with line defects into a two-dimensional Heegaard surface. We apply this idea to the example of BF theory which describes locally flat connections. This shows in particular how the curvature excitation generating surface operators of the (3 + 1) dimensional theory can be obtained from closed ribbon operators of the (2 + 1) dimensional BF theory. We hope that this technique allows the construction and study of more general models based on unitary fusion categories.
Gold nanoparticles physicochemically bonded onto tungsten disulfide nanosheet edges exhibit augmented plasmon damping
Authors: Forcherio Gregory T. , Dunklin Jeremy R. , Backes Claudia , Vaynzof Yana , Benamara Mourad , Roper D. Keith
Published: July 2017

Augmented plasmonic damping of dipole-resonant gold (Au) nanoparticles (NP) physicochemically bonded onto edges of tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets, ostensibly due to hot electron injection, is quantified using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). EELS allows single-particle spatial resolution. A measured 0.23 eV bandwidth expansion of the localized surface plasmon resonance upon covalent bonding of 20 nm AuNP to WS2 edges was deemed significant by Welch’s t-test. Approximately 0.19 eV of the measured 0.23 eV expansion went beyond conventional radiative and nonradiative damping mechanisms according to discrete dipole models, ostensibly indicating emergence of hot electron transport from AuNP into the WS2. A quantum efficiency of up to 11±5% spanning a 7 fs transfer process across the optimized AuNP-TMD ohmic junction is conservatively calculated. Putative hot electron transport for AuNP physicochemically bonded to TMD edges exceeded that for AuNP physically deposited onto the TMD basal plane. This arose from contributions due to (i) direct physicochemical bond between AuNP and WS2; (ii) AuNP deposition at TMD edge sites; and (iii) lower intrinsic Schottky barrier. This improves understanding of photo-induced doping of TMD by metal NP which could benefit emerging catalytic and optoelectronic applications.
In situ probing of temperature in radio frequency thermal plasma using Yttrium ion emission lines during synthesis of yttria nanoparticles
Authors: Dhamale G. D. , Tiwari N. , Mathe V. L. , Bhoraskar S. V. , Ghorui S.
Published: July 2017

Particle feeding is used in the most important applications of radio frequency (r.f.) thermal plasmas like synthesis of nanoparticles and particle spheroidization. The study reports an in-situ investigation of radial distribution of temperature in such devices using yttrium ion emission lines under different rates of particle loading during synthesis of yttria nanoparticles. A number of interesting facts about the response of r.f. plasma to the rate of particle loading, hitherto unknown, are revealed. Observed phenomena are supported with experimental data from fast photographic experiments and actual synthesis results. The use of the Abel inversion technique together with simultaneous multi-track acquisition of emission spectra from different spatial locations using a CCD based spectrometer allowed us to extract accurate distribution of temperature inside the plasma in the presence of inherent instabilities. The temperature profiles of this type of plasma have been measured possibly for the first time while particles are being fed into the plasma. Observed changes in the temperature profiles as the particle feed rate increases are very significant. Reaction forces resulting from particle evaporation, and increased skin depth owing to the decrease in electrical conductivity in the edge region are proposed as the two different mechanisms to account for the observed changes in the temperature profile as the powder feed rate is increased. Quantitative analyses supporting the proposed mechanisms are presented.
Optical losses in p-type layers of GaN ridge waveguides in the IR region
Authors: Westreich Ohad , Katz Moti , Atar Gil , Paltiel Yossi , Sicron Noam
Published: July 2017

Optical losses in c-plane (0001) GaN ridge waveguides, containing Mg-doped layers, were measured at 1064 nm, using the Fabry-Perot method. The losses increase linearly with the modal content of the p-layer, indicating that the absorption in these waveguides is dominated by p-layer absorption. The p-layer absorption is strongly anisotropic with E⊥c losses 4 times higher than E∥c. The absorption is temperature independent between 10 °C and 60 °C, supporting the possibility that it is related to Mg-bound holes.