bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of SAM‐Adenosine Conjugates for the Study of m6A‐RNA Methyltransferases
Authors: Atdjian Colette , Iannazzo Laura , Braud Emmanuelle , Ethève‐Quelquejeu Mélanie
Published: May 2018

RNA methyltransferases (RNMTs) catalyze the methylation of RNA using S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor. Methylation at the N‐6 position of adenosine is the most abundant modification found in nearly all classes of RNAs and contributes to the regulation of many biological processes in the three domains of life. However, this family of enzymes remains relatively unexplored by the medicinal chemistry community and new molecules are needed for their studies. Since RNMTs are suitable for bisubstrate binding, we report here the synthesis of SAM‐adenosine conjugates as bisubstrate analogues for RNMTs responsible for methylation of the N6‐position of adenosine. Six compounds were synthesized by connecting an analogue of SAM to an adenosine unit chosen to mimic the RNA substrate, via alkyl and urea linkers.
Rocking amplification and strong‐motion duration
Authors: Giouvanidis Anastasios I. , Dimitrakopoulos Elias G.
Published: May 2018

This paper characterizes the ability of natural ground motions to induce rocking demands on rigid structures. In particular, focusing on rocking blocks of different size and slenderness subjected to a large number of historic earthquake records, the study unveils the predominant importance of the strong‐motion duration to rocking amplification (ie, peak rocking response without overturning). It proposes original dimensionless intensity measures (IMs), which capture the total duration (or total impulse accordingly) of the time intervals during which the ground motion is capable of triggering rocking motion. The results show that the proposed duration‐based IMs outperform all other examined (intensity, frequency, duration, and/or energy‐based) scalar IMs in terms of both “efficiency” and “sufficiency.” Further, the pertinent probabilistic seismic demand models offer a prediction of the peak rocking demand, which is adequately “universal” and of satisfactory accuracy. Lastly, the analysis shows that an IM that “efficiently” captures rocking amplification is not necessarily an “efficient” IM for predicting rocking overturning, which is dominated by the velocity characteristics (eg, peak velocity) of the ground motion.
Tide‐induced bedload transport pathways in a multiple‐sand‐ridge system offshore of Hainan Island in the Beibu Gulf, northwest South China Sea
Authors: Ma Xiaochuan , Li Jinyuan , Yan Jun
Published: May 2018

Modern sand transport pathways in a multiple‐sand‐ridge system are elusive and have rarely been studied in recent years. We report herein a field with four en echelon linear sand ridges offshore of Hainan Island in the Beibu Gulf and describe the distribution and morphology of these sand ridges in detail for the first time. Dune crest comparisons and seismic profiles are also interpreted to assess sand transport over the dunes. Based on a Delft 3D model, regional tidal currents and tide‐induced bedload transport in the multiple‐sand‐ridge system were simulated to provide insights into the related bedload transport paths. The results show that bedload transport and residual flows are mostly directed to the south on the east side of the sand ridges and to the north on the west side, and these differences coincide with dune asymmetries and migrations. Cross‐ridge transport is weak and mostly converges on the crests of sand ridges from the two flanks. The bedload transport is unbalanced on either flank of the sand ridges, thus leading to the asymmetry and crest kinks of the sand ridges. A distinct correlation is not observed between the net cross‐ridge sand transport and sand ridge asymmetry. In this system, cross‐swale transport is significant between the neighboring sand ridges and helps construct the bedload transport circulation in the swales. Sand accretion also occurs in the swales and benefits from the southwestward bedload transport from the north end of sand ridge 3. Distinct evidence has not been found for closed bedload transport circulation around sand ridges in this multiple‐sand‐ridge system, although limited clockwise current vortices develop on several sand ridges. Additional field observations and simulations are required to characterize the suspended load transport in a multiple‐sand‐ridge system, and the effects of local sand supply conditions on sand transport also need further evaluation. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Going against the flow: Testing the hypothesis of pulsed axial glacier flow
Authors: Swift Darrel A. , Jones Andrew H.
Published: May 2018

Hypothesised lobe‐like flow of a temperate glacier in southeast Iceland, proposed from an analysis of ice surface crevassing patterns, is appraised from both empirical and theoretical perspectives. The hypothesis comprises the migration of individual lobes (or ‘pulses’) of ice through the glacier body, with central lobes migrating more rapidly along a narrow, central, ‘axial flow corridor’. Our alternative hypothesis is that crevasse patterns at this glacier reflect simple surface ice responses to stresses caused by flow over uneven bed topography. To substantiate our rejection of the lobe‐like, pulsed axial flow hypothesis, we provide: (a) evidence for a prominent transverse foliation that exhibits no evidence of shear of the required magnitude to support the hypothesis; and (b) an analysis of ice surface displacement, obtained by feature tracking, that shows a uniform flow field throughout the glacier tongue. We argue that caution needs to be exercised when interpreting glacier flow solely from crevasse patterns and observations of minor displacements along near‐surface fractures and other features. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Dust on a Hawaiian volcano: A regional model using field measurements to estimate transport and deposition
Authors: Douglas Madison M. , Stock Jonathan D. , Bishaw Kai'ena , Cerovski‐Darriau Corina , Bedford David R.
Published: May 2018

The western slopes of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are mantled by fine‐grained soils, the record of volcanic airfall and eolian deposition. Where exposed, strong winds transport this sediment across West Hawaii, affecting tourism and local communities with decreased air and water quality. Operations on US Army's Ke'amuku Maneuver Area (KMA) have the potential to increase dust flux from these deposits. The USGS established 18 ground monitoring sites and sampling locations surrounding KMA. For over 3 years, each station measured vertical and horizontal dust flux, while co‐located anemometers measured wind speed and direction. We used these datasets to develop a parsimonious regional model for dust supply and transport to assess whether KMA is a net dust sink or source.

We found that dust transport is most highly correlated with threshold wind speeds of 8 m/s. We used this value as the regional average threshold wind speed for dust entrainment. Using a model that partitions measured horizontal dust flux into inward‐ and outward‐directed components, we estimate that KMA is currently a net dust sink. Geochemical analysis of dust samples illustrates that local organics and carbonate make up 64% of dust mass, the remainder being volcanic silt and fine sand. Measured vertical dust deposition rates of 0.006 mm/yr are similar to 0.004 mm/yr of deposition predicted from taking the divergence of dust across KMA's boundary. These rates are low compared with pre‐historic rates of ~0.2–0.3 mm/yr, from radiocarbon dating of buried soils.

KMA's soils record persistent deposition over millennia, at rates that imply episodic dust storms. Such events created a soil‐mantled landscape in the middle of a largely Pleistocene rocky landscape. A substantial portion of fine‐grained soils in other leeward Hawaiian Island landscapes may have formed from similar eolian deposition, and not direct weathering of parent rock. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Direct Hybridization of Polymer Exchange Membrane Surface Fuel Cell with Small Aqueous Supercapacitors
Authors: Ait Hammou Taleb S. , Brown D. , Dillet J. , Guillemet P. , Mainka J. , Crosnier O. , Douard C. , Athouël L. , Brousse T. , Lottin O.
Published: May 2018

The high power density of polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and hydrogen storage may be significantly hampered by the size and weight of the ancillaries needed to control air and hydrogen flow rates and humidity. In order to overcome these difficulties, a variety of research has been carried out on the development of hybrid systems based on supercapacitors or batteries, which raises questions about the best architectures and control strategies and may, if not well mastered, enhance the complexity of the entire system. In this study, we focus on the direct hybridization of PEMFC and supercapacitors (SCs) – using one unit per cell – with the ultimate objective of inserting flat aqueous carbon/carbon SCs within a fuel cell stack. This first experimental work shows that a minimum capacity of about 1 F cm−2 (with reference to the PEMFC active surface) and a maximum series resistance of about 0.5 Ω are sufficient to back up the cell during load variations, such as a sudden increase in the current density: this makes it possible to always supply the fuel cell with the right amount of gas without anticipating current peaks or load transients. Flat supercapacitors were also designed, manufactured and tested during this project; they performed better than commercially available cylindrical supercapacitors of identical capacity, because of a lower series resistance.
Pairs‐trading and spread persistence in the European stock market
Authors: Figuerola‐Ferretti Isabel , Paraskevopoulos Ioannis , Tang Tao
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we adapt the demand and supply framework introduced by Figuerola‐Ferretti and Gonzalo (Journal of Econometrics, 2010) to illustrate the dynamics of Pairs‐trading. We underline the process by which a finite elasticity of demand for spread trading determines the speed of mean reversion and pairs‐trading profitability. A persistence‐dependent trading trigger is introduced accordingly. Applied to STOXX Europe 600–traded equities, our strategy exploits price leadership for portfolio replication purposes and delivers Sharpe ratios that outperform the benchmark rules used in the literature. Portfolio performance and mean reversion are enhanced after firm fundamental factor restrictions are imposed.
Outdoor Measurement and Modeling of Perovskite Module Temperatures
Authors: Gehlhaar Robert , Merckx Tamara , Qiu Weiming , Aernouts Tom
Published: May 2018

Photovoltaic cells and modules are exposed to partially rapid changing environmental parameters that influence the device temperature. The evolution of the device temperature of a perovskite module of 225 cm2 area is presented during a period of 25 days under central European conditions. The temperature of the glass–glass packaged perovskite solar module is directly measured at the back contact by a thermocouple. The device is exposed to ambient temperatures from 3 to 34 °C up to solar irradiation levels exceeding 1300 W m−2. The highest recorded module temperature is 61 °C under constant high irradiation levels. Under strong fluctuations of the global solar irradiance, temperature gradients of more than 3 K min−1 with total changes of more than 20 K are measured. Based on the experimental data, a dynamic iterative model is developed for the module temperature evolution in dependence on ambient temperature and solar irradiation. Furthermore, specific thermal device properties that enable an extrapolation of the module response beyond the measured parameter space can be determined. With this set of parameters, it can be predicted that the temperature of the perovskite layer in thin‐film photovoltaic devices is exceeding 70 °C under realistic outdoor conditions. Additionally, perovskite module temperatures can be calculated in final applications.
Palaeolithic occupation of the Anatolian High Plateau during a cold period: An MIS 6 aged artifact from the Avlamış Valley, Eskişehir, NW Turkey
Authors: Ocakoğlu Faruk , Dinçer Berkay , Akkiraz Mehmet Serkan , Şahiner Eren , Brook George A.
Published: May 2018

In the Avlamış Valley, 10 km north of Eskişehir (NW Anatolia), an undamaged triangular Levallois flake was encountered in a paleosol, 430 cm beneath the ground surface. The artifact has a minimal dorsal retouch on the right margin, and there is a light beige partial patina on the ventral surface. Based on the technological investigations, this artifact was made using the centripetal recurrent Levallois technique. An observation of the trench walls revealed the triple nature of the stratigraphy: an upper gravelly sand (Unit‐1), an underlying reddish‐brown pebbly paleosol (Unit‐2), and a lowermost dominantly pink, finer‐grained deposit (Unit‐3) where the artifact was retrieved. Optically stimulated luminescence ages indicate a strong influence of global marine isotopic stages (MIS) on the trench stratigraphy, with the deposit hosting the artifact dating to 148 ± 20 ka (MIS 6 cold period). The available pollen data from the same stratigraphic level verified an open steppe landscape with some arboreal plant cover during deposition. This is the first stratigraphically dated Middle Palaeolithic artifact from NW Anatolia, and one of the few in the whole country, thus igniting further discussion about the ways Pleistocene hominins adapted to cold and arid environmental conditions.
A note—and a call—from the weeds
Authors: Latham Stephen R.
Published: May 2018

For the past few years I've had the distinct privilege to edit the Hastings Center Report's Policy & Politics column. The column—as indicated by a little block of text at its end—was originally conceived as, and remains, a joint production of HCR and the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities. For me, as column editor, this means that I can accept contributions only from ASBH members. Luckily this presents me with an extremely large pool of talent from which to draw! I am very proud of the fact that a large majority of contributors to the column in the last several years had never written in HCR before I invited them to contribute. But naturally, I don't know everyone, and I can't keep track of everything. I'd love to get even more unsolicited offers of P&P contributions than I already enjoy.
Only in Silence
Authors: Eison Daniel
Published: May 2018

The oncology floor can be a silent place. Unlike the cardiology floor, with its insistent telemetry beeping, or the incessant bustle of the general ward below. Silence can be healing, and the oncology floor reveres all forms of healing it can find. Yet some voices ring loud on this floor. As an intern, I would grimace into my scut list as oncology attendings intoned dire diagnoses and exhorted still‐reeling victims to altruistically enroll in clinical trials. I mutely ground my teeth listening to the relentless stream of probabilities and adverse reactions flooding into the shocked silence of a child baffled by his or her metamorphosis into a cancer patient between breakfast and lunch. The practiced script unwound, preemptively striking down every potential worry already foreseen. But sometimes what was unspoken was even worse. Silence can give patients space to comprehend, digest, formulate questions, and enunciate fears. I believe in the silence of the “great empty cup of attention.” Still, ethics can founder in silence.
You Can't Always Get (or Give) What You Want: Preferences and Their Limits
Authors: Berlinger Nancy
Published: May 2018

People who lack decision‐making capacity may be able to communicate preferences, which can and should inform surrogate decision‐making on their behalf. It is unclear whether making a further distinction about “capacity for preferences,” as Jason Wasserman and Mark Navin propose in this issue of the Hastings Center Report , would improve the process of surrogate decision‐making. Anyone who is regularly involved in surrogate decision‐making or who has worked to articulate decision‐making standards and processes can think of cases in which a patient's voice was ignored or his or her preferences and ability to communicate them overlooked. However, we can also think of cases in which it was unclear whether information provided by a patient, recently or in the past, should have been characterized as a preference relevant to a medical decision that the patient lacked the capacity to make.

We should also recognize that clear preferences of a patient who lacks decision‐making capacity may conflict with the limits of another person or of a family's resources such that these preferences cannot guide a surrogate's decision. This patient will not get what he wants. A situation in which preferences are known and make sense but cannot be applied in a feasible way demonstrates the limits of the medical decision‐making framework concerning care that is not covered by medical insurance.
The Human Being in Full
Authors: Meilaender Gilbert
Published: May 2018

Anyone who has paid attention to the work of Leon Kass over the years is likely to have read earlier versions of many of the essays collected in Leading a Worthy Life: Finding Meaning in Modern Times. Even so, they will repay repeated readings, if only because they are evidence that one who has spent his life in the academy can write prose that is clear, readable, and often arresting. Moreover, the essays, taken as a whole, exemplify nicely, as Kass puts it, “the two major activities of my professional life”—namely, “examining closely the human meaning of the new biology” and “teaching searchingly great books that offer profound but competing accounts of the good life” (p. 12).
A One Pot Synthesis of Dehydrohedione (DHH) from a Hedione® Precursor
Authors: Chapuis Christian , Richard Claude‐Alain
Published: May 2018

Dehydrohedione (DHH) 1a was obtained via a one pot, three step, domino procedure in 54% overall yield from 2a, by treatment with CuBr2, in MeOH at 65 °C. We demonstrated that the direct transformation of malonate derivative 2a into DHH 1a under CuX2 Kochi's conditions goes preferentially through the pathway involving intermediates 2b/2c and 7a, rather than 3a/3b or 8a/8b, essentially via α‐halogenation/dehydrohalogenation of the ketone moiety, both mediated by CuX2, while in‐situ decarbomethoxylation is promoted by the resulting CuX in refluxing MeOH.
Addressing scalable, optimal, and secure communications over LoRa networks: Challenges and research directions
Authors: Accettura Nicola , Alata Eric , Berthou Pascal , Dragomirescu Daniela , Monteil Thierry
Published: May 2018

The Internet of things (IoT) enables large‐scale deployments of very low‐power devices connected through wireless lossy links and able to interact with the surrounding environment (sensing and actuation). Two main challenges are then present: make them communicate; handle their energy consumption while respecting some cost constraints. Low‐power wide area networks (LPWANs) tackle these challenges by offering long‐distance coverage while guaranteeing the use of a very little amount of energy for communications. Among many LPWAN technologies, long range (LoRa) networks provide a very promising but incomplete basis for satisfying the needs expressed by the applications running on low‐power devices. This paper describes the LoRa technology from the architectural point of view and points out those aspects that permit its seamless integration into the IoT. As major contribution, a focus on the current and future research on LoRa networks is provided by inspecting 3 facets: scalability, quality of service, and security.
Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder to tact olfactory stimuli
Authors: Dass Tina K. , Kisamore April N. , Vladescu Jason C. , Reeve Kenneth F. , Reeve Sharon A. , Taylor‐Santa Catherine
Published: May 2018

Research on tact acquisition by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has often focused on teaching participants to tact visual stimuli. It is important to evaluate procedures for teaching tacts of nonvisual stimuli (e.g., olfactory, tactile). The purpose of the current study was to extend the literature on secondary target instruction and tact training by evaluating the effects of a discrete‐trial instruction procedure involving (a) echoic prompts, a constant prompt delay, and error correction for primary targets; (b) inclusion of secondary target stimuli in the consequent portion of learning trials; and (c) multiple exemplar training on the acquisition of item tacts of olfactory stimuli, emergence of category tacts of olfactory stimuli, generalization of category tacts, and emergence of category matching, with three children diagnosed with ASD. Results showed that all participants learned the item and category tacts following teaching, participants demonstrated generalization across category tacts, and category matching emerged for all participants.
Two‐photon optical imaging, spectral and fluorescence lifetime analysis to discriminate urothelial carcinoma grades
Authors: Pradère Benjamin , Poulon Fanny , Compérat Eva , Lucas Ivan T. , Bazin Dominique , Doizi Steeve , Cussenot Olivier , Traxer Olivier , Abi Haidar Darine
Published: May 2018

In the framework of urologic oncology, mini‐invasive procedures have increased in the last few decades particularly for urothelial carcinoma. One of the essential elements in the management of this disease is still the diagnosis, which strongly influences the choice of treatment. The histopathologic evaluation of the tumor grade is a keystone of diagnosis, and tumor characterization is not possible with just a macroscopic evaluation. Even today intraoperative evaluation remains difficult despite the emergence of new technologies which use exogenous fluorophore. This study assessed an optical multimodal technique based on endogenous fluorescence, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis, for the diagnostic of urothelial carcinoma. It was found that the combination of two‐photon fluorescence, second harmonic generation microscopy, spectral analysis and fluorescence lifetime imaging were all able to discriminate tumor from healthy tissue, and to determine the grade of tumors. Spectral analysis of fluorescence intensity and the redox ratio used as quantitative evaluations showed statistical differences between low‐grade and high‐grade tumors. These results showed that multimodal optical analysis is a promising technology for the development of an optical fiber setup designed for an intraoperative diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma in the area of endo‐urology.
DJ1 and microRNA‐214 act synergistically to rescue myoblast cells after ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Ghaderi Shahrooz , Alidadiani Neda , SoleimaniRad Jafar , Heidari Hamid R. , Dilaver Nafi , Heim Christian , Ramsperger‐gleixner Martina , Baradaran Behzad , Weyand Michael
Published: May 2018

Ischemia/reperfusion injury is a tissue injury occurring post‐reperfusion of tissues with pre‐existing ischemia. A good blood supply to tissues aids in the survival of ischemic tissue, however, due to prolonged ischemia the levels of ATP decrease and pH declines leading to acidosis. Reduced ATP leads to an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio, causing cessation of intracellular calcium transport, hence calcium overload and cell death. In this study, we demonstrate the synergistic and antagonistic effect of DJ1 and microR‐214 (miR‐214) in rescuing myoblast C2C12 cells after ischemia/reperfusion in an in vitro model. Both DJ1 and miR‐214 were cloned into a hypoxic inducible expression cassette and transfected into the C2C12 cells. We showed that DJ1 and miR‐214 have synergistic effects in reducing intracellular lactate dehydrogenase and intracellular transient calcium levels after reoxygenation compared to control cells, in addition to reducing cell death via necrosis. Western blotting revealed a decrease in autophagosome formation in LC3II/I ratio and an increase in AKT expression in cells transfected with DJ1 and miR‐214. Using quantitative real‐time PCR, we demonstrated that DJ1 and miR‐214 significantly reduced the expression of pro‐apoptotic factors and autophagy compared to control. The results indicated DJ1 is an endogenous oxidative stress molecule and miR‐214 is a potent inhibitor of the sodium calcium exchanger channel. DJ1 had the greatest effect to inhibiting mitochondrial cell death pathways by possibly acting as a modulator of autophagy. Additionally, we have concluded that miR‐214 has an inhibitory effect on extrinsic cell death pathways such as necrosis and autophagy.
Photo‐oxidation of some flavonoids with photochemically generatedt‐BuO•radicals in at‐BuOH water system using a kinetic approach
Authors: Mallepu Radhika , Potlapally Laxmi , Gollapalli Vijaya Lakshmi
Published: May 2018

As a dietary component, flavonoids are thought to have a variety of pharmacological and health‐promoting properties in both in vivo and in vitro systems. This variety is attributed to their high antioxidant capacity, which in turn is associated with their free radical scavenging properties. In order to understand the mechanism oft‐BuO•radical scavenging properties of some flavonoids, viz, quercetin (QU), apigenin (AP), daidzein (DA), genistein (GE), myricetin (MY), and kaempferol (KA), a kinetic study of photo‐oxidation of these flavonoids with photochemically generatedt‐BuO•radicals in at‐BuOH water (2:1 v/v) system was carried out. The oxidation of flavonoids byt‐BuO•radicals was performed spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of quercetin (375 nm), apigenin (340 nm), daidzein (250 nm), genistein (263 nm), myricetin (255 nm), and kaempferol (375 nm) at their respective λmax. The initial rates of oxidation of flavonoids increased with [flavonoid], [t‐BuOOH], and light intensity. The quantum yields (φ) were considered from the initial rate of oxidation of flavonoids byt‐BuO•radicals and measured light intensity at 254 nm. The order on [flavonoid] and [t‐BuOOH] was found to be fractional, whereas the order on light intensity was found to be one. The products of the oxidation of flavonoids byt‐BuO•radicals were identified using LC–MS and FTIR analysis.
Effects of substitutions in the equatorial position on the stabilities of pentacoordinated silicon anions of ClSiabcOCl− (a, b, c = H, F, Cl) from theoretical investigation
Authors: Junxi Liang , Yingxue Wang , Li Liu
Published: May 2018

Stability of a series of pentacoordinated silicon anions ClSiabcOCl− (a, b, c = H, F, Cl) is explored to understand the effects of the substitutions in their equatorial position using DFT and ab initio methods. The basis set used in this work is Dunning's double‐zeta correlation consistent with an extra diffuse function, denoted aug‐cc‐pVDZ. The minima confirmed by vibrational analysis are most often characterized by the five‐coordinated configuration in which the equatorial positions are composed of all combinations of the ligand atoms, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine. Our model calculations suggest that stabilization of the pentacoordinated species ClSiabcOCl− is not only well correlated with the collective electronegativity of equatorial atoms abc but also sufficiently govened by the symmetry of molecular structure, in which the more electronegative the substitution, the more symmetric the geometry and the higher the stabilization. We also report the theoretical prediction of hyperconjugative stereoelectronic effect that contributes to the staggered conformation of the studied isomers, which should result in less stability.
Key genes and functional coexpression modules involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yan Shushan , Wang Weijie , Gao Guohong , Cheng Min , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Zengyan , Ma Xiufen , Chai Chunxiang , Xu Donghua
Published: May 2018

We performed a systematic review of genome‐wide gene expression datasets to identify key genes and functional modules involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at a systems level. Genome‐wide gene expression datasets involving SLE patients were searched in Gene Expression Omnibus and ArrayExpress databases. Robust rank aggregation (RRA) analysis was used to integrate those public datasets and identify key genes associated with SLE. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was adapted to identify functional modules involved in SLE pathogenesis, and the gene ontology enrichment analysis was utilized to explore their functions. The aberrant expressions of several randomly selected key genes were further validated in SLE patients through quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Fifteen genome‐wide gene expression datasets were finally included, which involved a total of 1,778 SLE patients and 408 healthy controls. A large number of significantly upregulated or downregulated genes were identified through RRA analysis, and some of those genes were novel SLE gene signatures and their molecular roles in etiology of SLE remained vague. WGCNA further successfully identified six main functional modules involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. The most important functional module involved in SLE included 182 genes and mainly enriched in biological processes, including defense response to virus, interferon signaling pathway, and cytokine‐mediated signaling pathway. This study identifies a number of key genes and functional coexpression modules involved in SLE, which provides deepening insights into the molecular mechanism of SLE at a systems level and also provides some promising therapeutic targets.
Low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (low‐energy CID), collision‐induced dissociation (CID), and higher energy collision dissociation (HCD) mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of saccharides and clarification of their dissolution mechanism in DMAc/LiCl
Authors: Bayat Parisa , Lesage Denis , Cole Richard B.
Published: May 2018

The dissolution mechanism of oligosaccharides in N,N‐dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl), a solvent used for cellulose dissolution, and the capabilities of low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (low‐energy CID), collision‐induced dissociation (CID), and higher energy collision dissociation (HCD) for structural analysis of carbohydrates were investigated. Comparing the spectra obtained using 3 techniques shows that, generally, when working with monolithiated sugars, CID spectra provide more structurally informative fragments, and glycosidic bond cleavage is the main pathway. However, when working with dilithiated sugars, HCD spectra can be more informative providing predominately cross‐ring cleavage fragments. This is because HCD is a nonresonant activation technique, and it allows a higher amount of energy to be deposited in a short time, giving access to more endothermic decomposition pathways as well as consecutive fragmentations. The difference in preferred dissociation pathways of monolithiated and dilithiated sugars indicates that the presence of the second lithium strongly influences the relative rate constants for cross‐ring cleavages vs glycosidic bond cleavages, and disfavors the latter. Regarding the dissolution mechanism of sugars in DMAc/LiCl, CID and HCD experiments on dilithiated and trilithiated sugars reveal that intensities of product ions containing 2 Li+ or 3 Li+, respectively, are higher than those bearing only 1 Li+. In addition, comparing the fragmentation spectra (both HCD and CID) of LiCl‐adducted lithiated sugar and NaCl‐adducted sodiated sugar shows that while, in the latter case, loss of NaCl is dominant, in the former case, loss of HCl occurs preferentially. The compiled evidence implies that there is a strong and direct interaction between lithium and the saccharide during the dissolution process in the DMAc/LiCl solvent system.
Gas‐phase intramolecular hydroxyl‐amino exchange of protonated arginine and verified by the synthetic intermediate compound
Authors: Cai Tian , Zhou Jing , Jiang Yan , Xie Kexin , Fang Dongmei , Qi Huayi , Wu Zhijun
Published: May 2018

A new fragmentation process was proposed to interpret the characteristic product ion at m/z 130 of protonated arginine. The α‐amino group was dissociated from protonated arginine and then combined with the (M + H‐NH3) fragment to form an ion‐neutral complex which further generated a hydroxyl‐amino exchange intermediate compound through an ion‐molecule reaction. This intermediate compound was synthesized from argininamide through a diazo reaction, and then the reaction mixture was analyzed using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The collision‐induced dissociation experiments under the same conditions revealed that this intermediate compound produced the characteristic product ion at m/z 130 as well as protonated arginine, and in addition, density functional theory calculations were performed to confirm simultaneous loss of NH3 and CO from this intermediate to give the m/z 130 ion.
Chondrocyte and mesenchymal stem cell derived engineered cartilage exhibits differential sensitivity to pro‐inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Mohanraj Bhavana , Huang Alice H. , Yeger‐McKeever Meira J. , Schmidt Megan J. , Dodge George R. , Mauck Robert L.
Published: May 2018

Tissue engineering is a promising approach for the repair of articular cartilage defects, with engineered constructs emerging that match native tissue properties. However, the inflammatory environment of the damaged joint might compromise outcomes, and this may be impacted by the choice of cell source in terms of their ability to operate anabolically in an inflamed environment. Here, we compared the response of engineered cartilage derived from native chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to challenge by TNFα and IL‐1β in order to determine if either cell type possessed an inherent advantage. Compositional (extracellular matrix) and functional (mechanical) characteristics, as well as the release of catabolic mediators (matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], nitric oxide [NO]) were assessed to determine cell‐ and tissue‐level changes following exposure to IL‐1β or TNF‐α. Results demonstrated that MSC‐derived constructs were more sensitive to inflammatory mediators than chondrocyte‐derived constructs, exhibiting a greater loss of proteoglycans and functional properties at lower cytokine concentrations. While MSCs and chondrocytes both have the capacity to form functional engineered cartilage in vitro, this study suggests that the presence of an inflammatory environment is more likely to impair the in vivo success of MSC‐derived cartilage repair. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2901–2910, 2018.
Solubilization Behavior of Organic Mixtures in Optimum Winsor Type III Microemulsion Systems of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Authors: Liu Huie , Zhou Pingping , Wu Zhanghui , Chen Shuang , Ding Chuanqin
Published: May 2018

Solubilization selectivity and synergism behavior were investigated for the optimum Winsor type III sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) microemulsion systems of organic mixtures. The organic mixtures used include toluene and 1 of the following 3 normal alkanes: n‐octane, n‐heptane, and n‐hexane. Selective solubilization toward toluene was observed in the optimum Winsor type III SDS microemulsion system for the toluene/n‐octane mixture. Toluene selectivity showed a decrease trend with the increase of its content in the excess oil phase, salinity showed little influence on the trend, and increasing of the SDS content leads to lowering of the selectivity. Synergism exists in the solubilization of the 2 organics for all the binary mixtures used in this work. A clear reduction of the n‐butanol content (A*) to obtain the optimum formulation and rise of the optimum solubilization parameter (SP*) were seen with the mixing of 2 single components. Coincident relation between A* and equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN) for organic mixtures of toluene with the 1 or 3 of n‐hexane, n‐hexane, and n‐octane was obtained, which is a parabolic curve with a minimum point. At the same time, all the SP*–EACN data fall in the same kind of parabolic curve with a maximum. The EACN for the minimum A* and maximum SP* are both in the range of 3.0–3.5. The A*–EACN curve shifts vertically with the change of the SDS content or ln S* (S* is salinity of the aqueous phase), while the change of salinity also leads to slight deformation of the curve, which can be omitted in a small range of salinity change.
Homeotropic alignment of liquid crystals on ITO surface using LBL assembly
Authors: Chandrashekhar Channapura Halappa , Park So‐Jin
Published: May 2018

In this work, the very thin layer‐by‐layer (LBL) film that was constructed by dip coating method on indium tin oxide surface can be used in liquid crystal (LC) displays devices. The obtained results indicate that the ultrathin LBL film shows the homeotropic alignment layer, and a uniform vertical alignment of LC molecules was gained very easily. The progress of vertical‐aligned LC cells with a LBL layer was evaluated. The obtained threshold voltage and response time of the LC cell were 2.472 V and 12.5 ms, respectively. So, the competitive performance of the LC cell could allow new sign at a low‐cost budget with rubbing process in LC display technology.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Visser Els , Edholm David , Smithers B. Mark , Thomson Iain G. , Burmeister Bryan H. , Walpole Euan T. , Gotley David C. , Joubert Warren L. , Atkinson Victoria , Mai Tao , Thomas Janine M. , Barbour Andrew P.
Published: May 2018

Background

The optimal treatment strategy for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains undetermined. This study compared outcomes in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for EAC.

Methods

Patients who underwent nCT or nCRT followed by surgery for EAC were identified from a prospective database (2000‐2017) and included. After propensity score matching, the impact of the treatments on postoperative complications, in‐hospital mortality, pathological outcomes, and survival rates were compared.

Results

Of the 396 eligible patients, 262 patients were analysed following matching with 131 patients in both groups. There were no significant differences between the nCT and nCRT groups for overall complications (59% vs 57%, P = 0.802) or in‐hospital mortality (2% vs 0%, P = 0.156). Patients who had nCRT had more R0 resections (93% vs 83%, P = 0.013), and higher pathological complete response rates (15% vs 5%, P < 0.001). No differences in 5‐year overall survival rates (nCT vs nCRT; 44% vs 33%, P = 0.645) were found.

Conclusion

In this study no differences between nCT and nCRT were seen in postoperative complications and in‐hospital mortality in patients treated for EAC. Inspite of improved complete resection and pathological response there was no difference in the overall survival between the treatment modalities.
Separation and purification of intermediates for the preparation of naproxen from synthetic mixtures by countercurrent chromatography
Authors: Qiu Xujun , Lv Liqiong , Sun Wenyu , Wang Chaoyue , Yan Jizhong , Tong Shengqiang
Published: May 2018

Three key intermediates in the preparation of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug naproxen were successfully separated and purified with high purity from synthetic mixtures by countercurrent chromatography with a selected biphasic solvent system. The biphasic solvent system composed of n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (9:1:9:1, v/v/v/v) was selected according to partition performance of the three components using thin‐layer chromatography. Fifty milligrams of the synthetic mixture after the three‐step reaction was injected into a preparative countercurrent chromatography separation column and yielded 3.5, 14.0, and 8.0 mg of three key intermediates with 95.0, 99.0, and 98.0% purity, and the recovery of each component was 65.2, 71.2, and 69.6%, respectively. The results indicated that countercurrent chromatography is an efficient alternative and economical method for the separation and purification of intermediate components from synthetic mixtures.
Mild and Effective Polymerization of Dopamine on Keratin Films for Innovative Photoactivable and Biocompatible Coated Materials
Authors: Posati Tamara , Ferroni Claudia , Aluigi Annalisa , Guerrini Andrea , Rossi Francesca , Tatini Francesca , Ratto Fulvio , Marras Emanuela , Gariboldi Marzia Bruna , Sagnella Anna , Ruani Giampiero , Zamboni Roberto , Varchi Greta , Sotgiu Giovanna
Published: May 2018

Mussel‐inspired polydopamine (PD) coating represents a promising route for constructing functional materials and finely tuning or completely changing their surface properties. In this work, a mild and effective method to realize the deposition of PD on keratin‐based films is reported. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by keratin films doped with a photosensitizer, e.g., Azure A (AzA), upon UV–vis and vis‐near IR irradiation, are exploited to obtain the PD coating. Interestingly, the use of vis‐near IR irradiation leads to an increased production of ROS by AzA resulting in a greater PD deposition. Compared to uncoated keratin films, the PD‐keratin coated materials show a granular but homogeneous surface and an increased hydrophilicity, maintaining the ROS generation ability of AzA. This work demonstrates a useful method to effectively and rapidly functionalize with PD materials that are sensitive to temperature, pH and UV light, such as keratin. The proposed strategy allows obtaining new multifunctional biomaterials of potential interest in tissue engineering and drug delivery; in particular, the use of PD‐keratin films for near IR laser bonding of ophthalmic tissue, which is a representative case in wound healing purpose, is shown.
Dynamic Proteoids Generated From Dipeptide‐Based Monomers
Authors: Liu Yun , Stuart Marc C. A. , Buhler Eric , Hirsch Anna K. H.
Published: May 2018

Dynamic proteoids are dynamic covalent analogues of proteins which are generated through the reversible polymerization of amino‐acid‐ or peptide‐derived monomers. The authors design and prepare a series of dynamic proteoids based on the reversible polycondensation of six types of dipeptide hydrazides bearing different categories of side chains. The polymerization and structures of biodynamers generated by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, light scattering and cryo‐transmission‐electron microscopy are studied. This study shows that the presence of aromatic rings in the side chains plays the most essential role in determining the extent of the polymerization and organization into resultant nanostructures through π−π‐stacking interactions, hydroxyl groups have a less favorable influence via hydrogen bonds, whereas a high density of positive charge blocks the generation of biodynamers due to electrostatic repulsions. These findings set the stage for the rational design and synthesis of dynamic proteoids as novel biofunctional materials.
Visible Light Induced Cationic Polymerization of Epoxides by Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Sangermano Marco , Rodriguez Damian , Gonzalez Monica C. , Laurenti Enzo , Yagci Yusuf
Published: May 2018

The visible light induced cationic polymerization of epoxides can be achieved by means of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which act as visible light photoinitiators via a radical‐induced cationic photopolymerization process. When MWCNTs are irradiated with longer wavelengths (above 400 nm), they generate carbon radicals, by means of hydrogen abstraction from the epoxy monomer; these radicals are oxidized in the presence of iodonium salt to a carbocation that is sufficiently reactive to start the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of an epoxy monomer. These mechanisms have been supported by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis.
Solution‐Based 3D Printing of Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity
Authors: Zhang Fengyi , Ma Yao , Liao Jianshan , Breedveld Victor , Lively Ryan P.
Published: May 2018

Current additive manufacturing methods have significant limitations in the classes of compatible polymers. Many polymers of significant technological interest cannot currently be 3D printed. Here, a generalizable method for 3D printing of viscous tenary polymer solutions (polymer/solvent/nonsolvent) is applied to both “intrinsically porous” (a polymer of intrinsic microporosity, PIM‐1) and “intrinsically nonporous” (cellulose acetate) polymers. Successful ternary ink formulations require balancing of solution thermodynamics (phase separation), mass transfer (solvent evaporation), and rheology. As a demonstration, a microporous polymer (PIM‐1) incompatible with current additive manufacturing technologies is 3D printed into a high‐efficiency mass transfer contactor exhibiting hierarchical porosity ranging from sub‐nanometer to millimeter pores. Short contactors (1.27 cm) can fully purify (<1 ppm) toluene vapor (1000 ppm) in N2gas for 1.7 h, which is six times longer than PIM‐1 in traditional structures, and more than 4000 times the residence time of gas in the contactor. This solution‐based additive manufacturing approach greatly extends the range of 3D‐printable materials.
Model Discrimination between RAFT Polymerization Models Using Sequential Bayesian Methodology
Authors: Masoumi Samira , Duever Thomas A. , Penlidis Alexander , Azimi Reza , López‐Domínguez Porfirio , Vivaldo‐Lima Eduardo
Published: May 2018

The use of sequential Bayesian methodology for model discrimination purposes in reversible addition‐fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization is analyzed and discussed from a mathematical model discrimination point of view. The RAFT models are detailed nonlinear mechanistic models from the literature, where the debate is still ongoing about their validity. A sensitivity analysis is performed first on the simulated models in order to identify the most informative process (measured) outputs from the candidate models with respect to model discrimination. Next, sequential Bayesian Monte Carlo model discrimination (SBMCMD) methodology is applied to discriminate between the two rival models. The effectiveness of the SBMCMD procedure in discriminating between the two proposed models (both describing basic RAFT polymerization kinetic trends successfully) is explored further. Most informative experiments are designed and suggested based on the design of experiments step of the SBMCMD methodology. The methodology is capable of selecting the “real” model.
Short‐term direct contact with soil and plant materials leads to an immediate increase in diversity of skin microbiota
Authors: Grönroos Mira , Parajuli Anirudra , Laitinen Olli H. , Roslund Marja I. , Vari Heli K. , Hyöty Heikki , Puhakka Riikka , Sinkkonen Aki
Published: May 2018

Immune‐mediated diseases have increased during the last decades in urban environments. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that increased hygiene level and reduced contacts with natural biodiversity are related to the increase in immune‐mediated diseases. We tested whether short‐time contact with microbiologically diverse nature‐based materials immediately change bacterial diversity on human skin. We tested direct skin contact, as two volunteers rubbed their hands with sixteen soil and plant based materials, and an exposure via fabric packets filled with moss material. Skin swabs were taken before and after both exposures. Next‐generation sequencing showed that exposures increased, at least temporarily, the total diversity of skin microbiota and the diversity of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Alpha‐, Beta‐ and Gammaproteobacteria suggesting that contact with nature‐based materials modify skin microbiome and increase skin microbial diversity. Until now, approaches to cure or prevent immune system disorders using microbe‐based treatments have been limited to use of a few microbial species. We propose that nature‐based materials with high natural diversity, such as the materials tested here, might be more effective in modifying human skin microbiome, and eventually, in reducing immune system disorders. Future studies should investigate how long‐term changes in skin microbiota are achieved and if the exposure induces beneficial changes in the immune system markers.