bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphopantetheinyl transferase (Ppt)-mediated biosynthesis of lysine, but not siderophores or DHN melanin, is required for virulence of Zymoseptoria tritici on wheat
Authors: Derbyshire Mark C. , Gohari Amir Mirzadi , Mehrabi Rahim , Kilaru Sreedhar , Steinberg Gero , Ali Solaf , Bailey Andy , Hammond-Kosack Kim , Kema Gert H. J. , Rudd Jason J.
Published: November 2018

Zymoseptoria tritici is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) disease of wheat. Z. tritici is an apoplastic fungal pathogen, which does not penetrate plant cells at any stage of infection, and has a long initial period of symptomless leaf colonisation. During this phase it is unclear to what extent the fungus can access host plant nutrients or communicate with plant cells. Several important primary and secondary metabolite pathways in fungi are regulated by the post-translational activator phosphopantetheinyl transferase (Ppt) which provides an essential co-factor for lysine biosynthesis and the activities of non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS) and polyketide synthases (PKS). To investigate the relative importance of lysine biosynthesis, NRPS-based siderophore production and PKS-based DHN melanin biosynthesis, we generated deletion mutants of ZtPpt. The ∆ZtPpt strains were auxotrophic for lysine and iron, non-melanised and non-pathogenic on wheat. Deletion of the three target genes likely affected by ZtPpt loss of function (Aar- lysine; Nrps1-siderophore and Pks1- melanin), highlighted that lysine auxotrophy was the main contributing factor for loss of virulence, with no reduction caused by loss of siderophore production or melanisation. This reveals Ppt, and the lysine biosynthesis pathway, as potential targets for fungicides effective against Z. tritici.
Direct isotopic evidence of biogenic methane production and efflux from beneath a temperate glacier
Authors: Burns R. , Wynn P. M. , Barker P. , McNamara N. , Oakley S. , Ostle N. , Stott A. W. , Tuffen H. , Zhou Zheng , Tweed F. S. , Chesler A. , Stuart M.
Published: November 2018

The base of glaciers and ice sheets provide environments suitable for the production of methane. High pressure conditions beneath the impermeable ‘cap’ of overlying ice promote entrapment of methane reserves that can be released to the atmosphere during ice thinning and meltwater evacuation. However, contemporary glaciers and ice sheets are rarely accounted for as methane contributors through field measurements. Here, we present direct field-based evidence of methane production and release from beneath the Icelandic glacier Sólheimajökull, where geothermal activity creates sub-oxic conditions suited to methane production and preservation along the meltwater flow path. Methane production at the glacier bed (48 tonnes per day, or 39 mM CH4 m−2 day−1), and evasion to the atmosphere from the proglacial stream (41 tonnes per day, or 32 M CH4 m−2 day−1) indicates considerable production and release to the atmosphere during the summer melt season. Isotopic signatures (−60.2‰ to −7.6‰ for δ13Cch4 and −324.3‰ to +161.1‰ for Dch4), support a biogenic signature within waters emerging from the subglacial environment. Temperate glacial methane production and release may thus be a significant and hitherto unresolved contributor of a potent greenhouse gas to the atmosphere.
Mapping heterogeneous polarity in multicompartment nanoparticles
Authors: Palomba Francesco , Genovese Damiano , Petrizza Luca , Rampazzo Enrico , Zaccheroni Nelsi , Prodi Luca
Published: November 2018

Understanding polarity gradients inside nanomaterials is essential to capture their potential as nanoreactors, catalysts or in drug delivery applications. We propose here a method to obtain detailed, quantitative information on heterogeneous polarity in multicompartment nanostructures. The method is based on a 2-steps procedure, (i) deconvolution of complex emission spectra of two solvatochromic probes followed by (ii) spectrally resolved analysis of FRET between the same solvatochromic dyes. While the first step yields a list of polarities probed in the nanomaterial suspension, the second step correlates the polarities in space. Colocalization of polarities falling within few nanometer radius is obtained via FRET, a process called here nanopolarity mapping. Here, Prodan and Nile Red are tested to map the polarity of a water-dispersable, multicompartment nanostructure, named PluS nanoparticle (NPs). PluS NPs are uniform core-shell nanoparticles with silica cores (diameter ~10 nm) and Pluronic F127 shell (thickness ~7 nm). The probes report on a wide range of nanopolarities among which the dyes efficiently exchange energy via FRET, demonstrating the coexistence of a rich variety of environments within nanometer distance. Their use as a FRET couple highlights the proximity of strongly hydrophobic sites and hydrated layers, and quantitatively accounts for the emission component related to external water, which remains unaffected by FRET processes. This method is general and applicable to map nanopolarity in a large variety of nanomaterials.
Large variability in the motility of spiroplasmas in media of different viscosities
Authors: Boudet J. F. , Mathelié-Guinlet M. , Vilquin A. , Douliez J. P. , Béven L. , Kellay H.
Published: November 2018

Spiroplasmas are bacteria that do not possess flagella and their motility is linked to kink propagation coupled to changes in the cell body helicity. While the motility of bacteria with flagellar motion has been studied extensively, less work has been devoted to the motility of spiroplasmas. We first show that the motility of such bacteria has large variability from individual to individual as well as large fluctuations in time. The Brownian motion of such bacteria both in orientation and translation is also highlighted. We propose a simple model to disentangle the different components of this motility by examining trajectories of single bacteria in different viscosity solvents. The mean velocity of the bacteria turns out to depend on the viscosity of the medium as it increases with viscosity. Further, the temporal fluctuations of the bacteria motility turn out to be very strong with a direct link to tumbling events particular to this bacteria.
Resolving laminar activation in human V1 using ultra-high spatial resolution fMRI at 7T
Authors: Kashyap Sriranga , Ivanov Dimo , Havlicek Martin , Sengupta Shubharthi , Poser Benedikt A. , Uludağ Kâmil
Published: November 2018

The mesoscopic organization of the human neocortex is of great interest for cognitive neuroscience. However, fMRI in humans typically maps the functional units of cognitive processing on a macroscopic level. With the advent of ultra-high field MRI (≥7T), it has become possible to acquire fMRI data with sub-millimetre resolution, enabling probing the laminar and columnar circuitry in humans. Currently, laminar BOLD responses are not directly observed but inferred via data analysis, due to coarse spatial resolution of fMRI (e.g. 0.7–0.8 mm isotropic) relative to the extent of histological laminae. In this study, we introduce a novel approach for mapping the cortical BOLD response at the spatial scale of cortical layers and columns at 7T (an unprecedented 0.1 mm, either in the laminar or columnar direction). We demonstrate experimentally and using simulations, the superiority of the novel approach compared to standard approaches for human laminar fMRI in terms of effective spatial resolution in either laminar or columnar direction. In addition, we provide evidence that the laminar BOLD signal profile is not homogeneous even over short patches of cortex. In summary, the proposed novel approach affords the ability to directly study the mesoscopic organization of the human cortex, thus, bridging the gap between human cognitive neuroscience and invasive animal studies.
Paramagnon-Enhanced Spin Currents in a Lattice near the Curie Point
Authors: Finazzi Marco , Bottegoni Federico , Zucchetti Carlo , Isella Giovanni , Ciccacci Franco
Published: November 2018

Spin transport phenomena have been shown to be highly enhanced when the temperature approaches the Curie point of the material sustaining a spin flow. Here we propose a simple - yet unifying - explanation for such enhancements, based on a random-phase model accounting for the spin fluctuations within a ferromagnetic material in the paramagnetic phase. We show that pure spin currents carried by conduction electrons injected into a paramagnetic lattice of mutually interacting localized magnetic moments can be enhanced close to the Curie temperature by the exchange interaction between the lattice sites and the non vanishing spin density associated with the spin current. The latter partially aligns the magnetic moments of the lattice, generating a flow of paramagnons that contribute to the total spin current, resulting in an enhancement that can be as large as tenfold.
Chemical and sensorial investigation of in-mouth sensory properties of grape anthocyanins
Authors: Paissoni M. A. , Waffo-Teguo P. , Ma W. , Jourdes M. , Rolle L. , Teissedre P. -L.
Published: November 2018

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments found in the cell vacuoles of fruits and flowers, performing several roles from insects attraction to stress protection. Their antioxidant activity contributes to human health, and consuming plant-derived products provides their higher source in the diet. Although their colour and nutritional features, their contribution to sensory properties of foods has not been widely investigated. In wine, preferences are connected with sensory attributes of colour, aroma, taste, and mouthfeel. In this study, grape anthocyanin extracts (TAE) were fractionated using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) and preparative HPLC in three fractions, i.e glucoside (GF), acetylated (AF) and cinnamoylated (CF) anthocyanins. Sensory properties were investigated by chemical analysis, as reactivity towards bovin serum albumin (BSA) and salivary proteins, and in tasting sessions to assess anthocyanins best estimated thresholds (BET) in wine-like solution. Anthocyanins reacted with both BSA and salivary proteins, but to different extents, because higher interaction between salivary proteins and anthocyanins were found. Cinnamoylated anthocyanins are the most reactive to salivary proteins. Tasting sessions suggested an involvement of anthocyanins as in-mouth contributors in wine, since their BETs were 255, 297, 68, and 58 mg/L for TAE, GF, AF, and CF, respectively, and the descriptors reported were astringency and bitterness.
Vasoinhibin comprises a three-helix bundle and its antiangiogenic domain is located within the first 79 residues
Authors: Robles Juan Pablo , Zamora Magdalena , Velasco-Bolom José Luis , Tovar Miriam , Garduño-Juárez Ramón , Bertsch Thomas , Martínez de la Escalera Gonzalo , Triebel Jakob , Clapp Carmen
Published: November 2018

Vasoinhibin belongs to a family of angiogenesis inhibitors generated when the fourth α-helix (H4) of the hormone prolactin (PRL) is removed by specific proteolytic cleavage. The antiangiogenic properties are absent in uncleaved PRL, indicating that conformational changes create a new bioactive domain. However, the solution structure of vasoinhibin and the location of its bioactive domain are unknown. Molecular dynamic simulation (MD) showed that the loss of H4 exposes the hydrophobic nucleus of PRL and leads to the compression of the molecule into a three-helix bundle that buries the hydrophobic nucleus again. Compression occurs by the movement of loop 1 (L1) and its interaction with α-helix 1 (H1) generating a new L1 conformation with electrostatic and hydrophobic surfaces distinct from those of PRL, that may correspond to a bioactive domain. Consistent with this model, a recombinant protein containing the first 79 amino acids comprising H1 and L1 of human PRL inhibited the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and upregulated the vasoinhibin target genes, IL1A and ICAM1. This bioactivity was comparable to that of a conventional vasoinhibin having the 123 residues encompassing H1, L1, Η2, L2, and Η3 of human PRL. These findings extend the vasoinhibin family to smaller proteins and provide important structural information, which will aid in antiangiogenic drug development.
C-Terminal Residue of Ultrashort Peptides Impacts on Molecular Self-Assembly, Hydrogelation, and Interaction with Small-Molecule Drugs
Authors: Chan Kiat Hwa , Lee Wei Hao , Ni Ming , Loo Yihua , Hauser Charlotte A. E.
Published: November 2018

Single molecular changes on a tripeptide can have dramatic effects on their self-assembly and hydrogelation. Herein, we explore C-terminal residue variation on two consistent ultrashort peptide backbones, i.e. acetylated-Leu-Ile-Val-Ala-Gly-Xaa and acetylated-Ile-Val-Xaa (Xaa = His, Arg, Asn). The objective of this study is to identify candidates that can form hydrogels for small-molecule drug (SMD) delivery. Haemolysis and cytotoxicity (with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells) assays showed that the new soluble peptides (Xaa = His, Arg) are cytocompatible. Gelation studies showed that all but acetylated-Ile-Val-Arg could gel under physiological conditions. Longer peptidic backbones drive self-assembly more effectively as reflected in field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and circular dichroism spectroscopy studies. Rheological studies revealed that the resultant hydrogels have varying stiffness and yield stress, depending on the backbone and C-terminal residue. Visible spectroscopy-based elution studies with SMDs (naltrexone, methotrexate, doxorubicin) showed that besides the C-terminal residue, the shape of the SMD also determines the rate and extent of SMD elution. Based on the elution assays, infrared spectroscopy, and FESEM, we propose models for the peptide fibril-SMD interaction. Our findings highlight the importance of matching the molecular properties of the self-assembling peptide and SMD in order to achieve the desired SMD release profile.
Luminescent color control of Langmuir-Blodgett film by emission enhancement using a planar metal layer
Authors: Ozaki Ryotaro , Yamada Tatsuya , Yudate Shinji , Kadowaki Kazunori , Sato Hisako
Published: November 2018

A metal enhanced emission of more than 20-fold is observed from a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) monolayer on a planar aluminum layer with a polymer spacer. The spectral change of the metal enhanced emission using the metal layer is discussed experimentally and theoretically. Finite-difference time-domain simulations and transfer matrix calculations have been performed to investigate the cause of the enhancement. The analytical solution of the enhancement factor of the interference enhancement is also derived assuming the planar aluminum layer as a perfect electric conductor. Furthermore, we have demonstrated control of emission color of the LB film from the yellow-green to blue or red using the metal enhanced emission.
Multimodal assessments of Zika virus immune pathophysiological responses in marmosets
Authors: Lum Fok-Moon , Zhang Wei , Lim Kheng-Choon , Malleret Benoit , Teo Teck-Hui , Koh Jun-Jia , Lee Kuan J. , Chua Tze-Kwang , Kam Yiu-Wing , Yee Wearn-Xin , Huen Isaac , Tan Jeslin J. L. , Amrun Siti Naqiah , Prakash KN Bhanu , Cozzone Patrick J. , Renia Laurent , Lee Philip T. H. , Ng Lisa F. P.
Published: November 2018

Animal models that recapitulate the human pathophysiology have been developed as useful research tools. Although laboratory mice are widely used, they are phylogenetically “distant” to humans. New world monkeys, such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) have steadily gained prominence. In this report, marmosets are explored as an alternate in vivo model to investigate infection and immunity of Zika virus (ZIKV). Multimodal platforms, including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), flow cytometry, and multiplex microbead immunoassays were established to comprehensively decipher immune responses and pathophysiological outcomes. While ZIKV-infected marmosets had detectable ZIKV RNA load in various body fluids, animals did not develop any observable lesions in their testes and brains as shown by ultrasound and MRI. Immune-phenotyping detected differences in the numbers of B cells, CD8+ T cells and HLADR+ NK cells during the first two weeks of infection. Neutralizing ZIKV-specific antibodies were elicited to high levels and targeted epitopes in the E protein. This study presents a one-stop-shop platform to study infection and pathophysiology in marmosets. While marmoset-specific research tools are being refined, the research values of these animals present them as a good model for immune-based therapies.
3D Inkjet Printing of Complex, Cell-Laden Hydrogel Structures
Authors: Negro Andrea , Cherbuin Thibaud , Lutolf Matthias P.
Published: November 2018

Inkjet printing is widely considered a promising strategy to pattern hydrogels and living cells into three-dimensional (3D) constructs that structurally resemble tissues in our body. However, this approach is currently constrained by the limited control over multi-component deposition: the variable droplet ejection characteristics of different bioinks and dispensing units make synchronized printing very challenging. This invariably results in artificial tissues that lack the complexity and function of their native counterparts. By careful optimization of the printing parameters for two different bioink formulations, here we report the inkjet-based 3D-patterning of hydrogels according to relatively complex blueprints. 3D printing of bioinks containing living cells resulted in high-resolution, multi-component living constructs. Finally, we describe a sacrificial material approach to inkjet print perfuseable channels for improved long-term cultures of larger samples. We believe that this work provides a foundation for the generation of more complex 3D tissue models by inkjet printing.
Structure and Function Studies of Asian Corn Borer Ostrinia furnacalis Pheromone Binding Protein2
Authors: Mazumder Suman , Dahal Salik R. , Chaudhary Bharat P. , Mohanty Smita
Published: November 2018

Lepidopteran male moths have an extraordinarily sensitive olfactory system that is capable of detecting and responding to minute amounts of female-secreted pheromones over great distances. Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) in male antennae ferry the hydrophobic ligand across the aqueous lymph to the olfactory receptor neuron triggering the response. PBPs bind ligands at physiological pH of the lymph and release them at acidic pH near the receptor while undergoing a conformational change. In Anthereae polyphemus PBP1, ligand binding to the hydrophobic pocket and its release is regulated by two biological gates: His70 and His95 at one end of the pocket and C-terminus tail at the other end. Interestingly, in Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis PBP2 (OfurPBP2), critical residues for ligand binding and release are substituted in both biological gates. The impact of these substitutions on the ligand binding and release mechanism in OfurPBP2 is not known. We report here overexpression of soluble OfurPBP2 and structural characterization at high and low pH by circular dichroism (CD) and NMR. Ligand binding and ab initio model development were carried out with fluorescence and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) respectively. OfurPBP2 in solution at pH 6.5 is homogeneous, well-folded and has a compact globular shape.
Author Correction: Antimicrobial Peptide Potency is Facilitated by Greater Conformational Flexibility when Binding to Gram-negative Bacterial Inner Membranes
Authors: Amos Sarah-Beth T. A. , Vermeer Louic S. , Ferguson Philip M. , Kozlowska Justyna , Davy Matthew , Bui Tam T. , Drake Alex F. , Lorenz Christian D. , Mason A. James
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Elimination of Intracardiac Shunting Provides Stable Gas Anesthesia in Tortoises
Authors: Greunz Eva Maria , Williams Catherine , Ringgaard Steffen , Hansen Kasper , Wang Tobias , Bertelsen Mads Frost
Published: November 2018

Inhalant anesthesia is challenging in chelonians due to a great capacity for breath-holding and an incomplete separation of the cardiac ventricle. Deoxygenated blood can recirculate back into systemic circulation by bypassing the lung in a process referred to as intracardiac right to left (R-L) shunting. Via electrocardiogram gated magnetic resonance imaging, a novel modality to investigate arterial flows in reptiles, intracardiac shunting and its elimination via atropine during gas anesthesia in tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) was demonstrated. The great vessels of the heart were visualized confirming that after shunt-elimination, the flow (mean ± sd) in the pulmonary arteries increased significantly (54.6 ± 9.5 mL min−1 kg−1 vs 10.8 ± 3.4 mL min−1 kg−1; P < 0.008). Consequently, animals required significantly lower concentrations of inhaled anesthetics to maintain a stable anesthesia. To that end, the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of isoflurane needed to maintain surgical anesthesia was measured. A significantly lower MAC was found after administration of atropine (mean MAC ± sd 2.2 ± 0.3% vs 3.2 ± 0.4%; P < 0.002). Previously, MAC has been indeterminable in chelonians likely due to intracardiac shunting, so this report constitutes the first MAC study performed in a tortoise.
Slow recovery from a disease epidemic in the spotted hyena, a keystone social carnivore
Authors: Benhaiem Sarah , Marescot Lucile , East Marion L. , Kramer-Schadt Stephanie , Gimenez Olivier , Lebreton Jean-Dominique , Hofer Heribert
Published: November 2018

Predicting the impact of disease epidemics on wildlife populations is one of the twenty-first century’s main conservation challenges. The long-term demographic responses of wildlife populations to epidemics and the life history and social traits modulating these responses are generally unknown, particularly for K-selected social species. Here we develop a stage-structured matrix population model to provide a long-term projection of demographic responses by a keystone social predator, the spotted hyena, to a virulent epidemic of canine distemper virus (CDV) in the Serengeti ecosystem in 1993/1994 and predict the recovery time for the population following the epidemic. Using two decades of longitudinal data from 625 known hyenas, we demonstrate that although the reduction in population size was moderate, i.e., the population showed high ecological ‘resistance’ to the novel CDV genotype present, recovery was slow. Interestingly, high-ranking females accelerated the population’s recovery, thereby lessening the impact of the epidemic on the population.
Neuronal coding of multiscale temporal features in communication sequences within the bat auditory cortex
Authors: García-Rosales Francisco , Beetz M. Jerome , Cabral-Calderin Yuranny , Kössl Manfred , Hechavarria Julio C.
Published: November 2018

Experimental evidence supports that cortical oscillations represent multiscale temporal modulations existent in natural stimuli, yet little is known about the processing of these multiple timescales at a neuronal level. Here, using extracellular recordings from the auditory cortex (AC) of awake bats (Carollia perspicillata), we show the existence of three neuronal types which represent different levels of the temporal structure of conspecific vocalizations, and therefore constitute direct evidence of multiscale temporal processing of naturalistic stimuli by neurons in the AC. These neuronal subpopulations synchronize differently to local-field potentials, particularly in theta- and high frequency bands, and are informative to a different degree in terms of their spike rate. Interestingly, we also observed that both low and high frequency cortical oscillations can be highly informative about the listened calls. Our results suggest that multiscale neuronal processing allows for the precise and non-redundant representation of natural vocalizations in the AC.
Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) as a multiaddressable platform for co-encapsulating drug assays
Authors: Basso João , Mendes Maria , Cova Tânia F. G. G. , Sousa João J. , Pais Alberto A. C. C. , Vitorino Carla
Published: November 2018

AQbD provided a comprehensive framework for developing a reliable, effective, flexible band robust method for the routine analysis of the compounds in quality control laboratories.
In situ measurement of dissolved Fe(ii) in sediment pore water with a novel sensor based on C18-ferrozine concentration and optical imaging detection
Authors: Guo Chengrong , Ma Mingjie , Yuan Dongxing , Huang Yongming , Lin Kunning , Feng Sichao
Published: November 2018

A novel sensor system, which integrated sampling, enrichment, and in situ measurement of dissolved Fe(ii) in sediment pore water, was developed.
Correction: ZIF-8@polyoxometalate derived Si-doped ZnWO4@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures for efficient visible light photocatalysis
Authors: Ran Jingyu , Xiao Lihua , Wang Wei , Jia Shaoyi , Zhang Jihua
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘ZIF-8@polyoxometalate derived Si-doped ZnWO4@ZnO nanocapsules with open-shaped structures for efficient visible light photocatalysis’ by Jingyu Ran et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8cc06077k.
Catalytic oxidation of propane over palladium alloyed with gold: an assessment of the chemical and intermediate species
Authors: Kareem Haval , Shan Shiyao , Wu Zhi-Peng , Velasco Leslie , Moseman Kelli , O'Brien Casey P. , Tran Dat T. , Lee Ivan C. , Maswadeh Yazan , Yang Lefu , Mott Derrick , Luo Jin , Petkov Valeri , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: November 2018

The surface intermediate species for catalytic oxidation of propane depend strongly on the catalyst composition.
A versatile quinoxaline derivative serves as a colorimetric sensor for strongly acidic pH
Authors: Bag Riya , Sikdar Yeasin , Sahu Sutapa , Maiti Dilip K. , Frontera Antonio , Bauzá Antonio , Drew Michael G. B. , Goswami Sanchita
Published: November 2018

A strongly acidic colorimetric pH sensor induced by the acidity of [Fe(H2O)6]3+, and single crystal to single crystal transformation between the protonated and deprotonated form.
Reorientational dynamics of organic cations in perovskite-like coordination polymers
Authors: Rok M. , Bator G. , Medycki W. , Zamponi M. , Balčiūnas S. , Šimėnas M. , Banys J.
Published: November 2018

Here we report the dynamics of organic cations as guest molecules in a perovskite host-framework.
Changes to the tropomyosin structure alter the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity and texture profiles of eel balls under high hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Li Zhenglong , Liu Huipeng , Ma Rongrong , Tang Biling , Pan Di , Peng Yajuan , Ling Xueping , Wang Yuanpeng , Wu Xuee , Che Liming , He Ning
Published: November 2018

Changes in the structure of tropomyosin (TM) altered the texture profiles of eel balls and the inhibitory activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
Systematic studies on the in vivo substance basis and the pharmacological mechanism of Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms leaves by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS coupled with a target-network method
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Rongjin , Shi Liqiang , Liu Shu , Liu Zhongying , Song Fengrui , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: November 2018

The leaves of Acanthopanax Senticosus Harms (ASL) can be used as a food ingredient and also as raw materials for making tea and wine.
Effect of calcination temperature on the microstructure of vanadium nitride/nitrogen-doped graphene nanocomposites as anode materials in electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Liu Jinghua , Li Fengfan , Liu Weiwei , Li Xin
Published: November 2018

VN/N-doped graphene nanocomposites have been fabricated by an in situ pyrolysis method at different temperatures for supercapacitors.
Computational fluid dynamic simulations for dispersion of nanoparticles in a magnetohydrodynamic liquid: a Galerkin finite element method
Authors: Nawaz M. , Rana Shafia , Qureshi Imran Haider
Published: November 2018

This investigation studies the effects of the thermo-physical properties of four types of nano-metallic particles on the thermo-physical properties of radiative fluid in the presence of buoyant forces and Joule heating (ohmic dissipation).
ADAM10 modulates SOX9 expressionviaN1ICD during chondrogenesis at the cranial base
Authors: Fu Runqing , Wang Xiaoting , Xia Lunguo , Tan Yu , Liu Jiaqiang , Yuan Lingjun , Yang Zhi , Fang Bing
Published: November 2018

ADAM10 modulates SOX9 expressionviaNotch signaling pathway during chondrogenesis in cranial base.
Preparation, characterization and reusability efficacy of amine-functionalized graphene oxide-polyphenol oxidase complex for removal of phenol from aqueous phase
Authors: M. D. Pravin , S. Chris Felshia , Gnanamani A.
Published: November 2018

Schematic representation of the present study describing amine functionalization followed by enzyme immobilization and degradation of phenol.
Adsorption-assisted decontamination of Hg(ii) from aqueous solution by multi-functionalized corncob-derived biochar
Authors: Faheem Faheem , Bao Jianguo , Zheng Han , Tufail Haseeb , Irshad Sana , Du Jiangkun
Published: November 2018

Mercury (Hg) contamination of wastewater streams as a result of anthropogenic activities is a great threat to living organisms due to its acute toxicity.
Quantitative syntheses of permethylated closo-1,10-R2C2B8Me8 (R = H, Me) carboranes. Egg-shaped hydrocarbons on the Frontier between inorganic and organic chemistry
Authors: Bakardjiev Mario , Tok Oleg L. , Růžička Aleš , Růžičková Zdeňka , Holub Josef , Hnyk Drahomír , Fanfrlík Jindřich , Štíbr Bohumil
Published: November 2018

Reported are procedures leading to highly stable egg-shaped hydrocarbons with inner closo-1,10-C2B8 carborane core inside the methyl sheath.
Green synthesis of Au nanoparticles using an aqueous extract ofStachys lavandulifoliaand their catalytic performance for alkyne/aldehyde/amine A3coupling reactions
Authors: Veisi Hojat , Farokhi Maliheh , Hamelian Mona , Hemmati Saba
Published: November 2018

High reaction rate and easy availability make green synthesis of metal nanoparticles noticeable.
Physical modification of biochar to expose the inner pores and their functional groups to enhance lead adsorption
Authors: Fahmi Alaa Hasan , Samsuri Abd Wahid , Jol Hamdan , Singh Daljit
Published: November 2018

Biochars have been successfully used to treat wastewater and contaminated soils.
Deep eutectic solvents as a new kind of dispersive solvent for dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction
Authors: Shishov Andrey , Volodina Natalia , Nechaeva Daria , Gagarinova Svetlana , Bulatov Andrey
Published: November 2018

We propose using DES as a new alternative to organic solvents in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction.
Kinetic investigation for the catalytic reduction of nitrophenol using ionic liquid stabilized gold nanoparticles
Authors: Thawarkar Sachin R. , Thombare Balu , Munde Bhaskar S. , Khupse Nageshwar D.
Published: November 2018

Catalytic reduction of nitrophenol using ionic liquid stabilized AuNPs.
Interface conjugation enhances the interface adhesion performance of carbon fiber-reinforced phthalonitrile composites by π–π stacking
Authors: Yin Changping , Sheng Liping , Yang Yudong , Liang Gengyuan , Xing Suli , Zeng Jingcheng , Xiao Jiayu
Published: November 2018

Cross-linking products and graphene can interact with each other through π–π stacking and promote the formation of interface conjugation.
Superhydrophobic engineering materials provide a rapid and simple route for highly efficient self-driven crude oil spill cleanup
Authors: Xu Hongbo , Bao Shulong , Gong Liuting , Ma Renping , Pan Lei , Li Yao , Zhao Jiupeng
Published: November 2018

Traditional superhydrophobic material use depends on two processes: creating a rough structure on a material surface and modifying the rough surface with low surface energy materials.
Bamboo leaf-based carbon dots for efficient tumor imaging and therapy
Authors: Fahmi Mochamad Zakki , Haris Abdul , Permana Ahmadi Jaya , Nor Wibowo Denika Liyan , Purwanto Bambang , Nikmah Yatim Lailun , Idris Adi
Published: November 2018

In this study, carbon dots synthesized from bamboo leaf cellulose were used simultaneously as a staining agent and for doxorubicin delivery to target cancer cells.
A variable-temperature X-ray diffraction and theoretical study of conformational polymorphism in a complex organic molecule (DTC)
Authors: Gionda Andrea , Macetti Giovanni , Loconte Laura , Rizzato Silvia , Orlando Ahmed M. , Gatti Carlo , Lo Presti Leonardo
Published: November 2018

A small conformational change in the asymmetric unit has a significant effect on how non-covalent interactions determine (i) the crystal packing and (ii) the effect ofTon the relative balance of electrostatics and dispersion–repulsions.
Analysis of effect of oil and S2− impurities on corrosion behavior of 16Mn steel for storage tanks by electrochemical method
Authors: Xiaodong Zhao , Kefeng Chen , Jie Yang , Guangfeng Xi , Jie Sun , Haitao Tian
Published: November 2018

Corrosion is a common problem of storage tanks, and different storage media and impurities have different effects on the corrosion behavior of steel used for tanks.
Promoted hydrogel formation of lignin-containing arabinoxylan aerogel using cellulose nanofibers as a functional biomaterial
Authors: Berglund Linn , Forsberg Fredrik , Jonoobi Mehdi , Oksman Kristiina
Published: November 2018

Plant biomimicking assembly: the use of cellulose nanofibers as a functional biomaterial for promoted hydrogel formation from lignin-containing arabinoxylan-based aerogels.
A convenient one-pot synthesis of N-substituted amidoximes and their application toward 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-ones
Authors: Phakhodee Wong , Duangkamol Chuthamat , Wiriya Nitaya , Pattarawarapan Mookda
Published: November 2018

Ph3P–I2 mediated one-pot synthesis of N-substituted amidoximes via imidoyl iodide was developed. The synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-ones was also demonstrated.
Investigations on the driving forces of the fluorocarbon surfactant-assisted spontaneous imbibition using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
Authors: Chen Haihui , Fan Hongfu , Zhang Yi , Xu Xingguang , Liu Long , Hou Qingfeng
Published: November 2018

A new method using TGA was applied to study the predominant driving force and controlling factors of fluorocarbon surfactant-assisted spontaneous imbibition.
Capture and conversion of carbon dioxide by solar heat localization
Authors: Kashyap Varun , Medhi Riddhiman , Irajizad Peyman , Jafari Parham , Nazari Masoumeh , Masoudi Ali , Marquez Maria D. , Lee T. Randall , Ghasemi Hadi
Published: November 2018

Reusable material for CO2 capture via localized solar heat and its subsequent conversion to calcium carbonate and water.
Preparation of two-dimensional assembled Ni–Mn–C ternary composites for high-performance all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Xilian , Shi Wenhui , Liu Wenxian , Ye Shaofeng , Yin Ruilian , Zhang Lin , Xu Lixin , Chen Minghua , Zhong Mingqiang , Cao Xiehong
Published: November 2018

A simple approach for the preparation of MOF-derived 2D assembled Ni(OH)2–MnO2/C ternary composites, which are used for flexible supercapacitors, is demonstrated.
A highly sensitive flexible metal–organic framework sets a new benchmark for separating propyne from propylene
Authors: Yang Lifeng , Cui Xili , Zhang Yuanbin , Yang Qiwei , Xing Huabin
Published: November 2018

A highly sensitive flexible material TIFSIX-14-Cu-i with benchmark C3H4/C3H6 separation performance was designed through control of the threshold pressure.
Heterointerface engineering of trilayer-shelled ultrathin MoS2/MoP/N-doped carbon hollow nanobubbles for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chi Jing-Qi , Chai Yong-Ming , Shang Xiao , Dong Bin , Liu Chen-Guang , Zhang Wenjun , Jin Zhong
Published: November 2018

For efficient electrocatalysis, the rational construction of unique electrochemical interfaces is very important to enhance the intrinsic activity and expose more active sites.
Conjugated materials containing dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole and its derivatives for organic and hybrid solar cell applications
Authors: Geng Yanfang , Tang Ailing , Tajima Keisuke , Zeng Qingdao , Zhou Erjun
Published: November 2018

Dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole (DTP) and its derivatives have occupied an important position in both electron-rich and electron-deficient building blocks to construct photovoltaic materials. Here, we highlight the exciting progress of donors based on original DTP,N-acyl DTP and fused DTP and acceptors based on lactam and imide, respectively.
Supercritical CO2-assisted synthesis of 3D porous SiOC/Se cathode for ultrahigh areal capacity and long cycle life Li–Se batteries
Authors: Fang Ruyi , Xia Yang , Liang Chu , He Xinping , Huang Hui , Gan Yongping , Zhang Jun , Tao Xinyong , Zhang Wenkui
Published: November 2018

A facile biotemplating method with the assistance of a supercritical CO2 technique has been developed to construct a unique 3D porous SiOC/Se cathode for ultrahigh areal capacity and long cycle life Li–Se batteries.
Bilayer hydrogel mixed composites that respond to multiple stimuli for environmental sensing and underwater actuation
Authors: Cheng Yu , Huang Chao , Yang Dian , Ren Kai , Wei Jie
Published: November 2018

Hydrogel composites with pre-programmed shapes serve as environmental monitoring alarms and underwater actuators.
From colloidal CdSe quantum dots to microscale optically anisotropic supercrystals through bottom-up self-assembly
Authors: Ushakova Elena V. , Cherevkov Sergei A. , Volgina Dominika-Olga A. , Zakharov Viktor V. , Komissarenko Filipp E. , Shcherbakov Alexey A. , Hogan Benjamin T. , Baldycheva Anna , Fedorov Anatoly V. , Nabiev Igor R. , Baranov Alexander V.
Published: November 2018

Two-stage QD self-assembly leads to the formation of unique supercrystals with four-fold symmetry and strong birefringence.
Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs731384 is associated with plasma lipid levels and the risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese populations
Authors: Zhao Chenhui , Ji Mingyue , Zhang Jing , Jia Qiaowei , Liu Jieyin , An Fenghui , Chen Zhaohong , Li Lihua , Wang Liansheng , Ma Wenzhu , Yang Zhijian , Jia En-Zhi
Published: November 2018

Aims: To investigate the relationship between the miR-130a polymorphism rs731384 and coronary artery disease (CAD) and to further explore the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of CAD, an observational single-center study was conducted. Method: A total of 876 subjects were recruited in the present study. Four milliliters of venous blood was drawn after 12 h of fasting to perform biochemical assays. CAD patients and controls were distinguished by coronary angiography. Rs731384 was genotyped on the Agena MassARRAY system according to the manufacturer’s user guide. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: The study found that the plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) (P=0.006), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.030), apolipoprotein A (ApoA) (P=0.038), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (P=0.022) distributed differently in patients with various alleles. Additionally, the AA genotype of rs731384 was found to be a protective factor against CAD in a recessive model (AA:AG+GG, odds ratio (OR) = 0.408, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.171–0.973, P=0.043). A significant association was found between the gene–environment interaction and CAD risk. The AA genotype along with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level ≥ 1.325 mmol/l significantly decreased the CAD risk (AA:AG+GG, OR = 0.117, 95% CI = 0.023–0.588, P=0.009). Conclusion: The mutant AA genotype of rs731384 seems to be a protective factor against CAD, and rs731384 plays an important role in the human metabolism of plasma lipids.
Archaeal DNA polymerases: new frontiers in DNA replication and repair
Authors: Cooper Christopher D.O.
Published: November 2018

Archaeal DNA polymerases have long been studied due to their superior properties for DNA amplification in the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing technologies. However, a full comprehension of their functions, recruitment and regulation as part of the replisome during genome replication and DNA repair lags behind well-established bacterial and eukaryotic model systems. The archaea are evolutionarily very broad, but many studies in the major model systems of both Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota are starting to yield significant increases in understanding of the functions of DNA polymerases in the respective phyla. Recent advances in biochemical approaches and in archaeal genetic models allowing knockout and epitope tagging have led to significant increases in our understanding, including DNA polymerase roles in Okazaki fragment maturation on the lagging strand, towards reconstitution of the replisome itself. Furthermore, poorly characterised DNA polymerase paralogues are finding roles in DNA repair and CRISPR immunity. This review attempts to provide a current update on the roles of archaeal DNA polymerases in both DNA replication and repair, addressing significant questions that remain for this field.
Mechanoactivation of Wnt/β-catenin pathways in health and disease
Authors: Warboys Christina M.
Published: November 2018

Mechanical forces play an important role in regulating tissue development and homeostasis in multiple cell types including bone, joint, epithelial and vascular cells, and are also implicated in the development of diseases, e.g. osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. Defining the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to mechanical forces therefore has important implications for our understanding of tissue function in health and disease and may lead to the identification of targets for therapeutic intervention. Mechanoactivation of the Wnt signalling pathway was first identified in osteoblasts with a key role for β-catenin demonstrated in loading-induced osteogenesis. Since then, mechanoregulation of the Wnt pathway has also been observed in stem cells, epithelium, chondrocytes and vascular and lymphatic endothelium. Wnt can signal through both canonical and non-canonical pathways, and evidence suggests that both can mediate responses to mechanical strain, stretch and shear stress. This review will discuss our current understanding of the activation of the Wnt pathway in response to mechanical forces.
Mechanobiology: protein refolding under force
Authors: Popa Ionel , Berkovich Ronen
Published: November 2018

The application of direct force to a protein enables to probe wide regions of its energy surface through conformational transitions as unfolding, extending, recoiling, collapsing, and refolding. While unfolding under force typically displayed a two-state behavior, refolding under force, from highly extended unfolded states, displayed a more complex behavior. The first recording of protein refolding at a force quench step displayed an initial rapid elastic recoil, followed by a plateau phase at some extension, concluding with a collapse to a final state, at which refolding occurred. These findings stirred a lively discussion, which led to further experimental and theoretical investigation of this behavior. It was demonstrated that the polymeric chain of the unfolded protein is required to fully collapse to a globular conformation for the maturation of native structure. This behavior was modeled using one-dimensional free energy landscape over the end-to-end length reaction coordinate, the collective measured variable. However, at low forces, conformational space is not well captured by such models, and using two-dimensional energy surfaces provides further insight into the dynamics of this process. This work reviews the main concepts of protein refolding under constant force, which is essential for understanding how mechanotransducing proteins operate in vivo.
Taxis in archaea
Authors: Quax Tessa E.F. , Albers Sonja-Verena , Pfeiffer Friedhelm
Published: November 2018

Microorganisms can move towards favorable growth conditions as a response to environmental stimuli. This process requires a motility structure and a system to direct the movement. For swimming motility, archaea employ a rotating filament, the archaellum. This archaea-specific structure is functionally equivalent, but structurally different, from the bacterial flagellum. To control the directionality of movement, some archaea make use of the chemotaxis system, which is used for the same purpose by bacteria. Over the past decades, chemotaxis has been studied in detail in several model bacteria. In contrast, archaeal chemotaxis is much less explored and largely restricted to analyses in halophilic archaea. In this review, we summarize the available information on archaeal taxis. We conclude that archaeal chemotaxis proteins function similarly as their bacterial counterparts. However, because the motility structures are fundamentally different, an archaea-specific docking mechanism is required, for which initial experimental data have only recently been obtained.
Video‐based person re‐identification based on regularised hull distance learning
Authors: Xu Xiaoyue , Chen Ying
Published: November 2018

Existing person re‐identification (re‐id) models mainly focus on still‐image‐based module, namely matching person images across non‐overlapping camera views. Since video sequence contains much more information than still images and can be easily achieved by tracking algorithms in practical applications, the video re‐id has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Distance learning is crucial for a re‐id system. However, the computed distances in traditional video‐based methods are easily distracted by the randomness of data distribution, especially with small sample size for training. To preferably distinguish different people, a novel regularised hull distance learning video‐based person re‐id method is proposed. It is advantageous in two aspects: robustness is guaranteed due to expanded video samples by regularised affine hull with limited ones, discriminability is ensured due to penalised hard negative samples more severely. Hence, the discriminability and robustness of the learnt metric are strengthened. Comparisons with the state‐of‐the‐art video‐based methods as well as related methods on PRID 2011, iLIDS‐VID and MARS datasets demonstrate the superiority of the authors’ method.
Artificial intelligence enabled software‐defined networking: a comprehensive overview
Authors: Latah Majd , Toker Levent
Published: November 2018

Software‐defined networking (SDN) represents a promising networking architecture that combines central management and network programmability. SDN separates the control plane from the data plane and moves the network management to a central point, called the controller that can be programmed and used as the brain of the network. Recently, the research community has shown an increased tendency to benefit from the recent advancements in the artificial intelligence (AI) field to provide learning abilities and better decision making in SDN. In this study, the authors provide a detailed overview of the recent efforts to include AI in SDN. The study showed that the research efforts focused on three main sub‐fields of AI namely: machine learning, meta‐heuristics and fuzzy inference systems. Accordingly, in this work, the authors investigate their different application areas and potential use, as well as the improvements achieved by including AI‐based techniques in the SDN paradigm.