bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel role for ATR/Rad3 in G1 phase
Authors: Bøe Cathrine A. , Håland Tine W. , Boye Erik , Syljuåsen Randi G. , Grallert Beáta
Published: April 2018

Checkpoint kinases are important in cellular surveillance pathways that help cells to cope with DNA damage and protect their genomes. In cycling cells, DNA replication is one of the most sensitive processes and therefore all organisms carefully regulate replication initiation and progression. The checkpoint kinase ATR plays important roles both in response to DNA damage and replication stress, and ATR inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Therefore, it is important to understand the roles of ATR in detail. Here we show that the fission yeast homologue Rad3 and the human ATR regulate events also in G1 phase in an unperturbed cell cycle. Rad3Δ mutants or human cells exposed to ATR inhibitor in G1 enter S phase prematurely, which results in increased DNA damage. Furthermore, ATR inhibition in a single G1 reduces clonogenic survival, demonstrating that long-term effects of ATR inhibition during G1 are deleterious for the cell. Interestingly, ATR inhibition through G1 and S phase reduces survival in an additive manner, strongly arguing that different functions of ATR are targeted in the different cell-cycle phases. We propose that potential effects of ATR inhibitors in G1 should be considered when designing future treatment protocols with such inhibitors.
A proteomic analysis of an in vitro knock-out of miR-200c
Authors: Ljepoja Bojan , García-Roman Jonathan , Sommer Ann-Katrin , Fröhlich Thomas , Arnold Georg J. , Wagner Ernst , Roidl Andreas
Published: April 2018

Loss of miR-200c is correlated to advanced cancer-subtypes due to increased EMT and decreased treatment efficacy by chemotherapeutics. As miRNAs regulate a multitude of targets, the analysis of differentially expressed proteins upon a genomic knock-out (KO) is of interest. In this study, we generated a TALENs KO of miR-200c in MCF7 breast cancer cells, excluded its compensation by family-members and evaluated the impact on the proteome by analyzing three individual KO-clones. We identified 26 key proteins and a variety of enrichments in metabolic and cytoskeletal pathways. In six of these targets (AGR2, FLNA/B, ALDH7A1, SCIN, GSTM3) the differential expression was additionally detected at mRNA level. Together, these alterations in protein abundance accounted for the observed biological phenotypes, i.e. increased migration and chemoresistance and altered metabolism, found in the miR-200c-KO clones. These findings provide novel insights into miR-200c and pave the way for further studies.
FTY720 Decreases Tumorigenesis in Group 3 Medulloblastoma Patient-Derived Xenografts
Authors: Garner Evan F. , Williams Adele P. , Stafman Laura L. , Aye Jamie M. , Mroczek-Musulman Elizabeth , Moore Blake P. , Stewart Jerry E. , Friedman Gregory K. , Beierle Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

Group 3 tumors account for 28% of medulloblastomas and have the worst prognosis. FTY720, an immunosuppressant currently approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis, has shown antitumor effects in several human cancer cell lines. We hypothesized that treatment with FTY720 (fingolimod) would decrease tumorigenicity in medulloblastoma patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Three Group 3 medulloblastoma PDXs (D341, D384 and D425) were utilized. Expression of PP2A and its endogenous inhibitors I2PP2A and CIP2A was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. PP2A activation was measured via phosphatase activation kit. Cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion assays were performed after treatment with FTY720. Cell cycle analysis was completed using flow cytometry. A flank model using D425 human medulloblastoma PDX cells was used to assess the in vivo effects of FTY720. FTY720 activated PP2A and led to decreased medulloblastoma PDX cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion and G1 cell cycle arrest in all three PDXs. FTY720 treatment of mice bearing D425 medulloblastoma PDX tumors resulted in a significant decrease in tumor growth compared to vehicle treated animals. FTY720 decreased viability, proliferation, and motility in Group 3 medulloblastoma PDX cells and significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo. These results suggest that FTY720 should be investigated further as a potential therapeutic agent for medulloblastoma.
The Role of Intelligence in Social Learning
Authors: Vostroknutov Alexander , Polonio Luca , Coricelli Giorgio
Published: April 2018

Studies in cultural evolution have uncovered many types of social learning strategies that are adaptive in certain environments. The efficiency of these strategies also depends on the individual characteristics of both the observer and the demonstrator. We investigate the relationship between intelligence and the ways social and individual information is utilised to make decisions in an uncertain environment. We measure fluid intelligence and study experimentally how individuals learn from observing the choices of a demonstrator in a 2-armed bandit problem with changing probabilities of a reward. Participants observe a demonstrator with high or low fluid intelligence. In some treatments they are aware of the intelligence score of the demonstrator and in others they are not. Low fluid intelligence individuals imitate the demonstrator more when her fluid intelligence is known than when it is not. Conversely, individuals with high fluid intelligence adjust their use of social information, as the observed behaviour changes, independently of the knowledge of the intelligence of the demonstrator. We provide evidence that intelligence determines how social and individual information is integrated in order to make choices in a changing uncertain environment.
Bidirectional regulation of bone formation by exogenous and osteosarcoma-derived Sema3A
Authors: de Ridder Daniëlle , Marino Silvia , Bishop Ryan T. , Renema Nathalie , Chenu Chantal , Heymann Dominique , Idris Aymen I.
Published: April 2018

Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), a secreted member of the Semaphorin family, increases osteoblast differentiation, stimulates bone formation and enhances fracture healing. Here, we report a previously unknown role of Sema3A in the regulation of ectopic bone formation and osteolysis related to osteosarcoma. Human recombinant (exogenous) Sema3A promoted the expression of osteoblastic phenotype in a panel of human osteosarcoma cell lines and inhibited the ability of these cells to migrate and enhance osteoclastogenesis in vitro. In vivo, administration of exogenous Sema3A in mice after paratibial inoculation of KHOS cells increased bone volume in non-inoculated and tumour-bearing legs. In contrast, Sema3A overexpression reduced the ability of KHOS cells to cause ectopic bone formation in mice and to increase bone nodule formation by engaging DKK1/β-catenin signalling. Thus, Sema3A is of potential therapeutic efficacy in osteosarcoma. However, inhibition of bone formation associated with continuous exposure to Sema3A may limit its long-term usefulness as therapeutic agent.
N-Alkylation of functionalized amines with alcohols using a copper–gold mixed photocatalytic system
Authors: Wang Lyu-Ming , Morioka Yuna , Jenkinson Kellie , Wheatley Andrew E. H. , Saito Susumu , Naka Hiroshi
Published: April 2018

Direct functionalization of amino groups in complex organic molecules is one of the most important key technologies in modern organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of bio-active chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Whereas numerous chemical reactions of amines have been developed to date, a selective, practical method for functionalizing complex amines is still highly demanded. Here we report the first late-stage N-alkylation of pharmaceutically relevant amines with alcohols at ambient temperature. This reaction was achieved by devising a mixed heterogeneous photocatalyst in situ prepared from Cu/TiO2 and Au/TiO2. The mixed photocatalytic system enabled the rapid N-alkylation of pharmaceutically relevant molecules, the selective mono- and di-alkylation of primary amines, and the non-symmetrical dialkylation of primary amines to hetero-substituted tertiary amines.
Modulation of the relationship between spring AO and the subsequent winter ENSO by the preceding November AO
Authors: Chen Shangfeng , Chen Wen , Yu Bin
Published: April 2018

Previous studies indicated that the spring Arctic Oscillation (AO) exerts significant influences on the subsequent winter El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This analysis suggests that the spring AO-ENSO linkage is highly modulated by its preceding November AO. When November and the subsequent spring AO indices are in phase, the spring AO has a pronounced influence on ENSO. However, when the November and spring AO indices are out of phase, the spring AO-ENSO connection disappears. Modulation of the November AO on the spring AO-ENSO connection is mainly through the constructive and destructive superposition of the November and spring AO associated sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical central-eastern Pacific in spring and summer, as well as the SST anomalies developed further in the tropical Pacific via the positive air-sea feedback.
Quantitation of the cellular content of saliva and buccal swab samples
Authors: Theda Christiane , Hwang Seo Hye , Czajko Anna , Loke Yuk Jing , Leong Pamela , Craig Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2018

Buccal swabs and saliva are the two most common oral sampling methods used for medical research. Often, these samples are used interchangeably, despite previous evidence that both contain buccal cells and blood leukocytes in different proportions. For some research, such as epigenetic studies, the cell types contributing to the analysis are highly relevant. We collected such samples from twelve children and twenty adults and, using Papanicolaou staining, measured the proportions of epithelial cells and leukocytes through microscopy. To our knowledge, no studies have compared cellular heterogeneity in buccal swab and saliva samples from adults and children. We confirmed that buccal swabs contained a higher proportion of epithelial cells than saliva and that children have a greater proportion of such cells in saliva compared to adults. At this level of resolution, buccal swabs and saliva contained similar epithelial cell subtypes. Gingivitis in children was associated with a higher proportion of leukocytes in saliva samples but not in buccal swabs. Compared to more detailed and costly methods such as flow cytometry or deconvolution methods used in epigenomic analysis, the procedure described here can serve as a simple and low-cost method to characterize buccal and saliva samples. Microscopy provides a low-cost tool to alert researchers to the presence of oral inflammation which may affect a subset of their samples. This knowledge might be highly relevant to their specific research questions, may assist with sample selection and thus might be crucial information despite the ability of data deconvolution methods to correct for cellular heterogeneity.
Erythrocytes lacking the Langereis blood group protein ABCB6 are resistant to the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Egan Elizabeth S. , Weekes Michael P. , Kanjee Usheer , Manzo Jale , Srinivasan Ashwin , Lomas-Francis Christine , Westhoff Connie , Takahashi Junko , Tanaka Mitsunobu , Watanabe Seishi , Brugnara Carlo , Gygi Steven P. , Tani Yoshihiko , Duraisingh Manoj T.
Published: April 2018

The ATP-binding cassette transporterABCB6was recently discovered to encode the Langereis (Lan) blood group antigen. Lan null individuals are asymptomatic, and the function of ABCB6 in mature erythrocytes is not understood. Here, we assessed ABCB6 as a host factor forPlasmodium falciparummalaria parasites during erythrocyte invasion. We show that Lan null erythrocytes are highly resistant to invasion byP. falciparum, in a strain-transcendent manner. Although both Lan null and Jr(a-) erythrocytes harbor excess porphyrin, only Lan null erythrocytes exhibit aP. falciparuminvasion defect. Further, the zoonotic parasiteP. knowlesiinvades Lan null and control cells with similar efficiency, suggesting that ABCB6 may mediateP. falciparuminvasion through species-specific molecular interactions. Using tandem mass tag-based proteomics, we find that the only consistent difference in membrane proteins between Lan null and control cells is absence of ABCB6. Our results demonstrate that a newly identified naturally occurring blood group variant is associated with resistance toPlasmodium falciparum.
Tuning the structure and catalytic activity of Ru nanoparticle catalysts by single 3d transition-metal atoms in Ru12–metalloporphyrin precursors
Authors: Muratsugu Satoshi , Yamaguchi Atsuki , Yokota Gen-ichi , Maeno Tomoaki , Tada Mizuki
Published: April 2018

The single 3d metal atoms at the central position of the Ru12–metalloporphyrin complex precursors exerted a significant influence on the structure and hydrogenation performance of the Ru nanoparticles on the SiO2 surface.
The energy return on investment of BECCS: is BECCS a threat to energy security?
Authors: Fajardy Mathilde , Mac Dowell Niall
Published: April 2018

Energy intensive supply chains and low power generation efficiency could challenge the ubiquitous assumption that BECCS is a net provider of electricity. Deploying a net negative energy technology at the EJ scale could represent a threat to energy security.
Identification of absorbed constituents and evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of main compounds after oral administration of yindanxinnaotong by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS
Authors: Gong Leilei , Xu Haiyu , Yuan Huijun , Wang Lan , Yin Xiaojie , Fan Moqi , Cheng Long , Ma Xiaojing , Liang Rixin , Yang Hongjun
Published: April 2018

Yindanxinnaotong capsule (YDXNT), a traditional Chinese formula, has been used to treat cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for several decades.
Continuous synthesis of tuneable sized silver nanoparticles via a tandem seed-mediated method in coiled flow inverter reactors
Authors: Wu Ke-Jun , Torrente-Murciano Laura
Published: April 2018

Size control of metal nanoparticles is essential to achieve accurate adjustment of their unique chemical and physical properties.
ATR-IR coupled to partial least squares regression (PLSR) for monitoring an encapsulated active molecule in complex semi-solid formulations
Authors: Miloudi Lynda , Bonnier Franck , Barreau Kevin , Bertrand Dominique , Perse Xavier , Yvergnaux Florent , Byrne Hugh J. , Chourpa Igor , Munnier Emilie
Published: April 2018

Attenuated Total Reflectance-Infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy holds great promise for industrial applications as a quality control tool for complex galenic formulations.
Direct and ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of PETN vapor based on a fuorene-dimer probe via a synergic backbone and side-chain tuning
Authors: Liu Ao , Liu Huan , Peng Xin , Jia Jinlan , Fu Yanyan , He Qingguo , Cao Huimin , Cheng Jiangong
Published: April 2018

Due to TPA attraction, the distance between PETN and 6TPA-2FT is shortened, and both PET and intermolecular forces are promoted.
Room-temperature rechargeable Na–SO2 batteries containing a gel-polymer electrolyte
Authors: Hu Xiaofei , Dawut Gulbahar , Wang Jiaqi , Li Haixia , Chen Jun
Published: April 2018

Room-temperature rechargeable Na–SO2 batteries containing a gel-polymer electrolyte were constructed, and delivered the reversible reaction 2Na + 2SO2 ↔ Na2S2O4 with a high capacity of 5000 mA h g−1 (763 W h kg−1) and a nearly 100% capacity retention after 100 cycles.
A plasmonic non-stoichiometric WO3−xhomojunction with stabilizing surface plasmonic resonance for selective photochromic modulation
Authors: Li Ning , Cao Xun , Li Yamei , Chang Tianci , Long Shiwei , Zhou Yijie , Sun Guangyao , Ge Lei , Jin Ping
Published: April 2018

For the first time we have tuned sufficient free electrons for tunable plasmon resonance in a wide range of solar regions by designing a structure based on crystalline–amorphous homojunction WO3−xnanocrystals.
Czochralski growth and characterization of TbxGd1−xScO3and TbxDy1−xScO3solid-solution single crystals
Authors: Guguschev C. , Hidde J. , Gesing T. M. , Gogolin M. , Klimm D.
Published: April 2018

TbxGd1−xScO3and TbxDy1−xScO3solid-solution single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method to validate the practicality of solid solutions between neighboring RE scandates (REScO3).
Engineering l-asparaginase for spontaneous formation of calcium phosphate bioinspired microreactors
Authors: Louka Alexandra , Matlahov Irina , Giuntini Stefano , Cerofolini Linda , Cavallo Andrea , Pillozzi Serena , Ravera Enrico , Fragai Marco , Arcangeli Annarosa , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy , Goobes Gil , Luchinat Claudio
Published: April 2018

The combination of several techniques yields unique insights into the organization of a bioinspired bioreactor.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the structure of mixtures of protic ionic liquids and monovalent and divalent salts at the electrochemical interface
Authors: Gómez-González Víctor , Docampo-Álvarez Borja , Otero-Mato J. Manuel , Cabeza Oscar , Gallego Luis J. , Varela Luis M.
Published: April 2018

Hydrogen bonded protic ionic liquids improve the transport of electrochemically relevant cations to charged walls relative to aprotic ones.
Conformationally controlled ultrafast intersystem crossing in bithiophene systems
Authors: Skov Anders B. , Larsen Martin A. B. , Liisberg Mikkel B. , Hansen Thorsten , Sølling Theis I.
Published: April 2018

Bithiophenes serve as model systems for polythiophenes used in solar cell applications and molecular electronics. Bithiophene has two major conformations, where the disfavored cis-conformation shows a higher rate of intersystem crossing.
Reversible room temperature ammonia gas absorption in pore water of microporous silica–alumina for sensing applications
Authors: Vallaey Brecht , Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Heylen Steven , Chandran C. Vinod , Taulelle Francis , Breynaert Eric , Martens Johan A.
Published: April 2018

The high reversible ammonia adsorption capacity of pore water in a microporous silica–alumina material.
Influence of defect distribution on the thermoelectric properties of FeNbSb based materials
Authors: Guo Shuping , Yang Kaishuai , Zeng Zhi , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: April 2018

Cooperative effects of a solid solution and phase separation could strongly scatter phonons and improve the performance of thermoelectric materials.
Chiroptical methods in a wide wavelength range for obtaining Ln3+ complexes with circularly polarized luminescence of practical interest
Authors: Górecki Marcin , Carpita Luca , Arrico Lorenzo , Zinna Francesco , Di Bari Lorenzo
Published: April 2018

Combining optical and chiroptical spectra from UV to IR in absorption and in emission gives a complete stereochemical fingerprint of chiral lanthanide complexes in solution. Surfing from one to another Ln further increases spectroscopic information.
Solvent-dependent variations of both structure and catalytic performance in three manganese coordination polymers
Authors: Kang Xiao-Min , Wang Wen-Min , Yao Lin-Hong , Ren Hong-Xia , Zhao Bin
Published: April 2018

Three new Mn-based MOFs have been prepared, and a 3D framework can act as an efficient and recycled catalyst in CO2 cycloaddition with different epoxides.
Syntheses and studies of electron/energy transfer of new dyads based on an unsymmetrical perylene diimide incorporating chelating 1,10-phenanthroline and its corresponding square-planar complexes with dichloroplatinum(ii) and dichloropalladium(ii )
Authors: Işık Büyükekşi Sebile , Karatay Ahmet , Acar Nursel , Küçüköz Betül , Elmali Ayhan , Şengül Abdurrahman
Published: April 2018

Photophysical properties of new dyads have been studied with steady-state absorption and TDDFT.
Flexible three-dimensional interconnected piezoelectric ceramic foam based composites for highly efficient concurrent mechanical and thermal energy harvesting
Authors: Zhang Guangzu , Zhao Peng , Zhang Xiaoshan , Han Kuo , Zhao Tiankai , Zhang Yong , Jeong Chang Kyu , Jiang Shenglin , Zhang Sulin , Wang Qing
Published: April 2018

Exceptionally high piezoelectric and pyroelectric performances have been demonstrated in the three-dimensional interconnected microfoam based polymer nanocomposites.
Blank overcorrection in ICP-MS – influence of the torch material used on the molar mass of highly enriched silicon and on the redefinition of the kilogram
Authors: Pramann Axel , Rienitz Olaf
Published: April 2018

Blank corrected vs. not blank corrected molar mass of enriched silicon obtained with sapphire and quartz equipment (background: sapphire torch).
Untargeted lipidomic analysis of primary human epidermal melanocytes acutely and chronically exposed to UV radiation
Authors: Dalmau Núria , Andrieu-Abadie Nathalie , Tauler Romà , Bedia Carmen
Published: April 2018

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation present in sunlight has been related to harmful effects on skin such as premature aging and skin cancer.
Interactions between the antiviral drug telaprevir and human serum albumin: a combined study with spectroscopic methods and molecular modeling
Authors: Xiong Xinnuo , Gan Ruixue , Suo Zili , Tang Peixiao , Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhu Yujie , Sun Qiaomei , Li Hui
Published: April 2018

The binding mechanism between telaprevir and human serum albumin was explored by combining spectroscopic methods and molecular dynamics simulations.
Detection and selective sample clean-up of beryllium(ii) through {extractor-HOMO}(:){Be3O(OH)2}2+ ‘ion pair complexation’ amidst aluminum(iii) and uranium(vi) by employing a fluorescent resin: the resin's HOMO amount is a quantitative descriptor of BTC
Authors: Chatterjee Mousumi , Roy Dipika , Mondal Sneha , Sarkar Rimi , Malik Susanta , Barman Milan K. , Srivastava Bhavya , Mandal Bhabatosh
Published: April 2018

Under optimum sorption conditions, FSG–PAN forms 1 : 1 ‘ion pairs’ with {Be3O(OH)2}2+, {Al3(OH)3(H2O)2}6+ and {(UO2)2(OH)2(H2O)7}2+.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based nanoparticles composed of AIE luminogens and NIR dyes with enhanced three-photon near-infrared emission for in vivo brain angiography
Authors: Liu Wen , Wang Yalun , Han Xiao , Lu Ping , Zhu Liang , Sun Chaowei , Qian Jun , He Sailing
Published: April 2018

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence is very important for high-contrast biological imaging of high-scattering tissues such as brain tissue.
The potential of zwitterionic nanoliposomes against neurotoxic alpha-synuclein aggregates in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Aliakbari Farhang , Mohammad-Beigi Hossein , Rezaei-Ghaleh Nasrollah , Becker Stefan , Dehghani Esmatabad Faezeh , Eslampanah Seyedi Hadieh Alsadat , Bardania Hassan , Tayaranian Marvian Amir , Collingwood Joanna F. , Christiansen Gunna , Zweckstetter Markus , Otzen Daniel E. , Morshedi Dina
Published: April 2018

The mechanism of zwitterionic nanoliposomes to reduce α-synuclein aggregation and neurotoxicity.
Floxuridine-containing nucleic acid nanogels for anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Ma Yuan , Liu Hongxia , Mou Quanbing , Yan Deyue , Zhu Xinyuan , Zhang Chuan
Published: April 2018

Herein, we report the self-assembled floxuridine-containing DNA and RNA nanogels with a precise drug loading ratio as effective drug delivery systems.
Temperature responsive nanoparticles: poloxamers as a modulator of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)
Authors: Klep Oleksandr , Bandera Yuriy , Foulger Stephen H.
Published: April 2018

Poloxamer attached to propargyl acrylate nanoparticle is used to control energy transfer between the dyes through distance modulation.
Selective counting and sizing of single virus particles using fluorescent aptamer-based nanoparticle tracking analysis
Authors: Szakács Zoltán , Mészáros Tamás , de Jonge Marien I. , Gyurcsányi Róbert E.
Published: April 2018

Selective labelling of virus particles with fluorescent aptamers enables their identification, sizing and counting at the single particle level even in clinical samples by fluorescent nanoparticle tracking analysis.
Highly regioselective, electrophile induced cyclizations of 2-(prop-1-ynyl)benzamides
Authors: Chinta Bhavani Shankar , Sanapa Harikrishna , Vasikarla Kamala Prasad , Baire Beeraiah
Published: April 2018

We report an electrophile promoted, highly regioselective (∼100%) synthesis of 5-membered haloimidiates from 2-(1-alkynyl)benzamides under metal free conditions.
Liquid crystallinity of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chang Chunrui , Zhao Ying , Liu Ying , An Libao
Published: April 2018

In this review, we first briefly recapitulate the orientation characteristics of liquid crystalline carbon nanotubes (CNTs), emphasizing their inherent properties.
Bio-based polyurethane foam preparation employing lignin from corn stalk enzymatic hydrolysis residues
Authors: Zhu Shiyun , Chen Kefu , Xu Jun , Li Jun , Mo Lihuan
Published: April 2018

Enzymatic hydrolysis residues (EHR) from corn stalk are industrial waste from the cellulosic ethanol industry.
Adsorption of Reactive Blue 19 from aqueous solution by chitin nanofiber-/nanowhisker-based hydrogels
Authors: Liu Liang , Wang Rong , Yu Juan , Hu Lijiang , Wang Zhiguo , Fan Yimin
Published: April 2018

Physical hydrogels prepared from partially deacetylated chitin nanofibers/nanowhiskers (DEChNs) were prepared and evaluated as a new adsorbent for Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) solutions.
Preparation and characterization of emamectin benzoate nanoformulations based on colloidal delivery systems and use in controlling Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Shoaib Ali , Waqas Muhammad , Elabasy Asem , Cheng Xinlai , Zhang Qianqian , Shi Zuhua
Published: April 2018

Colloidal delivery systems have been widely used as carriers for controlled delivery of pesticides to improve the efficacy and photostability of natural and semi-synthetic pesticides.
LiMg0.1Co0.9BO3 as a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zor Ceren , Somer Mehmet , Afyon Semih
Published: April 2018

LiMg0.1Co0.9BO3 could be a promising cathode material given the electronic and ionic conductivity problems are addressed.
A self-assembling luminescent lanthanide molecular nanoparticle with potential for live cell imaging
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Wang Shiqing , Zhang Yali , Liang Guang , Zhu Ting , Zhang Lijie , Huang Shaoming , Schipper Desmond , Jones Richard A.
Published: April 2018

A 32-metal Cd–Tb nanocluster with enhanced visible luminescence was constructed by the introduction of energy transfer donors (1,4-BDC) for potential bioimaging applications.
Structurally characterized terminal manganese(iv) oxo tris(alkoxide) complex
Authors: Halbach Robert L. , Gygi David , Bloch Eric D. , Anderson Bryce L. , Nocera Daniel G.
Published: April 2018

First structurally characterized Mn(iv) oxo.
Naturally abundant high-performance rechargeable aluminum/iodine batteries based on conversion reaction chemistry
Authors: Zhang Shunlong , Tan Xiaojian , Meng Zhen , Tian Huajun , Xu Fangfang , Han Wei-Qiang
Published: April 2018

Optimized structure of discharging products in different metal–iodine batteries and electrochemical performance of aluminum/iodine batteries.
A nonvolatile morphology regulator for enhancing the molecular order in the active layer and power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells
Authors: Jhuo Hong-Jyun , Sharma Sunil , Chen Hsin-Lung , Chen Show-An
Published: April 2018

We propose PDI–PC61BM as an NVMR in the active layer to promote molecular order and improve device performance from 10.63% to 12.23%.
Controlled surface decomposition derived passivation and energy-level alignment behaviors for high performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Zhang Cuiping , Shao Zhipeng , Fan Yingping , Liu Ranran , Wang Li , Pang Shuping
Published: April 2018

A program-controlled surface decomposition method to construct the MAPbI3/PbI2 structure for in-depth understanding of the effect of different positions of PbI2 on the performance of PSCs.
Amorphous NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheets decorated on 3D nickel phosphide nanoarrays: a hierarchical core–shell electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Yu Luo , Zhou Haiqing , Sun Jingying , Mishra Ishwar Kumar , Luo Dan , Yu Fang , Yu Ying , Chen Shuo , Ren Zhifeng
Published: April 2018

Amorphous NiFe LDH nanosheets were decorated on nickel phosphide nanoarrays to form a 3D core–shell electrocatalyst for efficient water oxidation.
Laser-pattern induced contact guidance in biodegradable microfluidic channels for vasculature regeneration
Authors: Hsieh Yi-Kong , Hsu Kai-Ping , Hsiao Syuan-Ku , Gorday Kaiser Alejandro Villalobos , Wang Tsinghai , Wang Jane
Published: April 2018

The induction of contact guidance in HIG-82 and HUVECs on laser-patterned biodegradable scaffolds.
A novel and simple aluminium/sol–gel-derived amorphous aluminium oxide multilayer film with high energy density
Authors: Su Zhen , Yao Manwen , Li Mengxin , Gao Wenbin , Li Qiuxia , Feng Qian , Yao Xi
Published: April 2018

A novel and simple Al/sol–gel-derived AmAO multilayer film with high energy density of 13.9 J cm−3 was induced by interfacial evolution.
Magnetic field effects on the quenching of triplet excitons in exciplex-based organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Yuan Peisen , Qiao Xianfeng , Yan Donghang , Ma Dongge
Published: April 2018

Triplet excited states in exciplex-based organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) can be wasted by transferring their energy to the host material in a system with smaller triplet energy levels.
Inverse thermal quenching effect in lanthanide-doped upconversion nanocrystals for anti-counterfeiting
Authors: Lei Lei , Chen Daqin , Li Can , Huang Feng , Zhang Junjie , Xu Shiqing
Published: April 2018

An inverse thermal quenching effect is actualized in uniform lanthanide-doped Na3ZrF7 by artificially introducing defect state with an appropriate energy level. These kinds of systems are very suitable for anti-counterfeiting with high security.
The role of IP3R-SOCCs in Cr(vi)-induced cytosolic Ca2+ overload and apoptosis in L-02 hepatocytes
Authors: Liang Qi , Zhang Yujing , Zeng Ming , Guan Lan , Xiao Yuanyuan , Xiao Fang
Published: April 2018

Heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium [Cr(vi)] could induce Ca2+ overload and subsequently hepatocyte injury, and even apoptotic cell death, but the source of the increased cytosolic-free Ca2+ is still unclear.
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment mediated apoptotic cell death induced by terpinolene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Agus Hizlan H. , Sarp Cemaynur , Cemiloglu Meryem
Published: April 2018

Terpinolene induces apoptotic cell death via oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment.
Neonatal maternal deprivation impairs localized de novo activity-induced protein translation at the synapse in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Ahmad Faraz , Salahuddin Mohammad , Alsamman Khaldoon , Herzallah Hatem K. , Al-Otaibi Sultan T.
Published: April 2018

Neonatal neuropsychiatric stress induces alterations in neurodevelopment that can lead to irreversible damage to neuronal physiology, and social, behavioral, and cognitive skills. In addition, this culminates to an elevated vulnerability to stress and anxiety later in life. Developmental deficits in hippocampal synaptic function and plasticity are among the primary contributors of detrimental alterations in brain function induced by early-life stress. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Localized protein translation, occurring at the synapse and triggered by neuronal activity, is critical for synapse function, maintenance, and plasticity. We used a rodent model of chronic maternal deprivation to characterize the effects of early-life neuropsychiatric stress on localized de novo protein translation at synaptic connections between neurons. Synaptoneurosomal preparations isolated biochemically from the hippocampi of rat pups that were subjected to maternal deprivation were deficient in depolarization-induced activity-dependent protein translation when compared with littermate controls. Conversely, basal unstimulated protein translation was not affected. Moreover, deficits in activity-driven synaptic protein translation were significantly correlated with a reduction in phosphorylated cell survival protein kinase protein B or Akt (p473 Ser and p308 Thr), but not phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase.
MiR-382 functions as tumor suppressor and chemosensitizer in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yao Hui , Xia Dong , Li Zong-lin , Ren Lei , Wang Ming-ming , Chen Wang-sheng , Hu Zheng-chuan , Yi Guo-ping , Xu Liang
Published: April 2018

Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Decreased expression of miR-382 has been observed in various types of cancers. However, the biological function of miR-382 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still largely unknown. Here, we found that miR-382 was down-regulated in human colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines associated with it. MiR-382 inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and enhance chemosensitivity. Furthermore, we identified Krüppel-like factor 12 (KLF12) and homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 3 (HIPK3) as the target of miR-382, and miR-382 rescued the promotion effect of KFL12 on migration and enhanced chemosensitivity in colorectal cancer cell lines. Collectively, these findings revealed that miR-382 inhibits migration and enhances chemosensitivity by targeting KLF12 and HIPK3 in colorectal cancer. These findings might serve as a tumor suppressor in CRC.
Efficient approach for non‐ideal iris segmentation using improved particle swarm optimisation‐based multilevel thresholding and geodesic active contours
Authors: Rapaka Satish , Kumar Pullakura Rajesh
Published: April 2018

Segmentation is an important step in iris recognition framework because the accuracy of the iris recognition system is affected by the segmentation of the iris. The image acquisition introduces noise artefacts such as specular reflections, eyelids/eyelashes occlusions and overlapping intensities, which makes the segmentation process difficult. An efficient method has been proposed for the segmentation of iris images that deal with non‐circular iris boundaries and other noise artefacts mentioned above. The proposed method uses the Otsu multilevel thresholding based on improved particle swarm optimisation technique as a pre‐segmentation step. Pre‐segmentation step delimits the iris region from the other parts of an eye image. The geodesic active contours incorporated with a novel stopping function is then used to segment non‐circular iris boundaries. The recognition accuracy of the proposed method is verified using the standard databases, CASIA v3 Interval and UBIRISv1. Obtained results have been compared with existing methods and have an encouraging performance.
Three‐dimensional image registration using distributed parallel computing
Authors: Song Huajun , Qiu Peihua
Published: April 2018

Three‐dimensional (3D) images have become increasingly popular in practice. They are commonly used in medical imaging applications. In such applications, it is often critical to compare two 3D images, or monitor a sequence of 3D images. To make the image comparison or image monitoring valid, the related 3D images should be geometrically aligned first, which is called image registration (IR). However, IR for 3D images would take much computing time, especially when a flexible method is considered, which does not impose any parametric form on the underlying geometric transformation. Here, the authors explore a fast‐computing environment for 3D IR based on the distributed parallel computing. The selected 3D IR method is based on the Taylor's expansion and 3D local kernel smoothing. It is flexible, but involves much computation. The authors demonstrate that this fast‐computing environment can effectively handle the computing problem while keeping the good properties of the 3D IR method. The method discussed here is therefore useful for applications involving big data.
Denoising hyperspectral images using Hilbert vibration decomposition with cluster validation
Authors: Shukla Urvashi Prakash , Nanda Satyasai Jagannath
Published: April 2018

Denoising of hyperspectral images is an essential step to remove the visual artifacts and improve the quality of an image. There are various sources of noise such as dark current, thermal and read noise produced due to detectors, stochastic error of photo‐counting and so on which leads to variability of noise both in spatial and spectral domains. In this study, author proposes a novel denoising method based on concept of Hilbert vibration decomposition (HVD). Being iterative in nature it segregates initial amplitude composition into various components which are composed of slow varying wavelength. Any hyperspectral image is captured by the sensor over contiguous wavelengths. Thus, variation in intensities over the spectral dimension is less. HVD separates pixels in decreasing order of their intensity and results in denoising of the image. To evaluate method, various noise conditions have been tested on three real datasets: Washington DC mall, Urban and Pavia University. The validation is done both visually and quantitatively. The denoising with almost 100% mean structural similarity index confirms superiority of the designed method. Clustering and spectral analysis of various denoised images have also been reported. Clustering accuracy of 65% is achieved by the HVD as compared to other methods.
Non‐rigid point set registration by high‐dimensional representation
Authors: Huang Huimin , Zhou Zuofeng , Cao Jianzhong
Published: April 2018

Non‐rigid point set registration is a key component in many computer vision and pattern recognition tasks. In this study, the authors propose a robust non‐rigid point set registration method based on high‐dimensional representation. Their central idea is to map the point sets into a high‐dimensional space by integrating the relative structure information into the coordinates of points. On the one hand, the point set registration is formulated as the estimation of a mixture of densities in high‐dimensional space. On the other hand, the relative distances are used to compute the local features which assign the membership probabilities of the mixture model. The proposed model captures discriminative relative information and enables to preserve both global and local structures of the point set during matching. Extensive experiments on both synthesised and real data demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods under various types of distortions, especially for the deformation and rotation degradations.
Dielectric materials for high‐temperature capacitors
Authors: Fan Baoyan , Liu Feihua , Yang Guang , Li He , Zhang Guangzu , Jiang Shenglin , Wang Qing
Published: April 2018

Dielectric materials with excellent energy storage capability at elevated temperatures are critical to meet the increasing demand of electrical energy storage and power conditioning at extreme conditions such as hybrid electric vehicles, underground oil industries and aerospace systems. This review study summarises the important aspects and recent advances in the development of nanostructured dielectric materials including ceramics, polymers and polymer composites for high‐temperature capacitor applications. The advantages and limitations of current dielectric materials are discussed and analysed. Ongoing research strategies to suppress the conduction loss and optimise the high‐temperature capacitive performance of dielectrics have been highlighted. A summary and outlook will conclude this review.
LRO/LAMP study of the interstellar medium via the HeI 58.4 nm resonance line
Authors: Grava C. , Pryor W. R. , Feldman P. D. , Retherford K. D. , Gladstone G. R. , Greathouse T. K.
Published: April 2018

Context.Recent measurements by IBEX and detailed modeling have changed our understanding of the flow of the interstellar medium through the solar system. In particular, a time dependence of the direction of the interstellar medium flow has been proposed, and a new population of helium atoms, called the “warm breeze”, has been discovered.

Aims.We aim to constrain the structure of the interstellar medium close to the downwind focusing cone using the sensitive LAMP FUV/EUV imaging spectrograph onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Methods.We measured the brightness of the emission line from interstellar helium atoms resonantly scattering solar photons at 58.4 nm (HeI) and compare it to our “modified cold model” of interstellar HeI sky brightness as a function of ecliptic latitude and longitude. Additionally, we compared LAMP observations to a model with time-dependent inflow direction and a model of the brightness of the “warm breeze”, to see if they can be distinguished by LAMP.

Results.We find that the LAMP observations agree within error bars to our “modified cold model”, which in turn is consistent with the latest interstellar helium flow parameters found with IBEX. Our model can therefore be applied to other UV spectroscopic observations of the interstellar helium. However, LAMP observations cannot distinguish between our model and a model with a different inflow direction, since the latter has negligible effect on the 2D brightness of the interstellar HeI emission line. For the same reason, LAMP could not detect the effect of the “warm breeze”. We note a discrepancy between solar irradiances measured by TIMED/SEE and those measured by SDO/EVE. We recommend using values from SDO/EVE. Finally, we derive a value of LAMP sensitivity at the EUV wavelength (58.4 nm) of 0.485 ± 0.014 Hz/Rayleigh.

Conclusions.These measurements pave the way to observations of the interstellar wind from lunar orbit.
First hydrodynamics simulations of radiation forces and photoionization feedback in massive star formation
Authors: Kuiper R. , Hosokawa T.
Published: April 2018

Aims. We present the first simulations of the formation and feedback of massive stars which account for radiation forces as well as photoionization feedback (along with protostellar outflows). In two different accretion scenarios modeled, we determine the relative strength of these feedback components and derive the size of the reservoir from which the forming stars gained their masses.

Methods. We performed direct hydrodynamics simulations of the gravitational collapse of high-density mass reservoirs toward the formation of massive stars including self-gravity, stellar evolution, protostellar outflows, continuum radiation transport, photoionization, and the potential impact of ram pressure from large-scale gravitational infall. For direct comparison, we executed these simulations with and without the individual feedback components.

Results. Protostellar outflows alone limit the stellar mass growth only in an accretion scenario with a finite mass reservoir; when including accretion and ram pressure from large scales (>0.1 pc), protostellar outflows do not limit stellar mass growth at all. Photoionization and HII regions dominate the feedback ladder only at later times, after the star has already contracted down to the zero-age main sequence, and only on large scales. Specifically, photoionization yields a broadening of the bipolar outflow cavities and a reduction of the gravitational infall momentum by about 50%, but does not limit the stellar mass accretion. On the other hand, we find radiation forces restrain the gravitational infall toward the circumstellar disk, impact the gravito-centrifugal equilibrium at the outer edge of the disk, and eventually shut down stellar accretion completely. The most massive star formed in the simulations accreted 95 M⊙ before disk destruction; this mass was drawn-in from an accretion reservoir of ≈240 M⊙ and ≈0.24 pc in radius.

Conclusions. In the regime of very massive stars, the final mass of these stars is controlled by their own radiation force feedback.
Second order optimality conditions for optimal control problems on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Cui Qing , Deng Li , Zhang Xu
Published: April 2018

This work is concerned with optimal control problems on Riemannian manifolds, for which two typical cases are considered. The first case is when the endpoint is free. For this case, the control set is assumed to be a separable metric space. By introducing suitable dual equations, which depend on the curvature tensor of the manifold, we establish the second order necessary and sufficient optimality conditions of integral form. Particularly, when the control set is a Polish space, the second order necessary condition is reduced to a pointwise form. As a key preliminary result and also an interesting byproduct, we derive a geometric lemma, which may have some independent interest. The second case is when the endpoint is fixed. For this more difficult case, the control set is assumed to be open in a Euclidian space, and we obtain the second order necessary and sufficient optimality conditions, in which the curvature tensor also appears explicitly. Our optimality conditions can be used to recover the following famous geometry result: the shortest geodesic connecting two fixed points on a Riemannian manifold satisfies the second variation of energy; while the existing optimality conditions in control literatures fail to give the same result.
A note on relaxation with constraints on the determinant
Authors: Cicalese Marco , Fusco Nicola
Published: April 2018

We consider multiple integrals of the Calculus of Variations of the form E(u) = ∫ W(x, u(x), Du(x)) dx where W is a Carathéodory function finite on matrices satisfying an orientation preserving or an incompressibility constraint of the type, det Du > 0 or det Du = 1, respectively. Under suitable growth and lower semicontinuity assumptions in the u variable we prove that the functional ∫ Wqc(x, u(x), Du(x)) dx is an upper bound for the relaxation of E and coincides with the relaxation if the quasiconvex envelope Wqc of W is polyconvex and satisfies p growth from below for p bigger then the ambient dimension. Our result generalises a previous one by Conti and Dolzmann [Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 217 (2015) 413–437] relative to the case where W depends only on the gradient variable.
Wnt Signaling Pathway in Uterus of Normal and Seminal Vesicle Excised Mated Mice during Pre-implantation Window
Authors: Latifi Zeinab , Fattahi Amir , Hamdi Kobra , Ghasemzadeh Aliye , Karimi Pouran , Nejabati Hamid , Novin Marefat , Roshangar Leila , Nouri Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Introduction The importance of seminal vesicle secretion and uterine Wnt signaling for uterus preparation and embryo implantation has been described.

Materials and Methods In this study, we evaluated the gene expression of Wnt ligands (Wnt4 and Wnt5a) and their corresponding receptors (Fzd2 and Fzd6) using qRT-PCR and active β-catenin protein levels using western blotting in the uterine tissue of female mice mated with intact and seminal vesicle-excised (SVX) males during the pre-implantation window. We evaluated the association between these factors and implantation rates and embryo spacing.

Results mRNA expression of Wnt4 and Wnt5a and active β-catenin protein levels decreased from Day 1 to Day 4, but reached a peak on the fifth day of pregnancy. Fzd2 also reached its highest level on Day 5. Fzd6 expression showed a decreasing trend towards the day of implantation. Lack of seminal vesicle secretion decreased Wnt4 and Wnt5a expression on Days 1 and 5 and β-catenin levels on Day 5. There were almost no significant differences in expression levels of the Fzd2 and Fzd6 receptors between groups. There were positive and negative correlations, respectively, between implantation rates and embryo spacing and Wnt4, Wnt5a and active β-catenin in the control group, but such correlations were not observed in the SVX-mated mice.

Conclusions Significant changes occurred in the expression of several Wnt signaling members and there was a significant association between Wnt signaling and embryo implantation. Seminal vesicle secretion affects Wnt signaling in mice and consequently also affects murine embryo implantation.