bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilising a Suite of Isotopic and Elemental Tracers to Constrain Cryoturbation Rates and Patterns in a Non‐sorted Circle
Authors: Jelinski Nicolas A. , Yoo Kyungsoo , Klaminder Jonatan
Published: March 2017

The empirical quantification of rates of material movement in cryoturbated soils has lagged behind the physical and chemical characterisation of these materials. We applied a novel suite of elemental (C, Hg), stable isotope (13C) and radioisotope (137Cs, 210Pb, 14C, 10Be) tracers in conjunction with analytical and numerical models to constrain the rates and patterns of soil movement due to cryoturbation in a non‐sorted circle (NSC) near Abisko, Sweden. We present the first observations of the variability of 10Be across a patterned‐ground feature, which facilitate the interpretation of subsurface peaks in soil organic carbon, Hg and 13C and provide constraints on the surficial histories of cryoturbated materials. Apparent rates of surficial lateral movement across the NSC estimated from 137Cs and 210Pb (0–2.55 cm year−1) decreased with distance from its centre and were an order of magnitude greater than rates of subduction and subsurface movement estimated from 14C (0.04–0.27 cm year−1). Novel estimates of the original surficial residence times of cryoturbated parcels based on excess 10Be and Hg inventories ranged from 238 to 3940 years. Our results demonstrate the utility of the spatially explicit application of elemental and radioisotopic tracer suites to constrain cryoturbation rates in Arctic patterned ground. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On contribution of known atomic partial charges of protein backbone in electrostatic potential density maps
Authors: Wang Jimin
Published: March 2017

Partial charges of atoms in a molecule and electrostatic potential (ESP) density for that molecule are known to bear a strong correlation. In order to generate a set of point‐field force field parameters for molecular dynamics, Kollman and coworkers have extracted atomic partial charges for each of all 20 amino acids using restrained partial charge‐fitting procedures from theoretical ESP density obtained from condensed‐state quantum mechanics. The magnitude of atomic partial charges for neutral peptide backbone they have obtained is similar to that of partial atomic charges for ionized carboxylate side chain atoms. In this study, the effect of these known atomic partial charges on ESP is examined using computer simulations and compared with the experimental ESP density recently obtained for proteins using electron microscopy. It is found that the observed ESP density maps are most consistent with the simulations that include atomic partial charges of protein backbone. Therefore, atomic partial charges are integral part of atomic properties in protein molecules and should be included in model refinement.
The Formation of Char, Gaseous and Liquid Products during Lignin Carbonization in Super‐ and Subcritical Solvents
Authors: Luo Jia , Yang Yating , Yang Xingxia , Han Bo , Bao Guirong , Li Jing
Published: March 2017

The carbonization of lignin was performed using different solvents including ethanol, water and 50 vol% ethanol/water mixture under super‐ and subcritical conditions at 260 °C. The chars from lignin carbonization in supercritical ethanol provided low O/C ratio (0.09‐0.14) and considerable content of surface oxygen‐containing group (0.18‐0.32 mmol g−1). Supercritical ethanol substantially participated in lignin carbonization, while the activity of ethanol was also influenced by the chemical structure of lignin. High carbon recovery of 103.8 % for chars was obtained from dealkaline lignin with guaiacyl characteristics, accompained with the production of H2 and high valuable C6‐C10 esters.
Efficient Charge Separation of In‐Situ Nb‐Doped TiO2 Nanowires for Photoelectrochemical Water–splitting
Authors: Tian Zhangliu , Cui Houlei , Xu Jijian , Zhu Guilian , Shao Feng , He Jianqiao , Huang Fuqiang
Published: March 2017

One‐dimensional TiO2 nanowire is the top‐performing semiconductor among photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting, but still limited to a fraction of the theoretically photocurrent because of modest charge transport and low charge separation properties. Here, we demonstrate high‐crystallized nanowires of Nb‐doped rutile TiO2 for significantly increasing electron carrier density through a convenient method. The optimized Nb‐doped TiO2 nanowires (0.5 mol% in the Nb/Ti ratio) yield a high value of charge separation efficiency (ηsep) of 97.39% at 1.23 VRHE, which is about 3 times as much as that of pristine sample (33.61% at 1.23 VRHE). Moreover, the photoanode of Nb‐doped TiO2 nanowires can achieve high charge transfer efficiency (ηtrans) (91.07% at 1.23 VRHE) without any oxygen evolution reaction catalysts. These results indicate that through appropriate amount of Nb doping can move the performance of TiO2 nanowires to their theoretical potential.
Positive and negative behavioral analysis in social networks
Authors: Squicciarini Anna , Rajtmajer Sarah , Griffin Christopher
Published: March 2017

Use of online social networks has grown dramatically since the first Web 2.0 technologies were deployed in the early 2000s. Our ability to capture user data, in particular behavioral data has grown in concert with increased use of these social systems. In this study, we survey methods for modeling and analyzing online user behavior. We focus on negative behaviors (social spamming and cyberbullying) and mitigation techniques for these behaviors. We also provide information on the interplay between privacy and deception in social networks and conclude by looking at trending and cascading models in social media. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2017, 7:e1203. doi: 10.1002/widm.1203

This article is categorized under:

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Social Considerations
Effect of Different Wall Roughness on the Frictional Behavior of Rock Joints
Authors: Roy Debanjan Guha , Tripathy Ashutosh , Singh T. N.
Published: March 2017

Rock discontinuities play a crucial and critical role on the deformational and failure behavior of the rock mass. In most investigations, both the surfaces of the rock joints are considered to have same roughness. But, in nature, the walls of a fresh joint is only expected to be complimentary and to have same roughness. Weathered and water percolating rock joint is most likely to develop different surface roughness on the two opposite walls. So, the shear strength and frictional response behavior derived from the single joint roughness coefficient (JRC) assumption cannot be used in such a condition. To address this shortcoming, we have prepared sandstone blocks with different surface roughness and conducted experiments in a tribometer. The static friction, shear stiffness and coefficient-of-friction of the joint surfaces were calculated and their changes with increasing normal load were noted. One of the major findings of this paper is that, shear strength of the joints may not have a direct correlation with the increasing JRC value of the individual joint walls. Hence, some of the joint walls having higher cumulative JRCs were found to show lower shear strength than those with lowers roughness. This is because, the opposing walls of such joints are not anymore complementary and the frictional resistance is completely controlled by the height and contact area of the asperites.
First Report of a Dipterocarpaceous Fossil Wood from Manipur
Authors: Rajkumar H. S. , Srivastava G. , Mehrotra R. C. , Keithellakpam D. S. , Soibam I. , Khaidem K. S.
Published: March 2017

A fossil wood resembling Shorea and other allied genera of the Dipterocarpaceae is described from the Tipam Group of Manipur. This is for the first time any angiosperm wood is recorded from this state. The fossil collected from Jiribam district is considered as late Miocene in age. Its occurrence indicates warm and humid climate in the region during the deposition of the sediments.
A Comparison of Liquid Limit Values for Fine Soils: A Case Study at the North Cairo-Suez District, Egypt
Authors: El-Shinawi Abdelaziz
Published: March 2017

This study compare liquid limit values obtained by the Casagrande apparatus, Russian and British drop cone penetrometer. Liquid limit determined for clay samples collected from 10 boreholes at the Cairo-Suez district (north western part of Badr City), Egypt. It is the most important geotechnical parameter used of fine-grained soils. The liquid limits for 40 natural clay samples varying between 27.8 and 69.7%. It is found that the liquid limit determined by the Casagrande apparatus and Russian standard (cone penetrometer) give essentially the same results with a difference of < 5%. It is observed that the values of Casagrande apparatus were generally lower than those obtained by the cone penetrometer with Russian standard. In addition, Casagrande apparatus for some samples, which had liquid limits of more than 60%, give a higher result. The liquid limits determined by the Russian and British standards are not consistent with a difference of < 1%. Besides, the results which determined by the Casagrande apparatus and British standards (BS), provide equivalent values with a difference of < 3%.
Politeness, Impoliteness and Ritual
Authors: Kádár Dániel Z.
Published: March 2017

Ritual is popularly associated with ceremonies, though in real life it plays a significantly more important role, reinforcing what people perceive as the appropriate moral order of things, or challenging what they perceive as the inappropriate flow of events. This book introduces the reader to how people use ritual in interpersonal interaction and the interface that exists between ritual and politeness and impoliteness. As rituals have a large impact on the life of people and communities, the way in which they use politeness and impoliteness in a ritual action significantly influences the way in which the given ritual is perceived. Politeness, Impoliteness and Ritual examines this complex relationship by setting up a multi-layered analytic model, with a multidisciplinary approach which will appeal to interaction scholars, politeness researchers, social psychologists and anthropologists, and moral psychologists. It fills an important knowledge gap and provides the first (im)politeness-focused interactional model of ritual.
Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality
Authors: Watts Fraser
Published: March 2017

Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality provides readers with a critical overview of what psychology tells us about religion and spirituality. It is concise without being simplistic, and the first such broad overview to be published for some years. Fraser Watts recognizes that 'religion' is complex and multi-faceted, taking different forms in different people and contexts. The book presents a broad view of psychology; whatever kind of psychology you are interested in, you will find it covered here, from biological to social, and from experimental to psychoanalytic. It focuses particularly on the varied concepts that psychologists have employed to make sense of religion and subjects them to critical examination. The book is also concerned with practical applications, helping those engaged in religious ministry. It will be of interest to undergraduates and general readers, as well as specialists in religious studies, psychology, and philosophy of religion.
Foundations of Gas Dynamics
Authors: Chen Ruey-Hung
Published: March 2017

Foundations of Gas Dynamics covers supersonic and subsonic flow phenomena where compressibility of the fluid cannot be ignored. It finds application in jet and rocket propulsion systems as well as handling industrial gas flow at high speeds. Students and engineers in the mechanical, aerospace, and chemical disciplines will find it useful. It begins with basic concepts such as isentropic flows, shock, and supersonic expansion waves in one dimension. These are followed by one-dimensional flows with friction and heat exchange. Two-dimensional theory with small perturbations is presented, with its applications illustrated by supersonic airfoils. Method of characteristics is used for flows with two independent variables, either with two spatial coordinates or with time variations in one dimension. In later chapters, acoustic wave propagation, supersonic flow combustion, and unsteady shock formation are treated thoroughly. The book ends with a chapter on basic hypersonic flow, with a discussion of similarity rules.
The Third Reich's Intelligence Services
Authors: Paehler Katrin
Published: March 2017

This is the first-ever analytical study of Nazi Germany's political foreign intelligence service, Office VI of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt and its head, Walter Schellenberg. Katrin Paehler tells the story of Schellenberg's career in policing and intelligence, charts the development and activities of the service he eventually headed, and discusses his attempts to place it at the center of Nazi foreign intelligence and foreign policy. The book locates the service in its proper pedigree of the SS as well as in relation to its two main rivals - the Abwehr and the Auswärtige Amt. It also considers the role Nazi ideology played in the conceptualization and execution of foreign intelligence, revealing how this ideological prism fractured and distorted Office VI's view of the world. The book is based on contemporary and postwar documents - many recently declassified - from archives in the United States, Germany, and Russia.
Use of biomarkers to assess fruit and vegetable intake
Authors: Woodside Jayne V. , Draper John , Lloyd Amanda , McKinley Michelle C.
Published: March 2017

A high intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) has been associated with reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases, including CVD. The aim of this review is to describe the potential use of biomarkers to assess FV intake. Traditional methods of assessing FV intake have limitations, and this is likely to impact on observed associations with disease outcomes and markers of disease risk. Nutritional biomarkers may offer a more objective and reliable method of assessing dietary FV intake. Some single blood biomarkers, such as plasma vitamin C and serum carotenoids, are well established as indicators of FV intake. Combining potential biomarkers of intake may more accurately predict overall FV intake within intervention studies than the use of any single biomarker. Another promising approach is metabolomic analysis of biological fluids using untargeted approaches to identify potential new biomarkers of FV intake. Using biomarkers to measure FV intake may improve the accuracy of dietary assessment.
Can the adoption of informal approaches to learning music in school music lessons promote musical progression?
Authors: Hallam Susan , Creech Andrea , McQueen Hilary
Published: March 2017

The aim of this research was to explore the impact of the adoption of the Musical Futures approach on the musical progression of students in Musical Futures’ Champion schools. The research took place over three years in three phases with 733 students and 28 music teachers completing questionnaires. Data from the interviews with 39 staff and focus groups of 325 students provided greater insights into the questionnaire responses. Overall, teachers reported that Musical Futures had enhanced the musical progression of their students and increased take up at Key Stage 4. In some cases this had led to changes in the qualifications on offer with an emphasis on those which were vocational rather than academic. This created some tensions in catering for the needs of different groups of students who had a range of different musical skills.
Animal-like prostaglandins in marine microalgae
Authors: Di Dato Valeria , Orefice Ida , Amato Alberto , Fontanarosa Carolina , Amoresano Angela , Cutignano Adele , Ianora Adrianna , Romano Giovanna
Published: March 2017

Diatoms are among the most successful primary producers in ocean and freshwater environments. Deriving from a secondary endosymbiotic event, diatoms have a mixed genome containing bacterial, animal and plant genes encoding for metabolic pathways that may account for their evolutionary success. Studying the transcriptomes of two strains of the diatom Skeletonema marinoi, we report, for the first time in microalgae, an active animal-like prostaglandin pathway that is differentially expressed in the two strains. Prostaglandins are hormone-like mediators in many physiological and pathological processes in mammals, playing a pivotal role in inflammatory responses. They are also present in macroalgae and invertebrates, where they act as defense and communication mediators. The occurrence of animal-like prostaglandins in unicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes opens up new intriguing perspectives on the evolution and role of these molecules in the marine environment as possible mediators in cell-to-cell signaling, eventually influencing population dynamics in the plankton.
Potential for microbial H2 and metal transformations associated with novel bacteria and archaea in deep terrestrial subsurface sediments
Authors: Hernsdorf Alex W , Amano Yuki , Miyakawa Kazuya , Ise Kotaro , Suzuki Yohey , Anantharaman Karthik , Probst Alexander , Burstein David , Thomas Brian C , Banfield Jillian F
Published: March 2017

Geological sequestration in deep underground repositories is the prevailing proposed route for radioactive waste disposal. After the disposal of radioactive waste in the subsurface, H2 may be produced by corrosion of steel and, ultimately, radionuclides will be exposed to the surrounding environment. To evaluate the potential for microbial activities to impact disposal systems, we explored the microbial community structure and metabolic functions of a sediment-hosted ecosystem at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Hokkaido, Japan. Overall, we found that the ecosystem hosted organisms from diverse lineages, including many from the phyla that lack isolated representatives. The majority of organisms can metabolize H2, often via oxidative [NiFe] hydrogenases or electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenases that enable ferredoxin-based pathways, including the ion motive Rnf complex. Many organisms implicated in H2 metabolism are also predicted to catalyze carbon, nitrogen, iron and sulfur transformations. Notably, iron-based metabolism is predicted in a novel lineage of Actinobacteria and in a putative methane-oxidizing ANME-2d archaeon. We infer an ecological model that links microorganisms to sediment-derived resources and predict potential impacts of microbial activity on H2 consumption and retardation of radionuclide migration.
Stable and solubilized active Au atom clusters for selective epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with molecular oxygen
Authors: Qian Linping , Wang Zhen , Beletskiy Evgeny V. , Liu Jingyue , dos Santos Haroldo J. , Li Tiehu , Rangel Maria do C. , Kung Mayfair C. , Kung Harold H.
Published: March 2017

The ability of Au catalysts to effect the challenging task of utilizing molecular oxygen for the selective epoxidation of cyclooctene is fascinating. Although supported nanometre-size Au particles are poorly active, here we show that solubilized atomic Au clusters, present in ng ml−1 concentrations and stabilized by ligands derived from the oxidized hydrocarbon products, are active. They can be formed from various Au sources. They generate initiators and propagators to trigger the onset of the auto-oxidation reaction with an apparent turnover frequency of 440 s−1, and continue to generate additional initiators throughout the auto-oxidation cycle without direct participation in the cycle. Spectroscopic characterization suggests that 7–8 atom clusters are effective catalytically. Extension of work based on these understandings leads to the demonstration that these Au clusters are also effective in selective oxidation of cyclohexene, and that solubilized Pt clusters are also capable of generating initiators for cyclooctene epoxidation.
Protective effect of TM6 on LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Tian Yuan , Qu Shihui , Cao Yongguo , Li Shumin , Zhang Wenlong , Zhang Zecai , Zhang Naisheng , Fu Yunhe
Published: March 2017

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute failure of the respiratory system for which effective treatment is urgently necessary. Previous studies found that several peptides potently inhibited the production of cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we synthetized a cell-permeable TIR domain-derived decoy peptide (TM6) and examined its substance for the ability to inhibit TLR signaling in the model of ALI induced by LPS. We demonstrated that TM6 (2.5, 5 and 10 nmol/g) alleviated the histological changes in the lung tissues as well as myeloperoxtidase (MPO) activity, lung W/D ratio, the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by LPS. Furthermore, the numbers of total cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the BALF were suppressed by TM6. In vitro, TM6 (5, 10 and 20 µM) inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated alveolar macrophages. Moreover, the activation of Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways induced by LPS were also inhibited by TM6. Collectively, our results suggested that TM6 was an effective inhibitor of ALI induced by LPS, and this peptide may very well serve as a future treatment for ALI.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) repair acute necrotized pancreatitis by secreting microRNA-9 to target the NF-κB1/p50 gene in rats
Authors: Qian Daohai , Wei Ge , Xu Chenglei , He Zhigang , Hua Jie , Li Jian , Hu Qili , Lin Shengping , Gong Jian , Meng Hongbo , Zhou Bo , Teng Hongfei , Song Zhenshun
Published: March 2017

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute abdominal disease, 10–20% of which can evolve into severe AP (SAP) causing significant morbidity and mortality. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the potential of repairing SAP, but the detailed mechanism remains unknown. We demonstrate here that microRNA-9 (miR-9) modified BMSCs (pri-miR-9-BMSCs) can significantly reduce the pancreatic edema, infiltration, hemorrhage, necrosis, the release of amylase and lipase. Meanwhile, decreased local/systemic inflammatory response (TNF-α↓, IL-1β↓, IL-6↓, HMGB1↓, MPO↓, CD68↓, IL-4↑, IL-10↑, and TGF-β↑) and enhanced regeneration of damaged pancreas (Reg4↑, PTF1↑, and PDX1↑) are also promoted. But these effects diminish or disappear after antagonizing miR-9 (TuD). Besides, we find that miR-9 is negatively correlated with AP and miR-9 agomir which can mimic the effects of pri-miR-9-BMSCs and protect injured pancreas. Furthermore, we investigate that BMSCs deliver miR-9 to the injured pancreas or peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), which can target the NF-κB1/p50 gene and inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway (p-P65↓, NF-κB1/p50↓, IκBα↑, IκBβ↑). Taken together, these results show that miR-9 is a key paracrine factor of BMSCs attenuating SAP targeting the NF-κB1/p50 gene and suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Biosafety Level 3 setup for multiphoton microscopy in vivo
Authors: Barlerin D. , Bessière G. , Domingues J. , Schuette M. , Feuillet C. , Peixoto A.
Published: March 2017

Multiphoton microscopy has revealed important insights into cellular behavior in vivo. However, its application in infectious settings often encounters technical, safety and regulatory limitations that prevent its wider use with highly virulent human pathogens. Herein, we present a method that renders multiphoton microscopy in vivo compatible with biosafety level 3 regulations and present an example of its application and potential to visualize a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the mouse lung.
Erratum: Hybrid acoustic metamaterial as super absorber for broadband low-frequency sound
Authors: Tang Yufan , Ren Shuwei , Meng Han , Xin Fengxian , Huang Lixi , Chen Tianning , Zhang Chuanzeng , Lu Tian Jian
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43340; published online: 27 Feb 2017; updated: 28 March 2017 The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of author Tian Jian Lu, which was given as Tian Jain Lu. This has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of this Article.
Land-use types and soil chemical properties influence soil microbial communities in the semiarid Loess Plateau region in China
Authors: Tian Qin , Taniguchi Takeshi , Shi Wei-Yu , Li Guoqing , Yamanaka Norikazu , Du Sheng
Published: March 2017

Similar land-use types usually have similar soil properties, and, most likely, similar microbial communities. Here, we assessed whether land-use types or soil chemical properties are the primary drivers of soil microbial community composition, and how changes in one part of the ecosystem affect another. We applied Ion Torrent sequencing to the bacterial and fungal communities of five different land-use (vegetation) types in the Loess Plateau of China. We found that the overall trend of soil quality was natural forest > plantation > bare land. Dominant bacterial phyla consisted of Proteobacteria (42.35%), Actinobacteria (15.61%), Acidobacteria (13.32%), Bacteroidetes (8.43%), and Gemmatimonadetes (6.0%). The dominant fungi phyla were Ascomycota (40.39%), Basidiomycota (38.01%), and Zygomycota (16.86%). The results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) based on land-use types displayed groups according to the land-use types. Furthermore, the bacterial communities were mainly organized by soil organic carbon (SOC). The fungal communities were mainly related to available phosphorus (P). The results suggested that the changes of land use type generated changes in soil chemical properties, controlling the composition of microbial community in the semiarid Loess Plateau region. The microbial community could be an indicator for soil quality with respect to ecological restoration.
Characterisation of male breast cancer: a descriptive biomarker study from a large patient series
Authors: Humphries Matthew P. , Sundara Rajan Sreekumar , Honarpisheh Hedieh , Cserni Gabor , Dent Jo , Fulford Laura , Jordan Lee B. , Jones J. Louise , Kanthan Rani , Litwiniuk Maria , Di Benedetto Anna , Mottolese Marcella , Provenzano Elena , Shousha Sami , Stephens Mark , Kulka Janina , Ellis Ian O. , Titloye Akinwale N. , Hanby Andrew M. , Shaaban Abeer M. , Speirs Valerie
Published: March 2017

Male breast cancer (MBC) is rare. We assembled 446 MBCs on tissue microarrays and assessed clinicopathological information, together with data from 15 published studies, totalling 1984 cases. By immunohistochemistry we investigated 14 biomarkers (ERα, ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ5, PR, AR, Bcl-2, HER2, p53, E-cadherin, Ki67, survivin, prolactin, FOXA1) for survival impact. The main histological subtype in our cohort and combined analyses was ductal (81%, 83%), grade 2; (40%, 44%), respectively. Cases were predominantly ERα (84%, 82%) and PR positive (74%, 71%), respectively, with HER2 expression being infrequent (2%, 10%), respectively. In our cohort, advanced age (>67) was the strongest predictor of overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) (p = 0.00001; p = 0.01, respectively). Node positivity negatively impacted DFS (p = 0.04). FOXA1 p = 0.005) and AR p = 0.009) were both positively prognostic for DFS, remaining upon multivariate analysis. Network analysis showed ERα, AR and FOXA1 significantly correlated. In summary, the principle phenotype of MBC was luminal A, ductal, grade 2. In ERα+ MBC, only AR had prognostic significance, suggesting AR blockade could be employed therapeutically.
Albino T-DNA tomato mutant reveals a key function of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS1) in plant development and survival
Authors: García-Alcázar Manuel , Giménez Estela , Pineda Benito , Capel Carmen , García-Sogo Begoña , Sánchez Sibilla , Yuste-Lisbona Fernando J. , Angosto Trinidad , Capel Juan , Moreno Vicente , Lozano Rafael
Published: March 2017

Photosynthetic activity is indispensable for plant growth and survival and it depends on the synthesis of plastidial isoprenoids as chlorophylls and carotenoids. In the non-mevalonate pathway (MEP), the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase 1 (DXS1) enzyme has been postulated to catalyze the rate-limiting step in the formation of plastidial isoprenoids. In tomato, the function of DXS1 has only been studied in fruits, and hence its functional relevance during plant development remains unknown. Here we report the characterization of the wls-2297 tomato mutant, whose severe deficiency in chlorophylls and carotenoids promotes an albino phenotype. Additionally, growth of mutant seedlings was arrested without developing vegetative organs, which resulted in premature lethality. Gene cloning and silencing experiments revealed that the phenotype of wls-2297 mutant was caused by 38.6 kb-deletion promoted by a single T-DNA insertion affecting the DXS1 gene. This was corroborated by in vivo and molecular complementation assays, which allowed the rescue of mutant phenotype. Further characterization of tomato plants overexpressing DXS1 and comparative expression analysis indicate that DXS1 may play other important roles besides to that proposed during fruit carotenoid biosynthesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DXS1 is essentially required for the development and survival of tomato plants.
Paroxetine alleviates T lymphocyte activation and infiltration to joints of collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Wang Qingtong , Wang Longsheng , Wu Li , Zhang Mei , Hu Shanshan , Wang Rui , Han Yongsheng , Wu Yujing , Zhang Lingling , Wang Xinming , Sun Wuyi , Wei Wei
Published: March 2017

T cell infiltration to synovial tissue is an early pathogenic mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present work, we reveal that G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is abundantly expressed in T cells of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). A GRK2 inhibitor, paroxetine protects the joints from inflammation and destruction, primarily through inhibition of both CD4+ helper T (Th) cell and CD8+ cytotoxic T (Tc) cell migration to synovial tissue. Meanwhile, paroxetine restores the balance of Th/Tc, effector Th (Theff)/ naïve Th (Thnaive) and effector Tc (Tceff)/ naïve Tc (Tcnaive) to equilibrium by elevating the frequency of Thnaive, Tcnaive and regulatory Th cells; reducing the increased Theff, activated Th and Tceff, having a similar effect as methotrexate (MTX). In addition, both serum and synovial IL-1β, TNF-α and CX3CL1 expression was effectively inhibited in treated rats. In vitro assay confirmed that paroxetine inhibits CX3CL1-induced T cell migration through blocking the activity of GRK2. Among three MAPK families, paroxetine was found to be able to decrease the phosphorylation of ERK. This study elucidates that paroxetine attenuates the symptoms of CIA rats due to its inhibitory effect on T cell activation and infiltration to synovial tissue via suppression of ERK pathway.
STAT3 and NF-κB are Simultaneously Suppressed in Dendritic Cells in Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Rui , Fang Fang , Jiang Ming , Wang Chenguang , Ma Jiajia , Kang Wenyao , Zhang Qiuyan , Miao Yuhui , Wang Dong , Guo Yugang , Zhang Linnan , Guo Yang , Zhao Hui , Yang De , Tian Zhigang , Xiao Weihua
Published: March 2017

Tumour-induced dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction plays an important role in cancer immune escape. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood, reflecting the lack of appropriate experimental models bothin vivoandin vitro. In the present study, anin vitrostudy model for tumour-induced DC dysfunction was established by culturing DCs with pooled sera from multiple non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The results demonstrated that tumour-induced human monocyte-derived DCs exhibited systematic functional deficiencies. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the expression of major functional cluster genes, including the MHC class II family, cytokines, chemokines, and co-stimulatory molecules, was significantly altered in tumour-induced DCs compared to that in control cells. Further examination confirmed that both NF-κB and STAT3 signalling pathways were simultaneously repressed by cancer sera, suggesting that the attenuated NF-κB and STAT3 signalling could be the leading cause of DC dysfunction in cancer. Furthermore, reversing the deactivated NF-κB and STAT3 signalling could be a strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
Evidence for salicylic acid signalling and histological changes in the defence response of Eucalyptus grandis to Chrysoporthe austroafricana
Authors: Zwart Lizahn , Berger Dave Kenneth , Moleleki Lucy Novungayo , van der Merwe Nicolaas A. , Myburg Alexander A. , Naidoo Sanushka
Published: March 2017

Eucalyptus species are cultivated for forestry and are of economic importance. The fungal stem canker pathogen Chrysoporthe austroafricana causes disease of varying severity on E. grandis. The Eucalyptus grandis-Chrysoporthe austroafricana interaction has been established as a model system for studying Eucalyptus antifungal defence. Previous studies revealed that the phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) affects the levels of resistance in highly susceptible (ZG14) and moderately resistant (TAG5) clones. The aims of this study were to examine histochemical changes in response to wounding and inoculation as well as host responses at the protein level. The anatomy and histochemical changes induced by wounding and inoculation were similar between the clones, suggesting that anatomical differences do not underlie their different levels of resistance. Tyloses and gum-like substances were present after inoculation and wounding, but cell death occurred only after inoculation. Hyphae of C. austroafricana were observed inside dead and living cells, suggesting that the possibility of a hemibiotrophic interaction requires further investigation. Proteomics analysis revealed the possible involvement of proteins associated with cell death, SA signalling and systemic resistance. In combination with previous information, this study forms a basis for future functional characterisation of candidate genes involved in resistance of E. grandis to C. austroafricana.
Dynamics of volcanic ash remobilisation by wind through the Patagonian steppe after the eruption of Cordón Caulle, 2011
Authors: Panebianco Juan E. , Mendez Mariano J. , Buschiazzo Daniel E. , Bran Donaldo , Gaitán Juan J.
Published: March 2017

Wind erosion of freshly-deposited volcanic ash causes persistent storms, strongly affecting ecosystems and human activity. Wind erosion of the volcanic ash was measured up to 17 months after the ash deposition, at 7 sites located within the ash-deposition area. The mass flux was measured up to 1.5 m above ground level. Mass transport rates were over 125 times the soil wind-erosion rates observed before the ash deposition, reaching up to 6.3 kg m−1 day−1. Total mass transport of ash during the 17 months ranged between 113.6 and 969.9 kg m−1 depending on topographic location and wind exposure. The vertical distribution of the mass flux at sites with higher vegetation cover was generally inverted as compared to sites with lower vegetation cover. This situation lasted 7 months and then a shift towards a more uniform vertical distribution was observed, in coincidence with the beginning of the decline of the mass transport rates. Decay rates differed between sites. Despite changes over time, an inverse linear correlation between the mass transports and the mass-flux gradients was found. Both the mass-flux gradients and the average mass-transport rates were not linked with shear-stress partition parameters, but with the ratio: ash-fall thickness to total vegetation cover.
Diffusion layer formation drives zone migration in travelling wave electrophoresis
Authors: Booth William Albert , Edwards Boyd , Jo Kyoo , Timperman Aaron , Schiffbauer Jarrod
Published: March 2017

COMSOL finite element modeling software is used to simulate 2D traveling-wave electrophoresis for microfluidic separations and sample concentration.
Highly porous photoluminescent diazaborole-linked polymers: synthesis, characterization, and application to selective gas adsorption
Authors: Kahveci Zafer , Sekizkardes Ali K. , Arvapally Ravi K. , Wilder Logan , El-Kaderi Hani M.
Published: March 2017

Highly porous and photoluminescent diazaborole-linked polymers are targeted by boron–nitrogen bond formation through simple condensation reactions. The resultant polymers exhibit remarkable gas uptake and tunable photoluminescent properties.
RAFT/MADIX polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam in water–ethanol solvent mixtures
Authors: Van Nieuwenhove Ine , Maji Samarendra , Dash Mamoni , Van Vlierberghe Sandra , Hoogenboom Richard , Dubruel Peter
Published: March 2017

The present paper demonstrates the successful RAFT/MADIX polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam at ambient temperature in water–ethanol mixtures. An optimum was found for a 1 : 1 ratio of water and ethanol as solvent regarding both polymerization rate and insignificant hydrolysis.
Identification of the mango maturity level by the analysis of volatiles based on long optical-path FTIR spectroscopy and a molecular sieve
Authors: Jiao Leizi , Dong Daming , Han Pengcheng , Zhao Xiande , Du Xiaofan
Published: March 2017

The maturity level of mangoes can be identifiedviatheir volatiles using infrared spectroscopy.
A sensitive and selective electrochemiluminescent sensor for dopamine based on the inhibition of dual-stabilizer-capped CdS quantum dot electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Yang Minli , Yang Xuemei , Wang Mingli , Jiang Rui
Published: March 2017

An electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sensor with dual-stabilizer-capped CdS quantum dots (QDs) as an ECL emitter was constructed and used for the determination of dopamine (DA).
Iron-core/carbon-shell nanoparticles with intrinsic peroxidase activity: new platform for mimetic glucose detection
Authors: Surgutskaya N. S. , Trusova M. E. , Slepchenko G. B. , Minin A. S. , Pershina A. G. , Uimin M. A. , Yermakov A. E. , Postnikov P. S.
Published: March 2017

For the first time the intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of Fe-core/carbon shell nanoparticles (Fe@C NPs) was studied.
A portable urine analyzer based on colorimetric detection
Authors: Ye Jiancheng , Li Nan , Lu Ying , Cheng Jing , Xu Youchun
Published: March 2017

A portable urinalysis device was constructed to make the self-served urinalysis at home possible and easy.
Luciferase–Rose Bengal conjugates for singlet oxygen generation by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Kim Seonghoon , Jo HyeongChan , Jeon Mijeong , Choi Myung-Gyu , Hahn Sei Kwang , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: March 2017

Luciferase–Rose Bengal conjugates generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) without external light irradiation.
C3-Selective alkenylation of N-acylindoles with unactivated internal alkynes by cooperative nickel/aluminium catalysis
Authors: Inoue Fumiyoshi , Saito Teruhiko , Semba Kazuhiko , Nakao Yoshiaki
Published: March 2017

Highly regio- and stereoselective alkenylation of N-acylindoles with unactivated internal alkynes has been accomplished by cooperative nickel/aluminium catalysis to afford C3-alkenylated indoles.
An endoplasmic reticulum-selective ratiometric fluorescent probe for imaging a copper pool
Authors: Park Sun Young , Kim Woori , Park Sun-Hee , Han Jinhyoung , Lee Jinju , Kang Chulhun , Lee Min Hee
Published: March 2017

Hydrazide-linked naphthalimides undergo copper ion-selective hydrolysis with concomitant ratiometric fluorescence change.
Light-responsive molecular containers
Authors: Díaz-Moscoso Alejandro , Ballester Pablo
Published: March 2017

This review highlights relevant studies of light-controlled molecular containers able to catch and release small molecules.
Synergistic effect of processing additives and thermal annealing in organic solar cells: the “Morphology of Magic”
Authors: Liao Xunfan , Lv Ruizhi , Chen Lie , Chen Yiwang
Published: March 2017

The synergistic effect of processing additives and thermal annealing in organic solar cells has been systematically investigated through morphology studies.
Gradual modification of ITO particle's crystal structure and optical properties by pulsed UV laser irradiation in a free liquid jet
Authors: Lau Marcus , Straube Thomas , Aggarwal A. Vikas , Hagemann Ulrich , de Oliveira Viestel Bernardo , Hartmann Nils , Textor Torsten , Lutz Harald , Gutmann Jochen S. , Barcikowski Stephan
Published: March 2017

Engineering of ITO particle properties by laser irradiation.
Vehicle emissions of short-lived and long-lived climate forcers: trends and tradeoffs
Authors: Edwards Morgan R. , Klemun Magdalena M. , Kim Hyung Chul , Wallington Timothy J. , Winkler Sandra L. , Tamor Michael A. , Trancik Jessika E.
Published: March 2017

Evaluating technology options to mitigate the climate impacts of road transportation can be challenging, particularly when they involve a tradeoff between long-lived emissions (e.g., carbon dioxide) and short-lived emissions (e.g., methane or black carbon). Here we present trends in short- and long-lived emissions for light- and heavy-duty transport globally and in the U.S., EU, and China over the period 2000–2030, and we discuss past and future changes to vehicle technologies to reduce these emissions. We model the tradeoffs between short- and long-lived emission reductions across a range of technology options, life cycle emission intensities, and equivalency metrics. While short-lived vehicle emissions have decreased globally over the past two decades, significant reductions in CO2will be required by mid-century to meet climate change mitigation targets. This is true regardless of the time horizon used to compare long- and short-lived emissions. The short-lived emission intensities of some low-CO2technologies are higher than others, and thus their suitability for meeting climate targets depends sensitively on the evaluation time horizon. Other technologies offer low intensities of both short-lived emissions and CO2.
Peptide binding to metal oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Schwaminger S. P. , Blank-Shim S. A. , Scheifele I. , Fraga-García P. , Berensmeier S.
Published: March 2017

Magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles demonstrate great applicability in several fields such as biotechnology, medicine and catalysis. A stable, magnetic and low-cost material, nanoscale magnetite, is an interesting adsorbent for protein purification. Downstream processing can account for up to 80% of the total production costs in biotechnological production. As such, the development of new innovative separation methods can be regarded as highly profitable. While short peptide sequences can be used as specific affinity tags for functionalised adsorber surfaces, they need expensive affinity ligands on the particle surface for adsorption. In order to identify peptide tags for several non-functionalised inorganic surfaces, different binding conditions to iron oxide nanoparticles are evaluated. Therefore, magnetite nanoparticles in a range of 5–20 nm were synthesised with a co-precipitation method. Zeta potential measurements indicated an amphiphilic surface with an isoelectric point in the neutral pH region. Glutamic acid-based homo-peptides were used as affinity peptides for the magnetite nanoparticles. We demonstrate a dependence of the binding affinity of the peptides on pH and buffer ions in two different experimental set-ups. The nature of surface coordination for glutamic acid-based peptides can be demonstrated with different spectroscopic approaches such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). We want to emphasise the importance of physicochemical properties such as surface energy, polarity, morphology and charge. These parameters, which are dependent on the environmental conditions, play a crucial role in peptide interactions with iron oxide surfaces. The understanding of the adsorption of simple biomolecules on nanoscale metal oxide surfaces also represents the key to the even more complex interactions of proteins at the bio-nano interface. From the identification of interaction patterns and an understanding of the adsorption of these peptides, the up-scaling to tagged model proteins facilitates the possibility of an industrial magnetic separation process and might therefore reduce time and costs in purification processes.
A hydroaminomethylation/hydrohydroxymethylation sequence for the one pot synthesis of aminohydroxytriglycerides
Authors: Vanbésien T. , Monflier E. , Hapiot F.
Published: March 2017

In this paper we report the one pot functionalization of the carbon–carbon double bonds of triglycerides via a cascade hydroaminomethylation (HAM)/hydrohydroxymethylation (HHM) reaction.
Time saving protocol for data accessing in cloud computing
Authors: Namasudra Suyel , Roy Pinki
Published: March 2017

Cloud computing is a very trending technology because of its efficiency, cost effectiveness, pay‐per‐use, flexibility and scalability. Data security and access control are two significant issues experienced while availing these advantages of cloud computing. Access control can be defined as a procedure by which a user can access data or file or any kind of resources from a server. A new data access control model has been proposed in this paper for efficient data accessing, which can minimise many problems, such as high searching time for providing the public key of the data owner, high data accessing time, maintenance of the database, etc. The proposed scheme is evaluated in terms of both theoretical and experimental results, which show the proficiency of the proposed scheme over the existing schemes in a cloud computing environment.
Spectrum sensing in cognitive femtocell network based on near‐field source localisation using genetic algorithm
Authors: Salman Ayesha , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Saleem Shahryar , Saeed Sarah
Published: March 2017

Cognitive femtocell has emerged as a promising technique for indoor users in wireless communication systems since they opt the cognitive and self‐configuration capabilities. Spectrum sensing is a non‐trivial approach in cognitive radio networks. A number of methods have been used for spectrum sensing in femtocells with a cognitive engine. In this work, the authors have proposed a near field source localisation technique through which the cognitive femtocell will be able to detect the active femtocells in the licensed band and will get additional information including the range, amplitude, angle and operating frequency of a certain femtocell.
Real‐time hardware‐in‐the‐loop simulation for islanding detection schemes in hybrid distributed generation systems
Authors: Cui Qiushi , El‐Arroudi Khalil , Joós Géza
Published: March 2017

The increasing penetration level of renewable energy brings new challenges to the field of islanding detection. In this study, a decision‐tree (DT)‐learning method with hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) simulations is proposed to address the non‐detection zone (NDZ) issue of islanding detection in hybrid distributed generation systems including both inverter‐ and synchronous‐machine‐based distributed energy resources. This method can effectively reduce the NDZ through advanced relay training strategy and utilise the advantage of real‐time simulators on simulation efficiency. In addition, the generated DT can be programmed into a real relay and then get validated through HIL simulations. The HIL implementation adds a practical dimension to the proposed method. With the proposed method, the laboratory testing results indicate promising islanding detection performance in terms of dependability, security, reduced NDZ area and detection time.