bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR-29a contributes to breast cancer cells epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion via down-regulating histone H4K20 trimethylation through directly targeting SUV420H2
Authors: Wu You , Shi Wanyue , Tang Tingting , Wang Yidong , Yin Xin , Chen Yanlin , Zhang Yanfeng , Xing Yun , Shen Yumeng , Xia Tiansong , Guo Changying , Pan Yi , Jin Liang
Published: February 2019

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide, which remains incurable once metastatic. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small subset of breast cancer cells which are essential in tumor formation, metastasis, and drug resistance. microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the breast cancer cells and BCSCs by regulating specific genes. In this study, we found that miR-29a was up-regulated in BCSCs, in aggressive breast cancer cell line and in breast cancer tissues. We also confirmed suppressor of variegation 4–20 homolog 2 (SUV420H2), which is a histone methyltransferase that specifically trimethylates Lys-20 of histone H4 (H4K20), as the target of miR-29a. Both miR-29a overexpression and SUV420H2 knockdown in breast cancer cells promoted their migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we discovered that SUV420H2-targeting miR-29a attenuated the repression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and growth response protein-1 (EGR1) by H4K20 trimethylation and promoted the EMT progress of breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings reveal that miR-29a plays critical roles in the EMT and metastasis of breast cancer cells through targeting SUV420H2. These findings may provide new insights into novel molecular therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
The shape of human squalene epoxidase expands the arsenal against cancer
Authors: Brown Andrew J. , Chua Ngee Kiat , Yan Nieng
Published: February 2019

Squalene epoxidase (also known as squalene monooxygenase, EC 1.14.99.7) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Anil Padyana and colleagues report the long awaited structure of human squalene epoxidase (SQLE). They solved the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human SQLE alone and in complex with two similar pharmacological inhibitors and elucidate their mechanism of action. SQLE is the target of fungicides and of increasing interest in human health and disease, particularly as a new anti-cancer target. Indeed, in a companion paper, Christopher Mahoney and colleagues performed an inhibitor screen with cancer cell lines and identified SQLE as an unique vulnerability in a subset of neuroendocrine tumours, where SQLE inhibition caused a toxic accumulation of the substrate squalene. The SQLE structure will facilitate the development of improved inhibitors. Here, we comment on these two studies in the wider context of the field and discuss possible future directions.
Composition change-driven texturing and doping in solution-processed SnSe thermoelectric thin films
Authors: Heo Seung Hwae , Jo Seungki , Kim Hyo Seok , Choi Garam , Song Jae Yong , Kang Jun-Yun , Park No-Jin , Ban Hyeong Woo , Kim Fredrick , Jeong Hyewon , Jung Jaemin , Jang Jaeyoung , Lee Won Bo , Shin Hosun , Son Jae Sung
Published: February 2019

The discovery of SnSe single crystals with record high thermoelectric efficiency along the b-axis has led to the search for ways to synthesize polycrystalline SnSe with similar efficiencies. However, due to weak texturing and difficulties in doping, such high thermoelectric efficiencies have not been realized in polycrystals or thin films. Here, we show that highly textured and hole doped SnSe thin films with thermoelectric power factors at the single crystal level can be prepared by solution process. Purification step in the synthetic process produced a SnSe-based chalcogenidometallate precursor, which decomposes to form the SnSe2 phase. We show that the strong textures of the thin films in the b–c plane originate from the transition of two dimensional SnSe2 to SnSe. This composition change-driven transition offers wide control over composition and doping of the thin films. Our optimum SnSe thin films exhibit a thermoelectric power factor of 4.27 μW cm−1 K−2.
Geometrical Perturbation Techniques and Approximate Analysis for Eigenmode Splitting and Shifting in Electromagnetic Planar Dual-Mode Resonators
Authors: Naji Adham , Warr Paul A.
Published: February 2019

Dual-mode electromagnetic resonators are used in numerous systems and applications in physics and engineering. They rely on degenerate-mode splitting to control the spectral properties of the system that employs them. Controlling (splitting or shifting) these eigenvalues to fully tune the frequency response, however, is a nontrivial problem that involves the use of geometrical perturbation theory as well as lossy electronic elements that enable the tuning process. In this paper we present novel geometrical techniques to control the eigenmodes of dual-mode resonators, highlighting the strong connection between the chosen geometry and performance (measured by the unloaded quality factor, Q0). Key advantages of the presented structures include electronic geometric tunability for frequency splitting and shifting, as well as the use of buried feeds to improve insertion loss and return loss performance. Field analysis is used to show how the performance is degraded by geometry itself, rather than by the tuning elements. The discussion includes derivation of approximate analytical models that highlight the sources of performance degradation in the geometry even before any tuning elements are inserted. The presented concepts are verified by measurements on perturbed microwave resonators.
Large-scale all-atom molecular dynamics alanine-scanning of IAPP octapeptides provides insights into the molecular determinants of amyloidogenicity
Authors: Tambi Richa , Morimoto Gentaro , Kosuda Satoshi , Taiji Makoto , Kuroda Yutaka
Published: February 2019

In order to investigate the early phase of the amyloid formation by the short amyloidogenic octapeptide sequence (‘NFGAILSS’) derived from IAPP, we carried out a 100ns all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of systems that contain 27 peptides and over 30,000 water molecules. The large-scale calculations were performed for the wild type sequence and seven alanine-scanned sequences using AMBER 8.0 on RIKEN’s special purpose MD-GRAPE3 supercomputer, using the all-atom point charge force field ff99, which do not favor β-structures. Large peptide clusters (size 18–26 mers) were observed for all simulations, and our calculations indicated that isoleucine at position 5 played important role in the formation of β-rich clusters. In the oligomeric state, the wild type and the S7A sequences had the highest β-structure content (~14%), as calculated by DSSP, in line with experimental observations, whereas I5A and G3A had the highest helical content (~20%). Importantly, the β-structure preferences of wild type IAPP originate from its association into clusters and are not intrinsic to its sequence. Altogether, the results of this first large-scale, multi-peptide all-atom molecular dynamics simulation appear to provide insights into the mechanism of amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic oligomers that mainly corroborate previous experimental observations.
A genome-wide enhancer/suppressor screen for Dube3a interacting genes in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hope Kevin A. , McGinn Addison , Reiter Lawrence T.
Published: February 2019

The genetics underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are complex. Approximately 3–5% of ASD cases arise from maternally inherited duplications of 15q11.2-q13.1, termed Duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q). 15q11.2-q13.1 includes the gene UBE3A which is believed to underlie ASD observed in Dup15q syndrome. UBE3A is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for degradation and trafficking, so finding UBE3A substrates and interacting partners is critical to understanding Dup15q ASD. In this study, we take an unbiased genetics approach to identify genes that genetically interact with Dube3a, the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of UBE3A. We conducted an enhancer/suppressor screen using a rough eye phenotype produced by Dube3a overexpression with GMR-GAL4. Using the DrosDel deficiency kit, we identified 3 out of 346 deficiency lines that enhanced rough eyes when crossed to two separate Dube3a overexpression lines, and subsequently identified IA2, GABA-B-R3, and lola as single genes responsible for rough eye enhancement. Using the FlyLight GAL4 lines to express uas-Dube3a + uas-GFP in the endogenous lola pattern, we observed an increase in the GFP signal compared to uas-GFP alone, suggesting a transcriptional co-activation effect of Dube3a on the lola promoter region. These findings extend the role of Dube3a/UBE3A as a transcriptional co-activator, and reveal new Dube3a interacting genes.
Targeted editing of the PSIP1 gene encoding LEDGF/p75 protects cells against HIV infection
Authors: Lampi Yulia , Van Looveren Dominique , Vranckx Lenard S. , Thiry Irina , Bornschein Simon , Debyser Zeger , Gijsbers Rik
Published: February 2019

To fulfill a productive infection cycle the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) relies on host-cell factors. Interference with these co-factors holds great promise in protecting cells against HIV infection. LEDGF/p75, encoded by the PSIP1 gene, is used by the integrase (IN) protein in the pre-integration complex of HIV to bind host-cell chromatin facilitating proviral integration. LEDGF/p75 depletion results in defective HIV replication. However, as part of its cellular function LEDGF/p75 tethers cellular proteins to the host-cell genome. We used site-specific editing of the PSIP1 locus using CRISPR/Cas to target the aspartic acid residue in position 366 and mutated it to asparagine (D366N) to disrupt the interaction with HIV IN but retain LEDGF/p75 cellular function. The resulting cell lines demonstrated successful disruption of the LEDGF/p75 HIV-IN interface without affecting interaction with cellular binding partners. In line with LEDGF/p75 depleted cells, D366N cells did not support HIV replication, in part due to decreased integration efficiency. In addition, we confirm the remaining integrated provirus is more silent. Taken together, these results support the potential of site-directed CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knock-in to render cells more resistant to HIV infection and provides an additional strategy to protect patient-derived T-cells against HIV-1 infection as part of cell-based therapy.
The 4717C > G polymorphism in periplakin modulates sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Lee Hui Mei , Kelly Gregory Michael , Zainal Nur Syafinaz , Yee Pei San , Fadlullah Muhammad Zaki Hidayatullah , Lee Bernard Kok Bang , Gan Chai Phei , Patel Vyomesh , Cheong Sok Ching
Published: February 2019

The use of EGFR inhibitors on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as monotherapy yielded modest clinical outcomes and therefore would benefit from biomarkers that could predict which patient subsets are likely to respond. Here, we determined the efficacy of erlotinib in OSCC cell lines, and by comparing sensitive and resistant lines to identify potential biomarkers. We focused on the 4717C > G polymorphism in periplakin (PPL) where the CC genotype was associated with erlotinib resistance. To validate this, erlotinib-resistant cell lines harbouring CC genotype were engineered to overexpress the GG genotype and vice versa. Isogenic cell lines were then studied for their response to erlotinib treatment. We demonstrated that overexpression of the GG genotype in erlotinib-resistant lines sensitized them to erlotinib and inhibition of AKT phosphorylation. Similarly, the expression of the CC genotype conferred resistance to erlotinib with a concomitant increase in AKT phosphorylation. We also demonstrated that cell lines with the CC genotype generally are more resistant to other EGFR inhibitors than those with the GG genotype. Overall, we showed that a specific polymorphism in the PPL gene could confer resistance to erlotinib and other EGFR inhibitors and further work to evaluate these as biomarkers of response is warranted.
Strategic Eye Movements are Used to Support Object Authentication
Authors: Raymond Jane E. , Jones Scott P.
Published: February 2019

Authentication is an important cognitive process used to determine whether one’s initial identification of an object is corroborated by additional sensory information. Although authentication is critical for safe interaction with many objects, including food, websites, and valuable documents, the visual orienting strategies used to garner additional sensory data to support authentication remain poorly understood. When reliable visual cues to counterfeit cannot be anticipated, distributing fixations widely across an object’s surface might be useful. However, strategic fixation of specific object-defining attributes would be more efficient and should lead to better authentication performance. To investigate, we monitored eye movements during a repetitive banknote authentication task involving genuine and counterfeit banknotes. Although fixations were distributed widely across the note prior to authentication decisions, preference for hard-to mimic areas and avoidance of easily mimicked areas was evident. However, there was a strong tendency to initially fixate the banknote’s portrait, and only thereafter did eye movement control appear to be more strategic. Those who directed a greater proportion of fixations at hard-to-mimic areas and resisted more easily mimicked areas performed better on the authenticity task. The tendency to deploy strategic fixation improved with experience, suggesting that authentication benefits from precise visual orienting and refined categorisation criteria.
Mild weather changes over China during 1971–2014: Climatology, trends, and interannual variability
Authors: Lin Lijie , Ge Erjia , Chen Chongcheng , Luo Ming
Published: February 2019

While previous studies largely focus on extreme events, little is known about the behaviors of mild weather, a positive and pleasant condition occurring frequently, directly associated with outdoor activities, and highly relatable to the public. Here we examine the climatological characteristics and long-term trends of mild weather over China during 1971–2014, as well as the possible linkage with the El Niño−Southern Oscillation. It is found that, on average, China experiences 94.5 days (25.4% of all days) of mild weather in a year, and the annual number of mild days increased by 1.02% per decade (3.73 days per decade) during 1971–2014, especially in summer (1.54% per decade), spring (1.49% per decade), and autumn (1.03% per decade). We also find that most parts of China have been experiencing increasing mild weather in 1971–1998 but decreasing in 1998–2014. Clustering analysis reveals six subregions that exhibit distinct mild weather behaviors. In particular, harsh seasons (i.e., summer of southern China and winter of northern China) are becoming even less pleasant. Besides these secular trends, it is also noticed that El Niño event in the preceding winter is followed by less pleasant spring and summer and more pleasant autumn and winter in most areas of China. The results reported here have significant implications for urban planners and governmental policymakers.
Quantification of an alpha flux based radiological dose from seasonal exposure to 222Rn, 220Rn and their different EEC species
Authors: Bangotra Pargin , Mehra Rohit , Jakhu Rajan , Pandit Pragya , Prasad Mukesh
Published: February 2019

This study summarizes the seasonal experimental data on the activity concentrations of indoor 222Rn (Radon), 220Rn (Thoron) and their progeny in Mansa and Muktsar districts of Punjab (India) using LR-115 solid state nuclear track detector based time integrated pin-hole cup dosimeters and deposition based progeny sensors for the assessment of radiological dose. The indoor 222Rn concentration was observed higher in the rainy and winter seasons while 220Rn concentration was observed higher in the winter season. However, Equilibrium Equivalent Concentrations (EECs) of 222Rn and 220Rn exhibited distinct seasonal behaviour unlike their parent nuclides. The average equilibrium factors for 222Rn (FRn) and 220Rn (FTn) were found 0.47 ± 0.1 and 0.05 ± 0.01, respectively. The annual arithmetic means of unattached fractions of 222Rn ($${f}_{p}^{Rn}$$

f

p

R
n

) and 220Rn ($${f}_{p}^{Tn}$$

f

p

T
n

) were found to be 0.09 ± 0.02 and 0.10 ± 0.02, respectively. The attachment rate (XRn) and attachment rate coefficients (β) of 222Rn progeny were also calculated to understand the proper behaviour of progeny species in the region. A new alpha flux based technique has been proposed and used for the assessment of absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose rate for radiation protection purpose.
DirtyGenes: testing for significant changes in gene or bacterial population compositions from a small number of samples
Authors: Shaw Laurence M. , Blanchard Adam , Chen Qinglin , An Xinli , Davies Peers , Tötemeyer Sabine , Zhu Yong-Guan , Stekel Dov J.
Published: February 2019

High throughput genomics technologies are applied widely to microbiomes in humans, animals, soil and water, to detect changes in bacterial communities or the genes they carry, between different environments or treatments. We describe a method to test the statistical significance of differences in bacterial population or gene composition, applicable to metagenomic or quantitative polymerase chain reaction data. Our method goes beyond previous published work in being universally most powerful, thus better able to detect statistically significant differences, and through being more reliable for smaller sample sizes. It can also be used for experimental design, to estimate how many samples to use in future experiments, again with the advantage of being universally most powerful. We present three example analyses in the area of antimicrobial resistance. The first is to published data on bacterial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment; we show that there are significant changes in both ARG and community composition. The second is to new data on seasonality in bacterial communities and ARGs in hooves from four sheep. While the observed differences are not significant, we show that a minimum group size of eight sheep would provide sufficient power to observe significance of similar changes in further experiments. The third is to published data on bacterial communities surrounding rice crops. This is a much larger data set and is used to verify the new method. Our method has broad uses for statistical testing and experimental design in research on changing microbiomes, including studies on antimicrobial resistance.
Deferiprone has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces fibroblast migration in vitro
Authors: Ramezanpour Mahnaz , Smith Jason L. P. , Ooi Mian Li , Gouzos Michael , Psaltis Alkis J. , Wormald P. J. , Vreugde Sarah
Published: February 2019

Normal wound healing is a highly regulated and coordinated process. However, tissue injury often results in inflammation with excessive scar tissue formation after 40–70% of operations. Here, we evaluated the effect of the iron chelator deferiprone on inflammation and the migration of primary nasal fibroblasts and primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) in vitro. The cytotoxicity of deferiprone was examined by the lactate dehydrogenase assay on primary nasal fibroblasts and air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of HNECs. Wound closure was observed in scratch assays by using time-lapse confocal scanning laser microscopy. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and type I and III collagen protein levels were determined by ELISA. Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activity was measured by utilizing the fluorescent probe H2DCFDA. Deferiprone at 10 mM concentration was non-toxic to primary fibroblasts and HNECs for up to 48 hours application. Deferiprone had significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the migration, secreted collagen production and ROS release by primary nasal fibroblasts. Deferiprone blocked Poly (I:C)-induced IL-6 production by HNECs but did not alter their migration in scratch assays. Deferiprone has the potential to limit scar tissue formation and should be considered in future clinical applications.
Analysis of Mutants Suggests Kamin Blocking in C. elegans is Due to Interference with Memory Recall Rather than Storage
Authors: Merritt Daniel M. , Melkis Justina G. , Kwok Belinda , Tran Celina , van der Kooy Derek
Published: February 2019

Higher-order conditioning phenomena, including context conditioning and blocking, occur when conditioning to one set of stimuli interacts with conditioning to a second set of stimuli to modulate the strength of the resultant memories. Here we analyze higher-order conditioning in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, demonstrating for the first time the presence of blocking in this animal, and dissociating it from context conditioning. We present an initial genetic dissection of these phenomena in a model benzaldehyde/NH4Cl aversive learning system, and suggest that blocking may involve an alteration of memory retrieval rather than storage. These findings offer a fundamentally different explanation for blocking than traditional explanations, and position C. elegans as a powerful model organism for the study of higher order conditioning.
Network Effects of Demographic Transition
Authors: David-Barrett Tamas
Published: February 2019

Traditional human societies use two of biology’s solutions to reduce free-riding: by collaborating with relatives, they rely on the mechanism of kin-selection, and by forming highly clustered social kin-networks, they can efficiently use reputation dynamics. Both of these solutions assume the presence of relatives. This paper shows how social networks change during demographic transition. With falling fertility, there are fewer children that could be relatives to one another. As the missing kin are replaced by non-kin friends, local clustering in the social network drops. This effect is compounded by increasing population size, characteristic of demographic transition. The paper also shows that the speed at which reputation spreads in the network slows down due to both falling fertility and increasing group size. Thus, demographic transition weakens both mechanisms for eliminating free-riders: there are fewer relatives around, and reputation spreads slower. This new link between falling fertility and the altered structure of the social network offers novel interpretations of the origins of legal institutions, the Small World phenomenon, the social impact of urbanisation, and the birds-of-a-feather friendship choice heuristic.
Transcriptional regulation of Hepatic Stellate Cell activation in NASH
Authors: Marcher Ann-Britt , Bendixen Sofie M. , Terkelsen Mike K. , Hohmann Sonja S. , Hansen Maria H. , Larsen Bjørk D. , Mandrup Susanne , Dimke Henrik , Detlefsen Sönke , Ravnskjaer Kim
Published: February 2019

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) signified by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and fibrosis is a growing cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic fibrosis resulting from accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins secreted by hepatic myofibroblasts plays an important role in disease progression. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been identified as the primary source of myofibroblasts in animal models of hepatotoxic liver injury; however, so far HSC activation and plasticity have not been thoroughly investigated in the context of NASH-related fibrogenesis. Here we have determined the time-resolved changes in the HSC transcriptome during development of Western diet- and fructose-induced NASH in mice, a NASH model recapitulating human disease. Intriguingly, HSC transcriptional dynamics are highly similar across disease models pointing to HSC activation as a point of convergence in the development of fibrotic liver disease. Bioinformatic interrogation of the promoter sequences of activated genes combined with loss-of-function experiments indicates that the transcriptional regulators ETS1 and RUNX1 act as drivers of NASH-associated HSC plasticity. Taken together, our results implicate HSC activation and transcriptional plasticity as key aspects of NASH pathophysiology.
Megastigmus seed wasp damage on native Schinus terebinthifolia drupes in ecological restoration area in Brazil
Authors: Ghiotto Thaís Carneiro , do Nascimento Prado Marcelle Cristine , Giuliani Graziella Kurpjuweit Fischer , de Souza Tavares Wagner , Masson Marcus Vinicius , Guerreiro Julio César , Prado Evandro Pereira , Carvalho Amélia Guimarães , Wilcken Carlos Frederico , Zanuncio José Cola , Ferreira-Filho Pedro José
Published: February 2019

Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) parasitizes drupes of Rhus genus plants in Africa and Schinus (Anacardiaceae) in South America. This exotic wasp damages Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi drupes in native forests and ecological restoration areas in Brazil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the precipitation, temperature and relative humidity effects on M. transvaalensis flight activity, and to determine the parasitism rate and sex ratio of this wasp on S. terebinthifolia plants. The study was conducted with yellow sticky traps and S. terebinthifolia drupes collected in an ecological restoration area, from August 2014 to September 2015, in the Sorocaba municipality, São Paulo state, Brazil. Megastigmus transvaalensis populations were negatively correlated with maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation, with population peaks at the end of May 2015, with 927 insects per evaluation (48.8 adults per trap). The M. transvaalensis sex ratio was higher in the laboratory (0.42) than in the field (0.08). The parasitism rate of S. terebinthifolia drupes by M. transvaalensis ranged from zero to 36.3% under natural environmental conditions. Megastigmus transvaalensis can be monitored with yellow sticky traps. Damage by M. transvaalensis in S. terebinthifolia drupes may decrease the germination of the seeds and the establishment of this plant in native and restoration ecological areas.
Polymorphisms of cytokine genes and tuberculosis in two independent studies
Authors: Wu Shouquan , Wang Ming-Gui , Wang Yu , He Jian-Qing
Published: February 2019

Cytokine gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can influence cytokine levels, which may be associated with tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility. There is evidence that interleukin 1B (IL1B), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL6 may be involved in the progression of TB. Using a self-validating case-control design, we selected eleven functional SNPs in IL1B, TNF and IL6 to detect their association with TB in Chinese Han and Tibetan populations. The associations between SNPs and TB were estimated by computing the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using logistic regression analyses. We found that the IL1B rs16944 polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of TB in the two studies. The G allele at rs2069837 of IL6 was significantly more common in controls than in TB patients in the Han population. Moreover, TNF rs1799964 and rs1800630 were risk factors for susceptibility to TB, which were validated in the Chinese Tibetan population. In addition, TNF rs1799724 and rs1800629 were associated with TB, but only in the Tibetan population. In conclusion, SNPs of the IL1B and TNF gene were associated with TB susceptibility in Chinese Han and Tibetan populations. IL6 polymorphism may be considered as a protective factor for TB in the Chinese Han population, but not the Tibetan population.
High concentrations of flavor chemicals are present in electronic cigarette refill fluids
Authors: Omaiye Esther E. , McWhirter Kevin J. , Luo Wentai , Tierney Peyton A. , Pankow James F. , Talbot Prue
Published: February 2019

We characterized the flavor chemicals in a broad sample of commercially available electronic cigarette (EC) refill fluids that were purchased in four different countries. Flavor chemicals in 277 refill fluids were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and two commonly used flavor chemicals were tested for cytotoxicity with the MTT assay using human lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells. About 85% of the refill fluids had total flavor concentrations >1 mg/ml, and 37% were >10 mg/ml (1% by weight). Of the 155 flavor chemicals identified in the 277 refill fluids, 50 were present at ≥1 mg/ml in at least one sample and 11 were ≥10 mg/ml in 54 of the refill fluids. Sixty-one% (170 out of 277) of the samples contained nicotine, and of these, 56% had a total flavor chemical/nicotine ratio >2. Four chemicals were present in 50% (menthol, triacetin, and cinnamaldehyde) to 80% (ethyl maltol) of the samples. Some products had concentrations of menthol (“Menthol Arctic”) and ethyl maltol (“No. 64”) that were 30 times (menthol) and 100 times (ethyl maltol) their cytotoxic concentration. One refill fluid contained cinnamaldehyde at ~34% (343 mg/ml), more than 100,000 times its cytotoxic level. High concentrations of some flavor chemicals in EC refill fluids are potentially harmful to users, and continued absence of any regulations regarding flavor chemicals in EC fluids will likely be detrimental to human health.
The atomic structures of shrimp nodaviruses reveal new dimeric spike structures and particle polymorphism
Authors: Chen Nai-Chi , Yoshimura Masato , Miyazaki Naoyuki , Guan Hong-Hsiang , Chuankhayan Phimonphan , Lin Chien-Chih , Chen Shao-Kang , Lin Pei-Ju , Huang Yen-Chieh , Iwasaki Kenji , Nakagawa Atsushi , Chan Sunney I. , Chen Chun-Jung
Published: February 2019

Shrimp nodaviruses, including Penaeus vannamei (PvNV) and Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodaviruses (MrNV), cause white-tail disease in shrimps, with high mortality. The viral capsid structure determines viral assembly and host specificity during infections. Here, we show cryo-EM structures of T = 3 and T = 1 PvNV-like particles (PvNV-LPs), crystal structures of the protrusion-domains (P-domains) of PvNV and MrNV, and the crystal structure of the ∆N-ARM-PvNV shell-domain (S-domain) in T = 1 subviral particles. The capsid protein of PvNV reveals five domains: the P-domain with a new jelly-roll structure forming cuboid-like spikes; the jelly-roll S-domain with two calcium ions; the linker between the S- and P-domains exhibiting new cross and parallel conformations; the N-arm interacting with nucleotides organized along icosahedral two-fold axes; and a disordered region comprising the basic N-terminal arginine-rich motif (N-ARM) interacting with RNA. The N-ARM controls T = 3 and T = 1 assemblies. Increasing the N/C-termini flexibility leads to particle polymorphism. Linker flexibility may influence the dimeric-spike arrangement.
Sensors for biosensors: a novel tandem monitoring in a droplet towards efficient screening of robust design and optimal operating conditions
Authors: Semenova Daria , Silina Yuliya E. , Koch Marcus , Micheli Laura , Zubov Alexandr , Gernaey Krist V.
Published: February 2019

Development of a tandem monitoring approach that allows the simultaneous on-line detection of multiple biosensor system parameters.
A sample wetting strategy to overcome differences in physical morphology between lab-prepared training samples and pharmaceutical process samples for reliable quantitative Raman spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Lee Yoonjeong , Han Janghee , Kim Jaejin , Woo Young-Ah , Chung Hoeil
Published: February 2019

A strategy of sample wetting for accurate Raman spectroscopic analysis.
Anionic order and band gap engineering in vacancy ordered triple perovskites
Authors: Hodgkins Taylor L. , Savory Christopher N. , Bass Kelsey K. , Seckman Bethany L. , Scanlon David O. , Djurovich Peter I. , Thompson Mark E. , Melot Brent C.
Published: February 2019

Exchanging the iodide for bromide on Cs3Bi2Br9 redshifts the absorption band while maintaining the Cs3Bi2Br9 structure.
Pyrrolidinium lead iodide from crystallography: a new perovskite with low bandgap and good water resistance
Authors: Xu Alex Fan , Wang Ryan Taoran , Yang Lory Wenjuan , Jarvis Victoria , Britten James F. , Xu Gu
Published: February 2019

A new perovskite pyrrolidinium lead iodide shows suitable bandgap and good moisture stability.
The role of the side chain in the conformational and self-assembly patterns of C2-symmetric Val and Phe pseudopeptidic derivatives
Authors: Gorla Lingaraju , Martí-Centelles Vicente , Altava Belén , Burguete M. Isabel , Luis Santiago V.
Published: February 2019

Side chain as the main conformational and self-assembly structural factor for C2-pseudopeptides.
Restricted rotation of an Fe(CO)2(PL3)-subunit in [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site mimics by intramolecular ligation
Authors: Pullen Sonja , Maji Somnath , Stein Matthias , Ott Sascha
Published: February 2019

Terminal ligand fixation by covalent linkage to the bridging bdt ligand hinders ligand rotations.
Robust and electron deficient oxidovanadium(iv) porphyrin catalysts for selective epoxidation and oxidative bromination reactions in aqueous media
Authors: Dar Tawseef Ahmad , Uprety Bhawna , Sankar Muniappan , Maurya Mannar R.
Published: February 2019

Octamethoxy vanadylporphyrin (1) and its perbromo derivative (2) have been synthesized. 2 exhibited 100% selectivity for epoxide formation with very high TOF numbers. Remarkably, 2 biomimics vanadium bromoperoxidase (VBrPO) enzyme with extremely high TOF value in water.
Fabrication of boron nitride nanosheet/polymer composites with tunable thermal insulating properties
Authors: He Jianyun , Liu Shijun , Li Yunqi , Zeng Shangjing , Qi Yanlong , Cui Long , Dai Quanquan , Bai Chenxi
Published: February 2019

Introduction of hydroxylated hBN improved the thermal insulation performance in binary composites, but enhanced the thermal conductivities in the ternary formula.
Electrocatalytic water oxidation studies of a tetranuclear Cu(ii) complex with cubane-like core Cu4(μ3-O)4
Authors: Gao Wei-Song , Wang Jin-Miao , Shi Ning-Ning , Chen Chang-Neng , Fan Yu-Hua , Wang Mei
Published: February 2019

A bio-inspired cubane-like tetranuclear cluster [Cu4(pdmH)4(OAc)2](NO3)2·3H2O can electrocatalyze water oxidation under aqueous alkaline conditions through a PCET process.
Gold-catalyzed formation of aryl-fused pyrazolooxazepines via intramolecular regioselective 7-exo-dig cyclization
Authors: Guduru Ravinder , Mangina N. S. V. M. Rao , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Karunakar Galla V.
Published: February 2019

An efficient gold-catalyzed method was developed for the formation of aryl-fused pyrazolooxazepines from ortho-O-propargyl aryl pyrazoles via 7-exo-dig cyclization in good yields.
Intensive evaluation of radiation stability of phlogopite single crystals under high doses of γ-ray irradiation
Authors: Wang Honglong , Sun Yaping , Chu Jian , Wang Xu , Zhang Ming
Published: February 2019

Upon irradiation, the framework underwent breakage, H2O underwent radiolysis, and the radiolysis products reacted with the framework, expanding the lattice plane.
Facile synthesis of highly conductive PEDOT:PSS via surfactant templates
Authors: Sakunpongpitiporn Phimchanok , Phasuksom Katesara , Paradee Nophawan , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: February 2019

The electrical conductivity of 1879.49 ± 13.87 S cm−1 was achieved for PEDOT:PSS, which is the highest value reported to date.
A green approach to prepare hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers from coal for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Tong Fenglian , Jia Wei , Pan Yanliang , Guo Jixi , Ding Lili , Chen Jingjing , Jia Dianzeng
Published: February 2019

A green method is designed to obtain hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers from coal for supercapacitor electrodes with high specific capacitance and long cycle life.
Toward ideal carbon dioxide functionalization
Authors: Yang Yang , Lee Ji-Woong
Published: February 2019

From carbon fixation, Grignard reaction, metal-catalyzed reactions and asymmetric CO2-incorporation, what would be the ideal CO2-functionalization?
Facile and reversible double dearomatization of pyridines in non-phosphine MnI complexes with N,S-donor pyridinophane ligand
Authors: Sarbajna Abir , Patil Pradnya H. , Dinh Minh Hoan , Gladkovskaya Olga , Fayzullin Robert R. , Lapointe Sébastien , Khaskin Eugene , Khusnutdinova Julia R.
Published: February 2019

Single and double dearomatization of pyridine rings was observed in MnI complexes with an N2S2 pyridinophane ligand via deprotonation of one or two CH2 arms, respectively.
Enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of 2H-WS2 for hydrogen evolution via defect engineering
Authors: Wu Longfei , van Hoof Arno J. F. , Dzade Nelson Y. , Gao Lu , Richard Marie-Ingrid , Friedrich Heiner , De Leeuw Nora H. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Hofmann Jan P.
Published: February 2019

Introduction of defects into 2H-WS2 electrocatalysts by post-synthetic desulfurization leads to significantly improved H2 evolution activity.
High-discharge-voltage lithium-rich layered-oxide cathode materials based on low oxygen vacancy
Authors: Zhang Bin , Wang Lve , Bai Fan , Xiao Peng , Zhang Biao , Chen Xu , Sun Jie , Yang Wensheng
Published: February 2019

Lithium-rich layered oxides with low oxygen vacancy perform high discharge voltage.
Zinc-catalyzed regioselective C–P coupling of p-quinol ethers with secondary phosphine oxides to afford 2-phosphinylphenols
Authors: Zhang Ming , Jia Xiaoyu , Zhu Haowei , Fang Xutong , Ji Chenyi , Zhao Sizhuo , Han Li-Biao , Shen Ruwei
Published: February 2019

A highly regioselective C–P coupling reaction of p-quinol ethers with secondary phosphine oxides is developed as a new synthesis method for 2-phosphinylphenols by using Zn(OTf)2 as the catalyst.
A parallel permeability assay of peptides across artificial membranes and cell monolayers using a fluorogenic reaction
Authors: Morimoto Jumpei , Amano Rei , Ono Takahiro , Sando Shinsuke
Published: February 2019

An alkyne tag and a fluorogenic reaction enabled the rapid parallel evaluation of membrane permeability of peptides across artificial membranes and cell monolayers.
The role of secondary phase in enhancing transduction coefficient of piezoelectric energy harvesting composites
Authors: Yu Xiaole , Hou Yudong , Zhao Haiyan , Fu Jing , Zheng Mupeng , Zhu Mankang
Published: February 2019

A new composite design strategy tailors the synergistic change of d33 and εr to obtain a high d33·g33.
Nucleosome positioning and spacing: from genome-wide maps to single arrays
Authors: Baldi Sandro
Published: February 2019

The positioning of nucleosomes relative to DNA and their neighboring nucleosomes represents a fundamental layer of chromatin organization. Changes in nucleosome positioning and spacing affect the accessibility of DNA to regulatory factors and the formation of higher order chromatin structures. Sequencing of mononucleosomal fragments allowed mapping nucleosome positions on a genome-wide level in many organisms. This revealed that successions of evenly spaced and well-positioned nucleosomes—so called phased nucleosome arrays—occur at the 5′ end of many active genes and in the vicinity of transcription factor and other protein binding sites. Phased arrays arise from the interplay of barrier elements on the DNA, which position adjacent nucleosomes, and the nucleosome spacing activity of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. A shortcoming of classic mononucleosomal mapping experiments is that they only reveal nucleosome spacing and array regularity at select sites in the genome with well-positioned nucleosomes. However, new technological approaches elucidate nucleosome array structure throughout the genome and with single-cell resolution. In the future, it will be interesting to see whether changes in nucleosome array regularity and spacing contribute to the formation of higher order chromatin structures and the spatial organization of the genome in vivo.
Design and development of resonant loop antenna for mock‐up ion cyclotron resonance frequency system of tokamak
Authors: Jain Abhinav , Yadav Rana Pratap , Kumar Sunil
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the design and fabrication of a prototype antenna used in ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) heating system of the tokamak. The prototype incorporates a similar design as of the ICRF antenna in a tokamak. It has been fabricated for 2 kW power handling capability at 182.5 MHz. The study incorporates the theory and design calculation of ICRF antenna using equivalent circuit analysis. The presented work formulates design calculation for optimum performance, which has been applied in fabrication. The fabricated antenna has been tested, where results are found as, reflection coefficient of − 24.65 dB, directivity of 2.95 dBi, and gain of 2.5 dB. The obtained results after fabrication are found as per the desired and in agreement with the simulation results. The work presented here is useful for the design and fabrication of high‐power antenna in HF and VHF range.
Segmental switching strategy with zero output pulsation for dynamic EV wireless charging system
Authors: Zhu Qingwei , Guo Yanjie , Li Shufan , Wang Lifang , Liao Chenglin
Published: February 2019

In practical dynamic electric vehicle (EV) wireless charging applications, the charging roadway is segmented and the segments are switched on and off along with the passing‐by EVs, which often causes output power pulsations. Here, the decoupling characteristics of two general inductively coupled coils are investigated. Based on which, an easy‐implement switching strategy to minimise the output power pulsation in the repeatedly occurring segmental switches is proposed. Each segment is to be switched on when a coming EV passes the entry‐end decoupling point of that segment, and to be cut‐off when the vehicle passes the other decoupling point as it leaves from the other end. Practical issues regarding to the coil dimensions have also been studied to investigate the compatibility of the proposed method. Dynamic charging and segmental switching experiments on a predesigned 2.5 kW dynamic wireless charging prototype were conducted to testify the proposed method. Smooth transition with zero output power pulsation and noticeable improvement on the systematic efficiency over the transition zone were achieved.
Psycho-Behavioral Intervention Model for Effective Sustainable Awareness in Green Development.
Authors: Yaman Rostam , Kokchang Kespanerai , Ahmad Noraini , Ismail Farrah Zuhaira
Published: February 2019

This research addressed an appropriate way to promote sustainable behavior by intervening psycho-behavioral awareness to promote green inclination psychological characteristics. The main objective of this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a psycho-behavioral intervention model on the occurrence of sustainable awareness and positive behavior in tertiary education students. A pre-test and post-test control group design provided an understanding of the extent to which psychological characteristics can have an impact on 220 interior architecture students in increasing sustainable awareness and positive behavior after training. The major finding indicated that interior architecture students who received psycho-behavioral intervention model gained greater psychological characteristics and sustainable awareness and also showed greater positive behavior than the control group after training. It can be concluded that psycho-behavioral intervention can promote sustainable awareness and positive behavior.
Examining the Influence of Passive Design Approaches on NZEBs: Potential Net Zero Healthcare Buildings Implementation in Malaysia
Authors: Bin Abdellah Roy Hazli , Bin Masrom Md Asrul Nasid , Kai Chen Goh , Mohamed Sulzakimin , Manap Norpadzlihatun
Published: February 2019

Nowadays, net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) concept has gained considerable attention not only between the developed countries, but also among the developing countries including Malaysia. The rapid development in Malaysia, especially in the construction of healthcare buildings needs to be given due attention since these developments lead to all sorts of environmental problems. As the number of healthcare buildings increases, the energy consumes to operate these buildings will increase. The consequences of uncontrollable energy consumption may result in the increased volume of carbon dioxide emissions as well as depletion of natural resources. Thus, NZEBs has emerged as a proactive concept to confront with these issues. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of passive design approaches on NZEBs as well as the potential of net zero healthcare buildings implementation in Malaysia based on a review of the existing literature and by utilising semi-structured interviews with 3 experienced architects. The result of this paper indicates that there are four main passive design components has strong influences on NZEBs which are building orientation, shading devices, ventilation, and thermal insulation. These practices are being actively practiced in Malaysia construction industry; thus, it shows that net zero energy healthcare buildings are potential to be designed in Malaysia. The study has gone some way towards enhancing our understanding of the significance of passive design approaches towards net zero healthcare buildings for future implementation in Malaysia context.
Exploring the Relationship between Safety and Health Cost Dimensions and Accident Costs to the Employer of Urban Rail Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Mohd Kamar Izatul Farrita , Che Ahmad Asmalia , Derus Mohmad Mohd , Kasiron Mohd Yusof , Abu Bakar Mohd Afandi
Published: February 2019

The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) System is set to be one of the mega projects in Malaysia. Many of the researches have focused on the causes of construction accident occurrences at the site. Whilst, this study focuses on the consequences (i.e., costs) of the occurrences of the accidents for the project. The work injuries create economic issues for our society. The awareness of accident costs is absent because the stakeholders always leave the matters to the insurance company. They are ignorant of the cost of an accident without realising the greatness of its impacts on the industry and the country. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between accident costs and the factors influencing the accident costs of urban rail infrastructure projects to the Employer. All these factors are known as safety and health cost dimensions. For this research, the Employer, also known as a Contractor, is the person who bears the accident costs (direct and indirect costs) of the project. Multiple regression performed on the sixty-two (62) accident cases from the MRT 1 SBK (Sungai Buloh-Kajang) Line Projects. These findings could heighten the importance of the effect of an accident on the Employer’s company’s economics and budgeting.
Factors Affecting the Performance of Medium and Large Local Contractors in the Jigawa State Nigerian Construction Industry
Authors: Nasid Masrom Md Asrul , Hamza Garba , Manap Norpadzlihatun , Shahifah Syahrom Noor
Published: February 2019

Medium and large local contractors in the Nigerian construction industry suffer from numerous problems and complex issues in regards to their performance in executing projects, particularly cost, time and quality. This paper is to identify the factors affecting the performance of medium and large local contractors in the Jigawa state Nigerian construction industry. Literature about medium and large local contractors, their performance was reviewed to identify the factors believed to affect their performance in executing construction projects. One hundred thirty-six questionnaires distributed to clients, consultants, medium and large local contractors. The findings indicate that all the respondents agree that the most significant factors affecting the performance of medium and large local contractors in the Jigawa state Nigerian construction industry were corruption, the time taken in payment from the client to contractor, additional work given during construction, used of an unskilled labour force and non-adherence to specification. This paper helps to expand the pool of knowledge to the Nigerian contractors regarding essential element that is needed to be observed in order to improve their performance.