bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Zn12O12 cluster-assembled nanowires as a highly sensitive and selective gas sensor for NO and NO2
Authors: Yong Yongliang , Su Xiangying , Zhou Qingxiao , Kuang Yanmin , Li Xiaohong
Published: December 2017

Motivated by the recent realization of cluster-assembled nanomaterials as gas sensors, first-principles calculations are carried out to explore the stability and electronic properties of Zn12O12 cluster-assembled nanowires and the adsorption behaviors of environmental gases on the Zn12O12-based nanowires, including CO, NO, NO2, SO2, NH3, CH4, CO2, O2 and H2. Our results indicate that the ultrathin Zn12O12 cluster-assembled nanowires are particularly thermodynamic stable at room temperature. The CO, NO, NO2, SO2, and NH3 molecules are all chemisorbed on the Zn12O12-based nanowires with reasonable adsorption energies, but CH4, CO2, O2 and H2 molecules are only physically adsorbed on the nanowire. The electronic properties of the Zn12O12-based nanowire present dramatic changes after the adsorption of the NO and NO2 molecules, especially their electric conductivity and magnetic properties, however, the other molecules adsorption hardly change the electric conductivity of the nanowire. Meanwhile, the recovery time of the nanowire sensor at T = 300 K is estimated at 1.5 μs and 16.7 μs for NO and NO2 molecules, respectively. Furthermore, the sensitivities of NO and NO2 are much larger than that of the other molecules. Our results thus conclude that the Zn12O12-based nanowire is a potential candidate for gas sensors with highly sensitivity for NO and NO2.
Fibroblasts play a potential role in bone destruction via osteopontin related caldesmon expression and polymerization in human non-functioning pituitary adenomas
Authors: Zhang Li-yang , Ge Xiao-lu , Li Zheng , Tang Yong-jian , Xiong Yuan-yuan , Li Xue-jun , Liu Jin-fang , Wanggou Si-yi , Li Chun-tao , Yang Kui , Chen Xin , Hu Zhong-Liang , Liu Yun-sheng , Liu Zhi-Xiong
Published: December 2017

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are the most frequent pituitary tumors. The elucidation of the mechanisms of aggressive NFPAs in bone destruction is required in order to guide the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NFPAs. In the present study, we investigated the differential proteomics of fibroblasts isolated from clinical specimens of NFPAs with or without bone destruction. Proteomic analysis revealed a group of molecules associated with cytoskeleton organization, including caldesmon, were differentially expressed between fibroblasts isolated from bone destruction NFPAs (BD-NFPAs) and fibroblasts isolated from non-bone destruction NFPAs (NBD-NFPAs). The secreted proteins analysis found that osteopontin was significantly upregulated in BD-NFPAs fibroblasts. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of the NFPAs clinical samples showed that the expression of caldesmon in stromal cells and the expression of osteopontin in both tumor cells and stroma were significantly increased in BD-NFPAs. Taken together, our results indicate a possible way that osteopontin secreted from both NFPA cells and surrounding fibroblasts modify caldesmon expression and polymerization in fibroblasts, which may contribute to bone destruction in NFPA patients.
Room-Temperature Performance of Poly(Ethylene Ether Carbonate)-Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Jung Yun-Chae , Park Myung-Soo , Kim Duck-Hyun , Ue Makoto , Eftekhari Ali , Kim Dong-Won
Published: December 2017

Amorphous poly(ethylene ether carbonate) (PEEC), which is a copolymer of ethylene oxide and ethylene carbonate, was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of ethylene carbonate. This route overcame the common issue of low conductivity of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes at low temperatures, and thus the solid polymer electrolyte could be successfully employed at the room temperature. Introducing the ethylene carbonate units into PEEC improved the ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability and lithium transference number compared with PEO. A cross-linked solid polymer electrolyte was synthesized by photo cross-linking reaction using PEEC and tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate as a cross-linking agent, in the form of a flexible thin film. The solid-state Li/LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cell assembled with solid polymer electrolyte based on cross-linked PEEC delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 141.4 mAh g−1 and exhibited good capacity retention at room temperature. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using this solid polymer electrolyte in all-solid-state lithium batteries that can operate at ambient temperatures.
Constitutively elevated levels of SOCS1 suppress innate responses in DF-1 immortalised chicken fibroblast cells
Authors: Giotis E. S. , Ross C. S. , Robey R. C. , Nohturfft A. , Goodbourn S. , Skinner M. A.
Published: December 2017

The spontaneously immortalised DF-1 cell line is rapidly replacing its progenitor primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) for studies on avian viruses such as avian influenza but no comprehensive study has as yet been reported comparing their innate immunity phenotypes. We conducted microarray analyses of DF-1 and CEFs, under both normal and stimulated conditions using chicken interferon-α (chIFN-α) and the attenuated infectious bursal disease virus vaccine strain PBG98. We found that DF-1 have an attenuated innate response compared to CEFs. Basal expression levels ofSuppressor of Cytokine Signalling 1(chSOCS1), a negative regulator of cytokine signalling in mammals, are 16-fold higher in DF-1 than in CEFs. The chSOCS1 “SOCS box” domain (which in mammals, interacts with an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex) is not essential for the inhibition of cytokine-induced JAK/STAT signalling activation in DF-1. Overexpression of SOCS1 in chIFN-α-stimulated DF-1 led to a relative decrease in expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs; MX1 and IFIT5) and increased viral yield in response to PBG98 infection. Conversely, knockdown of SOCS1 enhanced induction of ISGs and reduced viral yield in chIFN-α-stimulated DF-1. Consequently, SOCS1 reduces induction of the IFN signalling pathway in chicken cells and can potentiate virus replication.
Long-term nitrogen addition affects the phylogenetic turnover of soil microbial community responding to moisture pulse
Authors: Liu Chi , Yao Minjie , Stegen James C. , Rui Junpeng , Li Jiabao , Li Xiangzhen
Published: December 2017

How press disturbance (long-term) influences the phylogenetic turnover of soil microbial communities responding to pulse disturbances (short-term) is not fully known. Understanding the complex connections between the history of environmental conditions, assembly processes and microbial community dynamics is necessary to predict microbial response to perturbation. We started by investigating phylogenetic spatial turnover (based on DNA) of soil prokaryotic communities after long-term nitrogen (N) deposition and temporal turnover (based on RNA) of communities responding to pulse by conducting short-term rewetting experiments. The results showed that moderate N addition increased ecological stochasticity and phylogenetic diversity. In contrast, high N addition slightly increased homogeneous selection and decreased phylogenetic diversity. Examining the system with higher phylogenetic resolution revealed a moderate contribution of variable selection across the whole N gradient. The moisture pulse experiment showed that high N soils had higher rates of phylogenetic turnover across short phylogenetic distances and significant changes in community compositions through time. Long-term N input history influenced spatial turnover of microbial communities, but the dominant community assembly mechanisms differed across different N deposition gradients. We further revealed an interaction between press and pulse disturbances whereby deterministic processes were particularly important following pulse disturbances in high N soils.
Proteome-wide Analysis of Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation in Developing Rice (Oryza sativa) Seeds
Authors: Meng Xiaoxi , Xing Shihai , Perez Loida M. , Peng Xiaojun , Zhao Qingyong , Redoña Edilberto D. , Wang Cailin , Peng Zhaohua
Published: December 2017

Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation is a recently identified protein post-translational modification that is known to affect the association between histone and DNA. However, non-histone protein lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation remains largely unexplored. Utilizing antibody-based affinity enrichment and nano-HPLC/MS/MS analyses of 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation peptides, we efficaciously identified 9,916 2-hydroxyisobutyryl lysine sites on 2,512 proteins in developing rice seeds, representing the first lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome dataset in plants. Functional annotation analyses indicated that a wide variety of vital biological processes were preferably targeted by lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, starch biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, protein biosynthesis and processing. Our finding showed that 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated histone sites were conserved across plants, human, and mouse. A number of 2-hydroxyisobutyryl sites were shared with other lysine acylations in both histone and non-histone proteins. Comprehensive analysis of the lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation sites illustrated that the modification sites were highly sequence specific with distinct motifs, and they had less surface accessibility than other lysine residues in the protein. Overall, our study provides the first systematic analysis of lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation proteome in plants, and it serves as an important resource for future investigations of the regulatory mechanisms and functions of lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation.
Discrete and continuous character-based disparity analyses converge to the same macroevolutionary signal: a case study from captorhinids
Authors: Romano Marco , Brocklehurst Neil , Fröbisch Jörg
Published: December 2017

The relationship between diversity and disparity during the evolutionary history of a clade provides unique insights into evolutionary radiations and the biological response to bottlenecks and to extinctions. Here we present the first comprehensive comparison of diversity and disparity of captorhinids, a group of basal amniotes that is important for understanding the early evolution of high-fiber herbivory. A new fully resolved phylogeny is presented, obtained by the inclusion of 31 morphometric characters. The new dataset is used to calculate diversity and disparity through the evolutionary history of the clade, using both discrete and continuous characters. Captorhinids do not show a decoupling between diversity and disparity, and are characterized by a rather symmetric disparity distribution, with a peak in occupied morphospace at about the midpoint of the clade’s evolutionary history (Kungurian). This peak represents a delayed adaptive radiation, identified by the first appearance of several high-fiber herbivores in the clade, along with numerous omnivorous taxa. The discrete characters and continuous morphometric characters indicate the same disparity trends. Therefore, we argue that in the absence of one of these two possible proxies, the disparity obtained from just one source can be considered robust and representative of a general disparity pattern.
Purification of replicating pancreatic β-cells for gene expression studies
Authors: Carballar Reyes , Canyelles Maria de Lluc , Fernández Claudia , Martí Yasmina , Bonnin Sarah , Castaño Esther , Montanya Eduard , Téllez Noèlia
Published: December 2017

β-cell proliferation is a rare event in adult pancreatic islets. To study the replication-related β-cell biology we designed a replicating β-cells sorting system for gene expression experiments. Replicating β-cells were identified by EdU incorporation and purified by flow cytometry. For β-cell separation islet cells were sorted by size, granularity and Newport Green fluorescence emission that was combined with emitted fluorescence for EdU-labelled replicating cells sorting. The purity of the resulting sorted populations was evaluated by insulin staining and EdU for β-cell identification and for replicating cells, respectively. Total RNA was isolated from purified cell-sorted populations for gene expression analysis. Cell sorting of dispersed islet cells resulted in 96.2% purity for insulin positivity in the collected β-cell fraction and 100% efficiency of the EdU-based cell separation. RNA integrity was similar between FACS-sorted replicating and quiescent β-cells. Global transcriptome analysis of replicatingvsquiescent β-cells showed the expected enrichment of categories related to cell division and DNA replication. Indeed, key genes in the spindle check-point were the most upregulated genes in replicating β-cells. This work provides a method that allows for the isolation of replicating β-cells, a very scarce population in adult pancreatic islets.
Multibit memory operation of metal-oxide bi-layer memristors
Authors: Stathopoulos Spyros , Khiat Ali , Trapatseli Maria , Cortese Simone , Serb Alexantrou , Valov Ilia , Prodromakis Themis
Published: December 2017

Emerging nanoionic memristive devices are considered as the memory technology of the future and have been winning a great deal of attention due to their ability to perform fast and at the expense of low-power and -space requirements. Their full potential is envisioned that can be fulfilled through their capacity to store multiple memory states per cell, which however has been constrained so far by issues affecting the long-term stability of independent states. Here, we introduce and evaluate a multitude of metal-oxide bi-layers and demonstrate the benefits from increased memory stability via multibit memory operation. We propose a programming methodology that allows for operating metal-oxide memristive devices as multibit memory elements with highly packed yet clearly discernible memory states. These states were found to correlate with the transport properties of the introduced barrier layers. We are demonstrating memory cells with up to 6.5 bits of information storage as well as excellent retention and power consumption performance. This paves the way for neuromorphic and non-volatile memory applications.
Substrate stiffness influences phenotype and function of human antigen-presenting dendritic cells
Authors: Mennens Svenja F. B. , Bolomini-Vittori Matteo , Weiden Jorieke , Joosten Ben , Cambi Alessandra , van den Dries Koen
Published: December 2017

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized immune cells that scan peripheral tissues for foreign material or aberrant cells and, upon recognition of such danger signals, travel to lymph nodes to activate T cells and evoke an immune response. For this, DCs travel large distances through the body, encountering a variety of microenvironments with different mechanical properties such as tissue stiffness. While immune-related pathological conditions such as fibrosis or cancer are associated with tissue stiffening, the role of tissue stiffness in regulating key functions of DCs has not been studied yet. Here, we investigated the effect of substrate stiffness on the phenotype and function of DCs by conditioning DCs on polyacrylamide substrates of 2, 12 and 50 kPa. Interestingly, we found that C-type lectin expression on immature DCs (iDCs) is regulated by substrate stiffness, resulting in differential antigen internalization. Furthermore, we show that substrate stiffness affects β2integrin expression and podosome formation by iDCs. Finally, we demonstrate that substrate stiffness influences CD83 and CCR7 expression on mature DCs, the latter leading to altered chemokine-directed migration. Together, our results indicate that DC phenotype and function are affected by substrate stiffness, suggesting that tissue stiffness is an important determinant for modulating immune responses.
Plasma acylcarnitine concentrations reflect the acylcarnitine profile in cardiac tissues
Authors: Makrecka-Kuka Marina , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Vilks Karlis , Volska Kristine , Antone Unigunde , Kuka Janis , Makarova Elina , Pugovics Osvalds , Dambrova Maija , Liepinsh Edgars
Published: December 2017

Increased plasma concentrations of acylcarnitines (ACs) are suggested as a marker of metabolism disorders. The aim of the present study was to clarify which tissues are responsible for changes in the AC pool in plasma. The concentrations of medium- and long-chain ACs were changing during the fed-fast cycle in rat heart, muscles and liver. After 60 min running exercise, AC content was increased in fasted mice muscles, but not in plasma or heart. After glucose bolus administration in fasted rats, the AC concentrations in plasma decreased after 30 min but then began to increase, while in the muscles and liver, the contents of medium- and long-chain ACs were unchanged or even increased. Only the heart showed a decrease in medium- and long-chain AC contents that was similar to that observed in plasma. In isolated rat heart, but not isolated-contracting mice muscles, the significant efflux of medium- and long-chain ACs was observed. The efflux was reduced by 40% after the addition of glucose and insulin to the perfusion solution. Overall, these results indicate that during fed-fast cycle shifting the heart determines the medium- and long-chain AC profile in plasma, due to a rapid response to the availability of circulating energy substrates.
Circulating bone morphogenetic protein-9 in relation to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance
Authors: Xu Xiaohui , Li Xiaoqiang , Yang Gangyi , Li Ling , Hu Wenjing , Zhang Lili , Liu Hua , Zheng Hongting , Tan Minghong , Zhu Danping
Published: December 2017

Our objective is to determine circulating Bone morphogenetic protein-9(BMP-9) levels in subjects with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and examine the relationship between BMP-9 and conventional markers for MetS and insulin resistance (IR). A total of 362 newly diagnosed patients with MetS along with healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Circulating BMP-9 levels were measured by ELISA. Circulating BMP-9 levels were significantly lower in MetS patients compared to those of the healthy controls. BMP-9 was associated negatively with Waist hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour blood glucose after glucose overload (2h-OGTT), HbA1c, triglyceride (TG) levels and HOMA-IR and positively with free fatty acid (FFA) and HDL after control for age and sex. In a multiple linear regression, BMP-9 was independently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), HOMA-IR and FFA. Binary logistic regression showed that plasma BMP-9 concentrations were significantly associated with MetS even after controlling for anthropometric variables and lipid profiles. In addition, circulating BMP-9 levels reduced progressively with an increasing number of MetS components. The best cutoff values for circulating BMP-9 to predict MetS was 56.6 ng/L. Circulating BMP-9 levels were associated with the key components of MetS and IR.
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) and denticleless protein homolog (DTL) are linked to poor outcome in breast and lung cancers
Authors: Perez-Peña Javier , Corrales-Sánchez Verónica , Amir Eitan , Pandiella Atanasio , Ocana Alberto
Published: December 2017

Protein ubiquitination and degradation represent druggable vulnerabilities of cancer cells. We used gene expression and functional annotation analyses to identify genes in the ubiquitin pathway which are differentially expressed between normal breast and basal-like tumors. With this approach we identified 16 ubiquitin related genes overexpressed in basal-like breast cancers compared with normal breast. We then explored the association between these genes and outcomes using the KMPlotter online tool. Two genes, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) and the denticleless protein homolog (DTL) were overexpressed and linked with detrimental outcome in basal-like and luminal breast cancer patients. Furthermore, we found that UBE2T and DTL were amplified in around 12% of breast tumors based on data contained at cBioportal. In non-small cell lung adenocarcinomas, UBE2T and DTL were also amplified in around 7% of cases and linked with disease recurrence after surgical resection. No significant molecular alterations or a clear trend for clinical outcome was observed for these genes in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, esophagus-stomach cancer or non-small squamous cell carcinoma. Our data suggest that UBE2T and DTL may have a role in the pathophysiology of breast and lung tumors, opening avenues for future clinical evaluation of agents targeting those proteins or their pathways.
Optical sparse aperture imaging with faint objects using improved spatial modulation diversity
Authors: Xie Zongliang , Ma Haotong , Qi Bo , Ren Ge , He Xiaojun , Dong Li , Tan Yufeng , Qiao Shan
Published: December 2017

The next generation of optical sparse aperture systems will provide high angular resolution for astronomical observations. Spatial modulation diversity (SMD) is a newly developed post-processing technique for such telescopes, faced with challenges of imaging faint objects, which are very attractive for astronomers but always make raw diversity images suffer serious photon noise. In this paper, we propose an improved SMD with denoising reprocessing embedded to address the problem. The blocking-matching and 3D filtering algorithm, a state-of-the-art denoising technique, is first employed to process the diversity images with low photon intensities generated by spatial modulation, specifically switching off each sub-aperture sequentially. SMD algorithm then can be applied to estimate wavefront and digitally restore images. It is demonstrated by both simulations and experiments that the proposed method outperforms the previous SMD in terms of reconstructions of wavefront and imagery from the raw images of faint objects corrupted seriously by photon noise. The reported method may provide an alternative approach to acquire high-quality images of faint objects for astronomical observations of the future segmented mirrors or telescope arrays.
Selectable phase formation in VAlN thin films by controlling Al+ subplantation depth
Authors: Greczynski G. , Mráz S. , Hultman L. , Schneider J. M.
Published: December 2017

We report on a thin film synthesis technique which allows for unprecedented control over the crystalline phase formation in metastable transition metal nitride based layers. For the model material system of V0.26Al0.74N, a complete transition from hexagonal to supersaturated cubic structure is achieved by tuning the incident energy, hence subplantation depth, of Al+ metal ions during reactive hybrid high power impulse magnetron sputtering of Al target and direct current magnetron sputtering of V target in Ar/N2 gas mixture. These findings enable the phase selective synthesis of novel metastable materials that combine excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance.
Bone mineral density measurements in vertebral specimens and phantoms using dual-layer spectral computed tomography
Authors: Mei Kai , Schwaiger Benedikt J. , Kopp Felix K. , Ehn Sebastian , Gersing Alexandra S. , Kirschke Jan S. , Muenzel Daniela , Fingerle Alexander A. , Rummeny Ernst J. , Pfeiffer Franz , Baum Thomas , Noël Peter B.
Published: December 2017

To assess whether phantomless calcium-hydroxyapatite (HA) specific bone mineral density (BMD) measurements with dual-layer spectral computed tomography are accurate in phantoms and vertebral specimens. Ex-vivo human vertebrae (n = 13) and a phantom containing different known HA concentrations were placed in a semi-anthropomorphic abdomen phantom with different extension rings simulating different degrees of obesity. Phantomless dual-layer spectral CT was performed at different tube current settings (500, 250, 125 and 50 mAs). HA-specific BMD was derived from spectral-based virtual monoenergetic images at 50 keV and 200 keV. Values were compared to the HA concentrations of the phantoms and conventional qCT measurements using a reference phantom, respectively. Above 125 mAs, errors for phantom measurements ranged between −1.3% to 4.8%, based on spectral information. In vertebral specimens, high correlations were found between BMD values assessed with spectral CT and conventional qCT (r ranging between 0.96 and 0.99; p < 0.001 for all) with different extension rings, and a high agreement was found in Bland Altman plots. Different degrees of obesity did not have a significant influence on measurements (P > 0.05 for all). These results suggest a high validity of HA-specific BMD measurements based on dual-layer spectral CT examinations in setups simulating different degrees of obesity without the need for a reference phantom, thus demonstrating their feasibility in clinical routine.
Genetically unmatched human iPSC and ESC exhibit equivalent gene expression and neuronal differentiation potential
Authors: Marei Hany E. , Althani A. , Lashen S. , Cenciarelli C. , Hasan Anwarul
Published: December 2017

The potential uniformity between differentiation and therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) remains debatable. We studied the gene expression profiles, pathways analysis and the ability to differentiated into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and motor neurons (MNs) of genetically unmatched integration-free hiPSC versus hESC to highlight possible differences/similarities between them at the molecular level. We also provided the functional information of the neurons derived from the different hESCs and hiPSCs lines using the Neural Muscular Junction (NMJ) Assay. The hiPSC line was generated by transfecting human epidermal fibroblasts (HEF) with episomal DNAs expressing Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, L-Myc and shRNA against p53. For the hESCs line, we used the NIH-approved H9 cell line. Using unsupervised clustering both hESCs and hiPSCs were clustered together implying homogeneous genetic states. The genetic profiles of hiPSCs and hESCs were clearly similar but not identical. Collectively, our data indicate close molecular similarities between genetically unmatched hESCs and hiPS in term of gene expression, and signaling pathways. Moreover, both cell types exhibited similar cholinergic motor neurons differentiation potential with marked ability of the differentiated hESCs and hiPSCs-derived MNs to induce contraction of myotubes after 4 days of co-culture.
Identification of Newly Committed Pancreatic Cells in the Adult Mouse Pancreas
Authors: Socorro Mairobys , Criscimanna Angela , Riva Patricia , Tandon Manuj , Prasadan Krishna , Guo Ping , Humar Abhinav , Husain Sohail Z. , Leach Steven D. , Gittes George K. , Esni Farzad
Published: December 2017

Multipotent epithelial cells with high Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity have been previously reported to exist in the adult pancreas. However, whether they represent true progenitor cells remains controversial. In this study, we isolated and characterized cells with ALDH activity in the adult mouse or human pancreas during physiological conditions or injury. We found that cells with ALDH activity are abundant in the mouse pancreas during early postnatal growth, pregnancy, and in mouse models of pancreatitis and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Importantly, a similar population of cells is found abundantly in healthy children, or in patients with pancreatitis or T1D. We further demonstrate that cells with ALDH activity can commit to either endocrine or acinar lineages, and can be divided into four sub-populations based on CD90 and Ecadherin expression. Finally, our in vitro and in vivo studies show that the progeny of ALDH1+/CD90−/Ecad− cells residing in the adult mouse pancreas have the ability to initiate Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox (Pdx1) expression for the first time. In summary, we provide evidence for the existence of a sortable population of multipotent non-epithelial cells in the adult pancreas that can commit to the pancreatic lineage following proliferation and mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET).
Reaction mechanism for the conversion of methanol to olefins over H-ITQ-13 zeolite: a density functional theory study
Authors: Ma Hong , Chen Yanyan , Wang Sen , Wei Zhihong , Qin Zhangfeng , Dong Mei , Li Junfen , Fan Weibin , Wang Jianguo
Published: December 2017

For MTO over H-ITQ-13, the alkene cycle takes priority over the aromatic one, giving a high selectivity to propene.
Synthetic routes for a variety of halogenated (chiral) acetic acids from diethyl malonate
Authors: Mazenauer Manuel R. , Manov Stole , Galati Vanessa M. , Kappeler Philipp , Stohner Jürgen
Published: December 2017

We focus on a synthetic route to synthesise chiral halogenated acetic acids with F, Cl, Br, and H/D isotopic substitution at the α-C-atom starting from diethyl malonate.
Cu2+-catalyzed and H2O2-facilitated oxidation strategy for sensing copper(ii) based on cysteine-mediated aggregation of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Ye Yingjie , Zhang Qian , Wang Fei , Li Yue , Gao Fengxian , Zhang Yongxing
Published: December 2017

A novel colorimetric Cu2+ sensor using polyethyleneglycol-stabilized gold nanoparticles has been developed based on a cysteine/H2O2 system.
An acidic pH fluorescent probe based on Tröger's base
Authors: Yuan Chunxue , Zhang Yanmin , Xi He , Tao Xutang
Published: December 2017

A pH fluorescent probeTBPPincorporating an amine moiety and pyridine group through Tröger's base linker was designed and synthesized. The absorption and fluorescence titrations indicated that it can serve as a sensitive probe for pH measuring.
3D inkjet printing of star block copolymer hydrogels cross-linked using various metallic ions
Authors: Nakagawa Y. , Ohta S. , Nakamura M. , Ito T.
Published: December 2017

We have, for the first time, investigated 3D inkjet printing of ionically cross-linked star block copolymer hydrogels.
Synthesis of substituted pyrazines from N-allyl malonamides
Authors: Ballaschk Frederic , Erhardt Hellmuth , Kirsch Stefan F.
Published: December 2017

Synthesis of highly substituted pyrazines from geminal diazides via thermal or copper-mediated cyclization and modification of the obtained pyrazines.
Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide using a novel particle electrode
Authors: Wang Dejun , Li Hui , Wu Guangrui , Guo Rui , Li Lin , Zhao Chaocheng , Liu Fang , Wang Yongqiang
Published: December 2017

Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines and their metal derivatives (TPyzPzs) are the most widely studied class of phthalocyanines azaanalogues.
High pressure effects on hydrate Cu-BTC investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction
Authors: Dong Zhaohui , Mi Zhongying , Shi Weiguang , Jiang Hui , Zheng Yi , Yang Ke
Published: December 2017

The high pressure behaviors of hydrate Cu-BTC metal–organic framework (MOF) in terms of phase stability, compressibility and reversibility were investigated in situ by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction as well as vibrational spectroscopy.
A colorimetric and far-red fluorescent probe for the highly sensitive detection of silver(i)
Authors: Wang Yong-jun , Liu Jing-gong , Tan Hui-ya , Yan Jin-wu , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2017

Herein, a potential colorimetric and far-red fluorescent probe DCPS-1 for Ag+ was rationally developed based on a dicyanomethylene-4H-chromene chromophore.
A noble metal-free photocatalytic system based on a novel cobalt tetrapyridyl catalyst for hydrogen production in fully aqueous medium
Authors: Queyriaux N. , Giannoudis E. , Windle C. D. , Roy S. , Pécaut J. , Coutsolelos A. G. , Artero V. , Chavarot-Kerlidou M.
Published: December 2017

Hydrogen production is reported in fully aqueous medium with a novel cobalt polypyridyl catalyst and mechanistic details are provided.
Hollow carbon microtubes from kapok fiber: structural evolution and energy storage performance
Authors: Cao Yufang , Xie Lijing , Sun Guohua , Su Fangyuan , Kong Qing-Qiang , Li Feng , Ma Weiping , Shi Jing , Jiang Dong , Lu Chunxiang , Chen Cheng-Meng
Published: December 2017

The N–P co-doped hollow carbon microtubules derived from kapok exhibited an excellent capability in the organic electrolyte systems.
Lipophilic polyelectrolyte gel derived from phosphonium borate can absorb a wide range of organic solvents
Authors: Sunaga Sokuro , Kokado Kenta , Sada Kazuki
Published: December 2017

The high compatibility of phosphonium borate with various organic solvents, as well as its dissociating ability, leads to a very high swelling ability of the resultant polyelectrolyte gel.
Observations of a streak texture in the hybrid-aligned smectic-C phase
Authors: Nemitz I. R. , Gryn I. , Boudet N. , Lemieux R. P. , Goldmann M. , Zappone B. , Petschek R. G. , Rosenblatt C. , Lacaze E.
Published: December 2017

A novel structure was observed below the smectic-A–smectic-C phase transition in a very thin open cell having an air interface above and enforced planar anchoring at the substrate below.
Crystal structure and anti-site boundary defect characterisation of Cu2ZnSnSe4
Authors: Mendis B. G. , McKenna K. P. , Gurieva G. , Rumsey M. S. , Schorr S.
Published: December 2017

The crystal structure and anti-site boundaries in Cu2ZnSnSe4 are analysed at the nanometre scale on either side of the order–disorder transition.
Trisdibenzofuran-derived electron transport type exciton blocking materials for improved efficiency and lifetime in blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Yun Ju Hui , Kang Yu Jin , Han Si Hyun , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: December 2017

Two trisdibenzofuran-derived compounds, 4,2′:8′,4′′-terdibenzo[b,d]furan (TDBF) and [4,2′:8′,4′′-terdibenzo[b,d]furan]-6,6′′-dicarbonitrile (CNTDBF), were developed and investigated as electron transport type exciton blocking materials of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs).
Designed synthesis, morphology evolution and enhanced photoluminescence of a highly efficient red dodec-fluoride phosphor, Li3Na3Ga2F12:Mn4+, for warm WLEDs
Authors: Zhu Mengmeng , Pan Yuexiao , Huang Yaqi , Lian Hongzhou , Lin Jun
Published: December 2017

A novel red phosphor Li3Na3Ga2F12:Mn4+was obtained at room temperature and its luminescence efficiency has been improved by optimizing the synthetic process.
High color stability and CRI (>80) fluorescent white organic light-emitting diode based pure emission of exciplexes by employing merely complementary colors
Authors: Zhao Bo , Zhang Heng , Miao Yanqin , Wang Ziqi , Gao Long , Wang Hua , Hao Yuying , Li Wenlian
Published: December 2017

High color stability and CRI (>80) pure exciplex WOLEDs with merely complementary colors of orange- and blue-exciplexes are realized with the application of spacers.
Degradation pathway of plant complex-type N-glycans: identification and characterization of a key α1,3-fucosidase from glycoside hydrolase family 29
Authors: Kato Shun , Hayashi Megumi , Kitagawa Mai , Kajiura Hiroyuki , Maeda Megumi , Kimura Yoshinobu , Igarashi Kiyohiko , Kasahara Masahiro , Ishimizu Takeshi
Published: December 2017

Plant complex-type N-glycans are characterized by the presence of α1,3-linked fucose towards the proximal N-acetylglucosamine residue and β1,2-linked xylose towards the β-mannose residue. These glycans are ultimately degraded by the activity of several glycoside hydrolases. However, the degradation pathway of plant complex-type N-glycans has not been entirely elucidated because the gene encoding α1,3-fucosidase, a glycoside hydrolase acting on plant complex-type N-glycans, has not yet been identified, and its substrate specificity remains to be determined. In the present study, we found that AtFUC1 (an Arabidopsis GH29 α-fucosidase) is an α1,3-fucosidase acting on plant complex-type N-glycans. This fucosidase has been known to act on α1,4-fucoside linkage in the Lewis A epitope of plant complex-type N-glycans. We found that this glycoside hydrolase specifically acted on GlcNAcβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAc, a degradation product of plant complex-type N-glycans, by sequential actions of vacuolar α-mannosidase, β1,2-xylosidase, and endo-β-mannosidase. The AtFUC1-deficient mutant showed no distinct phenotypic plant growth features; however, it accumulated GlcNAcβ1–4(Fucα1–3)GlcNAc, a substrate of AtFUC1. These results showed that AtFUC1 is an α1,3-fucosidase acting on plant complex-type N-glycans and elucidated the degradation pathway of plant complex-type N-glycans.
The TAM family as a therapeutic target in combination with radiation therapy
Authors: Tormoen Garth W. , Crittenden Marka R. , Gough Michael J.
Published: December 2017

Radiation therapy is primarily a modality to kill cancer cells in the treatment field. It is becoming increasingly clear that radiation therapy can also be used to direct immune responses that have the potential to clear residual local or distant disease outside the treatment field. We believe that cancer cell death is the critical link between these processes. Understanding the handling of dying cancer cells by immune cells in the tumor environment is crucial to facilitate immune responses following radiation therapy. We review the role of the TAM (Tyro3 Axl Mertk) group of receptor tyrosine kinases and their role following radiation-induced cancer cell death in the tumor environment.
Checkpoint cluster: biomarkers of response
Authors: Pai Sara I. , Wirth Lori J.
Published: December 2017

Current clinical knowledge surrounding one of the most promising immune checkpoint pathways, namely programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, is reviewed in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The results of two phase III clinical trials (KEYNOTE 040 and CheckMate 141) are critically examined. The utility of predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint blockade, such as PD-L1/PD-L2 protein expression, interferon-gamma gene expression signatures, and mutational and neoantigen load, is discussed. Finally, we project future directions in the immuno-oncology field by discussing other promising predictive biomarkers as well as areas where the next advances are likely to take place, such as in the implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitors earlier in the course of cancer treatment and/or in combination therapies.
The Potential of Past Tense Marking in Oral Reading as a Clinical Marker of Specific Language Impairment in School-Age Children
Authors: Werfel Krystal L. , Hendricks Alison Eisel , Schuele C. Melanie
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first aim was to explore differences in profiles of past tense marking in oral reading of school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI). The second aim was to explore the potential of past tense marking in oral reading as a clinical marker of SLI in school-age children.

Method

This study examined oral readings of connected text to describe the frequency and type of reading errors on regular and irregular past tense verbs for 21 children with SLI as compared to 30 children with typical language in Grades 2 and 3. Each past tense verb token was categorized into 1 of 6 mutually exclusive response types: (a) correctly marked past tense, (b) overmarked past tense, (c) bare stem, (d) other verb inflection, (e) nonverb, or (f) no response. Performance across groups was compared. Additionally, classification statistics were calculated at several cutoffs for regular past tense accuracy and regular past tense finiteness marking.

Results

For regular past tense, there was a significant group difference on accuracy. Children with SLI were less accurate at marking past tense when in oral reading than typical language peers; other response types did not differ. For irregular past tense, there were no group differences. In addition, there was a significant group difference on finiteness marking; this difference was driven by regular but not irregular verbs. A cutoff of 90% for regular past tense accuracy yielded moderate sensitivity and specificity; no cutoff for regular past tense finiteness marking yielded sensitivity above 70%.

Conclusions

Regular past tense accuracy in oral reading provides promise as a clinical marker for diagnosing SLI in school-age children.
The Effects of Palate Features and Glossectomy Surgery on /s/ Production
Authors: Grimm Dana L. , Stone Maureen , Woo Jonghye , Lee Junghoon , Hwang Jun-Hyuk , Bedrosian Gary E. , Prince Jerry L.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The aims of this article were to determine the effects of hard palate morphology and glossectomy surgery on tongue position and shape during /s/ for patients with small tumors. The first expectation was that laminal /s/ would be more prevalent in patients, than apical, due to reduced tongue tip control after surgery. The second was that patients would hold the tongue more anteriorly than controls to compensate for reduced tongue mass.

Method

Three-dimensional tongue volumes were calculated from magnetic resonance imaging for the whole tongue and the portion anterior to the first molar during the /s/ in /əsuk/ for 21 controls and 14 patients. These volumes were used to calculate tongue anteriority and cross-sectional shape. Dental casts were used to measure palate perimeter, height, and width of the hard palate.

Results

Palate height correlated with tongue height in controls (
p
< .05), but not patients. In patients, tongue anteriority correlated negatively with canine width and cross-sectional tongue shape (
p
< .05). Controls with a high palate favored laminal /s/. Patients preferred laminal /s/ regardless of palate height (
p
< .01).

Conclusions

For controls, hard palate height affected tongue height; a higher palate yielded a higher tongue. For patients, hard palate width affected tongue width; a narrower palate yielded a more anterior tongue. Tongue shape was unaffected by any palate features. Preference for /s/ showed an interaction effect between subject and palate height. Controls with high palates preferred a laminal /s/. All patients preferred a laminal /s/; glossectomy surgery may reduce tongue tip control.
Full‐wave equivalent circuit for the analysis of multilayered microwave structures with anisotropic layers
Authors: Kamra V. , Dreher A.
Published: December 2017

A simple formalism is presented as a basis to analyse planar microwave structures with uniaxial anisotropic materials having either electric or magnetic anisotropy or both. It involves a generalised relation of the field components of the multilayered structure, which can be represented by a full‐wave hybrid matrix for each layer. Thus, for stratified structures, the system equation can be obtained by using a full‐wave equivalent circuit. The application is demonstrated by analysing the well‐known example of a two‐layer waveguide filled with different uniaxial anisotropic dielectric material.
Classification of hybrid‐pol data using novel cross‐polarisation estimation approach
Authors: Kumar A. , Panigrahi R.K.
Published: December 2017

A novel cross‐polarisation () estimation approach is proposed, which can be used to calculate the real part of co‐polarisation cross‐product value. The term is well known and widely used in full‐polarimetric (full‐pol) decomposition techniques. Its role in the hybrid‐pol analysis is investigated. Using , a maximum‐likelihood‐based classifier is proposed. For performance evaluation, the classification results obtained using the proposed algorithm is compared with that of conventional and modified techniques. Pixel‐wise comparisons of these three techniques are carried out over two different datasets, by considering full‐pol as the standard basis.
Generalised protection strategy for HB‐MMC‐MTDC systems with RL‐FCL under DC faults
Authors: Wang Yizhen , Yuan Zhichang , Wen Weijie , Ji Yirun , Fu Jiao , Li Yan , Zhao Yuming
Published: December 2017

Half‐bridge modular multi‐level converter‐based multi‐terminal HVDC (HB‐MMC‐MTDC) technology is increasingly adopted as a promising option in the power transmission and distribution fields. However, how to cut off DC fault currents safely and ensure the continuous operation of the healthy parts of the HB‐MMC‐MTDC system under DC faults presents a huge challenge. This study proposes a generalised protection strategy on the use of a new RL‐fault current limiter (FCL) branch and hybrid DC circuit breakers (CBs), to deal with the bipolar DC faults for a given HB‐MMC‐MTDC system. It contributes to cut off the DC fault current before triggering MMC blocking, without influencing the continuous operation of the healthy parts of MTDC system. The operation characteristics of hybrid DC CBs and the equivalent circuit for the DC fault current is introduced, and the mathematical model of the DC fault current with the new RL‐FCL is discussed in detail. Theoretical and data analyses are performed to obtain the feasible parameters of the RL‐FCL. Simulation tests of an HB‐MMC‐MTDC system with different topologies are performed in PSCAD/EMTDC to validate the effectiveness of the generalised protection strategy.
Compact composite noise‐reduction LNA for UWB WPAN and WBAN applications
Authors: Lin Chun‐Yi , Liang Ching‐Piao , Tarng Jenn‐Hwan , Chung Shyh‐Jong
Published: December 2017

An ultra‐wideband (UWB) low‐noise amplifier (LNA) implemented using 180 nm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology is presented for wireless personal area network (WPAN) and wireless body area network (WBAN). Increasing the resistance of the substrate resistor RB reduces the noise factor. When additional substrate resistors and a composite feedback topology are employed, the proposed LNA can achieve both a 1.4 dB reduction of the noise figure (NF) and a 4 dB enhancement in power gain (PG). Over the operating frequency range from 3.1 to 4.8 GHz, the LNA achieves a maximum PG of 14.5 dB, a minimum NF of 1.5 dB, and an input return loss of <10 dB. The measured current consumption is 3 mA with a 1.5 V supply voltage. The active chip area is 0.008 mm2. The proposed 3.1–4.8 GHz LNA has a superior NF, smaller active area, and the lowest dc power consumption compared with devices reported in the literature.
Distinguishing the albedo of exoplanets from stellar activity
Authors: Serrano L. M. , Barros S. C. C. , Oshagh M. , Santos N. C. , Faria J. P. , Demangeon O. , Sousa S. G. , Lendl M.
Published: December 2017

Context. Light curves show the flux variation from the target star and its orbiting planets as a function of time. In addition to the transit features created by the planets, the flux also includes the reflected light component of each planet, which depends on the planetary albedo. This signal is typically referred to as phase curve and could be easily identified if there were no additional noise. As well as instrumental noise, stellar activity, such as spots, can create a modulation in the data, which may be very difficult to distinguish from the planetary signal.

Aims. We analyze the limitations imposed by the stellar activity on the detection of the planetary albedo, considering the limitations imposed by the predicted level of instrumental noise and the short duration of the obervations planned in the context of the CHEOPS mission.

Methods. As initial condition, we have assumed that each star is characterized by just one orbiting planet. We built mock light curves that included a realistic stellar activity pattern, the reflected light component of the planet and an instrumental noise level, which we have chosen to be at the same level as predicted for CHEOPS. We then fit these light curves to try to recover the reflected light component, assuming the activity patterns can be modeled with a Gaussian process.

Results. We estimate that at least one full stellar rotation is necessary to obtain a reliable detection of the planetary albedo. This result is independent of the level of noise, but it depends on the limitation of the Gaussian process to describe the stellar activity when the light curve time-span is shorter than the stellar rotation. As an additional result, we found that with a 6.5 magnitude star and the noise level of CHEOPS, it is possible to detect the planetary albedo up to a lower limit of Rp = 0.03 R*. Finally, in presence of typical CHEOPS gaps in the simulations, we confirm that it is still possible to obtain a reliable albedo.