bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immobilization of Enzymes in/on Membranes and their Applications
Authors: Cen Yu‐Ke , Liu Yu‐Xiao , Xue Ya‐Ping , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: July 2019

Enzyme membrane reactors (EMRs) are becoming increasingly interesting for application in bioconversion processes in food processing, pharmaceutics, biorefinery and wastewater treatment. Integrating the highly efficient enzymatic reaction with selectable membrane separation technology, the EMRs are able to reduce product inhibition, improve the stability of the enzyme, increase the number of reaction cycles and sustainably separate products from biotransformation solutions. Generally, in EMRs, enzymes can be either free in the solution, immobilized on an additional carrier or immobilized directly in/on a porous structure of the membrane, of which the system with the enzyme immobilized directly in/on the membrane (EIM) is a relatively simple and most widely applied method. The EIM system not only facilitates recycling of the enzymes but also in many cases additionally enhances enzyme properties such as the stability and viability. A membrane with a porous structure is usually considered as a potential carrier for enzyme immobilization. A series of immobilization methods has been developed to fix the enzymes on the membranes. The purpose of this review is to systemically summarize the immobilization methods of enzymes in/on membranes and the applications of the EIM system for biocatalysis.

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An Atom‐Economical Approach to 2‐Aryloxypyridines and 2,2′/2,3′‐Diaryloxybipyridines via Ruthenium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions
Authors: Kalaramna Pratibha , Bhatt Divya , Sharma Himanshu , Goswami Avijit
Published: July 2019

An efficient, ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed, solvent‐free approach for the synthesis of 2‐aryloxypyridines with good to excellent yields has been developed by the reaction of 1,6‐diynes with aryl cyanates. This atom‐economical catalytic strategy offers a mild and practical approach to access a variety of such cycloadducts with excellent regioselectivities. The protocol was further extended to the synthesis of 2,2′‐ and 2,3′‐diaryloxybipyridines by the reaction of tetraynes with aryl cyanates.

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Adaptable Microporous Hydrogels of Propagating NGF‐Gradient by Injectable Building Blocks for Accelerated Axonal Outgrowth
Authors: Hsu Ru‐Siou , Chen Pei‐Yueh , Fang Jen‐Hung , Chen You‐Yin , Chang Chien‐Wen , Lu Yu‐Jen , Hu Shang‐Hsiu
Published: July 2019

Injectable hydrogels in regeneration medicine can potentially mimic hierarchical natural living tissue and fill complexly shaped defects with minimally invasive implantation procedures. To achieve this goal, however, the versatile hydrogels that usually possess the nonporous structure and uncontrollable spatial agent release must overcome the difficulties in low cell‐penetrative rates of tissue regeneration. In this study, an adaptable microporous hydrogel (AMH) composed of microsized building blocks with opposite charges serves as an injectable matrix with interconnected pores and propagates gradient growth factor for spontaneous assembly into a complex shape in real time. By embedding gradient concentrations of growth factors into the building blocks, the propagated gradient of the nerve growth factor, integrated to the cell‐penetrative connected pores constructed by the building blocks in the nerve conduit, effectively promotes cell migration and induces dramatic bridging effects on peripheral nerve defects, achieving axon outgrowth of up to 4.7 mm and twofold axon fiber intensity in 4 days in vivo. Such AMHs with intrinsic properties of tunable mechanical properties, gradient propagation of biocues and effective induction of cell migration are potentially able to overcome the limitations of hydrogel‐mediated tissue regeneration in general and can possibly be used in clinical applications.
Place of origin of the sacrificial victims in the sacred Cenote, Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Authors: Price T. Douglas , Tiesler Vera , Freiwald Carolyn
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The ancient city of Chichén Itzá in the northern Yucatán of Mexico was one of the most important in the Maya area, but its origins and history are poorly understood. A major question concerns the origins of the peoples who founded and later expanded the ancient city. Hundreds of people were ritually executed and their bodies thrown into the waters of the Sacred Cenote at Chichén.

Materials and methods

In this study, we use strontium and oxygen isotopes to study the place of origin of a large sample of these individuals. Isotopes are deposited in human tooth enamel. Enamel forms during the first years of life, remains largely unchanged long past death, and can provide a signature of the place of birth. If the isotope ratios in enamel are different from the place of death, the individual must have moved during his/her lifetime.

Results

Comparison of our results from the cenote with information on isotope ratios across the Maya region and elsewhere suggests that the individuals in the cenote came from a number of different parts of Mexico and possibly beyond.

Discussion

It is not known if all of the sacrificial victims resided in Chichén Itzá, but their suggested origins likely reflect patterns of population movement and social networks that existed between Chichén Itzá and both neighboring and distant regions. Various lines of evidence point to places in the Yucatán, along the Gulf Coast, Central America, or even in the Central Highlands of Mexico.
Lewis Base/Brønsted Acid Co‐catalyzed Enantioselective Sulfenylation/Semipinacol Rearrangement of Di‐ and Trisubstituted Allylic Alcohols
Authors: Xie Yu‐Yang , Chen Zhi‐Min , Luo Hui‐Yun , Shao Hui , Tu Yong‐Qiang , Bao Xiaoguang , Cao Ren‐Fei , Zhang Shu‐Yu , Tian Jin‐Miao
Published: July 2019

An enantioselective sulfenylation/semipinacol rearrangement of 1,1‐disubstituted and trisubstituted allylic alcohols was accomplished with a chiral Lewis base and a chiral Brønsted acid as cocatalysts, generating various β‐arylthio ketones bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center in moderate to excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities. These chiral arylthio ketone products are common intermediates with many applications, for example, in the design of new chiral catalysts/ligands and the total synthesis of natural products. Computational studies (DFT calculations) were carried out to explain the enantioselectivity and the role of the chiral Brønsted acid. Additionally, the synthetic utility of this method was exemplified by an enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐herbertene and a one‐pot synthesis of a chiral sulfoxide and sulfone.
Ultrasonic‐assisted synthesis of supramolecular copper (II) complex a precursor for the preparation of octahedron Cu2O nanoparticles applicable in the adsorption and photodegradation of Rhodamine B
Authors: Razmara Zohreh , Poorsargol Mahdiyeh
Published: July 2019

A copper (II) supramolecular coordination complex formulated as [Cu2(μ‐ox)2(pyz)3]n (1), (pyz = pyrazine and ox = oxalate) has been synthesized under ultrasound irradiation. 1 was characterized using various techniques such as elemental analyses, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD). A detailed magnetic characterization of complex 1 has been carried by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The M‐H hysteresis loop of 1 revealed a weak ferromagnetic behavior with the highest magnetization of 0.0123 emu/g at room temperature. Compound 1 was used as an inorganic precursor to prepare Cu2O nanoparticles through thermal decomposition at 600 °C. The obtained Cu2O has been characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of SEM showed octahedron Cu2O nanoparticles with the edge lengths from 5–80 nm. Also, the adsorption ability and the photocatalytic activity of octahedral Cu2O nanoparticles in the removal of rhodamine B (RB) have been investigated. The results showed that the obtained octahedral Cu2O nanoparticles are effective in adsorption and degradation of rhodamine B from contaminated water sources. The maximum adsorption capacity and degradation efficiency of Cu2O nanoparticles were 83.3 mg/g and 91.7%, respectively. It was also found that in comparison with the commercial Cu2O, our fabricated Cu2O nanoparticles exhibit higher catalytic activity.
Temperature effects on structural integrity of fiber‐reinforced polymer matrix composites: A review
Authors: Pei Xiaoyuan , Han Wei , Ding Gang , Wang Menghua , Tang Youhong
Published: July 2019

Fiber‐reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMCs) are the most promising and valuable material developed in the last few decades. In response to the increased research and publications concerning the thermal stability of FRPMCs, this review has culled typical journals for publications relevant to structural stability. In this review, the effects of temperature on the structural integrity of FRPMCs are discussed from the perspective of matrix types, fiber types, nanoparticle (NP) modifications on resin matrix, and various related mechanical properties. For NP‐modified FRPMCs, characterization of all anisotropic properties under various strain rates and temperatures becomes essential for analysis, design, and numerical simulations. Improving the structural stability of FRPMCs at different temperatures is an important direction. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48206.
Toughening polylactide by direct blending of cellulose nanocrystals and epoxidized soybean oil
Authors: Mahmud Sakil , Long Yu , Abu Taher Muhammad , Xiong Zhu , Zhang Ruoyu , Zhu Jin
Published: July 2019

Polylactide (PLA) is a bio‐based polymeric material which is earth abundant in nature. It also possesses abundant strength and stiffness making it a promising material for industrial applications. However, its brittle behavior is currently limiting research work on them. As such, an eco‐friendly blending approach is developed in this study in order to fabricate a ductile and toughen PLA composites using renewable bio‐based materials as a precursor. Specifically, PLA, epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), and frangible powder form of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are melt blended to prepare the ternary composite system (PLA/CNC/ESO). During the composite routing, it is found out that the ESO successfully attached to the surface of CNC which in turn results in CNC/ESO mixtures in the PLA matrix. This intrinsic combination induces cavitation which consumes the energy produced under the stretching and impacting, resulting in the turning of the PLA's brittle phenomenon. In fact, a reasonable increase in the ductility is observed. The elongation and notched impact strength of the ternary nanocomposite are found to be ∼32% and ∼4.8 kJ m−2, respectively, which are comparatively higher than that of neat PLA or PLA/CNC composites. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses show that the ESO layer on CNC affects the thermal characteristics of PLA in the ternary composite while thermogravimetric analysis shows that there is an increase in the char yield of the composite. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that the synthesis approach adopted here enables a mechanistically turning of the PLA's brittle phenomenon to ductile. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 48221.
Preparation of thermoresponsive poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam‐co‐2‐methoxyethyl acrylate) nanogels via inverse miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Gao Feng , Mi Yifang , Wu Xinlei , Yao Jun , Qi Qi , Cao Zhihai
Published: July 2019

Stimuli‐responsive polymeric nanogels hold great potential in biological applications. In this work, thermoresponsive polymeric nanogels were conveniently prepared through inverse miniemulsion polymerization of two monomers with a good biocompatibility, N‐vinylcaprolactam and 2‐methoxyethyl acrylate. A macromolecular crosslinker, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), was used to achieve a better thermoresponsiveness, compared with low‐molecular‐weight crosslinkers. The prepared poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam‐co‐2‐methoxyethyl acrylate) (poly(NVCL‐co‐MEA)) nanogels could be well redispersed in aqueous systems, displaying a reversible thermoresponsive transition behavior. The influences of the synthesis parameters including the emulsifier content, PEGDMA content, and monomer composition on the particle properties of poly(NVCL‐co‐MEA) nanogels both in inverse emulsions and in aqueous dispersions were systematically investigated. Furthermore, the impacts of the monomer composition and PEGDMA content on the thermoresponsiveness of poly(NVCL‐co‐MEA) nanogels were also studied. Promisingly, the introduction of MEA monomeric units to the copolymer chains only slightly reduced the thermoresponsiveness of poly(NVCL‐co‐MEA) nanogels. This feature allows to improve the biocompatibility of polymeric nanogels by using MEA as the comonomer without need to compromise the thermoresponsiveness of nanogels. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48237.
DFCP1 associates with lipid droplets
Authors: Gao Guangang , Sheng Yuanyuan , Yang Hongyuan , Chua Boon Tin , Xu Li
Published: July 2019

Double FYVE‐containing protein 1 (DFCP1) is ubiquitously expressed, participates in intracellular membrane trafficking and labels omegasomes through specific interactions with phosphatidylinositol‐3‐phosphate (PI3P). Previous studies showed that subcellular DFCP1 proteins display multi‐organelle localization, including in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus and mitochondria. However, its localization and function on lipid droplets (LDs) remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that DFCP1 localizes to the LD upon oleic acid incubation. The ER‐targeted domain of DFCP1 is indispensable for its LD localization, which is further enhanced by double FYVE domains. Inhibition of PI3P binding at the FYVE domain through wortmannin treatment or double mutation at C654S and C770S have no effect on DFCP1's LD localization. These show that the mechanisms for DFCP1 targeting the omegasome and LDs are different. DFCP1 deficiency in MEF cells causes an increase in LD number and reduces LD size. Interestingly, DFCP1 interacts with GTP‐bound Rab18, an LD‐associated protein. Taken together, our work demonstrates the dynamic localization of DFCP1 is regulated by nutritional status in response to cellular metabolism.
Tunneling nanotube‐like structures in brain tumors
Authors: Osswald Matthias , Jung Erik , Wick Wolfgang , Winkler Frank
Published: July 2019

Background

Diffuse astrocytomas, including glioblastomas, are malignant brain tumors with notorious resistance to standard therapies. One hallmark of malignant gliomas is their highly infiltrative growth. To allow long‐range communication, exchange of molecules, and cell‐cell contact between these scattered tumor cells, mechanisms other than paracrine signaling seem requisite.

Recent findings

We recently described long and thin membrane tubes (tumor microtubes, or TMs) that interconnect single glioma cells to a functional network. The integration of cells into these networks protected them from the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There is growing interest in cell protrusions, membrane tubes, and cell‐cell connections today, not only in cancer research. For the first time, so‐called tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) were described as thin intercellular membrane tubes in 2004. Until now, such membrane tube connections have not only been described in diffuse astrocytomas, but also in other tumor entities and other diseases.

Conclusion

Here, we want to review the biological functions of TMs, their similarities and differences to TNTs and other cellular protrusions, as well as potential clinical applications.
Sustainable Energy Storage: Recent Trends and Developments toward Fully Organic Batteries
Authors: Friebe Christian , Lex‐Balducci Alexandra , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: July 2019

In times of spreading mobile devices, organic batteries represent a promising approach to replace the well‐established lithium‐ion technology to fulfill the growing demand for small, flexible, safe, as well as sustainable energy storage solutions. In the last years, large efforts have been made regarding the investigation and development of batteries that use organic active materials since they feature superior properties compared to metal‐based, in particular lithium‐based, energy‐storage systems in terms of flexibility and safety as well as with regard to resource availability and disposal. This Review compiles an overview over the most recent studies on the topic. It focuses on the different types of applied active materials, covering both known systems that are optimized and novel structures that aim at being established.
Fault‐tolerant switched capacitor–based boost multilevel inverter
Authors: T Ajaykumar , Patne Nita R.
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes a fault‐tolerant switched capacitor (SC)–based boost multilevel inverter. The proposed inverter is able to convert a low‐level dc voltage into a desired ac output voltage in single‐stage power conversion. It can accomplish a high voltage gain by using multiple SC cells arrangement at reduced voltage stresses on the switching devices and passive circuit elements in the boost network. The principle of operation and steady‐state analysis of the proposed topology are presented to formulate the mathematical relationship between input dc and output ac voltage. In addition to that, the proposed inverter can also provide reliable electrical power supply at prescribed ac output voltage in the event of open‐circuit failure of power switches. The fault tolerability is realized by reconfiguring the pulse width modulation (PWM) control scheme, whereas the reduction in output voltage is compensated by the boosting characteristic of the inverter. The effectiveness of the proposed inverter has been compared with other impedance source multilevel inverters in terms of voltage gain, boosting capability, and voltage stresses. A laboratory prototype of the proposed inverter is developed for experimentation, and its operation is validated by simulation and experimental results.
Deciphering the Significance of CD56 Expression in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Pardo Laura M. , Voigt Andrew P. , Alonzo Todd A. , Wilson Elisabeth R. , Gerbing Robert B. , Paine Dana J. , Dai Fangyan , Menssen Andrew J. , Raimondi Susana C. , Hirsch Betsy A. , Gamis Alan S. , Meshinchi Soheil , Wells Denise A. , Brodersen Lisa Eidenschink , Loken Michael R.
Published: July 2019

Background

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), CD56 expression has been associated with adverse clinical outcome. We reported on a phenotype associated with very poor prognosis (RAM) in children enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group trial AAML0531 (Brodersen et al. Leukemia 30 (2016) 2077–2080). RAM is also characterized in part by high‐intensity expression of the CD56 antigen. Herein, we investigate underlying biological and clinical differences among CD56‐positive AMLs for patients in AAML0531.

Methods

For 769 newly diagnosed pediatric patients with de novo AML enrolled in AAML0531, bone marrow specimens were submitted for flow cytometric analysis. For each patient, an immunophenotypic expression profile (IEP) was defined by mean fluorescent intensities of assayed surface antigens. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) was completed to group patients with similar immunophenotypes. Clusters were then evaluated for CD56 expression. Principal component analysis (PCA) was subsequently applied to determine whether CD56‐positive patient groups were nonoverlapping.

Results

HCA of IEPs revealed three unique phenotypic clusters of patients with CD56‐positive AML, and PCA showed that these three cohorts are distinct. Cohort 1 (N = 77) showed a prevalence of t(8;21) patients (72%), Cohort 2 (N = 52) a prevalence of 11q23 patients (69%), and Cohort 3 (RAM) (N = 16) a prevalence of patients with co‐occurrence of the CBFA2T3–GLIS2 fusion transcript (63%). The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 were 69, 39, and 19%, respectively.

Conclusions

When leukemia is considered by its multidimensional immunophenotype and not by the expression of a single antigen, correlations are seen between genotype and there are significant differences in patient outcomes. © 2019 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Terrestrial microbialites provide constraints on the mesoproterozoic atmosphere
Authors: Hren Michael T. , Sheldon Nathan D.
Published: July 2019

Palaeoclimate data indicate that Earth surface temperatures have remained largely temperate for the past 3.5 Byr despite significantly lower solar luminosity over this time relative to the present day. There is evidence for episodic early and late Proterozoic glaciation, but little evidence of glaciation in the intervening billion years. A prolonged equable Mesoproterozoic Earth requires elevated greenhouse gas concentrations. Two endmember scenarios have been proposed for maintaining global warmth. These include extremely high pCO2 or more modest pCO2 with higher methane concentrations. This paper reports on the δ13C of organic matter in 1.1 Ga stromatolites from the Copper Harbor Conglomerate (CHC) of the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent Rift (North America) and δ18O and Δ47 temperatures of inorganic stromatolite carbonate to constrain formation and burial conditions and the magnitude of ancient carbon isotope discrimination. CHC sediments have never been heated above ~125–155°C, providing a novel geochemical archive of the ancient environment. Stromatolite Δ47 data record moderate alteration, and therefore, the occluded organic matter was unlikely to have experienced significant thermal alteration after deposition. The δ13C values of ancient mat organic matter and inorganic carbonate show isotope discrimination (εp) values ~15.5–18.5‰, similar to modern microbial mats formed in equilibrium with low concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon. In combination, these data are consistent with a temperate climate Mesoproterozoic biosphere supported by relatively modest pCO2. This result agrees with Atmosphere‐Ocean Global Circulation Model reconstructions for Mesoproterozoic climate using 5–10 times present atmospheric levels pCO2 and pCH4 of >28 ppmv. However, given marine modelling constraints of CH4 production that suggest pCH4 was below 10 ppm, this creates a methane paradox. Either an additional source of CH4 (e.g. from terrestrial ecosystems) or another greenhouse gas, such as N2O, would have been necessary to maintain equable conditions in the Mesoproterozoic.
Phenethylamine‐derived new psychoactive substances 2C‐E‐FLY, 2C‐EF‐FLY, and 2C‐T‐7‐FLY: Investigations on their metabolic fate including isoenzyme activities and their toxicological detectability in urine screenings
Authors: Wagmann Lea , Hempel Nora , Richter Lilian H.J. , Brandt Simon D. , Stratford Alexander , Meyer Markus R.
Published: July 2019

Psychoactive substances of the 2C‐series are phenethylamine‐based designer drugs that can induce psychostimulant and hallucinogenic effects. The so‐called 2C‐FLY series contains rigidified methoxy groups integrated in a 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydrobenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']difuran core. The aim of the presented work was to investigate the in vivo and in vitro metabolic fate including isoenzyme activities and toxicological detectability of the three new psychoactive substances (NPS) 2C‐E‐FLY, 2C‐EF‐FLY, and 2C‐T‐7‐FLY to allow clinical and forensic toxicologists the identification of these novel compounds. Rat urine, after oral administration, and pooled human liver S9 fraction (pS9) incubations were analyzed by liquid chromatography−high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC−HRMS/MS). By performing activity screenings, the human isoenzymes involved were identified and toxicological detectability in rat urine investigated using standard urine screening approaches (SUSAs) based on gas chromatography (GC)−MS, LC−MSn, and LC−HRMS/MS. In total, 32 metabolites were tentatively identified. Main metabolic steps consisted of hydroxylation and N‐acetylation. Phase I metabolic reactions were catalyzed by CYP2D6, 3A4, and FMO3 and N‐acetylation by NAT1 and NAT2. Methoxyamine was used as a trapping agent for detection of the deaminated metabolite formed by MAO‐A and B. Interindividual differences in the metabolism of the 2C‐FLY drugs could be caused by polymorphisms of enzymes involved or drug–drug interactions. All three SUSAs were shown to be suitable to detect an intake of these NPS but common metabolites of 2C‐E‐FLY and 2C‐EF‐FLY have to be considered during interpretation of analytical findings.
Reduced maternal vitamin A status increases the incidence of normal aortic arch variants
Authors: Sugrue Kelsey F. , Zohn Irene E.
Published: July 2019

While common in the general population, the developmental origins of “normal” anatomic variants of the aortic arch remain unknown. Aortic arch development begins with the establishment of the second heart field (SHF) that contributes to the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs). The PAAs remodel during subsequent development to form the mature aortic arch and arch vessels. Retinoic acid signaling involving the biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, plays a key role in multiple steps of this process. Recent work from our laboratory indicates that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Hectd1 is required for full activation of retinoic acid signaling during cardiac development. Furthermore, our study suggested that mild alterations in retinoic acid signaling combined with reduced gene dosage of Hectd1, results in a benign aortic arch variant where the transverse aortic arch is shortened between the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries. These abnormalities are preceded by hypoplasia of the fourth PAA. To further explore this interaction, we investigate whether reduced maternal dietary vitamin A intake can similarly influence aortic arch development. Our findings indicate that the incidence of hypoplastic fourth PAAs, as well as the incidence of shortened transverse arch are increased with reduced maternal vitamin A intake during pregnancy. These studies provide new insights as to the developmental origins of these benign aortic arch variants.
Generated output increase control with consideration of the influence of wake for wind farm
Authors: Kondo Shinichi , Inage Shinichi
Published: July 2019

Presently, many wind turbine generators (WTGs) are connected to the power grid. While the penetration of wind power to the power system is increasing, FIT price is decreasing. Therefore, wind generation companies want to increase the electric power output from wind farms (WFs). In this article, we propose a control technique to reduce the influence of the wake by changing a power coefficient of each WTG in a WF for the purpose of improving electric power output of WFs. We showed the optimization technique of a power coefficient of each WTG and the effect of reducing the influence of the wake using measurement data from WFs. In addition, we formulated the wake effect as a function of distance between WTGs. We verified 1% improvement of generated energy in a year compared to the conventional control method by simulation. Furthermore, we quantified the improvement of generated energy output, using the distance between WTGs and the occurrence rate of the direction of the wind as a variable.
Use of Cucurbit[6]uril as Ionophore in Ion Selective Electrodes for Etilefrine Determination in Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Gomes Amorim Célia , Araújo Alberto , da Conceição Montenegro Maria
Published: July 2019

Cucurbiturils are macrocyclic molecules and have been used with promising results in the development of electrochemical sensors and biosensors due to their main properties such as shape, selectivity, binding interactions and solubility. However, its application for the development of ion selective electrodes has been scarce. In this work, cucurbit[6]uril was used as molecular‐recognition compound for etilefrine sensing membrane with potentiometric transduction. The etilefrine selective electrode was evaluated and proposed as an alternative methodology for pharmaceutical quality control. Different membranes composition were evaluated, considering the use of different solvent mediators and the presence of anionic additives. The best membrane comprises 9.24 mmol.Kg−1 of cucurbit[6]uril, 68.90 % (w/w) of dibutylsebacate and 30.18 % (w/w) of carboxylated polyvinyl chloride. The electrode exhibited selective cationic response toward the etilefrine in a concentration interval of more than four decades, with an slope of 57.4±0.5 mV dec−1, a practical detection limit of (8±1)×10−7 mol L−1 and a low limit of linear range of (1.25±0.28)×10−6 mol L−1. The selectivity of the electrode towards different interfering was high. A comparative evaluation of the accuracy and precision of both procedures was done using the t‐student test (t4,12=1.135) and the Fischer test (F12,4=2.42) and compared with the tabulated ones (t4,12=1.135, F11,3=5.91) for the level of confidence of 95 %.
Longitudinal increases in structural connectome segregation and functional connectome integration are associated with better recovery after mild TBI
Authors: Kuceyeski Amy F. , Jamison Keith W. , Owen Julia P. , Raj Ashish , Mukherjee Pratik
Published: July 2019

Traumatic brain injury damages white matter pathways that connect brain regions, disrupting transmission of electrochemical signals and causing cognitive and emotional dysfunction. Connectome‐level mechanisms for how the brain compensates for injury have not been fully characterized. Here, we collected serial MRI‐based structural and functional connectome metrics and neuropsychological scores in 26 mild traumatic brain injury subjects (29.4 ± 8.0 years, 20 males) at 1 and 6 months postinjury. We quantified the relationship between functional and structural connectomes using network diffusion (ND) model propagation time, a measure that can be interpreted as how much of the structural connectome is being utilized for the spread of functional activation, as captured via the functional connectome. Overall cognition showed significant improvement from 1 to 6 months (t25 = −2.15, p = .04). None of the structural or functional global connectome metrics was significantly different between 1 and 6 months, or when compared to 34 age‐ and gender‐matched controls (28.6 ± 8.8 years, 25 males). We predicted longitudinal changes in overall cognition from changes in global connectome measures using a partial least squares regression model (cross‐validated R2 = .27). We observe that increased ND model propagation time, increased structural connectome segregation, and increased functional connectome integration were related to better cognitive recovery. We interpret these findings as suggesting two connectome‐based postinjury recovery mechanisms: one of neuroplasticity that increases functional connectome integration and one of remote white matter degeneration that increases structural connectome segregation. We hypothesize that our inherently multimodal measure of ND model propagation time captures the interplay between these two mechanisms.
Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder to tact auditory stimuli
Authors: Hanney Nicole M. , Carr James E. , LeBlanc Linda A.
Published: July 2019

Studies on teaching tacts to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have primarily focused on visual stimuli, despite published clinical recommendations to teach tacts of stimuli in other sensory domains as well. In the current study, two children with ASD were taught to tact auditory stimuli under two stimulus‐presentation arrangements: isolated (auditory stimuli presented without visual cues) and compound (auditory stimuli presented with visual cues). Results indicate that compound stimulus presentation was a more effective teaching procedure, but that it interfered with prior object‐name tacts. A modified compound arrangement in which object‐name tact trials were interspersed with auditory‐stimulus trials mitigated this interference.
Effects of exposure to prompts on the acquisition of intraverbals in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kay Jessica C. , Kisamore April N. , Vladescu Jason C. , Sidener Tina M. , Reeve Kenneth F. , Taylor‐Santa Catherine , Pantano Nicole A.
Published: July 2019

The current experiment is a systematic replication of previous studies that evaluated the efficiency of echoic and tact prompts on the acquisition of intraverbals (i.e., French‐to‐English translations) following exposure to each prompt type. We extended these studies by (a) evaluating participants' language skills on standardized assessments, (b) incorporating descriptive praise for correct responding, (c) presenting trials via voice recording, and (d) evaluating teacher preference for each prompt type as a social validity measure. All participants learned at least one set of intraverbals faster with the procedure that was most recently used during teaching. These findings suggest that results from previous prompt comparison studies might be a function of previous exposure to prompt types and that it might be possible to manipulate learning histories such that a particular prompt type becomes more efficient.
Design, synthesis and photocytotoxicity of upconversion nanoparticles: Potential applications for near‐infrared photodynamic and photothermal therapy
Authors: Hu Yang , Honek John F. , Wilson Brian C. , Lu Qing‐Bin
Published: July 2019

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are emerging modalities for the treatment of tumors and nonmalignant conditions, based on the use of photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen or heat, respectively, upon light (laser) irradiation. They have potential advantages over conventional treatments, being minimally invasive with precise spatial‐temporal selectivity and reduced side effects. However, most clinically employed PDT agents are activated at visible (vis) wavelengths for which the tissue penetration and, hence, effective treatment depth are compromised. In addition, the lipophilicity of near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal agents limits their use and efficiency. To achieve combined PDT/PTT effects, both excitation wavelengths need to be tuned into the NIR spectral window of biological tissues. This paper reports the synthesis of neodymium‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (NaYF4:Yb,Er,Nd@NaYF4:Nd) that convert 800 nm light into vis wavelengths, which can then activate conventional photosensitizers on the nanoparticle surface for PDT. Covalently bonded IR‐780 dyes can readily be activated by 800 nm laser irradiation. The PEGylated nanoplatform exhibited a narrow size distribution, good stability and efficient generation of singlet oxygen under laser irradiation. The in vitro photocytotoxicity of this engineered nanoplatform as either a PDT or PTT agent in HeLa cells is demonstrated, while fluorescence microscopy in nanoplatform‐incubated cells highlights its potential for bioimaging.
Absence of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 3 Increases Oxidative Stress and Causes Bone Loss
Authors: Menale Ciro , Robinson Lisa J , Palagano Eleonora , Rigoni Rosita , Erreni Marco , Almarza Alejandro J , Strina Dario , Mantero Stefano , Lizier Michela , Forlino Antonella , Besio Roberta , Monari Marta , Vezzoni Paolo , Cassani Barbara , Blair Harry C , Villa Anna , Sobacchi Cristina
Published: July 2019

Controlling oxidative stress through the activation of antioxidant pathways is crucial in bone homeostasis, and impairments of the cellular defense systems involved contribute to the pathogenesis of common skeletal diseases. In this work we focused on the dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3), a poorly investigated ubiquitous zinc-dependent exopeptidase activating the Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. We showed Dpp3 expression in bone and, to understand its role in this compartment, we generated a Dpp3 knockout (KO) mouse model and specifically investigated the skeletal phenotype. Adult Dpp3 KO mice showed a mild growth defect, a significant increase in bone marrow cellularity, and bone loss mainly caused by increased osteoclast activity. Overall, in the mouse model, lack of DPP3 resulted in sustained oxidative stress and in alterations of bone microenvironment favoring the osteoclast compared to the osteoblast lineage. Accordingly, in vitro studies revealed that Dpp3 KO osteoclasts had an inherent increased resorptive activity and ROS production, which on the other hand made them prone to apoptosis. Moreover, absence of DPP3 augmented bone loss after estrogen withdrawal in female mice, further supporting its relevance in the framework of bone pathophysiology. Overall, we show a nonredundant role for DPP3 in the maintenance of bone homeostasis and propose that DPP3 might represent a possible new osteoimmunological player and a marker of human bone loss pathology. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Expression of miR‐Let‐7a, miR‐15a, miR‐16‐1, and their target genes in fresh and vitrified embryos and its surrounding culture media for noninvasive embryo assessment
Authors: Heidari Fezzeh , Hosseini Sara , Yeganeh Samira M. , Salehi Mohammad
Published: July 2019

microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in implantation and development of mouse embryos. In this study, we aim to evaluate the possibility of miRNAs as potential biomarkers in the blastocyst culture to assess embryo quality. We also intend to investigate whether improved clinical outcomes of vitrified embryos agree with altered miRNA expressions. Mouse embryos from in vitro fertilization were vitrified at the two‐cell stage. After thawing, the embryos were individually cultured and developed to the blastocyst stage. We used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate miRNA expression levels in both vitrified and fresh groups, and culture medium (CM). The fibronectin binding assay was performed to examine for blastocyst attachment. The findings showed reduced expressions of miR‐16‐1 (0.2 ± 0.06) and miR‐Let‐7a (0.65 ± 0.1) after vitrification compared to fresh embryos. We observed significant upregulation of the target genes Vav3 (4.33 ± 0.25), integrin β‐3 (Itg β3; 4.73 ± 0.2), and Bcl2 (2.29 ± 0.16) in the vitrified embryos compared to the fresh groups. Evaluation of blastocyst CM showed upregulation of miR‐Let‐7a (15.68 ± 0.89), miR‐16‐1 (16.18 ± 0.75), and miR‐15a (13.36 ± 0.73) in the vitrified group in comparison to the fresh blastocysts (P < .05). The expression levels of miR‐16‐1 (3.28 ± 0.63), miR‐15a (5.91 ± 0.38), and miR‐Let‐7a (9.07 ± 0.6) in CM of the vitrified blastocysts conducted on fibronectin were significantly higher than the fresh group (P < .05).This study showed that vitrification of embryos changes implantation and proliferation biomarkers. In addition, upregulated miRNAs in CM could be potentially used for noninvasive early assessment of embryo quality.
Screening and evaluation of potential inhibitors against vaccinia virus from 767 approved drugs
Authors: Wu Jiajing , Liu Qiang , Xie Hui , Chen Ruifeng , Huang Weijin , Liang Chunnan , Xiao Xinyue , Yu Yongxin , Wang Youchun
Published: July 2019

The development of therapies for human smallpox is needed due to the increasing concern over the potential use of smallpox virus as a biological weapon. Here, we report a high‐throughput screening for anti‐smallpox virus drugs from a 767‐small‐molecule library, employing two vaccinia virus (VACV) strains containing firefly luciferase (VTT‐Fluc and VG9‐Fluc) as surrogate viruses. Using an eight‐point dose response format assay, 26 compounds of different pharmacological classes were identified with in vitro anti‐VACV activities. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tranilast (TRA) were detected to possess the highest anti‐VACV potency (selectivity index values of >334 and >74, respectively); they could inhibit VTT‐Fluc replication in nude mice at 5 days post‐infection by 99% (10 mg/kg, P < .01) and 59% (45 mg/kg, P = .01), respectively, as indicated by bioluminescent intensity. In conclusion, MMF and TRA are promising anti‐smallpox virus candidates for further optimization and repurposing for use in clinical practice.
Correlation between the left atrial low‐voltage area and the cardiac function improvement after catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Nakatani Yosuke , Sakamoto Tamotsu , Yamaguchi Yoshiaki , Tsujino Yasushi , Kataoka Naoya , Nishida Kunihiro , Mizumaki Koichi , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: July 2019

Background

The impact of the left atrial low‐voltage area (LVA) on the cardiac function improvement following ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear.

Methods

In 49 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent ablation, the left ventricular stroke volume index (SVI) was repeatedly measured using an impedance cardiography until 6 months after ablation. We defined the cardiac function improvement as a 20% increase in the SVI. The LVA (the area with the voltage amplitude of <0.5 mV) was assessed before ablation.

Results

The reduced baseline SVI (<33 mL/m2) was observed in 18 (37%) patients. The SVI increased following ablation (from 36 ± 5 to 39 ± 6 mL/m2, P < .001). We observed the cardiac function improvement in 14 (29%) patients. The LVA was smaller in patients with the improved cardiac function than in those without (8.3% ± 5.2% vs 14.0% ± 8.5%, P = .026). The multivariate analysis revealed that only the LVA was independently associated with the cardiac function improvement (odds ratio, 0.878; 95% confidence interval: 0.778‐0.991, P = .036). Furthermore, LVAs of the anterior (7.9% ± 7.6% vs 18.2% ± 15.5%, P = .022), septal (12.0 ± 7.3% vs 20.7% ± 13.8%, P = .031), and roof walls (6.9% ± 6.0% vs 16.9% ± 15.2%, P = .022) were smaller in patients with the improved cardiac function than in those without.

Conclusions

The LVA was related to the cardiac function improvement following ablation in patients with paroxysmal AF.
phz1 contributes much more to phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid biosynthesis than phz2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa rpoS mutant
Authors: Sun Longshuo , Chi Xiaoyan , Feng Zhibin , Wang Kewen , Kai Le , Zhang Kailu , Cheng Shiwei , Hao Xiuying , Xie Weihai , Ge Yihe
Published: July 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a common opportunistic bacterial pathogen, contains two phenazine‐biosynthetic operons, phz1 (phzA1B1C1D1E1F1G1) and phz2 (phzA2B2C2D2E2F2G2). Each of two operons can independently encode a set of enzymes involving in the biosynthesis of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid. As a global transcriptional regulator, RpoS mediates a lot of genes involving secondary metabolites biosynthesis in many bacteria. In an other previous study, it was reported that RpoS deficiency caused overproduction of pyocyanin, a derivative of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid in P. aeruginosa PAO1. But it is not known how RpoS mediates the expression of each of two phz operons and modulates phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid biosynthesis in detail. In this study, by deleting the rpoS gene in the mutant PNΔphz1 and the mutant PNΔphz2, we found that the phz1 operon contributes much more to phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid biosynthesis than the phz2 operon in the absence of RpoS. With the construction of the translational and transcriptional fusion vectors with the truncated lacZ reporter gene, we demonstrated that RpoS negatively regulates the expression of phz1 and positively controls the expression of phz2, and the regulation of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid biosynthesis mediated by RopS occurs at the posttranscriptional level, not at the transcriptional level. Obviously, two copies of phz operons and their differential expression mediated by RpoS might help P. aeruginosa adapt to its diverse environments and establish infection in its hosts.
Variability and trends of landfalling atmospheric rivers along the Pacific Coast of northwestern North America
Authors: Sharma Aseem R. , Déry Stephen J.
Published: July 2019

Atmospheric rivers (ARs), defined as narrow, transient corridors of strong moisture transport in the lower troposphere, are important phenomena for freshwater recharge and water resources, especially along the west coast of North America. This study presents the variability and trends of landfalling ARs (LARs) along the higher (53.5°–60.0°N) and lower (47.0°–53.5°N) latitudes of British Columbia and southeastern Alaska (BCSAK) during the 1948–2016 period. Moreover, we present the synoptic evolution and distribution of LARs in BCSAK during different phases of ocean–atmosphere climate variability using a six‐hourly AR catalogue from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research. During 1948–2016, BCSAK averages 35 ± 5 LARs annually, with the highest frequency during fall (13 ± 2) and lowest during spring (5 ± 2). The frequency of LARs across BCSAK rises during the study period, and the increase between 1979 and 2016 is statistically significant (p < .05). A strong ridge over the Pacific Northwest and BC and a trough over the Gulf of Alaska and the Northeastern Pacific Ocean favours AR landfalls at the higher and lower latitudes, respectively. BCSAK experiences greater numbers of LARs during neutral phases of El Niño/Southern Oscillation, the 2013/2014 Pacific oceanic blob, and during the positive phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Pacific North American Pattern.
A stochastic weather model for generating daily precipitation series at ungauged locations in the Catskill Mountain region of New York state
Authors: Yeo Myeong‐Ho , Frei Allan , Gelda Rakesh K. , Owens Emmet M.
Published: July 2019

Information on the variability of precipitation in time and space is critical for many water resource projects. However, precipitation records at the location of interest are often either limited or unavailable due to an inadequate network of rainfall measurements. To address this need, regionalization methods have been employed to characterize spatial patterns of precipitation and to transfer precipitation information from one location to another where records are scarce. Hence, the overall objective of the present paper is to propose a stochastic weather model for generating daily precipitation at ungauged locations. The proposed approach consists of two components: (a) a regionalization approach for identifying homogeneous groups of observed daily precipitation series, and (b) a stochastic model for constructing daily precipitation events at ungauged locations within homogeneous groups. This statistical approach identifies groups of precipitation stations with similar statistical characteristics based on the combination of two multivariate statistical techniques: principal component analysis (PCA) and ordinal factor analysis (OFA). While the application of PCA in climatological regionalization studies based on precipitation amount is common, the application of OFA to include precipitation occurrence in the identification of regions is unusual. The feasibility of the approach is assessed using daily precipitation data from a network of precipitation stations in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State, United States.