bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genesis of hybrid architectural preservation practices in British colonial Cyprus
Authors: Sabri Reyhan
Published: December 2016

Colonisation initiated the transfer of Western ideas about both heritage discourses and conservation understandings into the non-Western world. The process turned colonised territories into domains where developing heritage views in metropolitan countries were put into practice. Coinciding with the evolution of heritage discourses and modern architectural conservation movements in the West, the British colonial era (1878-1960) in Cyprus became a period where the importation of knowledge introduced new ways of thinking about the treatment of ancient buildings. Based on archival sources, this paper sheds light on the genesis of modern understandings of architectural conservation in Cyprus during the early colonial period (1878-1905), which established the foundations that future practice would be built on. An historical account of the early conservation activities at the key Gothic cathedral-mosques is presented, which illustrates the role of the medievalist conservation ethos imported from Britain and local considerations in the formation of modalities and techniques of intervention. It is shown that, at a time when the protection of built fabric as an amalgam of medieval and postmedieval periods was contested in Britain and Continental Europe, the political reality in Cyprus actually facilitated this approach.
The naturalisation of architecture
Authors: Gutiérrez Rosa Urbano
Published: December 2016

Sustainability is gaining a firm presence within the discipline of architecture in spite of the number of obstacles with which it has been challenged: either confronting detractors, sceptics, and the discredit resulting from the abusive use of the term as a marketing tactic, or dealing with the actual practicalities inherent to its implementation. This heightened environmental consciousness increasingly engrained within the profession is solidly supported by a growing social, political and media interest, which has impelled new regulations and the involvement of new experts like physicists, engineers, and ecologists in the design process. This phenomenon is transforming architectural practice and design techniques, moving the focus from a mechanical perspective of architecture (tectonics, construction, materiality, structure) to a biotechnical approach which attempts to equip the architect with instruments to regard buildings as living structures permanently exchanging energy with their environment. Using the environment as a creative generator for design has prompted the emergence of new aesthetic models in current architectural design. The access to new tools, together with new concerns and ways of thinking, have opened new lines of intervention that seem to affect the profession in a more fundamental way. The focus of this paper is to provide an account of these cultural constructs as experimental aesthetic systems, with the intention of not only clarifying their principles and objectives, but also reflecting on the design techniques associated to them. Ultimately, this paper provides a reflection on the role of aesthetics in sustainable design, and on the critical question: is sustainability finally becoming an intrinsic part of architecture?
Bone Healing Following Different Types of Osteotomy: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Three-Dimensional SEM Analyses
Authors: Blaskovic Marko , Gabrić Dragana , Coleman Nichola J. , Slipper Ian J. , Mladenov Mitko , Gjorgievska Elizabeta
Published: December 2016

The aim of the present study was to compare dynamics of the bone healing process after different types of osteotomies. In total, 24 Wistar rats were subjected to different types of osteotomy performed with standard steel bur, piezosurgery, contact, and non-contact Erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser ablation. The animals were randomly divided into four groups, to be euthanized immediately after the procedure, or at 1, 2, or 3 weeks after surgery. The obtained bone samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Immediately after surgery, there were significant differences in the appearance of the bone defects, with presence of bone fragments and debris after standard steel bur preparation, compared with the clean smooth walls and relatively sharp edges in all other groups. The initial bone formation in defects prepared by piezosurgery was observed to be the most rapid. After 3 weeks, all bone defects were completely restored; although, differences in the healing pattern were noted, with a modest initial delay in healing after laser preparation. The first stage of the bone healing process was delayed when contact and non-contact Er:YAG laser modes were used and accelerated by piezosurgery; however, the results after 3 weeks demonstrated similar restitution of defects in all tested groups.
Seasonal and Morphological Variations of Brown Trout (Salmo truttaf.fario) Kidney Peroxisomes: A Stereological Study
Authors: Resende Albina D. , Lobo-da-Cunha Alexandre , Malhão Fernanda , Rocha Eduardo
Published: December 2016

Literature about fish kidney peroxisomes is scarce. To tackle this caveat, a stereological approach on renal peroxisome morphological parameters was performed for the first time in a fish, establishing correlations with maturation stages as it was previously done in brown trout liver. Three-year-old brown trout males and females were collected at the major seasons of their reproductive cycle. Trunk kidney was fixed and processed for catalase cytochemistry. Classical stereological methods were applied to electromicrographs to quantitate morphological parameters. Different seasonal variation patterns were observed between genders, and between renal proximal tubule segments I and II. In males, peroxisomes from proximal tubule segment II had a relatively higher volume and number in May, being individually bigger in February. Females presented similar trends, though with less marked variations. Overall, males and females did not show exactly the same seasonal patterns for most peroxisomal parameters, and no correlations were found between the latter and the gonado-somatic index (GSI). Hence, and despite the variations, the morphology of renal peroxisomes is not strictly correlated with gonad maturation kinetics, therefore suggesting that kidney peroxisome morphology is not seasonally modulated by sex steroids, like estradiol, as it seems to happen in liver peroxisomes.
Non-Destructive Micro-Chemical and Micro-Luminescence Characterization of
Jadeite
Authors: Mitrani Viggiano Alejandro , Ruvalcaba Sil José Luis , Manrique Ortega Mayra D. , Corregidor Berdasco Victoria
Published: December 2016

Jadeite was greatly appreciated by pre-Hispanic cultures in Mesoamerica. Despite its
importance, knowledge of its mining sources was lost after the Spanish conquest. In
the 1950s the only confirmed jadeite deposits in Mesoamerica were found in the
Motagua River Fault (MRF), Guatemala. The aim of this study is to present a
methodology that is appropriate for the study of archeological jadeite objects using
non-destructive spectroscopic and micro-ion beam analysis techniques. This
methodology has been applied to perform mineral, elemental, and luminescence
characterization of five jadeite samples from the MRF, with white, lilac, and green
colors. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis
confirmed the presence of jadeite, albite, and omphacite as the main mineral phases
in the samples. Elemental maps using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) with a
nuclear microprobe and elemental concentration analysis from individual mineral
grains using micro-PIXE coupled with micro-ionoluminescence (IL) allowed the
detection of minor feldspar, titanite, and grossular mineral contents. Distinctive
features from the mineral, elemental, and luminescence characterization have been
found that allow the identification of these five jadeite samples.
State-of-the-Art Three-Dimensional Chemical Characterization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using Focused Ion Beam Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Tomography
Authors: Priebe Agnieszka , Bleuet Pierre , Goret Gael , Laurencin Jerome , Montinaro Dario , Barnes Jean-Paul
Published: December 2016

In this paper the potential of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy combined with focused ion beam technology to characterize the composition of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in three-dimension is demonstrated. The very high sensitivity of this method allows even very small amounts of elements/compounds to be detected and localized. Therefore, interlayer diffusion of elements between porous electrodes and presence of pollutants can be analyzed with a spatial resolution of the order of 100 nm. However, proper element recognition and mass interference still remain important issues. Here, we present a complete elemental analysis of the SOFC as well as techniques that help to validate the reliability of obtained results. A discussion on origins of probable artifacts is provided.
Compact dual-band antennas with large frequency ratio and bandwidth enhancement for wireless applications
Authors: Boukarkar Abdelheq , Lin Xian Qi , Jiang Yuan
Published: December 2016

In this paper, compact single-feed dual-band antennas for different wireless applications are proposed. First, a dual-band antenna with a comparatively large frequency ratio of 2.58 is designed. Then, a novel dual-band antenna is introduced in order to enhance the upper frequency band. The technique consists of modifying the feed line structure, which leads to a 9.23% of impedance bandwidth at the central frequency of 6.5 GHz instead of 2.06%. The designed antennas are fabricated and tested in the laboratory and in a small anechoic chamber in order to measure their reflection coefficient, gains, and efficiencies. Good agreement between simulated and measured results is obtained. The designed antennas are particular because they have low profile, very simple single-feed technique, can be designed for large frequency ratios, and also the bandwidth can be clearly enhanced. Therefore, they can be used for different wireless applications.
Important but De-centred: ASEAN's Role in the Southeast Asian Human Rights Space
Authors: Davies Mathew
Published: December 2016

In this article, I argue that to capture ASEAN's importance in the promotion and protection of human rights requires embedding the analysis of what ASEAN says and does into an awareness of the broader human rights space of which it is a part. The Southeast Asian human rights space has four dimensions: ASEAN, domestic institutions, civil society, and the global United Nations system, all of which are increasingly linked together in a complex whole. Revealing this human rights space suggests three conclusions. First, ASEAN is important as an educator, enabler, standard setter, and mobiliser of human rights, often despite its flawed institutional design. This importance is the product of its own activities and how it is used by other actors. Second, ASEAN member states engage with each other on questions of human rights broadly, and not only through ASEAN, which illustrates the limits and resilience of the ‘ASEAN Way’ as a set of procedural norms. Third, ASEAN, despite its growing importance to human rights promotion, has become increasingly de-centred in that field, with serious consequences for its own security agenda.
The Impact of Cosmetic Surgery Advertising on Swiss Women’s Body Image and Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery
Authors: Ashikali Eleni-Marina , Dittmar Helga , Ayers Susan
Published: December 2016

Abstract. International concern has been expressed about advertising for cosmetic surgery (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons [BAAPS], 2005, 2008 ). A recent study showed that exposure to such advertising resulted in a more negative body image and attitudes toward surgery among women living in the UK ( Ashikali, Dittmar, & Ayers, 2015 ). This study investigates the impact of cosmetic surgery advertising on women living in Switzerland, a country with relatively little advertising for cosmetic surgery. A group of 145 women (mean age 23.07) were exposed to advertising for cosmetic surgery containing either discount incentives, risk information, no additional information, or to the control condition. Exposure to advertising for cosmetic surgery resulted in increased dissatisfaction with both bodyweight and appearance. Highly materialistic women perceived such surgery as being less beneficial to their image when exposed to advertising for cosmetic surgery as well as when exposed to risk information rather than discount incentives. Moreover, appearance-dissatisfied women considered surgery to a lesser extent when exposed to risk information compared to discount incentives. Our findings highlight the need for research examining the impact of cosmetic surgery media, the content of advertising for cosmetic surgery as well as cultural variability.
A crotonyl-CoA reductase-carboxylase independent pathway for assembly of unusual alkylmalonyl-CoA polyketide synthase extender units
Authors: Ray Lauren , Valentic Timothy R. , Miyazawa Takeshi , Withall David M. , Song Lijiang , Milligan Jacob C. , Osada Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shunji , Tsai Shiou-Chuan , Challis Gregory L.
Published: December 2016

Type I modular polyketide synthases assemble diverse bioactive natural products. Such multienzymes typically use malonyl and methylmalonyl-CoA building blocks for polyketide chain assembly. However, in several cases more exotic alkylmalonyl-CoA extender units are also known to be incorporated. In all examples studied to date, such unusual extender units are biosynthesized via reductive carboxylation of α, β-unsaturated thioesters catalysed by crotonyl-CoA reductase/carboxylase (CCRC) homologues. Here we show using a chemically-synthesized deuterium-labelled mechanistic probe, and heterologous gene expression experiments that the unusual alkylmalonyl-CoA extender units incorporated into the stambomycin family of polyketide antibiotics are assembled by direct carboxylation of medium chain acyl-CoA thioesters. X-ray crystal structures of the unusual β-subunit of the acyl-CoA carboxylase (YCC) responsible for this reaction, alone and in complex with hexanoyl-CoA, reveal the molecular basis for substrate recognition, inspiring the development of methodology for polyketide bio-orthogonal tagging via incorporation of 6-azidohexanoic acid and 8-nonynoic acid into novel stambomycin analogues.
Endothelial-specific inhibition of NF-κB enhances functional haematopoiesis
Authors: Poulos Michael G. , Ramalingam Pradeep , Gutkin Michael C. , Kleppe Maria , Ginsberg Michael , Crowley Michael J. P. , Elemento Olivier , Levine Ross L. , Rafii Shahin , Kitajewski Jan , Greenblatt Matthew B. , Shim Jae-Hyuck , Butler Jason M.
Published: December 2016

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in distinct niches within the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, comprised of endothelial cells (ECs) and tightly associated perivascular constituents that regulate haematopoiesis through the expression of paracrine factors. Here we report that the canonical NF-κB pathway in the BM vascular niche is a critical signalling axis that regulates HSC function at steady state and following myelosuppressive insult, in which inhibition of EC NF-κB promotes improved HSC function and pan-haematopoietic recovery. Mice expressing an endothelial-specific dominant negative IκBα cassette under the Tie2 promoter display a marked increase in HSC activity and self-renewal, while promoting the accelerated recovery of haematopoiesis following myelosuppression, in part through protection of the BM microenvironment following radiation and chemotherapeutic-induced insult. Moreover, transplantation of NF-κB-inhibited BM ECs enhanced haematopoietic recovery and protected mice from pancytopenia-induced death. These findings pave the way for development of niche-specific cellular approaches for the treatment of haematological disorders requiring myelosuppressive regimens.
Suppressed ion-scale turbulence in a hot high-β plasma
Authors: Schmitz L. , Fulton D. P. , Ruskov E. , Lau C. , Deng B. H. , Tajima T. , Binderbauer M. W. , Holod I. , Lin Z. , Gota H. , Tuszewski M. , Dettrick S. A. , Steinhauer L. C.
Published: December 2016

An economic magnetic fusion reactor favours a high ratio of plasma kinetic pressure to magnetic pressure in a well-confined, hot plasma with low thermal losses across the confining magnetic field. Field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas are potentially attractive as a reactor concept, achieving high plasma pressure in a simple axisymmetric geometry. Here, we show that FRC plasmas have unique, beneficial microstability properties that differ from typical regimes in toroidal confinement devices. Ion-scale fluctuations are found to be absent or strongly suppressed in the plasma core, mainly due to the large FRC ion orbits, resulting in near-classical thermal ion confinement. In the surrounding boundary layer plasma, ion- and electron-scale turbulence is observed once a critical pressure gradient is exceeded. The critical gradient increases in the presence of sheared plasma flow induced via electrostatic biasing, opening the prospect of active boundary and transport control in view of reactor requirements.
A live RSV vaccine with engineered thermostability is immunogenic in cotton rats despite high attenuation
Authors: Stobart Christopher C. , Rostad Christina A. , Ke Zunlong , Dillard Rebecca S. , Hampton Cheri M. , Strauss Joshua D. , Yi Hong , Hotard Anne L. , Meng Jia , Pickles Raymond J. , Sakamoto Kaori , Lee Sujin , Currier Michael G. , Moin Syed M. , Graham Barney S. , Boukhvalova Marina S. , Gilbert Brian E. , Blanco Jorge C. G. , Piedra Pedro A. , Wright Elizabeth R. , Moore Martin L.
Published: December 2016

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant hospitalization and there remains no pediatric vaccine. RSV live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) have a history of safe testing in infants; however, achieving an effective balance of attenuation and immunogenicity has proven challenging. Here we seek to engineer an RSV LAV with enhanced immunogenicity. Genetic mapping identifies strain line 19 fusion (F) protein residues that correlate with pre-fusion antigen maintenance by ELISA and thermal stability of infectivity in live RSV. We generate a LAV candidate named OE4 which expresses line 19F and is attenuated by codon-deoptimization of non-structural (NS1 and NS2) genes, deletion of the small hydrophobic (SH) gene, codon-deoptimization of the attachment (G) gene and ablation of the secreted form of G. OE4 (RSV-A2-dNS1-dNS2-ΔSH-dGm-Gsnull-line19F) exhibits elevated pre-fusion antigen levels, thermal stability, immunogenicity, and efficacy despite heavy attenuation in the upper and lower airways of cotton rats.
A small electron donor in cobalt complex electrolyte significantly improves efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Hao Yan , Yang Wenxing , Zhang Lei , Jiang Roger , Mijangos Edgar , Saygili Yasemin , Hammarström Leif , Hagfeldt Anders , Boschloo Gerrit
Published: December 2016

Photoelectrochemical approach to solar energy conversion demands a kinetic optimization of various light-induced electron transfer processes. Of great importance are the redox mediator systems accomplishing the electron transfer processes at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface, therefore affecting profoundly the performance of various photoelectrochemical cells. Here, we develop a strategy—by addition of a small organic electron donor, tris(4-methoxyphenyl)amine, into state-of-art cobalt tris(bipyridine) redox electrolyte—to significantly improve the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. The developed solar cells exhibit efficiency of 11.7 and 10.5%, at 0.46 and one-sun illumination, respectively, corresponding to a 26% efficiency improvement compared with the standard electrolyte. Preliminary stability tests showed the solar cell retained 90% of its initial efficiency after 250 h continuous one-sun light soaking. Detailed mechanistic studies reveal the crucial role of the electron transfer cascade processes within the new redox system.
Ultrafast electronic response of graphene to a strong and localized electric field
Authors: Gruber Elisabeth , Wilhelm Richard A. , Pétuya Rémi , Smejkal Valerie , Kozubek Roland , Hierzenberger Anke , Bayer Bernhard C. , Aldazabal Iñigo , Kazansky Andrey K. , Libisch Florian , Krasheninnikov Arkady V. , Schleberger Marika , Facsko Stefan , Borisov Andrei G. , Arnau Andrés , Aumayr Friedrich
Published: December 2016

The way conduction electrons respond to ultrafast external perturbations in low dimensional materials is at the core of the design of future devices for (opto)electronics, photodetection and spintronics. Highly charged ions provide a tool for probing the electronic response of solids to extremely strong electric fields localized down to nanometre-sized areas. With ion transmission times in the order of femtoseconds, we can directly probe the local electronic dynamics of an ultrathin foil on this timescale. Here we report on the ability of freestanding single layer graphene to provide tens of electrons for charge neutralization of a slow highly charged ion within a few femtoseconds. With values higher than 1012 A cm−2, the resulting local current density in graphene exceeds previously measured breakdown currents by three orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, the passing ion does not tear nanometre-sized holes into the single layer graphene. We use time-dependent density functional theory to gain insight into the multielectron dynamics.
Unraveling the genetic basis of xylose consumption in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains
Authors: dos Santos Leandro Vieira , Carazzolle Marcelo Falsarella , Nagamatsu Sheila Tiemi , Sampaio Nádia Maria Vieira , Almeida Ludimila Dias , Pirolla Renan Augusto Siqueira , Borelli Guilherme , Corrêa Thamy Lívia Ribeiro , Argueso Juan Lucas , Pereira Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães
Published: December 2016

The development of biocatalysts capable of fermenting xylose, a five-carbon sugar abundant in lignocellulosic biomass, is a key step to achieve a viable production of second-generation ethanol. In this work, a robust industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was modified by the addition of essential genes for pentose metabolism. Subsequently, taken through cycles of adaptive evolution with selection for optimal xylose utilization, strains could efficiently convert xylose to ethanol with a yield of about 0.46 g ethanol/g xylose. Though evolved independently, two strains carried shared mutations: amplification of the xylose isomerase gene and inactivation of ISU1, a gene encoding a scaffold protein involved in the assembly of iron-sulfur clusters. In addition, one of evolved strains carried a mutation in SSK2, a member of MAPKKK signaling pathway. In validation experiments, mutating ISU1 or SSK2 improved the ability to metabolize xylose of yeast cells without adaptive evolution, suggesting that these genes are key players in a regulatory network for xylose fermentation. Furthermore, addition of iron ion to the growth media improved xylose fermentation even by non-evolved cells. Our results provide promising new targets for metabolic engineering of C5-yeasts and point to iron as a potential new additive for improvement of second-generation ethanol production.
Systematic Assessment of Seven Solvent and Solid-Phase Extraction Methods for Metabolomics Analysis of Human Plasma by LC-MS
Authors: Sitnikov Dmitri G. , Monnin Cian S. , Vuckovic Dajana
Published: December 2016

The comparison of extraction methods for global metabolomics is usually executed in biofluids only and focuses on metabolite coverage and method repeatability. This limits our detailed understanding of extraction parameters such as recovery and matrix effects and prevents side-by-side comparison of different sample preparation strategies. To address this gap in knowledge, seven solvent-based and solid-phase extraction methods were systematically evaluated using standard analytes spiked into both buffer and human plasma. We compared recovery, coverage, repeatability, matrix effects, selectivity and orthogonality of all methods tested for non-lipid metabolome in combination with reversed-phased and mixed-mode liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS). Our results confirmed wide selectivity and excellent precision of solvent precipitations, but revealed their high susceptibility to matrix effects. The use of all seven methods showed high overlap and redundancy which resulted in metabolite coverage increases of 34–80% depending on LC-MS method employed as compared to the best single extraction protocol (methanol/ethanol precipitation) despite 7x increase in MS analysis time and sample consumption. The most orthogonal methods to methanol-based precipitation were ion-exchange solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction using methyl-tertbutyl ether. Our results help facilitate rational design and selection of sample preparation methods and internal standards for global metabolomics.
Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage C11 and Identification of Host Genes Required for Virion Maturation
Authors: Cui Xiaoli , You Jiajia , Sun Li , Yang Xiaojing , Zhang Tian , Huang Kechong , Pan Xuewei , Zhang Fenjiao , He Yang , Yang Hongjiang
Published: December 2016

The underlying mechanisms of phage-host interactions largely remained to be elucidated. In this work, Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage C11 was first characterized as a Myoviridae virus having a linear dsDNA molecule of 94109 bp with 1173 bp identical terminal direct repeats (TDR). Then the mutants resistant to phage C11 were screened in a Tn5G transposon mutant library of P. aeruginosa PAK, including two mutants with decreased adsorption rates (DAR) and five mutants with wild-type adsorption rates (WAR). When the WAR mutants were incubated with phage C11, their growth rates were significantly inhibited; the replication of the phage genomic DNA was detected in all the WAR mutants with the real-time quantitative PCR analysis; and the synthesized phage genomic DNA was processed into monomers for packaging evidenced by the southern blot analysis. Moreover, with strain PAK as indicator, small quantities of phage C11 were synthesized in the WAR mutants. Taken together, these data suggested the identified genes of the WAR mutants are necessary for efficient synthesis of the infectious phage particles. Finally, the WAR mutants were detected sensitive to two other Pseudomonas phages closely related with C11, further implying the evolved diversity and complexity of the phage-host interactions in both sides.
Root transcriptome of two contrasting indica rice cultivars uncovers regulators of root development and physiological responses
Authors: Singh Alka , Kumar Pramod , Gautam Vibhav , Rengasamy Balakrishnan , Adhikari Bijan , Udayakumar Makarla , Sarkar Ananda K.
Published: December 2016

The huge variation in root system architecture (RSA) among different rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars is conferred by their genetic makeup and different growth or climatic conditions. Unlike model plantArabidopsis, the molecular basis of such variation in RSA is very poorly understood in rice. Cultivars with stable variation are valuable resources for identification of genes involved in RSA and related physiological traits. We have screened for RSA and identified two suchindicarice cultivars, IR-64 (OsAS83) and IET-16348 (OsAS84), with stable contrasting RSA. OsAS84 produces robust RSA with more crown roots, lateral roots and root hairs than OsAS83. Using comparative root transcriptome analysis of these cultivars, we identified genes related to root development and different physiological responses like abiotic stress responses, hormone signaling, and nutrient acquisition or transport. The two cultivars differ in their response to salinity/dehydration stresses, phosphate/nitrogen deficiency, and different phytohormones. Differential expression of genes involved in salinity or dehydration response, nitrogen (N) transport, phosphate (Pi) starvation signaling, hormone signaling and root development underlies more resistance of OsAS84 towards abiotic stresses, Pi or N deficiency and its robust RSA. Thus our study uncovers gene-network involved in root development and abiotic stress responses in rice.
Heterogeneity of paclitaxel distribution in different tumor models assessed by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Giordano Silvia , Zucchetti Massimo , Decio Alessandra , Cesca Marta , Fuso Nerini Ilaria , Maiezza Marika , Ferrari Mariella , Licandro Simonetta Andrea , Frapolli Roberta , Giavazzi Raffaella , Maurizio D’Incalci , Davoli Enrico , Morosi Lavinia
Published: December 2016

The penetration of anticancer drugs in solid tumors is important to ensure the therapeutic effect, so methods are needed to understand drug distribution in different parts of the tumor. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has great potential in this field to visualize drug distribution in organs and tumor tissues with good spatial resolution and superior specificity. We present an accurate and reproducible imaging method to investigate the variation of drug distribution in different parts of solid tumors. The method was applied to study the distribution of paclitaxel in three ovarian cancer models with different histopathological characteristics and in colon cancer (HCT116), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM487). The heterogeneous drug penetration in the tumors is evident from the MALDI imaging results and from the images analysis. The differences between the various models do not always relate to significant changes in drug content in tumor homogenate examined by classical HPLC analysis. The specificity of the method clarifies the heterogeneity of the drug distribution that is analyzed from a quantitative point of view too, highlighting how marked are the variations of paclitaxel amounts in different part of solid tumors.
The application of homemade Neosinocalamus affinis AC in electrokinetic removal technology on heavy metal removal from the MSWI fly ash
Authors: Liu Kexiang , Huang Tao , Huang Xiao , Yu Lin , Muhammad Faheem , Jiao Binquan , Li Dongwei
Published: December 2016

This present paper was focused on the manufacture of activated carbon (AC) and its application in the electrokinetic remediation (EKR) technology on removal of the heavy metals (HMs) from the municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. AC was produced from Neosinocalamus affinis (NF) by chemical activation with H3PO4 in N2 atmosphere, the effects of activation temperatures, soaking time and impregnation ratios on the adsorption capacity of AC on HMs were examined through equilibrium adsorption experiments. The AC produced under the condition of 450 °C of activation temperature, 10 h of soaking time and 1.5 of impregnation ration was applied in the EKR experiment. The addition of AC in the S3-region of the electrolyzer could effectively improve the removal efficiencies of HMs. The technical parameters of voltage gradient, processing time and proportion were further optimized in the coupled experiments, the maximum removal of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb was 84.93%, 69.61%, 79.57%, and 78.55% respectively obtained under the optimal operating conditions of 2 V/cm of voltage gradient, 8 d of processing time and 20% of proportion.
Multi-beam reflections with flexible control of polarizations by using anisotropic metasurfaces
Authors: Ma Hui Feng , Liu Yan Qing , Luan Kang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: December 2016

We propose a method to convert linearly polarized incident electromagnetic waves fed by a single source into multi-beam reflections with independent control of polarizations based on anisotropic metasurface at microwave frequencies. The metasurface is composed of Jerusalem Cross structures and grounded plane spaced by a dielectric substrate. By designing the reflection-phase distributions of the anisotropic metasurface along the x and y directions, the x- and y-polarized incident waves can be manipulated independently to realize multi-beam reflections. When the x- and y-polarized reflected beams are designed to the same direction with equal amplitude, the polarization state of the beam will be only controlled by the phase difference between the x- and y-polarized reflected waves. Three examples are presented to show the multi-beam reflections with flexible control of polarizations by using anisotropic metasurfaces and excellent performance. Particularly, we designed, fabricated, and measured an anisotropic metasurface for two reflected beams with one linearly polarized and the other circularly polarized. The measurement results have good agreement with the simulations in a broad bandwidth.
Genetic polymorphisms -137 (rs187238) and -607 (rs1946518) in the interleukin-18 promoter may not be associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Shao-Liang , Zhao Yun , Hu Xue-Ying , Luo Tao , Chen Zu-Shun , Zhang Yu , Yang Shui-Hua , Zhou Lu , Li Le-Qun
Published: December 2016

This study meta-analyzed the literature on possible association of polymorphisms -137 (rs187238) and -607 (rs1946518) in the interleukin-18 (IL-18) promoter with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The analysis included 8 case-control studies on the -137 polymorphism (1,318 cases, 2,254 controls) and 7 case-control studies on the -607 polymorphism (1,262 cases, 1,696 controls). None of the five genetic models suggested a significant association between the -137 polymorphism and HCC risk: allelic model, OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.74–1.34, P = 0.97; recessive model, OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.65–1.46, P = 0.91; dominant model, OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.73–2.52, P = 0.34; homozygous model, OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.65–1.49, P = 0.95; heterozygous model, OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.66–1.48, P = 0.94. Similar results were obtained in subgroup analyses of Asian patients, Chinese patients, or patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Similar results were also obtained for the -607 polymorphism across the entire study population as well as in the three subgroups. The available evidence suggests no significant association of the -137 or -607 polymorphisms with risk of HCC in general or specifically of HBV-related HCC. These conclusions should be verified in large, well-designed studies.
Mechanical splitting of microtubules into protofilament bundles by surface-bound kinesin-1
Authors: VanDelinder Virginia , Adams Peter G. , Bachand George D.
Published: December 2016

The fundamental biophysics of gliding microtubule (MT) motility by surface-tethered kinesin-1 motor proteins has been widely studied, as well as applied to capture and transport analytes in bioanalytical microdevices. In these systems, phenomena such as molecular wear and fracture into shorter MTs have been reported due the mechanical forces applied on the MT during transport. In the present work, we show that MTs can be split longitudinally into protofilament bundles (PFBs) by the work performed by surface-bound kinesin motors. We examine the properties of these PFBs using several techniques (e.g., fluorescence microscopy, SEM, AFM), and show that the PFBs continue to be mobile on the surface and display very high curvature compared to MT. Further, higher surface density of kinesin motors and shorter kinesin-surface tethers promote PFB formation, whereas modifying MT with GMPCPP or higher paclitaxel concentrations did not affect PFB formation.
Infergen Stimulated Macrophages Restrict Mycobacterium tuberculosis Growth by Autophagy and Release of Nitric Oxide
Authors: Pahari Susanta , Khan Nargis , Aqdas Mohammad , Negi Shikha , Kaur Jagdeep , Agrewala Javed N.
Published: December 2016

IFN alfacon-1 (Infergen) is a synthetic form of Interferon (IFN)-α2b. Infergen has immunomodulatory activity and is effective against hepatitis C virus. However, the effect of Infergen (IFG) on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has not yet been reported. Therefore, for the first time, we have studied the influence of IFG in constraining the survival of Mtb in human macrophages. We observed that IFG significantly enhanced the maturation and activation of macrophages. Further, it substantially augmented the secretion of IL-6, nitric oxide (NO) and antigen uptake. Moreover, macrophages exhibited remarkably higher bactericidal activity, as evidenced by reduction in the Mtb growth. Infergen-mediated mechanism was different from the type-1 interferons; since it worked through the activation of NF-κB, phosphorylation of STAT-3 and Akt-PI3K that improved the bactericidal activity through autophagy and NO release. In future, IFG immunotherapy can be a novel strategy for treating patients and controlling TB.
Development of an in-vivo active reversible butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor
Authors: Košak Urban , Brus Boris , Knez Damijan , Šink Roman , Žakelj Simon , Trontelj Jurij , Pišlar Anja , Šlenc Jasna , Gobec Martina , Živin Marko , Tratnjek Larisa , Perše Martina , Sałat Kinga , Podkowa Adrian , Filipek Barbara , Nachon Florian , Brazzolotto Xavier , Więckowska Anna , Malawska Barbara , Stojan Jure , Raščan Irena Mlinarič , Kos Janko , Coquelle Nicolas , Colletier Jacques-Philippe , Gobec Stanislav
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by severe basal forebrain cholinergic deficit, which results in progressive and chronic deterioration of memory and cognitive functions. Similar to acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) contributes to the termination of cholinergic neurotransmission. Its enzymatic activity increases with the disease progression, thus classifying BChE as a viable therapeutic target in advanced AD. Potent, selective and reversible human BChE inhibitors were developed. The solved crystal structure of human BChE in complex with the most potent inhibitor reveals its binding mode and provides the molecular basis of its low nanomolar potency. Additionally, this compound is noncytotoxic and has neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, this inhibitor moderately crosses the blood-brain barrier and improves memory, cognitive functions and learning abilities of mice in a model of the cholinergic deficit that characterizes AD, without producing acute cholinergic adverse effects. Our study provides an advanced lead compound for developing drugs for alleviating symptoms caused by cholinergic hypofunction in advanced AD.
Parental life events cause behavioral difference among offspring: Adult pre-gestational restraint stress reduces anxiety across generations
Authors: He Nan , Kong Qiao-Qiao , Wang Jun-Zuo , Ning Shu-Fen , Miao Yi-Long , Yuan Hong-Jie , Gong Shuai , Cui Xiang-Zhong , Li Chuan-Yong , Tan Jing-He
Published: December 2016

While effects of gestational, neonatal or adolescent stress on psychological alterations in progeny have been extensively studied, much less is known regarding the effects of adult pre-gestational life events on offspring behavior. Although full siblings often display behavioral differences, whether the different parental life events prior to different pregnancies contribute to these behavioral differences among siblings is worth studying. In this study, male and female adult mice were restrained for 60 days before mating with unstressed or stressed partners. F1 offspring were examined for anxiety or mated to generate F2. Both F1 females and males from restrained mothers and/or fathers showed significantly reduced anxiety and serum cortisol and increased mRNA levels of glucocorticoid receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor compared to control offspring from unstressed parents. Similar behavioral and molecular changes were also observed in F2 females and males. Although restraint of adolescent mice reduced anxiety in F1 of both sexes, social instability of them increased anxiety predominantly in F1 females. Thus, adult pre-gestational restraint reduced offspring’s anxiety across generations; different stressors on parents may cause different phenotypes in offspring; individual behaviors can depend on adult life experiences of parents.
Initiation and propagation of cloud-to-ground lightning observed with a high-speed video camera
Authors: Tran M. D. , Rakov V. A.
Published: December 2016

Complete evolution of a lightning discharge, from its initiation at an altitude of about 4 km to its ground attachment, was optically observed for the first time at the Lightning Observatory in Gainesville, Florida. The discharge developed during the late stage of a cloud flash and was initiated in a decayed branch of the latter. The initial channel section was intermittently illuminated for over 100 ms, until a bidirectionally extending channel (leader) was formed. During the bidirectional leader extension, the negative end exhibited optical and radio-frequency electromagnetic features expected for negative cloud-to-ground strokes developing in virgin air, while the positive end most of the time appeared to be inactive or showed intermittent channel luminosity enhancements. The development of positive end involved an abrupt creation of a 1-km long, relatively straight branch with a streamer corona burst at its far end. This 1-km jump appeared to occur in virgin air at a remarkably high effective speed of the order of 106 m/s. The positive end of the bidirectional leader connected to another bidirectional leader to form a larger bidirectional leader, whose negative end attached to the ground and produced a 36-kA return stroke.
Suppression of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Ameliorates Chronic Kidney Disease-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Bugyei-Twum Antoinette , Abadeh Armin , Thai Kerri , Zhang Yanling , Mitchell Melissa , Kabir Golam , Connelly Kim A.
Published: December 2016

Cardiac fibrosis is a common finding in patients with chronic kidney disease. Here, we investigate the cardio-renal effects of theracurmin, a novel formulation of the polyphenolic compound curcumin, in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Briefly, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to undergo sham or subtotal nephrectomy (SNx) surgery. At 3 weeks post surgery, SNx animals were further randomized to received theracurmin via once daily oral gavage or vehicle for 5 consecutive weeks. At 8 weeks post surgery, cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography and pressure volume loop analysis, followed by LV and renal tissue collection for analysis. SNx animals developed key hallmarks of renal injury including hypertension, proteinuria, elevated blood urea nitrogen, and glomerulosclerosis. Renal injury in SNx animals was also associated with significant diastolic dysfunction, macrophage infiltration, and cardiac NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Treatment of SNx animals with theracurmin improved structural and functional manifestations of cardiac injury associated with renal failure and also attenuated cardiac NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mature IL-1β release. Taken together, our findings suggest a significant role for the NLRP3 inflammasome in renal injury-induced cardiac dysfunction and presents inflammasome attenuation as a unique strategy to prevent adverse cardiac remodeling in the setting of chronic kidney disease.
Additive and Photochemical Manufacturing of Copper
Authors: Yung Winco K. C. , Sun Bo , Meng Zhengong , Huang Junfeng , Jin Yingdi , Choy Hang Shan , Cai Zhixiang , Li Guijun , Ho Cheuk Lam , Yang Jinlong , Wong Wai Yeung
Published: December 2016

In recent years, 3D printing technologies have been extensively developed, enabling rapid prototyping from a conceptual design to an actual product. However, additive manufacturing of metals in the existing technologies is still cost-intensive and time-consuming. Herein a novel platform for low-cost additive manufacturing is introduced by simultaneously combining the laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) method with photochemical reaction. Using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer as the sacrificial layer, sufficient ejection momentum can be generated in the LIFT method. A low-cost continuous wave (CW) laser diode at 405 nm was utilized and proved to be able to transfer the photochemically synthesized copper onto the target substrate. The wavelength-dependent photochemical behaviour in the LIFT method was verified and characterized by both theoretical and experimental studies compared to 1064 nm fiber laser. The conductivity of the synthesized copper patterns could be enhanced using post electroless plating while retaining the designed pattern shapes. Prototypes of electronic circuits were accordingly built and demonstrated for powering up LEDs. Apart from pristine PDMS materials with low surface energies, the proposed method can simultaneously perform laser-induced forward transfer and photochemical synthesis of metals, starting from their metal oxide forms, onto various target substrates such as polyimide, glass and thermoplastics.
Direct synthesis of graphitic mesoporous carbon from green phenolic resins exposed to subsequent UV and IR laser irradiations
Authors: Sopronyi Mihai , Sima Felix , Vaulot Cyril , Delmotte Luc , Bahouka Armel , Matei Ghimbeu Camelia
Published: December 2016

The design of mesoporous carbon materials with controlled textural and structural features by rapid, cost-effective and eco-friendly means is highly demanded for many fields of applications. We report herein on the fast and tailored synthesis of mesoporous carbon by UV and IR laser assisted irradiations of a solution consisting of green phenolic resins and surfactant agent. By tailoring the UV laser parameters such as energy, pulse repetition rate or exposure time carbon materials with different pore size, architecture and wall thickness were obtained. By increasing irradiation dose, the mesopore size diminishes in the favor of wall thickness while the morphology shifts from worm-like to an ordered hexagonal one. This was related to the intensification of phenolic resin cross-linking which induces the reduction of H-bonding with the template as highlighted by 13C and 1H NMR. In addition, mesoporous carbon with graphitic structure was obtained by IR laser irradiation at room temperature and in very short time periods compared to the classical long thermal treatment at very high temperatures. Therefore, the carbon texture and structure can be tuned only by playing with laser parameters, without extra chemicals, as usually required.
Cross-regulation by CrcZ RNA controls anoxic biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pusic Petra , Tata Muralidhar , Wolfinger Michael T. , Sonnleitner Elisabeth , Häussler Susanne , Bläsi Udo
Published: December 2016

Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) can thrive in anaerobic biofilms in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Here, we show that CrcZ is the most abundant PA14 RNA bound to the global regulator Hfq in anoxic biofilms grown in cystic fibrosis sputum medium. Hfq was crucial for anoxic biofilm formation. This observation complied with an RNAseq based transcriptome analysis and follow up studies that implicated Hfq in regulation of a central step preceding denitrification. CrcZ is known to act as a decoy that sequesters Hfq during relief of carbon catabolite repression, which in turn alleviates Hfq-mediated translational repression of catabolic genes. We therefore inferred that CrcZ indirectly impacts on biofilm formation by competing for Hfq. This hypothesis was supported by the findings that over-production of CrcZ mirrored the biofilm phenotype of thehfqdeletion mutant, and that deletion of thecrcZgene augmented biofilm formation. To our knowledge, this is the first example where competition for Hfq by CrcZ cross-regulates an Hfq-dependent physiological process unrelated to carbon metabolism.