bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deltaproteobacteria (Pelobacter) and Methanococcoides are responsible for choline-dependent methanogenesis in a coastal saltmarsh sediment
Authors: Jameson Eleanor , Stephenson Jason , Jones Helen , Millard Andrew , Kaster Anne-Kristin , Purdy Kevin J , Airs Ruth , Murrell J Colin , Chen Yin
Published: September 2018

Coastal saltmarsh sediments represent an important source of natural methane emissions, much of which originates from quaternary and methylated amines, such as choline and trimethylamine. In this study, we combine DNA stable isotope probing with high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and 13C2-choline enriched metagenomes, followed by metagenome data assembly, to identify the key microbes responsible for methanogenesis from choline. Microcosm incubation with 13C2-choline leads to the formation of trimethylamine and subsequent methane production, suggesting that choline-dependent methanogenesis is a two-step process involving trimethylamine as the key intermediate. Amplicon sequencing analysis identifies Deltaproteobacteria of the genera Pelobacter as the major choline utilizers. Methanogenic Archaea of the genera Methanococcoides become enriched in choline-amended microcosms, indicating their role in methane formation from trimethylamine. The binning of metagenomic DNA results in the identification of bins classified as Pelobacter and Methanococcoides. Analyses of these bins reveal that Pelobacter have the genetic potential to degrade choline to trimethylamine using the choline-trimethylamine lyase pathway, whereas Methanococcoides are capable of methanogenesis using the pyrrolysine-containing trimethylamine methyltransferase pathway. Together, our data provide a new insight on the diversity of choline utilizing organisms in coastal sediments and support a syntrophic relationship between Bacteria and Archaea as the dominant route for methanogenesis from choline in this environment.
Ceramide synthase-6 confers resistance to chemotherapy by binding to CD95/Fas in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Verlekar Dattesh , Wei Sung-Jen , Cho Hwangeui , Yang Shengping , Kang Min H.
Published: September 2018

Ceramide synthases (CERS) produce ceramides which are key intermediators in the biosynthesis of complex sphingolipids and play an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and senescence. CERS6 is an isoform of ceramide synthases known to generate ceramides with C16 acyl chain (C16-Cer). CERS6 and C16-Cer levels were significantly higher in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells in comparison to peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T lymphocytes derived from healthy human volunteers. We investigated the role of CERS6 in chemo-resistance in T-ALL cell lines. Stable knockdown ofCERS6in CCRF-CEM and MOLT-4 cells resulted in increased sensitivity to ABT-737, a pan-BCL-2 inhibitor, while CCRF-CEM cells with exogenousCERS6expression showed resistance to ABT-737 relative to the vector control. The cytotoxic activity of ABT-737 inCERS6knockdown cells was significantly reduced by the addition of a caspase-8 inhibitor Z-IETD, suggesting that CERS6 alters the cytotoxicity via extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. By co-immunoprecipitation of CERS6 in CCRF-CEM cells, we identified CD95/Fas, a mediator of extrinsic apoptotic pathway, as a novel CERS6 binding partner. In Fas pull-down samples, FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain) was detected at higher levels in cells withCERS6knockdown compared with control cells when treated with ABT-737, and this was reversed by the overexpression ofCERS6, demonstrating that CERS6 interferes with Fas–FADD DISC assembly. CERS6 may serve as a biomarker in determining the effectiveness of anticancer agents acting via the extrinsic pathway in T-ALL.
TNFR2 unlocks a RIPK1 kinase activity-dependent mode of proinflammatory TNFR1 signaling
Authors: Siegmund Daniela , Ehrenschwender Martin , Wajant Harald
Published: September 2018

TNF is not only a major effector molecule of PAMP/DAMP-activated macrophages, but also regulates macrophage function and viability. We recently demonstrated that TNFR2 triggers necroptosis in macrophages with compromised caspase activity by two cooperating mechanisms: induction of endogenous TNF with subsequent stimulation of TNFR1 and depletion of cytosolic TRAF2-cIAP complexes. Here we show that TNFR2 activation in caspase-inhibited macrophages results in the production of endogenous TNF and TNFR1 stimulation followed by upregulation of A20, TRAF1, IL-6, and IL-1β. Surprisingly, TNFR1-mediated induction of IL-6 and IL-1β was clearly evident in response to TNFR2 stimulation but occurred not or only weakly in macrophages selectively and directly stimulated via TNFR1. Moreover, TNFR2-induced TNFR1-mediated gene induction was largely inhibited by necrostatin-1, whereas upregulation of A20 and TRAF1 by direct and exclusive stimulation of TNFR1 remained unaffected by this compound. Thus, treatment with TNFR2/ZVAD enables TNFR1 in macrophages to stimulate gene induction via a pathway requiring RIPK1 kinase activity. TNFR2/ZVAD-induced production of IL-6 and IL-1β was largely blocked in necroptosis-resistant MLKL- and RIPK3-deficient macrophages, whereas induction of A20 and TRAF1 remained unaffected. In sum, our results show that in caspase-inhibited macrophages TNFR2 not only triggers TNF/TNFR1-mediated necroptosis but also TNF/TNFR1-mediated RIPK3/MLKL-dependent and -independent gene induction.
ARHGAP9 suppresses the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through up-regulating FOXJ2/E-cadherin
Authors: Zhang Hong , Tang Qing-Feng , Sun Meng-Yao , Zhang Chun-Yan , Zhu Jian-Yong , Shen Yu-Li , Zhao Bin , Shao Zhi-Yi , Zhang Li-Jun , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2018

Rho GTPase activating protein 9 (ARHGAP9), a member of RhoGAP family, has been identified as a RhoGAP for Cdc42 and Rac1. Here, we aimed to clarify the expression and functional role of ARHGAP9 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By analyzing TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) LIHC (liver hepatocellular carcinoma) database, we found that ARHGAP9 expression was lower in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues, and that patients with ARHGAP9 lower expression had a significant shorter overall survival time than those with ARHGAP9 higher expression. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell assays and in vivo experimental lung metastasis assay revealed that ARHGAP9 overexpression could inhibit HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as HCC lung metastases. By next-generation RNA-sequencing, we identified that a transcription factor, Forkhead Box J2 (FOXJ2), was significantly induced by ARHGAP9 overexpression in HepG2 cells. Ectopic expression of FOXJ2 in HCC cell lines also exerted inhibitory effects on cell migration and invasion. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of ARHGAP9 on HCC cell migration and invasion was significantly attenuated by FOXJ2 knockdown. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that ARHGAP9 enhanced the transcription of E-cadherin (CDH1) via FOXJ2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated that FOXJ2 modulated the transcription of E-cadherin (CDH1) by directly binding to its promoter. Furthermore, Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the mRNA levels of ARHGAP9 in HCC tissues were positively correlated with the mRNA levels of FOXJ2 and CDH1. These data clearly show that ARHGAP9/FOXJ2 inhibit cell migration and invasion during HCC development via inducing the transcription of CDH1.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Identification of protein kinase inhibitors to reprogram breast cancer cells
Authors: Yuan Jie , Zhang Fan , You Meng , Yang Qin
Published: September 2018

Direct reversion of cancers into normal-like tissues is an ideal strategy for cancer treatment. Recent reports have showed that defined transcription factors can induce reprogramming of cancer cells into pluripotent stem cells, supporting this notion. Here, we have developed a reprogramming method that uses a conceptually unique strategy for breast cancer cell treatment. We have screened a kinase inhibitor library and found that Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitors can substitute for all transcription factors to be sufficient to reprogram breast cancer cells into progenitor cells. Furthermore, ROCK–mTOR inhibitors could reprogram breast cancer cells to another terminal lineage-adipogenic cells. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis shows that the induced fat-like cells have a profile different from breast cancer cells and similar to that of normal adipocytes. In vitro and in vivo tumorigenesis assays have shown that induced fat-like cells lose proliferation and tumorigenicity. Moreover, reprogramming treatment with ROCK–mTOR inhibitors prevents breast cancer local recurrence in mice. Currently, ROCK–mTOR inhibitors are already used as antitumor drugs in patients, thus, this reprogramming strategy has significant potential to move rapidly toward clinical trials for breast cancer treatment.
Recurrent WNT pathway alterations are frequent in relapsed small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wagner Alex H. , Devarakonda Siddhartha , Skidmore Zachary L. , Krysiak Kilannin , Ramu Avinash , Trani Lee , Kunisaki Jason , Masood Ashiq , Waqar Saiama N. , Spies Nicholas C. , Morgensztern Daniel , Waligorski Jason , Ponce Jennifer , Fulton Robert S. , Maggi Leonard B. , Weber Jason D. , Watson Mark A. , O’Conor Christopher J. , Ritter Jon H. , Olsen Rachelle R. , Cheng Haixia , Mukhopadhyay Anandaroop , Can Ismail , Cessna Melissa H. , Oliver Trudy G. , Mardis Elaine R. , Wilson Richard K. , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi L. , Govindan Ramaswamy
Published: September 2018

Nearly all patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) eventually relapse with chemoresistant disease. The molecular mechanisms driving chemoresistance in SCLC remain un-characterized. Here, we describe whole-exome sequencing of paired SCLC tumor samples procured at diagnosis and relapse from 12 patients, and unpaired relapse samples from 18 additional patients. Multiple somatic copy number alterations, including gains in ABCC1 and deletions in MYCL, MSH2, and MSH6, are identifiable in relapsed samples. Relapse samples also exhibit recurrent mutations and loss of heterozygosity in regulators of WNT signaling, including CHD8 and APC. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data shows enrichment for an ASCL1-low expression subtype and WNT activation in relapse samples. Activation of WNT signaling in chemosensitive human SCLC cell lines through APC knockdown induces chemoresistance. Additionally, in vitro-derived chemoresistant cell lines demonstrate increased WNT activity. Overall, our results suggest WNT signaling activation as a mechanism of chemoresistance in relapsed SCLC.
Author Correction: Post-treatment with PT302, a long-acting Exendin-4 sustained release formulation, reduces dopaminergic neurodegeneration in a 6-Hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chen Shuchun , Yu Seong-Jin , Li Yazhou , Lecca Daniela , Glotfelty Elliot , Kim Hee Kyung , Choi Ho-Il , Hoffer Barry J. , Greig Nigel H. , Kim Dong Seok , Wang Yun
Published: September 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Differential regulation of chloride homeostasis and GABAergic transmission in the thalamus
Authors: Schmidt Tobias , Ghaffarian Nikoo , Philippot Camille , Seifert Gerald , Steinhäuser Christian , Pape Hans-Christian , Blaesse Peter
Published: September 2018

The thalamus is important for sensory integration with the ventrobasal thalamus (VB) as relay controlled by GABAergic projections from the nucleus reticularis thalami (NRT). Depending on the [Cl−]i primarily set by cation-chloride-cotransporters, GABA is inhibitory or excitatory. There is evidence that VB and NRT differ in terms of GABA action, with classical hyperpolarization in VB due to the expression of the Cl− extruder KCC2 and depolarizing/excitatory GABA action in the NRT, where KCC2 expression is low and Cl− accumulation by the Cl− inward transporter NKCC1 has been postulated. However, data on NKCC1 expression and functional analysis of both transporters are missing. We show that KCC2-mediated Cl− extrusion set the [Cl−]i in VB, while NKCC1 did not contribute substantially to Cl− accumulation and depolarizing GABA action in the NRT. The finding that NKCC1 did not play a major role in NRT neurons is of high relevance for ongoing studies on the therapeutic use of NKCC1 inhibitors trying to compensate for a disease-induced up-regulation of NKCC1 that has been described for various brain regions and disease states like epilepsy and chronic pain. These data suggest that NKCC1 inhibitors might have no major effect on healthy NRT neurons due to limited NKCC1 function.
Robust ferromagnetism in hydrogenated graphene mediated by spin-polarized pseudospin
Authors: Kim Hyunyoung , Bang Junhyeok , Kang Joongoo
Published: September 2018

The origin of the ferromagnetism in metal-free graphitic materials has been a decade-old puzzle. The possibility of long-range magnetic order in graphene has been recently questioned by the experimental findings that point defects in graphene, such as fluorine adatoms and vacancies, lead to defect-induced paramagnetism but no magnetic ordering down to 2 K. It remains controversial whether collective magnetic order in graphene can emerge from point defects at finite temperatures. This work provides a new framework for understanding the ferromagnetism in hydrogenated graphene, highlighting the key contribution of the spin-polarized pseudospin as a “mediator” of long-range magnetic interactions in graphene. Using first-principles calculations of hydrogenated graphene, we found that the unique ‘zero-energy’ position of H-induced quasilocalized states enables notable spin polarization of the graphene’s sublattice pseudospin. The pseudospin-mediated magnetic interactions between the H-induced magnetic moments stabilize the two-dimensional ferromagnetic ordering with Curie temperatures of Tc = nH × 34,000 K for the atom percentage nH of H adatoms. These findings show that atomic-scale control of hydrogen adsorption on graphene can give rise to a robust magnetic order.
Effect of inoculated and uninoculated aeration pretreatment on nutrients and phytotoxicity of anaerobic digestion effluent
Authors: Zhang Bangxi , Li Yun , Li Shuyan , Li Guoxue , Sun Qiaoping
Published: September 2018

This study investigates the influence of inoculated and uninoculated aeration pretreatment on nutrients and phytotoxicity of anaerobic digestion (AD) effluent. Swine manure AD effluent was inoculated with activated and anaerobic sludge, respectively. Our results show that aeration with the addition of activated sludge could reduce the phytotoxicity of AD effluent. Compared to the control treatment without any sludge addition, the addition of activated sludge resulted in a more significant reduction in the AD effluent salinity, NH4+ content, and organic matter (indicated by the chemical oxygen demand) when AD effluent was aerated for less than 8 hours. As a result, a much higher seed germination index (GI) was observed for the treatment with activated sludge addition, particularly when aerated for 4–5 hours, contributing the gas/water ratio of 20:1–30:1. On the other hand, no significant differences in the nutrient contents and GI value were observed for the control treatment and that with the addition of anaerobic sludge. Results from this study shed light on optimizing the management of AD effluent for agricultural application.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase Trim13 regulates Nur77 stability via casein kinase 2α
Authors: Huang Bin , Pei Han Zhong , Chang Hyeun-Wook , Baek Suk-Hwan
Published: September 2018

Nur77 is a member of the NR4A subfamily of nuclear receptors and has been shown to regulate various biological processes such as apoptosis and inflammation. Here, we show that Nur77 ubiquitination is mediated by the tripartite motif 13 (Trim13), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. The interaction between Nur77 and Trim13 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Moreover, we found that Lys539 in Nur77 ubiquitination is targeted for Trim13, which leads to Nur77 degradation. The Trim13-mediated ubiquitination of Nur77 was optimal in the presence of the E2 enzyme UbcH5. Importantly, in addition to Trim13-mediated ubiquitination, the stability of Nur77 was also regulated by casein kinase 2α (CK2α). Pharmacological inhibition of CK2 markedly increased Nur77 levels, whereas overexpression of CK2α, but not its inactive mutant, dramatically decreased Nur77 levels by promoting Nur77 ubiquitination. CK2α phosphorylated Ser154 in Nur77 and thereby regulated Nur77 protein levels by promoting its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Importantly, we also show that degradation of Nur77 is involved in TNFα-mediated IL-6 production via CK2α and Trim13. Taken together, these results suggest that the sequential phosphorylation and ubiquitination of Nur77 controls its degradation, and provide a therapeutic approach for regulating Nur77 activity through the CK2α-Trim13 axis as a mechanism to control the inflammatory response.
Silencing of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase (QPT) gene for enhanced production of scopolamine in hairy root culture of Duboisia leichhardtii
Authors: Singh Pooja , Prasad Ratnum , Tewari Rashi , Jaidi Meraj , Kumar Susheel , Rout P. K. , Rahman Laiq ur
Published: September 2018

Scopolamine is a pharmaceutically important tropane alkaloid which is used therapeutically in the form of an anesthetic and antispasmodic drug. The present study demonstrates enhanced scopolamine production from transgenic hairy root clones of Duboisia leichhardtii wherein the expression of quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPT) gene was silenced using the QPT-RNAi construct under the control of CaMV 35 S promoter. The RNAi hairy roots clones viz. P4, P7, P8, and P12 showed the enhanced synthesis of scopolamine with significant inhibition of nicotine biosynthesis. Optimization of culture duration in combination with methyl jasmonate elicitor in different concentrations (50 µM-200 µM) was carried out. Maximum synthesis of scopolamine had obtained from HR clones P7 (8.84 ± 0.117 mg/gm) on the 30th day of cultivation. Conspicuously, elicitation with wound-associated hormone methyl jasmonate enhanced the yield of scopolamine 2.2 fold (19.344 ± 0.275 mg/gm) compared to the culture lacking the elicitor. The transgenic hairy roots cultures established with RNAi mediated silencing of quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase gene provides an alternative approach to increase the yield of scopolamine in fulfilling the demand of this secondary metabolite.
Seafloor crustal deformation data along the subduction zones around Japan obtained by GNSS-A observations
Authors: Yokota Yusuke , Ishikawa Tadashi , Watanabe Shun-ichi
Published: September 2018

Crustal deformation data obtained by geodetic observation networks are foundations in the fields of geodesy and seismology. These data are essential for understanding plate motion and earthquake sources and for simulating earthquake and tsunami scenarios. Although relatively scarce, seafloor geodetic data are particularly important for monitoring the behaviour of undersea interplate boundary regions. Since the mid-1990s, we have been developing the combined Global Navigation Satellite System-Acoustic ranging (GNSS-A) technique for realizing seafloor geodesy. This technique allows us to collect time series of seafloor crustal deformation. Our published data can be used to investigate several seismological phenomena along the subduction zones around Japan, namely the Nankai Trough, Sagami Trough and Japan Trench. These regions are globally important places in geodesy and seismology and are also suitable for comparison with other geophysical datasets. Our intention is for these data to promote further understanding of megathrust zones.
A novel fluorescent aptasensor for ultrasensitive and selective detection of acetamiprid pesticide based on the inner filter effect between gold nanoparticles and carbon dots
Authors: Wang Jinlong , Wu Yuangen , Zhou Pei , Yang Wenping , Tao Han , Qiu Shuyi , Feng Caiwei
Published: September 2018

A novel fluorescent aptasensor based on the inner filter effect of carbon dots has been proposed for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of acetamiprid pesticide in vegetable samples.
Surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) for probing through plastic and tissue barriers using a handheld spectrometer
Authors: Nicolson Fay , Jamieson Lauren E. , Mabbott Samuel , Plakas Konstantinos , Shand Neil C. , Detty Michael R. , Graham Duncan , Faulds Karen
Published: September 2018

Through tissue imaging of a live breast cancer tumour model using handheld surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS).
Single-cell mobility shift electrophoresis reports protein localization to the cell membrane
Authors: Sinkala Elly , Rosàs-Canyelles Elisabet , Herr Amy E.
Published: September 2018

Prepending surface receptor immunostaining with single-cell polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis provides a new tool with which to understand how localization of surface receptor proteins controls the complex regulatory systems in single cells.
Light-activatable dual-source ROS-responsive prodrug nanoplatform for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy
Authors: Yang Bin , Wang Kaiyuan , Zhang Dong , Sun Bingjun , Ji Bin , Wei Lin , Li Zhenbao , Wang Menglin , Zhang Xuanbo , Zhang Haotian , Kan Qiming , Luo Cong , Wang Yongjun , He Zhonggui , Sun Jin
Published: September 2018

In the context of prodrug nanomedicines for cancer therapy, one of the great challenges is the slow and variable release of the parent drug in tumors.
Contribution of the in situ release of endogenous cations from xenograft bone driven by fluoride incorporation toward enhanced bone regeneration
Authors: Qiao Wei , Liu Runheng , Li Zhipeng , Luo Xin , Huang Baoxin , Liu Quan , Chen Zetao , Tsoi James K. H. , Su Yu-xiong , Cheung Kenneth M. C. , Matinlinna Jukka P. , Yeung Kelvin W. K. , Chen Zhuofan
Published: September 2018

Fluoride incorporation in porcine bone-derived biological apatite can change the surrounding microenvironment via in situ ionic exchange, which accelerates bone formation by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Phosphonium hydrogels for controlled release of ionic cargo
Authors: Harrison Tristan D. , Ragogna Paul J. , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2018

Hydrogels containing phosphonium cations were synthesized and demonstrated to electrostatically bind and release anionic drug molecules depending on their structures.
Transition-metal-free multinitrogenation of amides by C–C bond cleavage: a new approach to tetrazoles
Authors: Li Lian-Hua , Niu Zhi-Jie , Li Ying-Xiu , Liang Yong-Min
Published: September 2018

A metal-free brand-new one-pot multinitrogenation of amides for the chemo-, regioselective synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles has been developed.
Correction: A tumor-targeting probe based on a mitophagy process for live imaging
Authors: Gui Lijuan , Yuan Zhenwei , Kassaye Habtamu , Zheng Jinrong , Yao Yuxin , Wang Fei , He Qing , Shen Yuanzhi , Liang Li , Chen Haiyan
Published: September 2018

Correction for ‘A tumor-targeting probe based on a mitophagy process for live imaging’ by Lijuan Gui et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 9675–9678.
Controllable growth of two-dimensional WSe2 using salt as co-solvent
Authors: Wang Xiangzhuo , Li Yongkai , Zhuo La , Zheng Jingchuan , Peng Xianglin , Jiao Zefeng , Xiong Xiaolu , Han Junfeng , Xiao Wende
Published: September 2018

Various structures of two-dimensional (2D) WSe2 were controllably grown in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system.
Polyoxovanadate catalysts for oxidation of 1-phenyl ethanol: from the discrete [V4O12]4− and [V10O28]6− anions to the anionic [V6O17]n4n− coordination polymer
Authors: Wang Ke , Xu Qiaofei , Ma Pengtao , Zhang Chao , Wang Jingping , Niu Jingyang
Published: September 2018

The hybrids assembled from {Ru(phen)3} complexes and POV anions via electrostatic interactions have been systematically investigated, and we found that compounds 1 and 3 can be employed as efficient catalysts for the oxidation reaction of 1-phenyl ethanol to acetophenone.
Separation of mono-dispersed CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite quantum dots via dissolution of nanocrystals
Authors: Umemoto Kazuki , Takeda Masaki , Tezuka Yuki , Chiba Takayuki , White Matthew Schuette , Inose Tomoko , Yoshida Tsukasa , Asakura Satoshi , Toyouchi Shuichi , Uji-i Hiroshi , Masuhara Akito
Published: September 2018

Monodispersed perovskite quantum dots were prepared via dissolution of nanocrystals.
Novel pharmaceutical salts of albendazole
Authors: Bolla Geetha , Nangia Ashwini
Published: September 2018

Novel pharmaceutical salts of albendazole drugs are crystallized with sulfonic acids and carboxylic acids. The disorder of the thiopropyl chain in the parent crystal structure is resolved in the salt crystal structures.
Cu(i) vs. Ru(ii) photosensitizers: elucidation of electron transfer processes within a series of structurally related complexes containing an extended π-system
Authors: Zhang Ying , Traber Philipp , Zedler Linda , Kupfer Stephan , Gräfe Stefanie , Schulz Martin , Frey Wolfgang , Karnahl Michael , Dietzek Benjamin
Published: September 2018

The charge transfer behavior of heteroleptic Cu(i) photosensitizers was investigated by spectroelectrochemistry and compared to their structurally related Ru(ii) complexes.
Two-photon chiro-optical properties of gold Au25 nanoclusters
Authors: Olesiak-Banska Joanna , Waszkielewicz Magdalena , Samoc Marek
Published: September 2018

We present measurements of two-photon linear-circular dichroism (2PLCD) and two-photon circular dichroism (2PCD) of Au25Capt18, with 2PCD being higher than 1PCD.
Smoothing the single-crystal to single-crystal conversions of a two-dimensional metal–organic framework via the hetero-metal doping of the linear trimetallic secondary building unit
Authors: Chao Meng-Yao , Chen Jing , Young David J. , Zhang Wen-Hua , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2018

Doping of Co2+ in the linear Cd3 cluster secondary building units lowers the single-crystal to single-crystal conversion reactivity of the resulting metal–organic framework.
Degradation of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols in microcosms simulating a spill of produced water in shallow groundwater
Authors: Rogers Jessica D. , Thurman E. Michael , Ferrer Imma , Rosenblum James S. , Evans Morgan V. , Mouser Paula J. , Ryan Joseph N.
Published: September 2018

Polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and their degradation products could be utilized to better characterize shallow groundwater contamination following a spill of produced water.
Modeling coupled kinetics of antimony adsorption/desorption and oxidation on manganese oxides
Authors: Shi Zhenqing , Peng Shimeng , Wang Pei , Sun Qian , Wang Yujun , Lu Guining , Dang Zhi
Published: September 2018

We developed a quantitative model for assessing the coupling between Sb(iii) oxidation and Sb(iii)/Sb(v) adsorption/desorption kinetics at the MnO2–water interface.
Phenotypic and transcriptional responses associated with multi-generation exposure of Folsomia candida to engineered nanomaterials
Authors: Noordhoek Jeroen W. , Pipicelli Fabrizia , Barone Ida , Franken Oscar , Montagne-Wajer Kora , Mariën Janine , Verweij Rudo A. , van Gestel Cornelis A. M. , van Straalen Nico M. , Roelofs Dick
Published: September 2018

This article shows the phenotypic and transcriptional effects of multi-generation nanomaterial exposure to the springtail Folsomia candida.
Silica-supported HClO4 promotes catalytic solvent- and metal-free O–H insertion reactions with diazo compounds
Authors: Gallo Rafael Douglas C. , Burtoloso Antonio C. B.
Published: September 2018

An eco-friendly and metal-free protocol to perform O–H insertion reactions, using only 0.3 mol% of a recyclable silica-immobilized BrØnsted acid is described.
Millifluidic culture improves human midbrain organoid vitality and differentiation
Authors: Berger Emanuel , Magliaro Chiara , Paczia Nicole , Monzel Anna S. , Antony Paul , Linster Carole L. , Bolognin Silvia , Ahluwalia Arti , Schwamborn Jens C.
Published: September 2018

The use of millifluidics technology for human midbrain organoid cultures reduces central cell death and increases dopaminergic neuron differentiation.
Correction: Design, synthesis, and evaluation of bitopic arylpiperazine-phthalimides as selective dopamine D3 receptor agonists
Authors: Cao Yongkai , Sun Ningning , Zhang Jiumei , Liu Zhiguo , Tang Yi-zhe , Wu Zhengzhi , Kim Kyeong-Man , Cheon Seung Hoon
Published: September 2018

Correction for 'Design, synthesis, and evaluation of bitopic arylpiperazine-phthalimides as selective dopamine D3 receptor agonists' by Yongkai Cao et al., Med. Chem. Commun., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8md00237a.
A coupled effect of dehydration and electrostatic interactions on selective ion transport through charged nanochannels
Authors: Wang Mao , Shen Wenhao , Ding Siyuan , Wang Xue , Wang Zhong , Wang Yugang , Liu Feng
Published: September 2018

The interplay between dehydration and electrostatic interactions leads to a switch in ion selectivity in nanochannels as the surface charge density increases.
Enantioselective synthesis of α-perfluoroalkylated prolines, their 6,7-membered homologues and derivatives
Authors: Voznesenskaia Natalia G. , Shmatova Olga I. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Nenajdenko Valentine G.
Published: September 2018

The highly enantioselective Strecker reaction with alpha-perfluoroalkylated cyclic ketimines was reported. The corresponding asymmetric cyclic nitriles are a useful tool for obtaining amino acids and their derivatives.
Dimericursones A and B: two unprecedented hexacyclic dimeric diterpenoids from the root barks of Jatropha curcas
Authors: Liu Jie-Qing , Xu Ying , Xiao Qin , Huang Jin-Di , Ma Jun-Jie , Lian Chen-Lei , Huang Mei-Ying , Du Zhen-bo , Wang Cui-Fang
Published: September 2018

Two unprecedented hexacyclic dimeric diterpenoids from Jatropha curcas and 2 showed significant NO inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 5.65 μM.
Synthesis of difluoromethylated enynes by the reaction of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with terminal alkynes
Authors: Wu Mingsheng , Zhao Xianghu , Liu Yisen , Cao Song
Published: September 2018

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of difluoromethylated enynes by the reaction of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with terminal alkynes with the assistance of NaOtBu was developed.
Synthesis of transition-metal-free and sulfur-free nanoparticles and nanocapsules via reversible complexation mediated polymerization (RCMP) and polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA)
Authors: Sarkar Jit , Xiao Longqiang , Jackson Alexander W. , van Herk Alexander M. , Goto Atsushi
Published: September 2018

Transition-metal-free and sulfur-free synthesis of spheres, worms, and vesicles via the combination of organocatalyzed living radical polymerization and PISA.
New synthetic strategies to prepare metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Li Peng , Cheng Fang-Fang , Xiong Wei-Wei , Zhang Qichun
Published: September 2018

This critical review summarizes the recent developments in the application of new synthetic strategies for preparing MOFs, including the ionothermal method, deep eutectic solvent usage, surfactant-thermal process, and mechanochemistry.
Large electrocaloric response and energy storage study in environmentally friendly (1 − x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3–xLaNbO3 nanocrystalline ceramics
Authors: Kumar Raju , Kumar Ashish , Singh Satyendra
Published: September 2018

An electrocaloric material with a negative and positive electrocaloric effect (ECE) is identified to be a high potential candidate for solid-state refrigeration technology due to a changing dipolar entropy under a varying electric field.
Reverse relationships of water uptake and alkaline durability with hydrophilicity of imidazolium-based grafted anion-exchange membranes
Authors: Yoshimura Kimio , Zhao Yue , Hiroki Akihiro , Kishiyama Yoshihiro , Shishitani Hideyuki , Yamaguchi Susumu , Tanaka Hirohisa , Koizumi Satoshi , Houston Judith E. , Radulescu Aurel , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Richter Dieter , Maekawa Yasunari
Published: September 2018

We found unprecedented reverse relationships in anion-exchange membranes that the increase in hydrophobicity increased water uptake and susceptibility to hydrolysis.
Constructing a hexagonal copper-coin-shaped NiCoSe2@NiO@CoNi2S4@CoS2 hybrid nanoarray on nickel foam as a robust oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst
Authors: Xu Zhoufeng , Pan Hailong , Lin Yu , Yang Zhi , Wang Jinlei , Gong Yaqiong
Published: September 2018

The as-obtained hexagonal copper-coin-shaped NiCoSe2@NiO@CoNi2S4@CoS2 electrode can serve as a high-performance electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction under electrochemical reaction conditions.
A graphene oxide-mediated polyelectrolyte with high ion-conductivity for highly stretchable and self-healing all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Jin Xuting , Sun Guoqiang , Yang Hongsheng , Zhang Guofeng , Xiao Yukun , Gao Jian , Zhang Zhipan , Qu Liangti
Published: September 2018

New polyelectrolytes based on polyacrylic acid cross-linked by methacrylated graphene oxide enable the fabrication of self-healing supercapacitors and stretchable supercapacitors.
A high-volumetric-capacity and high-areal-capacity ZnCo2O4 anode for Li-ion batteries enabled by a robust biopolymer binder
Authors: Liu Jie , Xuan Yuxue , Galpaya Dilini G. D. , Gu Yuanxiang , Lin Zhan , Zhang Shanqing , Yan Cheng , Feng Shouhua , Wang Lei
Published: September 2018

A high-loading ZnCo2O4 anode has been achieved via in situ formation of a robust network between the guar gum binder and micro-ZnCo2O4.
Solvent-engineering toward CsPb(IxBr1−x)3films for high-performance inorganic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Yu Bingcheng , Zhang Huiyin , Wu Jionghua , Li Yusheng , Li Hongshi , Li Yiming , Shi Jiangjian , Wu Huijue , Li Dongmei , Luo Yanhong , Meng Qingbo
Published: September 2018

13.27% conversion efficiency of CsPb(IxBr1−x)3perovskite solar cells has been achieved by using dimethyl sulfoxide as an additive.
Correction: CO2-promoted hydrogen production in a protonic ceramic electrolysis cell
Authors: Danilov Nikolay , Tarutin Arthem , Lyagaeva Julia , Vdovin Gennady , Medvedev Dmitry
Published: September 2018

Correction for ‘CO2-promoted hydrogen production in a protonic ceramic electrolysis cell’ by Nikolay Danilov et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 16341–16346.
Influence of solvent additive on the chemical and electronic environment of wide bandgap perovskite thin films
Authors: Singh Shivam , Kabra Dinesh
Published: September 2018

We provide in-depth insight into the role of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) as a solvent additive in wide bandgap CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3) films which results in altering the kinetics of crystal growth.
Revisiting the role of cholesterol in regulating the pore-formation mechanism of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin, a membrane-damaging β-barrel pore-forming toxin
Authors: Kathuria Reema , Mondal Anish Kumar , Sharma Rohan , Bhattacharyya Samarjit , Chattopadhyay Kausik
Published: September 2018

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) is a β-barrel pore-forming toxin with potent membrane-damaging cell-killing activity. Previous studies employing the model membranes of lipid vesicles (liposomes) have shown that pore formation by VCC requires the presence of cholesterol in the liposome membranes. However, the exact role of cholesterol in the mode of action of VCC still remains unclear. Most importantly, implication of cholesterol, if any, in regulating the pore-formation mechanism of VCC in the biomembranes of eukaryotic cells remains unexplored. Here, we show that the presence of cholesterol promotes the interaction of VCC with the membrane lipid bilayer, when non-lipid-dependent interactions are absent. However, in the case of biomembranes of human erythrocytes, where accessory interactions are available, cholesterol appears to play a less critical role in the binding step. Nevertheless, in the absence of an optimal level of membrane cholesterol in the human erythrocytes, membrane-bound fraction of the toxin remains trapped in the form of abortive oligomeric assembly, devoid of functional pore-forming activity. Our study also shows that VCC exhibits a prominent propensity to associate with the cholesterol-rich membrane micro-domains of human erythrocytes. Interestingly, mutation of the cholesterol-binding ability of VCC does not block association with the cholesterol-rich membrane micro-domains on human erythrocytes. Based on these results, we propose that the specific cholesterol-binding ability of VCC does not appear to dictate its association with the cholesterol-rich micro-domains on human erythrocytes. Rather, targeting of VCC toward the membrane micro-domains of human erythrocytes possibly acts to facilitate the cholesterol-dependent pore-formation mechanism of the toxin.
Predicting vacant parking space availability: an SVR method with fruit fly optimisation
Authors: Fan Junkai , Hu Qian , Tang Zhenzhou
Published: September 2018

In this study, a novel prediction model for the number of vacant parking spaces after a specific period of time is proposed based on support vector regression (SVR) with fruit fly optimisation algorithm (FOA). In the proposed model, the SVR parameters are initialised as the fruit fly population, and FOA is utilised to search the optimal parameters for SVR. Sufficient experiments within various scenarios, i.e. predicting the vacant parking space availability in parking lots with various capacities after various periods of time, have been conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed FOA‐SVR prediction model. Three other commonly used prediction models, i.e. backpropagation neural network (NN), extreme learning machine and wavelet NN, are used as the comparison models. The experimental results show that the proposed FOA‐SVR method has higher accuracy and stability in all the prediction scenarios.
Multi‐objective optimisation of electro–hydraulic braking system based on MOEA/D algorithm
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Zhao Wanzhong , Li Wenkui , Yu Leiyan
Published: September 2018

The electro–hydraulic composite braking system of the electric vehicle can effectively collect the wasted energy by the regenerative braking to improve the endurance mileage. In this study, according to the characteristic of the electro–hydraulic composite braking system, the energy flow processes are analysed, which includes the energy recovery generated by motor regenerative braking and energy consumption of the hydraulic braking system, such as hydraulic pump, brake line and brake valve. Based on this, the brake sense, energy recovery and loss are proposed as the evaluation index, and their quantitative formula are derived. Taking the brake sense and energy as the optimisation objectives, and ECEregulations as the constraints, the parameters of electro–hydraulic composite braking system are optimised‐based on a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D). The simulation results show that the electro–hydraulic composite braking system optimised by the MOEA/D algorithm can decrease the energy loss and make the driver obtain a better brake sense, which improves the comprehensive performance of the system. The research of this study can provide a certain basis for the design and optimisation of electro–hydraulic composite braking system.
Traffic sign recognition using weighted multi‐convolutional neural network
Authors: Natarajan Sudha , Annamraju Abhishek Kumar , Baradkar Chaitree Sham
Published: September 2018

Traffic signs play a crucial role in regulating traffic and facilitating cautious driving. Automatic traffic sign recognition is one of the key tasks in autonomous driving. Accuracy in the classification of traffic signs is therefore very important for the navigation of a vehicle. Here, a reliable and robust convolutional neural network (CNN) is presented for classifying these signs. The proposed classifier is a weighted multi‐CNN trained with a novel methodology. It achieves a near state‐of‐the‐art recognition rate of 99.59% when tested on the German traffic sign recognition benchmark dataset. Compared to the existing classifiers, the proposed one is a low‐complexity network that recognises a test image in 10 ms when running on an NVIDIA 980 Ti GPU system. The results demonstrate its suitability and reliability in high‐speed driving scenarios.
Improved algorithms for trip‐chain estimation using massive student behaviour data from urban transit systems
Authors: Cong Jiamin , Gao Linjie , Juan Zhicai
Published: September 2018

With bus global positioning system data and smart‐card data, this study puts forward improved algorithms to further increase the success rate of alighting stop identification for the student group, so that trip chains and origin‐destination (OD) matrixes of students can be obtained with the high estimated rate. Aimed at the student group, after using and generalising conventional alighting algorithms, this study innovatively utilises resident and non‐resident students’ typical trip patterns to further increase the success estimated rate. As a result, the algorithms are verified with a correct estimation of 74.9%, where the success rate steeply increases by 8.6% through the method based on students’ typical trip patterns. The empirical analysis and application have shown that the methodology can observe the trip chains of students and optimise the bus service for students. In the future, OD matrixes obtained should be validated with bus OD surveys, and traffic system of metro and shared bikes as well as other datasets such as land use data will be taken into consideration.
The WIRCam Ultra Deep Survey (WUDS)
Authors: Pelló R. , Hudelot P. , Laporte N. , Mellier Y. , McCracken H. J. , Balcells M. , Boone F. , Cardiel N. , Gallego J. , Garzón F. , Guzmán R. , Le Borgne J. F. , Prieto M. , Richard J. , Schaerer D. , Tresse L. , Arnouts S. , Cuby J. G. , Disseau K. , Hayes M.
Published: September 2018

The aim of this paper is to introduce the WIRCam Ultra Deep Survey (WUDS), a near-IR photometric survey carried out at the CFH Telescope in the field of the CFHTLS-D3 field (Groth Strip). WUDS includes four near-IR bands (Y, J, H and Ks) over a field of view of ∼400 arcmin2. The typical depth of WUDS data reaches between ∼26.8 in Y and J, and ∼26 in H and Ks (AB, 3σ in 1.3″ aperture), whereas the corresponding depth of the CFHTLS-D3 images in this region ranges between 28.6 and 29 in ugr, 28.2 in i and 27.1 in z (same S/N and aperture). The area and depth of this survey were specifically tailored to set strong constraints on the cosmic star formation rate and the luminosity function brighter or around L⋆ in the z ∼ 6 − 10 redshift domain, although these data are also useful for a variety of extragalactic projects. This first paper is intended to present the properties of the public WUDS survey in details: catalog building, completeness and depth, number counts, photometric redshifts, and global properties of the galaxy population. We have also concentrated on the selection and characterization of galaxy samples at z ∼ [4.5 − 7] in this field. For these purposes, we include an adjacent shallower area of ∼1260 arcmin2 in this region, extracted from the WIRCam Deep Survey (WIRDS), and observed in J, H and Ks bands. UV luminosity functions were derived at z ∼ 5 and z ∼ 6 taking advantage from the fact that WUDS covers a particularly interesting regime at intermediate luminosities, which allows a combined determination of M⋆ and Φ⋆ with increased accuracy. Our results on the luminosity function are consistent with a small evolution of both M⋆ and Φ⋆ between z = 5 and z = 6, irrespective of the method used to derive them, either photometric redshifts applied to blindly-selected dropout samples or the classical Lyman Break Galaxy color-preselected samples. Our results lend support to higher Φ⋆ determinations at z = 6 than usually reported. The selection and combined analysis of different galaxy samples at z ≥ 7 will be presented in a forthcoming paper, as well as the evolution of the UV luminosity function between z ∼ 4.5 and 9. WUDS is intended to provide a robust database in the near-IR for the selection of targets for detailed spectroscopic studies, in particular for the EMIR/GTC GOYA Survey.
ATHOS: On-the-fly stellar parameter determination of FGK stars based on flux ratios from optical spectra
Authors: Hanke Michael , Hansen Camilla J. , Koch Andreas , Grebel Eva K.
Published: September 2018

The rapidly increasing number of stellar spectra obtained by existing and future large-scale spectroscopic surveys feeds a demand for fast and efficient tools for the spectroscopic determination of fundamental stellar parameters. Such tools should not only comprise customized solutions for one particular survey or instrument, but, in order to enable cross-survey comparability, they should also be capable of dealing with spectra from a variety of spectrographs, resolutions, and wavelength coverages. To meet these ambitious specifications, we developed ATHOS (A Tool for HOmogenizing Stellar parameters), a fundamentally new analysis tool that adopts easy-to-use, computationally inexpensive analytical relations tying flux ratios (FRs) of designated wavelength regions in optical spectra to the stellar parameters effective temperature (T
eff), iron abundance ([Fe/H]), and surface gravity (log g). Our T
eff estimator is based on FRs from nine pairs of wavelength ranges around the Balmer lines Hβ and Hα, while for [Fe/H] and log g we provide 31 and 11 FRs, respectively, which are spread between ∼4800 Å and ∼6500 Å; a region covered by most optical surveys. The analytical relations employing these FRs were trained on N = 124 real spectra of a stellar benchmark sample that covers a large parameter space of T
eff ≈ 4000–6500 K (spectral types F to K), [Fe/H] ≈ −4.5 to 0.3 dex, and log g ≈ 1–5 dex, which at the same time reflects ATHOS’ range of applicability. We find accuracies of 97 K for T
eff, 0.16 dex for [Fe/H], and 0.26 dex for log g, which are merely bounded by finite uncertainties in the training sample parameters. ATHOS’ internal precisions can be better by up to 70%. We tested ATHOS on six independent large surveys spanning a wide range of resolutions (R = λ/Δ
λ ≈ 2000–52 000), amongst which are the Gaia-ESO and the SDSS/SEGUE surveys. The exceptionally low execution time (< 30 ms per spectrum per CPU core) together with a comparison to the literature parameters showed that ATHOS can successfully achieve its main objectives, in other words fast stellar parametrization with cross-survey validity, high accuracy, and high precision. These are key to homogenize the output from future surveys, such as 4MOST or WEAVE.