bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intradermal administration of IL-33 induces allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Han Hongwei , Ziegler Steven F.
Published: May 2017

Approximately half of all atopic dermatitis (AD) patients subsequently develop asthma, particularly those with severe AD. This association, suggesting a role for AD as an entry point for subsequent allergic disease, is a phenomenon known as the “atopic march”. While the underlying cause of the atopic march remains unknown, recent evidence suggests that epithelial cell (EC)-derived cytokines play a major role. We showed that mice exposed to antigen through the skin, in the presence of IL-33, developed antigen-specific airway inflammation when later challenged in the lung. IL-33 signaling was dispensable during effector/challenge phase. These data reveal critical roles for IL-33 in the “atopic march” and will offer a new therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of allergic asthma.
Effects of smoking and smoking abstinence on spatial vision in chronic heavy smokers
Authors: Fernandes Thiago Monteiro de Paiva , Almeida Natalia Leandro de , Santos Natanael Antonio dos
Published: May 2017

Cigarette smoke is a complex chemical mixture, involving health-damaging components such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, pyridine, toluene and nicotine. While cognitive functions have been well documented in heavy smokers, spatial vision has been less characterized. In the article, we investigated smoking effects through contrast sensitivity function (CSF), a rigorous procedure that measures the spatial vision. Data were recorded from 48 participants, a group of non-smokers (n = 16), a group of chronic and heavy cigarette smokers (n = 16) and deprived smokers (n = 16); age range 20–45 years. Sinewave gratings with spatial frequencies ranging from 0.25 to 20 cycles per degree were used. All subjects were free from any neurological disorder, identifiable ocular disease and had normal acuity. No abnormalities were detected in the fundoscopic examination and in the optical coherence tomography exam. Contrary to expectations, performance on CSF differed between groups. Both smokers and deprived smokers presented a loss of contrast sensitivity compared to non-smokers. Post-hoc analyses suggest that deprived smokers were less sensitive at all spatial frequencies. These results suggest that not only chronic exposure to cigarette compounds but also withdrawal from nicotine affected spatial vision. This highlights the importance of understanding diffuse effects of smoking compounds on visual spatial processing.
Measurement of local temperature increments induced by cultured HepG2 cells with micro-thermocouples in a thermally stabilized system
Authors: Yang Fan , Li Gang , Yang Jiamin , Wang Zhenhai , Han Danhong , Zheng Fengjie , Xu Shengyong
Published: May 2017

To monitor the temperature distribution of a cell and its changes under varied conditions is currently a technical challenge. A variety of non-contact methods used for measuring cellular temperature have been developed, where changes of local temperature at cell-level and sub-cell-level are indirectly calculated through the changes in intensity, band-shape, bandwidth, lifetime or polarization anisotropy of the fluorescence spectra recorded from the nano-sized fluorescent materials pre-injected into the target cell. Unfortunately, the optical properties of the fluorescent nano-materials may be affected by complicated intracellular environment, leading to unexpected measurement errors and controversial arguments. Here, we attempted to offer an alternative approach for measuring the absolute increments of local temperature in micro-Testing Zones induced by live cells. In this method, built-in high-performance micro-thermocouple arrays and double-stabilized system with a stability of 10 mK were applied. Increments of local temperature close to adherent human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells were continuously recorded for days without stimulus, showing frequent fluctuations within 60 mK and a maximum increment by 285 mK. This method may open a door for real-time recording of the absolute local temperature increments of individual cells, therefore offering valuable information for cell biology and clinical therapy in the field of cancer research.
Mangrove dieback during fluctuating sea levels
Authors: Lovelock Catherine E. , Feller Ilka C. , Reef Ruth , Hickey Sharyn , Ball Marilyn C.
Published: May 2017

Recent evidence indicates that climate change and intensification of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has increased variation in sea level. Although widespread impacts on intertidal ecosystems are anticipated to arise from the sea level seesaw associated with climate change, none have yet been demonstrated. Intertidal ecosystems, including mangrove forests are among those ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to sea level rise, but they may also be vulnerable to sea level variability and extreme low sea level events. During 16 years of monitoring of a mangrove forest in Mangrove Bay in north Western Australia, we documented two forest dieback events, the most recent one being coincident with the large-scale dieback of mangroves in the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia. Diebacks in Mangrove Bay were coincident with periods of very low sea level, which were associated with increased soil salinization of 20–30% above pre-event levels, leading to canopy loss, reduced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and reduced recruitment. Our study indicates that an intensification of ENSO will have negative effects on some mangrove forests in parts of the Indo-Pacific that will exacerbate other pressures.
Genetic structure of Cercospora beticola populations on Beta vulgaris in New York and Hawaii
Authors: Vaghefi Niloofar , Nelson Scot C. , Kikkert Julie R. , Pethybridge Sarah J.
Published: May 2017

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused byCercospora beticola, is a major disease ofBeta vulgarisworldwide. No sexual stage is known forC. beticolabut in its asexual form it overwinters on infected plant debris as pseudostromata, and travels short distances by rain splash-dispersed conidiospores.Cercospora beticolainfects a broad range of host species and may be seedborne. The relative contribution of these inoculum sources to CLS epidemics on table beet is not well understood. Pathogen isolates collected from table beet, Swiss chard and common lambsquarters in mixed-cropping farms and monoculture fields in New York and Hawaii, USA, were genotyped (n = 600) using 12 microsatellite markers. All isolates from CLS symptoms on lambsquarters were identified asC. chenopodii. Sympatric populations ofC. beticoladerived from Swiss chard and table beet were not genetically differentiated. Results suggested that local (within field) inoculum sources may be responsible for the initiation of CLS epidemics in mixed-cropping farms, whereas external sources of inoculum may be contributing to CLS epidemics in the monoculture fields in New York. New multiplex PCR assays were developed for mating-type determination forC. beticola. Implications of these findings for disease management are discussed.
Hepatic estrogen receptor α is critical for regulation of gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism in males
Authors: Qiu Shuiqing , Vazquez Juliana Torrens , Boulger Erin , Liu Haiyun , Xue Ping , Hussain Mehboob Ali , Wolfe Andrew
Published: May 2017

Impaired estrogens action is associated with features of the metabolic syndrome in animal models and humans. We sought to determine whether disruption of hepatic estrogens action in adult male mice could recapitulate aspects of the metabolic syndrome to understand the mechanistic basis for the phenotype. We found 17β-estradiol (E2) inhibited hepatic gluconeogenic genes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck-1) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and this effect was absent in mice lacking liver estrogen receptor α (Esr1) (LERKO mice). Male LERKO mice displayed elevated hepatic gluconeogenic activity and fasting hyperglycemia. We also observed increased liver lipid deposits and triglyceride levels in male LERKO mice, resulting from increased hepatic lipogenesis as reflected by increased mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (Fas) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1). ChIP assay demonstrated estradiol (E2) induced ESR1 binding to Pck-1, G6Pase, Fas and Acc1 promoters. Metabolic phenotyping demonstrated both basal metabolic rate and feeding were lower for the LERKO mice as compared to Controls. Furthermore, the respiratory exchange rate was significantly lower in LERKO mice than in Controls, suggesting an increase in lipid oxidation. Our data indicate that hepatic E2/ESR1 signaling plays a key role in the maintenance of gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism in males.
Enhancing the Oxidation of Toluene with External Electric Fields: a Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Tan Shen , Xia Tao , Shi Yao , Pfaendtner Jim , Zhao Shuangliang , He Yi
Published: May 2017

The effects of external electric field (Efield) on chemical reactions were studied with the reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF MD) simulations by using the oxidation of toluene as a model system. We observed that Efields may greatly enhance the oxidation rate of toluene. The initial reaction time of toluene is also reduced remarkably in Efields. A stronger Efield leads to a faster oxidation rate of toluene. Further studies reveal that the applying of a Efield may result in the oxidation of toluene at 2100 K which is otherwise not able to happen when the Efield is not present. The oxidation rate of toluene at 2100 K in a Efield is comparable with the oxidation rate of toluene at 2900 K when the Efield is not applied. In addition, Efields were observed to significantly enhance the occurrence of the initial radical generation for different pathways of toluene oxidation but they do not seem to favor any of the pathways. Finally, Efields do not seem to enhance the polarization of toluene during its transition state, which suggests that a polarizable charge equilibration method (PQEq) method might be needed to take the effects of Efields into consideration.
Correction: Corrigendum: Genetic Variants Identified from Epilepsy of Unknown Etiology in Chinese Children by Targeted Exome Sequencing
Authors: Wang Yimin , Du Xiaonan , Bin Rao , Yu Shanshan , Xia Zhezhi , Zheng Guo , Zhong Jianmin , Zhang Yunjian , Jiang Yong-hui , Wang Yi
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 40319; published online: 11 January 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 This Article contains a typographical error in the Results section under subheading “Targeted exome sequencing”, where: “Through this filtering process, we identified 24 SNVs [2 families (S86 and D1422) have compound heterozygotes and 2 families (D1339 and D1433) have more than 1 SNV] from 16 patients that are pathogenic or likely pathogenic (Table 1)”.
Correction: Corrigendum: Evidence for history-dependence of influenza pandemic emergence
Authors: Hill Edward M. , Tildesley Michael J. , House Thomas
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43623; published online: 02 March 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 This Article contains errors in Reference 11 which was incorrectly given as: World Health Organisation. Frequently Asked Questions on human infection caused by the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. URL http://www.
Correction: Corrigendum: Non-collinear magnetic structure of manganese quadruple perovskite CdMn7O12
Authors: Guo H. , Fernández-Díaz M. T. , Zhou L. , Yin Y. , Long Y. , Komarek A. C.
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 45939; published online: 05 April 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author M. T. Fernández-Díaz, which was incorrectly given as M. T. Fernández-Daz. This error has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: Identifying mutations in Tunisian families with retinal dystrophy
Authors: Habibi Imen , Chebil Ahmed , Falfoul Yosra , Allaman-Pillet Nathalie , Kort Fedra , Schorderet Daniel F. , Matri Leila El
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37455; published online: 22 November 2016; updated: 04 May 2017 This Article contains errors. The position of the mutation p.(R91W); (V172D) was incorrectly calculated, taking as a starting point the beginning of cDNA rather than the start codon. The correct position of the mutation is c.
Correction: Corrigendum: Functional solid additive modified PEDOT:PSS as an anode buffer layer for enhanced photovoltaic performance and stability in polymer solar cells
Authors: Xu Binrui , Gopalan Sai-Anand , Gopalan Anantha-Iyengar , Muthuchamy Nallal , Lee Kwang-Pill , Lee Jae-Sung , Jiang Yu , Lee Sang-Won , Kim Sae-Wan , Kim Ju-Seong , Jeong Hyun-Min , Kwon Jin-Beom , Bae Jin-Hyuk , Kang Shin-Won
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 45079; published online: 24 March 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Jin-Beom Kwon, which was incorrectly given as Jin-Beon Kwon. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying phenotypic differences in pulmonary radioresponse
Authors: Jackson Isabel L. , Zhang Yuji , Bentzen Søren M. , Hu Jingping , Zhang Angel , Vujaskovic Zeljko
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 36579; published online: 15 November 2016; updated: 04 May 2017 This Article contains errors. In the legend of Figure 1, “1.25 cGy min−1” should read: “1.25 Gy min−1”. In addition, in the Methods section under subheading ‘Animals and Radiation Exposure’, “For serial tissue analysis, age and sex-matched C57BL/6J and C57L/J mice at 10–12 weeks of age were irradiated to the whole lung with a single dose of 15 Gy of 320 kVp X-rays at a dose rate of 1.
Correction: Corrigendum: Genome-wide identification and functional prediction of cold and/or drought-responsive lncRNAs in cassava
Authors: Li Shuxia , Yu Xiang , Lei Ning , Cheng Zhihao , Zhao Pingjuan , He Yuke , Wang Wenquan , Peng Ming
Published: May 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 45981; published online: 07 April 2017; updated: 04 May 2017 The original version of this Article contained errors. An affiliation for Xiang Yu was omitted. The correct affiliations are listed below: National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Shanghai), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
CO2adsorption on different organo-modified SBA-15 silicas: a multidisciplinary study on the effects of basic surface groups
Authors: Gatti G. , Costenaro D. , Vittoni C. , Paul G. , Crocellà V. , Mangano E. , Brandani S. , Bordiga S. , Cossi M. , Marchese L. , Bisio C.
Published: May 2017

A combined experimental and computational approach was used to study the reactivity of basic SBA-15 materials towards CO2.
Label-free detection of anti-estrogen receptor alpha and its binding with estrogen receptor peptide alpha by terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Li Mingliang , Chang Tianying , Wei Dongshan , Tang Mingjie , Yan Shihan , Du Chunlei , Cui Hong-Liang
Published: May 2017

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopic techniques were employed to study the hydration shell formation around anti-estrogen receptor alpha (AER-α) and to detect the binding reaction between AER-α and estrogen receptor peptide alpha (ERP-α).
Quantum dot-based sensitive detection of disease specific exosome in serum
Authors: Boriachek Kseniia , Islam Md. Nazmul , Gopalan Vinod , Lam Alfred K. , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A.
Published: May 2017

We report a stripping voltammetric immunoassay for the electrochemical detection of disease specific exosomes using quantum dots as electrochemical signal amplifiers.
DART-MS analysis of inorganic explosives using high temperature thermal desorption
Authors: Forbes Thomas P. , Sisco Edward , Staymates Matthew , Gillen Greg
Published: May 2017

Coupling resistive heating thermal desorption and direct analysis in real time demonstrated trace mass spectrometric detection of inorganic oxidizer explosives.
Optimization of a polydopamine (PD)-based coating method and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates for improved mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency maintenance and cardiac differentiation
Authors: Fu Jiayin , Chuah Yon Jin , Ang Wee Tong , Zheng Nan , Wang Dong-An
Published: May 2017

Optimization of a polydopamine (PD)-based coating method and PDMS substrates for improved ESC pluripotency maintenance and cardiac differentiation.
Ionic liquid/H2O-mediated synthesis of mesoporous organic polymers and their application in methylation of amines
Authors: Yu Xiaoxiao , Yang Zhenzhen , Zhang Hongye , Yu Bo , Zhao Yanfei , Liu Zhenghui , Ji Guipeng , Liu Zhimin
Published: May 2017

Mesoporous Tröger's base-functionalized organic polymers were prepared using a sulfonic acid group functionalized ionic liquid/H2O system without any templates and surfactants.
Binding groups for highly ordered SAM formation: carboxylic versus thiol
Authors: Krzykawska A. , Ossowski J. , Żaba T. , Cyganik P.
Published: May 2017

Carboxylic molecules can form in a short time very stable and much better ordered SAMs than thiol analogues.
Alkynyl sulfoxides as α-sulfinyl carbene equivalents: gold-catalysed oxidative cyclopropanation
Authors: Barrett Matthew J. , Khan Ghulam F. , Davies Paul W. , Grainger Richard S.
Published: May 2017

Gold catalysed oxidation of alkynyl sulfoxides provides access to a desirable α-sulfinyl metal carbene reactivity profile that is inaccessible using diazo chemistry.
A near-room-temperature organic–inorganic hybrid ferroelectric: [C6H5CH2CH2NH3]2[CdI4]
Authors: Huang Bo , Sun Lin-Ying , Wang Sha-Sha , Zhang Jian-Yu , Ji Cheng-Min , Luo Jun-Hua , Zhang Wei-Xiong , Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: May 2017

The features of synchronously switchable dielectric constant, SHG, and pyroelectric current provide a promising multifunctional switching material applied in the field of electrical/optical switches and sensors at near room temperature.
Copper-catalyzed remote (δ) C(sp3)–H bond amination: a practical strategy to construct pyrrolidine derivatives
Authors: Meng Dongmei , Tang Yongzhen , Wei Junfa , Shi Xianying , Yang Mingyu
Published: May 2017

This work reported a copper-catalyzed remote C(sp3)–H bond amination of primary, secondary and tertiary C–H bonds, which converted acyclic amines to pyrrolidine derivatives.
In silico analysis of interaction pattern switching in ligand⋯receptor binding in Golgi α-mannosidase II induced by the protonated states of inhibitors
Authors: Sladek V. , Kóňa J. , Tokiwa H.
Published: May 2017

Different binding modes for charge-neutral and protonated inhibitor forms in Golgi α-mannosidase II active sites may influence their biological activities.
The dimer-approach to characterize opto-electronic properties of and exciton trapping and diffusion in organic semiconductor aggregates and crystals
Authors: Engels Bernd , Engel Volker
Published: May 2017

We present the recently developed dimer approach which seems to include all main effects determining the photo-physics of organic semiconductor aggregates.
Intrinsic and light-induced nonadiabatic phenomena in the NaI molecule
Authors: Csehi András , Halász Gábor J. , Cederbaum Lorenz S. , Vibók Ágnes
Published: May 2017

Nonadiabatic effects play a very important role in controlling chemical dynamical processes.
Understanding the biomimetic properties of gallium in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an XAS and XPS study
Authors: Porcaro F. , Bonchi C. , Ugolini A. , Frangipani E. , Polzonetti G. , Visca P. , Meneghini C. , Battocchio C.
Published: May 2017

The structural and electronic investigation of the biomimetic properties of gallium ions by means of synchrotron techniques in the Ga/Fe–pyochelin complex.
Real-time dynamic SERS detection of galectin using glycan-decorated gold nanoparticles
Authors: Langer Judith , García Isabel , Liz-Marzán Luis M.
Published: May 2017

We present the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy for the fast, sensitive and highly specific detection of the galectin-9 (Gal-9) protein in binding buffer (mimicking natural conditions). The method involves the use of specifically designed nanotags comprising glycan-decorated gold nanoparticles encoded with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid. At fast time scales Gal-9 can be detected down to a concentration of 1.2 nM by monitoring the SERS signal of the reporter, driven by aggregation of the functionalized Au NPs tags, induced by Gal-9 recognition. We additionally demonstrate that the sensitivity and concentration working range of the sensor can be tuned via control of aggregation dynamics and cluster size distribution.
Heterogeneous C–H alkenylations in continuous-flow: oxidative palladium-catalysis in a biomass-derived reaction medium
Authors: Ferlin Francesco , Santoro Stefano , Ackermann Lutz , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: May 2017

Herein we report the unprecedented Fujiwara–Moritani reaction catalysed by the commercially available heterogeneous palladium catalyst Pd/C.
A bio-inspired nanofibrous silicon/carbon composite as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jia Dongling , Huang Jianguo
Published: May 2017

A nanofibrous silicon/carbon composite derived from a cellulose substance was fabricated, showing enhanced electrochemical performances as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Achieving low dielectric, surface free energy and UV shielding green nanocomposites via reinforcing bio-silica aerogel with polybenzoxazine
Authors: Prabunathan P. , Thennarasu P. , Song J. K. , Alagar M.
Published: May 2017

Silica aerogel (SA) derived from rice husk ash was functionalized using benzoxazine terminated silane (FSA) and was used as a nanoreinforcement for industrial valuable resin polybenzoxazine (PBZ) in order to achieve low dielectric, to improve the surface as hydrophobic and to enhance the UV shielding behavior of the resulting nanocomposites.
Correction: Sequence-controlled multi-block copolymerization of acrylamides via aqueous SET-LRP at 0 °C
Authors: Alsubaie Fehaid , Anastasaki Athina , Wilson Paul , Haddleton David M.
Published: May 2017

Correction for ‘Sequence-controlled multi-block copolymerization of acrylamides via aqueous SET-LRP at 0 °C’ by Fehaid Alsubaie, et al., Polym. Chem., 2015, 6, 406–417.
One-step fabrication of recyclable and robust fluorine/polymer-free superhydrophobic fabrics
Authors: Wang Sheng , Wu Sanding , Zhang Jiazhang , Wang Tao
Published: May 2017

Without using any low-surface-energy fluoro-containing groups or long alkyl groups, via a simple vacuum heating process, we prepared a robust superhydrophobic TiO2/PET fabric.
Eugenia uniflora leaf essential oil promotes mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster through the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: de Carvalho Nélson R. , Rodrigues Nathane R. , Macedo Giulianna E. , Bristot Ivi J. , Boligon Aline A. , de Campos Marli M. , Cunha Francisco A. B. , Coutinho Henrique D. , Klamt Fabio , Merritt Thomas J. S. , Posser Thaís , Franco Jeferson L.
Published: May 2017

We evaluate the effects of Eugenia uniflora essential oil on mitochondrial bioenergetics in Drosophila melanogaster.
Reliability of an automatic classifier for brain enlarged perivascular spaces burden and comparison with human performance
Authors: González-Castro Víctor , Valdés Hernández María del C. , Chappell Francesca M. , Armitage Paul A. , Makin Stephen , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: May 2017

In the brain, enlarged perivascular spaces (PVS) relate to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), poor cognition, inflammation and hypertension. We propose a fully automatic scheme that uses a support vector machine (SVM) to classify the burden of PVS in the basal ganglia (BG) region as low or high. We assess the performance of three different types of descriptors extracted from the BG region in T2-weighted MRI images: (i) statistics obtained from Wavelet transform’s coefficients, (ii) local binary patterns and (iii) bag of visual words (BoW) based descriptors characterizing local keypoints obtained from a dense grid with the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) characteristics. When the latter were used, the SVM classifier achieved the best accuracy (81.16%). The output from the classifier using the BoW descriptors was compared with visual ratings done by an experienced neuroradiologist (Observer 1) and by a trained image analyst (Observer 2). The agreement and cross-correlation between the classifier and Observer 2 (κ = 0.67 (0.58–0.76)) were slightly higher than between the classifier and Observer 1 (κ = 0.62 (0.53–0.72)) and comparable between both the observers (κ = 0.68 (0.61–0.75)). Finally, three logistic regression models using clinical variables as independent variable and each of the PVS ratings as dependent variable were built to assess how clinically meaningful were the predictions of the classifier. The goodness-of-fit of the model for the classifier was good (area under the curve (AUC) values: 0.93 (model 1), 0.90 (model 2) and 0.92 (model 3)) and slightly better (i.e. AUC values: 0.02 units higher) than that of the model for Observer 2. These results suggest that, although it can be improved, an automatic classifier to assess PVS burden from brain MRI can provide clinically meaningful results close to those from a trained observer.
ER stress dependent microparticles derived from smooth muscle cells promote endothelial dysfunction during thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection
Authors: Jia Li-Xin , Zhang Wen-Mei , Li Tao-Tao , Liu Yan , Piao Chun-Mei , Ma You-Cai , Lu Yu , Wang Yuan , Liu Ting-Ting , Qi Yong-Fen , Du Jie
Published: May 2017

The degeneration of vascular smooth muscle cell(s) (SMC) is one of the key features of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). We and others have shown that elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes SMC loss and TAAD formation, however, the mechanism of how SMC dysfunction contributes to intimal damage, leading to TAAD, remains to be explored. In the present study, in vitro assay demonstrated that elevated mechanical stretch (18% elongation, 3600 cycles/h) stimulated the ER stress response and microparticle(s) (MP) production from both SMC and endothelial cell(s) (EC) in a time-dependent manner. Treatment of EC with isolated MP led to anoikis, which was determined by measuring the fluorescence of the ethidium homodimer (EthD-1) and Calcein AM cultured in hydrogel-coated plates and control plates. MP stimulation of EC also up-regulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory molecules (i.e. Vascular cellular adhesion molecular-1 (VCAM-1)), intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)). Use of an ER stress inhibitor or knockout of CHOP decreased mechanical stretch-induced MP production in SMC. In vivo, administration of an ER stress inhibitor or knockout of CHOP suppressed both apoptosis of EC and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, TAAD formation was also suppressed by the administration of an ER stress inhibitor. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that elevated mechanical stretch induces MP formation in SMC leading to endothelial dysfunction, which is ER stress dependent. The inhibition of ER stress suppressed EC apoptosis, inflammation in the aorta, and TAAD development.
Wideband omni‐directional antenna with novel feeding structure for improving radiation patterns
Authors: Liu Jinhai , Tang Zhaoyang , Yin Yingzeng
Published: May 2017

A wideband vertically polarised omni‐directional antenna, which is characterised with a height of 0.1 λL (λL: the wavelength at low frequency), a relative operating bandwidth of 48% (1.25–2.04 GHz), stable gains and improved cross‐polarisation, is presented. A pair of λ/4 resonators is introduced to broaden the bandwidth; a symmetrical hook‐shaped probe is employed to improve the cross‐polarisation; the shorting pins between the patch radiator and ground plane are used to reduce the dimension of the antenna. To clarify the improved cross‐polarisation, a comparison between the radiation patterns in asymmetrically and novel symmetrically feeding antennas is shown. Measured and simulated results agree well with each other, indicating good performance of wide bandwidth, low profile, stable radiation patterns and gains. Moreover, the polarisation purity of the proposed antenna has been significantly improved compared with that of the asymmetrically feeding antenna.
Simplified multiuser code design for MIMO–NOMA
Authors: Chi Yuhao , Li Ying , Song Guanghui , Sun Yue
Published: May 2017

Combination of multiple‐input‐multiple‐output and non‐orthogonal multiple access (MIMO–NOMA) is a promising multiple‐access technology, which can greatly improve spectral efficiency and reduce latency. Among major topics of MIMO–NOMA, an interesting one is how to construct suitable multiuser codes for MIMO–NOMA. In previous works, multiuser codes require to be redesigned when the number of users, transmit antennas, or receive antennas change. Therefore, the previous design methods are too complicated to be applied to MIMO–NOMA. To solve this problem, in this study, the authors first propose a simple multiuser detector (MUD) that detects the signal for each user by regarding the superimposed signal from the other users as interference. Then, based on extrinsic information transfer analysis for the MUD, they propose three criteria to simplify the code design, which copes with the changes of user number and antenna configuration. Moreover, when user number is large, each user requires a low‐rate code to overcome the severe multiuser interference. On the basis of the proposed criteria, they design a low‐rate repetition‐aided irregular repeat‐accumulate (Rep‐IRA) code for MIMO–NOMA with different numbers of users and antennas, which can achieve low complexity with the aid of repetition.
Performance of partial block diagonalisation and conjugate beamforming in downlink multiuser MIMO system
Authors: Mehana Ahmed Hesham
Published: May 2017

In this study, conjugate beamforming lattice‐reduction (LR)‐aided precoding is proposed for block diagonal multiuser multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MU‐MIMO) system. Block diagonalisation (BD), a common precoding for downlink MU‐MIMO is used to eliminate some of the inter‐user interference. In this study, we investigate the performance of conjugate beamforming when partial BD is performed such that a set of users communicates with the base station (BS) without interference from the other sets. We show that the sum‐rate significantly increases by a simplified LR‐aided conjugate beamforming and least‐correlated user‐pairing algorithm. We analytically obtain an upper bound for the achieved rate. We compare between the optimal and the proposed suboptimal user pairing for both cases of perfect and imperfect channel state information at the BS as well as the case of spatially correlated channel.
Performance of improved energy detector with cognitive radio mobility and imperfect channel state information
Authors: Gahane Lokesh , Sharma Prabhat Kumar
Published: May 2017

A cooperative cognitive radio (CR) network with multiple secondary users (or CRs) is considered. Each CR consists of an arbitrary M number of antennas. For spectrum sensing, at each CR, an improved energy detector with selection combining mechanism is assumed. Moreover, the impact of secondary user mobility on the performance of spectrum sensing is analysed. Specifically, the expression for received signal at destination is derived considering the imperfect channel state information in Rayleigh fading environment. The authors derive the expression for probability of false alarm and miss detection using arbitrary power p‐based improved energy detector and analyse the error performance of the system. The area under receiver operating characteristics curve is also obtained. Simulation results are provided to verify the analysis presented in this study.
Hybrid precoding in point‐to‐point massive multiple‐input multiple‐output systems based on normalised matrix adaptive method
Authors: Feng Yongpan , Kim Suk Chan
Published: May 2017

The potential of millimetre wave frequencies band has motivated the study of large‐scale antenna arrays to improve the spectrum efficiency of massive multiple‐input multiple‐output wireless communications systems. However, conventional fully digital precoding schemes, which require one radio frequency (RF) chain for each antenna, are cost prohibitive and have high‐power consumption. To address these hardware limitations, this study considers a hybrid precoding scheme that provides high performance in terms of spectrum efficiency. By deducing the derivative of the spectrum efficiency function with respect to the phase matrix variable of the RF precoder, an efficient RF precoding scheme based on the normalised matrix adaptive method (NMAM) is proposed. Numerical simulations show that the NMAM achieves excellent performance approaching that of fully digital precoding, with relatively low computational complexity.
Within‐component and between‐component multi‐kernel discriminating correlation analysis for colour face recognition
Authors: Liu Qian , Wang Chao
Published: May 2017

The key problem of colour face recognition technique is how to take full advantage of the colour information and extract effective discriminating features. To solve this problem, the authors propose a novel non‐linear feature extraction approach for colour face recognition, named dual multi‐kernel discriminating correlation analysis, which separately maps different colour components of face images into different non‐linear kernel spaces, and then implements multi‐kernel learning and discriminant analysis with the correlation metric not only within each colour component but also between diverse components. Then, to choose the optimum kernel space for each colour component and select the most suitable colour space for their approach, they design a kernel selection strategy and a colour space selection strategy, respectively. Experimental results in the face recognition grand challenge version 2 and labelled faces in the wilds databases validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and two strategies.
Semi‐guided bilateral filter
Authors: Thai Ba , Al‐nasrawi Mukhalad , Deng Guang , Su Zhuo
Published: May 2017

The bilateral filter (BF) is a non‐linear filter that spatially smooths images with awareness of large structures such as edges. The level of smoothness applied to a pixel is constrained by a photometric weight, which can be obtained from the same image to be filtered (in case of the original BF) or from a guided image (in case of the joint/cross BF). In this study, the authors propose a new filter called the semi‐guided BF which is derived from solving a non‐linear constraint least square problem. The proposed filter's photometric weight incorporates information from the image to be filtered and the guided image. They propose a fast implementation of the filter based on layer approximation. They also study the iterative application of the proposed filter and show that the filter can preserve large structures while smoothing out small structures. This makes the proposed filter an efficient and effective tool for structure‐aware image smoothing. Experimental results have demonstrated that performance of the proposed filter is comparable to those of the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
ANN‐based design of a versatile millimetre‐wave slotted patch multi‐antenna configuration for 5G scenarios
Authors: Aliakbari Hanieh , Abdipour Abdolali , Costanzo Alessandra , Masotti Diego , Mirzavand Rashid , Mousavi Pedram
Published: May 2017

This study addresses the modelling of a dual band (28 and 38 GHz), circularly polarised slotted‐patch‐antenna for highly demanded millimetre wave multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO)‐systems in fifth generation (5G) networks. A computer‐aided‐design model is derived by means of an artificial neural network (ANN) which allows obtaining the physical dimensions of a single‐fed antenna, satisfying both near‐ and far‐field goals, without resorting to time‐consuming electromagnetic simulation. This mathematical model can be implemented in any CAD‐tool, as demonstrated within the framework of advanced design system. This allows, for the first time, to carry out optimisations of strategic importance for future 5G non‐linear‐radiating‐systems, especially operating at millimetre wave, directly addressing their far‐field behaviour. The model performance is validated by some examples and measurement results. A further important advantage of this approach is that the trained ANN‐model can be further adopted to fast, but accurately, investigate the complex relationships between antenna layout and its near‐field and far‐field performance, such as the resonance conditions and the polarisation behaviour. Indeed arbitrary orthogonal‐polarisations (LHCP/RHCP) have been achieved by the aid of the ANN‐model of the same topology. This result can be adopted to implement a combination of two independent radiation patterns for the antenna pair: this feature is attractive for MIMO applications. This is confirmed by measurements showing antenna‐coupling reduction with the MIMO‐array exploiting polarisation diversity.
Analysis of metamaterial‐based absorber for thermo‐photovoltaic cell applications
Authors: Agarwal Sajal , Prajapati Yogendra Kumar
Published: May 2017

This study proposed a broadband polarisation independent quad helix metamaterial‐based absorber for thermo‐photovoltaic cell (TPVC) application. Absorber is a very important part of TPVC. The design and simulation of absorber is done for wide operating wavelength range of TPVC absorber. It is observed that the average absorbance is 92.38% for the wavelength range of 340–1680 nm in the proposed absorber. Furthermore, existing absorbers which are used in thermo‐photovoltaic and solar cell are compared with proposed absorber and the proposed absorber is better in terms of operating wavelength range.
Discrete modelling and state‐mutation analysis for sliding mode controlled non‐isolated grid‐connected inverter with H6‐type
Authors: Dai Yunzhong , Zhuang Shengxian , Ren Haijun , Chen Yuxi , He Kairui
Published: May 2017

To analyse stability and non‐linear behaviour of the sliding mode controlled non‐isolated grid‐connected inverter with H6‐type (SMCNGCI‐H6) system, the discrete model of the SMCNGCI‐H6 system is first established based on the quasi‐static theory and stroboscopic map method. With the case of folded diagram, a particular non‐linear behaviour (state‐mutation phenomenon) is observed that the state variable changes from the period‐1 state to the period‐2 state at a certain switching cycle. Then the root cause of state‐mutation phenomenon is explored. Meanwhile, regarding the variation of state‐mutation switching cycle with the parameters of sliding mode controller (SMC), a novel criterion (state‐mutation switching cycle criterion) is proposed to determine state‐mutation switching cycle of the state variable. Finally, the simulation and experimental results prove the validity of the discrete modelling of SMCNGCI‐H6 system and the state‐mutation switching cycle criterion.
Compensation of temporal averaging bias in solar irradiance data
Authors: Gibson Keith , Cole Ian R. , Goss Brian , Betts Thomas R. , Gottschalg Ralph
Published: May 2017

Solar irradiance data is used for the prediction of solar energy system performance but is presently a significant source of uncertainty in energy yield estimation. This also directly affects the expected revenue, so the irradiance uncertainty contributes to project risk and therefore the cost of finance. In this study, the combined impact of temporal averaging, component deconstruction and plane translation mechanisms on uncertainty is analysed. A new method to redistribute (industry standard) hourly averaged data is proposed. This clearness index redistribution method is based on the statistical redistribution of clearness index values and largely corrects the bias error introduced by temporal averaging. Parameters for the redistribution model were derived using irradiance data measured at high temporal resolution by CREST, Loughborough University, over a 5‐year period. The root mean square error of example net annual (2014) diffuse, beam and global yield of hourly averaged data were reduced from ∼15 to 1, 14 to 3 and 4 to 1%, respectively.
Improvement global solar radiation estimation
Authors: Loghmari Ismail , Timoumi Youssef
Published: May 2017

Energy yields of photovoltaic power plants are directly related to the availability of the global solar radiation (GHI). An accurate performance analysis of these power plants depends strongly on the quality and the reliability of the solar resource assessment. This study proposed to improve the accuracy of the GHI database provided by satellites. Two quality improvement methods have been proposed and evaluated in this study. The first developed method consists in combining a GHI satellite‐derived database with the best ground station models, while the second one consists in performing a linear correction of a satellite database. The purpose of this study is to investigate the quality improvement method that gives more accurate GHI prediction. The comparison between the two developed methods shows that the resulting combination method database achieves higher GHI prediction accuracy than the linearly corrected satellite database. This combination reduces the uncertainty of the original satellite database by 1.95%, with a resulting relative root‐mean‐square error (rmse%) reaching 4.74%.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Multi-Substituted Allenes from Propargyl­ Acetates and Organoaluminum Reagents Mediated by Palladium
Authors: Li Qinghan , Zhang Zhen , Shao Xuebei , Zhang Gang , Li Xinying
Published: May 2017

A simple and mild catalytic SN2′ substitution reaction of propargyl acetates with organoaluminum reagents is reported. The SN2′ substitution reaction of propargyl acetates with organoaluminum reagents mediated by Pd(PhP3)2Cl2 (1 mol%)/PPh3 (2 mol%)/K2CO3 in tetrahydrofuran at 60 °C for 3–4 hours afforded the corresponding multi-substituted allenes in good yields (up to 94%) with high selectivities (up to 99%). The process was simple and easily performed, which offers an efficient method to synthesize the multi-substituted allene derivatives.
Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective C-5 Arylation of 1,2,3-Triazoles with Diaryliodonium Salts
Authors: Du Zhengyin , Feng Hua , Gang Fangli , Che Yang , Fu Ying
Published: May 2017

An effective method for C-5 arylation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and C-5 regioselective arylation of 1-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles via sp2
C–H activation with palladium as a catalyst and diaryliodonium salts as arylating reagents is described. Various electron-rich and electron-deficient substituents attached to triazoles and diaryliodonium salts were tolerable to give the desired products with good isolated yields in 24 hours under air atmosphere.
Copper-Mediated Direct Sulfenylation of 4-Hydroxyquinolinones and 4-Hydroxypyridones with Aryl Thiols via a C−H Functionalization Process
Authors: Guo Tao , Wang Hongyan
Published: May 2017

An efficient approach for the direct sulfanylation of 4-hydroxyquinolinones and 4-hydroxypyridones with aryl thiols in the presence of CuI/DMSO has been developed. The substrate scope is broad, allowing facile synthesis of a range of structurally diverse 3-sulfanyl-4-hydroxyquinolinones and 3-sulfanyl-4-hydroxypyridones in good efficiency.
Lycopene Improves Insulin Sensitivity through Inhibition of STAT3/Srebp-1c-Mediated Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in Mice fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Zeng Zhaohui , He Wang , Jia Zhen , Hao Shu
Published: May 2017

In the past few years, metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, have reached global prevalence. Lycopene is one of the major carotenoids in tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruits, and guava. In the current study, using high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, we investigated the effect of Lycopene on insulin resistance. We showed that diet containing Lycopene significantly prevented HFD-induced increase of fasting blood glucose and insulin level, glucose and insulin intolerance, and decrease of hepatic glycogen content. We found that Lycopene notably prevented the increase of IL-1β, TNFα and CRP levels in mice fed HFD. We showed that Lycopene improved the lipid profiles in HFD-fed mice, as evidenced by decrease of systemic and hepatic TC, TG and LDL, and increase of HDL. Lycopene suppressed the increase of the expression of Srebp-1c, FAS and ACC-1 in mice fed HFD. The administration of Lycopene notably prevented the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 in livers of mice induced by HFD. The treatment of adenovirus carrying STAT3 significantly suppressed the decrease of Srebp-1c expression induced by Lycopene. Furthermore, enhancement of STAT3 signaling by adenovirus markedly blocked the reduction of fasting blood glucose and insulin level. In conclusion, in the current study, we found that Lycopene prevented STAT3 signaling and inhibited Srebp-1c and downstream gene expression, resulting in inhibition of lipid accumulation, inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Overall, the data in the study provide better understanding of the beneficial effects of Lycopene against insulin resistance and metabolic disorder.
Targeting Multiple Myeloma Cancer Stem Cells with Natural Products – Lessons from Other Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Issa Mark , Cretton Sylvian , Cuendet Muriel
Published: May 2017

Multiple myeloma is characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma is the second most frequently diagnosed hematological malignancy, predominantly affecting the elderly. Despite recent advances in the development of novel therapies, multiple myeloma remains an incurable malignancy where the majority of patients relapse, develop resistance, and eventually die from the disease. This has been attributed to the fact that conventional therapy currently in use targets mainly the bulk of tumor cells, but not the tumor-initiating cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are a highly resistant subpopulation of cells believed to be responsible for the initiation, progression, metastasis, and relapse of cancer. Enormous efforts have been invested in the characterization of cancer stem cells. These efforts led to the characterization of key cellular signaling pathways responsible for conferring stem cell characteristics including self-renewal, differentiation, migratory, survival, and intracellular detoxification capabilities. Targeting these protective mechanisms offers a valuable strategy that may help combat a major driving force behind cancers. The use of natural products offers a promising therapeutic approach for targeting cancer stem cells. In this review, recent advances achieved in the characterization of cancer stem cells derived from hematological malignancies, with a particular focus on multiple myeloma, are discussed and major natural products that target cancer stem cells are presented. As natural products remain an essential source of novel chemical structures and medicinal leads, the exploitation of this immense reservoir is used to draw lessons in targeting multiple myeloma-cancer stem cells.
Denudatin A, a Dimeric Acylphloroglucinol from Hypericum denudatum Presents an Antinociceptive Effect in Mice
Authors: Bridi Henrique , Meirelles Gabriela , Bordignon Sérgio , Rates Stela , von Poser Gilsane
Published: May 2017

A new dimeric acylphloroglucinol, denudatin A (1), was isolated from the flowering aerials parts of Hypericum denudatum, along with the known phloroglucinols selancin A (2), hyperbrasilol A (3), uliginosin B (4), and isouliginosin B (5). The structure of 1 was elucidated using 1D, 2D NMR, and MS experiments, and by comparison with previously reported data for Hypericum dimeric acylphloroglucinols. Denudatin A (1) and selancin A (2) were administered orally to mice displaying antinociceptive activity in the hot plate test. The compounds did not induce motor impairment in the rotarod apparatus.