bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetowetting of Ferrofluidic Thin Liquid Films
Authors: Tenneti Srinivas , Subramanian Sri Ganesh , Chakraborty Monojit , Soni Gaurav , DasGupta Sunando
Published: March 2017

An extended meniscus of a ferrofluid solution on a silicon surface is subjected to axisymmetric, non-uniform magnetic field resulting in significant forward movement of the thin liquid film. Image analyzing interferometry is used for accurate measurement of the film thickness profile, which in turn, is used to determine the instantaneous slope and the curvature of the moving film. The recorded video, depicting the motion of the film in the Lagrangian frame of reference, is analyzed frame by frame, eliciting accurate information about the velocity and acceleration of the film at any instant of time. The application of the magnetic field has resulted in unique changes of the film profile in terms of significant non-uniform increase in the local film curvature. This was further analyzed by developing a model, taking into account the effect of changes in the magnetic and shape-dependent interfacial force fields.
Preparation of Ho3+/Tm3+ Co-doped Lanthanum Tungsten Germanium Tellurite Glass Fiber and Its Laser Performance for 2.0 μm
Authors: Zhou Dechun , Bai Xuemei , Zhou Hang
Published: March 2017

Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped 50TeO2-25GeO2-3WO3-5La2O3-3Nb2O5-5Li2O-9BaF2 glass fiber is prepared with the rod-tube drawing method of 15 μm core diameter and 125 μm inner cladding diameter applied in the 2.0 μm-infrared laser. The 2.0 μm luminescence properties of the core glass are researched and the fluorescence intensity variation for different Tm3+ doping concentration is systematically analyzed. The results show that the 2.0 μm luminescence of Ho3+ is greatly influenced by the doping concentration ratio of Ho3+ to Tm3+ and that the maximum fluorescence intensity of the core glass can be obtained and its emission cross section can reach 0.933 × 10−21 cm2 when the sensitized proportion of holmium to thulium is 0.3 to 0.7 (mol%). Simultaneously, the maximum phonon energy of the core glass sample is 753 cm−1, which is significantly lower than that of silicate, gallate and germanate glass and the smaller matrix phonon energy can be conductive to the increase 2.0 μm-band emission intensity. The continuous laser with the maximum laser output power of 0.993 W and 2051 nm -wavelength of 31.9%-slope efficiency is output within the 0.5 m glass fiber and the experiment adopts 1560 nm erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) as the pump source and the self-built all-fiber laser. Therefore, the glass fiber has excellent laser characteristics and it is suitable for the 2.0 μm-band laser.
A conserved inter-domain communication mechanism regulates the ATPase activity of the AAA-protein Drg1
Authors: Prattes Michael , Loibl Mathias , Zisser Gertrude , Luschnig Daniel , Kappel Lisa , Rössler Ingrid , Grassegger Manuela , Hromic Altijana , Krieger Elmar , Gruber Karl , Pertschy Brigitte , Bergler Helmut
Published: March 2017

AAA-ATPases fulfil essential roles in different cellular pathways and often act in form of hexameric complexes. Interaction with pathway-specific substrate and adaptor proteins recruits them to their targets and modulates their catalytic activity. This substrate dependent regulation of ATP hydrolysis in the AAA-domains is mediated by a non-catalytic N-terminal domain. The exact mechanisms that transmit the signal from the N-domain and coordinate the individual AAA-domains in the hexameric complex are still the topic of intensive research. Here, we present the characterization of a novel mutant variant of the eukaryotic AAA-ATPase Drg1 that shows dysregulation of ATPase activity and altered interaction with Rlp24, its substrate in ribosome biogenesis. This defective regulation is the consequence of amino acid exchanges at the interface between the regulatory N-domain and the adjacent D1 AAA-domain. The effects caused by these mutations strongly resemble those of pathological mutations of the AAA-ATPase p97 which cause the hereditary proteinopathy IBMPFD (inclusion body myopathy associated with Paget’s disease of the bone and frontotemporal dementia). Our results therefore suggest well conserved mechanisms of regulation between structurally, but not functionally related members of the AAA-family.
Enhancing the sensitivity of magnetic sensors by 3D metamaterial shells
Authors: Navau Carles , Mach-Batlle Rosa , Parra Albert , Prat-Camps Jordi , Laut Sergi , Del-Valle Nuria , Sanchez Alvaro
Published: March 2017

Magnetic sensors are key elements in our interconnected smart society. Their sensitivity becomes essential for many applications in fields such as biomedicine, computer memories, geophysics, or space exploration. Here we present a universal way of increasing the sensitivity of magnetic sensors by surrounding them with a spherical metamaterial shell with specially designed anisotropic magnetic properties. We analytically demonstrate that the magnetic field in the sensing area is enhanced by our metamaterial shell by a known factor that depends on the shell radii ratio. When the applied field is non-uniform, as for dipolar magnetic field sources, field gradient is increased as well. A proof-of-concept experimental realization confirms the theoretical predictions. The metamaterial shell is also shown to concentrate time-dependent magnetic fields upto frequencies of 100 kHz.
Suppression of Sin3A activity promotes differentiation of pluripotent cells into functional neurons
Authors: Halder Debasish , Lee Chang-Hee , Hyun Ji Young , Chang Gyeong-Eon , Cheong Eunji , Shin Injae
Published: March 2017

Sin3 is a transcriptional corepressor for REST silencing machinery that represses multiple neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells. However, functions of Sin3 (Sin3A and Sin3B) in suppression of neuronal phenotypes are not well characterized. Herein we show that Sin3A knockdown impedes the repressive activity of REST and enhances differentiation of pluripotent P19 cells into electrophysiologically active neurons without inducing astrogenesis. It is also found that silencing Sin3B induces neurogenesis of P19 cells with a lower efficiency than Sin3A knockdown. The results suggest that Sin3A has a more profound effect on REST repressive machinery for silencing neuronal genes in P19 cells than Sin3B. Furthermore, we show that a peptide inhibitor of Sin3A-REST interactions promotes differentiation of P19 cells into functional neurons. Observations made in studies using genetic deletion and a synthetic inhibitor suggests that Sin3A plays an important role in the repression of neuronal genes by the REST regulatory mechanism.
Inhibitory role of acyl homoserine lactones in hemolytic activity and viability of Streptococcus pyogenes M6 S165
Authors: Saroj Sunil D. , Holmer Linda , Berengueras Júlia M. , Jonsson Ann-Beth
Published: March 2017

Streptococcus pyogenes an adapted human pathogen asymptomatically colonizes the nasopharynx, among other polymicrobial communities. However, information on the events leading to the colonization and expression of virulence markers subject to interspecies and host-bacteria interactions are limited. The interference of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) with the hemolytic activity and viability of S. pyogenes M6 S165 was examined. AHLs, with fatty acid side chains ≥12 carbon atoms, inhibited hemolytic activity by downregulating the expression of the sag operon involved in the production of streptolysin S. Inhibitory AHLs upregulated the expression of transcriptional regulator LuxR. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed the interaction of LuxR with the region upstream of sagA. AHL-mediated bactericidal activity observed at higher concentrations (mM range) was an energy-dependent process, constrained by the requirement of glucose and iron. Ferrichrome transporter FtsABCD facilitated transport of AHLs across the streptococcal membrane. The study demonstrates a previously unreported role for AHLs in S. pyogenes virulence.
Direct Hydrolysis of Biomass Polymers using High-pressure CO2 and CO2–H2O Mixtures
Authors: Morais Ana Rita C. , Lukasik Rafal M.
Published: March 2017

Currently, sub-/supercritical fluids are becoming one of the most popular sustainable technologies for biomass processing since they have demonstrated several advantages over conventional processes. Enhanced selectivity, better hydrolysis capabilities and lower environmental impacts are some of the crucial aspects in the important growth of sub-/supercritical fluids field. This chapter focuses on the direct application of the most natural solvents, CO2 and H2O in a mixture and at high pressures, in hydrolysis of biomass, taking cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, starch and proteins as representative polymers for the direct production of output chemicals. Fundamentals of high-pressure CO2 and a CO2/H2O mixture are reviewed, together with the essential parameters that can affect the efficiency of biomass hydrolysis and the tuning of them. Although the application of high-pressure CO2/H2O faces several drawbacks concerning the equipment costs and scale-up, this novel technology holds great promise for utilization as a “green” technology in a biorefinery setting.
Ligand controlled switchable selectivity in ruthenium catalyzed aerobic oxidation of primary amines
Authors: Ray Ritwika , Chandra Shubhadeep , Yadav Vishal , Mondal Prasenjit , Maiti Debabrata , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: March 2017

A ligand controlled catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of 1° amines to nitriles and imines has been developed where the varying π-acidic feature of BIAN versus phen in the frameworks of ruthenium catalysts facilitates switchable selectivity.
Structurally related hydrazone-based metal complexes with different antitumor activities variably induce apoptotic cell death
Authors: Megger Dominik A. , Rosowski Kristin , Radunsky Christian , Kösters Jutta , Sitek Barbara , Müller Jens
Published: March 2017

Three new metal complexes bearing a tridentate hydrazone-based ligand were synthesized and structurally characterized. Depending on the metal ion, the complexes show remarkably different antitumor activities.
Virus inactivation in stored human urine, sludge and animal manure under typical conditions of storage or mesophilic anaerobic digestion
Authors: Decrey Loïc , Kohn Tamar
Published: March 2017

Viruses represent major disease transmitting agents carried by human excreta and animal manure.
A nitroolefin functionalized DPP fluorescent probe for the selective detection of hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Wang Lingyun , Chen Xianggen , Cao Derong
Published: March 2017

A novel reduction-based fluorescent probe for the sensitive detection of hydrogen sulfide has been reasonably designed and developed.
Two-dimensional nanohybrid (RGS@AuNPs) as an effective catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and photo-degradation of methylene blue dye
Authors: Maji Swarup Kumar , Jana Avijit
Published: March 2017

A highly active hybrid material (RGS@AuNPs), as an efficient catalyst, is successfully synthesized for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue in the presence of NaBH4, as well as the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue.
REBaCo2O5+δ (RE = Pr, Nd, and Gd) as promising oxygen electrodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells
Authors: Liu Shaoming , Zhang Wenqiang , Li Yifeng , Yu Bo
Published: March 2017

Double-perovskite REBaCo2O5+δ (RE = Pr, Nd, and Gd) oxides were synthesized and evaluated as oxygen electrodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (IT-SOECs).
Exploring the potential of curcumin for control of N-acyl homoserine lactone-mediated biofouling in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment
Authors: Lade Harshad , Song Won Jung , Yu Young Jae , Ryu Jun Hee , Arthanareeswaran G. , Kweon Ji Hyang
Published: March 2017

Biofouling remains a critical issue in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for wastewater treatment.
HBT-based turn-on fluorescent probe for discrimination of homocysteine from glutathione/cysteine and its bioimaging applications
Authors: Chen Fengzao , Chen Zhen , Sun Yuanchao , Liu Heng , Han Deman , He Hanping , Zhang Xiuhua , Wang Shengfu
Published: March 2017

In this work, we firstly reported a new type of turn-on fluorescent probe HBTI for Hcy over GSH/Cys based on ESIPT and heavy atom effect strategy.
Networking hole and electron hopping paths by Y-shaped host molecules: promoting blue phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Huang Jau-Jiun , Yun Lik-Ka , Kung Te-Jen , Chen Chi-Lin , Lee Jiun-Haw , Wu Yuh-Renn , Chiu Tien-Lung , Chou Pi-Tai , Leung Man-kit
Published: March 2017

Compared with a V shaped host, a Y shaped host promotes the efficiency of PhOLEDs due to its networking crystal stacking.
Detection of chemical warfare agent simulants and hydrolysis products in biological samples by paper spray mass spectrometry
Authors: McKenna Josiah , Dhummakupt Elizabeth S. , Connell Theresa , Demond Paul S. , Miller Dennis B. , Michael Nilles J. , Manicke Nicholas E. , Glaros Trevor
Published: March 2017

Paper spray ionization was used to detect and quantitate chemical warfare simulants and hydrolysis products from whole blood and urine.
Hydrogen generation from glucose catalyzed by organoruthenium catalysts under mild conditions
Authors: Zhan Yulu , Shen Yangbin , Li Shuping , Yue Baohua , Zhou Xiaochun
Published: March 2017

Here, we describe a catalytic reaction system where H2 can be produced from glucose using a homogeneous catalyst.
A novel colorimetric assay for α-methylacyl-CoA racemase 1A (AMACR; P504S) utilizing the elimination of 2,4-dinitrophenolate
Authors: Yevglevskis Maksims , Lee Guat L. , Nathubhai Amit , Petrova Yoana D. , James Tony D. , Threadgill Michael D. , Woodman Timothy J. , Lloyd Matthew D.
Published: March 2017

A versatile continuous colorimetric assay for AMACR is reported.
Thiophene-fused dithiaoctaphyrins: π-system switching between cross-conjugated and macrocyclic π-networks
Authors: Higashino Tomohiro , Kumagai Atsushi , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

We synthesized for the first time octaphyrins with a dithieno[3,4-b:3′,4′-d]thiophene core as thiophene-fused dithiaoctaphyrins with a cross-conjugated structure.
CAL-B catalyzed regioselective bulk polymerization ofl-aspartic acid diethyl ester to α-linked polypeptides
Authors: Totsingan Filbert , Centore Robert , Gross Richard. A.
Published: March 2017

This paper reports that the bulk polymerization ofl-aspartic acid diethyl ester catalyzed by immobilized CAL-B at 80 °C for 24 h gives primarily (∼95%) α-linked poly(l-aspartate) in 70% yield with DPavg= 50 and regioselectivity (α/β) = 94 : 6.
Simultaneous observation of surface- and edge-states of a 2D topological insulator through scanning tunneling spectroscopy and differential conductance imaging
Authors: Bhunia Hrishikesh , Bar Abhijit , Bera Abhijit , Pal Amlan J.
Published: March 2017

Gapless edge-states with a Dirac point below the Fermi energy and band-edges at the interior observed in 2D topological insulators.
Automatic generation of reaction energy databases from highly accurate atomization energy benchmark sets
Authors: Margraf Johannes T. , Ranasinghe Duminda S. , Bartlett Rodney J.
Published: March 2017

We describe the automatic generation of reaction energy benchmark sets from arbitrary atomization energy reference data.
Iron chelators inhibit the heme-degradation reaction by HutZ from Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Dojun Nobuhiko , Sekine Yukari , Ishimori Koichiro , Uchida Takeshi
Published: March 2017

The heme-degradation reaction by HutZ fromVibrio choleraeis inhibited by the iron chelators.
Metal coordination of ferrocene–histidine conjugates
Authors: Ferranco Annaleizle , Basak Shibaji , Lough Alan , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard
Published: March 2017

Synthesis and complete structural characterization of ferrocene–histidine dipeptides including detailed analysis of the ligand–metal complexation.
Hydrogen-bridged bis(silylene) complexes of ruthenium and iron: synthesis, structures and multi-centre bonding interactions at the M–Si–H–Si four-membered ring
Authors: Hashimoto Hisako , Komura Katsuto , Ishizaki Takatoshi , Odagiri Yuto , Tobita Hiromi
Published: March 2017

Ruthenium and iron complexes featuring a MSi2H four-centre bonding interaction were synthesized and the interaction was evaluated experimentally and theoretically.
Sulfamic acid catalyzed one-pot, three-component green approach: synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of pyrazolyl-thiazole congeners
Authors: Sridevi B. , Tangella Yellaiah , Babu Korrapati Suresh , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Sunitha Rani R. , Ganesh Kumar C. , Meshram H. M. , Kamal Ahmed
Published: March 2017

A one-pot multi-component protocol has been developed for the synthesis of biologically important pyrazolyl-thiazoles using sulfamic acid as a green catalyst in water.
A tunable copper-catalyzed multicomponent reaction towards alkaloid-inspired indole/lactam polycycles
Authors: Mardjan M. I. D. , Perie S. , Parrain J.-L. , Commeiras L.
Published: March 2017

A tunable copper(i)-catalyzed cascade multicomponent reaction strategy between readily available (Z)-3-iodoacrylic acids, terminal alkynes, and primary amines is reported, leading to a great diversity of biorelevant indole/lactam scaffolds.
Tandem SN2′ nucleophilic substitution/oxidative radical cyclization of aryl substituted allylic alcohols with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Li Cheng , Wang Shao-Hua , Zhang Fu-Min , Han Xue , Tu Yong-Qiang , Zhang Xiao-Ming
Published: March 2017

Herein we present a novel tandem SN2′ nucleophilic substitution/oxidative radical cyclization of aryl substituted allylic alcohols with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.
Correction and removal of expression of concern: A unifying mechanism for the rearrangement of vinyl allene oxide geometric isomers to cyclopentenones
Authors: Kelly Richard
Published: March 2017

Correction and removal of expression of concern for ‘A unifying mechanism for the rearrangement of vinyl allene oxide geometric isomers to cyclopentenones’ by Adán B. González-Pérez et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2014, 12, 7694–7701.
A new fluoropyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine based polymer for efficient photovoltaics
Authors: Wang Tao , Jiang Lihui , Yuan Jun , Feng Liuliu , Zhang Zhi-Guo , Xiang Jiannan , Li Yongfang , Zou Yingping
Published: March 2017

Using a fluoropyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine based 2D-conjugated polymer as an electron donor in polymer solar cells, a power conversion efficiency of 6.2% is obtained, which is the highest PCE among the PP-based polymers reported to date.
The effect of incorporating carboxylic acid functionalities into 2,2′-bipyridine on the biological activity of the complexes formed: synthesis, structure, DNA/protein interaction, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity
Authors: Kamatchi Thangavel Sathiya , Chitrapriya Nataraj , Ashok Kumar Sarvana Loganthan , Jung Jang Yoon , Puschmann Horst , Fronczek Frank R. , Natarajan Karuppannan
Published: March 2017

Incorporation of carboxylic acid group in the bipyridine moiety has resulted in showing differences in DNA/protein binding affinity, efficiency in antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity.
How does the interplay between bromine substitution at bay area and bulky substituents at imide position influence the photophysical properties of perylene diimides?
Authors: Shao Yu , Zhang Xinlin , Liang Kai , Wang Jing , Lin Yuejian , Yang Shuguang , Zhang Wen-Bin , Zhu Meifang , Sun Bin
Published: March 2017

This article reports a comparative study on the photophysical properties of perylene diimides which caused by the interplay between bromine substitution at bay area and bulky substituents at imide position.
The enhancement of Hall mobility and conductivity of CVD graphene through radical doping and vacuum annealing
Authors: Pham Viet Phuong , Mishra Anurag , Young Yeom Geun
Published: March 2017

We report an innovated method for chlorine doping of graphene utilizing an inductively coupled plasma system.
An all-solid-state, lightweight, and flexible asymmetric supercapacitor based on cabbage-like ZnCo2O4 and porous VN nanowires electrode materials
Authors: Zhao Jingxin , Li Chaowei , Zhang Qichong , Zhang Jun , Wang Xiaona , Lin Ziyin , Wang Juanjuan , Lv Weibang , Lu Conghua , Wong Ching-ping , Yao Yagang
Published: March 2017

The assembled all-solid-state, lightweight, and flexible asymmetric supercapacitor device possessed a higher specific capacitance and volume energy density.
Ultrasmall Sn nanodots embedded inside N-doped carbon microcages as high-performance lithium and sodium ion battery anodes
Authors: Ying Hangjun , Zhang Shunlong , Meng Zhen , Sun Zixu , Han Wei-Qiang
Published: March 2017

Sn/N-doped carbon microcage composites (Sn/NMCs) are synthesized through a simple spray drying process and these composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance in both LIBs and SIBs.
Plasmon-enhanced diffraction in nanoparticle gratings fabricated by in situ photo-reduction of gold chloride doped polymer thin films by laser interference patterning
Authors: Nadal E. , Barros N. , Glénat H. , Laverdant J. , Schmool D. S. , Kachkachi H.
Published: March 2017

This is a novel method for fabricating plasmonic nanoparticle gratings with original optical properties induced by laser photo-reduction of gold precursors in PVA thin films.
Adjustable electrical characteristics in hybrid Si/PEDOT:PSS core/shell nanowire hetero-junctions
Authors: Lu Wenhui , Zhang Shuai , Dai Enqi , Miao Bin , Peng Yiran , Pang Tao , Zhang Tiansheng , Yan Lei , Zhang Shuxin , Li Jiadong , Wang Xingzhu
Published: March 2017

Si/PEDOT:PSS core/shell nanowire hetero-junctions with adjustable electrical characteristics are reported. They exhibit an ohmic behavior ascribed to p-type Si/PEDOT:PSS, whereas n-type Si/PEDOT:PSS displays a rectifying nature.
The integrin-binding defective FGF2 mutants potently suppress FGF2 signalling and angiogenesis
Authors: Mori Seiji , Hatori Nobuaki , Kawaguchi Naomasa , Hamada Yoshinosuke , Shih Tsung-Chieh , Wu Chun-Yi , Lam Kit S. , Matsuura Nariaki , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Takada Yoko K. , Takada Yoshikazu
Published: March 2017

We recently found that integrin αvβ3 binds to fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-αvβ31 (FGF1), and that the integrin-binding defective FGF1 mutant (Arg-50 to glutamic acid, R50E) is defective in signalling and antagonistic to FGF1 signalling. R50E suppressed angiogenesis and tumour growth, suggesting that R50E has potential as a therapeutic. However, FGF1 is unstable, and we had to express R50E in cancer cells for xenograft study, since injected R50E may rapidly disappear from circulation. We studied if we can develop antagonist of more stable FGF2. FGF2 is widely involved in important biological processes such as stem cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Previous studies found that FGF2 bound to αvβ3 and antagonists to αvβ3 suppressed FGF2-induced angiogenesis. However, it is unclear how FGF2 interacts with integrins. Here, we describe that substituting Lys-119/Arg-120 and Lys-125 residues in the predicted integrin-binding interface of FGF2 to glutamic acid (the K119E/R120E and K125E mutations) effectively reduced integrin binding to FGF2. These FGF2 mutants were defective in signalling functions (ERK1/2 activation and DNA synthesis) in NIH3T3 cells. Notably they suppressed, FGF2 signalling induced by WT FGF2 in endothelial cells, suggesting that the FGF2 mutants are antagonists. The FGF2 mutants effectively suppressed tube formation in vitro, sprouting in aorta ring assays ex vivo and angiogenesis in vivo. The positions of amino acids critical for integrin binding are different between FGF1 and FGF2, suggesting that they do not interact with integrins in the same manner. The newly developed FGF2 mutants have potential as anti-angiogenic agents and useful tools for studying the role of integrins in FGF2 signalling.
Sex differences in ischaemic stroke: potential cellular mechanisms
Authors: Chauhan Anjali , Moser Hope , McCullough Louise D.
Published: March 2017

Stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. More women than men have strokes each year, in part because women live longer. Women have poorer functional outcomes, are more likely to need nursing home care and have higher rates of recurrent stroke compared with men. Despite continued advancements in primary prevention, innovative acute therapies and ongoing developments in neurorehabilitation, stroke incidence and mortality continue to increase due to the aging of the U.S. population. Sex chromosomes (XX compared with XY), sex hormones (oestrogen and androgen), epigenetic regulation and environmental factors all contribute to sex differences. Ischaemic sensitivity varies over the lifespan, with females having an “ischaemia resistant” phenotype that wanes after menopause, which has recently been modelled in the laboratory. Pharmacological therapies for acute ischaemic stroke are limited. The only pharmacological treatment for stroke approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which must be used within hours of stroke onset and has a number of contraindications. Pre-clinical studies have identified a number of potentially efficacious neuroprotective agents; however, nothing has been effectively translated into therapy in clinical practice. This may be due, in part, to the overwhelming use of young male rodents in pre-clinical research, as well as lack of sex-specific design and analysis in clinical trials. The review will summarize the current clinical evidence for sex differences in ischaemic stroke, and will discuss sex differences in the cellular mechanisms of acute ischaemic injury, highlighting cell death and immune/inflammatory pathways that may contribute to these clinical differences.
UMTS EUL throughput improvements using boost power in 1Tx‐2Rx DSDA
Authors: Jung G. , Lee Y.U.
Published: March 2017

In the Tx timesharing for universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) and global system for mobile communications 1Tx‐2Rx dual‐SIM dual‐active (DSDA) scenario, UMTS UMTS enhanced uplink (EUL) had performance degradation due to discontinuous transmission. Therefore, the code rate‐based mitigation scheme was evaluated to reduce the performance degradation. Even though this scheme had significant gain, high complexity implementation was required. Thus, the boost power‐based mitigation scheme is proposed and analysed from the throughput improvement and implementation complexity point of view.
Automatic measurement of anthropometric dimensions using frontal and lateral silhouettes
Authors: Aslam Murtaza , Rajbdad Fozia , Khattak Shahid , Azmat Shoaib
Published: March 2017

Anthropometric dimensions, such as lengths, heights, breadths, circumferences and their ratios are highly significant in healthcare, security, sports, clothing, tools and equipment industry. In this study, an automatic and precise method for anthropometric dimensions of human body using two‐dimensional images is proposed. The dimensions are obtained by using fiducial points that are detected from frontal and lateral views of body silhouettes. Primary anthropometric dimensions, which include heights, breadths, depths and lengths, are obtained by calculating the difference between two relevant fiducial points. The secondary dimensions: ratios are obtained directly from primary dimensions, and circumference dimensions are estimated precisely using ellipsoid model. A total of 75, i.e. 51 primary and 24 secondary dimensions are obtained, which are three times the number acquired by the state‐of‐the‐art method. The accuracy of acquired dimensions is verified by comparing it with the manual measurements by using the standard parameter of maximum allowable error. It is found that mean absolute difference of all the dimensions, obtained by the proposed method, lie within the limits of maximum allowable error. More importantly, the mean absolute difference for the majority of dimensions (20 out of 24) is significantly less for proposed method as compared with the best method in existing literature.
Step‐by‐step pipeline processing approach for line segment detection
Authors: Shao Chunyan , Ding Qinghai , Luo Haibo , Chang Zheng , Zhang Chi , Zheng Tianjiang
Published: March 2017

This study proposes a line segment detection that can efficiently and effectively handle non‐linear uniform intensity changes. The presented sketching algorithm applies the resistant to affine transformation and monotonic intensity change (RATMIC) descriptor to conduct binary translation in the image pre‐processing step, which can remove the unwanted smoothing of the Canny detector in most line detections. The Harris corner detector is applied to catch regions of line segments for the purpose of simulating the composition of sketching and achieving a sense of unity within the picture. Furthermore, the RATMIC descriptor is employed to obtain binary images of the regions of interest (ROIs). Finally, small eigenvalue analysis is implemented to detect straight lines in the ROIs. The experiments conducted on various images with image rotation, scaling, and translation validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results also demonstrate that about 30% in the overall coverage of major lines and 20% in the coverage per major line are increased compared with the state‐of‐the‐art line detectors. Moreover, the performance of the proposed method produces a combined advantage of ∼17% in the coverage of line segments over the line segment detector with noisy images.
Unified reliability centric preventive generator MS measure using fuzzy decision mechanism‐based ALO
Authors: Umamaheswari Elango , Ganesan Sivarajan , Abirami Manoharan , Subramanian Srikrishna
Published: March 2017

Regular preventive maintenance scheduling (PMS) of generating units is required in order to prolong their life expectancy so as to ensure safe operating conditions, and most importantly to reduce the risk of unplanned outages due to failures. The decision making of PMS is related to the measures of economic dispatch and other planning activities that necessitate an exact mathematical PMS model. Traditionally, generator PMS problem is based on levelling the spinning reserve. However, in practical, levelling the reserve is not alone good enough. Including a probabilistic model along with the deterministic model is a welcome perspective. In this study, a new multi‐objective model combining deterministic/probabilistic models is proposed. Furthermore, the generating unit failures have been incorporated in PMS to realise their impacts on reliability objectives. These aspects will increase further the complexity of the solution procedure. The advantages of modern bio‐inspired algorithm, namely ant lion optimiser (ALO) attracts to use it as a main optimisation tool. The fuzzy decision mechanism is incorporated in the ALO to extract the best compromise solution in the multi‐objective solution space. The standard test systems are used for implementation. Numerical simulation results indicate that the intended method has the capability of obtaining best compromised solution.
Imaging of Biliary Infections
Authors: Arellano Ronald , Catalano Onofrio
Published: March 2017

Biliary tract infections cover a wide spectrum of etiologies and clinical presentations. Imaging plays an important role in understanding the etiology and as well as the extent of disease. Imaging also plays a vital role in assessing treatment response once a diagnosis is established. This article will review the imaging findings of commonly encountered biliary tract infectious diseases.
Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 is Associated with the Decreased Risk of Obesity in Human
Authors: Zhu Jinzhou , Wang Yuming , Zhu Kefu , Gao Jianguo , Wan Xingyong , Pang Xunlei , Fei Sujuan
Published: March 2017

As a transducer of PPARγ signaling, recent evidence supports that fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) mediates adipose tissue remodeling and insulin sensitivity.

This study is to assess the role of serum FGF1 in obesity.

A hospital-based case-control study of 154 subjects was conducted. Serum level of FGF1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The serum level of FGF1 in the lean (119.0 [103.1–146.1] pg/ml) was higher than it in the subjects with overweight/obesity (111.9 [80.3–127.4] pg/ml, P=0.009). Binary logistic regression models found a reverse association between serum FGF1 level and the risk of overweight/obesity (adjusted odds ratio=0.990, 95% confidence interval [0.981–0.998], P=0.019). Furthermore, serum FGF1 reversely correlated with body mass index (r=−0.176, P=0.029), systolic blood pressure (r=−0.224, P=0.005), diastolic blood pressure (r=−0.185, P=0.022) and triglycerides (r=−0.162, P=0.044). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis found serum level of FGF1 was dependent on anti-diabetic drugs, hemoglobin A1C, body mass index and sex.

Serum level of FGF1 is associated with the decreased risk of obesity in human.
Behavior of self-propelled acetone droplets in a Leidenfrost state on liquid substrates
Authors: Janssens Stoffel D. , Koizumi Satoshi , Fried Eliot
Published: March 2017

It is demonstrated that non-coalescent droplets of acetone can be formed on liquid substrates. The fluid flows around and in an acetone droplet hovering on water are recorded to shed light on the mechanisms which might lead to non-coalescence. For sufficiently low impact velocities, droplets undergo a damped oscillation on the surface of the liquid substrate but at higher velocities clean bounce-off occurs. Comparisons of experimentally observed static configurations of floating droplets to predictions from a theoretical model for a small non-wetting rigid sphere resting on a liquid substrate are made and a tentative strategy for determining the thickness of the vapor layer under a small droplet on a liquid is proposed. This strategy is based on the notion of effective surface tension. The droplets show self-propulsion in straight line trajectories in a manner which can be ascribed to a Marangoni effect. Surprisingly, self-propelled droplets can become immersed beneath the undisturbed water surface. This phenomenon is reasoned to be drag-inducing and might provide a basis for refining observations in previous work.
Flexible hybrid circuit fully inkjet-printed: Surface mount devices assembled by silver nanoparticles-based inkjet ink
Authors: Arrese J. , Vescio G. , Xuriguera E. , Medina-Rodriguez B. , Cornet A. , Cirera A.
Published: March 2017

Nowadays, inkjet-printed devices such as transistors are still unstable in air and have poor performances. Moreover, the present electronics applications require a high degree of reliability and quality of their properties. In order to accomplish these application requirements, hybrid electronics is fulfilled by combining the advantages of the printing technologies with the surface-mount technology. In this work, silver nanoparticle-based inkjet ink (AgNP ink) is used as a novel approach to connect surface-mount devices (SMDs) onto inkjet-printed pads, conducted by inkjet printing technology. Excellent quality AgNP ink-junctions are ensured with high resolution picoliter drop jetting at low temperature (∼150 °C). Electrical, mechanical, and morphological characterizations are carried out to assess the performance of the AgNP ink junction. Moreover, AgNP ink is compared with common benchmark materials (i.e., silver epoxy and solder). Electrical contact resistance characterization shows a similar performance between the AgNP ink and the usual ones. Mechanical characterization shows comparable shear strength for AgNP ink and silver epoxy, and both present higher adhesion than solder. Morphological inspections by field-emission scanning electron microscopy confirm a high quality interface of the silver nanoparticle interconnection. Finally, a flexible hybrid circuit on paper controlled by an Arduino board is manufactured, demonstrating the viability and scalability of the AgNP ink assembling technique.
Diagnostics of void expansion during cyclic growth and formation of layered nanoparticle clouds
Authors: Pilch Iris , Greiner Franko
Published: March 2017

Nanoparticles were grown in an argon-acetylene plasma, and the particle size was characterized during growth using imaging Mie ellipsometry (I-Mie). The typical cyclic growth was observed, and the previously reported expansion and contraction of the void before depletion of nanoparticles [van de Wetering et al., J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 48, 035204 (2015)] was independently confirmed in our measurements. The cyclic growth was interrupted by repetitively turning the acetylene flow on and off. The nanoparticles that were confined in the discharge proceeded to grow slowly but more importantly a new growth cycle started with nucleation and growth taking place in the void region. The additional growth burst in the void region leads to a structured dust cloud with regions of nanoparticles with different sizes that were sharply separated. The advantages of using the I-Mie diagnostics for the observation of nanoparticles compared to standard video microscopy are demonstrated for the structured dust cloud. The results are discussed in relation to the growth processes for nucleation and coagulation.
In situ and time-resolved infrared detection of the reactivity induced by electrons in polymer films
Authors: Bouhier M. , Vigneron G. , Ngono-Ravache Y. , Shirdhonkar M. , Renault J. P. , Le Caër S.
Published: March 2017

The real time and in situ analysis of chemical reactions such as polymerization reactions, polymer degradation, and oxidation of polymers is of utmost importance. Surprisingly, only few experimental tools allowing this are available. To bridge this gap, we have developed a new experimental setup coupling a 60 keV electron gun with an infrared spectrometer operating in the mid-IR region (800-4000 cm−1) and associated with the rapid scan mode. The measurements are performed using the infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy approach. We worked here with 0.5–25 ms pulses for which the dose per pulse ranges from 4 to 200 kGy. Combining pulse electrons with rapid scan analysis enables performing experiments with a time resolution of 80 ms (and above). Therefore, this new platform can, for instance, give direct insights into reaction mechanisms at stake during the degradation of polymers. First results on a bisphenol A polycarbonate irradiated under vacuum enabling the validation of this new setup and also the recording of time-resolved spectra are presented. Reaction mechanisms are then proposed.
Skyrmion-based high-frequency signal generator
Authors: Luo Shijiang , Zhang Yue , Shen Maokang , Ou-Yang Jun , Yan Baiqian , Yang Xiaofei , Chen Shi , Zhu Benpeng , You Long
Published: March 2017

Many concepts for skyrmion-based devices have been proposed, and most of their possible applications are based on the motion of skyrmions driven by a dc current in an area with a constricted geometry. However, skyrmion motion driven by a pulsed current has not been investigated so far. In this work, we propose a skyrmion-based high-frequency signal generator based on the pulsed-current-driven circular motion of skyrmions in a square-shaped film by micromagnetic simulation. The results indicate that skyrmions can move in a closed curve with central symmetry. The trajectory and cycle period can be adjusted by tuning the size of the film, the current density, the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction constant, and the local in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The period can be tuned from several nanoseconds to tens of nanoseconds, which offers the possibility to prepare high-frequency signal generator based on skyrmions.
Plant ion channels and transporters in herbivory-induced signalling
Authors: Luo Shuitian , Zhang Xiao , Wang Jinfei , Jiao Chunyang , Chen Yingying , Shen Yingbai
Published: March 2017

In contrast to many biotic stresses that plants face, feeding by herbivores produces unique mechanical and chemical signatures. Plants have evolved effective systems to recognise these mechanical stimuli and chemical elicitors at the plasma membrane (PM), where this recognition generates ion fluxes, including an influx of Ca2+ that elicits cellular Ca2+ signalling, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and variation in transmembrane potential. These signalling events also function in propagation of long-distance signals (Ca2+ waves, ROS waves, and electrical signals), which contribute to rapid, systemic induction of defence responses. Recent studies have identified several candidate channels or transporters that likely produce these ion fluxes at the PM. Here, we describe the important roles of these channels/transporters in transduction or transmission of herbivory-induced early signalling events, long-distance signals, and jasmonic acid and green leaf volatile signalling in plants.
Flowering phenology shifts in response to biodiversity loss
Authors: Wolf Amelia A. , Zavaleta Erika S. , Selmants Paul C.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Advanced spring flowering has been described as a fingerprint of climate change—a public, visible display of the detrimental effects of global warming. However, warming experiments fail to account for the full magnitude of observed changes in phenology, suggesting that other factors may play important roles. We show that peak flowering time shifts earlier for most species when we experimentally reduce plant diversity. Additionally, peak flowering times of plant species are more evenly distributed across the season in high-diversity plots. Overall, these results demonstrate the importance of biotic interactions in influencing flowering times and indicate that advancing phenology, one of the most well-described and well-publicized phenomena linking global warming to plant communities, may result equally from biodiversity declines.
Toll pathway is required for wound-induced expression of barrier repair genes in the
Drosophila
epidermis
Authors: Capilla Amalia , Karachentsev Dmitry , Patterson Rachel A. , Hermann Anita , Juarez Michelle T. , McGinnis William
Published: March 2017

Significance

After breaks in animal epidermal barriers, repair genes are activated in the cells adjacent to wound sites that help regenerate the barrier. The fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
is a favorable genetic system to find molecular detection systems that sense wounds and activate repair genes. In this paper, we find that the Toll signaling pathway, including the extracellular ligand Spätzle, the Toll receptor, and the Dif transcription factor, form a detection system to sense broken epidermis and then activate regeneration genes. The Toll pathway thus is involved not only in the activation of genes involved in fighting microbial invasion after epidermal breaks, but also in the activation of genes that regenerate epidermal barrier function.
BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE2 negatively regulates cellulose synthesis in
Arabidopsis
by phosphorylating cellulose synthase 1
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Clara , Ketelaar KassaDee , Schneider Rene , Villalobos Jose A. , Somerville Chris R. , Persson Staffan , Wallace Ian S.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth and is a critical component for plants to grow and develop. Cellulose is synthesized by large cellulose synthase complexes containing multiple cellulose synthase A (CESA) subunits; however, how cellulose synthesis is regulated remains unclear. In this study, we identify BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2) as a protein kinase that directly phosphorylates
Arabidopsis
CESA1 and further demonstrate that this phosphorylation event negatively regulates CESA activity, and thus cellulose biosynthesis, in
Arabidopsis
. Therefore, this study provides a clear link between cell wall biosynthesis and hormonal signal transduction pathways that regulate plant growth and development.
Host immunity to
Plasmodium falciparum
and the assessment of emerging artemisinin resistance in a multinational cohort
Authors: Ataide Ricardo , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Powell Rosanna , Chan Jo-Anne , Malloy Michael J. , O’Flaherty Katherine , Takashima Eizo , Langer Christine , Tsuboi Takafumi , Dondorp Arjen M. , Day Nicholas P. , Dhorda Mehul , Fairhurst Rick M. , Lim Pharath , Amaratunga Chanaki , Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Hien Tran Tinh , Htut Ye , Mayxay Mayfong , Faiz M. Abul , Beeson James G. , Nosten Francois , Simpson Julie A. , White Nicholas J. , Fowkes Freya J. I.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Slow-clearing artemisinin-resistant malaria parasites are now well established in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This large multinational therapy efficacy study incorporating clinical data, molecular drug-resistance markers, and immune profiling aimed to understand how variations in population levels of naturally acquired malarial immunity affect the slow-clearing phenotype, emergence of artemisinin resistance-associated mutations, and assessment of the geographical spread of artemisinin resistance. We found that slow-clearing mutant parasites occur at higher frequencies in areas where immunity is lowest, patients with higher immunity have faster clearance times, and immunity has the greatest effect on clearance in patients with slow-clearing mutant parasites. Immunity plays an important role in the emergence of resistant parasites and can confound the World Health Organization’s phenotype and genotype definitions of artemisinin resistance.
AMPK blocks starvation-inducible transgenerational defects in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Demoinet Emilie , Li Shaolin , Roy Richard
Published: March 2017

Significance

Following periods of famine, a reproducible spectrum of disorders often manifest long after the period of starvation. Curiously, many of these diseases arise in individuals that have no apparent genetic history of the disorder, although they do correlate with specific epigenetic modifications. We used
Caenorhabditis elegans
as a model to understand how acute periods of starvation might result in physiological or developmental consequences in a single generation or over multiple generations following the initial period of stress. Our data suggest that the AMP-activated protein kinase, an enzyme that mediates metabolic adjustment during starvation, is required to block germ-line gene expression during these conditions. In its absence the inappropriate activation of germ-line transcription results in sterility and transgenerational reproductive defects.
Photocyclic behavior of rhodopsin induced by an atypical isomerization mechanism
Authors: Gulati Sahil , Jastrzebska Beata , Banerjee Surajit , Placeres Ángel L. , Miszta Przemyslaw , Gao Songqi , Gunderson Karl , Tochtrop Gregory P. , Filipek Sławomir , Katayama Kota , Kiser Philip D. , Mogi Muneto , Stewart Phoebe L. , Palczewski Krzysztof
Published: March 2017

Significance

Vertebrate rhodopsin (Rh) has been a model system for many G protein-coupled receptors for over a decade. However, due to its thus-far limited repertoire of active ligands, its use in assisting the development of new therapeutic modalities and drugs has been limited. This study elucidates a photocyclic G protein activation by Rh bound with a six-carbon ring retinal (Rh6mr), and thus broadens the diversity of such Rh signaling modulators. Rh6mr does not release its chromophore after light activation, but instead the resulting photoproduct is thermally reisomerized back to its inactive state, abrogating the necessity for a complex retinoid cycle to renew its chromophore. This photocyclic behavior of Rh6mr opens up several avenues for using optogenetic tools based on vertebrate Rhs.
Transcriptional landscape of the human cell cycle
Authors: Liu Yin , Chen Sujun , Wang Su , Soares Fraser , Fischer Martin , Meng Feilong , Du Zhou , Lin Charles , Meyer Clifford , DeCaprio James A. , Brown Myles , Liu X. Shirley , He Housheng Hansen
Published: March 2017

Significance

Our study provided a comprehensive view of the transcriptional landscape across the cell cycle. We revealed lag between transcription and steady-state RNA expression at the cell-cycle level and characterized a large amount of active transcription during early mitosis. In addition, our analysis identified thousands of enhancer RNAs and related transcription factors that are highly correlated with cell-cycle–regulated transcription but not with steady-state expression, thus highlighting the importance of transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics during cell-cycle progression.