bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BAP1 acts as a tumor suppressor in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by modulating the ERK1/2 and JNK/c-Jun pathways
Authors: Chen Xu-Xiao , Yin Yue , Cheng Jian-Wen , Huang Ao , Hu Bo , Zhang Xin , Sun Yun-Fan , Wang Jian , Wang Yu-Peng , Ji Yuan , Qiu Shuang-Jian , Fan Jia , Zhou Jian , Yang Xin-Rong
Published: October 2018

Current therapeutic options for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are very limited, which is largely attributed to poor understanding of molecular pathogenesis of ICC. Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein-associated protein-1 (BAP1) has been reported to be a broad-spectrum tumor suppressor in many tumor types, yet its role in ICC remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical implications and biological function of BAP1 in ICC. Our results showed that the messenger RNA and protein levels of BAP1 were significantly downregulated in ICC versus paired non-tumor tissues. Overexpression of wild-type but not mutant BAP1 significantly suppressed ICC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor progression in vivo. Conversely, knockdown of BAP1 yielded opposing effects. Mechanistically, BAP1 functioned as a tumor suppressor in ICC by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/c-Jun pathways, and this function was abolished by inactivating mutations. Clinically, low BAP1 expression was positively correlated with aggressive tumor characteristics, such as larger tumor size, presence of lymphatic metastasis, and advanced tumor node metastasis stage. Survival analysis revealed that low BAP1 expression was significantly and independently associated with poor overall survival and relapse-free survival after curative surgery. In conclusion, BAP1 is a putative tumor suppressor of ICC, and may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker as well as potential therapeutic target for ICC.
Comparison of breast cancer metastasis models reveals a possible mechanism of tumor aggressiveness
Authors: Pillar Nir , Polsky Avital Luba , Weissglas-Volkov Daphna , Shomron Noam
Published: October 2018

In breast cancer patients, the lungs are among the first sites of cancer metastasis, and in nearly one quarter of metastatic patients, the exclusive first event. Two common mouse models mimic breast cancer lung colonization and distal metastasis: an orthotopic model and intravenous (IV) cell injections. Gene expression analysis of pulmonary lesions from these two methods demonstrated high inter-model resemblance. However, microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles were not compared. In this study, we compared the overall miRNA expression profiles (miRNome) of the orthotopic and IV breast cancer metastasis models and identified significant miRNome changes between the two models. Overexpression of the most significant candidate, miR-96 or downregulation of its validated gene-target, ABCE1 reduced cancer cells 2D/3D cell movement and proliferation in vitro, and abated tumor growth and metastasis formation in vivo. Human data analysis further strengthened miR-96/ABCE1 role in breast cancer tumor aggression. Taken together, our results indicate that IV- and orthotopic models differ by their miRNome. Specifically in our study, breast cancer aggressiveness was dictated by miR-96 regulating ABCE1. Overall, miRNome analysis of various metastatic cancer models may lead to the identification of candidate genes critical to metastasis development.
Diosgenin promotes antitumor immunity and PD-1 antibody efficacy against melanoma by regulating intestinal microbiota
Authors: Dong Mengxue , Meng Zhefeng , Kuerban Kudelaidi , Qi Feilong , Liu Jiayang , Wei Yuxi , Wang Qian , Jiang Shanshan , Feng Meiqing , Ye Li
Published: October 2018

Diosgenin, a natural steroidal saponin, can exert antitumor effect by regulating immune function and improving intestinal microbiota. The response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is associated with intestinal microbiota and effector T cells in tumor microenvironment. We hypothesize that the modulation of diosgenin on intestinal microbiota can facilitate antitumor immunity and the therapeutic efficacy of PD-1 antibody. In melanoma-bearing C57BL/6 mice, we observed that the anti-melanoma effect of diosgenin relied more on antitumor immunity than direct tumor inhibition activity evidenced by obvious CD4+/CD8+ T-cell infiltration and IFN-γ expression in tumor tissues, and it could improve the compositions of intestinal microbiota. Antibiotics impaired the therapeutic efficacy and immunity responses of diosgenin through disturbing intestinal microbiota, indicating the importance of intestinal microbiota in diosgenin’s in vivo antitumor activity. More importantly, the combined administration of PD-1 antibody with diosgenin aggravated the tumor necrosis and apoptosis by eliciting augmented T-cell responses. Taken together, diosgenin can be used as a microecological regulator to induce antitumor immunity and improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint antibody, making it more suitable for the treatment of malignant tumors.
Increasing G9a automethylation sensitizes B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to glucocorticoid-induced death
Authors: Poulard Coralie , Baulu Estelle , Lee Brian H. , Pufall Miles A. , Stallcup Michael R.
Published: October 2018

Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to treat lymphoid cancers, but many patients develop resistance to treatment, especially to GC. By identifying genes that influence sensitivity to GC-induced cell death, we found that histone methyltransferases G9a and G9a-like protein (GLP), two glucocorticoid receptor (GR) coactivators, are required for GC-induced cell death in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell line Nalm6. We previously established in a few selected genes that automethylated G9a and GLP recruit heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) as another required coactivator. Here, we used a genome-wide analysis to show that HP1γ is selectively required for GC-regulated expression of the great majority of GR target genes that require G9a and GLP. To further address the importance of G9a and GLP methylation in this process and in cell physiology, we found that JIB-04, a selective JmjC family lysine demethylase inhibitor, increased G9a methylation and thereby increased G9a binding to HP1γ. This led to increased expression of GR target genes regulated by G9a, GLP and HP1γ and enhanced Nalm6 cell death. Finally, the KDM4 lysine demethylase subfamily demethylates G9a in vitro, in contrast to other KDM enzymes tested. Thus, inhibiting G9a/GLP demethylation potentially represents a novel method to restore sensitivity of treatment-resistant B-ALL tumors to GC-induced cell death.
Early redox activities modulate Xenopus tail regeneration
Authors: Ferreira Fernando , Raghunathan VijayKrishna , Luxardi Guillaume , Zhu Kan , Zhao Min
Published: October 2018

Redox state sustained by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is crucial for regeneration; however, the interplay between oxygen (O2), ROS and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) remains elusive. Here we observe, using an optic-based probe (optrode), an elevated and steady O2influx immediately upon amputation. The spatiotemporal O2influx profile correlates with the regeneration ofXenopus laevistadpole tails. Inhibition of ROS production but not ROS scavenging decreases O2influx. Inhibition of HIF-1α impairs regeneration and stabilization of HIF-1α induces regeneration in the refractory period. In the regeneration bud, hypoxia correlates with O2influx, ROS production, and HIF-1α stabilization that modulate regeneration. Further analyses reveal that heat shock protein 90 is a putative downstream target of HIF-1α while electric current reversal is a de facto downstream target of HIF-1α. Collectively, the results show a mechanism for regeneration via the orchestration of O2influx, ROS production, and HIF-1α stabilization.
A shear-dependent NO-cGMP-cGKI cascade in platelets acts as an auto-regulatory brake of thrombosis
Authors: Wen Lai , Feil Susanne , Wolters Markus , Thunemann Martin , Regler Frank , Schmidt Kjestine , Friebe Andreas , Olbrich Marcus , Langer Harald , Gawaz Meinrad , de Wit Cor , Feil Robert
Published: October 2018

Mechanisms that limit thrombosis are poorly defined. One of the few known endogenous platelet inhibitors is nitric oxide (NO). NO activates NO sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) in platelets, resulting in an increase of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Here we show, using cGMP sensor mice to study spatiotemporal dynamics of platelet cGMP, that NO-induced cGMP production in pre-activated platelets is strongly shear-dependent. We delineate a new mode of platelet-inhibitory mechanotransduction via shear-activated NO-GC followed by cGMP synthesis, activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI), and suppression of Ca2+ signaling. Correlative profiling of cGMP dynamics and thrombus formation in vivo indicates that high cGMP concentrations in shear-exposed platelets at the thrombus periphery limit thrombosis, primarily through facilitation of thrombus dissolution. We propose that an increase in shear stress during thrombus growth activates the NO-cGMP-cGKI pathway, which acts as an auto-regulatory brake to prevent vessel occlusion, while preserving wound closure under low shear.
IgG-mediated immune suppression in mice is epitope specific except during high epitope density conditions
Authors: Xu Hui , Zhang Lu , Heyman Birgitta
Published: October 2018

Specific IgG antibodies, passively administered together with erythrocytes, suppress antibody responses against the erythrocytes. Although used to prevent alloimmunization in Rhesus (Rh)D-negative women carrying RhD-positive fetuses, the mechanism behind is not understood. In mice, IgG suppresses efficiently in the absence of Fcγ-receptors and complement, suggesting an Fc-independent mechanism. In line with this, suppression is frequently restricted to the epitopes to which IgG binds. However, suppression of responses against epitopes not recognized by IgG has also been observed thus arguing against Fc-independence. Here, we explored the possibility that non-epitope specific suppression can be explained by steric hindrance when the suppressive IgG binds to an epitope present at high density. Mice were transfused with IgG anti-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl (NP) together with NP-conjugated sheep red blood cells (SRBC) with high, intermediate, or low NP-density. Antibody titers and the number of single antibody-forming cells were determined. As a rule, IgG suppressed NP- but not SRBC-specific responses (epitope specific suppression). However, there was one exception: suppression of both IgM anti-SRBC and IgM anti-NP responses occurred when high density SRBC-NP was administered (non-epitope specific suppression). These findings answer a longstanding question in antibody feedback regulation and are compatible with the hypothesis that epitope masking explains IgG-mediated immune suppression.
Feature selectivity is stable in primary visual cortex across a range of spatial frequencies
Authors: Jeon Brian B. , Swain Alex D. , Good Jeffrey T. , Chase Steven M. , Kuhlman Sandra J.
Published: October 2018

Reliable perception of environmental signals is a critical first step to generating appropriate responses and actions in awake behaving animals. The extent to which stimulus features are stably represented at the level of individual neurons is not well understood. To address this issue, we investigated the persistence of stimulus response tuning over the course of 1–2 weeks in the primary visual cortex of awake, adult mice. Using 2-photon calcium imaging, we directly compared tuning stability to two stimulus features (orientation and spatial frequency) within the same neurons, specifically in layer 2/3 excitatory neurons. The majority of neurons that were tracked and tuned on consecutive imaging sessions maintained stable orientation and spatial frequency preferences (83% and 76% of the population, respectively) over a 2-week period. Selectivity, measured as orientation and spatial frequency bandwidth, was also stable. Taking into account all 4 parameters, we found that the proportion of stable neurons was less than two thirds (57%). Thus, a substantial fraction of neurons (43%) were unstable in at least one parameter. Furthermore, we found that instability of orientation preference was not predictive of instability of spatial frequency preference within the same neurons. Population analysis revealed that noise correlation values were stable well beyond the estimated decline in monosynaptic connectivity (~250–300 microns). Our results demonstrate that orientation preference is stable across a range of spatial frequencies and that the tuning of distinct stimulus features can be independently maintained within a single neuron.
Loss of a conserved salt bridge in bacterial glycosyl hydrolase BgIM-G1 improves substrate binding in temperate environments
Authors: Mhaindarkar Dipali , Gasper Raphael , Lupilov Natalie , Hofmann Eckhard , Leichert Lars I.
Published: October 2018

Salt bridges are the strongest electrostatic interactions in proteins. They substantially contribute to a protein’s structural stability. Thus, mutations of salt bridges are typically selected against. Here, we report on the evolutionary loss of a highly conserved salt bridge in the GH1 family glycosyl hydrolase BglM-G1. BglM-G1’s gene was found in the bacterial metagenome of a temperate, seasonally cold marine habitat. In BglM-G1, arginine 75 is replaced by a histidine. While fully retaining β-glucosidase activity, BglM-G1 is less heat stable than an H75R variant, in which the salt bridge was artificially re-introduced. However, the Km toward its substrates was lower in wild type, leading to an overall higher catalytic efficiency. Our results indicate that this loss of the salt bridge leads to higher flexibility in BglM-G1’s active site, trading structural stability at high temperatures, a trait not needed in a temperate, seasonally cold habitat, for a more effective catalytic activity.
Mesothelial to mesenchyme transition as a major developmental and pathological player in trunk organs and their cavities
Authors: Koopmans Tim , Rinkevich Yuval
Published: October 2018

The internal organs embedded in the cavities are lined by an epithelial monolayer termed the mesothelium. The mesothelium is increasingly implicated in driving various internal organ pathologies, as many of the normal embryonic developmental pathways acting in mesothelial cells, such as those regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, also drive disease progression in adult life. Here, we summarize observations from different animal models and organ systems that collectively point toward a central role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in driving tissue fibrosis, acute scarring, and cancer metastasis. Thus, drugs targeting pathways of mesothelium’s transition may have broad therapeutic benefits in patients suffering from these diseases.
Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral trisubstituted heteroaromatic allenes from 1,3-enynes
Authors: Yu Songjie , Sang Hui Leng , Zhang Shuo-Qing , Hong Xin , Ge Shaozhong
Published: October 2018

Chiral allene and N-heteroaryl motifs are present in an ever-growing list of biologically active natural products and synthetic drugs. Although significant progress has been made in asymmetric syntheses of chiral allenes, general and practical protocols for enantioselective syntheses of chiral N-heteroaryl-substituted allenes from readily available starting materials still remain rare. Here we report a highly enantioselective synthesis of quinolinyl-substituted chiral allenes through a copper-catalyzed asymmetric allenylation of quinoline N-oxides with readily available 1,3-enynes. A variety of 1,3-enynes react with quinoline N-oxides, affording the corresponding quinolinyl-substituted allenes in high yields (up to 95%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). This transformation tolerates a variety of functional groups, such as chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl ether, tertiary amine, siloxy, carboxylic ester, imide, pyridine, and thiophene moieties. DFT calculations suggest a pathway involving an intramolecular nucleophilic addition of an allenyl copper intermediate with a coordinated quinoline N-oxide through a five-membered, rather than seven-membered, transition state.
Ultrasmall hybrid protein–copper sulfide nanoparticles for targeted photoacoustic imaging of orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma with a high signal-to-noise ratio
Authors: Yan Huixiang , Chen Jingqin , Li Ying , Bai Yuanyuan , Wu Yunzhu , Sheng Zonghai , Song Liang , Liu Chengbo , Zhang Hai
Published: October 2018

A schematic illustration of CuS@BSA-RGD nanoparticle synthesis and the application of photoacoustic imaging in an orthotopic HCC model.
Nitric oxide-releasing semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymers: preparation, characterization and application to devise anti-inflammatory and bactericidal implants
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Jolliffe Aaron , Carr Benjamin , Zhang Qi , Bilger Mark , Cui Yu , Wu Jianfeng , Wang Xianglong , Mahoney Mollie , Rojas-Pena Alvaro , Hoenerhoff Mark J. , Douglas Justin , Bartlett Robert H. , Xi Chuanwu , Bull Joseph L. , Meyerhoff Mark E.
Published: October 2018

Nitric oxide-based biocompatibility strategy.
A new strategy for constructing a disulfide-functionalized ZIF-8 analogue using structure-directing ligand–ligand covalent interaction
Authors: Gai Yanli , Chen Xitong , Yang Huajun , Wang Yanxiang , Bu Xianhui , Feng Pingyun
Published: October 2018

Inter-ligand –S–S– covalent interaction plays a key role in the synthesis of a ZIF-8 analogue CPM-8S.
Application of an electron-transfer catalyst in light-induced aerobic oxidation of alcohols
Authors: Guo Rui-Yun , Sun Li , Pan Xin-Yi , Yang Xiao-Dong , Ma Shuai , Zhang Jie
Published: October 2018

The first heterogeneous photocatalysis system including a bipyridinium-based complex as the electron-transfer catalyst was developed for aerobic oxidation of alcohols without the use of any noble-metal, external N-oxide or peroxide co-oxidant. The current work provides an efficient strategy for alcohol oxidation through a cost-effective, convenient and eco-friendly route.
Insights into inorganic buffer layer-assisted in situ fabrication of MOF films with controlled microstructures
Authors: Liu Yi , Matsuda Ryotaro , Kusaka Shinpei , Hori Akihiro , Ma Yunsheng , Kitagawa Susumu
Published: October 2018

ZIF-7 films with diverse microstructures were in situ fabricated on Co–Al/Mg–Al HTlc-functionalized substrates, demonstrating that metal ions residing in the inorganic buffer layers did not have to be consistent with those in the MOF framework.
Surface defects enhance the adsorption affinity and selectivity of Mg(OH)2towards As(v) and Cr(vi) oxyanions: a combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Ou Xinwen , Liu Xueming , Liu Weizhen , Rong Wencong , Li Jingyuan , Lin Zhang
Published: October 2018

The surface defects of Mg(OH)2adsorbent show high adsorption affinity and selectivity for heavy metal oxyanions from wastewater, and surface defects fabrication is proved to be an efficient strategy for extracting heavy metal oxyanions at low concentration.
Metabonomics analysis of quercetin against the nephrotoxicity of acrylamide in rats
Authors: Bo Lu , Liu Yanli , Jia Siqi , Liu Yajing , Zhang Meiyan , Li Siqi , Zhao Xiujuan , Sun Changhao
Published: October 2018

This research aimed at studying the effect of quercetin against the nephrotoxicity of acrylamide by metabonomics analysis of kidney tissue.
Protective effects of enhanced minor ginsenosides in Lactobacillus fermentum KP-3-fermented ginseng in mice fed a high fat diet
Authors: Nan Bo , Liu Yan-long , You Ying , Li Wan-cong , Fan Jing-jing , Wang Yu-shan , Piao Chun-hong , Hu Dong-liang , Lu Gui-jiao , Wang Yu-hua
Published: October 2018

Lactobacillus fermentum KP-3 was isolated from Korean pickle and used to ferment ginseng.
Preventive mechanism of bioactive dietary foods on obesity-related inflammation and diseases
Authors: Sung Jeehye , Ho Chi-Tang , Wang Yu
Published: October 2018

This review focuses on the molecular biological mechanism of obesity-induced inflammation and the reciprocal interactions between the major molecular mechanisms and a range of dietary bioactive compounds.
Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of organometallic derivatives of the antimalarial drug mefloquine as new antischistosomal drug candidates
Authors: d'Orchymont Faustine , Hess Jeannine , Panic Gordana , Jakubaszek Marta , Gemperle Lea , Keiser Jennifer , Gasser Gilles
Published: October 2018

The design, synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of new ferrocenyl and ruthenocenyl derivatives of the antimalarial mefloquine is described.
Regioselectivity in hexagonal boron nitride co-doped graphene
Authors: Jayaprakash Gururaj Kudur , Flores-Moreno Roberto
Published: October 2018

The active electron transfer (ET) sites on the graphene surface can be controlled by hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) doping.
Transition-metal-free KI-catalyzed regioselective sulfenylation of 4-anilinocoumarins using Bunte salts
Authors: Li Guoqing , Zhang Guomeng , Deng Xuewu , Qu Kunyu , Wang Hua , Wei Wei , Yang Daoshan
Published: October 2018

An efficient and eco-friendly protocol for the KI-catalyzed regioselective sulfenylation of 4-anilinocoumarins with Bunte salts was established under metal-free conditions.
Polycondensation of methacrylates: auto-tandem organocatalysis using N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Fukumoto Aoi , Arimoto Miharu , Matsuoka Shin-ichi , Suzuki Masato
Published: October 2018

N-Heterocyclic carbenes catalyzed the self-polycondensation of hydroxy-functionalized methacrylates and the direct polycondensation of n-butyl methacrylate with diols to produce new unsaturated polyesters.
A high-capacity and long-life aqueous rechargeable zinc battery using a porous metal–organic coordination polymer nanosheet cathode
Authors: Wu Shan , Wang Yi-Fan , Liu Wei-Liang , Ren Man-Man , Kong Fan-Gong , Wang Shou-Juan , Wang Xin-Qiang , Zhao Hui , Bao Jin-Ming
Published: October 2018

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have received increasing attention because of their low cost, environmental benefits and material abundance.
Ag(i)-Catalyzed solvent-free CO2 capture with homopropargylic amines: an efficient access to 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones
Authors: Wang Weilin , Fu Yixin , Li Yimeng , Yao Ruitong , Liu Lingyan , Chang Weixing , Li Jing
Published: October 2018

An efficient solvent-free CO2 capture and transformation method was developed through using homopropargylic amines in the presence of AgOAc and DBU, and a series of 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones was obtained in excellent yields.
Tunable ESIPT reaction and antioxidant activities of 3-hydroxyflavone and its derivatives by altering atomic electronegativity
Authors: Sun Chaofan , Zhao Huifang , Liu Xiaochun , Yin Hang , Shi Ying
Published: October 2018

3-HTF easiest to carry out ESIPT reaction would exhibit the highest efficient antioxidant activity among the three compounds.
Application of diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectrometry and chemometrics in characterization of micro and mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites
Authors: Amani Shahin , Garmarudi Amir Bagheri , Khanmohammadi Mohammadreza , Yaripour Fereydoon
Published: October 2018

Evaluation of porosity type of zeolites is one of the critical topics in catalysis science.
Identification of the cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the oxidative metabolism of trantinterol using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Kunjie , Guo Xingjie , Qin Feng , Xiong Zhili , Zhao Longshan , Yu Jia
Published: October 2018

The first report on the characterization of the main CYP450 enzymes and the kinetic study involved in trantinterol metabolism.
Lecithin–chitosan–TPGS nanoparticles as nanocarriers of (−)-epicatechin enhanced its anticancer activity in breast cancer cells
Authors: Perez-Ruiz Adriana Guadalupe , Ganem Adriana , Olivares-Corichi Ivonne María , García-Sánchez José Rubén
Published: October 2018

Natural compounds such as (−)-epicatechin show a variety of biological properties including anticancer activity.
Unveiling Cs-adsorption mechanism of Prussian blue analogs: Cs+-percolation via vacancies to complete dehydrated state
Authors: Takahashi Akira , Tanaka Hisashi , Minami Kimitaka , Noda Keiko , Ishizaki Manabu , Kurihara Masato , Ogawa Hiroshi , Kawamoto Tohru
Published: October 2018

Cs+ adsorption selectivity caused by hydration energy and percolation theory to evaluate the ion-exchangeable site ratio.
Triazole-based cross-linkers in radical polymerization processes: tuning mechanical properties of poly(acrylamide) and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels
Authors: Götz Tobias , Schädel Nicole , Petri Nadja , Kirchhof Manuel , Bilitewski Ursula , Tovar Günter E. M. , Laschat Sabine , Southan Alexander
Published: October 2018

Poly(acrylamide) and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels were prepared by free-radical polymerization using triazole-based cross-linkers with different spacer lengths and functional end groups and hydrogel properties were assessed.
Biomimetic colloidal photonic crystals by coassembly of polystyrene nanoparticles and graphene quantum dots
Authors: Huang Dali , Zeng Minxiang , Wang Ling , Zhang Lecheng , Cheng Zhengdong
Published: October 2018

We reported colloidal PCs with enhanced color visibility through the coassembly of modified graphene quantum dots into the close-packed array of polystyrene nanoparticles.
Advanced palladium free approach to the synthesis of substituted alkene oxindoles via aluminum-promoted Knoevenagel reaction
Authors: Novikova Daria S. , Grigoreva Tatyana A. , Zolotarev Andrey A. , Garabadzhiu Alexander V. , Tribulovich Vyacheslav G.
Published: October 2018

A synthetic route for the synthesis of C24, as well as for the design of focused libraries of direct AMPK activators was developed based on a convergent strategy.
Dissolving uptake-hindering surface defects in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Müller Kai , Vankova Nina , Schöttner Ludger , Heine Thomas , Heinke Lars
Published: October 2018

Performance-limiting surface defects in metal–organic frameworks caused by exposure to a humid environment can be dissolved by exposure to ethanol.
Synthesis of glycopolymer nanosponges with enhanced adsorption performances for boron removal and water treatment
Authors: Liao Xueping , Wang Bingyu , Zhang Qiang
Published: October 2018

Cross-linked cyclodextrin-scaffolded glycopolymers as bifunctional nanosponges were investigated for boron adsorption and water treatment.
Facile synthesis of graphene nanoribbons from zeolite-templated ultra-small carbon nanotubes for lithium ion storage
Authors: Xu Xintong , Ruan Shuangchen , Zhai Jianpang , Zhu Haiou , Yu Li , Pei Jihong , Cui Zhe , Zou Rujia , Hu Junqing , Lu Aijiang , Yu Mingyang , Tang Zikang
Published: October 2018

Graphene nanoribbons are synthesized by unraveling ultra-small carbon nanotubes, which show high performance for lithium ion storage.
Sequential deposition route to efficient Sb2S3 solar cells
Authors: Zhang Lijian , Wu Chunyan , Liu Weifeng , Yang Shangfeng , Wang Mingtai , Chen Tao , Zhu Changfei
Published: October 2018

Sb2S3 films for efficient Sb2S3-based solar cells can be obtained through annealing a bilayer of antimony acetate and thiourea films.
Surface-step-terrace tuned second-order nonlinear optical coefficients of epitaxial ferroelectric BaTiO3 films
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Guo Quan , Zheng Shuaizhi , Zhong Xiangli , Zhong Gaokuo , Zhang Dongwen , Ren Chuanlai , Tan Congbing , Lu Zhihui , Zhang Yi , Tang Yong , Wang Jinbin , Yuan Jianmin
Published: October 2018

BaTiO3 films grown on SrTiO3 substrates with various miscut angles present different second-order nonlinear optical coefficients tuned by surface-step-terrace-induced strains.
Designing dual emitting cores for highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters
Authors: Wei Danqing , Ni Fan , Wu Zhongbin , Zhu Zece , Zou Yang , Zheng Kailu , Chen Zhanxiang , Ma Dongge , Yang Chuluo
Published: October 2018

Designing dual emitting cores for constructing TADF materials with small ΔESTs, intensive absorption and high PLQYs.
Promising photovoltaic and solid-state-lighting materials: two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper type lead-free halide double perovskites Csn+1Inn/2Sbn/2I3n+1(n= 3) and Csn+1Inn/2Sbn/2Cl3n+1/Csm+1Cum/2Bim/2Cl3m+1(n= 3,m= 1)
Authors: Wu Meng , Shi Jun-jie , Zhang Min , Cen Yu-lang , Guo Wen-hui , Zhu Yao-hui
Published: October 2018

Promising 2D Cs4In3/2Sb3/2I10and Cs4In3/2Sb3/2Cl10/Cs2Cu1/2Bi1/2Cl4lead-free halide double perovskites have suitable direct bandgaps, and ultrahigh optical absorption and carrier mobility.
Impact of gender on the survival of patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Tian Minjie , Ma Wenying , Chen Yueqiu , Yu Yue , Zhu Donglin , Shi Jingping , Zhang Yingdong
Published: October 2018

Background: Preclinical models have suggested a role for sex hormones in the development of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, the impact of gender on the survival time of patients with GBM has not been fully understood. The objective of the present study was to clarify the association between gender and survival of patients with GBM by analyzing population-based data.

Methods: We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results database who were diagnosed with GBM between 2000 and 2008 and were treated with surgery. Five-year cancer specific survival data were obtained. Kaplan–Meier methods and multivariable Cox regression models were used to analyze long-term survival outcomes and risk factors.

Results: A total of 6586 patients were identified; 61.5% were men and 38.5% were women. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates in the male and female groups were 6.8% and 8.3%, respectively (P=0.002 by univariate and P<0.001 by multivariate analysis). A stratified analysis showed that male patients always had the lowest CSS rate across localized cancer stage and different age subgroups.

Conclusions: Gender has prognostic value for determining GBM risk. The role of sex hormones in the development of GBM warrants further investigation.
Microstructure and nanomechanical properties of foreleg surface of the praying mantis (Mantis religiosa Linnaeus)
Authors: Sun Hongliang , Haohan Zhang , Li Mo
Published: October 2018

Detailed investigations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the surface of the praying mantis’ foreleg were carried out in this work since the microstructure and mechanical properties of insect organisms surface are well adjusted to their functions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the surface microstructures of the tibia and femur were composed of squamous fibre and the spine surfaces on these two parts are arris. A nanoindenter was used to investigate the mechanical properties of the praying mantis's foreleg, including the mean Young's modulus and hardness of the femur cuticle, tibia cuticle and the apical claw. The test results on these parts were E = 5.533 GPa, H = 0.239 GPa, E = 3.471 GPa, H = 0.186 GPa, E = 2.232 GPa, H = 0.449 GPa, respectively. The variation of mechanical properties agreed with the analysis of microstructure.
Deep learning based RF fingerprinting for device identification and wireless security
Authors: Wu Qingyang , Feres Carlos , Kuzmenko Daniel , Zhi Ding , Yu Zhou , Liu Xin , ‘Leo’ Liu Xiaoguang
Published: October 2018

RF fingerprinting is an emerging technology for identifying hardware‐specific features of wireless transmitters and may find important applications in wireless security. In this study, the authors present a new RF fingerprinting scheme using deep neural networks. In particular, a long short‐term memory based recurrent neural network is proposed and used for automatically identifying hardware‐specific features and classifying transmitters. Experimental studies using identical RF transmitters showed very high detection accuracy in the presence of strong noise (signal‐to‐noise ratio as low as dB) and demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
New approach to robust observer‐based control of one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear systems
Authors: Haiek Badreddine El , Aiss Hicham El , Abdelaziz Hmamed , Hajjaji Ahmed El , Houssaine Tissir El
Published: October 2018

This study investigates the problem of robust observer design for a class of one‐sided non‐linear continuous‐time systems with parameter uncertainties and bounded admissible external disturbance. The one‐sided Lipschitz and quadratically inner‐bounded conditions have been utilised to derive less conservative synthesis condition for the observer design. The corresponding design methodology is established, with the help some special derivations, bilinear matrix inequalities are successfully transformed into a set of linear matrix inequalities. Then, the robust controller and observer gains can be simultaneously found at one step. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the validity and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Necessary and sufficient characterisation for output synchronisation of linear heterogeneous agents using reflexive generalised inverses
Authors: Kim Hongkeun
Published: October 2018

This work studies the conditions on which the outputs of linear heterogeneous (i.e. non‐identical) agents are asymptotically synchronised, where the dynamics of the agents and the dimensions of the state variables might widely differ among themselves. With the constraint that the relative outputs of the agents are the only measurements, it is shown that the reflexive generalised inverses play a key role in characterising the conditions, and give rise to the synchronisation stability of the agents. Together with the internal model principle for synchronisation, this results in a necessary and sufficient condition for reaching the asymptotic output synchronisation. This necessary and sufficient characterisation has its own geometric interpretation as the reflexive generalised inverses are related to the projections onto subspaces. Finally, it is shown that the condition is in fact a natural generalisation of the state synchronisability of homogeneous (i.e. identical) linear agents. A computer simulation is also provided to verify the result.
Measurements on pressboard to understand the effect of solid insulation condition on monitoring of power transformer winding clamping pressure
Authors: Naranpanawe Lakshitha , Ekanayake Chandima , Saha Tapan K.
Published: October 2018

Pressboard is the main building material of a power transformer winding structure. Through‐thickness compression behaviour of pressboard has a direct influence on the transformer winding clamping pressure. Being a cellulose based polymeric material with a porous structure, the through‐thickness compression behaviour of pressboard is highly non‐linear. Also, the mechanical properties of pressboard are moisture, temperature, and ageing status dependent. However, information on the exact behaviour of the through‐thickness compressibility of pressboard under typical operating conditions of a power transformer has not been well documented in the literature. This has posed difficulties in developing reliable techniques to detect loose clamping conditions in power transformer windings. This study presents the results of laboratory measurements on the effect of moisture, temperature and ageing on the through‐thickness compression behaviour of oil‐impregnated pressboard. From the measured results, it was found that the compressibility of pressboard could increase with increasing temperature, ageing and moisture ingress. It was also found that moisture and ageing tend to exaggerate the thermal softening of pressboard. Subsequent finite element analysis confirmed that transformer clamping pressure has significantly altered with the pressboard condition.
X-shooter and ALMA spectroscopy of GRB 161023A
Authors: de Ugarte Postigo A. , Thöne C. C. , Bolmer J. , Schulze S. , Martín S. , Kann D. A. , D’Elia V. , Selsing J. , Martin-Carrillo A. , Perley D. A. , Kim S. , Izzo L. , Sánchez-Ramírez R. , Guidorzi C. , Klotz A. , Wiersema K. , Bauer F. E. , Bensch K. , Campana S. , Cano Z. , Covino S. , Coward D. , De Cia A. , de Gregorio-Monsalvo I. , De Pasquale M. , Fynbo J. P. U. , Greiner J. , Gomboc A. , Hanlon L. , Hansen M. , Hartmann D. H. , Heintz K. E. , Jakobsson P. , Kobayashi S. , Malesani D. B. , Martone R. , Meintjes P. J. , Michałowski M. J. , Mundell C. G. , Murphy D. , Oates S. , Salmon L. , van Soelen B. , Tanvir N. R. , Turpin D. , Xu D. , Zafar T.
Published: October 2018

Context. Long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are produced during the dramatic deaths of massive stars with very short lifetimes, meaning that they explode close to the birth place of their progenitors. Over a short period they become the most luminous objects observable in the Universe, being perfect beacons to study high-redshift star-forming regions.

Aims. We aim to use the afterglow of GRB 161023A at a redshift z = 2.710 as a background source to study the environment of the explosion and the intervening systems along its line of sight.

Methods. For the first time, we complement ultraviolet (UV), optical and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with millimetre spectroscopy using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), which allows us to probe the molecular content of the host galaxy. The X-shooter spectrum shows a plethora of absorption features including fine-structure and metastable transitions of Fe, Ni, Si, C, and O. We present photometry ranging from 43 s to over 500 days after the burst.

Results. We infer a host-galaxy metallicity of [Zn/H] = −1.11 ± 0.07, which, corrected for dust depletion, results in [X/H] = −0.94 ± 0.08. We do not detect molecular features in the ALMA data, but we derive limits on the molecular content of log(NCO/cm−2) < 15.7 and log(NHCO+/cm−-12, which are consistent with those that we obtain from the optical spectra, log(NH2/cm−2)< 15.2 and log(NCO/cm−2) < 14.5. Within the host galaxy, we detect three velocity systems through UV, optical and NIR absorption spectroscopy, all with levels that were excited by the GRB afterglow. We determine the distance from these systems to the GRB to be in the range between 0.7 and 1.0 kpc. The sight line to GRB 161023A shows nine independent intervening systems, most of them with multiple components.

Conclusions. Although no molecular absorption was detected for GRB 161023A, we show that GRB millimetre spectroscopy is now feasible and is opening a new window on the study of molecular gas within star-forming galaxies at all redshifts. The most favoured lines of sight for this purpose will be those with high metallicity and dust.
Reconstruction of asteroid spin states from Gaia DR2 photometry
Authors: Ďurech J. , Hanuš J.
Published: October 2018

Context. In addition to stellar data, Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) also contains accurate astrometry and photometry of about 14 000 asteroids covering 22 months of observations.

Aims. We used Gaia asteroid photometry to reconstruct rotation periods, spin axis directions, and the coarse shapes of a subset of asteroids with enough observations. One of our aims was to test the reliability of the models with respect to the number of data points and to check the consistency of these models with independent data. Another aim was to produce new asteroid models to enlarge the sample of asteroids with known spin and shape.

Methods. We used the lightcurve inversion method to scan the period and pole parameter space to create final shape models that best reproduce the observed data. To search for the sidereal rotation period, we also used a simpler model of a geometrically scattering triaxial ellipsoid.

Results. By processing about 5400 asteroids with at least 10 observations in DR2, we derived models for 173 asteroids, 129 of which are new. Models of the remaining asteroids were already known from the inversion of independent data, and we used them for verification and error estimation. We also compared the formally best rotation periods based on Gaia data with those derived from dense lightcurves.

Conclusions. We show that a correct rotation period can be determined even when the number of observations N is less than 20, but the rate of false solutions is high. For N > 30, the solution of the inverse problem is often successful and the parameters are likely to be correct in most cases. These results are very promising because the final Gaia catalogue should contain photometry for hundreds of thousands of asteroids, typically with several tens of data points per object, which should be sufficient for reliable spin reconstruction.
Linear radio size evolution of μJy populations
Authors: Bondi M. , Zamorani G. , Ciliegi P. , Smolčić V. , Schinnerer E. , Delvecchio I. , Jiménez-Andrade E. F. , Liu D. , Lang P. , Magnelli B. , Murphy E. J. , Vardoulaki E.
Published: October 2018

We investigate the linear radio size properties of the μJy populations of radio-selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) and star-forming galaxies (SFGs) using a multi-resolution catalog based on the original VLA-COSMOS 3 GHz 0.″75 resolution mosaic and its convolved images (up to a resolution of 2.″2). The final catalog contains 6399 radio sources above a 3 GHz total flux density of ST >  20 μJy (median ⟨ST⟩=37 μJy), with redshift information (median ⟨z⟩=1.0), and multi-wavelength classification as SFGs, radio-excess AGN (RX-AGN), or non-radio-excess AGN (NRX-AGN). RX-AGN are those whose radio emission exceeds the star formation rate derived by fitting the global spectral energy distribution. We derive the evolution with redshift and luminosity of the median linear sizes of each class of objects. We find that RX-AGN are compact, with median sizes of ∼1–2 kpc and increasing with redshift, corresponding to an almost constant angular size of 0.″25. NRX-AGN typically have radio sizes a factor of 2 larger than the RX-AGN. The median radio size of SFGs is about 5 kpc up to z ∼ 0.7, and it decreases beyond this redshift. Using luminosity-complete subsamples of objects, we separately investigate the effect of redshift and luminosity dependance. We compare the radio sizes of SFGs with those derived in the rest-frame far-infrared (FIR) and UV bands. We find that SFGs have comparable sizes (within 15%) in the radio and rest-frame FIR, while the sizes measured in the UV-band are systematically larger than the radio sizes.
Strategy of energy efficiency enhancement for sustainable and environmentally balanced development of gold deposits at its final stage
Authors: Ryl’nikova Marina
Published: October 2018

The article presents the rationale of the concept and defines the principles of keeping the production potential of a mining engineering system at the final stage of development to prevent a mine closure accompanied by a range of social, economic and environmental problems resulting from the disturbance of habitat, as well as lithosphere and hydrosphere parameters, etc. This concept can be implemented due to radically new geotechnology solutions aimed at the alteration of gold ore mining and processing technologies with the eventual disposal of wastes to mined-out areas. At the current stage of mining science advancement, energy efficiency and resource saving are inseparably connected with the sustainable use and conservation of non-renewable natural energy sources and transition to the use of technology-related energy sources regenerated in the course of mining. In this case, energy efficiency is viewed as economically feasible electricity consumption achieved at the current level of mining machinery and technology development and mandatory compliance with environmental safety requirements. Enhancement of energy efficiency envisages the minimization of energy consumption for mining processes while maintaining the scale of production and tackling the accompanying non-production challenges.

For the first time, for gold deposit conditions the author proposes general methodological approaches, in combination with a certain level of details, to the problem of systematization and estimation of opportunities of renewable energy sources use in the course of implementation of mining processes. The importance of the mentioned problem solution for mining sciences is in finding the evidence of the fact that in the course of implementation of mining processes within the framework of a mine various technology-related renewable energy sources are formed, which were not taken into account earlier, while the discovered objective laws of the formation of these energy sources, which, depending on the design and technology parameters of mining operations, provide a choice of preferable technological solutions to minimize the consumption of external energy supply by a mine. Development of new technical and technological solutions on the conversion of technology-related energy sources into electricity, its accumulation and consumption for in-mine needs will significantly minimize the consumption of external power supply, and in general it will enhance energy efficiency of mining operations and involve deposits located in remote and hard-to-reach areas in production.
Assessment of Power System Adequacy with Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Krupenev Dmitry
Published: October 2018

The paper deals with the problem of the accounting of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems in assessment of power system adequacy. Development of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems in the present day power systems is one of the main focuses. In power systems of some countries the share of electric energy generated by renewable energy sources is above 50 % in the energy balance. Therefore, the plans on development of the present day power systems must be elaborated with the proper accounting of operation of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems and the sound capacity reserves in terms of these facilities. The paper presents the algorithms for the accounting of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems. The experimental studies performed illustrate feasibility of the suggested algorithms.
Improved control algorithm for shunt reactors using fuzzy logic
Authors: Pirverdiyev Etibar , Hashimov Arif , Babayeva Aytek , Guliyev Huseynqulu
Published: October 2018

The task of provision of the efficiency of fuzzy controller action, regulating the power of shunt reactors, is considered for the stabilization of the voltage values in high-voltage buses, as well as to increase the regime reliability of the power grid. A new algorithm is proposed for controlling the power or inductive resistance of reactor depending on the load resistance, rate of change and voltage on the network buses. The results of the designed experiment based on computer simulation confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
Methods of analysis of the power system security
Authors: Osak Alexey , Panasetsky Daniil , Buzina Elena
Published: October 2018

Increasing the intelligent level of the PS control systems caused by the implementation of Smart technologies changes the structure and the properties of PS and increases the importance of system reliability analysis. System reliability analysis includes two components – the balance analysis and the regime analysis. On the one hand, there are a large number of studies that assess the reliability of the power system examining various aspects and methods of solving this problem. In practice, the security analysis is limited by the calculations of power flows, static and dynamic stability for a number of forecast periods for the normal and repair circuits considering the most severe disturbances. The existing approach allows defining the requirements and adjusting emergency control systems, but does not allow evaluating and comparing solutions for power grid constructions. The authors propose a new method for power system reliability evaluation, which is suitable for planning development and operation of power systems. The method includes a general description of the algorithm which allows to compare various development scenarios, as well as to assess the reliability level of their implementation.