bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decadal Variation in IOD Predictability During 1881–2016
Authors: Song Xunshu , Tang Youmin , Chen Dake
Published: November 2018

In this study, a long‐term retrospective hindcast experiment is performed for the period from 1881 to 2016 with respect to tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans using a newly developed tropical intermediate coupled model. We focus on the predictability of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) mode, especially its decadal variation. There is a considerable decadal variation in IOD predictability, with high skill after the 1980s and low skill in 1940–1960. This decadal variation is significant when the prediction target is observed in the boreal autumn and winter months. Further diagnostic analysis revealed that this decadal variation was primarily due to the decadal variation in the El Nino and Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐IOD relation that characterized the ENSO‐induced precursor processes, strengthening the predictable IOD signal. Unlike the ENSO predictability that is substantially related to the ENSO signal, the IOD predictability is related to the ENSO‐induced signal rather than the total IOD signal.
CAPE Times P Explains Lightning Over Land But Not the Land‐Ocean Contrast
Authors: Romps David M. , Charn Alexander B. , Holzworth Robert H. , Lawrence William E. , Molinari John , Vollaro David
Published: November 2018

The contemporaneous pointwise product of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and precipitation is shown to be a good proxy for lightning. In particular, the CAPE × P proxy for lightning faithfully replicates seasonal maps of lightning over the contiguous United States, as well as the shape, amplitude, and timing of the diurnal cycle in lightning. Globally, CAPE × P correctly predicts the distribution of flash rate densities over land, but it does not predict the pronounced land‐ocean contrast in flash rate density; some factor other than CAPE or P is responsible for that land‐ocean contrast.
A Preseismic Strain Anomaly Detected Before M6 Earthquakes in the South Iceland Seismic Zone From GPS Station Velocities
Authors: Árnadóttir Thóra , Haines John , Geirsson Halldór , Hreinsdóttir Sigrún
Published: November 2018

The South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) accommodates E‐W translation due to oblique spreading between the North American and the Eurasian plates in South Iceland with ruptures on N‐S faults. Strain is released in earthquake sequences that last days to years, at average intervals of 80–100 years. Two M6.5 earthquakes struck in the SISZ in June 2000, and two M6 earthquakes in May 2008. These events released only half of the strain accumulated since the last earthquake sequence in 1896–1912. GPS station velocities are estimated from annual campaigns and continuous measurements in the SISZ during 2001–2015. The GPS station velocities are used to calculate strain rates from a new method using the vertical derivatives of horizontal stress. Our new strain rates are obtained by integrating vertical derivatives of horizontal stress rates, rather than differentiating interpolated GPS velocities, allowing finer resolution of strain. Estimating the strain rates for eight time intervals, we find high strain rates in the SISZ (0.5–1 microstrain per year) with significant temporal and spatial variation. The strain rates in the SISZ reveal contraction in the Hengill area and dilatation over a large area in eastern SISZ, indicating inflation of the magma system beneath Hekla volcano. A prominent strain anomaly is evident in the epicentral area prior to the May 2008 earthquakes. We suggest that this signal is primarily caused by plate motion and an increase in the rate of contraction in the Hengill area, located ∼10 km west of the epicentral area.
Smartphone app for non-invasive detection of anemia using only patient-sourced photos
Authors: Mannino Robert G. , Myers David R. , Tyburski Erika A. , Caruso Christina , Boudreaux Jeanne , Leong Traci , Clifford G. D. , Lam Wilbur A.
Published: November 2018

We introduce a paradigm of completely non-invasive, on-demand diagnostics that may replace common blood-based laboratory tests using only a smartphone app and photos. We initially targeted anemia, a blood condition characterized by low blood hemoglobin levels that afflicts >2 billion people. Our app estimates hemoglobin levels by analyzing color and metadata of fingernail bed smartphone photos and detects anemia (hemoglobin levels <12.5 g dL−1) with an accuracy of ±2.4 g dL−1 and a sensitivity of 97% (95% CI, 89–100%) when compared with CBC hemoglobin levels (n = 100 subjects), indicating its viability to serve as a non-invasive anemia screening tool. Moreover, with personalized calibration, this system achieves an accuracy of ±0.92 g dL−1 of CBC hemoglobin levels (n = 16), empowering chronic anemia patients to serially monitor their hemoglobin levels instantaneously and remotely. Our on-demand system enables anyone with a smartphone to download an app and immediately detect anemia anywhere and anytime.
Publisher Correction: All-inorganic cesium lead iodide perovskite solar cells with stabilized efficiency beyond 15%
Authors: Wang Kang , Jin Zhiwen , Liang Lei , Bian Hui , Bai Dongliang , Wang Haoran , Zhang Jingru , Wang Qian , Liu Shengzhong
Published: November 2018

In the original version of this Article, the author name ‘Shengzhong Liu’ was incorrectly given as ‘Liu Shengzhong’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Redirecting Primary Metabolism to Boost Production of Tyrosine-Derived Specialised Metabolites in Planta
Authors: Timoneda Alfonso , Sheehan Hester , Feng Tao , Lopez-Nieves Samuel , Maeda Hiroshi A. , Brockington Samuel
Published: November 2018

L-Tyrosine-derived specialized metabolites perform many important functions in plants, and have valuable applications in human health and nutrition. A necessary step in the overproduction of specialised tyrosine-derived metabolites in planta is the manipulation of primary metabolism to enhance the availability of tyrosine. Here, we utilise a naturally occurring de-regulated isoform of the key enzyme, arogenate dehydrogenase, to re-engineer the interface of primary and specialised metabolism, to boost the production of tyrosine-derived pigments in a heterologous plant host. Through manipulation of tyrosine availability, we report a 7-fold increase in the production of tyrosine-derived betalain pigments, with an upper range of 855 mg·kg−1·FW, which compare favourably to many in vitro and commercial sources of betalain pigments. Since the most common plant pathway for tyrosine synthesis occurs via arogenate, the de-regulated arogenate dehydrogenase isoform is a promising route for enhanced production of tyrosine-derived pharmaceuticals in diverse plant hosts.
Development of a multi-locus CRISPR gene drive system in budding yeast
Authors: Yan Yao , Finnigan Gregory C.
Published: November 2018

The discovery of CRISPR/Cas gene editing has allowed for major advances in many biomedical disciplines and basic research. One arrangement of this biotechnology, a nuclease-based gene drive, can rapidly deliver a genetic element through a given population and studies in fungi and metazoans have demonstrated the success of such a system. This methodology has the potential to control biological populations and contribute to eradication of insect-borne diseases, agricultural pests, and invasive species. However, there remain challenges in the design, optimization, and implementation of gene drives including concerns regarding biosafety, containment, and control/inhibition. Given the numerous gene drive arrangements possible, there is a growing need for more advanced designs. In this study, we use budding yeast to develop an artificial multi-locus gene drive system. Our minimal setup requires only a single copy of S. pyogenes Cas9 and three guide RNAs to propagate three gene drives. We demonstrate how this system could be used for targeted allele replacement of native genes and to suppress NHEJ repair systems by modifying DNA Ligase IV. A multi-locus gene drive configuration provides an expanded suite of options for complex attributes including pathway redundancy, combatting evolved resistance, and safeguards for control, inhibition, or reversal of drive action.
Evidence for ‘critical slowing down’ in seagrass: a stress gradient experiment at the southern limit of its range
Authors: El-Hacen El-Hacen M. , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Fivash Gregory S. , Sall Amadou Abderahmane , Piersma Theunis , Olff Han , Govers Laura L.
Published: November 2018

The theory of critical slowing down, i.e. the increasing recovery times of complex systems close to tipping points, has been proposed as an early warning signal for collapse. Empirical evidence for the reality of such warning signals is still rare in ecology. We studied this onZostera noltiiintertidal seagrass meadows at their southern range limit, the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania. We analyse the environmental covariates of recovery rates using structural equation modelling (SEM), based on an experiment in which we assessed whether recovery after disturbances (i.e. seagrass & infauna removal) depends on stress intensity (increasing with elevation) and disturbance patch size (1 m2vs. 9 m2). The SEM analyses revealed that higher biofilm density and sediment accretion best explained seagrass recovery rates. Experimental disturbances were followed by slow rates of recovery, regrowth occurring mainly in the coolest months of the year. Macrofauna recolonisation lagged behind seagrass recovery. Overall, the recovery rate was six times slower in the high intertidal zone than in the low zone. The large disturbances in the low zone recovered faster than the small ones in the high zone. This provides empirical evidence for critical slowing down with increasing desiccation stress in an intertidal seagrass system.
Six years of grazing exclusion is the optimum duration in the alpine meadow-steppe of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Wen , Liu Yuzhen , Wang Jinlan , Shi Shangli , Cao Wenxia
Published: November 2018

Grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy for restoring degraded grasslands worldwide, but the effects of different exclusion durations on vegetation structure and soil properties remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated vegetation characteristics and soil properties in an alpine meadow-steppe under grazing exclusion of different lengths (with grazing and with 3-year, 6-year, 9-year and 11-year grazing exclusions) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We also explored the relationships among above-ground biomass, biodiversity and soil properties to ascertain the mechanism underlying the impact of grazing exclusion on these factors. The results showed that the above- and below-ground biomass, total number of plant species, community density, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, evenness index, richness index, soil and vegetation carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage and ecosystem C and N storage exhibited a hump-shaped pattern in response to the length of grazing exclusion with a 6-year threshold. In addition, structural equation modelling showed that the bulk density, soil moisture content, micro sand content and clay and silt contents were the most important determining factors leading to an increase in above-ground biomass in the alpine meadow-steppe after grazing exclusion, whereas the soil total N, available N, available phosphate and soil organic C content were the most important determining factors leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Considering the stability of the plant community and the C and N pools, long-term grazing exclusion (>9 years) is unnecessary, and the optimum exclosure duration of the moderately degraded Elymus nutans - Kobresia humilis type alpine meadow-steppe is six years on the north-eastern QTP.
Effects of Modulating Actin Dynamics on HER2 Cancer Cell Motility and Metastasis
Authors: Nersesian Sarah , Williams Rodette , Newsted Daniel , Shah Kavan , Young Stephanie , Evans P. Andrew , Allingham John S. , Craig Andrew W.
Published: November 2018

Amplification of HER2 leads to development of HER2-positive (HER2+) cancers with high rates of metastasis compared to other cancer subtypes. The goal of this study was to probe the vulnerability of HER2+ cancer cells to a filamentous actin (F-actin) severing and capping toxin. The growth and viability of human HER2+ breast cancer (HCC1954) and ovarian cancer (SKOV3) cell lines were significantly impaired upon treatment with the marine macrolide mycalolide B (Myc B) at doses above 100 nanomolar. Further testing of Myc B in combination with the antibody-drug conjugate Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) led to improved killing of SKOV3 cells compared to either treatment alone. At sub-lethal doses, treatment of HER2+ cancer cells with Myc B resulted in rapid loss of leading edge protrusions and formation of aggresomes containing F-actin and the actin regulatory protein Cortactin. This correlated with robust inhibition of HER2+ cancer cell motility and invasion with Myc B treatment. In SKOV3 tumor xenograft assays, intratumoral injections of Myc B impaired HER2+ tumor growth and metastasis, with maximal effects observed in combination with systemic delivery of Trastuzumab. Metastasis of SKOV3 cells to the lungs following tail vein injection was also reduced by Myc B. Together, these findings provide rationale for targeting F-actin in combination with existing therapies for HER2+ cancers to reduce metastasis.
Adsorption characteristics of organics in the effluent of ultra-short SRT wastewater treatment by single-walled, multi-walled, and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zha Yifei , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Shuzi , Liu Shuai , Yang Yaqiong , Jiang Hangcheng , Zhang Yuankai , Qi Lu , Wang Hongchen
Published: November 2018

With a conceptual shift in sewage treatment from ‘waste pollution’ to ‘vehicle of resource and energy recovery’ and the further intensification of the energy crisis, the separation and recovery of carbon resources from discharged sewage has gained increasing recent attention in the field of water treatment. The ultra-short Solids Retention Time (SRT) activated sludge process (SRT ≤ 4 d) is highly efficient for separating organic matter and improving the energy recovery rate in wastewater treatment plants, but the effluent quality is relatively poor. If organics in the ultra-short SRT effluent can be reduced further to separate and recover carbon resources, the process may soon replace the traditional activated sludge process. We conducted physical adsorption carbon recovery experiments in an ultra-short SRT (SRT = 2 d) activated sludge system using three carbon nanotubes. Considering that Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) arises from a mixture of organic compounds, and because humic acid (HA) makes up a large fraction of the effluent and can cause great environmental harm, further experiments were conducted on the adsorption of HA in the effluent COD to three nanotubes. This study proposes a novel method to completely remove organics from the effluent from ultra-short SRT activated sludge processes and reveals nanotube adsorption properties and mechanisms.
The association between spirituality and religiousness and mental health
Authors: Vitorino Luciano Magalhães , Lucchetti Giancarlo , Leão Frederico Camelo , Vallada Homero , Peres Mario Fernando Prieto
Published: November 2018

The present study aims to investigate how different levels of spirituality and religiousness (high spirituality and high religiousness –S/R, high spirituality and low religiousness –S/r, low spirituality and high religiousness s/R and low spirituality and low religiousness – s/r) are associated with quality of life, depressive symptoms, anxiety, optimism and happiness among adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,046 Brazilian adults. Concerning the different levels of spirituality and religiousness, 49.2% had s/r, 26.5% S/R, 17.2% S/r and 7.1% s/R. Participants with S/R had better outcomes as compared to those with s/r and those with S/r in WHOQOL Psychological, Social Relationship and Environment, Optimism and happiness. Participants with s/R had better outcomes as compared to those with s/r in WHOQOL Psychological and Social Relationship, Optimism and happiness. Participants with S/r were different from those with s/r, with higher levels of WHOQOL Environment and happiness but also anxiety. The results revealed that, having higher levels of both spirituality and religiousness were more correlated to better outcomes than having just one of them or none of them. Likewise, having higher levels of religiousness in detriment of higher levels of spirituality was also associated with better outcomes in comparison to others.
Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) transcriptomic analysis and neuropeptidomics
Authors: Lavore Andrés , Perez-Gianmarco Lucila , Esponda-Behrens Natalia , Palacio Victorio , Catalano Maria Ines , Rivera-Pomar Rolando , Ons Sheila
Published: November 2018

Stinkbugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are of major economic importance as pest of crops. Among the species composing the stinkbug complex, Nezara viridula is one of the most abundant in Brazil, Argentina and the Southern USA. However, this species has been poorly characterized at the genetic and physiological level. Here we sequenced and analyzed the complete transcriptome of N. viridula male and female adults. We identified neuropeptide precursor genes and G-protein coupled receptors for neuropeptides in this transcriptome. Mature neuropeptides were identified in N. viridula brain extracts by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We also analyzed the neuropeptide precursor complement in the genome sequence of Halyomorpha halys, another pentatomid of economic relevance. We compared the results in both pentatomids with the well-characterized neuropeptide repertoire from the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). We identified both group-specific features (which could be related to the different feeding habits) and similarities that could be characteristic of Heteroptera. This work contributes to a deeper knowledge of the genetic information of these pests, with a focus on neuroendocrine system characterization.
Liquid-crystalline half-Skyrmion lattice spotted by Kossel diagrams
Authors: Fukuda Jun-ichi , Nych Andriy , Ognysta Uliana , Žumer Slobodan , Muševič Igor
Published: November 2018

Skyrmions are swirl-like topological entities that have been shown to emerge in various condensed matter systems. Their identification has been carried out in different ways including scattering techniques and real-space observations. Here we show that Kossel diagrams can identify the formation of a hexagonal lattice of half-Skyrmions in a thin film of a chiral liquid crystal, in which case Kossel lines appear as hexagonally arranged circular arcs. Our experimental observations on a hexagonal lattice of half-Skyrmions and other defect structures resembling that of a bulk cholesteric blue phase are perfectly accounted for by numerical calculations and a theoretical argument attributing strong reflections yielding Kossel lines to guided mode resonances in the thin liquid crystal film. Our study demonstrates that a liquid crystal is a model system allowing the investigation of topological entities by various optical means, and also that Kossel techniques are applicable to the investigation of thin systems with non-trivial photonic band structures including topologically protected optical surface states.
Author Correction: Tuneable poration: host defense peptides as sequence probes for antimicrobial mechanisms
Authors: Pfeil Marc-Philipp , Pyne Alice L. B. , Losasso Valeria , Ravi Jascindra , Lamarre Baptiste , Faruqui Nilofar , Alkassem Hasan , Hammond Katharine , Judge Peter J. , Winn Martyn , Martyna Glenn J. , Crain Jason , Watts Anthony , Hoogenboom Bart W. , Ryadnov Maxim G.
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: The diagnostic accuracy of circulating tumor DNA for the detection of EGFR-T790M mutation in NSCLC: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Passiglia Francesco , Rizzo Sergio , Di Maio Massimo , Galvano Antonio , Badalamenti Giuseppe , Listì Angela , Gulotta Leonardo , Castiglia Marta , Fulfaro Fabio , Bazan Viviana , Russo Antonio
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Neuroprotection by Heat Shock Factor-1 (HSF1) and Trimerization-Deficient Mutant Identifies Novel Alterations in Gene Expression
Authors: Qu Zhe , Titus Anto Sam Crosslee Louis Sam , Xuan Zhenyu , D’Mello Santosh R.
Published: November 2018

Heat shock factor-1 (HSF1) protects neurons from death caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins by stimulating the transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs). This stimulatory action depends on the association of trimeric HSF1 to sequences within HSP gene promoters. However, we recently described that HSF-AB, a mutant form of HSF1 that is incapable of either homo-trimerization, association with HSP gene promoters, or stimulation of HSP expression, protects neurons just as efficiently as wild-type HSF1 suggesting an alternative neuroprotective mechanism that is activated by HSF1. To gain insight into the mechanism by which HSF1 and HSF1-AB protect neurons, we used RNA-Seq technology to identify transcriptional alterations induced by these proteins in either healthy cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) or neurons primed to die. When HSF1 was ectopically-expressed in healthy neurons, 1,211 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with 1,075 being upregulated. When HSF1 was expressed in neurons primed to die, 393 genes were upregulated and 32 genes were downregulated. In sharp contrast, HSF1-AB altered expression of 13 genes in healthy neurons and only 6 genes in neurons under apoptotic conditions, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of HSF1-AB may be mediated by a non-transcriptional mechanism. We validated the altered expression of 15 genes by QPCR. Although other studies have conducted RNA-Seq analyses to identify HSF1 targets, our study performed using primary neurons has identified a number of novel targets that may play a special role in brain maintenance and function.
Cooperative interaction among BMAL1, HSF1, and p53 protects mammalian cells from UV stress
Authors: Kawamura Genki , Hattori Mitsuru , Takamatsu Ken , Tsukada Teruyo , Ninomiya Yasuharu , Benjamin Ivor , Sassone-Corsi Paolo , Ozawa Takeaki , Tamaru Teruya
Published: November 2018

The circadian clock allows physiological systems to adapt to their changing environment by synchronizing their timings in response to external stimuli. Previously, we reported clock-controlled adaptive responses to heat-shock and oxidative stress and showed how the circadian clock interacts with BMAL1 and HSF1. Here, we present a similar clock-controlled adaptation to UV damage. In response to UV irradiation, HSF1 and tumor suppressor p53 regulate the expression of the clock gene Per2 in a time-dependent manner. UV irradiation first activates the HSF1 pathway, which subsequently activates the p53 pathway. Importantly, BMAL1 regulates both HSF1 and p53 through the BMAL1–HSF1 interaction to synchronize the cellular clock. Based on these findings and transcriptome analysis, we propose that the circadian clock protects cells against the UV stress through sequential and hierarchical interactions between the circadian clock, the heat shock response, and a tumor suppressive mechanism.
Dicarboxamide polymorph derivatives for trace-level electrochemical sensing of Cu(ii) supported with crystal structure and theoretical studies
Authors: Rana Love Karan , Sharma Rashmi , Ahmed Bilal , Kaur Damanjeet , Kumar Sanjeev , Hundal Geeta , Mittal Susheel K.
Published: November 2018

A polymorph of fully substituted pyridine dicarboxamide L3 has been utilized to explore its cation-sensing ability using voltammetric experiments.
A LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous estimation of a novel anti-diabetic combination of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin using a polarity switch approach: application to in vivo rat pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Surendran Shruti , Paul David , Pokharkar Sunil , Deshpande Abhijeet , Giri Sanjeev , N. Satheeshkumar
Published: November 2018

First LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of SAX and DAP. The method offers good sensitivity with LLOQ of 0.2 ng mL−1 for SAX and 5 ng mL−1 for DAP.
Manufacturing human pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cells in scalable and cell-friendly microenvironments
Authors: Lin Haishuang , Du Qian , Li Qiang , Wang Ou , Wang Zhanqi , Elowsky Christian , Liu Kan , Zhang Chi , Chung Soonkyu , Duan Bin , Lei Yuguo
Published: November 2018

Alginate hydrogel tubes are designed for the scalable expansion of human pluripotent stem cells and efficient differentiation into endothelial cells.
Electrical characterization of two analogous Schottky contacts produced from N-substituted 1,8-naphthalimide
Authors: Karagöz Emine , Fiat Varol Songül , Sayın Serkan , Merdan Ziya
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze the interface states (Nss) in pure Al//p-Si/Al, Al/N-F Nft/p-Si/Al and Al/N-T Nft/p-Si/Al Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs).
Spin–orbit coupling prevents spin channel suppression of transition metal atoms on armchair graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Rojas W. Y. , Villegas Cesar E. P. , Rocha A. R.
Published: November 2018

We investigate the spin-dependent electronic and transport properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons including spin–orbit coupling due to the presence of nickel and iridium adatoms by using ab initio calculations within the spin-polarized density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function formalism.
From CO2methanation to ambitious long-chain hydrocarbons: alternative fuels paving the path to sustainability
Authors: Marques Mota Filipe , Kim Dong Ha
Published: November 2018

Comprehensive insight into the thermochemical, photochemical and electrochemical reduction of CO2to methane and long-chain hydrocarbons as alternative fuels.
A guide to maximizing the therapeutic potential of protein–polymer conjugates by rational design
Authors: Ko Jeong Hoon , Maynard Heather D.
Published: November 2018

Careful planning in the selection of the protein, polymer, conjugation chemistry, and analysis can help maximize the potential of protein–polymer conjugates for therapeutic applications.
Plasmonic photocatalysis applied to solar fuels
Authors: Bardey Steven , Bonduelle-Skrzypczak Audrey , Fécant Antoine , Cui Zhenpeng , Colbeau-Justin Christophe , Caps Valérie , Keller Valérie
Published: November 2018

We show the impact of structural, chemical and interfacial features of gold–titania composites on solar and visible photocatalytic gas phase reduction of CO2 and the specificities of the hot electron-based process.
Molecular genetic and biochemical characterization of a putative family of zinc metalloproteins inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Chaudhuri Poulami , Imam Hasan Tanvir , Essig Yona , Krasauskas Jovaras , Webb Samuel M. , Blindauer Claudia A. , Stürzenbaum Stephen R.
Published: November 2018

The first characterization ofW08E12.2,W08E12.3,W08E12.4andW08E12.5, four putative metalloproteins inC. elegans. (A) phase contrast microscopy, (B) fluorescence microscopy ofPW08E12.3;W08E12.4::GFP.
Magnetic and liquid-crystalline properties of chlorido- and cyanato-bridged chain complexes of mixed-valent dinuclear ruthenium(ii,iii) 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoates
Authors: Ishida Hideaki , Handa Makoto , Hiromitsu Ichiro , Ujiie Seiji , Yoshioka Daisuke , Mitsuhashi Ryoji , Mikuriya Masahiro
Published: November 2018

A series of cyanato-bridged chain complexes of mixed-valent dinuclear ruthenium(ii,iii) 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoates, [Ru2{3,4,5-(n-CmH2m+1O)3C6H2CO2}4(X)]n(X = OCN, Cl;m= 2–18), were synthesized.
Can the Ti(OiPr)4/nBuLi combination of reagents function as a catalyst for [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerisation reactions?
Authors: Siemiaszko Gabriela , Six Yvan
Published: November 2018

Catalysis of the cyclotrimerisation of alkynes with the Ti(OiPr)4/nBuLi system was studied, leading to the development of a particularly convenient and reliable protocol.
A study on the preparation and application of a core–shell surface imprinted uranyl magnetic chelating adsorbent
Authors: Li Gui-Rong , Xu Meng-Yuan , Li Jie-Kang , Yang Yang
Published: November 2018

A core shell UMCA was synthesized using surface imprinting technique. UMCA was used for the determination of uranyl by SPE coupled with fluorimetry. This as-prepared UMCA exhibits high adsorption capacity, good extraction performance and stability.
Synergistic effect of functionalized graphene oxide and carbon nanotube hybrids on mechanical properties of epoxy composites
Authors: Qi Zehao , Tan Yefa , Zhang Zhongwei , Gao Li , Zhang Cuiping , Tian Jin
Published: November 2018

The 3D structure hybrids obtained by combining CNT and epoxy functionalized GO exhibit an obvious synergistic effect on the improvement of mechanical properties of epoxy composites.
Structural characterization and magnetic properties of undoped and copper-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles prepared by the octanoate coprecipitation route at very low dopant concentrations
Authors: Kamta Tedjieukeng Hypolite Mathias , Tsobnang Patrice Kenfack , Fomekong Roussin Lontio , Etape Ekane Peter , Joy Pattayil A. , Delcorte Arnaud , Lambi John Ngolui
Published: November 2018

Low level copper-doped CoFe2O4 has been synthesized and shows an increasing of saturation magnetization up to 6% Cu, subsequently decreasing above 6%.
Rethinking and new perspectives on cardiotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Qiu Lizhen , Zhou Wei , Tan Hongling , Tang Xianglin , Wang Yuguang , Ma Zengchun , Gao Yue
Published: November 2018

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in clinical practice for thousands of years and has made enormous contributions to public health in China. However, the adverse effects on the cardiac system or TCM-induced cardiovascular diseases have emerged frequently in recent years, resulting in growing attention to the safety of TCM. Generally, TCM with adverse cardiac effects has typical therapeutic or toxic effects, which are based on specific material basis for efficacy/toxicity, specific clinical symptoms and toxic mechanisms. However, improper strategies adopted for research on the cardiotoxicity of TCM simply follow the basic principles of conventional toxicology and cause exaggerative or incorrect interpretations in the toxicity of TCM. In this review, we aim to present the classification and possible toxic mechanisms for TCM with cardiotoxicity based on the material basis for toxicity to rethink the existing problems in toxicity studies for TCM and provide new perspectives for research on the potential cardiotoxicity of TCM. We hope that this study can offer important theoretical support and scientific advice for the toxicity study and clinical rational use of TCM having cardiotoxicity.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-linked variants of cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 display altered molecular properties and actin interaction
Authors: Da'as Sahar I. , Fakhro Khalid , Thanassoulas Angelos , Krishnamoorthy Navaneethakrishnan , Saleh Alaaeldin , Calver Brian L. , Safieh-Garabedian Bared , Toft Egon , Nounesis George , Lai F. Anthony , Nomikos Michail
Published: November 2018

The most common inherited cardiac disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is characterized by thickening of heart muscle, for which genetic mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 (c-MYBPC3) gene, is the leading cause. Notably, patients with HCM display a heterogeneous clinical presentation, onset and prognosis. Thus, delineating the molecular mechanisms that explain how disparate c-MYBPC3 variants lead to HCM is essential for correlating the impact of specific genotypes on clinical severity. Herein, five c-MYBPC3 missense variants clinically associated with HCM were investigated; namely V1 (R177H), V2 (A216T), V3 (E258K), V4 (E441K) and double mutation V5 (V3 + V4), all located within the C1 and C2 domains of MyBP-C, a region known to interact with sarcomeric protein, actin. Injection of the variant complementary RNAs in zebrafish embryos was observed to recapitulate phenotypic aspects of HCM in patients. Interestingly, V3- and V5-cRNA injection produced the most severe zebrafish cardiac phenotype, exhibiting increased diastolic/systolic myocardial thickness and significantly reduced heart rate compared with control zebrafish. Molecular analysis of recombinant C0–C2 protein fragments revealed that c-MYBPC3 variants alter the C0–C2 domain secondary structure, thermodynamic stability and importantly, result in a reduced binding affinity to cardiac actin. V5 (double mutant), displayed the greatest protein instability with concomitant loss of actin-binding function. Our study provides specific mechanistic insight into how c-MYBPC3 pathogenic variants alter both functional and structural characteristics of C0–C2 domains leading to impaired actin interaction and reduced contractility, which may provide a basis for elucidating the disease mechanism in HCM patients with c-MYBPC3 mutations.
Study of expression analysis of SIRT4 and the coordinate regulation of bovine adipocyte differentiation by SIRT4 and its transcription factors
Authors: Hong Jieyun , Li Shijun , Wang Xiaoyu , Mei Chugang , Zan Linsen
Published: November 2018

Sirtuins, NAD+-dependent deacylases and ADP-ribosyltransferases, are critical regulators of metabolism involved in many biological processes, and are involved in mediating adaptive responses to the cellular environment. SIRT4 is a mitochondrial sirtuin and has been shown to play a critical role in maintaining insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. As a regulator of lipid homeostasis, SIRT4 can repress fatty acid oxidation and promote lipid anabolism in nutrient-replete conditions. Using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) to explore the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of bovine SIRT4 during adipocyte differentiation, we found that bovine SIRT4 is expressed at high levels in bovine subcutaneous adipose tissue. SIRT4 knockdown led to decreased expression of adipogenic differentiation marker genes during adipocyte differentiation. The core promoter of bovine SIRT4 was identified in the −402/−60 bp region of the cloned 2-kb fragment containing the 5′-regulatory region. Binding sites were identified in this region for E2F transcription factor-1 (E2F1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (CEBPβ), homeobox A5 (HOXA5), interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), paired box 4 (PAX4), and cAMP responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) by using Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and luciferase reporter gene assay. We also found that E2F1, CEBPβ, and HOXA5 transcriptionally activate SIRT4 expression, whereas, IRF4, PAX4, and CREB1 transcriptionally repress SIRT4 expression. We further verified that SIRT4 knockdown could affect the ability of these transcription factors (TFs) to regulate the differentiation of bovine adipocytes. In conclusion, our results shed light on the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of SIRT4 expression in bovine adipocytes.
Photonic down‐conversion and linearisation with tunable IF bandwidth and improved spurious‐free dynamic range
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Jin Tao , Chi Hao , Tong Guochuan , Li Dong , Zuo Lulu , Liu Weimin , Fu Ying
Published: November 2018

A scheme for simultaneous down‐conversion and linearisation of radio‐frequency (RF) signals is proposed and demonstrated. Based on carrier‐suppressed double‐sideband modulation, the input RF signal can be down‐converted to any intermediate frequency (IF) tone in the range of 8–12 GHz. Compared with the down‐conversion scheme with two cascaded intensity modulators, the proposed scheme has improvement of >21 dB of the suppression ratio of third‐order intermodulation distortion and 6.17 dB of spurious‐free dynamic range.
Effective rate analysis of two‐wave with diffuse‐power fading channels
Authors: Kaur Harjas , Kansal Veenu , Singh Simranjit
Published: November 2018

In this study, the effective rate of two‐wave with diffused power (TWDP) fading channel is investigated by considering multiple‐input single‐output systems under delay constraints. The effective rate is particularly focused because it can be used to perform channel‐capacity analysis while considering the delay aspect. The classical fading models such as the Rayleigh and Rician models are special cases of a TWDP fading model. In the exact analysis of the effective rate, a new analytical expression is derived for TWDP fading channels. Moreover, the tractable closed‐form effective‐rate expressions are deduced for high and low signal‐to‐noise‐ratio regimes in the asymptotic analysis. In addition, all these expressions are presented for a single transmitting antenna, i.e. N = 1 (single‐input single‐output system). The numerical results demonstrate that the effective rate increases by increasing the number of transmitting antennas N and channel‐fading parameter K. In contrast, the stringent delay constraints and equal strengths of the specular components cause a reduction in the effective rate.
Methodology of calculating droop coefficients for stabilising DC voltage in VSC‐MTDC system against disturbances
Authors: Zhang Fang , Li Qingquan
Published: November 2018

The application of droop control in the voltage‐source converter‐based multi‐terminal direct current (VSC‐MTDC) system has been previously proposed in the literature. However, how to determine the droop coefficients to stabilise the DC voltage is still the key issue to concern and research. This study presents a novel calculation methodology for droop coefficients in the case of outage or power step disturbance on any converter station. The overall design objective is to minimise the DC voltage deviation between pre‐ and post‐disturbance, depicted with a quadratic programming model. In addition, the selection method of the optimal DC voltage signal for droop controllers is developed in both cases of communication failure and communication normal. Based on the calculated droop coefficients and selected DC voltage signal, the power coordinated control among the converter stations is implemented to stabilise the DC voltage of the post‐disturbance system quickly. Case studies are conducted on the Nordic 32 and New England system, respectively. The simulation results show that the proposed methodology for droop coefficients can significantly reduce the steady‐state DC voltage deviations without the limitation of preassigning the maximum allowable DC voltage deviation, compared to the methodologies existing in the literature.
Voltage recovery influence on three‐phase grid‐connected inverters under voltage sags
Authors: Rolán Alejandro , Giménez Pablo , Yagüe Sauro J. , Bogarra Santiago , Saura Jaume , Bakkar Mostafa
Published: November 2018

Faults in power systems cause voltage sags, which, in turn, provoke large current peaks in grid‐connected equipment. Then, a complete knowledge of the inverter behaviour is needed to meet fault ride‐through capability. The aim of this study is to propose a mathematical model that describes the behaviour of the currents that a three‐phase inverter with RL filter injects to a faulty grid with symmetrical and unsymmetrical voltage sags. The voltage recovery process is considered, i.e. the fault is assumed to be cleared in the successive zero‐cross instants of the fault current. It gives rise to a voltage recovery in different steps (discrete voltage sag), which differs from the usual model in the literature, where the voltage recovers instantaneously (abrupt voltage sag). The analytical model shows that the fault‐clearing process has a strong influence on the injected currents. Different sag durations and depths have also been considered, showing that there exist critical values for these magnitudes, which provoke the highest current peaks. The analytical study is validated through simulations in MATLABTM and through experimental results.
Pre‐charging strategy with damping control of isolated station connected to the modular multilevel converter based DC grid
Authors: Guo Xianshan , Li Yunfeng , Mei Nian , He Zhiyuan , Pang Hui
Published: November 2018

It is vital of practical engineering significance to connect the isolated station into the DC grid smoothly without affecting other stations or triggering protective systems. To this end, an active charging method with damping control of the isolated station is proposed and will be used in a 500 kV‐level DC grid in China. First, the analytical expression of starting current is calculated. The key factors influencing the starting current are analysed to provide theoretic evidence for simplifying the calculation model. Second, the selecting expression of start‐up resistor is derived by simplifying the main circuit parameters, DC line parameters, control processes and so on. Third, the principle of active charging method is clarified, the selecting principle of decreasing slope and parameters of damping controller are presented, and the required time of charging process is calculated. This method does not need the start‐up resistor any more but still ensure no oscillation and impulse during the active charging process. Meanwhile, it is also faster than the traditional method with a better economy. Finally, electromagnetic transient simulation models are built to verify the correctness of the resistor selecting expression and the effectiveness of the active charging strategy with damping control.
Autonomous driving: a bird's eye view
Authors: Martínez‐Díaz Margarita , Soriguera Francesc , Pérez Ignacio
Published: November 2018

The introduction of autonomous vehicles (AV) will represent a milestone in the evolution of transportation and personal mobility. AVs are expected to significantly reduce accidents and congestion, while being economically and environmentally beneficial. However, many challenges must be overcome before reaching this ideal scenario. This study, which results from on‐site visits to top research centres and a comprehensive literature review, provides an overall state‐of‐the‐practice on the subject and identifies critical issues to succeed. For example, although most of the required technology is already available, ensuring the robustness of AVs under all boundary conditions is still a challenge. Additionally, the implementation of AVs must contribute to the environmental sustainability by promoting the usage of alternative energies and sustainable mobility patterns. Electric vehicles and sharing systems are suitable options, although both require some refinement to incentivise a broader range of customers. Other aspects could be more difficult to resolve and might even postpone the generalisation of automated driving. For instance, there is a need for cooperation and management strategies geared towards traffic efficiency. Also, for transportation and land‐use planning to avoid negative territorial and economic impacts. Above all, safe and ethical behaviour rules must be agreed upon before AVs hit the road.
Direct power control with common mode voltage reduction of grid‐connected three‐level NPC inverter
Authors: Ben Mahmoud Zouhaira , Hamouda Mahmoud , Khedher Adel
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes three new direct power control (DPC) algorithms which minimise the variation of the common mode voltage (CMV) provided by a transformerless grid‐connected three‐level neutral point clamped (3L‐NPC) inverter. The proposed techniques make use of three reduced switching tables designed with the aim to control the active and reactive powers and to minimise the variation of the CMV. The first switching table uses large, medium and zero vectors of the space vector diagram; it is therefore named large medium zero vectors DPC. The second table uses the medium and zero vectors. It is referred to as medium zero vectors DPC. The third one namely medium vectors DPC, uses only medium vectors. Numerical simulations and experimental tests carried out on a laboratory prototype of the 3L‐NPC inverter confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
CRBs for direction‐of‐departure and direction‐of‐arrival estimation in collocated MIMO radar in the presence of unknown spatially coloured noise
Authors: Wen Fangqing , Zhang Xinyu , Zhang Zijing
Published: November 2018

This study gives explicit closed‐form expressions of the stochastic Cramer–Rao bounds (STO‐CRBs) on direction‐of‐departure and direction‐of‐arrival estimation accuracies for collocated multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) radar with unknown spatially coloured noise. In some special cases, i.e. the CRB of direction estimation accuracy for monostatic MIMO radar, the white noise scenario is discussed. Theoretical comparisons between the STO‐CRBs and the deterministic ones are presented. Finally, these bounds are numerically compared.
Multiple cyclotron line-forming regions in GX 301−2
Authors: Fürst F. , Falkner S. , Marcu-Cheatham D. , Grefenstette B. , Tomsick J. , Pottschmidt K. , Walton D. J. , Natalucci L. , Kretschmar P.
Published: November 2018

We present two observations of the high-mass X-ray binary GX 301−2 with NuSTAR, taken at different orbital phases and different luminosities. We find that the continuum is well described by typical phenomenological models, like a very strongly absorbed NPEX model. However, for a statistically acceptable description of the hard X-ray spectrum we require two cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSF), one at ∼35 keV and the other at ∼50 keV. Even though both features strongly overlap, the good resolution and sensitivity of NuSTAR allows us to disentangle them at ≥99.9% significance. This is the first time that two CRSFs have been seen in GX 301−2. We find that the CRSFs are very likely independently formed, as their energies are not harmonically related and, if the observed feature were due to a single line, the deviation from a Gaussian shape would be very large. We compare our results to archival Suzaku data and find that our model also provides a good fit to those data. We study the behavior of the continuum as well as the CRSF parameters as function of pulse phase in seven phase bins. We find that the energy of the 35 keV CRSF varies smoothly as a function of phase, between 30 and 38 keV. To explain this variation, we apply a simple model of the accretion column, taking into account the altitude of the line-forming region, the velocity of the in-falling material, and the resulting relativistic effects. We find that in this model the observed energy variation can be explained as being simply due to a variation of the projected velocity and beaming factor of the line-forming region towards us.
Comparative study of gamma-ray emission from molecular clouds and star-forming galaxies
Authors: Peng Fang-Kun , Xi Shao-Qiang , Wang Xiang-Yu , Zhi Qi-Jun , Li Di
Published: November 2018

Star-forming regions on different scales, such as giant molecular clouds in our Galaxy and star-forming galaxies, emit GeV gamma-rays. These are thought to originate from hadronic interactions of cosmic-ray (CR) nuclei with the interstellar medium. It has recently been shown that the gamma-ray luminosity (Lγ) of star-forming galaxies is well correlated with their star formation rates (SFR). We investigated Fermi data of eight Galactic molecular clouds in the Gould belt and found that molecular clouds do not follow the Lγ −SFR correlation of star-forming galaxies. We also compared the scaling relations of gamma-ray luminosity, SFR, and the gas mass for molecular clouds and star-forming galaxies. Using a multiple-variable regression analysis, we found different dependences of gamma-ray emission on SFR or mass for molecular clouds and star-forming galaxies. This suggests that different mechanisms may govern the production of gamma-rays in these two types of sources. Specifically, the strong dependence on mass supports that gamma-ray emission of molecular clouds primarily comes from passive interaction by diffuse Galactic CRs, whereas the strong dependence on SFR supports that gamma-ray emission of star-forming galaxies originates from CRs that are accelerated by local active sources.