bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZEB1 induces ER-α promoter hypermethylation and confers antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Zhou Chen , Jiang Huimin , Liang Lin , Shi Wen , Zhang Quansheng , Sun Peiqing , Xiang Rong , Wang Yue , Yang Shuang
Published: April 2017

Antiestrogen resistance is a major obstacle to endocrine therapy for breast cancers. Although reduced estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) expression is a known contributing factor to antiestrogen resistance, the mechanisms of ER-α downregulation in antiestrogen resistance are not fully understood. Here, we report that ectopic zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is associated with ER-α deficiency in breast cancer cells and thus confers antiestrogen resistance. Mechanistically, ZEB1 represses ER-α transcription by forming a ZEB1/DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)3B/histone deacetylase (HDAC)1 complex on the ER-α promoter, leading to DNA hypermethylation and the silencing of ER-α. Thus, ectopic ZEB1 downregulates ER-α expression and subsequently attenuates cell growth inhibition by antiestrogens, such as tamoxifen and fulvestrant. Notably, the depletion of ZEB1 by RNA interference causes ER-α promoter demethylation, restores ER-α expression, and increases the responsiveness of breast cancer cells to antiestrogen treatment. By studying specimens from a large cohort of subjects with breast cancer, we found a strong inverse correlation between ZEB1 and ER-α protein expression. Moreover, breast tumors that highly express ZEB1 exhibit ER-α promoter hypermethylation. Using a nude mouse xenograft model, we further confirmed that the downregulation of ZEB1 expression restores the responsiveness of breast cancer cells to antiestrogen therapy in vivo. Therefore, our findings suggest that ZEB1 is a crucial determinant of resistance to antiestrogen therapies in breast cancer.
C/EBPβ LIP augments cell death by inducing osteoglycin
Authors: Wassermann-Dozorets Rina , Rubinstein Menachem
Published: April 2017

Many types of tumor cell are devoid of the extracellular matrix proteoglycan osteoglycin (Ogn), but its role in tumor biology is poorly studied. Here we show that RNAi of Ogn attenuates stress-triggered cell death, whereas its overexpression increases cell death. We found that the transcription factor C/EBPβ regulates the expression of Ogn. C/EBPβ is expressed as a full-length, active form (LAP) and as a truncated, dominant-negative form (LIP), and the LIP/LAP ratio is positively correlated with the extent of cell death under stress. For example, we reported that drug-resistant tumor cells lack LIP altogether, and its supplementation abolished their resistance to chemotherapy and to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here we further show that elevated LIP/LAP ratio robustly increased Ogn expression and cell death under stress by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/activator protein 1 pathway (MAPK/AP-1). Our findings suggest that LIP deficiency renders tumor cell resistant to ER stress by preventing the induction of Ogn.
Oxidation of KCNB1 potassium channels triggers apoptotic integrin signaling in the brain
Authors: Yu Wei , Gowda Manasa , Sharad Yashsavi , Singh Surindo A , Sesti Federico
Published: April 2017

Oxidative modification of the voltage-gated potassium (K+) channel KCNB1 promotes apoptosis in the neurons of cortex and hippocampus through a signaling pathway mediated by Src tyrosine kinases. How oxidation of the channel is transduced into Src recruitment and activation, however, was not known. Here we show that the apoptotic signal originates from integrins, which form macromolecular complexes with KCNB1 channels. The initial stimulus is transduced to Fyn and possibly other Src family members by focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Thus KCNB1 and integrin alpha chain V (integrin-α5) coimmunoprecipitated in the mouse brain and these interactions were retained upon channel’s oxidation. Pharmacological inhibition of integrin signaling or FAK suppressed apoptosis induced by oxidation of KCNB1, as well as FAK and Src/Fyn activation. Most importantly, the activation of the integrin–FAK–Src/Fyn cascade was negligible in the presence of non-oxidizable C73A KCNB1 mutant channels, even though they normally interacted with integrin-α5. This leads us to conclude that the transition between the non-oxidized and oxidized state of KCNB1 activates integrin signaling. KCNB1 oxidation may favor integrin clustering, thereby facilitating the recruitment and activation of FAK and Src/Fyn kinases.
Sensitive detection of rare disease-associated cell subsets via representation learning
Authors: Arvaniti Eirini , Claassen Manfred
Published: April 2017

Rare cell populations play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of diseases such as cancer. However, the identification of such subpopulations remains a difficult task. This work describes CellCnn, a representation learning approach to detect rare cell subsets associated with disease using high-dimensional single-cell measurements. Using CellCnn, we identify paracrine signalling-, AIDS onset- and rare CMV infection-associated cell subsets in peripheral blood, and extremely rare leukaemic blast populations in minimal residual disease-like situations with frequencies as low as 0.01%.
Ecology of cold environments: new insights of bacterial metabolic adaptation through an integrated genomic-phenomic approach
Authors: Mocali Stefano , Chiellini Carolina , Fabiani Arturo , Decuzzi Silvia , de Pascale Donatella , Parrilli Ermenegilda , Tutino Maria Luisa , Perrin Elena , Bosi Emanuele , Fondi Marco , Lo Giudice Angelina , Fani Renato
Published: April 2017

Cold environments dominate Earth’s biosphere, hosting complex microbial communities with the ability to thrive at low temperatures. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the metabolic pathways involved in bacterial cold-adaptation mechanisms are still not fully understood. Herein, we assessed the metabolic features of the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 (PhTAC125), a model organism for cold-adaptation, at both 4 °C and 15 °C, by integrating genomic and phenomic (high-throughput phenotyping) data and comparing the obtained results to the taxonomically related Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. TB41 (PspTB41). Although the genome size of PspTB41 is considerably larger than PhTAC125, the higher number of genes did not reflect any higher metabolic versatility at 4 °C as compared to PhTAC125. Remarkably, protein S-thiolation regulated by glutathione and glutathionylspermidine appeared to be a new possible mechanism for cold adaptation in PhTAC125. More in general, this study represents an example of how ‘multi-omic’ information might potentially contribute in filling the gap between genotypic and phenotypic features related to cold-adaptation mechanisms in bacteria.
Culture independent analysis using gnd as a target gene to assess Escherichia coli diversity and community structure
Authors: Cookson Adrian L. , Biggs Patrick J. , Marshall Jonathan C. , Reynolds Angela , Collis Rose M. , French Nigel P. , Brightwell Gale
Published: April 2017

Current culture methods to investigate changes in Escherichia coli community structure are often slow and laborious. Genes such as gnd (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) have a highly variable nucleotide sequence and may provide a target for E. coli microbiome analysis using culture-independent methods. Metabarcoded PCR primers were used to generate separate libraries from calf faecal samples for high throughput sequencing. Although a total of 348 separate gnd sequence types (gSTs) were identified, 188 were likely to be due to sequencing errors. Of the remaining 160 gSTs, 92 did not match those in a database of 319 separate gnd sequences. ‘Animal’ was the main determinant of E. coli diversity with limited impact of sample type or DNA extraction method on intra-host E. coli community variation from faeces and recto-anal mucosal swab samples. This culture-independent study has addressed the difficulties of quantifying bacterial intra-species diversity and revealed that, whilst individual animals may harbour >50 separate E. coli strains, communities are dominated by <10 strains alongside a large pool of subdominant strains present at low abundances. This method will be useful for characterising the diversity and population structure of E. coli in experimental studies designed to assess the impact of interventions on the gut microbiome.
Moderate plasma dilution using artificial plasma expanders shifts the haemostatic balance to hypercoagulation
Authors: Sinauridze Elena I. , Gorbatenko Alexander S. , Seregina Elena A. , Lipets Elena N. , Ataullakhanov Fazoil I.
Published: April 2017

Artificial plasma expanders (PEs) are widely used in modern transfusion medicine. PEs do not contain components of the coagulation system, so their infusion in large volumes causes haemodilution and affects haemostasis. However, the existing information on this effect is contradictory. We studied the effect of the very process of plasma dilution on coagulation and tested the hypothesis that moderate dilution with a PE should accelerate clotting owing to a decrease in concentration of coagulation inhibitors. The standard clotting times, a thrombin generation test, and the spatial rate of clot growth (test of thrombodynamics) were used to assess donor plasma diluted in vitro with various PEs. The pH value and Ca+2 concentration were maintained strictly constant in all samples. The effect of thrombin inhibitors on dilution-induced hypercoagulation was also examined. It was shown that coagulation was enhanced in plasma diluted up to 2.0–2.5-fold with any PE. This enhancement was due to the dilution of coagulation inhibitors in plasma. Their addition to plasma or PE could partially prevent the hypercoagulation shift.
Novel Fitc-Labeled Igy Antibody: Fluorescence Imaging Toxoplasma Gondii In Vitro
Authors: Sert Mehtap , Cakir Koc Rabia , Budama Kilinc Yasemin
Published: April 2017

Toxoplasmosis is caused by T. gondii and can create serious health problems in humans and also worldwide economic harm. Because of the clinical and veterinary importance of toxoplasmosis, its timely and accurate diagnosis has a major impact on disease-fighting strategies. T. gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1), an immunodominant-specific antigen, is often used as a diagnostic tool. Therefore, the aim of this study was the optimization of novel fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeling of the SAG1-specific IgY antibody to show the potential for immunofluorescence imaging of T. gondii in vitro. The specificity of IgY antibodies was controlled by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the concentration of the IgY antibody was detected using a spectrophotometer. The optimum incubation time and FITC concentration were determined with a fluorescence spectrometer. The obtained FITC-labeled IgY was used for marking T. gondii tachyzoites, which were cultured in vitro and viewed using light microscopy. The interaction of the fluorescence-labeled antibody and the T. gondii tachyzoites was examined with a fluorescence microscope. In this study, for the first time, a FITC-labeled anti-SAG1 IgY antibody was developed according to ELISA, fluorescence spectrometer, and fluorescence imaging of cell culture. In the future, the obtained FITC-labeled T. gondii tachyzoites’ specific IgY antibodies may be used as diagnostic tools for the detection of T. gondii infections in different samples.
The adjuvant value of Andrographis paniculata in metastatic esophageal cancer treatment – from preclinical perspectives
Authors: Li Lin , Yue Grace Gar-Lee , Lee Julia Kin-Ming , Wong Eric Chun-Wai , Fung Kwok-Pui , Yu Jun , Lau Clara Bik-San , Chiu Philip Wai-Yan
Published: April 2017

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the fourth and sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China and United States, respectively. The dismal prognosis of EC is mainly attributed to distant metastases, which may not be overcome by chemotherapy alone. Hence, the use of alternative adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines, for metastatic EC remains a great desire of patients. Our previous study demonstrated the in vivo anti-tumor and in vitro anti-invasion activities of Andrographis paniculata (AP) in esophageal cancer. In the present study, the chemical constituents of absorbed AP components through human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayer were verified for the first time. The anti-migratory activities and suppressive effects on metastasis-related factors such as HER2, MMP2, MMP9, TM4SF3, CXCR4 of the absorbed AP components were revealed in esophageal cancer cells EC-109. The anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of AP water extract (1600 mg/kg) were further confirmed in metastatic esophageal xenograft-bearing mice. Besides, AP water extract acted synergistically with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil on inhibiting tumor nodule growth (with combination index <0.7). Meanwhile, chemotherapeutics-induced side-effects could also be reduced by AP water extract. The present findings provide evidence on safety and advantages of the combined use of AP with chemotherapeutics in pre-clinical setting.
Negative differential resistance and bias-modulated metal-to-insulator transition in zigzag C2N-h2D nanoribbon
Authors: He Jing-Jing , Guo Yan-Dong , Yan Xiao-Hong
Published: April 2017

Motivated by the fabrication of layered two-dimensional material C2N-h2D [Nat. Commun. 6, 6486 (2015)], we cut the single-layer C2N-h2D into a zigzag nanoribbon and perform a theoretical study. The results indicate that the band structure changes from semiconducting to metallic and a negative differential resistance effect occurs in the I-V curve. Interestingly, the current can be reduced to zero and this insulator-like state can be maintained as the bias increases. We find this unique property is originated from a peculiar band morphology, with only two subbands appearing around the Fermi level while others being far away. Furthermore the width and symmetry of the zigzag C2N-h2D nanoribbon can be used to tune the transport properties, such as cut-off bias and the maximum current. We also explore the electron transport property of an aperiodic model composed of two nanoribbons with different widths and obtain the same conclusion. This mechanism can be extended to other systems, e.g., hybrid BCN nanoribbons. Our discoveries suggest that the zigzag C2N-h2D nanoribbon has great potential in nanoelectronics applications.
Genetic architecture of bone quality variation in layer chickens revealed by a genome-wide association study
Authors: Guo Jun , Sun Congjiao , Qu Liang , Shen Manman , Dou Taocun , Ma Meng , Wang Kehua , Yang Ning
Published: April 2017

Skeletal problems in layer chickens are gaining attention due to animal welfare and economic losses in the egg industry. The genetic improvement of bone traits has been proposed as a potential solution to these issues; however, genetic architecture is not well understood. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on bone quality using a sample of 1534 hens genotyped with a 600 K Chicken Genotyping Array. Using a linear mixed model approach, a novel locus close to GSG1L, associated with femur bone mineral density (BMD), was uncovered in this study. In addition, nine SNPs in genes were associated with bone quality. Three of these genes, RANKL, ADAMTS and SOST, were known to be associated with osteoporosis in humans, which makes them good candidate genes for osteoporosis in chickens. Genomic partitioning analysis supports the fact that common variants contribute to the variations of bone quality. We have identified several strong candidate genes and genomic regions associated with bone traits measured in end-of-lay cage layers, which accounted for 1.3–7.7% of the phenotypic variance. These SNPs could provide the relevant information to help elucidate which genes affect bone quality in chicken.
Investigating starch gelatinization through Stokes vector resolved second harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Mazumder Nirmal , Xiang Lu Yun , Qiu Jianjun , Kao Fu-Jen
Published: April 2017

The changes of the morphology during heating and the degree of crystallinity of dry and hydrated starch granules are investigated using second harmonic generation (SHG) based Stokes polarimetry. A spatial distribution of various polarization parameters, such as the degree of polarization (DOP), the degree of linear polarization (DOLP), and the degree of circular polarization (DOCP) are extracted and compared with the two dimensional second harmonic (SH) Stokes images of starch granules. The SH signal from hydrated and dry starch on heating differed significantly in DOLP and DOCP values, indicating that hydrated starch has a greater degree of ultrastructural amylopectin disorder. The detail of denaturation and the phase transition of hydrated starch demonstrate the significant influence of thermal processing.
Structure- and conformation-activity studies of nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor dimeric ligands
Authors: Pacifico Salvatore , Carotenuto Alfonso , Brancaccio Diego , Novellino Ettore , Marzola Erika , Ferrari Federica , Cerlesi Maria Camilla , Trapella Claudio , Preti Delia , Salvadori Severo , Calò Girolamo , Guerrini Remo
Published: April 2017

The peptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and the N/OFQ receptor (NOP) constitute a neuropeptidergic system that modulates various biological functions and is currently targeted for the generation of innovative drugs. In the present study dimeric NOP receptor ligands with spacers of different lengths were generated using both peptide and non-peptide pharmacophores. The novel compounds (12 peptide and 7 nonpeptide ligands) were pharmacologically investigated in a calcium mobilization assay and in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. Both structure- and conformation-activity studies were performed. Results demonstrated that dimerization did not modify the pharmacological activity of both peptide and non-peptide pharmacophores. Moreover, when dimeric compounds were obtained with low potency peptide pharmacophores, dimerization recovered ligand potency. This effect depends on the doubling of the C-terminal address sequence rather than the presence of an additional N-terminal message sequence or modifications of peptide conformation.
Pressure-induced structural transformations and polymerization in ThC2
Authors: Guo Yongliang , Yu Cun , Lin Jun , Wang Changying , Ren Cuilan , Sun Baoxing , Huai Ping , Xie Ruobing , Ke Xuezhi , Zhu Zhiyuan , Xu Hongjie
Published: April 2017

Thorium-carbon systems have been thought as promising nuclear fuel for Generation IV reactors which require high-burnup and safe nuclear fuel. Existing knowledge on thorium carbides under extreme condition remains insufficient and some is controversial due to limited studies. Here we systematically predict all stable structures of thorium dicarbide (ThC2) under the pressure ranging from ambient to 300 GPa by merging ab initio total energy calculations and unbiased structure searching method, which are in sequence of C2/c, C2/m, Cmmm, Immm and P6/mmm phases. Among these phases, the C2/m is successfully observed for the first time via in situ synchrotron XRD measurements, which exhibits an excellent structural correspondence to our theoretical predictions. The transition sequence and the critical pressures are predicted. The calculated results also reveal the polymerization behaviors of the carbon atoms and the corresponding characteristic C-C bonding under various pressures. Our work provides key information on the fundamental material behavior and insights into the underlying mechanisms that lay the foundation for further exploration and application of ThC2.
Correction: Corrigendum: Altered glucose and lipid homeostasis in liver and adipose tissue pre-dispose inducible NOS knockout mice to insulin resistance
Authors: Kanuri Babu Nageswararao , Kanshana Jitendra S. , Rebello Sanjay C. , Pathak Priya , Gupta Anand P. , Gayen Jiaur R. , Jagavelu Kumaravelu , Dikshit Madhu
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41009; published online: 20 January 2017; updated: 06 April 2017 In the original version of this Article, the link to the Supplementary Information file was omitted. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the paper.
Fluorescent polymer prodrug nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties from nitroxide-mediated polymerization
Authors: Bao Yinyin , Guégain Elise , Nicolas Valérie , Nicolas Julien
Published: April 2017

Polymer prodrug nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission properties were readily prepared by a “grafting from” approach, leading to excellent imaging ability and cytotoxicity to cancer cells.
A kinetic model of water adsorption, clustering and dissociation on the Fe3S4{001} surface
Authors: Roldan Alberto , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: April 2017

Micro-kinetic study of water adsorption and formation of molecular clusters on Fe3S4{001} under specific conditions of temperature from DFT calculations.
Nanoplasmonic sensors for biointerfacial science
Authors: Jackman Joshua A. , Rahim Ferhan Abdul , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: April 2017

Nanoplasmonic sensors demonstrate excellent potential for studying the biointerfacial sciences, ranging from fundamental studies to medical and biotechnology applications.
Dual pO2/pCO2fibre optic sensing film
Authors: Davenport John J. , Hickey Michelle , Phillips Justin P. , Kyriacou Panayiotis A.
Published: April 2017

A fibre optic multi-sensor has been developed for biomedical sensing applications using a tip coating solution sensitive to both oxygen and carbon dioxide.
An innovative chemical strategy for PCR-free genetic detection of pathogens by an integrated electrochemical biosensor
Authors: Petralia S. , Sciuto E. L. , Di Pietro M. L. , Zimbone M. , Grimaldi M. G. , Conoci S.
Published: April 2017

An innovative chemical strategy integrated in a miniaturized electrochemical device was developed for sensitive detection of a pathogen genome (HBV virus) without any amplification step.
Chiral separation of methadone in exhaled breath condensate using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Hamidi Samin , Khoubnasabjafari Maryam , Ansarin Khalil , Jouyban-Gharamaleki Vahid , Jouyban Abolghasem
Published: April 2017

Breath analysis is a potential and non-invasive tool for monitoring drugs levels and the status of respiratory or systemic disorders and attracted more attentions in recent years.
Poly(naphthalene diimide) vinylene: solid state red emission and semiconducting properties for transistors
Authors: Liang Xianfeng , Tan Luxi , Liu Zitong , Ma Yanping , Zhang Guanxin , Wang Lin , Li Shayu , Dong Lichun , Li Jing , Chen Wei
Published: April 2017

Dual functional conjugated polymer PNV exhibits a high red emission in the solid state and n-type semiconducting properties for OFETs.
Dual-role of PtCl2 catalysis in the intramolecular cyclization of (hetero)aryl-allenes for the facile construction of substituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles and polyheterocyclic skeletons
Authors: Zhang Yan-Yan , Wei Yin , Tang Xiang-Ying , Shi Min
Published: April 2017

A novel PtCl2-catalyzed cyclization of (hetero)aryl-allenes has been developed, providing controllable and facile synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles and polyheterocyclic skeletons in moderate to good yields.
Correction: Colloidal atomic layer deposition growth of PbS/CdS core/shell quantum dots
Authors: Nasilowski Michel , Nienhaus Lea , Bertram Sophie N. , Bawendi Moungi G.
Published: April 2017

Correction for ‘Colloidal atomic layer deposition growth of PbS/CdS core/shell quantum dots’ by Michel Nasilowski et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 869–872.
Expression of concern: Aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reactions catalyzed by a cyclopropenylidene
Authors: Hughes Philippa
Published: April 2017

Expression of concern for ‘Aza-Morita–Baylis–Hillman reactions catalyzed by a cyclopropenylidene’ by Xun Lu et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 12980–12983.
Ultrafast 2D-IR and optical Kerr effect spectroscopy reveal the impact of duplex melting on the structural dynamics of DNA
Authors: Hithell Gordon , González-Jiménez Mario , Greetham Gregory M. , Donaldson Paul M. , Towrie Michael , Parker Anthony W. , Burley Glenn A. , Wynne Klaas , Hunt Neil T.
Published: April 2017

Changes in the structural and solvation dynamics of DNA upon duplex melting are observed by 2D-IR and optical Kerr-effect spectroscopies.
Excitation dynamics involving homogeneous multistate interactions: one and two color VMI and REMPI of HBr
Authors: Hróðmarsson Helgi Rafn , Kartakoullis Andreas , Zaouris Dimitris , Glodic Pavle , Wang Huasheng , Samartzis Peter C. , Kvaran Ágúst
Published: April 2017

Effect of homogeneous multistate interaction on photofragmentation dynamics by VMI and REMPI.
On the parallelism between the mechanisms behind chromatography and drug delivery: the role of interactions with a stationary phase
Authors: Rossi Filippo , Castiglione Franca , Salvalaglio Matteo , Ferro Monica , Moioli Marta , Mauri Emanuele , Masi Maurizio , Mele Andrea
Published: April 2017

Solute motion in drug delivery and chromatography was compared to build a simple model able to rationalize the phenomena involved.
Dehydrogenation induced inhibition of intramolecular charge transfer in substituted pyrazoline analogues
Authors: Kundu Pronab , Banerjee Dipanwita , Maiti Gourhari , Chattopadhyay Nitin
Published: April 2017

Experimental and computational studies reveal that dehydrogenation of the pyrazoline ring modifies its ground and excited state photophysics radically by restricting the ICT process.
Emission behaviours of novel V- and X-shaped fluorophores in response to pH and force stimuli
Authors: Fu Hong-Yu , Xu Ning , Pan Yi-Min , Lu Xiao-Lin , Xia Min
Published: April 2017

The solid-state emission behaviours of a series of V- and X-shaped fluorophores exposed to mechanical force and pH stimuli are dependent on the ICT effect as well as the size- and morphology-effect.
Identification of the smallest peptide with a zwitterion as the global minimum: a first-principles study on arginine-containing peptides
Authors: Li Hongbao , Jiang Jun , Luo Yi
Published: April 2017

Zwitterions are believed to play an important role in determining the structures, properties and functions of peptides and proteins.
‘Fuelled’ motion: phoretic motility and collective behaviour of active colloids
Authors: Illien Pierre , Golestanian Ramin , Sen Ayusman
Published: April 2017

Phoretic motility is a propulsion mechanism used to design active particles which display complex collective behaviours, characterised experimentally and theoretically.
The culture of HaCaT cells on liquid substrates is mediated by a mechanically strong liquid–liquid interface
Authors: Kong D. , Nguyen K. D. Q. , Megone W. , Peng L. , Gautrot J. E.
Published: April 2017

The mechanical properties of naturally-derived matrices and biomaterials are thought to play an important role in directing cell adhesion, spreading, motility, proliferation and differentiation. However, recent reports have indicated that cells may respond to local nanoscale physical cues, rather than bulk mechanical properties. We had previously reported that primary keratinocytes and mesenchymal stem cells did not seem to respond to the bulk mechanical properties of poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) substrates. In this study, we examine the mechanical properties of weakly crosslinked PDMS substrates and observe a liquid-like behaviour, with complete stress relaxation. We then report the observation that HaCaT cells, an epidermal cell line, proliferate readily at the surface of uncrosslinked liquid PDMS, as well as on low viscosity (0.77 cSt) fluorinated oil. These results are surprising, considering current views in the field of mechanotransduction on the importance of bulk mechanical properties, but we find that strong mechanical interfaces, presumably resulting from protein assembly, are formed at liquid–liquid interfaces for which cell adhesion and proliferation are observed. Hence our results suggest that cells sense the nanoscale mechanical properties of liquid–liquid interfaces and that such physical cues are sufficient to sustain the proliferation of adherent cells.
Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulate cobalt nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for aerobic and solvent-free selective oxidation of hydrocarbons
Authors: Lin Xiu , Nie Zhenzhen , Zhang Liyun , Mei Shuchuan , Chen Yuan , Zhang Bingsen , Zhu Runliang , Liu Zhigang
Published: April 2017

The selective oxidation of hydrocarbons to the corresponding ketones with solvent-free and molecular oxygen as an oxidant is of great importance in academic and industrial fields in view of economy and environment.
Effects of guanidino modified aminoglycosides on mammalian membranes studied using a quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: John Torsten , Voo Zhi Xiang , Kubeil Clemens , Abel Bernd , Graham Bim , Spiccia Leone , Martin Lisandra L.
Published: April 2017

Drug-delivery of aminoglycosides was studied using the biophysical platform of a quartz crystal microbalance. Guanidino modification enhanced the biomolecule-membrane interaction.
Design of a three-state switchable chromogenic radical-based moiety and its translation to molecular logic systems
Authors: Mukherjee Sanjoy , Boudouris Bryan W.
Published: April 2017

The phenylgalvinoxyl moiety can exist in three distinctly different forms in small molecules or in polymers. The distinct electronic structure and optical properties of these three forms is the basis for forming a AND logic function, providing insight into the formation mechanism of the radical polymer.
Halide assisted formation of polymeric ethylenediaminetetraacetato lead(ii) complexes
Authors: Dai Jun-Wei , Zheng Jian-Mei , Li Hai-Yan , Zhou Jin-Mei , Dong Xin , Zhou Zhao-Hui
Published: April 2017

Insoluble lead(ii) ethylenediaminetetraacetate isomers [Pb2(EDTA)(H2O)]2n (1) and [Pb4(EDTA)2]n·2nH2O (2) and allomers Pbn[Pb(EDTA)Pb(H2O)X]2n·2nH2O (X = Cl, 3 and Br, 4) are isolated. 3 and 4 give a new class of lead ethylenediaminetetraacetates. The insoluble products indicate that EDTA is not suitable for solubilizing lead at low pH in the presence of halides.
A multicomponent macrocyclization strategy to natural product-like cyclic lipopeptides: synthesis and anticancer evaluation of surfactin and mycosubtilin analogues
Authors: Morejón Micjel C. , Laub Annegret , Kaluđerović Goran N. , Puentes Alfredo R. , Hmedat Ali N. , Otero-González Anselmo J. , Rivera Daniel G. , Wessjohann Ludger A.
Published: April 2017

Two birds in one shot: oligopeptides can be cyclized and lipidated in one step with multicomponent reactions.
Copper-catalysed enantioselective Michael addition of malonic esters to β-trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated imines
Authors: Espinosa Miguel , Herrera Jorge , Blay Gonzalo , Cardona Luz , Muñoz M. Carmen , Pedro José R.
Published: April 2017

A diastereo- and enantioselective Michael addition of methyl malonate to β-trifluoromethyl unsaturated imines is presented.
“Anti-Michael addition” of Grignard reagents to sulfonylacetylenes: synthesis of alkynes
Authors: Esteban Francisco , Boughani Lazhar , García Ruano José L. , Fraile Alberto , Alemán José
Published: April 2017

The addition of Grignard reagents to arylsulfonylacetylenes, which undergoes an “anti-Michael addition”, resulting in their alkynylation under very mild conditions is described.
The structure of a resonance state
Authors: García-Vela A.
Published: April 2017

The existence of a structure in a resonance state regarding the fragment state distributions produced upon resonance decay is investigated.
HRRP classification based on multi‐scale fusion sparsity preserving projections
Authors: Dai Weilong , Zhang Gong , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2017

To improve the accuracy and robustness of high‐resolution range profile (HRRP) target recognition, in this paper, the multi‐scale fusion sparsity preserving projections (MSFSPP) approach is proposed for feature extraction. Compared with traditional multi‐scale feature extraction method, the proposed MSFSPP approach utilises features in every scale and their sparse reconstructive relationship to construct multi‐scale fusion features which contain more discriminating information. Support vector machine is employed to verify the classification performance of features extracted by MSFSPP and related feature extraction methods. Simulation results based on the measured aircraft datasets show that the proposed MSFSPP approach has outperformance with a small amount of data.
Two‐layer volt/var/total harmonic distortion control in distribution network based on PVs output and load forecast errors
Authors: Sayadi Fahimeh , Esmaeili Saeid , Keynia Farshid
Published: April 2017

A two‐layer control method is proposed for voltage and reactive power control in harmonic polluted distribution network with penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Optimal scheduling of load tap changer and shunt capacitors for minimising energy losses and improving the power quality simultaneously are performed using P‐particle swarm optimisation (PSO) optimisation method. Here, the minimising cost of real power losses and improving the power quality criteria have been pursued as the goals of an optimisation problem. Considering load and PVs output forecast, the first‐layer control determines the optimal reactive power and control settings for all mechanical controllers. Hourly errors of load and power forecasts and mechanical control setting of the first layer are used to estimate optimised reactive power of PV in order to achieve maximum voltage regulation, reduce network losses and total harmonic distortion (THD). These data are trained a neural network (NN) to estimate optimised PV reactive power. This NN in the second layer is used to optimise the online reactive power setting based on online PV power. For more practical applications of the proposed method, simulation is carried out in a large distorted 37‐bus distribution system. The algorithm will increase use of renewable energies, reduce voltage fluctuations, THD, and wear and tear of mechanical equipment.
Governor tuning and digital deflector control of Pelton turbine with multiple needles for power system studies
Authors: Wang Li , Zhao Jie , Liu Dichen , Wang Jun , Chen Gang , Sun Wentao , Zhao Ting , Zhao Yu , Qi Xiaoman
Published: April 2017

In this study, a Pelton turbine and governor system dynamic model with deflector control was developed. The Pelton turbine established reasonable parameters for the deflector control model to effectively restrain unit frequency rise, which played the role of a similar thermal power overspeed protection. Since a Pelton turbine typically contains multiple needles, the concept of average needle opening was employed in the model. An improved orthogonal learning biogeography‐based optimisation (IOLBBO) algorithm, which adopted good point set to initialise habitat, elites to maintain the tactics, and an orthogonal learning strategy to improve global search capabilities, was developed. The parameters were identified with the IOLBBO algorithm based on measured data. To develop the model in this study, various types of Pelton turbine and governor system models with different refinement degrees were analysed. Large fluctuations, like a load rejection process, verified the validity of the established deflector control model. Additionally, digital deflector control characteristics were achieved by computer programming. The non‐linear Pelton turbine and water diversion system model with an elastic water hammer model that considered a non‐linear relationship between the average needle opening and mechanical power developed in this study demonstrated superior simulation results in power system stability analysis.
Hydroboration and Diboration of Internal Alkynes Catalyzed by a Well-Defined Low-Valent Cobalt Catalyst
Authors: Ferrand Laura , Lyu Ye , Rivera-Hernández Alejandro , Fallon Brendan , Amatore Muriel , Aubert Corinne , Petit Marc
Published: April 2017

The use of a simple well-defined low-valent cobalt(I) catalyst [HCo(PMe3)4] capable of performing the regio- and stereoselective hydroboration of internal alkynes is reported. Extension to the diboration of internal alkynes is also related using the same reaction conditions.
Evaluating policy-relevant research: lessons from a series of theory-based outcomes assessments
Authors: Belcher Brian , Suryadarma Daniel , Halimanjaya Aidy
Published: April 2017

The increasing external demand from research funders and research managers to assess, evaluate and demonstrate the quality and the effectiveness of research is well known. Less discussed, but equally important, is the evolving interest and use of research evaluation to support learning and adaptive management within research programmes. This is especially true in a research-for-development context where research competes with other worthy alternatives for overseas development assistance funding and where highly complex social, economic and ecological environments add to evaluation challenges. Researchers and research managers need to know whether and how their interventions are working to be able to adapt and improve their programmes as well as to be able to satisfy their funders. This paper presents a theory-based research evaluation approach that was developed and tested on four policy-relevant research activities: a long-term forest management research programme in the Congo Basin; a large research programme on forests and climate change; a multi-country research project on sustainable wetlands management, and; a research project of the furniture value chain in one district in Indonesia. The first used Contribution Analysis and the others used purpose-built outcome evaluation approaches that combined concepts and methods from several approaches. Each research evaluation began with documentation of a theory of change (ToC) that identified key actors, processes and results. Data collected through document reviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were analysed to test the ToCs against evidence of outcomes in the form of discourse, policy formulation and practice change. The approach proved valuable as a learning tool for researchers and research managers and it has facilitated communication with funders about actual and reasonable research contributions to change. Evaluations that employed a participatory approach with project scientists and partners noticeably supported team learning about past work and about possible adaptations for the future. In all four cases, the retrospective ToC development proved challenging and resulted in overly-simplistic ToCs. Further work is needed to draw on social scientific theories of knowledge translation and policy processes to develop and further test more sophisticated theories of change. This theory-based approach to research evaluation provides a valuable means of assessing research effectiveness (summative value) and supports learning and adaptation (formative value) at the project or programme scale. The approach is well suited to the research-for-development projects represented by the case studies, but it should be applicable to any research that aspires to have a societal impact. This article is published as part of a collection on the future of research assessment.
A race towards credibility: the 2009 and 2013 presidential election campaigns at the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
Authors: Næss Hans Erik
Published: April 2017

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile(FIA), the governing body of world motorsports, is one of many Global Sport Governing Bodies (GSGBs) facing increasing demands for good governance. By inadequately complying with international guidelines on organizational conduct these organizations, which are independent and powerful actors in global society, have received criticism from a broad range of actors. However, compared with other GSGBs like the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the FIA is uncharted territory. Through a qualitative document analysis (QDA) of the FIA presidential election campaigns in 2009 and 2013 this article therefore aims to fill this gap by examining the candidates’ struggle for credibility with stakeholders on the key principles of good governance: democratic representation, transparency and accountability. Drawing upon campaign material and articles in newspapers and in motoring magazines covering the elections, the analysis demonstrates that all FIA presidential candidates advocated a strong emphasis on these principles, but were vague as to how they should be put into practice. Moreover, the candidates’ attempt to procure credibility for themselves and for the FIA by raising the issue of good governance seemingly gained them few votes. Of several possible reasons for this two can be highlighted: first, because the FIA membership had more faith in the winning candidate’s ability to develop a stakeholder-effective FIA; second, because the FIA membership did not regard the credibility of the organization itself as being dependent on the adoption of good governance practices.
Ising model with conserved magnetization on the human connectome: Implications on the relation structure-function in wakefulness and anesthesia
Authors: Stramaglia S. , Pellicoro M. , Angelini L. , Amico E. , Aerts H. , Cortés J. M. , Laureys S. , Marinazzo D.
Published: April 2017

Dynamical models implemented on the large scale architecture of the human brain may shed light on how a function arises from the underlying structure. This is the case notably for simple abstract models, such as the Ising model. We compare the spin correlations of the Ising model and the empirical functional brain correlations, both at the single link level and at the modular level, and show that their match increases at the modular level in anesthesia, in line with recent results and theories. Moreover, we show that at the peak of the specific heat (the critical state), the spin correlations are minimally shaped by the underlying structural network, explaining how the best match between the structure and function is obtained at the onset of criticality, as previously observed. These findings confirm that brain dynamics under anesthesia shows a departure from criticality and could open the way to novel perspectives when the conserved magnetization is interpreted in terms of a homeostatic principle imposed to neural activity.
Finite slice analysis (FINA)—A general reconstruction method for velocity mapped and time-sliced ion imaging
Authors: Thompson J. O. F. , Amarasinghe C. , Foley C. D. , Suits A. G.
Published: April 2017

Since the advent of ion imaging, one of the key issues in the field has been creating methods to reconstruct the initial 3D distribution of particles from its 2D projection. This has led to the development of a number of different numerical methods and fitting techniques to solve this fundamental issue in imaging. In recent years, slice-imaging methods have been developed that permit direct recording of the 3D distribution, i.e., a thin slice of the recoiling fragment distribution. However, in practice, most slice imaging experiments achieve a velocity slice width of around 10%–25% around the center of the distribution. This still carries significant out-of-plane elements that can blur the spectrum, lose fine resolution, and underestimate the contribution from slow recoiling products. To overcome these limitations, we developed a new numerical method to remove these out-of-plane elements from a sliced image. The finite sliced analysis method models the off-axis elements of the 3D particle distribution through the use of radial basis functions. Once applied, the method reconstructs the underlying central slice of the 3D particle distribution. The approach may be applied to arbitrarily sliced or unsliced data and has the further advantage that it neither requires nor enforces full cylindrical symmetry of the data. We demonstrate this reconstruction approach with a broad range of synthetic and experimental data that, at the same time, allows us to examine the impact of finite slicing on the recovered distributions in detail.
Quantum cosmology of scalar-tensor theories and self-adjointness
Authors: Almeida Carla R. , Batista Antonio B. , Fabris Júlio C. , Moniz Paulo V.
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the problem of the self-adjointness for the case of a quantum mini-superspace Hamiltonian retrieved from a Brans-Dicke action is investigated. Our matter content is presented in terms of a perfect fluid, onto which Schutz’s formalism will be applied. We use the von Neumann theorem and the similarity with the Laplacian operator in one of the variables to determine the cases where the Hamiltonian is self-adjoint and if it admits self-adjoint extensions. For the latter, we study which extension is physically more suitable.
Solvation energies of the proton in ammonia explicitly versus temperature
Authors: Malloum Alhadji , Fifen Jean Jules , Dhaouadi Zoubeida , Engo Serge Guy Nana , Jaidane Nejm-Eddine
Published: April 2017

We provide in this work, the absolute solvation enthalpies and the absolute solvation free energies of the proton in ammonia explicitly versus temperature. As a result, the absolute solvation free energy of the proton remains quite constant for temperatures below 200 K. Above this temperature, it increases as a linear function of the temperature: ΔGam(H+,T)=−1265.832+0.210 T. This indicates that a temperature change of 100 K would induce a solvation free energy change of 21 kJ mol−1. Thus, ignoring this free energy change would lead to a bad description of hydrogen bonds and an unacceptable error higher than 3.7 pKa units. However, the absolute solvation enthalpy of the proton in ammonia is not significantly affected by a temperature change and, the room temperature value is −1217 kJ mol−1. The change of the solvation enthalpy is only within 3 kJ mol−1 for a temperature change up to 200 K.
A gas aggregation source for the production of heterogeneous molecular clusters
Authors: Braud I. , Zamith S. , L’Hermite J.-M.
Published: April 2017

We present the design of a versatile gas aggregation source that allows producing molecular beams of charged clusters containing a controlled amount of chosen impurities. Several examples of clusters production using this source characterized by time of flight mass spectrometry are presented here. We demonstrate the source ability to produce homogeneous clusters, such as pure protonated water and alcohol clusters, as well as inhomogeneous ones such as water clusters containing a few units of uracil, glycine, sulfuric acid, or pyrene.
Infrared blocking, microwave and terahertz low-loss transmission AlN films grown on flexible polymeric substrates
Authors: Rudenko E. , Tsybrii Z. , Sizov F. , Korotash I. , Polotskiy D. , Skoryk M. , Vuichyk M. , Svezhentsova K.
Published: April 2017

Aluminum nitride (AlN) film coatings on flexible substrates (polymeric Teflon, Mylar) have been obtained using a hybrid helicon-arc ion-plasma deposition technique with high adhesion of coatings. Studies of optical, morphological, and structural properties of AlN films have been carried out. It was found that AlN coatings on Teflon and Mylar thin-film substrates substantially suppress transmission of infrared (IR) radiation within the spectral range λ ∼ 5–20 μm at certain technological parameters and thickness of AlN. Transmission in THz regions by using quasioptics attains T ≈ 79%–95%, and losses measured in the channels within the microwave region 2 to 36 GHz are <0.06 dB. The obtained composite structures (AlN coatings on Teflon and Mylar thin-film substrates), due to a high thermal conductivity of AlN, could be used as efficient blocking structures in the infrared spectral range (“infrared stealth”) withdrawing the heat from filters warmed by IR radiation. At the same time, they can be used as the transparent ones in the microwave and THz regions, which can be important for low-temperature detector components of navigation, positioning, and telecommunication systems due to reducing the background noise.