bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of lithium ions on lithium‐aluminum hydroxides: Equilibrium and kinetics
Authors: Jiang Huixiong , Yang Ying , Sun Shuying , Yu Jianguo
Published: September 2019

The rapid development of rechargeable lithium batteries has promoted the demand of primary lithium products obtained from lithium‐bearing resources, especially salt lakes. Layered lithium‐aluminum hydroxides connecting with ion exchange resin were used for the adsorption of lithium ions from aqueous resources. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the effects of pH, initial lithium concentration, and contact time on lithium adsorption. The optimal conditions for lithium adsorption were found to be pH = 7, and the equilibrium time is approximately 600 minutes. The selectivity experiment indicated that the adsorbent showed selectivity toward lithium ion, so the adsorbent could be used in the separation of lithium ion with other metal ions, especially the divalent magnesium ions. The experiment showed that the existence of the magnesium chloride enhanced the lithium adsorption onto the adsorbent greatly. The kinetic data were analyzed by several kinetic models, and the best result was achieved with a pseudo‐second‐order model. The commonly used adsorption isotherms were used to fit the experimental data by nonlinear regression. Both Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models could describe the isotherm well. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔS, and ΔH) were also calculated subsequently and the results showed the lithium adsorption process is exothermic with the decrease of randomness. Breakthrough curves demonstrated the cyclic stability of the adsorbent and the influence of the feed flow rate. Lithium ions were effectively adsorbed from the aqueous solution by the adsorbent, demonstrating its feasibility for lithium recovery and providing the fundamental data for further column design.
An Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Aggregation Induced Emission Enhancement Fluorescent Probe Based on 2‐Phenyl‐1,2,3‐triazole for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Homocysteine and Its Application in Living Cells
Authors: Chu Yicheng , Xie Zhengfeng , Zhuang Daijiao , Yue Yongshuang , Yue Yuhua , Shi Wei , Feng Shun
Published: September 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

In this work, a new simple and readily synthesized turn‐on probe 2‐(4‐anthracene‐9‐yl‐phenyl)‐ 2H‐[1,2,3]triazole‐4‐carbaldehyde (APTC) was legitimately designed towards homocysteine (Hcy). Moreover, APTC has excellent optical properties such as intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics, indicating its extensive application potentiality. What's more, APTC displayed rapid, high selectivity and specificity towards homocysteine over cysteine/glutathione. The detection limit of APTC for Hcy was as low as 2.198×10–8 mol·L–1, and the response time was only 5 min. APTC has been successfully applied to detect Hcy in silica gel plates and living cells, which indicates that APTC has good stability and biocompatibility as a selective probe for Hcy. Finally, the mechanism was studied using 1H NMR titration experiments and mass spectrometry.
Investigation of the hemodynamic flow conditions and blood‐induced stresses inside an abdominal aortic aneurysm by means of a SPH numerical model
Authors: Aricò Costanza , Sinagra Marco , Nagy Róbert , Napoli Enrico , Tucciarelli Tullio
Published: September 2019

The estimation of blood flow–induced loads occurring on the artery wall is affected by uncertainties hidden in the complex interaction of the pulsatile flow, the mechanical parameters of the artery, and the external support conditions. To circumvent these difficulties, a specific tool is developed by combining the aorta displacements measured by an electrocardiogram‐gated–computed tomography angiography, with the blood velocity field computed by a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical model. In the present work, the SPH model has been specifically adapted to the solution of the 3D Navier–Stokes equations inside a domain with boundaries of prescribed motion. Images of the abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) of a 44‐year‐old female patient were acquired during a stabilized cardiac cycle by electrocardiogram‐gated–computed tomography angiography. The in vivo kinematic field inside the pulsating arterial wall was estimated by using recent technology, which makes it possible to follow the shape of the arterial wall during a cardiac cycle. We compare the flow conditions and the blood‐induced loads, computed by the numerical model under the assumption of a moving arterial wall, with the corresponding results obtained assuming three rigid wall geometries of the vessel during the cardiac cycle. Significant differences were found for the wall shear stress distribution.
Cost minimization of scheduling scientific workflow applications on clouds
Authors: Wu Hao , Chen Xin , Song Xiaoyu , Guo He
Published: September 2019

Workflow scheduling with minimum cost is one of the most challenging problems for the users who need to execute a large‐scale scientific application on a cloud platform. However, traditional methods are hard to cover the highly complex applications and ignore the billing model of the public clouds. In this paper, we address the problem of scheduling a scientific application on cloud platform from the perspective of users. First, we propose a Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) based algorithm to schedule a scientific application on cloud platform, the SMT algorithm constructs the scheduling problem to first‐order logic expressions and checks the expressions by solvers, which minimizes the number of Virtual Machine instances (VMs) allocated to the application. Furthermore, due to the hourly payment of cloud, we develop a heuristic algorithm called Multiple Strategies Algorithm (MSA) which determines the minimum instance hours of a scientific application deployed on VMs. At last, we combine the proposed SMT based algorithm and the MSA to a framework named SMT‐MSA, and compare it with other outstanding algorithms in experiments, the results show that, in most of cases, our algorithms reduce more cost than the other three methods which are HEFT, MSMD and IC‐PCPD2.
Biphenyl Diimide Based Novel Blue Emitters with Aggregation‐Induced Blue‐Shifted Emission Characteristics
Authors: Wang Zhijun , Song Ruitong , Zhang Yueyan , Zhang Tao , Zhu Xiangyu , Zeng Jiajie , Zhang Weidong , Zhao Zujin , Yan Ni , He Gang
Published: September 2019

Two biphenyl diimide (BPI) monomers containing seven‐membered imide rings and four conjugated aromatic diimides, BPI‐Ph, BPI‐Th, BPI‐Se and BPI‐Py, with unique aggregation‐induced blue‐shifted emission (AIBSE) properties, are reported. The crystal structures revealed that the imide backbones were twisted, leading to weaker 1D π‐stacking, which makes the compounds very different from other reported imides. Their cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra, as well as DFT calculations, were investigated in detail. The photophysical properties and aggregation behaviors of BPI‐Ph, BPI‐Th, BPI‐Se and BPI‐Py in mixtures of THF/water were systematically studied. The intriguing AIBSE of the BPI‐containing compound was attributed to the lower reorganization energies in aggregates than in the solution phase, ascribed to the lack of π‐stacking resulting from the twisted seven‐membered rings, restricted intramolecular rotation (RIR) and weak intermolecular interactions in the solid state. Additionally, BPI‐Py‐based OLEDs exhibited good performance of Lmax, ηC,max, ηP,max and ηext,max up to 6014 cd m−2, 6.41 cd A−1, 5.50 lm W−1 and 3.85 %, respectively. The presented results provide a new strategy to design blue emitters in the future.
Research on Microstructure Evolution of Al–Al2Cu Eutectic by Regional Melting under Directional Solidification
Authors: Luo Lei , Wei Cen , Li Xiang‐Ming , Wang Xian
Published: September 2019

Al–Al2Cu eutectic is prepared by regional melting through vacuum directional solidification furnace in an experiment. The effects of different pulling rates, heating power, and transition acceleration on the microstructure evolution of Al–Al2Cu eutectic under directional solidification are analyzed. Four constant growth rates of 3, 6, 9, and 15 mm min−1 are selected for the pulling rate. The primary Al2Cu phase will precede the coupled eutectic phase. The morphology of the irregular faceted primary Al2Cu phase is coarse and the feature of growth is transformed from faceted to non‐faceted as the pulling rate increases. The microstructure at three different heating powers is studied. With the increase of heating power, the primary Al2Cu phase in the alloy decreases, the eutectic structure increases, and the eutectic spacing of the alloy is obviously refined. The pulling rate is changed from 3 to 6 mm min−1, 6 to 9 mm min−1, and 9 to 15 mm min−1, respectively, in directional solidification for transition acceleration. The increase of the pulling rate will change the morphology of the primary Al2Cu phase and produce a partial rod eutectic structure. The lamellar eutectic spacing obtained by transition acceleration is smaller than that obtained by the same constant growth rate.
Vanadium‐Incorporated Metallic (1‐T) Molybdenum Sulfide Nanoroses for High‐Energy‐Density Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Lalwani Shubra , Sharma Raj Kishore , Singh Gurmeet , Kim Hansung
Published: September 2019

The metallic phase (1T) of molybdenum sulfide is critical, pertaining to its exceptional interlayer structure and metastability, but forms up with low content. Herein, 1T‐phase‐prominent vanadium‐incorporated MoS2 (MVS) nanoroses were synthesized through a hydrothermal process. A significant increase in 1T content (50 %) occurred with the addition of vanadium, enhancing the prompt diffusion of lithium ions by two orders. More exposed electroactive basal planes increased the number of redox active sites to 84 %, suggesting an excellent charge storage of 451 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. On assembling MVS with MnO2 to form an asymmetric cell (MnO2∥MVS), a high energy density (62.7 Wh kg−1 at 428 W kg−1) with a threefold increment from the MVS‖MVS symmetric cell (21.8 Wh kg−1 at 255 Wkg−1) was achieved. The asymmetric cell also exhibited a superior cycling stability with 98 % retention of its capacitance after 10 000 cycles.
Securing Internet of Things (IoT) with machine learning
Authors: Zeadally Sherali , Tsikerdekis Michail
Published: September 2019

Advances in hardware, software, communication, embedding computing technologies along with their decreasing costs and increasing performance have led to the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. Today, several billions of Internet‐connected devices are part of the IoT ecosystem. IoT devices have become an integral part of the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure that supports many of our daily activities. The security of these IoT devices has been receiving a lot of attention in recent years. Another major recent trend is the amount of data that is being produced every day which has reignited interest in technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. We investigate the potential of machine learning techniques in enhancing the security of IoT devices. We focus on the deployment of supervised, unsupervised learning techniques, and reinforcement learning for both host‐based and network‐based security solutions in the IoT environment. Finally, we discuss some of the challenges of machine learning techniques that need to be addressed in order to effectively implement and deploy them so that they can better protect IoT devices.
Performance analysis of adaptive MAC protocol in VANETs considering the potential impact on throughput and transmission delays
Authors: Nguyen VanDung , Khanh Tran Trong , Pham Xuan‐Qui , Lee Ga‐Won , Huh Eui‐Nam
Published: September 2019

The existing adaptive multichannel medium access control (MAC) protocols in vehicular ad hoc networks can adjust themselves according to different vehicular traffic densities. These protocols can increase throughput and guarantee a bounded transmission delay for real‐time safety applications. However, the optimized control channel interval is computed based on the maximum throughput while ignoring the strict safety packet transmission delay requirements. In this paper, we analyze the effects of the throughput and strict safety packet transmission delay with adaptive multichannel MAC protocols, such as connectivity‐aware MAC (CA MAC), adaptive multi‐priority distributed MAC (APDM), multi‐priority supported p‐persistent MAC (MP MAC), and variable control channel interval MAC (VCI) protocols. The performance and analysis results show that: (a) under a low data rate condition, CA MAC does not guarantee a strict safety packet transmission delay; (b) APDM not only satisfies the safety packet transmission requirement, but also provides the lowest safety packet transmission delay; (c) under a high data rate condition, we suggest APDM for use as an adaptive MAC protocol because it allows for high throughput for nonsafety packets and preserves low safety packet transmission delay; (d) under a low data rate condition with various data packet sizes, we suggest MP MAC for high throughput, which satisfies the safety packet transmission requirement; and (e) under low vehicle density and low data rate conditions, VCI can support high throughput. A balance between transmission delay and throughput must be considered to improve the optimal efficiency, reliability, and adaptability.
Rapamycin blocks the neuroprotective effects of sex steroids in the adult birdsong system
Authors: Kranz Thorsten M. , Lent Karin L. , Miller Kimberly E. , Chao Moses V. , Brenowitz Eliot A.
Published: September 2019

In adult songbirds, the telencephalic song nucleus HVC and its efferent target RA undergo pronounced seasonal changes in morphology. In breeding birds, there are increases in HVC volume and total neuron number, and RA neuronal soma area compared to nonbreeding birds. At the end of breeding, HVC neurons die through caspase‐dependent apoptosis and thus, RA neuron size decreases. Changes in HVC and RA are driven by seasonal changes in circulating testosterone (T) levels. Infusing T, or its metabolites 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17 β‐estradiol (E2), intracerebrally into HVC (but not RA) protects HVC neurons from death, and RA neuron size, in nonbreeding birds. The phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐Akt (a serine/threonine kinase)‐mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a point of convergence for neuroprotective effects of sex steroids and other trophic factors. We asked if mTOR activation is necessary for the protective effect of hormones in HVC and RA of adult male Gambel's white‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). We transferred sparrows from breeding to nonbreeding hormonal and photoperiod conditions to induce regression of HVC neurons by cell death and decrease of RA neuron size. We infused either DHT + E2, DHT + E2 plus the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, or vehicle alone in HVC. Infusion of DHT + E2 protected both HVC and RA neurons. Coinfusion of rapamycin with DHT + E2, however, blocked the protective effect of hormones on HVC volume and neuron number, and RA neuron size. These results suggest that activation of mTOR is an essential downstream step in the neuroprotective cascade initiated by sex steroid hormones in the forebrain.
Ecology of a widespread large omnivore, Homo sapiens, and its impacts on ecosystem processes
Authors: Root‐Bernstein Meredith , Ladle Richard
Published: September 2019

Discussions of defaunation and taxon substitution have concentrated on megafaunal herbivores and carnivores, but mainly overlooked the particular ecological importance of megafaunal omnivores. In particular, the Homo spp. have been almost completely ignored in this context, despite the extinction of all but one hominin species present since the Plio‐Pleistocene. Large omnivores have a particular set of ecological functions reflecting their foraging flexibility and the varied disturbances they create, functions that may maintain ecosystem stability and resilience. Here, we put the ecology of Homo sapiens in the context of comparative interspecific ecological roles and impacts, focusing on the large omnivore guild, as well as comparative intraspecific variation, focusing on hunter‐gatherers.

We provide an overview of the functional traits of H. sapiens, which can be used to spontaneously provide the functions for currently ecologically extinct or endangered ecosystem processes. We consider the negative impacts of variations in H. sapiens phenotypic strategies, its possible status as an invasive species, and the potential to take advantage of its learning capacities to decouple negative and positive impacts.

We provide examples of how practices related to foraging, transhumance, and hunting could contribute to rewilding‐inspired programs either drawing on hunter‐gatherer baselines of H. sapiens, or as proxies for extinct or threatened large omnivores. We propose that a greater focus on intraspecific ecological variation and interspecific comparative ecology of H. sapiens can provide new avenues for conservation and ecological research.
Plant species’ range type determines local responses to biotic interactions and land use
Authors: Welk Astrid , Welk Erik , Baudis Mathias , Böckelmann Jörg , Bruelheide Helge
Published: September 2019

Geographic plant distribution is often assumed to be predominantly limited directly by the climatic tolerances of species. However, the role of climate is now known to be mainly an indirect one mostly mediating dispersal and establishment, species interactions, or habitat characteristics, which all are often modified by human land use. In these complex systems, negative biotic interactions are predicted to increase in relative importance toward benign climatic conditions. We tested this hypothesis experimentally by exposing plant species with different geographic distribution ranges to different climates, biotic interactions, and land use. Thereby, species predominantly distributed in regions with benign climatic conditions were expected to be better able to cope with negative biotic interactions than species from regions with environmentally stressful climatic conditions. We present results of a fully crossed two‐year transplantation field experiment replicated in 45 plots in three study regions along a precipitation gradient across Germany. We manipulated biotic interactions (presence/absence of competition and mollusk herbivory) in grasslands of different management regimes (meadows, mown pastures, pastures). The transplanted phytometers consisted of six congeneric species pairs, each representing one oceanic and one distinctly more continental range type. The oceanic range type is predominantly distributed in benign climatic conditions in Western Europe, while the more continental type is distributed in regions with more stressful climatic conditions in Eastern Europe. This experimental setting allowed us to study the impact of negative biotic interactions along an abiotic stress gradient under realistic land‐use conditions. Under competition and mollusk herbivory, growth performance was more strongly reduced in continental compared to oceanic species. Range types also differed in their responses to grassland management. Differences in survival between the congeneric species were found to be region‐specific and largely unaffected by biotic interactions and land use. In consequence, our results suggest that local responses to biotic interactions and land‐use practices of otherwise very similar plant species can differ strongly depending on species’ large‐scale geographical distribution. Regionally differing responses to biotic interactions also show that local conditions can drastically change responses expected from macroecological theory.
Thermal niche predictors of alpine plant species
Authors: Löffler Jörg , Pape Roland
Published: September 2019

Within the context of species distribution models, scrutiny arises from the choice of meaningful environmental predictors. Thermal conditions are not the sole driver, but are the most widely acknowledged abiotic driver of plant life within alpine ecosystems. We linked long‐term measurements of direct, plant‐relevant, near‐surface temperatures to plant species frequency. Across 47 sites located along environmental gradients within the Scandinavian mountain chain, the thermal preferences of 26 focal species of vascular plants, lichens, and bryophytes were explored. Based on partial least‐squares regression, we applied a relative importance analysis to derive inductively the thermal variables that were best related to a species’ frequency. To discover potential seasonal variability of thermal controls, analyses were both differentiated according to meteorological season and integrated across the entire year. The pronounced interspecies and temporal variability of thermal constraints revealed the thermal niches were much more nuanced and variable than they have commonly been represented. This finding challenges us to present, interrogate, and interpret data representing these thermal niches, which seems to be required in order to move beyond purely probabilistic and correlative descriptions of species’ range limits. Thus, this information will help improve predictions of species distributions in complex arctic‐alpine landscapes.
A Kinetic Approach to the Oxidation of Linseed Oil as Influenced by Fruit Peel and Seeds of Pomegranate
Authors: Golmakani Mohammad‐Taghi , Keramat Malihe , Zare Darniyani Leila
Published: September 2019

The objective of this research is to analyze the kinetic parameters of linseed oil by treating it with pomegranate peel and seeds at 353, 368, and 383 K using Rancimat. There are no significant differences (p < 0.05) between the oxidative stability indices of samples containing pomegranate peel and pomegranate seeds. In addition, the indices pertaining to the oxidative stability of linseed oil increase in value as the concentrations of pomegranate peel and seeds increase. Apart from the pomegranate peel at 0.1% and the quercetin, all other antioxidants are able to reduce the severity of temperature‐related parameters (i.e., temperature coefficient and Q10 values). In addition, these antioxidants are able to form an activated complex with lower levels of thermal energy (by reducing activation energy and enthalpy) but of more structured configuration (by reducing the frequency factor and entropy). A high correlation is found between the Gibbs free‐energy of activation and the oxidative stability index of samples. The most substantial increase in the Gibbs free‐energy of activation occurs by TBHQ, followed by gallic acid, quercetin, and pomegranate peel at 1%.

Practical Applications: Linseed oil is characterized by its high amounts of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The high PUFA content of linseed oil contributes to its rapid oxidation. Pomegranate peel and seeds are valuable sources of natural antioxidants. Investigating the effect of pomegranate peel and seeds in reducing the dependence of linseed oil oxidation on temperature provides a range of valuable kinetic parameters. Nevertheless, this subject has received little attention so far. There are few published data regarding the effect of natural antioxidants on lipid oxidation by this approach. Accordingly, this study is designed to investigate the oxidation kinetics and mechanisms of linseed oil as manipulated by fruit peel and seeds of pomegranate. The results show that the fruit peel and seeds of pomegranate can improve the oxidative stability of linseed oil and reduce the severity of effects caused by undesirable temperatures that may increase the oxidation rate of linseed oil.
Boron and Nitrogen Co‐Doped Trimodal‐Porous Wood‐Derived Carbon for Boosting Capacitive Performance
Authors: Liu Kun , Xu Jijian , Wang Yuan , Qian Meng , Zhao Wei , Zeng Yi , Huang Fuqiang
Published: September 2019

Heteroatom doping and a porous structure are two significant factors that improve the capacitance performance of carbon‐based electrodes, but there are often one‐sided considerations between them. Herein, effective B, N co‐doping and trimodal‐porous structure from the carbonization of sustainable natural wood are obtained at the same time. The unique pore structure is coarsely tuned by a modified ZnAc2‐assisted hypersaline route and further fine‐tuned by controlling the doping levels of boron and nitrogen. The high specific surface area of porous carbon up to 1201 m2 g−1 is coordinated with the trimodal foam‐like nanopores. This carbon‐based material as a supercapacitor electrode can provide not only trimodal‐porous ion transfer highways but also doping‐induced pseudocapacitance. The resulting pore and heteroatom reengineered wood‐derived carbon harvests a remarkable capacitance of 479 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, among the highest values in reported B, N co‐doped carbon electrodes. The aqueous symmetric supercapacitor exhibits energy density of 18.5 Wh kg−1 and power density of 6.4 kW kg−1, along with >90% capacitance retention, both in H2SO4 and Li2SO4 electrolyte over 10 000 cycles.
Resistant rock layers amplify cosmogenically‐determined erosion rates
Authors: Darling Andrew , Whipple Kelin , Bierman Paul , Clarke Brian , Heimsath Arjun
Published: September 2019

Prior numerical modeling work has suggested that incision into sub‐horizontal layered stratigraphy with variable erodibility induces non‐uniform erosion rates even if base‐level fall is steady and sustained. Erosion rates of cliff bands formed in the stronger rocks in a stratigraphic sequence can greatly exceed the rate of base‐level fall. Where quartz in downstream sediment is sourced primarily from the stronger, cliff‐forming units, erosion rates estimated from concentrations of cosmogenic beryllium‐10 (10Be) in detrital sediment will reflect the locally high erosion rates in retreating cliff bands. We derive theoretical relationships for threshold hillslopes and channels described by the stream‐power incision model as a quantitative guide to the potential magnitude of this amplification of 10Be‐derived erosion rates above the rate of base‐level fall. Our analyses predict that the degree of erosion rate amplification is a function of bedding dip and either the ratio of rock erodibility in alternating strong and weak layers in the channel network, or the ratio of cliff to intervening‐slope gradient on threshold hillslopes. We test our predictions in the cliff‐and‐bench landscape of the Grand Staircase in southern Utah, USA. We show that detrital cosmogenic erosion rates in this landscape are significantly higher (median 300 m/Ma) than the base‐level fall rate (~75 m/Ma) determined from the incision rate of a trunk stream into a ~0.6 Ma basalt flow emplaced along a 16 km reach of the channel. We infer a 3–6‐fold range in rock strength from near‐surface P‐wave velocity measurements. The approximately four‐fold difference between the median 10Be‐derived erosion rate and the long‐term rate of base‐level fall is consistent with our model and the observation that the stronger, cliff‐forming lithologies in this landscape are the primary source of quartz in detrital sediments. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SDN, slicing, and NFV paradigms for a smart home: A comprehensive survey
Authors: Ben Azzouz Lamia , Jamai Intissar
Published: September 2019

Living in a smart home is an entirely new experience, which enhances our everyday life. Many manufactures and internet of things service providers developed their own smart home services from which the customer can benefit from running a software over his smartphone or tablet. Today, it is becoming increasingly complex for the homeowner to control and manage the growing number of heterogeneous home connected devices through a multitude of available services. Several researchers proposed to improve the home area network design by introducing the software defined networking approach. Although, the software‐defined network (SDN) approach has many advantages, combining it with other approaches like slicing and network function virtualization can give more benefits such as improving the quality of service and the quality of experience, the management, and the control of the network. In this review, we present and discuss recent works that improve the design of the home area network considering SDN or a combination of SDN with slicing and network function virtualization.
Cardioprotective effects of curcumin and carvacrol in doxorubicin‐treated rats: Stereological study
Authors: Jafarinezhad Zahra , Rafati Ali , Ketabchi Farzaneh , Noorafshan Ali , Karbalay‐Doust Saied
Published: September 2019

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a cardiotoxic drug. To reduce the harmful effects of DOX, two plant‐derived components, including curcumin (CUR) and carvacrol (CAR), were considered. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of CUR and CAR on DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity using physiological and stereological evaluations. Male rats were randomly allocated to six groups. Group's I‐VI received phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), CUR (100 mg kg−1 day−1), CAR (50 mg kg−1 day−1), DOX (4 mg kg−1 week−1), DOX‐CUR, and DOX‐CAR, respectively. On day 24, plasma troponin I and ECG were analyzed and the left ventricle underwent stereological assessment. The results showed a fivefold increase in troponin I in the DOX‐treated animals compared to the PBS ones. Additionally, heart rate and QRS amplitude, respectively, reduced by 18% and 31% and QT interval and QRS duration, respectively, increased by 41% and 24% in the DOX group in comparison with the PBS rats (p < .05). The total volume of the myocardium and vessels and the number of cardiomyocyte nuclei also, respectively, decreased by 30%, 45%, and 43% in the DOX group compared to the PBS animals (atrophy of the ventricular tissues,p < .01). Besides, the mean volumes of the connective tissue and cardiomyocytes, respectively, increased by 46% and 52% in the DOX group (p < .01). In the DOX‐CUR and DOX‐CAR groups, the changes were prevented extensively in comparison with the DOX group (p < .01). Co‐administration of CUR or CAR and doxorubicin for 24 days could improve the heart function and structural changes.
New insights on supercritical CO2fracturing coal mass: a staged analysis method
Authors: Yan Hao , Zhang Jixiong , Li Meng , Suo Yu , Liu Hengfeng
Published: September 2019

As a water‐less fracturing mining technology, supercritical CO2fracturing has attracted increasing attention in the mining industry. Based on detailed analysis of CO2phase behavior in the whole process of supercritical CO2fracturing, the whole cycle of supercritical CO2fracturing was divided into the supercritical CO2fracturing stage and the CO2phase transition–induced fracturing stage, and according to the characteristics of each fracturing stage, the fracturing mechanism of supercritical CO2was analyzed in stages, and the roles of the two stages in the life cycle of the entire supercritical CO2fracturing process were obtained. Through the laboratory test of supercritical CO2fracturing coal mass, the pressure–time curves during the whole process of supercritical CO2fluid fracturing were analyzed, and the rationality and correctness of the supercritical CO2fracturing staged analysis method proposed in this paper were verified. Based on the energy conservation theory and the state function equation of classical thermodynamics, the burst energy of the CO2phase transition–induced fracturing stage was estimated. By comparing the trinitrotoluene equivalent of phase‐transition energy with the trinitrotoluene amount of explosive explosion, it was proved that the CO2phase transition–induced fracturing stage was not negligible. The research results of this paper are of considerable significance for the full understanding of the supercritical CO2fracturing mechanism. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene expression profiling reveals a conserved microglia signature in larval zebrafish
Authors: Mazzolini Julie , Le Clerc Sigrid , Morisse Gregoire , Coulonges Cédric , Kuil Laura E. , van Ham Tjakko J. , Zagury Jean‐François , Sieger Dirk
Published: September 2019

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the brain. Over the past decade, our understanding of the function of these cells has significantly improved. Microglia do not only play important roles in the healthy brain but are involved in almost every brain pathology. Gene expression profiling allowed to distinguish microglia from other macrophages and revealed that the full microglia signature can only be observed in vivo. Thus, animal models are irreplaceable to understand the function of these cells. One of the popular models to study microglia is the zebrafish larva. Due to their optical transparency and genetic accessibility, zebrafish larvae have been employed to understand a variety of microglia functions in the living brain. Here, we performed RNA sequencing of larval zebrafish microglia at different developmental time points: 3, 5, and 7 days post fertilization (dpf). Our analysis reveals that larval zebrafish microglia rapidly acquire the core microglia signature and many typical microglia genes are expressed from 3 dpf onwards. The majority of changes in gene expression happened between 3 and 5 dpf, suggesting that differentiation mainly takes place during these days. Furthermore, we compared the larval microglia transcriptome to published data sets of adult zebrafish microglia, mouse microglia, and human microglia. Larval microglia shared a significant number of expressed genes with their adult counterparts in zebrafish as well as with mouse and human microglia. In conclusion, our results show that larval zebrafish microglia mature rapidly and express the core microglia gene signature that seems to be conserved across species.
Astrocytes enhance glioblastoma growth
Authors: Mega Alessandro , Hartmark Nilsen Mette , Leiss Lina Wik , Tobin Nicholas P. , Miletic Hrvoje , Sleire Linda , Strell Carina , Nelander Sven , Krona Cecilia , Hägerstrand Daniel , Enger Per Ø. , Nistér Monica , Östman Arne
Published: September 2019

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly disease with a need for deeper understanding and new therapeutic approaches. The microenvironment of glioblastoma has previously been shown to guide glioblastoma progression. In this study, astrocytes were investigated with regard to their effect on glioblastoma proliferation through correlative analyses of clinical samples and experimental in vitro and in vivo studies. Co‐culture techniques were used to investigate the GBM growth enhancing potential of astrocytes. Cell sorting and RNA sequencing were used to generate a GBM‐associated astrocyte signature and to investigate astrocyte‐induced GBM genes. A NOD scid GBM mouse model was used for in vivo studies. A gene signature reflecting GBM‐activated astrocytes was associated with poor prognosis in the TCGA GBM dataset. Two genes, periostin and serglycin, induced in GBM cells upon exposure to astrocytes were expressed at higher levels in cases with high “astrocyte signature score”. Astrocytes were shown to enhance glioblastoma cell growth in cell lines and in a patient‐derived culture, in a manner dependent on cell–cell contact and involving increased cell proliferation. Furthermore, co‐injection of astrocytes with glioblastoma cells reduced survival in an orthotopic GBM model in NOD scid mice. In conclusion, this study suggests that astrocytes contribute to glioblastoma growth and implies this crosstalk as a candidate target for novel therapies.
Vitamin D Receptor Activation in Liver Macrophages Ameliorates Hepatic Inflammation, Steatosis, and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Dong Bingning , Zhou Ying , Wang Wei , Scott Jessica , Kim KangHo , Sun Zhen , Guo Qi , Lu Yang , Gonzales Naomi M. , Wu Huaizhu , Hartig Sean M. , York Robert Brian , Yang Feng , Moore David D.
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

Obesity‐induced chronic inflammation is a key component in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. Increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages in metabolic tissues promotes disease progression. In the diet‐induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, activation of liver resident macrophages, or Kupffer cells (KCs), drives inflammatory responses, which recruits circulating macrophages and promotes fatty liver development, and ultimately contributes to impaired hepatic insulin sensitivity. Hepatic macrophages express the highest level of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) among nonparenchymal cells, whereas VDR expression is very low in hepatocytes. VDR activation exerts anti‐inflammatory effects in immune cells.

Approach and Results

Here we found that VDR activation exhibits strong anti‐inflammatory effects in mouse hepatic macrophages, including those isolated from DIO livers, and mice with genetic loss of Vdr developed spontaneous hepatic inflammation at 6 months of age. Under the chronic inflammation conditions of the DIO model, VDR activation by the vitamin D analog calcipotriol reduced liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis, significantly improving insulin sensitivity. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp revealed that VDR activation greatly increased the glucose infusion rate, while hepatic glucose production was remarkably decreased. Glucose uptake in muscle and adipose did not show similar effects, suggesting that improved hepatic insulin sensitivity is the primary contributor to the beneficial effects of VDR activation. Finally, specifically ablating liver macrophages by treatment with clodronate liposomes largely abolished the beneficial metabolic effects of calcipotriol, confirming that VDR activation in liver macrophages is required for the antidiabetic effect.

Conclusions

Activation of liver macrophage VDRs by vitamin D ligands ameliorates liver inflammation, steatosis and insulin resistance. Our results suggest therapeutic paradigms for treatment of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Discovery and Validation of a Biomarker Model (PRESERVE) Predictive of Renal Outcomes After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Levitsky Josh , Asrani Sumeet K. , Klintmalm Goran , Schiano Thomas , Moss Adyr , Chavin Kenneth , Miller Charles , Guo Kexin , Zhao Lihui , Jennings Linda W. , Brown Merideth , Armstrong Brian , Abecassis Michael
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

A high proportion of patients develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) after liver transplantation (LT). We aimed to develop clinical/protein models to predict future glomerular filtration rate (GFR) deterioration in this population.

Approach and Results

In independent multicenter discovery (CTOT14) and single‐center validation (BUMC) cohorts, we analyzed kidney injury proteins in serum/plasma samples at month 3 after LT in recipients with preserved GFR who demonstrated subsequent GFR deterioration versus preservation by year 1 and year 5 in the BUMC cohort. In CTOT14, we also examined correlations between serial protein levels and GFR over the first year. A month 3 predictive model was constructed from clinical and protein level variables using the CTOT14 cohort (n = 60). Levels of β‐2 microglobulin and CD40 antigen and presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection predicted early (year 1) GFR deterioration (area under the curve [AUC], 0.814). We observed excellent validation of this model (AUC, 0.801) in the BUMC cohort (n = 50) who had both early and late (year 5) GFR deterioration. At an optimal threshold, the model had the following performance characteristics in CTOT14 and BUMC, respectively: accuracy (0.75, 0.8), sensitivity (0.71, 0.67), specificity (0.78, 0.88), positive predictive value (0.74, 0.75), and negative predictive value (0.76, 0.82). In the serial CTOT14 analysis, several proteins, including β‐2 microglobulin and CD40, correlated with GFR changes over the first year.

Conclusions

We have validated a clinical/protein model (PRESERVE) that early after LT can predict future renal deterioration versus preservation with high accuracy. This model may help select recipients at higher risk for subsequent CKD for early, proactive renal sparing strategies.
Optimal design with entropy generation minimization approach in combined natural convection with surface radiation in a two‐dimensional enclosure
Authors: Dashti Mohammad Amin , Safavinejad Ali
Published: September 2019

Analysis of combined natural convection with surface radiation in a two‐dimensional enclosure is carried out. To search the optimal location of the heat source, the entropy generation minimization approach and conventional heat transfer parameters are used and compared. Air is considered as an incompressible fluid and transparent media filling the enclosure with a steady and laminar regime. The enclosure internal surfaces are also gray, opaque, and diffused. The governing equations are solved using the finite difference approach. The results show that with increase in emissivity, entropy generation decreases, and as the Rayleigh number increases, the rate of entropy generation increases. Furthermore, optimum design with the maximum dimensionless temperature and convective Nusselt number confirms the applicability of the second law for optimal design.
Metastatic seeding of human colon cancer cell clusters expressing the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state
Authors: Mizukoshi Kosuke , Okazawa Yu , Haeno Hiroshi , Koyama Yu , Sulidan Kaidiliayi , Komiyama Hiromitsu , Saeki Harumi , Ohtsuji Naomi , Ito Yasuhiko , Kojima Yutaka , Goto Michitoshi , Habu Sonoko , Hino Okio , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Orimo Akira
Published: September 2019

Emerging evidence supports the theory that tumor cell clusters efficiently metastasize to distant organs. However, the roles of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metastasizing tumor cell clusters have not yet been fully elucidated. To investigate this issue, tumor fragments were dissected from 40 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and implanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice. We observed that tumors developed from the tumor fragments obtained from 28 of the 40 CRC patients. The tumors were then dissociated into cell suspensions to be orthotopically injected into secondary mice. The tumors from 13 of the 28 patients progressed. Furthermore, metastases formed spontaneously in the liver and lungs from the tumor fragments obtained from 8 of these 13 patients. Moreover, employing a mathematical analysis, we showed that tumor cell clusters seeded these metastases significantly more often than did single tumor cells. Membrane E‐cadherin‐ and nuclear ZEB1‐positive tumor cells indicating the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state were also detected in primary tumors of various CRC patients, and in the corresponding patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs) and circulating tumor cell clusters in the bloodstreams of mice. In contrast, ZEB1 staining was barely detectable in the patient‐matched liver metastases presumably developing through mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition. Inhibition of E‐cadherin or ZEB1 expression by shRNA notably prevented the PDX‐derived tumor organoids from colonizing the liver, when injected intrasplenically into mice, indicating E‐cadherin and ZEB1 expressions to be required for their metastatic colonization. Taken together, these findings suggest that the epithelial/mesenchymal state mediates metastatic seeding of human CRC cell clusters into distant organs.
ANKLE1 N6‐Methyladenosine‐related variant is associated with colorectal cancer risk by maintaining the genomic stability
Authors: Tian Jianbo , Ying Pingting , Ke Juntao , Zhu Ying , Yang Yang , Gong Yajie , Zou Danyi , Peng Xiating , Yang Nan , Wang Xiaoyang , Mei Shufang , Zhang Yuxing , Wang Changyi , Zhong Rong , Chang Jiang , Miao Xiaoping
Published: September 2019

The N6‐Methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays an important role in many biological processes, especially tumor development. However, little is still known about how it affects colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis. Here, we first systematically investigate the association of variants related to m6A modification with the CRC risk in 1,062 CRC cases and 2,184 controls by using our exome‐wide association data and followed by two replication sets including 7,341 CRC cases and 7,902 controls. The variant rs8100241 located in ANKLE1 was significantly associated with CRC risk (odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.84–0.92, p = 4.85 × 10−8) in 8,403 cases and 10,086 controls. This variant was previously identified to be associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation triple negative breast cancer. Further functional analysis indicated that overexpression of the rs8100241[A] allele significantly increased the ANKLE1 m6A level and facilitated the ANKLE1 protein expression compared to that of rs8100241[G] allele. We further found the ANKLE1 m6A modification was catalyzed by the “writer” complex (METTL3, METTL14, or WTAP) and recognized by the “reader” YTHDF1. Mechanistically, we found that the ANKLE1 functions as a potential tumor suppressor that inhibits cell proliferation and facilitates the genomic stability. An elevated frequency of micronucleated cells, increased cell proliferation, and colony formation ability were observed when ANKLE1 knockdown. Our study illustrated that the germline missense variant can increase CRC risk by influencing ANKLE1 m6A level, highlighting a clinical potential of variants‐associated m6A modification as a risk marker for CRC prevention.
Unmet needs in the international neuroendocrine tumor (NET) community: Assessment of major gaps from the perspective of patients, patient advocates and NET health care professionals
Authors: Leyden Simone , Kolarova Teodora , Bouvier Catherine , Caplin Martyn , Conroy Siobhan , Davies Phillipa , Dureja Sugandha , Falconi Massimo , Ferolla Piero , Fisher George , Goldstein Grace , Hicks Rodney J. , Lawrence Ben , Majima Yoshiyuki , Metz David C. , O'Toole Dermot , Ruszniewski Philippe , Wiedenmann Bertram , Hollander Ronald ,   International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance (INCA)
Published: September 2019

Due to the increasing incidence and prevalence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), there is a need to assess any gaps in awareness and care. A survey was undertaken in 2017 to identify perceived unmet needs from the perspectives of patients/families, patient advocates and health care professionals (HCPs). The survey consisted of 33–37 questions (depending on type of respondent) across four areas: information, care, treatments and research. In total, 443 participants from 26 countries responded: 338 patients/families, 35 advocates and 70 HCPs. Perceived unmet needs regarding provision of information at diagnosis differed between groups. While 59% of HCPs believed they provided sufficient information, informational needs were mostly/fully met for only 30% of patients and 18% of advocates. Additionally, 91% of patients and 97% of advocates felt that patients had to search for information themselves. Availability of Gallium‐68‐Dotatate PET/CT scan was limited for the majority of patients (patients: 73%; advocates: 85%; HCP: 86%), as was access to treatments, particularly peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (patients: 42%; advocates: 95%; HCPs: 77%). All groups felt that standards of care, including psychological needs and diagnosis of mental health, were not fully met. Although about two‐thirds of patients were managed by a multidisciplinary team, 14% of patients reportedly did not have enough contact. All groups supported more patient involvement in research; patients and advocates prioritized improvement in diagnosis and HCPs focused on clinical trials. This survey revealed significant unmet needs but differing perceptions regarding these among the groups. There is a need for investigation and collaboration to improve standards of care for NET patients.