bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autosomal Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease—MUC1 Type: Differential Proteomics Suggests that Mutated MUC1 (insC) Affects Vesicular Transport in Renal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Staubach Simon , Wenzel Andrea , Beck Bodo B. , Rinschen Markus M. , Müller Stefan , Hanisch Franz‐Georg
Published: February 2018

Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease associated to the MUC1 gene (ADTKD‐MUC1; formerly MCKD1) belongs to a heterogeneous group of rare hereditary kidney diseases that is prototypically caused by frameshift mutations in the MUC1 repeat domain. The mutant MUC1 (insC) lacks the transmembrane domaine, exhibits aberant cellular topology, and hence might gain a function during the pathological process. To get insight into potential pathomechanisms we perform differential proteomics of extracellular vesicles shed by renal epithelia into the urine of patients. The study is based on three ADTKD patients and individual controls applying iTRAQ/LC–MS/MS. A total of 796 proteins were identified across all biological and technical replicates, and 298 proteins were quantified. A proportion of 47 proteins were fold‐changed species. GO Term Enrichment analysis revealed proteins with significantly changed expression in ADTKD‐associated extracellular vesicles as vesicular transport‐associated proteins. Among these VTA1 is involved in the endosomal multivesicular body pathway associated with transport to lysosomes or export via exosomes. VTA1 is also claimed to play roles as a cofactor of the AAA ATPases VPS4A and VPS4B in the disassembly of ESCRT III. Protein interaction databases list VPS4B, CHMP2A, and IST1 as VTA1 binding partners. (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008389.)
Engineering Gold Nanorod–Copper Sulfide Heterostructures with Enhanced Photothermal Conversion Efficiency and Photostability
Authors: Leng Chunbo , Zhang Xin , Xu Fanxing , Yuan Yue , Pei Hao , Sun Zhenhua , Li Li , Bao Zhihong
Published: February 2018

Plasmonic gold nanorods (Au NRs)–copper sulfide heterostructures have recently attracted much attention owing to the synergistically enhanced photothermal properties. However, the facile synthesis and interface tailoring of Au NRs–copper sulfide heterostructures remain a formidable challenge. In this study, the rational design and synthesis of Au NRs–Cu7S4 heterostructures via a one‐pot hydrothermal process is reported. Specifically, core–shell and dumbbell‐like Au NRs–Cu7S4 heterostructures are obtained with well‐controlled interfaces by employing the Au NRs with different aspect ratios. Both core–shell and dumbbell‐like Au NRs–Cu7S4 have proven effective as photothermal therapy agents, which offer both high photothermal stability and significant photothermal conversion efficiency up to 62%. The finite‐difference time domain simulation results confirm the coupling effect that leads to the enhanced local field as well as the optical absorption at the heterostructure interface. Importantly, these Au NRs–Cu7S4 heterostructures can be compatibly used as an 808 nm laser‐driven photothermal therapy agents for the efficient photothermal therapy of cancer cells in vitro. This study will provide new insight into the design of other noble metal–semiconductor heterostructures for a broad range of applications utilizing surface plasmon resonance enhancement phenomena.
Is metal hyperaccumulation occurring in ultramafic vegetation of central and southern Mexico?
Authors: Navarrete Gutiérrez Dulce Montserrat , Pons Marie‐Noëlle , Cuevas Sánchez Jesús Axayacatl , Echevarria Guillaume
Published: February 2018

In Mexico, ultramafic complexes are present in different regions from the northwest (Baja California Norte) to the southeast (Chiapas). In this paper, we present the results of the exploration of three ultramafic (serpentine) habitats in central and southern Mexico: Cuicatlán–Concepción Pápalo (Oaxaca), Tehuitzingo–Tecomatlán (Puebla), and San Juan de Otates (Guanajuato). Previous geology studies showed that these complexes are mainly made up of serpentinized peridotites. Soil analyses demonstrated typical ultramafic characteristics such as high content of Mg in relation to Ca, and high concentrations of Fe, Cr, Co, and Ni. Soil samples from Oaxaca and Puebla had similar Ni contents around 2300 mg kg−1, while samples of Guanajuato showed the lowest Ni levels with an average of 200 mg kg−1 as well as for other metals such as Co, Cr, Mn, and Zn. During this study, 83 plant specimens were collected, of which 52 were identified at genus level and 40 at species level. The collected plants belong to 19 different families such as Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Sterculiaceae, and Verbenaceae which are also widely present in other ultramafic areas in Iran, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Costa Rica. Only two Mexican endemic species are included in the collection. Ni hyperaccumulators were not detected at any of the studied sites. Therefore, hyperaccumulation, as a tolerance mechanism of the flora in response to ultramafic geochemical stress, does not seem to be developed in Central Mexico, as observed in the close Costa Rican site of Santa Elena.
Hungary’s punitive turn: The shift from welfare to workfare
Authors: Vidra Zsuzsanna
Published: February 2018

The Hungarian post-communist welfare state was created under the neoliberal influence of international organisations while retaining lots of elements of solidarity. The growing social tensions in the mid-2000s due to a second economic crisis in the new millennium led first the left then the right wing governments to shift the post-communist welfare state into a punitive type of workfare system. The article concludes that the political populism of the mid-2000s leading to an undemocratic governance by the 2010s better explains this paradigm shift than e as many authors argue — the neoliberal influence frame.
Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)’s Multidimensional Approach on Rates of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection in 14 Intensive Care Units in 11 Hospitals of 5 Cities in Argentina
Authors: Rosenthal Victor Daniel , Desse Javier , Maurizi Diego Marcelo , Chaparro Gustavo Jorge , Orellano Pablo Wenceslao , Chediack Viviana , Cabrera Rafael , Golschmid Daniel , Silva Cristina Graciela , Vimercati Julio Cesar , Stagnaro Juan Pablo , Perez Ivanna , Spadaro María Laura , Montanini Adriana Miriam , Pedersen Dina , Paniccia Teresa Laura , Aguilera Ana María Ríos , Cermesoni Raul , Mele Juan Ignacio , Alda Ernesto , Paldoro Analía Edith , Ortta Agustín Román , Cooke Bettina , García María Cecilia , Obed Mora Nair , Domínguez Cecilia Verónica , Saúl Pablo Alejandro , Rodríguez del Valle María Cecilia , Bianchi Alberto Claudio , Alvarez Gustavo , Pérez Ricardo , Oyola Carolina
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and the INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in 14 intensive care units (ICUs) in Argentina from January 2014 to April 2017.

DESIGN

This prospective, pre–post surveillance study of 3,940 ICU patients was conducted in 11 hospitals in 5 cities in Argentina. During our baseline evaluation, we performed outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI applying Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Health Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) definitions. During the intervention, we implemented the IMA through ISOS: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions, (2) education, (3) outcome surveillance, (4) process surveillance, (5) feedback on CLABSI rates and consequences, and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using a logistic regression model to estimate the effect of the intervention on the CLABSI rate.

RESULTS

During the baseline period, 5,118 CL days and 49 CLABSIs were recorded, for a rate of 9.6 CLABSIs per 1,000 central-line (CL) days. During the intervention, 15,659 CL days and 68 CLABSIs were recorded, for a rate of 4.1 CLABSIs per 1,000 CL days. The CLABSI rate was reduced by 57% (incidence density rate: 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.34–0.6; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing IMA through ISOS was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate in ICUs in Argentina.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:445–451
Soft Modelling by Latent Variables: The Non-Linear Iterative Partial Least Squares (NIPALS) Approach
Authors: Wold Herman
Published: February 2018

The NIPALS approach is applied to the ‘soft’ type of model that has come to the fore in sociology and other social sciences in the last five or ten years, namely path models that involve latent variables which serve as proxies for blocks of directly observed variables. Such models are seen as hybrids of the ‘hard’ models of econometrics where all variables are directly observed (path models in the form of simultaneous equations systems) and the ‘soft’ models of psychology where the human mind is described in terms of latent variables and their directly observed indicators. For hybrid models that involve one or two latent variables the NIPALS approach has been developed in [38], [41] and [42]. The present paper extends the NIPALS approach to path models with three or more latent variables. Each new latent variable brings a rapid increase in the pluralism of possible model designs, and new problems arise in the parameter estimation of the models. Iterative procedures are given for the point estimation of the parameters. With a view to cases when the iterative estimation does not converge, a device of range estimation is developed, where high profile versus low profile estimates give ranges for the parameter estimates.
Educating in Respect: Against Neutral Discourse as a Norm for Respectful Classroom Discussion
Authors: Easton Christina
Published: February 2018

Since 2014, British schools have been required to ‘actively promote’ the value of ‘mutual respect’ to the children in their care. This is relatively unproblematic: liberals are agreed that good citizenship education will involve teaching mutual respect. However, there is disagreement over how ‘respect’ should be understood and what it should imply for norms of respectful classroom discussion. Some political liberals have indicated that when engaging in discussion in the classroom, students should provide only neutral reasons to defend their views. This paper provides a number of arguments against this claim. For example, I argue that this norm relies on a distorted understanding of what it is to respect others and that it stifles the development of civic and epistemic virtue in the next generation of citizens. Even from within the perspective of political liberalism, there are good reasons to favour critical discussion of non-neutral reasons. Education policy should therefore accord greater priority to discussion of students’ actual motivating reasons than to discussion constrained by a norm of neutral discourse.
Toward an understanding of the eschatological presence of the risen Jesus with Robert Jenson
Authors: Lee Sang Hoon
Published: February 2018

This article will attempt to demonstrate the plausibility of Robert Jenson's account of the Son's existence before his earthly lifetime by arguing that the retroactive presence of the risen Jesus is what Jenson means, and by reflecting on the relationship between the way that grace and power of Christ reaches to the people of Israel and the concept of retrocausality in physics. This article restricts its discussion to the presence of the risen Jesus in the economy, leaving aside the question of the eternity–time relation, on the grounds that one may constructively engage with Jenson's account, regardless of his or her view of eternity.
EFFECTS OF INTERPERSONAL TRUST AMONG USERS OF ONLINE HEALTH COMMUNITIES ON PATIENT TRUST IN AND SATISFACTION WITH THEIR PHYSICIAN
Authors: Audrain-Pontevia Anne-Françoise , Menvielle Loick
Published: February 2018

Objectives:Online Health Communities (OHCs) are increasingly being used by patients in the Web 2.0 era. Today's patients have instant access to a great deal of medical information and contacts. Despite the considerable development of OHCs, little is known regarding the impact on the patient–physician relationship. This research aims at filling this gap and examines how interpersonal trust on peer-to-peer OHCs influences two key relational variables, namely patient trust in the physician and patient satisfaction with the physician. It also investigates their influences on the patient's attitude toward the physician.

Methods:Drawing on both the relational and medical literatures, we propose a research model that brings out the relationships between interpersonal trust in OHCs, and patients’ trust, satisfaction and attitude toward the physician. We then conduct a quantitative survey of 512 OHC users in France, using structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses.

Results:Our findings indicate that interpersonal trust in OHCs exerts a positive influence on both patients’ trust in and satisfaction with their physician. It also highlights that these two relational variables have a positive influence on patient attitude toward the physician. Our findings also indicate that patient trust influences patient satisfaction with the physician.

Conclusions:This research highlights the importance of OHCs, which can be seen as valuable instruments for enhancing patient–physician relationships. It shows that healthcare managers should seek to enhance interpersonal trust among OHC users, because this trust has a positive influence on patient satisfaction with, trust in and attitude toward the physician.
Human osteoarchaeology in Greece: research themes, challenges and potential
Authors: Nikita Efthymia , Triantaphyllou Sevasti
Published: February 2018

The development of human osteoarchaeology in Greece has been the subject of a number of papers (for example Agelarakis 1995; Roberts et al. 2005; Buikstra and Lagia 2009; Lagia et al. 2014). The volume New Directions in the Skeletal Biology of Greece (Schepartz et al. 2009) constituted a milestone in the field by bringing together the work of multiple scholars, employing a diverse thematic focus and stressing the value of the potential of human osteoarchaeology in exploring the past. Recent years have witnessed significant developments in the field across Greece with respect to the research themes explored and the methodological approaches adopted, as well as important institutional changes. These developments are reflected in this review, which focuses on the progress of human osteoarchaeological studies in Greece in the 21st century, the research questions they address, the challenges they face and their envisaged future.
Recent research in Early Helladic southern Greece
Authors: Smith David Michael
Published: February 2018

The Early Helladic period on the Greek mainland is a time of complexity and innovation, characterized by a marked regionalism in settlement patterns and material culture, and the presence of myriad crossscale networks within which objects, technologies, ideas and individuals circulated. Nevertheless, much about the period remains unclear beyond the relative comfort of its long ‘middle’ phase, Early Helladic II (ca. 2950–2250 BC). Its emergence from the socio-cultural processes of the Final Neolithic, particularly, continues to be obscured by a ‘fourth-millennium gap’ which has proved frustratingly intransigent. Of those few Peloponnesian sites yielding radiocarbon dates which potentially fall within the fourth millennium, those of Franchthi (FCP 5.2, P-1659, ca. 4,230–3,790 cal. BC; see Vitelli 1999: table 9), Kouveleiki Caves A and B (ID1492; Kontaxi 2006) and Alepotrypa (Bronk-Ramsey et al. 2015: 200) fall well short of its mid-point. Halieis alone potentially bucks the trend (ca. 3,909–3,367 cal. BC; Pullen 2000: 184–86; see also Alram-Stern 2007), although the range on this sample is so great as to be problematic.
Pluto Is Just the Beginning
Authors: Hauck II Steven
Published: February 2018

Pluto is the most distant object visited by a spacecraft, yet exploration of the Solar System is far from complete.
First Results from the MAVEN Mission to Mars
Authors: Dombard Andrew , Lavraud Benoit , Peterson W. , Diffenbaugh Noah
Published: February 2018

Geophysical Research Letters publishes First Results from the MAVEN Mission to Mars, demonstrating a remarkable achievement of NASA's MAVEN team and the broader scientific community.
Celebrating Hydrology Research Though 50 Years of WRR
Authors: Montanari Alberto
Published: February 2018

The legacy of Water Resources Research provides a strong scientific foundation for the hydrology community to rise to the challenges of sustainable water resources management
Opportunities for Improving K-12 Geoscience Education
Authors: Wysession Michael
Published: February 2018

The Next Generation Science Standards present a set of performance expectations for stronger understanding of Earth and space science.
Annual SWEF Raises Awareness Across the Space Weather Enterprise
Authors: Giles Barbara
Published: February 2018

Reducing our nation's vulnerability to space weather is now a national priority, as conveyed when experts gathered for the 2015 Space Weather Enterprise Forum.
Perspectives on COP21
Authors: Ellis Michael
Published: February 2018

Climate change is a well-defined, global problem that nations are finally acknowledging.
Cuts to CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Program Cause Concern
Authors: Trumbore Susan
Published: February 2018

Drastic cuts within CSIRO will cut off Australia's critically important contributions to the global climate community
Insights on Climate Systems from Interglacials
Authors: Moldwin Mark
Published: February 2018

Interglacials provide insights into the impacts of warmer than present conditions in certain regions of Earth.
Sustaining Existence: A Geoethical Dilemma
Authors: Geissman John
Published: February 2018

Would communicating science be more effective if geoethics were included in the discussion?
A Novel Approach to a Satellite Mission’s Science Team
Authors: Boss Emmanuel , Remer Lorraine
Published: February 2018

NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem satellite mission, still in planning stages, operates with a framework that could serve as an example for science support of future missions.
2-aminopurine suppresses the TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition and attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Weng Dong , Chen Jian-xia , Li Hao-hao , Liu Feng , Zhou Li-dan , Liu Hai-peng , Zheng Rui-juan , Jiang Yan , Liu Zhong-hua , Ge Baoxue
Published: February 2018

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multifunctional cell process involved in the pathogenesis of numerous conditions, including fibrosis and cancer. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease characterized by fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition in the lungs. The fibroblasts involved in this process partially originate from lung epithelial cells via the EMT. Evidence suggests that the EMT contributes to progression, invasion, and metastasis of various types of cancer. We screened a series of 80 compounds for the ability to interfere with the EMT and potentially be applied as a therapeutic for IPF and/or lung cancer. We identified 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a fluorescent analog of guanosine and adenosine, as a candidate in this screen. Herein, we demonstrate that 2-AP can restore E-cadherin expression and inhibit fibronectin and vimentin expression in TGF-β1–treated A549 lung cancer cells. Moreover, 2-AP can inhibit TGF-β1-induced metastasis of A549 cells. This compound significantly attenuated bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary inflammation, the EMT, and fibrosis. In addition, 2-AP treatment significantly decreased mortality in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, we determined that 2-AP could inhibit metastasis in vitro by suppressing the TGF-β1-induced EMT and could attenuate BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Results of this study suggest that 2-AP may have utility as a treatment for lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.
Insight into induced charges at metal surfaces and biointerfaces using a polarizable Lennard–Jones potential
Authors: Geada Isidro Lorenzo , Ramezani-Dakhel Hadi , Jamil Tariq , Sulpizi Marialore , Heinz Hendrik
Published: February 2018

Metallic nanostructures have become popular for applications in therapeutics, catalysts, imaging, and gene delivery. Molecular dynamics simulations are gaining influence to predict nanostructure assembly and performance; however, instantaneous polarization effects due to induced charges in the free electron gas are not routinely included. Here we present a simple, compatible, and accurate polarizable potential for gold that consists of a Lennard–Jones potential and a harmonically coupled core-shell charge pair for every metal atom. The model reproduces the classical image potential of adsorbed ions as well as surface, bulk, and aqueous interfacial properties in excellent agreement with experiment. Induced charges affect the adsorption of ions onto gold surfaces in the gas phase at a strength similar to chemical bonds while ions and charged peptides in solution are influenced at a strength similar to intermolecular bonds. The proposed model can be applied to complex gold interfaces, electrode processes, and extended to other metals.
Split spawning realigns coral reproduction with optimal environmental windows
Authors: Foster Taryn , Heyward Andrew J. , Gilmour James P.
Published: February 2018

Split spawning in coral populations occurs when gamete maturation and mass spawning are split over two consecutive months. While split spawning has been observed at many reefs, little is known about the frequency and significance of these events. Here we show that split spawning occurred frequently and predictably over a decade at Scott Reef. Split spawning overlays the biannual spawning pattern in the region and occurs when the full moon falls in the first week of the usual spawning month, or the last week of the previous month. Additionally, in split years most species have their main spawning event after a 13-month lunar cycle, in the month following the usual spawning month. Without split spawning, spawn dates would shift by ~10 days each year to occur outside of optimal environmental windows. Our results suggest that split spawning is driven by a disconnect between lunar and seasonal cues, and is analogous with a ‘leap year’ in coral reproduction, realigning spawning dates with favourable conditions for reproduction.
Involvement of impaired autophagy and mitophagy in Neuro-2a cell damage under hypoxic and/or high-glucose conditions
Authors: Song Yufei , Du Yu , Zou Wenying , Luo Yan , Zhang Xiaojie , Fu Jianliang
Published: February 2018

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) plays an insidious role in the development of cognitive impairment. Considerable evidence suggests that Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as a vascular risk factor may exacerbate CCH and is closely related to cognitive decline. Dysregulation of autophagy is known to be associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. To elucidate the role of autophagy in CCH- and/or DM-related pathogenesis, mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells were exposed to hypoxia and/or high glucose for 48 h, mimicking CCH complicated with DM pathologies. Chronic hypoxia reduced cell proliferation and increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, whereas high glucose had no obvious synergistic toxic effect. Accumulation of autophagic vacuoles under hypoxia may be due to both autophagy impairment and induction, with the former accounting for Neuro-2a cell death. Additionally, aberrant accumulation of mitochondria in Neuro-2a cells may be attributed to insufficient BNIP3-mediated mitophagy due to poor interaction between BNIP3 and LC3-II. Despite the lack of a significant cytotoxic effect of high glucose under our experimental conditions, our data indicated for the first time that impaired autophagy degradation and inefficient BNIP3-mediated mitophagy may constitute mechanisms underlying neuronal cell damage during chronic hypoxia.
Null Model and Community Structure in Multiplex Networks
Authors: Zhai Xuemeng , Zhou Wanlei , Fei Gaolei , Liu Weiyi , Xu Zhoujun , Jiao Chengbo , Lu Cai , Hu Guangmin
Published: February 2018

The multiple relationships among objects in complex systems can be described well by multiplex networks, which contain rich information of the connections between objects. The null model of networks, which can be used to quantify the specific nature of a network, is a powerful tool for analysing the structural characteristics of complex systems. However, the null model for multiplex networks remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we propose a null model for multiplex networks based on the node redundancy degree, which is a natural measure for describing the multiple relationships in multiplex networks. Based on this model, we define the modularity of multiplex networks to study the community structures in multiplex networks and demonstrate our theory in practice through community detection in four real-world networks. The results show that our model can reveal the community structures in multiplex networks and indicate that our null model is a useful approach for providing new insights into the specific nature of multiplex networks, which are difficult to quantify.
Very long-/ and long Chain-3-Hydroxy Acyl CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency correlates with deregulation of the mitochondrial fusion/fission machinery
Authors: Hagenbuchner Judith , Scholl-Buergi Sabine , Karall Daniela , Ausserlechner Michael J.
Published: February 2018

Children diagnosed with Long-Chain-3-Hydroxy-Acyl-CoA-Dehydrogenase-Deficiency (LCHADD) or Very-Long-Chain-3-Hydroxy-Acyl-CoA-Dehydrogenase-Deficiency (VLCADD) frequently present with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or muscle weakness which is caused by the accumulation of fatty acid metabolites due to inactivating mutations in the mitochondrial trifunctional protein. By analyzing mitochondrial morphology we uncovered that mutations within the HADHA or the ACADVL gene not only affect fatty acid oxidation, but also cause significant changes in the DNM1L/MFN2 ratio leading to the significant accumulation of truncated and punctate mitochondria in contrast to network-like mitochondrial morphology in controls. These striking morphological abnormalities correlate with changes in OXPHOS, an imbalance in ROS levels, reduced mitochondrial respiration, reduced growth rates and significantly increased glucose uptake per cell, suggesting that HADHA and ACADVL mutations shift cellular energy household into glycolysis. Experiments using the NOX2-specific inhibitor Phox-I2 suggest that NOX2 is activated by accumulating long-chain fatty acids and generates ROS, which in turn changes mitochondrial morphology and activity. We thereby provide novel insights into the cellular energy household of cells from LCHADD/VLCADD patients and demonstrate for the first time a connection between fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial morphology and ROS in patients with these rare genetic disorders.
Silibinin alleviates inflammation and induces apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes and has a therapeutic effect on arthritis in rats
Authors: Tong W. W. , Zhang C. , Hong T. , Liu D. H. , Wang C. , Li J. , He X. K. , Xu W. D.
Published: February 2018

Silibinin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of silibinin on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis-related cells and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and further explore the potential underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that silibinin suppressed cell viability and increased the percentage of apoptotic RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Furthermore, the production of inflammatory cytokines in RA-FLS and a CIA rat model was effectively inhibited by silibinin. Silibinin also induced macrophage M2 polarization in RAW264.7 cells. We further demonstrated that silibinin inhibits Th17 cell differentiation in vitro. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway was suppressed in RA-FLS. In addition, Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) was decreased after silibinin treatment, and RA-FLS transfection with a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of SIRT1 enhanced silibinin-induced apoptosis. Autophagy was markedly decreased in a dose-dependent manner following silibinin treatment. These findings indicate that silibinin inhibited inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, and SIRT1 may participate in silibinin-induced apoptosis. Silibinin also inhibited autophagy in RA-FLS. Thus, silibinin may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.
Simultaneous acquisition of EEG and NIRS during cognitive tasks for an open access dataset
Authors: Shin Jaeyoung , von Lühmann Alexander , Kim Do-Won , Mehnert Jan , Hwang Han-Jeong , Müller Klaus-Robert
Published: February 2018

We provide an open access multimodal brain-imaging dataset of simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) recordings. Twenty-six healthy participants performed three cognitive tasks: 1) n-back (0-, 2- and 3-back), 2) discrimination/selection response task (DSR) and 3) word generation (WG) tasks. The data provided includes: 1) measured data, 2) demographic data, and 3) basic analysis results. For n-back (dataset A) and DSR tasks (dataset B), event-related potential (ERP) analysis was performed, and spatiotemporal characteristics and classification results for ‘target’ versus ‘non-target’ (dataset A) and symbol ‘O’ versus symbol ‘X’ (dataset B) are provided. Time-frequency analysis was performed to show the EEG spectral power to differentiate the task-relevant activations. Spatiotemporal characteristics of hemodynamic responses are also shown. For the WG task (dataset C), the EEG spectral power and spatiotemporal characteristics of hemodynamic responses are analyzed, and the potential merit of hybrid EEG-NIRS BCIs was validated with respect to classification accuracy. We expect that the dataset provided will facilitate performance evaluation and comparison of many neuroimaging analysis techniques.
Hydrogen peroxide degradable conjugated polymer nanoparticles for fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging
Authors: Liu Jie , Wang Shaowei , Cai Xiaolei , Zhou Shiwei , Liu Bin
Published: February 2018

A hydrogen peroxide degradable fluorescence/photoacoustic dual-modality contrast agent is prepared via in situ Sonogashira polymerization for cellular imaging.
Six uranyl-organic frameworks with naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid and bipyridyl-based spacers: syntheses, structures, and properties
Authors: Xu Wei , Ren Ya-Nan , Xie Miao , Zhou Lin-Xia , Zheng Yue-Qing
Published: February 2018

Six new uranyl complexes that exhibit promising photocatalytic activities for the degradation of TC under UV light based on 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and nitrogen-based ligands were synthesized.
Cellulose-dissolving protic ionic liquids as low cost catalysts for direct transesterification reactions of cellulose
Authors: Hanabusa Hideki , Izgorodina Ekaterina I. , Suzuki Shiori , Takeoka Yuko , Rikukawa Masahiro , Yoshizawa-Fujita Masahiro
Published: February 2018

To establish simple synthetic process of cellulose ester, protic ionic liquids were used as reusable transesterification catalyst of cellulose.
End-to-end communication in a linear supermolecule with a BOPHY centre and N,N-dimethylanilino-based terminals
Authors: Woodford Owen J. , Stachelek Patrycja , Ziessel Raymond , Algoazy Nawaf , Knight Julian G. , Harriman Anthony
Published: February 2018

Long-range electrostatic interactions are sufficient to cause sequential ionization of the terminal groups in a BOPHY-based supermolecule.
Label-free fluorescence imaging of cytochrome c in living systems and anti-cancer drug screening with nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots
Authors: Zhang Haijuan , Zhang Baoxin , Di Cuixia , Ali Mohammad Chand , Chen Jia , Li Zhan , Si Jing , Zhang Hong , Qiu Hongdeng
Published: February 2018

A label-free fluorescence probe based on N-doped CDs for imaging of Cyt c in living systems and anti-cancer drug screening.
From a ureidopyrimidinone containing organic precursor to excavated iron-nitrogen codoped hierarchical mesoporous carbon (Ex-FeN-MC) as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst
Authors: Akram Raheel , Ud Din Muhammad Aizaz , Dar Sami Ullah , Arshad Anila , Liu Wei , Wu Zhanpeng , Wu Dezhen
Published: February 2018

An efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst Ex-FeN-MC prepared from uriedopyrimidinone based organic precursor and iron nitrate in presence of silica template.
Silver-mediated direct C–H amination of BODIPYs for screening endoplasmic reticulum-targeting reagents
Authors: Zhang Huaxing , Chen Xingyu , Lan Jingbo , Liu Yanhong , Zhou Fulin , Wu Di , You Jingsong
Published: February 2018

A highly efficient Ag(i)-mediated direct C–H amination of BODIPYs is accomplished. BODIPYs 3q and 4b exhibit specific ER-targeting capacities.
Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-amino nitriles through methyl transfer from DMF to aromatic amines
Authors: Yuan Zaifeng , Li Na , Zhu Chunyu , Xia Chengfeng
Published: February 2018

A copper-catalyzed activation of C(sp3)–H bonds of DMF at room temperature was developed, which results in methyl transfer to aromatic amines for efficient synthesis of exceedingly valuable α-amino nitriles.
Ionic strength- and thermo-responsive polyethersulfone composite membranes with enhanced antifouling properties
Authors: Xiang Tao , Lu Ting , Zhao Wei-Feng , Zhao Chang-Sheng
Published: February 2018

Zwitterionic polymer modified membranes were prepared, which showed ionic strength- and thermo-responsive properties.
Thermoresponse and self-assembly of an ABC star quarterpolymer with O2 and redox dual-responsive Y junctions
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqi , Wu Wentao , Zhang Jian , Dai Wenxue , Zhao Youliang
Published: February 2018

The stimuli-tunable LCST-type phase transition and self-assembly behaviors of a multi-responsive 3-miktoarm star bearing O2/redox-sensitive and H-bond-switchable Y junctions were revealed.
Specific PKC βII inhibitor: one stone two birds in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Das Sushant Kumar , Yuan Yi Feng , Li Mao Quan
Published: February 2018

To explore whether or not inhibition of protein kinase C βII (PKC βII) stimulates angiogenesis as well as prevents excessive NETosis in diabetics thus accelerating wound healing. Streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg/day for 5 days, i.p.) was injected to induce type I diabetes in male ICR mice. Mice were treated with ruboxistaurin (30 mg/kg/day, orally) for 14 consecutive days. Wound closure was evaluated by wound area and number of CD31-stained capillaries. Peripheral blood flow cytometry was done to evaluate number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). NETosis assay and wound tissue immunofluorescence imaging were done to evaluate the percentage of neutrophils undergoing NETosis. Furthermore, the expression of PKC βII, protein kinase B (Akt), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and histone citrullation (H3Cit) were determined in the wound by Western blot analysis. Ruboxistaurin accelerated wound closure and stimulated angiogenesis in diabetic mice. The number of circulating EPCs was increased significantly in ruboxistaurin-treated diabetic mice. Moreover, ruboxistaurin treatment significantly decreases the percentages of H3Cit+ cells in both peripheral blood and wound areas. This prevented excess activated neutrophils forming an extracellular trap (NETs) formation. The expressions of phospho-Akt (p-Akt), phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), and VEGF increased significantly in diabetic mice on ruboxistaurin treatment. The expressions of PKC βII and H3Cit+, on the other hand, decreased with ruboxistaurin treatment. The results of the present study suggest that ruboxistaurin by inhibiting PKC βII activation, reverses EPCs dysfunction as well as prevents exaggerated NETs formation in a diabetic mouse model; thereby accelerating the wound healing process.
Automatic adaptation of SIFT for robust facial recognition in uncontrolled lighting conditions
Authors: Mahamdioua Meriama , Benmohammed Mohamed
Published: February 2018

The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), which was proposed by David Lowe, is a powerful method that extracts and describes local features called keypoints from images. These keypoints are invariant to scale, translation, and rotation, and partially invariant to image illumination variation. Despite their robustness against these variations, strong lighting variation is a difficult challenge for SIFT‐based facial recognition systems, where significant degradation of performance has been reported. To develop a robust system under these conditions, variation in lighting must be first eliminated. Additionally, SIFT parameter default values that remove unstable keypoints and inadequately matched keypoints are not well‐suited to images with illumination variation. SIFT keypoints can also be incorrectly matched when using the original SIFT matching method. To overcome this issue, the authors propose propose a method for removing the illumination variation in images and correctly setting SIFT's main parameter values (contrast threshold, curvature threshold, and match threshold) to enhance SIFT feature extraction and matching. The proposed method is based on an estimation of comparative image lighting quality, which is evaluated through an automatic estimation of gamma correction value. Through facial recognition experiments, the authors find significant results that clearly illustrate the importance of the proposed robust recognition system.
Artificial intelligence‐based short‐circuit fault identifier for MT‐HVDC systems
Authors: Hossam‐Eldin Ahmed , Lotfy Ahmed , Elgamal Mohammed , Ebeed Mohammed
Published: February 2018

The most convenient solution to link faraway significant renewable energy sources (RESs) is the voltage‐source converter multi‐terminal high‐voltage DC systems (MT‐HVDC). However, to maintain system stability and continuity of supply, a rigid and fast fault locating technique is required. This study proposes a novel inherent travelling waves based short‐circuit DC fault identifier, which accurately identifies both of the fault location and faulty pole in multiple numbers of cables in MT‐HVDC system using a single current sensor. Both of a discrete wavelet examiner and a fuzzy‐neural pattern recogniser precisely spot the faulty line and fault location based on the mutual effects of short‐circuit initiated travelling waves between lines belonging to the same loop. A software toolbox is structured to illustrate the adequacy of the proposed artificial intelligence technique. This method is valuable to MT‐HVDC administration centres, particularly those concerned with long‐distance RES.
Device performance analysis for lead‐free perovskite solar cell optimisation
Authors: Bishnoi Sonu , Pandey Saurabh Kumar
Published: February 2018

A comprehensive numerical analysis for a lead‐free perovskite solar cell (PSC) has been carried out using device simulation software. Various factors affecting the solar cell's performance have been investigated for device optimisation; more specifically optimisation of device buffer and the absorber layer. Different design strategies for optimising the power conversion efficiency (PCE) through solar cell capacitance simulator numerical simulation have been proposed. Enumerated study of the effects of thickness, band gap, light illumination and defect area on the PCE is carried out. In this study, two types of configurations (La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 /zinc oxide and La0.7 Sr0.3 MnO3 /Nb:SrTiO3) are simulated which gives highest conversion efficiency of 11% at 600 nm and 32% at 350 nm wavelength. The impact of defect density has also been addressed to analyse the performance of cell module. The optimisation of device parameters pinpoints enormous potential for the enhancement of conversion efficiency of high‐efficient PSC.
Adaptive DC voltage component modulation of sub‐modules in modular multilevel converters for efficiency optimisation during wide AC voltage range
Authors: Dong Yufei , Yang Heya , Li Wuhua , He Xiangning , Zhou Zhichao , Xie Rui
Published: February 2018

Realisation of high‐efficiency modular multilevel converters (MMCs) during wide AC grid voltage variation is a significant challenge for the voltage‐source‐converter based high‐voltage direct‐current system. In this study, the DC component of the sub‐module output voltage is investigated to be a new control freedom by building the inherent relationship between the DC voltage component and active sub‐module number. Then, the effect of AC voltage on DC voltage component is explored. The adaptive DC voltage component modulation is proposed to dynamically regulate the active sub‐module numbers during wide AC voltage variation, resulting in the improved MMC conversion efficiency. Moreover, the detailed performance analysis shows that the adoption of the proposed modulation brings little effect on the sub‐module capacitor voltage/current ripple, circulating current suppression as well as the AC and DC terminal voltages. Finally, the simulation and experiment results show that the adaptive DC voltage component modulation is effective to reduce the power losses during a wide AC voltage range.
Detecting incipient radial deformations of power transformer windings using polar plot and digital image processing
Authors: Abu‐Siada Ahmed , Aljohani Omar
Published: February 2018

One of the main drawbacks of the frequency response analysis (FRA) technique that is widely accepted as the most reliable tool to detect transformer internal mechanical deformations is the inconsistent interpretation of the measured signature because of its reliance on personal expertise more than standard codes. Moreover, conventional FRA signature has a very low accuracy in detecting incipient and low mechanical fault levels. In order to avoid inconsistent interpretation for the transformer FRA signatures and improve its accuracy to detect minor fault levels, a reliable automated technique has become essential. This study investigates the feasibility of utilising FRA polar plot to detect minor radial deformation levels within two, three‐phase power transformers of different ratings and winding configurations simulated using three‐dimensional finite‐element analysis software. Simulation results are validated through experimental measurements. Results of this study are also compared with the results obtained for other types of transformer winding deformations that are published in the literature in order to identify unique impact for each fault type on the proposed method. Findings reveal the superiority of the proposed approach over existing conventional technique in terms of accurate identification and quantification for minor transformer winding deformations.
Influence of irradiation on stability and effectiveness of TiO2/N,C photocatalysts
Authors: Zając Kamila , Kusiak‐Nejman Ewelina , Morawski Antoni W. , Janus Magdalena
Published: February 2018

The gypsum building material was enriched with photocatalytic properties for indoor air purification. The photocatalytic additive to gypsum was TiO2 modified with carbon from various sources. The photocatalytic activity of gypsum plates was performed towards NOx removal. Carbon doping into TiO2 improved not only total degradation of NOx on corresponding gypsum plates but also NO2 selectivity was changed, limiting the production of toxic NO2. The exhibition of photocatalysts on the visible and ultraviolet irradiation has been also carried out to examine their durability. First, the stability of modifying element – carbon in TiO2 structure was analysed, indicating on the gradual reduction of carbon content with irradiation time, especially when the carbon source was cyclic hydrocarbon. Second, the photocatalytic activity of the gypsum plates was performed at each stage of the ageing process. Based on this insight, the correlation between carbon content in modified photocatalysts loaded to gypsum plates and photocatalytic activity of them was described in detail.
The HARPS search for southern extra-solar planets
Authors: Delisle J.-B. , Ségransan D. , Dumusque X. , Diaz R. F. , Bouchy F. , Lovis C. , Pepe F. , Udry S. , Alonso R. , Benz W. , Coffinet A. , Collier Cameron A. , Deleuil M. , Figueira P. , Gillon M. , Lo Curto G. , Mayor M. , Mordasini C. , Motalebi F. , Moutou C. , Pollacco D. , Pompei E. , Queloz D. , Santos N. C. , Wyttenbach A.
Published: February 2018

We report the discovery of four super-Earth planets around HD 215152, with orbital periods of 5.76, 7.28, 10.86, and 25.2 d, and minimum masses of 1.8, 1.7, 2.8, and 2.9 M⊕ respectively. This discovery is based on 373 high-quality radial velocity measurements taken by HARPS over 13 yr. Given the low masses of the planets, the signal-to-noise ratio is not sufficient to constrain the planet eccentricities. However, a preliminary dynamical analysis suggests that eccentricities should be typically lower than about 0.03 for the system to remain stable. With two pairs of planets with a period ratio lower than 1.5, with short orbital periods, low masses, and low eccentricities, HD 215152 is similar to the very compact multi-planet systems found by Kepler, which is very rare in radial-velocity surveys. This discovery proves that these systems can be reached with the radial-velocity technique, but characterizing them requires a huge amount of observations.
Understanding the scaling of electron kinetics in the transition from collisional to collisionless conditions in microscale gas discharges
Authors: Tan Xi , Go David B.
Published: February 2018

When gas discharge and plasma devices shrink to the microscale, the electrode distance in the device approaches the mean free path of electrons and they experience few collisions. As microscale gas discharge and plasma devices become more prevalent, the behavior of discharges at these collisionless and near-collisionless conditions need to be understood. In conditions where the characteristic length d is much greater than the mean free path λ (i.e., macroscopic conditions), electron energy distributions (EEDs) and rate coefficients scale with the reduced electric field E/p. However, when d is comparable with or much lower than λ, this E/p scaling breaks. In this work, particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations are used to explore the behavior of the EED and subsequent reaction rate coefficients in microscale field emission-driven Townsend discharges for both an atomic (argon) and a molecular (hydrogen) gas. To understand the behavior, a pseudo-analytical model is developed for the spatially integrated EED and rate coefficients in the collisional to collisionless transition regime based on the weighted sum of a fully collisional, two-temperature Maxwellian EED and the ballistic EED. The theory helps clarify the relative contribution of ballistic electrons in these extreme conditions and can be used to more accurately predict when macroscopic E/p scaling fails at the microscale.
Electro-optic guided-mode resonance tuning suppressible by optically induced screening in a vertically coupled hybrid GaN/Si microring resonator
Authors: Thubthimthong B. , Sasaki T. , Hane K.
Published: February 2018

GaN as a nanophotonic material has gained much attention in recent years. Using the hybrid GaN/Si platform, we report the electro-optic tuning of guided-mode resonance in a vertically coupled hybrid GaN/Si microring resonator operating in the 1.5 μm window with up to a 6 dB extinction ratio and a 1.5 MHz modulation frequency (test equipment limit). The electro-optic tuning could be optically suppressed by electron-hole-originated screening induced by an ultraviolet excitation at 325 nm. Our work may benefit in externally intervenable optical interconnects for uninterrupted secure photonic networks.