bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hox-TALE regulatory circuit for neural crest patterning is conserved across vertebrates
Authors: Parker Hugo J. , De Kumar Bony , Green Stephen A. , Prummel Karin D. , Hess Christopher , Kaufman Charles K. , Mosimann Christian , Wiedemann Leanne M. , Bronner Marianne E. , Krumlauf Robb
Published: March 2019

In jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), Hox genes play an important role in patterning head and jaw formation, but mechanisms coupling Hox genes to neural crest (NC) are unknown. Here we use cross-species regulatory comparisons between gnathostomes and lamprey, a jawless extant vertebrate, to investigate conserved ancestral mechanisms regulating Hox2 genes in NC. Gnathostome Hoxa2 and Hoxb2 NC enhancers mediate equivalent NC expression in lamprey and gnathostomes, revealing ancient conservation of Hox upstream regulatory components in NC. In characterizing a lamprey hoxα2 NC/hindbrain enhancer, we identify essential Meis, Pbx, and Hox binding sites that are functionally conserved within Hoxa2/Hoxb2 NC enhancers. This suggests that the lamprey hoxα2 enhancer retains ancestral activity and that Hoxa2/Hoxb2 NC enhancers are ancient paralogues, which diverged in hindbrain and NC activities. This identifies an ancestral mechanism for Hox2 NC regulation involving a Hox-TALE regulatory circuit, potentiated by inputs from Meis and Pbx proteins and Hox auto-/cross-regulatory interactions.
Concept and modelling of memsensors as two terminal devices with enhanced capabilities in neuromorphic engineering
Authors: Vahl Alexander , Carstensen Jürgen , Kaps Sören , Lupan Oleg , Strunskus Thomas , Adelung Rainer , Faupel Franz
Published: March 2019

We report on memsensors, a class of two terminal devices that combines features of memristive and sensor devices. Apart from a pinched hysteresis (memristive property) and stimulus dependent electrical resistance (sensing property) further properties like dynamic adaptation to an external stimulus emerge. We propose a three component equivalent circuit to model the memsensor electrical behaviour. In this model we find stimulus dependent hysteresis, a delayed response to the sensory signal and adaptation. Stimulus dependent IV hysteresis as a fingerprint of a memsensor device is experimentally shown for memristive ZnO microrods. Adaptation in memsensor devices as found in our simulations resembles striking similarities to the biology. Especially the stimulus dependency of the IV hysteresis and the adaptation to external stimuli are superior features for application of memsensors in neuromorphic engineering. Based on the simulations and experimental findings we propose design rules for memsensors that will facilitate further research on memsensitive systems.
Urinary cast is a useful predictor of acute kidney injury in acute heart failure
Authors: Higuchi Satoshi , Kabeya Yusuke , Matsushita Kenichi , Yamasaki Satoko , Ohnishi Hiroaki , Yoshino Hideaki
Published: March 2019

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with poor prognosis among patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Early documentation of impaired kidney function through simple examination may provide risk reduction in such patients. The present study aims to reveal an association between cellular casts and hospital-acquired AKI in AHF. This study included patients with AHF who underwent urinalysis, including urinary sediment analysis within 24 hours post admission. AKI was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or ≥1.5 times in serum creatinine level in contrast to baseline creatinine level. In this study, 114 patients with AHF (age, 75 ± 14 years; male, 59.7%) were included. Of them, 40 (35%) developed hospital-acquired AKI. Cellular casts were detected in 30 patients (26%) prior to AKI development and related to hospital-acquired AKI in the multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–7.49; P = 0.041). In conclusion, cellular casts are observed occasionally in patients with AHF and potentially useful markers for development of AKI during hospitalization.
New Strategy for Enhancing Energetic Properties by Regulating Trifuroxan Configuration: 3,4-Bis(3-nitrofuroxan-4-yl)furoxan
Authors: Zhai Lianjie , Bi Fuqiang , Luo Yifen , Wang Naixing , Zhang Junlin , Wang Bozhou
Published: March 2019

It is of current development to construct high–performance energetic compounds by aggregation of energetic groups with dense arrangement. In this study, a hydrogen-free high-density energetic 3,4-bis(3-nitrofuroxan-4-yl)furoxan (BNTFO-I) was designed and synthesized in a simple, and straightforward manner. Its isomer, 3,4-bis(4-nitrofuroxan-3-yl)furoxan (BNTFO-IV), was also obtained by isomerization. The structures of BNTFO-I and BNTFO-IV were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis for the first time. Surprisingly, BNTFO-I has a remarkable calculated crystal density of 1983 g cm−3 at 296 K, which is distinctly higher than BNTFO-IV (1.936 g cm−3, 296 K), and ranks highest among azole-based CNO compounds yet reported. It is noteworthy that BNTFO-I exhibits excellent calculated detonation properties (vD, 9867 m s−1, P, 45.0 GPa). The interesting configuration differences of BNTFO-I and BNTFO-IV provide insight into the design of new advanced energetic materials.
B1.12: a novel peptide interacting with the extracellular loop of the EBV oncoprotein LMP1
Authors: Ammous-Boukhris Nihel , Mosbah Amor , Ayadi Wajdi , Sahli Emna , Chevance Soizic , Bondon Arnaud , Gargouri Ali , Baudy-Floc’h Michele , Mokdad-Gargouri Raja
Published: March 2019

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays an important role in EBV-induced cell transformation. Down-regulation of the LMP1 expression had shown promising results on cancer cell therapy. In this study, we identified by Phage display a novel peptide called B1.12 (ACPLDLRSPCG) which selectively binds to the extracellular loop (B1) of the LMP1 oncoprotein as demonstrated by molecular docking, NMR and ITC. Using an LMP1 expressing cell line, we showed that B1.12 decreased cell viability, and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In addition, the expression of A20, pAkt, and pNFkb (pRelA536) in C666-1 cells treated with B1.12 decreased compared to the untreated cells. In conclusion, we selected a novel peptide able to bind specifically to the extracellular loop of LMP1 and thus modulate its oncogenic properties.
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is intrinsically required for post-transcriptional regulation of Drosophila Germline Stem Cell (GSC) maintenance
Authors: Casale Assunta Maria , Cappucci Ugo , Fanti Laura , Piacentini Lucia
Published: March 2019

A very important open question in stem cells regulation is how the fine balance between GSCs self-renewal and differentiation is orchestrated at the molecular level. In the past several years much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying intrinsic and extrinsic controls of GSC regulation but the complex gene regulatory networks that regulate stem cell behavior are only partially understood. HP1 is a dynamic epigenetic determinant mainly involved in heterochromatin formation, epigenetic gene silencing and telomere maintenance. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed the importance of HP1 in DNA repair, sister chromatid cohesion and, surprisingly, in positive regulation of gene expression. Here, we show that HP1 plays a crucial role in the control of GSC homeostasis in Drosophila. Our findings demonstrate that HP1 is required intrinsically to promote GSC self-renewal and progeny differentiation by directly stabilizing the transcripts of key genes involved in GSCs maintenance.
The 5-formyltetrahydrofolate futile cycle reduces pathway stochasticity in an extended hybrid-stochastic model of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism
Authors: Misselbeck Karla , Marchetti Luca , Priami Corrado , Stover Patrick J. , Field Martha S.
Published: March 2019

In folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM), 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (5fTHF), a one-carbon substituted tetrahydrofolate (THF) vitamer, acts as an intracellular storage form of folate and as an inhibitor of the folate-dependent enzymes phosphoribosylaminoimidazolecarboxamide formyltransferase (AICARFT) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT). Cellular levels of 5fTHF are regulated by a futile cycle comprising the enzymes SHMT and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (MTHFS). MTHFS is an essential gene in mice; however, the roles of both 5fTHF and MTHFS in mammalian FOCM remain to be fully elucidated. We present an extension of our previously published hybrid-stochastic model of FOCM by including the 5fTHF futile-cycle to explore its effect on the FOCM network. Model simulations indicate that MTHFS plays an essential role in preventing 5fTHF accumulation, which consequently averts inhibition of all other reactions in the metabolic network. Moreover, in silico experiments show that 10-formylTHF inhibition of MTHFS is critical for regulating purine synthesis. Model simulations also provide evidence that 5-methylTHF (and not 5fTHF) is the predominant physiological binder/inhibitor of SHMT. Finally, the model simulations indicate that the 5fTHF futile cycle dampens the stochastic noise in FOCM that results from both folate deficiency and a common variant in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene.
Metabolic syndrome alters relationships between cardiometabolic variables, cognition and white matter hyperintensity load
Authors: Alkan E. , Taporoski T. P. , Sterr A. , von Schantz M. , Vallada H. , Krieger J. E. , Pereira A. C. , Alvim R. , Horimoto A. R. V. R. , Pompéia S. , Negrão A. B. , Evans S. L. H.
Published: March 2019

Cardiometabolic risk factors influence white matter hyperintensity (WMH) development: in metabolic syndrome (MetS), higher WMH load is often reported but the relationships between specific cardiometabolic variables, WMH load and cognitive performance are uncertain. We investigated these in a Brazilian sample (aged 50–85) with (N = 61) and without (N = 103) MetS. Stepwise regression models identified effects of cardiometabolic and demographic variables on WMH load (from FLAIR MRI) and verbal recall performance. WMH volume was greater in MetS, but verbal recall performance was not impaired. Age showed the strongest relationship with WMH load. Across all participants, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and fasting blood glucose were also contributors, and WMH volume was negatively associated with verbal recall performance. In non-MetS, higher HbA1c, SBP, and number of MetS components were linked to poorer recall performance while higher triglyceride levels appeared to be protective. In MetS only, these relationships were absent but education exerted a strongly protective effect on recall performance. Thus, results support MetS as a construct: the clustering of cardiometabolic variables in MetS alters their individual relationships with cognition; instead, MetS is characterised by a greater reliance on cognitive reserve mechanisms. In non-MetS, strategies to control HbA1c and SBP should be prioritised as these have the largest impact on cognition.
A Nationwide, Population-based Cohort Study on Potential Autoimmune Association of Ménière Disease to Atopy and Vitiligo
Authors: Hahn Hyung Jin , Kwak Sang Gyu , Kim Dong-Kyu , Kim Jong-Yeup
Published: March 2019

Ménière disease (MD), an idiopathic disorder of sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo, shares many similarities with two common skin conditions, atopic dermatitis (AD) and vitiligo. Recent studies have suggested that MD may be related to or triggered by autoimmune conditions, notably Hashimoto thyroiditis and alopecia areata. These evidences led to the authors contemplating the possibility of immunological bridge between MD and the two skin conditions. The authors have tested this hypothesis with population-based cohort from the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea. A cohort of 1.1 million patients was extracted from the database. Using χ2 tests, prevalence of the two skin disorders in relation to MD status was analysed. In MD patients, the odds ratios for having concurrent AD and vitiligo were 0.717 (95% CI, 0.535–0.962, p = 0.026) and 2.149 (95% CI, 1.396–3.308, p = 0.001), respectively. Females and older patients were more than twice likely to be affected by the two skin conditions. The relationship between vitiligo and MD was significant in younger subgroup only. Socio-economic subgroup analysis revealed the observed patterns are primarily a middle-upper class phenomenon. Uncertainty regarding temporal sequence of onset, and lack of detail on disease severity and subtype kept the study from more refined conclusion. In concluding, AD and vitiligo might be linked to MD through Treg-driven action of cellular immunity, but further big data-based investigations must follow.
Infants’ brain responses to pupillary changes in others are affected by race
Authors: Kelsey Caroline M. , Krol Kathleen M. , Kret Mariska E. , Grossmann Tobias
Published: March 2019

Sensitive responding to eye cues plays a key role during human social interactions. Observed changes in pupillary size provide a range of socially-relevant information including cues regarding a person’s emotional and arousal states. Recently, infants have been found to mimic observed pupillary changes in others, instantiating a foundational mechanism for eye-based social communication. Among adults, perception of pupillary changes is affected by race. Here, we examined whether and how race impacts the neural processing of others’ pupillary changes in early ontogeny. We measured 9-month-old infants’ brain responses to dilating and constricting pupils in the context of viewing own-race and other-race eyes using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Our results show that only when responding to own-race eyes, infants’ brains distinguished between changes in pupillary size. Specifically, infants showed enhanced responses in the right superior temporal cortex when observing own-race pupil dilation. Moreover, when processing other-race pupillary changes, infants recruited the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to cognitive control functions. These findings suggest that, early in development, the fundamental process of responding to pupillary changes is impacted by race and interracial interactions may afford greater cognitive control or effort. This critically informs our understanding of the early origins of responding to pupillary signals in others and further highlights the impact of race on the processing of social signals.
The Impact of Early Life Stress on Anxiety Symptoms in Late Adulthood
Authors: Lähdepuro Anna , Savolainen Katri , Lahti-Pulkkinen Marius , Eriksson Johan G. , Lahti Jari , Tuovinen Soile , Kajantie Eero , Pesonen Anu-Katriina , Heinonen Kati , Räikkönen Katri
Published: March 2019

Early life stress (ELS) may increase the risk of anxiety throughout the life course. Whether this effect extends to late adulthood is poorly known. In our study comprising 1872 participants from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study born in 1934–1944, we investigated the association of various forms of ELS and their accumulation with self-reported anxiety symptoms at the age of 65–77 years. Data on childhood socioeconomic status and separation from parents were based on national registers for all participants. Information on self-reported emotional and physical trauma, parental divorce, and death of a family member in childhood was obtained from 1277 participants. We found that experiencing emotional trauma, physical trauma, and low socioeconomic status in childhood were associated with increased anxiety symptoms in late adulthood [B = 0.44 (95% CI = 0.31–0.58); B = 0.33 (95% CI = 0.20–0.46); B = 0.10 (95% CI = 0.01–0.19), respectively]. These associations remained significant even after controlling for other forms of ELS. Accumulation of early life stress also increased the levels of late-adulthood anxiety symptoms and the risk of anxiety regarded as clinically significant. Screening for potentially stressful childhood experiences in elderly populations may help identifying individuals with increased anxiety symptoms and planning preventive and therapeutic interventions for those exposed to ELS.
Conditional knockout of UBC13 produces disturbances in gait and spontaneous locomotion and exploration in mice
Authors: Wozniak David F. , Valnegri Pamela , Dearborn Joshua T. , Fowler Stephen C. , Bonni Azad
Published: March 2019

Here we have characterized the functional impairments resulting from conditional knockout of the ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzyme (UBC13) in rodent cerebellar granule neurons, which greatly increases the parallel fiber presynaptic boutons and functional parallel fiber/Purkinje cell synapses. We report that conditional UBC13 knockout mice exhibit reliable deficits on several gait-related variables when their velocity of ambulation is tightly controlled by a moving treadmill and by restricting space for movement. Selected gait parameters and movement patterns related to spontaneous exploration in an open field may also be affected in conditional UBC13 knockout mice. Analysis of open-field data as a function of test session half using force-plate actometer instrumentation suggest that conditional UBC13 knockout mice have alterations in emotionality, possibly affecting gait and movement variables. These findings suggest that conditional UBC13 knockout mice represent a valuable platform for assessing the effects of disturbances in cerebellar granule cell circuitry on gait and other aspects of locomotion. Also, the possibility that psychological factors such as altered emotionality may impact gait and movement patterns in these mice suggest that these mice may provide a useful model for evaluating analogous behavioral impairments in autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental syndromes associated with deregulation of ubiquitin signaling.
Low-dose pioglitazone can ameliorate learning and memory impairment in a mouse model of dementia by increasing LRP1 expression in the hippocampus
Authors: Seok Hannah , Lee Minyoung , Shin Eugene , Yun Mi Ra , Lee Yong-ho , Moon Jae Hoon , Kim Eosu , Lee Phil Hyu , Lee Byung-Wan , Kang Eun Seok , Lee Hyun Chul , Cha Bong Soo
Published: March 2019

Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain is a pathological feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and enhancing Aβ clearance is a potential therapeutic strategy. Pioglitazone is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist and is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes. We previously reported that low-dose pioglitazone increased the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), which upregulates the clearance of Aβ, using human brain microvascular endothelial cells. We investigated whether low-dose pioglitazone can rescue the pathological phenotype and memory impairment in senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) mice by increasing LRP1 levels. SAMP8 mice were treated with vehicle or pioglitazone in dosages of 2 or 5 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. In the water maze test, 2 mg/kg/day of pioglitazone significantly attenuated the increased escape latency in SAMP8 mice (p = 0.026), while 5 mg/kg/day of treatment did not. Compared with vehicle treatment, the hippocampi of SAMP8 mice with 2 mg/kg/day of pioglitazone exhibited fewer Aβ deposits and reduced Aβ1–40 levels, along with elevated LRP1 expression (p = 0.005). Collectively, our results proposed that a new therapeutic application of the PPAR-γ agonist for AD treatment should be considered at a lower dose than the conventional dose used to treat diabetes.
Arrow of time and its reversal on the IBM quantum computer
Authors: Lesovik G. B. , Sadovskyy I. A. , Suslov M. V. , Lebedev A. V. , Vinokur V. M.
Published: March 2019

Uncovering the origin of the “arrow of time” remains a fundamental scientific challenge. Within the framework of statistical physics, this problem was inextricably associated with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which declares that entropy growth proceeds from the system’s entanglement with the environment. This poses a question of whether it is possible to develop protocols for circumventing the irreversibility of time and if so to practically implement these protocols. Here we show that, while in nature the complex conjugation needed for time reversal may appear exponentially improbable, one can design a quantum algorithm that includes complex conjugation and thus reverses a given quantum state. Using this algorithm on an IBM quantum computer enables us to experimentally demonstrate a backward time dynamics for an electron scattered on a two-level impurity.
Changes in temperature, pH, and salinity affect the sheltering responses of Caribbean spiny lobsters to chemosensory cues
Authors: Ross Erica , Behringer Donald
Published: March 2019

Florida Bay is home to a network of shallow mud-banks which act as barriers to circulation creating small basins that are often subject to extremes in temperature and salinity. Florida bay is also important juvenile habitat for the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus. While our understanding of the effect of environmental changes on the survival, growth, and movement of spiny lobsters is growing, the effect on their chemosensory abilities has not yet been investigated. Lobsters rely heavily on chemical cues for many biological and ecological activities, and here we report on the effect of extreme environmental events in temperature (32 °C), salinity (45ppt), and pH (7.65 pH) on social behavior and sheltering preference in P. argus. Under normal conditions, chemical cues from conspecifics are used by spiny lobsters to identify suitable shelter and cues from stone crabs and diseased individuals are used to determine shelters to be avoided. In all altered conditions, lobsters lost the ability to aggregate with conspecifics and avoid stone crabs and diseased conspecifics. Thus, seasonal extreme events, and potentially future climate change conditions, alter the chemosensory-driven behavior of P. argus and may result in decreased survivorship due to impaired shelter selection or other behaviors.
Loss of the Polycomb group protein Rnf2 results in derepression of tbx-transcription factors and defects in embryonic and cardiac development
Authors: Chrispijn Naomi D. , Elurbe Dei M. , Mickoleit Michaela , Aben Marco , de Bakker Dennis E.M. , Andralojc Karolina M. , Huisken Jan , Bakkers Jeroen , Kamminga Leonie M.
Published: March 2019

The Polycomb group (PcG) protein family is a well-known group of epigenetic modifiers. We used zebrafish to investigate the role of Rnf2, the enzymatic subunit of PRC1. We found a positive correlation between loss of Rnf2 and upregulation of genes, especially of those whose promoter is normally bound by Rnf2. The heart of rnf2 mutants shows a tubular shaped morphology and to further understand the underlying mechanism, we studied gene expression of single wildtype and rnf2 mutant hearts. We detected the most pronounced differences at 3 dpf, including upregulation of heart transcription factors, such as tbx2a, tbx2b, and tbx3a. These tbx genes were decorated by broad PcG domains in wildtype whole embryo lysates. Chamber specific genes such as vmhc, myh6, and nppa showed downregulation in rnf2 mutant hearts. The marker of the working myocard, nppa, is negatively regulated by Tbx2 and Tbx3. Based on our findings and literature we postulate that loss of Rnf2-mediated repression results in upregulation and ectopic expression of tbx2/3, whose expression is normally restricted to the cardiac conductive system. This could lead to repression of chamber specific gene expression, a misbalance in cardiac cell types, and thereby to cardiac defects observed in rnf2 mutants.
Steered molecular dynamic simulations of conformational lock of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase
Authors: Xiao Bao-Lin , Ning Yan-Na , Niu Nan-Nan , Li Di , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar , Sheibani Nader , Hong Jun
Published: March 2019

The conformational lock was a bio-thermodynamic theory to explain the characteristics of interfaces in oligomeric enzymes and their effects on catalytic activity. The previous studies on superoxide dismutases (Cu, Zn-SODs) showed that the dimeric structure contributed to the high catalytic efficiency and the stability. In this study, steered molecular dynamics simulations were used firstly to study the main interactions between two subunits of Cu, Zn-SODs. The decomposition process study showed that there were not only four pairs of hydrogen bonds but also twenty-five residue pairs participating hydrophobic interactions between A and B chains of SOD, and van der Waals interactions occupied a dominant position among these residue pairs. Moreover, the residue pairs of hydrogen bonds played a major role in maintaining the protein conformation. The analysis of the energy and conformational changes in the SMD simulation showed that there were two groups (two conformational locks) between A and B chains of SOD. The first group consisted of one hydrogen-bond residues pair and seven hydrophobic interactions residues pairs with a total average energy of −30.10 KJ/mol, and the second group of three hydrogen-bond residues pair and eighteen hydrophobic interactions residues pairs formed with a total average energy of −115.23 KJ/mol.
Mesolimbic white matter connectivity mediates the preference for sweet food
Authors: Francke Paul , Tiedemann Lena J. , Menz Mareike M. , Beck Judith , Büchel Christian , Brassen Stefanie
Published: March 2019

Dopaminergic brain structures like the nucleus accumbens (NAc) are thought to encode the incentive salience of palatable foods motivating appetitive behaviour. Animal studies have identified neural networks mediating the regulation of hedonic feeding that comprise connections of the NAc with the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Here, we investigated how structural connectivity of these pathways relates to individual variability in decisions on sweet food consumption in humans. We therefore combined probabilistic tractography on diffusion imaging data from 45 overnight fasted lean to overweight participants with real decisions about high and low sugar food consumption. Across all individuals, sugar preference and connectivity strength were not directly related, however, multiple regression analysis revealed interaction of mesolimbic structure and sugar preference to depend on individuals’ BMI score. In overweight individuals (BMI: ≥25 kg/m², N = 22) higher sugar preference was thereby specifically related to stronger connectivity within the VTA-NAc pathway while the opposite pattern emerged in participants with normal BMI (BMI: <25 kg/m², N = 23). Our structural results complement previous functional findings on the critical role of the human mesolimbic system for regulating hedonic eating in overweight individuals.
Structural transition in social networks: The role of homophily
Authors: Murase Yohsuke , Jo Hang-Hyun , Török János , Kertész János , Kaski Kimmo
Published: March 2019

We introduce a model for the formation of social networks, which takes into account the homophily or the tendency of individuals to associate and bond with similar others, and the mechanisms of global and local attachment as well as tie reinforcement due to social interactions between people. We generalize the weighted social network model such that the nodes or individuals haveFfeatures and each feature can haveqdifferent values. Here the tendency for the tie formation between two individuals due to the overlap in their features represents homophily. We find a phase transition as a function ofForq, resulting in a phase diagram. For fixedqand as a function ofFthe system shows two phases separated atFc. ForF < Fclarge, homogeneous, and well separated communities can be identified within which the features match almost perfectly (segregated phase). WhenFbecomes larger thanFc, the nodes start to belong to several communities and within a community the features match only partially (overlapping phase). Several quantities reflect this transition, including the average degree, clustering coefficient, feature overlap, and the number of communities per node. We also make an attempt to interpret these results in terms of observations on social behavior of humans.
Tuning of structural, optical band gap, and electrical properties of room-temperature-grown epitaxial thin films through the Fe2O3:NiO ratio
Authors: Seo Okkyun , Tayal Akhil , Kim Jaemyung , Song Chulho , Chen Yanna , Hiroi Satoshi , Katsuya Yoshio , Ina Toshiaki , Sakata Osami , Ikeya Yuki , Takano Shiori , Matsuda Akifumi , Yoshimoto Mamoru
Published: March 2019

We have investigated the structural, optical band gap, and electrical properties of (Fe2O3)0.5x:(NiO)1 − 0.5x (x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7) epitaxial thin films grown on an atomically smooth substrate at room temperature. With increasing Fe2O3 content, the rock-salt structure of the thin films transformed to a spinel structure above x = 0.6. In terms of the local structure, the increased ratio of Fe2+ ions to Fe3+ ions indicates that the octahedral sites of FeO were continuously transformed into distorted octahedral and tetrahedral sites. On the other hand, the NiO matrix was not affected by the local structure change. Chemical composition of Fe2O3:NiO affected the crystal structure, the electrical conductivity and the optical band gap of direct transition (3.35 to 2.99 eV).
Understanding the catch-bond kinetics of biomolecules on a one-dimensional energy landscape
Authors: Guo Shiwen , Efremov Artem K. , Yan Jie
Published: March 2019

In spite of extensive investigations, the force-dependent unfolding/rupturing rate k(F) of biomolecules still remains poorly understood. A famous example is the frequently observed switch from catch-bond behaviour, where force anti-intuitively decreases k(F), to slip-bond behaviour where increasing force accelerates k(F). A common consensus in the field is that the catch-to-slip switch behaviour cannot be explained in a one-dimensional energy landscape, while this view is mainly built upon assuming that force monotonically affects k(F) along each available transition pathway. In this work, by applying Kramers kinetic rate theory to a model system where the transition starts from a single native state through a pathway involving sequential peeling of a polymer strand until reaching the transition state, we show the catch-to-slip switch behaviour can be understood in a one-dimensional energy landscape by considering the structural-elastic properties of molecules during transition. Thus, this work deepens our understanding of the force-dependent unfolding/rupturing kinetics of molecules/molecular complexes.
Accelerated charge transfer via a nickel tungstate modulated cadmium sulfide p–n heterojunction for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhang Yongke , Jin Zhiliang
Published: March 2019

Improving the efficiency of charge separation is an important aspect in photocatalysis.
A versatile catalyst system for enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted 1,4-benzodioxanes
Authors: Chong Eugene , Qu Bo , Zhang Yongda , Cannone Zachary P. , Leung Joyce C. , Tcyrulnikov Sergei , Nguyen Khoa D. , Haddad Nizar , Biswas Soumik , Hou Xiaowen , Kaczanowska Katarzyna , Chwalba Michał , Tracz Andrzej , Czarnocki Stefan , Song Jinhua J. , Kozlowski Marisa C. , Senanayake Chris H.
Published: March 2019

IrCl/BIDIME-dimer catalyzed hydrogenation is reported for enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted 1,4-benzodioxanes.
Statistical properties of autonomous flows in 2D active nematics
Authors: Lemma Linnea M. , DeCamp Stephen J. , You Zhihong , Giomi Luca , Dogic Zvonimir
Published: March 2019

The characteristics length scale of active nematics composed of microtubules and kinesin motors is controlled by ATP concentration.
Influence of the average molar mass of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) on the dimensions and conductivity of silver nanowires
Authors: Sonntag Luisa , Eichler Franziska , Weiß Nelli , Bormann Ludwig , Ghosh Dhriti S. , Sonntag Jannick M. , Jordan Rainer , Gaponik Nikolai , Leo Karl , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: March 2019

Improving the performance of Ag nanowire electrodes by adjusting the reaction conditions and the molar mass of PVP.
An Fe(iii)-doped coordination polymer of Mn13-clusters with improved activity for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Wen Tian , Schmitt Wolfgang , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2019

Homogeneously distributed Fe(iii) dopants were introduced into porous coordination polymers of Mn13-clusters to form composite materials. The resulting Fe@Mn13-polymer exhibited efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity.
Lighting with organophosphorus materials: solution-processed blue/cyan light-emitting devices based on phosphaphenalenes
Authors: Hindenberg Philip , Zimmermann Johannes , Hernandez-Sosa Gerardo , Romero-Nieto Carlos
Published: March 2019

The suitability of phosphaphenalene derivatives for light-emitting diodes and electrofluorochromic devices is herein demonstrated.
P-Chiral 1,7-diphosphanorbornenes: from asymmetric phospha-Diels–Alder reactions towards applications in asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Zagidullin A. A. , Oshchepkova E. S. , Chuchelkin I. V. , Kondrashova S. A. , Miluykov V. A. , Latypov Sh. K. , Gavrilov K. N. , Hey-Hawkins E.
Published: March 2019

A straightforward synthesis ofP-chiral polycyclic phosphines by an asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of 1-alkyl-1,2-diphospholes and (5R)-(l-menthyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone (MOxF) is presented.
Synthesis of organometallic pentalenide complexes
Authors: Boyt Stuart M. , Jenek Niko A. , Hintermair Ulrich
Published: March 2019

Challenges and opportunities in the synthesis of pentalenide complexes are reviewed from a practical point of view.
Rhodamine-modified fluorescent half-sandwich iridium and ruthenium complexes: potential application as bioimaging and anticancer agents
Authors: Ma Wenli , Guo Lihua , Tian Zhenzhen , Zhang Shumiao , He Xiangdong , Li JuanJuan , Yang Yuliang , Liu Zhe
Published: March 2019

Most half-sandwich metal anticancer complexes are non-fluorescent, which results in an uncertain mechanism of action (MoA).
The influence of dopant concentration and grain size on the ability for temperature sensing using nanocrystalline MgAl2O4:Co2+,Nd3+ luminescent thermometers
Authors: Kobylinska A. , Kniec K. , Maciejewska K. , Marciniak L.
Published: March 2019

In this work, for the first time, the ability of nanocrystalline MgAl2O4:Co2+ and MgAl2O4:Co2+,Nd3+ phosphors for temperature sensing was investigated in a wide temperature range.
Hydrogenation of dioctyl phthalate over a Rh-supported Al modified mesocellular foam catalyst
Authors: Lende Avinash B. , Bhattacharjee Saurav , Lu Wei-Yuan , Tan Chung-Sung
Published: March 2019

The solvent free hydrogenation of DOP to DEHHP over an Al modified MCF supported Rh catalyst.
Early appearance of crystalline nanoparticles in pulsed laser ablation in liquids dynamics
Authors: Reich Stefan , Letzel Alexander , Menzel Andreas , Kretzschmar Norman , Gökce Bilal , Barcikowski Stephan , Plech Anton
Published: March 2019

The size and crystallinity of gold and silver nanoparticles during pulsed laser ablation in water is investigated with microsecond and sub-microsecond time resolution.
Cobalt-catalyzed C2α-acyloxylation of 2-substituted indoles with tert-butyl peresters
Authors: Zhou Yuxiang , Li Chenglong , Yuan Xiaoyan , Zhang Feiyan , Liu Xiaozu , Liu Peijun
Published: March 2019

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed C2α selective C(sp3)–H acyloxylation of 2-substituted indoles with tert-butyl peresters to synthesize diverse 2α-acyloxylated indole derivatives is described. This developed method exhibits mild conditions, low-cost catalyst, and high functional group compatibility. The effectiveness of this chemistry is illuminated by a late-stage modification of methylated indomethacin.
Dual-wavelength efficient two-photon photorelease of glycine by π-extended dipolar coumarins
Authors: Klausen Maxime , Dubois Victor , Clermont Guillaume , Tonnelé Claire , Castet Frédéric , Blanchard-Desce Mireille
Published: March 2019

Efficient photolabile protecting groups: how to achieve exceptional photo-triggered amino-acid delivery upon irradiation in the NIR.
Local environment in biopsy better predict the pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer
Authors: Huang Yan , Lou Xiao-ying , Zhu Ya-xi , Wang Yu-chen , Zhang Lei , Liu Hai-ling , Wang Chao , Zhan Huan-miao , Cheng Zhi-qiang , Tan Wei-yan , Wang Lei , Fan Xin-juan
Published: March 2019

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. Here, we analyzed the impact of local and systemic environments on the tumor response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. We recruited 141 patients with rectal cancer treated with nCRT. We evaluated the local tumor environment, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), intratumor budding (ITB), and the systemic inflammatory environment, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Our finding revealed that tumor regression was significantly associated with the density of CD8+ TILs in the intraepithelial, the presence of ITB, the combination of NLR and CRP (NLR-CRP) value, and the combination of CD8+ intraepithelial TIL (iTIL) density and ITB presence. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that only the combination of CD8+ iTILs and ITB was an independent predictive factor for the pathological response to nCRT in rectal cancer. Our finding demonstrate that the local tumor environment was a better predictor of the tumor response than the systemic environment and thus provided new insight into screening for patients who are more likely to benefit from cancer treatment.
Resveratrol inhibits IL-1β-mediated nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis through regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Jiang Yanhai , Xie Zhijie , Yu Jinying , Fu Lianqiang
Published: March 2019

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis is a classical cellular character during intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Previous studies have shown that inflammatory cytokine-induced NP cell apoptosis plays an important role in disc degeneration. The present study was aimed to investigate whether resveratrol can suppress IL-1β-mediated NP cell apoptosis and the potential signal transduction pathway. Experimental rat NP cells were treated with culture medium containing IL-1β (20 ng/ml) for 7 days. Control NP cells were cultured in the baseline medium. Resveratrol was added along with culture medium to investigate its effects. The inhibitor LY294002 was used to study the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway. NP cell apoptosis was reflected by the caspase-3 activity, cell apoptosis ratio, and expression of apoptosis-related molecules (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP). Compared with the control NP cells, IL-1β significantly increased caspase-3 activity, NP cell apoptosis ratio and mRNA/protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, but decreased mRNA expression of Bcl-2. However, resveratrol partly suppressed the effects of IL-1β on those cell apoptosis-related parameters. Further analysis showed that IL-1β significantly decreased activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway whereas resveratrol partly increased activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway in NP cells treated with IL-1β. Additionally, when the inhibitor LY294002 was added along with the resveratrol, its protective effects against IL-1β-induced NP cell apoptosis were attenuated. In conclusion, resveratrol suppresses IL-1β-mediated NP cell apoptosis through activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Resveratrol may be an effective drug to attenuate inflammatory cytokine-induced disc degenerative changes.
Distinct metabolic patterns during microglial remodeling by oleate and palmitate
Authors: Chausse Bruno , Kakimoto Pamela A. , Caldeira-da-Silva Camille C. , Chaves-Filho Adriano B. , Yoshinaga Marcos Y. , da Silva Railmara Pereira , Miyamoto Sayuri , Kowaltowski Alicia J.
Published: March 2019

Microglial activation by oleate and palmitate differentially modulates brain inflammatory status. However, the metabolic reprogramming supporting these reactive phenotypes remains unknown. Employing real-time metabolic measurements and lipidomic analysis, we show that both fatty acids promote microglial oxidative metabolism, while lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances glycolytic rates. Interestingly, oleate treatment was followed by enrichment in storage lipids bound to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in parallel with protection against oxidative imbalance. Palmitate, in turn, induced a distinct lipid distribution defined by PUFA linked to membrane phospholipids, which are more susceptible to lipid peroxidation and inflammatory signaling cascades. This distribution was mirrored by LPS treatment, which led to a strong pro-inflammatory phenotype in microglia. Thus, although both oleate and palmitate preserve mitochondrial function, a contrasting lipid distribution supports differences in fatty acid-induced neuroinflammation. These data reinforce the concept that reactive microglial profiles are achieved by stimulus-evoked remodeling in cell metabolism.
Low LINC00599 expression is a poor prognostic factor in glioma
Authors: Fu Qiang , Li Shaoshan , Zhou Qingjiu , Yalikun Kugeluke , Yisireyili Dilimulati , Xia Ming
Published: March 2019

LINC00599 has been suggested to be involved in physiological and pathological processes including carcinogenesis. However, the clinical and prognostic significance of LINC00599 in glioma patients and the effect of LINC00599 on glioma cell migration and invasion remain unknown. In our results, we first observe the expression of LINC00599 in 31 types of human cancers including tumor tissues and corresponding normal tissues at The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and found that LINC00599 expression levels were only reduced in lower grade glioma (LGG) tissues and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tissues compared with normal brain tissues. Moreover, we confirmed levels of LINC00599 expression were decreased in glioma tissues and cell lines compared with matched adjacent normal tissues and normal human astrocytes (NHAs), respectively. Meanwhile, we found that glioma tissues with WHO III-IV grade exhibited lower levels of LINC00599 expression than glioma tissues with I-II grade. The survival analysis at TCGA data showed low LINC00599 expression was associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival in glioma patients. In vitro study suggested up-regulation of LINC00599 depressed glioma cell migration and invasion through regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In conclusion, LINC00599 acts as a tumor-suppressing long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in glioma.
Dual‐layer SIW cavity filtering antenna with a controllable radiation band and two radiation nulls
Authors: Niu Bing‐Jian , Tan Jie‐Hong
Published: March 2019

A dual‐layer substrate‐integrated‐waveguide (SIW) cavity filtering antenna with a controllable radiation band and two radiation nulls is proposed. It consists of a coaxial feeding, two SIW cavities, three metal planes and three slots. An H‐shaped slot is etched on the top plane and two rectangle slots are cut on the middle plane. A radiating mode (i.e. TE210 mode) is excited to achieve a radiation band while two non‐radiating modes (i.e. TE010 mode and TE110 mode) are utilised to generate two radiation nulls. Good filtering performance including sharp sideband selectivity and high stopband suppression is achieved by these radiation nulls. Moreover, the radiation band can be independently controlled without affecting the radiation nulls. A fabricated prototype with the size of 0.58λ0 × 0.58λ0 × 0.07λ0 is measured. The measured centre frequency of the radiation band is at 3.49 GHz with the gain of 5.39 dBi and efficiency of 79.25%. However, the gain and efficiency of a radiation null at 3.29 GHz are −27.56 dBi and 0.07% while those of the other radiation null at 3.86 GHz are −27.29 dBi and 0.04%.
Design of a narrow dual‐band BPF with an independently‐tunable passband
Authors: Mousavi S.M.H. , Makki S.V.A. , Alirezaee Sh. , Malakooti S.‐A.
Published: March 2019

Using polygonal resonators and bended lines, a new type of dual‐band bandpass filter (BPF) is presented generating a fixed passband centred at 2.70 (f01) and an independently‐electronically tunable passband (f02) which can be tuned between 3.65 and 6.51 GHz (56% tuning range). The measured results indicate that the return losses of both passbands are >21 dB throughout the tuning range. Furthermore, the use of bended lines leads to extremely small size of , where is the guided wavelength at the lowest working frequency (f01). The proposed BPF also benefits from an ultra‐wide upper stopband from 7.03 up to 14.41 GHz (based on 21 dB points), suppressing unwanted signal by more than 21 dB considered as a positive point. The filter prototype is investigated in four design stages with the LC analysis to support the design process theoretically and fabrication results to validate the design practically.
Joint spatial modulation and beamforming based on statistical channel state information for hybrid massive MIMO communication systems
Authors: Zhang Mingxuan , Miao Weiwei , Shen Yiting , Huang Jin , Zhang Shaqian , Zeng Zeng , Tang Hao , Wu Liang , Zhang Zaichen , Dang Jian
Published: March 2019

Spatial modulation is a promising transmission scheme for massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems to improve energy efficiency. In this study, considering the low‐complexity hybrid structure, the authors propose a joint spatial modulation and beamforming scheme for a hybrid massive MIMO system in both single user and multi‐user scenarios. Specifically, a design criterion of the channel control parameter is provided to reduce the high correlation among different channel coefficients in the hybrid massive MIMO system. In addition, with the statistical channel state information acquired at the base station, the optimum analogue beamforming vectors are designed with the goal of maximising the signal to leakage and noise ratio in the multi‐user scenario. Furthermore, the upper bound, the lower bound as well as the closed form approximation of achievable spectral efficiency of the proposed scheme are derived for both single user and multi‐user scenarios. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional MIMO scheme.
Predictive controller considering electrical constraints: a case example for five‐phase induction machines
Authors: Bermúdez Mario , Martín Cristina , Barrero Federico , Kestelyn Xavier
Published: March 2019

The modern control of power drives involves the consideration of electrical constraints in the regulator strategy, including voltage/current limits imposed by the power converter and the electrical machine, or magnetic saturation due to the iron core. This issue has been extensively analysed in conventional three‐phase drives but rarely studied in multiphase ones, despite the current interest of the multiphase technology in high‐power density, wide speed range or fault‐tolerant applications. A generalised controller using model‐based predictive control techniques is introduced in this study. The proposal is based on two cascaded predictive stages. First, a continuous stage generates the optimal stator current reference complying with the electrical limits of the drive to exploit its maximum performance characteristic. Then, a finite‐control‐set predictive controller regulates the stator current and generates the switching state in the power converter. A five‐phase induction machine with concentrated windings is used as modern high‐performance drive case example. This is a common multiphase drive that can be considered as a system with two frequency‐domain control subspaces, where fundamental and third harmonic currents are orthogonal components involved in the torque production. Experimental results are provided to analyse the proposed controller, where optimal reference currents are generated and steady/transient states are studied.