bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Stability of DNA i‐Motifs in the Nuclei of Living Mammalian Cells
Authors: Dzatko Simon , Krafcikova Michaela , Hänsel‐Hertsch Robert , Fessl Tomas , Fiala Radovan , Loja Tomas , Krafcik Daniel , Mergny Jean‐Louis , Foldynova‐Trantirkova Silvie , Trantirek Lukas
Published: December 2017

C‐rich DNA has the capacity to form a tetra‐stranded structure known as an i‐motif. The i‐motifs within genomic DNA have been proposed to contribute to the regulation of DNA transcription. However, direct experimental evidence for the existence of these structures in vivo has been missing. Whether i‐motif structures form in complex environment of living cells is not currently known. Herein, using state‐of‐the‐art in‐cell NMR spectroscopy, we evaluate the stabilities of i‐motif structures in the complex cellular environment. We show that i‐motifs formed from naturally occurring C‐rich sequences in the human genome are stable and persist in the nuclei of living human cells. Our data show that i‐motif stabilities in vivo are generally distinct from those in vitro. Our results are the first to interlink the stability of DNA i‐motifs in vitro with their stability in vivo and provide essential information for the design and development of i‐motif‐based DNA biosensors for intracellular applications.
Effect of different biopolymers and polymers on the mechanical and permeation properties of extruded PHBV cast films
Authors: Jost Verena , Miesbauer Oliver
Published: December 2017

The biopolymer poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) is a promising material for packaging applications but its high brittleness is challenging. To address this issue, PHBV was blended with nine different biopolymers and polymers in order to improve the processing and mechanical properties of the films. Those biopolymers were TPS, PBAT, a blend of PBAT + PLA, a blend of PBAT + PLA + filler, PCL and PBS, and the polymers TPU, PVAc, and EVA. The extruded cast films were analyzed in detail (melting temperature, crystallinity, mechanical properties, permeation properties, and surface topography). A decrease in crystallinity and Young's modulus and an increase in elongation at break and permeability were observed with increasing biopolymer/polymer concentration. In PHBV‐rich blends (≥70 wt % PHBV), the biopolymers/polymers PCL, PBAT, and TPU increased the elongation at break while only slightly increasing the permeability. Larger increases in the permeability were found for the films with PBS, PVAc, and EVA. The films of biopolymer/polymer‐rich blends (with PBAT, TPU, and EVA) had significantly different properties than pure PHBV. A strong effect on the properties was measured assuming that at certain biopolymer/polymer concentrations the coherent PHBV network is disrupted. The interpretation of the permeation values by the Maxwell–Garnett theory confirms the assumption of a phase separation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46153.
Frequency of Chronic Joint Pain Following Chikungunya Virus Infection
Authors: Chang Aileen Y. , Encinales Liliana , Porras Alexandra , Pacheco Nelly , Reid St. Patrick , Martins Karen A. O. , Pacheco Shamila , Bravo Eyda , Navarno Marianda , Rico Mendoza Alejandro , Amdur Richard , Kamalapathy Priyanka , Firestein Gary S. , Bethony Jeffrey M. , Simon Gary L.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To estimate the frequency of chronic joint pain after infection with chikungunya virus in a Latin American cohort.

Methods

A cross‐sectional follow‐up of a prospective cohort of 500 patients from the Atlántico Department, Colombia who were clinically diagnosed as having chikungunya virus during the 2014–2015 epidemic was conducted. Baseline symptoms and follow‐up symptoms at 20 months were evaluated in serologically confirmed cases.

Results

Among the 500 patients enrolled, 485 had serologically confirmed chikungunya virus and reported joint pain status. Patients were predominantly adults (mean ± SD age 49 ± 16 years) and female, had an education level of high school or less, and were of Mestizo ethnicity. The most commonly affected joints were the small joints, including the wrists, ankles, and fingers. The initial virus symptoms lasted a median of 4 days (interquartile range [IQR] 3–8 days). Sixteen percent of the participants reported missing school or work (median 4 days [IQR 2–7 days]). After 20 months, one‐fourth of the participants had persistent joint pain. A multivariable analysis indicated that significant predictors of persistent joint pain included college graduate status, initial symptoms of headache or knee pain, missed work, normal activities affected, ≥4 days of initial symptoms, and ≥4 weeks of initial joint pain.

Conclusion

This is the first report to describe the frequency of chikungunya virus–related arthritis in the Americas after a 20‐month follow‐up. The high frequency of chronic disease highlights the need for the development of prevention and treatment methods.
Adaptive Recurrent Neural Network Enhanced Variable Structure Control for Nonlinear Discrete Mimo Systems
Authors: Hwang Chih‐Lyang , Hung John Y.
Published: December 2017

The stability and performance of robust control for a nonlinear complex dynamic system deteriorates due to large uncertainties. To address this, a discrete variable structure control (DVSC) outside of a convex set is designed to force the operating point into a convergent set, which is verified by Lyapunov stability theory. Due to the dynamic features of the lumped uncertainties, they are learned on‐line by a recurrent neural network (RNN) in a specific convex set containing the convergent set of the DVSC. Between this convergent set and the convex set, a switching mechanism determines whether a learning RNN for the lumped uncertainties is executed. An adaptive recurrent‐neural‐network enhanced discrete variable structure control is then established to improve both transient and steady performances. Simulations, including compared examples and application to the trajectory tracking of a mobile robot, validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control.
Immediate and late outcomes of stenting for severe extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in octogenarian patients
Authors: Duan Jin‐hai , Xu Shu‐wen , Dai Chengbo , Xiao Hao , Zhong Jiayi , Ma Faxin , Mo Jian‐wei , Wang Shuyuan , Zhang Xiong , Lin Zhanyi
Published: December 2017

Background

Multiple studies suggest that internal carotid artery stenting can be performed safely in octogenarians with low periprocedural complication rates. However, great concern still exists as to whether these patients will gain long‐term benefits from this procedure given their advanced age and uncertain life expectancy. We decided to conduct a retrospective study to determine short‐and long‐term clinical outcomes and to analyze survival duration in this population.

Methods and Results

Sixty‐nine consecutive elderly patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic stenosis ≥70% underwent 86 procedures. Immediate and late outcomes, as well as survival data, were analyzed retrospectively. Mean age was 83.1 ± 2.7 years. Mean survival was 49.3 ± 10.1 months. A complete neurological assessment was obtained at 1 and 2 years in 100% of patients, at 3 years in 90.7% of patients and at 5 years in 84.8% of patients. Two major and one minor ischemic strokes occurred during the periprocedural period. No death, myocardial infarction or intracranial hemorrhage was recorded. The mean follow‐up period was 55.4 ± 24.6 months. Four patients experienced a minimum of 1 year of follow‐up, and the longest is 8 years. Among the patients with the longest follow‐up time, 6 had ischemic strokes, of which 2 were fatal. In total, 17 deaths occurred. Four patients experienced dementia without stroke. Survival at 3 and 5 years was estimated to be 90% and 73%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that stenting in octogenarians was safe and effective during the periprocedural period. Long‐term follow‐up showed a low rate of fatal and nonfatal stroke, and patients survived long enough to benefit from the procedure. However, it was associated with a relatively high rate of long‐term event. Though carotid artery stenting is a minimally invasive procedure, it should still be performed with great caution and only in carefully selected patients. The present study suggested that in this age population, carotid artery stenting might be considered as a revascularization option.
Both activated and less‐activated regions identified by functional MRI reconfigure to support task executions
Authors: Zuo Nianming , Yang Zhengyi , Liu Yong , Li Jin , Jiang Tianzi
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become very important for noninvasively characterizing BOLD signal fluctuations, which reflect the changes in neuronal firings in the brain. Unlike the activation detection strategy utilized with fMRI, which only emphasizes the synchronicity between the functional nodes (activated regions) and the task design, brain connectivity and network theory are able to decipher the interactive structure across the entire brain. However, little is known about whether and how the activated/less‐activated interactions are associated with the functional changes that occur when the brain changes from the resting state to a task state. What are the key networks that play important roles in the brain state changes?

Methods

We used the fMRI data from the Human Connectome Project S500 release to examine the changes of network efficiency, interaction strength, and fractional modularity contributions of both the local and global networks, when the subjects change from the resting state to seven different task states.

Results

We found that, from the resting state to each of seven task states, both the activated and less‐activated regions had significantly changed to be in line with, and comparably contributed to, a global network reconfiguration. We also found that three networks, the default mode network, frontoparietal network, and salience network, dominated the flexible reconfiguration of the brain.

Conclusions

This study shows quantitatively that contributions from both activated and less‐activated regions enable the global functional network to respond when the brain switches from the resting state to a task state and suggests the necessity of considering large‐scale networks (rather than only activated regions) when investigating brain functions in imaging cognitive neuroscience.
The skin–kidney connection: bullous pemphigoid associated with acute allograft rejection and membranous nephropathy
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Clapp William L. , Olaoye Olanrewaju A. , Santos Alfonso H.
Published: December 2017

Key Clinical Message

Bullous pemphigoid has been linked to allograft rejection, as well as membranous nephropathy in renal transplant recipients. Although there is a possibility of multiple distinct autoimmune processes, immune stimulation induced by allograft rejection or antibasement zone antibody interactions are possible mechanisms for the simultaneous skin and renal involvement.
Supramolecular Assembly of Phosphole Oxide Based Alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6‐Bis(N‐alkylbenzimidazol‐2’‐yl)pyridine Complexes—An Interplay of Hydrophobicity and Aromatic π‐Surfaces
Authors: Cheung Andy Fu‐Fai , Hong Eugene Yau‐Hin , Yam Vivian Wing‐Wah
Published: December 2017

A new class of phosphole oxide based alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6‐bis(N‐alkylbenzimidazol‐2’‐yl)pyridine (bzimpy) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Their self‐assembly was driven by hydrophobic–hydrophobic and π–π stacking interactions. The self‐assembly properties were also investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, which revealed that the alkyl‐chain length of the bzimpy moiety and the π‐surface area of the alkynyl ligand have significant influence on the overall self‐assembly process. The alkyl‐chain length also affected the morphological structures of the aggregates, which were studied by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Morphological Effects and Stabilization of the Metallic 1T Phase in Layered V‐, Nb‐, and Ta‐Doped WSe2 for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Chia Xinyi , Sutrisnoh Nur Ayu Afira , Sofer Zdeněk , Luxa Jan , Pumera Martin
Published: December 2017

Layered transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are valued for their electrocatalytic properties toward the hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR). One effective strategy to activate the electrocatalytic properties of TMDs is through doping. The optimistic outlook of doped‐MoS2 as an electrocatalyst witnessed in previous reports spurred us to examine the effect of doping WSe2 with Group 5 transition‐metal species, namely V, Nb, and Ta, in aspects of inherent electroactivities and catalysis. Apart from the mild reduction signal unique to the Group 5 transition‐metal dopants, the Group 5 transition‐metal‐doped WSe2 materials are found to possess largely identical inherent electrochemistry to the undoped WSe2 with a characteristic anodic peak. Living up to expectations, the Group 5 transition‐metal‐doped WSe2 materials exhibit improved electrocatalytic HER efficiency, as evident by the lower HER overpotentials and Tafel slopes relative to undoped WSe2. After doping with V, Nb, or Ta species, an increased number of active sites is observed given the distinct changes in morphology from thick bulky pieces in undoped WSe2 to thinner fragments in doped WSe2. Although undoped WSe2 exists in the semiconducting 2H phase, the Group 5 transition‐metal‐doped WSe2 materials are dominated by the metallic 1T phase. Doping WSe2 with V, Nb, or Ta stabilizes the catalytic 1T phase and appears to induce the transition from the 2H to 1T phase. In contrast to the enhanced HER performance of WSe2 upon doping, Group 5 transition‐metal dopants proved futile in activating the ORR electrocatalytic behavior of WSe2, for which the ORR efficiency is unchanged. Therefore, these findings facilitate the understanding of the role of Group 5 transition‐metal dopants in the electrochemical and catalytic properties of WSe2 relative to their morphological features and provide an evaluation of the efficacy of doping TMDs in electrocatalytic applications.
Dithiocarboxylic Acids: An Old Theme Revisited and Augmented by New Preparative, Spectroscopic and Structural Facts
Authors: Grote Johanna , Friedrich Felix , Berthold Katarína , Hericks Loreen , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: December 2017

The unstable dithiocarboxylic acids dithioacetic acid, 2‐methyl‐dithiopropionic acid, 2,2‐dimethyl‐dithiopropionic acid and dithiobenzoic acid were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS. The stable dithiocarboxylic acids 2,4,6‐trimethyl benzoic acid, 2,4,6‐tri‐iso‐propylbenzoic acid and 2,6‐dimesityl benzoic acid were synthesized, isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods and in parts by mass spectrometry and X‐ray crystallography. The new data were used to re‐evaluate literature data on the synthesis, spectroscopy and structural data of dithiocarboxylic acids as a fundamental class of organic compounds in general.
Stereoselective and Stereospecific Reactions of Cobalt Sandwich Complexes: Synthesis of a New Class of Single Enantiomer Bulky Planar Chiral P−N and P−P Ligands
Authors: Arthurs Ross A. , Horton Peter N. , Coles Simon J. , Richards Christopher J.
Published: December 2017

Starting from (η5‐acetylcyclopentadienyl)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt(I), highly enantioselective (99 % ee) (S)‐CBS catalysed ketone reduction followed by stereospecific alcohol‐azide exchange, azide reduction and dimethyllation gave (R)‐(η5‐α‐N,N‐dimethylaminoethylcyclopentadienyl)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene) cobalt(I) (Arthurs’ amine). This underwent highly diastereoselective cyclopalladation to give di‐μ‐acetate‐bis‐(R)‐[(η5‐(Sp)‐2‐(α‐N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl)cyclopentadienyl, 1‐C, N)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt(I)]dipalladium, and highly diastereoselective lithiation to give (R)‐(η5‐(Sp)‐1‐(α‐N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl)‐2‐(diphenylphosphino)cyclopentadienyl)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt(I) (PPCA) following the addition as electrophile of chlorodiphenylphosphine. This PN‐ligand was converted into (R)‐(η5‐(Sp)‐1‐(α‐dicyclohexylphosphinoethyl)‐2‐(diphenylphosphino)cyclopentadienyl)(η4‐tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt(I), a PP‐ligand (Rossiphos), by stereospecific amine‐phosphine exchange using HPCy2. These air‐stable P−N and P−P complexes are the first examples of a new class of bulky planar chiral ligands for application in asymmetric catalysis.
Aggregation Pathways of Native‐Like Ubiquitin Promoted by Single‐Point Mutation, Metal Ion Concentration, and Dielectric Constant of the Medium
Authors: Fermani Simona , Calvaresi Matteo , Mangini Vincenzo , Falini Giuseppe , Bottoni Andrea , Natile Giovanni , Arnesano Fabio
Published: December 2017

Ubiquitin‐positive protein aggregates are biomarkers of neurodegeneration, but the molecular mechanism responsible for their formation and accumulation is still unclear. Possible aggregation pathways of human ubiquitin (hUb) promoted by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, are here investigated. By a computational analysis, two different hUb dimers are indicated as possible precursors of amyloid‐like structures, but their formation is disfavored by an electrostatic repulsion involving Glu16 and other carboxylate residues present at the dimer interface. Experimental data on the E16V mutant of hUb shows that this single‐point mutation, although not affecting the overall protein conformation, promotes protein aggregation. It is sufficient to shift the same mutation by only two residues (E18V) to regain the behavior of wild‐type hUb. The neutralization of Glu16 negative charge by a metal ion and a decrease of the dielectric constant of the medium by addition of trifluoroethanol (TFE), also promote hUb aggregation. The outcomes of this research have important implications for the prediction of physiological parameters that favor aggregate formation.
Switching Multivalent DNA Complexation using Metal‐Controlled Cationic Supramolecular Self‐Assemblies
Authors: Drożdż Wojciech , Bessin Yannick , Gervais Virginie , Cao Xiao‐Yu , Lehn Jean‐Marie , Stefankiewicz Artur R. , Ulrich Sébastien
Published: December 2017

We provide a proof‐of‐principle that coordination chemistry drives the in situ self‐assembly of an inactive ligand into a multivalent cluster capable of effectively complexing DNA. We show that metal coordination and scavenging can be used to switch the multivalency of the system. Thus, controlled DNA complexation and decomplexation could be achieved.
Do You Get What You See? Understanding Molecular Self‐Healing
Authors: Geitner Robert , Legesse Fisseha‐Bekele , Kuhl Natascha , Bocklitz Thomas W. , Zechel Stefan , Vitz Jürgen , Hager Martin , Schubert Ulrich S. , Dietzek Benjamin , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen
Published: December 2017

The self‐healing ability of self‐healing materials is often analyzed using morphologic microscopy images. Here it was possible to show that morphologic information alone is not sufficient to judge the status of a self‐healing process and molecular information is required as well. When comparing molecular coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and morphological laser reflection images during a standard scratch healing test of an intrinsic self‐healing polymer network, it was found that the morphologic closing of the scratch and the molecular crosslinking of the material do not take place simultaneously. This important observation can be explained by the fact that the self‐healing process of the thiol‐ene based polymer network is limited by the mobility of alkene‐containing compounds, which can only be monitored by molecular CARS microscopy and not by standard morphological imaging. Additionally, the recorded CARS images indicate a mechanochemical activation of the self‐healing material by the scratching/damaging process, which leads to an enhanced self‐healing behavior in the vicinity of the scratch.
Unexplored Areas of Direct Solvolytic Liquefaction of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Bahlo Rune L. , Hursthouse Andrew S. , Sievers Anika , Willner Thomas
Published: December 2017

Most research on direct solvolytic liquefaction (DSL) focuses on hydrothermal liquefaction or organic model solvents and is dominated by catalytic processes. This review highlights the much less understood aspects of non‐catalytic DSL including the solvent recycling required for continuous processing. Results from earlier studies indicate both the feasibility of recycling and the non‐catalytic suppression of char formation. However, a proof of continuous operation under steady state with a stationary solvent composition and an extensive investigation of process parameters are missing to date.
A Kinetic Study of Methane Partial Oxidation over Fe‐ZSM‐5 Using N2O as an Oxidant
Authors: Chow Ying Kit , Dummer Nicholas F. , Carter James H. , Meyer Randall J. , Armstrong Robert D. , Williams Christopher , Shaw Greg , Yacob Sara , Bhasin Madan M. , Willock David J. , Taylor Stuart H. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: December 2017

Catalytic methane oxidation using N2O was investigated at 300 °C over Fe‐ZSM‐5. This reaction rapidly produces coke (retained organic species), and causes catalyst fouling. The introduction of water into the feed‐stream resulted in a significant decrease in the coke selectivity and an increase in the selectivity to the desired product, methanol, from ca. 1 % up to 16 %. A detailed investigation was carried out to determine the fundamental effect of water on the reaction pathway and catalyst stability. The delplot technique was utilised to identify primary and secondary reaction products. This kinetic study suggests that observed gas phase products (CO, CO2, CH3OH, C2H4 and C2H6) form as primary products whilst coke is a secondary product. Dimethyl ether was not detected, however we consider that the formation of C2 products are likely to be due to an initial condensation of methanol within the pores of the zeolite and hence considered pseudo‐primary products. According to a second order delplot analysis, coke is considered a secondary product and its formation correlates with CH3OH formation. Control experiments in the absence of methane revealed that the rate of N2O decomposition is similar to that of the full reaction mixture, indicating that the loss of active alpha‐oxygen sites is the likely cause of the decrease in activity observed and water does not inhibit this process.
Solubility‐Modifying Power of Zwitterionic Salts
Authors: Level Gaelle , Vieira Fadul Mariana , Blesic Marijana
Published: December 2017

The separation of small, hydrophilic molecules from aqueous solutions on one side and the dissolution of hydrophobic organic molecules in water on the other are nowadays among the most difficult challenges in chemical and bio‐technology. Even though these two tasks are seemingly of opposite nature, it is demonstrated herein that both processes can be facilitated by addition of zwitterionic salts, a new class of compounds that can act either as a solubility enhancer or a phase‐separation promoter depending on the structure of the solute dissolved in an aqueous solution. At a more fundamental level, this study investigates the salting in/out propensity of the ions and supports the importance of both salt–solute interaction and their concentration.
The cognitive–behavioural model of hoarding disorder: Evidence from clinical and non‐clinical cohorts
Authors: Kyrios Michael , Mogan Christopher , Moulding Richard , Frost Randy O. , Yap Keong , Fassnacht Daniel B.
Published: December 2017

The cognitive–behavioural model of hoarding disorder incorporates information processing difficulties, maladaptive attachment to possessions, erroneous beliefs about the nature of possessions, and mood problems as etiologically significant factors, although developmental experiences such as a compromised early family environment have also been proposed in an augmented model. This study examined the specificity and relevance of variables highlighted in the augmented cognitive–behavioural model. Various clinical participants (n = 89) and community controls (n = 20) were assessed with structured clinical interviews to verify diagnosis. Participants completed self‐report measures of hoarding severity, cognitions, meta‐memory, and early developmental experiences (e.g., memories of warmth and security in one's family). Hoarding cohorts (with and without obsessive–compulsive disorder) reported poor confidence in memory, but relative to other groups (obsessive–compulsive disorder without hoarding disorder, anxiety disorders, and healthy controls), hoarding‐relevant cognitions, need to keep possessions in view, and concerns about the consequences of forgetting were significantly higher. Hoarding groups reported the lowest recollections of warmth in their family, although no differences were found between hoarding and non hoarding clinical cohorts for uncertainty about self and others. Nonetheless, clinical cohorts reported generally higher scores of uncertainty than healthy controls. When predicting hoarding severity, after controlling for age and mood, recollections of lack of warmth in one's family was a significant predictor of hoarding severity, with hoarding‐related cognitions and fears about decision‐making being additional unique predictors. The study supports the augmented cognitive–behavioural model of hoarding, inclusive of the importance of early developmental influences in hoarding.
Toward a hierarchical and architecture‐based virtual machine allocation in cloud data centers
Authors: Rahmanian Ali Asghar , Horri Abbas , Dastghaibyfard Gholamhossein
Published: December 2017

Number of cloud data centers which consists of hundreds of hosts has increased tremendously around the world due to increase in demands for cloud services. It is expected energy consumption of data centers will reach 139.8 billion Kwh by 2020. Many algorithms are proposed to reduce energy consumption as well as service level agreement violationby minimizing the number of active hosts. Current proposed algorithms do not consider data center architecture, the physical position of hosts, and energy consumption of numerous switches that are in data centers. In this paper, a novel hierarchical cloud resource management is proposed that not only minimizes the number of hosts but also aggregates virtual machines on a limited subset of data center racks and modules to minimize energy consumption. Experimental results with Cloudsim show that our proposed algorithm reduces energy consumption up to 26% and service level agreement violation up to 96%.
Model for autonomous agents in machine‐to‐machine navigation networks
Authors: Ali Anum , Shah Ghalib , Aslam Muhammad
Published: December 2017

Machine‐to‐machine (M2M) is an evolving architecture and tends to provide enormous services through the swarm presence of the networked devices. Localization is one of those services. Previous localization techniques require complex computation that is not suitable and affordable in such architecture. Moreover, integrating intelligent multiagents on these ubiquitous devices makes the network more independent and reactive requiring for a less complex localization model. This paper reviews the present localization techniques and discusses their infeasibility for M2M communication while proposing a mathematical model that is derived from Anderson model for the distributed structure of machine‐type‐communication network involving autonomous agents. This paper has made an attempt to use the property of Anderson model that structures the distributed objects. This paper also classifies autonomous agents according to their functionalities in a navigational network. Recently, Anderson model have been customized for implication of optical communication; in this paper, the proposed mathematical model involves intelligent agents for localization that aim to reduce complexity of positioning computations for nodes having restricted computational resources and battery life, which are the main characteristics of M2M communication.
Pollinator‐mediated selection on floral size and tube color inLinum pubescens: Can differential behavior and preference in different times of the day maintain dimorphism?
Authors: Lebel Merav , Obolski Uri , Hadany Lilach , Sapir Yuval
Published: December 2017

Diversity of flower traits is often proposed as the outcome of selection exerted by pollinators. Positive directional pollinator‐mediated selection on floral size has been widely shown to reduce phenotypic variance. However, the underlying mechanism of maintaining within‐population floral color polymorphism is poorly understood. Divergent selection, mediated by different pollinators or by both mutualists and antagonists, may create and maintain such polymorphism, but it has rarely been shown to result from differential behavior of one pollinator. We tested whether different behaviors of the same pollinators in morning and evening are associated with dimorphic floral trait inLinum pubescens,a Mediterranean annual plant that exhibits variable within‐population frequencies of dark‐ and light‐colored flower tubes.Usia bicolorbee‐flies, the major pollinators ofL. pubescens, are mostly feeding in the flower in the morning, while in the evening they are mostly visiting the flowers for mating. In 2 years of studyingL. pubescensin a single large population in the Carmel, Israel, we found in one year that dark‐centered flowers received significantly higher fraction of visits in the morning. Fitness was positively affected by number of visits, but no fitness differences were found between tube‐color morphs, suggesting that both morphs have similar pollination success. Using mediation analysis, we found that flower size was under positive directional pollinator‐mediated selection in both years, but pollinator behavior did not explain entirely this selection, which was possibly mediated also by other agents, such as florivores or a‐biotic stresses. While most pollinator‐mediated selection studies show that flower size signals food reward, inL. pubescens, it may also signal for mating place, which may drive positive selection. While flower size found to be under pollinator‐mediated selection inL. pubescens, differential behavior of the pollinators in morning and evening did not seem to explain flower color polymorphism.
Age‐associated B cells expanded in autoimmune mice are memory cells sharing H‐CDR3‐selected repertoires
Authors: Aranburu Alaitz , Höök Nina , Gerasimcik Natalija , Corleis Bjorn , Ren Weicheng , Camponeschi Alessandro , Carlsten Hans , Grimsholm Ola , Mårtensson Inga‐Lill
Published: December 2017

Age‐associated B cells (ABCs) represent a distinct cell population expressing low levels of CD21 (CD21−/low). The Ig repertoire expressed by ABCs in aged mice is diverse and exhibits signs of somatic hypermutation (SHM). A CD21−/low B‐cell population is expanded in autoimmune diseases, e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in lupus‐prone NZB/W mice and in mice lacking a pre‐B cell receptor (SLC−/−). However, the nature of the CD21−/low B cells (hereafter ABCs) in autoimmunity is not well understood. Here we show that in young SLC−/− mice, the vast majority of the ABCs express memory B‐cell (MBC) markers in contrast to wild‐type controls. A similar population is present in lupus‐prone MRL mice before and at disease onset. In SLC−/− mice, a majority of the ABCs are IgM+, their VH genes have undergone SHM, show clonal diversification and clonal restriction at the H‐CDR3 level. ABC hybridomas, established from SLC−/− mice, secrete typical lupus autoantibodies, e.g. anti‐Smith antigen, and some of those that bind to DNA comprise a H‐CDR3 that is identical to previously described IgM anti‐DNA antibodies from lupus‐prone mice. Together, these results reveal that ABCs in autoimmune mice are comprised of autoreactive MBCs expressing highly restricted H‐CDR3 repertoires.
Sphalerite Cu/ZnS Nanoparticles Derived from Cu/Zn‐ZIF‐8 for the Photocatalytic Degradation and Adsorption of Dyes
Authors: Xiong Gang , Wang Yanan , Sun Yaguang , You Lixin , Ren Baoyi , Xu Zhenhe , He Yongke , Ruhlmann Laurent , Ding Fu
Published: December 2017

A series of Cu‐doped ZnS sphalerite nanoparticles were synthesized through the reactions between Cu2+‐doped zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF‐8) with different Cu/Zn molar ratios as the metal sources and different sulfur sources, namely, carbon disulfide (CD), thioacetamide (TAA), sodium sulfide (SS), and thiourea (TU), under solvothermal conditions. The Cu‐doped ZnS samples exhibited nanospherical morphologies with diameters of less than 100 nm and high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas. The photocatalytic properties of the obtained samples were investigated through the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solutions under visible‐light illumination as a representative example. The results indicate that Cu/ZnS‐20‐SS presents a remarkable photocatalytic degradation rate of more than 90 % over 1 h and can be reused four times without major loss of activity. In addition, an adsorption investigation revealed that the Cu/ZnS‐TAA series can rapidly adsorb dyes such as MB and methyl orange (MO) with high adsorption capacities of ca. 260 mg/g within 10 min, and saturated adsorption capacities of close to 300 mg/g can be achieved.
Bond Analysis in Dihalogen–Halide and Dihalogen–Dimethylchalcogenide Systems
Authors: Schneider Felipe S. S. , Caramori Giovanni Finoto , Parreira Renato L. T. , Lippolis Vito , Arca Massimiliano , Ciancaleoni Gianluca
Published: December 2017

The bonding in mixed chalcogen/halogen three‐body systems of general formula XI···Y (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = I–, EMe2; E = S, Se, Te) is theoretically examined by using different methodologies, namely: charge‐displacement (CD) analysis, which quantifies the electronic flux throughout the whole adduct; the energy decomposition analysis combined with natural orbital for chemical valence (EDA‐NOCV) method; and zeroth order symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0), where the latter two methods decompose the contributions of the interaction energy between XI and Y into physically meaningful terms. In the solid state, the distribution of the relative elongations of the two bonds (δXI and δIY) in the three‐body systems examined here can be rationalized in terms of only one common equation derived from the bond‐valence model. According to CD and EDA‐NOCV, the charge transfer between the two fragments does not depend on the exact nature of the atoms involved, but only on the values of δXI and δIY, with a variability of 0.05 e, and on the total charge of the system. On the other hand, using the SAPT0 method and computing the polarization‐free value of the charge transfer between the two fragments, the results are the same for all of the systems with the same δXI and δIY, irrespectively not only of the nature of the atoms, but also of the total charge of the system (anionic and neutral).
Better models are more effectively connected models
Authors:   Connecteur WG3 Think‐Tank Team, Nunes João Pedro , Wainwright John , Bielders Charles L. , Darboux Frédéric , Fiener Peter , Finger David , Turnbull Laura
Published: December 2017

Water‐ and sediment‐transfer models are commonly used to explain or predict patterns in the landscape at scales different from those at which observations are available. These patterns are often the result of emergent properties that occur because processes of water and sediment transfer are connected in different ways. Recent advances in geomorphology suggest that it is important to consider, at a specific spatio‐temporal scale, the structural connectivity of system properties that control processes, and the functional connectivity resulting from the way those processes operate and evolve through time. We argue that a more careful consideration of how structural and functional connectivity are represented in models should lead to more robust models that are appropriate for the scale of application and provide results that can be upscaled. This approach is necessary because, notwithstanding the significant advances in computer power in recent years, many geomorphic models are still unable to represent the landscape in sufficient detail to allow all connectivity to emerge. It is important to go beyond the simple representation of structural connectivity elements and allow the dynamics of processes to be represented, for example by using a connectivity function. This commentary aims to show how a better representation of connectivity in models can be achieved, by considering the sorts of landscape features present, and whether these features can be represented explicitly in the model spatial structure, or must be represented implicitly at the subgrid scale. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Main sedimentary sequences and stages of major cratonic basins during the breakup of Rodinia
Authors: Wu Xiangfeng , Xu Shumei , Wu Shan , Li Sanzhong , Wang Dahua , Xiao Yongjun , Wang Jinduo , Somerville Ian
Published: December 2017

This paper summarizes the main sedimentary sequences of major cratonic basins during the breakup of Rodinia and the assembly of Gondwana and extracts evolutionary stages of the Neoproterozoic basins around the Paleo‐Pacific Ocean and Iapetus Ocean tracts. During the breakup of Rodinia, sedimentary sequences and evolutionary stages of the main basins in major cratonic blocks, such as Yangtze, Australia, Eastern American, Western American, and Western Africa cratons, mostly experienced intracratonic rifting, drifting or passive continental margin, carbonate platform construction, and foreland basin stages. The time of rifting to drifting transition in Congo‐São‐Francisco precisely marked the closure of the Adamastor Ocean between Congo‐São‐Francisco and Rio de la Plata and presaged the opening of the Iapetus Ocean. The time of rifting to drifting transition of Eastern American of Laurentia and West Africa initiated at ~580 Ma also signified the opening of the Iapetus Ocean. The time of drifting stage of the main basins around the Paleo‐Pacific Ocean tracts is not only earlier than those of the Iapetus Ocean tracts but also is characterized by diachronism. The time of drifting onset of basins in the Yangtze Block is ~720 Ma, the time of drifting initiation of the Adelaide Fold Belt in South Australia is 680 Ma, and the time of drifting stage of the south‐western margin of Laurentia occurred at 550 Ma. The different times of rifting to drifting transition of the Adelaide Fold Belt in South Australia, the Yangtze Craton, and Western American of Laurentia signified the nonisochronous opening of the Neoproterozoic Paleo‐Pacific Ocean.
Constitutive downregulation protein kinase C epsilon in hSOD1G93A astrocytes influences mGluR5 signaling and the regulation of glutamate uptake
Authors: Vergouts Maxime , Doyen Pierre J , Peeters Michael , Opsomer Remi , Hermans Emmanuel
Published: December 2017

Accumulating evidence indicates that motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a non‐cell‐autonomous process and that impaired glutamate clearance by astrocytes, leading to excitotoxicity, could participate in progression of the disease. In astrocytes derived from an animal model of ALS (hSOD1G93A rats), activation of type 5 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) fails to increase glutamate uptake, impeding a putative dynamic neuroprotective mechanism involving astrocytes. Using astrocyte cultures from hSOD1G93A rats, we have demonstrated that the typical Ca2+ oscillations associated with mGluR5 activation were reduced, and that the majority of cells responded with a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Since the expression of protein kinase C epsilon isoform (PKCɛ) has been found to be considerably reduced in astrocytes from hSOD1G93A rats, the consequences of manipulating its activity and expression on mGluR5 signaling and on the regulation of glutamate uptake have been examined. Increasing PKCɛ expression was found to restore Ca2+ oscillations induced by mGluR5 activation in hSOD1G93A‐expressing astrocytes. This was also associated with an increase in glutamate uptake capacity in response to mGluR5 activation. Conversely, reducing PKCɛ expression in astrocytes from wild‐type animals with specific PKCɛ‐shRNAs was found to alter the mGluR5 associated oscillatory signaling profile, and consistently reduced the regulation of the glutamate uptake‐mediated by mGluR5 activation. These results suggest that PKCɛ is required to generate Ca2+ oscillations following mGluR5 activation, which support the regulation of astrocytic glutamate uptake. Reduced expression of astrocytic PKCɛ could impair this neuroprotective process and participate in the progression of ALS.
Does hillslope trenching enhance groundwater recharge and baseflow in the Peruvian Andes?
Authors: Somers Lauren D. , McKenzie Jeffrey M. , Zipper Samuel C. , Mark Bryan G. , Lagos Pablo , Baraer Michel
Published: December 2017

As Andean glaciers rapidly retreat due to climate change, the balance of groundwater and glacial meltwater contributions to stream discharge in tropical, proglacial watersheds will change, potentially increasing vulnerability of water resources. The Shullcas River Watershed, near Huancayo, Peru, is fed only partly by the rapidly receding Huaytapallana glaciers (<20% of dry season flow). To potentially increase recharge and therefore increase groundwater derived baseflow, the government and not‐for‐profit organizations have installed trenches along large swaths of hillslope in the Shullcas Watershed. Our study focuses on a nonglacierized subcatchment of the Shullcas River Watershed and has 2 objectives: (a) create a model of the Shullcas groundwater system and assess the controls on stream discharge and (b) investigate the impact of the infiltration trenches on recharge and baseflow. We first collected hydrologic data from the field including a year‐long hydrograph (2015–2016), meteorological data (2011–2016), and infiltration measurements. We use a recharge model to evaluate the impact of trenched hillslopes on infiltration and runoff processes. Finally, we use a 3‐dimensional groundwater model, calibrated to the measured dry season baseflow, to determine the impact of trenching on the catchment. Simulations show that trenched hillslopes receive approximately 3.5% more recharge, relative to precipitation, compared with unaltered hillslopes. The groundwater model indicates that because the groundwater flow system is fast and shallow, incorporating trenched hillslopes (~2% of study subcatchment area) only slightly increases baseflow in the dry season. Furthermore, the location of trenching is an important consideration: Trenching higher in the catchment (further from the river) and in flatter terrain provides more baseflow during the dry season. The results of this study may have important implications for Andean landscape management and water resources.
Telomerase reverse transcriptase mutations are independent predictor of disease‐free survival in Middle Eastern papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Bu Rong , Siraj Abdul K. , Divya Sasidharan Padmaja , Kong Yan , Parvathareddy Sandeep Kumar , Al‐Rasheed Maha , Al‐Obaisi Khadija A.S. , Victoria Ingrid G. , Al‐Sobhi Saif S. , Al‐Dawish Mohammed , Al‐Dayel Fouad , Al‐Kuraya Khawla S.
Published: December 2017

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Tumor recurrence occurs in ∼20% of PTCs and some reach advanced stages. Promoter mutation in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene is identified to be a prognostic marker in PTC. However, the contribution of TERT promoter mutation to cancer progression in PTC patients is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the incidence of TERT promoter mutations and TERT protein expression and their association with clinicopathological outcomes in a large cohort of PTC samples using direct sequencing technology and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, two PTC cell lines were utilized to investigate role of TERT mutations in mediating metastasis. Two promoter hotspot mutations C228T and C250T were identified in 18.0% (167/927) of our cohort and were significantly associated with poor 5 years disease‐free survival and distant metastasis of PTC. TERT protein overexpression was noted in 20.1% of our PTC cohort and was significantly associated with poor prognostic markers such as older age, extrathyroidal extension and Stage IV tumors. A significant association was also found between TERT overexpression and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Functional analysis showed that TERT inhibition reduced cell growth, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in PTC via suppression of EMT in PTC cells. Our results suggest that TERT promoter mutation is an independent predictor of disease‐free survival and might drive the metastasis, and downregulation of TERT could potentiate antitumor and antimetastatic activities in PTC.
Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in the Management of Small‐Scale Irrigation in China from a Social Capital Perspective
Authors: Luo Fang , Wang Qing , Sun Fang Min , Xu Dan , Sun Cai Hong
Published: December 2017

Because of the different patterns of rural clan society and the 'peer' mode of farmers' interactions, rural households make decisions based on learning, imitation, interaction, and trial and error, the realization of which depends on farmers' social capital. The concept of social capital is introduced to analyse farmers' willingness to participate in the management of small‐scale irrigation. The study deconstructs social capital pathways of reducing costs and improving productivity in agriculture. Based on field survey data of 285 farmers in Hubei Province, China, an ordered Logit model is used to analyse farmers' willingness to participate in irrigation management. It is shown that social capital and its four dimensions, i.e. social trust, institutional trust, social networks and social norms, all significantly improve farmers' willingness to participate in such management. Other factors also influence willingness to participate. The larger the cultivated area, agricultural income, or proportion of paddy field, the greater the willingness to participate in this management. The educational level of the head of a household significantly reduces farmers' willingness. Hence, it is recommended to improve farmers' willingness to participate in irrigation management by attaching importance to traditional social cohesiveness, promoting moderate scale management, and orienting rural education toward agriculture. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.