bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of Regimes: What Can Twenty-Five Years of Post-Soviet Change Teach Us?
Authors: Hanson Stephen E.
Published: June 2017

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the collapse of the USSR naturally provokes us to reflect on the course of Eurasian and world history in the post-communist era. Upon closer examination, however, it is not clear what significance the precise time span of two and a half decades has for the scientific study of political and institutional change. A review of the social science literature indicates that we are very far from having any consensual understanding of how long processes of regime evolution typically take—and thus, how to establish the relevant time span for judging the scientific accuracy of initial predictions about the outcomes of post-communist “transitions.” I argue that the first step in assessing the lessons of post-Soviet political change to date, from a social-scientific point of view, lies in defining the term “regime” more precisely, so that scholars can at least agree when one regime has ended and another begun. In this respect, Weberian sociological theory provides useful conceptual materials for a more general theory of “regime evolution” within which the empirical results of the first twenty-five years of post-Soviet change can be situated.
Making Embedded Knowledge Transparent: How the V-Dem Dataset Opens New Vistas in Civil Society Research
Authors: Bernhard Michael , Jung Dong-Joon , Tzelgov Eitan , Coppedge Michael , Lindberg Staffan I.
Published: June 2017

We show how the V-Dem data opens new possibilities for studying civil society in comparative politics. We explain how V-Dem was able to extract embedded expert knowledge to create a novel set of civil society indicators for 173 countries from 1900 to the present. This data overcomes shortcomings in the basis on which inference has been made about civil society in the past by avoiding problems of sample bias that make generalization difficult or tentative. We begin with a discussion of the reemergence of civil society as a central concept in comparative politics. We then turn to the shortcomings of the existing data and discusses how the V-Dem data can overcome them. We introduce the new data, highlighting two new indices—the core civil society index (CCSI) and the civil society participation index (CSPI)—and explain how the individual indicators and the indices were created. We then demonstrate how the CCSI uses embedded expert knowledge to capture the development of civil society on the national level in Venezuela, Ghana, and Russia. We close by using the new indices to examine the dispute over whether post-communist civil society is “weak.” Time-series cross-sectional analysis using 2,999 country-year observations between 1989 and 2012 fails to find that post-communist civil society is substantially different from other regions, but that there are major differences between the post-Soviet subsample and other post-communist countries both in relation to other regions and each other.
Who's afraid of Allan Savory? Scientometric polarization on Holistic Management as competing understandings
Authors: Sherren Kate , Kent Carlisle
Published: June 2017

How to graze livestock sustainably is an important and complex question. The debate between rotational and continuous grazing has been ongoing since the 1950s, yet evidence is perennially mixed. We used scientometrics to understand the structure of science on Holistic Management (HM), the most contentious of these adaptive practices. We used papers in Web of Science since 1980 citing the work of HM's ‘father’, Allan Savory, as a way of delineating a field that is otherwise chaotic with terminology. Results show an increasingly diverse use of Savory's work geographically and in terms of subject areas. Taking a positive position on HM seems most likely for those doing farm-scale (rather than experimental) work in dry climates. Bibliographic factions align with the various disciplines working on grazing research and also their expressed opinion on HM practices. Factions represent disciplinary strength, suggesting barriers for integrative work but also the need for the resolution of competing understandings in specific contexts with diverse participants to inform grazing decisions.
EIF3D promotes gallbladder cancer development by stabilizing GRK2 kinase and activating PI3K-AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Fei , Xiang Shanshan , Cao Yang , Li Maolan , Ma Qiang , Liang Haibin , Li Huaifeng , Ye Yuanyuan , Zhang Yijian , Jiang Lin , Hu Yunping , Zhou Jian , Wang Xuefeng , Zhang Yong , Nie Lei , Liang Xiao , Gong Wei , Liu Yingbin
Published: June 2017

Recent evidence suggests that dysregulated eIF3d expression may be critical in various genetic disorders as well as cancer. In this study, we observed that EIF3d levels increased in gallbladder cancer (GBC) samples compared with non-tumor tissue. High eIF3d levels were associated with advanced tumor stage and metastasis and were correlated with poor prognosis in 92 patients with GBC. Depletion of EIF3d in GBC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and metastasis and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, ectopic expression of eIF3d had the opposite effects. Moreover, in this study, we revealed that a novel non-translational factor function of eIF3d mediated its protumoral effects. In details, eIF3d stabilizes GRK2 protein by blocking ubiquitin-mediated degradation, consequently activates PI3K/Akt signaling, and promotes GBC cell proliferation and migration. In conclusion, eIF3d promotes GBC progression mainly via eIF3d–GRK2–AKT axis and it may be used as a prognostic factor. The therapeutic targeting of eIF3d–GRK2 axis may be a potential treatment approach for GBC.
A BaSiC tool for background and shading correction of optical microscopy images
Authors: Peng Tingying , Thorn Kurt , Schroeder Timm , Wang Lichao , Theis Fabian J. , Marr Carsten , Navab Nassir
Published: June 2017

Quantitative analysis of bioimaging data is often skewed by both shading in space and background variation in time. We introduce BaSiC, an image correction method based on low-rank and sparse decomposition which solves both issues. In comparison to existing shading correction tools, BaSiC achieves high-accuracy with significantly fewer input images, works for diverse imaging conditions and is robust against artefacts. Moreover, it can correct temporal drift in time-lapse microscopy data and thus improve continuous single-cell quantification. BaSiC requires no manual parameter setting and is available as a Fiji/ImageJ plugin.
Preventing tissue fibrosis by local biomaterials interfacing of specific cryptic extracellular matrix information
Authors: Horejs Christine-Maria , St-Pierre Jean-Philippe , Ojala Juha R. M. , Steele Joseph A. M. , da Silva Patricia Barros , Rynne-Vidal Angela , Maynard Stephanie A. , Hansel Catherine S. , Rodríguez-Fernández Clara , Mazo Manuel M. , You Amanda Y. F. , Wang Alex J. , von Erlach Thomas , Tryggvason Karl , López-Cabrera Manuel , Stevens Molly M.
Published: June 2017

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to the breakdown of tissue structures such as the basement membrane, promoting tissue fibrosis. Here we developed an electrospun membrane biofunctionalized with a fragment of the laminin β1-chain to modulate the expression of MMP2 in this context. We demonstrate that interfacing of the β1-fragment with the mesothelium of the peritoneal membrane via a biomaterial abrogates the release of active MMP2 in response to transforming growth factor β1 and rescues tissue integrity ex vivo and in vivo in a mouse model of peritoneal fibrosis. Importantly, our data demonstrate that the membrane inhibits MMP2 expression. Changes in the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules further point towards a contribution of the modulation of EMT. Biomaterial-based presentation of regulatory basement membrane signals directly addresses limitations of current therapeutic approaches by enabling a localized and specific method to counteract MMP2 release applicable to a broad range of therapeutic targets.
Ebola virus VP30 and nucleoprotein interactions modulate viral RNA synthesis
Authors: Xu Wei , Luthra Priya , Wu Chao , Batra Jyoti , Leung Daisy W. , Basler Christopher F. , Amarasinghe Gaya K.
Published: June 2017

Ebola virus (EBOV) is an enveloped negative-sense RNA virus that causes sporadic outbreaks with high case fatality rates. Ebola viral protein 30 (eVP30) plays a critical role in EBOV transcription initiation at the nucleoprotein (eNP) gene, with additional roles in the replication cycle such as viral assembly. However, the mechanistic basis for how eVP30 functions during the virus replication cycle is currently unclear. Here we define a key interaction between eVP30 and a peptide derived from eNP that is important to facilitate interactions leading to the recognition of the RNA template. We present crystal structures of the eVP30 C-terminus in complex with this eNP peptide. Functional analyses of the eVP30–eNP interface identify residues that are critical for viral RNA synthesis. Altogether, these results support a model where the eVP30–eNP interaction plays a critical role in transcription initiation and provides a novel target for the development of antiviral therapy.
MYC activation cooperates with Vhl and Ink4a/Arf loss to induce clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Bailey Sean T. , Smith Aleisha M. , Kardos Jordan , Wobker Sara E. , Wilson Harper L. , Krishnan Bhavani , Saito Ryoichi , Lee Hyo Jin , Zhang Jing , Eaton Samuel C. , Williams Lindsay A. , Manocha Ujjawal , Peters Dorien J. , Pan Xinchao , Carroll Thomas J. , Felsher Dean W. , Walter Vonn , Zhang Qing , Parker Joel S. , Yeh Jen Jen , Moffitt Richard A. , Leung Janet Y. , Kim William Y.
Published: June 2017

Renal carcinoma is a common and aggressive malignancy whose histopathogenesis is incompletely understood and that is largely resistant to cytotoxic chemotherapy. We present two mouse models of kidney cancer that recapitulate the genomic alterations found in human papillary (pRCC) and clear cell RCC (ccRCC), the most common RCC subtypes. MYC activation results in highly penetrant pRCC tumours (MYC), while MYC activation, when combined with Vhl and Cdkn2a (Ink4a/Arf) deletion (VIM), produce kidney tumours that approximate human ccRCC. RNAseq of the mouse tumours demonstrate that MYC tumours resemble Type 2 pRCC, which are known to harbour MYC activation. Furthermore, VIM tumours more closely simulate human ccRCC. Based on their high penetrance, short latency, and histologic fidelity, these models of papillary and clear cell RCC should be significant contributions to the field of kidney cancer research.
Insights into Hunter syndrome from the structure of iduronate-2-sulfatase
Authors: Demydchuk Mykhaylo , Hill Chris H. , Zhou Aiwu , Bunkóczi Gábor , Stein Penelope E. , Marchesan Denis , Deane Janet E. , Read Randy J.
Published: June 2017

Hunter syndrome is a rare but devastating childhood disease caused by mutations in the IDS gene encoding iduronate-2-sulfatase, a crucial enzyme in the lysosomal degradation pathway of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate. These complex glycosaminoglycans have important roles in cell adhesion, growth, proliferation and repair, and their degradation and recycling in the lysosome is essential for cellular maintenance. A variety of disease-causing mutations have been identified throughout the IDS gene. However, understanding the molecular basis of the disease has been impaired by the lack of structural data. Here, we present the crystal structure of human IDS with a covalently bound sulfate ion in the active site. This structure provides essential insight into multiple mechanisms by which pathogenic mutations interfere with enzyme function, and a compelling explanation for severe Hunter syndrome phenotypes. Understanding the structural consequences of disease-associated mutations will facilitate the identification of patients that may benefit from specific tailored therapies.
Local particle-hole pair excitations by SU(2) symmetry fluctuations
Authors: Montiel X. , Kloss T. , Pépin C.
Published: June 2017

Understanding the pseudo-gap phase which opens in the under-doped regime of cuprate superconductors is one of the most enduring challenges of the physics of these compounds. A depletion in the electronic density of states is observed, which is gapping out part of the Fermi surface, leading to the formation of mysterious lines of massless excitations- the Fermi arcs. Here we give a new theoretical account of the physics of the pseudo-gap phase in terms of the emergence of local patches of particle-hole pairs generated by SU(2) symmetry fluctuations. The proliferation of these local patches accounts naturally for the robustness of the pseudo-gap phase to disturbances like disorder or magnetic field and is shown to gap out part of the Fermi surface, leading to the formation of the Fermi arcs. Most noticeably, we show that these patches induce a modulated charge distribution on the Oxygen atoms, in remarkable agreement with recent X-ray and STM observations.
Non-muscle myosin II is required for correct fate specification in the Caenorhabditis elegans seam cell divisions
Authors: Ding Siyu Serena , Woollard Alison
Published: June 2017

During development, cell division often generates two daughters with different developmental fates. Distinct daughter identities can result from the physical polarity and size asymmetry itself, as well as the subsequent activation of distinct fate programmes in each daughter. Asymmetric divisions are a feature of the C. elegans seam lineage, in which a series of post-embryonic, stem-like asymmetric divisions give rise to an anterior daughter that differentiates and a posterior daughter that continues to divide. Here we have investigated the role of non-muscle myosin II (nmy-2) in these asymmetric divisions. We show that nmy-2 does not appear to be involved in generating physical division asymmetry, but nonetheless is important for specifying differential cell fate. While cell polarity appears normal, and chromosome and furrow positioning remains unchanged when nmy-2 is inactivated, seam cell loss occurs through inappropriate terminal differentiation of posterior daughters. This reveals a role for nmy-2 in cell fate determination not obviously linked to the primary polarity determination mechanisms it has been previously associated with.
Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic assessment of pulmonary rehabilitation mixture for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhao Juanjuan , Ren Yan , Qu Yubei , Jiang Wanglin , Lv Changjun
Published: June 2017

Pulmonary rehabilitation mixture (PRM), a Chinese herbal medicine formula, has been used to treat pulmonary fibrosis for decades. In this study, we systematically evaluated the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic performance of PRM. The pharmacodynamic results showed that PRM could improve the condition of CoCl2-stimulated human type II alveolar epithelial cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, human lung fibroblasts and pulmonary fibrosis rats induced by bleomycin, PRM treatment reduced the expression of platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, toll-like receptor 4, high-mobility group box protein 1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. In the pharmacokinetic study, an accurate and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of calycosin, calycosin-7-O-glucoside, formononetin, ononin and mangiferin of PRM in the rat plasma for the first time. The method was then successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic study of PRM in normal and pulmonary fibrosis rats. The five constituents could be absorbed in the blood after the oral administration of PRM and exhibited different pharmacokinetic behaviors in normal and pulmonary fibrosis rats. In summary, PRM exhibited a satisfactory pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic performance, which highlights PRM as a potential multi-target oral drug for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Soil biochar amendment affects the diversity of nosZ transcripts: Implications for N2O formation
Authors: Harter Johannes , El-Hadidi Mohamed , Huson Daniel H. , Kappler Andreas , Behrens Sebastian
Published: June 2017

Microbial nitrogen transformation processes such as denitrification represent major sources of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Soil biochar amendment has been shown to significantly decrease N2O emissions in various soils. However, the effect of biochar on the structure and function of microbial communities that actively perform nitrogen redox transformations has not been studied in detail yet. To analyse the community composition of actively denitrifying and N2O-reducing microbial communities, we collected RNA samples at different time points from a soil microcosm experiment conducted under denitrifying conditions and performed Illumina amplicon sequencing targeting nirK, typical nosZ and atypical nosZ mRNA transcripts. Within 10 days, biochar significantly increased the diversity of nirK and typical nosZ transcripts and resulted in taxonomic shifts among the typical nosZ-expressing microbial community. Furthermore, biochar addition led to a significant increase in transcript production among microbial species that are specialized on direct N2O reduction from the environment. Our results point towards a potential coupling of biochar-induced N2O emission reduction and an increase in microbial N2O reduction activity among specific groups of typical and atypical N2O reducers. However, experiments with other soils and biochars will be required to verify the transferability of these findings to other soil-biochar systems.
‘Candidatus Cochliophilus cryoturris’ (Coxiellaceae), a symbiont of the testate amoeba Cochliopodium minus
Authors: Tsao Han-Fei , Scheikl Ute , Volland Jean-Marie , Köhsler Martina , Bright Monika , Walochnik Julia , Horn Matthias
Published: June 2017

Free-living amoebae are well known for their role in controlling microbial community composition through grazing, but some groups, namely Acanthamoeba species, also frequently serve as hosts for bacterial symbionts. Here we report the first identification of a bacterial symbiont in the testate amoeba Cochliopodium. The amoeba was isolated from a cooling tower water sample and identified as C. minus. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy revealed intracellular symbionts located in vacuoles. 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis identified the endosymbiont as member of a monophyletic group within the family Coxiellaceae (Gammaprotebacteria; Legionellales), only moderately related to known amoeba symbionts. We propose to tentatively classify these bacteria as ‘Candidatus Cochliophilus cryoturris’. Our findings add both, a novel group of amoeba and a novel group of symbionts, to the growing list of bacteria-amoeba relationships.
Violation of the virial theorem and generalized equipartition theorem for logarithmic oscillators serving as a thermostat
Authors: Chen Kai , He Dahai , Zhao Hong
Published: June 2017

A logarithmic oscillator has been proposed to serve as a thermostat recently since it has a peculiar property of infinite heat capacity according to the virial theorem. In order to examine its feasibility in numerical simulations, a modified logarithmic potential has been applied in previous studies to eliminate the singularity at the origin. The role played by the modification has been elucidated in the present study. We argue that the virial theorem is practically violated in finite-time simulations of the modified log-oscillator illustrated by a linear dependence of kinetic temperature on energy. Furthermore, as far as a thermalized log-oscillator is concerned, our calculation based on the canonical ensemble average shows that the generalized equipartition theorem is broken if the temperature is higher than a critical temperature. Finally, we show that log-oscillators fail to serve as thermostats for their incapability of maintaining a nonequilibrium steady state even though their energy is appropriately assigned.
Exosomal microRNAs in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) breast milk: potential maternal regulators for the development of newborn cubs
Authors: Ma Jideng , Wang Chengdong , Long Keren , Zhang Hemin , Zhang Jinwei , Jin Long , Tang Qianzi , Jiang Anan , Wang Xun , Tian Shilin , Chen Li , He Dafang , Li Desheng , Huang Shan , Jiang Zhi , Li Mingzhou
Published: June 2017

The physiological role of miRNAs is widely understood to include fine-tuning the post-transcriptional regulation of a wide array of biological processes. Extensive studies have indicated that exosomal miRNAs in the bodily fluids of various organisms can be transferred between living cells for the delivery of gene silencing signals. Here, we illustrated the expression characteristics of exosomal miRNAs in giant panda breast milk during distinct lactation periods and highlighted the enrichment of immune- and development-related endogenous miRNAs in colostral and mature giant panda milk. These miRNAs are stable, even under certain harsh conditions, via the protection of extracellular vesicles. These findings indicate that breast milk may facilitate the dietary intake of maternal miRNAs by infants for the regulation of postnatal development. We also detected exogenous plant miRNAs from the primary food source of the giant panda (bamboo) in the exosomes of giant panda breast milk that were associated with regulatory roles in basic metabolism and neuron development. This result suggested that dietary plant miRNAs are absorbed by host cells and subsequently secreted into bodily fluids as potential cross-kingdom regulators. In conclusion, exosomal miRNAs in giant panda breast milk may be crucial maternal regulators for the development of intrinsic ‘slink’ newborn cubs.
A Russian Dolls ordering of the Hadamard basis for compressive single-pixel imaging
Authors: Sun Ming-Jie , Meng Ling-Tong , Edgar Matthew P. , Padgett Miles J. , Radwell Neal
Published: June 2017

Single-pixel imaging is an alternate imaging technique particularly well-suited to imaging modalities such as hyper-spectral imaging, depth mapping, 3D profiling. However, the single-pixel technique requires sequential measurements resulting in a trade-off between spatial resolution and acquisition time, limiting real-time video applications to relatively low resolutions. Compressed sensing techniques can be used to improve this trade-off. However, in this low resolution regime, conventional compressed sensing techniques have limited impact due to lack of sparsity in the datasets. Here we present an alternative compressed sensing method in which we optimize the measurement order of the Hadamard basis, such that at discretized increments we obtain complete sampling for different spatial resolutions. In addition, this method uses deterministic acquisition, rather than the randomized sampling used in conventional compressed sensing. This so-called ‘Russian Dolls’ ordering also benefits from minimal computational overhead for image reconstruction. We find that this compressive approach performs as well as other compressive sensing techniques with greatly simplified post processing, resulting in significantly faster image reconstruction. Therefore, the proposed method may be useful for single-pixel imaging in the low resolution, high-frame rate regime, or video-rate acquisition.
Combination of RAD001 (everolimus) and docetaxel reduces prostate and breast cancer cell VEGF production and tumour vascularisation independently of sphingosine-kinase-1
Authors: Alshaker Heba , Wang Qi , Böhler Torsten , Mills Robert , Winkler Mathias , Arafat Tawfiq , Kawano Yoshiaki , Pchejetski Dmitri
Published: June 2017

Resistance to docetaxel is a key problem in current prostate and breast cancer management. We have recently discovered a new molecular mechanism of prostate cancer docetaxel chemoresistance mediated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/sphingosine-kinase-1 (SK1) pathway. Here we investigated the influence of this pathway on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and tumour vascularisation in hormone resistant prostate and breast cancer models. Immunofluorescent staining of tumour sections from human oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer patients showed a strong correlation between phosphorylated P70S6 kinase (mTOR downstream target), VEGF and SK1 protein expression. In hormone-insensitive prostate (PC3) and breast (MDA-MB-231 and BT-549) cancer cell lines the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) has significantly inhibited SK1 and VEGF expression, while low dose (5 nM) docetaxel had no significant effect. In these cell lines, SK1 overexpression slightly increased the basal levels of VEGF, but did not block the inhibitory effect of RAD001 on VEGF. In a human prostate xenograft model established in nude mice, RAD001 alone or in combination with docetaxel has suppressed tumour growth, VEGF expression and decreased tumour vasculature. Overall, our data demonstrate a new mechanism of an independent regulation of SK1 and VEGF by mTOR in hormone-insensitive prostate and breast cancers.
Hydrogen sulfide stimulates CFTR in Xenopus oocytes by activation of the cAMP/PKA signalling axis
Authors: Perniss Alexander , Preiss Kathrin , Nier Marcel , Althaus Mike
Published: June 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recognized as a signalling molecule which affects the activity of ion channels and transporters in epithelial cells. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an epithelial anion channel and a key regulator of electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the regulation of CFTR by H2S. Human CFTR was heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes and its activity was electrophysiologically measured by microelectrode recordings. The H2S-forming sulphur salt Na2S as well as the slow-releasing H2S-liberating compound GYY4137 increased transmembrane currents of CFTR-expressing oocytes. Na2S had no effect on native, non-injected oocytes. The effect of Na2S was blocked by the CFTR inhibitor CFTR_inh172, the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL 12330A, and the protein kinase A antagonist cAMPS-Rp. Na2S potentiated CFTR stimulation by forskolin, but not that by IBMX. Na2S enhanced CFTR stimulation by membrane-permeable 8Br-cAMP under inhibition of adenylyl cyclase-mediated cAMP production by MDL 12330A. These data indicate that H2S activates CFTR in Xenopus oocytes by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity and subsequent stimulation of CFTR by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. In epithelia, an increased CFTR activity may correspond to a pro-secretory response to H2S which may be endogenously produced by the epithelium or H2S-generating microflora.
Intraoperative imaging of hepatic cancers using γ-glutamyltranspeptidase-specific fluorophore enabling real-time identification and estimation of recurrence
Authors: Miyata Yoichi , Ishizawa Takeaki , Kamiya Mako , Yamashita Suguru , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Ushiku Aya , Shibahara Junji , Fukayama Masashi , Urano Yasuteru , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: June 2017

γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is upregulated in a variety of human cancers including primary and secondary hepatic tumors. This motivated us to use γ-glutamyl hydroxymethyl rhodamine green (gGlu-HMRG), a novel fluorophore emitting light at around 520 nm following enzymatic reaction with GGT, as a tool for the intraoperative identification of hepatic tumors. gGlu-HMRG was topically applied to 103 freshly resected hepatic specimens. Fluorescence imaging using gGlu-HMRG identified hepatic tumors with the sensitivity/specificity of 48%/96% for hepatocellular carcinoma, 100%/100% for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 87%/100% for colorectal liver metastasis. High gGlu-HMRG fluorescence intensity was positively associated with the incidence of microscopic vascular invasion in HCC and the risk of early postoperative recurrence in CRLM. These results suggest that gGlu-HMRG imaging could not only be a useful intraoperative navigation tool but also provide information related to postoperative disease recurrence.
The role of organic acids on microbial deterioration in the Radix pseudostellariae rhizosphere under continuous monoculture regimes
Authors: Wu Hongmiao , Wu Linkun , Zhu Quan , Wang Juanying , Qin Xianjin , Xu Jiahui , Kong Lufei , Chen Jun , Lin Sheng , Umar Khan Muhammad , Amjad Hira , Lin Wenxiong
Published: June 2017

A three-year field monoculture trial of Radix pseudostellariae and complementary laboratory studies were conducted to further elucidate the underlying mechanism responsible for significant decreases in the biomass yield and quality of R. pseudostellariae under continuous monoculture regimes. HPLC analysis indicated that continuous monoculture soil was rich in organic acids, which had cumulative effects over time. Further analysis suggested that the application of a mixture of organic acids significantly promoted growth of pathogenic fungi, and increased the expression of chemotaxis-related gene (cheA) and biofilm formation of the specific pathogenic Kosakonia sacchari. However, opposite reactions were observed in the case of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus pumilus. Concurrently, the present results revealed that the mixed organic acids stimulated the production of toxins, as well as H2O2 in the pathogenic fungi. Furthermore, the presence of organic acids reflecting environmental conditions under monocropping had negative effects on the expression of the biocontrol-related genes, which resulted in attenuated antagonistic activities of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to suppress mycelial growth of the pathogenic fungi. These results help to unveil the mechanisms associated with how accumulated organic acids differentially mediate deterioration of soil microbial composition and structure in monocropping system.
Differential effects of a post-anthesis heat stress on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain proteome determined by iTRAQ
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Pan Jiajia , Huang Xiuwen , Guo Dandan , Lou Hongyao , Hou Zhenghong , Su Meng , Liang Rongqi , Xie Chaojie , You Mingshan , Li Baoyun
Published: June 2017

Heat stress, a major abiotic stressor of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), often results in reduced yield and decreased quality. In this study, a proteomic method, Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation Isobaric (iTRAQ), was adopted to analyze the protein expression profile changes among wheat cultivar Jing411 under heat stress. Results indicated that there were 256 different proteins expressed in Jing411 under heat stress. According to the result of gene annotation and functional classification, 239 proteins were annotated by 856 GO function entries, including growth and metabolism proteins, energy metabolism proteins, processing and storage proteins, defense-related proteins, signal transduction, unknown function proteins and hypothetical proteins. GO enrichment analysis suggested that the differentially expressed proteins in Jing411 under heat stress were mainly involved in stimulus response (67), abiotic stress response (26) and stress response (58), kinase activity (12), and transferase activity (12). Among the differentially expressed proteins in Jing411, 115 were attributed to 119 KEGG signaling/metabolic pathways. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis in Jing411 showed that heat stress mainly affected the starch and sucrose metabolism as well as protein synthesis pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum. The protein interaction network indicated that there were 8 differentially expressed proteins that could form an interaction network in Jing411.
Supra-Amphiphiles Based on Host–Guest Interactions
Authors: Wang Guangtong , Xu Jiang-Fei , Zhang Xi
Published: June 2017

The study of host–guest interactions was inspired by molecular recognition in biological processes. Since the discovery of crown ether in the 1960s, host–guest interactions have attracted much attention from chemists interested in supramolecular chemistry. Increasing numbers of macrocyclic “host” molecules have been synthesized and investigated and many self-assembled and functional materials have been constructed based on host–guest interactions. Host–guest interactions can also be used to fabricate supra-amphiphiles. This chapter gives a brief introduction to the development of macrocyclic molecules for host–guest interactions and then illustrates in detail the supra-amphiphiles fabricated on the basis of these macrocyclic molecules, including their supramolecular architectures, self-assembly, structures and functions.
Electrostatic Supra-Amphiphiles
Authors: Bell O. A. , Watanabe K. , Faul C. F. J.
Published: June 2017

Within the field of supramolecular materials and constructions, supra-amphiphiles (SAs) have arisen as a new area of research and application activity. To produce such constructs, non-covalent interactions are exploited for the fabrication of supramolecularly assembled amphiphiles that have the ability to undergo further assembly into micelles, vesicles or nanofibers. Here we provide an overview of the use of electrostatic interactions to produce the so-called electrostatic SAs (eSAs). We discuss the use of both low molecular weight small molecules and polymeric structures for the production of eSAs. We highlight switchability and orthogonal functionality in these eSAs, which is enabled through the exploitation of dynamic non-covalent interactions, and discuss application areas, especially in drug delivery. Promising areas earmarked for future exploration and application are discussed. A combination of covalent and non-covalent assembly strategies for materials synthesis is seen as a powerful tool to harness the potential of this exciting class of materials.
Dynamic Covalent Surfactants and Amphiphiles
Authors: Fulton David A.
Published: June 2017

This chapter highlights work in which dynamic covalent bonds have been utilized to link together hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties within small molecule and macromolecular amphiphiles and surfactants. The incorporated dynamic covalent bonds endow the diverse range of supramolecular assemblies formed from these species with the ability to undergo controlled assembly and disassembly or to engage in component-exchange processes that allow the supramolecular assemblies to change their constituent building blocks. The nature of the supramolecular assemblies can also influence the properties of the dynamic covalent bonds, facilitating emergent properties such as autocatalysis.
Fluorescence detection of vitamin B12 in human plasma and urine samples using silver nanoparticles embedded in chitosan in micellar media
Authors: Pourreza Nahid , Mirzajani Roya , Burromandpiroze Jafar
Published: June 2017

A novel fluorescence method has been developed for the determination of vitamin B12. The method is based on the interaction of vitamin B12 with silver nanoparticles embedded in chitosan (AgNPs–CH) followed by cloud point extraction using Triton X-100 as the nonionic surfactant.
Cascade energy transfer and tunable emission from nanosheet hybrids: locating acceptor molecules through chiral doping
Authors: Goudappagouda Goudappagouda , Wakchaure Vivek Chandrakant , Ranjeesh Kayaramkodath Chandran , Abhai Chalona Antony Ralph , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh
Published: June 2017

A donor–acceptor–donor triad with excellent intramolecular energy transfer (99%) exhibits cascade energy transfer in the presence of second acceptors leading to tunable emission colours. Chiral acceptor doping enables chiral induction and to locate acceptors in the donor scaffold.
Amorphous–amorphous transition in a porous coordination polymer
Authors: Ohtsu Hiroyoshi , Bennett Thomas D. , Kojima Tatsuhiro , Keen David A. , Niwa Yasuhiro , Kawano Masaki
Published: June 2017

The amorphous state plays a key role in porous coordination polymer and metal–organic framework phase transitions.
Encapsulation of a {Cu16} cluster containing four [Cu4O4] cubanes within an isopolyoxometalate {W44} cluster
Authors: Zhan Caihong , Busche Christoph , Long De-Liang , Molina Pedro I. , Winter Ross S. , Cronin Leroy
Published: June 2017

We report a {Cu16} embedded within a {W44} cluster containing four cubane-like [Cu4O4] units within an isopolyoxotungstate (isoPOT) in a {Na4Cu4[(H2W11O38) (CH3COO)(OH)3]}4·88H2O (1) and a polyanion Cu-linked {W11} chain Na6Cu2[(H2W11O38)(CH3COO)(OH)]·26H2O (2).
A novel universal colorimetric sensor for simultaneous dual target detection through DNA-directed self-assembly of graphene oxide and magnetic separation
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Hao Nan , Zhang Ying , Hua Rong , Qian Jing , Liu Qian , Li Henan , Zhu Weihua , Wang Kun
Published: June 2017

A novel universal colorimetric sensor for simultaneous dual target detection through DNA-directed self-assembly of graphene oxide and magnetic separation was designed for the first time.
Biomimetic iterative method for polyketide synthesis
Authors: Akagawa Kengo , Kudo Kazuaki
Published: June 2017

An iterative method for synthesizing polyketides was demonstrated, in which the chain elongation of a carboxylic acid was performed by decarboxylative dehydration condensation with a malonic acid half thioester.
Stoichiometric network analysis of spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in chemical reactions
Authors: Hochberg David , Bourdon García Rubén D. , Ágreda Bastidas Jesús A. , Ribó Josep M.
Published: June 2017

Stoichiometric network analysis (SNA) is used to study spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in chemical reaction schemes.
Density functional theory calculations for the band gap and formation energy of Pr4−xCaxSi12O3+xN18−x; a highly disordered compound with low symmetry and a large cell size
Authors: Hong Sung Un , Singh Satendra Pal , Pyo Myoungho , Park Woon Bae , Sohn Kee-Sun
Published: June 2017

A pragmatic strategy adopted to find a suitable configuration for DFT calculations of a disordered compound, Pr4−xCaxSi12O3+xN18−x, to obtain an acceptable band gap.
An unprecedented antimonato-polyoxovanadate (SbPOV) based on both α-[V14Sb8O42]4− and β-[V14Sb8O42]4− isomers
Authors: Guo Hai-Yang , Zhang Xiao , Xiao Li-Na , Cui Xiao-Bing
Published: June 2017

An unprecedented antimonato-polyoxovanadate (SbPOV) based on both α-[V14Sb8O42]4− and β-[V14Sb8O42]4− isomers has been synthesized.
A species-specific double isotope dilution strategy for the accurate quantification of platinum–GG adducts in lung cells exposed to carboplatin
Authors: Cuello-Nuñez Susana , Larios Raquel , Deitrich Christian , Lekishvili Tamara , Nischwitz Volker , Sharp Barry L. , Goenaga-Infante Heidi
Published: June 2017

Measurement uncertainty of Pt–GG quantification in human lung cells by species-specific double IDMS.
Approaches to selective fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 inhibition through targeting the ATP-pocket middle-hinge region
Authors: Fairhurst Robin A. , Knoepfel Thomas , Leblanc Catherine , Buschmann Nicole , Gaul Christoph , Blank Jutta , Galuba Inga , Trappe Jörg , Zou Chao , Voshol Johannes , Genick Christine , Brunet-Lefeuvre Peggy , Bitsch Francis , Graus-Porta Diana , Furet Pascal
Published: June 2017

Structurally diverse covalent and non-covalent series of selective FGFR4 inhibitors have been identified.
Graphene-wrapped CNT@MoS2hierarchical structure: synthesis, characterization and electrochemical application in supercapacitors
Authors: Sun Tianhua , Liu Xiaohong , Li Zhangpeng , Ma Limin , Wang Jinqing , Yang Shengrong
Published: June 2017

A hierarchical, tubular “sandwich” structure composed of graphene-wrapped CNT@MoS2has been fabricated and applied as an electrode material for supercapacitors.
Photoinduced oxygen prompted iron–iron oxide catalyzed clock reaction: a mimic of the blue bottle experiment
Authors: Khan Afaq Ahmad , Kumar Manish , Khan Kulsum , Molla Aniruddha , Hussain Sahid
Published: June 2017

Mixed-valent iron–iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and fully characterized using PXRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS and subsequently used for clock reaction of organic dyes.
Calixarene–polymer hybrid film for selective detection of hydrocarbons in water
Authors: Heath Charles , Pejcic Bobby , Myers Matthew
Published: June 2017

Designing calixarene–polymer composites for enhanced molecular detection of neutral and low molecular weight hydrocarbons in aquatic environments.
Expanding light utilization to the near-infrared region for hybrid bio–photoelectrochemical cells
Authors: Zhang Lingling , Zhang He , Zhang Xiaowei , Han Yujie , Zhang Hui , Zhai Yiwen , Dong Shaojun
Published: June 2017

A novel NIR-assisted glucose/air bio–photoelectrochemical (BPEC) cell is assembled in this work. It is regarded as an essential conceptual steppingstone towards the comprehensive utilization of whole sunlight.
Watching mesoporous metal films grow during templated electrodeposition with in situ SAXS
Authors: Richardson S. J. , Burton M. R. , Luo X. , Staniec P. A. , Nandhakumar I. S. , Terrill N. J. , Elliott J. M. , Squires A. M.
Published: June 2017

Real-time studies of mesoporous platinum during electrodeposition using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) show growth within a single network of the double diamond lipid cubic phase.
Cleavage of ethers in an ionic liquid. Enhancement, selectivity and potential application
Authors: Hart William E. S. , Aldous Leigh , Harper Jason B.
Published: June 2017

An ionic liquid is used to facilitate ether cleavage without the presence of side reactions; the microscopic origins of the solvent effects are examined. Controlled cleavage of this kind of ether is relevant in the fractionation of lignin.
Thermo-electrochemical generator: energy harvesting & thermoregulation for liquid cooling applications
Authors: Kazim Ali Hussain , Booeshaghi A. Sina , Stephens Sai T. , Cola Baratunde A.
Published: June 2017

A flow thermo-electrochemical cell has been developed which can recycle heat to generate electricity and provide cooling.
Phase behaviour of hard board-like particles
Authors: Cuetos Alejandro , Dennison Matthew , Masters Andrew , Patti Alessandro
Published: June 2017

We examine the phase behaviour of colloidal suspensions of hard board-like particles (HBPs) as a function of their shape anisotropy, and observe a fascinating spectrum of nematic, smectic, and columnar liquid-crystalline phases, whose formation is entirely driven by excluded volume effects.
Study of electrical and electromechanical constraints in the insulation of high‐voltage cables containing microcavities: effect of space charges
Authors: Medoukali Hemza , Guibadj Mossadek , Zegnini Boubakeur
Published: June 2017

This study reports on investigations aiming to determine by numerical simulation the effect of space charges on the electrical and electromechanical constraints in microcavities contained in high‐voltage cables insulation. The simulation is based on the numerical resolution of the Poisson equation by the finite element method. The authors calculate the electric field and they determine the electrostatical pressure for various space‐charge density values. The elongation of microcavities is calculated for appreciating the effect of the electrostatical pressure on the walls of the cavity. The role of homocharges and heterocharges on constrains is studied and results of the simulation are in agreement with published technical literature.
Design of LCC HVDC wide‐area emergency power support control based on adaptive dynamic surface control
Authors: Liu Chongru , Zhao Yunhao , Li Gengyin , Annakkage Udaya D.
Published: June 2017

In AC–DC parallel systems, line‐commutated‐converter (LCC)‐based high‐voltage direct‐current (HVDC) emergency control strategy can improve the stability of the power system. This study proposes an LCC HVDC emergency control strategy that utilises the global information measured by wide‐area measurement systems. The design of the proposed LCC HVDC emergency control strategy takes advantage of dynamic surface control and adaptive control. The Lyapunov stability analysis is used to prove that the AC–DC parallel system is uniformly ultimately bounded in the presence of the uncertainties. A two‐area four‐generator AC–DC parallel system is developed in PSCAD/EMTDC to verify the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed strategy. Simulation results show that the proposed LCC HVDC emergency control strategy can improve the stability of an AC–DC parallel system and is robust. Its superiority is demonstrated by comparing the proposed method with controllers designed using backstepping technique and pole placement technique.
Control optimisation for pumped storage unit in micro‐grid with wind power penetration using improved grey wolf optimiser
Authors: Zhang Yuncheng , Zhou Jianzhong , Zheng Yang , Xu Yanhe
Published: June 2017

As the large‐scale wind power penetration and distributed generation become popular in modern power systems, the governing control of pumped storage unit has attracted many attentions in recent years for its flexible power adjustment capability. To provide a research platform for dynamic analysis of the hybrid power system, a micro‐grid mainly including a pumped storage unit and a wind power plant is introduced in detail and taken as the system plant. Refined mathematical models of pump turbine, synchronous generator and wind turbine generator have been established considering the complicated non‐linear dynamic characteristics of the multi‐energy power system. Furthermore, a novel chaotic grey wolf optimiser algorithm is proposed to select the optimal control parameters of the pump turbine governing system for the sake of maintaining frequency stability and enhancing control performances under the complicated operating conditions. Simulation experiments have been conducted in the micro‐grid under representative operating conditions to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control method and its preponderance in comparison with traditional ones.
Multi‐location virtual smart grid laboratory with testbed for analysis of secure communication and remote co‐simulation: concept and application to integration of Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki
Authors: Wiezorek Christian , Parisio Alessandra , Kyntäjä Timo , Elo Joonas , Gronau Markus , Johannson Karl Henrik , Strunz Kai
Published: June 2017

The process of advancement and validation of smart grid technologies and systems calls for the availability of diverse expertise and resources. In response to this consideration, the virtual smart grid laboratory (VSGL) was developed as described in this study. At the core of the VSGL is a novel communication platform for seamlessly connecting geographically distributed laboratories with distinct competences. The platform has the dual purpose of opening access to resources of remote partner laboratory sites and offering the capability to emulate, analyse, and test smart grid communication networks involved in linking the distributed laboratory resources. The VSGL implementation is validated through a use case, in which the resources of R&D laboratories in three European countries are connected to form an aggregated system of distributed energy resources. The operation of the latter was coordinated through an energy management system based on model predictive control (MPC). The VSGL was found to be very suitable to meet the communication‐specific requirements of such type of study. In addition, for this particular case the effectiveness of the MPC subject to diverse implementations of communication links was substantiated.