bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostics of power setting sensor fault of gas turbine engines using genetic algorithm
Authors: Li Yi-Guang
Published: July 2017

Gas path diagnostics is one of the most effective condition monitoring techniques in supporting condition-based maintenance of gas turbines and improving availability and reducing maintenance costs of the engines. The techniques can be applied to the health monitoring of different gas path components and also gas path measurement sensors. One of the most important measurement sensors is that for the engine control, also called the power setting sensor, which is used by the engine control system to control the operation of gas turbine engines. In most of the published research so far, it is rarely mentioned that faults in such sensors have been tackled in either engine control or condition monitoring. The reality is that if such a sensor degrades and has a noticeable bias, it will result in a shift in engine operating condition and misleading diagnostic results.

In this paper, the phenomenon of a power-setting sensor fault has been discussed and a gas path diagnostic method based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been proposed for the detection of power-setting sensor fault with and without the existence of engine component degradation and other gas path sensor faults. The developed method has been applied to the diagnostic analysis of a model aero turbofan engine in several case studies. The results show that the GA-based diagnostic method is able to detect and quantify the power-setting sensor fault effectively with the existence of single engine component degradation and single gas path sensor fault. An exceptional situation is that the power-setting sensor fault may not be distinguished from a component fault if both faults have the same fault signature. In addition, the measurement noise has small impact on prediction accuracy. As the GA-based method is computationally slow, it is only recommended for off-line applications. The introduced GA-based diagnostic method is generic so it can be applied to different gas turbine engines.
When is high Reynolds number shear flow not turbulent?
Authors: Balbus Steven A.
Published: July 2017

Rotating flow in which the angular velocity decreases outward while the angular momentum increases is known as ‘quasi-Keplerian’. Despite the general tendency of shear flow to break down into turbulence, this type of flow seems to maintain stability at very large Reynolds number, even when nonlinearly perturbed, a behaviour that strongly influences our understanding of astrophysical accretion discs. Investigating these flows in the laboratory is difficult because secondary Ekman flows, caused by the retaining Couette cylinders, can become turbulent on their own. A recent high Reynolds number numerical study by Lopez & Avila (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 817, 2017, pp. 21–34) reconciles apparently discrepant laboratory experiments by confirming that this secondary flow recedes toward the axial boundaries of the container as the Reynolds number is increased, a result that enhances our understanding of nonlinear quasi-Keplerian flow stability.
SOME CONVERGENCE THEOREMS IN FOURIER ALGEBRAS
Authors: MUSTAFAYEV HEYBETKULU
Published: July 2017

Let $G$ be a locally compact amenable group and $A(G)$ and $B(G)$ be the Fourier and the Fourier–Stieltjes algebras of $G,$ respectively. For a power bounded element $u$ of $B(G)$, let ${\mathcal{E}}_{u}:=\{g\in G:|u(g)|=1\}$. We prove some convergence theorems for iterates of multipliers in Fourier algebras.

(a) If $\Vert u\Vert _{B(G)}\leq 1$, then $\lim _{n\rightarrow \infty }\Vert u^{n}v\Vert _{A(G)}=\text{dist}(v,I_{{\mathcal{E}}_{u}})\text{ for }v\in A(G)$, where $I_{{\mathcal{E}}_{u}}=\{v\in A(G):v({\mathcal{E}}_{u})=\{0\}\}$.

(b) The sequence $\{u^{n}v\}_{n\in \mathbb{N}}$ converges for every $v\in A(G)$ if and only if ${\mathcal{E}}_{u}$ is clopen and $u({\mathcal{E}}_{u})=\{1\}.$

(c) If the sequence $\{u^{n}v\}_{n\in \mathbb{N}}$ converges weakly in $A(G)$ for some $v\in A(G)$, then it converges strongly.
Turnout in Local Elections: Evidence from Canadian Cities, 2004–2014
Authors: Breux Sandra , Couture Jérôme , Koop Royce
Published: July 2017

We provide the first wide-scale analysis of the factors that influence voter turnout in Canadian local elections. Drawing on original data from 300 municipal elections conducted from 2004 to 2014, we use ordinary least squares regression with panel-corrected standard errors for time series cross-sections to test explanatory hypotheses related to differences in institutional design, the social-spatial context of these elections, and local competitiveness. Our results show that, although institutional and sociospatial factors influence local turnout, the competitiveness of elections exercises the greatest influence on local electoral participation.
Association between pancreatic cancer patients' perception of their care coordination and patient-reported and survival outcomes
Authors: Beesley Vanessa L. , Janda Monika , Burmeister Elizabeth A. , Goldstein David , Gooden Helen , Merrett Neil D. , O'Connell Dianne L. , Wyld David K. , Chan Raymond J. , Young Jane M. , Neale Rachel E.
Published: July 2017

Objective:

People with pancreatic cancer have poor survival, and management is challenging. Pancreatic cancer patients' perceptions of their care coordination and its association with their outcomes have not been well-studied. Our objective was to determine if perception of care coordination is associated with patient-reported outcomes or survival.

Methods:

People with pancreatic cancer who were 1–8 months postdiagnosis (52 with completed resection and 58 with no resection) completed a patient-reported questionnaire that assessed their perceptions of care coordination, quality of life, anxiety, and depression using validated instruments. Mean scores for 15 care-coordination items were calculated and then ranked from highest (best experience) to lowest (worst experience). Associations between care-coordination scores (including communication and navigation domains) and patient-reported outcomes and survival were investigated using general linear regression and Cox regression, respectively. All analyses were stratified by whether or not the tumor had been resected.

Results:

In both groups, the highest-ranked care-coordination items were: knowing who was responsible for coordinating care, health professionals being informed about their history, and waiting times. The worst-ranked items related to: how often patients were asked about visits with other health professionals and how well they and their family were coping, knowing the symptoms they should monitor, having sufficient emotional help from staff, and access to additional specialist services. For people who had a resection, better communication and navigation scores were significantly associated with higher quality of life and less anxiety and depression. However, these associations were not statistically significant for those with no resection. Perception of cancer care coordination was not associated with survival in either group.

Significance of results:

Our results suggest that, while many core clinical aspects of care are perceived to be done well for pancreatic cancer patients, improvements in emotional support, referral to specialist services, and self-management education may improve patient-reported outcomes.
Using Reduced Tillage and Cover Crop Residue to Manage Weeds in Organic Vegetable Production
Authors: Chen Guihua , Kolb Lauren , Leslie Alan , Hooks Cerruti R. R.
Published: July 2017

Adoption of conservation tillage practices has been slow in organic vegetable production, partially due to producers’ concerns regarding weed management. Integrating cover crops into a conservation tillage program may provide organic producers a viable weed management option enabling growers to practice conservation tillage. A four-year study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different tillage methods (two conventional and two conservation practices) jointly with a mixed winter cover crop for weed suppression, time required for hand weeding, and crop yield in organically managed eggplant (2012 and 2014) and sweet corn (2013 and 2015) production systems. Tillage treatments were conventional tillage without surface mulch (CT-BG) and with black polyethylene (plastic) mulch (CT-BP), strip-tillage (ST), and no-tillage (NT) with cover crop residue. At 2 and 7 WAT/P (weeks after transplanting/planting), intra-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and ST, and inter-row weed density was higher in CT-BG and CT-BP treatments. Time required for hand-weeding was greatest in CT-BG and least in CT-BP and NT treatments. Eggplant yield was lowest in NT treatment in 2012 but similar among treatments in 2014. Sweet corn yield was similar among treatments in 2013 but highest in ST in 2015. Though both CT-BP and NT treatments showed greater potential for weed suppression, production input was highest in CT-BP but least in NT. Implications of these findings suggest that there is a potential to use strip tillage integrating with stale seedbed tactic for weed management in organic vegetables, which reduces herbicide use, hand-labor, and overall weed management cost while maintaining high yield potential.
Combination of palbociclib and radiotherapy for glioblastoma
Authors: Whittaker Shane , Madani Daniel , Joshi Swapna , Chung Sylvia A , Johns Terrance , Day Bryan , Khasraw Mustafa , McDonald Kerrie L
Published: July 2017

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, palbociclib has shown compelling efficacy in breast cancer patients. Several pre-clinical studies of glioblastoma (GBM) have also shown palbociclib to be efficacious. In this study, we investigated palbociclib in combination with radiation therapy (RT) for treating GBM. We tested palbociclib (with and without RT) on four patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs; RB1 retained; CDKN2A loss). We investigated the impact of therapy on the cell cycle and apoptosis using flow cytometry, in vitro. Balb/c nude mice were intracranially injected with the PDCL, GBM-L1 and treated orally with palbociclib (with and without RT). Overall survival was measured. Palbociclib treatment resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of cells in the G1 cell cycle phase. Apoptotic cell death, measured by Annexin V was induced. Palbociclib combined with RT acted synergistically with the significant impediment of colony formation. The oral treatment of mice with palbociclib did not show any significant survival advantage when compared to control mice, however when combined with RT, a survival advantage of 8 days was observed. Our results support the use of palbociclib as an adjuvant treatment to RT and warrant translation to the clinic.
Characterization of forced localization of disordered weakly coupled micromechanical resonators
Authors: Zhang Hemin , Chang Honglong , Yuan Weizheng
Published: July 2017

The mode localization phenomenon of disordered weakly coupled resonators (WCRs) is being used as a novel transduction scheme to further enhance the sensitivity of micromechanical resonant sensors. In this paper, two novel characteristics of mode localization are described. First, we found that the anti-resonance loci behave as a linear function of the stiffness perturbation. The anti-resonance behavior can be regarded as a new manifestation of mode localization in the frequency domain, and mode localization occurs at a deeper level as the anti-resonance approaches closer to the resonance. The anti-resonance loci can be used to identify the symmetry of the WCRs and the locations of the perturbation. Second, by comparing the forced localization responses of the WCRs under both the single-resonator-driven (SRD) scheme and the double-resonator-driven (DRD) scheme, we demonstrated that the DRD scheme extends the linear measurement scale while sacrificing a certain amount of sensitivity. We also demonstrated experimentally that the amplitude ratio-based sensitivity under the DRD scheme is approximately an order of magnitude lower than that under the SRD scheme, that is, the amplitude ratio-based sensitivity is −70.44% (N m−1)−1 under the DRD scheme, while it is −785.6% (N m−1)−1 under the SRD scheme. These characteristics of mode localization are valuable for the design and control of WCR-based sensors.
Revising the hygroscopicity of inorganic sea salt particles
Authors: Zieger P. , Väisänen O. , Corbin J. C. , Partridge D. G. , Bastelberger S. , Mousavi-Fard M. , Rosati B. , Gysel M. , Krieger U. K. , Leck C. , Nenes A. , Riipinen I. , Virtanen A. , Salter M. E.
Published: July 2017

Sea spray is one of the largest natural aerosol sources and plays an important role in the Earth’s radiative budget. These particles are inherently hygroscopic, that is, they take-up moisture from the air, which affects the extent to which they interact with solar radiation. We demonstrate that the hygroscopic growth of inorganic sea salt is 8–15% lower than pure sodium chloride, most likely due to the presence of hydrates. We observe an increase in hygroscopic growth with decreasing particle size (for particle diameters <150 nm) that is independent of the particle generation method. We vary the hygroscopic growth of the inorganic sea salt within a general circulation model and show that a reduced hygroscopicity leads to a reduction in aerosol-radiation interactions, manifested by a latitudinal-dependent reduction of the aerosol optical depth by up to 15%, while cloud-related parameters are unaffected. We propose that a value of κs=1.1 (at RH=90%) is used to represent the hygroscopicity of inorganic sea salt particles in numerical models.
A point-of-care microfluidic biochip for quantification of CD64 expression from whole blood for sepsis stratification
Authors: Hassan U. , Ghonge T. , Reddy B. , Patel M. , Rappleye M. , Taneja I. , Tanna A. , Healey R. , Manusry N. , Price Z. , Jensen T. , Berger J. , Hasnain A. , Flaugher E. , Liu S. , Davis B. , Kumar J. , White K. , Bashir R.
Published: July 2017

Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, has the highest burden of death and medical expenses in hospitals worldwide. Leukocyte count and CD64 expression on neutrophils (nCD64) are known to correlate strongly with improved sensitivity and specificity of sepsis diagnosis at its onset. A major challenge is the lack of a rapid and accurate point-of-care (PoC) device that can perform these measurements from a minute blood sample. Here, we report a PoC microfluidic biochip to enumerate leukocytes and quantify nCD64 levels from 10 μl of whole blood without any manual processing. Biochip measurements have shown excellent correlation with the results from flow cytometer. In clinical studies, we have used PoC biochip to monitor leukocyte counts and nCD64 levels from patients’ blood at different times of their stay in the hospital. Furthermore, we have shown the biochip’s utility for improved sepsis diagnosis by combining these measurements with electronic medical record (EMR).
Compensatory metabolic networks in pancreatic cancers upon perturbation of glutamine metabolism
Authors: Biancur Douglas E. , Paulo Joao A. , Małachowska Beata , Quiles Del Rey Maria , Sousa Cristovão M. , Wang Xiaoxu , Sohn Albert S. W. , Chu Gerald C. , Gygi Steven P. , Harper J. Wade , Fendler Wojciech , Mancias Joseph D. , Kimmelman Alec C.
Published: July 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a notoriously difficult-to-treat cancer and patients are in need of novel therapies. We have shown previously that these tumours have altered metabolic requirements, making them highly reliant on a number of adaptations including a non-canonical glutamine (Gln) metabolic pathway and that inhibition of downstream components of Gln metabolism leads to a decrease in tumour growth. Here we test whether recently developed inhibitors of glutaminase (GLS), which mediates an early step in Gln metabolism, represent a viable therapeutic strategy. We show that despite marked early effects on in vitro proliferation caused by GLS inhibition, pancreatic cancer cells have adaptive metabolic networks that sustain proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We use an integrated metabolomic and proteomic platform to understand this adaptive response and thereby design rational combinatorial approaches. We demonstrate that pancreatic cancer metabolism is adaptive and that targeting Gln metabolism in combination with these adaptive responses may yield clinical benefits for patients.
Quantum Nuclear Dynamics of Protons within Layered Hydroxides at High Pressure
Authors: Dupuis Romain , Dolado Jorge S. , Benoit Magali , Surga Jose , Ayuela Andrés
Published: July 2017

Studies of the structure of hydroxides under pressure using neutron diffraction reveal that the high concentration of hydrogen is distributed in a disordered network. The disorder in the hydrogen-bond network and possible phase transitions are reported to occur at pressures within the range accessible to experiments for layered calcium hydroxides, which are considered to be exemplary prototype materials. In this study, the static and dynamical properties of these layered hydroxides are investigated using a quantum approach describing nuclear motion, shown herein to be required particularly when studying diffusion processes involving light hydrogen atoms. The effect of high-pressure on the disordered hydrogen-bond network shows that the protons tunnel back and forth across the barriers between three potential minima around the oxygen atoms. At higher pressures the structure has quasi two-dimensional layers of hydrogen atoms, such that at low temperatures this causes the barrier crossing of the hydrogen to be significantly rarefied. Furthermore, for moderate values of both temperature and pressure this process occurs less often than the usual mechanism of proton transport via vacancies, limiting global proton diffusion within layers at high pressure.
Organization and hierarchy of the human functional brain network lead to a chain-like core
Authors: Mastrandrea Rossana , Gabrielli Andrea , Piras Fabrizio , Spalletta Gianfranco , Caldarelli Guido , Gili Tommaso
Published: July 2017

The brain is a paradigmatic example of a complex system: its functionality emerges as a global property of local mesoscopic and microscopic interactions. Complex network theory allows to elicit the functional architecture of the brain in terms of links (correlations) between nodes (grey matter regions) and to extract information out of the noise. Here we present the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data from forty healthy humans at rest for the investigation of the basal scaffold of the functional brain network organization. We show how brain regions tend to coordinate by forming a highly hierarchical chain-like structure of homogeneously clustered anatomical areas. A maximum spanning tree approach revealed the centrality of the occipital cortex and the peculiar aggregation of cerebellar regions to form a closed core. We also report the hierarchy of network segregation and the level of clusters integration as a function of the connectivity strength between brain regions.
Inhibition of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus by a peptide derived from vFLIP through its direct destabilization of viruses
Authors: Moon Ho-Jin , Nikapitiya Chamilani , Lee Hyun-Cheol , Park Min-Eun , Kim Jae-Hoon , Kim Tae-Hwan , Yoon Ji-Eun , Cho Won-Kyung , Ma Jin Yeul , Kim Chul-Joong , Jung Jae U. , Lee Jong-Soo
Published: July 2017

The antiviral activities of synthesized Kα2-helix peptide, which was derived from the viral FLICE-like inhibitor protein (vFLIP) of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), against influenza A virus (IAV) were investigated in vitro and in vivo, and mechanisms of action were suggested. In addition to the robust autophagy activity of the Kα2-helix peptide, the present study showed that treatment with the Kα2 peptide fused with the TAT peptide significantly inhibited IAV replication and transmission. Moreover, TAT-Kα2 peptide protected the mice, that were challenged with lethal doses of highly pathogenic influenza A H5N1 or H1N1 viruses. Mechanistically, we found that TAT-Kα2 peptide destabilized the viral membranes, depending on their lipid composition of the viral envelop. In addition to IAV, the Kα2 peptide inhibited infections with enveloped viruses, such as Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that TAT-Kα2 peptide is a potential antiviral agent for controlling emerging or re-emerging enveloped viruses, particularly diverse subtypes of IAVs.
Zn(II) mediates vancomycin polymerization and potentiates its antibiotic activity against resistant bacteria
Authors: Zarkan Ashraf , Macklyne Heather-Rose , Chirgadze Dimitri Y. , Bond Andrew D. , Hesketh Andrew R. , Hong Hee-Jeon
Published: July 2017

Vancomycin is known to bind to Zn(II) and can induce a zinc starvation response in bacteria. Here we identify a novel polymerization of vancomycin dimers by structural analysis of vancomycin-Zn(II) crystals and fibre X-ray diffraction. Bioassays indicate that this structure is associated with an increased antibiotic activity against bacterial strains possessing high level vancomycin resistance mediated by the reprogramming of peptidoglycan biosynthesis to use precursors terminating in D-Ala-D-Lac in place of D-Ala-D-Ala. Polymerization occurs via interaction of Zn(II) with the N-terminal methylleucine group of vancomycin, and we show that the activity of other glycopeptide antibiotics with this feature can also be similarly augmented by Zn(II). Construction and analysis of a model strain predominantly using D-Ala-D-Lac precursors for peptidoglycan biosynthesis during normal growth supports the hypothesis that Zn(II) mediated vancomycin polymerization enhances the binding affinity towards these precursors.
Dynamic responses to silicon in Thalasiossira pseudonana - Identification, characterisation and classification of signature genes and their corresponding protein motifs
Authors: Brembu Tore , Chauton Matilde Skogen , Winge Per , Bones Atle M. , Vadstein Olav
Published: July 2017

The diatom cell wall, or frustule, is a highly complex, three-dimensional structure consisting of nanopatterned silica as well as proteins and other organic components. While some key components have been identified, knowledge on frustule biosynthesis is still fragmented. The model diatomThalassiosira pseudonanawas subjected to silicon (Si) shift-up and shift-down situations. Cellular and molecular signatures, dynamic changes and co-regulated clusters representing the hallmarks of cellular and molecular responses to changing Si availabilities were characterised. Ten new proteins with silaffin-like motifs, two kinases and a novel family of putatively frustule-associated transmembrane proteins induced by Si shift-up with a possible role in frustule biosynthesis were identified. A separate cluster analysis performed on all significantly regulated silaffin-like proteins (SFLPs), as well as silaffin-like motifs, resulted in the classification of silaffins, cingulins and SFLPs into distinct clusters. A majority of the genes in the Si-responsive clusters are highly divergent, but positive selection does not seem to be the driver behind this variability. This study provides a high-resolution map over transcriptional responses to changes in Si availability inT. pseudonana. Hallmark Si-responsive genes are identified, characteristic motifs and domains are classified, and taxonomic and evolutionary implications outlined and discussed.
3D free-standing nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel as anode material for sodium ion batteries with enhanced sodium storage
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Li Chuanqi , Peng Zhikun , Liu Yushan , Zhang Jianmin , Liu Zhongyi , Li Dan
Published: July 2017

Sodium ion batteries have drawn extensive attentions for large-scale energy storage to replace lithium ion batteries primarily due to the natural abundance of sodium resource and low cost, but their energy density and electrochemical performance are hindered by the sluggish diffusion kinetics of sodium ion. Herein, free-standing nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel has been fabricated via hydrothermal reaction as the potential anode material for sodium ion batteries. The three dimensional porous network structure of the graphene aerogel provides sufficient interstitial space for sodium ion accommodation, allowing fast and reversible ion intercalation/de-intercalation. The nitrogen doping could introduce defects on the graphene sheets, making the feasible transport of large-sized sodium ion. Benefiting from the effective structure and nitrogen doping, the obtained material demonstrates high reversible capacities, good cycling performance (287.9 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1), especially superior rate capability (151.9 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 5 A g−1).
X-Ray snapshots of a pyridoxal enzyme: a catalytic mechanism involving concerted [1,5]-hydrogen sigmatropy in methionine γ-lyase
Authors: Sato Dan , Shiba Tomoo , Karaki Tsuyoshi , Yamagata Wataru , Nozaki Tomoyoshi , Nakazawa Takashi , Harada Shigeharu
Published: July 2017

Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-enzymes are essentially involved in amino acid and amine metabolism of a wide variety of organisms. Despite their extensive biochemical studies, there are little evidence and structural data to comprehensively elaborate the catalytic mechanism. We obtained X-ray snapshots of l-methionine γ-lyase from Entamoeba histolytica (EhMGL), a PLP-enzyme catalyzing the γ-elimination reaction of methionine. Here, we suggest a catalytic mechanism of EhMGL by using the X-ray snapshots covering all stages of this multistep catalysis reaction. Initial formation of a Michaelis complex is followed by the migration of double bond from the C4′=Nα–Cα moiety in an intermediate PLP-methionine imine to C4′–Nα=Cα in pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate (PMP)-α,β-dehydromethionine imine without intervention of a putative quinonoid intermediate. The enzyme can facilitate the subsequent γ-elimination of methanethiol by the possible general acid-base catalysis of Tyr108 for the E1cB mechanism, enabling to form the ene-imine C4′–Nα=Cα–Cβ=Cγ structure with the s-cis conformation, which is prerequisite for the non-enzymatic symmetry-allowed suprafacial [1,5]-hydrogen shift to complete the catalytic cycle by releasing α-ketobutyrate. The mechanism based on the X-ray snapshots is consistent with the reactivity of MGL toward methionine analogues. The generality of such a mechanism involving non-enzymatic concerted reaction in other PLP enzymes is discussed.
Chronic inflammation triggered by the NLRP3 inflammasome in myeloid cells promotes growth plate dysplasia by mesenchymal cells
Authors: Wang Chun , Xu Can-Xin , Alippe Yael , Qu Chao , Xiao Jianqiu , Schipani Ernestina , Civitelli Roberto , Abu-Amer Yousef , Mbalaviele Gabriel
Published: July 2017

Skeletal complications are common features of neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID), a disorder caused by NLRP3-activating mutations. NOMID mice in which NLRP3 is activated globally exhibit several characteristics of the human disease, including systemic inflammation and cartilage dysplasia, but the mechanisms of skeletal manifestations remain unknown. In this study, we find that activation of NLRP3 in myeloid cells, but not mesenchymal cells triggers chronic inflammation, which ultimately, causes growth plate and epiphyseal dysplasia in mice. These responses are IL-1 signaling-dependent, but independent of PARP1, which also functions downstream of NLRP3 and regulates skeletal homeostasis. Mechanistically, inflammation causes severe anemia and hypoxia in the bone environment, yet down-regulates the HIF-1α pathway in chondrocytes, thereby promoting the demise of these cells. Thus, activation of NLRP3 in hematopoietic cells initiates IL-1β-driven paracrine cascades, which promote abnormal growth plate development in NOMID mice.
DNA Barcoding studies on Thrips in India: Cryptic species and Species complexes
Authors: Tyagi Kaomud , Kumar Vikas , Singha Devkant , Chandra Kailash , Laskar Boni Amin , Kundu Shantanu , Chakraborty Rajasree , Chatterjee Sumantika
Published: July 2017

Thrips are one of the major sucking pest and vector of plant viruses causing huge economic loss in agriculture. The accurate identification of thrips is crucial for effective pest management strategies. However, morphology based identification has limitations and warrants integration of molecular data. We attempted the largest DNA barcoding initiative on 370 sequences of 89 thrips morphospecies including 104 novel sequences from 39 morphospecies, including the type specimens of four species. The results of multiple species delimitation methods (BIN, ABGD, GMYC and bPTP) were consistent for 73 species (82%) with their morphological identifications. A total of 107 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) was recovered for 89 morphospecies by superimposing multiple methods and applying a three level nomenclature system. We detected more than one MOTU in 14 morphospecies indicating to have cryptic diversity including, two major vector species (Frankliniella schultzei and Thrips palmi). However, four morphospecies (Thrips moundi, Thrips carthami, Haplothrips andersi and Haplothrips gowdeyi) showed low genetic distances between them with overlapping in barcode gap that requires further analysis with multiple molecular markers and more specimens from wide geographical areas for better taxonomic judgment. We also presented the advantage of simultaneous use of multiple delimitation methods for detection and identification of cryptic species.
Serum TFF1 and TFF3 but not TFF2 are higher in women with breast cancer than in women without breast cancer
Authors: Ishibashi Yuko , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Ikemura Masako , Kikuchi Yasuko , Niwa Takayoshi , Nishioka Kotoe , Uchida Yoshihiro , Miura Hirona , Aikou Susumu , Gunji Toshiaki , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki , Ohmoto Yasukazu , Sasaki Takeshi , Seto Yasuyuki , Ogawa Toshihisa , Tada Keiichiro , Nomura Sachiyo
Published: July 2017

Breast cancer remains a common malignancy in women, but the take-up for breast cancer screening programs in Japan is still low, possibly due to its perceived inconvenience. TFF1 and TFF3 are expressed in both breast cancer tissue and normal breast. Serum trefoil proteins were reported as cancer screening markers for gastric, prostate, lung, pancreatic cancer and cholangio carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to examine whether serum trefoil proteins could be screening biomarkers for breast cancer. Serum trefoil proteins in 94 breast cancer patients and 84 health check females were measured by ELISA. Serum TFF1 and TFF3 were significantly higher and serum TFF2 was significantly lower in breast cancer patients. Area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 was 0.69, 0.83, and. 0.72, respectively. AUC of the combination of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 was 0.96. Immunohistochemically, TFF1 expression was positive in 56.5% and TFF3 was positive in 73.9% of breast cancers, while TFF2 was negative in all tumors. Serum TFF1 had positive correlation with expression of TFF1 in breast cancer tissue. Serum concentrations of TFF1 and TFF3 but not TFF2 are higher in women with breast cancer than in women without breast cancer.
Effects of suspended sediments on the sponge holobiont with implications for dredging management
Authors: Pineda Mari-Carmen , Strehlow Brian , Sternel Miriam , Duckworth Alan , Jones Ross , Webster Nicole S.
Published: July 2017

Dredging can cause high suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) in the water column, posing a hazard to filter feeding organisms like sponges as sediment may clog their aquiferous systems and reduce feeding. In order to provide pressure−response values for sponges to SSC and tease apart the cause:effect pathways of dredging pressures, five heterotrophic and phototrophic species were experimentally exposed to a range of dredging-relevant SSC of up to 100 mg L−1, with light compensation across treatments to ensure that SSC was the primary physical parameter. This study shows that some sponge species exposed to high SSC (≥23 mg L−1) for extended periods (28 d) have lower survival, increased necrosis and depletion of energy reserves. In contrast, SSC of ≤10 mg L−1caused few, if any, negative effects and is thus suggested as a prudent sub-lethal threshold for sponges. Microbial communities did not change significantly among SSC treatments, although a nutritional shift from mixotrophy towards increased phototrophy was detected for some sponge species exposed to high SSC. Importantly however, it is expected that the combined effect of SSC with low light availability and sediment smothering as occurs during dredging operations will increase the negative effects on sponges.
John’s Equation-based Consistency Condition and Corrupted Projection Restoration in Circular Trajectory Cone Beam CT
Authors: Ma Jianhui , Wu Shuyu , Qi Hongliang , Li Bin , Yan Hao , Zhou Linghong , Xu Yuan
Published: July 2017

In transmitted X-ray tomography imaging, the acquired projections may be corrupted for various reasons, such as defective detector cells and beam-stop array scatter correction problems. In this study, we derive a consistency condition for cone-beam projections and propose a method to restore lost data in corrupted projections. In particular, the relationship of the geometry parameters in circular trajectory cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is utilized to convert an ultra-hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE) into a second-order PDE. The second-order PDE is then transformed into a first-order ordinary differential equation in the frequency domain. The left side of the equation for the newly derived consistency condition is the projection derivative of the current and adjacent views, whereas the right side is the projection derivative of the geometry parameters. A projection restoration method is established based on the newly derived equation to restore corrupted data in projections in circular trajectory CBCT. The proposed method is tested in beam-stop array scatter correction, metal artifact reduction, and abnormal pixel correction cases to evaluate the performance of the consistency condition and corrupted projection restoration method. Qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate that the present method has considerable potential in restoring lost data in corrupted projections.
The integrated pathway of TGFβ/Snail with TNFα/NFκB may facilitate the tumor-stroma interaction in the EMT process and colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Li Hui , Zhong Anjing , Li Si , Meng Xianwen , Wang Xue , Xu Fangying , Lai Maode
Published: July 2017

Substantial evidence has shown that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays critical roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and prognosis. To uncover the pivotal regulators that function in the cooperative interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment and consequently affect the EMT process, we carried out a systematic analysis and evaluated prognosis in CRC specimens. Tumor buds and their surrounding stroma were captured using laser microdissection. We used gene expression profiling, bioinformatics analysis and regulatory network construction for molecular selection. The clinical significance of potential biomarkers was investigated. We identified potential EMT biomarkers, including BGN, MMP1, LGALS1, SERPINB5, and TM4SF4, all of which participated in the integrated pathway of TGFβ/Snail with TNFα/NFκB. We also found that BGN, MMP1, LGALS1, SERPINB5 and TM4SF4 were related to CRC patient prognosis. Patients with higher expression of these individual potential biomarkers had poorer prognosis. Among the identified biomarkers, BGN and TM4SF4 are reported, for the first time, to probably be involved in the EMT process and to predict CRC prognosis. Our results strongly suggest that the integrated pathway of TGFβ/Snail with TNFα/NFκB may be the principal axis that links cancer cells to their microenvironment during the EMT process and results in poor prognosis in CRC patients.
Biochemical properties of GH94 cellodextrin phosphorylase THA_1941 from a thermophilic eubacterium Thermosipho africanus TCF52B with cellobiose phosphorylase activity
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Mao Guotao , Fan Haiyan , Song Andong , Zhang Yi-Heng Percival , Chen Hongge
Published: July 2017

A hypothetic gene (THA_1941) encoding a putative cellobiose phosphorylase (CBP) from Thermosipho africanus TCF52B has very low amino acid identities (less than 12%) to all known GH94 enzymes. This gene was cloned and over-expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant protein was hypothesized to be a CBP enzyme and it showed an optimum temperature of 75 °C and an optimum pH of 7.5. Beyond its CBP activity, this enzyme can use cellobiose and long-chain cellodextrins with a degree of polymerization of greater than two as a glucose acceptor, releasing phosphate from glucose 1-phosphate. The catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) indicated that cellotetraose and cellopentaose were the best substrates for the phosphorolytic and reverse synthetic reactions, respectively. These results suggested that this enzyme was the first enzyme having both cellodextrin and cellobiose phosphorylases activities. Because it preferred cellobiose and cellodextrins to glucose in the synthetic direction, it was categorized as a cellodextrin phosphorylase (CDP). Due to its unique ability of the reverse synthetic reaction, this enzyme could be a potential catalyst for the synthesis of various oligosaccharides. The speculative function of this CDP in the carbohydrate metabolism of T. africanus TCF52B was also discussed.
Sample-to-answer acoustic detection of DNA in complex samples
Authors: Papadakis George , Palladino Pasquale , Chronaki Dimitra , Tsortos Achilleas , Gizeli Electra
Published: July 2017

The present study demonstrates the sensitive and label-free acoustic detection of dsDNA amplicons produced from whole Salmonella Thyphimurium cells without employing any DNA extraction and/or purification step, in the presence of the lysed bacterial cells and in a hybridization-free assay.
Study of the performance of a resolution criterion to characterise complex chromatograms with unknowns or without standards
Authors: Navarro-Huerta J. A. , Alvarez-Segura T. , Torres-Lapasió J. R. , García-Alvarez-Coque M. C.
Published: July 2017

Validation of peak prominence (which does not need standards) versus peak purity (an ideal criterion using standards) based on the agreement of Pareto fronts.
Efficient extraction of phthalate esters with different polarities from seawater samples using multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Habibi Elaheh , Ghanemi Kamal , Larki Arash
Published: July 2017

In this method, a new adsorbent composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets was developed.
Alternative method for lactulose quantification in the presence of lactose in milk using HILIC with refractive index detection
Authors: Natália de Oliveira Neves Leandra , Guzella de Carvalho Rafael , Kopke de Aguiar Jair Adriano , Fonseca da Silva Paulo Henrique
Published: July 2017

An alternative chromatographic method, HILIC-RID, has been developed for lactulose quantification in the presence of lactose in milk samples.
Rapid amino acid analysis of beers using flow-gated capillary electrophoresis coupled with side-by-side calibration
Authors: Zhu Qingfu , Zhang Ning , Gong Maojun
Published: July 2017

Side-by-side calibration is enabled by alternate injections in flow-gated capillary electrophoresis to rapidly perform amino acid analysis, an important procedure to measure amino acids in various samples.
Chemoselective Ullmann coupling at room temperature: a facile access to 2-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes
Authors: Janni Manojkumar , Thirupathi Annaram , Arora Sahil , Peruncheralathan S.
Published: July 2017

A copper catalyzed Ullmann reaction has been used for the first time to study the chemoselective and enantiospecific intramolecular C–S bond formation at room temperature.
Controlled synthesis of hierarchically crossed metal oxide nanosheet arrays for diesel soot elimination
Authors: Ma Aijing , Gu Liu , Zhu Yingming , Meng Ming , Gui Jianzhou , Yu Yifu , Zhang Bin
Published: July 2017

We propose a facile and versatile strategy to fabricate hierarchically crossed metal oxide nanosheet arrays with high soot elimination activities.
Colloidal particles with complex microstructures via phase separation in swelled polymer microspheres
Authors: Luo Zhang , Li Yitong , Liu Bing
Published: July 2017

Incorporating –SO3− groups into PS microspheres results in the synthesis of many kinds of colloidal particles with complex microstructures via phase separation.
Luminescent sensing and photocatalytic degradation properties of an uncommon (4,5,5)-connected 3D MOF based on 3,5-di(3′,5′-dicarboxylphenyl)benzoic acid
Authors: Jin Jun-Cheng , Wu Xi-Ren , Luo Zhi-Dong , Deng Fang-Yuan , Liu Jian-Qiang , Singh Amita , Kumar Abhinav
Published: July 2017

An uncommon microporous MOF 1 used as fluorescent chemosensor for NACs and as photocatalyst.
Effects of CO2 adsorption on proton migration on a hydrated ZrO2 surface: an ab initio molecular dynamics study
Authors: Sato Ryuhei , Shibuta Yasushi , Shimojo Fuyuki , Yamaguchi Shu
Published: July 2017

Carbonate formation reduces the basicity of surface oxide ions selectively and subsequently reduces the proton hole defects (Zr–OH−).
Electrostatic interactions in concentrated colloidal dispersions
Authors: Wennerström Håkan
Published: July 2017

An explicit expression, free from adjustable parameters, is derived for the effective pair interaction between charged colloidal spheres at high concentration in a medium containing an electrolyte.
Multifunctional role of dysprosium in HfO2: stabilization of the high temperature cubic phase, and magnetic and photoluminescence properties
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Rai S. B. , Rath Chandana
Published: July 2017

Hafnium oxide (HfO2) can exist in different crystalline structures such as monoclinic at room temperature, tetragonal at 1700 °C and cubic at 2600 °C.
Photocatalytic hydrogenation of furan to tetrahydrofuran in alcoholic suspensions of metal-loaded titanium(iv) oxide without addition of hydrogen gas
Authors: Nakanishi Kousuke , Tanaka Atsuhiro , Hashimoto Keiji , Kominami Hiroshi
Published: July 2017

Furan was almost quantitatively hydrogenated to tetrahydrofuran in methanolic suspension of a Pd-TiO2 photocatalyst with an apparent quantum efficiency of 37%.
Synthesis of a Cu-infiltrated Zr-doped SBA-15 catalyst for CO2hydrogenation into methanol and dimethyl ether
Authors: Atakan A. , Mäkie P. , Söderlind F. , Keraudy J. , Björk E. M. , Odén M.
Published: July 2017

A catalytically active nanoassembly comprising Cu-nanoparticles grown on integrated and active supports (large pore Zr-doped mesoporous SBA-15 silica) has been synthesized and used to promote CO2hydrogenation.
Methanol oxidation on stoichiometric and oxygen-rich RuO2(110)
Authors: Rai Rahul , Weaver Jason F.
Published: July 2017

We used temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) to investigate the adsorption and oxidation of methanol on stoichiometric and O-rich RuO2(110) surfaces.
Structure and molecular packing in smectic BCr and Ad phases of Schiff base liquid crystal compounds through the analyses of layer spacing, entropy and crystal structure
Authors: Yamamura Yasuhisa , Murakoshi Takahito , Iwagaki Sakiko , Osiecka Natalia , Saitoh Hideki , Hishida Mafumi , Galewski Zbigniew , Massalska-Arodź Maria , Saito Kazuya
Published: July 2017

Chain-length dependence of layer spacing reveals the packing of molten alkyl chains in smectic liquid crystals.
A quantum-rovibrational-state-selected study of the proton-transfer reaction H2+(X2Σ+g: v+ = 1–3; N+ = 0–3) + Ne → NeH+ + H using the pulsed field ionization-photoion method: observation of the rotational effect near the reaction threshold
Authors: Xiong Bo , Chang Yih-Chung , Ng Cheuk-Yiu
Published: July 2017

The integral cross sections for the H2+(v+ = 1–3; N+ = 0–3) + Ne → NeH+ + H reaction have been measured in the collision energy range of 0.05–2.00 eV for comparison of recent quantum dynamic predictions.
Simulation of the experimental imaging results for the OH + CHD3 reaction with a simple and accurate theoretical approach
Authors: Bonnet Laurent , Espinosa-Garcia Joaquin
Published: July 2017

The OH + CHD3 reaction is among the largest one ever studied at the high-resolution level permitted by imaging techniques [B. Zhang et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2005, 109, 8989].
Early maternal separation induces preference for sucrose and aspartame associated with increased blood glucose and hyperactivity
Authors: Aya-Ramos L. , Contreras-Vargas C. , Rico J. L. , Dueñas Z.
Published: July 2017

Early life stress and exposure to sweeteners lead to physiological and behavioral alterations in adulthood.
High-yield preparation of a zwitterionically charged chitin nanofiber and its application in a doubly pH-responsive Pickering emulsion
Authors: Pang Kai , Ding Beibei , Liu Xiaoting , Wu Hao , Duan Yongxin , Zhang Jianming
Published: July 2017

A rapid and high-yield (up to 85%) preparation of a zwitterionic chitin nanofiber (DE-CO-ChNF) has been demonstrated.
Organ-, body- and disease-on-a-chip systems
Authors: Shuler Michael L.
Published: July 2017

Thought leader Michael Shuler introduces the Lab on a Chip organ, body and disease on a chip thematic collection.
Development of selective agents targeting serotonin 5HT1A receptors with subnanomolar activities based on a coumarin core
Authors: Ostrowska K. , Grzeszczuk D. , Głuch-Lutwin M. , Gryboś A. , Siwek A. , Dobrzycki Ł. , Trzaskowski B.
Published: July 2017

A screening of 18 compounds identified five coumarin derivatives with subnanomolar activity against the 5HT1A receptor.
Magnetic field-induced enhancement of the nitrogen-vacancy fluorescence quantum yield
Authors: Capelli M. , Reineck P. , Lau D. W. M. , Orth A. , Jeske J. , Doherty M. W. , Ohshima T. , Greentree A. D. , Gibson B. C.
Published: July 2017

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond is a remarkable optical defect with broad applications. We demonstrate that its fluorescence emission is enhanced at high magnetic fields with low excitation power.
Effect of trehalose polymer regioisomers on protein stabilization
Authors: Messina Marco S. , Ko Jeong Hoon , Yang Zhongyue , Strouse M. Jane , Houk K. N. , Maynard Heather D.
Published: July 2017

Polymers with different trehalose side chain regioisomers were synthesized and compared for insulin stabilization.
Comprehensive analysis of branched polyethylene: the multiple preparative fractionation concept
Authors: Eselem Bungu P. S. , Pasch H.
Published: July 2017

A concept for the comprehensive analysis of branched polyethylene is developed where a multiple fractionation protocol is used.
The complete utilization of rice husk for production of synthesis gas
Authors: Li Zhiyu , Jiang Enchen , Xu Xiwei , Sun Yan , Wu Zhanxin
Published: July 2017

Rich husk was completely used for synthesis gas production. The pyrolysis volatiles were used as raw materials. Bio-char was used as the catalyst.
Vertically aligned PANI nanorod arrays grown on graphene oxide nanosheets for a high-performance NH3 gas sensor
Authors: Wei Jinwei , Liang Bo , Cao Qingpeng , Mo Chentian , Zheng Youming , Ye Xuesong
Published: July 2017

Vertically aligned PANI nanorod arrays uniformly distributed on GO nanosheets for a highly sensitive ammonia sensor.
Pollen derived blue fluorescent carbon dots for bioimaging and monitoring of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in Brassica parachinensis L.
Authors: Zheng Yinjian , Zhang Haoran , Li Wei , Liu Yingliang , Zhang Xuejie , Liu Houcheng , Lei Bingfu
Published: July 2017

Carbon dots (CDs), synthesized from biological sources, have attracted attention in bioimaging and bioscience due to their low cytotoxicity, water-soluble nature, and biocompatibility.
Insight on lithium polysulfide intermediates in a Li/S battery by density functional theory
Authors: Liu Qi , Mu Daobin , Wu Borong , Wang Lei , Gai Liang , Wu Feng
Published: July 2017

Soluble lithium polysulfide intermediates dissolve and shuttle during the process of charge/discharge, leading to the rapid capacity decline of a Li–S battery.