bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithium hexamethyldisilazide initiated superfast ring opening polymerization of alpha-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides
Authors: Wu Yueming , Zhang Danfeng , Ma Pengcheng , Zhou Ruiyi , Hua Lei , Liu Runhui
Published: December 2018

Polypeptides have broad applications and can be prepared via ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Conventional initiators, such as primary amines, give slow NCA polymerization, which requires multiple days to reach completion and can result in substantial side reactions, especially for very reactive NCAs. Moreover, current NCA polymerizations are very sensitive to moisture and must typically be conducted in a glove box. Here we show that lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) initiates an extremely rapid NCA polymerization process that is completed within minutes or hours and can be conducted in an open vessel. Polypeptides with variable chain length (DP = 20–1294) and narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.08–1.28) were readily prepared with this approach. Mechanistic studies support an anionic ring opening polymerization mechanism. This living NCA polymerization method allowed rapid synthesis of polypeptide libraries for high-throughput functional screening.
Closed-loop functional optogenetic stimulation
Authors: Srinivasan Shriya S. , Maimon Benjamin E. , Diaz Maurizio , Song Hyungeun , Herr Hugh M.
Published: December 2018

Optogenetics has been used to orchestrate temporal- and tissue-specific control of neural tissues and offers a wealth of unique advantages for neuromuscular control. Here, we establish a closed-loop functional optogenetic stimulation (CL-FOS) system to control ankle joint position in murine models. Using the measurement of either joint angle or fascicle length as a feedback signal, we compare the controllability of CL-FOS to closed-loop functional electrical stimulation (CL-FES) and demonstrate significantly greater accuracy, lower rise times and lower overshoot percentages. We demonstrate orderly recruitment of motor units and reduced fatigue when performing cyclical movements with CL-FOS compared with CL-FES. We develop and investigate a 3-phase, photo-kinetic model to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for temporal variations in optogenetically activated neuromusculature during closed-loop control experiments. Methods and insights from this study lay the groundwork for the development of closed-loop optogenetic neuromuscular stimulation therapies and devices for peripheral limb control.
ComPath: an ecosystem for exploring, analyzing, and curating mappings across pathway databases
Authors: Domingo-Fernández Daniel , Hoyt Charles Tapley , Bobis-Álvarez Carlos , Marín-Llaó Josep , Hofmann-Apitius Martin
Published: December 2018

Although pathways are widely used for the analysis and representation of biological systems, their lack of clear boundaries, their dispersion across numerous databases, and the lack of interoperability impedes the evaluation of the coverage, agreements, and discrepancies between them. Here, we present ComPath, an ecosystem that supports curation of pathway mappings between databases and fosters the exploration of pathway knowledge through several novel visualizations. We have curated mappings between three of the major pathway databases and present a case study focusing on Parkinson’s disease that illustrates how ComPath can generate new biological insights by identifying pathway modules, clusters, and cross-talks with these mappings. The ComPath source code and resources are available athttps://github.com/ComPathand the web application can be accessed athttps://compath.scai.fraunhofer.de/.
MicroRNAs derived from the insect virus HzNV-1 promote lytic infection by suppressing histone methylation
Authors: Wu Pei-Chi , Lin Yu-Hsien , Wu Tsai-Chin , Lee Song-Tay , Wu Carol-P. , Chang Yuan , Wu Yueh-Lung
Published: December 2018

Heliothis zea nudivirus-1 (HzNV-1) is an insect virus that can induce both lytic and latent infections in various insect cell lines. During latent infection, several microRNAs (miRNAs) are produced from persistency-associated gene 1 (pag1) as the only detectable HzNV-1 transcript. Previous studies have shown that the pag1 gene suppresses the immediate-early gene hhi1 and promotes host switching into a latent infection via miRNAs derived from pag1. Although other functions of the miRNAs derived from pag1 have not yet been elucidated, several studies have suggested that miRNAs encoded from latency-associated genes can regulate histone-associated enzymes. Because pag1 is a noncoding transcript, it potentially regulates host chromatin structure through miRNAs upon infection. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism by which pag1 alters viral infections remains unknown. In this study, we found that the pag1-encoded miRNA miR-420 suppresses expression of the histone modification-associated enzyme su(var)3–9. Therefore, this miRNA causes histone modification to promote HzNV-1 infection. These results suggest that HzNV-1 may directly influence epigenetic regulation in host cells through interactions with pag1 miRNAs to promote lytic infection. This study provides us with a better understanding of both the HzNV-1 infection pathway and the relationship between viral miRNAs and epigenetic regulation.
The short-sequence design of DNA and its involvement in the 3-D structure of the genome
Authors: Lamolle Guillermo , Sabbia Victor , Musto Héctor , Bernardi Giorgio
Published: December 2018

Recent investigations have shown that isochores are characterized by a 3-D structure which is primarily responsible for the topology of chromatin domains. More precisely, an analysis of human chromosome 21 demonstrated that low-heterogeneity, GC-poor isochores are characterized by the presence of oligo-Adenines that are intrinsically stiff, curved and unfavorable for nucleosome binding. This leads to a structure of the corresponding chromatin domains, the Lamina Associated Domains, or LADs, which is well suited for interaction with the lamina. In contrast, the high-heterogeneity GC-rich isochores are in the form of compositional peaks and valleys characterized by increasing gradients of oligo-Guanines in the peaks and oligo-Adenines in the valleys that lead to increasing nucleosome depletions in the corresponding chromatin domains, the Topological Associating Domains, or TADs. These results encouraged us to investigate in detail the di- and tri-nucleotide profiles of 100 Kb segments of chromosome 21, as well as those of the di- to octa-Adenines and di- to octa-Guanines in some representative regions of the chromosome. The results obtained show that the 3-D structures of isochores and chromatin domains depend not only upon oligo-Adenines and oligo-Guanines but also, to a lower but definite extent, upon the majority of di- and tri-nucleotides. This conclusion has strong implications for the biological role of non-coding sequences.
Immobilization of cadmium and lead in contaminated paddy field using inorganic and organic additives
Authors: Hamid Yasir , Tang Lin , Wang Xiaozi , Hussain Bilal , Yaseen Muhammad , Aziz Muhammad Zahir , Yang Xiaoe
Published: December 2018

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils has posed a risk to environment and human health. The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of soil amendments for reducing cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L) in a contaminated field. The soil amendments used include lime, DaSan Yuan (DASY), DiKang No.1 (DEK1), biochar, Fe-biochar, Yirang, phosphorus fertilizer, (Green Stabilizing Agent) GSA-1, GSA-2, GSA-3, and GSA-4, applied at 1% rate in a field experiment. The results exposed that GSA-4 treatment showed best effects on reducing Cd and Pb phytoavailability in soil and uptake by early rice. Linear increase in pH (i.e. 5.69 to 6.75) was recorded in GSA-4 amended soil from sowing to the 3rd month of growth season. GSA-4 decreased DTPA extractable contents of cadmium (Cd) from 0.324 to 0.136 mg kg−1 soil and lead (Pb) from 53.21 to 24.68 mg kg−1 soil at 90 days of amendment. Treatment with GSA-4 improved rice growth (56%) and grains yield (42%). The enhancement effects on grain yield may be result from the positive effects of GSA-4 application on increasing photosynthesis (116%) and transpiration rate (152%) as compared to the control. Significant reduction in Cd and Pb uptake in shoot (42% and 44%) and in grains (77 and 88%), was observed, respectively in GSA-4 treatment as compared with the control. Moreover, negative correlation was recorded between DTPA extractable Cd/Pb and soil pH that directly depended on applied amendments. In short, use of combined amendment (GSA-4) was more effective for immobilizing heavy metals in contaminated paddy field, and secures rice safe production, as compared other tested amendment products.
Complementary topology of maintenance and manipulation brain networks in working memory
Authors: Davis S. W. , Crowell C. A. , Beynel L. , Deng L. , Lakhlani D. , Hilbig S. A. , Lim W. , Nguyen D. , Peterchev A. V. , Luber B. M. , Lisanby S. H. , Appelbaum L. G. , Cabeza R.
Published: December 2018

Working memory (WM) is assumed to consist of a process that sustains memory representations in an active state (maintenance) and a process that operates on these activated representations (manipulation). We examined evidence for two distinct, concurrent cognitive functions supporting maintenance and manipulation abilities by testing brain activity as participants performed a WM alphabetization task. Maintenance was investigated by varying the number of letters held in WM and manipulation by varying the number of moves required to sort the list alphabetically. We found that both maintenance and manipulation demand had significant effects on behavior that were associated with different cortical regions: maintenance was associated with bilateral prefrontal and left parietal cortex, and manipulation with right parietal activity, a link that is consistent with the role of parietal cortex in symbolic computations. Both structural and functional architecture of these systems suggested that these cognitive functions are supported by two dissociable brain networks. Critically, maintenance and manipulation functional networks became increasingly segregated with increasing demand, an effect that was positively associated with individual WM ability. These results provide evidence that network segregation may act as a protective mechanism to enable successful performance under increasing WM demand.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Atrial Fibrillation in Southern China: Results from the Guangzhou Heart Study
Authors: Deng Hai , Guo Pi , Zheng Murui , Huang Jun , Xue Yumei , Zhan Xianzhang , Wang Feng , Liu Yang , Fang Xianhong , Liao Hongtao , Wei Wei , Liang Yuanhong , Liu Fangzhou , Liao Zili , Feng Yijing , Wu Shulin
Published: December 2018

Precise prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the associated risk factors in southern China are rarely reported. This large population-based follow-up study, the Guangzhou Heart Study, was conducted from 2015 to 2017 to fill up this gap. Permanent residents aged 35 years and above in Guangzhou city were enrolled and demographic factors of participants were collected by a structured questionnaire. Examinations of physical, electrocardiographic and biochemical indicators were performed following a standard operation procedure designed prior to the field investigation. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate basic characteristics of the study participants, and multivariate logistic regression model was performed to assess the AF prevalence-related factors. The detailed study design, the baseline characteristics and the prevalence of AF were reported here. In total, 12,013 residents were enrolled, and the percentage of participants from rural and urban areas was 53.92% and 46.08%, respectively. In total, 90.57% participants aged 40–79 years old and the proportion of women was more than men (64.98% vs. 35.02%). Overall, the prevalence of AF among the participants was 1.46%. Increasing age, male sex and widowed marital status were associated with higher AF prevalence (P-value < 0.05). The prevalence of AF increased with age and climbed to approximately 5% in residents aged 80 years and over. Residents with abnormal higher blood level of total cholesterol tended to have a lower AF prevalence but a higher prevalence of AF was observed in female participants with lower level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol land higher level uric acid (all P-value < 0.05). Personal illness such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke and transient ischemic were significantly linked to the attack of AF (all P-value < 0.05). This study will be rich resource for investigating environmental exposure and individual genetic diathesis of AF and other common cardiovascular diseases in Chinese population.
Analysis of expression of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint system and its prognostic impact in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Sampedro-Núñez Miguel , Serrano-Somavilla Ana , Adrados Magdalena , Cameselle-Teijeiro José M. , Blanco-Carrera Concepción , Cabezas-Agricola José Manuel , Martínez-Hernández Rebeca , Martín-Pérez Elena , Muñoz de Nova José Luis , Díaz José Ángel , García-Centeno Rogelio , Caneiro-Gómez Javier , Abdulkader Ihab , González-Amaro Roberto , Marazuela Mónica
Published: December 2018

The immune checkpoint based therapy targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its PD-L1 ligand has recently been approved for the therapy of different malignant conditions, but not yet for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). In this context, we evaluated the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in GEP-NETs and its potential correlations with clinical outcomes. Expression of PD-1/PD-L1 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 116 GEP-NETs and 48 samples of peritumoral tissue. In addition, the expression of these molecules was assessed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with GEP-NETs (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 32) and in intratumoral mononuclear cells (TMCs) (n = 3). Expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 6% and 1% of tumor tissue samples, respectively, and in 8% of peritumoral tissue samples, for both markers. We also observed that PD-1 expression by TMCs was associated with metastatic disease at diagnosis, and the levels of circulating PD-1+ PBMCs were associated with progressive disease upon follow-ups. In addition, circulating PD-1+ PBMCs were significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression by tumor cells. Our data suggest that PD-1/PD-L1 is expressed in 1 to 8% of GEP-NETs, and that this feature is significantly associated with disease evolution (p < 0.01).
Asclepias Syriaca (Common Milkweed) flowering date shift in response to climate change
Authors: Howard Aaron F.
Published: December 2018

The consequences of altered flowering dates due to climate change can be severe, especially for plants that rely on coordinated flower and pollinator emergence for reproduction. The plant Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) relies on pollinators for movement of its pollen and evidence suggests that it has recently been declining. Given these factors and this plant’s importance as a host species for the declining Danaus plexippus (Monarch Butterfly), it is critical to determine if its flowering is being modified by climate change. As a first step to answering this question I quantified the relationship between climate and flowering date for A. syriaca using data from the USA National Phenology Network repository and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I found that temperatures were higher than they had been historically (1895–2010) and mean flowering dates occurred earlier with higher temperatures. Additionally, there is a significant negative interactive effect of temperature and year on flowering date indicating that from 2011 through 2016 higher temperatures are correlated with increasingly earlier flowering dates. The change in flowering appears to be symmetrical in regards to the flowering time distribution, in that along with the mean, both maximum and minimum flowering dates are occurring earlier, as well. There is no evidence that earlier flowering is due to earlier initial growth or results in later fruit ripening. Consequences of this shift in flowering can only be speculated upon at this point, but due to the ecological importance of A. syriaca and its susceptibility to phenological mismatch, they should be considered when developing conservation plans for A. syriaca and the organisms for which it is a host.
Characterisation of small molecule ligands 4CMTB and 2CTAP as modulators of human FFA2 receptor signalling
Authors: Schofield Zoe V. , Croker Daniel , Robertson Avril A. B. , Massey Nicholas L. , Donovan Chantal , Tee Ernest , Edwards David , Woodruff Trent M. , Halai Reena , Hansbro Philip M. , Cooper Matthew A.
Published: December 2018

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are protective against inflammatory diseases. Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2), is a target of SCFAs however, their selectivity for FFA2 over other FFA receptors is limited. This study aimed to functionally characterise 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-N-(thiazole-2-yl)butanamide (4CMTB) and 4-((4-(2-chlorophenyl)thiazole-2-yl)amino)-4oxo-3-phenylbutanoic acid (2CTAP), and their enantiomers, in modulating FFA2 activity. The racemic mixture (R/S) and its constituents (R-)and (S-) 4CMTB or 2CTAP were used to stimulate human (h)FFA2 in the absence or presence of acetate. Calcium ions (Ca2+), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (pERK1/2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were measured.R/S-4CMTB is a functionally selective ago-allosteric ligand that enhances Ca2+response to acetate. BothR/S-4CMTB andS-4CMTB are more potent activators of pERK1/2 and inhibitors of forskolin-induced cAMP than acetate.S-4CMTB increased neutrophil infiltration in intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). 2CTAP inhibited constitutive Ca2+levels, antagonised acetate-induced pERK1/2 and prevented damage following IRI. This study characterises enantiomers of functionally selective ligands for FFA2 in cells stably expressing hFFA2. It highlights the novel roles of selective FFA2 enantiomers 4CMTB and 2CTAP on Ca2+, pERK1/2 and cAMP and their roles as allosteric modulators which, may assist in efforts to design novel therapeutic agents for FFA2-driven inflammatory diseases.
Plasma-induced unconventional shock waves on oil surfaces
Authors: Li Guoliang , Hu Ruiheng , Tang Jau , Zheng Huai , Liu Sheng
Published: December 2018

Electric corona discharge in a multi-phase system results in complex electro-hydrodynamic phenomena. We observed unconventional shock wave propagation on an oil thin film sprayed over a polymer-coated conductor. A hair-thin single shock wave arose when the high voltage bias of an overhung steel needle was abruptly removed. However, such solitary waves possess neither interference nor reflection properties commonly known for ordinary waves, and also differ from the solitons in a canal or an optical fiber. We also observed time-retarded movement for dispersed oil droplets at various distances from the epicenter which have no physical contact, as if a wave propagating on a continuous medium. Such a causality phenomenon for noncontact droplets to move resembling wave propagation could not be possibly described by the conventional surface wave equation. Our systematic studies reveal a mechanism involving oil surface charges driven by reminiscent electric fields in the air when the needle bias is suddenly removed.
Augmentation of Atrazine biodegradation by two Bacilli immobilized on α-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Khatoon Hina , Rai J. P. N.
Published: December 2018

In this study, a novel immobilizing carrier with α-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles was developed and used for immobilization of atrazine-degrading bacterial isolates of Bacillus spp. Since the free cells of microorganisms generally not succeed to degrade pollutants; thus, extra treatments are alluring to make strides biodegradation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images appeared that after immobilization the bacterial cells were totally retained and entirely distributed on the surface of α-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles. The performance of α-Fe2O3 immobilized cells in atrazine (ATZ) degradation was compared with the free cells, which was about 90.56% in 20 days. Experimental results exhibited that ATZ could be degraded at a broad range of physicochemical parameters viz. pH (4.0 to 9.0), temperature (20 to 45 °C), ATZ concentration (50 to 300 mg L−1) and agitation speed (50 to 300 rpm), which underlines that α-Fe2O3 immobilized cells could tolerate a higher range of ATZ concentration as compared to free cells. This research demonstrated that α-Fe2O3 could be applied as a potential carrier in cell immobilization and biodegradation of ATZ herbicide with greater efficiency.
Impact of CFTR modulation with Ivacaftor on Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Ooi Chee Y. , Syed Saad A. , Rossi Laura , Garg Millie , Needham Bronwen , Avolio Julie , Young Kelsey , Surette Michael G. , Gonska Tanja
Published: December 2018

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Next to progressive airway disease, CF is also associated with intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. Ivacaftor, a CFTR potentiator, has improved pulmonary and nutritional status but its effects on the intestinal microbiota and inflammation are unclear. Hence, we assessed the changes on the intestinal microbial communities (16S rRNA variable 3 gene region) and inflammatory markers (calprotectin and M2-pyruvate kinase [M2-PK]) in 16 CF individuals (8 children and 8 adults) before and after (median 6.1 months) ivacaftor. Stool calprotectin significantly decreased following ivacaftor (median [IQR]: 154.4 [102.1–284.2] vs. 87.5 [19.5–190.2] mg/kg, P = 0.03). There was a significant increase in Akkermansia with ivacaftor. Increased abundance of Akkermansia was associated with normal stool M2-PK concentrations, and decreased abundances of Enterobacteriaceae correlated with decreased stool calprotectin concentrations. In summary, changes in the gut microbiome and decrease in intestinal inflammation was associated with Ivacaftor treatment among individuals with CF carrying at least one gating CFTR mutation. Thus, CFTR-modifying therapy may adequately improve the aberrant pathophysiology and milieu of the CF gut to favor a more healthy microbiota, which in turn reduces intestinal inflammation.
Publisher Correction: Stabilized coronavirus spikes are resistant to conformational changes induced by receptor recognition or proteolysis
Authors: Kirchdoerfer Robert N. , Wang Nianshuang , Pallesen Jesper , Wrapp Daniel , Turner Hannah L. , Cottrell Christopher A. , Corbett Kizzmekia S. , Graham Barney S. , McLellan Jason S. , Ward Andrew B.
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper
Publisher Correction: Novel Urinary Biomarkers For Improved Prediction Of Progressive eGFR Loss In Early Chronic Kidney Disease Stages And In High Risk Individuals Without Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Rodríguez-Ortiz María E. , Pontillo Claudia , Rodríguez Mariano , Zürbig Petra , Mischak Harald , Ortiz Alberto
Published: December 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Dynamic freedom: substrate stress relaxation stimulates cell responses
Authors: Dey Kamol , Agnelli Silvia , Sartore Luciana
Published: December 2018

An elastic substrate stores cell-induced forces, while a viscoelastic substrate dissipates these forces through matrix reorganization and facilitates cell proliferation and differentiation.
Electrochemical CO2 reduction by a cobalt bipyricorrole complex: decrease of an overpotential value derived from monoanionic ligand character of the porphyrinoid species
Authors: Ogawa Ayumu , Oohora Koji , Gu Wenting , Hayashi Takashi
Published: December 2018

Bipyricorrole serves as a useful monoanionic ligand in a Co-based catalyst for a selective CO2-to-CO reduction with low overpotential.
Visualization of inhomogeneous current distribution on ZrO2-coated LiCoO2 thin-film electrodes using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy
Authors: Inomata Hirotaka , Takahashi Yasufumi , Takamatsu Daiko , Kumatani Akichika , Ida Hiroki , Shiku Hitoshi , Matsue Tomokazu
Published: December 2018

Cathode surface coating with metal-oxide thin layers has been intensively studied to improve the cycle durability of lithium-ion batteries.
Regulation of carbon content in MOF-derived hierarchical-porous NiO@C films for high-performance electrochromism
Authors: Liang Hao , Li Ran , Li Ce , Hou Chengyi , Li Yaogang , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Hongzhi
Published: December 2018

High-performance NiO@C electrochromism with quick electron-transfer and its application in EC eyewear were realized by regulation of carbon residues in MOF derivatives.
Using lithium chloride as a medium to prepare N,P-codoped carbon nanosheets for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions
Authors: Li Ping , Jang Haeseong , Yuan Bing , Wu Zexing , Liu Xien , Cho Jaephil
Published: December 2018

The N,P-codoped carbon nanosheets prepared using LiCl as the medium possess excellent bifunctional catalytic effects for ORR and OER due to the large specific surface area and hydrophilic surface.
Optimization extraction and functional properties of soluble dietary fiber from pineapple pomace obtained by shear homogenization-assisted extraction
Authors: Hu Huigang , Zhao Qiaoli
Published: December 2018

Shear homogenization-assisted extraction method was successfully applied to extract soluble dietary fiber from pineapple pomace, and the absorption capacities and antioxidant activities of the obtained s-SDF were also investigated.
An ultrasensitive fluorescent aptasensor for detection of cancer marker proteins based on graphene oxide–ssDNA
Authors: Wang Chen-Feng , Wang Zhen-Guang , Sun Xin-Yue , Chen Meng-Jiao , Lv Yun-Kai
Published: December 2018

A novel biosensing platform was developed by integrating a new ssDNA aptamer and graphene oxide (GO) for highly sensitive and selective detection of liver cancer biomarkers (AFP).
Synthesis and anti-glioblastoma effects of artemisinin-isothiocyanate derivatives
Authors: Nyein Chan Myae , Zhong Xiaolin , Lu Junfeng , Luo Huijuan , Wang Jiamin , Rapposelli Simona , Li Mingtao , Ou-yang Ying , Pi Rongbiao , He Xixin
Published: December 2018

Synthesis of artemisinin-isothiocyanate derivatives; evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of these compounds on U87 human glioblastoma cells; compound5binduced apoptosis and autophagy in U87 cells; compound5bsignificantly inhibited the migration of U87 cells.
Study of catalytic ozonation for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation in water by silicate ore supported Co3O4
Authors: Luo Lisha , Zou Donglei , Lu Dongwei , Yu Fengli , Xin Bingjing , Ma Jun
Published: December 2018

Antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride was efficiently degraded by CoSO-catalytic ozonation and the catalytic oxidation mechanism was elucidated.
Preparation of hierarchical HZSM-5 zeolites with combined desilication with NaAlO2/tetrapropylammonium hydroxide and acid modification for converting methanol to propylene
Authors: Gorzin Fatemeh , Towfighi Darian Jafar , Yaripour Fereydoon , Mousavi Seyyed Mohammad
Published: December 2018

A two-step route comprising desilication by NaAlO2/TPAOH mixture, followed by acid washing was used to produce mesoporous HZSM-5. The optimum alkaline-acid treated sample showed high stability (640 h) compared to the parent one in MTP reaction (425 h).
Preparation and characterization of novel forward osmosis membrane incorporated with sulfonated carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Yonghao , Zhao Yuntao , Tian Enling , Ren Yiwei
Published: December 2018

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modified with sulfonated groups and incorporated into the active layer of a forward osmosis (FO) membrane to achieve a desirable thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) FO membrane.
Free-standing and highly conductive PEDOT nanowire films for high-performance all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Ni Dan , Chen Yuanxun , Song Haijun , Liu Congcong , Yang Xiaowei , Cai Kefeng
Published: December 2018

Flexible solid-state supercapacitors based on free-standing PEDOT NW films with PVA–H2SO4–polydopamine robust gel films show high electrochemical performance.
Embedding heterostructured MnS/Co1−xS nanoparticles in porous carbon/graphene for superior lithium storage
Authors: Li Baosheng , Wang Ruirui , Chen Ziliang , Sun Dalin , Fang Fang , Wu Renbing
Published: December 2018

Hybrid nanocomposites constructed from heterostructured MnS/Co1−xS nanoparticles embedded in an electrically conductive carbon@reduced graphene oxide (MnS/Co1−xS@C@rGO) have been rationally designed, which exhibit excellent lithium-storage performance.
Rocking-chair Na-ion hybrid capacitor: a high energy/power system based on Na3V2O2(PO4)2F@PEDOT core–shell nanorods
Authors: Wu Langyuan , Dong Shengyang , Pang Gang , Li Hongsen , Xu Chengyang , Zhang Yadi , Dou Hui , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: December 2018

A high energy/power density RC-NIC system constructed with Na3V2O2(PO4)2F@PEDOT and PSC (peanut shell derived carbon).
Integrin αvβ6 plays a bi-directional regulation role between colon cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts
Authors: Peng Cheng , Zou Xueqing , Xia Wanying , Gao Huijie , Li Zequn , Liu Naiqing , Xu Zongquan , Gao Chao , He Zhaobin , Niu Weibo , Fang Ruliang , Biswas Siddhartha , Agrez Michael , Zhi Xuting , Niu Jun
Published: December 2018

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is the cellular environment in which tumor exists, and it contributes to tumor formation and progression. The TME is composed of tumor cells, stromal cells, cytokines, and chemotactic factors of which fibroblasts are the main cellular components. In our present study, we found that colorectal cancer (CRC) cells expressing integrin αvβ6 clearly could induce morphological changes in inactive fibroblasts and increased the expression of activated fibroblast markers such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast-activating protein (FAP). Those activated fibroblasts in the TME are called cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In order to investigate the mechanism by which CRC cells expressing integrin αvβ6 activated CAFs, a series of assays have been carried out in the follow-up. We found that CRC cells could secrete inactive transforming growth factor β (TGF-β); however, integrin αvβ6 activated TGF-β, which subsequently activated fibroblasts. This process was disrupted by knockdown of integrin αvβ6. In contrast, activated fibroblasts could promote CRC cell invasion. In particular, the strengthening effect on expression of integrin αvβ6 in colon cancer cells was obvious. Additionally, we found that CAFs could secrete stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and promote CRC cell metastasis in distant organs via the SDF-1/C–X–C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis. Taken together, we assumed that CRC cells and CAFs activated one another and worked together to promote cancer progression, with integrin αvβ6 playing a role in the bi-directional regulation of these cells. Hence, integrin αvβ6 may serve as a therapeutic target for the future CRC treatment.
Apoptosis and apoptotic body: disease message and therapeutic target potentials
Authors: Xu Xuebo , Lai Yueyang , Hua Zi-Chun
Published: December 2018

Apoptosis is widely known as programmed cell death eliciting no inflammatory responses. The intricacy of apoptosis has been a focus of an array of researches, accumulating a wealth of knowledge which led to not only a better understanding of the fundamental process, but also potent therapies of diseases. The classic intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways of apoptosis, along with regulatory factors have been well delineated. Drugs and therapeutic measures designed based on current understanding of apoptosis have long been employed. Small-molecule apoptosis inducers have been clinically used for eliminating morbid cells and therefore treating diseases, such as cancer. Biologics with improved apoptotic efficacy and selectivity, such as recombinant proteins and antibodies, are being extensively researched and some have been approved by the FDA. Apoptosis also produces membrane-bound vesicles derived from disassembly of apoptotic cells, now known as apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs). These little sealed sacs containing information as well as substances from dying cells were previously regarded as garbage bags until they were discovered to be capable of delivering useful materials to healthy recipient cells (e.g., autoantigens). In this review, current understandings and knowledge of apoptosis were summarized and discussed with a focus on apoptosis-related therapeutic applications and ApoBDs.
Extreme fragmentation and complex kinematics at the center of the L1287 cloud
Authors: Juárez Carmen , Liu Hauyu Baobab , Girart Josep M. , Palau Aina , Busquet Gemma , Galván-Madrid Roberto , Hirano Naomi , Lin Yuxin
Published: December 2018

Aims. The filamentary ~10-pc-scale infrared dark cloud L1287 located at a parallax distance of ~929 pc is actively forming a dense cluster of low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs) at its inner ~0.1 pc region. To help understand the origin of this low-mass YSO cluster, the present work aims at resolving the gas structures and kinematics with high angular resolution.

Methods. We performed ~1′′ angular resolution (~930 AU) observations at ~1.3 mm wavelengths using the Submillimeter Array (SMA), which simultaneously cover the dust continuum emission and various molecular line tracers for dense gas, warm gas, shocks, and outflows.

Results. From a 1.3-mm continuum image with a resolution of ~2′′ we identified six dense cores, namely SMA1-6. Their gas masses are in the range of ~0.4–4 M⊙. From a 1.3-mm continuum image with a resolution of ~1′′, we find a high fragmentation level, with 14 compact millimeter sources within 0.1 pc: SMA3 contains at least nine internal condensations; SMA5 and SMA6 are also resolved with two internal condensations. Intriguingly, one condensation in SMA3 and another in SMA5 appear associated with the known accretion outburst YSOs RNO 1C and RNO 1B. The dense gas tracer DCN (3–2) well traces the dust continuum emission and shows a clear velocity gradient along the NW-SE direction centered at SMA3. There is another velocity gradient with opposite direction around the most luminous YSO, IRAS 00338 + 6312.

Conclusions. The fragmentation within 0.1 pc in L1287 is very high compared to other regions at the same spatial scales. The incoherent motions of dense gas flows are sometimes interpreted by being influenced by (proto)stellar feedback (e.g., outflows), which is not yet ruled out in this particular target source. On the other hand, the velocities (with respect to the systemic velocity) traced by DCN are small, and the directions of the velocity gradients traced by DCN are approximately perpendicular to those of the dominant CO outflow(s). Therefore, we alternatively hypothesize that the velocity gradients revealed by DCN trace the convergence from the ≳0.1 pc scales infalling motion towards the rotational motions around the more compact (~0.02 pc) sources. This global molecular gas converging flow may feed the formation of the dense low-mass YSO cluster. Finally, we also found that IRAS 00338 + 6312 is the most likely powering source of the dominant CO outflow. A compact blue-shifted outflow from RNO 1C is also identified.
Groundwater Vulnerability Mapping in Faisalabad District Using GIS Based Drastic Model
Authors: Shakoor Aamir , Zahid Mahmood Khan , Farid H. Umar , Sultan Muhammad , Aftab Ahmad Khan , Ahmad Ijaz , Azmat Muhammad
Published: December 2018

The demand of groundwater has significantly increased during the past two decades to meet the food and fiber requirements due to constrained surface irrigation water. The groundwater has a major share to grow agriculture in Punjab-Pakistan, which produces more than 90% gains of the country. Beside the importance of groundwater, a major concern in recent years is the contamination of groundwater. The consecutive monitoring and mapping of aquifer water quality in large areas is a hectic job and not even economically feasible. Thus groundwater vulnerability maps are becoming more in demands to represents regional aquifer contamination potential. The aim of this research work was to find out the groundwater vulnerability potential zones in Faisalabad and its nearby areas, which is the fastest growing city of Pakistan. For this purpose, GIS based DRASTIC model was used to measure vulnerability related to agriculture in Faisalabad district. The inputs of the model are based on seven different layers. The results of the model were compared with groundwater samples. It was found that the DRASTIC model accurately identified the vulnerability of Faisalabad District with prediction efficiency of about 73%. The results revealed that more than 30% of study area was under high vulnerability potential. The areas under high vulnerable pollution are located in middle and upper part of Faisalabad District. The high vulnerable pollution in surrounding of Salarwala, Chak Jhumra and Khurianwala cities was due to shallow groundwater table, high recharge, gradual slope, sandy aquifer media and soil media consist of medium sand. The high vulnerable pollution in surrounding of Dijkot city was due to shallow groundwater table, gradual slope, vadose zone consist of course sand and high hydraulic conductivity. It is therefore recommended that Rainwater harvesting and ASR (Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wells) should be adopted in medium and high vulnerability areas to reduce water salinity.
Emergy analysis of ecological water resources in Tarim river tail region
Authors: Zhang Xiangping , Wang Yuanjian , Jiang Enhui , Li Junhua
Published: December 2018

The lower reaches of the Tarim River (Chala-Taitma Lake) is a typical ecologically fragile and sensitive area in the arid river basin. By 2017, 17 ecological water conveyances have been continuously implemented in this area, and the accumulated ecological water supply has exceeded 6.11 billion m3. It’s necessary to know changement of the Taitema Lake after ecological water transportation. This study investigate the dominant ecological processes on emergy analysis methods and analysis the renewable emergy changement of the Taitema Lake. The results are as follows: (1) Water is the dominant ecological factor in the region, and water resource metabolism is the dominant process in the region's ecosystem evolution. The evolution from desert to lake and wetland ecosystem is the main pattern of ecological water transportation in this area.(2) According to the calculation of the renewable emergy of the Taitema Lake in 2016, the total renewable emergy input is 3.53 x 1020 sej, in which the solar emergy takes up the largest proportion of the total emergy input, which is up to 74.39%.(3) Before 2000, the renewable emergy input in this region tended to decrease. By 2000, there was a significant growing. After 2000, the renewable emergy of the Taitema Lake shows a increasing trend.
Study on control mode of operation parameter in hydropower air chamber
Authors: Xu Tingyu , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2018

This paper makes a deep analysis on PL control mode and static water level control mode, which could control operation parameters more conveniently and ensure safety and stability of hydropower water conveyance system. Considering the physical circumstance of monitoring parameters of the air chamber, the mathematic model of air chamber is built. On the basis of two basic criteria which are the maximum pressure at the end of spiral case and the down surge of the air chamber in hydraulic transient process, one hydropower station with air chamber is taken as an example. Determined by the effects of the upper reservoir water level on monitoring parameters, the allowable ranges of PL and air height could be consulted to control actuating and impeding the air compressor and the exhaust valve in an appropriate way. It is put forward that the maximum (minimum) product of the pressure and air height under dynamic initial condition, the maximum (minimum) air height under dynamic initial condition and static initial condition are determined by the criteria of down surge in the air chamber with large volume air (the criteria of the maximum pressure at the end of the spiral case with small volume air).
Operation method of allowing variation interval of downstream water level in the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project
Authors: Wu Yongyan , Huang Huiyong , Li Qi , Yan Yibo
Published: December 2018

To realize demand-oriented operations in the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, this paper proposed a pool operation method that a variation interval of water level at the upstream of the check gate is allowed. In this method, water users’ demand for flow changes can be satisfied as much as possible. Accordingly, downstream water depth is kept to fluctuate within a certain range, which is determined considering the canal safety, the operation frequency of check gates and the pool delay. The method is tested using the self-developed simulation platform for the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, which is established based on the Saint-Venant equations and programmed with the language Fortran. Results show that the flow changes demanded by water users, either increase or decrease, can be achieved effectively, while the water level variations can meet the restrictions for canal operation safety, and the frequency of gate adjustment is practically acceptable as well. Therefore, the operation method of allowing variation interval of downstream water level is suitable in the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project at the current stage.
Impact on operation of the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion
Authors: Wan Hui , Huang Huiyong , Zeng Sidong , Yan Yibo , Wu Yongyan , Liu Shaohua , Wei Kai
Published: December 2018

The inter-basin water transfer project is one of the most important means to solve the uneven distribution of water resources in time and space, rationally allocate water resources, and promote the construction of water ecological civilization. Research on the operation impact and channel hydraulic response is meaning for the safe operation of long-distance water conveyance canals. Taking the Middle Route Project (MRP) of South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) as example, this paper built the onedimensional steady and unsteady flow model and investigated the impact of roughness change, emergency rescue technology and equipment, and sluice control failure. Results showed that increased roughness decreased the water diversion efficiency of MRP to some degree. The emergency rescue technology and equipment occupied the channel section and declined flow capacity. The occurrence of sluice control failure relatively played an increasing impact on upstream water level and a decreasing impact downstream water level and flow discharge. The impact of the above scenarios on the scheduling operation can be reduced to a certain extent by regular cleaning and maintenance, development of rational water emergency rescue project, development of staff skill, etc. This research can provide support for safe operation and regulation of the MRP of SNWD.
Urban Storm Flooding: Characteristics and Management in Beijing
Authors: Fu Chao-chen , Liu Jia-hong , Wang Hao , Xiang Chen-yao , Fu Xiao-ran , Luan Qing-hua
Published: December 2018

Beijing is located on the North China Plain with five rivers, which belong to the Hai River Basin. Its continental monsoon climate with uneven precipitation distribution is extreme likely lead to serious urban flood disasters. According to the disaster results, urban storm flood in Beijing can be classified into four types. Here typical extreme storm flood events and their characteristics in Beijing were analyzed in detail. It showed that storm flood events in recently decades had a trend, which centered in a relatively small area with high intensity and short duration. The main reasons of urban storm flood disaster were urbanization and basic facilities with low flood and drainage standard. Urbanization means land utilization significantly altering hydraulic processes, and extreme storm can easily exceed those facilities capacity. In order to deal with urban storm flood, Beijing government have taken four measurements, which were upgrading and reconstruction of rainwater pumping stations, improving projects of small and medium rivers, building sponge city, and implementing the West Suburb Storm-water Regulation Project. In addition, the flood warning and emergency management system has been established. Furthermore, some measurements were pointed to be done in the future, including improvement of the flood control management system, improvement of flood control plans, strengthening flood warning system, and strengthening social management and public awareness of flood prevention. With these improvements of management and engineering measurements, it can be more secure under intensive storms in Beijing. These experiences of flood control in Beijing can provide references for other cities.
Soil water transformation regularity of farmland for typical crop in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region: Experimental and simulating analyses
Authors: Lu Chuiyu , Sun Qingyan , Cao Guoliang , Luan Qinghua , Yan Lingjia , Zhang Bo , Li Tianchen , Lai Bin
Published: December 2018

The transformation process of soil water plays an important role in the hydrological cycle, and is a link to other water processes. Study on the regularity of soil water transformation under agricultural plantation is favorable to understanding the influence of human activities on soil water conversion. Typical crop was selected in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH) region and the study on regularity of field-scale soil water transformation was carried out by means of crop-soil water field experimental observation combined with model simulation. In the field experiment, testing and observation of irrigated and rainfed maize were simultaneously carried out in the adjacent fields respectively to form a comparative experimental study. The experimental observation data were used to establish the soil water model, which is calibrated in many aspects, such as field water content change during the maize growth period, the soil profile water content distribution at different moments, maize leaf area index and plant height. The results show that this model has an efficient simulation effect. Quantitative study on field evapotranspiration regularity, field soil water flux under irrigated and rainfed modes, impact mechanism of soil water deep seepage during maize growth period was achieved through the simulation of soil water process, and related reference conclusions were also proposed for water resources management and conservation in BTH.
Study on Long-term Water Quality Protection Mechanism Framework of Inter-basin Water Diversion Protect
Authors: Xiaolin YIN
Published: December 2018

With the increasing and complicated contradiction between the supply and demand of water resources in recent years, a number of inter-basin water diversion projects have been built in various places in China. The water supply objects of the inter-basin water diversion projects are mostly industrial and domestic water, and the water quality is closely related to the success or failure of the water transfer project, which makes it necessary to establish a long-term water quality protection mechanism. On the basis of analyzing major issues in water quality protection in inter-basin water transfer projects, a long-term mechanism framework for water quality protection was established and elaborated from the aspects of institutional system, water quality goals, risk management, guarantee conditions, feedback mechanism, technical evaluation, administrative assessment, public participation, incentive measures, aiming to provides reference for the water quality safety inter-basin water diversion projects.