bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single methyl groups can act as toggle switches to specify transmembrane Protein-protein interactions
Authors: He Li , Steinocher Helena , Shelar Ashish , Cohen Emily B , Heim Erin N , Kragelund Birthe B , Grigoryan Gevorg , DiMaio Daniel
Published: September 2017

Transmembrane domains (TMDs) engage in protein-protein interactions that regulate many cellular processes, but the rules governing the specificity of these interactions are poorly understood. To discover these principles, we analyzed 26-residue model transmembrane proteins consisting exclusively of leucine and isoleucine (called LIL traptamers) that specifically activate the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) in mouse cells to confer growth factor independence. We discovered that the placement of a single side chain methyl group at specific positions in a traptamer determined whether it associated productively with the TMD of the human EPOR, the mouse EPOR, or both receptors. Association of the traptamers with the EPOR induced EPOR oligomerization in an orientation that stimulated receptor activity. These results highlight the high intrinsic specificity of TMD interactions, demonstrate that a single methyl group can dictate specificity, and define the minimal chemical difference that can modulate the specificity of TMD interactions and the activity of transmembrane proteins.
Mcm10 promotes rapid isomerization of CMG-DNA for replisome bypass of lagging strand DNA blocks
Authors: Langston Lance D , Mayle Ryan , Schauer Grant D , Yurieva Olga , Zhang Daniel , Yao Nina Y , Georgescu Roxana E , O'Donnell Mike E
Published: September 2017

Replicative helicases in all cell types are hexameric rings that unwind DNA by steric exclusion in which the helicase encircles the tracking strand only and excludes the other strand from the ring. This mode of translocation allows helicases to bypass blocks on the strand that is excluded from the central channel. Unlike other replicative helicases, eukaryotic CMG helicase partially encircles duplex DNA at a forked junction and is stopped by a block on the non-tracking (lagging) strand. This report demonstrates that Mcm10, an essential replication protein unique to eukaryotes, binds CMG and greatly stimulates its helicase activity in vitro. Most significantly, Mcm10 enables CMG and the replisome to bypass blocks on the non-tracking DNA strand. We demonstrate that bypass occurs without displacement of the blocks and therefore Mcm10 must isomerize the CMG-DNA complex to achieve the bypass function.
Live imaging looks deeper
Authors: Fadero Tanner C , Maddox Paul S
Published: September 2017

Iodixanol provides an easy and affordable solution to a problem that has limited resolution and brightness when imaging living samples.
Prediction of endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins using fragmented amino acid composition and support vector machine
Authors: Kumar Ravindra , Kumari Bandana , Kumar Manish
Published: September 2017

Background

The endoplasmic reticulum plays an important role in many cellular processes, which includes protein synthesis, folding and post-translational processing of newly synthesized proteins. It is also the site for quality control of misfolded proteins and entry point of extracellular proteins to the secretory pathway. Hence at any given point of time, endoplasmic reticulum contains two different cohorts of proteins, (i) proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum-specific function, which reside in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, called as endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins and (ii) proteins which are in process of moving to the extracellular space. Thus, endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins must somehow be distinguished from newly synthesized secretory proteins, which pass through the endoplasmic reticulum on their way out of the cell. Approximately only 50% of the proteins used in this study as training data had endoplasmic reticulum retention signal, which shows that these signals are not essentially present in all endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins. This also strongly indicates the role of additional factors in retention of endoplasmic reticulum-specific proteins inside the endoplasmic reticulum.

Methods

This is a support vector machine based method, where we had used different forms of protein features as inputs for support vector machine to develop the prediction models. During trainingleave-one-outapproach of cross-validation was used. Maximum performance was obtained with a combination of amino acid compositions of different part of proteins.

Results

In this study, we have reported a novel support vector machine based method for predicting endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins, named as ERPred. During training we achieved a maximum accuracy of 81.42% withleave-one-outapproach of cross-validation. When evaluated on independent dataset, ERPred did prediction with sensitivity of 72.31% and specificity of 83.69%. We have also annotated six different proteomes to predict the candidate endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins in them. A webserver, ERPred, was developed to make the method available to the scientific community, which can be accessed athttp://proteininformatics.org/mkumar/erpred/index.html.

Discussion

We found that out of 124 proteins of the training dataset, only 66 proteins had endoplasmic reticulum retention signals, which shows that these signals are not an absolute necessity for endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins to remain inside the endoplasmic reticulum. This observation also strongly indicates the role of additional factors in retention of proteins inside the endoplasmic reticulum. Our proposed predictor, ERPred, is a signal independent tool. It is tuned for the prediction of endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins, even if the query protein does not contain specific ER-retention signal.
Urbanization alters communities of flying arthropods in parks and gardens of a medium-sized city
Authors: Lagucki Edward , Burdine Justin D. , McCluney Kevin E.
Published: September 2017

Urbanization transforms undeveloped landscapes into built environments, causing changes in communities and ecological processes. Flying arthropods play important roles in these processes as pollinators, decomposers, and predators, and can be important in structuring food webs. The goal of this study was to identify associations between urbanization and the composition of communities of flying (and floating) arthropods within gardens and parks in a medium-sized mesic city. We predicted that flying arthropod abundance and diversity would respond strongly to percent impervious surface and distance to city center, measurements of urbanization. Flying arthropods were sampled from 30 gardens and parks along an urbanization gradient in Toledo, Ohio, during July and August 2016, using elevated pan traps. A variety of potential predictor variables were also recorded at each site. We collected a total of 2,369 individuals representing nine orders. We found that flying arthropod community composition was associated with percent impervious surface and canopy cover. Overall flying arthropod abundance was negatively associated with percent impervious surface and positively associated with distance to city center. Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants), Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies), and Araneae (spiders) were positively associated with distance to city center. Hemiptera (true bugs), Diptera (flies), and Araneae were negatively associated with percent impervious surface. Both distance to city center and percent impervious surface are metrics of urbanization, and this study shows how these factors influence flying arthropod communities in urban gardens and city parks, including significant reductions in taxa that contain pollinators and predators important to urban agriculture and forestry. A variety of environmental factors also showed significant associations with responses (e.g. canopy cover and soil moisture), suggesting these factors may underlie or modulate the urbanization effects. More research is needed to determine mechanisms of change.
Stress responses to conspecific visual cues of predation risk in zebrafish
Authors: Oliveira Thiago Acosta , Idalencio Renan , Kalichak Fabiana , dos Santos Rosa João Gabriel , Koakoski Gessi , de Abreu Murilo Sander , Giacomini Ana Cristina Varrone , Gusso Darlan , Rosemberg Denis Brook , Barreto Rodrigo Egydio , Barcellos Leonardo José Gil
Published: September 2017

Chemical communication relating to predation risk is a trait common among fish species. Prey fish under threat of predation can signal risk to conspecific fish, which then exhibit defensive responses. Fish also assess predation risk by visual cues and change their behavior accordingly. Here, we explored whether these behavioral changes act as visual alarm signals to conspecific fish that are not initially under risk. We show that shoals of zebrafish (Danio rerio) visually exposed to a predator display antipredator behaviors. In addition, these defensive maneuvers trigger antipredator reactions in conspecifics and, concomitantly, stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis, leading to cortisol increase. Thus, we conclude that zebrafish defensive behaviors act as visual alarm cues that induce antipredator and stress response in conspecific fish.
CONTRIBUIÇÕES MARXISTAS PARA TEORIA DA HISTÓRIA: A RELAÇÃO ENTRE ESTRUTURA E HISTÓRIA.
Authors: Mandelli Bruno
Published: September 2017

O presente artigo problematiza e debate as concepções históricas para Karl Marx e Friedrich Engels. Em especial procura-se estudar as articulações entre o nível dos acontecimentos e o nível estrutural, que se encontra grande parte do debate teórico. Com base em obras de ambos os autores desde suas primeiras contribuições até obras maduras, procura-se discutir as suas compreensões sobre esse campo do conhecimento.
ANDERY, Maria Amália. et al. Para Compreender a Ciência: uma perspectiva histórica. 16 ed. Rio de Janeiro: Garamond; São Paulo: EDUC, 2012. PARA COMPREENDER A CIÊNCIA: UM DIÁLOGO COM MARIA AMÁLIA ANDERY E COLABORADORES
Authors: Cruz Marlon Messias Satana
Published: September 2017

A presente obra é baseada na compreensão da ciência a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Compreende a ciência, como parte das idéias produzidas pelo homem para satisfazer suas necessidades, portanto, por elas determinadas e nelas interferindo. A produção do conhecimento científico, por sua vez, – que teve e tem interferência na história construída pelo ser humano – só pode ser entendida se forem analisadas as condições concretas que condicionaram e condicionam sua produção. Desta forma, o livro trata de abordagens metodológicas que vigoraram em diferentes modos de produção – escravista, feudal, capitalista – assumindo o olhar para a história como caminho para compreensão da atual ciência.
A ATIVIDADE DE ENSINO NA EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA COM FUNDAMENTO NA PEDAGOGIA HISTÓRICO-CRÍTICA
Authors: Ferreira Antonio Leonan Alves
Published: September 2017

Este texto toma como objeto a relação dialética entre conteúdo e forma na prática de ensino na educação física. Tem por objetivo elucidar as contribuições da Atividade de ensino na educação física com fundamento na pedagogia histórico-crítica para o desenvolvimento do pensamento conceitual na educação física escolar.
A REFORMA NEOLIBERAL DO ENSINO MÉDIO E A GRADUAL DESCARACTERIZAÇÃO DA ESCOLA
Authors: Duarte Rita De Cássia , Derisso José Luis
Published: September 2017

A proposta deste artigo é analisar criticamente a Reforma do Ensino Médio contextualizando-a num cenário de avanço das reformas neoliberais que se iniciam no Brasil com a Reforma do Estado na década de 1990 e que são fortemente retomadas no final de 2016 por meio de emendas constitucionais que impõem retrocessos nas leis trabalhistas e nos direitos sociais. Identificamos que a Reforma do Ensino Médio guarda proximidade com a teoria do capital humano da década de 1960 e que se orienta para a formação de dois tipos de escola pública, uma orientada para o acesso ao ensino superior e outra para uma educação dita de formação profissional.
AS POLÍTICAS EDUCACIONAIS À SOMBRA DO PÓS-MODERNISMO E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES NO ENSINO DE LITERATURA
Authors: Costa Larissa Quachio
Published: September 2017

Resumo: O trabalho que ora se apresenta objetiva traçar algumas reflexões acerca da influência das diretrizes neoliberais nas políticas educacionais e, consequentemente, no campo do ensino de Língua Portuguesa e literatura. O artigo concentra-se na tese segundo a qual tal influência é um dos aspectos característicos das concepções pós-modernas, cuja origem deve ser averiguada nas primeiras manifestações do processo de decadência ideológica da burguesia, no século XIX.

 

 
HISTORICIDADE DE UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE O EMPRESARIAMENTO DA EDUCAÇÃO NO BRASIL
Authors: Rosar Maria de Fátima Felix
Published: September 2017

O artigo trata do empresariamento da educação. Traz breve narrativa autobiográfica, ao situar o descompasso entre a concepção de administração escolar do curso de Pedagogia concluído e a atuação profissional, como diretora de escola de ensino médio e docente da disciplina administração escolar, a partir de uma visão crítica, ainda sem fundamentos, para uma análise histórica, adquiridos no mestrado em Administração e Supervisão Escolar da Unicamp. Evidencia a relação entre administração escolar e administração de empresa, sendo hegemonizada pelas corporações que mercantilizam a educação. Finaliza indicando concepções necessárias à prática pedagógica para formar educadores em direção à sociedade socialista.  

 

 
EPISTEMOLOGIA, CLASSE E LUTA DE CLASSES: MANTENDO O AZIMUTE
Authors: Freitas Francisco Máuri de Carvalho
Published: September 2017

O presente texto foi produzido a partir do entendimento idiossincrático sobre a obra de Marx e Engels, reflexo das conclusões retiradas pelo autor a partir das diversas palestras sobre marxismo que faziam / fazem alusão a esses dois inigualáveis barbudos alemães e a outro portador de um cavanhaque caprichosamente aparado, Lenin, um trio de pensadores revolucionários para quem a práxis é crítica e revolucionária.
ANÁLISE DA PRODUÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO: A PRÁTICA COMO DIREÇÃO DA CRÍTICA
Authors: Peixoto Elza Margarida de Mendonça
Published: September 2017

Este artigo procura recuperar os traços da crítica epistemológica de Marx e Engels, de forma a evidenciar os desafios para empreender uma crítica materialista e dialética da produção do conhecimento. Defendemos ser possível apanhar na revisão da forma com que Marx e Engels criticaram a filosofia alemã clássica (e também a economia política inglesa, o socialismo utópico francês) nos anos 40 do século XIX, meios e métodos para uma crítica epistemológica que pode contribuir para a superação dos limites da crítica da produção de dissertações e teses em educação e educação física, tal como vêm sendo produzida.
ANÁLISES E EMBATES MARXISTAS DA/NA PRODUÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO
Authors: Frigotto Gaudêncio
Published: September 2017

Vivemos tempos difíceis no cenário político-social brasileiro, recentemente uma série de ataques vem sendo realizada contra a classe trabalhadora em todos os âmbitos, social, político, econômico e cultural. Nesse ambiente de ofensiva conservadora no Brasil e no Mundo, frequentemente a teoria marxiana e marxista é objeto de crítica das diferentes matrizes teóricas-filosóficas no âmbito das lutas das ideias. Nesse sentido, conhecendo as produções e o compromisso político do professor Gaudêncio Frigotto não hesitamos em convidá-lo para discutir conosco sobre as análises e os embates marxistas da/na produção do conhecimento.
CARTA A ANNENKOV
Authors: Marx Karl
Published: September 2017

Primeiras notas de Marx quanto à Crítica a Proudhom.
An Update on the Centered and Eccentric Geomagnetic Dipoles and Their Poles for the Years 1980–2015
Authors: Koochak Zahra , Fraser‐Smith Antony C.
Published: September 2017

This paper is an update and extension of an earlier study of the centered and eccentric dipole models of the Earth's magnetic field. We use the 1980–2015 IGRF Gauss coefficients to recalculate the magnetic dipole moments and pole positions for both the centered and eccentric dipoles for an additional 35 years. The changes that have taken place are mostly extensions of the trends described earlier. Interestingly, the earlier weak suggestion of an accelerated decline in the magnetic moment over the interval 1975–1985 persists in the more recent data; if the current decline for the years 2000–2015 continues, the Earth's field is projected to decline to nothing around the year 3797 A.D. This projected decline to zero field will almost certainly not occur on this date, but it is of interest because the timescale for the decline is remarkably short compared with the timescales derived for past field reversals. The asymmetry of the Earth's field continues to increase quite rapidly, with the offset of the equivalent dipole from the Earth's center now close to 9% of the Earth's radius. Since we now know that all the planets in our solar system with global magnetic fields have asymmetric fields that can be modeled more accurately as eccentric dipole fields, and not as centered dipole fields, the eccentric dipole analysis reported here can now be viewed more generally as an approach to planetary magnetic fields and not just to the magnetic field of our own planet.
Improved boundary layer height measurement using a fuzzy logic method: Diurnal and seasonal variabilities of the convective boundary layer over a tropical station
Authors: Allabakash S. , Yasodha P. , Bianco L. , Venkatramana Reddy S. , Srinivasulu P. , Lim S.
Published: September 2017

This paper presents the efficacy of a “tuned” fuzzy logic method at determining the height of the boundary layer using the measurements from a 1280 MHz lower atmospheric radar wind profiler located in Gadanki (13.5°N, 79°E, 375 mean sea level), India, and discusses the diurnal and seasonal variations of the measured convective boundary layer over this tropical station. The original fuzzy logic (FL) method estimates the height of the atmospheric boundary layer combining the information from the range‐corrected signal‐to‐noise ratio, the Doppler spectral width of the vertical velocity, and the vertical velocity itself, measured by the radar, through a series of thresholds and rules, which did not prove to be optimal for our radar system and geographical location. For this reason the algorithm was tuned to perform better on our data set. Atmospheric boundary layer heights obtained by this tuned FL method, the original FL method, and by a “standard method” (that only uses the information from the range‐corrected signal‐to‐noise ratio) are compared with those obtained from potential temperature profiles measured by collocated Global Positioning System Radio Sonde during years 2011 and 2013. The comparison shows that the tuned FL method is more accurate than the other methods. Maximum convective boundary layer heights are observed between ~14:00 and ~15:00 local time (LT = UTC + 5:30) for clear‐sky days. These daily maxima are found to be lower during winter and postmonsoon seasons and higher during premonsoon and monsoon seasons, due to net surface radiation and convective processes over this region being more intense during premonsoon and monsoon seasons and less intense in winter and postmonsoon seasons.
Depression in early adolescence: Contributions from relational aggression and variation in the oxytocin receptor gene
Authors: Kushner Shauna C. , Herzhoff Kathrin , Vrshek‐Schallhorn Suzanne , Tackett Jennifer L.
Published: September 2017

Interpersonal stress arising from relational aggression (RA)—the intentional effort to harm others via rejection and exclusion—may increase risk for depression in youth. Biological vulnerabilities related to the hormone oxytocin, which affects social behavior and stress responses, may exacerbate this risk. In a community sample of 307 youth (52% female; age range = 10–14 years), we tested whether (1) the association between RA and subsequent depressive symptoms was mediated through social problems and (2) a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs53576) in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) moderated this indirect association between RA and depression, where GG homozygotes are predicted to be more sensitive to the effects of social problems than A‐allele carriers. Youth‐reported RA and depressive symptoms were measured using a structured interview and a questionnaire, respectively. DNA was extracted from saliva collected with Oragene kits. Consistent with the interpersonal theory of depression, the association between relational aggression and subsequent depressive symptoms was mediated by social problems. This indirect effect was further moderated by rs53576 genotype, such that GG homozygotes showed a stronger mediation effect than A‐carriers. These results suggest that rs53576 variants confer vulnerability for depression within the context of interpersonal risk factors, such that youth with the GG genotype may be particularly sensitive to the social consequences resulting from RA.
Direct Imaging of Superwetting Behavior on Solid–Liquid–Vapor Triphase Interfaces
Authors: Peng Yun , Jin Xu , Zheng Yongmei , Han Dong , Liu Kesong , Jiang Lei
Published: September 2017

A solid–liquid–vapor interface dominated by a three‐phase contact line usually serves as an active area for interfacial reactions and provides a vital clue to surface behavior. Recently, direct imaging of the triphase interface of superwetting interfaces on the microscale/nanoscale has attracted broad scientific attention for both theoretical research and practical applications, and has gradually become an efficient and intuitive approach to explore the wetting behaviors of various multiphase interfaces. Here, recent progress on characterizing the solid–liquid–vapor triphase interface on the microscale/nanoscale with diverse types of imaging apparatus is summarized. Moreover, the accurate, visible, and quantitative information that can be obtained shows the real interfacial morphology of the wetting behaviors of multiphase interfaces. On the basis of fundamental research, technical innovations in imaging and complicated multiphase interfaces of the superwetting surface are also briefly presented.
Bioinspired Redox‐Active Catechol‐Bearing Polymers as Ultrarobust Organic Cathodes for Lithium Storage
Authors: Patil Nagaraj , Aqil Abdelhafid , Ouhib Farid , Admassie Shimelis , Inganäs Olle , Jérôme Christine , Detrembleur Christophe
Published: September 2017

Redox‐active catechols are bioinspired precursors for ortho‐quinones that are characterized by higher discharge potentials than para‐quinones, the latter being extensively used as organic cathode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Here, this study demonstrates that the rational molecular design of copolymers bearing catechol‐ and Li+ ion‐conducting anionic pendants endow redox‐active polymers (RAPs) with ultrarobust electrochemical energy storage features when combined to carbon nanotubes as a flexible, binder‐, and metal current collector‐free buckypaper electrode. The importance of the structure and functionality of the RAPs on the battery performances in LIBs is discussed. The structure‐optimized RAPs can store high‐capacities of 360 mA h g−1 at 5C and 320 mA h g−1 at 30C in LIBs. The high ion and electron mobilities within the buckypaper also enable to register 96 mA h g−1 (24% capacity retention) at an extreme C‐rate of 600C (6 s for total discharge). Moreover, excellent cyclability is noted with a capacity retention of 98% over 3400 cycles at 30C. The high capacity, superior active‐material utilization, ultralong cyclability, and excellent rate performances of RAPs‐based electrode clearly rival most of the state‐of‐the‐art Li+ ion organic cathodes, and opens up new horizons for large‐scalable fabrication of electrode materials for ultrarobust Li storage.
Preparation of Building Blocks for Iterative Suzuki‐Miyaura Reactions via Direct Bromination of Aryl Boronic Acids: One‐Pot Total Syntheses of Dictyoterphenyls A and B
Authors: Lee Chun‐Young , Cheon Cheol‐Hong
Published: September 2017

A highly efficient method for the preparation of 4‐alkoxy‐3‐bromophenyl boronic acid N‐methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) esters as building blocks in iterative Suzuki‐Miyaura reactions from the 4‐alkoxyphenylboronic acids is described using a boronic acid moiety as a blocking group in bromination reactions. With these MIDA boronates, the total syntheses of dictyoterphenyls A and B were developed in only two separate one‐pot operations. Furthermore, we have developed a more practical protocol for the preparation of meta‐terphenyl natural products by simply adding the second aryl halide and water to the reaction mixture via the controlled release technique.

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Preparation and characterization of starch nanocomposite embedded with functionalized MWCNT: Investigation of optical, morphological, thermal, and copper ions adsorption properties
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Nezamzadeh Ezhieh Ahmadreza
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this research was to fabricate starch nanocomposites (NC)s using corn starch and MWCNTs‐Valine as efficient fillers, and to examine the impact of nanofillers on the starch's properties. At first, Valine was grafted onto the MWCNTs' surfaces through a chemical reaction. Then, the functionalized MWCNTs (0.5, 1, and 2 wt.%) were embedded in the starch by ultrasonic technique. The field emission scanning electron microscopy showed homogeneous distribution of nanofillers in the starch matrix. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the starch's thermal stability was improved after addition of MWCNTs. Finally, the adsorption behavior of the prepared NC for the elimination of copper ions from the aqueous solution was investigated.
Effects of carbon black content and size on conductive properties of filled high‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Liang Ji‐Zhao , Yang Quan‐Quan
Published: September 2017

The high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites filled with four kinds of carbon blacks (CB) were prepared to investigate the effects of the size and content of the CB on the electrical properties of the HDPE/CB composites. It was found that the composites presented conductive percolation behavior, the CB with different size filled‐systems had different percolation thresholds; the higher the structure property of the CB, the larger the particle surface area, and the smaller the particle size, the better was the conductivity, and the lower was the percolation threshold of the composites. In addition, the HDPE/CB composites showed significant positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect and negative temperature coefficient effect. The bigger the filler particle diameter, the higher was the PTC intensity of the HDPE composite systems under the same CB weight fraction.
The Importance of Pendant Groups on Triphenylamine‐Based Hole Transport Materials for Obtaining Perovskite Solar Cells with over 20% Efficiency
Authors: Zhang Jinbao , Xu Bo , Yang Li , Ruan Changqing , Wang Linqin , Liu Peng , Zhang Wei , Vlachopoulos Nick , Kloo Lars , Boschloo Gerrit , Sun Licheng , Hagfeldt Anders , Johansson Erik M. J.
Published: September 2017

Tremendous progress has recently been achieved in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as evidenced by impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs); but the high PCEs of >20% in PSCs has so far been mostly achieved by using the hole transport material (HTM) spiro‐OMeTAD; however, the relatively low conductivity and high cost of spiro‐OMeTAD significantly limit its potential use in large‐scale applications. In this work, two new organic molecules with spiro[fluorene‐9,9′‐xanthene] (SFX)‐based pendant groups, X26 and X36, have been developed as HTMs. Both X26 and X36 present facile syntheses with high yields. It is found that the introduced SFX pendant groups in triphenylamine‐based molecules show significant influence on the conductivity, energy levels, and thin‐film surface morphology. The use of X26 as HTM in PSCs yields a remarkable PCE of 20.2%. In addition, the X26‐based devices show impressive stability maintaining a high PCE of 18.8% after 5 months of aging in controlled (20%) humidity in the dark. We believe that X26 with high device PCEs of >20% and simple synthesis show a great promise for future application in PSCs, and that it represents a useful design platform for designing new charge transport materials for optoelectronic applications.
Robust Hydrogenation of Nitrile and Nitro Groups to Primary Amines Using Ni2P as a Catalyst and Ammonia Borane under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Zen Yun‐Feng , Fu Zi‐Cheng , Liang Fei , Xu Yong , Yang Dan‐Dan , Yang Zhi , Gan Xin , Lin Zhe‐Shuai , Chen Yong , Fu Wen‐Fu
Published: September 2017

The selective hydrogenation of nitrile groups to primary amines is challenging owing to their high ability to produce secondary and tertiary amines. Herein, we report an efficient system for the hydrogenation of nitrile and nitro groups to primary amines catalyzed by Ni2P nanoparticles in an aqueous H3NBH3 solution under ambient conditions. The system exhibits high catalytic selectivity toward generating primary amines, resulting in good isolated yields. A combination of experiments and theoretical calculations shows that composite interactions among species on the catalyst surface alter the catalytic pathway.
Nickel‐Catalyzed C−H Heteroarylation of Chiral Oxazolines
Authors: Lu Peng , Ji Chong‐Lei , Lu Zhan
Published: September 2017

A nickel‐catalyzed C−H heteroarylation at the 2 position of oxazolines with heteroaryl halides was developed. Various oxazoline‐containing multidentate chiral ligands have been efficiently synthesized.
Biphasic Synergistic Gel Materials with Switchable Mechanics and Self‐Healing Capacity
Authors: Zhao Ziguang , Liu Yuxia , Zhang Kangjun , Zhuo Shuyun , Fang Ruochen , Zhang Jianqi , Jiang Lei , Liu Mingjie
Published: September 2017

A fabrication strategy for biphasic gels is reported, which incorporates high‐internal‐phase emulsions. Closely packed micro‐inclusions within the elastic hydrogel matrix greatly improve the mechanical properties of the materials. The materials exhibit excellent switchable mechanics and shape‐memory performance because of the switchable micro‐ inclusions that are incorporated into the hydrogel matrix. The produced materials demonstrated a self‐healing capacity that originates from the noncovalent effect of the biphasic heteronetwork. The aforementioned characteristics suggest that the biphasic gels may serve as ideal composite gel materials with validity in a variety of applications, such as soft actuators, flexible devices, and biological materials.
Color Tuning in Garnet Oxides: The Role of Tetrahedral Coordination Geometry for 3 d Metal Ions and Ligand–Metal Charge Transfer (Band‐Gap Manipulation)
Authors: Bhim Anupam , Laha Sourav , Gopalakrishnan Jagannatha , Natarajan Srinivasan
Published: September 2017

We explored garnet‐structured oxide materials containing 3d transition‐metal ions (e.g., Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+) for the development of new inorganic colored materials. For this purpose, we synthesized new garnets, Ca3Sb2Ga2ZnO12 (I) and Ca3Sb2Fe2ZnO12 (II), that were isostructural with Ca3Te2Zn3O12. Substitution of Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ at the tetrahedral Zn2+ sites in I and II gave rise to brilliantly colored materials (different shades of blue, green, turquoise, and red). The materials were characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy and CIE chromaticity diagrams. The Fe3+‐containing oxides showed band‐gap narrowing (owing to strong sp–d exchange interactions between Zn2+ and the transition‐metal ion), and this tuned the color of these materials uniquely. We also characterized the color and optical absorption properties of Ca3Te2Zn3−xCoxO12 (0<x≤2.0) and Cd3Te2Zn3−xCoxO12 (0<x≤1.0), which display brilliant blue and green‐blue colors, respectively. The present work brings out the role of the distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry of transition‐metal ions and ligand–metal charge transfer (which is manifested as narrowing of the band gap) in producing brilliantly colored garnet‐based materials.
Generation and Evaluation of Novel Stromal Cell‐Containing Tissue Engineered Artificial Stromas for the Surgical Repair of Abdominal Defects
Authors: Martin‐Piedra Miguel A. , Garzón Ingrid , Gómez‐Sotelo Ana , Garcia‐Abril Eduardo , Jaimes‐Parra Boris D. , López‐Cantarero Manuel , Alaminos Miguel , Campos Antonio
Published: September 2017

Repair of abdominal wall defects is one of the major clinical challenges in abdominal surgery. Most biomaterials are associated to infection and severe complications, making necessary safer and more biocompatible approaches. In the present work, the adequate mechanical properties of synthetic polymer meshes with tissue‐engineered matrices containing stromal mesenchymal cells is combined to generate a novel cell‐containing tissue‐like artificial stroma (SCTLAS) for use in abdominal wall repair. SCTLAS consisting on fibrin‐agarose hydrogels seeded with stromal cells and reinforced with commercial surgical meshes (SM) are evaluated in vitro and in vivo in animal models of abdominal wall defect. Inflammatory cells, collagen, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components are analyzed and compared with grafted SM. Use of SCTLAS results in less inflammation and less fibrosis than SM, with most ECM components being very similar to control abdominal wall tissues. Cell migration and ECM remodeling within SCTLAS is comparable to control tissues. The use of SCTLAS could contribute to reduce the side‐effects associated to currently available SM and regenerated tissues are more similar to control abdominal wall tissues. Bioengineered SCTLAS could contribute to a safer treatment of abdominal wall defects with higher biocompatibility than currently available SM.
Enhanced Biosynthesis of Hyaluronic Acid Using Engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum Via Metabolic Pathway Regulation
Authors: Cheng Fangyu , Luozhong Sijin , Guo Zhigang , Yu Huimin , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: September 2017

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide used in many industries such as medicine, surgery, cosmetics, and food. To avoid potential pathogenicity caused by its native producer, Streptococcus, efforts have been made to create a recombinant host for HA production. In this work, a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) strain, Corynebacterium glutamicum, is engineered for enhanced biosynthesis of HA via metabolic pathway regulation. Five enzymes (HasA‐HasE) involved in the HA biosynthetic pathway are highlighted, and eight diverse operon combinations, including HasA, HasAB, HasAC, HasAD, HasAE, HasABC, HasABD, and HasABE, are compared. HasAB and HasABC are found to be optimal for HA biosynthesis in C. glutamicum. To meet the energy demand for HA synthesis, the metabolic pathway that produces lactate is blocked by knocking out the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene using single crossover homologous recombination. Engineered C. glutamicum/Δldh‐AB is superior and had a significantly higher HA titer than C. glutamicum/Δldh‐ABC. Batch and fed‐batch cultures of C. glutamicum/Δldh‐AB are performed in a 5‐L fermenter. Using glucose feeding, the maximum HA titer reached 21.6 g L−1, more than threefolds of that of the wild‐type Streptococcus. This work provides an efficient, safe, and novel recombinant HA producer, C. glutamicum/Δldh‐AB, via metabolic pathway regulation.
A Plant‐Produced Candidate Subunit Vaccine Reduces Shedding of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Ruminants
Authors: Miletic Sean , Hünerberg Martin , Kaldis Angelo , MacDonald Jacqueline , Leuthreau Antoine , McAllister Tim , Menassa Rima
Published: September 2017

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle and cause serious infectious disease in humans. Immunizing cattle against EHEC is a promising strategy to decrease the risk of food contamination; however, veterinary vaccines against EHEC such as Econiche have not been widely adopted by the agricultural industry, and have been discontinued, prompting the need for more cost‐effective EHEC vaccines. The objective of this project is to develop a platform to produce plant‐made antigens for oral vaccination of ruminants against EHEC. Five recombinant proteins were designed as vaccine candidates and expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana and transplastomically in Nicotiana tabacum. Three of these EHEC proteins, NleA, Stx2b, and a fusion of EspA accumulated when transiently expressed. Transient protein accumulation was the highest when EHEC proteins were fused to an elastin‐like polypeptide (ELP) tag. In the transplastomic lines, EspA accumulated up to 479 mg kg−1 in lyophilized leaf material. Sheep that were administered leaf tissue containing recombinant EspA shed less E. coli O157:H7 when challenged, as compared to control animals. These results suggest that plant‐made, transgenic EspA has the potential to reduce EHEC shedding in ruminants.
Comparison of Three‐Dimensional Ligand‐based Pharmacophores among 11 Phosphodiesterases (PDE 1 to PDE 11) Pharmacophores
Authors: Kim Sei‐Hwan , Choi Jiwon , Lee Kyungro , No Kyoung Tai
Published: September 2017

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are major regulators of cyclic nucleotide signaling with a variety of pharmacological functions. Currently, more than 30 drugs targeting PDEs are on the market, and many drug candidates are under development. In this study, we generated three‐dimensional ligand‐based pharmacophores (3D‐LBPs) of PDE1 to PDE11 using the ligands of each PDE obtained from BindingDB to identify critical chemical features of novel potential PDE inhibitors and the accuracy of each model was evaluated by cost difference, test set prediction, and Fischer's randomization test. Among 10 generated pharmacophore hypotheses, Hypo1 was selected as the best hypothesis. Hypo1 hypothesis with the highest predictability of each PDE, have correlation coefficients larger than 0.9 and cost differences larger than 40. Since the generated pharmacophores were validated with four ways, cost analysis, Fischer randomization test, the test set prediction, and ligand profiling and got high predictability for all the 11 PDEs; the results in this study will be used to develop novel inhibitors of 11 PDEs that are highly selective for its subtypes.
Synthesis and In Vivo Evalution of Decursinol Derivatives as Antidiabetics
Authors: Joo Jeong‐Ho , Kwon Ho‐Seok , Lee Jae‐Eung , Yu Kook Hyun
Published: September 2017

There are currently no diabetes drugs that can reduce blood glucose without causing adverse secondary effects. In this study, we report the synthesis of various compounds derived from decursinol, a molecule isolated from Angelica gigas with proven safety. The blood glucose reduction efficacy of synthesized compound 11 was equivalent to that of glimepiride, a commercially available diabetes drug used as a reference (21.6% vs. 21.4%), which was confirmed in rat and mouse models of diabetes. Compound 11 is a nonsulfonyl urea class substance that is predicted to be highly effective in reducing blood glucose while having few adverse effects, indicating that it is potential candidate drug for diabetes treatment that circumvents the limitations of existing therapeutics.
Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay for determination of plasma nomegestrol acetate and estradiol in healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Nair Sneha G. , Patel Daxesh P. , Sanyal Mallika , Singhal Puran , Shrivastav Pranav S.
Published: September 2017

A highly sensitive and selective ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method is described for the simultaneous determination of nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), a highly selective progestogen, and estradiol (E2), a natural estrogen in human plasma. NOMAC was obtained from plasma by solid‐phase extraction, while E2 was first separated by liquid–liquid extraction with methyl tert‐butyl ether followed by derivatization with dansyl chloride. Deuterated internal standards, NOMAC‐d5 and E2‐d4 were used for better control of extraction conditions and ionization efficiency. The assay recovery of the analytes was within 90–99%. The analytes were separated on UPLC BEH C18 (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column using a mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile and 3.0 mm ammonium trifluoroacetate in water (80:20, v/v) with a resolution factor (Rs) of 3.21. The calibration curves were linear from 0.01 to 10.0 ng/mL for NOMAC and from 1.00 to 1000 pg/mL for E2, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐batch precision was ≤5.8% and the accuracy of quality control samples ranged from 96.7 to 103.4% for both analytes. The practical applicability of the method is demonstrated by analyzing samples from 18 healthy postmenopausal women after oral administration of 2.5 mg nomegestrol acetate and 1.5 mg estradiol film‐coated tablets under fasting.
Changing Leadership: Taking a Stand by “Moving the Needle” for Women's Leadership in Community Colleges
Authors: Gillett‐Karam Rosemary
Published: September 2017

This chapter reports on interviews with women leaders finding that transformational learning contributes to new mental models for leadership.
The Intersectionality of Gender and Race—Programs to Support Men of Color in Education
Authors: Person Dawn , Dawson Robert , García Yvonne , Jones Andrew
Published: September 2017

This chapter reports on three research studies conducted by the Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership (C‐REAL) at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) that are designed to help higher education institutions enhance their practices in serving men of color, namely Black and Latino men.
Conflating Gender and Identity: The Need for Gender‐Fluid Programming in Community Colleges
Authors: Zamani‐Gallaher Eboni M.
Published: September 2017

This chapter explores the role of gender as a critical aspect of identity formation. The chapter reviews how narrow definitions of gender deeply shape campus climate, particularly for individuals who challenge norms in terms of gender identity, gender expression, and gender roles.
First‐Principles Computational Screening of Dopants to Improve the Deacon Process over RuO2
Authors: Yao Zhen , Reuter Karsten
Published: September 2017

Doping of metal oxides is a promising route to further optimize their catalytic performance. To guide corresponding experimental endeavors, we performed a DFT‐based computational screening study for a wide range of metal dopant atoms in rutile RuO2. With a focus on the Deacon process, that is, the catalytic oxidation of HCl to chlorine and water, we used the rate‐controlling Cl desorption energy as a reactivity descriptor. As stability descriptors, we employed the dopant surface segregation energy and as the dopant thermodynamic stability against precipitation into the metal oxide or bulk oxide grains. In the oxygen‐rich conditions of the Deacon process, particularly the instability against oxide precipitation, represents a strong limitation. In this respect, doping with Cu appears as an optimum compromise between stability and catalytic activity enhancement.
Specific Inhibition of the Hydrogenolysis of Benzylic C−O Bonds Using Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers
Authors: Motoyama Yukihiro , Morii Koshi , Ishizuka Shoya , Inomoto Sou , Zhang Zhenzhong , Yoon Seong‐Ho
Published: September 2017

Palladium nanoparticles supported on 5 %‐nitrogen‐doped, herringbone‐type carbon nanofibers (Pd/N‐CNF‐H), which are prepared by thermally decomposing [Pd2(dba)3⋅CHCl3] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in toluene in the presence of N‐CNF‐H, were found to be an efficient catalyst for the chemoselective hydrogenation of alkenyl and nitro moieties in benzyl‐protected alcohols and carboxylic acid derivatives with high turnover frequencies: the hydrogenation reactions of these functional groups proceeded smoothly even at ambient temperature under atmospheric H2 pressure, and the benzyl protecting groups in the molecules remained intact. Moreover, the recovered Pd/N‐CNF‐H catalyst could be reused without loss of its catalytic activity or chemoselectivity. The Pd/N‐CNF‐H catalyst also acted as an effective hydrogenation catalyst for the reduction of aromatic ketones to the corresponding benzyl alcohol derivatives with good to high product selectivity.
Bioelectrocatalysis of Sulfite Dehydrogenase from Sinorhizobium meliloti with Its Physiological Cytochrome Electron Partner
Authors: Kalimuthu Palraj , Hsiao Ju‐Chun , Nair Remya Purushothaman , Kappler Ulrike , Bernhardt Paul V.
Published: September 2017

We demonstrate electrochemically driven catalytic voltammetry of the Mo‐dependent sulfite dehydrogenase (SorT) from the α‐Proteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti with its physiological electron acceptor, the c‐type cytochrome (SorU), with both proteins co‐adsorbed on a chemically modified Au working electrode. Both SorT and SorU were constrained under a perm‐selective dialysis membrane with the biopolymer chitosan as a co‐adsorbate, while the electrode was modified with a 3‐mercaptopropionate self‐assembled monolayer cast on the Au electrode. Cyclic voltammetry of the SorU protein reveals a well‐defined quasireversible FeIII/II redox couple at +130 mV versus NHE in 100 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0). Introduction of wild‐type sulfite dehydrogenase (SorTWT) and sulfite transforms this transient SorU voltammetric response into a sigmoidal catalytic wave, which increases with sulfite concentration before eventually saturating. In addition to the wild‐type enzyme, the variants SorTR78K, SorTR78M, and SorTR78Q were also examined electrochemically in an effort to better understand the role of amino acid residue Arg78, which is in the vicinity of the Mo active site of SorT.
Exposed N and S Active Sites: An Indicator for Oxygen Reduction on Metal‐Free Yam‐Derived Porous Carbons
Authors: Fan Hao , Dong Zhen , Zhao Jianshe
Published: September 2017

Exploring efficient and low‐cost catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key issue in the development of renewable energy devices such as fuel cells and metal−air batteries. The design and construct of advanced catalysts can be guided by identifying the sites with high activity. In this study, an indicative research study on the ORR of yam‐derived N and S self‐doped porous carbons (NSDCs) is presented. The NSDC optimized at 800 °C (NSDC800) with more exposed intrinsic N and S active sites shows a comparable ORR activity to the commercial Pt/C and sets the top level for metal‐free carbons, as well as high stability and tolerance to CO and methanol. Consequently, a homemade primary Al−air battery with NSDC800 demonstrates an open‐circuit potential of 1.66 V and a peak power density of 83 mW cm−2. With a series of NSDCs, the exposed intrinsic N and S sites (pyrrolic‐N, graphitic‐N, and thiophene‐S) are synergistically identified as the activity indicators for the ORR. This finding may provide an insight into the analysis of active sites and open an avenue for the synthesis and volume production of carbon‐based ORR catalysts with low cost and high activity.
Sequence Engineering to Control the Helix Handedness of Peptide Foldamers
Authors: Rudzińska‐Szostak Ewa , Berlicki Łukasz
Published: September 2017

Peptide foldamers have been studied for over two decades and numerous sequence patterns have been shown to form well‐defined three‐dimensional arrangements in solution. In particular, helices of various geometries have been described. In this article, different concepts concerning the construction of helical foldameric peptides, for which the possibility of governing the sense of the formed helix was evidenced, are presented and discussed.