bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An earlier revolution: genetic and genomic analyses reveal pre-existing cultural differences leading to Neolithization
Authors: Leonardi Michela , Barbujani Guido , Manica Andrea
Published: June 2017

Archaeological evidence shows that, in the long run, Neolitization (the transition from foraging to food production) was associated with demographic growth. We used two methods (patterns of linkage disequilibrium from whole-genome SNPs and MSMC estimates on genomes) to reconstruct the demographic profiles for respectively 64 and 24 modern-day populations with contrasting lifestyles across the Old World (sub-Saharan Africa, south-eastern Asia, Siberia). Surprisingly, in all regions, food producers had larger effective population sizes (Ne) than foragers already 20 k years ago, well before the Neolithic revolution. As expected, this difference further increased ~12–10 k years ago, around or just before the onset of food production. Using paleoclimate reconstructions, we show that the early difference in Ne cannot be explained by food producers inhabiting more favorable regions. A number of mechanisms, including ancestral differences in census size, sedentism, exploitation of the natural resources, social stratification or connectivity between groups, might have led to the early differences in Ne detected in our analyses. Irrespective of the specific mechanisms involved, our results provide further evidence that long term cultural differences among populations of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers are likely to have played an important role in the later Neolithization process.
Proboscis infection route of Beauveria bassiana triggers early death of Anopheles mosquito
Authors: Ishii Minehiro , Kanuka Hirotaka , Badolo Athanase , Sagnon N’Falé , Guelbeogo Wamdaogo M. , Koike Masanori , Aiuchi Daigo
Published: June 2017

Entomopathogenic fungi are known to control vector mosquito populations. Thus, understanding the infection dynamics of entomopathogenic fungi is crucial for the effective control of insect pests such as mosquitoes. We investigated the dynamics of Beauveria bassiana s.l. 60-2 infection of Anopheles stephensi by exposing the mosquito to fungus-impregnated filter paper through two infection routes and then comparing the mortality and extent of infection. Fungal development was observed after using this inoculation method with both the tarsus route and the proboscis route, but early mosquito death occurred only after infection through the proboscis route. Fungal hyphae invaded almost all the tissues and organs before or after the death of the host, and fungal invasion of the brain was highly correlated with mortality. Moreover, although all mosquitoes that were alive at various time points after inoculation showed no fungal infection in the brain, fungal infection was detected in the brain in all dead mosquitoes. Our results suggest that fungal invasion of the brain represents one of the factors affecting mortality, and that the proboscis route of infection is critical for the early death of vector mosquitoes.
Combination of scanning probe technology with photonic nanojets
Authors: Duocastella Martí , Tantussi Francesco , Haddadpour Ali , Zaccaria Remo Proietti , Jacassi Andrea , Veronis Georgios , Diaspro Alberto , Angelis Francesco De
Published: June 2017

Light focusing through a microbead leads to the formation of a photonic nanojet functional for enhancing the spatial resolution of traditional optical systems. Despite numerous works that prove this phenomenon, a method to appropriately translate the nanojet on top of a region of interest is still missing. Here, by using advanced 3D fabrication techniques we integrated a microbead on an AFM cantilever thus realizing a system to efficiently position nanojets. This fabrication approach is robust and can be exploited in a myriad of applications, ranging from microscopy to Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate the potential of portable nanojets by imaging different sub-wavelength structures. Thanks to the achieved portability, we were able to perform a detailed optical characterization of the resolution enhancement induced by the microbead, which sheds light into the many contradictory resolution claims present in literature. Our conclusions are strongly supported by rigorous data analysis and by numerical simulations, all in perfect agreement with experimental results.
Flat Terahertz Reflective Focusing Metasurface with Scanning Ability
Authors: Yi Huan , Qu Shi-Wei , Chen Bao-Jie , Bai Xue , Ng Kung Bo , Chan Chi Hou
Published: June 2017

The ability to manipulate the propagation properties of electromagnetic waves, e.g., divergence, focusing, holography or deflection, is very significant in terahertz applications. Metasurfaces with flat structures are attractive for achieving such manipulations in terahertz band, as they feature low profile, lightweight, and ease of design and installation. Several types of terahertz reflective or transmitting metasurfaces with focusing function have been implemented recently, but none of them can provide scanning ability with controllable focus. Here, a flat reflective metasurface featuring controllable focal shift is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Furthermore, the principle of designing a focus scanning reflective metasurface is presented and the focusing characteristics are discussed, including focus scanning along a line parallel or orthogonal to the metasurface with a large bandwidth. These interesting properties indicate that this flat reflective metasurface could play a key role in many terahertz imaging and detection systems.
Divergent Anabolic Signalling responses of Murine Soleus and Tibialis Anterior Muscles to Chronic 2G Hypergravity
Authors: Mirzoev Timur , Tyganov Sergey , Petrova Irina , Gnyubkin Vasily , Laroche Norbert , Vico Laurence , Shenkman Boris
Published: June 2017

The purpose of the study was to assess the rate of protein synthesis (PS) and elucidate signalling pathways regulating PS in mouse soleus (Sol) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles following chronic hypergravity (30-day centrifugation at 2G). The content of the key signalling proteins of the various anabolic signalling pathways was determined by Western-blotting. The rate of PS was assessed using in-vivo SUnSET technique. An exposure to 2G centrifugation did not induce any significant changes in the rate of PS as well as phosphorylation status of the key anabolic markers (AKT, p70s6k, 4E-BP1, GSK-3beta, eEF2) in Sol. On the contrary, a significant 55% increase in PS (p < 0.05) was found in TA. The cause of such a rise in PS could be associated with an increase in AKT (+72%, p < 0.05), GSK-3beta (+60%, p < 0.05) and p70s6k (+40%, p < 0.05) phosphorylation, as well as a decrease in eEF2 phosphorylation (−46%, p < 0.05) as compared to control values. Thus, the results of our study indicate that 30-day 2G centrifugation induces a distinct anabolic response in mouse Sol and TA muscles. The activation of the PS rate in TA could be linked to an up-regulation of both mTORC1-dependent and mTORC1-independent signalling pathways.
IL-6 secretion in osteoarthritis patients is mediated by chondrocyte-synovial fibroblast cross-talk and is enhanced by obesity
Authors: Pearson Mark J. , Herndler-Brandstetter Dietmar , Tariq Mohammad A. , Nicholson Thomas A. , Philp Ashleigh M. , Smith Hannah L. , Davis Edward T. , Jones Simon W. , Lord Janet M.
Published: June 2017

Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation plays a central role in driving joint pathology in certain patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Since many patients with OA are obese and increased adiposity is associated with chronic inflammation, we investigated whether obese patients with hip OA exhibited differential pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling and peripheral and local lymphocyte populations, compared to normal weight hip OA patients. No differences in either peripheral blood or local lymphocyte populations were found between obese and normal-weight hip OA patients. However, synovial fibroblasts from obese OA patients were found to secrete greater amounts of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, compared to those from normal-weight patients (p < 0.05), which reflected the greater levels of IL-6 detected in the synovial fluid of the obese OA patients. Investigation into the inflammatory mechanism demonstrated that IL-6 secretion from synovial fibroblasts was induced by chondrocyte-derived IL-6. Furthermore, this IL-6 inflammatory response, mediated by chondrocyte-synovial fibroblast cross-talk, was enhanced by the obesity-related adipokine leptin. This study suggests that obesity enhances the cross-talk between chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts via raised levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin, leading to greater production of IL-6 in OA patients.
Lipid vesicles containing transferrin receptor binding peptide TfR-T12 and octa-arginine conjugate stearyl-R8 efficiently treat brain glioma along with glioma stem cells
Authors: Mu Li-Min , Bu Ying-Zi , Liu Lei , Xie Hong-Jun , Ju Rui-Jun , Wu Jia-Shuan , Zeng Fan , Zhao Yao , Zhang Jing-Ying , Lu Wan-Liang
Published: June 2017

Surgery and radiotherapy cannot fully remove brain glioma; thus, chemotherapy continues to play an important role in treatment of this illness. However, because of the restriction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the regeneration of glioma stem cells, post-chemotherapy relapse usually occurs. Here, we report a potential solution to these issues that involves a type of novel multifunctional vinblastine liposomes equipped with transferrin receptor binding peptide TfR-T12 and octa-arginine conjugate stearyl-R8. Studies were performed on brain glioma and glioma stem cells in vitro and were verified in brain glioma-bearing mice. The liposomes were transported across the BBB, killing brain glioma and glioma stem cells via the induction of necrosis, apoptosis and autophagy. Furthermore, we reveal the molecular mechanisms for treating brain glioma and glioma stem cells via functionalized drug lipid vesicles.
Novel regulatory mechanism of serine biosynthesis associated with 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Okamura Eiji , Hirai Masami Yokota
Published: June 2017

The proteinogenic amino acid l-serine is a precursor for various essential biomolecules in all organisms. 3-Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH) is the first committed enzyme of the phosphorylated pathway of l-serine biosynthesis, and is regulated by negative feedback from l-serine in bacteria and plants. In the present study, two Arabidopsis PGDH isoforms were inhibited by l-serine but were activated by l-amino acids such as l-homocysteine in vitro. Activation and inhibition by these amino acids was cooperative, suggesting an allosteric mechanism. Moreover, the half maximal effective concentration of l-homocysteine was 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of l-serine, suggesting greater regulatory potency. These are the first data to show that PGDH is activated by various biomolecules and indicate that serine biosynthesis is regulated by multiple pathways.
Reduction in Migratory Phenotype in a Metastasized Breast Cancer Cell Line via Downregulation of S100A4 and GRM3
Authors: Chen Andy , Wang Luqi , Li Bai-Yan , Sherman Jesse , Ryu Jong E. , Hamamura Kazunori , Liu Yunlong , Nakshatri Harikrishna , Yokota Hiroki
Published: June 2017

To investigate phenotypic and genotypic alterations before and after bone metastasis, we conducted genome-wide mRNA profiling and DNA exon sequencing of two cell lines (TMD and BMD) derived from a mouse xenograft model. TMD cells were harvested from the mammary fat pad after transfecting MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, while BMD cells were isolated from the metastasized bone. Compared to BMD cells, TMD cells exhibited higher cellular motility. In contrast, BMD cells formed a spheroid with a smoother and more circular surface when co-cultured with osteoblasts. In characterizing mRNA expression using principal component analysis, S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) was aligned to a principal axis associated with metastasis. Partial silencing of S100A4 suppressed migratory capabilities of TMD cells, while Paclitaxel decreased the S100A4 level and reduced TMD’s cellular motility. DNA mutation analysis revealed that the glutamate metabotropic receptor 3 (GRM3) gene gained a premature stop codon in BMD cells, and silencing GRM3 in TMD cells altered their spheroid shape closer to that of BMD cells. Collectively, this study demonstrates that metastasized cells are less migratory due in part to the post-metastatic downregulation of S100A4 and GRM3. Targeting S100A4 and GRM3 may help prevent bone metastasis.
Neuronal P2X7 receptor-induced reactive oxygen species production contributes to nociceptive behavior in mice
Authors: Munoz Frances M. , Gao Ruby , Tian Yuzhen , Henstenburg Brian A. , Barrett James E. , Hu Huijuan
Published: June 2017

ATP can activate a variety of pathways through P2 purinoreceptors, leading to neuroprotection and pathology in the CNS. Among all P2X receptors, the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a well-defined therapeutic target for inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Activation of P2X7R can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages and microglia. However, the role of ROS in P2X7R–induced pain remains un﻿explored. Here, we investigated the downstream effects of neuronal P2X7R activation in the spinal cord. We found that ATP induces ROS production in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons, an effect eliminated by ROS scavenger N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) and P2X7R antagonist A438079. A similar effect was observed with a P2X7R agonist, BzATP, and was attenuated by a NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. Intrathecal administration of BzATP resulted in ROS production in the spinal cord and oxidative DNA damage in dorsal horn neurons. BzATP also induced robust biphasic spontaneous nociceptive behavior. Pre-treatment with A438079 abolished all BzATP-induced nociceptive behaviors, while ROS scavengers dose-dependently attenuated the secondary response. Here, we provide evidence that neuronal P2X7R activation leads to ROS production and subsequent nociceptive pain in mice. Together, the data indicate that P2X7R-induced ROS play a critical role in the P2X7R signaling pathway of the CNS.
Anti-leukemia activity of a Hsp70 inhibitor and its hybrid molecules
Authors: Park Seong-Hyun , Kim Won-Je , Li Hui , Seo Wonil , Park Sang-Hyun , Kim Hwan , Shin Sang Chul , Zuiderweg Erik R. P. , Kim Eunice EunKyeong , Sim Taebo , Kim Nak-Kyoon , Shin Injae
Published: June 2017

In this study we examined the anti-leukemia activity of a small molecule inhibitor of Hsp70 proteins, apoptozole (Az), and hybrids in which it is linked to an inhibitor of either Hsp90 (geldanamycin) or Abl kinase (imatinib). The results of NMR studies revealed that Az associates with an ATPase domain of Hsc70 and thus blocks ATP binding to the protein. Observations made in the cell study indicated that Az treatment promotes leukemia cell death by activating caspase-dependent apoptosis without affecting the caspase-independent apoptotic pathway. Importantly, the hybrids composed of Az and geldanamycin, which have high inhibitory activities towards both Hsp70 and Hsp90, exhibit enhanced anti-leukemia activity relative to the individual inhibitors. However, the Az and imatinib hybrids have weak inhibitory activities towards Hsp70 and Abl, and display lower cytotoxicity against leukemia cells compared to those of the individual constituents. The results of a mechanistic study showed that the active hybrid molecules promote leukemia cell death through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. Taken together, the findings suggest that Hsp70 inhibitors as well as their hybrids can serve as potential anti-leukemia agents.
Interaction-induced edge states in anisotropic non-Fermi liquids
Authors: Yurkevich I. V.
Published: June 2017

We devise an approach to calculation of scaling dimensions of generic operators describing scattering within multi-channel Luttinger liquid. The local impurity scattering in arbitrary configuration of conducting and insulating channels is investigated and the problem is reduced to a single algebraic matrix equation. The application to a semi-infinite array of chains described by Luttinger liquid models demonstrates that for a weak inter-chain hybridisation and intra-channel electron-electron attraction the edge wire is robust against disorder whereas bulk wires, on contrary, become insulating in some region of inter-chain interaction parameters. This result proves that the edge states may exist in disordered anisotropic strongly correlated systems without time-reversal symmetry breaking or spin-orbit interaction and provide quantized low-temperature transport.
Improving the detection of pathways in genome-wide association studies by combined effects of SNPs from Linkage Disequilibrium blocks
Authors: Zhao Huiying , Nyholt Dale R. , Yang Yuanhao , Wang Jihua , Yang Yuedong
Published: June 2017

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified single variants associated with diseases. To increase the power of GWAS, gene-based and pathway-based tests are commonly employed to detect more risk factors. However, the gene- and pathway-based association tests may be biased towards genes or pathways containing a large number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with small P-values caused by high linkage disequilibrium (LD) correlations. To address such bias, numerous pathway-based methods have been developed. Here we propose a novel method, DGAT-path, to divide all SNPs assigned to genes in each pathway into LD blocks, and to sum the chi-square statistics of LD blocks for assessing the significance of the pathway by permutation tests. The method was proven robust with the type I error rate >1.6 times lower than other methods. Meanwhile, the method displays a higher power and is not biased by the pathway size. The applications to the GWAS summary statistics for schizophrenia and breast cancer indicate that the detected top pathways contain more genes close to associated SNPs than other methods. As a result, the method identified 17 and 12 significant pathways containing 20 and 21 novel associated genes, respectively for two diseases. The method is available online by http://sparks-lab.org/server/DGAT-path.
Increased levels of ascorbic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid of cognitively intact elderly patients with major depression: a preliminary study
Authors: Hashimoto Kenji , Ishima Tamaki , Sato Yasunori , Bruno Davide , Nierenberg Jay , Marmar Charles R. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Pomara Nunzio
Published: June 2017

Major depressive disorder (MDD) in the elderly is a risk factor for dementia, but the precise biological basis remains unknown, hampering the search for novel biomarkers and treatments. In this study, we performed metabolomics analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from cognitively intact elderly patients (N = 28) with MDD and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (N = 18). The CSF levels of 177 substances were measured, while 288 substances were below the detection limit. Only ascorbic acid was significantly different, with higher levels in the MDD group at baseline. There were no correlations between CSF ascorbic acid levels and clinical variables in MDD patients at baseline. At the 3-year follow-up, there was no difference of CSF ascorbic acid levels between the two groups. There was a negative correlation between CSF ascorbic acid and CSF amyloid-β42 levels in all subjects. However, there were no correlations between ascorbic acid and other biomarkers (e.g., amyloid-β40, total and phosphorylated tau protein). This preliminary study suggests that abnormalities in the transport and/or release of ascorbic acid might play a role in the pathogenesis of late-life depression.
Small head size and delayed body weight growth in wild Japanese monkey fetuses after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
Authors: Hayama Shin-ichi , Tsuchiya Moe , Ochiai Kazuhiko , Nakiri Sachie , Nakanishi Setsuko , Ishii Naomi , Kato Takuya , Tanaka Aki , Konno Fumiharu , Kawamoto Yoshi , Omi Toshinori
Published: June 2017

To evaluate the biological effect of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, relative differences in the growth of wild Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) were measured before and after the disaster of 2011 in Fukushima City, which is approximately 70 km from the nuclear power plant, by performing external measurements on fetuses collected from 2008 to 2016. Comparing the relative growth of 31 fetuses conceived prior to the disaster and 31 fetuses conceived after the disaster in terms of body weight and head size (product of the occipital frontal diameter and biparietal diameter) to crown-rump length ratio revealed that body weight growth rate and proportional head size were significantly lower in fetuses conceived after the disaster. No significant difference was observed in nutritional indicators for the fetuses’ mothers. Accordingly, radiation exposure could be one factor contributed to the observed growth delay in this study.
Genome-wide analysis of banana MADS-box family closely related to fruit development and ripening
Authors: Liu Juhua , Zhang Jing , Zhang Jianbin , Miao Hongxia , Wang Jingyi , Gao Pengzhao , Hu Wei , Jia Caihong , Wang Zhuo , Xu Biyu , Jin Zhiqiang
Published: June 2017

Proteins encoded by MADS-box genes are important transcription factors involved in the regulation of flowering plant growth and development. Currently, no systematic information exists regarding the MADS-box family in the important tropical fruit banana. Ninety-six MADS-box genes were identified from the banana (Pahang) A genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Musa acuminata MCM1-AGAMOUS- DEFICIENS-SRF (MaMADS) could be divided into MIKCc, MIKC*, Mα/β and Mγ groups. MIKCc could be further divided into 11 subfamilies, which was further supported by conserved motif and gene structure analyses. Transcriptome analysis on the Feng Jiao (FJ) and BaXi Jiao (BX) banana cultivars revealed that MaMADS genes are differentially expressed in various organs, at different fruit development and ripening stages, indicating the involvement of these genes in fruit development and ripening processes. Interactive network analysis indicated that MaMADS24 and 49 not only interacted with MaMADS proteins themselves, but also interacted with hormone-response proteins, ethylene signal transduction and biosynthesis-related proteins, starch biosynthesis proteins and metabolism-related proteins. This systematic analysis identified candidate MaMADS genes related to fruit development and ripening for further functional characterization in plants, and also provided new insights into the transcriptional regulation of MaMADS genes, facilitating the future genetic manipulation of MADS-mediated fruit development and ripening.
A Long-Term and Slow-Releasing Hydrogen Sulfide Donor Protects against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Sun Xiaotian , Wang Wenshuo , Dai Jing , Jin Sheng , Huang Jiechun , Guo Changfa , Wang Chunsheng , Pang Liewen , Wang Yiqing
Published: June 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recognized as an important gasotransmitter exerting various physiological effects, especially in the cardiovascular system. Herein we investigated the cardioprotective effects of a novel long-term and slow-releasing H2S donor, DATS-MSN, usingin vivomyocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) models andin vitrohypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocyte models. Unlike the instant-releasing pattern of sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), the release of H2S from DATS-MSN was quite slow and continuous both in the cell culture medium and in rat plasma (elevated H2S concentrations during 24 h and 72 h reperfusion). Correspondingly, DATS-MSN demonstrated superior cardioprotective effects over NaHS in I/R models, which were associated with greater survival rates, reduced CK-MB and troponin I levels, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis index, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, inhibited myocardial inflammation, greater reduction in the infarct area and preserved cardiac ejection fraction. Some of these effects of DATS-MSN were also found to be superior to classic slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137. Inin vitroexperiments, cardiomyocytes injury was also found to be relived with the use of DATS-MSN compared to NaHS after the hypoxia/reoxygenation processes. The present work provides a novel long-term and slow-releasing H2S donor and an insight into how the release patterns of H2S donors affect its physiological functionality.
Supra-Amphiphiles Based on Coordination Bonds
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Cheng-Hui , Zhang Xi
Published: June 2017

In addition to supra-amphiphiles formed by hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, host–guest recognition, charge transfer interactions, hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions and π–π stacking interactions, some supramolecular amphiphiles are driven by coordination bonds (also known as metal–ligand interactions). Compared with other non-covalent interactions, metal–ligand interactions offer many unique advantages in the construction of supra-amphiphiles. As a result of their tunable binding geometry and strength, metal–ligand interactions allow facile control over molecular topology and self-assembly behavior. In addition, the presence of a metal complex in the copolymer structure introduces unique functionalities—including electrochemical, photochemical and redox properties—that are not observed in covalent or noncovalent counterparts. The presence of active metal complexes in micellar systems could be interesting for applications in supported catalysis and nanotechnology. This chapter reviews supra-amphiphiles based on metal–ligand interactions. We first focus on the topology and self-assembly of supra-amphiphiles with different levels of complexity and then summarize the functions and applications of coordination supra-amphiphiles.
New sensitive and selective calixarene-based fluorescent sensors for the detection of Cs+ in an organoaqueous medium
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Pham-Xuan Qui , Depauw Alexis , Hemadi Miryana , Ha-Duong Nguyet-Thanh , Lefevre Jean-Pierre , Ha-Thi Minh-Huong , Leray Isabelle
Published: June 2017

A calixarene-based fluorescent sensor has been designed for the detection of Cs+ in the micromolar range.
Pulsed probe electrospray and nano-electrospray: the temporal profiles of ion formation from the Taylor cone
Authors: Usmanov Dilshadbek T. , Hiraoka Kenzo , Ninomiya Satoshi , Chen Lee Chuin , Wada Hiroshi , Matsumura Masaya , Sanada-Morimura Sachiyo , Nakata Keisuke , Nonami Hiroshi
Published: June 2017

The temporal profiles of ion signals were measured for probe electrospray ionization (PESI) and nano-electrospray ionization (nESI) by changing the pulse width of the high voltage applied to the emitters.
Modelling aqueous solubility of sodium chloride in clays at thermodynamic conditions of hydraulic fracturing by molecular simulations
Authors: Moučka Filip , Svoboda Martin , Lísal Martin
Published: June 2017

To address the high salinity of flow-back water during hydraulic fracturing, we have studied the equilibrium partitioning of NaCl and water between the bulk phase and clay pores.
Competition between the H- and D-atom transfer channels in the H2O+ + HD reaction: reduced-dimensional quantum and quasi-classical studies
Authors: Song Hongwei , Li Anyang , Yang Minghui , Guo Hua
Published: June 2017

Good agreement is found between theoretical and experimental product branching ratios of the H2O+ + HD reaction.
Synthesis, functionalisation and post-synthetic modification of bismuth metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Köppen M. , Beyer O. , Wuttke S. , Lüning U. , Stock N.
Published: June 2017

Two new Bi-MOFs were discovered, synthesised and characterised, and the amino-functionalised Bi-MOF was post-synthetically modified using anhydrides and 1,3-propane sultone.
Synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles by constant pH co-precipitation and their high catalytic activity in CO oxidation
Authors: Thomas Jasmine , Thomas Nygil , Girgsdies Frank , Beherns Malte , Huang Xing , Sudheesh V. D. , Sebastian Varkey
Published: June 2017

A series of cobalt ferrite samples were synthesized from a metal nitrate solution at constant pH between 9 and 12 by the controlled co-precipitation method without any surfactant.
Spectroscopic characterization of silica aerogels prepared using several precursors – effect on the formation of molecular clusters
Authors: Borba A. , Vareda J. P. , Durães L. , Portugal A. , Simões P. N.
Published: June 2017

The structural and spectroscopic properties of silica aerogels were studied using complementary approaches, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
Photosensitizer (PS)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-crosslinked nanohybrids for enhanced imaging-guided photodynamic cancer therapy
Authors: Zhu Ya-Xuan , Jia Hao-Ran , Chen Zhan , Wu Fu-Gen
Published: June 2017

A novel POSS-based PDT nanoagent with high PS loading capacity was fabricated for enhanced imaging-guided photodynamic cancer therapy.
Silicene growth through island migration and coalescence
Authors: Cherukara Mathew J. , Narayanan Badri , Chan Henry , Sankaranarayanan Subramanian K. R. S.
Published: June 2017

We perform massively-parallel classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the long timescale monolayer silicene growth on an Ir (111) surface.
Porous SnO2 hexagonal prism-attached Pd/rGO with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation
Authors: Hu Yiran , Mei Tao , Li Jinhua , Wang Jianying , Wang Xianbao
Published: June 2017

Herein, we chose porous SnO2 hexagonal prisms as a new promoter for Pd/rGO electrocatalyst. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited excellent electrochemical catalytic activities and enhanced durability for the oxidation of methanol.
Production of furfural from xylose and corn stover catalyzed by a novel porous carbon solid acid in γ-valerolactone
Authors: Zhu Yuanshuai , Li Wenzhi , Lu Yijuan , Zhang Tingwei , Jameel Hasan , Chang Hou-min , Ma Longlong
Published: June 2017

An efficient catalytic system using S-RFC as catalyst was developed to produce furfural from xylose and corn stover in GVL.
A molecular dynamics simulation study for variant drug responses due to FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 G697R mutation
Authors: Lee Chien-Cheng , Chuang Yu-Chung , Liu Yu-Lin , Yang Chia-Ning
Published: June 2017

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is an attractive target for acute myeloid leukemia. This work provides a mechanism behind the severe and minor drug resistance experienced by PKC412 and sorafenib, respectively, in response to G697R mutation.
Correction: Microwave-assisted synthesis of polypyridyl ruthenium(ii) complexes as potential tumor-targeting inhibitors against the migration and invasion of Hela cells through G2/M phase arrest
Authors: Cao Jieqiong , Wu Qiong , Zheng Wenjie , Li Li , Mei Wenjie
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘Microwave-assisted synthesis of polypyridyl ruthenium(ii) complexes as potential tumor-targeting inhibitors against the migration and invasion of Hela cells through G2/M phase arrest’ by Jieqiong Cao et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 26625–26632.
From single-site tantalum complexes to nanoparticles of TaxNy and TaOxNy supported on silica: elucidation of synthesis chemistry by dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Mohandas Janet C. , Abou-Hamad Edy , Callens Emmanuel , Samantaray Manoja K. , Gajan David , Gurinov Andrei , Ma Tao , Ould-Chikh Samy , Hoffman Adam S. , Gates Bruce C. , Basset Jean-Marie
Published: June 2017

SOMC is exploited for synthesizing very fine nanoparticles of TaxNy/TaOxNy on silica, elucidating the strategies with DNP SENS and EXAFS.
Enantioselective copper catalysed, direct functionalisation of allenes via allyl copper intermediates
Authors: Pulis Alexander P. , Yeung Kay , Procter David J.
Published: June 2017

We explore the breadth of the copper catalysed functionalisation of allenes, which enables efficient access to enantioenriched, densely functionalised molecules.
Nickel–gold bimetallic monolayer colloidal crystals fabricated via galvanic replacement as a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor
Authors: Lay Bebeto , Coyle Victoria E. , Kandjani Ahmad Esmaielzadeh , Amin Mohamad H. , Sabri Ylias M. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: June 2017

Bimetallic Ni–Au monolayer colloidal crystals were fabricated and used as highly active glucose sensors.
Urinary glycated uromodulin in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Chang Chia-Chu , Chen Chen-Yu , Huang Ching-Hui , Wu Chia-Lin , Wu Hung-Ming , Chiu Ping-Fang , Kor Chew-Teng , Chen Ting-Huan , Chang Geen-Dong , Kuo Cheng-Chin , Wen Hui-Chin , Huang Chih-Yang , Chang Chung-Ho
Published: June 2017

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form during oxidative stress, which is increased in diabetes mellitus (DM). Uromodulin is a protein with a renal protective effect, and may be subject to glycation. The implications of uromodulin glycation and AGEs in the urine are not understood. Here, immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry identified glycated uromodulin (glcUMOD) in the urine of 62.5% of patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), 20.0% of patients with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD), and no DM patients with normal renal function or healthy control participants; a finding replicated in a larger cohort of 84 patients with CKD in a case–control study (35 with DM, 49 without). Uromodulin forms high molecular weight polymers that associate with microvesicles and exosomes. Differential centrifugation identified uromodulin in the supernatant, microvesicles, and exosomes of the urine of healthy participants, but only in the supernatant of samples from patients with DKD, suggesting that glycation influences uromodulin function. Finally, the diagnostic and prognostic utility of measuring urinary glcUMOD concentration was examined. Urinary glcUMOD concentration was substantially higher in DKD patients than non-diabetic CKD patients. Urinary glcUMOD concentration predicted DKD status, particularly in patients with CKD stages 1–3a aged <65 years and with urine glcUMOD concentration ≥9,000 arbitrary units (AU). Urinary uromodulin is apparently glycated in DKD and forms AGEs, and glcUMOD may serve as a biomarker for DKD.
Thrombospondin-1 contributes to slower aortic aneurysm growth by inhibiting maladaptive remodeling of extracellular matrix
Authors: Satoh Mamoru , Nasu Takahito , Osaki Takuya , Hitomi Sho
Published: June 2017

In this issue of Clinical Science, Krishna and colleagues describe recent work on thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) maturation and its association with slower growth of aortic aneurysm in TSP-1 knockdown mouse models. The authors conclude that TSP-1 deficiency promotes maladaptive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to accelerated aortic aneurysm progression. We comment on a causal relation between TSP-1 and the progression of aortic aneurysm.
Assessing the Believability of Standardized Patients Trained to Portray Communication Disorders
Authors: Baylor Carolyn , Burns Michael I. , Struijk Jennie , Herron Lindsay , Mach Helen , Yorkston Kathryn
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the believability of standardized patients portraying individuals with communication disorders as part of a larger study in which standardized patients help train medical and allied health students about communication disorders.

Method

Two women portrayed persons with aphasia, and 2 men depicted persons with dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease. Two stakeholder groups rated believability. Speech-language pathologists rated believability of videos online. Persons with aphasia rated aphasia videos during in-person sessions with the researchers.

Results

Targeted believability was 80 or higher (0–100 scale; 0 =
not at all believable
, 100 =
very believable
). For speech-language pathologist raters, average ratings met the target for the portrayals of the aphasia characteristics of word-finding problems, agrammaticism, nonverbal communication, and overall portrayal but not for auditory comprehension problems. Targets for the portrayals were met for the dysarthria characteristics of reduced speech movements, reduced loudness, reduced intonation, flat affect, and overall portrayal but not for speech rate. Ratings for different standardized patients portraying the same case were not significantly different from each other on most characteristics. Ratings from persons with aphasia were highly variable.

Conclusion

Standardized patients who do not have communication disorders can portray disorder characteristics in a believable manner.
Numerical investigation of electric field distortion induced by internal defects in composite insulators
Authors: Kone Gbah , Volat Christophe , Ezzaidi Hassan
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an exhaustive study of numerical investigations based on three‐dimensional finite‐element method modelling of several non‐ceramic insulators of 69, 110 and 230 kV having different internal semi‐conductive defects in terms of size and position. The internal defects were positioned close to the high‐voltage electrode, the ground electrode and at floating potential. The simulations effected on the distortion of the axial and radial E‐field components close to the insulator shank between sheds. The results obtained showed that the radial E‐field component is more sensitive to the presence of an internal defect as it shows a greater distortion in presence of the defect. It was also observed that the E‐field component distortion increases with longer internal defect and that this increase is particularly important for a defect at floating potential. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the length of the insulator, for a defect of constant length, has no significant influence on the E‐field component distortion. Finally, the results demonstrated that the presence of a grading ring, as used on the 230 kV insulator, does not have any influence on the E‐field component distortion, independently of the defect position.
Feature extraction and classification method for switchgear faults based on sample entropy and cloud model
Authors: Cui Jindong , Zheng Que , Xin Yechun , Zhou Chuan , Wang Qianggang , Zhou Niancheng
Published: June 2017

This study proposes a fault diagnosis method for extracting and classifying the fault features of switchgears in accordance with the monitoring data of three‐phase voltage and current, temperature, humidity, and flashing from the smart breaker and sensors. The fault features are calculated using multivariate multiscale sample entropy (MMSE) for the data mining of multivariate monitoring process. The similarity measure of the composite delay vectors of multivariate time series in MMSE is improved by introducing a cloud model to soften the similar tolerance criterion. The modified MMSE is defined as multivariate multiscale cloud sample entropy (MMCSE). The MMCSE features of switchgear monitoring data can be achieved in different time scales in describing various switchgear faults. Subsequently, a classification method based on fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) is further adopted to identify different types of switchgear faults using the MMCSE features. In addition, a dropping semi‐normal membership cloud model is applied to modify the uncertainty quantification of the relationship among fault samples in FSVM. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated with the monitoring data in a 10 kV switchboard.
Two‐level coordinated controllers for robust inter‐area oscillation damping considering impact of local latency
Authors: Surinkaew Tossaporn , Ngamroo Issarachai
Published: June 2017

Local latency adversely affects the stabilising performance of damping controllers especially in the two‐level control scheme. By considering both wide area and local latencies, this study presents the two‐level coordinated control which consists of wide area centralised and local controls of power oscillation damper (POD) and power system stabiliser (PSS) for robust power oscillation damping. The PODs are equipped with the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine, the solar photovoltaic generator (SPV), and the static VAR compensator (SVC). The centralised PODs of DFIG, SPV, SVC, and the centralised PSSs act as the primary damping controllers. When the communication failure occurs, the local PODs of such devices and the local PSSs are activated and used as the backup damping controllers. To achieve the damping performance and robustness, the parameters of centralised and local controllers are individually optimised based on the worst scenarios determined by the lowest damping ratio of target inter‐area oscillation modes. Study results in New England and New York IEEE 68‐bus system demonstrate that the proposed two‐level coordinated controllers are superior to the conventional two‐level controllers in terms of damping performance and robustness against various operating conditions.
UPFC‐based line overload control for power system security enhancement
Authors: Song Pengcheng , Xu Zheng , Dong Huanfeng
Published: June 2017

A novel unified power flow controller (UPFC)‐based line overload control is presented in this study for power system security enhancement. The line loads of the transmission lines are monitored in real‐time operation and are controlled within their thermal limits through a feedback dynamic control of the UPFC. Firstly, the relationship between the line load of a transmission line and the active power setting of the UPFC is deduced. Secondly, the control law of the line overload control is developed, which adjusts the active power setting of the UPFC intelligently in case of line overloads. Thirdly, the implementations of the above control law are also provided. Using PSS/E, the case study is run in the Nanjing Western Power Grid, where the world's first modular multilevel converter‐based UPFC project, the Nanjing UPFC project, is located. The validity of the proposed line overload control is proved by the case study. The case study also indicates that the proposed line overload control is still valid with a 0.2 s delay, which further confirms the feasibility of the line overload control in practical engineering.
Impact of 100‐MW‐scale PV plants with synchronous power controllers on power system stability in northern Chile
Authors: Remon Daniel , Cañizares Claudio A. , Rodriguez Pedro
Published: June 2017

The impact that renewable energy sources interfaced by power electronics have on power systems becomes more important as their share in the generation mix increases, thus requiring detailed analyses that take into account their dynamics and controllers. In this study, the impact of photovoltaic (PV) power plants on the power system of northern Chile is analysed. The studied plants employ a controller that allows power converters to interact with the grid like virtual synchronous generators, and their model includes the dynamics of the plant and converter controllers, as well as the dc and PV system. The presented analysis, which comprises modal analysis and time‐domain simulations of large disturbances, evaluates the impact of these plants with respect to PV plants based on a conventional converter controller. Tests and validations of the proposed models and controllers are carried out for an actual PV plant connected to the power system of northern Chile, and for a higher PV penetration case. The results show the ability of PV plants formed by virtually synchronous power converters to limit frequency excursions induced by large power imbalances, and to mitigate power oscillations of the synchronous machines in the system.
Existence, stability, and dynamics of harmonically trapped one-dimensional multi-component solitary waves: The near-linear limit
Authors: Xu H. , Kevrekidis P. G. , Kapitula T.
Published: June 2017

In the present work, we consider a variety of two-component, one-dimensional states in nonlinear Schrödinger equations in the presence of a parabolic trap, inspired by the atomic physics context of Bose-Einstein condensates. The use of Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction methods allows us to identify persistence criteria for the different families of solutions which we classify as (m, n), in accordance with the number of zeros in each component. Upon developing the existence theory, we turn to a stability analysis of the different configurations, using the Krein signature and the Hamiltonian-Krein index as topological tools identifying the number of potentially unstable eigendirections for each branch. A perturbation expansion for the eigenvalue problems associated with nonlinear states found near the linear limit permits us to obtain explicit asymptotic expressions for the eigenvalues. Finally, when the states are found to be unstable, typically by virtue of Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcations, their dynamics is studied in order to identify the nature of the respective instability. The dynamics is generally found to lead to a vibrational evolution over long time scales.
Thouless length and valley degeneracy factor of ZnMnO thin films with anisotropic, highly conductive surface layers
Authors: Vegesna Sahitya V. , Bürger Danilo , Patra Rajkumar , Abendroth Barbara , Skorupa Ilona , Schmidt Oliver G. , Schmidt Heidemarie
Published: June 2017

Isothermal magnetoresistance (MR) of n-type conducting Zn1–xMnxO thin films on a sapphire substrate with a Mn content of 5 at. % has been studied in in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic fields up to 6 T in the temperature range of 5 K to 300 K. During pulsed laser deposition of the ZnMnO thin films, we controlled the thickness and roughness of a highly conductive ZnMnO surface layer. The measured MR has been modeled with constant s-d exchange (0.2 eV in ZnMnO) and electron spin (S = 5/2 for Mn2+) for samples with a single two dimensional (2D) ZnMnO layer, a single three dimensional (3D) ZnMnO layer, or a 2D and 3D (2D + 3D) ZnMnO layer in parallel. The temperature dependence of modeled Thouless length LTh (LTh ∼ T−0.5) is in good agreement with the theory [Andrearczyk et al., Phys. Rev. B 72, 121309(R) (2005)]. The superimposed positive and negative MR model for ZnCoO thin films [Xu et al., Phys. Rev. B 76, 134417 (2007)] has been extended in order to account for the increase in the density of states close to the Fermi level of n-ZnMnO due to substitutional Mn2+ ions and their effect on the negative MR in ZnMnO.
Influence of a large-eddy breakup device on the frictional drag in a turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Kim Joon-Seok , Hwang Jinyul , Yoon Min , Ahn Junsun , Sung Hyung Jin
Published: June 2017

A direct numerical simulation of a spatially developing turbulent boundary layer with a large-eddy breakup (LEBU) device was performed to investigate the influence of the LEBU device on the near-wall turbulence and frictional drag. The LEBU device, which is thin and rectangular in shape, was located at 80% of the boundary layer thickness (δ). The LEBU device reduced the skin-friction coefficient (Cf) up to 17%. The breakdown of the outer structures passing through the LEBU device reduced the energy of the long wavelength motions (λz+>200) along the wall-normal direction. The reduction of Cf mainly arose from the contribution of the Reynolds shear stress by the difference in the spatial coherence of the outer high- and low-speed structures. We investigated the relationship between the large-scale motions and the velocity–vorticity correlations (vωz and −wωy), which directly contribute to Cf. The contributions of vωz and −wωy accounted for 80% of the total Cf reduction. The amount of the Cf reduction induced by vortex stretching arose from the contributions of the intense positive uL (uL+≈2) and the relatively weak negative uL (uL+≈−0.7). Owing to the negative contribution of the advective vorticity transport, the total Cf reduction was obtained under the negative uL even though drag reduction was achieved by the suppression of vortex stretching under the intense positive uL.