bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical contingency, niche conservatism and the tendency for some taxa to be more diverse towards the poles
Authors: Morales-Castilla Ignacio , Davies Jonathan T , Rodríguez Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2018

Successful explanations for diversity gradients should account for both the generalized tendency towards a higher tropical diversity and its exceptions. Moreover, identifying exceptions to general trends, such as the latitudinal diversity gradient can give insight into the mechanistic explanations responsible for structuring them. The Cenozoic biotic exchange of mammals across the Bering land-bridge provides an illuminating case-study. It allows comparing the diversity of clades that participated in the exchange (colonizers), whose ancestors withstood the Beringian cold temperatures, with that of the clades that did not participate (sedentaries). We find that assemblages of colonizers are more diverse towards higher latitudes, opposing the traditional latitudinal diversity gradient which is followed by sedentaries. Despite the long passage of time since this major dispersal event, the geographic distribution of colonizers is more strongly correlated to the distributions of other colonizers inhabiting a different continent than by the distribution of sedentary species. These results highlight the importance of historical migrations and dispersal in configuring present-day diversity gradients. Importantly, we also suggest that colonizers may be particularly vulnerable to projected climate change because of the predicted decrease in climate space in the extra-tropical realm where they are currently most diverse.
Multistage Core Formation in Planetesimals Revealed by Numerical Modeling and Hf‐W Chronometry of Iron Meteorites
Authors: Neumann W. , Kruijer T. S. , Breuer D. , Kleine T.
Published: January 2018

Iron meteorites provide some of the most direct insights into the processes and timescales of core formation in planetesimals. Of these, group IVB irons stand out by having one of the youngest 182Hf‐182W model ages for metal segregation (2.9 ± 0.6 Ma after solar system formation), as well as the lowest bulk sulfur content and hence highest liquidus temperature. Here, using a new model for the internal evolution of the IVB parent body, we show that a single stage of metal‐silicate separation cannot account for the complete melting of pure Fe metal at the relatively late time given by the Hf‐W model age. Instead, a complex metal‐silicate separation scenario is required that includes migration of partial silicate melts, formation of a shallow magma ocean, and core formation in two distinct stages of metal segregation. In the first stage, a protocore formed at ≈1.5 Ma via settling of metal particles in a mantle magma ocean, followed by metal segregation from a shallow magma ocean at ≈5.4 Ma. As these stages of metal segregation occurred at different times, the two metal fractions had different 182W compositions. Consequently, the final 182W composition of the IVB core does not correspond to a single differentiation event, but represents the average composition of early‐ and late‐segregated core fractions. Our best fit model indicates an ≈100 km radius for the IVB parent body and provides an accretion age of ≈0.1–0.5 Ma after solar system formation. The computed solidification time is, furthermore, consistent with the Re‐Os age for crystallization of the IVB core.
Incision of Licus Vallis, Mars, From Multiple Lake Overflow Floods
Authors: Goudge Timothy A. , Fassett Caleb I.
Published: January 2018

Licus Vallis is a large valley (>350 km long, >2 km wide, and >150 m deep) that heads at the outlet breach of an ~30 km diameter impact crater. We present observations of the geomorphology and topography of this paleolake outlet valley and associated tributary valleys to constrain the history of incision of the Licus Vallis system. Licus Vallis has an abrupt increase in gradient by a factor of approximately 4 along its longitudinal profile, and a knickpoint that drops ~200 m over a reach of ~2 km approximately 12 km downstream from the valley head. We also describe a set of paired terraces within Licus Vallis, which are continuous for tens of kilometers and define an interior valley >2 km in width. We interpret the geomorphology of Licus Vallis as recording at least two discrete, major episodes of valley incision, both driven by lake overflow floods. The main portion of Licus Vallis formed by overflow flooding from a large (~103–104 km2) lake contained in an intercrater basin. Subsequently, overflow flooding from a lake within the ~30 km diameter impact crater reactivated Licus Vallis, forming a major knickpoint at the valley head and establishing the upstream section of the valley at a lower slope. Farther down the valley, this flood event incised an interior valley bounded by paired terraces. Regional tributary valleys that feed Licus Vallis also have prominent knickpoints, which have retreated farthest for downstream valleys. We conclude that these knickpoints record successive waves of incision that swept up Licus Vallis during lake overflow flooding, with erosion in the main trunk of the valley (from overflow floods) significantly outpacing erosion in the tributary valleys (from regional surface runoff). These observations of Licus Vallis illustrate how lake overflow floods may have provided an important control on the pace of landscape evolution on Mars.
Output‐feedback adaptive tracking control of stochastic nonlinear systems using multi‐dimensional Taylor network
Authors: Han Yu‐Qun
Published: January 2018

In this paper, an adaptive multi‐dimensional Taylor network (MTN) control scheme based on the backstepping and dynamic surface control (DSC) is developed to solve the tracking control problem for the stochastic nonlinear system with immeasurable states. The MTNs are used to approximate the unknown nonlinearities, and then based on the multivariable analog of circle criterion, an observer is first introduced to estimate the immeasurable states. By combining the adaptive backstepping technique and the DSC technique, an adaptive MTN output‐feedback backstepping DSC approach is developed. It is shown that the proposed controller ensures that all signals of the closed‐loop system are remain bounded in probability, and the tracking error converges to an arbitrarily small neighborhood around the origin in the sense of probability. Finally, the effectiveness of the design approach is illustrated by simulation results.
Optomagnetic Nanoplatforms for In Situ Controlled Hyperthermia
Authors: Ortgies Dirk H. , Teran Francisco J. , Rocha Uéslen , de la Cueva Leonor , Salas Gorka , Cabrera David , Vanetsev Alexander S. , Rähn Mihkel , Sammelselg Väino , Orlovskii Yurii V. , Jaque Daniel
Published: January 2018

Magnetic nanoparticles (M:NPs) are unique agents for in vivo thermal therapies due to their multimodal capacity for efficient heat generation under optical and/or magnetic excitation. Nevertheless, their transfer from laboratory to the clinic is hampered by the absence of thermal feedback and by the influence that external conditions (e.g., agglomeration and biological matrix interactions) have on their heating efficiency. Overcoming these limitations requires, first, the implementation of strategies providing thermal sensing to M:NPs in order to obtain in situ thermal feedback during thermal therapies. At the same time, M:NPs should be modified so that their heating efficiency will be maintained independently of the environment and the added capability for thermometry. In this work, optomagnetic hybrid nanostructures (OMHSs) that simultaneously satisfy these two conditions are presented. Polymeric encapsulation of M:NPs with neodymium‐doped nanoparticles results in a hybrid structure capable of subtissue thermal feedback while making the heating efficiency of M:NPs independent of the medium. The potential application of the OMHSs herein developed for fully controlled thermal therapies is demonstrated by an ex vivo endoscope‐assisted controlled intracoronary heating experiment.
Conformation Locking on Fused‐Ring Electron Acceptor for High‐Performance Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhuohan , Yu Jiangsheng , Yin Xinxing , Hu Zhenghao , Jiang Yufeng , Sun Jia , Zhou Jie , Zhang Fujun , Russell Thomas P. , Liu Feng , Tang Weihua
Published: January 2018

In this work, sidechain engineering on conjugated fused‐ring acceptors for conformation locking is demonstrated as an effective molecular design strategy for high‐performance nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). A novel nonfullerene acceptor (ITC6‐IC) is designed and developed by introducing long alkyl chains into the terminal electron‐donating building blocks. ITC6‐IC has achieved definite conformation with a planar structure and better solubility in common organic solvents. The weak electron‐donating hexyl upshifts the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of ITC6‐IC, resulting in a higher VOC in comparison to the widely used ITIC. The OSCs based on PBDB‐T:ITC6‐IC reveal a promising power conversion efficiency of 11.61% and an expected high VOC of 0.97 V. The weaker π–π stacking induced by steric hindrance affords ITC6‐IC with enhanced compatibility with polymer donors. The blend film treated with suitable thermal annealing exhibits a fibril crystallization feature with a good bicontinuous network morphology. The results indicate that the molecular design approach of ITC6‐IC can be inspirational for future development of nonfullerene acceptors for high efficiency OSCs.
Stabilization of Glucagon by Trehalose Glycopolymer Nanogels
Authors: Boehnke Natalie , Kammeyer Jacquelin K. , Damoiseaux Robert , Maynard Heather D.
Published: January 2018

Glucagon is a peptide hormone used for the treatment of hypoglycemia; however, its clinical potential is limited by its insolubility and instability in solution. Herein, the encapsulation, stabilization, and release of glucagon by trehalose glycopolymer nanogels are reported. Methacrylate‐functionalized trehalose is copolymerized with pyridyl disulfide ethyl methacrylate using free radical polymerization conditions to form trehalose glycopolymers with thiol‐reactive handles. Glucagon is chemically modified to contain two thiol groups and is subsequently utilized as the cross‐linker to form redox‐responsive trehalose nanogels with greater than 80% conjugation yield. Nanogel formation and subsequent glucagon stabilization are characterized using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. It is determined that the solution stability of the glucagon increased from less than 24 h to at least three weeks in the nanogel form. Additionally, in vitro activity of the synthesized glucagon analog and released glucagon is investigated, demonstrating that the glucagon remains active after modification. It is anticipated that these glucagon–nanogel conjugates will be useful as a stabilizing glucagon formulation, allowing for cargo release under mild reducing conditions.
Comprehensive Understanding of the Spatial Configurations of CeO2 in NiO for the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction: Embedded or Surface‐Loaded
Authors: Gao Wei , Xia Zhaoming , Cao Fangxian , Ho Johnny C. , Jiang Zheng , Qu Yongquan
Published: January 2018

Introducing cerium (Ce) species into electrocatalysts has been recently developed as an effective approach to improve their oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Importantly, the spatial distribution of Ce species in the hosts can determine the availability of Ce species either as additives or as co‐catalysts, which would dictate their different contributions to the enhanced electrocatalytic performance. Herein, the comprehensive investigations on two different catalyst configurations, namely CeO2‐embedded NiO (Ce‐NiO‐E) and CeO2‐surface‐loaded NiO (Ce‐NiO‐L), are performed to understand the effect of their specific spatial arrangements on OER characteristics. The Ce‐NiO‐E catalysts exhibit a smaller overpotential of 382 mV for 10 mA cm−2 and a lower Tafel slope of 118.7 mV dec−1, demonstrating the benefits of the embedded configuration for OER, as compared with those of Ce‐NiO‐L (426 mV and 131.6 mV dec−1) and pure NiO (467 mV and 140.7 mV dec−1), respectively. The improved OER property of Ce‐NiO‐E originates from embedding small‐sized CeO2 clusters into the host for the larger specific surface area, richer surface defects, higher oxygen adsorption capacity, and better optimized electronic structures of the surface active sites, as compared with Ce‐NiO‐L. Above findings provide a valuable guideline for and insight in designing catalysts with different spatial configurations for enhanced catalytic properties.
Spatially Resolved Electric‐Field Manipulation of Magnetism for CoFeB Mesoscopic Discs on Ferroelectrics
Authors: Ba You , Liu Yan , Li Peisen , Wu Liang , Unguris John , Pierce Daniel T. , Yang Danni , Feng Ce , Zhang Yike , Wu Hao , Li Dalai , Chang Yuansi , Zhang Jinxing , Han Xiufeng , Cai Jianwang , Nan Ce‐Wen , Zhao Yonggang
Published: January 2018

Electric‐field control of magnetism in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric multiferroic heterostructures is a promising way to realize fast and nonvolatile random‐access memory with high density and low‐power consumption. An important issue that has not been solved is the magnetic responses to different types of ferroelectric‐domain switching. Here, for the first time three types of magnetic responses are reported induced by different types of ferroelectric domain switching with in situ electric fields in the CoFeB mesoscopic discs grown on PMN‐PT(001), including type I and type II attributed to 109°, 71°/180° ferroelectric domain switching, respectively, and type III attributed to a combined behavior of multiferroelectric domain switching. Rotation of the magnetic easy axis by 90° induced by 109° ferroelectric domain switching is also found. In addition, the unique variations of effective magnetic anisotropy field with electric field are explained by the different ferroelectric domain switching paths. The spatially resolved study of electric‐field control of magnetism on the mesoscale not only enhances the understanding of the distinct magnetic responses to different ferroelectric domain switching and sheds light on the path of ferroelectric domain switching, but is also important for the realization of low‐power consumption and high‐speed magnetic random‐access memory utilizing these materials.
Cross‐Linking of Thiolated Paclitaxel–Oligo(p‐phenylene vinylene) Conjugates Aggregates inside Tumor Cells Leads to “Chemical Locks” That Increase Drug Efficacy
Authors: Zhou Lingyun , Lv Fengting , Liu Libing , Shen Guizhi , Yan Xuehai , Bazan Guillermo C. , Wang Shu
Published: January 2018

How to reduce the resistance of certain tumor cells to paclitaxel (PTX) and related taxoid anticancer drugs is a major challenge for improving cure rates. An oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) unit with thiol groups and a PTX unit (OPV‐S‐PTX), which enhances drug efficacy and reverses resistance is thus designed. The mechanism involves diffusion of OPV‐S‐PTX into the cell, where π–π interactions lead to aggregation. Cross‐linking of the aggregates via oxidation of thiol groups is favored in tumor cells because of the higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration. Cross‐linked aggregates “chemically lock” the multichromophore particle for a more persistent effect. The IC50 of OPV‐S‐PTX for tumor cell line A549 is reduced down to 0.33 × 10−9m from that observed for PTX itself (41 × 10−9m). Enhanced efficacy by OPV‐S‐PTX is proposed to proceed via acceleration of microtubule bundle formation. A549/T‐inoculated xenograft mice experiments reveal suppression of tumor growth upon OPV‐S‐PTX treatment. Altogether, these results show that the internal cross‐linking of OPV‐S‐PTX through ROS provides a means to discriminate between tumor and healthy cells and the formation of the chemically locked particles enhances drug efficacy and helps in reducing resistance.
Carbon Nanoparticles in High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yavari Mozhgan , Mazloum‐Ardakani Mohammad , Gholipour Somayeh , Marinova Nevena , Delgado Juan Luis , Turren‐Cruz Silver‐Hamill , Domanski Konrad , Taghavinia Nima , Saliba Michael , Grätzel Michael , Hagfeldt Anders , Tress Wolfgang
Published: January 2018

In the past few years, organic–inorganic metal halide ABX3 perovskites (A = Rb, Cs, methylammonium, formamidinium (FA); B = Pb, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I) have rapidly emerged as promising materials for photovoltaic applications. Tuning the film morphology by various deposition techniques and additives is crucial to achieve solar cells with high performance and long‐term stability. In this work, carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) containing functional groups are added to the perovskite precursor solution for fabrication of fluorine‐doped tin oxide/TiO2/perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD/gold devices. With the addition of CNPs, the perovskite films are thermally more stable, contain larger grains, and become more hydrophobic. NMR experiments provide strong evidence that the functional groups of the CNPs interact with FA cations already in the precursor solution. The fabricated solar cells show a power‐conversion efficiency of 18% and negligible hysteresis.
Biological and behavioral correlates of body weight status among rural Northeast Brazilian schoolchildren
Authors: dos Santos Fernanda Karina , Moura dos Santos Marcos André , Almeida Marcelus Brito , Nobre Isabele Goes , Nobre Gabriela Goes , Ferreira e Silva Wylla Tatiana , Gomes Thayse Natacha , António Ribeiro Maia José , Leandro Carol Góis
Published: January 2018

Objectives

The increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in youth is a public health problem worldwide; however, few studies have investigated its prevalence and correlates in children from the Brazilian Northeast region rural zone. The purpose of this study was (1) to estimate the prevalence of children's weight status according to sex, age, and birth weight categories; and (2) to investigate the links between biological and behavioral factors and weight categories.

Methods

The sample comprises 501 children (248 girls), aged 7‐10 years, classified as low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obese using body mass index cut‐points. Predicted variables included birth weight, percentage of body fat (%BF), fat free mass (FFM), physical fitness, and gross motor coordination.

Results

Data showed differences among weight groups for the predictor variables. Results of the logistic regression revealed that sex, age, %BF, FFM, physical fitness, and motor coordination seem to be relevant predictors of children's weight status, while no significant effect was observed for birth weight.

Conclusion

Children with lower physical fitness levels as well as those with lower motor coordination quotient are more likely to be overweight and/or obese. No significant relationship was observed between birth weight and weight status in childhood. Strategies to reduce childhood obesity should consider biological, behavioral, and also environmental predictors.
Phenotypic heterogeneity of ZMPSTE24 deficiency
Authors: Cassini Thomas A. , Robertson Amy K. , Bican Anna G. , Cogan Joy D. , Hannig Vickie L. , Newman John H. , Hamid Rizwan , Phillips John A. ,   the Undiagnosed Diseases Network
Published: January 2018

A 4‐year‐old girl was referred to the Undiagnosed Diseases Network with a history of short stature, thin and translucent skin, macrocephaly, small hands, and camptodactyly. She had been diagnosed with possible Hallerman–Streiff syndrome. Her evaluation showed that she was mosaic for uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 1, which harbored a pathogenic c.1077dupT variant in ZMPSTE24 which predicts p.(Leu362fsX18). ZMPSTE24 is a zinc metalloproteinase that is involved in processing farnesylated proteins and pathogenic ZMPSTE24 variants cause accumulation of abnormal farnesylated forms of prelamin A. This, in turn, causes a spectrum of disease severity which is based on enzyme activity. The current patient has an intermediate form, which is a genocopy of severe Progeria.
Fetal ultrasonographic findings including cerebral hyperechogenicity in a patient with non‐lethal form of Raine syndrome
Authors: Tamai Kei , Tada Katsuhiko , Takeuchi Akihito , Nakamura Makoto , Marunaka Hidenori , Washio Yosuke , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Miya Fuyuki , Okamoto Nobuhiko , Kageyama Misao
Published: January 2018

Raine syndrome is a rare osteosclerotic bone dysplasia characterized by craniofacial anomalies and intracranial calcification. Most patients with Raine syndrome are of Arab ancestry and die during the neonatal period. We herein report a Japanese patient with non‐lethal Raine syndrome who presented with characteristic cerebral hyperechogenicity and a hypoplastic nose by fetal ultrasonography. She was admitted to the NICU due to pyriform aperture stenosis. Craniofacial abnormalities, intracranial calcification, osteosclerosis, chondrodysplasia punctata, and a mutation of FAM20C was identified. She was subsequently discharged without surgical intervention and is now 2 years old with mild neurodevelopmental delays. Images of cerebral hyperechogenicity by fetal ultrasonography in a non‐lethal case were described herein for the first time. This patient represents a rare occurrence of a child with Raine syndrome born to Japanese parents and confirms that this syndrome is not always lethal. Even if Raine syndrome is suspected in a fetus due to cerebral hyperechogenicity and a hypoplastic nose, cerebral hyperechogenicity without pulmonary hypoplasia does not always predict lethality or severe neurodevelopmental delays. The information provided herein will be useful for prenatal counseling.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Atom‐Transfer Radical Cyclization at Remote Unactivated C(sp3)−H Sites: Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer of Hybrid Vinyl Palladium Radical Intermediates
Authors: Ratushnyy Maxim , Parasram Marvin , Wang Yang , Gevorgyan Vladimir
Published: January 2018

A novel mild, visible‐light‐induced palladium‐catalyzed hydrogen atom translocation/atom‐transfer radical cyclization (HAT/ATRC) cascade has been developed. This protocol involves a 1,5‐HAT process of previously unknown hybrid vinyl palladium radical intermediates, thus leading to iodomethyl carbo‐ and heterocyclic structures.
A Stable Room‐Temperature Luminescent Biphenylmethyl Radical
Authors: Ai Xin , Chen Yingxin , Feng Yuting , Li Feng
Published: January 2018

There is only one family of room‐temperature luminescent radicals, the triphenylmethyl radicals, to date. Herein, we synthesize a new stable room‐temperature luminescent radical, (N‐carbazolyl)bis(2,4,6‐tirchlorophenyl)methyl radical (CzBTM), which has improved properties compared to the triphenylmethyl radicals. X‐ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed the radical structure. CzBTM shows room‐temperature deep‐red to near‐infrared emission in various solutions. Both thermal and photo stability were significantly enhanced by the replacement of trichlorobenzene by the carbazole moiety. The electroluminescence results of CzBTM verify its potential application to circumvent the problem of triplet harvesting in traditional fluorescent OLEDs. A new family of stable luminescent radicals based on CzBTM is anticipated.
Rational Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of N‐(1,4‐Benzoxazinone)Acetamide Derivatives as Potent Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
Authors: Xiang Yi , Wang Xiu‐Hua , Yang Quan , Tan Jia‐Lian , Jang Hee‐Jae , Zuo Hua , Shin Dong‐Soo
Published: January 2018

Inappropriate thrombus formation within blood vessels is the leading cause of mortality in the industrialized world. Platelet aggregation activated by thrombin may have close relationship with thrombosis. Based on our studies on the pharmacophoric role of 1,4‐benzoxazine‐3(4H)‐one for desirable platelet aggregation inhibitory activity, we identified N‐(4‐ethyl‐3‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b][1,4]oxazin‐7‐yl)‐2‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)acetamide (BOAP‐AM6) and N‐(4‐butyl‐3‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b][1,4]oxazin‐7‐yl)‐2‐(4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)acetamide (BOAP‐AM21) as platelet aggregation inhibitors with an IC50 of 8.93 and 8.67 μM, respectively, as potent as the positive control aspirin. A combination of structure–activity relationships studies and molecular modeling revealed that the molecule BOAP‐AM6 interacted with the amino acid residue TYR166 and ARG214 in the binding site of GPIIb/IIIa receptor through hydrogen bond and compound BOAP‐AM21 acted on the amino acid residue ASN215 and ALA218, both through the same approach as the reported potent molecules 7a and 7b.
Cooperative Effect of the Two Hydrogen Bonding Types on 11/9‐Helical Folding of α/β‐Peptides
Authors: Jang Geunhyuk , Lee Mihye , Lee Jaeyeon , Shim Jihyun , Kang Philjae , Choi Moon‐Gun , Choi Soo Hyuk
Published: January 2018

α/β‐Peptide 11/9‐helix is an unconventional helical structure in which 11‐ and 9‐membered ring hydrogen bonds alternate along the helical axis. We have examined the interplay and the relative strength of these two hydrogen bonding types by IR, NMR, and X‐ray crystallographic methods. A pair of two adjacent hydrogen bonds with opposite directionality cooperatively stabilized each other in non‐hydrogen‐bonding solvents. In contrast, an unpaired hydrogen bond was unstable to promote helical folding. The IR and the NMR data of α/β‐depsipeptides suggested that a 9‐membered ring hydrogen bond is favored over an 11‐membered ring hydrogen bond.
Downregulation of CSN6 attenuates papillary thyroid carcinoma progression by reducing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and sensitizes cancer cells to FH535 therapy
Authors: Wen Duo , Liao Tian , Ma Ben , Qu Ning , Shi Rong‐Liang , Lu Zhong‐Wu , Wang Yu‐Long , Wei Wen‐Jun , Ji Qing‐Hai
Published: January 2018

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased worldwide at a rate higher than that of any other cancer. CSN6 is overexpressed in many types of cancers, and such expression is linked to oncogenic activity. However, the detailed biological functions of CSN6 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) have not been well characterized. We investigated CSN6 expression in PTC specimens and cell lines. We used short‐hairpin RNA‐mediated gene silencing to explore the biological effects of CSN6 depletion in PTC cells. The combined effects of CSN6 silencing and FH535 therapy were assessed in terms of cell viability. The mechanism by which CSN6 regulated β‐catenin expression was also analyzed. CSN6 levels were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (mRNA), Western blotting, and immunochemistry (protein). The CCK‐8 and migration assays and orthotopic xenograft transplantation were used to investigate the biological effects of CSN6. We assessed the combined effects of CSN6 silencing and FH535 on cell viability in vitro. We also analyzed the relationship between the CSN6 level and clinical pathological status. CSN6 was overexpressed in human PTCs, and loss of CSN6 attenuated tumor proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. CSN6 stabilized β‐catenin and facilitated the epidermal‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PTC cells. CSN6 positively regulated β‐catenin expression in a β‐Trcp‐dependent manner and triggered expression of several EMT‐related genes regulated by β‐catenin. CSN6 silencing sensitized PTC cells to FH535 therapy via downregulation of the Wnt/β–catenin signaling pathway. Finally, in PTC patients, the level of CSN6 was significantly (inversely) correlated with tumor size, the presence of multifocal lesions, and TNM stage. CSN6 overexpression in PTC is a strong indicator of enhanced tumor aggressiveness. CSN6 promotes PTC progression by inducing the EMT. CSN6 knockdown sensitizes PTC cells to FH535 therapy via downregulation of the Wnt/β–catenin signaling pathway.
Impact of preoperative anemia on outcomes in patients undergoing curative resection for gastric cancer: a single‐institution retrospective analysis of 2163 Chinese patients
Authors: Liu Xuechao , Qiu Haibo , Huang Yuying , Xu Dazhi , Li Wei , Li Yuanfang , Chen Yingbo , Zhou Zhiwei , Sun Xiaowei
Published: January 2018

We sought to evaluate whether preoperative anemia was an important determinant of survival in gastric cancer (GC). A single institution cohort of 2163 GC patients who underwent curative resection were retrospectively analyzed. Anemia was defined as a preoperative hemoglobin level <120 g/L in males and <110 g/L in females. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was performed to identify the independent prognostic factor. Anemic patients had a poorer OS compared with nonanemic patients after resection for tumor–nodes–metastasis (TNM) stage III tumors (5‐year OS rate: 32.2% vs. 45.7%, P < 0.001) but not stage I (P  =  0.480) or stage II (P  =  0.917) tumors. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative anemia was an independent prognostic factor in TNM stage III (hazard ratio [HR], 1.771; 95% CI, 1.040–3.015; P = 0.035). In a stage‐stratified analysis, preoperative anemia was still independently associated with OS in TNM stages IIIa through IIIc (P < 0.001, P = 0.075, and P = 0.012, respectively), though the association was only marginal in stage IIIb. Of note, preoperative mild anemia had a similar prognostic value in TNM stage III GC. Furthermore, preoperative anemia was significantly associated with more perioperative transfusions, postoperative complications and several nutritional‐based indices, including the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), preoperative weight loss and performance status (all P < 0.05). Preoperative anemia, even mild anemia, was an important predictor of postoperative survival for TNM stage III GC.
Clinical presentation and imaging of a rare case of Tarsal Tuberculosis
Authors: Kapetanakis Stylianos , Chourmouzi Danai , Papadopoulou Elissavet , Oikonomou Dimitrios , Gkantsinikoudis Nikolaos
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

A 43‐year‐old woman arrived to emergency unit of our hospital, referring intense deteriorated pain and swelling of midfoot. Rapid clinical evolvement of osteoarticular tuberculosis represents a potential clinical scenario. Clinicians should always include foot tuberculosis in differential diagnosis, in cases of severe clinical and radiological manifestations.
Chemical and Enzymatic Strategies for Bacterial and Mammalian Cell Surface Engineering
Authors: Bi Xiaobao , Yin Juan , Chen Guanbang Ashley , Liu Chuan‐Fa
Published: January 2018

The cell surface serves important functions such as the regulation of cell‐cell and cell‐environment interactions. The understanding and manipulation of the cell surface is important for a wide range of fundamental studies of cellular behavior and for biotechnological and medical applications. With the rapid advance of biology, chemistry and materials science, many strategies have been developed for the functionalization of bacterial and mammalian cell surfaces. Here, we review the recent development of chemical and enzymatic approaches to cell surface engineering with particular emphasis on discussing the advantages and limitations of each of these strategies.
Fluorescence Redox Blinking Adaptable to Structural Analysis of Nucleic Acids
Authors: Miyata Takafumi , Shimada Naohiko , Maruyama Atsushi , Kawai Kiyohiko
Published: January 2018

The phenomenon of blinking is unique to single‐molecule fluorescence measurements. By designing a fluorophore with an appropriate dark‐state lifetime τoff, a kinetic analysis based on the control of fluorescence blinking (KACB) was devised to investigate the dynamics of biomolecules. By controlling the redox‐reaction‐based blinking (rKACB), conformational dynamics of RNA at the single‐molecule level was previously investigated. However, there is little knowledge about suitable fluorescent molecules for rKACB, and the application of rKACB has been limited to the analysis of hairpins and duplex structures of nucleic acids. In this work, various fluorescent molecules, including Alexa 488, R6G, TAMRA, ATTO 647N and ATTO 655, were evaluated for rKACB. Moreover, rKACB was adapted to the discrimination of DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA nucleic acid duplexes and investigation of antigen–antibody interactions. By changing the size of the oxidant, it was possible to determine the solvent accessibility of the target domain of the analyzed biomolecules.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Aminodiols by Sequential Rhodium‐Catalysed Oxyamination/Kinetic Resolution: Expanding the Substrate Scope of Amidine‐Based Catalysis
Authors: Guasch Joan , Giménez‐Nueno Irene , Funes‐Ardoiz Ignacio , Bernús Miguel , Matheu M. Isabel , Maseras Feliu , Castillón Sergio , Díaz Yolanda
Published: January 2018

Regio‐ and stereoselective oxyamination of dienes through a tandem rhodium‐catalysed aziridination–nucleophilic opening affords racemic oxazolidinone derivatives, which undergo a kinetic resolution acylation process with amidine‐based catalysts (ABCs) to achieve s values of up to 117. This protocol was applied to the enantioselective synthesis of sphingosine.
Structural Factors Affecting Binding of Platinum Anticancer Agents with Phospholipids: Influence of Charge and Phosphate Clamp Formation
Authors: Gorle Anil Kumar , Zhang Junyong , Liu Qin , Berners‐Price Susan J. , Farrell Nicholas P.
Published: January 2018

We report a detailed NMR and DFT study of the interaction of polynuclear platinum anticancer agents (PPCs) with negatively charged phospholipids as a mechanism for their cellular uptake. The reactions of fully 15N‐labelled [{trans‐PtCl(NH3)2}2(μ‐trans‐Pt(NH3)2{NH2(CH2)6NH2}2)]4+ (15N‐1, 1,0,1/t,t,t) and the dinuclear [{trans‐PtCl(NH3)2}2{μ‐H2N(CH2)6NH2}]2+ (15N‐2, 1,1/t,t) with the sodium salt of 1,2‐dihexanoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphate (DHPA) were studied at 298 K, pH ≈5.4, by [1H,15N] HSQC 2D NMR spectroscopy. Both 15N‐1 and 15N‐2 form an initial mono‐adduct in which the DHPA is coordinated via the phosphate O atom. For the dinuclear 15N‐2, coordination of a second DHPA, in two different orientations, leads to two conformers of the bifunctional adduct. For 15N‐1, coordination of the second DHPA allows the central {PtN4} coordination unit to bind electrostatically to two additional DHPA molecules via phosphate clamp interactions, in an extended network. For both 1,0,1/t,t,t (1) and 1,1/t,t (2), equilibrium conditions are obtained more slowly (>35 h) than in the presence of phosphate (12 h) and in each case the rate constant for the first step of DHPA binding (kL) is about 8 times higher than that for phosphate, whereas the rate constants for the reverse reactions are quite similar. Reaction of 15N‐1 with the sodium salt of 1,2‐dihexanoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐[phosphatidyl‐l‐serine] (DHPS) showed only minor adduct formation via coordination to the N‐donor atom of the phosphoserine group.
Techno‐economic Optimization of the Production Network for the Synthesis of Formic Acid from Renewables
Authors: Schack Dominik , Sundmacher Kai
Published: January 2018

Ein nachhaltiger Umgang mit stofflichen und energetischen Ressourcen wird immer wichtiger, daher wird hier die Ameisensäureproduktion basierend auf erneuerbaren Ressourcen untersucht. Wenn Erdgas als Rohstoffquelle und gleichzeitig erneuerbare Energiequellen genutzt werden, ist eine emissionsarme und ökonomisch sinnvolle Produktion möglich. Der vorgestellte Ansatz kann bei der Evaluierung von unterschiedlichen strategischen Konzepten im Kontext der Energiewende ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel sein, da das betrachtete Produktionsnetzwerk für unterschiedliche Zielmoleküle einfach anpassbar und erweiterbar ist.
Recent Advances in Organic Electrochemical C—H Functionalization
Authors: Yang Qi‐Liang , Fang Ping , Mei Tian‐Sheng
Published: January 2018

Organic electrochemistry has a rich history in organic synthesis and has been considered as a promising alternative to traditional chemical oxidants and reductants because it obviates the use of stoichiometric amount of dangerous and toxic reagents. In particular, the electrochemical C—H bonds functionalization is one of the most desirable approaches for the construction of carbon–carbon (C—C) and carbon–heteroatom (C—X) bonds. This review summarizes the substantial progress made in the last few years in C—H functionalization via organic electrochemistry. It is divided into sections on C—C, C—N, C—O, C—S, C–Halogen and C—P bond formation.
Earthen Pot–Plant Microbial Fuel Cell Powered by Vetiver for Bioelectricity Production and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Regmi Roshan , Nitisoravut Rachnarin , Charoenroongtavee Sirada , Yimkhaophong Woraluk , Phanthurat Ornnicha
Published: January 2018

Novel earthen pot–plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) are constructed as a wastewater filtering and microelectrical power system. Its performance is investigated at different influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) strengths of 50 mg L−1 (P‐COD50), 250 mg L−1 (P‐COD250), and 500 mg L−1 (P‐COD500). Two reference reactors, one unplanted with 250 mg L−1 (UP‐COD250) and another planted with tap water devoid of external supply of organic (P‐COD0), are constructed to show the effects of plants in treatment ability and electricity generation. Maximum average current density is achieved in P‐COD250, that is, 242 ± 10.5 mA m−2 followed by UP‐COD250, P‐COD50, P‐COD500, and P‐COD0. Polarization curves also depicts a similar order for power density. Variations of power output in low and high concentrated units are accompanied with lower substrates for bacteria in the former while the latter is due to osmotic shock of plants at higher COD concentration. At the same influent concentration, planted reactors enhances current density by 12.5%. Organic removal ability is promising in all the reactors, reaching almost 99%. However, plants enhanced, on average, 3% in COD removal. High COD removal is achieved with higher retention time. Planted reactors shows more significant increments in current during daytime after feeding than unplanted reactors, suggesting the role of root exudates via photosynthates in current generation. These results can help in further optimizing of PMFCs in terms of configuration and substrates.
Nested graphs: A model to efficiently distribute multi‐agent systems on HPC clusters
Authors: Rousset Alban , Herrmann Bénédicte , Lang Christophe , Philippe Laurent , Bride Hadrien
Published: January 2018

Computational simulation is becoming increasingly important in numerous research fields. Depending on the modeled system, several methods such as differential equations or Monte‐Carlo simulations may be used to represent the system behavior. The amount of computation and memory needed to run a simulation depends on its size and precision, and large simulations usually lead to long runs, thus requiring to adapt the model to a parallel system. Complex systems are often simulated using multi‐agent systems (MASs). While linear system based models benefit from a large set of tools to take advantage of parallel resources, multi‐agent systems suffer from a lack of platforms that ease the use of such resources. In this paper, we propose the use of Nested Graphs for a new modeling approach that allows the design of large, complex, and multi‐scale multi‐agent models, which can efficiently be distributed on parallel resources. Nested Graphs are formally defined and are illustrated on the well‐known predator‐prey model. We also introduce PDMAS (parallel and distributed multi‐agent system): a platform that implements the Nested Graph modeling approach to ease the distribution of multi‐agent models on High Performance Computing clusters. Performance results are presented to validate the efficiency of the resulting models.
Dynamic data reallocation and replication over a cloud environment
Authors: Abdel Raouf Ahmed E. , Badr Nagwa L. , Tolba Mohamed F.
Published: January 2018

The performance and efficiency of the distributed database system (DDBS) design are dependent on proper data fragmentation, reallocation, and replication of global relations. In this research, a Cluster Based Distributed and Parallel Database System (CB‐DDBS) architecture over a cloud environment is proposed. The proposed CB‐DDBS architecture processes the client's query requests, which access the clustered DDBS from anywhere. It also allows vertical and horizontal fragmentation, allocation, and replication decisions to be taken statically at the initial stage of the design. In addition, it allows migration and/or replication decisions to be taken by each cluster independently of other clusters using the proposed Optimal Fragment Reallocation and Replication (OFRAR) Algorithm. The proposed CB‐DDBS architecture and the proposed OFRAR Algorithm are tested in both Amazon cloud environment and a simulated environment. Experimental results show that the proposed OFRAR Algorithm efficiently reduces the communication costs for typical access patterns, the overloads of the sites, and the frequency and time spent on fragment migration over the network sites by imposing a stricter condition for fragment reallocation and replication, resulting in a great overall improvement in the DDBS performance. It also shows that the proposed CB‐DDBS architecture results in a significant reduction of the execution time needed for the transactions and for noticing an error.
Petri net‐based deviation detection between a process model with loop semantics and event logs
Authors: Wang Lu , Du YuYue , Qi Man , Qi HongDa , He ZhaoYang
Published: January 2018

Information systems have been widely used to realize business processes. The business processes can be described by formal or semi‐formal models. In practice, there are a number of realistic processes involving loop semantics. As an insufficient design or improvement of the information system, event logs generated from these systems may not be consistent with the existing models. By comparing an existing process model with the event logs, we can detect inconsistencies called deviations and verify and extend the business process model. In this paper, some abnormal activities in business processes are formally defined based on Petri nets. An efficient approach to detect deviations between the process model with loop structures and event logs is proposed. A clinical process in a healthcare information system is used as a case study to illustrate our work. Experimental results show the effectiveness and efficiency of the presented approach.
Food specific inhibitory control under negative mood in binge‐eating disorder: Evidence from a multimethod approach*
Authors: Leehr Elisabeth J. , Schag Kathrin , Dresler Thomas , Grosse‐Wentrup Moritz , Hautzinger Martin , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Zipfel Stephan , Giel Katrin E. , Ehlis Ann‐Christine
Published: January 2018

Objective

Inhibitory control has been discussed as a developmental and maintenance factor in binge‐eating disorder (BED). The current study is the first aimed at investigating inhibitory control in a negative mood condition on a psychophysiological and behavioral level in BED with a combination of electroencephalography (EEG) and eye tracking (ET).

Method

We conducted a combined EEG and ET study with overweight individuals with BED (BED+,n = 24, mean age = 31, mean BMI = 35 kg/m2) and without BED (BED–,n = 23, mean age = 28, mean BMI = 35 kg/m2) and a normal‐weight (NWC,n = 26, mean age 28, mean BMI = 22 kg/m2) control group. We assessed self‐report data regarding impulsivity and emotion regulation as well as the processing of food stimuli under negative mood in an antisaccade task. Main outcome variables comprise event‐related potentials (ERP) regarding conflict processing (N2) and performance monitoring (error‐related negativity [ERN/Ne]) assessed by EEG and inhibitory control (errors in the first and second saccade) assessed by ET.

Results

BED+ patients reported increased impulsivity and higher emotion regulation difficulties compared with the other groups. The eye tracking data revealed impaired inhibitory control in BED+ compared with both control groups. Further, we found preliminary evidence from EEG recordings that conflict processing might be less thorough in the BED+ sample as well as in the NWC sample. In the BED+ sample this might be connected to the inhibitory control deficits on behavioral level. While the BED− sample showed increased conflict processing latencies (N2 latencies), which might indicate a compensation mechanism, the BED+ sample did not show such a mechanism. Performance monitoring (ERN/Ne latencies and amplitudes) was not impaired in the BED+ sample compared with both control samples.

Discussion

Participants with BED reported higher impulsivity and lower emotion regulation capacities. The combined investigation of electrocortical processes and behavior contributes to an advanced understanding of behavioral and electrocortical processes underlying inhibitory control in BED. Inhibitory control and negative mood, probably amplified by emotion regulation deficits, should be addressed further in the investigation and treatment of BED.
Cue reactivity, habituation, and eating in the absence of hunger in children with loss of control eating and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Hilbert Anja , Kurz Susanne , Dremmel Daniela , Weihrauch Blüher Susann , Munsch Simone , Schmidt Ricarda
Published: January 2018

Objective

Childhood loss of control (LOC) eating and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly comorbid conditions and present with disordered eating behaviors, such as overeating. This study sought to delineate shared and specific abnormalities in physiological, cognitive‐motivational, and behavioral components of food‐specific impulsivity in children with LOC eating and ADHD. Specifically, children's reactivity and habituation to food and eating in the absence of hunger were examined.

Methods

Within this community‐based study, four groups of 8–13‐year‐old children with LOC eating (n = 24), ADHD (n = 32), comorbid LOC eating/ADHD (n = 9), and matched controls (n = 34) received a standard laboratory test meal to establish satiety and were then exposed to their favorite snack food in a cue exposure/reactivity trial, while salivation and desire to eat were repeatedly assessed. Subsequently, they were offered a variety of snack foods ad libitum.

Results

Children with LOC eating, ADHD, and LOC/ADHD did not differ from controls in salivary reactivity and habituation to food cues. Children with LOC eating and ADHD showed greater cue reactivity of the desire to eat than controls, but groups did not differ in its longer‐term increments. At free access, only children with LOC/ADHD consumed significantly more energy than controls. Longer‐term increments of desire to eat predicted greater energy intake beyond LOC/ADHD group status.

Discussion

Desire to eat among children with comorbid LOC eating and ADHD was associated with overeating in the absence of hunger, which may contribute to excess weight gain. Delineation of the specific features of childhood LOC eating versus ADHD warrants further study.