bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic and mechanical properties of carbonyl iron powder‐filled methyl vinyl silicone rubber during thermal aging
Authors: Xu Jingfeng , Zhang Yuhong , Feng Yong Bao , Qiu Tai , Wang Guoyu , Liu Renfu
Published: January 2017

Rubber‐absorbing material patches have been extensively applied in various fields because of its softness, excellent adhesive property, and moldability. However, the material undergoes thermal aging when used in a high‐temperature environment for a long time. Therefore, the mechanism through which the properties change with aging must be elucidated. This work mainly aims to analyze the electromagnetic and mechanical properties of such materials during thermal aging. Methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ) was loaded with 45 vol% carbonyl iron powder (CIP) and subjected to accelerate thermal aging. The electromagnetic and mechanical properties were measured with a network analyzer and electronic tensile testing machine, respectively. Results confirmed the increase in the complex dielectric constant, the decrease in the band width of reflection loss (RL) ≤ −10 dB, and the lack of significant change in permeability. The tensile strength, tear strength, and Shore A hardness of CIP/VMQ composite‐absorbing materials evidently increased, but the elongation at break sharply decreased after hot air aging at 200°C for 14 days. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2897–2903, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks of methyl cellulose and polyacrylamide prepared by frontal polymerization
Authors: Rassu Mariella , Alzari Valeria , Nuvoli Daniele , Nuvoli Luca , Sanna Davide , Sanna Vanna , Malucelli Giulio , Mariani Alberto
Published: January 2017

In this study, the feasibility of frontal polymerization (FP) as an alternative and convenient technique for the preparation of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks made of methyl cellulose (MC) and cross‐linked polyacrylamide (PAAm) is demonstrated. FP was performed in water and glycerol, as largely available, nontoxic solvents. Although FP occurred in both media, differences were found by comparing the samples made in the two solvents. In particular, those prepared in water are characterized by larger inhomogeneity and less reproducibility, thus accounting for the boiling effects that influence propagating polymerization fronts when water was used. The effects of the ratio among MC and PAAm, the amount of cross‐linker and solvent medium were studied in terms of influence on temperature and velocity of FP fronts, glass transition temperature (dried samples), swelling behavior, dynamic‐mechanical properties (gels swollen in both water or glycerol), and tensile behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 55, 1268–1274
Potential exposure to clothianidin and risk assessment of manual users of treated soil
Authors: Ren JingXia , Tao ChuanJiang , Zhang LiYing , Ning Jun , Mei XiangDong , She DongMei
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Treated soil is the second most prevalent application technique for all registered pesticides in China. Some developing countries also adopt this method. However, the safety of this scenario has not been reported in the literature. Experiments were therefore conducted to assess exposure using standard whole‐body dosimetry and air sampling methodologies.

RESULTS

Dermal deposition was the main route of exposure in this scenario. The total dermal unit exposure (UE) of operators to clothianidin‐treated soil was 51.7 mg kg−1 AI handled (SD = 20.59, n = 16), and hands accounted for 36%. Inhalation UE was 0.04 mg kg−1 AI handled (SD = 0.02, n = 4), negligible compared with dermal exposure. Using an NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) of 10 mg kg−1 day−1, the margin of exposure was 773, i.e. greater than 100.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, the scenario of treated soil exposure was assessed and was found to pose less risk than conventional pesticide application. These results can be used as a reference in pesticide management. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Syntheses, Crystal structures, Magnetisms and Luminescences of two Series of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on Tricarboxylic Ligand
Authors: Gao Chang‐Hui , Hou Guang‐Feng , Zuo Dian‐Fa , Jiang Wen‐Hong , Yu Ying‐Hui , Ma Dong‐Sheng , Yan Peng‐Fei
Published: January 2017

Two series of twelve polycarboxylate lanthanide coordination polymers (CPs), namely, [Ln(cpida)(H2O)]n{Ln=La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3) and Nd (4)} and {[Ln(cpida)(H2O)]⋅2H2O}n {Ln=Sm (5), Eu (6), Gd (7), Tb (8), Dy (9), Ho (10), Er (11) and Yb (12)} {H3cpida=N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) iminodiacetic acid}, have been synthesized by self‐assembly and characterized by IR, TGA, X‐ray crystallography, powder XRD and elemental analysis. CPs 1–4 and 5–12 are isomorphic respectively, featuring 2D double layer structures. In CPs 1‐4, each metal atom connects five [cpida]3− anions and each ligand is bound to five metal cations. However, in 5‐12 each [cpida]3− anion only connects four metal cations due to the lanthanide contraction. Further, PL spectra of CPs 6, 8 and 12 show the strong characteristic luminescence of Eu(III), Tb(III) and Yb(III) ions, respectively, suggesting that [cpida]3‐ is able to sensitize the luminescence of lanthanide ions efficiently. The magnetic properties of Gd (7) and Dy (9) complexes have also been investigated.
Mild, Efficient and Catalyst‐Free Hydroxylation of Alkyl Halides in Water: Significant Enhancement of Water Nucleophilicity in Dipolar Solvents
Authors: Chougala Bahubali M. , Samundeeswari S. , Holiyachi Megharaja , Shastri Lokesh A.
Published: January 2017

A new and efficient method for the hydroxylation of heteroarylalkyl, arylalkyl and alkyl halides has been developed by exploiting the nucleophilicity of water. The method being operated under neutral conditions, avoids acid/base or metal assisted catalysis. The protocol has been optimized for a range of aqueous aprotic/protic solvents. The new operation is very simple, highly economical, ecofriendly, safest and suitable for acid/base sensitive motifs in yielding the products at high purity.
Effective Production of 2,5‐Dimethylfuran from Biomass–derived 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural on ZrO2‐doped Graphite Electrode
Authors: Yu Xueqing , Wen Yeqian , Yuan Tao , Li Gang
Published: January 2017

The 2,5‐dimethylfuran (DMF), a promising biofuel, was effectively produced from biomass‐derived 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) on a novel ZrO2‐doped graphite electrode by a two‐step method in this study. Firstly, the HMF was obtained from fructose using ZnCl2 as catalyst and NH4Br as promoter, and the highest yield of HMF reached 96 %. Then, the effective conversion of DMF from HMF was achieved on the ZrO2‐doped graphite electrode. The ZrO2 was characterized to be monoclinic phase. The highest yield of DMF reached 30.7 % on the 8 % ZrO2‐doped graphite electrode.
TBHP Promoted Cross‐Dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) Reaction: Metal/Additive‐Free Synthesis of Chromone‐Fused Quinolines
Authors: Singh Jay B. , Mishra Kalpana , Gupta Tanu , M.Singh Radhey
Published: January 2017

A metal/additive‐free, TBHP‐promoted synthesis of 12H‐Chromeno[2,3‐b]quinolin‐12‐ones from 2‐phenoloxyquinolinyl‐3‐carboxaldehydes has been described via cross‐dehydrogenative coupling of aldehydic C−H bond with arene C−H bond in good to excellent yields. Reaction could be extended to the synthesis of Chromeno[2,3‐c]pyrazol‐4(1H)‐ones, 3‐Phenyl‐5H‐chromeno[2,3‐b]pyridin‐5‐ones and Xanthone respectively.
Predicting Carbon Monoxide Concentrations in the Air of Pardis City, Iran, Using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Asadollahfardi Gholamreza , Mehdinejad Mahdi , Pam Maryam , Parisa Parham , Asadollahfardi Rashin , Farnad Morasah
Published: January 2017

To date, several methods have been proposed to explain the complex process of air pollution prediction. One of these methods uses neural networks. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are a branch of artificial intelligence, and because of their nonlinear mathematical structures and ability to provide acceptable forecasts, they have gained popularity among researchers. The goal of our study as documented in this article was to compare the abilities of two different ANNs, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks, to predict carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in the air of Pardis City, Iran. For the study, we used data collected hourly on temperature, wind speed, and humidity as inputs to train the networks. The MLP neural network had two hidden layers that contained 13 neurons in the first layer and 25 neurons in the second layer and reached a mean bias error (MBE) of 0.06. The coefficient of determination (R2), index of agreement (IA), and the Nash–Scutcliffe efficiency (E) between the observed and predicted data using the MLP neural network were 0.96, 0.9057, and 0.957, respectively. The RBF neural network with a hidden layer containing 130 neurons reached an MBE of 0.04. The R2, IA, and E between the observed and predicted data using the RBF neural network were 0.981, 0.954, and 0.979, respectively. The results provided by the RBF neural network had greater acceptable accuracy than was the case with the MLP neural network. Finally, the results of a sensitivity analysis using the MLP neural network indicated that temperature is the primary factor in the prediction of CO concentrations and that wind speed and humidity are factors of second and third importance when forecasting CO levels.
Rivalries of proximity beyond the household in Niger: political elites and thebaab-izeypattern
Authors: Olivier de Sardan Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2017

In Niger, there is an increasing rejection ofpolitik(a term with highly pejorative connotations): that is, party politics and the politics of democracy, characterized by personal rivalries and power struggles between clans and factions. But there is a direct link (albeit not a causal one) between the social perceptions of intra-familial rivalries and the social perceptions of political rivalries. The archetypical relationship among thebaab-izey(children of one father but different mothers) is characterized by competition and jealousy. This is a product of the latent rivalry that pits co-wives against each other. Polygamy is clearly at odds with a number of received ideas and clichés about ‘the African family’ as primarily a locus of support and solidarity. Such formal social norms may reign in public situations, but in private de facto practical norms give rise to subtle discriminations and the omnipresence of more or less hidden conflicts within the family. The same is true for the political microcosm of Niger. While the public norm of the concern for the public good is supposed to regulate political behaviours, rivalry and jealousy are structural components of the political world. Thebaab-izeypattern is frequently used in reference to politicians. Political conflicts are above all personal/factional conflicts in which friends and supporters are implicated, and are rivalries of proximity. In the familial space as in the political space, ‘magico-religious entrepreneurs’ (i.e. experts in the occult) are merely an ‘accelerator’ of these conflicts: they reinforce suspicions about the familial or political entourage, which, in turn, intensify rivalries.
A Letter from the Editor
Authors: MILLER DALE E.
Published: February 2017

I began to transition into the role of editor-in-chief of Utilitas in the spring of 2016 and fully assumed the position late in the summer. Since volume 29 will be the first for which I am entirely responsible, this seems like an appropriate juncture for me to say a few words about my plans for the journal.
Prehispanic Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia Associated to Cardiovascular Disease: a Mini-Review
Authors: Ríos-Hoyo Alejandro , Romo-Araiza Alejandra , Meneses-Mayo Marcos , Guttiérrez-Salmeán Gabriela
Published: January 2017

Dyslipidemia is an important modifi able risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which are responsible for a large number of mortality and disability cases around the globe. Different strategies have been used within the treatment of dyslipidemia, including lifestyle modifi cations, pharmacologic therapy, as well as functional foods and nutraceuticals. Functional foods have been used worldwide since ancient times, particularly, the prehispanic civilizations utilized several as medicinal foods. In the current pandemic of dyslipidemia as well as the nutritional transition, particularly in Latin America, the use of native functional foods represents an attractive target for the treatment and/ or prevention of these conditions. In this mini-review, evidence regarding different functional foods such as cacao, amaranth, chia, nopal, spirulina, as well as their nutraceutical compounds, including fl avonoids, omega-3 PUFAs, fi ber, prebiotics, lovastatin, c-phycocyanin, among others, and their mechanism of action are presented and discussed. Although such foods certainly are considered as attractive potential agents to target dyslipidemia thus decrease the associated cardiometabolic risk, we conclude that for most of the presented functional foods there is currently not enough evidence to support its recommendation and every-day use.
Increased Inflammatory Potential of Diet is Associated with Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer in Iranian Men
Authors: Shivappa Nitin , Hébert James R. , Askari Faezeh , Kardoust Parizi Mehdi , Rashidkhani Bahram
Published: January 2017

Purpose: Various aspects of diet, including specific foods and nutrients, have been implicated to play a role in modulating inflammation and in the etiology of prostate cancer. Studies examining this association have been conducted primarily in Western countries; but none in Middle Eastern Countries. Method: We examined the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and prostate cancer in an ageand BMI-matched case-control study among 40-78 year-old Iranian males. A total of 50 incident cases and 100 controls attending the same hospital as the cases during the same time period were recruited. The DII is a literature-derived population-based dietary index developed to determine the inflammatory potential of individuals' diets and was computed based on dietary intake assessed using a previously validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that was expanded to assess diet and cancer in the Iranian population. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios, with DII score fit as continuous and as a dichotomous variable. Results: Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed that men with higher DII score (>0.23) to be at higher risk of prostate cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 3.96; 95% CI =1.29–12.16, p-value = 0.02)] compared to men with lower DII scores (≤0.23). Conclusion: These data suggest a pro-inflammatory diet, as indicated by increasing DII score, may be a risk factor for prostate cancer in Iranian men..
A redox-neutral catechol synthesis
Authors: Wu Qian , Yan Dingyuan , Chen Ying , Wang Ting , Xiong Feng , Wei Wei , Lu Yi , Sun Wei-Yin , Li Jie Jack , Zhao Jing
Published: January 2017

Ubiquitous tyrosinase catalyses the aerobic oxidation of phenols to catechols through the binuclear copper centres. Here, inspired by the Fischer indole synthesis, we report an iridium-catalysed tyrosinase-like approach to catechols, employing an oxyacetamide-directed C–H hydroxylation on phenols. This method achieves one-step, redox-neutral synthesis of catechols with diverse substituent groups under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies confirm that the directing group (DG) oxyacetamide acts as the oxygen source. This strategy has been applied to the synthesis of different important catechols with fluorescent property and bioactivity from the corresponding phenols. Finally, our method also provides a convenient route to 18O-labelled catechols using 18O-labelled acetic acid.
Nurturing a lexical legacy: reading experience is critical for the development of word reading skill
Authors: Nation Kate
Published: January 2017

The scientific study of reading has taught us much about the beginnings of reading in childhood, with clear evidence that the gateway to reading opens when children are able to decode, or ‘sound out’ written words. Similarly, there is a large evidence base charting the cognitive processes that characterise skilled word recognition in adults. Less understood is how children develop word reading expertise. Once basic reading skills are in place, what factors are critical for children to move from novice to expert? This paper outlines the role of reading experience in this transition. Encountering individual words in text provides opportunities for children to refine their knowledge about how spelling represents spoken language. Alongside this, however, reading experience provides much more than repeated exposure to individual words in isolation. According to the lexical legacy perspective, outlined in this paper, experiencing words in diverse and meaningful language environments is critical for the development of word reading skill. At its heart is the idea that reading provides exposure to words in many different contexts, episodes and experiences which, over time, sum to a rich and nuanced database about their lexical history within an individual’s experience. These rich and diverse encounters bring about local variation at the word level: a lexical legacy that is measurable during word reading behaviour, even in skilled adults.
Pyrintegrin Induces Soft Tissue Formation by Transplanted or Endogenous Cells
Authors: Shah Bhranti S. , Chen Mo , Suzuki Takahiro , Embree Mildred , Kong Kimi , Lee Chang H. , He Ling , Xiang Lusai , Ahn Jeffrey A. , Ding Sheng , Mao Jeremy J.
Published: January 2017

Focal adipose deficiency, such as lipoatrophy, lumpectomy or facial trauma, is a formidable challenge in reconstructive medicine, and yet scarcely investigated in experimental studies. Here, we report that Pyrintegrin (Ptn), a 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine known to promote embryonic stem cells survival, is robustly adipogenic and induces postnatal adipose tissue formation in vivo of transplanted adipose stem/progenitor cells (ASCs) and recruited endogenous cells. In vitro, Ptn stimulated human adipose tissue derived ASCs to differentiate into lipid-laden adipocytes by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα), with differentiated cells increasingly secreting adiponectin, leptin, glycerol and total triglycerides. Ptn-primed human ASCs seeded in 3D-bioprinted biomaterial scaffolds yielded newly formed adipose tissue that expressed human PPARγ, when transplanted into the dorsum of athymic mice. Remarkably, Ptn-adsorbed 3D scaffolds implanted in the inguinal fat pad had enhanced adipose tissue formation, suggesting Ptn’s ability to induce in situ adipogenesis of endogenous cells. Ptn promoted adipogenesis by upregulating PPARγ and C/EBPα not only in adipogenesis induction medium, but also in chemically defined medium specifically for osteogenesis, and concurrently attenuated Runx2 and Osx via BMP-mediated SMAD1/5 phosphorylation. These findings suggest Ptn’s novel role as an adipogenesis inducer with a therapeutic potential in soft tissue reconstruction and augmentation.
Body mass index moderates the relationship between C-reactive protein and depressive symptoms: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Qin Tingting , Liu Wenhua , Yin Minghui , Shu Chang , Yan Mingming , Zhang Jianyuan , Yin Ping
Published: January 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the role of abnormal body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) in the depression-CRP (C-reactive protein) relationship in a healthy middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Analytical samples were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and participants were categorized by different BMI levels. Depressive subtypes were evaluated both at baseline and follow-up using the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression scale. Hs-CRP and other variables were measured at baseline. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between depression and baseline hs-CRP. Depression was significantly negatively associated with BMI (ρ = −0.077,p < 0.0001), with underweight associated with worse depressive symptoms than other BMI groups. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum hs-CRP and depressive subtypes were significantly positive in the underweight group (p < 0.05). However, in the other BMI groups (from normal weight to obesity), the CRP-depression relationship was no longer significant (p > 0.05). The significant relationship between CRP and depression in the underweight group suggested that not only obesity but also a low BMI could explain a substantial portion of the inflammation-depression link.
Low level of swiprosin-1/EFhd2 in vestibular nuclei of spontaneously hypersensitive motion sickness mice
Authors: Wang Zhi-Bin , Han Ping , Tong Ling-Chang , Luo Yi , Su Wei-Heng , Wei Xin , Yu Xu-Hong , Liu Wei-Ye , Zhang Xiu-Hua , Lei Hong , Li Zhen-Zhen , Wang Fang , Chen Jian-Guo , Ma Tong-Hui , Su Ding-Feng , Li Ling
Published: January 2017

Susceptibility to motion sickness (MS) varies considerably among humans. However, the cause of such variation is unclear. Here, we used a classical genetic approach to obtain mouse strains highly sensitive and resistant to MS (SMS and RMS). Proteomics analysis revealed substantially lower swiprosin-1 expression in SMS mouse brains. Inducing MS via rotary stimulation decreased swiprosin-1 in the mouse brains. Swiprosin-1 knockout mice were much more sensitive to motion disturbance. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong swiprosin-1 expression in the vestibular nuclei (VN). Over-expressing swiprosin-1 in the VN of SMS mice decreased MS susceptibility. Down-regulating swiprosin-1 in the VN of RMS mice by RNAi increased MS susceptibility. Additional in vivo experiments revealed decreased swiprosin-1 expression by glutamate via the NMDA receptor. Glutamate increased neuronal excitability in SMS or swiprosin-1 knockout mice more prominently than in RMS or wild-type mice. These results indicate that swiprosin-1 in the VN is a critical determinant of the susceptibility to MS.
One-Pot Green Synthesis of Graphene Nanosheets Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Dopamine
Authors: Thirumalraj Balamurugan , Rajkumar Chellakannu , Chen Shen-Ming , Palanisamy Selvakumar
Published: January 2017

We report a simple new approach for green preparation of gallic acid supported reduced graphene oxide encapsulated gold nanoparticles (GA-RGO/AuNPs) via one-pot hydrothermal method. The as-prepared composites were successfully characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction techniques (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and elemental analysis. The GA-RGO/AuNPs modified electrode behaves as a hybrid electrode material for sensitive and selective detection of dopamine (DA) in presence of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The GA-RGO/AuNPs modified electrode displays an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of DA and exhibits a wide linear response range over the DA concentrations from 0.01–100.3 μM with a detection limit (LOD) of 2.6 nM based on S/N = 3. In addition, the proposed sensor could be applied for the determination of DA in human serum and urine samples for practical analysis.
Comorbid diseases as risk factors for incident posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a large community cohort (KCIS no.PSY4)
Authors: Chang Jung-Chen , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Chen Hsiu-Hsi , Chen Sam Li-Sheng , Chiu Sherry Yueh-Hsia , Fann Jean Ching-Yuan , Lee Chau-Shoun
Published: January 2017

Nature disasters and terrorist attacks have occurred globally in recent years. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has gained increasing attention, but its incidence and comorbidities in the general population are different from those inside the disaster areas. The present study estimated incident PTSD and comorbid diseases for over a decade in a cohort from a community-based integrated screening program. Factors associated with the incidence of PTSD were analyzed using Cox regression models. PTSD incidence was estimated as 81 per 105 person-years. Incidence was higher in females than in males and one-year increments in age lowered the risk for PTSD by 3%. Adjusting for other factors, cardiovascular heart disease (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.04), bipolar disorder (aHR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.07–3.24) and major depressive disorder (aHR = 7.03, 95% CI: 5.02–9.85) all significantly increased 45%, 86% and 603%, respectively, the risk of developing PTSD. The low rate of people with incident PTSD receiving treatment in this community health screening population implies there is room for improvement in terms of early detection and intervention. Clinical preventive efforts may be made for patients seeking general medical help, especially those with cardiovascular disorders or mood disorders.
Genome-wide divergence, haplotype distribution and population demographic histories for Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense as revealed by genome-anchored SNPs
Authors: Reddy Umesh K. , Nimmakayala Padma , Abburi Venkata Lakshmi , Reddy C. V. C. M. , Saminathan Thangasamy , Percy Richard G. , Yu John Z. , Frelichowski James , Udall Joshua A. , Page Justin T. , Zhang Dong , Shehzad Tariq , Paterson Andrew H.
Published: January 2017

Use of 10,129 singleton SNPs of known genomic location in tetraploid cotton provided unique opportunities to characterize genome-wide diversity among 440 Gossypium hirsutum and 219 G. barbadense cultivars and landrace accessions of widespread origin. Using the SNPs distributed genome-wide, we examined genetic diversity, haplotype distribution and linkage disequilibrium patterns in the G. hirsutum and G. barbadense genomes to clarify population demographic history. Diversity and identity-by-state analyses have revealed little sharing of alleles between the two cultivated allotetraploid genomes, with a few exceptions that indicated sporadic gene flow. We found a high number of new alleles, representing increased nucleotide diversity, on chromosomes 1 and 2 in cultivated G. hirsutum as compared with low nucleotide diversity on these chromosomes in landrace G. hirsutum. In contrast, G. barbadense chromosomes showed negative Tajima’s D on several chromosomes for both cultivated and landrace types, which indicate that speciation of G. barbadense itself, might have occurred with relatively narrow genetic diversity. The presence of conserved linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks and haplotypes between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense provides strong evidence for comparable patterns of evolution in their domestication processes. Our study illustrates the potential use of population genetic techniques to identify genomic regions for domestication.
Both DNA global deformation and repair enzyme contacts mediate flipping of thymine dimer damage
Authors: Knips Alexander , Zacharias Martin
Published: January 2017

The photo-induced cis-syn-cyclobutane pyrimidine (CPD) dimer is a frequent DNA lesion. In bacteria photolyases efficiently repair dimers employing a light-driven reaction after flipping out the CPD damage to the active site. How the repair enzyme identifies a damaged site and how the damage is flipped out without external energy is still unclear. Employing molecular dynamics free energy calculations, the CPD flipping process was systematically compared to flipping undamaged nucleotides in various DNA global states and bound to photolyase enzyme. The global DNA deformation alone (without protein) significantly reduces the flipping penalty and induces a partially looped out state of the damage but not undamaged nucleotides. Bound enzyme further lowers the penalty for CPD damage flipping with a lower free energy of the flipped nucleotides in the active site compared to intra-helical state (not for undamaged DNA). Both the reduced penalty and partial looping by global DNA deformation contribute to a significantly shorter mean first passage time for CPD flipping compared to regular nucleotides which increases the repair likelihood upon short time encounter between repair enzyme and DNA.
Thermally induced gas flows in ratchet channels with diffuse and specular boundaries
Authors: Shahabi Vahid , Baier Tobias , Roohi Ehsan , Hardt Steffen
Published: January 2017

A net gas flow can be induced in the gap between periodically structured surfaces held at fixed but different temperatures when the reflection symmetry along the channel axis is broken. Such a situation arises when one surface features a ratchet structure and can be augmented by altering the boundary conditions on different parts of this surface, with some regions reflecting specularly and others diffusely. In order to investigate the physical mechanisms inducing the flow in this configuration at various Knudsen numbers and geometric configurations, direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) simulations are employed using transient adaptive subcells for collision partner selection. At large Knudsen numbers the results compare favorably with analytical expressions, while for small Knudsen numbers a qualitative explanation for the flow in the strong temperature inhomogeneity at the tips of the ratchet is provided. A detailed investigation of the performance for various ratchet geometries suggests optimum working conditions for a Knudsen pump based on this mechanism.
Temperature dependent CO2 behavior in microporous 1-D channels of a metal-organic framework with multiple interaction sites
Authors: Kim Dongwook , Park Jaehun , Kim Yung Sam , Lah Myoung Soo
Published: January 2017

The MOF with the encapsulated CO2 molecule shows that the CO2 molecule is ligated to the unsaturated Cu(II) sites in the cage using its Lewis basic oxygen atom via an angular η1-(OA) coordination mode and also interacts with Lewis basic nitrogen atoms of the tetrazole ligands using its Lewis acidic carbon atom. Temperature dependent structure analyses indicate the simultaneous weakening of both interactions as temperature increases. Infrared spectroscopy of the MOF confirmed that the CO2 interaction with the framework is temperature dependent. The strength of the interaction is correlated to the separation of the two bending peaks of the bound CO2 rather than the frequency shift of the asymmetric stretching peak from that of free CO2. The encapsulated CO2 in the cage is weakly interacting with the framework at around ambient temperatures and can have proper orientation for wiggling out of the cage through the narrow portals so that the reversible uptake can take place. On the other hand, the CO2 in the cage is restrained at a specific orientation at 195 K since it interacts with the framework strong enough using the multiple interaction sites so that adsorption process is slightly restricted and desorption process is almost clogged.
A de novo deletion mutation in SOX10 in a Chinese family with Waardenburg syndrome type 4
Authors: Wang Xiong , Zhu Yaowu , Shen Na , Peng Jing , Wang Chunyu , Liu Haiyi , Lu Yanjun
Published: January 2017

Waardenburg syndrome type 4 (WS4) or Waardenburg-Shah syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with a prevalence of <1/1,000,000 and characterized by the association of congenital sensorineural hearing loss, pigmentary abnormalities, and intestinal aganglionosis. There are three types of WS4 (WS4A–C) caused by mutations in endothelin receptor type B, endothelin 3, and SRY-box 10 (SOX10), respectively. This study investigated a genetic mutation in a Chinese family with one WS4 patient in order to improve genetic counselling. Genomic DNA was extracted, and mutation analysis of the three WS4 related genes was performed using Sanger sequencing. We detected a de novo heterozygous deletion mutation [c.1333delT (p.Ser445Glnfs*57)] in SOX10 in the patient; however, this mutation was absent in the unaffected parents and 40 ethnicity matched healthy controls. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis and three-dimensional modelling of the SOX10 protein confirmed that the c.1333delT heterozygous mutation was pathogenic, indicating that this mutation might constitute a candidate disease-causing mutation.
Conformational Change of a Tryptophan Residue in BtuF Facilitates Binding and Transport of Cobinamide by the Vitamin B12 Transporter BtuCD-F
Authors: Mireku S. A. , Ruetz M. , Zhou T. , Korkhov V. M. , Kräutler B. , Locher K. P.
Published: January 2017

BtuCD-F is an ABC transporter that mediates cobalamin uptake into Escherichia coli. Early in vivo data suggested that BtuCD-F might also be involved in the uptake of cobinamide, a cobalamin precursor. However, neither was it demonstrated that BtuCD-F indeed transports cobinamide, nor was the structural basis of its recognition known. We synthesized radiolabeled cyano-cobinamide and demonstrated BtuCD-catalyzed in vitro transport, which was ATP- and BtuF-dependent. The crystal structure of cobinamide-bound BtuF revealed a conformational change of a tryptophan residue (W66) in the substrate binding cleft compared to the structure of cobalamin-bound BtuF. High-affinity binding of cobinamide was dependent on W66, because mutation to most other amino acids substantially reduced binding. The structures of three BtuF W66 mutants revealed that tight packing against bound cobinamide was only provided by tryptophan and phenylalanine, in line with the observed binding affinities. In vitro transport rates of cobinamide and cobalamin were not influenced by the substitutions of BtuF W66 under the experimental conditions, indicating that W66 has no critical role in the transport reaction. Our data present the molecular basis of the cobinamide versus cobalamin specificity of BtuCD-F and provide tools for in vitro cobinamide transport and binding assays.
Genotyping of human rhinovirus in adult patients with acute respiratory infections identified predominant infections of genotype A21
Authors: Ren Lili , Yang Donghong , Ren Xianwen , Li Mingkun , Mu Xinlin , Wang Qi , Cao Jie , Hu Ke , Yan Chunliang , Fan Hongwei , Li Xiangxin , Chen Yusheng , Wang Ruiqin , An Fucheng , An Shuchang , Luo Ming , Wang Ying , Xiao Yan , Xiang Zichun , Xiao Yan , Li Li , Huang Fang , Jin Qi , Gao Zhancheng , Wang Jianwei
Published: January 2017

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is an important causative agent of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). The roles of specific HRV genotypes in patients suffering from ARTIs have not been well established. We recruited 147 adult inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 291 adult outpatients with upper ARTIs (URTIs). Respiratory pathogens were screened via PCR assays. HRV was detected in 42 patients, with 35 species A, five B and two C. Seventeen genotypes were identified, and HRV-A21 ranked the highest (9/42, 21.4%). The HRV-A21-positive infections were detected in four patients with CAP and in five with URTIs, all without co-infections. The HRV-A21 genome sequenced in this study contained 12 novel coding polymorphisms in viral protein (VP) 1, VP2 EF loop, VP3 knob and 3D regions. The infections of HRV-A21 virus obtained in this study could not be neutralized by antiserum of HRV-A21 prototype strain (VR-1131), indicating remarkable antigenic variation. Metagenomic analysis showed the HRV-A21 reads were dominant in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the three HRV-A21-positive patients with severe CAP, in which two dead. Our results highlight an unexpected infection of genotype HRV-A21 in the clinic, indicating the necessity of precise genotyping and surveillance of HRVs to improve the clinical management of ARTIs.
Neurodegradomics: The Source of Biomarkers for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: DAMBINOVA SVETLANA A.
Published: January 2017

In this chapter, results of the search for biomarkers of neurotoxicity to assess brain injury using molecular biological, biochemical, and immunochemical methods are described. How, when, and which specific glutamate receptor biomarker is released from the CNS into peripheral fluids in response to mild injury is explained using a neurodegradomics approach. Multi-systemic mechanisms of neurotoxic coupling, microvascular dysfunction, and immune responses that result in primary (acute) and secondary (chronic) events are hypothesized. The release of specific glutamate receptor biomarkers from the brain into peripheral fluids in response to minor CNS impairment is demonstrated.
Flexible method for fabricating protein patterns on superhydrophobic platforms controlled by magnetic field
Authors: Wang Jian , Li Hao , Zou Haoyang , Wang Chenmiao , Zhang Hao , Mano João F. , Song Wenlong
Published: January 2017

A flexible, magnetic-field controlled patterning method of water soluble proteins or other functional materials has been developed based on superhydrophobic platforms.
LMCT facilitated room temperature phosphorescence and energy transfer in substituted thiophenolates of Gd and Yb
Authors: Ilichev Vasily A. , Rozhkov Anton V. , Rumyantcev Roman V. , Fukin Georgy K. , Grishin Ivan D. , Dmitriev Artem V. , Lypenko Dmitry A. , Maltsev Eugeny I. , Yablonskiy Artem N. , Andreev Boris A. , Bochkarev Mikhail N.
Published: January 2017

Efficient energy transfer in Yb and room temperature phosphorescence in Gd complexes with readily oxidizable thiophenolate ligands were observed.
Characterization of the interaction between triclosan and catalase
Authors: Zou Luyi , Mi Chenyu , Yu Hongyan , Gu Wenxiu , Teng Yue
Published: January 2017

The interaction between triclosan (TCS) and the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) was investigated and could help us to understand the toxicity mechanism of TCS and provide a reference for pollutant toxicity assessments.
The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor teneligliptin reduces kidney damage from hypercholesterolemia in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Authors: Liu Hui , Li Nan , Liu Ying , Xing Jing , Feng Shuai , Li Mengye , Liu Jinping , Gao Huiling , Lu Yan , Liu Hongyang
Published: January 2017

Hypercholesterolemia is a well-established risk factor for kidney injury that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
New insights into the activity of a biochar supported nanoscale zerovalent iron composite and nanoscale zero valent iron under anaerobic or aerobic conditions
Authors: Peng Xiangqi , Liu Xiaocheng , Zhou Yaoyu , Peng Bo , Tang Lin , Luo Lin , Yao Bangsong , Deng Yaocheng , Tang Jing , Zeng Guangming
Published: January 2017

To gain insight into the mechanism of p-nitrophenol removal using the biochar supported nanoscale zerovalent iron composite and nanoscale zero valent iron under anaerobic or aerobic conditions, batch experiments and models were conducted.
Structure–activity relationships of Cu–ZrO2 catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol: interaction effects and reaction mechanism
Authors: Wang Yu Hao , Gao Wen Gui , Wang Hua , Zheng Yan E. , Na Wei , Li Kong Zhai
Published: January 2017

A systematic study on the Cu–ZrO2 catalysts with different oxygen vacancy concentrations and interaction gives a new approach for understanding the reaction mechanism of CO2 hydrogenation to methanol.
Cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanotube-grafted nitrogen and sulfur co-doped multichannel carbon fibers as efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Zhe , Peng Shengjie , Hu Yuxiang , Li Linlin , Yan Tao , Yang Guorui , Ji Dongxiao , Srinivasan Madhavi , Pan Zhijuan , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: January 2017

Flexible metallic cobalt decorated CNT-grafted multichannel carbon fibers, co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur, exhibit excellent ORR and OER activities.
A new cerium iodate infrared nonlinear optical material with a large second-harmonic generation response
Authors: Xiao Lei , Cao Zhenbo , Yao Jiyong , Lin Zheshuai , Hu Zhanggui
Published: January 2017

A new rare earth ternary iodate, Ce2I6O18, has been synthesized by a high temperature hydrothermal method with homemade alloy reactor equipment.
73Ge, 119Sn and 207Pb: general cooperative effects of single atom ligands on the NMR signals observed in tetrahedral [MXnY4−n] (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; 1 ≤ n ≤ 4; X, Y = Cl, Br, I) coordination compounds of heavier XIV group elements
Authors: Benedetti M. , De Castro F. , Fanizzi F. P.
Published: January 2017

An inverse linear relationship between 73Ge, 119Sn and 207Pb NMR chemical shifts and the sum of ionic radii of coordinated halides has been found in [MXnYm] (M = Ge, Sn, Pb; n + m = 4; X, Y = Cl, Br, I) compounds.
The synthesis and mechanistic studies of a highly active nickel phosphide catalyst for naphthalene hydrodearomatization
Authors: Yun Guoxia , Guan Qingxin , Li Wei
Published: January 2017

NixP–Al-M catalysts were synthesized with different Ni/P molar ratios and loadings, which displayed high HDA activity and decalin selectivity.
GSH-triggered size increase of porphyrin-containing nanosystems for enhanced retention and photodynamic activity
Authors: Zhang Jianxu , Zheng Xiaohua , Hu Xiuli , Xie Zhigang
Published: January 2017

We demonstrate the rational design of a size changeable nanosystem triggered by intracellular GSH for enhanced retention and photodynamic activity.
Event‐driven control for state‐dependent uncertain systems in the sense of ISS
Authors: Feng Jian , Li Ning , Zhao Haiying
Published: January 2017

In the sense of input‐to‐state stability (ISS), the event‐driven controller is designed for the state‐dependent uncertain system in this study. The ISS event‐driven criterion is proposed, which is described by the energy at prior release time and the value of the ‐function at current time. By Lyapunov functional method and Wirtinger‐based integral inequality technique, the sufficient ISS conditions are developed for the state‐dependent uncertain system. The controller and the criterion can be co‐designed by the proposed method. Moreover, the relationship among the controller, the criterion and the ISS conditions is measured by a set of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, some numerical examples and the tunnel diode circuit system are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in this study.
Indirect adaptive fuzzy prescribed performance control of feedback linearisable MIMO non‐linear systems with unknown control direction
Authors: Shi Wuxi , Wang Dongwei , Li Baoquan
Published: January 2017

An indirect adaptive fuzzy prescribed performance control scheme is developed for a class of uncertain multi‐input and multi‐output feedback linearisable non‐linear systems with unknown control direction and external disturbances. The properties of symmetric matrix and hyperbolic tangent function are exploited and the predefined tracking performance boundary is used to design the adaptive fuzzy prescribed performance controller, which can avoid the possible singularity problem and calculating the inverse of matrix. A robust controller equipped with a Nussbaum‐type function is constructed to compensate for the lumped errors and solve the unknown control direction problem. The proposed scheme guarantees that all the signals in the resulting closed‐loop system are bounded and that the tracking errors converge to a small residual set with the prescribed performance bounds. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Distributed coordination regulation marginal cost control strategy for automatic generation control of interconnected power system
Authors: Zhang Lei , Luo Yi , Ye Jing , Xiao Ya‐yuan
Published: January 2017

The area‐level coordination of regulation capacity by automatic generation control (AGC) is an effective approach to mitigate wind power fluctuations in interconnected power system with high wind penetration. However, the applicability of this method is restricted by the existing AGC strategy. For this reason, power systems in China are experiencing serious wind curtailments to meet the power balance. In this study, a distributed coordination AGC strategy based on regulation marginal cost (RMC) is proposed for coordinating regulation capacity in different areas to remove frequency deviations. Detailed regulating characteristics of the AGC strategy in the existing power systems are discussed. Based on the above analysis, a distributed coordination RMC controller is designed to meet the proposed multi‐area coordination rule using a partial primal‐dual sub‐gradient algorithm. In this proposed controller, the coordination signal containing RMC is exchanged with adjacent controllers through communication networks. The simulation results prove that the distributed coordination RMC strategy can economically coordinate the regulation capacity of an interconnected power system and satisfy the frequency control performance standard.
Uncertain flow calculations of a distribution network containing DG based on blind number theory
Authors: Wu Hongbin , Xu Jiehong , Ji Yu , Wu Ming
Published: January 2017

A large number of distributed generations (DG) integrated into a distribution network challenge the planning for traditional power systems making traditional deterministic power flow calculations not applicable. Based on the interval and credibility of the blind number theory, this study is about the uncertainty of DG and the correlation between DGs. The interval models for wind power and solar power are established based on the characteristics of the wind power generator output and the photovoltaic cell output. The improved analytic hierarchy process is applied to determine the credibility of the intervals. The blind number theory and Cholesky decomposition are applied to study the correlation between wind speed and light intensity. According to the result of the power flow calculation with uncertainty, the voltage operational quality index is proposed to measure the impact of the DG. Through a modified IEEE 33‐bus system, the feasibility and effectiveness of the blind number model for the DG and the necessity of considering the correlation between wind speed and light intensity are verified.
Semiclassical ground state solutions for a Choquard type equation in ℝ2with critical exponential growth
Authors: Yang Minbo
Published: January 2017

In this paper we study a nonlocal singularly perturbed Choquard type equation

$$-\varepsilon^2\Delta u +V(x)u =\vr^{\mu-2}\left[\frac{1}{|x|^{\mu}}\ast \big(P(x)G(u)\big)\right]P(x)g(u)$$in ℝ2, whereεis a positive parameter, \hbox{$\frac{1}{|x|^\mu}$} with 0 <μ< 2 is the Riesz potential, ∗ is the convolution operator,V(x),P(x) are two continuous real functions andG(s) is the primitive function ofg(s). Suppose that the nonlinearitygis of critical exponential growth in ℝ2in the sense of the Trudinger-Moser inequality, we establish some existence and concentration results of the semiclassical solutions of the Choquard type equation in the whole plane. As a particular case, the concentration appears at the maximum point set ofP(x) ifV(x) is a constant.
Research Update: Nanoscale electrochemical transistors in correlated
oxides
Authors: Kanki Teruo , Tanaka Hidekazu
Published: January 2017

Large reversible changes of the electronic transport properties of solid-state oxide materials induced by electrochemical fields have received much attention as a new research avenue in iontronics. In this research update, dramatic transport changes in vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanowires were demonstrated by electric field-induced hydrogenation at room temperature through the nanogaps separated by humid air in a field-effect transistor structure with planar-type gates. This unique structure allowed us to investigate hydrogen intercalation and diffusion behavior in VO2 channels with respect to both time and space. Our results will contribute to further strategic researches to examine fundamental chemical and physical properties of devices and develop iontronic applications, as well as offering new directions to explore emerging functions for sensing, energy, and neuromorphologic devices combining ionic and electronic behaviors in solid-state materials.