bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of power losses due to wind turbine wake interactions through SCADA, meteorological and wind LiDAR data
Authors: El‐Asha Said , Zhan Lu , Iungo Giacomo Valerio
Published: June 2017

Power production of an onshore wind farm is investigated through supervisory control and data acquisition data, while the wind field is monitored through scanning light detection and ranging measurements and meteorological data acquired from a met‐tower located in proximity to the turbine array. The power production of each turbine is analysed as functions of the operating region of the power curve, wind direction and atmospheric stability. Five different methods are used to estimate the potential wind power as a function of time, enabling an estimation of power losses connected with wake interactions. The most robust method from a statistical standpoint is that based on the evaluation of a reference wind velocity at hub height and experimental mean power curves calculated for each turbine and different atmospheric stability regimes. The synergistic analysis of these various datasets shows that power losses are significant for wind velocities higher than cut‐in wind speed and lower than rated wind speed of the turbines. Furthermore, power losses are larger under stable atmospheric conditions than for convective regimes, which is a consequence of the stability‐driven variability in wake evolution. Light detection and ranging measurements confirm that wind turbine wakes recover faster under convective regimes, thus alleviating detrimental effects due to wake interactions. For the wind farm under examination, power loss due to wake shadowing effects is estimated to be about 4% and 2% of the total power production when operating under stable and convective conditions, respectively. However, cases with power losses about 60‐80% of the potential power are systematically observed for specific wind turbines and wind directions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic fracture behavior of a nanocrack in a piezoelectric plane
Authors: Rangelov Tsviatko , Dineva Petia
Published: June 2017

Scattering of time harmonic plane waves by a finite blunt nano‐crack in a homogeneous transversely isotropic piezoelectric plane under plane strain conditions is studied. The mechanical model combines: (a) classical elastodynamic theory for the bulk piezoelectric solid, where the total wave comprises both incident and scattered wave field; (b) non‐classical boundary conditions and localized constitutive equation for the interface between the crack and piezoelectric matrix within the frame of the Gurtin‐Murdoch surface elasticity theory. The computational approach uses a non‐hypersingular traction based boundary integral equation method (BIEM) basing on the fundamental solution derived in closed form by Radon transforms. Furthermore, the parametric study is presented which demonstrates the sensitivity of the generalized stress concentration fields near the crack‐tip to the key parameters as the size of the crack, surface properties, coupled nature of the piezoelectricity phenomenon, type and properties of the incident wave such as frequency, wave length and wave propagation direction, dynamic interaction between the crack, incident wave and coupled electro‐elastic continuum.
Dilute acid pretreatment of sorghum biomass to maximize the hemicellulose hydrolysis with minimized levels of fermentative inhibitors for bioethanol production
Authors: Deshavath Narendra Naik , Mohan Mood , Veeranki Venkata Dasu , Goud Vaibhav V. , Pinnamaneni Srinivasa Rao , Benarjee Tamal
Published: June 2017

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into monomeric carbohydrates is economically beneficial and suitable for sustainable production of biofuels. Hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass using high acid concentration results in decomposition of sugars into fermentative inhibitors. Thus, the main aim of this work was to investigate the optimum hydrolysis conditions for sorghum brown midrib IS11861 biomass to maximize the pentose sugars yield with minimized levels of fermentative inhibitors at low acid concentrations. Process parameters investigated include sulfuric acid concentration (0.2–1 M), reaction time (30–120 min) and temperature (80–121 °C). At the optimum condition (0.2 M sulfuric acid, 121 °C and 120 min), 97.6% of hemicellulose was converted into xylobiose (18.02 mg/g), xylose (225.2 mg/g), arabinose (20.2 mg/g) with low concentration of furfural (4.6 mg/g). Furthermore, the process parameters were statistically optimized using response surface methodology based on central composite design. Due to the presence of low concentration of fermentative inhibitors, 78.6 and 82.8% of theoretical ethanol yield were attained during the fermentation of non-detoxified and detoxified hydrolyzates, respectively, using Pichia stipitis 3498 wild strain, in a techno-economical way.
Optimization of cultivation conditions for biotechnological production of lipid by Rhodotorula kratochvilovae (syn, Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae) SY89 for biodiesel preparation
Authors: Jiru Tamene Milkessa , Groenewald Marizeth , Pohl Carolina , Steyn Laurinda , Kiggundu Nicholas , Abate Dawit
Published: June 2017

Rhodotorula kratochvilovae (syn, Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae) SY89, an oleaginous yeast, isolated from Ethiopian soil, was grown under nitrogen-limited media. The capacity this with respect to biomass production, lipid yield and lipid content was evaluated. The influence of inoculum size, carbon sources, variations in glucose concentration, nitrogen sources, C/N ratio, pH, temperature, agitation, and aeration rate and incubation period were investigated. Inoculum size of 10% v/v, glucose as a carbon source at 50 g/L glucose, 0.50 g/L yeast extract and 0.31 g/L (NH4)2SO4, C/N ratio of 120, pH 5.5, incubation temperature of 30 °C, 225 rpm, 0.2 as aeration ratio and 144 h of incubation were found to be optimum conditions for lipid production. Then the yeast was grown in a batch bioreactor by combining the different optimized parameters together. Under the optimized conditions, the yeast gave maximum biomass (15.34 ± 1.47 g/L), lipid yield (8.60 ± 0.81 g/L) and lipid content (56.06 ± 1.70%). The dominant fatty acids exhibited in order of their relative abundance (%w/w), were oleic, palmitic, linoleic, stearic, linolenic and palmitoleic acids. The concentration of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids adds up 78.63 ± 2.19%. This suggests that this strain could be used as a good feedstock for biodiesel production.
Proteomic characterization and bio-informatic analysis of differentially expressed E. coli Nissle 1917 proteins with response to cocoti wine stress
Authors: Kathera Chandrasekhar , Dulla Esther Lebonah , Chinahadri Venkata Prasad , Ramesh Thanu Sree Mallakuntla , Basavaraju Sreedevi , Jasti Pramodakumari
Published: June 2017

The present study emphases the comparative proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 under cocoti palm wine stress and identified differentially expressed proteins. Protein samples were analyzed by 2-D, MALDI-TOF combined with MS access. In 2-D electrophoresis, eight differentially expressed proteins were identified: five up-regulated, two down-regulated and one newly expressed protein. Protein spots were digested with trypsin for MALDI-TOF–MS analysis; protein sequences were obtained from MASCOT search. Sequences were aligned with template using Swiss Model server. Phyre-2 was used to predict homology modeling, RasMol was used to analyze the modeling structures, PSVS server was utilized to validate the protein structure by Ramachandran’s plot analysis, physical and chemical properties were analyzed using ProtParam server, Phylogenetic tree was constructed by Mega4. UniProt search helps to find protein functional information of differentially expressed proteins, involved in catalytic activities, regulation mechanisms, DNA damage stimulus, anti-termination and termination process, protein binding, electron transport mechanism, and cell signaling process functions. A detailed exploration of the proteins under cocoti palm wine stress have provided the composition, structure and functions of the expressed proteins for further investigation.
Joint inversion of induction and galvanic logging data in axisymmetric geological models
Authors: Mikhaylov I.V. , Glinskikh V.N. , Nikitenko M.N. , Surodina I.V.
Published: June 2017

We have developed a computational algorithm for joint inversion of array induction and galvanic data in 2D models. It is based on a finite-difference solver and nonlinear minimization and is designed to develop realistic geoelectric models of complex fluid-saturated formations. The algorithm is tested and verified on noisy synthetic induction and galvanic data. The obtained 2D inversion results are compared with those corresponding to the traditional 1D radial approach. The developed algorithm was used to conduct joint 2D inversion of VEMKZ and BKZ logs from the Fedorovskoe and Vostochno-Surgutskoe oil fields in the E–W striking Ob’ River area.
Tranexamic Acid Use in Prehospital Uncontrolled Hemorrhage
Authors: Huebner Benjamin R. , Dorlac Warren C. , Cribari Chris
Published: June 2017

The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the treatment of trauma patients was relatively unexplored until the landmark Clinical Randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage-2 (CRASH-2) trial in 2010 demonstrated a reduction in mortality with the use of TXA. Although this trial was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study incorporating >20,000 patients, numerous limitations and weaknesses have been described. As a result, additional studies have followed, delineating the potential risks and benefits of TXA administration. A systematic review of the literature to date reveals a mortality benefit of early (ideally <1 hour and no later than 3 hours after injury) TXA administration in the treatment of severely injured trauma patients (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, heart rate >110). Combined with abundant literature showing a reduction in bleeding in elective surgery, the most significant benefit may be administration of TXA before the patient goes into shock. Those trials that failed to show a mortality benefit of TXA in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock acknowledged that most patients received blood products before TXA administration, thus confounding the results. Although the use of prehospital TXA in the severely injured trauma patient will become more clear with the trauma studies currently underway, the current literature supports the use of prehospital TXA in this high-risk population. We recommend considering a 1 g TXA bolus en route to definitive care in high-risk patients and withholding subsequent doses until hyperfibrinolysis is confirmed by thromboelastography.
Fluid Resuscitation in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: Yesterday and Today
Authors: Butler Frank K.
Published: June 2017

The prevailing wisdom for the prehospital fluid resuscitation of trauma victims in hemorrhagic shock in 1992 was to administer 2 L of crystalloid solution as rapidly as possible. A review of the fluid resuscitation literature found that this recommendation was not well supported by the evidence at the time. Prehospital fluid resuscitation strategies were reevaluated in the 1993–1996 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) research program. This article reviews the advances in prehospital fluid resuscitation as recommended by the original TCCC Guidelines and modified over the following 2 decades. These advances include hypotensive resuscitation, use of prehospital whole blood or blood components when feasible, and use of Hextend or selected crystalloids when logistical considerations make blood or blood component use not feasible.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Operational Military Medicine, Tactical Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine: A View Through a Personal Lens
Authors: Llewellyn Craig H.
Published: June 2017

There are direct and indirect linkages and a form of symbiosis between operational military medicine from World War II and present wilderness medicine, from the beginnings to contemporary practice, and the more recently evolved field of tactical emergency medical support. Each of these relationships will be explored from the historical perspective of the Department of Military & Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences from 1982 to the present.
Awake Cricothyrotomy: A Novel Approach to the Surgical Airway in the Tactical Setting
Authors: Mabry Robert L. , Kharod Chetan U. , Bennett Brad L.
Published: June 2017

Airway obstruction on the battlefield is most often due to maxillofacial trauma, which may include bleeding and disrupted airway anatomy. In many of these cases, surgical cricothyrotomy (SC) is the preferred airway management procedure. SC is an emergency airway procedure performed when attempts to open an airway using nasal devices, oral devices, or tracheal intubation have failed, or when the risks from intubation are unacceptably high. The aim of this overview is to describe a novel approach to the inevitably surgical airway in which SC is the first and best procedure to manage the difficult or failed airway. The awake SC technique and supporting algorithm are presented along with the limitations and future directions. Awake SC, using local anesthetic with or without ketamine, will allow the knowledgeable provider to manage patients with a compromised airway across the continuum of emergency care ranging from remote/en route care, austere settings, and prehospital to the emergency department.
On the scaling of jetting from bubble collapse at a liquid surface
Authors: Krishnan Sangeeth , Hopfinger E. J. , Puthenveettil Baburaj A.
Published: June 2017

We present scaling laws for the jet velocity resulting from bubble collapse at a liquid surface which bring out the effects of gravity and viscosity. The present experiments conducted in the range of Bond numbers $0.004<Bo<2.5$ and Ohnesorge numbers $0.001<Oh<0.1$ were motivated by the discrepancy between previous experimental results and numerical simulations. We show here that the actual dependence of $We$ on $Bo$ is determined by the gravity dependency of the bubble immersion (cavity) depth which has no power-law variation. The power-law variation of the jet Weber number, $We\sim 1/\sqrt{Bo}$, suggested by Ghabache et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 26 (12), 2014, 121701) is only a good approximation in a limited range of $Bo$ values ($0.1<Bo<1$). Viscosity enters the jet velocity scaling in two ways: (i) through damping of precursor capillary waves which merge at the bubble base and weaken the pressure impulse, and (ii) through direct viscous damping of the jet formation and dynamics. These damping processes are expressed by a dependence of the jet velocity on Ohnesorge number from which critical values of $Oh$ are obtained for capillary wave damping, the onset of jet weakening, the absence of jetting and the absence of jet breakup into droplets.
The turbulent Prandtl number in a pure plume is 3/5
Authors: Craske John , Salizzoni Pietro , van Reeuwijk Maarten
Published: June 2017

We derive a new expression for the entrainment coefficient in a turbulent plume using an equation for the squared mean buoyancy. Consistency of the resulting expression with previous relations for the entrainment coefficient implies that the turbulent Prandtl number in a pure plume is equal to 3/5 when the mean profiles of velocity and buoyancy have a Gaussian form of equal width. Entrainment can be understood in terms of the volume flux, the production of turbulence kinetic energy or the production of scalar variance for either active or passive variables. The equivalence of these points of view indicates how the entrainment coefficient and the turbulent Prandtl and Schmidt numbers depend on the Richardson number of the flow, the ambient stratification and the relative widths of the velocity and scalar profiles. The general framework is valid for self-similar plumes, which are characterised by a power-law scaling. For jets and pure plumes it is shown that the derived relations are in reasonably good agreement with results from direct numerical simulations and experiments.
Management of the thyroid gland during laryngectomy
Authors: Li S X , Polacco M A , Gosselin B J , Harrington L X , Titus A J , Paydarfar J A
Published: June 2017

Objectives:

This study aimed to: describe the incidence of thyroid gland involvement in advanced laryngeal cancer, analyse patterns of spread to the thyroid and elucidate predictors of thyroid involvement.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent laryngectomy from 1991 to 2015 as a primary or salvage treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, hypopharynx or base of tongue. The incidence of thyroidectomy during total laryngectomy, type of thyroidectomy, incidence of gland involvement, route of spread, and positive predictors of spread were analysed and reported.

Results:

A total of 188 patients fit the inclusion criteria. Of these, 125 (66 per cent) underwent thyroidectomy. The thyroid was involved in 10 of the 125 patients (8 per cent), 9 by direct extension and 1 by metastasis. Cartilage invasion was a predictor of thyroid gland involvement, with a positive predictive value of 26 per cent.

Conclusion:

There is a low incidence of thyroid gland involvement in laryngeal carcinoma. Most cases of gland involvement occurred by direct extension. Thyroidectomy during laryngectomy should be considered for advanced stage tumours with cartilage invasion.
The Politics of Capitalist Diversity in Europe: Explaining Ireland’s Divergent Recovery from the Euro Crisis
Authors: Brazys Samuel , Regan Aidan
Published: June 2017

The 2008 financial crisis hit few places harder than the Euro periphery. Faced with high levels of public debt, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain were each compelled to implement harsh austerity reforms. Yet despite this common policy response, the recoveries have shown significantdivergence.In particular, Ireland seems to have managed to succeed economically in a way that the other peripheral countries have not. The prevailing narrative is that Ireland’s recovery from the crisis is due to “austerity” and improved “cost competitiveness.” Drawing upon theories from the study of comparative capitalism we challenge this narrative, and argue that the Irish recovery is an outcome of a state-ledenterprise policyaimed at nurturing a close relationship with corporate firms from Silicon Valley. Using qualitative and quantitative investigation we find evidence that this state-led FDI growth model, rather than austerity induced competitiveness, kick-started Ireland’s recovery from crisis. As Ireland is a critical case for the “success” story of austerity in Europe, our findings represent a significant challenge to the politics of adjustment. It suggests the strategies of business-state elites, and not simply the workings of electoral coalitions, explains the politics of adjustment in advanced capitalism.
A Discussion of Aida H. Hozic and Jacqui True’s Scandalous Economics: Gender and the Politics of Financial Crises
Authors: Drezner Daniel W.
Published: June 2017

“Critical analyses of the global financial crisis of 2008 (GFC) have neglected the ways in which structural inequalities around gender and race factor into (and indeed make possible) the current economic order. Scandalous Economics breaks new ground by arguing that an explicitly gendered approach to the GFC and its ongoing effects can help us to understand both the root causes of the crisis and the failure to significantly reform financial institutions and macroeconomic models.” These words, from the blurb on the back cover of Scandalous Economics, nicely summarize the book’s topic and the general approach to it. Because the book contains contributions from a number of the top political scientists writing about the gendering of political economy, and because this topic is such an important one, we have invited a range of political scientists to comment on the book and on the broader theme of the gendering of political economy.
A Discussion of Lawrence R. Jacobs and Desmond King's Fed Power: How Finance Wins
Authors: Panitch Leo
Published: June 2017

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, political scientists have been paying more careful attention to the role of banking institutions as economic but also political institutions whose financial decisions involve the exercise of power and shape the conditions under which governmental decisions are made. Because the United States is still the world’s preeminent global economic power, the U.S. Federal Reserve looms particularly large in efforts to understand the financial roots of contemporary politics. Lawrence R. Jacobs and Desmond King’s Fed Power: How Finance Wins (Oxford University Press, 2016) is a major effort to analyze these questions, and so we have invited a cast of prominent political scientists to comment on the book as an account of “how finance wins.”
A Discussion of Mark Blyth's Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea
Authors: Binder Sarah
Published: June 2017

The ongoing Eurozone crisis has brought to the fore the discourse of “austerity.” A number of countries, most dramatically Greece, have been called upon to institute policies of fiscal austerity as a condition of further support from the international financial community. The situation has generated some serious disagreements among economists, policymakers, and indeed important financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Mark Blyth’s Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea speaks directly to these ongoing current debates. We have invited a range of political scientists working on related issues to comment on the book’s arguments and their relevance to the work that they do.
Colonial crossovers: Nazi Germany and its entanglements with other empires
Authors: Bernhard Patrick
Published: June 2017

Nazi Germany’s place in the wider world is a controversial topic in historiography. While scholars such as Ian Kershaw argue that Hitler’s dictatorship must be understood as a unique national phenomenon, others analyse Nazism within comparative frameworks. Mark Mazower, for example, argues that the international concept of ‘empire’ is useful for comprehending the German occupation of Europe. Using an approach native to transnational cultural studies, my contribution goes a step further: I analyse how the Nazis themselves positioned their regime in a wider international context, and thus gave meaning to it. My main thesis is that, while the Nazis took a broad look at international colonialism, they differentiated considerably between the various national experiences. French and British empire-building, for instance, did not receive the same attention as Japanese and Italian colonial projects. Based on new archival evidence, I show that the act of referring in particular to the Italian example was crucial for the Nazis. On the one hand, drawing strong parallels between Italian colonialism and the German rule of eastern Europe allowed Hitler to recruit support for his own visions of imperial conquest. On the other hand, Italian colonialism served as a blueprint for the Nazis’ plans for racial segregation. The article thus shows the importance of transnational exchange for understanding ideological dynamics within the Nazi regime.
Interprofessionelle Ausbildung
Authors: Schlegel Claudia , Woermann Ulrich , Herrmann Gudrun
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die wachsende Komplexität klinischer Aufgaben erfordert Teamwork und interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit. Ausbildungsinstitutionen der Gesundheitsberufe sollten deshalb kooperieren und gemeinsame Projekte anbieten. Zur Umsetzung der Interprofessionellen Ausbildung (IPA) ist es hilfreich, einen strukturierten Algorithmus für eine erfolgreiche Planung und Durchführung der IPA zu nutzen.
Zwischen Anspruch und Realität
Authors: Wiesli Nadine , Schrepfer Alessia , Zeller Heidi
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Differenzen zwischen Theorie und Praxis, unterschiedliche Kompetenzen der Begleitpersonen sowie eine fehlende Feedbackkultur – diese und weitere Faktoren thematisieren Studierende, Lernende und Berufsbildner / innen im Rahmen einer Studie, die Einblicke in die Realität der Pflegeausbildung bietet. Die Ergebnisse sind relevant in Hinblick auf den Fachpersonenmangel: Eine attraktive, qualitativ hochwertige Ausbildung könnte dazu beitragen, den Personalmangel zu lindern.
Upconversion nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic therapy induces autophagy and cholesterol efflux of macrophage-derived foam cells via ROS generation
Authors: Han Xiaobo B , Li Hongxia X , Jiang Yueqing Q , Wang Hao , Li Xuesong S , Kou Jiayuan Y , Zheng Yinghong H , Liu Zhongni N , Li Hong , Li Jing , Dou Dou , Wang You , Tian Ye , Yang Liming M
Published: June 2017

Macrophage-derived foam cells are a major component of atherosclerotic plaques and have an important role in the progression of atherosclerotic plaques, thus posing a great threat to human health. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the effect of PDT mediated by upconversion fluorescent nanoparticles encapsulating chlorin e6 (UCNPs-Ce6) on the cholesterol efflux of THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells and explored the possible mechanism of this effect. First, we found that PDT notably enhanced the cholesterol efflux and the induction of autophagy in both THP-1 and peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and an ATG5 siRNA significantly attenuated PDT-induced autophagy, which subsequently suppressed the ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by PDT were responsible for the induction of autophagy, which could be blocked by the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC also reversed the PDT-induced suppression of p-mTOR and p-Akt. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that PDT promotes cholesterol efflux by inducing autophagy, and the autophagy was mediated in part through the ROS/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in THP-1 and peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells.
ARRDC4 regulates enterovirus 71-induced innate immune response by promoting K63 polyubiquitination of MDA5 through TRIM65
Authors: Meng Jun , Yao Zhenyu , He Yaqing , Zhang Renli , Zhang Yanwei , Yao Xiangjie , Yang Hong , Chen Long , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Hailong , Bao Xueqin , Hu Gang , Wu Tangchun , Cheng Jinquan
Published: June 2017

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which induces significantly elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines, leading to local or system inflammation and severe complications, whereas the underlying regulatory mechanisms and the inflammatory pathogenesis remain elusive. ARRDC4 is one member of arrestins family, having important roles in glucose metabolism and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) related physiological and pathological processes, however, the function of ARRDC4 in innate immune system is largely unknown. Here we identified that ARRDC4 expression was increased after EV71 infection in THP-1-derived macrophages and verified in EV71-infected HFMD patients and the healthy candidates. The expression level of ARRDC4 was positively correlated with the serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and CCL3 in clinical specimens. ARRDC4 interacted with MDA5 via the arrestin-like N domain, and further recruited TRIM65 to enhance the K63 ubiquitination of MDA5, resulting in activation of the downstream innate signaling pathway and transcription of proinflammatory cytokines during EV71 infection. Our data highlight new function of ARRDC4 in innate immunity, contributing to the better understanding about regulation of MDA5 activation after EV71 infection, and also suggest ARRDC4 may serve as a potential target for intervention of EV71-induced inflammatory response.
Conditional internalization of PEGylated nanomedicines by PEG engagers for triple negative breast cancer therapy
Authors: Su Yu-Cheng , Burnouf Pierre-Alain , Chuang Kuo-Hsiang , Chen Bing-Mae , Cheng Tian-Lu , Roffler Steve R.
Published: June 2017

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks effective treatment options due to the absence of traditional therapeutic targets. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has emerged as a promising target for TNBC therapy because it is overexpressed in about 50% of TNBC patients. Here we describe a PEG engager that simultaneously binds polyethylene glycol and EGFR to deliver PEGylated nanomedicines to EGFR+ TNBC. The PEG engager displays conditional internalization by remaining on the surface of TNBC cells until contact with PEGylated nanocarriers triggers rapid engulfment of nanocargos. PEG engager enhances the anti-proliferative activity of PEG-liposomal doxorubicin to EGFR+ TNBC cells by up to 100-fold with potency dependent on EGFR expression levels. The PEG engager significantly increases retention of fluorescent PEG probes and enhances the antitumour activity of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin in human TNBC xenografts. PEG engagers with specificity for EGFR are promising for improved treatment of EGFR+ TNBC patients.
Carbon nanotube-based three-dimensional monolithic optoelectronic integrated system
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Sheng , Liu Huaping , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: June 2017

Single material-based monolithic optoelectronic integration with complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible signal processing circuits is one of the most pursued approaches in the post-Moore era to realize rapid data communication and functional diversification in a limited three-dimensional space. Here, we report an electrically driven carbon nanotube-based on-chip three-dimensional optoelectronic integrated circuit. We demonstrate that photovoltaic receivers, electrically driven transmitters and on-chip electronic circuits can all be fabricated using carbon nanotubes via a complementary metal oxide semiconductor-compatible low-temperature process, providing a seamless integration platform for realizing monolithic three-dimensional optoelectronic integrated circuits with diversified functionality such as the heterogeneous AND gates. These circuits can be vertically scaled down to sub-30 nm and operates in photovoltaic mode at room temperature. Parallel optical communication between functional layers, for example, bottom-layer digital circuits and top-layer memory, has been demonstrated by mapping data using a 2 × 2 transmitter/receiver array, which could be extended as the next generation energy-efficient signal processing paradigm.
Pentavalent HIV-1 vaccine protects against simian-human immunodeficiency virus challenge
Authors: Bradley Todd , Pollara Justin , Santra Sampa , Vandergrift Nathan , Pittala Srivamshi , Bailey-Kellogg Chris , Shen Xiaoying , Parks Robert , Goodman Derrick , Eaton Amanda , Balachandran Harikrishnan , Mach Linh V. , Saunders Kevin O. , Weiner Joshua A. , Scearce Richard , Sutherland Laura L. , Phogat Sanjay , Tartaglia Jim , Reed Steven G. , Hu Shiu-Lok , Theis James F. , Pinter Abraham , Montefiori David C. , Kepler Thomas B. , Peachman Kristina K. , Rao Mangala , Michael Nelson L. , Suscovich Todd J. , Alter Galit , Ackerman Margaret E. , Moody M. Anthony , Liao Hua-Xin , Tomaras Georgia , Ferrari Guido , Korber Bette T. , Haynes Barton F.
Published: June 2017

The RV144 Thai trial HIV-1 vaccine of recombinant poxvirus (ALVAC) and recombinant HIV-1 gp120 subtype B/subtype E (B/E) proteins demonstrated 31% vaccine efficacy. Here we design an ALVAC/Pentavalent B/E/E/E/E vaccine to increase the diversity of gp120 motifs in the immunogen to elicit a broader antibody response and enhance protection. We find that immunization of rhesus macaques with the pentavalent vaccine results in protection of 55% of pentavalent-vaccine-immunized macaques from simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) challenge. Systems serology of the antibody responses identifies plasma antibody binding to HIV-infected cells, peak ADCC antibody titres, NK cell-mediated ADCC and antibody-mediated activation of MIP-1β in NK cells as the four immunological parameters that best predict decreased infection risk that are improved by the pentavalent vaccine. Thus inclusion of additional gp120 immunogens to a pox-prime/protein boost regimen can augment antibody responses and enhance protection from a SHIV challenge in rhesus macaques.
Parity-time-symmetric quantum critical phenomena
Authors: Ashida Yuto , Furukawa Shunsuke , Ueda Masahito
Published: June 2017

Synthetic non-conservative systems with parity-time (PT) symmetric gain–loss structures can exhibit unusual spontaneous symmetry breaking that accompanies spectral singularity. Recent studies on PT symmetry in optics and weakly interacting open quantum systems have revealed intriguing physical properties, yet many-body correlations still play no role. Here by extending the idea of PT symmetry to strongly correlated many-body systems, we report that a combination of spectral singularity and quantum criticality yields an exotic universality class which has no counterpart in known critical phenomena. Moreover, we find unconventional low-dimensional quantum criticality, where superfluid correlation is anomalously enhanced owing to non-monotonic renormalization group flows in a PT-symmetry-broken quantum critical phase, in stark contrast to the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless paradigm. Our findings can be experimentally tested in ultracold atoms and predict critical phenomena beyond the Hermitian paradigm of quantum many-body physics.
Wnt5a is associated with right ventricular dysfunction and adverse outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Abraityte Aurelija , Lunde Ida G. , Askevold Erik T. , Michelsen Annika E. , Christensen Geir , Aukrust Pål , Yndestad Arne , Fiane Arnt , Andreassen Arne , Aakhus Svend , Dahl Christen P. , Gullestad Lars , Broch Kaspar , Ueland Thor
Published: June 2017

The Wingless (Wnt) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). To explore the role of Wnt modulators Wnt5a and sFRP3 in DCM patients we analyzed the expression of Wnt5a and sFRP3 in plasma and myocardium of DCM patients and evaluated their effects on NFAT luciferase activity in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. Elevated circulating Wnt5a (n = 102) was associated with increased pulmonary artery pressures, decreased right ventricular function and adverse outcome, with a stronger association in more severely affected patients. A higher Wnt5a/sFRP3 ratio (n = 25) was found in the right ventricle vs. the left ventricle and was correlated with NFAT activation as well as pulmonary artery pressures. Wnt5a induced NFAT activation and sFRP3 release in cardiomyocytes in vitro, while sFRP3 antagonized Wnt5a. Wnt5a is associated with right ventricular dysfunction and adverse outcome in DCM patients and may promote the progression of DCM through NFAT signaling.
Andrographolide Ameliorates Inflammation and Fibrogenesis and Attenuates Inflammasome Activation in Experimental Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Cabrera Daniel , Wree Alexander , Povero Davide , Solís Nancy , Hernandez Alejandra , Pizarro Margarita , Moshage Han , Torres Javiera , Feldstein Ariel E. , Cabello-Verrugio Claudio , Brandan Enrique , Barrera Francisco , Arab Juan Pablo , Arrese Marco
Published: June 2017

Therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is limited. Andrographolide (ANDRO), a botanical compound, has a potent anti-inflammatory activity due to its ability to inhibit NF-κB. ANDRO has been also shown to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome, a relevant pathway in NASH. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of ANDRO in NASH and its influence on inflammasome activation in this setting. Thus, mice were fed a choline-deficient-amino-acid–defined (CDAA) diet with/without concomitant ANDRO administration (1 mg/kg, 3-times/week). Also, we assessed serum levels of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), liver histology, hepatic triglyceride content (HTC) and hepatic expression of pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic and inflammasome genes. Inflammasome activation was also evaluated in fat-laden HepG2 cells. Our results showed that ANDRO administration decreased HTC and attenuated hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in CDAA-fed mice. ANDRO treatment determined a strong reduction in hepatic macrophage infiltration and reduced hepatic mRNA levels of both pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes. In addition, mice treated with ANDRO showed reduced expression of inflammasome genes. Finally, ANDRO inhibited LPS-induced interleukin-1β expression through NF-κB inhibition in fat-laden HepG2 cells and inflammasome disassembly. In conclusion, ANDRO administration reduces inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH. Inflammasome modulation by a NF-κB-dependent mechanism may be involved in the therapeutic effects of ANDRO.
Experimental design approach for deposition optimization of RF sputtered chalcogenide thin films devoted to environmental optical sensors
Authors: Baudet E. , Sergent M. , Němec P. , Cardinaud C. , Rinnert E. , Michel K. , Jouany L. , Bureau B. , Nazabal V.
Published: June 2017

The development of the optical bio-chemical sensing technology is an extremely important scientific and technological issue for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, control of industrial processes, environmental detection of air and water pollutants. Owing to their distinctive features, chalcogenide amorphous thin films represent a keystone in the manufacture of middle infrared integrated optical devices for a sensitive detection of biological or environmental variations. Since the chalcogenide thin films characteristics, i.e. stoichiometric conformity, structure, roughness or optical properties can be affected by the growth process, the choice and control of the deposition method is crucial. An approach based on the experimental design is undoubtedly a way to be explored allowing fast optimization of chalcogenide film deposition by means of radio frequency sputtering process. Argon (Ar) pressure, working power and deposition time were selected as potentially the most influential factors among all possible. The experimental design analysis confirms the great influence of the Ar pressure on studied responses: chemical composition, refractive index in near-IR (1.55 µm) and middle infrared (6.3 and 7.7 µm), band-gap energy, deposition rate and surface roughness. Depending on the intended application and therefore desired thin film characteristics, mappings of the experimental design meaningfully help to select suitable deposition parameters.
Embryonic exposure to the widely-used herbicide atrazine disrupts meiosis and normal follicle formation in female mice
Authors: Gely-Pernot Aurore , Saci Souhila , Kernanec Pierre-Yves , Hao Chunxiang , Giton Frank , Kervarrec Christine , Tevosian Sergei , Mazaud-Guittot Severine , Smagulova Fatima
Published: June 2017

The widely-used herbicide atrazine (ATZ) is detected in ground and surface water in many countries. Several studies in animals have demonstrated that ATZ has endocrine-disrupting effects on male and female reproduction in many vertebrate species. In this study, we investigated the effects of ATZ exposure on meiosis, a key step in gametogenesis in mammals. The treatment was initiated before oocyte entry into meiosis, which occurs during the embryonic period in females. We found that embryonic exposure to ATZ increases the level of 8-oxo-guanine in the nucleus of meiotic cells, reflecting oxidative stress and affecting meiotic double-strand break repair, chromosome synapsis and crossover numbers. Finally, embryonic exposure to ATZ reduces the number of primordial follicles and increases the incidence of multi-oocyte follicles in adult mice. Our data demonstrate that embryonic exposure to ATZ disrupts prophase I of meiosis and affects normal follicle formation in female mice.
Optic Disc Hemorrhage and Lamina Cribrosa Defects in Glaucoma Progression
Authors: Park Hae-Young Lopilly , Lee Jiyoung , Jung Younhea , Park Chan Kee
Published: June 2017

Both disc hemorrhages (DH) and focal lamina cribrosa (LC) defects are recently considered as a progression factor in glaucoma. However, the clinical relevance of the presence of LC findings at the site of the DH has not yet been determined. We conducted a prospective study enrolling a total of 98 glaucoma eyes with DH and 37 OAG eyes with focal LC defect without DH to determine whether visual field (VF) progression differs according to the findings of the LC that had been evaluated by enhanced depth imaging (EDI) of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its relationship with DH. Only the presence of focal LC defects was significantly different between the progressing and stable patients (P < 0.001). Baseline intraocular pressure (hazard ratio [HR], 1.076; P = 0.098) and the presence of focal LC defects at the DH site (HR, 2.620; P = 0.002) were found to be associated with VF progression. Glaucoma eyes with DH at the site of focal LC defects showed frequent and faster VF progression compared with DH not accompanied by LC alterations or LC alterations not accompanied by DH. Evaluating LC alterations in glaucoma eyes with DH may be important in predicting the progression of glaucoma.
Evolution of Supra-Amphiphiles from Amphiphiles
Authors: Kang Yuetong , Zhang Xi
Published: June 2017

Molecular amphiphiles are molecules that carry both a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part, linked by covalent bonds. In contrast with molecular amphiphiles, supramolecular amphiphiles (or supra-amphiphiles) are amphiphiles that are formed on the basis of noncovalent interactions. The dynamic nature of noncovalent interactions may simplify fabrication procedures and facilitate the introduction of stimuli-responsive moieties, thus endowing supra-amphiphiles with dynamic, reversible and adaptive properties. Supra-amphiphiles provide a delicate platform for combining molecular architecture and functional assembly, enriching the molecular engineering of functional supramolecular systems.
Ligand induced structural isomerism in phosphine coordinated gold clusters revealed by ion mobility mass spectrometry
Authors: Ligare Marshall R. , Baker Erin S. , Laskin Julia , Johnson Grant E.
Published: June 2017

Structural isomerism in ligated gold clusters is revealed using electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry.
A luminescent lanthanide approach towards direct visualization of primary cilia in living cells
Authors: Li Hongguang , Lan Rongfeng , Chan Chi-Fai , Bao Guochen , Xie Chen , Chu Pak-Ho , Tai William C. S. , Zha Shuai , Zhang Jing-Xiang , Wong Ka-Leung
Published: June 2017

A simple and direct imaging tool (HGEu001) for primary cilia based on long-lived europium luminescence is firstly presented.
β-IminoBODIPY oligomers: facilely accessible π-conjugated luminescent BODIPY arrays
Authors: Tsuchiya Mizuho , Sakamoto Ryota , Shimada Masaki , Yamanoi Yoshinori , Hattori Yohei , Sugimoto Kunihisa , Nishibori Eiji , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: June 2017

A combination of imine-BODIPY chemistry was employed to fabricate luminescent π-conjugated BODIPY oligomers and BODIPY-functionalized silica gel.
Extracting structural trends from systematic variation of phosphonate/phosphonate monoester coordination polymers
Authors: Gelfand Benjamin S. , Taylor Jared M. , Shimizu George K. H.
Published: June 2017

Systematic variation of ligand geometry and ester size shows that dimensionality of barium phosphonate/phosphonate ester structures can be truncated by either route.
Molecular recognition and self-assembly mechanism of cocrystallization processes
Authors: Wang Na , Hao Hongxun , Lu Haijiao , Xu Ruilin
Published: June 2017

Schematic diagram of MC_U cocrystal formation during cooling crystallization, represented by real-time Raman, ATR-FTIR and FBRM data.
Ultrafast permeation of seawater pervaporation using single-layered C2N via strain engineering
Authors: Hu Zhongqiao , Liu Bo , Dahanayaka Madhavi , Law Adrian Wing-Keung , Wei Jun , Zhou Kun
Published: June 2017

A strained C2N single layer allows the ultrahigh permeation of seawater pervaporation.
Synthesis and dynamics of a novel proton transfer complex containing 3,5-dimethylpyrazole as a donor and 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol as an acceptor: crystallographic, UV-visible spectrophotometric, molecular docking and Hirshfeld surface analyses
Authors: Singh Neelam , Khan Ishaat M. , Ahmad Afaq , Javed Saleem
Published: June 2017

A CT complex is synthesized and characterized by spectral and crystallographic techniques. The Hirshfeld and molecular docking studies are also performed.
Chiral adsorption studied by field emission techniques: the case of alanine on platinum
Authors: Gilis N. , Jai Prakash Jai Prakash , Lambeets S. V. , Genty E. , Barroo C. , Visart de Bocarmé T.
Published: June 2017

Chirality at surfaces has become an active research area targeting possible applications of enantioselective separation or detection. A curved single crystal imaged with nanometric resolution is used to prepare a number of enantiomorphous metallic facets and to assess chiral adsorption of alanine.
Investigation of myrrh extract as a new corrosion inhibitor for α-brass in 3.5% NaCl solution polluted by 16 ppm sulfide
Authors: Gadow H. S. , Motawea M. M. , Elabbasy H. M.
Published: June 2017

The performance of extract of myrrh plant as corrosion inhibitor for Cu–Zn alloy in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution polluted by 16 ppm sulfide. The results demonstrated that the corrosion rate of Cu–Zn alloy was decreased in the presence of myrrh extract.
Energy performance and heat transfer characteristics of photovoltaic double skin facades (PV-DSFs): a review
Authors: Zhang Weilong , Lu Lin
Published: June 2017

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) have become a promising technology due to the urgent demand for sustainable energy supplies.
Contrasting the dynamics of elastic and non-elastic deformations across an experimental colloidal Martensitic transition
Authors: Ganguly Saswati , Mohanty Priti S. , Schurtenberger Peter , Sengupta Surajit , Yethiraj Anand
Published: June 2017

We present a framework to segregate the roles of elastic and non-elastic deformations in the examination of real-space experiments of solid–solid Martensitic transitions.
Hotspots of age-related protein degradation: the importance of neighboring residues for the formation of non-disulfide crosslinks derived from cysteine
Authors: Friedrich Michael G. , Wang Zhen , Oakley Aaron J. , Schey Kevin L. , Truscott Roger J.W.
Published: June 2017

Over time, the long-lived proteins that are present throughout the human body deteriorate. Typically, they become racemized, truncated, and covalently cross-linked. One reaction responsible for age-related protein cross-linking in the lens was elucidated recently and shown to involve spontaneous formation of dehydroalanine (DHA) intermediates from phosphoserine. Cys residues are another potential source of DHA, and evidence for this was found in many lens crystallins. In the human lens, some sites were more prone to forming non-disulfide covalent cross-links than others. Foremost among them was Cys5 in βA4 crystallin. The reason for this enhanced reactivity was investigated using peptides. Oxidation of Cys to cystine was a prerequisite for DHA formation, and DHA production was accelerated markedly by the presence of a Lys, one residue separated from Cys5. Modeling and direct investigation of the N-terminal sequence of βA4 crystallin, as well as a variety of homologous peptides, showed that the epsilon amino group of Lys can promote DHA production by nucleophilic attack on the alpha proton of cystine. Once a DHA residue was generated, it could form intermolecular cross-links with Lys and Cys. In the lens, the most abundant cross-link involved Cys5 of βA4 crystallin attached via a thioether bond to glutathione. These findings illustrate the potential of Cys and disulfide bonds to act as precursors for irreversible covalent cross-links and the role of nearby amino acids in creating ‘hotpsots’ for the spontaneous processes responsible for protein degradation in aged tissues.