bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CMOS silicon spin qubit
Authors: Maurand R. , Jehl X. , Kotekar-Patil D. , Corna A. , Bohuslavskyi H. , Laviéville R. , Hutin L. , Barraud S. , Vinet M. , Sanquer M. , De Franceschi S.
Published: November 2016

Silicon, the main constituent of microprocessor chips, is emerging as a promising material for the realization of future quantum processors. Leveraging its well-established complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology would be a clear asset to the development of scalable quantum computing architectures and to their co-integration with classical control hardware. Here we report a silicon quantum bit (qubit) device made with an industry-standard fabrication process. The device consists of a two-gate, p-type transistor with an undoped channel. At low temperature, the first gate defines a quantum dot encoding a hole spin qubit, the second one a quantum dot used for the qubit read-out. All electrical, two-axis control of the spin qubit is achieved by applying a phase-tunable microwave modulation to the first gate. The demonstrated qubit functionality in a basic transistor-like device constitutes a promising step towards the elaboration of scalable spin qubit geometries in a readily exploitable CMOS platform.
A mutation in VPS15 (PIK3R4) causes a ciliopathy and affects IFT20 release from the cis-Golgi
Authors: Stoetzel Corinne , Bär Séverine , De Craene Johan-Owen , Scheidecker Sophie , Etard Christelle , Chicher Johana , Reck Jennifer R. , Perrault Isabelle , Geoffroy Véronique , Chennen Kirsley , Strähle Uwe , Hammann Philippe , Friant Sylvie , Dollfus Hélène
Published: November 2016

Ciliopathies are a group of diseases that affect kidney and retina among other organs. Here, we identify a missense mutation in PIK3R4 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit 4, named VPS15) in a family with a ciliopathy phenotype. Besides being required for trafficking and autophagy, we show that VPS15 regulates primary cilium length in human fibroblasts, as well as ciliary processes in zebrafish. Furthermore, we demonstrate its interaction with the golgin GM130 and its localization to the Golgi. The VPS15-R998Q patient mutation impairs Golgi trafficking functions in humanized yeast cells. Moreover, in VPS15-R998Q patient fibroblasts, the intraflagellar transport protein IFT20 is not localized to vesicles trafficking to the cilium but is restricted to the Golgi. Our findings suggest that at the Golgi, VPS15 and GM130 form a protein complex devoid of VPS34 to ensure the IFT20-dependent sorting and transport of membrane proteins from the cis-Golgi to the primary cilium.
ISGylation controls exosome secretion by promoting lysosomal degradation of MVB proteins
Authors: Villarroya-Beltri Carolina , Baixauli Francesc , Mittelbrunn María , Fernández-Delgado Irene , Torralba Daniel , Moreno-Gonzalo Olga , Baldanta Sara , Enrich Carlos , Guerra Susana , Sánchez-Madrid Francisco
Published: November 2016

Exosomes are vesicles secreted to the extracellular environment through fusion with the plasma membrane of specific endosomes called multivesicular bodies (MVB) and mediate cell-to-cell communication in many biological processes. Posttranslational modifications are involved in the sorting of specific proteins into exosomes. Here we identify ISGylation as a ubiquitin-like modification that controls exosome release. ISGylation induction decreases MVB numbers and impairs exosome secretion. Using ISG15-knockout mice and mice expressing the enzymatically inactive form of the de-ISGylase USP18, we demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that ISG15 conjugation regulates exosome secretion. ISG15 conjugation triggers MVB co-localization with lysosomes and promotes the aggregation and degradation of MVB proteins. Accordingly, inhibition of lysosomal function or autophagy restores exosome secretion. Specifically, ISGylation of the MVB protein TSG101 induces its aggregation and degradation, being sufficient to impair exosome secretion. These results identify ISGylation as a novel ubiquitin-like modifier in the control of exosome production.
Repression of RNA polymerase by the archaeo-viral regulator ORF145/RIP
Authors: Sheppard Carol , Blombach Fabian , Belsom Adam , Schulz Sarah , Daviter Tina , Smollett Katherine , Mahieu Emilie , Erdmann Susanne , Tinnefeld Philip , Garrett Roger , Grohmann Dina , Rappsilber Juri , Werner Finn
Published: November 2016

Little is known about how archaeal viruses perturb the transcription machinery of their hosts. Here we provide the first example of an archaeo-viral transcription factor that directly targets the host RNA polymerase (RNAP) and efficiently represses its activity. ORF145 from the temperate Acidianus two-tailed virus (ATV) forms a high-affinity complex with RNAP by binding inside the DNA-binding channel where it locks the flexible RNAP clamp in one position. This counteracts the formation of transcription pre-initiation complexes in vitro and represses abortive and productive transcription initiation, as well as elongation. Both host and viral promoters are subjected to ORF145 repression. Thus, ORF145 has the properties of a global transcription repressor and its overexpression is toxic for Sulfolobus. On the basis of its properties, we have re-named ORF145 RNAP Inhibitory Protein (RIP).
Neutralization mechanism of a highly potent antibody against Zika virus
Authors: Zhang Shuijun , Kostyuchenko Victor A. , Ng Thiam-Seng , Lim Xin-Ni , Ooi Justin S. G. , Lambert Sebastian , Tan Ter Yong , Widman Douglas G. , Shi Jian , Baric Ralph S. , Lok Shee-Mei
Published: November 2016

The rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV), which causes microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome, signals an urgency to identify therapeutics. Recent efforts to rescreen dengue virus human antibodies for ZIKV cross-neutralization activity showed antibody C10 as one of the most potent. To investigate the ability of the antibody to block fusion, we determined the cryoEM structures of the C10-ZIKV complex at pH levels mimicking the extracellular (pH8.0), early (pH6.5) and late endosomal (pH5.0) environments. The 4.0 Å resolution pH8.0 complex structure shows that the antibody binds to E proteins residues at the intra-dimer interface, and the virus quaternary structure-dependent inter-dimer and inter-raft interfaces. At pH6.5, antibody C10 locks all virus surface E proteins, and at pH5.0, it locks the E protein raft structure, suggesting that it prevents the structural rearrangement of the E proteins during the fusion event—a vital step for infection. This suggests antibody C10 could be a good therapeutic candidate.
Telomeres are elongated in older individuals in a hibernating rodent, the edible dormouse (Glis glis)
Authors: Hoelzl Franz , Smith Steve , Cornils Jessica S. , Aydinonat Denise , Bieber Claudia , Ruf Thomas
Published: November 2016

Telomere shortening is thought to be an important biomarker for life history traits such as lifespan and aging, and can be indicative of genome integrity, survival probability and the risk of cancer development. In humans and other animals, telomeres almost always shorten with age, with more rapid telomere attrition in short-lived species. Here, we show that in the edible dormouse (Glis glis) telomere length significantly increases from an age of 6 to an age of 9 years. While this finding could be due to higher survival of individuals with longer telomeres, we also found, using longitudinal measurements, a positive effect of age on the rate of telomere elongation within older individuals. To our knowledge, no previous study has reported such an effect of age on telomere lengthening. We attribute this exceptional pattern to the peculiar life-history of this species, which skips reproduction in years with low food availability. Further, we show that this “sit tight” strategy in the timing of reproduction is associated with an increasing likelihood for an individual to reproduce as it ages. As reproduction could facilitate telomere attrition, this life-history strategy may have led to the evolution of increased somatic maintenance and telomere elongation with increasing age.
V(D)J recombination process and the Pre-B to immature B-cells transition are altered in Fanca−/− mice
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Vy , Pawlikowska Patrycja , Firlej Virginie , Rosselli Filippo , Aoufouchi Saïd
Published: November 2016

B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow (BM) must generate a functional B-cell receptor and overcome the negative selection induced by reactivity with autoantigens. Two rounds of DNA recombination are required for the production of functional immunoglobulin heavy (Ig-HCs) and light (LCs) chains necessary for the continuation of B-lymphocyte development in the BM. Both rounds depend on the joint action of recombination activating gene-1 (RAG-1) and RAG-2 endonucleases with the DNA non-homologous end-joining pathway. Loss of the FANC gene leads to the chromosome breakage and cancer predisposition syndrome Fanconi anemia. Because the FANC proteins are involved in certain aspects of the recombination process, we sought to determine the impact of the FANC pathway on the Ig diversification process using Fanca−/− mice. In this work we demonstrated that Fanca−/− animals have a mild B-cell differentiation defect characterized by a specific alteration of the IgM− to IgM+ transition of the B220low B-cell population. Pre-B cells from Fanca−/− mice show evidence of impaired kLC rearrangement at the level of the Vk-Jk junction. Furthermore, Fanca−/− mice showed a skewed Vκ gene usage during formation of the LCs Vk-Jk junctions. Therefore, the Fanca protein appears as a yet unidentified factor involved in the primary diversification of Ig.
Bumble bee parasite strains vary in resistance to phytochemicals
Authors: Palmer-Young Evan C. , Sadd Ben M. , Stevenson Philip C. , Irwin Rebecca E. , Adler Lynn S.
Published: November 2016

Nectar and pollen contain diverse phytochemicals that can reduce disease in pollinators. However, prior studies showed variable effects of nectar chemicals on infection, which could reflect variable phytochemical resistance among parasite strains. Inter-strain variation in resistance could influence evolutionary interactions between plants, pollinators, and pollinator disease, but testing direct effects of phytochemicals on parasites requires elimination of variation between bees. Using cell cultures of the bumble bee parasiteCrithidia bombi, we determined (1) growth-inhibiting effects of nine floral phytochemicals and (2) variation in phytochemical resistance among four parasite strains.C. bombigrowth was unaffected by naturally occurring concentrations of the known antitrypanosomal phenolics gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. However,C. bombigrowth was inhibited by anabasine, eugenol, and thymol. Strains varied >3-fold in phytochemical resistance, suggesting that selection for phytochemical resistance could drive parasite evolution. Inhibitory concentrations of thymol (4.53–22.2 ppm) were similar to concentrations inThymus vulgarisnectar (mean 5.2 ppm). Exposure ofC. bombito naturally occurring levels of phytochemicals—either within bees or during parasite transmission via flowers—could influence infection in nature. Flowers that produce antiparasitic phytochemicals, including thymol, could potentially reduce infection inBombuspopulations, thereby counteracting a possible contributor to pollinator decline.
Systemic and mucosal immune responses following oral adenoviral delivery of influenza vaccine to the human intestine by radio controlled capsule
Authors: Kim Leesun , Martinez C. Josefina , Hodgson Katie A. , Trager George R. , Brandl Jennifer R. , Sandefer Erik P. , Doll Walter J. , Liebowitz Dave , Tucker Sean N.
Published: November 2016

There are several benefits of oral immunization including the ability to elicit mucosal immune responses that may protect against pathogens that invade through a mucosal surface. Our understanding of human immune biology is hampered by the difficulty in isolating mucosal cells from humans, and the fact that animal models may or may not completely mirror human intestinal immunobiology. In this human pharmacodynamic study, a novel adenovirus vector-based platform expressing influenza hemagglutinin was explored. We used radio-controlled capsules to deliver the vaccine to either the jejunum or the ileum. The resulting immune responses induced by immunization at each of the intestinal sites were investigated. Both intestinal sites were capable of inducing mucosal and systemic immune responses to influenza hemagglutinin, but ileum delivery induced higher numbers of antibody secreting cells of IgG and IgA isotypes, increased mucosal homing B cells, and higher number of vaccine responders. Overall, these data provided substantial insights into human mucosal inductive sites, and aided in the design and selection of indications that could be used with this oral vaccine platform.
Antibody-antigen kinetics constrain intracellular humoral immunity
Authors: Bottermann Maria , Lode Heidrun Elisabeth , Watkinson Ruth E. , Foss Stian , Sandlie Inger , Andersen Jan Terje , James Leo C.
Published: November 2016

During infection with non-enveloped viruses, antibodies stimulate immunity from inside cells by activating the cytosolic Fc receptor TRIM21. This intracellular humoral response relies on opsonized viral particles reaching the cytosol intact but the antigenic and kinetic constraints involved are unknown. We have solved the structure of a potent TRIM21-dependent neutralizing antibody in complex with human adenovirus 5 hexon and show how these properties influence immune activity. Structure-guided mutagenesis was used to generate antibodies with 20,000-fold variation in affinity, on-rates that differ by ~50-fold and off-rates by >175-fold. Characterization of these variants during infection revealed that TRIM21-dependent neutralization and NFκB activation was largely unaffected by on-rate kinetics. In contrast, TRIM21 antiviral activity was exquisitely dependent upon off-rate, with sub-μM affinity antibodies nevertheless unable to stimulate signaling because of fast dissociation kinetics. These results define the antibody properties required to elicit an efficient intracellular immune response during viral infection.
Fabrication of Ion-Shaped Anisotropic Nanoparticles and their Orientational Imaging by Second-Harmonic Generation Microscopy
Authors: Slablab Abdallah , Isotalo Tero J. , Mäkitalo Jouni , Turquet Léo , Coulon Pierre-Eugène , Niemi Tapio , Ulysse Christian , Kociak Mathieu , Mailly Dominique , Rizza Giancarlo , Kauranen Martti
Published: November 2016

Ion beam shaping is a novel and powerful tool to engineer nanocomposites with effective three-dimensional (3D) architectures. In particular, this technique offers the possibility to precisely control the size, shape and 3D orientation of metallic nanoparticles at the nanometer scale while keeping the particle volume constant. Here, we use swift heavy ions of xenon for irradiation in order to successfully fabricate nanocomposites consisting of anisotropic gold nanoparticle that are oriented in 3D and embedded in silica matrix. Furthermore, we investigate individual nanorods using a nonlinear optical microscope based on second-harmonic generation (SHG). A tightly focused linearly or radially-polarized laser beam is used to excite nanorods with different orientations. We demonstrate high sensitivity of the SHG response for these polarizations to the orientation of the nanorods. The SHG measurements are in excellent agreement with the results of numerical modeling based on the boundary element method.
Correction: Corrigendum: Exposure to Sound Vibrations Lead to Transcriptomic, Proteomic and Hormonal Changes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ghosh Ritesh , Mishra Ratnesh Chandra , Choi Bosung , Kwon Young Sang , Bae Dong Won , Park Soo-Chul , Jeong Mi-Jeong , Bae Hanhong
Published: November 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 33370; published online: 26 September 2016; updated: 24 November 2016
Effects of MeJA on Arabidopsis metabolome under endogenous JA deficiency
Authors: Cao Jingjing , Li Mengya , Chen Jian , Liu Pei , Li Zhen
Published: November 2016

Jasmonates (JAs) play important roles in plant growth, development and defense. Comprehensive metabolomics profiling of plants under JA treatment provides insights into the interaction and regulation network of plant hormones. Here we applied high resolution mass spectrometry based metabolomics approach on Arabidopsis wild type and JA synthesis deficiency mutant opr3. The effects of exogenous MeJA treatment on the metabolites of opr3 were investigated. More than 10000 ion signals were detected and more than 2000 signals showed significant variation in different genotypes and treatment groups. Multivariate statistic analyses (PCA and PLS-DA) were performed and a differential compound library containing 174 metabolites with high resolution precursor ion-product ions pairs was obtained. Classification and pathway analysis of 109 identified compounds in this library showed that glucosinolates and tryptophan metabolism, amino acids and small peptides metabolism, lipid metabolism, especially fatty acyls metabolism, were impacted by endogenous JA deficiency and exogenous MeJA treatment. These results were further verified by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of 21 related genes involved in the metabolism of glucosinolates, tryptophan and α-linolenic acid pathways. The results would greatly enhance our understanding of the biological functions of JA.
On-demand Hydrogen Production from Organosilanes at Ambient Temperature Using Heterogeneous Gold Catalysts
Authors: Mitsudome Takato , Urayama Teppei , Kiyohiro Taizo , Maeno Zen , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro , Kaneda Kiyotomi
Published: November 2016

An environmentally friendly (“green”), H2-generation system was developed that involved hydrolytic oxidation of inexpensive organosilanes as hydrogen storage materials with newly developed heterogeneous gold nanoparticle catalysts. The gold catalyst functioned well at ambient temperature under aerobic conditions, providing efficient production of pure H2. The newly developed size-selective gold nanoparticle catalysts could be separated easily from the reaction mixture containing organosilanes, allowing an on/off-switchable H2-production by the introduction and removal of the catalyst. This is the first report of an on/off-switchable H2-production system employing hydrolytic oxidation of inexpensive organosilanes without requiring additional energy.
mQC: A Heuristic Quality-Control Metric for High-Throughput Drug Combination Screening
Authors: Chen Lu , Wilson Kelli , Goldlust Ian , Mott Bryan T. , Eastman Richard , Davis Mindy I. , Zhang Xiaohu , McKnight Crystal , Klumpp-Thomas Carleen , Shinn Paul , Simmons John , Gormally Mike , Michael Sam , Thomas Craig J. , Ferrer Marc , Guha Rajarshi
Published: November 2016

Quality control (QC) metrics are critical in high throughput screening (HTS) platforms to ensure reliability and confidence in assay data and downstream analyses. Most reported HTS QC metrics are designed for plate level or single well level analysis. With the advent of high throughput combination screening there is a need for QC metrics that quantify the quality of combination response matrices. We introduce a predictive, interpretable, matrix-level QC metric, mQC, based on a mix of data-derived and heuristic features. mQC accurately reproduces the expert assessment of combination response quality and correctly identifies unreliable response matrices that can lead to erroneous or misleading characterization of synergy. When combined with the plate-level QC metric, Z’, mQC provides a more appropriate determination of the quality of a drug combination screen. Retrospective analysis on a number of completed combination screens further shows that mQC is able to identify problematic screens whereas plate-level QC was not able to. In conclusion, our data indicates that mQC is a reliable QC filter that can be used to identify problematic drug combinations matrices and prevent further analysis on erroneously active combinations as well as for troubleshooting failed screens. The R source code of mQC is available athttp://matrix.ncats.nih.gov/mQC.
An In Silico study of TiO2 nanoparticles interaction with twenty standard amino acids in aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Shengtang , Meng Xuan-Yu , Perez-Aguilar Jose Manuel , Zhou Ruhong
Published: November 2016

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is probably one of the most widely used nanomaterials, and its extensive exposure may result in potentially adverse biological effects. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of interaction involving TiO2NPs and macromolecules,e.g., proteins, are still not well understood. Here, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interactions between TiO2NPs and the twenty standard amino acids in aqueous solution exploiting a newly developed TiO2force field. We found that charged amino acids play a dominant role during the process of binding to the TiO2surface, with both basic and acidic residues overwhelmingly preferred over the non-charged counterparts. By calculating the Potential Mean Force, we showed that Arg is prone to direct binding onto the NP surface, while Lys needs to overcome a ~2 kT free energy barrier. On the other hand, acidic residues tend to form “water bridges” between their sidechains and TiO2surface, thus displaying an indirect binding. Moreover, the overall preferred positions and configurations of different residues are highly dependent on properties of the first and second solvation water. These molecular insights learned from this work might help with a better understanding of the interactions between biomolecules and nanomaterials.
Interaction between β-hexachlorocyclohexane and ADIPOQ genotypes contributes to the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in East Chinese adults
Authors: Li Shushu , Wang Xichen , Yang Lu , Yao Shen , Zhang Ruyang , Xiao Xue , Zhang Zhan , Wang Li , Xu Qiujin , Wang Shou-Lin
Published: November 2016

Growing evidence links environmental exposure to hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) to the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and ADIPOQ that encodes adiponectin is considered as an important gene for T2DM. However, the role of ADIPOQ-HCH interaction on T2DM risk remains unclear. Thus, a paired case-control study was conducted in an East Chinese community. A total of 1446 subjects, including 723 cases and 723 controls matched on age, gender and residence, were enrolled, and 4 types of HCH isomers were measured in serum samples using GC-MS/MS. Additionally, 4 candidate ADIPOQ SNPs (rs182052, rs266729, rs6810075, and rs16861194) were genotyped by TaqMan assay, and plasma adiponectin was measured using ELISA. No associations between 4 SNPs and T2DM risk were found, but T2DM risk significantly increased with serum levels of β-HCH (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the synergistic interaction between β-HCH and rs182052 significantly increased T2DM risk (OR I-additive model = 2.20, OR I-recessive model = 2.13). Additionally, individuals carrying only rs182052 (A allele) with high levels of β-HCH had significant reduction in adiponectin levels (P = 0.016). These results indicate that the interaction between rs182052 and β-HCH might increase the risk of T2DM by jointly decreasing the adiponectin level and potentially trigger T2DM development.
Genome-wide transcriptome analysis revealed organelle specific responses to temperature variations in algae
Authors: Shin HyeonSeok , Hong Seong-Joo , Yoo Chan , Han Mi-Ae , Lee Hookeun , Choi Hyung-Kyoon , Cho Suhyung , Lee Choul-Gyun , Cho Byung-Kwan
Published: November 2016

Temperature is a critical environmental factor that affects microalgal growth. However, microalgal coping mechanisms for temperature variations are unclear. Here, we determined changes in transcriptome, total carbohydrate, total fatty acid methyl ester, and fatty acid composition of Tetraselmis sp. KCTC12432BP, a strain with a broad temperature tolerance range, to elucidate the tolerance mechanisms in response to large temperature variations. Owing to unavailability of genome sequence information, de novo transcriptome assembly coupled with BLAST analysis was performed using strand specific RNA-seq data. This resulted in 26,245 protein-coding transcripts, of which 83.7% could be annotated to putative functions. We identified more than 681 genes differentially expressed, suggesting an organelle-specific response to temperature variation. Among these, the genes related to the photosynthetic electron transfer chain, which are localized in the plastid thylakoid membrane, were upregulated at low temperature. However, the transcripts related to the electron transport chain and biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine localized in mitochondria were upregulated at high temperature. These results show that the low energy uptake by repressed photosynthesis under low and high temperature conditions is compensated by different mechanisms, including photosystem I and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, respectively. This study illustrates that microalgae tolerate different temperature conditions through organelle specific mechanisms.
Castable Bulk Metallic Glass Strain Wave Gears: Towards Decreasing the Cost of High-Performance Robotics
Authors: Hofmann Douglas C. , Polit-Casillas Raul , Roberts Scott N. , Borgonia John-Paul , Dillon Robert P. , Hilgemann Evan , Kolodziejska Joanna , Montemayor Lauren , Suh Jong-ook , Hoff Andrew , Carpenter Kalind , Parness Aaron , Johnson William L. , Kennett Andrew , Wilcox Brian
Published: November 2016

The use of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) as the flexspline in strain wave gears (SWGs), also known as harmonic drives, is presented. SWGs are unique, ultra-precision gearboxes that function through the elastic flexing of a thin-walled cup, called a flexspline. The current research demonstrates that BMGs can be cast at extremely low cost relative to machining and can be implemented into SWGs as an alternative to steel. This approach may significantly reduce the cost of SWGs, enabling lower-cost robotics. The attractive properties of BMGs, such as hardness, elastic limit and yield strength, may also be suitable for extreme environment applications in spacecraft.
A parasite-derived 68-mer peptide ameliorates autoimmune disease in murine models of Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lund Maria E. , Greer Judith , Dixit Aakanksha , Alvarado Raquel , McCauley-Winter Padraig , To Joyce , Tanaka Akane , Hutchinson Andrew T. , Robinson Mark W. , Simpson Ann M. , O’Brien Bronwyn A. , Dalton John P. , Donnelly Sheila
Published: November 2016

Helminth parasites secrete molecules that potently modulate the immune responses of their hosts and, therefore, have potential for the treatment of immune-mediated human diseases. FhHDM-1, a 68-mer peptide secreted by the helminth parasite Fasciola hepatica, ameliorated disease in two different murine models of autoimmunity, type 1 diabetes and relapsing-remitting immune-mediated demyelination. Unexpectedly, FhHDM-1 treatment did not affect the proliferation of auto-antigen specific T cells or their production of cytokines. However, in both conditions, the reduction in clinical symptoms was associated with the absence of immune cell infiltrates in the target organ (islets and the brain tissue). Furthermore, after parenteral administration, the FhHDM-1 peptide interacted with macrophages and reduced their capacity to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-6. We propose this inhibition of innate pro-inflammatory immune responses, which are central to the initiation of autoimmunity in both diseases, prevented the trafficking of autoreactive lymphocytes from the periphery to the site of autoimmunity (as opposed to directly modulating their function per se), and thus prevented tissue destruction. The ability of FhHDM-1 to modulate macrophage function, combined with its efficacy in disease prevention in multiple models, suggests that FhHDM-1 has considerable potential as a treatment for autoimmune diseases.
Adipose Stem Cells Display Higher Regenerative Capacities and More Adaptable Electro-Kinetic Properties Compared to Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: El-Badawy Ahmed , Amer Marwa , Abdelbaset Reda , Sherif Sameh N. , Abo-Elela Marwan , Ghallab Yehya H. , Abdelhamid Hamdy , Ismail Yehea , El-Badri Nagwa
Published: November 2016

Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have recently emerged as a more viable source for clinical applications, compared to bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) because of their abundance and easy access. In this study we evaluated the regenerative potency of ASCs compared to BM-MSCs. Furthermore, we compared the dielectric and electro-kinetic properties of both types of cells using a novel Dielectrophoresis (DEP) microfluidic platform based on a printed circuit board (PCB) technology. Our data show that ASCs were more effective than BM-MSCs in promoting neovascularization in an animal model of hind-limb ischemia. When compared to BM-MSCs, ASCs displayed higher resistance to hypoxia-induced apoptosis, and to oxidative stress-induced senescence, and showed more potent proangiogenic activity. mRNA expression analysis showed that ASCs had a higher expression of Oct4 and VEGF than BM-MSCs. Furthermore, ASCs showed a remarkably higher telomerase activity. Analysis of the electro-kinetic properties showed that ASCs displayed different traveling wave velocity and rotational speed compared to BM-MSCs. Interestingly, ASCs seem to develop an adaptive response when exposed to repeated electric field stimulation. These data provide new insights into the physiology of ASCs, and evidence to their potential superior potency compared to marrow MSCs as a source of stem cells.
Meteotsunamis in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Bechle Adam J. , Wu Chin H. , Kristovich David A. R. , Anderson Eric J. , Schwab David J. , Rabinovich Alexander B.
Published: November 2016

The generation mechanism of meteotsunamis, which are meteorologically induced water waves with spatial/temporal characteristics and behavior similar to seismic tsunamis, is poorly understood. We quantify meteotsunamis in terms of seasonality, causes, and occurrence frequency through the analysis of long-term water level records in the Laurentian Great Lakes. The majority of the observed meteotsunamis happen from late-spring to mid-summer and are associated primarily with convective storms. Meteotsunami events of potentially dangerous magnitude (height > 0.3 m) occur an average of 106 times per year throughout the region. These results reveal that meteotsunamis are much more frequent than follow from historic anecdotal reports. Future climate scenarios over the United States show a likely increase in the number of days favorable to severe convective storm formation over the Great Lakes, particularly in the spring season. This would suggest that the convectively associated meteotsunamis in these regions may experience an increase in occurrence frequency or a temporal shift in occurrence to earlier in the warm season. To date, meteotsunamis in the area of the Great Lakes have been an overlooked hazard.
The preparation and characterization of a novel sphingan WL from marine Sphingomonas sp. WG
Authors: Li Hui , Jiao Xue , Sun Yajie , Sun Shiwei , Feng Zhimei , Zhou Wanlong , Zhu Hu
Published: November 2016

Sphingans, a group of structurally closely related bacterial exopolysaccharides produced by members of the genus Sphingomonas, can be applied in a variety of industries such as food, cement, and personal care applications due to their high viscosity. A high sphingan-producing-bacterium, Sphingomonas sp. WG can secret large quantity of sphingan designated as WL. To enhance the production of WL, a three-stage control strategy was applied and the highest WL production can reach 33.3 g/L. The rheological analysis showed that the aqueous solution of WL had high viscosity, typical shearing-thinning behavior and great stability to high temperature, a wide range of pH (1 to 14), and high salinity. WL was composed principally of carbohydrate with 6.52% O-acyl groups. The carbohydrate portion of WL contained about 13% glucuronic acid and some neutral sugars including mannose, glucose and rhamnose in the molar ratio of 1:2.28:2.12. Partial acid hydrolysis of WL produced a new oligosaccharide WL-1. Structural resolution revealed that WL-1 consisted of α-L-Rha-(1→4)-β-L-Rha-(1→4)-β-D-Glc-(1→3)-α-D-Glc with β-D-Man substituent at the third glucose residue and carboxyl and O-acyl groups. These findings will broaden the applications of this novel sphingan in food, ink, oil and other industries.
The use of a quartz crystal microbalance as an analytical tool to monitor particle/surface and particle/particle interactions under dry ambient and pressurized conditions: a study using common inhaler components
Authors: Turner N. W. , Bloxham M. , Piletsky S. A. , Whitcombe M. J. , Chianella I.
Published: November 2016

Here a QCM has been used to monitor metered dose inhaler component interaction with surfaces and other particulates. Differentiation by charge is demonstrated.
Highly efficient three-component coupling reaction catalysed by atomically precise ligand-protected Au38(SC2H4Ph)24 nanoclusters
Authors: Li Qi , Das Anindita , Wang Shuxin , Chen Yuxiang , Jin Rongchao
Published: November 2016

The Au38(SC2H4Ph)24 nanocluster catalyzes the A3 coupling reaction with a turnover frequency significantly higher than those of conventional nanogold catalysts.
Proton diffusion dynamics along a diol as a proton-conducting wire in a photo-amphiprotic model system
Authors: Kim Ye-Jin , Kwon Oh-Hoon
Published: November 2016

Transition of the reaction coordinate with the rigidity of a H-bond.
Emerging investigators series: prioritization of suspect hits in a sensitive suspect screening workflow for comprehensive micropollutant characterization in environmental samples
Authors: Pochodylo Amy L. , Helbling Damian E.
Published: November 2016

A suspect screening workflow was developed and applied to a series of samples collected from a small urban water system to identify and confirm the occurrence of 112 organic micropollutants.
Synthesis of 6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrazinones using an Ugi 4-CR/allenamide cycloisomerization protocol
Authors: Icelo-Ávila Estefanía , Amador-Sánchez Yoarhy A. , Polindara-García Luis A. , Miranda Luis D.
Published: November 2016

A two-step synthesis of 6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrazinones from Ugi adducts and their transformation into pyrazino[2,1-a]isoindole and pyrazino[2,1-a]isoquinoline cores has been accomplished.
Long-term stability and reusability of molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Kupai Jozsef , Razali Mayamin , Buyuktiryaki Sibel , Kecili Rustem , Szekely Gyorgy
Published: November 2016

The effect of crosslinker, functional monomer and extraction on the long-term performance and degradation of molecularly imprinted polymers was investigated through adsorption studies, NMR, SEM, TGA and BET.
Pushing forward the frontiers of materials research
Authors: Tang Ben Zhong
Published: November 2016

Ben Zhong Tang, Editor-in-Chief, introduces the inaugural issue of Materials Chemistry Frontiers.
Polyurethane types, synthesis and applications – a review
Authors: Akindoyo John O. , Beg M. D. H. , Ghazali Suriati , Islam M. R. , Jeyaratnam Nitthiyah , Yuvaraj A. R.
Published: November 2016

Polyurethanes (PUs) are a class of versatile materials with great potential for use in different applications, especially based on their structure–property relationships.
Stearylated cycloarginine nanosystems for intracellular delivery – simulations, formulation and proof of concept
Authors: Dhawan V. , Magarkar A. , Joshi G. , Makhija D. , Jain A. , Shah J. , Reddy B. V. V. , Krishnapriya M. , Róg T. , Bunker A. , Jagtap A. , Nagarsenker M.
Published: November 2016

Novel cationic agent liposomes performed betterin silicotranslating in higher cellular uptake with reduced toxicity.
Systematic investigation of the ball milling–annealing growth and electrical properties of boron nitride nanotubes
Authors: Zhuang Cuicui , Xu Hong , Li Ling , Liu Yang , Ban Chuicheng , Liu Xiaowei
Published: November 2016

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were grown on stainless-steel substrates by ball milling–annealing in an N2/H2 atmosphere.
High strength chitosan rod reinforced by non-covalent functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes via an in situ precipitation method
Authors: Nie Jingyi , Wang Zhengke , Zhou Yi , Wang Shengdong , Li Hengyuan , Zhao Hui , Qin Anjun , Hu Qiaoling , Sun Jing Zhi , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: November 2016

High strength CS/MWCNTs composite rods preparedvia in situprecipitation & PaPA functionalization, with a 3D sophisticated structure and uniformly dispersed MWCNTs.
Porous hollow manganites with robust composite shells for oxidation of CO at low temperature
Authors: Yoo Jung Bo , Bang Sora , Kim Kyungtae , Li Chengbin , Kim Ji Man , Hur Nam Hwi
Published: November 2016

Hollow-type manganite-coated silica microspheres were synthesized via the thermal hydrolysis of urea. The Mn2O3/SiO2_3T microspheres with robust shells exhibit best catalytic performance for CO oxidation even at temperatures below 200 °C.
Fabrication and characterization of soft macroporous Jeffamine cryogels as potential materials for tissue applications
Authors: Erdem Ahmet , Ngwabebhoh Fahanwi Asabuwa , Yildiz Ufuk
Published: November 2016

Macroporous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds have been proven to function as structural substrates and as apertures for cell growth and proliferation thereby ensuring tissue regeneration.
Improvement of selectivity for CO2 reduction by using Cu2ZnSnS4 electrodes modified with different buffer layers (CdS and In2S3) under visible light irradiation
Authors: Kamimura Sunao , Sasaki Yousuke , Kanaya Masaki , Tsubota Toshiki , Ohno Teruhisa
Published: November 2016

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) electrodes modified with different n-type buffer layers (CdS and In2S3) were used as photocathodes for CO2 reduction under visible light irradiation (420 < λ < 800 nm) in aqueous media.
Achmatowicz reaction and its application in the syntheses of bioactive molecules
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Brindisi Margherita
Published: November 2016

An extensive review of the Achmatowicz reaction and its application in the synthesis of bioactive natural products is reported.
Thermal conversion of an anion-exchange resin: a new catalytic-graphitization route to prepare porous carbons with a high graphitization degree for supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Haifeng
Published: November 2016

High-graphitization porous carbons were synthesizedviaan anion-exchange-assisted catalytic graphitization method for supercapacitors with high energy density.
In situ polymerization approach to functionalized MoS2/polyethylene nanocomposites with enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties
Authors: Zhang Hao , Moon Young-Kwon , Zhang Xue-Quan , Zhang He-Xin , Yoon Keun-Byoung
Published: November 2016

The in situ polymerization approach proposed here will open a new and exciting avenue for the development of transition metal dichalcogenide reinforced polyethylene nanocomposites.
Construction of a magnetic Z-scheme photocatalyst with enhanced oxidation/reduction abilities and recyclability for the degradation of tetracycline
Authors: Pan Zihong , Ma Wei , Wang Li
Published: November 2016

Here, we successfully designed and prepared the magnetic recyclable Z-scheme photocatalyst WO3/Fe3O4/g-C3N4 for the first time.
High-efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction catalyzed by iron phosphide nanocrystals
Authors: Gao Zhichao , Gao Qian , Liu Zhipeng , Zhang Cong , Zhang Xiaoting , Liu Xin , Wang Runwei , Li Nan
Published: November 2016

Iron phosphide ultrafine nanocrystals supported on carbon black were synthesized via a facile method and used as a highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst.
Synthesis, X-ray powder diffraction and DFT calculations of vasorelaxant active 3-(arylmethylidene)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones
Authors: Shalaby ElSayed M. , Girgis Adel S. , Farag Hanaa , Mabied Ahmed F. , Fitch Andrew N.
Published: November 2016

Two 3-(arylmethylidene)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones,12aand12b, were synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction utilizing a high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder technique as well as DFT calculations.
Rotation induced by uniform and non-uniform magnetic fields in a conducting fluid carrying an electric current
Authors: Shirsavar R. , Nasiri M. , Amjadi A. , Nejati A. , Sobhani S. O. , Habibi Mehdi
Published: November 2016

External magnetic field induces controllable rotation in a conducting fluid carrying an electric current.
Exploring the interaction between Salvia miltiorrhiza and xanthine oxidase: insights from computational analysis and experimental studies combined with enzyme channel blocking
Authors: Tang Hongjin , Yang Lin , Li Wei , Li Jiahuang , Chen Jun
Published: November 2016

An integrated approach was used to explore the interaction between Salvia miltiorrhiza and xanthine oxidase combined with enzyme channel blocking.
Phototriggered base proliferation: a powerful 365 nm LED photoclick tool for nucleophile-initiated thiol-Michael addition reaction
Authors: Xu Ruixin , Guan Xiaoyuan , He Minghui , Yang Jianwen
Published: November 2016

The phototriggered base proliferation (PBP) reaction as a powerful 365 nm LED photoclick tool is presented for nucleophile-initiated thiol-Michael addition reaction.
Fabrication and nanostructure control of super-hierarchical carbon materials from heterogeneous bottlebrushes
Authors: Liang Yeru , Chen Luyi , Zhuang Dongyang , Liu Hao , Fu Ruowen , Zhang Mingqiu , Wu Dingcai , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: November 2016

Super-hierarchical carbons with a unique carbonaceous hybrid nanotube-interconnected porous network were fabricated by utilizing well-defined carbon nanotube@polystyrene bottlebrushes as building blocks.
Surfactant widens the electrochemical window of an aqueous electrolyte for better rechargeable aqueous sodium/zinc battery
Authors: Hou Zhiguo , Zhang Xueqian , Li Xiaona , Zhu Yongchun , Liang Jianwen , Qian Yitai
Published: November 2016

A long-cycle-life aqueous rechargeable sodium/zinc battery was obtained with a high energy density of 170 W h kg−1.
One-pot carbonization enrichment of nitrogen in microporous carbon spheres for efficient CO2 capture
Authors: Liu Lei , Xie Zheng-Hu , Deng Qing-Fang , Hou Xiao-Xu , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: November 2016

Nitrogen-enriched porous carbon spheres are made by a one-pot carbonization process by decorating melamine–formaldehyde with resorcinol and hexamethylenetetramine, exhibiting high CO2 capture capacities of 4.34 mmol g−1 at 25 °C and 2.76 mmol g−1 at 75 °C.
Correction: 3D-bioprinting approach to fabricate superhydrophobic epoxy/organophilic clay as an advanced anticorrosive coating with the synergistic effect of superhydrophobicity and gas barrier properties
Authors: Chang Chi-Hao , Hsu Min-Hsiang , Weng Chang-Jian , Hung Wei-I. , Chuang Tsao-Li , Chang Kung-Chin , Peng Chih-Wei , Yen Yu-Chun , Yeh Jui-Ming
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘3D-bioprinting approach to fabricate superhydrophobic epoxy/organophilic clay as an advanced anticorrosive coating with the synergistic effect of superhydrophobicity and gas barrier properties’ by Chi-Hao Chang et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 13869–13877.
Preparation of quantum dots from MoO3 nanosheets by UV irradiation and insight into morphology changes
Authors: Lu Xiaolong , Wang Rongguo , Hao Lifeng , Yang Fan , Jiao Weicheng , Zhang Jian , Peng Ping , Liu Wenbo
Published: November 2016

Remarkable morphology changes from MoO3 nanosheets to MoO3−x quantum dots upon UV irradiation and insight into the mechanism were reported.
Reliability of magnetic tunnel junctions with a spinel MgAl2O4 film
Authors: Choi C.M. , Sukegawa H. , Mitani S. , Song Y.H.
Published: November 2016

We investigated the stress‐induced resistance drift and breakdown characteristics in MgAl2O4 (MAO)‐based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with the MAO thickness of ∼0.9 nm. The occurrence of trap sites around the tunnel barrier–electrode interfaces was characterised via interval voltage stress (IVS) and constant voltage stress (CVS) experiments, in which the occurrence of trap sites affects the resistance drift in IVS and time‐dependent dielectric breakdown in CVS. The observed resistance drift ratios were almost the same for positive and negative applied voltages, indicating that the difference in the interface structure was negligibly small between the top and bottom MAO/CoFe interfaces in the MAO‐based MTJs. More interestingly, the resistance drift ratios were very low compared with the results of a previous study on MgO‐based MTJs. MAO‐based MTJs is likely to be an effective alternative that can be used to improve MTJ device reliability.
Nano‐plasmonic chirped metal‐stripes polarimeter for dual‐band infrared detection
Authors: Awad E. , Abdel‐Rahman M.
Published: November 2016

A novel chirped metal structure (CMS) is developed for polarimetric enhanced detection of both mid‐wave (MW) (3–5 µm) and long‐wave (LW) infrared (IR) wavelength bands (8–14 µm). The nano‐scale structure consists of parallel sub‐wavelength chirped‐width stripes together with graded‐width separating gaps. The CMS allows plasmonically enhanced polarisation‐sensitive absorption of dual‐bands simultaneously in underneath IR detection device. The finite‐difference‐time‐domain method is utilised to numerically evaluate gold CMS structure on an IR detector. Simulations show an excellent performance with high plasmonic absorption enhancement and polarisation extinction‐ratio over the continuous wavelength range 3–14 µm. The maximum recorded extinction‐ratios are 2900:1 and 400:1 in the LW and MW bands, respectively. The maximum estimated plasmonic absorption enhancements for TM‐polarisation in the LW and MW bands are 96 and 16%, respectively. The suppression of TE‐polarisation absorption is almost 100% over both bands.
Model predictive PWM for AC motor drives
Authors: Jiang Dong , Li Qiao , Shen Zewei
Published: November 2016

This study is for model predictive pulse‐width modulation (PWM) for power electronics converters as AC motor drives. Compared with conventional PWM, model predictive PWM (MPP) employs the prediction model of PWM effect, and utilises the pulse arrangement freedoms to improve the performance of switching losses, current ripple and electromagnetic interference for the converter system. This study contains five parts including introduction, current ripple prediction method, variable switching frequency PWM, MPP for multi‐level inverters and conclusions. The methods introduced in this study have been and can be applied in traction and industry motor drives.
Modulation of a trapezoidal signal: improving signal quality and reducing costs in power inverters
Authors: Sotorrio‐Ruiz Pedro Juan , Sanchez‐Pacheco Francisco J. , Perez‐Hidalgo Francisco M. , Heredia‐Larrubia Juan Ramon
Published: November 2016

Power inverters applied in industries have seen a growth in modulation techniques over recent years. The aim of modulation techniques is to improve the quality of the inverter output signal and to reduce inverter losses. To improve an output signal, the amplitude of the fundamental frequency should be increased and the harmonics should be reduced. If a modulation technique can achieve these two objectives, a much smaller output filter is required to reduce hardware cost and filter losses. In this study, a technique is proposed where the obtained modulated signal can be directly used without the need of filtering. The resulting frequency profile fulfils the EN50160 standard, which sets the limits for harmonic components to ensure the quality in public low‐voltage and medium‐voltage power supplies. In addition, the proposed scheme requires a low computational algorithm allowing the use of low‐cost microprocessors or Digital Signal Processor (DSPs). The proposed algorithm is based on a simple vector seed, making it possible to obtain all the patterns of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).