bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction of Cloud‐to‐Ground Lightning Using High‐Speed Video and VHF Broadband Interferometer
Authors: Li Yun , Qiu Shi , Shi Lihua , Huang Zhengyu , Wang Tao , Duan Yantao
Published: December 2017

The time resolved three‐dimensional (3‐D) spatial reconstruction of lightning channels using high‐speed video (HSV) images and VHF broadband interferometer (BITF) data is first presented in this paper. Because VHF and optical radiations in step formation process occur with time separation no more than 1 μs, the observation data of BITF and HSV at two different sites provide the possibility of reconstructing the time resolved 3‐D channel of lightning. With the proposed procedures for 3‐D reconstruction of leader channels, dart leaders as well as stepped leaders with complex multiple branches can be well reconstructed. The differences between 2‐D speeds and 3‐D speeds of leader channels are analyzed by comparing the development of leader channels in 2‐D and 3‐D space. Since return stroke (RS) usually follows the path of previous leader channels, the 3‐D speeds of the return strokes are first estimated by combination with the 3‐D structure of the preceding leaders and HSV image sequences. For the fourth RS, the ratios of the 3‐D to 2‐D RS speeds increase with height, and the largest ratio of the 3‐D to 2‐D return stroke speeds can reach 2.03, which is larger than the result of triggered lightning reported by Idone. Since BITF can detect lightning radiation in a 360° view, correlated BITF and HSV observations increase the 3‐D detection probability than dual‐station HSV observations, which is helpful to obtain more events and deeper understanding of the lightning process.
Potential for Changing Extreme Snowmelt and Rainfall Events in the Mountains of the Western United States
Authors: Harpold A. A. , Kohler M.
Published: December 2017

The intensity of mountain precipitation is often modified by snow accumulation and melt, yet rainfall‐based observations are widely used in planning and design. Comparisons of extreme rainfall versus snowmelt intensities are needed because they have different predictability and hazard implications. Regional warming is expected to intensify not only rainfall and snowfall but also slow snowmelt, which could further challenge intensity duration frequency (IDF) techniques. We use observations from 379 mountain sites across the western U.S. to estimate the 10 and 100 year intensity at 1, 2, and 30 day durations for historical snowmelt (SM), precipitation occurring during snow cover (SCP), and precipitation during the snow‐free period (SFP). At 1 day durations, 100 year SCP was greater than SM and SFP at 40% of sites, while SM was larger than SCP and SFP at 39% of sites. At 30 day durations, SM was greater than SCP and SFP at 95% of sites. The continental sites are generally insensitive to increased water input intensity from SCP occurring as rainfall. In contrast, the maritime mountains are relatively insensitive to changes in SM but have the potential for increased water input intensity from greater SCP occurring as rainfall. Standard precipitation intensity data sets accurately estimated the 100 year, 1 day SCP and SM but underestimated SM at 78 continental sites where SM was greater than SCP and SFP. These results confirm that snow processes modify IDF estimates and highlight regional sensitivity to increased winter rainfall and slower snowmelt that may necessitate local adaptation strategies.
Actinide–Pnictide (An−Pn) Bonds Spanning Non‐Metal, Metalloid, and Metal Combinations (An=U, Th; Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi)
Authors: Rookes Thomas M. , Wildman Elizabeth P. , Balázs Gábor , Gardner Benedict M. , Wooles Ashley J. , Gregson Matthew , Tuna Floriana , Scheer Manfred , Liddle Stephen T.
Published: December 2017

The synthesis and characterisation is presented of the compounds [An(TrenDMBS){Pn(SiMe3)2}] and [An(TrenTIPS){Pn(SiMe3)2}] [TrenDMBS=N(CH2CH2NSiMe2But)3, An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi; An=Th, Pn=P, As; TrenTIPS=N(CH2CH2NSiPri3)3, An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb; An=Th, Pn=P, As, Sb]. The U−Sb and Th−Sb moieties are unprecedented examples of any kind of An−Sb molecular bond, and the U−Bi bond is the first two‐centre‐two‐electron (2c–2e) one. The Th−Bi combination was too unstable to isolate, underscoring the fragility of these linkages. However, the U−Bi complex is the heaviest 2c–2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide on a macroscopic scale under ambient conditions, and this is exceeded only by An−An pairings prepared under cryogenic matrix isolation conditions. Thermolysis and photolysis experiments suggest that the U−Pn bonds degrade by homolytic bond cleavage, whereas the more redox‐robust thorium compounds engage in an acid–base/dehydrocoupling route.
Interfacial Nanoprecipitation toward Stable and Responsive Microbubbles and Their Use as a Resuscitative Fluid
Authors: Peng Yifeng , Seekell Raymond P. , Cole Alexis R. , Lamothe Jemima R. , Lock Andrew T. , van den Bosch Sarah , Tang Xiaoqi , Kheir John N. , Polizzotti Brian D.
Published: December 2017

A new approach has been developed to prepare stable microbubbles (MBs) by interfacial nanoprecipitation of bioabsorbable polymers at air/liquid interfaces. This facile method offers robust control over the morphology and chemophysical properties of MBs by simple chemical modifications. This approach is amenable to large‐scale manufacturing, and is useful to develop functional MBs for advanced biomedical applications. To demonstrate this, a MB‐based intravenous oxygen carrier was created that undergoes pH‐triggered self‐elimination. Intravenous injection of previous MBs increased the risk of pulmonary vascular obstruction. However, we show, for the first time, that our current design is superior, as they 1) yielded no evidence of acute risks in rodents, and 2) improved the survival in a disease model of asphyxial cardiac arrest (from 0 to 100 %), a condition that affects more than 100 000 in‐hospital patients, and carries a mortality of about 90 %.
Encapsulation of Homogeneous Catalysts in Mesoporous Materials Using Diffusion‐Limited Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Zhang Shufang , Zhang Bin , Liang Haojie , Liu Yequn , Qiao Yan , Qin Yong
Published: December 2017

The heterogenization of homogeneous metal complex catalysts has attracted great attention. The encapsulation of metal complexes into nanochannels of mesoporous materials is achieved by coating metal oxides at/near the pore entrance by diffusion‐limited atomic layer deposition (ALD) to produce a hollow plug. The pore size of the hollow plug is precisely controlled on the sub‐nanometer scale by the number of ALD cycles to fit various metal complexes with different molecular sizes. Typically, Co or Ti complexes are successfully encapsulated into the nanochannels of SBA‐15, SBA‐16, and MCM‐41. The encapsulated Co and Ti catalysts show excellent catalytic activity and reusability in the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides and asymmetric cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds, respectively. This ALD‐assisted encapsulation method can be extended to the encapsulation of other homogeneous catalysts into different mesoporous materials for various heterogeneous reactions.
The Catalytic Asymmetric Mukaiyama–Michael Reaction of Silyl Ketene Acetals with α,β‐Unsaturated Methyl Esters
Authors: Gatzenmeier Tim , Kaib Philip S. J. , Lingnau Julia B. , Goddard Richard , List Benjamin
Published: December 2017

α,β‐Unsaturated esters are readily available but challenging substrates to activate in asymmetric catalysis. We now describe an efficient, general, and highly enantioselective Mukaiyama–Michael reaction of silyl ketene acetals with α,β‐unsaturated methyl esters that is catalyzed by a silylium imidodiphosphorimidate (IDPi) Lewis acid.
Tunability of polycaprolactone hydrophilicity by carboxymethyl cellulose loading
Authors: Alemán‐Domínguez M. E. , Ortega Z. , Benítez A. N. , Vilariño‐Feltrer G. , Gómez‐Tejedor J. A. , Vallés‐Lluch A.
Published: December 2017

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is herein proposed as additive in polycaprolactone (PCL) matrices to obtain composites with tunable hydrophilicity. This composite material can be obtained by compression molding. The thermogravimetric degradation profile, the FTIR spectra, values of the water contact angle (WCA), water and phosphate‐buffered saline uptake values, and the results of a cytotoxicity assessment are presented herein. The concentrations of CMC in the groups of samples are 0, 2, 5, 10, and 20%. The WCA on the prewetted state decreases proportionally to the concentration of the additive. These results evidence the possibility of obtaining a PCL‐based composite with tunable hydrophilicity. Besides, the biological assessment does not reveal any cytotoxic effects. Therefore, the addition of CMC entails an innovative strategy to control the water affinity of PCL in biomedical applications where such feature is required to improve diffusion of biological medium through, or accelerate degradation by hydrolysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46134.
Characterization of a Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) brummer gene and analysis of its role in lipid metabolism
Authors: Zhou Jinming , Yan Jing , You Keke , Chen Xia , Yuan Zhineng , Zhou Qiang , Lu Kai
Published: December 2017

The brummer (bmm) genes encode the lipid storage droplet‐associated triacylglycerols (TAG) lipases, which belong to the Brummer/Nutrin subfamily. These enzymes hydrolyze the ester bonds in TAG in lipid metabolism and act in insect energy homeostasis. Exposure to some agricultural chemicals leads to increased fecundity, which necessarily involves lipid metabolism, in some planthopper species. However, the biological roles of bmm in planthopper lipid storage and mobilization have not been investigated. Here, the open reading frame (ORF) of bmm (Nlbmm) was cloned and sequenced from the brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens). The ORF is 1014 bp encoding 338 amino acid residues. Nlbmm contained patatin domains and shared considerable evolutionary conservation with other insect bmms. Nlbmm is highly expressed in the fat body, consistent with its roles in lipid metabolism. Injection with Nlbmm double‐stranded RNA (dsNlbmm) led to reduced Nlbmm mRNA accumulation, but did not influence expression of several genes related to lipid synthesis including acyl‐CoA‐binding protein (ACBP), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), and a lipophorin receptor (LpR). Nlbmm knockdown led to increased TAG contents in whole bodies, accumulation of total fat body lipid, and decreased hemolymph lipid content. Nlbmm knockdown did not influence the synthesis and distribution of glycerol. We infer that Nlbmm acts in TAG breakdown and fat metabolism in N. lugens.
Twitter communication of agri‐food chain actors on palm oil environmental, socio‐economic, and health sustainability
Authors: Ruggeri Arianna , Samoggia Antonella
Published: December 2017

Palm oil is the world most used vegetable oil and its use as food ingredient is criticized for creating environmental, socio‐economic, and health sustainability challenges. In Europe, the debate on palm oil sustainability has strongly intensified in the latest years involving several agri‐food chain actors and stakeholders. The research explores Twitter content of key palm oil agri‐food chain actors on palm oil multiple sustainability dimensions, focusing on the European context. First, the study applied a qualitative deductive approach to categorize palm oil sustainability dimensions. Second, among the 463 palm oil agri‐food chain companies identified, 198 have an active Twitter account, including world palm oil producers, European bakery and chocolate manufacturers, and European food retailers. One hundred seven accounts tweet on palm oil. Third, a term frequency analysis and an in‐depth textual analysis of tweets on palm oil sustainability issues were carried out. Results confirms that all agri‐food chain actors communicate about palm oil sustainability, adopting a multi‐dimension outlook. Palm oil producers actively use Twitter to promote palm oil sustainability, whereas European manufacturers and retailers limit their activity to react to consumers' questioning. Whereas palm oil producers tend to shape consumers' opinion over the benefits and the opportunities of palm oil use, food manufacturers and retailers adopt a purely informative approach on sustainability certification, avoiding the engagement over sensitive issues. Health is the most mentioned sustainability dimension. The study also confirms differences between agri‐food chain actors' marketing communication. Finally, the study confirms that, in the case of sensitive issues, as for palm oil sustainability, Twitter is as able to drive companies' communication.
Development of the Visible‐Light Response of CeO2−x with a high Ce3+ Content and Its Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Yuán Sàisài , Xu Bin , Zhang Qitao , Liu Sixiao , Xie Ju , Zhang Ming , Ohno Teruhisa
Published: December 2017

Photocatalysts that are responsive to visible light are necessary to utilize solar energy. We prepared reduced CeO2−x with absorption in the visible region by a simple solvothermal method. A new absorption band appearing at λ≈500 nm (surface plasmon resonance) could be ascribed to the high content of Ce3+. To elucidate the relationship between Ce3+ and activity, the decomposition of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to generate acetone was performed under visible‐light irradiation. CeO2−x showed activity that was superior to that of pure CeO2. Ce3+ induced oxygen vacancies in the lattice of CeO2−x, and this resulted in an improvement in the activity. In addition, the introduction of Ce3+ resulted in an improvement in the absorption of CeO2−x in the visible‐light region. Also, the appearance of small tentacles (Confeito‐like) on the surface of CeO2−x not only provided more active sites but also prevented aggregation. Owing to its visible‐light responsiveness and unique morphology, the performance of this material was significantly improved relative to that of pure CeO2.
A Precisely Assembled Carbon Source to Synthesize Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots for Sensing Probes and Bioimaging Agents
Authors: Qiao Yiqiang , Luo Dan , Yu Min , Zhang Ting , Cao Xuanping , Zhou Yanheng , Liu Yan
Published: December 2017

A broad range of carbon sources have been used to fabricate varieties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs). However, the majority of these studies concern the influence of primary structures and chemical compositions of precursors on the CQDs; it is still unclear whether or not the superstructures of carbon sources have effects on the physiochemical properties of the synthetic CQDs. In this work, the concept of molecular assembly is first introduced into the design of a new carbon source. Compared with the tropocollagen molecules, the hierarchically assembled collagen scaffolds, as a new carbon source, immobilize functional groups of the precursors through hydrogen bonds, electrostatic attraction, and hydrophobic forces. Moreover, the accumulation of functional groups in collagen self‐assembly further promotes the covalent bond formation in the obtained CQDs through a hydrothermal process. Both of these two chemical superiorities give rise to high quality CQDs with enhanced emission. The assembled collagen scaffold‐based CQDs with heteroatom doping exhibit superior stability, and could be further applied as effective fluorescent probes for Fe3+ detection and cellular cytosol imaging. These findings open a wealth of possibilities to explore more nanocarbons from precursors with assembled superstructures.
A High Dielectric N‐Type Small Molecular Acceptor Containing Oligoethyleneglycol Side‐Chains for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Jang Bomee , Lee Changyeon , Lee Young Woong , Kim Donguk , Uddin Mohammad Afsar , Kim Felix Sunjoo , Kim Bumjoon J. , Woo Han Young
Published: December 2017

We report a new small molecular acceptor, ITIC‐OEG, which is based on indacenodithieno[3,2‐b]thiophene and 1,1‐(dicyanomethylene)‐3‐ indanone including oligoethyleneglycol (OEG) side‐chains. ITIC‐OEG was found to have higher dielectric constant (εr=5.6) than that of a reference molecule of ITIC with normal alkyl substituents (εr=3.9). The dielectric constant of medium influences significantly the exciton binding energy and the resulting charge separation and recombination. The optical, electrochemical and morphological properties of ITIC‐OEG and its photovoltaic characteristics were investigated by blending with a semi‐crystalline donor polymer, PPDT2FBT, with comparison to those of ITIC. ITIC‐OEG shows more red‐shifted absorption and stronger crystalline packing than ITIC. However, the lower photovoltaic performance (with 1.58% power conversion efficiency, PCE) was measured for PPDT2FBT:ITIC‐OEG, compared to PPDT2FBT:ITIC (5.52% PCE). The incompatibility between PPDT2FBT and ITIC‐OEG (due to high hydrophilic nature of OEG chains) resulted in poor intermixing with large domain separation over 300 nm, showing inefficient charge separation and significant charge recombination. Therefore, to investigate the effect of dielectric constant of the materials on the charge separation and recombination, the blend morphology of the PPDT2FBT:ITIC‐OEG should be optimized first by improving their miscibility and phase separation.
Potent Inhibitors against Newcastle Disease Virus Hemagglutinin‐Neuraminidase
Authors: Rota Paola , La Rocca Paolo , Piccoli Marco , Montefiori Marco , Cirillo Federica , Olsen Lars , Orioli Marica , Allevi Pietro , Anastasia Luigi
Published: December 2017

Neuraminidase activity is essential for the infection and propagation of paramyxoviruses, including human parainfluenza viruses (hPIVs) and the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Thus, many inhibitors have been developed based on the 2‐deoxy‐2,3‐didehydro‐d‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid inhibitor (DANA) backbone. Along this line, herein we report a series of neuraminidase inhibitors, having C4 (p‐toluenesulfonamido and azido substituents) and C5 (N‐perfluorinated chains) modifications to the DANA backbone, resulting in compounds with 5‐ to 15‐fold greater potency than the currently most active compound, the N‐trifluoroacetyl derivative of DANA (FANA), toward the NDV hemagglutinin‐neuraminidase (NDV‐HN). Remarkably, these inhibitors were found to be essentially inactive against the human sialidase NEU3, which is present on the outer layer of the cell membrane and is highly affected by the current NDV inhibitor FANA.
Body composition in long‐term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed in childhood and adolescence: A focus on sarcopenic obesity
Authors: Marriott Christopher J. C. , Beaumont Lesley F. , Farncombe Troy H. , Cranston Amy N. , Athale Uma H. , Yakemchuk Valerie N. , Webber Colin E. , Barr Ronald D.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

The late effects of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) include disordered body composition, especially obesity. Less attention has been focused on the loss of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and the combined morbidity of sarcopenic obesity.

METHODS

A cross‐sectional study of body composition was undertaken via dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry in 75 long‐term survivors of ALL (more than 10 years after the diagnosis). Measures were obtained of the fat mass (FM), fat‐free mass (equivalent to the lean body mass [LBM]), and whole‐body bone mineral content. Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) was measured with the Health Utilities Index.

RESULTS

The sum of the FM, LBM, and whole‐body bone mineral content matched the total body weight measured directly (r = 0.998). The appendicular lean mass (ALM) was derived from the LBM in all 4 limbs and accounted for approximately 75% of the SMM. According to the fat mass index (FMI; ie, FM/height2), 12% of females and 18% of males were frankly obese by World Health Organization criteria. The median FMI z score was + 0.40, whereas the median z score for the appendicular lean mass index (ALMI; ie, ALM/height2) was –0.40. Sarcopenic obesity, defined as a positive FMI z score with a negative ALMI z score, was present in 32 subjects (43%). There were statistically significant and clinically important differences in overall HRQL between subjects with and without sarcopenic obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenic obesity is prevalent in long‐term survivors of ALL, and this places them in double jeopardy from excess body fat and inadequate SMM (eg, a combination of metabolic and frailty syndromes). It is associated with an adverse impact on overall HRQL. Cancer 2018;124:1225‐31. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A comparative study of the neural stem cell niche in the adult hypothalamus of human, mouse, rat and gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)
Authors: Pellegrino Giuliana , Trubert Claire , Terrien Jérémy , Pifferi Fabien , Leroy Danièle , Loyens Anne , Migaud Martine , Baroncini Marc , Maurage Claude‐Alain , Fontaine Christian , Prévot Vincent , Sharif Ariane
Published: December 2017

The adult brain contains niches of neural stem cells that continuously add new neurons to selected circuits throughout life. Two niches have been extensively studied in various mammalian species including humans, the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Recently, studies conducted mainly in rodents have identified a third neurogenic niche in the adult hypothalamus. In order to evaluate whether a neural stem cell niche also exists in the adult hypothalamus in humans, we performed multiple immunofluorescence labeling to assess the expression of a panel of neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) markers (Sox2, nestin, vimentin, GLAST, GFAP) in the human hypothalamus and compared them with the mouse, rat and a non‐human primate species, the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus). Our results show that the adult human hypothalamus contains four distinct populations of cells that express the five NPC markers: (a) a ribbon of small stellate cells that lines the third ventricular wall behind a hypocellular gap, similar to that found along the lateral ventricles, (b) ependymal cells, (c) tanycytes, which line the floor of the third ventricle in the tuberal region, and (d) a population of small stellate cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. In the mouse, rat and mouse lemur hypothalamus, co‐expression of NPC markers is primarily restricted to tanycytes, and these species lack a ventricular ribbon. Our work thus identifies four cell populations with the antigenic profile of NPCs in the adult human hypothalamus, of which three appear specific to humans.
Modified pyramid dual tree direction filter‐based image denoising via curvature scale and nonlocal mean multigrade remnant filter
Authors: Teng Lin , Li Hang , Yin Shoulin
Published: December 2017

To alleviate the disadvantage of traditional image denoising method in big images data, we propose a modified pyramid dual tree direction filter with nonlocal mean multigrade remnant filter for image denoising in this paper. The proposed denoising method is partitioned into 4 processes. Firstly, curvature scale model is used for building pyramid dual tree direction filter coefficients of noised image. Additionally, the coefficients are calculated by robust Bayes least square method. Then, we use pyramid dual tree direction filter inverse transformation to reconstruct an initial denoised image. At last, nonlocal mean multigrade remnant filter is adopted to filter the initial denoised image and we obtain the final denoised image. The proposed method completely used the multiscale and multidirectional selectivity with approximately translation invariance of pyramid dual tree direction filter. Finally, we assess the image denoising performance of the proposed approach over several test images and compare our results with the state‐of‐the‐art denoising algorithms. Our experiments show that the proposed image denoising method achieves better results than other methods. Furthermore, our new method not only effectively removes the noise but also better keeps the edge and detail information of texture and structure.
High Spin to Low Spin Relaxation Regime Change in a Multistep 3D Spin‐Crossover Material
Authors: Chastanet Guillaume , Sciortino Natasha F. , Neville Suzanne M. , Kepert Cameron J.
Published: December 2017

The paper reports the study of the photoinduced high spin (HS) state lifetime in a multistep spin crossover compound. Despite the pronounced three‐step transition of the [Fe(dpsme)Pt(CN)4]·2/3dpsme·xEtOH·yH2O {dpsme = 4,4′‐di(pyridylthio)methane; EtOH = ethanol} 3D compound, neither the T(LIESST) nor the relaxation kinetics exhibits stepwise features. From the detailed investigation (experiments and simulations) of these relaxations and the observation of the light‐induced thermal hysteresis, a phase transition around 58 K is suspected.
Cavitand Chemistry: Nickel Half‐Sandwich Complexes with Imidazolylidene Ligands Bearing One or Two Resorcinarenyl Substituents
Authors: Natarajan Nallusamy , Chavagnan Thierry , Sémeril David , Brenner Eric , Matt Dominique , Ramesh Rengan , Toupet Loïc
Published: December 2017

Two imidazolium salts, one with a single N‐µ4‐tetramethylenedioxyresorcin[4]arenyl substituent, the other with two, have been used as pro‐ligands (LH) for the synthesis of nickel half‐sandwich complexes of the type [NiCpClL] (Cp = cyclopentadienyl). NMR and X‐ray structural investigations revealed that in both complexes the NiCp moiety is positioned at the wider entrance of the resorcinarenyl cavity, this location providing high steric encumbrance around the metal centre. Both complexes, once activated with NaBH4, catalysed the dimerisation of ethylene, the highest activity [555 mol(C2H4) mol(Ni)–1 h–1] being observed with the complex bearing two cavitand substituents.
Organic Structure‐Directing Agents in SAPO Synthesis: The Case of 2‐Ethyl‐1,3,4‐trimethylimidazolium
Authors: Vinaches Paloma , Pergher Sibele B. C.
Published: December 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of SibeleàB.àC. Pergher from Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. The cover image shows that the SAPO materials were not obtained by a magic trick but by use of the organic molecule 2‐ethyl‐1,3,4‐trimethylimidazolium, directing to two different structures, the LTA and CHA zeotypes.
A Novel Blue to Transparent Polymer for Electrochromic Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Yuksel R. , Ekber A. , Turan J. , Alpugan E. , Hacioglu S. O. , Toppare L. , Cirpan A. , Gunbas G. , Unalan H. E.
Published: December 2017

Electrochromic supercapacitors may alert the user on the remaining capacity of the devices. The color change indicating the remaining capacity can be simply and rapidly recognized by the human eye or by optical instruments. A rapid indication of charged state may extend device service life and prevent overcharging, which would otherwise result in electrode aging and decomposition. In this study, a blue to the transmissive electrochromic polymer, poly(4,7‐bis(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3, 4‐B][1, 4]dioxin‐5‐YI)‐2‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐2H‐benzo[D][1, 2,3]triazole) (P1C), was used in nanocomposite form with transparent silver nanowire (Ag NW) network current collectors for the fabrication of electrochromic supercapacitor electrodes. Highly conductive and transparent Ag NW networks have an important role in the realization of electrochromic supercapacitors using P1C. Fabricated Ag NW/P1C nanocomposite electrodes had a specific capacitance of 65.0 F g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Nanocomposite electrode showed excellent stability (capacity retention of>98 %) after 11000 cycles associated with a resistance decrease associated with charge transfer.
Application of RNA Aptamers as Recognition Layers for the Electrochemical Analysis of C‐Reactive Protein
Authors: Jarczewska Marta , Ziółkowski Robert , Górski Łukasz , Malinowska Elżbieta
Published: December 2017

C‐reactive protein (CRP) is one of the crucial biomarkers of inflammation, as well as cardiovascular and cancer diseases. Hence, the development of a sensitive and selective technique for CRP detection is of special importance. One of the possibilities is the application of biosensors containing receptor elements formed of RNA aptamers, as they exhibit high affinity towards C‐reactive protein. Herein, the capability of utilization of thiolated RNA aptamers as sensing layers was verified. The occurrence of aptamer ‐ C‐reactive protein interaction was confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance experiments. The voltammetric measurements performed in the presence of methylene blue redox indicator showed a linear current decrease within 1–100 pmol L−1 range of protein concentration. The interaction between surface‐tethered aptamer and CRP was distinguished with dissociation constant of 25.9 pmol L−1. The developed assay demonstrated a pronounced selectivity to CRP over interfering proteins as well as capability of CRP analysis in serum sample.
Electrical Characteristics of a Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermoelectric Generator System
Authors: Pang Wei , Yu Hongwen , Zhang Yongzhe , Yan Hui
Published: December 2017

The electrical performance evolution of a system combining photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generator (TE) is evaluated using thermal resistance calculations. The hybrid system combines a commercial monocrystalline silicon PV and a commercial bismuth telluride TE that is integrated with heat sinks. Here, photovoltaic modules could be cooled using thermoelectric components, leading to an increase in its output power. Additionally, extra thermal electricity is generated from the temperature difference between the backside of photovoltaic modules and heat sinks. Compared with the PV, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the PV/TE integrated system is increased by 3.9 % and the total system efficiency is up to 5.9 %.
A multicatchment analysis of headwater and downstream temperature effects from contemporary forest harvesting
Authors: Bladon Kevin D. , Segura Catalina , Cook Nicholas A. , Bywater‐Reyes Sharon , Reiter Maryanne
Published: December 2017

Stream temperature is a key physical water‐quality parameter, controlling many biological, chemical, and physical processes in aquatic ecosystems. Maintenance of cool stream temperatures during summer is critical for high‐quality aquatic habitat. As such, transmission of warm water from small, nonfish‐bearing headwater streams after forest harvesting could cause warming in downstream fish‐bearing stream reaches with negative consequences. In this study, we evaluate (a) the effects of contemporary forest management practices on stream temperature in small, headwater streams, (b) the transmission of thermal signals from headwater reaches after harvesting to downstream fish‐bearing reaches, and (c) the relative role of lithology and forest management practices in influencing differential thermal responses in both the headwater and downstream reaches. We measured summer stream temperatures both preharvest and postharvest at 29 sites—12 upstream sites (4 reference, 8 harvested) and 17 downstream sites (5 reference, 12 harvested)—across 3 paired watershed studies in western Oregon. The 7‐day moving average of daily maximum stream temperature (T7DAYMAX) was greater during the postharvest period relative to the preharvest period at 7 of the 8 harvested upstream sites. Although theT7DAYMAXwas generally warmer in the downstream direction at most of the stream reaches during both the preharvest and postharvest period, there was no evidence for additional downstream warming related to the harvesting activity. Rather, theT7DAYMAXcooled rapidly as stream water flowed into forested reaches ~370–1,420 m downstream of harvested areas. Finally, the magnitude of effects of contemporary forest management practices on stream temperature increased with the proportion of catchment underlain by more resistant lithology at both the headwater and downstream sites, reducing the potential for the cooling influence of groundwater.
Mediating stream baseflow response to climate change: The role of basin storage
Authors: Buttle James M.
Published: December 2017

Inter‐basin differences in streamflow response to changes in regional hydroclimatology may reflect variations in storage characteristics that control the retention and release of water inputs. These aspects of storage could mediate a basin's sensitivity to climate change. The hypothesis that temporal trends in stream baseflow exhibit a more muted reaction to changes in precipitation and evapotranspiration for basins with greater storage was tested on the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) in Southern Ontario, Canada. Long‐term (>25 years) baseflow trends for 16 basins were compared to corresponding trends in precipitation amount and type and in potential evapotranspiration as well as shorter trends in groundwater levels for monitoring wells on the ORM. Inter‐basin differences in storage properties were characterized using physiographic, hydrogeologic, land use/land cover, and streamflow metrics. The latter included the slope of the basin's flow duration curve and basin dynamic storage. Most basins showed temporal increases in baseflow, consistent with limited evidence of increases and decreases in regional precipitation and snowfall: precipitation ratio, respectively, and recent increases in groundwater recharge along the crest of the ORM. Baseflow trend magnitude was uncorrelated to basin physiographic, hydrogeologic, land use/land cover, or flow duration curve characteristics. However, it was positively related to a basin's dynamic storage, particularly for basins with limited coverage of open water and wetlands. The dynamic storage approach assumes that a basin behaves as a first‐order dynamical system, and extensive open water and wetland areas in a basin may invalidate this assumption. Previous work suggested that smaller dynamic storage was linked to greater damping of temporal variations in water inputs and reduced interannual variability in streamflow regime. Storage and release of water inputs to a basin may assist in mediating baseflow response to temporal changes in regional hydroclimatology and may partly account for inter‐basin differences in that response. Such storage characteristics should be considered when forecasting the impacts of climate change on regional streamflow.
Differential diagnosis of otitis media with effusion using label‐free Raman spectroscopy: A pilot study
Authors: Pandey Rishikesh , Zhang Chi , Kang Jeon W. , Desai Parind M. , Dasari Ramachandra R. , Barman Ishan , Valdez Tulio A.
Published: December 2017

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is an important and common condition affecting hearing in pediatric patients characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear space. The fluid is normally described as serous or mucoid based on differences in the fluid viscosity. The differential diagnosis of two OMEs, namely serous and mucoid is of significant clinical value because while the former is self‐limiting, surgical procedure is commonly required for the latter. However, accurate identification of fluid types remains a challenging target unattainable with current clinical modalities due to unavailability of nonperturbative molecular tools. Here, we report an emerging spectroscopy approach featuring Raman scattering and multivariate analysis of spectral patterns to discern serous and mucoid fluids, obtained from pediatric patients undergoing myringotomy and tube placement, by providing information of differentially expressed molecules with high specificity. We demonstrate the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy‐based approach to categorize middle ear effusion based on the characteristic spectral markers, notably of mucin, with classification accuracy of 91% and 93% for serous and mucoid, respectively. Our findings pave the way for further development of such a tool for fully noninvasive application that will lead to objective and accurate diagnosis thereby reducing unnecessary visits and surgical procedures.
Retracted: LncRNA AWPPH inhibits SMAD4 via EZH2 to regulate bladder cancer progression
Authors: Zhu Feng , Zhang Xinjun , Yu Qinnan , Han Guangye , Diao Fengxia , Wu Chunlei , Zhang Yan
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of lncRNA AWPPH in bladder cancer (BC). A total of 20 Ta‐T1 stage BC tissues, 20 T2‐T4 stage BC tissues, and 20 normal bladder tissues, as well as human bladder epithelial cell line SV‐HUC‐1, human BC cell lines RT4, and T24 were obtained to detect the levels of AWPPH, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and SMAD4 using RT‐qPCR or Western blotting. RT4 cells were transfected with pc‐AWPPH, pc‐EZH2, or pc‐control and T24 cells were transfected with si‐AWPPH, si‐EZH2, si‐control, or pc‐AWPPH + pc‐SMAD4, respectively. Then, cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and migration, were detected using MTT assay, colony formation assay, Annexin V‐FITC/PI method, Western blotting, and Transwell analysis, respectively. The relationship of AWPPH and EZH2 or SMAD4 was evaluated by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay or Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Compared with normal bladder tissues or cells, the levels of AWPPH and EZH2 were overexpressed, while SMAD4 was down‐regulated in BC tissues or cells (all P < 0.01). Cell viability, colony number, and migration were significantly increased, while cell apoptosis ratio was reduced in cells with pc‐AWPPH compared with cells with pc‐control (all P < 0.05), meanwhile, these effects were reversed by the treatment of pc‐SMAD4. Then, RIP assay revealed that AWPPH could bind to EZH2 and ChIP assay showed SMAD4 was regulated by EZH2. LncRNA AWPPH can promote cell proliferation, autophagy, and migration, as well as inhibit cell apoptosis in BC by inhibiting SMAD4 via EZH2.
The structural and functional reliability of Circulins of Chassalia parvifolia for peptide therapeutic scaffolding
Authors: Balaraman Senthilkumar , Ramalingam Rajasekaran
Published: December 2017

Computational methods have refined the mode of peptide drug designing to a new plateau recently. Circulin, a 30 residue natural plant polypeptide acts as a plant defensive peptide. Additional to its antimicrobial activity it also possesses an inhibitory cytopathic effect on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Stable Circulin can be a functionally able template for scaffolding peptide based drugs. Hence, structural stability of Chassalia parvifolia, Circulin A (1BH4), and Circulin B (2ERI) was computationally investigated. From this analysis, the stability favored toward Circulin B which was supported by various parameters such as intra‐molecular interactions (61), secondary structure, hydrophobicity (67.34%), root mean square deviation (2.64Å), root mean square fluctuation (0.08Å), radius of gyration (8.96Å), ovality (3.49), angular deviation (73.6%), surface area (both polar and non‐polar), hydrogen bond distribution (11.94), and disulphide bond distances. Further, the functional activity calculated in terms of membrane associated free energy (−4.10 kcal/mol) also favored Circulin B. Hence, Circulin B could be proposed as the best template for scaffolding antimicrobial as well as antiviral (HIV) peptide based drug design. The obtained computational data can aid experimental biologists to successfully produce stable therapeutic peptides from natural resources reducing erroneous wastage of monetary sources and time.
Halofuginone‐induced autophagy suppresses the migration and invasion of MCF‐7 cells via regulation of STMN1 and p53
Authors: Xia Xiaojing , Wang Lei , Zhang Xiaojian , Wang Shan , Lei Lianchen , Cheng Likun , Xu Yanzhao , Sun Yawei , Hang Bolin , Zhang Gaiping , Bai YueYu , Hu JianHe
Published: December 2017

Traditional Chinese medicines have been recognized as especially promising anticancer agents in modern anticancer research. Halofuginone (HF), an analog of quinazolinone alkaloid extracted from Dichroa febrifuga, is widely used in traditional medicine. However, whether HF inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and/or reduces the migration and invasion of MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms in vitro, remains unclear. In this study, we report that an HF extract inhibits the growth of MCF‐7 cells and reduces their migration and invasion, an important feature of potential anticancer agents. In addition, HF significantly increases the activation of autophagy, which is closely associated with tumor metastasis. As STMN1 and p53 have been closely implicated in breast cancer progression, we analyzed their expression in the context of HF extract treatment. Western blot analysis showed that HF suppresses STMN1 and p53 expression and activity in an autophagy‐dependent manner. Collectively, these data indicate that activation of autophagy reduces expression of STMN1 and p53, and the migration and invasion of cancer cells contributes to the anti‐cancer effects of the HF. These findings may provide new insight into breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Contribution of the two dsRBM motifs to the double‐stranded RNA binding and protein interactions of PACT
Authors: Chukwurah Evelyn , Willingham Victoria , Singh Madhurima , Castillo‐Azofeifa David , Patel Rekha C.
Published: December 2017

PACT is a stress‐modulated activator of protein kinase PKR (protein kinase, RNA activated), which is involved in antiviral innate immune responses and stress‐induced apoptosis. Stress‐induced phosphorylation of PACT is essential for PACT's increased association with PKR leading to PKR activation, phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF2α, inhibition of protein synthesis, and apoptosis. PACT‐induced PKR activation is negatively regulated by TRBP (transactivation response element RNA‐binding protein), which dissociates from PACT after PACT phosphorylation in response to stress signals. The conserved double‐stranded RNA binding motifs (dsRBMs) in PKR, PACT, and TRBP mediate protein‐protein interactions, and the stress‐dependent phosphorylation of PACT changes the relative strengths of PKR‐PACT, PACT‐TRBP, and PACT‐PACT interactions to bring about a timely and transient PKR activation. This regulates the general kinetics as well as level of eIF2α phosphorylation, thereby influencing the cellular response to stress either as recovery and survival or elimination by apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of specific mutations within PACT's two evolutionarily conserved dsRBMs on dsRNA‐binding, and protein‐protein interactions between PKR, PACT, and TRBP. Our data show that the two motifs contribute to varying extents in dsRNA binding, and protein interactions. These findings indicate that although the dsRBM motifs have high sequence conservation, their functional contribution in the context of the whole proteins needs to be determined by mutational analysis. Furthermore, using a PACT mutant that is deficient in PACT‐PACT interaction but competent for PACT‐PKR interaction, we demonstrate that PACT‐PACT interaction is essential for efficient PKR activation.
Phosphorylated Tyr142 β‐catenin localizes to centrosomes and is regulated by Syk
Authors: Bhardwaj Deepshikha , Náger Mireia , Visa Anna , Sallán Marta C. , Coopman Peter J. , Cantí Carles , Herreros Judit
Published: December 2017

β‐catenin is a central component of adherent junctions and a key effector of canonical Wnt signaling, in which dephosphorylated Ser/Thr β‐catenin regulates gene transcription. β‐catenin phosphorylation at Tyr142 (PTyr142 β‐catenin), which is induced by receptor and Src family Tyr kinases, represents a previously described β‐catenin switch from adhesive to migratory roles. In addition to classical β‐catenin roles, phosphorylated Ser/Thr β‐catenin and total β‐catenin were involved in centrosomal functions, including mitotic spindle formation and centrosome separation. Here we find that PTyr142 β‐catenin is present in centrosomes in non‐transformed and glioblastoma cells and that, in contrast to the Ser/Thr phosphorylated β‐catenin, PTyr142 β‐catenin centrosomal levels drop in mitosis. Furthermore, we show that the inhibitor of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk) piceatannol decreases centrosomal PTyr142 β‐catenin levels, indicating that Syk regulates centrosome PTyr142 β‐catenin. Our findings suggest that PTyr142 β‐catenin and Syk may regulate centrosomal cohesion. This study highlights the contribution of different phosphorylated β‐catenin forms to the cell and centrosome cycles.
Retracted: Effect of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway on apoptosis, migration, and invasion of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma cells after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in rats
Authors: Wang Bao‐Ming , Li Nuo
Published: December 2017

This study aims to investigate the influence of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway on apoptosis, migration, and invasion of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in rat models. A total of 80 rats were grouped into sham, TACE, Wnt‐C59, and TACE + Wnt‐C59 groups (n = 20). Ten days after model establishment, 10 rats in each group were executed to perform pathological examination and follow‐up experiment, and the remaining 10 rats in each group were reared to observe the survival condition. RT‐qPCR and Western blotting were applied to determine the expressions of Wnt1, β‐catenin, cyclin D1, c‐met, vimentin, E‐cadherin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). ELISA was performed to measure the serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) content of rats. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell apoptosis rate and transwell assay to examine cell migration and invasion. Compared with the TACE group, the Wnt‐C59 and TACE + Wnt‐C59 groups showed increased apoptosis and survival time (the TACE + Wnt‐C59 group > the Wnt‐C59 group). Compared with the sham group, the TACE + Wnt‐C59 groups showed decreased cancer tissue weight and expressions of Wnt1, β‐catenin, cyclin D1, vimentin, c‐met, and VEGF, but increased E‐cadherin expression. Compared with the TACE group, the Wnt‐C59 and TACE + Wnt‐C59 groups showed decreased AFP level, migration, and invasion (the TACE + Wnt‐C59 group < the Wnt‐C59 group). These findings indicate inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway improves therapeutic effect on TACE via suppressing migration, invasion, and promoting apoptosis of transplanted HCC cells in rats.
A mechanism by which Astragalus polysaccharide protects against ROS toxicity through inhibiting the protein dephosphorylation of boar sperm preserved at 4 °C
Authors: Fu Jieli , Yang Qiangzhen , Li Yuhua , Li Peifei , Wang Lirui , Li Xinhong
Published: December 2017

Numerous studies have shown that Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) has strong antioxidant effects and high practical value for preserving semen at low temperatures in vitro. However, to date, little attention has been paid to the precise mechanism of APS in sperm preservation at 4 °C. Thus, to gain further insight into the protective effects of APS, the present study was performed to assess the changes in sperm quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, ATP content, and protein phosphorylation levels. Here, we demonstrated that supplementation with APS could effectively preserve boar sperm quality parameters such as sperm motility, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, we found that the positive effects of APS on boar sperm quality were mainly due to the elimination of excessive mitochondrial ROS, the improvement of antioxidant capacities and the enhancement of ATP levels. Interestingly, by conducting a series of studies on protein phosphorylation, we also discovered that APS could protect boar sperm from oxidative stress and energy deficiency through inhibiting the protein dephosphorylation caused by ROS via the cAMP‐PKA signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first exploration of the molecular mechanism underlying the protective roles of APS toward ROS toxicity from the perspective of energy metabolism and protein modification. This study comprehensively provides novel insights into the action mechanism of the protective effects of antioxidants on sperm stored at 4 °C and reveals the practical feasibility of using APS as a boar semen extender supplement for assisted reproductive technology.