bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Off‐Pathway‐Sensitive Protein‐Splicing Screening Based on a Toxin/Antitoxin System
Authors: Beyer Hannes M. , Iwaï Hideo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractProtein‐splicing domains are frequently used engineering tools that find application in the in vivo and in vitro ligation of protein domains. Directed evolution is among the most promising technologies used to advance this technology. However, the available screening systems for protein‐splicing activity are associated with bottlenecks such as the selection of pseudo‐positive clones arising from off‐pathway reaction products or fragment complementation. Herein, we report a stringent screening method for protein‐splicing activity in cis and trans, that exclusively selects productively splicing domains. By fusing splicing domains to an intrinsically disordered region of the antidote from the Escherichia coli CcdA/CcdB type II toxin/antitoxin system, we linked protein splicing to cell survival. The screen allows selecting novel cis‐ and trans‐splicing inteins catalyzing productive highly efficient protein splicing, for example, from directed‐evolution approaches or the natural intein sequence space.
Production of Highly Monodisperse Millimeter‐Sized Double‐Emulsion Droplets in a Coaxial Capillary Device
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Zhu Jiayi , Shao Ting , Luo Xuan , Zhang Lin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAn innovative coaxial capillary device with a size‐comparable outlet channel was designed to meet the challenges for controllable production of highly monodisperse millimeter‐sized double‐emulsion droplets by one‐step dripping. The technique of two angled junctions, coaxial capillaries, and compound channel geometry was introduced to convert the millifluidics to microfluidic hydrodynamic features. The relevant nondimensional numbers for a typically regular dripping in this kind of millifluidic flows were similar to those in common microfluidic devices. Effects of the rival forces due to the fluid factors on droplet formation were clarified to explain the dynamic behaviors of double‐emulsion formation and to establish the mechanism of droplet breakup. The results helped to understand the coaxial flow pattern for obtaining a more precise droplet size control and to develop high‐throughput setups for chemistry, physics, and biology.
Three‐Dimensional Observation of Single Air Bubble Breakup in a Stirred Tank
Authors: Krakau Frederic , Kraume Matthias 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA fully automated three‐dimensional observation of single bubble breakup trajectories in a stirred tank is demonstrated to gain unbiased and statistically relevant information about the breakup process. The mother bubble size is kept constant, independently of the stirring rate. The investigated parameter in this work is the power input. Three‐dimensional bubble breakup trajectories and heat maps for the initial breakup location probability for the bottom and side views are provided. The influence of the stirrer blade angle position, at the moment of bubble detachment from the capillary, on the breakup probability is analyzed. The breakup positions are linked to the current flow field, related to the stirrer blade angle, within the tank.
Constructing Hollow Ni0.2Co0.8S@rGO Composites at Low Temperature Conditions as Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion batteries
Authors: Yang Dingcheng , Ma Yuhang , Wang Canpei , Su Hang , Zhang Wenbo , Li Dan , Liu Yushan , Zhang Jianmin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDue to their high theoretical capacities, metal sulfides have been considered as promising electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Heavy‐duty applications of metal sulfides for LIBs, however, are still restricted by the unavoidable volume change, resulting in poor rate capability and cycling stability. In this work, a Ni−Co‐ZIF derived Ni0.2Co0.8S hollow nanocage@reduced graphene oxide (Ni0.2Co0.8S@rGO) composite was fabricated through facile self‐assembly followed by freeze‐drying. The highly porous architecture of Ni0.2Co0.8S hollow nanocages wrapped by flexible reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is shown to not only validly inhibit the huge volume expansion during repeated charge/discharge cycling, but also accelerate lithium‐ion and electron transport through the 3D rGO network. The as‐obtained Ni0.2Co0.8S@rGO exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with a high specific capacity of 1585 mA h g−1 after 250 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1. It is shown that the increasing reversible capacity during cycling can be attributed to the electrochemical activation of porous Ni0.2Co0.8S‐2.5@rGO, the pseudocapacitive behavior, and the highly reversible formation/decomposition of the solid electrolyte interface layer during lithiation/de‐lithiation. The sulfidation and reduction syntheses were operated at a relative low temperature of 90 °C, which is beneficial to inherit the unique morphology of precursor.
Impact of Group 10 Metals on the Solvent‐Induced Disproportionation of o‐Semiquinonato Complexes
Authors: Yamada Shota , Matsumoto Takeshi , Chang Ho‐Chol 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe oxidation of [MII(3,5‐DTBCat)(DTBbpy)] (M=Ni ([Ni]), Pd ([Pd]), and Pt ([Pt]); 3,5‐DTBCat=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatecholato; DTBbpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) afforded the dimeric {[NiII(3,5‐DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF6)}2 ({[Ni](PF6)}2; 3,5‐DTBSQ=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsemiquinonato) and monomeric semiquinonato (SQ) complexes [MII(3,5‐DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF6) (M=Pd ([Pd](PF6)) and Pt ([Pt](PF6))). The negative solvatochromic properties of the SQ complexes allowed us to estimate the relative order of their dipole moments: [Pd](PF6)>[Pt](PF6)>{[Ni](PF6)}2. The complexes [Pd](PF6) and [Pt](PF6) adopt monomeric structures and are stable in CH2Cl2 and toluene, whereas they gradually disproportionate at room temperature to [M] and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylbenzoquinone (3,5‐DTBBQ) in polar solvents such as THF, MeOH, EtOH, DMF, or DMSO. The results of spectroscopic studies suggested that the oxidized nickel complex adopts a monomeric structure ([Ni](PF6)) in CH2Cl2, but a dimeric structure ({[Ni](PF6)}2) in the other investigated solvents. In polar solvents, {[Ni](PF6)}2 may disproportionate to [Ni] and 3,5‐DTBBQ at 323 K, thereby demonstrating a significant solvent‐ and metal‐dependence in temperature. The relative activities of {[Ni](PF6)}2 and [M](PF6) toward disproportionation are related to the electrochemically estimated Kdis values in CH2Cl2 and DMF. The present work demonstrates that solvent polarity and the dipole moments of the SQ complexes promote disproportionation, which can be controlled by a judicious choice of the metal ion, solvent, and temperature.
Diffusive Adhesives for Water‐Rich Materials: Strong and Tunable Adhesion Beyond the Interface
Authors: Yang Shenyu , Xu Weiwei , Tu Mei , Jiang Lingxiang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIt is notoriously difficult to adhere water‐rich materials, such as hydrogels and biological tissues. Existing adhesives usually suffer from weak and nonadjustable adhesion strength, in part because the contact between the adhesive and substrate is largely restrained to the adhesive/substrate interface. In this study, we have attempted to overcome this shortcoming by developing a class of diffusive adhesives (DAs) that can extend adhesion deep into the substrate to maximize the adhesive/substrate contact. The DAs consist of hydrogel matrices and preloaded water‐soluble monomers and crosslinkers that can diffuse extensively into the water‐rich substrates after adhesive/substrate contact. Polymerization and crosslinking of the monomers are then triggered leading to a bridging network that interpenetrates the DA and substrate skeletons and topologically binds them together. This kind of adhesion, in the absence of adhesive/substrate covalent bonding, is of high strength and toughness, comparable to those of the best‐performing natural and artificial adhesives. More importantly, we can precisely tune the adhesion strength on demand by manipulating the diffusion profile. It is envisioned that the DA family could be extended to include a large pool of hydrogel matrices and monomers, and that they could be particularly useful in biological and medical applications.
Supramolecular Vesicles Based on Water‐Soluble 2,6‐Helic[6]arene: High Affinity Binding, Stimuli Responsiveness and Delivery of Doxorubicin to Cancer Cells
Authors: Yang Xuan , Mao Weipeng , Liu Yamin , Li Libai , Ma Da 
Published: April 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusionWater‐soluble 2,6‐helic[6]arene was used to construct supramolecular vesicles via host‐guest interaction. Water‐soluble 2,6‐helic[6]arene was discovered to be high affinity host for suitable biomarkers. Supramolecular vesicles were responsive to multiple stimuli types, including temperature, pH, Ca2+, CO2 bubbling and biomarker displacement. Supramolecular vesicles were used to load and deliver anti‐ tumor drug doxorubicin to HeLa cells in vitro.
A Robust Strategy for Sustainable Organic Chemicals Utilizing Bioprivileged Molecules
Authors: Shanks Brent H. , Broadbelt Linda J. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBiobased chemicals will inevitably be an important part of a sustainable organic chemical industry. Current efforts in biobased chemicals are largely driven by opportunistic chemical product targets requiring complete technology development from feedstock to final product for a specific molecule. To enhance the development of biobased chemicals, it is important to create strategies that can be more systematic and can leverage advancements across multiple final products. Discussed here is the concept of bioprivileged molecules, which are chemical intermediates that have the potential to be efficiently converted into a range of product molecules that can both directly replace existing petrochemicals and are novel molecules that impart enhanced performance properties in end‐use applications.
Fine‐needle cytology of intraglandular parotid lymph node: A useful procedure in the management of salivary gland nodules
Authors: Vitagliano Giulio , Santoro Giuseppe , Landolfi Luigi , Cozzolino Immacolata , Peluso Anna L. , Ieni Antonio , Selleri Carmine , Zeppa Pio 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundEnlarged intra‐parotid lymph nodes (pLNs) may be misdiagnosed at ultrasound (US) being rare entities and because of their similarities to parotid nodules. Fine‐needle cytology (FNC) is used in the preoperative diagnosis of parotid nodules, and may be used on pLNs to assess their nature and the underlying pathological processes.MethodsTwenty consecutive pLNs underwent US‐guided FNC and rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE). Flow cytometry (FC) was also performed in all the cases. Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) gene rearrangement PCR was performed in five cases. Data obtained were checked by follow‐up and histological controls, when available.ResultsUltrasound‐guided FNC and ROSE identified 20 pLNs. According to FNC‐FC and PCR data, pLNs were diagnosed as reactive processes(18), FL (1) and B‐cell, NHL NOS (1). Clinical follow‐up (18 cases) and histological assessment (three cases) confirmed FNC‐FC diagnoses of reactive processes and two NHL.ConclusionsFine‐needle cytology is a sensitive procedure in the identification of pLNs. FNC is useful in the management of pLNs; it allows a simple follow‐up in case of reactive processes and surgical excision in case of NHL, thus sparing useless excisions for reactive processes.
Design of passivity‐based stabilized control of grid‐connected inverter system with LCL filter
Authors: Kato Toshiji , Inoue Kaoru , Nakajima Yusuke , Yamamoto Yuki 
Published: April 2019

AbstractInstabilities due to mutual interactions between inverters and grid impedance are observed sometimes. This paper proposes a new stabilization method, which improves the output frequency impedance characteristics, satisfying the Nyquist stability criterion. The principle is that the output impedance is designed to be passive with the feedfoward loop characteristics and the system is stable even for an unknown grid system impedance. The design principle for the proposed stabilization method is described and investigated and validated on the basis of simulation and experimental results.
Extension of the local domain‐free discretization method to large eddy simulation of turbulent flows
Authors: Pu Tianmei , Zhou Chunhua , Ai Junqiang 
Published: April 2019

SummaryIn this work, an immersed boundary method, called the local domain‐free discretization (DFD) method, is extended to large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flows. The discrete form of partial differential equations at an interior node may involve some nodes outside the solution domain. The flow variables at these exterior dependent nodes are evaluated via linear extrapolation along the direction normal to the wall. To alleviate the requirement of mesh resolution in the near‐wall region, a wall model based on the turbulence boundary layer equations is introduced. The wall shear stress yielded by the wall model and the no‐penetration condition are enforced at the immersed boundary to evaluate the velocity components at an exterior dependent node. For turbulence closure, a dynamic subgrid scale (SGS) model is adopted and the Lagrangian averaging procedure is used to compute the model coefficient. The SGS eddy viscosity at an exterior dependent node is set to be equal to that at the outer layer. To maintain the mass conservation near the immersed boundary, a mass source/sink term is added into the continuity equation. Numerical experiments on relatively coarse meshes with stationary or moving solid boundaries have been conducted to verify the ability of the present LES‐DFD method. The predicted results agree well with the published experimental or numerical data.
Numerical prediction of turbulent boundary layer noise from a sharp‐edged flat plate
Authors: Karimi Mahmoud , Croaker Paul , Skvortsov Alex , Moreau Danielle , Kessissoglou Nicole 
Published: April 2019

SummaryAn efficient hybrid uncorrelated wall plane waves–boundary element method (UWPW‐BEM) technique is proposed to predict the flow‐induced noise from a structure in low Mach number turbulent flow. Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations are used to estimate the turbulent boundary layer parameters such as convective velocity, boundary layer thickness, and wall shear stress over the surface of the structure. The spectrum of the wall pressure fluctuations is evaluated from the turbulent boundary layer parameters and by using semi‐empirical models from literature. The wall pressure field underneath the turbulent boundary layer is synthesized by realizations of uncorrelated wall plane waves (UWPW). An acoustic BEM solver is then employed to compute the acoustic pressure scattered by the structure from the synthesized wall pressure field. Finally, the acoustic response of the structure in turbulent flow is obtained as an ensemble average of the acoustic pressures due to all realizations of uncorrelated plane waves. To demonstrate the hybrid UWPW‐BEM approach, the self‐noise generated by a flat plate in turbulent flow with Reynolds number based on chord Rec = 4.9 × 105 is predicted. The results are compared with those obtained from a large eddy simulation (LES)‐BEM technique as well as with experimental data from literature.
Numerical investigation on performance of three solution reconstructions at cell interface in DVM simulation of flows in all Knudsen number regimes
Authors: Yang L.M. , Shu C. , Yang W.M. , Wu J. , Zhang M.Q. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryIn the conventional discrete velocity method (DVM), the local solution of collisionless Boltzmann equation with a piecewise constant distribution for the distribution function is utilized to reconstruct distribution function at the cell interface and then calculate numerical flux of Boltzmann equation for updating the distribution function at cell center. In this process, a numerical dissipation will be introduced into the solution due to neglecting of the collision effect at the cell interface. This numerical dissipation may deteriorate the solution accuracy of conventional DVM in the continuum flow regime, in which the particle collision happens frequently. To overcome this defect, two improved schemes are first presented in this work, in which the local discrete solution of Boltzmann equation with Shakhov model is adopted to evaluate the distribution function at the cell interface, while the equilibrium state of the local solution is computed by different ways. One of the improved schemes evaluates the equilibrium state exactly by the moments of distribution functions according to the compatibility condition, while the other computes the equilibrium state approximately by a simple average at the cell interface. Since the collision effect is incorporated in evaluation of numerical flux, the improved schemes can provide reasonable solutions in all flow regimes. On the other hand, they introduce some extra computational efforts for determining the collision term at the cell interface as compared with the conventional DVM. To assess the performance of different methods for simulation of flows in all flow regimes, a comprehensive study is then carried out in this work.
A Bioreactor Technology for Modeling Fibrosis in Human and Rodent Precision‐Cut Liver Slices
Authors: Paish Hannah L. , Reed Lee H. , Brown Helen , Bryan Mark C. , Govaere Olivier , Leslie Jack , Barksby Ben S. , Garcia Macia Marina , Watson Abigail , Xu Xin , Zaki Marco Y.W. , Greaves Laura , Whitehall Julia , French Jeremy , White Steven A. , Manas Derek M. , Robinson Stuart M. , Spoletini Gabriele , Griffiths Clive , Mann Derek A. , Borthwick Lee A. , Drinnan Michael J. , Mann Jelena , Oakley Fiona 
Published: April 2019

Precision cut liver slices (PCLSs) retain the structure and cellular composition of the native liver and represent an improved system to study liver fibrosis compared to two‐dimensional mono‐ or co‐cultures. The aim of this study was to develop a bioreactor system to increase the healthy life span of PCLSs and model fibrogenesis. PCLSs were generated from normal rat or human liver, or fibrotic rat liver, and cultured in our bioreactor. PCLS function was quantified by albumin enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fibrosis was induced in PCLSs by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGFββ) stimulation ± therapy. Fibrosis was assessed by gene expression, picrosirius red, and α‐smooth muscle actin staining, hydroxyproline assay, and soluble ELISAs. Bioreactor‐cultured PCLSs are viable, maintaining tissue structure, metabolic activity, and stable albumin secretion for up to 6 days under normoxic culture conditions. Conversely, standard static transwell‐cultured PCLSs rapidly deteriorate, and albumin secretion is significantly impaired by 48 hours. TGFβ1/PDGFββ stimulation of rat or human PCLSs induced fibrogenic gene expression, release of extracellular matrix proteins, activation of hepatic myofibroblasts, and histological fibrosis. Fibrogenesis slowly progresses over 6 days in cultured fibrotic rat PCLSs without exogenous challenge. Activin receptor‐like kinase 5 (Alk5) inhibitor (Alk5i), nintedanib, and obeticholic acid therapy limited fibrogenesis in TGFβ1/PDGFββ‐stimulated PCLSs, and Alk5i blunted progression of fibrosis in fibrotic PCLS. Conclusion: We describe a bioreactor technology that maintains functional PCLS cultures for 6 days. Bioreactor‐cultured PCLSs can be successfully used to model fibrogenesis and demonstrate efficacy of antifibrotic therapies.
An investigation into sky temperature estimation, its variation, and significance in heat transfer calculations of solar cookers
Authors: Karn Ashish , Chintala Venkateshwarlu , Kumar Suresh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe determination of sky temperature assumes great importance in engineering applications such as radiative cooling of buildings. Many studies that involve a radiative exchange with the sky employ different reported models of sky temperature interchangeably. However, until now, hardly any systematic study has been done to quantify the errors/variations that might be encountered in calculating this radiative exchange employing these different correlations. In the current paper, first, a thorough analysis has been presented on the sky temperature correlations and a possible range of variation in sky temperature based on the estimation of sky emissivity is computed. Both diurnal‐nocturnal variation in sky temperature and seasonal disparities in sky temperature have been reported. Next, the case of a box‐type solar cooker has been taken up for investigation with respect to the possible influence of the sky temperature estimation in predicting its performance parameter, first‐figure‐of‐merit on a daily, seasonal, and climatic basis. Our observations show an enormous difference in sky temperature depending upon the expressions of emissivity from which it is derived. The variability of sky temperature has a nominal influence on the prediction of first‐figure‐of‐merit, although a marked discrepancy is observed across the seasons at the same location.
PARP inhibition by olaparib alleviates chronic asthma‐associated remodeling features via modulating inflammasome signaling in mice
Authors: Sethi Gurupreet S. , Sharma Sukriti , Naura Amarjit S. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTDespite the reported role of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) in asthma inflammation, its contribution during remodeling is not clearly known. The main aim of the current investigation was to examine the potential of olaparib, a pharmacological inhibitor of PARP against airway remodeling using an ovalbumin (OVA)‐based murine model of chronic asthma. The results demonstrated that post‐challenge olaparib treatment (5 mg/kg i.p., 30 min after OVA exposure) for six weeks (3 days/week) attenuates inflammation, mucus production, and collagen deposition in lungs. Additionally, olaparib blunted the protein expression of STAT‐6 and GATA‐3 considerably along with a modest reduction in p65‐NF‐κB phosphorylation. Furthermore, olaparib normalized the OVA‐induced redox imbalance as reflected by data on reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, and reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. Interestingly, the protection offered by olaparib was further linked with the altered level of NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated IL‐1β release and consequent expression of its downstream targets matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and transforming growth factor beta. Suppressed collagen deposition in the lungs correlates well with the reduced expression of vimentin upon olaparib treatment. Finally, olaparib restored the expression of histone deacetylase 2, a steroid‐responsive element in asthma. Overall, results suggest that olaparib prevents OVA‐induced airway inflammation as well as remodeling via modulating inflammasome signaling in mice. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 1–11, 2019