bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pterostilbene down‐regulates hTERT at physiological concentrations in breast cancer cells: Potentially through the inhibition of cMyc
Authors: Daniel Michael , Tollefsbol Trygve O. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase, which has been shown to be upregulated in many cancers. Pterostilbene is a naturally occurring stilbenoid and phytoalexin found primarily in blueberries that exhibits antioxidant activity and inhibits the growth of various cancer cell types. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether treatment with pterostilbene, at physiologically achievable concentrations, can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and down‐regulate the expression of hTERT. We found that pterostilbene inhibits the cellular proliferation of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in both a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, without significant toxicity to the MCF10A control cells. Pterostilbene was also shown to increase apoptosis in both breast cancer cell lines. Dose‐dependent cell cycle arrest in G1 and G2/M phase was observed after treatment with pterostilbene in MCF‐7 and MDA‐231 cells, respectively. hTERT expression was down‐regulated after treatment in both a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Pterostilbene also reduced telomerase levels in both cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, cMyc, a proposed target of the pterostilbene‐mediated inhibition of hTERT, was down‐regulated both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally after treatment. Collectively, these findings highlight a promising use of pterostilbene as a natural, preventive, and therapeutic agent against the development and progression of breast cancer.
In situ extractive ethanol fermentation in a drop column bioreactor
Authors: Lemos Diego A , Sonego Jorge LS , Cruz Antonio JG , Badino Alberto C 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn conventional ethanol fermentation processes, the low ethanol content in the wine is due to inhibition of its production by the yeast cells. Extractive fermentation is an alternative process that can be used to overcome product inhibition by removing the ethanol from the fermentation broth. The present study describes the modeling and experimental validation of ethanol production in extractive batch fermentation, with in situ ethanol extraction by oleic acid, in a non‐conventional drop column bioreactor (DCB) operated under industrial conditions.RESULTSA model was developed using the hybrid Andrews–Levenspiel equation and the ethanol distribution coefficient (KDE), which provided an excellent description of the extractive fermentation process with oleic acid. Furthermore, higher ethanol productivities were obtained in the extractive fermentations, with ethanol productivity of 11.27–12.98 kg m‐3 h‐1, 12.7–29.8% higher when compared with the conventional process without ethanol removal. This was especially evident for the best extractive fermentation, which finished around 2 h earlier than the conventional fermentation.CONCLUSIONThe DCB showed good performance for use in extractive fermentation with liquid–liquid extraction of the ethanol and this technique presented higher ethanol productivity compared with the conventional process. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Morph‐specific metabolic rate and the timing of reproductive senescence in a color polymorphic dragon
Authors: Friesen Christopher R. , Johansson Rasmus , Olsson Mats 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPolymorphism has fascinated biologists for over a century because morphs persist within populations through evolutionary time in spite of showing disparate behavioral and physiological phenotypes; any one morph should go to fixation with the slightest fitness advantage over the others. Surely there must be trade‐offs that balance selection on them. The polychromatic morphs of the Australian painted dragon lizard, Ctenophorus pictus, are one such system. The male color morphs of painted dragons have different physiological and behavioral traits including reproductive tactics, hormone levels, and the rate of body condition loss through the reproductive season. Due to their differences in physiology and reproductive tactics, we tested the hypotheses that male morphs would differ in resting metabolic rates (RMRs) and that the morphs’ RMR would decline at different rates through the mating season. We found that bib‐morphs (yellow gular patch) differ in RMR with bibbed (more aggressive) males having consistently higher RMR than non‐bibbed males. Furthermore, we show that male dragons experience a decline in RMR as they age from reproductively active to inactive. We also found that the RMR of bibbed males has higher repeatability than non‐bibbed males. Our results reinforce previous hypotheses about the morph‐specific costs of bearing a gular patch in painted dragons.
Mid‐Holocene Iberian hydroclimate variability and paleoenvironmental change: molecular and isotopic insights from Praia Rei Cortiço, Portugal
Authors: Taylor Audrey K. , Benedetti Michael M. , Haws Jonathan A. , Lane Chad S. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTAt Praia Rei Cortiço (PRC), coastal Portugal, we analyzed compound‐specific isotopes of plant wax‐derived n‐alkanes in combination with molecular distribution proxies and C/N ratios to reconstruct hydrologic and environmental change in a mid‐Holocene wetland. During this relatively brief segment of the Holocene (6.6–5.4k cal a BP), substantial shifts in the stable hydrogen isotope composition of terrestrially sourced C29 n‐alkanes (δDn‐C29) record significant multi‐decadal changes in precipitation origin and storm trajectory. Wetland formation at PRC occurred during a humid interval (6.6–6.5k cal a BP) with a dominantly tropical precipitation source, likely the result of a persistent negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, which permitted the establishment and dominance of Sphagnum moss. A subsequent decrease in precipitation significantly reduced Sphagnum abundance at PRC, which is evidenced by decreased sedimentary C/N ratios and reduced mid‐chain n‐alkane abundances. From 5.9 to 5.4k cal a BP, relatively low δDn‐C29 values coincide with sand invasion along the Iberian coast and cooling in the North Atlantic. Strong correspondence between δDn‐C29 values and the occurrence of ice‐rafted debris recorded in deep sea sediment cores during this period illustrate a marked North Atlantic control on the trajectory of mid‐latitude storms and precipitation regimes in Iberia.
Consumption of orange fermented beverage improves antioxidant status and reduces peroxidation lipid and inflammatory markers in healthy humans
Authors: Escudero‐López Blanca , Ortega Ángeles , Cerrillo Isabel , Rodríguez‐Griñolo María‐Rosario , Muñoz‐Hernández Rocío , Macher Hada C , Martín Franz , Hornero‐Méndez Dámaso , Mena Pedro , Del Rio Daniele , Fernández‐Pachón María‐Soledad 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlcoholic fermentation of fruits has generated novel products with high concentrations of bioactive compounds and moderate alcohol content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect on cardiovascular risk factors of the regular consumption by healthy humans of a beverage obtained by alcoholic fermentation and pasteurization of orange juice.RESULTSThirty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. The experimental group (n = 15) drank 500 mL orange beverage (OB) per day for 2 weeks (intervention phase), followed by a 3‐week washout phase. Blood samples were collected at baseline (E‐T0) and at the end of the intervention (E‐T1) and washout (E‐T2) phases. Controls (n = 15) did not consume OB during a 2‐week period. OB intake significantly increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity (43.9%) and reduced uric acid (−8.9%), catalase (CAT) (−23.2%), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (−30.2%) and C‐reactive protein (−2.1%) (E‐T1 vs. E‐T0). These effects may represent longer‐term benefits, given the decreased uric acid (−8.9%), CAT (−34.6%), TBARS (−48.4%) and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (−23.9%) values recorded after the washout phase (E‐T2 vs. E‐T0).CONCLUSIONThe regular consumption of OB improved antioxidant status and decreased inflammation state, lipid peroxidation and uric acid levels. Thus OB may protect the cardiovascular system in healthy humans and be considered a novel functional beverage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Why and how hotel groups in luxury segments give back to their communities
Authors: de‐Miguel‐Molina Blanca , de‐Miguel‐Molina María , Segarra‐Oña Marival , Peiró‐Signes Angel 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe paper analyses why and how hotel groups become involved in their communities through philanthropic activities. The analysis focuses on hotel groups with brands in the luxury, upper upscale, and upscale segments. The qualitative information disclosed in reports and websites by 243 hotel brands was studied to answer questions about who is involved, how they participate, and who they target. The study then focused on the 130 hotel groups owning these brands, and a qualitative comparative analysis was used to explain the combination of causal conditions explaining why hotel groups participate in their communities. The causal conditions in the analysis included the participation of different stakeholders, the characteristics of the hotel groups, and the culture of the countries. Results indicate that there is a trade‐off between customer and employee participation in philanthropy, that customer involvement requires the presence of luxury brands, and that the culture of the countries (religion and altruism) stimulates the philanthropic behaviour of hotel groups.
Effect of magnetic field on tribological performances of two lubricating oils with phosphorus‐containing additives
Authors: Jiang Zeqi , Fang Jianhua , Chen Boshui , Gu Kecheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe influence of magnetic field on the tribological properties of 150SN mineral oil and the oils formulated with tricresyl phosphate or ammonium thiophosphate was evaluated on a modified 4‐ball tribo‐tester. The influencing mechanisms were discussed from the viewpoint of physical effect and chemical effect. The results indicated that the applied magnetic field improved the anti‐wear ability of the neat mineral oil and T306‐doped oils but impaired that of T307‐doped oils. The friction‐reducing capacity of the tested oils was undermined by the magnetic field. The atomic concentrations of the functional elements identified in T306 or T307 under magnetic field were higher or lower than those without magnetic impact, respectively. The magnetic force between steel balls and tribo‐diffusion of the functional elements contained in T306 or T307 into the substrate induced by magnetism was inferred to impair the friction‐reducing performances of the formulated oils.
Limit‐point/limit‐circle classification for Hain–Lüst type equations
Authors: Hassi Seppo , Möller Manfred , de Snoo Henk 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHain–Lüst equations appear in magnetohydrodynamics. They are Sturm–Liouville equations with coefficients depending rationally on the eigenvalue parameter. In this paper such equations are connected with a 2 × 2 system of differential equations, where the dependence on the eigenvalue parameter is linear. By means of this connection Weyl's fundamental limit‐point/limit‐circle classification is extended to a general setting of Hain–Lüst‐type equations.
Neuropathology of genetic synucleinopathies with parkinsonism: Review of the literature
Authors: Schneider Susanne A. , Alcalay Roy N. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTClinical–pathological studies remain the gold‐standard for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, mounting data from genetic PD autopsies challenge the diagnosis of PD based on Lewy body pathology. Most of the confirmed genetic risks for PD show heterogenous neuropathology, even within kindreds, which may or may not include Lewy body pathology. We review the literature of genetic PD autopsies from cases with molecularly confirmed PD or parkinsonism and summarize main findings onSNCA(n = 25),Parkin(n = 20, 17 bi‐allelic and 3 heterozygotes),PINK1(n = 5, 1 bi‐allelic and 4 heterozygotes),DJ‐1(n = 1),LRRK2(n = 55),GBA (n = 10 Gaucher disease patients with parkinsonism),DNAJC13, GCH1, ATP13A2, PLA2G6(n = 8 patients, 2 with PD),MPAN(n = 2),FBXO7, RAB39B, andATXN2(SCA2), as well as on 22q deletion syndrome (n = 3). Findings from autopsies of heterozygous mutation carriers of genes that are traditionally considered recessively inherited are also discussed.Lewy bodies may be present in syndromes clinically distinctive from PD (eg,MPAN‐related neurodegeneration) and absent in patients with clinical PD syndrome (eg,LRRK2‐PD orParkin‐PD). Therefore, the authors can conclude that the presence of Lewy bodies are not specific to the diagnosis of PD and that PD can be diagnosed even in the absence of Lewy body pathology. Interventions that reduce alpha‐synuclein load may be more justified inSNCA‐PD orGBA‐PD than in other genetic forms of PD. The number of reported genetic PD autopsies remains small, and there are limited genotype‐clinical‐pathological‐phenotype studies. Therefore, larger series of autopsies from genetic PD patients are required. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Multiterminal Path Flows for Packet‐Switching Communication Networks
Authors: Rubin I. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTA communication network is modeled by a weighted graph, where vertices represent stations with storage capabilities and branches represent communication channels with assigned capacity weights. The network is assumed to operate in a packet‐switching store‐and‐forward manner.Assuming messages, of random length, to arrive at the network according to a Poisson stream, a Terminal Path Delay Matrix (TPDM) is defined and calculated for the network. Analysis and synthesis problems related to the network and its TPDM, assuming multi‐terminal non‐simultaneous flows, are studied.
Moth‐flame optimization algorithm optimized dual‐mode controller for multiarea hybrid sources AGC system
Authors: Mohanty Banaja , Acharyulu B.V.S. , Hota P.K. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryA new algorithm called moth‐flame optimization (MFO) algorithm is proposed to optimize a dual‐mode controller (DMC) for a multiarea hybrid interconnected power system. Initially, a 2‐area nonreheat system is considered. The optimum gains of DMC and proportional‐integral controller are optimized using the MFO algorithm. The superiority of the proposed approach is established while comparing the results with genetic algorithm, bacterial forging optimization algorithm, differential evolution, and hybrid bacterial forging optimization algorithm particle swarm optimization for the same system. The proposed approach is further extended to 2 unequal areas of a 6‐unit hybrid‐sources interconnected power system. The optimum gain of DMC and sliding mode controller (SMC) is optimized with MFO algorithm. The performance of an MFO tuned DMC is compared with particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm tuned DMC, MFO tuned SMC, and teaching‐learning–based optimization optimized SMC for the same system. Furthermore, robustness analysis is performed by varying the system parameters from their nominal values. It is observed that the optimum gains obtained for nominal condition need not be reset for a wide variation in system parameters.
Real‐time implementation of optimal control considering gear shifting and engine starting for parallel hybrid electric vehicle based on dynamic programming
Authors: Fu Jiangtao , Song Shuzhong , Fu Zhumu , Ma Jianwei 
Published: November 2017

SummaryTo achieve best fuel economy control for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle, optimized control based on dynamic programming (DP) is proposed. The main effort in this paper includes the following. First, the global optimal control mathematic model of the best fuel economy is constructed and its corresponding recursive equation is established. Second, 2 additional augmented cost functions are proposed to prevent frequent gear shifting and frequent engine stopping and starting. Third, an algorithm of restricting the exploring region is proposed to overcome the curse of dimensionality of the numerical DP, which can greatly reduce the computational complexity. Both this DP method and a simple threshold control in corporation of a standby optimization are applied to a vehicle manufactured by the Changan company on the Federal Test Program driving cycle. The results show that the proposed method is effective in reducing fuel consumption by 15%. Although the proposed DP method is implemented on a priori known driving cycle, it can provide a criterion to design and evaluate a control strategy to achieve better fuel consumption.
Designing superhydrophobic surface based on fluoropolymer–silica nanocomposite via RAFT‐mediated polymerization‐induced self‐assembly
Authors: Chakrabarty Arindam , Ponnupandian Siva , Kang Nam‐Goo , Mays Jimmy W. , Singha Nikhil K. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTSuperhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) find versatile applications as coatings due to their very high water‐repellency, self‐cleaning, and anti‐icing properties. This investigation describes the preparation of a SHS from surfactant‐free hybrid fluoropolymer latex. In this case, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was adopted to prepare a copolymer of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4VP) and vinyl triethoxysilane (VTES), where the pyridine units were quaternized to make the copolymer soluble in water. The copolymer was further used as a macro‐RAFT agent to polymerize 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) in a surfactant‐free emulsion via polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA). The macro‐RAFT agent contained a small amount of VTES as co‐monomer which was utilized to graft silica nanoparticles (SNPs) onto the P(TFEMA) spheres. The film prepared using the nanocomposite latex exhibited a nano‐structured surface as observed by SEM and AFM analyses. Surface modification of the film with fluorinated trichlorosilane produced an SHS with a water contact angle (WCA) of 151.5°. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 266–275
Imine‐linked porous organic polymers showing mesoporous microspheres architectures with tunable surface roughness
Authors: Song Fan , Zhang He , Wang De‐Gao , Chen Tao , Yang Sheng , Kuang Gui‐Chao 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTDifferent kinds of porous organic polymers (POPs) bearing 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BDP) fluorophores have been developed to generate singlet oxygen upon light illumination. Herein, four imine‐linked POPs were prepared by copolymerization of amine and aldehyde with different ratios of di‐aldehyde A1 and A2. The POPs were investigated by a combination of techniques such as solid 13C NMR, FTIR, and nitrogen absorption–desorption isotherms and electronic microscopy. The results demonstrated that these POPs were prone to form hierarchical porous architectures. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the spherical morphologies showed different roughness, that is, BDP‐POPs with more BDP aldehyde A2 presented rougher surface. Finally, these POPs were used to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) monitored by 1,3‐diphenylisobenzofuran and bioimaging in HeLa cells. Our results indicated that the ability to generate 1O2 is dependent on the amount of BDP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 319–327
Temperature response of aqueous solutions of pyrene end‐labeled poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s probed by steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence
Authors: Fowler Michael , Duhamel Jean , Qiu Xing Ping , Korchagina Evgeniya , Winnik Françoise M. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTAqueous solutions of a series of monodisperse poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)s end‐labeled with n‐butyl‐1‐pyrene at one or both chain ends (Pyn‐PNIPAMs with n = 1 or 2) were studied by turbidimetry, light scattering, and fluorescence. For a given polymer concentration and heating rate, the cloud point (Tc) of an aqueous Pyn‐PNIPAM solution, determined by turbidimetry, was found to increase with the number‐average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer. The steady‐state fluorescence spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence decays of Pyn‐PNIPAM aqueous solutions were analyzed and all parameters retrieved from these analyses were found to be affected as the solution temperature passed through Tc, the solution cloud point, and Tm, the temperature where dehydration of PNIPAM occurred. The trends obtained by fluorescence to characterize the aqueous Pyn‐PNIPAM solutions as a function of temperature were found to be consistent with the model proposed for telechelic PNIPAM by Koga et al. in 2006. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 308–318
Evidence for allosteric effects on p53 oligomerization induced by phosphorylation
Authors: Muller Petr , Chan Juliana M. , Simoncik Oliver , Fojta Miroslav , Lane David P. , Hupp Ted , Vojtesek Borivoj 
Published: November 2017

Abstractp53 is a tetrameric protein with a thermodynamically unstable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‐binding domain flanked by intrinsically disordered regulatory domains that control its activity. The unstable and disordered segments of p53 allow high flexibility as it interacts with binding partners and permits a rapid on/off switch to control its function. The p53 tetramer can exist in multiple conformational states, any of which can be stabilized by a particular modification. Here, we apply the allostery model to p53 to ask whether evidence can be found that the “activating” C‐terminal phosphorylation of p53 stabilizes a specific conformation of the protein in the absence of DNA. We take advantage of monoclonal antibodies for p53 that measure indirectly the following conformations: unfolded, folded, and tetrameric. A double antibody capture enzyme linked‐immunosorbent assay was used to observe evidence of conformational changes of human p53 upon phosphorylation by casein kinase 2 in vitro. It was demonstrated that oligomerization and stabilization of p53 wild‐type conformation results in differential exposure of conformational epitopes PAb1620, PAb240, and DO12 that indicates a reduction in the “unfolded” conformation and increases in the folded conformation coincide with increases in its oligomerization state. These data highlight that the oligomeric conformation of p53 can be stabilized by an activating enzyme and further highlight the utility of the allostery model when applied to understanding the regulation of unstable and intrinsically disordered proteins.