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In this paper, a 96 kJ compact synchronous discharge driver is designed. The issue of the current measurement of the six parallel gas spark switches is resolved by a multi-channel isolated current measuring system, and the driver's circuit simulation model is constructed. Then, the discharge current characteristics of each branch and load are investigated, and the results show that when the operating voltage is at least 50 kV, the parallel switches are conducted synchronously. The designed multi-channel isolated current measuring system meets the use requirements at a maximum operating voltage of 80 kV, the peak current measured by a single channel is 500 kA at this time, which corresponds to the load current of 3 MA, and the current rise time (0%–100% rise time) is about 1.15 µs. However, the asynchronous conduction of these switches will increase the branch circuit's peak current by a maximum of 25%, and the maximum value of the inverse peak current ratio of the branch will increase to 1.16, which will threaten the safe operation of the components. At this time, there is a redistribution of charge between the already conducting branches, so the impact of the load current is less than that of the basic branch current. When the conduction dispersion of the switchers is less than 452 ns, the peak current of the load reduction is less than 3%, and the current waveform meets the application requirements. The research is essential for understanding the operating status of the driver and assessing the through-current capability of the device's components, such as gas switches and capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D transition metal dichalcogenides are promising candidates for high‐performance photodetectors. However, the relatively low response speed as well as the complex transfer process hinders their wide applications. Herein, for the first time, the fabrication of a few‐layer MoTe2/Si 2D–3D vertical heterojunction for high‐speed and broadband photodiodes by a pulsed laser deposition technique is reported. Owing to the high junction quality, ultrathin MoTe2 film thickness, and unique vertical n–n heterojunction structure, the photodiode exhibits excellent device performance in terms of a high responsivity of 0.19 A W−1 and a large detectivity of 6.8 × 1013 Jones. The device is also capable of detecting a broadband light with wavelength spanning from 300 to 1800 nm. More importantly, the device possesses an ultrahigh response speed up to 150 ns with a 3‐dB electrical bandwidth approaching 0.12 GHz. This work paves the way toward the fabrication of novel 2D–3D heterojunctions for high‐performance, ultrafast photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives an experimental demonstration of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) visible light communication (VLC) using a single 80 μm gallium nitride (GaN) based micro-light-emitting diode (micro-LED). This device shows a 3-dB electrical-to-optical modulation bandwidth of 92.7 MHz. IEEE 802.11ac modulation scheme with 80 MHz bandwidth, as an entry level of the fifth generation of Wi-Fi, was employed to use the micro-LED bandwidth efficiently. These practical techniques were successfully utilized to achieve a demonstration of line-of-sight (LOS) VLC at a speed of 433 Mbps and a bit error rate (BER) of 10−5 with a free space transmit distance 3.6 m. Besides this, we demonstrated directed NLOS VLC links based on mirror reflections with a data rate of 433 Mbps and a BER of 10−4. For non-directed NLOS VLC using a print paper as the reflection material, 16 QAM, 195 Mbps data rate, and a BER of 10−5 were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government subsidies generally play a crucial role in pricing and the choice of performance levels in Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). However, the existing studies pay little attention to how the Energy Service Company (ESCO) prices and chooses performance levels for EPC with government subsidies. To fill such a gap, we propose a joint optimal decision model of pricing and performance level in EPC considering government subsidies. The optimization of the model is achieved via a two-stage process. At the first stage, given a performance level, ESCOs choose the best price; and at the second stage, ESCOs choose the optimal performance level for the optimal price. Furthermore, we carry out a numerical analysis to illuminate such an optimal decision mechanism. The results show that both price sensitivity and performance level sensitivity have significant effects on the choice of performance levels with government subsidies. Government subsidies can induce higher performance levels of EPC, the demand for EPC, and the profit of ESCO. We suggest that ESCO’s market strategy should firstly focus on high energy consumption industries with government subsidies and that government subsidies standard adopted in different industries should be differentiated according to the market characteristics and energy efficiency levels of various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally study the fast–slow light induced by multiple-path microwave interference in the yttrium iron garnet (YIG)-microstrip cavity system. The destructive interference between two types of paths, the direct path through the traveling wave and the indirect paths through the magnon and the resonator, leads to a nearly blocking of microwave transmission when the magnon mode resonates at a particular frequency. This phenomenon is accompanied by a dramatic evolution to the phase of microwave transmission, which strongly adjusts the group velocity of light. Tuning the magnon mode crossing the particular frequency by controlling the external magnetic field, the polarity of phase evolution will be reversed, which presents as a switch between phase delay (slow-light) and phase advance (fast-light). And we experimentally achieve the broadband fast–slow light by tuning the external damping of the magnon. Furthermore, we predict the broadband fast–slow light in different physical parameters. Our results demonstrate that the destructive interference in the YIG-microstrip cavity system is a way to manipulate fast–slow light, which has a great significance in quantum information processing and storage. • We demonstrated the switchable fast–slow light by tuning the external magnetic field. • We realized the broadband fast–slow light by manipulating the external damping of magnon. • We predicated the broadband fast–slow light associated with different physical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reveal the multiple-path microwave interference induced microwave transmission in a cavity-magnonic system composed of a yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) film and a microstrip cavity circuit. By changing the position of the YIG in the circuit, we identify that the magnon in YIG is driven by the standing microwave from the cavity or by the traveling wave through the microstrip. We observe that the microwave transmission spectra show an anti-crossing dispersion named mode repulsion and an anomalous dispersion named mode attraction , respectively. The characteristic of anti-cross dispersion spectra is theoretically predicted using the coupling between the magnon and the cavity. Without coupling, the anomalous dispersion in our experiment is well interpreted by the multiple-path microwave interference between the indirect paths through the cavity and the magnon and the direct path through the traveling wave. And the anomalous dispersion is caused by the redistribution of the microwave transmission intensity. We also find the phases of the magnon in two cases changes π , which can be the key physical factor to understand the change of microwave transmission characteristics. Our work highlights the role played by the multiple-path microwave interference in magnonic microwave devices, which will be an important issue in designing microwave circuits based on the magnon. • The multiple-path microwave interference can lead to an anomalous dispersion. • Demonstrate that the anomalous dispersion is caused by the redistribution of microwave transmission intensity. • Verify the phase of magnon changes π between the anti-cross dispersion and the anomalous dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the invasion and migration of cancer cells. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo assays to examine the inhibitory effects of oroxylin A, one of the main bioactive flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria radix, on the human breast carcinoma cell MDA-MB-231 invasion and migration. We found that oroxylin A can suppress cell adhesion, invasion and migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, oroxylin A led to the reduction of the activity and expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gelatin zymography, real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. Further elucidation of the mechanism revealed that oroxylin A increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), the endogenous inhibitor of MMP-2, and repressed the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced translocation of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and binding activity of the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) which are upstream signaling molecules in MMP-9 expression. Our results also indicated that oroxylin A inhibited the lung metastasis of murine melanoma cell B16-F10 in vivo. Therefore, we proposed that oroxylin A might be developed as a therapeutic potential candidate for the treatment of cancer metastasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: SAR studies of the substitution effect on the central phenyl ring of the biphenyl scaffold were carried out using anacetrapib (9a) as the benchmark. The results revealed that the new analogs with substitutions to replace trifluoromethyl (9a) had a significant impact on CETP inhibition in vitro. In fact, analogs with some small groups were as potent or more potent than the CF3 derivative for CETP inhibition. Five of these new analogs raised HDL-C significantly (>20mg/dL). None of them however was better than anacetrapib in vivo. The synthesis and biological evaluation of these CETP inhibitors are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new class of CETP inhibitors was designed and prepared. These compounds are potent both in vitro and in vivo. The most active compound (12d) has shown an ability to raise HDL significantly in transgenic mouse PD model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of HIV protease inhibitors with modifications on the P3 position have been designed and synthesized. These compounds exhibit excellent antiviral activity against both the wild type enzyme and PI-resistant clinical viral isolates. The synthesis and biological activity of the compounds are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efforts directed to identifying potent HIV protease inhibitors (PI) have yielded a class of compounds that are not only very active against wild-type (NL4-3) HIV virus but also very potent against a panel of PI-resistant viral isolates. Chemistry and biology are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents the authors' views on temperature-dependent reliability models to derive the expected life time of the electronic circuits. At times the system designers use a worst-case temperature to evaluate system reliability that leads to excessive design margins. An increase in temperature in general means that the chip is consuming its lifetime more rapidly and vice versa. Also the system might engage dynamic thermal management (DTM) techniques unnecessarily. The article reflects that the effect of low-temperature can compensate for that of high temperature on reliability. Recent research on material and device reliability has shown that temperature and voltage-dependent dynamic processes also govern other failure mechanisms, such as negative-bias temperature instability and gate oxide break down. A chip's thermal characteristics include not only cross-chip spatial temperature gradients but also temporal temperature gradients for each component. Lifetime banking provides benefits to the chip by avoiding unnecessary DTM engagements while meeting expected lifetime requirements. INSETS: Dynamic thermal management.;Dynamic electromigration reliability model.;Thermal behaviors in server workloads..

Abstract: Molecular modeling has been used to assist in the development of a novel series of potent glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors based on a phenyl diacid lead, compound 1. In the absence of suitable competitive binding assays, compound 1 was predicted to bind at the AMP allosteric site based on superposition onto known inhibitors which bind at different sites in the enzyme and analyses of the surrounding protein environment associated with these distinct sites. Possible docking modes of compound 1 at the AMP allosteric site were further explored using the crystal structure of rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase complexed with a Bayer diacid compound W1807 (PDB entry 3AMV). Compound 1 was predicted to interact with positively charged arginines at the AMP allosteric site in the docking model. Characterization of the binding pocket by a grid-based surface calculation of the docking model revealed a large unfilled hydrophobic region near the central phenyl ring, suggesting that compounds with larger hydrophobic groups in this region would improve binding. A series of naphthyl diacid compounds were designed and synthesized to access this hydrophobic cleft, and showed significantly improved potency [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, which functions through activation of the Smad proteins. We found that GDF-8 can activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) through the TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and this appeared to be independent of Smad signaling. GDF-8-induced transcriptional activation was inhibited by expression of dominant negative MKK6 or treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580, while overexpression of wild-type forms of either MKK6 or p38 augmented GDF-8-induced transcriptional activity. In addition, ATF-2, a known transcription factor target of p38, was found to be phosphorylated on GDF-8 stimulation and was detected in a complex with Smad3/Smad4 upon GDF-8 treatment. Furthermore, we found that the p38 MAPK played an important role in GDF-8-induced inhibition of proliferation and upregulation of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p21. Together, these results highlight a functional link between the p38 MAPK and GDF-8-activated Smad pathways, and identify a critical role for the p38 MAPK in GDF-8''s function as a negative regulator of muscle growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new class of diacid analogues that binds at the AMP site not only are very potent but have ∼10-fold selectivity in liver versus muscle glycogen phosphorylase (GP) in the in vitro assay. The synthesis, structure, and in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation of these liver selective glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of highly potent HIV protease inhibitors have been designed and synthesized. These compounds are active against various clinical viral isolates as well as wild-type virus. The synthesis and biological activity of these HIV protease inhibitors are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new series of growth hormone secretagogues have been discovered. The best compound, 26j, shows excellent ability to release growth hormone both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and biological activity of these compounds are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper introduces alloyed prediction, a new hardware-based two-level branch predictor organization that combines global and local history in the same structure, combining the advantages of current two-level predictors with those of hybrid predictors. The alloyed organization is motivated by measurements showing that wrong-history mispredictions are even more important than conflict-induced mispredictions. Wrong-history mispredictions arise because current two-level, history-based predictors provide only global or only local history. The contribution of wrong history to the overall misprediction rate is substantial because most programs have some branches that require global history and others that require local history. This paper explores several ways to implement alloyed prediction, including the previously proposed bi-mode organization. Simulations show that mshare is the best alloyed organization among those we examine, and that mshare gives reliably good prediction compared to bimodal (“two-bit”), two-level, and hybrid predictors. The robust performance of alloying across a range of predictor sizes stems from its ability to attack wrong-history mispredictions at even very small sizes without subdividing the branch prediction hardware into smaller and less effective components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies a rhodopsin mutant in which only the natural intradiscal cysteines at positions 110, 185, and 187 are present while all the remaining seven cysteines in the wild-type bovine rhodopsin have been replaced by serines. Details of materials and methods; Results and discussion.

Abstract: During an effort to search for more potent growth hormone secretagogues, we discovered a class of compounds of which the best compound 8 was 7-fold more active in vitro than the best compound in the series we revealed before [Tata, J. R.; Lu, Z.; Jacks, T. M.; Schleim, K. D.; Cheng, K.; Wei, L.; Chan, W.-S.; Butler, B.; Tsou, N.; Leung, K.; Chiu, S.-H. L.; Hickey, G. J.; Smith, R. G.; Patchett, A. A. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1997, 7, 2319.]. Animal studies show that compound 8 can stimulate growth hormone release at the oral dose as low as 0.06mpk. Chemistry and biological studies are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We experimentally and theoretically study the coupling between magnons and microwave photons at zero static magnetic field in a system combined by a planar superconducting cavity and a van der Waals antiferromagnetic insulator CrCl3 crystal. Using high-temperature superconductor DyBaCO, we fabricate a planar superconducting cavity with a high-quality factor. The antiferromagnetic resonance of CrCl3 has a finite resonance frequency within a microwave electronics range at zero static magnetic field, and this frequency is sensitive to the temperature. Tuning the temperature to make the antiferromagnetic resonance mode of CrCl3 approaching the cavity mode, we experimentally achieve the coupling between the magnon in CrCl3 and the microwave photon in cavity. An anticrossing feature of the transmission spectra mapping indicates the coupling of magnons and photons at zero static magnetic field. The cooperativity of the hybrid system is 76, indicating a strong coherent information exchange between photons and magnons in CrCl3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract A self-powered Gr/Si heterojunction was successfully fabricated by using graphene film as active area. The device exhibits a responsivity approaching 39.5 mAW−1, together with a high-speed response speed up to 5.0 μs to communication wavelength of 1.55 μm. Highlights • A self-powered Gr/Si heterojunciton photodetector was fabricated by using graphene as the active area. • The Gr/Si heterojunciton photodetector shows an excellent rectification behavior and a sensitivity to 1.55 μm IR light. • High responsivity and high speed of the Gr/Si heterojunction were achieved. • The device performance are superior to most of previous graphene-based photodetectors. Abstract Graphene has shown great potentials for new-generation photodetectors in view of its outstanding optical and electrical properties, especially its ultra-broad range absorption. Most of graphene(Gr)/Si hybrid two-dimensional(2D)-three-dimensional(3D) photodetectors, which offer a perspective on future application in integrated optoelectronics, are still however enabled the excellent detection on visible light. Herein, we reported a self-powered Gr/Si Schottky heterojunciton with a high sensivity to communication light of 1.55 μm wavelenght by using graphene film as active area. The resultant photodetectors showed a high-speed response speed up to 5.0 μs, togther with a responsivity approaching 39.5 mAW−1, which are comparable with previous graphene-based photodetectors and superior to previous Gr/Si heterojunction. The high-performance of the schottky heterojunction can be ascribed to featuring a built-in field facilitating to separate photocarriers. Combined our results with the methodology of devcie fabrication, can be utilized as pathway for large-area integration of 1.55 μm communication light photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A repetitive plasma source for simulation of mitigated edge localized mode transient heat load is developed. The repetitive plasma source consists of a repetitive pulsed power supply and a pulsed plasma accelerator. The pulsed plasma accelerator is composed of a coaxial cathode, an anode, and an insulator. The inner electrode is the cathode with a diameter of 5 mm, and the outer electrode is the anode with a diameter of 15 mm. An angular magnetic field is generated by the discharge current and acts with the radial current to generate Lorentz force, which drives the plasma ejecting to the outlet. The repetitive pulsed power supply can be divided into three parts, the primary charge circuit, the resonant charge circuit, and the discharge circuit. The time interval between resonant charge and discharge is 4 ms. The repetitive discharge components include ten modules running in parallel. There are four working modes for discharge components, depending on the number of simultaneously discharged modules. For Mode A, the maximum repetitive frequency is 50 Hz, and the transient heat load is 0.06 MJ/m2 when the discharge current is 10.5 kA. For Mode D, the maximum repetitive frequency is 5 Hz, and the transient heat load is 0.45 MJ/m2 when the discharge current is 66 kA. This is of great significance for the study of the interaction between plasma and plasma-facing materials in tokamak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) was used to consolidate Cu-based alloy powder (Cu–10Sn and Cu–8.4P) reinforced with Ni particles. Phases, microstructures, compositions, and mechanical properties of laser-sintered part were studied. It showed that particle bonding was through a liquid phase sintering mechanism involving the complete melting of matrix alloy powder and the non-melting of cores of Ni reinforcing particles. A significant smoothening of Ni particles occurred in the liquid and the dissolved Ni element alloyed with Cu element to form CuNi solid solution, leading to a coherent particle/matrix interface after solidification. The dendrites of matrix alloys developed directionally and the primary dendritic spacing was highly refined to ∼1.5μm, due to laser-induced super high temperature gradient and solidification rate. The additive P element acted as a localized deoxidizer to prevent the sintering system from oxidation by formation of CuPO3, thereby enhancing liquid–solid wettability and resultant sintering activity. A high densification level of 95.2% theoretical density was obtained after sintering. The fracture surface of laser-sintered part was mainly featured by a strong ductile type of fracture. The dynamic nanohardness of Ni reinforcing phase and Cu-based matrix alloys reached 1.82GPa and 0.99–1.35GPa, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a key component of a high-power microwave (HPM) system, a multi-gap gas switch (MGS) has recently developed insulation failure due to surface flashover. Although design criteria for surface insulation have been put forward, it is still not clear how the insulation in this case deteriorated under long-term repetitive microsecond pulses (RMPs). In this paper, flashover experiments under RMPs were carried out on various dielectric surfaces between parallel-plane electrodes in SF6 and air atmospheres, respectively. Based on tests of the surface insulation lifetime (SIL), an empirical formula for SIL prediction is proposed with variations of insulator work coefficient λ, which is a more suitable parameter to characterize SIL under RMPs. Due of the accumulation effect, the relationship between E/p and ptdelay varies with the pulse repetitive frequency (PRF) and SIL recovery capability decreases with an increase in PRF and surface deterioration is exacerbated during successive flashovers. It is concluded that the flashover path plays a crucial role in surface insulation performance under RMPs due to the photoemission induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, signifying the necessity of reducing surface paths in future designs as well as the improvement of surface insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Rapid Manufacturing (RM) of the high-energy ball milled Ti–Si3N4 composite powder with the mol ratio of 9:1 was performed in the present work. The microstructural characterizations revealed the formation of TiN reinforced Ti5Si3 matrix composites after laser processing via the in-situ synthesis reaction 9Ti+Si3N4 =4TiN+Ti5Si3. The in-situ presented TiN reinforcing phase possessed a refined granular morphology and a uniform distribution throughout the Ti5Si3 matrix, showing a clear and compatible interfacial structure with the matrix. The metallurgical mechanisms for the in-situ synthesis of TiN reinforced Ti5Si3 matrix composites by SLM were also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A combined heating and power system driven by geothermal water is proposed. • Exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental performance of the system are analyzed. • Optimization for the combined heating and power system is conducted by genetic algorithm. This paper develops a geothermal driven combined heating and power system to obtain multi-generation, in which power is generated by Organic Rankine Cycle and heating is supplied by radiant floor heating system. Comprehensive thermodynamic, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental models of the system are performed and the capital cost and environmental impacts of the system components are analyzed. Superheat degree of the organic working fluid and inlet pressure of the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine are selected as variables to assess the system performance. Multi-objective optimization is employed to obtain the maximum system net power output, minimum levelized cost per exergy unit and minimum levelized environmental impact per exergy unit of the system. Results show that the increase of the working fluid superheat degree and the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine inlet pressure would cause the decrease of the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine power output and the increase of the heat supplying. Cooling water holds the highest levelized exergy cost and geothermal water heat exchanger has the highest environmental impact reducing potential. Under the condition of 11 °C superheat degree and 833 kPa Organic Rankine Cycle turbine inlet pressure, the system obtains a better performance with system net power output 1.19 MW, levelized cost per exergy unit 4.80 $/GJ and environmental impact per exergy unit 16.0 mpts/GJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glow discharge plasma (GP) was used to study the hydration mechanism of whey protein with different moisture content (10%, 20%, 30%). When the moisture content was 20%, the effect was most obvious. Strong hydration effect was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results with sharper, narrower and blue-shifted from 3283.49 cm−1 to 3286.26 cm−1, indicating the enhanced hydrogen bond. More flexible protein structure with a significant decrease in α-helix content (from 18.50% to 14.62%), β-sheet content (from 29.67% to 19.38%) and crystallinity degree (from 6.18% to 0.81%) was introduced. Whey protein underwent oxidation reactions of C C to C–O–C(H) and further to COOH, C–OH to C–O–C and sulfhydryl to disulfide bonds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the treated whey protein was highly aggregated (from 55.40 μm to 226.87 μm) and formed porous and rough polymers. Additionally, the treated whey protein exhibited higher anti-oxidation activity, with DPPH, ABTS and OH free radicals increased by 14.55%, 11.08% and 15.56%. The water/oil holding capacity and light transmittance of whey protein was improved by 18.18%, 22.05% and 35.69%, respectively. [Display omitted] • Hydration effect confirmed by FTIR result at 3434.43 cm−1 and 3526.98 cm−1. • A flexible structure with decreased α-helix, β-sheet content and crystalline degree. • Whey protein underwent oxidation of C C to C–O–C to COOH, C–OH to C–O–C, SH to SS. • Whey protein were highly aggregated and etched, forming porous and rough granules. • It had better water/oil holding capacity, anti-oxidation and light transmittance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey protein is an important protein supplement and its physical properties are being modified to meet various food and other related applications needs. In this study, we investigated changes of the physical and chemical properties of whey protein after treatment with ultrahigh magnetic fields (UMF) (5, 10, 15 and 20 T). We found UMF treatment induced more ordered structures with significant decrease in α-helix content (from 18.73% to 15.77%) and increase in β-sheet content (from 11.70% to 17.49%). UMF treatment caused the C–C bonds to be oxidized to C–O–C(H) and further oxidized to COOH, the N–C O groups to be oxidized to COOH, and the SH groups to be oxidized to SS. When the UMF strength was 10 T, these effects were the most significant. After treatment with UMF at 10 T, highly aggregated polymers were formed, which were 36 times larger in particle size (37.92 μm in diameter) than that of the untreated sample. The crystallinity degree of whey protein was increased to 28.78 ± 0.47. Additionally, the treated polymer exhibited higher anti-oxidation activity, better foaming capacity/stability, enhanced water/oil absorption capacity and higher emulsification capability. Therefore, UMF treatment of whey protein showed great potential in food processing and treatment. • Oxidation including C–C to C–O–C, further to COOH, N–C O to COOH and SH to SS occurred after UMF treatment. • A-helix structure decreased, β-sheet structure increased, and aggregation increased. • The effect was the most significant when UMF strength was 10 T. • Scavenging ability, water/oil absorption, emulsification and foaming capacity significantly enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, corn starch (40 % moisture content) was placed in an ultra-high magnetic field(UMF)(5–20 T) to investigate the ordering and stabilization process under the magnetic field. With the increase of the intensity of UMF, C-OH and O-C-O were oxidized to O = C-OH and cross-linked to form ester bonds. When the UMF intensity was 15 T, the effect was the most significant with the ordered short-range structures formed; since the O = C-OR enhanced carbon skeleton structure, the crystallinity increased comparatively and amylose content reached the minimum value (15.32 ± 0.04 %). Additionally, UMF has a compressive effect on the void structure of A-type starch, and the average particle size decreased. RVA and DSC demonstrated that the UMF-treated starch had better thermal stability and shear resistance. This study suggested that UMF could serve as a prospective technique for starch product processing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates a self-powered Maximum Power Direction Tracking (MPDT) system capable of maximizing the energy harvesting by automatically adjusting the angle of the solar panel. The whole system is powered by a solar panel so no extra power supply is needed. The entire system consists of a solar panel, a motor, and a CMOS chip. A novel light direction sensor and the needed circuit are integrated in a single chip which is fabricated by a standard 0.5 μm CMOS process. So it is small-size and low-cost. The system was tested to verify performance with different light direction and intensity. The results show that the system has good sensitivity to the incident angle and achieve tracking accuracy of ± 1.8 ° over a optical power range of 30–110 mW / cm 2 . The presented system obtains an average output power gain of 18.4% over the fixed southwards mounted system under real weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of nanoarchitectured Zn 2 SnO 4 /C composites including Zn 2 SnO 4 /MC and Zn 2 SnO 4 /MC–rGO are hydrothermally synthesized in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) and/or a micro- and mesoporous carbon (MC), the building blocks are nanoplate jungles and urchin-like nanorod bundles of Zn 2 SnO 4 on surface of porous carbon, respectively. However, pure Zn 2 SnO 4 particles synthesized under the same condition exhibit a tetrakaidecahedral geometry. Apparently, the MC pores and l -tryptophan are not the only factors inducing the formation of the nanoarchitectures. A small cathodic peak is observed at ca. 0.7 V during the first cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan of Zn 2 SnO 4 /MC–rGO, indicating a trace amount of SnO 2 impurity that may attribute to the formation of nanorods other than nanoplates. The nanoarchitectured Zn 2 SnO 4 /C composites exhibit excellent high-rate capability and superior cycling performance as anode of lithium ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequential replacement of imidazole from sulfonyldiimidazole by phenols and then amines leads to O -arylsulfamate esters. Application of this coupling method to 19 phenols and 6 amines generates a library of 114 sulfamate esters, Ar-OSO 2 -NR 2 . A sulfamate based conjugate of ethinyl estradiol was prepared by using the steroid 3-hydroxyl as the phenol component, and an amino amide derived from linoleic acid as the amine. Hydrolysis of this conjugate was studied in aqueous buffer at pH values 2, 5, and 7.4, and (essentially identical) respective half-lives of 6.8, 6.6, and 6.7 days were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been well characterized that flavonoids possess pronounced anticancer potentials including anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis, and pro-apoptosis. Herein, we report, for the first time, that VI-14, a novel flavonoid derivative, possesses anti-cancer properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-migration and anti-invasion activities of VI-14 in breast cancer cells. Our data indicate that VI-14 inhibits adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells treated with VI-14 display reduced activities and expressions of ECM degradation-associated proteins including matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) at both the protein and mRNA levels. Meanwhile, VI-14 treatment induces an up-regulated expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and 2 (TIMP-2) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blotting results show that phosphorylation levels of critical components of the MAPK signaling pathway, including ERK, JNK and P38, are dramatically decreased in VI-14-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, treatment of VI-14 significantly decreases the nuclear levels and the binding ability of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Taken together, our data suggest that VI-14 treatment suppresses migration and motility of breast cancer cells, and VI-14 may be a potential compound for cancer therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel mass spectrometry-based workflow for de novo sequencing of a full-length monoclonal antibody (LB509) against α-synuclein is presented. This approach combines chemical modification of cysteine residues, multiple enzymatic digestion, stable isotope labeled amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis including collision-induced dissociation (CID), higher energy collision-induced dissociation (HCD), and de novo sequencing software for data interpretation. The introduction of aminoethyl-8 (A-8) reagent which renders cysteine residues in the antibody to become substrates for trypsin digestion significantly increases the sequence coverage of the antibody, especially in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Incorporation of SILAC helps to distinguish minor sequence variations between original and deduced sequences. Methods in obtaining detailed sequence characterization are described, highlighting the advantage of using multiple fragmentation schemes, CID in ion trap and HCD in C-trap. Complete primary sequence for LB509 has been construed and the antibody generated exhibits specific binding to α-synuclein. The development and implementation of this technology enables an alternative approach for generating therapeutic candidate and reagent antibodies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cancer cell invasion plays a crucial role in growth and local spreading of tumors. GL-V9 is a newly synthesized flavonoid that has been shown to possess an antitumor effect. However, the mechanism of GL-V9 in preventing tumor growth is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activity of this novel compound in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells. In this study, GL-V9 caused a concentration-dependent suppression of cell adhesive ability by cell adhesion assay, it also inhibited the migration and invasion of cells by wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay in a concentration-dependent manner. Considering matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in metastatic process, we used western blotting and gelatin zymography to examine the effect of GL-V9 on the expression and activity of MMPs. The mechanism revealed that GL-V9 significantly suppressed the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, GL-V9 suppressed their upstream protein kinases activation by reducing phosphorylated forms of serine/threonine kinase AKT and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. These findings suggested that GL-V9 could inhibit the invasion of tumor cells by downregulating the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, potentially associating with the suppression of phosphorylation of AKT and JNK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of the structure–activity studies leading to the discovery of anacetrapib is described. These studies focused on varying the substitution of the oxazolidinone ring of the 5-aryloxazolidinone system. Specifically, it was found that substitution of the 4-position with a methyl group with the cis-stereochemistry relative to the 5-aryl group afforded compounds with increased cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition potency and a robust in vivo effect on increasing HDL-C levels in transgenic mice expressing cynomolgus monkey CETP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wogonin, a naturally occurring monoflavonoid extracted from Scutellariae radix, has been shown to possess tumor therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of wogonin on tumor cells invasion remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed in vitro experiments to investigate the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activity of wogonin in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells. Wogonin caused a concentration-dependent suppression of cell migration, adhesion and invasion. The mechanism revealed that wogonin significantly inhibited the expression and activity of both endogenous and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) potentially associating with the suppression of translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) δ and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). These results suggested that wogonin could inhibit the invasion of tumor cells by downregulating the expression and activity of MMP-9, the possible targets may be PKCδ and ERK1/2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

LOX-1 is a scavenger receptor that functions as the primary receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) in endothelial cells. The binding of OxLDL to LOX-1 is believed to lead to endothelial activation, dysfunction, and injury, which constitute early atherogenic events. Because of its potential pathological role in atherosclerosis, LOX-1 has been proposed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease. In order to antagonize the ligand-binding function of cell surface LOX-1, we generated a series of recombinant human LOX-1–crystallizable fragment (Fc) fusion proteins and subsequently characterized their biochemical properties and ligand-binding activities in vitro. Consistent with the notion that oligomerization of cell surface LOX-1 is required for high-avidity binding of ligands, we found that LOX-1–Fc fusion protein containing four ligand-binding domains per Fc dimer, but not the one containing two ligand-binding domains, exhibited ligand-binding activity. Optimal ligand-binding activity could be achieved via crosslinking of LOX-1–Fc fusion proteins with a polyclonal antibody against Fc. The crosslinked LOX-1–Fc protein also effectively inhibited the binding and internalization of OxLDL by cell surface LOX-1. These findings demonstrate that functional oligomerization is required for recombinant LOX-1–Fc to function as an effective antagonist. Structured digital abstract • : LOX1 (uniprotkb: ) and LOX1 (uniprotkb: ) physically interact ( ) by molecular sieving ( ) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a draft sequence of the genome of Aedes aegypti, the primary vector for yellow fever and dengue fever, which at ∼1376 million base pairs is about 5 times the size of the genome of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Nearly 50% of the Ae. aegypti genome consists of transposable elements. These contribute to a factor of ∼4 to 6 increase in average gene Length and in sizes of intergenic regions relative to An. gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster. Nonetheless, chromosomal synteny is generally maintained among all three insects, although conservation of orthotogous gene order is higher (by a factor of ∼2) between the mosquito species than between either of them and the fruit fly. An increase in genes encoding odorant binding, cytochrome P450, and cuticle domains relative to An. gambiae suggests that members of these protein families underpin some of the biological differences between the two mosquito species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indinavir analogues with blocked metabolism sites show highly improved pharmacokinetic profiles in animals. The cis-aminochromanol substituted analogues exhibited excellent potency against both the wild-type (NL4-3) virus and protease inhibitor-resistant HIV strains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A combinatorial library of 300HIV protease inhibitors has been synthesized. The library was screened against recombinant wild-type and mutant HIV-1 protease enzymes. The pharmacokinetics of the library was evaluated by dosing in dogs. Compounds that are notably more potent than indinavir and have favorable pharmacokinetic properties were identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]