Sufficient Dimension Folding for Regression Mean Function

<div><p>In this article, we consider sufficient dimension folding for the regression mean function when predictors are matrix- or array-valued. We propose a new concept named central mean dimension folding subspace and its two local estimation methods: folded outer product of gradients estimation (folded-OPG) and folded minimum average variance estimation (folded-MAVE). We establish the asymptotic properties for folded-MAVE. A modified BIC criterion is used to determine the dimensions of the central mean dimension folding subspace. We evaluate the performances of the two local estimation methods by simulated examples and demonstrate the efficacy of folded-MAVE in finite samples. And in particular, we apply our methods to analyze a longitudinal study of primary biliary cirrhosis. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.</p></div

Lignin Valorization through Thermochemical Conversion: Comparison of Hardwood, Softwood and Herbaceous Lignin

In the present study, milled wood lignin (MWL) and organosolv lignin isolated from red oak (hardwood), loblolly pine (softwood) and corn stover (herbaceous biomass) were characterized by TGA, elemental analyzer, GPC, FTIR, 2D-HSQC NMR, and then pyrolyzed in the absence and presence of a zeolite catalyst. For all three biomass species, organosolv lignins contained fewer volatiles in comparison to the corresponding MWLs. Red oak lignin was affected most by the organosolv process, evident by the greatest decrease in volatile content and increase in carbon content of the organosolv lignin. Compared to the corresponding MWLs, organosolv lignins produced more char and less phenolic oil upon pyrolysis. Organosolv lignins also convert to catalytic coke and light hydrocarbons in higher selectivity in comparison to the MWLs during catalytic pyrolysis. When pyrolyzed, corn stover MWL produced 16.26% of phenolic monomers, which is a significantly higher yield compared to 8.61% from red oak MWL and 9.51% from loblolly pine MWL. During catalytic pyrolysis, corn stover lignins also produced higher yields of aromatic hydrocarbons in comparison to red oak or loblolly pine derived lignins. Overall, corn stover lignin had the highest potential for volatilization because it retains highly branched polymer structure enriched in tricin, ferulate and coumarate groups

Palladium-Catalyzed C(sp³)–H Nitrooxylation of Aliphatic Carboxamides with Practical Oxidants

Here we report the palladium-catalyzed β-C(sp3)−H nitrooxylation of aliphatic carboxamides using a modified quinoline auxiliary. Notably, Al(NO3)3·9H2O was used as a nitrate source as well as a practical oxidant. The 5-chloro-8-aminoquinoline auxiliary was nitrated in situ during the reaction, which may enhance its directing ability and help its removal. The reaction has a broad substrate scope with a variety of aliphatic carboxamides. The multiple substituted auxiliary can be easily removed and recovered. Two C–H-insertion palladacycle intermediates were isolated and characterized to elucidate the mechanism

Optimization of submerged fermentation medium for citrinin-free monascin production by <i>Monascus</i>

<p>Microbial fermentation of citrinin-free <i>Monascus</i> pigments is in favor in the development of food industry. This study investigated the influences of carbon source, nitrogen source, and mineral salts on the cell growth, monascin (MS), and citrinin (CT) production in <i>Monascus</i> M9. A culture medium composition was established for maximizing the production of citrinin-free MS in submerged culture, as follows: 50 g/L Japonica rice powder, 20 g/L NH₄NO₃, 3 g/L NaNO₃, 1.5 g/L KH₂PO₄, 1 g/L MgSO₄ · 7H₂O, 0.2 g/L MnSO₄. Under these conditions, no CT was detectable by high performance liquid chromatography. The yield of MS reached 14.11 mg/g, improving approximately 30% compared with before optimization.</p

Prediction of Synergic Effects of H₂O, SO₂, and HCl on Mercury and Arsenic Transformation under Oxy-Fuel Combustion Conditions

Since there were limited reports concerned with the synergic effects of H₂O, SO₂, and HCl on mercury and arsenic speciation under oxy-fuel combustion, this paper utilized the results of the thermodynamic equilibrium calculation with FactSage 5.2 to predict the speciation of mercury and arsenic under oxy-coal combustion. Results showed that the percentages of HgCl₂ and HgS were higher under oxy-coal combustion atmosphere than those under air-coal combustion atmosphere within the entire range of temperature. It also indicated that H₂O­(g) inhibited the generation of HgCl₂ and HgS and that the mole percentage of HgCl₂ was increased by 1 or 2 orders of magnitude, with the concentration of HCl increased by 5 times or 10 times under oxy-coal atmosphere. Arsenic, As₂, and AsN are three dominant arsenic species from 900 to 1400 °C under both air- and oxy-coal combustion atmosphere. Besides, the effects of H₂O­(g) on arsenic distribution was related to the H₂O­(g) concentration in the flue gas. These results are important for mercury and arsenic control during the oxy-fuel combustion process

Inner Relationship between CO, NO, and Hg in a 6 kW_th Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor under an O₂/CO₂ Atmosphere

Combustion experiments of semianthracite coal were conducted on a 6 kW_th oxy-fuel circulating fluidized bed combustor. The inner relationship between CO, NO, and Hg in the combustor under an O₂/CO₂ atmosphere was explored. The results demonstrate that all temperatures are lower under a 21% O₂/79% CO₂ atmosphere than those under an air atmosphere. In oxy-coal combustion, the increasing oxygen concentration can increase CO emission. NO emission in oxy-coal is much lower than that in air combustion as a result of coal particle combustion generating less oxygen status under a 21% O₂/79% CO₂ atmosphere. The percentage of mercury oxidation is higher under air–coal combustion than that under 21% O₂/79% CO₂–coal combustion, because the specific heat of CO₂ is higher in 21% O₂/79% CO₂ than that in air. The increase of the oxygen concentration under oxy-coal combustion leads to the total reducing atmosphere decrease, which is suitable for the mercury oxidation. These results are very significant for selection of operating conditions for an oxy-coal circulating fluidized bed

Rif1 and Exo1 regulate the genomic instability following telomere losses

Telomere attrition is linked to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and aging. This is because telomere losses trigger further genomic modifications, culminating with loss of cell function and malignant transformation. However, factors regulating the transition from cells with short telomeres, to cells with profoundly altered genomes, are little understood. Here, we use budding yeast engineered to lack telomerase and other forms of telomere maintenance, to screen for such factors. We show that initially, different DNA damage checkpoint proteins act together with Exo1 and Mre11 nucleases, to inhibit proliferation of cells undergoing telomere attrition. However, this situation changes when survivors lacking telomeres emerge. Intriguingly, checkpoint pathways become tolerant to loss of telomeres in survivors, yet still alert to new DNA damage. We show that Rif1 is responsible for the checkpoint tolerance and proliferation of these survivors, and that is also important for proliferation of cells with a broken chromosome. In contrast, Exo1 drives extensive genomic modifications in survivors. Thus, the conserved proteins Rif1 and Exo1 are critical for survival and evolution of cells with lost telomeres

Tff3, as a Novel Peptide, Regulates Hepatic Glucose Metabolism

<div><p>Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder strongly associated with hepatic glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The trefoil peptides are a family of small regulatory proteins and Tff3 is widely expressed in multiple tissues including liver. But the roles of Tff3 in regulation of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in liver remain unclear. Here we show that the hepatic Tff3 expression levels were decreased in ob/ob and high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Overexpression of Tff3 in primary mouse hepatocytes inhibited the expression of gluconeogenic genes, including G6pc, PEPCK and PGC-1α, subsequently decreasing cellular glucose output. GTT and ITT experiments revealed that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Tff3 in diabetic or obese mice improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Collectively, our results indicated that Tff3 peptides are involved in glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, providing a promising peptide on new therapies against the metabolic disorders associated with T2DM.</p> </div

ERRα interacts with the mouse Sirt3 promoter <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.

<p><b>A</b>, Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was executed using a biotin probe. Biotin-labeled double-stranded oligonucleotides were incubated with or without nuclear extract containing ERRα protein. Approximately 200-fold excess wild-type and ERRE-mutated unlabeled double-stranded oligonucleotides were used for competitive inhibition. <b>B</b>, Primary hepatocytes were isolated, cultured in 100 mm dishes, and infected with adenoviruses expressing ERRα-FLAG and/or PGC-1α, or GFP as a control. For ChIP, protein-DNA complexes were immunoprecipitated with anti-FLAG or control IgG antibody. The mSirt3 promoter region harboring the ERRE site was amplified by PCR. <b>C</b>, Primary hepatocytes were isolated from mouse liver, and chromatin was immunoprecipitated with anti-PGC-1α antibody. Normal IgG was used as control. The mSirt3 promoter region harboring the ERRE (proximal region) could be amplified by PCR. However, the distal region of the mSirt3 promoter, having no ERRE and used as a negative control, could not be amplified.</p

ERRα is required for the PGC-1α induction of Sirt3 expression.

<p><b>A</b>, The full-length wild-type Sirt3 promoter fused to luciferase reporter gene (Luc-2036) was cotransfected into HepG2 cells with pcDNA3.1 (control) or PGC-1α in the presence of shRNA against ERRα or luciferase (control). Two days later, cells were harvested and RLA analyzed. <b>B</b>, Knockdown of ERRα reduced the induction of Sirt3 mRNA level by PGC-1α. C₂C₁₂ myotubes were infected with adenoviruses expressing GFP or PGC-1α in the presence of Ad-siControl or Ad-siERRα. Total RNA was isolated 48 h later. Sirt3 mRNA level was determined by qPCR, normalized to β-actin, and expressed relative to control cells infected with Ad-GFP and Ad-siControl. All values represent at least three independent transfections, each conducted in triplicate. *, <i>P</i><0.05.</p