bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human, vector and parasite Hsp90 proteins: A comparative bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Faya Ngonidzashe , Penkler David L. , Tastan Bishop Özlem
Published: November 2015

The treatment of protozoan parasitic diseases is challenging, and thus identification and analysis of new drug targets is important. Parasites survive within host organisms, and some need intermediate hosts to complete their life cycle. Changing host environment puts stress on parasites, and often adaptation is accompanied by the expression of large amounts of heat shock proteins (Hsps). Among Hsps, Hsp90 proteins play an important role in stress environments. Yet, there has been little computational research on Hsp90 proteins to analyze them comparatively as potential parasitic drug targets. Here, an attempt was made to gain detailed insights into the differences between host, vector and parasitic Hsp90 proteins by large‐scale bioinformatics analysis. A total of 104 Hsp90 sequences were divided into three groups based on their cellular localizations; namely cytosolic, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Further, the parasitic proteins were divided according to the type of parasite (protozoa, helminth and ectoparasite). Primary sequence analysis, phylogenetic tree calculations, motif analysis and physicochemical properties of Hsp90 proteins suggested that despite the overall structural conservation of these proteins, parasitic Hsp90 proteins have unique features which differentiate them from human ones, thus encouraging the idea that protozoan Hsp90 proteins should be further analyzed as potential drug targets.
Individual estimates of age at detectable amyloid onset for risk factor assessment
Authors: Bilgel Murat , An Yang , Zhou Yun , Wong Dean F. , Prince Jerry L. , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Individualized estimates of age at detectable amyloid‐beta (Aβ) accumulation, distinct from amyloid positivity, allow for analysis of onset age of Aβ accumulation as an outcome measure to understand risk factors.

Methods

Using longitudinal Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography data from Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we estimated the age at which each PiB+ individual began accumulating Aβ. We used survival analysis methods to quantify risk of accumulating Aβ and differences in onset age of Aβ accumulation in relation to APOE ε4 status and sex among 36 APOE ε4 carriers and 83 noncarriers.

Results

Age at onset of Aβ accumulation for the APOE ε4− and ε4+ groups was 73.1 and 60.7, respectively. APOE ε4 positivity conferred a threefold risk of accumulating Aβ after adjusting for sex and education.

Discussion

Estimation of onset age of amyloid accumulation may help gauge treatment efficacy in interventions to delay symptom onset in Alzheimer's disease.
Minimum time path planning of robotic manipulator in drilling/spot welding tasks
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhao Ming-Yong
Published: November 2015

In this paper, a minimum time path planning strategy is proposed for multi points manufacturing problems in drilling/spot welding tasks. By optimizing the travelling schedule of the set points and the detailed transfer path between points, the minimum time manufacturing task is realized under fully utilizing the dynamic performance of robotic manipulator. According to the start-stop movement in drilling/spot welding task, the path planning problem can be converted into a traveling salesman problem (TSP) and a series of point to point minimum time transfer path planning problems. Cubic Hermite interpolation polynomial is used to parameterize the transfer path and then the path parameters are optimized to obtain minimum point to point transfer time. A new TSP with minimum time index is constructed by using point-point transfer time as the TSP parameter. The classical genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to obtain the optimal travelling schedule. Several minimum time drilling tasks of a 3-DOF robotic manipulator are used as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Highlights In this paper, an optimization strategy is proposed for solving minimum time manufacturing path planning in multi points manufacturing tasks. According to the start-stop movement in drilling/spot welding task, the path planning problem is converted into a traveling salesman problem (TSP) and a series of point to point minimum time transfer path planning problems. Cubic Hermite interpolation polynomial is used to parameterize the transfer path and then the path parameters are optimized to obtain minimum point to point transfer time. A new TSP with minimum time index is constructed and then solved by using a classical genetic algorithm (GA). Numerical test is executed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Targeted capture massively parallel sequencing analysis of LCIS and invasive lobular cancer: Repertoire of somatic genetic alterations and clonal relationships
Authors: Sakr Rita A. , Schizas Michail , Carniello Jose V. Scarpa , Ng Charlotte K.Y. , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Giri Dilip , Andrade Victor P. , De Brot Marina , Lim Raymond S. , Towers Russell , Weigelt Britta , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , King Tari A.
Published: November 2015

Purpose: Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) has been proposed as a non‐obligate precursor of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Here we sought to define the repertoire of somatic genetic alterations in pure LCIS and in synchronous LCIS and ILC using targeted massively parallel sequencing.

Methods: DNA samples extracted from microdissected LCIS, ILC and matched normal breast tissue or peripheral blood from 30 patients were subjected to massively parallel sequencing targeting all exons of 273 genes, including the genes most frequently mutated in breast cancer and DNA repair‐related genes. Single nucleotide variants and insertions and deletions were identified using state‐of‐the‐art bioinformatics approaches.

Results: The constellation of somatic mutations found in LCIS (n = 34) and ILC (n = 21) were similar, with the most frequently mutated genes being CDH1 (56% and 66%, respectively), PIK3CA (41% and 52%, respectively) and CBFB (12% and 19%, respectively). Among 19 LCIS and ILC synchronous pairs, 14 (74%) had at least one identical mutation in common, including identical PIK3CA and CDH1 mutations. Paired analysis of independent foci of LCIS from 3 breasts revealed at least one common mutation in each of the 3 pairs (CDH1, PIK3CA, CBFB and PKHD1L1).

Conclusion: LCIS and ILC have a similar repertoire of somatic mutations, with PIK3CA and CDH1 being the most frequently mutated genes. The presence of identical mutations between LCIS–LCIS and LCIS–ILC pairs demonstrates that LCIS is a clonal neoplastic lesion, and provides additional evidence that at least some LCIS are non‐obligate precursors of ILC.
Middle Holocene coastal environment and the rise of the Liangzhu City complex on the Yangtze delta, China
Authors: Liu Yan , Sun Qianli , Thomas Ian , Zhang Li , Finlayson Brian , Zhang Weiguo , Chen Jing , Chen Zhongyuan
Published: November 2015

The large prehistoric city of Liangzhu and its associated earthen dike emerged on the Yangtze delta-coast after two millennia of occupation in this area by scattered communities. Details of its development have been widely discussed in the literature. Our results reveal that the city was selectively built at the head of an embayment backed by hills, with close access to food, freshwater and timber, and with protection from coastal hazards. Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating shows that it was built around 4.8–4.5 ka, and the earthen dike was constructed a little later at ~ 4.1 ka. During this time, saltwater wetlands were changing to freshwater in response to rapid coastal progradation as the postglacial sea-level rise stabilized. This facilitated rice farming and furthered the development of the city with elaborate city planning. The younger large-scale earthen dike and artificial ponds possibly suggest increasing demand for flood mitigation and irrigation.
Human Rights Responsibility of Multinational Corporations, Political Ecology of Injustice: Learning from Bhopal Thirty Plus?
Authors: BAXI Upendra
Published: November 2015

This article addresses human rights responsibilities of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the light of what I describe as the four Bhopal catastrophes. More than thirty years of struggle by the valiant violated people to seek justice is situated in the contemporary efforts of the United Nations to develop a new discursivity for human rights and business—from the Global Compact to the Draft Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the more recent process to elaborate a legally-binding international instrument.
CHARACTERISATION OF THE FOURIER TRANSFORM ON COMPACT GROUPS
Authors: SHRAVAN KUMAR N. , SIVANANTHAN S.
Published: November 2015

Let $G$ be a compact group. The aim of this note is to show that the only continuous *-homomorphism from $L^{1}(G)$ to $\ell ^{\infty }\text{-}\bigoplus _{[{\it\pi}]\in {\hat{G}}}{\mathcal{B}}_{2}({\mathcal{H}}_{{\it\pi}})$ that transforms a convolution product into a pointwise product is, essentially, a Fourier transform. A similar result is also deduced for maps from $L^{2}(G)$ to $\ell ^{2}\text{-}\bigoplus _{[{\it\pi}]\in {\hat{G}}}{\mathcal{B}}_{2}({\mathcal{H}}_{{\it\pi}})$.
Paolo Sarpi, Caesar Baronius, and the Political Possibilities of Ecclesiastical History
Authors: Keenan Charles
Published: November 2015

Two of the most famous Catholic histories written during the early modern period were the Annales ecclesiastici of Caesar Baronius (d. 1607), a year-by-year chronicle of the Catholic Church from the birth of Christ to the twelfth century, and the Istoria del concilio tridentino of Paolo Sarpi (d. 1623), a scathing critique of the Council of Trent that argued the famous council had only made religious problems worse. Rather than comparing either of these works with similar histories written by protestants—thereby investigating inter-confessional Reformation debates—this article sets Baronius's Annales and Sarpi's Istoria side by side to explore disputes within Catholicism itself. By analyzing how the authors examine four topics in their histories (Peter and the papal primacy, the relationship between the local and universal church, the history of ecumenical councils, and the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical authorities), as well as considering both historians' actions during the Venetian interdict crisis of 1606, this essay argues that Sarpi and Baronius fundamentally disagreed about the origins and exercise of both secular and ecclesiastical authority. These two modes of Catholic history-writing reveal how Sarpi and Baronius drew from contemporary political models, such that “ecclesiastical history” could have significant political ramifications.
How Important Is Financial Risk?
Authors: Bartram Söhnke M. , Brown Gregory W. , Waller William
Published: November 2015

We explore the determinants of equity price risk of nonfinancial corporations. Operating and asset characteristics are by far the most important determinants of risk. For the median firm, financial risk accounts for only 15% of observed stock price volatility. Furthermore, financial risk has declined over the last 3 decades, indicating that any upward trend in equity volatility was driven entirely by economic risk factors. This explains why financial distress (as opposed to economic distress) was surprisingly uncommon in the nonfinancial sector during the 2007–2009 crisis even as measures of equity volatility reached unprecedented highs.
A Synthesis of Two Factor Estimation Methods
Authors: Connor Gregory , Korajczyk Robert A. , Uhlaner Robert T.
Published: November 2015

Two-pass cross-sectional regression (TPCSR) is frequently used in estimating factor risk premia. Recent papers argue that the common practice of grouping assets into portfolios to reduce the errors-in-variables (EIV) problem leads to loss of efficiency and masks potential deviations from asset pricing models. One solution that allows the use of individual assets while overcoming the EIV problem is iterated TPCSR (ITPCSR). ITPCSR converges to a fixed point regardless of the initial factors chosen. ITPCSR is intimately linked to the asymptotic principal components (APC) method of estimating factors since the ITPCSR estimates are the APC estimates, up to a rotation.
How important is the relative balance of fat and carbohydrate as sources of energy in relation to health?
Authors: Sanders Thomas A. B.
Published: November 2015

Both the intake of fat, especially saturated trans fatty acids, and refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, have been linked to increased risk of obesity, diabetes and CVD. Dietary guidelines are generally similar throughout the world, restrict both intake of SFA and added sugar to no more than 10 and 35 % energy for total fat and recommend 50 % energy from carbohydrates being derived from unrefined cereals, tubers, fruit and vegetables. Current evidence favours partial replacement of SFA with PUFA with regard to risk of CVD. The translation of these macronutrient targets into food-based dietary guidelines is more complex because some high-fat foods play an important part in meeting nutrient requirements as well as influencing the risk of chronic disease. Some of the recent controversies surrounding the significance of sugar and the type of fat in the diet are discussed. Finally, data from a recently published randomised controlled trial are presented to show the impact of following current dietary guidelines on cardiovascular risk and nutrient intake compared with a traditional UK diet.
Estimating the critical immunity threshold for preventing hepatitis A outbreaks in men who have sex with men
Authors: REGAN D. G. , WOOD J. G. , BENEVENT C. , ALI H. , SMITH L. WATCHIRS , ROBERTSON P. W. , FERSON M. J. , FAIRLEY C. K. , DONOVAN B. , LAW M. G.
Published: November 2015

Several outbreaks of hepatitis A in men who have sex with men (MSM) were reported in the 1980s and 1990s in Australia and other countries. An effective hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine has been available in Australia since 1994 and is recommended for high-risk groups including MSM. No outbreaks of hepatitis A in Australian MSM have been reported since 1996. In this study, we aimed to estimate HAV transmissibility in MSM populations in order to inform targets for vaccine coverage in such populations. We used mathematical models of HAV transmission in a MSM population to estimate the basic reproduction number (R0) and the probability of an HAV epidemic occurring as a function of the immune proportion. We estimated a plausible range forR0of 1·71–3·67 for HAV in MSM and that sustained epidemics cannot occur once the proportion immune to HAV is greater than ~70%. To our knowledge this is the first estimate ofR0and the critical population immunity threshold for HAV transmission in MSM. As HAV is no longer endemic in Australia or in most other developed countries, vaccination is the only means of maintaining population immunity >70%. Our findings provide impetus to promote HAV vaccination in high-risk groups such as MSM.
Sea Surface Temperatures on the Rise in the Caribbean
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: November 2015

A 30-year climate analysis reveals an increase in sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the surrounding region.
Loss in MCL-1 function sensitizes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines to the BCL-2-selective inhibitor venetoclax (ABT-199)
Authors: Phillips D C , Xiao Y , Lam L T , Litvinovich E , Roberts-Rapp L , Souers A J , Leverson J D
Published: November 2015

As a population, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) cell lines positive for the t(14;18) translocation and/or possessing elevated BCL2 copy number (CN; BCL2High) are exquisitely sensitive to navitoclax or the B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (BCL-2)-selective inhibitor venetoclax. Despite this, some BCL2High cell lines remain resistant to either agent. Here we show that the MCL-1-specific inhibitor A-1210477 sensitizes these cell lines to navitoclax. Chemical segregation of this synergy with the BCL-2-selective inhibitor venetoclax or BCL-XL-selective inhibitor A-1155463 indicated that MCL-1 and BCL-2 are the two key anti-apoptotic targets for sensitization. Similarly, the CDK inhibitor flavopiridol downregulated MCL-1 expression and synergized with venetoclax in BCL2High NHL cell lines to a similar extent as A-1210477. A-1210477 also synergized with navitoclax in the majority of BCL2Low NHL cell lines. However, chemical segregation with venetoclax or A-1155463 revealed that synergy was driven by BCL-XL inhibition in this population. Collectively these data emphasize that BCL2 status is predictive of venetoclax potency in NHL not only as a single agent, but also in the adjuvant setting with anti-tumorigenic agents that inhibit MCL-1 function. These studies also potentially identify a patient population (BCL2Low) that could benefit from BCL-XL (navitoclax)-driven combination therapy.
Structure and dynamics of polymyxin-resistance-associated response regulator PmrA in complex with promoter DNA
Authors: Lou Yuan-Chao , Weng Tsai-Hsuan , Li Yi-Chuan , Kao Yi-Fen , Lin Wei-Feng , Peng Hwei-Ling , Chou Shan-Ho , Hsiao Chwan-Deng , Chen Chinpan
Published: November 2015

PmrA, an OmpR/PhoB family response regulator, manages genes for antibiotic resistance. Phosphorylation of OmpR/PhoB response regulator induces the formation of a symmetric dimer in the N-terminal receiver domain (REC), promoting two C-terminal DNA-binding domains (DBDs) to recognize promoter DNA to elicit adaptive responses. Recently, determination of the KdpE–DNA complex structure revealed an REC–DBD interface in the upstream protomer that may be necessary for transcription activation. Here, we report the 3.2-Å-resolution crystal structure of the PmrA–DNA complex, which reveals a similar yet different REC–DBD interface. However, NMR studies show that in the DNA-bound state, two domains tumble separately and an REC–DBD interaction is transiently populated in solution. Reporter gene analyses of PmrA variants with altered interface residues suggest that the interface is not crucial for supporting gene expression. We propose that REC–DBD interdomain dynamics and the DBD–DBD interface help PmrA interact with RNA polymerase holoenzyme to activate downstream gene transcription.
Minimal evolution time and quantum speed limit of non-Markovian open systems
Authors: Meng Xiangyi , Wu Chengjun , Guo Hong
Published: November 2015

We derive a sharp bound as the quantum speed limit (QSL) for the minimal evolution time of quantum open systems in the non-Markovian strong-coupling regime with initial mixed states by considering the effects of both renormalized Hamiltonian and dissipator. For a non-Markovian quantum open system, the possible evolution time between two arbitrary states is not unique, among the set of which we find that the minimal one and its QSL can decrease more steeply by adjusting the coupling strength of the dissipator, which thus provides potential improvements of efficiency in many quantum physics and quantum information areas.
Crystal structure of an antigenic outer-membrane protein from Salmonella Typhi suggests a potential antigenic loop and an efflux mechanism
Authors: Guan Hong-Hsiang , Yoshimura Masato , Chuankhayan Phimonphan , Lin Chien-Chih , Chen Nai-Chi , Yang Ming-Chi , Ismail Asma , Fun Hoong-Kun , Chen Chun-Jung
Published: November 2015

ST50, an outer-membrane component of the multi-drug efflux system from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is an obligatory diagnostic antigen for typhoid fever. ST50 is an excellent and unique diagnostic antigen with 95% specificity and 90% sensitivity and is used in the commercial diagnosis test kit (TYPHIDOTTM). The crystal structure of ST50 at a resolution of 2.98 Å reveals a trimer that forms an α-helical tunnel and a β-barrel transmembrane channel traversing the periplasmic space and outer membrane. Structural investigations suggest significant conformational variations in the extracellular loop regions, especially extracellular loop 2. This is the location of the most plausible antibody-binding domain that could be used to target the design of new antigenic epitopes for the development of better diagnostics or drugs for the treatment of typhoid fever. A molecule of the detergent n-octyl-β-D-glucoside is observed in the D-cage, which comprises three sets of Asp361 and Asp371 residues at the periplasmic entrance. These structural insights suggest a possible substrate transport mechanism in which the substrate first binds at the periplasmic entrance of ST50 and subsequently, via iris-like structural movements to open the periplasmic end, penetrates the periplasmic domain for efflux pumping of molecules, including poisonous metabolites or xenobiotics, for excretion outside the pathogen.
Reduced cortical microvascular oxygenation in multiple sclerosis: a blinded, case-controlled study using a novel quantitative near-infrared spectroscopy method
Authors: Yang Runze , Dunn Jeff F.
Published: November 2015

Hypoxia (low oxygen) is associated with many brain disorders as well as inflammation, but the lack of widely available technology has limited our ability to study hypoxia in human brain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a poorly understood neurological disease with a significant inflammatory component which may cause hypoxia. We hypothesized that if hypoxia were to occur, there should be reduced microvascular hemoglobin saturation (StO2). In this study, we aimed to determine if reduced StO2 can be detected in MS using frequency domain near-infrared spectroscopy (fdNIRS). We measured fdNIRS data in cortex and assessed disability of 3 clinical isolated syndrome (CIS), 72 MS patients and 12 controls. Control StO2 was 63.5 ± 3% (mean ± SD). In MS patients, 42% of StO2 values were more than 2 × SD lower than the control mean. There was a significant relationship between StO2 and clinical disability. A reduced microvascular StO2 is supportive (although not conclusive) that there may be hypoxic regions in MS brain. This is the first study showing how quantitative NIRS can be used to detect reduced StO2 in patients with MS, opening the door to understanding how microvascular oxygenation impacts neurological conditions.
Spatial distribution patterns of ammonia-oxidizing archaea abundance in subtropical forests at early and late successional stages
Authors: Chen Jie , Zhang Hui , Liu Wei , Lian Juyu , Ye Wanhui , Shen Weijun
Published: November 2015

Characterizing the spatial distribution patterns of soil microorganisms is helpful in understanding the biogeochemical processes they perform, but has been less studied relative to those of macroorganisms. In this study, we investigated and compared the spatially explicit distribution patterns of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) abundance and the influential factors between an early (ES) and a late successional (LS) subtropical forest stand. The average AOA abundance, vegetational attributes and soil nutrient contents were mostly greater in the LS than the ES stand (P = 0.085 or smaller), but their spatial variations were more pronounced in the ES than the LS stand. The spatial distribution patches of AOA abundance were smaller and more irregular in the ES stand (patch size <50 m) than in the LS stand (patch size about 120 m). Edaphic and vegetational variables contributed more to the spatial variations of AOA abundance for the ES (9.3%) stand than for LS stand, whereas spatial variables (MEMs) were the main contributors (62%) for the LS stand. These results suggest that environmental filtering likely influence the spatial distribution of AOA abundance at early successional stage more than that at late successional stage, while spatial dispersal is dominant at late successional stage.
Electronic band-gap modified passive silicon optical modulator at telecommunications wavelengths
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin , Liu Xiangdong , Lu Qingming , Wang Jiyang
Published: November 2015

The silicon optical modulator is considered to be the workhorse of a revolution in communications. In recent years, the capabilities of externally driven active silicon optical modulators have dramatically improved. Self-driven passive modulators, especially passive silicon modulators, possess advantages in compactness, integration, low-cost, etc. Constrained by a large indirect band-gap and sensitivity-related loss, the passive silicon optical modulator is scarce and has been not advancing, especially at telecommunications wavelengths. Here, a passive silicon optical modulator is fabricated by introducing an impurity band in the electronic band-gap and its nonlinear optics and applications in the telecommunications-wavelength lasers are investigated. The saturable absorption properties at the wavelength of 1.55 μm was measured and indicates that the sample is quite sensitive to light intensity and has negligible absorption loss. With a passive silicon modulator, pulsed lasers were constructed at wavelengths at 1.34 and 1.42 μm. It is concluded that the sensitive self-driven passive silicon optical modulator is a viable candidate for photonics applications out to 2.5 μm.
Hydrogen peroxide-activatable antioxidant prodrug as a targeted therapeutic agent for ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Lee Dongwon , Park Seunggyu , Bae Soochan , Jeong Dahee , Park Minhyung , Kang Changsun , Yoo Wooyoung , Samad Mohammed A. , Ke Qingen , Khang Gilson , Kang Peter M.
Published: November 2015

Overproduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) causes oxidative stress and is the main culprit in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Suppression of oxidative stress is therefore critical in the treatment of I/R injury. Here, we report H2O2-activatable antioxidant prodrug (BRAP) that is capable of specifically targeting the site of oxidative stress and exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. BRAP with a self-immolative boronic ester protecting group was designed to scavenge H2O2 and release HBA (p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. BRAP exerted potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and H2O2-stimulated cells by suppressing the generation of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In mouse models of hepatic I/R and cardiac I/R, BRAP exerted potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities due to the synergistic effects of H2O2-scavenging boronic esters and therapeutic HBA. In addition, administration of high doses of BRAP daily for 7 days showed no renal or hepatic function abnormalities. Therefore BRAP has tremendous therapeutic potential as H2O2-activatable antioxidant prodrug for the treatment of I/R injuries.
TAK1 Regulates Myocardial Response to Pathological Stress via NFAT, NFκB and Bnip3 Pathways
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Yi , Li Jing , Yin Haifeng , Guo Xiaoyun , Doan Jessica , Molkentin Jeffery D. , Liu Qinghang
Published: November 2015

TAK1 (TGFβ-activated kinase-1) signaling is essential in regulating a number of important biological functions, including innate immunity, inflammatory response, cell growth and differentiation and myocardial homeostasis. The precise role of TAK1 in the adult heart under pathological conditions remains largely unknown. Importantly, we observed that TAK1 is upregulated during compensatory hypertrophy but downregulated in end-stage heart failure. Here we generated transgenic mice with inducible expression of an active TAK1 mutant (TAK1ΔN) in the adult heart. TAK1ΔN transgenic mice developed greater cardiac hypertrophy compared with control mice after transverse aortic constriction (TAC), which was largely blocked by ablation of calcineurin Aβ. Expression of TAK1ΔN also promoted NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) transcriptional activity in luciferase reporter mice at baseline, which was further enhanced after TAC. Our results revealed that activation of TAK1 promoted adaptive cardiac hypertrophy through a cross-talk between calcineurin-NFAT and IKK-NFκB pathways. More significantly, adult-onset inducible expression of TAK1ΔN protected the myocardium from adverse remodeling and heart failure after myocardial infarction or long-term pressure overload, by preventing cardiac cell death and fibrosis. Mechanistically, TAK1 exerts its cardioprotective effect through activation of NFAT/NFκB, downregulation of Bnip3 and inhibition of cardiac cell death.
Combined free nitrous acid and hydrogen peroxide pre-treatment of waste activated sludge enhances methane production via organic molecule breakdown
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Wang Qilin , Ye Liu , Batstone Damien , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: November 2015

This study presents a novel pre-treatment strategy using combined free nitrous acid (FNA i.e. HNO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to enhance methane production from WAS, with the mechanisms investigated bio-molecularly. WAS from a full-scale plant was treated with FNA alone (1.54 mg N/L), H2O2 alone (10–80 mg/g TS) and their combinations followed by biochemical methane potential tests. Combined FNA and H2O2 pre-treatment substantially enhanced methane potential of WAS by 59–83%, compared to 13–23% and 56% with H2O2 pre-treatment alone and FNA pre-treatment alone respectively. Model-based analysis indicated the increased methane potential was mainly associated with up to 163% increase in rapidly biodegradable fraction with combined pre-treatment. The molecular weight distribution and chemical structure analyses revealed the breakdown of soluble macromolecules with the combined pre-treatment caused by the deamination and oxidation of the typical functional groups in proteins, polysaccharides and phosphodiesters. These changes likely improved the biodegradability of WAS.
Effectiveness of medical taping concept in primary dysmenorrhoea: a two-armed randomized trial
Authors: Tomás-Rodríguez María Isabel , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Martínez-St. John Damian Robert James , Toledo-Marhuenda José Vicente , Asensio-García María del Rosario , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco
Published: November 2015

In 2014, we assessed the effectiveness of Medical Taping Concept (MTC) in Primary Dysmenorrhoea (PD) with a single-blind, two-armed clinical trial (NCT02114723, ClinicalTrials.gov) with a follow-up of 4 menstrual cycles (pre-intervention: 2 months; post-intervention: 2 months) in a sample formed by 129 Spanish women aged 18–30 years with PD. We had two groups: intervention group (75), MTC covering T-11 and T-12 dermatomes; control group (54), another taping in both greater trochanter areas. Our main outcome measures were: pre-intervention and post-intervention increase in pain difference measured 2 hours after commencement (2-h pain — 0-h pain); difference between the number of tablets ingested post-intervention and pre-intervention; and associated symptoms in post-intervention (fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and others). Pain was assessed in: abdomen, legs, head and lower back. We found significant differences (p < 0.05) for number of tablets, abdominal and leg pain. In conclusion, the intervention group had less abdominal and leg pain when pharmacological therapy was not started. Furthermore, the intervention resulted in a lower intake of tablets. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to corroborate our results and to analyze the MTC effectiveness if women do not take any tablets during the entire menstrual period.
Correction: Rapid detection of Cu2+ by a paper-based microfluidic device coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA)–Au nanoclusters
Authors: Fang Xueen , Zhao Qianqian , Cao Hongmei , Liu Juan , Guan Ming , Kong Jilie
Published: November 2015

Correction for ‘Rapid detection of Cu2+ by a paper-based microfluidic device coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA)–Au nanoclusters’ by Xueen Fang, et al., Analyst, 2015, 140, 7823–7826.
Chemical dynamics simulations of energy transfer, surface-induced dissociation, soft-landing, and reactive-landing in collisions of protonated peptide ions with organic surfaces
Authors: Pratihar Subha , Barnes George L. , Hase William L.
Published: November 2015

Different simulation approaches like MM, QM + MM, and QM/MM, were used to study surface-induced dissociation, soft-landing, and reactive-landing for the peptide-H++ surface collisions.
Sol–gel synthesis of monolithic materials with hierarchical porosity
Authors: Feinle A. , Elsaesser M. S. , Hüsing N.
Published: November 2015

The development of synthetic routes to porous materials containing multiple, discrete sets of pores having disparate length scales is of high interest for a wide range of applications.
Cytotoxic properties of a new organometallic platinum(ii) complex and its gold(i) heterobimetallic derivatives
Authors: Serratrice Maria , Maiore Laura , Zucca Antonio , Stoccoro Sergio , Landini Ida , Mini Enrico , Massai Lara , Ferraro Giarita , Merlino Antonello , Messori Luigi , Cinellu Maria Agostina
Published: November 2015

The high antiproliferative effects of a new organoplatinum(ii) complex are further enhanced upon coordination of a gold(i) phosphane moiety.
High pressure behaviour and elastic properties of a dense inorganic–organic framework
Authors: Feng Guoqiang , Jiang Xingxing , Wei Wenjuan , Gong Pifu , Kang Lei , Li Zhihua , Li Yanchun , Li Xiaodong , Wu Xiang , Lin Zheshuai , Li Wei , Lu Peixiang
Published: November 2015

The hydrostatic behaviour of a cubic dense inorganic–organic framework [DABCOH22+][K(ClO4)3] has been systematically studiedviahigh-pressure synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. Further first principles calculations of full elastic tensors give full mapping of the Young's moduli, shear moduli and Poisson's ratios of this material.
Enhanced permeation arising from dual transport pathways in hybrid polymer–MOF membranes
Authors: Su Norman C. , Sun Daniel T. , Beavers Christine M. , Britt David K. , Queen Wendy L. , Urban Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2015

Hybrid polymer/inorganic membranes with dual transport pathways exhibit exceptional separation performance for carbon capture and non-classical gas transport behavior upon formation of a percolative network.
Serum metabolomics uncovering specific metabolite signatures of intra- and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Liang Qun , Liu Han , Zhang Tianyu , Jiang Yan , Xing Haitao , Zhang Hua
Published: November 2015

There is a lack of diagnostic tests for cholangiocarcinoma. This report identifies 4 serum metabolites which could differentiate cholangiocarcinoma patients with high accuracy.
Bacterial terpene cyclases
Authors: Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: November 2015

This review summarises the characterised bacterial terpene cyclases and their products and discusses the enzyme mechanisms.
A biocompatibility study of new nanofibrous scaffolds for nervous system regeneration
Authors: Raspa A. , Marchini A. , Pugliese R. , Mauri M. , Maleki M. , Vasita R. , Gelain F.
Published: November 2015

Blend, coaxial I, coaxial II and annealed microchannels were fabricated with an electrospinning setup and the fiber morphologies were characterized with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microtubes were implanted into rodent spinal cord to analyze biocompatibility.
Silicon as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries: where size, geometry and structure matter
Authors: Ashuri Maziar , He Qianran , Shaw Leon L.
Published: November 2015

Silicon has attracted huge attention in the last decade because it has a theoretical capacity ∼10 times that of graphite.
Rawal's catalyst as an effective stimulant for the highly asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters to functionally rich nitro-olefins
Authors: Suresh Kumar A. , Prabhakar Reddy T. , Madhavachary R. , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: November 2015

A general approach to the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted dihydroquinolines was achieved through neighboringortho-amino group engaged sequential Michael/amination/dehydration reactions.
Incorporation of benzothiadiazole into the backbone of 1,2,5,6-naphthalenediimide based copolymers, enabling much improved film crystallinity and charge carrier mobility
Authors: Zhao Zheng , Wang Zhongli , Ge Congwu , Zhang Xu , Yang Xiaodi , Gao Xike
Published: November 2015

By incorporating benzothiadiazole units into the main chain of 1,2,5,6-naphthalenediimide based copolymers, we report herein a new copolymer with much improved film crystallinity and charge carrier mobility.
Graphene-intercalated Fe2O3/TiO2 heterojunctions for efficient photoelectrolysis of water
Authors: Kaouk A. , Ruoko T.-P. , Gönüllü Y. , Kaunisto K. , Mettenbörger A. , Gurevich E. , Lemmetyinen H. , Ostendorf A. , Mathur S.
Published: November 2015

Interfacial modification of α-Fe2O3/TiO2 multilayer photoanodes by intercalating few-layer graphene (FLG) was found to improve water splitting efficiency due to superior transport properties, when compared to individual iron and titanium oxides and heterojunctions thereof.
Simultaneously enhancing the flame retardancy and toughness of epoxy by lamellar dodecyl-ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
Authors: Zhuang Rong-Chuan , Yang Juan , Wang De-Yi , Huang Ya-Xi
Published: November 2015

Lamellar dodecyl-ammonium dihydrogen phosphate flame retardant was synthesized in one-pot. Its incorporation into epoxy leads to the simultaneous enhancement of flame retardancy and impact toughness for the resulting epoxy composites.
Laser-induced synthesis of Ag nanoparticles on the silanized surface of a fiber taper and applications as a SERS probe
Authors: Cao Jie , Zhao Di , Mao Qinghe
Published: November 2015

The silanized fiber probe with the optimal laser-induced growth time exhibited very strong SERS activity and good measurement reproducibility.
Development of a novel electrochemical carboxylation system using a microreactor
Authors: Tateno Hiroyuki , Matsumura Yoshimasa , Nakabayashi Koji , Senboku Hisanori , Atobe Mahito
Published: November 2015

We have developed an novel electrochemical carboxylation system using a microreactor. In this system, electrochemical carboxylation of benzyl halides proceeds without the use of a sacrificial anode to give carboxylated products in excellent yields.
Flexible silk fibroin films modified by genipin and glycerol
Authors: Wang Yiyu , Wang Xinyu , Shi Jian , Zhu Rong , Zhang Junhua , Zhang Zongrui
Published: November 2015

A novel flexible silk fibroin film with less cytotoxicity has been fibricated through adding genipin (GP) and glycerol (Gl).
Influence of monomer conformation on the mechanical and tribological properties of thermosetting polyimides
Authors: Wang Yanming , Tao Liming , Wang Tingmei , Wang Qihua
Published: November 2015

Thermosetting polyimides prepared by different oligomers with same calculated number-average molecular weights (Mn) and different conformation display different physical, chemical properties and tribological performance.
Imaging heterogeneity and transport of degraded Nafion membranes
Authors: Shi Wenqing , Baker Lane A.
Published: November 2015

Accelerated aging experiments of Nafion® 212 (N212) membranes were carried out. Characterization of degraded N212 membrane samples was performed by microscopy, spectroscopy and electrochemical methods.
Synthesis of substituted pyrroles using a silver-catalysed reaction between isocyanoacetates/benzyl isocyanides and chromones
Authors: Qi Xueyu , Xiang Haoyue , Yang Yuhong , Yang Chunhao
Published: November 2015

A novel synthetic strategy to construct substituted-pyrroles has been developed through silver-catalysed cycloadditions of isocyanides with chromones.
Hyper-crosslinked β-cyclodextrin porous polymer: an adsorption-facilitated molecular catalyst support for transformation of water-soluble aromatic molecules
Authors: Li Haiying , Meng Bo , Chai Song-Hai , Liu Honglai , Dai Sheng
Published: November 2015

A hyper-crosslinked β-cyclodextrin porous polymer (BnCD-HCPP) was designed and synthesized facilely by β-cyclodextrin benzylation and subsequent crosslinking for efficient adsorption and catalysis.
Tantalum (oxy)nitride based photoanodes for solar-driven water oxidation
Authors: Zhen Chao , Chen Runze , Wang Lianzhou , Liu Gang , Cheng Hui-Ming
Published: November 2015

The recent development of tantalum (oxy)nitride based photoanodes is summarized and their future trends are also discussed.
An integrated biochemical system for nitrate assimilation and nitric oxide detoxification in Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Authors: Cabrera Juan J. , Salas Ana , Torres María J. , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Richardson David J. , Gates Andrew J. , Delgado María J.
Published: November 2015

Rhizobia are recognized to establish N2-fixing symbiotic interactions with legume plants. Bradyrhizobium japonicum, the symbiont of soybeans, can denitrify and grow under free-living conditions with nitrate (NO3−) or nitrite (NO2−) as sole nitrogen source. Unlike related bacteria that assimilate NO3−, genes encoding the assimilatory NO3− reductase (nasC) and NO2− reductase (nirA) in B. japonicum are located at distinct chromosomal loci. The nasC gene is located with genes encoding an ABC-type NO3− transporter, a major facilitator family NO3−/NO2− transporter (NarK), flavoprotein (Flp) and single-domain haemoglobin (termed Bjgb). However, nirA clusters with genes for a NO3−/NO2−-responsive regulator (NasS-NasT). In the present study, we demonstrate NasC and NirA are both key for NO3− assimilation and that growth with NO3−, but not NO2− requires flp, implying Flp may function as electron donor to NasC. In addition, bjgb and flp encode a nitric oxide (NO) detoxification system that functions to mitigate cytotoxic NO formed as a by-product of NO3− assimilation. Additional experiments reveal NasT is required for NO3−-responsive expression of the narK-bjgb-flp-nasC transcriptional unit and the nirA gene and that NasS is also involved in the regulatory control of this novel bipartite assimilatory NO3−/NO2− reductase pathway.
An Optimal Set of Flesh Points on Tongue and Lips for Speech-Movement Classification
Authors: Wang Jun , Samal Ashok , Rong Panying , Green Jordan R.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The authors sought to determine an optimal set of flesh points on the tongue and lips for classifying speech movements.

Method

The authors used electromagnetic articulographs (Carstens AG500 and NDI Wave) to record tongue and lip movements from 13 healthy talkers who articulated 8 vowels, 11 consonants, a phonetically balanced set of words, and a set of short phrases during the recording. We used a machine-learning classifier (support-vector machine) to classify the speech stimuli on the basis of articulatory movements. We then compared classification accuracies of the flesh-point combinations to determine an optimal set of sensors.

Results

When data from the 4 sensors (T1: the vicinity between the tongue tip and tongue blade; T4: the tongue-body back; UL: the upper lip; and LL: the lower lip) were combined, phoneme and word classifications were most accurate and were comparable with the full set (including T2: the tongue-body front; and T3: the tongue-body front).

Conclusion

We identified a 4-sensor set—that is, T1, T4, UL, LL—that yielded a classification accuracy (91%–95%) equivalent to that using all 6 sensors. These findings provide an empirical basis for selecting sensors and their locations for scientific and emerging clinical applications that incorporate articulatory movements.
Modelling and control of VIENNA rectifier a single phase approach
Authors: Thangavelu Thandapani , Shanmugam Paramasivam , Raj Karpagam
Published: November 2015

Input harmonic and power factor (PF) regulations necessitate the use of front end active PF correction (APFC) circuit for power electronic converters. In recent times, the VIENNA rectifier has become a popular choice for three‐phase APFC applications. The converter is a fifth‐order system and results in a highly complex model. This calls for a complex control design procedure and involves enormous computation requiring the use of a high end digital signal processor (DSP). This can be simplified if the order of system is reduced. In this study, it is proposed to decouple and analyse the converter as three independent single phase units operating in parallel with current mode control, thereby reducing the order to two, simplifying the analysis and control design. The transfer function of the proposed small‐signal model is derived and its Bode plot is drawn. A high bandwidth inner average current controller and a low bandwidth outer voltage controller are designed to obtain a 60° phase margin. With the proposed design, a 10 kW prototype VIENNA rectifier is developed with a low cost analogue integrated circuit (IC) and validated. The results obtained prove the accuracy of the proposed model and effectiveness of the control. Single phase operation is also made feasible with the proposed technique.
Management of Intrauterine Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in 14 Patients by Sonographically Guided Tisseel Application
Authors: Bandura Patrick , Rawnaq Tamina , Holzknecht Annette , Cetin Emine , Reemts Petra , Zoi Panagiota , Schwärzler Peter
Published: November 2015

Purpose AVMs are rare tumorous vascular lesions derived from placental tissue that may present with massive post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) causing potentially life-threatening anemic shock. Current treatment options include the embolization of uterine arteries and emergency postpartum hysterectomy. We present a new form of minimally invasive, highly specific sonographically guided treatment in the form of the application of a human fibrin sealant leading to the instant cease of blood loss.

Materials and Methods A management protocol was established and a case series of 14 patients is presented. Diagnosis by endovaginal color Doppler sonography is followed by the sonographically guided application of biological glue (TISSEEL®), thus allowing for super-selective occlusion of the feeding vessels.

Results The procedure was technically successful in all 14 patients, 3 of whom (21 %) had a repeated procedure after 4 – 7 days. The mean age (yrs.) of the patients was 31 (25 – 40), the gravity was median 2 (1 – 5) and the parity was median 1 (0 – 4), the lowest Hb value was on average 9.35 ± 2.25 (5.2 – 14.2) g/dl, the lowest Ht was on average 30.82 ± 6.02 (18 – 41 %). Spectral Doppler analysis revealed an average of 80.71 ± 11.2 (66 – 115) cm/sec for the maximal detectable PSV. In the period of 4 – 55 months after treatment, 7 patients (50 %) had 8 successful pregnancies and 2 miscarriages.

Conclusion In PPH there is vital interest in timely diagnosis of the underlying cause, thus allowing fertility-sparing, minimally invasive and super-selective emergency treatment. In AVMs causing PPH, a positive impact on perinatal morbidity and mortality may be achieved by sonographically guided application of this biological glue.
Fischer decomposition for polynomials on superspace
Authors: Lávička Roman , Šmíd Dalibor
Published: November 2015

Recently, the Fischer decomposition for polynomials on superspace ℝm|2n (that is, polynomials in m commuting and 2n anti-commuting variables) has been obtained unless the superdimension M = m − 2n is even and non-positive. In this case, it turns out that the Fischer decomposition of polynomials into spherical harmonics is quite analogous as in ℝm and it is an irreducible decomposition under the natural action of Lie superalgebra 𝔬𝔰𝔭(m|2n). In this paper, we describe explicitly the Fischer decomposition in the exceptional case when M ∈ − 2ℕ0. In particular, we show that, under the action of 𝔬𝔰𝔭(m|2n), the Fischer decomposition is not, in general, a decomposition into irreducible but just indecomposable pieces.