bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: THE 1,3‐DITHIAN‐2‐YL‐METHOXYCARBONYL (DMOC‐) RADICAL, A PROTECTIVE GROUP FOR THE AMINO FUNCTION IN PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS
Authors: BARTHELS R. , KUNZ H.
Published: April 2016

Während die bereits bekannte nach dem Zweistufenprinzip wirksame 2‐Methylmercaptoethoxycarbonyl‐(Mtc)‐Gruppe bei Peptidsynthesen gegen Basen ausreichend stabil ist, stellt der neu entwickelte Dmoc‐ Rest einen Schutz unter basischen und auch unter stark sauren Bedingungen dar.
ChemInform Abstract: SYNTHETIC APPROACH TOWARD ANTIBIOTIC TUNICAMYCINS. II
Authors: FUKUDA Y. , KITASATO H. , SASAI H. , SUAMI T.
Published: April 2016

Im Zusammenhang mit Untersuchungen über die Zuckerkomponente natürlich vorkommender biologisch aktiver Stoffe werden Dodecose‐Derivate synthetisiert.
ChemInform Abstract: BRANCHED‐CHAIN SUGARS. XXIX. SYNTHESIS OF MOENURONIC ACID (4‐C‐METHYL‐D‐GLUCURONIC ACID)
Authors: SATO K. , KUBO K. , HONG N. , KODAMA H. , YOSHIMURA J.
Published: April 2016

Die α‐D‐xylo‐Hexopyranosidulose (I) reagiert mit MeLi in Ether bei ‐78°C stereoselektiv zu dem axialen C‐Methyl‐Derivat (II), dessen Detritylierungsprodukt (III) hydrogenolytisch zu (IV) debenzyliert wird.
ChemInform Abstract: AN ANOMALOUS OUTCOME IN THE WITTIG OLEFINATION OF AN ALDOSE
Authors: OLEJNICZAK K. , FRANCK R. W.
Published: April 2016

Aus dem Galaktosederivat (I) entstehen mit dem Phosphoran (II) die beiden Kondensate (III) und (IV), die getrennt und identifiziert werden.
ChemInform Abstract: SECOPHTHALIDEISOQUINOLINES
Authors: BLASKO G. , ELANGO V. , SENER B. , FREYER A. J. , SHAMMA M.
Published: April 2016

Die Strukturen einiger bekannter Secophthalidisochinoline, z.B. (I), werden bestimmt.
ChemInform Abstract: STEREOSPECIFIC SYNTHESIS OF MUSCARINES AND ALLOMUSCARINES IN D‐ AND L‐SERIES
Authors: POCHET S. , HUYNH‐DINH TAM HUYNH‐DINH TAM
Published: April 2016

D‐ bzw. L‐2‐Desoxy‐ribose (I) wird in die isomeren Nitrile (II) und (III) umgewandelt.
ChemInform Abstract: PROSTAGLANDIN CHEMISTRY. XVI. SYNTHESIS OF NEW SECOPROSTAGLANDINS AS INDUCERS S OF PLATELET AGGREGATION
Authors: TANAKA T. , BANNAI K. , TORU T. , OBA T. , OKAMURA N. , WATANABE K. , KUROZUMI S.
Published: April 2016

Aus dem Carbonsäuremethylester (I), dessen Herstellung beschrieben wird, erhält man auf dem im Formelschema angegebenen Weg die Carbonsäure (IV).
ChemInform Abstract: ADRIAMYCIN ANALOGS. 1. PREPARATION AND ANTITUMOR EVALUATION OF 7‐O‐(β‐D‐GLUCOSAMINYL)DAUNOMYCINONE AND 7‐O‐(β‐D‐GLUCOSAMINYL)ADRIAMYCINONE AND THEIR N‐TRIFLUOROACETYL DERIVATIVES
Authors: ISRAEL M. , MURRAY R. J.
Published: April 2016

Daunomycinon (I) kondensiert mit dem 2‐Desoxyglucopyranosylbromid (II) hauptsächlich zum geschützten Glykosid (III), das direkt in das Glucosaminyldaunomycinon (IV) umgewandelt wird.
Progressive brain changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A longitudinal MRI study
Authors: Shan Zack Y. , Kwiatek Richard , Burnet Richard , Del Fante Peter , Staines Donald R. , Marshall‐Gradisnik Sonya M. , Barnden Leighton R.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To examine progressive brain changes associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Materials and Methods

We investigated progressive brain changes with longitudinal MRI in 15 CFS and 10 normal controls (NCs) scanned twice 6 years apart on the same 1.5 Tesla (T) scanner. MR images yielded gray matter (GM) volumes, white matter (WM) volumes, and T1‐ and T2‐weighted signal intensities (T1w and T2w). Each participant was characterized with Bell disability scores, and somatic and neurological symptom scores. We tested for differences in longitudinal changes between CFS and NC groups, inter group differences between pooled CFS and pooled NC populations, and correlations between MRI and symptom scores using voxel based morphometry. The analysis methodologies were first optimized using simulated atrophy.

Results

We found a significant decrease in WM volumes in the left inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF) in CFS while in NCs it was unchanged (family wise error adjusted cluster level P value, PFWE < 0.05). This longitudinal finding was consolidated by the group comparisons which detected significantly decreased regional WM volumes in adjacent regions (PFWE < 0.05) and decreased GM and blood volumes in contralateral regions (PFWE < 0.05). Moreover, the regional GM and WM volumes and T2w in those areas showed significant correlations with CFS symptom scores (PFWE < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggested that CFS is associated with IFOF WM deficits which continue to deteriorate at an abnormal rate. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1301–1311.
Genetic Variants Associated with Male Pedophilic Sexual Interest
Authors: Alanko Katarina , Gunst Annika , Mokros Andreas , Santtila Pekka
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The etiology of sexual preference disorders (paraphilias) in general and pedophilia in particular remains unknown. There are some indications of biological factors related to pedophilic interest and pedophilic disorder.

Aim

To examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potentially associated with pedophilic sexual interest.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1,672 men 18 to 45 years old from the Genetics of Sex and Aggression sample who had submitted saliva samples. Fifty-four SNPs were genotyped and relevant SNPs were analyzed.

Main Outcome Measures

A self-report questionnaire designed specifically for the Genetics of Sex and Aggression sample was used to measure sexual interest in and sexual behavior toward children and adolescents. DNA extraction and genotyping were used to measure possible associations between male pedophilia and SNPs.

Results

Before controlling for multiple testing, statistically significant associations were found for SNPs linked to androgen, estrogen, prolactin, corticotrophin, serotonin, and oxytocin. No associations remained significant after controlling for multiple testing.

Conclusion

The results of the present study suggest a complex biological mechanism affecting adult sexual interest in children. Very small effect sizes characterized the findings, and several polymorphisms related to different hormonal functioning were initially related to the phenotype.
MDM2 antagonist nutlin‐3a sensitizes tumors to V‐ATPase inhibition
Authors: Schneider Lina S. , Ulrich Melanie , Lehr Thorsten , Menche Dirk , Müller Rolf , von Schwarzenberg Karin
Published: April 2016

Treating cancer is one of the big challenges of this century and it has become evident that single chemotherapeutic treatment is rarely effective. As tumors often carry multiple mutations using combination therapy which addresses different targets seems therefore more beneficial. One of the most frequently mutated genes in tumors is the tumor suppressor p53. Significant work has been put in the development of p53 activators, which are now in clinical studies against diverse cancers. Recently, we could show that inhibition of V‐ATPase, a multisubunit proton pump, by archazolid induces p53 protein levels in cancer cells. In this study, we provide evidence that the combination of archazolid with the p53 activator nutlin‐3a is synergistically inducing cell death in different p53 wild type tumor cell lines. Mechanistically, this effect could presumably be attributed to reduction of glycolysis as TIGAR mRNA levels were increased and glucose uptake and Glut1 protein levels were reduced. In addition, combination treatment highly activated pro‐apoptotic pathways including IGFBP3 and Bax inducing caspase‐9 and PARP cleavage. Remarkably, combination of archazolid and nutlin‐3a was more efficient in reducing tumor growth compared to single dose treatment in a U87MG mouse model in vivo. Hence, our findings suggest the combination of archazolid and nutlin‐3a as a highly promising strategy for the treatment of p53 wild type tumors.
Young Children's Health and Wellbeing Across the Transition to School: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis
Authors: Fane Jennifer , MacDougall Colin , Redmond Gerry , Jovanovic Jessie , Ward Paul
Published: April 2016

This paper reports on the systematic search and review of the literature relating to the health and wellbeing of young children across the transition to school. It identified 56 papers (including empirical studies, reviews, commentaries, and reports) relevant to the research questions and completed an interpretive systematic review to ascertain the current state of the literature. The review employed the Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) method to allow for a rigorous and systematic review of a disparate literature which stretches across several disciplines. The findings are presented in seven thematic categories: current conceptualisations of health and wellbeing, assessment and measurement, ‘school readiness’, service integration, transition actors, ‘at risk’ children, and child voice. These findings illustrate the ways in which concepts have been constructed, identified, and operationalised in early years research, practice, and policy. Moreover, it highlights that ‘what is known’ can be used to inform the review or implementation of services, practices, and partnerships that support child health and wellbeing during the transition to school.
Kritsana son nong: The politics and practice of manners in modern Thailand (1950s–1970s)
Authors: Tangsantikul Juthamas
Published: April 2016

This article discusses the early 1960s Thai etiquette manualKritsana son nong: Naenam marayat thi ngam haeng araya samai[Kritsana's instructions to Little Sister: An introduction to the fine manners of the civilised period]. A comparison between this book and its American source reveals literary mechanisms devised by the Thai author to negotiate conflicts arising from the domestication of Western-based manners in Thai society.Kritsana son nong'sspecial emphasis on women reflects a perceived need to control and regulate female social interaction with and in comparison to their male counterparts during a period of rapid and profound socioeconomic change. This study of a Thai ettiquette manual and its historical context demonstrates that manners are a cultural artefact whose meanings are open to contest. This complex negotiation between local and foreign practices is often overlooked in the history of and the discussions about manners in modern Thai society.
ELBOW ROOM FOR SELF-DEFENSE
Authors: Mack Eric
Published: April 2016

This essay contrasts two approaches to permissible self-defensive killing. The first is the forfeiture approach; the second is the elbow room for self-defense approach. The forfeiture approach comes in many versions — not all of which make prominent use of the word “forfeiture.” However, all versions presume that the permissibility of X killing Y (when X must kill Y in order to prevent herself from being unjustly killed) depends entirely on there being some feature of Y in virtue of which Y has become liable to be killed, that is, in virtue of which Y has forfeited or lost or been stripped of his right not to be killed. Different versions of the forfeiture approach advance different claims about what feature of Y will render Y liable to being killed by X. I criticize versions of this approach offered by Thomson, Otsuka, and McMahan and argue that the shared deep error is the presumption that the permissibility of X’s action turns entirely on some feature of Y. In focusing entirely on Y, the forfeiture approach fails to take seriously X’s right of self-defense. In contrast, the elbow room for self-defense approach starts with an explication of a plausible right of self-defense and maintains that a proper explication of Y’s right not to be killed must make moral elbow room from X’s exercise of this right. Within the elbow room approach, Y’s liability to being killed is based upon X’s right of self-defense rather than the permissibility of X’s killing Y being based upon Y’s forfeiture.
WHEN MAY WE KILL GOVERNMENT AGENTS? IN DEFENSE OF MORAL PARITY
Authors: Brennan Jason
Published: April 2016

This essay argues for what may be called the parity thesis: Whenever it would be morally permissible to kill a civilian in self-defense or in defense of others against that civilian's unjust acts, it would also be permissible to kill government officials, including police officers, prison officers, generals, lawmakers, and even chief executives. I argue that in realistic circumstances, violent resistance to state injustice is permissible, even and perhaps especially in reasonably just democratic regimes. When civilians see officials about to commit certain severe injustices — such as police officers engaging in excessive violence — they may sometimes act unilaterally and kill the offending officials. I consider and rebut a wide range of objections, including objections against vigilantism, objections based on state legitimacy, and objections that violence can produce bad fallout.
I’M SO ANGRY I COULD HELP YOU: MORAL OUTRAGE AS A DRIVER OF VICTIM COMPENSATION
Authors: Thulin Erik W. , Bicchieri Cristina
Published: April 2016

Recent behavioral economics studies have shown that third parties compensate players in Dictator, Ultimatum, and Trust games. However, there are almost no studies about what drives third parties to compensate victims in such games. It can be argued that compensation is a form of helping; and helping behavior, in a variety of forms, has been widely researched, especially with regard to motivators. Previous work on helping behavior has focused on empathic concern as a primary driver. In sharp contrast, anger is often seen as an antisocial motivator resulting in aggression. However, other research has shown that moral outrage, anger evoked by the violation of a moral rule or a social norm, can lead to the punishment of a perpetrator, often described as altruistic or pro-social punishment. Some of the motivations for pro-social punishment, namely a concern for justice or the restoration of community values, can also be realized through victim compensation. We therefore propose the hypothesis that moral outrage leads to compensating behavior above and beyond what is predicted by empathic concern, but only when a social norm has been violated. We test this hypothesis in two studies, both of which use modified trust games in which the investor experiences a loss due either to a social norm violation or some other cause. Study 1 shows that trait moral outrage predicts third-party compensatory behavior above and beyond empathic concern, but only when a social norm is violated. To better understand the causal mechanism, Study 2 directly manipulated moral outrage, showing again that moral outrage leads to compensation, but only when a social norm is violated.
ON REALIST LEGITIMACY
Authors: Wendt Fabian
Published: April 2016

In the last ten or fifteen years, realism has emerged as a distinct approach in political theory. Realists are skeptical about the merits of abstract theories of justice. They regard peace, order, and stability as the primary goals of politics. One of the more concrete aims of realists is to develop a realist perspective on legitimacy. I argue that realist accounts of legitimacy are unconvincing, because they do not solve what I call the “puzzle of legitimacy”: the puzzle of how some persons can have the right to rule over others, given that all persons are equals. I focus on the realist accounts of legitimacy developed by Bernard Williams and John Horton.
Pestov's identity on frame bundles and applications
Authors: EGIDI MICHELA
Published: April 2016

In this paper we lift Pestov's Identity on the tangent bundle of a Riemannian manifoldMto the bundle ofk-tuples of tangent vectors. We also derive an integrated version and a restriction to the frame bundlePkMofk-frames. Finally, we discuss a dynamical application for the parallel transport on$\cal{G}_{or}^{k} (M)$, the Grassmannian of orientedk-planes ofM.
Crystal structure of citalopram hydrobromide, C20H22FN2OBr
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Zhong Kai , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: April 2016

The crystal structure of citalopram hydrobromide has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Citalopram hydrobromide crystallizes in space groupP21/c(#14) witha= 10.766 45(6),b= 33.070 86(16),c= 10.892 85(5) Å,β= 90.8518(3)°,V= 3878.03(4) Å3, andZ= 8. N–H⋯Br hydrogen bonds are important to the structure, but the crystal energy is dominated by van der Waals attraction. The powder pattern was submitted to International Centre for Diffraction Data for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™.
Scientific Fact-finding at the International Court of Justice: An Appraisal in the Aftermath of theWhalingCase
Authors: MBENGUE MAKANE MOÏSE
Published: April 2016

The 2014 judgment of the International Court of Justice, regardingWhaling in the Antarctic, brought into focus scientific fact-finding in disputes before the Court. This article examines the Court's practice with respect to first, the mode of appointment and method of examining experts assisting the Court in fact-finding; and second, the standard of review employed in analysing a scientific fact to arrive at a judicial decision. In doing so, the article also refers to jurisprudence of the World Trade Organization to draw parallels and best practices therefrom. This analysis is aimed at structuring a coherent and predictable approach for scientific fact-finding before the International Court of Justice.
Twin pregnancy in a Fontan-palliated patient
Authors: Nair Anupama , Radhakrishnan Sitaraman , Iyer Krishna S.
Published: April 2016

The Fontan connection, originally described in 1971, is used to provide palliation for patients with many forms of CHDs that cannot support a biventricular circulation. An increasing number of females who have undergone these connections in childhood are now surviving into adulthood and some are becoming pregnant. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with a twin pregnancy at 33 weeks of gestation. She had significant deterioration of her cardiovascular status before the twin babies were delivered by emergency caesarean section owing to associated obstetric complications. This report also highlights the various maternal and fetal complications occurring in pregnancy of Fontan-palliated patients and suggests the need for meticulous pre-conception counselling and strict perinatal care.
Marriage, Family and Politics: The Ilkhanid-Oirat Connection
Authors: BROADBRIDGE ANNE F.
Published: April 2016

The Chinggisids clearly favoured specific in-law clans through policies of repeated marriage over generations. This paper charts the fortunes of one such clan, the Oirats, who first joined the Chinggisids when Chinggis Khan and Börte's daughter Chechiyegen wedded an Oirat prince. Thereafter Chechiyegen's own daughters married back to the Toluid, Jochid and Chagatayid families. This paper follows those Oirats who intermarried with the Ilkhanids, beginning with Chechiyegen's daughter Güyük and ending with the Toluid-Oirat Ilkhan, Abū Sa‘īd (r. 1317-1335).
Robust and fast near-field antenna measurement technique
Authors: Chiu Po-Jui , Cheng Wei-Chung , Tsai Dong-Chen , Tsai Zuo-Min
Published: April 2016

Traditional near-field antenna measurements use the sampling theorem to reconstruct the antenna pattern perfectly. However, a large number of measurement points are required for this approach. To address this problem, in this study, we propose a technique to accelerate the near-field antenna measurement, which is achieved by sparse E-field sampling in the region where the E-field changes smoothly and dense sampling in the region where the field changes rapidly. Further, our approach ensures robustness of measurement; the E-field information need not be known before carrying out measurements. Our experimental results demonstrate that our technique can reduce the number of measuring points by at least 64.9% when measuring two different patterns (15-GHz horn antenna with θ = 0° and 10°).
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension - a diagnostic and therapeutic update
Authors: Stricker Hans
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), an important cause of severe pulmonary hypertension, is still underdiagnosed, mainly due to the insufficient use of V/Q scannning in patients with pulmonary hypertension. This article reviews the current diagnostic approach and discusses the therapeutic options in this particular form of pulmonary hypertension. Every patient with CTEPH should undergo an evaluation in a specialised centre with experience in pulmonary arterial endarteriectomy (PEA) as the potentially curative surgical technique. Partly unresolved questions regard the status of the recently described percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty and the best medical treatment in patients with inoperable or recurrent/persistent pulmonary hypertension after PEA.
Clks 1, 2 and 4 prevent chromatin breakage by regulating the Aurora B-dependent abscission checkpoint
Authors: Petsalaki Eleni , Zachos George
Published: April 2016

When chromatin is trapped at the intercellular bridge, cells delay completion of cytokinesis (abscission) to prevent chromosome breakage. Here we show that inhibition of Cdc-like kinases (Clks) 1, 2 or 4 accelerates midbody resolution in normally segregating cells and correlates with premature abscission, chromatin breakage and generation of DNA damage in cytokinesis with trapped chromatin. Clk1, Clk2 and Clk4 localize to the midbody in an interdependent manner, associate with Aurora B kinase and are required for Aurora B–serine 331 (S331) phosphorylation and complete Aurora B activation in late cytokinesis. Phosphorylated Aurora B–S331 localizes to the midbody centre and is required for phosphorylation and optimal localization of the abscission protein Chmp4c. In addition, expression of phosphomimetic mutants Aurora B–S331E or Chmp4c-S210D delays midbody disassembly and prevents chromatin breakage in Clk-deficient cells. We propose that Clks 1, 2 and 4 impose the abscission checkpoint by phosphorylating Aurora B–S331 at the midbody.
Potential pathways by which maternal second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy causes full-term low birth weight
Authors: Niu Zhongzheng , Xie Chuanbo , Wen Xiaozhong , Tian Fuying , Yuan Shixin , Jia Deqin , Chen Wei-Qing
Published: April 2016

It is well documented that maternal exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy causes low birth weight (LBW), but its mechanism remains unknown. This study explored the potential pathways. We enrolled 195 pregnant women who delivered full-term LBW newborns and 195 who delivered full-term normal birth weight newborns as the controls. After controlling for maternal age, education level, family income, pre-pregnant body mass index, newborn gender and gestational age, logistic regression analysis revealed that LBW was significantly and positively associated with maternal exposure to SHS during pregnancy, lower placental weight, TNF-α and IL-1β and that SHS exposure was significantly associated with lower placental weight, TNF-α and IL-1β. Structural equation modelling identified two plausible pathways by which maternal exposure to SHS during pregnancy might cause LBW. First, SHS exposure induced the elevation of TNF-α, which might directly increase the risk of LBW by transmission across the placenta. Second, SHS exposure first increased maternal secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α, which then triggered the secretion of VCAM-1; both TNF-α and VCAM-1 were significantly associated with lower placental weight, thus increasing the risk of LBW. In conclusion, maternal exposure to SHS during pregnancy may lead to LBW through the potential pathways of maternal inflammation and lower placental weight.
Sequence diversity of NanA manifests in distinct enzyme kinetics and inhibitor susceptibility
Authors: Xu Zhongli , von Grafenstein Susanne , Walther Elisabeth , Fuchs Julian E. , Liedl Klaus R. , Sauerbrei Andreas , Schmidtke Michaela
Published: April 2016

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading pathogen causing bacterial pneumonia and meningitis. Its surface-associated virulence factor neuraminidase A (NanA) promotes the bacterial colonization by removing the terminal sialyl residues from glycoconjugates on eukaryotic cell surface. The predominant role of NanA in the pathogenesis of pneumococci renders it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Despite the highly conserved activity of NanA, our alignment of the 11 NanAs revealed the evolutionary diversity of this enzyme. The amino acid substitutions we identified, particularly those in the lectin domain and in the insertion domain next to the catalytic centre triggered our special interest. We synthesised the representative NanAs and the mutagenized derivatives from E. coli for enzyme kinetics study and neuraminidase inhibitor susceptibility test. Via molecular docking we got a deeper insight into the differences between the two major variants of NanA and their influence on the ligand-target interactions. In addition, our molecular dynamics simulations revealed a prominent intrinsic flexibility of the linker between the active site and the insertion domain, which influences the inhibitor binding. Our findings for the first time associated the primary sequence diversity of NanA with the biochemical properties of the enzyme and with the inhibitory efficiency of neuraminidase inhibitors.
Reversal of the Detrimental Effects of Post-Stroke Social Isolation by Pair-Housing is Mediated by Activation of BDNF-MAPK/ERK in Aged Mice
Authors: Verma Rajkumar , Harris Nia M. , Friedler Brett D. , Crapser Joshua , Patel Anita R. , Venna Venugopal , McCullough Louise D.
Published: April 2016

Social isolation (SI) increases stroke-related mortality and morbidity in clinical populations. The detrimental effects of SI have been successfully modeled in the laboratory using young animals. Mechanistically, the negative effects of SI in young animals are primarily mediated by an enhanced inflammatory response to injury and a reduction in neurotrophic factors. However, the response to brain injury differs considerably in the aged. Given that SI is more prevalent in aged populations, we hypothesized that isolation, even when initiated after stroke, would delay recovery in aged mice. We found that aged isolated male mice had significantly increased infarct volume, neurological deficits and serum IL-6 levels three days after stroke compared to pair housed (PH) mice. Using RT2 Profiler PCR Array and real-time quantitative PCR we found several important synaptic plasticity genes were differentially expressed in post-stroke SI mice. Furthermore, paired mice showed improved memory and neurobehavioral recovery four weeks after injury. Mechanistic and histological studies showed that the beneficial effects of pair housing are partially mediated by BDNF via downstream MAPK/ERK signaling and restoration of axonal basic myelin protein levels.
Crystal growth and optical characteristics of beryllium-free polyphosphate, KLa(PO3)4, a possible deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal
Authors: Shan Pai , Sun Tongqing , Chen Hong , Liu Hongde , Chen Shaolin , Liu Xuanwen , Kong Yongfa , Xu Jingjun
Published: April 2016

Deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystals are of great importance as key materials in generating coherent light with wavelength below 200 nm through cascaded frequency conversion of solid-state lasers. However, the solely usable crystal in practice, KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF), is still commercially unavailable because of the high toxicity of beryllium-containing and the extreme difficulty of crystal growth. Here, we report the crystal growth and characteristics of an beryllium-free polyphosphate, KLa(PO3)4. Centimeter-sized single crystals have been easily obtained by the flux method and slow-cooling technique. The second-harmonic generation efficiency of KLa(PO3)4 powder is 0.7 times that of KH2PO4; moreover, the KLa(PO3)4 crystal is phase-matchable. Remarkably, the KLa(PO3)4 crystal exhibits an absorption edge of 162 nm, which is the shortest among phase-matchable phosphates so far. These attributes make KLa(PO3)4 a possible deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal. An analysis of the dipole moments of the polyhedra and theoretical calculations by density functional theory were made to elucidate the structure-properties relationships of KLa(PO3)4.
Needle-array to Plate DBD Plasma Using Sine AC and Nanosecond Pulse Excitations for Purpose of Improving Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Zhang Li , Yang Dezheng , Wang Wenchun , Wang Sen , Yuan Hao , Zhao Zilu , Sang Chaofeng , Jia Li
Published: April 2016

In this study, needle-array to plate electrode configuration was employed to generate an atmospheric air diffuse discharge using both nanosecond pulse and sine AC voltage as excitation voltage for the purpose of improving indoor air quality. Different types of voltage sources and electrode configurations are employed to optimize electrical field distribution and improve discharge stability. Discharge images, electrical characteristics, optical emission spectra and plasma gas temperatures in both sine AC discharge and nanosecond pulse discharge were compared and the discharge stability during long operating time were discussed. Compared with the discharge excited by sine AC voltage, the nanosecond pulsed discharge is more homogenous and stable, besides, the plasma gas temperature of nanosecond pulse discharge is much lower. Using packed-bed structure, where γ- Al2O3 pellets are filled in the electrode gap, has obvious efficacy in the production of homogenous discharge. Furthermore, both sine AC discharge and nanosecond pulse discharge were used for removing formaldehyde from flowing air. It shows that nanosecond pulse discharge has a significant advantage in energy cost. And the main physiochemical processes for the generation of active species and the degradation of formaldehyde were discussed.
Microbial communities and arsenic biogeochemistry at the outflow of an alkaline sulfide-rich hot spring
Authors: Jiang Zhou , Li Ping , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Zhang Ping , Zhou Jizhong , Wang Yanhong , Dai Xinyue , Zhang Rui , Jiang Dawei , Wang Yanxin
Published: April 2016

Alkaline sulfide-rich hot springs provide a unique environment for microbial community and arsenic (As) biogeochemistry. In this study, a representative alkaline sulfide-rich hot spring, Zimeiquan in the Tengchong geothermal area, was chosen to study arsenic geochemistry and microbial community using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Over 0.26 million 16S rRNA sequence reads were obtained from 5-paired parallel water and sediment samples along the hot spring’s outflow channel. High ratios of As(V)/AsSum (total combined arsenate and arsenite concentrations) (0.59–0.78), coupled with high sulfide (up to 5.87 mg/L), were present in the hot spring’s pools, which suggested As(III) oxidation occurred. Along the outflow channel, AsSum increased from 5.45 to 13.86 μmol/L, and the combined sulfide and sulfate concentrations increased from 292.02 to 364.28 μmol/L. These increases were primarily attributed to thioarsenic transformation. Temperature, sulfide, As and dissolved oxygen significantly shaped the microbial communities between not only the pools and downstream samples, but also water and sediment samples. Results implied that the upstream Thermocrinis was responsible for the transformation of thioarsenic to As(III) and the downstream Thermus contributed to derived As(III) oxidation. This study improves our understanding of microbially-mediated As transformation in alkaline sulfide-rich hot springs.
In Vivo Mesoscopic Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging of Brain Activation
Authors: Tang Qinggong , Tsytsarev Vassiliy , Frank Aaron , Wu Yalun , Chen Chao-wei , Erzurumlu Reha S. , Chen Yu
Published: April 2016

Functional mapping of brain activity is important in elucidating how neural networks operate in the living brain. The whisker sensory system of rodents is an excellent model to study peripherally evoked neural activity in the central nervous system. Each facial whisker is represented by discrete modules of neurons all along the pathway leading to the neocortex. These modules are called “barrels” in layer 4 of the primary somatosensory cortex. Their location (approximately 300–500 μm below cortical surface) allows for convenient imaging of whisker-evoked neural activity in vivo. Fluorescence laminar optical tomography (FLOT) provides depth-resolved fluorescence molecular information with an imaging depth of a few millimeters. Angled illumination and detection configurations can improve both resolution and penetration depth. We applied angled FLOT (aFLOT) to record 3D neural activities evoked in the whisker system of mice by deflection of a single whisker in vivo. A 100 μm capillary and a pair of microelectrodes were inserted to the mouse brain to test the capability of the imaging system. The results show that it is possible to obtain 3D functional maps of the sensory periphery in the brain. This approach can be broadly applicable to functional imaging of other brain structures.
Role of Fusobacteria in the serrated pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis
Authors: Park Chan Hyuk , Han Dong Soo , Oh Young-Ha , Lee A-reum , Lee Yu-ra , Eun Chang Soo
Published: April 2016

Fusobacteria are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and are amplified during colorectal carcinogenesis. Compared to the adenoma-carcinoma sequence of carcinogenesis, serrated neoplasm has distinct clinical features and a different molecular background. We aimed to compare the gut microbiome between tubular adenoma (TA) and sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P). Patients with TA, SSA/P, or CRC were recruited. Three pieces of colorectal mucosal tissue were obtained from each patient by endoscopic biopsy. 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) were performed. Among 26 enrolled patients, 8, 10, and 8 had TA, SSA/P, and CRC, respectively. The relative abundance of Fusobacteria did not differ significantly between the TA and SSA/P groups (4.3% and 1.9%, P = 0.739) but was higher in the CRC group (33.8%) than in the TA or SSA/P group, respectively (TA vs. CRC, P = 0.002, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.023; SSA/P vs. CRC, P < 0.001, FDR = 0.001). PICRUSt revealed that most functions in the TA metagenome were similar to those in the SSA/P metagenome. The gut microbiome, including relative abundance of Fusobacteria, did not differ between TA and SSA/P, suggesting that Fusobacteria may contribute to both the serrated pathway and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence.
Transformation seismology: composite soil lenses for steering surface elastic Rayleigh waves
Authors: Colombi Andrea , Guenneau Sebastien , Roux Philippe , Craster Richard V.
Published: April 2016

Metamaterials are artificially structured media that exibit properties beyond those usually encountered in nature. Typically they are developed for electromagnetic waves at millimetric down to nanometric scales, or for acoustics, at centimeter scales. By applying ideas from transformation optics we can steer Rayleigh-surface waves that are solutions of the vector Navier equations of elastodynamics. As a paradigm of the conformal geophysics that we are creating, we design a square arrangement of Luneburg lenses to reroute Rayleigh waves around a building with the dual aim of protection and minimizing the effect on the wavefront (cloaking). To show that this is practically realisable we deliberately choose to use material parameters readily available and this metalens consists of a composite soil structured with buried pillars made of softer material. The regular lattice of inclusions is homogenized to give an effective material with a radially varying velocity profile and hence varying the refractive index of the lens. We develop the theory and then use full 3D numerical simulations to conclusively demonstrate, at frequencies of seismological relevance 3–10 Hz, and for low-speed sedimentary soil (vs: 300–500 m/s), that the vibration of a structure is reduced by up to 6 dB at its resonance frequency.
Topographical modulation of macrophage phenotype by shrink-film multi-scale wrinkles
Authors: Wang Tingting , Luu Thuy U. , Chen Aaron , Khine Michelle , Liu Wendy F.
Published: April 2016

Biomimetic multi-scale wrinkles alters macrophage cell shape and promotes antiinflammatory activationin vitro, and modulates the host responsein vivo, suggesting a potential benefit for wrinkled material surfaces to promote tissue healing and remodeling.
Spectral watermarking in femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy: resolving the nature of the carotenoid S* state
Authors: Kloz Miroslav , Weißenborn Jörn , Polívka Tomáš , Frank Harry A. , Kennis John T. M.
Published: April 2016

A new method for recording femtosecond stimulated Raman spectra was developed that dramatically improves and automatizes baseline problems.
Functionalization of chemically derived graphene for improving its electrocapacitive energy storage properties
Authors: Lei Zhibin , Zhang Jintao , Zhang Li Li , Kumar Nanjundan Ashok , Zhao X. S.
Published: April 2016

This review summarizes the latest developments in the functionalization of chemically derived graphene for improving its electrocapacitive performance.
Nano-liter droplet libraries from a pipette: step emulsificator that stabilizes droplet volume against variation in flow rate
Authors: Dutka Filip , Opalski Adam S. , Garstecki Piotr
Published: April 2016

Many modern analytical assays, for example, droplet digital PCR, or screening of the properties of single cells or single mutated genes require splitting a liquid sample into a number of small (typically ca. nano-liter in volume) independent compartments or droplets.
Dielectrophoretic applications for disease diagnostics using lab-on-a-chip platforms
Authors: Adekanmbi Ezekiel O. , Srivastava Soumya K.
Published: April 2016

This paper is a compendium of the research into diseases that have been tackled by dielectrophoresis and a guide to future dielectrophoretic applications.
Identification and optimisation of a series of N-(4-anilino-2-pyridyl)acetamide activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) inhibitors
Authors: Goldberg Frederick W. , Daunt Paula , Pearson Stuart E. , Greenwood Ryan , Grist Matthew , Debreczeni Judit É.
Published: April 2016

A probe compound is described to inhibit ALK1, a target of interest for oncology due to its connection to angiogenesis.
Magnetic gas sensing exploiting the magneto-optical Kerr effect on ZnO nanorods/Co layer system
Authors: Ciprian R. , Baratto C. , Giglia A. , Koshmak K. , Vinai G. , Donarelli M. , Ferroni M. , Campanini M. , Comini E. , Ponzoni A. , Sberveglieri G.
Published: April 2016

A new system based on a Co film covered by ZnO nanorods has been fabricated with sputtering technique. It represents a promising candidate for future generation of magnetic gas sensing devices.
Synthesis of wrinkled graphene hybrids for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities
Authors: Xu Hua , Xiang Jian Xin , Wu Pin , Lu Yi Fei , Zhang Shuai , Xie Zhuo Ying , Gu Zhong Ze
Published: April 2016

Wrinkled graphene hybrids were controllable prepared and exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue under visible light.
Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of sixteen commercial date cultivars grown in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mohamed Saleh A. , Awad Mohamed A. , El-Dengawy El-Refaey F. A. , Abdel-Mageed Heidi M. , El-Badry Mohamed O. , Salah Hala A. , Abdel-Aty Azza M. , Fahmy Afaf S.
Published: April 2016

The differences in the IC50(g GAE) between DPPH and ABTS assays of date cultivars.
Silver nanoparticles modified reduced graphene oxide wrapped Ag3PO4/TiO2 visible-light-active photocatalysts with superior performance
Authors: Cui Can , Qiu Yiwei , Hu Haihua , Ma Ni , Li Shuang , Xu Lingbo , Li Chaorong , Xu Jin , Tang Weihua
Published: April 2016

Rational design of a novel Ag3PO4/TiO2/Ag-rGO photocatalyst with both electron and hole pathways for charge separation.
Enantioselective ester hydrolysis by an achiral catalyst co-embedded with chiral amphiphiles into a vesicle membrane
Authors: Poznik M. , König B.
Published: April 2016

Co-embedding of an amphiphilic non-chiral hydrolysis catalyst with amphiphilic chiral additives into the membrane of a phospholipid vesicle induces different rates of ester hydrolysis for enantiomeric amino acid esters.
In situ photoacoustic imaging of carbon nanotube displacements in a strained polymer matrix
Authors: Lin Wen-Yi , Chen Chung-Hao , Chen Kuan-Ming , Ho Chi-Chih , Hsu Wen-Kuang
Published: April 2016

Carbon nanotube aggregates displace and segmentize along stressing direction and displacement lies 0.3–0.4 mm.
Undoped and catalyst-free germanium nanowires for high-performance p-type enhancement-mode field-effect transistors
Authors: Simanullang Marolop , Wisna G. Bimananda M. , Usami Koichi , Cao Wei , Kawano Yukio , Banerjee Kaustav , Oda Shunri
Published: April 2016

The experimental demonstration of high-performance p-type enhancement-mode field-effect transistors fabricated from undoped and catalyst-free germanium nanowires.
Stimuli-responsive fluorophores with aggregation-induced emission: implication for dual-channel optical data storage
Authors: Hu Liangyu , Duan Yuai , Xu Zhenzhen , Yuan Jing , Dong Yuping , Han Tianyu
Published: April 2016

Dual-channel optical data storage can be either read-only or rewritable based on the stimuli-responsive AIE fluorophores.
Real‐time digital multi‐function protection system on reconfigurable hardware
Authors: Wang Yifan , Dinavahi Venkata
Published: April 2016

This study proposes a multi‐function power system protective relay hardware design built with various functional hardware processing cores on the field programmable gate array (FPGA). This practical and systematic method lends itself to a paralleled and pipelined hardware emulation of individual signal processing and protection components. Detailed emulation designs are presented for the following protective relays: distance, directional overcurrent, voltage, and frequency protection. The necessary signal processing functions required to operate these relays are also emulated, allowing the protection system to be stand‐alone and fed with instantaneous fault data. Real‐time experimental results are presented to verify the functions of the target hardware relay on the Xilinx® Virtex‐7 FPGA. Case studies provide the efficacy of the multi‐function relay design in terms of accuracy, latency, and resource consumption.
The role of electronic and ionic conductivities in the rate performance of tunnel structured manganese oxides in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Byles B. W. , Palapati N. K. R. , Subramanian A. , Pomerantseva E.
Published: April 2016

Single nanowires of two manganese oxide polymorphs (α-MnO2 and todorokite manganese oxide), which display a controlled size variation in terms of their square structural tunnels, were isolated onto nanofabricated platforms using dielectrophoresis. This platform allowed for the measurement of the electronic conductivity of these manganese oxides, which was found to be higher in α-MnO2 as compared to that of the todorokite phase by a factor of ∼46. Despite this observation of substantially higher electronic conductivity in α-MnO2, the todorokite manganese oxide exhibited better electrochemical rate performance as a Li-ion battery cathode. The relationship between this electrochemical performance, the electronic conductivities of the manganese oxides, and their reported ionic conductivities is discussed for the first time, clearly revealing that the rate performance of these materials is limited by their Li+ diffusivity, and not by their electronic conductivity. This result reveals important new insights relevant for improving the power density of manganese oxides, which have shown promise as a low-cost, abundant, and safe alternative for next-generation cathode materials. Furthermore, the presented experimental approach is suitable for assessing a broader family of one-dimensional electrode active materials (in terms of their electronic and ionic conductivities) for both Li-ion batteries and for electrochemical systems utilizing charge-carrying ions beyond Li+.
A computational model of a human single sinoatrial node cell
Authors: Pohl A , Wachter A , Hatam N , Leonhardt S
Published: April 2016

For the investigation of the spontaneous rhythmical activity response in the application of cardiac neuromodulation, we formulated a human sinoatrial node (SAN) cell model. With the aim of decreasing elevated heart rate (HR), we want to establish a hardware-in-the-loop system including this model for the analysis of optimal stimulation patterns of the neurostimulation system. Base model structures are adopted from rabbit SAN cell models available in literature and conveyed with Hodgkin–Huxley-type model equations describing the complex time and voltage dependent activation and deactivation processes of individual ion channels. The resulting model consists of 15 currents which are currently known to be responsible for the generation of the membrane action potential (AP). The model reproduces AP frequencies equivalent to those measured in isolated human SAN cells with a resulting HR of 71.8 bpm. Model validation via simulation of the inhibitory effect of ivabradine showed accordance with experimental results obtained in human studies. Furthermore, we could validate the model in regard to its HR effects upon parasympathetic stimulation with results obtained in a human trial study.
Anthropomorphized Helpers Undermine Autonomy and Enjoyment in Computer Games
Authors: Kim Sara , Chen Rocky Peng , Zhang Ke
Published: April 2016

Although digital assistants with humanlike features have become prevalent in computer games, few marketing studies have demonstrated the psychological mechanisms underlying consumers’ reactions to digital assistants and their subsequent influence on consumers’ game enjoyment. To fill this gap, the current study examined the effect of anthropomorphic representations of computerized helpers in computer games on game enjoyment. In the current research, consumers enjoyed a computer game less when they received assistance from a computerized helper imbued with humanlike features than from a helper construed as a mindless entity. We offer a novel mechanism that the presence of an anthropomorphized helper can undermine individuals’ perceived autonomy during a computer game. Across six experiments, we show that the presence of an anthropomorphized helper reduced game enjoyment across three different games. By measuring participants’ perceived autonomy (study 1) and employing moderators such as importance of autonomy (studies 2, 3, and 4), we also provide evidence that the reduced feeling of autonomy serves as the mechanism underlying the backfiring effect. Finally, we demonstrate that the effect of anthropomorphism on game enjoyment can be extended to other game-related outcomes, such as individuals’ motivation to persist in the game (studies 4 and 5).
Evidence that widespread star formation may be underway in G0.253+0.016, ‘The Brick’
Authors: Marsh K. A. , Ragan S. E. , Whitworth A. P. , Clark P. C.
Published: April 2016

Image cubes of differential column density as a function of dust temperature are constructed for Galactic Centre molecular cloud G0.253+0.016 (‘The Brick’) using the recently described PPMAP procedure. The input data consist of continuum images from the HerschelSpace Telescope in the wavelength range 70–500 μm, supplemented by previously published interferometric data at 1.3 mm wavelength. While the bulk of the dust in the molecular cloud is consistent with being heated externally by the local interstellar radiation field, our image cube shows the presence, near one edge of the cloud, of a filamentary structure whose temperature profile suggests internal heating. The structure appears as a cool (∼14 K) tadpole-like feature, ∼6 pc in length, in which is embedded a thin spine of much hotter (∼40–50 K) material. We interpret these findings in terms of a cool filament whose hot central region is undergoing gravitational collapse and fragmentation to form a line of protostars. If confirmed, this would represent the first evidence of widespread star formation having started within this cloud.