bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interspecific Association of Heavy Minerals in Late Paleozoic Gondwana Sandstones of Singrauli Sub-basin, Central India: Implications for Provenance
Authors: Khan Zahid A. , Tewari Ram Chandra , Sharma Anshumali
Published: October 2014

Heavy mineral analysis of the late Paleozoic Barakar and Raniganj sandstones from the Singrauli Gondwana sub-basin shows relative abundance of garnet, epidote, zircon, tourmaline and muscovite in the Raniganj Sandstone and epidote, garnet, rutile and tourmaline in the Barakar sandstones. Stratigraphically, the heavy mineral crops donot exhibit marked variation in their relative abundance, though garnet, epidote and muscovite form the bulk of the heavy minerals.

Significant interspecific association among heavy minerals and provenance of the Barakar and Raniganj sandstones are evaluated by using σ -M multivariate model. Quantitative result suggests that the Barakar Sandstone are characterized by the basic pair match significantly more than expected due to chance alone (p value <<0.05) are garnet-tourmaline and epidote-rutile, whereas, the succeeding Raniganj sandstone are characterized by zircon-rutile and epidote-garnet. These basic pairs may be regarded as interspecific association among the heavy minerals.

The basic pairs deduced from heavy mineral suites suggest that the source rocks of late Paleozoic Barakar and Raniganj sandstones have been principally derived from the acid plutonic rocks and low to high grade metasediments lying to the south and southeast of the Singrauli Gondwana sub-basin.
Regional Appraisal of the Fluoride Occurrence in Groundwaters of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Rao P. N. , Rao A. D. , Bhargav J. S. , Sankar K. Siva , Sudarshan G.
Published: October 2014

Fluoride (F−) is essential for normal bone growth, but higher concentration in the drinking water causes health problems which are reported in many states of India. Andhra Pradesh is one of the states which suffer from excess fluoride in groundwater particularly in the hard rock terrain. In this context, a study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh based on chemical analysis of water samples from hydrograph net work stations (dug wells) and exploratory bore wells. The concentration of fluoride in groundwaters ranges from traces to 9.75 mg/l. The occurrence of fluoride is mostly sporadic, uneven and varies with depth. The highly affected districts include Nalgonda and Warangal in Telangana region, Prakasam in coastal region, Anantapur and Kurnool in Rayalaseema region. In certain areas of Nalgonda district, 85% of wells have fluoride more than permissible limit (> 1.5 mg/l) for drinking water. High F− is present in all the geological formations, predominantly in granitic aquifers, compared to the other formations. The average value of fluoride is high in the deeper zone (1.10 mg/L), compared to the shallow zone (0.69 mg/L). The fluoride-rich minerals present are the main sources for fluoride concentrations in groundwater. Residence time, evapotranspiration and weathering processes are some of the other supplementary factors for high fluoride concentrations in groundwater. Long-term data of hydrograph net work stations (dug wells) reveal that fluoride concentrations do not show any marked change of trend with respect to time. The concentration of fluoride is found to increase with increase of Na+and HCO3−, and decrease with increase of Ca2+. Sodium bicarbonate waters are more effective in releasing fluoride from minerals into groundwater. High fluoride waters are of Na+ type. The paper presents a brief account of the study and its results.
Defibrillation lead placement using a transthoracic transatrial approach in a case without transvenous access due to lack of the right superior vena cava
Authors: Otsuka Yosuke , Okamura Hideo , Sato Syunsuke , Nakajima Ikutaro , Ishibashi Kohei , Miyamoto Kouji , Noda Takashi , Aiba Takeshi , Kamakura Shiro , Kobayashi Junjiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Ogawa Hisao , Kusano Kengo
Published: October 2014

A 65‐year‐old woman with a history of syncope was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She had previously undergone mastectomy of the left breast owing to breast cancer. Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) and monitor ECG revealed sick sinus syndrome (Type II) and non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia. Sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were induced in an electrophysiological study. Although the patient was eligible for treatment with a dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), venography revealed lack of the right superior vena cava (R‐SVC). Lead placement from the left subclavian vein would have increased the risk of lymphedema owing to the patient's mastectomy history. Consequently, the defibrillation lead was placed in the right ventricle by direct puncture of the right auricle through the tricuspid valve. The atrial lead was sutured to the atrial wall, and the postoperative course was unremarkable. Defibrillation lead placement using a transthoracic transatrial approach can be an alternative method in cases where a transvenous approach for lead placement is not feasible.
Numerical investigation of the generation and growth of coherent flow structures in a triggered turbulent spot
Authors: Brinkerhoff Joshua R. , Yaras Metin I.
Published: October 2014

Multiple mechanisms for the regeneration of hairpin-like coherent flow structures in transitional and turbulent boundary layers have been proposed in the published literature, but a complete understanding of the typical topologies of coherent structures observed in the literature has not yet been achieved. To contribute to this understanding, a numerical study is performed of a turbulent spot triggered in a zero-pressure-gradient laminar boundary layer by a pulsed, transverse jet. Two direct numerical simulations (DNS) capture the growth of the spot into a mature turbulent region containing a large number of coherent vortical flow structures. The boundary-layer Reynolds number based on the test-surface streamwise length is $\mathit{Re}_{L}=309\,200$. The internal structure of the spot is characterized by densely spaced packets of hairpin vortices. Lateral growth of the spot occurs as new hairpin vortices form along the spanwise edges of the spot. The formation of these hairpin vortices is attributed to unstable shear layers that develop in the streamwise–spanwise plane due to the wall-normal motions induced by the streamwise oriented legs of hairpin vortices within the spot. Results are presented that highlight the mechanism by which the instability of such shear layers forms wavepackets of hairpin vortices; how the formation of these vortices produces a flow environment that promotes the creation of new hairpin vortices; and how the newly created hairpin vortices impact the production of turbulence kinetic energy in the flow region surrounding the spot. A quantitative description of the hairpin-vortex regeneration mechanism based on the transport of the instantaneous vorticity vector is presented to illustrate how the velocity and vorticity fields interact with the local strain rates to promote the growth of coherent vortical structures. The simulation results also shed light on a mechanism that seems to have a dominant influence on the formation of the calmed region in the wake of the turbulent spot.
CharcotianaandAmundsenia, two new genera inTeloschistaceae(lichenized Ascomycota, subfamilyXanthorioideae) hosting two new species from continental Antarctica, andAustroplaca frigida, a new name for a continental Antarctic species
Authors: SØCHTING Ulrik , GARRIDO-BENAVENT Isaac , SEPPELT Rod , CASTELLO Miris , PÉREZ-ORTEGA Sergio , DE LOS RÍOS MURILLO Asunción , SANCHO Leopoldo Garcia , FRÖDÉN Patrik , ARUP Ulf
Published: October 2014

Based on a combined three locus analysis two new genera,CharcotianaandAmundsenia,are proposed in the lichen familyTeloschistaceae, subfamilyXanthorioideae.Charcotianaincludes the new speciesC. antarctica, which is known only from continental Antarctica. The bipolar genusAmundseniaincludes the new speciesA. austrocontinentalis, which is also known only from continental Antarctica, and the Arctic speciesCaloplaca approximatawhich is here combined into the new genus. The two new genera are phylogenetically distinct, but poor in morphological characters; the new species consist mainly of minute apothecia in cracks of rocks located in the climatically harshest regions of the Antarctic. They are somewhat similar to another continental Antarctic species,Austroplaca frigida,which is described as a new name based on the illegitimate nameCaloplaca frigidaSøchting. The distribution of the four species is mapped.
A world key to species of the generaTopeliaandThelopsis(Stictidaceae), with the description of three new species from Brazil and Argentina
Authors: APTROOT André , MENDONÇA Cléverton de Oliveira , FERRARO Lidia Itati , CÁCERES Marcela Eugenia da Silva
Published: October 2014

The following new corticolous species are described.Thelopsis cruciataAptroot & M. Cáceres, with an olive-green thallus, immersed red-brown perithecia andc.50–100 cruciate ascospores per ascus, 7–10×4–7 µm, from Brazil.Topelia argentinensisAptroot, L. I. Ferraro & M. Cáceres, with a verrucose, partly almost isidiate, greenish grey thallus, immersed pinkish perithecia and 8 uniseriate muriform ascospores per ascus, 12–17×7–11 µm, from Argentina.Topelia tetrasporaAptroot & M. Cáceres, with ac.0·1–0·6 mm thick layer of coralloid to usually flattened, irregularly palmately branched isidiac.0·05 mm diam., ascospores 15–19×2–6-septate, muriform, ellipsoid, 39–50×11–16 µm, only up to 4 per ascus maturing, from Brazil.Thelopsis inordinatais reported for the first time from South America, from Guyana. A key is given to all currently known species ofTopeliaandThelopsis. The distinction between these genera has become arbitrary with the recent addition of more or less intermediate species.
Sphinctrina tigillaris, an overlooked species of Chaenothecopsis growing on Perenniporia meridionalis, a polypore new to the UK
Authors: HAWKSWORTH David L. , AGUIRRE-HUDSON Begoña , AINSWORTH A. Martyn
Published: October 2014

The original material of Sphinctrina tigillaris, collected in 1864, was relocated, re-examined, found to represent a species of Chaenothecopsis, and is transferred to that genus as C. tigillaris comb. nov. It occurred on a specimen of a polypore, now identified as Perenniporia meridionalis, on a beam in a Northamptonshire church, and does not appear to have been collected since. Perenniporia meridionalis is a predominantly central and southern European species which has not previously been recognized in the British Isles, although other English specimens have now been located in collections at Kew and referred to the related P. medulla-panis. The name Sphinctrina tigillaris had been overlooked since its original description in 1865, and is nomenclaturally distinct from Lichen tigillaris, the basionym of Cyphelium tigillare. Notes on five other calicioid fungi found on polypores, and a key to the six now known, are also included.
Prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in adults with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Garg Jalaj , Krishnamoorthy Parasuram , Palaniswamy Chandrasekar , Paudel Rajiv , Chatterjee Saurav , Ahmad Hasan , Snyder Christopher
Published: October 2014

Background:Accelerated coronary atherosclerosis in patients with Kawasaki disease, in conjunction with coronary artery aneurysm and stenosis that characterise this disease, are potential risk factors for developing coronary artery disease in young adults. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in adult patients with Kawasaki disease.Methods:All patients aged 18−55 years of age diagnosed with Kawasaki disease were sampled from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Diseases 9th revision (ICD 9 code 446.1) from 2009 to 2010. Demographics, prevalence of coronary artery disease, and other traditional risk factors in adult patients with Kawasaki disease were analysed using ICD 9 codes.Results:The prevalence of Kawasaki disease among adults was 0.0005% (n=215) of all in-hospital admissions in United States. The mean age was 27.3 years with women (27.6 years) older than men (27.1 years). Traditional risk factors were hypertension (21%), hyperlipidaemia (15.6%), diabetes (11.5%), tobacco use (8.8%), and obesity (8.8%), with no significant difference between men and women. Coronary artery disease (32.4%), however, was more prevalent in men (44.7%) than in women (12.1%; p=0.03). In multivariate regression analysis, after adjusting for demographics and traditional risk factors, hypertension (OR=13.2, p=0.03) was an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease.Conclusion:There was increased preponderance of coronary artery disease in men with Kawasaki disease. On multivariate analysis, hypertension was found to be the only independent predictor of coronary artery disease in this population after adjusting for other risk factors.
Boundaries Blurred? Folklore, Mythology, History and the Quest for an Alternative Genealogy in North-east India
Authors: RAY SOHINI
Published: October 2014

This paper analyses the use of religious folklore among the Meitei people of Manipur in northeastern India in the creation of a racial identity. After the Meiteis, who are ethnically Southeast Asian, were forced to convert to Hinduism in the early eighteenth century by the Manipuri king Garibniwaz, they were provided with a number of folklores regarding their origin that combined Hindu and indigenous Meitei deities and myths. Recently, the rise of anti-Hindu sentiment in Manipur—spurred by a movement to revive the indigenous Meitei religion and a strained political relationship with India—has led to the questioning of the validity of these stories by Meitei academics. As a result a new cannon of literature is being developed by scholars that link the origin of the community to its Southeast Asian roots. Discovering the racial identity of the Meitei people has motived this movement. This paper analyzes the multiple meanings that mythologies concerning origin hold in contemporary Meitei society and challenges the modern notion that historical consciousness is absolute truth.
TheHistory of a Loyal Heart (Xin shi): a late-Ming forgery
Authors: HAW STEPHEN G.
Published: October 2014

TheHistory of a Loyal Heart (Xin shi)is allegedly a work by the Song loyalist, Zheng Sixiao, written to bemoan the fate of the Song empire after its conquest by the Mongols. There have always been doubts about its authenticity, however, and many scholars have believed it to be a forgery. The arguments for and against this have remained inconclusive, and the work has been commonly used as a source for the history of the Song–Yuan transition period. This article adduces compelling evidence to show that there can be very little doubt that it is a late-Ming forgery. Some of the implications of this conclusion are briefly addressed.
Microstructural Changes in Copper–Graphite–Alumina Nanocomposites Produced by Mechanical Alloying
Authors: Rodrigues Ivan , Guedes Mafalda , Ferro Alberto C.
Published: October 2014

Microstructural features of nanostructured copper-matrix composites produced via high-energy milling were studied. Copper–graphite–alumina batches were planetary ball milled up to 16 h; copper–graphite batches were also prepared under the same conditions to evaluate the effect of contamination from the milling media. The microstructure of the produced materials was characterized by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy and related to Raman, X-ray diffraction, and particle size analysis results. Results showed that alumina was present in all milled powders. However, size reduction was effective at shorter times in the copper–graphite–alumina system. In both cases the produced powders were nanostructured, containing graphite and alumina nanoparticles homogeneously distributed in the copper matrix, especially for longer milling times and in the presence of added alumina. Copper crystallite size was significantly affected above 4 h milling; nanographite size decreased and incipient amorphization occurred. A minimum size of 15 nm was obtained for the copper crystallite copper–alumina–graphite composite powders, corresponding to 16 h of milling. Contamination from the media became more significant above 8 h. Results suggest that efficient dispersion and bonding of graphite and alumina nanoparticles in the copper matrix is achieved, envisioning high conductivity, high strength, and thermal stability.
Medical management of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Weiss Norbert , Rodionov Roman N. , Mahlmann Adrian
Published: October 2014

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are the most common arterial aneurysms. Endovascular or open surgical aneurysm repair is indicated in patients with large AAA ≥ 5.5 cm in diameter as this prevents aneurysm rupture. The presence even of small AAAs not in need of immediate repair is associated with a very high cardiovascular risk including myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death. This risk by far exceeds the risk of aneurysm rupture. These patients therefore should be considered as high-risk patients and receive optimal medical treatment and life-style modificiation of their cardiovascular risk factors to improve their prognosis. In addition, these patients should be followed-up for aneurysm growth and receive medical treatment to decrease aneurym progression and rupture rate. Treatment with statins has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality in these patients, and also slows the rate of AAA growth. Use of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and AT1-receptor antagonists does not affect AAA growth but may be indicated for comorbidities. Antibiotic therapy with roxithromycin has a small effect on AAA growth, but this effect must be critically weighed against the potential risk of wide-spread use of antibiotics.
Arterial stiffness is a potential mechanism and promising indicator of orthostatic hypotension in the general population
Authors: Meng Qingtao , Wang Si , Wang Yong , Wan Shixi , Liu Kai , Zhou Xiaoyan , Zhong Guiyou , Zhang Xin , Chen Xiaoping
Published: October 2014

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a disease prevalent among middle-aged men and the elderly. The association between arterial stiffness and OH is unclear. This study evaluates whether arterial stiffness is correlated with OH and tests the usefulness of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an arterial stiffness marker, with regard to identifying OH. Patients and methods: A sample of 1,010 participants was recruited from the general population (64.8 ± 7.7 years; 426 men) who attended health check-ups. BaPWV and the radial augmentation index (rAI) were both assessed as the arterial stiffness markers, and OH was determined using blood pressure (BP) measured in the supine position, as well as 30 seconds and 2 minutes after standing. Results: The prevalence of OH in this population was 4.9 %. Compared with the non-OH group, both baPWV (20.5 ± 4.5 vs 17.3 ± 3.7, p < 0.001) and rAI (88.1 ± 10.8 vs 84.2 ± 10.7, p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the OH group. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, baPWV (OR, 1.3; 95 % CI, 1.106–1.528; p < 0.05) remained associated with OH. Moreover, the degree of orthostatic BP reduction was related to arterial stiffness. In addition, increases in arterial stiffness predicted decreases in the degree of heart rate (HR) elevation. Finally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that baPWV was useful in discriminating OH (AUC, 0.721; p < 0.001), with the cut-off value of 18.58 m/s (sensitivity, 0.714; specificity, 0.686). Conclusions: Arterial stiffness determined via baPWV, rather than rAI, was significantly correlated with the attenuation of the orthostatic hemodynamic response and the resultant OH. The impaired baroreceptor sensitivity might be the mechanism. In addition, baPWV appears to be a relatively sensitive and reliable indicator of OH in routine clinical practice.
Differential expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP proteins in thoracic aortic aneurysm – comparison with and without bicuspid aortic valve: a meta-analysis
Authors: Rabkin Simon W.
Published: October 2014

Background: It is believed that the balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), in the aorta, play a critical role in aneurysm formation. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies reporting protein expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the ascending aorta of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) cases and to examine this expression in persons with TAA and bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). Methods: OvidSP Medline and EMbase were systematically searched for studies that were: human ascending TAA cases with measurement of MMP or TIMP protein expression in the aorta and a control group. A similar search was conducted for BAV compared to those with a normal or trileaflet aortic valve (TAV). Results: Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was a significant increase in MMP-9 and no change in MMP-2, in the aorta from persons with TAA (N = 106) compared to control (N = 30). There was also a highly significant reduction in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in TAA (N = 93) compared to control (N = 24) resulting in a MMP-9 to TIMP-1 or TIMP-2 ratio over 3.5 fold greater than controls. There was a highly significant increase in MMP-2 but not MMP-9 in TAA with BAV (N = 112) compared to TAV (N = 53). There was a significant reduction for TIMP-1 in BAV compared to TAV but no change in TIMP-2, TIMP-3 or TIMP-4. Conclusions: These data suggest that MMP may be implicated in the pathogenesis of TAA and there is a differential expression with MMP-9 increased and TIMP-1 and -2 reduced in the most common forms of TAA. MMP-2 is increased and only TIMP-1 decreased in TAA with BAV compared to TAV.
RAGE is essential for oncogenic KRAS-mediated hypoxic signaling in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kang R , Hou W , Zhang Q , Chen R , Lee Y J , Bartlett D L , Lotze M T , Tang D , Zeh H J
Published: October 2014

A hypoxic tumor microenvironment is characteristic of many cancer types, including one of the most lethal, pancreatic cancer. We recently demonstrated that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has an important role in promoting the development of pancreatic cancer and attenuating the response to chemotherapy. We now demonstrate that binding of RAGE to oncogenic KRAS facilitates hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1)α activation and promotes pancreatic tumor growth under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia induces NF-κB-dependent and HIF1α-independent RAGE expression in pancreatic tumor cells. Moreover, the interaction between RAGE and mutant KRAS increases under hypoxia, which in turn sustains KRAS signaling pathways (RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT), facilitating stabilization and transcriptional activity of HIF1α. Knock down of RAGE in vitro inhibits KRAS signaling, promotes HIF1α degradation, and increases hypoxia-induced pancreatic tumor cell death. RAGE-deficient mice have impaired oncogenic KRAS-driven pancreatic tumor growth with significant downregulation of the HIF1α signaling pathway. Our results provide a novel mechanistic link between NF-κB, KRAS, and HIF1α, three potent molecular pathways in the cellular response to hypoxia during pancreatic tumor development and suggest alternatives for preventive and therapeutic strategies.
CTGF increases vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent angiogenesis in human synovial fibroblasts by increasing miR-210 expression
Authors: Liu S-C , Chuang S-M , Hsu C-J , Tsai C-H , Wang S-W , Tang C-H
Published: October 2014

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, a.k.a. CCN2) is inflammatory mediator and abundantly expressed in osteoarthritis (OA). Angiogenesis is essential for OA progression. Here, we investigated the role of CTGF in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and angiogenesis in OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs). We showed that expression of CTGF and VEGF in synovial fluid were higher in OA patients than in controls. Directly applying CTGF to OASFs increased VEGF production then promoted endothelial progenitor cells tube formation and migration. CTGF induced VEGF by raising miR-210 expression via PI3K, AKT, ERK, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/ELK1 pathways. CTGF-mediating miR-210 upregulation repressed glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like (GPD1L) expression and PHD activity and subsequently promoted hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-dependent VEGF expression. Knockdown of CTGF decreased VEGF expression and abolished OASF-conditional medium-mediated angiogenesis in vitro as well as angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane and Matrigel-plug nude mice model in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest CTGF activates PI3K, AKT, ERK, and NF-κB/ELK1 pathway, leading to the upregulation of miR-210, contributing to inhibit GPD1L expression and prolyl hydroxylases 2 activity, promoting HIF-1α-dependent VEGF expression and angiogenesis in human synovial fibroblasts.
Bortezomib sensitises TRAIL-resistant HPV-positive head and neck cancer cells to TRAIL through a caspase-dependent, E6-independent mechanism
Authors: Bullenkamp J , Raulf N , Ayaz B , Walczak H , Kulms D , Odell E , Thavaraj S , Tavassoli M
Published: October 2014

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is causative for a new and increasing form of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Although localised HPV-positive cancers have a favourable response to radio-chemotherapy (RT/CT), the impact of HPV in advanced or metastatic HNSCC remains to be defined and targeted therapeutics need to be tested for cancers resistant to RT/CT. To this end, we investigated the sensitivity of HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC cell lines to TRAIL (tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), which induces tumour cell-specific apoptosis in various cancer types. A clear correlation was observed between HPV positivity and resistance to TRAIL compared with HPV-negative head and neck cancer cell lines. All TRAIL-resistant HPV-positive cell lines tested were sensitised to TRAIL-induced cell death by treatment with bortezomib, a clinically approved proteasome inhibitor. Bortezomib-mediated sensitisation to TRAIL was associated with enhanced activation of caspase-8, -9 and -3, elevated membrane expression levels of TRAIL-R2, cytochrome c release and G2/M arrest. Knockdown of caspase-8 significantly blocked cell death induced by the combination therapy, whereas the BH3-only protein Bid was not required for induction of apoptosis. XIAP depletion increased the sensitivity of both HPV-positive and -negative cells to TRAIL alone or in combination with bortezomib. In contrast, restoration of p53 following E6 knockdown in HPV-positive cells had no effect on their sensitivity to either single or combination therapy, suggesting a p53-independent pathway for the observed response. In summary, bortezomib-mediated proteasome inhibition sensitises previously resistant HPV-positive HNSCC cells to TRAIL-induced cell death through a mechanism involving both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. The cooperative effect of these two targeted anticancer agents therefore represents a promising treatment strategy for RT/CT-resistant HPV-associated head and neck cancers.
A tree-ring reconstruction of the South Asian summer monsoon index over the past millennium
Authors: Shi Feng , Li Jianping , Wilson Rob J. S.
Published: October 2014

The South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) is a major atmospheric synoptic climate system affecting nearly a quarter of the human population. Climate proxy data derived from tree rings, ice cores, speleothems and other sources can all contribute to an understanding of SASM variability prior to instrumental period. Here, we develop an optimal information extraction (OIE) method, which we use to reconstruct the SASM index (SASMI) over the last millennium using 15 tree-ring chronologies. The record generated is significantly correlated (r = 0.7, p < 0.01) with the instrumental SASMI record on annual timescales; this correlation is higher than that obtained in any previous study. The reconstructed SASMI captures 18 of 26 (69%) reordered historical famine events in India over the last millennium; notably, 11 of 16 short events with durations of 1–3 years are accurately depicted in our reconstruction. Moreover, the reconstructed SASMI is positively correlated with variations in total solar irradiance (TSI) on multi-decadal timescales implying that variations in solar activity may influence the SASM. Based on the response of SASM to 34 significant volcanic events using the superposed epoch analysis, the volcanic forcing may drive a weak SASM in the second year of an eruption.
The ‘Horwitz ratio’—a study of the ratio between reproducibility and repeatability precisions in the analysis of foodstuffs
Authors: Thompson Michael , Wood Roger
Published: October 2014

In the analysis of food, the ratio of reproducibility standard deviation to repeatability standard deviation is usually close to 2.0. This has implications in estimating uncertainty and detection capability.
A solid-phase affinity labeling method for target-selective isolation and modification of proteins
Authors: Kuwahara Daichi , Hasumi Takahiro , Kaneko Hajime , Unno Madoka , Takahashi Daisuke , Toshima Kazunobu
Published: October 2014

Solid-phase affinity labeling of target proteins with the specifically designed chemical tools selectively and effectively furnished the labeled target proteins without the need for tedious manipulations.
An extended-gate type organic field effect transistor functionalised by phenylboronic acid for saccharide detection in water
Authors: Minami Tsuyoshi , Minamiki Tsukuru , Hashima Yuki , Yokoyama Daisuke , Sekine Tomohito , Fukuda Kenjiro , Kumaki Daisuke , Tokito Shizuo
Published: October 2014

Detection of saccharides in water was achieved by an extended-gate type organic field effect transistor (OFET) functionalised by a phenylboronic acid monolayer.
Boryl-assisted hydrogenolysis of a nickel–methyl bond
Authors: Curado Natalia , Maya Celia , López-Serrano Joaquín , Rodríguez Amor
Published: October 2014

The cooperative role of the boryl moiety in the hydrogenation of a Ni–Me bond containing a diphosphino-boryl (PBP) pincer ligand is described.
One-pot synthesis of dibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines from 2-acetylaminobenzaldehyde: application to a fluorescent DNA-binding compound
Authors: Okuma Kentaro , Koga Tomohiro , Ozaki Saori , Suzuki Yutaro , Horigami Kenta , Nagahora Noriyoshi , Shioji Kosei , Fukuda Masatora , Deshimaru Masanobu
Published: October 2014

Dibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines were synthesized in one pot by reacting 2-acetylamainobnezaldehyde with methyl ketones under basic conditions, methylation of which showed strong fluorescence.
Functionalization of robust Zr(iv)-based metal–organic framework films via a postsynthetic ligand exchange
Authors: Fei Honghan , Pullen Sonja , Wagner Andreas , Ott Sascha , Cohen Seth M.
Published: October 2014

A facile and efficient fabrication approach for homogeneous, crack-free UiO-66 films with exceptionally high crystallinity and tunable thickness on a transparent and conductive glass substrate is reported.
Interactions of flavan-3-ols and procyanidins with membranes: mechanisms and the physiological relevance
Authors: Verstraeten Sandra V. , Fraga Cesar G. , Oteiza Patricia I.
Published: October 2014

Procyanidin–lipid interactions decrease the potentiality of deleterious agents to incorporate in the membrane and disrupt membrane organization and functions.
Reductive functionalization of CO2 with amines: an entry to formamide, formamidine and methylamine derivatives
Authors: Tlili Anis , Blondiaux Enguerrand , Frogneux Xavier , Cantat Thibault
Published: October 2014

Unprecedented transformations have been developed over the last years to convert amines to formamides, formamidines and methylamines, in the presence of CO2 as a reagent. These emerging technologies are reviewed in this perspective and the opportunities and challenges facing the practical use of CO2 in the production of nitrogen molecules are discussed.
Structure–performance relations of molybdenum- and tungsten carbide catalysts for deoxygenation
Authors: Stellwagen Daniel R. , Bitter Johannes H.
Published: October 2014

Tungsten- and molybdenum carbide catalysts of large particle size improve activity, stability and selectivity of the catalyst in (hydro)deoxygenation reactions.
Lab-in-a-syringe using gold nanoparticles for rapid immunosensing of protein biomarkers
Authors: Nunes Pauli Gisele Elias , de la Escosura-Muñiz Alfredo , Parolo Claudio , Helmuth Bechtold Ivan , Merkoçi Arben
Published: October 2014

A novel “lab-in-a-syringe” (LIS) using gold nanoparticles with a simple vertical flow immunosensing operation simultaneously occurring while sampling is developed. This approach avoids the delay between sampling and detection and offers a tunable preconcentration capability.
Acclimatisation-induced stress influenced host metabolic and gut microbial composition change
Authors: Yap Ivan K. S. , Kho Mee Teck , Lim Swee Hua Erin , Ismail Nor Hadiani , Yam Wai Keat , Chong Chun Wie
Published: October 2014

An integrated metabonomics and metagenomics approach utilised here showed that acclimatisation-induced stress leads to host metabolic and gut microbiotal changes.
Ultrathin InAs nanowire growth by spontaneous Au nanoparticle spreading on indium-rich surfaces
Authors: Jung Kyooho , Mohseni Parsian K. , Li Xiuling
Published: October 2014

We report on the ultrathin InAs nanowires with diameters down to ∼2 nm grown by Au spreading on the indium rich surface.
PSMA-mediated endosome escape-accelerating polymeric micelles for targeted therapy of prostate cancer and the real time tracing of their intracellular trafficking
Authors: Gao Yajie , Li Yanfang , Li Yushu , Yuan Lan , Zhou Yanxia , Li Jinwen , Zhao Lei , Zhang Chao , Li Xinru , Liu Yan
Published: October 2014

To ensure that anticancer drugs could be delivered to tumor region and rapidly escape from endo/lysosomes, YPSMA-1-modified pH-sensitive polymeric micelles were designed and fabricated for targeted therapy of tumors.
1,1-Alkenylboration of diarylphosphino-enynes: convenient synthetic entry to vicinal P/B Lewis pairs at extended conjugated π-frameworks
Authors: Chen Guo-Qiang , Kehr Gerald , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Erker Gerhard
Published: October 2014

Alkenylboranes R-CHCH-B(C6F5)2 undergo carbon–carbon coupling by means of 1,1-alkenylboration with diarylphosphino-enynes to give conjugated hexatriene derivatives that bear a vicinal pair of B(C6F5)2 and PAr2 functionalities at the framework.
First-principles study of nitrogen adsorption and dissociation on α-uranium (001) surface
Authors: Su Qiulei , Deng Huiqiu , Ao Bingyun , Xiao Shifang , Chen Piheng , Hu Wangyu
Published: October 2014

Nitrogen adsorption and dissociation on the α-uranium (001) surface.
Enhancement of thermoelectric power factor in NaxCoO2/Au multilayers
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui , Wang Haifeng , Wang Shufang , Elhadj Dogheche , Wang Jianglong , Fu Guangsheng
Published: October 2014

NaxCoO2/Au thin film multilayers, with a thickness of the Au layer of 0.5–12 nm, have been fabricated on c-Al2O3 by post annealing of the CoO/Au thin film multilayers in Na vapor at high temperature in air.
Optimization of process variables for supercritical liquefaction of giant fennel
Authors: Aysu Tevfik , Küçük Mehmet Maşuk , Demirbaş Ayhan
Published: October 2014

Optimization of process variables including temperature, solvent, catalyst, particle size, solvent/mass ratio and reaction time on supercritical liquefaction of giant fennel was conducted.
Optimization of ultrasonic pretreatment and substrate/inoculum ratio to enhance hydrolysis and volatile fatty acid production from food waste
Authors: Guo Wanqian , Wu Qinglian , Yang Shanshan , Luo Haichao , Peng Simai , Ren Nanqi
Published: October 2014

A new method of combinating ultrasonic (US) pretreatment and substrate/inoculum ratio (S/I) adjustment was applied to enhance hydrolysis and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from food waste.
Deprotection of oximes, imines, and azines to the corresponding carbonyls using Cu-nanoparticles on cellulose template as green reusable catalyst
Authors: Baruah Diganta , Saikia Ujwal Pratim , Pahari Pallab , Dutta Dipak Kumar , Konwar Dilip
Published: October 2014

Cellulose-supported Cu-nanoparticles efficiently catalyze the deprotection of oximes, imines, and azines in water under neutral condition.
Controlled RAFT synthesis of side-chain oleic acid containing polymers and their post-polymerization functionalization
Authors: Maiti Binoy , Kumar Sonu , De Priyadarsi
Published: October 2014

We report the synthesis and characterization of well-defined polymers from oleic acid as the bio-renewable resource. Double bonds in oleate side-chains in the polymer are further modified by thiol-ene reaction, epoxidation, and cross-linking.
Quality attributes of a fermented whey-based beverage enriched with milk and a probiotic strain
Authors: Bulatović Maja Lj. , Krunić Tanja Ž. , Vukašinović-Sekulić Maja S. , Zarić Danica B. , Rakin Marica B.
Published: October 2014

Milk andL. rhamnosusincrease the probiotic character and stability of a beverage and greatly improve its viscosity and syneresis. The first use of ABY-6 culture in whey fermentation was successfully performed.
A hybrid of CoOOH nanorods with carbon nanotubes as a superior positive electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhu Lei , Wu Wenyi , Wang Xiaowei , Wu Xiongwei , Tang Weiping , Wu Yuping
Published: October 2014

A hybrid of CoOOH nanorods with MWCNTs has been synthesized by hydrothermal method, exhibiting high reversible capacitance, good high-rate capability and excellent cycling performance.
Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of quasi-fibrous ZnO
Authors: Adhikari Sangeeta , Sarkar Debasish , Madras Giridhar
Published: October 2014

The combustion of oxidizer zinc nitrate and fuel oxalic acid results in quasi-fibrous zinc oxide for enhanced photocatalysis under UV and visible light.
Characterization and phenolation of biorefinery technical lignins for lignin–phenol–formaldehyde resin adhesive synthesis
Authors: Yang Sheng , Wen Jia-Long , Yuan Tong-Qi , Sun Run-Cang
Published: October 2014

Phenolation treatment under alkaline conditions could increase the active sites of technical lignin for phenol–formaldehyde resin adhesive synthesis.
Highly selective NO2 sensor at room temperature based on nanocomposites of hierarchical nanosphere-like α-Fe2O3 and reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Dong Ying-li , Zhang Xian-fa , Cheng Xiao-li , Xu Ying-ming , Gao Shan , Zhao Hui , Huo Li-hua
Published: October 2014

A highly selective NO2 sensor was developed, which works at room temperature, based on hierarchical nanosphere-like α-Fe2O3 modified rGO nanocomposites using a simple hydrothermal method without any surfactant or template.
Enhancement of electrochemical performance of silicon nanowires by homostructured interface used as anode materials for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wen Zhongsheng , Zhang Zhongyuan , Wang Guanqin
Published: October 2014

A novel approach to getting long cycle life for silicon nanowires via homostructured interface from nonequilibrium Si–Au catalysts is proposed.
A green process for efficient lignin (biomass) degradation and hydrogen production via water splitting using nanostructured C, N, S-doped ZnO under solar light
Authors: Kadam Sunil R. , Mate Vivek R. , Panmand Rajendra P. , Nikam Latesh K. , Kulkarni Milind V. , Sonawane Ravindra S. , Kale Bharat B.
Published: October 2014

Simultaneous photocatalytic hydrogen production (water splitting) and waste lignin (biomass) degradation under visible light has been demonstrated using C, N, S-doped ZnO/ZnS.
Two new four-connected zeolite-like magnesium aluminophosphates with intersecting 8-ring channels
Authors: Wang Y. Y. , Mu Y. , Sun Y. J. , Li J. Y.
Published: October 2014

JU94 and JU95 are synthesized in the same reaction system, but exhibit different zeolite-like frameworks containing 2D 8-ring channels.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of neoglycoproteins driven by the assessment of protein surface reactivity
Authors: Bavaro T. , Filice M. , Temporini C. , Tengattini S. , Serra I. , Morelli C. F. , Massolini G. , Terreni M.
Published: October 2014

An efficient chemoenzymatic strategy followed by an integrated in silico and proteomic analysis for the preparation of neoglycoproteins was described.
The stability, electronic properties, and hardness of SiN2 under high pressure
Authors: Chen Changbo , Xu Ying , Sun Xiuping , Wang Sihang , Tian Fubo
Published: October 2014

Pyrite SiN2 displays a behavior very similar to isotropy and has a high simulated hardness (63 GPa).
Controlling mechanisms in directional growth of aggregated archaeal cells
Authors: Milkevych Viktor , Batstone Damien J.
Published: October 2014

A mechanical mathematical model of cells has been developed to describe anisotropic growth of confined aggregated Methanosarcina. Response to external pressure, including orthogonal changes can be through simple mechanistic principles.
Velocimetry in microchannels using photobleached molecular tracers: a tool to discriminate solvent velocity in flows of suspensions
Authors: Schembri Florinda , Bodiguel Hugues , Colin Annie
Published: October 2014

We report the development and analysis of a velocimetry technique based on the short time displacement of molecular tracers, tagged thanks to photobleaching.
Incorporation of tin affects crystallization, morphology, and crystal composition of Sn-Beta
Authors: Tolborg S. , Katerinopoulou A. , Falcone D. D. , Sádaba I. , Osmundsen C. M. , Davis R. J. , Taarning E. , Fristrup P. , Holm M. S.
Published: October 2014

During synthesis of Sn-Beta, tin affects the crystallization rate, morphology and is incorporated in an outer shell of the crystal.
Amorphous monodispersed hard carbon micro-spherules derived from biomass as a high performance negative electrode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Yunming , Xu Shuyin , Wu Xiaoyan , Yu Juezhi , Wang Yuesheng , Hu Yong-Sheng , Li Hong , Chen Liquan , Huang Xuejie
Published: October 2014

This paper reports monodispersed hard carbon micro-spherules with a high energy density, high initial coulombic efficiency and excellent cycle performance.
Phosphorescent Cu(i) complexes based on bis(pyrazol-1-yl-methyl)-pyridine derivatives for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wu Fengshou , Li Jie , Tong Hongbo , Li Zaoying , Adachi Chihaya , Langlois Adam , Harvey Pierre D. , Liu Li , Wong Wai-Yeung , Wong Wai-Kwok , Zhu Xunjin
Published: October 2014

A new class of Cu(i) complexes based on bis(pyrazol-1-yl-methyl)-pyridine derivatives have been developed as organic electrophosphorescent materials for simple double-layer OLED applications.
High-performance stretchable transparent electrodes based on silver nanowires synthesized via an eco-friendly halogen-free method
Authors: Cheng Tao , Zhang Yi-Zhou , Lai Wen-Yong , Chen Yao , Zeng Wen-Jin , Huang Wei
Published: October 2014

Stretchable transparent electrodes with superior comprehensive performances were prepared using high aspect ratio AgNWs synthesizedviaa facile eco-friendly method.
Assessment of in vivo chronic toxicity of chitosan and its derivates used as oral insulin carriers
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Piyasi , Bhattacharya Sourav , Nandy Arpita , Bhattacharyya Aditi , Mishra Roshnara , Kundu P. P.
Published: October 2014

In the present study, the chronic oral toxicity of chitosan derivates was investigated in the mice model.
Non‐linear adaptive control for electromagnetic actuators
Authors: Benosman Mouhacine , Atınç Gökhan M.
Published: October 2014

The authors study here the problem of adaptive ‘soft‐landing’ control for electromagnetic actuators. The soft landing requires accurate control of the actuator's moving element between two desired positions. They propose a non‐linear adaptive controller to solve the problem of robust trajectory tracking for the moving element, when considering model uncertainties with linear parametrisation. The controller is an integral input‐to‐state stability (iISS) backstepping controller, merged with gradient descent estimation filters to estimate model uncertainties with linear parametrisation. They show that it ensures bounded tracking errors for bounded estimation errors. Furthermore, iISS result allows us to represent the bound on tracking error as a decreasing function of the estimation error. They demonstrate the effectiveness of this controller with numerical tests.
Structures and characteristics of delafossite CuCr1−xO2 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Sidik Umar , Kim Jung Hee , Kim Hae‐Kyoung , Lee Hee Young , Lee Jai‐Yeoul
Published: October 2014

The effects of Cr‐stoichiometry on the structural, electrical and optical properties of delafossite‐type CuCrO2 thin films are reported. Thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on glass and c‐sapphire single‐crystal substrates, and the effects of increased temperature on the thin film properties were examined. The substrate temperature and oxygen partial pressure were found to be important processing parameters for fabricating delafossite thin films. The electrical properties of the thin films generally improved with increasing substrate temperature. The properties of the thin films depend on the crystallinity. The improvements in crystallinity and electrical conductivity were made by increasing the Cr‐deficiency in the CuCr1 −x O2 system. By optimising processing parameters, the electrical conductivity of a CuCr1 −x O2 thin film was 8.30 S/cm (x = 0.00) and this increased with the introduction of Cr‐deficiency to 21.03 S/cm (x = 0.03) with a mean optical transmittance of 60%. The bandgaps of the thin films ranged from approximately 3.00 to 3.22 eV.
Half a Billion Simulations: Evolutionary Algorithms and Distributed Computing for Calibrating the Simpoplocal Geographical Model
Authors: Schmitt Clara , Rey-Coyrehourcq Sébastien , Reuillon Romain , Pumain Denise
Published: October 2014

Multiagent geographical models integrate very large numbers of spatial interactions. In order to validate these models a large amount of computing is necessary for their simulation and calibration. Here a new data-processing chain, including an automated calibration procedure, is tested on a computational grid using evolutionary algorithms. This is applied for the first time to a geographical model designed to simulate the evolution of an early urban settlement system. The method enables us to reduce the computing time and provides robust results. Using this method, we identify several parameter settings that minimize three objective functions that quantify how closely the model results match a reference pattern. As the values of each parameter in different settings are very close, this estimation considerably reduces the initial possible domain of variation of the parameters. Thus the model is a useful tool for further multiple applications in empirical historical situations.