bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cinnamomum cassia essential oil and its major constituent cinnamaldehyde induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC‐3 cells
Authors: Chang Wen‐Lun , Cheng Fu‐Chou , Wang Shu‐Ping , Chou Su‐Tze , Shih Ying
Published: February 2016

Cinnamomum cassia essential oil (CC‐EO) has various functional properties, such as anti‐microbial, hypouricemic, anti‐tyrosinase and anti‐melanogenesis activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti‐cancer activities of CC‐EO and its major constituent, cinnamaldehyde, in human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC‐3 cells. Determination of the cell viability, apoptotic characteristics, DNA damage, cell cycle analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytosolic Ca2+ level and intracellular redox status were performed. Our results demonstrated that CC‐EO and cinnamaldehyde significantly decreased cell viability and caused morphological changes. The cell cycle analysis revealed that CC‐EO and cinnamaldehyde induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in HSC‐3 cells. The apoptotic characteristics (DNA laddering and chromatin condensation) and DNA damage were observed in the CC‐EO‐treated and cinnamaldehyde‐treated HSC‐3 cells. Moreover, CC‐EO and cinnamaldehyde promoted an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels, induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated cytochrome c release. The results of ROS production and intracellular redox status demonstrated that CC‐EO and cinnamaldehyde significantly increased the ROS production and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, and the cellular glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity were significantly reduced in HSC‐3 cells. Our results suggest that CC‐EO and cinnamaldehyde may possess anti‐oral cancer activity in HSC‐3 cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 456–468, 2017.
Reproductive ecology and nest‐site selection of eastern wild turkeys translocated to east Texas
Authors: Isabelle Jason L. , Conway Warren C. , Comer Christopher E. , Calkins Gary E. , Hardin Jason B.
Published: February 2016

Despite extensive restoration efforts in eastern Texas, USA, eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris; hereafter, turkey) densities remain considerably lower than in other southern states. To help understand this disparity, we studied reproductive ecology and nest‐site selection of turkeys translocated to 4 super‐stocked (≥70 turkeys released) sites in eastern Texas, 2007–2008. Median first nest‐initiation date (16 Apr) was similar between first and second year postrelease and release‐year nesting rates were highly variable (15–77% among sites) and lower than during year 2 at each site (69–92% among sites). Renesting rates and nest success rates across sites and years averaged 21% and 38%, respectively, and poult survival varied 0–51%, averaging 35% across sites and years. Nest sites had greater living woody vegetation, ground and screening cover, and ground cover height than random sites. Successful nests tended to have more (P > 0.05) shrubs, greater visual obstruction, and more and taller ground cover than unsuccessful nests. We recommend thinning pine (Pinus spp.) forests as young as possible, maintaining 0.5–1‐m‐tall vegetation to provide nesting cover, and managing these areas outside the nesting season (Apr–Jun) to minimize disturbance of nesting females. We recommend adults represent ≥50% of male turkeys during translocations to bolster nesting rates during the release year. Given sufficient nesting rates and survival, parameter estimates suggest adequate reproduction for turkey population establishment in eastern Texas. The presence of suitable nesting cover should be an important consideration when selecting future release sites. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Identification of elk preferences for different diet supplements
Authors: Braithwaite Hope , Bateman Timothy M. , Veblen Kari E. , Thacker Eric , Villalba Juan J.
Published: February 2016

Although diet supplementation is a well‐established tool for managing livestock distributions and improving vegetation, the principle is less commonly applied to wild ungulates. One reason for this is that it is not known whether wildlife species, such as elk (Cervus elaphus), will habituate to novel supplements and feeders in the landscape. We, therefore, performed a pilot study during winters of 2013 and 2014 to test Rocky Mountain elk (C. e. nelsoni) preferences for 4 diet supplements—2 high in energy (beet pulp and molasses) and 2 high in protein (soybean meal and canola meal)—at a feeding ground in northern Utah, USA. We also tested elk preference for 2 types of feeders that differed in shape, size, and color. We measured the amounts of supplement consumed by elk and used observational techniques (scan sampling) to determine supplement and feeder preference. The weights of refused supplements showed that elk discriminated among supplements, showing greater preferences for high‐energy supplements during periods of low ambient temperatures (P < 0.05). Observational techniques revealed that elk preferred red, short, and wide feeders (P < 0.05). Our results illustrate that elk discriminate among diet supplements and feeder types, suggesting that diet supplementation may be a viable tool to relocate elk away from overused areas. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
The genetic background of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ohno Seiko
Published: February 2016

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by degeneration of the right ventricle and ventricular tachycardia originating from the right ventricle. Additionally, the disease is an inherited cardiomyopathy that mainly follows the autosomal dominant pattern. More than 10 genes have been reported as causative genes for ARVC, and more than half of ARVC patients carry mutations in desmosome related genes. The desmosome is one of the structures involved in cell adhesion and its disruption leads to various diseases, including a skin disease called pemphigus. Among desmosome genes, mutations in PKP2 are most frequently identified in ARVC patients. Although the genotype–phenotype correlations remain to be fully studied, many studies have reported clinical manifestations of, prognosis for, and appropriate therapies for ARVC from the perspective of gene mutations. A collective review of these reports would enhance the understanding of ARVC pathogenesis and clinical manifestation. This review discusses the clinical issues of ARVC from the genetic background.
EURIPIDES'ALCESTISAND THE APOLLONIUS ROMANCE
Authors: Nelson Paul B.
Published: February 2016

In 1924The Classical Quarterlypublished a note by Alexander Haggerty Krappe titled ‘Euripides’Alcmaeonand the Apollonius Romance’. Drawing attention to the obscure origins of the ancient Greek and Roman novels in general and pointing out the scholarly agreement on the role love plays in both the ancient novels and Euripidean tragedy, Krappe observed that ‘Euripides was drawn upon for whole episodes in order to enrich the plot of the [ancient] novel’. Krappe then goes on in his note to attribute the plot of Euripides' lostAlcmaeonas a source of inspiration for one of the major episodes of theHistoria Apollonii Regis Tyri(to wit, the separation and reunion of Apollonius and his daughter, Tarsia). Today, this reliance of the ancient novels on Euripides is generally recognized, but, curiously, Krappe, while identifying an episode from the lostAlcmaeon, failed to identify a clear plot-borrowing from another extant Euripidean play, theAlcestis.
Nutritional issues for older adults: addressing degenerative ageing with long-term studies
Authors: de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M.
Published: February 2016

The ageing process is influenced by a variety of factors, including extrinsic, malleable lifestyle variables. The present paper deals with the epidemiological evidence for the role of dietary patterns and key nutritional concerns in relation to survival and ageing-related disorders that present themselves in later life. Healthful dietary patterns appear to be most relevant in old age. Specific nutritional concerns are related to vitamin D, vitamin B12 and protein malnutrition. An important challenge to further expand the knowledge base is currently addressed by the NuAge project, acknowledging the complexity of the ageing process and integrating different dimensions of research into human healthy ageing. In the meantime, reversing poor adherence to existing guidelines for a healthy diet remains a first challenge in public health nutritional practices.
Evaluation of a digital food photography atlas used as portion size measurement aid in dietary surveys in Greece
Authors: Naska Androniki , Valanou Elisavet , Peppa Eleni , Katsoulis Michail , Barbouni Anastasia , Trichopoulou Antonia
Published: February 2016

Objective

To evaluate how well respondents perceive digital images of food portions commonly consumed in Greece.

Design

The picture series was defined on the basis of usual dietary intakes assessed in earlier large-scale studies in Greece. The evaluation included 2218 pre-weighed actual portions shown to participants, who were subsequently asked to link each portion to a food picture. Mean differences between picture numbers selected and portions actually shown were compared using the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test. The effect of personal characteristics on participants’ selections was evaluated through unpaired t tests (sex and school years) or through Tukey–Kramer pairwise comparisons (age and food groups).

Setting

Testing of participants’ perception of digital food images used in the Greek national nutrition survey.

Subjects

Individuals (n 103, 61 % females) aged 12 years and over, selected on the basis of the target population of the Greek nutrition survey using convenience sampling.

Results

Individuals selected the correct or adjacent image in about 90 % of the assessments and tended to overestimate small and underestimate large quantities. Photographs of Greek traditional pies and meat-based pastry dishes led participants to perceive the amounts in the photos larger than they actually were. Adolescents were more prone to underestimating food quantities through the pictures.

Conclusions

The digital food atlas appears generally suitable to be used for the estimation of average food intakes in large-scale dietary surveys in Greece. However, individuals who consistently consume only small or only large food portions may have biased perceptions in relation to others.
DUALITY FOR QUASIPOLYTOPES
Authors: MUĆKA A. , ROMANOWSKA A. B.
Published: February 2016

In an earlier paper, Romanowska, Ślusarski and Smith described a duality between the category of polytopes (finitely generated real convex sets considered as barycentric algebras) and a certain category of intersections of hypercubes, considered as barycentric algebras with additional constant operations. The present paper provides an extension of this duality to a much more general class of so-called quasipolytopes, that is, convex sets with polytopes as closures. The dual spaces of quasipolytopes are Płonka sums of open polytopes, which are considered as barycentric algebras with some additional operations. In constructing this duality, we use several known and new dualities: the Hofmann–Mislove–Stralka duality for semilattices; the Romanowska–Ślusarski–Smith duality for polytopes; a new duality for open polytopes; and a new duality for injective Płonka sums of polytopes.
PERVERSE MOTIVES AND GRADED DERIVED CATEGORY
Authors: Soergel Wolfgang , Wendt Matthias
Published: February 2016

For a variety with a Whitney stratification by affine spaces, we study categories of motivic sheaves which are constant mixed Tate along the strata. We are particularly interested in those cases where the category of mixed Tate motives over a point is equivalent to the category of finite-dimensional bigraded vector spaces. Examples of such situations include rational motives on varieties over finite fields and modules over the spectrum representing the semisimplification of de Rham cohomology for varieties over the complex numbers. We show that our categories of stratified mixed Tate motives have a natural weight structure. Under an additional assumption of pointwise purity for objects of the heart, tilting gives an equivalence between stratified mixed Tate sheaves and the bounded homotopy category of the heart of the weight structure. Specializing to the case of flag varieties, we find natural geometric interpretations of graded category ${\mathcal{O}}$ and Koszul duality.
The Outsourcing Debate: Theories and Findings
Authors: Clegg Stewart R. , Burdon Steve , Nikolova Natalia
Published: February 2016

This paper addresses the issue of services outsourcing by looking at both theoretical and empirical arguments. Previous debates have often concentrated on the motives for adopting the practice rather than the outcomes. These various themes can be discussed under the twin concepts of the cost and efficiency argument and the fashion and isomorphism approach. Our research provides strong evidence to support the cost efficiency argument. On average, significant cost advantages were sought and delivered, as well as improvements in service levels and systems. Many organisations in the current environment in Australia look at outsourcing not only as a method of increasing efficiency but also as gaining competitive advantage through harnessing the superior specialist skills and experience of the outsourcing provider who takes someone's back office function and transforms them into their front office. A 10% net cost saving was considered necessary by an organisation before embarking on an organisational change that was disruptive and in some cases involved downside risks. Even if other efficiency gains such as service levels or systems improvements were required, so were 10%+ cost savings. A number of the organisations thought their skills in managing outsourcing had improved considerably such that they were in a position to move from a client/server relationship to a partnership model (i.e. an alliance).
Predicting Changing Human Preferences in Water Basin Management
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: February 2016

A model of human-water interactions in Florida's Kissimmee River Basin demonstrates the potential for sociohydrologic models to assist with strategic water management decisions.
Students Worldwide Share Research in Virtual Poster Showcases
Authors: Asher Pranoti M. , Furukawa Harry , Adamec Bethany , Brown Virgil
Published: February 2016

A new program of online student poster sessions helps Earth and space science college and university faculty raise student engagement and retention and build students' confidence and career skills.
Photonic gas sensors exploiting directly the optical properties of hybrid carbon nanotube localized surface plasmon structures
Authors: Allsop Thomas , Arif Raz , Neal Ron , Kalli Kyriacos , Kundrát Vojtěch , Rozhin Aleksey , Culverhouse Phil , Webb David J
Published: February 2016

We investigate the modification of the optical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) resulting from a chemical reaction triggered by the presence of a specific compound (gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2)) and show this mechanism has important consequences for chemical sensing. CNTs have attracted significant research interest because they can be functionalized for a particular chemical, yielding a specific physical response which suggests many potential applications in the fields of nanotechnology and sensing. So far, however, utilizing their optical properties for this purpose has proven to be challenging. We demonstrate the use of localized surface plasmons generated on a nanostructured thin film, resembling a large array of nano-wires, to detect changes in the optical properties of the CNTs. Chemical selectivity is demonstrated using CO2 in gaseous form at room temperature. The demonstrated methodology results additionally in a new, electrically passive, optical sensing configuration that opens up the possibilities of using CNTs as sensors in hazardous/explosive environments.
Cold denaturation induces inversion of dipole and spin transfer in chiral peptide monolayers
Authors: Eckshtain-Levi Meital , Capua Eyal , Refaely-Abramson Sivan , Sarkar Soumyajit , Gavrilov Yulian , Mathew Shinto P. , Paltiel Yossi , Levy Yaakov , Kronik Leeor , Naaman Ron
Published: February 2016

Chirality-induced spin selectivity is a recently-discovered effect, which results in spin selectivity for electrons transmitted through chiral peptide monolayers. Here, we use this spin selectivity to probe the organization of self-assembled α-helix peptide monolayers and examine the relation between structural and spin transfer phenomena. We show that the α-helix structure of oligopeptides based on alanine and aminoisobutyric acid is transformed to a more linear one upon cooling. This process is similar to the known cold denaturation in peptides, but here the self-assembled monolayer plays the role of the solvent. The structural change results in a flip in the direction of the electrical dipole moment of the adsorbed molecules. The dipole flip is accompanied by a concomitant change in the spin that is preferred in electron transfer through the molecules, observed via a new solid-state hybrid organic–inorganic device that is based on the Hall effect, but operates with no external magnetic field or magnetic material.
Phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase PIPKIγ and phosphatase INPP5E coordinate initiation of ciliogenesis
Authors: Xu Qingwen , Zhang Yuxia , Wei Qing , Huang Yan , Hu Jinghua , Ling Kun
Published: February 2016

Defective primary cilia are causative to a wide spectrum of human genetic disorders, termed ciliopathies. Although the regulation of ciliogenesis is intensively studied, how it is initiated remains unclear. Here we show that type Iγ phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) 5-kinase (PIPKIγ) and inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase E (INPP5E), a Joubert syndrome protein, localize to the centrosome and coordinate the initiation of ciliogenesis. PIPKIγ counteracts INPP5E in regulating tau-tubulin kinase-2 (TTBK2) recruitment to the basal body, which promotes the removal of microtubule capping protein CP110 and the subsequent axoneme elongation. Interestingly, INPP5E and its product—PtdIns(4)P—accumulate at the centrosome/basal body in non-ciliated, but not ciliated, cells. PtdIns(4)P binding to TTBK2 and the distal appendage protein CEP164 compromises the TTBK2-CEP164 interaction and inhibits the recruitment of TTBK2. Our results reveal that PtdIns(4)P homoeostasis, coordinated by PIPKIγ and INPP5E at the centrosome/ciliary base, is vital for ciliogenesis by regulating the CEP164-dependent recruitment of TTBK2.
Correlations of Fecal Metabonomic and Microbiomic Changes Induced by High-fat Diet in the Pre-Obesity State
Authors: Lin Hong , An Yanpeng , Hao Fuhua , Wang Yulan , Tang Huiru
Published: February 2016

Obesity resulting from interactions of genetic and environmental factors becomes a serious public health problem worldwide with alterations of the metabolic phenotypes in multiple biological matrices involving multiple metabolic pathways. To understand the contributions of gut microbiota to obesity development, we analyzed dynamic alterations in fecal metabonomic phenotype using NMR and fecal microorganism composition in rats using pyrosequencing technology during the high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 81 days (pre-obesity state). Integrated analysis of these two phenotypic datasets was further conducted to establish correlations between the altered rat fecal metabonome and gut microbiome. We found that one-week HFD feeding already caused significant changes in rat fecal metabonome and such changes sustained throughout 81-days feeding with the host and gut microbiota co-metabolites clearly featured. We also found that HFD caused outstanding decreases in most fecal metabolites implying enhancement of gut absorptions. We further established comprehensive correlations between the HFD-induced changes in fecal metabonome and fecal microbial composition indicating contributions of gut microbiota in pathogenesis and progression of the HFD-induced obesity. These findings provided essential information about the functions of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of metabolic disorders which could be potentially important for developing obesity prevention and treatment therapies.
Methuselah/Methuselah-like G protein-coupled receptors constitute an ancient metazoan gene family
Authors: de Mendoza Alexandre , Jones Jeffery W. , Friedrich Markus
Published: February 2016

Inconsistent conclusions have been drawn regarding the phylogenetic age of the Methuselah/Methuselah-like (Mth/Mthl) gene family of G protein-coupled receptors, the founding member of which regulates development and lifespan in Drosophila. Here we report the results from a targeted homolog search of 39 holozoan genomes and phylogenetic analysis of the conserved seven transmembrane domain. Our findings reveal that the Mth/Mthl gene family is ancient, has experienced numerous extinction and expansion events during metazoan evolution, and acquired the current definition of the Methuselah ectodomain during its exceptional expansion in arthropods. In addition, our findings identify Mthl1, Mthl5, Mthl14, and Mthl15 as the oldest Mth/Mthl gene family paralogs in Drosophila. Future studies of these genes have the potential to define ancestral functions of the Mth/Mthl gene family.
Development of ytterbium-doped oxyfluoride glasses for laser cooling applications
Authors: Krishnaiah Kummara Venkata , Soares de Lima Filho Elton , Ledemi Yannick , Nemova Galina , Messaddeq Younes , Kashyap Raman
Published: February 2016

Oxyfluoride glasses doped with 2, 5, 8, 12, 16 and 20 mol% of ytterbium (Yb3+) ions have been prepared by the conventional melt-quenching technique. Their optical, thermal and thermo-mechanical properties were characterized. Luminescence intensity at 1020 nm under laser excitation at 920 nm decreases with increasing Yb3+concentration, suggesting a decrease in the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The PLQY of the samples was measured with an integrating sphere using an absolute method. The highest PLQY was found to be 0.99(11) for the 2 mol% Yb3+: glass and decreases with increasing Yb3+concentration. The mean fluorescence wavelength and background absorption of the samples were also evaluated. Upconversion luminescence under 975 nm laser excitation was observed and attributed to the presence of Tm3+and Er3+ions which exist as impurity traces with YbF3starting powder. Decay curves for the Yb3+:2F5/2 → 2F7/2transition exhibit single exponential behavior for all the samples, although lifetime decrease was observed for the excited level of Yb3+with increasing Yb3+concentration. Also observed are an increase in the PLQY and a slight decrease in lifetime with increasing the pump power. Finally, the potential of these oxyfluoride glasses with high PLQY and low background absorption for laser cooling applications is discussed.
Venom gland transcriptome analyses of two freshwater stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) from Brazil
Authors: Júnior Nelson Gomes de Oliveira , Fernandes Gabriel da Rocha , Cardoso Marlon Henrique , Costa Fabrício F. , Cândido Elizabete de Souza , Neto Domingos Garrone , Mortari Márcia Renata , Schwartz Elisabeth Ferroni , Franco Octávio Luiz , de Alencar Sérgio Amorim
Published: February 2016

Stingrays commonly cause human envenoming related accidents in populations of the sea, near rivers and lakes. Transcriptomic profiles have been used to elucidate components of animal venom, since they are capable of providing molecular information on the biology of the animal and could have biomedical applications. In this study, we elucidated the transcriptomic profile of the venom glands from two different freshwater stingray species that are endemic to the Paraná-Paraguay basin in Brazil, Potamotrygon amandae and Potamotrygon falkneri. Using RNA-Seq, we identified species-specific transcripts and overlapping proteins in the venom gland of both species. Among the transcripts related with envenoming, high abundance of hyaluronidases was observed in both species. In addition, we built three-dimensional homology models based on several venom transcripts identified. Our study represents a significant improvement in the information about the venoms employed by these two species and their molecular characteristics. Moreover, the information generated by our group helps in a better understanding of the biology of freshwater cartilaginous fishes and offers clues for the development of clinical treatments for stingray envenoming in Brazil and around the world. Finally, our results might have biomedical implications in developing treatments for complex diseases.
Influence of alkali metals (Na, Li, Rb) on the performance of electrostatic spray-assisted vapor deposited Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells
Authors: Altamura Giovanni , Wang Mingqing , Choy Kwang-Leong
Published: February 2016

Electrostatic Spray-Assisted Vapor Deposition (ESAVD) is a non-vacuum and cost-effective method to deposit metal oxide, various sulphide and chalcogenide at large scale. In this work, ESAVD was used to deposit Cu2ZnSn(S1−xSex)4 (CZTSSe) absorber. Different alkali metals like Na, Li and Rb were incorporated in CZTSSe compounds to further improve the photovoltaic performances of related devices. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, no experimental study has been carried out to test the effect of Li and Rb incorporation in CZTSSe solar cells. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and glow discharge spectroscopy have been used to characterize the phase purity, morphology and composition of as-deposited CZTSSe thin films. Photovoltaic properties of the resulting devices were determined by completing the solar cells as follows: Mo/CZTSSe/CdS/i-ZnO/Al:ZnO/Ni/Al. The results showed that Li, Na and Rb incorporation can increase power conversion efficiency of CZTS devices up to 5.5%. The introduction of a thiourea treatment, has improved the quality of the absorber|buffer interface, pushed the device efficiency up to 6.3% which is at the moment the best reported result for ESAVD deposited CZTSSe solar cells.
Asialoglycoprotein receptor-magnetic dual targeting nanoparticles for delivery of RASSF1A to hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xue Wan-Jiang , Feng Ying , Wang Fei , Guo Yi-Bing , Li Peng , Wang Lei , Liu Yi-Fei , Wang Zhi-Wei , Yang Yu-Min , Mao Qin-Sheng
Published: February 2016

We developed a nanovector with double targeting properties for efficiently delivering the tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A specifically into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by preparing galactosylated-carboxymethyl chitosan-magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs). After conjugating galactose and CMCS to the surface of Fe3O4-NPs, we observed that Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs were round with a relatively stable zeta potential of +6.5 mV and an mean hydrodynamic size of 40.1 ± 5.3 nm. Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs had strong DNA condensing power in pH 7 solution and were largely nontoxic. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs were highly selective for HCC cells and liver cells. In vivo experiments showed the specific accumulation of Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs in HCC tissue, especially with the aid of an external magnetic field. Nude mice with orthotopically transplanted HCC received an intravenous injection of the Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs/pcDNA3.1(+)RASSF1A compound and intraperitoneal injection of mitomycin and had an external magnetic field applied to the tumor area. These mice had the smallest tumors, largest percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and highest caspase-3 expression levels in tumor tissue compared to other groups of treated mice. These results suggest the potential application of Gal-CMCS-Fe3O4-NPs for RASSF1A gene delivery for the treatment of HCC.
Effects of changes in straw chemical properties and alkaline soils on bacterial communities engaged in straw decomposition at different temperatures
Authors: Zhou Guixiang , Zhang Jiabao , Zhang Congzhi , Feng Youzhi , Chen Lin , Yu Zhenghong , Xin Xiuli , Zhao Bingzi
Published: February 2016

Differences in the composition of a bacterial community engaged in decomposing wheat straw in a fluvo-aquic soil at 15 °C, 25 °C and 35 °C were identified using barcode pyrosequencing. Functional carbon groups in the decomposing wheat straw were evaluated by 13C-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were more abundant, whereas Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were less abundant, at higher temperatures during the later stages of decomposition. Differences in the chemical properties of straw accounted for 19.3% of the variation in the community composition, whereas soil properties accounted for more (24.0%) and temperature, for less (7.4%). Carbon content of the soil microbial biomass and nitrogen content of straw were significantly correlated with the abundance of Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The chemical properties of straw, especially the NCH/OCH3, alkyl O-C-O and O-alkyl functional groups, exercised a significant effect on the composition of the bacterial community at different temperatures during decomposition—results that extend our understanding of bacterial communities associated with the decomposition of straw in agro-ecosystems and of the effects of temperature and chemical properties of the decomposing straw and soil on such communities.
Analysis of the inhibition of nucleic acid dyes on polymerase chain reaction by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Li Zhenqing , Liu Chenchen , Ma Siyao , Zhang Dawei , Yamaguchi Yoshinori
Published: February 2016

An integrated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) system can realize accurate quantification of the target PCR product by adding labeling dyes to the PCR reagents, because CE can discriminate all the subsequent nucleic acids, including the primers, non-specific and specific PCR products.
Highly-active oxygen evolution electrocatalyzed by a Fe-doped NiSe nanoflake array electrode
Authors: Tang Chun , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2016

A Fe-doped NiSe nanoflake arrayin situhydrothermally grown on a macroporous FeNi foam behaves as a highly-active robust oxygen evolution electrode, capable of driving 1000 mA cm−2at an overpotential of 263 mV in 30 wt% KOH at room temperature.
Synthesis and characterisation of bismacrocyclic DO3A-amide derivatives – an approach towards metal-responsive PARACEST agents
Authors: Cakić Nevenka , Verbić Tatjana Ž. , Jelić Ratomir M. , Platas-Iglesias Carlos , Angelovski Goran
Published: February 2016

Three bismacrocyclic amide derivatives bearing two types of chelating moieties were prepared. The properties of their lanthanide complexes in the absence and presence of calcium, magnesium or zinc ions were studied.
Interactions of copper(ii) and zinc(ii) with chlorophyll: insights from density functional theory studies
Authors: Bechaieb Rim , Fredj Arij B. , Akacha Azaiez B. , Gérard Hélène
Published: February 2016

The most favored reaction of chlorophyll is computed to be substitution for Cu2+ and peripheral chelation for Zn2+.
Decoupling grain growth from densification during sintering of oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Kinemuchi Y. , Nakano H. , Kato K. , Ozaki K. , Kobayashi K.
Published: February 2016

Unique shrinkage mode of oxide nanoparticles enables densification without grain growth.
Mild bottom-up synthesis of indium(0) nanoparticles: characterization and application in the allylation of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Dorn Viviana , Chopa Alicia , Radivoy Gabriel
Published: February 2016

A mild bottom-up synthesis of indium(0) nanoparticles (4.0 ± 0.5 nm) was developed and efficiently applied in the allylation of carbonyl compounds.
Analytically useful blue chemiluminescence from a water-soluble iridium(iii) complex containing a tetraethylene glycol functionalised triazolylpyridine ligand
Authors: Smith Zoe M. , Kerr Emily , Doeven Egan H. , Connell Timothy U. , Barnett Neil W. , Donnelly Paul S. , Haswell Stephen J. , Francis Paul S.
Published: February 2016

The first highly water soluble, blue-luminescent iridium(iii) complex for chemiluminescence detection is presented.
Acid-promoted bicyclization of arylacetylenes to benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octanes through cationic rearrangements
Authors: Su Xiang , Sun Yihua , Yao Jiannian , Chen Hui , Chen Chao
Published: February 2016

Acid-promoted site- and stereo-selective bicyclization of alkynes to benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octanes was realized with atom- and step-economy. The reaction proceeded through two C–C bonds formed on remote alkyl C–H bonds via twice long-distance cationic rearrangement.
Bipiperidine conjugates as soluble sugar surrogates in DNA-intercalating antiproliferative polyketides
Authors: Ueberschaar Nico , Meyer Florian , Dahse Hans-Martin , Hertweck Christian
Published: February 2016

1,4′-Bipiperidine-1′-carbamate residues were evaluated as sugar surrogates in daunorubicin and chartreusin, yielding water-soluble derivatives and prodrugs with dramatically improved antiproliferative activities.
Toward the design of high voltage magnesium–lithium hybrid batteries using dual-salt electrolytes
Authors: Cheng Yingwen , Choi Daiwon , Han Kee Sung , Mueller Karl T. , Zhang Ji-Guang , Sprenkle Vincent L. , Liu Jun , Li Guosheng
Published: February 2016

We report a design of high voltage magnesium–lithium (Mg–Li) hybrid batteries through rational control of the electrolyte chemistry, electrode materials and cell architecture.
Memorized chiral arrangement of gemini surfactant assemblies in nanometric hybrid organic–silica helices
Authors: Ryu Naoya , Okazaki Yutaka , Hirai Kana , Takafuji Makoto , Nagaoka Shoji , Pouget Emilie , Ihara Hirotaka , Oda Reiko
Published: February 2016

The chiral arrangement of non-chiral gemini surfactant molecules induced by enantiomeric tartrate counterions was maintained by hybridization with silica matrices even after the removal of the counterions as chiral sources.
The O, OH and OOH-assisted selective coupling of methanol on Au–Ag(111)
Authors: Zhong Wenhui , Liang Jinxia , Hu Wei , Cao Xinrui , Jia Chuanyi , Jiang Jun
Published: February 2016

Molecular oxygen can be activated via a hydroperoxyl (OOH) intermediate by taking a hydrogen atom from co-adsorbed methanol.
Synthesis and characterization of non-bridging mono- and bis-σ-η1-alkynyl derivatives of the phosphido-bridged hexaplatinum core [Pt6(μ-PBut2)4(CO)4]2+
Authors: Bonuccelli Veronica , Funaioli Tiziana , Leoni Piero , Marchetti Fabio , Marchetti Lorella , Pasquali Marco
Published: February 2016

Several mono- or bis-alkynyl derivatives of the [Pt6(μ-PBut2)4(CO)4]2+core, pivotal intermediates in the synthesis of new cluster-containing oligomers, were prepared and fully characterized.
Low-molecular-weight polyphenols protect kidney damage through suppressing NF-κB and modulating mitochondrial biogenesis in diabetic db/db mice
Authors: Liu Hung-Wen , Wei Chu-Chun , Chang Sue-Joan
Published: February 2016

We examined the protective effects of oligonol, a low-molecular-weight polyphenol derived from lychee fruit and green tea, on kidney damage in diabeticdb/dbmice.
Selectivity profile of afatinib for EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Debby D. , Lee Victor H. F. , Zhu Guangyu , Zou Bin , Ma Lichun , Yan Hong
Published: February 2016

The EGFR mutation-response or mutation-PFS correlation for afatinib in NSCLC treatment was computationally profiled, promoting specialized and innovative drug design.
Copper-catalyzed radical reactions of 2-azido-N-arylacrylamides with 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-benziodoxole and 1-azidyl-1,2-benziodoxole
Authors: Yang Tonghao , Zhu Haizhen , Yu Wei
Published: February 2016

The tandem addition/cyclization reactions of 2-azido-N-arylacrylamides with 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-benziodoxole and 1-azidyl-1,2-benziodoxole-derived trifluoromethyl radicals and azidyl radicals were investigated.
Functional isocoumarin-containing polymers synthesized by rhodium-catalyzed oxidative polycoupling of aryl diacid and internal diyne
Authors: Han Ting , Deng Haiqin , Yu Chris Y. Y. , Gui Chen , Song Zhegang , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: February 2016

Functional polymers with in situ generated isocoumarin units were constructed facilely by rhodium-catalyzed polymerization of aryl diacid and internal diyne.
Flexible thiophene polymers: a concerted macromolecular architecture for dielectrics
Authors: Yin Xiaodong , Qiao Yali , Gadinski Matthew R. , Wang Qing , Tang Chuanbing
Published: February 2016

Highly flexible and transparent free-standing films can be readily obtained from oligothiophene-containing norbornene polymers and their hydrogenated derivatives prepared by ROMP. The rigidness/softness of the polymer backbone and polar side chains dictate dielectric properties.
N-(7-Chloroquinolinyl-4-aminoalkyl)arylsulfonamides as antimalarial agents: rationale for the activity with reference to inhibition of hemozoin formation
Authors: Verma Saroj , Pandey Shashi , Agarwal Pooja , Verma Pravesh , Deshpande Shreekant , Saxena Jitendra Kumar , Srivastava Kumkum , Chauhan Prem M. S. , Prabhakar Yenamandra S.
Published: February 2016

New chloroquinolinyl arylsulfonamides with potential antimalarial activity inhibited hemozoin formation exceedingly well.
Photoelectrocatalytic activity of ZnO coated nano-porous silicon by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Sampath Sridhar , Shestakova Marina , Maydannik Philipp , Ivanova Tatiana , Homola Tomáš , Bryukvin Anton , Sillanpää Mika , Nagumothu Rameshbabu , Alagan Viswanathan
Published: February 2016

Efficient photoelectrocatalytic activity can be achieved for negative biased ZnO coated nano-porous silicon due to appropriate band position between ZnO and porous silicon.
p-Sulfonic acid calix[4]arene-functionalized alkyl-bridged organosilica in esterification reactions
Authors: de Assis J. V. , Abranches P. A. S. , Braga I. B. , Zuñiga O. M. P. , Sathicq A. G. , Romanelli G. P. , Sato A. G. , Fernandes S. A.
Published: February 2016

Two new p-sulfonic acid calix[4]arene- and p-sulfonic acid calix[6]arene-functionalized organosilica have been synthesized using a sol–gel method and applied as heterogeneous catalysts in esterification reactions.
Hydrophobic CdSe and CdTe quantum dots: shell coating, shape control, and self-assembly
Authors: Jiang Zhixiang , Matras-Postolek Katarzyna , Yang Ping
Published: February 2016

Several kinds of hydrophobic quantum dots including CdSe, CdTe, CdSe/CdxZn1−xS, and CdTe/CdSe/ZnSe were fabricated via organic synthesis to observe morphology variation during shell coating.
Toxicity evaluation of gold nanoparticles using an Allium cepa bioassay
Authors: Rajeshwari A. , Suresh S. , Chandrasekaran Natarajan , Mukherjee Amitava
Published: February 2016

The size- and dose-dependent cytogenetic effects of gold NPs were evaluated for the first time by a simple and cost-effective Allium cepa (A. cepa) bioassay.
Boosting the lithium storage performance of MoS2 with graphene quantum dots
Authors: Guo Jinxue , Zhu Haifeng , Sun Yanfang , Tang Lin , Zhang Xiao
Published: February 2016

The GQD doped MoS2 nanosheets possess both structural and compositional advantages, thus delivering superior cyclic performance and excellent rate performance.
Small molecules reveal an alternative mechanism of Bax activation
Authors: Brahmbhatt Hetal , Uehling David , Al-awar Rima , Leber Brian , Andrews David
Published: February 2016

The pro-apoptotic protein Bax commits a cell to death by permeabilizing the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). To obtain small-molecule probes for elucidating the molecular mechanism(s) of Bax activation, we screened for compounds that induced Bax-mediated liposome permeabilization. We identified five structurally different small molecules that promoted both Bax targeting to and oligomerization at membranes. All five compounds initiated Bax oligomerization in the absence of membranes by a mechanism unlike Bax activation by Bcl-2 homology 3 domain (BH3) proteins. Some of the compounds induced Bax/Bak-dependent apoptosis in cells. Activation of Bax by the most active compound was poorly inhibited by the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL and requires a cysteine residue at position 126 of Bax that is not required for activation by BH3 proteins. Our results reveal a novel pathway for Bax activation independent of pro-apoptotic BH3 proteins that may have important implications for the regulation of Bax activity in cells.
Convex optimisation based transmit beampattern synthesis for MIMO radar
Authors: Pandey N. , Roy L. P.
Published: February 2016

A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radar allows its antenna elements to transmit multiple signal waveforms. This waveform diversity offers enhanced flexibility in transmit beampattern synthesis and signal design. Two algorithms where the transmit is synthesised beampattern by optimising transmitted signal covariance matrix is proposed. In the first algorithm, a method to achieve a desired beampattern by reformulating the design problem as an unconstrained semi‐definite programming problem is proposed. Second, a method for beampattern synthesis such that the cross correlation beampattern, which is the correlation between the signals at different target locations, is minimised and at the same time the sidelobe levels are constrained to be lower than a threshold value proposed. These design problems are modelled as convex optimisation problem and are solved using Matlab based toolbox CVX.
Dual‐band bandpass filter based on a single triple‐mode ring resonator
Authors: Tang Ming‐Chun , Shi Ting , Chen Shiyong , Cao Hailin
Published: February 2016

A novel dual‐band bandpass filter (BPF) based on a single triple‐mode ring resonator is proposed. The proposed BPF could provide three transmission poles for each passband to improve operating bandwidth. Meanwhile, seven transmission zeros are achieved at the stopband to improve the selectivity. The proposed dual‐band BPF was designed, fabricated and tested. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulated values.
Efficient discrete Gabor transform with weighted linear combination of analysis windows
Authors: Li Rui , Tao Liang , Kwan Hon Keung
Published: February 2016

A novel discrete Gabor transform (DGT) with a weighted linear combination of analysis windows is presented, which can utilise the optimal weights to change the shape and width of the combined analysis window so as to improve the time–frequency resolution of the Gabor spectrum. The optimal weights can be solved by minimising the objective function with the mixed ℓ1 and ℓ2 norms of the DGT coefficients, which leads to the maximum time–frequency concentration of energy on the time–frequency plane, or equivalently, the optimal time–frequency resolution. Experimental results show that the proposed DGT is highly effective in time–frequency analysis.
Half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide antenna for generating multiple orbital angular momentum modes
Authors: Chen Yiling , Zheng Shilie , Chi Hao , Jin Xiaofeng , Zhang Xianmin
Published: February 2016

To multiplex multiple orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams, a compact half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide leaky‐wave antenna (LWA) for generating multiple high‐order OAM modes is presented. The LWA is based on a cavity resonator with two feeds of ±90° phase difference. The principle and mode analysis of the resonator are discussed, and the generation of high‐order OAM beams is proved by the measurements.
Single‐feed low‐profile resonant cavity antenna covering entire Ku‐band
Authors: Hashmi R.M. , Esselle K.P.
Published: February 2016

A simple single‐feed resonant cavity antenna having a flat, low‐profile all‐dielectric partially reflecting surface (PRS) is described, which has a wide 3 dB bandwidth covering the entire Ku‐band. The PRS is composed of three dielectric sections, forming a planar slab with the dielectric constant of the slab decreasing from the centre to the edge in three steps. In addition to the directivity enhancement (up to 10 dB over the feed antenna), it is shown that such single‐layer PRSs remarkably improve the bandwidth of RCAs while reducing the profile of the antenna significantly. The total height of the antenna prototype is only 0.65λ0 at the lowest operating frequency. Experimental results are included to validate the proposed concept.
Asynchronous finite‐time dynamic output feedback control for switched time‐delay systems with non‐linear disturbances
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Zong Guangdeng , Sun Haibin
Published: February 2016

The asynchronous finite‐time dynamic output feedback control problem is concerned for switched time‐delay systems with non‐linear disturbances. By constructing multiple Lyapunov functions and resorting to the average dwell‐time approach, an asynchronous dynamic output feedback controller is designed to ensure the finite‐time stability of the resulting closed‐loop system, where asynchronous means that there is a lag between switching of controllers and subsystems. It should be pointed out that the Lyapunov function energy is allowed to increase during the running intervals of the active subsystems. Furthermore, all the conditions are formulated in forms of a set of linear matrix inequalities which can be easily solved by using the recently developed interior point method. Finally, two examples are provided to show the potential of the main results.
Analysing the optical network unit power consumption in the 10 GB‐capable passive optical network systems
Authors: Sarigiannidis Panagiotis , Louta Malamati , Papadimitriou Georgios , Theologou Michael
Published: February 2016

The standardisation of the 10 GB‐capable passive optical network (XG‐PON) system is accompanied by a rigorous set of recommendations. Power reduction in XG‐PONs is considered a quite important topic by the telecommunication standardisation sector (ITU‐T), thus, with importance of energy saving, XG‐PON recommendation describes power management processes in detail. The core power management process comprises distinct states representing the desired power management transitions, while two modes: namely, the doze and the cyclic sleep mode, are defined. This study provides an analytical model for power consumption computation of an optical network unit (ONU), assuming that the two modes are enabled in the ONU operation. The presented analytical findings are verified by conducting extensive simulation experiments. Concurrently, the average time spent on doze and cyclic sleep states is provided.
Reference Correlation of the Viscosity of meta-Xylene from 273 to 673 K and up to 200 MPa
Authors: Cao F. L. , Meng X. Y. , Wu J. T. , Vesovic V.
Published: February 2016

A new correlation for the viscosity of meta-xylene is presented. The correlation is based upon a body of experimental data that has been critically assessed for internal consistency and for agreement with theory. It is applicable in the temperature range from 273 to 673 K at pressures up to 200 MPa. The overall uncertainty of the proposed correlation, estimated as the combined expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor of 2, varies from 1% for the viscosity at atmospheric pressure to 5% for the highest temperatures and pressures of interest. Tables of the viscosity, generated by the relevant equations, at selected temperatures and pressures, and along the saturation line, are provided.
Equivalent model for the phase dynamics of a metamaterial inspired patch antenna
Authors: Papari Gianpaolo , Andreone Antonello
Published: February 2016

We present a simple model for a patch antenna based on metamaterial concepts operating in the microwave region with a bandwidth of 1.9–2.6 GHz. The small size and the relatively large operational band make this device exploitable for electromagnetic energy harvesting in urban environments. Describing the antenna by an equivalent circuit composed of a transmission line having right/left hand properties with a RC load, we can properly account for the phase dynamics in correspondence of resonances characterized by a specific handedness. The model is validated measuring the response of the reflection scattering parameter S1,1 for a copper prototype fabricated on a FR4 printed circuit board.