bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastable alloy nanoparticles, metal-oxide nanocrescents and nanoshells generated by laser ablation in liquid solution: influence of the chemical environment on structure and composition
Authors: Scaramuzza Stefano , Agnoli Stefano , Amendola Vincenzo
Published: February 2015

Metastable nanoalloys, metal-oxide nanocrescents and metal@oxide nanoshells are generated by laser ablation in liquid solution (LASiS).
Electronic state dependence of heterogeneous electron transfer: injection from the S1 and S2 state of phlorin into TiO2
Authors: Nieto-Pescador Jesus , Abraham Baxter , Pistner Allen J. , Rosenthal Joel , Gundlach Lars
Published: February 2015

Similar heterogeneous electron transfer times, from different electronic states of a porphyrinoid into TiO2, suggest that the transfer process involve intermediate transition states not directly related to the steady bulk or surface density of states.
Improving the efficiency of inverted polymer solar cells by introducing inorganic dopants
Authors: Liu Chunyu , Li Jinfeng , Zhang Xinyuan , He Yeyuan , Li Zhiqi , Li Hao , Guo Wenbin , Shen Liang , Ruan Shengping
Published: February 2015

CdSe was doped in PCDTBT:PCBM solar cells to improve current and voltage, leading to a PCE of 6.94%.
Dual mode quantitative imaging of microscopic viscosity using a conjugated porphyrin dimer
Authors: Vyšniauskas Aurimas , Balaz Milan , Anderson Harry L. , Kuimova Marina K.
Published: February 2015

We report a deep red emitting dual viscosity sensor, which allows both the ratiometric and the lifetime imaging of viscosity.
Deferitazole, a new orally active iron chelator
Authors: Hider Robert C. , Kong Xiaole , Abbate Vincenzo , Harland Rachel , Conlon Kelly , Luker Tim
Published: February 2015

Deferitazole possesses a high affinity and selectivity for iron(iii), forming an equilibrium mixture of two FeIII(deferitazole)2complexes, under biological conditions.
Design, synthesis, and kinetic analysis of potent protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Gang , Richardson Stacie Lynn , Mao Yunfei , Huang Rong
Published: February 2015

A novel clicked bisubstrate analogue (NAM-TZ-SPKRIA) was designed and synthesized to be a potent, selective, and first NTMT1 inhibitor.
A polystyrene-supported 9-amino(9-deoxy)epi quinine derivative for continuous flow asymmetric Michael reactions
Authors: Izquierdo Javier , Ayats Carles , Henseler Andrea H. , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: February 2015

A polystyrene (PS)-supported 9-amino(9-deoxy)epiquinine derivative catalyzes Michael reactions affording excellent levels of conversion and enantioselectivity using different nucleophiles and structurally diverse enones under continuous flow conditions.
Structure, stability and intramolecular interaction of M(N5)2(M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) : a theoretical study
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Yang Junqing , Lu Ming , Gong Xuedong
Published: February 2015

The potential energetic materials, alkaline earth metal complexes of the pentazole anion (M(N5)2, M = Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+and Ba2+), were studied using the density functional theory.
Star-like nanostructured polyaniline and polyanisidine prepared from d-glucose: synthesis, characterization, and properties
Authors: Massoumi Bakhshali , Sorkhi-Shams Nafiseh , Jaymand Mehdi , Mohammadi Robab
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study is the synthesis and characterization of five-arm star-like nanostructured polyaniline and polyanisidine from d-glucose via a “core-first” method.
MnO nanoparticles embedded in a carbon matrix for a high performance Li ion battery anode
Authors: Zhu Chunyu , Sheng Nan , Akiyama Tomohiro
Published: February 2015

Manganese oxides are promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries based on conversion reactions.
The effect of links on the interparticle dipolar correlations in supramolecular magnetic filaments
Authors: Sánchez Pedro A. , Cerdà Joan J. , Sintes Tomás M. , Ivanov Alexey O. , Kantorovich Sofia S.
Published: February 2015

We theoretically show how the crosslinking mechanism of colloids can drastically change the magnetic response of supramolecular magnetic filaments.
Self-standing non-noble metal (Ni–Fe) oxide nanotube array anode catalysts with synergistic reactivity for high-performance water oxidation
Authors: Zhao Zhenlu , Wu Haoxi , He Haili , Xu Xiaolong , Jin Yongdong
Published: February 2015

A free-standing non-noble metal Ni–Fe oxide nanotube array electrode for water oxidation, with synergistically enhanced electrocatalytic performance, has been fabricated using a simple method.
Novel gold-decorated polyaniline derivatives as redox-active species for simultaneous detection of three biomarkers of lung cancer
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Liu Na , Ma Zhanfang
Published: February 2015

Novel redox-active species including gold-poly(o-aminophenol) and gold-poly(p-phenylenediamine) were synthesized and applied for the electrochemical immunoassay of three tumor biomarkers.
Size‐dependent free vibration of nano/microbeams with piezo‐layered actuators
Authors: Nazemizadeh Mostafa , Bakhtiari‐Nejad F.
Published: February 2015

The size‐dependent free vibration of nano/microbeams with piezo‐layered actuators is analytically investigated. The size‐dependent dynamic modelling of the piezo‐layered beam is presented on the basis of the non‐local continuum theory. Equations of the motion and boundary conditions of the beam are obtained by implementation of Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained as a function of the piezo‐layered beam characteristic size and non‐local size scale parameter. The size effects on the vibration behaviour of the beam are studied and it is found that the non‐local parameter, length ratio and thickness ratio have significant effects on the free vibration of systems.
Real-space quadrature: A convenient, efficient representation for multipole expansions
Authors: Rogers David M.
Published: February 2015

Multipoles are central to the theory and modeling of polarizable and nonpolarizable molecular electrostatics. This has made a representation in terms of point charges a highly sought after goal, since rotation of multipoles is a bottleneck in molecular dynamics implementations. All known point charge representations are orders of magnitude less efficient than spherical harmonics due to either using too many fixed charge locations or due to nonlinear fitting of fewer charge locations. We present the first complete solution to this problem—completely replacing spherical harmonic basis functions by a dramatically simpler set of weights associated to fixed, discrete points on a sphere. This representation is shown to be space optimal. It reduces the spherical harmonic decomposition of Poisson’s operator to pairwise summations over the point set. As a corollary, we also shows exact quadrature-based formulas for contraction over trace-free supersymmetric 3D tensors. Moreover, multiplication of spherical harmonic basis functions translates to a direct product in this representation.
The effect of strain on the domain switching of ferroelectric polycrystals
Authors: Tong Y. , Liu M. , Chen H. M. , Li G. P. , Fang H. , Wang J. , Ma Z.
Published: February 2015

The effect of external strain on the non-linear electromechanical behavior of a ferroelectric poly-crystal is investigated under different applied electric fields by using a phase field model. Simulation results show that the domain switching induced by electric field under a tensile strain is much easier than that under a compressive strain, which is attributed to that a multi-domain structure can be more easily formed under the tensile strain than in the case of compressive strain when the electric field is absent. It is also found that a compressive misfit strain increases the macroscopic coercive field and remnant polarization while a tensile misfit strain decreases both of them. In addition, a compressive strain decreases the non-linear dielectric constant while a tensile strain increases it.
Correlation consistent basis sets for actinides. I. The Th and U atoms
Authors: Peterson Kirk A.
Published: February 2015

New correlation consistent basis sets based on both pseudopotential (PP) and all-electron Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) Hamiltonians have been developed from double- to quadruple-zeta quality for the actinide atoms thorium and uranium. Sets for valence electron correlation (5f6s6p6d), cc − pV nZ − PP and cc − pV nZ − DK3, as well as outer-core correlation (valence + 5s5p5d), cc − pwCV nZ − PP and cc − pwCV nZ − DK3, are reported (n = D, T, Q). The -PP sets are constructed in conjunction with small-core, 60-electron PPs, while the -DK3 sets utilized the 3rd-order Douglas-Kroll-Hess scalar relativistic Hamiltonian. Both series of basis sets show systematic convergence towards the complete basis set limit, both at the Hartree-Fock and correlated levels of theory, making them amenable to standard basis set extrapolation techniques. To assess the utility of the new basis sets, extensive coupled cluster composite thermochemistry calculations of ThFn (n = 2 − 4), ThO2, and UFn (n = 4 − 6) have been carried out. After accurately accounting for valence and outer-core correlation, spin-orbit coupling, and even Lamb shift effects, the final 298 K atomization enthalpies of ThF4, ThF3, ThF2, and ThO2 are all within their experimental uncertainties. Bond dissociation energies of ThF4 and ThF3, as well as UF6 and UF5, were similarly accurate. The derived enthalpies of formation for these species also showed a very satisfactory agreement with experiment, demonstrating that the new basis sets allow for the use of accurate composite schemes just as in molecular systems composed only of lighter atoms. The differences between the PP and DK3 approaches were found to increase with the change in formal oxidation state on the actinide atom, approaching 5-6 kcal/mol for the atomization enthalpies of ThF4 and ThO2. The DKH3 atomization energy of ThO2 was calculated to be smaller than the DKH2 value by ∼1 kcal/mol.
Structural, bonding, and electronic properties of the hexagonal ferroelectric and paraelectric phases of LuMnO3 compound: A density functional theory study
Authors: Sousa A. M. , Coutinho W. S. , Lima A. F. , Lalic M. V.
Published: February 2015

We have investigated the structural, bonding, and electronic properties of both ferroelectric (FE) and paraelectric (PE) phases of the hexagonal LuMnO3 compound using calculations based on density functional theory. The structural properties have been determined by employing the generalized gradient approximation with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof and Wu-Cohen parameterization. The bonding and electronic properties have been treated by recently developed modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential, which succeeded to open a band gap for both PE and FE phases, in agreement with experimental predictions. The Bader’s topological analysis of electronic density showed that the character of the Lu–O axial bonds changes when the crystal exhibits the PE → FE structural transition. This fact is in agreement with experimental findings. The covalent character of the Lu–O bond significantly increases due to orbital hybridization between the Lu 5dz2 and O 2pz-states. This bonding mechanism causes the ferroelectricity in the hexagonal LuMnO3 compound.
Vibrational energy flow in the villin headpiece subdomain: Master equation simulations
Authors: Leitner David M. , Buchenberg Sebastian , Brettel Paul , Stock Gerhard
Published: February 2015

We examine vibrational energy flow in dehydrated and hydrated villin headpiece subdomain HP36 by master equation simulations. Transition rates used in the simulations are obtained from communication maps calculated for HP36. In addition to energy flow along the main chain, we identify pathways for energy transport in HP36 via hydrogen bonding between residues quite far in sequence space. The results of the master equation simulations compare well with all-atom non-equilibrium simulations to about 1 ps following initial excitation of the protein, and quite well at long times, though for some residues we observe deviations between the master equation and all-atom simulations at intermediate times from about 1–10 ps. Those deviations are less noticeable for hydrated than dehydrated HP36 due to energy flow into the water.
Improving the efficiency of branch-and-bound complete-search NMR assignment using the symmetry of molecules and spectra
Authors: Bernal Andrés , Castillo Andrés M. , González Fabio , Patiny Luc , Wist Julien
Published: February 2015

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assignment of small molecules is presented as a typical example of a combinatorial optimization problem in chemical physics. Three strategies that help improve the efficiency of solution search by the branch and bound method are presented: 1. reduction of the size of the solution space by resort to a condensed structure formula, wherein symmetric nuclei are grouped together; 2. partitioning of the solution space based on symmetry, that becomes the basis for an efficient branching procedure; and 3. a criterion of selection of input restrictions that leads to increased gaps between branches and thus faster pruning of non-viable solutions. Although the examples chosen to illustrate this work focus on small-molecule NMR assignment, the results are generic and might help solving other combinatorial optimization problems.
Semiclassical quantization of nonadiabatic systems with hopping periodic orbits
Authors: Fujii Mikiya , Yamashita Koichi
Published: February 2015

We present a semiclassical quantization condition, i.e., quantum–classical correspondence, for steady states of nonadiabatic systems consisting of fast and slow degrees of freedom (DOFs) by extending Gutzwiller’s trace formula to a nonadiabatic form. The quantum–classical correspondence indicates that a set of primitive hopping periodic orbits, which are invariant under time evolution in the phase space of the slow DOF, should be quantized. The semiclassical quantization is then applied to a simple nonadiabatic model and accurately reproduces exact quantum energy levels. In addition to the semiclassical quantization condition, we also discuss chaotic dynamics involved in the classical limit of nonadiabatic dynamics.
Topological insulator thin films starting from the amorphous phase-Bi2Se3 as example
Authors: Barzola-Quiquia J. , Lehmann T. , Stiller M. , Spemann D. , Esquinazi P. , Häussler P.
Published: February 2015

We present a new method to obtain topological insulator Bi2Se3 thin films with a centimeter large lateral length. To produce amorphous Bi2Se3 thin films, we have used a sequential flash-evaporation method at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to verify that the prepared samples are in a pure amorphous state. During annealing, the samples transform into the rhombohedral Bi2Se3 crystalline structure which was confirmed using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Resistance measurements of the amorphous films show the expected Mott variable range hopping conduction process with a high specific resistance compared to the one obtained in the crystalline phase (metallic behavior). We have measured the magnetoresistance and the Hall effect at different temperatures between 2 K and 275 K. At temperatures T ≲ 50 K and fields B ≲ 1 T, we observe weak anti-localization in the MR; the Hall measurements confirm the n-type character of the samples. All experimental results of our films are in quantitative agreement with results from samples prepared using more sophisticated methods.
The glass transition of polymers with different side-chain stiffness confined in free-standing thin films
Authors: Xie Shi-Jie , Qian Hu-Jun , Lu Zhong-Yuan
Published: February 2015

The effect of confinement on the glass transition temperature Tg of polymeric glass formers with different side chain stiffness is investigated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We find that polymer with stiffer side groups exhibits much more pronounced Tg variation in confinement compared to that with relatively flexible side groups, in good agreement with experiments. Our string analysis demonstrates that the polymer species dependence of dynamics can be described by an Adam-Gibbs like relation between the size of cooperatively rearranging regions and relaxation time. However, the primary effect of changing side-group stiffness is to alter the activation barrier for rearrangement, rather than string size. We clarify that free-surface perturbation is the primary factor in determining the magnitude of Tg variation for polymers in confinement: It is more significant for polymers having higher Tg and results in much more pronounced reduction of surface Tg and then the overall Tg of the polymers.
The magnetic particle in a box: Analytic and micromagnetic analysis of probe-localized spin wave modes
Authors: Adur Rohan , Du Chunhui , Manuilov Sergei A. , Wang Hailong , Yang Fengyuan , Pelekhov Denis V. , Hammel P. Chris
Published: February 2015

The dipole field from a probe magnet can be used to localize a discrete spectrum of standing spin wave modes in a continuous ferromagnetic thin film without lithographic modification to the film. Obtaining the resonance field for a localized mode is not trivial due to the effect of the confined and inhomogeneous magnetization precession. We compare the results of micromagnetic and analytic methods to find the resonance field of localized modes in a ferromagnetic thin film, and investigate the accuracy of these methods by comparing with a numerical minimization technique that assumes Bessel function modes with pinned boundary conditions. We find that the micromagnetic technique, while computationally more intensive, reveals that the true magnetization profiles of localized modes are similar to Bessel functions with gradually decaying dynamic magnetization at the mode edges. We also find that an analytic solution, which is simple to implement and computationally much faster than other methods, accurately describes the resonance field of localized modes when exchange fields are negligible, and demonstrating the accessibility of localized mode analysis.
Aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope with a sub-50-pm resolution
Authors: Akashi Tetsuya , Takahashi Yoshio , Tanigaki Toshiaki , Shimakura Tomokazu , Kawasaki Takeshi , Furutsu Tadao , Shinada Hiroyuki , Müller Heiko , Haider Maximilian , Osakabe Nobuyuki , Tonomura Akira
Published: February 2015

Atomic-resolution electromagnetic field observation is critical to the development of advanced materials and to the unveiling of their fundamental physics. For this purpose, a spherical-aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope has been developed. The microscope has the following superior properties: stabilized accelerating voltage, minimized electrical and mechanical fluctuation, and coherent electron emission. These properties have enabled to obtain 43-pm information transfer. On the bases of these performances, a 43-pm resolution has been obtained by correcting lens aberrations up to the third order. Observations of GaN [411] thin crystal showed a projected atomic locations with a separation of 44 pm.
Basic study on the influence of inhibition induced by the magnetic stimulation on the peripheral nerve
Authors: Sato Aya , Torii Tetsuya , Iwahashi Masakuni , Iramina Keiji
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyze the inhibition mechanism of magnetic stimulation on motor function. A magnetic stimulator with a flat figure-eight coil was used to stimulate the peripheral nerve of the antebrachium. The intensity of magnetic stimulation was 0.8 T, and the stimulation frequency was 1 Hz. The amplitudes of the motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) at the abductor pollicis brevis muscle and first dorsal interosseous muscle were used to evaluate the effects of magnetic stimulation. The effects of magnetic stimulation were evaluated by analyzing the MEP amplitude before and after magnetic stimulation to the primary motor cortex. The results showed that MEP amplitude after magnetic stimulation compared with before magnetic stimulation decreased. Because there were individual differences in MEP amplitude induced by magnetic stimulation, the MEP amplitude after stimulation was normalized by the amplitude of each participant before stimulation. The MEP amplitude after stimulation decreased by approximately 58% (p < 0.01) on average compared with before stimulation. Previous studies suggested that magnetic stimulation to the primary motor cortex induced an increase or a decrease in MEP amplitude. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that the alteration in MEP amplitude was induced by cortical excitability based on magnetic stimulation. The results of this study showed that MEP amplitude decreased following magnetic stimulation to the peripheral nerve. We suggest that the decrease in MEP amplitude found in this study was obtained via the feedback from a peripheral nerve through an afferent nerve to the brain. This study suggests that peripheral excitement by magnetic stimulation of the peripheral nerve may control the central nervous system via afferent feedback.
Low-cost flexible thin film thermoelectric generator on zinc based thermoelectric materials
Authors: Fan Ping , Zheng Zhuang-hao , Li Yin-zhen , Lin Qing-yun , Luo Jing-ting , Liang Guang-xing , Cai Xing-ming , Zhang Dong-ping , Ye Fan
Published: February 2015

The high cost and complex production technique restrict the use of the conventional thermoelectric generators. In this work, we demonstrate a promising flexible thin film thermoelectric generator using the N-type Al-doped ZnO and P-type Zn-Sb based thin film. By using the cost-effective zinc based thermoelectric materials and flexible substrate, we greatly reduce the cost production of thin film thermoelectric generator. The maximum output power of our device with 10 couples is 246.3 μW when the temperature difference is 180 K. The maximum output power of the flexible thin film thermoelectric generator produced per couple and per unit temperature difference was 0.14 μW per K-couple, which is about several times that of other thin film reported. The thin film thermoelectric generator with low cost and excellent output power was fabricated on flexible substrate, which is can be made into various shapes for micro- and nano-energy application.
Converting external potential fluctuations into nonzero time-average electric currents using a single nanopore
Authors: Gomez Vicente , Ramirez Patricio , Cervera Javier , Nasir Saima , Ali Mubarak , Ensinger Wolfgang , Mafe Salvador
Published: February 2015

The possibility of taking advantage of a fluctuating environment for energy and information transduction is a significant challenge in biological and artificial nanostructures. We demonstrate here directional electrical transduction from fluctuating external signals using a single nanopore of conical shape immersed in an ionic aqueous solution. To this end, we characterize experimentally the average output currents obtained by the electrical rectification of zero time-average input potentials. The transformation of external potential fluctuations into nonzero time-average responses using a single nanopore in liquid state is of fundamental significance for biology and nanophysics. This energy and information conversion constitutes also a significant step towards macroscopic scaling using multipore membranes.
A critical review of habitat use by feral cats and key directions for future research and management
Authors: Doherty Tim S. , Bengsen Andrew J. , Davis Robert A.
Published: February 2015

Feral cats (Felis catus) have a wide global distribution and cause significant damage to native fauna. Reducing their impacts requires an understanding of how they use habitat and which parts of the landscape should be the focus of management. We reviewed 27 experimental and observational studies conducted around the world over the last 35 years that aimed to examine habitat use by feral and unowned cats. Our aims were to: (1) summarise the current body of literature on habitat use by feral and unowned cats in the context of applicable ecological theory (i.e. habitat selection, foraging theory); (2) develop testable hypotheses to help fill important knowledge gaps in the current body of knowledge on this topic; and (3) build a conceptual framework that will guide the activities of researchers and managers in reducing feral cat impacts. We found that feral cats exploit a diverse range of habitats including arid deserts, shrublands and grasslands, fragmented agricultural landscapes, urban areas, glacial valleys, equatorial to sub-Antarctic islands and a range of forest and woodland types. Factors invoked to explain habitat use by cats included prey availability, predation/competition, shelter availability and human resource subsidies, but the strength of evidence used to support these assertions was low, with most studies being observational or correlative. We therefore provide a list of key directions that will assist conservation managers and researchers in better understanding and ameliorating the impact of feral cats at a scale appropriate for useful management and research. Future studies will benefit from employing an experimental approach and collecting data on the relative abundance and activity of prey and other predators. This might include landscape-scale experiments where the densities of predators, prey or competitors are manipulated and then the response in cat habitat use is measured. Effective management of feral cat populations could target high-use areas, such as linear features and structurally complex habitat. Since our review shows often-divergent outcomes in the use of the same habitat components and vegetation types worldwide, local knowledge and active monitoring of management actions is essential when deciding on control programs.
Analysis of gene–environment interactions in postnatal development of the mammalian intestine
Authors: Rakoff-Nahoum Seth , Kong Yong , Kleinstein Steven H. , Subramanian Sathish , Ahern Philip P. , Gordon Jeffrey I. , Medzhitov Ruslan
Published: February 2015

Significance

The mammalian intestine provides a key interface with several essential environmental factors, including nutrients, toxins, resident microbiota, and pathogens. Consequently, the intestine undergoes major developmental transitions that correspond to dramatic changes in the environment: one at birth and the other at weaning. These transitions reflect both developmental and environmentally induced changes in intestinal gene expression. Here, we performed a systematic analysis of global gene expression that is associated with developmental timing versus the changes that are due to the innate immune signaling pathways mediated by toll-like receptor (TLR) and IL-1 receptor families. The results reveal distinct roles of these pathways in intestinal adaptation throughout postnatal development.
Beyond urban vulnerability: interrogating the social sustainability of a livelihood in the informal economy of Nigerian cities
Authors: Nzeadibe Thaddeus Chidi , Mbah Peter Oluchukwu
Published: February 2015

Aba is a politically volatile, economically vibrant but environmentally poor city that is a microcosm of social conditions in the Nigerian urban informal economy. Hence, this study interrogates the social sustainability of waste picking in the city, using a hybrid of political economy and sustainable livelihoods frameworks to explicate social conditions of labour in the waste economy in relation to state/institutional policies. A mixed-methods approach was utilised, and findings indicate that a cocktail of conditions affect waste picking. A rise in waste picking was noted to be in response to neoliberal economic policies which removed social safety nets. Juxtaposing green neoliberal political economy with waste picking in Nigeria, the paper queries the continued neglect of the social dimension of the sustainability debate in informal waste management (IWM), arguing that social sustainability can be compatible with IWM, a neglected component of the ‘new green economy’ of Nigerian cities.
Circulating precursors of human CD1c+ and CD141+ dendritic cells
Authors: Breton Gaëlle , Lee Jaeyop , Zhou Yu Jerry , Schreiber Joseph J. , Keler Tibor , Puhr Sarah , Anandasabapathy Niroshana , Schlesinger Sarah , Caskey Marina , Liu Kang , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: February 2015

Two subsets of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) with distinct cell surface markers and functions exist in mouse and human. The two subsets of cDCs are specialized antigen-presenting cells that initiate T cell immunity and tolerance. In the mouse, a migratory cDC precursor (pre-CDC) originates from defined progenitors in the bone marrow (BM). Small numbers of short-lived pre-CDCs travel through the blood and replace cDCs in the peripheral organs, maintaining homeostasis of the highly dynamic cDC pool. However, the identity and distribution of the immediate precursor to human cDCs has not been defined. Using a tissue culture system that supports the development of human DCs, we identify a migratory precursor (hpre-CDC) that exists in human cord blood, BM, blood, and peripheral lymphoid organs. hpre-CDCs differ from premonocytes that are restricted to the BM. In contrast to earlier progenitors with greater developmental potential, the hpre-CDC is restricted to producing CD1c+ and CD141+ Clec9a+ cDCs. Studies in human volunteers demonstrate that hpre-CDCs are a dynamic population that increases in response to levels of circulating Flt3L.
Arterial Stiffness: A Novel Risk Factor for Kidney Injury Progression?
Authors: Georgianos Panagiotis I. , Sarafidis Pantelis A. , Liakopoulos Vassilios
Published: February 2015

Arterial stiffness is typical feature of vascular remodeling in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Increased arterial stiffness raises flow and pressure pulsatility and is considered the principle pathogenic mechanism of isolated systolic hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and congestive heart failure. Apart from the impact of arterial stiffness on left ventricular afterload, downstream transmission of pressure pulsatility to the level of microcirculation is suggested to promote injury of other susceptible organs. This may be of particular importance for kidney injury progression, since passive renal perfusion along with low resistance and input impedance in renal microvessels make kidneys particularly vulnerable to the damaging effect of systemic pulsatile pressure. Recent studies have provided evidence that arterial stiffness culminates in elevated pulsatility and resistance in renal microvasculature, promoting structural damage of small intra-renal arterioles. Further, prospective observational studies have shown that reduced aortic compliance is closely associated with the annual rate of renal function decline and represents independent predictor of kidney injury progression to end-stage renal disease among patients with CKD. This article provides insights into the cross-talk between macrocirculation and renal microcirculation and summarizes the currently available clinical evidence linking increased arterial stiffness with kidney disease progression.
The impact of ocean acidification and warming on the skeletal mechanical properties of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from laboratory and field observations
Authors: Collard Marie , Rastrick Samuel P. S. , Calosi Piero , Demolder Yoann , Dille Jean , Findlay Helen S. , Hall-Spencer Jason Michael , Milazzo Marco , Moulin Laure , Widdicombe Steve , Dehairs Frank , Dubois Philippe
Published: February 2015

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration is leading to changes in the carbonate chemistry and the temperature of the ocean. The impact of these processes on marine organisms will depend on their ability to cope with those changes, particularly the maintenance of calcium carbonate structures. Both a laboratory experiment (long-term exposure to decreased pH and increased temperature) and collections of individuals from natural environments characterized by low pH levels (individuals from intertidal pools and around a CO2 seep) were here coupled to comprehensively study the impact of near-future conditions of pH and temperature on the mechanical properties of the skeleton of the euechinoid sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. To assess skeletal mechanical properties, we characterized the fracture force, Young's modulus, second moment of area, material nanohardness, and specific Young's modulus of sea urchin test plates. None of these parameters were significantly affected by low pH and/or increased temperature in the laboratory experiment and by low pH only in the individuals chronically exposed to lowered pH from the CO2 seeps. In tidal pools, the fracture force was higher and the Young's modulus lower in ambital plates of individuals from the rock pool characterized by the largest pH variations but also a dominance of calcifying algae, which might explain some of the variation. Thus, decreases of pH to levels expected for 2100 did not directly alter the mechanical properties of the test of P. lividus. Since the maintenance of test integrity is a question of survival for sea urchins and since weakened tests would increase the sea urchins' risk of predation, our findings indicate that the decreasing seawater pH and increasing seawater temperature expected for the end of the century should not represent an immediate threat to sea urchins vulnerability.
Cell totipotency: molecular features, induction, and maintenance
Authors: Lu Falong , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2015

In mammals, pluripotent stem cells can give rise to every cell type of embryonic lineage, and hold great potential in regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Guided by the mechanism underlying pluripotency, pluripotent stem cells have been successfully induced through manipulating the transcriptional and epigenetic networks of various differentiated cell types. However, the factors that confer totipotency, the ability to give rise to cells in both embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages still remain poorly understood. It is currently unknown whether totipotency can be induced and maintained in vitro. In this review, we summarize the current progress in the field, with the aim of providing a foundation for understanding the mechanisms that regulate totipotency.
Characterization, Virulence, Epidemiology, and Management of Anthracnose in Celery
Authors: Rodriguez-Salamanca Lina M. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M. , Naegele Rachel P. , Hausbeck Mary K.
Published: February 2015

Leaf curling and petiole twisting of celery (Apium graveolens) were observed in several commercial fields in five Michigan counties in 2010 through 2012, causing significant crop damage and loss. Prior to this time, the pathogen Colletotrichum acutatum species complex had not been previously associated with celery in Michigan. In this study, the pathogen’s genotype and phenotype were characterized, the influence of environmental conditions determined, and fungicides tested. Pathogen identification was based on conidial morphology and molecular identification using species-specific primers. Intersimple-sequence repeat (ISSR) banding patterns were similar between C. acutatum isolates from celery (n = 51) and blueberry (n = 1) but different from C. dematium and C. gloeosporioides. Four ISSR primers resulted in 4% polymorphism when tested on isolates from celery. Pathogenicity and virulence of C. acutatum sensu lato isolated from celery (n = 81), tomato (n = 2), and blueberry (n = 1) were evaluated in greenhouse experiments, which revealed differences in virulence among isolates but no significant differences specific to collection year, county, or field. In dew chambers and growth chambers, high temperatures (≥25°C) or long leaf wetness duration (>24 h) increased disease incidence. Twelve fungicides were tested in field studies over two growing seasons to determine their efficacy against celery anthracnose. The fungicides azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, mancozeb, and chlorothalonil reduced disease by 27 to 50% compared with the untreated control when disease pressure was moderate.
Present and future projections of habitat suitability of the Asian tiger mosquito, a vector of viral pathogens, from global climate simulation
Authors: Proestos Y. , Christophides G. K. , Ergüler K. , Tanarhte M. , Waldock J. , Lelieveld J.
Published: February 2015

Climate change can influence the transmission of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) through altering the habitat suitability of insect vectors. Here we present global climate model simulations and evaluate the associated uncertainties in view of the main meteorological factors that may affect the distribution of the Asian tiger mosquito (
Aedes albopictus
), which can transmit pathogens that cause chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever and various encephalitides. Using a general circulation model at 50 km horizontal resolution to simulate mosquito survival variables including temperature, precipitation and relative humidity, we present both global and regional projections of the habitat suitability up to the middle of the twenty-first century. The model resolution of 50 km allows evaluation against previous projections for Europe and provides a basis for comparative analyses with other regions. Model uncertainties and performance are addressed in light of the recent CMIP5 ensemble climate model simulations for the RCP8.5 concentration pathway and using meteorological re-analysis data (ERA-Interim/ECMWF) for the recent past. Uncertainty ranges associated with the thresholds of meteorological variables that may affect the distribution of
Ae. albopictus
are diagnosed using fuzzy-logic methodology, notably to assess the influence of selected meteorological criteria and combinations of criteria that influence mosquito habitat suitability. From the climate projections for 2050, and adopting a habitat suitability index larger than 70%, we estimate that approximately 2.4 billion individuals in a land area of nearly 20 million km
2
will potentially be exposed to
Ae. albopictus
. The synthesis of fuzzy-logic based on mosquito biology and climate change analysis provides new insights into the regional and global spreading of VBDs to support disease control and policy making.
Climate change influences on global distributions of dengue and chikungunya virus vectors
Authors: Campbell Lindsay P. , Luther Caylor , Moo-Llanes David , Ramsey Janine M. , Danis-Lozano Rogelio , Peterson A. Townsend
Published: February 2015

Numerous recent studies have illuminated global distributions of human cases of dengue and other mosquito-transmitted diseases, yet the potential distributions of key vector species have not been incorporated integrally into those mapping efforts. Projections onto future conditions to illuminate potential distributional shifts in coming decades are similarly lacking, at least outside Europe. This study examined the global potential distributions of
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
in relation to climatic variation worldwide to develop ecological niche models that, in turn, allowed anticipation of possible changes in distributional patterns into the future. Results indicated complex global rearrangements of potential distributional areas, which—given the impressive dispersal abilities of these two species—are likely to translate into actual distributional shifts. This exercise also signalled a crucial priority: digitization and sharing of existing distributional data so that models of this sort can be developed more rigorously, as present availability of such data is fragmentary and woefully incomplete.
P
uniceibacterium sediminis sp. nov., from intertidal sediment
Authors: Zhang De-Chao , Neuner Kathrin , Wu Jiang , Yao Jianting , Margesin Rosa
Published: February 2015

The Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated RU-1-R-18T was isolated from intertidal sediment on Sakhalin Island in Russia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain RU-1-R-18T was related to the genus

Puniceibacterium

and shared highest sequence similarities with the type strain

Puniceibacterium antarcticum

KACC 16875T (97.9 %). The predominant cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and seven unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain RU-1-R-18T was 59.1 mol%. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA relatedness studies demonstrated that strain RU-1-R-18T represents a novel species of the genus

Puniceibacterium

, for which the name Puniceibacterium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain RU-1-R-18T = LMG 28384T = DSM 29052T).
Crystal structure of 2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-{2-hydroxy-3-[(E)-N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]-5-methylbenzyl}ethanaminium acetate monohydrate
Authors: Nichol Gary S. , Frost Jamie M. , Sanz Sergio , Brechin Euan K.
Published: February 2015

The structure of the title hydrated molecular salt, C14H23N2O4+·C2H3O2−·H2O, was determined as part of a wider study on the use of the molecule as a polydentate ligand in the synthesis of MnIIIclusters with magnetic properties. The cation features intramolecular O—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen-bond interactions. The crystal structure features a range of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions, principally O—H...O interactions between all three species in the asymmetric unit. AnR24(8) graph-set hydrogen-bonding motif between the anion and water molecules serves as a unit which links to the cationviathe diethanolamine group. Each O atom of the acetate anion accepts two hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of the mixed-metal thiophosphate Nb1.18V0.82PS10
Authors: Sun Joobin , Heo Jiyun , Yun Hoseop
Published: February 2015

The mixed-metal thiophosphate, Nb1.18V0.82PS10(niobium vanadium phosphorus decasulfide), has been prepared though solid state reactions using an alkali-metal halide flux. The title compound is isostructural with two-dimensional Nb2PS10. [M2S12] (M= Nb or V) dimers built up from two bicapped trigonal prisms and tetrahedral [PS4] units share sulfur atoms to construct1∞[M2PS10] chains along theaaxis. These chains are linked through the disulfide bonds between [PS4] units in adjacent chains to form layers parallel to theabplane. These layers then stack on top of each other to complete the three-dimensional structure with van der Waals gaps. TheMsites are occupied by 59% of Nb and 41% of V and the averageM—S andM—Mdistances in the title compound are in between those of V2PS10and Nb2PS10. The classical charge balance of the title compound can be represented by [(Nb/V)4+]2[P5+][S2−]3[S−]7.
Crystal structure of disodium 2-amino-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-purine-1,7-diide heptahydrate
Authors: Gur Dvir , Shimon Linda J. W.
Published: February 2015

In the title compound, disodium 2-amino-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-purine-1,7-diide heptahydrate, 2Na+·C5H3N5O2−·7H2O, the structure is composed of alternating (100) layers of guanine molecules and hydrated Na+ions. Within the guanine layer, the molecules are arranged in centrosymmetric pairs, with a partial overlap between the guanine rings. In this compound, guanine exists as the amino–keto tautomer from which deprotonation from N1and N7has occurred (purine numbering). There are no direct interactions between the Na+cations and the guanine anions. Guanine molecules are linked to neighboring water molecules by O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen bonds into a network structure.
Applying human factor analysis tools to a railway brake and wheel maintenance facility
Authors: Singh Sarbjeet , Kumar Rupesh , Kumar Uday
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate three techniques to extract human factor information from specific railway maintenance tasks. It describes the techniques and shows how these tools can be applied to identify improvements in maintenance practices and workflow.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three case studies were conducted on single group of technicians (n=19) at a railway maintenance workshop in Luleå, Sweden. Case study I examined the posture of the technicians while they were changing the brake shoes of freight wagons; the study employed the Standard Nordic Questionnaire and a videotape using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS). Case study II looked at maintenance repair times required to change the wheel axle on freight wagons at the workshop. A video filming method suggested by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was used to measure actual maintenance time. Finally, case study III considered the technicians’ (n=19) perception of work demands, their control over the work and their social support while performing maintenance tasks (brake shoe and wheel axle maintenance); to this end, the case study used a demand control support questionnaire.

Findings

– In the first case study, the Standard Nordic Questionnaire confirmed that technicians at this particular railway vehicle maintenance workshop suffer from back and shoulder pain. The Ovako Working Posture Analysis showed that 21 percent of the working time required to fit the brake wedge and cotter pin fits into two OWAS categories: category 3, where “change is required as soon as possible,” and category 4, where “change is required immediately”. Problems stem from poor workplace layout, incorrect posture and inaccessibility of tools and components. In the second study, the video analysis indicated that the working time to change the wheel axle of a freight wagon is greatly affected by poor workplace layout. The third case study showed that the technicians have lower “psychological demands” (mean=13), “higher control over work” (mean=16) and “high social support” (mean=22).

Practical implications

– The objective of this study was to apply knowledge about human factors to the functional relationships between maintenance personnel, tasks and the working environment to improve safety. If the workplace layout, working posture, maintenance manuals and accessibility of tools are poorly planned, maintenance performance can be adversely affected. The results of this study should assist maintenance management to design new policies and guidelines for improving the work environment.

Originality/value

– Three case studies were conducted at a railway maintenance workshop in Luleå, Sweden, to collect data on how human factors affect various railway maintenance tasks.