bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetics and Epigenetics of Recurrent Hydatidiform Moles: Basic Science and Genetic Counselling
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Minh Phuong , Slim Rima
Published: January 2014

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of conditions that originate from the abnormal hyperproliferation of trophoblastic cells, which derive from the trophectoderm, the outer layer of the blastocyst that would normally develop into the placenta during pregnancy. GTDs encompass hydatidiform mole (HM) (complete and partial), invasive mole, gestational choriocarcinoma, placental-site trophoblastic tumor, and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor. Of these, the most common is HM, and it is the only one that has been reported to recur in the same patients from independent pregnancies, which indicates the patients’ genetic predisposition. In addition, HM is the only GTD that segregates in families according to Mendel’s laws of heredity, which made it possible to use rare familial cases of recurrent HMs (RHMs) to identify two maternal-effect genes, NLRP7 and KHDC3L, responsible for this condition. Here, we recapitulate current knowledge about RHMs and conclude with the role and benefits of testing patients for mutations in the known genes.
Atrial fibrillation‐associated Connexin40 mutants make hemichannels and synergistically form gap junction channels with novel properties
Authors: Patel Dakshesh , Gemel Joanna , Xu Qin , Simon Adria R. , Lin Xianming , Matiukas Arvydas , Beyer Eric C. , Veenstra Richard D.
Published: January 2014

Mutations of Cx40 (GJA5) have been identified in people with lone chronic atrial fibrillation including G38D and M163V which were found in the same patient. We used dual whole cell patch clamp procedures to examine the transjunctional voltage (V
j) gating and channel conductance properties of these two rare mutants. Each mutant exhibited slight alterations of V
j gating properties and increased the gap junction channel conductance (γ
j) by 20–30 pS. While co‐expression of the two mutations had similar effects on V
j gating, it synergistically increased γ
j by 50%. Unlike WTCx40 or M163V, G38D induced activity of a dominant 271 pS hemichannel.
Connexins in lymphatic vessel physiology and disease
Authors: Meens Merlijn J. , Sabine Amélie , Petrova Tatiana V. , Kwak Brenda R.
Published: January 2014

Connexins are transmembrane proteins that form gap junction‐ and hemi‐channels. Once inserted into the membrane, hemi‐channels (connexons) allow for diffusion of ions and small molecules (<1 kDa) between the extracellular space and the cytosol. Gap junction channels allow diffusion of similar molecules between the cytoplasms of adjacent cells. The expression and function of connexins in blood vessels has been intensely studied in the last few decades. In contrast, only a few studies paid attention to lymphatic vessels; convincing in vivo data with respect to expression patterns of lymphatic connexins and their functional roles have only recently begun to emerge. Interestingly, mutations in connexin genes have been linked to diseases of lymphatic vasculature, most notably primary and secondary lymphedema. This review summarizes the available data regarding lymphatic connexins. More specifically it addresses (i) early studies aimed at presence of gap junction‐like structures in lymphatic vessels, (ii) more recent studies focusing on lymphatic connexins using genetically engineered mice, and (iii) results of clinical studies that have reported lymphedema‐linked mutations in connexin genes.
Connexins: Mechanisms regulating protein levels and intercellular communication
Authors: Su Vivian , Lau Alan F.
Published: January 2014

Intercellular communication can occur through gap junction channels, which are comprised of connexin proteins. Therefore, levels of connexins can directly correlate with gap junctional intercellular communication. Because gap junctions have a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, the regulation of connexin protein levels is important. In the connexin life cycle, connexin protein levels can be modified through differential gene transcription or altered through trafficking and degradation mechanisms. More recently, significant attention has been directed to the pathways that cells utilize to increase or decrease connexin levels and thus indirectly, gap junctional communication. Here, we review the studies revealing the mechanisms that affect connexin protein levels and gap junctional intercellular communication.
Assessment of human hippocampal developmental neuroanatomy by means of ex‐vivo 7 T magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Milesi Gloria , Garbelli Rita , Zucca Ileana , Aronica Eleonora , Spreafico Roberto , Frassoni Carolina
Published: January 2014

During development, the hippocampus undergoes numerous changes in its cell morphology and cyto‐ and myelo‐architecture that begin during the fetal period and continue after birth. We investigated the developmental changes occurring in healthy fetal (20–32 gestational weeks) and post‐natal human hippocampi (from 1 day to adulthood) by combining high‐resolution 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological and immunohistochemical analyses in order to compare variations in signal intensity with cyto‐ and myeloarchitectural organization. During fetal period the intensity of the T2‐weighted images was related to the cell density and the subregions of Ammon's horn and dentate gyrus, characterized by densely packed neurons, were recognizable as hypointense areas. The inverse correlation between MRI signal intensity and cell density was visualized by line profile results. At the age of two post‐natal weeks, the low MRI signal was still related to cell density, although thin myelinated fibers were observed in hypointense regions such as the alveus and stratum lacunosum‐moleculare. The myelin content subsequently increases until the complete hippocampal myeloarchitecture is reached in adulthood. Comparison of the MRI findings and corresponding histological sections indicated that the differences in the T2‐weighted images between the age of seven years and adulthood reflect the increasing density of myelinated fibers.

These results provide useful information concerning the interpretation of MRI signals and the developmental changes visualized by in vivo MRI at lower field strengths, and may be used as a reference for the future use of high spatial resolution MRI in clinical practice.
Theorizing, testing, and concluding for mediation in SCM research: Tutorial and procedural recommendations
Authors: Rungtusanatham M. , Miller J.W. , Boyer K.K.
Published: January 2014

Empirical research in Supply Chain Management is increasingly interested in complex models involving mediation effects. We support these endeavors by directing attention to the practices for the theorizing of, the testing for, and the drawing of conclusions about mediation effects. Our paper synthesizes diverse literature in other disciplines to provide an accessible tutorial as to the mathematical foundation of mediation effects and the various methods available to test for these effects. We also provide guidance to SCM scholars in the form of eight recommendations aimed at improving the theorizing of, the testing for, and the drawing of conclusions about mediation effects. Recommendations pertaining to how mediation effects are hypothesized and stated and how to select among methods to test for mediation effects are novel contributions for and beyond the Supply Chain Management discipline.
A continuous multi-millennial record of surficial bivalve mollusk shells from the São Paulo Bight, Brazilian shelf
Authors: Dexter Troy A. , Kaufman Darrell S. , Krause Richard A. , Barbour Wood Susan L. , Simões Marcello G. , Huntley John Warren , Yanes Yurena , Romanek Christopher S. , Kowalewski Michał
Published: January 2014

To evaluate the potential of using surficial shell accumulations for paleoenvironmental studies, an extensive time series of individually dated specimens of the marine infaunal bivalve mollusk Semele casali was assembled using amino acid racemization (AAR) ratios (n = 270) calibrated against radiocarbon ages (n = 32). The shells were collected from surface sediments at multiple sites across a sediment-starved shelf in the shallow sub-tropical São Paulo Bight (São Paulo State, Brazil). The resulting 14C-calibrated AAR time series, one of the largest AAR datasets compiled to date, ranges from modern to 10,307 cal yr BP, is right skewed, and represents a remarkably complete time series: the completeness of the Holocene record is 66% at 250-yr binning resolution and 81% at 500-yr binning resolution. Extensive time-averaging is observed for all sites across the sampled bathymetric range indicating long water depth-invariant survival of carbonate shells at the sediment surface with low net sedimentation rates. Benthic organisms collected from active depositional surfaces can provide multi-millennial time series of biomineral records and serve as a source of geochemical proxy data for reconstructing environmental and climatic trends throughout the Holocene at centennial resolution. Surface sediments can contain time-rich shell accumulations that record the entire Holocene, not just the present.
Estimating SIT-driven population reduction in the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata, from sterile mating
Authors: Juan-Blasco M. , Sabater-Muñoz B. , Pla I. , Argilés R. , Castañera P. , Jacas J. A. , Ibáñez-Gual M. V. , Urbaneja A.
Published: January 2014

Area-wide sterile insect technique (SIT) programs assume that offspring reduction of the target population correlates with the mating success of the sterile males released. However, there is a lack of monitoring tools to prove the success of these programs in real-time. Field-cage tests were conducted under the environmental conditions of the Mediterranean coast of Spain to estimate: (a) the mating success of sterile Vienna-8 (V8)Ceratitis capitatamales using molecular markers and (b) their efficacy to reduceC. capitatapopulations under six release ratios of wild females to wild males to V8 males (1:0:0, 1:1:0, 1:1:1, 1:1:5, 1:1:10, and 1:1:20). Statistical models were developed to predict: (a) the number of females captured in traps, (b) sperm ID (sterile or not) in spermathecae of the trapped females, and (c) the viable offspring produced, using release ratio and temperature as predictors. The number of females captured was affected by relative humidity. However, its influence in the model was low. Female captures were significantly higher in ratios 1:0:0 compared to ratios where V8 males were released. The proportion of V8 sperm in spermathecae increased with temperature and with the number of V8 males released, but leveled off between ratios 1:1:10 and 1:1:20. In all seasons, except winter (no offspring), viable offspring increased with temperature and was lowest for ratio 1:1:20. For the first time, a strong negative relationship between proportion of V8 sperm detected by molecular tools andC. capitataoffspring was established. The models obtained should contribute to enhance the efficacy of SIT programs against this pest.
US Seizure, Exploitation, and Restitution of Saddam Hussein's Archive of Atrocity
Authors: MONTGOMERY BRUCE P.
Published: January 2014

In the 2003 invasion of Iraq, US forces seized millions of documents, thousands of audio and video tapes, and hard drives and digital devices from Saddam Hussein's government ministries and other sites. In war, the seizure of enemy documents for military advantage is permissible under the laws of armed conflict. Following their capture, the materials have undergone a process of analysis, triage, exploitation, dissemination, politicization, more analysis, scholarly investigation, and postwar diplomacy. An analysis of these events reveals the scope and nature of US exploitation of enemy documents and media in the Iraq War, the limits of the laws of armed conflict regarding their custody and use, and the complications surrounding their repatriation to Iraq.
Korean adoptees in Sweden: Have they lost their first language completely?
Authors: PARK HYEON-SOOK
Published: January 2014

Two current issues in research on first language (L1) attrition among adoptees are explored: whether adoptees have lost their L1 completely and whether relearning can help them recover their L1 if it is not completely lost. These issues are investigated by examining whether Swedish monolingual Korean adoptees’ preexisting knowledge of L1 Korean has an impact on their relearning of Korean as adults. The results suggest that Korean adoptees’ early L1 experience has left traces of the language and that these traces can have an effect on their phonetic perception when relearning the language. The finding that reexposed adoptees performed better than native Swedish learners indicates that the greatest impact on retrieving L1 knowledge comes from relearning. Given the lack of the statistically significant findings, the results demonstrate possibilities but remain open to discussion.
A Validation Study of Memory and Executive Functions Indexes in French-Speaking Healthy Young and Older Adults
Authors: Fortin Alexandra , Caza Nicole
Published: January 2014

Des scores composites mesurant les fonctions temporales médianes (FTM)/la mémoire et les fonctions frontales (FF)/exécutives sont utilisés pour indexer les changements cognitifs reliés au vieillissement. L’utilisation de ces scores en recherche gagne en popularité, mais s’appuie essentiellement sur les résultats de tests neuropsychologiques auprès des populations anglophones. Cette étude visait à valider les scores composites des FTM/la mémoire et FF/exécutives auprès d’adultes francophones. Quatre-vingt-dix-huit participants sains (32 jeunes et 66 âgés) ont été évalués à l’aide de trois tests neuropsychologiques associés aux FTM et cinq tests associés aux FF. Une analyse factorielle effectuée sur les scores résiduels indépendants de l’âge indique que les tests associés aux FTM et ceux associés aux FF se regroupent en deux facteurs distincts. Une analyse de type « bootstrapping » impliquant 1 000 rééchantillons indique que sept tests sont stables. Cette étude valide pour la première fois en français, des scores composites mesurant les FTM et FF.
Développement et validation d’une classification québécoise des résidences privées avec services accueillant des personnes âgées
Authors: Lestage Catherine , Dubuc Nicole , Bravo Gina
Published: January 2014

Private Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) fill the gap between independent community living and institutional settings for seniors. There are marked differences between RCFs which make them difficult to compare. To address this issue, the objective of this study wasto develop and validate a classification of RCFs based on their physical and organizational environments. RCF owners across Quebec were invited to complete a questionnaire that described the setting’s physical and organizational environment. Different combinations of cluster analysis methods and statistical parameters were used to identify plausible classifications. The final choice was made by an expert committee. Overall, 552 owners returned the questionnaire. Three plausible classifications were submitted to the committee. The selected classification included five clusters that differed with regard to admission criteria, services offered and recreational activities. This classification could help health professionals select the RCF that best responds to older adults’ needs.
Design problem solving with biological analogies: A verbal protocol study
Authors: Cheong Hyunmin , Hallihan Gregory M. , Shu L.H.
Published: January 2014

Biomimetic design applies biological analogies to solve design problems and has been known to produce innovative solutions. However, when designers are asked to perform biomimetic design, they often have difficulty recognizing analogies between design problems and biological phenomena. Therefore, this research aims to investigate designer behaviors that either hinder or promote the use of analogies in biomimetic design. A verbal protocol study was conducted on 30 engineering students working in small teams while participating in biomimetic design sessions. A coding scheme was developed to analyze cognitive processes involved in biomimetic design. We observed that teams were less likely to apply overall biological analogies if they tended to recall existing solutions that could be easily associated with specific superficial or functional characteristics of biological phenomena. We also found that the tendency to evaluate ideas, which reflects critical thinking, correlates with the likelihood of identifying overall biological analogies. Insights from this paper may contribute toward developing generalized methods to facilitate biomimetic design.
Machining scheme selection based on a new discrete particle swarm optimization and analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Hu Yan-Juan , Wang Yao , Wang Zhan-Li , Wang Yi-Qiang , Zhang Bang-Cheng
Published: January 2014

The goal of machining scheme selection (MSS) is to select the most appropriate machining scheme for a previously designed part, for which the decision maker must take several aspects into consideration. Because many of these aspects may be conflicting, such as time, cost, quality, profit, resource utilization, and so on, the problem is rendered as a multiobjective one. Consequently, we consider a multiobjective optimization problem of MSS in this study, where production profit and machining quality are to be maximized while production cost and production time must be minimized, simultaneously. This paper presents a new discrete method for particle swarm optimization, which can be widely applied in MSS to find out the set of Pareto-optimal solutions for multiobjective optimization. To deal with multiple objectives and enable the decision maker to make decisions according to different demands on each evaluation index, an analytic hierarchy process is implemented to determine the weight value of evaluation indices. Case study is included to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the hybrid algorithm. It is shown from the case study that the multiobjective optimization model can simply, effectively, and objectively select the optimal machining scheme according to the different demands on evaluation indices.
Epidemiological and molecular features of norovirus infections in Italian children affected with acute gastroenteritis
Authors: MEDICI M. C. , TUMMOLO F. , MARTELLA V. , CHEZZI C. , ARCANGELETTI M. C. , DE CONTO F. , CALDERARO A.
Published: January 2014

During a 5-year (2007–2011) surveillance period a total of 435 (15·34%) of 2834 stool specimens from children aged <14 years with acute gastroenteritis tested positive for norovirus and 217 strains were characterized upon partial sequence analysis of the polymerase gene as either genogroup (G)I or GII. Of the noroviruses, 99·2% were GII with the GII.P4 genotype being predominant (80%). GII.P4 variants (Yerseke 2006a, Den Haag 2006b, Apeldoorn 2008, New Orleans 2009) emerged sequentially during the study period. Sequence analysis of the capsid gene of 57 noroviruses revealed that 7·8% were recombinant (ORF1/ORF2) viruses including GII.P7_GII.6, GII.P16_GII.3, GII.P16_GII.13, GII.Pe_GII.2, and GII.Pe_GII.4, never identified before in Italy. GII.P1_GII.1, GII.P2_GII.1, GII.P3_GII.3 and GII.P6_GII.6 strains were also detected. Starting in 2011 a novel GII.4 norovirus with 3–4% nucleotide difference in the polymerase and capsid genes from variant GII.4 New Orleans 2009 was monitored in the local population. Since the epidemiology of norovirus changes rapidly, continuous surveillance is necessary to promptly identify the onset of novel types/variants.
Reciprocal effects of parenting and borderline personality disorder symptoms in adolescent girls
Authors: Stepp Stephanie D. , Whalen Diana J. , Scott Lori N. , Zalewski Maureen , Loeber Rolf , Hipwell Alison E.
Published: January 2014

Theories of borderline personality disorder (BPD) postulate that high-risk transactions between caregiver and child are important for the development and maintenance of the disorder. Little empirical evidence exists regarding the reciprocal effects of parenting on the development of BPD symptoms in adolescence. The impact of child and caregiver characteristics on this reciprocal relationship is also unknown. Thus, the current study examines bidirectional effects of parenting, specifically harsh punishment practices and caregiver low warmth, and BPD symptoms in girls aged 14–17 years based on annual, longitudinal data from the Pittsburgh Girls Study (N= 2,451) in the context of child and caregiver characteristics. We examined these associations through the use of autoregressive latent trajectory models to differentiate time-specific variations in BPD symptoms and parenting from the stable processes that steadily influence repeated measures within an individual. The developmental trajectories of BPD symptoms and parenting were moderately associated, suggesting a reciprocal relationship. There was some support for time-specific elevations in BPD symptoms predicting subsequent increases in harsh punishment and caregiver low warmth. There was little support for increases in harsh punishment and caregiver low warmth predicting subsequent elevations in BPD symptoms. Child impulsivity and negative affectivity, and caregiver psychopathology were related to parenting trajectories, while only child characteristics predicted BPD trajectories. The results highlight the stability of the reciprocal associations between parenting and BPD trajectories in adolescent girls and add to our understanding of the longitudinal course of BPD in youth.
On the complexity of stream equality
Authors: ENDRULLIS JÖRG , HENDRIKS DIMITRI , BAKHSHI RENA , ROŞU GRIGORE
Published: January 2014

We study the complexity of deciding the equality of streams specified by systems of equations. There are several notions of stream models in the literature, each generating a different semantics of stream equality. We pinpoint the complexity of each of these notions in the arithmetical or analytical hierarchy. Their complexity ranges from low levels of the arithmetical hierarchy such as Π02for the most relaxed stream models, to levels of the analytical hierarchy such as Π11and up to subsuming the entire analytical hierarchy for more restrictive but natural stream models. Since all these classes properly include both the semi-decidable and co-semi-decidable classes, it follows that regardless of the stream semantics employed, there is no complete proof system or algorithm for determining equality or inequality of streams. We also discuss several related problems, such as the existence and uniqueness of stream solutions for systems of equations, as well as the equality of such solutions.
Multiscale deconstruction of molecular architecture in corn stover
Authors: Inouye Hideyo , Zhang Yan , Yang Lin , Venugopalan Nagarajan , Fischetti Robert F. , Gleber S. Charlotte , Vogt Stefan , Fowle W. , Makowski Bryan , Tucker Melvin , Ciesielski Peter , Donohoe Bryon , Matthews James , Himmel Michael E. , Makowski Lee
Published: January 2014

Lignocellulosic composite in corn stover is a candidate biofuel feedstock of substantial abundance and sustainability. Its utilization is hampered by resistance of constituent cellulose fibrils to deconstruction. Here we use multi-scale studies of pretreated corn stover to elucidate the molecular mechanism of deconstruction and investigate the basis of recalcitrance. Dilute acid pretreatment has modest impact on fibrillar bundles at 0.1 micron length scales while leading to significant disorientation of individual fibrils. It disintegrates many fibrils into monomeric cellulose chains or small side-by-side aggregates. Residual crystalline fibrils lose amorphous surface material, change twist and where still cross-linked, coil around one another. Yields from enzymatic digestion are largely due to hydrolysis of individual cellulose chains and fragments generated during pretreatments. Fibrils that remain intact after pretreatment display substantial resistance to enzymatic digestion. Optimization of yield will require strategies that maximize generation of fragments and minimize preservation of intact cellulosic fibrils.
Origin of the improved mobility and photo-bias stability in a double-channel metal oxide transistor
Authors: Jung Hong Yoon , Kang Youngho , Hwang Ah Young , Lee Chang Kyu , Han Seungwu , Kim Dae-Hwan , Bae Jong-Uk , Shin Woo-Sup , Jeong Jae Kyeong
Published: January 2014

This study examined the performance and photo-bias stability of double-channel ZnSnO/InZnO (ZTO/IZO) thin-film transistors. The field-effect mobility (μFE) and photo-bias stability of the double-channel device were improved by increasing the thickness of the front IZO film (tint) compared to the single-ZTO-channel device. A high-mobility (approximately 32.3 cm2/Vs) ZTO/IZO transistor with excellent photo-bias stability was obtained from Sn doping of the front IZO layer. First-principles calculations revealed an increase in the formation energy of O vacancy defects in the Sn-doped IZO layer compared to the IZO layer. This observation suggests that the superior photo-bias stability of the double-channel device is due to the effect of Sn doping during thermal annealing. However, these improvements were observed only when tint was less than the critical thickness. The rationale for this observation is also discussed based on the oxygen vacancy defect model.
Reduced erythrocyte deformability associated with hypoargininemia during Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria
Authors: Rey Juliana , Buffet Pierre A. , Ciceron Liliane , Milon Geneviève , Mercereau-Puijalon Odile , Safeukui Innocent
Published: January 2014

The mechanisms underlying reduced red blood cell (RBC) deformability duringPlasmodium falciparum(Pf) malaria remain poorly understood. Here, we explore the possible involvement of the L-arginine and nitric oxide (NO) pathway on RBC deformability inPf-infected patients and parasite cultures. RBC deformability was reduced during the acute attack (day0) and returned to normal values upon convalescence (day28). Day0 values correlated with plasma L-arginine levels (r = 0.69; p = 0.01) and weakly with parasitemia (r = −0.38; p = 0.006).In vitro, day0 patient's plasma incubated with ring-stage cultures at 41°C reduced RBC deformability and this effect correlated strongly with plasma L-arginine levels (r = 0.89; p < 0.0001). Moreover, addition of exogenous L-arginine to the cultures increased deformability of bothPf-free and trophozoite-harboring RBCs. NO synthase activity, evidenced inPf-infected RBCs, induced L-arginine-dependent NO production. These data show that hypoargininemia duringP.falciparummalaria may altogether impair NO production and reduce RBC deformability, particularly at febrile temperature.
Irreversibility of Pressure Induced Boron Speciation Change in Glass
Authors: Smedskjaer Morten M. , Youngman Randall E. , Striepe Simon , Potuzak Marcel , Bauer Ute , Deubener Joachim , Behrens Harald , Mauro John C. , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: January 2014

It is known that the coordination number (CN) of atoms or ions in many materials increases through application of sufficiently high pressure. This also applies to glassy materials. In boron-containing glasses, trigonal BO3 units can be transformed into tetrahedral BO4 under pressure. However, one of the key questions is whether the pressure-quenched CN change in glass is reversible upon annealing below the ambient glass transition temperature (Tg). Here we address this issue by performing 11B NMR measurements on a soda lime borate glass that has been pressure-quenched at ~0.6 GPa near Tg. The results show a remarkable phenomenon, i.e., upon annealing at 0.9Tg the pressure-induced change in CN remains unchanged, while the pressurised values of macroscopic properties such as density, refractive index and hardness are relaxing. This suggests that the pressure-induced changes in macroscopic properties of soda lime borate glasses compressed up to ~0.6 GPa are not attributed to changes in the short-range order in the glass, but rather to changes in overall atomic packing density and medium-range structures.
A two-photon “turn-on” fluorescent probe based on carbon nanodots for imaging and selective biosensing of hydrogen sulfide in live cells and tissues
Authors: Zhu Anwei , Luo Zongqian , Ding Changqin , Li Bo , Zhou Shuang , Wang Rong , Tian Yang
Published: January 2014

A “turn-on” two-photon fluorescent sensor for H2S is developed, in which C-Dot is employed as a two-photon fluorophore and AE-TPEA–Cu2+complex is first designed as a specific receptor for H2S.
A mesofluidic platform integrating on-chip probe ultrasonication for multiple sample pretreatment involving denaturation, reduction, and digestion in protein identification assays by mass spectrometry
Authors: Nunes-Miranda J. D. , Núñez Cristina , Santos Hugo M. , Vale G. , Reboiro-Jato Miguel , Fdez-Riverola Florentino , Lodeiro Carlos , Miró Manuel , Capelo J. L.
Published: January 2014

A novel mesofluidic platform integrating on-chip probe ultrasonication for automated high-throughput shotgun proteomic assays.
Analytical approaches for quantification of a Nrf2 pathway activator: overcoming bioanalytical challenges to support a toxicity study
Authors: Perez Hermes Licea , Junnotula Venkatraman , Knecht Dana , Nie Hong , Sanchez Yolanda , Boehm Jeffrey C. , Booth-Genthe Catherine , Yan Hongxing , Davis Roderick , Callahan James F.
Published: January 2014

Activation of the Nrf2 stress pathway is known to play an important role in the defense mechanism against electrophilic and oxidative damage to biological macromolecules (DNA, lipids, and proteins).
Symmetric cyanovinyl-pyridinium triphenylamine: a novel fluorescent switch-on probe for an antiparallel G-quadruplex
Authors: Lai Hai , Xiao Yijie , Yan Shengyong , Tian Fangfang , Zhong Cheng , Liu Yi , Weng Xiaocheng , Zhou Xiang
Published: January 2014

We describe a probe based on a cyanovinyl pyridinium triphenylamine (CPT) derivative, which showed fluorescent switch-on properties toward an antiparallel G-quadruplex.
Live-cell vibrational imaging of choline metabolites by stimulated Raman scattering coupled with isotope-based metabolic labeling
Authors: Hu Fanghao , Wei Lu , Zheng Chaogu , Shen Yihui , Min Wei
Published: January 2014

High-resolution imaging of choline metabolites in living mammalian cells, primary neurons andC. eleganshas been demonstrated with the potential forin vivodisease detection and developmental monitoring.
Effect of protein on the detection of stilbene estrogens in milk
Authors: Zhang Xingmei , Deng Qiaoqiao , Liu Peipei , Li Guizhi , Liu Yongming
Published: January 2014

An environmentally friendly method to extract and detect stilbene estrogens in milk using an ethanol–K2HPO4–water system coupled with HPLC.
Preparation, chromatographic evaluation and comparison of cystine- and cysteine-bonded stationary phases
Authors: Xu Luan , Zhao Tong , Guan Xingmei , Tang Wanjin , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Haixia
Published: January 2014

In this paper, cystine- and cysteine-bonded stationary phases were synthesized and characterized by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis which proved the successful immobilization of cystine and cysteine on the silica support.
X-ray-induced phase transitions by selective excitation of heterometal ions in a cyanide-bridged Fe–Co molecular square
Authors: Sekine Yoshihiro , Nihei Masayuki , Kumai Reiji , Nakao Hironori , Murakami Youichi , Oshio Hiroki
Published: January 2014

A cyanide-bridged tetranuclear Fe–Co complex showed electron-transfer-coupled spin transitions induced by X-ray irradiation, and the conversion ratio was significantly altered by the selective excitation of the metal ions.
Cisplatin binds to human copper chaperone Cox17: the mechanistic implication of drug delivery to mitochondria
Authors: Zhao Linhong , Cheng Qinqin , Wang Zhen , Xi Zhaoyong , Xu Dechen , Liu Yangzhong
Published: January 2014

Cox17 facilitates the platinum accumulation in mitochondria, which contributes to the overall cytotoxicity of cisplatin.
One-pot synthesis of Pd–Pt@Pd core–shell nanocrystals with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation
Authors: Yuan Qiang , Huang Da-Bing , Wang Hong-Hui , Zhou Zhi-You , Wang Qingxiao
Published: January 2014

Pd–Pt@Pd core–shell nanocrystals were directly synthesized through an aqueous solution approach without any preformed Pd or Pt seeds.
Viologen-based ionic liquid crystals: induction of a smectic A phase by dimerisation
Authors: Casella Girolamo , Causin Valerio , Rastrelli Federico , Saielli Giacomo
Published: January 2014

Not just a tale of tails. Viologen dimer salts of bistriflimide exhibit rich mesomorphism, including a high temperature SmA phase which is not observed for the corresponding monomers.
The absence of ferroelectric polarization in layered and rock-salt ordered NaLnMnWO6 (Ln = La, Nd, Tb) perovskites
Authors: De Chandan , Kim Tai Hoon , Kim Kee Hoon , Sundaresan A.
Published: January 2014

Time dependence of current in response to the first and second negative electric field pulses indicating the absence of ferroelectricity in NaNdMnWO6.
An oxygen evolution Co–Ac catalyst – the synergistic effect of phosphate ions
Authors: Irshad Ahamed , Munichandraiah Nookala
Published: January 2014

When Co–Ac was used for electrolysis in phosphate solution, a hybrid Co–Pi–Ac was formed, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity towards OER.
Dynamics of Li4Ti5O12/sulfone-based electrolyte interfaces in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Demeaux Julien , De Vito Eric , Le Digabel Matthieu , Galiano Hervé , Claude-Montigny Bénédicte , Lemordant Daniel
Published: January 2014

Dynamics of the two LTO/sulfone-mixed electrolyte interfaces in a LTO/LTO symmetric cell.
BF3/MCM-41 as nano structured solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of 3-iminoaryl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Authors: Abdollahi-Alibeik Mohammad , Rezaeipoor-Anari Ali
Published: January 2014

Multi-component reaction of various types of aldehydes, 2-aminopyridines and trimethylsilyl cyanide was carried out in the presence of MCM-41 supported boron trifluoride (BF3/MCM-41) as a nanostructured solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of 3-iminoaryl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives.
Incessant formation of chain-like mesoporous silica with a superior binding capacity for mercury
Authors: Ravi S. , Selvaraj M.
Published: January 2014

A new chain type mesoporous silica has been easily synthesized to remove mercury ions from an aqueous medium.
Growth mechanism and photocatalytic activity of self-organized N-doped (BiO)2CO3 hierarchical nanosheet microspheres from bismuth citrate and urea
Authors: Dong Fan , Xiong Ting , Wang Rui , Sun Yanjuan , Jiang Yanke
Published: January 2014

A new growth mechanism was proposed for the self-organized N-doped (BiO)2CO3 hierarchical nanosheet microspheres with efficient and durable photocatalytic activity.
A ratiometric fluorescent probe for determining Pd2+ions based on coordination
Authors: Qiao Bo , Sun Shiguo , Jiang Na , Zhang Si , Peng Xiaojun
Published: January 2014

An aniline–rhodamine-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for Pd2+ions.
Accurate prediction of195Pt NMR chemical shifts for a series of Pt(ii) and Pt(iv) antitumor agents by a non-relativistic DFT computational protocol
Authors: Tsipis Athanassios C. , Karapetsas Ioannis N.
Published: January 2014

Exhaustive benchmark DFT calculations reveal that the non-relativistic GIAO-PBE0/SARC-ZORA(Pt)∪6-31+G(d)(E) computational protocol predicts accurate195Pt NMR chemical shifts for a wide range of square planar Pt(ii) and octahedral Pt(iv) anticancer agents.
Formation of self-inhibiting copper(ii) nanoparticles in an autocatalytic Fenton-like reaction
Authors: Naqvi Kazim R. , Marsh Jennifer , Chechik Victor
Published: January 2014

Autocatalytic Fenton-like decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Cu(ii) and etidronic acid (HEDP) at high pH results in the nucleation of very stable mixed copper(ii) phosphate/carbonate nanoparticles which self-inhibit further reaction.
Application of a diffusion–desorption rate equation model in astrochemistry
Authors: He Jiao , Vidali Gianfranco
Published: January 2014

Desorption and diffusion are two of the most important processes on interstellar grain surfaces; knowledge of them is critical for the understanding of chemical reaction networks in the interstellar medium (ISM). However, a lack of information on desorption and diffusion is preventing further progress in astrochemistry. To obtain desorption energy distributions of molecules from the surfaces of ISM-related materials, one usually carries out adsorption–desorption temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments, and uses rate equation models to extract desorption energy distributions. However, the often-used rate equation models fail to adequately take into account diffusion processes and thus are only valid in situations where adsorption is strongly localized. As adsorption–desorption experiments show that adsorbate molecules tend to occupy deep adsorption sites before occupying shallow ones, a diffusion process must be involved. Thus, it is necessary to include a diffusion term in the model that takes into account the morphology of the surface as obtained from analyses of TPD experiments. We take the experimental data of CO desorption from the MgO(100) surface and of D2 desorption from amorphous solid water ice as examples to show how a diffusion–desorption rate equation model explains the redistribution of adsorbate molecules among different adsorption sites. We extract distributions of desorption energies and diffusion energy barriers from TPD profiles. These examples are contrasted with a system where adsorption is strongly localized – HD from an amorphous silicate surface. Suggestions for experimental investigations are provided.
A novel network pharmacology approach to analyse traditional herbal formulae: the Liu-Wei-Di-Huang pill as a case study
Authors: Liang Xujun , Li Huiying , Li Shao
Published: January 2014

Understanding the mechanisms of the pharmacological effects of herbal formulae from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is important for their appropriate application.
Pt-based drugs: the spotlight will be on proteins
Authors: Pinato O. , Musetti C. , Sissi C.
Published: January 2014

The mechanism of action of platinum-based drugs derives from different contributions of DNA and proteins.
Nano-sensitive optical coherence tomography
Authors: Alexandrov Sergey A. , Subhash Hrebesh M. , Zam Azhar , Leahy Martin
Published: January 2014

A novel label-free depth resolved technique, nano-sensitive optical coherence tomography (nsOCT), to detect structural changes at the nanoscale is presented.
Periodic layered inverse micelle multilayers with tunable photonic band gap: fabrication and application in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jang Yoon Hee , Kim Dong Ha
Published: January 2014

Block copolymer-based photonic structures are coupled into the counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells as light reflectors to increase the light harvesting.
“Sulfolefin”: a mixed sulfinamido-olefin ligand in enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to trifluoromethyl ketones
Authors: Valdivia Victoria , Fernández Inmaculada , Khiar Noureddine
Published: January 2014

Trifluoromethyl-substituted tertiary alcohols were obtained with good yields and enantioselectivities using the shelf stable sulfolefin-1 as a catalyst precursor.
VUV grafting: an efficient method for 3D bulk patterning of polymer sheets
Authors: Baudin Cécile , Renault Jean-Philippe , Esnouf Stéphane , Palacin Serge , Berthelot Thomas
Published: January 2014

VUV irradiation provides an efficient and low-cost solution for 2D and 3D structuration of many polymer films, that is required for numerous application fields.
Emission and surface properties of main-chain type polybenzoxazine with pyridinyl moieties
Authors: Lin Ching Hsuan , Shih Yu Sin , Wang Meng Wei , Tseng Chun Yu , Juang Tzong Yuan , Wang Chih Feng
Published: January 2014

A main-chain type polybenzoxazine, PBz (1), with pyridinyl moieties was prepared. When the THF dilute solution of PBz (1) was protonated with HCl, a new absorption signal at 458 nm was observed in the UV-vis spectrum. After being excited at 458 nm, a strong emission at 570 nm was observed in the fluorescence spectrum. This result suggests that the pyridinyl-containing PBz (1) can be used as a proton sensor.
Reprocessing and recycling of thermosetting polymers based on bond exchange reactions
Authors: Yu Kai , Taynton Philip , Zhang Wei , Dunn Martin L. , Qi H. Jerry
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrated the reprocessing, recycling and repairing abilities of pulverized thermoset polymer with exchangeable bonds.
Bio-inspired surface-functionalization of graphene oxide for the adsorption of organic dyes and heavy metal ions with a superhigh capacity
Authors: Dong Zhihui , Wang Dong , Liu Xia , Pei Xianfeng , Chen Liwei , Jin Jian
Published: January 2014

By utilizing the synergistic effect of poly-dopamine (PD) with functional groups and graphene oxide (GO) with a high surface area, a series of sub-nano thick PD layer coated GO (PD/GO) composites were fabricated and used for effectively decontaminating wastewater.
Mechanically inducible fluorescence colour switching in the formation of organic nanoparticles of an ESIPT molecule
Authors: Yao Hiroshi , Funada Tomohito
Published: January 2014

Electrostatic interaction between an ESIPT molecule AHBT and a phenylborate derivative gives blue-green emission, but vigorous (or mechanical) shaking of the solution leads to formation of organic AHBT nanoparticles, which results in fluorescence colour switching from blue-green to yellow-orange.
Families of choice and noncollegiate sororities and fraternities among lesbian and bisexual African-American women in a southern community: implications for sexual and reproductive health research
Authors: Austin Erika L. , Lindley Lisa L. , Mena Leandro A. , Crosby Richard A. , Muzny Christina A.
Published: January 2014

Background
Self-identified lesbian and bisexual African-American women living in the southern United States are a relatively hidden subpopulation within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Existing research suggests that African-American lesbian and bisexual women are at high risk for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), but the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population are just beginning to be understood. Methods: We conducted four focus groups and five individual interviews with 24 lesbian and bisexual African-American women living in the Jackson, Mississippi, metropolitan area, recruited through the local STI clinic and through word of mouth. We aimed to characterise the role of two types of social organisations (lesbian families and noncollegiate lesbian sororities and fraternities) among the local LGBT community, and their influence on the sexual health of their members. Results: Both types of social organisations serve positive functions for their members. Lesbian families provide support and stability; this appears beneficial for younger individuals, who may lack support from biological families. Lesbian sororities and fraternities are visible due to their emphasis on community service, and offer a strong sense of solidarity and belonging. In both organisation types, discussions about sex were common, although members acknowledged a lack of information regarding safer sex among lesbian and bisexual women. Conclusions: Existing social organisations within the LGBT community, such as lesbian families and lesbian sororities and fraternities, should be incorporated into community-based popular opinion leader or lay heath advisor interventions in an effort to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of marginalised populations.
The dislike of regular plurals in compounds
Authors: Berent Iris , Pinker Steven
Published: January 2014

English speakers disfavor compounds containing regular plurals compared to irregular ones. Haskell, MacDonald and Seidenberg (2003) attribute this phenomenon to the rarity of compounds containing words with the phonological properties of regular plurals. Five experiments test this proposal. Experiment 1 demonstrated that novel regular plurals (e.g., loonks-eater) are disliked in compounds compared to irregular plurals with illicit (hence less frequent) phonological patterns (e.g., leevk-eater, plural of loovk). Experiments 2–3 found that people show no dispreference for compounds containing nouns that merely sound like regular plurals (e.g., hose-installer vs. pipe-installer). Experiments 4–5 showed a robust effect of morphological regularity when phonological familiarity was controlled: Compounds containing regular plural nonwords (e.g., gleeks-hunter, plural of gleek) were disfavored relative to irregular, phonologically-identical, plurals (e.g., breex-container, plural of broox). The dispreference for regular plurals inside compounds thus hinges on the morphological distinction between irregular and regular forms and it is irreducible to phonological familiarity.
Working Memory Affects Older Adults’ Use of Context in Spoken-Word Recognition
Authors: Janse Esther , Jesse Alexandra
Published: January 2014

Many older listeners report difficulties in understanding speech in noisy situations. Working memory and other cognitive skills may modulate older listeners’ ability to use context information to alleviate the effects of noise on spoken-word recognition. In the present study, we investigated whether verbal working memory predicts older adults’ ability to immediately use context information in the recognition of words embedded in sentences, presented in different listening conditions. In a phoneme-monitoring task, older adults were asked to detect as fast and as accurately as possible target phonemes in sentences spoken by a target speaker. Target speech was presented without noise, with fluctuating speech-shaped noise, or with competing speech from a single distractor speaker. The gradient measure of contextual probability (derived from a separate offline rating study) affected the speed of recognition. Contextual facilitation was modulated by older listeners’ verbal working memory (measured with a backward digit span task) and age across listening conditions. Working memory and age, as well as hearing loss, were also the most consistent predictors of overall listening performance. Older listeners’ immediate benefit from context in spoken-word recognition thus relates to their ability to keep and update a semantic representation of the sentence content in working memory.
TNF and IL-1 exhibit distinct ubiquitin requirements for inducing NEMO–IKK supramolecular structures
Authors: Tarantino Nadine , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Crowell Elizabeth Faris , Boisson Bertrand , Henriques Ricardo , Mhlanga Musa , Agou Fabrice , Israël Alain , Laplantine Emmanuel
Published: January 2014

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) essential modulator (NEMO), a regulatory component of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, controls NF-κB activation through its interaction with ubiquitin chains. We show here that stimulation with interleukin-1 (IL-1) and TNF induces a rapid and transient recruitment of NEMO into punctate structures that are anchored at the cell periphery. These structures are enriched in activated IKK kinases and ubiquitinated NEMO molecules, which suggests that they serve as organizing centers for the activation of NF-κB. These NEMO-containing structures colocalize with activated TNF receptors but not with activated IL-1 receptors. We investigated the involvement of nondegradative ubiquitination in the formation of these structures, using cells deficient in K63 ubiquitin chains or linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC)-mediated linear ubiquitination. Our results indicate that, unlike TNF, IL-1 requires K63-linked and linear ubiquitin chains to recruit NEMO into higher-order complexes. Thus, different mechanisms are involved in the recruitment of NEMO into supramolecular complexes, which appear to be essential for NF-κB activation.
Clearing the way for cancer cells
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: January 2014

Endothelial focal adhesion kinase helps tumor cells enter the bloodstream.