bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Budget of Paradoxes (Continued from page 188)
Authors: De Morgan A.
Published: August 2016

In 1842-43 a Mr. Henson had proposed what he called an aeronaut steam-engine, and a Bill was brought in to incorporate an “Aerial Transit Company.” The present plan is altogether different, the moving power being the explosion of mixed hydrogen and air. Nothing came of it—not even a Bill. What the final destiny of the balloon may be no one knows: it may reasonably be suspected that difficulties will at last be overcome. Darwin, in his Botanic Garden (1781), has the following prophecy:—

“Soon shall thy arm, unconquered Steam! afar

Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car;

Or, on wide-waving wings expanded, bear

The flying chariot through the fields of air.”

Darwin's contemporaries, no doubt, smiled pity on the poor man. It is worth note that the two true prophecies have been fulfilled in a sense different from that of the predictions. Darwin was thinking of the suggestion of Jonathan Hulls, when he spoke of dragging the slow barge: it is only very recently that the steam-tug has been employed on the canals. The car was to be driven, not drawn, and on the common roads. Perhaps, the flying chariot will be something of a character which we cannot imagine, even with the two prophecies and their fulfilments to help us.
On the Law of Mortality
Authors: Makeham William Matthew
Published: August 2016

In the following pages I shall have frequent occasion to avail myself of a term which the progress of the analysis of life contingencies has rendered indispensable, but which is not found in any of the standard elementary works in that science. I think, therefore, that I cannot better commence this paper than by an attempt to give an explanation of the expression “force of mortality,” sufficiently ample to obviate any difficulties which might otherwise be experienced on this score.
Some Account of James Dodson, F.R.S.
Authors: De Morgan A.
Published: August 2016

No life has been written of the original projector of the Equitable Society, except in a column of the Biographie Universelle by M. Nicollet. Dodson's name was, and even still is, so familiar to the actuary, chiefly through the Mathematical Repository, and the impulse he gave to life-contingency problems, that this Journal is the proper place of deposit for what can be collected concerning him. The article above mentioned tells very little. He succeeded Hodgson [which should have been Robertson] in the chair of mathematics at Christchurch Hospital in 1756 [1755] and died November 23, 1757. He published the Antilogarithmic Canon, which others had contemplated [and executed too, but the manuscript was lost] and which he had the courage to execute up to a certain point [his table is the counterpart of Vlacq's largest direct table: five figures of argument and eleven of tabular result]. He could not balance the success of the ordinary tables: the writer doubts whether the table was ever used on the continent [he might have added, England: who uses either Vlacq or Dodson? Their tables are for help to other table-makers, and always were, though both of them intended more]. He published, the Calculator in 1747, a collection of tables at the end of which [say in the proper place in the middle] is an abridgment of the antilogarithmic table. But he is best known in England by his Mathematical Repository, and by his zeal for benevolent institutions [say his determination to found an assurance office to which himself should be admissible].
On the Distribution of Profits in Mutual Insurance Societies
Authors: Pell
Published: August 2016

There is no part of the subject of Life Insurance which has occasioned so much difficulty, and given rise to so much diversity of opinion and of practice, as that of the distribution of profits. The methods which have been adopted are very various, and very few of them seem founded upon any intelligible principle.

Many attempts have been made of late years to form an exact theory on this subject, and to deduce systematic rules; but it cannot, I think, be yet said that there is any method which is generally recognised as theoretically correct, and capable of application in all cases.
On the effects of Migrations in disturbing Local Rates of Mortality, as exemplified in the Statistics of London and the surrounding country, for the Years 1851–1860
Authors: Welton Thomas A.
Published: August 2016

I propose in this paper to deal with a question which has an important bearing upon those calculations as to deathrates, which are now so widely circulated and so generally felt to possess interest.

It has occurred to the Registrar-General, and, as I believe, to other inquirers, to remark that the mortality happening in London is diminished, “because domestic servants, shopwomen and milliners, “who have come from the country, retire when health fails them “to their native air.”
On Mechanical Aids to Calculation
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: August 2016

In every branch of business, even in the very rudest stage of barter, men have to count. A skin is exchanged for so many cowries, a rifle for so many skins. Do what we will, go where we will, the necessity for counting meets us. Yet, though numbers be essential to all our operations, we do not easily form an idea of large numbers. Thus in no language do the separate names for numbers reach to twenty. In one, I believe, the numeration goes as far as fifteen; in the northern languages of Europe it reaches to twelve, but in most languages it stops short at ten.
On a Mathematical Formula to express the Rate of Mortality throughout the whole of Life, tested by a Series of Observations made use of by the Danish Life Insurance Company of 1871
Authors: Thiele T. N.
Published: August 2016

The formula for the law of mortality which I am about to explain and apply to a practical case, is not a merely empirical formula. but is based on a presumed property of the causes of death. The value of the formula is however a question which is in a great measure independent of the correctness of my hypothesis; for it is well known that even a false hypothesis may be of great service. While I shall certainly be very much interested to learn the opinion entertained by actuaries as to the theoretical part of the subject, yet the practical application of the formula is the point to which I attach most importance, and to which I would by preference invite criticism.
On Mathematical Statistics and its Application to Political Economy and Insurance
Authors: Wittstein Theodor
Published: August 2016

It is well known that the number of the physical sciences is continually increasing, by a process of development from within. We constantly see divisions and branches of existing sciences cultivated and developed until they acquire a separate existence as new and independent sciences. For it has long been impossible for a single person to master the whole, or even a considerable part of these sciences, and the necessity for a division of labour is continually becoming more and more felt here, as elsewhere. It is, however, comparatively seldom that the number of the sciences is increased by the addition to them of an entirely new one, and therefore the case of which I am about to speak appears to deserve our particular attention. For I shall presently prove that a department of science, which has not hitherto belonged to the physical sciences, is now being so developed and perfected, that in a very short time it will claim admission into the number on equal terms with the others. This department of science is Statistics. The science of Statistics in its present form has now existed a full century. It owed its birth, as well as its name, to Achenwall of Göttingen, about the middle of the last century.
On the Mortality of Males and Females from Peritonitis at Ages between Fifteen and Fifty
Authors: Robertson William
Published: August 2016

The want of a national register of still births is one of the causes which in this country interfere with such important inquiries as those that relate to the true mortality due to parturition. No doubt our system of registration of live births is sufficiently perfect; but until a corresponding record of still births is available, it will be impossible to ascertain, with the accuracy necessary for statistical purposes, the number of women who have, within a given period, become mothers. This is the more to be regretted, since the danger to the life of a female is likely to be far greater when she has given birth to a dead child, than when by her labour she has added a unit to the living population of the country.
On the premiums for the insurance of recently selected lives
Authors: Sprague T. B.
Published: August 2016

The folloing results wer obtaind in the course ov the years 1870 and 1871, the calculations having been carryd on at intervals, as my professional engagements allowd ov the time ov myself and my assistant being devoted to the matter. It was my intention to carry the investigation still further, by forming graduated mortality tables for entrants ov varios ages and deducing annuity values therefrom; but this intention not having been carried out, I think it better to lay the results in their present state before the readers ov the Jurnl, insted ov delaying them longer in the hope, which may perhaps never be realized, ov more complete.
On the Mortality amongst Assured Lives, and the requisite Reserves of Life Offices. Part II
Authors: King George
Published: August 2016

Perhaps I owe to the Institute an apology for bringing forward so late in the day this second part of my paper. When first I resolved to enter on the investigation of which I have now the honor to submit a second series of results, the ground, at least in so far as the experience of the 20 Offices was concerned, was practically unoccupied; for although Mr. Sprague had written on the mortality prevailing among assured lives, yet, as he had not touched on financial matters, I conceived that there remained ample room for another worker. It was only when I was on the point of sending in the part of my paper which has already been printed in the Journal, that I heard of Mr. Berridge's labours; and not till the other day, when the calculations for this second part were all but finished, did I become aware that Mr. Sprague intended to deal with the question of the premiums for the insurance of recently selected lives. Had I known that these gentlemen were engaged very similarly to myself, I should probably have been deterred from my task: but seeing that in ignorance of their movements it has been completed, perhaps the results will not be considered valueless.
Microfibres and macroscopic films from the coordination-driven hierarchical self-assembly of cylindrical micelles
Authors: Lunn David J. , Gould Oliver E. C. , Whittell George R. , Armstrong Daniel P. , Mineart Kenneth P. , Winnik Mitchell A. , Spontak Richard J. , Pringle Paul G. , Manners Ian
Published: August 2016

Anisotropic nanoparticles prepared from block copolymers are of growing importance as building blocks for the creation of synthetic hierarchical materials. However, the assembly of these structural units is generally limited to the use of amphiphilic interactions. Here we report a simple, reversible coordination-driven hierarchical self-assembly strategy for the preparation of micron-scale fibres and macroscopic films based on monodisperse cylindrical block copolymer micelles. Coordination of Pd(0) metal centres to phosphine ligands immobilized within the soluble coronas of block copolymer micelles is found to induce intermicelle crosslinking, affording stable linear fibres comprised of micelle subunits in a staggered arrangement. The mean length of the fibres can be varied by altering the micelle concentration, reaction stoichiometry or aspect ratio of the micelle building blocks. Furthermore, the fibres aggregate on drying to form robust, self-supporting macroscopic micelle-based thin films with useful mechanical properties that are analogous to crosslinked polymer networks, but on a longer length scale.
Genome-wide association study identifies 14 novel risk alleles associated with basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chahal Harvind S. , Wu Wenting , Ransohoff Katherine J. , Yang Lingyao , Hedlin Haley , Desai Manisha , Lin Yuan , Dai Hong-Ji , Qureshi Abrar A. , Li Wen-Qing , Kraft Peter , Hinds David A. , Tang Jean Y. , Han Jiali , Sarin Kavita Y.
Published: August 2016

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer worldwide with an annual incidence of 2.8 million cases in the United States alone. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between 21 distinct genetic loci and BCC risk. Here, we report the results of a two-stage genome-wide association study of BCC, totalling 17,187 cases and 287,054 controls. We confirm 17 previously reported loci and identify 14 new susceptibility loci reaching genome-wide significance (P<5 × 10−8, logistic regression). These newly associated SNPs lie within predicted keratinocyte regulatory elements and in expression quantitative trait loci; furthermore, we identify candidate genes and non-coding RNAs involved in telomere maintenance, immune regulation and tumour progression, providing deeper insight into the pathogenesis of BCC.
A comparison of zircon U-Pb age results of the Red Clay sequence on the central Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Gong Hujun , Nie Junsheng , Wang Zhao , Peng Wenbin , Zhang Rui , Zhang Yunxiang
Published: August 2016

Single grain zircon U-Pb geochronology has demonstrated great potentials in extracting tectonic and atmospheric circulation signal carried by aeolian, fluvial, and fluviolacustrine sediments. A routine in this sort of studies is analyzing 100–150 grains and then compares zircon U-Pb age spectra between the measured sample and the potential sources. Here we compared the zircon U-Pb age results of the late Miocene-Pliocene Red Clay sequence of two neighboring sites from the Chinese Loess Plateau where similar provenance signal is expected. Although the results from the 5.5 Ma sediment support this prediction, the results from the 3 Ma sediment at these two sites differ from each other significantly. These results emphasize the importance of increasing analysis number per sample and combining the zircon U-Pb geochronology with other provenance tools in order to get reliable provenance information.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress May Play a Pivotal Role in Lipid Metabolic Disorders in a Novel Mouse Model of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Zhou Lingyan , Ding Shuyan , Li Yujie , Wang Laicheng , Chen Wenbin , Bo Tao , Wu Kunpeng , Li Congcong , Liu Xiaojing , Zhao Jiajun , Xu Chao , Gao Ling
Published: August 2016

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is becoming a global health problem due to its increasing prevalence and potential deleterious effects. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the lipid metabolic disorders in SCH have not been fully clarified. Additionally, progress in elucidating the exact pathogenesis of SCH has been hampered by the lack of optimized mouse models. Methimazole (MMI) was applied to construct a noninvasive SCH mouse model. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were administrated MMI through the drinking water. After 12 weeks, the MMI-treated mice showed the diagnostic criteria for SCH: increased serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels with constant thyroid hormone levels that persisted for approximately 8 weeks. Notably, SCH mice presented evident lipid metabolic disturbances, including dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation. Further analysis showed that hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) was induced in the SCH mice or by the elevation of TSH in vitro, likely via the IRE1α/XBP-1 pathway. Interestingly, when we used 4-phenyl butyric acid to repress ER stress in SCH mice for 4 weeks, dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation were both significantly alleviated. Our findings indicate that an optimized SCH mouse model could be established using MMI and ER stress may play a pivotal role in the lipid metabolic abnormalities in SCH.
The antinociception of oxytocin on colonic hypersensitivity in rats was mediated by inhibition of mast cell degranulation via Ca2+-NOS pathway
Authors: Gong Liping , Li Jing , Tang Yan , Han Ting , Wei Chuanfei , Yu Xiao , Li Jingxin , Wang Rong , Ma Xuelian , Liu Kejing , Geng Lingyun , Liu Shaozhuang , Yan Bing , Liu Chuanyong
Published: August 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oxytocin (OT) on visceral hypersensitivity/pain and mast cell degranulation and the underlying mechanisms. We found that oxytocin receptor (OTR) was expressed in colonic mast cells in humans and rats, as well as in human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1), rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3) and mouse mastocytoma cell line (P815). OT decreased 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced visceral hypersensitivity, colonic mast cell degranulation and histamine release after mast cell degranulation in rats. Also, OT attenuated the compound 48/80 (C48/80)-evoked histamine release in P815 cells and inward currents, responsible for the mast cell degranulation, in HMC-1, RBL-2H3 and P815 cells. Moreover, these protective effects of OT against visceral hypersensitivity and mast cell degranulation were eliminated by coadministration of OTR antagonist atosiban or a nonselective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), NG-Methyl-L-arginine acetate salt (L-NMMA). Notably, OT evoked a concentration-dependent increase of intracellular Ca2+ in HMC-1, RBL-2H3 and P815 cells, which was responsible for the activation of neuronal NOS (NOS1) and endothelial NOS (NOS3). Our findings strongly suggest that OT might exert the antinociception on colonic hypersensitivity through inhibition of mast cell degranulation via Ca2+-NOS pathway.
Ichnological evidence of Megalosaurid Dinosaurs Crossing Middle Jurassic Tidal Flats
Authors: Razzolini Novella L. , Oms Oriol , Castanera Diego , Vila Bernat , Santos Vanda Faria dos , Galobart Àngel
Published: August 2016

A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portugal)preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized in at least 80 unidirectional trackways arranged in a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Quantitative and qualitative comparisons reveal that the large tridactyl, elongated and asymmetric tracks resemble the typical Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Megalosauripus ichnogenus in all morphometric parameters. Few of the numerous tracks are preserved as elite tracks while the rest are preserved as different gradients of modified true tracks according to water content, erosive factors, radial fractures and internal overtrack formations. Taphonomical determinations are consistent with paleoenvironmental observations that indicate an inter-tidal flat located at the margin of a coastal barrier. The Megalosauripus tracks represent the oldest occurrence of this ichnotaxon and are attributed to large megalosaurid dinosaurs. Their occurrence in Vale de Meios tidal flat represents the unique paleoethological evidence of megalosaurids moving towards the lagoon, most likley during the low tide periods with feeding purposes.
Saving Moore’s Law Down To 1 nm Channels With Anisotropic Effective Mass
Authors: Ilatikhameneh Hesameddin , Ameen Tarek , Novakovic Bozidar , Tan Yaohua , Klimeck Gerhard , Rahman Rajib
Published: August 2016

Scaling transistors’ dimensions has been the thrust for the semiconductor industry in the last four decades. However, scaling channel lengths beyond 10 nm has become exceptionally challenging due to the direct tunneling between source and drain which degrades gate control, switching functionality, and worsens power dissipation. Fortunately, the emergence of novel classes of materials with exotic properties in recent times has opened up new avenues in device design. Here, we show that by using channel materials with an anisotropic effective mass, the channel can be scaled down to 1 nm and still provide an excellent switching performance in phosphorene nanoribbon MOSFETs. To solve power consumption challenge besides dimension scaling in conventional transistors, a novel tunnel transistor is proposed which takes advantage of anisotropic mass in both ON- and OFF-state of the operation. Full-band atomistic quantum transport simulations of phosphorene nanoribbon MOSFETs and TFETs based on the new design have been performed as a proof.
A magnetic synapse: multilevel spin-torque memristor with perpendicular anisotropy
Authors: Lequeux Steven , Sampaio Joao , Cros Vincent , Yakushiji Kay , Fukushima Akio , Matsumoto Rie , Kubota Hitoshi , Yuasa Shinji , Grollier Julie
Published: August 2016

Memristors are non-volatile nano-resistors which resistance can be tuned by applied currents or voltages and set to a large number of levels. Thanks to these properties, memristors are ideal building blocks for a number of applications such as multilevel non-volatile memories and artificial nano-synapses, which are the focus of this work. A key point towards the development of large scale memristive neuromorphic hardware is to build these neural networks with a memristor technology compatible with the best candidates for the future mainstream non-volatile memories. Here we show the first experimental achievement of a multilevel memristor compatible with spin-torque magnetic random access memories. The resistive switching in our spin-torque memristor is linked to the displacement of a magnetic domain wall by spin-torques in a perpendicularly magnetized magnetic tunnel junction. We demonstrate that our magnetic synapse has a large number of intermediate resistance states, sufficient for neural computation. Moreover, we show that engineering the device geometry allows leveraging the most efficient spin torque to displace the magnetic domain wall at low current densities and thus to minimize the energy cost of our memristor. Our results pave the way for spin-torque based analog magnetic neural computation.
SGO1 is involved in the DNA damage response in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Murakami-Tonami Yuko , Ikeda Haruna , Yamagishi Ryota , Inayoshi Mao , Inagaki Shiho , Kishida Satoshi , Komata Yosuke , Jan Koster  , Takeuchi Ichiro , Kondo Yutaka , Maeda Tohru , Sekido Yoshitaka , Murakami Hiroshi , Kadomatsu Kenji
Published: August 2016

Shugoshin 1 (SGO1) is required for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis; however, its other functions, especially at interphase, are not clearly understood. Here, we found that downregulation of SGO1 caused a synergistic phenotype in cells overexpressing MYCN. Downregulation of SGO1 impaired proliferation and induced DNA damage followed by a senescence-like phenotype only in MYCN-overexpressing neuroblastoma cells. In these cells, SGO1 knockdown induced DNA damage, even during interphase and this effect was independent of cohesin. Furthermore, MYCN-promoted SGO1 transcription and SGO1 expression tended to be higher in MYCN- or MYC-overexpressing cancers. Together, these findings indicate that SGO1 plays a role in the DNA damage response in interphase. Therefore, we propose that SGO1 represents a potential molecular target for treatment of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
A calcium sensor – protein kinase signaling module diversified in plants and is retained in all lineages of Bikonta species
Authors: Beckmann Linda , Edel Kai H. , Batistič Oliver , Kudla Jörg
Published: August 2016

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is a universal mechanism of signal transduction and involves Ca2+ signal formation and decoding of information by Ca2+ binding proteins. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs), which upon Ca2+ binding activate CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) regulate a multitude of physiological processes in plants. Here, we combine phylogenomics and functional analyses to investigate the occurrence and structural conservation of CBL and CIPK proteins in 26 species representing all major clades of eukaryotes. We demonstrate the presence of at least singular CBL-CIPK pairs in representatives of Archaeplastida, Chromalveolates and Excavates and their general absence in Opisthokonta and Amoebozoa. This denotes CBL-CIPK complexes as evolutionary ancient Ca2+ signaling modules that likely evolved in the ancestor of all Bikonta. Furthermore, we functionally characterize the CBLs and CIPK from the parabasalid human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis. Our results reveal strict evolutionary conservation of functionally important structural features, preservation of biochemical properties and a remarkable cross-kingdom protein-protein interaction potential between CBLs and CIPKs from Arabidopsis thaliana and T. vaginalis. Together our findings suggest an ancient evolutionary origin of a functional CBL-CIPK signaling module close to the root of eukaryotic evolution and provide insights into the initial evolution of signaling networks and Ca2+ signaling specificity.
Organotypic culture in three dimensions prevents radiation-induced transformation in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: El-Ashmawy Mariam , Coquelin Melissa , Luitel Krishna , Batten Kimberly , Shay Jerry W.
Published: August 2016

The effects of radiation in two-dimensional (2D) cell culture conditions may not recapitulate tissue responses as modeled in three-dimensional (3D) organotypic culture. In this study, we determined if the frequency of radiation-induced transformation and cancer progression differed in 3D compared to 2D culture. Telomerase immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) with shTP53 and mutant KRas expression were exposed to various types of radiation (gamma, +H, 56Fe) in either 2D or 3D culture. After irradiation, 3D structures were dissociated and passaged as a monolayer followed by measurement of transformation, cell growth and expression analysis. Cells irradiated in 3D produced significantly fewer and smaller colonies in soft agar than their 2D-irradiated counterparts (gamma P = 0.0004; +H P = 0.049; 56Fe P < 0.0001). The cell culture conditions did not affect cell killing, the ability of cells to survive in a colony formation assay, and proliferation rates after radiation—implying there was no selection against cells in or dissociated from 3D conditions. However, DNA damage repair and apoptosis markers were increased in 2D cells compared to 3D cells after radiation. Ideally, expanding the utility of 3D culture will allow for a better understanding of the biological consequences of radiation exposure.
Intravital assessment of myelin molecular order with polarimetric multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Turcotte Raphaël , Rutledge Danette J. , Bélanger Erik , Dill Dorothy , Macklin Wendy B. , Côté Daniel C.
Published: August 2016

Myelin plays an essential role in the nervous system and its disruption in diseases such as multiple sclerosis may lead to neuronal death, thus causing irreversible functional impairments. Understanding myelin biology is therefore of fundamental and clinical importance, but no tools currently exist to describe the fine spatial organization of myelin sheathsin vivo. Here we demonstrate intravital quantification of the myelin molecular structure using a microscopy method based on polarization-resolved coherent Raman scattering. Developmental myelination was imaged noninvasively in live zebrafish. Longitudinal imaging of individual axons revealed changes in myelin organization beyond the diffraction limit. Applied to promyelination drug screening, the method uniquely enabled the identification of focal myelin regions with differential architectures. These observations indicate that the study of myelin biology and the identification of therapeutic compounds will largely benefit from a method to quantify the myelin molecular organizationin vivo.
Thermo-tunable hybrid photonic crystal fiber based on solution-processed chalcogenide glass nanolayers
Authors: Markos Christos
Published: August 2016

The possibility to combine silica photonic crystal fiber (PCF) as low-loss platform with advanced functional materials, offers an enormous range of choices for the development of fiber-based tunable devices. Here, we report a tunable hybrid silica PCF with integrated As2S3 glass nanolayers inside the air-capillaries of the fiber based on a solution-processed glass approach. The deposited high-index layers revealed antiresonant transmission windows from ~500 nm up to ~1300 nm. We experimentally demonstrate for the first time the possibility to thermally-tune the revealed antiresonances by taking advantage the high thermo-optic coefficient of the solution-processed nanolayers. Two different hybrid fiber structures, with core diameter 10 and 5 μm, were developed and characterized using a supercontinuum source. The maximum sensitivity was measured to be as high as 3.6 nm/°C at 1300 nm. The proposed fiber device could potentially constitute an efficient route towards realization of monolithic tunable fiber filters or sensing elements.
Maintenance of electrostatic stabilization in altered tubulin lateral contacts may facilitate formation of helical filaments in foraminifera
Authors: Bassen David M. , Hou Yubo , Bowser Samuel S. , Banavali Nilesh K.
Published: August 2016

Microtubules in foraminiferan protists (forams) can convert into helical filament structures, in which longitudinal intraprotofilament interactions between tubulin heterodimers are thought to be lost, while lateral contacts across protofilaments are still maintained. The coarse geometric features of helical filaments are known through low-resolution negative stain electron microscopy (EM). In this study, geometric restraints derived from these experimental data were used to generate an average atomic-scale helical filament model, which anticipated a modest reorientation in the lateral tubulin heterodimer interface. Restrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the nearest neighbor interactions combined with a Genalized Born implicit solvent model were used to assess the lateral, longitudinal, and seam contacts in 13-3 microtubules and the reoriented lateral contacts in the helical filament model. This electrostatic analysis suggests that the change in the lateral interface in the helical filament does not greatly diminish the lateral electrostatic interaction. After longitudinal dissociation, the 13-3 seam interaction is much weaker than the reoriented lateral interface in the helical filament model, providing a plausible atomic-detail explanation for seam-to-lateral contact transition that enables the transition to a helical filament structure.
Practical Quantum Private Database Queries Based on Passive Round-Robin Differential Phase-shift Quantum Key Distribution
Authors: Li Jian , Yang Yu-Guang , Chen Xiu-Bo , Zhou Yi-Hua , Shi Wei-Min
Published: August 2016

A novel quantum private database query protocol is proposed, based on passive round-robin differential phase-shift quantum key distribution. Compared with previous quantum private database query protocols, the present protocol has the following unique merits: (i) the user Alice can obtain one and only one key bit so that both the efficiency and security of the present protocol can be ensured and (ii) it does not require to change the length difference of the two arms in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and just chooses two pulses passively to interfere with so that it is much simpler and more practical. The present protocol is also proved to be secure in terms of the user security and database security.
Glucosidase II β-subunit, a novel substrate for caspase-3-like activity in rice, plays as a molecular switch between autophagy and programmed cell death
Authors: Cui Jing , Chen Bing , Wang Hongjuan , Han Yue , Chen Xi , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2016

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. However, prolonged, severe stresses activate programmed cell death (PCD) in both animal and plant cells. Compared to the well-studied UPR pathway, the molecular mechanisms of ER-stress-induced PCD are less understood. Here, we report the identification of Gas2, the glucosidase II β subunit in the ER, as a potential switch between PCD and autophagy in rice. MS analysis identified Gas2, GRP94, and HSP40 protein in a purified caspase-3-like activity from heat stressed rice cell suspensions. The three corresponding genes were down-regulated under DTT-induced ER stress. Gas2 and GRP94 were localized to the ER, while HSP40 localized to the cytoplasm. Compared to wild-type, a Gas2 RNAi cell line was much sensitive to DTT treatment and had high levels of autophagy. Both caspase-3 and heat-stressed cell suspension lysate could cleave Gas2, producing a 14 kDa N-terminal fragment. Conditional expression of corresponding C-terminal fragment resulted in enhanced caspase-3-like activity in the protoplasts under heat stress. We proposed that mild ER stress causes down-regulation of Gas2 and induces autophagy, while severe stress results in Gas2 cleavage by caspase-3-like activity and the cleavage product amplifies this activity, possibly participating in the initiation of PCD.
Cellular growth defects triggered by an overload of protein localization processes
Authors: Kintaka Reiko , Makanae Koji , Moriya Hisao
Published: August 2016

High-level expression of a protein localized to an intracellular compartment is expected to cause cellular defects because it overloads localization processes. However, overloads of localization processes have never been studied systematically. Here, we show that the expression levels of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) with localization signals were limited to the same degree as a toxic misfolded GFP in budding yeast cells, and that their high-level expression caused cellular defects associated with localization processes. We further show that limitation of the exportin Crm1 determined the expression limit of GFP with a nuclear export signal. Although misfolding of GFP with a vesicle-mediated transport signal triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, it was not the primary determinant of its expression limit. The precursor of GFP with a mitochondrial targeting signal caused a cellular defect. Finally, we estimated the residual capacities of localization processes. High-level expression of a localized protein thus causes cellular defects by overloading the capacities of localization processes.
Nerve Growth Factor Secretion From Pulp Fibroblasts is Modulated by Complement C5a Receptor and Implied in Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Chmilewsky Fanny , Ayaz Warda , Appiah James , About Imad , Chung Seung-Hyuk
Published: August 2016

Given the importance of sensory innervation in tooth vitality, the identification of signals that control nerve regeneration and the cellular events they induce is essential. Previous studies demonstrated that the complement system, a major component of innate immunity and inflammation, is activated at the injured site of human carious teeth and plays an important role in dental-pulp regeneration via interaction of the active Complement C5a fragment with pulp progenitor cells. In this study, we further determined the role of the active fragment complement C5a receptor (C5aR) in dental nerve regeneration in regards to local secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) upon carious injury. Using ELISA and AXIS co-culture systems, we demonstrate that C5aR is critically implicated in the modulation of NGF secretion by LTA-stimulated pulp fibroblasts. The NGF secretion by LTA-stimulated pulp fibroblasts, which is negatively regulated by C5aR activation, has a role in the control of the neurite outgrowth length in our axon regeneration analysis. Our data provide a scientific step forward that can guide development of future therapeutic tools for innovative and incipient interventions targeting the dentin-pulp regeneration process by linking the neurite outgrowth to human pulp fibroblast through complement system activation.
Graphene oxide-enhanced sol-gel transition sensitivity and drug release performance of an amphiphilic copolymer-based nanocomposite
Authors: Hu Huawen , Wang Xiaowen , Lee Ka I , Ma Kaikai , Hu Hong , Xin John H.
Published: August 2016

We report the fabrication of a highly sensitive amphiphilic copolymer-based nanocomposite incorporating with graphene oxide (GO), which exhibited a low-intensity UV light-triggered sol-gel transition. Non-cytotoxicity was observed for the composite gels after the GO incorporation. Of particular interest were the microchannels that were formed spontaneously within the GO-incorporated UV-gel, which expedited sustained drug release. Therefore, the present highly UV-sensitive, non-cytotoxic amphiphilic copolymer-based composites is expected to provide enhanced photothermal therapy and chemotherapy by means of GO’s unique photothermal properties, as well as through efficient passive targeting resulting from the sol-gel transition characteristic of the copolymer-based system with improved sensitivity, which thus promises the enhanced treatment of patients with cancer and other diseases.
Penta-BxNy sheet: a density functional theory study of two-dimensional material
Authors: Li Jiao , Fan Xinyu , Wei Yanpei , Chen Gang
Published: August 2016

By using density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation, we have carried out detailed investigations of two-dimensional BxNynanomaterials in the Cairo pentagonal tiling geometry fully composed of pentagons (penta-BxNy). Onlypenta-BN and BN2planar structures are dynamically stable without imaginary modes in their phonon spectra. Their stabilities have been further evaluated by formation energy analysis, first-principles molecular dynamics simulation, and mechanical stability analysis.Penta-BN2is superior topenta-BN in structural stability. Its stability analysis against oxidization and functional group adsorption as well as its synthesizing reaction path analysis show possibilities in fabricatingpenta-BN2on experiment. Furthermore, thepenta-BN2could be transferred from metallic to semiconducting by ionizing or covalently binding an electron per dinitrogen. Also, it has been found to have superior mechanical properties, such as the negative Poisson’s ratio and the comparable stiffness as that of hexagonalh-BN sheet. These studies on the stabilities, electronic properties, and mechanical properties suggestpenta-BN2as an attractive material to call for further studies on both theory and experiment.
Phonon triggered rhombohedral lattice distortion in vanadium at high pressure
Authors: Antonangeli Daniele , Farber Daniel L. , Bosak Alexei , Aracne Chantel M. , Ruddle David G. , Krisch Michael
Published: August 2016

In spite of the simple body-centered-cubic crystal structure, the elements of group V, vanadium, niobium and tantalum, show strong interactions between the electronic properties and lattice dynamics. Further, these interactions can be tuned by external parameters, such as pressure and temperature. We used inelastic x-ray scattering to probe the phonon dispersion of single-crystalline vanadium as a function of pressure to 45 GPa. Our measurements show an anomalous high-pressure behavior of the transverse acoustic mode along the (100) direction and a softening of the elastic modulus C44 that triggers a rhombohedral lattice distortion occurring between 34 and 39 GPa. Our results provide the missing experimental confirmation of the theoretically predicted shear instability arising from the progressive intra-band nesting of the Fermi surface with increasing pressure, a scenario common to all transition metals of group V.
Substrate effect on the properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes grown by e-beam evaporation for high performance H2O2 detection
Authors: Vijayalakshmi K. , Sivaraj D.
Published: August 2016

In the present study, the properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube thin films deposited on Ta and Al2O3 substrates were compared for better electrochemical sensing performance towards H2O2.
Rhodium-catalyzed transformation of heteroaryl aryl ethers into heteroaryl fluorides
Authors: Arisawa Mieko , Tanii Saori , Tazawa Takeru , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: August 2016

A rhodium complex catalyzed the conversion of the C–O bond of heteroaryl aryl ethers to the C–F bond.
A desferrioxamine B squaramide ester for the incorporation of zirconium-89 into antibodies
Authors: Rudd Stacey E. , Roselt Peter , Cullinane Carleen , Hicks Rodney J. , Donnelly Paul S.
Published: August 2016

A squaramide ester derivative of desferrioxamine B is used to attach zirconium-89 to the antibody trastuzumab and the new conjugate is used for positron emission tomography imaging in mouse models of breast cancer.
Morphology and phase transformation from NaCaSiO3OH to Na2Ca2Si2O7 and photoluminescence evolution via Eu3+/Tb3+ doping
Authors: Chen Mingyue , Xia Zhiguo , Molokeev Maxim S. , Liu Qiulin
Published: August 2016

The morphologies were in situ constructed from NaCaSiO3OH to Na2Ca2Si2O7, and the dependence of their photoluminescence tuning on the Tb3+/Eu3+ ratio has been discussed.
A strategy to achieve enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding at low concentration with a new generation of conductive carbon black in a chlorinated polyethylene elastomeric matrix
Authors: Mondal Subhadip , Ganguly Sayan , Rahaman Mostafizur , Aldalbahi Ali , Chaki Tapan K. , Khastgir Dipak , Das Narayan Ch.
Published: August 2016

A schematic diagram of shielding and conducting phenomena of polymer composites.
An experimental and theoretical study into the facile, homogenous (N-heterocyclic carbene)2-Pd(0) catalyzed diboration of internal and terminal alkynes
Authors: Ansell Melvyn B. , Menezes da Silva Vitor H. , Heerdt Gabriel , Braga Ataualpa A. C. , Spencer John , Navarro Oscar
Published: August 2016

Pd(ITMe)2(PhCCPh) is a pre-catalyst in the unprecedented homogenous catalyzed diboration of terminal and internal alkynes.
COx-free hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition over molybdenum nitride-based catalysts
Authors: Srifa Atthapon , Okura Kaname , Okanishi Takeou , Muroyama Hiroki , Matsui Toshiaki , Eguchi Koichi
Published: August 2016

Co, Ni, and Fe-added Mo nitrides for ammonia decomposition facilitated the recombinative desorption of N atoms from the active components.
Towards industrial products from microalgae
Authors: Ruiz Jesús , Olivieri Giuseppe , de Vree Jeroen , Bosma Rouke , Willems Philippe , Reith J. Hans , Eppink Michel H. M. , Kleinegris Dorinde M. M. , Wijffels René H. , Barbosa Maria J.
Published: August 2016

Model projections show that production of high-value products from microalgae could be profitable nowadays and commodities will become profitable within 10 years.
Chemical characterization and bioactive properties of aqueous and organic extracts of Geranium robertianum L.
Authors: Graça V. C. , Barros Lillian , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Dias Maria Inês , Carvalho Ana Maria , Santos-Buelga Celestino , Santos P. F. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R.
Published: August 2016

The phytochemical characterization, antioxidant activity andin vitrocytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines ofGeranium robertianumL. extracts are reported.
Functional liquid crystalline gels through multi-scale hierarchical self-assembly of LAPONITE® and amidodiol
Authors: Narayanan Rohini Kuttiplavil , Sadanandhan Neethu Kalloor , Sasi Renjith , Devaki Sudha Janardhanan
Published: August 2016

Energy storage devices accomplished with efficient LAPONITE® liquid crystalline gel electrolytes.
Facile synthesis of 2,5-bis(silyl)selenophene-1,1-dioxide and its photophysical properties
Authors: Masuda Toshiyuki , Inagaki Yusuke , Momma Hiroyuki , Kwon Eunsang , Setaka Wataru
Published: August 2016

The reaction of 2,5-bis(silyl)thiophenes withmCPBA gave the corresponding 1,1-dioxides in good yields. The kinetics of the reactions and structures were discussed.
Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-O-methylasparvenone, a rare nitrogen-free serotonin 2C receptor antagonist
Authors: Lafleur-Lambert Raphaël , Boukouvalas John
Published: August 2016

The first enantioselective synthesis of the fungal metabolite (+)-O-methylasparvenone is reported.
Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles via a template-free hydrothermal route as an efficient nano-adsorbent for potential textile dye removal
Authors: Nassar Mostafa Y. , Khatab Mai
Published: August 2016

We have reported herein the preparation of a pure cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanostructure, as an efficient nano-adsorbent, via a template-free hydrothermal and post thermal conversion route.
Direct electrochemical deposition of crystalline silicon nanowires at T ≥ 60 °C
Authors: Ma Luyao , Lee Sudarat , DeMuth Joshua , Maldonado Stephen
Published: August 2016

Direct synthesis of crystalline silicon (Si) nanowires at low temperatures has been achieved through an electrochemical liquid–liquid–solid (ec-LLS) process.
A Cr2CO2 monolayer as a promising cathode for lithium and non-lithium ion batteries: a computational exploration
Authors: Li Fengyu , Cabrera Carlos R. , Wang Jingyang , Chen Zhongfang
Published: August 2016

By means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, we investigated the potential of oxygen-terminated Cr2C (Cr2CO2) as a cathode material for lithium and non-lithium ion batteries (LIBs and NLIBs).
Enhancement of dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization by weakening the feedback inhibition effects based on a systematic understanding of the biodesulfurization mechanism by Gordonia sp. through the potential “4S” pathway
Authors: Feng Shoushuai , Yang Hailin , Zhan Xiao , Wang Wu
Published: August 2016

Gordonia sp. JDZX13 (source: industrial petroleum soil) shows good potential for dibenzothiophene (DBT) biodesulfurization.
A synergistic effect of a cobalt Schiff base complex and TiO2 nanoparticles on aerobic olefin epoxidation
Authors: Jafarpour Maasoumeh , Kargar Hossein , Rezaeifard Abdolreza
Published: August 2016

A cobalt Schiff base complex and TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited a synergistic effect on the visible-light photocatalytic activity in the aerobic oxidation of various olefins in the absence of reducing agent.
Effect of pre-shear on structural behavior and pipeline restart of gelled waxy crude oil
Authors: Bao Youquan , Zhang Jinjun , Wang Xinyi , Liu Wenwen
Published: August 2016

Pre-shear can reduce the structural strength of gelled oil and the minimum pressure difference required for successful pipeline restart.
Three-dimensional morphology of the interface between micro porous layer and catalyst layer in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
Authors: Zielke L. , Vierrath S. , Moroni R. , Mondon A. , Zengerle R. , Thiele S.
Published: August 2016

FIB/SEM tomography and ALD infiltration are combined to analyse the interface between MPL and CL in a PEM fuel cell.
Effect of electronic coupling on the electrocatalytic performance of platinum metal
Authors: Feng Yan , Wang Caixia , Ye Feng , Liu Hui , Yang Jun
Published: August 2016

The relationship between the electronic coupling effect and electrocatalytic property of platinum metal was investigated through a core–shell construction.
Direct determination of total mercury in urine samples using flow injection catalytic cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-CCV-AAS)
Authors: Sabouri A. , Nouroozi S.
Published: August 2016

A rapid flow injection catalytic cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometric (FI-CCV-AAS) method is described for determination of total mercury in urine samples.
Do defects enhance fluorination of graphene?
Authors: Costa S. D. , Weis J. Ek , Frank O. , Fridrichová M. , Bastl Z. , Kalbac M.
Published: August 2016

Graphene reactivity can be modulated by creating intentional defects.
Adsorption behavior and mechanism of heavy metal ions by chicken feather protein-based semi-interpenetrating polymer networks super absorbent resin
Authors: Kong Wenjia , Li Qian , Liu Jia , Li Xiaodi , Zhao Liwei , Su Yuan , Yue Qinyan , Gao Baoyu
Published: August 2016

Preparation and metal ions adsorption of CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPN super absorbent resin.
Stable solar-driven water splitting by anodic ZnO nanotubular semiconducting photoanodes
Authors: Faid Alaa Y. , Allam Nageh K.
Published: August 2016

The development of high performance artificial photosynthetic devices, to store solar energy in chemical bonds, requires the existence of stable light-absorbing electrodes for both the oxidative and reductive half-reactions.