bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of Chaenomeles thibetica extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced damage via the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Ma Bingxin , Wang Jing , Tong Jing , Zhou Gao , Chen Yuxin , He Jingsheng , Wang Youwei
Published: February 2016

Chaenomeles thibetica extract possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced damage via the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.
An on-chip microfluidic pressure regulator that facilitates reproducible loading of cells and hydrogels into microphysiological system platforms
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Phan Duc T. T. , Zhao Da , George Steven C. , Hughes Christopher C. W. , Lee Abraham P.
Published: February 2016

An on-chip microfluidic pressure regulator design facilitates reproducible hydrogel loading into microphysiological platforms while maintaining well-controlled and non-bursting gel interfaces.
Progress in the development of small molecules as new human A3 adenosine receptor ligands based on the 3-thiophenylcoumarin core
Authors: Matos M. J. , Vilar S. , Kachler S. , Vazquez-Rodriguez S. , Varela C. , Delogu G. , Hripcsak G. , Santana L. , Uriarte E. , Klotz K.-N. , Borges F.
Published: February 2016

3-Thiophenylcoumarins are described as adenosine receptor ligands. Synthesis, in vitro pharmacological assays and docking studies were performed.
Space and time-resolved probing of heterogeneous catalysis reactions using lab-on-a-chip
Authors: Navin Chelliah V. , Krishna Katla Sai , Theegala Chandra S. , Kumar Challa S. S. R.
Published: February 2016

Probing catalytic reactions on a catalyst surface in real time using continuous flow reactors.
An acid/base responsive side-chain polyrotaxane system with a fluorescent signal
Authors: Cao Zhan-Qi , Luan Zhou-Lin , Zhang Qi , Gu Rui-Rui , Ren Jun , Qu Da-Hui
Published: February 2016

A side-chain polyrotaxane system can generate a remarkable fluorescent signal change in response to acid/base stimuli.
A structure guided drug-discovery approach towards identification of Plasmodium inhibitors
Authors: Aneja Babita , Kumar Bhumika , Jairajpuri Mohamad Aman , Abid Mohammad
Published: February 2016

This article provides a comprehensive review of inhibitors from natural, semisynthetic or synthetic sources against key targets ofPlasmodium falciparum.
An experimental and theoretical approach on the kinetics and mechanism for the formation of a four-membered (S, S) chelated Pt(ii) complex
Authors: Reddy B. Venkata P. , Mukherjee Subhajit , Mitra Ishani , Misra Koyel , Sengupta Partha Sarathi , Linert Wolfgang , Bose K J. C. , Ghosh Goutam Kr. , Moi Sankar Ch.
Published: February 2016

A biomolecular substitution reaction on a Pt(ii) complex by a dithiocarbamate derivative has been studied experimentally and theoretically, and the resultant product complex is a four-membered (S, S) chelate possessing cytotoxic properties.
In vitro antileishmanial activity of aza-scorpiand macrocycles. Inhibition of the antioxidant enzyme iron superoxide dismutase
Authors: Marín Clotilde , Inclán Mario , Ramírez-Macías Inmaculada , Albelda M. Teresa , Cañas Rocio , Clares Ma Paz , González-García Jorge , Rosales Maria Jose , Urbanova Kristina , García-España Enrique , Sánchez-Moreno Manuel
Published: February 2016

Aza-scorpiand-like macrocycles candidates for the development of affordable anti-leishmanicidal agents.
Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of natural organic matter with goethite, cerium oxide and magnesium oxide
Authors: Wang Qun , Yang Zhichao , Chai Bin , Cheng Shuang , Lu Xiaohui , Bai Xiaofeng
Published: February 2016

Synthetic goethite (FeOOH), magnesium oxide (MgO), and cerium oxide (CeO2) were used as catalysts to enhance the ozonation of filtered raw river water.
Metallic glass formation in Cu–Ni–Ti (Zr, Hf) systems studied by thermodynamic calculations
Authors: Wang Y. Y. , Wang Q. , Li J. H. , Liu B. X.
Published: February 2016

The glass formation regions for the family of Cu–Ni–Ti (Zr, Hf) systems have been calculated. The composition dependence of the glass forming ability was predicted and discussed in terms of the mixing enthalpy and atomic size effect.
Production of renewable aviation fuel range alkanes from algae oil
Authors: Bala Dharshini D. , Chidambaram Dev
Published: February 2016

Jet fuels produced from sources other than petroleum are receiving considerable attention since they offer the potential to diversify energy supplies while mitigating the net environmental impact of aviation.
LC-ESI-TOF-MS-based metabolomic analysis of ginsenoside Rd-induced anaphylactoid reaction in mice
Authors: Lu Xiaoyan , Lian Xueping , zheng Jie , Ai Ni , Ji Cai , Hao Cui , Fan Xiaohui
Published: February 2016

A ginsenoside Rd-induced anaphylactoid reaction in mice was investigated by LC-ESI-TOF-MS-based metabolomic analysis as well as general toxicological assessments.
Nanoparticles as transfection agents: a comprehensive study with ten different cell lines
Authors: Neuhaus Bernhard , Tosun Benjamin , Rotan Olga , Frede Annika , Westendorf Astrid M. , Epple Matthias
Published: February 2016

The performance of transfection agents to deliver nucleic acids into cells strongly depends on the cell type.
Facile immobilization of vascular endothelial growth factor on a tannic acid-functionalized plasma-polymerized allylamine coating rich in quinone groups
Authors: Xiong Kaiqin , Qi Pengkai , Yang Ying , Li Xiangyang , Qiu Hua , Li Xin , Shen Ru , Tu Qiufen , Yang Zhilu , Huang Nan
Published: February 2016

Biomolecules like VEGF with thiol or amine groups can easily be covalently immobilized onto a Tannic Acid functional plasma polymerized allylamine surface rich in quinone groups in a mild alkali buffer solution based on Schiff base or Michael addition reactions.
A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for HOCl based on a FRET platform and application in living cells
Authors: Zhang Yan-Ru , Zhao Zhi-Min , Su Le , Miao Jun-Ying , Zhao Bao-Xiang
Published: February 2016

A ratiometric fluorescent probe CRSH based on a FRET platform for detecting HOCl. CRSH showed high selectivity, excellent sensitivity and a fast response toward HOCl.
Aggregation of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles in the presence of heparin: towards highly stable delivery systems
Authors: Pavlovic Marko , Li Li , Dits Francois , Gu Zi , Adok-Sipiczki Monika , Szilagyi Istvan
Published: February 2016

Heparin coating significantly enhanced the colloidal stability of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles.
Bifunctional graphene oxide–cellulose nanofibril aerogel loaded with Fe(iii) for the removal of cationic dye via simultaneous adsorption and Fenton oxidation
Authors: Sajab Mohd Shaiful , Chia Chin Hua , Chan Chi Hoong , Zakaria Sarani , Kaco Hatika , Chook Soon Wei , Chin Siew Xian , Noor An’Amt Mohamed
Published: February 2016

A highly porous cellulose nanofibril aerogel loaded with graphene oxide–iron(iii) nanocomposites was produced and used for the treatment of methylene blue in aqueous solution.
Toxicokinetics and oxidative stress in Tubifex tubifex exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane isomers
Authors: Di Shanshan , Zhang Wenjun , Chen Li , Zhou Zhiqiang , Diao Jinling
Published: February 2016

In this study, Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Tubificida) was exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in an aquatic environment to study the bioaccumulation and elimination of these chemicals, and oxidative stress in this organism.
Hydrolytic stability of end-linked hydrogels from PLGA–PEG–PLGA macromonomers terminated by α,ω-itaconyl groups
Authors: Michlovská L. , Vojtová L. , Humpa O. , Kučerík J. , Žídek J. , Jančář J.
Published: February 2016

Biodegradable amphiphilic PLGA–PEG–PLGA triblock copolymers end-terminated with itaconic acid (ITA) having reactive double bond were end-linked by light and swelled in water. Hydrolytical stability of prepared hydrogels was evaluated.
Novel functionalized pillar[5]arene: synthesis, assembly and application in sequential fluorescent sensing for Fe3+ and F− in aqueous media
Authors: Wei Tai-Bao , Cheng Xiao-Bin , Li Hui , Zheng Feng , Lin Qi , Yao Hong , Zhang You-Ming
Published: February 2016

The synthesis, assembly and applications of novel functionalized pillar[5]arene in the sequential fluorescent sensing of Fe3+ and F− in aqueous media is reported.
A facile one-step route to synthesize the three-layer nanostructure of CuS/RGO/Ni3S2 and its high electrochemical performance
Authors: Wang Kun , Zhao Chongjun , Zhang Zhuomin , Min Shudi , Qian Xiuzhen
Published: February 2016

A three-layer nanostructure of CuS/RGO/Ni3S2 composite was in situ grown on nickel foam through a one-step hydrothermal-assisted process. This special architecture exhibited good supercapacitor electrochemical performance.
Modeling and optimization of a continuous bead milling process for bacterial cell lysis using response surface methodology
Authors: Haque Shafiul , Khan Saif , Wahid Mohd , Mandal Raju K. , Tiwari Dileep , Dar Sajad A. , Paul Debarati , Areeshi Mohammed Y. , Jawed Arshad
Published: February 2016

Schematic representation of the modeling and optimization of continuous bead milling process for efficient bacterial cell lysis.
Rare earth ion doped phosphors for dye-sensitized solar cells applications
Authors: Yao Nannan , Huang Jinzhao , Fu Ke , Deng Xiaolong , Ding Meng , Xu Xijin
Published: February 2016

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted extensive attention as one of the promising alternatives to silicon solar cells.
In situ nanostructure design leading to a high figure of merit in an eco-friendly stable Mg2Si0.30Sn0.70 solid solution
Authors: Yin Kang , Su Xianli , Yan Yonggao , Uher Ctirad , Tang Xinfeng
Published: February 2016

The relationship between the temperature and the composition as well as the microstructure of a Sb-doped Mg2Si0.30Sn0.70 solid solution was systematically studied according to the Mg2Si–Mg2Sn pseudo-binary phase diagram.
Biosorption of cadmium by a lipid extraction residue of lipid-rich microalgae
Authors: Zheng Heshan , Guo Wanqian , Li Shuo , Wu Qinglian , Yin Renli , Feng Xiaochi , Du Juanshan , Ren Nanqi , Chang Jo-Shu
Published: February 2016

The present study investigates the performances and mechanisms of biosorption of cadmium (Cd) ions using a lipid extraction residue from three strains of lipid production microalgae.
A cobalt coordination compound with indole acetic acid for fabrication of a high performance cathode catalyst in fuel cells
Authors: Liu Bin Hong , Dou Li Ting , He Fan , Yang Jun , Li Zhou Peng
Published: February 2016

Construction of coupling site with electrophilic and nucleophilic centers is the key to enhance ORR in acidic electrolyte.
Jacalin-capped silver nanoparticles minimize the dosage use of the anticancer drug, shikonin derivatives, against human chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ayaz Ahmed Khan Behlol , Mahapatra Santanu Kar , Charan Raja Mamilla R. , Subramaniam Shankar , Sengan Megarajan , Rajendran Narendran , Das Sandeep Kumar , Haldar Kuntal , Roy Somenath , Sivasubramanian Aravind , Anbazhagan Veerappan
Published: February 2016

Silver nanoparticles enhance the anticancer efficacy of shikonin derivatives.
Enhanced ferroelectricity/piezoelectricity, bright blue/yellow emission and excellent thermal stability in Ca1−x(LiDy)x/2Bi4Ti4O15 lead-free multifunctional ceramics
Authors: Xiao Ping , Zheng Qiaoji , Tian Mijie , Guo Yongquan , Wu Xiaochun , Xu Chenggang , Lin Dunmin
Published: February 2016

A new lead-free solid solution of Ca1−x(LiDy)x/2Bi4Ti4O15 has been developed and prepared by a conventional solid state reaction method.
Revealing the signature of dipolar interactions in dynamic spectra of polydisperse magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Ivanov Alexey O. , Zverev Vladimir S. , Kantorovich Sofia S.
Published: February 2016

We investigate, via a modified mean field approach, the dynamic magnetic response of a polydisperse dipolar suspension to a weak, linearly polarised, AC field.
Amino acids as highly efficient modulators for single crystals of zirconium and hafnium metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Marshall Ross J. , Hobday Claire L. , Murphie Colin F. , Griffin Sarah L. , Morrison Carole A. , Moggach Stephen A. , Forgan Ross S.
Published: February 2016

Addition of small quantities of amino acids to solvothermal and microwave syntheses of Zr and Hf MOFs drastically improves their crystallinity to the extent that single crystal structures can be obtained.
Can the mechanical activation (polishing) of screen-printed electrodes enhance their electroanalytical response?
Authors: Cumba Loanda R. , Foster Christopher W. , Brownson Dale A. C. , Smith Jamie P. , Iniesta Jesus , Thakur Bhawana , do Carmo Devaney R. , Banks Craig E.
Published: February 2016

The use of mechanical activation (polishing) as a pre-treatment for screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is reported and shown to give rise to an improved electroanalytical response.
Visible-light photoredox catalysis using a macromolecular ruthenium complex: reactivity and recovery by size-exclusion nanofiltration in continuous flow
Authors: Guerra Javier , Cantillo David , Kappe C. Oliver
Published: February 2016

A macromolecular Ru(bpy)32+ based dendrimer can be used as an efficient photoredox catalyst, retrieved from the reaction mixture by organic solvent nanofiltration and reutilized for further reactions.
Discovery of a novel binding pocket for CYP 2C9 inhibitors: crystallography, pharmacophore modelling and inhibitor SAR
Authors: Skerratt Sarah E. , de Groot Marcel J. , Phillips Chris
Published: February 2016

CYP 2C9 co-crystal structures of compound1(green) in binding mode 1 (CYP 2C9 in green) and compound2(yellow) in binding mode 2 (CYP 2C9 in yellow).
An amperometric glucose biosensor based on a MnO2/graphene composite modified electrode
Authors: Liu Yuge , Zhang Xiumei , He Dongning , Ma Feiyue , Fu Qiong , Hu Yun
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a novel composite of graphene/MnO2(GR/MnO2) was successfully synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method.
Rapid composition screening for perovskite photovoltaics via concurrently pumped ultrasonic spray coating
Authors: Tait J. G. , Manghooli S. , Qiu W. , Rakocevic L. , Kootstra L. , Jaysankar M. , Masse de la Huerta C. A. , Paetzold U. W. , Gehlhaar R. , Cheyns D. , Heremans P. , Poortmans J.
Published: February 2016

Concurrently pumped ultrasonic spray coating is implemented for rapid composition screening and in situ bandgap control of perovskite photovoltaics, achieving 15.7% efficiency for devices and 11.7% for modules, and tested under continuous maximum power point tracking.
Multi-responsive nanocomposite hydrogels with high strength and toughness
Authors: Yang Jingli , Liu Shuang , Xiao Ying , Gao Guorong , Sun Yuanna , Guo Qingzhong , Wu Jiangyu , Fu Jun
Published: February 2016

Poly(NIPAM-co-DAC) hydrogels containing thermoresponsive units and positive charges show high mechanical properties and responsiveness to temperature, pH, and ion strength.
Solubilised bright blue-emitting iridium complexes for solution processed OLEDs
Authors: Henwood Adam F. , Bansal Ashu K. , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: February 2016

Combining a sterically bulky, electron-deficient cyclometalating C∧N ligands with an electron rich, highly rigidified N∧N ligand gives an iridium complex, that achieves extraordinarily bright blue emission (ΦPL = 90%; λmax = 459 nm in MeCN) for a cationic iridium complex.
Simple transmit diversity technique for phased array radar
Authors: Babur Galina , Aubry Pascal , Chevalier Francois Le
Published: February 2016

This study presents a simple yet ingenious transmit diversity technique (so‐called hybrid codes) for phased array radar. Its main property is the capability of digital beamforming on transmit just like with a set of orthogonal signals employed by coherent multiple‐input–multiple‐output radar and simplicity (only one waveform has to be generated in time). The performance of the hybrid codes is examined by analysing the transmit ambiguity functions containing beampatterns and range profile for all angular directions of interest.
Postural Changes in Measures of Arterial Stiffness in Hypertensive Subjects on Antihypertensive Drug Therapy: A Prospective, Pilot Study
Authors: Jun Du , Cheong Chin , Sule Ashish
Published: February 2016

Prospective study with a controlled arm to know if there are variations of measures of arterial stiffness with posture in subjects with hypertension on antihypertensive medications.

We studied postural variations of measures of arterial stiffness in 21 subjects with diagnosed hypertension on antihypertensive medications and compared them with 21 normotensive subjects. All subjects underwent pulse-wave analysis on SphygmoCor in the morning between 8 am to 10 am initially in supine and then in sitting position after 3 minutes. Summary measures on demographics, and blood pressure characteristics at sitting and supine positions are obtained. Differences between characteristics at supine and sitting position are compared using nonparametric paired test of Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A value of p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Antihypertensive medications decreased the supine aortic augmentation pressure (AAP) and augmentation index (AI) but not significantly. When subgroups of patients with antihypertensive treatment were analyzed, it was noted that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker group (12) decreased AAP and AI significantly in supine position compared with patients on other antihypertensive medications (9) (p-value 0.034 and 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in other groups of calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, or diuretics. However, in normotensive control arm, there was an increase in AAP and AI in the supine position.

In hypertensive subjects, on antihypertensive, there was reduction in AAP and AI in supine position compared with those of normotensives. The significance of the decrease in AAP and AI in supine position on antihypertensive needs to be studied further.
X-ray topography using the forward transmitted beam under multiple-beam diffraction conditions
Authors: Tsusaka Y. , Takeda S. , Takano H. , Yokoyama K. , Kagoshima Y. , Matsui J.
Published: February 2016

X-ray topographs are taken for a sapphire wafer with the [0001] surface normal, as an example, by forward transmitted synchrotron x-ray beams combined with two-dimensional electronic arrays in the x-ray detector having a spatial resolution of 1 μm. They exhibit no shape deformation and no position shift of the dislocation lines on the topographs. Since the topography is performed under multiple-beam diffraction conditions, the topographic images of a single diffraction (two-wave approximation condition) or plural diffractions (six-wave approximation condition) can be recorded without large specimen position changes. As usual Lang topographs, it is possible to determine the Burgers vector of each dislocation line. Because of high parallelism of the incoming x-rays and linear sensitivity of the electronic arrays to the incident x-rays, the present technique can be used to visualize individual dislocations in single crystals of the dislocation density as high as 1 × 105 cm−2.
On the stability of soliton and hairy black hole solutions of 𝔰𝔲(N) Einstein-Yang-Mills theory with a negative cosmological constant
Authors: Baxter J. Erik , Winstanley Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

We investigate the stability of spherically symmetric, purely magnetic, soliton and black hole solutions of four-dimensional 𝔰𝔲(N) Einstein-Yang-Mills theory with a negative cosmological constant Λ. These solutions are described by N − 1 magnetic gauge field functions ωj. We consider linear, spherically symmetric, perturbations of these solutions. The perturbations decouple into two sectors, known as the sphaleronic and gravitational sectors. For any N, there are no instabilities in the sphaleronic sector if all the magnetic gauge field functions ωj have no zeros and satisfy a set of N − 1 inequalities. In the gravitational sector, we prove that there are solutions which have no instabilities in a neighbourhood of stable embedded 𝔰𝔲(2) solutions, provided the magnitude of the cosmological constant Λ is sufficiently large.
Qualification of a sublimation tool applied to the case of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of In2O3 from In(tmhd)3 as a solid precursor
Authors: Szkutnik P. D. , Angélidès L. , Todorova V. , Jiménez C.
Published: February 2016

A solid delivery system consisting of a source canister, a gas management, and temperature controlled enclosure designed and manufactured by Air Liquide Electronics Systems was tested in the context of gas-phase delivery of the In(tmhd)3 solid precursor. The precursor stream was delivered to a thermal metalorganic chemical vapor deposition reactor to quantify deposition yield under various conditions of carrier gas flow and sublimation temperature. The data collected allowed the determination of characteristic parameters such as the maximum precursor flow rate (18.2 mg min−1 in specified conditions) and the critical mass (defined as the minimum amount of precursor able to attain the maximum flow rate) found to be about 2.4 g, as well as an understanding of the influence of powder distribution inside the canister. Furthermore, this qualification enabled the determination of optimal delivery conditions which allowed for stable and reproducible precursor flow rates over long deposition times (equivalent to more than 47 h of experiment). The resulting In2O3 layers was compared with those elaborated via pulsed liquid injection obtained in the same chemical vapor deposition chamber and under the same deposition conditions.
A load-lock compatible system for in situ electrical resistivity measurements during thin film growth
Authors: Colin J. J. , Diot Y. , Guerin Ph. , Lamongie B. , Berneau F. , Michel A. , Jaouen C. , Abadias G.
Published: February 2016

An experimental setup designed for in situ electrical resistance measurement during thin film growth is described. The custom-built sample holder with a four-point probe arrangement can be loaded into a high-vacuum magnetron sputter-deposition chamber through a load-lock transfer system, allowing measurements on series of samples without venting the main chamber. Electrical contact is ensured with circular copper tracks inserted in a Teflon plate on a mounting holder station inside the deposition chamber. This configuration creates the possibility to measure thickness-dependent electrical resistance changes with sub-monolayer resolution and is compatible with use of sample rotation during growth. Examples are presented for metallic films with high adatom mobility growing in a Volmer-Weber mode (Ag and Pd) as well as for refractory metal (Mo) with low adatom mobility. Evidence for an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition at a film thickness of 2.6 nm is reported during growth of Mo on an amorphous Si underlayer, supporting previous findings based on in situ wafer curvature measurements.
Development of a new direct liquid injection system for nanoparticle deposition by chemical vapor deposition using nanoparticle solutions
Authors: Vervaele Mattias , De Roo Bert , Deschaume Olivier , Rajala Markku , Guillon Herve , Sousa Marilyne , Bartic Carmen , Van Haesendonck Chris , Seo Jin Won , Locquet Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2016

Nanoparticles of different materials are already in use for many applications. In some applications, these nanoparticles need to be deposited on a substrate in a fast and reproducible way. We have developed a new direct liquid injection system for nanoparticle deposition by chemical vapor deposition using a liquid nanoparticle precursor. The system was designed to deposit nanoparticles in a controlled and reproducible way by using two direct liquid injectors to deliver nanoparticles to the system. The nanoparticle solution is first evaporated and then the nanoparticles flow onto a substrate inside the vacuum chamber. To allow injection and evaporation of the liquid, a direct liquid injection and vaporization system are mounted on top of the process chamber. The deposition of the nanoparticles is controlled by parameters such as deposition temperature, partial pressure of the gases, and flow rate of the nanoparticle suspension. The concentration of the deposited nanoparticles can be varied simply by changing the flow rate and deposition time. We demonstrate the capabilities of this system using gold nanoparticles. The selected suspension flow rates were varied between 0.25 and 1 g/min. AFM analysis of the deposited samples showed that the aggregation of gold nanoparticles is well controlled by the flow and deposition parameters.
Collisional effects on the numerical recurrence in Vlasov-Poisson simulations
Authors: Pezzi Oreste , Camporeale Enrico , Valentini Francesco
Published: February 2016

The initial state recurrence in numerical simulations of the Vlasov-Poisson system is a well-known phenomenon. Here, we study the effect on recurrence of artificial collisions modeled through the Lenard-Bernstein operator [A. Lenard and I. B. Bernstein, Phys. Rev. 112, 1456–1459 (1958)]. By decomposing the linear Vlasov-Poisson system in the Fourier-Hermite space, the recurrence problem is investigated in the linear regime of the damping of a Langmuir wave and of the onset of the bump-on-tail instability. The analysis is then confirmed and extended to the nonlinear regime through an Eulerian collisional Vlasov-Poisson code. It is found that, despite being routinely used, an artificial collisionality is not a viable way of preventing recurrence in numerical simulations without compromising the kinetic nature of the solution. Moreover, it is shown how numerical effects associated to the generation of fine velocity scales can modify the physical features of the system evolution even in nonlinear regime. This means that filamentation-like phenomena, usually associated with low amplitude fluctuations contexts, can play a role even in nonlinear regime.
Green’s functions and energy eigenvalues for delta-perturbed space-fractional quantum systems
Authors: Nayga M. M. , Esguerra J. P.
Published: February 2016

Starting from the propagator, we introduced a time-ordered perturbation expansion and employed Wick rotation to obtain a general energy-dependent Green’s function expressions for space-fractional quantum systems with Dirac delta-function perturbation. We then obtained the Green’s functions and equations for the bound state energies for the space-fractional Schrödinger equation with single and double Dirac delta well potentials and the delta-perturbed infinite well.
Hollow structure formation of intense ion beams with sharp edge in background plasmas
Authors: Hu Zhang-Hu , Wang You-Nian
Published: February 2016

The transport of intense ion beams with sharp radial beam edge in plasmas has been studied with two-dimensional electromagnetic particle simulations. The initial solid beam evolves into a hollow beam due to the nonlinear sharp transverse force peak in the regions of beam edge. The magnitude and nonlinearity of this peak are enhanced as the ion beam travels further into the plasma, due to the self-consistent interactions between the beam ions and the plasma electrons. This structure formation is shown to be independent on the beam radius.
Onsite synthesis of thermally percolated nanocomposite for thermal interface material
Authors: Obori Masanao , Nita Satoshi , Miura Asuka , Shiomi Junichiro
Published: February 2016

To solve the problem of lack of thermal percolation in thermal interface materials (TIM), we propose a two-step synthesis method to realize thermally percolated nanofiber network in polymer matrix. First, by packing vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) on top of aluminum heat sink and integrally sintering the whole material, the aluminum partially melts and connects the VGCF network, forming a continuous thermal path, i.e., realizing thermal percolation. Second, the pores in the hybrid network are filled by Silicone oil to obtain a polymer nanocomposite. The direct synthesis of VGCF-aluminum network on the heat sink (onsite synthesis) omits pasting process of the TIM, and thus, removes the restriction on the network morphology. By this onsite synthesis method, we reinforce thermal contact not only between the nanofibers but also between nanofibers and the heat sink. By testing the developed TIM for thermal contact to silicon surface, we demonstrate the potential to significantly reduce thermal contact resistance from what can be achieved by a conventional TIM.
Spectrum and phase mapping across the epitaxial γ-Al2O3/SrTiO3 interface
Authors: Lu Sirong , Kormondy Kristy J. , Ngo Thong Q. , Aoki Toshihiro , Posadas Agham , Ekerdt John G. , Demkov Alexander A. , McCartney Martha R. , Smith David J.
Published: February 2016

Epitaxial heterostructures of γ−Al2O3/SrTiO3, grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular beam epitaxy, have been characterized by advanced electron microscopy techniques, including aberration-corrected negative-Cs imaging, electron-energy-loss near-edge fine-structure analysis, and off-axis electron holography. Analysis of two-dimensional spectrum maps from samples that previously showed highly conductive interfacial layers revealed partial reduction of the Ti oxidation state in the SrTiO3 layer from Ti4+ to Ti3+, which was confined to within ∼1–2 unit cells of the interface. Electron holography of an ALD-grown sample revealed a phase profile within the SrTiO3 layer that rose sharply over a distance of about 1 nm moving away from the interface. Taken together, these results suggest a strong connection between reduction of oxidation state, which could be caused by oxygen vacancies and the quasi-two-dimensional electron gas present at the γ−Al2O3/SrTiO3 interface.
Chaotic state to self-organized critical state transition of serrated flow dynamics during brittle-to-ductile transition in metallic glass
Authors: Wang C. , Sun B. A. , Wang W. H. , Bai H. Y.
Published: February 2016

We study serrated flow dynamics during brittle-to-ductile transition induced by tuning the sample aspect ratio in a Zr-based metallic glass. The statistical analysis reveals that the serrated flow dynamics transforms from a chaotic state characterized by Gaussian-distribution serrations corresponding to stick-slip motion of randomly generated and uncorrelated single shear band and brittle behavior, into a self-organized critical state featured by intermittent scale-free distribution of shear avalanches corresponding to a collective motion of multiple shear bands and ductile behavior. The correlation found between serrated flow dynamics and plastic deformation might shed light on the plastic deformation dynamic and mechanism in metallic glasses.
Identification of amino acid networks governing catalysis in the closed complex of class I terpene synthases
Authors: Schrepfer Patrick , Buettner Alexander , Goerner Christian , Hertel Michael , van Rijn Jeaphianne , Wallrapp Frank , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Sieber Volker , Kourist Robert , Brück Thomas
Published: February 2016

Significance

Class I terpene synthases are essential in biosynthesis of bioactive terpenoids (e.g., Taxol). Identification of structure–function correlations is hampered by highly dynamic carbocation-driven reactions and the limited availability of catalytically relevant crystal structures. We provide the closed, catalytically active conformations of taxadiene synthase (TXS) and various taxonomically unrelated class I terpene synthases in complex with their catalytically relevant carbocationic intermediates. Our methodology allows direct prediction and validation of universal structural features that govern the highly dynamic catalytic processes of class I terpene synthases. Our data enabled delineation of a discrete reaction pathway for TXS and allowed targeted enzyme engineering to generate alternate macrocyclic core structures, which can act as synthons for bioactive lead structures.
RNase P protein subunit Rpp29 represses histone H3.3 nucleosome deposition
Authors: Newhart Alyshia , Powers Sara Lawrence , Shastrula Prashanth Krishna , Sierra Isabel , Joo Lucy M. , Hayden James E. , Cohen Andrew R. , Janicki Susan M.
Published: February 2016

In mammals, histone H3.3 is a critical regulator of transcription state change and heritability at both euchromatin and heterochromatin. The H3.3-specific chaperone, DAXX, together with the chromatin-remodeling factor, ATRX, regulates H3.3 deposition and transcriptional silencing at repetitive DNA, including pericentromeres and telomeres. However, the events that precede H3.3 nucleosome incorporation have not been fully elucidated. We previously showed that the DAXX-ATRX-H3.3 pathway regulates a multi-copy array of an inducible transgene that can be visualized in single living cells. When this pathway is impaired, the array can be robustly activated. H3.3 is strongly recruited to the site during activation where it accumulates in a complex with transcribed sense and antisense RNA, which is distinct from the DNA/chromatin. This suggests that transcriptional events regulate H3.3 recruited to its incorporation sites. Here we report that the nucleolar RNA proteins Rpp29, fibrillarin, and RPL23a are also components of this H3.3/RNA complex. Rpp29 is a protein subunit of RNase P. Of the other subunits, POP1 and Rpp21 are similarly recruited suggesting that a variant of RNase P regulates H3.3 chromatin assembly. Rpp29 knockdown increases H3.3 chromatin incorporation, which suggests that Rpp29 represses H3.3 nucleosome deposition, a finding with implications for epigenetic regulation.
Clathrin binding by the adaptor Ent5 promotes late stages of clathrin coat maturation
Authors: Hung Chao-Wei , Duncan Mara C.
Published: February 2016

Clathrin is a ubiquitous protein that mediates membrane traffic at many locations. To function, clathrin requires clathrin adaptors that link it to transmembrane protein cargo. In addition to this cargo selection function, many adaptors also play mechanistic roles in the formation of the transport carrier. However, the full spectrum of these mechanistic roles is poorly understood. Here we report that Ent5, an endosomal clathrin adaptor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, regulates the behavior of clathrin coats after the recruitment of clathrin. We show that loss of Ent5 disrupts clathrin-dependent traffic and prolongs the lifespan of endosomal structures that contain clathrin and other adaptors, suggesting a defect in coat maturation at a late stage. We find that the direct binding of Ent5 with clathrin is required for its role in coat behavior and cargo traffic. Surprisingly, the interaction of Ent5 with other adaptors is dispensable for coat behavior but not cargo traffic. These findings support a model in which Ent5 clathrin binding performs a mechanistic role in coat maturation, whereas Ent5 adaptor binding promotes cargo incorporation.
Protection of scaffold protein Isu from degradation by the Lon protease Pim1 as a component of Fe–S cluster biogenesis regulation
Authors: Ciesielski Szymon J. , Schilke Brenda , Marszalek Jaroslaw , Craig Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2016

Iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters, essential protein cofactors, are assembled on the mitochondrial scaffold protein Isu and then transferred to recipient proteins via a multistep process in which Isu interacts sequentially with multiple protein factors. This pathway is in part regulated posttranslationally by modulation of the degradation of Isu, whose abundance increases >10-fold upon perturbation of the biogenesis process. We tested a model in which direct interaction with protein partners protects Isu from degradation by the mitochondrial Lon-type protease. Using purified components, we demonstrated that Isu is indeed a substrate of the Lon-type protease and that it is protected from degradation by Nfs1, the sulfur donor for Fe–S cluster assembly, as well as by Jac1, the J-protein Hsp70 cochaperone that functions in cluster transfer from Isu. Nfs1 and Jac1 variants known to be defective in interaction with Isu were also defective in protecting Isu from degradation. Furthermore, overproduction of Jac1 protected Isu from degradation in vivo, as did Nfs1. Taken together, our results lead to a model of dynamic interplay between a protease and protein factors throughout the Fe–S cluster assembly and transfer process, leading to up-regulation of Isu levels under conditions when Fe–S cluster biogenesis does not meet cellular demands.
Microbiological Contamination of Drugs during Their Administration for Anesthesia in the Operating Room
Authors: Gargiulo Derryn A. , Mitchell Simon J. , Sheridan Janie , Short Timothy G. , Swift Simon , Torrie Jane , Webster Craig S. , Merry Alan F.
Published: February 2016

AbstractAbstract

Anesthesiologists were asked to make bolus injections of all drugs, except propofol and antibiotics, through a 0.2-μm filter in a prospective, open, microbiological audit of 300 cases. Microorganisms with the potential to cause infections were isolated from the 0.2-μm filters of 19 (6.3%) of the 300 cases.

Background

The aseptic techniques of anesthesiologists in the preparation and administration of injected medications have not been extensively investigated, but emerging data demonstrate that inadvertent lapses in aseptic technique may be an important contributor to surgical site and other postoperative infections.

Methods

A prospective, open, microbiological audit of 303 cases in which anesthesiologists were asked to inject all bolus drugs, except propofol and antibiotics, through a 0.2-µm filter was performed. The authors cultured microorganisms, if present, from the 0.2-µm filter unit and from the residual contents of the syringes used for drawing up or administering drugs. Participating anesthesiologists rated ease of use of the filters after each case.

Results

Twenty-three anesthesiologists each anesthetized up to 25 adult patients. The authors isolated microorganisms from filter units in 19 (6.3%) of 300 cases (3 cases were excluded), including Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Micrococcus luteus/lylae, Corynebacterium, and Bacillus species. The authors collected used syringes at the end of each case and grew microorganisms from residual drug in 55 of these 2,318 (2.4%) syringes including all the aforementioned microorganisms and also Kocuria kristinae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus hominus. Participants’ average rating of ease of use of the filter units was 3.5 out of 10 (0 being very easy and 10 being very difficult).

Conclusions

Microorganisms with the potential to cause infection are being injected (presumably inadvertently) into some patients during the administration of intravenous drugs by bolus during anesthesia. The relevance of this finding to postoperative infections warrants further investigation.
Intralymphatic Proliferation of T-cell Lymphoid Blasts in the Setting of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Calamaro Paola , Cerroni Lorenzo
Published: February 2016

Intralymphatic proliferation of T-cell lymphoid blasts (IPTCLBs) is a rare, recently described entity, associated with cutaneous inflammatory conditions and characterized by intralymphatic proliferation of highly proliferating, blastoid T lymphocytes expressing CD30, thus mimicking an intravascular lymphoma. In all reported cases, the intralymphatic proliferation was associated with an underlying inflammatory condition, with no clonal T-cell receptor rearrangement, no signs of systemic or cutaneous lymphoma, and excellent prognosis. The authors present a new case of IPTCLB arising in a patient with hidradenitis suppurativa. Histological examination revealed a dilated follicle embedded within a fibrotic stroma surrounded by a dense lymphoid infiltrate characterized by the presence of dilated small vessels filled with atypical medium-to-large sized blastoid lymphocytes expressing a CD4+ T phenotype. There was also expression of CD30, but negativity for cytotoxic markers and Epstein-Barr virus. The proliferation index was high and the vessels showed expression of D2-40, confirming their lymphatic nature. No signs of systemic lymphoma could be detected after routine investigations, and the patient is alive and in good general health. IPTCLB is a rare benign entity that presents with worrying, potentially misleading histopathological features that mimic those observed in intravascular lymphoma. Careful histological and phenotypic investigations and correlation with the clinical features are necessary for a proper diagnosis.
Providing Guidance for Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis Who are Candidates for Biologic Therapy
Authors: Aldredge Lakshi M. , Young Melodie S.
Published: February 2016

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by itchy, scaly, and often painful plaques in the skin. Psoriasis can have significant psychosocial burdens and increased risks for numerous comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, particularly in patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Dermatology nurse practitioners and physician assistants are an important part of the healthcare team, contributing to all aspects of psoriasis management. This review reinforces the unique aspects of care that nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide to patients with psoriasis, such as facilitating conversations about managing disease, setting appropriate expectations, and considering treatment options, including when treatment response or tolerability is suboptimal. The importance of relationship building is stressed. Patient management topics discussed include helpful tips about assessing treatment options, initiating biologic therapy, optimizing patient adherence, and managing comorbidities. Also reviewed are how to deal with common barriers including lack of knowledge about psoriasis or making healthy lifestyle changes, fear of injections or side effect risks, lack of health insurance, and concerns about treatment costs. Overall, by forming meaningful relationships and engaging patients in their psoriasis care, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can help to optimize clinical efficacy outcomes and consistently manage moderate-to-severe psoriasis and its comorbidities over the patient’s life course.
Reducing Pediatric Readmissions
Authors: Shermont Herminia , Pignataro Shelly , Humphrey Kate , Bukoye Bolanle
Published: February 2016

The authors describe a quality improvement initiative aimed at decreasing unplanned 7- and 30-day readmission rates in an urban, pediatric, tertiary care hospital. A stepwise approach was used to disseminate the pilot initiative across 16 inpatient units. Use of a teach-back methodology combined with a discharge bundle resulted in an 8% reduction in 7-day readmission and 10% reduction in 30-day readmission over 16 months.
Fine-scale human population structure in southern Africa reflects ecological boundaries
Authors: Uren Caitlin , Kim Minju , Martin Alicia R , Bobo Dean , Gignoux Christopher R , van Helden Paul D , Möller Marlo , Hoal Eileen G , Henn Brenna M
Published: February 2016

Recent genetic studies have established that the KhoeSan populations of southern Africa are distinct from all other African populations and have remained largely isolated during human prehistory until about 2,000 years ago. Dozens of different KhoeSan groups exist, belonging to three different language families, but very little is known about population history within southern Africa. We examine new genome-wide polymorphism data and whole mitochondrial genomes for more than one hundred South Africans from the ≠Khomani San and Nama populations of the Northern Cape, analyzed in conjunction with 19 additional southern African populations. Our analyses reveal fine-scale population structure in and around the Kalahari Desert. Surprisingly, this structure does not always correspond to linguistic or subsistence categories as previously suggested, but rather reflects the role of geographic barriers and the ecology of the greater Kalahari Basin. Regardless of subsistence strategy, the indigenous Khoe-speaking Nama pastoralists and the N|u-speaking ≠Khomani (formerly hunter-gatherers) share recent ancestry with other Khoe-speaking forager populations that forms a rim around the Kalahari Desert. We reconstruct earlier migration patterns and estimate that the southern Kalahari populations were among the last to experience gene flow from Bantu-speakers, approximately 14 generations ago. We conclude that local adoption of pastoralism, at least by the Nama, appears to have been primarily a cultural process with limited impact from eastern African genetic diffusion.
Signal and Specificity of Protein Ubiquitination for Proteasomal Degradation
Authors: Yin Yandong , Yang Jin
Published: February 2016

The eukaryotic ubiquitin system regulates essential cell events such as DNA repair, protein homeostasis, and signal transduction. Like many biochemical processes, ubiquitination must ensure signaling efficiency and in the meantime maintain substrate specificity. We examine this signal-specificity relationship by theoretical models of polyubiquitinations that tag proteins for the proteasomal degradation. Parsimonious models provide explicit formulas to key measurable quantities and offer guiding insights into the signal-specificity tradeoffs under varying structures and kinetics. Models with measured kinetics from two primary cell-cycle ligases (SCF and APC) explain mechanisms of chain initiation, elongation slowdown, chain-length dependence of E3-substrate affinity, and deubiquitinases. We find that substrate discrimination over ubiquitin transfer rates is consistently more efficient than over substrate-E3 ligase binding energy, regardless of circuit structure, parameter value, and dynamics. E3-associated substrate deubiquitination increases the discrimination over the former and in the meantime decreases the latter, further widening their difference. Both discrimination strategies might be simultaneously explored by an E3 system to effectively proofread substrates as we demonstrated by analyzing experimental data from the CD4-Vpu-SCF system. We also identify that sequential deubiquitination circuit may act as a specificity switch, by which a modest change in deubiquitination and/or processivity can greatly increase substrate discrimination without much compromise in degradation signal. This property may be utilized as a gatekeeper mechanism to direct a temporal polyubiquitination and thus degradation order of substrates with small biochemical differences.
Real time selective sequencing using nanopore technology
Authors: Loose Matthew , Malla Sunir , Stout Michael
Published: February 2016

The Oxford Nanopore MinION is a portable real time sequencing device which functions by sensing the change in current flow through a nanopore as DNA passes through it. These current values can be streamed in real time from individual nanopores as DNA molecules traverse them. Furthermore, the technology enables individual DNA molecules to be rejected on demand by reversing the voltage across specific channels. In theory, combining these features enables selection of individual DNA molecules for sequencing from a pool, an approach called ‘Read Until’. Here we apply dynamic time warping to match short query current traces to references, demonstrating selection of specific regions of small genomes, individual amplicons from a group of targets, or normalisation of amplicons in a set. This is the first demonstration of direct selection of specific DNA molecules in real time whilst sequencing on any device and enables many novel uses for the MinION.