bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivic invariants of real polynomial functions and their Newton polyhedrons
Authors: FICHOU GOULWEN , FUKUI TOSHIZUMI
Published: November 2015

We give an expression of the motivic zeta function for a real polynomial function in terms of the Newton polyhedron of the function. As a consequence, we show that the weights are determined by the motivic zeta function for convenient weighted homogeneous polynomials in three variables. We apply this result to the blow-Nash equivalence.
The finite intersection principle and genericity
Authors: DIAMONDSTONE DAVID , DOWNEY ROD , GREENBERG NOAM , TURETSKY DAN
Published: November 2015

We show that a Δ02 Turing degree computes solutions to all computable instances of the finite intersection principle if and only if it computes a 1-generic degree. We also investigate finite and infinite variants of the principle.
Mental illness stigma, secrecy and suicidal ideation
Authors: Oexle N. , Ajdacic-Gross V. , Kilian R. , Müller M. , Rodgers S. , Xu Z. , Rössler W. , Rüsch N.
Published: November 2015

Aims.

Whether the public stigma associated with mental illness negatively affects an individual, largely depends on whether the person has been labelled ‘mentally ill’. For labelled individuals concealing mental illness is a common strategy to cope with mental illness stigma, despite secrecy's potential negative consequences. In addition, initial evidence points to a link between stigma and suicidality, but quantitative data from community samples are lacking.

Methods.

Based on previous literature about mental illness stigma and suicidality, as well as about the potential influence of labelling processes and secrecy, a theory-driven model linking perceived mental illness stigma and suicidal ideation by a mediation of secrecy and hopelessness was established. This model was tested separately among labelled and unlabelled persons using data derived from a Swiss cross-sectional population-based study. A large community sample of people with elevated psychiatric symptoms was examined by interviews and self-report, collecting information on perceived stigma, secrecy, hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Participants who had ever used mental health services were considered as labelled ‘mentally ill’. A descriptive analysis, stratified logistic regression models and a path analysis testing a three-path mediation effect were conducted.

Results.

While no significant differences between labelled and unlabelled participants were observed regarding perceived stigma and secrecy, labelled individuals reported significantly higher frequencies of suicidal ideation and feelings of hopelessness. More perceived stigma was associated with suicidal ideation among labelled, but not among unlabelled individuals. In the path analysis, this link was mediated by increased secrecy and hopelessness.

Conclusions.

Results from this study indicate that among persons labelled ‘mentally ill’, mental illness stigma is a contributor to suicidal ideation. One explanation for this association is the relation perceived stigma has with secrecy, which introduces negative emotional consequences. If our findings are replicated, they would suggest that programmes empowering people in treatment for mental illness to cope with anticipated and experienced discrimination as well as interventions to reduce public stigma within society could improve suicide prevention.
“Why don't you think of Malaysia?” - Narratives on Educational Migration, Emotions, and Social Capital among Transnational Students
Authors: Carlson Marie , Jacobsson Bengt
Published: November 2015

This contribution is about a female transnational student from Turkey, Hafize, studying for four years at an Islamic Malaysian university. She was interviewed during the research project “Transnational Student Mobility in Higher Education in Asia”, a multi-sited ethnographic project containing six sub-studies aiming to illuminate student voices and the impact of cultural processes on student-inhabited transnational spaces, identity negotiations, and networks. Through a bottom-up perspective, and with life story as the principal method, the project illustrates processes of social change and relations between the individual and society. Questions are posed about,inter alia, the motivations and reasons that may be identified in the educational stories. Hafize's narrative is discussed as a relational and contextual story, in which family relations and the significance of education, gender, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic and political situations intersect. Education is given different meanings: instrumental and reflexive as well as emotional aspects. Turning points and the concept of capital, especially social and emotional capital, are addressed. Hafize's family of eight siblings is deeply involved in serial reciprocity, a tightly bonded network supporting all the children in their efforts to study. Hafize's story is substantially gendered and ‘ethnified’ – a reflexive emotional identity project, in which education and religion are given high priority. In Turkey secularist legislation was an obstacle. The studies abroad provided possibilities for self-development but tempered with some limitations.
U.S. Climate Change Negotiator Says Time Is Right for a Deal
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: November 2015

With the United Nations climate change conference imminent, the U.S. special envoy for climate change optimistically outlined what sort of agreement could drive the transition to a low-carbon world.
Cytosolic phospholipase A2 regulates alcohol-mediated astrocyte inflammatory responses in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Pandey R , Ghorpade A
Published: November 2015

Alcohol (EtOH) abuse and HIV-1 infection remain leading public health problems not only in the United States but also across the world. Alcohol abusers have a significantly greater risk of HIV-1 infection than non-drinkers globally. In the United States, prevalence of EtOH abuse is over two-fold higher in HIV-1-positive individuals than that of the general population. Although alcohol abusers show neurodegeneration, exacerbated neuroinflammation and oxidative damage, the mechanism(s) by which EtOH regulates astrocyte inflammatory responses in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is unknown. Thus, we explored signaling pathway(s) involved in EtOH-mediated activation of human astrocytes with HIV-1 and subsequent alterations in their inflammatory functions. Alcohol exposure altered the morphology of astrocytes, proinflammatory responses and induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Time-dependent changes were also evaluated. EtOH and HIV-1 cotreatment decreased cell viability and proliferation, while increasing apoptosis and mitochondrial depolarization. EtOH and HIV-1 together increased the levels of proinflammatory molecules, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, CXCL8, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and more importantly, arachidonic acid, a known downstream target of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). Consistent with this observation, phospho-cPLA2 levels were augmented in HIV-1 and EtOH cotreatment as compared with HIV-1 or EtOH alone. Cyclooxygenase 2 was upregulated as measured by real-time PCR and western blot, whereas cotreatment of HIV-1 and EtOH decreased cytochrome P450-2E1 levels as compared with EtOH alone. Furthermore, we confirmed that blocking cPLA2 with arachidonyl tri floro methyl ketone, a cPLA2-specific inhibitor, effectively prevented cPLA2 phosphorylation and downstream outcomes. Thus, the present findings suggest that cPLA2 has a critical role in alcohol and HIV-induced astrocyte inflammation. In the future, cPLA2 inhibitors may present novel therapeutic tools to treat alcohol abuse and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder comorbidity.
Clonal expansion under the microscope: studying lymphocyte activation and differentiation using live‐cell imaging
Authors: Polonsky Michal , Chain Benjamin , Friedman Nir
Published: November 2015

Clonal expansion of lymphocytes is a hallmark of vertebrate adaptive immunity. A small number of precursor cells that recognize a specific antigen proliferate into expanded clones, differentiate and acquire various effector and memory phenotypes, which promote effective immune responses. Recent studies establish a large degree of heterogeneity in the level of expansion and in cell state between and within expanding clones. Studying these processes in vivo, while providing insightful information on the level of heterogeneity, is challenging due to the complex microenvironment and the inability to continuously track individual cells over extended periods of time. Live cell imaging of ex vivo cultures within micro fabricated arrays provides an attractive methodology for studying clonal expansion. These experiments facilitate continuous acquisition of a large number of parameters on cell number, proliferation, death and differentiation state, with single‐cell resolution on thousands of expanding clones that grow within controlled environments. Such data can reveal stochastic and instructive mechanisms that contribute to observed heterogeneity and elucidate the sequential order of differentiation events. Intercellular interactions can also be studied within these arrays by following responses of a controlled number of interacting cells, all trapped within the same microwell. Here we describe implementations of live‐cell imaging within microwell arrays for studies of lymphocyte clonal expansion, portray insights already gained from these experiments and outline directions for future research. These tools, together with in vivo experiments tracking single‐cell responses, will expand our understanding of adaptive immunity and the ways by which it can be manipulated.
Enhanced optoelectronic quality of perovskite thin films with hypophosphorous acid for planar heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Zhang Wei , Pathak Sandeep , Sakai Nobuya , Stergiopoulos Thomas , Nayak Pabitra K. , Noel Nakita K. , Haghighirad Amir A. , Burlakov Victor M. , deQuilettes Dane W. , Sadhanala Aditya , Li Wenzhe , Wang Liduo , Ginger David S. , Friend Richard H. , Snaith Henry J.
Published: November 2015

Solution-processed metal halide perovskite semiconductors, such as CH3NH3PbI3, have exhibited remarkable performance in solar cells, despite having non-negligible density of defect states. A likely candidate is halide vacancies within the perovskite crystals, or the presence of metallic lead, both generated due to the imbalanced I/Pb stoichiometry which could evolve during crystallization. Herein, we show that the addition of hypophosphorous acid (HPA) in the precursor solution can significantly improve the film quality, both electronically and topologically, and enhance the photoluminescence intensity, which leads to more efficient and reproducible photovoltaic devices. We demonstrate that the HPA can reduce the oxidized I2back into I−, and our results indicate that this facilitates an improved stoichiometry in the perovskite crystal and a reduced density of metallic lead.
Nitric oxide mediates glial-induced neurodegeneration in Alexander disease
Authors: Wang Liqun , Hagemann Tracy L. , Kalwa Hermann , Michel Thomas , Messing Albee , Feany Mel B.
Published: November 2015

Glia play critical roles in maintaining the structure and function of the nervous system; however, the specific contribution that astroglia make to neurodegeneration in human disease states remains largely undefined. Here we use Alexander disease, a serious degenerative neurological disorder caused by astrocyte dysfunction, to identify glial-derived NO as a signalling molecule triggering astrocyte-mediated neuronal degeneration. We further find that NO acts through cGMP signalling in neurons to promote cell death. Glial cells themselves also degenerate, via the DNA damage response and p53. Our findings thus define a specific mechanism for glial-induced non-cell autonomous neuronal cell death, and identify a potential therapeutic target for reducing cellular toxicity in Alexander disease, and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders with glial dysfunction.
Fractionally charged skyrmions in fractional quantum Hall effect
Authors: Balram Ajit C. , Wurstbauer U. , Wójs A. , Pinczuk A. , Jain J. K.
Published: November 2015

The fractional quantum Hall effect has inspired searches for exotic emergent topological particles, such as fractionally charged excitations, composite fermions, abelian and nonabelian anyons and Majorana fermions. Fractionally charged skyrmions, which support both topological charge and topological vortex-like spin structure, have also been predicted to occur in the vicinity of 1/3 filling of the lowest Landau level. The fractional skyrmions, however, are anticipated to be exceedingly fragile, suppressed by very small Zeeman energies. Here we show that, slightly away from 1/3 filling, the smallest manifestations of the fractional skyrmion exist in the excitation spectrum for a broad range of Zeeman energies, and appear in resonant inelastic light scattering experiments as well-defined resonances slightly below the long wavelength spin wave mode. The spectroscopy of these exotic bound states serves as a sensitive tool for investigating the residual interaction between composite fermions, responsible for delicate new fractional quantum Hall states in this filling factor region.
Silicon nanocrystal growth under irradiation of electron beam
Authors: Huang Wei-Qi , Liu Shi-Rong , Huang Zhong-Mei , Dong Tai-Ge , Wang Gang , Qin Cao-Jian
Published: November 2015

In our experiment, it was observed that silicon nanocrystal rapidly grows with irradiation of electron beam on amorphous silicon film prepared by pulsed laser deposition and shape of silicon nanocrystal is usually sphere in smaller nanoscale with less exposure time under electron beam, in which the quantum dots are prepared in nanoscale near 3 nm. In the electron interaction process, it was investigated that the various crystals structures in different orientations occur in the same time and the condensed structures of silicon nanocrystal are changed with different impurity atoms in silicon film.
Triple-doped KMnF3:Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ nanocubes: four-color upconversion emissions with strong red and near-infrared bands
Authors: Wang Hao , Hong Xiaodong , Han Renlu , Shi Junhui , Liu Zongjun , Liu Shujuan , Wang You , Gan Yang
Published: November 2015

Triple-doped (Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+) KMnF3 nanocubes with uniform sizes of 250 nm were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route using the oleic acid as the capping agent. It was found that these nanocubes can simultaneously exhibited four-color (blue, green, red and NIR) upconversion emissions under a single 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser excitation, which should have potential multicolor in vivo imaging applications. Specifically, the red (660 nm) and NIR (800 nm) peaks, known as two “optical windows” for imaging biological tissues, were strong. The spectral and pump analyses indicated the two-photon processes were responsible for the both red and NIR emissions.
Observation of strongly enhanced photoluminescence from inverted cone-shaped silicon nanostructures
Authors: Schmitt Sebastian W. , Sarau George , Christiansen Silke
Published: November 2015

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) attached to a wafer substrate are converted to inversely tapered silicon nanocones (SiNCs). After excitation with visible light, individual SiNCs show a 200-fold enhanced integral band-to-band luminescence as compared to a straight SiNW reference. Furthermore, the reverse taper is responsible for multifold emission peaks in addition to the relatively broad near-infrared (NIR) luminescence spectrum. A thorough numerical mode analysis reveals that unlike a SiNW the inverted SiNC sustains a multitude of leaky whispering gallery modes. The modes are unique to this geometry and they are characterized by a relatively high quality factor (Q ~ 1300) and a low mode volume (0.2 < (λ/neff)3 < 4). In addition they show a vertical out coupling of the optically excited NIR luminescence with a numerical aperture as low as 0.22. Estimated Purcell factors Fp ∝ Q/Vm of these modes can explain the enhanced luminescence in individual emission peaks as compared to the SiNW reference. Investigating the relation between the SiNC geometry and the mode formation leads to simple design rules that permit to control the number and wavelength of the hosted modes and therefore the luminescent emission peaks.
Onset of frequent dust storms in northern China at ~AD 1100
Authors: He Yuxin , Zhao Cheng , Song Mu , Liu Weiguo , Chen Fahu , Zhang Dian , Liu Zhonghui
Published: November 2015

Dust storms in northern China strongly affect the living and health of people there and the dusts could travel a full circle of the globe in a short time. Historically, more frequent dust storms occurred during cool periods, particularly the Little Ice Age (LIA), generally attributed to the strengthened Siberian High. However, limited by chronological uncertainties in proxy records, this mechanism may not fully reveal the causes of dust storm frequency changes. Here we present a late Holocene dust record from the Qaidam Basin, where hydrological changes were previously reconstructed and examine dust records from northern China, including the ones from historical documents. The records, being broadly consistent, indicate the onset of frequent dust storms at ~AD 1100. Further, peaked dust storm events occurred at episodes of high total solar irradiance or warm-dry conditions in source regions, superimposed on the high background of frequent dust storms within the cool LIA period. We thus suggest that besides strong wind activities, the centennial-scale dust storm events over the last 1000 years appear to be linked to the increased availability of dust source. With the anticipated global warming and deteriorating vegetation coverage, frequent occurrence of dust storms in northern China would be expected to persist.
High nutrient-use efficiency during early seedling growth in diverse Grevillea species (Proteaceae)
Authors: He Tianhua , Fowler William M. , Causley Casey L.
Published: November 2015

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the rich floristic diversity in regions characterised by nutrient-impoverished soils; however, none of these hypotheses have been able to explain the rapid diversification over a relatively short evolutionary time period of Grevillea, an Australian plant genus with 452 recognised species/subspecies and only 11 million years of evolutionary history. Here, we hypothesise that the apparent evolutionary success of Grevillea might have been triggered by the highly efficient use of key nutrients. The nutrient content in the seeds and nutrient-use efficiency during early seedling growth of 12 species of Grevillea were compared with those of 24 species of Hakea, a closely related genus. Compared with Hakea, the Grevillea species achieved similar growth rates (root and shoot length) during the early stages of seedling growth but contained only approximately half of the seed nutrient content. We conclude that the high nutrient-use efficiency observed in Grevillea might have provided a selective advantage in nutrient-poor ecosystems during evolution and that this property likely contributed to the evolutionary success in Grevillea.
Resting-state cerebellar-cerebral networks are differently affected in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients and unaffected siblings
Authors: Guo Wenbin , Liu Feng , Chen Jindong , Wu Renrong , Zhang Zhikun , Yu Miaoyu , Xiao Changqing , Zhao Jingping
Published: November 2015

Dysconnectivity hypothesis posits that schizophrenia is a disorder with dysconnectivity of the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit (CCTCC). However, it remains unclear to the changes of the cerebral connectivity with the cerebellum in schizophrenia patients and unaffected siblings. Forty-nine patients with first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients, 46 unaffected siblings of schizophrenia patients and 46 healthy controls participated in the study. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity approach was employed to analyze the data. Compared with the controls, the patients and the siblings share increased default-mode network (DMN) seed – right Crus II connectivity. The patients have decreased right dorsal attention network (DAN) seed – bilateral cerebellum 4,5 connectivity relative to the controls. By contrast, the siblings exhibit increased FC between the right DAN seed and the right cerebellum 6 and right cerebellum 4,5 compared to the controls. No other abnormal connectivities (executive control network and salience network) are observed in the patients/siblings relative to the controls. There are no correlations between abnormal cerebellar-cerebral connectivities and clinical variables. Cerebellar-cerebral connectivity of brain networks within the cerebellum are differently affected in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients and unaffected siblings. Increased DMN connectivity with the cerebellum may serve as potential endophenotype for schizophrenia.
Sucrose metabolism gene families and their biological functions
Authors: Jiang Shu-Ye , Chi Yun-Hua , Wang Ji-Zhou , Zhou Jun-Xia , Cheng Yan-Song , Zhang Bao-Lan , Ma Ali , Vanitha Jeevanandam , Ramachandran Srinivasan
Published: November 2015

Sucrose, as the main product of photosynthesis, plays crucial roles in plant development. Although studies on general metabolism pathway were well documented, less information is available on the genome-wide identification of these genes, their expansion and evolutionary history as well as their biological functions. We focused on four sucrose metabolism related gene families including sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose phosphate phosphatase and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. These gene families exhibited different expansion and evolutionary history as their host genomes experienced differentiated rates of the whole genome duplication, tandem and segmental duplication, or mobile element mediated gene gain and loss. They were evolutionarily conserved under purifying selection among species and expression divergence played important roles for gene survival after expansion. However, we have detected recent positive selection during intra-species divergence. Overexpression of 15 sorghum genes in Arabidopsis revealed their roles in biomass accumulation, flowering time control, seed germination and response to high salinity and sugar stresses. Our studies uncovered the molecular mechanisms of gene expansion and evolution and also provided new insight into the role of positive selection in intra-species divergence. Overexpression data revealed novel biological functions of these genes in flowering time control and seed germination under normal and stress conditions.
Biocatalysis in Organic Media
Authors: Illanes A.
Published: November 2015

Enzyme biocatalysis has evolved from reactions of molecular cleavage in aqueous medium, catalyzed mostly by hydrolases dissolved in the reaction medium, to reactions of molecular synthesis in mostly non-conventional (non-aqueous) media. The latter have a higher potential added value, so most research efforts in recent decades have been devoted to establishing technological platforms for biocatalysis in organic synthesis. Enzymes are evolved catalysts, tailored to perform under physiological conditions with exquisite chemical precision. This attribute has been exploited for making these catalysts apt to perform under the stringent conditions of organic synthesis. Several strategies of enzyme stabilization and activation have been developed and successfully applied to myriad reactions in organic synthesis of potential industrial interest. The conditions for synthesis usually require the reaction to be performed in non-aqueous systems, so enzyme biocatalysis in non-conventional media has been a subject of major attention. Interestingly, robust and readily available hydrolases can catalyze the reverse reactions of synthesis when performed in low water activity environments, opening up the opportunity for these well-known catalysts to be used in high added value processes for the synthesis of fine-chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other high-value bioactive molecules. Advances, potential and the limitations of biocatalysis in non-conventional systems for organic synthesis are reviewed with special emphasis on organic media and their compliance with green chemistry.
Ester-directed Ru-catalyzed C–O activation/C–C coupling reaction of ortho-methoxy naphthoates with organoboroneopentylates
Authors: Zhao Yigang , Snieckus Victor
Published: November 2015

A new, catalytic and general synthetic methodology for the construction of biaryls and heterobiaryls by the cross-coupling of ortho-methoxy naphthoates with organoboroneopentylates is disclosed.
MoS2 nanodot decorated In2S3 nanoplates: a novel heterojunction with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Liu Fangyang , Jiang Yan , Yang Jia , Hao Mengmeng , Tong Zhengfu , Jiang Liangxing , Wu Zhuangzhi
Published: November 2015

MoS2 nanodot decorated In2S3 nanoplates were successfully synthesized via a modified one-pot method.
Photoelectrochemical evidence of nitrogen incorporation during anodizing sputtering – deposited Al–Ta alloys
Authors: Zaffora A. , Santamaria M. , Di Franco F. , Habazaki H. , Di Quarto F.
Published: November 2015

Anodic films were grown to 20 V on sputtering-deposited Al–Ta alloys in ammonium biborate and borate buffer solutions.
Anomalous partitioning of water in coexisting liquid phases of lipid multilayers near 100% relative humidity
Authors: Ma Yicong , Ghosh Sajal K. , Bera Sambhunath , Jiang Zhang , Schlepütz Christian M. , Karapetrova Evguenia , Lurio Laurence B. , Sinha Sunil K.
Published: November 2015

Coexisting Loand Lddomains minimize their domain wall mismatch energy by convergence of theird-spacings with increasing hydration.
Self-powered broadband, high-detectivity and ultrafast photodetectors based on Pd-MoS2/Si heterojunctions
Authors: Hao L. Z. , Gao W. , Liu Y. J. , Liu Y. M. , Han Z. D. , Xue Q. Z. , Zhu J.
Published: November 2015

A self-powered photodetector based on a Pd-doped MoS2/Si heterojunction was fabricated. The device shows high detectivity, high responsivity, and an ultrafast response speed.
Palladium supported on phosphinite functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a new magnetically separable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in aqueous media
Authors: Gholinejad Mohammad , Razeghi Mehran , Ghaderi Arash , Biji Pullithadathil
Published: November 2015

Novel phosphinite functionalized magnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles having silica nanoshells containing an imidazolium ionic liquid moiety have been successfully synthesized and used as a support and stabilizer for palladium nanoparticles.
Self-assembly synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-supported platinum nanowire composites with enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the hydrazine oxidation reaction
Authors: Gao Xueqing , Ji Yigang , He Shan , Li Shuni , Lee Jong-Min
Published: November 2015

Pt-NWs-P can self-assemble on the GO@NH2 surface. After NaBH4 reduction, Pt-NWs/RGO show improved electrocatalytic activity for the hydrazine oxidation reaction.
Synthesis and thermal stability of perovskite alkali metal strontium borohydrides
Authors: Møller Kasper T. , Ley Morten B. , Schouwink Pascal , Černý Radovan , Jensen Torben R.
Published: November 2015

Synthesis of new thermally stable perovskite-type metal strontium borohydrides, MSr(BH4)3 (M = K, Rb, Cs).
Silver(i), gold(i) and palladium(ii) complexes of a NHC-pincer ligand with an aminotriazine core: a comparison with pyridyl analogues
Authors: Vaughan Jamila , Carter Damien J. , Rohl Andrew L. , Ogden Mark I. , Skelton Brian W. , Simpson Peter V. , Brown David H.
Published: November 2015

The twisted vs. linear conformation of newly synthesised silver and gold complexes of chelating C,N,C diethylaminotriazinyl-bridged bis(NHC) pincer ligands have been rationalised by computational studies.
Inkjet printing of UV-curable adhesive and dielectric inks for microfluidic devices
Authors: Hamad E. M. , Bilatto S. E. R. , Adly N. Y. , Correa D. S. , Wolfrum B. , Schöning M. J. , Offenhäusser A. , Yakushenko A.
Published: November 2015

Bonding 3D-printed microfluidic systems to polymeric substrates using inkjet-printed dielectric adhesives.
G-Fresnel smartphone spectrometer
Authors: Zhang Chenji , Cheng Gong , Edwards Perry , Zhou Ming-Da , Zheng Siyang , Liu Zhiwen
Published: November 2015

We report a smartphone spectrometer with nanometer resolution working in the visible range. A G-Fresnel device with the dual functionality of focusing and dispersion is used to enable miniaturization. Proof of principle application to Bradford assay of protein concentration is also demonstrated.
An integrative analysis of transcriptomic response of ethanol tolerant strains to ethanol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kasavi Ceyda , Eraslan Serpil , Oner Ebru Toksoy , Kirdar Betul
Published: November 2015

The integrative analysis of transcriptome, regulatory transcriptional network and ethanol tolerance network revealed biological processes affected by ethanol inSaccharomyces cerevisiae.
Molecular recognition features (MoRFs) in three domains of life
Authors: Yan Jing , Dunker A. Keith , Uversky Vladimir N. , Kurgan Lukasz
Published: November 2015

MoRFs are widespread intrinsically disordered protein-binding regions that have similar abundance and amino acid composition across the three domains of life.
MoO2Cl2catalyzed efficient synthesis of functionalized 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones/thiones and polyhydroquinolines: recyclability, fluorescence and biological studies
Authors: Guggilapu Sravanthi Devi , Prajapti Santosh Kumar , Nagarsenkar Atulya , Lalita Guntuku , Naidu Vegi Ganga Modi , Babu Bathini Nagendra
Published: November 2015

MoO2Cl2catalyzed Biginelli, Hantzsch reactions exploring spectroscopic and biological properties of novel compounds.
Research on the influence of alkyl ammonium bromides on the properties of Ag/AgBr/GO composites
Authors: Wang Shuang , Liu Chun , Zheng Leizhi , Lin Changqing , Kuang Pengpeng , Fu Xiaoqi , Si Naichao
Published: November 2015

The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized Ag/AgBr/GO nanocomposites became weaker when alkyl chain became shorter, whereas an opposite change for their SERS enhancements.
Resistive pressure sensors based on freestanding membranes of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Schlicke Hendrik , Rebber Matthias , Kunze Svenja , Vossmeyer Tobias
Published: November 2015

A novel type of resistive pressure sensor, employing the electromechanical properties of a freestanding membrane of cross-linked gold nanoparticles, is presented in this communication.
Highly red-shifted NIR emission from a novel anthracene conjugated polymer backbone containing Pt(ii) porphyrins
Authors: Freeman D. M. E. , Minotto A. , Duffy W. , Fallon K. J. , McCulloch I. , Cacialli F. , Bronstein H.
Published: November 2015

We present the synthesis of a novel diphenylanthracene (DPA) based semiconducting polymer.
Modulating the cellular uptake of platinum drugs with glycopolymers
Authors: Dag Aydan , Callari Manuela , Lu Hongxu , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: November 2015

The therapeutic potency of platinum-based anticancer drugs can be substantially improved through the use of fructose-coated nanocarrier systems to target cancer cells efficiently.
Polydiacetylene stabilized gold nanoparticles – extraordinary high stability and integration into a nanoelectrode device
Authors: Liffmann R. , Homberger M. , Mennicken M. , Karthäuser S. , Simon U.
Published: November 2015

A new diacetylene containing photopolymerizable ligand molecule was developed, and tailored for applications in nanoelectronic devices based on gold nanoparticles.
Transformer oil based multi-walled carbon nanotube–hexylamine coolant with optimized electrical, thermal and rheological enhancements
Authors: Amiri Ahmad , Kazi S. N. , Shanbedi Mehdi , Mohd Zubir Mohd Nashrul , Yarmand Hooman , Chew B. T.
Published: November 2015

A one-pot microwave-assisted method for synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with hexylamine as an oil based coolant for transformers.
Novel metal chelators thiosemicarbazones with activity at the σ2receptors and P-glycoprotein: an innovative strategy for resistant tumor treatment
Authors: Pati Maria Laura , Niso Mauro , Ferorelli Savina , Abate Carmen , Berardi Francesco
Published: November 2015

Novel multitarget thiosemicarbazones that bind simultaneously σ2receptors and P-glycoprotein efflux pump and chelate metals were designed for resistant tumors treatment.
Synthesis of mesoporous MCM-41 supported reduced graphene oxide-Fe catalyst for heterogeneous Fenton degradation of phenol
Authors: Wang Ying , Yu Yange , Deng Caolin , Wang Jinggang , Zhang Bo-Tao
Published: November 2015

A new heterogeneous Fenton catalyst, rGO-Fe/MCM-41, was developed. The incorporation of rGO was benefit for the activity of the catalyst.
One-step synthesis of magnetic gold nanostars for bioimaging applications
Authors: Minati L. , Antonini V. , Dalbosco L. , Benetti F. , Migliaresi C. , Dalla Serra M. , Speranza G.
Published: November 2015

This work presents novel magnetite–gold hybrid nanoparticles formed by multiple magnetic cores inside gold nanostars (SPIO@Au).
Sucrose-derived activated carbons: electron transfer properties and application as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts
Authors: Nunes Marta , Rocha Inês M. , Fernandes Diana M. , Mestre Ana S. , Moura Cosme N. , Carvalho Ana P. , Pereira Manuel F. R. , Freire Cristina
Published: November 2015

ORR electrocatalysts derived from sugar: activated carbons derived from sucrose showed electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Superhydrophobic attapulgite-based films for the selective separation of oils and organic solvents from water
Authors: Liang Weidong , Wang Yuanrui , Sun Hanxue , Chen Pinsong , Zhu Zhaoqi , Li An
Published: November 2015

Superhydrophobic attapulgite-based films with good structural flexibility were synthesized for the selective separation of oils and organic solvents from water.
Mesoporous carbon nitride as a basic catalyst in dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2-trichloroethane into 1,1-dichloroethene
Authors: Tian Cong , Lu Chunshan , Wang Bolin , Xie Xiangzhou , Miao Yangsen , Li Xiaonian
Published: November 2015

We synthesized a carbon nitride material and used it as a heterogeneous catalyst in the dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2-trichloroethane into 1,1-dichloroethene reaction.
Sequential amphiphilic and pH responsive hyperbranched copolymer: influence of hyper branching/pendant groups on reversible self assembling from polymersomes to aggregates and usefulness in waste water treatment
Authors: Das Tamalika , Sengupta Srijoni , Ghorai Uttam Kumar , Dey Ayan , Bandyopadhyay Abhijit
Published: November 2015

Hyperbranched copolymers self assembled from polymersomes to aggregates and encapsulated both hydrophilic/hydrophobic molecules but with varied retention proficiency depending upon the medium pH.
State of the art of nanoforest structures and their applications
Authors: Kharisov Boris I. , Kharissova Oxana V. , García Beatriz Ortega , Méndez Yolanda Peña , de la Fuente Idalia Gómez
Published: November 2015

Forest-like nanostructures, their syntheses, properties, and applications are reviewed.
Quantitative XRD characterisation and gas-phase photocatalytic activity testing for visible-light (indoor applications) of KRONOClean 7000®
Authors: Tobaldi D. M. , Seabra M. P. , Otero-Irurueta G. , de Miguel Y. R. , Ball R. J. , Singh M. K. , Pullar R. C. , Labrincha J. A.
Published: November 2015

Carbon-modified commercial anatase (KRONOClean 7000®) was quantitatively characterised with XRD for the first time – full phase composition (both crystalline and amorphous content) and microstructure.
An efficient synthesis of perhydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazole-1,5-dithiones catalyzed by TiO2-functionalized nano-Fe3O4 encapsulated-silica particles as a reusable magnetic nanocatalyst
Authors: Safari Javad , Javadian Leila
Published: November 2015

A nano-TiO2 catalyst on was immobilized on a magnetic SiO2 support to form a robust and magnetically recoverable Fe3O4@SiO2–TiO2 catalyst for the synthesis of perhydrotriazolotriazole derivatives by the condensation of aldazines at room temperature.
Highly efficient gas molecule-tunable few-layer GaSe phototransistors
Authors: Yang Shengxue , Yue Qu , Cai Hui , Wu Kedi , Jiang Chengbao , Tongay Sefaattin
Published: November 2015

Herein we present a systematic study on the effects of different gas molecules on the photoelectric response of few-layer GaSe phototransistors before and after introducing defects.
Calpain-controlled detachment of major glycoproteins from the cytoskeleton regulates adhesive properties of activated phosphatidylserine-positive platelets
Authors: Artemenko Elena O. , Yakimenko Alena O. , Pichugin Alexey V. , Ataullakhanov Fazly I. , Panteleev Mikhail A.
Published: November 2015

In resting platelets, adhesive membrane glycoproteins are attached to the cytoskeleton. On strong activation, phosphatidylserine(PS)-positive and -negative platelet subpopulations are formed. Platelet activation is accompanied by cytoskeletal rearrangement, although the glycoprotein attachment status in these two subpopulations is not clear. We developed a new, flow cytometry-based, single-cell approach to investigate attachment of membrane glycoproteins to the cytoskeleton in cell subpopulations. In PS-negative platelets, adhesive glycoproteins integrin αIIbβ3, glycoprotein Ib and, as shown for the first time, P-selectin were associated with the cytoskeleton. In contrast, this attachment was disrupted in PS-positive platelets; it was retained to some extent only in the small convex regions or ‘caps’. It correlated with the degradation of talin and filamin observed only in PS-positive platelets. Calpain inhibitors essentially prevented the disruption of membrane glycoprotein attachment in PS-positive platelets, as well as talin and filamin degradation. With the suggestion that detachment of glycoproteins from the cytoskeleton may affect platelet adhesive properties, we investigated the ability of PS-positive platelets to resist shear-induced breakaway from the immobilized fibrinogen. Shear rates of 500/s caused PS-positive platelet breakaway, but their adhesion stability increased more than 10-fold after pretreatment of the platelets with calpain inhibitor. In contrast, the ability of PS-positive platelets to adhere to immobilized von Willebrand's factor at 100/s was low, but this was not affected by the preincubation of platelets with a calpain inhibitor. Our data suggest that calpain-controlled detachment of membrane glycoproteins is a new mechanism that is responsible for the loss of ability of the procoagulant platelets to resist detachment from thrombi by high shear stress.
Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of oestrogen receptor β improves survival and cardiac function after myocardial infarction in female and male mice
Authors: Schuster Iris , Mahmoodzadeh Shokoufeh , Dworatzek Elke , Jaisser Frédéric , Messaoudi Smail , Morano Ingo , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera
Published: November 2015

ERβ (oestrogen receptor β) activation has been shown to be cardioprotective, but the cell types and mechanisms involved are not understood. To investigate whether ERβ restricted to cardiomyocytes contributes to the observed cardioprotection, we tested the effects of cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE (ERβ overexpression) on survival, cardiac remodelling and function after MI (myocardial infarction) and studied the molecular pathways potentially involved. Female and male mice with cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE and WT (wild-type) littermates were subjected to chronic anterior coronary artery ligation or sham surgery. Two weeks after MI, ERβ-OE mice showed improved survival (100% and 83% compared with 76% and 58% in WT females and males respectively). ERβ-OE was associated with attenuated LV (left ventricular) dilatation, smaller increase in heart weight, less lung congestion at similar MI size, and improved systolic and diastolic function in both sexes. We identified two potential pathways for ERβ-mediated myocardial protection. First, male and female ERβ-OE mice had a lower reduction of SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a) expression after MI, suggesting less reduction in diastolic Ca2+-reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum post-MI. Secondly, male ERβ-OE revealed attenuated cardiac fibrosis in the remote LV tissue and expression of fibrosis markers collagen I and III, periostin and miR-21. Cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE improved survival associated with reduced maladaptive remodelling, improved cardiac function and less heart failure development after MI in both sexes. These effects seem to be related, at least in part, to a better maintenance of Ca2+ cycling in both sexes and a lower induction of cardiac fibrosis in males after MI.
Bilateral Idiopathic Adrenal Hyperplasia: Genetics and
Beyond
Authors: Fernandes-Rosa F. , Boulkroun S. , Jeunemaitre X. , Zennaro M.-C.
Published: November 2015

Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia currently accounts for up to 2 thirds of cases of
primary aldosteronism. As such, it represents a major opportunity for targeted
medical management as opposed to unilateral surgically correctable forms of the
disease. Although the majority of cases of primary aldosteronism are sporadic,
bilateral adrenal hyperplasia may occur in the context of familial
hyperaldosteronism where it is associated with specific germline mutations. Over
the past 5 years, impressive progress has been made in our understanding of the
genetic basis underlying primary aldosteronism, allowing us to identify and
characterize new familial forms of the disease and to understand the mechanisms
involved in the formation of aldosterone producing adenoma. In contrast, our
knowledge of the genetic contribution to the development of bilateral adrenal
hyperplasia, and in a larger context, to renin and aldosterone levels in the
general population, is still poor. This review summarizes our current knowledge
on the genetics of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and addresses some open
questions to be addressed by future research. In particular, genome-wide
association studies in large populations may provide clues to understanding the
genetic susceptibility underlying the development of primary aldosteronism.
Correlation and Reliability of Cervical Sagittal Alignment Parameters between Lateral Cervical Radiograph and Lateral Whole-Body EOS Stereoradiograph
Authors: Singhatanadgige Weerasak , Kang Daniel G. , Luksanapruksa Panya , Peters Colleen , Riew K. Daniel
Published: November 2015

Study Design

Retrospective analysis.

Objective

To evaluate the correlation and reliability of cervical sagittal alignment parameters obtained from lateral cervical radiographs (XRs) compared with lateral whole-body stereoradiographs (SRs).

Methods

We evaluated adults with cervical deformity using both lateral XRs and lateral SRs obtained within 1 week of each other between 2010 and 2014. XR and SR images were measured by two independent spine surgeons using the following sagittal alignment parameters: C2–C7 sagittal Cobb angle (SCA), C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C1–C7 translational distance (C1–7), T1 slope (T1-S), neck tilt (NT), and thoracic inlet angle (TIA). Pearson correlation and paired t test were used for statistical analysis, with intra- and interrater reliability analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

A total of 35 patients were included in the study. We found excellent intrarater reliability for all sagittal alignment parameters in both the XR and SR groups with ICC ranging from 0.799 to 0.994 for XR and 0.791 to 0.995 for SR. Interrater reliability was also excellent for all parameters except NT and TIA, which had fair reliability. We also found excellent correlations between XR and SR measurements for most sagittal alignment parameters; SCA, SVA, and C1–C7 had r > 0.90, and only NT had r < 0.70. There was a significant difference between groups, with SR having lower measurements compared with XR for both SVA (0.68 cm lower, p < 0.001) and C1–C7 (1.02 cm lower, p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups for SCA, T1-S, NT, and TIA.

Conclusion

Whole-body stereoradiography appears to be a viable alternative for measuring cervical sagittal alignment parameters compared with standard radiography. XR and SR demonstrated excellent correlation for most sagittal alignment parameters except NT. However, SR had significantly lower average SVA and C1–C7 measurements than XR. The lower radiation exposure using single SR has to be weighed against its higher cost compared with XR.
Velocity space evolution of a minority energetic electron population undergoing the anomalous Doppler instability
Authors: Lai W. N. , Chapman S. C. , Dendy R. O.
Published: November 2015

The kinetic evolution in velocity space of a minority suprathermal electron population that is undergoing the anomalous Doppler instability (ADI) is investigated using the results from fully nonlinear numerical simulations that self-consistently evolve particles and fields in a plasma. Electron trajectories in phase space during different stages of the ADI are captured, and are analysed in relation to the characteristics of the excited electric fields and of the overall distribution of particles. For some electrons, trapping and mirroring effects are observed during the saturation phase. A relationship between the second order moments of the perpendicular electron distribution function and time is established, and is used to investigate the range of applicability of analytical approximations drawn from classical theory, that involve a quasilinear wave-driven diffusion operator.
Multiscale Gaussian network model (mGNM) and multiscale anisotropic network model (mANM)
Authors: Xia Kelin , Opron Kristopher , Wei Guo-Wei
Published: November 2015

Gaussian network model (GNM) and anisotropic network model (ANM) are some of the most popular methods for the study of protein flexibility and related functions. In this work, we propose generalized GNM (gGNM) and ANM methods and show that the GNM Kirchhoff matrix can be built from the ideal low-pass filter, which is a special case of a wide class of correlation functions underpinning the linear scaling flexibility-rigidity index (FRI) method. Based on the mathematical structure of correlation functions, we propose a unified framework to construct generalized Kirchhoff matrices whose matrix inverse leads to gGNMs, whereas, the direct inverse of its diagonal elements gives rise to FRI method. With this connection, we further introduce two multiscale elastic network models, namely, multiscale GNM (mGNM) and multiscale ANM (mANM), which are able to incorporate different scales into the generalized Kirchhoff matrices or generalized Hessian matrices. We validate our new multiscale methods with extensive numerical experiments. We illustrate that gGNMs outperform the original GNM method in the B-factor prediction of a set of 364 proteins. We demonstrate that for a given correlation function, FRI and gGNM methods provide essentially identical B-factor predictions when the scale value in the correlation function is sufficiently large. More importantly, we reveal intrinsic multiscale behavior in protein structures. The proposed mGNM and mANM are able to capture this multiscale behavior and thus give rise to a significant improvement of more than 11% in B-factor predictions over the original GNM and ANM methods. We further demonstrate the benefits of our mGNM through the B-factor predictions of many proteins that fail the original GNM method. We show that the proposed mGNM can also be used to analyze protein domain separations. Finally, we showcase the ability of our mANM for the analysis of protein collective motions.