bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserved Omp85 lid-lock structure and substrate recognition in FhaC
Authors: Maier Timm , Clantin Bernard , Gruss Fabian , Dewitte Frédérique , Delattre Anne-Sophie , Jacob-Dubuisson Françoise , Hiller Sebastian , Villeret Vincent
Published: June 2015

Omp85 proteins mediate translocation of polypeptide substrates across and into cellular membranes. They share a common architecture comprising substrate-interacting POTRA domains, a C-terminal 16-stranded β-barrel pore and two signature motifs located on the inner barrel wall and at the tip of the extended L6 loop. The observation of two distinct conformations of the L6 loop in the available Omp85 structures previously suggested a functional role of conformational changes in L6 in the Omp85 mechanism. Here we present a 2.5 Å resolution structure of a variant of the Omp85 secretion protein FhaC, in which the two signature motifs interact tightly and form the conserved ‘lid lock’. Reanalysis of previous structural data shows that L6 adopts the same, conserved resting state position in all available Omp85 structures. The FhaC variant structure further reveals a competitive mechanism for the regulation of substrate binding mediated by the linker to the N-terminal plug helix H1.
Experimental verification of electro-refractive phase modulation in graphene
Authors: Mohsin Muhammad , Neumaier Daniel , Schall Daniel , Otto Martin , Matheisen Christopher , Lena Giesecke Anna , Sagade Abhay A. , Kurz Heinrich
Published: June 2015

Graphene has been considered as a promising material for opto-electronic devices, because of its tunable and wideband optical properties. In this work, we demonstrate electro-refractive phase modulation in graphene at wavelengths from 1530 to 1570 nm. By integrating a gated graphene layer in a silicon-waveguide based Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the key parameters of a phase modulator like change in effective refractive index, insertion loss and absorption change are extracted. These experimentally obtained values are well reproduced by simulations and design guidelines are provided to make graphene devices competitive to contemporary silicon based phase modulators for on-chip applications.
Origin of the low thermal isomerization rate of rhodopsin chromophore
Authors: Yanagawa Masataka , Kojima Keiichi , Yamashita Takahiro , Imamoto Yasushi , Matsuyama Take , Nakanishi Koji , Yamano Yumiko , Wada Akimori , Sako Yasushi , Shichida Yoshinori
Published: June 2015

Low dark noise is a prerequisite for rod cells, which mediate our dim-light vision. The low dark noise is achieved by the extremely stable character of the rod visual pigment, rhodopsin, which evolved from less stable cone visual pigments. We have developed a biochemical method to quickly evaluate the thermal activation rate of visual pigments. Using an isomerization locked chromophore, we confirmed that thermal isomerization of the chromophore is the sole cause of thermal activation. Interestingly, we revealed an unexpected correlation between the thermal stability of the dark state and that of the active intermediate MetaII. Furthermore, we assessed key residues in rhodopsin and cone visual pigments by mutation analysis and identified two critical residues (E122 and I189) in the retinal binding pocket which account for the extremely low thermal activation rate of rhodopsin.
Administration of Danhong Injection to diabetic db/db mice inhibits the development of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy
Authors: Liu Mengyang , Pan Quan , Chen Yuanli , Yang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Buchang , Jia Lifu , Zhu Yan , Zhang Boli , Gao Xiumei , Li Xiaoju , Han Jihong , Duan Yajun
Published: June 2015

Danhong Injection (DHI), a Chinese medicine for treatment of patients with coronary heart disease, inhibits primary abdominal aortic aneurysms in apoE deficient (apoE−/−) mice. Formation of microaneurysms plays an important role in the development of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. It remains unknown if DHI can reduce these diabetic complications. In this study, diabetic db/db mice in two groups were injected with saline and DHI, respectively, for 14 weeks. Blood and tissue samples were collected to determine serum glucose, lipids and tissue structure. DHI reduced diabetes-induced body weight gain, serum cholesterol and glucose levels. In retinas, DHI blocked the shrink of whole retina and retinal sub-layers by inhibiting expression of caspase 3, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, accumulation of carbohydrate macromolecules and formation of acellular capillaries. DHI improved renal functions by inhibiting mesangial matrix expansion, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, fibronectin and advanced glycation end products in kidneys. Mechanistically, DHI induced expression of glucokinase, AMPKα/phosphorylated AMPKα, insulin receptor substrate 1, fibroblast growth factor 21 and peroxisome proliferator-activated γ. Expression of genes responsible for energy expenditure was also activated by DHI. Therefore, DHI inhibits diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy by ameliorating glucose metabolism and demonstrates a potential application in clinics.
Novel Function of Rev-erbα in Promoting Brown Adipogenesis
Authors: Nam Deokhwa , Chatterjee Somik , Yin Hongshan , Liu Ruya , Lee Jeongkyung , Yechoor Vijay K. , Ma Ke
Published: June 2015

Brown adipose tissue is a major thermogenic organ that plays a key role in maintenance of body temperature and whole-body energy homeostasis. Rev-erbα, a ligand-dependent nuclear receptor and transcription repressor of the molecular clock, has been implicated in the regulation of adipogenesis. However, whether Rev-erbα participates in brown fat formation is not known. Here we show that Rev-erbα is a key regulator of brown adipose tissue development by promoting brown adipogenesis. Genetic ablation of Rev-erbα in mice severely impairs embryonic and neonatal brown fat formation accompanied by loss of brown identity. This defect is due to a cell-autonomous function of Rev-erbα in brown adipocyte lineage commitment and terminal differentiation, as demonstrated by genetic loss- and gain-of-function studies in mesenchymal precursors and brown preadipocytes. Moreover, pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα activity promotes, whereas its inhibition suppresses brown adipocyte differentiation. Mechanistic investigations reveal that Rev-erbα represses key components of the TGF-β cascade, an inhibitory pathway of brown fat development. Collectively, our findings delineate a novel role of Rev-erbα in driving brown adipocyte development and provide experimental evidence that pharmacological interventions of Rev-erbα may offer new avenues for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
A key role for TGF-β1 in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory
Authors: Caraci Filippo , Gulisano Walter , Guida Chiara A. , Impellizzeri Agata A. R. , Drago Filippo , Puzzo Daniela , Palmeri Agostino
Published: June 2015

Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a well-known neuroprotective and neurotrophic factor demonstrated to play a role in synaptic transmission. However, its involvement in physiological mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and memory at hippocampal level has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we examine the role of TGF-β1 in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory in adult wild type mice. Our data provide evidence that administration of exogenous TGF-β1 is able to convert early-phase-LTP into late-phase-LTP. Furthermore, we show that the block of the endogenous TGF-β1 signaling pathway by the specific TGF-β1 inhibitor SB431542, impairs LTP and object recognition memory. The latter impairment was rescued by administration of exogenous TGF-β1, suggesting that endogenously produced TGF-β1 plays a role in physiological mechanisms underlying LTP and memory. Finally, TGF-β1 functional effect correlates with an increased expression of the phosphorylated transcription factor cAMP-Responsive Element Binding protein.
Vertical Interface Induced Dielectric Relaxation in Nanocomposite (BaTiO3)1-x:(Sm2O3)x Thin Films
Authors: Li Weiwei , Zhang Wei , Wang Le , Gu Junxing , Chen Aiping , Zhao Run , Liang Yan , Guo Haizhong , Tang Rujun , Wang Chunchang , Jin Kuijuan , Wang Haiyan , Yang Hao
Published: June 2015

Vertical interfaces in vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films have been approved to be an effective method to manipulate functionalities. However, several challenges with regard to the understanding on the physical process underlying the manipulation still remain. In this work, because of the ordered interfaces and large interfacial area, heteroepitaxial (BaTiO3)1-x:(Sm2O3)x thin films have been fabricated and used as a model system to investigate the relationship between vertical interfaces and dielectric properties. Due to a relatively large strain generated at the interfaces, vertical interfaces between BaTiO3 and Sm2O3 are revealed to become the sinks to attract oxygen vacancies. The movement of oxygen vacancies is confined at the interfaces and hampered by the misfit dislocations, which contributed to a relaxation behavior in (BaTiO3)1-x:(Sm2O3)x thin films. This work represents an approach to further understand that how interfaces influence on dielectric properties in oxide thin films.
A novel cascade strategy with supramolecular and chemodosimetric methods for designing a fluorescent ratiometric detector hypersensitive to trace water
Authors: Men Guangwen , Chen Chunrong , Liang Chunshuang , Han Wenkun , Jiang Shimei
Published: June 2015

A zinc-salicylideneimine complex was developed as a fluorescent ratiometric detector for the quantitative determination of trace water, which works based on a water-triggered cascade process.
Catalytic chemoselective [3+3] cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with quinone monoimides leading to the construction of a dihydrobenzoxazine scaffold
Authors: Wang Cong-Shuai , Zhu Ren-Yi , Zhang Yu-Chen , Shi Feng
Published: June 2015

A chemoselective [3+3] cycloaddition of in situ generated azomethine ylides with quinone monoimides has been established, which efficiently led to the construction of dihydrobenzoxazine frameworks with biological relevance.
Sulfur copolymer for the direct synthesis of ligand-free CdS nanoparticles
Authors: Martin Trevor R. , Mazzio Katherine A. , Hillhouse Hugh W. , Luscombe Christine K.
Published: June 2015

Aliphatic ligand-free CdS nanoparticles were synthesized using a sulfur copolymer that operates as both a high-temperature solvent and sulfur source concurrently.
A new multi-functional conjugated polymer for use in high-performance bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Kim Yu Jin , Kim Myeong-Jong , An Tae Kyu , Kim Yun-Hi , Park Chan Eon
Published: June 2015

We report a new multi-functional copolymer, PDTP-DTBDT, containing DTP and DTBDT units.
A Cu(ii)-based strategy for catalytic enantioselective β-borylation of α,β-unsaturated acceptors
Authors: Zhu Lei , Kitanosono Taku , Xu Pengyu , Kobayashi Shū
Published: June 2015

The unique nature and readily availability of Cu(v) species underscores the value of the Cu(v)-based catalyst over an array of well-documented Cu(i)-based catalysts.
Gelation or crystallization? Subtle balance of structural factors for assembly of DBA derivatives with methyl esters
Authors: Hisaki Ichiro , Kometani Eriko , Tohnai Norimitsu , Miyata Mikiji
Published: June 2015

The aggregation of a series of strained dehydrobenzoannulene derivatives with methyl ester groups is revealed.
Large scale fabrication of well-aligned CdS/p-Si shell/core nanowire arrays for photodetectors using solution methods
Authors: Jiang Yurong , Li Chen , Cao Weiwei , Jiang Yanrong , Shang Shuying , Xia Congxin
Published: June 2015

The large scale preparation of CdS/p-Si shell/core nanowires having good rectifying characteristics and photo-sensitivity using a facile preparation method.
Light converting phosphor-based photocatalytic composites
Authors: Liu Xinjuan , Chu Haipeng , Li Jinliang , Niu Lengyuan , Li Can , Li Huili , Pan Likun , Sun Chang Q.
Published: June 2015

Light-conversion phosphor-based composites including up-conversion, down-conversion, and long afterglow phosphor-semiconductors for efficient photocatalysis are summarized.
Synthesis of a series of new platinum organometallic complexes derived from bidentate Schiff-base ligands and their catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation and dehydrosilylation of styrene
Authors: Lachachi M. Belhadj , Benabdallah Tayeb , Aguiar Pedro M. , Youcef M. Hadj , Whitwood Adrian C. , Lynam Jason M.
Published: June 2015

Substituents on Schiff base ligands impact the rate and selectivity for Pt-catalysed dehydro/hydrosilylation reactions.
Modelling wound closure in an epithelial cell sheet using the cellular Potts model
Authors: R. Noppe Adrian , Roberts Anthony P. , Yap Alpha S. , Gomez Guillermo A. , Neufeld Zoltan
Published: June 2015

We use a two-dimensional cellular Potts model to represent the behavior of an epithelial cell layer and describe its dynamics in response to a microscopic wound.
Microalgae on display: a microfluidic pixel-based irradiance assay for photosynthetic growth
Authors: Graham Percival J. , Riordon Jason , Sinton David
Published: June 2015

We present a multiplexed pixel-based irradiance platform, which leverages liquid crystal display and microfluidic technologies to rapidly screen the effect of lighting parameters on the growth of microalgae.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of lipid-like 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole derivatives as potential anticancer and antimicrobial agents
Authors: Zablotskaya Alla , Segal Izolda , Geronikaki Athina , Kazachonokh Galina , Popelis Yuris , Shestakova Irina , Nikolajeva Vizma , Eze Daina
Published: June 2015

The observed coupling of high anticancer and antimicrobial activity for novel lipid-like compounds9,10and13based on the 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole scaffold can be important as a basis for further drug development.
Improved thermal properties of borosilicate glass composite containing single walled carbon nanotube bundles
Authors: Ghosh Sujan , Ghosh Arnab , Mukherjee Jonaki , Banerjee Rajat
Published: June 2015

A single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) incorporated borosilicate glass composite was fabricated by a melt quench technique.
High temperature CO2sensing properties and mechanism of nanocrystalline LaCrO3with rhombohedral structure: experiments and ab initio calculations
Authors: Chen Yanping , Qin Hongwei , Shi Changmin , Li Ling , Hu Jifan
Published: June 2015

Both experiment and calculation results show that CO2captures electrons from the semiconductor surface.
Towards free-standing MoS2 nanosheet electrocatalysts supported and enhanced by N-doped CNT–graphene foam for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Xue , Zhu Guoyin , Kang Qi , Huang Zhen-Dong , Feng Xiaomiao , Li Yi , Liu Ruiqing , Ma Yanwen
Published: June 2015

Free-standing MoS2 nanosheet/N-doped carbon nanotube–graphene electrocatalysts were prepared for the hydrogen evolution reaction, which were used without any transferring process and showed a low overpotential of 0.08 V with the assistance of N doping.
Spectroscopic behavior of Eu3+in SnO2for tunable red emission in solid state lighting devices
Authors: Chowdhury M. , Sharma S. K.
Published: June 2015

This paper reports a spectroscopic investigation of Eu3+doped SnO2nanoparticles.
Polyelectrolyte stabilized bi-metallic Au/Ag nanoclusters modified electrode for nitric oxide detection
Authors: Viswanathan Perumal , Manivannan Shanmugam , Ramaraj Ramasamy
Published: June 2015

Bi-metallic Au/Ag NCs were prepared, synergistic electrooxidation of NO was observed at Au/Ag NCs modified electrode and electrochemical sensing response time was found to be 1 s.
Aryl alkyl carbene–Pd complex assisted C–Cl bond activation: an unprecedented cross-coupling route to trans-stilbenes
Authors: Jha Abadh Kishor , Kishor Shyam , Jain Nidhi
Published: June 2015

A MW assisted phosphine-free coupling of aryl chlorides with 1-(bromoethyl)benzene, at low Pd concentration for the synthesis oftrans-stilbene derivatives is presented. The reaction is believed to be mediatedviaPd–carbene intermediate.
Synthesis and serum protein binding of novel ring-substituted harmine derivatives
Authors: Domonkos Celesztina , Zsila Ferenc , Fitos Ilona , Visy Júlia , Kassai Rudolf , Bálint Balázs , Kotschy András
Published: June 2015

Potential anticancer derivatives of the β-carboline alkaloid harmine exhibit substituent dependent serum protein binding.
Effects of alkaline-earth oxides on the performance of a CuO–ZrO2catalyst for methanol synthesis via CO2hydrogenation
Authors: Zhong Chenglin , Guo Xiaoming , Mao Dongsen , Wang Song , Wu Guisheng , Lu Guanzhong
Published: June 2015

The incorporation of alkaline-earth oxides into CuO–ZrO2catalyst affects the Cu surface area, the reducibility of CuO, the surface basicity and further the CO2conversion and methanol selectivity.
Synthesis and bioactivity of gelatin/multiwalled carbon nanotubes/hydroxyapatite nanofibrous scaffolds towards bone tissue engineering
Authors: Wang Hualin , Chu Chengjiang , Cai Ruizhi , Jiang Suwei , Zhai Linfeng , Lu Jianfeng , Li Xingjiang , Jiang Shaotong
Published: June 2015

The in vitro bioactivity of scaffolds, and the adhesion, mineralization, viability and proliferation of hFOBs on gelatin/MWNTs/HA nanofibrous scaffolds.
Metal complexes bearing 2-(imidazol-2-yl)phenol ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance in the fixation of carbon dioxide with epoxides
Authors: Peng Jing , Yang Hai-Jian , Wei Zidong , Guo Cun-Yue
Published: June 2015

A series of metal complexes bearing 2-(imidazol-2-yl)phenol ligands were synthesized and proven to be efficient catalysts for the fixation of CO2.
Nitrogen- and oxygen-enriched 3D hierarchical porous carbon fibers: synthesis and superior supercapacity
Authors: Li Ying , Lu Chunxiang , Zhang Shouchun , Su Fang-Yuan , Shen Wenzhong , Zhou Pucha , Ma Canliang
Published: June 2015

A 3d hierarchical porous carbon fiber was fabricated by phase-separable wet-spinning and the subsequent activation for high-performance supercapacitors.
Underwater superoleophobic palygorskite coated meshes for efficient oil/water separation
Authors: Li Jian , Yan Long , Li Haoyu , Li Weijun , Zha Fei , Lei Ziqiang
Published: June 2015

Palygorskite coated meshes with robust underwater superoleophobicity display excellent environmental stability for the separation of mixtures of oil and corrosive solutions.
Insight into lithium–metal anodes in lithium–sulfur batteries with a fluorinated ether electrolyte
Authors: Zu Chenxi , Azimi Nasim , Zhang Zhengcheng , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: June 2015

Control of polysulfide shuttling and stabilization of lithium anodes are accomplished using a fluorinated electrolyte without cathode confinement or oxidizing additives. The formation of a lithium-surface SEI with hierarchical compositions suppresses parasitic reactions and preserves the anode quality.
Carbon nanodots, Ru nanodots and hybrid nanodots: preparation and catalytic properties
Authors: Biswas Abhijit , Paul Subir , Banerjee Arindam
Published: June 2015

Peptide functionalized carbon nanodot supported Ru nanodots have been synthesized, which show a remarkable and reusable catalytic activity for the transformation of organic azide to the corresponding amine in the presence of other functional groups in water.
Single crystalline indene-C60 bisadduct: isolation and application in polymer solar cells
Authors: Zhao Fuwen , Meng Xiangyue , Feng Yongqiang , Jin Zhiwen , Zhou Qing , Li Hui , Jiang Li , Wang Jizheng , Li Yongfang , Wang Chunru
Published: June 2015

Several isolated IC60BA isomers are applied in polymer solar cells with P3HT which largely increase the Voc comparing with the pristine IC60BA, though it is still a challenge to obtain an appropriate phase separation for high photovoltaic performances.
The role of tissue engineering in cellular therapies for myocardial infarction: a review
Authors: Wu Yuan-Kun (Aden) , Yu Jiashing
Published: June 2015

Current medical treatments of myocardial infarction (MI) face a serious shortcoming in that they cannot reverse the detrimental effects of ischemia induced necrosis.
Relationship between interlayer anions and photoluminescence of layered rare earth hydroxides
Authors: Kim Hyunsub , Lee Byung-Il , Jeong Heejin , Byeon Song-Ho
Published: June 2015

The effect of interlayer anions on the photoluminescence of layered rare earth hydroxides was investigated with Eu3+, Tb3+, and Ce3+-doped layered gadolinium hydroxynitrate as a representative base matrix for efficient and stable anion-exchange reactions.
A dual responsive “turn-on” fluorophore for orthogonal selective sensing of biological thiols and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Ang Chung Yen , Tan Si Yu , Wu Shaojue , Qu Qiuyu , Wong Mun Fei Eddy , Luo Zhong , Li Pei-Zhou , Tamil Selvan Subramanian , Zhao Yanli
Published: June 2015

A dual responsive probe capable of generating two different responses upon reacting with thiols and H2O2in a highly selective manner was developed.
Cooperative ITS communications architecture: the FOTsis project approach and beyond
Authors: Alfonso Jorge , Sánchez Nuria , Menéndez José Manuel , Cacheiro Emilio
Published: June 2015

With the continuous development in the fields of sensors, advanced data processing and communications, road transport oriented intelligent applications and services have reached a significant maturity and complexity. Cooperative ITS services, based on the idea of sharing accurate information among road entities, are currently being tested on a large scale by different initiatives. The field operational test (FOTsis) project contributes to the deployment environment with services that involve a significant number of entities out of the vehicle. This made necessary the specification of an architecture which, based on the ISO ITS station reference architecture for communications, could support the requirements of the services proposed in the project. During the project, internal implementation tests and external interoperability tests have resulted in the validation of the proposed architecture. At the same time, these tests have had as a result the awareness of areas in which the FOTsis architecture could be completed, mainly to take full advantage of all the emerging and foreseeable data sources which may be relevant in the road environment. In this study, the authors will outline an approach that, based on the current cooperative ITS architecture and the SmartCities and Internet Of Things (IoT) architectures, can provide a common convergence platform to maximise the information available for ITS purposes.
Two‐stage multi‐criteria analysis and the future of intelligent transport systems‐based safety innovation projects
Authors: De Brucker Klaas , Macharis Cathy , Verbeke Alain
Published: June 2015

This study outlines a new two‐stage multi‐criteria analysis (MCA) methodology to facilitate assessing and selecting investments in intelligent transport systems (ITSs). The authors focus on ITS‐based safety innovation projects (SIPs) in the realm of road transport infrastructure, namely, those conducive to more ‘forgiving roads’ and ‘self‐explanatory roads’. Stakeholders interested in improving road safety can use this MCA tool to assess alternative options for improving road safety, based on how each option contributes to each stakeholder group's objectives. The preferences of each stakeholder are fully taken into account in a first stage through partial MCAs, which determine how each SIP contributes to each separate stakeholder's specific objectives. In the second stage, the preferences of all stakeholders are bundled, with more emphasis on societal preferences. This second stage analysis paradoxically allows identifying policy areas where government incentives could address strong concerns voiced by particular stakeholder groups. In other words, an implicit feedback loop is generated to the SIPs’ design, with ‘redesign’ intended to reduce the gap between societal preferences and specific‐stakeholder ones, thereby increasing the probability that the support of all stakeholder groups involved could still be ascertained.
Serial subtractive deconvolution algorithms for time‐domain ultra wide band in‐vehicle channel sounding
Authors: Chandra Aniruddha , Blumenstein Jiří , Mikulášek Tomáš , Vychodil Josef , Maršálek Roman , Prokeš Aleš , Zemen Thomas , Mecklenbräuker Christoph F.
Published: June 2015

Ultra‐wide band (UWB) communication is expected to play a key role in next generation broadband intra vehicle wireless applications. The car compartment differs significantly from other well studied indoor or outdoor environments. Hence, channel sounding experiments are crucial for gaining a thorough knowledge of the UWB signal propagation characteristics in such a medium. Time domain channel sounding campaigns often employ some sort of deconvolution during measurement post processing as the measured signal in these experiments is the convolution of the channel response and the probing pulse which violates the Nyquist criterion. In this study, a comparison of two variants of time‐domain serial subtractive deconvolution algorithm, popularly known as CLEAN, is presented. Appropriate statistical metrics for assessing the relative merit of a deconvolution technique are identified in the context of intra vehicle UWB transmission, and the better algorithm is selected based on its performance over a standard IEEE channel simulation testbed. The chosen method is then applied to extract power delay profile and delay parameters from an empirical time domain sounding experiment performed inside a passenger car. The effects of passenger occupancy, transmitter receiver separation and absence of direct transmission path are studied.
A scalable goal-setting intervention closes both the gender and ethnic minority achievement gap
Authors: Schippers Michaéla C , Scheepers Ad W A , Peterson Jordan B
Published: June 2015

The gender and ethnicity gap in academic achievement constitutes one of today’s key social problems. The current study, therefore, assessed the effects of a brief, evidence-based online intervention aimed at enhancing goal-directed conceptualization and action among first year college students (N=703) at a large European business school. The academic performance of these students was contrasted with that of three pre-intervention control cohorts (N=896, 825 and 720), with particular attention paid to the role of gender and ethnicity. The intervention boosted academic achievement and increased retention rates, particularly for ethnic minority and male students (who had underperformed in previous years). The gap in performance between men and women, and for ethnic minorities versus nationals, became considerably smaller within the intervention cohort. After Year 1, the gender gap closed by 98%, and the ethnicity gap by 38% (rising to 93% after the second year). All groups in the intervention cohort performed significantly better than control cohorts, but the effect was particularly large for males and ethnic minorities. The increase in performance was largest for ethnic minority males: they earned 44% more credits, and their retention rate increased 54%. Overall, the results indicate that a comprehensive goal-setting intervention implemented early in students’ academic careers can significantly and substantially reduce gender and ethnic minority inequalities in achievement.
Band gap bowing parameter in pseudomorphic AlxGa1−xN/GaN high electron mobility transistor structures
Authors: Goyal Anshu , Kapoor Ashok K. , Raman R. , Dalal Sandeep , Mohan Premila , Muralidharan R.
Published: June 2015

A method for evaluation of aluminium composition in pseudomorphic AlxGa1−xN layer from the measured photoluminescence (PL) peak energy is presented here. The layers were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and characterized by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), PL, cathodoluminescence, and atomic force microscopy. We estimated the value of biaxial stress in pseudomorphic AlxGa1−xN layers grown on sapphire and silicon carbide substrates using HRXRD scans. The effect of biaxial stress on the room temperature band edge luminescence in pseudomorphic AlxGa1−xN/GaN layers for various aluminium compositions in the range of 0.2 < x < 0.3 was determined. The value of pressure coefficient of band gap was also estimated. The stress corrected bowing parameter in AlxGa1−xN was determined as 0.50 ± 0.06 eV. Our values match well with the theoretically obtained value of bowing parameter from the density functional theory.
Effect of processing parameters on microstructure of MoS2 ultra-thin films synthesized by chemical vapor deposition method
Authors: Song Yang , Peng Yingzi , You Suping , Sun Kewei , Chen Ji , Qian Zhenghong
Published: June 2015

MoS2 ultra-thin layers are synthesized using a chemical vapor deposition method based on the sulfurization of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). The ultra-thin layers are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). Based on our experimental results, all the processing parameters, such as the tilt angle of substrate, applied voltage, heating time and the weight of source materials have effect on the microstructures of the layers. In this paper, the effects of such processing parameters on the crystal structures and morphologies of the as-grown layers are studied. It is found that the film obtained with the tilt angle of 0.06° is more uniform. A larger applied voltage is preferred to the growth of MoS2 thin films at a certain heating time. In order to obtain the ultra-thin layers of MoS2, the weight of 0.003 g of source materials is preferred. Under our optimal experimental conditions, the surface of the film is smooth and composed of many uniformly distributed and aggregated particles, and the ultra-thin MoS2 atomic layers (1∼10 layers) covers an area of more than 2 mm×2 mm.
The Dielectric Breakdown Model applied to explain various morphologies of deposited metallic structures in thin gap metal electro-deposition
Authors: Chowdhury Aditya , Dutta Dibakar
Published: June 2015

The phenomenon of metal electro-deposition in thin-gap geometry leads to very interesting and diverse two dimensional morphologies. This varies from dense ramified growth to thin dendritic projections. In this paper, we have proposed a stochastic model that incorporates such diversity. We carried out thin-gap electro-deposition of Copper and Zinc with varying electrolytic concentrations. A well known model, that until this work was used to explain dielectric breakdown patterns, was employed to explain the variation in deposition morphology with concentration. The sole parameter in the model was varied and the numerically obtained patterns was seen to correlate well with those obtained from electro-deposition. A linear relationship between the parameter and molar concentration was established. The established relationship was then analysed and interpreted.
Magnetic field cycling effect on the non-linear current-voltage characteristics and magnetic field induced negative differential resistance in α-Fe1.64Ga0.36O3 oxide
Authors: Bhowmik R. N. , Vijayasri G.
Published: June 2015

We have studied current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of α-Fe1.64Ga0.36O3, a typical canted ferromagnetic semiconductor. The sample showed a transformation of the I-V curves from linear to non-linear character with the increase of bias voltage. The I-V curves showed irreversible features with hysteresis loop and bi-stable electronic states for up and down modes of voltage sweep. We report positive magnetoresistance and magnetic field induced negative differential resistance as the first time observed phenomena in metal doped hematite system. The magnitudes of critical voltage at which I-V curve showed peak and corresponding peak current are affected by magnetic field cycling. The shift of the peak voltage with magnetic field showed a step-wise jump between two discrete voltage levels with least gap (ΔVP) 0.345(± 0.001) V. The magnetic spin dependent electronic charge transport in this new class of magnetic semiconductor opens a wide scope for tuning large electroresistance (∼500-700%), magnetoresistance (70-135 %) and charge-spin dependent conductivity under suitable control of electric and magnetic fields. The electric and magnetic field controlled charge-spin transport is interesting for applications of the magnetic materials in spintronics, e.g., magnetic sensor, memory devices and digital switching.
Si and C emission into the oxide layer during the oxidation of silicon carbide and its influence on the oxidation rate
Authors: Hijikata Yasuto , Asafuji Ryosuke , Konno Ryotaro , Akasaka Yurie , Shinoda Ryo
Published: June 2015

Si and C emission into the oxide layer during the oxidation of silicon carbide and SiO2 growth on the oxide surface were experimentally confirmed from depth profiles of oxidized HfO2/SiC structures. With longer oxidation times, surface SiO2 growth transitioned to oxide/SiC interface growth. The influence of Si and C emission on the oxidation rate was investigated by real-time measurements of the oxide growth rate. Experimental observations of annealing-inserted oxidation and two-temperature oxidation indicated that the emission suppressed the oxidation rate.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors at a wavelength of 940 nm
Authors: Zhang W. J. , Li H. , You L. X. , He Y. H. , Zhang L. , Liu X.Y. , Yang X. Y. , Wu J. J. , Guo Q. , Chen S. J. , Wang Z. , Xie X. M.
Published: June 2015

We develop single-photon detectors comprising single-mode fiber-coupled superconducting nanowires, with high system detection efficiencies at a wavelength of 940 nm. The detector comprises a 6.5-nm-thick, 110-nm-wide NbN nanowire meander fabricated onto a Si substrate with a distributed Bragg reflector for enhancing the optical absorptance. We demonstrate that, via the design of a low filling factor (1/3) and active area (Φ = 10 μm), the system reaches a detection efficiency of ∼60% with a dark count rate of 10 Hz, a recovery time <12 ns, and a timing jitter of ∼50 ps.
MiR-204 is responsible for inherited retinal dystrophy associated with ocular coloboma
Authors: Conte Ivan , Hadfield Kristen D. , Barbato Sara , Carrella Sabrina , Pizzo Mariateresa , Bhat Rajeshwari S. , Carissimo Annamaria , Karali Marianthi , Porter Louise F. , Urquhart Jill , Hateley Sofie , O’Sullivan James , Manson Forbes D. C. , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Banfi Sandro , Black Graeme C. M.
Published: June 2015

Significance

MicroRNAs are key players in the regulation of gene expression. An understanding of human conditions caused by microRNA mutations provides insight into mechanisms of gene regulation and into the interplay between development and maintenance in tissue homeostasis. The eye represents a notable target tissue of genetic diseases. Inherited retinal degenerations and developmental eye disorders are two separate groups that represent leading causes of blindness worldwide. Identifying underlying genetic causes of such conditions is important for diagnosis, counseling, and potential therapy development. We identified a dominant mutation in microRNA-204 as the genetic cause of a unique phenotype of retinal degeneration and coloboma and thus highlight the importance of microRNA-204 as a master regulator of ocular development and normal maintenance.
Conformational processing of oncogenic v-Src kinase by the molecular chaperone Hsp90
Authors: Boczek Edgar E. , Reefschläger Lasse G. , Dehling Marco , Struller Tobias J. , Häusler Elisabeth , Seidl Andreas , Kaila Ville R. I. , Buchner Johannes
Published: June 2015

Significance

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone involved in the activation of numerous client proteins, including 60% of the human kinases. Previous studies on the Hsp90–kinase interaction were limited due to the particular instability of client kinases. Here, we reconstituted v-Src kinase chaperoning in vitro and used this to mechanistically elucidate how Hsp90 supports kinases. We show that its activation is ATP-dependent and requires the phosphorylated form of the cochaperone Cdc37. Hsp90 does not influence the almost identical c-Src kinase. The structural analysis of Src kinase chimeras that gradually transformed c-Src into v-Src unveiled that Hsp90 dependence correlates with client compactness, folding cooperativity, and lowered energy barriers between different states. These findings establish a new concept for the client specificity of Hsp90.
Glycosphingolipids are modulators of disease pathogenesis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Dodge James C. , Treleaven Christopher M. , Pacheco Joshua , Cooper Samantha , Bao Channa , Abraham Marissa , Cromwell Mandy , Sardi S. Pablo , Chuang Wei-Lien , Sidman Richard L. , Cheng Seng H. , Shihabuddin Lamya S.
Published: June 2015

Significance

Glycosphingolipids are a heterogeneous group of membrane lipids formed through the covalent linkage of a glycan moiety to ceramide. Genetic evidence suggests that aberrant glycosphingolipid metabolism plays an important role in several neuromuscular diseases. Here, we investigated whether alterations in glycosphingolipids contribute to neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We show that ALS patients and model mice display disease-related changes in spinal cord glycosphingolipids levels and in the enzymes that regulate their metabolism. Importantly, we demonstrate that inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis in ALS model mice exacerbated disease progression, whereas administration of GM3, a subtype of glycosphingolipids, slowed it, thus implicating glycosphingolipids as potentially important participants in ALS pathogenesis and potential targets for future drug development.
Absolute continuity and singularity of probability measures induced by a purely discontinuous Girsanov transform of a stable process
Authors: Schilling René , Vondraček Zoran
Published: June 2015

In this paper we study mutual absolute continuity and singularity of probability measures on the path space which are induced by an isotropic stable Lévy process and the purely discontinuous Girsanov transform of this process. We also look at the problem of finiteness of the relative entropy of these measures. An important tool in the paper is the question under which circumstances the a.s. finiteness of an additive functional at infinity implies the finiteness of its expected value.
Female ovarian abnormalities and reproductive failure of autumn-spawning herring (Clupea harengus membras) in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Ojaveer Henn , Tomkiewicz Jonna , Arula Timo , Klais Riina
Published: June 2015

Fecundity and reproductive potential are important factors to be considered in evaluating trajectories and demographic predictions of fish populations. Therefore, characterizing the nature and quantifying the extent of any reproductive failure should be considered in fisheries studies. Here, we describe morphological changes in developed ovaries of autumn-spawning herring (Clupea harengus membras) caught in the northern Baltic Sea and evaluate the magnitude of this phenomenon during 3 consecutive years. Visibly, abnormal ovaries were histologically characterized by irregular-shaped oocytes in a vitellogenic or final maturation stage with coagulative necrosis and liquefaction of the yolk sphere, degraded follicle membranes, and fibrinous adhesion among oocytes. Such degeneration is presumed to cause complete infertility in the fish. The frequency of fish with abnormal ovaries varied annually between 10 and 15% among all females sampled. However, specific sampling events showed up to 90% females with abnormal gonads. The specific cause of this abnormality remains unknown; however, prevalence was associated with unfavourable environmental conditions encountered before spawning. Thus, ovarian abnormality was positively related to water temperatures, with the highest level found at ≥15°C and negatively related to the frequency of strong winds. The frequency of occurrence of abnormal gonads decreased with the progression of spawning from August to October. The observed abnormality and associated spawning failure will negatively affect the realized fecundity of autumn herring in the Baltic Sea and may act as a limiting factor for recovery of the stock, which has experienced profound depression during the last three decades.
Abuse of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Kuemmel Angela
Published: June 2015

Abuse of people with disabilities is a substantial problem because of the particular physical, emotional, and sexual vulnerabilities that people with disabilities have, in addition to being vulnerable to the abuse associated with their disabilities. The problem of abuse for the disabled population is complicated by a lack of knowledge in health-care professionals, lack of awareness in people with disabilities themselves, and limited resources for, and barriers to, intervention. In this chapter I will examine the nature of the problem, the types of abuse related to disability, and the vulnerability factors that increase risk. We will look at how to assess for abuse in people with disabilities, the consequences often faced in reporting abuse, and the best practices for assessment. I will also review the limited research on different cognitive, behavioral, or psycho-educational intervention approaches. Given the challenges to successfully evaluating and addressing this problem, mental health providers must have a thorough understanding of this issue.
Characterization of a New Anastomosis Group (AG-W) of BinucleateRhizoctonia, Causal Agent for Potato Stem Canker
Authors: Yang Y. G. , Zhao C. , Guo Z. J. , Wu X. H.
Published: June 2015

Two binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) isolates were recovered from potato cankered stems in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China. Their cultural appearance on potato dextrose agar remained whitish as the cultures aged. White monilioid cells formed in the fluffy aerial hyphae, whereas no sclerotia appeared during the incubation. The two isolates could anastomose with each other, but they failed to anastomose with reference strains of BNR from AG-A to AG-Q, and AG-U. Analyses of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (rDNA-ITS) regions confirmed that these two isolates differed from the reference strains. The phylogenetic tree based on the sequences of rDNA-ITS regions showed that they were located in a distinct clade from other BNR AGs. These collective results suggested that the isolates recovered from potato in this study belonged to a new BNR AG designated as AG-W. Pathogenicity tests under glasshouse conditions revealed that both isolates were able to cause brown, dry, and slightly sunken lesions on potato subterranean stems. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the AG-W causing potato disease in China as well as worldwide.
Drivers of extinction: the case of Azorean beetles
Authors: Terzopoulou Sofia , Rigal François , Whittaker Robert J. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Triantis Kostas A.
Published: June 2015

Oceanic islands host a disproportionately high fraction of endangered or recently extinct endemic species. We report on species extinctions among endemic Azorean beetles following 97% habitat loss since AD 1440. We infer extinctions from historical and contemporary records and examine the influence of three predictors: geographical range, habitat specialization and body size. Of 55 endemic beetle species investigated (out of 63), seven can be considered extinct. Single-island endemics (SIEs) were more prone to extinction than multi-island endemics. Within SIEs restricted to native habitat, larger species were more extinction-prone. We thus show a hierarchical path to extinction in Azorean beetles: species with small geographical range face extinction first, with the larger bodied ones being the most threatened. Our study provides a clear warning of the impact of habitat loss on island endemic biotas.
Unrelated toxin–antitoxin systems cooperate to induce persistence
Authors: Fasani Rick A. , Savageau Michael A.
Published: June 2015

Persisters are drug-tolerant bacteria that account for the majority of bacterial infections. They are not mutants, rather, they are slow-growing cells in an otherwise normally growing population. It is known that the frequency of persisters in a population is correlated with the number of toxin–antitoxin systems in the organism. Our previous work provided a mechanistic link between the two by showing how multiple toxin–antitoxin systems, which are present in nearly all bacteria, can cooperate to induce bistable toxin concentrations that result in a heterogeneous population of slow- and fast-growing cells. As such, the slow-growing persisters are a bet-hedging subpopulation maintained under normal conditions. For technical reasons, the model assumed that the kinetic parameters of the various toxin–antitoxin systems in the cell are identical, but experimental data indicate that they differ, sometimes dramatically. Thus, a critical question remains: whether toxin–antitoxin systems from the diverse families, often found together in a cell, with significantly different kinetics, can cooperate in a similar manner. Here, we characterize the interaction of toxin–antitoxin systems from many families that are unrelated and kinetically diverse, and identify the essential determinant for their cooperation. The generic architecture of toxin–antitoxin systems provides the potential for bistability, and our results show that even when they do not exhibit bistability alone, unrelated systems can be coupled by the growth rate to create a strongly bistable, hysteretic switch between normal (fast-growing) and persistent (slow-growing) states. Different combinations of kinetic parameters can produce similar toxic switching thresholds, and the proximity of the thresholds is the primary determinant of bistability. Stochastic fluctuations can spontaneously switch all of the toxin–antitoxin systems in a cell at once. The spontaneous switch creates a heterogeneous population of growing and non-growing cells, typical of persisters, that exist under normal conditions, rather than only as an induced response. The frequency of persisters in the population can be tuned for a particular environmental niche by mixing and matching unrelated systems via mutation, horizontal gene transfer and selection.
Mechanics regulates ATP-stimulated collective calcium response in fibroblast cells
Authors: Lembong Josephine , Sabass Benedikt , Sun Bo , Rogers Matthew E. , Stone Howard A.
Published: June 2015

Cells constantly sense their chemical and mechanical environments. We study the effect of mechanics on the ATP-induced collective calcium response of fibroblast cells in experiments that mimic various tissue environments. We find that closely packed two-dimensional cell cultures on a soft polyacrylamide gel (Young's modulus
E
= 690 Pa) contain more cells exhibiting calcium oscillations than cultures on a rigid substrate (
E
= 36 000 Pa). Calcium responses of cells on soft substrates show a slower decay of calcium level relative to those on rigid substrates. Actin enhancement and disruption experiments for the cell cultures allow us to conclude that actin filaments determine the collective Ca
2+
oscillatory behaviour in the culture. Inhibition of gap junctions results in a decrease of the oscillation period and reduced correlation of calcium responses, which suggests additional complexity of signalling upon cell–cell contact. Moreover, the frequency of calcium oscillations is independent of the rigidity of the substrate but depends on ATP concentration. We compare our results with those from similar experiments on individual cells. Overall, our observations show that collective chemical signalling in cell cultures via calcium depends critically on the mechanical environment.