bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ORNAMENT AND DISTRACTION: PERIPHERAL AESTHETICS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Authors: Chapman Alison Georgina
Published: May 2017

In the section devoted to “Attention”inThe Principles of Psychology(1890), William James describes how the “‘adaptation of the attention’” can alter our perception of an image so as to permit multiple visual formulations (417). In his example of a two-dimensional drawing of a cube, we can see the three-dimensional body only once our attention has been primed by “preperception”: the image formed by the combination of lines has “no connection with what the picture ostensibly represents” (419, 418). In a footnote to this passage, however, James uses an example from Hermann Lotze'sMedicinische Psychologie(1852), to show how a related phenomenon can occur involuntarily, and in states of distraction rather than attention:

In quietly lying and contemplating a wall-paper pattern, sometimes it is the ground, sometimes the design, which is clearer and consequently comes nearer. . .all without any intention on our part. . . .Often it happens in reverie that when we stare at a picture, suddenly some of its features will be lit up with especial clearness, although neither its optical character nor its meaning discloses any motive for such an arousal of the attention. (419)

James uses the formal illogicality of the wallpaper (its lack of compositional center prevents it from dictating the trajectory for our attention according to intrinsic aesthetic laws) to demonstrate the volatility of our ideational centers, particularly in moments of reverie or inattention. Without the intervention of the will, James says, our cognitive faculties are always in undirected motion, which occurs below the strata of our mental apprehension. Momentary instances of focus or attunement are generated only by the imperceptible and purely random “irradiations of brain-tracts” (420). Attention, for James, is the artistic power of the mind; it applies “emphasis,” “intelligible perspective,” and “clear and vivid form” to the objects apprehended by the faculties of perception, it “makesexperience more than it is made by it” (381). Reverie, a moment when attention has been reduced to a minimum, thus demands an alternative aesthetic analog, where composition is reduced to a minimum too.
HIS AND HERS: GENDERED OWNERSHIP AND MARRIAGE INDOMBEY AND SONANDLADY AUDLEY'S SECRET
Authors: Osborne Katherine Dunagan
Published: May 2017

In the nineteenth century, middle-class marriage was built on women's unique relationship with and authority over the domestic space, including its pin cushions, diaries, tea sets, mirrors, and boudoir furniture. What would a husband do with his wife's hair brushes? What claim could he have to her workbasket? Though the common law of coverture gave nearly all legal rights of ownership to husbands, leaving married women a mere smattering of ambiguous claims to pin money and paraphernalia, married women were nonetheless encouraged to cultivate ownership of objects through access, proximity, use, and emotional connection. Such unofficial ownership of household objects did not pose a threat to men's legal ownership or economic power, but was instead a necessary component of marriage since it allowed women to participate properly – according to domestic ideology – in the union of “one flesh.” Historians and literary critics of the last twenty-five years have explored the power Victorian middle-class women gain from their gendered relationship to the domestic space. My interest in this topic, however, is less about the agency women gain from their unique ownership of domestic things and more about what this mechanism of heteronormativity reveals about Victorian culture when it breaks down.
VALENTINES AND THE VICTORIAN IMAGINATION:MARY BARTONANDFAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Authors: Koehler Karin
Published: May 2017

The custom of celebrating Valentine'sDay dates back to the Middle Ages. The emergence of Valentine's Day as a commercial holiday, exploited above all by the greeting card industry, is more recent. In Britain, Valentine's Day cards emerged in the eighteenth century. As David Vincent writes,

The observance of 14 February underwent a metamorphosis during the eighteenth century which was later to befall many other customs. What had begun as an exchange of gifts, with many local variations of obscure origin, was gradually transformed into an exchange of tokens and letters, which in turn began to be replaced by printed messages from the end of the century. (44)

Early examples of pre-printed Valentine's Day stationery and manuals for the composition of the perfect valentine reveal that existing folk customs were swiftly adapted by modern print culture and an increasingly literate population. However, it was the 1840 introduction of Rowland Hill's penny post in Britain, alongside concomitant advances in American and European postal infrastructure, which led to a veritable explosion in the exchange of valentines, moulding the practice into a shape still recognisable today (see Golden 222). Hill not only democratised access to written communication by lowering prices, he also anonymised epistolary exchange. Prepaid stamps and pillar post boxes made it possible to correspond with anyone, anywhere, without giving away one's identity. And while sending an anonymous letter would have been perceived as a violation of epistolary decorum during the remainder of the year, on Valentine's Day it was not only acceptable but, as Farmer Boldwood hints in Thomas Hardy'sFar from the Madding Crowd(1874), expected. The opportunity for anonymous correspondence generated an enthusiastic response.
Guided Self-Help for Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Prior to Starting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: a Cohort Study
Authors: Ali Sheila , Goldsmith Kimberley , Burgess Mary , Chalder Trudie
Published: May 2017

Background: Previous research suggests that minimal interventions such as self-help guidance can improve outcomes in patients with fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Aims: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether self-help guidance could improve physical functioning, social adjustment and fatigue in a group of patients with CFS who were awaiting CBT at a clinic in secondary care. Method: Patients completed questionnaires at their initial assessment (baseline), immediately before beginning CBT (pre-treatment), and after their last session of CBT (end of treatment). The primary outcome was physical functioning, and the secondary outcomes were social adjustment and fatigue. Multi-level linear models were used to assess change over time after adjustment for gender and age. Results: Multi-level models revealed that from baseline to pre-treatment, patients showed statistically significant improvements in physical functioning, but there were no statistically significant improvements in fatigue or social adjustment. However, all the primary and secondary outcomes showed statistically significant changes after CBT. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that self-help guidance may be beneficial for patients with CFS who are awaiting CBT treatment or those who are unable to access specialist treatment in their local area.
The Limits of Kant’s Cosmopolitanism: Theory, Practice, and the Crisis in Syria
Authors: Altman Matthew C.
Published: May 2017

Although Kant defends a cosmopolitan ideal, his philosophy is problematically vague regarding how to achieve it, which lends support to the empty formalism charge. How Kant would respond to the crisis in Syria reveals that judgement plays too central a role, because Kantian principles lead to equally reasonable but opposite conclusions on how to weigh the duty of hospitality to refugees against a state’s duty to its own citizens, the right of prevention towards ISIS against the duty not to harm non-combatants, and the responsibility to protect the people of Syria against the duty of non-interference in its internal affairs.
Wide-field three-photon excitation in biological samples
Authors: Rowlands Christopher J , Park Demian , Bruns Oliver T , Piatkevich Kiryl D , Fukumura Dai , Jain Rakesh K , Bawendi Moungi G , Boyden Edward S , So Peter TC
Published: May 2017

Three-photon wide-field depth-resolved excitation is used to overcome some of the limitations in conventional point-scanning two- and three-photon microscopy. Excitation of chromophores as diverse as channelrhodopsins and quantum dots is shown, and a penetration depth of more than 700 μm into fixed scattering brain tissue is achieved, approximately twice as deep as that achieved using two-photon wide-field excitation. Compatibility with live animal experiments is confirmed by imaging the cerebral vasculature of an anesthetized mouse; a complete focal stack was obtained without any evidence of photodamage. As an additional validation of the utility of wide-field three-photon excitation, functional excitation is demonstrated by performing three-photon optogenetic stimulation of cultured mouse hippocampal neurons expressing a channelrhodopsin; action potentials could reliably be excited without causing photodamage.
Wide bandgap BaSnO3 films with room temperature conductivity exceeding 104 S cm−1
Authors: Prakash Abhinav , Xu Peng , Faghaninia Alireza , Shukla Sudhanshu , Ager Joel W. , Lo Cynthia S. , Jalan Bharat
Published: May 2017

Wide bandgap perovskite oxides with high room temperature conductivities and structural compatibility with a diverse family of organic/inorganic perovskite materials are of significant interest as transparent conductors and as active components in power electronics. Such materials must also possess high room temperature mobility to minimize power consumption and to enable high-frequency applications. Here, we report n-type BaSnO3 films grown using hybrid molecular beam epitaxy with room temperature conductivity exceeding 104 S cm−1. Significantly, these films show room temperature mobilities up to 120 cm2 V−1 s−1 even at carrier concentrations above 3 × 1020 cm−3 together with a wide bandgap (3 eV). We examine the mobility-limiting scattering mechanisms by calculating temperature-dependent mobility, and Seebeck coefficient using the Boltzmann transport framework and ab-initio calculations. These results place perovskite oxide semiconductors for the first time on par with the highly successful III–N system, thereby bringing all-transparent, high-power oxide electronics operating at room temperature a step closer to reality.
Hallmarks of Hunds coupling in the Mott insulator Ca2RuO4
Authors: Sutter D. , Fatuzzo C. G. , Moser S. , Kim M. , Fittipaldi R. , Vecchione A. , Granata V. , Sassa Y. , Cossalter F. , Gatti G. , Grioni M. , Rønnow H. M. , Plumb N. C. , Matt C. E. , Shi M. , Hoesch M. , Kim T. K. , Chang T-R , Jeng H-T , Jozwiak C. , Bostwick A. , Rotenberg E. , Georges A. , Neupert T. , Chang J.
Published: May 2017

A paradigmatic case of multi-band Mott physics including spin-orbit and Hund’s coupling is realized in Ca2RuO4. Progress in understanding the nature of this Mott insulating phase has been impeded by the lack of knowledge about the low-energy electronic structure. Here we provide—using angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy—the band structure of the paramagnetic insulating phase of Ca2RuO4 and show how it features several distinct energy scales. Comparison to a simple analysis of atomic multiplets provides a quantitative estimate of the Hund’s coupling J=0.4 eV. Furthermore, the experimental spectra are in good agreement with electronic structure calculations performed with Dynamical Mean-Field Theory. The crystal field stabilization of the dxy orbital due to c-axis contraction is shown to be essential to explain the insulating phase. These results underscore the importance of multi-band physics, Coulomb interaction and Hund’s coupling that together generate the Mott insulating state of Ca2RuO4.
Stat3 regulates centrosome clustering in cancer cells via Stathmin/PLK1
Authors: Morris Edward J. , Kawamura Eiko , Gillespie Jordan A. , Balgi Aruna , Kannan Nagarajan , Muller William J. , Roberge Michel , Dedhar Shoukat
Published: May 2017

Cancer cells frequently have amplified centrosomes that must be clustered together to form a bipolar mitotic spindle, and targeting centrosome clustering is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. A high-content chemical screen for inhibitors of centrosome clustering identified Stattic, a Stat3 inhibitor. Stat3 depletion and inhibition in cancer cell lines and in tumours in vivo caused significant inhibition of centrosome clustering and viability. Here we describe a transcription-independent mechanism for Stat3-mediated centrosome clustering that involves Stathmin, a Stat3 interactor involved in microtubule depolymerization, and the mitotic kinase PLK1. Furthermore, PLK4-driven centrosome amplified breast tumour cells are highly sensitive to Stat3 inhibitors. We have identified an unexpected role of Stat3 in the regulation of centrosome clustering, and this role of Stat3 may be critical in identifying tumours that are sensitive to Stat3 inhibitors.
The S. aureus 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase SAR1376 enhances immune responses when fused to several antigens
Authors: Diemen Pauline M. van , Leneghan Darren B. , Brian Iona J. , Miura Kazutoyo , Long Carole A. , Milicic Anita , Biswas Sumi , Rollier Christine S. , Wyllie David H.
Published: May 2017

A persistent goal of vaccine development is the enhancement of the immunogenicity of antigens while maintaining safety. One strategy involves alteration of the presentation of the antigen by combining antigens with a multimeric scaffold. Multi-antigen vaccines are under development, and there are presently far more candidate antigens than antigen scaffolding strategies. This is potentially problematic, since prior immunity to a scaffold may inhibit immune responses to the antigen-scaffold combination. In this study, a series of domains from S. aureus which have been shown to crystallise into multimeric structures have been examined for their scaffolding potential. Of these domains, SAR1376, a 62 amino acid member of the 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) family, was pro-immunogenic in mice when fused to a range of pathogen antigens from both S. aureus and P. falciparum, and delivered by either DNA vaccination, viral vector vaccines or as protein-in-adjuvant formulations. The adjuvant effect did not depend on enzymatic activity, but was abrogated by mutations disrupting the hexameric structure of the protein. We therefore propose that SAR1376, and perhaps other members of the 4-OT protein family, represent very small domains which can be fused to a wide range of antigens, enhancing immune responses against them.
The Guanacaste Volcanic Arc Sliver of Northwestern Costa Rica
Authors: Montero Walter , Lewis Jonathan C. , Araya Maria Cristina
Published: May 2017

Recent studies have shown that the Nicoya Peninsula of northwestern Costa Rica is moving northwestward ~11 mm a−1 as part of a tectonic sliver. Toward the northwest in El Salvador the northern sliver boundary is marked by a dextral strike-slip fault system active since Late Pleistocene time. To the southeast there is no consensus on what constitutes the northern boundary of the sliver, although a system of active crustal faults has been described in central Costa Rica. Here we propose that the Haciendas-Chiripa fault system serves as the northeastern boundary for the sliver and that the sliver includes most of the Guanacaste volcanic arc, herein the Guanacaste Volcanic Arc Sliver. In this paper we provide constraints on the geometry and kinematics of the boundary of the Guanacaste Volcanic Arc Sliver that are timely and essential to any models aimed at resolving the driving mechanism for sliver motion. Our results are also critical for assessing geological hazards in northwestern Costa Rica.
Intelligibility of locally time-reversed speech: A multilingual comparison
Authors: Ueda Kazuo , Nakajima Yoshitaka , Ellermeier Wolfgang , Kattner Florian
Published: May 2017

A set of experiments was performed to make a cross-language comparison of intelligibility of locally time-reversed speech, employing a total of 117 native listeners of English, German, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. The experiments enabled to examine whether the languages of three types of timing—stress-, syllable-, and mora-timed languages—exhibit different trends in intelligibility, depending on the duration of the segments that were temporally reversed. The results showed a strikingly similar trend across languages, especially when the time axis of segment duration was normalised with respect to the deviation of a talker’s speech rate from the average in each language. This similarity is somewhat surprising given the systematic differences in vocalic proportions characterising the languages studied which had been shown in previous research and were largely replicated with the present speech material. These findings suggest that a universal temporal window shorter than 20–40 ms plays a crucial role in perceiving locally time-reversed speech by working as a buffer in which temporal reorganisation can take place with regard to lexical and semantic processing.
Band Gap Engineering of Multi-Junction Solar Cells: Effects of Series Resistances and Solar Concentration
Authors: Zeitouny Joya , Katz Eugene A. , Dollet Alain , Vossier Alexis
Published: May 2017

Multi-junction (MJ) solar cells are one of the most promising technologies achieving high sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. Resistive losses constitute one of the main underlying mechanisms limiting their efficiency under high illumination. In this paper, we study, by numerical modeling, the extent to which a fine-tuning of the different electronic gaps involved in MJ stacks may mitigate the detrimental effects of series resistance losses for concentration-dependent and independent series resistances. Our results demonstrate that appropriate bandgap engineering may lead to significantly higher conversion efficiency at illumination levels above ~1000 suns and series resistance values typically exceeding 0.02 Ω cm2, due to lower operating current and, in turn, series resistance losses. The implications for future generations of solar cells aiming at an improved conversion of the solar spectrum are also addressed.
Adsorption energy of oxygen molecules on graphene and two-dimensional tungsten disulfide
Authors: Bagsican Filchito Renee , Winchester Andrew , Ghosh Sujoy , Zhang Xiang , Ma Lulu , Wang Minjie , Murakami Hironaru , Talapatra Saikat , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Kono Junichiro , Tonouchi Masayoshi , Kawayama Iwao
Published: May 2017

Adsorption of gas molecules on the surface of atomically layered two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, can significantly affect their electrical and optical properties. Therefore, a microscopic and quantitative understanding of the mechanism and dynamics of molecular adsorption and desorption has to be achieved in order to advance device applications based on these materials. However, recent theoretical calculations have yielded contradictory results, particularly on the magnitude of the adsorption energy. Here, we have experimentally determined the adsorption energy of oxygen molecules on graphene and 2D tungsten disulfide using temperature-programmed terahertz (THz) emission microscopy (TPTEM). The temperature dependence of THz emission from InP surfaces covered with 2D materials reflects the change in oxygen concentration due to thermal desorption, which we used to estimate the adsorption energy of oxygen molecules on graphene (~0.15 eV) and tungsten disulphide (~0.24 eV). Furthermore, we used TPTEM to visualize relative changes in the spatial distribution of oxygen molecules on monolayer graphene during adsorption and desorption. Our results provide much insight into the mechanism of molecular adsorption on the surface of 2D materials, while introducing TPTEM as a novel and powerful tool for molecular surface science.
Impacts of carbon nanomaterials on the diversity of microarthropods in turfgrass soil
Authors: Bai Xue , Zhao Shulan , Duo Lian
Published: May 2017

Nanoscale materials have been produced with unprecedented speed due to their widespread use, and they may eventually be released into the environment. As effective adsorbents for heavy metals, carbon nanomaterials can be used to immobilize metals in contaminated soil, but little information is available regarding their effects on soil microarthropods. This study was designed to investigate the influence of three types of carbon nanomaterials, graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on soil microarthropod communities under turfgrass growth conditions. The application of carbon nanomaterials resulted in increased abundance of all soil microarthropods, especially in the GO and CNT treatments. GO also significantly increased the abundances of multiple trophic functional groups, including predators, detritivores, herbivores and fungivores. Further, the dominant genera varied among the treatments. Herbivorous microarthropods predominated in the control, whereas predatory species predominated in the carbon nanomaterial treatments. Carbon nanomaterials also increased the total taxonomic richness, Shannon diversity index, and dominance index of the microarthropod community, but they decreased the evenness index. Higher diversity of soil microarthropods indicates an environment suitable for soil mesofauna and for enhanced decomposition and nutrient cycling in the soil food web.
“TORNADO” – Theranostic One-Step RNA Detector; microfluidic disc for the direct detection of microRNA-134 in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: McArdle Hazel , Jimenez-Mateos Eva M. , Raoof Rana , Carthy Eadaoin , Boyle David , ElNaggar Hany , Delanty Norman , Hamer Hajo , Dogan Muejgdan , Huchtemann Tessa , Kӧrtvelyessy Peter , Rosenow Felix , Forster Robert J. , Henshall David C. , Spain Elaine
Published: May 2017

Diagnosis of seizure disorders such as epilepsy currently relies on clinical examination and electroencephalogram recordings and is associated with substantial mis-diagnosis. The miRNA, miR-134 (MIR134 in humans), has been found to be elevated in brain tissue after experimental status epilepticus and in human epilepsy cells and their detection in biofluids may serve as unique biomarkers. miRNAs from unprocessed human plasma and human cerebrospinal fluid samples were used in a novel electrochemical detection based on electrocatalytic platinum nanoparticles inside a centrifugal microfluidic device where the sandwich assay is formed using an event triggered release system, suitable for the rapid point-of-care detection of low abundance biomarkers of disease. The device has the advantage of controlling the rotation speed of the centrifugal device to pump nanoliter volumes of fluid at a set time and manipulate the transfer of liquids within the device. The centrifugal platform improves reaction rates and yields by proposing efficient mixing strategies to overcome diffusion-limited processes and improve mass transport rates, resulting in reduced hybridization times with a limit of detection of 1 pM target concentration. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples (unprocessed) from patients with epilepsy or who experienced status epilepticus were tested and the catalytic response obtained was in range of the calibration plot. This study demonstrates a rapid and simple detection for epilepsy biomarkers in biofluid.
Microfluidic system for monitoring temporal variations of hemorheological properties and platelet adhesion in LPS-injected rats
Authors: Yeom Eunseop , Kim Hye Mi , Park Jun Hong , Choi Woorak , Doh Junsang , Lee Sang Joon
Published: May 2017

Sepsis causes multiple organs failures and eventually death. Changes in blood constituents due to sepsis lead to alterations in hemorheological properties, and cell adhesiveness. In this study, a new microfluidic system is proposed to measure temporal variations in biophysical properties of blood after injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into a rat extracorporeal model underex vivocondition. To measure blood viscosity, the interfacial line between blood and a reference fluid is formed in a Y-shaped channel. Based on the relation between interfacial width and pressure ratio, the temporal variation in blood viscosity is estimated. Optical images of blood flows are analyzed by decreasing flow rate for examination of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. Platelets initiated by shear acceleration around the stenosis adhere to the post-stenosed region. By applying a correlation map that visualizes the decorrelation of the streaming blood flow, the area of adhered platelets can be quantitatively attained without labeling of platelets. To assess sepsis inflammation, conventional biomarkers (PCT and IL-8) are also monitored. The increasing tendency for blood viscosity, RBC aggregation, platelet adhesion, and septic biomarkers are observed after LPS injection. This microfluidic system would be beneficial for monitoring the changes in hemorheological properties and platelet activation caused by sepsis.
Clinicopathologic significance of MYD88 L265P mutation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Ju-Han , Jeong Hoiseon , Choi Jung-Woo , Oh HwaEun , Kim Young-Sik
Published: May 2017

The precise clinicopathologic significance of myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MYD88) L265P mutation in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) remains elusive. To investigate the frequency and clinicopathologic significance of the MYD88 L265P mutation in DLBCLs, we conducted a meta-analysis of 40 published studies on 2736 DLBCL patients. We collected relevant published research findings identified using the PubMed and Embase databases. The effect sizes of outcome parameters were calculated using a random-effects model. In this meta-analysis, the MYD88 L265P mutation in DLBCL showed a significant difference according to tumor sites. The overall incidence of the MYD88 L265P mutation in DLBCLs, excluding the central nervous system and testicular DLBCLs, was 16.5%. Notably, the MYD88 L265P mutation rates of CNS and testicular DLBCL patients were 60% and 77%, respectively. Interestingly, the MYD88 L265P mutation was more frequently detected in activated B-cell-like (ABC) or non-germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) than GCB subtype (OR = 3.414, p < 0.001). The MYD88 L265P mutation was significantly associated with old age and poor overall survival, but not with sex and clinical stage. This pooled analysis demonstrates that the MYD88 L265P mutation is significantly associated with the tumor sites and molecular subtypes in DLBCL patients.
A randomized comparison of the prone ventilation endotracheal tube versus the traditional endotracheal tube in adult patients undergoing prone position surgery
Authors: Zou Wangyuan , Shao Jiali , Liang Xia , Li Lin , He Zhenghua , Guo Qulian
Published: May 2017

Endotracheal tube displacement or dislocation is a severe complication that can occur in patients who require prone position ventilation. We hypothesized the prone position tube (PPT) would reduce the incidence of displacement of an endotracheal tube in an adult prone operation compared to a traditional tube (TT). A total of 80 adult patients undergoing neurosurgery or spine surgery were recruited. Sixty patients with prone position ventilation were randomly divided into the traditional routine endotracheal tube group (Group TT, n = 30) and the prone position ventilation endotracheal tube group (Group PPT, n = 30). The primary outcome measures were the incidence of the endotracheal tube displacement during surgery, and the secondary outcomes were symptoms of sore throat, dysphagia and dysphonia during follow-up in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The incidence of tube displacement was significantly lower in the PPT group (0 [0%] of 30 patients) compared to the TT group (22 [73.3%] of 30 patients; odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.591–0.910; P = 0.005). There was no statistical difference in sore throat, dysphagia and vocal function between the two groups (P > 0.05) during follow-up. Compared to the traditional tube, the improved prone positon tube reduced the incidence of displacement of the endotracheal tube. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on April 29, 2015 (No. NCT02449356).
Neuregulin 1 improves complex 2-mediated mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle of healthy and diabetic mice
Authors: Ennequin Gaël , Capel Frederic , Caillaud Kevin , Chavanelle Vivien , Etienne Monique , Teixeira Allison , Li Xinyan , Boisseau Nathalie , Sirvent Pascal
Published: May 2017

It has been reported that neuregulin1 (NRG1) improves glucose tolerance in healthy and diabetic rodents. In vitro studies also suggest that NRG1 regulates myocyte oxidative capacity. To confirm this observation in vivo, we evaluated the effect on mitochondrial function of an 8-week treatment with NRG1 in db/db diabetic mice and C57BL/6JRJ healthy controls. NRG1 treatment improved complex 2-mediated mitochondrial respiration in the gastrocnemius of both control and diabetic mice and increased mitochondrial complex 2 subunit content by 2-fold. This effect was not associated with an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis markers. Enhanced ERBB4 phosphorylation could mediate NRG1 effects on mitochondrial function through signalling pathways, independently of ERK1/2, AKT or AMPK.
Off-Stoichiometry Driven Carrier Density Variation at the Interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3
Authors: Tsai Ming-Shiu , Li Chi-Sheng , Guo Shih-Ting , Song Ming-Yuan , Singh Akhilesh Kr. , Lee Wei-Li , Chu M.-W.
Published: May 2017

The interface between LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) has attracted enormous interests due to its rich physical phenomena, such as metallic nature, magnetism and superconductivity. In this work, we report our experimental investigations on the influence of the LAO stoichiometry to the metallic interface. Taking advantage of the oxide molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique, a series of high quality LAO films with different nominal La/Al ratios and LAO thicknesses were grown on the TiO2-terminated STO substrates, where systematic variations of the LAO lattice constant and transport property were observed. In particular, the sheet density can be largely reduced by nearly an order of magnitude with merely about 20% increase in the nominal La/Al ratio. Our finding provides an effective method on tuning the electron density of the two-dimensional electron liquid (2DEL) at the LAO/STO interface.
On-chip hydrodynamic chromatography of DNA through centimeters-long glass nanocapillaries
Authors: Duan Lian , Yobas Levent
Published: May 2017

We demonstrate DNA separation in a microchip format based on the principle of hydrodynamic chromatography.
Enabling lateral transport of genomic DNA through porous membranes for point-of-care applications
Authors: Byrnes Samantha A. , Bishop Joshua D. , Yager Paul
Published: May 2017

Simultaneous cell lysis and DNA fragmentation to allow for controllable lateral transport of DNA through commonly-used porous membranes.
Label-free fluorescence assay for rapid detection of RNase H activity based on Tb3+-induced G-quadruplex conjugates
Authors: Wu Kefeng , Ma Changbei , Liu Haisheng , He Hailun , Zeng Weimin , Wang Kemin
Published: May 2017

A simple fluorescence based biosensor for label-free detection of RNase H activity based on Tb3+-induced G-quadruplex conjugates is reported.
Design of a ratiometric fluorescent probe for naked eye detection of dopamine
Authors: Farahmand Nejad Mohammad Amin , Hormozi-Nezhad M. Reza
Published: May 2017

A simple and effective ratiometric fluorescence sensor for selective detection of dopamine (DA) in alkaline media has been developed by simply mixing thioglycolic acid (TGA) functionalized orange fluorescent cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) with amino-functionalized blue fluorescent carbon nanodots (CDs).
A coaxial extractive electrospray ionization source
Authors: Swanson Kenneth. D. , Worth Anne. L. , Glish Gary. L.
Published: May 2017

An extractive electrospray ionization (EESI) source design is presented to improve the reproducibility of the interactions occurring in EESI.
Pyrazine-fused isoindigo: a new building block for polymer solar cells with high open circuit voltage
Authors: Li Jiu-Long , Chai Yun-Fei , Wang Wei Vanessa , Shi Zi-Fa , Xu Zhu-Guo , Zhang Hao-Li
Published: May 2017

A novel pyrazine-fused isoindigo was synthesized to construct D–A copolymers for solar cells with a high Voc over 1.0 V.
Ag-Catalyzed difluorohydration of β-alkynyl ketones for diastereoselective synthesis of 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Zhu Yi-Long , Wang Ai-Fang , Du Jian-Yu , Leng Bo-Rong , Tu Shu-Jiang , Wang De-Cai , Wei Ping , Hao Wen-Juan , Jiang Bo
Published: May 2017

A new catalytic difluorohydration of β-alkynyl ketones using NFSI as the fluorinating reagent has been established, diastereoselectively providing difluoride 1,5-dicarbonyl products, and some of them were converted into difluorinated isoquinolines.
Pinpointing disulfide connectivities in cysteine-rich proteins
Authors: Bernardino K. , Pinto M. E. F. , Bolzani V. S. , de Moura A. F. , Batista Junior J. M.
Published: May 2017

The sequence and order of disulfide bond formation in cysteine-rich proteins, and the resulting conformational changes, are assessedviaa thermodynamic perturbation protocol.
Controllable n-Fe2O3@graphene nanomaterials by ALD applied in an aptasensor with enhanced electrochemical performance for thrombin detection
Authors: Zhang Hongfen , Zhang Baiyan , Chen Anjia , Qin Yong
Published: May 2017

An elegant atomic layer deposition (ALD) method has been employed for the controllable preparation of a uniform Fe2O3-coated graphene nanostructure (Fe2O3@graphene).
Food and plant bioactives for reducing cardiometabolic disease risk: an evidence based approach
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Fogacci Federica , Colletti Alessandro
Published: May 2017

Nutraceuticals active on the main cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Development of nutraceutical formulations based on the mycelium of Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Cardoso Rossana V. C. , Fernandes Ângela , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P. , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Barros Lillian , Martins Anabela , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R.
Published: May 2017

Agaricus bisporusandPleurotus ostreatusmycelium were explored with the aim to be used in the development of new nutraceutical formulations, highlighting the potential ofin vitroculture as a tool to improve phenolic acids and ergosterol production.
Maltodextrin modified liposomes for drug delivery through the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Gurturk Zeynep , Tezcaner Aysen , Dalgic Ali Deniz , Korkmaz Seval , Keskin Dilek
Published: May 2017

Maltodextrin conjugated and glutathione co-loaded liposomes can improve brain targeting of levodopa by enhancing blood–brain barrier targeting and transport.
Interplay between many body effects and Coulomb screening in the optical bandgap of atomically thin MoS2
Authors: Park Youngsin , Han Sang Wook , Chan Christopher C. S. , Reid Benjamin P. L. , Taylor Robert A. , Kim Nammee , Jo Yongcheol , Im Hyunsik , Kim Kwang S.
Published: May 2017

Due to its unique electronic band structure and strong excitonic features, atomically thin MoS2 is an ideal 2D system where intriguing photoexcited-carrier-induced phenomena can be detected in excitonic luminescence.
An efficient chain transfer reaction of the trithiocarbonate unit as a tool to prepare a functional polyolefin: a post-polymerization modification of ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer for improved oil resistance
Authors: Jo Joon Hwi , Hong Sung Chul
Published: May 2017

A novel strategy to modify polyolefins is applied to EPDM by using an efficient radical chain transfer reaction of trithiocarbonate.
In situ luminescence analysis: a new light on monitoring calcium phosphate phase transitions
Authors: Terraschke H. , Rothe M. , Tsirigoni A.-M. , Lindenberg P. , Ruiz Arana L. , Heidenreich N. , Bertram F. , Etter M.
Published: May 2017

In situ luminescence measurements allow monitoring the phase transitions of biologically relevant calcium phosphates with high sensitivity, independent of synchrotron radiation.
Strontium ranelate-loaded PLGA porous microspheres enhancing the osteogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells
Authors: Mao Zhenyang , Fang Zhiwei , Yang Yunqi , Chen Xuan , Wang Yugang , Kang Jian , Qu Xinhua , Yuan Weien , Dai Kerong
Published: May 2017

Biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has been used as a tissue engineering scaffold as well as a carrier for the delivery of proteins, drugs, and other macromolecules.
Single- and few-layer BiOI as promising photocatalysts for solar water splitting
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Zhang Ming , Meng Jie , Li Qunxiang , Yang Jinlong
Published: May 2017

Theoretical studies suggest that BiOI nanosheets can be efficient photocatalysts for solar water splitting.
The synthesis and characterization of ytterbium-doped TiO2 hollow spheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Jiang Xueliang , Li Chenjian , Liu Song , Zhang Fuqing , You Feng , Yao Chu
Published: May 2017

SEM images of Melamine-formaldehyde polymer microspheres (MF) (a) and Yb-doped TiO2 hollow spheres (Yb-TiO2HS) (b).
The supranutritional selenium status alters blood glucose and pancreatic redox homeostasis via a modulated selenotranscriptome in chickens (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Xiang Li-Run , Li Wei , Wang Li-Li , Cao Chang-Yu , Li Nan , Li Xue-Nan , Jiang Xiu-Qing , Li Jin-Long
Published: May 2017

Dietary Se status stabilizes pancreatic normal physiology functionviathe regulation of the selenoprotemic transcriptions. Supranutritional or excess Se status alters the pancreatic redox homeostasisviamodulated selenotranscriptome.
A silk fibroin hydrogel with reversible sol–gel transition
Authors: Yin Zhuping , Wu Feng , Xing Tieling , Yadavalli Vamsi K. , Kundu Subhas C. , Lu Shenzhou
Published: May 2017

Herein, we prepare a novel silk fibroin hydrogel with a reversible thixotropic gel–sol transition triggered by a facile cycled shearing and resting procedure.
A novel, label-free fluorescence detection method for the formation of G-quadruplex DNA based on DNA-templated silver nanoclusters
Authors: Xu Jiaona , Wei Chunying
Published: May 2017

A novel, label-free fluorescence detection method was proposed for the formation of the G-quadruplex DNAs based on placing two DNA-Ag NCs together to light-up fluorescence.
Asymmetric Michael addition reactions of pyrrolones with chalcones catalyzed by vicinal primary-diamine salts
Authors: Du Xiaolei , Yin Dawei , Ge Zemei , Wang Xin , Li Runtao
Published: May 2017

The asymmetric Michael addition reaction of pyrrolones with chalcones catalyzed by vicinal primary-diamine salts has been developed in good yields and high enantioselectivities.
Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers based on acrylic acid, fluoroalkyl acrylates and n-butyl acrylate in organic, aqueous–organic, and aqueous media via RAFT polymerization
Authors: Serkhacheva N. S. , Smirnov O. I. , Tolkachev A. V. , Prokopov N. I. , Plutalova A. V. , Chernikova E. V. , Kozhunova E. Yu. , Khokhlov A. R.
Published: May 2017

Hydrophilic and amphiphilic polymeric trithiocarbonates based on polyacrylic acid are able to provide polymerization-induced self-assembly in copolymerization of butyl and fluoroalkyl acrylates.
Colloidal synthesis and characterization of single-crystalline Sb2Se3 nanowires
Authors: Liu Yike , Tang Yaqin , Zeng Ying , Luo Xun , Ran Jingyu , Luo Yongmei , Su Xiangdong , Ng Boon K. , Liu Fangyang , Jiang Liangxing
Published: May 2017

Single-crystalline Sb2Se3 nanowires have been synthesized by a hot-injection phosphine-free colloidal method and show excellent photoelectrochemical properties.
Total synthesis of natural products containing benzofuran rings
Authors: Heravi Majid M. , Zadsirjan Vahideh , Hamidi Hoda , Tabar Amiri Parvin Hajiabbas
Published: May 2017

In this review, various approaches for the construction of benzofurans as an important moiety in different natural products during the total synthesis of the natural of products are underscored.
Transfer of photosynthetic NADP+/NADPH recycling activity to a porous metal oxide for highly specific, electrochemically-driven organic synthesis
Authors: Siritanaratkul Bhavin , Megarity Clare F. , Roberts Thomas G. , Samuels Thomas O. M. , Winkler Martin , Warner Jamie H. , Happe Thomas , Armstrong Fraser A.
Published: May 2017

A bio-hybrid material has been discovered, which offers a new direction for fast, specific enzyme-catalyzed organic synthesis.
Regulation and imaging of gene expression via an RNA interference antagonistic biomimetic probe
Authors: Zhang Kai , Yang Xue-Jiao , Zhao Wei , Xu Ming-Chen , Xu Jing-Juan , Chen Hong-Yuan
Published: May 2017

A versatile strategy is reported which permits gene regulation and imaging in living cells via an RNA interference antagonistic probe.
Design of template-stabilized active and earth-abundant oxygen evolution catalysts in acid
Authors: Huynh Michael , Ozel Tuncay , Liu Chong , Lau Eric C. , Nocera Daniel G.
Published: May 2017

We demonstrate a rational approach for designing earth-abundant catalysts that are stable and active in acid by treating activity and stability as decoupled elements of mixed metal oxides.
Research and application progress on key materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Yongchang , Liu Xiaobin , Wang Tianshi , Fan Li-Zhen , Jiao Lifang
Published: May 2017

This review summarizes the up-to-date research progress and insights on key materials (including cathode, anode, and electrolyte) for Na storage and some representative Na-ion full battery configurations will also be emphatically described.
An oriented, siliceous deca-dodecasil 3R (DDR) zeolite film for effective carbon capture: insight into its hydrophobic effect
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Hong Sungwon , Jang Eunhee , Lee Jeong Hyeon , Kim Jin Chul , Choi Nakwon , Cho Churl Hee , Nam Jaewook , Kwak Sang Kyu , Yip Alex C. K. , Choi Jungkyu
Published: May 2017

An oriented, hydrophobic membrane made of a decadodecasil 3 rhombohedral (DDR) zeolite (0.36 nm) could separate CO2(0.33 nm) from larger N2(0.364 nm) reliably.
Synthesis and magnetic characterisation of Fe1−xMgxSb2O4 (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) and their oxygen-excess derivatives, Fe1−xMgxSb2O4+y
Authors: de Laune Benjamin P. , Whitaker Mariana J. , Marco Jose F. , Thomas Michael F. , Berry Frank J. , Lees Martin R. , Greaves Colin
Published: May 2017

The structures and magnetic properties of Fe1−xMgxSb2O4 and their products from low-temperature oxidation, Fe1−xMgxSb2O4+y, are described.
The emerging role of NADPH oxidase NOX5 in vascular disease
Authors: Jha Jay C. , Watson Anna M.D. , Mathew Geetha , de Vos Lisanne C. , Jandeleit-Dahm Karin
Published: May 2017

Oxidative stress is a consequence of up-regulation of pro-oxidant enzyme-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and concomitant depletion of antioxidants. Elevated levels of ROS act as an intermediate and are the common denominator for various diseases including diabetes-associated macro-/micro-vascular complications and hypertension. A range of enzymes are capable of generating ROS, but the pro-oxidant enzyme family, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs), are the only enzymes known to be solely dedicated to ROS generation in the vascular tissues, kidney, aortas and eyes. While there is convincing evidence for a role of NOX1 in vascular and eye disease and for NOX4 in renal injury, the role of NOX5 in disease is less clear. Although NOX5 is highly up-regulated in humans in disease, it is absent in rodents. Thus, so far it has not been possible to study NOX5 in traditional mouse or rat models of disease. In the present review, we summarize and critically analyse the emerging evidence for a pathophysiological role of NOX5 in disease including the expression, regulation and molecular and cellular mechanisms which have been demonstrated to be involved in NOX5 activation.
Developing the Alphabetic Principle to Aid Text-Based Augmentative and Alternative Communication Use by Adults With Low Speech Intelligibility and Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Schmidt-Naylor Anna C. , Saunders Kathryn J. , Brady Nancy C.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

We explored alphabet supplementation as an augmentative and alternative communication strategy for adults with minimal literacy. Study 1's goal was to teach onset-letter selection with spoken words and assess generalization to untaught words, demonstrating the alphabetic principle. Study 2 incorporated alphabet supplementation within a naming task and then assessed effects on speech intelligibility.

Method

Three men with intellectual disabilities (ID) and low speech intelligibility participated. Study 1 used a multiple-probe design, across three 20-word sets, to show that our computer-based training improved onset-letter selection. We also probed generalization to untrained words. Study 2 taught onset-letter selection for 30 new words chosen for functionality. Five listeners transcribed speech samples of the 30 words in 2 conditions: speech only and speech with alphabet supplementation.

Results

Across studies 1 and 2, participants demonstrated onset-letter selection for at least 90 words. Study 1 showed evidence of the alphabetic principle for some but not all word sets. In study 2, participants readily used alphabet supplementation, enabling listeners to understand twice as many words.

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration of alphabet supplementation in individuals with ID and minimal literacy. The large number of words learned holds promise both for improving communication and providing a foundation for improved literacy.
A Comparison of the Metalinguistic Performance and Spelling Development of Children With Inconsistent Speech Sound Disorder and Their Age-Matched and Reading-Matched Peers
Authors: McNeill Brigid C. , Wolter Julie , Gillon Gail T.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study explored the specific nature of a spelling impairment in children with speech sound disorder (SSD) in relation to metalinguistic predictors of spelling development.

Method

The metalinguistic (phoneme, morphological, and orthographic awareness) and spelling development of 28 children ages 6–8 years with a history of inconsistent SSD were compared to those of their age-matched (
n
= 28) and reading-matched (
n
= 28) peers. Analysis of the literacy outcomes of children within the cohort with persistent (
n
= 18) versus resolved (
n
= 10) SSD was also conducted.

Results

The age-matched peers outperformed the SSD group on all measures. Children with SSD performed comparably to their reading-matched peers on metalinguistic measures but exhibited lower spelling scores. Children with persistent SSD generally had less favorable outcomes than children with resolved SSD; however, even children with resolved SSD performed poorly on normative spelling measures.

Conclusion

Children with SSD have a specific difficulty with spelling that is not commensurate with their metalinguistic and reading ability. Although low metalinguistic awareness appears to inhibit these children's spelling development, other factors should be considered, such as nonverbal rehearsal during spelling attempts and motoric ability. Integration of speech-production and spelling-intervention goals is important to enhance literacy outcomes for this group.