bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High gastrointestinal permeability and local metabolism of naringenin: influence of antibiotic treatment on absorption and metabolism
Authors: Orrego-Lagarón Naiara , Martínez-Huélamo Miriam , Vallverdú-Queralt Anna , Lamuela-Raventos Rosa M. , Escribano-Ferrer Elvira
Published: June 2015

The present study aims to determine the permeability of naringenin in the stomach, small intestine and colon, to evaluate intestinal and hepatic first-pass metabolism, and to study the influence of the microbiota on the absorption and disposition of naringenin (3·5 μg/ml). A single-pass intestinal perfusion model in mice (n4–6) was used. Perfusate (every 10 min), blood (at 60 min) and bile samples were taken and analysed to evaluate the presence of naringenin and its metabolites by an HPLC-MS/MS method. To study the influence of the microbiota on the bioavailability of naringenin, a group of animals received the antibiotic rifaximin (50 mg/kg per d) for 5 d, and naringenin permeability was determined in the colon. Naringenin was absorbed well throughout the gastrointestinal tract but mainly in the small intestine and colon (mean permeability coefficient 7·80 (sd1·54) × 10− 4cm/s and 5·49 (sd1·86) × 10− 4cm/s, respectively), at a level similar to the highly permeable compound, naproxen (6·39 (sd1·23) × 10− 4cm/s). According to the high amounts of metabolites found in the perfusate compared to the bile and plasma, naringenin underwent extensive intestinal first-pass metabolism, and the main metabolites excreted were sulfates (84·00 (sd12·14)%), followed by glucuronides (8·40 (sd5·67)%). Phase II metabolites were found in all perfusates from 5 min of sampling. Mice treated with rifaximin showed a decrease in naringenin permeability and in the amounts of 4-hydroxyhippuric acid and hippuric acid in the lumen. Naringenin was well absorbed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and its poor bioavailability was due mainly to high intestinal metabolism.
Butyrylated starch intake can prevent red meat-induced O6-methyl-2-deoxyguanosine adducts in human rectal tissue: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Le Leu Richard K. , Winter Jean M. , Christophersen Claus T. , Young Graeme P. , Humphreys Karen J. , Hu Ying , Gratz Silvia W. , Miller Rosalind B. , Topping David L. , Bird Anthony R. , Conlon Michael A.
Published: June 2015

Epidemiological studies have identified increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk with high red meat (HRM) intakes, whereas dietary fibre intake appears to be protective. In the present study, we examined whether a HRM diet increased rectal O6-methyl-2-deoxyguanosine (O6MeG) adduct levels in healthy human subjects, and whether butyrylated high-amylose maize starch (HAMSB) was protective. A group of twenty-three individuals consumed 300 g/d of cooked red meat without (HRM diet) or with 40 g/d of HAMSB (HRM+HAMSB diet) over 4-week periods separated by a 4-week washout in a randomised cross-over design. Stool and rectal biopsy samples were collected for biochemical, microbial and immunohistochemical analyses at baseline and at the end of each 4-week intervention period. The HRM diet increased rectal O6MeG adducts relative to its baseline by 21 % (P< 0·01), whereas the addition of HAMSB to the HRM diet prevented this increase. Epithelial proliferation increased with both the HRM (P< 0·001) and HRM+HAMSB (P< 0·05) diets when compared with their respective baseline levels, but was lower following the HRM+HAMSB diet compared with the HRM diet (P< 0·05). Relative to its baseline, the HRM+HAMSB diet increased the excretion of SCFA by over 20 % (P< 0·05) and increased the absolute abundances of theClostridium coccoidesgroup (P< 0·05), theClostridiumleptumgroup (P< 0·05),Lactobacillusspp. (P< 0·01),Parabacteroides distasonis(P< 0·001) andRuminococcus bromii(P< 0·05), but loweredRuminococcus torques(P< 0·05) and the proportions ofRuminococcus gnavus,Ruminococcus torquesandEscherichia coli(P< 0·01). HRM consumption could increase the risk of CRC through increased formation of colorectal epithelial O6MeG adducts. HAMSB consumption prevented red meat-induced adduct formation, which may be associated with increased stool SCFA levels and/or changes in the microbiota composition.
Differential necrophoric behaviour of the ant Solenopsis invicta towards fungal-infected corpses of workers and pupae
Authors: Qiu H.-L. , Lu L.-H. , Shi Q.-X. , Tu C.-C. , Lin T. , He Y.-R.
Published: June 2015

Necrophoric behaviour is critical sanitation behaviour in social insects. However, little is known about the necrophoric responses of workers towards different developmental stages in a colony as well as its underlying mechanism. Here, we show that Solenopsis invicta workers display distinct necrophoric responses to corpses of workers and pupae. Corpses of workers killed by freezing (dead for <1 h) were carried to a refuse pile, but pupal corpses would take at least 1 day to elicit workers’ necrophoric response. Metarhizium anisopliae-infected pupal corpses accelerated the necrophoric behaviour of resident workers, with 47.5% of unaffected corpses and 73.8% infected corpses discarded by 1 day post-treatment). We found that fungus-infected pupal corpses had a higher concentration of fatty acids (palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid) on their surface. We experimentally confirmed that linoleic and oleic acids would elicit a necrophoric response in workers. The appearance of linoleic and oleic acids appeared to be chemical signals involved in recognition of pupal corpses, and M. anisopliae infection could promote the accumulation of fatty acids on surface of pupal corpses resulting in accelerated necrophoric responses of workers.
ΝΗΣΑΙ IN SOPHOCLES, FR. 439 R.
Authors: Olson S. Douglas
Published: June 2015

πέπλους τε νῆσαι λινογενεῖς τ’ ἐπενδύτας

τε νῆσαιCanter: τε νίσαιPoll.A: τάνυσαιPoll.FS

nêsaimantles and outer garments born of flax

Greek has three verbs νέω: (A) ‘swim’, (B) ‘spin’ and (C) ‘heap up, pile’. The aorist infinitive of both (B) and (C) is νῆσαι. LSJ (followed by Ellendt) takes Sophocles, fr. 439 R. (fromNausicaa or Washing-women) to be an instance of νέω (B). Pearson comments: ‘νῆσαι is loosely used for ὑϕαίνειν. The process of spinning, being preparatory to that of weaving, was apt to be regarded as part of the same operation rather than as a distinct art … Soph. probably had in mind η 96 πέπλοι | λεπτοὶ ἐΰννητοι βεβλήατο, ἔργα γυναικῶν’ (cloth spread on the seats in the banqueting hall of the Phaeacian king Alcinous). Lloyd-Jones accordingly translates the fragment ‘to weave robes and tunics made of linen’.
Robot motion planning with task specifications via regular languages
Authors: McMahon James , Plaku Erion
Published: June 2015

This paper presents an efficient approach for planning collision-free and dynamically feasible trajectories that enable a mobile robot to carry out tasks specified as regular languages over workspace regions. A sampling-based tree search is conducted over the feasible motions and over an abstraction obtained by combining the automaton representing the regular language with a workspace decomposition. The abstraction is used to partition the motion tree into equivalence classes and estimate the feasibility of reaching accepting automaton states from these equivalence classes. The partition is continually refined to discover new ways to expand the search. Comparisons to related work show significant speedups.
Effect of high fat diet on artificial oocyte activation following superovulation in mice
Authors: Yamamoto Daisuke , Yasui Toshiyuki , Kobayashi Chika , Kitazato Takane , Iwasa Takeshi , Irahara Minoru
Published: June 2015

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of increased dietary intake and high fat diet (HFD) in mice on artificial oocyte activation by using puromycin or roscovitine. Six-week-old mice were fed as either a control diet group, an increased dietary intake group or an HFD group for 4 weeks. Oocytes were obtained following superovulation and were divided into three treatment groups (no activation treatment, calcium ionophore and puromycin treatment, and calcium ionophore and roscovitine treatment) and were incubated for 4 h. Retrieved oocytes and numbers of oocytes activated as assessed by morphological changes were compared among the three treatment groups. The proportion of degenerated oocytes in HFD mice was significantly higher than that in control diet mice. The rates of activation in oocytes treated with roscovitine were 90.3% in control diet mice, 89.8% in increased dietary intake mice and 67.9% in HFD mice. The rate of activation in oocytes treated with roscovitine in HFD mice was significantly lower than the rates in control diet mice and increased dietary intake mice. The rates of activation in oocytes treated with puromycin were 90.6% in control diet mice, 94.0% in increased dietary intake mice and 71.4% in HFD mice, and the rate of activation in oocytes treated with puromycin in HFD mice was significantly lower than the rates in control diet mice and increased dietary intake mice. HFD-induced obesity deteriorated induction of oocyte activation by roscovitine or puromycin in mice.
Maternal mental health: a shared care approach
Authors: Li Hua , Bowen Angela , Szafron Michael , Moraros John , Muhajarine Nazeem
Published: June 2015

Background

Maternal mental health problems affect up to 20% of women, with potentially deleterious effects to the mother and family. To address this serious problem, a Maternal Mental Health Program (MMHP) using a shared care approach was developed. A shared care approach can promote an efficient use of limited specialized maternal mental health services, strengthen collaboration between the maternal mental health care team and primary care physicians, increase access to maternal mental health care services, and promote primary care provider competence in treating maternal mental health problems.

Aim

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a MMHP using a shared care approach on maternal anxiety and depression symptoms of participants, the satisfaction of women and referring physicians, and whether the program met the intents of shared care approach (such as quick consultation, increased knowledge, and confidence of primary care physicians).

Methods

We used a pre and post cross-sectional study design to evaluate women’s depression and anxiety symptoms and the satisfaction of women and their primary care health provider with the program.

Findings

Depression and anxiety symptoms significantly improved with involvement with the program. Women and physicians reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. Physician knowledge and confidence treating maternal mental health problems improved.

Conclusions

Shared care can be an effective and efficient way to provide maternal mental health care in primary health care settings where resources are limited.
Henry Button
Authors: Faulkner Kate
Published: June 2015

Kate Faulkner introduces a collection of material left to the Squire Law Library by veteran historian, Henry Button. Her article discusses the sorting through of this small collection of books, pamphlets and correspondence that was gathered during his research. It looks at how Button's interests developed to include the first female lawyers and the longest-serving legal professionals. It concludes with some information about Henry Button himself and provides a list of the books that were part of the collection.
Re-Making the English Organ: Musical and Liturgical Contexts, 1830–1870
Authors: Thistlethwaite Nicholas
Published: June 2015

The article describes the evolution of the English organ under the influence of changes in musical style and liturgical practice between 1830 and 1870. A preliminary discussion of the Georgian organ and the performance conventions of its players provides a benchmark against which to measure the ensuing changes. S.S. Wesley is taken as a case study with reference to changes made to the Hereford Cathedral organ in 1832; it is argued that these reflect Wesley's musical priorities, a point that is further illustrated by a consideration of the registration markings found in the original manuscripts of ‘The Wilderness’ (1832) and ‘Blessed be the God and Father’ (1834). They also demonstrate an innovative use of the pedals.In the following section the influence of Mendelssohn is discussed. His performances of Bach in England during the 1830s and 1840s promoted a radical change is organ design and performance practice; the C-compass organs with German pedal divisions built by (among others) William Hill were ideal instruments both for Bach's organ music and for Mendelssohn's own organ sonatas which combined classical form with a romantic sensibility.The concluding section reviews developments in the years 1850–70. It considers changes in console design and the growing taste for orchestral registers, even in church organs. Choral accompaniments also became more orchestral in character, and a number of representative examples from Ouseley'sSpecial Anthems(1861, 1866) are discussed. Liturgical changes after 1850 are also considered, together with their impact on the role of the organ in worship.
Design of compact microstrip low-pass filter with analytical sharpness of transition band
Authors: Siahkamari Hesam , Heidarinezhad Ehsan , Zarayeneh Ehsan , Malakooti Seyyed Ali , Mousavi Seyyed Mohammad Hadi , Siahkamari Payam
Published: June 2015

A novel microstrip low-pass filter (LPF) using radial patched resonator and modified T-shaped resonators is designed to achieve ultra-wide stop-band. Also, the designed LPF has successfully addressed the problems of compactness and insertion loss, simultaneously. LC equivalent circuit of the proposed filter is calculated and equation for the sharpness in transition band is obtained based on LC equivalent circuit and transfer function. The proposed filter not only exhibits a very wide stop-band of 168%, but also is able to suppress the 11th-harmonic response in conjunction with a small size of 0.147 × 0.052λg, where λg is the guided wavelength at 1.47 GHz. It is shown that the simulated results are highly consistent with the measured data.
Heterogeneity in the prognosis of major depression: from the common cold to a highly debilitating and recurrent illness
Authors: Lorenzo-Luaces L.
Published: June 2015

Two different and seemingly competing views on the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) exist. The first is that the diagnosis conflates adaptive sadness reactions with pathological states of depressed mood and that MDD is overdiagnosed and overtreated. The second is that MDD is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder, and one that is best characterised by a severe, chronic, recurrent or treatment-resistant course. Existing research suggests that both views are valid and merit being integrated. Anywhere from 30 to 50% of individuals will meet criteria for MDD at some point in their life. About half of these episodes are of brief duration and unlikely to recur. However, a remaining half is either chronic or recurrent. Data on the outpatient diagnosis of depression support the view that depression is simultaneously underdiagnosed and undertreated as well as overdiagnosed and overtreated. About one-third of the patients who meet criteria for MDD and receive placebos experience clinically significant and long-lasting improvement. Many other patients, however, are unresponsive to one or multiple active treatments. Thus, the diagnosis of MDD likely applies to individuals who are experiencing either normal periods of sadness or single-episode afflictions that are mild, unlikely to recur, and are placebo responsive, as well as to individuals with more severe clinical profiles. More research is needed that can help ascertain what contextual or biopsychological variables help distinguish between individuals who may be experiencing adaptive states of negative affect and those who experience severe, chronic, recurrent or treatment-resistant depressions.
Demografische Analyse von Patienten mit Osteosarkom, Chondrosarkom und Ewing's Sarkom vom Sarkomzentrum UZH in Zürich
Authors: Hodel Sandro , Seeli Franziska , Fuchs Bruno
Published: June 2015

Eine retrospektive Analyse zur Diagnostik und zum Gesamtüberleben für das Osteosarkom, das Chondrosarkom und das Ewing's Sarkom wurde für das Sarkomzentrum UZH an der Universitätsklinik Balgrist, Zürich durchgeführt. 201 Patienten wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Das 5-Jahres- und 10-Jahres-Überleben betrug für das Osteosarkom (n=85, seit 2000) 74±6%, 69±7%, für das Ewing's Sarkom (n=43, seit 1990) 85±7% bzw. 80±9% und für das Chondrosarkom (n=73, seit 2000) 86±5% bzw. 78±9%. Das Gesamtüberleben dieser Tumorentitäten unseres Sarkomzentrums ist vergleichbar mit grossen, internationalen, monozentrischen Studien. Auch die Präsentation und Epidemiologie der Patienten ist analog zu grossen multizentrischen Epidemiologiestudien. Die Erfassung in einer nationalen Sarkomdatenbank (SwissSARCOS: www.sarcoma.ch) erscheint bei so seltenen Erkrankungen für detailliertere statistische Analysen und für das Qualitätsmanagement unabdingbar.
Time Pressure Promotes Work Engagement
Authors: Schmitt Antje , Ohly Sandra , Kleespies Nina
Published: June 2015

Based on activation theory and appraisal theory, this study examines the curvilinear relationship between time pressure and work engagement. Further, we argue that this curvilinear relation holds only if time pressure is not induced by unreasonable or unnecessary tasks. We tested our hypotheses in a heterogeneous sample of 191 employees. Results of moderated hierarchical multiple regression analyses provide evidence for an inverted U-shape relation between time pressure and work engagement. Our findings show that the motivating effect of a moderate level of time pressure holds only when employees are assigned to tasks with a low unreasonability rating. Our findings have implications for research on antecedents of work engagement and the job demands-resources model.
Is Work Intensification Extra Stress?
Authors: Franke Franziska
Published: June 2015

There is increasing interest in investigating work intensification as a new job demand. However, its contribution beyond the state of work intensity remains unclear and is thus far limited to two specific occupations. In the present study, I examine work intensification and work intensity simultaneously in their relations to health complaints based on a representative sample of the German workforce. The results show that the feeling of intensified work has unique effects beyond the state of intense work and even amplifies the effect of work intensity on psychosomatic complaints. With regard to musculoskeletal complaints, the effects are weaker and the interaction is not significant. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Blocking of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Activity with PF-04457845 in Human Brain: A Positron Emission Tomography Study with the Novel Radioligand [11C]CURB
Authors: Boileau Isabelle , Rusjan Pablo M , Williams Belinda , Mansouri Esmaeil , Mizrahi Romina , Luca Vincenzo De , Johnson Douglas S , Wilson Alan A , Houle Sylvain , Kish Stephen J , Tong Junchao
Published: June 2015

Positron emission tomography with [11C]CURB was recently developed to quantify fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing the endocannabinoid anandamide. This study investigated the test–retest reliability of [11C]CURB as well as its in vivo specificity and the validity of the kinetic model by using the highly specific FAAH inhibitor, PF-04457845. Five healthy volunteers completed test–retest [11C]CURB scans 1 to 2 months apart and six subjects completed baseline and blocking scans on the same day after PF-04457845 (p.o.) administration (1, 4, or 20 mg; n = 2 each). The composite parameter γ k3 (an index of FAAH activity, γ = K1/ k2) was estimated using an irreversible two-tissue compartment model with plasma input function. There were no clinically observable responses to oral PF-04457845 or [11C]CURB injection. Oral administration of PF-04457845 reduced [11C]CURB binding to a homogeneous level at all three doses, with γ k3 values decreased by ≥91%. Excellent reproducibility and good reliability (test–retest variability = 9%; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.79) were observed across all regions of interest investigated. Our findings suggest that γ k3/[11C]CURB is a reliable, highly sensitive, and selective tool to measure FAAH activity in human brain in vivo. Moreover, PF-04457845 is a highly potent FAAH inhibitor (>95% inhibition at 1 mg) in living human brain.
Monozygotic twins discordant for common variable immunodeficiency reveal impaired DNA demethylation during naïve-to-memory B-cell transition
Authors: Rodríguez-Cortez Virginia C. , del Pino-Molina Lucia , Rodríguez-Ubreva Javier , Ciudad Laura , Gómez-Cabrero David , Company Carlos , Urquiza José M. , Tegnér Jesper , Rodríguez-Gallego Carlos , López-Granados Eduardo , Ballestar Esteban
Published: June 2015

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most frequent primary immunodeficiency characterized by loss of B-cell function, depends partly on genetic defects, and epigenetic changes are thought to contribute to its aetiology. Here we perform a high-throughput DNA methylation analysis of this disorder using a pair of CVID-discordant MZ twins and show predominant gain of DNA methylation in CVID B cells with respect to those from the healthy sibling in critical B lymphocyte genes, such as PIK3CD, BCL2L1, RPS6KB2, TCF3 and KCNN4. Individual analysis confirms hypermethylation of these genes. Analysis in naive, unswitched and switched memory B cells in a CVID patient cohort shows impaired ability to demethylate and upregulate these genes in transitioning from naive to memory cells in CVID. Our results not only indicate a role for epigenetic alterations in CVID but also identify relevant DNA methylation changes in B cells that could explain the clinical manifestations of CVID individuals.
Development and rescue of human familial hypercholesterolaemia in a xenograft mouse model
Authors: Bissig-Choisat Beatrice , Wang Lili , Legras Xavier , Saha Pradip K. , Chen Leon , Bell Peter , Pankowicz Francis P. , Hill Matthew C. , Barzi Mercedes , Leyton Claudia Kettlun , Leung Hon-Chiu Eastwood , Kruse Robert L. , Himes Ryan W. , Goss John A. , Wilson James M. , Chan Lawrence , Lagor William R. , Bissig Karl-Dimiter
Published: June 2015

Diseases of lipid metabolism are a major cause of human morbidity, but no animal model entirely recapitulates human lipoprotein metabolism. Here we develop a xenograft mouse model using hepatocytes from a patient with familial hypercholesterolaemia caused by loss-of-function mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Like familial hypercholesterolaemia patients, our familial hypercholesterolaemia liver chimeric mice develop hypercholesterolaemia and a ’humanized‘ serum profile, including expression of the emerging drug targets cholesteryl ester transfer protein and apolipoprotein (a), for which no genes exist in mice. We go on to replace the missing LDLR in familial hypercholesterolaemia liver chimeric mice using an adeno-associated virus 9-based gene therapy and restore normal lipoprotein profiles after administration of a single dose. Our study marks the first time a human metabolic disease is induced in an experimental animal model by human hepatocyte transplantation and treated by gene therapy. Such xenograft platforms offer the ability to validate human experimental therapies and may foster their rapid translation into the clinic.
Artificial membrane-binding proteins stimulate oxygenation of stem cells during engineering of large cartilage tissue
Authors: Armstrong James P. K. , Shakur Rameen , Horne Joseph P. , Dickinson Sally C. , Armstrong Craig T. , Lau Katherine , Kadiwala Juned , Lowe Robert , Seddon Annela , Mann Stephen , Anderson J. L. Ross , Perriman Adam W. , Hollander Anthony P.
Published: June 2015

Restricted oxygen diffusion can result in central cell necrosis in engineered tissue, a problem that is exacerbated when engineering large tissue constructs for clinical application. Here we show that pre-treating human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with synthetic membrane-active myoglobin-polymer–surfactant complexes can provide a reservoir of oxygen capable of alleviating necrosis at the centre of hyaline cartilage. This is achieved through the development of a new cell functionalization methodology based on polymer–surfactant conjugation, which allows the delivery of functional proteins to the hMSC membrane. This new approach circumvents the need for cell surface engineering using protein chimerization or genetic transfection, and we demonstrate that the surface-modified hMSCs retain their ability to proliferate and to undergo multilineage differentiation. The functionalization technology is facile, versatile and non-disruptive, and in addition to tissue oxygenation, it should have far-reaching application in a host of tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.
Rhodium-catalysed C(sp2)–C(sp2) bond formation via C–H/C–F activation
Authors: Tian Panpan , Feng Chao , Loh Teck-Peng
Published: June 2015

Fluoroalkenes represent a class of privileged structural motifs, which found widespread use in medicinal chemistry. However, the synthetic access to fluoroalkenes was much underdeveloped with previous reported methods suffering from either low step economy or harsh reaction conditions. Here we present a RhIII-catalysed tandem C–H/C–F activation for the synthesis of (hetero)arylated monofluoroalkenes. The use of readily availablegem-difluoroalkenes as electrophiles provides a highly efficient and operationally simple method for the introduction of α-fluoroalkenyl motifs onto (hetero)arenes under oxidant-free conditions. Furthermore, the employment of alcoholic solvent and thein-situgenerated hydrogen fluoride are found to be beneficial in this transformation, indicating the possibility of the involvement of hydrogen bond activation mode with regards to the C–F bond cleavage step.
Dynamic creation of a topologically-ordered Hamiltonian using spin-pulse control in the Heisenberg model
Authors: Tanamoto Tetsufumi , Ono Keiji , Liu Yu-xi , Nori Franco
Published: June 2015

Hamiltonian engineering is an important approach for quantum information processing, when appropriate materials do not exist in nature or are unstable. So far there is no stable material for the Kitaev spin Hamiltonian with anisotropic interactions on a honeycomb lattice, which plays a crucial role in the realization of both Abelian and non-Abelian anyons. Here, we show two methods to dynamically realize the Kitaev spin Hamiltonian from the conventional Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian using pulse-control techniques based on the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff (BCH) formula. In the first method, the Heisenberg interaction is changed into Ising interactions in the first process of the pulse sequence. In the next process of the first method, we transform them to a desirable anisotropic Kitaev spin Hamiltonian. In the second more efficient method, we show that if we carefully design two-dimensional pulses that vary depending on the qubit location, we can obtain the desired Hamiltonian in only one step of applying the BCH formula. As an example, we apply our methods to spin qubits based on quantum dots, in which the effects of both the spin-orbit interaction and the hyperfine interaction are estimated.
Skyrmion Superfluidity in Two-Dimensional Interacting Fermionic Systems
Authors: Palumbo Giandomenico , Cirio Mauro
Published: June 2015

In this article we describe a multi-layered honeycomb lattice model of interacting fermions which supports a new kind of parity-preserving skyrmion superfluidity. We derive the low-energy field theory describing a non-BCS fermionic superfluid phase by means of functional fermionization. Such effective theory is a new kind of non-linear sigma model, which we call double skyrmion model. In the bi-layer case, the quasiparticles of the system (skyrmions) have bosonic statistics and replace the Cooper-pairs role. Moreover, we show that the model is also equivalent to a Maxwell-BF theory, which naturally establishes an effective Meissner effect without requiring a breaking of the gauge symmetry. Finally, we map effective superfluidity effects to identities among fermionic observables for the lattice model. This provides a signature of our theoretical skyrmion superfluidy that can be detected in a possible implementation of the lattice model in a real quantum system.
Alternating current line-filter based on electrochemical capacitor utilizing template-patterned graphene
Authors: Wu Zhenkun , Li Liyi , Lin Ziyin , Song Bo , Li Zhuo , Moon Kyoung-Sik , Wong Ching-Ping , Bai Shu-Lin
Published: June 2015

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) are widely used for alternating current (ac) line-filtering. However, their bulky size is becoming more and more incompatible with the rapid development of portable electronics. Here we report a scalable process to fabricate miniaturized graphene-based ac line-filters on flexible substrates at room temperature. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) is reduced by patterned metal interdigits at room temperature and used directly as the electrode material. The as-fabricated device shows a phase angle of −75.4° at 120 Hz with a specific capacitance of 316 µF/cm2 and a RC time constant of 0.35 ms. In addition, it retains 97.2% of the initial capacitance after 10000 charge/discharge cycles. These outstanding performance characteristics of our device demonstrate its promising to replace the conventional AECs for ac line filtering.
Orthogonal Cherenkov sound in spin-orbit coupled systems
Authors: Smirnov Sergey
Published: June 2015

Conventionally the Cherenkov sound is governed by orbital degrees of freedom and is excited by supersonic particles. Additionally, it usually has a forward nature with a conic geometry known as the Cherenkov cone whose axis is oriented along the supersonic particle motion. Here we predict Cherenkov sound of a unique nature entirely resulting from the electronic spin degree of freedom and demonstrate a fundamentally distinct Cherenkov effect originating from essentially subsonic electrons in two-dimensional gases with both Bychkov-Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions. Specifically, we show that the axis of the conventional forward Cherenkov cone gets a nontrivial quarter-turn and at the same time the sound distribution strongly localizes around this rotated axis being now orthogonal to the subsonic particle motion. Apart from its fundamentally appealing nature, the orthogonal Cherenkov sound could have applications in planar semiconductor technology combining spin and acoustic phenomena to develop, e.g., acoustic amplifiers or sound sources with a flexible spin dependent orientation of the sound propagation.
Chimpanzee drumming: a spontaneous performance with characteristics of human musical drumming
Authors: Dufour Valérie , Poulin Nicolas , Charlotte Curé  , Sterck Elisabeth H. M.
Published: June 2015

Despite the quintessential role that music plays in human societies by enabling us to release and share emotions with others, traces of its evolutionary origins in other species remain scarce. Drumming like humans whilst producing music is practically unheard of in our most closely related species, the great apes. Although beating on tree roots and body parts does occur in these species, it has, musically speaking, little in common with human drumming. Researchers suggest that for manual beating in great apes to be compared to human drumming, it should at least be structurally even, a necessary quality to elicit entrainment (beat induction in others). Here we report an episode of spontaneous drumming by a captive chimpanzee that approaches the structural and contextual characteristics usually found in musical drumming. This drumming differs from most beating episodes reported in this species by its unusual duration, the lack of any obvious context and rhythmical properties that include long-lasting and dynamically changing rhythms, but also evenness and leisureliness. This performance is probably the first evidence that our capacity to drum is shared with our closest relatives.
Oxygen anomaly in near surface carbon dioxide reveals deep stratospheric intrusion
Authors: Liang Mao-Chang , Mahata Sasadhar
Published: June 2015

Stratosphere-troposphere exchange could be enhanced by tropopause folding, linked to variability in the subtropical jet stream. Relevant to tropospheric biogeochemistry is irreversible transport from the stratosphere, associated with deep intrusions. Here, oxygen anomalies in near surface air CO2are used to study the irreversible transport from the stratosphere, where the triple oxygen isotopes of CO2are distinct from those originating from the Earth’s surface. We show that the oxygen anomaly in CO2is observable at sea level and the magnitude of the signal increases during the course of our sampling period (September 2013-February 2014), concordant with the strengthening of the subtropical jet system and the East Asia winter monsoon. The trend of the anomaly is found to be 0.1‰/month (R2 = 0.6) during the jet development period in October. Implications for utilizing the oxygen anomaly in CO2for CO2biogeochemical cycle study and stratospheric intrusion flux at the surface are discussed.
Virus Genotype Distribution and Virus Burden in Children and Adults Hospitalized for Norovirus Gastroenteritis, 2012–2014, Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Martin C.W. , Leung Ting F. , Chung Tracy W.S. , Kwok Angela K. , Nelson E. Anthony S. , Lee Nelson , Chan Paul K.S.
Published: June 2015

We conducted a 2-year hospital-based study on norovirus gastroenteritis among children and adults between August 2012 and September 2014. A total of 1,146 norovirus cases were identified. Young children (aged ≤ 5 years) accounted for a majority (53.3%) of cases. Hospitalization incidence exhibited a U-shaped pattern with the highest rate in young children (1,475 per 100,000 person-years), followed by the elderly aged > 84 years (581 per 100,000 person-years). A subset (n = 395, 34.5%) of cases were selected for norovirus genotyping and noroviral load measurement. Non-GII.4 infections were more commonly observed in young children than in older adults (aged > 65 years) (20.5% versus 9.2%; p < 0.05). In young children, the median noroviral load of GII.4 and non-GII.4 cases was indistinguishably high (cycle threshold value, median [interquartile range]: 16.6 [15.2–19.3] versus 16.6 [14.9–21.6]; p = 0.45). Two age-specific non-GII.4 genotypes (GII.3 and GII.6) were identified among young children. These findings may have implications in norovirus vaccination strategy.
Fragment-Based Discovery of Allosteric Ligands
Authors: Howard Steven
Published: June 2015

This chapter will focus on the challenges of applying FBDD to enzyme allosteric pockets. These include, differentiation from fragment hits bound to orthosteric sites and demonstrating the biological relevance of previously unknown allosteric pockets. The advantages and limitations of different biophysical screening methods will be discussed with a focus on X-ray crystallography for both hit identification and hit-to-lead optimisation. Recent advances in the literature will be highlighted, including approaches to both molecular probes and advanced lead compounds for drug discovery. A case study describing an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protein, acting via a novel allosteric mechanism, will be described.
Exploring Fragment Screening and Optimization Strategies Using Acetylcholine-Binding Protein
Authors: Edink Ewald , de Kloe Gerdien E. , de Esch Iwan J. P.
Published: June 2015

From a niche area of research that was mainly applied by technology focused research groups in the private sector, fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has transformed into a rewarding drug-discovery technology that is applied by almost every major pharmaceutical company. Next to biotech and big pharma, the methodology has also attracted considerable interest from academic research groups that have endorsed fragment-based approaches as a sound scientific approach and an attractive low-cost alternative to high-throughput screening, that enables efficient discovery pathways to novel lead and tool compounds. This chapter describes several studies that were performed in our academic research laboratories and in the labs of our collaborators in which acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP), a homolog to the ligand-binding domain of Cys-loop receptors, has been used as a robust target to investigate the various aspects of fragment-based approaches, including fragment screening technologies and fragment optimization strategies. Timely concepts such as the combination of structural, kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of ligand-induced conformational changes will be described using this particular target. These studies demonstrate how the fragment-based methodology can be used to increase our understanding of the molecular aspects of ligands and fragments binding to protein binding sites.
Catalytic conversion of isophorone to jet-fuel range aromatic hydrocarbons over a MoOx/SiO2 catalyst
Authors: Chen Fang , Li Ning , Wang Wentao , Wang Aiqin , Cong Yu , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2015

C8–C9 aromatic hydrocarbons were first obtained in high yield (∼80%) by the catalytic conversion of isophorone from lignocellulose over MoOx/SiO2.
Metabolic precursors in astrophysical ice analogs: implications for meteorites and comets
Authors: Smith Karen E. , Gerakines Perry A. , Callahan Michael P.
Published: June 2015

We report the synthesis of nicotinic and quinolinic acid, molecules involved in the NAD biosynthetic pathway, in astrophysical ice analogs.
Iron-catalyzed amination of alcohols assisted by Lewis acid
Authors: Pan Hui-Jie , Ng Teng Wei , Zhao Yu
Published: June 2015

An efficient Lewis acid-assisted, iron-catalyzed amination of alcohols using borrowing hydrogen methodology was developed.
Reductive cleavage of inert aryl C–O bonds to produce arenes
Authors: Xu Huanjun , Yu Bo , Zhang Hongye , Zhao Yanfei , Yang Zhenzhen , Xu Jilei , Han Buxing , Liu Zhimin
Published: June 2015

Reductive cleavage of aryl C–O bonds in phenols and aryl ethers was achieved using LiAlH4–KOtBu, producing arenes in high yields.
A platinum shell for ultraslow ligand exchange: unmodified DNA adsorbing more stably on platinum than thiol and dithiol on gold
Authors: Zhou Wenhu , Ding Jinsong , Liu Juewen
Published: June 2015

A gold core and platinum shell nanoparticles allows both DNA adsorption stability and visible plasmonic properties.
Increasing the effective energy barrier promoted by the change of a counteranion in a Zn–Dy–Zn SMM: slow relaxation via the second excited state
Authors: Oyarzabal I. , Ruiz J. , Ruiz E. , Aravena D. , Seco J. M. , Colacio E.
Published: June 2015

Slow magnetization relaxation via the second excited state with a Ueff = 186 cm−1 has been observed in a Zn–Dy–Zn complex.
Study on the temperature-dependent coupling among viscosity, conductivity and structural relaxation of ionic liquids
Authors: Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Yonezawa Takuya , Koda Shinobu
Published: June 2015

The frequency-dependent viscosity and conductivity of three imidazolium-based ionic liquids were measured at several temperatures in the MHz region, and the results are compared with the intermediate scattering functions determined by neutron spin echo spectroscopy.
Transformation of photophysical properties from solution to solid state in alkoxy-cyano-diphenylacetylene molecules
Authors: Karunakaran Venugopal , Prabhu Deepak D. , Das Suresh , Varughese Sunil
Published: June 2015

The variation in the photophysical properties of cyano and alkoxy substituted diphenylacetylene derivatives from solution to solid state revealed the importance of self-aggregation on these properties.
Self-powered deep brain stimulation via a flexible PIMNT energy harvester
Authors: Hwang Geon-Tae , Kim Youngsoo , Lee Jeong-Ho , Oh SeKwon , Jeong Chang Kyu , Park Dae Yong , Ryu Jungho , Kwon HyukSang , Lee Sang-Goo , Joung Boyoung , Kim Daesoo , Lee Keon Jae
Published: June 2015

A self-powered deep brain stimulation has been demonstrated by a flexible piezoelectric PIMNT energy harvester to induce behavioural changes in a mouse.
Photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide from natural algicides: decomposition organic matter from straw
Authors: Ma Hua , Zhang Jie , Tong Liyin , Yang Jixiang
Published: June 2015

The ability of decomposition organic matter from three natural algicides (barley, rice, and wheat straw) and natural organic matter (NOM) isolates to generate hydrogen peroxide under simulated solar irradiation was evaluated in order to understand the mechanism of indirect algae inhibition through a photochemical pathway.
Highly optimized CO2 capture by inexpensive nanoporous covalent organic polymers and their amine composites
Authors: Patel Hasmukh A. , Yavuz Cafer T.
Published: June 2015

Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage and utilization requires effective capture strategies that limit energy penalties. Polyethylenimine (PEI)-impregnated covalent organic polymers (COPs) with a high CO2 adsorption capacity are successfully prepared in this study. A low cost COP with a high specific surface area is suitable for PEI loading to achieve high CO2 adsorption, and the optimal PEI loading is 36 wt%. Though the adsorbed amount of CO2 on amine impregnated COPs slightly decreased with increasing adsorption temperature, CO2/N2 selectivity is significantly improved at higher temperatures. The adsorption of CO2 on the sorbent is very fast, and a sorption equilibrium (10% wt) was achieved within 5 min at 313 K under the flow of simulated flue gas streams. The CO2 capture efficiency of this sorbent is not affected under repetitive adsorption–desorption cycles. The highest CO2 capture capacity of 75 mg g−1 at 0.15 bar is achieved under dry CO2 capture however it is enhanced to 100 mg g−1 in the mixed gas flow containing humid 15% CO2. Sorbents were found to be thermally stable up to at least 200 °C. TGA and FTIR studies confirmed the loading of PEIs on COPs. This sorbent with high and fast CO2 sorption exhibits a very promising application in direct CO2 capture from flue gas.
Coarse-grained modeling of vesicle responses to active rotational nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Liuyang , Wang Xianqiao
Published: June 2015

Rotational nanoparticles are capable of triggering local disturbance around the vesicle and therefore promoting the directive vesicle translocation to form synthetic channels across the membrane, which provides a novel design to enhance the drug delivery efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the vesicle structure.
Ag-mediated cascade decarboxylative coupling and annulation: a convenient route to 2-phosphinobenzo[b]phosphole oxides
Authors: Hu Gaobo , Zhang Yun , Su Jue , Li Zezhou , Gao Yuxing , Zhao Yufen
Published: June 2015

Structurally sophisticated 2-phosphinobenzo[b]phosphole oxide frameworks have been conveniently constructed by cascade decarboxylative coupling and annulation reactions.
Investigation of the mechanical properties and local structural evolution of Ti60Zr10Ta15Si15 bulk metallic glass during tensile deformation: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Chen Hui-Lung , Ju Shin-Pon , Wu Tsang-Yu , Liu Shih-Hao , Chen Hsin-Tsung
Published: June 2015

The investigations on the structural properties and local deformation mechanism of Ti60Zr10Ta15Si15 bulk metallic glass (BMG) have been conducted by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the uniaxial tension process.
Mechanical and thermal properties of microcrystalline cellulose-reinforced soy protein isolate–gelatin eco-friendly films
Authors: Li Chenchen , Luo Jing , Qin Zhiyong , Chen Hui , Gao Qiang , Li Jianzhang
Published: June 2015

SPI–gelatin films reinforced by MCC with hydrogen bond and interpenetrating network perform better mechanical and thermal properties.
Synthesis and spectral characterization of photoswitchable oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)–spiropyran dyad
Authors: Doddi Siva , Ramakrishna Bheerappagari , Venkatesh Yeduru , Bangal Prakriti Ranjan
Published: June 2015

A novel dyad molecule coupling oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) with spiropyran (SP) was synthesized and characterized in solution and in solid phase. Light-driven reversible transformations between isomers ofSPmodulate the fluorescence ofOPV.
Selective recognition of hydrogen sulfide using template and catalyst free grown ZnO nanorods
Authors: Mani Ganesh Kumar , Rayappan John Bosco Balaguru
Published: June 2015

A single step spray pyrolysis technique was used to grow ZnO nanorods on glass substrates without any template or catalyst and the nanorods were successfully employed to detect hydrogen sulfide at room temperature.
Isolation and purification of a new enamide biosurfactant from Fusarium proliferatum using rice-bran
Authors: Bhardwaj Garima , Cameotra Swaranjit Singh , Chopra Harish Kumar
Published: June 2015

A new fungusFusarium proliferatumwas isolated from the oil contaminated sludge of the rice-bran oil industry, which was capable of producing biosurfactants when grown on rice-bran.
Low temperature self-assembled synthesis of hexagonal plate-shape Mn3O4 3D hierarchical architectures and their application in electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Liu Zhenxin , Xing Yu , Fang Shaoming , Qu Xiongwei , Wu Depeng , Zhang Aiqin , Xu Bei
Published: June 2015

Low temperature self-assembled synthesis of hexagonal plate-shape Mn3O4 3D hierarchical architectures and their application in electrochemical capacitors.
Functional quasi-solid-state electrolytes for dye sensitized solar cells prepared by amine alkylation reactions
Authors: Apostolopoulou Andigoni , Margalias Antonis , Stathatos Elias
Published: June 2015

Novel quasi-solid state electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells (QSS-DSCs) are prepared by the amine alkylation reaction.
The synthesis of ternary acetylides with tellurium: Li2TeC2 and Na2TeC2
Authors: Németh Károly , Unni Aditya K. , Kalnmals Christopher , Segre Carlo U. , Kaduk James , Bloom Ira D. , Maroni Victor A.
Published: June 2015

Novel ternary acetylides Li2TeC2 and Na2TeC2 were synthesized via the robust direct reaction of tellurium powder and mono- or bialkali acetylides in liquid ammonia.
Cytotoxic 2,4-linked sesquiterpene lactone dimers from Carpesium faberi exhibiting NF-κB inhibitory activity
Authors: Yang Yong-xun , Gao Shuang , Zhang Shou-de , Zu Xian-peng , Shen Yun-heng , Shan Lei , Li Hui-liang , Zhang Wei-dong
Published: June 2015

Six new 2,4-linked sesquiterpene lactone dimers, faberidilactones A–E (1–5) and endodischkuhriolin (6), were isolated from Carpesium faberi. Two spectrographic features that can be used to elucidate the exo/endo stereochemistry of those dimers were extracted.
POM-based inorganic–organic hybrid compounds: synthesis, structures, highly-connected topologies and photodegradation of organic dyes
Authors: Li Xiao , Yang Liu , Qin Chao , Liu Fu-Hong , Zhao Liang , Shao Kui-Zhan , Su Zhong-Min
Published: June 2015

Four new polyoxovanadate-based organic–inorganic hybrid materials have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions through self-assembly. Their thermal stabilities and photocatalytic activities were also investigated.
Synthesis and characterization of Ni doped SnO2 microspheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Chen Huan , Ding Liyong , Sun Wen , Jiang Qingqing , Hu Juncheng , Li Jinlin
Published: June 2015

Nickel-doped tin dioxide (NDT) microspheres were prepared and characterized. All the samples prepared with different Sn/Ni ratios showed higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure SnO2 and pure NiO under visible light irradiation.
Synthesis and properties of lysosome-specific photoactivatable probes for live-cell imaging
Authors: Tran Mai N. , Rarig Robert-André F. , Chenoweth David M.
Published: June 2015

We describe the synthesis and application of a new class of large Stokes shift lysosome-specific photoactivatable probes for live-cell imaging.