bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Hedgehog-dependent tumors and cancer stem cells by a newly identified naturally occurring chemotype
Authors: Infante Paola , Alfonsi Romina , Ingallina Cinzia , Quaglio Deborah , Ghirga Francesca , D'Acquarica Ilaria , Bernardi Flavia , Di Magno Laura , Canettieri Gianluca , Screpanti Isabella , Gulino Alberto , Botta Bruno , Mori Mattia , Di Marcotullio Lucia
Published: September 2016

Hedgehog (Hh) inhibitors have emerged as valid tools in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Indeed, aberrant activation of the Hh pathway occurring either by ligand-dependent or -independent mechanisms is a key driver in tumorigenesis. The smoothened (Smo) receptor is one of the main upstream transducers of the Hh signaling and is a validated target for the development of anticancer compounds, as underlined by the FDA-approved Smo antagonist Vismodegib (GDC-0449/Erivedge) for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. However, Smo mutations that confer constitutive activity and drug resistance have emerged during treatment with Vismodegib. For this reason, the development of new effective Hh inhibitors represents a major challenge for cancer therapy. Natural products have always represented a unique source of lead structures in drug discovery, and in recent years have been used to modulate the Hh pathway at multiple levels. Here, starting from an in house library of natural compounds and their derivatives, we discovered novel chemotypes of Hh inhibitors by mean of virtual screening against the crystallographic structure of Smo. Hh functional based assay identified the chalcone derivative 12 as the most effective Hh inhibitor within the test set. The chalcone 12 binds the Smo receptor and promotes the displacement of Bodipy-Cyclopamine in both Smo WT and drug-resistant Smo mutant. Our molecule stands as a promising Smo antagonist able to specifically impair the growth of Hh-dependent tumor cells in vitro and in vivo and medulloblastoma stem-like cells and potentially overcome the associated drug resistance.
A polyvalent inactivated rhinovirus vaccine is broadly immunogenic in rhesus macaques
Authors: Lee Sujin , Nguyen Minh Trang , Currier Michael G. , Jenkins Joe B. , Strobert Elizabeth A. , Kajon Adriana E. , Madan-Lala Ranjna , Bochkov Yury A. , Gern James E. , Roy Krishnendu , Lu Xiaoyan , Erdman Dean D. , Spearman Paul , Moore Martin L.
Published: September 2016

As the predominant aetiological agent of the common cold, human rhinovirus (HRV) is the leading cause of human infectious disease. Early studies showed that a monovalent formalin-inactivated HRV vaccine can be protective, and virus-neutralizing antibodies (nAb) correlated with protection. However, co-circulation of many HRV types discouraged further vaccine efforts. Here, we test the hypothesis that increasing virus input titres in polyvalent inactivated HRV vaccine may result in broad nAb responses. We show that serum nAb against many rhinovirus types can be induced by polyvalent, inactivated HRVs plus alhydrogel (alum) adjuvant. Using formulations up to 25-valent in mice and 50-valent in rhesus macaques, HRV vaccine immunogenicity was related to sufficient quantity of input antigens, and valency was not a major factor for potency or breadth of the response. Thus, we have generated a vaccine capable of inducing nAb responses to numerous and diverse HRV types.
Sizing nanomaterials in bio-fluids by cFRAP enables protein aggregation measurements and diagnosis of bio-barrier permeability
Authors: Xiong Ranhua , Vandenbroucke Roosmarijn E. , Broos Katleen , Brans Toon , Van Wonterghem Elien , Libert Claude , Demeester Jo , De Smedt Stefaan C. , Braeckmans Kevin
Published: September 2016

Sizing nanomaterials in complex biological fluids, such as blood, remains a great challenge in spite of its importance for a wide range of biomedical applications. In drug delivery, for instance, it is essential that aggregation of protein-based drugs is avoided as it may alter their efficacy or elicit immune responses. Similarly it is of interest to determine which size of molecules can pass through biological barriers in vivo to diagnose pathologies, such as sepsis. Here, we report on continuous fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (cFRAP) as a analytical method enabling size distribution measurements of nanomaterials (1–100 nm) in undiluted biological fluids. We demonstrate that cFRAP allows to measure protein aggregation in human serum and to determine the permeability of intestinal and vascular barriers in vivo. cFRAP is a new analytical technique that paves the way towards exciting new applications that benefit from nanomaterial sizing in bio-fluids.
Third trimester phthalate exposure is associated with DNA methylation of growth-related genes in human placenta
Authors: Zhao Yan , Chen Jiao , Wang Xiu , Song Qi , Xu Hui-Hui , Zhang Yun-Hui
Published: September 2016

Strong evidence implicates maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy in contributing to adverse birth outcomes. Recent research suggests these effects might be mediated through the improper regulation of DNA methylation in offspring tissue. In this study, we examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and DNA methylation in human placenta. We recruited 181 mother-newborn pairs (80 fetal growth restriction newborns, 101 normal newborns) in Wenzhou, China and measured third trimester urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and placental DNA methylation levels of IGF2 and AHRR. We found urinary concentrations of mono (2-ethyl-5- hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) were significantly inversely associated with placental IGF2 DNA methylation. The associations were much more evident in fetal growth restriction (FGR) newborns than those in normal newborns. These findings suggest that changes in placental DNA methylation might be part of the underlying biological pathway between prenatal phthalate exposure and adverse fetal growth.
Utilization of paramagnetic relaxation enhancements for structural analysis of actin-binding proteins in complex with actin
Authors: Huang Shuxian , Umemoto Ryo , Tamura Yuki , Kofuku Yutaka , Uyeda Taro Q. P. , Nishida Noritaka , Shimada Ichio
Published: September 2016

Actin cytoskeleton dynamics are controlled by various actin binding proteins (ABPs) that modulate the polymerization of the monomeric G-actin and the depolymerization of filamentous F-actin. Although revealing the structures of the actin/ABP complexes is crucial to understand how the ABPs regulate actin dynamics, the X-ray crystallography and cryoEM methods are inadequate to apply for the ABPs that interact with G- or F-actin with lower affinity or multiple binding modes. In this study, we aimed to establish the alternative method to build a structural model of G-actin/ABP complexes, utilizing the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) experiments. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) was used as a test case for validation, since its structure in complex with G-actin was reported recently. Recombinantly expressed G-actin, containing a cysteine mutation, was conjugated with a nitroxyl spin label at the specific site. Based on the intensity ratio of the 1H-15N HSQC spectra of Tβ4 in the complex with G-actin in the paramagnetic and diamagnetic states, the distances between the amide groups of Tβ4 and the spin label of G-actin were estimated. Using the PRE-derived distance constraints, we were able to compute a well-converged docking structure of the G-actin/Tβ4 complex that shows great accordance with the reference structure.
Energy crisis precedes global metabolic failure in a novel Caenorhabditis elegans Alzheimer Disease model
Authors: Fong Sheng , Teo Emelyne , Ng Li Fang , Chen Ce-Belle , Lakshmanan Lakshmi Narayanan , Tsoi Sau Yee , Moore Philip Keith , Inoue Takao , Halliwell Barry , Gruber Jan
Published: September 2016

Alzheimer Disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ), predominantly the Aβ1–42 form, in the brain. Mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired energy metabolism are important components of AD pathogenesis. However, the causal and temporal relationships between them and AD pathology remain unclear. Using a novel C. elegans AD strain with constitutive neuronal Aβ1–42 expression that displays neuromuscular defects and age-dependent behavioural dysfunction reminiscent of AD, we have shown that mitochondrial bioenergetic deficit is an early event in AD pathogenesis, preceding dysfunction of mitochondrial electron transfer chain (ETC) complexes and the onset of global metabolic failure. These results are consistent with an emerging view that AD may be a metabolic neurodegenerative disease and also confirm that Aβ-driven metabolic and mitochondrial effects can be reproduced in organisms separated by large evolutionary distances.
A conjugate of methotrexate and an analog of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone shows increased efficacy against prostate cancer
Authors: Zhu Shengsheng , Wang Qinxia , Jiang Juan , Luo Yongwei , Sun Zuyue
Published: September 2016

LHRH receptor, is over-expressed in a variety of human tumors and, is a potential binding site for targeted metastatic prostate cancer therapy. The objectives of our study were to synthesize a bioconjugate of the LHRH analog [DLys6]-LHRH and the anti-tumor agent methotrexate and test the hypothesis that [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX targets and inhibits prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. The results of in vitro studies, showed that both [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX and MTX displayed superior cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manners, with IC50 concentrations for PC-3 cells of, 1.02 ± 0.18 μmol/L and 6.34 ± 1.01 μmol/L; for DU-145 cells, 1.53 ± 0.27 μmol/L and 8.03 ± 1.29 μmol/L; and for LNCaP cells, 1.93 ± 0.19 μmol/L and 9.68 ± 1.24 μmol/L, respectively. The IC50 values of [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX and MTX were 110.77 ± 15.31 μmol/L and 42.33 ± 7.25 μmol/L, respectively. Finally, [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX significantly improved the anti-tumor activity of MTX in nude mice bearing PC-3 tumor xenografts. The inhibition ratios of tumor volume and tumor weight in the [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX treated group were significantly higher than those in the MTX-treated group. Tumor volume doubling time was also significantly extended from 6.13 days in control animals to 9.67 days in mice treated with [DLys6]-LHRH-MTX. In conclusion, [DLys6]-LHRH -MTX may be useful in treating prostate cancer.
NOR-1/NR4A3 regulates the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (cIAP2) in vascular cells: role in the survival response to hypoxic stress
Authors: Alonso Judith , Galán María , Martí-Pàmies Ingrid , Romero José María , Camacho Mercedes , Rodríguez Cristina , Martínez-González José
Published: September 2016

Vascular cell survival is compromised under pathological conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We have previously shown that the nuclear receptor NOR-1 is involved in the survival response of vascular cells to hypoxia. Here, we identify the anti-apoptotic protein cIAP2 as a downstream effector of NOR-1. NOR-1 and cIAP2 were up-regulated in human AAA samples, colocalizing in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). While NOR-1 silencing reduced cIAP2 expression in vascular cells, lentiviral over-expression of this receptor increased cIAP2 mRNA and protein levels. The transcriptional regulation of the human cIAP2 promoter was analyzed in cells over-expressing NOR-1 by luciferase reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation, identifying a NGFI-B site (NBRE-358/-351) essential for NOR-1 responsiveness. NOR-1 and cIAP2 were up-regulated by hypoxia and by a hypoxia mimetic showing a similar time-dependent pattern. Deletion and site-directed mutagenesis studies show that NOR-1 mediates the hypoxia-induced cIAP2 expression. While NOR-1 over-expression up-regulated cIAP2 and limited VSMC apoptosis induced by hypoxic stress, cIAP2 silencing partially prevented this NOR-1 pro-survival effect. These results indicate that cIAP2 is a target of NOR-1 and suggest that this anti-apoptotic protein is involved in the survival response to hypoxic stress mediated by NOR-1 in vascular cells.
A novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen
Authors: Tian Lihui , Liu Li , Li Yueyuan , Feng Xue , Wei Qin , Cao Wei
Published: September 2016

A novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on trimetallic NiAuPt nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (NiAuPt–NGs) was developed for the quantitative detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Characterization of TLR4/MD-2-modified Au sensor surfaces towards the detection of molecular signatures of bacteria
Authors: Amini Kaveh , Ebralidze Iraklii I. , Chan Nora W. C. , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard
Published: September 2016

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), also known as endotoxins, can be fatal even at low concentrations.
Ritter-type amination of C–H bonds at tertiary carbon centers using iodic acid as an oxidant
Authors: Kiyokawa Kensuke , Takemoto Kenta , Minakata Satoshi
Published: September 2016

The Ritter-type amination of a tertiary C–H bond was developed by using iodic acid (HIO3) as an oxidant.
The role of sequence in altering the unfolding pathway of an RNA pseudoknot: a steered molecular dynamics study
Authors: Gupta Asmita , Bansal Manju
Published: September 2016

This work highlights a sequence dependent unfolding pathway of an RNA pseudoknot under force-induced pulling conditions.
Surface and shape modification of mackinawite (FeS) nanocrystals by cysteine adsorption: a first-principles DFT-D2 study
Authors: Dzade N. Y. , Roldan A. , de Leeuw N. H.
Published: September 2016

The surface and shape modulation of mackinawite (FeS) nanoparticles by amino acid cysteine adsorption is investigated using a first-principles density functional theory calculations, corrected for dispersion-interactions (DFT-D2).
Chromium complexes bearing amidinato-phosphino ligand: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of ethylene tri-/tetramerization and polymerization
Authors: Liu Rui , Zhu Kongtao , Zhong Xianghong , Li Jiancheng , Liu Zhenyu , Chen Shibing , Zhu Hongping
Published: September 2016

While the N,P-chelation Cr(iii) complex/MAO catalyzes ethylene tri-/tetramerization along with polymerization, the N,N,P-chelation Cr(iii) (or Cr(ii)) complex/MAO enables only polymerization.
Stiffness of the C-terminal disordered linker affects the geometry of the active site in endoglucanase Cel8A
Authors: Różycki Bartosz , Cieplak Marek
Published: September 2016

Stiffness of disordered linkers affects the conformation of the active-site cleft when Cel8A is bound to its substrate.
New hybrid bromopyridine-chalcones as in vivo phase II enzyme inducers: potential chemopreventive agents
Authors: Cabrera Mauricio , Cerecetto Hugo , González Mercedes
Published: September 2016

We report the synthesis of eighteen new potential cancer chemopreventive agents, structurally designed to combine (naphtho)chalcone and (bromo)pyridine skeletons.
Synthesis and characterization of two-dimensional carbon dots decorated with molybdenum oxide nanoflakes with various phases
Authors: Bhaisare Mukesh Lavkush , Sharma Krishna Hari , Lee Jun-Yi , Hang Da-Ren , Wu Hui-Fen
Published: September 2016

Demonstrated novel synthesis of two dimensional MoO3 nanoflakes decorated by C-dots. Unique optoelectronic properties revealed at longer wavelength (850 nm).
A practical metal-free homolytic aromatic alkylation protocol for the synthesis of 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1-carboxylic acid
Authors: Thirumoorthi Navanita T. , Adsool Vikrant A.
Published: September 2016

As a part of our ongoing synthetic quest to expand the frontiers of contemporary medicinal chemistry, we now report an expedient synthesis of a potentially useful bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane building block, 3-(pyrazin-2-yl)bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1-carboxylic acid. This report also showcases the application of this motif as a “spacer” probe in a biological study.
Random lasing emission and oscillation in femtosecond laser machined microstructured Nd3+-doped (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3 (10/65/35) ceramics
Authors: Xu Caixia , Zhang Jingwen , Sun Haibin , Zhao Hua
Published: September 2016

Cylindrical shaped microstructured surface of Nd3+-doped PLZT ceramics with an average size of around 230 nm in diameter were machined by femtosecond laser to increase the scattering strength on the surface.
High throughput preparation of magnesium hydroxide flame retardant via microreaction technology
Authors: Ren Mingyue , Yang Mei , Li Shulian , Chen Guangwen , Yuan Quan
Published: September 2016

Magnesium hydroxide flame retardant is prepared with narrow PSD on a pilot scale using microreaction technology.
Fate of tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole and their corresponding resistance genes in microbial fuel cell coupled constructed wetlands
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Song Hai-Liang , Yang Xiao-Li , Yang Yu-Li , Yang Ke-Yun , Wang Xiao-Yang
Published: September 2016

CW-MFC could significantly reduce the concentrations of TC and SMX in wastewater.
Recycling rice straw derived, activated carbon supported, nanoscaled Fe3O4 as a highly efficient catalyst for Fenton oxidation of real coal gasification wastewater
Authors: Zhuang Haifeng , Hong Xiaoting , Shan Shengdao , Yuan Xiaoli
Published: September 2016

Recycled rice straw was converted into an activated carbon support for nanoscaled Fe3O4.
In situ synthesis and analytical investigation of porous Hb–Mn3(PO4)2 hybrid nanosheets and their biosensor applications
Authors: Lu Shi-Yu , Liao Sheng-Hui , Bao Shu-Juan , Jin Meng , Weng Bo , Li Chang-Ming
Published: September 2016

An enzyme–inorganic conjugate constructed from slack Hb–Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O nanosheets was prepared by a simple and effective in situ immobilization method.
Arabinose based gelators: rheological characterization of the gels and phase selective organogelation of crude-oil
Authors: Rajkamal Rajkamal , Pathak Navendu Prakash , Chatterjee Debnath , Paul Abhijit , Yadav Somnath
Published: September 2016

Detailed characterizations, including rheological studies of new triazolyl arabinoside based organogelators which are effective for PSOG of crude-oil are reported.
Special catalytic effects of intermediate-water for rapid shock initiation of β-HMX
Authors: He Zheng-Hua , Chen Jun , Wu Qiang , Ji Guang-Fu
Published: September 2016

The intermediate-water efficiently promoted the decomposition of β-HMX, corresponding to a rapid shock initiation process.
Exchange-bias quantum tunnelling in a CO2-based Dy4-single molecule magnet
Authors: Pineda Eufemio Moreno , Lan Yanhua , Fuhr Olaf , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Ruben Mario
Published: September 2016

Herein the description of a CO2-based single molecule magnet, obtained through CO2 absorption in the presence of an organic base and a lanthanide is presented.
The effect of plasmon resonance coupling in P3HT-coated silver nanodisk monolayers on their optical sensitivity
Authors: Geldmeier Jeffrey A. , Mahmoud Mahmoud A. , Jeon Ju-Won , El-Sayed Mostafa , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: September 2016

The correlation of the Langmuir Blodgett deposition phase with the reversible LSPR modulation of P3HT-coated silver nanodisk monolayers.
Ant based multipath backbone routing for load balancing in MANET
Authors: Francis Antony Selvi Pitchaimuthu , Manikandan Moola Seetharamaiyer Kasiviswanathan
Published: September 2016

In mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), the existing route discovery may result in traffic overflow and overhead. In order to overcome these issues, in this study, the authors propose an ant based multipath backbone routing for load balancing in MANET. When the source wants to transmit data towards destination, it selects the multiple routes with maximum path preference probability using swarm based ant colony optimisation technique. The path preference probability is estimated based on next hop availability, delay and bandwidth. During route discovery, the nodes subjected to faults are found and the relevant path is skipped. Then the network load on the routes is balanced by an index by each backbone node to distribute the data traffic equally on the links from source to destination. By simulation results, the authors show that proposed technique reduces the network load.
Rechargeable nickel–iron batteries for large‐scale energy storage
Authors: Abdalla Abdallah H. , Oseghale Charles I. , Gil Posada Jorge O. , Hall Peter J.
Published: September 2016

This study reports the effect of iron sulphide and copper composites on the electrochemical performance of nickel–iron batteries. Nickel stripes were coated with an iron‐rich electroactive paste and were cycled against commercial nickel electrodes. The electrodes electrochemical and physical characterisation were carried out by using galvanostatic charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, X‐ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy techniques. The authors’ experimental results would indicate that the addition of iron sulphide and copper (II) sulphate significantly enhances the performance of the battery. Their in‐house made iron‐based electrodes exhibit good performance, with great potential for grid energy storage applications.
Computation of indirect nuclear spin–spin couplings with reduced complexity in pure and hybrid density functional approximations
Authors: Luenser Arne , Kussmann Jörg , Ochsenfeld Christian
Published: September 2016

We present a (sub)linear-scaling algorithm to determine indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants at the Hartree–Fock and Kohn–Sham density functional levels of theory. Employing efficient integral algorithms and sparse algebra routines, an overall (sub)linear scaling behavior can be obtained for systems with a non-vanishing HOMO-LUMO gap. Calculations on systems with over 1000 atoms and 20 000 basis functions illustrate the performance and accuracy of our reference implementation. Specifically, we demonstrate that linear algebra dominates the runtime of conventional algorithms for 10 000 basis functions and above. Attainable speedups of our method exceed 6 × in total runtime and 10 × in the linear algebra steps for the tested systems. Furthermore, a convergence study of spin–spin couplings of an aminopyrazole peptide upon inclusion of the water environment is presented: using the new method it is shown that large solvent spheres are necessary to converge spin–spin coupling values.
Influence of Marangoni flows on the dynamics of isothermal A + B → C reaction fronts
Authors: Tiani R. , Rongy L.
Published: September 2016

The nonlinear dynamics of A + B → C fronts is analyzed both numerically and theoretically in the presence of Marangoni flows, i.e., convective motions driven by surface tension gradients. We consider horizontal aqueous solutions where the three species A, B, and C can affect the surface tension of the solution, thereby driving Marangoni flows. The resulting dynamics is studied by numerically integrating the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled to reaction-diffusion-convection (RDC) equations for the three chemical species. We show that the dynamics of the front cannot be predicted solely on the basis of the one-dimensional reaction-diffusion profiles as is the case for buoyancy-driven convection around such fronts. We relate this observation to the structure of Marangoni flows which lead to more complex and exotic dynamics. We find in particular the surprising possibility of a reversal of the front propagation direction in time for some sets of Marangoni numbers, quantifying the influence of each chemical species concentration on the solution surface tension. We explain this reversal analytically and propose a new classification of the convective effects on A + B → C reaction fronts as a function of the Marangoni numbers. The influence of the layer thickness on the RDC dynamics is also presented. Those results emphasize the importance of flow symmetry properties when studying convective front dynamics in a given geometry.
Nonlocal electrostatics in ionic liquids: The key to an understanding of the screening decay length and screened interactions
Authors: Kjellander Roland
Published: September 2016

Screened electrostatic interactions in ionic liquids are investigated by means of exact statistical mechanical analysis combined with physical arguments that enhance the transparency and conceptual accessibility of the analysis and results. The constituent ions and immersed particles in the liquid can have arbitrary shapes and any internal charge distributions. The decay of the screened electrostatic potential and the free energy of interaction in ionic liquids can be exponentially damped oscillatory (like in molten simple salts) as well as plain exponential and long-ranged (like in dilute electrolyte solutions). Both behaviors are in agreement with the exact statistical mechanical analysis and reasons for their appearances are investigated. Exact but surprisingly simple expressions for the decay parameter κ of the screened electrostatics are obtained, which replace the classical expression for the Debye-Hückel parameter κDH (the reciprocal Debye length). The expressions are applicable both for cases with plain exponential and oscillatory behaviors. The key importance of nonlocal electrostatics is thereby demonstrated explicitly. Dielectric properties of ionic liquids and other electrolytes are investigated, in particular the static dielectric function ϵ̃(k) and some effective relative permittivities (Ereff and Er∗), which take roles that the dielectric constant εr has for polar liquids consisting of electroneutral molecules. The dielectric constant in the latter case, which is the limit of ϵ̃(k) when the wave number k → 0, can be expressed solely in terms of dipolar features of the molecules. In contrast to this, the effective dielectric permittivities of ionic liquids have contributions also from quadrupolar, octupolar, and higher multipolar features of the constituent ions. The “dielectric constant” of electrolytes does not exist since ϵ̃(k)→∞ when k → 0, a well-known effect of perfect screening. The effective relative permittivities, Ereff, and Er∗ of ionic liquids are obtained from the non-diverging part of ϵ̃(k), but not as a k → 0 limit. Influences of ion associations, especially pairing, are investigated for screened electrostatics and these permittivities. A general, multipolar expansion of ϵ̃(k) is derived and used to analyze dielectric properties of ionic liquids and other electrolytes.
Stimulated zonal flow generation in the case of TEM and TIM microturbulence
Authors: Gravier E. , Lesur M. , Reveille T. , Drouot T.
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we show that in some parameter range in gyrokinetic simulations, it is possible to apply a control method to stimulate the appearance of zonal flows while minimizing the duration of the control process and the impact on plasma parameters. For this purpose, a gyrokinetic code considering only trapped particles is used. The starting point of our work is a situation where zonal flows transiently appear after the nonlinear phase of saturation of trapped electron modes or trapped ion modes' micro-instabilities. These are observed to be strongly reduced in a later phase, permitting streamers to govern the plasma behavior in the steady-state. By intervening during this latter state (after this transient growth and decay of zonal flow), i.e., by increasing the ion/electron temperature ratio for a short time, it is found to be possible to bifurcate to a new steady-state, in which zonal flows are strongly present and are maintained indefinitely, thereby allowing a significant reduction in radial heat fluxes.
Calibration of X-ray spectrometers for opacity experiments at the Orion laser facility (invited)
Authors: Bentley C. , Allan P. , Brent K. , Bruce N. , Hoarty D. , Meadowcroft A. , Percival J. , Opie C.
Published: September 2016

Accurately calibrated and characterised x-ray diagnostics are a key requirement in the fielding of experiments on the Orion laser where absolute measurements of x-ray emission are used to underpin the validity of models of emissivity and opacity. Diffraction crystals are used in spectrometers on Orion to record the dispersed spectral features emitted by the laser produced plasma to obtain a measurement of the plasma conditions. The ability to undertake diffraction crystal calibrations supports the successful outcome of these Orion experiments. This paper details the design and commissioning of a system to undertake these calibrations in the energy range 2.0 keV to approximately 8.5 keV. Improvements to the design are detailed which will extend the commissioned range of energies to below 1 keV.
A neutron activation spectrometer and neutronic experimental platform for the National Ignition Facility (invited)
Authors: Yeamans C. B. , Gharibyan N.
Published: September 2016

At the National Ignition Facility, the diagnostic instrument manipulator-based neutron activation spectrometer is used as a diagnostic of implosion performance for inertial confinement fusion experiments. Additionally, it serves as a platform for independent neutronic experiments and may be connected to fast recording systems for neutron effect tests on active electronics. As an implosion diagnostic, the neutron activation spectrometers are used to quantify fluence of primary DT neutrons, downscattered neutrons, and neutrons above the primary DT neutron energy created by reactions of upscattered D and T in flight. At a primary neutron yield of 1015 and a downscattered fraction of neutrons in the 10-12 MeV energy range of 0.04, the downscattered neutron fraction can be measured to a relative uncertainty of 8%. Significant asymmetries in downscattered neutrons have been observed. Spectrometers have been designed and fielded to measure the tritium-tritium and deuterium-tritium neutron outputs simultaneously in experiments using DT/TT fusion ratio as a direct measure of mix of ablator into the gas.
Phase mixing of relativistically intense longitudinal wave packets in a cold plasma
Authors: Mukherjee Arghya , Sengupta Sudip
Published: September 2016

Phase mixing of relativistically intense longitudinal wave packets in a cold homogeneous unmagnetized plasma has been studied analytically and numerically using the Dawson Sheet Model. A general expression for phase mixing time (ωptmix) as a function of amplitude of the wave packet (δ) and width of the spectrum (Δk/k) has been derived. It is found that the phase mixing time crucially depends on the relative magnitude of amplitude “δ” and the spectral width “Δk/k”. For Δk/k≤2ωp2δ2/c2k2, ωptmix scales with δ as ∼1/δ5, whereas for Δk/k>2ωp2δ2/c2k2, ωptmix scales with δ as ∼1/δ3, where ωp is the non-relativistic plasma frequency and c is the speed of light in vacuum. We have also verified the above theoretical scalings using numerical simulations based on the Dawson Sheet Model.
Nanoporous Pirani sensor based on anodic aluminum oxide
Authors: Jeon Gwang-Jae , Kim Woo Young , Shim Hyun Bin , Lee Hee Chul
Published: September 2016

A nanoporous Pirani sensor based on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is proposed, and the quantitative relationship between the performance of the sensor and the porosity of the AAO membrane is characterized with a theoretical model. The proposed Pirani sensor is composed of a metallic resistor on a suspended nanoporous membrane, which simultaneously serves as the sensing area and the supporting structure. The AAO membrane has numerous vertically-tufted nanopores, resulting in a lower measurable pressure limit due to both the increased effective sensing area and the decreased effective thermal loss through the supporting structure. Additionally, the suspended AAO membrane structure, with its outer periphery anchored to the substrate, known as a closed-type design, is demonstrated using nanopores of AAO as an etch hole without a bulk micromachining process used on the substrate. In a CMOS-compatible process, a 200 μm × 200 μm nanoporous Pirani sensor with porosity of 25% was capable of measuring the pressure from 0.1 mTorr to 760 Torr. With adjustment of the porosity of the AAO, the measurable range could be extended toward lower pressures of more than one decade compared to a non-porous membrane with an identical footprint.
Genetic and phenotypic parameters for reproduction, production and bodyweight traits in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep
Authors: Dominik S. , Swan A. A.
Published: September 2016

The present study estimated phenotypic and genetic relationships between wool production, reproduction and bodyweight traits in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep. The data for the study originated from the CSIRO Fine Wool Project, Armidale, Australia. Data on wool characteristics, measured at ~10 and 22 months of age, bodyweight and several reproduction traits across consecutive lambing opportunities were analysed. The genetic correlations were moderately negative between fibre diameter measured as yearling and adult, and lamb survival (rg = –0.34 ± 0.15 and rg = –0.28 ± 0.14 respectively) and total number of lambs weaned (rg = –0.32 ± 0.21 and rg = –0.40 ± 0.21 respectively). The genetic correlations of yearling and adult greasy and clean fleece weights with number of lambs weaned and fecundity showed moderately to highly negative relationships and a moderately negative correlation with the number of fetuses at pregnancy scanning. Phenotypic correlations between reproduction and wool production traits were estimated to be zero, with the exception of bodyweight showing low to moderate positive phenotypic correlations with total number of lambs born and weaned. Genetic variances were generally low for the reproduction traits and resulted in low heritability estimates (from h2 = 0.03 ± 0.01 to h2 = 0.12 ± 0.13), with the exception of total number of lambs born (h2 = 0.25 ± 0.03). The study indicated that parameter estimation and trait definition of lifetime reproduction records require careful consideration and more work in this area is required.
Australia’s biosecurity procedures and preparedness
Authors: Schipp Mark
Published: September 2016

There is sometimes concern expressed in Australia and other countries that we do not specifically test imported food for the presence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria. How significant is this threat and how do the biosecurity measures taken by Australia address these?
Long-term migration patterns and bisexual philopatry in a benthic shark species
Authors: Bass Nathan Charles , Mourier Johann , Knott Nathan A. , Day Joanna , Guttridge Tristan , Brown Culum
Published: September 2016

Knowledge of the broad-scale movement patterns of sharks is essential to developing effective management strategies. Currently there is a large bias in studies focusing on species that are either large apex predators or found in tropical to subtropical regions. There is limited knowledge of the movements and migrations of benthic and temperate shark species. The present study used passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of a benthic shark species, the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Individuals were tagged with acoustic transmitters between 2012 and 2014 and their movements were monitored within Jervis Bay and along the east Australian coastline for up to 4 years. Male and female Port Jackson sharks demonstrated high levels of philopatry to both Jervis Bay and their tagging location across multiple years. Although males and females did not differ in their arrival times, females departed from Jervis Bay later than males. Approximately half the tagged individuals migrated in a southward direction, with individuals being detected at Narooma, Bass Strait and Cape Barron Island. This study provides conclusive evidence of bisexual philopatry in a benthic temperate shark species, confirming previous hypotheses, and presents the most detailed migration route for Port Jackson sharks to date.
HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the New Zealand healthcare setting: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Mundt Susan , Briggs Simon
Published: September 2016

Background
People living with HIV (PLHIV) assume that healthcare workers have an adequate knowledge of HIV and expect that they will be treated with respect and compassion in the healthcare setting. Despite the remarkable advances in HIV treatment in the past two decades, PLHIV have continued to experience HIV-related stigma and discrimination by healthcare workers worldwide. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and nature of stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV in the healthcare setting in New Zealand. Methods: This study involved a mixed-methods approach, using a questionnaire to collect quantitative and qualitative data from PLHIV recruited from the HIV Clinic at Auckland City Hospital and from two national HIV peer-support organisations between August 2012 and February 2013. Results: Two hundred and thirteen PLHIV participated in the study. One hundred PLHIV (47%) reported that they had ever experienced HIV-related discrimination by a healthcare worker. The types of discrimination included confidentiality problems (19%), additional infection control measures (19%) and rudeness (18%). Healthcare settings where most of the discrimination had been experienced were other (non-infectious diseases) hospital wards, dental clinics, other (non-HIV) outpatient clinics and general practice clinics. Conclusion: Almost half of the PLHIV in New Zealand have experienced stigma and discrimination in a healthcare setting. The findings of this study show that there is a need to continue to normalise the care of HIV and increase HIV education for healthcare workers.
Acute stress enhances heterodimerization and binding of corticosteroid receptors at glucocorticoid target genes in the hippocampus
Authors: Mifsud Karen R. , Reul Johannes M. H. M.
Published: September 2016

Significance

Glucocorticoid hormones are important mediators of the stress response and implicated in the etiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Glucocorticoids act via mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus, resulting in altered transcription of target genes. Currently, however, little information is available about how they interact with the genome after stress in vivo. Here, we show that an acute stressful challenge results in an increased interaction of both MRs and GRs with their genomic recognition sites. Moreover, they may interact with these sites not just as homodimers but also, as heterodimers, the extent of which is highly gene-dependent. These findings provide insight into how MRs and GRs interact with the hippocampal genome after stress in vivo.
Detection of deep stratospheric intrusions by cosmogenic
35
S
Authors: Lin Mang , Su Lin , Shaheen Robina , Fung Jimmy C. H. , Thiemens Mark H.
Published: September 2016

Significance

The recently revised stricter US National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone (O
3
) requires precise methods to screen “exceptional events,” such as naturally occurring deep stratospheric intrusions. However, existing approaches used in detecting stratospheric intrusions and evaluating their contributions to ground-level O
3
enhancement are not satisfactory. Here, we introduce the use of cosmogenic
35
S to assist in such quantifications. We measured the highest
35
S concentration in natural sulfate aerosols ever reported in the literature during deep stratospheric intrusions. The downward transport of stratospheric O
3
is confirmed by air quality data and meteorological analysis, showing the high sensitivity of
35
S as a stratospheric tracer and its utility to understand atmospheric transport and chemistry processes.
Temporal precision and the capacity of auditory–verbal short-term memory
Authors: Gilbert Rebecca A. , Hitch Graham J. , Hartley Tom
Published: September 2016

The capacity of serially ordered auditory–verbal short-term memory (AVSTM) is sensitive to the timing of the material to be stored, and both temporal processing and AVSTM capacity are implicated in the development of language. We developed a novel “rehearsal-probe” task to investigate the relationship between temporal precision and the capacity to remember serial order. Participants listened to a sub-span sequence of spoken digits and silently rehearsed the items and their timing during an unfilled retention interval. After an unpredictable delay, a tone prompted report of the item being rehearsed at that moment. An initial experiment showed cyclic distributions of item responses over time, with peaks preserving serial order and broad, overlapping tails. The spread of the response distributions increased with additional memory load and correlated negatively with participants’ auditory digit spans. A second study replicated the negative correlation and demonstrated its specificity to AVSTM by controlling for differences in visuo-spatial STM and nonverbal IQ. The results are consistent with the idea that a common resource underpins both the temporal precision and capacity of AVSTM. The rehearsal-probe task may provide a valuable tool for investigating links between temporal processing and AVSTM capacity in the context of speech and language abilities.
Records of Inspiration
Authors: Hyland Anne M. , Litschauer Walburga
Published: September 2016

The perception of Schubert as an undisciplined, spontaneous composer who was disinclined to revise is challenged by the existence of extensive continuity drafts and autograph scores for the Piano Sonatas D 958, D 959 and D 960. These drafts represent the most important documents of their kind and offer a means by which to reappraise Schubert’s methods of composition for the piano sonata, particularly of what are arguably his greatest examples of the genre. This chapter charts the compositional evolution of the sketches and autographs, before examining the disparities between the continuity drafts and the final versions of the last three Sonatas. This examination permits a more detailed study of the Piano Sonata in B ♭, D 960, in which a number of key features of Schubert’s customary revisions are analysed from the perspective of thematic construction, phrase structure, hypermetre and performance practice.
Musical Causality and Schubert’s Piano Sonata in A Major, D 959, First Movement
Authors: Caskel Julian
Published: September 2016

The first movement of Schubert’s A major Sonata could be connected to Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 31 No. 2, on account of Schubert’s formal intention to mediate between improvisatory structural moments and a genuine ordering of events in sonata form. This parallelisation provides a clue to why Schubert’s final sonatas can—on the grounds of stylistic typology—be accepted as works written in a ‘late style’. In historical discussions the parameters which define the concept ‘late style’ are derived from Beethovenian models and are conceptualised as a departure from his ‘heroic style’. But in the first movement of D 959 Schubert composed precisely a departure from that model. Adorno’s dichotomy between extensive and intensive types of musical time helps to define Schubert’s specific modes of departure: the first movement of the Sonata D 959 composes a metamorphosis of the intensive into the extensive type, the realisation of which lends the movement a narrative dimension.
Schubert, Social Music and Melancholy
Authors: Plantinga Leon
Published: September 2016

If we have inherited unlike competing visions of post-Congress Vienna, the same seems to be true of her native son Schubert. There is the guileless composer of lilting songs and ingenuous instrumental music whose rhythms and textures echoed the sounds of Old Vienna and, more recently, a man who suffered from a venereal disease. The actual Schubert clearly embodied something of each of these visions. His music constantly echoes the sounds heard in Vienna’s taverns and ballrooms, and his later works plumbed new depths of tragedy and despair. In some of Schubert’s most impressive late music these two themes are mingled, such that dances take on the aura of tragedy. Examples from Schubert’s last year are the first movement of the Fantasy in F minor and the slow movements of the final two Piano Sonatas, D 959 and 960, both of the deutsche/Ländler type.
‘The Messenger of a Faithful Heart’
Authors: Giarusso Richard
Published: September 2016

Many question the integrity of Schwanengesang as a ‘cycle,’ and the place of ‘Die Taubenpost’ in the set still generates heated debate. Performers and critics often dismiss the song as a trifling successor to the weighty Heine settings, and one observer has suggested that ‘its place, if it has one, in performances of Schwanengesang is as an encore’. Much of Schubert’s biography in 1828 and our understanding of his ‘late’ style has been disproportionately colored by Winterreise and by the Heine songs in Schwanengesang. Yet, inasmuch as Schwanengesang lives up to its name, ‘Die Taubenpost’ is the only song in the set that truly represents the ‘last blossom’ of Schubert’s talent. Far from being a trivial coda to the brooding Heine songs, ‘Die Taubenpost’ embodies the quintessence of Schubert’s late style, answering the bleakness of ‘Der Doppelgänger’ with a cautious yet resilient optimism that is echoed in so many of the last works.
Interlude
Authors: Gilliver Peter
Published: September 2016

This chapter describes the methodology followed by the compilers of the first edition of the OED. It sets out the various components of the process of compilation: the collection of quotations; the pre-processing (‘sub-editing’) of these by volunteers working in advance of the in-house lexicographers; the drafting and revision of entries, first by the Editors’ assistants, then by the Editors themselves (including selection of quotations, organization of senses and sub-senses, pronunciation, variant spellings, and etymology); correspondence with specialist consultants; and the printing and correction of proofs and revises (including the substantial contribution made in these stages by external proofreaders), culminating in the passing for press of finished pages of the Dictionary. Some aspects of the variation in editorial approach between the four Editors are also explored.
And then there were four: 1897–1915
Authors: Gilliver Peter
Published: September 2016

This chapter describes the continuing expansion of the team of lexicographers compiling the OED during the years following 1897, in the course of which William Craigie and Charles Onions were appointed as the Dictionary’s third and fourth Editors—the latter notwithstanding his brief and unexplained departure from the staff in 1899. The appointment of Charles Cannan as Secretary to the Delegates seems to have marked the beginning of a period of smoother progress for the project, although the work of the lexicographers continued to be carefully scrutinized by OUP; various ideas for improving productivity, including bonus schemes, were proposed, and these are described. Also during this period, work began on two other OUP dictionaries which draw on the OED, the Shorter OED and the Concise Oxford Dictionary, and these are explored. The chapter ends with the death of James Murray, and an assessment of his contribution to the Dictionary.
Spiritual/Religious Beliefs & Medication Adherence in Black Women with Hypertension
Authors: Abel Willie M. , Greer Danice B.
Published: September 2016

Black women have the highest rate of hypertension (HTN) in the U.S. and perhaps the world. Because they are deemed the most religiously devout group in the U.S., it is plausible that faithfulness to spiritual/religious practices may yield more adherence to HTN medication regimens. This study examined spiritual/religious beliefs in relation to antihypertensive medication adherence in Black women with HTN. Although results showed no association between beliefs and adherence, women who developed trusting relationships with their healthcare provider were more likely to be adherent to their medications.