bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A miR-SNP biomarker linked to an increased lung cancer survival by miRNA-mediated down-regulation of FZD4 expression and Wnt signaling
Authors: Lin Jing , Zandi Roza , Shao Ruping , Gu Jian , Ye Yuanqin , Wang Jing , Zhao Yang , Pertsemlidis Alexander , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Wu Xifeng , Roth Jack A. , Ji Lin
Published: August 2017

Through a new hypothesis-driven and microRNA-pathway-based SNP (miR-SNP) association study we identified a novel miR-SNP (rs713065) in the 3′UTR region of FZD4 gene linked with decreased risk of death in early stage NSCLC patients. We determined biological function and mechanism of action of this FZD4-miR-SNP biomarker in a cellular platform. Our data suggest that FZD4-miR-SNP loci may significantly influence overall survival in NSCLC patients by specifically interacting with miR-204 and modulating FZD4 expression and cellular function in the Wnt-signaling-driven tumor progression. Our findings are bridging the gap between the discovery of epidemiological SNP biomarkers and their biological function and will enable us to develop novel therapeutic strategies that specifically target epigenetic markers in the oncogenic Wnt/FZD signaling pathways in NSCLC.
Magnetic-control multifunctional acoustic metasurface for reflected wave manipulation at deep subwavelength scale
Authors: Chen Xing , Liu Peng , Hou Zewei , Pei Yongmao
Published: August 2017

Acoustic metasurfaces, exhibiting superior performance with subwavelength thickness, are ideal alternatives for functionalities such as wavefront modulation and acoustic energy trapping, etc. However, most of the reported acoustic metasurfaces were passive. Here a magnetically tuned mechanism is reported for membrane-type acoustic metamaterials. Harnessing the geometric nonlinearity of membrane structures, the transmission spectrum is both theoretically and experimentally tuned over broadband by an external static magnetic force. Simultaneously, the phase profiles can be readily tailored by the magnetic stimulus. Further, a magnetic-control multifunctional metasurface is proposed for low-frequency wave manipulation. By switching the magnetic force distribution, multi extraordinary phenomena, such as acoustic wave redirecting, focusing, bending, etc., are realized without changing the physical structure. Besides, it is demonstrated the proposed metasurface, at deep subwavelength scale (~1/85λ), supports anomalous reflected wave manipulation over a wide band. These results open up new degrees of freedom to steer acoustic wave and pave a way for designing active acoustic devices.
Projecting potential distribution of Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus Motschulsky and E. brandti (Harold) under historical climate and RCP 8.5 scenario
Authors: Ji Yingchao , Luo Wen , Zhang Ganyu , Wen Junbao
Published: August 2017

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and its variant A. altissima var. Qiantouchun are notorious invasive weeds. Two weevils, Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus (ESC) and E. brandti (EBR) are considered as candidates for biological control of A. altissima. The aim of this study was to model the potential distributions of ESC and EBR using CLIMEX 4.0. The projected potential distributions of ESC and EBR included almost all current distribution areas of A. altissima, except Southeast Asia. Under historical climate, potential distribution area of EBR is larger than that of ESC, 46.67 × 106 km2 and 35.65 × 106 km2, respectively. For both ESC and EBR, climate change expanded the northern boundary of potential distributions northward approximately 600 km by the middle of 21st century, and 1000 km by the end of 21st century under RCP 8.5. However, the suitable range decreased to the south in the Southern Hemisphere because of heat stress. The modelled potential distributions of ESC and EBR in the United States demonstrated that the climate was suitable for both weevils. Therefore, considering only climate suitability, both ESC and EBR can be considered as potential biological control agents against A. altissima with some confidence that climatic conditions are likely suitable.
Tibial dyschondroplasia is highly associated with suppression of tibial angiogenesis through regulating the HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway in chickens
Authors: Huang Shu-cheng , Rehman Mujeeb Ur , Lan Yan-fang , Qiu Gang , Zhang Hui , Iqbal Muhammad Kashif , Luo Hou-qiang , Mehmood Khalid , Zhang Li-hong , Li Jia-kui
Published: August 2017

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is an intractable poultry problem that is characterized by the appearance of non-vascularized and non-mineralized cartilage masses in tibial growth plates (TGPs). However, the role of angiogenesis inhibition in the occurrence of TD remains unknown. In this study, we found that, compared to low-altitude Arbor Acres chickens (AACs), high-altitude Tibetan chickens showed higher tibial vascular distributions that were accompanied by up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptors. These observations provide insights into hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, which may be related to the absence of TD in high-altitude native Tibetan chickens. Importantly, hypoxia experiments also showed that during hypoxia, tibial angiogenesis was enhanced, which was due to pro-angiogenic factor up-regulation (including VEGFA, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and IL-8), in AACs. Moreover, we observed that thiram-induced TD could strongly inhibit tibial angiogenesis in the hypertrophic zone through coordinated down-regulation of HIF-1α and pro-angiogenic factors, leading to a disruption in the blood supply to the TGP. Taken together, these findings reveal that the occurrence of TD is highly associated with inhibition of tibial angiogenesis through down-regulated expression of HIF-1α, VEGFA and VEGF receptors, which results in suppression of TGP development.
Genome-wide comparative analysis of H3K4me3 profiles between diploid and allotetraploid cotton to refine genome annotation
Authors: You Qi , Yi Xin , Zhang Kang , Wang Chunchao , Ma Xuelian , Zhang Xueyan , Xu Wenying , Li Fuguang , Su Zhen
Published: August 2017

Polyploidy is a common evolutionary occurrence in plants. Recently, published genomes of allotetraploid G. hirsutum and its donors G. arboreum and G. raimondii make cotton an accessible polyploid model. This study used chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to investigate the genome-wide distribution of H3K4me3 in G. arboreum and G. hirsutum, and explore the conservation and variation of genome structures between diploid and allotetraploid cotton. Our results showed that H3K4me3 modifications were associated with active transcription in both cottons. The H3K4me3 histone markers appeared mainly in genic regions and were enriched around the transcription start sites (TSSs) of genes. We integrated the ChIP-seq data of H3K4me3 with RNA-seq and ESTs data to refine the genic structure annotation. There were 6,773 and 12,773 new transcripts discovered in G. arboreum and G. hirsutum, respectively. Furthermore, co-expression networks were linked with histone modification and modularized in an attempt to explain differential H3K4me3 enrichment correlated with changes in gene transcription during cotton development and evolution. Taken together, we have combined epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets to systematically discover functional genes and compare them between G. arboreum and G. hirsutum, which may be beneficial for studying diploid and allotetraploid plants with large genomes and complicated evolution.
Immunological memory to blood-stage malaria infection is controlled by the histamine releasing factor (HRF) of the parasite
Authors: Demarta-Gatsi Claudia , Peronet Roger , Smith Leanna , Thiberge Sabine , Ménard Robert , Mécheri Salaheddine
Published: August 2017

While most subunit malaria vaccines provide only limited efficacy, pre-erythrocytic and erythrocytic genetically attenuated parasites (GAP) have been shown to confer complete sterilizing immunity. We recently generated aPlasmodium berghei(PbNK65) parasite that lacks a secreted factor, the histamine releasing factor (HRF) (PbNK65hrfΔ), and induces in infected mice a self-resolving blood stage infection accompanied by a long lasting immunity. Here, we explore the immunological mechanisms underlying the anti-parasite protective properties of the mutantPbNK65hrfΔ and demonstrate that in addition to an up-regulation of IL-6 production, CD4+but not CD8+T effector lymphocytes are indispensable for the clearance of malaria infection. Maintenance of T cell-associated protection is associated with the reduction in CD4+PD-1+and CD8+PD-1+T cell numbers. A higher number of central and effector memory B cells in mutant-infected mice also plays a pivotal role in protection. Importantly, we also demonstrate that prior infection with WT parasites followed by a drug cure does not prevent the induction ofPbNK65hrfΔ-induced protection, suggesting that such protection in humans may be efficient even in individuals that have been infected and who repeatedly received antimalarial drugs.
Associations between lead concentrations and cardiovascular risk factors in U.S. adolescents
Authors: Xu Cheng , Shu Yaqin , Fu Zhi , Hu Yuanli , Mo Xuming
Published: August 2017

Little is known regarding the effects of environmental lead exposure on cardiovascular risk factors in the adolescent population. We studied 11,662 subjects included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2012. Blood lead levels were analysed for their association with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). Regression coefficients (Beta) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of blood lead in association with CVRF (e.g., total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, glycohemoglobin, fasting insulin, and blood pressure) were estimated using multivariate and generalized linear regression after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, serum cotinine, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and household income. We identified a strong positive association between blood lead (coefficient = 0.022, 95% CI 0.003, 0.041; P = 0.022) and LDL-cholesterol in adolescents (age 12–19 years). However, no associations with other CVRFs were found in the overall population. In the generalized linear models, participants with the highest lead levels demonstrated a 1.87% (95% CI 0.73%, 3.02%) greater increase in serum LDL-cholesterol (p for trend = 0.031) when compared to participants with the lowest lead levels. These results provide epidemiological evidence that low levels of blood lead are positively associated with LDL-cholesterol in the adolescent population.
Silicon rich nitride ring resonators for rare – earth doped telecommunications-band amplifiers pumped at the O-band
Authors: Xing P. , Chen G. F. R. , Zhao X. , Ng D. K. T. , Tan M. C. , Tan D. T. H.
Published: August 2017

Ring resonators on silicon rich nitride for potential use as rare-earth doped amplifiers pumped at 1310 nm with amplification at telecommunications-band are designed and characterized. The ring resonators are fabricated on 300 nm and 400 nm silicon rich nitride films and characterized at both 1310 nm and 1550 nm. We demonstrate ring resonators exhibiting similar quality factors exceeding 10,000 simultaneously at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. A Dysprosium-Erbium material system exhibiting photoluminescence at 1510 nm when pumped at 1310 nm is experimentally demonstrated. When used together with Dy-Er co-doped particles, these resonators with similar quality factors at 1310 nm and 1550 nm may be used for O-band pumped amplifiers for the telecommunications-band.
Multi-factors including Inflammatory/Immune, Hormones, Tumor-related Proteins and Nutrition associated with Chronic Prostatitis NIH IIIa+b and IV based on FAMHES project
Authors: Chen Yang , Li Jie , Hu Yanling , Zhang Haiying , Yang Xiaobo , Jiang Yonghua , Yao Ziting , Chen Yinchun , Gao Yong , Tan Aihua , Liao Ming , Lu Zhen , Wu Chunlei , Xian Xiaoyin , Wei Suchun , Zhang Zhifu , Chen Wei , Wei Gong-Hong , Wang Qiuyan , Mo Zengnan
Published: August 2017

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a complex disease. Fragmentary evidence suggests that factors such as infection and autoimmunity might be associated with CP. To further elucidate potential risk factors, the current study utilized the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES) project; where 22 inflammatory/immune markers, hormone markers, tumor-related proteins, and nutrition-related variables were investigated. We also performed baseline, regression, discriminant, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. According to NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), participants were divided into chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS, pain ≥ 4; divided into IIIa and IIIb sub-groups) and non-CPPS (pain = 0; divided into IV and normal sub-groups). Analyses revealed osteocalcin as a consistent protective factor for CP/CPPS, NIH-IIIb, and NIH-IV prostatitis. Further discriminant analysis revealed that ferritin (p = 0.002) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (p = 0.010) were significantly associated with NIH-IIIa and NIH-IV prostatitis, respectively. Moreover, ROC analysis suggested that ferritin was the most valuable independent predictor of NIH-IIIa prostatitis (AUC = 0.639, 95% CI = 0.534–0.745,p = 0.006). Together, our study revealed inflammatory/immune markers [immunoglobulin E, Complement (C3, C4), C-reactive protein, anti-streptolysin, and rheumatoid factors], hormone markers (osteocalcin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and insulin), tumor-related proteins (carcinoembryonic and PSA), and a nutrition-related variable (ferritin) were significantly associated with CP or one of its subtypes.
Longitudinal observations of progressive cardiac dysfunction in a cardiomyopathic animal model by self-gated cine imaging based on 11.7-T magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Saito Shigeyoshi , Tanoue Minori , Masuda Kasumi , Mori Yuki , Nakatani Satoshi , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Murase Kenya
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to longitudinally assess left ventricular function and wall thickness in a hamster model of cardiomyopathy using 11.7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI were performed for six cardiomyopathic J2N-k hamsters and six J2N-n hamsters at 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks of age. Echocardiography was also performed at 20 weeks. The ejection fraction (EF) at 15 and 20 weeks of age in J2N-k hamsters showed a significant decrease compared with those in controls. Conversely, the end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes in cardiomyopathic hamsters showed a significant increase compared with those in controls. Moreover, the heart walls of J2N-k hamsters at 15 and 20 weeks were thicker than those of controls at end-systole; however, there were no significant differences at end-diastole. Optical microscopy with Masson’s trichrome staining depicted no fibrosis in the control myocardium, although it showed interstitial fibrosis in the 20-week-old J2N-k cardiomyopathic myocardium. There were no differences in EF and the wall thickness observed on MRI and those observed on echocardiography. These results indicate the presence of systolic dysfunction in cardiomyopathic hamsters. Self-gated cine imaging based on 11.7-T MRI can be used for serial measurements of cardiac function and wall thickness in a cardiomyopathic model.
GLP-1/Exendin-4 induces β-cell proliferation via the epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Fusco Joseph , Xiao Xiangwei , Prasadan Krishna , Sheng Qingfeng , Chen Congde , Ming Yung-Ching , Gittes George
Published: August 2017

Exendin-4 is a long acting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogue that is an agonist for the GLP-1 receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Exendin-4 is used to clinically improve glucose tolerance in diabetic patients due to its ability to enhance insulin secretion. In rodents, and possibly in humans, exendin-4 can stimulate β-cell proliferation. The exact mechanism of action to induce β-cell proliferation is not well understood. Here, using a β-cell specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) null mouse, we show that exendin-4 induced an increase in proliferation and β-cell mass through EGFR. Thus, our study sheds light on the role of EGFR signaling in the effects of exendin-4 on the control of blood glucose metabolism and β-cell mass.
A microfluidic device for the batch adsorption of a protein on adsorbent particles
Authors: Rho Hoon Suk , Hanke Alexander Thomas , Ottens Marcel , Gardeniers Han
Published: August 2017

A microfluidic platform or “microfluidic batch adsorption device” is presented, which performs two sets of 9 parallel protein incubations with/without adsorbent particles to achieve an adsorption isotherm of a protein in a single experiment.
Quantitative analysis of salvianolic acids, ginsenosides and borneols using 1H qNMR for quality control of compound Danshen dripping pills
Authors: Chen Xialin , Qi Jin , Yu Boyang
Published: August 2017

A fast and accurate 1H qNMR method was established simultaneously determining the eight main components of compound Danshen dripping pill followed by advance statistical analysis for quality control.
A novel extraction-based procedure for the determination of cadmium in marine macro-algae using HR-CS GF AAS
Authors: Schneider Mauana , de Quadros Daiane P. C. , Welz Bernhard , Carasek Eduardo , de Oliveira Bastos Duardo , Rorig Leonardo Rubi
Published: August 2017

This work proposes a simple method for the determination of Cd in macro-algae by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.
CoOOH-induced synthesis of fluorescent polydopamine nanoparticles for the detection of ascorbic acid
Authors: Zhao Yan-Yan , Li Li , Yu Ru-Qin , Chen Ting-Ting , Chu Xia
Published: August 2017

CoOOH-induced synthesis of fluorescent polydopamine nanoparticles for the detection of ascorbic acid based on the redox reaction between CoOOH and AA.
A signal-off aptasensor for the determination of Ochratoxin A by differential pulse voltammetry at a modified Au electrode using methylene blue as an electrochemical probe
Authors: Wei Min , Feng Shuo
Published: August 2017

A signal-off aptasensor for OTA detection at an apt/cDNA/AuNPs/cPC/NH2–AuE electrode using methylene blue as an electrochemical probe.
Correction: Using anion recognition to control the folding and unfolding of a single chain phosphorescent polymer
Authors: Ji Xiaofan , Guo Chenxing , Ke Xian-Sheng , Chi Xiaodong , Moore Matthew D. , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Using anion recognition to control the folding and unfolding of a single chain phosphorescent polymer’ by Xiaofan Ji et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 8774–8777.
Mechanism of gas-phase ozonolysis of sabinene in the atmosphere
Authors: Wang Lingyu , Wang Liming
Published: August 2017

Ozonolysis of sabinene in the atmosphere forms sabinaketone, OH radicals, and highly oxygenated multifunctional compounds.
High activity and negative apparent activation energy in low-temperature CO oxidation – present on Au/Mg(OH)2, absent on Au/TiO2
Authors: Wang Y. , Widmann D. , Wittmann M. , Lehnert F. , Gu D. , Schüth F. , Behm R. J.
Published: August 2017

Aiming at a better understanding of the unusual low-temperature CO oxidation reaction behavior on Au/Mg(OH)2 catalysts, we investigated this reaction mainly by combined kinetic and in situ IR spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of temperatures, from −90 °C to 200 °C.
A family of solar light responsive photocatalysts obtained using Zn2+Me3+(Me = Al/Ga) LDHs doped with Ga2O3and In2O3and their derived mixed oxides: a case study of phenol/4-nitrophenol decomposition
Authors: Carja Gabriela , Grosu Elena Florentina , Mureseanu Mihaela , Lutic Doina
Published: August 2017

Decomposition of dangerous organic contaminants under irradiation with sunlight by Zn2+Me3+(Me = Al/Ga) LDHs doped with Ga2O3and In2O3and their derived mixtures of mixed oxides.
The selective hydrogenolysis of C–O bonds in lignin model compounds by Pd–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles in ionic liquids
Authors: Sun Kang-kang , Lu Guo-ping , Zhang Jia-wei , Cai Chun
Published: August 2017

β-O-4 and α-O-4 linkages can be selectively cleaved by Pd–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles in ionic liquids using hydrogen gas as the hydrogen donor under ambient pressure and neutral conditions.
Large enhancement of thermoelectric properties in n-type PbTe via dual-site point defects
Authors: Fu Liangwei , Yin Meijie , Wu Di , Li Wei , Feng Dan , Huang Li , He Jiaqing
Published: August 2017

Dual-site point defects formed through partially dissolved Sb nanophases contribute to distortion of density-of-states and enhancement of phonon scattering.
Porous crystalline materials: closing remarks
Authors: Kitagawa Susumu
Published: August 2017

This paper is derived from my ‘closing remarks’ lecture at the 287th Faraday Discussions meeting on New Directions in Porous Crystalline Materials, Edinburgh, UK, 5–7 June, 2017. This meeting comprised sessions on the design of porous networks, and their capture, storage, separation, conducting properties, catalysts, resistance to chemicals and moisture, simulation, and electronic structures. This paper details the achievements and developments in the field, as reflected in invited speakers’ papers and discussions with the attendees during the meeting.
A microfluidic platform for the high-throughput study of pathological cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Parsa Hesam , Wang Bryan Z. , Vunjak-Novakovic Gordana
Published: August 2017

Currentin vitromodels fall short in deciphering the mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy induced by volume overload.
What is medicinal chemistry? – Demystifying a rapidly evolving discipline!
Authors: Holbrook Selina Y. L. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: August 2017

Opinion article summarizing answers to this broad and controversial question obtained from over 60 people from “all walks of life”, including people from academia and industry, ranging from graduate students to established researchers and professors.
Nanostructured interfacial self-assembled peptide–polymer membranes for enhanced mineralization and cell adhesion
Authors: Ribeiro Sofia , Radvar Elham , Shi Yejiao , Borges João , Pirraco Rogério P. , Leonor Isabel B. , Mano João F. , Reis Rui L. , Mata Álvaro , Azevedo Helena S.
Published: August 2017

Multiscale structured membranes with selective molecular functionalities for controlled mineralization and cell attachment.
Hard templating ultrathin polycrystalline hematite nanosheets: effect of nano-dimension on CO2 to CO conversion via the reverse water-gas shift reaction
Authors: Fishman Zachary S. , He Yulian , Yang Ke R. , Lounsbury Amanda W. , Zhu Junqing , Tran Thanh Minh , Zimmerman Julie B. , Batista Victor S. , Pfefferle Lisa D.
Published: August 2017

Copper oxide nanosheets as a hard template for ultrathin iron hydroxide/oxide nanosheets.
Nanomechanical sensors for direct and rapid characterization of sperm motility based on nanoscale vibrations
Authors: Wu Shangquan , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhou Xiarong , Liu Hong , Xue Changguo , Zhao Gang , Cao Yunxia , Zhang Qingchuan , Wu Xiaoping
Published: August 2017

A nanomechanical biosensor was developed for gaining insight into the relationship between the sperm viability and nanomechanical fluctuation.
Magnetic exchange force microscopy: theoretical analysis of induced magnetization reversals
Authors: Ivanov Aleksei , Bessarab Pavel F. , Uzdin Valery M. , Jónsson Hannes
Published: August 2017

In magnetic exchange force microscopy a magnetic tip is scanned over the surface of a solid and an image representing the exchange interaction recorded. Theoretical calculations are presented showing how lifetime of the magnetic states depends on tip size, distance and magnetic field.
High-purity capture and release of circulating exosomes using an exosome-specific dual-patterned immunofiltration (ExoDIF) device
Authors: Kang Yoon-Tae , Kim Young Jun , Bu Jiyoon , Cho Young-Ho , Han Sae-Won , Moon Byung-In
Published: August 2017

We present a microfluidic device for the capture and release of circulating exosomes from human blood.
InP–InxGa1−xAs core-multi-shell nanowire quantum wells with tunable emission in the 1.3–1.55 μm wavelength range
Authors: Fonseka H. A. , Ameruddin A. S. , Caroff P. , Tedeschi D. , De Luca M. , Mura F. , Guo Y. , Lysevych M. , Wang F. , Tan H. H. , Polimeni A. , Jagadish C.
Published: August 2017

Wurtzite phase InP–InxGa1−xAs nanowire radial quantum wells were grown for the first time, with tunable emission in the 1.3–1.55 μm optical communication wavelength range.
Understanding the CDSA of poly(lactide) containing triblock copolymers
Authors: Yu Wei , Inam Maria , Jones Joseph R. , Dove Andrew P. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: August 2017

Using crystallization driven assembly (CDSA) the simple preparation of well-defined tuneable 1D and 2D structures based on poly(lactide) triblock copolymers is demonstrated.
Visible light-induced iniferter polymerization of methacrylates enhanced by continuous flow
Authors: Rubens Maarten , Latsrisaeng Phanumat , Junkers Tanja
Published: August 2017

Visible-light induced photoiniferter polymerization in continuous flow reactors is very efficient in yielding low dispersity methacrylate block copolymers.
Synthesis and self-assembly of polystyrene-based diblock and triblock coil–brush copolymers
Authors: Jonikaite-Svegzdiene Jurate , Kudresova Alina , Paukstis Sarunas , Skapas Martynas , Makuska Ricardas
Published: August 2017

Anionic coil–brush, brush–coil–brush and coil–brush–coil type polystyrene-based di- and tri-block copolymers were synthesized and their micellization behavior was compared.
Self-assembly and rheology of dipolar colloids in simple shear studied using multi-particle collision dynamics
Authors: Zablotsky Dmitry , Blums Elmars , Herrmann Hans J.
Published: August 2017

An anisotropic microstructure self-assembled from dipolar nanoparticles shows generalized behavior and thermorheological simplicity in simple shear.
Fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Li Jun , Zheng Shuiping , Luo Qiuyun , Zhou Chunmei , Wang Chaoyang
Published: August 2017

Studies on elevated fasting insulin or insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in non-diabetic individuals have yielded conflicting results. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association of elevated fasting insulin levels or IR as defined by homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults. We searched for relevant studies in PubMed and Emabse databases until November 2016. Only prospective observational studies investigating the association of elevated fasting insulin levels or HOMA-IR with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in non-diabetic adults were included. Risk ratio (RR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was pooled for the highest compared with the lowest category of fasting insulin levels or HOMA-IR. Seven articles involving 26976 non-diabetic adults were included. The pooled, adjusted RR of all-cause mortality comparing the highest with the lowest category was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00–1.27; P=0.058) for fasting insulin levels and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.11–1.62; P=0.002) for HOMA-IR, respectively. When comparing the highest with the lowest category, the pooled adjusted RR of cardiovascular mortality was 2.11 (95% CI: 1.01–4.41; P=0.048) for HOMA-IR in two studies and 1.40 (95% CI: 0.49–3.96; P=0.526) for fasting insulin levels in one study. IR as measured by HOMA-IR but not fasting insulin appears to be independently associated with greater risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults. However, the association of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with cardiovascular mortality may be unreliable due to the small number of articles included.
Trimetazidine protects retinal ganglion cells from acute glaucoma via the Nrf2/Ho-1 pathway
Authors: Wan Peixing , Su Wenru , Zhang Yingying , Li Zhidong , Deng Caibin , Zhuo Yehong
Published: August 2017

Acute glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision impairment characterized by the rapid elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and consequent retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been considered critical for the pathogenesis of RGC death in acute glaucoma. Trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti-ischemic drug, possesses antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to its therapeutic potential in tissue damage. However, the role of TMZ in acute glaucoma and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that treatment with TMZ significantly attenuated retinal damage and RGC death in mice with acute glaucoma, with a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokine production in the retina. Furthermore, TMZ treatment directly decreased ROS production and rebalanced the intracellular redox state, thus contributing to the survival of RGCs in vitro. TMZ treatment also reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Mechanistically, the TMZ-mediated inhibition of apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine production in RGCs occurred via the regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1/caspase-8 pathway. Moreover, the TMZ-mediated neuroprotection in acute glaucoma was abrogated when an HO-1 inhibitor, SnPP, was used. Our findings identify potential mechanisms of RGC apoptosis and propose a novel therapeutic agent, TMZ, which exerts a precise neuroprotective effect against acute glaucoma.
Polylysine‐modified titania nanotube arrays for local drug delivery
Authors: Zhang Tao , Liu Yan , Zhang Fengfen , Xiao Xiufeng
Published: August 2017

A drug delivery system based on ɛ‐polylysine‐modified titania nanotube (ɛ‐PL‐TNTs) arrays was prepared. Polylysine on the nanotubes’ surface can effectively bind with alendronate, a drug for the treatment of osteoporosis, through chemical bond. The bonds are fairly stable in an acid environment and cannot easily break up in a physiological environment. The ɛ‐PL‐TNTs increased the amount of drug loading by 9% in weight. The in vitro release profile of alendronate from ɛ‐PL‐TNTs showed a significant reduced burst release and an extended overall release of more than 15 days.
Thermoelectric transport calculation of Si nanoclusters with different geometric shapes
Authors: Lu Peng‐Xian , Lu Man‐Man , Kong Chun , Zhang Meng , Zhao Zhi‐Wei
Published: August 2017

Fabricating small‐sized Si nanoclusters has been considered as an effective approach to obtain a high figure‐of‐merit of thermoelectric materials. To reveal the electron and phonon transport in the Si nanoclusters with different geometric shapes, the electronic structure, the lattice dynamics and the thermoelectric properties of Si nanobox, Si nanocylinder, Si nanosphere and Si nanotetrahedron were investigated through first‐principles calculation, lattice simulation and Boltzmann transport theory. The influences of the electronic structure and the lattice dynamics on the thermoelectric properties were also studied in detail. Therefore the work provides a complete understanding on the thermoelectric transport in the Si nanoclusters with different geometric shapes. Moreover, a largely enhanced figure‐of‐merit (ZT) at 1200 K of 1.70 has been achieved for Si nanobox.
The Carnegie Supernova Project I
Authors: Stritzinger M. D. , Anderson J. P. , Contreras C. , Heinrich-Josties E. , Morrell N. , Phillips M. M. , Anais J. , Boldt L. , Busta L. , Burns C. R. , Campillay A. , Corco C. , Castellon S. , Folatelli G. , González C. , Holmbo S. , Hsiao E. Y. , Krzeminski W. , Salgado F. , Serón J. , Torres-Robledo S. , Freedman W. L. , Hamuy M. , Krisciunas K. , Madore B. F. , Persson S. E. , Roth M. , Suntzeff N. B. , Taddia F. , Li W. , Filippenko A. V.
Published: August 2017

The first phase of the Carnegie Supernova Project (CSP-I) was a dedicated supernova follow-up program based at the Las Campanas Observatory that collected science data of young, low-redshift supernovae between 2004 and 2009. Presented in this paper is the CSP-I photometric data release of low-redshift stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae. The data consist of optical (uBgVri) photometry of 34 objects, with a subset of 26 having near-infrared (YJH) photometry. Twenty objects have optical pre-maximum coverage with a subset of 12 beginning at least five days prior to the epoch ofB-band maximum brightness. In the near-infrared, 17 objects have pre-maximum observations with a subset of 14 beginning at least five days prior to the epoch ofJ-band maximum brightness. Analysis of this photometric data release is presented in companion papers focusing on techniques to estimate host-galaxy extinction and the light-curve and progenitor star properties of the sample. The analysis of an accompanying visual-wavelength spectroscopy sample of ~150 spectra will be the subject of a future paper.
Energy decay in a wave guide with dissipation at infinity
Authors: Malloug Mohamed , Royer Julien
Published: August 2017

We prove local and global energy decay for the wave equation in a wave guide with damping at infinity. More precisely, the absorption index is assumed to converge slowly to a positive constant, and we obtain the diffusive phenomenon typical for the contribution of low frequencies when the damping is effective at infinity. On the other hand, the usual Geometric Control Condition is not necessarily satisfied so we may have a loss of regularity for the contribution of high frequencies. Since our results are new even in the Euclidean space, we also state a similar result in this case.
A Bench-Stable Vilsmeier Reagent for in situ Alcohol Activation: Synthetic Application in the Synthesis of 2-Amino-2-Thiazolines
Authors: Corbett Michael , Caille Seb
Published: August 2017

A robust, chemoselective direct condensation/cyclization of thioureas and amino alcohols is described. Employing a bench-stable Vilsmeier reagent, methoxymethylene-N,N-dimethyliminium methyl sulfate, the selective in situ activation of alcohols is achieved with high efficiency and broad functional-group tolerance. The reversible interaction of the Vilsmeier reagent with substrate was key to the success of this activation strategy.
Taming Silylium Ions for Synthesis: N-Heterocycle Synthesis via Stereoselective C–C Bond Formation
Authors: Gagné Michel , Moyer Brandon
Published: August 2017

Silylium ions (formally [R3Si]+) have long been the subject of investigations and significant debate in both theoretical and experimental chemistry, but few catalytic, synthetic applications have been reported due to the exceptionally high reactivity and Lewis acidity of these elusive species. Results to be discussed include the application of easily accessible silylium ion catalysts to the stereoselective synthesis of various N-heterocyclic pyrrolidine and piperidine scaffolds. The tested substrates are derived from the chiral pool and can be obtained in three high-yielding steps from amino alcohols; subsequent stereoselective silylium ion catalyzed Prins cyclization and trapping with R3Si–Nu nucleophiles (e.g., Nu = H, allyl, azide, and enol ethers) results in novel nitrogen-containing polycyclic scaffolds with potential medicinal chemistry applications.
“Beauty in the lap of horror”: the Gothic appeal of Erich von Stroheim in Blind Husbands (1919) and Foolish Wives (1922)
Authors: Girelli Elisabetta
Published: August 2017

This article revisits a seminal figure of film history, the director/actor/scriptwriter Erich von Stroheim, focusing on his early work, and arguing that a Gothic framework is the most appropriate context for making sense of his complex, subversive persona; equally, the essay shows how two films dealing with urban, sophisticated characters, set in modern locations such as Monte Carlo, are in fact drenched in Gothic sensibility and aesthetics. As the director and star of Blind Husbands (1919) and Foolish Wives (1922), the Austrian-born Erich von Stroheim has so far been analysed as a catalyst for post-WWI stereotypes of unwelcome foreignness in the USA. Irrupting in a context fraught with anxieties about “evil Huns”, immigration, and ambivalent notions of Europeanness, Stroheim’s films caused both outrage and admiration. While film scholars have read Stroheim’s perceived transgression through his symbolic role of Germanic alien, they have paid scant attention to the films themselves. This omission has effectively ignored other powerful evocations emerging from Stroheim’s work, and the way its suggestions of contemporary identities are subsumed into a much wider, richer narrative: a Gothic narrative. Equally, scholars have correctly mobilized, yet not fully addressed, the essential contradiction at the basis of Stroheim’s roles: their inexplicable quality of repulsion-attraction, or in other words, Gothic abjection. This article acknowledges the films’ linkability to post-WWI xenophobia, yet argues that their subversive aspects lie in a Gothic system of signification, allowing for yet vastly exceeding cultural and national references of the period; the Gothic also provides a framework where the unresolved tensions of Stroheim’s work can meaningfully coexist. Blind Husbands and Foolish Wives centre on a staple Gothic figure, the aberrant male seducer, a “satanic” protagonist who is both molester and object of erotic desire, irresistible yet repulsive. Visually and narratively reliant on Gothic tropes, from “sublimely horrible” mise-en-scene to intimations of rape and sadism, the films daringly validate not the merely objectionable, but the abject, embodied in Erich von Stroheim’s perverse masculinity.
Reactive molecular beam epitaxial growth and in situ photoemission spectroscopy study of iridate superlattices
Authors: Fan C. C. , Liu Z. T. , Cai S. H. , Wang Z. , Xiang P. , Zhang K. L. , Liu W. L. , Liu J. S. , Wang P. , Zheng Y. , Shen D. W. , You L. X.
Published: August 2017

High-quality (001)-oriented perovskite [(SrIrO3)m/(SrTiO3)] superlattices (m=1/2, 1, 2, 3 and ∞) films have been grown on SrTiO3(001) epitaxially using reactive molecular beam epitaxy. Compared to previously reported superlattices synthesized by pulsed laser deposition, our superlattices exhibit superior crystalline, interface and surface structure, which have been confirmed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The transport measurements confirm a novel insulator-metal transition with the change of dimensionality in these superlattices, and our first systematic in situ photoemission spectroscopy study indicates that the increasing strength of effective correlations induced by reducing dimensionality would be the dominating origin of this transition.
Electrothermal simulations of Si and III-V nanowire field effect transistors: A non-equilibrium Green's function study
Authors: Price A. , Martinez A.
Published: August 2017

Electro-thermal simulations in ultrascaled Si and InGaAs nanowire field effect transistors have been carried out. Devices with 2.2 × 2.2 nm2 and 3.6 × 3.6 nm2 cross-sections have been investigated. All the standard phonon scattering mechanisms for Si and InGaAs such as optical, polar optical (only for InGaAs), and acoustic phonon mechanisms have been considered. The Non-Equilibrium Green's Function formalism in concomitance with a renormalised 3D heat equation has been used to investigate the effect of self-heating. In addition, locally resolved electron power dissipation and temperature profiles have been extracted. The simulations showed that the heat dissipated inside the transistor increases as the nanowire cross-section decreases. It is also demonstrated that the commonly assumed Joule-heat dissipation overestimates the power dissipated in the transistors studied. It was found that in comparison with standard scattering simulations, electrothermal simulations caused a 72% and 85% decrease in the current in 2.2 × 2.2 nm2 cross-section Si and InGaAs core NanoWire Field Effect Transistors , respectively, when compared with ballistic simulations. The corresponding decrease for scattering without self-heating was 45% and 70% respectively.
CoFeAlB alloy with low damping and low magnetization as a candidate for spin transfer torque switching
Authors: Conca A. , Nakano T. , Meyer T. , Ando Y. , Hillebrands B.
Published: August 2017

We investigate the effect of Al doping on the magnetic properties of the CoFeB alloy. Comparative measurements of the saturation magnetization, the Gilbert damping parameter α, and the exchange constant as a function of the annealing temperature for CoFeB and CoFeAlB thin films are presented. Our results reveal a strong reduction of the magnetization for CoFeAlB in comparison to CoFeB. If the prepared CoFeAlB films are amorphous, the damping parameter α is unaffected by the Al doping in comparison to the CoFeB alloy. In contrast, in the case of a crystalline CoFeAlB film, α is found to be reduced. Furthermore, the x-ray characterization and the evolution of the exchange constant with the annealing temperature indicate a similar crystallization process in both alloys. The data prove that CoFeAlB fulfills the requirements to be considered an attractive candidate for spin torque switching purposes and a reduction of the switching current in comparison with CoFeB is expected.
Aeluropus littoralis maintains adequate gas exchange, pigment composition and phenolic contents under combined effects of salinity and phosphorus deficiency
Authors: Zribi Ons Talbi , Hessini Kamel , Trabelsi Najla , Zribi Fethia , Hamdi Abdelwahed , Ksouri Riadh , Abdelly Chedly
Published: August 2017

Salinity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are important environmental factors that decrease plant growth and productivity throughout the world. These two stresses frequently coexist in calcareous salt-affected soils. To better understand how plants adapt to these combined stresses, we investigated the interactive effects of salinity and P availability on photosynthetic activity, leaf pigment, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity in Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan)Parl., a promising C4 monocotyledonous halophyte that usually grows in dry salty areas or marshes. Plants were grown hydroponically under low or sufficient P supply (5 or 180 µM KH2PO4 respectively), with or without 400 mM NaCl. When individually applied, salinity and P deficiency stresses significantly restricted shoot and root relative growth rate, with a more marked effect of the former stress. However, the effects of the two stresses combined were non-additive on plant growth. Our results showed that salinity and P deficiency stresses applied individually or combined have no significant effect on CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUEi), and leaf malondialdehyde content. Chlorophyll, carotoneoids, anthocyanins and phenolics content increased significantly under both P shortage and salt stresses applied individually or combined. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between both total antioxidant capacity and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and shoot phenolics and carotenoids contents. These results suggest that the ability of A. littoralis to cope with both P deficiency and high salt stresses is a result of several mechanisms mainly involved in the conservation of the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Secondary metabolites – mainly phenolic compounds and carotenoids – play an important role in the protection of A. littoralis plants against oxidative damage under combined high salinity and P deficiency stresses.
Spatial distribution of species, genus and phylogenetic endemism in the vascular flora of New Zealand, and implications for conservation
Authors: Millar Timothy R. , Heenan Peter B. , Wilton Aaron D. , Smissen Rob D. , Breitwieser Ilse
Published: August 2017

The present study aimed to detect and quantify centres of vascular plant species and genus endemism and genus phylogenetic endemism in the New Zealand archipelago and to assess the representation of these in the conservation estate. The presence of 2187 vascular plant species, comprising 213141 georeferenced records, was mapped onto 0.12° grid cells and a genus-level phylogeny was constructed mainly from rbcL sequences used to calculate phylogenetic metrics. Previously identified centres of endemism were confirmed, and new areas of endemism were suggested. Patterns of endemism differ with taxonomic rank. Randomisations showed that the South Island mountains have greater species corrected weighted endemism (CWE) than expected, whereas the randomisations for genus CWE and genus corrected phylogenetic endemism (CPE) showed the northern half of the North Island and northern offshore islands to have greater endemism than expected. Consistent with the randomisations, the highest values of genus CWE and genus CPE predominantly occur in the northern North Island and offshore islands. Centres of species CWE, genus CWE and genus CPE, supported by randomisation analyses, overlap with the New Zealand conservation estate by 40.01, 29.52 and 19.12% respectively. Many areas of high endemism are often poorly protected, highlighting the urgency to consider the areas of endemism identified here in conservation policy, planning and management.
A revision of the tropical white-flowered species of Comesperma (Polygalaceae) in Australia
Authors: Ford Andrew J. , Halford David A. , Van Der Merwe Marlien , Mathieson Michael T.
Published: August 2017

A taxonomic treatment is presented for all eight white-flowered Comesperma species that occur in tropical Australia (here defined as north of latitude 21°S). In total, eight species are circumscribed, of which five are new species and one is new subspecies, viz. C. albimontanense A.J. Ford & Halford, C. anemosmaragdinum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. minutum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. rhyoliticum A.J. Ford & Halford, C. sabulosum A.J. Ford & Halford and C. secundum subsp. oligotrichum A.J. Ford & Halford. Notes on habitat, distribution and conservation status are provided. A key to all 10 tropically distributed Comesperma species, including two non-white flowered species, is given.
Leaf fossils of Proteaceae subfamily Persoonioideae, tribe Persoonieae: tracing the past of an important Australasian sclerophyll lineage
Authors: Carpenter Raymond J. , Tarran Myall , Hill Robert S.
Published: August 2017

Fossils from the Eocene of South Australia and Western Australia and the Oligo–Miocene of Victoria represent the first known Australian leaf fossils of subfamily Persoonioideae, tribe Persoonieae. Persoonieaephyllum blackburnii sp. nov. is described from Middle Eocene Nelly Creek sediments near Lake Eyre, South Australia. Persoonieae are an important clade for understanding vegetation transitions in Australasia. The Nelly Creek leaf fossils are small (~6mm wide) and belong to an assemblage that has some characteristics of open vegetation, which is also inferred for the Oligo–Miocene of the Latrobe Valley, Victoria. In contrast, the Western Australian Late Eocene Persoonieae occur with diverse Lauraceae and other elements now typical of closed rainforests, and may, therefore, have been derived from communities that are unlike those in which most Persoonieae now occur. All fossil Persoonieae leaves so far known are hypostomatic (or virtually so), a state of stomatal distribution now only found in species of reasonably mesic habitats in New Zealand, New Caledonia and eastern Australian eucalypt forests. The ancestral state of stomatal distribution in Persoonieae leaves is unclear, but evidence suggests ancient associations of amphistomaty with open habitats, evolutionary loss of adaxial stomata in more closed vegetation, and the evolution of pronounced xerophylly within south-western Australian heathlands.