bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Friction and wear performance of MoDTC‐containing and ester‐containing lubricants over steel surfaces under reciprocating conditions
Authors: Trindade Eduardo Dominguez , Zuleta Durango Alexander , Sinatora Amilton
Published: July 2014

Lubricant oil can be regarded as a complex mixture of base oils and additives, each one with its specific functions and behaviour. In this paper, the interaction of a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate (MoDTC)‐based additive and combinations of a polyalphaolefin and a synthetic ester is investigated. A reciprocating ball‐on‐disc configuration was used for tribological tests. The effect of MoDTC is seen as a sharp drop in the coefficient of friction. This friction reduction is affected by the base fluid: the effect is more intense and lasts longer when the ester content is decreased. The applied normal force also affects the MoDTC effect, which is not sustainable at higher loads. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forty Years of the Crouzeix‐Raviart element
Authors: Brenner Susanne C.
Published: July 2014

Since the nonconforming P1 finite element method for the Stokes equations was introduced by M. Crouzeix and P.A. Raviart in 1973, there have been many advances in the finite element methodologies for nonconforming methods. This article, which is based on the Babuška Lecture at MAFELAP 2013, surveys some of these developments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 367–396, 2015
MALDI imaging mass spectrometry: Discrimination of pathophysiological regions in traumatized skeletal muscle by characteristic peptide signatures
Authors: Klein Oliver , Strohschein Kristin , Nebrich Grit , Oetjen Janina , Trede Dennis , Thiele Herbert , Alexandrov Theodore , Giavalisco Patrick , Duda Georg N. , von Roth Philipp , Geissler Sven , Klose Joachim , Winkler Tobias
Published: July 2014

Due to formation of fibrosis and the loss of contractile muscle tissue, severe muscle injuries often result in insufficient healing marked by a significant reduction of muscle force and motor activity. Our previous studies demonstrated that the local transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells into an injured skeletal muscle of the rat improves the functional outcome of the healing process. Since, due to the lack of sufficient markers, the accurate discrimination of pathophysiological regions in injured skeletal muscle is inadequate, underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation on primary trauma and trauma adjacent muscle area remain elusive. For discrimination of these pathophysiological regions, formalin‐fixed injured skeletal muscle tissue was analyzed by MALDI imaging MS. By using two computational evaluation strategies, a supervised approach (ClinProTools) and unsupervised segmentation (SCiLS Lab), characteristic m/z species could be assigned to primary trauma and trauma adjacent muscle regions. Using “bottom‐up” MS for protein identification and validation of results by immunohistochemistry, we could identify two proteins, skeletal muscle alpha actin and carbonic anhydrase III, which discriminate between the secondary damage on adjacent tissue and the primary traumatized muscle area. Our results underscore the high potential of MALDI imaging MS to describe the spatial characteristics of pathophysiological changes in muscle.
A prospective study of the relationship between sense of coherence, depression, anxiety, and quality of life of haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients over time
Authors: Pillay Brindha , Lee Stuart J , Katona Lynda , De Bono Sue , Burney Sue , Avery Sharon
Published: July 2014

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of patient sense of coherence (SOC) on anxiety and depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) dimensions in the acute phase of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A secondary aim was to determine if SOC measured pre‐transplant was predictive of psychological distress and QoL post‐transplantation, after controlling for physical wellbeing.

Method

A series of measures was completed by 60 HSCT patients prior to transplantation. Follow‐up data were collected at 2–3 weeks and 3 months post‐transplantation. Measures administered included the Brief Symptom Inventory‐18, Orientation to Life Questionnaire, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Results

When compared across the three time points, depression levels, and physical and functional wellbeing were worst at 2–3 weeks post‐transplantation. SOC was positively associated with physical wellbeing prior to HSCT but not after transplantation. Weaker SOC predicted higher levels of depression, and poorer social, emotional, and functional wellbeing at both follow‐up points, after accounting for physical wellbeing.

Conclusions

Given that SOC was related to depression and QoL dimensions post‐transplantation, it may be important for health care professionals to conduct psychosocial assessments to determine patient SOC. This would enable provision of tailored psychological support prior to and following stem cell transplantation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A QM/MM study of the reaction mechanism of (R)‐hydroxynitrile lyases from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtHNL)
Authors: Zhu Wenyou , Liu Yongjun , Zhang Rui
Published: July 2014

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) catalyze the conversion of chiral cyanohydrins to hydrocyanic acid (HCN) and aldehyde or ketone. Hydroxynitrile lyase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtHNL) is the first R‐selective HNL enzyme containing an α/β‐hydrolases fold. In this article, the catalytic mechanism of AtHNL was theoretically studied by using QM/MM approach based on the recently obtained crystal structure in 2012. Two computational models were constructed, and two possible reaction pathways were considered. In Path A, the calculation results indicate that the proton transfer from the hydroxyl group of cyanohydrin occurs firstly, and then the cleavage of C1‐C2 bond and the rotation of the generated cyanide ion (CN−) follow, afterwards, CN− abstracts a proton from His236 via Ser81. The C1‐C2 bond cleavage and the protonation of CN− correspond to comparable free energy barriers (12.1 vs. 12.2 kcal mol−1), suggesting that both of the two processes contribute a lot to rate‐limiting. In Path B, the deprotonation of the hydroxyl group of cyanohydrin and the cleavage of C1‐C2 bond take place in a concerted manner, which corresponds to the highest free energy barrier of 13.2 kcal mol−1. The free energy barriers of Path A and B are very similar and basically agree well with the experimental value of HbHNL, a similar enzyme of AtHNL. Therefore, both of the two pathways are possible. In the reaction, the catalytic triad (His236, Ser81, and Asp208) acts as the general acid/base, and the generated CN− is stabilized by the hydroxyl group of Ser81 and the main‐chain NH‐groups of Ala13 and Phe82. Proteins 2015; 83:66–77. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐assembled nanostructures of long‐acting GnRH analogs modified at position 7
Authors: Zhou Ning , Gao Xing , Lv Yujian , Cheng Junping , Zhou Wenxia , Liu Keliang
Published: July 2014

It is well known that GnRH analogs can self‐assemble into amyloid fibrils and that the duration of action of GnRH analogs depends on the ability of the amyloid to slowly release active peptides. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the amino acid residues at position 7 of GnRH analogues on peptide self‐assembly. It was found that the dominant shape of the nanostructure can be changed when the structures of the residues at position 7 differ significantly from that of leucine in Degarelix. When the backbone length was extended (peptide 9), or the side chain of the residue at position 7 was replaced by an aromatic ring (peptide 6), or the rotation of the amide bond was restricted (peptide 8), the nanostructure changed from fibrils to vesicles. The results also indicate that the increasing hydrophilicity had little influence on the nanostructure morphology. In addition, a suitable release rate was found to play a more important role for the duration of the peptide action by maintaining the equilibrium between the drug concentration and the persistent release time, while the nanostructure shape was found to exert little influence on the duration of the peptide action. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlling for seasonal patterns and time varying confounders in time‐series epidemiological models: a simulation study
Authors: Perrakis Konstantinos , Gryparis Alexandros , Schwartz Joel , Tertre Alain Le , Katsouyanni Klea , Forastiere Francesco , Stafoggia Massimo , Samoli Evangelia
Published: July 2014

An important topic when estimating the effect of air pollutants on human health is choosing the best method to control for seasonal patterns and time varying confounders, such as temperature and humidity. Semi‐parametric Poisson time‐series models include smooth functions of calendar time and weather effects to control for potential confounders. Case‐crossover (CC) approaches are considered efficient alternatives that control seasonal confounding by design and allow inclusion of smooth functions of weather confounders through their equivalent Poisson representations. We evaluate both methodological designs with respect to seasonal control and compare spline‐based approaches, using natural splines and penalized splines, and two time‐stratified CC approaches. For the spline‐based methods, we consider fixed degrees of freedom, minimization of the partial autocorrelation function, and general cross‐validation as smoothing criteria. Issues of model misspecification with respect to weather confounding are investigated under simulation scenarios, which allow quantifying omitted, misspecified, and irrelevant‐variable bias. The simulations are based on fully parametric mechanisms designed to replicate two datasets with different mortality and atmospheric patterns. Overall, minimum partial autocorrelation function approaches provide more stable results for high mortality counts and strong seasonal trends, whereas natural splines with fixed degrees of freedom perform better for low mortality counts and weak seasonal trends followed by the time‐season‐stratified CC model, which performs equally well in terms of bias but yields higher standard errors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some Challenges to a Contrastive Treatment of Grounding
Authors: Javier-Castellanos Amir A. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2014

Jonathan Schaffer has provided three putative counterexamples to the transitivity of grounding, and has argued that a contrastive treatment of grounding is able to provide a resolution to them, which in turn provides some motivation for accepting such a treatment. In this article, I argue that one of these cases can easily be turned into a putative counterexample to a principle which Schaffer calls differential transitivity. Since Schaffer’s proposed resolution rests on this principle, this presents a dilemma for the contrastivist: either he dismisses the third case, which weakens the motivation for accepting his treatment of grounding, or else he accepts it, in which case he is faced with a counterexample to a principle that his proposed resolution to the original cases depends on. In the remainder of the article, I argue that the prima faciemost promising strategy the contrastivist could take,which is to place some restriction onwhich contrastive facts are admissible so as to rule out the purported counterexample to differential transitivity, faces some important difficulties. Although these difficulties are not insurmountable, they do pose a substantial challenge for the contrastivist.
Fetal growth reference ranges in twin pregnancy: analysis of the Southwest Thames Obstetric Research Collaborative (STORK) multiple pregnancy cohort
Authors: Stirrup O. T. , Khalil A. , D'Antonio F. , Thilaganathan B. ,   on behalf of the Southwest Thames Obstetric Research Collaborative (STORK)
Published: July 2014

Objective

To generate reference charts for expected fetal growth in dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies and to compare these with those from singleton pregnancies.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of biometric measurements from serial ultrasound examinations of twin pregnancies in the second and third trimesters, from 14 weeks' gestation to term, collected by nine hospitals over a 10‐year period. The measurements obtained in each fetus at each examination included head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). Multilevel mixed effects statistical models were used to evaluate growth in each biometric variable in relation to gestational age, taking account of the serial examinations and the association between the two fetuses in each pregnancy, with separate models constructed for DCDA and MCDA pregnancies.

Results

The final dataset for analysis included a total of 9866 second‐ and third‐trimester ultrasound examinations in 1802 DCDA and 323 MCDA twin pregnancies, with a median of five (range, 1–14) scans per pregnancy. For each variable, the mean value for DCDA twins was close to the reported value in singletons at 20–30 weeks and showed a decrease relative to singletons beyond 30 weeks. The differences were greater for AC and HC, for which the mean in twins was approximately equivalent to the 30th percentile in singletons at 18 weeks, the 35th percentile at 25 weeks and the 30th percentile at 35 weeks. Fetuses in MCDA twin pregnancies displayed lower mean measurements than did those in DCDA pregnancies throughout the gestational age range considered.

Conclusions

Ultrasound biometry shows a small but statistically significant reduction in fetal growth in twin pregnancies relative to that in singletons, particularly in the third trimester, with a more marked difference for MCDA than for DCDA pregnancies. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Phenotypic and genome size changes (variation) in synthetic tetraploids of daylily (Hemerocallis) in relation to their diploid counterparts
Authors: Podwyszyńska M. , Gabryszewska E. , Dyki B. , Stępowska A. A. , Kowalski A. , Jasiński A.
Published: July 2014

Tetraploids of daylily have taken a leading position among the daylily cultivars due to desirable traits such as vigorous growth and flowers with more intense colour. In our previous studies, several tetraploids of daylily cultivars ‘Blink of an Eye’ and ‘Berlin Multi’ were obtained using in vitro techniques with different antimitotic agents (colchicine, oryzalin, trifluralin, and amiprophos methyl). The purposes of this study were to evaluate changes in daylily tetraploids in relation to their diploid counterparts and to assess variation among diploids and tetraploids derived from genetically homogenous plant material treated with antimitotic agents. In the first year of the ex vitro cultivation, growth of tetraploids was poorer in comparison with diploids, but in the second year, tetraploid growth was much more vigorous. Compared to diploids, in tetraploids of both cultivars percentage of flowering plants was lower, flowering was delayed by 8 days and 1 month in ‘Blink of an Eye’ and ‘Berlin Multi’, respectively, and bud number per scape was lower by approximately 20 and 40 %, respectively. Tetraploid leaves and flowers of both cultivars were significantly larger, chlorophyll concentration index was higher by approximately 40 %, and stomata were longer by 35 %. In ‘Berlin Multi’ tetraploids, inflorescence stems were shorter by 20 %. In ‘Blink of an Eye’, variation in flower colour tone and shape and stamen malformation rate was detected both within the unconverted diploids and tetraploids but was more evident in tetraploids. In both cultivars, variation was also found in the nuclear DNA content, which ranged in diploids and tetraploids, respectively, 8.02–8.53 and 16.01–17.13 pg in ‘Berlin Multi’ and 8.28–8.71 and 15.93–17.36 pg in ‘Blink of an Eye’. Since the variation, while less evident, also occurred in the diploids (regenerated from the antimitotic treated material), we suppose that these variations could be due to antimitotic agents that can induce not only chromosome doubling but also chromosomal and gene mutations. The extent and character of these changes can be related to parental genotype and/or antimitotic agent. Further research is required at the cytological and molecular level to explain the character of changes, epigenetic and/or genetic.
Dynein‐dependent transport of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins off kinetochores toward spindle poles
Authors: Silva Patrícia M.A. , Reis Rita M. , Bolanos-Garcia Victor M. , Florindo Claudia , Tavares Álvaro A. , Bousbaa Hassan
Published: July 2014

A predominant mechanism of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) silencing is dynein‐mediated transport of certain kinetochore proteins along microtubules. There are still conflicting data as to which SAC proteins are dynein cargoes. Using two ATP reduction assays, we found that the core SAC proteins Mad1, Mad2, Bub1, BubR1, and Bub3 redistributed from attached kinetochores to spindle poles, in a dynein‐dependent manner. This redistribution still occurred in metaphase‐arrested cells, at a time when the SAC should be satisfied and silenced. Unexpectedly, we found that a pool of Hec1 and Mis12 also relocalizes to spindle poles, suggesting KMN components as additional dynein cargoes. The potential significance of these results for SAC silencing is discussed.
Using scorecards to achieve facility improvements for maternal and newborn health
Authors: Yilla Mohamed , Nam Sara L. , Adeyemo Austine , Kargbo Samuel A.
Published: July 2014

The Government of Sierra Leone launched the Free Health Care Initiative in 2010, which contributed to increased use of facility based maternity services. However, emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) facilities were few and were inadequately equipped to meet the increased demand. To ensure provision of EmONC in some priority facilities, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation undertook regular facility assessments. With the use of assessment tools and scorecards it is possible to make improvements to the services provided in the period after assessment. The exercise shows that evidence that is shared with providers in visually engaging formats can help decision‐making for facility based improvements.
Jean-Martin Charcot, the Salpetriere and George Sigerson: a note
Authors: Walsh D.
Published: July 2014

This short paper sheds some further light on the relationship between George Sigerson and Jean-Martin Charcot. It describes the development of Sigerson’s friendship with Charcot, his attendance at Charcot's lectures at the Salpetriere, and his translation of them into English.
Optimization of Survey Strategies for Detecting Slow Radio Transients
Authors: Macquart Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2014

We investigate the optimal tradeoff between sensitivity and field of view in surveys for slow radio transients using the event detection rate as the survey metric. This tradeoff bears implications for the design of surveys conducted with upcoming widefield radio interferometers, such as the ASKAP VAST survey and the MeerKAT TRAPUM survey. We investigate (i) a survey in which the events are distributed homogeneously throughout a volume centred on the Earth, (ii) a survey in which the events are homogeneously distributed, but are only detectable beyond a certain minimum distance, and (iii) a survey in which all the events occur at an identical distance, as is appropriate for a targetted survey of a particular field which subtends Npoint telescope pointings. For a survey of fixed duration, Tobs, we determine the optimal tradeoff between number of telescope pointings, N, and integration time per field. We consider a population in which the event luminosity distribution follows a power law with index − α, and tslew is the slewing time between fields or, for a drift scan, the time taken for the telescope drift by one beamwidth. Several orders of magnitude improvement in detection rate is possible by optimization of the survey parameters. The optimal value of N for case (i) is Nmax ~ Tobs/4tslew, while for case (iii) we find Nmax = (Lmax/L0)2[(3 − α)/2]2/(α − 1), where Lmax is the maximum luminosity of a transient event and L0 is the minimum luminosity event detectable in an integration of duration Tobs. (The instance Nmax > Npoint in (iii) implies re-observation of fields over the survey area, except when the duration of transient events exceeds that between re-observations of the same field, where Nmax = Npoint applies instead.) We consider the balance in survey optimization between telescope field of view, Ω, and sensitivity, characterised by the minimum detectable flux density, S0. For homogeneously distributed events (i), the detection rate scales as NΩS−3/20, while for targetted events (iii) it scales as NΩS1 − α0. However, if the targetted survey is optimised for N the event detection rate scales instead as ΩS−20. This analysis bears implications for the assessment of telescope designs: the quantity ΩS−20 is often used as the metric of telescope performance in the SKA transients literature, but only under special circumstances is it the metric that optimises the event detection rate.
STATE POLICING AND INVISIBLE FORCES IN MOZAMBIQUE
Authors: Kyed Helene Maria
Published: July 2014

This article explores how the state police in Mozambique tried to (re)encroach upon a former war zone and what their methods implied for state authority more generally. Post-war reform efforts to professionalize the police in accordance with the rule of law and human rights have had apparently paradoxical results. This is in part because efforts to constitute state authority have relied on both embracing and taming ‘tradition’ as an alternative domain of authority, order and law. Ethnographic fieldwork at police stations shows that the police increasingly handle witchcraft cases and spiritual problems. This, the article argues, does not only reflect a tension between local/customary and state/legal notions of order and justice. Equally significant is the existence of partial sovereignties. A spiritual idiom of power and evildoing constitutes an alternative articulation of sovereignty due to the capacity of invisible forces to give and take life. This is an idiom mastered by chiefs and healers. Police officers engage with invisible forces to gain popular legitimacy and manifest state power, and yet they never manage to fully master those forces. Consequently, state police authority remains uncertain, and must be continually reinforced by enacting hierarchies and jurisdictional boundaries and by using force.
THUGS, SPIES AND VIGILANTES: COMMUNITY POLICING AND STREET POLITICS IN INNER CITY ADDIS ABABA
Authors: Di Nunzio Marco
Published: July 2014

The implementation of community policing schemes and development programmes targeting street youth in inner city Addis Ababa, intended to prevent crime and unrest, has resulted in an expansion of structures of political mobilization and surveillance of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the party that has ruled the country since 1991. Yet the fact that the government managed to implement its programmes does not imply that the ruling party was entirely successful in tackling ordinary crime as well as political dissent. As neighbourhoods continued to be insecure, especially at night, the efficacy of the ruling party's politicized narratives on community policing and crime prevention was questioned. An appreciation of the shortcomings of government action on the streets of the inner city raises questions about the extent of the reach of the EPRDF's state into the grass roots of urban society as well as about the ways in which dissent is voiced in a context where forms of political surveillance and control are expanding. This paper investigates these issues in order to contribute to the study of the Ethiopian state and to the broader debate on community policing and crime prevention on the African continent.
Clinical impacts of genomic copy number gains at Xq28
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Shimojima Keiko , Shimada Shino , Yokochi Kenji , Yoshitomi Shinsaku , Yanagihara Keiko , Imai Katsumi , Okamoto Nobuhiko
Published: July 2014

Duplications of the Xq28 region are the most frequent chromosomal aberrations observed in patients with intellectual disability (ID), especially in males. These duplications occur by variable mechanisms, including interstitial duplications mediated by segmental duplications in this region and terminal duplications (functional disomy) derived from translocation with other chromosomes. The most commonly duplicated region includes methyl CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2), which has a minimal duplicated size of 0.2 Mb. Patients with MECP2 duplications show severe ID, intractable seizures and recurrent infections. Duplications in the telomeric neighboring regions, which include GDP dissociation inhibitor 1 gene (GDI1) and ras-associated protein RAB39B gene (RAB39B), are independently associated with ID, and many segmental duplications located in this region could mediate these frequently observed interstitial duplications. In addition, large duplications, including MECP2 and GDI1, induce hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. Abnormalities observed in the white matter, revealed by brain magnetic resonance imaging, are a common finding in patients with MECP2 duplications. As primary sequence analysis cannot be used to determine the region responsible for chromosomal duplication syndrome, finding this region relies on the collection of genotype–phenotype data from patients.
Graphene oxide modified with aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles and heparin: a potent targeted anticoagulant
Authors: So Yi-Heng , Chang Huan-Tsung , Chiu Wei-Jane , Huang Chih-Ching
Published: July 2014

Synthesis of a nanocomposite of aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles and heparin co-immobilized graphene oxide that acts as a highly effective anticoagulant by controlling the thrombin activity towards fibrinogen.
A Mn(iii)/TEMPO-co-mediated tandem azidation–1,2-carbon migration reaction of allylic silyl ethers
Authors: Chen Zhi-Min , Zhang Zhen , Tu Yong-Qiang , Xu Ming-Hui , Zhang Fu-Min , Li Chen-Chen , Wang Shao-Hua
Published: July 2014

A novel Mn(iii)/TEMPO-mediated azidation–1,2-migration reaction was explored.
Tuneable Fmoc–Phe–(4-X)–Phe–NH2 nanostructures by variable electronic substitution
Authors: Pappas Charalampos G. , Abul-Haija Yousef M. , Flack Angela , Frederix Pim W. J. M. , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: July 2014

We show enzymatic introduction of non-natural amino acids with different electronic substituents with a dramatic influence on morphology in self-assembled nanostructures.
The emergence of complex behaviours in molecular magnetic materials
Authors: Goß Karin , Gatteschi Dante , Bogani Lapo
Published: July 2014

Molecular magnetism is considered an area where magnetic phenomena that are usually difficult to demonstrate can emerge with particular clarity.
Do bifunctional labels solve the problem of dye diffusion in FRET analysis?
Authors: Walczewska-Szewc Katarzyna , Corry Ben
Published: July 2014

We examine the potential application of bifunctional dyes in Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments due to their increasing popularity in electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Composition-controlled synthesis of carbon-supported Pt–Co alloy nanoparticles and the origin of their ORR activity enhancement
Authors: Zhao Yige , Liu Jingjun , Zhao Yanhui , Wang Feng
Published: July 2014

The mass-specific activities of the Pt–Co alloy catalysts manifest a typical double-volcano plot as a function of alloy compositions. The Pt76Co24exhibits the best ORR performance, which is remarkably higher than that of the commercial Pt/C (E-TEK). The origin of the enhancement in the ORR activity may be substantially related to the unique chemical surface structures of catalysts.
Transition metal-rich mesoporous silicas and their enhanced catalytic properties
Authors: Lu Baowang , Kawamoto Katsuya
Published: July 2014

Transition metal-rich mesoporous silica was obtained using ammonia complex ions, which exhibited excellent catalytic efficiency for carbon dioxide hydrogenation.
An inverse small molecule screen to design a chemically defined medium supporting long-term growth of Drosophila cell lines
Authors: Burnette M. , Brito-Robinson T. , Li J. , Zartman J.
Published: July 2014

We describe a novel approach to screen for growth promoting compounds and score putative targets using a drug–protein interaction database.
Diminazene or berenil, a classic duplex minor groove binder, binds to G-quadruplexes with low nanomolar dissociation constants and the amidine groups are also critical for G-quadruplex binding
Authors: Zhou Jie , Le Vu , Kalia Dimpy , Nakayama Shizuka , Mikek Clinton , Lewis Edwin A. , Sintim Herman O.
Published: July 2014

Diminazene or berenil is known to be an AT-rich DNA minor groove binder with micromolar dissociation constant. Here, we show that DMZ binds to G-quadruplexes withKdas low as 1 nM.
Highly cytotoxic DNA-interacting copper(ii) coordination compounds
Authors: Brissos Rosa F. , Torrents Ester , Mariana dos Santos Mello Francyelli , Carvalho Pires Wanessa , de Paula Silveira-Lacerda Elisângela , Caballero Ana B. , Caubet Amparo , Massera Chiara , Roubeau Olivier , Teat Simon J. , Gamez Patrick
Published: July 2014

Copper complexes from Schiff-base ligands show high cytotoxicity against diverse cancer cell lines, with IC50values down to 0.23 μM.
An easy access to α-aryl substituted γ-ketophosphonates: Lewis acid mediated reactions of 1,3-diketones with α-hydroxyphosphonates and tandem regioselective C–C bond cleavage
Authors: Pallikonda Gangaram , Chakravarty Manab , Sahoo Manoj K.
Published: July 2014

The α-aryl substituted (±)-γ-ketophosphonates are produced by Lewis acid mediated reactions of α-hydroxyphosphonates with 1,3-diketones.
Oxalate capped iron nanomaterial: from methylene blue degradation to bis(indolyl)methane synthesis
Authors: Pegu Rupa , Majumdar Krishna Joyti , Talukdar Dhruba Joyti , Pratihar Sanjay
Published: July 2014

An efficient, sustainable and green procedure for the synthesis of selective orthorhombic iron(oxalate) capped Fe(0) [Fe(ox)–Fe(0)] nanomaterial is developed using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) reduction of iron(ii) salt in the presence of oxalic acid at room temperature in water.
Ni0.33Mn0.33Co0.33Fe2O4 nanoparticles anchored on oxidized carbon nanotubes as advanced anode materials in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Zailei , Kan Guangwei , Ren Wenfeng , Tan Qiangqiang , Zhong Ziyi , Su Fabing
Published: July 2014

Ni0.33Mn0.33Co0.33Fe2O4 nanoparticles anchored on oxidized carbon nanotubes as anode materials exhibit a significantly improved electrochemical performance in Li-ion batteries.
Facile synthesis of air-stable nano/submicro dendritic copper structures and their anti-oxidation properties
Authors: Liu Xue , Zhao Shao-Fan , Shao Yang , Yao Ke-Fu
Published: July 2014

Dendritic copper structures, prepared by chemical dealloying oxygen introduced Cu–Mn alloy, exhibit excellent air-stability at room temperature and possess good anti-oxidation property.
Patterning PEDOT:PSS and tailoring its electronic properties by water-vapour-assisted nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Radivo Andrea , Sovernigo Enrico , Caputo Marco , Zilio Simone Dal , Endale Tsegaye , Pozzato Alessandro , Goldoni Andrea , Tormen Massimo
Published: July 2014

Nanopatterning PEDOT:PSS by a water-vapour-assisted nanoimprinting process results in a strong enhancement of conductivity and decrease of work function.
pH-responsive drug release from porous zinc sulfide nanospheres based on coordination bonding
Authors: Zhu Dong , Wen Hong-Mei , Li Wei , Cui Xiao-Bing , Ma Li , Kang An
Published: July 2014

A pH responsive system is reported based on the “COOH–Zn2+–drug” architecture via coordination bonding in ZnS nanospheres' mesopores.
Oil gels with a chemically cross-linked copolymer of a trimethylene carbonate derivative and l-lactide: preparation and stereocomplex formation within gels
Authors: Takemura Kazuya , Ajiro Hiroharu , Fujiwara Tomoko , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: July 2014

Oil gels were prepared using chemically cross-linked copolymer, composed of poly(trimethylene carbonate) derivative and poly(l-lactide), possibly forming stereocomplex with poly(d-lactide).
A novel carbazole–phenothiazine dyad small molecule as a non-fullerene electron acceptor for polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Sharma G. D. , Anil Reddy M. , Ramana D. V. , Chandrasekharam M.
Published: July 2014

A small organic moleculeCSORG5developed as non fullerene acceptor for BHJ solar cells. The device based on P3HT : CSORG5(1 : 1) spin coated from DIO/THF showed high PCE 2.80% compared to spin coated from THF. The PCE has been further increased to 4.16%, when the TiO2film was inserted between the active layer and Al electrode.
Ordered exfoliated silicate platelets architecture: hydrogen bonded poly(acrylic acid)–poly(ethylene oxide)/Na–montmorillonite complex nanofibrous membranes prepared by electrospinning technique
Authors: Shami Zahed , Sharifi-Sanjani Naser , Khanyghma Bafrin , Farjpour Sadegh , Fotouhi Azam
Published: July 2014

Well-ordered/dispersed exfoliated clay platelets aligned along as-electrospun PAA–PEO/Na–MMT composite nanofibrous membranes were synthesized successfully for the first time.
Colloidal liquid crystals in rectangular confinement: theory and experiment
Authors: Lewis Alexander H. , Garlea Ioana , Alvarado José , Dammone Oliver J. , Howell Peter D. , Majumdar Apala , Mulder Bela M. , Lettinga M. P. , Koenderink Gijsje H. , Aarts Dirk G. A. L.
Published: July 2014

We theoretically and experimentally study equilibrium states of nematic liquid crystals within shallow rectangular wells.
Ce3/4+ cation-functionalized maghemite nanoparticles towards siRNA-mediated gene silencing
Authors: Israel Liron L. , Lellouche Emmanuel , Kenett Ron S. , Green Omer , Michaeli Shulamit , Lellouche Jean-Paul
Published: July 2014

b-PEI25-decorated [CeLn]3/4+-doped maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles were prepared for siRNA-mediated gene silencing using coordination chemistry as an inorganic way of functionalization.
Biomimetic nanopore for sensitive and selective detection of Hg(ii) in conjunction with single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhai Qingfeng , Zhang Siqi , Jiang Hong , Wei Qin , Wang Erkang , Wang Jiahai
Published: July 2014

Through SWNTs, duplex DNA derived from folding of single-stranded DNA can be quantitated with Zr4+–PEI coated cone-shaped nanopore. With Hg2+ detection, sensitivity and selectivity based on this paradigm is guaranteed without probe immobilization.
Antibacterial property, angiogenic and osteogenic activity of Cu-incorporated TiO2coating
Authors: Wu Qianju , Li Jinhua , Zhang Wenjie , Qian Haixin , She Wenjun , Pan Hongya , Wen Jin , Zhang Xiuli , Liu Xuanyong , Jiang Xinquan
Published: July 2014

Copper-incorporated TiO2coating on titanium surface can significantly enhance antimicrobial, angiogenic and osteogenic activities.
Light switchable optical materials from azobenzene crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels
Authors: Zhang Qiang Matthew , Li Xue , Islam Molla R. , Wei Menglian , Serpe Michael J.
Published: July 2014

A microgel-based optical device (etalon) was fabricated and its response to temperature and UV irradiation was characterized.
Unusually high SCLC hole mobility in solution-processed thin films of a polycyclic thiophene-based small-molecule semiconductor
Authors: Li Yong , Clevenger Robert G. , Jin Lu , Kilway Kathleen V. , Peng Zhonghua
Published: July 2014

Solution-processed thin films of a thiophene-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon show SCLC hole mobilities up to 8.72 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Ambipolar field-effect transistors using conjugated polymers with structures of bilayer, binary blends, and paralleled nanofibers
Authors: Lu Chien , Wang Jin , Chang Hsuan-Chun , Chiu Yu-Cheng , Chen Hsueh-Yung , Wu Hung-Chin , Higashihara Tomoya , Chen Wen-Chang
Published: July 2014

An ambipolar field-effect transistor using paralleled nanofibers showed high and well-balanced mobilities of holes (0.082 cm2 V−1 s−1) and electrons (0.075 cm2 V−1 s−1).
Phosphorescent oxygen sensors produced by spot-crazing of polyphenylenesulfide films
Authors: Toncelli Claudio , Arzhakova Olga V. , Dolgova Alla , Volynskii Aleksandr L. , Kerry Joseph P. , Papkovsky Dmitri B.
Published: July 2014

Phosphorescent oxygen sensors produced by localised solvent-crazing of polyphenylene sulphide films are described.
Enantioselective microbial synthesis of the indigenous natural product (−)-α-bisabolol by a sesquiterpene synthase from chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Authors: Son Young-Jin , Kwon Moonhyuk , Ro Dae-Kyun , Kim Soo-Un
Published: July 2014

(−)-α-Bisabolol, a sesquiterpene alcohol, is a major ingredient in the essential oil of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and is used in many health products. The current supply of (−)-α-bisabolol is mainly dependent on the Brazilian candeia tree (Eremanthus erythropappus) by distillation or by chemical synthesis. However, the distillation method using the candeia tree is not sustainable, and chemical synthesis suffers from impurities arising from undesirable α-bisabolol isomers. Therefore enzymatic synthesis of (−)-α-bisabolol is a viable alternative. In the present study, a cDNA encoding (−)-α-bisabolol synthase (MrBBS) was identified from chamomile and used for enantioselective (−)-α-bisabolol synthesis in yeast. Chamomile MrBBS was identified by Illumina and 454 sequencing, followed by activity screening in yeast. When MrBBS was expressed in yeast, 8 mg of α-bisabolol was synthesized de novo per litre of culture. The structure of purified α-bisabolol was elucidated as (S,S)-α-bisabolol [or (−)-α-bisabolol]. Although MrBBS possesses a putative chloroplast-targeting peptide, it was localized in the cytosol, and a deletion of its N-terminal 23 amino acids significantly reduced its stability and activity. Recombinant MrBBS showed kinetic properties comparable with those of other sesquiterpene synthases. These data provide compelling evidence that chamomile MrBBS synthesizes enantiopure (−)-α-bisabolol as a single sesquiterpene product, opening a biotechnological opportunity to produce (−)-α-bisabolol.
Cervical Spinal Cord Dimensions and Clinical Outcomes in Adults with Klippel-Feil Syndrome: A Comparison with Matched Controls
Authors: Cho Woojin , Lee Dong-Ho , Auerbach Joshua D. , Sehn Jennifer K. , Nabb Colin E. , Riew K. Daniel
Published: July 2014

Study Design

Retrospective case–control study.

Objectives

To confirm the fact that spinal cord dimensions are smaller in adults with Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) than in pediatric patients with KFS and to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of neurologic complications in patients with KFS with matched controls.

Methods

We performed an independent 1:2 case–control retrospective radiographic and chart review of a consecutive series of adults with KFS who underwent surgical intervention. The control group consisted of consecutive non-KFS surgical patients. Patients were matched in 1:2 case–control manner. Their charts were reviewed and the clinical characteristics were compared. Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the anteroposterior and mediolateral axial spinal cord and spinal canal at the operative levels and measurements were compared.

Results

A total of 22 patients with KFS and 44 controls were identified. The KFS group had a tendency of more myeloradiculopathy, and the control group had a tendency toward more radiculopathy. Both tendencies, however, were not significantly different. MRIs of 10 patients from the KFS group and 22 controls were available. There was no difference in the area of both spinal cord and canal at the operative levels.

Conclusion

Contrary to the finding in previous reports on pediatric patients, there were no differences between KFS and well-matched control groups in terms of age of onset, presentation, revision rate, complication rate, surgical outcome, and cross-sectional spinal cord and canal dimensions at the operative level.
Hydrogen interaction kinetics of Ge dangling bonds at the Si0.25Ge0.75/SiO2 interface
Authors: Stesmans A. , Nguyen Hoang T. , Afanas'ev V. V.
Published: July 2014

The hydrogen interaction kinetics of the GePb1 defect, previously identified by electron spin resonance (ESR) as an interfacial Ge dangling bond (DB) defect occurring in densities ∼7 × 1012 cm−2 at the SiGe/SiO2 interfaces of condensation grown (100)Si/a-SiO2/Ge0.75Si0.25/a-SiO2 structures, has been studied as function of temperature. This has been carried out, both in the isothermal and isochronal mode, through defect monitoring by capacitance-voltage measurements in conjunction with ESR probing, where it has previously been demonstrated the defects to operate as negative charge traps. The work entails a full interaction cycle study, comprised of analysis of both defect passivation (pictured as GePb1-H formation) in molecular hydrogen (∼1 atm) and reactivation (GePb1-H dissociation) in vacuum. It is found that both processes can be suitably described separately by the generalized simple thermal (GST) model, embodying a first order interaction kinetics description based on the basic chemical reactions GePb1 + H2 → GePb1H + H and GePb1H → GePb1 + H, which are found to be characterized by the average activation energies Ef = 1.44 ± 0.04 eV and Ed = 2.23 ± 0.04 eV, and attendant, assumedly Gaussian, spreads σEf = 0.20 ± 0.02 eV and σEd = 0.15 ± 0.02 eV, respectively. The substantial spreads refer to enhanced interfacial disorder. Combination of the separately inferred kinetic parameters for passivation and dissociation results in the unified realistic GST description that incorporates the simultaneous competing action of passivation and dissociation, and which is found to excellently account for the full cycle data. For process times ta ∼ 35 min, it is found that even for the optimum treatment temperature ∼380 °C, only ∼60% of the GePb1 system can be electrically silenced, still far remote from device grade level. This ineffectiveness is concluded, for the major part, to be a direct consequence of the excessive spreads in the activation energies, ∼2–3 times larger than for the Si DB Pb defects at the standard thermal (111)Si/SiO2 interface which may be easily passivated to device grade levels, strengthened by the reduced difference between the average Ef and Ed values. Exploring the guidelines of the GST model indicates that passivation can be improved by decreasing Tan and attendant enlarging of ta, however, at best still leaving ∼2% defects unpassivated even for unrealistically extended anneal times. The average dissociation energy Ed ∼ 2.23 eV, concluded as representing the GePb1-H bond strength, is found to be smaller than the SiPb-H one, characterized by Ed ∼ 2.83 eV. An energy deficiency is encountered regarding the energy sum rule inherent to the GST-model, the origin of which is substantiated to lie with a more complex nature of the forward passivation process than basically depicted in the GST model. The results are discussed within the context of theoretical considerations on the passivation of interfacial Ge DBs by hydrogen.
The evolution of airplanes
Authors: Bejan A. , Charles J. D. , Lorente S.
Published: July 2014

The prevailing view is that we cannot witness biological evolution because it occurred on a time scale immensely greater than our lifetime. Here, we show that we can witness evolution in our lifetime by watching the evolution of the flying human-and-machine species: the airplane. We document this evolution, and we also predict it based on a physics principle: the constructal law. We show that the airplanes must obey theoretical allometric rules that unite them with the birds and other animals. For example, the larger airplanes are faster, more efficient as vehicles, and have greater range. The engine mass is proportional to the body size: this scaling is analogous to animal design, where the mass of the motive organs (muscle, heart, lung) is proportional to the body size. Large or small, airplanes exhibit a proportionality between wing span and fuselage length, and between fuel load and body size. The animal-design counterparts of these features are evident. The view that emerges is that the evolution phenomenon is broader than biological evolution. The evolution of technology, river basins, and animal design is one phenomenon, and it belongs in physics.
Technical overview of the millimeter-wave imaging reflectometer on the DIII-D tokamak (invited)
Authors: Muscatello C. M. , Domier C. W. , Hu X. , Kramer G. J. , Luhmann N. C. , Ren X. , Riemenschneider P. , Spear A. , Tobias B. J. , Valeo E. , Yu L.
Published: July 2014

The two-dimensional mm-wave imaging reflectometer (MIR) on DIII-D is a multi-faceted device for diagnosing electron density fluctuations in fusion plasmas. Its multi-channel, multi-frequency capabilities and high sensitivity permit visualization and quantitative diagnosis of density perturbations, including correlation length, wavenumber, mode propagation velocity, and dispersion. The two-dimensional capabilities of MIR are made possible with 12 vertically separated sightlines and four-frequency operation (corresponding to four radial channels). The 48-channel DIII-D MIR system has a tunable source that can be stepped in 500 μs increments over a range of 56 to 74 GHz. An innovative optical design keeps both on-axis and off-axis channels focused at the cutoff surface, permitting imaging over an extended poloidal region. The integrity of the MIR optical design is confirmed by comparing Gaussian beam calculations to laboratory measurements of the transmitter beam pattern and receiver antenna patterns. Measurements are presented during the density ramp of a plasma discharge to demonstrate unfocused and focused MIR signals.
W-band waveguide bandpass filter with E-plane cut
Authors: Furtula Vedran , Salewski Mirko
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we present a design and measurements of a five-section bandpass filter with a passband from 96 to 106 GHz. The insertion loss is less than 1.4 dB in the passband, and the rejection is better than 40 dB in the range from 115 to 142 GHz. We use transmission line coupling theory based on Tchebyscheff's synthesis in order to provide an initial guess for the geometrical parameters of the filter such as cavity lengths and coupling widths. The filter is manufactured from brass in two halves in the E-plane cut topology. The S-parameters of the filter are measured and compared with the simulations. The measured passband insertion loss is approximately 0.4 dB worse than in the simulation, and the measured passband width is approximately 3.4% narrower. The measured filter attenuation roll-off corresponds well to the simulation. We also compare our S-parameter measurements of the E-plane filter with corresponding measurements of a very similar H-plane filter. The transmission and reflection characteristics of the E-plane filter are better than those of the H-plane filter.