bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metalorganocatalysis: cooperating transition-metal catalysis and organocatalysis through a covalent bond
Authors: Dong Xiu-Qin , Zhao Qingyang , Li Pan , Chen Caiyou , Zhang Xumu
Published: August 2015

Asymmetric catalysis has grown rapidly and made considerable progress in the last few decades, but there still remain significantly unachievable reactions through either organocatalysis or transition-metal catalysis alone.
In situ and ex situ carbon coated Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles as promising negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Yuvaraj Subramanian , Lee Won Jong , Lee Chang Woo , Selvan Ramakrishnan Kalai
Published: August 2015

Zinc stannate, Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method.
One-step synthesis of Bi2WO6/Bi2O3 loaded reduced graphene oxide multicomponent composite with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zhong Shuang , Zhang Fengjun , Lu Wei , Wang Tianye , Qu Liyuan
Published: August 2015

Schematic diagram of charge separation in visible-light irradiation and the energy band mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity of BWO@R.
Synthesis and characterization of diphenylcarbazide-siliceous mesocellular foam and its application as a novel mesoporous sorbent for preconcentration and trace detection of copper and cadmium ions
Authors: Behbahani Mohammad , Aliakbari Azam , Amini Mostafa M. , Behbahani Ahmad S. , Omidi Fariborz
Published: August 2015

We are introducing diphenylcarbazide functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam as a novel mesoporous solid-phase for the extraction of heavy metal ions including copper(ii) and cadmium(ii).
Immobilized lipase on porous ceramic monoliths for the production of sugar-derived oil gelling agent
Authors: Gao Jing , Feng Kai , Li Hongwu , Jiang Yanjun , Zhou Liya
Published: August 2015

Lipase fromCandidasp. 99-125 was immobilized on porous ceramic monoliths for the production of sugar-derived oil gelling agent.
Hydrothermal synthesis of gold polyhedral nanocrystals by varying surfactant concentration and their LSPR and SERS properties
Authors: Liu Yanting , Zhou Jun , Yuan Xiaocong , Jiang Tao , Petti Lucia , Zhou Lu , Mormile Pasquale
Published: August 2015

Polyhedral gold nanocrystals with distinctive geometric-dependent plasmonic properties were prepared through hydrothermal strategy.
Microwave-assisted, ruthenium-catalyzed intramolecular amide-alkyne annulation for the rapid synthesis of fused tricyclic isoquinolinones
Authors: Swamy T. , Maheshwar Rao B. , Yadav J. S. , Ravinder V. , Sridhar B. , Subba Reddy B. V.
Published: August 2015

Microwave accelerated synthesis of tricyclic isoquinolinones has been accomplished through a domino C–C and C–N bond formation by an intramolecular C–H activation.
Microfabricated electrochemical pH and free chlorine sensors for water quality monitoring: recent advances and research challenges
Authors: Qin Yiheng , Kwon Hyuck-Jin , Howlader Matiar M. R. , Deen M. Jamal
Published: August 2015

Recent advances of micro-electrochemical ph and free chlorine sensors are reviewed and their technological challenges and perspectives are provided.
Horizontal growth of MoS2 nanowires by chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Han Shuming , Yuan Cailei , Luo Xingfang , Cao Yingjie , Yu Ting , Yang Yong , Li Qinliang , Ye Shuangli
Published: August 2015

We describe a single step route for the synthesis of MoS2 wires using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method.
CdS : SiO2 nanocomposite as a luminescence-based wide range temperature sensor
Authors: Saxena Nupur , Kumar Pragati , Gupta Vinay
Published: August 2015

A wide range (20–560 K) temperature sensor exhibiting linear behavior in entire range is devised from CdS:SiO2 nanocomposite with average sensitivity and resolution ≈10−2 K−1 & 10−4 K respectively and maximum relative sensitivity ~8.4% K−1 at 120 K.​
A highly convergent synthesis of the C1–C31 polyol domain of amphidinol 3 featuring a TST-RCM reaction: confirmation of the revised relative stereochemistry
Authors: Grisin Aleksandr , Evans P. Andrew
Published: August 2015

The concise enantioselective synthesis of the revised C1–C31 fragment of the polyketide amphidinol 3 was accomplished in 16 steps and 12.8% overall yield.
De novo design of isopeptide bond-tethered triple-stranded coiled coils with exceptional resistance to unfolding and proteolysis: implication for developing antiviral therapeutics
Authors: Wang Chao , Lai Wenqing , Yu Fei , Zhang Tianhong , Lu Lu , Jiang Xifeng , Zhang Zhenqing , Xu Xiaoyu , Bai Yu , Jiang Shibo , Liu Keliang
Published: August 2015

Isopeptide bridge-tethered ultra-stable coiled-coil trimers have beende novodesigned as structure-directing auxiliaries to guide HIV-1 gp41 NHR-peptide trimerization.
Molecular computing: paths to chemical Turing machines
Authors: Varghese Shaji , Elemans Johannes A. A. W. , Rowan Alan E. , Nolte Roeland J. M.
Published: August 2015

In this perspective, we highlight some of the recent advances in the development of molecular and biomolecular systems for performing logic operations and computing. We also present a blueprint of a chemical Turing machine using a processive catalytic approach.
Insights into the deselenization of selenocysteine into alanine and serine
Authors: Dery Shahar , Reddy Post Sai , Dery Linoy , Mousa Reem , Dardashti Rebecca Notis , Metanis Norman
Published: August 2015

The deselenization of selenocysteine selectively removes the selenol group to give alanine under anaerobic conditions or serine under aerobic conditions (oxygen saturation).
Lowering the hydrogen desorption temperature of NH3BH3 through B-group substitutions
Authors: Welchman Evan , Thonhauser Timo
Published: August 2015

We identify Cu as a primising substituent in ammonia borane, significantly lowering the kinetic barrier to hydrogen desorption.
A N-, Fe- and Co-tridoped carbon nanotube/nanoporous carbon nanocomposite with synergistically enhanced activity for oxygen reduction in acidic media
Authors: Wang Gan , Wang Wan-hua , Wang Li-Kun , Yao Wei-Tang , Yao Peng-Fei , Zhu Wen-Kun , Chen Ping , Wu Qing-Sheng
Published: August 2015

A N-, Fe- and Co-tridoped carbon nanotube/nanoporous carbon nanocomposite fromTypha orientaliswas prepared and it exhibits excellent ORR activity in acidic media.
Carbon supported Ru clusters prepared by pyrolysis of Ru precursor-impregnated biopolymer fibers
Authors: Kalytta-Mewes Andreas , Spirkl Sebastian , Tränkle Sebastian , Hambach Manuel , Volkmer Dirk
Published: August 2015

Ru clusters deposited on pyrolyzed bacterial nanocellulose (Ru/p-BNC) were prepared in a single step by controlled pyrolysis at 1250 °C (under Ar gas), starting from bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) fibers impregnated with [RuCl2(DMSO)4], which serves as a Ru precursor.
The structure–property relationship of manganese oxides: highly efficient removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Yan , Wei Jie , Tian Yaxi , Yan Shiqiang
Published: August 2015

A-MnO2 has the best adsorption capacity for methyl orange among other manganese oxide materials.
Record figure of merit values of highly stoichiometric Sb2Te3 porous bulk synthesized from tailor-made molecular precursors in ionic liquids
Authors: Heimann Stefan , Schulz Stephan , Schaumann Julian , Mudring Anja , Stötzel Julia , Maculewicz Franziska , Schierning Gabi
Published: August 2015

We report on the synthesis of Sb2Te3 nanoparticles with zT values of up to 1.5. The thermoelectric transport parameters were independently optimized, giving guidance for the design of thermoelectric materials.
Morphology-controllable fabrication of organic microcrystals by solid-phase reactions: revealing morphology-sensitive highly efficient phosphorescence and enhanced near-infrared absorption
Authors: Yong Guo-Ping , Shen Chen , Zhang Cong , Zhao Yu-Mei
Published: August 2015

The vapor-solid reaction induced hexangular microflakes exhibit high phosphorescence quantum yield and enhanced NIR absorption.
Transition metals activate TFEB in overexpressing cells
Authors: Peña Karina A. , Kiselyov Kirill
Published: August 2015

Transition metal toxicity is an important factor in the pathogenesis of numerous human disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Lysosomes have emerged as important factors in transition metal toxicity because they handle transition metals via endocytosis, autophagy, absorption from the cytoplasm and exocytosis. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) regulates lysosomal biogenesis and the expression of lysosomal proteins in response to lysosomal and/or metabolic stresses. Since transition metals cause lysosomal dysfunction, we proposed that TFEB may be activated to drive gene expression in response to transition metal exposure and that such activation may influence transition metal toxicity. We found that transition metals copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) activate recombinant TFEB and stimulate the expression of TFEB-dependent genes in TFEB-overexpressing cells. In cells that show robust lysosomal exocytosis, TFEB was cytoprotective at moderate levels of Cu exposure, decreasing oxidative stress as reported by the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) gene. However, at high levels of Cu exposure, particularly in cells with low levels of lysosomal exocytosis, activation of overexpressed TFEB was toxic, increasing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Based on these data, we conclude that TFEB-driven gene network is a component of the cellular response to transition metals. These data suggest limitations and disadvantages of TFEB overexpression as a therapeutic approach.
Novel actions of 2-deoxy-D-glucose: protection against Shiga toxins and changes in cellular lipids
Authors: Kavaliauskiene Simona , Skotland Tore , Sylvänne Tuulia , Simolin Helena , Klokk Tove Irene , Torgersen Maria Lyngaas , Lingelem Anne Berit Dyve , Simm Roger , Ekroos Kim , Sandvig Kirsten
Published: August 2015

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a structural analogue of glucose with well-established applications as an inhibitor of glycolysis and N-glycosylation. Importantly, 2DG has been shown to improve the efficacy of several cancer chemotherapeutic agents in vivo and thus it is in clinical studies in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, although 2DG has been demonstrated to modulate many cellular functions, including autophagy, apoptosis and cell cycle control, little is known about the effects of 2DG on intracellular transport, which is of great importance when predicting the effects of 2DG on therapeutic agents. In addition to proteins, lipids play important roles in cellular signalling and in controlling cellular trafficking. We have, in the present study, investigated the effects of 2DG on cellular lipid composition and by use of protein toxins we have studied 2DG-mediated changes in intracellular trafficking. By quantifying more than 200 individual lipid species from 17 different lipid classes, we have found that 2DG treatment changes the levels and/or species composition of several lipids, such as phosphatidylinositol (PI), diacylglycerol (DAG), cholesteryl ester (CE), ceramide (Cer) and lysophospho-lipids. Moreover, 2DG becomes incorporated into the carbohydrate moiety of glycosphingolipids (GSLs). In addition, we have discovered that 2DG protects cells against Shiga toxins (Stxs) and inhibits release of the cytotoxic StxA1 moiety in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The data indicate that the 2DG-induced protection against Stx is independent of inhibition of glycolysis or N-glycosylation, but rather mediated via the depletion of Ca2+ from cellular reservoirs by 2DG. In conclusion, our results reveal novel actions of 2DG on cellular lipids and Stx toxicity.
Design of computationally efficient 2D FIR filters using sampling‐kernel‐based interpolation and frequency transformation
Authors: Kim K.J. , Kim J.H. , Nam S.W.
Published: August 2015

A closed‐form design of a two‐dimensional (2D) finite impulse response (FIR) filter with circular, rectangular, fan or quadrant‐fan shapes in the passband region is presented. The computationally efficient 2D FIR filter can be implemented using frequency transformation and sampling‐kernel‐based interpolation instead of an optimisation algorithm. When compared with the existing method, the proposed method reduces 90% of multiplications for filtering. Several design examples are demonstrated to verify the performance of the proposed design.
Subspace‐based DOA estimation with sliding signal‐vector construction for ULA
Authors: Yoo Do‐Sik
Published: August 2015

Recently, various subspace‐based direction of arrival (DOA) estimation algorithms have been proposed that do not require the computationally expensive eigen‐decomposition or singular value decomposition process. In particular, a recently proposed algorithm based on the cross‐correlation matrix between data vectors collected by the component uniform linear arrays (ULAs) of an L‐shaped array is reported as providing the best performance with the least complexity among such algorithms. Proposed is an algorithm based on the autocorrelation matrix of the data vector collected by a single ULA and methods are proposed to further improve performance with a minimal increased in complexity.
Memristor pattern recogniser: isolated speech word recognition
Authors: Maan A.K. , James A.P. , Dimitrijev S.
Published: August 2015

A memristor‐based pattern‐matching circuit for realising a hardware oriented approach to isolated speech word recognition is introduced. As distinct from algorithmic solutions, the approach takes advantage of the memristor to memorise and match speech templates in a fast, parallel, low‐power and scalable architecture. When tested for isolated word recognition by simulations on the benchmark (TIMIT) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology database, recognition accuracies of 94.5% on clean words and 88% on words with a SNR of 5 dB were achieved.
Wideband compact directive metasurface enabled pair of slot antennas
Authors: Majumder B. , Kandasamy K. , Mukherjee J. , Ray K.P.
Published: August 2015

A simple novel compact wideband directive metasurface (MS) enabled antenna is proposed. Two same dimensions of edge fed slots are used to excite the MS layer which is made of a periodic arrangement of a rectangular loop‐based unit cell. An optimised resonant slot fed at the edge with a simple micro‐strip line together with the epsilon very large MS layer exhibits wideband behaviour. The antenna yields a bandwidth from 5.89 to 6.6 GHz for a voltage standing wave ratio < 2 (12%) compared with a measured fractional bandwidth of 14%. A maximum broadside directivity of 10.5 dBi has been achieved. Simulated efficiency is more than 87%. The measurements characteristics of this antenna are in agreement with simulated results.
Physico-chemical characterization of Miscanthus, Castor, and Jatropha towards biofuel production
Authors: Dash Madhusmita , Venkata Dasu V. , Mohanty Kaustubha
Published: August 2015

Bio-energy from lignocellulosic biomass is cleaner, sustainable, and one of the renewable energy sources that could help meet some of our energy demand. Unlike fossil fuels, it can be grown and used repeatedly and its use can replace the fossil fuels. In addition to this, these materials are easily available either in the form of agricultural waste or forest residues and are economically viable. The current study focuses on physico-chemical characterisation of three commonly available lignocellulosic biomasses of north-east India such as Castor (Ricinus communis), Jatropha (Jatropha curcas), and Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis) for second generation biofuels production. Ultimate analysis (CHNSO), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), and oxygen bomb calorimeter techniques were used to characterise the above mentioned three lignocellulose biomasses. It was found that the cellulose content of three biomasses varied from 40% to 44%, hemicellulose content from 8% to 14%, and lignin content varied from 21% to 30%. Chemical structure of lignocellulose is studied through FTIR. The crystallinity index of Castor and Jatropha is similar, i.e., ∼69%, where as crystallinity index of Miscanthus was 72%. Due to the presence of higher carbon and cellulose content along with less moisture (10%–12%), ash (5%–10%), sulphur (0.1%–0.8%), and extractives (12%–20%) make them a very good source for production of alcoholic fuels through a biochemical route.
Coupling an electrospray source and a solids probe/chemical ionization source to a selected ion flow tube apparatus
Authors: Melko Joshua J. , Ard Shaun G. , Shuman Nicholas S. , Pedder Randall E. , Taormina Christopher R. , Viggiano Albert A.
Published: August 2015

A new ion source region has been constructed and attached to a variable temperature selected ion flow tube. The source features the capabilities of electron impact, chemical ionization, a solids probe, and electrospray ionization. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated through a series of reactions from ions created in each of the new source regions. The chemical ionization source is able to create H3O+, but not as efficiently as similar sources with larger apertures. The ability of this source to support a solids probe, however, greatly expands our capabilities. A variety of rhenium cations and dications are created from the solids probe in sufficient abundance to study in the flow tube. The reaction of Re+ with O2 proceeds with a rate constant that agrees with the literature measurements, while the reaction of Re22+ is found to charge transfer with O2 at about 60% of the collision rate; we have also performed calculations that support the charge transfer pathway. The electrospray source is used to create Ba+, which is reacted with N2O to create BaO+, and we find a rate constant that agrees with the literature.
On algebraic endomorphisms of the Einstein gyrogroup
Authors: Molnár Lajos , Virosztek Dániel
Published: August 2015

We describe the structure of all continuous algebraic endomorphisms of the open unit ball B of ℝ3 equipped with the Einstein velocity addition. We show that any nonzero such transformation originates from an orthogonal linear transformation on ℝ3.
A quasi-linear analysis of the impurity effect on turbulent momentum transport and residual stress
Authors: Ko S. H. , Jhang Hogun , Singh R.
Published: August 2015

We study the impact of impurities on turbulence driven intrinsic rotation (via residual stress) in the context of the quasi-linear theory. A two-fluid formulation for main and impurity ions is employed to study ion temperature gradient modes in sheared slab geometry modified by the presence of impurities. An effective form of the parallel Reynolds stress is derived in the center of mass frame of a coupled main ion-impurity system. Analyses show that the contents and the radial profile of impurities have a strong influence on the residual stress. In particular, an impurity profile aligned with that of main ions is shown to cause a considerable reduction of the residual stress, which may lead to the reduction of turbulence driven intrinsic rotation.
InGaN based micro light emitting diodes featuring a buried GaN tunnel junction
Authors: Malinverni M. , Martin D. , Grandjean N.
Published: August 2015

GaN tunnel junctions (TJs) are grown by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy. High doping levels are achieved with a net acceptor concentration close to ∼1020 cm−3, thanks to the low growth temperature. This allows for the realization of p-n junctions with ultrathin depletion width enabling efficient interband tunneling. n-p-n structures featuring such a TJ exhibit low leakage current densities, e.g., <5 × 10−5 A cm−2 at reverse bias of 10 V. Under forward bias, the voltage is 3.3 V and 4.8 V for current densities of 20 A cm−2 and 2000 A cm−2, respectively. The specific series resistance of the whole device is 3.7 × 10−4 Ω cm2. Then micro-light emitting diodes (μ-LEDs) featuring buried TJs are fabricated. Excellent current confinement is demonstrated together with homogeneous electrical injection, as seen on electroluminescence mapping. Finally, the I-V characteristics of μ-LEDs with various diameters point out the role of the access resistance at the current aperture edge.
Semi-classical noise investigation for sub-40nm metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Spathis C. , Birbas A. , Georgakopoulou K.
Published: August 2015

Device white noise levels in short channel Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) dictate the performance and reliability of high-frequency circuits ranging from high-speed microprocessors to Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) and microwave circuits. Recent experimental noise measurements with very short devices demonstrate the existence of suppressed shot noise, contrary to the predictions of classical channel thermal noise models. In this work we show that, as the dimensions continue to shrink, shot noise has to be considered when the channel resistance becomes comparable to the barrier resistance at the source-channel junction. By adopting a semi-classical approach and taking retrospectively into account transport, short-channel and quantum effects, we investigate the partitioning between shot and thermal noise, and formulate a predictive model that describes the noise characteristics of modern devices.
Improvement of reliability and speed of phase change memory devices with N7.9(Ge46.9Bi7.2Te45.9) films
Authors: Park J. H. , Kim S.-W. , Kim J. H. , Ko D.-H. , Wu Z. , Cho S. L. , Ahn D. , Ahn D. H. , Lee J. M. , Nam S. W.
Published: August 2015

In this study, we propose a nitrogen-incorporated GeBiTe ternary phase of N7.9(Ge46.9Bi7.2Te45.9) as a phase change material for reliable PCM (Phase Change Memory) with high speed operation. We found that the N7.9(Ge46.9Bi7.2Te45.9) film shows the resistance value of 40 kΩ after annealing at 440oC for 10 minutes, which is much higher than the value of 3.4 kΩ in the case of conventional N7.0(Ge22.0Sb22.0Te56.0) films. A set operation time of 14 nsec was achieved in the devices due to the increased probability of the nucleation by the addition of the elemental Bi. The long data retention time of 10 years at 85oC on the base of 1% failure was obtained as the result of higher activation energy of 2.52 eV for the crystallization compared to the case of N7.0(Ge22.0Sb22.0Te56.0) film, in which the activation energy is 2.1 eV. In addition, a reset current reduction of 27% and longer cycles of endurance as much as 2 order of magnitude compared to the case of N7.0(Ge22.0Sb22.0Te56.0) were observed at a set operation time of 14 nsec. Our results show that N7.9(Ge46.9Bi7.2Te45.9) is highly promising for use as a phase change material in reliable PCMs with high performance and also in forthcoming storage class memory applications, too.
A comparison of fatty acid profiles and lipolysis during ripening of dry-cured loins obtained from a native pig breed (ChatoMurciano) and from a modern crossbreed pig
Authors: Tejada Luis , Salazar Eva , Abellán Adela , Peinado Begoña , Mulero Juana , Cayuela Jose M.
Published: August 2015

The fatty acid composition of neutral lipids (NL), polar lipids (PL) and free fatty acids (FFA) was analysed in dry-cured loins obtained from the native pig breed Chato Murciano (CM) and from a modern crossbreed pig genotype (CG) during the ripening stage (between the 30 and 60 days of processing). Fatty acid concentrations from neutral lipids, polar lipids and free fatty acid fractions were affected by breed. With respect to ripening time, lipolysis was more intense in the CG than in CM product, resulting in a decrease in the concentrations of fatty acids in the NL and PL fractions, accompanied by a corresponding increase in FFA. Results for lipid determination provided evidence that the concentrations of the different groups of fatty acids within the lipid fractions depend on the breed. In order of abundance, the groups of fatty acids in the neutral lipid fraction were monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) > saturated fatty acids (SFA) > polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (59%, 37% and 4% in CM; 58%, 35% and 6% in CG) at 60 days of processing. In the polar lipid fraction, the order was SFA > PUFA > MUFA (44%, 29% and 27% in CM; 42%, 38% and 20% in CG), and in free fatty acid fraction, the order was MUFA > PUFA > SFA (40%, 30%, and 30% in CM; 39%, 32%, and 29% in CG) at 60 days of processing.
Focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for the analysis of microplastics in environmental samples
Authors: Löder Martin Günter Joachim , Kuczera Mirco , Mintenig Svenja , Lorenz Claudia , Gerdts Gunnar
Published: August 2015

Environmental context Microplastics are of increasing environmental concern following reports that they occur worldwide from the arctic to the deep sea. However, a reliable methodology that facilitates an automated measurement of abundance and identity of microplastics is still lacking. We present an analytical protocol that applies focal plane array detector-based infrared imaging of microplastics enriched on membrane filters applicable to investigations of microplastic pollution of the environment. Abstract The pollution of the environment with microplastics (plastic pieces <5 mm) is a problem of increasing concern. However, although this has been generally recognised by scientists and authorities, the analysis of microplastics is often done by visual inspection alone with potentially high error rates, especially for smaller particles. Methods that allow for a fast and reliable analysis of microplastics enriched on filters are lacking. Our study is the first to fill this gap by using focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for analysis of microplastics from environmental samples. As a result of our iteratively optimised analytical approach (concerning filter material, measuring mode, measurement parameters and identification protocol), we were able to successfully measure the whole surface (>10-mm diameter) of filters with microplastics from marine plankton and sediment samples. The measurement with a high lateral resolution allowed for the detection of particles down to a size of 20 μm in only a fractional part of time needed for chemical mapping. The integration of three band regions facilitated the pre-selection of potential microplastics of the ten most important polymers. Subsequent to the imaging the review of the infrared spectra of the pre-selected potential microplastics was necessary for a verification of plastic polymer origin. The approach we present here is highly suitable to be implemented as a standard procedure for the analysis of small microplastics from environmental samples. However, a further automatisation with respect to measurement and subsequent particle identification would facilitate the even faster and fully automated analysis of microplastic samples.
Olfactory responses of coral-reef fishes to coral degradation and crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci)
Authors: Coppock Amy G. , Gardiner Naomi M. , Jones Geoffrey P.
Published: August 2015

Coral degradation is a major threat towards the biodiversity of coral-reef ecosystems, either through the physical effects of environmental change, or biological agents such as crown-of-thorns (Acanthaster planci). Coral loss is leading to significant declines in reef-fish assemblages, particularly those dependent on live coral as settlement sites. Most reef fishes use olfactory stimuli at settlement; however, their ability to detect chemical stimuli from degraded corals or A. planci is unknown. Here, olfactory responses of juvenile reef fishes to the presence of stressed corals and A. planci were tested. Juveniles of eight common coral-associated species were subjected to a series of pair-wise choice tests, where the period of time spent in two differing water sources was noted. All species demonstrated a significant attraction towards healthy coral (≥76%), avoiding cues emitted by stressed coral colonies. When given the choice between a control water (untreated reef water) and water containing chemical cues from A. planci, most species elicited no response. Finally, when given the choice between chemical cues derived from feeding A. planci or the control, all species avoided A. planci (≥70%). Our results indicated that juvenile reef fish are capable of distinguishing the state of coral health, but not directly from disturbance agents.
Feeding dynamics of the fiddler crab (Uca annulipes) in a non-tidal mangrove forest
Authors: Peer N. , Miranda N. A. F. , Perissinotto R. , Raw J. L.
Published: August 2015

To investigate the lack of tidal influence on the feeding dynamics of fiddler crabs, we used an in situ gut fluorescence technique to measure gut pigment content of Uca annulipes in the non-tidal mangrove habitat of the St Lucia Estuary. Measurements were taken over a 24-h cycle and in the two extreme seasons, austral summer and winter, to examine any diel and seasonal shifts in feeding. Three hour gut evacuation experiments were conducted to determine the gut evacuation rate and potential sexual differences in feeding. It was found that under lack of tidal fluctuations, U. annulipes feeding is influenced by diel rhythms. In summer, males displayed a bimodal pattern of feeding, becoming more active in the morning and late afternoon with a gut evacuation rate of 0.795h–1, whereas females remained generally inactive and displayed short bouts of feeding during the day with a gut evacuation rate of 0.322h–1. The summer grazing impact of U. annulipes on microphytobenthos was higher compared with winter. In winter both sexes were fairly inactive, but displayed a greater consumption efficiency (65% compared with 45% in summer). U. annulipes feeding dynamics in a non-tidal habitat are shown to vary seasonally, daily and among sexes.
Requirement of the FATC domain of protein kinase Tel1 for localization to DNA ends and target protein recognition
Authors: Ogi Hiroo , Goto Greicy H. , Ghosh Avik , Zencir Sevil , Henry Everett , Sugimoto Katsunori
Published: August 2015

Two large phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–related protein kinases (PIKKs), ATM and ATR, play a central role in the DNA damage response pathway. PIKKs contain a highly conserved extreme C-terminus called the FRAP-ATM-TRRAP-C-terminal (FATC) domain. In budding yeast, ATM and ATR correspond to Tel1 and Mec1, respectively. In this study, we characterized functions of the FATC domain of Tel1 by introducing substitution or truncation mutations. One substitution mutation, termed tel1-21, and a truncation mutation, called tel1-ΔC, did not significantly affect the expression level. The tel1-21 mutation impaired the cellular response to DNA damage and conferred moderate telomere maintenance defect. In contrast, the tel1-ΔC mutation behaved like a null mutation, conferring defects in both DNA damage response and telomere maintenance. Tel1-21 protein localized to DNA ends as effectively as wild-type Tel1 protein, whereas Tel1-ΔC protein failed. Introduction of a hyperactive TEL1-hy mutation suppressed the tel1-21 mutation but not the tel1-ΔC mutation. In vitro analyses revealed that both Tel1-21 and Tel1-ΔC proteins undergo efficient autophosphorylation but exhibit decreased kinase activities toward the exogenous substrate protein, Rad53. Our results show that the FATC domain of Tel1 mediates localization to DNA ends and contributes to phosphorylation of target proteins.
Autophosphorylation of the Smk1 MAPK is spatially and temporally regulated by Ssp2 during meiotic development in yeast
Authors: Tio Chong Wai , Omerza Gregory , Sunder Sham , Winter Edward
Published: August 2015

Smk1 is a meiosis-specific MAPK that controls spore wall morphogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although Smk1 is activated by phosphorylation of the threonine (T) and tyrosine (Y) in its activation loop, it is not phosphorylated by a dual-specificity MAPK kinase. Instead, the T is phosphorylated by the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)–activating kinase, Cak1. The Y is autophosphorylated in an intramolecular reaction that requires a meiosis-specific protein named Ssp2. The meiosis-specific CDK-like kinase, Ime2, was previously shown to positively regulate Smk1. Here we show that Ime2 activity is required to induce the translation of SSP2 mRNA at anaphase II. Ssp2 protein is then localized to the prospore membrane, the structure where spore wall assembly takes place. Next the carboxy-terminal portion of Ssp2 forms a complex with Smk1 and stimulates the autophosphorylation of its activation-loop Y residue. These findings link Ime2 to Smk1 activation through Ssp2 and define a developmentally regulated mechanism for activating MAPK at specific locations in the cell.
STUbL-mediated degradation of the transcription factor MATα2 requires degradation elements that coincide with corepressor binding sites
Authors: Hickey Christopher M. , Hochstrasser Mark
Published: August 2015

The yeast transcription factor MATα2 (α2) is a short-lived protein known to be ubiquitylated by two distinct pathways, one involving the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) Ubc6 and Ubc7 and the ubiquitin ligase (E3) Doa10 and the other operating with the E2 Ubc4 and the heterodimeric E3 Slx5/Slx8. Although Slx5/Slx8 is a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL), it does not require SUMO to target α2 but instead directly recognizes α2. Little is known about the α2 determinants required for its Ubc4- and STUbL-mediated degradation or how these determinants substitute for SUMO in recognition by the STUbL pathway. We describe two distinct degradation elements within α2, both of which are necessary for α2 recognition specifically by the Ubc4 pathway. Slx5/Slx8 can directly ubiquitylate a C-terminal fragment of α2, and mutating one of the degradation elements impairs this ubiquitylation. Surprisingly, both degradation elements identified here overlap specific interaction sites for α2 corepressors: the Mcm1 interaction site in the central α2 linker and the Ssn6 (Cyc8) binding site in the α2 homeodomain. We propose that competitive binding to α2 by the ubiquitylation machinery and α2 cofactors is balanced so that α2 can function in transcription repression yet be short lived enough to allow cell-type switching.
Are ultralong gamma-ray bursts powered by black holes spinning down?
Authors: Nathanail Antonios , Contopoulos Ioannis
Published: August 2015

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are violent explosions, coming from cosmological distances. They are detected in gamma-rays (also X-rays, UV, optical, radio) almost every day, and have typical durations of a few seconds to a few minutes. Some GRBs have been reported with extraordinary durations of 104 s, the so-called ultralong GRBs. It has been debated whether these form a new distinct class of events or whether they are similar to long GRBs. According to Blandford & Znajek, the spin energy of a rotating black hole can be extracted electromagnetically, should the hole be endowed with a magnetic field supported by electric currents in a surrounding disc. We argue that this can be the case for the central engines of GRBs and we show that the duration of the burst depends on the magnetic flux accumulated on the event horizon of the black hole. We thus estimate the surface magnetic field of a possible progenitor star, and we conclude that an ultralong GRB may originate from a progenitor star with a relatively low magnetic field.
Promoting Perioperative Metabolic and Nutritional Care
Authors: Gillis Chelsia , Carli Francesco
Published: August 2015

AbstractAbstract

Surgery represents a major stressor that disrupts homeostasis and can lead to loss of body cell mass. Integrated, multidisciplinary medical strategies, including enhanced recovery programs and perioperative nutrition support, can mitigate the surgically induced metabolic response, promoting optimal patient recovery following major surgery. Clinical therapies should identify those who are poorly nourished before surgery and aim to attenuate catabolism while preserving the processes that promote recovery and immunoprotection after surgery. This review will address the impact of surgery on intermediary metabolism and describe the clinical consequences that ensue. It will also focus on the role of perioperative nutrition, including preoperative nutrition risk, carbohydrate loading, and early initiation of oral feeding (centered on macronutrients) in modulating surgical stress, as well as highlight the contribution of the anesthesiologist to nutritional care. Emerging therapeutic concepts such as preoperative glycemic control and prehabilitation will be discussed.

This article is a narrative review that focuses on the role of perioperative nutrition in modulating the surgical stress response, as well as the contribution of the anesthesiologist to nutritional care. Preoperative nutrition risk, carbohydrate loading, early initiation of oral feeding, anesthetic strategies to facilitate nutritional gains, preoperative glycemic control, and prehabilitation will be addressed.
Nursing home report card and performance gap
Authors: Kim Ae-Sook
Published: August 2015

Background:

With the aging of our society, concerns about the quality of nursing homes have been increasing. The Nursing Home Compare (NHC) report card is believed to reduce information asymmetry between the facility and potential residents and, consequently, improve nursing home quality. However, there is limited evidence about how nursing homes use this publicly disseminated performance information.

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to analyze the performance gap between nursing home administrators’ self-assessment and the NHC report card performance ratings and explore the factors contributing to the gap.

Methodology:

All 515 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in Indiana were surveyed between August and December 2013. The response rate was approximately 45%. The survey data were compared with the NHC data to identify the gap. Ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Findings:

Despite voluntary participation, a reasonably high response rate, and anonymity, this study found that 62% of respondents either under- or overrated their facilities’ performance, with the majority overrating their performance. The following factors were associated with a smaller performance gap: nonprofit or government-owned status, higher staffing levels, a higher percentage of hours worked by registered nurses, and a higher market concentration. Longer work experience and greater county occupancy rates were associated with a larger performance gap.

Practice Implications:

The significant gap implies that administrators either do not regularly review the NHC report card or do not concur with the NHC ratings. To reduce the gap and thereby improve performance, it is necessary to stabilize the administrators’ position so that administrators know how they stand in the market and are consequently better equipped to successfully respond to the market. Facilities may also need to provide regular training on current technologies and facilitate use of the NHC report card, targeting administrators who are old and have many years of work experience.
A decision underlies phototaxis in an insect
Authors: Axel Gorostiza E. , Colomb Julien , Brembs Björn
Published: August 2015

Like a moth into the flame - Phototaxis is an iconic example for innate preferences. Such preferences likely reflect evolutionary adaptations to predictable situations and have traditionally been conceptualized as hard-wired stimulus-response links. Perhaps therefore, the century-old discovery of flexibility inDrosophilaphototaxis has received little attention. Here we report that across several different behavioral tests, light/dark preference tested in walking is dependent on various aspects of flight. If we temporarily compromise flying ability, walking photopreference reverses concomitantly. Neuronal activity in circuits expressing dopamine and octopamine, respectively, plays a differential role in photopreference, suggesting a potential involvement of these biogenic amines in this case of behavioral flexibility. We conclude that flies monitor their ability to fly, and that flying ability exerts a fundamental effect on action selection inDrosophila. This work suggests that even behaviors which appear simple and hard-wired comprise a value-driven decision-making stage, negotiating the external situation with the animal’s internal state, before an action is selected.
Light-induced indeterminacy alters shade avoiding tomato leaf morphology
Authors: Chitwood Daniel H. , Kumar Ravi , Ranjan Aashish , Pelletier Julie , Townsley Brad , Ichihashi Yasunori , Martinez Ciera , Zumstein Kristina , Harada John , Maloof Julin , Sinha Neelima
Published: August 2015

Plants sense foliar shade of competitors and alter their developmental programs through the shade avoidance response. Internode and petiole elongation, and changes in overall leaf area and leaf mass per area, are the stereotypical architectural responses to foliar shade in the shoot. However, changes in leaf shape and complexity in response to shade remain incompletely, and qualitatively, described. Using a meta-analysis of >18,000 previously published leaflet outlines, we demonstrate that shade avoidance alters leaf shape in domesticated tomato and wild relatives. The effects of shade avoidance on leaf shape are subtle with respect to individual traits, but are combinatorially strong. We then seek to describe the developmental origins of shade-induced changes in leaf shape by swapping plants between light treatments. Leaf size is light-responsive late into development, but patterning events, such as stomatal index, are irrevocably specified earlier. Observing that shade induces increases in shoot apical meristem size, we then describe gene expression changes in early leaf primordia and the meristem using laser microdissection. We find that in leaf primordia shade avoidance is not mediated through canonical pathways described in mature organs, but rather the expression of KNOX and other indeterminacy genes, altering known developmental pathways responsible for patterning leaf shape. We also demonstrate that shade-induced changes in leaf primordium gene expression largely do not overlap with those found in successively initiated leaf primordia, providing evidence against classic hypotheses that shaded leaf morphology results from prolonged production of juvenile leaf types.
Optimizing X-ray mirror thermal performance using matched profile cooling
Authors: Zhang Lin , Cocco Daniele , Kelez Nicholas , Morton Daniel S. , Srinivasan Venkat , Stefan Peter M.
Published: August 2015

To cover a large photon energy range, the length of an X-ray mirror is often longer than the beam footprint length for much of the applicable energy range. To limit thermal deformation of such a water-cooled X-ray mirror, a technique using side cooling with a cooled length shorter than the beam footprint length is proposed. This cooling length can be optimized by using finite-element analysis. For the Kirkpatrick–Baez (KB) mirrors at LCLS-II, the thermal deformation can be reduced by a factor of up to 30, compared with full-length cooling. Furthermore, a second, alternative technique, based on a similar principle is presented: using a long, single-length cooling block on each side of the mirror and adding electric heaters between the cooling blocks and the mirror substrate. The electric heaters consist of a number of cells, located along the mirror length. The total effective length of the electric heater can then be adjusted by choosing which cells to energize, using electric power supplies. The residual height error can be minimized to 0.02 nm RMS by using optimal heater parameters (length and power density). Compared with a case without heaters, this residual height error is reduced by a factor of up to 45. The residual height error in the LCLS-II KB mirrors, due to free-electron laser beam heat load, can be reduced by a factor of ∼11belowthe requirement. The proposed techniques are also effective in reducing thermal slope errors and are, therefore, applicable to white beam mirrors in synchrotron radiation beamlines.
High-rate dead-time corrections in a general purpose digital pulse processing system
Authors: Abbene Leonardo , Gerardi Gaetano
Published: August 2015

Dead-time losses are well recognized and studied drawbacks in counting and spectroscopic systems. In this work the abilities on dead-time correction of a real-time digital pulse processing (DPP) system for high-rate high-resolution radiation measurements are presented. The DPP system, through a fast and slow analysis of the output waveform from radiation detectors, is able to perform multi-parameter analysis (arrival time, pulse width, pulse height, pulse shape,etc.) at high input counting rates (ICRs), allowing accurate counting loss corrections even for variable or transient radiations. The fast analysis is used to obtain both the ICR and energy spectra with high throughput, while the slow analysis is used to obtain high-resolution energy spectra. A complete characterization of the counting capabilities, through both theoretical and experimental approaches, was performed. The dead-time modeling, the throughput curves, the experimental time-interval distributions (TIDs) and the counting uncertainty of the recorded events of both the fast and the slow channels, measured with a planar CdTe (cadmium telluride) detector, will be presented. The throughput formula of a series of two types of dead-times is also derived. The results of dead-time corrections, performed through different methods, will be reported and discussed, pointing out the error on ICR estimation and the simplicity of the procedure. Accurate ICR estimations (nonlinearity < 0.5%) were performed by using the time widths and the TIDs (using 10 ns time bin width) of the detected pulses up to 2.2 Mcps. The digital system allows, after a simple parameter setting, different and sophisticated procedures for dead-time correction, traditionally implemented in complex/dedicated systems and time-consuming set-ups.
Ownership, related party transactions and performance in China
Authors: Wan Yezhen , Wong Leon
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and privately controlled firms in China, and whether related party transactions (RPTs) add to or subtract from their relative performance, measured by return on assets (ROA).

Design/methodology/approach

– Univariate and multivariate analyses of a sample of 90 firms that were listed in China between 2007 and 2009 (comprising 45 SOEs and 45 privately controlled firms matched on industry and size).

Findings

– The authors find that SOEs engage in more tunneling, but find no evidence that privately controlled firms engage to a greater degree in either tunneling or propping. During this period, SOEs outperformed privately controlled firms by almost 4.5 per cent in terms of ROA (unadjusted for RPTs), but their performance advantage was completely offset by tunneling by about 6 per cent of ROA such that they underperformed privately controlled firms by a net 1.5 per cent of ROA.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited by a relatively small sample size, and in measuring the value of RPTs as the total value of the transactions (which is observable) instead of the difference between the transaction prices and arms-length prices (which would be preferable but is not observable).

Practical implications

– The economics of investing in Chinese firms with different controlling interests and RPTs may be of interest not only to investors and other stakeholders in Chinese firms listed domestically, but also to international investors in overseas and cross-listed Chinese firms.

Originality/value

– This paper synthesizes research from ownership on performance and RPTs on performance, to disentangling the relative effects of ownership control and RPTs on the performance of Chinese publicly listed firms.