bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aero‐structural design optimization of vertical axis wind turbines
Authors: Bedon Gabriele , Benini Ernesto
Published: August 2016

In the last decade, vertical axis wind turbines acquired notable interest in the renewable energy field. Different techniques are available to perform aerodynamic and structural simulation of these complex machines, but, to the authors' best knowledge, a comprehensive approach, which includes an automatic optimization algorithm, has never been developed. In this work, a methodology to conduct an efficient aero‐structural design of Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine is presented. This relies on a code‐to‐measurement validated simulation tool based on Blade Element‐Momentum algorithm adopting a particular set of aerodynamic coefficients, and a code‐to‐code validated structural model based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. The algorithms are coupled with a Genetic Algorithm to perform the optimization. The adopted decisional parameters allow to completely vary the blade shape and the airfoil geometry to reduce the structural stress and improve the aerodynamic performance. Different individuals are explored to perform a wide aerodynamic and structural analysis of improved configurations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on the Kinetics of Aluminum Removal from Liquid Silicon to Slag with Mechanical Stirring
Authors: Lee Jaewoo , White Jesse F. , Hildal Kjetil , Sichen Du
Published: August 2016

The kinetics of aluminum removal from silicon melt to CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 slag was studied. A recently designed experimental setup using mechanical stirring was employed to focus the study on the chemical reaction. The slag and metal were found to reach chemical equilibrium in 300 seconds. A simple model could reproduce the experimental data satisfactorily. Both the experimental results and the model prediction further confirmed that the process was controlled by the chemical reaction, since the reaction rate constant was found to be independent of the amount of slag and the initial slag composition. The experimental data at equilibrium were compared with the model calculations. The discrepancy between the model calculations and the experimental data strongly suggests the need for careful thermodynamic measurements.
Comparison of Mineralization Pattern of Geochemical Data in Spatial and Position-scale Domain Using New DWT- PCA Approach
Authors: Shahi Hossein , Ghavami Reza , Rouhani Abolghasem Kamkar
Published: August 2016

In the current research to determine the mineralization pattern and discuss the mineralization components, the information of position - scale domain of geochemical data has been analyzed. A new method is proposed based on coupling discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) and principal component analysis (PCA) for mineralization elements forecasting applications. The results of this study indicate the potential of DWT – PCA method for geochemical data processing. Wavelet transform (WT), as a multi-spectral analysis method, can decompose the spatial and temporal signals into different frequencies. The features of mineralization can be identified using the position - scale domain of geochemical data that may not be achievable in spatial domain. The geochemical data from the Dalli region have been processed in the spatial domain using PCA. The surface geochemical data of 30 elements have been transformed to position – scale domain using two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (2DDWT). Wavelet functions (WFs) of Haar, Coiflet2, Biorthogonal3.3 and Symlet7 have been applied separately to decompose the geochemical data to high and low frequencies in one level. To obtain more accurate and complete information of mineralization, a new index has been presented based on wavelet coefficients. Based on this new index, significant results have been obtained by using PCA of the index. The coefficients distribution map (CDM) as a new exploratory criterion has been generated based on 2DDWT to show the geochemical distribution map (GDM). Finally, the results of WT have been compared with the results of spatial domain and the best method of wavelet for interpretation of geochemical data has been introduced. The results of geochemical data analysis by DWT – PCA approach have been confirmed by the exploratory drillings in the study area.
Risk‐perception and dangerous driving among adolescents: Outcome‐ and behavior‐focused questions yield opposite results
Authors: O'Brien Fearghal , Gormley Michael
Published: August 2016

While some studies have found that those who perceive a behavior to be more risky are less likely to engage in it, others have found that those who engage in more risky behaviors see themselves as being more at‐risk. Using an online questionnaire we investigated whether such conflicting findings may be due to the types of risk‐questions employed in past studies. We assessed risk‐perception using outcome‐focused questions (e.g. the likelihood of being in an accident) and a behavior‐focused question (the riskiness of speeding). Participants who reported engaging in more risky driving gave higher estimates of their chances of experiencing a negative outcome. However, those same participants gave lower estimates of the general riskiness of risky driving. Drivers may think about the risks of risky driving in different ways depending on the focus of the questions.
Comparison of maintenance effect of probiotics and aminosalicylates on ulcerative colitis: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Jiang Yong , Zhang Zhi‐Guang , Qi Feng‐Xiang , Zhang Ying , Han Tao
Published: August 2016

Objective

To evaluate the maintenance effect of probiotics versus that of aminosalicylates on ulcerative colitis.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and the Chinese Biomedical Database were searched in English or Chinese. Data extracted were selected with strict criteria.

Results

In six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a total of 721 participants were enrolled and the maintenance effect of probiotics (n = 364) versus that of aminosalicylates (n = 357) on ulcerative colitis was investigated. No significant difference was observed between probiotics and aminosalicylate groups (relative risk (RR) = 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91–1.28; P = 0.40). Three RCTs compared the incidence of adverse events with probiotics versus those with aminosalicylates. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (RR = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.92–1.56; P = 0.17).

Conclusions

Probiotics and aminosalicylates both showed a maintenance effect on ulcerative colitis. However, more well‐designed RCTs are required.
Evidence of late glacial paleoseismicity from submarine landslide deposits within Lac Dasserat, northwestern Quebec, Canada
Authors: Brooks Gregory R.
Published: August 2016

An integrated seismo- and chronostratigraphic investigation at Lac Dasserat, northwestern Quebec, identified 74 separate failures within eight event horizons. Horizons E and B, and H and G have strong or moderately-strong multi-landslide signatures, respectively, composed of 11-23 failures, while horizons F, D, C, and A have minor landslide signatures consisting of a single or pair of deposit(s). Cores collected at six sites recovered glacial Lake Ojibway varve deposits that are interbedded with the event horizons. The correlation of the varves to the regional Timiskaming varve series allowed varve ages or ranges of varve ages to be determined for the event horizons. Horizons H, G, E, and B are interpreted to be evidence of paleoearthquakes with differing levels of interpretative confidence, based on the relative strength of the multi-landslide signatures, the correlation to other disturbed deposits of similar age in the region, and the lack or possibility of alternative aseismic mechanisms. The four interpreted paleoearthquakes occurred between 9770 ± 200 and 8470 ± 200 cal yr BP, when glacial Lake Ojibway was impounded behind the Laurentide Ice Sheet during deglaciation. They probably represent an elevated period of seismicity at deglaciation that was driven by crustal unloading.
Does Sophistication Affect Electoral Outcomes?
Authors: Rapeli Lauri
Published: August 2016

It is widely assumed that a representative democracy requires an enlightened citizenry in order to function properly. The competence of citizens has been studied extensively and the sociodemographic determinants of political sophistication are particularly well known. Much less is known about whether and how citizen competence affects electoral behaviour and outcomes. This article reviews the existing literature on these topics. Despite the widespread consensus that, generally speaking, citizen competence matters for electoral outcomes, the review produced a mixed result: some studies suggest that the political left would benefit from a better-informed electorate, while other studies suggest the opposite. Although the majoritarian electoral context is overrepresented in the evidence, the review shows that at the individual level, political knowledge greatly increases a person’s ability to match personal preferences with the right candidate or party in an election. The article also identifies several gaps in existing knowledge, thereby suggesting future research questions.
GOOD FAITH IN CONTRACTS: IS THERE AN IMPLIED PROMISE TO ACT HONESTLY?
Authors: Carter J.W. , Courtney Wayne
Published: August 2016

This article critiques the model for implementation of good faith suggested by Leggatt J’s obiter comments in Yam Seng Pte Ltd v International Trade Corp Ltd. He considered that a general term of good faith may be implied as a matter of construction or as a factual implication under traditional implied terms rules; and that further terms might be implied as specific manifestations of the general term. These further terms would reflect “shared values and norms of behaviour”, including the “core value of honesty”. The article contends that the reasoning to support the general implication contradicts the proposition — accepted by Leggatt J — that good faith has not been recognised “as a duty implied by law”; and that, for several reasons, the analysis used to support implication on the basis of shared norms is flawed.
Methane emissions and growth performance of young Nellore bulls fed crude glycerine- v. fibre-based energy ingredients in low or high concentrate diets
Authors: LAGE J. F. , SAN VITO E. , REIS R. A. , DALLANTONIA E. E. , SIMONETTI L. R. , CARVALHO I. P. C. , BERNDT A. , CHIZZOTTI M. L. , FRIGUETTO R. T. S. , BERCHIELLI T. T.
Published: August 2016

A total of 70 Nellore bulls (18 ± 3 months of age) were used to determine the effects of crude glycerine (CG) replacing starch- v. fibre-based energy ingredients in low (LC; 0·40 concentrate) or high concentrate (HC; 0·60 concentrate) – on a dry matter (DM) basis – on DM intake (DMI), methane emissions and growth. Ten bulls were slaughtered (reference group) to obtain the carcass gain (CrG). The 60 remaining bulls (374 ± 24·5 kg) were allocated to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (two concentrate levels, LC or HC; and three feeding regimes, FR). The FR were: CO – without CG and maize as an ingredient of concentrate; CGM – inclusion of CG (0·10 of DM) replacing maize in the concentrate; and CGSH – inclusion of CG (0·10 of DM) replacing soybean hulls (SH) in the concentrate. Bulls fed LC or HC had similar DMI (kg/d) and growth. The DMI and average daily gain (ADG) were similar among FR. Concentrate level and FR tended to interact for methane emissions (g) per kg DMI. Bulls fed CGM had a greater G : F (g CrG/kg DMI) than those fed CO or CGSH diets. Increasing dietary concentrate (0·40–0·60) did not affect intake, methane emissions, or growth. Inclusion of CG in diets to replace SH in LC diets tended to decrease methane emissions from animals. When CG replaces SH in the diets, CrG and G:F (g CrG/kg DMI) are decreased compared with bulls fed CGM.
First Measurement Results of new SDD Detectors with DEPFET Based readout Node and Minimized Input Capacitance
Authors: Treis J. , Bähr A. , Eckhardt R. , Heinzinger K. , Hermenau K. , Lutz G. , Majewski P. , Niculae A. , Soltau H. , Strüder L.
Published: August 2016

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Rapid-Response Behavioral Triage for Tics (RRBTT): A 2-Week Clinical Case Series
Authors: Kennedy Traci M. , Morris Adam T. , Walkup John T. , Barash Marissa , Michael Gettings Julie , Hankinson Jessica , Reynolds Elizabeth K. , Perry-Parrish Carisa , Ostrander Rick , Specht Matt W.
Published: August 2016

Traditional behavioral treatments for tic disorders in youth require 8 sessions delivered over 10 weeks. Treatment duration represents a major barrier for patients and families, hinders direct comparisons between behavioral treatment and front line medication, and may motivate front line pharmacotherapy in place of behavioral interventions. The current case series describes an accelerated rapid-response behavioral triage for tics (RRBTT) and treatment outcomes. A retrospective chart review was conducted on clinically referred patients ( n = 10). The RRBTT consisted of 8 sessions delivered over 2 weeks, with a 1-month booster and evaluation session. Primary outcome measures were completed by the therapist conjointly with the parent and child at baseline, 1 and 2 weeks after beginning treatment, and 1 month after completing treatment. On average, youth experienced significant reductions (17.9%) in the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale after 1 week of treatment and (40.8%) by the 2-week posttreatment assessment (effect size = .76). Posttreatment improvements in outcomes maintained at the 1-month follow-up with no additional treatment. Half of the patients ( n = 5) were rated as treatment responders, with 4 additional patients rated as receiving some benefit. The current findings highlight the flexible administration of an accelerated behavioral treatment, suggesting that the RRBTT may be effective in treating children and adolescents with tic disorders. These preliminary findings suggest the need for large-scale randomized controlled trials of RRBTT.
A cost-effective method to enhance adenoviral transduction of primary murine osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Buo Atum M , Williams Mark S , Kerr Jaclyn P , Stains Joseph P
Published: August 2016

We report here a method for the use of poly-l-lysine (PLL) to markedly improve the adenoviral transduction efficiency of primary murine osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in culture and in situ, which are typically difficult to transduce. We show by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry that the addition of PLL to the viral-containing medium significantly increases the number of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-positive osteoblasts and BMSCs transduced with an enhanced GFP-expressing adenovirus. We also demonstrate that PLL can greatly enhance the adenoviral transduction of osteoblasts and osteocytes in situ in ex vivo tibia and calvaria, as well as in long bone fragments. In addition, we validate that PLL can improve routine adenoviral transduction studies by permitting the use of low multiplicities of infection to obtain the desired biologic effect. Ultimately, the use of PLL to facilitate adenoviral gene transfer in osteogenic cells can provide a cost-effective means of performing efficient gene transfer studies in the context of bone research.
The chromatin remodeler DDM1 promotes hybrid vigor by regulating salicylic acid metabolism
Authors: Zhang Qingzhu , Li Yanqiang , Xu Tao , Srivastava Ashish Kumar , Wang Dong , Zeng Liang , Yang Lan , He Li , Zhang Heng , Zheng Zhimin , Yang Dong-Lei , Zhao Cheng , Dong Juan , Gong Zhizhong , Liu Renyi , Zhu Jian-Kang
Published: August 2016

In plants, hybrid vigor is influenced by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms; however, the molecular pathways are poorly understood. We investigated the potential contributions of epigenetic regulators to heterosis in Arabidposis and found that the chromatin remodeler DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) affects early seedling growth heterosis in Col/C24 hybrids. ddm1 mutants showed impaired heterosis and increased expression of non-additively expressed genes related to salicylic acid metabolism. Interestingly, our data suggest that salicylic acid is a hormetic regulator of seedling growth heterosis, and that hybrid vigor arises from crosses that produce optimal salicylic acid levels. Although DNA methylation failed to correlate with differential non-additively expressed gene expression, we uncovered DDM1 as an epigenetic link between salicylic acid metabolism and heterosis, and propose that the endogenous salicylic acid levels of parental plants can be used to predict the heterotic outcome. Salicylic acid protects plants from pathogens and abiotic stress. Thus, our findings suggest that stress-induced hormesis, which has been associated with increased longevity in other organisms, may underlie specific hybrid vigor traits.
Ferromagnetic particles as magnetic resonance imaging temperature sensors
Authors: Hankiewicz J. H. , Celinski Z. , Stupic K. F. , Anderson N. R. , Camley R. E.
Published: August 2016

Magnetic resonance imaging is an important technique for identifying different types of tissues in a body or spatial information about composite materials. Because temperature is a fundamental parameter reflecting the biological status of the body and individual tissues, it would be helpful to have temperature maps superimposed on spatial maps. Here we show that small ferromagnetic particles with a strong temperature-dependent magnetization, can be used to produce temperature-dependent images in magnetic resonance imaging with an accuracy of about 1 °C. This technique, when further developed, could be used to identify inflammation or tumours, or to obtain spatial maps of temperature in various medical interventional procedures such as hyperthermia and thermal ablation. This method could also be used to determine temperature profiles inside nonmetallic composite materials.
Balanced translocation linked to psychiatric disorder, glutamate, and cortical structure/function
Authors: Thomson Pippa A , Duff Barbara , Blackwood Douglas H R , Romaniuk Liana , Watson Andrew , Whalley Heather C , Li Xiang , Dauvermann Maria R , Moorhead T William J , Bois Catherine , Ryan Niamh M , Redpath Holly , Hall Lynsey , Morris Stewart W , van Beek Edwin J R , Roberts Neil , Porteous David J , St. Clair David , Whitcher Brandon , Dunlop John , Brandon Nicholas J , Hughes Zoë A , Hall Jeremy , McIntosh Andrew , Lawrie Stephen M
Published: August 2016

Rare genetic variants of large effect can help elucidate the pathophysiology of brain disorders. Here we expand the clinical and genetic analyses of a family with a (1;11)(q42;q14.3) translocation multiply affected by major psychiatric illness and test the effect of the translocation on the structure and function of prefrontal, and temporal brain regions. The translocation showed significant linkage (LOD score 6.1) with a clinical phenotype that included schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and recurrent major depressive disorder. Translocation carriers showed reduced cortical thickness in the left temporal lobe, which correlated with general psychopathology and positive psychotic symptom severity. They showed reduced gyrification in prefrontal cortex, which correlated with general psychopathology severity. Translocation carriers also showed significantly increased activation in the caudate nucleus on increasing verbal working memory load, as well as statistically significant reductions in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex glutamate concentrations. These findings confirm that the t(1;11) translocation is associated with a significantly increased risk of major psychiatric disorder and suggest a general vulnerability to psychopathology through altered cortical structure and function, and decreased glutamate levels.
Learning strategies: a synthesis and conceptual model
Authors: Hattie John A C , Donoghue Gregory M
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this article is to explore a model of learning that proposes that various learning strategies are powerful at certain stages in the learning cycle. The model describes three inputs and outcomes (skill, will and thrill), success criteria, three phases of learning (surface, deep and transfer) and an acquiring and consolidation phase within each of the surface and deep phases. A synthesis of 228 meta-analyses led to the identification of the most effective strategies. The results indicate that there is a subset of strategies that are effective, but this effectiveness depends on the phase of the model in which they are implemented. Further, it is best not to run separate sessions on learning strategies but to embed the various strategies within the content of the subject, to be clearer about developing both surface and deep learning, and promoting their associated optimal strategies and to teach the skills of transfer of learning. The article concludes with a discussion of questions raised by the model that need further research.
Prostate-specific extracellular vesicles as a novel biomarker in human prostate cancer
Authors: Park Yong Hyun , Shin Hyun Woo , Jung Ae Ryang , Kwon Oh Sung , Choi Yeong-Jin , Park Jaesung , Lee Ji Youl
Published: August 2016

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play an important role in cancer development and progression. We aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of prostate-specific EVs in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Plasma and prostate tissue were collected from patients who underwent surgery for PCa (n = 82) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 28). To analyze the quantity of EVs in prostate, we performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immuno-TEM with CD63 and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), and immunofluorescence staining. After EV isolation from plasma, CD63 and PSMA concentration was measured using ELISA kits. PSMA-positive areas in prostate differed in patients with BPH, and low-, intermediate-, and high-risk PCa (2.4, 8.2, 17.5, 26.5%, p < 0.001). Plasma PSMA-positive EV concentration differed in patients with BPH, and low-, intermediate-, and high-risk PCa (21.9, 43.4, 49.2, 59.9 ng/mL, p < 0.001), and ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma PSMA-positive EV concentration differentiated PCa from BPH (AUC 0.943). Patients with lower plasma PSMA-positive EV concentration had greater prostate volume (50.2 vs. 33.4 cc, p < 0.001) and lower pathologic Gleason score (p = 0.025). During the median follow-up of 18 months, patients with lower plasma PSMA-positive EV concentration tended to have a lower risk of biochemical failure than those with higher levels of prostate-specific EVs (p = 0.085).
No evidence for spectral jamming avoidance in echolocation behavior of foraging pipistrelle bats
Authors: Götze Simone , Koblitz Jens C. , Denzinger Annette , Schnitzler Hans-Ulrich
Published: August 2016

Frequency shifts in signals of bats flying near conspecifics have been interpreted as a spectral jamming avoidance response (JAR). However, several prerequisites supporting a JAR hypothesis have not been controlled for in previous studies. We recorded flight and echolocation behavior of foraging Pipistrellus pipistrellus while flying alone and with a conspecific and tested whether frequency changes were due to a spectral JAR with an increased frequency difference, or whether changes could be explained by other reactions. P. pipistrellus reacted to conspecifics with a reduction of sound duration and often also pulse interval, accompanied by an increase in terminal frequency. This reaction is typical of behavioral situations where targets of interest have captured the bat’s attention and initiated a more detailed exploration. All observed frequency changes were predicted by the attention reaction alone, and do not support the JAR hypothesis of increased frequency separation. Reaction distances of 1–11 m suggest that the attention response may be elicited either by detection of the conspecific by short range active echolocation or by long range passive acoustic detection of echolocation calls.
Novel Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-g-vinyl alcohol) Polyurethane Scaffold for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Reyes Adriana Pétriz , Martínez Torres Ataúlfo , Carreón Castro Ma. del Pilar , Rodríguez Talavera José Rogelio , Muñoz Susana Vargas , Aguilar Víctor Manuel Velázquez , Torres Maykel González
Published: August 2016

The design of new synthetic grafted poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as composite 3D-scaffolds is a convenient alternative for tissue engineering applications. The chemically modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is receiving increasing attention for use as biomimetic copolymers for cell growth. As of yet, these copolymers cannot be used efficiently because of the lack of good mechanical properties. Here, we address this challenge, preparing a composite-scaffold of grafted poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) polyurethane for the first time. However, it is unclear if the composite structure and morphology can also offer a biological application. We obtained the polyurethane by mixing a polyester hydroxylated resin with polyisocyanate and the modified polyhydroxyalkanoates. The results show that the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) grafted with poly(vinyl alcohol) can be successfully used as a chain extender to form a chemically-crosslinked thermosetting polymer. Furthermore, we show a proposal for the mechanism of the polyurethane synthesis, the analysis of its morphology and the ability of the scaffolds for growing mammalian cells. We demonstrated that astrocytes isolated from mouse cerebellum and HEK293 can be cultured in the prepared material and express efficiently fluorescent proteins by adenoviral transduction. We also tested the metabolism of Ca2+ to obtain evidence of the biological activity.
A ‘suicide’ CRISPR-Cas9 system to promote gene deletion and restoration by electroporation in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Wang Yu , Wei Dongsheng , Zhu Xiangyang , Pan Jiao , Zhang Ping , Huo Liang , Zhu Xudong
Published: August 2016

Loss-of-function mutagenesis is an important tool used to characterize gene functions and the CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful method for performing targeted mutagenesis in organisms that present low recombination frequencies, such as the serotype D strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. However, when the CRISPR-Cas9 system persists in the host cells, off-target effects and Cas9 cytotoxicity may occur, which might block subsequent genetic manipulation. Here, we report a method of spontaneously eliminating the CRISPR-Cas9 system without impairing its robust editing function. We successfully expressed single guide RNA under the driver of an endogenous U6 promoter and the human codon-optimized Cas9 endonuclease with an ACT1 promoter. This system can effectively generate an indel mutation and efficiently perform targeted gene disruption via homology-directed repair by electroporation in yeast. We then demonstrated the spontaneous elimination of the system via a cis arrangement of the CRISPR-Cas9 expression cassettes to the recombination construct. After a system-mediated double crossover, the CRISPR-Cas9 cassettes were cleaved and degraded, which was validated by Southern blotting. This ‘suicide’ CRISPR-Cas9 system enables the validation of gene functions by subsequent complementation and has the potential to minimize off-target effects. Thus, this technique has the potential for use in functional genomics studies of C. neoformans.
An atomic symmetry-controlled thermal switch
Authors: Manzano Daniel , Kyoseva Elica
Published: August 2016

We propose a simple diatomic system trapped inside an optical cavity to control the energy flow between two thermal baths. Through the action of the baths the system is driven to a non-equilibrium steady state. Using the Large Deviation theory we show that the number of photons flowing between the two baths is dramatically different depending on the symmetry of the atomic states. Here we present a deterministic scheme to prepare symmetric and antisymmetric atomic states with the use of external driving fields, thus implementing an atomic control switch for the energy flow.
A Nanoscale Interface Promoting Molecular and Functional Differentiation of Neural Cells
Authors: Posati Tamara , Pistone Assunta , Saracino Emanuela , Formaggio Francesco , Mola Maria Grazia , Troni Elisabetta , Sagnella Anna , Nocchetti Morena , Barbalinardo Marianna , Valle Francesco , Bonetti Simone , Caprini Marco , Nicchia Grazia Paola , Zamboni Roberto , Muccini Michele , Benfenati Valentina
Published: August 2016

Potassium channels and aquaporins expressed by astrocytes are key players in the maintenance of cerebral homeostasis and in brain pathophysiologies. One major challenge in the study of astrocyte membrane channels in vitro, is that their expression pattern does not resemble the one observed in vivo. Nanostructured interfaces represent a significant resource to control the cellular behaviour and functionalities at micro and nanoscale as well as to generate novel and more reliable models to study astrocytes in vitro. However, the potential of nanotechnologies in the manipulation of astrocytes ion channels and aquaporins has never been previously reported. Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) are layered materials with increasing potential as biocompatible nanoscale interface. Here, we evaluate the effect of the interaction of HTlc nanoparticles films with primary rat neocortical astrocytes. We show that HTlc films are biocompatible and do not promote gliotic reaction, while favouring astrocytes differentiation by induction of F-actin fibre alignment and vinculin polarization. Western Blot, Immunofluorescence and patch-clamp revealed that differentiation was accompanied by molecular and functional up-regulation of both inward rectifying potassium channel Kir 4.1 and aquaporin 4, AQP4. The reported results pave the way to engineering novel in vitro models to study astrocytes in a in vivo like condition.
Band gap bowing in NixMg1−xO
Authors: Niedermeier Christian A. , Råsander Mikael , Rhode Sneha , Kachkanov Vyacheslav , Zou Bin , Alford Neil , Moram Michelle A.
Published: August 2016

Epitaxial transparent oxide NixMg1−xO (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) thin films were grown on MgO(100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. High-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis indicate that the thin films are compositionally and structurally homogeneous, forming a completely miscible solid solution. Nevertheless, the composition dependence of the NixMg1−xO optical band gap shows a strong non-parabolic bowing with a discontinuity at dilute NiO concentrations of x < 0.037. Density functional calculations of the NixMg1−xO band structure and the density of states demonstrate that deep Ni 3d levels are introduced into the MgO band gap, which significantly reduce the fundamental gap as confirmed by optical absorption spectra. These states broaden into a Ni 3d-derived conduction band for x > 0.074 and account for the anomalously large band gap narrowing in the NixMg1−xO solid solution system.
A Versatile and Scalable Approach toward Robust Superhydrophobic Porous Materials with Excellent Absorbency and Flame Retardancy
Authors: Ruan Changping , Shen Mengxia , Ren Xiaoyan , Ai Kelong , Lu Lehui
Published: August 2016

The frequent oil spillages and the industrial discharge of organic contaminants have not only created severe environmental and ecological crises, but also cause a risk of fire and explosion. These environmental and safety issues emphasize the urgent need for materials that possess superior sorption capability and less flammability and thus can effectively and safely clean up the floating oils and water-insoluble organic compounds. Here we present the successful hydrophobic modification of the flame retardant melamine sponge with a commercial fluorosilicone, by using a facile one-step solvent-free approach and demonstrate that the resultant superhydrophobic sponge not only exhibits extraordinary absorption efficiency (including high capacity, superior selectivity, good recyclability, and simple recycling routes), but also retains excellent flame retardancy and robust stability. In comparison to conventional methods, which usually utilize massive organic solvents, the present approach does not involve any complicated process or sophisticated equipment nor generates any waste liquids, and thus is a more labor-saving, environment-friendly, energy-efficient and cost-effective strategy for the hydrophobic modification. Taking into account the critical role of hydrophobic porous materials, especially in the field of environmental remediation, the approach presented herein would be highly valuable for environmental remediation and industrial applications.
Identification of IL6 as a susceptibility gene for major depressive disorder
Authors: Zhang Chen , Wu Zhiguo , Zhao Guoqing , Wang Fan , Fang Yiru
Published: August 2016

Our previous work implied that interleukin 6 (IL6) may be a biological marker for major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, we performed a comprehensive genetic study to determine the association between the gene encoding IL6 (IL6) and MDD in Han Chinese. There were 50 drug-naïve MDD patients and 50 healthy controls undergoing an mRNA expression study. A sample of 772 patients with MDD and 759 healthy controls were used for genetic analysis. Next, we performed an eQTL analysis to identify whether risk SNP(s) is associated with IL6 expression in brain. Our results showed that patients with MDD have higher levels of IL6 than healthy controls (P = 0.008). The SNP rs1800797 has a significant association with MDD (P = 0.01) in a dominant model. The eQTL analysis showed a marginally significant association between the rs1800797 and IL6 expression in the frontal cortex (P = 0.087). Our preliminary findings are suggestive of an association between rs1800797 and the risk of MDD. Further investigations are required to evaluate this association in larger samples to increase statistical power and to examine the correlation between rs1800797 and IL6 methylation patterns.
Mode jumping of split-ring resonator metamaterials controlled by high-permittivity BST and incident electric fields
Authors: Fu Xiaojian , Zeng Xinxi , Cui Tie Jun , Lan Chuwen , Guo Yunsheng , Zhang Hao Chi , Zhang Qian
Published: August 2016

We investigate the resonant modes of split-ring resonator (SRR) metamaterials that contain high-permittivity BST block numerically and experimentally. We observe interesting mode-jumping phenomena from the BST-included SRR absorber structure as the excitation wave is incident perpendicularly to the SRR plane. Specifically, when the electric field is parallel to the SRR gap, the BST block in the gap will induce a mode jumping from the LC resonance to plasmonic resonance (horizontal electric-dipole mode), because the displacement current excited by the Mie resonance in the dielectric block acts as a current channel in the gap. When the electric field is perpendicular to the gap side, the plasmonic resonance mode (vertical electric-dipole mode) in SRR changes to two joint modes contributed simultaneously by the back layer, SRR and BST block, as a result of connected back layer and SRR layer by the displacement current in the BST dielectric block. Based on the mode jumping effect as well as temperature and electric-field dependent dielectric constant, the BST-included SRR metamaterials may have great potentials for the applications in electromagnetic switches and widely tunable metamaterial devices.
MATSAP: An automated analysis of stretch-attend posture in rodent behavioral experiments
Authors: Holly Kevin S. , Orndorff Casey O. , Murray Teresa A.
Published: August 2016

Stretch-attend posture (SAP) occurs during risk assessment and is prevalent in common rodent behavioral tests. Measuring this behavior can enhance behavioral tests. For example, stretch-attend posture is a more sensitive measure of the effects of anxiolytics than traditional spatiotemporal indices. However, quantifying stretch-attend posture using human observers is time consuming, somewhat subjective, and prone to errors. We have developed MATLAB-based software, MATSAP, which is a quick, consistent, and open source program that provides objective automated analysis of stretch-attend posture in rodent behavioral experiments. Unlike human observers, MATSAP is not susceptible to fatigue or subjectivity. We assessed MATSAP performance with videos of male Swiss mice moving in an open field box and in an elevated plus maze. MATSAP reliably detected stretch-attend posture on par with human observers. This freely-available program can be broadly used by biologists and psychologists to accelerate neurological, pharmacological, and behavioral studies.
Ballistocardiogram: Mechanism and Potential for Unobtrusive Cardiovascular Health Monitoring
Authors: Kim Chang-Sei , Ober Stephanie L. , McMurtry M. Sean , Finegan Barry A. , Inan Omer T. , Mukkamala Ramakrishna , Hahn Jin-Oh
Published: August 2016

For more than a century, it has been known that the body recoils each time the heart ejects blood into the arteries. These subtle cardiogenic body movements have been measured with increasingly convenient ballistocardiography (BCG) instruments over the years. A typical BCG measurement shows several waves, most notably the “I”, “J” and “K” waves. However, the mechanism for the genesis of these waves has remained elusive. We formulated a simple mathematical model of the BCG waveform. We showed that the model could predict the BCG waves as well as physiologic timings and amplitudes of the major waves. The validated model reveals that the principal mechanism for the genesis of the BCG waves is blood pressure gradients in the ascending and descending aorta. This new mechanistic insight may be exploited to allow BCG to realize its potential for unobtrusive monitoring and diagnosis of cardiovascular health and disease.
Cell-based phenotypic screening of mast cell degranulation unveils kinetic perturbations of agents targeting phosphorylation
Authors: Qin Shenlu , Wang Xumeng , Wu Huanwen , Xiao Peng , Cheng Hongqiang , Zhang Xue , Ke Yuehai
Published: August 2016

Mast cells play an essential role in initiating allergic diseases. The activation of mast cells are controlled by a complicated signal network of reversible phosphorylation and finding the key regulators involved in this network has been the focus of the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, we used a method named Time-dependent cell responding profile (TCRP) to track the process of mast cell degranulation under various perturbations caused by agents targeting phosphorylation. To test the feasibility of this high-throughput cell-based phenotypic screening method, a variety of biological techniques were used. We further screened 145 inhibitors and clustered them based on the similarities of their TCRPs. Stat3 phosphorylation has been widely reported as a key step in mast cell degranulation. Interestingly, our TCRP results showed that a Stat3 inhibitor JSI124 did not inhibit degranulation like other Stat3 inhibitors, such as Stattic, clearly inhibited degranulation. Regular endpoint assays demonstrated that the distinctive TCRP of JSI124 potentially correlated with the ability to induce apoptosis. Consequently, different agents possibly have disparate functions, which can be conveniently detected by TCRP. From this perspective, our TCRP screening method is reliable and sensitive when it comes to discovering and selecting novel compounds for new drug developments.
Impact of polygenic schizophrenia-related risk and hippocampal volumes on the onset of psychosis
Authors: Harrisberger F , Smieskova R , Vogler C , Egli T , Schmidt A , Lenz C , Simon A E , Riecher-Rössler A , Papassotiropoulos A , Borgwardt S
Published: August 2016

Alterations in hippocampal volume are a known marker for first-episode psychosis (FEP) as well as for the clinical high-risk state. The Polygenic Schizophrenia-related Risk Score (PSRS), derived from a large case–control study, indicates the polygenic predisposition for schizophrenia in our clinical sample. A total of 65 at-risk mental state (ARMS) and FEP patients underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. We used automatic segmentation of hippocampal volumes using the FSL-FIRST software and an odds-ratio-weighted PSRS based on the publicly available top single-nucleotide polymorphisms from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium genome-wide association study (GWAS). We observed a negative association between the PSRS and hippocampal volumes (β=−0.42, P=0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI)=(−0.72 to −0.12)) across FEP and ARMS patients. Moreover, a higher PSRS was significantly associated with a higher probability of an individual being assigned to the FEP group relative to the ARMS group (β=0.64, P=0.03, 95% CI=(0.08–1.29)). These findings provide evidence that a subset of schizophrenia risk variants is negatively associated with hippocampal volumes, and higher values of this PSRS are significantly associated with FEP compared with the ARMS. This implies that FEP patients have a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia than the total cohort of ARMS patients. The identification of associations between genetic risk variants and structural brain alterations will increase our understanding of the neurobiology underlying the transition to psychosis.
Correction: Selective and broad spectrum amphiphilic small molecules to combat bacterial resistance and eradicate biofilms
Authors: Hoque Jiaul , Konai Mohini M. , Samaddar Sandip , Gonuguntala Spandhana , Manjunath Goutham B. , Ghosh Chandradhish , Haldar Jayanta
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Selective and broad spectrum amphiphilic small molecules to combat bacterial resistance and eradicate biofilms’ by Jiaul Hoque et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 13670–13673.
The effect of the dopant nature on the reactivity, interlayer bonding and electronic properties of dual doped bilayer graphene
Authors: Denis Pablo A. , Iribarne Federico
Published: August 2016

Heteroatom doping of bilayer graphene can be used to modify the reactivity, magnetic moment and chemical reactivity of the undoped layer!
Interactions between heme and tau-derived R1 peptides: binding and oxidative reactivity
Authors: Pirota V. , Monzani E. , Dell'Acqua S. , Casella L.
Published: August 2016

The first octadecapeptide repeat fragment of tau, R1τ, in both N-terminal amine free and acetylated forms, binds with moderate affinity to both monomeric and dimeric hemin forming 1 : 1 complexes, but does not form a 2 : 1 complex. The peroxidase activity of hemin-R1τ complexes and the effect of hemin on the aggregation properties of R1τ have been also studied.
Cytotoxicity and biodistribution studies of luminescent Au(i) and Ag(i) N-heterocyclic carbenes. Searching for new biological targets
Authors: Visbal Renso , Fernández-Moreira Vanesa , Marzo Isabel , Laguna Antonio , Gimeno M. Concepción
Published: August 2016

Gold and silver NHC complexes have been developed as theranostic agents. The unexpected biodistribution opens the door to new biological targets for gold and silver complexes.
Construction and function of a highly efficient supramolecular luminescent system
Authors: Liu Yingjie , Ma Suqian , Xu Bin , Tian Wenjing
Published: August 2016

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) provides a new way of achieving highly efficient luminescent materials. In this contribution, the self-assembly behavior, molecular stacking structure and photophysical properties of two polymorphs of a supramolecular co-crystal (C1 and C2) are investigated. The block-like crystal C1, packed in segregated stacking with strong π–π interactions between the H and G molecules, shows weak green emission with a low efficiency (ΦF) of 2%. In comparison, the needle-like crystal C2, packed in segregated stacking with no obviously strong intermolecular interactions, shows bright yellow emission. More importantly, C1 exhibits mechanochromic behavior.
The effect of a plant extract enriched in stigmasterol and β-sitosterol on glycaemic status and glucose metabolism in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Ramu Ramith , Shirahatti Prithvi S. , Nayakavadi Shivasharanappa , R Vadivelan , Zameer Farhan , Dhananjaya Bhadrapura Lakkappa , Prasad MN Nagendra
Published: August 2016

Banana is an extensively cultivated plant worldwide, mainly for its fruit, while its ancillary product, the banana pseudostem, is consumed as a vegetable and is highly recommended for diabetics in the traditional Indian medicine system.
Ferromagnetism in polynuclear systems based on non-linear [MnII2MnIII] building blocks
Authors: Cirera Jordi , Jiang Yuan , Qin Lei , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Li Guanghua , Wu Gang , Ruiz Eliseo
Published: August 2016

Design of new polynuclear transition metal complexes showing ferromagnetic interactions to achieve high spin values is an important challenge due to the scarcity of bridging ligands that provide such coupling.
Beyond Fischer and Schrock carbenes: non-heteroatom-stabilized group 6 metal carbene complexes – a general overview
Authors: Santamaría Javier , Aguilar Enrique
Published: August 2016

Non-heteroatom-stabilized group 6 metal carbene complexes: versatile reagents or intermediates in stoichiometric or catalytic reactions in organic synthesis.
DFT study of composites formed by M2metallic clusters (M = Ni, Cu, Fe and Au) embedded in faujasite
Authors: Antúnez-García Joel , Posada-Amarillas A. , Galván D. H. , Smolentseva E. , Petranovskii V. , Moyado Sergio Fuentes
Published: August 2016

The present work is a theoretical study of different frameworks and composites of faujasite (FAU) zeolite.
Voltage pulse controlling multilevel data ferroelectric storage memory with a nonepitaxial ultrathin film
Authors: Hou Pengfei , Wang Jinbin , Zhong Xiangli , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Xiong , Tan Congbing , Li Bo
Published: August 2016

Multilevel data ferroelectric storage memory is a breakthrough for addressing low density in ferroelectric random access memories.
Exploring the anti-breast cancer potential of flavonoid analogs
Authors: Thakor Vanrajsinh , Poddar Mayur , Dey Sumit , Manjula S. N. , Madhunapantula SubbaRao V. , Pawara Rahul , Patel Harun M. , Noolvi Malleshappa N.
Published: August 2016

In the course of our search for new antitumor agents for breast cancer, novel flavone derivatives were synthesized, characterized and examined for their antitumor activities against breast cancer cell lines.
Cuprous oxide template synthesis of hollow-cubic Cu2O@PdxRuynanoparticles for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline media
Authors: Liu Peng , Cheng Zhiyu , Ma Le , Zhang Min , Qiu Yongfu , Chen Meiqiong , Cheng Faliang
Published: August 2016

Surfactant-free and low Pd loading Cu2O@PdxRuyhollow-cubes were facilely prepared and their electrocatalytic performance for ethanol electrooxidation were investigated.
A QCM-based ‘on–off’ mechanistic study of gas adsorption by plasmid DNA and DNA–[Bmim][PF6] construct
Authors: Soni Sarvesh Kumar , Kabir K. M. Mohibul , Babarao Ravichandar , Coyle Victoria E. , Sarkar Sampa , Sabri Ylias M. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: August 2016

The study of the adsorption behavior of disease markers such as ammonia (NH3) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) with biomaterials has been presented to enable the development of self-diagnosis technologies, among others.
Formation of nanoneedle Cu(0)/CuS nanohybrid thin film by the disproportionation of a copper(i) complex at an oil–water interface and its application for dye degradation
Authors: Hoseini S. Jafar , Fath Roghayeh Hashemi
Published: August 2016

A toluene–water planar interface has been used as an ideal template for the self-assembly of a nanoneedle Cu(0)/CuS nanohybrid thin film and Cu(0)/CuS nanoneedles as efficient catalysts for dye degradation.
Heterobimetallic dinuclear lanthanide alkoxide complexes as acid–base bifunctional catalysts for synthesis of carbamates under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Zeng Ruijie , Bao Linquan , Sheng Hongting , Sun Lili , Chen Man , Feng Yan , Zhu Manzhou
Published: August 2016

Heterobimetallic dinuclear lanthanide alkoxide complexes Ln2Na8(OCH2CH2NMe2)12(OH)2 [Ln: I (Nd), II (Sm), III (Yb) and IV (Y)] were used as efficient acid–base bifunctional catalysts for the synthesis of carbamates and the N-Boc protection of amines.