bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The radial forearm snake flap: A novel approach to oral cavity and oropharyngeal reconstruction that reduces forearm donor site morbidity
Authors: Garg Ravi K. , Wieland Aaron M. , Poore Samuel O. , Sanchez Ruston , Hartig Gregory K.
Published: June 2015

Background

Radial forearm free flaps are a versatile option for head and neck reconstruction, but often complicated by donor‐site problems including skin‐graft loss and wound breakdown. We introduce the radial forearm “snake” flap as a technique enabling primary donor site closure and compare wound healing outcomes to flap donor sites requiring split thickness skin graft (STSG) closure.

Patients and Methods

A review of all radial forearm free flaps harvested over a 5‐year period was performed. We identified 18 radial forearm snake flaps whose donor sites were closed primarily. These flaps were designed as a long, narrow ellipse parallel to the forearm. An additional 57 forearm flaps were identified whose donor sites were closed with STSGs. Patient demographics, free flap survival rates, and wound healing complications were compared.

Results

The survival rate for radial forearm snake flaps was 100% compared to 98.2% for wider radial forearm flaps (P = 1.00). There were 8 tendon exposures at the donor site, all of which occurred in patients whose donor sites were closed with STSGs. Delayed wound healing occurred in 1 radial forearm snake flap donor site (5.6%) compared to 18 (31.6%) donor sites closed with STSGs (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Radial forearm snake flaps are useful for reconstruction of small to medium size defects of the oral cavity and oropharynx and enable primary donor site closure. Flap success rates are not compromised by raising a radial forearm snake flap and rates of delayed healing of the flap donor site are significantly reduced compared to forearm flap donor sites closed with STSGs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:6–11, 2017.
Convergence analysis of a block improvement method for polynomial optimization over unit spheres
Authors: Wang Yiju , Caccetta Louis , Zhou Guanglu
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we study the convergence property of a block improvement method (BIM) for the bi‐quadratic polynomial optimization problem over unit spheres. We establish the global convergence of the method generally and establish its linear convergence rate under the second‐order sufficient condition. We also extend the BIM to inhomogeneous polynomial optimization problems over unit spheres. Numerical results reported in this paper show that the method is promising. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic mechanical property and interlaminar shear strength of the carbon fabric reinforced polyetherimide composite based on the polyetherimide resin films
Authors: Tan Zhongyang , Wang Jun , Ma Yanqiong , Wang Daming , Zhao Xiaogang , Chen Chunhai
Published: June 2015

In this study, the laminates reinforced with the concentrated nitric acid or acetone treated carbon fabrics were prepared based on polyetherimide films with different thickness including 30 μm and 50 μm, respectively. 4 Harness Satin (4HS) and 5 Harness Satin (5HS) carbon fabrics were used as the reinforcements of the composite laminates. Three impact factors, including the polyetherimide film thickness, fabric treatment method and fabric type, were considered in this study. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) measurement shown that the thicker polyetherimide film (50 μm), 4HS carbon fabric and the nitric acid treatment of the fabric could be used to increase the ILSS value because of the improvement of the interfacial property for the laminate. The 50 μm thickness polyetherimide films used in the laminates improved the storage modulus, and decreased the glass transition temperatures (Tgs) by DMA or DSC. It was because that the better interfacial property and the stronger mobility of the polymer chain under the greater residual internal stress in the laminate was obtained with the increase of the polyetherimide film thickness. The nitric acid treatment of the fabric increased the Tgs measured by DMA and DSC, and decreased the tan δ peak values of the laminates because of the stronger interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the resin and the decreased mobility of the polymer chain. In addition, the effects of above three impact factors on the ILSS, storage modulus, loss modulus, tan δ and the Tg of the laminate were discussed in detail by ILSS, DMA and DSC measurement, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:663–672, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Construction of a robust and sensitive arginine biosensor through ancestral protein reconstruction
Authors: Whitfield Jason H. , Zhang William H. , Herde Michel K. , Clifton Ben E. , Radziejewski Johanna , Janovjak Harald , Henneberger Christian , Jackson Colin J.
Published: June 2015

Biosensors for signaling molecules allow the study of physiological processes by bringing together the fields of protein engineering, fluorescence imaging, and cell biology. Construction of genetically encoded biosensors generally relies on the availability of a binding “core” that is both specific and stable, which can then be combined with fluorescent molecules to create a sensor. However, binding proteins with the desired properties are often not available in nature and substantial improvement to sensors can be required, particularly with regard to their durability. Ancestral protein reconstruction is a powerful protein‐engineering tool able to generate highly stable and functional proteins. In this work, we sought to establish the utility of ancestral protein reconstruction to biosensor development, beginning with the construction of an l‐arginine biosensor. l‐arginine, as the immediate precursor to nitric oxide, is an important molecule in many physiological contexts including brain function. Using a combination of ancestral reconstruction and circular permutation, we constructed a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for l‐arginine (cpFLIPR). cpFLIPR displays high sensitivity and specificity, with a Kd of ∼14 µM and a maximal dynamic range of 35%. Importantly, cpFLIPR was highly robust, enabling accurate l‐arginine measurement at physiological temperatures. We established that cpFLIPR is compatible with two‐photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and report l‐arginine concentrations in brain tissue.
Peer influence processes for youth delinquency and depression
Authors: Reynolds Andrew D. , Crea Thomas M.
Published: June 2015

This study explores the multiple factors that account for peer influence processes of adolescent delinquency and depression using data from Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Random‐effects longitudinal negative binomial models were used to predict depression and delinquency, controlling for social connection variables to account for selection bias. Findings suggest peer depression and delinquency are both predictive of youth delinquency, while peer influences of depression are much more modest. Youth who are more connected to parents and communities and who are more popular within their networks are more susceptible to peer influence, while self‐regulating youth are less susceptible. We find support for theories of popularity‐socialization as well as weak‐ties in explaining social network factors that amplify or constrain peer influence. We argue that practitioners working with youth should consider network‐informed interventions to improve program efficacy and avoid iatrogenic effects.
Modelling the interplay between nitrogen cycling processes and mitigation options in farming catchments
Authors: DURAND P. , MOREAU P. , SALMON-MONVIOLA J. , RUIZ L. , VERTES F. , GASCUEL-ODOUX C.
Published: June 2015

Quantitative assessment of mitigation measures for nitrogen (N) pollution requires adequate models, good knowledge of catchment functioning and a thorough understanding of agricultural systems and stakeholder constraints. The current paper analyses a set of results from simulations, with two models, of agricultural changes in two catchments in different contexts with different constraints. The results show that reducing N inputs and increasing grassland areas are the most efficient measures, not only because they reduce N fluxes in streams but also because they enhance N use by agriculture and the whole catchment system. Introducing catch crops, hedgerows and riparian buffers are interesting complementary measures but of limited impact when implemented alone. These results are sensitive to the way mitigation measures are translated into model inputs, and their operational implications are discussed.
A Target Information Display for Visualising Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres in Various Visibility Conditions
Authors: Szlapczynski Rafal , Szlapczynska Joanna
Published: June 2015

The paper introduces a new approach to displaying information on targets. The proposed display visualises three types of information: targets' motion parameters (typical for target tracking), combinations of own course and speed which collide with those targets (typical for Collision Threat Parameters Area display by Lenart (1983)) and combinations of own course and speed which are not compliant with COLREGS in this case (based on ships' motion parameters and visibility conditions). A superposition of the last two types of data enables a navigator to quickly choose a collision avoidance manoeuvre which is both sufficient and COLREGS-compliant. Additionally, the displayed data may be filtered based on the remaining Time To Collision (TTC) so that navigators can concentrate on direct threats. The paper includes a description of the proposed visualisation technique as well as examples of visualised data for some encounter situations.
It’s Lovely at the Top: Hierarchical Levels, Identities, and Perceptions of Organizational Ethics
Authors: Treviño Linda Klebe , Weaver Gary R. , Brown Michael E.
Published: June 2015

Senior managers are important to the successful management of ethics in organizations. Therefore, their perceptions of organizational ethics are important. In this study, we propose that senior managers are likely to have a more positive perception of organizational ethics than lower level employees do largely because of their managerial role and their corresponding identification with the organization and need to protect the organization’s image as well as their own identity. By contrast, lower level employees are more likely to be cynical about the organization’s ethics. In order to compare senior managers’ and lower level employees’ perceptions of ethics in the organization, we surveyed randomly selected senior managers and lower level employees in three firms. We found that perceptions of ethics in the organization differed predictably across levels, with senior managers’ perceptions being significantly more positive and lower level employees’ perceptions being more negative. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Non-linear education gradient across the nutrition transition: mothers’ overweight and the population education transition
Authors: Jeon Haram , Salinas Daniel , Baker David P
Published: June 2015

Objective

Previous studies found that developed and developing countries present opposite education–overweight gradients but have not considered the dynamics at different levels of national development. An inverted U-shaped curve is hypothesized to best describe the education–overweight association. It is also hypothesized that as the nutrition transition unfolds within nations the shape of education–overweight curve changes.

Design

Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the moderating effect of the nutrition transition at the population level on the education–overweight gradient. At the individual level, a non-linear estimate of the education association was used to assess the optimal functional form of the association across the nutrition transition.

Setting

Twenty-two administrations of the Demographic and Health Survey, collected at different time points across the nutrition transition in nine Latin American/Caribbean countries.

Subjects

Mothers of reproductive age (15–49 years) in each administration (n143 258).

Results

In the pooled sample, a non-linear education gradient on mothers’ overweight was found; each additional year of schooling increases the probability of being overweight up to the end of primary schooling, after which each additional year of schooling decreases the probability of overweight. Also, as access to diets high in animal fats and sweeteners increases over time, the curve’s critical point moves to lower education levels, the detrimental positive effect of education diminishes, and both occur as the overall risk of overweight increases with greater access to harmful diets.

Conclusions

Both hypotheses were supported. As the nutrition transition progresses, the education–overweight curve shifts steadily to a negative linear association with a higher average risk of overweight; and education, at increasingly lower levels, acts as a ‘social vaccine’ against increasing risk of overweight. These empirical patterns fit the general ‘population education transition’ curve hypothesis about how education’s influences on health risks are contextualized across population transitions.
Determinants of gestational night blindness in pregnant women from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Saunders Cláudia , Leal Maria do Carmo , Neves Paulo Augusto Ribeiro , Padilha Patricia de Carvalho , da Silva Letícia Barbosa Gabriel , Schilithz Arthur Orlando Corrêa
Published: June 2015

Objective

To describe the prevalence and determinants of gestational night blindness in pregnant women receiving care in a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Design

Cross-sectional study of pregnant and postpartum women receiving care in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro from 1999 to 2001 (group I; n 225) or from 2005 to 2008 (group II; n 381). Night blindness was identified through a standardized and validated interview (WHO, 1996). The determinants of gestational night blindness were identified through a hierarchical logistic regression model.

Setting

Public maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Subjects

Adult pregnant and postpartum women (n 606), aged ≥20 years.

Results

The prevalence of gestational night blindness was 9·9 %. The final model revealed that not living in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro (distal level: adjusted OR=1·846; 95 % CI 1·002, 3·401), belonging to group I (intermediate level: adjusted OR=2·183; 95 % CI 1·066, 4·471) and for the proximal level, having a history of abortion (adjusted OR=2·840; 95 % CI 1·134, 7·115) and having anaemia during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (adjusted OR=3·776; 95 % CI 1·579, 9·029) were determinants of gestational night blindness.

Conclusion

Gestational night blindness should be assessed for during the prenatal care of all pregnant women, especially those living in deprived areas of the city and/or who have a history of abortion or anaemia. Nutritional monitoring is recommended during pregnancy to control gestational night blindness.
Abnormal Metabolic Pattern Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson'S Disease: A Validation Study
Authors: Meles Sanne K , Tang Chris C , Teune Laura K , Dierckx Rudi A , Dhawan Vijay , Mattis Paul J , Leenders Klaus L , Eidelberg David
Published: June 2015

Cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD) have been associated with a specific metabolic covariance pattern. Although the expression of this PD cognition-related pattern (PDCP) correlates with neuropsychological performance, it is not known whether the PDCP topography is reproducible across PD populations. We therefore sought to identify a PDCP topography in a new sample comprised of 19 Dutch PD subjects. Network analysis of metabolic scans from these individuals revealed a significant PDCP that resembled the original network topography. Expression values for the new PDCP correlated ( P = 0.001) with executive dysfunction on the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Subject scores for the new PDCP correlated ( P < 0.001) with corresponding values for the original pattern, which also correlated ( P < 0.005) with FAB scores in this patient group. For further validation, subject scores for the new PDCP were computed in an independent group of 86 American PD patients. In this cohort, subject scores for the new and original PDCP topographies were closely correlated ( P < 0.001); significant correlations between pattern expression and cognitive performance ( P < 0.05) were observed for both PDCP topographies. These findings suggest that the PDCP is a replicable imaging marker of PD cognitive dysfunction.
Nondestructive and intuitive determination of circadian chlorophyll rhythms in soybean leaves using multispectral imaging
Authors: Pan Wen-Juan , Wang Xia , Deng Yong-Ren , Li Jia-Hang , Chen Wei , Chiang John Y. , Yang Jian-Bo , Zheng Lei
Published: June 2015

The circadian clock, synchronized by daily cyclic environmental cues, regulates diverse aspects of plant growth and development and increases plant fitness. Even though much is known regarding the molecular mechanism of circadian clock, it remains challenging to quantify the temporal variation of major photosynthesis products as well as their metabolic output in higher plants in a real-time, nondestructive and intuitive manner. In order to reveal the spatial-temporal scenarios of photosynthesis and yield formation regulated by circadian clock, multispectral imaging technique has been employed for nondestructive determination of circadian chlorophyll rhythms in soybean leaves. By utilizing partial least square regression analysis, the determination coefficients R2, 0.9483 for chlorophyll a and 0.8906 for chlorophyll b, were reached, respectively. The predicted chlorophyll contents extracted from multispectral data showed an approximately 24-h rhythm which could be entrained by external light conditions, consistent with the chlorophyll contents measured by chemical analyses. Visualization of chlorophyll map in each pixel offers an effective way to analyse spatial-temporal distribution of chlorophyll. Our results revealed the potentiality of multispectral imaging as a feasible nondestructive universal assay for examining clock function and robustness, as well as monitoring chlorophyll a and b and other biochemical components in plants.
The footprint of urban heat island effect in China
Authors: Zhou Decheng , Zhao Shuqing , Zhang Liangxia , Sun Ge , Liu Yongqiang
Published: June 2015

Urban heat island (UHI) is one major anthropogenic modification to the Earth system that transcends its physical boundary. Using MODIS data from 2003 to 2012, we showed that the UHI effect decayed exponentially toward rural areas for majority of the 32 Chinese cities. We found an obvious urban/rural temperature “cliff” and estimated that the footprint of UHI effect (FP, including urban area) was 2.3 and 3.9 times of urban size for the day and night, respectively, with large spatiotemporal heterogeneities. We further revealed that ignoring the FP may underestimate the UHI intensity in most cases and even alter the direction of UHI estimates for few cities. Our results provide new insights to the characteristics of UHI effect and emphasize the necessity of considering city- and time-specific FP when assessing the urbanization effects on local climate.
Fluorescence imaging for a noninvasive in vivo toxicity-test using a transgenic silkworm expressing green fluorescent protein
Authors: Inagaki Yoshinori , Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Ishii Masaki , Uchino Keiro , Sezutsu Hideki , Sekimizu Kazuhisa
Published: June 2015

In drug development, the toxicity of candidate chemicals must be carefully examined in an animal model. Here we developed a live imaging technique using silkworms for a noninvasive toxicity test applicable for drug screening. Injection of carbon tetrachloride, a tissue-injuring chemical, into transgenic silkworms expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) induced leakage of GFP from the tissues into the hemolymph. The leakage of GFP was suppressed by pre-administration of either cimetidine, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, or N-acetyl cysteine, a free-radical scavenger. The transgenic silkworm was made transparent by feeding a diet containing chemicals that inhibit uric acid deposition in the epithelial cells. In the transparent silkworms, GFP fluorescence in the fat body could be observed from outside the body. Injection of salicylic acid or iron sulfate, tissue-injuring chemicals, into the transparent silkworms decreased the fluorescence intensity of the GFP in the fat body. These findings suggest that the transparent GFP-expressing silkworm model is useful for evaluating the toxicity of chemicals that induce tissue injury.
Selective stabilization of aliphatic organic carbon by iron oxide
Authors: Adhikari Dinesh , Yang Yu
Published: June 2015

Stabilization of organic matter in soil is important for natural ecosystem to sequestrate carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emission. It is largely unknown what factors govern the preservation of organic carbon in soil, casting shadow on predicting the response of soil to climate change. Iron oxide was suggested as an important mineral preserving soil organic carbon. However, ferric minerals are subject to reduction, potentially releasing iron and decreasing the stability of iron-bound organic carbon. Information about the stability of iron-bound organic carbon in the redox reaction is limited. Herein, we investigated the sorptive interactions of organic matter with hematite and reductive release of hematite-bound organic matter. Impacts of organic matter composition and conformation on its sorption by hematite and release during the reduction reaction were analyzed. We found that hematite-bound aliphatic carbon was more resistant to reduction release, although hematite preferred to sorb more aromatic carbon. Resistance to reductive release represents a new mechanism that aliphatic soil organic matter was stabilized by association with iron oxide. Selective stabilization of aliphatic over aromatic carbon can greatly contribute to the widely observed accumulation of aliphatic carbon in soil, which cannot be explained by sorptive interactions between minerals and organic matter.
Identification of a critical determinant that enables efficient fatty acid synthesis in oleaginous fungi
Authors: Chen Haiqin , Hao Guangfei , Wang Lei , Wang Hongchao , Gu Zhennan , Liu Liming , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Chen Yong Q.
Published: June 2015

Microorganisms are valuable resources for lipid production. What makes one microbe but not the other able to efficiently synthesize and accumulate lipids is poorly understood. In the present study, global gene expression prior to and after the onset of lipogenesis was determined by transcriptomics using the oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina as a model system. A core of 23 lipogenesis associated genes was identified and their expression patterns shared a high similarity among oleaginous microbes Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Mucor circinelloides and Rhizopus oryzae but was dissimilar to the non-oleaginous Aspergillus nidulans. Unexpectedly, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were found to be the NADPH producers responding to lipogenesis in the oleaginous microbes. Their role in lipogenesis was confirmed by a knockdown experiment. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that the PPP plays a significant role during fungal lipogenesis. Up-regulation of NADPH production by the PPP, especially G6PD, may be one of the critical determinants that enables efficiently fatty acid synthesis in oleaginous microbes.
Diagnostic value of a plasma microRNA signature in gastric cancer: a microRNA expression analysis
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhu Wei , Li Hai , Wen Wei , Cheng Wenfang , Wang Fang , Wu Yinxia , Qi Lianwen , Fan Yong , Chen Yan , Ding Yin , Xu Jing , Qian Jiaqi , Huang Zebo , Wang Tongshan , Zhu Danxia , Shu Yongqian , Liu Ping
Published: June 2015

The differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma of gastric cancer (GC) patients may serve as a diagnostic biomarker. A total of 33 miRNAs were identified through the initial screening phase (3 GC pools vs. 1 normal control (NC) pool) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) based Exiqon panel (miRCURY-Ready-to-Use-PCR-Human-panel-I + II-V1.M). By qRT-PCR, these miRNAs were further assessed in training (30 GC VS. 30 NCs) and testing stages (71 GC VS. 61 NCs). We discovered a plasma miRNA signature including five up-regulated miRNAs (miR-185, miR-20a, miR-210, miR-25 and miR-92b) and this signature was evaluated to be a potential diagnostic marker of GC. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the signature were 0.86, 0.74 and 0.87 for the training, testing and the external validation stages (32 GC VS. 18 NCs), respectively. The five miRNAs were consistently dysregulated in GC tissues (n = 30). Moreover, miR-185 was decreased while miR-20a, miR-210 and miR-92b were increased in arterial plasma (n = 38). However, none of the miRNAs in the exosomes showed different expression between 10 GC patients and 10 NCs. In conclusion, we identified a five-miRNA signature in the peripheral plasma which could serve as a non-invasive biomarker in detection of GC.
In situ characterizing membrane lipid phenotype of breast cancer cells using mass spectrometry profiling
Authors: He Manwen , Guo Shuai , Li Zhili
Published: June 2015

Lipid composition in cell membrane is closely associated with cell characteristics. Here, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization- Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was employed to in situ determine membrane components of human mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10 A) and six different breast cancer cell lines (i.e., BT-20, MCF-7, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157 and MDA-MB-361) without any lipid extraction and separation. Partial least-square discriminant analysis indicated that changes in the levels of these membrane lipids were closely correlated with the types of breast cell lines. Elevated levels of polyunsaturated lipids in MCF-10 A cells relative to six breast cancer cells and in BT-20 cells relative to other breast cancer cell lines were detected. The Western blotting assays indicated that the expression of five lipogenesis-related enzymes (i.e., fatty acid synthase 1(FASN1), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 5 (SCD5), choline kinase α (CKα) and sphingomyelin synthase 1) was associated with the types of the breast cells and that the SCD1 level in MCF-7 cells was significantly increased relative to other breast cell lines. Our findings suggest that elevated expression levels of FASN1, SCD1, SCD5 and CKα may closely correlated with enhanced levels of saturated and monounsaturated lipids in breast cancer cell lines.
Recent developments and future prospects of all-metal aromatic compounds
Authors: Mercero Jose M. , Boldyrev Alexander I. , Merino Gabriel , Ugalde Jesus M.
Published: June 2015

This review illustrates recent advances in extending aromaticity/antiaromaticity concepts to inorganic and all-metal rings in order to account for their electronic structure and stability.
Exploration of the HIF-1α/p300 interface using peptide and Adhiron phage display technologies
Authors: Kyle Hannah F. , Wickson Kate F. , Stott Jonathan , Burslem George M. , Breeze Alexander L. , Tiede Christian , Tomlinson Darren C. , Warriner Stuart L. , Nelson Adam , Wilson Andrew J. , Edwards Thomas A.
Published: June 2015

A range of experimental approaches are used to understand the HIF-1α/p300 interface – an important anticancer drug development target – in greater detail.
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) encapsulation of polymer composites based on poly(propylene fumarate) crosslinked with poly(propylene fumarate)-diacrylate
Authors: Wang Liang , Guo Da-Gang , Zhu Hui , Xie Lei
Published: June 2015

The cured PPF/PPF-DA polymer networks material can be used as a LEDs encapsulant, owing to suitable refractive index, high transparency, appropriate tensile strength, and excellent thermal stability.
Synthesis and self-assembly of partially sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s and their role in the formation of Cu2S nanowires
Authors: Park Jeyoung , Park Changjun , Yim Byoung Tak , Seo Myungeun , Kim Sang Youl
Published: June 2015

Partially sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s was synthesized by one-step SNAr copolymerization and self-assembled into spherical micelles in aqueous solutions, which assisted formation of Cu2S nanowires on various substrates.
Enhancement of photo-catalytic degradation of formaldehyde through loading anatase TiO2and silver nanoparticle films on wood substrates
Authors: Gao Likun , Gan Wentao , Xiao Shaoliang , Zhan Xianxu , Li Jian
Published: June 2015

Since formaldehyde is considered to be a potential risk for human health, its emission must be eliminated in an effective way.
Spin transport of dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene complexes with first row transition metals
Authors: Wu Q. H. , Zhao P. , Su Y. , Li S. J. , Guo J. H. , Chen G.
Published: June 2015

We investigate the spin transport properties of DBTAA complexes involving first row transition metals. The results show that Fe– and Co–DBTAA exhibit perfect spin filtering effect, which is dependent on the connected position of anchoring group.
Elucidating structural basis of benzofuran pyrrolidine pyrazole derivatives for enhancing potency against both the InhA enzyme and intact M. tuberculosis cells: a combined MD simulations and 3D-QSAR study
Authors: Kamsri Pharit , Punkvang Auradee , Hannongbua Supa , Saparpakorn Patchreenart , Pungpo Pornpan
Published: June 2015

The structural concept for enhancing both IC50 and MIC90 activities summarized from MD simulations and CoMSIA results.
CuFe2O4@PDA magnetic nanomaterials with a core–shell structure: synthesis and catalytic application in the degradation of methylene blue in water
Authors: Ma Su-dai , Feng Jie , Qin Wen-jie , Ju Yu-yun , Chen Xing-guo
Published: June 2015

A highly efficient CuFe2O4@PDA MNPs catalyst was synthesized through in situ self-polymerization and application in the degradation of methylene blue.
Thioxanthone acetic acid ammonium salts: highly efficient photobase generators based on photodecarboxylation
Authors: Dong Xiaoqing , Hu Peng , Zhu Guigang , Li Zhiquan , Liu Ren , Liu Xiaoya
Published: June 2015

Novel photobase generators, which contain thioxanthone as the chromophore and different quaternary ammonium salts as latent active species, can efficiently catalyze the thiol–epoxy polymerization via photoinduced decarboxylation.
Triptycene-based small molecules modulate (CAG)·(CTG) repeat junctions
Authors: Barros Stephanie A. , Chenoweth David M.
Published: June 2015

A triptycene-based scaffold is used to develop a new class of ligands for modulating the structure of junction forming trinucleotide repeat expansion sequences.
Heat-set gels formed from easily accessible gelators of a succinamic acid derivative (SAD) and a primary alkyl amine (R-NH2)
Authors: Zhong Di-Chang , Liao Lie-Qiang , Wang Ke-Jun , Liu Hui-Jin , Luo Xu-Zhong
Published: June 2015

We report here a gel system based on two-component gelators containing a succinamic acid derivative (SAD) and a primary alkyl amine (R-NH2), from which the formation of heat-set gels, conventional gels and irreversible heat-set gels can be achieved in aromatic solvents.
Picolinic acid as an efficient tridentate anchoring group adsorbing at Lewis acid sites and Brønsted acid sites of the TiO2 surface in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jia Hai-Lang , Zhang Ming-Dao , Ju Ze-Min , Zheng He-Gen , Ju Xue-Hai
Published: June 2015

Picolinic acid anchored dye JA2 onto TiO2via tridentate mode and the JA2 + TTR2 based-device showed the highest PCE of 8.98%.
Insight into the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of gaseous o-dichlorobenzene over flower-type V2O5 hollow spheres
Authors: Liu Baojun , Li Xinyong , Zhao Qidong , Liu Jie , Liu Shaomin , Wang Shaobin , Tadé Moses
Published: June 2015

The flower-type V2O5 hollow microspheres with assistance of carbon-sphere templates were fabricated and applied to photocatalytic degradation of gaseous o-DCB.
The role of interparticle heterogeneities in the selenization pathway of Cu–Zn–Sn–S nanoparticle thin films: a real-time study
Authors: Carter Nathaniel J. , Mainz Roland , Walker Bryce C. , Hages Charles J. , Just Justus , Klaus Manuela , Schmidt Sebastian S. , Weber Alfons , Yang Wei-Chang D. , Zander Ole , Stach Eric A. , Unold Thomas , Agrawal Rakesh
Published: June 2015

Small (∼5 nm), Cu- and Sn-rich nanoparticles play a key role in initiating the growth of micrometer-sized Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 grains.
Critical assessment of the nature and properties of Fe(ii) triazole-based spin-crossover nanoparticles
Authors: Bartual-Murgui C. , Natividad E. , Roubeau O.
Published: June 2015

Nanoparticles of the compound [Fe(Htrz)2trz]BF4 are shown to have a rod shape. Their size is found to control the width of the thermal hysteresis displayed in the spin crossover of this material, while the removal of surfactant results systematically in a reduction of the hysteresis width, by up to 16 K, both effects being original and important for potential applications.
Vitamin E ameliorates neurodegeneration related phenotypes caused by neurotoxicity of Al2O3-nanoparticles in C. elegans
Authors: Yu Xiaoming , Guan Xiangmin , Wu Qiuli , Zhao Yunli , Wang Dayong
Published: June 2015

Vitamin E has the potential to ameliorate the neurotoxicity of Al2O3-nanoparticles that induce neurodegeneration related phenotypes inC. elegans.
The Nature of meso- and pyro-Borate Precatalysts to the VANOL and VAPOL BOROX Catalysts
Authors: Zhao Wenjun , Yin Xiaopeng , Gupta Anil K. , Zhang Xin , Wulff William D.
Published: June 2015

The structures of the meso- and pyro-borate esters generated by treatment of the VANOL and VAPOL ligands with triphenylborate have been revisited. These species were previously identified as precatalysts that could be in situ converted into VANOL and VAPOL BOROX catalysts by an imine substrate. The complete assignment of all protons for both the meso- and pyro-borate esters of both ligands was aided by the 1H NMR spectrum of each generated from pentadeuterophenol. There were significant differences between the chemical shifts for certain protons in the meso- and pyro-borate species in both the VANOL and VAPOL derivatives. Optimized structures for the meso-borates and two different isomers of the pyro-borates were determined by DFT calculations for each ligand. For each ligand the cyclic pyro-borate was found to be lower in energy than the corresponding linear pyro-borate at the
B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The structures of the cyclic pyro-borate esters were more consistent with the observed 1H NMR chemical shifts than the linear pyro-borates for each ligand and thus the structures of the pyro-borates esters of VANOL and VAPOL have been re-assigned as the cyclic isomers.
Research Update: Inhomogeneous aluminium dopant distribution in magnetron sputtered ZnO:Al thin films and its influence on their electrical properties
Authors: Bikowski André , Rengachari Mythili , Nie Man , Wanderka Nelia , Stender Patrick , Schmitz Guido , Ellmer Klaus
Published: June 2015

The spatial distribution of Al in magnetron sputtered ZnO:Al films has been investigated in depth. Two different kinds of inhomogeneities were observed: an enrichment in the bulk of the film and an enrichment at the interface to the substrate. This has been correlated to the electrical properties of the films: the former inhomogeneities can lead to trap states at the grain boundaries limiting the free carrier mobility. The latter can promote the formation of secondary phases, which leads to an electrical inactivation of the dopant. Furthermore, this effect can contribute to the thickness dependence of the electrical properties of ZnO:Al films.
Low temperature annealed amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) as a pH sensitive layer for applications in field effect based sensors
Authors: Kumar Narendra , Kumar Jitendra , Panda Siddhartha
Published: June 2015

The use of a-IGZO instead of the conventional high-k dielectrics as a pH sensitive layer could lead to the simplification of fabrication steps of field effect based devices. In this work, the pH sensitivities of a-IGZO films directly deposited over a SiO2/Si surface were studied utilizing electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) structures. Annealing of the films was found to affect the sensitivity of the devices and the device with the film annealed at 400 oC in N2 ambience showed the better sensitivity, which reduced with further increase in the annealing temperature to 500 oC. The increased pH sensitivity with the film annealed at 400 oC in N2 gas was attributed to the enhanced lattice oxygen ions (based on the XPS data) and improved C-V characteristics, while the decrease in sensitivity at an increased annealing temperature of 500 oC was attributed to defects in the films as well as the induced traps at the IGZO/SiO2 interface based on the stretched accumulation and the peak in the inversion region of C-V curves. This study could help to develop a sensor where the material (a-IGZO here) used as the active layer in a thin film transistors (TFTs) possibly could also be used as the pH sensitive layer without affecting the TFT characteristics, and thus obviating the need of high-K dielectrics for sensitivity enhancement.
A note on the reaction between sputter co-deposited Mn and Si and formation of the MnSi phase
Authors: Aguf V. , Pelleg J. , Sinder M.
Published: June 2015

Mn and Si were magnetron co-sputtered on Si (100) substrates and annealed in the temperature range of 773-848 K in Ar atmosphere to obtain MnSi. The results were tested by XRD, high resolution SEM (HRSEM), 4 points probe measurements and AES. The activation energy calculated on the basis of XRD intensity is in the range of 0.43-0.71 eV. The Mehl-Johnson relation was applied for the determination of the activation energy interval. The HRSEM thicknesses evaluated are related to the intensity measurements. The constants appearing in the Mehl-Johnson equation were determined by graphical iteration. The activation energy calculated on the basis of film thickness is almost exactly the same as that obtained by XRD intensity measurements being in the range of 0.43 – 0.73. The results of the activation energy evaluation of MnSi formation and the method relating XRD intensities to the thickness are discussed.
Density and home range of feral cats in north-western Australia
Authors: McGregor Hugh W. , Legge Sarah , Potts Joanne , Jones Menna E. , Johnson Christopher N.
Published: June 2015

Context Feral cats (Felis catus) pose a significant threat to biodiversity in Australia, and are implicated in current declines of small mammals in the savannas of northern Australia. Basic information on population density and ranging behaviour is essential to understand and manage threats from feral cats. Aims In this study, we provide robust estimates of density and home range of feral cats in the central Kimberley region of north-western Australia, and we test whether population density is affected by livestock grazing, small mammal abundance and other environmental factors. Methods Densities were measured at six transects sampled between 2011 and 2013 using arrays of infrared cameras. Cats were individually identified, and densities estimated using spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis. Home range was measured from GPS tracking of 32 cats. Key results Densities were similar across all transects and deployments, with a mean of 0.18 cats km–2 (range = 0.09–0.34 km–2). We found no evidence that population density was related to livestock grazing or abundance of small mammals. Home ranges of males were, on average, 855 ha (±156 ha (95% CI), n = 25), and those of females were half the size at 397 ha (±275 ha (95% CI), n = 7). There was little overlap in ranges of cats of the same sex. Conclusions Compared with elsewhere in Australia outside of semiarid regions, feral cats occur at low density and have large home ranges in the central Kimberley. However, other evidence shows that despite this low density, cats are contributing to declines of small mammal populations across northern Australia. Implications It will be very difficult to reduce these already-sparse populations by direct control. Instead, land-management practices that reduce the impacts of cats on prey should be investigated.
Mass extinction in poorly known taxa
Authors: Régnier Claire , Achaz Guillaume , Lambert Amaury , Cowie Robert H. , Bouchet Philippe , Fontaine Benoît
Published: June 2015

Significance

Since the 1980s, many biologists have concluded that the earth is in the midst of a massive biodiversity extinction crisis caused by human activities. Yet fewer than 1,000 of the planet’s 1.9 million known species are officially recorded as extinct. Skeptics have therefore asked “Is there really a crisis?” Mammals and birds provide the most robust data, because the status of almost all has been assessed. Invertebrates constitute over 99% of species diversity, but the status of only a tiny fraction has been assessed, thereby dramatically underestimating overall levels of extinction. Using data on terrestrial invertebrates, this study estimates that we may already have lost 7% of the species on Earth and that the biodiversity crisis is real.
Retro-translocation of mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins
Authors: Bragoszewski Piotr , Wasilewski Michal , Sakowska Paulina , Gornicka Agnieszka , Böttinger Lena , Qiu Jian , Wiedemann Nils , Chacinska Agnieszka
Published: June 2015

Significance

Mitochondria contain several hundreds of proteins. The mitochondrial content is regulated by the uptake and degradation of proteins. Stabilization of protein structure by disulfide bonds was proposed to drive protein accumulation in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. However, it remained unknown if structural alterations could lead to protein escape through the physiological barrier formed by the outer mitochondrial membrane. In this work, we present evidence for size-dependent retrograde movement of mitochondrial proteins to the cytosol. We identify the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane channel protein Tom40 as an exit route. Our results indicate that the retro-translocation serves as an important surveillance mechanism that regulates the abundance of intermembrane space proteins in response to changes in cellular physiology.
Endocarditis due to Coccidioides spp: The Seventh Case
Authors: Horng Lily M. , Yaghoubian Shadi , Ram Arleen , Johnson Royce , Castro Luis , Kuo Jenny , Deresinski Stan
Published: June 2015

Coccidioides, a dimorphic fungus endemic within the Americas, primarily causes pulmonary disease but may disseminate. We describe a case of confirmed Coccidioides endocarditis, the seventh reported in literature. Coccidioides endocarditis often requires tissue diagnosis and combined surgical and medical treatment.
Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates of Sevoflurane-induced Unconsciousness
Authors: Palanca Ben Julian A. , Mitra Anish , Larson-Prior Linda , Snyder Abraham Z. , Avidan Michael S. , Raichle Marcus E.
Published: June 2015

AbstractAbstract

Sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness leads to a widespread reduction in brain activity. Functional connectivity is selectively reduced within the default mode and ventral attention networks. Motion artifact, a prevalent confounding variable in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies involving anesthetic agents, leads to spurious results if not addressed.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been used to study the effects of anesthetic agents on correlated intrinsic neural activity. Previous studies have focused primarily on intravenous agents. The authors studied the effects of sevoflurane, an inhaled anesthetic.

Methods:

Resting-state BOLD fMRI was acquired from 10 subjects before sedation and from 9 subjects rendered unresponsive by 1.2% sevoflurane. The fMRI data were analyzed taking particular care to minimize the impact of artifact generated by head motion.

Results:

BOLD correlations were specifically weaker within the default mode network and ventral attention network during sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness, especially between anterior and posterior midline regions. Reduced functional connectivity between these same networks and the thalamus was also spatially localized to the midline frontal regions. The amplitude of BOLD signal fluctuations was substantially reduced across all brain regions. The importance of censoring epochs contaminated by head motion was demonstrated by comparative analyses.

Conclusions:

Sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness is associated with both globally reduced BOLD signal amplitudes and selectively reduced functional connectivity within cortical networks associated with consciousness (default mode network) and orienting to salient external stimuli (ventral attention network). Scrupulous attention to minimizing the impact of head motion artifact is critical in fMRI studies using anesthetic agents.
An
in silico
study on the role of smooth muscle cell migration in neointimal formation after coronary stenting
Authors: Tahir Hannan , Niculescu Ioana , Bona-Casas Carles , Merks Roeland M. H. , Hoekstra Alfons G.
Published: June 2015

Excessive migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) has been observed as a major factor contributing to the development of in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting. Building upon the results from
in vivo
experiments, we formulated a hypothesis that the speed of the initial tissue re-growth response is determined by the early migration of SMCs from the injured intima. To test this hypothesis, a cellular Potts model of the stented artery is developed where stent struts were deployed at different depths into the tissue. An extreme scenario with a ruptured internal elastic lamina was also considered to study the role of severe injury in tissue re-growth. Based on the outcomes, we hypothesize that a deeper stent deployment results in on average larger fenestrae in the elastic lamina, allowing easier migration of SMCs into the lumen. The data also suggest that growth of the neointimal lesions owing to SMC proliferation is strongly dependent on the initial number of migrated cells, which form an initial condition for the later phase of the vascular repair. This mechanism could explain the
in vivo
observation that the initial rate of neointima formation and injury score are strongly correlated.
Crystal structure of 3-(thiophen-2-yl)-5-p-tolyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide
Authors: Naveen S. , Pavithra G. , Abdoh Muneer , Ajay Kumar K. , Warad Ismail , Lokanath N. K.
Published: June 2015

In the title compound, C15H15N3S2, the central pyrazole ring adopts a twisted conformation on the –CH—CH2– bond. Its mean plane makes dihedral angles of 7.19 (12) and 71.13 (11)° with those of the thiophene and toluene rings, respectively. The carbothiamide group [C(=S)—N] is inclined to the pyrazole ring mean plane by 16.8 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [010]. Within the chains, there are N—H...π interactions present. Between the chains there are weak parallel slipped π–π interactions involving inversion-related thiophene and pyrazole rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7516 (14) Å; inter-planar distance = 3.5987 (10) Å; slippage = 1.06 Å].