bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking global supply chains: the power of the ‘ethical audit’ regime
Authors: LEBARON GENEVIEVE , LISTER JANE
Published: November 2015

This article critically investigates the growing power and effectiveness of the ‘ethical’ compliance audit regime. Over the last decade, audits have evolved from a tool for companies to track internal organisational performance into a transnational governing mechanism to measure and strengthen corporate accountability globally and shape corporate responsibility norms. Drawing on original interviews, we assess the effectiveness of supply chain benchmarks and audits in promoting environmental and social improvements in global retail supply chains. Two principal arguments emerge from our analysis. First, that audits can be best understood as a productive form of power, which codifies and legitimates retail corporations’ poor social and environmental records, and shapes state approaches to supply chain governance. Second, that growing public and government trust in audit metrics ends up concealing real problems in global supply chains. Retailers are, in fact, auditing only small portions of supply chains, omitting the portions of supply chains where labour and environmental abuse are most likely to take place. Furthermore, the audit regime tends to address labour and environmental issues very unevenly, since ‘people’ are more difficult to classify and verify through numbers than capital and product quality.
Mapping dominant annual land cover from 2009 to 2013 across Victoria, Australia using satellite imagery
Authors: Sheffield Kathryn , Morse-McNabb Elizabeth , Clark Rob , Robson Susan , Lewis Hayden
Published: November 2015

There is a demand for regularly updated, broad-scale, accurate land cover information in Victoria from multiple stakeholders. This paper documents the methods used to generate an annual dominant land cover (DLC) map for Victoria, Australia from 2009 to 2013. Vegetation phenology parameters derived from an annual time series of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Vegetation Indices 16-day 250 m (MOD13Q1) product were used to generate annual DLC maps, using a three-tiered hierarchical classification scheme. Classification accuracy at the broadest (primary) class level was over 91% for all years, while it ranged from 72 to 81% at the secondary class level. The most detailed class level (tertiary) had accuracy levels ranging from 61 to 68%. The approach used was able to accommodate variable climatic conditions, which had substantial impacts on vegetation growth patterns and agricultural production across the state between both regions and years. The production of an annual dataset with complete spatial coverage for Victoria provides a reliable base data set with an accuracy that is fit-for-purpose for many applications.
Development of a panel of DNA Aptamers with High Affinity for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Champanhac Carole , Teng I-Ting , Cansiz Sena , Zhang Liqin , Wu Xiaoqiu , Zhoa Zilong , Fu Ting , Tan Weihong
Published: November 2015

Pancreatic cancer costs nearly 40,000 lives in the U.S. each year and has one of the lowest survival rates among cancers. Effective treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is hindered by lack of a reliable biomarker. To address this challenge, aptamers were selected by cell-SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) targeting human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PL45). Five promising aptamers presenting low Kd values and good specificity were generated. Among these five aptamers, one was tailored into a nanostructure carrying a high drug payload for specific drug delivery. The results show a viability of almost 80% for negative cells while only 50% of the target cells remained alive after 48 h incubation. These results lead to the conclusion that further research could reveal protein biomarkers specific to pancreatic adenocarcinoma, with probes available for early detection.
Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide prevents renal ischemia reperfusion injury via counteracting oxidative stress
Authors: Zhong Dandan , Wang Hongkai , Liu Ming , Li Xuechen , Huang Ming , Zhou Hong , Lin Shuqian , Lin Zhibin , Yang Baoxue
Published: November 2015

Ganoderma lucidumpolysaccharide peptide (GLPP) scavenges oxygen free radicals that are a key factor in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI). The aim of this study was to determine whether GLPP could attenuate RIRI by counteracting the oxidative stress. The mechanism involved was assessed by anin vivomouse RIRI model and anin vitrohypoxia/reoxygenation model, and tunicamycin-stimulated NRK-52E cells were used to explore the GLPP-mediated alleviation of ER stress. Experimental results showed that renal dysfunction and morphological damage were reduced in GLPP-treated group. The imbalance of redox status was reversed and production of ROS was reduced by GLPP. RIRI-induced mitochondrial- and ER stress-dependent apoptosis were dramatically inhibited in GLPP-treated group. Intriguingly, JNK activation in the kidney with RIRI or hypoxia/reoxygenation was inhibited by GLPP. These results suggest that the protective effect of GLPP against RIRI may be due to reducing oxidative stress, alleviating the mitochondrial and ER stress-dependent apoptosis caused by excessive ROS.
Revisiting the role of phospholipases C in virulence and the lifecycle of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Le Chevalier Fabien , Cascioferro Alessandro , Frigui Wafa , Pawlik Alexandre , Boritsch Eva C. , Bottai Daria , Majlessi Laleh , Herrmann Jean Louis , Brosch Roland
Published: November 2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the agent of human tuberculosis has developed different virulence mechanisms and virulence-associated tools during its evolution to survive and multiply inside the host. Based on previous reports and by analogy with other bacteria, phospholipases C (PLC) of M. tuberculosis were thought to be among these tools. To get deeper insights into the function of PLCs, we investigated their putative involvement in the intracellular lifestyle of M. tuberculosis, with emphasis on phagosomal rupture and virulence, thereby re-visiting a research theme of longstanding interest. Through the construction and use of an M. tuberculosis H37Rv PLC-null mutant (ΔPLC) and control strains, we found that PLCs of M. tuberculosis were not required for induction of phagosomal rupture and only showed marginal, if any, impact on virulence of M. tuberculosis in the cellular and mouse infection models used in this study. In contrast, we found that PLC-encoding genes were strongly upregulated under phosphate starvation and that PLC-proficient M. tuberculosis strains survived better than ΔPLC mutants under conditions where phosphatidylcholine served as sole phosphate source, opening new perspectives for studies on the role of PLCs in the lifecycle of M. tuberculosis.
Identification of Synergistic, Clinically Achievable, Combination Therapies for Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yu Diana , Kahen Elliot , Cubitt Christopher L. , McGuire Jeremy , Kreahling Jenny , Lee Jae , Altiok Soner , Lynch Conor C. , Sullivan Daniel M. , Reed Damon R.
Published: November 2015

Systemic therapy has improved osteosarcoma event-free and overall survival, but 30–50% of patients originally diagnosed will have progressive or recurrent disease, which is difficult to cure. Osteosarcoma has a complex karyotype, with loss of p53 in the vast majority of cases and an absence of recurrent, targetable pathways. In this study, we explored 54 agents that are clinically approved for other oncologic indications, agents in active clinical development and others with promising preclinical data in osteosarcoma at clinically achievable concentrations in 5 osteosarcoma cell lines. We found significant single-agent activity of multiple agents and tested 10 drugs in all permutations of two-drug combinations to define synergistic combinations by Chou and Talalay analysis. We then evaluated order of addition to choose the combinations that may be best to translate to the clinic. We conclude that the repurposing of chemotherapeutics in osteosarcoma by using an in vitro system may define novel drug combinations with significant in vivo activity. In particular, combinations of proteasome inhibitors with histone deacetylase inhibitors and ixabepilone and MK1775 demonstrated excellent activity in our assays.
Polymorphisms near the IFNL3 Gene Associated with HCV RNA Spontaneous Clearance and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk
Authors: Lee Mei-Hsuan , Yang Hwai-I , Lu Sheng-Nan , Lin Yu-Ju , Jen Chin-Lan , Wong Kang-Hsuan , Chan Soa-Yu , Chen Liang-Chun , Wang Li-Yu , L’Italien Gilbert , Yuan Yong , Chen Chien-Jen
Published: November 2015

The aims of this study were to investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the genes IFNL2, IFNL3 and IFNL4 and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to evaluate variants for their risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among subjects in whom spontaneous HCV RNA clearance did not occur. In the first study, 889 untreated anti-HCV-seropositive patients without HCC symptoms were followed from 1991 to 2005. The spontaneous HCV clearance rate was found to be 33.1%. The TT variant of rs8099917 near IFNL3 was associated with increased spontaneous HCV RNA clearance, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of 2.78 (1.43–5.39), as was the newly-identified TT/TT dinucleotide variant rs368234815 near IFNL4 (adjusted odds ratio 2.68, 95% CI: 1.42–5.05). In the second study, associations between SNPs and HCC risk were examined in 483 HCC cases with detectable HCV RNA and 516 controls. In participants with HCV genotype 1, unfavorable genotypes for HCV clearance near IFNL3were associated with increased HCC risk, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for rs12979860 and rs8099917 being 1.73 (1.00–2.99) and 1.84 (1.02–3.33), respectively. Host characteristics should be considered to identify high-risk patients to prioritize the use of new antiviral agents and intensive screening.
Phenotypic and genomic comparisons of highly vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains developed from multiple clinical MRSA strains by in vitro mutagenesis
Authors: Ishii Kenichi , Tabuchi Fumiaki , Matsuo Miki , Tatsuno Keita , Sato Tomoaki , Okazaki Mitsuhiro , Hamamoto Hiroshi , Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Kaito Chikara , Aoyagi Tetsuji , Hiramatsu Keiichi , Kaku Mitsuo , Moriya Kyoji , Sekimizu Kazuhisa
Published: November 2015

The development of vancomycin (VCM) resistance in Staphylococcus aureus threatens global health. Studies of the VCM-resistance mechanism and alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. We mutagenized S. aureus laboratory strains and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with ethyl methanesulfonate and isolated mutants that exhibited high resistance to VCM (minimum inhibitory concentration = 32 μg/ml). These VCM-resistant strains were sensitive to linezolid and rifampicin and partly to arbekacin and daptomycin. Beta-lactams had synergistic effects with VCM against these mutants. VCM-resistant strains exhibited a 2-fold increase in the cell wall thickness. Several genes were commonly mutated among the highly VCM-resistant mutants. These findings suggest that MRSA has a potential to develop high VCM resistance with cell wall thickening by the accumulation of mutations.
Body visual discontinuity affects feeling of ownership and skin conductance responses
Authors: Tieri Gaetano , Tidoni Emmanuele , Pavone Enea Francesco , Aglioti Salvatore Maria
Published: November 2015

When we look at our hands we are immediately aware that they belong to us and we rarely doubt about the integrity, continuity and sense of ownership of our bodies. Here we explored whether the mere manipulation of the visual appearance of a virtual limb could influence the subjective feeling of ownership and the physiological responses (Skin Conductance Responses, SCRs) associated to a threatening stimulus approaching the virtual hand. Participants observed in first person perspective a virtual body having the right hand-forearm (i) connected by a normal wrist (Full-Limb) or a thin rigid wire connection (Wire) or (ii) disconnected because of a missing wrist (m-Wrist) or a missing wrist plus a plexiglass panel positioned between the hand and the forearm (Plexiglass). While the analysis of subjective ratings revealed that only the observation of natural full connected virtual limb elicited high levels of ownership, high amplitudes of SCRs were found also during observation of the non-natural, rigid wire connection condition. This result suggests that the conscious embodiment of an artificial limb requires a natural looking visual body appearance while implicit reactivity to threat may require physical body continuity, even non-naturally looking, that allows the implementation of protective reactions to threat.
Nanomechanical characterization of nanostructured bainitic steel: Peak Force Microscopy and Nanoindentation with AFM
Authors: Morales-Rivas Lucia , González-Orive Alejandro , Garcia-Mateo Carlos , Hernández-Creus Alberto , Caballero Francisca G. , Vázquez Luis
Published: November 2015

The full understanding of the deformation mechanisms in nanostructured bainite requires the local characterization of its mechanical properties, which are expected to change from one phase, bainitic ferrite, to another, austenite. This study becomes a challenging process due to the bainitic nanostructured nature and high Young’s modulus. In this work, we have carried out such study by means of the combination of AFM-based techniques, such as nanoindentation and Peak Force Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PF-QNM) measurements. We have addressed critically the limits and advantages of these techniques and been able to measure some elastoplastic parameters of both phases. Specifically, we have analyzed by PF-QNM two nanostructured bainitic steels, with a finer and a coarser structure and found that both phases have a similar Young’s modulus.
Astaxanthin prevents and reverses diet-induced insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in mice: A comparison with vitamin E
Authors: Ni Yinhua , Nagashimada Mayumi , Zhuge Fen , Zhan Lili , Nagata Naoto , Tsutsui Akemi , Nakanuma Yasuni , Kaneko Shuichi , Ota Tsuguhito
Published: November 2015

Hepatic insulin resistance and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) could be caused by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and peroxidation. Vitamin E has become a standard treatment for NASH. However, astaxanthin, an antioxidant carotenoid, inhibits lipid peroxidation more potently than vitamin E. Here, we compared the effects of astaxanthin and vitamin E in NASH. We first demonstrated that astaxanthin ameliorated hepatic steatosis in both genetically (ob/ob) and high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. In a lipotoxic model of NASH: mice fed a high-cholesterol and high-fat diet, astaxanthin alleviated excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and peroxidation, increased the proportion of M1-type macrophages/Kupffer cells and activated stellate cells to improve hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, astaxanthin caused an M2-dominant shift in macrophages/Kupffer cells and a subsequent reduction in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell recruitment in the liver, which contributed to improved insulin resistance and hepatic inflammation. Importantly, astaxanthin reversed insulin resistance, as well as hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, in pre-existing NASH. Overall, astaxanthin was more effective at both preventing and treating NASH compared with vitamin E in mice. Furthermore, astaxanthin improved hepatic steatosis and tended to ameliorate the progression of NASH in biopsy-proven human subjects. These results suggest that astaxanthin might be a novel and promising treatment for NASH.
Bacterial diversity is strongly associated with historical penguin activity in an Antarctic lake sediment profile
Authors: Zhu Renbin , Shi Yu , Ma Dawei , Wang Can , Xu Hua , Chu Haiyan
Published: November 2015

Current penguin activity in Antarctica affects the geochemistry of sediments and their microbial communities; the effects of historical penguin activity are less well understood. Here, bacterial diversity in ornithogenic sediment was investigated using high-throughput pyrosequencing. The relative abundances of dominant phyla were controlled by the amount of historical penguin guano deposition. Significant positive correlations were found between both the bacterial richness and diversity and the relative penguin number (p < 0.01); this indicated that historical penguin activity drove the vertical distribution of the bacterial communities. The lowest relative abundances of individual phyla corresponded to lowest number of penguin population at 1,800–2,300 yr BP during a drier and colder period; the opposite was observed during a moister and warmer climate (1,400–1,800 yr BP). This study shows that changes in the climate over millennia affected penguin populations and the outcomes of these changes affect the sediment bacterial community today.
An Insight into Recombination with Enterovirus Species C and Nucleotide G-480 Reversion from the Viewpoint of Neurovirulence of Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yan Dongmei , Zhu Shuangli , Nishimura Yorihiro , Ye Xufang , Wang Dongyan , Jorba Jaume , Zhu Hui , An Hongqiu , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Kew Olen , Xu Wenbo
Published: November 2015

A poliomyelitis outbreak caused by type 1 circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) was identified in China in 2004. Six independent cVDPVs (eight isolates) could be grouped into a single cluster with pathways of divergence different from a single cVDPV progenitor, which circulated and evolved into both a highly neurovirulent lineage and a less neurovirulent lineage. They were as neurovirulent as the wild type 1 Mahoney strain, recombination was absent and their nucleotide 480-G was identical to that of the Sabin strain. The Guizhou/China cVDPV strains shared 4 amino acid replacements in the NAg sites: 3 located at the BC loop, which may underlie the aberrant results of the ELISA intratypic differentiation (ITD) test. The complete ORF tree diverged into two main branches from a common ancestral infection estimated to have occurred in about mid-September 2003, nine months before the appearance of the VDPV case, which indicated recently evolved VDPV. Further, recombination with species C enteroviruses may indicate the presence and density of these enteroviruses in the population and prolonged virus circulation in the community. The aforementioned cVDPVs has important implications in the global initiative to eradicate polio: high quality surveillance permitted earliest detection and response.
Abnormal pancreatic enzymes and their prognostic role after acute paraquat poisoning
Authors: Li Yi , Wang Meng , Gao Yanxia , Yang Wen , Xu Qun , Eddleston Michael , Li Li , Yu Xuezhong
Published: November 2015

Ingestion of paraquat causes multi-organ failure. Prognosis is best estimated through measurement of blood paraquat concentrations but this facility is not available in most hospitals. We studied the prognostic significance of abnormal pancreatic enzymes for survival. Patients with acute paraquat poisoning were recruited. An extensive series of blood tests including serum amylase were serially checked. Patients were sorted according to their serum amylase activity (normal [<220 U/L], mildly elevated [220 to 660 U/L], elevated [>660 U/L]) and survival compared between groups. 177 patients were enrolled to the study, of whom 67 died and 110 survived. 122 (70.62%), 27 (15.25%) and 25 (14.13%) patients were in the normal, mildly elevated and elevated amylase activity groups, respectively. The case fatality in the elevated group was 100% compared to 17% in the normal group (P < 0.001). We found four independent factors for paraquat death prediction: amylase, PaCO2, leukocyte number, and neutrophil percentage. Models using pancreatic enzyme activity showed good prediction power. We have found that abnormal pancreatic enzymes are useful prognostic marker of death after acute paraquat poisoning. Including serum amylase activity into a prognostic model provides a good prognostication.
Compatibility between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes correlates with the quantitative trait of lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhu Zuobin , Lu Qing , Zeng Fangfang , Wang Junjing , Huang Shi
Published: November 2015

Mutations in mitochondrial genome have epistatic effects on organisms depending on the nuclear background, but a role for the compatibility of mitochondrial-nuclear genomes (mit-n) in the quantitative nature of a complex trait remains unexplored. We studied a panel of recombinant inbred advanced intercrossed lines (RIAILs) of C. elegans that were established from a cross between the N2 and HW strains. We determined the HW nuclear genome content and the mitochondrial type (HW or N2) of each RIAIL strain. We found that the degree of mit-n compatibility was correlated with the lifespans but not the foraging behaviors of RIAILs. Several known aging-associated QTLs individually showed no relationship with mitotypes but collectively a weak trend consistent with a role in mit-n compatibility. By association mapping, we identified 293 SNPs that showed linkage with lifespan and a relationship with mitotypes consistent with a role in mit-n compatibility. We further found an association between mit-n compatibility and several functional characteristics of mitochondria as well as the expressions of genes involved in the respiratory oxidation pathway. The results provide the first evidence implicating mit-n compatibility in the quantitative nature of a complex trait and may be informative to certain evolutionary puzzles on hybrids.
Fluidic Grooves on Doped-Ice Surface as Size-Tunable Channels
Authors: Inagawa Arinori , Harada Makoto , Okada Tetsuo
Published: November 2015

We propose a new principle for fabrication of size-tunable fluidic nano- and microchannels with a ubiquitous green material, water. Grooves filled with a solution are spontaneously formed on the surface of ice when an appropriate dopant is incorporated. Sucrose doping allows the development of grooves with lengths of 300 μm along the boundaries of ice crystal grains. This paper focuses on controlling the size of the liquid-filled groove and reveals its applicability to size-selective differentiation of nano- and micromaterials. The width of this groove can be varied in a range of 200 nm to 4 μm by adjusting the working temperature of the frozen platform. The channel dimension is reproducible as long as the same frozen condition is employed. We demonstrate the size-selective entrapment of particles as well as the state evaluation of DNA by controlling the physical interference of the ice wall with the electrophoretic migration of particles.
Differentiation of two types of pu-erh teas by using an electronic nose and ultrasound-assisted extraction-dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Ye Jing , Wang Wenguang , Ho Chitang , Li Jun , Guo Xiaoyu , Zhao Mingbo , Jiang Yong , Tu Pengfei
Published: November 2015

It is a challenging task to discriminate raw pu-erh tea, notably aged raw tea, from ripened pu-erh tea, both of which are the two primary types of pu-erh teas, only based on the taster's sensory evaluation.
Dodecanuclear 3d/4f-metal clusters with a ‘Star of David’ topology: single-molecule magnetism and magnetocaloric properties
Authors: Alexandropoulos Dimitris I. , Cunha-Silva Luís , Lorusso Giulia , Evangelisti Marco , Tang Jinkui , Stamatatos Theocharis C.
Published: November 2015

The first dodecanuclear [MII6LnIII6] clusters with a ‘Star of David’ metal topology have been synthesized with a variety of different divalent 3d-metal ions and lanthanides, and exhibited single-molecule magnetism and magnetic refrigeration.
A La-doped Mg–Al mixed metal oxide supported copper catalyst with enhanced catalytic performance in transfer dehydrogenation of 1-decanol
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhao Yajie , Liu Qian , Yang Lan , Fan Guoli , Li Feng
Published: November 2015

A La-doped Mg–Al mixed metal oxide supported copper catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance in transfer dehydrogenation of 1-decanol due to the surface cooperation between Lewis basic sites and copper species.
3H-1,3-Azaphospholo[4,5-b]pyridines – novel heterocyclic P,N-bridging or hybrid ligands: synthesis and first d8-transition metal complexes
Authors: Adam Mohamed Shaker S. , Kindermann Markus K. , Jones Peter G. , Heinicke Joachim W.
Published: November 2015

Novel bicyclic P,N-heterocyclic ligands and the first P- and P,N-coordinated LM(0)(CO)5, LRh(COD)Cl, (LPd(All)Cl)2PdCl2 and (LPdCl2)2 transition metal complexes thereof are presented.
Asymmetric oxidation of vinyl- and ethynyl terthiophene ligands in triruthenium complexes
Authors: Zhang Jing , Sun Chao-Fang , Zhang Ming-Xing , Hartl František , Yin Jun , Yu Guang-Ao , Rao Li , Liu Sheng Hua
Published: November 2015

Newly synthesized open-triangle triruthenium vinyl and ethynyl terthiophene complexes exhibit stepwise laterally localized oxidation processes, as revealed by UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry.
Designing for selectivity: weak interactions and the competition for reactive sites on gold catalysts
Authors: Siler C. G. F. , Madix R. J. , Friend C. M.
Published: November 2015

A major challenge in heterogeneous catalysis is controlling reaction selectivity, especially in complex environments. When more than one species is present in the gas mixture, the competition for binding sites on the surface of a catalyst is an important factor in determining reaction selectivity and activity. We establish an experimental hierarchy for the binding of a series of reaction intermediates on Au(111) and demonstrate that this hierarchy accounts for reaction selectivity on both the single crystal surface and under operating catalytic conditions at atmospheric pressure using a nanoporous Au catalyst. A partial set of measurements of relative binding has been measured by others on other catalyst materials, including Ag, Pd and metal oxide surfaces; a comparison demonstrates the generality of this concept and identifies differences in the trends. Theoretical calculations for a subset of reactants on Au(111) show that weak van der Waals interactions are key to predicting the hierarchy of binding strengths for alkoxides bound to Au(111). This hierarchy is key to the control of the selectivity for partial oxidation of alcohols to esters on both Au surfaces and under working catalytic conditions using nanoporous gold. The selectivity depends on the competition for active sites among key intermediates. New results probing the effect of fluorine substitution are also presented to extend the relation of reaction selectivity to the hierarchy of binding. Motivated by an interest in synthetic manipulation of fluorinated organics, we specifically investigated the influence of the –CF3 group on alcohol reactivity and selectivity. 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol couples on O-covered Au(111) to yield CF3CH2O–C(O)(CF3), but in the presence of methanol or ethanol it preferentially forms the respective 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy-esters. The ester is not the dominant product in any of these cases, though, indicating that the rate of β-H elimination from adsorbed trifluoroethoxy is slower than that for either adsorbed methoxy or ethoxy, consistent with their relative estimated β-C–H bond strengths. The measured equilibrium constants for the competition for binding to the surface are 2.9 and 0.38 for ethanol and methanol, respectively, vs. 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, indicating that the binding strength of 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy is weaker than ethoxy, but stronger than methoxy. These results are consistent with weakening of the interactions between the surface and the alkyl group due to Pauli repulsion of the electron-rich CF3 group from the surface, which offsets the van der Waals attraction. These experiments provide guiding principles for understanding the effect of fluorination on heterogeneous synthesis and further demonstrate the key role of molecular structure in determining reaction selectivity.
Isoindole-1,3-dione derivatives as RSK2 inhibitors: synthesis, molecular docking simulation and SAR analysis
Authors: Zhou Wei , Li Shiliang , Lu Weiqiang , Yuan Jun , Xu Yufang , Li Honglin , Huang Jin , Zhao Zhenjiang
Published: November 2015

The present study reports a series of novel potent RSK2 inhibitors obtained from structure modifications of a virtual screening hit.
Design of simvastatin-loaded polymeric microbubbles as targeted ultrasound contrast agents for vascular imaging and drug delivery in the identification of atherosclerotic plaque
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Zhao Kaiyue , Wang Jun , Bai Shujie , Jiao Shuqing , Zhang Jie , Yu Lian
Published: November 2015

Simvastatin-loaded polymeric microbubbles were synthesized as targeted ultrasound contrast agents and ultrasound-triggered drug carriers.
A highly selective and biocompatible chemosensor for sensitive detection of zinc(ii)
Authors: Dey Sudipto , Roy Ankita , Maiti Guru Prasad , Mandal Sushil Kumar , Banerjee Piyali , Roy Partha
Published: November 2015

A selective fluorescence chemosensor for Zn2+ has been developed with a very low limit of detection value (0.832 nM).
Influence of lanthanum on structural and magneto-optic properties of diamagnetic glasses of the TeO2–WO3–PbO system
Authors: Golis E. , Reben M. , Burtan-Gwizdala B. , Filipecki J. , Cisowski J. , Pawlik P.
Published: November 2015

This paper is focused on the design, fabrication and characterization of tellurite glass of composition TeO2–WO3–PbO in terms of La2O3addition.
Functional, water-dispersible gold nanoparticles produced with N,N′-bis(acryloyl)-(l)-cystine
Authors: Kolb Andrea N. D. , Harvey Joanne E. , Johnston James H.
Published: November 2015

Functional CiBA–AuNPs, with optical properties identical to those of TSC–AuNPs, for crosslinking reactions have no need for ligand exchange steps.
Multiferroic properties of hexagonal Ba3Ti2MnO9
Authors: Wang X. X. , Cheng X. Y. , Lin Y. , Ma C. , Ruan K. Q. , Li X. G.
Published: November 2015

Noncentrosymmetric hexagonal Ba3Ti2MnO9 presents multiferroic behavior.
Screening and verification of linearly dependent biomarkers with acute toxicity induced by Aconiti Radix based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling
Authors: Li Yubo , Hou Zhiguo , Wang Yuming , Wang Lei , Ju Liang , Zhang Zhenzhu , Deng Haoyue , Yuan Lei , Yang Bin , Zhang Yanjun
Published: November 2015

We built a method that has three parts: first is to screen the biomarkers with metabolic profiling analysis; second is to determine the linear dependence with acute toxicity biomarkers; third is to validate the biomarkers with different Aconiti Radix involved medicine.
A novel method to investigate the migration regularity of toxic substances from toys to saliva and sweat
Authors: Lv Qing , Wang Zhijuan , Zhang Qing , Qi Meiling , Bai Hua
Published: November 2015

A method has been established to study the migration regularity of toxic substances from toys to body and estimate the risk caused by them.
Fluid mixing in droplet-based microfluidics with a serpentine microchannel
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Wang Jianan , Feng Lianfang , Lin Tong
Published: November 2015

The hydrodynamics and mixing process within droplets travelling along a three dimensional serpentine microchannel have been studied using a computational fluid dynamics simulation based on the volume-of-fluid approach.
H2O2 in WERSA: an efficient green protocol for ipso-hydroxylation of aryl/heteroarylboronic acid
Authors: Saikia Eramoni , Bora Sankar Jyoti , Chetia Bolin
Published: November 2015

A mild, green, economic and efficient protocol has been developed for ipso-hydroxylation of aryl/heteroarylboronic acids to phenols using 30% aqueous H2O2 as an oxidant and WERSA (water extract of rice straw ashes) as a neat reaction medium.
Realization of highly-dense Al2O3 gas barrier for top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Li Min , Gao Dongyu , Li Shuo , Zhou Zhongwei , Zou Jianhua , Tao Hong , Wang Lei , Xu Miao , Peng Junbiao
Published: November 2015

In this paper Al2O3 films are prepared with a method of atomic layer deposition (ALD) as the thin film encapsulation technology for top-emitting organic light-emitting diodes (TE-OLED).
Air-exposing microwave-assisted synthesis of CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots for silicon solar cells with enhanced photovoltaic performance
Authors: Hong Ming , Xuan Tongtong , Liu Jiaqing , Jiang Ziyao , Chen Yiwei , Chen Xiaohong , Li Huili
Published: November 2015

CIS/ZnS QDs were synthesized by microwave irradiation in air. The fabricated QDs/PMMA composite films were first applied to Si solar cells to improve the conversion efficiency by 3.8%.
Separation of light confinement and absorption sites for enhancing solar water splitting
Authors: Niv A. , Koren M. Gross , Dotan H. , Bartal G. , Rothschild A.
Published: November 2015

More than 30% enhancement in photocurrent is achieved by separating light confinement and absorption sites within the solar cell.
Nitrogen-doped porous carbon derived from residuary shaddock peel: a promising and sustainable anode for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Xiao Kang , Ding Liang-Xin , Chen Hongbin , Wang Suqing , Lu Xihong , Wang Haihui
Published: November 2015

We introduce a strategy to convert crude biomass waste into high quality porous carbon and use it as an electrode material for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitors.
Genotoxic risk of quinocetone and its possible mechanism in in vitro studies
Authors: Wang Xu , Yang Panpan , Li Juan , Ihsan Awais , Liu Qianying , Cheng Guyue , Tao Yanfei , Liu Zhengli , Yuan Zonghui
Published: November 2015

Quinocetone possessing the quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide basic structure is used for its antibacterial action, although its mechanism of genotoxicity is not clear.
How, with whom and when: an overview of CD147-mediated regulatory networks influencing matrix metalloproteinase activity
Authors: Grass G. Daniel , Toole Bryan P.
Published: November 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of 23 zinc-dependent enzymes involved in various pathologic and physiologic processes. In cancer, MMPs contribute to processes from tumour initiation to establishment of distant metastases. Complex signalling and protein transport networks regulate MMP synthesis, cell surface presentation and release. Earlier attempts to disrupt MMP activity in patients have proven to be intolerable and with underwhelming clinical efficacy; thus targeting ancillary proteins that regulate MMP activity may be a useful therapeutic approach. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was originally characterized as a factor present on lung cancer cells, which stimulated collagenase (MMP-1) production in fibroblasts. Subsequent studies demonstrated that EMMPRIN was identical with several other protein factors, including basigin (Bsg), all of which are now commonly termed CD147. CD147 modulates the synthesis and activity of soluble and membrane-bound [membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMPs)] in various contexts via homophilic/heterophilic cell interactions, vesicular shedding or cell-autonomous processes. CD147 also participates in inflammation, nutrient and drug transporter activity, microbial pathology and developmental processes. Despite the hundreds of manuscripts demonstrating CD147-mediated MMP regulation, the molecular underpinnings governing this process have not been fully elucidated. The present review summarizes our present knowledge of the complex regulatory systems influencing CD147 biology and provides a framework to understand how CD147 may influence MMP activity.
Nitrogen uptake efficiency of maize in monoculture and intercropped with Brachiaria humidicola and Panicum maximum in a dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol of the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Coser Thais Rodrigues , Ramos Maria Lucrécia Gerosa , Célio de Figueiredo Cícero , Urquiaga Segundo , Moreira de Carvalho Arminda , Barros Filipe Vieira , Mendonça Maria Thereza
Published: November 2015

No-tillage systems associated with intercropping practices of grains and forages as cover crops are increasing in the Cerrado agricultural areas. The aim of this study was to quantify the nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) grown as monoculture and intercropped with tropical forages under a no-tillage system by using the 15N isotope tracer in conjunction with measurements of soil microbial biomass N and available soil N. The experiment was conducted in the 2010–11 growing season, in a Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (Typic Haplustox) in the Cerrado. The experiment was established in a complete randomised block design with three replicates with the following treatments: maize monoculture; maize intercropped with Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Aruana; and maize intercropped with Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweick. Nitrogen was applied as ammonium sulfate at a rate of 100 kg ha–1 (30 kg N ha–1 was applied at planting and 70 kg N ha–1 as a side-dressing). The N-fertiliser uptake efficiency in maize and grain yield was not affected by the presence of the intercropped forages. The intercropped B. humidicola and P. maximum recovered 2.08% and 3.71% of the N fertiliser applied, respectively. The soil was the main N source for maize. Maize intercropped with P. maximum showed higher values of microbial biomass N and available N in the soil.
Temporal generalization gradients following an interdimensional discrimination protocol
Authors: Vieira de Castro Ana Catarina , Vasconcelos Marco , Machado Armando
Published: November 2015

We investigated the effects of interdimensional discrimination training in the temporal generalization gradient. In a matching-to-sample task, pigeons learned to choose key S after a T–s houselight sample and key NS in the absence of the houselight sample. For one group of pigeons, T = 20 s; for another, T = 10 s. Subsequently, houselight duration was varied to obtain temporal generalization gradients. Results showed that (a) proportion S increased as houselight duration ranged from 0 s to T s and then remained high for houselight durations longer than T; (b) the gradients were well described by negative-exponential functions; (c) these non-flat gradients were present from the beginning of testing, and; (d) the average gradients obtained with T = 20 s and T = 10 s overlapped when plotted in relative time. We conclude that temporal control does not require explicit discrimination training along the temporal dimension, and that temporal generalization gradients obtained with an interdimensional protocol show the scalar property of timing. We discuss how these findings challenge current models of timing.
Resistive interchange mode destabilized by helically trapped energetic ions and its effects on energetic ions and bulk plasma in a helical plasma
Authors: Du X.D. , Toi K. , Ohdachi S. , Osakabe M. , Ido T. , Tanaka K. , Yokoyama M. , Yoshinuma M. , Ogawa K. , Watanabe K.Y. , Akiyama T. , Isobe M. , Nagaoka K. , Ozaki T. , Sakakibara S. , Seki R. , Shimizu A. , Suzuki Y. , Tsuchiya H.
Published: November 2015

A resistive interchange mode of the

structure (

,

: poloidal and toroidal mode numbers, respectively) with a bursting character and rapid frequency chirping in the range less than 10 kHz is observed for the first time in the edge region of the net current-free, low beta LHD (Large Helical Device) plasmas during high power injection of perpendicular neutral beams. The mode resonates with the precession motion of helically trapped energetic ions (EPs), following the resonant condition. The radial mode structure is recognized to be similar to that of the pressure-driven resistive interchange mode, of which radial displacement eigenfunction quite localizes around the mode rational surface, and evolves into an odd-type (or island-type) during the late of frequency chirping phase. This beam driven mode is excited when the beta value of helically trapped EPs exceeds a certain threshold. This instability is thought to be a new branch of resistive interchange mode destabilized by the trapped energetic ions. The radial transport, i.e. redistribution and losses, of helically trapped energetic ions induced by the mode transiently generates significant radial electric field near the plasma peripheral region. The large shear of thus generated radial electric field is thought to contribute to the observed suppression of micro-turbulence and transient increases of the temperature of fully ionized carbon impurity ions and electron density, suggesting improvement of bulk plasma confinement.
Interaction of deuterium plasma with sputter-deposited tungsten nitride films
Authors: Gao L. , Jacob W. , Meisl G. , Schwarz-Selinger T. , Höschen T. , von Toussaint U. , Dürbeck T.
Published: November 2015

Magnetron-sputtered tungsten nitride (WN
x
) films were used as a model system to study the behaviour of re-deposited WN
x
layers which could form in fusion devices with tungsten (W) wall during nitrogen seeding. The interaction of such WN
x
layers with deuterium (D) plasmas was investigated in dedicated laboratory experiments. D retention and N removal due to D plasma exposure (D flux: 9.9  ×  1019 D m−2 s−1, ion energy 215 eV) at different temperatures were measured with ion beam analysis (IBA). Low-energy argon sputtering followed by IBA was applied to resolve the D distribution in the top-most surface of WN
x
with significantly improved depth resolution compared with the standard D depth profiling method by nuclear reaction analysis. Experimentally determined thicknesses for the penetration of D in WN
x
were compared with the penetration depth for D calculated in SDTrimSP simulations. Results show that D is only retained within the ion penetration range for samples exposed at 300 K. In contrast to the 300 K case, D diffuses beyond the implantation depth in a sample exposed at 600 K. However, the D penetration depth is much lower than in pure W at comparable conditions. The total amount of retained D in WN
x
at 600 K is by 50% lower than for implantation at 300 K with the same D fluence. Nitrogen is removed only within the D ion range.
Characterisation of the L-mode scrape off layer in MAST: decay lengths
Authors: Militello F. , Garzotti L. , Harrison J. , Omotani J.T. , Scannell R. , Allan S. , Kirk A. , Lupelli I. , Thornton A.J.
Published: November 2015

This work presents a detailed characterisation of the MAST Scrape Off Layer in L-mode. Scans in line averaged density, plasma current and toroidal magnetic field were performed. A comprehensive and integrated study of the SOL was allowed by the use of a wide range of diagnostics. In agreement with previous results, an increase of the line averaged density induced a broadening of the midplane density profile. This increase was not correlated with divertor detachment, as confirmed by the systematic increase of the target ion flux and decrease of the

emission. Also, no clear correlation is found with the density of the neutral particles at the wall. At comparable density levels, discharges with higher current did not show broadening. Outer target ion saturation current and heat flux decay lengths were measured and compared with midplane data. For the saturation current, the upstream projections of the target values, based on diffusive models, did not match the midplane measurements, neither in amplitude nor in trend, while agreement was found for the heat fluxes, suggesting a different perpendicular transport mechanism for the two channels. Furthermore, the value of the target heat flux decay length was quite insensitive to changes in the thermodynamic conditions, in agreement with recent scaling laws. In all the cases studied, sawtooth oscillations were present but they simply rescaled self-similarly the target profiles. The separatrix conditions changed significantly during a sawtooth cycle, but the target heat flux decay length and divertor spreading factor remained nearly constant, indicating that these quantities are rather insensitive to the upstream thermodynamic state of the SOL.
Natural history collections-based research: progress, promise, and best practices
Authors: McLean Bryan S. , Bell Kayce C. , Dunnum Jonathan L. , Abrahamson Bethany , Colella Jocelyn P. , Deardorff Eleanor R. , Weber Jessica A. , Jones Amanda K. , Salazar-Miralles Fernando , Cook Joseph A.
Published: November 2015

Specimens and associated data in natural history collections (NHCs) foster substantial scientific progress. In this paper, we explore recent contributions of NHCs to the study of systematics and biogeography, genomics, morphology, stable isotope ecology, and parasites and pathogens of mammals. To begin to assess the magnitude and scope of these contributions, we analyzed publications in the Journal of Mammalogy over the last decade, as well as recent research supported by a single university mammal collection (Museum of Southwestern Biology, Division of Mammals). Using these datasets, we also identify weak links that may be hindering the development of crucial NHC infrastructure. Maintaining the vitality and growth of this foundation of mammalogy depends on broader engagement and support from across the scientific community and is both an ethical and scientific imperative given the rapidly changing environmental conditions on our planet.
A theory of 2+1D bosonic topological orders
Authors: Wen Xiao-Gang
Published: November 2015

In primary school, we were told that there are four phases of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. In college, we learned that there are much more than four phases of matter, such as hundreds of crystal phases, liquid crystal phases, ferromagnet, anti-ferromagnet, superfluid, etc. Those phases of matter are so rich, it is amazing that they can be understood systematically by the symmetry breaking theory of Landau. However, there are even more interesting phases of matter that are beyond Landau symmetry breaking theory. In this paper, we review new ‘topological’ phenomena, such as topological degeneracy, that reveal the existence of those new zero-temperature phase—topologically ordered phases. Microscopically, topologically orders are originated from the patterns of long-range entanglement in the ground states. As a truly new type of order and a truly new kind of phenomena, topological order and long-range entanglement require a new language and a new mathematical framework, such as unitary fusion category and modular tensor category to describe them. In this paper, we will describe a simple mathematical framework based on measurable quantities of topological orders (S, T, c) proposed around 1989. The framework allows us to systematically describe all 2+1D bosonic topological orders (i.e. topological orders in local bosonic/spin/qubit systems).