bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Past experience shapes ongoing neural patterns for language
Authors: Pierce Lara J. , Chen Jen-Kai , Delcenserie Audrey , Genesee Fred , Klein Denise
Published: December 2015

Early experiences may establish a foundation for later learning, however, influences of early language experience on later neural processing are unknown. We investigated whether maintenance of neural templates from early language experience influences subsequent language processing. Using fMRI, we scanned the following three groups performing a French phonological working memory (PWM) task: (1) monolingual French children; (2) children adopted from China before age 3 who discontinued Chinese and spoke only French; (3) Chinese-speaking children who learned French as a second language but maintained Chinese. Although all groups perform this task equally well, brain activation differs. French monolinguals activate typical PWM brain regions, while both Chinese-exposed groups also activate regions implicated in cognitive control, even the adoptees who were monolingual French speakers at testing. Early exposure to a language, and/or delayed exposure to a subsequent language, continues to influence the neural processing of subsequently learned language sounds years later even in highly proficient, early-exposed users.
Kinetochore–microtubule attachment is sufficient to satisfy the human spindle assembly checkpoint
Authors: Etemad Banafsheh , Kuijt Timo E. F. , Kops Geert J. P. L.
Published: December 2015

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a genome surveillance mechanism that protects against aneuploidization. Despite profound progress on understanding mechanisms of its activation, it remains unknown what aspect of chromosome–spindle interactions is monitored by the SAC: kinetochore–microtubule attachment or the force generated by dynamic microtubules that signals stable biorientation of chromosomes? To answer this, we uncoupled these two processes by expressing a non-phosphorylatable version of the main microtubule-binding protein at kinetochores (HEC1-9A), causing stabilization of incorrect kinetochore–microtubule attachments despite persistent activity of the error-correction machinery. The SAC is fully functional in HEC1-9A-expressing cells, yet cells in which chromosomes cannot biorient but are stably attached to microtubules satisfy the SAC and exit mitosis. SAC satisfaction requires neither intra-kinetochore stretching nor dynamic microtubules. Our findings support the hypothesis that in human cells the end-on interactions of microtubules with kinetochores are sufficient to satisfy the SAC without the need for microtubule-based pulling forces.
Molecular mechanisms of Tetranychus urticae chemical adaptation in hop fields
Authors: Piraneo Tara G. , Bull Jon , Morales Mariany A. , Lavine Laura C. , Walsh Douglas B. , Zhu Fang
Published: December 2015

The two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticaeKoch is a major pest that feeds on >1,100 plant species. Many perennial crops including hop (Humulus lupulus) are routinely plagued byT. urticaeinfestations. Hop is a specialty crop in Pacific Northwest states, where 99% of all U.S. hops are produced. To suppressT. urticae, growers often apply various acaricides. UnfortunatelyT. urticaehas been documented to quickly develop resistance to these acaricides which directly cause control failures. Here, we investigated resistance ratios and distribution of multiple resistance-associated mutations in field collectedT. urticaesamples compared with a susceptible population. Our research revealed that a mutation in the cytochrome b gene (G126S) in 35% testedT. urticaepopulations and a mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (F1538I) in 66.7% populations may contribute resistance to bifenazate and bifenthrin, respectively. No mutations were detected in Glutamate-gated chloride channel subunits tested, suggesting target site insensitivity may not be important in our hopT. urticaeresistance to abamectin. However, P450-mediated detoxification was observed and is a putative mechanism for abamectin resistance. Molecular mechanisms ofT. urticaechemical adaptation in hopyards is imperative new information that will help growers develop effective and sustainable management strategies.
The reconstruction of complex networks with community structure
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Futian , Wang Xiang , Zeng An , Xiao Jinghua
Published: December 2015

Link prediction is a fundamental problem with applications in many fields ranging from biology to computer science. In the literature, most effort has been devoted to estimate the likelihood of the existence of a link between two nodes, based on observed links and nodes’ attributes in a network. In this paper, we apply several representative link prediction methods to reconstruct the network, namely to add the missing links with high likelihood of existence back to the network. We find that all these existing methods fail to identify the links connecting different communities, resulting in a poor reproduction of the topological and dynamical properties of the true network. To solve this problem, we propose a community-based link prediction method. We find that our method has high prediction accuracy and is very effective in reconstructing the inter-community links.
Neurodegenerative disease-associated mutants of a human mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase present individual molecular signatures
Authors: Sauter Claude , Lorber Bernard , Gaudry Agnès , Karim Loukmane , Schwenzer Hagen , Wien Frank , Roblin Pierre , Florentz Catherine , Sissler Marie
Published: December 2015

Mutations in human mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are associated with a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. The effects of these mutations on the structure and function of the enzymes remain to be established. Here, we investigate six mutants of the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase correlated with leukoencephalopathies. Our integrated strategy, combining an ensemble of biochemical and biophysical approaches, reveals that mutants are diversely affected with respect to their solubility in cellular extracts and stability in solution, but not in architecture. Mutations with mild effects on solubility occur in patients as allelic combinations whereas those with strong effects on solubility or on aminoacylation are necessarily associated with a partially functional allele. The fact that all mutations show individual molecular and cellular signatures and affect amino acids only conserved in mammals, points towards an alternative function besides aminoacylation.
Interfacial Engineering of Semiconductor–Superconductor Junctions for High Performance Micro-Coolers
Authors: Gunnarsson D. , Richardson-Bullock J. S. , Prest M. J. , Nguyen H. Q. , Timofeev A. V. , Shah V. A. , Whall T. E. , Parker E. H. C. , Leadley D. R. , Myronov M. , Prunnila M.
Published: December 2015

The control of electronic and thermal transport through material interfaces is crucial for numerous micro and nanoelectronics applications and quantum devices. Here we report on the engineering of the electro-thermal properties of semiconductor-superconductor (Sm-S) electronic cooler junctions by a nanoscale insulating tunnel barrier introduced between the Sm and S electrodes. Unexpectedly, such an interface barrier does not increase the junction resistance but strongly reduces the detrimental sub-gap leakage current. These features are key to achieving high cooling power tunnel junction refrigerators and we demonstrate unparalleled performance in silicon-based Sm-S electron cooler devices with orders of magnitudes improvement in the cooling power in comparison to previous works. By adapting the junctions in strain-engineered silicon coolers we also demonstrate efficient electron temperature reduction from 300 mK to below 100 mK. Investigations on junctions with different interface quality indicate that the previously unexplained sub-gap leakage current is strongly influenced by the Sm-S interface states. These states often dictate the junction electrical resistance through the well-known Fermi level pinning effect and, therefore, superconductivity could be generally used to probe and optimize metal-semiconductor contact behaviour.
Cardiotrophin-1 is inversely associated with obesity in non-diabetic individuals
Authors: Hung Hao-Chang , Lu Feng-Hwa , Wu Hung-Tsung , Ou Horng-Yih , Yang Yi-Ching , Wu Jin-Shang , Chang Chih-Jen
Published: December 2015

Cardiotrophin-1 is known to be a key regulator of energy homeostasis, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism in vivo. However, there are inconsistent results of the association between cardiotrophin-1 and obesity in humans, possibly confounded by hyperglycemia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among cardiotrophin-1 levels, overweight and obese individuals without diabetes in a Chinese population. The median (inter-quarter range) serum cardiotrophin-1 levels were 447.9 (230.9, 913.9), 350.6 (201.1, 666.5) and 288.1 (162.3, 572.4) pg/ml in non-diabetic subjects who were of normal weight (n = 522), overweight (n = 203) and obese (n = 93), respectively (trend test p < 0.001). Subjects who were overweight and obese had significantly lower cardiotrophin-1 levels than those with normal weight. The multivariate linear regression analyses showed that overweight (beta = −338.718, 95% CI = −552.786 ~ −124.651, p < 0.01), obese (beta = −530.275, 95% CI = −832.967 ~ −227.583, p < 0.01) and smoking (beta = −377.375, 95% CI = −654.353 ~ −100.397, p < 0.01) were negatively related to cardiotrophin-1 after adjusting for age, gender, HOMA-IR, hypertension, total cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride, eGFR, ALT and alcohol drinking. The results of this study provided epidemiological evidence that non-diabetic subjects who were overweight or obesity had significantly lower cardiotrophin-1 concentrations than those with normal weight and both obesity and being overweight were inversely associated with cardiotrophin-1 levels.
The impact of Anastrazole and Letrozole on the metabolic profile in an experimental animal model
Authors: Boutas Ioannis , Pergialiotis Vasilios , Salakos Nicolaos , Agrogiannis George , Konstantopoulos Panagiotis , Korou Laskarina-Maria , Kalampokas Theodoros , Gregoriou Odysseas , Creatsas George , Perrea Despina
Published: December 2015

Anastrazole and Letrozole are used as endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients. Previous studies suggested a possible association with metabolic and liver adverse effects. Their results are conflicting. Fifty-five 4-week-old female Wistar rats were allocated in 4 groups 1) ovariectomy control (OC), 2) ovariectomy-Anastrazole (OA) 3) ovariectomy -Letrozole (OL), 4) control. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c were measured at baseline, 2 and 4 months. At the end, the animals‘ liver were dissected for pathology. At 4 months, total cholesterol differed among the OC and OL groups (p = 0.15) and the control and OL groups (p = 0.12). LDL-C differed between the control and OC groups (p = 0.015) as well as between the control and OA (p =0 .015) and OL groups (p = 0.002). OC group triglycerides, differed from those of the OL group (p =0 .002) and the control group (p = 0.007). The OA also significantly differed from the OL (p = 0.50). Liver pathology analysis revealed differences among groups with favored mild steatosis and ballooning. Anastrazole and Letrozole seem to negatively influence the lipid profile in our experimental model. This information should be taken in caution by medical oncologists when addressing patients with altered lipid metabolism.
Regional Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy improves the Pathological Response rate for advanced gastric cancer with Short-term Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Zhen-Feng , Cao Qin-Hong , Wu Xiao-Yu , Chen Che , Xu Zhe , Li Wei-Su , Yao Xue-Quan , Liu Fu-Kun
Published: December 2015

To identify clinicopathologic and treatment variables that could predict pathologic tumor response to short-term neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 178 patients who underwent short-term NAC with EOX regimen followed by surgery from January 2008 to December 2010. Neoadjuvant treatment response was evaluated using tumor regression grade. Relationships between pathologic tumor response and clinicopathological factors were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The benefits of regional arterial infusion chemotherapy were investigated separately. The postoperative pathological response rate was 46.1% (82/178) and 4 patients (2.2%) had complete pathological remission. Pathological response was significantly associated with tumor differentiation (P = 0.008), abnormal a-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.01) and administration approach to chemotherapy (intravenous versus regional arterial infusion chemotherapy) (P = 0.018). Most bone marrow toxicities, vomiting, nausea, alopecia and fatigue were acceptable. Grade 3/4 toxicities were not commonly observed. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) were 67.0% and 53.0%, respectively. Regional arterial infusion NAC group had significantly better median RFS (48.0 versus 34.0 months) than the intravenous NAC group (P = 0.049). In conclusion, regional arterial infusion NAC can improve the pathological response rate of advanced gastric cancer treated with EOX regimen.
Large genomic fragment deletion and functional gene cassette knock-in via Cas9 protein mediated genome editing in one-cell rodent embryos
Authors: Wang Liren , Shao Yanjiao , Guan Yuting , Li Liang , Wu Lijuan , Chen Fangrui , Liu Meizhen , Chen Huaqing , Ma Yanlin , Ma Xueyun , Liu Mingyao , Li Dali
Published: December 2015

The CRISPR-Cas RNA-guided system has versatile uses in many organisms and allows modification of multiple target sites simultaneously. Generating novel genetically modified mouse and rat models is one valuable application of this system. Through the injection of Cas9 protein instead of mRNA into embryos, we observed fewer off-target effects of Cas9 and increased point mutation knock-in efficiency. Large genomic DNA fragment (up to 95 kb) deletion mice were generated for in vivo study of lncRNAs and gene clusters. Site-specific insertion of a 2.7 kb CreERT2 cassette into the mouse Nfatc1 locus allowed labeling and tracing of hair follicle stem cells. In addition, we combined the Cre-Loxp system with a gene-trap strategy to insert a GFP reporter in the reverse orientation into the rat Lgr5 locus, which was later inverted by Cre-mediated recombination, yielding a conditional knockout/reporter strategy suitable for mosaic mutation analysis.
Tunable Magnetization Dynamics in Interfacially Modified Ni81Fe19/Pt Bilayer Thin Film Microstructures
Authors: Ganguly Arnab , Azzawi Sinan , Saha Susmita , King J. A. , Rowan-Robinson R. M. , Hindmarch A. T. , Sinha Jaivardhan , Atkinson Del , Barman Anjan
Published: December 2015

Interface modification for control of ultrafast magnetic properties using low-dose focused ion beam irradiation is demonstrated for bilayers of two technologically important materials: Ni81Fe19 and Pt. Magnetization dynamics were studied using an all-optical time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr microscopy method. Magnetization relaxation, precession, damping and the spatial coherence of magnetization dynamics were studied. Magnetization precession was fitted with a single-mode damped sinusoid to extract the Gilbert damping parameter. A systematic study of the damping parameter and frequency as a function of irradiation dose varying from 0 to 3.3 pC/μm2 shows a complex dependence upon ion beam dose. This is interpreted in terms of both intrinsic effects and extrinsic two-magnon scattering effects resulting from the expansion of the interfacial region and the creation of a compositionally graded alloy. The results suggest a new direction for the control of precessional magnetization dynamics and open the opportunity to optimize high-speed magnetic devices.
Effect of Age and Refractive Error on the Melanopsin Mediated Post-Illumination Pupil Response (PIPR)
Authors: Adhikari Prakash , Pearson Candice A. , Anderson Alexandra M. , Zele Andrew J. , Feigl Beatrix
Published: December 2015

Melanopsin containing intrinsically photosensitive Retinal Ganglion cells (ipRGCs) mediate the pupil light reflex (PLR) during light onset and at light offset (the post-illumination pupil response, PIPR). Recent evidence shows that the PLR and PIPR can provide non-invasive, objective markers of age-related retinal and optic nerve disease; however there is no consensus on the effects of healthy ageing or refractive error on the ipRGC mediated pupil function. Here we isolated melanopsin contributions to the pupil control pathway in 59 human participants with no ocular pathology across a range of ages and refractive errors. We show that there is no effect of age or refractive error on ipRGC inputs to the human pupil control pathway. The stability of the ipRGC mediated pupil response across the human lifespan provides a functional correlate of their robustness observed during ageing in rodent models.
Three-dimensional collimated self-accelerating beam through acoustic metascreen
Authors: Li Yong , Assouar M. Badreddine
Published: December 2015

We report the generation of three-dimensional acoustic collimated self-accelerating beam in non-paraxial region with sourceless metascreen. Acoustic metascreen with deep subwavelength spatial resolution, composed of hybrid structures combining four Helmholtz resonators and a straight pipe, transmitting sound efficiently and shifting fully the local phase is evidenced. With an extra phase profile provided by the metascreen, the transmitted sound can be tuned to propagate along arbitrary caustic curvatures to form a focused spot. Due to the caustic nature, the formed beam possesses the capacities of bypassing obstacles and holding the self-healing feature, paving then a new way for wave manipulations and indicating various potential applications, especially in the fields of ultrasonic imaging, diagnosis and treatment.
Tetranectin as a Potential Biomarker for Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Chen Yanjia , Han Hui , Yan Xiaoxiang , Ding Fenghua , Su Xiuxiu , Wang Haibo , Chen Qiujing , Lu Lin , Zhang Ruiyan , Jin Wei
Published: December 2015

This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that decreased serum levels of tetranectin (TN), a regulator of the fibrinolysis and proteolytic system, is associated with the presence and severity of CAD. We conducted a systematic serological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis to respectively compare the TN levels in serum and artery samples in CAD patients and healthy controls. Our results showed that serum levels of TN were significantly lower in patients with CAD than in healthy controls. Further analysis via trend tests revealed that serum TN levels correlated with the number of diseased arteries. Besides, the multivariate logistic regression model revealed TN as an independent factor associated with the presence of CAD. Additionally, IHC analysis showed that TN expression was significantly higher in atherosclerotic arteries as compared to healthy control tissues. In conclusion, our study suggests that increased serum TN level is associated with the presence and severity of diseased coronary arteries in patients with stable CAD.
Conductive Graphitic Carbon Nitride as an Ideal Material for Electrocatalytically Switchable CO2 Capture
Authors: Tan Xin , Kou Liangzhi , Tahini Hassan A. , Smith Sean C.
Published: December 2015

Good electrical conductivity and high electron mobility of the sorbent materials are prerequisite for electrocatalytically switchable CO2 capture. However, no conductive and easily synthetic sorbent materials are available until now. Here, we examined the possibility of conductive graphitic carbon nitride (g-C4N3) nanosheets as sorbent materials for electrocatalytically switchable CO2 capture. Using first-principle calculations, we found that the adsorption energy of CO2 molecules on g-C4N3 nanosheets can be dramatically enhanced by injecting extra electrons into the adsorbent. At saturation CO2 capture coverage, the negatively charged g-C4N3 nanosheets achieve CO2 capture capacities up to 73.9 × 1013 cm−2 or 42.3 wt%. In contrast to other CO2 capture approaches, the process of CO2 capture/release occurs spontaneously without any energy barriers once extra electrons are introduced or removed and these processes can be simply controlled and reversed by switching on/off the charging voltage. In addition, these negatively charged g-C4N3 nanosheets are highly selective for separating CO2 from mixtures with CH4, H2 and/or N2. These predictions may prove to be instrumental in searching for a new class of experimentally feasible high-capacity CO2 capture materials with ideal thermodynamics and reversibility.
Proteasome system dysregulation and treatment resistance mechanisms in major depressive disorder
Authors: Minelli A , Magri C , Barbon A , Bonvicini C , Segala M , Congiu C , Bignotti S , Milanesi E , Trabucchi L , Cattane N , Bortolomasi M , Gennarelli M
Published: December 2015

Several studies have demonstrated that allelic variants related to inflammation and the immune system may increase the risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) and reduce patient responsiveness to antidepressant treatment. Proteasomes are fundamental complexes that contribute to the regulation of T-cell function. Only one study has shown a putative role of proteasomal PSMA7, PSMD9 and PSMD13 genes in the susceptibility to an antidepressant response, and sparse data are available regarding the potential alterations in proteasome expression in psychiatric disorders such as MDD. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of these genes in the mechanisms underlying the response/resistance to MDD treatment. We performed a case-control association study on 621 MDD patients, of whom 390 were classified as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and we collected peripheral blood cells and fibroblasts for mRNA expression analyses. The analyses showed that subjects carrying the homozygous GG genotype of PSMD13 rs3817629 had a twofold greater risk of developing TRD and exhibited a lower PSMD13 mRNA level in fibroblasts than subjects carrying the A allele. In addition, we found a positive association between PSMD9 rs1043307 and the presence of anxiety disorders in comorbidity with MDD, although this result was not significant following correction for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, by confirming the involvement of PSMD13 in the MDD treatment response, our data corroborate the hypothesis that the dysregulation of the complex responsible for the degradation of intracellular proteins and potentially controlling autoimmunity- and immune tolerance–related processes may be involved in several phenotypes, including the TRD.
A novel, sensitive and convenient method for determination of sialic acids in human serum utilizing ultrasonic-assisted closed in-syringe hydrolysis and derivatization prior to high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Wu Chuanxiang , Xia Lian , Liu Lijie , Qu Fengli , Li Guoliang , Sun Zhiwei , Ji Zhongyin , Sun Weiwei , You Jinmao
Published: December 2015

Determination of sialic acids utilizing ultrasonic-assisted closed in-syringe hydrolysis and derivatization prior to HPLC.
Transforming the recognition site of 4-hydroxyaniline into 4-methoxyaniline grafted onto a BODIPY core switches the selective detection of peroxynitrite to hypochlorous acid
Authors: Zhao Chunchang , An Jiancai , Zhou Li , Fei Qiang , Wang Feiyi , Tan Jie , Shi Ben , Wang Rui , Guo Zhiqian , Zhu Wei-Hong
Published: December 2015

From peroxynitrite to HOCl: two probes are reported, sharing the same BODIPY core but differing only by a minimized variation in the recognition site.
Rhodium-catalyzed tunable oxidative cyclization toward the selective synthesis of α-pyrones and furans
Authors: Wu Jiaping , Wang Dongxu , Wan Yanjun , Ma Cheng
Published: December 2015

The RhIII-catalyzed tunable oxidative cyclization of readily availableN-tosylacrylamides and diazo compounds toward the selective synthesis of fully substituted furans and α-pyrones is presented.
Effect of strong phonon–phonon coupling on the temperature dependent structural stability and frequency shift of 2D hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Anees P. , Valsakumar M. C. , Panigrahi B. K.
Published: December 2015

We report the effect of strong anharmonic phonon–phonon coupling on the temperature dependent structural stability, frequency shift and linewidth of 2D h-BN.
Ni2+-zeolite/ferrosphere and Ni2+-silica/ferrosphere beads for magnetic affinity separation of histidine-tagged proteins
Authors: Vereshchagina T. A. , Fedorchak M. A. , Sharonova O. M. , Fomenko E. V. , Shishkina N. N. , Zhizhaev A. M. , Kudryavtsev A. N. , Frank L. A. , Anshits A. G.
Published: December 2015

Ferrosphere-based magnetic beads of a core–shell structure with immobilized Ni2+ having a high affinity towards His-tagged recombinant proteins were fabricated.
Plant species forbidden in health food and their toxic constituents, toxicology and detoxification
Authors: Xu Xi-Lin , Shang Yu , Jiang Jian-Guo
Published: December 2015

Many plants with pharmacological efficacies are widely used as ingredients in so-called “health foods”, but many of them are toxic.
Green synthesis of dipyrromethanes in aqueous media catalyzed by SO3H-functionalized ionic liquid
Authors: Senapak W. , Saeeng R. , Jaratjaroonphong J. , Kasemsuk T. , Sirion U.
Published: December 2015

A mild, efficient and metal-free method was described for the green synthesis of dipyrromethanes from aldehydes and unsubstituted pyrrole catalyzed by SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids (SO3H-ILs) in aqueous media at room temperature.
Termini capping of metal-poly-His peptide complexes induces the formation of α-helix
Authors: Simonovsky Eyal , Kozlowski Henryk , Miller Yifat
Published: December 2015

Capping of both N- and C-terminal induce α-helix formation in Cu2+-His6 peptide.
Synthesis of silicone elastomers containing trifluoropropyl groups and their use in dielectric elastomer transducers
Authors: Dascalu Mihaela , Dünki Simon J. , Quinsaat Jose-Enrico Q. , Ko Yee Song , Opris Dorina M.
Published: December 2015

Polysiloxane elastomers containing varying mo2009l% of trifluoropropyl groups were investigated in dielectric elastomer actuators.
Role of the coupler to design organic magnetic molecules: LUMO plays an important role in magnetic exchange
Authors: Shil Suranjan , Roy Moumita , Misra Anirban
Published: December 2015

The occupation number and spatial position of the LUMO play an important role in magnetic exchange in diradicals.
Local, combination chemotherapy in prevention of cervical cancer recurrence after surgery by using nanofibers co-loaded with cisplatin and curcumin
Authors: Ma Yue , Wang Xue , Zong Shan , Zhang Zhiyun , Xie Zhigang , Huang Yubin , Yue Ying , Liu Shi , Jing Xiabin
Published: December 2015

Electrospun nanofibers co-loaded with cisplatin and curcumin effectively reduce the risk of local cervical cancer recurrence after surgery.
Phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 2] annulation of chalcones with allenoates for enantioselective synthesis of functionalized cyclopentenes
Authors: Gao Zhenzhen , Wang Chang , Yuan Chunhao , Zhou Leijie , Sun Zhanhu , Xiao Yumei , Guo Hongchao
Published: December 2015

Chiral phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 2] annulation reaction of various Boc-amino-substituted chalcones with allenoates has been developed, leading to formation of 1,4,5-trisubstituted cyclopentenes with high yields, excellent dr and ee.
Evaluation of surface acetylated and internally quaternized poly(propylene imine) dendrimer as a biocompatible drug carrier for piroxicam as a model drug
Authors: Murugan E. , Yogaraj V. , Geetha Rani D. P. , Sinha Alok Kumar
Published: December 2015

Two types of new surface acetylated and internally quaternized poly(propylene imine) dendrimers QPPI-NHAc (G2)/(G3) were prepared, characterized and then demonstrated as potential and biocompatible drug carriers using piroxicam as a model drug.
Fast formaldehyde gas sensing response properties of ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets
Authors: Yu Hai , Yang Tianye , Zhao Rui , Xiao Bingxin , Li Zhifang , Zhang Mingzhe
Published: December 2015

The ultrathin SnO2 nanosheet sensors detect formaldehyde, and show very fast response times (<1 s) and recovery times (6 s).
Influence of photoactivated tetra sulphonatophenyl porphyrin and TiO2nanowhiskers on rheumatoid arthritis infected bone marrow stem cell proliferation in vitro and oxidative stress biomarkers in vivo
Authors: Rehman Fawad Ur , Zhao Chunqiu , Wu Changyu , Jiang Hui , Selke Matthias , Wang Xuemei
Published: December 2015

Besides the lethal effects of photodynamic therapy on neoplasms, herein we report photoactivated TSPP–TiO2nanocomposites' growth promoting effect on rheumatoid arthritis BMS cells.
Mesoporous carbonaceous materials prepared from used cigarette filters for efficient phenol adsorption and CO2 capture
Authors: Chen Aibing , Li Yonglei , Yu Yifeng , Li Yuetong , Zhang Linsong , Lv Haijun , Liu Lei
Published: December 2015

Mesoporous carbonaceous materials are synthesized using resol as the carbon precursor, triblock copolymer F127 as the template and cigarette filters as the matrix scaffold, and exhibit notable phenol adsorption and CO2 capture.
Determination of mosaicity in oriented stacks of lipid bilayers
Authors: Nagle John F. , Akabori Kiyotaka , Treece Bradley W. , Tristram-Nagle Stephanie
Published: December 2015

Protocols are developed for characterizing and quantifying mosaicity (orientation disorder) in lipid bilayer samples.
Multihierarchical electrodes based on titanate nanotubes and zinc oxide nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Souza J. S. , Carvalho W. M. , Souza F. L. , Ponce-de-Leon C. , Bavykin D. V. , Alves W. A.
Published: December 2015

This work describes a novel class of multihierarchical electrodes based on TiNTs and ZnONRs obtainedviaa simple two-step method, for efficient oxygen evolutionviaphotoelectrochemical water splitting.
Orientation effect induced selective chelation of Fe2+to a glutamic acid appended conjugated polymer for sensing and live cell imaging
Authors: Senthilkumar T. , Parekh Nimisha , Nikam Shrikant B. , Asha S. K.
Published: December 2015

We have demonstrated the first example of highly selective sensing and bioimaging of Fe2+in living HeLa cells using a biocompatible glutamic acid appended polyfluoreneviaselective chelation of amine and acid groups with Fe2+.
Effect of crystallographic orientation on tensile fractures of (100) and (110) silicon microstructures fabricated from silicon‐on‐insulator wafers
Authors: Uesugi Akio , Hirai Yoshikazu , Sugano Koji , Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Tabata Osamu
Published: December 2015

This Letter investigates the effect of crystallographic orientation on tensile fractures of silicon microstructures. Specimens 5 μm wide and 5 μm thick were fabricated on (100) and (110) wafers with 〈100〉, 〈110〉, and 〈111〉 tensile axes. To explore the effects of different surface orientations and morphologies, these specimens were patterned from (100) and (110) silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) wafers using the Bosch process under identical fabrication conditions, while other specimens were fabricated from (110) wafers under different conditions. Tensile tests of specimens prepared under the identical fabrication conditions showed that (100) specimens had lower strength than (110) specimens along the 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 axes; the average strength decreased from 3.62 to 3.14 GPa for 〈110〉. This decrease in strength is related to differences in damage that ultimately causes fractures. While (110) specimens fractured due to fabrication damage at top corners, fractures of (100) specimens were due to pit‐like defects on bottom surfaces. Since these defects were introduced during SOI bonding processes, the fractures of (100) specimens were dominated by intrinsic SOI defects rather than damage introduced during specimen fabrication processes. To realise higher‐strength structures on SOI wafers, both the damage caused during fabrication and the intrinsic defects need to be controlled.
Investigation on the electron flux to the wall in the VENUS ion source
Authors: Thuillier T. , Angot J. , Benitez J. Y. , Hodgkinson A. , Lyneis C. M. , Todd D. S. , Xie D. Z.
Published: December 2015

The long-term operation of high charge state electron cyclotron resonance ion sources fed with high microwave power has caused damage to the plasma chamber wall in several laboratories. Porosity, or a small hole, can be progressively created in the chamber wall which can destroy the plasma chamber over a few year time scale. A burnout of the VENUS plasma chamber is investigated in which the hole formation in relation to the local hot electron power density is studied. First, the results of a simple model assuming that hot electrons are fully magnetized and strictly following magnetic field lines are presented. The model qualitatively reproduces the experimental traces left by the plasma on the wall. However, it is too crude to reproduce the localized electron power density for creating a hole in the chamber wall. Second, the results of a Monte Carlo simulation, following a population of scattering hot electrons, indicate a localized high power deposited to the chamber wall consistent with the hole formation process. Finally, a hypervapotron cooling scheme is proposed to mitigate the hole formation in electron cyclotron resonance plasma chamber wall.
Wigner functions for noncommutative quantum mechanics: A group representation based construction
Authors: Chowdhury S. Hasibul Hassan , Ali S. Twareque
Published: December 2015

This paper is devoted to the construction and analysis of the Wigner functions for noncommutative quantum mechanics, their marginal distributions, and star-products, following a technique developed earlier, viz, using the unitary irreducible representations of the group GNC, which is the three fold central extension of the Abelian group of ℝ4. These representations have been exhaustively studied in earlier papers. The group GNC is identified with the kinematical symmetry group of noncommutative quantum mechanics of a system with two degrees of freedom. The Wigner functions studied here reflect different levels of non-commutativity—both the operators of position and those of momentum not commuting, the position operators not commuting and finally, the case of standard quantum mechanics, obeying the canonical commutation relations only.
On the Colbeck–Renner theorem
Authors: Landsman Klaas
Published: December 2015

In three papers, Colbeck and Renner [Nat. Commun. 2, 411 (2011); Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 150402 (2012); e-print arXiv:1208.4123] argued that “no alternative theory compatible with quantum theory and satisfying the freedom of choice assumption can give improved predictions.” We give a more precise version of the formulation and proof of this remarkable claim. Our proof broadly follows theirs, which relies on physically well motivated axioms, but to fill in some crucial details, certain technical assumptions have had to be added, whose physical status seems somewhat obscure.
Toward compositional design of reticular type porous films by mixing and coating titania-based frameworks with silica
Authors: Kimura T.
Published: December 2015

A recently developed reticular type porous structure, which can be fabricated as the film through the soft colloidal block copolymer (e.g., PS-b-PEO) templating, is very promising as the porous platform showing high-performance based on its high surface area as well as high diffusivity of targeted organic molecules and effective accommodation of bulky molecules, but the compositional design of oxide frameworks has not been developed so enough to date. Here, I report reliable synthetic methods of the reticular type porous structure toward simple compositional variations. Due to the reproducibility of reticular type porous titania films from titanium alkoxide (e.g., TTIP; titanium tetraisopropoxide), a titania-silica film having similar porous structure was obtained by mixing silicon alkoxide (e.g., tetraethoxysilane) and TTIP followed by their pre-hydrolysis, and the mixing ratio of Ti to Si composition was easily reached to 1.0. For further compositional design, a concept of surface coating was widely applicable; the reticular type porous titania surfaces can be coated with other oxides such as silica. Here, a silica coating was successfully achieved by the simple chemical vapor deposition of silicon alkoxide (e.g., tetramethoxysilane) without water (with water at the humidity level), which was also utilized for pore filling with silica by the similar process with water.
Experts say Iran nuclear agreement is sufficiently verifiable
Authors: Kramer David
Published: December 2015

The International Atomic Energy Agency will use the latest surveillance technologies to ensure compliance.
NASA Mars mockup explores team cohesion and performance
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: December 2015

How can astronauts best brave the confinement, isolation, and extreme conditions of extended stays away from Earth?
Nrf2 in ischemic neurons promotes retinal vascular regeneration through regulation of semaphorin 6A
Authors: Wei Yanhong , Gong Junsong , Xu Zhenhua , Thimmulappa Rajesh K. , Mitchell Katherine L. , Welsbie Derek S. , Biswal Shyam , Duh Elia J.
Published: December 2015

Significance

Delayed revascularization of ischemic neural tissue is a major impediment to preservation of function in central nervous system (CNS) diseases including stroke and ischemic retinopathies. The key mechanisms governing vascular recovery in ischemic CNS, including regulatory molecules governing transition from tissue injury to repair, are largely unknown. We report here on NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a major stress-response transcription factor known for its cell-intrinsic cytoprotective function, in a novel capacity coordinating tissue repair and remodeling, including regulation of cell–cell crosstalk. Nrf2 activity in ischemic neurons reduces their resistance to reparative angiogenesis by suppressing expression of neuronal semaphorin 6A (Sema6A) and its antiangiogenic effects. Pharmacologic activation of Nrf2 or inhibition of Sema6A promote reparative angiogenesis in this ischemic setting, suggesting therapeutic avenues for ischemic retinopathies and other ischemic diseases.
Quantum probability and quantum decision-making
Authors: Yukalov V. I. , Sornette D.
Published: December 2015

A rigorous general definition of quantum probability is given, which is valid not only for elementary events but also for composite events, for operationally testable measurements as well as for inconclusive measurements, and also for non-commuting observables in addition to commutative observables. Our proposed definition of quantum probability makes it possible to describe quantum measurements and quantum decision-making on the same common mathematical footing. Conditions are formulated for the case when quantum decision theory reduces to its classical counterpart and for the situation where the use of quantum decision theory is necessary.
Opportunities and challenges ofIntegralProjectionModels for modelling host–parasite dynamics
Authors: Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Graham Andrea L. , Martinez‐Bakker Micaela , Childs Dylan Z.
Published: December 2015

Epidemiological dynamics are shaped by and may in turn shape host demography. These feedbacks can result in hard to predict patterns of disease incidence. Mathematical models that integrate infection and demography are consequently a key tool for informing expectations for disease burden and identifying effective measures for control.

A major challenge is capturing the details of infection within individuals and quantifying their downstream impacts to understand population‐scale outcomes. For example, parasite loads and antibody titres may vary over the course of an infection and contribute to differences in transmission at the scale of the population. To date, to capture these subtleties, models have mostly relied on complex mechanistic frameworks, discrete categorization and/or agent‐based approaches.

Integral Projection Models (IPMs) allow variance in individual trajectories of quantitative traits and their population‐level outcomes to be captured in ways that directly reflect statistical models of trait–fate relationships. Given increasing data availability, and advances in modelling, there is considerable potential for extending this framework to traits of relevance for infectious disease dynamics.

Here, we provide an overview of host and parasite natural history contexts whereIPMs could strengthen inference of population dynamics, with examples of host species ranging from mice to sheep to humans, and parasites ranging from viruses to worms. We discuss models of both parasite and host traits, provide two case studies and conclude by reviewing potential for both ecological and evolutionary research.
How well can body size represent effects of the environment on demographic rates? Disentangling correlated explanatory variables
Authors: Brooks Mollie E. , Mugabo Marianne , Rodgers Gwendolen M. , Benton Timothy G. , Ozgul Arpat
Published: December 2015

Demographic rates are shaped by the interaction of past and current environments that individuals in a population experience. Past environments shape individual states via selection and plasticity, and fitness‐related traits (e.g. individual size) are commonly used in demographic analyses to represent the effect of past environments on demographic rates.

We quantified how well the size of individuals captures the effects of a population's past and current environments on demographic rates in a well‐studied experimental system of soil mites. We decomposed these interrelated sources of variation with a novel method of multiple regression that is useful for understanding nonlinear relationships between responses and multicollinear explanatory variables. We graphically present the results using area‐proportional Venn diagrams. Our novel method was developed by combining existing methods and expanding upon them.

We showed that the strength of size as a proxy for the past environment varied widely among vital rates. For instance, in this organism with an income breeding life history, the environment had more effect on reproduction than individual size, but with substantial overlap indicating that size encompassed some of the effects of the past environment on fecundity.

This demonstrates that the strength of size as a proxy for the past environment can vary widely among life‐history processes within a species, and this variation should be taken into consideration in trait‐based demographic or individual‐based approaches that focus on phenotypic traits as state variables. Furthermore, the strength of a proxy will depend on what state variable(s) and what demographic rate is being examined; that is, different measures of body size (e.g. length, volume, mass, fat stores) will be better or worse proxies for various life‐history processes.
The fragility of Europe's Willkommenskultur
Authors: Hann Chris
Published: December 2015

In this guest editorial Chris Hann considers the refugee route via the Balkans to Germany that opened up in a big way in the summer of 2015. The influx of ‘economic migrants’, as most newcomers are widely perceived, is polarizing opinion throughout the member states of the European Union. Hann also detects a renewal of the old east‐west moral geographies, due in part to legacies of the socialist era in eastern Europe and the semi‐peripheral condition of the region today for European capitalism. Whereas most anthropologists tend to favor unconstrained mobility and hence call for the abolition of frontiers, Hann suggests that the solution cannot be so simple. Focusing on the interplay of economic and ethical factors, he urges empathy not only with all categories of refugees/migrants but also with the dispossessed in the societies that offer them a ‘welcome’.
Chains of (dis)trust: exploring the underpinnings of knowledge‐sharing and quality care across mental health services
Authors: Brown Patrick R. , Calnan Michael W.
Published: November 2015

Quality and safety in healthcare settings are underpinned by organisational cultures, which facilitate or impede the refinement, sharing and application of knowledge. Avoiding the use of the term culture as a residual category, we focus specifically on describing chains of (dis)trust, analysing their development across relatively low‐trust service contexts and their impact upon knowledge‐sharing and caregiving. Drawing upon data from in‐depth interviews with service users, healthcare professionals, service managers and other stakeholders across three mental healthcare (psychosis) teams in southern England, we identify micro‐mechanisms that explain how (dis)trust within one intra‐organisational relationship impacts upon other relationships. Experiences and inferences of vulnerability, knowledge, uncertainty, interests and time, among actors who are both trustees and trusters across different relationships, are pertinent to such analyses. This more micro‐level understanding facilitates detailed conceptualisations of trust chains as meso‐level tendencies that contribute to wider vicious or virtuous cycles of organisational (dis)trust. We explore how knowledge‐sharing and caregiving are vitally interwoven within these chains of trust or distrust, enhancing and/or inhibiting the instrumental and communicative aspects of quality healthcare as a result.
Medical Complexity among Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Two‐Dimensional View
Authors: Coller Ryan J. , Lerner Carlos F. , Eickhoff Jens C. , Klitzner Thomas S. , Sklansky Daniel J. , Ehlenbach Mary , Chung Paul J.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To identify subgroups of U.S. children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and characterize key outcomes.

Data Source

Secondary analysis of 2009–2010 National Survey of CSHCN.

Study Design

Latent class analysis grouped individuals into substantively meaningful classes empirically derived from measures of pediatric medical complexity. Outcomes were compared among latent classes with weighted logistic or negative binomial regression.

Principal Findings

LCA identified four unique CSHCN subgroups: broad functional impairment (physical, cognitive, and mental health) with extensive health care (Class 1), broad functional impairment alone (Class 2), predominant physical impairment requiring family‐delivered care (Class 3), and physical impairment alone (Class 4). CSHCN from Class 1 had the highest ED visit rates (IRR 3.3, p < .001) and hospitalization odds (AOR: 12.0, p < .001) and lowest odds of a medical home (AOR: 0.17, p < .001). CSHCN in Class 3, despite experiencing more shared decision making and medical home attributes, had more ED visits and missed school than CSHCN in Class 2 (p < .001); the latter, however, experienced more cost‐related difficulties, care delays, and parents having to stop work (p < .001).

Conclusions

Recognizing distinct impacts of cognitive and mental health impairments and health care delivery needs on CSHCN outcomes may better direct future intervention efforts.
Moments of Disjuncture: The Value of Corporate Ethnography in the Research Industrial Complex
Authors: AMIREBRAHIMI SHAHEEN
Published: December 2015

This paper seeks to examine some of the underlying tensions that shape how and why ethnographers in industry often find their efforts devalued or not realized by stakeholders – i.e. “moments of disjuncture.” I argue that in many large corporations there is a separation between the stories anthropologists tell about themselves and those which are told about them, which mutually constitute an “informed fiction.” This fiction acts as a catalyst within a broader cycle of knowledge exchange (the industrial research complex) that demands a fast paced churning out of “newness” in insights before they grow old. These two processes often come to a head, creating a “seen it before” phenomena which risks devaluing timely and important work. To understand this I examine a case study of smart and automated technologies and offer potential solutions.