bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic‐Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Intravenous and Oral Topiramate and Its Effect on the Symbol‐Digit Modalities Test in Adult Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Lim Chay Ngee , Birnbaum Angela K. , Brundage Richard C. , Leppik Ilo E. , Cloyd James C. , Clark Annie , Marino Susan E.
Published: September 2015

A sequential pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) modeling approach was used to quantify the effects of a single dose of topiramate (100 or 200 mg) on working memory, attention, and psychomotor speed as measured by the Symbol‐Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Established on data pooled from 3 randomized, crossover studies in healthy subjects (19–55 years of age), using both oral and a novel stable‐labeled intravenous (IV) formulation of topiramate, an inhibitory Emaxmodel was found to characterize the topiramate concentration‐SDMT score relationship well. At the EC50 of 2.85 μg/mL, this topiramate plasma concentration value was estimated to be associated with a 25.5% reduction of SDMT score relative to baseline. Age was an important determinant of the baseline SDMT score, with an estimated decrease of 1.13% in baseline SDMT score with every year of age. Moreover, this approach enabled the quantification of the practice effect observed with repeated administration of the neuropsychological test over shorter testing intervals than have previously been reported in the literature. The finding of a significant effect following a single dose of topiramate in the range widely used to treat migraine and epilepsy needs to be evaluated in a broader patient population undergoing chronic treatment, as the narrow range of resultant concentrations limits the generalizability of the findings.
Novel Tetraindoles and Unexpected Cycloalkane Indoles from the Reaction of Indoles and Aliphatic Dialdehydes
Authors: El‐Sayed Mardia Telep , Mahmoud Kazem Ahmed , Heinemann Frank W. , Hilgeroth Andreas
Published: September 2015

The reaction of indoles with dialdehydes was studied for the first time. Mild reaction conditions using glacial acetic acid led to two novel kinds of reaction products: one designated as alkyl chain‐connected tetraindoles and the other one as bis(indolyl)‐substituted cycloalkane indoles. The suggested reaction pathways are discussed. The indole substituents of the cycloalkane indoles were either trans or cis orientated depending from the alkyl chain length.
Fear of Losing Emotional Control Is Associated With Cognitive Processing Therapy Outcomes in U.S. Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq
Authors: Miles Shannon R. , Smith Tracey L. , Maieritsch Kelly P. , Ahearn Eileen P.
Published: September 2015

Evidence‐based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can reduce symptoms and improve veterans’ psychological health. Unfortunately, many veterans leave treatment before receiving maximum benefit. Fear of emotions is related to severity of PTSD, and changes in fear of emotions are correlated with changes in PTSD symptoms. This study built upon the literature linking greater fear of emotions to PTSD severity by examining whether pretreatment fear of emotions, measured by the Affect Control Scale, was associated with completion of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and severity of posttreatment PTSD in a sample of 89 U.S. veterans who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 60% of veterans completed 10 or more therapy sessions. A logistic regression on 51 of the 89 subjects that more fear of anxiety at pretreatment was associated with decreased likelihood of completing treatment, OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.87, 1.00]. Of those veterans who completed treatment, higher fear of anger at pretreatment was negatively related to severity of PTSD posttreatment (β = −.29, p = .037), in a model with the other predictors. Assessing veterans for fear of anxiety and anger before CPT and teaching emotion regulation skills to those in need may reduce treatment dropout.
DSC Kinetics Analysis for the Synthesis of Three‐Arms Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Using Aluminum Tri‐sec‐Butoxide as Initiator
Authors: Limwanich Wanich , Punyodom Winita , Kungwan Nawee , Meepowpan Puttinan
Published: September 2015

The kinetics of the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) initiated by soluble aluminum tri‐sec‐butoxide (Al(OsecBu)3) has been investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC polymerizations were carried out under nonisothermal and isothermal conditions to obtain three‐arms poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). From nonisothermal DSC, the polymerization rate (dα/dt) increased with increasing heating rates. The values of Ea were determined from Kissinger ( kJ mol−1), Friedman (31.0 – 63.0 kJ mol−1), and Starink (64.0 – 71.0 kJ mol−1) methods. From isothermal DSC, the dα/dt and the apparent rate constant (kapp) increased with increasing polymerization temperatures. The ROP of ε‐CL initiated by Al(OsecBu)3 occurred via the coordination insertion mechanism. The number average molecular weight () and percent yield of the synthesized PCL was enhanced by increasing polymerization temperature. The synthesized PCL with of 2.4 × 104 was obtained using a molar ratio of monomer to Al‐O active center ([M]/[Al‐O]) of 400 at 150ºC for 24 h. Al(OsecBu)3 is one of the promising initiator due to its solubility, low transesterification reaction, and high efficiency in ε‐CL polymerization.
Isotope Effects in the Solvolysis of Sterically Hindered Arenesulfonyl Chlorides
Authors: Iazykov Mykyta , Canle L. Moisés , Santaballa J. Arturo , Rublova Ludmila
Published: September 2015

Solvent isotope effects in the ethanolysis of sterically hindered arenesulfonyl chlorides ruled out a proton transfer in the rate‐determining step and agreed with a SN2 mechanism involving at least a second solvent molecule in the transition state (TS). The lack of a secondary kinetic isotope effect in the o‐alkyl groups allows us to disregard the possible contribution of σ–π hyperconjugation. The measured activation parameters are consistent with a SN2 mechanism involving the participation of solvent molecules in the TS, possibly forming a cyclic TS through a chain of solvent molecules.
Polypept(o)ides: Hybrid Systems Based on Polypeptides and Polypeptoids
Authors: Klinker Kristina , Barz Matthias
Published: September 2015

Polypept(o)ides combine the multifunctionality and intrinsic stimuli‐responsiveness of synthetic polypeptides with the “stealth”‐like properties of the polypeptoid polysarcosine (poly(N‐methyl glycine)). This class of block copolymers can be synthesized by sequential ring opening polymerization of α‐amino acid N‐carboxy‐anhydrides (NCAs) and correspondingly of the N‐substituted glycine N‐carboxyanhydride (NNCA). The resulting block copolymers are characterized by Poisson‐like molecular weight distributions, full end group integrity, and dispersities below 1.2. While polysarcosine may be able to tackle the currently arising issues regarding the gold standard PEG, including storage diseases in vivo and immune responses, the polypeptidic block provides the functionalities for a specific task. Additionally, polypeptides are able to form secondary structure motives, e.g., α‐helix or β‐sheets, which can be used to direct self‐assembly in solution. In this feature article, we review the relatively new field of polypept(o)ides with respect to synthesis, characterization, and first data on the application of block copolypept(o)ides in nanomedicine. The summarized data already indicates the great potential of polypept(o)ides.

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Helical Poly(phenylacetylene) Bearing Chiral and Achiral Imidazolidinone‐Based Pendants that Catalyze Asymmetric Reactions due to Catalytically Active Achiral Pendants Assisted by Macromolecular Helicity
Authors: Takata Leandro M. S. , Iida Hiroki , Shimomura Kohei , Hayashi Koutarou , dos Santos Alcindo A. , Yashima Eiji
Published: September 2015

A series of optically active helical copolymers of phenylacetylenes are prepared by the rhodium‐catalyzed copolymerization of the imidazolidinone‐linked, catalytically active achiral phenylacetylenes and catalytically inactive chiral phenylacetylenes. The obtained chiral/achiral copolymers exhibit an induced circular dichroism in the UV–vis regions of the copolymer backbones resulting from a preferred‐handed helical conformation biased by the chiral imidazolidinone units incorporated in the copolymers. The copolymers are found to catalyze the asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction and produce the products with a moderate enantioselectivity in spite of the fact that the catalytically active units of the copolymers are achiral, indicating that the observed enantioselectivity totally originates from the helical chirality dynamically induced by the optically active, but catalytically inactive imidazolidinone units incorporated in the copolymers.

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Light pigmentation phenotype is correlated with increased substantia nigra echogenicity
Authors: Rumpf Jost‐Julian , Schirmer Maria , Fricke Christopher , Weise David , Wagner Justinus Aspasios , Simon Jan , Classen Joseph
Published: September 2015

Objective

This study was undertaken to address the question of whether pigmentation may be mechanistically linked with Parkinson's disease.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional, observational study, 116 healthy subjects received transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra. Pigmentation phenotype was assessed using the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification, and five additional phenotypic pigmentation traits as well as a photographic method (Melanin index) in a subgroup of 46 subjects.

Results

Lighter skin phototype was associated with larger echogenic substantia nigra area and increased prevalence of abnormally enlarged echogenic substantia nigra area. The strongest association of substantia nigra echogenicity and phenotypic pigmentation traits was found for hair color and facial tanning.

Interpretation

Findings suggest an increasing prevalence of structural abnormality of substantia nigra with decreasing darkness of skin and thus may provide additional evidence in favor of a pathogenic link of pigmentation and Parkinson's disease. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A volume‐consistent discrete formulation of aggregation population balance equations
Authors: Singh Mehakpreet , Kumar Jitendra , Bück Andreas , Tsotsas Evangelos
Published: September 2015

In this paper, a new finite volume scheme for the numerical solution of the pure aggregation population balance equation, or Smoluchowski equation, on non‐uniform meshes is derived. The main feature of the new method is its simple mathematical structure and high accuracy with respect to the number density distribution as well as its moments. The new method is compared with the existing schemes given by Filbet and Laurençot (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 25 (2004), pp. 2004–2028) and Forestier and Mancini (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 34 (2012), pp. B840–B860) for selected benchmark problems. It is shown that the new scheme preserves all the advantages of a conventional finite volume scheme and predicts higher‐order moments as well as number density distribution with high accuracy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systematic review of surgical treatment of post radical prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Crivellaro Simone , Morlacco Alessandro , Bodo Giovanni , Agro' Enrico Finazzi , Gozzi Christian , Pistolesi Donatella , Del Popolo Giulio , Ficarra Vincenzo
Published: September 2015

Context Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) continues to be a significant problem with several implications including patient quality of life and other critical postoperative outcomes.

Objectives To report the results in terms of efficacy (pad count, 24 hr pad test, QOL questionnaires) and safety (complication rate and type of complications) of all surgical devices approved for the treatment of SUI after RP.

Evidence Acquisition A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. A literature search was carried out through the PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases using the keywords “incontinence,” “radical prostatectomy,” and “‘treatment”. Inclusion criteria were: number of patients higher than 30, mean follow up longer than 12 months and definition of a successful outcome as the use of 0 to 1 safety pads a day.

Evidence Synthesis 113 papers underwent primary review. 51 papers met the inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 4022 patients. Efficacy (0–1 safety pads) was on average 65.7% for AUS, 48.2% for Invance Sling, 48.8% for Advance Sling, 64.2% for ProACT. Twenty four hour pad test and QOL questionnaires were respectively available only in 4 and 18 studies. The overall complication rate was 19.43% for AUS, 7.4% for Invance Sling, 12.3% for Advance Sling, 12.3% for ProACT.

Authors' Conclusions Due to the poor overall quality of available studies, it was impossible to identify or refute clinically important differences between the alternative surgical procedures. Although our data seems to suggest that AUS has the highest efficacy in the treatment of SUI following RP it is also associated with the highest complication rate, but this may be due to the longest follow up. Larger rigorous trials are needed in order to support this evidence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:875–881, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Micro‐CT Imaging and Analysis of Enamel Defects on the Early Late Pleistocene Xujiayao Juvenile
Authors: Xing S. , Guatelli‐Steinberg D. , O'Hara M. , Li J. , Wei P. , Liu W. , Wu X.
Published: September 2015

Dental pathologies and enamel defects in East Asian hominins have rarely been reported. Here, we systematically document and describe a suite of enamel defects in the Xujiayao juvenile maxilla, an East Asian hominin from the early Late Pleistocene that may represent an unknown hominin lineage. In addition, we determine the chronology of growth disruptions represented by matched linear enamel hypoplasias, evaluate the long‐held hypothesis that the large brownish pit on the I1 is evidence of dental fluorosis and assess the utility of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) techniques in analyzing enamel defects. With the use of binocular microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro‐CT imaging techniques, the Xujiayao teeth were found to exhibit a high number of pit‐form defects seldom seen in the fossil record. By matching the timing of linear enamel hyperplasia across multiple teeth, a minimum of five developmental disruptions were identified, indicating that the Xujiayao juvenile experienced several growth disturbances during its short lifespan. Our SEM and micro‐CT analyses suggest that the large pit on the I1 is an enamel hypoplasia due to its morphology and pre‐eruptive enamel thinning. It is not a post‐eruptive fluorotic pit, and there is no evidence of chalkiness or opacity associated with dental fluorosis. The micro‐CT technique made it possible to verify the presence of enamel hypoplasia and to more precisely quantify defect dimensions, especially in unerupted teeth and shallow hypoplasias that are difficult to detect by binocular microscopy or SEM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailoring block copolymer and polymer blend morphology using nanoparticle surfactants
Authors: Ku Kang Hee , Yang Hyunseung , Jang Se Gyu , Bang Joona , Kim Bumjoon J.
Published: September 2015

Combining the functionality of nanoparticles (NPs) with the processability of polymers offers great promise for designing novel materials. In particular, NPs with tailored surface properties can effectively modify the interface between two distinct fluids and/or different polymer matrices which allows them to function as efficient surfactants. The efficiency of NP surfactants is strongly affected by their size and shape, which influences their adsorption energy to the interface, and the entropic contribution to the system. In this review, the assembly of size‐ and shape‐controlled inorganic NPs at the interface of block copolymers (BCPs) and polymer blends has been focused. First, we discuss the design of size‐ and shape‐controlled NP surfactants and we review the examples of NP surfactant‐driven BCPs and polymer blend morphologies. In addition, we review the recent investigations of the morphological transition of BCP emulsion particles induced by NP surfactants. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 228–237
Did bad timing deny student the chance to state her case?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: September 2015

Jolie Krooks was accepted onto the Haverford College women's softball team. Prior to enrolling, she advised Coach Jennifer Ward that she had an eating disorder.
Microstructural Modifications in AISI 1080 Eutectoid Steel Under Combined Cyclic Heat Treatment
Authors: Mishra Alok , Mondal Chandan , Maity Joydeep
Published: September 2015

In this research work annealed AISI 1080 steel bars are subjected to a typical combined cyclic heat treatment involving two cycles. The first cycle consist of inserting the specimen in an electric resistance furnace at a temperature of 775 °C (in fully austenitic region) and holding for a short duration (6 min), followed by forced air cooling to the room temperature. In second cycle holding temperature and time being same, the specimen is subjected to oil quenching. Such a typical combined thermal cycling results in the evolution of a novel microstructure that comprises of submicroscopic cementite spheroids and fine microscopic cementite clusters in a matrix of martensite. Accordingly, very high hardness (894 HV) is achieved which envisaged a new heat treatment route of the development of plain carbon tool steel.
Nanoparticle‐based luminescent probes for intracellular sensing and imaging of pH
Authors: Schäferling Michael
Published: September 2015

Fluorescence imaging microscopy is an essential tool in biomedical research. Meanwhile, various fluorescent probes are available for the staining of cells, cell membranes, and organelles. Though, to monitor intracellular processes and dysfunctions, probes that respond to ubiquitous chemical parameters determining the cellular function such as pH, pO2, and Ca2+ are required. This review is focused on the progress in the design, fabrication, and application of photoluminescent nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of pH in living cells. The advantages of using nanoprobes carrying fluorescent pH indicators compared to single molecule probes are discussed as well as their limitations due to the mostly lysosomal uptake by cells. Particular attention is paid to ratiometric dual wavelength nanosensors that enable intrinsic referenced measurements. Referencing and proper calibration procedures are basic prerequisites to carry out reliable quantitative pH determinations in complex samples such as living cells. A variety of examples will be presented that highlight the diverseness of nanocarrier materials (polymers, micelles, silica, quantum dots, carbon dots, gold, photon upconversion nanocrystals, or bacteriophages), fluorescent pH indicators for the weak acidic range, and referenced sensing mechanisms, that have been applied intracellularly up to now. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:378–413. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1366

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing
The Economics of Transition
Authors: Lavigne Marie
Published: September 2015

Substantially revised and updated the second edition of this highly acclaimed text is both a vital guide and a valuable critical analysis. The book provides a contemporary comparative approach to the process of transformation of the economies of Eastern Europe and Russia. Supplying a large amount of factual and statistical information it also includes consideration of recent progress in the areas of macro-economic-stabilisation, micro-economic restructuring and integration into the world economy.
CANONISING SAN CARLO: SERMONISING, THE SOUNDING WORD, AND IMAGE CONSTRUCTION IN THE MUSIC FOR CARLO BORROMEO
Authors: Getz Christine
Published: September 2015

This essay examines the role of the hymns, the sacred polyphony by Vincenzo Pellegrini and Andrea Cima, and the spiritual madrigals of Giovanni Battista Porta in promoting the officially sanctioned image of Carlo Borromeo after his elevation to the status of ‘beato’ and following his canonisation. It further considers how the musical structures that characterised these works may have derived from other modes of textual presentation, in particular the sermons used to deliver the message in comparable settings. Finally, it explores how various styles of performance may have subliminally underscored certain constructed images of the archbishop and his city that developed in the years leading to the canonisation. San Carlo’s continued currency depended upon redefining his image according to changing social constructs. With the plague of 1630, Michel’angelo Grancini’s O sol & salus Carole returns to the event with which Borromeo’s sanctity was most closely identified, namely the penitential processions of 1576.
Biomarker in der Depressionsbehandlung: mehr als nur Worte?
Authors: Bosch Oliver G. , Breitenstein Barbara
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die Diagnostik depressiver Erkrankungen beruht auf kategorialen Klassifikationssystemen, die eine Vielzahl heterogener und teils konträrer Symptome zusammenfassen, deren komplexe biologische Grundlagen noch weitgehend ungeklärt sind. Die Diagnosestellung in der Psychiatrie und die damit verbundene Wahl der Behandlung erfolgen primär nur durch Sprache. Die biologische Charakterisierung der Pathophysiologie und Therapiemechanismen durch Biomarker und Gentests stellt eine der Sprache überlegene Organisation der Behandlung mit entsprechend höherer Erfolgsrate in Aussicht. Mithilfe von genetischen Untersuchungen, proteomischen und metabolomischen Profilen, neuroendokrinen und elektrophysiologischen Parametern und multimodaler zerebraler Bildgebung konnten bereits potentiell wichtige Biomarker für die biologische Charakterisierung depressiver Störungen und die Vorhersage des antidepressiven Behandlungserfolges identifiziert werden. Daraus wurden spezifische pathophysiologische Modelle entwickelt, so z. B. das Stress-Modell der Depression, das Serotoninmodell und das Modell der frontocingulären Dysfunktion. Dennoch konnte bislang kein Biomarker Eingang in die klinische Praxis der Depressionsbehandlung finden. Bis Ergebnisse aus der Labordiagnostik in die klinische Behandlungsroutine integriert werden, wird in der Depressionsbehandlung weiterhin die Sprache das letzte Wort haben.
Calcium ions open a selectivity filter gate during activation of the MthK potassium channel
Authors: Posson David J. , Rusinova Radda , Andersen Olaf S. , Nimigean Crina M.
Published: September 2015

Ion channel opening and closing are fundamental to cellular signalling and homeostasis. Gates that control K+ channel activity were found both at an intracellular pore constriction and within the selectivity filter near the extracellular side but the specific location of the gate that opens Ca2+-activated K+ channels has remained elusive. Using the Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum homologue (MthK) and a stopped-flow fluorometric assay for fast channel activation, we show that intracellular quaternary ammonium blockers bind to closed MthK channels. Since the blockers are known to bind inside a central channel cavity, past the intracellular entryway, the gate must be within the selectivity filter. Furthermore, the blockers access the closed channel slower than the open channel, suggesting that the intracellular entryway narrows upon pore closure, without preventing access of either the blockers or the smaller K+. Thus, Ca2+-dependent gating in MthK occurs at the selectivity filter with coupled movement of the intracellular helices.
Entrainment of mouse peripheral circadian clocks to <24 h feeding/fasting cycles under 24 h light/dark conditions
Authors: Hamaguchi Yutaro , Tahara Yu , Kuroda Hiroaki , Haraguchi Atsushi , Shibata Shigenobu
Published: September 2015

The circadian clock system in peripheral tissues can endogenously oscillate and is entrained by the light-dark and fasting-feeding cycles in mammals. Although the system’s range of entrainment to light-dark cycles with a non-24 h (<24 h) interval has been studied, the range of entrainment to fasting-feeding cycles with shorter periods (<24 h) has not been investigated in peripheral molecular clocks. In the present study, we measured this range by monitoring the mouse peripheral PER2::LUCIFERASE rhythm in vivo at different periods under each feeding cycle (Tau (T) = 15–24 h) under normal light-dark conditions. Peripheral clocks could be entrained to the feeding cycle with T = 22–24 h, but not to that with T = 15–21 h. Under the feeding cycle with T = 15–18 h, the peripheral clocks oscillated at near the 24-h period, suggesting that they were entrained to the light-dark cycle. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrated the range of entrainment to the non-24 h feeding cycle and that the circadian range (T = 22–24 h) of feeding stimulus is necessary for peripheral molecular clock entrainment under light-dark cycles.
Reducing the stress of drug administration: implications for the 3Rs
Authors: Stuart Sarah A. , Robinson Emma S.J.
Published: September 2015

Restraint in animals is known to cause stress but is used during almost all scientific procedures in rodents, representing a major welfare and scientific issue. Administration of substances, a key part of most scientific procedures, almost always involves physical restraint of the animal. In this study, we developed a method to inject substances to rats using a non-restrained technique. We then compared the physiological, behavioral and emotional impacts of restrained versus non-restrained injection procedures. Our results highlight the negative welfare implications associated with physical restraint and demonstrate a method which can be used to avoid this. Our work shows how adopting strategies that avoid restraint can minimize a widespread source of stress in laboratory animals and improve welfare through refinement.
Dynamic graphene filters for selective gas-water-oil separation
Authors: Bong Jihye , Lim Taekyung , Seo Keumyoung , Kwon Cho-Ah , Park Ju Hyun , Kwak Sang Kyu , Ju Sanghyun
Published: September 2015

Selective filtration of gas, water and liquid or gaseous oil is essential to prevent possible environmental pollution and machine/facility malfunction in oil-based industries. Novel materials and structures able to selectively and efficiently filter liquid and vapor in various types of solutions are therefore in continuous demand. Here, we investigate selective gas-water-oil filtration using three-dimensional graphene structures. The proposed approach is based on the adjustable wettability of three-dimensional graphene foams. Three such structures are developed in this study; the first allows gas, oil and water to pass, the second blocks water only and the third is exclusively permeable to gas. In addition, the ability of three-dimensional graphene structures with a self-assembled monolayer to selectively filter oil is demonstrated. This methodology has numerous potential practical applications as gas, water, and/or oil filtration is an essential component of many industries.
Size-controllable Ni5TiO7 nanowires as promising catalysts for CO oxidation
Authors: Jiang Yanan , Liu Baodan , Yang Lini , Yang Bing , Liu Xiaoyuan , Liu Lusheng , Weimer Christian , jiang Xin
Published: September 2015

Ni5TiO7 nanowires with controllable sizes are synthesized using PEO method combined with impregnation and annealing at 1050oC in air, with adjustment of different concentrations of impregnating solution to control the dimension of nanowires. The resulting nanowires are characterized in details using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In addition, the CO catalytic oxidation performance of the Ni5TiO7 nanowires is investigated using a fixed-bed quartz tubular reactor and an on-line gas chromatography system, indicating that the activity of this catalytic system for CO oxidation is a strong dependency upon the nanocrystal size.When the size of the Ni5TiO7 nanowires is induced from 4 μm to 50 nm, the corresponding maximum conversion temperature is lowered by ~100 oC.
Down-regulation of microRNA-144 in air pollution-related lung cancer
Authors: Pan Hong-Li , Wen Zhe-Sheng , Huang Yun-Chao , Cheng Xin , Wang Gui-Zhen , Zhou Yong-Chun , Wang Zai-Yong , Guo Yong-Qing , Cao Yi , Zhou Guang-Biao
Published: September 2015

Air pollution has been classified as a group 1 carcinogen in humans, but the underlying tumourigenic mechanisms remain unclear. In Xuanwei city of Yunnan Province, the lung cancer incidence is among the highest in China, owing to severe air pollution generated by the combustion of smoky coal, providing a unique opportunity to dissect lung carcinogenesis. To identify abnormal miRNAs critical for air pollution-related tumourigenesis, we performed microRNA microarray analysis in 6 Xuanwei non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and 4 NSCLCs from control regions where smoky coal was not used. We found 13 down-regulated and 2 up-regulated miRNAs in Xuanwei NSCLCs. Among them, miR-144 was one of the most significantly down-regulated miRNAs. The expanded experiments showed that miR-144 was down-regulated in 45/51 (88.2%) Xuanwei NSCLCs and 34/54 (63%) control region NSCLCs (p = 0.016). MiR-144 interacted with the oncogene Zeb1 at 2 sites in its 3′ untranslated region and a decrease in miR-144 resulted in increased Zeb1 expression and an epithelial mesenchymal transition phenotype. Ectopic expression of miR-144 suppressed NSCLCs in vitro and in vivo by targeting Zeb1. These results indicate that down-regulation of miR-144 is critical for air pollution-related lung cancer and the miR-144-Zeb1 signalling pathway could represent a potential therapeutic target.
Effect of band-aligned double absorber layers on photovoltaic characteristics of chemical bath deposited PbS/CdS thin film solar cells
Authors: Ho Yeon Deuk , Chandra Mohanty Bhaskar , Lee Seung Min , Soo Cho Yong
Published: September 2015

Here we report the highest energy conversion efficiency and good stability of PbS thin film-based depleted heterojunction solar cells, not involving PbS quantum dots. The PbS thin films were grown by the low cost chemical bath deposition (CBD) process at relatively low temperatures. Compared to the quantum dot solar cells which require critical and multistep complex procedures for surface passivation, the present approach, leveraging the facile modulation of the optoelectronic properties of the PbS films by the CBD process, offers a simpler route for optimization of PbS-based solar cells. Through an architectural modification, wherein two band-aligned junctions are stacked without any intervening layers, an enhancement of conversion efficiency by as much as 30% from 3.10 to 4.03% facilitated by absorption of a wider range of solar spectrum has been obtained. As an added advantage of the low band gap PbS stacked over a wide gap PbS, the devices show stability over a period of 10 days.
Impact of Substrate and Bright Resonances on Group Velocity in Metamaterial without Dark Resonator
Authors: Hokmabadi Mohammad Parvinnezhad , Kim Ju-Hyung , Rivera Elmer , Kung Patrick , Kim Seongsin M.
Published: September 2015

Manipulating the speed of light has never been more exciting since electromagnetic induced transparency and its classical analogs led to slow light. Here, we report the manipulation of light group velocity in a terahertz metamaterial without needing a dark resonator, but utilizing instead two concentric split-ring bright resonators (meta-atoms) exhibiting a bright Fano resonance in close vicinity of a bright Lorentzian resonance to create a narrowband transmittance. Unlike earlier reports, the bright Fano resonance does not stem from an asymmetry of meta-atoms or an interaction between them. Additionally, we develop a method to determine the metamaterial “effective thickness”, which quantifies the influence of the substrate on the metamaterial response and has remained challenging to estimate so far. By doing so, very good agreement between simulated and measured group delays and velocities is accomplished. The proposed structure and method will be useful in designing optical buffers, delay lines and ultra-sensitive sensors.
Expression profile of a Caenorhabditis elegans model of adult neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis reveals down regulation of ubiquitin E3 ligase components
Authors: McCue Hannah V. , Chen Xi , Barclay Jeff W. , Morgan Alan , Burgoyne Robert D.
Published: September 2015

Cysteine string protein (CSP) is a chaperone of the Dnaj/Hsp40 family of proteins and is essential for synaptic maintenance. Mutations in the human gene encoding CSP, DNAJC5, cause adult neuronal ceroid lipofucinosis (ANCL) which is characterised by progressive dementia, movement disorders, seizures and premature death. CSP null models in mice, flies and worms have been shown to also exhibit similar neurodegenerative phenotypes. Here we have explored the mechanisms underlying ANCL disease progression usingCaenorhaditis elegansmutant strains ofdnj-14, the worm orthologue of DNAJC5. Transcriptional profiling of these mutants compared to control strains revealed a broad down-regulation of ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS)-related genes, in particular, components of multimeric RING E3 ubiquitin ligases including F-Box, SKR and BTB proteins. These data were supported by the observation thatdnj-14mutant worm strains expressing a GFP-tagged ubiquitin fusion degradation substrate exhibited decreased ubiquitylated protein degradation. The results indicate that disruption of an essential synaptic chaperone leads to changes in expression levels of UPS-related proteins which has a knock-on effect on overall protein degradation inC. elegans.The specific over-representation of E3 ubiquitin ligase components revealed in our study, suggests that proteins and complexes upstream of the proteasome itself may be beneficial therapeutic targets.
Peptide bonds affect the formation of haloacetamides, an emerging class of N-DBPs in drinking water: free amino acids versus oligopeptides
Authors: Chu Wenhai , Li Xin , Gao Naiyun , Deng Yang , Yin Daqiang , Li Dongmei , Chu Tengfei
Published: September 2015

Haloacetamides (HAcAms), an emerging class of nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) of health concern, have been frequently identified in drinking waters. It has long been appreciated that free amino acids (AAs), accounting for a small fraction of the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool, can form dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm) during chlorination. However, the information regarding the impacts of combined AAs, which contribute to the greatest identifiable DON portion in natural waters, is limited. In this study, we compared the formation of HAcAms from free AAs (tyrosine [Tyr] and alanine [Ala]) and combined AAs (Tyr-Ala, Ala-Tyr, Tyr-Tyr-Tyr, Ala-Ala-Ala) and found that HAcAm formation from the chlorination of AAs in combined forms (oligopeptides) significantly exhibited a different pattern with HAcAm formation from free AAs. Due to the presence of peptide bonds in tripeptides, Tyr-Tyr-Tyr and Ala-Ala-Ala produced trichloroacetamide (TCAcAm) in which free AAs was unable to form TCAcAm during chlorination. Moreover, peptide bond in tripeptides formed more tri-HAcAms than di-HAcAms in the presence of bromide. Therefore, the peptide bond may be an important indicator to predict the formation of specific N-DBPs in chlorination. The increased use of algal- and wastewater-impacted water as drinking water sources will increase health concerns over exposure to HAcAms in drinking water.
Autophosphorylation of CaMKK2 generates autonomous activity that is disrupted by a T85S mutation linked to anxiety and bipolar disorder
Authors: Scott John W. , Park Elizabeth , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Oakhill Jonathan S. , Issa Samah M. A. , O’Brien Matthew T. , Dite Toby A. , Langendorf Christopher G. , Wetsel William C. , Means Anthony R. , Kemp Bruce E.
Published: September 2015

Mutations that reduce expression or give rise to a Thr85Ser (T85S) mutation of Ca2+-CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CaMKK2) have been implicated in behavioural disorders such as anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia in humans. Here we report that Thr85 is an autophosphorylation site that endows CaMKK2 with a molecular memory that enables sustained autonomous activation following an initial, transient Ca2+ signal. Conversely, autophosphorylation of Ser85 in the T85S mutant fails to generate autonomous activity but instead causes a partial loss of CaMKK2 activity. The loss of autonomous activity in the mutant can be rescued by blocking glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) phosphorylation of CaMKK2 with the anti-mania drug lithium. Furthermore, CaMKK2 null mice representing a loss of function model the human behavioural phenotypes, displaying anxiety and manic-like behavioural disturbances. Our data provide a novel insight into CaMKK2 regulation and its perturbation by a mutation associated with behavioural disorders.
A novel micellar chromatographic procedure for the determination of metanil yellow in foodstuffs
Authors: Ashok Vipin , Agrawal Nitasha , Durgbanshi Abhilasha , Esteve-Romero Josep , Bose Devasish
Published: September 2015

A novel method was developed to detect harmful colours and dyes, in spices and other edible foodstuffs.
A new strategy to fabricate composite thin films with tunable micro- and nanostructures via self-assembly of block copolymers
Authors: Zhao Xingjuan , Wang Qian , Lee Yong-Ill , Hao Jingcheng , Liu Hong-Guo
Published: September 2015

A new and facile strategy to fabricate composite thin films with tunable morphologies at the air/liquid interface is first reported, paving a new way for the generation of composite films in nanotechnology applications.
Fast switching from isotropic liquids to nematic liquid crystals: rotaxanes as smart fluids
Authors: He Hao , Sevick Edith M. , Williams David R. M.
Published: September 2015

A rotaxane system capable of switching from an isotropic to a nematic phase.
Solvent effects on the nitrogen NMR chemical shifts in 1-methylazoles – a theoretical study
Authors: Brzyska Agnieszka , Borowski Piotr , Woliński Krzysztof
Published: September 2015

We have investigated solvent effect on the nitrogen chemical shifts in a series of 1-methylazoles.
Biodegradable polymer–platinum drug conjugates to overcome platinum drug resistance
Authors: Yang Qiang , Qi Ruogu , Cai Jing , Kang Xiang , Sun Si , Xiao Haihua , Jing Xiabin , Li Wenliang , Wang Zehua
Published: September 2015

Biodegradable polymers with pendent pair-wised carboxylic acids but lacking sulfur were used to chelate oxaliplatin prodrug which self-assembled into micelles in water for drug delivery.
Designing and optimizing a stirring system for a cold model of a lithium electrolysis cell based on CFD simulations and optical experiments
Authors: Sun Ze , Ni Haiou , Chen Hang , Li Suzhen , Lu Guimin , Yu Jianguo
Published: September 2015

A new stirring system to separate lithium metal and chloride gas in lithium electrolysis cells has been designed and applied in cold model experiments.
PhI(OAc)2-promoted metal-free oxidation of 2-oxoaldehydes: a facile one-pot synthesis of cyanoformamides
Authors: Zhan Zhen , Cheng Xu , Zheng Yang , Ma Xiaojun , Wang Xiaoyu , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: September 2015

A novel, efficient and environmental method for the conversion of 2-oxoaldehydes into cyanoformamides with iodosobenzene diacetate as oxidant has been developed.
A comparative study on the morphological features of highly ordered MgO:AgO nanocube arrays prepared via a hydrothermal method
Authors: Kaviyarasu K. , Manikandan E. , Kennedy J. , Maaza M.
Published: September 2015

II–VI semiconductor nanotubes are a recently developed class of nanomaterials whose unique photophysical properties are helping to create a new generation of nanomaterials in the field of photonics and microelectronics.
Synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical redox, solvatochromism and anion binding properties of β-tetra- and -octaphenylethynyl substitutedmeso-tetraphenylporphyrins
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Yadav Pinky , Rathi Pinki , Sankar Muniappan
Published: September 2015

β-Phenylethynyl (PE) porphyrins exhibited unique photophysical properties and solvatochromic behavior due to ICT from the porphyrin core to PE moieties. Further, Zn(ii) porphyrins were utilized for anion sensing.
Carbon dot grafted SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy dual-emitting phosphor for ratiometric temperature sensing
Authors: Lei Bingfu , Li Wei , Zhang Haoran , Wang Jin , Liu Yingliang , Zhuang Jianle , Chen Shi
Published: September 2015

We incorporated carbon dots (CDs) into a SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy phosphor (SAO), and made use of the dual emission from the CDs and SAO within such a composite to realize ratiometric temperature sensing from 100 to 400 K.
Metabolomics approach to identify therapeutically potential biomarkers of the Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction effect on the hepatoprotective mechanism
Authors: An Li , Shi Qingshui , Feng Fang
Published: September 2015

A NMR-based metabolomics approach was applied to find potential plasma and liver biomarkers responsible for the hepatoprotective effects of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction (ZZDHD).
pH-degradable and thermoresponsive water-soluble core cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles as potential drug delivery vehicle for doxorubicin
Authors: Banerjee Rakesh , Parida Sheetal , Maiti Chiranjit , Mandal Mahitosh , Dhara Dibakar
Published: September 2015

Doxorubicin release at preferred lysosomal pH of the cancer cells due to pH-induced de-crosslinking of polymer nanoparticle core.
Purely elastic flow instabilities in microscale cross-slot devices
Authors: Sousa P. C. , Pinho F. T. , Oliveira M. S. N. , Alves M. A.
Published: September 2015

Complex fluids generate different types of flow instabilities with increasing flow rate under inertialess flow conditions.
Hierarchical dispersed multi-phase nickel cobalt oxide mesoporous thorn microspheres as superior rate anode materials for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Huang Zhen-Dong , Zhang Kun , Zhang Ting-Ting , Li Xue , Liu Rui-Qing , Feng Xiao-Miao , Li Yi , Lin Xiu-Jing , He Yan-Bing , Yang Xu-Sheng , Ma Yan-Wen
Published: September 2015

The short diffusion distance, large active area for Li+, the suppressed side reaction and volume change make the dispersed multi-phase nickel cobalt oxide porous thorn microspheres exhibit superior rate and cyclic properties.
Quantum dynamics of hydrogen atoms on graphene. II. Sticking
Authors: Bonfanti Matteo , Jackson Bret , Hughes Keith H. , Burghardt Irene , Martinazzo Rocco
Published: September 2015

Following our recent system-bath modeling of the interaction between a hydrogen atom and a graphene surface [Bonfanti et al., J. Chem. Phys. 143, 124703 (2015)], we present the results of converged quantum scattering calculations on the activated sticking dynamics. The focus of this study is the collinear scattering on a surface at zero temperature, which is treated with high-dimensional wavepacket propagations with the multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree method. At low collision energies, barrier-crossing dominates the sticking and any projectile that overcomes the barrier gets trapped in the chemisorption well. However, at high collision energies, energy transfer to the surface is a limiting factor, and fast H atoms hardly dissipate their excess energy and stick on the surface. As a consequence, the sticking coefficient is maximum (∼0.65) at an energy which is about one and half larger than the barrier height. Comparison of the results with classical and quasi-classical calculations shows that quantum fluctuations of the lattice play a primary role in the dynamics. A simple impulsive model describing the collision of a classical projectile with a quantum surface is developed which reproduces the quantum results remarkably well for all but the lowest energies, thereby capturing the essential physics of the activated sticking dynamics investigated.
Star products on graded manifolds and α′-corrections to Courant algebroids from string theory
Authors: Deser Andreas
Published: September 2015

Courant algebroids, originally used to study integrability conditions for Dirac structures, have turned out to be of central importance to study the effective supergravity limit of string theory. The search for a geometric description of T-duality leads to Double Field Theory (DFT), whose gauge algebra is governed by the C-bracket, a generalization of the Courant bracket in the sense that it reduces to the latter by solving a specific constraint. Recently, in DFT deformations of the C-bracket and O(d, d)-invariant bilinear form to first order in the closed string sigma model coupling, α′ were derived by analyzing the transformation properties of the Neveu-Schwarz B-field. By choosing a particular Poisson structure on the Drinfel’d double corresponding to the Courant algebroid structure of the generalized tangent bundle, we are able to interpret the C-bracket and bilinear form in terms of Poisson brackets. As a result, we reproduce the α′-deformations for a specific solution to the strong constraint of DFT as expansion of a graded version of the Moyal-Weyl star product.
Memristive magnetic tunnel junctions with MnAs nanoparticles
Authors: Hai Pham Nam , Tanaka Masaaki
Published: September 2015

We observed clear memristive switching of the tunnel resistance of magnetic tunnel junctions consisting of MnAs/GaAs/AlAs/GaAs:MnAs nanoparticles when a loop of pulse currents was applied on the junctions. Here, the GaAs:MnAs layer contains NiAs-type hexagonal MnAs ferromagnetic nanoparticles embedded in a GaAs matrix. The memristive switching was observed at current densities as low as 103 A/cm2 and was insensitive to external magnetic fields. A model of memristive switching was proposed assuming the trap and release of space charges in the GaAs matrix that affect the electrostatic potential of the MnAs nanoparticles under the Coulomb blockade regime. Our model is consistent with the observed temperature dependence of the memristance ratio.
Second-order nonlinear optical metamaterials: ABC-type nanolaminates
Authors: Alloatti L. , Kieninger C. , Froelich A. , Lauermann M. , Frenzel T. , Köhnle K. , Freude W. , Leuthold J. , Wegener M. , Koos C.
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate a concept for second-order nonlinear metamaterials that can be obtained from non-metallic centrosymmetric constituents with inherently low optical absorption. The concept is based on iterative atomic-layer deposition of three different materials, A = Al2O3, B = TiO2, and C = HfO2. The centrosymmetry of the resulting ABC stack is broken since the ABC and the inverted CBA sequences are not equivalent—a necessary condition for non-zero second-order nonlinearity. In our experiments, we find that the bulk second-order nonlinear susceptibility depends on the density of interfaces, leading to a nonlinear susceptibility of 0.26 pm/V at a wavelength of 800 nm. ABC-type nanolaminates can be deposited on virtually any substrate and offer a promising route towards engineering of second-order optical nonlinearities at both infrared and visible wavelengths.
Mechanical properties of stanene under uniaxial and biaxial loading: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Mojumder Satyajit , Amin Abdullah Al , Islam Md Mahbubul
Published: September 2015

Stanene, a graphene like two dimensional honeycomb structure of tin has attractive features in electronics application. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations using modified embedded atom method potential to investigate mechanical properties of stanene. We studied the effect of temperature and strain rate on mechanical properties of α-stanene for both uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions. Our study suggests that with the increasing temperature, both the fracture strength and strain of the stanene decrease. Uniaxial loading in zigzag direction shows higher fracture strength and strain compared to the armchair direction, while no noticeable variation in the mechanical properties is observed for biaxial loading. We also found at a higher loading rate, material exhibits higher fracture strength and strain. These results will aid further investigation of stanene as a potential nano-electronics substitute.