bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
F.03 Timing of incidence and recovery of delayed facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma resection: insight into mechanisms
Authors: Cháng S , Despot I , Dong C , Westerberg B , Akagami R
Published: June 2016

Background: Delayed facial palsy (DFP) after resection of vestibular schwannomas (VS) is described as worsening of facial nerve function after a normal postoperative result. Several mechanisms have been postulated to explain this phenomenon, although none satisfactorily explain all of its features. Furthermore, systematic documentation of recovery rates is lacking. Methods: 403 consecutive cases of VS resection between 2001 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients with preoperative facial palsy were excluded. Patients developing significant facial palsy (HB grade ≥ 3) were categorized into groups based on timing of onset: immediate facial palsy (IFP), “early-onset” DFP (within 48 h), and “late-onset” DFP (after 48 h). IFP patients were subdivided into “minor” (HB grade 3) and “major” (HB grade≥4) groups. These groups were compared with respect to demographics, intraoperative data, and recovery. Results: The late-onset DFP group demonstrated the quickest recovery to HB≤2 (2.9 weeks), followed by the minor IFP group (8.5 weeks), then the early-onset DFP group (53 weeks). Major IFP group exhibited the poorest recovery with only 32% recovering to HB grade≤2 within one year. Conclusions: The bimodal distribution in recovery time in delayed facial palsy patients implies separate underlying phenomena. We propose that a delayed demyelination of the facial nerve occurs in late-onset DFP, and best explains the uniformly rapid recovery observed.
F.04 Flow diversion in the treatment of aneurysms: A randomized care trial and registry
Authors: Darsaut T , Gentric J , Iancu D , Chow M , Rempel J , Weill A , Roy D , Raymond J
Published: June 2016

Background: The Flow diversion in the treatment of Intracranial Aneurysm (FIAT) trial was designed to guide the clinical use of flow diversion. Methods: FIAT proposed randomized allocation flow diversion or standard management (observation, coiling, parent vessel occlusion, or clipping), and a registry of non-randomized patients treated with flow diversion. Primary safety outcome was death or dependency (mRS > 2) at 3 months. Primary efficacy outcome was angiographic occlusion at 3-12 months combined with independent clinical outcome. Results: Of 112 participating patients recruited, 78 were randomized, and 34 received flow diversion within the registry. The study was halted for safety concerns. Twelve of 73 patients (16.4%; CI [9.7% -26.7%]) who were allocated or received flow diversion at any time were dead (n=8) or dependent (n=4) at 3 months or more, crossing a predefined safety boundary. Death or dependency occurred in 5 of 36 patients randomly allocated flow diversion and in 5 of 36 patients allocated standard treatment (13.9%; [6.1%-28.7%]). Efficacy was below hypothesized expectations: 15 of 36 patients (41.7%; [27.1%-57.8%]) randomly allocated flow diversion failed to reach the primary outcome, as compared to 11 of 36 patients allocated standard treatment (30.1%; [18.0%-46.9%]). Conclusions: Flow diversion was not as safe and effective as hypothesized. More randomized trials are needed.
Typology of eaters based on conventional and organic food consumption: results from the NutriNet-Santé cohort study
Authors: Baudry Julia , Touvier Mathilde , Allès Benjamin , Péneau Sandrine , Méjean Caroline , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Lairon Denis , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle
Published: June 2016

Limited information is available on large-scale populations regarding the socio-demographic and nutrient profiles and eating behaviour of consumers, taking into account both organic and conventional foods. The aims of this study were to draw up a typology of consumers according to their eating habits, based both on their dietary patterns and the mode of food production, and to outline their socio-demographic, behavioural and nutritional characteristics. Data were collected from 28 245 participants of the NutriNet-Santé study. Dietary information was obtained using a 264-item, semi-quantitative, organic FFQ. To identify clusters of consumers, principal component analysis was applied on sixteen conventional and sixteen organic food groups followed by a clustering procedure. The following five clusters of consumers were identified: (1) a cluster characterised by low energy intake, low consumption of organic food and high prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes; (2) a cluster of big eaters of conventional foods with high intakes of SFA and cholesterol; (3) a cluster with high consumption of organic food and relatively adequate nutritional diet quality; (4) a group with a high percentage of organic food consumers, 14 % of which were either vegetarians or vegans, who exhibited a high nutritional diet quality and a low prevalence of inadequate intakes of most vitamins except B12; and (5) a group of moderate organic food consumers with a particularly high intake of proteins and alcohol and a poor nutritional diet quality. These findings may have implications for future aetiological studies investigating the potential impact of organic food consumption.
Male white grub beetles prefer the pheromone composition of young females in the field
Authors: Fujiwara-Tsujii N. , Yasui H. , Wakamura S. , Nagayama A. , Arakaki N.
Published: June 2016

Females of the white grub beetle, Dasylepida ishigakiensis, release both (R)- and (S)-2-butanol as sex pheromones, but the males are only attracted to (R)-2-butanol. In laboratory-reared females, the proportion of the (R)-isomer decreased significantly as their calling opportunities increased and as they aged. We examined whether such qualitative changes also occur in field populations. We collected virgin females from the field and then trapped and analysed the volatiles emitted during their first and second callings. The ratio of (R)- to (S)-2-butanol (R/S) was 78:22 at the first calling, but shifted to 39:61 at the second calling. While investigating the composition of the female pheromones, the question arose as to whether the male preferences change in response to the shift in female pheromone composition. To answer this question, we observed the behaviour of young and old males in response to various R/S ratios as lures in the laboratory and in the field. In the flight tunnel assay of laboratory-reared individuals, young males touched female models with a 9:1 R/S ratio lure less than those with pure (R)-2-butanol; however, older males touched the two groups with equivalent frequency. In the field trap test, older males were much more attracted to (R)-2-butanol-scented lures. When we tested using lures with the same amount of (R)-2-butanol but added different amounts of the (S)-isomer, we found that increased levels of (S)-2-butanol resulted in lower attractiveness to males. (S)-2-butanol was confirmed to have an inhibitive activity in the attractiveness of (R)-2-butanol.
Habitat management of organic vineyard in Northern Italy: the role of cover plants management on arthropod functional biodiversity
Authors: Burgio G. , Marchesini E. , Reggiani N. , Montepaone G. , Schiatti P. , Sommaggio D.
Published: June 2016

The effect of cover plants on arthropod functional biodiversity was investigated in a vineyard in Northern Italy, through a 3-year field experiment. The following six ground cover plants were tested: Sweet Alyssum; Phacelia; Buckwheat; Faba Bean; Vetch and Oat; control. Arthropods were sampled using different techniques, including collection of leaves, vacuum sampling and sweeping net. Ground cover plant management significantly affected arthropod fauna, including beneficial groups providing ecosystem services like biological control against pests. Many beneficial groups were attracted by ground cover treatments in comparison with control, showing an aggregative numerical response in the plots managed with some of the selected plant species. Alyssum, Buckwheat and ‘Vetch and Oat’ mixture showed attractiveness on some Hymenoptera parasitoid families, which represented 72.3% of the insects collected by sweeping net and 45.7 by vacuum sampling. Phytoseiidae mites showed a significant increase on leaves of the vineyard plots managed with ground covers, in comparison with control, although they did not show any difference among the treatments. In general, the tested ground cover treatments did not increase dangerous Homoptera populations in comparison with control, with the exception of Alyssum. The potential of ground cover plant management in Italian vineyards is discussed: the overall lack of potential negative effects of the plants tested, combined with an aggregative numerical response for many beneficials, seems to show a potential for their use in Northern Italy vineyards.
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND EU EXTERNAL RELATIONS: THINK LOCAL ACT GLOBAL, OR THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL?
Authors: Mills Alex
Published: June 2016

In the European Union, private international law has almost exclusively been developed through the adoption of internal acts (particularly EU Regulations) in the pursuit of internal goals (principally, enhancing the efficient functioning of the internal market, and more recently and broadly the construction of an area of freedom, security and justice). This focus has and must come under challenge in light of two developments. The first is the apparent establishment of EU exclusive external competence in the field of private international law, creating the opportunity for external action by the EU. The second is the increased recognition that internal action by the EU has external effects, which should be viewed not merely as incidental but also as potentially instruments of external policy. In conjunction, these developments demand consideration of what role private international law could and should play as part of EU external relations. This article critically examines a range of possible techniques which might be adopted in relation to this new external dimension of EU private international law. These methods are not necessarily unique to private international law or the EU, and thus this article also provides a case study of the range of legal techniques which can be used by international actors to project policies externally.
The influence of German on the English lexicon in the 20th century
Authors: Schultz Julia
Published: June 2016

While there is a multitude of studies on the influence English has exerted on German, the converse language contact scenario has been comparatively neglected. German borrowings which have recently been assumed into English have as yet received little attention in current research. The present paper intends to shed light on the impact of German on the English vocabulary in the 20th century. The various German words and meanings taken over into English in the last few decades will be divided into manifold subject areas in order to give a rounded picture of the different domains and spheres of life enriched by German in the recent past.
Hospital-based enhanced surveillance for West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease
Authors: LINDSEY N. P. , FISCHER M. , NEITZEL D. , SCHIFFMAN E. , SALAS M. L. , GLASER C. A. , SYLVESTER T. , KRETSCHMER M. , BUNKO A. , STAPLES J. E.
Published: June 2016

Accurate data on the incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) disease are important for directing public health education and control activities. The objective of this project was to assess the underdiagnosis of WNV neuroinvasive disease through laboratory testing of patients with suspected viral meningitis or encephalitis at selected hospitals serving WNV-endemic regions in three states. Of the 279 patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens tested for WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, 258 (92%) were negative, 19 (7%) were positive, and two (1%) had equivocal results. Overall, 63% (12/19) of patients with WNV IgM-positive CSF had WNV IgM testing ordered by their attending physician. Seven (37%) cases would not have been identified as probable WNV infections without the further testing conducted through this project. These findings indicate that over a third of WNV infections in patients with clinically compatible neurological illness might be undiagnosed due to either lack of testing or inappropriate testing, leading to substantial underestimates of WNV neuroinvasive disease burden. Efforts should be made to educate healthcare providers and laboratorians about the local epidemiology of arboviral diseases and the optimal tests to be used in different clinical situations.
VOT merger in Heritage Korean in Toronto
Authors: Kang Yoonjung , Nagy Naomi
Published: June 2016

Korean has a typologically unusual three-way laryngeal contrast in voiceless stops among aspirated, lenis, and fortis stops. Seoul Korean is undergoing a female-led sound change in which aspirated stops and lenis stops are merging in voice onset time (VOT) and are better distinguished by the F0 (fundamental frequency) of the following vowel than by their VOT, in younger speakers' speech. This paper compares the VOT pattern of Homeland (Seoul) and Heritage (Toronto) Korean speakers and finds that the same change is in progress in both. However, in the heritage variety, younger speakers do not advance the change, unlike their Seoul counterparts. Rather they have leveled off or are perhaps reversing the change, and there is very little sex difference among the younger heritage speakers' patterns. We consider possible accounts of the differences between the Seoul and Toronto patterns, building our understanding of how language-internal variation operates in bilingual speakers, a topic that has received relatively less attention in the variationist literature.
Super-leveling, fraying-out, internal restructuring: A century of presentbeconcord in Tristan da Cunha English
Authors: Schreier Daniel
Published: June 2016

The present study analyzes presentbeleveling with pivotis(as inI is, we is, the old dogs is) in Tristan da Cunha English, a variety of South Atlantic English that developed in geographic isolation and under intense contact conditions. The findings, based on data from a total of 45 speakers born throughout the 20th century, indicate that community-wide variation correlates with social history; whereas presentbewas subject to (near-)categorical leveling until the 1940s, an opening-up phase after World War II saw interaction with speakers of other dialects on the island, which triggered an increase of a standardam/is/areconcord pattern. Variability began to increase from the 1950s onward and the community has now frayed out widely in its usage of leveledisforms (ranging from 10% to over 90% in speakers of the youngest generation, born in the 1980s). The internal constraint ranking for preceding environment in younger generations was partially restructured, which suggests that the social changes affected the grammatical variable. Three outliers represent exonormative orientation and outward mobility.
A tale of two cities (and one vowel): Sociolinguistic variation in Swedish
Authors: Gross Johan , Boyd Sally , Leinonen Therese , Walker James A.
Published: June 2016

Previous studies of language contact in multilingual urban neighborhoods in Europe claim the emergence of new varieties spoken by immigrant-background youth. This paper examines the sociolinguistic conditioning of variation in allophones of Swedish /ε:/ of young people of immigrant and nonimmigrant background in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Although speaker background and sex condition the variation, their effects differ in each city. In Stockholm there are no significant social differences and the allophonic difference appears to have been neutralized. Gothenburg speakers are divided into three groups, based on speaker origin and sex, each of which orients toward different norms. Our conclusions appeal to dialectal diffusion and the desire to mark ethnic identity in a diverse sociolinguistic context. These results demonstrate that not only language contact but also dialect change should be considered together when investigating language variation in modern-day cities.
El Niño Will Increase Atmospheric Carbon to Historic Levels
Authors: Coombs Amy
Published: June 2016

Tropical fires and drought-stricken ecosystems that normally serve as sinks will release carbon, contributing to high atmospheric concentrations through 2016 and beyond.
Direct imaging of topological edge states at a bilayer graphene domain wall
Authors: Yin Long-Jing , Jiang Hua , Qiao Jia-Bin , He Lin
Published: June 2016

The AB–BA domain wall in gapped graphene bilayers is a rare naked structure hosting topological electronic states. Although it has been extensively studied in theory, a direct imaging of its topological edge states is still missing. Here we image the topological edge states at the graphene bilayer domain wall by using scanning tunnelling microscope. The simultaneously obtained atomic-resolution images of the domain wall provide us unprecedented opportunities to measure the spatially varying edge states within it. The one-dimensional conducting channels are observed to be mainly located around the two edges of the domain wall, which is reproduced quite well by our theoretical calculations. Our experiment further demonstrates that the one-dimensional topological states are quite robust even in the presence of high magnetic fields. The result reported here may raise hopes of graphene-based electronics with ultra-low dissipation.
A threshold level of NFATc1 activity facilitates thymocyte differentiation and opposes notch-driven leukaemia development
Authors: Klein-Hessling Stefan , Rudolf Ronald , Muhammad Khalid , Knobeloch Klaus-Peter , Maqbool Muhammad Ahmad , Cauchy Pierre , Andrau Jean-Christophe , Avots Andris , Talora Claudio , Ellenrieder Volker , Screpanti Isabella , Serfling Edgar , Patra Amiya Kumar
Published: June 2016

NFATc1 plays a critical role in double-negative thymocyte survival and differentiation. However, the signals that regulate Nfatc1 expression are incompletely characterized. Here we show a developmental stage-specific differential expression pattern of Nfatc1 driven by the distal (P1) or proximal (P2) promoters in thymocytes. Whereas, preTCR-negative thymocytes exhibit only P2 promoter-derived Nfatc1β expression, preTCR-positive thymocytes express both Nfatc1β and P1 promoter-derived Nfatc1α transcripts. Inducing NFATc1α activity from P1 promoter in preTCR-negative thymocytes, in addition to the NFATc1β from P2 promoter impairs thymocyte development resulting in severe T-cell lymphopenia. In addition, we show that NFATc1 activity suppresses the B-lineage potential of immature thymocytes, and consolidates their differentiation to T cells. Further, in the pTCR-positive DN3 cells, a threshold level of NFATc1 activity is vital in facilitating T-cell differentiation and to prevent Notch3-induced T-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Altogether, our results show NFATc1 activity is crucial in determining the T-cell fate of thymocytes.
Doping-enhanced radiative efficiency enables lasing in unpassivated GaAs nanowires
Authors: Burgess Tim , Saxena Dhruv , Mokkapati Sudha , Li Zhe , Hall Christopher R. , Davis Jeffrey A. , Wang Yuda , Smith Leigh M. , Fu Lan , Caroff Philippe , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati
Published: June 2016

Nanolasers hold promise for applications including integrated photonics, on-chip optical interconnects and optical sensing. Key to the realization of current cavity designs is the use of nanomaterials combining high gain with high radiative efficiency. Until now, efforts to enhance the performance of semiconductor nanomaterials have focused on reducing the rate of non-radiative recombination through improvements to material quality and complex passivation schemes. Here we employ controlled impurity doping to increase the rate of radiative recombination. This unique approach enables us to improve the radiative efficiency of unpassivated GaAs nanowires by a factor of several hundred times while also increasing differential gain and reducing the transparency carrier density. In this way, we demonstrate lasing from a nanomaterial that combines high radiative efficiency with a picosecond carrier lifetime ready for high speed applications.
Molecular preservation of 1.88 Ga Gunflint organic microfossils as a function of temperature and mineralogy
Authors: Alleon Julien , Bernard Sylvain , Le Guillou Corentin , Marin-Carbonne Johanna , Pont Sylvain , Beyssac Olivier , McKeegan Kevin D. , Robert François
Published: June 2016

The significant degradation that fossilized biomolecules may experience during burial makes it challenging to assess the biogenicity of organic microstructures in ancient rocks. Here we investigate the molecular signatures of 1.88 Ga Gunflint organic microfossils as a function of their diagenetic history. Synchrotron-based XANES data collectedin situon individual microfossils, at the submicrometre scale, are compared with data collected on modern microorganisms. Despite diagenetic temperatures of ∼150–170 °C deduced from Raman data, the molecular signatures of some Gunflint organic microfossils have been exceptionally well preserved. Remarkably, amide groups derived from protein compounds can still be detected. We also demonstrate that an additional increase of diagenetic temperature of only 50 °C and the nanoscale association with carbonate minerals have significantly altered the molecular signatures of Gunflint organic microfossils from other localities. Altogether, the present study provides key insights for eventually decoding the earliest fossil record.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Theoretical Limits of Energy Density in Silicon-Carbon Composite Anode Based Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Dash Ranjan , Pannala Sreekanth
Published: June 2016

Silicon (Si) is under consideration as a potential next-generation anode material for the lithium ion battery (LIB). Experimental reports of up to 40% increase in energy density of Si anode based LIBs (Si-LIBs) have been reported in literature. However, this increase in energy density is achieved when the Si-LIB is allowed to swell (volumetrically expand) more than graphite based LIB (graphite-LIB) and beyond practical limits. The volume expansion of LIB electrodes should be negligible for applications such as automotive or mobile devices. We determine the theoretical bounds of Si composition in a Si–carbon composite (SCC) based anode to maximize the volumetric energy density of a LIB by constraining the external dimensions of the anode during charging. The porosity of the SCC anode is adjusted to accommodate the volume expansion during lithiation. The calculated threshold value of Si was then used to determine the possible volumetric energy densities of LIBs with SCC anode (SCC-LIBs) and the potential improvement over graphite-LIBs. The level of improvement in volumetric and gravimetric energy density of SCC-LIBs with constrained volume is predicted to be less than 10% to ensure the battery has similar power characteristics of graphite-LIBs.
High-dimensional entanglement certification
Authors: Huang Zixin , Maccone Lorenzo , Karim Akib , Macchiavello Chiara , Chapman Robert J. , Peruzzo Alberto
Published: June 2016

Quantum entanglement is the ability of joint quantum systems to possess global properties (correlation among systems) even when subsystems have no definite individual property. Whilst the 2-dimensional (qubit) case is well-understood, currently, tools to characterise entanglement in high dimensions are limited. We experimentally demonstrate a new procedure for entanglement certification that is suitable for large systems, based entirely on information-theoretics. It scales more efficiently than Bell’s inequality and entanglement witness. The method we developed works for arbitrarily large system dimensiondand employs only two local measurements of complementary properties. This procedure can also certify whether the system is maximally entangled. We illustrate the protocol for families of bipartite states of qudits with dimension up to 32 composed of polarisation-entangled photon pairs.
Feedback damping of a microcantilever at room temperature to the minimum vibration amplitude limited by the noise level
Authors: Kawamura Y. , Kanegae R.
Published: June 2016

Cooling the vibration amplitude of a microcantilever as low as possible is important to improve the sensitivity and resolutions of various types of scanning type microscopes and sensors making use of it. When the vibration amplitude is controlled to be smaller using a feed back control system, it is known that the obtainable minimum amplitude of the vibration is limited by the floor noise level of the detection system. In this study, we demonstrated that the amplitude of the thermal vibration of a microcantilever was suppressed to be about 0.15 pmHz−1/2, which is the same value with the floor noise level, without the assistance of external cryogenic cooling. We think that one of the reason why we could reach the smaller amplitude at room temperature is due to stiffer spring constant of the lever, which leads to higher natural frequency and consequently lower floor noise level. The other reason is considered to be due to the increase in the laser power for the diagnostics, which lead to the decrease in the signal to noise ratio determined by the optical shot noise.
Identification of significant precursor gases of secondary organic aerosols from residential wood combustion
Authors: Bruns Emily A. , El Haddad Imad , Slowik Jay G. , Kilic Dogushan , Klein Felix , Baltensperger Urs , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: June 2016

Organic gases undergoing conversion to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) during atmospheric aging are largely unidentified, particularly in regions influenced by anthropogenic emissions. SOA dominates the atmospheric organic aerosol burden and this knowledge gap contributes to uncertainties in aerosol effects on climate and human health. Here we characterize primary and aged emissions from residential wood combustion using high resolution mass spectrometry to identify SOA precursors. We determine that SOA precursors traditionally included in models account for only ~3–27% of the observed SOA, whereas for the first time we explain ~84–116% of the SOA by inclusion of non-traditional precursors. Although hundreds of organic gases are emitted during wood combustion, SOA is dominated by the aging products of only 22 compounds. In some cases, oxidation products of phenol, naphthalene and benzene alone comprise up to ~80% of the observed SOA. Identifying the main precursors responsible for SOA formation enables improved model parameterizations and SOA mitigation strategies in regions impacted by residential wood combustion, more productive targets for ambient monitoring programs and future laboratories studies, and links between direct emissions and SOA impacts on climate and health in these regions.
Dynamical signatures of molecular symmetries in nonequilibrium quantum transport
Authors: Thingna Juzar , Manzano Daniel , Cao Jianshu
Published: June 2016

Symmetries play a crucial role in ubiquitous systems found in Nature. In this work, we propose an elegant approach to detect symmetries by measuring quantum currents. Our detection scheme relies on initiating the system in an anti-symmetric initial condition, with respect to the symmetric sites and using a probe that acts like a local noise. Depending on the position of the probe the currents exhibit unique signatures such as a quasi-stationary plateau indicating the presence of metastability and multi-exponential decays in case of multiple symmetries. The signatures are sensitive to the characteristics of the probe and vanish completely when the timescale of the coherent system dynamics is much longer than the timescale of the probe. These results are demonstrated using a 4-site model and an archetypal example of the para-benzene ring and are shown to be robust under a weak disorder.
A novel TP53 pathway influences the HGS-mediated exosome formation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Sun Yulin , Zheng Weiwei , Guo Zhengguang , Ju Qiang , Zhu Lin , Gao Jiajia , Zhou Lanping , Liu Fang , Xu Yang , Zhan Qimin , Zhou Zhixiang , Sun Wei , Zhao Xiaohang
Published: June 2016

Tumor-derived exosomes are important for cell-cell communication. However, the role of TP53 in the control of exosome production in colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial and unclear. The features of exosomes secreted from HCT116 TP53-wild type (WT), TP53-knockout (KO) and constructed TP53 (R273H)-mutant (MT) cells were assessed. The exosomes from the MT and KO cells exhibited significantly reduced sizes compared with the WT cells. A comprehensive proteomic analysis of exosomal proteins was performed using the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-2D-LC-MS/MS strategy. A total of 3437 protein groups with ≥2 matched peptides were identified. Specifically, hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (HGS) was consistently down-regulated in the exosomes from the MT and KO cells. Functional studies demonstrated that low HGS levels were responsible for the decreased exosome size. TP53 regulated HGS expression and thus HGS-dependent exosome formation. Furthermore, the HGS expression was gradually increased concomitant with CRC carcinogenesis and was an independent poor prognostic factor. In conclusion, a novel HGS-dependent TP53 mechanism in exosome formation was identified in CRC. HGS may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and a candidate target for therapeutic interventions.
Microbial copper reduction method to scavenge anthropogenic radioiodine
Authors: Lee Seung Yeop , Lee Ji Young , Min Je Ho , Kim Seung Soo , Baik Min Hoon , Chung Sang Yong , Lee Minhee , Lee Yongjae
Published: June 2016

Unexpected reactor accidents and radioisotope production and consumption have led to a continuous increase in the global-scale contamination of radionuclides. In particular, anthropogenic radioiodine has become critical due to its highly volatile mobilization and recycling in global environments, resulting in widespread, negative impact on nature. We report a novel biostimulant method to effectively scavenge radioiodine that exhibits remarkable selectivity for the highly difficult-to-capture radioiodine of >500-fold over other anions, even under circumneutral pH. We discovered a useful mechanism by which microbially reducible copper (i.e., Cu2+ to Cu+) acts as a strong binder for iodide-iodide anions to form a crystalline halide salt of CuI that is highly insoluble in wastewater. The biocatalytic crystallization of radioiodine is a promising way to remove radioiodine in a great capacity with robust growth momentum, further ensuring its long-term stability through nuclear I− fixation via microcrystal formation.
Highly potent intracellular membrane-associated Aβ seeds
Authors: Marzesco Anne-Marie , Flötenmeyer Matthias , Bühler Anika , Obermüller Ulrike , Staufenbiel Matthias , Jucker Mathias , Baumann Frank
Published: June 2016

An early event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis is the formation of extracellular aggregates of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), thought to be initiated by a prion-like seeding mechanism. However, the molecular nature and location of the Aβ seeds remain rather elusive. Active Aβ seeds are found in crude homogenates of amyloid-laden brains and in the soluble fraction thereof. To analyze the seeding activity of the pellet fraction, we have either separated or directly immunoisolated membranes from such homogenates. Here, we found considerable Aβ seeding activity associated with membranes in the absence of detectable amyloid fibrils. We also found that Aβ seeds on mitochondrial or associated membranes efficiently induced Aβ aggregation in vitro and seed β-amyloidosis in vivo. Aβ seeds at intracellular membranes may contribute to the spreading of Aβ aggregation along neuronal pathways and to the induction of intracellular pathologies downstream of Aβ.
Engineering of Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase-based Escherichia coli biocatalyst for large scale biotransformation of ricinoleic acid into (Z)-11-(heptanoyloxy)undec-9-enoic acid
Authors: Seo Joo-Hyun , Kim Hwan-Hee , Jeon Eun-Yeong , Song Young-Ha , Shin Chul-Soo , Park Jin-Byung
Published: June 2016

Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) are able to catalyze regiospecific Baeyer-Villiger oxygenation of a variety of cyclic and linear ketones to generate the corresponding lactones and esters, respectively. However, the enzymes are usually difficult to express in a functional form in microbial cells and are rather unstable under process conditions hindering their large-scale applications. Thereby, we investigated engineering of the BVMO from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and the gene expression system to improve its activity and stability for large-scale biotransformation of ricinoleic acid (1) into the ester (i.e., (Z)-11-(heptanoyloxy)undec-9-enoic acid) (3), which can be hydrolyzed into 11-hydroxyundec-9-enoic acid (5) (i.e., a precursor of polyamide-11) and n-heptanoic acid (4). The polyionic tag-based fusion engineering of the BVMO and the use of a synthetic promoter for constitutive enzyme expression allowed the recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the BVMO and the secondary alcohol dehydrogenase of Micrococcus luteus to produce the ester (3) to 85 mM (26.6 g/L) within 5 h. The 5 L scale biotransformation process was then successfully scaled up to a 70 L bioreactor; 3 was produced to over 70 mM (21.9 g/L) in the culture medium 6 h after biotransformation. This study demonstrated that the BVMO-based whole-cell reactions can be applied for large-scale biotransformations.
Red pepper powder is a crucial factor that influences the ontogeny of Weissella cibaria during kimchi fermentation
Authors: Kang Bo Kyoung , Cho Min Seok , Park Dong Suk
Published: June 2016

Weissella cibaria has been found in Korean kimchi and other sources, including fermented foods, Greek salami, Spanish sausages, and animal and human excrement. W. cibaria was recently reported to show anticancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, fundamental ecological succession studies are required to scientifically confirm the probiotic action of W. cibaria under various conditions, such as fermentation. Therefore, in the present study, we mined the W. cibaria KACC11862 genome in search of species-specific genes to use as new PCR targets for the detection and quantification of W. cibaria in kimchi. The sensitivity and specificity of the identified primer set from the putative outer membrane protein gene for the detection of W. cibaria KACC11862 in kimchi were analysed. Primer set specificity was evaluated using genomic DNA from eight W. cibaria isolates, 10 different species of Weissella and 13 other reference lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains. Interestingly, by using the qPCR assay developed herein, we found that red pepper powder markedly affects the ontogeny of W. cibaria during kimchi fermentation.
Single-domain flavoenzymes trigger lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases for oxidative degradation of cellulose
Authors: Garajova Sona , Mathieu Yann , Beccia Maria Rosa , Bennati-Granier Chloé , Biaso Frédéric , Fanuel Mathieu , Ropartz David , Guigliarelli Bruno , Record Eric , Rogniaux Hélène , Henrissat Bernard , Berrin Jean-Guy
Published: June 2016

The enzymatic conversion of plant biomass has been recently revolutionized by the discovery of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) that carry out oxidative cleavage of polysaccharides. These very powerful enzymes are abundant in fungal saprotrophs. LPMOs require activation by electrons that can be provided by cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDHs), but as some fungi lack CDH-encoding genes, other recycling enzymes must exist. We investigated the ability of AA3_2 flavoenzymes secreted under lignocellulolytic conditions to trigger oxidative cellulose degradation by AA9 LPMOs. Among the flavoenzymes tested, we show that glucose dehydrogenase and aryl-alcohol quinone oxidoreductases are catalytically efficient electron donors for LPMOs. These single-domain flavoenzymes display redox potentials compatible with electron transfer between partners. Our findings extend the array of enzymes which regulate the oxidative degradation of cellulose by lignocellulolytic fungi.
Changes of flowering phenology and flower size in rosaceous plants from a biodiversity hotspot in the past century
Authors: Yu Qin , Jia Dong-Rui , Tian Bin , Yang Yong-Ping , Duan Yuan-Wen
Published: June 2016

Responses of plant traits to climate changes are complex, which could be mirrored by the investigations of herbarium specimens. By examining specimens of Rosa and Cotoneaster species collected since 1920s in Hengduan Mountains, we analyzed the changes of flowering phenology and flower size in the past century when climate changes were considered to be intensified. We found that flowering phenology of Rosa showed no significant change, but flowering phenology of Cotoneaster was delayed in recent years. Flower size of Rosa species showed a marginally significant decrease over the past century. The results suggested that responses of flowering time to global changes and pollinator mediated selection on floral traits might be more complex than what were expected. Our results indicated that future researches based on investigations of herbarium specimens should be carried out on multiple plant species with different flower structures and life histories to better understand the effects of climate changes on plant traits.
Composition analysis of fractions of extracellular polymeric substances from an activated sludge culture and identification of dominant forces affecting microbial aggregation
Authors: Guo Xuan , Wang Xu , Liu Junxin
Published: June 2016

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) appear to play a critical role in the formation of bioaggregates, such as sludge flocs, in activated sludge processes. Here, we systematically investigated the composition and chemical structure of various EPS fractions excreted from an activated sludge culture using multi-analysis techniques to examine the ability of the sludge to aggregate. Chemical analysis was used with a three-dimensional excitation emission matrix and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, applying inter-particle forces theory. The combined findings revealed that hydrophobic groups, especially protein-related N–H, were present in a greater proportion in tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS). This result, which explained the specificity of TB-EPS in the chemical structure, was consistent with data indicating that TB-EPS contained a large amount of protein-like substances (86.7 mg/g of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids, 39.7% of the total EPS). Subsequently, a novel experimental procedure was developed to pinpoint key inter-particle forces in sludge aggregation. The result revealed that hydrogen bonds are the predominant triggers that promote sludge aggregation. This comprehensive analysis indicated that hydrophobic proteins in TB-EPS are responsible for the critical role played by hydrogen bonds in sludge formation. Our findings highlight the need to elucidate the mechanisms of TB-EPS-mediated flocculation in future efforts.
Preparation and evaluation of molecularly imprinted composite membranes for inducing crystallization of oleanolic acid in supercritical CO2
Authors: Zhang Wencheng , Zhang Qing , Zhang Xingyuan , Wu Zeyu , Li Bing , Dong Xiuli , Wang Bingsong
Published: June 2016

In this study, molecularly imprinted composite membranes (MICMs) were successfully prepared and used for inducing crystallization of oleanolic acid (OA) in supercritical CO2.
A spiropyran-based fluorescent probe for the specific detection of β-amyloid peptide oligomers in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lv Guanglei , Sun Anyang , Wei Peng , Zhang Ning , Lan Haichuang , Yi Tao
Published: June 2016

A fluorescent probe for the specific detection of Aβ oligomers in Alzheimer's disease both in vitro and in vivo was developed.
N-Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene polyiodides
Authors: Pan Fangfang , Beyeh Ngong Kodiah , Ras Robin H. A. , Rissanen Kari
Published: June 2016

Heterolytic dissociation of molecular iodine (I2) led to the unexpected formation of triiodides and linear pentaiodide in the solid state when four N-alkyl ammonium resorcinarene halides are reacted with molecular iodine (I2).
Transport properties and electroresistance of a manganite based heterostructure: role of the manganite–manganite interface
Authors: Gadani Keval , Dhruv Davit , Joshi Zalak , Boricha Hetal , Rathod K. N. , Keshvani M. J. , Shah N. A. , Solanki P. S.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we report the results of the investigations on the transport properties performed across the manganite–manganite interface in the LaMnO3−δ/La0.7Ca0.3MnO3/LaAlO3 (LMO/LCMO/LAO) heterostructure.
Surface adsorption of sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone)/C14TAB mixtures and its correlation with foam film stability
Authors: Uhlig Martin , Miller Reinhard , Klitzing Regine von
Published: June 2016

Polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures of rigid monosulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone) (sPSO2-220) and tetradecyl trimethylammonium bromide (C14TAB) were investigated by surface tension, surface elasticity and foam film stability measurements.
The design of Fe, N-doped hierarchically porous carbons as highly active and durable electrocatalysts for a Zn–air battery
Authors: Wu Mingjie , Tang Qiaowei , Dong Fang , Wang Yongzhen , Li Donghui , Guo Qinping , Liu Yuyu , Qiao Jinli
Published: June 2016

A new type of Fe, N-doped hierarchically porous carbons (N–Fe-HPCs) has been synthesized via a green and simple silicate templated two-step graphitization of N-enriched polyquaternium networks.
Palladium 1D nanoscale aggregates on a graphite surface using CTAB hemicylindrical micelle templates
Authors: Nizameev I. R. , Kadirov M. K. , Semyonov V. A. , Zakharova L. Ya. , Ismaev T. I. , Safiullin R. A. , Rizvanov I. Kh. , Babaev V. M.
Published: June 2016

Nanoscale palladium clusters in the form of parallel strips have been formed on the surface of graphite with the help of a surface micellar template of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide using a chemical deposition method.
Ga[OSi(OtBu)3]3·THF, a thermolytic molecular precursor for high surface area gallium-containing silica materials of controlled dispersion and stoichiometry
Authors: Dombrowski James P. , Johnson Gregory R. , Bell Alexis T. , Tilley T. Don
Published: June 2016

Ga[OSi(OtBu)3]3·THF was used as the first thermolytic single-source molecular precursor to generate gallium-containing silicas.
[BEDT-TTF][Fe(C2O4)Cl2]: an organic–inorganic hybrid semiconductive antiferromagnet
Authors: Zhang B. , Zhang Y. , Wang Z. , Yang D. , Gao Z. , Wang D. , Guo Y. , Zhu D. , Mori T.
Published: June 2016

A radical cation salt composed of an organic donor BEDT-TTF1.0+ and a one-dimensional inorganic anion [Fe(C2O4)Cl2−]n was obtained by electrocrystallization.
Excited state decay of cyclometalated polypyridine ruthenium complexes: insight from theory and experiment
Authors: Kreitner Christoph , Heinze Katja
Published: June 2016

This perspective article tackles the open question why cyclometalated polypyridine ruthenium(ii) complexes typically only emit very weakly at room temperature and delivers answers beyond the standard schemes involving 3MC and tunneling decay channels.
Suitability of Chemcatcher® passive sampling in monitoring organotin compounds at a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Ahkola H. , Juntunen J. , Krogerus K. , Huttula T. , Herve S. , Witick A.
Published: June 2016

Municipal wastewater contains a number of harmful chemicals whose concentrations can fluctuate dramatically.
Standardization for natural product synthetic biology
Authors: Zhao Huimin , Medema Marnix H.
Published: June 2016

Standardization is one of the foundational features of modern-day engineering, and the use of standardized parts and processes is a key element that distinguishes bona fide synthetic biology from traditional genetic engineering.
Boronic acid/Brønsted acid co-catalyst systems for the synthesis of 2H-chromenes from phenols and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls
Authors: Dimakos Victoria , Singh Tishaan , Taylor Mark S.
Published: June 2016

Combinations of boronic acids and Brønsted acids showing optimal co-catalytic activity for condensations of enals or enones with phenols have been identified, enabling an efficient synthesis of 2H-chromenes.
A tough nanocomposite hydrogel for antifouling application with quaternized hyperbranched PEI nanoparticles crosslinking
Authors: Jiang Daoyi , Liu Zhixiong , Han Jin , Wu Xuedong
Published: June 2016

We reported a series of tough nanocomposite hydrogels with good antifouling properties based on quaternized hybranched polyethylenimine (HPEI) nanoparticles.
Carbon dioxide absorption in aqueous solution of potassium glycinate + 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol as new absorbents
Authors: Hamzehie Mohammad Ehsan , Najibi Hesam
Published: June 2016

Aqueous solutions of potassium glycinate and mixtures with 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) are investigated as new absorbents for carbon dioxide absorption.
Removal efficiency of MIEX® pretreatment on typical proteins and amino acids derived from Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Liu Cheng , He Siyuan , Sun Zhehao , Wang Jie , Chen Wei
Published: June 2016

Main categories of typical proteins and amino acids derived fromM. aeruginosawere identified and their removal by MIEX® was discussed.
Extracellular polymeric substances protect Escherichia coli from organic solvents
Authors: Xia Peng-Fei , Li Qian , Tan Lin-Rui , Sun Xue-Fei , Song Chao , Wang Shu-Guang
Published: June 2016

The protective roles of extracellular polymeric substances againstn-butanol have been investigated and determined.
Fabrication of a hierarchically structured HKUST-1 by a mixed-ligand approach
Authors: Liu Baoyu , Li Yanyan , Oh Su Cheun , Fang Yanxiong , Xi Hongxia
Published: June 2016

Benzoic acid was added to the conventional HKUST-1 synthesis composition as a mixed-linker to fabricate hierarchically structured HKUST-1.
Thermally stable energetic salts based on 3-nitramino-4-tetrazolefurazan
Authors: Huang Haifeng , Shi Yameng , Li Ying , Liu Yanfang , Yang Jun
Published: June 2016

The combination of nitramino group and tetrazole with the furazan ring gave rise to energetic salts which are thermally stable up to 284 °C.
Correction: Amyloid fibrils as rapid and efficient nano-biosorbents for removal of dye pollutants
Authors: Leung Wai-Hong , Lo Wai-Hung , Chan Pak-Ho
Published: June 2016

Correction for ‘Amyloid fibrils as rapid and efficient nano-biosorbents for removal of dye pollutants’ by Wai-Hong Leung et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 90022–90030.
Trigonal antiprismatic Co(ii) single molecule magnets with large uniaxial anisotropies: importance of Raman and tunneling mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Zhu , Gómez-Coca Silvia , Brown Andrew J. , Saber Mohamed R. , Zhang Xuan , Dunbar Kim R.
Published: June 2016

A trigonal antiprismatic Co(ii) molecule exhibits counterion-dependent relaxation of the magnetization due to the importance of the Raman relaxation process.
Ferroelectric materials for fusion energy applications
Authors: Cain Markys. G. , Weaver Paul. M. , Reece Michael. J.
Published: June 2016

The operation of a fusion reactor requires diagnostic equipment for the monitoring of temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, radiation energy and fluence, and other operational parameters. Functional materials, in particular ferroelectrics, can play many useful roles in these types of measurement. This review paper describes the functions where ferroelectrics may find useful application in a reactor, the effects of the reactor environment on materials in general, and the effects on ferroelectrics in particular.
Efficient preparation of size tunable PEGylated gold nanoparticles
Authors: Tang Christina , Sosa Chris L. , Pagels Robert F. , Priestley Rodney D. , Prud'homme Robert K.
Published: June 2016

Flash NanoPrecipitation enables rapid, scalable, one-step synthesis of size-tunable PEGylated gold nanoparticles for drug delivery and translational imaging applications.