bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breakfast frequency, adiposity, and cardiovascular risk factors as markers in adolescents
Authors: Cayres Suziane U. , Júnior Ismael F. F. , Barbosa Maurício F. , Christofaro Diego G. D. , Fernandes Rômulo A.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To analyse the relationship between skipping breakfast and haemodynamic, metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out with information from an ongoing cohort study in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample comprised of 120 adolescents (11.7±0.8 years old) who met the following inclusion criteria: age between 11 and 14 years; enrolled in the school unit of elementary education; absence of any known disease; and no drug consumption. The parents or legal guardians of the patients signed a formal informed consent. Skipping breakfast was self-reported through face-to-face interviews. Blood pressure, intima-media thickness, trunk fatness, total and fractional cholesterol levels – high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol – triacylglycerol levels, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured.

Results

In this study, 47.5% (95% CI: 38.5–56.4%) of the adolescents reported skipping breakfast at least 1 day/week. Adolescents who skipped breakfast had higher values of trunk fatness and systolic blood pressure. Breakfast frequency was negatively related to systolic blood pressure (β −1.99 [−3.67; −0.31]) and z score dyslipidaemia (β −0.46 [−0.90; −0.01]), but this relationship was mediated by trunk fatness.

Conclusion

Skipping breakfast is related to cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents, and this relationship was mainly mediated by trunk fatness.
Micro-Topography and Reactivity of Implant Surfaces: An In Vitro Study in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF)
Authors: Gandolfi M.G. , Taddei P. , Siboni F. , Perrotti V. , Iezzi G. , Piattelli A. , Prati C.
Published: February 2015

The creation of micro-textured dental implant surfaces possessing a stimulating activity represents a challenge in implant dentistry; particularly, the formation of a thin, biologically active, calcium-phosphate layer on their surface could help to strengthen the bond to the surrounding bone. The aim of the present study was to characterize in terms of macrostructure, micro-topography and reactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF), the surface of titanium (Ti) implants blasted with TiO2 particles, acid etched with hydrofluoric acid, and activated with Ca and Mg-containing nanoparticles. Sandblasted and acid-etched implants were analyzed by ESEM-EDX (environmental scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray system) to study the micromorphology of the surface and to perform elemental X-ray microanalysis (microchemical analyses) and element mapping. ESEM-EDX analyses were performed at time 0 and after a 28-day soaking period in SBF Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS) following ISO 23317 (implants for surgery—in vitro evaluation for apatite-forming ability of implant materials). Microchemical analyses (weight % and atomic %) and element mapping were carried out to evaluate the relative element content, element distribution, and calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) atomic ratio. Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the possible presence of impurities due to manufacturing and to investigate the phases formed upon HBSS soaking. Micro-morphological analyses showed a micro-textured, highly rough surface with microgrooves. Microchemical analyses showed compositional differences among the apical, middle, and distal thirds. The micro-Raman analyses of the as-received implant showed the presence of amorphous Ti oxide and traces of anatase, calcite, and a carbonaceous material derived from the decomposition of an organic component of lipidic nature (presumably used as lubricant). A uniform layer of Ca-poor calcium phosphates (CaPs) (Ca/P ratio <1.47) was observed after soaking in HBSS; the detection of the 961 cm−1 Raman band confirms this finding. These implants showed a micro-textured surface supporting the formation of CaPs when immersed in SBF. These properties may likely favor bone anchorage and healing by stimulation of mineralizing cells.
Introduction to Special Issue: Who Does or Does Not Respond to Whom or What in a Democracy? The Case of Japan
Authors: FUKUMOTO KENTARO
Published: February 2015

In a democracy, it is essential that agents respond to their principals. Because the principals have some control over the agents, the agents are supposed to be loyal to the principals’ wishes. For example, in the context of an election, voters (principals) can hire and fire their representatives (agents), while lawmakers should represent their constituency and legislate accordingly. On this basis, power is delegated from principals to agents and the chain of delegation makes government work, from voters (principals) to legislators (agents), from legislators (now, principals) to ministers (agents/principals), to bureaucrats (agents/principals), and to street-level public servants (agents).
Measuring Judicial Independence Reconsidered: Survival Analysis, Matching, and Average Treatment Effects
Authors: FUKUMOTO KENTARO , MASUYAMA MIKITAKA
Published: February 2015

This article reconsiders how to judge judicial independence by using the Japanese judicature, one of the allegedly-most dependent judiciary branches. In their influential work, Ramseyer and Rasmusen (2003) argue that judges who once belonged to a leftist group take longer to reach a ‘moderately prestigious status’ under the long-term conservative rule of Japan. Their method does not, however, deal appropriately with the possibility of judges not reaching this position because the judge dies, retires early, or is still at the early stage of her career. Ramseyer and Rasmusen also mistakenly assume that all judges will eventually obtain this position. This article develops a survival analysis model of judicial careers and attempts to solve the problems of censoring, left truncation, and split population. We also offer a way to utilize a matching procedure to estimate average treatment effects on censored time-to-event as well as event occurrence. We re-analyze a corrected version of Ramseyer and Rasmusen's data using their and our methods. One of the most important findings is that, contrary to what Ramseyer and Rasmusen argue, leftist judges are not discriminated against in terms of the timing of promotion.
The Effect of Direct Democracy on Political Efficacy: The Evidence from Panel Data Analysis
Authors: KIM TAEHEE
Published: February 2015

Does direct democracy enhance political efficacy? This article examines the effect of direct democracy on political efficacy. Normative theorists have suggested that direct democracy has educative effects on citizens, such as promoting political efficacy. While a number of studies have examined the corresponding hypothesis, their empirical findings are not clear-cut. This study attributes the inconsistent results to two problems of the existing studies: the employment of cross-sectional data and the heterogeneity of popular vote issues. This study closes this gap by examining the effect of direct democracy in local politics on political efficacy in a more systematic and controlled way. More concretely, it utilizes the Japanese case: In the first decade of this century, more than 400 Japanese municipalities held a popular vote for the first time because the Japanese national government promoted municipal merger. Therefore, the Japanese case provides multiple popular votes on comparable substantive topics that can be conceived as an homogeneous treatment. By applying multilevel modeling to panel survey data, this study demonstrates the causal effect that the popular vote increases the level of internal political efficacy.
National Security Environments, Patriotism, and Japanese Public Opinion
Authors: KAGOTANI KOJI
Published: February 2015

This study examines Japanese reactions to neighboring countries’ behavior by addressing possible micro-motives, such as patriotism, the rational demand for national defense, and retrospective policy evaluation. This theoretical development leads to distinctive hypotheses from different motivations and directly tests them using macro-data (not survey data). This research will apply this framework to Japanese politics and will show that foreign threats stimulate patriotism in the public mind and enhance political support for national leaders. It will also demonstrate that the Japanese public has no optimistic view of the new prime minister and that the honeymoon effect in previous research may be confounded with the patriotic effect because the new leader is less experienced and is often challenged by foreign countries.
Reasonable disagreement and the generally unacceptable: a philosophical analysis of Making Fair Choices
Authors: Rumbold Benedict E. , Wilson James
Published: February 2015

In this article we consider the conclusions and recommendations of the World Health Organisation’s report Making Fair Choices from a philosophical perspective. In particular we reflect on the report’s return to substantive claims about justice in the allocation of health care resources and its argument that certain trade-offs are ‘generally unacceptable’.
An UWB dual polarized microstrip fed L-shape slot antenna
Authors: Krishna Raghupatruni Venkatsiva Ram , Kumar Raj , Kushwaha Nagendra
Published: February 2015

In this paper, a microstrip fed, L-shape slot antenna for dual polarization is proposed. The two arms of the slot generate electric fields of orthogonal polarizations. By properly sectioning the slot and the feed line, ultra wideband (UWB) behavior is obtained. The measured impedance bandwidth (S11< −10 dB) is more than 8.6 GHz (112%) and 8.2 GHz (104%) for Port 1 and Port 2, respectively. The measured isolation is better than 25 dB over most of the band. The aperture field distribution justifies the dual polarized nature. A modified version which implements a band-notch over 5.1–5.85 GHz wireless local area network (WLAN) band is also presented. With a compact, single substrate design, the antenna can be useful in MIMO transmission systems, polarimetric UWB radar, high performance microwave imaging, and other future wireless communications devices.
RF Monte Carlo calculation of power amplifier efficiency as function of signal bandwidth
Authors: Jos Rik
Published: February 2015

We propose a definition of the efficiency bandwidth for a power amplifier (PA) using a modulated signal as the signal bandwidth at which the amplifier efficiency has dropped to a level of 90% of the maximum efficiency at small bandwidth. We introduce a Monte Carlo method to calculate the efficiency bandwidth for some popular PA architectures. The method assumes a given modulated signal at the load. From this load signal the wave forms at the drains of the transistors are derived and the energy dissipation in the transistors can be calculated. Using idealized transistors with no output capacitance the maximum realizable efficiency bandwidth of an asymmetrical Doherty amplifier is 60%, which is much larger than that of an outphasing amplifier, which is 14%. More realistic transistors that include output capacitances, need a matching circuit with a high Q-value which decreases the efficiency bandwidth. Using output capacitance values typical for LDMOS transistors, the asymmetrical Doherty amplifier shows an efficiency bandwidth of about 400 MHz for a signal centered at 1 GHz. For a signal at 2 GHz the efficiency bandwidth is found to be 520 MHz. Due to the fixed values of the output capacitances the efficiency bandwidth does not scale with frequency.
Epigenetic modifications of the immune system in health and disease
Authors: Obata Yuuki , Furusawa Yukihiro , Hase Koji
Published: February 2015

Vertebrate animals have developed sophisticated host defense mechanisms against potentially hostile antigens. These mechanisms mainly involve the immune system and the epithelial cells that cover the body surface. Accumulating studies have revealed that epigenetic mechanisms in collaboration with signal transduction networks regulate gene expression over the course of differentiation, proliferation and function of immune and epithelial cells. The epigenetic status of these cells is fine‐tuned under physiological conditions; however, its disturbance often results in the development of immunological disorders, namely inflammation. Certain environmental factors influence the differentiation and function of immune cells through epigenetic alterations. For example, commensal microbiota‐derived metabolites inhibit histone deacetylases to induce regulatory T cells, whereas some infectious agents induce DNA methylation, resulting in the development of cancer. These data imply that epigenetic regulation of host defense cells, which are usually the first to encounter external antigens, is implicated in disease development. Here, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which the epigenetic status of immune and epithelial cells is controlled.
The innate response to peanut extract in ovine afferent lymph and its correlation with allergen sensitisation
Authors: Van Gramberg Jenna L , Bischof Robert J , O'Hehir Robyn E , de Veer Michael J , Meeusen Els N
Published: February 2015

The innate response generated after initial allergen exposure is crucial for polarising adaptive immunity, but little is known about how it drives an atopic or type‐2 immune response. The present study characterises the response of skin‐draining afferent lymph in sheep following injection with peanut (PN) extract in the presence or absence of aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) adjuvant. Lymph was collected and innate cell populations characterised over an 84 h time period. The innate response to PN extract in afferent lymph displayed an early increase in neutrophils and monocytes without any changes in the dendritic cell (DC) population. PN antigen was transported by neutrophils and monocytes for the first 36 h, after which time DCs were the major antigen trafficking cells. AlOH adjuvant gradually increased antigen uptake by DCs at the later time points. Following lymphatic characterisation, sheep were sensitised with PN extract by three subcutaneous injections of PN in AlOH, and the level of PN‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) was determined. Sheep with higher levels of steady‐state DCs in afferent lymph showed increased monocytic recruitment in afferent lymph and reduced PN‐specific IgE following sensitisation. In addition, DCs from afferent lymph that had ingested PN antigen increased the expression of monocyte chemoattractant mRNA. The results of this study show that the innate response to PN extract involves a dynamic change in cell populations in the afferent lymph over time. In addition, DCs may determine the strength of the initial inflammatory cell response, which in turn may determine the nature of the antigen‐specific adaptive response.
G0S2 modulates homeostatic proliferation of naïve CD8+ T cells and inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria
Authors: Lee Ping‐Hsien , Yamada Takeshi , Park Chun Shik , Shen Ye , Puppi Monica , Lacorazza H Daniel
Published: February 2015

Since its discovery, diverse functions have been attributed to the G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2), from lipid metabolism to control of cell proliferation. Our group showed for the first time that G0S2 promotes quiescence in hematopoietic stem cells by interacting with and retaining nucleolin around the nucleus. Herein, we report the role of G0S2 in the differentiation and function of CD8+ T cells examined in mice with an embryonic deletion of the G0s2 gene. G0S2 expression in naïve CD8+ T cells decreased immediately after T‐cell receptor activation downstream of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase, calcium/calmodulin, phosphatidylinositol 3′‐kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Surprisingly, G0S2‐null naïve CD8+ T cells displayed increased basal and spare respiratory capacity that was not associated with increased mitochondrial biogenesis but with increased phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase α. Naïve CD8+ T cells showed increased proliferation in response to in vitro activation and in vivo lymphopenia; however, naïve CD8+ T cells expressing the OT‐1 transgene exhibited normal differentiation of naïve cells to effector and memory CD8+ T cells upon infection with Listeria monocytogenes in a wild‐type or a G0s2‐null environment, with increased circulating levels of free fatty acids. Collectively, our results suggest that G0S2 inhibits energy production by oxidative phosphorylation to fine‐tune proliferation in homeostatic conditions.
Accuracy and efficiency of detection dogs: a powerful new tool for koala conservation and management
Authors: Cristescu Romane H. , Foley Emily , Markula Anna , Jackson Gary , Jones Darryl , Frère Céline
Published: February 2015

Accurate data on presence/absence and spatial distribution for fauna species is key to their conservation. Collecting such data, however, can be time consuming, laborious and costly, in particular for fauna species characterised by low densities, large home ranges, cryptic or elusive behaviour. For such species, including koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), indicators of species presence can be a useful shortcut: faecal pellets (scats), for instance, are widely used. Scat surveys are not without their difficulties and often contain a high false negative rate. We used experimental and field-based trials to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the first dog specifically trained for koala scats. The detection dog consistently out-performed human-only teams. Off-leash, the dog detection rate was 100%. The dog was also 19 times more efficient than current scat survey methods and 153% more accurate (the dog found koala scats where the human-only team did not). This clearly demonstrates that the use of detection dogs decreases false negatives and survey time, thus allowing for a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of data collection. Given these unequivocal results, we argue that to improve koala conservation, detection dog surveys for koala scats could in the future replace human-only teams.
Octahedral faceted Si nanoparticles as optical traps with enormous yield amplification
Authors: Mannino Giovanni , Alberti Alessandra , Ruggeri Rosa , Libertino Sebania , Pennisi Agata R. , Faraci Giuseppe
Published: February 2015

We describe a method for the creation of an efficient optical scatter trap by using fully crystalline octahedral Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) of approximately 100 nanometres in size. The light trapping, even when probing an isolated nanoparticle, is revealed by an enormous amplification of the Raman yield of up to 108 times that of a similar Si bulk volume. The mechanism conceived and optimised for obtaining such a result was related to the capability of a Si octahedron to trap the light because of its geometrical parameters. Furthermore, Si-NPs act as very efficient light scatterers not only for the direct light beam but also for the trapped light after it escapes the nanoparticle. These two effects are observed, either superimposed or separated, by means of the Raman yield and by photoluminescence enhancements. The inductively coupled plasma synthesis process performed at a temperature of only 50°C allows for the ubiquitous use of these particles on several substrates for optical and photovoltaic applications.
Earth's Phosphides in Levant and insights into the source of Archean prebiotic phosphorus
Authors: Britvin Sergey N. , Murashko Michail N. , Vapnik Yevgeny , Polekhovsky Yury S. , Krivovichev Sergey V.
Published: February 2015

Natural phosphides - the minerals containing phosphorus in a redox state lower than zero – are common constituents of meteorites but virtually unknown on the Earth. Herein we present the first rich occurrence of iron-nickel phosphides of terrestrial origin. Phosphide-bearing rocks are exposed in three localities in the surroundings of the Dead Sea, Levant: in the northern Negev Desert, Israel and Transjordan Plateau, south of Amman, Jordan. Seven minerals from the ternary Fe-Ni-P system have been identified with five of them, NiP2, Ni5P4, Ni2P, FeP and FeP2, previously unknown in nature. The results of the present study could provide a new insight on the terrestrial origin of natural phosphides – the most likely source of reactive prebiotic phosphorus at the times of the early Earth.
Aurora B-dependent phosphorylation of Ataxin-10 promotes the interaction between Ataxin-10 and Plk1 in cytokinesis
Authors: Tian Jie , Tian Chuan , Ding Yuehe , Li Zhe , Geng Qizhi , Xiahou Zhikai , Wang Jue , Hou Wenya , Liao Ji , Dong Meng-Qiu , Xu Xingzhi , Li Jing
Published: February 2015

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is an autosomal dominant neurologic disorder caused by ATTCT expansion in the ATXN10 gene. Previous investigations have identified that depletion of Ataxin-10, the gene product, leads to cellular apoptosis and cytokinesis failure. Herein we identify the mitotic kinase Aurora B as an Ataxin-10 interacting partner. Aurora B interacts with and phosphorylates Ataxin-10 at S12, as evidenced by in vitro kinase and mass spectrometry analysis. Both endogenous and S12-phosphorylated Ataxin-10 localizes to the midbody during cytokinesis and cytokinetic defects induced by inhibition of ATXN10 expression is not rescued by the S12A mutant. Inhibition of Aurora B or expression of the S12A mutant renders reduced interaction between Ataxin-10 and polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a kinase previously identified to regulate Ataxin-10 in cytokinesis. Taken together, we propose a model that Aurora B phosphorylates Ataxin-10 at S12 to promote the interaction between Ataxin-10 and Plk1 in cytokinesis. These findings identify an Aurora B-dependent mechanism that implicates Ataxin-10 in cytokinesis.
A Ligand-observed Mass Spectrometry Approach Integrated into the Fragment Based Lead Discovery Pipeline
Authors: Chen Xin , Qin Shanshan , Chen Shuai , Li Jinlong , Li Lixin , Wang Zhongling , Wang Quan , Lin Jianping , Yang Cheng , Shui Wenqing
Published: February 2015

In fragment-based lead discovery (FBLD), a cascade combining multiple orthogonal technologies is required for reliable detection and characterization of fragment binding to the target. Given the limitations of the mainstream screening techniques, we presented a ligand-observed mass spectrometry approach to expand the toolkits and increase the flexibility of building a FBLD pipeline especially for tough targets. In this study, this approach was integrated into a FBLD program targeting the HCV RNA polymerase NS5B. Our ligand-observed mass spectrometry analysis resulted in the discovery of 10 hits from a 384-member fragment library through two independent screens of complex cocktails and a follow-up validation assay. Moreover, this MS-based approach enabled quantitative measurement of weak binding affinities of fragments which was in general consistent with SPR analysis. Five out of the ten hits were then successfully translated to X-ray structures of fragment-bound complexes to lay a foundation for structure-based inhibitor design. With distinctive strengths in terms of high capacity and speed, minimal method development, easy sample preparation, low material consumption and quantitative capability, this MS-based assay is anticipated to be a valuable addition to the repertoire of current fragment screening techniques.
Oxytocin increases eye contact during a real-time, naturalistic social interaction in males with and without autism
Authors: Auyeung B , Lombardo M V , Heinrichs M , Chakrabarti B , Sule A , Deakin J B , Bethlehem R A I , Dickens L , Mooney N , Sipple J A N , Thiemann P , Baron-Cohen S
Published: February 2015

Autism spectrum conditions (autism) affect ~1% of the population and are characterized by deficits in social communication. Oxytocin has been widely reported to affect social-communicative function and its neural underpinnings. Here we report the first evidence that intranasal oxytocin administration improves a core problem that individuals with autism have in using eye contact appropriately in real-world social settings. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design is used to examine how intranasal administration of 24 IU of oxytocin affects gaze behavior for 32 adult males with autism and 34 controls in a real-time interaction with a researcher. This interactive paradigm bypasses many of the limitations encountered with conventional static or computer-based stimuli. Eye movements are recorded using eye tracking, providing an objective measurement of looking patterns. The measure is shown to be sensitive to the reduced eye contact commonly reported in autism, with the autism group spending less time looking to the eye region of the face than controls. Oxytocin administration selectively enhanced gaze to the eyes in both the autism and control groups (transformed mean eye-fixation difference per second=0.082; 95% CI:0.025–0.14, P=0.006). Within the autism group, oxytocin has the most effect on fixation duration in individuals with impaired levels of eye contact at baseline (Cohen’s d=0.86). These findings demonstrate that the potential benefits of oxytocin in autism extend to a real-time interaction, providing evidence of a therapeutic effect in a key aspect of social communication.
Luminol chemiluminescence actuated by modified natural sepiolite material and its analytical application
Authors: Wang Zhihua , Zhao Changxin , Han Dongmei , Gu Fubo
Published: February 2015

It was found that a modified natural sepiolite material could tremendously catalyze the chemiluminescence (CL) emission of the luminol–H2O2 system.
Selective hydroxylation of benzene derivatives and alkanes with hydrogen peroxide catalysed by a manganese complex incorporated into mesoporous silica–alumina
Authors: Aratani Yusuke , Yamada Yusuke , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: February 2015

Selective hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with hydrogen peroxide was efficiently catalysed by a manganese complex incorporated into mesoporous silica–alumina.
An antibody-graphene oxide nanoribbon conjugate as a surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization probe with high sensitivity and selectivity
Authors: Wang Jing , Cheng Mengting , Zhang Zhen , Guo Liangqia , Liu Qian , Jiang Guibin
Published: February 2015

Antibody-functionalized graphene oxide nanoribbons were synthesized and applied as highly sensitive and selective SELDI probes for mass spectrometry detection.
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of graphene-like and graphitic platelets on ultraflat gold nanoplates
Authors: Pashaee Farshid , Sharifi Faranak , Fanchini Giovanni , Lagugné-Labarthet François
Published: February 2015

TERS was used to investigate the graphene-like platelets in gap mode geometry using radially and linearly polarized excitation.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the structural, mechanical and visco-elastic properties of polymer nanocomposites filled with grafted nanoparticles
Authors: Shen Jianxiang , Liu Jun , Li Haidong , Gao Yangyang , Li Xiaolin , Wu Youping , Zhang Liqun
Published: February 2015

In this work we have adopted coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the effects of the grafting density and the grafted chain length on the structural, mechanical and visco-elastic properties of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs).
Ultra-small rhenium clusters supported on graphene
Authors: Miramontes Orlando , Bonafé Franco , Santiago Ulises , Larios-Rodriguez Eduardo , Velázquez-Salazar Jesús J. , Mariscal Marcelo M. , Yacaman Miguel José
Published: February 2015

In this work, the adsorption of very small rhenium clusters (2–13 atoms) supported on graphene was studied by high-angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) in combination with density functional theory calculations.
N719- and D149-sensitized 3D hierarchical rutile TiO2 solar cells—a comparative study
Authors: Lin Jianjian , Heo Yoon-Uk , Nattestad Andrew , Shahabuddin Mohammed , Yamauchi Yusuke , Kim Jung Ho
Published: February 2015

N719 and D149, were used as sensitizers of Rutile TiO2-based DSCs, with maximum η of 5.6% and 5.8% achieved, respectively.
Characterization of molecular channel in photodissociation of SOCl2 at 248 nm: Cl2 probing by cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Bo-Jung , Tsai Po-Yu , Huang Ting-Kang , Xia Zhu-Hong , Lin King-Chuen , Chiou Chuei-Jhih , Sun Bing-Jian , Chang A. H. H.
Published: February 2015

A primary elimination channel of the chlorine molecule in the one-photon dissociation of SOCl2 at 248 nm was investigated using cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy (CRDS).
Copper oxide as efficient catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols with air
Authors: Poreddy Raju , Engelbrekt Christian , Riisager Anders
Published: February 2015

Well-defined CuO nanoparticles are presented as catalysts in a new noble metal-free and green reaction protocol for carbonyl compound synthesis.
A new visible-light-excitable ICT-CHEF-mediated fluorescence ‘turn-on’ probe for the selective detection of Cd2+ in a mixed aqueous system with live-cell imaging
Authors: Goswami Shyamaprosad , Aich Krishnendu , Das Sangita , Das Mukhopadhyay Chitrangada , Sarkar Deblina , Mondal Tapan Kumar
Published: February 2015

A new quinoline based sensor was developed and applied for the selective detection of Cd2+ both in vitro and in vivo.
Synthesis and characterization of phosphorescent platinum and iridium complexes with cyclometalated corannulene
Authors: Facendola John W. , Seifrid Martin , Siegel Jay , Djurovich Peter I. , Thompson Mark E.
Published: February 2015

Novel, emissive Pt(ii) and Ir(iii) complexes are the first to have measured rates of inversion of cyclometalated corannulene.
Challenges in the synthetic routes to Mn(BH4)2: insight into intermediate compounds
Authors: Tumanov Nikolay A. , Safin Damir A. , Richter Bo , Łodziana Zbigniew , Jensen Torben R. , Garcia Yann , Filinchuk Yaroslav
Published: February 2015

We have studied formation of Mn(BH4)2 and intermediates [{M(Et2O)2}Mn2(BH4)5] in the reaction of MnCl2 with MBH4 (M = Li+, Na+, K+) in Et2O.
An integrated approach based on micro-mapping analytical techniques for the detection of impurities in historical Zn-based white pigments
Authors: Capogrosso V. , Gabrieli F. , Bellei S. , Cartechini L. , Cesaratto A. , Trcera N. , Rosi F. , Valentini G. , Comelli D. , Nevin A.
Published: February 2015

We propose a combination of elemental and molecular μ-mapping techniques for the detection of trace metal ions and molecules in historical samples of Zn-based white pigments.
A non-chromatographic automated system for antimony speciation in natural water exploiting multisyringe flow injection analysis coupled with online hydride generation – atomic fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Portugal Lindomar A. , Ferrer Laura , Serra Antonio M. , Gonçalves da Silva Douglas , Ferreira Sérgio Luis C. , Cerdà Víctor
Published: February 2015

A non-chromatographic automated system for antimony speciation.
Nanoscale mapping of catalytic activity using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Kumar N. , Stephanidis B. , Zenobi R. , Wain A. J. , Roy D.
Published: February 2015

Chemical mapping of a photocatalytic reaction with nanoscale spatial resolution is demonstrated for the first time using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS).
Synthesis of phenstatin/isocombretastatin–chalcone conjugates as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors and mitochondrial apoptotic inducers
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Kumar G. Bharath , Vishnuvardhan M. V. P. S. , Shaik Anver Basha , Reddy Vangala Santhosh , Mahesh Rasala , Sayeeda Ibrahim Bin , Kapure Jeevak Sopanrao
Published: February 2015

A series of phenstatin/isocombretastatin–chalcones were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic activity.
Template-free synthesis of 3D hierarchical amorphous aluminum oxide microspheres with broccoli-like structure and their application in fluoride removal
Authors: Kang Dongjuan , Tong Shengrui , Yu Xiaolin , Ge Maofa
Published: February 2015

Amorphous aluminum oxide microspheres with broccoli-like structures are obtained using a multistep crystal adsorption-splitting method, which display excellent adsorption performance.
Thiol-functionalized silica microspheres for online preconcentration and determination of mercury species in seawater by high performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Cheng Heyong , Wu Chunling , Liu Jinhua , Xu Zigang
Published: February 2015

Thiol-functionalized silica microspheres were synthesized from aminosilica for online mercury preconcentration, followed by high performance liquid chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection.
Improved propane photooxidation activities upon nano Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction semiconductors at room temperature
Authors: Wang Dan , Pan Xiaoyang , Wang Guangtao , Yi Zhiguo
Published: February 2015

The Cu2O/TiO2 nano composites with a direct Z scheme charge transfer mode show both significantly improved propane photooxidation activity and increased stability of Cu2O.
Effect of drying conditions on the structure of three-dimensional N-doped graphene and its electrochemical performance
Authors: Wang Zhao , Tang Zhihong , Han Zhuo , Shen Shuling , Zhao Bin , Yang Junhe
Published: February 2015

The effect of drying conditions on the structure of graphene based 3D materials is discussed in the manuscript.
Ridges and valleys on charged 1T-MoS2 sheets guiding the packing of organic cations
Authors: Goloveshkin Alexander S. , Lenenko Natalia D. , Zaikovskii Vladimir I. , Golub Alexandre S. , Korlyukov Alexander A. , Bushmarinov Ivan S.
Published: February 2015

The three-dimensional atomic structure of MoS2–organic layered systems is obtained for the first time, providing insight into the surface chemistry of charged MoS2 sheets.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule-based PET radioligands for the 5-hydroxytryptamine 7 receptor
Authors: Tiwari A. K. , Yui J. , Pooja Pooja , Aggarwal S. , Yamasaki T. , Xie L. , Chadha N. , Zhang Y. , Fujinaga M. , Shimoda Y. , Kumata K. , Mishra A. K. , Ogawa M. , Zhang M.-R.
Published: February 2015

A new prospective approach for PET imaging of 5-HT7by a small molecule ligand.
Metal–organic nanofibers as anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Chongchong , Shen Cai , Han Weiqiang
Published: February 2015

Metal organic nanofibers (MONFs) synthesized from precursors of amino acid and copper nitrate were applied as anode materials for Li-ion batteries.
Kinetics and mechanism study of direct ozonation organics in aqueous solution
Authors: Dai Qizhou , Chen Liling , Zhou Shijie , Chen Jianmeng
Published: February 2015

A model was established by the reaction kinetics analysis of gas–liquid action.
Unexpected thermal decomposition behavior of poly(N-vinylimidazole)-l-poly(tetrahydrofuran) amphiphilic conetworks, a class of chemically forced blends
Authors: Fodor Csaba , Bozi János , Blazsó Marianne , Iván Béla
Published: February 2015

The underlying chemical processes of the unexpected thermal decomposition behavior of poly(N-vinylimidazole)-l-poly(tetrahydrofuran) amphiphilic conetworks were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry.
Luminescent and magnetic properties of the afterglow phosphors GdSr2AlO5:RE3+ (RE3+ = Eu3+, Sm3+, Pr3+ and Dy3+)
Authors: Li Gen , Wang Yuhua , Zeng Wei , Chen Wenbo , Han Shaochun , Guo Haijie
Published: February 2015

Novel afterglow phosphors based on the GdSr2AlO5 host were prepared by solid-state reaction under reductive atmosphere.
Sensitive mutant DNA biomarker detection based on magnetic nanoparticles and nicking endonuclease assisted fluorescence signal amplification
Authors: Li Na , Gao Zhong Feng , Kang Bei Hua , Li Nian Bing , Luo Hong Qun
Published: February 2015

Amplified fluorescence target DNA detection was developed combining nicking endonuclease assisted target recycling and magnetic nanoparticles with low background signal.
Bio-based polymer nanocomposites based on nylon 11 and WS2 inorganic nanotubes
Authors: Naffakh Mohammed , Shuttleworth Peter S. , Ellis Gary
Published: February 2015

This study confirms the potential use of novel bio-nylon 11/INT-WS2 for many eco-friendly and biomedical applications.
Approaches for fabricating high efficiency organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Jou Jwo-Huei , Kumar Sudhir , Agrawal Abhishek , Li Tsung-Han , Sahoo Snehashis
Published: February 2015

Highly efficient OLEDs are extremely demanded for the design of highly competitive energy-saving displays and lightings. In this article, we have systematically reviewed some most effective organic materials, eleven device architectural approaches, and outcoupling techniques to realize the high efficiency OLEDs.
Urea-assisted aqueous exfoliation of graphite for obtaining high-quality graphene
Authors: He Peng , Zhou Chao , Tian Suyun , Sun Jing , Yang Siwei , Ding Guqiao , Xie Xiaoming , Jiang Mianheng
Published: February 2015

Urea as a stabilizer to achieve aqueous exfoliation of graphite for obtaining high-quality graphene with a yield up to 2.4%.
Construction of stable polymeric vesicles based on azobenzene and beta-cyclodextrin grafted poly(glycerol methacrylate)s for potential applications in colon-specific drug delivery
Authors: Gu Wen-Xing , Li Qing-Lan , Lu Hongguang , Fang Lei , Chen Qixian , Yang Ying-Wei , Gao Hui
Published: February 2015

Stable polymeric vesicles constructed from cyclodextrin- and azobenzene-grafted poly(glycerol methacrylate)s exhibited potential applications in colon-specific drug delivery.
Planar-chiral building blocks for metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Cakici Murat , Gu Zhi-Gang , Nieger Martin , Bürck Jochen , Heinke Lars , Bräse Stefan
Published: February 2015

The first example of a planar-chiral building block being used for chiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is presented.
Plasmon resonance tuning using DNA origami actuation
Authors: Piantanida Luca , Naumenko Denys , Torelli Emanuela , Marini Monica , Bauer Dennis M. , Fruk Ljiljana , Firrao Giuseppe , Lazzarino Marco
Published: February 2015

A strategy for an innovative, continuous and reversible LSPR tuning using DNA origami actuation to modulate the nanometric separation of two gold nanoparticles has been developed.
Dinuclear zinc catalysts with unprecedented activities for the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and CO2
Authors: Kissling S. , Lehenmeier M. W. , Altenbuchner P. T. , Kronast A. , Reiter M. , Deglmann P. , Seemann U. B. , Rieger B.
Published: February 2015

New dinuclear zinc catalysts reveal by far the highest polymerization rates for the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and CO2.
Correction: Quantification of corrosion inhibitors used in the water industry for steam condensate treatment: the indirect electroanalytical sensing of morpholine and cyclohexylamine
Authors: Kolliopoulos Athanasios V. , Metters Jonathan P. , Banks Craig E.
Published: February 2015

Correction for ‘Quantification of corrosion inhibitors used in the water industry for steam condensate treatment: the indirect electroanalytical sensing of morpholine and cyclohexylamine’ by Athanasios V. Kolliopoulos et al., Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2015, 1, 40–46.
Determination of ultra-trace elements in human plasma or serum by ICP-MS using sodium in the presence of carbon as a single calibration matrix-match component
Authors: Gajek Ryszard , Choe Key-Young
Published: February 2015

The relationships between signal intensities of C+, Na+and Cl+and the concentration ofn-butanol in a mixed solution ofn-butanol and NaCl. .
Synergistic degradation of rhodamine B on BiOClxBr1−xsheets by combined photosensitization and photocatalysis under visible light irradiation
Authors: Du Dandan , Li Wenjuan , Chen Shasha , Yan Tingjiang , You Jinmao , Kong Desheng
Published: February 2015

The degradation of RhB was the synergistic effect of the photosensitization of RhB and photocatalysis of BiOClxBr1−xunder visible light irradiation.
An efficient synthesis of quinolines via copper-catalyzed C–N cleavage
Authors: Xi Long-Yi , Zhang Ruo-Yi , Zhang Lei , Chen Shan-Yong , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: February 2015

An efficient method to synthesize substituted quinolines from ketones and 2-amino benzylamines is described.
Editorial: Supramolecular chemistry in water
Authors: Davis Anthony P. , Kubik Stefan , Dalla Cort Antonella
Published: February 2015

This themed collection highlights some of the exciting research in supramolecular chemistry in water.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive tellurium-containing hyperbranched polymer
Authors: Fang Ruochen , Xu Huaping , Cao Wei , Yang Liulin , Zhang Xi
Published: February 2015

Tellurium-containing hyperbranched polymers form aggregates, which are a new kind of material responsive to reactive oxygen species at a physiological level.
Fabrication of hybrid magnetic HKUST-1 and its highly efficient adsorption performance for Congo red dye
Authors: Xu Yan , Jin Jingjie , Li Xianliang , Han Yide , Meng Hao , Wang Tianyu , Zhang Xia
Published: February 2015

A hybrid magnetic metal–organic framework HKUST-1 synthesized via chemical bonding approach possesses efficient and recyclable adsorption performance for Congo red.
Perfluorobutyl iodide-assisted direct cyanomethylation of azoles and phenols with acetonitrile
Authors: Zhang Juan , Wu Wei , Ji Xinfei , Cao Song
Published: February 2015

A perfluorobutyl iodide-assisted transition-metal-free cyanomethylation of azoles and phenols with acetonitrile in the presence of NaH has been developed. A mechanism involving the cyanomethyl radical was proposed.
Tracking structural transitions of bovine serum albumin in surfactant solutions by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime analysis
Authors: Zhang Xuzhu , Poniewierski Andrzej , Hou Sen , Sozański Krzysztof , Wisniewska Agnieszka , Wieczorek Stefan A. , Kalwarczyk Tomasz , Sun Lili , Hołyst Robert
Published: February 2015

Sudden structural changes of BSA in surfactant solutions are observed from FCS curves.
Modulating the charge injection in organic field-effect transistors: fluorinated oligophenyl self-assembled monolayers for high work function electrodes
Authors: Fenwick Oliver , Van Dyck Colin , Murugavel Kathiresan , Cornil David , Reinders Federica , Haar Sébastien , Mayor Marcel , Cornil Jérôme , Samorì Paolo
Published: February 2015

Experiment and theory reveals origin of work function and contact resistance of fluorinated oligophenylthiol-treated electrodes in organic transistors.
Siblings of Children with ASD: Promoting Social Communication
Authors: Donaldson Amy L.
Published: February 2015

Siblings of children with disabilities have been a focus of research in recent years. Sibling relationships, family quality of life, and incorporation of siblings into intervention have all been areas of investigation. The current paper describes the participation of siblings in intervention with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sibling-mediated intervention, modeled after peer-mediated intervention, has been shown to increase the social communication skills of children with ASD, and families have reported satisfaction and increased quality of life following such intervention. Clinical implications and ideas for supporting siblings and families of children with ASD are discussed.
DSM-5 Changes: Understanding the Social Challenges in Children with ASD
Authors: Prelock Patricia
Published: February 2015

This article describes the changes made to the DSM-5 criteria, with specific attention to the social communication and social interaction challenges described for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). An explanation of the broader impact of social impairment on social cognition is emphasized and implications for addressing the social cognition and social communication challenges in children with ASD are highlighted.
Active damping of LCL filter at low switching to resonance frequency ratio
Authors: Ghoshal Anirban , John Vinod
Published: February 2015

Use of LCL filter along with a voltage source inverter (VSI) requires damping of resonance. Active damping (AD) methods are preferable compared with passive damping methods from efficiency point of view. Recent researches show that achieving stable operation of a grid connected VSI with LCL filter at a low switching frequency to resonance frequency ratio can cause instability. In this study a resonant integrator (RI) based second order filter (RISF) has been proposed for AD of LCL filter resonance for stable operation at low switching frequency to resonance frequency ratio. The method extracts resonance frequency capacitor current from sensed capacitor voltage in a per phase manner and does not need any additional sensors. The modelling and analysis of the closed loop system with PR current controller and proposed AD has been carried out in discrete domain including all delay effects. Experimental results have been included in support of the theoretical analysis.
Enhanced emission from mid-infrared AlInSb light-emitting diodes with p-type contact grid geometry
Authors: Meriggi Laura , Steer Matthew J. , Ding Ying , Thayne Iain G. , MacGregor Calum , Ironside Charles N. , Sorel Marc
Published: February 2015

We report on the impact of lateral current spreading on light emission from aluminium indium antimonide (AlInSb) mid-infrared p-i-n light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a GaAs substrate. Due to the high effective mass of holes in AlxIn1−xSb, the resistivity of p-type material determines the 3-D distribution of current flow in the devices. This work shows that maximum light emission, as measured by electroluminescence, and 3-times wall-plug efficiency improvement were obtained at room temperature from devices with a p-type contact grid geometry with a spacing of twice the current spreading length in the p-type material, which was measured by spatially resolved photocurrent. The LED with the optimal contact geometry exhibits improved performance at high injection current levels thanks to the more uniform carrier distribution across the device area.
Frequency-dependent polarization-angle-phase-shift in the microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations
Authors: Liu Han-Chun , Ye Tianyu , Wegscheider W. , Mani R. G.
Published: February 2015

Linear polarization angle, θ, dependent measurements of the microwave radiation-induced oscillatory magnetoresistance, Rxx, in high mobility GaAs/AlGaAs 2D electron devices have shown a θ dependence in the oscillatory amplitude along with magnetic field, frequency, and extrema-dependent phase shifts, θ0. Here, we suggest a microwave frequency dependence of θ0(f) using an analysis that averages over other smaller contributions, when those contributions are smaller than estimates of the experimental uncertainty.
Disorder-free localization around the conduction band edge of crossing and kinked silicon nanowires
Authors: Keleş Ümit , Çakan Aslı , Bulutay Ceyhun
Published: February 2015

We explore ballistic regime quantum transport characteristics of oxide-embedded crossing and kinked silicon nanowires (NWs) within a large-scale empirical pseudopotential electronic structure framework, coupled to the Kubo-Greenwood transport analysis. A real-space wave function study is undertaken and the outcomes are interpreted together with the findings of ballistic transport calculations. This reveals that ballistic transport edge lies tens to hundreds of millielectron volts above the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, with a substantial number of localized states appearing in between, as well as above the former. We show that these localized states are not due to the oxide interface, but rather core silicon-derived. They manifest the wave nature of electrons brought to foreground by the reflections originating from NW junctions and bends. Hence, we show that the crossings and kinks of even ultraclean Si NWs possess a conduction band tail without a recourse to atomistic disorder.