bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOA formation from the photooxidation of α-pinene: systematic exploration of the simulation of chamber data
Authors: McVay Renee C. , Zhang Xuan , Aumont Bernard , Valorso Richard , Camredon Marie , La Yuyi S. , Wennberg Paul O. , Seinfeld John H.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Chemical mechanisms play an important role in simulating the atmospheric chemistry of volatile organic compound oxidation. Comparison of mechanism simulations with laboratory chamber data tests our level of understanding of the prevailing chemistry as well as the dynamic processes occurring in the chamber itself. α-Pinene photooxidation is a well-studied system experimentally, for which detailed chemical mechanisms have been formulated. Here, we present the results of simulating low-NO α-pinene photooxidation experiments conducted in the Caltech chamber with the Generator for Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere (GECKO-A) under varying concentrations of seed particles and OH levels. Unexpectedly, experiments conducted at low and high OH levels yield the same secondary organic aerosol (SOA) growth, whereas GECKO-A predicts greater SOA growth under high OH levels. SOA formation in the chamber is a result of a competition among the rates of gas-phase oxidation to low-volatility products, wall deposition of these products, and condensation into the aerosol phase. Various processes – such as photolysis of condensed-phase products, particle-phase dimerization, and peroxy radical autoxidation – are explored to rationalize the observations. In order to explain the observed similar SOA growth at different OH levels, we conclude that vapor wall loss in the Caltech chamber is likely of order 10−5 s−1, consistent with previous experimental measurements in that chamber. We find that GECKO-A tends to overpredict the contribution to SOA of later-generation oxidation products under high-OH conditions. Moreover, we propose that autoxidation may alternatively resolve some or all of the measurement–model discrepancy, but this hypothesis cannot be confirmed until more explicit mechanisms are established for α-pinene autoxidation. The key role of the interplay among oxidation rate, product volatility, and vapor–wall deposition in chamber experiments is illustrated.
The carbon cycle in Mexico: past, present and future of C stocks and fluxes
Authors: Murray-Tortarolo G. , Friedlingstein P. , Sitch S. , Jaramillo V. J. , Murguía-Flores F. , Anav A. , Liu Y. , Arneth A. , Arvanitis A. , Harper A. , Jain A. , Kato E. , Koven C. , Poulter B. , Stocker B. D. , Wiltshire A. , Zaehle S. , Zeng N.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We modeled the carbon (C) cycle in Mexico with a process-based approach. We used different available products (satellite data, field measurements, models and flux towers) to estimate C stocks and fluxes in the country at three different time frames: present (defined as the period 2000–2005), the past century (1901–2000) and the remainder of this century (2010–2100). Our estimate of the gross primary productivity (GPP) for the country was 2137 ± 1023 TgC yr−1 and a total C stock of 34 506 ± 7483 TgC, with 20 347 ± 4622 TgC in vegetation and 14 159 ± 3861 in the soil.Contrary to other current estimates for recent decades, our results showed that Mexico was a C sink over the period 1990–2009 (+31 TgC yr−1) and that C accumulation over the last century amounted to 1210 ± 1040 TgC. We attributed this sink to the CO2 fertilization effect on GPP, which led to an increase of 3408 ± 1060 TgC, while both climate and land use reduced the country C stocks by −458 ± 1001 and −1740 ± 878 TgC, respectively. Under different future scenarios, the C sink will likely continue over the 21st century, with decreasing C uptake as the climate forcing becomes more extreme. Our work provides valuable insights on relevant driving processes of the C cycle such as the role of drought in drylands (e.g., grasslands and shrublands) and the impact of climate change on the mean residence time of soil C in tropical ecosystems.
The effect of different evapotranspiration methods on portraying soil water dynamics and ET partitioning in a semi-arid environment in Northwest China
Authors: Yu Lianyu , Zeng Yijian , Su Zhongbo , Cai Huanjie , Zheng Zhen
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Different methods for assessing evapotranspiration (ET) can significantly affect the performance of land surface models in portraying soil water dynamics and ET partitioning. An accurate understanding of the impact a method has is crucial to determining the effectiveness of an irrigation scheme. Two ET methods are discussed: one is based on reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) theory, uses leaf area index (LAI) for partitioning into soil evaporation and transpiration, and is denoted as the ETind method; the other is a one-step calculation of actual soil evaporation and potential transpiration by incorporating canopy minimum resistance and actual soil resistance into the Penman–Monteith model, and is denoted as the ETdir method. In this study, a soil water model, considering the coupled transfer of water, vapor, and heat in the soil, was used to investigate how different ET methods could affect the calculation of the soil water dynamics and ET partitioning in a crop field. Results indicate that for two different ET methods this model varied concerning the simulation of soil water content and crop evapotranspiration components, but the simulation of soil temperature agreed well with lysimeter observations, considering aerodynamic and surface resistance terms improved the ETdir method regarding simulating soil evaporation, especially after irrigation. Furthermore, the results of different crop growth scenarios indicate that the uncertainty in LAI played an important role in estimating the relative transpiration and evaporation fraction. The impact of maximum rooting depth and root growth rate on calculating ET components might increase in drying soil. The influence of maximum rooting depth was larger late in the growing season, while the influence of root growth rate dominated early in the growing season.
Non-geographical Exile: Reactionary Displacements in Giovanni Papini
Authors: Righi Andrea
Published: March 2016

Contrary to the usual depiction of fascism as a centralized and monolithic form of disciplinary control, the regime actually allowed for more flexible and nomadic space of affirmation for the fascist self, one that produces the externality of exile without its traditional geographically ordained limits. By analyzing the proto-fascist and fascist work of Italian author Giovanni Papini, this essay studies a relatively unexplored option in migrant studies: how the subversiveness of the marginal as nongeographical exile can be distorted and used for totalitarian purposes. In particular, framing the thought of Gilles Deleuze from a psychoanalytic feminist perspective, this paper examines the savage ontology fabricated by Papini in the first part of his career. I argue that the set of archaisms he constructs, such as a ruralist, savage identity, functioned as a social device to construct cultural otherness, and thus an eccentric position in Italian society through consolidation of political hegemony. This kind of totalitarian vitalism, best embodied by the notion of the savage man (omo salvaggio), offers the fascist individual a device for entering a zone of coextension with the displacing nature of life itself.
Creativity and Place: Meena Alexander's Poetics of Migration
Authors: Sabo Oana
Published: March 2016

The relationship between migration and creativity and the ways in which physical dislocation inflects writers' creative output are well-explored issues in diaspora studies. In shifting its focus from diasporic subject formation within literary texts to the exploration of the material histories and lives of diasporic subjects, diaspora studies has de-emphasized texts' formal aesthetics. My article addresses precisely the relation between geography and writing in Meena Alexander's poetry and essay collections The Shock of Arrival (1996) and Poetics of Dislocation (2009)—texts that explore the author's diasporic travels and her shocking realization that she is perceived as a racialized minority in the United States. As I argue, Alexander's arrival in America paradoxically entails her return to Indian history and her grappling with the broader postcolonial history that has shaped her identity. Her two texts, I contend, trouble traditional narratives of arrival and assimilation, reconfiguring arrival as a point of departure for new explorations of diasporic identities and shared histories.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for English Language and Literature Studies, Vol. 6, No. 1
Authors: Ding Alice
Published: March 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for English Language and Literature Studies, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2016.
L’application de la Charte de la langue française à l’enseignement collégial : étude de la validité d’une idée de réforme latente à la lumière de développements récents en droits de la personne
Authors: Poirier Éric , Rousseau Guillaume
Published: March 2016

Périodiquement, l’idée d’appliquer à l’enseignement collégial les dispositions de la Charte de la langue française refait surface dans l’actualité québécoise. À chaque occasion, des experts de différentes disciplines se prononcent sur son opportunité. Le présent article se veut une contribution au débat en approfondissant plusieurs des questions juridiques pertinentes qu’il suscite. Après avoir circonscrit le débat en illustrant les changements législatifs qu’un tel projet commanderait, les auteurs constatent, à la lumière de récents développements en matière de droit de la personne, qu’il serait vraisemblablement conforme au droit constitutionnel canadien.
Transistor-level characterization of static random access memory bit failures induced by random telegraph noise
Authors: Mizutani Tomoko , Saraya Takuya , Takeuchi Kiyoshi , Kobayashi Masaharu , Hiramoto Toshiro
Published: March 2016

Bit failure events induced by random telegraph noise (RTN) for silicon-on-thin-buried-oxide (SOTB) static random access memory (SRAM) cells were characterized by directly monitoring the storage node voltage of individual cells, using a device-matrix-array (DMA) test element group (TEG). Correlating the cell-level RTN and failure waveforms with the RTN waveforms of individual transistors that constitute the same cell, RTN of a specific transistor that causes the cell failure was identified.
Theoretical study of SET operation in carbon nanotube memory cell
Authors: Stopa Michael , Rueckes Thomas
Published: March 2016

We present results of self-consistent electronic structure calculations for an electromechanical memory cell consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) fabric between titanium leads to elucidate the mechanism whereby the applied bias works to close the current gaps in the CNT fabric. We demonstrate that the asymmetry in the bias conditions required to achieve the “SET” operation of the cell (changing it from a high resistivity to low resistivity) results from the nature of a voltage drop in a compensated semiconducting material and depends sensitively on the background charge as well as on the position of the layer where the conducting gaps occur. The calculations provide insight into the behavior of the material and suggest possible fabrication strategies to modify the functionality.
Temperature dependence of electrical transport properties of La4BaCu5−
xCoxO13+δ conducting oxide thin films
Authors: Tsuruta Akihiro , Tsujioka Yusuke , Yoshida Yutaka , Terasaki Ichiro , Murayama Norimitsu , Shin Woosuck
Published: March 2016

We fabricated Co-doped La4BaCu5O13+δ (La4BaCu5−

x
Co
x
O13+δ) epitaxial thin films with various amount of Co-substitution on SrTiO3 single-crystal substrates by a pulsed laser deposition method, and measured the resistivity from 10 to 1000 K. The resistivity below 700 K became large with increasing amount of Co-substitution, and that above 700 K was independent of Co-substitution. These measurement results suggested that the dominant component of carrier scattering changed from the impurity scattering of Co to phonon scattering at 700 K. As a result, the temperature dependence of the resistivity became weak systematically with increasing amount of Co-substitution. The resistivity measurement in N2-based 1% H2 clarified that the Co-substitution has no effect on the oxygen retention in the reduction atmosphere.
Solution-processed hybrid organic–inorganic complementary thin-film transistor inverter
Authors: Cheong Heajeong , Kuribara Kazunori , Ogura Shintaro , Fukuda Nobuko , Yoshida Manabu , Ushijima Hirobumi , Uemura Sei
Published: March 2016

We investigated hybrid organic–inorganic complementary inverters with a solution-processed indium–gallium–zinc-oxide (IGZO) n-channel thin-film transistor (TFT) and p-channel TFTs using the high-uniformity polymer poly[2,5-bis(alkyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrolo-1,4(2H,5H)-dione-alt-5,5-di(thiophene-2-yl)-2,2-(E)-2-(2-(thiophen-2-yl)vinyl)thiophene] (PDVT-10). The IGZO TFT was fabricated at 150 °C for 1 min. It showed a high field-effect mobility of 0.9 cm2·V−1·s−1 and a high on/off current ratio of 107. A hybrid complementary inverter was fabricated by combining IGZO with a PDVT-10 thin-film transistor and its operation was confirmed.
Disaster Radio for Communication of Vital Messages and Health-Related Information: Experiences From the Haiyan Typhoon, the Philippines
Authors: Hugelius Karin , Gifford Mervyn , Örtenwall Per , Adolfsson Annsofie
Published: March 2016

Objective

Crisis communication is seen as an integrated and essential part of disaster management measures. After Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines 2013, radio was used to broadcast information to the affected community. The aim of this study was to describe how disaster radio was used to communicate vital messages and health-related information to the public in one affected region after Typhoon Haiyan.

Methods

Mixed-methods analysis using qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics was used to analyze 2587 logged radio log files.

Results

Radio was used to give general information and to demonstrate the capability of officials to manage the situation, to encourage, to promote recovery and foster a sense of hope, and to give practical advice and encourage self-activity. The content and focus of the messages changed over time. Encouraging messages were the most frequently broadcast messages. Health-related messages were a minor part of all information broadcast and gaps in the broadcast over time were found.

Conclusion

Disaster radio can serve as a transmitter of vital messages including health-related information and psychological support in disaster areas. The present study indicated the potential for increased use. The perception, impact, and use of disaster radio need to be further evaluated. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:591–597)
Secondary instability and subcritical transition of the leading-edge boundary layer
Authors: John Michael O. , Obrist Dominik , Kleiser Leonhard
Published: March 2016

The leading-edge boundary layer (LEBL) in the front part of swept airplane wings is prone to three-dimensional subcritical instability, which may lead to bypass transition. The resulting increase of airplane drag and fuel consumption implies a negative environmental impact. In the present paper, we present a temporal biglobal secondary stability analysis (SSA) and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of this flow to investigate a subcritical transition mechanism. The LEBL is modelled by the swept Hiemenz boundary layer (SHBL), with and without wall suction. We introduce a pair of steady, counter-rotating, streamwise vortices next to the attachment line as a generic primary disturbance. This generates a high-speed streak, which evolves slowly in the streamwise direction. The SSA predicts that this flow is unstable to secondary, time-dependent perturbations. We report the upper branch of the secondary neutral curve and describe numerous eigenmodes located inside the shear layers surrounding the primary high-speed streak and the vortices. We find secondary flow instability at Reynolds numbers as low as$Re\approx 175$, i.e. far below the linear critical Reynolds number$Re_{crit}\approx 583$of the SHBL. This secondary modal instability is confirmed by our three-dimensional DNS. Furthermore, these simulations show that the modes may grow until nonlinear processes lead to breakdown to turbulent flow for Reynolds numbers above$Re_{tr}\approx 250$. The three-dimensional mode shapes, growth rates, and the frequency dependence of the secondary eigenmodes found by SSA and the DNS results are in close agreement with each other. The transition Reynolds number$Re_{tr}\approx 250$at zero suction and its increase with wall suction closely coincide with experimental and numerical results from the literature. We conclude that the secondary instability and the transition scenario presented in this paper may serve as a possible explanation for the well-known subcritical transition observed in the leading-edge boundary layer.
The sensorimotor and social sides of the architecture of speech
Authors: Pezzulo Giovanni , Barca Laura , D'Ausilio Alessando
Published: March 2016

Speech is a complex skill to master. In addition to sophisticated phono-articulatory abilities, speech acquisition requires neuronal systems configured for vocal learning, with adaptable sensorimotor maps that couple heard speech sounds with motor programs for speech production; imitation and self-imitation mechanisms that can train the sensorimotor maps to reproduce heard speech sounds; and a “pedagogical” learning environment that supports tutor learning.
Vocal communication is multi-sensorimotor coordination within and between individuals
Authors: Takahashi Daniel Y. , Ghazanfar Asif A.
Published: March 2016

Speech is an exquisitely coordinated interaction among effectors both within and between individuals. No account of human communication evolution that ignores its foundational multisensory characteristics and cooperative nature will be satisfactory. Here, we describe two additional capacities – rhythmic audiovisual speech and cooperative communication – and suggest that they may utilize the very same or similar circuits as those proposed for vocal learning.
Asymptotics for multilinear averages of multiplicative functions
Authors: FRANTZIKINAKIS NIKOS , HOST BERNARD
Published: March 2016

A celebrated result of Halász describes the asymptotic behavior of the arithmetic mean of an arbitrary multiplicative function with values on the unit disc. We extend this result to multilinear averages of multiplicative functions providing similar asymptotics, thus verifying a two dimensional variant of a conjecture of Elliott. As a consequence, we get several convergence results for such multilinear expressions, one of which generalises a well known convergence result of Wirsing. The key ingredients are a recent structural result for multiplicative functions with values on the unit disc proved by the authors and the mean value theorem of Halász.
Correction: Corrigendum: Notch signal strength controls cell fate in the haemogenic endothelium
Authors: Gama-Norton Leonor , Ferrando Eva , Ruiz-Herguido Cristina , Liu Zhenyi , Guiu Jordi , Islam Abul B. M. M. K. , Lee Sung-Uk , Yan Minhong , Guidos Cynthia J. , López-Bigas Nuria , Maeda Takahiro , Espinosa Lluis , Kopan Raphael , Bigas Anna
Published: March 2016

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 8510 (2015); Published: 14 October 2015; Updated: 4 March 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Zhenyi Liu, which was incorrectly given as Zenhy Liu. This has now been corrected in both the PDFand HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: ScbR- and ScbR2-mediated signal transduction networks coordinate complex physiological responses in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Li Xiao , Wang Juan , Li Shanshan , Ji Junjie , Wang Weishan , Yang Keqian
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 14831; published online: 07 October 2015; updated: 04 March 2016. This Article contains errors in Figure 4. In Figure 4c, the enzyme Pyk2 was misplaced and Pyruvate was omitted from the reaction. In Figure 4d, the arrow between ScbR2 and SigR should represent repression of activity.
Correction: Corrigendum: Indirect excitation of ultrafast demagnetization
Authors: Vodungbo Boris , Tudu Bharati , Perron Jonathan , Delaunay Renaud , Müller Leonard , Berntsen Magnus H. , Grübel Gerhard , Malinowski Grégory , Weier Christian , Gautier Julien , Lambert Guillaume , Zeitoun Philippe , Gutt Christian , Jal Emmanuelle , Reid Alexander H. , Granitzka Patrick W. , Jaouen Nicolas , Dakovski Georgi L. , Moeller Stefan , Minitti Michael P. , Mitra Ankush , Carron Sebastian , Pfau Bastian , von Korff Schmising Clemens , Schneider Michael , Eisebitt Stefan , Lüning Jan
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 18970; published online: 06 January 2016; updated: 04 March 2016 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Bharati Tudu, which was incorrectly given as Bahrati Tudu. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: Tuning the optical response of a dimer nanoantenna using plasmonic nanoring loads
Authors: Panaretos Anastasios H. , Yuwen Yu A. , Werner Douglas H. , Mayer Theresa S.
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 9813; published online: 11 May 2015; updated: 04 March 2016. The Acknowledgements section was omitted from the Article. It should read: Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Center for Nanoscale Science, an NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, under the award DMR-1420620.
Correction: Corrigendum: Role of transcription factor-mediated nucleosome disassembly in PHO5 gene expression
Authors: Kharerin Hungyo , Bhat Paike J. , Marko John F. , Padinhateeri Ranjith
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 20319; published online: 04 February 2016; updated: 04 March 2016. This Article contains errors in the Acknowledgments section. “JFM acknowledges support by NSF Grants DMR-1206868 and MCB-1022117, and by NIH Grant DMR-1206868.” should read: “JFM acknowledges support by NSF Grants DMR-1206868 and MCB-1022117, and by NIH Grants R01-GM105847 and U54-CA193419 (CR-PS-OC).
Correction: Corrigendum: Chimera-like States in Modular Neural Networks
Authors: Hizanidis Johanne , Kouvaris Nikos E. , Zamora-López Gorka , Díaz-Guilera Albert , Antonopoulos Chris G.
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 19845; published online: 22 January 2016; updated: 04 March 2016. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Gorka Zamora-López, which was incorrectly given as Zamora-López Gorka. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Elimination of HIV-1 Genomes from Human T-lymphoid Cells by CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing
Authors: Kaminski Rafal , Chen Yilan , Fischer Tracy , Tedaldi Ellen , Napoli Alessandro , Zhang Yonggang , Karn Jonathan , Hu Wenhui , Khalili Kamel
Published: March 2016

We employed an RNA-guided CRISPR/Cas9 DNA editing system to precisely remove the entire HIV-1 genome spanning between 5′ and 3′ LTRs of integrated HIV-1 proviral DNA copies from latently infected human CD4+ T-cells. Comprehensive assessment of whole-genome sequencing of HIV-1 eradicated cells ruled out any off-target effects by our CRISPR/Cas9 technology that might compromise the integrity of the host genome and further showed no effect on several cell health indices including viability, cell cycle and apoptosis. Persistent co-expression of Cas9 and the specific targeting guide RNAs in HIV-1-eradicated T-cells protected them against new infection by HIV-1. Lentivirus-delivered CRISPR/Cas9 significantly diminished HIV-1 replication in infected primary CD4+ T-cell cultures and drastically reduced viral load in ex vivo culture of CD4+ T-cells obtained from HIV-1 infected patients. Thus, gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 may provide a new therapeutic path for eliminating HIV-1 DNA from CD4+ T-cells and potentially serve as a novel and effective platform toward curing AIDS.
A mix-and-read drop-based in vitro two-hybrid method for screening high-affinity peptide binders
Authors: Cui Naiwen , Zhang Huidan , Schneider Nils , Tao Ye , Asahara Haruichi , Sun Zhiyi , Cai Yamei , Koehler Stephan A. , de Greef Tom F. A. , Abbaspourrad Alireza , Weitz David A. , Chong Shaorong
Published: March 2016

Drop-based microfluidics have recently become a novel tool by providing a stable linkage between phenotype and genotype for high throughput screening. However, use of drop-based microfluidics for screening high-affinity peptide binders has not been demonstrated due to the lack of a sensitive functional assay that can detect single DNA molecules in drops. To address this sensitivity issue, we introduced in vitro two-hybrid system (IVT2H) into microfluidic drops and developed a streamlined mix-and-read drop-IVT2H method to screen a random DNA library. Drop-IVT2H was based on the correlation between the binding affinity of two interacting protein domains and transcriptional activation of a fluorescent reporter. A DNA library encoding potential peptide binders was encapsulated with IVT2H such that single DNA molecules were distributed in individual drops. We validated drop-IVT2H by screening a three-random-residue library derived from a high-affinity MDM2 inhibitor PMI. The current drop-IVT2H platform is ideally suited for affinity screening of small-to-medium-sized libraries (103–106). It can obtain hits within a single day while consuming minimal amounts of reagents. Drop-IVT2H simplifies and accelerates the drop-based microfluidics workflow for screening random DNA libraries, and represents a novel alternative method for protein engineering and in vitro directed protein evolution.
Beyond Neglect: Preliminary Evidence of Retrospective Time Estimation Abnormalities in Non-Neglect Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Patients
Authors: Low Essie , Crewther Sheila G. , Perre Diana L. , Ben Ong  , Laycock Robin , Tu Hans , Wijeratne Tissa
Published: March 2016

Perception of the passage of time is essential for safe planning and navigation of everyday activities. Findings from the literature have demonstrated a gross underestimation of time interval in right-hemisphere damaged neglect patients, but not in non-neglect unilaterally-damaged patients, compared to controls. This study aimed to investigate retrospective estimation of the duration of a target detection task over two occasions, in 30 stroke patients (12 left-side stroke 15 right-side stroke and 3 right-side stroke with neglect) and 10 transient ischemic attack patients, relative to 31 age-matched controls. Performances on visual short-term and working memory tasks were also examined to investigate the associations between timing abilities with residual cognitive functioning. Initial results revealed evidence of perceptual time underestimation, not just in neglect patients, but also in non-neglect unilaterally-damaged stroke patients and transient ischemic attack patients. Three months later, underestimation of time persisted only in left-side stroke and right-side stroke with neglect patients, who also demonstrated reduced short-term and working memory abilities. Findings from this study suggest a predictive role of residual cognitive impairments in determining the prognosis of perceptual timing abnormalities.
Autologous transplantation of intestine-isolated glia cells improves neuropathology and restores cognitive deficits in β amyloid-induced neurodegeneration
Authors: Esposito Giuseppe , Sarnelli Giovanni , Capoccia Elena , Cirillo Carla , Pesce Marcella , Lu Jie , Calì Gaetano , Cuomo Rosario , Steardo Luca
Published: March 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by chronic deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain, progressive neurodegeneration and consequent cognitive and behavioral deficits that typify the disease. Astrocytes are pivotal in this process because they are activated in the attempt to digest Aβ which starts a neuroinflammatory response that further contributes to neurodegeneration. The intestine is a good source of astrocytes-like cells-referred to as enteric glial cells (EGCs). Here we show that the autologous transplantation of EGCs into the brain of Aβ-injected rats arrested the development of the disease after their engraftment. Transplanted EGCs showed anti-amyloidogenic activity, embanked Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and released neutrophic factors. The overall result was the amelioration of the pathological hallmarks and the cognitive and behavioral deficits typical of Aβ-associated disease. Our data indicate that autologous EGCs transplantation may provide an efficient alternative for applications in cell-replacement therapies to treat neurodegeneration in AD.
Outstanding supercapacitive properties of Mn-doped TiO2 micro/nanostructure porous film prepared by anodization method
Authors: Ning Xuewen , Wang Xixin , Yu Xiaofei , Zhao Jianling , Wang Mingli , Li Haoran , Yang Yang
Published: March 2016

Mn-doped TiO2 micro/nanostructure porous film was prepared by anodizing a Ti-Mn alloy. The film annealed at 300 °C yields the highest areal capacitance of 1451.3 mF/cm2 at a current density of 3 mA/cm2 when used as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode. Areal capacitance retention is 63.7% when the current density increases from 3 to 20 mA/cm2 and the capacitance retention is 88.1% after 5,000 cycles. The superior areal capacitance of the porous film is derived from the brush-like metal substrate, which could greatly increase the contact area, improve the charge transport ability at the oxide layer/metal substrate interface and thereby significantly enhance the electrochemical activities toward high performance energy storage. Additionally, the effects of manganese content and specific surface area of the porous film on the supercapacitive performance were also investigated in this work.
Monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells from females, but not males, alleviate CVB3-induced myocarditis by increasing regulatory and CD4+IL-10+ T cells
Authors: Su Nan , Yue Yan , Xiong Sidong
Published: March 2016

Coxsackievirus group B type 3 (CVB3) is a common etiologic agent of viral myocarditis and often causes sexually dimorphic myocarditis with increased incidence and mortality in male. So far, the underlying mechanism for the high male prevalence is not well elucidated. In this study, we deciphered the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the gender bias in murine CVB3-induced myocarditis by comparing their frequencies, subsets as well as immune suppressive functions. We found that much more myocardial MDSCs were enriched in infected females than males, with dramatically higher percentage ratio of CD11b+Ly6G-Ly6Chigh monocytic subset (M-MDSCs) to CD11b+Ly6G+Ly6Clow granulocytic subset (G-MDSCs). Interestingly, more potent suppression on T cell proliferation was also evidenced in female-derived M-MDSCs. Consistently, adoptive transfer of female- but not male-derived M-MDSCs efficiently alleviated CVB3-induced myocarditis in male recipient mice, and this protection could be ascribed to the increased induction of regulatory and CD4+IL-10+ T cells. Our study suggested that myocardial MDSCs were distinctively induced not only in quantities but also in phenotypes and immune suppressive functions in CVB3-infected males and females; and female-derived more suppressive M-MDSCs contributed to their insensitivity to CVB3-induced myocarditis.
Channel based generating function approach to the stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley neuronal system
Authors: Ling Anqi , Huang Yandong , Shuai Jianwei , Lan Yueheng
Published: March 2016

Internal and external fluctuations, such as channel noise and synaptic noise, contribute to the generation of spontaneous action potentials in neurons. Many different Langevin approaches have been proposed to speed up the computation but with waning accuracy especially at small channel numbers. We apply a generating function approach to the master equation for the ion channel dynamics and further propose two accelerating algorithms, with an accuracy close to the Gillespie algorithm but with much higher efficiency, opening the door for expedited simulation of noisy action potential propagating along axons or other types of noisy signal transduction.
Fluorescent sperm offer a method for tracking the real-time success of ejaculates when they compete to fertilise eggs
Authors: Lymbery Rowan A. , Kennington W. Jason , Evans Jonathan P.
Published: March 2016

Despite intensive research effort, many uncertainties remain in the field of gamete-level sexual selection, particularly in understanding how sperm from different males interact when competing for fertilisations. Here, we demonstrate the utility of broadcast spawning marine invertebrates for unravelling these mysteries, highlighting their mode of reproduction and, in some species, unusual patterns of mitochondrial inheritance. We present a method utilising both properties in the blue mussel,Mytilus galloprovincialis. In mytilids and many other bivalves, both sperm and egg mitochondria are inherited. We exploit this, using the vital mitochondrial dye MitoTracker, to track the success of sperm from individual males when they compete with those from rivals to fertilise eggs. We confirm that dying mitochondria has no adverse effects onin vitromeasures of sperm motility (reflecting mitochondrial energetics) or sperm competitive fertilisation success. Therefore, we propose the technique as a powerful and logistically tractable tool for sperm competition studies. Importantly, our method allows the competitive fertilisation success of sperm from any male to be measured directly and disentangled from confounding effects of post-fertilisation embryo survival. Moreover, the mitochondrial dye has broader applications in taxa without paternal mitochondrial inheritance, for example by tracking the dynamics of competing ejaculates prior to fertilisation.
Nitrogen self-doped carbon nanoparticles derived from spiral seaweeds for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Fangfang , Liu Lina , Li Xiuhua , Zeng Jianhuang , Du Li , Liao Shijun
Published: March 2016

High performance nitrogen self-doped porous carbon materials were synthesized with spiral seaweed biomass as a source of nitrogen and carbon.
Computational study on alkenyl/aryl C(sp2)–O homolytic cleavage of carboxylates and carbamates
Authors: Zheng Wenrui , Ding Lanlan , Wang Jiaoyang , Wang Yingxing
Published: March 2016

The alkenyl/aryl C(sp2)–O cleavage and the substituent effect in both carboxylates/carbamates and corresponding Ni complexes were investigated in detail by wB97 method.
Artificial supramolecular protein assemblies as functional high-order protein scaffolds
Authors: Kim Yu-na , Jung Yongwon
Published: March 2016

Artificial supramolecular protein assemblies can serve as novel high-order scaffolds that can display various functional proteins with defined valencies and organization, offering unprecedented functional bio-architectures.
N,N-Dicarboxymethyl hydrazine: an old but neglected reagent for chemoselective derivatization of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Zhen Maomin , Peng Yanqing
Published: March 2016

N,N-Dicarboxymethyl hydrazine was found to be a chemoselective derivatization reagent of carbonyl compounds with potential applications in organic synthesis and isolation processes.
Impact of neutral and anion anchoring groups on the photovoltaic performance of triphenylamine sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Suresh Thogiti , Chitumalla Ramesh Kumar , Hai Nguyen Thi , Jang Joonkyung , Lee Tae Jin , Kim Jae Hong
Published: March 2016

Triphenylamine-based sensitizer with a carboxylate anchoring group (COO−) was synthesized and compared with neutral dye (COOH) for DSSC application.
Highly stretchable hybrid nanomembrane supercapacitors
Authors: Kim Keon Jung , Lee Jae Ah , Lima Márcio D. , Baughman Ray H. , Kim Seon Jeong
Published: March 2016

A highly stretchable all-solid-state supercapacitor is fabricated by using PEDOT/carbon nanotube sheet hybrid nanomembrane. It exhibited high energy density (7.28–6.87 W h kg−1) and stretchability (up to biaxial strain of 600%).
Highly stable polysulfone solvent resistant nanofiltration membranes with internal cross-linking networks
Authors: Chen Dongju , Liu Xue , Li Dandan , Li Xianfeng
Published: March 2016

Highly stable charged polysulfone based membranes with internal cross-linking networks were prepared, exhibiting very good prospects in SRNF applications.
Correction: Aglycone mimics for tuning of glycosidase inhibition: design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bicyclic pyrrolidotriazole iminosugars
Authors: Arora Inderpreet , Sharma Sandeep K. , Shaw Arun K.
Published: March 2016

Correction for ‘Aglycone mimics for tuning of glycosidase inhibition: design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bicyclic pyrrolidotriazole iminosugars’ by Inderpreet Arora et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 13014–13026.
Investigation on the special Smith-Purcell radiation from a nano-scale rectangular metallic grating
Authors: Li Weiwei , Liu Weihao , Jia Qika
Published: March 2016

The special Smith-Purcell radiation (S-SPR), which is from the radiating eigen modes of a grating, has remarkable higher intensity than the ordinary Smith-Purcell radiation. Yet in previous studies, the gratings were treated as perfect conductor without considering the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) which are of significance for the nano-scale gratings especially in the optical region. In present paper, the rigorous theoretical investigations on the S-SPR from a nano-grating with SPPs taken into consideration are carried out. The dispersion relations and radiation characteristics are obtained, and the results are verified by simulations. According to the analyses, the tunable light radiation can be achieved by the S-SPR from a nano-grating, which offers a new prospect for developing the nano-scale light sources.
Improved
in vitro
production systems for bovine embryos.
Authors: Penitente Filho J. M.
Published: March 2016

Bovine
in vitro
embryo production (IVP) is an animal biotechnology important for both agriculture and biomedical research. IVP comprises ultrasound-guided oocyte recovery from donor by follicular aspiration,
in vitro
maturation (IVM) of oocytes,
in vitro
fertilization (IVF) and
in vitro
embryo culture (IVC). Each step of IVP has specific technicalities and the current systems are the result of years of research. This technique is used to study the physiology of oocyte maturation processes, fertilization and embryo development in pre-implantation stage, and enable the development of other techniques such as cloning and gene transfer. Moreover, it has been used commercially to produce individuals with high genetic value, becoming an alternative source in embryo transfer programmes in cattle. It is reported that the origin of the oocyte and IVM systems affect the blastocyst rate, and that IVC conditions influence the quality and viability of these blastocysts; nevertheless, despite the advances in designing media and culture systems, a precise knowledge about the nutritional and culture requirements of embryos remains still elusive. This review provides an overview of media design and culture systems, as well as recent advances in the embryo technology field.
Plurals and modals
Authors: Linnebo Øystein
Published: March 2016

Consider one of several things. Is the one thing necessarily one of the several? This key question in the modal logic of plurals is clarified. Some defenses of an affirmative answer are developed and compared. Various remarks are made about the broader philosophical significance of the question.
5,6-Dehydrokawain from Alpinia zerumbet promotes osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation
Authors: Kumagai Momochika , Mishima Takashi , Watanabe Akio , Harada Teppei , Yoshida Izumi , Fujita Kazuhiro , Watai Masatoshi , Tawata Shinkichi , Nishikawa Keisuke , Morimoto Yoshiki
Published: March 2016

Bone homeostasis is maintained by balancing bone formation and bone resorption, but an imbalance between them is associated with various bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. We found that 5,6-dehydrokawain (DK) and dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK), which were isolated as promising compounds from Alpinia zerumbet rhizomes, promote differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. DK and DDK increased the alkaline phosphatase activity and matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. DK exerts larger effects than DDK. The gene expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 and osterix, which are essential transcription factors in the early period of osteoblast differentiation, was significantly increased by DK treatment. The mRNA level of distal-less homeobox 5 was also enhanced by DK treatment, and DK activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Therefore, DK may have clinical potential for preventing osteoporosis, and could be considered as a potential anabolic therapeutic agent.
IsomiR Bank: a research resource for tracking IsomiRs
Authors: Zhang Yuanwei , Zang Qiguang , Xu Bo , Zheng Wei , Ban Rongjun , Zhang Huan , Yang Yifan , Hao Qiaomei , Iqbal Furhan , Li Ao , Shi Qinghua
Published: March 2016

Summary: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology has revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are capable of exhibiting frequent differences from their corresponding mature reference sequences, generating multiple variants: the isoforms of miRNAs (isomiRs). These isomiRs mainly originate via the imprecise and alternative cleavage during the pre-miRNA processing and post-transcriptional modifications that influence miRNA stability, their sub-cellular localization and target selection. Although several tools for the identification of isomiR have been reported, no bioinformatics resource dedicated to gather isomiRs from public NGS data and to provide functional analysis of these isomiRs is available to date. Thus, a free online database, IsomiR Bank has been created to integrate isomiRs detected by our previously published algorithm CPSS. In total, 2727 samples (Small RNA NGS data downloaded from ArrayExpress) from eight species (Arabidopsis thaliana, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio, Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Oryza sativa, Solanum lycopersicum and Zea mays) are analyzed. At present, 308 919 isomiRs from 4706 mature miRNAs are collected into IsomiR Bank. In addition, IsomiR Bank provides target prediction and enrichment analysis to evaluate the effects of isomiRs on target selection.

Availability and implementation: IsomiR Bank is implemented in PHP/PERL + MySQL + R format and can be freely accessed at http://mcg.ustc.edu.cn/bsc/isomir/

Contacts: aoli@ustc.edu.cn or qshi@ustc.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cyclic corrosion tests of organometallic coated fuel tanks
Authors: Saliba Patrícia Alves , Luciano Milene Adriane , Castro Maria das Mercês Reis , Lins Vanessa Freitas Cunha
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of organometallic coatings of automotive fuel tanks. Galvannealed steels and galvannealed steels coated with organometallic layers were analyzed using accelerated corrosion tests.

Design/methodology/approach

– The characterization of galvannealed and organometallic coatings was done by mass (layer removal and weighing) and layer thickness (glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy), chemical composition (energy dispersive spectroscopy) and surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy). The accelerated corrosion tests were performed in accordance with SAE J2334 and GMW 14872 standards.

Findings

– The samples tested using the GMW 14872 standard were more deteriorated as compared to the samples submitted to the SAE J2334 test because of the higher degree of aggressiveness of the GMW 14872 test. Despite the presence of white rust, the corrosion resistance of organometallic-coated steel samples was higher as compared to the resistance of galvannealed steel samples.

Research limitations/implications

– The organometallic coating is a commercial product, whose chemical composition is confidential.

Practical implications

– This study reinforces the quality of automotive tanks with organometallic coating and helps to increase their competitiveness in the market tanks as compared to polymeric tanks.

Social implications

– The study contributes to increase the competitiveness of steel tanks against polymeric tanks that meet the technical requirements but are not environmentally friendly because they are multi-layered and cannot be recycled.

Originality/value

– The novelty of this study is the comparison of the corrosion resistance of galvannealed steel tanks and galvannealed steel tanks with organometallic coatings. This corrosion evaluation joined with the physical and chemical characterization was not found in literature and is relevant to the materials selection of the automotive industry.
Understanding approaches to managing diversity in the workplace
Authors: Ravazzani Silvia
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of why and how companies implement diversity management in practice, and of factors that may explain their approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study takes inspiration from existing typologies depicting organisation-wide perspectives on diversity management, and articulates them in more detail by applying practice-driven indicators and highlighting possible contingent factors at play. The resulting framework is used to investigate diversity management in Italy. Data from a survey conducted among 90 companies and two focus groups with experts and managers are presented.

Findings

– The most common approach among Italian companies focuses on addressing social expectations, seemingly shaped by isomorphic pressures and the need to secure legitimacy in their environment. Results also point to an understanding and practice of diversity management in Italy that also incorporate compliance and opportunity-oriented aspects, in an interplay between coercion and voluntarism that reflects local perspective and priorities.

Originality/value

– This study makes an effort to address the paucity of studies linking approaches to managing diversity with managerial interventions and contextual factors. The research model connecting approaches with practice-driven aspects and explanatory factors shows descriptive and predictive potential, although it should be contextualised to the specific setting under investigation. This study also fills a research gap in Italy, where existing research primarily involves case studies and qualitative approaches and focuses on gender issues. Implications for research and practice drawn from this study can be useful to scholars and practitioners in other countries.