bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transforming Growth Factor-β-Induced KDM4B Promotes Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Hye-Lim , Yu Bo , Deng Peng , Wang Cun-Yu , Hong Christine
Published: October 2015

The high prevalence of cartilage diseases and limited treatment options create a significant biomedical burden. Due to the inability of cartilage to regenerate itself, introducing chondrocyte progenitor cells to the affected site is of significant interest in cartilage regenerative therapies. Tissue engineering approaches using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising due to their chondrogenic potential, but a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms governing the fate of MSCs is required for precise therapeutic applications in cartilage regeneration. TGF-β is known to induce chondrogenesis by activating SMAD signaling pathway and upregulating chondrogenic genes such as SOX9; however, the epigenetic regulation of TGF-β-mediated chondrogenesis is not understood. In this report, we found that TGF-β dramatically induced the expression of KDM4B in MSCs. When KDM4B was overexpressed, chondrogenic differentiation was significantly enhanced while KDM4B depletion by shRNA led to a significant reduction in chondrogenic potential. Mechanistically, upon TGF-β stimulation, KDM4B was recruited to the SOX9 promoter, removed the silencing H3K9me3 marks, and activated the transcription of SOX9. Furthermore, KDM4B depletion reduced the occupancy of SMAD3 in the SOX9 promoter, suggesting that KDM4B is required for SMAD-dependent coactivation of SOX9. Our results demonstrate the critical role of KDM4B in the epigenetic regulation of TGF-β-mediated chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Since histone demethylases are chemically modifiable, KDM4B may be a novel therapeutic target in cartilage regenerative therapy.
Maintenance of Derotation in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Novel Technique Measuring Postoperative Vertebral Rotation by Pedicle Screw Position
Authors: Bjerke Benjamin T. , Cheung Zoe B. , Shifflett Grant D. , Iyer Sravisht , Fabricant Peter D. , Kim Han Jo
Published: October 2015

Background

Current methods of measuring vertebral rotation by plain radiographs rely on anatomic landmarks that are not present in the postoperative spine or require advanced imaging. Furthermore, there are few studies on the incidence of crankshaft with modern pedicle instrumentation.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to (1) describe and validate a method of vertebral rotation measurement using plain radiographs and (2) measure postoperative rotation in a series of patients treated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with surgery over a 6-year period were reviewed. Patients with computed tomography (CT) scans and radiographs within 60 days of another were included. Vertebral rotation was calculated by radiographic measurements and measured directly by CT scan. As an internal control, patients with two apical pedicle screws on all radiographs were analyzed. Rotation was measured for all patients with at least 1 year of radiographic follow-up.

Results

Three thousand five hundred fifty-two instrumented spinal levels in 308 consecutive patients were reviewed. Ten patients with 93 screws were analyzed by CT and radiographs. The average discrepancy between computed tomography (CT) and radiographs was 3.3 ± 1.9°, with 81.7% (76/93) within 5°. Intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for measured axial rotation were excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.879 and 0.900, respectively). One hundred swventy-eight patients were eligible with an average follow-up of 2.3 ± 1.2 years; 84.8% (151/178) had screw(s) visible on all images at the major curve apex. The average postsurgical rotation was 3.5 ± 2.9°; 19.2% (29/151) were measured to have a rotation over 5°, and 4.0% (6/151) demonstrated a rotation over 10°. Only 4.6% (7/151) of patients demonstrated a postoperative Cobb angle change over 10°.

Conclusions

Most major curves have apical pedicle screw instrumentation that can be followed by radiographs alone to measure rotation. Vertebral rotation measurement requires only plain radiographs and is a more sensitive determination for subtle postoperative crankshaft than change in Cobb angle.
Does the Saponification‐GC Method Underestimate Total Cholesterol Content in Samples Having Considerable Cholesterol Esters?
Authors: Hansen Hannah , Wang Tong
Published: October 2015

Cholesterol, in free or esterified form, is a sterol that is found in animal products. Free cholesterol is one of the unsaponifiable matters, so most quantification methods involve saponification of the acyl lipids under heating and alkaline conditions to obtain the unsaponifiable fraction for further GC quantification. We examined the stability of cholesterol in the harsh saponification environment and the completeness of the hydrolysis reaction of cholesterol ester. Cholesterol was found to be stable in a model saponification system. However, only about 50 % of the cholesterol ester was hydrolyzed with a long saponification time (up to 18 h). This incomplete reaction will lead to an underestimation of the total cholesterol if a sample has a significant amount of sterol esters. In this study, 5.1 % of the total sterol in egg yolk was found to be esterified cholesterol, but yolk's total cholesterol content quantified by using standard methods was lower than that determined using a commercial kit that measures total cholesterol. More research is needed to further understand the stability and reactivity of both free and esterified cholesterol in foods in order to use appropriate methodology for cholesterol quantification.
Like Father, Like Son? Intergenerational Educational Mobility in India
Authors: Azam Mehtabul , Bhatt Vipul
Published: October 2015

Using the nationally representative India Human Development Survey (IHDS), we create a unique son–father matched data set that is representative of the entire adult male population (aged 20–65) in India. We use these data to document the evolution of intergenerational transmission of educational attainment in India over time, among different castes and states for the birth cohorts of 1940–1985. We find that educational persistence, as measured by the regression coefficient of father’s education as a predictor of son’s education, has declined over time. This implies that increases in average educational attainment are driven primarily by increases among children of less-educated fathers. However, we do not find such a declining trend in the correlation between educational attainment of sons and fathers, which is another commonly used measure of persistence. To understand the source of such a discrepancy between the two measures of educational persistence, we decompose the intergenerational correlation and find that although persistence has declined at the lower end of the fathers’ educational distribution, it has increased at the top end of that distribution.
‘Becoming a Physician’–medical students get acquainted with disadvantaged populations, and practise sensitive and effective communication
Authors: Riskin Arieh , Kerem Nogah C. , Van-Raalte Riki , Kaffman Michael , Yakov Gila , Aizenbud Dror , Ben-Barak Ayelet , Shachor-Meyouhas Yael , Edery Ruth , Musih Yael Shabtai , Sagi Shlomi , Eidelman Orly , Rotschild Avi
Published: October 2015

Background The three-year pre-medical programme ‘Becoming a Physician’ focuses on different aspects of medical professionalism. Objectives are to increase awareness and sensitivity to disadvantaged populations, and practise sensitive effective communication skills.

Methods The curriculum includes: (1) Visits to treatment centres for people with special needs, mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, physically or sexually abused, and prisoners. Students tour the facility, hold discussions with residents, and discuss ethical professional interrelations to the medical world. Students then write ‘reflective diaries’ summarizing their thoughts and emotions. (2) Participation in a communication course that focuses on learning by practising patient-oriented communication. Qualitative data were collected from three sources: reflective diaries, studentsʼ course evaluations, and interviews with the studentsʼ tutors.

Results Data indicated that the students were very satisfied with the programme. They indicated an increase in awareness of the special needs of diverse populations, and in the sense of efficacy for conducting interviews tailored to patients' needs. Tutors reported a sense of ‘personal growth’ following their role as mentors.

Reflections Interactions of medical students with diverse populations, when accompanied by appropriate feedback mechanisms and strengthening of communication skills, can improve awareness and sensitivity to patients' special needs. This could help students become more sensitive and thoughtful physicians.
Retrospective evaluation of frozen section use for thyroid nodules with a prior fine needle aspiration diagnosis of Bethesda II–VI: The Weill Cornell Medical College experience
Authors: Cohen Marc A. , Patel Krupa R. , Gromis Jonathan , Kutler David I. , Kuhel William I. , Stater Brian J. , Schulman Aaron , Hoda Rana S. , Scognamiglio Theresa
Published: October 2015

Objective

To evaluate the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC)/New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) experience with intraoperative frozen (IOF) section in the management of thyroid nodules with a fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis of Bethesda II–VI and to analyze the cost and pathology benefit it provides.

Methods

The surgical and cytopathology files at WCMC/NYPH were searched within the time period of January 2008 to May 2013. A total of 435 thyroid specimens were identified for which both an FNA and subsequent IOF section was performed. The FNA was correlated with the locations of the resected nodule and the nodule frozen for intraoperative diagnosis. The results of the FNA were compared to the IOF section diagnosis and final diagnosis (FD).

Results

Among 435 cases, the FNA diagnosis was Bethesda II: 149 cases, Bethesda III: 170 cases, Bethesda IV: 91 cases, Bethesda V: 19 cases, and Bethesda VI: 6 cases. There were a total of 83 carcinomas identified on FD, which included 69 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 12 follicular carcinomas, and 2 poorly differentiated carcinomas. The preoperative FNA diagnosis for these carcinomas was as follows: Bethesda II, 11/149 (7.4%), Bethesda III, 24/170 (14%), Bethesda IV, 26/91 (29%), Bethesda V, 16/19 (84%), and Bethesda VI, 6/6 (100%). IOF section contributed to the diagnosis of malignancy in 16/429 (4%) cases: 1/149 (0.7%) Bethesda II, 5/170 (3%) Bethesda III, 2/91 (1.1%) Bethesda IV, and 8/19 (42%) Bethesda V. The diagnosis of malignancy was confirmed in the 6 Bethesda VI cases by IOF section. There were no false positives on IOF section. IOF had a sensitivity and specificity of 26% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

The role of IOF section is limited in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. IOF section is most useful for nodules with an FNA diagnosis of Bethesda V lesions. The diagnosis of follicular variant of PTC remains difficult on frozen section.
Concept Mapping Analysis of Social Skills Camp Experience for Children with Disabilities
Authors: Lee Gloria K. , Infranco Michael , Dipeolu Abiola , Cook-Cottone Catherine , Donnelly James P. , Janikowski Timothy P. , Reynolds Amy , Boling Tim
Published: October 2015

The present study aimed to identify themes emerging from an inclusive therapeutic recreational camp experience for children with disabilities who attended a 10-day summer camp. Concept mapping was used to analyse the experience of 42 participants. Results emerged with seven themes: Personal Growth; Nurturing Relationships; Non-judgmental Environment and Attitude; Traditional/Classic Camp Fun; Beneficial and Unique Opportunities; Learning/Thinking with Structures and Rules; and Independence and Recognition. Results suggested that children with disabilities experienced positive personal growth and learned new skills from an integrated, therapeutic camp. These children benefited from the social and psychological aspects of the camp experience, as well as the learned skillset and behaviours. Clinical implications and future research directions are also discussed.
Three-dimensional effects on flag flapping dynamics
Authors: Banerjee Sankha , Connell Benjamin S. H. , Yue Dick K. P.
Published: October 2015

We examine three-dimensional (3D) effects on the flapping dynamics of a flag, modelled as a thin membrane, in uniform fluid inflow. We consider periodic spanwise variations of length $S$ (ignoring edge effects), so that the 3D effects are characterized by the dimensionless spanwise wavelength ${\it\gamma}=S/L$, where $L$ is the chord length. We perform linear stability analysis (LSA) to show increase in stability with ${\it\gamma}$, with the purely 2D mode being the most unstable. To confirm the LSA and to study nonlinear responses of 3D flapping, we obtain direct numerical simulations, up to Reynolds number 1000 based on $L$, coupling solvers for the Navier–Stokes equations and that for a thin membrane structure undergoing arbitrarily large displacement. For nonlinear flapping evolution, we identify and characterize the effect of ${\it\gamma}$ on the distinct flag motions and wake vortex structures, corresponding to spanwise standing wave (SW) and travelling wave (TW) modes, in the absence and presence of cross-flow respectively. For both SW and TW, the response is characterized by an initial instability growth phase (I), followed by a nonlinear development phase (II) consisting of multiple unstable 3D modes, and tending, in long time, towards a quasi-steady limit-cycle response (III) dominated by a single (most unstable) mode. Phase I follows closely the predictions of LSA for initial instability and growth rates, with the latter increased for TW due to suppression of restoring forces by the cross-flow. Phase II is characterized by multiple competing flapping modes with energy cascading towards the more unstable mode(s). The wake is characterized by interwoven (SW) and oblique continuous (TW) shed vortices. For phase III, the persistent single dominant mode for SW is the (most unstable) 2D flag displacement with a continuous parallel wake structure; and for TW, the fundamental oblique travelling-wave flag displacement corresponding to the given ${\it\gamma}$ with continuous oblique shedding. The transition to phase III occurs slower for greater ${\it\gamma}$. For the total forces, drag decreases for both SW and TW with decreasing ${\it\gamma}$, while lift is negligible in phase I and II and comparable in magnitude to drag in phase III for any ${\it\gamma}$.
Brother or Burden: An Experiment on Reducing Prejudice Toward Syrian Refugees in Turkey
Authors: Lazarev Egor , Sharma Kunaal
Published: October 2015

Can emphasis on shared religion reduce out-group prejudice? To explore this question, we conducted a survey experiment on the effect of religious primes on Turkish citizens’ attitudes and behavior toward Syrian refugees in Istanbul and Gaziantep. We used a factorial design to compare the independent and interactive effects of primes emphasizing refugees’ Sunni or Muslim identity and a factual statement on the economic cost of the refugees. We find that religious primes increase respondents’ level of donations to a charity supporting Syrian refugees and certain attitudinal measures of support for the refugees. We also uncovered a differential impact among the Sunni and Muslim primes and found that the statement of economic cost removed the pro-refugee effect of religious primes.
Investigating early agriculture in Central Asia: new research at Jeitun, Turkmenistan
Authors: Harris D. R. , Masson V. M. , Berezkin Y. E. , Charles M. P. , Gosden C. , Hillman G. C. , Kasparov A. K. , Korobkova G. F. , Kurbansakhatov K. , Legge A. J. , Limbrey S.
Published: October 2015

In 1989 ANTIQUITY published a special section of papers on the archaeology of the steppe zone, to notice the special role of that great sweep of land that links the northern fringes of early prehistoric agriculture in Europe and Asia. A new international team has now returned to Jeitun, the key early agricultural site in Turkmenistan, on the edge of the Kara Kum desert.
Agrarian Localities: Political economy as local power in early nineteenth-century British India
Authors: CHAKRABARTI UPAL
Published: October 2015

This article writes the agrarian history of an obscure locality, Cuttack, in early-nineteenth-century British India. In doing so, instead of exalting the explanatory power of the local, or the particular, it interrogates the category of the ‘local’ itself by demonstrating how it was assembled as the object of agrarian governance in British India through a densely interwoven network of discursive practices. I present this network as various inter-regional practices and debates over agrarian governance in British India and some methodological debates of political economy in contemporary Britain. This article argues that the governmental engagement with locally specific, indigenous forms of interrelationship between landed property and political power in British India can be more productively understood as internal to the transformed vocabulary of contemporary political economy, rather than lying outside it, amid the pragmatism and contingency of governance. Accordingly, it shows how the particularity of agrarian relations in a locality was produced out of a host of reconfigurations, over different moments and sites, of a universal classificatory grid. In the process, I question those histories of British India which, being rooted in a series of hierarchized binary oppositions, like inside–outside, abstract–concrete, or universal–particular, reproduce the rationality of colonial governance.
Financial literacy and retirement planning in Canada
Authors: BOISCLAIR DAVID , LUSARDI ANNAMARIA , MICHAUD PIERRE-CARL
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we draw on internationally comparable survey evidence on financial literacy and retirement planning in Canada to investigate how financially literate Canadians are and how financial literacy is linked to retirement planning. We find that 42% of respondents are able to correctly answer three simple questions measuring knowledge of interest compounding, inflation, and risk diversification. This is consistent with evidence from other countries, and Canadians perform relatively well in comparison with Americans but worse than individuals in other countries, such as Germany. Among Canadian respondents, the young and the old, women, minorities, and those with lower educational attainment do worse, a pattern that has been consistently found in other countries as well. Retirement planning is strongly associated with financial literacy; those who responded correctly to all three financial literacy questions are 10 percentage points more likely to have retirement savings.
Genetic dissection of association among within-boll yield components and their relationship with seed cotton yield in F3 populations of Gossypium hirsutum L.
Authors: Ul-Allah Sami , Iqbal Muhammad , Naeem Muhammad , Zahid Waqas
Published: October 2015

Only a little information is available on the genetic association of basic within-boll yield components of segregating populations. A total of 25 genotypes were evaluated for genetic diversity using SSR markers in 2012; of these, eight diverse genotypes were selected to attempt the generation of five crosses. From the progeny of these five crosses, five F3 populations were developed. Data for within-boll yield components were recorded by taking 30 observations (one observation average of five bolls) from each population, and analysed for genotypic and phenotypic correlations followed by the path coefficient analysis from the genotypic correlation. The highest genotypic correlation was observed between seed cotton yield per locule and number of seeds per boll (ranging from 0.654 to 0.972 for different crosses). Except number of seeds per locule and lint percentage, all the other within-boll yield components had a highly significant positive correlation with seed cotton yield, whereas the former two had a negative correlation. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of seeds per boll had a maximum direct effect on yield (ranging from 0.776 to 0.895 for different crosses), and also had a relatively high magnitude of the indirect effect via other traits. Differences were observed in the magnitude of correlation coefficients and direct/indirect effects for different populations, but the direction of genetic association always remained the same. The present study showed that number of locules per boll, seed cotton yield per locule, number of seeds per boll and seed cotton yield per boll can be used as efficient selection criteria for the improvement in seed cotton yield.
Autonomy Support in the Classroom
Authors: Núñez Juan L. , León Jaime
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Why are some students more engaged in and adjusted to school than others? Why are some students more competent and why do they perform better than others? Self-determination theory is a theory of human motivation to explain students’ classroom behavior, learning process, and relationship with the environment. The goal of this paper is to review the concept of autonomy support in the classroom within the self-determination framework. Autonomy is defined as a form of voluntary action, stemming from a person’s interest and with no external pressure. Social environments that support autonomy provide meaningful rationale, acknowledge negative feelings, use noncontrolling language, offer meaningful choices, and nurture internal motivational resources. In classrooms where teachers support autonomy, students improve their academic performance, are more creative and better adjusted, engage more in school, and feel less stress. We provide theoretical and methodological suggestions for future research.
Observing in space and time the ephemeral nucleation of liquid-to-crystal phase transitions
Authors: Yoo Byung-Kuk , Kwon Oh-Hoon , Liu Haihua , Tang Jau , Zewail Ahmed H.
Published: October 2015

The phase transition of crystalline ordering is a general phenomenon, but its evolution in space and time requires microscopic probes for visualization. Here we report direct imaging of the transformation of amorphous titanium dioxide nanofilm, from the liquid state, passing through the nucleation step and finally to the ordered crystal phase. Single-pulse transient diffraction profiles at different times provide the structural transformation and the specific degree of crystallinity (η) in the evolution process. It is found that the temporal behaviour of η exhibits unique ‘two-step’ dynamics, with a robust ‘plateau’ that extends over a microsecond; the rate constants vary by two orders of magnitude. Such behaviour reflects the presence of intermediate structure(s) that are the precursor of the ordered crystal state. Theoretically, we extend the well-known Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov equation, which describes the isothermal process with a stretched-exponential function, but here over the range of times covering the melt-to-crystal transformation.
g-force induced giant efficiency of nanoparticles internalization into living cells
Authors: Ocampo Sandra M. , Rodriguez Vanessa , de la Cueva Leonor , Salas Gorka , Carrascosa Jose. L. , Josefa Rodríguez María , García-Romero Noemí , Cuñado Jose Luis F. , Camarero Julio , Miranda Rodolfo , Belda-Iniesta Cristobal , Ayuso-Sacido Angel
Published: October 2015

Nanotechnology plays an increasingly important role in the biomedical arena. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)-labelled cells is one of the most promising approaches for a fast and reliable evaluation of grafted cells in both preclinical studies and clinical trials. Current procedures to label living cells with IONPs are based on direct incubation or physical approaches based on magnetic or electrical fields, which always display very low cellular uptake efficiencies. Here we show that centrifugation-mediated internalization (CMI) promotes a high uptake of IONPs in glioblastoma tumour cells, just in a few minutes and via clathrin-independent endocytosis pathway. CMI results in controllable cellular uptake efficiencies at least three orders of magnitude larger than current procedures. Similar trends are found in human mesenchymal stem cells, thereby demonstrating the general feasibility of the methodology, which is easily transferable to any laboratory with great potential for the development of improved biomedical applications.
Comparison of acute non-visual bright light responses in patients with optic nerve disease, glaucoma and healthy controls
Authors: Münch M. , Léon L. , Collomb S. , Kawasaki A.
Published: October 2015

This study examined the effect of optic nerve disease, hence retinal ganglion cell loss, on non-visual functions related to melanopsin signalling. Test subjects were patients with bilateral visual loss and optic atrophy from either hereditary optic neuropathy (n = 11) or glaucoma (n = 11). We measured melatonin suppression, subjective sleepiness and cognitive functions in response to bright light exposure in the evening. We also quantified the post-illumination pupil response to a blue light stimulus. All results were compared to age-matched controls (n = 22). Both groups of patients showed similar melatonin suppression when compared to their controls. Greater melatonin suppression was intra-individually correlated to larger post-illumination pupil response in patients and controls. Only the glaucoma patients demonstrated a relative attenuation of their pupil response. In addition, they were sleepier with slower reaction times during nocturnal light exposure. In conclusion, glaucomatous, but not hereditary, optic neuropathy is associated with reduced acute light effects. At mild to moderate stages of disease, this is detected only in the pupil function and not in responses conveyed via the retinohypothalamic tract such as melatonin suppression.
Cytoplasmic sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway modulates neuronal autophagy
Authors: Moruno Manchon Jose Felix , Uzor Ndidi-Ese , Dabaghian Yuri , Furr-Stimming Erin E. , Finkbeiner Steven , Tsvetkov Andrey S.
Published: October 2015

Autophagy is an important homeostatic mechanism that eliminates long-lived proteins, protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Its dysregulation is involved in many neurodegenerative disorders. Autophagy is therefore a promising target for blunting neurodegeneration. We searched for novel autophagic pathways in primary neurons and identified the cytosolic sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathway as a regulator of neuronal autophagy. S1P, a bioactive lipid generated by sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) in the cytoplasm, is implicated in cell survival. We found that SK1 enhances flux through autophagy and that S1P-metabolizing enzymes decrease this flux. When autophagy is stimulated, SK1 relocalizes to endosomes/autophagosomes in neurons. Expression of a dominant-negative form of SK1 inhibits autophagosome synthesis. In a neuron model of Huntington’s disease, pharmacologically inhibiting S1P-lyase protected neurons from mutant huntingtin-induced neurotoxicity. These results identify the S1P pathway as a novel regulator of neuronal autophagy and provide a new target for developing therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Improved Slow Light Capacity In Graphene-based Waveguide
Authors: Hao Ran , Peng Xi-Liang , Li Er-Ping , Xu Yang , Jin Jia-Min , Zhang Xian-Min , Chen Hong-Sheng
Published: October 2015

We have systematically investigated the wideband slow light in two-dimensional material graphene, revealing that graphene exhibits much larger slow light capability than other materials. The slow light performances including material dispersion, bandwidth, dynamic control ability, delay-bandwidth product, propagation loss and group-velocity dispersion are studied, proving graphene exhibits significant advantages in these performances. A large delay-bandwidth product has been obtained in a simple yet functional grating waveguide with slow down factor c/vg at 163 and slow light bandwidth Δω at 94.4 nm centered at 10.38 μm, which is several orders of magnitude larger than previous results. Physical explanation of the enhanced slow light in graphene is given. Our results indicate graphene is an excellent platform for slow light applications, promoting various future slow light devices based on graphene.
Heat shock protein 60 stimulates the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells via Toll-like receptor 4 and ERK MAPK activation
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhang Chenxu , Wei Xuge , Li Pei , Cui Ying , Qin Yuanhua , Wei Xiaoqing , Jin Minli , Kohama Kazuhiro , Gao Ying
Published: October 2015

Accumulating evidence indicates that heat shock protein (HSP) 60 is strongly associated with the pathology of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the precise mechanisms by which HSP60 promotes atherosclerosis remain unclear. In the present study, we found that HSP60 mRNA and protein expression levels in the thoracic aorta are enhanced not only in a mouse model of AS but also in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. HSP60 expression and secretion was activated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and interleukin (IL)-8 in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). HSP60 was found to induce VSMC migration and exposure to HSP60 activated ERK MAPK signaling. U0126, an inhibitor of ERK, reduced VSMC migration. The HSP60-stimulated VSMCs were found to express TLR4 mRNA but not TLR2 mRNA. Knockdown of TLR4 by siRNA reduced HSP60-induced VSMC migration and HSP60-induced ERK activation. Finally, HSP60 induced IL-8 secretion in VSMCs. Together these results suggest that HSP60 is involved in the stimulation of VSMC migration, via TLR4 and ERK MAPK activation. Meanwhile, activation of HSP60 is one of the most powerful methods of sending a ‘danger signal’ to the immune system to generate IL-8, which assists in the management of an infection or disease.
The ring-stage of Plasmodium falciparum observed in RBCs of hospitalized malaria patients
Authors: Kozicki Mateusz , Czepiel Jacek , Biesiada Grażyna , Nowak Piotr , Garlicki Aleksander , Wesełucha-Birczyńska Aleksandra
Published: October 2015

Raman spectra of the blood samples obtained directly from hospitalized malaria patients withPlasmodium falciparum(P. falciparum) in the ring-stage were analyzed.
Recent advances in low temperature, solution processed morphology tailored ZnO nanoarchitectures for electron emission and photocatalysis applications
Authors: Maiti Soumen , Pal Shreyasi , Chattopadhyay Kalyan Kumar
Published: October 2015

A comprehensive review is given on recent developments of multidimensional nanostructural ZnO processed via low temperature solution approaches and their functional prospect in field emission and environmental remediation.
Formation and stability of gas-phase o-benzoquinone from oxidation of ortho-hydroxyphenyl: a combined neutral and distonic radical study
Authors: Prendergast Matthew B. , Kirk Benjamin B. , Savee John D. , Osborn David L. , Taatjes Craig A. , Masters Kye-Simeon , Blanksby Stephen J. , da Silva Gabriel , Trevitt Adam J.
Published: October 2015

The o-hydroxyphenyl radical reacts with O2 to form o-benzoquinone + OH and cyclopentadienone is assigned as a secondary product.
Identification of vibrational excitations and optical transitions of the organic electron donor tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP)
Authors: Rouillé Gaël , Kirchhuebel Tino , Rink Marcel , Gruenewald Marco , Kröger Jörg , Forker Roman , Fritz Torsten
Published: October 2015

The spectra of DBP grains (IR) and rare-gas-matrix-isolated molecules (UV/vis) are used to analyze HREELS and DRS measurements of DBP molecules adsorbed on Au(111) and mica(0001).
Stacking of the mutagenic base analogue 5-bromouracil: energy landscapes of pyrimidine dimers in gas phase and water
Authors: Holroyd Leo F. , van Mourik Tanja
Published: October 2015

5-Bromouracil does not stack stronger than thymine when enthalpic and solvent contributions are taken into account.
Theoretical demonstration of the potentiality of boron nitride nanotubes to encapsulate anticancer molecule
Authors: El Khalifi Mohammed , Duverger Eric , Gharbi Tijani , Boulahdour Hatem , Picaud Fabien
Published: October 2015

The encapsulation of carboplatin anti-cancer drug is energetically favored inside small hydrated boron nitride nanotubes with a long release time.
Interactions of a biocompatible water-soluble anthracenyl polymer derivative with double-stranded DNA
Authors: Deiana Marco , Mettra Bastien , Matczyszyn Katarzyna , Piela Katarzyna , Pitrat Delphine , Olesiak-Banska Joanna , Monnereau Cyrille , Andraud Chantal , Samoc Marek
Published: October 2015

We have studied the interaction of a polymeric water soluble anthracenyl derivative (Ant-PHEA) with salmon testes DNA.
Hydrogen capture by porphyrins at the TiO2(110) surface
Authors: Lovat Giacomo , Forrer Daniel , Abadia Mikel , Dominguez Marcos , Casarin Maurizio , Rogero Celia , Vittadini Andrea , Floreano Luca
Published: October 2015

Porphyrin iminic nitrogen atoms spontaneously capture two additional hydrogen atoms on the TiO2(110) surface.
Copper(ii) mediated phenol ring nitration by nitrogen dioxide
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Ghosh Somnath , Saini Anoop Kumar , Mobin Shaikh M. , Mondal Biplab
Published: October 2015

Addition of nitrogen dioxide in the THF solutions of Cu(ii) complexes of N2O2type ligands, L1H2and L2H2resulted in the nitration at the 4-position of coordinated equatorial phenolate ring of the ligand frameworks. Spectroscopic evidence suggests that the reaction proceeds through a phenoxyl radical complex formation.
Mechanical preparation of nanocrystalline biocompatible single-phase Mn-doped A-type carbonated hydroxyapatite (A-cHAp): effect of Mn doping on microstructure
Authors: Lala S. , Ghosh M. , Das P. K. , Kar T. , Pradhan S. K.
Published: October 2015

Mn substitution reduces Ca2/Mn–O bond lengths leading to structural changes in the A-cHAp lattice.
Hexaethylsubporphyrins: β-alkyl analogues in the subporphyrin family
Authors: Chandra Brijesh , Sathish Kumar B. , Mondal Navendu , Samanta Anunay , Panda Pradeepta K.
Published: October 2015

Two new subporphyrins were synthesized for the first time from a β-substituted pyrrole i.e. 3,4-diethylpyrrole via pyridine-tri-N-(3,4-diethylpyrrolyl)borane as building blocks.
Correction: Synthesis and crystal structure of a new hexagonal perovskite 7H-Ba7Li1.75Mn3.5O15.75 with Mn4+/Mn5+ charge distribution
Authors: Tarakina N. V. , Tyutyunnik A. P. , Bazuev G. V. , Vasiliev A. D. , Gould C. , Nikolaenko I. V. , Berger I. F.
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Synthesis and crystal structure of a new hexagonal perovskite 7H-Ba7Li1.75Mn3.5O15.75 with Mn4+/Mn5+ charge distribution’ by N. V. Tarakina et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5dt01528f.
Effects of atmospheric deposition nitrogen flux and its composition on soil solution chemistry from a red soil farmland, southeast China
Authors: Cui Jian , Zhou Jing , Peng Ying , Chan Andrew , Mao Jingdong
Published: October 2015

A detailed study on the solution chemistry of red soil in South China is presented.
An alternative clean-up column for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in solid matrices
Authors: Ndunda Elizabeth N. , Madadi Vincent O. , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: October 2015

A novel clean-up column based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls in complex environmental matrices.
Synthesis of Ni-based co-catalyst functionalized W:BiVO4 nanofibers for solar water oxidation
Authors: Yoon Ki Ro , Ko Jong Wan , Youn Doo-Young , Park Chan Beum , Kim Il-Doo
Published: October 2015

Synthesis of a co-catalyst functionalized photocatalyst: Ni@NiO-loaded W:BiVO4 nanofibers (Ni@NiO/W:BiVO4 NFs) are successfully synthesized as efficient photocatalysts. Ni@NiO/W:BiVO4 NFs exhibit an excellent photocatalytic water oxidation performance due to a bi-functional co-catalytic effect of Ni@NiO.
Biogenic silver nanoparticle impregnated hollow mesoporous silicalite-1: an efficient catalyst for p-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Das Rituparna , Ghosh Sourav , Chowdhury Ipsita Hazra , Naskar Milan Kanti
Published: October 2015

Hollow silicalite-1 impregnated with Ag nanoparticles using a plant extract shows excellent catalytic activity for 4-NP reduction.
Design of dual stimuli responsive polymer modified magnetic nanoparticles for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery and enhanced MR imaging
Authors: Bhattacharya Dipsikha , Behera Birendra , Sahu Sumanta Kumar , Ananthakrishnan Rajakumar , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Pramanik Panchanan
Published: October 2015

Stimuli triggered release of DOX from dual responsive theranostic nanocarriers mimicking lysosomal conditions i.e. physiological temperature (37 °C) and acidic pH (5.5).
Orientation texture of local habit planes and its relevance to local magnetic performance in a hot deformed PrCo5bulk permanent magnet
Authors: Zhang Dongtao , Yuan Xiaokun , Yue Ming , Ma Qiang , Zhu Jie , Zhang Jiuxing
Published: October 2015

Orientation anisotropy of habit planes and the magnetic anisotropy are correlated in the studied PrCo5bulk magnet.
Visible-light-driven Bi2O3/WO3 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Adhikari Shiba P. , Dean Hunter , Hood Zachary D. , Peng Rui , More Karren L. , Ivanov Ilia , Wu Zili , Lachgar Abdou
Published: October 2015

The heterojunction formed between Bi2O3 and WO3 shows visible-light driven enhanced photocatalytic performance in degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and 4 nitroaniline (4-NA).
Photoluminescence quenching and confinement effects in mesoporous silicon: photoluminescence, optical and electrical studies
Authors: Kumar Pushpendra , Lemmens Peter
Published: October 2015

A complete quenching of photoluminescence (PL) of PS, on chemical modifications including Ag nanoparticle deposition and thermal annealing, was achieved.
Copper nanoparticles modified graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as a peroxidase mimetic for glucose detection
Authors: Wang Nan , Han Zhenwei , Fan Hai , Ai Shiyun
Published: October 2015

Cu NPs/g-C3N4 was successfully prepared by the calcination of dicyandiamide–Cu2+ complex as a peroxidase mimic for sensitive detection of glucose.
Into the polymer brush regime through the “grafting-to” method: densely polymer-grafted rodlike viruses with an unusual nematic liquid crystal behavior
Authors: Zan Tingting , Wu Fengchi , Pei Xiaodong , Jia Shaoyi , Zhang Ran , Wu Songhai , Niu Zhongwei , Zhang Zhenkun
Published: October 2015

Densely PEGylated rodlike fd viruses can only form a pure nematic LC phase.
Passive detection using orthogonal frequency division multiplex signals of opportunity without multipath clutter cancellation
Authors: Fang Liang , Wan Xianrong , Fang Gao , Cheng Feng , Ke Hengyu
Published: October 2015

This study examines target detection in passive bistatic radar (PBR) using orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) signals. Most of the existing methods focus on multipath clutter cancellation prior to matched filter, which usually lead to intensive computational load. However, the detection methods exploiting the distinguished characteristics of OFDM signals have been studied much less. The published OFDM‐specific methods have opened up the new possibility of target detection without multipath clutter cancellation, whereas having detrimental effects on the floor level of cross ambiguity surface because of the inter‐symbol interference (ISI) and inter‐carrier interference (ICI). A novel OFDM‐specific method is proposed herein to feasibly extract the weak target echoes against the strong multipath clutter by low‐complexity suppression of the Doppler sidelobes resulting from the ISI and ICI. The simulated and experimental results following the robustness analysis validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which provides a valuable basis for real‐time signal processing in PBR.
Subcarrier‐based tomographic imaging for single‐frequency network passive radar with orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing waveform
Authors: Xia Peng , Wan Xianrong , Yi Jianxin
Published: October 2015

Most of modern digital television and broadcast systems adopt two key techniques, namely, orthogonal frequency‐division multiplex (OFDM) technology and single‐frequency network (SFN) technology. The multicarrier structure of the OFDM modulation enables us to perform tomographic imaging for each subcarrier independently. No narrowband approximations are needed in this process. Furthermore, all transmitters in SFN operate at the same frequency band but situated in different locations. SFN constitutes a multistatic passive radar system naturally even with just one receiver. The spatially separated transmitters provide spatial diversity and can be exploited to improve image resolution. In this study, the authors first derive the exact formulation of subcarrier based tomographic imaging. Then, point spread function is used to study the imaging performance of the novel processing technique in terms of resolution. Finally, for several scenarios, numerical simulations are conducted and their results are compared, which indicated that the proposed method can obtain decent results even under the conditions of very limited transmitters and small target rotation angle.
Characteristic footprints of an exceptional point in the dynamics of Li dimer under a laser field
Authors: Haritan Idan , Gilary Ido , Amitay Zohar , Moiseyev Nimrod
Published: October 2015

Non-hermitian quantum mechanics is a formalism that excels in describing time-dependent states such as resonances. As one, it opens up a window to explore new and undiscovered phenomena. Under this formalism coalescence of two eigenstates and a deficient spectrum are a possible situation. These situations are unique and can occur solely in specific conditions known as Exceptional Points (EPs). An EP holds unique characteristics. One of which is a switch-like behavior: upon adiabatically changing the conditions in a closed loop around the EP, the population of one resonance can be transferred completely to another resonance. The phenomenon was not experimentally observed in an atomic or molecular system so far, although experiments involving nonlinear PT symmetry optics and microwave cavities have already indicated its existence. In this work, we demonstrate and confirm that the switch-like behavior exists in the spectrum of a lithium dimer taking into account both the rotations and the vibrations of the system. Moreover, a footprint of the EP is also shown to exist in the photo-association process of the lithium dimer. In this process, the EP’s resonances serve as the mean to associate two free lithium atoms into a dimer. Based on this, we suggest a corresponding experiment to demonstrate for the first time the EP phenomenon in a molecular system.
Enhancing light-harvesting power with coherent vibrational interactions: A quantum heat engine picture
Authors: Killoran N. , Huelga S. F. , Plenio M. B.
Published: October 2015

Recent evidence suggests that quantum effects may have functional importance in biological light-harvesting systems. Along with delocalized electronic excitations, it is now suspected that quantum coherent interactions with certain near-resonant vibrations may contribute to light-harvesting performance. However, the actual quantum advantage offered by such coherent vibrational interactions has not yet been established. We investigate a quantum design principle, whereby coherent exchange of single energy quanta between electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom can enhance a light-harvesting system’s power above what is possible by thermal mechanisms alone. We present a prototype quantum heat engine which cleanly illustrates this quantum design principle and quantifies its quantum advantage using thermodynamic measures of performance. We also demonstrate the principle’s relevance in parameter regimes connected to natural light-harvesting structures.
Ferrogels cross-linked by magnetic particles: Field-driven deformation and elasticity studied using computer simulations
Authors: Weeber Rudolf , Kantorovich Sofia , Holm Christian
Published: October 2015

Ferrogels, i.e., swollen polymer networks into which magnetic particles are immersed, can be considered as “smart materials” since their shape and elasticity can be controlled by an external magnetic field. Using molecular dynamics simulations on the coarse-grained level, we study a ferrogel in which the magnetic particles act as the cross-linkers of the polymer network. In a homogeneous external magnetic field, the direct coupling between the orientation of the magnetic moments and the polymers by means of covalent bonds gives rise to a deformation of the gel, independent of the interparticle dipole-dipole interaction. In this paper, we quantify this deformation, and, in particular, we investigate the gel’s elastic moduli and its magnetic response for two different connectivities of the network nodes. Our results demonstrate that these properties depend significantly on the topology of the polymer network.
Single element of the matrix source of negative hydrogen ions: Measurements of the extracted currents combined with diagnostics
Authors: Yordanov D. , Lishev St. , Shivarova A.
Published: October 2015

Combining measurements of the extracted currents with probe and laser-photodetachment diagnostics, the study is an extension of recent tests of factors and gas-discharge conditions stimulating the extraction of volume produced negative ions. The experiment is in a single element of a rf source with the design of a matrix of small-radius inductively driven discharges. The results are for the electron and negative-ion densities, for the plasma potential and for the electronegativity in the vicinity of the plasma electrode as well as for the currents of the extracted negative ions and electrons. The plasma-electrode bias and the rf power have been varied. Necessity of a high bias to the plasma electrode and stable linear increase of the extracted currents with the rf power are the main conclusions.
Quantum reverse hypercontractivity
Authors: Cubitt Toby , Kastoryano Michael , Montanaro Ashley , Temme Kristan
Published: October 2015

We develop reverse versions of hypercontractive inequalities for quantum channels. By generalizing classical techniques, we prove a reverse hypercontractive inequality for tensor products of qubit depolarizing channels. We apply this to obtain a rapid mixing result for depolarizing noise applied to large subspaces and to prove bounds on a quantum generalization of non-interactive correlation distillation.