bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustenance and sustainability: maximizing the impact of school gardens on health outcomes
Authors: Davis Jaimie N , Spaniol Mackenzie R , Somerset Shawn
Published: February 2015

Objective

School garden programmes have become popular action-oriented learning environments in many countries, often driven by converging priorities of environmental sustainability and healthful diets. Many of these programmes have assessed the impact on dietary intake, specifically fruit and vegetable intake, and related dietary behaviours, such as knowledge, preference, motivation, intention and self-efficacy to eat and prepare fruit and vegetables. The objective of the present study was twofold: (i) to review published garden-based programmes conducted in schools targeting dietary intake and/or determinants of dietary behaviour in children; and (ii) to identify similar strategies and components employed by these garden-based programmes.

Design

The review included thirteen studies that have examined the impact of garden-based programmes conducted in school, either during school hours or in after-school settings, on dietary behaviours in children (kindergarten through 8th grade students).

Results

Three of the reviewed studies did not have a comparison or control group and simply evaluated within-group changes after a garden intervention. None of the reviewed studies were randomized, but were assigned based on school’s interest and timing of new school gardens being built. Out of the eleven programmes that examined dietary intake, six found that the programme resulted in increased vegetable intake, whereas four showed no effect. Seven of the eight studies that measured preference found that the programmes resulted in increased preference for vegetables. Gardening programmes also resulted in improved attitudes towards, willingness to taste, identification of and self-efficacy to prepare/cook fruit and vegetables. Similar strategies/components employed by the majority of the programmes included: ‘hands on’ curriculum, incorporation of a cooking component, providing the instructors, parental and stakeholder support, food provision and using the garden as the focal point for media promotion.

Conclusions

Some of the garden programmes resulted in increased vegetable intake, which has positive implications for both environment sustainability and health-related outcomes. Further, the majority resulted in some improvement in behaviour determinants more generally. However, more research is warranted to understand how to achieve long-term improvements in dietary behaviours and how to sustain the garden-based programmes in schools.
A treelet transform analysis to relate nutrient patterns to the risk of hormonal receptor-defined breast cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)
Authors: Assi Nada , Moskal Aurelie , Slimani Nadia , Viallon Vivian , Chajes Veronique , Freisling Heinz , Monni Stefano , Knueppel Sven , Förster Jana , Weiderpass Elisabete , Lujan-Barroso Leila , Amiano Pilar , Ardanaz Eva , Molina-Montes Esther , Salmerón Diego , Quirós José Ramón , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Dahm Christina C , Overvad Kim , Dossus Laure , Fournier Agnès , Baglietto Laura , Fortner Renee Turzanski , Kaaks Rudolf , Trichopoulou Antonia , Bamia Christina , Orfanos Philippos , De Magistris Maria Santucci , Masala Giovanna , Agnoli Claudia , Ricceri Fulvio , Tumino Rosario , Bueno de Mesquita H Bas , Bakker Marije F , Peeters Petra HM , Skeie Guri , Braaten Tonje , Winkvist Anna , Johansson Ingegerd , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nicholas J , Key Tim , Travis Ruth , Schmidt Julie A , Merritt Melissa A , Riboli Elio , Romieu Isabelle , Ferrari Pietro
Published: February 2015

Objective

Pattern analysis has emerged as a tool to depict the role of multiple nutrients/foods in relation to health outcomes. The present study aimed at extracting nutrient patterns with respect to breast cancer (BC) aetiology.

Design

Nutrient patterns were derived with treelet transform (TT) and related to BC risk. TT was applied to twenty-three log-transformed nutrient densities from dietary questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals computed using Cox proportional hazards models quantified the association between quintiles of nutrient pattern scores and risk of overall BC, and by hormonal receptor and menopausal status. Principal component analysis was applied for comparison.

Setting

The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

Subjects

Women (n334 850) from the EPIC study.

Results

The first TT component (TC1) highlighted a pattern rich in nutrients found in animal foods loading on cholesterol, protein, retinol, vitamins B12and D, while the second TT component (TC2) reflected a diet rich in β-carotene, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamins C and B6, fibre, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, P and folate. While TC1 was not associated with BC risk, TC2 was inversely associated with BC risk overall (HRQ5v. Q1=0·89, 95 % CI 0·83, 0·95,Ptrend<0·01) and showed a significantly lower risk in oestrogen receptor-positive (HRQ5v. Q1=0·89, 95 % CI 0·81, 0·98,Ptrend=0·02) and progesterone receptor-positive tumours (HRQ5v. Q1=0·87, 95 % CI 0·77, 0·98,Ptrend<0·01).

Conclusions

TT produces readily interpretable sparse components explaining similar amounts of variation as principal component analysis. Our results suggest that participants with a nutrient pattern high in micronutrients found in vegetables, fruits and cereals had a lower risk of BC.
Socio-economic differences in predictors of frequent dairy food consumption among Australian adolescents: a longitudinal study
Authors: Stephens Lena D , McNaughton Sarah A , Crawford David , Ball Kylie
Published: February 2015

Objective

Sufficient dairy food consumption during adolescence is necessary for preventing disease. While socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents tend to consume few dairy foods, some eat quantities more in line with dietary recommendations despite socio-economic challenges. Socio-economic variations in factors supportive of adolescents’ frequent dairy consumption remain unexplored. The present study aimed to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between intrapersonal, social and environmental factors and adolescents’ frequent dairy consumption at baseline and two years later across socio-economic strata, and to examine whether socio-economic position moderated observed effects.

Design

Online surveys completed at baseline (2004–2005) and follow-up (2006–2007) included a thirty-eight-item FFQ and questions based on social ecological models examining intrapersonal, social and environmental dietary influences.

Setting

Thirty-seven secondary schools in Victoria, Australia.

Subjects

Australian adolescents (n1201) aged 12–15 years, drawn from a sub-sample of 3264 adolescents (response rate=33 %).

Results

While frequent breakfast consumption was cross-sectionally associated with frequent dairy consumption among all adolescents, additional associated factors differed by socio-economic position. Baseline dairy consumption longitudinally predicted consumption at follow-up. No further factors predicted frequent consumption among disadvantaged adolescents, while four additional factors were predictive among advantaged adolescents. Socio-economic position moderated two predictors; infrequently eating dinner alone and never purchasing from school vending machines predicted frequent consumption among advantaged adolescents.

Conclusions

Nutrition promotion initiatives aimed at improving adolescents’ dairy consumption should employ multifactorial approaches informed by social ecological models and address socio-economic differences in influences on eating behaviours; e.g. selected intrapersonal factors among all adolescents and social factors (e.g. mealtime rules) among advantaged adolescents.
Investigation on vitamin D knowledge, attitude and practice of university students in Nanjing, China
Authors: Zhou Ming , Zhuang Weiwei , Yuan Yunyun , Li Zhong , Cai Yunqing
Published: February 2015

Objective

To investigate university students’ knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) regarding vitamin D.

Design

The students were requested to answer a questionnaire related to vitamin D and sun exposure. The consumption frequency of foods rich in vitamin D was assessed. Additionally, the intake of vitamin D-containing supplements was recorded.

Setting

A medical university in Nanjing, China.

Subjects

Five hundred and fifteen medical students were included.

Results

The highest rate of correct responses for the quiz was 68·0 %, while the lowest was 9·6 %. Most students lacked sun exposure because they did not want to get tanned; 82·7 % of students used some sun protection and sunscreen use was more popular in the female group. The consumption frequency of foods rich in vitamin D was low and 5·6 % of the students used vitamin D supplements. The students’ knowledge on vitamin D was derived mainly from the media and health professionals. Most of the students were interested to know more about vitamin D.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that medical students had little knowledge and unfavourable behaviours. They should get more health education through the media and health professionals. It is advisable to increase their consumption of foods rich in vitamin D.
How Can Households Eat in austerity? Challenges for Social Policy in the UK
Authors: Dowler Elizabeth , Lambie-Mumford Hannah
Published: February 2015

In the United Kingdom many households are seeing their food security suffer through rising food and fuel prices, economic recession and welfare reform. Household budgeting priorities by necessity tend to be towards expenditures whose default consequences are severe; food budgets are where people can and do make economies. People manage variously on minimal diets, food gifts and charitable support, but the consequences in terms of social wellbeing and nutritional health, while potentially severe, are hidden and individually embodied rather than monitored and addressed by society. This article discusses the potential consequences of these shifts in household food provisioning under conditions of increasing austerity. The challenges posed for social policy are explored, particularly in relation to changes in welfare provision, the increasingly prominent role of the voluntary and community sector and potential devolution of responsibilities to local levels.
Volatile signalling by sesquiterpenes from ectomycorrhizal fungi reprogrammes root architecture
Authors: Ditengou Franck A. , Müller Anna , Rosenkranz Maaria , Felten Judith , Lasok Hanna , van Doorn Maja Miloradovic , Legué Valerie , Palme Klaus , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter , Polle Andrea
Published: February 2015

The mutualistic association of roots with ectomycorrhizal fungi promotes plant health and is a hallmark of boreal and temperate forests worldwide. In the pre-colonization phase, before direct contact, lateral root (LR) production is massively stimulated, yet little is known about the signals exchanged during this step. Here, we identify sesquiterpenes (SQTs) as biologically active agents emitted by Laccaria bicolor while interacting with Populus or Arabidopsis. We show that inhibition of fungal SQT production by lovastatin strongly reduces LR proliferation and that (–)-thujopsene, a low-abundance SQT, is sufficient to stimulate LR formation in the absence of the fungus. Further, we show that the ectomycorrhizal ascomycote, Cenococcum geophilum, which cannot synthesize SQTs, does not promote LRs. We propose that the LR-promoting SQT signal creates a win-win situation by enhancing the root surface area for plant nutrient uptake and by improving fungal access to plant-derived carbon via root exudates.
Cyclic stretching of soft substrates induces spreading and growth
Authors: Cui Yidan , Hameed Feroz M. , Yang Bo , Lee Kyunghee , Pan Catherine Qiurong , Park Sungsu , Sheetz Michael
Published: February 2015

In the body, soft tissues often undergo cycles of stretching and relaxation that may affect cell behaviour without changing matrix rigidity. To determine whether transient forces can substitute for a rigid matrix, we stretched soft pillar arrays. Surprisingly, 1–5% cyclic stretching over a frequency range of 0.01–10 Hz caused spreading and stress fibre formation (optimum 0.1 Hz) that persisted after 4 h of stretching. Similarly, stretching increased cell growth rates on soft pillars comparative to rigid substrates. Of possible factors linked to fibroblast growth, MRTF-A (myocardin-related transcription factor-A) moved to the nucleus in 2 h of cyclic stretching and reversed on cessation; but YAP (Yes-associated protein) moved much later. Knockdown of either MRTF-A or YAP blocked stretch-dependent growth. Thus, we suggest that the repeated pulling from a soft matrix can substitute for a stiff matrix in stimulating spreading, stress fibre formation and growth.
Diversity in gut bacterial community of school-age children in Asia
Authors: Nakayama Jiro , Watanabe Koichi , Jiang Jiahui , Matsuda Kazunori , Chao Shiou-Huei , Haryono Pri , La-ongkham Orawan , Sarwoko Martinus-Agus , Sujaya I. Nengah , Zhao Liang , Chen Kang-Ting , Chen Yen-Po , Chiu Hsueh-Hui , Hidaka Tomoko , Huang Ning- Xin , Kiyohara Chikako , Kurakawa Takashi , Sakamoto Naoshige , Sonomoto Kenji , Tashiro Kousuke , Tsuji Hirokazu , Chen Ming-Ju , Leelavatcharamas Vichai , Liao Chii-Cherng , Nitisinprasert Sunee , Rahayu Endang S. , Ren Fa-Zheng , Tsai Ying-Chieh , Lee Yuan-Kun
Published: February 2015

Asia differs substantially among and within its regions populated by diverse ethnic groups, which maintain their own respective cultures and dietary habits. To address the diversity in their gut microbiota, we characterized the bacterial community in fecal samples obtained from 303 school-age children living in urban or rural regions in five countries spanning temperate and tropical areas of Asia. The microbiota profiled for the 303 subjects were classified into two enterotype-like clusters, each driven by Prevotella (P-type) or Bifidobacterium/Bacteroides (BB-type), respectively. Majority in China, Japan and Taiwan harbored BB-type, whereas those from Indonesia and Khon Kaen in Thailand mainly harbored P-type. The P-type microbiota was characterized by a more conserved bacterial community sharing a greater number of type-specific phylotypes. Predictive metagenomics suggests higher and lower activity of carbohydrate digestion and bile acid biosynthesis, respectively, in P-type subjects, reflecting their high intake of diets rich in resistant starch. Random-forest analysis classified their fecal species community as mirroring location of resident country, suggesting eco-geographical factors shaping gut microbiota. In particular, children living in Japan harbored a less diversified microbiota with high abundance of Bifidobacterium and less number of potentially pathogenic bacteria, which may reflect their living environment and unique diet.
Normal Values of Hertel Exophthalmometry in a Chinese Han Population from Shenyang, Northeast China
Authors: Wu Dan , Liu Xin , Wu Di , Di Xin , Guan Haixia , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping
Published: February 2015

Aims of this study were to determine the normal range of absolute and relative Hertel exophthalmometric values (EVs) in a Chinese Han population. This population-based cross-sectional study consisted of 2010 healthy Han Chinese (1051 females and 959 males) aged between 8–87 years living in Shenyang, Northeast China, including 515 children (aged 8–14 years), 517 teenagers (aged 15–19 years), 582 adults (aged 20–69 years) and 396 elderly (aged 70–87 years). A Hertel exophthalmometer was used by the same physician for the measurement of EV and inter-orbital distance (IOD). For the entire study population, the Hertel EVs ranged from 10 mm to 22 mm; the mean EVs for the left eye (OS) and right eye (OD) were 15.0 ± 1.9 mm and 15.0 ± 2.0 mm, respectively; the upper normal limits of the EVs (mean + 2 SD) for OS and OD were 18.8 mm and 19.0 mm, respectively; the mean relative EV was 0.20 ± 0.43 mm. Age, but not sex, had a significant effect on the EV. We concluded that our study provides normative ophthalmic data in a Chinese Han population. The normal EVs, asymmetry and IOD values have been established for clinical reference.
Efficacy and biological safety of lopinavir/ritonavir based anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Huang Xiaojie , Xu Yuanlong , Yang Qiuying , Chen Jieqing , Zhang Tong , Li Zaicun , Guo Caiping , Chen Hui , Wu Hao , Li Ning
Published: February 2015

Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is the first ritonavir-boosted protease-inhibitor used in second-line anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in resource-limited regions. To evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of LPV/r in treatment-naïve and -experienced HIV-infected adults and pregnant women, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ten cohorts from 8 articles involving 2,584 ART-naïve patients, 5 cohorts from 4 articles involving 1,124 ART-experienced patients and 8 cohorts from 7 articles involving 2,191 pregnant women were selected for the meta-analyses. For ART-naïve patients, the virologic response rate (72.3%) of LPV/r combined with tenofovir (TDF) plus lamivudine/emtricitabine (3TC/FTC) arms was significantly greater than that of LPV/r plus non-TDF-FTC arms (65.5%, p = 0.047). For ART-experienced patients, the use of LPV/r revealed a 55.7% probability of virologic success. The incidence of abnormal total cholesterol (6.9%) for ART-experienced patients was significantly lower than that for ART-naïve patients (13.1%, p < 0.001). The use of LPV/r in pregnant women revealed a mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate of 1.1%, preterm birth rate of 13.2% and low birth weight rate of 16.2%. Our meta-analysis indicated that LPV/r was an efficacious regimen for ART-naïve patients and was more tolerable for ART-experienced patients. LPV/r also displayed a significant effect in preventing MTCT.
Efficient Demyristoylase Activity of SIRT2 Revealed by Kinetic and Structural Studies
Authors: Teng Yan-Bin , Jing Hui , Aramsangtienchai Pornpun , He Bin , Khan Saba , Hu Jing , Lin Hening , Hao Quan
Published: February 2015

Sirtuins are a class of enzymes originally identified as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent protein lysine deacetylases. Among the seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1-7, only SIRT1-3 possess efficient deacetylase activity in vitro, whereas SIRT4-7 possess very weak in vitro deacetylase activity. Several sirtuins that exhibit weak deacetylase activity have recently been shown to possess more efficient activity for the removal other acyl lysine modifications, such as succinyl lysine and palmitoyl lysine. Here, we demonstrate that even the well-known deacetylase SIRT2 possesses efficient activity for the removal of long-chain fatty acyl groups. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for the removal of a myristoyl group is slightly higher than that for the removal of an acetyl group. The crystal structure of SIRT2 in complex with a thiomyristoyl peptide reveals that SIRT2 possesses a large hydrophobic pocket that can accommodate the myristoyl group. Comparison of the SIRT2 acyl pocket to those of SIRT1, SIRT3 and SIRT6 reveals that the acyl pockets of SIRT1-3 are highly similar and to a lesser degree, similar to that of SIRT6. The efficient in vitro demyristoylase activity of SIRT2 suggests that this activity may be physiologically relevant and warrants future investigative studies.
Proteins interacting with cloning scars: a source of false positive protein-protein interactions
Authors: Banks Charles A. S. , Boanca Gina , Lee Zachary T. , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P.
Published: February 2015

A common approach for exploring the interactome, the network of protein-protein interactions in cells, uses a commercially available ORF library to express affinity tagged bait proteins; these can be expressed in cells and endogenous cellular proteins that copurify with the bait can be identified as putative interacting proteins using mass spectrometry. Control experiments can be used to limit false-positive results, but in many cases, there are still a surprising number of prey proteins that appear to copurify specifically with the bait. Here, we have identified one source of false-positive interactions in such studies. We have found that a combination of: 1) the variable sequence of the C-terminus of the bait with 2) a C-terminal valine “cloning scar” present in a commercially available ORF library, can in some cases create a peptide motif that results in the aberrant co-purification of endogenous cellular proteins. Control experiments may not identify false positives resulting from such artificial motifs, as aberrant binding depends on sequences that vary from one bait to another. It is possible that such cryptic protein binding might occur in other systems using affinity tagged proteins; this study highlights the importance of conducting careful follow-up studies where novel protein-protein interactions are suspected.
Fermi Arcs vs. Fermi Pockets in Electron-doped Perovskite Iridates
Authors: He Junfeng , Hafiz H. , Mion Thomas R. , Hogan T. , Dhital C. , Chen X. , Lin Qisen , Hashimoto M. , Lu D. H. , Zhang Y. , Markiewicz R. S. , Bansil A. , Wilson S. D. , He Rui-Hua
Published: February 2015

We report on an angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) study of bulk electron-doped perovskite iridate, (Sr1−xLax)3Ir2O7. Fermi surface pockets are observed with a total electron count in keeping with that expected from La substitution. Depending on the energy and polarization of the incident photons, these pockets show up in the form of disconnected “Fermi arcs”, reminiscent of those reported recently in surface electron-doped Sr2IrO4. Our observed spectral variation is consistent with the coexistence of an electronic supermodulation with structural distortion in the system.
Suppression of CYP2C9 by MicroRNA hsa-miR-128-3p in Human Liver Cells and Association with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yu Dianke , Green Bridgett , Marrone April , Guo Yongli , Kadlubar Susan , Lin Dongxin , Fuscoe James , Pogribny Igor , Ning Baitang
Published: February 2015

Published studies have identified genetic variants, somatic mutations and changes in gene expression profiles that are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly involving genes that encode drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs). CYP2C9, one of the most abundant and important DMEs, is involved in the metabolism of many carcinogens and drugs and is down-regulated in HCC. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that control CYP2C9 expression, we applied integrative approaches including in silico, in vitro and in vivo analyses to elucidate the role of microRNA hsa-miR-128-3p in the regulation of CYP2C9 expression and translation. RNA electrophoresis mobility shift assays demonstrated a direct interaction between hsa-miR-128-3p and its cognate target, the CYP2C9 transcript. Furthermore, the expression of a luciferase reporter gene containing the 3′-UTR of CYP2C9 and the endogenous expression of CYP2C9 were suppressed by transfection of hsa-miR-128-3p. Importantly, chemically-induced up- or down-regulation of hsa-miR-128-3p correlated inversely with the expression of CYP2C9. Finally, an association analysis revealed that the expression of hsa-miR-128-3p is inversely correlated with the expression of CYP2C9 in HCC tumor tissues. Altogether, the study helped to elucidate the mechanism of CYP2C9 regulation by hsa-miR-128-3p and the inverse association in HCC.
Bridging topological and functional information in protein interaction networks by short loops profiling
Authors: Chung Sun Sook , Pandini Alessandro , Annibale Alessia , Coolen Anthony C. C. , Thomas N. Shaun B. , Fraternali Franca
Published: February 2015

Protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs) have been employed to identify potential novel interconnections between proteins as well as crucial cellular functions. In this study we identify fundamental principles of PPIN topologies by analysing network motifs of short loops, which are small cyclic interactions of between 3 and 6 proteins. We compared 30 PPINs with corresponding randomised null models and examined the occurrence of common biological functions in loops extracted from a cross-validated high-confidence dataset of 622 human protein complexes. We demonstrate that loops are an intrinsic feature of PPINs and that specific cell functions are predominantly performed by loops of different lengths. Topologically, we find that loops are strongly related to the accuracy of PPINs and define a core of interactions with high resilience. The identification of this core and the analysis of loop composition are promising tools to assess PPIN quality and to uncover possible biases from experimental detection methods. More than 96% of loops share at least one biological function, with enrichment of cellular functions related to mRNA metabolic processing and the cell cycle. Our analyses suggest that these motifs can be used in the design of targeted experiments for functional phenotype detection.
A sniffer-camera for imaging of ethanol vaporization from wine: the effect of wine glass shape
Authors: Arakawa Takahiro , Iitani Kenta , Wang Xin , Kajiro Takumi , Toma Koji , Yano Kazuyoshi , Mitsubayashi Kohji
Published: February 2015

A sniffer-camera for imaging of ethanol vaporization from wine.
Analysis of pesticide residues in tea using accelerated solvent extraction with in-cell cleanup and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kadir Haslina Abdul , Abas Faridah , Zakaria Osman , Ismail Intan Safinar , Lajis Nordin H.
Published: February 2015

A fast, simple and easily automated method was developed for the simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in tea using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with in-cell cleanup and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).
Highly durable carbon-supported Pt catalysts prepared by hydrosilane-assisted nanoparticle deposition and surface functionalization
Authors: Saito Akinori , Tsuji Hiromi , Shimoyama Iwao , Shimizu Ken-ichi , Nishina Yuta
Published: February 2015

Hydrosilane enabled the formation of Pt nanoparticles and the silane functionalization of a carbon support material in one pot.
High activity and stability in the cross-coupling of aryl halides with disulfides over Cu-doped hierarchically porous zeolite ZSM-5
Authors: Fu Wenqian , Liu Taotao , Fang Zhongxue , Ma Yuli , Zheng Xiang , Wang Wenchang , Ni Xiaojun , Hu Maolin , Tang Tiandi
Published: February 2015

A Cu-doped zeolite ZSM-5 (Cu-ZSM-5-M) with a micro-meso-macroporous structure was directly synthesized, and it exhibits excellent catalytic activity and good recyclability in the cross-coupling of aryl halides with diphenyl disulfides.
Insights into the reaction mechanism of CO oxidative coupling to dimethyl oxalate over palladium: a combined DFT and IR study
Authors: Li Qiaohong , Zhou Zhangfeng , Chen Ruiping , Sun Baozhen , Qiao Luyang , Yao Yuangen , Wu Kechen
Published: February 2015

Oxidative coupling of toxic pollutant CO to form the platform raw chemical material dimethyl oxalate (DMO) has been industrialized however the catalytic mechanism has been unknown so far.
ERPA–APSG: a computationally efficient geminal-based method for accurate description of chemical systems
Authors: Pastorczak Ewa , Pernal Katarzyna
Published: February 2015

Most computational chemistry methods cannot provide a uniformly accurate description of dynamic and static electron correlation.
Peptides containing blocks of different charge densities facilitate cell uptake of oligonucleotides
Authors: Zhou Jihan , Li Dong , Su Cuicui , Wen Hao , Du Quan , Liang Dehai
Published: February 2015

The complexes formed by block peptides and oligonucleotides were stable in serum with improved cell uptake.
Water-bath assisted convective assembly of aligned silver nanowire films for transparent electrodes
Authors: Duan Sheng-kai , Niu Qiao-li , Wei Jun-feng , He Jie-bing , Yin Yi-an , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2015

We demonstrated a water-bath assisted convective assembly process at a temporary water/alcohol interface for fabricating hierarchical aligned AgNW electrodes. The convection flow plays an important role in the assembly process.
Antioxidant activity of bovine alpha lactalbumin Maillard products and evaluation of their in vitro gastro-duodenal digestive proteolysis
Authors: Joubran Yousef , Moscovici Alice , Lesmes Uri
Published: February 2015

Maillard conjugation alters alpha lactalbumin antioxidant capacity, including during in vitro digestion, with different effect in adults versus infants.
Substrate elasticity modulates the responsiveness of mesenchymal stem cells to commitment cues
Authors: Gobaa S. , Hoehnel S. , Lutolf M. P.
Published: February 2015

Fate choices of stem cells are regulated in response to a complex array of biochemical and physical signals from their microenvironmental niche.
Measurements of water content and D/H ratio in apatite and silicate glasses using a NanoSIMS 50L
Authors: Hu Sen , Lin Yangting , Zhang Jianchao , Hao Jialong , Yang Wei , Deng Liwei
Published: February 2015

Apatite and silicate glasses share the same water content calibration curves in isotope modes where water was determined from the H− intensity regardless of multicollection or peak jumping. In contrast, the slope of apatite significantly differs from that of silicate glasses in element mode where OH− was counted for the water content.
Arginine-assisted immobilization of silver nanoparticles on ZnO nanorods: an enhanced and reusable antibacterial substrate without human cell cytotoxicity
Authors: Agnihotri Shekhar , Bajaj Geetika , Mukherji Suparna , Mukherji Soumyo
Published: February 2015

A dual mode of antibacterial action of Ag/ZnO nanomaterials, which retain their antibacterial efficacy even after multiple reuse without inducing human cytotoxicity, has been envisaged.
Atomic layer deposition of Zn3N2 thin films: growth mechanism and application in thin film transistor
Authors: Sinha Soumyadeep , Choudhury Devika , Rajaraman Gopalan , Sarkar Shaibal K.
Published: February 2015

DFT study of the growth mechanism of atomic layer deposited Zn3N2 thin film applied as a channel layer of TFT.
Aerobic granular sludge-derived activated carbon: mineral acid modification and superior dye adsorption capacity
Authors: Zhang Ge , Shi Li , Zhang Yongfang , Wei Dong , Yan Tao , Wei Qin , Du Bin
Published: February 2015

A novel aerobic granular sludge-derived activated carbon (AC) was prepared by a zinc chloride activation method and further modified by mineral acid (nitric acid (NA) and sulfuric acid (SA)).
Genome scanning inspired isolation of reedsmycins A–F, polyene-polyol macrolides from Streptomyces sp. CHQ-64
Authors: Che Qian , Li Tong , Liu Xiaofang , Yao Tingting , Li Jing , Gu Qianqun , Li Dehai , Li Wenli , Zhu Tianjiao
Published: February 2015

Genome scanning of the reed rhizosphere soil-derived Streptomyces sp. CHQ-64 revealed a partial gene cluster, putatively encoding a polyene-polyol compound. Inspired by this, six new polyene-polyol macrolides, reedsmycins A–F (1–6), were obtained.
A unique strategy towards high dielectric constant and low loss with multiwall carbon nanotubes anchored onto graphene oxide sheets
Authors: Biswas Sourav , Kar Goutam Prasanna , Arora Deepshikha , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: February 2015

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were anchored onto graphene oxide sheets (GOs)viadiazonium and C–C coupling reactions and characterized by spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques.
Synthesis and characterization of aromatic poly(amides) based on 3,5-diamino-N-cyclopropylbenzamide
Authors: Tundidor-Camba A. , Terraza C. A. , Tagle L. H. , Coll D. , Ojeda I. , Pino M.
Published: February 2015

Three aromatic poly(amides) (PAs) were prepared, one of them containing a dimethyldiphenylsilane unit from a new aromatic diamine monomer with a bulky pendant polar group.
Iodine–triphenylphosphine mediated sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with sodium sulfinates
Authors: Huang Xuhu , Wang Shucheng , Li Bowen , Wang Xin , Ge Zemei , Li Runtao
Published: February 2015

An efficient approach to sulfenyl imidazoheterocycles has been developed via iodine–triphenylphosphine mediated direct sulfenylation of imidazoheterocycles with sodium sulfinates under transition-metal-free conditions.
Measuring understanding of nanoscience and nanotechnology: development and validation of the nano-knowledge instrument (NanoKI)
Authors: Schönborn K. J. , Höst G. E. , Lundin Palmerius K. E.
Published: February 2015

As the application of nanotechnology in everyday life impacts society, it becomes critical for citizens to have a scientific basis upon which to judge their perceived hopes and fears of ‘nano’. Although multiple instruments have been designed for assessing attitudinal and affective aspects of nano, surprisingly little work has focused on developing tools to evaluate the conceptual knowledge dimension of public understanding. This article reports the validation of an instrument designed to measure conceptual knowledge of nanoscience and nanotechnology. A sample of 302 participants responded to a 28-item questionnaire designed around core nano-concepts. Factor analysis revealed a single latent variable representing the construct of nano-knowledge. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 indicating a high internal consistency of the questionnaire items. The mean test score was 15.3 out of 28 (54.5%) with item difficulty indices ranging from 0.19 to 0.89. Obtained item discrimination values indicate a high discriminatory power of the instrument. Taken together, the psychometric properties of the Nano-Knowledge Instrument (NanoKI) suggest that it is a valid and reliable tool for measuring nano-related knowledge. Preliminary qualitative observations of citizens' incorrect and correct response patterns to the questionnaire indicate potential conceptual challenges surrounding relative size of the nanoscale, random motion of nano-objects, and nanoscale interactions, although these are hypotheses that require future investigation. Application of the NanoKI could support efforts directed to an agenda for evaluating and designing science communication and education initiatives for promoting understanding of nano.
Bioactive and degradable scaffolds of the mesoporous bioglass and poly(l-lactide) composite for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Niu Yunfei , Guo Lieping , Liu Jun , Shen Hongxing , Su Jiacan , An Xiaofei , Yu Baoqing , Wei Jie , Shin Jung-Woog , Guo Han , Ji Fang , He Dawei
Published: February 2015

Bioactive scaffolds of the m-BG–PLLA composite with excellent biocompatibility, degradability and osteogenesis, which could be promising implants for bone regeneration.
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of collagen scaffolds crosslinked with aminosilane functionalized silver nanoparticles: in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Mandal Abhishek , Sekar Santhanam , Chandrasekaran N. , Mukherjee Amitava , Sastry Thotapalli P.
Published: February 2015

This work presents a novel approach for functionalization of silver nanoparticles and cross-linking them with collagen to form FSCSC scaffolds suitable for clinical applications.
Lack of effect of metofluthrin and sodium phenobarbital on replicative DNA synthesis and Ki-67 mRNA expression in cultured human hepatocytes
Authors: Yamada Tomoya , Kikumoto Hiroko , Lake Brian G. , Kawamura Satoshi
Published: February 2015

High doses of metofluthrin have been shown to produce hepatocellular tumours in rats.
Non-derivatized glycan analysis by reverse phase liquid chromatography and ion mobility-mass spectrometry
Authors: Lareau Nichole M. , May Jody C. , McLean John A.
Published: February 2015

A simple method for the analysis of non-derivatized glycans using a reverse phase column on a liquid chromatography-ion mobility-mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS) instrument.
A rationally designed amino-borane complex in a metal organic framework: a novel reusable hydrogen storage and size-selective reduction material
Authors: Wang Xinbo , Xie Linhua , Huang Kuo-Wei , Lai Zhiping
Published: February 2015

A novel microporous material UiOAB was synthesized, which can act as both a reusable hydrogen chemical storage material and a size-selective reducing agent.
Surface confined synthesis of porphyrin containing two-dimensional polymers: the effect of rigidity and preferential adsorption of building blocks
Authors: Sun Xiuling , Fan Lixia , Zhou Xin , Tian Wei Quan , Guo Zongxia , Li Zhibo , Li Xiaokang , Lei Shengbin
Published: February 2015

The rigidity and affinity of building blocks to the surface show essential effects on the topology of the 2D polymers.
Effects of end-capped acceptors subject to subtle structural changes on solution-processable small molecules for organic solar cells
Authors: Deng Dan , Zhang Yajie , Zhu Lingyun , Zhang Jianqi , Lu Kun , Wei Zhixiang
Published: February 2015

Three subtle structural changed end-capped acceptors with increased electron withdrawing ability were synthesized and introduced into a planar conjugated backbone. The relationship between molecules bearing the three end-capped acceptors and their photovoltaic properties was studied.
Detection of functional hydrogen-bonded water molecules with protonated/deprotonated key carboxyl side chains in the respiratory enzyme ba3-oxidoreductase
Authors: Nicolaides Antonis , Soulimane Tewfik , Varotsis Constantinos
Published: February 2015

In this work we report FTIR data on the detection of functional hydrogen-bonded water molecules with protonated/deprotonated key carboxyl side chains in the respiratory enzyme ba3-oxidoreductase.
Microcanonical molecular simulations of methane hydrate nucleation and growth: evidence that direct nucleation to sI hydrate is among the multiple nucleation pathways
Authors: Zhang Zhengcai , Walsh Matthew R. , Guo Guang-Jun
Published: February 2015

Methane hydrate with a high degree of crystallinity of structure I directly formsviahigh-precision constant energy MD simulations.
Encapsulation of haloalkane 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-(3-chloropropyl)-piperazinium in symmetrical α,α′,δ,δ′-tetramethyl-cucurbit[6]uril
Authors: Xiao Xin , Gao Zhong-Zheng , Shan Cheng-Long , Tao Zhu , Zhu Qian-Jiang , Xue Sai-Feng , Liu Jing-Xin
Published: February 2015

The haloalkane guest PZ+was encapsulated into the host TMeQ[6] both in aqueous solution and solid state, presenting the first example of haloalkanes encapsulated inside the cavities of Q[n]s.
The role of Sn in enhancing the visible-light photocatalytic activity of hollow hierarchical microspheres of the Bi/BiOBr heterojunction
Authors: Zhang Xingmiao , Ji Guangbin , Liu Yousong , Zhou Xuguang , Zhu Yan , Shi Daning , Zhang Peng , Cao Xingzhong , Wang Baoyi
Published: February 2015

The synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and the Bi/BiOBr heterojunction broadens the light absorption range and promotes the charge separation efficiency.
Coumarin–BODIPY hybrids by heteroatom linkage: versatile, tunable and photostable dye lasers for UV irradiation
Authors: Esnal I. , Duran-Sampedro G. , Agarrabeitia A. R. , Bañuelos J. , García-Moreno I. , Macías M. A. , Peña-Cabrera E. , López-Arbeloa I. , de la Moya S. , Ortiz M. J.
Published: February 2015

Coumarin–BODIPY energy transfer laser dyes have been designed and tested as versatile, tunable and photostable active media for UV irradiation.
Conformational composition, molecular structure and decomposition of difluorophosphoryl azide in the gas phase
Authors: Wu Zhuang , Li Hongmin , Zhu Bifeng , Zeng Xiaoqing , Hayes Stuart A. , Mitzel Norbert W. , Beckers Helmut , Berger Raphael J. F.
Published: February 2015

Difluorophosphoryl azide F2P(O)N3 has one dominating conformer in the gas phase at ambient temperature. It decomposes upon flash vacuum pyrolysis to the hitherto unknown nitrene F2P(O)N.
Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of ZnIn2S4modified by semiconductors
Authors: Yang Sai , Li Li , Yuan Wenhui , Xia Zilong
Published: February 2015

To improve the visible light photocatalytic activity of a ZnIn2S4sample, TiO2@ZnIn2S4core–shell type and CuO/ZnIn2S4contact type heterostructure composites were synthesized.
Tungsten carbonyl σ-complexes with charge-compensated nido-carboranyl thioether ligands
Authors: Timofeev Sergey V. , Zhidkova Olga B. , Mosolova Elena M. , Sivaev Igor B. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Suponitsky Kyrill Yu. , Starikova Zoya A. , Bregadze Vladimir I.
Published: February 2015

Charge-compensated nido-carboranyl thioether ligands [7-MeS-10-Me2S-7,8-C2B9H10] and [7,8-(MeS)2-10-Me2S-7,8-C2B9H9] and tungsten carbonyl complexes on their base were prepared.
Mixing with herringbone-inspired microstructures: overcoming the diffusion limit in co-laminar microfluidic devices
Authors: Marschewski Julian , Jung Stefan , Ruch Patrick , Prasad Nishant , Mazzotti Sergio , Michel Bruno , Poulikakos Dimos
Published: February 2015

A herringbone-inspired mixer for application in membraneless cells for electrochemical energy conversion. Our concept allows efficient intrinsic mixing of reactants while suppressing transversal cross-over.
Templated assembly of BiFeO3 nanocrystals into 3D mesoporous networks for catalytic applications
Authors: Papadas I. T. , Subrahmanyam K. S. , Kanatzidis M. G. , Armatas G. S.
Published: February 2015

A 3D mesoporous network of 6–7 nm BiFeO3 nanoparticles has been successfully prepared by a surfactant-assisted aggregating assembly process. These porous assemblies exhibit large internal surface area, uniform pore size, and impart high catalytic activity for the reduction of p-nitrophenol.
N-(1-Oxy-2-picolyl)oxalamic acids as a new type of O,O-ligands for the Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of azoles with aryl halides in water or organic solvent
Authors: Wang Yongbin , Zhang Yu , Yang Beibei , Zhang Ao , Yao Qizheng
Published: February 2015

A new type of chelators was identified as efficient ligands for promoting Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of azoles with applicability to different solvents.
Absolute configuration of remisporines A & B
Authors: Sherer Edward C. , Cheeseman James R. , Williamson R. Thomas
Published: February 2015

The absolute configuration of remisporine B was determined based on a comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichorism (ECD) spectra.
Thermally controlled growth of carbon onions within porous graphitic carbon-detonation nanodiamond monolithic composites
Authors: Duffy E. , He X. , Nesterenko E. P. , Brabazon D. , Dey A. , Krishnamurthy S. , Nesterenko P. N. , Paull B.
Published: February 2015

The addition of detonation nanodiamond to carbon monolithic composites has improved graphitic nature, pore volume, surface area and thermal conductivity.
Light-soaking effects on ZnO-nanorods/polymer hybrid photovoltaics
Authors: Leow Cheahli , Harada Takashi , Ohnishi Toshihiro , Matsumura Michio
Published: February 2015

In ZnO-nanorods/polymer hybrid photovoltaics, molecular oxygen adsorbed on ZnO-nanorods is very harmful because it provides quenching and recombination pathways to excitons. By UV irradiation, photocurrent is increased as a result of its desorption.
Studies on dielectric properties of GO reinforced bisphenol-Z polybenzoxazine hybrids
Authors: Sasi kumar R. , Ariraman M. , Alagar M.
Published: February 2015

The value of the dielectric constant of bisphenol-Z (BPZ) polybenzoxazine (PBz) material was reduced by the reinforcement of graphene oxide into the BPZ-PBz matrix by exploiting the concept of polarization to enable its usage as a dielectric in microelectronics applications.
Anti-fouling performance and mechanism of anthraquinone/polypyrrole composite modified membrane cathode in a novel MFC–aerobic MBR coupled system
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Guo-quan , Yuan Guang-en , Liu Hai-yan , Liu Jia-dong , Yang Feng-lin
Published: February 2015

An anti-fouling MFC–MBR coupled system was developed to mitigate membrane fouling through electrostatic repulsion and the in situ self-sustainable heterogeneous electro-Fenton process.
C–H reductive elimination during the reaction of cycloplatinated(ii) complexes with pyridine-2-thione: kinetic follow up
Authors: Aseman Marzieh Dadkhah , Nabavizadeh S. Masoud , Shahsavari Hamid R. , Rashidi Mehdi
Published: February 2015

Reactions of the cycloplatinated(ii) complexes [PtR(ppy)(SMe2)], 1, where ppy = deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine and R = Me or p-MeC6H4, with pyridine-2-thione, C5H5SN, were studied by UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopies and on the basis of the data a mechanism is proposed.
Amino-functionalized magnetic magnesium silicate double-shelled hollow microspheres for enhanced removal of lead ions
Authors: Zou Bingfang , Chen Ke , Wang Yongqiang , Niu Chunyu , Zhou Shaomin
Published: February 2015

Both iron magnetic core and amino-group were put forward to functionalize the magnesium silicate hollow microspheres for a fast recoverable and high efficient absorbent of lead ions.
Synthesis and electrochemical performance of Na-modified Li2Fe0.5Mn0.5SiO4 cathode material for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Li Ming , Zhang Lu-Lu , Yang Xue-Lin , Sun Hua-Bin , Huang Yun-Hui , Liang Gan , Ni Shi-Bing , Tao Hua-Chao
Published: February 2015

Li2−xNaxFe0.5Mn0.5SiO4/C composites have been synthesized via a refluxing-assisted solid-state reaction. They can be well indexed as two mixed polymorphs with P21 and Pmn21. Na-doping can significantly improve the capacity and the rate capability.
Successful synthesis of distinct dendritic unimolecular initiators suitable for topologically attractive star polymers
Authors: Veerapandian S. , Sultan Nasar A.
Published: February 2015

Synthesis of two types of dendritic unimolecular initiators containing an initiator number functionality of up to 48 has been described and their efficiency in the synthesis of multiarm star polymers has been confirmed.
Droplet–droplet interactions investigated using a combination of electrochemical and dynamic light scattering techniques. The case of water/BHDC/benzene:n-heptane system
Authors: Florez Tabares Juán Sebastián , Correa N. Mariano , Silber Juana J. , Sereno Leonides E. , Molina Patricia G.
Published: February 2015

In this contribution electrochemical and dynamic light scattering methods are used on the system water/BHDC/benzene:n-heptane to unravel the unusual interdroplet interactions.
Dynamic self-assembly of colloids through periodic variation of inter-particle potentials
Authors: Risbud Sumedh R. , Swan James W.
Published: February 2015

Periodic pulsing of inter-particle potential facilitates colloidal self-assembly by effectively ‘tunneling’ through barriers.
Designed synthesis of LiFe0.2Co0.8O2 nanomeshes to greatly improve the positive performance in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Li , Chen Jida , Bai Yuanjuan , Fang Ling , Zhang Huijuan , Wang Yu
Published: February 2015

We report the synthesis of novel LiFe0.2Co0.8O2 2D nanomeshes which demonstrate enhanced performance as cathode materials for Li ion batteries, resulting from the porous structure and the introduction of conductive Fe.
A facile microemulsion template route for producing hollow silica nanospheres as imaging agents and drug nanocarriers
Authors: Jatupaiboon Nirun , Wang Yanfang , Wu Hao , Song Xiaojie , Song Yizhe , Zhang Jianbin , Ma Xiaojun , Tan Mingqian
Published: February 2015

Hollow silica nanospheres with uniform size distribution and tuneable shell thickness were synthesized through a one-step reverse microemulsion method at room temperature within 24 h.