bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemical and Nd isotopic compositions of the Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks in the Kongling complex, nucleus of Yangtze craton, South China block: implications for provenance and tectonic evolution
Authors: QIU XIAO-FEI , ZHAO XIAO-MING , YANG HONG-MEI , LU SHAN-SONG , WU NIAN-WEN , JIANG TUO , GU TAO , WANG YUN-FENG
Published: March 2017

Palaeoproterozic metasedimentary rocks, also referred to as khondalites, characterized by Al-rich minerals, are extensively exposed in the nucleus of the Yangtze craton, South China block. Samples of garnet–sillimanite gneiss in the khondalite suite were collected from the Kongling complex for Nd isotopic and elemental geochemical study. These rocks are characterized by variable SiO2contents ranging from 35.71 to 58.07 wt%, and have low CaO (0.45–0.84 wt%) but high Al2O3(18.56–29.04 wt%), Cr (174–334 ppm) and Ni (42.5–153 ppm) contents. They have high CIW (Chemical Index of Weathering) values (90.4–94.7), indicating intense chemical weathering of the source material. The samples display light rare earth elements (LREE) enrichment with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.40–0.68), and have flat heavy rare earth elements (HREE) patterns. The high contents of transition elements (e.g. Cr, Ni, Sc, V) and moderately radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions suggest that the paragneisses might be those of first-cycle erosion products of predominantly mafic rocks mixing with small amounts of felsic moderately evolved Archaean crustal source. Geochemical and Nd isotopic compositions reveal that at least some of the protoliths of Kongling khondalite were sourced from local pre-existing mafic igneous rocks in a continental arc tectonic setting. Combined with documented zircon U–Pb geochronological data, we propose that the Palaeoproterozoic high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism, rapid weathering, erosion and deposition of the khondalites in the interior of the Yangtze craton might be related to a Palaeoproterozoic collisional orogenic event during 2.1–1.9 Ga, consistent with the worldwide contemporary orogeny, implying that the Yangtze craton may have been an important component of the Palaeoprotorozoic Columbia supercontinent.
Origin and tectonic evolution of the NE basement of Oman: a window into the Neoproterozoic accretionary growth of India?
Authors: ALESSIO BRANDON L. , BLADES MORGAN L. , MURRAY GEORGE , THORPE BENJAMIN , COLLINS ALAN S. , KELSEY DAVID E. , FODEN JOHN , PAYNE JUSTIN , AL-KHIRBASH SALAH , JOURDAN FRED
Published: March 2017

The Omani basement is located spatially distant from the dominantly juvenile Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) to its west, and its relationship to the amalgamation of those arc terranes has yet to be properly constrained. The Jebel Ja'alan (NE Oman) basement inlier provides an excellent opportunity to better understand the Neoproterozoic tectonic geography of Oman and its relationship to the ANS. To understand the origin of this basement inlier, we present new radiogenic isotopic data from igneous bodies in Jebel Ja'alan. U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data are used to constrain the timing of magmatism and metamorphism in the jebel. Positive εHf and εNd values indicate a juvenile origin for the igneous lithologies. Phase equilibria modelling is used to constrain the metamorphic conditions recorded by basement. Pressure–temperature (P–T) pseudosections show that basement schists followed a clockwise P–T path, reaching peak metamorphic conditions of c. 650–700°C at 4–7.5 kbar, corresponding to a thermal gradient of c. 90–160°C/kbar. From the calculated thermal gradient, in conjunction with collected trace-element data, we interpret that the Jebel Ja'alan basement formed in an arc environment. Geochronological data indicate that this juvenile arc formed during Tonian time and is older than basement further west in Oman. We argue that the difference in timing is related to westwards arc accretion and migration, which implies that the Omani basement represents its own tectonic domain separate to the ANS and may be the leading edge of the Neoproterozoic accretionary margin of India.
The posterior auricular muscle: a useful anatomical landmark for otoplasty
Authors: Stephen C , Lowrie A G
Published: March 2017

Background:

The correct anatomical placement of conchomastoid sutures during suture otoplasty can sometimes prove challenging. If the suture vector is inaccurate, reduction can be difficult and this may lead to malrotation of the pinna.

Methods:

This paper describes the adoption of the auricularis posterior muscle, which runs from the mastoid to the concha and whose function is to adduct the pinna, as a marker for conchomastoid suture placement.

Results and conclusion:

The muscle is easily identified and dissected, providing a landmark for the placement of sutures onto the adjacent concha and mastoid fascia. This allows for an anatomical reduction of the pinna. It is believed that this approach will prove useful to the otoplasty surgeon.
An athletes [sic] performance: Can a possessive apostrophe predict success?
Authors: Cop Michael , Hatfield Hunter
Published: March 2017

If we believe social media, newspapers, and even some of our best friends and colleagues, the war over standard usage is on. As with many wars, the opposing sides seem to be entrenched in differing ideological positions and many of the battles seem to take place over the most unstable, smallest bits of territory - such as the Oxford comma, singularthey, or split infinitives. In this ongoing war, possessive apostrophes have attracted particularly aggressive forays. For example, when some English cities proposed removing apostrophes from street signs, various news outlets published headlines such as, ‘It's a catastrophe for the apostrophe in Britain’ (NBC, 31 January, 2009), ‘Dropped apostrophes spark grammar war in Britain’ (New York Times, 16 March, 2013), and ‘“It's pandering to the lowest common denominator”: Anger as Cambridge bans apostrophe from street names’ (Daily Mail, 18 January, 2014). Explaining Birmingham's ban, one city councillor was not that much less sensational, stating that apostrophes ‘denote possessions that are no longer accurate, and are not needed’ and that ‘they confuse people. If I want to go to a restaurant, I don't want to have an A-level (high school diploma) in English to find it’ (NBC).
Transition to blow-up in a reaction–diffusion model with localized spike solutions
Authors: ROTTSCHÄFER V. , TZOU J. C. , WARD M.J.
Published: March 2017

For certain singularly perturbed two-component reaction–diffusion systems, the bifurcation diagram of steady-state spike solutions is characterized by a saddle-node behaviour in terms of some parameter in the system. For some such systems, such as the Gray–Scott model, a spike self-replication behaviour is observed as the parameter varies across the saddle-node point. We demonstrate and analyse a qualitatively new type of transition as a parameter is slowly decreased below the saddle node value, which is characterized by a finite-time blow-up of the spike solution. More specifically, we use a blend of asymptotic analysis, linear stability theory, and full numerical computations to analyse a wide variety of dynamical instabilities, and ultimately finite-time blow-up behaviour, for localized spike solutions that occur as a parameter β is slowly ramped in time below various linear stability and existence thresholds associated with steady-state spike solutions. The transition or route to an ultimate finite-time blow-up can include spike nucleation, spike annihilation, or spike amplitude oscillation, depending on the specific parameter regime. Our detailed analysis of the existence and linear stability of multi-spike patterns, through the analysis of an explicitly solvable non-local eigenvalue problem, provides a theoretical guide for predicting which transition will be realized. Finally, we analyse the blow-up profile for a shadow limit of the reaction–diffusion system. For the resulting non-local scalar parabolic problem, we derive an explicit expression for the blow-up rate near the parameter range where blow-up is predicted. This blow-up rate is confirmed with full numerical simulations of the full PDE. Moreover, we analyse the linear stability of this solution that blows up in finite time.
The serine 106 residue within the N-terminal transactivation domain is crucial for Oct4 function in mice
Authors: Mitani Atsushi , Fukuda Atsushi , Miyashita Toshiyuki , Umezawa Akihiro , Akutsu Hidenori
Published: March 2017

Pou5f1/Oct4 is a key transcription factor for the induction of pluripotency and totipotency in preimplantation mouse embryos. In mice, loss or gain of function experiments have demonstrated an important role for Oct4 in preimplantation and developmental ability. In this study, using mouse preimplantation embryos as a model for the evaluation of Oct4 function, we constructed Oct4 overexpression embryos with various mutations at the N-terminal transactivation domain. Developmental competency and molecular biological phenotypes depended on the type of mutation. The replacement of serine 106 with alanine resulted in more severe phenotypes similar to that of wild type Oct4, indicating that this alteration using alanine is negligible for Oct4 function. In contrast, we found that Oct4-specific antibodies could not recognize Oct4 protein when this residue was replaced by aspartic acid (Oct4-S106D). Oct4-S106D overexpressing embryos did not show developmental arrest and aberrant chromatin structure. Thus, these results demonstrated that the Ser-106 residue within the N-terminal transactivation domain is crucial for Oct4 function and suggested that this mutation might affect Oct4 protein conformation.
Stent implantation to ductus arteriosus in a patient with interrupted aortic arch guided by CT image overlay
Authors: Goreczny Sebastian , Dryzek Pawel , Moszura Tomasz
Published: March 2017

A 15-day-old premature patient with ventricular septal defect and interrupted aortic arch type B underwent “hybrid” initial treatment consisting of bilateral pulmonary artery banding followed by stenting of the ductus arteriosus. A pre-registered CT scan was re-purposed with a new three-dimensional image fusion software (VesselNavigator) to create a roadmap for stent delivery.
Bill Fontana’s Distant Trains: A documentation of an acoustic relocation
Authors: Stokowy Robert
Published: March 2017

Witnessing a sound installation in person offers an opportunity to experience the qualities and elements of a work first hand and in full, multisensory effect. A thorough documentation of an exhibition and the work that goes into it is at the essence of preserving important information for future generations. Though information can be gathered from archives, some works of sound art are only marginally presented in the literature, making it difficult to fully grasp aspects of an artist’s technical, organisational and, most particularly, creative ways of working. Instead, already existing information is often reproduced. Previous documentation regarding Bill Fontana’s Sound Sculpture Distant Trains, exhibited in Berlin in 1984, offers an example of the possible loss of key details. This article aims to present new research findings that will examine and illuminate the full scope of this artistic project.
The Map and the Territory: Documenting David Dunn’s Sky Drift
Authors: Davis D. Edward
Published: March 2017

In 1977, a large group of musicians performed David Dunn’s Sky Drift while moving slowly across a Southern California desert, documenting the concert with four stationary microphones. A year later, Dunn presented the work in New York as a ‘performance/documentation’, playing back the audio recording for a seated audience. This article explores issues of ‘liveness’ in recorded sound, ‘transparency’, ‘aura’ and ‘the work itself’ in order to examine the consequences of this act: what does it mean for a recording of an outdoor performance to be shared at an indoor concert event? Can such a complex and interactive experience – with widely dispersed musicians and mobile audience members – be successfully converted into a fixed document? What does a recording capture and what must it exclude? Because Sky Drift constantly shifts the physical relationships between musicians and audience across a vast outdoor landscape, each listener’s experience represents an equally valid sonic perspective on the piece. As a result, it is unclear how a satisfying recording might be made or what it might even mean to ‘hear the music’ at all. When relocated – away from its original outdoor context – Sky Drift is deprived of much of its potential to communicate meaning.
The influence of Edward Young's St Kitts Creole in Pitcairn Island and Norfolk Island toponyms
Authors: NASH JOSHUA
Published: March 2017

Edward Young, the midshipman who sided with Fletcher Christian during the Mutiny on the Bounty, which took place in 1789, was an English and St Kitts Creole speaker. The influence of Young's Kittitian lexicon and grammar toponyms (placenames) in the Pitcairn Island language – Pitcairn – exists in features such as the use of articles and possessive constructions. Pitcairn was moved to Norfolk Island sixty-six years after the settling of Pitcairn Island in 1790 by the mutineers and their Polynesian counterparts. While Kittitian for ‘for, of’ and Kittitian-derived articles ha/ah only occur in a few documented placenames in Pitcairn, the fer and ar/dar elements of possessive constructions in placenames in Norfolk, the Norfolk Island language still spoken today by the descendants of the Pitcairners, are more common than in Pitcairn placenames. It is argued that the use of the for/fer possessive construction and article forms are key social deictic markers of identity and distinctiveness, especially in Norfolk placenames. Their usage delineates Pitcairn blood heritage and ancestry (Norfolk: comefrom) as either Pitcairner or non-Pitcairner, and has been expanded in and adapted to the new social and natural environment of Norfolk Island. The analysis draws on primary Norfolk placename data and compares it to secondary Pitcairn data.
Geological Insights from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Search
Authors: Picard Kim , Brooke Brendan , Coffin Millard
Published: March 2017

A rich trove of marine geophysical data acquired in the search for missing flight MH370 is yielding knowledge of ocean floor processes at a level of detail rare in the deep ocean.
Seasonal patterns in Arctic prasinophytes and inferred ecology of Bathycoccus unveiled in an Arctic winter metagenome
Authors: Joli Nathalie , Monier Adam , Logares Ramiro , Lovejoy Connie
Published: March 2017

Prasinophytes occur in all oceans but rarely dominate phytoplankton populations. In contrast, a single ecotype of the prasinophyte Micromonas is frequently the most abundant photosynthetic taxon reported in the Arctic from summer through autumn. However, seasonal dynamics of prasinophytes outside of this period are little known. To address this, we analyzed high-throughput V4 18S rRNA amplicon data collected from November to July in the Amundsen Gulf Region, Beaufort Sea, Arctic. Surprisingly during polar sunset in November and December, we found a high proportion of reads from both DNA and RNA belonging to another prasinophyte, Bathycoccus. We then analyzed a metagenome from a December sample and the resulting Bathycoccus metagenome assembled genome (MAG) covered ~90% of the Bathycoccus Ban7 reference genome. In contrast, only ~20% of a reference Micromonas genome was found in the metagenome. Our phylogenetic analysis of marker genes placed the Arctic Bathycoccus in the B1 coastal clade. In addition, substitution rates of 129 coding DNA sequences were ~1.6% divergent between the Arctic MAG and coastal Chilean upwelling MAGs and 17.3% between it and a South East Atlantic open ocean MAG in the B2 Clade. The metagenomic analysis also revealed a winter viral community highly skewed toward viruses targeting Micromonas, with a much lower diversity of viruses targeting Bathycoccus. Overall a combination of Micromonas being relatively less able to maintain activity under dark winter conditions and viral suppression of Micromonas may have contributed to the success of Bathycoccus in the Amundsen Gulf during winter.
Steering surface topographies of electrospun fibers: understanding the mechanisms
Authors: Yazgan Gökçe , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Tyagi Vasundhara , Jenkins James , Rotaru Gelu-Marius , Rottmar Markus , Rossi René M. , Toncelli Claudio , Papkovsky Dmitri B. , Maniura-Weber Katharina , Fortunato Giuseppino
Published: March 2017

A profound understanding of how to tailor surface topographies of electrospun fibers is of great importance for surface sensitive applications including optical sensing, catalysis, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Hereby, a novel approach to comprehend the driving forces for fiber surface topography formation is introduced through inclusion of the dynamic solvent-polymer interaction during fiber formation. Thus, the interplay between polymer solubility as well as computed fiber jet surface temperature changes in function of time during solvent evaporation and the resultant phase separation behavior are studied. The correlation of experimental and theoretical results shows that the temperature difference between the polymer solution jet surface temperature and the dew point of the controlled electrospinning environment are the main influencing factors with respect to water condensation and thus phase separation leading to the final fiber surface topography. As polymer matrices with enhanced surface area are particularly appealing for sensing applications, we further functionalized our nanoporous fibrous membranes with a phosphorescent oxygen-sensitive dye. The hybrid membranes possess high brightness, stability in aqueous medium, linear response to oxygen and hence represent a promising scaffold for cell growth, contactless monitoring of oxygen and live fluorescence imaging in 3-D cell models.
Correction: Corrigendum: Perceptual learning to discriminate the intensity and spatial location of nociceptive stimuli
Authors: Mancini Flavia , Dolgilevica Karina , Steckelmacher James , Haggard Patrick , Friston Karl , Iannetti Giandomenico D.
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 39104; published online: 20 December 2016; updated: 07 March 2017. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Karina Dolgilevica, which was incorrectly given as Karina Dolgevica. This error has now been corrected in theHTML and PDF versions of this Article.
G196 epitope tag system: a novel monoclonal antibody, G196, recognizes the small, soluble peptide DLVPR with high affinity
Authors: Tatsumi Kasumi , Sakashita Gyosuke , Nariai Yuko , Okazaki Kosuke , Kato Hiroaki , Obayashi Eiji , Yoshida Hisashi , Sugiyama Kanako , Park Sam-Yong , Sekine Joji , Urano Takeshi
Published: March 2017

The recognition specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has made mAbs among the most frequently used tools in both basic science research and in clinical diagnosis and therapies. Precise determination of the epitope allows the development of epitope tag systems to be used with recombinant proteins for various purposes. Here we describe a new family of tag derived from the epitope recognized by a highly specific mAb G196. The minimal epitope was identified as the five amino acid sequence Asp-Leu-Val-Pro-Arg. Permutation analysis was used to characterize the binding requirements of mAb G196, and the variable regions of the mAb G196 were identified and structurally analyzed by X-ray crystallography. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed the high affinity (Kd = 1.25 nM) of the mAb G196/G196-epitope peptide interaction, and G196-tag was used to detect several recombinant cytosolic and nuclear proteins in human and yeast cells. mAb G196 is valuable for developing a new peptide tagging system for cell biology and biochemistry research.
Specific CpG hyper-methylation leads to Ankrd26 gene down-regulation in white adipose tissue of a mouse model of diet-induced obesity
Authors: Raciti Gregory A. , Spinelli Rosa , Desiderio Antonella , Longo Michele , Parrillo Luca , Nigro Cecilia , D’Esposito Vittoria , Mirra Paola , Fiory Francesca , Pilone Vincenzo , Forestieri Pietro , Formisano Pietro , Pastan Ira , Miele Claudia , Beguinot Francesco
Published: March 2017

Epigenetic modifications alter transcriptional activity and contribute to the effects of environment on the individual risk of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Here, we have estimated the in vivo effect of a fat-enriched diet (HFD) on the expression and the epigenetic regulation of the Ankyrin repeat domain 26 (Ankrd26) gene, which is associated with the onset of these disorders. In visceral adipose tissue (VAT), HFD exposure determined a specific hyper-methylation of Ankrd26 promoter at the −436 and −431 bp CpG sites (CpGs) and impaired its expression. Methylation of these 2 CpGs impaired binding of the histone acetyltransferase/transcriptional coactivator p300 to this same region, causing hypo-acetylation of histone H4 at the Ankrd26 promoter and loss of binding of RNA Pol II at the Ankrd26 Transcription Start Site (TSS). In addition, HFD increased binding of DNA methyl-transferases (DNMTs) 3a and 3b and methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) to the Ankrd26 promoter. More importantly, Ankrd26 down-regulation enhanced secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators by 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as in human sera. Thus, in mice, the exposure to HFD induces epigenetic silencing of the Ankrd26 gene, which contributes to the adipose tissue inflammatory secretion profile induced by high-fat regimens.
Human amniotic fluid contaminants alter thyroid hormone signalling and early brain development in Xenopus embryos
Authors: Fini Jean-Baptiste , Mughal Bilal B. , Le Mével Sébastien , Leemans Michelle , Lettmann Mélodie , Spirhanzlova Petra , Affaticati Pierre , Jenett Arnim , Demeneix Barbara A.
Published: March 2017

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development in vertebrates. In humans, abnormal maternal thyroid hormone levels during early pregnancy are associated with decreased offspring IQ and modified brain structure. As numerous environmental chemicals disrupt thyroid hormone signalling, we questioned whether exposure to ubiquitous chemicals affects thyroid hormone responses during early neurogenesis. We established a mixture of 15 common chemicals at concentrations reported in human amniotic fluid. An in vivo larval reporter (GFP) assay served to determine integrated thyroid hormone transcriptional responses. Dose-dependent effects of short-term (72 h) exposure to single chemicals and the mixture were found. qPCR on dissected brains showed significant changes in thyroid hormone-related genes including receptors, deiodinases and neural differentiation markers. Further, exposure to mixture also modified neural proliferation as well as neuron and oligodendrocyte size. Finally, exposed tadpoles showed behavioural responses with dose-dependent reductions in mobility. In conclusion, exposure to a mixture of ubiquitous chemicals at concentrations found in human amniotic fluid affect thyroid hormone-dependent transcription, gene expression, brain development and behaviour in early embryogenesis. As thyroid hormone signalling is strongly conserved across vertebrates the results suggest that ubiquitous chemical mixtures could be exerting adverse effects on foetal human brain development.
Renal systolic time intervals derived from intra-renal artery Doppler as a novel predictor of adverse cardiac outcomes
Authors: Lee Wen-Hsien , Hsu Po-Chao , Chu Chun-Yuan , Chen Szu-Chia , Lee Hung-Hao , Lee Meng-Kuang , Lee Chee-Siong , Yen Hsueh-Wei , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Voon Wen-Chol , Lai Wen-Ter , Sheu Sheng-Hsiung , Kuo Po-Lin , Su Ho-Ming
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of renal systolic time intervals measured by electrocardiographic gated Doppler ultrasonography for predicting adverse cardiac events. This longitudinal observation study enrolled 205 patients. Renal systolic time intervals, including pre-ejection period (PEP) and ejection time (ET), and ratio of renal PEP to ET, were measured by electrocardiographic gated Doppler ultrasound. The 14 adverse cardiac events identified in this population included 9 cardiac deaths and 5 hospitalizations for heart failure during an average follow up of 30.9 months (25th–75th percentile: 30–33 months). Renal PEP (hazard ratio = 1.023, P = 0.001), renal ET (hazard ratio = 0.975, P = 0.001) and renal PEP/ET (per 0.01 unit increase, hazard ratio = 1.060, P < 0.001) were associated with poor cardiac outcomes. The addition of renal PEP/ET to a Cox model containing important clinical variables and renal resistive index further improved the value in predicting adverse cardiac events (Chi-square increase, 9.996; P = 0.002). This study showed that parameters of intra-renal hemodynamics were potential predictors of adverse cardiac outcomes. However, the generalizability of these indicators need to be investigated in future large-scale studies.
Confocal imaging of mouse mandibular condyle cartilage
Authors: He Y. , Zhang M. , Huang A. Y. , Cui Y. , Bai D. , Warman M. L.
Published: March 2017

Mice are commonly used to study the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to model human TMJ disease. However, evaluating TMJ pathology in mice using standard histologic methods is time consuming, labor intensive, and dependent upon investigators’ expertise at consistently orienting and sectioning across tiny specimens. We describe a method that uses confocal microscopy to rapidly and reliably assess indicators of mandibular condyle cartilage pathology in mice. We demonstrate the utility of this method for detecting abnormalities in chondrocyte distribution in mice lacking lubricin (Prg4), the major boundary lubricant of articular cartilage. We further show that the method can provide information about recombination sites and efficiency in mandibular cartilage for Cre-driver strains. Because specimen preparation and data acquisition with confocal microscopy are simple and fast, the method can serve as a primary screening tool for TMJ pathology, before proceeding to complicated, time consuming, secondary analyses.
Targeted antigen delivery to dendritic cells elicits robust antiviral T cell-mediated immunity in the liver
Authors: Volckmar Julia , Gereke Marcus , Ebensen Thomas , Riese Peggy , Philipsen Lars , Lienenklaus Stefan , Wohlleber Dirk , Klopfleisch Robert , Stegemann-Koniszewski Sabine , Müller Andreas J. , Gruber Achim D. , Knolle Percy , Guzman Carlos A. , Bruder Dunja
Published: March 2017

Hepatotropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus cause life-threatening chronic liver infections in millions of people worldwide. Targetedin vivoantigen-delivery to cross-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) has proven to be extraordinarily efficient in stimulating antigen-specific T cell responses. To determine whether this approach would as well be suitable to induce local antiviral effector T cells in the liver we compared different vaccine formulations based on either the targeting of DEC-205 or TLR2/6 on cross-presenting DCs or formulations not involvingin vivoDC targeting. As read-outs we usedin vivohepatotropic adenovirus challenge, histology and automated multidimensional fluorescence microscopy (MELC). We show that targetedin vivoantigen delivery to cross-presenting DCs is highly effective in inducing antiviral CTLs capable of eliminating virus-infected hepatocytes, while control vaccine formulation not involving DC targeting failed to induce immunity against hepatotropic virus. Moreover, we observed distinct patterns of CD8+T cell interaction with virus-infected and apoptotic hepatocytes in the two DC-targeting groups suggesting that the different vaccine formulations may stimulate distinct types of effector functions. Our findings represent an important step toward the future development of vaccines against hepatotropic viruses and the treatment of patients with hepatic virus infection after liver transplantation to avoid reinfection.
Tree-ring width reveals the preparation of the 1974 Mt. Etna eruption
Authors: Seiler Ruedi , Houlié Nicolas , Cherubini Paolo
Published: March 2017

Reduced near-infrared reflectance observed in September 1973 in Skylab images of the western flank of Mt. Etna has been interpreted as an eruption precursor of the January 1974 eruption. Until now, it has been unclear when this signal started, whether it was sustained and which process(es) could have caused it. By analyzing tree-ring width time-series, we show that the reduced near-infrared precursory signal cannot be linked to a reduction in annual tree growth in the area. However, comparing the tree-ring width time-series with both remote sensing observations and volcano-seismic activity enables us to discuss the starting date of the pre-eruptive period of the 1974 eruption.
Ultralong well-aligned TiO2:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Sm, or Er) fibres prepared by modified electrospinning and their temperature-dependent luminescence
Authors: Yu Hongquan , Li Yue , Song Yang , Wu Yanbo , Lan Xijie , Liu Shimin , Tang Yanning , Xu Shasha , Chen Baojiu
Published: March 2017

Electrospinning has emerged as an attractive technique for the fabrication of ultrafine fibres in micro-/nano-scale fineness: however, it remains a significant technological challenge to assemble aligned fibre arrays via an conventional electrospinning method due to the inherent whipping instability of the polymeric jet. We herein have first developed a simple modified electrospinning method with which to prepare ultralong (>300 mm) well-aligned inorganic fibre arrays, i.e., using an ultrahigh molecular weight polymer to suppress or eliminate the whipping motion of the electrospun jet, has emerged as a facile approach for the continuous fabrication of well-aligned, ultralong fibres through simply using a rotating cylinder as the collector (it was not found necessary to use a very high rotating speed, extra magnetic, electrical field) in the electrospinning process. As result, the ultralong well-aligned TiO2:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Sm, or Er) fibre arrays can be obtained from ultrahigh molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide), tetra-n-butyl titanate (Ti(OC4H9)4) and lanthanide nitrate in the modified electrospinning approach. The grow mechanism and luminescent properties of these ultralong well-aligned TiO2:Ln3+ fibre arrays were also investigated.
Ablation of neuropsin–neuregulin 1 signaling imbalances ErbB4 inhibitory networks and disrupts hippocampal gamma oscillation
Authors: Kawata M , Morikawa S , Shiosaka S , Tamura H
Published: March 2017

Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons are pivotal for the processing of information in healthy brain, whereas the coordination of these functions is seriously disrupted in diseased brain. How these interneurons in the hippocampus participate in pathological functions remains unclear. We previously reported that neuregulin 1 (NRG1)–ErbB4 signaling, which is actuated by neuropsin, is important for coordinating brain plasticity. Neuropsin cleaves mature NRG1 (bound to extracellular glycosaminoglycans) in response to long-term potentiation or depression, liberating a soluble ligand that activates its receptor, ErbB4. Here, we show in mice that kainate-induced status epilepticus transiently elevates the proteolytic activity of neuropsin and stimulates cFos expression with a time course suggesting that activation of ErbB4- and parvalbumin-expressing interneurons follows the excitation and subsequent silencing of pyramidal neurons. In neuropsin-deficient mice, kainate administration impaired signaling and disrupted the neuronal excitation–inhibition balance (E/I balance) in hippocampal networks, by decreasing the activity of parvalbumin-positive interneurons while increasing that of pyramidal neurons, resulting in the progression of status epilepticus. Slow, but not fast, gamma oscillations in neuropsin-deficient mice showed reduced power. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the soluble NRG1 ligand moiety restored the E/I balance, status epilepticus and gamma oscillations to normal levels. These results suggest that the neuropsin–NRG1 signaling system has a role in pathological processes underlying temporal lobe epilepsy by regulating the activity of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, and that neuropsin regulates E/I balance and gamma oscillations through NRG1–ErbB4 signaling toward parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. This neuronal system may be a useful target of pharmacological therapies against cognitive disorders.
Enhanced hydrogen sorption in a Li–Mg–N–H system by the synergistic role of Li4(NH2)3BH4 and ZrFe2
Authors: Shukla Vivek , Bhatnagar Ashish , Soni Pawan K. , Vishwakarma Alok K. , Shaz M. A. , Yadav T. P. , Srivastava O. N.
Published: March 2017

The present investigation describes the synergistic role of Li4(BH4)(NH2)3 and ZrFe2 in the hydrogen storage behaviour of a Li–Mg–N–H hydride system.
First-principles and experimental characterization of the electronic properties of CaGaSiN3 and CaAlSiN3: the impact of chemical disorder
Authors: Niklaus Robin , Minár Ján , Häusler Jonas , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

Understanding the impact of chemical disorder on the electronic properties of LED phosphor host materials on a theoretical basis.
NiIIformate complexes with bi- and tridentate nitrogen-donor ligands: synthesis, characterization, and magnetic and thermal properties
Authors: Rühlig Karoline , Abylaikhan Akerke , Aliabadi Azar , Kataev Vladislav , Liebing Simon , Schwalbe Sebastian , Trepte Kai , Ludt Christian , Kortus Jens , Büchner Bernd , Rüffer Tobias , Lang Heinrich
Published: March 2017

New NiIIformate complexes were synthesized and characterized to exhibit low decomposition temperatures to produce pure metallic nickel.
A novel histidine-functionalized 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent chemosensor for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ in water
Authors: Zhang You-Ming , Zhong Kai-Peng , Su Jun-Xia , Chen Xiao-Peng , Yao Hong , Wei Tai-Bao , Lin Qi
Published: March 2017

A novel water soluble fluorescent sensor was synthesized by employing the carboxyl and imidazolyl moiety as the hydrophilic group site and Hg2+ binding site, whereas a naphthalimide moiety was used as the signal group.
Water-soluble pillar[5]arene induced the morphology transformation of self-assembled nanostructures and had further application in paraquat detection
Authors: Sun Yan , Fu Wenxin , Chen Chongyi , Wang Jin , Yao Yong
Published: March 2017

Hex-4ClPBI can self-assemble into nanotubes in water, and the tubular structures can be transformed into nanoribbons and further vesicles by addition of H+ and further WP5.
Automated glycan assembly of branched β-(1,3)-glucans to identify antibody epitopes
Authors: Weishaupt M. W. , Hahm H. S. , Geissner A. , Seeberger P. H.
Published: March 2017

We report the iterative automated glycan assembly (AGA) and glycan array characterization of conjugation-ready linear and branched β-(1,3)-glucans, a heterogeneous class of carbohydrates with immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects.
Bifunctional squaramide-catalyzed synthesis of chiral dihydrocoumarins via ortho-quinone methides generated from 2-(1-tosylalkyl)phenols
Authors: Zhou Ji , Wang Mao-Lin , Gao Xiang , Jiang Guo-Fang , Zhou Yong-Gui
Published: March 2017

A bifunctional squaramide-catalyzed reaction of azlactones within situgeneratedo-quinone methides has been successfully developed, providing dihydrocoumarins with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.
Illuminating cytochrome P450 binding: Ru(ii)-caged inhibitors of CYP17A1
Authors: Li Ao , Yadav Rahul , White Jessica K. , Herroon Mackenzie K. , Callahan Brian P. , Podgorski Izabela , Turro Claudia , Scott Emily E. , Kodanko Jeremy J.
Published: March 2017

Visible light triggers release of the prostate cancer drug abiraterone in cancer cells and achieves photoactivated cytochrome P450 binding.
Highlights from Faraday Discussion: aggregation-induced emission
Authors: Zhuang Zeyan , Tang Youhong , Ding Dan , Tsuchiya Youichi , Zhao Zujin
Published: March 2017

Faraday Discussion 196: aggregation-induced emission brought together around 100 researchers to discuss recent progress, current challenges and potential breakthroughs in the design of new AIE luminogens, the understanding of AIE mechanisms and the exploration of advanced technological applications.
Theoretical analysis of electrochromism under redox of bis(3-thienyl)/(2-thienyl)hexafluorocyclopentene: effects of charged and substituted systems
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Xiang , Wang Pi-Xia , Bai Fu-Quan , Kong Chui-Peng , Zhang Hong-Xing
Published: March 2017

Switching of two isomers can be achieved by redox and the direction is decided by the stabilization of global conjugation.
Evidence of a minority monoclinic LaNiO2.5 phase in lanthanum nickelate thin films
Authors: López-Conesa L. , Rebled J. M. , Pesquera D. , Dix N. , Sánchez F. , Herranz G. , Fontcuberta J. , Magén C. , Casanove M. J. , Estradé S. , Peiró F.
Published: March 2017

LaNiO3 (LNO) thin films of 14 nm and 35 nm thicknesses grown epitaxially on LaAlO3 (LAO) and (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 (LSAT) substrates are studied using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and High Angle Annular Dark Field (HAADF) imaging.
Gold setting the “gold standard” among transition metals as a hydrogen bond acceptor – a theoretical investigation
Authors: Groenewald Ferdinand , Raubenheimer Helgard G. , Dillen Jan , Esterhuysen Catharine
Published: March 2017

MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ-pp calculations show that the Au(i) atom of dimethylaurate behaves as a hydrogen-bond acceptor to a range of hydrogen-bond donors.
Polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials (Starbon®) for sustainable separation of complex mixtures
Authors: Zuin Vânia G. , Budarin Vitaliy L. , De bruyn Mario , Shuttleworth Peter S. , Hunt Andrew J. , Pluciennik Camille , Borisova Aleksandra , Dodson Jennifer , Parker Helen L. , Clark James H.
Published: March 2017

The recovery and separation of high value and low volume extractives are a considerable challenge for the commercial realisation of zero-waste biorefineries. Using solid-phase extractions (SPE) based on sustainable sorbents is a promising method to enable efficient, green and selective separation of these complex extractive mixtures. Mesoporous carbonaceous solids derived from renewable polysaccharides are ideal stationary phases due to their tuneable functionality and surface structure. In this study, the structure–separation relationships of thirteen polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials and two modified types as sorbents for ten naturally-occurring bioactive phenolic compounds were investigated. For the first time, a comprehensive statistical analysis of the key molecular and surface properties influencing the recovery of these species was carried out. The obtained results show the possibility of developing tailored materials for purification, separation or extraction, depending on the molecular composition of the analyte. The wide versatility and application span of these polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials offer new sustainable and inexpensive alternatives to traditional silica-based stationary phases.
Mineral-substituted hydroxyapatite reinforced poly(raffinose-citric acid)–polyethylene glycol nanocomposite enhances osteogenic differentiation and induces ectopic bone formation
Authors: Govindaraj Dharman , Rajan Mariappan , Munusamy Murugan A. , Alarfaj Abdullah A. , Suresh Kumar S.
Published: March 2017

Progress of biomimetic mineral-substituted hydroxyapatite reinforced poly(raffinose-citric acid)–polyethylene glycol–poly(raffinose-citric acid) for prospective ectopic bone formation.
β-Amyrin biosynthesis: catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition
Authors: Hoshino Tsutomu
Published: March 2017

In the past five years, there have been remarkable advances in the study of β-amyrin synthase. This review outlines the catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition in β-amyrin biosynthesis, which have been attained by the site-directed mutagenesis and substrate analog experiments.
Efficient synthesis of aliphatic sulfones by Mg mediated coupling reactions of sulfonyl chlorides and aliphatic halides
Authors: Fu Ying , Xu Qin-Shan , Li Quan-Zhou , Du Zhengyin , Wang Ke-Hu , Huang Danfeng , Hu Yulai
Published: March 2017

Sulfonyl chlorides were reduced to anhydrous sulfinate salts with magnesium under sonication. These sulfinates were efficiently alkylated to sulfones with alkyl chlorides in the presence of catalytic sodium iodide under sonication through a one-pot two-step procedure.
Asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of tertiary azomethyl alcohols: key intermediates towards azoxy compounds and α-hydroxy-β-amino esters
Authors: Carmona José A. , Gonzalo Gonzalo de , Serrano Inmaculada , Crespo-Peña Ana M. , Šimek Michal , Monge David , Fernández Rosario , Lassaletta José M.
Published: March 2017

New carbohydrate based organocatalysts have been developed for the asymmetric nucleophilic addition of formaldehyde tert-butylhydrazone to α-keto esters.
Pd/Cu-Catalyzed tandem head-to-tail dimerization/cycloisomerization of terminal ynamides for the synthesis of 5-vinyloxazolones
Authors: Tang Luning , Huang Hai , Xi Yang , He Guangke , Zhu Hongjun
Published: March 2017

This is the first Pd/Cu-catalyzed tandem head-to-tail dimerization/cycloisomerization of terminal ynamides for the synthesis of 5-vinyl-oxazolones.
Base-mediated insertion reaction of alkynes into carbon–carbon σ-bonds of ethanones: synthesis of hydroxydienone and chromone derivatives
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Yao Qiyi , Yuan Yang , Xu Murong , Kong Lingkai , Li Yanzhong
Published: March 2017

Base-promoted C–C σ-bond insertion with methylene compounds bearing only one EWG (C–C σ-bond insertion/cyclization).
(Z)-Tetraphenylbut-2-ene-1,4-diones: facile synthesis, tunable aggregation-induced emission and fluorescence acid sensing
Authors: Li Mengwei , Wang Yi-Xuan , Wang Jianhui , Chen Yulan
Published: March 2017

A facile approach to synthesize stereospecific (Z)-aryl-functionalized 1,4-enediones has been presented.
π–π stacking: a strategy to improve the electron mobilities of bipolar hosts for TADF and phosphorescent devices with low efficiency roll-off
Authors: Cai Minghan , Song Xiaozeng , Zhang Dongdong , Qiao Juan , Duan Lian
Published: March 2017

π–π stacking can improve the electron mobilities of bipolar hosts for TADF and phosphorescent devices with low efficiency roll-off.
Perspective on precision medicine in paediatric heart failure
Authors: Fridman Michael D. , Mital Seema
Published: March 2017

In 2015, President Obama launched the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI), which introduced new funding to a method of research with the potential to study rare and complex diseases. Paediatric heart failure, a heterogeneous syndrome affecting approximately 1 in 100000 children, is one such condition in which precision medicine techniques may be applied with great benefit. Current heart failure therapies target downstream effects of heart failure rather than the underlying cause of heart failure. As such, they are often ineffective in paediatric heart failure, which is typically of primary (e.g. genetic) rather than secondary (e.g. acquired) aetiology. It is, therefore, important to develop therapies that can target the causes of heart failure in children with greater specificity thereby decreasing morbidity, mortality and burden of illness on both patients and their families. The benefits of co-ordinated research in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and phenomics along with dietary, lifestyle and social factors have led to novel therapeutic and prognostic applications in other fields such as oncology. Applying such co-ordinated research efforts to heart failure constitutes an important step in advancing care and improving the lives of those affected.
A Cross-Language Study of Laryngeal-Oral Coordination Across Varying Prosodic and Syllable-Structure Conditions
Authors: Hoole Philip , Bombien Lasse
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use prosodic and syllable-structure variation to probe the underlying representation of laryngeal kinematics in languages traditionally considered to differ in voicing typology (German vs. Dutch and French).

Method

Transillumination and videofiberendoscopic filming were used to investigate the devoicing gesture in German, Dutch, and French for material that compared, first, a strong versus weak prosodic condition and, second, singletons versus clusters (stop + /r/ and /l/).

Results

The results showed strengthening of the devoicing gesture in the strong prosodic condition and in the segmental context stop + /r/ for German and French but not for Dutch. In terms of timing (duration of oral occlusion, voice onset time, timing of peak glottal opening relative to stop release), French was intermediate between German and Dutch.

Conclusions

(a) The representation of French voiceless plosives requires an active specification for glottal spreading just as in German. (b) Static features are not well suited to capturing cross-language differences in voicing typology and changes in voicing specification over time.
Time efficient signed Vedic multiplier using redundant binary representation
Authors: Barik Ranjan Kumar , Pradhan Manoranjan , Panda Rutuparna
Published: March 2017

This study presents a high‐speed signed Vedic multiplier (SVM) architecture using redundant binary (RB) representation in Urdhva Tiryagbhyam (UT) sutra. This is the first ever effort towards extension of Vedic algorithms to the signed numbers. The proposed multiplier architecture solves the carry propagation issue in UT sutra, as carry free addition is possible in RB representation. The proposed design is coded in VHDL and synthesised in Xilinx ISE 14.4 of various FPGA devices. The proposed SVM architecture has better speed performances as compared with various state‐of‐the‐art conventional as well as Vedic architectures.
Severe Form of Brachydactyly Type A1 in a Child with a c.298G > A Mutation in IHH Gene
Authors: Salian Smrithi , Shukla Anju , Nishimura Gen , Girisha Katta
Published: March 2017

Brachydactyly type A1 (BDA1) is characterized by short middle phalanges. We report the case of a child with a severe form of BDA1 with complete absence of the middle phalanges of all extremities. He had c.298G > A (p.D100N) mutation in IHH gene.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss in a Patient Affected by Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Is It Useful to Identify Comorbid Pathologies?
Authors: Melis D. , D'Amico A. , Cappuccio G. , Auletta G. , Vassallo P. , Genesio R. , Nitsch L. , Buffolano W. , Fontana P.
Published: March 2017

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common defect with a multifactorial etiology. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the most common infectious cause, and its early detection allows a prompt pharmacological treatment that can improve hearing prognosis. In a consistent percentage of profound SNHL, genetic causes and/or inner ear malformations are involved; their prompt diagnosis might change therapeutic options. This study reports a case of a 3- year-old female patient with symptomatic cCMV infection who also exhibits developmental delay, dysmorphic facial features, bilateral hearing loss, and cochlear incomplete partition, type 2, in 7q21.3 deletion. This deletion includes the genes DLX5 and DLX6, which could be the candidate genes for the ear malformation named incomplete partition, type 2.