bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology Tailoring of Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Organosilica Nanohybrids for the Synthesis of Biomass‐Derived Alkyl Levulinates
Authors: An Sai , Song Daiyu , Lu Bo , Yang Xia , Guo Yi‐Hang
Published: June 2015

Morphology evolution of sulfonic acid functionalized organosilica nanohybrids (Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H) with a 1D tubular structure (inner diameter of ca. 5 nm), a 2D hexagonal mesostructure (pore diameter of ca. 5 nm), and a 3D hollow spherical structure (shell thickness of 2–3 nm and inner diameter of ca. 15 nm) was successfully realized through P123‐templated sol–gel cocondensation strategies and fine‐tuning of the acidity followed by aging or a hydrothermal treatment. The Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H nanohybrids were applied in synthesis of alkyl levulinates from the esterification of levulinic acid and ethanolysis of furfural alcohol. Hollow spherical Si(Et)Si‐Pr/ArSO3H and hexagonal mesoporous analogues exhibited the highest and lowest catalytic activity, respectively, among three types of nanohybrids; additionally, the activity was influenced by the SO3H loading. The activity differences are explained in terms of different Brønsted acid and textural properties, reactant/product diffusion, and mass transfer rate, as well as accessibility of SO3H sites to the reactant molecules. The reusability of the nanohybrids was also evaluated.
Reagent Control of a Birch Reduction for the Synthesis of a 2‐Deoxyoligosaccharide Possessing a 1,4‐Dialkylhydroquinone
Authors: Yamaguchi Sho , Tanaka Hiroshi , Takahashi Takashi
Published: June 2015

We have developed a versatile deprotection method for the synthesis of 2‐deoxyoligosaccharides containing a 1,4‐dialkylhydroquinone moiety at the anomeric position. The Birch reduction of a 2,6‐dideoxy monosaccharide with potassium and 1,3‐pentadiene gave the deprotected product without any undesired reduction. The utility of this method was then demonstrated in the Birch reduction of a landomycin E deoxytrisaccharide. Pd‐catalysed hydrogenation led to the anomerization, or cleavage, of the glycosidic linkages. In contrast, Birch reduction based on the optimized conditions followed by treatment with mCPBA (m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid) provided the fully deprotected deoxytrisaccharide in 65 % overall yield. These results show that the Birch reduction is a powerful deprotection method for the synthesis of complex natural glycosides, including 2‐deoxyoligosaccharides.
Chromium oxide nanoparticle‐induced genotoxicity and p53‐dependent apoptosis in human lung alveolar cells
Authors: Senapati Violet Aileen , Jain Abhishek Kumar , Gupta Govind Sharan , Pandey Alok Kumar , Dhawan Alok
Published: June 2015

Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) are being increasingly used as a catalyst for aromatic compound manufacture, abrading agents and as pigments (e.g., Viridian). Owing to increased applications, it is important to study the biological effects of Cr2O3 NPs on human health. The lung is one of the main exposure routes to nanomaterials; therefore, the present study was designed to determine the genotoxic and apoptotic effect of Cr2O3 NPs in human lung epithelial cells (A549). The study also elucidated the molecular mechanism of its toxicity. Cr2O3 NPs led to DNA damage, which was deduced by comet assay and cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. The damage could be mediated by the increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Further, the oxygen species led to a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in the ratio of BAX/Bcl‐2 leading to mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis induced by Cr2O3 NPs, which ultimately leads to cell death. Hence, there is a need of regulations to be imposed in NP usage. The study provided insight into the caspase‐dependent mechanistic pathway of apoptosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internal diamond morphology: Raman imaging of metamorphic diamonds
Authors: Korsakov Andrey V. , Toporski Jan , Dieing Thomas , Yang Jianyong , Zelenovskiy Pavel S.
Published: June 2015

Confocal 2‐D and 3‐D Raman imaging of the Kokchetav metamorphic diamonds from different rock types reveals that these diamonds have a rather complex internal morphology. The diamond shows a strong change in the position of the diamond Raman line as well as the width of this line, which could be found both in the XY and in the YZ scan. These features indicate variations in the crystalline quality of the diamond. The broadest lines are located in the center of the octahedral diamond inclusion whereas the material close to the diamond–garnet interface shows smaller line widths. These features were also found for thermochemically extracted diamond crystals, which are not armored by host mineral, and in situ for inter‐ and intragranular diamond. Furthermore, host–garnet display no evidence for broadening or up‐shift of main Raman bands, indicating very low (below detection limit) residual strain. Thus the broadening and upshift of main diamond band do not relate to residual strain in inclusion–host systems. A comparison of Raman imaging results with cathodoluminescence images reveals that the distribution of defects, which cause the cathodoluminescence of diamond crystals, can be traced by Raman imaging. The 2‐D and 3‐D Raman imaging is a very powerful tool for study of internal morphology and growth pattern of metamorphic diamond, even it is a small crystal less than 10 µm in size. The growth pattern for octahedral diamond crystals from garnet–clinozoisite gneisses were obtained for the first time by Raman imaging. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiratory and cardiac function in japanese patients with dysferlinopathy
Authors: Nishikawa Atsuko , Mori‐Yoshimura Madoka , Segawa Kazuhiko , Hayashi Yukiko K. , Takahashi Toshiaki , Saito Yuko , Nonaka Ikuya , Krahn Martin , Levy Nicolas , Shimizu Jun , Mitsui Jun , Kimura En , Goto Jun , Yonemoto Naohiro , Aoki Masashi , Nishino Ichizo , Oya Yasushi , Murata Miho
Published: June 2015

Introduction

We retrospectively reviewed respiratory and cardiac function in patients with dysferlinopathy, including 2 autopsy cases with respiratory dysfunction.

Methods

Subjects included 48 patients who underwent respiratory evaluation (n = 47), electrocardiography (n = 46), and echocardiography (n = 23).

Results

Of the 47 patients, 10 had reduced percent forced vital capacity (%FVC), and 4 required non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation. %FVC was significantly correlated with disease duration, and mean %FVC was significantly lower in non‐ambulatory patients, as well as in those aged ≥65 years with normal creatine kinase levels. On electrocardiography, QRS complex duration was prolonged in 19 patients, although no significant association with age, disease duration, or respiratory function was found. Echocardiography indicated no left ventricular dysfunction in any patient. Histopathology of autopsied cases revealed mild cardiomyopathy and moderate diaphragm involvement.

Conclusion

Patients with dysferlinopathy may develop severe respiratory failure and latent cardiac dysfunction. Both respiratory and cardiac function should be monitored diligently. Muscle Nerve 53: 394–401, 2016
Electronic Structures, Bonding Configurations, and Band‐Gap‐Opening Properties of Graphene Binding with Low‐Concentration Fluorine
Authors: Duan Yuhua , Stinespring Charter D. , Chorpening Benjamin
Published: June 2015

To better understand the effects of low‐level fluorine in graphene‐based sensors, first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) with van der Waals dispersion interactions has been employed to investigate the structure and impact of fluorine defects on the electrical properties of single‐layer graphene films. The results show that both graphite‐2 H and graphene have zero band gaps. When fluorine bonds to a carbon atom, the carbon atom is pulled slightly above the graphene plane, creating what is referred to as a CFdefect. The lowest‐binding energy state is found to correspond to two CFdefects on nearest neighbor sites, with one fluorine above the carbon plane and the other below the plane. Overall this has the effect of buckling the graphene. The results further show that the addition of fluorine to graphene leads to the formation of an energy band (BF) near the Fermi level, contributed mainly from the 2porbitals of fluorine with a small contribution from theporbitals of the carbon. Among the 11 binding configurations studied, our results show that only in two cases does the BFserve as a conduction band and open a band gap of 0.37 eV and 0.24 eV respectively. The binding energy decreases with decreasing fluorine concentration due to the interaction between neighboring fluorine atoms. The obtained results are useful for sensor development and nanoelectronics.
Short‐chain alkanes synergise responses of moth pests to their sex pheromones
Authors: Gurba Alexandre , Guerin Patrick M
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND

The use of sex pheromones for mating disruption of moth pests of crops is increasing worldwide. Efforts are under way to augment the efficiency and reliability of this control method by adding molecules derived from host plants to the sex attractants in dispensers.

RESULTS

We show how attraction of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff., and the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., males to underdosed levels of their sex pheromones is increased by adding heptane or octane over a range of release rates. Pheromone–alkane mixtures enhance male recruitment by up to 30%, reaching levels induced by calling females, and shorten the flight time to the sex attractant by a factor of 2.

CONCLUSION

The findings show the promise of using short‐chain alkanes as pheromone synergists for mating disruption of insect pests of food crops. Alkane–pheromone combinations are expected to increase the competitiveness of dispensers with females, and to reduce the amount of pheromone needed for the control of these pests. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Information content on temperature and water vapour from a hyper‐spectral microwave sensor
Authors: Mahfouf J.‐F. , Birman C. , Aires F. , Prigent C. , Orlandi E. , Milz M.
Published: June 2015

This study examines the information content on atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles that could be provided by a future spaceborne microwave sensor with a few hundred radiances in the millimetre and submillimetre spectral domains (ranging from 7–800 GHz). A channel selection method based on optimal estimation theory is undertaken, using a database of profiles with associated errors from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) numerical weather prediction model and the radiative transfer model Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) under clear‐sky conditions. The main results indicate that, by increasing the number of channels within the oxygen absorption band around 60 GHz and within the water‐vapour absorption band at 183 GHz, the accuracy of temperature and humidity retrievals in the troposphere and stratosphere (for temperature) would be noticeably improved compared with present and planned microwave radiometers. The channels located in the absorption lines at 118 GHz and above 200 GHz do not bring significant additional information regarding atmospheric profiles under clear‐sky conditions, partly due to greater radiometric noise. With a set of 137 selected channels that contribute to 90% of the total information content (measured by the degree of freedom for signal), it is possible to achieve almost the same performance in terms of variance error reduction as with 276 candidate channels. Sensitivity studies of various prescribed quantities defining the channel selection have been undertaken, in order to check the robustness of the conclusions. They show that none of the choices modifies the above findings.
Receptivity and sensitivity of the leading-edge boundary layer of a swept wing
Authors: Meneghello Gianluca , Schmid Peter J. , Huerre Patrick
Published: June 2015

A global stability analysis of the boundary layer in the leading edge of a swept wing is performed in the incompressible flow regime. It is demonstrated that the global eigenfunctions display the features characterizing the local instability of the attachment line, as in swept Hiemenz flow, and those of local cross-flow instabilities further downstream along the wing. A continuous connection along the chordwise direction is established between the two local eigenfunctions. An adjoint-based receptivity analysis reveals that the global eigenfunction is most responsive to forcing applied in the immediate vicinity of the attachment line. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis identifies the wavemaker at a location that is also very close to the attachment line where the corresponding local instability analysis holds: the local cross-flow instability further along the wing is merely fed by its attachment-line counterpart. As a consequence, global mode calculations for the entire leading-edge region only need to include attachment-line structures. The result additionally implies that effective open-loop control strategies should focus on base-flow modifications in the region where the local attachment-line instability prevails.
Innovation without Reputation: How Bureaucrats Saved the Veterans’ Health Care System
Authors: Moore Colin D.
Published: June 2015

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) is among the most unusual and misunderstood institutions in the American welfare state. Unlike most American social services, veterans’ medical care continues to be administered directly by the state, contrary to the “antibureaucratic strategy” of “hidden” or “submerged” state-building that has dominated US social policy for decades. Drawing on extensive archival research, I attempt to make sense of the VA’s unique policy trajectory by exploring two puzzling episodes of institutional change in the delivery of veterans’ health care. Although many bureaucratic models predict large new undertakings initiated by agencies only when they benefit from the advantages of being well-regarded and relatively autonomous, both instances of institutional change occurred at the nadir of the VA’s reputation as a competent, innovative, and politically-powerful agency. To explain these unexpected transformations, I investigate the role of bureaucrats in shaping the development of the American welfare state and develop the concept of collaborative state-building to demonstrate how public-private partnerships may contribute to the expansion of social welfare programs in liberal states. Although public-private partnerships are usually seen as an erosion of state power or a way to hide the state’s role in the provision of social services, the case of the VA suggests that such partnerships may be used to support and expand such programs. I also focus on the VA’s many scandals and show how agency officials used these policy failures to expand the VA.
Gamification in the Latin Classroom
Authors: Pike Moss
Published: June 2015

‘Gamification’ and games have become a popular trend in education, and have thus been given much attention in sessions at education conferences all over the world. But their rather rapid spread has also led to some misunderstandings about what they are and how they can be used in a classroom, largely owing to the wide variety of gamified courses and GBL-based classroom activities that have been popularised by educational media. Rather than serve as a panacea to fix classroom problems, however, gamification and GBL should be considered as just one of many tools, albeit quite powerful ones grounded in cognitive psychology, which can be used to create engaging and dynamic learning environments. After a short introduction to the ideas behind gamification and GBL and the brain science that makes them so powerful, an example of a gamified middle-school level Latin course will be described in detail.
T-cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Jiang Y , Li Y , Zhu B
Published: June 2015

T-cell exhaustion was originally identified during chronic infection in mice, and was subsequently observed in humans with cancer. The exhausted T cells in the tumor microenvironment show overexpressed inhibitory receptors, decreased effector cytokine production and cytolytic activity, leading to the failure of cancer elimination. Restoring exhausted T cells represents an inspiring strategy for cancer treatment, which has yielded promising results and become a significant breakthrough in the cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we overview the updated understanding on the exhausted T cells in cancer and their potential regulatory mechanisms and discuss current therapeutic interventions targeting exhausted T cells in clinical trials.
Block of NMDA receptor channels by endogenous neurosteroids: implications for the agonist induced conformational states of the channel vestibule
Authors: Vyklicky Vojtech , Krausova Barbora , Cerny Jiri , Balik Ales , Zapotocky Martin , Novotny Marian , Lichnerova Katarina , Smejkalova Tereza , Kaniakova Martina , Korinek Miloslav , Petrovic Milos , Kacer Petr , Horak Martin , Chodounska Hana , Vyklicky Ladislav
Published: June 2015

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate synaptic plasticity and their dysfunction is implicated in multiple brain disorders. NMDARs can be allosterically modulated by numerous compounds, including endogenous neurosteroid pregnanolone sulfate. Here, we identify the molecular basis of the use-dependent and voltage-independent inhibitory effect of neurosteroids on NMDAR responses. The site of action is located at the extracellular vestibule of the receptor’s ion channel pore and is accessible after receptor activation. Mutations in the extracellular vestibule in the SYTANLAAF motif disrupt the inhibitory effect of negatively charged steroids. In contrast, positively charged steroids inhibit mutated NMDAR responses in a voltage-dependent manner. These results, in combination with molecular modeling, characterize structure details of the open configuration of the NMDAR channel. Our results provide a unique opportunity for the development of new therapeutic neurosteroid-based ligands to treat diseases associated with dysfunction of the glutamate system.
A neonicotinoid impairs olfactory learning in Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) exposed as larvae or as adults
Authors: Tan Ken , Chen Weiwen , Dong Shihao , Liu Xiwen , Wang Yuchong , Nieh James C.
Published: June 2015

Xenobiotics such as the neonicotinoid pesticide, imidacloprid, are used globally, but their effects on native bee species are poorly understood. We studied the effects of sublethal doses of imidacloprid on olfactory learning in the native honey bee species, Apis cerana, an important pollinator of agricultural and native plants throughout Asia. We provide the first evidence that imidacloprid can impair learning in A. cerana workers exposed as adults or as larvae. Adults that ingested a single imidacloprid dose as low as 0.1 ng/bee had significantly reduced olfactory learning acquisition, which was 1.6-fold higher in control bees. Longer-term learning (1-17 h after the last learning trial) was also impaired. Bees exposed as larvae to a total dose of 0.24 ng/bee did not have reduced survival to adulthood. However, these larval-treated bees had significantly impaired olfactory learning when tested as adults: control bees exhibited up to 4.8-fold better short-term learning acquisition, though longer-term learning was not affected. Thus, sublethal cognitive deficits elicited by neonicotinoids on a broad range of native bee species deserve further study.
Analysis of Wnt signalling dynamics during colon crypt development in 3D culture
Authors: Tan Chin Wee , Hirokawa Yumiko , Burgess Antony W.
Published: June 2015

Many systems biology studies lack context-relevant data and as a consequence the predictive capabilities can be limited in developing targeted cancer therapeutics. Production of colon crypt in vitro is ideal for studying colon systems biology. This report presents the first production of, to our knowledge, physiologically-shaped, functional colon crypts in vitro (i.e. single crypts with cells expressing Mucin 2 and Chromogranin A). Time-lapsed monitoring of crypt formation revealed an increased frequency of single-crypt formation in the absence of noggin. Using quantitative 3D immunofluorescence of β-catenin and E-cadherin, spatial-temporal dynamics of these proteins in normal colon crypt cells stimulated with Wnt3A or inhibited by cycloheximide has been measured. Colon adenoma cultures established from APCmin/+ mouse have developmental differences and β-catenin spatial localization compared to normal crypts. Quantitative data describing the effects of signalling pathways and proteins dynamics for both normal and adenomatous colon crypts is now within reach to inform a systems approach to colon crypt biology.
Analysis of circadian properties and healthy levels of blue light from smartphones at night
Authors: Oh Ji Hye , Yoo Heeyeon , Park Hoo Keun , Do Young Rag
Published: June 2015

This study proposes representative figures of merit for circadian and vision performance for healthy and efficient use of smartphone displays. The recently developed figures of merit for circadian luminous efficacy of radiation (CER) and circadian illuminance (CIL) related to human health and circadian rhythm were measured to compare three kinds of commercial smartphone displays. The CIL values for social network service (SNS) messenger screens from all three displays were higher than 41.3 biolux (blx) in a dark room at night and the highest CIL value reached 50.9 blx. These CIL values corresponded to melatonin suppression values (MSVs) of 7.3% and 11.4%, respectively. Moreover, smartphone use in a bright room at night had much higher CIL and MSV values (58.7 ~ 105.2 blx and 15.4 ~ 36.1%, respectively). This study also analyzed the nonvisual and visual optical properties of the three smartphone displays while varying the distance between the screen and eye and controlling the brightness setting. Finally, a method to possibly attenuate the unhealthy effects of smartphone displays was proposed and investigated by decreasing the emitting wavelength of blue LEDs in a smartphone LCD backlight and subsequently reducing the circadian effect of the display.
Electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensors based on electrospun La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.75Co0.25O3 nanofiber modified electrodes
Authors: Xu Duo , Li Li , Ding Yaping , Cui Shiqiang
Published: June 2015

Current–time curves of the LSMCO/CPE at different concentrations of H2O2 (A); the image of the electrospun LSMCO nanofibers (B).
The highly sensitive and facile colorimetric detection of the glycidyl azide polymer based on propargylamine functionalized gold nanoparticles using click chemistry
Authors: He Yi , Liang Yun , Wang Dunju
Published: June 2015

A highly sensitive and facile colorimetric sensor for the glycidyl azide polymer explosive was developed based on propargylamine functionalized gold nanoparticles using click chemistry.
The feasibility of in situ geological sequestration of supercritical carbon dioxide coupled to underground coal gasification
Authors: Schiffrin David J.
Published: June 2015

The environmental issues related to the proposed UCG-in situ CCS technique are analysed. The putative advantage of synthesising liquid fuels from the produced “syngas” would lead to greatly enhanced CO2 emissions.
Dielectrophoresis-assisted 3D nanoelectroporation for non-viral cell transfection in adoptive immunotherapy
Authors: Chang Lingqian , Gallego-Perez Daniel , Zhao Xi , Bertani Paul , Yang Zhaogang , Chiang Chi-Ling , Malkoc Veysi , Shi Junfeng , Sen Chandan K. , Odonnell Lynn , Yu Jianhua , Lu Wu , Lee L. James
Published: June 2015

Dielectrophoresis-assisted nanochannel electroporation for controlled large scale cell transfection.
PPARα agonists based on stilbene and its bioisosteres: biological evaluation and docking studies
Authors: De Filippis Barbara , Agamennone Mariangela , Ammazzalorso Alessandra , Bruno Isabella , D'Angelo Alessandra , Di Matteo Mauro , Fantacuzzi Marialuigia , Giampietro Letizia , Giancristofaro Antonella , Maccallini Cristina , Amoroso Rosa
Published: June 2015

A new series of gemfibrozil analogues conjugated withtrans-stilbene were synthesized and evaluated with the aim of developing new PPARα agonists.
Synthesis, characterization and performance of ternary doped Cu–Ce–B/TiO2 nanotubes on the photocatalytic removal of nitrogen oxides
Authors: Li Rumin , Dong Guojun , Chen Guanmao
Published: June 2015

A series of doped TiO2 nanotubes with Cu, Ce and B has been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method assisted by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.
Aryne generation vs. Truce-Smiles and fries rearrangements during the Kobayashi fragmentation reaction: a new bi-aryl synthesis
Authors: Rasheed O. K. , Hardcastle I. R. , Raftery J. , Quayle P.
Published: June 2015

Treatment of (ortho-trimethysilyl)aryl phenylsulfonates with fluoride anion initiates a Truce-Smiles rearrangement leading to the formation of bi-aryls.
Fabrication and modeling of an ultrasensitive label free impedimetric immunosensor for Aflatoxin B1based on poly(o-phenylenediamine) modified gold 3D nano electrode ensembles
Authors: Hu Haifeng , Cao Lixin , Li Qingchuan , Ma Kan , Yan Peisheng , Kirk Donald W.
Published: June 2015

An ultrasensitive label free impedimetric immunosensor for AFB1detection was fabricated based on poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) electropolymerized film modified gold three dimensional nanoelectrode ensembles (3DNEEs).
Essential oil encapsulations: uses, procedures, and trends
Authors: Majeed Hamid , Bian Yuan-Yuan , Ali Barkat , Jamil Anjum , Majeed Usman , Khan Qaiser Farid , Iqbal Khalid Javed , Shoemaker Charles F. , Fang Zhong
Published: June 2015

Recently there has been an increased interest towards the biological activities of essential oils (EOs).
Visible light photocatalytic degradation of wattle extract: effect of mixing CdWO4 over a semiconductive ZnO photocatalyst
Authors: Kumar E. T. Deva , Thirumalai K. , Aravindhan R. , Swaminathan M. , Rao J. Raghava , Nair B. U.
Published: June 2015

Degradation of wattle (Acacia mearnsii) extract, a leather tanning agent which is mainly composed of polyphenolic compounds was attempted by photocatalytic degradation.
Preparation of carbon nano-onions by the low-temperature unfolding of MWCNTs via interaction with theraphthal
Authors: Kharissova Oxana V. , Dias H. V. Rasika , Kharisov Boris I. , Jiang Jiechao
Published: June 2015

Ultrasonic treatment of theraphthal and MWCNT dispersions resulted in the formation of nano-onion structures in mild conditions.
Graphene oxide wrapped individual silver nanocomposites with improved stability for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Gao Nan , Yang Ting , Liu Tao , Zou Yu , Jiang Jiang
Published: June 2015

GO coating on Ag nanoparticles enhances SERS signals and improves the long term stability of Ag.
Adsorption performance of low-cost gelatin–montmorillonite nanocomposite for Cr(iii) ions
Authors: Qiu Jinghong , Dong Shihua , Wang Haibo , Cheng Xu , Du Zongliang
Published: June 2015

Preparation of gelatin–montmorillonite (G–MMT) nanocomposite from Na–montmorillonite (Na–MMT) and gelatin through intercalation method and its adsorption of Cr(iii).
Unique and outstanding cadmium sequestration by polystyrene-supported nanosized zirconium hydroxides: a case study
Authors: Zhang Qingrui , Teng Jie , Zhang Zhaoxiang , Nie Guangze , Zhao Hongwei , Peng Qiuming , Jiao Tifeng
Published: June 2015

We developed a new hybrid sorbent (HZO-PS) by loading nano-Zr(OH)4 within a cation-exchanger. HZO-PS can combine the strong sorption affinities of HZO and charged functional groups (R–SO3−) enrichment of matrix for highly efficient Cd(ii) removal.
Establishment of a long-term chick forebrain neuronal culture on a microelectrode array platform
Authors: Kuang Serena Y. , Huang Ting , Wang Zhonghai , Lin Yongliang , Kindy Mark , Xi Tingfei , Gao Bruce Z.
Published: June 2015

A 5 month stable chick forebrain neuron culture was established on microelectrode arrays and characterized morphologically, functionally, and developmentally.
Electrochemical detection of single micelles through ‘nano-impacts’
Authors: Toh H. S. , Compton R. G.
Published: June 2015

CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) micelles are detected directly via the novel electrochemical method of ‘nano-impacts’ through oxidation of its bromide content.
A peanut-like hierarchical micro/nano-Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.18Co0.08O2cathode material for lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance
Authors: Zhang Yi-di , Li Yi , Niu Xiao-qing , Wang Dong-huang , Zhou Ding , Wang Xiu-li , Gu Chang-dong , Tu Jiang-ping
Published: June 2015

A novel peanut-like hierarchical micro/nano-lithium-rich cathode material with superior cyclic stability and enhanced rate capability is synthesized via a solvothermal method.
The control of epidermal growth factor grafted on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted delivery
Authors: She Xiaodong , Chen Lijue , Velleman Leonora , Li Chengpeng , He Canzhong , Denman John , Wang Tao , Shigdar Sarah , Duan Wei , Kong Lingxue
Published: June 2015

ToF-SIMS was successfully applied to characterize and quantify the EGF grafted on hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles.
In situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealing precipitation reaction kinetics of silver ions with mixed halide ions
Authors: Liu Qi , Li Zheng , Okasinski John S. , Ren Yang , Sun Yugang
Published: June 2015

Quantitative reaction kinetics involved in the precipitation of silver ions with mixed halogen ions that are capable of forming uniform silver chlorobromide nanocubes has been studied by in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction.
Hydroxyl radical-assisted decomposition and oxidation in solution-processed indium oxide thin-film transistors
Authors: Sabri Mardhiah M. , Jung Joohye , Yoon Doo Hyun , Yoon Seokhyun , Tak Young Jun , Kim Hyun Jae
Published: June 2015

Solution-processed indium oxide TFTs were fabricated by hydroxyl radical-assisted (HRA) decomposition and oxidation.
Plant diversity and ecology of ultramafic outcrops in Sabah (Malaysia)
Authors: van der Ent Antony , Repin Rimi , Sugau John , Wong Khoon Meng
Published: June 2015

Ultramafic outcrops occupy less than 1% of the land surface of the Earth and are renowned as hotspots of plant diversity and endemism. With over 3500 km2 of ultramafic outcrops in Sabah (4.6% of the total landmass of the state) on the island of Borneo and a total of 4252 plant species recorded occurring on this substrate, Malaysia has one of the most species-rich floras occupying these outcrops globally. Over 2542 plant species have been documented on ultramafic outcrops in Kinabalu Park alone, of which a large percentage is endemic to either Kinabalu Park or Borneo. Despite the existence of this species rich flora, the full plant diversity and ecology remains largely unknown because of a lack of focussed research. Furthermore, plant diversity in many areas of Sabah is severely threatened by land-use conversion and, because many plant species occur only in a single or a few ultramafic sites, impacts on the ecosystems that support them could eventually result in their extinction.
A determinacy approach to Borel combinatorics
Authors: Marks Andrew
Published: June 2015

We introduce a new method, involving infinite games and Borel determinacy, which we use to answer several well-known questions in Borel combinatorics.
The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam
Authors: Kamali Mohammad Hashim , Ramadan Tariq
Published: June 2015

This book is presented in two parts, consisting of a total of twenty-three chapters. Part One occupies seven chapters, which begin with a conceptual analysis of wasaṭiyyah, its meaning, definition, scope, and manifestations. This is followed by a review of the source evidence in the Qur’an and hadith, and then a round-up of modern opinion on wasaṭiyyah. The hallmarks of wasaṭiyyah and those of extremism, identification of wasaṭiyyah, its manifestations, and institutional developments on wasaṭiyyah are also discussed under Part One. Part Two looks into the various manifestations of wasaÏiyyah in the context, for instance, of religiosity, moderation and justice, environmental degradation, and financial crises the world has experienced in recent years. Other chapters that follow address subjects such as moderation in jihÉd, the moderating role of disagreement (ikhtilÉf), how wasaÏiyyah can be manifested with regard to women’s rights, the moderating influence of Sufism, wasaÏiyyah and globalization, and moderation in personal character and lifestyle. Two other chapters that appear toward the end bear the titles respectively of “Islam Between Antiquity and the Modern World” and “Reconciling the Concerns of Continuity and Change.” The former looks at Islam’s historical profile, how it played out its role of moderation in its relations with the outside world, whereas the latter looks into the ways Islam can moderate itself from within through the instrumentalities, for instance, of tajdid and islah (renewal and reform), respectively. In almost every chapter, the book explores Islamic principles and doctrines on a number of selected themes that seek to contextualize Islamic teachings with contemporary realities through the lenses of wasaṭiyyah. Part One thus focuses on a conceptual analysis of wasaṭiyyah and its understanding from a perusal of the Islamic text and doctrine, whereas Part Two presents a selected cluster of themes related to wasaṭiyyah and their application to contemporary issues.
Evolution of the IASC into the IASB
Authors: Camfferman Kees , Zeff Stephen A.
Published: June 2015

This chapter summarizes the history of the IASC from 1973 to 2000. Created at the initiative of accountancy bodies from several countries, the IASC achieved a modest acceptance of its basic accounting standards. After 1987, the IASC pursued acceptance of its standards for the purpose of cross-border securities listings. To this end, the IASC strengthened its standards in consultation with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). Although IOSCO endorsed the IASC’s standards in 2000, the main objective of acceptance of the standards by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remained elusive. With strong encouragement of SEC, a restructuring of the IASC into an independent standard setter was agreed in 1999.
The United States Begins to Warm to the IASB
Authors: Camfferman Kees , Zeff Stephen A.
Published: June 2015

Acceptance of IFRSs as a basis for financial reporting by foreign companies listing in the United States, without a mandatory reconciliation to US GAAP, was a chief objective of the IASB, as it had been of the IASC before it. In 2005, the Chief Accountant of the US Securities and Exchange Commission published a roadmap that, for the first time, set a target date for lifting the reconciliation requirement. Even faster than expected, the SEC lifted the reconciliation requirement in 2007. Under the leadership of Christopher Cox, chairman of the Commission, the SEC proceeded to consider the use of IFRSs, instead of US GAAP, by domestic registrants. A roadmap proposal was published in 2008, raising expectations that IFRSs might truly become the global accounting standard.
Adopt or Adapt
Authors: Camfferman Kees , Zeff Stephen A.
Published: June 2015

Between 2005 to 2007, several important jurisdictions announced plans to adopt IFRSs or to converge national standards with IFRSs. Canada announced the adoption of IFRSs beginning in 2011. China moved fast to publish and implement a complete set of national standards deemed to be substantially converged with IFRSs. Following developments both in the EU and the US, the Japanese national standard setter committed itself, in a ‘Tokyo Agreement’ with the IASB, to complete a major convergence project in 2011. The diversity of national approaches to IFRSs raised concern at the IASB over its ‘brand name’, as ‘IFRS’ might be used to describe financial statements that were based on jurisdictional variations of IFRSs rather than full IFRSs. Similarly, uneven compliance with IFRSs was a matter of concern.
Isolated Rheumatoid Nodule of the Achilles
Authors: Spicer Paul J. , Broussard Gerald , Beaman Francesca
Published: June 2015

Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatoid nodules. These nodules most commonly involve the soft tissues of the upper extremity, particularly adjacent to the olecranon. We present an uncommon case of a solitary rheumatoid nodule arising from the paratenon of the Achilles tendon with ultrasound and magnetic resonance images.
Irf6-Related Gene Regulatory Network Involved in Palate and Lip Development
Authors: Dai Jiewen , Yu Hongbo , Si Jiawen , Fang Bing , Shen Steve Guofang
Published: June 2015

Numerous genes including Irf6 have been revealed to contribute to cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P). In this study, we performed a systematic bioinformatics analysis of Irf6-related gene regulatory network involved in palate and lip development by using GeneDecks, DAVID, STRING, and GeneMANIA database. Our results showed that many CL/P candidate genes have relation with Irf6, and 9 of these genes, including Msx1, Pvrl1, Pax9, Jag2, Irf6, Tgfb3, Rara, Gli2, and Tgfb2, were enriched into the CL/P gene group. Some of these 9 genes also were commonly involved in different signaling pathways and different biological processes, and they also have protein-protein interactions with Irf6. These findings make us analyze the intricate function of Irf6 in a CL/P gene regulatory network, followed by guiding us to perform further functional studies on these genes in the future. This method also offers us a simple, cheap, but useful method to analyze the relationship with a gene regulatory network of a certain disease such as CL/P.
Long-Term Outcome of Combined Lateral Tarsal Strip With Temporal Permanent Tarsorrhaphy for Correction of Paralytic Ectropion Caused By Facial Nerve Palsy
Authors: Kwon Kye Yoon , Jang Sun Young , Yoon Jin Sook
Published: June 2015

Paralytic ectropion caused by facial nerve palsy often requires surgical intervention for cornea protection. In this study, the authors intended to investigate the long-term surgical outcome of their surgical technique of correcting paralytic ectropion, which is a combined lateral tarsal strip and minimal temporal permanent tarsorrhaphy. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent paralytic ectropion repair by combined lateral tarsal strip with minimal temporal permanent tarsorrhaphy (5 mm) from January 2010 to December 2012. Patients with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. An analysis of preoperative and postoperative measurements included the extent of lagophthalmos, grade of superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK), and tear break-up time (tBUT). The study included 22 patients and a total of 22 eyes. The lagophthalmos, grade of SPK, and tBUT at both 1 month and 1 year of postoperative follow-up were all significantly improved compared with preoperatively (all P < 0.01). At 1 year after surgery, the mean SPK grade and tBUT were slightly, but not significantly, worse than at 1 month after surgery (P = 0.716 and P = 0.632, retrospectively). Three patients were not satisfied with the aesthetic appearance; however, no patient required additional surgery to enhance eyelid closure because of ectropion recurrence or to reopen the tarsorrhaphy during long-term follow-up. Combined lateral tarsal strip with minimal temporal permanent tarsorrhaphy is a quick, safe, and effective surgical technique for the treatment of lower eyelid paralytic ectropion. It produces minimal cosmetic disfigurement and low morbidity during long-term follow-up.
Business and Management Studies in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework
Authors: Pidd Michael , Broadbent Jane
Published: June 2015

The Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF 2014) was the 7th formal assessment of research in UK universities and other institutions of higher education. Participation in these assessments is voluntary, and institutions can decide which staff to include and under which discipline to include them. A hundred and one institutions chose to submit research in Business and Management Studies, and this work was assessed by a panel of academic researchers and research users nominated by a wide range of academic constituencies. The previous assessment exercise was conducted in 2008, and REF 2014 shows that the quality of UK research in Business and Management Studies, already high in 2008, has improved since then. The operation of the Business and Management Studies sub‐panel is described, the results are summarized, and a few caveats are discussed so as to aid the Business and Management Studies community in its endeavours to understand and evaluate the process and the results.
Role of text and student characteristics in real‐time reading processes across the primary grades
Authors: de Leeuw Linda , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: June 2015

Although much is known about beginning readers using behavioural measures, real‐time processes are still less clear. The present study examined eye movements (skipping rate, gaze, look back and second‐pass duration) as a function of text‐related (difficulty and word class) and student‐related characteristics (word decoding, reading comprehension, short term and working memory). Twenty‐four third and 20 fifth graders read a relatively easy (below grade level) and more difficult text (at grade level). The results showed that skipping rate mainly relied on text characteristics and a three‐way interaction of grade, text difficulty and word class. Gaze durations depended mostly on student characteristics. Results on look backs showed more and longer look backs in difficult texts. Finally, second‐pass duration mostly relied on grade level. To conclude, this study shows that both student and text characteristics should be taken into account when studying online text reading development.
Enhancing the stability and ecological safety of mass‐reared transgenic strains for field release by redundant conditional lethality systems
Authors: Handler Alfred M.
Published: June 2015

The genetic manipulation of agriculturally important insects now allows the development of genetic sexing and male sterility systems for more highly efficient biologically‐based population control programs, most notably the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), for both plant and animal insect pests. Tetracycline‐suppressible (Tet‐off) conditional lethal systems may function together so that transgenic strains will be viable and fertile on a tetracycline‐containing diet, but female‐lethal and male sterile in tetracycline‐free conditions. This would allow their most efficacious use in a unified system for sterile male‐only production for SIT. A critical consideration for the field release of such transgenic insect strains, however, is a determination of the frequency and genetic basis of lethality revertant survival. This will provide knowledge essential to evaluating the genetic stability of the lethality system, its environmental safety, and provide the basis for modifications ensuring optimal efficacy. For Tet‐off lethal survival determinations, development of large‐scale screening protocols should also allow the testing of these modifications, and test the ability of other conditional lethal systems to fully suppress propagation of rare Tet‐off survivors. If a dominant temperature sensitive (DTS) pupal lethality system proves efficient for secondary lethality in Drosophila, it may provide the safeguard needed to support the release of sexing/sterility strains, and potentially, the release of unisex lethality strains as a form of genetic male sterility. Should the DTS Prosβ21 mutation prove effective for redundant lethality, its high level of structural and functional conservation should allow host‐specific cognates to be created for a wide range of insect species.
Patterns of food consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in an Iranian population: A nested case–control study
Authors: Moslehi Nazanin , Hosseini‐Esfahani Firoozeh , Hosseinpanah Farhad , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: June 2015

Aim

To investigate the association between major dietary patterns and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among an Iranian urban population.

Methods

This is a nested case–control study involving 178 cases with T2DM and 520 controls matched for age, gender and the length of follow up who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). A validated food frequency questionnaire, of 168 food items, was used to measure dietary intake, and principal component analysis was used to derive dietary pattern scores. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between dietary patterns scores and risk of T2DM.

Results

The mean age of participants was 43.6 ± 12.0 years and 54% were women. Three dietary patterns, which explained 28.15% total variance, were identified: western, healthy and traditional Iranian patterns. Neither the western nor the healthy dietary patterns were significantly related to the risk of T2DM, but a higher score for the traditional dietary pattern (characterised by high intakes of whole grains, legumes, egg and red meat) was found to be associated with an 18% lower risk of T2DM, after adjustment for relevant confounders (odds ratio per 1‐SD score 0.82 (95% CI 0.67–0.99)).

Conclusions

Adherence to the traditional dietary pattern may be associated with reduced risk of T2DM in an Iranian population.
When do we need more data? A primer on calculating the value of information for applied ecologists
Authors: Canessa Stefano , Guillera‐Arroita Gurutzeta , Lahoz‐Monfort José J. , Southwell Darren M. , Armstrong Doug P. , Chadès Iadine , Lacy Robert C. , Converse Sarah J.
Published: June 2015

Applied ecologists continually advocate further research, under the assumption that obtaining more information will lead to better decisions. Value of information (VoI) analysis can be used to quantify how additional information may improve management outcomes: despite its potential, this method is still underused in environmental decision‐making. We provide a primer on how to calculate the VoI and assess whether reducing uncertainty will change a decision. Our aim is to facilitate the application of VoI by managers who are not familiar with decision‐analytic principles and notation, by increasing the technical accessibility of the tool.

Calculating the VoI requires explicit formulation of management objectives and actions. Uncertainty must be clearly structured and its effects on management outcomes evaluated. We present two measures of the VoI. The expected value of perfect information is a calculation of the expected improvement in management outcomes that would result from access to perfect knowledge. The expected value of sample information calculates the improvement in outcomes expected by collecting a given sample of new data.

We guide readers through the calculation of VoI using two case studies: (i) testing for disease when managing a frog species and (ii) learning about demographic rates for the reintroduction of an endangered turtle. We illustrate the use of Bayesian updating to incorporate new information.

The VoI depends on our current knowledge, the quality of the information collected and the expected outcomes of the available management actions. Collecting information can require significant investments of resources; VoI analysis assists managers in deciding whether these investments are justified.