bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Italian prescribing patterns in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Marazziti Donatella , Albert Umberto , Dell'Osso Bernardo , Tundo Antonio , Cuniberti Francesco , Maina Giuseppe , Moroni Ilenia , Benatti Beatrice , Mucci Federico , Massimetti Gabriele , Piccinni Armando , Brakoulias Vlasios
Published: October 2017

The aim of the present study was to investigate psychopharmacological prescribing patterns in a large sample (n = 1815) of patients suffering from obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) recruited in 4 Italian centers specialized in OCD, in comparison to available national and international guidelines.

The centers were asked to complete a specific data sheet questionnaire on patients' therapeutic status. Statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS.

The results showed that almost all patients referred to the centers of Milan, Pisa and Rome received psychotropic medications, whereas only 59.9% (313) did so in Turin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most used drugs ranging between 49.0% and 71.5%. Clomipramine was prescribed more often in Rome and Pisa than in Milan and Turin. The same was true for other tricyclic antidepressants. Second‐generation antipsychotics were more often prescribed in Pisa and in Milan. Mood stabilizers were almost exclusively used in Pisa.

Taken together, the overall findings would suggest that, although the main Italian centers specialized in OCD follow available guidelines, a certain degree of variability does exist. This may depend on the different educational background, availability of other specific therapeutic strategies, as well as varying levels of severity and comorbidity of the patients.
Real‐time metabolite monitoring of glucose‐fed Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentations using Raman assisted metabolomics
Authors: Zu Theresah N.K. , Liu Sanchao , Gerlach Elliot S. , Germane Katherine L. , Servinsky Matthew D. , Mackie David M. , Sund Christian J.
Published: October 2017

Data obtained from in situ Raman spectroscopy probes and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were applied together with chemometrics to build partial least squares models of metabolite concentrations for the industrially relevant organism Clostridium acetobutylicum. Models were built for predominant products (acetic acid, butyric acid, and butanol) of C. acetobutylicum cultures grown on glucose as a substrate. The partial least squares models were then applied to a 3‐day C. acetobutylicum culture for real‐time, quantitative metabolite analysis. The predicted outcomes of new fermentation cultures were validated by analyzing HPLC data from corresponding experiments from these new fermentation cultures. Model predictions showed good correlation with measured data (goodness of fit [R2Y] values of 0.99, and goodness of prediction [Q2Y] values of 0.98 from agitated cultures. Predictive models based upon Raman spectral data are promising tools for characterization of synthetic organisms, guiding process control, and facilitating optimization of culture conditions.
The impact of different antifreeze agents on the thermal properties of ethylene vinyl acetate emulsion
Authors: Nasir N.H. , Rosdi M.R.H. , Ariffin A.
Published: October 2017

The application of pour point depressants in the form of emulsions provides an alternative to overcoming the problem of handling during applications in cold climate environments. The incorporation of antifreeze agents to these emulsions helps to improve their cold flow properties, without sacrificing much of the other properties. This study considered the effect of the incorporation of different antifreeze agents into ethylene vinyl acetate emulsions that are used as pour point depressants. The results obtained revealed that the ethylene glycol (EG) emulsion system gave the lowest freezing temperature of −45°C, while the propylene glycol emulsion system provided the lowest vitrification temperature of −64°C. The size of the particles in the emulsion was significantly reduced from 359.1 nm to 207.4 to 216.4 nm when an antifreeze agent was used in the emulsion compared to the control sample (pure water). As for the selection of the most suitable antifreeze for the emulsion system, the vitrification performance was a factor that was taken into consideration in the decision to select the EG system due to the fact that this system offered an adequate performance in terms of vitrification efficiency at around −59°C, although it was not as excellent as the vitrification efficiency portrayed in the propylene glycol system. However, the EG emulsion system was the most suitable system for the ethylene vinyl acetate emulsion, as it delivered the best protection against freezing and, at the same time, produced a decent particle size distribution.
Functionalized boron carbide for enhancement of anticorrosion performance of epoxy resin
Authors: Wang Jizhuang , He Yi , Xie Zhengfeng , Chen Chunlin , Yang Qiangbin , Zhang Chunli , Wang Binyan , Zhan Yingqing , Zhao Tianhong
Published: October 2017

In this study, epoxy coatings were modified by adding various compositions of B4C particles. In order to achieve proper dispersion of particles in the epoxy coating and increasing chemical interactions between particles and polymeric coating, the surface of the B4C particles was treated with γ‐(2,3‐epoxypropoxy) propytrimethoxysilane (KH560). The surface modification and microstructure of B4C were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also used to evaluate the impedance of coatings. The results revealed that the KH560 not only enhanced the interaction between B4C particles and epoxy resin but also exhibited a remarkable ability to improve the anticorrosion performance of epoxy resin. The epoxy coating with the 3 wt% B4C‐KH560 particles exhibited the best anticorrosion performance, which can be attributed to the best uniform dispersion of the B4C‐KH560 particles, and the particles effectively block the aggressive species (Cl−, O2, and H2O) from the coating.
iTRAQ‐Based Proteomics Suggests Ephb6 as a Potential Regulator of the ERK Pathway in the Prefrontal Cortex of Chronic Social Defeat Stress Model Mice
Authors: Guo Hua , Huang Zhi‐Lin , Wang Wei , Zhang Shu‐Xiao , Li Juan , Cheng Ke , Xu Ke , He Yong , Gui Si‐Wen , Li Peng‐Fei , Wang Hai‐Yang , Dong Zhi‐Fang , Xie Peng
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a worldwide concern and devastating psychiatric disease. The World Health Organization claims that MDD leads to at least 11.9% of the global burden of disease. However, the underlying pathophysiology mechanisms of MDD remain largely unknown.

Experimental design

Herein, we proteomic‐based strategy is used to compare the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model mice with a control group. Based on pooled samples, differential proteins are identified in the PFC proteome using iTRAQ coupled with LC–MS/MS.

Results

Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) is then followed to predict relevant pathways, with the ephrin receptor signaling pathway selected for further research. Additionally, as the selected key proteins of the ephrin receptor signaling pathway, ephrin type‐B receptor 6 (EphB6) and the ERK pathway are validated by Western blotting.

Conclusion and clinical relevant

Altogether, increased understanding of the ephrin receptor signaling pathway in MDD is provided, which implicates further investigation of PFC dysfunction induced by CSDS treatment.
RNAi as an emerging approach to control Fusarium head blight disease and mycotoxin contamination in cereals
Authors: Machado Ana Karla , Brown Neil A , Urban Martin , Kanyuka Kostya , Hammond‐Kosack Kim E
Published: October 2017

Fusarium graminearum is a major fungal pathogen of cereals worldwide, causing seedling, stem base and floral diseases, including Fusarium head blight (FHB). In addition to yield and quality losses, FHB contaminates cereal grain with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol, which are harmful to human, animal and ecosystem health. Currently, FHB control is only partially effective due to several intractable problems. RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism that regulates gene expression. RNAi has been exploited in the development of new genomic tools that allow the targeted silencing of genes of interest in many eukaryotes. Host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) is a transgenic technology used to silence fungal genes in planta during attempted infection and thereby reduces disease levels. HIGS relies on the host plant's ability to produce mobile small interfering RNA molecules, generated from long double‐stranded RNA, which are complementary to targeted fungal genes. These molecules are transferred from the plant to invading fungi via an uncharacterised mechanism, to cause gene silencing. Here, we describe recent advances in RNAi‐mediated control of plant pathogenic fungi, highlighting the key advantages and disadvantages. We then discuss the developments and implications of combining HIGS with other methods of disease control. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Long time asymptotic behavior of the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Borghese Michael , Jenkins Robert , McLaughlin Kenneth D.T.-R.
Published: October 2017

We study the Cauchy problem for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger (fNLS) equation. Using the

\bar\partial

generalization of the nonlinear steepest descent method we compute the long-time asymptotic expansion of the solution

\psi (x,t)

in any fixed space-time cone

C(x_{1},x_{2},v_{1},v_{2}) = \left\{(x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^{2}\::\:x = x_{0} + vt\text{ with }x_{0} \in [x_{1},x_{2}],\:v \in [v_{1},v_{2}]\right\}

up to an (optimal) residual error of order

\mathcal{O}\left(t^{−3/ 4}\right)

. In each cone

C

the leading order term in this expansion is a multi-soliton whose parameters are modulated by soliton–soliton and soliton–radiation interactions as one moves through the cone. Our results require that the initial data possess one

L^{2}(\mathbb{R})

moment and (weak) derivative and that it not generate any spectral singularities.
Dini estimates for nonlocal fully nonlinear elliptic equations
Authors: Zhang Hong , Dong Hongjie
Published: October 2017

We obtain Dini type estimates for a class of concave fully nonlinear nonlocal elliptic equations of order

\sigma \in (0,2)

with rough and non-symmetric kernels. The proof is based on a novel application of Campanato's approach and a refined

C^{\sigma + \alpha }

estimate in [9].
Unauthorized Military Interventions for the Public Good: A response to Harold Koh
Authors: Trapp Kimberley N.
Published: October 2017

In his contribution to this Symposium, Harold Koh exhorts international lawyers to “seriously engage the debate” regarding the lawfulness (or at least the legal defensibility) of humanitarian intervention (“HI”). The aim of this essay is to take him up on that plea and sketch an alternative approach to the one that he advances. In so doing, I will focus on international law rather than U.S. domestic law.
The Use of Force as a Plea of Necessity
Authors: Vidmar Jure
Published: October 2017

Article 2(4) of the UN Charter contains a general prohibition of the use of force. Articles 42 and 51 authorize departures from this prohibition in two circumstances: Security Council authorization and self-defense. These two circumstances are conceptualized as justifications. They provide for legally-warranted departures from the general rule. As a result, a justified use of force is not wrongful. Justifications are different from excuses where the action remains wrongful, but the wrongdoer may be released from responsibility for the wrongdoing.
The General Public’s Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Resource Management, Collaboration, and Community Assistance Centers During Disasters
Authors: Charney Rachel L. , Rebmann Terri , Endrizal Amy , Dalawari Preeti
Published: October 2017

Background

The key to resilience after disasters is the provision of coordinated care and resource distribution to the affected community. Past research indicates that the general public lacks an understanding regarding agencies’ roles and responsibilities during disaster response.

Study Objectives

This study’s purpose was to explore the general public’s beliefs regarding agencies or organizations’ responsibilities related to resource management during disasters. In addition, the public’s attitudes towards the management and use of community disaster assistance centers were explored.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with members of the general public. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and identify themes that describe the public’s expectations of disaster response agencies and the use of community disaster assistance centers.

Results

A total of 28 interviews were conducted. Half of the participants (n=14) were black, 57% (n=16) were female, and the mean age was 49 years. The general public has developed trust and distrust toward response organizations and governmental agencies based on past experiences during disasters. The public wishes to have local agencies to help lead disaster response, but expects a collaboration between all response organizations, including the government. The managing agency overseeing community disaster assistance centers was not perceived as important, but the proximity of these centers to community members was considered critical.

Conclusions

The general public prefers that local agencies and leaders manage disaster response, and they expect collaboration among response agencies. Community assistance centers need to be located close to those in need, and be managed by agencies trusted by the general public. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:446–449)
Experimental Study on the Shear Adhesion Strength Between the Ice and Substrate in Icing Wind Tunnel
Authors: Zhu C. X. , Zhu C. L. , Zhao W. W. , Tao M. J.
Published: October 2017

The icing wind tunnel can simulate the air flow at a high altitude; such an air flow contains supercooled droplets moving at certain velocities. An integrated experiment method was proposed, and it included the icing test and shear stress measurements in the simulated environment of the icing wind tunnel. The error caused by the change in experimental environments was completely eliminated with this novel method. Thus, there was no discrepancy between the real-time and experimental values of shear stress between the ice and substrate. The experiments of icing and shear stress measurements are carried out by varying the following parameters: icing temperature, mean volume diameter (MVD) of droplets, and surface roughness of the substrate. The results indicate that the shear stress between the ice and the substrate increases with the decrease in temperature provided the temperature is relatively high. When the MVD value is 22 μm, the liquid water content is about 1 g/m3and surface roughness is 2 μm. Under these conditions, the shear stress reaches its maximum value at a temperature of –15°C. The shear stress is also affected by the MVD values of droplets, and the surface roughness of substrate.
Prediction of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Fiber Reinforced Composites Using a Micromechanical Approach
Authors: Sayyidmousavi A. , Bougherara H. , Falahatgar S. R. , Fawaz Z.
Published: October 2017

A novel micromechanical approach is proposed to calculate the effective thermal conductivities of fiber reinforced composite materials. The key advantage of the present formulation is its ability to yield closed form solutions for the effective thermal conductivity of composites in both longitudinal and transverse directions for three dimensional heat transfer problems. The obtained results are in good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature. When compared with analytical and finite element solutions, the results are seen to be in better agreement with the hexagonal packed array compared to the square packed array which thus represents a more realistic model of the fiber distribution in the matrix medium.
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among schoolchildren in Greece: the role of sex, degree of urbanisation and seasonality
Authors: Manios Yannis , Moschonis George , Hulshof Toine , Bourhis Anne-Sophie , Hull George L. J. , Dowling Kirsten G. , Kiely Mairead E. , Cashman Kevin D.
Published: October 2017

The current study was aiming to report the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status among schoolchildren in Greece and investigate the role of sex, urbanisation and seasonality on vitamin D status. A sample of 2386 schoolchildren (9–13 years old) from four distinct prefectures was examined. The prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <30 and <50 nmol/l (vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency respectively) was 5·2 and 52·5 %, respectively. Girls had a higher prevalence of 25(OH)D<30 (7·2 v. 3·2 %) and 50 nmol/l (57·0 v. 48·0 %) than boys (P<0·001). The highest prevalence rates of 25(OH)D<30 and 50 nmol/l (9·1 and 73·1 %, respectively) were observed during spring (April to June), whereas the lowest (1·5 and 31·9 %, respectively) during autumn (October to December). The prevalence of 25(OH)D<50 nmol/l was higher in urban/semi-urban than rural regions, particularly during spring months (74·6 v. 47·2 %; P<0·001). Female sex, urban/semi-urban region of residence and spring months were found to increase the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, with the highest OR observed for spring months (7·47; 95 % CI 3·23, 17·3 and 5·14; 95 % CI 3·84, 6·89 for 25(OH)D<30 and 50 nmol/l respectively). In conclusion, despite the southerly latitude, the prevalence of low vitamin D status among primary schoolchildren in Greece is comparable to or exceeds the prevalence reported among children and adolescents on a European level. Sub-populations at highest risk are girls in urban/semi-urban areas during spring months, thus indicating the need for effective initiatives to support adequate vitamin D status in these population groups.
Mass Shootings and Public Support for Gun Control
Authors: Newman Benjamin J. , Hartman Todd K.
Published: October 2017

The recent spate of mass public shootings in the United States raises important questions about how these tragic events might impact mass opinion and public policy. Integrating research on focusing events, contextual effects and perceived threat, this article stipulates that residing near a mass shooting should increase support for gun control by making the threat of gun violence more salient. Drawing upon multiple data sources on mass public shootings paired with large-N survey data, it demonstrates that increased proximity to a mass shooting is associated with heightened public support for stricter gun control. Importantly, the results show that this effect does not vary by partisanship, but does vary as a function of salience-related event factors, such as repetition, magnitude and recency. Critically, the core result is replicated using panel data. Together, these results suggest a process of context-driven policy feedback between existing gun laws, egregious gun violence and demand for policy change.
TRANSNATIONAL ANARCHISM, JAPANESE REVOLUTIONARY CONNECTIONS, AND THE PERSONAL POLITICS OF EXILE
Authors: WILLEMS NADINE
Published: October 2017

In the autumn of 1913, Japanese radical journalist Ishikawa Sanshirō (1876–1956) fled Japan for Europe on a self-imposed exile that would last more than seven years. While there, he mingled with English social philosopher Edward Carpenter (1844–1929) and his circle of friends, and resided for several years with the family of French anarchist Paul Reclus (1858–1941), nephew and professional heir of famed nineteenth-century geographer Elisée Reclus (1830–1905). Ishikawa’s travels contributed to the development of an intricate web of non-state, non-institutional links, fuelling an exchange of knowledge that spanned four decades. His personal trajectory highlights the significance of individual-based activism to the early twentieth-century global spread of anarchism. The experience of exile is also a valuable opportunity to explore how chance encounters, emotional ties, and subjective politics shape ideas of social change in tension with ideological consistency.
GROUP PORTRAIT: THE ISPETTRICI NAZIONALI OF THE ITALIAN FASCIST PARTY, 1937–1943
Authors: WILLSON PERRY
Published: October 2017

The years of fascist rule in Italy saw an unprecedented mass political mobilization of women, a mobilization that has, to date, been little studied by historians. This article focuses on the role of the ispettrici nazionali – the highest rank that women ever reached in the fascist party hierarchy. It attempts to piece together a ‘group portrait’ of these hitherto unstudied female hierarchs, who were appointed from 1937 onwards to form a group leadership for the fasci femminili – the women's section of the party and the only way that women could join it. The article investigates who these women were, how they managed to rise to this prominent position, their ideas and motivations, and their role in organizing and mobilizing millions of female party members for political campaigns and for the war effort.
Behaviour of lactose with the presence of lactic acid and Ca as affected by pH
Authors: Chandrapala Jayani , Gauthier Claire , Vasiljevic Todor
Published: October 2017

Contradictory statements about the effects of pH change on crystallisation behaviour of lactose exist in the literature. Considering the importance of addressing the processability issue of acid whey, a systematic study is required to establish lactose crystallisation behaviour in the presence of LA and Ca at concentrations present in real acid whey waste streams emphasising impact of pH. Structural modifications of lactose were evident at elevated, more neutral pH in the presence of 1% w/w LA and 0·12% w/w Ca. These structural changes led to changes in the anomeric equilibrium of lactose, which manipulated the water–lactose behaviour and increased the crystallinity. Therefore, altering pH to 6·5 may be the solution to proper industrial processing of acid whey, enhancing the ability of lactose to crystallise properly.
‘Fancy Calculating Machine’: Computers and planning in independent India
Authors: MENON NIKHIL
Published: October 2017

In the middle of the twentieth century, statistician P. C. Mahalanobis strove to haul India into the computer age. Convinced that these machines were integral to the future of economic planning in India, he and the Indian Statistical Institute mounted a campaign to bring India its first computers. In the years following independence, Mahalanobis and the Indian Statistical Institute acquired significant influence in the Indian planning process—culminating in them effectively authoring India's Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61). The tale of the computer's journey to India demonstrates that the decision to centrally plan independent India's economy, and the resultant explosion of official statistics, provided the justification for the pursuit of computers. They potentially solved what was considered centralized planning's greatest puzzle: big data. Mahalanobis persuaded the Indian government of the need to import computers for the purposes of development, and then negotiated the import of these exorbitantly expensive machines during visits to Europe, the United States of America and the Soviet Union. Needless to say, the question of which country would provide India its first computers would ruffle Cold War feathers. This article brings together and identifies a link between the research activities of the Indian Statistical Institute, its deepening association with economic planning and the installation of India's earliest computers.
Ownership of parrots in Madagascar: extent and conservation implications
Authors: Reuter Kim E. , Rodriguez Lucia , Hanitriniaina Sahondra , Schaefer Melissa S.
Published: October 2017

The trade of live parrots is a threat to wild populations but is understudied. Madagascar is home to three parrot species listed on CITES Appendix II:Coracopsis nigra,Coracopsis vasaandAgapornis canus. Prior to this study there were no data on the ownership of parrots in Madagascar. We therefore aimed to investigate the extent of the domestic pet trade in this group. Our objectives were to quantify the prevalence, spatial extent, and timing of ownership. We collected data in July and August 2016 in nine urban towns across Madagascar, using semi-structured household surveys (n = 440). We found that the ownership of pet parrots is widespread in time and space; 37% (95% CI 26–48%) of interviewees had seen, and 8% (95% CI 3–13%) had owned, aCoracopsissp. Fewer interviewees (4.5% of all interviewees) had seenA. canusin captivity, and only one individual reported having previously owned anA. canus. We estimate that 1,290Coracopsisspp. individuals were held in captivity in the towns surveyed, in the 1.5 years prior to our interviews. It is likely that much of this ownership is illegal, although we did not examine this explicitly. Additional research is needed to determine whether current extraction rates are sustainable. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that the domestic regulation of the trade of wild species is not being addressed adequately in Madagascar.
Barriers to and facilitators and perceptions of nut consumption among the general population in New Zealand
Authors: Yong Lee Ching , Gray Andrew R , Chisholm Alex , Leong Sook Ling , Tey Siew Ling , Brown Rachel C
Published: October 2017

Objective

Despite considerable evidence supporting the health benefits of regular nut consumption, nut intakes remain lower than recommended among many populations. Understanding how the general population perceives nuts could inform strategies to promote regular nut consumption and increase intakes among the general public.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire which included information on nut consumption and knowledge and perceptions of nuts.

Setting

The study was set in New Zealand (NZ).

Subjects

Participants (n 1600), aged 18 years or over, were randomly selected from the NZ electoral roll.

Results

A total of 710 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate 44 %). More than half of the respondents believed that nuts are healthy, filling, high in protein and high in fat. The most common reason cited by consumers for eating nuts was taste (86 % for nuts, 85 % for nut butters), while dental issues was the most frequent reason for avoidance. About 40 % of respondents were not aware of the effects of nut consumption on lowering blood cholesterol and CVD risk.

Conclusions

Despite overall basic knowledge of the nutritional value of nuts, a substantial proportion of the general population was unaware of the cardioprotective effects of nuts. The present study identified common motivations for eating and avoiding nuts, as well as perceptions of nuts which could affect intake. These should guide the content and direction of public health messages to increase regular nut consumption. The public’s knowledge gaps should also be addressed.
Regional variation in health is predominantly driven by lifestyle rather than genetics
Authors: Amador Carmen , Xia Charley , Nagy Réka , Campbell Archie , Porteous David , Smith Blair H. , Hastie Nick , Vitart Veronique , Hayward Caroline , Navarro Pau , Haley Chris S.
Published: October 2017

Regional differences in health-related phenotypes have been detected between and within countries. In Scotland, regions differ for a variety of health-related traits and display differences in mean lifespan of up to 7.5 years. Both genetics and lifestyle differences are potential causes of this variation. Using data on obesity-related traits of ~11,000 Scottish individuals with genome-wide genetic information and records of lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, we explored causes of regional variation by using models that incorporate genetic and environmental information jointly. We found that variation between individuals within regions showed substantial influence of both genetic variation and family environment. Regional variation for most obesity traits was associated with lifestyle and socioeconomic variables, such as smoking, diet and deprivation which are potentially modifiable. There was limited evidence that regional differences were of genetic origin. This has important implications for healthcare policies, suggesting that inequalities can be tackled with appropriate social and economic interventions.
Effects of α-conotoxin ImI on TNF-α, IL-8 and TGF-β expression by human macrophage-like cells derived from THP-1 pre-monocytic leukemic cells
Authors: Padilla Alberto , Keating Patricia , Hartmann James X. , Marí Frank
Published: October 2017

α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ubiquitous in the nervous system and ensure important neurophysiological functionality for many processes. However, they are also found in cells of the immune system, where their role has been less studied. Here we report the pro-inflammatory effect of ImI, a well characterized conotoxin that inhibits α7 nAChRs, on differentiated THP-1 pre-monocyte macrophages (MDM) obtained by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA) treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) performed on supernatant fluids of LPS challenged MDM showed ImI-mediated upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in an ImI concentration-dependent manner from 0.5 to 5.0 µmol/L and for IL-8 up to 1.0 µmol/L. Levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β remained practically unaffected in ImI treated MDMs. Nicotine at 10 µmol/L significantly downregulated the release of TNF-α, but showed a lesser effect on IL-8 secretion and no effect on TGF-β. Fluorescent competitive assays involving ImI, α-bungarotoxin and nicotine using MDM and the murine macrophage RAW 264.7 suggest a common binding site in the α7 receptor. This work extends the application of conotoxins as molecular probes to non-excitatory cells, such as macrophages and supports the involvement of the α7 nAChR in regulating the inflammatory response via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP).
Conformal Vortex Crystals
Authors: Menezes Raí M. , Silva Clécio C. de Souza
Published: October 2017

We investigate theoretically globally nonuniform configurations of quantized-flux vortices in clean superconductors trapped by an external force field that induces a nonuniform vortex density profile. Using an extensive series of numerical simulations, we demonstrate that, for suitable choices of the force field, and bellow a certain transition temperature, the vortex system self-organizes into highly inhomogeneous conformal crystals in a way as to minimize the total energy. These nonuniform structures are topologically ordered and can be mathematically mapped into a triangular Abrikosov lattice via a conformal transformation. Above the crystallization temperature, the conformal vortex crystal becomes unstable and gives place to a nonuniform polycrystalline structure. We propose a simple method to engineer the potential energy profile necessary for the observation of conformal crystals of vortices, which can also be applied to other 2D particle systems, and suggest possible experiments in which conformal or quasi-conformal vortex crystals could be observed in bulk superconductors and in thin films.
SRVF, a novel herbal formula including Scrophulariae Radix and Viticis Fructus, disrupts focal adhesion and causes detachment-induced apoptosis in malignant cancer cells
Authors: Kim Aeyung , Im Minju , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: October 2017

When cells lose adhesion, they undergo detachment-induced apoptosis, known as anoikis. In contrast, tumor cells acquire resistance to anoikis, enabling them to survive, even after separating from neighboring cells or the ECM. Therefore, agents that restore anoikis sensitivity may serve as anti-cancer candidates. In this study, we constructed a novel herbal formula, SRVF, which contains Scrophulariae Radix (SR) and Viticis Fructus (VF). SRVF rapidly decreased cell adhesion, altered the cell morphology to round, and induced cell death; however, SR, VF, or their co-treatment did not. SRVF arrested HT1080 cells in G2/M phase, increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins. Furthermore, SRVF efficiently reduced cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions by disrupting the F-actin cytoskeleton and down-regulating the levels of focal adhesion-related proteins, suggesting that SRVF efficiently triggers detachment-induced apoptosis (i.e., anoikis) in malignant cancer cells. In xenograft mouse models, daily oral administration of 50 or 100 mg/kg SRVF retarded tumor growth in vivo, and repeated administration of SRVF did not cause systemic toxicity in normal mice. These data collectively indicate that SRVF induces cancer cell death by restoring anoikis sensitivity via disrupting focal adhesion. Therefore, SRVF may be a safe and potent anti-cancer herbal decoction.
Erratum: Hybrid graphene tunneling photoconductor with interface engineering towards fast photoresponse and high responsivity
Authors: Tao Li , Chen Zefeng , Li Xinming , Yan Keyou , Xu Jian-Bin
Published: October 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
Stereoselective synthesis of bicyclo[3.n.1]alkenone frameworks by Lewis acid-catalysis
Authors: Pathipati Stalin R. , Eriksson Lars , Selander Nicklas
Published: October 2017

An indium-catalysed α,α′-annulation of cyclic ketones and alkynyl enones, leading to bicyclo[3.n.1]alkenones, is presented.
A cluster-based mesoporous Ti-MOF with sodalite supercages
Authors: Wang Chao , Liu Chao , He Xiang , Sun Zhong-Ming
Published: October 2017

A highly crystalline Ti-MOF with mesoporous sodalite cages was synthesized for the first time.
Characterization and thermal stability of Yb-doped ceria prepared by methods enabling control of the crystal morphology
Authors: Małecka Małgorzata A.
Published: October 2017

This study presents the results of investigations on the shape stability of crystalline ceria-based Ce1−xYbxO2−(x/2) mixed oxides with increasing Yb content (x = 0 to 0.15).
Hierarchical architecture of CuInS2 microsphere thin films: altering laterally aligned crystallographic plane growth by Cd and V doping
Authors: Thirumalaisamy Logu , Raliya Ramesh , Kavadiya Shalinee , Palanivel Soundarrajan , Sethuraman Kunjithapatham , Biswas Pratim
Published: October 2017

Nano-flakes of self-assembled porous pristine and cadmium (Cd) and vanadium (V) doped copper indium disulphide (CuInS2 (CIS)) microspheres are synthesized.
Charge transport, interfacial interactions and synergistic mechanisms in BiNbO4/MWO4 (M = Zn and Cd) heterostructures for hydrogen production: insights from a DFT+U study
Authors: Opoku Francis , Kuben Govender Krishna , van Sittert Cornelia Gertina Catharina Elizabeth , Poomani Govender Penny
Published: October 2017

Low ionisation energy and electron affinities for BiNbO4/MWO4(010) heterostructures make them ideal for H2 production due to their small energy barrier.
Physicochemical and electrochemical characterisation of imidazolium based IL + GBL mixtures as electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Papović S. , Cvjetićanin N. , Gadžurić Slobodan , Bešter-Rogač M. , Vraneš M.
Published: October 2017

The effect of C(2) methylation of imidazolium ionic liquids on electrochemical stability in electrolytes with GBL on TiO2anatase electrodes.
TD-DFT calculations of one- and two-photon absorption in Coumarin C153 and Prodan: attuning theory to experiment
Authors: Uudsemaa Merle , Trummal Aleksander , de Reguardati Sophie , Callis Patrik R. , Rebane Aleksander
Published: October 2017

TD-DFT calculations of two-photon absorption (2PA) and the permanent electric dipole moment change (Δμ) of C153 and Prodan in toluene and DMSO are benchmarked relative to accurate experimental data to reveal the best performing methods.
Theoretical investigation of the solid–liquid phase transition in protonated water clusters
Authors: Korchagina Kseniia , Simon Aude , Rapacioli Mathias , Spiegelman Fernand , L’Hermite Jean-Marc , Braud Isabelle , Zamith Sébastien , Cuny Jérôme
Published: October 2017

Molecular dynamics simulations provide an atomistic scale description of the phase transition in protonated water clusters (H2O)nH+(n= 20–23) and an interpretation to recent nano-calorimetric experiments.
Phases and thermoelectric properties of SnTe with (Ge, Mn) co-doping
Authors: Li J. Q. , Huang S. , Chen Z. P. , Li Y. , Song S. H. , Liu F. S. , Ao W. Q.
Published: October 2017

Solute Ge/Mn atoms and a minor Ge phase in a SnTe-based system synergistically enhance the thermoelectric properties.
Bandgap engineering by cationic disorder: case study on AgBiS2
Authors: Viñes Francesc , Konstantatos Gerasimos , Illas Francesc
Published: October 2017

The influence of cationic disorder on the electronic structure of ternary compounds, here exemplified on AgBiS2 material, is studied by means of accurate first principles periodic density functional theory based calculations.
Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light by ternary composite CdS@NU-1000/RGO
Authors: Bag Partha Pratim , Wang Xu-Sheng , Sahoo Pathik , Xiong Jinhua , Cao Rong
Published: October 2017

CdS@NU-1000 and CdS@NU-1000/1%RGO exhibit 9.35 and 12.1 times higher photocatalytic activities than commercial CdS under visible light, respectively.
New σ-phases in the Nb–X–Ga and Nb–X–Al systems (X = Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, and Au)
Authors: Carnicom Elizabeth M. , Xie Weiwei , Klimczuk Tomasz , Cava R. J.
Published: October 2017

Previously unreported σ-phases in the ternary niobium-based systems Nb–X–Ga for X = Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Au, and Nb–X–Al for X = Ir, and Pt are presented, prepared by arc-melting followed by annealing at 1000 °C for 1 week.
Syntheses and characterization of three new sulfides with large band gaps: acentric Ba4Ga4SnS12, centric Ba12Sn4S23 and Ba7Sn3S13
Authors: Duan Rui-Huan , Liu Peng-Fei , Lin Hua , Huangfu Shang-Xiong , Wu Li-Ming
Published: October 2017

Three new sulfides with large band gaps, NCS Ba4Ga4SnS12, CS Ba12Sn4S23 and Ba7Sn3S13 were synthesized for the first time. Ba4Ga4SnS12 exhibits a desired balance between the band gap (2.90 eV) and the SHG intensity (34 × KDP).
A metabolite of nobiletin, 4′-demethylnobiletin and atorvastatin synergistically inhibits human colon cancer cell growth by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
Authors: Wu Xian , Song Mingyue , Qiu Peiju , Li Fang , Wang Minqi , Zheng Jinkai , Wang Qi , Xu Fei , Xiao Hang
Published: October 2017

Combining different chemopreventive agents is a promising strategy to reduce cancer incidence and mortality due to potential synergistic interactions between these agents.
An efficient Pt nanoparticle–ionic liquid system for the hydrodeoxygenation of bio-derived phenols under mild conditions
Authors: Chen Lu , Fink Cornel , Fei Zhaofu , Dyson Paul J. , Laurenczy Gabor
Published: October 2017

Hydrodeoxygenation of bio-derived phenols under mild conditions with platinum nanoparticles in situ synthesized in an ionic liquid.
Preparation of two new polyimide bond linked porous covalent organic frameworks and their fluorescence sensing application for sensitive and selective determination of Fe3+
Authors: Wang Ting , Xue Rui , Chen Huiqin , Shi Peiling , Lei Xi , Wei Yuli , Guo Hao , Yang Wu
Published: October 2017

Sensitive turn-off mode fluorescence sensing for Fe3+based polyimide bond linked COFs.
Low-temperature CO oxidation over CeO2 and CeO2@Co3O4 core–shell microspheres
Authors: Zhang Lu , Zhang Li , Xu Guancheng , Zhang Chi , Li Xin , Sun Zhipeng , Jia Dianzeng
Published: October 2017

The excellent CO catalytic activity and stability of CeO2@Co3O4 composite were ascribed to the synergistic interactions between Co3O4 and CeO2.
Synthesis of ZnSb@C microflower composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Fan Long , Liu Yao , Tamirat Andebet Gedamu , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: October 2017

Benefiting from their special flower-like porous structure, ZnSb@C composites exhibit better electrochemical performance than ZnSb–C composites.
Morphological control of poly(vinylidene fluoride)@layered double hydroxide composite fibers using metal salt anions and their enhanced performance for dye removal
Authors: Mei Qingqing , Lv Weiyang , Du Miao , Zheng Qiang
Published: October 2017

The morphology and loading amount of LDHs on PVDF electrospun fibers can be easily adjusted by varying the metal salt anions.
Squeezing bio-capsules into a constriction: deformation till break-up
Authors: Le Goff Anne , Kaoui Badr , Kurzawa Gaetan , Haszon Boglárka , Salsac Anne-Virginie
Published: October 2017

We study experimentally the deformation and break-up of liquid-filled capsules trapped at an axisymmetric step constriction, and subjected to increasing pressure drops.
Influence of a pH-sensitive polymer on the structure of monoolein cubosomes
Authors: Kluzek Monika , Tyler Arwen I. I. , Wang Shiqi , Chen Rongjun , Marques Carlos M. , Thalmann Fabrice , Seddon John M. , Schmutz Marc
Published: October 2017

Cubosomes consist in submicron size particles of lipid bicontinuous cubic phases stabilized by surfactant polymers.
Conductive silver coatings with ultra-low silver consumption on polyimide film via a mild surface ion exchange self-metallization method
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Ding Jun , Li Ning , Ding Liping , Li Deyu
Published: October 2017

Conductive silver coating with ultra-low silver consumption on polyimide filmviaa mild surface ion exchange self-metallization method.
Therapie mit der Faszienrolle
Authors: Dennenmoser Stefan
Published: October 2017

Das Training mit der Hartschaumrolle ist die wohl bekannteste Variante des Faszientrainings. Anwender schätzen den schnellen Effekt
hinsichtlich Schmerzreduktion und Zunahme der Beweglichkeit. Es bewährt sich zudem als Hausaufgabe für Patienten. Das macht den Einsatz der
Rolle für Therapeuten interessant.
An experimental study on the drop/interface partial coalescence with surfactants
Authors: Dong Teng , Weheliye Weheliye Hashi , Chausset Pierre , Angeli Panagiota
Published: October 2017

This paper presents investigations on the partial coalescence of an aqueous drop with an organic-aqueous interface with and without surfactants. The organic phase was different silicone oils and the aqueous phase was a glycerol-water solution at different concentrations. It is found that when the surfactant Span 80 is introduced into the organic phase, the partial coalescence region is reduced in the Oh–Bo coalescence map. The range of the inertio-capillary regime reduces when surfactants are present, while the drop size ratio decreases with increasing surfactant concentration. The velocity fields inside the aqueous drop were studied with high speed particle image velocimetry for the first time. In the surfactant-free system, it was found that the inward motion of the fluids at the upper part of the drop favours the generation of a liquid cylinder at the early stages of coalescence. The pressure gradient created by the downward stream at the bottom of the liquid cylinder drives the pinch-off of the secondary drop. When surfactants are present, the rupture of the film between the drop and the interface occurs at an off-axis location. The liquid cylinder formed in this case is not symmetric and does not lead to pinch-off. It is also found that the vortices inside the droplet have little impact on the partial coalescence.
DFT modeling of carbon incorporation in GaN(0001) and GaN(0001¯) metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Kempisty Pawel , Kangawa Yoshihiro , Kusaba Akira , Shiraishi Kenji , Krukowski Stanislaw , Bockowski Michal , Kakimoto Koichi , Amano Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

The carbon incorporation mechanism in GaN(0001) and GaN(0001¯) during MOVPE was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results confirm that the crucial factors for carbon incorporation are Fermi level pinning and accompanying surface band bending. In addition, the lattice symmetry has a strong dependence on the stability of carbon in a few subsurface layers, which results from interactions between the impurities and surface states. It was shown that these effects are responsible for facilitating or hindering the incorporation of impurities and dopants. The influence of diluent gas species (hydrogen or nitrogen) on carbon incorporation was discussed.
Pulse retrieval algorithm for interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating based on differential evolution
Authors: Hyyti Janne , Escoto Esmerando , Steinmeyer Günter
Published: October 2017

A novel algorithm for the ultrashort laser pulse characterization method of interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating (iFROG) is presented. Based on a genetic method, namely, differential evolution, the algorithm can exploit all available information of an iFROG measurement to retrieve the complex electric field of a pulse. The retrieval is subjected to a series of numerical tests to prove the robustness of the algorithm against experimental artifacts and noise. These tests show that the integrated error-correction mechanisms of the iFROG method can be successfully used to remove the effect from timing errors and spectrally varying efficiency in the detection. Moreover, the accuracy and noise resilience of the new algorithm are shown to outperform retrieval based on the generalized projections algorithm, which is widely used as the standard method in FROG retrieval. The differential evolution algorithm is further validated with experimental data, measured with unamplified three-cycle pulses from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. Additionally introducing group delay dispersion in the beam path, the retrieval results show excellent agreement with independent measurements with a commercial pulse measurement device based on spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field retrieval. Further experimental tests with strongly attenuated pulses indicate resilience of differential-evolution-based retrieval against massive measurement noise.
Investigation of magnetic and magneto-transport properties of ferromagnetic-charge ordered core-shell nanostructures
Authors: Das Kalipada
Published: October 2017

In our present study, we address in detail the magnetic and magneto-transport properties of ferromagnetic-charge ordered core-shell nanostructures. In these core-shell nanostructures, well-known half metallic La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 nanoparticles (average particle size, ∼20 nm) are wrapped by the charge ordered antiferromagnetic Pr0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (PCMO) matrix. The intrinsic properties of PCMO markedly modify it into such a core-shell form. The robustness of the PCMO matrix becomes fragile and melts at an external magnetic field (H) of ∼20 kOe. The analysis of magneto-transport data indicates the systematic reduction of the electron-electron and electron-magnon interactions in the presence of an external magnetic field in these nanostructures. The pronounced training effect appears in this phase separated compound, which was analyzed by considering the second order tunneling through the grain boundaries of the nanostructures. Additionally, the analysis of low field magnetoconductance data supports the second order tunneling and shows the close value of the universal limit (∼1.33).