bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First report of Wiwaxia from the Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte
Authors: ZHAO FANG-CHEN , SMITH MARTIN R. , YIN ZONG-JUN , ZENG HAN , HU SHI-XUE , LI GUO-XIANG , ZHU MAO-YAN
Published: November 2014

The robust spines and sclerites of the early to middle Cambrian ‘mollusc’ Wiwaxia are ubiquitous in suitably preserved deposits, but are strikingly absent from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte (Cambrian Stage 3, Yunnan Province, SW China). Here we provide the first record of Wiwaxia sclerites from this rich deposit, extending the record of the genus to the earliest Cambrian Series 2. This reinforces the cosmopolitan distribution of this iconic Cambrian lophotrochozoan and demonstrates the strong faunal continuity that unites distant Cambrian Lagerstätten.
A Comparative Analysis of the Nigerian Public Procurement Act Against International Best Practice
Authors: Williams-Elegbe Sope
Published: November 2014

Prior to 2007, Nigerian public procurement was not formally regulated, in the sense that there was no law governing procurement at the federal or state level. This changed with the enactment in 2007 of the Public Procurement Act. This act was passed on the recommendation of the World Bank, which had conducted a country procurement assessment report on Nigeria in 1999. This article seeks to determine whether the Public Procurement Act meets the requirements of international best practice. The article examines what may be regarded as international best practice in the public procurement context and analyses whether the Nigerian Public Procurement Act contains provisions which accord with this practice. It also considers what factors are limiting the adoption of international best practice in the Nigerian context.
Is elective neck dissection necessary in cases of laryngeal recurrence after previous radiotherapy for early glottic cancer?
Authors: Deganello A , Meccariello G , Bini B , Paiar F , Santoro R , Mannelli G , Gallo O
Published: November 2014

Objectives:

To assess the clinical utility of elective neck dissection in node-negative recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after curative radiotherapy for initial early glottic cancer.

Methods:

A retrospective review was undertaken of 110 consecutive early glottic cancer patients who developed laryngeal recurrence after radiotherapy (34 recurrent T1, 36 recurrent T2, 29 recurrent T3and 11 recurrent T4a) and received salvage laryngeal surgery between 1995 and 2005.

Results:

Six patients presented with laryngeal and neck recurrence and underwent salvage laryngectomy with therapeutic neck dissection, 97 patients with recurrent node-negative tumours underwent salvage laryngeal surgery without neck dissection and only 7 underwent elective neck dissection. No occult positive lymph nodes were documented in neck dissection specimens. During follow up, only three patients with neck failure were recorded, all in the group without neck dissection. There was no significant association between the irradiation field (larynx plus neckvslarynx) and the development of regional failure. A higher rate of post-operative pharyngocutaneous fistula development occurred in the neck dissection group than in the group without neck dissection (57.2 per centvs13.4 per cent,p = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early (recurrent tumour-positive, node-positive) or delayed (recurrent tumour-positive, node-negative) neck relapse was not significantly related to the stage of the initial tumour or the recurrent tumour. An age of less than 60 years was significantly associated with early neck failure (recurrent tumour-positive, node-positive).

Conclusion:

Owing to the low occult neck disease rate and high post-operative fistula rate, elective neck dissection is not recommended for recurrent node-negative laryngeal tumours after radiation therapy if the initial tumour was an early glottic cancer.
Collisionless and collisional effects on plasma waves from a partition squeeze
Authors: Ashourvan Arash , Dubin Daniel H. E.
Published: November 2014

A simple 1D model is presented for the heating caused by cylindrically-symmetric plasma waves in a non-neutral plasma column due to the addition of a symmetric squeeze potential applied to the center of the column. We study this model by using analytical techniques and by using a numerical grids method solution, and we compare the results of this model to previous work (Ashourvan and Dubin (2014)). squeeze divides the plasma into passing and trapped particles; the latter cannot pass over the squeeze potential. In collisionless theory, enhanced heating is caused by additional bounce harmonics induced by the squeeze in the particle distribution, leading to Landau resonances at energies En for which the bounce frequency ωb(E) and wave frequency ωm satisfy ωm = nωb(En). As a result, heating is substantially higher than the case with no squeeze, even when ωm is much greater than the thermal bounce frequency ωb(T). Adding collisions to the theory creates a boundary layer at the separatrix between trapped and passing particles that further enhances the heating at small ωm/kmvs, where km is the axial wavenumber and vs is the velocity at the separatrix. However, at large ωm/vs, the heating from the separatrix boundary layer is only a small correction to the heating from collisionless resonances in the trapped particle distribution function.
Biogeographic and latitudinal patterns of demersal fishes in the Mexican Pacific
Authors: Palacios-Salgado Deivis S. , Cruz-Escalona V.H. , Zetina-Rejón M.J. , Arreguín-Sánchez F. , Nieto-Navarro J.T.
Published: November 2014

Latitudinal patterns of composition, biogeographic affinity and indicators of taxonomic diversity are described for the by-catch fish community in five typical shrimping areas in the Mexican Pacific (Upper Gulf of California, Sinaloa-Nayarit, Jalisco-Colima, Michoacán-Guerrero and Gulf of Tehuantepec). The taxonomic composition included two classes, 20 orders, 65 families, 147 genera and 292 species. The family Sciaenidae was the best represented with 33 species, whereas at the genus level, Anchoa was represented with eight species. A high percentage of the species showed wide distribution ranges (30.2% for Cortez Province ~ Panamic Province; 21.3% for San Diego Province ~ Panamic Province); nevertheless, each ecosystem included a characteristic combination of species, apparently related to the physiographic conditions of the ecosystems. Species richness showed a pronounced decrease from the Upper Gulf of California, which has warm-temperate features, to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, which has tropical conditions; this is an opposite trend to that observed in the taxonomic diversity indicators, suggesting that a taxonomic redundancy was present in tropical areas and higher taxonomic diversity was present in the Upper Gulf of California, despite the lower species richness. This is explained by the prevailing environmental conditions and isolation processes generated during the formation of the Gulf of California.
The European sea bassDicentrarchus labraxin the Dutch Wadden Sea: from visitor to resident species
Authors: Cardoso J.F.M.F. , Freitas V. , Quilez I. , Jouta J. , Witte J.IJ. , Van Der Veer H.W.
Published: November 2014

This paper analyses the population dynamics, growth and feeding ecology ofDicentrarchus labraxin order to gain a better understanding of its present role in the western Dutch Wadden Sea ecosystem. Otolith analysis showed that the population is mostly comprised of individuals aged 3–5 years old and between 20 and 45 cm in length. In autumn, 0-group juveniles are also an important part of the population. Both juveniles and adults use the area as a feeding ground exhibiting an opportunistic feeding strategy that relies on available prey, especially the brown shrimpCrangon crangon. Stomach content analysis and nitrogen stable isotope analysis showed an ontogenetic shift towards piscivory and a general decrease in the dominance of invertebrates with increasing size. Over the last 50 years, large between-year fluctuations inD. labraxabundance have been observed with an underlying increasing trend from about 1990 until 2007 followed by a subsequent decline. Spring abundance showed significant relationships with temperature and salinity while autumn abundance was only related to temperature. Spring and autumnD. labraxabundance were also strongly related to abundance of brown shrimpC. crangonprey. Long-term trends in temperature and salinity in the area suggest that environmental conditions for juvenile growth have become optimal, resulting in increased abundance since the mid-1980s. Continued monitoring of the dynamics of this species in the Dutch Wadden Sea is important to understand and anticipate the effects of climate change on theD. labraxpopulation and its role in the local food web.
Life history parameters of blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus (Teleostei: Carangidae) from north-east Atlantic
Authors: Garcia Alexandra , Pereira João g. , Canha Ângela , Reis Dália , Diogo Hugo
Published: November 2014

Blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus monthly samples were collected between 1998 and 2011 to determine morphometric relationships, maturity, growth rates, reproduction and spawning seasonality in north-east Atlantic waters (ICES area Xa2). A total of 2895 specimens were sampled, ranging from 98 to 542 mm in fork-length (LF). The morphometric relationships (length-length and length-weight) showed statistically significant differences between sexes. Ages were estimated by counting growth bands on otoliths and verified by marginal increment analysis, with specimens ranging from 0 to 18 years. The von Bertalanffy models used to estimate growth parameters for both observed and back-calculated length-at-age data gave good fits. The gonads were analysed macroscopically and the spawning season found to occur from December to May. The length at 50% maturity for females and males occurred at 277 mm LF (4.3 years) and 288 mm LF (5.1 years), respectively. The results provide important biological information for fisheries assessment of a species that plays an important key role in the surrounding ecosystem.
Behaviour and mimicry in the juvenile and subadult life stages of the mesopelagic squid Chiroteuthis calyx
Authors: Burford Benjamin P. , Robison Bruce H. , Sherlock Robert E.
Published: November 2014

Cephalopods are common inhabitants of the deep ocean's mesopelagic zones worldwide, yet very little is known about their behaviour due to the inaccessibility of this environment. Recent studies suggest that, contrary to historical predictions, deep-sea cephalopods exhibit a wide array of visual behaviours. We used in situ footage from remotely operated vehicles, coupled with laboratory observations to assemble the first behavioural ethogram for the juvenile and subadult life stages of the mesopelagic squid, Chiroteuthis calyx. The number of behavioural components we described is comparable to or exceeds those recognized in ethograms of shallow-water teuthids. We used the ethogram to make a detailed behavioural comparison between the juvenile and subadult life stages, and found distinctly different patterns. Behavioural and morphological differences between the two life stages support the hypothesis that juvenile C. calyx mimic the abundant siphonophore Nanomia bijuga, in order to deter predation.
W-types in homotopy type theory
Authors: VAN DEN BERG BENNO , MOERDIJK IEKE
Published: November 2014

We will give a detailed account of why the simplicial sets model of the univalence axiom due to Voevodsky also models W-types. In addition, we will discuss W-types in categories of simplicial presheaves and an application to models of set theory.
Tumor hypoxia induces nuclear paraspeckle formation through HIF-2α dependent transcriptional activation of NEAT1 leading to cancer cell survival
Authors: Choudhry H , Albukhari A , Morotti M , Haider S , Moralli D , Smythies J , Schödel J , Green C M , Camps C , Buffa F , Ratcliffe P , Ragoussis J , Harris A L , Mole D R
Published: November 2014

Activation of cellular transcriptional responses, mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), is common in many types of cancer, and generally confers a poor prognosis. Known to induce many hundreds of protein-coding genes, HIF has also recently been shown to be a key regulator of the non-coding transcriptional response. Here, we show that NEAT1 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a direct transcriptional target of HIF in many breast cancer cell lines and in solid tumors. Unlike previously described lncRNAs, NEAT1 is regulated principally by HIF-2 rather than by HIF-1. NEAT1 is a nuclear lncRNA that is an essential structural component of paraspeckles and the hypoxic induction of NEAT1 induces paraspeckle formation in a manner that is dependent upon both NEAT1 and on HIF-2. Paraspeckles are multifunction nuclear structures that sequester transcriptionally active proteins as well as RNA transcripts that have been subjected to adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing. We show that the nuclear retention of one such transcript, F11R (also known as junctional adhesion molecule 1, JAM1), in hypoxia is dependent upon the hypoxic increase in NEAT1, thereby conferring a novel mechanism of HIF-dependent gene regulation. Induction of NEAT1 in hypoxia also leads to accelerated cellular proliferation, improved clonogenic survival and reduced apoptosis, all of which are hallmarks of increased tumorigenesis. Furthermore, in patients with breast cancer, high tumor NEAT1 expression correlates with poor survival. Taken together, these results indicate a new role for HIF transcriptional pathways in the regulation of nuclear structure and that this contributes to the pro-tumorigenic hypoxia-phenotype in breast cancer.
Comparative genomic analysis of Mycobacterium iranicum UM_TJL against representative mycobacterial species suggests its environmental origin
Authors: Tan Joon Liang , Ngeow Yun Fong , Wee Wei Yee , Wong Guat Jah , Ng Hien Fuh , Choo Siew Woh
Published: November 2014

Mycobacterium iranicum is a newly reported mycobacterial species. We present the first comparative study of M. iranicum UM_TJL and other mycobacteria. We found M. iranicum to have a close genetic association with environmental mycobacteria infrequently associated with human infections. Nonetheless, UM_TJL is also equipped with many virulence genes (some of which appear to be the consequence of transduction-related gene transfer) that have been identified in established human pathogens. Taken all together, our data suggest that M. iranicum is an environmental bacterium adapted for pathogenicity in the human host. This comparative study provides important clues and forms the basis for future functional studies on this mycobacterium.
Experimental linear-optics simulation of multipartite non-locality in the ground state of a quantum Ising ring
Authors: Orieux Adeline , Boutari Joelle , Barbieri Marco , Paternostro Mauro , Mataloni Paolo
Published: November 2014

Critical phenomena involve structural changes in the correlations of its constituents. Such changes can be reproduced and characterized in quantum simulators able to tackle medium-to-large-size systems. We demonstrate these concepts by engineering the ground state of a three-spin Ising ring by using a pair of entangled photons. The effect of a simulated magnetic field, leading to a critical modification of the correlations within the ring, is analysed by studying two- and three-spin entanglement. In particular, we connect the violation of a multipartite Bell inequality with the amount of tripartite entanglement in our ring.
Concise synthesis of the tricyclic skeleton of crotobarin and crotogoudin via a gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction
Authors: Guo Yinliang , Liu Qiang , Jia Yanxing
Published: November 2014

A concise synthesis of the tricyclic skeleton of crotobarin and crotogoudin via a gold-catalyzed 1,6-enyne cycloisomerization reaction is reported.
Miniaturisation and simplification of solid-state proton activity sensors for non-aqueous media and ionic liquids
Authors: Winther-Jensen Orawan , Hamilton Jessie L. , Ng Chun H. , Kolodziejczyk Bartlomiej , Winther-Jensen Bjorn
Published: November 2014

Solid-state proton activity sensors capable of measuring the proton activity of non-aqueous media and ionic liquids regardless of their hydrophobicity and water content were miniaturised and simplified.
Highly sensitive colorimetric detection of HgII and CuII in aqueous solutions: from amino acids toward solid platforms
Authors: Park Jooyoung , In Byunggyu , Neupane Lok Nath , Lee Keun-Hyeung
Published: November 2014

A chemosensor (NBD-H) based on an amino acid with 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole was used for selective detection of HgII and CuII among 15 metal ions in aqueous solutions by a colorimetric change and fluorescence change.
Hydrogen bond distinction and activation upon catalytic etherification of hydroxyl compounds
Authors: Che Penghua , Lu Fang , Nie Xin , Huang Yizheng , Yang Yanliang , Wang Feng , Xu Jie
Published: November 2014

The slope (A) of the linear correlation between ln δand 1/Tcan distinguish intra- and intermolecular H-bonds and predict their reactivities.
Enhanced gas-sorption properties of a high surface area, ultramicroporous magnesium formate
Authors: Spanopoulos I. , Bratsos I. , Tampaxis Ch. , Kourtellaris A. , Tasiopoulos A. , Charalambopoulou G. , Steriotis T. A. , Trikalitis P. N.
Published: November 2014

The gas-sorption properties of a high surface area α-magnesium formate with an expanded unit cell are reported. The material is stable in NH3 and shows very high CH4/N2 (5.2) selectivity.
Carbon nanodots functional MOFs composites by a stepwise synthetic approach: enhanced H2 storage and fluorescent sensing
Authors: Li Ji-Sen , Tang Yu-Jia , Li Shun-Li , Zhang Shu-Ran , Dai Zhi-Hui , Si Ling , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: November 2014

The carbon nanodots functional UMCM-1 composites (Cdots@UMCM-1a) were first synthesized by a stepwise synthetic approach, which enhanced H2 storage capacity and exhibited highly fluorescent sensing for nitroaromatic explosives.
Highly pH-dependent synthesis of two novel three-dimensional dysprosium complexes with interesting magnetic and luminescence properties
Authors: Zhang Lina , Lu Shuting , Zhang Chao , Du Chenxia , Hou Hongwei
Published: November 2014

Two unprecedented Dy-MOFs with interesting magnetic and luminescence properties were obtained using identical starting materials and method but at different pH values.
A facile synthesis of highly stable and luminescent Ag clusters: a steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy study
Authors: Pal Nabin Kumar , Kryschi Carola
Published: November 2014

Ultra-small fluorescent silver clusters with less than 10 atoms were synthesized via a facile energy-saving on-step reaction.
Synthesis of aromatic functionalized cage-rearranged silsesquioxanes (T8, T10, and T12) via nucleophilic substitution reactions
Authors: Chimjarn Supansa , Kunthom Rungthip , Chancharone Prapassorn , Sodkhomkhum Rapheepraew , Sangtrirutnugul Preeyanuch , Ervithayasuporn Vuthichai
Published: November 2014

Organic–inorganic hybrid nano-building blocks of aryl nitro-, aldehyde-, and bromo-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (T8, T10, and T12) were easily prepared through nucleophilic substitutions.
A fluoride bridged {CrIII4DyIII4} single molecule magnet
Authors: Langley Stuart K. , Forsyth Craig M. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Murray Keith S.
Published: November 2014

Fluoride bridging between Dy⋯Dy neighbours in an octanuclear {CrIII4DyIII4} cluster of the ‘square-in-square’ structural type is the key reason for enhanced single molecule magnetic properties of Cr–Dy SMMs and, particularly, when compared to a reported azido bridged {CrIII4DyIII4} structural analogue.
Cyclometallated platinum(ii) complexes containing NHC ligands: synthesis, characterization, photophysics and their application as emitters in OLEDs
Authors: Solomatina A. I. , Krupenya D. V. , Gurzhiy V. V. , Zlatkin I. , Pushkarev A. P. , Bochkarev M. N. , Besley N. A. , Bichoutskaia E. , Tunik S. P.
Published: November 2014

A series of novel luminescent NHC Pt(ii) complexes has been synthesized, characterized and used to prepare green OLEDs.
Resolution enhancement through microscopic spatiotemporal control
Authors: Goswami Debabrata , Das Dhiman , Nath Bandyopadhyay Soumendra
Published: November 2014

Operating at biologically benign conditions, multi-photon fluorescence imaging microscopy has benefitted immensely from recent developments in microscopic resolution enhancement. Fluorescence microscopy continues to be the best choice for experiments on live specimens, however, multi-photon fluorescence imaging often suffers from overlapping fluorescence of typical dyes used in microscopy, limiting its scope. This limitation has been the focus of our research where we show that by making simple modifications to the laser pulse structure, it is possible to resolve these overlapping fluorescence complications. Specifically, by using pairs of femtosecond pulses with variable delay in place of single pulse excitation, we show controlled fluorescence excitation or suppression of one of the fluorophores over the other through wave-packet interferometry. Such an effect prevails even after the fluorophore coherence timescale, which effectively results in a higher spatial resolution. Here we extend the effect of our pulse-pair technique to microscopic axial resolution experiments and show that such pairs of pulses can also ‘enhance’ axial resolution.
Dirac dispersion in photonic hypercrystals
Authors: Narimanov Evgenii E.
Published: November 2014

Photonic hypercrystals – the recently introduced concept of artificial optical media that combines the properties of hyperbolic metamaterials and photonic crystals [E. Narimanov, Phys. Rev. X, 2014, 4, 041014] – can support Dirac cone dispersion at a finite frequency.
Optical forces in nanoplasmonic systems: how do they work, what can they be useful for?
Authors: Raziman T. V. , Wolke R. J. , Martin O. J. F.
Published: November 2014

In this article, we share our vision for a future nanofactory, where plasmonic trapping is used to control the different manufacturing steps associated with the transformation of initial nanostructures to produce complex compounds. All the different functions existing in a traditional factory can be translated at the nanoscale using the optical forces produced by plasmonic nanostructures. A detailed knowledge of optical forces in plasmonic nanostructures is however essential to design such a nanofactory. To this end, we review the numerical techniques for computing optical forces on nanostructures immersed in a strong optical field and show under which conditions approximate solutions, like the dipole approximation, can be used in a satisfactory manner. Internal optical forces on realistic plasmonic antennas are investigated and the reconfiguration of a Fano-resonant plasmonic system using such internal forces is also studied in detail.
Zemplén transesterification: a name reaction that has misled us for 90 years
Authors: Ren Bo , Wang Meiyan , Liu Jingyao , Ge Jiantao , Zhang Xiaoling , Dong Hai
Published: November 2014

We demonstrated −OH as the deacylation catalyst in methanol, indicating that the Zemplén condition had been misleading us for almost 90 years.
Changes in the cardiac metabolome caused by perhexiline treatment in a mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gehmlich Katja , Dodd Michael S. , William Allwood J. , Kelly Matthew , Bellahcene Mohamed , Lad Heena V. , Stockenhuber Alexander , Hooper Charlotte , Ashrafian Houman , Redwood Charles S. , Carrier Lucie , Dunn Warwick B.
Published: November 2014

Perhexiline induces a distinct metabolic phenotype change in a mouse model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as defined by a metabolomics approach.
Continuous flow Fischer esterifications harnessing vibrational-coupled thin film fluidics
Authors: Britton Joshua , Dalziel Stuart B. , Raston Colin L.
Published: November 2014

Organic synthesis under shear: high yielding, acid catalysed, continuous flow synthesis of esters involves coupling of vibrations in thin film fluidics, as rapid environmentally friendly organic methodology.
Synthesis and co-assembly of gold nanoparticles functionalized by a pyrene–thiol derivative
Authors: Mi Yongsheng , Liang Pengxia , Yang Zhou , Wang Dong , He Wanli , Cao Hui , Yang Huai
Published: November 2014

We synthesized a series of gold nanoparticles capped with 11-(4-(pyren-1-yl)phenoxy)undecane-1-thiol and with 1-dodecanethiol. The homodispersed gold nanoparticles were fully verified and co-assembly of gold nanoparticles composited with discotic molecules were investigated.
Simultaneous determination of ten macrolides drugs in feeds by high performance liquid chromatography with evaporation light scattering detection
Authors: Wang Zongnan , Song Xuqin , Zhou Tong , Bian Kui , Zhang Fangyu , He Limin , Liu Qingying
Published: November 2014

Simultaneous determination of ten macrolides drugs using HPLC-ELSD.
Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,2S)-1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid by sequential SN2–SN2′ dialkylation of (R)-N-(benzyl)proline-derived glycine Schiff base Ni(ii) complex
Authors: Kawashima Aki , Xie Chen , Mei Haibo , Takeda Ryosuke , Kawamura Akie , Sato Tatsunori , Moriwaki Hiroki , Izawa Kunisuke , Han Jianlin , Aceña José Luis , Soloshonok Vadim A.
Published: November 2014

The synthesis of the title compound, a key structural fragment of several hepatitis C virus inhibitors, is described.
Performance comparison of two cascade reaction models in fluorescence off–on detection of hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Saha Tanmoy , Kand Dnyaneshwar , Talukdar Pinaki
Published: November 2014

Comparative studies on the performances of two cascade reaction based fluorescent H2S probes are reported.
Measuring student performance in general organic chemistry
Authors: Austin Ara C. , Ben-Daat Hagit , Zhu Mary , Atkinson Robert , Barrows Nathan , Gould Ian R.
Published: November 2014

Student performance in general organic chemistry courses is determined by a wide range of factors including cognitive ability, motivation and cultural capital. Previous work on cognitive factors has tended to focus on specific areas rather than exploring performance across all problem types and cognitive skills. In this study, we have categorized the different kinds of problems encountered in general organic chemistry, and correlated performance in each problem type with overall class performance. Fairly reproducible results are found for ten consecutive semesters over five academic years. Problem types that require higher-level cognitive skills tend to correlate better with overall class performance than those that rely more heavily on memorization. Performance on some problem types was found to predict up to ∼90% of the variances of overall class performance. Correlations across problem types with external student characteristics, such as general chemistry grade, are interpreted as highlighting the important contributions of other factors in addition to cognitive ability to success in organic chemistry.
Intertwining lamellar assembly in porous spherulites composed of two ring-banded poly(ethylene adipate) and poly(butylene adipate)
Authors: Lugito Graecia , Woo Eamor M.
Published: November 2014

SEM figures show interiors of fracture surfaces for neat poly(butylene adipate) (PBA), neat poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA), and 25/75 PBA/PEA blend, respectively, crystallized at 30 °C. The former two show ring-banded spherulites with corrugated-board layers but the latter reveals intertwining lamellae with porosity owing to crystal impingement.
NH3-assisted synthesis of microporous silicon oxycarbonitride ceramics from preceramic polymers: a combined N2and CO2adsorption and small angle X-ray scattering study
Authors: Schitco Cristina , Bazarjani Mahdi Seifollahi , Riedel Ralf , Gurlo Aleksander
Published: November 2014

The NH3-assisted synthesis strategy from preceramic polymers provides tools to engineer the porosity of microporous SiCNO ceramics for potential applications in the fields of catalysis, gas adsorption and gas separation.
PbS colloidal quantum dots as an effective hole transporter for planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hu Long , Wang Weiwei , Liu Huan , Peng Jun , Cao Hefeng , Shao Gang , Xia Zhe , Ma Wanli , Tang Jiang
Published: November 2014

Planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells were constructed with PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) as an effective hole transporter and we tuned the energy level of PbS CQDs to optimize the device performance.
Thermo-responsive and fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals grafted with polymer brushes
Authors: Wu Weibing , Huang Fang , Pan Shaobo , Mu Wei , Meng Xianzhi , Yang Haitao , Xu Zhaoyang , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Deng Yulin
Published: November 2014

Fluorescent and thermo-responsive cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with tuned polymer brushes were prepared via surface initiated activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization.
Fabrication of mechanically robust antireflective films using silica nanoparticles with enhanced surface hydroxyl groups
Authors: Wang Y. , He M. Y. , Chen R. Y.
Published: November 2014

H2O2 modification enables greater interaction between the silica nanoparticles and the linear silicate polymers, thereby increasing mechanical properties and AR durability of the composite films.
Facile synthesis of bacterial cellulose fibres covalently intercalated with graphene oxide by one-step cross-linking for robust supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Yun , Zhou Jie , Zhu Enwei , Tang Jian , Liu Xiaoheng , Tang Weihua
Published: November 2014

A novel 3D cross-linked BC/GO composite featuring a tensile strength of 18.48 MPa and a conductivity of 171 S m−1 shows 160 F g−1 mass-specific capacitance and 90.3% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles in supercapacitors.
Synthesis and photophysical characterization of dimethylamine-derived Zn(ii)phthalocyanines: exploring their potential as selective chemosensors for trinitrophenol
Authors: Venkatramaiah N. , Rocha Deisy M. G. C. , Srikanth P. , Almeida Paz Filipe A. , Tomé João P. C.
Published: November 2014

We report a novel synthetic approach, with good yields, for the synthesis of selective dimethylamine-substituted phthalonitriles (1–3) in the presence of triethyl phosphite and dimethylformamide at 160 °C.
One step synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots through pyrolysis of N-hydroxysuccinimide
Authors: Stan C. S. , Albu C. , Coroaba A. , Popa M. , Sutiman D.
Published: November 2014

Fluorescent carbon dots were preparedviaa simple and straightforward one-step pyrolytic process usingN-hydroxysuccinimide.
Protein kinase Cθ: the pleiotropic T-cell signalling intermediate
Authors: Wachowicz Katarzyna , Baier Gottfried
Published: November 2014

Activating as well as inhibitory circuits tightly regulate T-cell activation thresholds and effector differentiation processes enabling proper immune response outcomes. Recently, an additional molecular link between T-cell receptor signalling and CD4+ Th17 cell skewing has been reported, namely that protein kinase C (PKC) θ critically regulates Th17/Th1 phenotypic differentiation and plasticity in CD4+ T-cells by selectively acting as a ‘reprogramming element’ that suppresses Th1-typical genes during Th17-mediated immune activation in order to stabilize a Th17 cell phenotype.
Targeting PKCθ in skeletal muscle and muscle diseases: good or bad?
Authors: Marrocco Valeria , Fiore Piera , Madaro Luca , Crupi Annunziata , Lozanoska-Ochser Biliana , Bouché Marina
Published: November 2014

Protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ) is a member of the novel calcium-independent PKC family, with a relatively selective tissue distribution. Most studies have focused on its unique role in T-lymphocyte activation and suggest that inhibition of PKCθ could represent a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of chronic inflammation, autoimmunity and allograft rejection. However, considering that PKCθ is also expressed in other cell types, including skeletal muscle cells, it is important to understand its function in different tissues before proposing it as a molecular target for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases. A number of studies have highlighted the role of PKCθ in mediating several intracellular pathways, regulating muscle cell development, homoeostasis and remodelling, although a comprehensive picture is still lacking. Moreover, we recently showed that lack of PKCθ in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) ameliorates the progression of the disease. In the present article, we review new developments in our understanding of the involvement of PKCθ in intracellular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle development, growth and maintenance under physiological conditions and recent advances showing a hitherto unrecognized role of PKCθ in promoting muscular dystrophy.
Structural biology of moonlighting: lessons from antibodies
Authors: Martin Andrew C.R.
Published: November 2014

Protein moonlighting is the property of a number of proteins to have more than one function. However, the definition of moonlighting is somewhat imprecise with different interpretations of the phenomenon. True moonlighting occurs when an individual evolutionary protein domain has one well-accepted role and a secondary unrelated function. The ‘function’ of a protein domain can be defined at different levels. For example, although the function of an antibody variable fragment (Fv) could be described as ‘binding’, a more detailed definition would also specify the molecule to which the Fv region binds. Using this detailed definition, antibodies as a family are consummate moonlighters. However, individual antibodies do not moonlight; the multiple functions they exhibit (first binding a molecule and second triggering the immune response) are encoded in different domains and, in any case, are related in the sense that they are a part of what an antibody needs to do. Nonetheless, antibodies provide interesting lessons on the ability of proteins to evolve binding functions. Remarkably similar antibody sequences can bind completely different antigens, suggesting that evolving the ability to bind a protein can result from very subtle sequence changes.
Protein moonlighting in parasitic protists
Authors: Ginger Michael L.
Published: November 2014

Reductive evolution during the adaptation to obligate parasitism and expansions of gene families encoding virulence factors are characteristics evident to greater or lesser degrees in all parasitic protists studied to date. Large evolutionary distances separate many parasitic protists from the yeast and animal models upon which classic views of eukaryotic biochemistry are often based. Thus a combination of evolutionary divergence, niche adaptation and reductive evolution means the biochemistry of parasitic protists is often very different from their hosts and to other eukaryotes generally, making parasites intriguing subjects for those interested in the phenomenon of moonlighting proteins. In common with other organisms, the contribution of protein moonlighting to parasite biology is only just emerging, and it is not without controversy. Here, an overview of recently identified moonlighting proteins in parasitic protists is provided, together with discussion of some of the controversies.
Moonlighting proteins in sperm–egg interactions
Authors: Petit François M. , Serres Catherine , Auer Jana
Published: November 2014

Sperm–egg interaction is a highly species-specific step during the fertilization process. The first steps consist of recognition between proteins on the sperm head and zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins, the acellular coat that protects the oocyte. We aimed to determine which sperm head proteins interact with ZP2, ZP3 and ZP4 in humans. Two approaches were combined to identify these proteins: immunoblotting human spermatozoa targeted by antisperm antibodies (ASAs) from infertile men and far-Western blotting of human sperm proteins overlaid by each of the human recombinant ZP (hrZP) proteins. We used a proteomic approach with 2D electrophoretic separation of sperm protein revealed using either ASAs eluted from infertile patients or recombinant human ZP glycoproteins expressed in Chinese-hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Only spots highlighted by both methods were analysed by MALDI–MS/MS for identification. We identified proteins already described in human spermatozoa, but implicated in different metabolic pathways such as glycolytic enzymes [phosphokinase type 3 (PK3), enolase 1 (ENO1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), aldolase A (ALDOA) and triose phosphate isomerase (TPI)], detoxification enzymes [GST Mu (GSTM) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) 4], ion channels [voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2)] or structural proteins (outer dense fibre 2). Several proteins were localized on the sperm head by indirect immunofluorescence, and their interaction with ZP proteins was confirmed by co-precipitation experiments. These results confirm the complexity of the sperm–ZP recognition process in humans with the implication of different proteins interacting with the main three ZP glycoproteins. The multiple roles of these proteins suggest that they are multifaceted or moonlighting proteins.
Comparison of moonlighting guanylate cyclases: roles in signal direction?
Authors: Freihat Lubna , Muleya Victor , Manallack David T. , Wheeler Janet I. , Irving Helen R.
Published: November 2014

Over 30 receptor-like kinases contain a guanylate cyclase (GC) catalytic centre embedded within the C-terminal region of their kinase domain in the model plant Arabidopsis. A number of the kinase GCs contain both functional kinase and GC activity in vitro and the natural ligands of these receptors stimulate increases in cGMP within isolated protoplasts. The GC activity could be described as a minor or moonlighting activity. We have also identified mammalian proteins that contain the novel GC centre embedded within kinase domains. One example is the interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 3 (IRAK3). We compare the GC functionality of the mammalian protein IRAK3 with the cytoplasmic domain of the plant prototype molecule, the phytosulfokine receptor 1 (PSKR1). We have developed homology models of these molecules and have undertaken in vitro experiments to compare their functionality and structural features. Recombinant IRAK3 produces cGMP at levels comparable to those produced by PSKR1, suggesting that IRAK3 contains GC activity. Our findings raise the possibility that kinase-GCs may switch between downstream kinase-mediated or cGMP-mediated signalling cascades to elicit desired outputs to particular stimuli. The challenge now lies in understanding the interaction between the GC and kinase domains and how these molecules utilize their dual functionality within cells.
The evolution of protein moonlighting: adaptive traps and promiscuity in the chaperonins
Authors: Fares Mario A.
Published: November 2014

Moonlighting proteins exhibit functions that are alternative to their main role in the cell. Heat-shock proteins, also known as molecular chaperones, are now recognized for their wide range of activities in and/or outside the cell, being prominent examples of moonlighting proteins. Chaperonins are highly conserved molecular chaperones that fold other proteins into their native conformation allowing them to carry out essential functions in the cell. Activities alternative to folding have been reported for the chaperonin (Cpn) 60 protein. Preservation of various alternative functions in one protein conflicts with the optimization of each of the functions. What evolutionary mechanisms have allowed the persistence of moonlighting proteins, and in particular the chaperonins, remains a mystery. In the present article, I argue that mechanisms that increase the resistance of phenotypes to genetic and environmental perturbations enable the persistence of a reservoir of genetic variants, each potentially codifying for a distinct function. Gene duplication is one such mechanism that has characterized the expansion and has been concomitant with the emergence of novel functions in these protein families. Indeed, Cpn60 performs a large list of folding-independent functions, including roles in the transmission of viruses from insects to plants and stimulation of the immune system, among others. In addition to the innovation promoted by gene duplication, I discuss that the Cpn60 protein comprises a hidden amino acid combinatorial code that may well be responsible for its ability to develop novel functions while maintaining an optimized folding ability. The present review points to a complex model of evolution of protein moonlighting.
Mechanisms that influence tumour response to VEGF-pathway inhibitors
Authors: Smith Neil R. , Wedge Stephen R. , Pommier Aurelien , Barry Simon T.
Published: November 2014

There has been significant investment in developing novel therapies to target solid tumour vasculature. Different technical approaches have been utilized with the aim of inhibiting tumour angiogenesis or compromising the function or stability of pre-existing tumour blood vessels. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signalling axis remains the most widely studied, with biological and small-molecule therapeutics now registered for clinical use. However, despite these successes, the activity of these agents is not as widespread as was first postulated. The present review discusses the clinical successes of the VEGF inhibitors, the factors that may limit their utility, and the potential opportunities to maximize benefit from treatment with these agents in the future.
miRNAs in post-ischaemic angiogenesis and vascular remodelling
Authors: Saif Jaimy , Emanueli Costanza
Published: November 2014

miRNAs are highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that negatively control gene expression by binding to target mRNAs promoting their degradation. A multitude of miRNAs have been reported to be involved in angiogenesis and vascular remodelling. In the present review, we aim to describe the effect of miRNAs in post-ischaemic repair. First, we describe the miRNAs reported in ischaemic diseases and in angiogenesis. Then we examine their capacity to modulate the behaviour of stem and progenitor cells which could be utilized for vascular repair. And finally we discuss the potential of miRNAs as new clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
The glioblastoma vasculature as a target for cancer therapy
Authors: Dimberg Anna
Published: November 2014

Glioblastoma is characterized by microvascular proliferation and a highly abnormal dysfunctional vasculature. The glioblastoma vessels differ significantly from normal brain vessels morphologically, functionally and molecularly. The present review provides a brief overview of the current understanding of the formation, functional abnormalities and specific gene expression of glioblastoma vessels and the consequences of vascular abnormalization for the tumour microenvironment.
Energy‐efficient static sparse‐tree adder based on MUX‐less bypassing architecture
Authors: Choi Seongrim , Ahn Jonghun , Byun Kyungjin , Nam Byeong‐Gyu
Published: November 2014

An energy‐efficient 64 bit static sparse‐tree adder using a multiplexer (MUX)‐less bypassing scheme is proposed for mobile central processing units. Conventionally, bypassing schemes have been used to eliminate unnecessary switching of circuits but have incorporated a large delay overhead due to their output MUX, which reduces the energy efficiency of circuits in terms of power‐delay product (PDP). A novel static sparse‐tree adder is presented based on a proposed MUX‐less bypassing scheme to reduce the delay associated with the conventional bypassing scheme, thereby improving the energy efficiency, i.e. the PDP. Simulation results show a 30% reduction in PDP compared to the conventional bypassing adder and a 13% reduction from the state‐of‐the‐art technique.
Dual‐band dual‐mode patch antenna for on–on–off WBAN applications
Authors: Hong Youngtaek , Tak Jinpil , Choi Jaehoon
Published: November 2014

A dual‐band dual‐mode patch antenna for on–on–off wireless body area network (WBAN) applications is proposed. The antenna consists of a half‐circular patch with two shorting posts to generate a TM41 higher‐order resonant mode and a bottom ground slot to generate additional resonance. To reduce the antenna size without seriously affecting the radiation pattern, the antenna is cut in half and operates in half‐mode. The antenna has a vertical monopole‐like radiation pattern in the 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band and a horizontal monopole‐like radiation pattern in the 5.8 GHz ISM band. To evaluate the body effect, both 2.45 and 5.8 GHz muscle‐equivalent phantoms were used. The overall dimensions of the proposed antenna is 30.5 × 62 × 3.15 mm.
Hysteresis control of nanoelectromechanical resonator with electrothermal power
Authors: Yoon Hyong Seo , Park Byeongho , Chan Jun Seong
Published: November 2014

The hysteresis in a nanoelectromechanical resonator is a common nonlinear characteristic that can be induced with excessive driving power. In this reported work, the hysteresis was controlled with the resonance beam motion amplitude changed by additional DC voltage which leads to the Joule heating effect. The mechanical properties of the beam which can be changed by the Joule heating effect appeared to be closely related to the hysteresis.
Power loss analysis for switched reluctance motor converter by using electrothermal model
Authors: Xu Yang , Chen Hao , Gu Jason
Published: November 2014

The power converter loss in switched reluctance motor system is one of the main reasons affecting system reliability. Therefore a practical electrothermal model is established to calculate the losses based on lookup tables of motor flux linkage and device switching losses. It utilises the thermal RC network to estimate the junction temperature rise. Then, the influences of system factors on the losses are investigated with different control strategies. At last, the device junction temperature rises are present at different rotor speed, and verified by experiments.
Generalization across View in Face Memory and Face Matching
Authors: Estudillo Alejandro J. , Bindemann Markus
Published: November 2014

While a change in view is considered to be one of the most damaging manipulations for facial identification, this phenomenon has been measured traditionally with tasks that confound perceptual processes with recognition memory. This study explored facial identification with a pairwise matching task to determine whether view generalization is possible when memory factors are minimised. Experiment 1 showed that the detrimental view effect in recognition memory is attenuated in face matching. Moreover, analysis of individual differences revealed that some observers can identify faces across view with perfect accuracy. This was replicated in Experiment 2, which also showed that view generalization is unaffected when only the internal facial features are shown. These results indicate that the view effect in recognition memory does not arise from data limits, whereby faces contain insufficient visual information to allow identification across views. Instead, these findings point to resource limits, within observers, that hamper such person identification in recognition memory.
Illusory Drifting within a Window That Moves across a Flickering Background
Authors: Anstis Stuart , Kaneko Sae
Published: November 2014

When a striped disk moves across a flickering background, the stripes paradoxically seem to move faster than the disk itself. We attribute this new illusion to reverse-phi motion, which slows down the disk rim but does not affect the stripes.