bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circuit Design Education by Introducing Circuit Diagram‐Based CPU Design
Authors: OHMURA MICHIROH , TANAKA TAKESHI
Published: November 2015

There are many subjects that relate to electrical and electronics circuits. Practical education for those subjects usually introduce hardware description languages such as VHDL and Verilog HDL, but it is not easy to understand the relation to basic logic circuits drawn as circuit diagrams. In this paper, we introduce practical education in which basic digital circuits are drawn, simulated, and executed on an experiment board with a programmable logic device, and then newly designed 2‐bit CPUs which use those basic digital circuits are drawn, simulated, and executed on the experiment board. Students can learn basic digital circuits themselves, and their operations which relate to each other in the newly designed 2‐bit CPU. The effectiveness of the newly introduced practical education is confirmed by tests and a questionnaire survey.
Carbonyl‐Terpyridyl‐Manganese Complexes: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Photo‐Activated Carbon Monoxide Release Properties
Authors: Compain Jean‐Daniel , Stanbury Matthew , Trejo Monica , Chardon‐Noblat Sylvie
Published: November 2015

A set of tricarbonylmanganese(I) complexes derived from three differently substituted terpyridyl (terpy) ligands has been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The corresponding MnI dicarbonyl complexes, which are among the few examples of such compounds as yet described, were also prepared. The crystal structure of the Mn dicarbonyl species with the stabilizing p‐tolyl‐terpyridyl ligand was successfully obtained. The photochemical properties of all the tricarbonyl complexes have been investigated by using UV/Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy as characterization techniques; this detailed study shows the ability of the tricarbonyl MnI complexes to release one molar equivalent of CO in a perfectly controlled manner, a property useful for potential CO‐releasing molecules (CO‐RMs). The decarbonylation reaction is irreversible, and notably differs from what we had previously observed for the corresponding bipyridyl analogues as far as the products and kinetics are concerned. The comparison of the rate of CO decoordination of the different complexes is discussed.
Selective Complexation of S‐block Cations with Nanotubular Silk Type Cyclopeptides: A DFT Study
Authors: Teimouri Abbas , Najari Batoul , Chermahini Alireza Najafi , Farrokhpour Hossein
Published: November 2015

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the interaction of alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+ and K+) with cyclic peptides constructed from silk type macrocycles (Silk1, Silk2, Silk3, Silk4, Silk5 and Silk6). The calculated binding energies were used as a base for investigating the selectivity of the cyclic peptides in biniding to considered metals ions. The highest cation selectivity for Li+ compared to the other alkali metal ions was observed. The orbital nature of different interactions between the metal cations and the cyclic peptides was analyzed using NBO analysis. The main types of driving force for host‐guest interactions was investigated and it was found that the electron‐donating O offers lone pair electrons to the contacting LP* of alkali metal cations
A New and Facile Synthesis of Novel Pyrazolothienopyrimidines and Imidazopyrazolothienopyrimidines
Authors: Zaki Remon M. , Kamal El‐Dean Adel M. , Abdulrazzaq Abdullah Y.
Published: November 2015

4‐Amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐thieno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carboxamide (5), which was synthesized by an innovative method, was used as a versatile precursor for synthesizing pyrazolothienopyrimidines and imidazopyrazolothienopyrimidines compounds. Reaction of amino thienopyrazole carboxamide 5 with triethyl orthoformate afforded thienopyrazolopyrimidine 6. Chlorination of the latter compound, using phosphorus oxychloride afforded the chloro pyrazolothienopyrimidine 7, which underwent nucleophilic substitution reactions with various primary and secondary amines to give the alkyl (aryl) amino pyrimidine compounds 8a–d. On the other hand, the reaction of chloropyrimidine 7 with thiourea afforded the pyrimidine thione compound 9, which was alkylated with α‐halogentaed compounds to afford the S‐alkylated derivatives 10a–c. Also, chloroacetylation of the amino carboxamide 5 using chloroacetyl chloride yielded the chloromethyl pyrazolothienopyrimidine 12, which underwent nucleophilic substitu‐ tion reactions with various primary and secondary amines to afford the alkyl (aryl) aminomethyl compounds 13a–f. The latter Compounds underwent Mannich reaction to give imidazopyrimidothieno‐ pyrazoles 14a–c. The newly synthesized compounds and their derivatives were fully characterized by elemental and spectral analysis.
Chiral Separations in Normal‐phase Liquid Chromatography: Updating a Screening Strategy with a Chlorine‐containing Polysaccharide‐based Selector
Authors: Zhou Jie , Chen Shanshan , Luo Pei , Sun Chong , Meng Lingchang , Du Qiuzheng , Sun Fang
Published: November 2015

The screening conditions of an existing column and mobile phase selection strategy for chiral compounds in normal‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (NP‐HPLC) were tested for their applicability on Chiralpak IC, which is a chiral stationary phase (CSP) made by immobilising cellulosic tris (3,5‐dichlorophenyl‐carbamate) on silica gel. In this study, the applicability of the optimization steps of the existing separation strategy was examined using 36 compounds representing the three possible resolution situations that occur after screening. The cumulative number of separated compounds is 27 (75.0 %), and the cumulative number of baseline separated compounds is 19 (52.8 %).
High risk of fall, poor physical function, and low grip strength in men with fracture—the STRAMBO study
Authors: Szulc Pawel , Feyt Clément , Chapurlat Roland
Published: November 2015

Background

Several studies assessed the association of prevalent fractures with muscle mass, strength, and physical capacity in men. Clinical impact of these associations is not clear, and they could be influenced by confounders. Our aim was to assess the association of the prevalent fractures with muscle strength, physical function, and the risk of subsequent falls in older men after adjustment for muscle mass and potential confounders.

Methods

In a cohort of 890 men aged 50 and older, we assessed appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) by DXA, grip strength, physical function (chair stands, static, and dynamic balance). Relative ASM (RASM) was calculated as ASM / (height)2. Then, 813 men aged 60 and over were followed up prospectively for 5 years and 144 sustained >1 incident falls. All the analyses were adjusted for lifestyle factors, co‐morbidities, and hormones known to influence muscle and physical function.

Results

Low leisure physical activity, very high occupational physical activity, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, low apparent free testosterone concentration (AFTC), as well as Grade 2 and 3 vertebral fractures and multiple fractures were associated with lower grip strength when adjusted for confounders including upper limb RASM. Low leisure physical activity, very high occupational physical activity, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke, low AFTC and 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol, high C‐reactive protein, vertebral fractures, and non‐vertebral fractures were associated with poor physical function (lowest quintile of the score of tests) when adjusted for confounders including lower limb RASM. Grade 2 and 3 and multiple vertebral fractures were associated with twofold higher risk of multiple falls after adjustment for confounders. Men having multiple fractures had a twofold higher risk of multiple falls after adjusting for confounders. In multivariable models, risk of falls increased proportionally to the increasing severity and number of vertebral fractures as well as to the increasing number of all fractures.

Conclusions

In older men, Grade 2 and 3 vertebral fractures and multiple vertebral and non‐vertebral fractures are associated with lower grip strength, poor physical function, and higher risk of multiple falls after adjustment for multiple confounders. This suggests a real direct association. One fracture can initiate a vicious circle leading to another fracture; thus, patients with fractures need physical therapy regardless of their general health status.
Feasibility study of using intravoxel incoherent motion mri to detect parotid gland abnormalities in early‐stage Sjögren syndrome patients
Authors: Su Guo‐Yi , Xu Xiao‐Quan , Wang Yan‐Yan , Hu Hao , Shen Jie , Hong Xun‐Ning , Shi Hai‐Bin , Wu Fei‐Yun
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To determine whether intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could detect parotid gland abnormalities in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients who were not identified by conventional MRI.

Materials and Methods

Ten consecutive patients with clinically proven SS who were not identified by conventional MRI were assessed by IVIM MRI with a 3.0T MRI scanner. Quantitative parameters (tissue diffusivity, D; pseudodiffusion coefficient, D*; perfusion fraction, f) derived from IVIM MRI were compared between the SS group and healthy control group (n = 15). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of each significant parameter.

Results

Excellent inter‐ and intrareader agreements were obtained during the measurement of D, f, and D* values (interreader, 0.980, 0.942, and 0.883; intrareader, 0.991, 0.952, and 0.896, respectively). All three parameters of the SS group were significantly higher than those of the healthy group (D, 1.049 ± 0.056 × 10−3 mm2/s vs. 0.976 ± 0.116 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.012; D*, 20.410 ± 1.786 × 10−3 mm2/s vs. 18.764 ± 2.433 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.013; f, 0.207 ± 0.003 vs. 0.182 ± 0.002, P = 0.004). ROC analysis showed that the f value had the best diagnostic performance (AUC, 0.712; Sensitivity, 0.80; Specificity, 0.57; Cutoff value, 0.185) in detecting the parotid gland abnormalities in early SS patients.

Conclusion

IVIM MRI detected parotid gland abnormalities in early‐stage SS patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1455–1461.
Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymeric fibers using a single bifunctional monomer for the solid‐phase microextraction of parabens from environmental solid samples
Authors: Díaz‐Álvarez Myriam , Smith Stephen P. , Spivak David A. , Martín‐Esteban Antonio
Published: November 2015

In this study, molecularly imprinted polymer fibers for solid‐phase microextraction have been prepared with a single bifunctional monomer, N,O‐bismethacryloyl ethanolamine using the so‐called “one monomer molecularly imprinted polymers” method, replacing the conventional combination of functional monomer and cross‐linker to form high fidelity binding sites. For comparison, imprinted fibers were prepared following the conventional approach based on ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker and methacrylic acid as monomer. The recognition performance of the new fibers was evaluated in the solid‐phase microextraction of parabens, and from this study it was concluded that they provided superior performance over conventionally formulated fibers. Ultimately, real‐world environmental testing on spiked solid samples was successful by the molecularly imprinted solid‐phase microextraction of samples, and the relative recoveries obtained at enrichment levels of 10 ng/g of parabens were within 78–109% for soil and 83–109% for sediments with a relative standard deviation <15% (n = 3).
Just Antimicrobial is not Enough: Toward Bifunctional Polymer Surfaces with Dual Antimicrobial and Protein‐Repellent Functionality
Authors: Hartleb Wibke , Saar Julia S. , Zou Peng , Lienkamp Karen
Published: November 2015

Antimicrobial polymer surfaces often fail because debris of killed bacteria accumulates on the coating, which is then covered and deactivated. To overcome this deficiency, two synthetic approaches are developed that combine polycationic antimicrobial polymers with polyzwitterionic protein‐repellent polymers. In the first approach, these polymers are site‐selectively immobilized on surfaces with a chemical contrast, which is obtained by colloidal lithography. In the second approach, a thin corona of polyzwitterions is grafted onto a carpet of polycationic antimicrobial polymers. Results recently obtained in our laboratory suggest that precisely controlling the surface architecture and geometry can lead to the desired dual functionality.

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Calcium supplementation modulates gut microbiota in a prebiotic manner in dietary obese mice
Authors: Chaplin Alice , Parra Pilar , Laraichi Sarah , Serra Francisca , Palou Andreu
Published: November 2015

Scope

Dietary calcium has been inversely associated with body fat and energy balance. The main scope of this study has been to assess the potential contribution of gut microbiota on energy regulation mediated by calcium.

Methods and results

Gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice receiving calcium supplementation under a high‐fat (HF) diet were analysed by PCR and their relationships with host metabolic parameters were determined. Calcium conferred a prebiotic‐like effect on gut microbiota, and animals presented lower plasmatic endotoxin levels, increased expression of angiopoietin‐like 4 in intestine and lower hepatic lipid content, although increased expression of stress markers in adipose tissue and of inflammation in liver was also found. To determine whether slimming effects could be transferred to obese mice, a faecal microbial transplant (FMT) was carried out, showing that host bacteria grown under a HF diet could not be superseded by those from calcium‐fed animals. Therefore, FMT was not able to transfer the beneficial effects of calcium.

Conclusion

In conclusion, calcium modulated gut microbiota in a prebiotic manner, establishing a host cross‐talk and promoting a healthier metabolic profile. However, lack of effectiveness of FMT suggests the need of further appropriate dietary factors in addition to the bacteria per se.
Segregated conductive network of MWCNT in PA12/PA6 composites: Electrical and rheological behavior
Authors: Arboleda‐Clemente Laura , Ares‐Pernas Ana , García Xoán , Dopico Sonia , Abad María José
Published: November 2015

In the present study, different quantities of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and an immiscible blend of polyamides, 50 vol%/50 vol%. Polyamide 12/polyamide 6 (PA12/PA6), are melt blending by extrusion to obtain conducting polymer composites. The rheological and electrical properties of nanocomposites are evaluated as function of nanofiller content. Both rheological and electrical percolation thresholds are calculated by graphical methods and fitting the experimental data to the well‐known power‐law expression. The low percolation thresholds are probably due to the high aspect ratio of the nanotubes, kept after the composite processing and to the preferential localization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the polyamides interface. This latter is predicted by the wetting parameter and finally confirmed by TEM micrographs. The mixing strategy followed, by using a PA12 masterbatch and an immiscible blend of polyamides, seems suitable to form a segregated conductive network in the matrix with low CNT quantities. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2679–2686, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mortality from cystic fibrosis in Europe: 1994–2010
Authors: Quintana‐Gallego Esther , Ruiz‐Ramos Miguel , Delgado‐Pecellin Isabel , Calero Carmen , Soriano Joan B. , Lopez‐Campos Jose Luis
Published: November 2015

Objective

To date, available mortality trends due to cystic fibrosis (CF) have been limited to the analysis of certain countries in different parts of the world showing that mortality trends have been constantly decreasing. However, no studies have examined Europe as a whole. The present study aims to analyze CF mortality trends by gender within the European Union (EU) and to quantify potential years of life lost (PYLL).

Design

Deaths from the 27 EU countries were obtained from the statistical office of the EU from the years 1994–2010. Crude and age‐standardized mortality rates (ASR) were estimated for women and men using the standard European population, expressed in deaths per 1,000,000 persons. The PYLL from ages 0 up to 30 years were estimated. Trends were studied by a joinpoint regression analysis.

Results

During the study period, 5,130 deaths (2,443 in males and 2,687 in females) were identified. Females had a slightly higher mortality rate than males, with a downward trend observed for both genders. In males, the ASR changed from 1.34 in 1994 to 1.03 in 2010. In females, the ASR changed from 1.42 in 1994 to 0.92 in 2010. The mean age at death and PYLL increased for both genders. The joinpoint analysis did not identify any significant joinpoint for either gender for ASR or PYLL.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a continued downward trend of CF mortality throughout the EU, with differences by country and gender. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:133–142. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Room‐temperature dynamic quasi‐elastic mechanical behavior of a Zr–Cu–Fe–Al bulk metallic glass
Authors: Zadorozhnyy V. Yu. , Zadorozhnyy M. Yu. , Сhuryumov A. Yu. , Ketov S. V. , Golovin I. S. , Louzguine‐Luzgin D. V.
Published: November 2015

The paper represents storage modulus and internal friction modulation upon cyclic loading of Zr61Cu27Fe2Al10 bulk metallic glassy samples within quasi‐reversible deformation regime. The structure of the samples was studied by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy including high‐resolution imaging and selected‐area electron diffraction. It is found that kinetically frozen anelastic deformation accumulates on mechanical cycling at room temperature and causes an increase in the storage modulus and even nanocrystallization of a metallic glassy phase after a certain number of cycles. The study has shown that even a minor cyclic deformation in an elastic region can lead to the changes the atomic structure and in turn affect the elastic modulus.
CO gas opto‐electronic sensor using semiconductor graphene nanoribbons: A first‐principles study
Authors: Azimirad Rouhollah , Safa Saeed , Bayani Amir Hossein
Published: November 2015

We have investigated physisorption of CO gas molecules on armchair graphene nanoribbons (5‐AGNRs) using first principles methods. The adsorption geometries, adsorption energies, and transferred charge are obtained. To take the van der Waals forces into account, the Grimme correction has been added to the calculation method. The transmission and optical spectrum and current–voltage (I–V) characteristic of the nanoribbons are calculated as a function of CO concentration for sensing features. We have found that the electronic and transport properties of the AGNR are sensitive to the CO physisorption, and the current through the nanoribbons increases by increasing CO density at the same bias voltage. Our results point out that CO physisorption does not have any effect on the optical properties of the pristine AGNR, however, it can extremely suppress the optical spectra of nitrogen‐doped AGNR. The nitrogen‐doped AGNR becomes more transparent by adding CO molecules. Also, the HSE06 hybrid functional has been used to improve the optical properties such as the optical gap. The transport and optical features indicate that CO molecules can be detected by GNR‐based sensors.
Green emission from semipolar InGaN quantum wells grown on low‐defect () GaN templates fabricated on patterned r‐sapphire
Authors: de Mierry P. , Kappei L. , Tendille F. , Vennéguès P. , Leroux M. , Zuniga‐Perez J.
Published: November 2015

In this article, InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown on low‐defect () GaN templates are investigated by photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The emission wavelength is tuned from 450 nm (blue) to 550 nm (green) by varying the TMGa flux in the QWs, while keeping the temperature constant. The In content in the QWs is found to increase with increasing TMGa flux. CL measurements show that the first QW and often the second one emit systematically at wavelengths shorter than the following QWs, while TEM measurements indicate that these first QWs are slightly thinner and display less In content than the rest of the stack. Both observations might be explained by considering that these first QWs grow under larger compressive strain than the subsequent QWs. Furthermore, since TEM shows that misfit dislocations oriented along the [] direction are mainly located at the lower MQW stack interface, i.e., between the first QW and the underlying template, the correlation between TEM and CL points toward a plastic relaxation occurring after the stacking of a sufficiently large number of QWs.
Inertia effect analysis of a half‐plane with an induced crack under thermal loading using hyperbolic heat conduction
Authors: Li Wei , Li Jia , Abdelmoula Radhi , Song Fan , Jiang Chi‐Ping
Published: November 2015

This paper considers the crack problem for a semi‐infinite plate subjected to a thermal shock by using hyperbolic heat conduction equations and equations of motion. The Laplace transform and Fourier transform are used to reduce the problem to a system of singular integral equations which are solved numerically. Numerical results are presented illustrating the influence of non‐Fourier effect and inertia effect on the stress intensity factor and normalized crack opening displacements. The results show that the stress intensity factors have higher amplitude and an oscillating feature comparing to those obtained under the conventional Fourier thermal conduction condition and quasi‐static hypothesis. These results can help understand the crack behaviors of advanced materials under thermal impact loading.
Inherited bradyarrhythmia: A diverse genetic background
Authors: Ishikawa Taisuke , Tsuji Yukiomi , Makita Naomasa
Published: November 2015

Bradyarrhythmia is a common heart rhythm abnormality comprising number of diseases and is associated with decreased heart rate due to the failure of action potential generation and propagation at the sinus node. Permanent pacemaker implantation is often used therapeutically to compensate for decreased heart rate and cardiac output. The vast majority of bradyarrhythmia cases are attributable either to aging or to structural abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system, caused by underlying structural heart disease. However, there is a subset of bradyarrhythmia primarily caused by genetic defects in the absence of aging or underlying structural heart disease. These include several genes that play principal roles in cardiac electrophysiology, heart development, cardioprotection, and the structural integrity of the membrane and sarcomere. Recent advances in the functional analysis of mutations using a heterologous expression system and genetically engineered animal models have provided significant insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for inherited arrhythmia. In this review, current understandings of the genetic and molecular basis of inherited bradyarrhythmia are presented.
Conservative therapy for the management of cardiac implantable electronic device infection
Authors: Sekiguchi Yukio
Published: November 2015

Along with the increased frequency of implantation, the incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, which can have serious or fatal complications, has also increased. Although several successful conservative therapies for CIED infection have been reported, retained infected devices remain a source of relapse, which is closely related to a higher mortality rate. Presently, complete hardware removal is initially recommended for infected CIED patients, and indications for conservative therapy, including continuous administration of antibiotics, require careful consideration.

On the other hand, complete removal is not required for superficial or incisional infection at the device pocket if an infection does not involve the device, but the patient should be closely followed for progression to deeper infection, which would require extraction.
Successful intraprocedural anticoagulation with bivalirudin during pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with known heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia type II
Authors: Bellmann Barbara , Nagel Patrick , Muntean Bogdan G.
Published: November 2015

We report the case of a 56‐year‐old female who presented with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Anamnestic heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II was suspected, and a rapid diagnostic test showed antibodies against platelet factor 4. The heparin‐induced platelet activation‐assay was negative. Radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation with intraprocedural anticoagulation using bivalirudin was ultimately performed. Dosing was controlled by monitoring the activated clotting time. Post‐procedural blood tests were normal. There were no thromboembolic or bleeding events. Bivalirudin is a therapeutic option for anticoagulation during pulmonary vein isolation procedures in patients with a history of HIT type II.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Attenuates the Influence of Amyloid on Cognition
Authors: Schultz Stephanie A. , Boots Elizabeth A. , Almeida Rodrigo P. , Oh Jennifer M. , Einerson Jean , Korcarz Claudia E. , Edwards Dorothy F. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Dowling Maritza N. , Gallagher Catherine L. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Christian Bradley T. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Asthana Sanjay , Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A. , Johnson Sterling C. , Stein James H. , Okonkwo Ozioma C.
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectionally whether higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) might favorably modify amyloid-β (Aβ)-related decrements in cognition in a cohort of late-middle-aged adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sixty-nine enrollees in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention participated in this study. They completed a comprehensive neuropsychological exam, underwent 11C Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB)-PET imaging, and performed a graded treadmill exercise test to volitional exhaustion. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) during the exercise test was used as the index of CRF. Forty-five participants also underwent lumbar puncture for collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, from which Aβ42 was immunoassayed. Covariate-adjusted regression analyses were used to test whether the association between Aβ and cognition was modified by CRF. There were significant VO2peak*PiB-PET interactions for Immediate Memory (p=.041) and Verbal Learning & Memory (p=.025). There were also significant VO2peak*CSF Aβ42 interactions for Immediate Memory (p<.001) and Verbal Learning & Memory (p<.001). Specifically, in the context of high Aβ burden, that is, increased PiB-PET binding or reduced CSF Aβ42, individuals with higher CRF exhibited significantly better cognition compared with individuals with lower CRF. In a late-middle-aged, at-risk cohort, higher CRF is associated with a diminution of Aβ-related effects on cognition. These findings suggest that exercise might play an important role in the prevention of AD. (JINS, 2015, 21, 841–850)
Discrete roles of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in hematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis
Authors: Famili F , Naber B A E , Vloemans S , de Haas E F E , Tiemessen M M , Staal F J T
Published: November 2015

The mechanisms that regulate proliferation, fate decisions and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and thymic stem cells are highly complex. Several signaling pathways including Wnt signaling have important roles during these processes. Both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling are important in normal and malignant hematopoiesis and lymphoid development, yet their precise roles are controversial. In a side-by-side comparison, we investigated the roles of the canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathway in hematopoiesis and thymopoiesis. As complete loss-of-function models for non-canonical Wnt signaling are not yet available and highly complex for canonical Wnt signaling, we decided to use a gain-of-function approach. To this end, Wnt3a and Wn5a, two well-known prototypical canonical and non-canonical Wnt ligands were produced in hematopoiesis supporting stromal assays. High levels of Wnt3a signaling blocked T-cell development at early stages, whereas intermediate levels accelerated T-cell development. In contrast, Wnt5a signaling prompted apoptosis in developing thymocytes, without affecting differentiation at a particular stage. To explore the role of Wnt3a and Wnt5a in vivo, we transduced HSCs isolated from fetal liver, transduced with Wnt3a and Wnt5a vectors, and performed reconstitution assays in irradiated C57Bl/6 mice. Wnt3a overexpression led to increased lymphopoiesis, whereas Wnt5a augments myelopoiesis in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen. Thus, the canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling have discrete roles in hematopoiesis and thymopoiesis, and understanding their right dose of action is crucial for prospective translational applications.
Membrane-bound and soluble Fas ligands have opposite functions in photoreceptor cell death following separation from the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Matsumoto H , Murakami Y , Kataoka K , Notomi S , Mantopoulos D , Trichonas G , Miller J W , Gregory M S , Ksander B R , Marshak-Rothstein A , Vavvas D G
Published: November 2015

Fas ligand (FasL) triggers apoptosis of Fas-positive cells, and previous reports described FasL-induced cell death of Fas-positive photoreceptors following a retinal detachment. However, as FasL exists in membrane-bound (mFasL) and soluble (sFasL) forms, and is expressed on resident microglia and infiltrating monocyte/macrophages, the current study examined the relative contribution of mFasL and sFasL to photoreceptor cell death after induction of experimental retinal detachment in wild-type, knockout (FasL−/−), and mFasL-only knock-in (ΔCS) mice. Retinal detachment in FasL−/− mice resulted in a significant reduction of photoreceptor cell death. In contrast, ΔCS mice displayed significantly more apoptotic photoreceptor cell death. Photoreceptor loss in ΔCS mice was inhibited by a subretinal injection of recombinant sFasL. Thus, Fas/FasL-triggered cell death accounts for a significant amount of photoreceptor cell loss following the retinal detachment. The function of FasL was dependent upon the form of FasL expressed: mFasL triggered photoreceptor cell death, whereas sFasL protected the retina, indicating that enzyme-mediated cleavage of FasL determines, in part, the extent of vision loss following the retinal detachment. Moreover, it also indicates that treatment with sFasL could significantly reduce photoreceptor cell loss in patients with retinal detachment.
Smad4 represses the generation of memory-precursor effector T cells but is required for the differentiation of central memory T cells
Authors: Cao J , Zhang X , Wang Q , Qiu G , Hou C , Wang J , Cheng Q , Lan Y , Han H , Shen H , Zhang Y , Yang X , Shen B , Zhang J
Published: November 2015

The transcriptional regulation underlying the differentiation of CD8+ effector and memory T cells remains elusive. Here, we show that 18-month-old mice lacking the transcription factor Smad4 (homolog 4 of mothers against decapentaplegic, Drosophila), a key intracellular signaling effector for the TGF-β superfamily, in T cells exhibited lower percentages of CD44hiCD8+ T cells. To explore the role of Smad4 in the activation/memory of CD8+ T cells, 6- to 8-week-old mice with or without Smad4 in T cells were challenged with Listeria monocytogenes. Smad4 deficiency did not affect antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell expansion but led to partially impaired cytotoxic function. Less short-lived effector T cells but more memory-precursor effector T cells were generated in the absence of Smad4. Despite that, Smad4 deficiency led to reduced memory CD8+ T-cell responses. Further exploration revealed that the generation of central memory T cells was impaired in the absence of Smad4 and the cells showed survival issue. In mechanism, Smad4 deficiency led to aberrant transcriptional programs in antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings demonstrated an essential role of Smad4 in the control of effector and memory CD8+ T-cell responses to infection.
Controllable Synthesis of Tetraethylenepentamine Modified Graphene Foam (TEPA-GF) for the Removal of Lead ions
Authors: Han Zhuo , Tang Zhihong , Sun Yuhang , Yang Junhe , Zhi Linjie
Published: November 2015

3D graphene foam for water purification has become pervasive recently, not only because it has high specific surface area for adsorption capacity, but also it is easily separated from solution after adsorption. However, it is still challenging because it is hard to improve the adsorption capacity as well as maintain the high mechanical strength. To overcome the challenge, Tetraethylenepentamine modified Graphene Foam (TEPA-GF) was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method by using GO and TEPA as raw materials. TEPA acted as both cross-linker to combine GO sheets together and reductant of GO during hydrothermal process. Results indicated that the resultant hydrogel’s formation was highly dependent on the mass ratio of TEPA to GO, they cross-linked into a stable hydrogel with perfect cylindrical only when MTEPA: MGO ≥ 1. What’s more, the highest mechanical strength of GF happened at the mass ratio of MTEPA: MGO = 3, which was up to 0.58 kPa. It was worth noting that TEPA-GF demonstrated high adsorption capacity for lead ions, which reached as high as 304.9 mg g−1, much higher than that of other absorbents. Furthermore, TEPA-GF was easily separated from water after adsorption of Pb2+, making it a great potential material for water purification.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation, local weather and occurrences of dengue virus serotypes
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Clements Archie C.A. , Williams Gail , Devine Gregor , Tong Shilu , Hu Wenbiao
Published: November 2015

Severe dengue fever is usually associated with secondary infection by a dengue virus (DENV) serotype (1 to 4) that is different to the serotype of the primary infection. Dengue outbreaks only occur following importations of DENV in Cairns, Australia. However, the majority of imported cases do not result in autochthonous transmission in Cairns. Although DENV transmission is strongly associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle and local weather conditions, the frequency and potential risk factors of infections with the different DENV serotypes, including whether or not they differ, is unknown. This study used a classification tree model to identify the hierarchical interactions between Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), local weather factors, the presence of imported serotypes and the occurrence of the four autochthonous DENV serotypes from January 2000–December 2009 in Cairns. We found that the 12-week moving average of SOI and the 2-week moving average of maximum temperature were the most important factors influencing the variation in the weekly occurrence of the four DENV serotypes, the likelihoods of the occurrence of the four DENV serotypes may be unequal under the same environmental conditions and occurrence may be influenced by changes in global and local environmental conditions in Cairns.
The Specification and Maturation of Nociceptive Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Boisvert Erin M. , Engle Sandra J. , Hallowell Shawn E. , Liu Ping , Wang Zhao-Wen , Li Xue-Jun
Published: November 2015

Nociceptive neurons play an essential role in pain sensation by transmitting painful stimuli to the central nervous system. However, investigations of nociceptive neuron biology have been hampered by the lack of accessibility of human nociceptive neurons. Here, we describe a system for efficiently guiding human embryonic stem cells into nociceptive neurons by first inducing these cells to the neural lineage. Subsequent addition of retinoic acid and BMP4 at specific time points and concentrations yielded a high population of neural crest progenitor cells (AP2α+, P75+), which further differentiated into nociceptive neurons (TRKA+, Nav1.7+, P2X3+). The overexpression of Neurogenin 1 (Neurog1) promoted the neurons to express genes related to sensory neurons (Peripherin, TrkA) and to further mature into TRPV1+ nociceptive neurons. Importantly, the overexpression of Neurog1 increased the response of these neurons to capsaicin stimulation, a hallmark of mature functional nociceptive neurons. Taken together, this study reveals the important role that Neurog1 plays in generating functional human nociceptive neurons.
Origami rules for the construction of localized eigenstates of the Hubbard model in decorated lattices
Authors: Dias R. G. , Gouveia J. D.
Published: November 2015

We present a method of construction of exact localized many-body eigenstates of the Hubbard model in decorated lattices, both for U = 0 and U → ∞. These states are localized in what concerns both hole and particle movement. The starting point of the method is the construction of a plaquette or a set of plaquettes with a higher symmetry than that of the whole lattice. Using a simple set of rules, the tight-binding localized state in such a plaquette can be divided, folded and unfolded to new plaquette geometries. This set of rules is also valid for the construction of a localized state for one hole in the U → ∞ limit of the same plaquette, assuming a spin configuration which is a uniform linear combination of all possible permutations of the set of spins in the plaquette.
Effect of exercise on fluoride metabolism in adult humans: a pilot study
Authors: V. Zohoori Fatemeh , Innerd Alison , Azevedo Liane B. , Whitford Gary M. , Maguire Anne
Published: November 2015

An understanding of all aspects of fluoride metabolism is critical to identify its biological effects and avoid fluoride toxicity in humans. Fluoride metabolism and subsequently its body retention may be affected by physiological responses to acute exercise. This pilot study investigated the effect of exercise on plasma fluoride concentration, urinary fluoride excretion and fluoride renal clearance following no exercise and three exercise intensity conditions in nine healthy adults after taking a 1-mg Fluoride tablet. After no, light, moderate and vigorous exercise, respectively, the mean (SD) baseline-adjusted i) plasma fluoride concentration was 9.6(6.3), 11.4(6.3), 15.6(7.7) and 14.9(10.0) ng/ml; ii) rate of urinary fluoride excretion over 0–8 h was 46(15), 44(22), 34(17) and 36(17) μg/h; and iii) rate of fluoride renal clearance was 26.5(9.0), 27.2(30.4), 13.1(20.4) and 18.3(34.9) ml/min. The observed trend of a rise in plasma fluoride concentration and decline in rate of fluoride renal clearance with increasing exercise intensity needs to be investigated in a larger trial. This study, which provides the first data on the effect of exercise with different intensities on fluoride metabolism in humans, informs sample size planning for any subsequent definitive trial, by providing a robust estimate of the variability of the effect.
High carbohydrate intake from starchy foods is positively associated with metabolic disorders: a Cohort Study from a Chinese population
Authors: Feng Rennan , Du Shanshan , Chen Yang , Zheng Sining , Zhang Wei , Na Guanqiong , Li Ying , Sun Changhao
Published: November 2015

Starchy foods are the main sources of carbohydrates; however, there is limited information on their metabolic impact. Therefore, we assessed the association between carbohydrates from starchy foods (Carb-S) intakes and the metabolic disorders of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperlipidemia. In this study, 4,154 participants from Northern China were followed up for 4.2 years. Carb-S included rice, refined wheat, tubers and their products. Multivariable regression models were used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) for MetS and hyperlipidemia from Carb-S, total carbohydrates and carbohydrates from other food sources (Carb-O). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine a Carb-S cut-off value. High total carbohydrate intake was associated with increased risks of MetS (RR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.00–5.03) and hyperlipidemia (RR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.25–7.45), compared with the first quartile. High Carb-S intake (fourth quartile) was significantly associated with MetS (RR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.01–2.69) and hyperlipidemia (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.05–3.35). No associations with Carb-O were observed. Visceral adiposity, triglyceride levels and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly contributed to the metabolic disorders. The Carb-S cut-off value was 220 g. Both high total carbohydrate and Carb-S intakes were associated with hyperlipidemia and MetS; Carb-S appears to contribute more to these disorders.
Reference gene selection for normalization of RT-qPCR gene expression data from Actinidia deliciosa leaves infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Authors: Petriccione Milena , Mastrobuoni Francesco , Zampella Luigi , Scortichini Marco
Published: November 2015

Normalization of data, by choosing the appropriate reference genes (RGs), is fundamental for obtaining reliable results in reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). In this study, we assessed Actinidia deliciosa leaves inoculated with two doses of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae during a period of 13 days for the expression profile of nine candidate RGs. Their expression stability was calculated using four algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and the deltaCt method. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) were the most stable genes, while β-tubulin and 7s-globulin were the less stable. Expression analysis of three target genes, chosen for RGs validation, encoding the reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) indicated that a combination of stable RGs, such as GAPDH and PP2A, can lead to an accurate quantification of the expression levels of such target genes. The APX level varied during the experiment time course and according to the inoculum doses, whereas both SOD and CAT resulted down-regulated during the first four days and up-regulated afterwards, irrespective of inoculum dose. These results can be useful for better elucidating the molecular interaction in the A. deliciosa/P. s. pv. actinidiae pathosystem and for RGs selection in bacteria-plant pathosystems.
Tunable lanthanide-directed metallosupramolecular networks by exploiting coordinative flexibility through ligand stoichiometry
Authors: Lyu Guoqing , Zhang Qiushi , Urgel José I. , Kuang Guowen , Auwärter Willi , Ecija David , Barth Johannes V. , Lin Nian
Published: November 2015

Eu forms 4-fold or 5-fold coordination structures with terpyridyl and carbonitrile ligands on the Au(111) surface depending on the ligand stoichiometry.
Switching first contact: photocontrol of E. coli adhesion to human cells
Authors: Möckl L. , Müller A. , Bräuchle C. , Lindhorst T. K.
Published: November 2015

First contact between bacterial and target cells can be photocontrolled by E/Z isomerisation of azobenzene glycosides, employed in metabolic engineering.
Tetraalkylammonium interactions with dodecyl sulfate micelles: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Liu Guokui , Zhang Heng , Liu Gang , Yuan Shiling , Liu Chengbu
Published: November 2015

2D number-density maps for S atoms of the polar head in the x–y plane.
Dye-sensitised semiconductors modified with molecular catalysts for light-driven H2 production
Authors: Willkomm Janina , Orchard Katherine L. , Reynal Anna , Pastor Ernest , Durrant James R. , Reisner Erwin
Published: November 2015

Recent progress and basic understanding in the emerging field of dye-sensitised photocatalysis for light-driven hydrogen production is reviewed.
Conversion of syngas-derived C2+ mixed oxygenates to C3–C5 olefins over ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalysts
Authors: Smith Colin , Dagle Vanessa Lebarbier , Flake Matthew , Ramasamy Karthikeyan K. , Kovarik Libor , Bowden Mark , Onfroy Thomas , Dagle Robert A.
Published: November 2015

In this study we report on a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide type catalyst capable of converting a syngas-derived C2+ mixed oxygenate feedstock to isobutene-rich olefins.
Catalytic performance of Pd-promoted Cu hydrotalcite-derived catalysts in partial hydrogenation of acetylene: effect of Pd–Cu alloy formation
Authors: Liu Yanan , He Yufei , Zhou Daran , Feng Junting , Li Dianqing
Published: November 2015

A highly dispersed PdCu nanoalloy catalyst derived from a CuMgAl-hydrotalcite precursor exhibited superior catalytic performance in partial hydrogenation of acetylene.
The effect of surface oxygenated groups of carbon nanotubes on liquid phase catalytic oxidation of cumene
Authors: Chi Yumei , Zhu Mingli , Li Yuhang , Yu Hao , Wang Hongjuan , Peng Feng
Published: November 2015

Surface oxygenated groups, instead of surface defects, play a negative role in the liquid phase radical oxidation reaction catalyzed by carbons.
Mn(ii) complexes of different nuclearity: synthesis, characterization and catecholase-like activity
Authors: Chakraborty Prateeti , Majumder Ishani , Banu Kazi Sabnam , Ghosh Bipinbihari , Kara Hulya , Zangrando Ennio , Das Debasis
Published: November 2015

The origin of catecholase-like activity of Mn(ii)–Schiff-base complexes has been explored by studying structurally characterized mono-, di- and polynuclear Mn(ii) complexes of two “end-off” compartmental Schiff-base ligands.
Open circuit voltage and efficiency in ternary organic photovoltaic blends
Authors: Felekidis N. , Wang E. , Kemerink M.
Published: November 2015

We develop the understanding of the open circuit voltage and efficiency in ternary organic solar cells through experiments and quantitative modeling.
Methyl NFSI: atom-economical alternative to NFSI shows higher fluorination reactivity under Lewis acid-catalysis and non-catalysis
Authors: Fukushi Kazunobu , Suzuki Satoru , Kamo Tomohiro , Tokunaga Etsuko , Sumii Yuji , Kagawa Takumi , Kawada Kosuke , Shibata Norio
Published: November 2015

Me-NFSI is more effective for the fluorination of active methines under Lewis acid-catalysis and non-catalysis than NFSI.
The impact of sphingosine kinase inhibitor-loaded nanoparticles on bioelectrical and biomechanical properties of cancer cells
Authors: Babahosseini Hesam , Srinivasaraghavan Vaishnavi , Zhao Zongmin , Gillam Frank , Childress Elizabeth , Strobl Jeannine S. , Santos Webster L. , Zhang Chenming , Agah Masoud
Published: November 2015

A microfluidic chip developed to study the effects of free-drugversusNPs-mediated drug delivery on cancer cells using their electromechanical biomarkers.
A review of patents (2011–2015) towards combating resistance to and toxicity of aminoglycosides
Authors: Chandrika Nishad Thamban , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: November 2015

The information about synthesis, resistance, and toxicity of aminoglycosides in all patents from 2011–2015 is presented in details.
The influence of the I/Cl ratio on the performance of CH3NH3PbI3−xClx-based solar cells: why is CH3NH3I : PbCl2= 3 : 1 the “magic” ratio?
Authors: McLeod John A. , Wu Zhongwei , Sun Baoquan , Liu Lijia
Published: November 2015

Different PbCl2 : CH3NH3I ratios lead to the change of halide vacancies in CH3NH3PbI3−xClxas evidenced by the X-ray absorption fine structure.
Mesoporous molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a sustained release system of azithromycin
Authors: Sheybani Simin , Hosseinifar Tolou , Abdouss Majid , Mazinani Saeedeh
Published: November 2015

A combination of a molecular imprinting technique and precipitation polymerization was applied to develop novel azithromycin-imprinted poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) nanoparticles for sustained release of azithromycin (AZM).
Immobilization of laccase on magnetic silica nanoparticles and its application in the oxidation of guaiacol, a phenolic lignin model compound
Authors: Hu Jianpeng , Yuan Bingnan , Zhang Yongming , Guo Minghui
Published: November 2015

Immobilisation of Aspergillus laccase on magnetic silica nanoparticles via a facile and efficient process and its high catalytic efficiency for guaiacol as phenolic lignin model compound was investigated.