bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climatic signal in tree‐ring width chronologies of conifers in European Russia
Authors: Matskovsky Vladimir
Published: December 2015

Although European part of Russia is the largest forest‐covered part of Europe, dendroclimatic data for high‐resolution climate reconstructions are still scarce in this region. Climatic response of 62 tree‐ring width chronologies of pine (Pinus sylvestris), spruce (Picea abies, Picea obovata) and larch (Larix sibirica) was analysed over a large area in the northern and central parts of European Russia (54–70°N, 29–57°E). The use of several climatic archives including the data from meteorological stations and gridded datasets allowed identifying the most important climatic parameters impacting the radial growth of conifers in the study region. Our results showed that all conifers growing to the north of 60°N react positively to summer temperature. To the south, at the latitude of 54–56°N, the signal is changing and the ring width depends on the combination of two parameters – warmth and humidity (precipitation, Palmer Drought Severity Index, soil moisture). These findings are in correspondence with analogous studies from nearby regions (Europe and Fennoscandia) and large‐scale studies for the whole Northern Hemisphere. Although three genera of conifers were studied, pine is much better represented in the analysed network, and the results for spruce and larch have to be confirmed in further studies. The negative correlation of the spruce‐ring width with the temperature of previous growing season has been defined for 16 of 17 studied chronologies.
Reduced serum levels of syndecan‐1 in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shegefti Mohammad Sohrabi , Malekzadeh Mahyar , Malek‐Hosseini Zahra , Khademi Bijan , Ghaderi Abbas , Doroudchi Mehrnoosh
Published: December 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate soluble syndecan‐1 (Sdc‐1) in the sera of patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its correlation with the histopathological criteria of tumors.

Study Design

In a case‐control study using a convenient method of sampling, 18 female and 25 male patients with confirmed diagnosis of tongue SCC, and 19 healthy females and 27 males were studied.

Methods

Soluble Sdc‐1 was measured in the sera of 43 patients with tongue SCC and was compared with that of healthy age‐/sex‐matched controls using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical and pathological data, along with the demographic characteristics of the patients, were recorded at the time of sampling.

Results

The levels of soluble Sdc‐1 were decreased in the sera of patients compared to controls (91.17 ± 88.60 vs. 158.17 ± 103.47 ng/mL, P = .002). Although patients who smoke tended to have higher grades (P = .043), there was no significant difference in the level of syndecan‐1 between smokers and non‐smokers. A significant difference between syndecan‐1 in the sera of patients with tumors of different stages was observed (Kruskal‐Wallis test P=0.039); however, scarcity of patients in stages I and III decreased the power of the comparison.

Conclusions

Sdc‐1 levels in the sera of patients do not correlate with the tumor progression in the tongue SCC. This is in contrast with the reported inverse correlation between the expression level of membranous Sdc‐1 and the histological grade and size of head and neck tumors. Therefore, Sdc‐1 shedding may not be a major mechanism in the progressive loss of its expression regarding tongue tumor.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 126:E191–E195, 2016
Reconstruction of ulnar defect with vascularized rib graft: A case report
Authors: Spiker Andrea M. , Humbyrd Casey J. , Osgood Greg M. , Yang Stephen C. , Deune E. Gene
Published: December 2015

This case report describes the reconstruction of a segmental ulnar defect using a vascularized rib graft. A 27‐year‐old man was injured during military service by an improvised explosive device, resulting in bilateral through‐the‐knee amputations, left hand deformity, and a segmental left ulnar defect. After unsuccessful ulnar reconstruction with nonvascularized autologous bone and allograft bone substitutes, he presented to our institution. We removed the residual allograft fragments from the ulnar defect, harvested a vascularized left sixth rib with the intercostal artery and vein, secured the construct with internal hardware, and performed microanastomoses of the intercostal artery and vein to the posterior interosseous artery and vein. Postoperatively, he had a hematoma at the vascularized graft recipient site caused by anticoagulation therapy for his chronic deep vein thrombosis. Despite this, the rib graft successfully incorporated on the basis of radiographic and clinical examinations at 27 months. He had no pain and good function of the arm. The results of this case suggest that a vascularized rib graft for forearm reconstruction may be a viable option with minimal donor site morbidity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:160–164, 2017.
Localized one‐dimensional single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy without J coupling modulations
Authors: Lin Yanqin , Lin Liangjie , Wei Zhiliang , Zhong Jianhui , Chen Zhong
Published: December 2015

Purpose

To acquire single voxel localized one‐dimensional 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) without J coupling modulations, free from amplitude and phase distortions.

Methods

A pulse sequence, named PRESSIR, is developed for volume localized MRS without J modulations at arbitrary echo time (TE). The J coupling evolution is suppressed by the J‐refocused module that uses a 90° pulse at the midpoint of a double spin echo.

Results

The localization performance of the PRESSIR sequence was tested with a two‐compartment phantom. The proposed sequence shows similar voxel localization accuracy as PRESS. Both PRESSIR and PRESS sequences were performed on MRS brain phantom and pig brain tissue. PRESS spectra suffer from amplitude and phase distortions due to J modulations, especially under moderate and long TEs, while PRESSIR spectra are almost free from distortions.

Conclusion

The PRESSIR sequence proposed herein enables the acquisition of single voxel in‐phase MRS within a single scan. It allows an enhanced signal intensity of J coupling metabolites and reducing undesired broad resonances with short T2s while suppressing J modulations. Moreover, it provides an approach for direct measurement of nonoverlapping J coupling peaks and of transverse relaxation times T2s. Magn Reson Med 76:1661–1667, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Grow enrollment with communication, customer service
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2015

Many community colleges and other institutions of higher education have seen their enrollment drop since the recession. But at Wake Tech Community College in North Carolina, enrollment has grown steadily, despite a decline in applications.
Kinetics of miniemulsion polymerizations of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and/or methyl methacrylate
Authors: Pham Quoc‐Thai , Lin Chun‐Ta , Chen Chia‐Hung , Chern Chorng‐Shyan
Published: December 2015

Two types of reactive acrylic microgel particles of methyl methacrylate (MMA)/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) (66.4/33.6 and 0/100 (mol/mol)) were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator in the temperature range 60–80 °C. Ostwald ripening occurred during the very early stage of polymerization. In addition to the predominant droplet nucleation, homogeneous nucleation was also observed. The polymerization rate for MMA/EGDMA miniemulsion was higher than that for EGDMA miniemulsion. By contrast, comparable apparent limiting conversions were observed for the polymerizations of MMA/EGDMA and EGDMA. The mole fractions of MMA and EGDMA units incorporated into the copolymer product were estimated to be 0.62 and 0.38, respectively, for the polymerization of MMA/EGDMA at 70 °C. The mole fraction of the EGDMA unit containing one CC within the MMA/EGDMA microgel particle product was estimated to be 0.23, which was comparable to that (0.22) of the EGDMA unit containing one CC within the EGDMA microgel particle product. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Structure and crystallization behaviour of syndiotactic polystyrene/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites
Authors: Nagendra Baku , Das Amit , Leuteritz Andreas , Gowd E Bhoje
Published: December 2015

Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) based polymer nanocomposites have been prepared using surfactant‐free layered double hydroxides (SF‐LDHs) by a modified solvent mixing method with different loadings of 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 wt%. The nanocomposite preparation process involves a wash treatment of as‐prepared SF‐LDHs in an appropriate organic solvent followed by gel formation in a non‐polar solvent. The gel was directly used to make highly dispersed polymer nanocomposites. The influence of highly dispersed SF‐LDH platelets on the crystallization, polymorphism, thermal stability and flame retardancy of sPS was examined. It was shown that SF‐LDHs significantly enhance the crystallization rate of sPS and favour the formation of the thermodynamically stable β form along with the α form of sPS. Moreover, highly dispersed SF‐LDHs decrease the heat release rate and total heat release of sPS indicating the enhancement of flame‐retardant properties of sPS. In this way, it was found that the dispersed SF‐LDH platelets act as a multifunctional nanofiller for sPS. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
lncRNAs regulate the innate immune response to viral infection
Authors: Ouyang Jing , Hu Jiayue , Chen Ji‐Long
Published: December 2015

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are extensively expressed in mammalian cells and play a crucial role as RNA regulators in various cellular processes. Increasing data reveal that they function in innate antiviral immunity through complex mechanisms. Thousands of lncRNAs are regulated by RNA virus or DNA virus infection. The significant differential expression of lncRNAs is induced by virus or host antiviral signaling mediated by interferons (IFNs) and tumor necrosis factor‐α. In turn, these lncRNAs modulate the host immune response including the pathogen recognition receptor (PRR)‐related signaling, the translocation and activation of transcription factors, the production of IFNs and cytokines, the IFN‐activated JAK‐STAT signaling and the transcription of antiviral IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs). Using gain‐ or loss‐of‐function analysis, the effect of lncRNAs on viral replication has been investigated to elucidate the essential role of lncRNA in the host–virus interaction. lncRNAs have shown specifically elevated or decreased levels in patients with viral diseases, suggesting the possibility of clinical application as biomarkers. Here we review the current advances of viral infection‐associated host lncRNAs, their functional significance in different aspects of antiviral immune response, the specific mechanisms and unsolved issues. We also summarize the regulation of lncRNAs by viruses, PRR agonists and cytokines. In addition, virus‐encoded lncRNAs and their functional involvement in host–virus interaction are addressed. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:129–143. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1321

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Inequitable Access to Timely Cleft Palate Surgery in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Carlson Lucas C. , Hatcher Kristin W. , Tomberg Lindsay , Kabetu Charles , Ayala Ruben , Vander Burg Richard
Published: December 2015

Background

Delayed cleft palate repair has significant implications for physical, mental, and social well‐being and has been suggested to lead to an increased risk of infant and under‐five mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Using medical records from Operation Smile international programs taking place in eleven different LMICs between March and May 2014, we performed a logistic regression assessing the relationship between delayed surgery access, defined as primary palatoplasty presentation after 24 months of age, and GDP per capita across 11 countries.

Results

Median age of presentation ranged from 13 to 24 months in upper‐middle‐income countries, 17 to 35 months in lower‐middle‐income countries, and 14 to 66 months in low‐income countries. Our analysis demonstrated a 14 % increase in the odds of late surgery [OR = 0.88 (P < 0.001)] for every 1000 USD decrease of GDP per capita. In low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries, this relationship was even stronger, with an OR of 0.59 (P < 0.001), indicating a 70 % increase in the odds of late surgery for every 1000 USD decrease in GDP per capita.

Conclusions

There is a strong negative correlation between national income status and delayed access to primary cleft palate surgery, indicating a high degree of inequity in access to surgery, particularly in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries. As the importance of surgery in global health is increasingly recognized, an equity perspective must be included in the global dialog to ensure that the world’s poor have fair and equitable access to essential surgical care.
On the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of the stationary Navier–Stokes equations in dimension 3
Authors: Decaster Agathe , Iftimie Dragoş
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we address the problem of determining the asymptotic behaviour of the solutions of the incompressible stationary Navier–Stokes system in the full space, with a forcing term whose asymptotic behaviour at infinity is homogeneous of degree −3. We identify the asymptotic behaviour at infinity of the solution. We prove that it is homogeneous and that the leading term in the expansion at infinity uniquely solves the homogeneous Navier–Stokes equations with a forcing term which involves an additional Dirac mass. This also applies to the case of an exterior domain.
The obstacle problem with singular coefficients near Dirichlet data
Authors: Shahgholian Henrik , Yeressian Karen
Published: December 2015

In this paper we study the behaviour of the free boundary close to its contact points with the fixed boundary

B \cap \{x_{1} = 0\}

in the obstacle type problem

\begin{cases}
\mathrm{div}(x_{1}^{a}\mathrm{∇}u) = \chi _{\{u > 0\}}\:&\text{in}\:B^{ + }\text{,} \\
u = 0\:&\text{on}\:B \cap \{x_{1} = 0\}
\end{cases}

where

a < 1

,

B^{ + } = B \cap \{x_{1} > 0\}

,
B
is the unit ball in

\mathbb{R}^{n}

and

n \geq 2

is an integer.

Let

\mathrm{\Gamma } = B^{ + } \cap \partial \{u > 0\}

be the free boundary and assume that the origin is a contact point, i.e.

0 \in \overline{\mathrm{\Gamma }}

. We prove that the free boundary touches the fixed boundary uniformly tangentially at the origin, near to the origin it is the graph of a

C^{1}

function and there is a uniform modulus of continuity for the derivatives of this function.
Differential diagnostic dilemma between pulmonary embolism and acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Gul Enes Elvin , Nikus Kjell C. , Erdogan Halil I. , Ozdemir Kurtulus
Published: December 2015

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent life‐threatening condition in emergency departments. Careful diagnosis is important, and different diagnostic tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), biochemical markers, echocardiogram, and computed tomography are required. Although ECG is a cheap and rapid diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism, it has some limitations in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and acute PE. Herein, we report ECG results of a patient diagnosed with acute PE mimicking acute coronary syndrome.
Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a paleosol catena, the Zinj archeological level, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
Authors: Driese Steven G. , Ashley Gail M.
Published: December 2015

Paleosols record paleoclimatic processes in the Earth's Critical Zone and are archives of ancient landscapes associated with archeological sites. Detailed field, micromorphologic, and bulk geochemical analysis of paleosols were conducted near four sites at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania within the same stratigraphic horizon as theZinjanthropus(Paranthropus)boiseiarcheological site. Paleosols are thin (< 35 cm), smectitic, and exhibit Vertisol shrink–swell features. Traced across the paleolandscape over 1 km and just beneath Tuff IC (1.845 Ma), the paleosols record apaleocatenain which soil moisture at the four sites was supplemented by seepage additions from adjacent springs, and soil development was enhanced by this additional moisture. Field evidence revealed an abrupt lateral transition in paleosol composition at the PTK site (< 1.5 m apart) in which paleosol B, formed nearest the spring system, is highly siliceous, vs. paleosol A, formed in smectitic clay. Thin-section investigations combined with mass-balance geochemistry, using Chapati Tuff as parent material and assuming immobile Ti, show moderately intense weathering. Pedotransfer functions indicate a fertile soil system, but sodicity may have limited some plant growth. Paleosol bulk geochemical proxies used to estimate paleoprecipitation (733–944 mm/yr), are higher than published estimates of 250–700 mm/yr using δD values of lipid biomarkers.
Phonetic and phonological patterns of nasality in Lakota vowels
Authors: Scarborough Rebecca , Zellou Georgia , Mirzayan Armik , Rood David S.
Published: December 2015

Lakota (Siouan) has both contrastive and coarticulatory vowel nasality, and both nasal and oral vowels can occur before or after a nasal consonant. This study examines the timing and degree patterns of acoustic vowel nasality across contrastive and coarticulatory contexts in Lakota, based on data from six Lakota native speakers. There is clear evidence of both anticipatory and carryover nasal coarticulation across oral and nasal vowels, with a greater degree of carryover than anticipatory nasalization. Nasality in carryover contexts is nonetheless restricted: the oral–nasal contrast is neutralized for high back vowels in this context and realized for three of the six speakers in low vowels. In the absence of nasal consonant context, contrastive vowel nasalization is generally greatest late in the vowel. Low nasal vowels in carryover contexts parallel this pattern (despite the location of the nasal consonantbeforethe vowel), and low nasal vowels in anticipatory contexts are most nasal at the start of the vowel. We relate the synchronic patterns of coarticulation in Lakota to both its system of contrast and diachronic processes in the evolution of nasality in Lakota. These data reflect that coarticulatory patterns, as well as contrastive patterns, are grammatical and controlled by speakers.
Ripples from the First Wave: The Monarchical Origins of the Welfare State
Authors: McDonagh Eileen
Published: December 2015

Before the welfare state, people were protected from disabilities resulting from illness, old age, and other infirmities by care work provided within the family. When the state assumes responsibility for care-work tasks, in effect it assumes parental roles, thereby becoming a form offamilial governmentin which the public provision of goods and services is analogous to care work provided in the family. My research pushes back the origins of the state’s obligation to care for people to a preindustrial form of government, hereditary monarchies—what Max Weber termed patrimonialism. It explicates how monarchs were cast as the parents of the people, thereby constituting kingship as a care work regime that assigned to political rulers parental responsibility for the welfare of the people. Using historical and quantitative analysis, I establish that retaining the legitimacy of monarchies as the first form of familial government in the course of Western European democratizing makes it more credible to the public and to political elites to accept the welfare state as the second form of familial government. That, in turn, promotes a more robust public sector supportive of social provision. The results reformulate conceptions of the contemporary welfare state and its developmental legacies.
Relative Policy Support and Coincidental Representation
Authors: Enns Peter K.
Published: December 2015

The finding that the preferences of middle-income Americans are ignored when they diverge from the preferences of the rich is one of the most widely accepted and influential conclusions in political science research today. I offer a cautionary note regarding this conclusion. I demonstrate that even on those issues for which the preferences of the wealthy and those in the middle diverge, policy ends up about where we would expect if policymakers represented the middle class and ignored the affluent. This result emerges because even when middle- and high-income groups express different levels of support for a policy (i.e., a preference gap exists), the policies that receive the most (least) support among the middle typically receive the most (least) support among the affluent (i.e., relative policy support is often equivalent). As a result, the opportunity of unequal representation of the “average citizen” is much less than previously thought. The analysis also shows, however, that substantial opportunity exists for unequal representation of strong partisan preferences. Together, these results reinforce the importance of party identification for understanding policy outcomes and who gets represented.
SCFβ-TRCP promotes cell growth by targeting PR-Set7/Set8 for degradation
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Dai Xiangpeng , Zhong Jiateng , Inuzuka Hiroyuki , Wan Lixin , Li Xiaoning , Wang Lixia , Ye Xiantao , Sun Liankun , Gao Daming , Zou Lee , Wei Wenyi
Published: December 2015

The Set8/PR-Set7/KMT5a methyltransferase plays critical roles in governing transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. Although CRL4Cdt2 was reported to regulate Set8 stability, deleting the PIP motif only led to partial resistance to ultraviolet-induced degradation of Set8, indicating the existence of additional E3 ligase(s) controlling Set8 stability. Furthermore, it remains largely undefined how DNA damage-induced kinase cascades trigger the timely destruction of Set8 to govern tumorigenesis. Here, we report that SCFβ-TRCP earmarks Set8 for ubiquitination and degradation in a casein kinase I-dependent manner, which is activated by DNA-damaging agents. Biologically, both CRL4Cdt2 and SCFβ-TRCP-mediated pathways contribute to ultraviolet-induced Set8 degradation to control cell cycle progression, governing the onset of DNA damage-induced checkpoints. Therefore, like many critical cell cycle regulators including p21 and Cdt1, we uncover a tight regulatory network to accurately control Set8 abundance. Our studies further suggest that aberrancies in this delicate degradation pathway might contribute to aberrant elevation of Set8 in human tumours.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of β-Zn4Sb3 based nanocomposites through combined effects of density of states resonance and carrier energy filtering
Authors: Zou Tianhua , Qin Xiaoying , Zhang Yongsheng , Li Xiaoguang , Zeng Zhi , Li Di , Zhang Jian , Xin Hongxing , Xie Wenjie , Weidenkaff Anke
Published: December 2015

It is a major challenge to elevate the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT of materials through enhancing their power factor (PF) and reducing the thermal conductivity at the same time. Experience has shown that engineering of the electronic density of states (eDOS) and the energy filtering mechanism (EFM) are two different effective approaches to improve the PF. However, the successful combination of these two methods is elusive. Here we show that the PF of β-Zn4Sb3 can greatly benefit from both effects. Simultaneous resonant distortion in eDOS via Pb-doping and energy filtering via introduction of interface potentials result in a ~40% increase of PF and an approximately twofold reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity due to interface scattering. Accordingly, the ZT of β-Pb0.02Zn3.98Sb3 with 3 vol.% of Cu3SbSe4 nanoinclusions reaches a value of 1.4 at 648 K. The combination of eDOS engineering and EFM would potentially facilitate the development of high-performance thermoelectric materials.
6-Amidopyrene as a label-assisted laser desorption/ionization (LA-LDI) enhancing tag: development of photoaffinity pyrene derivative
Authors: Yoneda Kozo , Hu Yaping , Kita Masaki , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: December 2015

Pyrene-conjugated compounds are detected by label-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LA-LDI MS) without matrixes. We found that 6-amidopyrene derivatives were highly detectable by the LDI MS instrument equipped with a 355 nm laser. In a certain case of a 6-amidopyrene derivative, a molecular ion peak [M]+• and a characteristic fragment ion peak [M–42]+• were detected in an amount of only 10 fmol. The latter peak, corresponding to the 6-aminopyrene fragment, might be generated in situ by the removal of ketene (CH2=C=O) from the parent molecule. A photoaffinity amidopyrene derivative of an antitumor macrolide aplyronine A (ApA–PaP) was synthesized, which showed potent cytotoxicity and actin-depolymerizing activity. In an LDI MS analysis of the MeOH- and water-adducts of ApA–PaP, oxime N–O bonds as well as amidopyrene N-acetyl moieties were preferentially cleaved and their internal structures were confirmed by MS/MS analysis. Amidopyrene moiety might enhance fragmentation and stabilize the cleaved fragments by intramolecular or intermolecular weak interactions including hydrogen bonding. Our chemical probe methods might contribute to a detailed analysis of binding modes between various ligands and target biomacromolecules that include multiple and weak interactions.
Black Phosphorus Transistors with Near Band Edge Contact Schottky Barrier
Authors: Ling Zhi-Peng , Sakar Soumya , Mathew Sinu , Zhu Jun-Tao , Gopinadhan K. , Venkatesan T. , Ang Kah-Wee
Published: December 2015

Black phosphorus (BP) is a new class of 2D material which holds promise for next generation transistor applications owing to its intrinsically superior carrier mobility properties. Among other issues, achieving good ohmic contacts with low source-drain parasitic resistance in BP field-effect transistors (FET) remains a challenge. For the first time, we report a new contact technology that employs the use of high work function nickel (Ni) and thermal anneal to produce a metal alloy that effectively reduces the contact Schottky barrier height (ΦB) in a BP FET. When annealed at 300 °C, the Ni electrode was found to react with the underlying BP crystal and resulted in the formation of nickel-phosphide (Ni2P) alloy. This serves to de-pin the metal Fermi level close to the valence band edge and realizes a record low hole ΦB of merely ~12 meV. The ΦB at the valence band has also been shown to be thickness-dependent, wherein increasing BP multi-layers results in a smaller ΦB due to bandgap energy shrinkage. The integration of hafnium-dioxide high-k gate dielectric additionally enables a significantly improved subthreshold swing (SS ~ 200 mV/dec), surpassing previously reported BP FETs with conventional SiO2 gate dielectric (SS > 1 V/dec).
Comprehensive study of liposome-assisted synthesis of membrane proteins using a reconstituted cell-free translation system
Authors: Niwa Tatsuya , Sasaki Yoshihiro , Uemura Eri , Nakamura Shugo , Akiyama Minato , Ando Mitsuru , Sawada Shinichi , Mukai Sada-atu , Ueda Takuya , Taguchi Hideki , Akiyoshi Kazunari
Published: December 2015

Membrane proteins play pivotal roles in cellular processes and are key targets for drug discovery. However, the reliable synthesis and folding of membrane proteins are significant problems that need to be addressed owing to their extremely high hydrophobic properties, which promote irreversible aggregation in hydrophilic conditions. Previous reports have suggested that protein aggregation could be prevented by including exogenous liposomes in cell-free translation processes. Systematic studies that identify which membrane proteins can be rescued from irreversible aggregation during translation by liposomes would be valuable in terms of understanding the effects of liposomes and developing applications for membrane protein engineering in the context of pharmaceutical science and nanodevice development. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive study to evaluate the effects of liposomes on 85 aggregation-prone membrane proteins fromEscherichia coliby using a reconstituted, chemically defined cell-free translation system. Statistical analyses revealed that the presence of liposomes increased the solubility of >90% of the studied membrane proteins and ultimately improved the yields of the synthesized proteins. Bioinformatics analyses revealed significant correlations between the liposome effect and the physicochemical properties of the membrane proteins.
Quasi-planktonic behavior of foraging top marine predators
Authors: Della Penna Alice , De Monte Silvia , Kestenare Elodie , Guinet Christophe , d’Ovidio Francesco
Published: December 2015

Monitoring marine top predators is fundamental for assessing the health and functioning of open ocean ecosystems. Although recently tracking observations have substantially increased, factors determining the horizontal exploration of the ocean by marine predators are still largely unknown, especially at the scale of behavioral switches (1–100 km, days-weeks). It is commonly assumed that the influence of water movement can be neglected for animals capable of swimming faster than the current. Here, we challenge this assumption by combining the use of biologging (GPS and accelerometry), satellite altimetry andin-situoceanographic data (ADCP and drifting buoys) to investigate the effect of the mesoscale ocean dynamics on a marine predator, the southern elephant seal. A Lagrangian approach reveals that trajectories of elephant seals are characterized by quasi-planktonic bouts where the animals are horizontally drifting. These bouts correspond to periods of increased foraging effort, indicating that in the quasi-planktonic conditions energy is allocated to diving and chasing, rather than in horizontal search of favourable grounds. These results suggest that mesoscale features like eddies and fronts may act as a focal points for trophic interactions not only by bottom-up modulation of nutrient injection, but also by directly entraining horizontal displacements of the upper trophic levels.
Sedimentary archaeal amoA gene abundance reflects historic nutrient level and salinity fluctuations in Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yang Jian , Jiang Hongchen , Dong Hailiang , Hou Weiguo , Li Gaoyuan , Wu Geng
Published: December 2015

Integration of DNA derived from ancient phototrophs with their characteristic lipid biomarkers has been successfully employed to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions. However, it is poorly known that whether the DNA and lipids of microbial functional aerobes (such as ammonia-oxidizing archaea: AOA) can be used for reconstructing past environmental conditions. Here we identify and quantify the AOA amoA genes (encoding the alpha subunit of ammonia monooxygenases) preserved in a 5.8-m sediment core (spanning the last 18,500 years) from Qinghai Lake. Parallel analyses revealed that low amoA gene abundance corresponded to high total organic carbon (TOC) and salinity, while high amoA gene abundance corresponded to low TOC and salinity. In the Qinghai Lake region, TOC can serve as an indicator of paleo-productivity and paleo-precipitation, which is related to historic nutrient input and salinity. So our data suggest that temporal variation of AOA amoA gene abundance preserved in Qinghai Lake sediment may reflect the variations of nutrient level and salinity throughout the late Pleistocene and Holocene in the Qinghai Lake region.
Interfacial valence electron localization and the corrosion resistance of Al-SiC nanocomposite
Authors: Mosleh-Shirazi Sareh , Hua Guomin , Akhlaghi Farshad , Yan Xianguo , Li Dongyang
Published: December 2015

Microstructural inhomogeneity generally deteriorates the corrosion resistance of materials due to the galvanic effect and interfacial issues. However, the situation may change for nanostructured materials. This article reports our studies on the corrosion behavior of SiC nanoparticle-reinforced Al6061 matrix composite. It was observed that the corrosion resistance of Al6061 increased when SiC nanoparticles were added. Overall electron work function (EWF) of the Al-SiC nanocomposite increased, along with an increase in the corrosion potential. The electron localization function of the Al-SiC nanocomposite was calculated and the results revealed that valence electrons were localized in the region of SiC-Al interface, resulting in an increase in the overall work function and thus building a higher barrier to hinder electrons in the nano-composite to participate in corrosion reactions.
The TLR2 is activated by sporozoites and suppresses intrahepatic rodent malaria parasite development
Authors: Zheng Hong , Tan Zhangping , Zhou TaoLi , Zhu Feng , Ding Yan , Liu Taiping , Wu Yuzhang , Xu Wenyue
Published: December 2015

TLRs (Toll-like receptors) play an important role in the initiation of innate immune responses against invading microorganisms. Although several TLRs have been reported to be involved in the innate immune response against the blood-stage of malaria parasites, the role of TLRs in the development of the pre-erythrocytic stage is still largely unknown. Here, we found that sporozoite and its lysate could significantly activate the TLR2 and induce macrophages to release proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α, in a TLR2-dependent manner. Further studies showed that sporozoite and its lysate could be recognized by either TLR2 homodimers or TLR2/1 and TLR2/6 heterodimers, implicating the complexity of TLR2 agonist in sporozoite. Interestingly, the TLR2 signaling can significantly suppress the development of the pre-erythrocytic stage of Plasmodium yoelii, as both liver parasite load and subsequent parasitemia were significantly elevated in both TLR2- and MyD88-deficient mice. Additionally, the observed higher level of parasite burden in TLR2−/− mice was found to be closely associated with a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in the liver. Therefore, we provide the first evidence that sporozoites can activate the TLR2 signaling, which in turn significantly inhibits the intrahepatic parasites. This may provide us with novel clues to design preventive anti-malaria therapies.
Responses of photosynthetic parameters to drought in subtropical forest ecosystem of China
Authors: Zhou Lei , Wang Shaoqiang , Chi Yonggang , Li Qingkang , Huang Kun , Yu Quanzhou
Published: December 2015

The mechanism underlying the effect of drought on the photosynthetic traits of leaves in forest ecosystems in subtropical regions is unclear. In this study, three limiting processes (stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical limitations) that control the photosynthetic capacity and three resource use efficiencies (intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and light use efficiency (LUE)), which were characterized as the interactions between photosynthesis and environmental resources, were estimated in two species (Schima superbaandPinus massoniana) under drought conditions. A quantitative limitation analysis demonstrated that the drought-induced limitation of photosynthesis inSchima superbawas primarily due to stomatal limitation, whereas forPinus massoniana,both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations generally exhibited similar magnitudes. Although the mesophyll limitation represented only 1% of the total limitation inSchima superba, it accounted for 24% of the total limitations forPinus massoniana. Furthermore, a positive relationship between the LUE and NUE and a marginally negative relationship or trade-off between the NUE and iWUE were observed in the control plots. However, drought disrupted the relationships between the resource use efficiencies. Our findings may have important implications for reducing the uncertainties in model simulations and advancing the understanding of the interactions between ecosystem functions and climate change.
Low-Temperature Selective Growth of Tungsten Oxide Nanowires by Controlled Nanoscale Stress Induction
Authors: Na Hyungjoo , Eun Youngkee , Kim Min-Ook , Choi Jungwook , Kim Jongbaeg
Published: December 2015

We report a unique approach for the patterned growth of single-crystalline tungsten oxide (WOx) nanowires based on localized stress-induction. Ions implanted into the desired growth area of WOx thin films lead to a local increase in the compressive stress, leading to the growth of nanowire at lower temperatures (600 °C vs. 750–900 °C) than for equivalent non-implanted samples. Nanowires were successfully grown on the microscale patterns using wafer-level ion implantation and on the nanometer scale patterns using a focused ion beam (FIB). Experimental results show that nanowire growth is influenced by a number of factors including the dose of the implanted ions and their atomic radius. The implanted-ion-assisted, stress-induced method proposed here for the patterned growth of WOx nanowires is simpler than alternative approaches and enhances the compatibility of the process by reducing the growth temperature.
Understanding hydrothermal transformation from Mn2O3 particles to Na0.55Mn2O4·1.5H2O nanosheets, nanobelts and single crystalline ultra-long Na4Mn9O18 nanowires
Authors: Park Yohan , Woo Lee Sung , Kim Ki Hyeon , Min Bong-Ki , Kumar Nayak Arpan , Pradhan Debabrata , Sohn Youngku
Published: December 2015

Manganese oxides are one of the most valuable materials for batteries, fuel cells and catalysis. Herein, we report the change in morphology and phase of as-synthesized Mn2O3 by inserting Na+ ions. In particular, Mn2O3 nanoparticles were first transformed to 2 nm thin Na0.55Mn2O4·1.5H2O nanosheets and nanobelts via hydrothermal exfoliation and Na cation intercalation and finally to sub-mm ultra-long single crystalline Na4Mn9O18 nanowires. This paper reports the morphology and phase-dependent magnetic and catalytic (CO oxidation) properties of the as-synthesized nanostructured Na intercalated Mn-based materials.
A novel determination of curcumin via Ru@Au nanoparticle decorated nitrogen and sulfur-functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanomaterials
Authors: Kotan Gül , Kardaş Faruk , Yokuş Özlem Aktaş , Akyıldırım Onur , Saral Hasan , Eren Tanju , Yola Mehmet Lütfi , Atar Necip
Published: December 2015

We report the synthesis of Ru@Au nanoparticles involved l-cysteine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites (NSrGO/Ru@AuNPs).
An asymmetric assembly of spirooxindole dihydropyranones through a direct enantioselective organocatalytic vinylogous aldol-cyclization cascade reaction of 3-alkylidene oxindoles with isatins
Authors: Han Jeng-Liang , Chang Chia-Hao
Published: December 2015

An unexpected enantioselective organocatalytic vinylogous aldol-cyclization cascade reaction generating dihydropyranones in good to excellent yields with high enantioselectivities.
Thionated perylene diimides with intense absorbance in the near-IR
Authors: Llewellyn Ben A. , Davies E. Stephen , Pfeiffer Constance R. , Cooper Mick , Lewis William , Champness Neil R.
Published: December 2015

Combining thionation and amine substitution of perylene diimides leads to intense absorption maxima in the NIR and, upon reduction, strong absorption in the SWIR.
Correction: Analysis of computational models for an accurate study of electronic excitations in GFP
Authors: Schwabe Tobias , Beerepoot Maarten T. P. , Olsen Jógvan Magnus Haugaard , Kongsted Jacob
Published: December 2015

Correction for ‘Analysis of computational models for an accurate study of electronic excitations in GFP’ by Tobias Schwabe et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 2582–2588.
Modification of the carbide microstructure by N- and S-functionalization of the support in MoxC/CNT catalysts
Authors: Frank Benjamin , Xie Zai-Lai , Friedel Ortega Klaus , Scherzer Michael , Schlögl Robert , Trunschke Annette
Published: December 2015

Surface modification of a CNT support with S- or N-containing functionalities results in significant modification of the catalytic performance of supported molybdenum carbide in the steam reforming of methanol.
A review on research progress in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen: noble-metal catalytic method, fuel-cell method and plasma method
Authors: Yi Yanhui , Wang Li , Li Gang , Guo Hongchen
Published: December 2015

The direct synthesis of H2O2from H2and O2using Pd catalyst, fuel cell and plasma methods have been reviewed systematically.
μ3-Oxo stabilized by three metal cations is a sufficient nucleophile for enzymatic hydrolysis of phosphate monoesters
Authors: Ji Jian-Nan , Chen Shi-Lu
Published: December 2015

A novel μ3-oxo stabilized by three cations is demonstrated to be a sufficient nucleophile in the hydrolysis of phosphate esters.
Effects of crystallite size on the structure and magnetism of ferrihydrite
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Zhu Mengqiang , Koopal Luuk K. , Li Wei , Xu Wenqian , Liu Fan , Zhang Jing , Liu Qingsong , Feng Xionghan , Sparks Donald L.
Published: December 2015

The structure and magnetic properties of nano-sized (1.6 to 4.4 nm) ferrihydrite samples are systematically investigated through a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray pair distribution function (PDF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and magnetic analyses.
Diffusion layer characteristics for increasing the performance of activated carbon air cathodes in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyuan , He Weihua , Yang Wulin , Liu Jia , Wang Qiuying , Liang Peng , Huang Xia , Logan Bruce E.
Published: December 2015

Air cathode characteristics significantly affected power production of microbial fuel cells during wastewater treatment.
Temporal changes of size distribution of mass and relative intensity for ablated particles during laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Machida Ryo , Nakazawa Takashi , Furuta Naoki
Published: December 2015

Temporal changes of fractionation indexes during laser ablation were investigated by evaluating the size distribution and chemical composition of ablated particles.
QR-on-a-chip: a computer-recognizable micro-pattern engraved microfluidic device for high-throughput image acquisition
Authors: Yun Kyungwon , Lee Hyunjae , Bang Hyunwoo , Jeon Noo Li
Published: December 2015

A demonstration of utilizing microscale QR codes to microfluidic device imaging automation.
Perspectives on zeolite-encapsulated metal nanoparticles and their applications in catalysis
Authors: Farrusseng David , Tuel Alain
Published: December 2015

Recent strategies for the design of zeolites with unusual architectures and porosities offer many opportunities for the encapsulation of catalysts.
Conformationally-locked C-glycosides: tuning aglycone interactions for optimal chaperone behaviour in Gaucher fibroblasts
Authors: Navo C. D. , Corzana F. , Sánchez-Fernández E. M. , Busto J. H. , Avenoza A. , Zurbano M. M. , Nanba E. , Higaki K. , Ortiz Mellet C. , García Fernández J. M. , Peregrina J. M.
Published: December 2015

A series of conformationally locked C-glycosides based on the 3-aminopyrano[3,2-b]pyrrol-2(1H)-one (APP) scaffold has been synthesized.
Magnetized property effect of a non-aqueous solvent upon complex formation between kryptofix 22DD with lanthanum(iii) cation: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Rounaghi Gholam Hossien , Gholizadeh Mostafa , Moosavi Fatemeh , Razavipanah Iman , Azizi-Toupkanloo Hossein , Salavati Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2015

The variation of molar conductance versus mole ratio for (kryptofix 22DD·La)3+ complex in methanol solution at different temperatures is in accordance with the variation of pair correlation function of oxygen atoms.
Identification of bisindolylmethane–hydrazone hybrids as novel inhibitors of β-glucuronidase, DFT, and in silico SAR intimations
Authors: Taha Muhammad , Ismail Nor Hadiani , Imran Syahrul , Anouar El Hassane , Ali Muhammad , Jamil Waqas , Uddin Nizam , Kashif Syed Muhammad
Published: December 2015

Synthesis and β-glucuronidase inhibition activity of novel bisindolylmethane derivatives (1–30).
Superhydrophobic surfaces based on polypyrrole with corrosion resistance and the separation of oil/water mixture properties
Authors: Yu Shen , Guo Zhiguang
Published: December 2015

We demonstrated a novel and simple two-step design to utilize conductive polymer PPy to produce a superhydrophobic film on various substrates with superb corrosion resistance.
One-pot synthesis of nanosheet-assembled hierarchical MoSe2/CoSe2 microcages for the enhanced performance of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Mu C. H. , Qi H. X. , Song Y. Q. , Liu Z. P. , Ji L. X. , Deng J. G. , Liao Y. B. , Scarpa F.
Published: December 2015

Nanosheet-assembled tube-like hierarchical MoSe2/CoSe2 microcages, synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method, show enhanced HER activity with a much lower onset overpotential, larger cathodic current, and a smaller Tafel slope.
Facile synthesis of shell–core polyaniline/SrFe12O19 composites and magnetic properties
Authors: Meng Xianfeng , Zhu Yajun , Xu Song , Liu Tong
Published: December 2015

Polyaniline (PANI)/SrFe12O19 (SrM) composites with a shell–core structure were synthesized by in situ polymerization.
Copper-catalyzed cycloaddition between hydrogen phosphonates and activated alkenes: synthesis of phosphonoisoquinolinediones
Authors: Wu Ju , Gao Yuzhen , Zhao Xin , Zhang Liangliang , Chen Weizhu , Tang Guo , Zhao Yufen
Published: December 2015

A new and general method for the synthesis of phosphonoisoquinolinediones has been achieved through copper-catalyzed phosphonation–cyclization of various methacryloylbenzamides with P(O)H compounds.
Effective removal of Cr(vi) using β-cyclodextrin–chitosan modified biochars with adsorption/reduction bifuctional roles
Authors: Huang Xixian , Liu Yunguo , Liu Shaobo , Tan Xiaofei , Ding Yang , Zeng Guangming , Zhou Yaoyu , Zhang Mingming , Wang Shufan , Zheng Bohong
Published: December 2015

In this work, beta-cyclodextrin–chitosan modified walnut shell biochars (β-CCWB) were synthesized as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal Cr(vi) from aqueous solutions.
Synthesis, structure and characterization of a layered coordination polymer based on Zn(ii) and 6-(methylmercapto)purine
Authors: Perea-Cachero Adelaida , Seoane Beatriz , Diosdado Beatriz , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: December 2015

A layered coordination polymer was synthesized from Zn(ii) and 6-(methylmercapto)purine (mMP-H) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Its structure and formula [Zn2(μ2-mMP)3(NO3)(DMF)(H2O)]n·nDMF were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Qualitative and quantitative investigation of organophosphates in an electrochemically and thermally treated lithium hexafluorophosphate-based lithium ion battery electrolyte by a developed liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry method
Authors: Kraft Vadim , Weber Waldemar , Streipert Benjamin , Wagner Ralf , Schultz Carola , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: December 2015

The work focused on the development of a new liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry method for the identification and quantification of organophosphates in lithium hexafluorophosphate-based lithium ion battery electrolytes.
The Li–S battery: an investigation of redox shuttle and self-discharge behaviour with LiNO3-containing electrolytes
Authors: Lacey Matthew J. , Yalamanchili Anurag , Maibach Julia , Tengstedt Carl , Edström Kristina , Brandell Daniel
Published: December 2015

The self-discharge behaviour of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) cells containing LiNO3 is explored by a range of electrochemical and surface analysis techniques.
Themoxidative stability and char formation mechanism for the introduction of CNTs and MoS2 into halogen-free flame retarding TPEE
Authors: Wu Wei , Li Maolin , Zhong Yuhua , Zong Mengjingzi , Xiao Shengdong , Li Xiuhan , Xie Fuyan
Published: December 2015

In this study, we give an insight into the char formation mechanism for the addition of CNTs and MoS2 into halogen-free flame retarding thermoplastic poly(ether ester) elastomers (TPEE).