bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy transfer within self-assembled cyclic multichromophoric arrays based on orthogonally arranged donor–acceptor building blocks
Authors: Karakostas Nikolaos , Kaloudi-Chantzea Antonia , Martinou Elisabeth , Seintis Kostas , Pitterl Florian , Oberacher Herbert , Fakis Mihalis , Kallitsis Joannis K. , Pistolis George
Published: June 2015

We herein present the coordination-driven supramolecular synthesis and photophysics of a [4+4] and a [2+2] assembly, built up by alternately collocated donor–acceptor chromophoric building blocks based, respectively, on the boron dipyrromethane (Bodipy) and perylene bisimide dye (PBI). In these multichromophoric scaffolds, the intensely absorbing/emitting dipoles of the Bodipy subunit are, by construction, cyclically arranged at the corners and aligned perpendicular to the plane formed by the closed polygonal chain comprising the PBI units. Steady-state and fs time-resolved spectroscopy reveal the presence of efficient energy transfer from the vertices (Bodipys) to the edges (PBIs) of the polygons. Fast excitation energy hopping – leading to a rapid excited state equilibrium among the low energy perylene-bisimide chromophores – is revealed by fluorescence anisotropy decays. The dynamics of electronic excitation energy hopping between the PBI subunits was approximated on the basis of a theoretical model within the framework of Förster energy transfer theory. All energy-transfer processes are quantitatively describable with Förster theory. The influence of structural deformations and orientational fluctuations of the dipoles in certain kinetic schemes is discussed.
Effect of 5-caffeoylquinic acid on the NF-κB signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2, and macrophage infiltration in high-fat diet-fed Sprague–Dawley rat adipose tissue
Authors: Liu Si-Le , Peng Bing-Jie , Zhong Ying-Li , Liu Yun-Long , Song Zhuo , Wang Zheng
Published: June 2015

Obesity, considered as a consequence of overnutrition, sustains a low-degree inflammatory state and results in insulin-resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Bacterial metabolism in immediate response to nutritional perturbation with temporal and network view of metabolites
Authors: Yukihira Daichi , Fujimura Yoshinori , Wariishi Hiroyuki , Miura Daisuke
Published: June 2015

A visualization method is proposed for transient alteration of bacterial metabolic balance by using correlation network of metabolite abundance.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of semi-conservative mono-carbonyl analogs of curcumin as anti-inflammatory agents against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Dong Lili , Zheng Suqing , Zhang Yali , Jiang Xin , Wu Jianzhang , Zhang Xiaoqin , Shan Xiaoou , Liang Dandan , Ying Shilong , Feng Jianpeng , Liang Guang
Published: June 2015

Acute lung injury (ALI), one of a few severe diseases with high mortality, cannot be tackled by any effective therapies so far.
A turn-on fluorescent probe for hypochlorous acid based on HOCl-promoted removal of the CN bond in BODIPY-hydrazone
Authors: Chen Wei-Chieh , Venkatesan Parthiban , Wu Shu-Pao
Published: June 2015

A boron dipyrromethene-based fluorescent probe was developed for sensing HOCl.
Emission enhanced two-component gels for the detection of organic amine vapors
Authors: Wang Sisi , Xue Pengchong , Wang Panpan , Yao Boqi
Published: June 2015

A two-component gelator with enhanced emission could be used to quantitatively detect and discriminate between aliphatic and aromatic organic amine vapors.
Insights into the effects of metal nanostructuring and oxidation on the work function and charge transfer of metal/graphene hybrids
Authors: Giangregorio M. M. , Jiao W. , Bianco G. V. , Capezzuto P. , Brown A. S. , Bruno G. , Losurdo M.
Published: June 2015

Charge transfer between CVD graphene and thin films and nanoparticles of various sizes of Al, Ga, Au, Cu and Ag was probed by various corroborating non-invasive approaches of KPFM, Raman spectroscopy and plasmonic spectroscopic ellipsometry.
Discrimination of the prochiral hydrogens at the C-2 position of n-alkanes by the methane/ammonia monooxygenase family proteins
Authors: Miyaji Akimitsu , Miyoshi Teppei , Motokura Ken , Baba Toshihide
Published: June 2015

The substrate binding site of AMO/pMMO family proteins can discriminate between the prochiral hydrogens at the C-2 position ofn-alkanes. We predict that at least one of the three amino acid residues at the di-copper site affects the discriminating ability of the family proteins.
Lysosome targeting fluorescence probe for imaging intracellular thiols
Authors: Kand Dnyaneshwar , Saha Tanmoy , Lahiri Mayurika , Talukdar Pinaki
Published: June 2015

A BODIPY-based fluorescence turn-on probe for lysosomal localization and biothiol sensing is reported.
Efficient one-pot synthesis of 5-perfluoroalkylpyrazoles by cyclization of hydrazone dianions
Authors: Ngo Thang Ngoc , Ejaz Syeda Abida , Hung Tran Quang , Dang Tuan Thanh , Iqbal Jamshed , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Langer Peter
Published: June 2015

A highly selective and efficient method for the synthesis of 5-trifluoromethylated and 5-perfluoroalkylated pyrazoles has been developed which relies on the cyclization of hydrazine dianions with ethyl perfluorocarboxylates.
Determining the effect of side reactions on product distributions in RAFT polymerization by MALDI-TOF MS
Authors: Veloso Antonio , García Wendy , Agirre Amaia , Ballard Nicholas , Ruipérez Fernando , de la Cal José C. , Asua José M.
Published: June 2015

RAFT polymerization has emerged as one of the most versatile reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques and is capable of polymerizing a wide range of monomers under various conditions.
Structure–property relationship and interfacial phenomena in GaN grown on C-plane sapphire via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition
Authors: Motamedi P. , Cadien K.
Published: June 2015

Growth temperature was found to have a critical effect on the growth rate, surface profile, structure, and the performance of GaN grown on c-plane sapphire via plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition.
Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of dual DNA targets based on G-quadruplex-mediated amplification
Authors: Wang Shuling , Liu Yong , Sun Xiaofan , Tian Yaping , Zhou Nandi
Published: June 2015

Dual DNA targets were ligated to a long strand containing a G-quadruplex forming sequence and detected on a capture probe modified electrode.
Selective detection of fluoride using fused quinoline systems: effect of pyrrole
Authors: Akula Mahesh , Thigulla Yadagiri , Nag Amit , Bhattacharya Anupam
Published: June 2015

A hybrid pyrrole-quinoline system has been used for selective sensing of fluoride anion; presence of pyrrole ring is essential for detection.
Flexible Pd/CeO2–TiO2 nanofibrous membrane with high efficiency ultrafine particulate filtration and improved CO catalytic oxidation performance
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Yan , Ji Botao , Jiao Xiuling , Chen Dairong
Published: June 2015

Flexible CeO2–TiO2 fibrous membrane was prepared by an electrospinning combined sol–gel method.
Interfacial modification for improving inverted organic solar cells by poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)
Authors: Yu Xuan , Yu Xiaoming , Zhang Jianjun , Zhang Dekun , Cai Hongkun , Zhao Ying
Published: June 2015

The effect of the thickness of the poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) interface modifier on the photovoltaic performance of inverted organic solar cells was investigated.
Molecular hydrogen binding affinities of metal cation decorated substituted benzene systems: insight from computational exploration
Authors: Banu Tahamida , Ghosh Deepanwita , Debnath Tanay , Sen Kaushik , Das Abhijit K.
Published: June 2015

Factors affecting the binding of H2molecule to the C6H6–Li+ complex.
Regioselective synthesis of novel 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-carbazoles and their cholinesterase inhibitory activities
Authors: Khan Maria Aqeel , Fazal-ur-Rehman Saba , Hameed Abdul , Kousar Shazia , Dalvandi Kourosh , Yousuf Sammer , Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal , Basha Fatima Zehra
Published: June 2015

The present study describes the regioselective synthesis of novel 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-carbazoles (syn-2(a–q)andanti-3(a–b)) froml-menthoneviaFischer indole synthesis.
An assembled-nanosheets discus-like Ni(OH)2 hierarchical structure as a high performance electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Shen Mengqi , Ma Lianbo , Zhu Jun , Li Xiang , Wang Ce
Published: June 2015

An assembled-nanosheets discus-like Ni(OH)2 hierarchical architecture with excellent capacitive performance was prepared using a surfactant-free solvothermal method.
Panchromatic quasi-monolayer of Ag nanoparticles for high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Kim Hyun-Young , Suh Jung Sang
Published: June 2015

We developed a panchromatic quasi-monolayer of Ag NPs and applied this technique to fabricate DSSCs.
Dimeric resorcinarene salt capsules with very tight encapsulation of anions and guest molecules
Authors: Pan Fangfang , Beyeh N. Kodiah , Rissanen Kari
Published: June 2015

The N-cyclohexyl ammonium resorcinarene triflate forms two structurally different capsules with cavity volumes of 341 and 679 Å3 encapsulating either four or eight guest molecules, with very high packing coefficients of 0.74 and 0.67.
Formation, compression and surface melting of colloidal clusters by active particles
Authors: Kümmel Felix , Shabestari Parmida , Lozano Celia , Volpe Giovanni , Bechinger Clemens
Published: June 2015

Induced cluster formation of passive particles by the motion of the actives and appendant distribution functions.
Velocity statistics of dynamic spinners in out-of-equilibrium magnetic suspensions
Authors: Snezhko Alexey , Aranson Igor S.
Published: June 2015

Velocity statistics of strongly coupled dynamic micro-rotors in out-of-equilibrium magnetic suspensions.
Ultrathin insulating under-layer with a hematite thin film for enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting activity
Authors: Kang Myung Jong , Kang Young Soo
Published: June 2015

By inserting ultrathin SiO2 as an under-layer between hematite and the FTO substrate, the photocurrent density increased up to 0.76 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE under 1 sun illumination without hole scavenger materials during the PEC water splitting reaction.
Architectured design of superparamagnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles for application as MRI contrast agents: mastering size and magnetism for enhanced relaxivity
Authors: Pereira Clara , Pereira André M. , Rocha Mariana , Freire Cristina , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C.
Published: June 2015

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4nanomaterials with enhanced relaxivity were prepared by coprecipitation using different alkanolamine bases, which mastered the materials' surface magnetic properties upon size reduction.
The fast and reversible intrinsic photochromic response of hydrated tungsten oxide nanosheets
Authors: Wei Jing , Jiao Xiuling , Wang Ting , Chen Dairong
Published: June 2015

Hydrothermally synthesized tungsten oxide nanosheets exhibit fast and reversible intrinsic photochromic response.
Benzobisoxazole-based electron transporting materials with high Tg and ambipolar property: high efficiency deep-red phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Yin Xiaojun , Zhang Tingke , Peng Qiming , Zhou Tao , Zeng Weixuan , Zhu Zece , Xie Guohua , Li Feng , Ma Dongge , Yang Chuluo
Published: June 2015

Deep-red PhOLEDs using two new benzobisoxazole-based compounds as electronic transporting materials achieved a maximum EQE of 19.3%.
Donor–acceptor–donor conjugated oligomers based on isoindigo and anthra[1,2-b]thieno[2,3-d]thiophene for organic thin-film transistors: the effect of the alkyl side chain length on semiconducting properties
Authors: Shao Jing , Zhang Xiaojie , Tian Hongkun , Geng Yanhou , Wang Fosong
Published: June 2015

Donor–acceptor–donor conjugated oligomers based on anthra[1,2-b]thieno[2,3-d]thiophene and isoindigo with a field-effect hole mobility of up to 0.72 cm2V−1s−1have been developed.
Effect of Amplification on Speech and Language in Children With Aural Atresia
Authors: Attaway Judy , Stone Christopher L. , Sendor Cindy , Rosario Emily R.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

There currently is no guideline regarding amplification or verification for children with aural atresia. This population, with the absence of the ear canal, has obvious congenital hearing loss. Research suggests that delayed treatment for hearing loss can result in speech and language impairments, including poor performance in school. In this study we examined the relationship between amplification and emerging speech and language development in children with aural atresia.

Method

Subjects included children, 3 to 6 years of age, with conductive hearing loss due to atresia. Clinical evaluations were used to determine relationships between amplification and speech and language development. Subjects underwent an audiology exam, including pure-tone or warble-tone air and bone conduction using play audiometry techniques, and a speech and language evaluation assessing language and vocabulary skills.

Results

Subjects who were fitted before 1 year of age showed better compliance with aid use and exhibited fewer delays in speech and language development. Children with right-sided atresia had significantly greater speech and language delays when compared with age norms from standardized tests.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight a relationship between side of atresia, time of first amplification, compliance in aid use, and speech and language abilities.
Measurement and analysis of multiband bistatic and monostatic radar signatures of wind turbines
Authors: Ritchie M. , Fioranelli F. , Balleri A. , Griffiths H.D.
Published: June 2015

The results of recent measurements taken with two radar systems to measure the simultaneous monostatic and bistatic signature of wind turbines, at S‐band and X‐band are presented. Coherent monostatic and bistatic data was collected with the University College London (UCL) NetRAD 2.4 GHz radar, and the Cranfield University CW radar operating at X‐band. Initial analysis shows the bistatic Doppler signature of wind turbines and informs on the key differences seen at modest bistatic angles. Polarimetric variations are also analysed via data gathered from using co‐polarised VV and HH and cross‐polarised VH components.
Spectrally encoded code division multiple access‐based cognitive relay networks
Authors: Najafi Shahla , Shayesteh Mahrokh G.
Published: June 2015

Cognitive radio and cooperative networks are increasingly regarded as revolutionary technologies that utilise the radio spectrum efficiently. In this study, spectrally encoded (spread‐time) code division multiple access (SE‐CDMA) scheme is proposed as a flexible and adaptable technique for physical layer of cognitive relay networks. All primary and secondary users transmit their signals to a common base station (BS) and then the BS selects one of the cognitive secondary users based on feedback information to relay the primary user's (PU's) data. To study the efficiency of the system, two scenarios are considered. In the first scenario, the secondary users transmit their information using the SE‐CDMA technique and the PU is considered narrowband. In the second scenario, both primary and secondary users utilise the SE‐CDMA technique. The performance of the system is evaluated in terms of the error probability of the PU, the outage probability of the primary and secondary users and comparing theoretical results with simulations. Moreover, the performance of the proposed method is compared with orthogonal frequency division multiple access‐based cognitive relaying scheme. The results indicate the efficiency of the SE‐CDMA technique.
Energy efficiency analysis of antenna selection multi‐input multi‐output automatic repeat request systems over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Le Ngoc Phuc , Tran Le Chung , Safaei Farzad , Varma Vineeth Satheeskumar
Published: June 2015

In this study, the authors investigate energy efficiency in antenna selection multi‐input multi‐output automatic repeat request (MIMO ARQ) wireless systems. The authors first derive an approximate expression for the average frame‐error rate (FER) in antenna selection MIMO systems over quasi‐static Nakagami‐m fading channels. The FER approximation is then used to obtain an analytical expression of an energy‐efficiency metric that is defined as the total energy required to successfully deliver one information bit. The authors prove that this energy‐efficiency metric is a quasi‐convex function with respect to the average signal‐to‐noise ratio value. Based on this analysis, the authors obtain the optimal value of the average energy per transmitted data symbol such that the total energy consumption in the system is minimised. The results show that the energy efficiency in antenna selection MIMO ARQ systems is improved when the number of equipped antennas is increased. Simulation results are provided to validate the analysis.
Handwritten numeral recognition using non‐redundant Stockwell transform and bio‐inspired optimal zoning
Authors: Dash Kalyan Sourav , Puhan Niladri B. , Panda Ganapati
Published: June 2015

Handwritten digit recognition is one of the challenging problems of character recognition because of the large variation in writing styles of individuals and the presence of similar looking shapes of different numerals. Most of the feature extraction techniques are based on statistical or topological attributes of the image in its spatial domain, barring few works attempting feature extraction in a transformed domain. Another challenge is the optimal selection of zones while extracting features from localised zones of the unknown (test) image. In most of the cases, the recognition phase, being isolated from the training phase makes it impossible to adaptively improve the feature selection using the knowledge obtained from error analysis. In this study, the authors propose a feature extraction technique, new to the character recognition problem, using non‐redundant Stockwell transform. Another transformed domain feature extraction using Slantlet coefficients is proposed. They also propose to use bio‐inspired and evolutionary computing‐based optimisation techniques to adaptively select the optimal zone arrangement in the feature selection stage from the knowledge of classification accuracy. The proposed methods are experimentally validated on handwritten digit database of Odia language which proves to outperform any recognition accuracy reported before.
Chemical dynamics simulations of the monohydrated OH−(H2O) + CH3I reaction. Atomic-level mechanisms and comparison with experiment
Authors: Xie Jing , Otto Rico , Wester Roland , Hase William L.
Published: June 2015

Direct dynamics simulations, with B97-1/ECP/d theory, were performed to study the role of microsolvation for the OH−(H2O) + CH3I reaction. The SN2 reaction dominates at all reactant collision energies, but at higher collision energies proton transfer to form CH2I−, and to a lesser extent CH2I− (H2O), becomes important. The SN2 reaction occurs by direct rebound and stripping mechanisms, and 28 different indirect atomistic mechanisms, with the latter dominating. Important components of the indirect mechanisms are the roundabout and formation of SN2 and proton transfer pre-reaction complexes and intermediates, including [CH3--I--OH]−. In contrast, for the unsolvated OH− + CH3I SN2 reaction, there are only seven indirect atomistic mechanisms and the direct mechanisms dominate. Overall, the simulation results for the OH−(H2O) + CH3IߙSN2 reaction are in good agreement with experiment with respect to reaction rate constant, product branching ratio, etc. Differences between simulation and experiment are present for the SN2 velocity scattering angle at high collision energies and the proton transfer probability at low collision energies. Equilibrium solvation by the H2O molecule is unimportant. The SN2 reaction is dominated by events in which H2O leaves the reactive system as CH3OH is formed or before CH3OH formation. Formation of solvated products is unimportant and participation of the (H2O)CH3OH---I− post-reaction complex for the SN2 reaction is negligible.
The equation of state and ionization equilibrium of dense aluminum plasma with conductivity verification
Authors: Wang Kun , Shi Zongqian , Shi Yuanjie , Bai Jun , Wu Jian , Jia Shenli
Published: June 2015

The equation of state, ionization equilibrium, and conductivity are the most important parameters for investigation of dense plasma. The equation of state is calculated with the non-ideal effects taken into consideration. The electron chemical potential and pressure, which are commonly used thermodynamic quantities, are calculated by the non-ideal free energy and compared with results of a semi-empirical equation of state based on Thomas-Fermi-Kirzhnits model. The lowering of ionization potential, which is a crucial factor in the calculation of non-ideal Saha equation, is settled according to the non-ideal free energy. The full coupled non-ideal Saha equation is applied to describe the ionization equilibrium of dense plasma. The conductivity calculated by the Lee-More-Desjarlais model combined with non-ideal Saha equation is compared with experimental data. It provides a possible approach to verify the accuracy of the equation of state and ionization equilibrium.
On the rejection-based algorithm for simulation and analysis of large-scale reaction networks
Authors: Thanh Vo Hong , Zunino Roberto , Priami Corrado
Published: June 2015

Stochastic simulation for in silico studies of large biochemical networks requires a great amount of computational time. We recently proposed a new exact simulation algorithm, called the rejection-based stochastic simulation algorithm (RSSA) [Thanh et al., J. Chem. Phys. 141(13), 134116 (2014)], to improve simulation performance by postponing and collapsing as much as possible the propensity updates. In this paper, we analyze the performance of this algorithm in detail, and improve it for simulating large-scale biochemical reaction networks. We also present a new algorithm, called simultaneous RSSA (SRSSA), which generates many independent trajectories simultaneously for the analysis of the biochemical behavior. SRSSA improves simulation performance by utilizing a single data structure across simulations to select reaction firings and forming trajectories. The memory requirement for building and storing the data structure is thus independent of the number of trajectories. The updating of the data structure when needed is performed collectively in a single operation across the simulations. The trajectories generated by SRSSA are exact and independent of each other by exploiting the rejection-based mechanism. We test our new improvement on real biological systems with a wide range of reaction networks to demonstrate its applicability and efficiency.
Effect of Fe doping on the magnetic ordering temperature of ErMnO3
Authors: Ahlawat Anju , Satapathy S. , Phase D. M. , Varma K. B. R. , Gupta P. K.
Published: June 2015

We studied the effect of Fe doping on structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of hexagonal ErMnO3 system. For 50% doping of Fe on Mn site in ErMnO3 modulated its crystallographic structure from hexagonal to orthorhombic phase. Accompanied with the structural phase transition in ErMnO3, the magnetic properties are effectively modified. The Fe doped samples exhibit enhancement in antiferromagnetic ordering Néel temperature (TN) from 77 K (ErMnO3) to 280 K (ErFe0.5Mn0.5O3). The anomalies observed in the dielectric constant around TN in doped ErMnO3 samples indicate the coupling between electric and magnetic order parameters.
Thermophoresis of aerosol particles in near-critical vapor: An inverse size effect
Authors: Wu Y.-T. , Yang B. , Zhao Y.-P.
Published: June 2015

When subjected to a temperature gradient, the liquid film formed on a particle surface in near-critical vapor may undergo osmotic flow. Such a flow can induce a normal vapor flux onto (away from) the particle surface to compensate the loss (release the excess) of liquid as a result of condensation (evaporation) and produce significant thermophoretic mobility due to the extreme fluid compressibility during the phase change. Based on this principle, we have formulated this unique process and solved for the phoretic mobility by applying the boundary layer method. Unlike the classic mechanisms, this term of phase transition-induced phoretic mobility scales reversely with particle size, which becomes dominant for nanoparticles.
Structural and subband changes at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface investigated by two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Feng Xin , Zhao Kun , Xiao Li-Zhi , Zhan Hong-Lei , Xiang Wen-Feng , Lu Zhi-Qing
Published: June 2015

The interplay among many ground states in correlated electron materials, especially at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface is central in deeply understanding the physical characteristics and improving further applications of these materials. Here, we use two-dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy to study the influence of magnetic fields and temperature on the mid-infrared spectral responsivity of the interface. The magnetic field plays the main role at temperatures below the transition temperature, TC. Two additional spectral peaks were identified at wavelengths of 2800 nm and 3400 nm, when compared with our prior studies. All of these response bands are related to the spin-orbit coupling effect and crystal structure changes. Detailed structural and subband changes in the interface are also investigated.
Dense electron-positron plasmas and gamma-ray bursts generation by counter-propagating quantum electrodynamics-strong laser interaction with solid targets
Authors: Luo Wen , Zhu Yi-Bo , Zhuo Hong-Bin , Ma Yan-Yun , Song Ying-Ming , Zhu Zhi-Chao , Wang Xiao-Dong , Li Xing-Huo , Turcu I. C. E. , Chen Min
Published: June 2015

We use quantum electrodynamics (QED) particle-in-cell simulations to investigate and compare the generation of dense electron-positron plasmas and intense γ-ray bursts in the case of counter-propagating laser solid interaction (two-side irradiation) and single laser solid interaction (one-side irradiation). In the case of counter-propagating linearly polarized laser pulses irradiating a thin aluminum foil with each pulse peak power of 12.5 PW (I = 4 × 1023 W/cm2), we calculate that about 20% of the laser energy is converted into a burst of γ-rays with flux exceeding 1014 s.−1 This would be one of the most intense γ-ray sources among those currently available in laboratories. The γ-ray conversion efficiency in the case of two-side irradiation is three times higher than in the case of one-side irradiation using a single 12.5 PW laser. Dense electron-positron plasma with a maximum density of 6 × 1027 m−3 are generated simultaneously during the two-side irradiation which is eightfold denser compared to the one-side irradiation. The enhancement of the effects in the case of counter-propagating lasers are the results of the symmetrical compression of the foil target and the formation of electric potential and standing wave around the target. Realizing experimentally the proposed counter-propagating QED-strong laser-solid interaction to produce dense electron-positron pairs and prolific γ-rays will be made possible by the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics facility under construction.
Reproductive hormones affect follicular cells and ooplasm of Stage I and II oocytes in zebrafish
Authors: Sousa Maria Lígia , Silva Ana , Malhão Fernanda , Rocha Maria João , Rocha Eduardo , Urbatzka Ralph
Published: June 2015

The basic pathway of oocyte development and its regulation is evolutionarily conserved among vertebrates; however, little is known about the role of hormones at the first stages (Stages I and II) of follicle development in fish. In the present study, zebrafish follicles at Stages I and II were exposed in vitro to the reproductive hormones 17β-oestradiol (E2), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and to the secondary messenger dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) at a concentration of 1 µM for a 48-h period. Morphological alterations of the ooplasm were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and of the granulosa cell layer by quantitative stereology. Expression of mRNA was analysed for cell-cycle genes (cyclin B and E) and resident proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum (calnexin and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (grp78/bip)). E2 and db-cAMP stimulated the presence of endoplasmic reticulum in the ooplasm and calnexin mRNA increased in the db-cAMP treatment, but also in response to 11KT and DHP. 11KT, DHP and db-cAMP inhibited the progression of the cell cycle in the granulosa–theca cell layer, indicated by a reduction of the nucleus volume-weighted size of granulosa cells and of increased cyclin E mRNA expression. Reproductive hormones had different effects on the ooplasm and the granulosa–theca cell layer of zebrafish follicles, predominantly at Stage II.
The Bromodomain protein BRD4 controls HOTAIR, a long noncoding RNA essential for glioblastoma proliferation
Authors: Pastori Chiara , Kapranov Philipp , Penas Clara , Peschansky Veronica , Volmar Claude-Henry , Sarkaria Jann N. , Bregy Amade , Komotar Ricardo , St. Laurent Georges , Ayad Nagi G. , Wahlestedt Claes
Published: June 2015

Significance

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadliest primary brain tumor in adults. As the median survival is approximately 14 mo there is an urgent need for novel therapies. Epigenetic modulators such as bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins are important therapeutic targets in GBM. Bromodomain inhibitors (including I-BET151) suppress proliferation by repressing oncogenes and inducing tumor suppressor genes through unidentified pathways. Here we demonstrate that HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA) is overexpressed in GBM, where it is crucial to sustain tumor cell proliferation, and that inhibition of HOTAIR by I-BET151 is necessary to induce cell cycle arrest in GBM cells. Our study outlines the mechanism of action underlying the antiproliferative activity of I-BET151, showing for the first time, to our knowledge, that the oncogenic long noncoding RNA HOTAIR is a major target.
Pupillometry reveals increased pupil size during indirect request comprehension
Authors: Tromp Johanne , Hagoort Peter , Meyer Antje S.
Published: June 2015

Fluctuations in pupil size have been shown to reflect variations in processing demands during lexical and syntactic processing in language comprehension. An issue that has not received attention is whether pupil size also varies due to pragmatic manipulations. In two pupillometry experiments, we investigated whether pupil diameter was sensitive to increased processing demands as a result of comprehending an indirect request versus a direct statement. Adult participants were presented with 120 picture–sentence combinations that could be interpreted either as an indirect request (a picture of a window with the sentence “it's very hot here”) or as a statement (a picture of a window with the sentence “it's very nice here”). Based on the hypothesis that understanding indirect utterances requires additional inferences to be made on the part of the listener, we predicted a larger pupil diameter for indirect requests than statements. The results of both experiments are consistent with this expectation. We suggest that the increase in pupil size reflects additional processing demands for the comprehension of indirect requests as compared to statements. This research demonstrates the usefulness of pupillometry as a tool for experimental research in pragmatics.
Arab Jews in Israel: the struggle for identity and socioeconomic justice
Authors: Al-Qasem Anis Mustafa
Published: June 2015

This article is based on a study in Arabic by author that formed the final chapter of the book Yahud al-bilad al-‘arabiyyah (The Jews of the Arab Countries) by the late Palestinian historian Khairiyyah Qasimiyyah. It examines the problem of identity among Jews of Arab origin in Israel and the resurgent use of the term ‘Arab Jew’ used by Jewish academics and activists in Israel. It also considers the issues of discrimination and socioeconomic injustice against the Arab Jewish community since the early history of Israel. Finally, it discusses the potential for joint action by Arab Jews and Palestinians for the cause of social justice and pluralism in Israel.
New ways of building, showcasing, and measuring scholarly reputation
Authors: NICHOLAS David , HERMAN Eti , JAMALI Hamid , RODRÍGUEZ‐BRAVO Blanca , BOUKACEM‐ZEGHMOURI Cherifa , DOBROWOLSKI Tom , POUCHOT Stephanie
Published: June 2015

The article reports on a study of the views and actions of nearly a hundred scholars – mostly academic researchers from four European countries and four disciplines – in regard to scholarly reputation in the Science 2.0 age. It specifically looks at the role that 'emerging reputational mechanisms and platforms are playing in building, maintaining, and showcasing scholarly reputation in the digital age. Popular examples of such platforms are ResearchGate and Academia.edu. Data were obtained through one‐to‐one interviews and focus groups, supported by desk research. The main findings were: (a) it is early days and uptake is light and patchy with platforms largely used for non‐reputational purposes, such as sharing documents; (b) most users were passive and did not fully engage with the social aspects of the platforms; (c) the reputational focus was very much on just one scholarly activity (research), on just two outputs of that activity (publications and conferences) and one measurement of that activity (citations), but there are the stirrings of change; (d) young researchers are set to profit most from the emerging platforms.
Academic publishing career paths — initial research and observations
Authors: CARDEN Mark
Published: June 2015

The job titles and career paths of people transitioning between academia and scholarly publishing, and of those who are progressing within their publishing careers, has been little studied and lacks accepted frameworks, ‘route‐maps’, and taxonomies. Much of the work done to date provides merely a ‘snapshot’ of the current demographics of the publishing workforce at particular moment, and tends not to offer insight into pathways, trajectories, or momentum. This preliminary survey, involving around 150 scholarly publishers, reveals insights into job titles, progressions, and transitions, and exposes some of the reasons for transitions between academia and publishing. The analysis suggests that these transitions and career paths can be systematically studied and documented, for use both by individuals considering their own careers, and by planners and managers in academic institutions and scholarly publishing organizations.
Ire1-mediated decay in mammalian cells relies on mRNA sequence, structure, and translational status
Authors: Moore Kristin , Hollien Julie
Published: June 2015

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs when misfolded proteins overwhelm the capacity of the ER, resulting in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Ire1, an ER transmembrane nuclease and conserved transducer of the UPR, cleaves the mRNA encoding the transcription factor Xbp1 at a dual stem-loop (SL) structure, leading to Xbp1 splicing and activation. Ire1 also cleaves other mRNAs localized to the ER membrane through regulated Ire1-dependent decay (RIDD). We find that during acute ER stress in mammalian cells, Xbp1-like SLs within the target mRNAs are necessary for RIDD. Furthermore, depletion of Perk, a UPR transducer that attenuates translation during ER stress, inhibits RIDD in a substrate-specific manner. Artificially blocking translation of the SL region of target mRNAs fully restores RIDD in cells depleted of Perk, suggesting that ribosomes disrupt SL formation and/or Ire1 binding. This coordination between Perk and Ire1 may serve to spatially and temporally regulate RIDD.
Phosphorylation and SCF-mediated degradation regulate CREB-H transcription of metabolic targets
Authors: Barbosa Sónia , Carreira Suzanne , Bailey Daniel , Abaitua Fernando , O'Hare Peter
Published: June 2015

CREB‑H, an endoplasmic reticulum–anchored transcription factor, plays a key role in regulating secretion and in metabolic and inflammatory pathways, but how its activity is modulated remains unclear. We examined processing of the nuclear active form and identified a motif around S87–S90 with homology to DSG-type phosphodegrons. We show that this region is subject to multiple phosphorylations, which regulate CREB-H stability by targeting it to the SCFFbw1aE3 ubiquitin ligase. Data from phosphatase treatment, use of phosophospecific antibody, and substitution of serine residues demonstrate phosphorylation of candidate serines in the region, with the core S87/S90 motif representing a critical determinant promoting proteasome-mediated degradation. Candidate kinases CKII and GSK-3b phosphorylate CREB-H in vitro with specificities for different serines. Prior phosphorylation with GSK-3 at one or more of the adjacent serines substantially increases S87/S90-dependent phosphorylation by CKII. In vivo expression of a dominant-negative Cul1 enhances steady-state levels of CREB‑H, an effect augmented by Fbw1a. CREB-H directly interacts with Fbw1a in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Finally, mutations within the phosphodegron, when incorporated into the full-length protein, result in increased levels of constitutively cleaved nuclear protein and increased transcription and secretion of a key endogenous target gene, apolipoprotein A IV.
Non-Dipping Pattern and Subclinical Cardiac Damage in Untreated Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Echocardiographic Studies
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Sala Carla , Tadic Marijana , Rescaldani Marta , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: June 2015

AIM

The association of non-dipping (ND) pattern with cardiac damage is debated. We performed a meta-analysis in order to provide comprehensive information on subclinical cardiac alterations in untreated ND hypertensives.

DESIGN

A computerized search was performed using PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases from 1 January 1990 up to 31 October 2014. Full articles published in English language providing data on subclinical cardiac damage in ND as compared to dipper (D) hypertensives, as assessed by echocardiography, were considered.

RESULTS

A total of 3,591 untreated adult subjects (1,291 ND and 2,300 D hypertensives) included in 23 studies were considered. Left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI) was higher in ND than in D hypertensives (122±3.8g/m2 vs. 111±3.3g/m2, standardized mean difference, SMD: 0.40±0.07, confidence interval (CI): 0.26–0.53, P < 0.001); relative wall thickness (RWT) and left atrium (LA) diameter were greater (SMD: 0.14±0.005, CI: 0.05–0.23, P = 0.002; 0.36±0.10, CI: 0.16–0.56, P < 0.001, respectively), while mitral E/A ratio was lower in ND than in D counterparts (SMD: −0.23±0.08, CI: −0.39 to −0.08, P = 0.003). After assessing data for publication bias, the difference between groups was still significant, with the exception of E/A ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis supports an association between ND pattern and increased risk of LV structural alterations in untreated essential hypertensives. This observation supports the view that an effective BP control throughout the entire 24-hour cycle may have a key role in preventing or regressing subclinical cardiac damage associated to ND pattern.
The center for expanded data annotation and retrieval
Authors: Musen Mark A , Bean Carol A , Cheung Kei-Hoi , Dumontier Michel , Durante Kim A , Gevaert Olivier , Gonzalez-Beltran Alejandra , Khatri Purvesh , Kleinstein Steven H , O’Connor Martin J , Pouliot Yannick , Rocca-Serra Philippe , Sansone Susanna-Assunta , Wiser Jeffrey A ,   and the CEDAR team
Published: June 2015

The Center for Expanded Data Annotation and Retrieval is studying the creation of comprehensive and expressive metadata for biomedical datasets to facilitate data discovery, data interpretation, and data reuse. We take advantage of emerging community-based standard templates for describing different kinds of biomedical datasets, and we investigate the use of computational techniques to help investigators to assemble templates and to fill in their values. We are creating a repository of metadata from which we plan to identify metadata patterns that will drive predictive data entry when filling in metadata templates. The metadata repository not only will capture annotations specified when experimental datasets are initially created, but also will incorporate links to the published literature, including secondary analyses and possible refinements or retractions of experimental interpretations. By working initially with the Human Immunology Project Consortium and the developers of the ImmPort data repository, we are developing and evaluating an end-to-end solution to the problems of metadata authoring and management that will generalize to other data-management environments.
Disability in Children and Adolescents With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia
Authors: Otu‐Nyarko Charles G. , Gedalia Abraham , Karpinski Aryn C. , Kolomensky Andrew , Hyman Paul E.
Published: June 2015

To compare disability and emotional health in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, or both, patients completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms—Rome III, childhood Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), and the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition. Patients’ (age range 8–18 years, 19 IBS, 12 fibromyalgia, and 12 both) FDI scores showed greater disability than scores from historically healthy patients. Fibromyalgia (FDI 22.5 ± 12.7, P = 0.018) and patients with both (FDI 26.2 ± 13.8, P = 0.001) averaged greater disability than those with IBS (FDI 10.6 ± 7.9). Disability was correlated with anxiety and depression symptoms. Disability and psychological symptoms are important when evaluating individuals with fibromyalgia and IBS.
Intermittent Bolus or Semicontinuous Feeding for Preterm Infants?
Authors: Rövekamp‐Abels Lyanne W.W. , Hogewind‐Schoonenboom Jacomine E. , de Wijs‐Meijler Daphne P.M. , Maduro Margaux D. , Jansen‐van der Weide Marijke C. , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Hulst Jessie M.
Published: June 2015

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical benefits and risks of semicontinuous (CON) versus intermittent nasogastric tube feeding in low‐birth‐weight infants.

Methods:

Infants with a birth weight <1750 g and gestational age <32 weeks were stratified according to birth weight and assigned to either CON or intermittent bolus (BOL) feeding. The primary endpoint was days to full enteral feeding (defined as 120 mL · kg−1 · day−1). We also collected data on feeding tolerance, weight gain, respiratory support, and complications (sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis, and death).

Results:

There was no difference between the 2 groups (CON n = 121, BOL n = 125) in days to reach full enteral feeding—7 (5–10) versus 6 (5–8) days, respectively, with a difference 1 (−0.05 to 2.1). Mean daily gastric residual volumes, however, were significantly lower in the BOL group (4.8 vs 3.9 mL/day, difference 0.9 mL/day [0.1–1.7]), as was the total number of patients with feeding interruptions (76 vs 59, difference 16% [3%–28%]).

Conclusions:

Bolus and continuous feeding are equally suitable feeding strategies for preterm neonates. BOL feeding, however, may be preferable.
Limibacillus halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium in the family Rhodospirillaceae isolated from reclaimed land
Authors: Kim Jong-Hwa , Konkit Maytiya , Yoon Jung-Hoon , Kim Wonyong
Published: June 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated CAU 1121T, was isolated from reclaimed land in the Republic of Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The bacterium grew optimally at 37 °C, at pH 6.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the novel isolate belonged to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria and formed an independent lineage within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the phylum Proteobacteria. Strain CAU 1121T exhibited very low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with its phylogenetic neighbours Pelagibius litoralis (similarity, 92.5 %), Fodinicurvata fenggangensis (similarity, 91.4 %), Fodinicurvata sediminis (similarity, 90.7 %) and Tistlia consotensis (similarity, 91.0 %). Strain CAU 1121T contained ubiquinone-10 as the only respiratory quinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major cellular fatty acid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 65 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, and physiological and chemotaxonomic data, it is proposed that strain CAU 1121T represents a novel genus and novel species in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Limibacillus halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is CAU 1121T ( = KCTC 42420T = CECT 8803T = NBRC 110928T).
Maribacter confluentis sp. nov., isolated from the junction between the ocean and a freshwater spring
Authors: Park Sooyeon , Jung Yong-Taek , Park Ji-Min , Won Sung-Min , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: June 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, SSK2-2T, was isolated from the place where the ocean and a freshwater spring meet at Jeju island, South Korea. Strain SSK2-2T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0–3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SSK2-2T fell within the clade comprising the type strains of species of the genus Maribacter, joining the type strain of Maribacter sedimenticola with which it shared 99.4 % similarity. Sequence similarities to the type strains of other Maribacter species were 94.6–98.2 %. Strain SSK2-2T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain SSK2-2T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain SSK2-2T was 38.2 mol% and mean levels of DNA–DNA relatedness with the type strains of four phylogenetically related species of the genus Maribacter were 11–24 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain SSK2-2T is separate from other Maribacter species. On the basis of the data presented, strain SSK2-2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter confluentis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSK2-2T ( = KCTC 42604T = CECT 8869T).