bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephtyidae (Polychaeta, Phyllodocida) from the Red Sea, with record of a new species
Authors: Ravara A. , Carvalho S.
Published: August 2017

Six nephtyid species were identified from samples collected off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Two of these species had been previously reported for the Red Sea (Inermonephtysaff.inermis,Nephtys palatii), three are new records (Aglaophamus lobatus,A. cf.verrilli,Micronephthys stammeri) and one is new to science (Inermonephtys aramco).Inermonephtys aramcowas collected in the southern region of the Red Sea at depths between 60 and 83 m. It is characterized by the presence of branchiae from chaetiger 15 or 16, well-developed parapodial prechaetal lamellae, broadly rounded notopodial postchaetal lamellae and rudimentary neuropodial postchaetal lamellae. The speciesNephtys palatiiis transferred to the genusMicronephthys. Based on the current finding, the previously known bathymetric range ofMicronephthys stammeriis extended from 4–7 to 17 m, and occurrence depths forN. palatiiare given for the first time (4–90 m). Full descriptions are included for all species exceptM. stammeri. An identification key for all the species known to occur in the Red Sea is provided.
Developmental studies of the enigmatic wormCaobangia billetiGiard, 1893 (Annelida; Sabellidae), a symbiont of freshwater snails
Authors: Kolbasova Glafira D. , Tzetlin Alexander B.
Published: August 2017

Caobangiids are an aberrant group of annelids with an unusual phoronid-like body plan. The most perceptible anatomical characteristic of caobangiids is the anal trunk, which is recurved outside the body and ends with an anal opening located near the head. So far neither the larval development nor the metamorphosis of these worms have been investigated thoroughly. This study describes the larval development and metamorphosis ofCaobangia billeti, and focuses mainly on the formation of the alimentary tract. The trochophore has eight chaetigers. Embryogenesis includes the development of segmentally arranged bands of cilia and ventral ciliary fields, the development of chaetae and the early formation of anterior radioles. Upon exiting the larval duct, larvae have eyes with lenses, two pairs of rudimentary radioles on the prostomium, a pair of nephridia on the peristomium, and two capillary chaetae in each parapodium of segments 3–9; parapodia of the 10th segment also bear a row of palmate hooks. Metamorphosis takes about 20 h and involves dorso-ventral folding of the body and enlargement of the pygidium along the dorsal side of segments 5–8. Thus, the anus develops on the dorsal side of the 5th segment, the anal trunk forms from the projection of pygidium whereas the prepygidial growth zone appears posterior to the 8th body segment. After the completion of metamorphosis, the prostomial and peristomial segments are fused and reduced, eight full thoracic chaetigers derive from the larva's body. Abdominal chaetigers grow posteriorly from the prepygidial growth zone.
Thawing the ice: a contemporary solution to Antarctic sovereignty
Authors: Chong Wygene
Published: August 2017

The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has provided a peaceful framework for governing the continent over many decades, in spite of seven extant territorial claims. However, its method of freezing these claims has been criticised for being short-sighted and ineffective in providing a long-term solution. This paper argues to the contrary. It undertakes a brisk analysis of different categories of alternatives: global commons, absolute sovereignty, restricted sovereignty and shared sovereignty. After dismissing each category for various reasons, it promotes the reform of the existing ATS, in which a long-term vision and modified chairmanship structure provide stronger leadership and more effective implementation. Essentially, it holds that the primary reason there is criticism of the system is because it is not functioning as well as it might be. The paper not only contends that a developed ATS is an achievable aim, but that it could eventually develop into a restricted, shared sovereignty governance framework. That form of governance, which would emerge over time, could be a more durable solution that resolves the competing territorial claims. In this way, the paper charts a potential pathway for the future of Antarctic governance. This path begins, however, with a reformed ATS.
On the goods of the religious life: contextualizing the approach of Richard Swinburne
Authors: WYNN MARK
Published: August 2017

In this article, I seek to extend Richard Swinburne's discussion of the practical reasonableness of the religious way of life, by locating his account of the goods of that life within a larger context. Drawing on Thomas Aquinas's category of infused moral virtue, I sketch an account of the motivational lure of the religious life which supplements Swinburne's emphasis on the fulfilment of moral obligation, by considering the significance of, for example, distinctively theological aesthetic goods.
Mining code changes undermine biodiversity conservation in Brazil
Authors: VILLÉN-PÉREZ SARA , MENDES POLIANA , NÓBREGA CAROLINE , GOMES CÓRTES LARA , DE MARCO PAULO
Published: August 2017

Protected areas (PAs) are vital for the conservation of Brazil's biodiversity (Barber et al.2014). However, they are at risk of a downgrade in legal status due to economic pressures on natural resources (Bernard et al.2014; De Marques & Perez 2014; Pack et al.2016). Mining is one of the most urgent environmental threats in Brazil (Ferreira et al.2014; El Bizri et al.2016), with plans in place for a 10-fold increase in the number of mining projects in c. 8 years. If all were developed, the Brazilian territory occupied by mining would increase 23-fold in the near future. Currently, 12 697 projects covering 98 × 105 ha are planned within PAs. Licensing and exploitation of 53% of this land will depend on the approval of three bills that intend to authorize mining in areas where it was formerly forbidden. Here, we analyse the potential consequences of the approval of these new policies for conservation.
RATIONAL VS. LONG-RUN FORECASTERS: OPTIMAL MONETARY POLICY AND THE ROLE OF INEQUALITY
Authors: Beqiraj Elton , Di Bartolomeo Giovanni , Serpieri Carolina
Published: August 2017

This paper builds a stylized simple sticky-price New Keynesian model where agents' beliefs are not homogeneous. We assume that agents choose optimal plans while considering forecasts of macroeconomic conditions over an infinite horizon. A fraction of them (boundedly rational agents) use heuristics to forecast macroeconomic variables over an infinite horizon. In our framework, we study optimal policies consistent with a second-order approximation of the policy objective from the consumers' utility function, assuming that the steady state is not distorted.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION IN A MONETARY SCHUMPETERIAN GROWTH MODEL
Authors: Chu Angus C. , Ning Lei , Zhu Dongming
Published: August 2017

This study explores the growth and welfare effects of monetary policy in a scale-invariant Schumpeterian growth model with endogenous human capital accumulation. We model money demand via a cash-in-advance (CIA) constraint on research and development (R&D) investment. Our results can be summarized as follows. We find that an increase in the nominal interest rate leads to a decrease in R&D and human capital investment, which, in turn, reduces the long-run growth rates of technology and output. This result stands in stark contrast to the case of exogenous human capital accumulation in which the long-run growth rates of technology and output are independent of the nominal interest rate. Simulating the transitional dynamics, we find that the additional long-run growth effect under endogenous human capital accumulation amplifies the welfare effect of monetary policy. Decreasing the nominal interest rate from 10% to 0% leads to a welfare gain that is equivalent to a permanent increase in consumption of 2.82% (2.38%) under endogenous (exogenous) human capital accumulation.
CME: Morbus Addison
Authors: Yalcin Tülay , Schneemann Markus , Schmid Beat
Published: August 2017

Zusammenfassung. Beim Morbus Addison handelt es sich um eine primäre Nebennierenrindeninsuffizienz mit Glukokortikoid- und Mineralokortikoidmangel. Die häufigste Ursache der primären Nebennierenrindeninsuffizienz (NNRI) in westlichen Ländern ist die Autoimmunadrenalitis (80 %). Weitere Ursachen sind Karzinommetastasen, besonders von Bronchialkarzinomen, malignen Melanomen und Nierenzellkarzinomen. In Entwicklungsländern gilt die Nierentuberkulose noch immer als die häufigste Ursache der primären NNRI. Die Klinik besteht aus unspezifischen Allgemeinsymptomen wie Müdigkeit, Myalgien, Übelkeit und Gewichtsverlust. Bei fehlender adäquater Substitution der Nebennierenhormone besteht die Gefahr einer Addison-Krise. Auslöser der Addison-Krise sind «Stresssituationen» mit erhöhtem Cortisol-Bedarf (z.B. Infekte oder starke körperliche Belastungen). Die Therapie der Addison-Krise besteht in der Gabe von hochdosiertem Hydrocortison. Als Dauertherapie werden Hydrocortison und Fludrocortison verabreicht.
MicroRNA-34/449 targets IGFBP-3 and attenuates airway remodeling by suppressing Nur77-mediated autophagy
Authors: Yin Huiming , Zhang Shu , Sun Yahong , Li Sha , Ning Yunye , Dong Yuchao , Shang Yan , Bai Chong
Published: August 2017

Autophagy plays critical roles in airway inflammation and fibrosis-mediated airway remodeling and many factors including proinflammatory cytokines and inflammation related pathways are involved in the process. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of epithelial microRNAs (miRNAs) in autophagy-mediated airway remodeling and to identify the factors involved and the underlying mechanisms. Serum miR-34/449, inflammatory factors, and autophagy and fibrosis-related proteins were determined by real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting in 46 subjects with asthma and 10 controls and in the lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B induced with IL-13 and treated with miRNA mimics. Luciferase assays were used to verify IGFBP-3 as a target of miR-34/449, and immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation were used in vitro and in vivo study. miR-34/449 were downregulated in patients with asthma in parallel with the upregulation of autophagy-related proteins. Proinflammatory factors and fibrosis-related proteins were significantly higher in asthma patients than in healthy controls. IL-13 induction promoted autophagy and upregulated miR-34/449 in BEAS-2B cells, and these effects were restored by IGFBP-3 silencing. miR-34/449 overexpression suppressed autophagy, decreased fibrosis, activated Akt, downregulated fibrosis-related factors, and downregulated proinflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor κB by targeting IGFBP-3. In vivo experiments showed that miR-34/449 overexpression was associated with Nur77 nuclear translocation and IGFBP-3 downregulation in parallel with decreased airway remodeling by decreased autophagy. miR-34/449 are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in asthma. miR-34/449 may contribute to airway inflammation and fibrosis by modulating IGFBP-3 mediated autophagy activation.
Lytic cell death induced by melittin bypasses pyroptosis but induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β release
Authors: Martín-Sánchez Fátima , Martínez-García Juan José , Muñoz-García María , Martínez-Villanueva Miriam , Noguera-Velasco José A , Andreu David , Rivas Luís , Pelegrín Pablo
Published: August 2017

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor with a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a sensor for different types of infections and alterations of homeostatic parameters, including abnormally high levels of the extracellular nucleotide ATP or crystallization of different metabolites. All NLRP3 activators trigger a similar intracellular pathway, where a decrease in intracellular K+ concentration and permeabilization of plasma membrane are key steps. Cationic amphipathic antimicrobial peptides and peptide toxins permeabilize the plasma membrane. In fact, some of them have been described to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. Among them, the bee venom antimicrobial toxin peptide melittin is known to elicit an inflammatory reaction via the NLRP3 inflammasome in response to bee venom. Our study found that melittin induces canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation by plasma membrane permeabilization and a reduction in the intracellular K+ concentration. Following melittin treatment, the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, an adaptor protein with a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), was necessary to activate caspase-1 and induce IL-1β release. However, cell death induced by melittin prevented the formation of large ASC aggregates, amplification of caspase-1 activation, IL-18 release and execution of pyroptosis. Therefore, melittin-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome results in an attenuated inflammasome response that does not result in caspase-1 dependent cell death.
RNF183 promotes proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells via activation of NF-κB-IL-8 axis
Authors: Geng Rong , Tan Xin , Wu Jiangxue , Pan Zhizhong , Yi Min , Shi Wei , Liu Ranyi , Yao Chen , Wang Gaoyuan , Lin Jiaxin , Qiu Lin , Huang Wenlin , Chen Shuai
Published: August 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, which is a heterogeneous disease and main risk factors are associated with inflammation, family history, genetic mutations, epigenetics, and so on. Ring finger domain proteins have been reported involved in carcinogenesis, whereas their roles in CRC are rarely studied. Here, we reanalyzed the expression of 202 RNF family members in CRC using published microarray data from GEO database and found that RNF183 is markedly upregulated in tumor tissues. RNF183 high expression is significantly associated with tumor size (P=0.012), tumor invasive depth (P=0.004), TNM stage (P=0.01), and distant metastasis (P=0.009). CRC patients with high expression of RNF183 have poor overall survival (P<0.001) and progression-free survival (P<0.001). Functional studies suggest that RNF183 facilitates growth, migration, and invasion of CRC cells in vitro and promotes tumor proliferation and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, RNF183 activates NF-κB signal pathway through P65 and stimulates the transcription of multifunctional chemokine IL-8. Blockage of NF-κB by small molecule inhibitor or depletion of IL-8 by siRNA attenuates the function of RNF183 to promote cell migration. Moreover, the regulation of RNF183 on IL-8 transcription and cell viability/motility is dependent on its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Our study provided proof of principle to show that RNF183 promotes proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells via activation of NF-κB-IL-8 axis.
Non-coding RNAs participate in the regulatory network of CLDN4 via ceRNA mediated miRNA evasion
Authors: Song Yong-xi , Sun Jing-xu , Zhao Jun-hua , Yang Yu-chong , Shi Jin-xin , Wu Zhong-hua , Chen Xiao-wan , Gao Peng , Miao Zhi-feng , Wang Zhen-ning
Published: August 2017

Thousands of genes have been well demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progression. As genes do not function in isolation, they can be grouped into “networks” based on their interactions. In this study, we discover a network regulating Claudin-4 in gastric cancer. We observe that Claudin-4 is up-regulated in gastric cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. Claudin-4 reinforce proliferation, invasion, and EMT in AGS, HGC-27, and SGC-7901 cells, which could be reversed by miR-596 and miR-3620-3p. In addition, lncRNA-KRTAP5-AS1 and lncRNA-TUBB2A could act as competing endogenous RNAs to affect the function of Claudin-4. Our results suggest that non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulatory network of Claudin-4. As such, non-coding RNAs should be considered as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets against gastric cancer.
Siderite micro-modification for enhanced corrosion protection
Authors: Taleb Wassim , Pessu Frederick , Wang Chun , Charpentier Thibaut , Barker Richard , Neville Anne
Published: August 2017

Production of oil and gas results in the creation of carbon dioxide (CO2) which when wet is extremely corrosive owing to the speciation of carbonic acid. Severe production losses and safety incidents occur when carbon steel (CS) is used as a pipeline material if corrosion is not properly managed. Currently corrosion inhibitor (CI) chemicals are used to ensure that the material degradation rates are properly controlled; this imposes operational constraints, costs of deployment and environmental issues. In specific conditions, a naturally growing corrosion product known as siderite or iron carbonate (FeCO3) precipitates onto the internal pipe wall providing protection from electrochemical degradation. Many parameters influence the thermodynamics of FeCO3 precipitation which is generally favoured at high values of temperatures, pressure and pH. In this paper, a new approach for corrosion management is presented; micro-modifying the corrosion product. This novel mitigation approach relies on enhancing the crystallisation of FeCO3 and improving its density, protectiveness and mechanical properties. The addition of a silicon-rich nanofiller is shown to augment the growth of FeCO3 at lower pH and temperature without affecting the bulk pH. The hybrid FeCO3 exhibits superior general and localised corrosion properties. The findings herein indicate that it is possible to locally alter the environment in the vicinity of the corroding steel in order to grow a dense and therefore protective FeCO3 film via the incorporation of hybrid organic-inorganic silsesquioxane moieties. The durability and mechanical integrity of the film is also significantly improved.
Impact of physical activity on the association between lipid profiles and mortality among older people
Authors: Ou Shuo-Ming , Chen Yung-Tai , Shih Chia-Jen , Tarng Der-Cherng
Published: August 2017

High serum lipid levels are independent predictors of mortality risk in the general population. Recent data suggest that this may not apply in the older populations, and even acts in the opposite direction. In consideration of the frail state, minimum amount of physical activity (60–100 minutes each week) may be more suitable for older individuals but its role in lipid profiles has never been explored. Between 2006 and 2010, we conducted a cohort study of 83,820 participants aged ≥65 years using the Taipei City Elderly Health Examination Database. Participants were classified as inactive, low or high in their level of physical activity. Older individuals with lowest quintile of total cholesterol, non-HDL and HDL were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with other quintile of these lipid profiles. Compared to inactive older individuals, both low (adjusted hazard ratios [aHR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70–0.81) and high active older individuals (aHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.51–0.59) were associated with lower risks of mortality. Physical activity, even minimum volume of exercise, in older people has to be encouraged to reduce the increased risk of mortality from low serum lipid levels.
Intestinal colonisation patterns in breastfed and formula-fed infants during the first 12 weeks of life reveal sequential microbiota signatures
Authors: Timmerman Harro M. , Rutten Nicole B. M. M. , Boekhorst Jos , Saulnier Delphine M. , Kortman Guus A. M. , Contractor Nikhat , Kullen Martin , Floris Esther , Harmsen Hermie J. M. , Vlieger Arine M. , Kleerebezem Michiel , Rijkers Ger T.
Published: August 2017

The establishment of the infant gut microbiota is a highly dynamic process dependent on extrinsic and intrinsic factors. We characterized the faecal microbiota of 4 breastfed infants and 4 formula-fed infants at 17 consecutive time points during the first 12 weeks of life. Microbiota composition was analysed by a combination of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR). In this dataset, individuality was a major driver of microbiota composition (P = 0.002) and was more pronounced in breastfed infants. A developmental signature could be distinguished, characterized by sequential colonisation of i) intrauterine/vaginal birth associated taxa, ii) skin derived taxa and other typical early colonisers such as Streptococcus and Enterobacteriaceae, iii) domination of Bifidobacteriaceae, and iv) the appearance of adultlike taxa, particularly species associated with Blautia, Eggerthella, and the potential pathobiont Clostridium difficile. Low abundance of potential pathogens was detected by 16S profiling and confirmed by qPCR. Incidence and dominance of skin and breast milk associated microbes were increased in the gut microbiome of breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants. The approaches in this study indicate that microbiota development of breastfed and formula-fed infants proceeds according to similar developmental stages with microbiota signatures that include stage-specific species.
Thermally induced crystallization, hole-transport, NLO and photovoltaic activity of a bis-diarylamine-based push-pull molecule
Authors: Jiang Yue , Allain Magali , Gindre Denis , Dabos-Seignon Sylvie , Blanchard Philippe , Cabanetos Clément , Roncali Jean
Published: August 2017

The synthesis of a molecule constituted of two diarylamine-based push-pull chromophores covalently linkedviatheir nitrogen atom is described. Comparison of the electronic properties with the parent monomer shows that dimerization has negligible influence on the electronic properties of the molecule but exerts a dramatic impact on the capacity of the material to self-reorganize. Application of thermal annealing to thin films induces the crystallization under original morphologies, a process accompanied by a partial bleaching of the absorption in the visible range and by a huge increase of hole-mobility. X-ray diffraction data on single crystals reveal the presence of π-stacked organization with a non-centrosymmetric co-facial arrangement of the dipoles which leads to intrinsic 2ndorder bulk NLO properties of thin films as evidenced by second harmonic generation under 800 nm laser light. The implications of this thermally induced crystallization on the photovoltaic properties of the material are discussed on the basis of preliminary results obtained on simple bilayer organic solar cells.
Predicting blooms of toxic cyanobacteria in eutrophic lakes with diverse cyanobacterial communities
Authors: Bukowska Aleksandra , Kaliński Tomasz , Koper Michał , Kostrzewska-Szlakowska Iwona , Kwiatowski Jan , Mazur-Marzec Hanna , Jasser Iwona
Published: August 2017

We investigated possibility of predicting whether blooms, if they occur, would be formed of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria. DGGE analysis of 16S-ITS and mcyA genes revealed that only Planktothrix and Microcystis possessed mcy-genes and Planktothrix was the main microcystin producer. qPCR analysis revealed that the proportion of cells with mcy-genes in Planktothrix populations was almost 100%. Microcystin concentration correlated with the number of potentially toxic and total Planktothrix cells and the proportion of Planktothrix within all cyanobacteria, but not with the proportion of cells with mcy-genes in total Planktothrix. The share of Microcystis cells with mcy-genes was low and variable in time. Neither the number of mcy-possessing cells, nor the proportion of these cells in total Microcystis, correlated with the concentration of microcystins. This suggests that it is possible to predict whether the bloom in the Masurian Lakes will be toxic based on Planktothrix occurrence. Two species of toxin producing Planktothrix, P. agardhii and P. rubescens, were identified by phylogenetic analysis of 16S-ITS. Based on morphological and ecological features, the toxic Planktothrix was identified as P. agardhii. However, the very high proportion of cells with mcy-genes suggests P. rubescens. Our study reveals the need of universal primers for mcyA genes from environment.
Dipole orientation analysis without optical simulation: application to thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters doped in host matrix
Authors: Komino Takeshi , Oki Yuji , Adachi Chihaya
Published: August 2017

The dipole orientation of guest emitters doped into host matrices is usually investigated by angular dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements, which acquire an out-of-plane PL radiation pattern of the guest-host thin films. The PL radiation patterns generated by these methods are typically analysed by optical simulations, which require expertise to perform and interpret in the simulation. In this paper, we developed a method to calculate an orientational order parameter S without the use of full optical simulations. The PL radiation pattern showed a peak intensity (Isp) in the emission direction tilted by 40°–60° from the normal of the thin film surface plane, indicating an inherent dipole orientation of the emitter. Thus, we directly correlated Isp with S. The S − Isp relation was found to depend on the film thickness (d) and refractive indices of the substrate (nsub) and the organic thin film (norg). Hence, S can be simply calculated with information of Isp, d, nsub, and norg. We applied our method to thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials, which are known to be highly efficient electroluminescence emitters. We evaluated S and found that the error of this method, compared with an optical simulation, was less than 0.05.
Umbilical cord extracts improve diabetic abnormalities in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and increase their therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Nagaishi Kanna , Mizue Yuka , Chikenji Takako , Otani Miho , Nakano Masako , Saijo Yusaku , Tsuchida Hikaru , Ishioka Shinichi , Nishikawa Akira , Saito Tsuyoshi , Fujimiya Mineko
Published: August 2017

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) has been applied as the most valuable source of autologous cell transplantation for various diseases including diabetic complications. However, hyperglycemia may cause abnormalities in intrinsic BM-MSC which might lose sufficient therapeutic effects in diabetic patients. We demonstrated the functional abnormalities in BM-MSC derived from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes models in vitro, which resulted in loss of therapeutic effects in vivo in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Then, we developed a novel method to improve abnormalities in BM-MSC using human umbilical cord extracts, namely Wharton’s jelly extract supernatant (WJs). WJs is a cocktail of growth factors, extracellular matrixes and exosomes, which ameliorates proliferative capacity, motility, mitochondrial degeneration, endoplasmic reticular functions and exosome secretions in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes-derived BM-MSC (DM-MSC). Exosomes contained in WJs were a key factor for this activation, which exerted similar effects to complete WJs. DM-MSC activated by WJs ameliorated renal injury in both type 1 and type 2 DN. In this study, we developed a novel activating method using WJs to significantly increase the therapeutic effect of BM-MSC, which may allow effective autologous cell transplantation.
The design of a mechanical wave-like DNA nanomachine for the fabrication of a programmable and multifunctional molecular device
Authors: Zhu Xiaoli , Chen Xiaoxia , Ban Fangfang , Cao Ya , Zhao Jing , Chen Guifang , Li Genxi
Published: August 2017

A DNA nanomachine is designed for switching just like a mechanical wave upon binding with an input.
Carbon encapsulated nanoscale iron/iron-carbide/graphite particles for EMI shielding and microwave absorption
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Choudhary Harish Kumar , Pawar Shital Patangrao , Bose Suryasarathi , Sahoo Balaram
Published: August 2017

Dispersed metallic-iron and dielectric-Fe3C nanoparticles in carbon globules facilitate multiple scattering and absorption of EM-waves through large interfacial polarization.
Hydrogen bond and lifetime dynamics in diluted alcohols
Authors: Salamatova Evgeniia , Cunha Ana V. , Shinokita Keisuke , Jansen Thomas L. C. , Pshenichnikov Maxim S.
Published: August 2017

Hydrogen-bonding plays a crucial role in many chemical and biochemical reactions.
The hydrophobic force for bubble–particle attachment in flotation – a brief review
Authors: Xing Yaowen , Gui Xiahui , Cao Yijun
Published: August 2017

Both exponential decay and power decay laws could be employed to quantitatively describe the hydrophobic force between bubble and particle.
Anisotropic carrier mobility in buckled two-dimensional GaN
Authors: Tong Lijia , He Junjie , Yang Min , Chen Zheng , Zhang Jing , Lu Yanli , Zhao Ziyuan
Published: August 2017

Converting FGaNH to HGaNH can significantly suppress hole mobility (even close to zero) and result in a transition from p-type-like semiconductor (FGaNH) to n-type-like semiconductor (HGaNH).
Theoretical study of the substituent effect controlling the radiative and non-radiative decay processes of platinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Shen Wei , Zhang Wenting , Zhu Chaoyuan
Published: August 2017

By taking into account the energy gap law, relaxation dynamics and triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA), six organometallic complexes are systematically investigated for possible non-radiative decay processes.
Tunable interaction between metal clusters and graphene
Authors: Lenz Baldez Raisi N. , Piquini Paulo , Schmidt Alex A. , Kuroda Marcelo A.
Published: August 2017

Using first principles calculations we find that the interaction between small transition metal clusters and graphene follows the d-band model.
Modelling charge transport of discotic liquid-crystalline triindoles: the role of peripheral substitution
Authors: Volpi Riccardo , Camilo Ana Claudia Santos , Filho Demetrio A. da Silva , Navarrete Juan T. López , Gómez-Lor Berta , Delgado M. Carmen Ruiz , Linares Mathieu
Published: August 2017

We have performed a multiscale approach to study the influence of peripheral substitution in the semiconducting properties of discotic liquid-crystalline triindoles.
Correction: Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) derived nanoporous carbon: the effect of carbonization temperature on the supercapacitor performance in an aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Young Christine , Salunkhe Rahul R. , Tang Jing , Hu Chi-Chang , Shahabuddin Mohammed , Yanmaz Ekrem , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Kim Jung Ho , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) derived nanoporous carbon: the effect of carbonization temperature on the supercapacitor performance in an aqueous electrolyte’ by Christine Young et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 29308–29315.
The pKa value of the proximal water molecule trans to a high-valent MnVO porphyrin: towards the control of reactivity by pH
Authors: Saint-Germes Laurie , Bar Laure , Dejeu Jérôme , Spinelli Nicolas , Defrancq Eric , Pratviel Geneviève
Published: August 2017

In water, the protonation state of the proximal water molecule of a high-valent manganese-oxo porphyrin could be controlled by pH. While in interaction with DNA the porphyrin was able to cleave DNA, only when the proximal water molecule was in the form of a hydroxyl group.
Point-of-care diagnostics to improve maternal and neonatal health in low-resource settings
Authors: Majors Catherine E. , Smith Chelsey A. , Natoli Mary E. , Kundrod Kathryn A. , Richards-Kortum Rebecca
Published: August 2017

We present diagnostic technologies available to detect the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality, highlighting key gaps in development.
Impact of phenylalanines outside the dimer interface on phosphotriesterase stability and function
Authors: Olsen Andrew J. , Halvorsen Leif A. , Yang Ching-Yao , Barak Ventura Roni , Yin Liming , Renfrew P. Douglas , Bonneau Richard , Montclare Jin Kim
Published: August 2017

We explore the significance of phenylalanine outside of the phosphotriesterase (PTE) dimer interface through mutagenesis studies and computational modeling.
A nanosized Mn oxide/boron nitride composite as a catalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Najafpour Mohammad Mahdi , Madadkhani Sepideh , Tomo Tatsuya , Allakhverdiev Suleyman I.
Published: August 2017

A nanosized Mn oxide/boron nitride composite is reported as a catalyst for water oxidation.
Simulating the reactions of substituted pyridinio-N-phosphonates with pyridine as a model for biological phosphoryl transfer
Authors: Pabis Anna , Williams Nicholas H. , Kamerlin Shina C. L.
Published: August 2017

This work provides a comprehensive model for non-enzymatic phosphoryl transfer, as a baseline for understanding biological phosphoryl transfer reactions.
Synthesis of a pentadentate, polypyrazine ligand and its application in cobalt-catalyzed hydrogen production
Authors: Chen Lizhu , Khadivi Amir , Singh Manpreet , Jurss Jonah W.
Published: August 2017

A molecular cobalt complex bearing an unprecedented pentadentate, polypyrazine ligand is reported for electrocatalytic H2 evolution from pH 7 water.
A family of ssa-type copper-based MOFs constructed from unsymmetrical diisophthalates: synthesis, characterization and selective gas adsorption
Authors: Chen Fengli , Bai Dongjie , Wang Yao , Jiang Donghao , He Yabing
Published: August 2017

Three unsymmetrical diisophthalate ligands were used for the first time to construct novel copper-based MOFs exhibiting promising potential for C2H2 storage and separation as well as natural gas purification.
Acid promoted Ir–P^N complex catalyzed hydrogenation of heavily hindered 3,4-diphenyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes: asymmetric synthesis of lasofoxifene tartrate
Authors: Zanotti-Gerosa Antonio , Gazić Smilović Ivana , Časar Zdenko
Published: August 2017

An asymmetric hydrogenation of minimally functionalized tetrasubstituted cyclic olefins has been developed using an Ir–P^N catalyst and an acid additive enabling the synthesis of lasofoxifene tartrate.
1,2,3-Triazole-assisted C–H amidation by cobalt(iii) catalysis
Authors: Yu Xinling , Ma Qiang , Lv Songyang , Li Jue , Zhang Chen , Hai Li , Wang Qiantao , Wu Yong
Published: August 2017

This protocol proceeded efficiently under external oxidant-free conditions with the advantages of high atom efficiency and a broad substrate scope.
A highly carbon-resistant olivine thermally fused with metallic nickel catalyst for steam reforming of biomass tar model compound
Authors: Meng Junguang , Wang Xiaobo , Zhao Zengli , Wu Xianshuang , Zheng Anqing , Wei Guoqiang , Huang Zhen , Li Haibin
Published: August 2017

The Ni/olivine catalyst prepared by thermal fusion showed high catalytic activity and carbon deposition resistance during toluene steam reforming.
Novel mefenamic acid PVC membrane sensor based on a new Cd Schiff's base complex containing a phenanthroline unit
Authors: Noroozi Mohammad , Keypour Hassan
Published: August 2017

In this study, a PVC membrane electrode modified with a Cd Schiff base complex was constructed as a novel, sensitive and selective structured carrier for checking trace amounts of mefenamic acid in real samples.
Visible-light-induced degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers with AgI–TiO2
Authors: Shao Ying-Ying , Ye Wei-Dong , Sun Chun-Yan , Liu Chu-Lin , Wang Qi
Published: August 2017

Visible-light-induced multi-electron transfer in debromination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by AgI–TiO2.
Synthesis, crystal structure and water oxidation activity of [Ru(terpy)(bipy)Cl]+ complexes: influence of ancillary ligands on O2 generation
Authors: Dhiman Rekha , Singh Namita , Ugale Bharat , Nagaraja C. M.
Published: August 2017

Synthesis of four new complexes [RuII(MeMPTP)(bpy)Cl]PF6 (1), [RuII(MeMPTP)(dmbpy)Cl]PF6 (2), [RuII(MeMPTP)(dmdcbpy)Cl]PF6 (3) and [RuII(MeMPTP)(Pic)2Cl]PF6 (4) and their catalytic activity for chemical oxidation of water into O2 generation has been demonstrated.
Tunable high-κ ZrxAl1−xOy thin film dielectrics from all-inorganic aqueous precursor solutions
Authors: Woods K. N. , Waddington E. C. , Crump C. A. , Bryan E. A. , Gleckler T. S. , Nellist M. R. , Duell B. A. , Nguyen D. P. , Boettcher S. W. , Page C. J.
Published: August 2017

An all-inorganic, aqueous solution route enables facile control of composition and optimization of zirconium aluminum oxide thin film dielectric properties.
Dynamic behaviour of multilamellar vesicles under Poiseuille flow
Authors: Pommella A. , Donnarumma D. , Caserta S. , Guido S.
Published: August 2017

Surfactant multilamellar vesicles flowing in capillaries deform and give rise to a concentrated phase along the channel center in analogy with unilamellar vesicles, droplets and RBCs.
Pre-planted nucleation seeds for rechargeable metallic lithium anodes
Authors: Liu Yue , Li Bin , Liu Jianhua , Li Songmei , Yang Shubin
Published: August 2017

Pre-planted nano copper particles not only played as nucleation seeds but also regulated the Li+flux during lithium striping/plating process, leading to high cycling stability for rechargeable metallic lithium batteries.
A new approach to flexible humidity sensors using graphene quantum dots
Authors: Hosseini Z. S. , Iraji zad A. , Ghiass M. A. , Fardindoost S. , Hatamie S.
Published: August 2017

Highly sensitive flexible humidity sensors based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were developed. The GQD sensors have potential for application in wearable electronics and RH monitoring.
Enhancement of efficiency in graphene/porous silicon solar cells by co-doping graphene with gold nanoparticles and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide
Authors: Kim Ju Hwan , Shin Dong Hee , Lee Ha Seung , Jang Chan Wook , Kim Jong Min , Seo Sang Woo , Kim Sung , Choi Suk-Ho
Published: August 2017

The co-doping of graphene with Au nanoparticles and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide is employed for the first time to enhance the performance of graphene/porous Si solar cells.
Arzneimittelforschung – soziale Verantwortung
Authors: Glaeske Gerd
Published: August 2017

Der Diskussionsbeitrag in diesem Heft mit dem Titel „Möglichkeiten der universitären Einflussnahme auf die globale Preisgestaltung von Medikamenten“ (1 siehe Seite 530) berührt unterschiedliche Themen. Zum einen geht es um die Forschung im Bereich der Arzneimitteltherapie, die nach wie vor dringend erforderlich ist. Ein Teil dieser Forschung findet im Rahmen der Grundlagenforschung in universitären Einrichtungen oder in außeruniversitären Forschungseinrichtungen statt, die mit öffentlichen Mitteln finanziert werden und wichtige Impulse für weiterführende Forschungsstrategien oder gar „fertige“ innovative Lösungen für die Behandlung bestimmter Krankheiten oder Symptome geben können. Eine Übersicht aus dem Jahre 2005 zeigte, dass von den rund 160 Mrd. US-Dollar, die weltweit für die Arzneimittelforschung ausgegeben werden, 51% von den pharmazeutischen Unternehmen, 8% aus Stiftung und 41% aus der öffentlichen Finanzierung stammen. Insofern liegen die Befragten einer EMNID-Studie aus den späten 1990er Jahren gar nicht so falsch, wenn über die Hälfte von ihnen mutmaßte, dass neue Präparate aus den Labors von Universitäten und staatlichen Forschungsinstituten kämen, an denen Arzneimittelhersteller allenfalls beteiligt seien. Und ein gutes Drittel der Befragten war überzeugt, dass der Staat den Hauptteil der Forschungs- und Entwicklungskosten trage. Den Verbänden der pharmazeutischen Hersteller und den forschenden Unternehmen können solche Einschätzungen in der Bevölkerung natürlich gar nicht recht sein, weil genau mit den hohen Investitionen in die Forschung und Entwicklung, die ausschließlich von den Unternehmen finanziert werden und insgesamt über 90% ausmachen sollen, letztlich die hohen Preise für neue Arzneimittel begründet werden – obwohl neu, so zeigen es immer wieder systematische Bewertungen, keineswegs innovativ im Sinne eines therapeutischen Fortschritts bedeuten müssen, dies wird allenfalls bei jedem dritten oder vierten neuen Mittel konstatiert (zu grundlegenden Überlegungen siehe 2).
Why aren't we eating our own dog food?
Authors: Chourasia Sanjiv , Dong Linying
Published: August 2017

CanTel was one of the fastest growing Canadian telecommunications companies that provided telephone, cable, Internet, and cloud services. In 2015, the company employed over 40,000 employees and boasted of achieving over Cdn$10 billion of annual revenue and serving over 10 million customers. As a cloud service provider, the company faced a dilemma of not being able to fulfill the IT needs of its internal business units. As a result, one of the business units, Digital Channel, resorted to a third-party cloud service, and this set an example for other business units to follow suit. Jeff Smith, the CEO of the company CanTel, and the CIO Jane Lockhart had to find a solution to the issue that had significant implications to its business-IT alignment and IT governance.
Recombination at high carrier density in methylammonium lead iodide studied using time-resolved microwave conductivity
Authors: Labram John G. , Chabinyc Michael L.
Published: August 2017

Time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) is a highly versatile method to rapidly evaluate the electronic properties of semiconducting compounds without the need to construct and optimize electronic devices. In this report, we study how bimolecular and Auger recombination mechanisms affect TRMC measurements. In particular, we investigate how recombination reduces the measured value of the TRMC figure-of-merit: ϕΣμ, at a high incident optical fluence. Using a numerical model, we calculate how these higher-order recombination processes reduce experimentally measured values of ϕΣμ relative to a regime of low carrier concentration with little recombination. By fitting this model to experimentally obtained data for the hybrid halide perovskite compound, methylammonium lead iodide, we are able to extract the bimolecular and Auger rate constants and provide a clear determination of the sum of the hole and electron mobilities for these films.
Real-time digital signal recovery for a multi-pole low-pass transfer function system
Authors: Lee Jhinhwan
Published: August 2017

In order to solve the problems of waveform distortion and signal delay by many physical and electrical systems with multi-pole linear low-pass transfer characteristics, a simple digital-signal-processing (DSP)-based method of real-time recovery of the original source waveform from the distorted output waveform is proposed. A mathematical analysis on the convolution kernel representation of the single-pole low-pass transfer function shows that the original source waveform can be accurately recovered in real time using a particular moving average algorithm applied on the input stream of the distorted waveform, which can also significantly reduce the overall delay time constant. This method is generalized for multi-pole low-pass systems and has noise characteristics of the inverse of the low-pass filter characteristics. This method can be applied to most sensors and amplifiers operating close to their frequency response limits to improve the overall performance of data acquisition systems and digital feedback control systems.
Evaluation of silicon- and carbon-face SiO2/SiC MOS interface quality based on scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy
Authors: Chinone Norimichi , Nayak Alpana , Kosugi Ryoji , Tanaka Yasunori , Harada Shinsuke , Okumura Hajime , Cho Yasuo
Published: August 2017

A strong positive correlation was found between the trap density (Dit) at the SiO2/SiC interface and signal variation in a scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy (SNDM) image. Si-face and C-face SiC wafers with a 45-nm-thick oxide layer were examined by the conventional high-low method and SNDM, which is a type of scanning probe microscopy. The Dit value measured by the high-low method and the standard deviation of normalized SNDM images exhibited a strong positive correlation, which means that the standard deviation of the normalized SNDM image can be used as a universal measure of the SiO2/SiC interface quality. Using this measure, a quick evaluation of Dit using SNDM is possible.
The metal-insulator transition in the organic conductor β″-(BEDT-TTF)2Hg(SCN)2Cl
Authors: Li Weiwu , Rose Eva , Tran Minh Vu , Hübner Ralph , Łapiński Andrzej , Świetlik Roman , Torunova Svetlana A. , Zhilyaeva Elena I. , Lyubovskaya Rimma N. , Dressel Martin
Published: August 2017

We explore the nature of the metal-insulator transition in the two-dimensional organic compound β″-(BEDT-TTF)2Hg(SCN)2Cl by x-ray, electrical transport, ESR, Raman, and infrared investigations. Magnetic and vibrational spectroscopy concurrently reveal a gradual dimerization along the stacking direction (a−b), setting in already at the crossover temperature of 150 K from the metallic to the insulating state. A spin gap of Δσ=47 meV is extracted. From the activated resistivity behavior below T = 55 K, a charge gap of Δρ=60 meV is derived. At TCO = 72 K, the C=C vibrational modes reveal the development of a charge-ordered state with a charge disproportionation of 2δρ=0.34e. In addition to a slight structural dimerization, charge-order causes stripes most likely perpendicular to the stacks.
Molecular simulation of homogeneous crystal nucleation of AB2 solid phase from a binary hard sphere mixture
Authors: Bommineni Praveen Kumar , Punnathanam Sudeep N.
Published: August 2017

Co-crystal formation from fluid-mixtures is quite common in a large number of systems. The simplest systems that show co-crystal (also called substitutionally ordered solids) formation are binary hard sphere mixtures. In this work, we study the nucleation of AB2 type solid compounds using Monte Carlo molecular simulations in binary hard sphere mixtures with the size ratio of 0.55. The conditions chosen for the study lie in the region where nucleation of an AB2 type solid competes with that of a pure A solid with a face-centered-cubic structure. The fluid phase composition is kept equal to that of the AB2 type solid. The nucleation free-energy barriers are computed using the seeding technique of Sanz et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 15008 (2013)]. Our simulation results show that the nucleation of the AB2 type solid is favored even under conditions where the pure A solid is more stable. This is primarily due to the similarity in the composition of the fluid phase and the AB2 type solid which in turn leads to much lower interfacial tension between the crystal nucleus and the fluid phase. This system is an example of how the fluid phase composition affects the structure of the nucleating solid phase during crystallization and has relevance to crystal polymorphism during crystallization processes.
Parallel ion compressibility effects on kinetic ballooning mode for different magnetic shears
Authors: Li Y. , Xiao Y.
Published: August 2017

Various gyrokinetic simulations suggest that the kinetic ballooning mode (KBM) instability is sensitive to the numerical implementation of equilibrium magnetic configuration in tokamaks. In this work, the gyrokinetic code GTC is employed to investigate the KBM's sensitivity to equilibrium plasma profiles. An outward radial shift of the radial mode is found for the normal magnetic shear case, but there is no shift if the shear is negative. The simulation results are explained by a linear eigenmode theory. It is found that the observed phenomenon is an effect of the parallel ion compressibility.