bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A DNA Origami Nanorobot Controlled by Nucleic Acid Hybridization
Authors: Torelli Emanuela , Marini Monica , Palmano Sabrina , Piantanida Luca , Polano Cesare , Scarpellini Alice , Lazzarino Marco , Firrao Giuseppe
Published: March 2014

A prototype for a DNA origami nanorobot is designed, produced, and tested. The cylindrical nanorobot (diameter of 14 nm and length of 48 nm) with a switchable flap, is able to respond to an external stimulus and reacts by a physical switch from a disarmed to an armed configuration able to deliver a cellular compatible message. In the tested design the robot weapon is a nucleic acid fully contained in the inner of the tube and linked to a single point of the internal face of the flap. Upon actuation the nanorobot moves the flap extracting the nucleic acid that assembles into a hemin/G‐quadruplex horseradish peroxidase mimicking DNAzyme catalyzing a colorimetric reaction or chemiluminescence generation. The actuation switch is triggered by an external nucleic acid (target) that interacts with a complementary nucleic acid that is beard externally by the nanorobot (probe). Hybridization of probe and target produces a localized structural change that results in flap opening. The flap movement is studied on a two‐dimensional prototype origami using Förster resonance energy transfer and is shown to be triggered by a variety of targets, including natural RNAs. The nanorobot has potential for in vivo biosensing and intelligent delivery of biological activators.
TiN/NbC Compound Particle Formation during Thin Slab Direct Rolling of HSLA Steel
Authors: Lee Youryeol , De Cooman Bruno C.
Published: March 2014

Compound two‐phase particles were found in thin slab direct rolled Ti‐added Nb high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel after the rough rolling stage of an in‐line strip processing line. The compound two‐phase particles are composed of a cuboid Ti‐rich (TixNb1−x)N (0.73≥x > 0.60) core and an Nb‐rich cap‐shaped epitaxial deposit of (TixNb1−x)C (0.35≥x > 0.06) or NbC formed on the {100}‐type faces of the cuboid (TixNb1−x)N (0.73≥x > 0.60) core. At the interface between the cuboid core and the cap‐shaped deposit, the Ti/(Nb + Ti) atomic ratio was found to increase gradually from a low value of Ti/(Nb + Ti) ≈ 0, on the cap‐side of the particles, to a high value of Ti/(Nb + Ti) ≈ 0.7, on the cuboid core side of the precipitate. The fact that compound TiN/NbC two‐phase particles are present in the matrix indicates that NbC has a greater thermodynamic stability, i.e. a lower solubility, in the presence of TiN precipitates. A kinetic precipitation model is proposed to explain this effect. The model is based on the formation of geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) around TiN precipitates. A high TiN volume fraction leads to a high density of GND and a high density of heterogeneous nucleation sites for NbC. Consequently, the solute Nb content is lowered and the strain accumulation due to the suppression of the inter‐pass recrystallization is limited. This results in the high softening ratio observed in multi‐hit compression test.
The character of innovative places: entrepreneurial strategy, economic development, and prosperity
Authors: Feldman Maryann P.
Published: March 2014

Why do investments in certain places yield jobs, growth, and prosperity while similar investments made in seemingly identical places fail to produce the desired results? Starting with the observation that innovation clusters spatially across a broad spectrum of industries, my work seeks to understand the mechanisms and institutions that promote the creation of useful knowledge. In my conceptualization, entrepreneurs, as the agents who recognize opportunity, mobilize resources, and create value, are key to the creation of institutions and the building of capacity that will sustain regional economic development. Entrepreneurs benefit from location. But entrepreneurs are also pivotal as agents of change that can transform local communities. The initial event or entrepreneurial spark that gives rise to prosperous regions is not deterministic nor do they automatically set in motion path dependencies that automatically yield successful places. What matters most is human agency—the building of institutions and the myriad public and private decisions that determine what I call the character of place—a spirit of authenticity, engagement, and common purpose.
An additive variant of Somekawa's K-groups and Kähler differentials
Authors: Hiranouchi Toshiro
Published: March 2014

We introduce a Milnor type K-group associated to commutative algebraic groups over a perfect field. It is an additive variant of Somekawa's K-group. We show that the K-group associated to the additive group and q multiplicative groups of a field is isomorphic to the space of absolute Kähler differentials of degree q of the field, thus giving us a geometric interpretation of the space of absolute Kähler differentials. We also show that the K-group associated to the additive group and Jacobian variety of a curve is isomorphic to the homology group of a certain complex.
ENDURING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, WOMEN'S EDUCATION, MARRIAGE AND FERTILITY TRANSITION IN KINSHASA
Authors: SHAPIRO DAVID
Published: March 2014

This paper examines fertility transition in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and second-largest city in sub-Saharan Africa. Shapiro (1996) documented the onset of fertility transition in the city, using data from 1990. Women's education was strongly inversely related to fertility, beginning with secondary schooling, and increases in women's education were important in initiating fertility transition in the city. The paper uses data from the 2007 Demographic and Health Survey in the DRC to examine fertility in Kinshasa and assess fertility transition since 1990, a period characterized by severe adverse economic conditions in the DRC. Fertility transition has continued at a strong pace. In part this reflects increased educational attainment of women, but it appears also to be largely a consequence of enduring economic hardship. The ongoing fertility decline has been accompanied by substantial delays in entry to marriage and childbearing, reflecting adverse economic conditions, which in turn have contributed to continuing declines in fertility.
THE STORY OF THE HUGE FACE OF AN ARRANGEMENT: VARISPEED'S ADAPTATION OF ROBERT ASHLEY'S PERFECT LIVES
Authors: Bell Gelsey
Published: March 2014

Robert Ashley's opera Perfect Lives was conceived for the medium of television and first broadcast (by the UK's Channel 4) in 1984. Partly for this reason, and also for other factors (the apparently necessary involvement of Ashley himself as narrator; the absence of a complete, fully notated score) the work has received very few live performances. In 2011 the New York City-based performance collective Varispeed reconceived the work as a day-long, site-specific event, following Ashley's available notations and recorded performances in broad outline but departing from them in creative ways. In this article Varispeed founding member Gelsey Bell describes the working processes and decision-making that informed the collective's approach to this experimental classic.
ON HORATIU RADULESCU'S FIFTH STRING QUARTET (‘BEFORE THE UNIVERSE WAS BORN’) OP. 89
Authors: Dougherty William
Published: March 2014

Horatiu Radulescu's Fifth String Quartet, ‘before the universe was born’, is a shining example of his radical compositional approach. With an intense interest in creating a rich, numinous sound-world constructed firmly on principles of nature, science and ancient philosophy, Radulescu developed a unique compositional language that breaks with traditional musical conventions. In hopes of illuminating the inner workings behind his often enigmatic compositional process, this article examines various aspects relating to Radulescu's Fifth Quartet: the work's formal construction, with a focus on its notation and overall large-scale harmonic development; the Quartet's rhythmic devices and their link to the philosophical underpinnings that drive the work; the extended instrumental string techniques employed throughout, the sounds they achieve, and how they are executed; and the work's spectral pitch organisation.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2: 22–23 November 2013
Authors: Maguire Phil
Published: March 2014

Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival's promotion of Scandinavian and Catalan music – through established partnerships with The Danish Composers’ Society and Music Norway, and a more recent association with Catalonia's Institut Ramon Llul – have helped to bring under-represented regions for contemporary music to the foreground of the international scene.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 3: 24 November 2013
Authors: Glover Richard
Published: March 2014

Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival ended with a folk-themed Sunday, to draw together the interests from the Danish and Norwegian representations with British musical cultures, and to provide a markedly different end to this year's festival than others recent. As an audience member, I found that the focus upon learning activities, free concerts and vernacular and improvisatory approaches to music-making provided a strong feeling of community throughout the day. Danish fiddler Poul Bjerager Christiansen, who coordinated the morning's traditional dance workshop, stated that we can choose to see traditional music as a base for creating new music; it is clear that Graham McKenzie wants to see it as a base for creating new festival environments, in which we are invited to explore and make our own connections.
String quartets at the Wigmore Hall (October 2013): Arditti Quartet and Diotima Quartet
Authors: Graham Stephen
Published: March 2014

The string quartet retains the pull of intimacy and the promise of prestige it has held for composers since the late eighteenth century. Unlike, say, the historically over-determined piano sonata, there is a degree of flexibility and adaptability in the form that has allowed a wide range of modern composers, from Xenakis to Shostakovich to Rihm, to make distinctive marks on it.
Ensemble Plus-Minus and Leafcutter John at Kammer Klang, Cafe Oto, London
Authors: Graham Stephen
Published: March 2014

It would be simplistic to suggest that contemporary classical music exists solely within or around large institutions. For at least 50 years now, this music has also found a home in small galleries, loft spaces and basements, and other small, independent venues around the world, as seen for example in the Downtown New York scene. London venue Cafe Oto – operating out of a warehouse in Dalston since 2008 – runs on similar principles to specialist Downtown venues such as the Stone, in that it boasts a wide-ranging multi-genre programme focused on various experimental and avant-garde musics, such as noise, free jazz, and contemporary classical.
The conversion of allenes to strained three-membered heterocycles
Authors: Adams C. S. , Weatherly C. D. , Burke E. G. , Schomaker J. M.
Published: March 2014

The addition of heteroatoms to an allenic double bond yields strained heterocycles that serve as scaffolds for further useful transformations.
Fungal metabolites with anticancer activity
Authors: Evidente Antonio , Kornienko Alexander , Cimmino Alessio , Andolfi Anna , Lefranc Florence , Mathieu Véronique , Kiss Robert
Published: March 2014

The review discusses the reported sources, structures and biochemical studies aimed at the exploitation of the anticancer potential associated with fungal secondary metabolites.
The mechanical bending effect and mechanism of high performance and low-voltage flexible organic thin-film transistors with a cross-linked PVP dielectric layer
Authors: Yi Mingdong , Guo Yuxiu , Guo Jialin , Yang Tao , Chai Yuhua , Fan Quli , Xie Linghai , Huang Wei
Published: March 2014

Low operational voltage flexible organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) have been achieved using two layers of cross-linked PVP as the dielectric layer on a flexible polyimide (PI) substrate.
Water-soluble porphyrin nanospheres: enhanced photo-physical properties achieved via cyclodextrin driven double self-inclusion
Authors: Zhang Hong , Zhang Boyu , Zhu Mengyuan , Grayson Scott M. , Schmehl Russell , Jayawickramarajah Janarthanan
Published: March 2014

Water-soluble porphyrinic nanospheres with enhanced photo-physical properties were constructed by using porphyrin precursors with attenuated stacking capabilities as a result of undergoing intra-molecular host–guest interactions.
The influence of radioactive decay on actinide magnetic susceptibility measurements obtained using the Evans method
Authors: Autillo Matthieu , Kaden Peter , Geist Andreas , Guerin Laetitia , Moisy Philippe , Berthon Claude
Published: March 2014

Magnetic susceptibility studies performed on two americium isotopes (241Am and 243Am) revealed the influence of α and β radioactive decay types on measurements obtained using the Evans method.
Performance and characterization of rhenium-modified Rh–Ir alloy catalyst for one-pot conversion of furfural into 1,5-pentanediol
Authors: Liu Sibao , Amada Yasushi , Tamura Masazumi , Nakagawa Yoshinao , Tomishige Keiichi
Published: March 2014

Rh–Ir–ReOx/SiO2 catalyst with ReOx-modified Ir–Rh alloy particles can convert furfural to 1,5-PeD in high yield.
Microtiter plate-sized standalone chip holder for microenvironmental physiological control in gas-impermeable microfluidic devices
Authors: Harink Björn , Le Gac Séverine , Barata David , van Blitterswijk Clemens , Habibovic Pamela
Published: March 2014

Microtiter plate-sized standalone chip holder for control of physiological conditions inside closed microfluidic cell culture systems, made from gas-impermeable materials.
Synthesis of iminosugar derivatives presenting naphthyl and alkyl amine interacting groups and binding to somatostatin receptors
Authors: Barron Stephen , Murphy Paul V.
Published: March 2014

The synthesis of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) derivatives, presenting a 2-naphthylmethyl and an alkyl amino side chain, from l-sorbose is described.
Decreased serum zinc is an effect of ageing and not Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rembach Alan , Hare Dominic J. , Doecke James D. , Burnham Samantha C. , Volitakis Irene , Fowler Christopher J. , Cherny Robert A. , McLean Catriona , Grimm Rudolf , Martins Ralph , Ames David , Masters Colin L. , Bush Ashley I. , Roberts Blaine R.
Published: March 2014

Serum zinc decreases with age.
Theoretical study on the effect of different substituents on the electronic structures and photophysical properties of phosphorescent Ir(iii) complexes
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Si Yanling , Wu Zhijian
Published: March 2014

The high quantum yield of1compared to4is explained by the S1–T1splitting energy, the transition dipole moment and the energy gap between3MLCT/π–π* and3MC d–d states. Complexes2and3are expected to be the potential phosphorescence emitters in OLEDs with high quantum efficiency.
Designed synthesis of sulfonated polystyrene/mesoporous silica hollow nanospheres as efficient solid acid catalysts
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Zhang Lei , Yang Qihua
Published: March 2014

We report the successful synthesis of hybrid hollow nanospheres with sulfonated polystyrene aligned in the mesoporous channels of a silica shell.
Control of porosity of novel carbazole-modified polytriazine frameworks for highly selective separation of CO2–N2
Authors: Liu Yao , Wu Shaofei , Wang Gang , Yu Guipeng , Guan Jianguo , Pan Chunyue , Wang Zhonggang
Published: March 2014

Ethyl acetate-appended nanoporous organic polytriazine (NOP-20 ) displays a high CO2–N2 ideal selectivity of 81 (273 K), which makes it a promising candidate as adsorbent for CO2 capture in fields related to the environment and energy.
YODA signalling in the early Arabidopsis embryo
Authors: Musielak Thomas J. , Bayer Martin
Published: March 2014

During early embryogenesis, flowering plants establish their principal body plan starting with an apical–basal axis. An asymmetric division of the zygote gives rise to apical and basal cells with different developmental fates. Besides WOX (WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX) transcription factors and the plant hormone auxin, the YDA (YODA)/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway plays a major role in establishing different cell fates after the first zygotic division. In the present review, we summarize the available data on YDA signalling during embryogenesis. The role of YDA in other developmental processes was taken into account to highlight possible implications for this pathway in the embryo.
Depression during pregnancy: molecular regulations of mothers’ and children's behaviour
Authors: Pariante Carmine M.
Published: March 2014

Depression in pregnancy (also called ‘antenatal depression’) is being increasingly recognized as a clinically relevant condition that affects obstetric outcome, maternal behaviour and children's future mental health. The present review focuses on the molecular mechanisms operating in utero that underlie the potential effects of antenatal depression on mothers’ and children's behaviour. In particular, I discuss evidence, coming largely from animal and cellular studies, that activation of the main hormonal stress-response system, the HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis, in mothers who are depressed during pregnancy may affect maternal care as well as offspring's behaviour and future psychopathology. The evidence summarized in the present review supports the notion that preventing or treating depression in pregnancy will alleviate not only the suffering of mothers, but also the suffering of the next generation.
Self-incompatibility in Papaver: advances in integrating the signalling network
Authors: Eaves Deborah J. , Flores-Ortiz Carlos , Haque Tamanna , Lin Zongcheng , Teng Nianjun , Franklin-Tong Vernonica E.
Published: March 2014

Self-fertilization, which results in reduced fitness of offspring, is a common problem in hermaphrodite angiosperms. To prevent this, many plants utilize SI (self-incompatibility), which is determined by the multi-allelic S-locus, that allows discrimination between self (incompatible) and non-self (compatible) pollen by the pistil. In poppy (Papaver rhoeas), the pistil S-determinant (PrsS) is a small secreted protein which interacts with the pollen S-determinant PrpS, a ~20 kDa novel transmembrane protein. Interaction of matching pollen and pistil S-determinants results in self-recognition, initiating a Ca2+-dependent signalling network in incompatible pollen. This triggers several downstream events, including alterations to the cytoskeleton, phosphorylation of sPPases (soluble inorganic pyrophosphatases) and an MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), increases in ROS (reactive oxygen species) and nitric oxide (NO), and activation of several caspase-like activities. This results in the inhibition of pollen tube growth, prevention of self-fertilization and ultimately PCD (programmed cell death) in incompatible pollen. The present review focuses on our current understanding of the integration of these signals with their targets in the SI/PCD network. We also discuss our recent functional expression of PrpS in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen.
Reducing methylglyoxal as a therapeutic target for diabetic heart disease
Authors: Vulesevic Branka , Milne Ross W. , Suuronen Erik J.
Published: March 2014

Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes affects cardiac tissue through several different, yet interconnected, pathways. Damage to endothelial cells from direct exposure to high blood glucose is a primary cause of deregulated heart function. Toxic by-products of non-enzymatic glycolysis, mainly methylglyoxal, have been shown to contribute to the endothelial cell damage. Methylglyoxal is a precursor for advanced glycation end-products, and, although it is detoxified by the glyoxalase system, this protection mechanism fails in diabetes. Recent work has identified methylglyoxal as a therapeutic target for the prevention of cardiovascular complications in diabetes. A better understanding of the glyoxalase system and the effects of methylglyoxal may lead to more advanced strategies for treating cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.
The cAMP-binding Popdc proteins have a redundant function in the heart
Authors: Brand Thomas , Simrick Subreena L. , Poon Kar Lai , Schindler Roland F.R.
Published: March 2014

Popdc (Popeye-domain-containing) genes encode membrane-bound proteins and are abundantly present in cardiac myocytes and in skeletal muscle fibres. Functional analysis of Popdc1 (Bves) and Popdc2 in mice and of popdc2 in zebrafish revealed an overlapping role for proper electrical conduction in the heart and maintaining structural integrity of skeletal muscle. Popdc proteins mediate cAMP signalling and modulate the biological activity of interacting proteins. The two-pore channel TREK-1 interacts with all three Popdc proteins. In Xenopus oocytes, the presence of Popdc proteins causes an enhanced membrane transport leading to an increase in TREK-1 current, which is blocked when cAMP levels are increased. Another important Popdc-interacting protein is caveolin 3, and the loss of Popdc1 affects caveolar size. Thus a family of membrane-bound cAMP-binding proteins has been identified, which modulate the subcellular localization of effector proteins involved in organizing signalling complexes and assuring proper membrane physiology of cardiac myocytes.
Interactions between Epac1 and ezrin in the control of endothelial barrier function
Authors: Parnell Euan , Yarwood Stephen J.
Published: March 2014

Loss of barrier function in the vasculature promotes inflammatory signalling which in turn contributes to the progression of cardiovascular disease. cAMP can protect against endothelial dysfunction through the effectors PKA (protein kinase A) and Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP). The present review outlines the role of Epac1 signalling within the endothelium and, in particular, the role of Epac1 in cytoskeletal dynamics and the control of cell morphology. The actin/cytoskeleton linker ezrin will be described in terms of the growing body of evidence placing it downstream of cAMP signalling as a mediator of altered cellular morphology.
Methylglyoxal in diabetes: link to treatment, glycaemic control and biomarkers of complications
Authors: Beisswenger Paul J.
Published: March 2014

Diabetic complications are major health problems worldwide, with the cost of caring for diabetes rising to US$245 billion in 2012 in the U.S.A. alone. It is widely recognized that non-enzymatic glycation in diabetes is a major cause of damage and dysfunction of key vascular cells. MG (methylglyoxal) is directly toxic to tissues, and is a major precursor of AGEs (advanced glycation end-products). Various propensities to diabetic complications are seen among individuals with diabetes, with accelerated rates occurring in some individuals with modest hyperglycaemia, while others never progress in spite of poor glycaemic control over many years. Since production and detoxification of MG is ultimately controlled by enzymatic mechanisms, both genetic and environmental factors could regulate tissue glycation and potentially account for these variable complication rates. Activation of pathways that determine MG levels occurs in susceptible patients, indicting an important role in pathogenesis. MG leads to formation of specific AGEs, which are likely to predict propensity to diabetic complications. We have shown recently that three specific plasma AGE biomarkers [MG-H1 (MG-derived hydroimidazolones), CEL (Nε-carboxyethyl-lysine) and CML (Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine)] predict biopsy-documented fast DN (diabetic nephropathy) progression. Since two of the predictive biomarkers are MG end-products, these outcomes support a role for MG in the development of DN. Our studies on MG and its end-products have also shown anti-complication effects of the drug metformin, which binds and inactivates MG, thus reducing MG-related AGEs. We have also shown that reducing post-meal glucose decreases MG levels, as well as levels of MG-related AGEs. Our clinical outcome studies have been based on the novel concept that the unique glycation products that we can measure reflect the activity of specific chemical pathways that are selectively activated by hyperglycaemia in patients that are inherently more susceptible to diabetic complications, and can be used to solve other diabetes-related medical questions.
The temporal and spatial dynamics of glyoxalase I following excitoxicity and brain ischaemia
Authors: Pieroh Philipp , Birkenmeier Gerd , Dehghani Faramarz
Published: March 2014

MG (methylglyoxal) is an inevitable metabolite derived from glycolysis leading to protein modification, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The ubiquitous glyoxalase system detoxifies MG under GSH consumption by mean of Glo1 (glyoxalase I) as the rate-limiting enzyme. Neurons are highly vulnerable to MG, whereas astrocytes seem less susceptible due to their highly expressed glyoxalases. In neurodegenerative diseases, MG and Glo1 were found to be pivotal players in chronic CNS (central nervous system) diseases. Comparable results obtained upon MG treatment and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor activation provided evidence of a possible link. Additional evidence was presented by alterations in Glo1 expression upon stimulation of excitotoxicity as an event in the aftermath of brain ischaemia. Glo1 expression was remarkably changed following ischaemia, and beneficial effects were found after exogenous application of Tat (transactivator of transcription)–Glo1. In summary, there are strong indications that Glo1 seems to be a suitable target to modulate the consequences of acute neuronal injury.
Measurement of glyoxalase gene expression
Authors: Xue Mingzhan , Rabbani Naila , Thornalley Paul J.
Published: March 2014

The glyoxalase system is an important component of the enzymatic defence against glycation, preventing particularly quantitatively and functionally important glycation of protein and DNA by methylglyoxal. Expression of genes encoding Glo1 (glyoxalase I) and Glo2 (glyoxalase II) may be induced or suppressed, and rates of proteolysis of Glo1 and Glo2 proteins may change in health and disease. Quantitative assessment of glyoxalase gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels has become a key part of glyoxalase system characterization. For mRNA, there is the common technique of real-time RT (reverse transcription)–PCR and direct quantification of mRNA copy number by the Nanostring™ method. For glyoxalase protein quantification, there is the commonly used Western blotting, and also immunoassay and, in proteome-wide studies, quantitative proteomics and proteome dynamics. We provide protocols for the common methods below and briefly review their application.
Patterning of the angiosperm female gametophyte through the prism of theoretical paradigms
Authors: Lituiev Dmytro S. , Grossniklaus Ueli
Published: March 2014

The FG (female gametophyte) of flowering plants (angiosperms) is a simple highly polar structure composed of only a few cell types. The FG develops from a single cell through mitotic divisions to generate, depending on the species, four to 16 nuclei in a syncytium. These nuclei are then partitioned into three or four distinct cell types. The mechanisms underlying the specification of the nuclei in the FG has been a focus of research over the last decade. Nevertheless, we are far from understanding the patterning mechanisms that govern cell specification. Although some results were previously interpreted in terms of static positional information, several lines of evidence now show that local interactions are important. In the present article, we revisit the available data on developmental mutants and cell fate markers in the light of theoretical frameworks for biological patterning. We argue that a further dissection of the mechanisms may be impeded by the combinatorial and dynamical nature of developmental cues. However, accounting for these properties of developing systems is necessary to disentangle the diversity of the phenotypic manifestations of the underlying molecular interactions.
Carbonyl stress in schizophrenia
Authors: Itokawa Masanari , Miyashita Mitsuhiro , Arai Makoto , Miyata Toshio
Published: March 2014

We have identified idiopathic carbonyl stress in a subpopulation of schizophrenic patients. We first identified a patient with a mutation in GLO1 (glyoxalase I) who showed increased AGE (advanced glycation end-product) levels and decreased vitamin B6 levels. By applying the observations from this rare case to the general schizophrenic population, we were able to identify a subset of patients (20%) for whom carbonyl stress may represent a causative pathophysiological process. Genetic defects in GLO1 increase the risk of carbonyl stress 5-fold, and the resulting increased AGE levels correlate significantly with PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) scored negative symptoms. Pyridoxamine, an active form of vitamin B6 and scavenger for carbonyl stress, could represent a novel and efficacious therapeutic agent for these treatment-resistant symptoms. In the present article, we describe a unique research approach to identify the causative process in the pathophysiology of a subset of schizophrenia. Our findings could form the basis of a schizophrenia subtype classification within this very heterogeneous disease and ultimately lead to better targeted therapy.
Current density partitioning in time-dependent current density functional theory
Authors: Mosquera Martín A. , Wasserman Adam
Published: March 2014

We adapt time-dependent current density functional theory to allow for a fragment-based solution of the many-electron problem of molecules in the presence of time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Regarding a molecule as a set of non-interacting subsystems that individually evolve under the influence of an auxiliary external electromagnetic vector-scalar potential pair, the partition 4-potential, we show that there are one-to-one mappings between this auxiliary potential, a sharply-defined set of fragment current densities, and the total current density of the system. The partition electromagnetic (EM) 4-potential is expressed in terms of the real EM 4-potential of the system and a gluing EM 4-potential that accounts for exchange-correlation effects and mutual interaction forces between fragments that are required to yield the correct electron dynamics. We prove the zero-force theorem for the fragmented system, establish a variational formulation in terms of action functionals, and provide a simple illustration for a charged particle in a ring.
Structure and ferroelectricity of nonstoichiometric (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3
Authors: Carter Jared , Aksel Elena , Iamsasri Thanakorn , Forrester Jennifer S. , Chen Jun , Jones Jacob L.
Published: March 2014

Stoichiometric (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 (NBT) adopts the ABO3 perovskite structure with the A-site equally occupied by Na+ and Bi3+ ions. However, non-stoichiometric compositions can be synthesized intentionally or unintentionally. To determine the effect of A-site nonstoichiometry on the crystal structure and ferroelectricity of NBT, the composition of (Na0.5−xBi0.5+x)TiO3+x was varied using x = −0.01, −0.005, 0, 0.005, and 0.01. High resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement revealed that a shift in either direction from x = 0 results in a decrease in the spontaneous ferroelastic strain. Ferroelectric hysteresis and piezoelectric coefficients were found to be optimum in the stoichiometric composition.
The stability of a horizontal interface between air and an insulating liquid subjected to charge injection
Authors: Chicón Rafael , Pérez Alberto T.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the linear stability analysis of an interface between air and an insulating liquid subjected to a perpendicular electric field, in the presence of unipolar injection of charge. Depending on the characteristics of the liquid and the depth of the liquid layer two different instability thresholds may be found. One of them is characterized by a wavelength of the order of the liquid layer thickness and corresponds to the well-known volume instability of a liquid layer subjected to charge injection. The other one is characterized by a wavelength some ten times the liquid layer thickness and corresponds to the so-called rose-window instability, an instability associated to the balance of surface stresses.
Synchronization sampling method based on delta-sigma analog-digital converter for underwater towed array system
Authors: Jiang Jia-Jia , Duan Fa-Jie , Li Yan-Chao , Hua Xiang-Ning
Published: March 2014

Synchronization sampling is very important in underwater towed array system where every acquisition node (AN) samples analog signals by its own analog-digital converter (ADC). In this paper, a simple and effective synchronization sampling method is proposed to ensure synchronized operation among different ANs of the underwater towed array system. We first present a master-slave synchronization sampling model, and then design a high accuracy phase-locked loop to synchronize all delta-sigma ADCs to a reference clock. However, when the master-slave synchronization sampling model is used, both the time-delay (TD) of messages traveling along the wired transmission medium and the jitter of the clocks will bring out synchronization sampling error (SSE). Therefore, a simple method is proposed to estimate and compensate the TD of the messages transmission, and then another effective method is presented to overcome the SSE caused by the jitter of the clocks. An experimental system with three ANs is set up, and the related experimental results verify the validity of the synchronization sampling method proposed in this paper.
Two-dimensional pentagonal crystals and possible spin-polarized Dirac dispersion relations
Authors: Tang Chi-Pui , Xiong Shi-Jie , Shi Wu-Jun , Cao Jie
Published: March 2014

Based on first-principles calculations we show that the two-dimensional pentagonal (pt) structures, the compositions of pt-BN2, pt-C, and pt-Fe2S, are stable. As a common feature, they are composed of 3 components: 2 stretched honeycomb sublattices and 1 square sublattice, conferring flexibility of tailoring the properties peculiar to the graphene. Although the Dirac dispersion relation is removed in metallic pt-BN2 and insulating pt-C due to the hybridization of two honeycomb sublattices, it survives in pt-Fe2S because of the suppression of such hybridization between different spins. As a result, in the dispersion relation of pt-Fe2S spin-polarized and anisotropic Dirac cones occur. We suggest that such type of dispersion relation can be used to produce spin-filter effect by applying electric bias in a specific direction.
Mesoporous Co3O4 nanostructured material synthesized by one-step soft-templating: A magnetic study
Authors: Poyraz Altug S. , Hines William A. , Kuo Chung-Hao , Li Nan , Perry David M. , Suib Steven L.
Published: March 2014

A combined magnetization and zero-field 59Co spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study has been carried out on one member of a recently developed class of highly ordered mesoporous nanostructured materials, mesoporous Co3O4 (designated UCT-8, University of Connecticut, mesoporous materials). The material was synthesized using one-step soft-templating by an inverse micelles packing approach. Characterization of UCT-8 by powder x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy reveals that the mesostructure consists of random close-packed Co3O4 nanoparticles ≈ 12 nm in diameter. The N2 sorption isotherm for UCT-8, which is type IV with a type H1 hysteresis loop, yields a 134 m2/g BET surface area and a 7.7 nm BJH desorption pore diameter. The effect of heat treatment on the structure is discussed. The antiferromagnetic Co3O4 nanoparticles have a Néel temperature TN = 27 K, somewhat lower than the bulk. A fit to the Curie-Weiss law over the temperature range 75 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K yields an effective magnetic moment of μeff = 4.36 μB for the Co2+ ions, indicative of some orbital contribution, and a Curie-Weiss temperature Θ = −93.5 K, consistent with antiferromagnetic ordering. The inter-sublattice and intra-sublattice exchange constants for the Co2+ ions are J1/kB = (−)4.75 K and J2/kB = (−)0.87 K, respectively, both corresponding to antiferromagnetic coupling. The presence of uncompensated surface spins is observed below TN with shifts in the hysteresis loops, i.e., an exchange-bias effect. The 59Co NMR spectrum for UCT-8, which is attributed to Co2+ ions at the tetrahedral A sites, is asymmetrically broadened with a peak at ≈55 MHz (T = 4.2 K). Since there is cubic symmetry at the A-sites, the broadening is indicative of a magnetic field distribution due to the uncompensated surface spins. The spectrum is consistent with antiferromagnetically ordered particles that are nanometer in size and single domain.
Trapping of individual airborne absorbing particles using a counterflow nozzle and photophoretic trap for continuous sampling and analysis
Authors: Pan Yong-Le , Wang Chuji , Hill Steven C. , Coleman Mark , Beresnev Leonid A. , Santarpia Joshua L.
Published: March 2014

We describe an integrated opto-aerodynamic system and demonstrate that it enables us to trap absorbing airborne micron-size particles from air, hold them and then release them, and to repeat this sequence many times as would be appropriate for continuous sampling of particles from air. The key parts of the system are a conical photophoretic optical trap and a counter-flow coaxial-double-nozzle that concentrates and then slows particles for trapping. This technology should be useful for on-line applications that require monitoring (by single particle analyses) of a series of successively arriving particles (e.g., from the atmosphere or pharmaceutical or other production facilities) where the total sampling time may last from minutes to days, but where each particle must be held for a short time for measurements (e.g., Raman scattering).
Influence of film thickness and nanograting period on color-filter behaviors of plasmonic metal Ag films
Authors: Hu X. L. , Sun L. B. , Shi B. , Ye M. , Xu Y. , Wang L. S. , Zhao J. , Li X. L. , Wu Y. Q. , Yang S. M. , Tai R. Z. , Fecht H.-J. , Jiang J. Z. , Zhang D. X.
Published: March 2014

The effects of film thickness and nanograting period on color filter behaviors of the device, fabricated by sub-micrometers patterning on plasmonic silver thin films, have been studied. It is found that color filter properties strongly correlate with film thickness and nanograting period. Based on obtained results, the relationship of the wavelength of transmission minima with film thickness and nanograting period was derived. This equation can predict the transmission minima for a given thickness and period in one-dimensional Ag metallic film nanograting on glass substrate, which could guide to design color filter device with desirable wavelength.
MoS2 functionalization for ultra-thin atomic layer deposited dielectrics
Authors: Azcatl Angelica , McDonnell Stephen , K. C. Santosh , Peng Xin , Dong Hong , Qin Xiaoye , Addou Rafik , Mordi Greg I. , Lu Ning , Kim Jiyoung , Kim Moon J. , Cho Kyeongjae , Wallace Robert M.
Published: March 2014

The effect of room temperature ultraviolet-ozone (UV-O3) exposure of MoS2 on the uniformity of subsequent atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 is investigated. It is found that a UV-O3 pre-treatment removes adsorbed carbon contamination from the MoS2 surface and also functionalizes the MoS2 surface through the formation of a weak sulfur-oxygen bond without any evidence of molybdenum-sulfur bond disruption. This is supported by first principles density functional theory calculations which show that oxygen bonded to a surface sulfur atom while the sulfur is simultaneously back-bonded to three molybdenum atoms is a thermodynamically favorable configuration. The adsorbed oxygen increases the reactivity of MoS2 surface and provides nucleation sites for atomic layer deposition of Al2O3. The enhanced nucleation is found to be dependent on the thin film deposition temperature.
A self-healing dielectric elastomer actuator
Authors: Hunt Stacy , McKay Thomas G. , Anderson Iain A.
Published: March 2014

Dielectric elastomer actuators that can provide muscle-like actuation are unable to self-heal like real muscle tissue. This severely limits dielectric elastomer reliability and robustness. This paper describes a way to instill self-healing into the DE by using a two-phase dielectric consisting of an open-cell silicone sponge saturated with silicone oil. When the dielectric is breached, the oil is able to flow back into any void, re-establishing the dielectric structure. The sponge holds the oil in place and provides dimensional stability, while the oil ensures the integrity of the dielectric layer. The operation of this has been demonstrated in a prototype DE actuator that continued to function despite being perforated multiple times with a sharp object.
Effect of magnetic domain structure on longitudinal and transverse magnetoelectric response of particulate magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites
Authors: Ma Fengde D. , Jin Yongmei M. , Wang Yu U. , Kampe S. L. , Dong Shuxiang
Published: March 2014

Phase field modeling and simulation reveal that the magnetoelectric response of particulate magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites sensitively depends on the magnetic domain structures of magnetostrictive phase. It is found that the longitudinal and transverse magnetoelectric coefficients of particulate composites with isotropic two-phase microstructures can be effectively tailored by controlling the magnetic domain structures. It is shown that engineered magnetic domains via controlled internal residual stress through appropriate processing, such as co-sintering under external stress (rather than isostatic pressing) in analogy to stress annealing of magnetostrictive materials, provide a powerful means to optimize magnetoelectric responses of particulate composites without fabricating anisotropic two-phase microstructures (e.g., laminate, fiber/rod).
A critical look at the calculation of the binding characteristics and concentration of iron complexing ligands in seawater with suggested improvements
Authors: Gerringa Loes J. A. , Rijkenberg Micha J. A. , Thuróczy Charles-Edouard , Maas Leo R. M.
Published: March 2014

Environmental context
The low concentration of iron in the oceans limits growth of phytoplankton. Dissolved organic molecules, called ligands, naturally present in seawater, bind iron thereby increasing its solubility and, consequently, its availability for biological uptake by phytoplankton. The characteristics of these ligands are determined indirectly with various mathematical solutions; we critically evaluate the underlying method and calculations used in these determinations.

Abstract
The determination of the thermodynamic characteristics of organic Fe binding ligands, total ligand concentration ([Lt]) and conditional binding constant (K′), by means of titration of natural ligands with Fe in the presence of an added known competing ligand, is an indirect method. The analysis of the titration data including the determination of the sensitivity (S) and underlying model of ligand exchange is discussed and subjected to a critical evaluation of its underlying assumptions. Large datasets collected during the International Polar Year, were used to quantify the error propagation along the determination procedure. A new and easy to handle non-linear model written in R to calculate the ligand characteristics is used. The quality of the results strongly depends on the amount of titration points or Fe additions in a titration. At least four titration points per distinguished ligand group, together with a minimum of four titration points where the ligands are saturated, are necessary to obtain statistically reliable estimates of S, K′ and [Lt]. As a result estimating the individual concentration of two ligands, although perhaps present, might not always be justified.
Adjective-fronting as evidence for Focus and Topic within the Bangla nominal domain
Authors: Syed Saurov
Published: March 2014

The goal of this paper is twofold. First it talks about the syntax of adjectives in Bangla, and argues in favor of the idea that there is a fixed hierarchy of functional projections where Adjective phrases are manifest as specifiers. It takes the stance that the adjectives are part of the lexicon; they are taken from the lexicon during a computation, and mapped into the syntax, forming an AdjectivePhrase (AdjP). Secondly, the paper argues for Focus and Topic phrases within the nominal domain, thus extending Rizzi’s original proposal of a split CP to DPs (cf. Rizzi 1997). Specifically the paper uses evidence from adjective fronting to claim that there is a fixed FocP immediately above the DP in Bangla, and at least one TopP above the FocP. The constituent bearing such a topic/focus feature needs to move up in a local checking configuration with the relevant functional head that has the matching feature, thus explaining the attested adjective-fronting.
Ditransitive structures in Hindi/Urdu
Authors: Malhotra Shiti
Published: March 2014

This chapter makes the following two language specific claims; (a) Hindi/Urdu involves two types of ditransitive constructions, corresponding to the prepositional dative constructions and the double object constructions as in languages like English, and (b) the two constructions are not derivationally connected, and are a result of two distinct ditransitive verbs in Hindi/Urdu, namely the “send” type verbs and the “show” type verbs. The two types of verbs have different argument structures and as a consequence two different verb phrase structures. The difference between the two types of verbs however doesn’t get reflected in the word – order in Hindi/Urdu because of the feature-driven movement of the objects to the edge of the vP.
Casein kinase 1δ functions at the centrosome and Golgi to promote ciliogenesis
Authors: Greer Yoshimi Endo , Westlake Christopher J. , Gao Bo , Bharti Kapil , Shiba Yoko , Xavier Charles P. , Pazour Gregory J. , Yang Yingzi , Rubin Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2014

Inhibition of casein kinase 1 delta (CK1δ) blocks primary ciliogenesis in human telomerase reverse transcriptase immortalized retinal pigmented epithelial and mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells-3. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and retinal cells from Csnk1d (CK1δ)-null mice also exhibit ciliogenesis defects. CK1δ catalytic activity and centrosomal localization signal (CLS) are required to rescue cilia formation in MEFsCsnk1d null. Furthermore, expression of a truncated derivative containing the CLS displaces full-length CK1δ from the centrosome and decreases ciliary length in control MEFs, suggesting that centrosomal CK1δ has a role in ciliogenesis. CK1δ inhibition also alters pericentrosomal or ciliary distribution of several proteins involved in ciliary transport, including Ras-like in rat brain-11A, Ras-like in rat brain-8A, centrosomal protein of 290 kDa, pericentriolar material protein 1, and polycystin-2, as well as the Golgi distribution of its binding partner, A-kinase anchor protein 450 (AKAP450). As reported for AKAP450, CK1δ was required for microtubule nucleation at the Golgi and maintenance of Golgi integrity. Overexpression of an AKAP450 fragment containing the CK1δ-binding site inhibits Golgi-derived microtubule nucleation, Golgi distribution of intraflagellar transport protein 20 homologue, and ciliogenesis. Our results suggest that CK1δ mediates primary ciliogenesis by multiple mechanisms, one involving its centrosomal function and another dependent on its interaction with AKAP450 at the Golgi, where it is important for maintaining Golgi organization and polarized trafficking of multiple factors that mediate ciliary transport.